How To Travel Without Leaving Home

In my latest newsletter (I hope that link works!) I said I was going to blog about some book recommendations. So here is the blog post!

As we're all stuck indoors for the foreseeable future, with holidays cancelled, I thought I'd recommend some of my favourite books and authors so that you could travel without leaving home.

We've been incredibly lucky for this lockdown so far, with the weather being very fair to us. It's almost as if Mother Nature knew, chucked as much rain at us as possible, and now is giving us a breather because she knows how much we need our gardens (if we're lucky enough to have one).

So grab your kindle or ereader, because downloading ebooks currently is the quickest way to get a book delivered, and there's no fear of any contamination and catching the virus.

Firstly, you could escape to Italy with Sue Moorcroft's One Summer In Italy. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It made me want to drink cold, crisp glasses of white wine while I read it too.

Or you could travel to Greece with Mandy Baggot's My Greek Island Summer.  This is Mandy's latest novel, so I haven't read it yet, but I'm sure it will be just as wonderful as her other books. And I just know Greece is her favourite place to be!

If you don't fancy going so far afield, and Cornwall is your thing, Meet Me At Wisteria Cottage turned three recently! It'll give you sun, sea and surf, and a dashing hero in the name of Harry Tudor.

Then, there's Fay Keenan's latest novel, The Weekender, which is set in rural Somerset. This book will allow you soak up the Mendips whilst sipping your favourite cider!

These should do you for now. And the best thing about all of these books - they are ALL are available in Kindle Unlimited!

I'll think of some more favourites and will post them in another blog post.

Romance offers great, uplifting escapism, which we all need right now on our need to social distance.

Stay home, stay safe, everyone. And keep reading!

Teresa x x x

p.s. I have given links to Amazon UK. However, please *search* the relevant author if you wish to purchase via other means. And if you love their book, please remember to leave them a review. They would love to hear from you.

#HIFortnight - Do You Remember? by Mandy Baggot

Recently I finished reading Mandy Baggot's Do You Remember? And so for part of the #HIFortnight I thought I would give Mandy Baggot a HarperImpulse Author Spotlight post.

Do You Remember? - First Love. First Loss. Last chance?

2005 was the most traumatic year of Emma Barron's life. It was the year her mother died and the year she met Guy Duval. Eight years on, she's an English teacher with a doting boyfriend and a young son. Life's been hard but now it's comfortable. She's settled and content...so why would she risk it all for another chance with the man that broke her heart?

Guy's an international renowned footballer newly signed to a top UK team. But behind the confident facade is a man determined to drown the horrors from his childhood with fame, success and money.

Unable to confide in her best friend, Ally, Emma tries to hold her life together as her heart is pulled apart. Did she turn her back on love too soon? Neither of them know what really happened on 5 September 2005 and as events are slowly revealed can anyone cope with the truth?

My short and sweet review - 5 stars! 

What a gem of a read with some lovely twists. :)

I loved the past and present stories of Emma and Guy entwined. This worked really well in my opinion. Easy, enjoyable read.

About:

Mandy Baggot is a romantic fiction author. In 2012 she won the Innovation in Romantic Fiction award at the UK’s Festival of Romance. Her self-published title, Strings Attached was also short-listed for the Best Author Published Read award.

Also in 2012 she signed with American publishing house, Sapphire Star Publishing, who produced her novels, Taking Charge and romantic suspense, Security.

In June 2013 she signed a two book deal with Harper Collins' digital first romance imprint, Harper Impulse.

She is a regular contributor to writing blogs and on-line magazine, Loveahappyending Lifestyle http://www.loveahappyending.com/.

Mandy loves mashed potato, white wine, country music, World’s Strongest Man, travel and handbags. She has appeared on ITV1’s Who Dares Sings and auditioned for The X-Factor.

Mandy is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and lives near Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK with her husband, two daughters and cats, Kravitz and Springsteen.

Website: www.mandybaggot.com

Amazon UK: http://ow.ly/sjq4v

Amazon US: http://ow.ly/sjqbM

Twitter: http://twitter.com/mandybaggot

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mandybaggotauthor

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2968625.Mandy_Baggot

Loveahappyending Bookshelf: http://loveahappyending.org/mandy-baggot/

The RNA Conference Buzz

Me, Rachel Brimble and Jane Lark selfie.

