Novelicious.com | The Women's Fiction Blog for Readers and Writers

My Writing Room – Rosanna Ley

Today, Rosanna Ley, author of The Villa and her latest book, Bay of Secrets, shows us around her writing space. Here's our review for Bay of Secrets.

My writing space is crowded and chaotic. But I know where to find things. There is a nugget of organisation about it that I cling to.

Since downsizing to a 2 bedroomed cottage in West Dorset I now have a small (1920s) wooden desk, on which is crammed my large screen, my ‘to do’ pile (currently overflowing), my dragonfly lamp, my phone, a pen and my keyboard and mouse. And sometimes a cup of coffee...The mouse mat has a picture of Golden Cap, Dorset. To my right are two printers (don’t ask) balanced on a mahogany glass-fronted bookcase. To my left is a bright orange filing cabinet (full and bursting). On top of this is my new ultra- book laptop, piles of paper and notebooks. My desk is in front of a window and on the rare occasion that I look up, I can see the gorgeous thatched cottage opposite, the green Dorset hills and where the sea would be if the hills and some other houses weren’t in the way. Out of the other window (if I twirl) I can see the lovely old Church opposite, its lych gate and a pathway to the door currently lined with daffodils.

Review – The Astronaut Wives Club by Lily Koppel

Reviewed by Kate Appleton

The Astronaut Wives Club investigates the unique group of women who supported their husbands as they transformed into the A-List of America’s space race. Spanning the 1950’s up until the termination of the space programme in 1972 this fascinating commentary details the lives of the wives of the NASA astronauts. This group of exceptional and very different women juggled with portraying the all-American dream, with lunch at the White House. These are women everyone should know about.

Koppel is the first to make a giant leap into the world of these women and it is a truly remarkable one. Although these women didn’t physically walk on the moon it was eye-opening to read of the pressures they faced from their husbands, NASA and the media. Plucked from relative obscurity, wives of test and army pilots, these women were thrust into the limelight, every aspect of their lives documented by the media and completely hijacked by American society. These women deserve recognition for doing this with such aplomb all the while maintaining a perfect beehive and rustling up devilled eggs at the drop of a hat.

Novelicious Chats To... Cathy Marie Buchanan

Today we're talking to Cathy Marie Buchanan author of The Painted Girls and The Day the Falls Stood Still. Her most recent book, The Painted Girls is set in belle époque Paris and is 'inspired by the real-life model for Degas's Little Dancer Aged 14 and the era's most famous criminal trials'.

Can you tell us a little about your average writing day?

I generally try to put fingertips to keyboard to work on my novel in progress at 8:30a.m. five days a week and write for at least four hours before moving onto the many other tasks—posting on facebook, tweeting, organizing in-person and skype visits to book clubs, preparing for events, participating in interviews, etc.—that can easily fill up a writer’s day,

When you are writing, do you use any celebrities or people you know as inspiration?

My two novels and my work in progress are all inspired by lesser known historical figures—The Painted Girls by Marie Van Goethem, the model for Edgar Degas’s sculpture Little Dancer Aged Fourteen, The Day the Falls Stood Still by William “Red” Hill, Niagara’s most famous Riverman; my work in progress by an Iron Age druid, preserved in a bog until modern times. None qualify as celebrities.

Review – A Cornish Affair by Liz Fenwick

Reviewed by Debs Carr

Judith Warren is standing at the alter with her fiance, John in the Cape Cod church near her parent's home when she realizes that not only is this not the wedding she'd imagined for herself, she's also wearing the dress her mother chose, with flowers in her mother's favourite colour, and also that she's about to commit herself to a man her mother chose for her. John is handsome, fun and her best friend and although she loves him, she's not in love with him and neither, despite her best attempts, will she ever be a proper replacement in her parents' hearts for her dead sister Rose.

