Book review: The Little Shop of Hopes and Dreams by Fiona Harper

My edition: paperback, published on 3 October 2014 by Mills & Boon, 400 pages.

Description: Nicole, a born organiser and true romantic, has created her dream job when she sets up the Hopes & Dreams proposal agency - staging YouTube worthy proposals...until she's hired to plan a proposal by gorgeous photographer Alex Black's girlfriend.

Alex is the New Year's kiss that Nicole hasn't been able to forget - and now she's planning his wedding to someone else! But if she lets herself fall for Alex's charms, her reputation and business will be ruined before it's even got off the ground!

Suddenly the girl whose always prepared is at a loss...and falling head over heels.

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Book review: I'll Take New York by Miranda Dickenson

My edition: Paperback, published on 4 December 2014 by Avon, 495 pages.

Description: When her boyfriend lets her down for the last time, Brooklyn bookshop owner Bea James makes a decision – no more. No more men, no more heartbreak, and no more pain.

Psychiatrist Jake Steinmann is making a new start too, leaving his broken marriage behind in San Francisco. From now on there'll just be one love in his life: New York.

At a party where they seem to be the only two singletons, Bea and Jake meet, and decide there’s just one thing for it. They will make a pact: no more relationships.

But the city has other plans...


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Book review: My Heart and Other Black Holes by Jasmine Warga

My edition: Paperback, published on 12 February 2015 by Hodder & Stoughton, 302 pages.

Description: Aysel and Roman are practically strangers, but they've been drawn into an unthinkable partnership. In a month's time, they plan to commit suicide - together.

Aysel knows why she wants to die: being the daughter of a murderer doesn't equal normal, well-adjusted teenager. But she can't figure out why handsome, popular Roman wants to end it all....and why he's even more determined than she is.

With the deadline getting closer, something starts to grow between Aysel and Roman - a feeling she never thought she would experience. It seems there might be something to live for, after all - but is Aysel in so deep she can't turn back?

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Book review: Fish Out of Water by Natalie Whipple

My edition: Paperback, published on 5 February 2015 by Hot Key Books, 322 pages.

Description: Mika Arlington was supposed to spend the summer after her junior year shadowing her marine biologist parents at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, but when her estranged grandmother randomly shows up on the doorstep one day, those plans are derailed.

Because Grandma Betty isn't here to play nice—she is cranky, intolerant of Mika's mixed-race-couple parents, and oh yeah she has Alzheimer's and is out of money. While Mika's family would rather not deal with Grandma Betty, they don't have much choice. And despite Mika's protests, she is roped into caring for a person that seems impossible to have compassion for.

And if that wasn't hard enough, Mika must train the new guy at her pet shop job who wants to be anywhere else, and help a friend through her own family crisis. Something's gotta a give, but whichever ball Mika drops means losing someone she loves. Not exactly a recipe for Best Summer Ever—or is it?

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Interview with author Jemma Forte

British author Jemma Forte had a successful career in television, presenting for the likes of the Disney Channel and ITV, before she turned to writing novels, with her first title released in 2009.

She now juggles both jobs on top of being a mother, talk about keeping busy! Her latest novel, When I Met You, was published earlier this month and for the occasion I caught up with Jemma to talk about the new book, her writing process, inspirational female authors and what she'll be working on next.

Can you tell us about your new novel, When I Met You, and your inspiration for main character Marianne Baker?

Jemma Forte (JF): "I decided it would be interesting to write about a dysfunctional family and for the main character, Marianne, to be not only a product of her upbringing but also of the times we live in. She is in her 30s, stuck in a rut and still living at home because she simply can’t afford to move out. She has grown up without her dad in her life but one day, completely out of the blue, he comes back and her whole world implodes.

"In many ways When I Met You is a 'stranger comes to town' story. Her long lost father arrives with a secret and the book is about what happens over the course of the next nine months or so. I wanted to show how one person can change the dynamic of an entire family and to write a story about love, loss, family and kindness."

You've come to writing from an exciting career in television, how did this career change come to be?

JF: "I started my career at the Disney Channel where I worked as a presenter for five years and then I went on to host various shows for the BBC, ITV and C4. At a certain point I had two children at which point it became difficult to juggle everything. A lot of the TV series I worked on were shot all over the country, I was lactating, sleep deprived and so it made sense to concentrate on my babies and to do some writing for a while. The fact you can write in your pyjamas being a huge plus point.

