Guest Post - How I Lost My First Writing Contest At A New York Mets Game by Nic Tatano - Booklympics

I’m sure most writers have entered contests at one time or another. Especially if there’s a big cash prize or a publishing contract.

The first writing contest I entered had a prize that was much more important to me at the time.

A color TV.

Yes, I’m “of a certain age.” And yes, black-and-white televisions actually existed. But when you’re eleven years old and no one on the block has a color set, a prize like that was like winning the lottery.

Back in the day the New York Mets had this annual event called “banner day.” Fans would bring signs, many on bedsheets, and parade around the field between games of a doubleheader. The most creative would win a big prize.

And that year I had an idea that I knew would win.

Back in the day (yep, here we go again) there were actually cigarette ads on television. I know, the horror. Anyway, this brand called Tareyton had a campaign called “Tareyton smokers would rather fight than switch” which featured people with black eyes. (Watch the video and look at the ad and you’ll get the idea.) And being the die-hard Mets fan that I was, I knew what to write on the perfect banner.

“Us Met fans would rather fight than switch.”

So my mom the art teacher got a big piece of poster board and together we made the banner. (Okay, she did most of the work.)

Banner Day arrived and felt like Christmas morning as I imagined watching my favorite shows in color. As my dad drove to Shea Stadium I could only think… is this the last time I’ll watch baseball in black-and-white? Will I now be the most popular kid in the neighborhood? And of course as we entered the stadium I couldn’t help but be impressed by the gorgeous green field which had only looked gray at home.

So the first game ends and my father and I carry the banner on the hallowed ground of Shea Stadium. We got a decent cheer as we went by the stands. My heart rate spiked and didn’t come down as we went back to our seats.

Then they announced the winning banner.

“Us Met fans would rather shrink than switch.”

You gotta be kidding me.

The winning kids were paraded on the field wearing oversized clothes. Seriously, that’s how they won? As we said back in the day, “No fair!”

The crowd groaned.

I held up my banner.

They cheered.

My dad shook his head in disgust. “We shoulda worn black eyes and torn shirts.”

But who knew the contest would have a wardrobe component?

Then we got home and my mom made it worse.

“I saw you on TV! ON TV! And the announcer loved your banner!”

It didn’t stop. That night I plopped down to watch TV as the network announcer poured salt in my wound telling viewers what show was starting. And what it should look like. “THE F-B-I… IN COLOR!”

Sure, rub it in.

Finally, to twist the knife the following year, a photo of the winners ended up in the Mets yearbook.
I finally got over it and we did eventually get a color TV, just in time for the moon landing in 1969. Which, of course, made absolutely no sense since it was mostly in black-and-white anyway because there’s not a lot of green grass or blue skies on the moon.

Anyway, that whole experience of losing a writing contest fired me up.

I never stopped entering writing contests. 

And I’ll never stop writing even though I could do other stuff with my time.

I’d rather fight than switch.

Thank you so much Nic for that fun tale from the Mets and I really hope you are looking forward to Tokyo 2020 where Baseball will be an Olympic sport.

Nic Tatano can be found on Twitter and his latest book is The Lost Cats and Lonely Hearts Club which is out on Friday and available for pre-order. 

Book Review - Swimming With Dolphins by Deborah Wright - Booklympics

Amazon UK

Title: Swimming With Dolphins

Author: Deborah Wright

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Purchased

Publisher: Magic & Romance

Publication Date: 31st May 2015

Rating: 5 Stars

Do you ever look out of your window and dream of lying on a gorgeous beach with a handsome stranger?

Julia Rothwell certainly does. But with a high-powered job as a Hedge Fund Manager, she barely has time to clean her teeth let alone go on holiday. Then the credit crunch hits and Julia is left with nothing but her redundancy pay.

Her best friend Reece encourages her to draw up a list entitled: Ten Things To Do Before I Die. Top of the list is to sleep with an Italian. So begins a crazy, wonderful, rollercoaster of an adventure that sees Julia crossing countries and continents, and experiencing romance and heartbreak, sushi and surprises, volcanoes and gambling, and - if she can make it to the end of her list - swimming with dolphins.

Join her on her unforgettable journey!

I am a huge fan of books set in great locations, so I adored the fact this book took us on a whirlwind of a journey between Venice, Sicily, Tokyo, New York, Las Vegas, India and Hawaii.  How many more places can you really fit in while attempting to complete a Ten Things To Do Before I Die list? 

