Tuesday 31 December 2013

Happy New Year/Thank You Competition!

2013 has been a memorable year for various reasons, but the biggest reason of all was the publication of the first novel in the Jersey Romance Series - A Jersey Kiss - in August. I'd like to thank everyone who bought a copy of my book, reviewed it, interviewed me on their blog, took part in the blog tour, or shared posts and comments either on Twitter, or on Facebook!
 
To wish you a very Happy New Year and to thank you for the incredible and much appreciated support I've received in 2013, I'd like to offer a $10 (UK equivalent)  Amazon/Kobo gift voucher to one of you. If you'd like to enter this competition, please do so by using the Rafflecopter below.
 
a Rafflecopter giveaway
  
I'd better go and get on with the edits for, A Jersey Affair, the second book in the series, due out in February.
 
However, if you want to escape the stormy weather we've been experiencing recently and haven't already read my first book, then why not lose yourself and read all about Bea's troubles finding the mysterious legacy that just might be able to save her precious home - in the summery island, mystery romance off the coast of France - A Jersey Kiss!
 
 
Happy 2014!

Thursday 26 December 2013

Boxing Day Book Blitz

 
I hope you've had a fantastic Christmas full of food, drink and fun! However, after all that present wrapping, unwrapping, over-eating and - this year - fantastic Christmas Day tv programmes (loved Downton Abbey and Call The Midwife!) - then Boxing Day for me is the day I go on a shopping spree for e-books!
 
So, if you've got any recommendations, please let me know... and if I haven't already bought them, I'll certainly check them out.
 
And if you're taking part in your own book spree and want to escape the stormy weather we've been experiencing recently, then why not lose yourself  and read all about Bea's troubles finding the mysterious legacy that just might be able to save her precious home - in the summery island, mystery romance off the coast of France - A Jersey Kiss!
 
 
Happy Holidays! 

Sunday 22 December 2013

A Jersey Kiss - Book Cover of the Year 2013

I was delighted to wake up this morning and discover that the gorgeous cover for A Jersey Kiss that I love so much has been voted Book Cover of the Year by http://www.supportivebusinessmums.co.uk/





Winner of the Supportive Business Mums Book Cover of The Year 2013 Award
is A Jersey Kiss by Georgina Troy
 
This is what Ces from Supportive Business Mums said about A Jersey Kiss:
 
"I love the way this cover draws you into the setting of the story with a glorious summery romantic bliss vibe. Bea is a lovely young woman trying to save and restore the house left to her by the Aunt who raised her whilst her horrible two timing ex is trying to stake claim on the property. Luke is a rough and rugged sexy restoration contractor who is commissioned with helping Bea. As they fall for each other the plan is to build a happy ever after but the situations they find themselves in don't make it easy."
 
"With a Happy Ever After that is worth waiting for A Jersey Kiss
is a blossoming romance that draws you in."

http://www.supportivebusinessmums.co.uk/see-the-winners-of-supportive-business-mums-best-womens-fiction-2013-awards/

Thank you SO much! This is a perfect way to start the Christmas holidays!

Wednesday 18 December 2013

Welcome To Elaine Everest


Today, Elaine Everest, author of Gracie's War, is answering a few questions about her book and writing process. Welcome to my blog, Elaine.
 

Please can you describe Gracie’s War in twenty words?

Thank you for inviting me to your blog.

Gracie is torn between attractive rogue, Joe and handsome soldier, Tony. One wrong decision sets Gracie’s world falling around her feet.

What is your writing process, are you a plotter, or do you start with an idea and see where the story takes you as you write?

I have tried many methods with my writing. I’ve written scenes as they come into my head and stitched them together later. I’ve started novels not knowing where they are leading. These days when an idea come into my head I let it bubble for a while and ask myself questions like, what if this happened or what if I threw more conflict at my characters? When I can answer these questions I’ll draft an outline of the story. Sometimes I chat with my writing colleagues and ask their advice. If I’m not 100% keen on the idea I’ll file it for another time. If the story shouts ‘write me’ I’ll write a chapter plan. The plan will still leave me with scope to be creative. I try to be professional with my writing and that to me means planning my writing life.