"I had written a draft of my first novel a few years previously and around this time I dug it out and sent it off to a lot of publishers. Happily, Penguin picked it up and so suddenly I officially became a ‘writer’.

"These days I do both. My kids are older and at school now, I’m a single mum and I write and do all sorts of other jobs. I present, do adverts and appear on shows such as The Wright Stuff as a panellist. It’s great to combine the two careers as I enjoy both enormously. Admittedly it can be a bit of a challenge to find enough time to write but somehow it all pans out. Just about."

What kind of writer are you? Do you have any rituals that help you get in the "zone" or a word count you set for yourself each day?

JF: "I try to write the minute I have the house to myself and no other pressing work things to attend to. I have learned to ignore the fact the house is a mess because otherwise I simply wouldn’t get it done. Something has to give and it’s always the ironing! With two kids and other jobs on I don’t really have time for writer’s block so in a way my circumstance forces me to be very disciplined. If I’m not really ‘in the mood’ I’ll edit what I’ve already written but if I can get 2000 words written in a day I feel really happy.

I also find that taking exercise before sitting down at the laptop helps. I guess it’s something to do with blood flow to the brain? Other than that I have to admit I’m a bit of a ‘slob’ writer. I find bed the most comfortable place to write and often work (as previously mentioned) in pyjamas. Barbara Cartland would not have approved."

Who are your female inspirations, writers or otherwise?

JF: "I have lots of favourite female writers but if I could only have dinner with one it would be Caitlin Moran every time. I love her as a journalist and her book How to be A Woman is incredibly inspiring, funny and important. I also love Jojo Moyes and Lisa Jewell and they inspire me a lot in terms of my career as a writer.

"Other than that I have three amazing sisters who I couldn’t do without, lots of feisty friends and a great mum and step-mum to boot. So it’s fair to say I’m not short of fantastic female influences."

When I Met You has only just hit the shelves, but are you already working on your next novel? If so, can you give us a little scoop?

JF: "I’m very excited about the idea I have for my next novel. I don’t want to say too much but I’m hoping it will be a very emotional story of redemption which explores some of the problems unique to relationships in the 21st century; the way we communicate these days has changed so much and has been affected by social media and by having our phones glued to us 24 hours a day.

"It’s a work in progress at the moment but I am looking forward to immersing myself in it over the coming months."

When I Met You is published by Mira and you can buy your copy from Waterstones, Amazon or your own preferred retailer.

Book review: The A - Z of You and Me by James Hannah

My edition: Paperback (proof), to be published on 12 March 2015 by Doubleday, 268 pages.

Description: Ivo was once a young man living a carefree life. Now he is middle-aged with a failing body and a head full of regrets, resident in St Leonard’s Hospice.

Ivo's dedicated nurse Sheila suggests a game, the ‘A to Z’, to occupy and encourage him. Eager for distraction, Ivo begins listing his body parts alphabetically, associating a memory with each.

The results are a kaleidoscopic chain of recollections, which together unravel the story of Ivo's life; of the girl who tried to help him, and the friend who wouldn’t let her.

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Interview with author Josephine Cox

British author Josephine Cox has written an astonishing amount of books so far and her 50th novel, The Runaway Woman, was published in October.

In this interview she talks about her latest release, of course, but also her writing process and who she'd name 'Superwoman of Great Britain', a title she was once awarded herself.

Can you tell us about your new novel, The Runaway Woman, and your inspiration for the story and main character Lucy Lovejoy?

Josephine Cox (JC): "The new book is about an ordinary, hard-working woman, who desires nothing grand in life, except to be contented and fulfilled – as we all do

"She is a quiet, but discontented woman; although she would never admit it; not to herself, and certainly not to anyone else; especially family, who in spite of all their faults, she has great affection for; and is totally committed to them.

"Deep down though, she realises there is something sadly lacking and unfulfilling in her life, but she is at a loss as to how she might deal with it. So, she puts it to the back of her mind, and carries on as always; ever devoted and ever restless.

"The character is taken from every woman who craves real love, attention, and a measure of excitement; but constantly falls into the trap of putting everyone else first, thinking that for her it is all too late.