I am probably, like every other writer who attended the RNA Conference at the weekend, now blogging about it.

And why not!? It makes good blogging fodder!

Everyone who attended will agree with me here. The conference gives you such a buzz, and you meet so many lovely authors, and aspiring writers, you just can't help get a high from it all.

My good friend Mary Cross with Lizzie Lane

In fact, I'm feeling rather deflated today... missing the lovely people, the delicious food and the scrumptious wine... I ate so much good food! (And drank too much wine.)

This year felt particularly good for me actually.

1) I met up with lots of authors I hadn't seen in three years, since the last (and my very first conference) I attended.

2) I was no longer a conference virgin. I knew what I was doing :-)

Me, Sue Fortin and Mandy Baggot

And 3) I had fellow writers to hang around with. It was really fab, because a good majority of my RNA chapter group made it to the conference, and so we all hung out together :) It was like an extended RNA chapter meeting.

The Romaniacs :-) 

It's a good reflection for me also. In 2011, I attended the RNA conference as an aspiring romance writer, not even a member of the RNA. But that conference encouraged me to join the RNA New Writers' Scheme, and here I am returning, three years later, now a full member of the RNA with a novel published.

Nikki Moore, Linn B Halton, Mandy B and
Jane Lark
Harper Impulse authors :)

It also enabled me to meet up with my fellow Harper Impulse authors too!

Anyway, with this blog post I'm going to share some of my favourite photos - however I have plastered the lot over on my website :)

Nikki Moore and Sue Moorcroft
(Not sure who the lady in pink is)

Morton Gray :-) Who I Love!

As you can see, I've managed to get some great photos of great authors :-) And you can see how smiley we are... or is that the free wine?

Our RNA Bath and Wiltshire Chapter group.

Gosh, there were so many more photos I wanted to add on this blog post...

Fake Friday with Mandy Baggot

Yay! Today I have Mandy Baggot joining me for my Fake Friday slot! She's here to talk about her recently published Made In Nashville. Over to you, Mandy!  

My Twitter style question: Describe your hero in 140 characters.

Hot, sexy, rough around the edges, hard and tough with a good heart and strong values! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Why do you like writing romance?

Writing romance has always excited me. We all love that feeling of falling in love and being in love in life and when you can spice it up a bit and make nothing impossible in fiction it’s all the more thrilling. I love making my characters experience the whole range of emotions that comes with a story about relationships!

What do you do with a paperback once you’ve read it?

I give them to charity unless they’re signed by the author and then I keep them. I think the Kindle was invented just for me. I keep very little and being able to read something and press delete appeals! I never re-read books.

What is next on your agenda after publishing Made in Nashville?

I’m currently writing a novel set in an all inclusive hotel in Corfu. It’s about a thirty something accountant called Ellie Brooks and her half-sister Lacey visiting this hotel to plan Lacey’s wedding. While they’re there both sisters have an attraction to members of the animation team but, as with most of my books, there are secrets on both sides. Ellie’s in trouble at work, Lacey’s unsure about her impending nuptials and Yan is hiding the biggest secret of all…

Cocktail or shot? If so, what one?

Cocktail! There is a beautiful one I have all the time when I’m on holiday called an Apricot Cooler!

This is Jared, Mandy's hero!

Tea or coffee?

Tea!

Starbucks or Costa?

Neither! I’m not a coffee girl and I don’t like paying for over-priced anything!

Dogs or cats?

Cats!

  

Blurb for Made in Nashville

Love ABC’s Nashville? Fall in love with a story that’ll drag you into the heart of the country music scene.

Battle scars, broken contracts and a returning star with a point to prove.  Fists are flying faster than award nominations and emotions run even higher. 

Country rebel and rock star, Jared ‘Jed’ Marshall is hot property on the Tennessee music scene in more ways than one. He’s wild, he’s sexy and everybody wants a piece of him. But when he sets his sights on singer Honor Blackwood, is it pure attraction or just distraction on his mind?

Visit the home of country music and get ready for the finger-picking read of the year!