Gracie’s War is set around the Second World War, what inspired you to write this book?

I’m a big fan of movies set in the war years. Add romance and I’m even happier. Gracie’s War is set in the part of NW Kent where I was born and lived in my younger years. Gracie lives in the street where I walked every day. Her friend, Peggy lives in the house I moved to when I married. I loved where I grew up and the people of Slade Green and Erith so what better than to use the area for Gracie’s story?

You’ve won the Pulse Write For Us competition and Gracie’s War has been short-listed for the Joan Hessayon Award 2014, how exciting was that for you?

The word ‘thrilled’ is not enough to describe how I felt. There was much eating of chocolate and drinking of wine at home and with my friends and creative writing students. I’m excited that Pulse thought highly enough of my writing to choose Gracie’s War as a winner in their competition. As a member or the Romantic Novelist Association’s New Writer Scheme, and having Gracie go through the scheme last year, means that I have graduated to full membership – something I’ve dreamed of since I started writing.

Can you tell us a little about your journey to being a published author?

Like many writers I scribbled stories when I was a child. For me it was Pip the Pixie on my Petite typewriter. Fortunately that literary piece disappeared. It was being made redundant from my job and going through a traumatic year that made me decide to get writing and stop dreaming. I attended an adult education class -  but only after they assured me I wouldn’t have to read aloud in class! Six years later I was teaching that same class after winning BBC Radio Kent’s short story writer of the year competition and selling numerous short stories to women’s magazines. I also ventured into features and articles. Through my love of dogs – showing, breeding and judging  – I carved myself a reputation as a specialist in the subject. This has led to radio appearances and columns in publications. I was also commissioned to write three successful non-fiction books for dog owners. When I was approached to teach creative writing I studied and passed the exam to become a qualified tutor. Eventually I moved on to start The Write Place in Dartford, Kent which I run with writing colleague, Francesca Burgess. We are very proud of the successes our students have achieved. These days I try to concentrate on my novels although I can’t resist a new writing challenges.
 
What are you working on at the moment?

As I write this we are in the middle of NaNoWriMo and I’m working on a novel set in the world of ballroom dancing. I learned to dance at the same dance studio as Len Goodman and when he popped up on my television screen an idea crept into my head…

Thank you for answering these questions for me, Elaine.
Gracie’s War can be purchased through Amazon

Saturday 14 December 2013

A Merry Chick Lit Christmas

Yesterday I took part in a fun Chick Lit Chat holiday promo event with other Chick Lit/Women’s Fiction authors to spotlight funny, romantic, books that you may or may not have come across already, but that will make a great gift for Christmas.

You can follow the hashtag #ChickLit4Xmas on Twitter to find more showcased books.



I'm going to be interviewed on BBC Radio Jersey on Monday *takes a deep breath and tries not to panic* and will be answering questions about A Jersey Kiss and my writing. To say I'm a little nervous is a massive understatement and I just hope that I remember something, anything at all, about my book/characters/storylines and that I don't say 'um' 3 million times.

Today I'm going to finishing decorating the Christmas tree, wrap a few presents and lose myself in edits for, A Jersey Affair.

Happy Christmas shopping... X


Wednesday 11 December 2013

Tilly Tennant Asks...


What if your crush crushed back?

 

Like many teenage girls during the brief but brilliant chart reign of Norwegian popsters, A-ha, I wondered what it would be like to date lead singer, Morten Harket.  Eyes like the crystal clear waters of the fjords, cheekbones cut from Nordic glaciers and hair that seemed to defy gravity, from the moment he reached out of that comic book during the video to Take on Me, I was lost. The first concert I ever went to see was A-ha at the BIC in Bournemouth. My dear old Granddad steadfastly waited outside in his car the whole time, refusing to leave the venue until he had got me safe back with him.  I can still remember leaving at the end of the night, feeling like something very important had happened on that stage, and that I would never be the same girl again.

