author

Introducing… Heidi Catherine.

/ lizziechantree / 6 Comments

I can’t wait to introduce you to the wonderful lady who is joining me on my introducing page today, author of the Soulweaver series of books, Heidi Catherine. I must also say that this is my favourite author photo so far!

Bungy

Hello, my name is Heidi Catherine and I’m the author of The Soulweaver series. When Lizzie Chantree asked me to find a photo of myself that hasn’t appeared anywhere else and tells you something about my personality, I knew exactly which one to dig up. This is me back in 1998 when I was a bit younger and whole lot crazier! I was in Cairns in Far North Queensland, Australia, and decided to conquer my fears by jumping off a bridge. Totally normal, right? It may look like I’m smiling in this photo, but that’s actually me gripped with terror. I’ve always liked this photo as conquering fears is something that I think is really important in life. Whether it’s getting up in front of a large group to speak, going to a party where I don’t know anybody or writing a book and sharing it with the world, I’ll give most things a go at least once if I think I can learn something from the experience. My debut novel, The Soulweaver, was published earlier this year and was quickly followed by the second and third books in the series. It’s a fantasy romance about loving the same souls over many lifetimes. Having these books published has been a thrilling ride (far preferable to bungy jumping!). I live in Melbourne with my husband, two sons and two furry daughters and can be found lurking on all the usual social media channels. Please stop past and say hello!
Trilogy.jpg

The Blurb for the first book is:

She’s loved and lost him a hundred times across a thousand years. She can’t bear to lose him again.

Lin’s dreams are haunted by faces of people she’s never met. Unable to shake the feeling she’s lived before, she’s drawn to Reinier—a stranger whose soul is heartbreakingly familiar from a time gone by.

Reinier helps Lin unravel the mystery of her past life as Hannah, a girl who sacrificed herself for her true love, Matthew. As Lin falls hopelessly in love with Reinier, her memories of her life as Hannah sharpen and she finds herself unable to let go of Matthew.

With her heart torn in two, Lin must decide whether she should stand by Reinier’s side or track down Matthew and fight for his love. What she doesn’t know is that her decision will ripple across our troubled planet, affecting far more lives than just her own.

Winner of Romance Writers of Australia’s Emerald Pro award, The Soulweaver is a story that will change the way you see the world.

Links:

Introducing… Alice castle.

/ lizziechantree / 7 Comments
My guest today is a wonderful author and fellow CC author, Alice Castle!
8C2D5840-C96F-426A-ABFE-05654D88028F

Before turning to crime, Alice Castle was a UK newspaper journalist for The Daily Express, The Times and The Daily Telegraph. Her first book, Hot Chocolate, set in Brussels and London, was a European hit and sold out in two weeks.

Death in Dulwich was published in September 2017 and has been a number one best-seller in the UK, US, Canada, France, Spain and Germany. A sequel, The Girl in the Gallery was published in December 2017 to critical acclaim. Calamity in Camberwell, the third book in the London Murder Mystery series, will be published this summer, with Homicide in Herne Hill due to follow in early 2019.  Alice is currently working on the fifth London Murder Mystery adventure. Once again, it will feature Beth Haldane and DI Harry York.

Alice lives in south London and is married with two children, two step-children and two cats.

Screen Shot 2018-04-17 at 10.14.33.png

 

Calamity in Camberwell – blurb

Beth Haldane, SE21’s answer to Miss Marple, worries she is losing a kindred spirit when her friend Jen, the only other single mum in the playground, suddenly gets married and moves to Camberwell.

Soon Beth has to face much more pressing fears. Has something gone horribly wrong with Jen’s marriage? What is her husband really up to? Why is her daughter leading Beth’s son astray? And where on earth IS Jen anyway?

As Beth’s friends push her to start dating again, Beth turns to Met Police DI Harry York for help. But will they solve the mystery in time, or will it turn out that in south east London, not everyone gets to live happily ever after?

 

Outlook-kafzkdwc.png

Introducing… Jennifer Wilson.

/ lizziechantree / 3 Comments

Today I am chatting to author of Kindred Spirits: Westminster Abbey, Jennifer C.Wilson.

1531931222449

Introducing myself / my books…

I’m Jennifer C. Wilson, and I’m probably the person I thought least likely to ever be writing ghost stories. Actually, I’m not writing ghost stories. I’m writing stories about ghosts. It’s a critical difference for this coward, believe me! I’m a marine biologist by training, and an environmental consultant by day, which I love, but I also adore my writing life.

My favourite thing in the world is to spend a day wandering around a historical site or building, working out whose footsteps I might be walking in, and what adventures they might have got up to whilst there. Whether it’s a battlefield, castle or terraced house, it’s the people which make places fascinating to me, but it was during a visit to the Tower of London when the notion of using the ghost concept really struck me. Plus, who doesn’t love the idea of mixing and matching their favourite characters from different periods of history, and seeing who does (or doesn’t) get along? Making Richard III and Anne Boleyn friends was fabulous fun to write.

