Adele Blair – Kraftireader

Thank you to Ellie Holmes for this lovely interview with book blogger, Adele Blair, this month.

I am delighted to welcome Adele Blair to the RNA Blog’s monthly series where we speak to book bloggers and get an insight into their world. Welcome Adele.

I love the name of your blog – Kraftireader – and your motto “A book and tea puts a smile on me”. Can you tell us how long you have been running your blog and share your review policy with us?

I started my blog back in the summer of 2014.  My preferred book genres are contemporary fiction, romcoms, chicklit, historical romance, and family sagas. I love this quote about a “book and tea”. There is nothing more comforting than sitting down and finding yourself a nice quiet corner to read a book and pair it with your favourite cuppa.

What’s the best and worst thing about running a blog?

The best thing about running a blog is discovering new authors, especially indie authors.  I feel that bloggers are indie authors’ best friends as we can help bring their work to the limelight.  As a consumer when we are searching for our next read we do tend to look for the authors we know and have heard about.  However, there are some wonderful gems out there in the indie author world and I love championing this.  The worst thing about having a blog is time, I don't have enough time to read all that I'd love to read.

Do you ever read just for fun or do you review every book you read?

I would say especially this year that my reading has been 95% for reviews.  I'm thinking of blocking a week off each month to read a book for fun.

What was your standout book of 2017?

My standout book of 2017 is always such a difficult question to ask any book lover.  However, I do have a book series that I've completely fallen in love with and that is the Wild Warriners by Virginia Heath.  It is a Regency Romance series published by Mills & Boon Historical about four brothers trying to break away from their father's bad reputation, trying to build their family farm back to what it was in its prime and trying to find how they fit in the world.  Virginia Heath has created a wonderful series with each book concentrating on one of the brothers (we've met two already).  There is heartache, family saga, romance, comedy; the Warriners are like a 19th century rural middle England 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers'.

I see from your blog that you are very active on NetGalley. Can you tell us a little about that?

NetGalley is a portal for authors, publishers and professional readers: a place where authors and publishers can offer their books out for early review to professional readers.  Professional readers do have to prove themselves with links to their previous reviews on various websites.

I know you are a keen crafter. What are you working on at the moment and do you get torn between your crafting and reading? 

When I first started my blog it was to share what I love: reading, crafting, food etc. However, once my blog became established and I found I was really enjoying learning about new authors, the reading has ultimately taken over but my other interests are still there waiting for me.  One of the last projects I crafted was découpaging a pre-bought paper mâché owl.  I'd never done découpaging before and it was quite easy to pick up. The end result was such a treat, my owl has pride of place in my home...I must do some more découpage and it would be an ideal project to do to make as a gift.

I love the fact you describe yourself as a “recipe hoarder” (me, too!).   If you were able to host a fantasy dinner party for your favourite authors (alive or dead), who would you choose as your guests and what would you prepare for them?

Oh my goodness that's a difficult question...I would love the following authors at my table:  Jojo Moyes (I'm in awe of her stories); Lesley Downer (I read and was completely captivated by her historical romance The Shogun's Queen, I had the pleasure of meeting her recently and she has so much knowledge and experience of Japan, fascinating insight); Beatrix Potter (her illustrations and imagination around the animals she clearly adored); Milly Johnson (she's a Yorkshire lass whose warmth radiates in her books and I've had the pleasure of meeting her a few times) and Jacqueline Susann (I read Valley of the Dolls last year and was transfixed).  I would cook a big pot of chilli that would be warming and comforting and it's one dish I can do a pretty decent job of!

We often ask agents and publishers what they consider to be the next “big thing” - what do you hope to see in 2018?

I would love indie authors to become the spotlight.  I'd love it if a big glossy mag would do a series of bringing the spotlight to these unsung heroes in the book world.

Thank you, Adele for being such a wonderful guest.

Find out more about Adele via these links:

Website 

Twitter  

*****

About Ellie

Ellie Holmes writes commercial women’s fiction with her heart in the town and her soul in the country. Ellie’s debut release was The Flower Seller. A member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and the Alliance of Independent Authors, Ellie’s latest book, White Lies is out now.