I often laugh with old friends now about those times, but it was these events that sparked the original idea for Hopelessly Devoted. What if you had this crazy, debilitating crush now, as a much older woman with a normal job and a family to raise?  And what if you didn’t just have a crush on your pop idol, what if you met him? What if he actually liked you too? Where could it go?  Bonnie, the heroine of Hopelessly Devoted, is just that: an ordinary thirty-something woman with a teenage daughter and a mundane shop job who finds herself slap bang in the middle of a very strange turn of events when her daughter, Paige, wins a radio contest to meet the members of the boy band, Every Which Way. Paige has a huge crush on one of the members, Holden. The trouble is, so does Bonnie. 

Hopelessly Devoted

There’s only one man for Bonnie, and that’s Holden Finn. The problem is, Holden Finn a twenty-something pop megastar with his boy band, Every Which Way, who doesn’t even know she exists. Not only that, but half the women of the world want to be Mrs Finn, including Bonnie’s teenage daughter, Paige. But the real men in Bonnie’s life only let her down, and a man you can never have can never let you down… right?  When Paige wins a radio competition to meet Holden and his band, it seems all that is set to change. Bonnie is about to find out that you should be careful what you wish for, and that happiness can come in the most unexpected shape…

Hopelessly Devoted  is due for release December 2013 but you can get your hands on a free copy by entering the Hopelessly Devoted blog giveaway. Not only that, but you’ll also win an exclusive unreleased Christmas novella, Mishaps and Mistletoe, which is only available by entering the draw below.

About Tilly:

Tilly Tennant was born in Dorset but now lives in Staffordshire with her slightly nutty family. Tilly is married to Mr Tennant (not that one, though a girl can dream). After years of dismal and disastrous jobs, including paper plate stacking, shop girl, newspaper promotions and waitressing (she never could carry a bowl of soup without spilling a bit), she decided to indulge her passion for the written word by enrolling on a degree in English and creative writing. She wrote her first novel in 2007 during her first summer break at university and has not stopped writing since. She also works as a freelance editor, and considers herself very lucky that this enables her to read many wonderful books while getting paid for it.

Tilly Tennant on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TillyTenWriter

Tilly’s facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TillyTennant
Follow Tilly’s blog http://tillytennant.com/

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday 9 December 2013

Chick Lit Christmas Giveaway 2013 Competition


I'm incredibly excited to be taking part in the Chick Lit Christmas Giveaway 2013 with my fellow Chick Lit Goddesses. 

You have from Black Friday until Christmas Eve to enter and maybe win ALL 29 signed paperbacks displayed in this gorgeous poster. (US entrants only, I'm afraid).

Please enter here: 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you live in the UK and would like to read my book, you can buy A Jersey Kiss here: 77p in the UK and if you live in the US, or buy through Amazon.com, and would like to buy a copy of A Jersey Kiss, here's the link: 99c in the US 

Thank you!

Monday 2 December 2013

Teri Riggs Visits My Blog


Hi Terri, I love the sound of your book, Resolutions and look forward to reading it.