For the latest Kindred Spirits adventure, we’ve headed back to London after a quick trip north of the border to the Royal Mile, and we’re in Westminster Abbey. Now THAT was a long research day – 9-6 in those walls, soaking up so much of Britain’s history. This time, we have a tantrum of Tudors (I’m really trying to make that catch on as a collective noun…), plus plenty of Plantagenets and a suite of Stuarts. I was scared to tackle it at first, but again, it was such a fun cast to work with.

You can find the Kindred Spirits series on Amazon here, or try my timeslip novella, also featuring Richard III, here. I’ve also recently been involved in a really worthwhile charity anthology, raising money for Newcastle’s Women’s Aid, and my contribution to the anthology (here), was a Kindred Spirits Short, exploring what happens when a certain six women finally meet…

JCW-Kindred-Westminster

 

Book blurb:

On hallowed ground…

With over three thousand burials and memorials, including seventeen monarchs, life for the ghostly community of Westminster Abbey was never going to be a quiet one. Add in some fiery Tudor tempers, and several centuries-old feuds, and things can only go one way: chaotic.

Against the backdrop of England’s most important church, though, it isn’t all tempers and tantrums. Poets’ Corner hosts poetry battles and writing workshops, and close friendships form across the ages.

With the arrival of Mary Queen of Scots, however, battle ensues. Will Queens Mary I and Elizabeth I ever find their common ground, and lasting peace?

The bestselling Kindred Spirits series continues within the ancient walls of Westminster Abbey.

 

Social media links: 

Jennifer C. Wilson – Historical Fiction With Spirit!

https://twitter.com/inkjunkie1984

https://jennifercwilsonwriter.wordpress.com/

https://www.facebook.com/jennifercwilsonwriter/

Cover Wars!

/ lizziechantree / 3 Comments

Ninja School Mum is currently on Cover Wars. It’s already got quite a few votes and the competition runs until 8am on Sunday. The winner wins a week of promotion for their book, so it’s a great competition for authors. Every person who clicks their vote is seeing all of the lovely covers there.

You can vote once each day via iphone and once via computer or iPad. A big thank you to everyone who has voted so far or is still voting. #TeamNinja

To add you vote for Ninja School Mum click here: Cover Wars

 

Introducing… Rosie Travers.

/ lizziechantree / 8 Comments

Today I have author Rosie Travers joining. me on my blog to tell you more about herself and her brand new book release, which is out in August. 

20180528_120909-1.jpg

About Rosie:

I grew up in Southampton on the south coast of England and loved escaping into a good book as soon as I could read. As a teenager I scribbled numerous short stories and novels, none of which I was ever brave enough to show anyone. After working in local government for many years I moved across the Atlantic to Southern California in 2009 when my husband took up a three year dream overseas assignment.  Life as an ex-pat wife wasn’t quite as glamorous and exciting as I first envisaged, so to fend off homesickness and culture shock I began a blog about our life in Los Angeles, which re-ignited my creative juices. When I returned to the UK I undertook a creative writing course, and the rest, as they say, is history.

I write entertaining, heart-warming stories sprinkled with romance and intrigue. My debut novel The Theatre of Dreams will be published on 1 August 2018.

http://myBook.to/theatreofdreams

Theatre of dreams book cover

Theatre of Dreams Blurb

Musical theatre actress Tara is down on her luck and in desperate need of a job.

When terminally-ill octogenarian Kitty invites her to take over the running of her former dance academy in the old-fashioned resort of Hookes Bay, Tara thinks she’s found her guardian angel.

But it soon becomes very clear Kitty is being far from benevolent.

Too late, Tara realises helping Kitty will signal the end of an already tarnished career, unless she can pull off the performance of a life-time.

 

Contact Info

Website: www.rosietravers@hotmail.com

Twitter @RosieTravers

Facebook: www.facebook.com/rosietraversauthor

Writing a speech.

/ lizziechantree / 11 Comments

Hello everyone. I’m currently writing a speech for my paperback book launch on Friday and it’s funny how I can write a 80,000 word novel, but a two page speech is a completely different skill. I’ve been reading up on all types of introductions to a gathering and have been bombarded with tips about making my guests laugh, telling them about my past working life, giving insights into my characters and more. Some say use Powerpoint pictures, some advise not. I’m not using Powerpoint, but I will be showing my new book trailer.

woman with glasses has head down, hands clasped in hair, looking exhausted. Open laptop and blank notebook on desk in front of her

 

My stomach currently feels like a washing machine on full cycle and the churning doesn’t look like it’s going to stop anytime soon. I have a friend who loves standing up in front of an audience and public speaking is her forte, but for me, I quake inside. I managed to attend a library for an author event about my latest work recently and gave a speech and chatted to guests for an hour and a half. It was amazing, but I was nervous beforehand. Luckily the attendees were so friendly that I forgot I was the speaker and I relaxed and had fun. This is great, but thinking about standing in front of people and reading my work to them or giving a speech is something I am going to have to get used to. I’m not a shy person and love talking to people, but when it’s focussed on me and I’m in front of a group, I feel my toes turn to jelly.

