Arabella's Blog and Chit-Chat

Wednesday, 16 September 2020

Welcome to RomCom Author - Susie Tate

I’m delighted to welcome Susie Tate to my blog.

Susie Tate - Author

Hello Susie - It’s been wonderful connecting with you through the Romantic Novelists’ Association. The RNA is such an excellent group in which to reach out to fellow authors and sharing writing experiences. I love hearing news of everyone’s up-and-coming book releases.

But before we discover more about your latest release Anything but Easy, here are a few questions which will hopefully give your readers and followers an insight into some of the things that matter to you.

Arabella: When writing a novel are there any key traits, such as virtuously good or shamelessly bad, you like to give your characters?

Susie: I don’t like stereotypes and I don’t believe anyone is irredeemably bad. Often my most unsympathetic characters come through as pretty decent in the end! Heroes of course in my opinion have to be a wee bit on the arrogant side and throw around their fair share of testosterone. My heroines’ personalities vary widely – from painfully shy to ridiculously extrovert, but all my characters have their vulnerabilities and reasons for you to root for them getting to their happy ever afters.

Arabella: A book has a beginning, middle, and an end. When penning your latest release, Anything but Easy, which part did you find the hardest to write and why?

Susie: I think with Anything but Easy it was the middle that was the hardest. I knew where I wanted the characters and story to go, but as the hero and heroine were so opposite, and the hero so fiercely controlled with everything he did, it was sometimes tricky to get them there! The chemistry between them overcame most of the obstacles in the end though so it was worth it.

Arabella: We all have a long list of books we keep meaning to read but never have the time for --- which book is a must-read for you this season?

Susie: Both Mhairi McFarlane’s and Penny Reid’s books always make me laugh out loud and we could all do with a laugh at the moment! So I’ll definitely be reading Mhairi’s new book If I Never Met You and Penny’s latest Engagement and Espionage.

Arabella: A slice of Chocolate Cake, a piece of Fruit, or Burger and Fries?

Susie: No contest! A slice of Chocolate Cake.

Arabella: What advice would you give to someone who is starting out on their writing journey?

Susie: Read, read, read, then read some more: books from the genre you want to write in, books from other genres, books about writing – it’s all helpful. Then have confidence in yourself and the story you have to tell. There’s always room for more stories!

Arabella: What about your future plans? Any books or series in the making?

Susie: I write romantic comedy and contemporary romance. I'm a GP and my books have been described before as "Grey's Anatomy meets the romance novel".

I’ve got another series of three interconnected standalone books on the go at the moment that I hope to bring out next year. All the first drafts are done so it’s the endless editing process to go through now before my real editor can rip them to shreds and remove all my semicolons J

Thank you so much for welcoming me to your blog! Great questions!

It was lovely to have had the chance to host you on Arabella’s Blog and Chit-Chat, Susie. Thank you for being such a super guest. Wishing lots of fun when promoting your book - Anything But Easy.

Arabella

www.arabellasheen.co.uk

About Susie Tate

Susie Tate - Author

Susie is a general practitioner in Dorset. Things have been a little crazy in the NHS of late for both her and her husband (also a doctor working in anaesthetics). Reading and writing has kept her sane. She is so grateful to all her fab readers and reviewers for their ongoing support - it really has meant the world to her.

When she's not working or writing she's looking after her four scrummy little boys (well, one might not be so little but it's the mental age that counts!).

Book Blurb: Anything But Easy

Kira Murphy is a liability: always has been. She might be small but her personality and heart are not: a sexual health doctor with a foul mouth, pink streaks in her hair, a bizarre world view, a reputation for being ‘pathologically social’, and a huge crush on the current Minister of State for Business, Energy and Clean Growth . . . she’s weird and lovable in equal measure.

The last thing Barclay Lucas needs is a liability. He’s made it into the cabinet with single-minded determination, sheer grit, and serious conservatism. But then a crazy, pink-haired, tiny dynamo turns his life upside-down and serious for Barclay is a thing of the past.

But he’s never liked feeling out of control – something he experiences with Kira on a daily basis. So he pushes her away when she needs him the most, and unfortunately for him she retreats at head-spinning speed. It’s only then he realizes that although being with Kira is anything but easy, the grey, boring alternative is far worse. He’ll have to use all his hard-earned political negotiating and maneuvering skills to get her back. Because after being dragged from black and white into full Technicolor with Kira, Barclay knows that, however serious and worthy his life is, he can’t live it without her.

Anything but Easy is an opposites attract, full-length contemporary romance.