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RoNA Awards 2017: RoNA Rose Romance

This year’s shortlisted authors are a fabulous example of the depth and breadth of writing talent in category romance and include debut authors and multi-million-copy-selling writers.

In Kate Hardy’s Billionaire Boss…Bridegroom, gorgeous, rich CEO Hugh Montcrieff might be his office’s reluctant heartthrob, but he does not date employees! Until he needs a fake date for an upcoming engagement, and decides his quirky new graphic designer Bella Faraday is the perfect candidate…

Kate is a long-standing member of the RNA and had her first M&B novel accepted in 2001. Since then she’s sold more than six million books in more than twenty-five different languages.  She’s currently writing her seventy-seventh for M&B. We asked her how she felt to be shortlisted:

"I’m absolutely thrilled to be shortlisted for the award in the year I turned fifty! Best fiftieth birthday pressie ever and even though I’ve won the RoNA Rose twice (2008 with Breakfast at Giovanni’s and 2014 with Bound by a Baby) and this is my seventh nomination, it’s still as exciting and wonderful to be shortlisted again."

The Discerning Gentleman’s Guide by Virginia Heath tells the story of Bennett Montague’s, sixteenth Duke of Aveley, search for the perfect bride. He’s narrowed his search to five worthy ‘Potentials’…until the arrival of his aunt’s companion unravels his carefully laid plans.

We asked debut author Virginia where the idea for the book came from and how she feels about being shortlisted:

"The inspiration for the book came from a BBC documentary called ‘A Very British Romance’. There was a segment on Georgian etiquette manuals. They struck me as hilarious. Over the course of a bottle of wine, I had my hero write one – with quotes from his effort heading up each chapter. To be shortlisted in my first year as a published author is unbelievable. What an incredible honour. Perhaps I should stop doubting myself now."

In Louisa Heaton’s Seven Nights with her Ex, a medical course in Yellowstone Park is Beau’s chance to escape. But her trip half-way around the world only brings her closer to Dr Gray McGregor―the man who left her at the altar!

 Gray knows he made a mistake. Can he win her back in just seven days?

Readers particularly enjoyed the Yellowstone Park setting. We asked Louisa why she chose it as her location:

"I’ve always wanted to go to Yellowstone Park and hoped that by writing a book set there, I might be able to wrangle a research trip, making it tax deductible! Unfortunately, my son refused to let me go to a place where a super volcano is due to erupt any moment, so I had to make do with internet searches and other people’s photographs. Though I did get to create a stunning Pinterest page!"

Unlocking Her Boss’s Heart by Christy McKellern features Max Firebrace who doesn’t think he’ll ever love again. But when his new PA, brave and beautiful Cara Winstone, walks into his life, this brooding boss begins to wonder if he’s ready for a new happy-ever-after…with Cara by his side!

We asked Christy what it means to be shortlisted for the RoNA Rose:

"I feel greatly honoured to have been shortlisted for a RoNA award. Writing, for me, is a lifeline, a way to connect and to explore life. It‘s something I’ve always been driven to do so to have my work recognised in this way is hugely rewarding. Ever since I discovered the existence of the RNA and the wonderful romance community, I feel like I’ve found my tribe."

In Scarlet Wilson’s Christmas in the Boss’s Castle, chambermaid Grace Ellis loves Christmas, but after losing her beloved grandmother, she’ll be spending this festive season working. So when her boss, Finlay ‘Scrooge’ Armstrong, offers her a magical Christmas in Scotland, it’s a welcome distraction from her grief. Widower Finlay is haunted by the ghosts of Christmas past, but snowbound together in his Scottish castle, Grace starts to melt the ice around his heart. He never thought he’d find love again, but maybe finding Grace is his very own Christmas miracle…!

Holiday themed novels have become very popular; we asked Scarlet if she enjoyed writing about Christmas:

"This is my 6th Christmas story for Mills and Boon and it’s safe to say that I could be a little obsessed with Christmas.  This year I had the pleasure of setting my story in a Scottish castle somewhere, and it’s secretly based on the beautiful Culzean Castle in my home area of Ayrshire.  I figure if I write enough stories about castles someone will finally decide that I should be living in one!"