Time to get on with writing my speech. I’ll let you know how the event goes and will post pictures here next week. My online ebook launch is on Monday, so I will be celebrating with a post that morning too. Wish me luck! 🙂

Logic meme by Lizzie Chantree

 

 

Introducing… Kate Braithwaite.

/ lizziechantree / 2 Comments

Today it’s my pleasure to introduce you to author Kate Braithwaite. I asked Kate to send me a picture or photo which represented her personality and the image she sent was drawn by her son Max when he was 8. He’s now 15! She has always loved this drawing. Kate uses it on her Translations blog – very different from her historical novel writing – which is all about living in the States with her husband and 3 kids and the ups and downs of speaking UK English in America. Check it out as it’s really great.

IMG_0732.jpg

Kate’s novel, The Road to Newgate, is due out on July 16th. It’s a story of love, lies and the pursuit of justice in a time of terror threats and bigotry. Could be set anywhere and contemporary but its historical. Based on true events in 17th century London. It’s my second novel but my first with Crooked Cat.

2

This is the official blurb for The Road to Newgate…

What price justice?

London 1678.

Titus Oates, an unknown preacher, creates panic with wild stories of a Catholic uprising against Charles II. The murder of a prominent Protestant magistrate appears to confirm that the Popish Plot is real.

Only Nathaniel Thompson, writer and Licenser of the Presses, instinctively doubts Oates’s revelations. Even his young wife, Anne, is not so sure. And neither know that their friend William Smith has personal history with Titus Oates.

When Nathaniel takes a public stand, questioning the plot and Oates’s integrity, the consequences threaten them all

Here are some links…

mybook.to/theroadtonewgate

www.kate-braithwaite.com

https://twitter.com/KMBraithwaite

https://www.facebook.com/KateBraithwaiteAuthor/

https://transatlantictranslator.wordpress.com/

authorphoto

 

Monday Marketing. 3 Quick tips.

/ lizziechantree / 12 Comments

Hello everyone. Happy new week. I have my first author talk in a library this week and have been researching the best way to schedule the talk. They have booked me in for two hours, but my chat needs to be about 20 minutes and then an author Q&A and tea and coffee. I’ll let you know how I get on as I’m extremely nervous and two hours seems a very long time!

NSM tweets

Tips for planning an author talk:

  1. Have seven points of interest and explain them to your audience, so that they understand the structure of the talk. For example: Point 1. My working life before I became and author. Point 2. Fun facts about my career. Point 3. Why I changed career path. Point 4. Self-publishing. Do I think it’s a good idea? Point 5. Publishing contracts. What it’s like being offered one. Point 6. How some books become bestsellers. Point 7. Life after you’ve published a novel.
  2. Plan questions you might be asked and write your answers, so that you aren’t caught off guard.
  3. Hold a Q&A session, so that visitors can ask any questions you haven’t already answered.

Good luck if you have your own author talks planned. If you have any top tips to share, feel welcome to leave them in the comments section below. Much appreciated! From Lizzie:)

 

Are you a tidy person?

/ lizziechantree / 10 Comments

Are you a tidy person? By this, I mean, is your desk space clear, your housework up to date and your mind clear and raring to go? Lol:) I try and keep on top of housework and the studio where I write usually has a clean desk space, but with a second book launch and book tour rapidly approaching, I seem to be surrounded by piles of ‘stuff’. I have a corner for gifts for my online facebook launch, boxes for my paperback launch, books ready to sell, paperwork that needs clearing, notes and lists of things to do and suddenly my clear area to work has become an avalanche!

Perty.Lizzie Chantree. Launch party

Multi-tasking is something I am good at, but I’m so easily distracted by another idea that I have to write lists and cross them off, so that I finish one task before I begin another. I don’t always stick to this rule though. My studio, although very well thought out and organised, is quite small, so everything has to have it’s place and I am finding that my space is creeping into other areas of the building as I leave more boxes that I can’t fit into my studio, just outside the door.

Writing this is making me realise that I need to spend a few hours putting everything where it should be and finding a designated corner for book launches. I also have a library talk coming up and need promotional items and banners for that which will take up more space! In fact I need to sell more books and find a bigger studio. You’ve got to have a dream!

56962474-D81F-4F77-88E8-BE818D202317

Introducing… Sue Barnard.

/ lizziechantree / 5 Comments
Today I am thrilled to be introducing you to a lady who is not only a wonderful author, but who is also very supportive of other writers. I absolutely love the quote that Sue sent me to describe her personality, as the saying is so true! That’s my excuse and I’m sticking with it now that I’ve seen this artwork.

Meet Sue Barnard

And a little about me:
I’m a novelist, editor and award-winning poet whose family history is far stranger than any work of fiction. I’d write a book about it if I thought anyone would believe me.
My son once described me as “professionally weird”.
A photo which says something about me: 
IMG_0723.jpg
Sue’s book cover:
IMG_0711.jpg