Release date: 13th September 2020

Genre: Opposites attract romantic comedy/contemporary romance

BUY LINK:

Amazon link: mybook.to/AnythingbutEasy

Friday, 11 September 2020

Temporary Bride by Arabella Sheen - EXCERPT 3

Temporary Bride

Arabella Sheen

Max Jordan is one of America’s most powerful, leading corporate lawyers. He is also the major stockholder and head of the billion-dollar corporation - Jordan Diamond Empire.

Max must marry soon to keep the business safe and the company secure from a takeover.

Returning to England in search of the only woman he knows and trusts to help him in his moment of need - he tracks Amy down and asks her to marry him.

Amy Denver wants nothing to do with Max Jordan…and she certainly wants nothing to do with his marriage proposal. Five painful years have passed since Max disappeared from her life and a lot has happened to her in between. Amy has a secret she’d rather he didn’t discover…her secret is Jake…their son. Once again Amy finds herself surrendering to Max and his demands as he whisks her and Jake off to Waterfront, his private, secluded home in the Hamptons.

Chapter 1 - Excerpt 3 continued...

Without any problems, the limo cut through the city’s heavy morning traffic and when it reached a tall building where Martin and Campbell had their law offices, Max stepped out of the car and was immediately greeted by an entourage of eager people. A welcoming party had been patiently waiting on tenterhooks for his arrival.

A zealous individual willing to please Max gathered the laptop and briefcase from the car and Max was politely steered towards a rank of open lifts which were all being held in anticipation of his arrival.

“We’ve been expecting you, sir. How was your flight?”

“The flight was good thank you…long, but good. Now, perhaps one of you would like to show me around your firm before the meeting. I’d like to get a feel for the place and see how you run your operation.” He was taking control of the situation.

Max glanced pointedly at the sleek, slim watch on his wrist and everyone took the hint.

They all stepped into the waiting lifts and, with the doors closed securely behind them, they went straight to the fifth floor where Martin and Campbell had their offices.

Max was in London on two accounts - company and personal business.

He was working with the English law firm Martin and Campbell on an international lawsuit involving worldwide diamond embezzling. But the diamond lawsuit wasn’t his only reason for being in London…he was here for more. He wanted to find Amy Denver and take her back to America with him, only Amy didn’t know that…yet.

Jordan Diamond Empire was in trouble and if Max didn’t marry soon to protect the company, he might not have a company to run.

On the sixth floor, Amy was blissfully unaware of Max Jordan’s presence in the building. In the conference room, she was busy laying out files and briefs on the long, wooden, mahogany table and generally preparing for the onslaught of lawyers who were about to descend on her.

Catching a glimpse of herself in the reflective shine of the conference room window, Amy smoothed her hair back into place and straightened her pencil-slim, black skirt over the smooth, slender, sexy curves of her hips.

She was ready to face the barrage of lawyers heading her way.

She knew she looked good and she felt good. Adrenaline was pumping in her veins and she was ready to take on the world.

In the four years, Amy had been with the law firm as a junior lawyer she’d been faultlessly brilliant in her work. She excelled at her job and there was no one with better skills to run and manage the support teams.

It was her ability to organise and cope in any difficult situation that had won the hearts of her colleagues and she was greatly valued by them all.

“Is everything under control Amy?” Peering around the door was Cathy Moore.

Cathy was one of the female partners who had also become a good friend of Amy’s.

“Sure…everything’s fine. Why what’s up?” Amy asked.

“The American’s here. The whole place is buzzing with the news and it seems they’re now heading here to the conference room.” There was an urgency in Cathy’s voice.

Cathy was showing concern for the controlled chaos that seemed to be rampant throughout the building.

“Well that’s good news,” said Amy brightly. “Hopefully we’ll be sticking to our schedule and we’ll have no delays. For once maybe…just maybe, I’ll be able to get away from work on time.”

“You’ll be lucky,” said Cathy letting out a deep sigh. “We’ll probably all have to stay and work overtime. I imagine we’ll be here slogging away until midnight catching up on any decisions they make during the meeting.”

Amy let out a long agonising groan.

“Don’t worry. I’m sure James will let you leave early. But right now I’ve got to go . . . see you later.” With a quick wave, Cathy disappeared from sight.

Amy hadn’t thought about the extra hours she might have to work this evening and she felt uneasy about having to stay on longer than planned.

The full-on meeting was due to take place in ten minutes and anyone of importance had to attend.

Today of all day’s there was no room for error. It was decision day and the partners were going to determine which of them would be working with Max Jordan and take on the Diablo case.

