Announcements: A quick update on my book

I’ve been delighted with the support from you all for my first book The Summer of Madness.  It’s meant so much. As such, I just wanted to give a quick update. Sales have been going well, both in digital form and in paperback. It’s such a wonderful feeling to know the story has connected with people.

You can read the reviews so far, including a rather amazing one from a blogger whose site I have admired for years. Beetley Pete has had a very entertaing life, full of anecdotes and adventures. You’ll love his blog.

Thanks again to you all 🙂

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Announcement: Exciting News. First Published Story.

In the summer of love, or rather of madness, a whole set of stories are emerging. But there is one that has got everyone talking. When Kurt Vannes decides to win back his ex-girlfriend with the help of a literary classic, he sets off a string of events that will build to a dramatic finale.

It’s been a pleasure to share with you my favourite literary works since creating the blog, but this time I have very exciting news. This is my first ever short story published and something I had to share with you all. I’ve long been a fan of short stories and it’s wonderful to finally have something of mine within the genre in print.

If you want to find out whether Kurt’s big gesture does win her back, it’s available here in both Kindle and paperback form.

The Summer of Madness

Line(s) of the Day #TheNarrowWay

But he that dares not grasp the thorn
Should never crave the rose

Taken from the poem The Narrow Way by Anne Brontë (1820 – 1849), who died at the tragically early age of 29 from illness. Anne, whose writings included the novels Agnes Grey and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, is also known for being the youngest member of the literary Brontë family.

Line(s) of the Day #Talk

I can remember the good old days
When you and me used to hide away
Where the stars were shining or the sun was blinding our eyes.
Yeah you filled up my glass
With promises that could never last
But I still find pieces of you in the back of my mind.

The opening lyrics of unreleased track Talk by Irish band Kodaline, from their debut album In a Perfect World (2013).  My thanks to the ever awesome Tosha for making me aware of the song and the band. You’ll find her original poetry and singing on her blog here.

Line(s) of the Day #PrettyWoman

Vivian: People put you down enough, you start to believe it.
Edward Lewis: I think you are a very bright, very special woman.
Vivian: The bad stuff is easier to believe. You ever notice that?

Julia Roberts and Richard Gere in the modern day fairy tale Pretty Woman (1990). In the very fondly remembered film, a prostitute and a wealthy businessman fall in love despite vast differences in personality, wealth and social standing.

Line(s) of the Day #EasyA

(narrating) Whatever happened to chivalry? Does it only exist in 80’s movies? I want John Cusack holding a boombox outside my window. I wanna ride off on a lawnmower with Patrick Dempsey. I want Jake from Sixteen Candles waiting outside the church for me. I want Judd Nelson thrusting his fist into the air because he knows he got me. Just once I want my life to be like an 80’s movie, preferably one with a really awesome musical number for no apparent reason. But no, no, John Hughes did not direct my life.

Congratulations to Emma Stone on her Oscar win for La La Land last week at the Oscars. Here she is in her breakthrough role playing Olive in the teen comedy Easy A (2010), which tells of a teen’s attempt to climb the social ladder backfiring spectacularly.

Line(s) of the Day #NottingHill

William: I live in Notting Hill. You live in Beverly Hills. Everyone in the world knows who you are. My mother has trouble remembering my name.
Anna Scott: I’m also just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her.

Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts in the romcom Notting Hill (1999), about a second-hand bookshop owner who falls for a famous Hollywood star after a chance encounter.

Line(s) of the Day #TheNightCircus

The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not.

The opening lines of the fantastically enchanting debut novel The Night Circus (2011) by Erin Morgenstern. I was spoiled for choice for which line to use, but I like that even from the very beginning the uniqueness and mystery of the circus has been set. Something completely pivotal to the story.

Line(s) of the Day #ListenToYourHeart

I know there’s something in the wake of your smile.
I get a notion from the look in your eyes, yeah.
You’ve built a love but that love falls apart.
Your little piece of heaven turns too dark.

Taken from the American chart topper song Listen to your Heart by the Swedish band Roxette, from their second studio album Look Sharp (1989).

Line(s) of the Day #RomeoandJuliet

These violent delights have violent ends
And in their triump die, like fire and powder
Which, as they kiss, consume.

As spoken by Friar Lawrence in the eternally iconic play Romeo and Juliet (1597) by William Shakespeare.