I loved seeing all the different items on this list and how Julia managed to make them come true, as truly relaxes and stops being a workaholic for the first time in her life. Unlike some books I've read with similar lists, you don't find out the next item on the list until the chapter title that features it, apart from the first and last items. 

The rest come as a mixed bag of a surprise and Julia meets some interesting people along the way, and also learns a lot more about her best friend Reece and ex-boyfriend Ciaran as they join her on various stages of the list. 

Swimming With Dolphins was an easy to read pleasurable book, that really hit all the right spots for me. It had been quite a few years since I had last read anything by Deborah Wright, and just hope she is still writing books, as I have always enjoyed all of them. 

Depending on your mood when you read this it could have the power to make you want to change your life, or at least start up your own list, to follow when budget permits. 

Q&A & Giveaway - Michelle Betham on Sports - Booklympics

Welcome back to Rachel's Random Reads and my Booklympics celebrations Michelle, I loved your post about Darts last week, and really glad you agreed to come and answer my sporty questions too. 

1) What is your favourite sport?

Football. Definitely. Although, I have to say, I’m also a really, really big darts fan.

2) What is it that you love about your favourite sport?

I love the atmosphere that surrounds football matches. I like the feeling of being part of a team, of a community, almost, when you go to watch matches. I used to be a season ticket holder at Newcastle United, and every game we went to you’d see the same people, have a chat and a laugh and just be part of something that really can bring people together. 

3) Do you or any of your family play any sports?

My dad used to play football (for a pub team, I hasten to add!!) back in the 70s, but that’s about as far as playing any sport goes! We’re all more fans of the armchair variety in my family! 

4) Do you watch any on TV? 

Oh God, yes! Me and my husband love watching football, of course. And if there’s darts on TV we’ll watch that, too. We also like to watch a lot of winter sports.  

5) Will you be watching the Olympics?

Definitely! 

6) What country will you be supporting at the Olympics and how well are you hoping they will do?

I’ll be supporting Team GB, of course! And I have a feeling they might do alright, actually. Here’s hoping!

7) Thinking back to P.E. (Games/Sports) lessons at school, what were your thoughts on them? Any interesting stories would be welcomed.

I absolutely HATED sports and P.E. at school. Mainly because I was useless at anything sporty! Back in my day (70s/early 80s) if you were rubbish at games the teachers tended not to bother too much with you, so the likes of me were kind of just left to faff about a lot. Rounders was always fun, though. That was probably the only thing I really enjoyed, to be honest. Although, if it was a particularly nice day some of us used to deliberately get knocked out of the game so we could just sit in the sun and watch everyone else running about… 

8) Did you ever get onto any school teams?

God, no! They’d never have had me. There was nothing, sports wise, that I was even remotely good at. I mean, I’m the girl who almost broke her ankle at the first attempt to clear a hurdle! I had to be helped back to the changing rooms by the teacher and a friend while my ankle swelled up to three times its size! So I’m not sure a glittering career in athletics was ever on the cards…

9) Do you admire any sportsmen/women? If so who, why?

I have to say, after watching the recent European Championships, I’ve become a big fan of Gareth Bale. I’ve always been aware of him, as a player, but seeing him play as part of the Wales national team, watching his passion for that team, and hearing him speak, he just comes across as a really down-to-earth guy, despite his huge talent. Their doesn’t seem to be any ego there, which is so refreshing to see in footballers these days. He seems to genuinely love the game rather than just crave the lifestyle, unlike so many other players out there right now. 

10) Have you ever thought about including a sporting theme into any of your books?

I already have! Darts – ‘Too Much Trouble in Paradise’. And football – the Striker series of books. I think sporting themes work really well in novels, but then, I’m bound to say that, aren’t I!!

Thank you so much Michelle, for this sporty interview, very glad that you have been cheering on Team GB, and I can easily believe you almost injured yourself hurdling, those hurdles are really high and scary! 

Author Bio

Michelle Betham is an ex-media technician turned author of hot, edgy, gritty romance, usually involving rock stars, sports stars, and bikers. But not usually all in the same book. Yet… She is both self-published and published through HarperImpulse, a division of HarperCollins Publishers. 