Jude runs away, devastating John and her parents and through her mother's best friend in Oxford ends up going to work in Cornwall at Pengarrock the ancestral home of Petroc Trevillion an academic with film star looks. Jude is an archivist who specialises in gardens, she's read all Petroc's books and is excited to have the chance to work with someone she's admired for so long, but finds the older man in an unhappy state trying to find a way to keep his home despite the financial drain it has on him and his son's distinct lack of interest in the place and antagonism towards his father. Petroc is haunted by a past tragedy and confides in Jude about his search to solve a historic mystery and find the whereabouts of jewels that went missing over a century before, but which he believes could save his family home should he manage to find them.

My Writing Room - Lucy Clarke

Today, Lucy Clarke tells us about her writing room, or rather her writing spaces. She's shown here on the balcony of her family's beach hut and also on the beach, two of the places where she loves to write. Here's our review of Lucy's debut novel, The Sea Sisters.

 

 

My favourite place to write, where I have my clearest thought, has always been by the sea. I’ve grown up on the south coast of England, so the sea has always been part of my life. Cities are wonderful and exciting places to be, but after a few days I feel an almost gravitational pull towards the coast.

 

Our family has a beach hut where I tuck myself away to write. The hut is quiet, sits right on the sand, and has views stretching for miles. In the summer this is where I go to write, even on rainy, blustery days. Sometimes they’re the best! Plus it means I can take lovely breaks and go for beach strolls, swims, or a paddleboard.

 

Winter is a bit more challenging. I have a ‘writing room’ at home and luckily my husband works from home too, otherwise I think I’d find the quiet a bit much. I generally don’t like to be confined to my desk, so I’ll often move around the house, using the lounge or bedroom to write in, too. And I absolutely have to get outside every day.

 

We also travel for part of every winter, so when we’re away my writing space can be anywhere: a beach, a cafe, a hostel, an airport lounge. Sometimes a roaming office can be the best type of creative space there is.

Review – Austenland by Shannon Hale

Reviewed by Jennifer Joyce

After numerous failed relationships, Jane Hayes has sworn off men. None of the men in her life have ever lived up to her fantasies of Mr Darcy so Jane decides to stick to watching her Pride and Prejudice DVD instead. After discovering her obsession with Mr Darcy, Jane’s great-aunt arranges a trip for her to Pembroke Park, where guests role play, living the lives and romances of the Regency period. Jane is sceptical but she goes along with the plan to try to get Mr Darcy out of her system. Jane is asked to give up her modern possessions in exchange for gowns and day dresses. Jane still isn’t convinced she has it in her to act the part, but she’s signed up for three weeks and so plunges herself into Austen’s world.

Austenland is quite tongue-in-cheek about the whole role play idea. While those around Jane are fully immersed in their characters, Jane feels foolish and can never really relax in her role of Miss Erstwhile and finds herself breaking the strict rules.

To provide the obligatory romance, Jane and the other guests are joined by Colonel Andrews, who is both charming and amusing, and the dark, brooding Mr Nobley. And then there is the tall, handsome gardener who should be off limits. Most of the people staying at Pembroke Park are actors, but there are two other guests alongside Jane – Miss Charming and Miss Heartwright. Miss Charming was my favourite character in the book, trying her best to fulfil her role of a young lady on the lookout for a suitor while clearly being desperate for any kind of romance to happen during her stay.

Novelicious Chats To... Molly McAdams

Molly McAdams is the US author of several bestselling books including, From Ashes and Taking Chances, which were both out in the UK on 9th May. Today she's answering a few questions for our Novelicious readers.

Can you tell us a little about your average writing day?

My average writing day, I try to get at least 2000 words in, hopefully more if I'm able. I seclude myself to one area of my house and keep the TV off and the music on. For some reason, having music on helps me concentrate. There's usually some yelling at my computer, maybe some crying, it all just depends on what my characters are giving me that day.

When you are writing, do you use any celebrities or people you know as inspiration?

I've been known to use both! I already have an idea for who my characters are, and sometimes they'll remind me of a certain person in my life, or their appearance reminds me of a celebrity. So, definitely both.

What is your favourite Women’s Fiction book of all time and why?

Pulled by A.L. Jackson. First of all, the author isn't afraid to shy away from difficult topics, and is always bringing out emotions in you. Second, that book hit home to me, and it's just not something that I'll ever be able to forget.

What is your writing process? Do you plan first or dive in? How many drafts do you do?

