Snow and romance

Hi!

Hope you all had a great Christmas and New Year.  I woke up this morning to a coating of the white stuff.  It's pretty nippy out there so I'm glad I'm cosy at my computer with hot coffee and chocolate biscuits.

I'm still putting the final touches on Being Isobel (which I hope to release very soon) but I'm also hatching a plan for a new novel.

I watched a documentary about writing a Mills and Boon book over the holidays.  It was actually my other half's idea to watch it.  It was pretty interesting and it got me thinking, could I write a Mills and Boon?

The author in the documentary struggled with the formula writing and I thought it would be a good challenge for me to give it a go.  I didn't really know very much about Mills and Boon so I started doing research, what's expected from the story, the alpha male etc.  I downloaded a few freebie novels to read, they were OK but kind of frustrating and predictable.  I did learn one thing - I cannot get my head around vampire romance!  I couldn't help but laugh at all the wrong bits *blushes*

I mentioned my idea to a few friends and they were very encouraging so once I've got Being Isobel and the third book in the Heaven Knows trilogy published I might just give it a go...

I'm having a Christmas giveaway.  Use the code JW43T to get your free download of Heaven Knows This Time from Smashwords.

This is a limited time offer, the code expires on 3rd January 2013 so hurry up and get your free copy now!

Smashwords - 
Heaven Knows This Time

Amazon reviewers say:

"You just cant help fall in love with the characters. A really really great read!"

"This book had me hooked from the first chapter and I was gutted when it finished."

"This is such a wonderful read, the characters had me gripped from the first page. Took me a day to read it all and I will probably read it again now."

A taster of Being Isobel

Not content with rushing around the shops in the Christmas crowds, baking up a storm for school Christmas fair and wrapping the children's presents, this week I have also been editing my NaNoWriMo novella.

It's called Being Isobel and it follows the story of Tracey Smith,  a young erotic author who gets more than she bargained for when she comes face to face with the object of her desires.

Her fantasies are a million miles away from the reality of living in a Sheffield council flat with her young son and violent boyfriend.  They say be careful what you wish for and Tracey learns just how true the saying is!

Being Isobel will be avilable as a free download very soon.

Nearly Christmas!

It's chaos at our house as we're busy ready getting ready for Christmas, as you can tell by the state of my desk!  In between baking star shaped cookies for the cookie tree and writing Christmas cards I've been busy with my writing.

I'm currently editing the third novel in the Heaven Knows trilogy.  I still don't have a title for it yet - suggestions on a postcard please!  LOL!  It's a little different from the first two novels as some of the story is told from Miles's perspective.  It's very dark in places, I push the characters to their limits but it's not all doom and gloom, there is romance, humour and plenty of soppy bits.

If you can wait for the next novel I've been updating Lora's Secret Diary.  You can read the latest instalment here:

Lora's Secret Diary - March, April and May

I'm very proud to announce that I successfully completed this years NaNoWriMo.  My novella, Being Isobel, was verified and I'm now a certified winner :)

The story changed a little from my original idea, sometimes my characters tell me what is going to happen next and who am I to argue?  It all worked out in the end and I'm currently working on publishing it for free on Kindle.  I'm aiming to have it out before Christmas as a little gift to say thanks for all the support you've given me this year.  I couldn't have done it without you!

Clair  xx

NaNoWriMo 2012

I've decided to give myself a bit of a challenge over the coming month.  I've signed up for NaNoWriMo - National Novel Writing Month.  The challenge is to write 50,000 words in 30 days.  It's not going to be easy but as I tend to write quite fast it should be just about doable.

I've already have an idea for a story in the back of my head.  When I wrote Heaven Knows This Time I cast models and actors in the part of the characters and put them on a Pinterest board.  I soon discovered that I wasn't the only author who did this, and even readers cast their crushes as the leading character in their favourite novels.  I mean, just about everyone I know has an opinion on who should play Christian Grey in the Fifty Shades movie ;)

That gave me an idea for a story.  Picture a 20 something single mum who writes erotic novels in her spare time.  She drools over photographs of hot young men on the internet for inspiration for her steamy romances and she has a crush on one particular tall, dark handsome creature.  He's the lead in her latest novel, she's built him up to be this strong, romantic, totally perfect man and he's gone beyond being just a character, she's completely obsessed with him.  After a girls night in with her best friend (and a couple of bottles of wine) she sends him a message on Twitter, telling him he's the hero of her novel.  The next day she's shocked when he replies!

I won't spoil the story, you'll have to wait until the end of November to read it.

If you want to learn more about NaNoWriMo visit the website - http://www.nanowrimo.org

It's official - it's a trilogy!

I'm having a little celebration.  I have just finished writing book three which means it's officially a trilogy!  Woo hoo!  I guess when I finally finish writing Lora's Secret Diary it will be a trilogy of four parts but who's counting?

The third book is as yet untitled.  I still haven't decided what to call it.  It's funny, I can write one hundred thousand words no problem, but I can't for the life of me write a title!

It continues the story of Angel and Miles, six months on from the end of Another Perfect Angel.  Unknown Pleasures have made the big time and have just returned from touring the USA but all is not well in Angel's world.  I won't go into details but the story is much darker than the other two, bad things happen, the characters have to deal with some very difficult situations and personal struggles.

It's not all doom and gloom though.  There is romance, humour, drama, a wedding and more than a few surprises!  The story introduces a few new characters and it's every bit as gripping as the previous two books.  I don't have any plans to continue writing about Angel, although I wrote an epilogue to book three that gives a snapshot of the future of her family.  I really enjoyed writing that so I may revisit them in the future.

I find it difficult to believe I've written three full length novels in less than twelve months, but I have, thanks in no small part to the support of my family and friends.  Writing has become my little obsession and I hope to continue.  I already have an idea for a story, I'm not sure if it will be a novel or a short story, I'll have to start writing and see what happens.  In the meantime I've got book three to edit and proof read and hopefully publish some time in 2013.  No rest for the wicked ; )

Another Perfect Angel - Out Now!

Hi!

It's been a lot of hard work, there have been tears, laughter (mostly at my stupid typos) but finally it's finished!

I'm pleased to announce that Another Perfect Angel is now available to purchase from Amazon and Smashwords.  It's the sequel to my debut novel, Heaven Knows This Time, and it continues the story of Angel and Miles as they embark on their relationship together.

Nothing ever seems to go to plan in Angel's life.  She discovers that Miles has been hiding a secret from his past and she struggles with the physical and emotional challenges when she discovers she is unexpectedly pregnant with his child.

It's another emotional roller coaster of a book, with an ex trying to stir things up for them and a stranger who is trying to steal Angel's inheritance.  Is their love strong enough to carry them through?

I hope you enjoy the book and I'd really love to know what you think.  Post a message here or better still write a review.  Your comments are very much appreciated.

Cheers!

Clair