Addicted to binge-watching TV dramas she struggles to think of a life before Netflix or Amazon Prime, loves rock music, tattoos, spicy food, superheroes (including an unhealthy obsession with Iron Man), and Keanu Reeves – a crush that's lasted well over twenty years, and one she blames entirely on 'Point Break'. The original. She refuses to acknowledge any remake exists…

Her dream is to ride a Harley. And visit Las Vegas. And be able to eat any amount of chocolate without putting on weight.

She lives in County Durham, north-east England, with her husband and West Highland Terrier, where she can be found most days drinking tea and making up stories.

Mailing List | Website | Facebook  | Twitter | Pinterest | Michelle Betham on Amazon UK

Giveaway - Win a kindle copy of Striker trilogy (Open Internationally)

Michelle Betham is always very generous to my followers and today is no exception, as she has a kindle copies of the entire Striker series for one very lucky winner. 

Giveaway open Internationally, all options are voluntary, but please do what they ask, as I will be verifying the winner. Giveaway closes 23:59 28/8/2016. Winner will be announced on twitter and emailed, and they will need to reply within 7 days, or forfeit the prize, and I will re-draw for a new winner.  Good luck everyone.

Win a kindle copy of the Striker trilogy (Open Internationally)

Book Review - 4 in the Afternoon by Geralyn Corcillo - Booklympics - Back Catalogue Books

Title:  4 in the Afternoon

Author: Geralyn Corcillo

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Purchased

Publisher: Blackbird Press

Publication Date: 26th October 2015

Rating: 4 Stars

Amazon UK

Bestselling and award-winning author of romantic comedy Geralyn Corcillo has just released this collection of 4 RomCom short stories. Dates, dogs, football, monsters in the attic, misunderstandings, and unexpected discoveries abound in these tales of modern love. 

***All Summer on a Date: The gorgeous Kyle Hunter is taking reformed iconoclast Summer to the party of the year. But when an unexpected dilemma slams into their exquisite evening, will Summer follow her date...or follow her heart? 

***Random Acts of Violet: Cautious loner Violet Parker needs a new playbook when her quiet summer on campus collides with an unexpected eight year-old, a monster in the attic, and Noah... 

***Miss Understanding in the Ballroom with the Wrench: Jesse and Peter meet at a party, but each is hiding the one thing that they think makes them un-dateable. Will their subterfuge and all the ensuing misunderstandings wreck everything? Just as the spark between them is about to ignite? 

***Jane Austen Meets the New York Giants: The NYT Bestselling true story of true love that kicked off Geralyn Corcillo's writing career.

This was my first introduction to Geralyn Corillo's writing, and its confirmed something I had suspected from looking at the blurbs of her various book. Which is that she is going to be a chick lit author that I will enjoy reading, and from the first story in this collection, I definitely had that vibe. 

There are three main stories in this collection, that are clear romantic comedy fiction, and the other is a short autobiographical piece about how Geralyn realised true love with her husband, as they try to compromise between the New York Giants and Pride and Prejudice! 

The first story All Summer on a Date tells of an incredibly kind hearted girl, Summer who doesn't have the New Years Eve she had planned, when circumstances change, but instead has a very memorable evening. The male lead in this was a good guy who I really took to as he was introduced. 

In Random Acts of Violet, Violet clearly has feelings for a local footballer, but is trying to deny her feelings. She also ends up in charge of an 8 year old while house sitting over the summer, and slowly blossoms. For a short story there is a good amount packed in, and there was even some character development, which is great to see in a smaller piece of fiction. 

In the other story Miss Understanding in the Ballroom with the Wrench, which is a very long winded title to have to type, its a classic case of two people meeting and then making big sweeping assumptions about each other to quite comic effect. 

I loved all of the three main stories, and found them to be well crafted, leaving me with a big curiosity as to the contents of some of Geralyn Corcillo's fuller length books.  Amusing short story collection with a romance theme perfect to dip in and out of in a series of lunch breaks. 

Guest Post - Katey Lovell's love of Gymnastic - Booklympics

When Rachel invited me to write a blog about sport I wasn’t sure what to write.  I was tempted to take the easy route and write about Sheffield United as I’ve supported them for over twenty years and had a season ticket until I became a mum.  Supporting The Blades has been a bit of a rollercoaster so there’s plenty of material (some of it would make a brilliant football based fiction book, to be honest – ‘Battle of Bramall Lane’ ring any bells?  Losing a playoff final in the last minute?  Relegation influenced by West Ham’s Tevez irregularities?)

However, as it’s Olympics season it felt right to share some of my favourite Olympic memories and for me that always means gymnastics.  