I usually just dive on in. If I'm in the middle of another story and can't get to one that's in my head, I'll think about it for a long time and expand on in mentally, but for the most part I just write. If I'm struggling with trying to figure out how to get from where I am to where I need to go, I might write it out in an outline-type form just so I can get it down on paper. The number of drafts actually varies on all my books. I can't tell you how many different times I've completely changed where a story had been going, but it's never anywhere near the same number from book to book.

Review - Bay of Secrets by Rosanna Ley

Reviewed by Kate Appleton

Ruby Rae has just lost both her parents in a shocking and sudden accident. When she returns to Dorset, to clear out her childhood home, she discovers a box hidden in her parents’ wardrobe containing photos and trinkets which set alarm bells ringing. After a bit of detective work Ruby discovers that her parents kept a life-altering secret from her.

Meanwhile, back in Barcelona in 1939, Julia has been forced to enter the convent by her parents in a bid to protect her from the raging civil war. She is soon given the opportunity to work in a local maternity clinic, but suspicious adoption practices force Sister Julia to question those in power.

The novel has been written in the style of a triple narrative from the view points of: Ruby, her mother Vivian, and a nun, Sister Julia. The lives of these three women are effectively woven into each other culminating in a shocking denouement revealing hidden and unexpected truths. Although the chapters jump from the 1930’s to present day you’re never left confused as to where you are in the women’s respective journey. The women vary in importance, and although each have an interesting view point, I found myself drawn to the struggles of Sister Julia whose whole life is stretched across the pages.

Review – As You Wish by Eloisa James

Reviewed by Jennifer Joyce

As You Wish is actually made up of two novellas – Seduced By A Pirate and With This Kiss. In Seduced By A Pirate, Sir Griffin Barry has been away at sea for fourteen years, leaving his new bride on their wedding night. But now injured and pardoned by the crown, Griffin has returned to England and plans to track down his wife.

Phoebe is shocked to learn that Griffin has returned to England, having fled from their marital bed as a short weedy 17 year old. Griffin is now tall and muscled but, despite her growing attraction to Griffin, Phoebe isn’t pleased by the reappearance of her husband. She is quite happy with the life she has built for herself and doesn’t want Griffin, practically a stranger, to disrupt it. However, the biggest shock of all is waiting for Griffin in the form of Phoebe’s three children.

I really enjoyed Seduced By A Pirate and loved the spark between Griffin and Phoebe as they battled over whether they should remain married. I was enjoying it so much, I would have liked the story to be a full-length novel, so we could see Griffin and Phoebe’s relationship blossom and see for ourselves how the bond develops between Griffin and the children.

Charlotte Betts' Top Five Writing Tips

Charlotte Betts is the author of The Apothecary's Daughter - winner of the 2013 Romantic Novelists' Association RoNA for Historical Romantic Novel - as well as her latest book, The Painter's Apprentice, recently gave us her top writing tips.

1) I always go for long solitary walks, while I’m working on the plot. The rhythmic pace seems to unlock the creative side of the brain.

2) Write every day – even if it’s only a sentence. That way the story is always in your mind and it’s not hard to start again.

3) Write an outline. I prefer an outline as a writing tool to a synopsis. You can write the whole novel in miniature and it makes it easier to see where it doesn’t work. You can make changes here without losing chapters of work.

• 4) Join a writing group. My own excellent group, WordWatchers, will give me truthful feedback and cheer me on when I can’t see the way forward.

5) Keep a notebook with you at all times. If you don’t write a brilliant idea down immediately, you’ll have forgotten it by teatime. I keep old notebooks and find them a useful source of inspiration.

Review – Lessons in French by Hilary Reyl

Reviewed by Zoe Lea

It's 1989 and Kate is fresh out of university, full of ambition and looking for excitement. When she is offered a position in Paris as a personal assistant to the renowned photographer Lydia Schell, Kate is thrilled. Here is her chance to discover the artistic, intellectual and political circles of Paris... or so she thinks. Lydia Schell turns out to be the boss from hell, her job description is to do 'a little bit of everything' and that's what Kate ends up doing, from walking the dog to collecting dubious diet pills.