Rumour had it James Martin - the senior partner - was likely to take the job. It was James who had brought the American lawyer in on the case and this new guy was supposed to be an expert in the field of diamonds and corporate law.

From somewhere along the corridor Amy heard a scurry of foot-falls approaching. It was her boss James Martin and his team.

“Good morning Amy,” James said giving her a conspiratorial wink.

She saw he was wearing his blue shirt and tie which meant James was in a good mood and ready for action.

“James, morning…nice to see you,” she said enthusiastically and greeted him with her usual sunny smile.

Four years ago James had sat in on her interview. Throughout the years he had mentored her and encouraged her to work hard. Little by little she had climbed and worked her way up the corporate ladder. She thought of James as the older brother she never had. But James liking what he saw, was continually trying his luck and asked Amy out on numerous occasions. Every time she refused, he took it on the chin and waited…until the next time.

“We’re ready when you are sir,” she said politely.

Everything was in place and ready for the meeting. The white marker board had been cleaned and the new digital hologram projection system was set-up and running.

Nearly everyone had arrived and were ready to take their seats and prepare for the onslaught of questions. They were, however, still waiting for the infamous American lawyer to appear.

Everyone was on tenterhooks expecting his arrival at any minute and even James, who was rarely flustered, seemed on edge.

At that moment, the door to the conference room opened and a tall, forceful figure appeared framed in the doorway.

Amy felt the blood drain from her face.

Gripping the back of a nearby chair for support, she just managed to stop herself from fainting.

Max Jordan - her Max Jordan - was standing in the doorway and Max looked like he owned the place.

Disclaimer, Copyrights and Publishing

Any names or characters have no existence outside the imagination of the

author or are used fictitiously and actual events are purely coincidental.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, copied,

stored in a retrieval system known or hereinafter invented, without

written permission of the publisher.

Published by priceplacebooks

ISBN 978-0-9575698-0-5

About Arabella Sheen

Arabella Sheen - Author

Arabella Sheen is a British author of contemporary romance and likes nothing more than the challenge of starting a new novel with fresh ideas and inspiring characters.

One of the many things Arabella loves to do is to read. And when she’s not researching or writing about romance, she is either on her allotment sowing and planting with the seasons or she is curled on the sofa with a book, while pandering to the demands of her attention-seeking cat.

Having lived and worked in the Netherlands as a theatre nurse for nearly twenty years, she now lives in the south-west of England with her family.

Arabella hopes her readers have as much pleasure from her romance stories as she has in writing them.

Social Media

Website: http://www.arabellasheen.co.uk/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/ArabellaSheen

Facebook Author: https://www.facebook.com/ArabellaSheenAuthor

Click on Image for Excerpt

BOOK BLURB:

Max Jordan is one of America’s most powerful, leading corporate lawyers. He is also the major stockholder and head of the billion-dollar corporation - Jordan Diamond Empire.

Max must marry soon to keep the business safe and the company secure from a takeover.

Returning to England in search of the only woman he knows and trusts to help him in his moment of need - he tracks Amy down and asks her to marry him.

Amy Denver wants nothing to do with Max Jordan...and she certainly wants nothing to do with his marriage proposal. Five painful years have passed since Max disappeared from her life and a lot has happened to her in between. Amy has a secret she’d rather he didn’t discover. Her secret is Jake...their son. Once again Amy finds herself surrendering to Max and his demands as he whisks her and Jake off to Waterfront, his private, secluded home in the Hamptons.

BUY LINKS:

Website: http://www.arabellasheen.co.uk/temporary-bride.html

books2read: https://books2read.com/u/4XZL86

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00BT30FXO?tag=

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BT30FXO?tag=

Apple: https://books.apple.com/gb/book/temporary-bride/id615112868?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/291235?ref=draft2digital

Arabella Sheen http://arabellasheen.co.uk

Wednesday, 9 September 2020

Welcome to Romance Author - Natalie Normann

I’m delighted to welcome Natalie Normann to my blog.

Natalie Normann - Author

Hello Natalie – I’ve been looking forward to hosting you on Arabella’s Blog and Chit Chat, and I’m eager to learn some of your writing secrets. But before we discover more about your latest paperback release, Summer Island, here are a few questions which will hopefully give your readers and followers an insight into some of the things that matter to you.

Arabella: We all love the creativity of writing – otherwise we wouldn’t spend hours at a keyboard pounding away in the hope someone will read and enjoy our novels. But what do you like most about our craft?

