Archive for December 5th, 2009

Patricia Scanlan is one of the biggest names in women’s fiction, and has held her place at the top for a good many years now. I first heard of Patricia because my mum absolutely loves her books, and is always trying to get me to read the City Girl trilogy which I must find the time to read! I recently had the pleasure of reading Patricia’s latest book, a Christmas themed title called Coming Home. It was a lovely read, and Patricia was kind enough to do an interview with us, so here it is!

Q1. Tell us about your latest book “Coming Home”.

Coming Home is about two sisters who have different perceptions about each other’s lives, Alison Dunwoody’s high flying financial career is on the skids when she’s made jobless due to the financial melt-down, her Upper East Side apartment is now way beyond her means and she’s far from financially secure. But pride prevents her from telling her family back home. Her sister Olivia is finding it difficult to juggle family, career, caring for their elderly uncle, trying to make preparations for Christmas and organize a surprise party for her mother’s seventieth birthday. She envies and sometimes resents Alison whom she thinks has a great life in New York. Coming home is the last thing Alison wants to do especially now that she’s met a rather dishy, sexy, down to earth neighbour who doesn’t believe in ‘non exclusive dating’ unlike her wealthy boyfriend, Jonathan. But family ties are strong and Alison comes home and gets to really know her family again especially her young nieces who are having a magical time, stirring the puddings and making wishes, lighting the candle in the window on Christmas Eve, performing their Nativity play in Church on Christmas Morning, after the excitement of Santa’s arrival, and having a very merry Christmas dinner. Alison comes to realise that the love of her family is far more important than wealth and success, Olivia recognizes how lucky she is to have a happy marriage and three lovely children and how great it’s been to have her sister home to share good times with their parents. At the end of the day, family is more important than anything.

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Yet another celebrity has turned their hand to writing fiction and this time its the turn of “Loose Woman” Coleen Nolan, also of The Nolans fame. Coleen already has an autobiography out, but is trying to write fiction this time, and her debut offering Envy is due out next summer on June 4th 2010. I have no idea if Coleen is writing it herself or using a synopsis but either way I am intrigued to read it. Here’s the synopsis:

“Television favourite Karen King loves three things: her job as presenter on a late night talk show, her gorgeous husband Jason, and her Spanx[registered] pants, guaranteed to give the plumpest woman a waistline. She’s happy, but fate is about to turn her ordered world upside down. Surprise number one is finding Jason in bed with a young blonde. Karen’s barely over the shock when she’s hotly tipped to take over primetime’s highest-rating chat show. She wants the job - but so do some of the biggest divas in showbiz, not least the icy Julia Hill who will do absolutely anything to sabotage Karen. As the biggest catfight in town kicks off can Karen sort out her life and win television’s greatest prize? With its glamorous characters and captivating heroine, Envy is a sexy, funny, unforgettable read.”