My love for gymnastics began in 1992.  I watched the Barcelona games with an avid interest and the American team won my heart.  Shannon Miller’s floor routine had me spellbound from the terrific opening tumble sequence…in fact, it lead to my brief fling with attending a gymnastics club, which is a whole other story.  She performed with such poise and elegance and I wanted a piece of that.  It wasn’t forthcoming through my attempts at backflips, so instead I borrowed her style, tying large voile bows into my hair. How very early 90s!

The artistic gymnastics at the Rio Olympics has been an absolute delight.  From a British perspective to bring back such an astounding haul of medals is brilliant, and I’ve bounded around my living room with excitement as Whitlock, Wilson, Smith, Tinkler and co performed their hearts out.  Ellie Downie epitomised strength of body and character to perform in the vault after a fall during her floor routine in the team competition – another fabulous role model for young British gymnasts to aspire to emulate.

America’s newest sweetheart Simone Biles definitely brought the performance to go with the technique, especially in her gold-medal-winning floor routine.  The height on those tumbles – she’s poetry in motion.

I’ve also enjoyed watching the Brownlee brothers dominate in the triathlon, local heptathlete Jessica Ennis-Hill giving her all to bring a silver medal back to Sheffield and have been surprisingly glued to the track cycling.  I didn’t know what the omnium was before, but now I can’t get enough!

That said, gymnastics is the Olympic sport which captured my heart more than two decades ago.  And it’s still the one that makes my heart sing.

Thank you so much Katey for sharing your love of Olympic gymnastics with us, and very glad I didn't have to host a post about Sheffield United, given they aren't my team! I also love watching Gymnastics, and have been astounded by our success this year. Huge congratulations to all of our team, and Bryony Page getting her surprise silver in the Trampolining.

Also loved watching the Brownlee brothers, although I promise if my boss is reading, I was working more than watching Thursday afternoon, I promise! And also agree the Omnium cycling is oddly addictive.

About Katey Lovell

Katey Lovell is fanatical about words. An avid reader, writer and poet, she once auditioned for Countdown and still tapes the show every night. Getting the conundrum before the contestants is her ultimate thrill.

She loves love and strives to write feel-good romance that'll make you laugh and cry in equal measure. 

Originally from South Wales, Katey now lives in Yorkshire with her husband and son.

Twitter - @katey5678

Instagram - @katey5678

Facebook - www.facebook.com/kateylovell

Blog - http://www.kateylovell.blogspot.co.uk/

Katey's latest book is out on 7th October and looks like it will be a must for all musical lovers, and is a book I am really looking forward to reading. 

Monique and Issy are teachers, housemates and lovers of musicals! Their Friday night routine consists of snacks, wine and the Frozen DVD. So when Monique’s boyfriend moves to America for a year and her sister Grace moves in because of her own relationship woes, Friday nights get a new name… ‘The Singalong Society for Singletons’!

It’s a chance to get together, sing along to their favourite tracks from the best-loved West End shows, and forget the worries of work, relationships and love (or lack of it). But when Issy shares the details of their little group further afield, they get some unexpected new members who might just change their opinions on singledom for good….

Pre-order now on Amazon UK

Book Review - Football Manager Stole My Life by Ian MacIntosh - Booklympics

Amazon UK

Title:  Football Manager Stole My Life

Author: Ian MacIntosh

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Purchased

Publisher: BackPage Press

Publication Date: 8th Auugst 2012

Rating: 4 Stars

A celebration of the cult behind the Football Manager (FM) series of computer games, which have been taking over the lives of football fans for 20 years. Meet the greatest players you never saw. Discover how one game can cause 35 divorces, one honeymoon and a police raid. Go the next level with our guide to Extreme FM

For me, Football Manager Stole My Life was filled with nostalgia of the versions of the game I have spent many hours playing while in the throws of addiction, remembering previous top signings that the scouts had predicted as wonder kids, and generally reliving parts of my youth and twenties. 

It is a mix of a book, with some interviews from the games creators The Collyer Brothers, which take us from the beginning up until around Sports Interactive get involved. We hear from players who had been given great potential as youth players, and see how their careers turned out, and how recognised they still are thanks to what is essentially a computer game.  There is a fascinating section about the charities aided by sales of Football Manager - War Child and Kick It Out. There are anecdotes of how Football manager has affected many people, and there is even some fan fiction. 