Even with her earnest enthusiasm, Kate struggles to be included in the social and professional whirl of Lydia and her history scholar husband and she slowly learns that if she is to thrive out there, she has to make life work on her own terms. She reacquaints herself with her cousin, Etienne, who she hasn't seen in years and begins to make friends of her own. As she becomes more confident, Kate realizes that she's caught up in various psychological games between Lydia and her family, and becomes involved in a web of lies and treachery. In order for her to have any sense of self, Kate must stand up for herself and decide who she is going to be.

Review - Time Untime by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Reviewed by Jennifer Joyce

Geologist Kateri Avani has heard many stories of mythical beings and demons from her grandmother, but she’s never really believed in any of them until they turn up at her office demanding to be given a stone she knows nothing about. She has many stones, but this particular stone has magical powers that will prevent the gates to other realms from opening and unleashing all sorts of evil upon Earth.

Ren is a Dark Hunter, brought back to life to protect the human world from demons. For years, Ren has had dreams about a beautiful woman who stabs him through the heart, killing him and banishing him to eternal agony in hell. When Ren is tasked with protecting Kateri and the stone, he realises she is the woman from his dreams. Kateri has also had dreams of being killed by a gorgeous man, a huge warrior who turns out to be Ren. So when they are forced to stick together to survive, they must be on guard to protect themselves.

Time Untime is a fast-paced adventure with gods and demons battling against one another but, for me, there was far too much going on. There are so many myths and legends, a lot of which left me confused, and I’m sure if it had slowed down a little and explained further I would have enjoyed the book much more. I wasn’t even clear who or what Ren was until half way through the book, when it was explained what Dark Hunters are and their duties.

Novelicious Chats To... Lucy Clarke

Lucy Clarke's debut novel, The Sea Sisters has been selected as a Richard & Judy 2013 Summer Book Club read and explores the strongest, and often most fraught, family relationship a woman will ever have, that of sisterhood. Here's our recent review.

Can you tell us a little about your average writing day?

I’m a morning person, so I set my alarm early and am usually at my desk by 6.30 am. I’m hopeless by evening – it’s as if my creativity fades with the day. I generally write Mondays to Fridays so that I have evenings and weekends free to spend with friends and family who have ‘proper jobs’!

I prefer to write by hand – there’s something about the simplicity of a pencil and a blank page that appeals to the romantic in me. I love to write to music, too. There are certain albums I play to help me step into a character’s mindset, or to inspire a particular atmosphere in a scene.

I only have one rule when I’m writing: get outside every day. Fresh air is good for the soul, and great for the imagination.

When you are writing, do you use any celebrities or people you know as inspiration?

I don’t tend to use celebrities for inspiration, but people I have met certainly influence my characters. I’m very careful not to ‘lift’ the personalities of friends or family members onto the page, but I will use smaller details, such as a shared anecdote, the way someone applies lipstick, the sound of a friend’s laughter.

What is your favourite Women’s Fiction book of all time and why?

This is such a hard question because I love SO many women’s fiction books! One of my all-time favourite writers is Anita Shreve, and I absolutely adored her novel Body Surfing. Her prose is very lean and poetic, and has a simplicity to it that I deeply admire.

Review - The GI Bride by Iris Jones Simantel

Reviewed by Kate Appleton 

This is Iris Jones Simantel’s second memoir detailing her life after the Second World War. After surviving evacuation and the Blitz of WWII, Iris returns to her poverty stricken family in London. One day she is swept off her feet by US soldier Bob Irvine and they marry soon after her 16^th Birthday before setting sail to America with dreams of love and prosperity. However, reality soon comes knocking. Cramped in a noisy flat in Chicago, baby on the way and an increasingly distant husband, Iris is desperately lonely. In the midst of her despair Iris has to work hard to carve out a life in the land of hope and opportunity.

I had high hopes for this novel and being a memoir I was ready to be riveted. Unfortunately, Iris seems to be shy on giving too much of an insight into her life ending up with a slightly dull commentary. The narrative lacked the depth and emotion I expected and what Iris’s life deserved, in this respect I feel she sold herself short.