икониMy first book to review is Nothing But Trouble by Rachel Gibson. I selected this because it looked like the kind of book I’d pick up in a shop, if I felt like trying a new author.

The premise of the book is that Chelsea, the main female character, is a wannabe actress, struggling to find more than the most mediocre of parts. She comes to Seattle to work as an assistant to a recouperating NHL star, in order to raise funds for a breast augmentation. She needs to keep her job to gain a bonus and fund her operation, whereas he makes it clear that he doesn’t need help and attempts to get rid of her.

I believe that this is one of a series of books and, maybe, I would have enjoyed it more if I’d read the other books and had a sense of background to those involved. The book almost lost me at the first chapter, as it was quite heavily ice-hockey based. I understand that this has a big following overseas, so can understand people being drawn to it, but there was just too much ’sports talk’ for my liking. Thankfully, the story was also about relationships and being drawn to people you shouldn’t be. Without spilling too many beans, I found the change in circumstances believable, but not in the space of time given in the book. It felt very rushed. Unfortunately, the characters felt a little flat and I didn’t have a sense of their individual history, so it was hard to feel involved in their relationship - it felt I hadn’t been given the chance to ‘know’ them by the author.

My one pet hate, and I’ve noticed this in a lot of US novels, is the littering of pages with brand names - Gatorade, Vicodin, etc, etc. This happened throughout this book and it felt like advertising!

In essence, it was quite a raunchy book (not quite erotic fiction, but almost) and it was the perfect read for a holiday: fairly engaging, a bit naughty, not too much thinking required and a satisfying conclusion. I’d give this book 6.5/10.

свети илияI’m very excited to be part of the Transworld Book Group Reading Challenge.

I absolutely love to read (as anyone who’s heard my radio interviews will know, usually in the bath - how many times do I wish I hadn’t said that) so I’m really looking forward to reviewing the four books I have chosen from their list. I will be reading and reviewing the following books:

Nothing But Trouble by Rachel Gibson
Teacher, Teacher! by Jack Sheffield
The Secrets Between Us by Louise Douglas
Crippen by John Boyne

This seemed like a good mixture of topics, and I can’t wait to get started.

свети минаI’ve done some research on the e-book situation and it seems straightforward, except for one thing: the cover.

I know the saying goes ‘You can’t judge a book by its cover’ but I think we all do, and a rubbish cover will put us off picking a book up. I’ve made no secret of the fact that I hated my book cover, so I’m not too upset that I can’t use it (I may own the copyright to the book, but certainly not the cover). However, it does mean that I need a whole new cover before I set up my e-book.

I have an idea, but I don’t have the skills to make my own cover (I think a graphic artist does it…but not for free). Don’t have the money to pay someone else to do it, so I’m at an impasse (is that the right word - am tired so not sure). When I solve the problem, I’ll let you know.

Finally, I have a new computer that a) works b) is light enough that it will sit on my lap for a little while and c) the screen isn’t too bright. I’m hoping that it is a keeper and it lasts a good while. Realised lately just how much I rely on my computer!

Long time no see?

Fabby Marie has got me back in to my email and, subsequently, my blog. My email account was mostly spam, but I did get an interesting email about my publisher which intrigued me. Evidently, DA is no more. However, I’m told its new incarnation is Callio (correct me if I’m wrong). Allegedly, all DA authors were contacted LAST JULY and told about the switch (I wasn’t contacted)…

On a plus note, although I believe that contractually and legally, I haven’t been bound to DA for many moons, I think that the mere fact I wasn’t contacted and I don’t appear on the Callio files means that I’m free. This leads me to something I’d never considered before: being an e-author! It’s something I’ll be looking in to this week to see if it’s feasible. It made me laugh that, currently, my book is advertised for in excess of £20 on Amazon - not that I’d see any of that, but still!

What’s been happening over the past year? Writing-wise, little - though plenty of ideas are in place. I’ve recently started a Psychology degree to try and keep my mind active - not going well with the ME/CFS making things difficult. Hoping the next module is more interesting than the current one.

My namesake, the legendary Holly dog, sadly passed away in January. She was 12 and I was absolutely devastated. She had a heart attack. We miss her every single day. She was very demanding and we found that we missed this: consequently, a new pup joined us two months or so ago, and she’s very mischevious…and also very demanding.

That’s just a quick recap, as I’m on a borrowed computer (you can find out why on: www.simpsonsays.wordpress.com). Hoping to get back in to my writing when I get a new computer. This one’s far too heavy and bright for me!

I’ll keep you posted with the e-book thing. Have a feeling it’s not as easy as it seems!