It is a well put together book, that is entertaining, and can easily be read in short spurts, as the chapters and sections are all relatively short. There is even the original pitch document that was used to pitch the first iteration of the game to games publishers in which you can see a lot of the base concepts are still present in the game itself. 

I loved reading this book, due to my long running love affair with the subject matter, I was grinning when I saw a brief mention of a forum challenge that I've participated in myself. However if you are not a fan of Football Manager (previously Championship Manager in its early days), or have no interest in footballers, then this probably isn't the book for you, as it really does feel like a pure love fest and a proper celebration of at the time it was published, 20 years of this fantastic series. 

Guest Post & Giveaway - My Campaign for less sport in school by Nicola Doherty - Booklympics

In the past few years, there have been various campaigns to get more women involved in sport, or to have more sport in schools. I'd like to start a campaign of my own for LESS sport in school – but more exercise.

My secondary school, like many girls’ schools in Dublin, basically offered two options for PE: hockey in winter or tennis in summer. I was totally useless at both so I spent most weeks either ‘forgetting’ my kit, or thinking up new ways to be ‘unwell’. However, when we were 16 we had Transition Year in which zaniness reigned and we did things like aerobics and trampolining. It was fantastic; we loved it. But then came fifth year (Year 12) and it was straight back to hockey-and-tennis. So I really did no exercise – bar running away from the ball – for the whole of my teenage years. Exercise was associated with cold, misery and feeling bored and really embarrassed.

But then, when I left school, something magic happened. I realized that I didn’t hate exercise; I just hated competitive sport. I took up yoga, and running, and started swimming more regularly and cycling everywhere. Now I’ve run three half marathons and I’ve done everything from Bikram yoga to ballet barre. And I’m not the only one. One of my fellow skulkers on the sidelines is now a triathlete; another is a dancer and keen open-air swimmer. In my latest book Love and Other Man-Made Disasters, the main character, seventeen-year-old Juno, is terrible at sport – but discovers an unexpected love of skiing. Not that all schools can offer skiing, but the principle is the same.

That’s why I wish there was a little less emphasis on ‘sports’ in schools and more on helping teenagers to enjoy exercise, by offering a real, all-round physical education. I understand that schools have to work within budgets but surely things like aerobics or dance or even yoga would be more cost-effective than sports, which require expensive equipment and extensive grounds? I also suspect these things would also appeal a lot more to teenage girls than the current regime which seems like a hangover from Victorian public school days. 

I’m not for a minute arguing that we should chuck out all sports. I understand that it’s important to invest in future athletes, and provide resources for a new generation of Andy Murrays and Jessica Ennnises. But we also owe something to the kids who are never going to make it to the Olympics, but still deserve to have fun developing a healthy, happy, active body.     

Nicola Doherty grew up in Dublin and now lives in London; she writes both contemporary and teen romance. You can follow her @nicoladoherty_ or at nicoladohertybooks.com. Her latest book Love and Other Man-Made Disasters is published by Orion. Order it from your local bookshop or buy it in paperback or kindle here. 

Thank you so much Nicola for this interesting but potentially controversial view point.

What you think, should schools offer less sport? More variety? Scrap it altogether? We would love to hear your views.

Anyone who offers an opinion on this post in the comments I will enter into a draw to win a signed copy of Nicola Doherty's Love and Other Man-Made Disasters (open Internationally). Please include an email or twitter handle so I can contact you if you in.  

If you are struggling to comment on this giveaway and I know some of you do, tweet your thoughts on the subject and I will copy you over to be entered.

Giveaway closes 23:59 on 26th August. Winners will be announced via email or twitter, and will have 7 days to respond.

Good luck. 

Guest Post & Giveaway - Swimming, Anyone? by Maggie Le Page - Booklympics

I’m in awe of the amazing things top athletes are able to do achieve with their bodies. Me? I knew quite early in life I wasn’t destined for sporting greatness. But sometimes you just can’t avoid sport, can you? Like when you’ve decided it’s time to get fit.

Sadly, fitness doesn’t come in pill form. You have to freaking work at it.

My girlfriend and I decided to get fit for summer, and we hit on swimming as the best option. 

Apparently it’s less stressful on the body—so they say, but I’m not so sure—and swimming is meant to produce noticeable results fast.

Fast sounded good to me, so I said let’s do it already. 

I should’ve considered the fact that my pal is a good swimmer, whereas I . . . am not.