About:

Mandy Baggot is a romantic fiction author. In 2012 she won the Innovation in Romantic Fiction award at the UK’s Festival of Romance. Her self-published title, Strings Attached was also short-listed for the Best Author Published Read award.

Also in 2012 she signed with American publishing house, Sapphire Star Publishing, who produced her novels, Taking Charge and romantic suspense, Security.

In June 2013 she signed a two book deal with Harper Collins' digital first romance imprint, Harper Impulse.

She is a regular contributor to writing blogs and on-line magazine, Loveahappyending Lifestyle http://www.loveahappyending.com/.

Mandy loves mashed potato, white wine, country music, World’s Strongest Man, travel and handbags. She has appeared on ITV1’s Who Dares Sings and auditioned for The X-Factor.

Mandy is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and lives near Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK with her husband, two daughters and cats, Kravitz and Springsteen.

Website: www.mandybaggot.com

Amazon UK: http://ow.ly/sjq4v

Amazon US: http://ow.ly/sjqbM

Twitter: http://twitter.com/mandybaggot

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mandybaggotauthor

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2968625.Mandy_Baggot

Loveahappyending Bookshelf: http://loveahappyending.org/mandy-baggot/

Sapphire Star Publishing: http://www.sapphirestarpublishing.com/mandybaggot

Harper Impulse: http://ow.ly/mAQBP

Latest release: Made in Nashville –          Amazon UK http://ow.ly/sMOIG

Amazon US http://ow.ly/sMOC9

Thanks for popping by, Mandy. I love the book cover, and well, Jared can stay as long as he likes :) 

Written Fireside: His Way Home - Part 7

Written Fireside: His Way Home 

If you've not read all the parts yet, click on the links below to catch up! 

Part 1 by Lori Connelly on November 12th

Part 2 by Sarah Lefebve on November 19th

Part 3 by Zara Stoneley on November 26th 

Part 4 by Lynn Marie Hulsman on December 3rd

Part 5 by Romy Sommer on December 10th

Part 6 by Jane Lark on December 17th

And now for my part. This is my third time participating in the round robin organised by Lori Connelly. Initially, I'm always anxious when it comes to my part, I worry I won't get it done in time - as I can't think about my part until the one before is up. But when it comes to it, I focus on writing, and it's great to be back doing that, especially when I feel that all I do is edit at the moment. Enjoy! 

Part 7 by Teresa F Morgan 

“A time window?” Matthew said in disbelief. “Old man, you've had a serious bump to the head.” He made towards Walter, to help him to the chair, but Walter batted him away, already looking stronger.

“Don’t call me old, boy!”

“Don’t call me boy.”

            Beth rolled her eyes. These two were definitely related, their resemblance striking. Not only did they share the same piercing blue eyes and handsome features, they shared the same stubbornness. Walter was aged anywhere between seventy and eighty, Beth guessed. If his daughter, Matthew’s grandmother would be a hundred now, it didn’t make sense, unless there really was a time slip.

“We must go to Watchtower Hill,” Walter said, urgently. “I’m here to lead you to Alice. Then I can return... to my Rose.”

“There’s a snow storm coming!” Matthew said angrily. Beth took his arm, worried he was losing his temper and patience with the elderly man.

“We’ll get there in time,” Walter said firmly. “Beth, get that sled.”

Two hours later, all appropriately dressed and equipped to hike through snow and the cold, they trudged knee deep, towards Watchtower Hill. It was hard work, and tiring, gradually climbing. The wind was harsh, blowing a blizzard of icy snow that stung their faces, evident of a storm coming. Beth’s muscles ached with exhaustion; she dreaded what Walter felt, though between them, they’d pulled Walter some of the journey on the sled. Now, through the thicker woods they were all on foot.

“We’re nearly there,” Walter said, breathing heavily, pointing towards the ruined snow covered cabin.

To Beth’s surprise, Walter led them past the wrecked cabin, and a little further round, through a thick part of trees, and they found a smaller cabin, camouflaged with snow, almost like a cave in the hillside. Its only give-away was the smoke billowing out of the chimney. They could smell amongst the fresh pine of the trees burning logs.