The editing and proofreading, the author/reader relationship, promotional book signings, or is there something else that has you hooked to the world of books?

Natalie: I do love finishing a book, there's that. And few things are better than having people tell me that they loved one of my books. But more than anything I love working on the story. I love starting a new manuscript, with a few ideas that might be good, but very often isn't, a character or two, usually without a name, and then at some point, it all seems to fall together and I can see the bigger picture. I even love the editing most of the time. At some point, I had to come to terms with the fact that I'll never get it right the first time, and that editing is something I could hate or love. Or moan about some times.

Arabella: Who or what inspired you to write your latest release, Summer Island?

Natalie: My book, Summer Island, is inspired by Norwegian summers. The success of Nordic Noir makes everyone think Norway and the other Scandinavian countries are forever grey and drab, and it's really isn't like that. Norwegian summers are wonderful, full of light and life. Even when it rains, I promise. Maybe it's the contrast from winter that makes it so special. It's like you come out of your door one day, and spring happened. It's awesome.

Arabella: Some authors cannot work without a business planner, others cannot write without an editing app… Are there any “essentials” you need to help your writing move forward?

Natalie: I need my computer, of course, and notebooks where I can keep track of progress. Lots of writers use post-its on their wall, and I tried that, but I would always loose notes. So, instead, I use a pencil, so that I can erase what I don't need, and also jot down ideas that come as I work. And I have a few notebooks, since I have one for every project. In the notebook, I have ideas for characters, different names, a rough outline of the story, new ideas that come as I write. I would be lost without it.

Arabella: If the person of your dreams, (husband/wife/partner/or superstar), were to take you out for the night, where would they take you and what would you do?

Natalie: Oh, that's easy. If they were clever, they would take me to a bookstore, then the movies and finally to an Italian restaurant. I love pasta!

Arabella: Do you have any great writing, publishing, or marketing tips you would like to share to “want-to-be” authors starting out on their writing journey?

Natalie: I see so many new writers stressing over the right title for the book they haven't written yet, or they get caught up in the “perfection-trap” and keep polishing the first chapters until they lose the story and get disheartened. And I always say forget all that. Just write the story you have, throw everything in there, and don't worry about grammar or style, or story building, point of view, or any of those things. Accept that your first manuscript is going to be really bad, but finish it anyway and have fun doing it. Because finishing your first story will feel great and then you have a whole book to polish. You need that feeling of accomplishment to develop your writing mojo.

Thank you for sharing some of your writing experiences, Natalie. I’m also an avid fan of notebooks to keep track of ideas and things yet to be done. Wishing you all the best for your paperback edition of Summer Island

Arabella

www.arabellasheen.co.uk

About Natalie Normann

Natalie Normann - Author

Natalie Normann grew up in a shipping town on the west-coast of Norway and always wanted to be a writer. Actually, she wanted to smoke cigars and drink whiskey like Hemingway but settled for chocolate and the occasional glass of Baileys.

Her writing journey started with short stories in women’s magazines until her first book was published in 1995. She has by now published 60 books.

Summer Island is her first romance written in English.

Social Media

Instagram: natalienormann

Twitter: @NatalieNormann1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NatalieNormannAuthor

Book Blurb – Summer Island:

He never meant to stay.

He certainly never meant to fall in love…

Summer Island off the coast of Norway was the place London chef Jack Greene should have been from. He’s an outsider in the community that should have been his family, and now he’s setting foot on the strange land he has inherited for the first time.

Ninni Toft, his nearest neighbour, has come to the island to mend her broken heart. With her wild spirit and irrepressible enthusiasm, she shows city-boy Jack the simple pleasures of island life – and what it means to belong. To a place. To a people. To one person in particular…

Home is where the heart is, but is Jack’s heart with the career he left behind in London, or on the wind-swept shores of Summer Island, with Ninni?

BUY LINKS

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0008362688/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tu00_p1_i0

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0008362688/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tu00_p1_i0

Summer Island paperback will be published on September 17^th. (The e-book has been out since June 24^th.)

Friday, 4 September 2020

Temporary Bride by Arabella Sheen - EXCERPT 2

Temporary Bride

Arabella Sheen

Max Jordan is one of America’s most powerful, leading corporate lawyers. He is also the major stockholder and head of the billion-dollar corporation - Jordan Diamond Empire.

Max must marry soon to keep the business safe and the company secure from a takeover.

Returning to England in search of the only woman he knows and trusts to help him in his moment of need - he tracks Amy down and asks her to marry him.

CHAPTER ONE - Excerpt 2...