Day One. Wait—what? Nobody said anything about a pre-dawn start. And it just went downhill from there. Swimming required scary-good coordination. As in, I had to somehow move my arms and legs—swimming action, not muppet flail—and somehow simultaneously turn my head to take breaths. Air, not water.
And I had to do this for fifty metres at a time? Without stopping? (I include drowning in the ‘stopping’ category.)

The upshot: I discovered that, when drowning was the alternative, I could actually manage a length. But then I had to turn around and do another length. And another. And somehow find a way past that whole dying feeling I kept getting halfway, where my chest tightened and my legs sunk and I swallowed water and started to choke . . 

. 

Conclusion: swimming is a stupid sport. It just plain freaks me out.

Day Two. I still hadn’t got over the trauma of Day One—which was probably a good thing because I was too shellshocked to realise I could just say no and flick the finger at my swimmer pal and her stupid fitness regime. So I swam again—aka threw myself in and tried to save myself—and survived. 

It wasn’t until a week or two later, when I’d worked out I was actually doing okay—hello, was I not still alive?—that I realised there might be a story in this. Surely I wasn’t the only woman in the world who hated swimming but did it anyway in the name of Body Beautiful? And surely I wasn’t the only woman who worried about their hair turning green and their swimsuit turning see-through and the band aid floating towards them passing on bugs? Surely I wasn’t the only woman who made it through lap after lap of swimming drudgery by imagining a knight in shining white swimsuit whisking me away to a life of non-swimming bliss?

And so the idea for my novel, A Heat Of The Moment Thing, was born. I wondered how someone might meet Mr Right at the swimming pool and how that might go if they were like me—ie a disaster in the water.

Confession: I actually did get fit, and toned, within an amazingly short time. Swimming was a great, if scary, option. And it got me started on this writing game :) #bigtickforthat

Thank you for sharing Maggie, I am delighted that you decided that swimming was the better alternative to drowning and I'm sure your fans will agree! 

About Maggie Le Page

Maggie Le Page lives in Christchurch, New Zealand (aka QuakeZone) with her partner, two children, and a snooty cat who thinks they’re all her slaves. Her days are spent running around after kids or doing one of her ‘real’ jobs, so her writing generally happens in the dead of night. (Morning? No. She’s a third-generation night owl. Enough said.)


Maggie loves chocolate, hates being cold, and is ever fascinated by the possibility of time travel. Obviously, her ideal experience would be to wake up on a tropical island eighty years into the future, with an endless supply of chocolate on hand.

Maggie’s Social Media Links

Maggie’s Website:	www.maggielepage.com
Maggie on Amazon:	www.amazon.com/author/maggielepage
Maggie on Facebook:	www.facebook.com/maggielepage
Maggie on Goodreads:	www.goodreads.com/maggielepage
Maggie on Twitter:	www.twitter.com/maggielepagenz
Maggie on Instagram:	www.instagram.com/maggielepage

Amazon UK

Becky Jordan has had it with relationships. From now on her time and dedication won’t be lavished on her latest Mr Wrong–or, worse, Mr Hell-No!–just the dream travel job which has unexpectedly leapt into her lap. Finally, life is looking great.

Unfortunately, not as great as her sizzling-hot, take-charge new boss. Matt Frobisher is everything she doesn’t want him to be, but if anyone thinks she’ll risk her career on a workplace fling they can think again. No amount of Superman behaviour from him will make her roll over and play Lois.

Her heart, however, doesn’t do logical. In desperation she finds herself a distraction, one with no strings and plenty of appeal. But Mr. Distraction also comes with unforeseen complications. Kryptonite complications, like Becky’s sister. And when she shows up there’s only one sure thing: not even Superman can prevent the Disaster Fest that’s about to blow Becky’s life apart.

Warning: contains one guy determined to win the girl, one girl determined not to be won, and plenty of heat in the middle.

(This book is intended for readers aged 18+.)

Giveaway - Win an e-copy of A Heat of the Moment Thing (Open Internationally)

Maggie Le Page has kindly offered an e-copy of A Heat of the Moment Thing to one lucky winner. 

Giveaway open Internationally, all options are voluntary, but please do what they ask, as I will be verifying the winner. Giveaway closes 23:59 25/8/2016. Winner will be announced on twitter and emailed, and they will need to reply within 7 days, or forfeit the prize, and I will re-draw for a new winner.  Good luck everyone.