Virginia Heath: The Elusive Sparkle

Today we welcome author, Virginia Heath to the blog to tell us about her amazing year.

Not so long ago I was sat in my empty classroom at the end of another challenging school week,

pondering my life. It was, I conceded a pretty good life too. I had a wonderful husband, two fabulous teenagers, my own home and a good job. Yes, teaching history to eleven to sixteen year olds had its challenges, but I loved teaching. I even loved the teenagers I taught (well most of them anyway, some I wanted to strangle on a daily basis, but hey, I’m only human). So why did I feel like something was wrong?

In truth, that elusive something had been niggling me for quite some time. I’m a creative person. I love to make things- clothes, candles, cakes. Stories in my head. For years, I’d been telling my students and my family I would write a book one day. Then it dawned on me. I had all these stories running riot in my head but I never had the time to actually write them down, and that, in a nutshell was what was at the heart of what had been bothering me.

Teaching is hard work. There is always some new government initiative that lands on the top of your to-do pile and takes over your life completely until they change their mind again. Which they do often, by the way. If I was going to ever find the time to write a book I had to do something drastic.

With trepidation, I swivelled my chair towards my waiting computer screen, and on a whim, because that is exactly what it was, I began to type my resignation there and then. I did not even bother reading through the short paragraph to check for spelling mistakes, I just clicked send. Then I phoned my husband, who was abroad on business at the time, and dropped the bombshell. “I’ve just quit my job.”

To his credit, he simply said, if that’s what you want to do, then I support you. And thank goodness he did. My boss, immediately urged me to reconsider. All of my colleagues did. “Take the weekend,” they said, “Really think about it.” But because my family supported me, it gave me the strength to stand by my unexpected decision. Somehow I knew it was right.

I will never forget my daughter’s words when I got home and told her. “You used to sparkle Mum. And lately, you’ve lost your sparkle.” It spurred me on. By Monday morning, the die had been cast. I had walked to the edge of the metaphorical cliff, and thrown myself joyfully over. I was filled with a new sense of purpose and excitement. I had to find my sparkle, especially now that I knew it was missing, and I was going to write a book. And get it published.

My fantastic husband bought me a new computer, a proper desk and one of those sexy office chairs which are designed to support the contours of your back for hours on end. So I wrote my book…

At this point, I should inform you things did not quite go according to plan. I wrote a book and proudly sent it off to publishers and agents. Few replied. Those who did, kindly informed me it wasn’t good enough. So I wrote another book. Then another. However, my confidence had been so shaken by the rejection of the first manuscript, I couldn’t summon the nerve to send off the others. However, I wasn’t prepared to give up the dream yet. Each book was practice, training. Each book was better than the last.

Eighteen months after quitting my job, I was vacuuming the living room. ‘That Despicable Rogue,’ I thought, ‘That would be a great title for a book.’ I pondered some ideas and started writing. The story came from nowhere and developed as I went along. But it flowed. When I finished it, I had a feeling this was a turning point. I submitted it to Harlequin the very next day. A fortnight later, an editor emailed me to say they thought it had potential. I cried and my marvellous, bewildered son made me tea and sat with me in case I did something irrational. Six weeks after that e-mail, I signed two-book contract with Harlequin. I have since happily signed on for more. My second novel, Her Enemy at the Altar was released in August, and like my debut novel, once I got started, the characters pretty much wrote the book for me. They are a hilarious pair. If I had to describe their story in a sentence it would probably be The Taming of the Shrew with a sprinkling of Romeo and Juliet- but with a happy

ending. Constance is a tempestuous redhead with a penchant for throwing things and Aaron is a cocky, charming but troubled hero. Sometimes I never quite knew if they were going to kiss or kill each other.

Once I finished that book, I immediately started another, so The Discerning Gentleman’s Guide comes out in November. All in all, 2016 has been a momentous year. 2017 is going to be just as busy. And just in case you were wondering, I found my sparkle. It had hidden itself in the keyboard of my new computer, that sits on my new desk in my office at home… I wish I’d known. I’d have found it much sooner!

