Archive for October 2nd, 2009

** Read our exclusive interview with Emma Burstall here **

Evie, Nic and Becca are three friends who have joined a writing group and all three of them are in with a chance of winning the national competition their group entered into. Trouble is, all three girls are hiding secrets and tragedies.

Thirty years ago, one of the girls did something so horrific she had to change her name and entire identity to have any chance of living a normal life; there’s also denied alcoholism among the group as well as a husband with a very wrong secret fetish. Finally there’s a marriage break-up that threatens to ruin one of the women.

Can the three women’s friendships stay in tact through all of the troubles?

(more…)

Thanks to the fab Helena at Headline, we have an exclusive for you! It’s the jacket for Jill Mansell’s new book Take A Chance On Me which is due out in February 2010! I think it’s gorgeous, and I love the colours! What do you think? Here’s the synopsis again:

“Cleo Quinn doesn’t have the greatest track record when it comes to men, but now Will’s come along. Handsome and attentive, he could be her Mr Right. Things are definitely looking up for Cleo… apart from one small problem with a rather large ego. Johnny LaVenture, sculptor extraordinaire and her personal childhood nemesis, is back in Channing’s Hill and tormenting her as if he’d never been away. Meanwhile Cleo’s sister Abbie has a problem of her own – husband Tom has become distant and withdrawn, and she’s determined to find out why. But will the shocking truth mean the end of their idyllically happy marriage? The sisters are about to discover that the past can come back to haunt you, and that love can flourish in the unlikeliest of places…”

I’ve always read books by women because generally male authors don’t tend to write the sort of books I like to read. However, that changed for me when I picked up a copy of From Here to Paternity by Matt Dunn, I loved it! I then seeked out more of his books and loved both The Ex-Boyfriend’s Handbook and Ex-Girlfriend’s United, and Leah just read and loved his latest book The Good Bride Guide. Matt’s books are funny, easy to read and very enjoyable and Leah and I would thoroughly recommend them if you haven’t already stumbled across Matt’s books! I was thrilled to find out Matt was willing to do an interview with us, so here it is… with a little gossip about his 6th book too and the possible return of Ed and Dan!

Q1. Tell us about your latest book.
It’s called The Good Bride Guide. Ben Grant is a struggling artist - and struggling to find a woman he can settle down with. With his best friend Ashif about to enter into an arranged marriage, Ben decides to enlist the help of his parents and asks them to find a bride for him. With some interesting results.

Q2. According to your website, you’ve had lots of jobs before becoming an author? What made you turn your hand to writing novels?
I always knew that I wanted to write. The other jobs were just a way of gaining a bit more life experience (and money!) until I could finally concentrate on writing.

(more…)

A few months ago we posted on the site about Lisa Jewell blogging about her next book - the sequel to Ralph’s Party. Well, Lisa has updated her blog again and has finished editing said novel, which has the working title of After The Party, and she also mentions that it’s due out in April. As soon as we get a synopsis we’ll give it to you!