“How many times I've walked these parts – I've never seen this other cabin,” Matthew said. Beth stumbled and he caught her, then kept hold of her hand. How had she doubted his love? Hesitantly, Walter pushed open the door. The three of them entered the small cabin and the warmth hit them, and inside there was an elderly woman, sitting in a rocking chair in front of a fire.

“Papa?” she said, hesitantly. “It can’t be you?”

“Alice.” Walter smiled. “You made it back.” Walter hugged his daughter, who looked similar in age, if not slightly older.

“I came straight back,” the old woman said.

“I know you did, and now you must tell Matthew what he needs to know. To protect the time slip, and the farm.”

She glanced at them, Matthew still holding Beth’s gloved hand, and frowned. “Who are they?”

“Matthew and Beth. He’s your grandson. ”

“But it can’t be.” She shook her head, anxiously ringing her elderly hands. “I left him at the farm with his father. He’s only twelve.”

Matthew knelt before her chair and took her hand tenderly. “Grandma, you've been gone twenty years.” 

To be continued.... 

You'll have to wait until 2014 for the next part... here's the rest of the schedule: 

Part 8 by Carmel Harrington on January 7th

Part 9 by Sue Fortin on January 14th

Part 10 by Erin Lawless  on January 21th

Part 11 by Mandy Baggot  on January 28th

About the Harper Impulse authors: 

Lori Connelly - Blog  Facebook  Twitter

Amazon Author Page  Her book- The Lawman of Silver Creek

Sarah Lefebve - Blog  Twitter  

Her book - The Park Bench Test

Zara Stoneley - Website  Facebook  Twitter  Blog

Her book - Summer of Surrender

Lynn Marie Hulsman - Website Facebook Twitter Blog  

Co-Author of - Christmas at Thornton Hall

Romy Sommer - Website  Facebook  Twitter  

Her book - The Trouble with Mojitos

Jane Lark - Website  Facebook Twitter Blog  History

Her book - I Found You

Teresa F. Morgan -  Website  Facebook  Twitter  

Her book - Plus One is a Lucky Number

Carmel Harrington -  Website  Facebook  Twitter  

Her book -  Beyond Graces Rainbow

Sue Fortin -  Blog   2nd Blog   Twitter

Her book -  United States of Love

Erin Lawless - Website  Facebook  Twitter  

Her book -  The Best Thing I Never Had

Mandy Baggot - Website  Facebook  Twitter  Goodreads  

Harper Impulse  Love A Happy Ending

Her book -  Do You Remember?

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 

Book Review: Breaking The Ice by Mandy Baggot

Breaking the Ice by Mandy Baggot

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


The hero of this book is mouth wateringly warm, even if he is on ice. The heroine is a bit scatty actually. And although it did add to the humour, and I would empathise with her, at times I did get annoyed with her too. 

As a self-published book, this story could have done with a better edit. There were some grammatical errors and the avoidance of the word 'said', plus too much dialogue tagging in places, which slowed the pace down. This is the reason I've given it three stars. However, as I got more into the book, the author has a fun voice, shares witty humour, and I did really enjoy the tone of the story.





View all my reviews

Some Fun...

Rachel Lyndhurst tagged me for a bit of blog post fun! Well, she did say she'd get me back. I needed to do a blog post, and this is perfect as I really wasn't sure I had much to say right now. These are a list of things you may or may not know about me. Well, if you didn't know them, you do now:

Four places I have worked:

• A theme park
• A multinational manufacturing giant of household and cosmetic products.
• A company that sold O rings. Sounds much more interesting when I say I worked in rubber! lol!
• A aircraft manufacturing company.

Four movies I could watch again and again:

• Love Actually
• The A-Team 
• Stardust
• Footloose (edited... I can't believe I forgot this movie. There are lots of movies I'd watch over and over actually).

Four TV shows I watch:

• Desperate Housewives
• Doctor Who
• Torchwood
• Sherlock

Four places I have travelled:

• Turkey
• St Lucia
• Barbados
• New Zealand

Four authors I enjoy:

• Sue Moorcroft
• Liz Fielding
• Anne Rice
• Charlaine Harris

Four websites I visit daily:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Goodreads
• Livejournal

Four favourite foods:

• Crispy chilli beef (Chinese).
• Chicken Tikka Masala with peshwari naan
• Smothered chicken (bacon, cheese and bbq sauce).
• Pasta - a good carbonara or something. 