Win an e-copy of A Heat of the Moment Thing (Open Internationally)

Guest Post - What a Stud! by Vicki Bowles - Booklympics

Every woman loves a hero. Onstage, in film, in real life (ha!)... but the place a hero most comes alive for most women is between the pages of an exciting novel, allowing our minds to flesh out the bodies of characters created with words.

And the heroes don't come much bigger that Rupert Campbell-Black.

It was 1985, and the world was set on fire by the publication of Jilly Cooper's Riders, a hot, sexy novel about the world of horse-jumping and its randy, glamorous stars. None was more outrageous, more sexy, more naughty than bad boy Rupert Campbell-Black. 

Our first glimpses of Rupert are not encouraging, and belie his hero status. He is described as a bastard, vicious, contemptuous; a horrible, poisonous man.

Highly competitive, the ruthless Rupert let no one stand in his way, without a care as to who he destroyed. He treats his horses better than he does humans.

So why does he set the pulses of so many women racing? 

Show me one woman who doesn't secretly love a bad boy.

He is smooth, sexy and arrogant. Devastatingly handsome. He knows what he wants, and he gets it. Resistance is futile. Rupert has charm in buckets. He romps his way through Jilly's books, worming his way into our hearts and sending shivers of excitement down our spines with his sexploits. If Helen, his first wife, thought she had snared him, she was wrong. Rupert was a wild animal, totally out of control, with the ability to smooth-talk his way out of any situation.

That said, his loyalty is unwavering, when it is earned. Though he has many enemies – Jake Lovell, Roberto Rannaldini – his great friends are Billy Lloyd-Foxe, Declan O'Hara, and Ricky France-Lynch.

Then Rupert meets Taggie, and all bets are off. Who knew that this gentle, adorable woman would have the ability to bring this one-time cad to his knees, to tame the brutish beast of Rutshire.

Rupert and Taggie continue to crop up throughout the Rutshire Chronicles, delighting us as they grow old together, although they do take a backseat in the later books. The saga will continue as Jilly's new book, Mount! is to be published on September 8th this year. And - hurrah! Rupert Campbell-Black will be once again taking centre stage along with his horse, the aptly-named Love Rat. This is the book I have been waiting for.

Bring on the Bad Boy!

Vicki Bowles is a book blogger on Vikbat and on Twitter

Thank you so much Vicki for this great look at Rupert Cambell-Black. Although I have only read Riders and Rivals so far, I do love Rupert, and reading this post has brought back some great memories of the books. 

Book Review - The Wild One by Janet Gover - Booklympics - #20BooksofSummer

Amazon UK

Title:  The Wild One

Author: Janet Gover

Format reviewed:  Paperback

Source: Christmas present

Publisher: Choc Lit

Publication Date: 6th November 2015

Rating: 5 Stars

Can four wounded souls find love?
Iraq war veteran Dan Mitchell once disobeyed an order - and it nearly destroyed him. Now a national park ranger in the Australian outback, he's faced with another order he is unwilling to obey ...

Photographer Rachel Quinn seeks out beauty in unlikely places. Her work comforted Dan in his darkest days. But Quinn knows darkness too - and Dan soon realises she needs his help as much as he needs hers.

Carrie Bryant was a talented jockey until a racing accident broke her nerve. Now Dan and Quinn need her expertise, but can she face her fear? And could horse breeder Justin Fraser, a man fighting to save his own heritage, be the one to help put that fear to rest?

Sometimes, the wounds you can't see are the hardest to heal...

I knew after reading Christmas at Coorah Creek that it was a location that I would be destined to return to, being such a remote town in the Australian Outback, and so in an unusual move from me I have gone back to read book 2 of the series, after already reading book 3. I rarely go backwards in a series, but this was definitely worth it. 

And what a return to Coorah Creek it was, there are some recurring characters in this series, but the focal point does change around. This time there were four people that the story centred around, as well as the rest of the town putting in appearances. 

Dan Mitchell is the park ranger at a National Park, he is a war veteran but once disobeyed an order, and now he is on the verge of disobeying again. However in both cases he knows the orders don't fit with his own moral code. 

Quinn is a photographer who has made it to Coorah Creek, and is instrumental in helping Dan come to some decisions, especially about the wild brumbies (horses) in the national park. 

Carrie Bryant was a talented jockey, until a bad accident has left its mark on her, and she along with horse trainer Justin, need to help Dan with the horses. 

