My Weekly Pocket Novel Review

Shame these things don't count towards my Goodreads book count lol! But I've read another pocket novel - slowly, it's been in my handbag.

Review: Rescue My Heart by Carol MacLean 

It's not a bad story, Kate is the eldest of four siblings, and seems to keep the family going etc. especially after their father's death.

Callan is the hero. But I just didn't like that they weren't on the page often enough together. He seemed to announce he loved Kate after one day of meeting!

There were a few knots to tie up, and a couple of them I felt were a bit too 'happy' ending. I mean, would you really want to be Godmother to your ex-boyfriend's child? The history is that her best mate run off with him, but even so. There is burying the past, and then there is burying the past. I could believe that they'd become friends again, but not the Godmother part. I wanted to stick my fingers down my throat!

And the story doesn't really resolve what Kate is going to do in the end either. I would have preferred that tied up. 

A little too much telling for me in this story, and not enough showing. It has a nice element and back story with the rescue centre and the family, but not enough showing of the romance blossoming. For me, out of the three pocket novels I've read, I enjoyed this the least.

And if you're wondering why I'm reading pocket novels, it's all for research. Just seeing what types of stories get published, and to give me a feel for short stories and the types of story lines that get accepted.

I Am Reading, I Mean Researching

A Moment In Time by Sheena McRae 

Another pocket novel down, and it's a shame they're not on Goodreads, because I'd make them count towards my book total!

I bought this one a little while ago, and as the title suggests, I've had it in my handbag (rather than my pocket) and have been dipping into it.  Tonight I finished it.

I searched the internet hoping for a scanned copy however couldn't find one, so a photo from my phone is the best I can do. Must get a scanner!

I wanted to research what sort of stories got published in pocket novels really.  I probably need to buy another so that I've read three. But they do feel Mills and Boon type romance, of the Cherish, Sweet and Tender variety.  In my attempt to get published, I was wondering if a pocket novel would be a quicker or easier way (though by no means actually easy), plus something to add to my writing CV, and just getting a few short stories under my belt might make it easier for my 'novel' to be published... one day.

This story, although I liked it, didn't give the tenderness, the sensual feeling that seems to sizzle off the page like my favourite Mills and Boon author, Liz Fielding achieves. At times I felt I was being told more than shown, I think, because I didn't quite believe it. 

Anyway, I am 'working' even if I'm not writing.  I do feel a bit in limbo with that at the moment, not really finding what to start on next, with the 7th assignment hanging over me.  Tonight, I even opened up the last story I want to complete for my fan fiction series... just to give the characters (my hero and heroine there) a happy ending.  Thought it would be good practise too.  It is romance after all.

If you follow my Twitter and Facebook, you'll know I'm reading Stephen King On Writing, so getting some useful tips there, and inspiration.  So while my RSI is aggravating me, my 7th Assignment haunts me, I am trying to further my writing career.  I am here, in some shape or form doing something, even if it's lessening my magazine pile. 

And just sitting here, reading this back, I've thought of another article - about RSI actually - although have no idea where I would send it.

Does Reading A Pocket Novel Count?

I am currently ready Sally Quilford's Pocket Novel; A Collector of Hearts, and I'm wondering does this count towards my book total?

I'm up to chapter six and it's great. Full of ghosts, and a handsome man, who we're not sure if is up to mischief or not, but has keen interest in the heroine - of course!  

I'm reading this for two reasons; 1) Sally wrote it and I made friends with Sally through the New Voice competition; 2) for research purposes, and: 3) it's fiction and I like reading - it's a WRA (Writing Related Activity).

I prefer writing fiction to non-fiction, so maybe this could be another avenue to try.

I've bought a People's Friend pocket novel, too; A Moment In Time by Sheena McRae.  I just want to see what sort of stories get published, and whether I have the ability to write one.  The stories that go around in my head might not be suitable, but by reading these novellas, it might generate a story idea for me - here's hoping!

So anyone reading this blog, and has any tips to get into the pocket novel market; I would gratefully receive them. 

I know I should be doing my non-fiction, (articles etc) and I will pick that up. I think Monday I'll start reading my coursework for my 7th Assignment from The Writer's Bureau.  That should get me in the mood.  I did buy February issue of Sainsbury's Magazine.  I do like this mag!  It's about two quid cheaper than Good Housekeeping and has just as scrummy recipes in it.  (It's where I got my fizzy jelly from.)  So want to read through that and get a letter sent off to them.

I do want this blog to be about my writing, but I like sharing family news too.  I'm not very good at keeping a diary, only because by the time I fall into bed I'm so shattered, and believe it or not, writing with a pen actually makes my hand ache quicker than if I'm typing.

So, my family snippet for today.  Kieran at Stars in Training; he's just gone to the toilet because he has this annoying habit of wanting to go for a wee at wherever he's going, rather than at home before we walk out the door ("Are you sure you don't want the toilet before we leave?" "No, Mummy.")  He tells me he wants to "do" the soap.

I help squeeze on some soap into his hands, and he sniffs his hands and says; "I lub (love) this soap.  It smells dee-ish-us (delicious)."  That's quite a big word for a three-nearly-four-year old, I think! Anyone else probably wouldn't have realised he meant delicious, only parents understand their own kids and are the translators, don't you find?

The hand soap is blueberry and lotus flower or something, by the way.