Thank you, Virginia, and good luck with your books!

If you would like to be interviewed, or write something for the RNA blog, please contact the team on elaineeverest@aol.com

RNA BLOG: MEET THE TEAM!

It feels like a new school term here on the Romantic Novelists’ Association's blog. We’ve enjoyed our ‘blogging break’ during the summer and are looking forward to providing members with new monthly series and lots of interesting interviews and articles. This means we are now blogging three times each week.

I felt it was time to formally introduce our new blogging team who between them carry out interviews and keep the blog ticking over. I’ve introduced the five members below along with their writing biogs.

We also have six lovely ladies who will be writing our monthly series.  We’ve added to our list of series and welcome our new contributors, Jean Fullerton, Sheila Riley and Elaine Roberts.

Our monthly series writers are:

Francesca Burgess: Competition Monthly

Helena Fairfax: Ask the Industry Experts: (agents)

Jean Fullerton: Focus on: Chapters

Natalie Kleinman: Chatting with Publishers

Sheila Riley: New Releases

Elaine Roberts: Festivals and Workshops

Our blogging team:

Helena Fairfax 
Helena writes contemporary romance – and occasionally romantic suspense when she’s in the mood for danger. Her first novel, The Silk Romance, was written through the RNA’s New Writers’ Scheme and was a finalist in the Global eBook Awards. Helena’s later novels have been shortlisted for the Exeter Novel Prize and the I Heart Indie Contest. She lives in Saltaire, near the Yorkshire moors, and she walks this romantic landscape every day with her rescue dog, dreaming up her heroes and her happy endings.

Louisa Heaton 
Louisa writes romance for Harlequin Mills and Boon Medical. Having dreamt of romance from an early age, she met her future husband and only three weeks later (!) agreed to his proposal of marriage. Twenty years and four children later, she is still laughing at his jokes and bribing him to do the housework and feed the kids, whilst she sits upstairs and writes her stories. When not writing, Louisa can be found reading, sewing or walking their two dogs on the coastline near their home.

Ellie Holmes 
Ellie writes commercial women's fiction and romantic cosy mysteries.  Born in Essex but made in Cornwall, Ellie takes her inspiration from the beautiful Essex countryside and the sublime Cornish coast. Juggling commitments to family and friends alongside a part time job in the law and her writing, Ellie describes her days as hectic and her nights as long but says she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Karen King 

Karen writes sassy, contemporary romance just right for reading on the beach. She also writes YA and children’s books and is a writing tutor.

 When she isn’t writing, Karen likes travelling, watching the ‘soaps’ and reading. Give her a good book and a box of chocolates and she thinks she’s in Heaven.

Sue Merritt 

Sue is a former history teacher and is a mother of teenagers. Writing as Virginia Heath, Sue produces
historical romances for Harlequin Mills & Boon. Her debut novel, That Despicable Rogue, came out in May, and will be closely followed by two more books this year. When not being Virginia, Sue likes to go on foreign adventures with her long-suffering husband, shop for things she doesn't need and drink tea.

For any member wishing to be interviewed for the RNA blog about their latest venture, or who would like to write an article, please contact me on elaineeverest@aol.com. Here is a little about me:

Elaine Everest writes sagas, set in and around WW2 for Pan Macmillan. She is a qualified teacher and runs her own writing school in Kent, which has produced many successful writers. In the umpteen years leading up to her dream of being a published novelist Elaine worked in journalism, sold over sixty short stories to women’s magazines and written non-fiction books for dog owners. She enjoys the social media side of writing and loves broadcasting, be it about her novels or imparting her knowledge as a canine journalist. Amongst her competition wins are BBC Radio Short Story Writer of the Year and being shortlisted for The Harry Bowling Prize.

Elaine is a committee member of the RNA and has run this blog for almost four years. Please say hello to her on Twitter: @elaineeverest or come along and join the RNA Facebook Group and join in with our chats about all things writerly.

Our first blog article starts tomorrow. Why not sign up so you don’t miss our posts?

Link to the RNA blog