A large amount of the book is set in the outback, in this national park, and the close up descriptions of the Brumbies made me feel as though I was alongside them at the billabong. And as you may expect when four people get together and spend large amounts of time sharing an intense experience there are flickerings of romance. 

There is an intensity to Janet Gover's writing that draws you directly into the drama unfolding, and made it so that I was thinking about  the Brumbies throughout the day at work, after reading some more of the book during my lunch break. 

As a lover of horses, and of different locations in books from the norm, The Wild One hits all the right spots with me, along with a fantastic storyline, some great characters and a need to keep turning the pages in the hope that it all works itself out. 

Guest Post & Giveaway - All At Sea with Christine Stovell - Booklympics

“The wind’s howled all day and I now know what hailstones look like when they hit the sea.  I’ve also seen phosphorescence, not splashing over the stern in fluorescent spangles, but rather less ro-mantically swirling round the loo!  It’s a little eerie in the middle of the night seeing the bowl come alive with sparks of coloured lights.  We’ve been on the mooring for 27 hours with no sign yet of being able to move on…”

Extract from my sailing diary. Walton-on-the-Naze. Waiting to cross the Thames Estuary.

Follow A Star, my third novel, is the second to feature Little Spitmarsh, a faded seaside town trying to reinvigorate itself.  Like, Turning the Tide, my debut novel, it draws heavily on the days when I was a sailing ingénue who happened to fall deeply in love with a keen sailor and ended up sailing half way round Britain with him.  That first-hand experience of the tensions that can arise in such a confined space, made a small boat the perfect place to trap May and Bill, the heroine and hero of Follow A Star.  Bill’s a strapping red-haired builder trying to do his best for his ailing uncle and all May wants is to escape the smouldering wreckage of her burnt-out career and one very demanding ex.  I knew exactly how each of them would set the other off, and thoroughly enjoyed creating sparks and misunderstandings between them.  

When I first floated the idea of writing a vaguely nautical novel I was discouraged by a friend in the know who told me ‘women don’t do boats’.  I suppose the reason I couldn’t let go of the idea though is because I don’t do boats either – at least not carbon fibre go-faster yachts with seventeen-man crews clad in the latest offshore gear.  But I do ‘do’ new experiences and sailing’s given me those in abundance, from shaking with fear in huge seas off Land’s End to watching basking sharks in flat calm seas, being accompanied by a pod of dolphins playing in the bow waves or seeing puffins skittering across the water.  

Sailing the beautiful and wild coast of West Wales, where I now live, is rarely easy but it’s where I’ve felt most alive.  If wind, waves or weather turn against you the places of refuge are few and far between.  We’ve slipped into Aberdovey in benign and gentle conditions only to find ourselves on a bucking bronco of a mooring twenty-four hours later.  We’ve slogged across Cardigan Bay and made Pwlheli harbour by the skin of our teeth before the weather front that would keep us gale-bound for a week was upon us.  Even a recent ‘potter’ down Milford Haven forced us to make an unscheduled beach landing to free a rope that had caught round the propeller.

I’m apprehensive whenever we slip the lines and set off on a voyage, but without the fear I wouldn’t reap the rewards each passage brings.  I’ve been challenged and inspired by every moment I’ve spent at sea.  So for those of you who think you don’t like boats, that’s how I once felt too.  But if you still don’t fancy getting wet and cold at sea, well you can always curl up with a good book about sailing instead!

Thanks so much Christine, I think Sailing is almost a forgotten sport, especially in books, so its refreshing to see you talking about it.

About Christine

Christine Stovell says all her writing - short or long fiction, poetry or feature writing - is about making sense of the world.  Her novels are published by Choc Lit and she has recently completed a series of house interior commissions for The English Home magazine.

My website: http://christinestovell.com
My Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Christine-Stovell/e/B003NJ0DUM




Giveaway - Win a signed copy of Follow A Star (Open UK Only)

Many thanks to Christine who is also giving away a signed copy of Follow A Star to one lucky winner. 

Giveaway open to UK Only, all options are voluntary, but please do what they ask, as I will be verifying the winner. Giveaway closes 23:59 24/8/2016. Winner will be announced on twitter and emailed, and they will need to reply within 7 days, or forfeit the prize, and I will re-draw for a new winner.  Good luck everyone.

Win a signed copy of Follow A Star (Open to UK Only)