Book Extract: Where The Light is Hottest by Catherine Yardley
It’s a pleasure to be welcoming Catherine Yardley to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, Where The Light is Hottest.
Natasha Jones has everything – a successful acting career, an Oscar, a wonderful husband and beautiful kids. But what does she have to go through to get there? From humble beginnings in a small town, Natasha’s path to stardom is paved with setbacks, heartaches and moments of doubt.
In the glittering world of fame and fortune, where dreams are spun from starlight and ambition fuels the relentless pursuit of success, one woman’s journey stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Beneath the facade of glamour lies a story of unwavering determination and unyielding courage.
Where the Light is the Hottest is a gripping tale of ambition, perseverance and the enduring power of hope. Through Natasha’s journey, we are reminded that the road to success is rarely smooth, but for those who dare to chase their dreams, the rewards are beyond measure.
There’s a chance below to win a copy of Where The Light is Hottest but first, Catherine has kindly shared an extract with us today. We hope you all enjoy.
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Where The Light is Hottest follows Natasha from small town Scotland to big time Hollywood. The scene below has her at an audition. I did so may of these when I was an actor. A lot of the time you are in and out in minutes. Other times you audition multiple times and either get the part, or fall at the last hurdle. It is a tough industry but the highs are like nothing else. I worked in the film industry as an actor, producer, casting director and director for years so I know my stuff. I hope you all enjoy following Natasha on her journey.
by 
Novel Kicks Writing Room: Creating a Crime
Welcome back to the Novel Kicks Writing Room.
Crime podcasts and novels have become really popular in recent years. I can date my interest back to the time I listened to the first Serial series. There was something about how the story was told that really got my interest. I was trying to work out what happened. What evidence did they have for and against?
So, today, I thought it would be interesting to plot out a similar situation.
You have someone who has been accused of a crime and someone who has been the victim of one.
The perpetrator – who are they? How old are they? What was their relationship to the victim? Interests? Hobbies? Personality.
Who was the victim? How old were they? Hobbies? Interests? Personality? What put them in harms way?
by Cover Reveal: The Matchmaker’s Mare by Hywela Lyn
I’m so delighted to be helping to reveal the cover for The Matchmaker’s Mare, the upcoming novel by Hywela Lyn.
When Megan Johnson inherits an old cottage in the Welsh countryside, she seizes the opportunity to cut ties with her past life, after a broken romance. Her nearest neighbour, a horse trainer, is also something of an enigma.
Single dad Glyn Phillips does his best to balance his love of horses and hard work, with his devotion to his son. When he meets his new neighbour, he knows he should resist any attraction.
A feisty pony mare which mysteriously appears on his land adds to his problems, but another, larger problem lies ahead. Two matchmaking spirits find their carefully laid plans may not go as smoothly as they hope.
Now we know about the novel, it’s time to reveal the cover. Ready. Drumroll…3…2…1…
by Book Extract: The Crime Writer by Diane Jeffery
I’m so delighted to be welcoming Diane Jeffery to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, The Crime Writer.
2019. Leona Walsh, a 34-year-old wife and mother vanishes on a bitterly cold afternoon while out jogging on the edge of Exmoor. It’s a mystery which captures public interest and ignites wild speculation. The police have a prime suspect: Leona’s husband, Matthew, a renowned crime writer. He can plot the perfect crime. But is he capable of committing the perfect murder?
Despite extensive searches, the police find no trace of Leona and her disappearance remains shrouded in mystery. As public interest dwindles, Matthew returns to raising their two daughters, aware the cloud of suspicion is never far away.
2024. Some human bones are discovered in a garden. Could they be Leona’s remains? And if so, is there enough evidence to find out what really happened five years ago?
Journalist Gabriela Conti covered the news story back in 2019. The police may have stopped watching Matthew, but Gabriella hasn’t forgotten him. And she is determined this case will define her career… even if that means getting close to a murderer.
There is a chance to win a copy of a previous paperback by Diane Jeffery below but first, she has kindly shared an extract with us today. We hope you enjoy.
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The following extract is taken from Chapter 6.
Leona Walsh, a local counsellor and mother of two, has gone missing. Volunteers are helping police to search for her around Wistlandpound Reservoir, where she was last seen. Journalist Gabriela Conti approaches Matthew, Leona’s husband, a renowned crime writer, in the hope of getting an interview.
I have chosen this extract because it is the moment where the two main characters in my book meet for the first time.
by NK Chats To… David Anderson
Hi David. Thank you so much for joining me today. Can you tell me about your book, The Drowners and what inspired it?
It’s my pleasure, Laura. Thank you for having me. The book is about that mezzanine between childhood and adulthood. Sixteen. When you are allowed to drive but can’t afford a car. When you are classified as a young adult, yet older people still treat you as a kid. Forget about pubs and nightclubs, you aren’t old enough to watch Basic Instinct in the cinema. It feels like you are walking through an aquarium, separated from this exotic wonderful world by a thick, impenetrable glass. Everyone else is having sex, except you. You’ll lose your marbles quicker than your virginity. And above all else, you want to fit in. You need to fit in. Your life depends on it.
Sixteen. It’s a scary time. It’s also a thrilling time. You discover books and music that speak to you. Go to your first concert. Get high. Fall in love. Every week brings fresh adventures. Everything is new and exciting. Your small circle of friends are your life. But behind the knock-off Aviators and smiley face tee-shirts lie dark secrets. Are any of you ready to take that next step? To leave the past behind, and become the people you want to be.
The Drowners is semi-autobiographical. It’s the one period of my life I thought I’d never write about, which appealed to the challenge seeker in me. I have conflicting emotions about that whole time which helped keep me honest; Who wants to read some guy’s rose-tinted vision of his youth? I wanted The Drowners to tell the good, the bad, and the mortifyingly awkward.
From idea to finished draft, how long does the writing process usually take you?
Years. Typically, I get an idea that won’t quit. It buzzes inside my brain like a hungry mosquito, periodically biting me. This could go on for months, even years. Finally, after I have a vague storyline mapped out, I’ll jot down 15-20 one-line ‘scenes.’ Once I have that framework in place, I’m ready to begin the first draft. Eight months later, I’ve got something that resembles a novel. Usually, it requires three more drafts before I am anywhere near satisfied.
What advice do you have when approaching the research and editing processes?
If you have ever listened to a demo version of a song, you’ll know the importance of editing. It’s not simply about polishing and fixing, it’s about amplifying and enhancing. It’s adding those fine details that make your story sparkle. That elevate your novel from an enjoyable experience to an unforgettable one.
Research is key. Everything needs to add up or you will lose your reader. Stories are illusions, and for illusions to work they must appear real. The moment the reader spots a glitch in the matrix is the moment the spell is broken.
What’s your typical writing day like? Any writing rituals?
by Book Club