"When I began this book, it was one of the easiest stories I have ever written. I thought of all the restless women I had encountered along life’s journey. Good, loyal women, quietly craving a life outside the responsibilities and commitments to family, and duty. As my admiration and frustration grew in me for these loyal women, my main character was born."

What does an average writing day look like for you? Do you have a strict schedule or any rituals that help you get in the zone?

JC: "An average day for me, is always chaotic; impossibly busy and immensely joyous. I always plan, it always falls apart.

"Often I find myself working right through breakfast to tea-time, and I am often lost in my stories when the clock strikes ten p.m. Then I can’t sleep, so I have a long, lazy bath; hoping that might make me sleepy, but more often than not, I lie there thinking about the next chapter in my story, and I have to go back to my characters and keep them awake as well.

"I take my characters with me wherever I go; and always have a notebook and pen to hand."

The Runaway Woman is your 50th novel, how do you manage to keep so many different stories and characters separate, and ensure each one is unique?

JC: "As in life, no person is ever the same as another, and that can be said of my characters. Every living soul had a story unique to that person. So, when I finish one story I have the next one mapped out in my head and heart. There are as many different stories to write, as there are people walking the streets every day"

You were once named 'Superwoman of Great Britain', which inspirational woman would you nominate for this title?

JC: "If I had to nominate a woman for Superwoman of Great Britain, it would have to be Madge – a cantankerous relative of mine. She is a woman of fire with strong opinions, but she has a heart kinder and bigger than the Mersey tunnel. She has had more than her fair share of pain and troubles, but she never complains.

"Everyone who knows her, loves and admires her. In a good mood, she is an angel. In a bad mood, you had best duck and dive or regret it. But she is the most loved and trusted woman, and never turns anyone away when they need her help"

What is next for you? The Runaway Woman only hit the shelves a few months ago, but are you already working on your next novel? And if so, is there anything you can tell us about it yet?

JC: "I have already delivered my next novel - I did not want to finish that story, because the characters got to me in a big ways. One I hated with a passion. Another caught my heart, and I still can’t let her go"

The Runaway Woman was published by Harper. You can buy your copy from Waterstones, Amazon or your own preferred retailer.

Theatre review: She Loves Me at the Landor Theatre

©Photo Darren Bell
For the longest of time I have been quite a West End snob, only venturing out to the 'regions' (Wimbledon, Richmond, Greenwich) for UK tours but otherwise sticking firmly to theatre outings on Shaftesbury Avenue and the surrounding area. However, once I started blogging about the plays and musicals I saw, I met fellow theatre enthusiasts and their positive reports have encouraged me to visit the less obvious performing spaces as well.

Book review: The Chimes by Anna Smaill

My edition: Hardcover, to be published on 12 February 2015 by Sceptre, 304 pages.

Description: A boy stands on the roadside on his way to London, alone in the rain.

No memories, beyond what he can hold in his hands at any given moment.

No directions, as written words have long since been forbidden.

No parents - just a melody that tugs at him, a thread to follow. A song that says if he can just get to the capital, he may find some answers about what happened to them.

The world around Simon sings, each movement a pulse of rhythm, each object weaving its own melody, music ringing in every drop of air.

Welcome to the world of The Chimes. Here, life is orchestrated by a vast musical instrument that renders people unable to form new memories. The past is a mystery, each new day feels the same as the last, and before is blasphony.

But slowly, inexplicably, Simon is beginning to remember. He emerges from sleep each morning with a pricking feeling, and sense there is something he urgently has to do. In the city Simon meets Lucien, who has a gift for hearing, some secrets of his own, and a theory about the danger lurking in Simon's past.

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Theatre Review: Anything Goes (UK tour)

©Photo Johan Persson
Billy Crocker (Matt Rawle) is a broker who instead of following the orders of his boss, Elisha Whitney (Simon Rouse), follows his heart straight onto the SS American, determined to convince the love of his life, Hope Harcourt (Zoë Rainey), that they belong together. The fact that Whitney is also on board of the ship, and that the girl he has eyes for is already engaged to Lord Evelyn Oakleigh (Stephen Matthews), doesn't stop Billy from sneaking on with a fake passport, which belongs to Public Enemy 1; Snake Eyes Johnson.