Thanks! It was a fun book to research and write.
Please describe Resolutions in twenty words.  A strong-willed DEA agent and the Alpha male she once loved are thrown together in a race for their lives.
What is your writing process from inspiration, editing, to feeling your book is ready for publication? 
Inspiration for my books can come from many places. Songs, TV shows, movies, news clips...you get the picture. I’ve got plots tucked away in notebooks, on my computer, and on scraps of paper shoved in drawers. I even have a few dozen store receipts and napkins covered with scribbled ideas. Once I pick the idea I’m going to use, I think about the story for a while before I actually start putting words down on paper. I prefer to start with an outline. I spend less time staring mindlessly at my WIP when I have a plan to follow. Which of course I never seem to actually follow. Once I’m well into the book, my characters have a tendency to push me in other directions. They obviously don’t know who is in charge! I guess I’m a plotter/pantser crossbreed. I have a tendency to read through and edit what I wrote the day before. It slows me down, but I can’t seem to kick the habit. Once I finish the manuscript, I have a few people read through it to look for obvious story flaws. I get their input and read through the MS a few times to tighten it. When I think it’s ready, I start submitting it to publishers.
Where did you get your ideas for the storyline in your book? 
I really can’t remember where the idea for Resolutions came from.  
What research did you do for your book and did you enjoy it? 
I enjoy doing the research. It’s always fun to learn new things. I did a lot of research on the internet. I looked up countries where the drug trade is out of control. I researched types of drugs and how they are transported to buyers. The DEA and Homeland Security probably have my computer flagged. I did a full two weeks looking at helicopters and finding two model types that would work with my storyline. I also interviewed a helicopter pilot who is a currently serving in the Italian Army. I researched guns until I thought I had more information than I’d need for fifty books.
Do you have a favourite writing place, or writing routine? 
I have an office at the building where our family business is located. My room has a great view of a wooded area and pond. I spend a few hours in the morning doing boring housewife stuff. Afterwards, I head to my office and get down to the business of romance, murder, and all things fiction. I spend five to eight hours working. I try to keep the amount of time I work on promotions and social media to 1-2 hours. Sometimes, if the mood hits, I write at home after dinner. I’ve been known to write in bed while the rest of the world sleeps.
What do you think is the most important thing that every writer should know, or have? 
A strong backbone. Rejection is not easy. You have to be able to pick yourself up and move on to the next submission. If you’re not careful, a bad review can ruin a perfectly good day. It stings when you realize not everyone is going to love your writing.
What are your writing dreams for the future?  
To work more efficiently and put out multiple books a year. I’d like to continue to learn everything I can about the art of writing fiction.


Press Kit ~ Resolutions


DEA agent Eve Taylor has had her fill of alpha males. When Resolutions’ operative and former lover, Dillon “Mac” McKenna, threatened her hard-earned independence, she ran. On a mission to gather evidence against a Colombian drug-lord, Eve discovers the drug-lord is helping terrorists plan an attack on American soil. Before she can escape with the vital information, she’s captured and comes face to face with her mortality…

As a teen, Mac watched his family fall apart after his mother died doing dangerous U.N. work. The possibility of losing Eve to a mission ignited an overwhelming need to protect her. When he forced her to choose him or her job, she walked away. Two years later, it seems all his nightmares have come true and he’s tasked with rescuing her from a Colombian prison. Mac has never stopped loving Eve, but does he dare risk his heart when he’s so terrified of losing…

On the run, Mac and Eve must learn to trust each other again in order to stay alive.

About the Author


Teri Riggs was destined to be a writer.  As a small girl she didn’t read bedtime stories, she made up her own.  Who needed Little Red Riding Hood or The Three Little Pigs when there were so many great tales bouncing around in her head?  When she grew up and became a mother to three little girls, she continued the tradition of making up bedtime stories.  On the occasions she chose to tell conventional fairytales, Teri usually gave them a bit of tweaking here and there or added a new ending.  Her girls loved it.

After her daughters had the nerve to actually grow up and leave home, Teri discovered she had a passion for writing and jumped right in.  It came as no surprise she chose to write mysteries and happily-ever-after’s since that’s the genres she loves to read.

Teri lives in Marietta, Georgia with her husband, one of her daughters and two dogs that seem to think they rule the world.  And some days Teri thinks maybe they do.
Teri still frequently tells herself stories as she falls asleep.  The only difference now is she wakes up the next morning and turns her bedtime stories into books.

Author Links


Twitter - @TeriLRiggs https://twitter.com/TeriLRiggs