Four places I'd rather be:

• Sunning myself somewhere hot beside a pool, cocktail in hand, reading a good book.
• Sitting in (or outside if sunny) a café (ideally in a European city), sipping lattes and watching the day go by.
• Drinking an ice cold lager on the seafront. 
• Walking anywhere in New Zealand, ideally holding the hand of the man of my dreams.  

Four people I want to tag:

• Rachel Brimble
• Mandy Baggot
• Doris O'Connor
• Sally Quilford

This is only a bit of fun, but if you want to play, then make your own list and tag me back! (Because obviously I want to read).

Mandy Baggot Takes Charge

I was fortunate enough to meet Mandy last July at the RNA Conference, and we have been 'friends' ever since. I'm pleased to have Mandy over to talk about her new book, Taking Charge.
 
Mandy Baggot writes strong contemporary romance and characters you’ll fall in love with. She is the author of five novels Excess All Areas, Breaking the Ice, Knowing Me Knowing You, Strings Attached and Taking Charge. In January 2012 she signed with Sapphire Star Publishing and joined the Romantic Novelists’ Association.
 
1)      Give us your elevator pitch (to the reader) for what your book is about? (i.e. if you were stuck in a lift with a publisher/agent and they said, what's your book about? You've got two minutes till the door pings - but imagine instead your selling to a reader, not a publisher - as you've already done that :D)

Feisty lead female and hot, gorgeous, intelligent and sensitive ice hockey player. Secrets, drama, fun, humour, love, all wrapped around characters that will stir your emotions.

2)      My 'Twitter' question - Describe your heroine in 140 characters.

Strong on the outside, vulnerable on the inside, loves beer, monster trucks and junk food, gets things done, can’t stop talking, fixes cars.

3)      Obviously you're in love with your hero - you wouldn't have written him otherwise - but why do you love him, and think your readers will too? No character limit this time!

Cole Ryan

Well, what can I say about Cole Ryan? He’s as gorgeous as they come for a start. He’s tall, athletic, has glossy black hair, dark dark eyes and resembles a young Freddie Prinze Jr. But he’s more than just a hot guy, he’s a sensitive soul with strong morals. When we first meet him he’s been through a very bad time and he’s letting those memories cloud his judgement on his future. He’s a deep thinker, he’s extremely intelligent and there is no hidden agenda with him, he’s a straight up kind of guy. Are you in love with him yet?

4)      And can you prove that all published writers are really human? i.e how do juggle writing with real life?

Oh yes we’re human! I am writing this while waiting for my washing to finish so I can hang it out to dry. Then because I spend so long with my bum on a chair I need to do some exercise so will be attempting boxercise a little later. Then at 3.00pm it’s the school run and I turn into mum, you know, cooking tea and washing up and doing spellings and reading (all at the same time!). My main writing time is between 11-3 each day but often it’s a case of fitting in ten minutes here and there!

Taking Charge blurb: 

Is going back Robyn’s only way forward?

American-born Robyn Matthers is going home. With her dad in hospital, his roadhouse in ruins and the ice hockey team slipping down the league, she needs to take charge. But does she have the strength to do it?

Cole Ryan is a hockey player on a personal mission. He’s tall, dark, hot and Robyn’s noticed! But can she trust her feelings - or his? And what will Cole do when he finds out the truth about her?

Robyn returns to Michigan and things aren’t quite the same. Her best friend has grown up and is thinking about marriage and babies, the ice hockey team is no longer the life blood of the community and her father is engaged!

When Robyn’s twin cousins drag up past events that hold painful memories for her, she and Cole are forced together. But are either of them ready to start something new?

With an ill father, a trailer trash almost step-mom and ex-boyfriend Brad desperate for another chance, does Robyn have time to contemplate a relationship? Does she really want one? And is it physically possible for two people to fall in love in just three days?

Buy here: Amazon UK / Amazon US

Thanks Mandy for popping along and sharing Cole Ryan with us! (We all approve of a bit of eye candy, I mean creative inspiration...). Good luck with your book. 

You can find Mandy on:
Twitter
Facebook 
Blog 
Website