Meet Carol Cooper, doctor, journalist, broadcaster, mother of twins and most recently, novelist. Her debut novel One Night at the Jacaranda is about dating but has darker undercurrents. Carol has also authored a string of non-fiction titles on health and parenting. She works as a family doctor in London and is a journalist for The Sun, the biggest-selling newspaper in the United Kingdom. I am very happy to introduce Carol Cooper to you. To promote her debut novel she agreed to an interview for my blog.
You studied medicine in Cambridge and now you’re working as a Doctor in London. How did you come up with writing books?
Ever since I was a child I’ve wanted to write. I just wasn’t sure what. At university I wrote music reviews (it was great going to gigs for free). Later I tried my hand at children’s books. I then authored around 10 non-fiction books, mostly parenting and child health. They were a fusion of my experience as a mother and my medical skills, and they’ve sold very well.
Last year I co-authored a textbook for medical students. I loved writing it, and it won an award from the British Medical Association, but in terms of personal satisfaction there was something missing. That’s when I realised I should be writing the kind of book I’d most like to read for pleasure. One Night at the Jacaranda is that book. It’s fiction and it’s most definitely not for children.
Name: February o Forever
Author: Juliet Madison
Format: kindle edition
Release date: 1st February 2014
Publisher:
Escape Publishing
Pages: 226
Teaser
Yoga teacher and single mother, Chrissie Burns has a plan: move into the rundown beach house left to her by her deceased aunt, renovate it, sell it, and move on. The scene of a terrible accident years ago, the house needs to get out of Chrissie's hands as soon as possible.
But Tarrin's Bay, where the house stands, has more to offer than bad memories. The town is lovely, the people friendly, and even Chrissie's young son finds friends and begins coming out of his shell. Employed at Serendipity Retreat as a yoga instructor, Chrissie is shocked to be given the role of private teacher to Drew Williams, Australia’s top singer/songwriter for the month.
Relationships between instructors and clients are strictly forbidden, but Drew draws happiness out of Chrissie with his down-to-earth nature and sense of humour. Days of stretching and bending may bring Chrissie unexpected peace and strength, but she knows that this interlude must end, and there's no pose or position to aid her when Drew walks away and leaves her broken-hearted.
Name: Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off
Author: Jill Steeples
Format: kindle edition
Release date: 7th January 2014
Publisher: Carina UK
Pages: 198
Teaser
Reasons why you should never, ever, read your best friend's diary (even if it has fallen to the floor, pages open oh-so temptingly...)
1) It's morally indefensible.
2) She would never trust you again.
3) You probably know it all anyway...
So what harm could the tiniest peek do...? Answer: Lots! The best reason for never reading your best friend's diary: You might just find out something you really didn't want to know! Learning her fiancé, Ed - the guy she's supposed to marry this weekend! - is having an affair with her best friend, is a devastating bombshell for bride-to-be Anna. Confused, hurt and absolutely livid, she hops on the first train to anywhere-but-here in need of some serious soul searching. Can she ever forgive Ed? Who is Anna 'sans Ed'? And more importantly, should she go through with the wedding or should she just call the whole thing off ?
It’s my absolute pleasure to be welcoming Paige Toon my blog for my first author interview!
I’ve been a fan of Paige ever since I read and loved her debut novel Lucy In The Sky, but I eagerly await each of Paige's books every year, because I just know they are going to be amazing reads, and she's never let me down yet! Paige was kind enough to answer some of my burning questions for her, so do enjoy, and I once again thank Paige for taking the time to answer these for me!
The Accidental Life of Jessie Jefferson, your first Young Adult book, is going to be release soon. Are you excited?
Very! I loved writing this book - Jessie is such a fun, feisty character, so I can't wait to hear what my readers think of her, too.
What can your reader expect of the book? Tell us a little bit about it!
Jessie's mother died 6 months ago, taking the secret of Jessie's real father's identity with her to the grave - or so Jessie thinks. She's angry and bitter and upset, and then she finds out her real dad is a world-famous rock star. Can you imagine the shock and excitement? She certainly goes on a rollercoaster of a journey...
Name: French Kisses
Author: Jan Ellis
Format: kindle edition
Release date: 10th December 2013
Publisher: Endeavour Press
Pages: 137
Teaser
To the outside world, Rachel Thompson has it made: a wealthy husband, a successful career as an artist, and a to-die-for house in the middle of rural France. That is until her husband Michael hits 40, discovers his inner love-rat and runs off with the kids' young, skinny dance teacher. Determined to ignore her friends’ advice to up-sticks and move back to England with her children, Rachel decides to turn their crumbly stone farmhouse into a bijou hotel. As Rachel strives to create a new life for herself, friends and family rally around to give her a Christmas and New Year with plenty of surprises. With help – and some hindrance – from her loved ones, Rachel transforms their home into a cosy guest house for an eclectic collection of visitors, including Josh Perry, a handsome American academic. Although Rachel is getting plenty of attention from local admirers, her husband Michael is never far away… Will Rachel and Michael rekindle their love affair? Or will she be sharing French Kisses with someone else this Christmas…?
Name: Fairytale of New York
Author: Miranda Dickinson
Format: paperback
Release date: 12th November 2009
Publisher: Harper Collins Avon
Pages: 386
Teaser
Are happy-ever-afters made in Manhattan? Find out in this gorgeous debut, perfect for cold winter nights. Once upon a time an English girl went to New York to live out her very own fairytale! Florist Rosie Duncan's life couldn't be better, she has a flourishing business on New York's Upper West Side and fantastic friends. Moving to Manhattan feels like the best decision she ever made. Even though at the time, it was her escape route from heartbreak ...For the past six years Rosie has kept her heart under lock and key, despite the protests of her closest friends - charming, commitment-phobic Ed, unlucky in love Marnie and the one-woman tornado that is Celia. Then a blossoming friendship with publishing hot-shot Nate begins to shake Rosie's resolve at the same time as her brother arrives in the Big Apple, hiding a secret. But a chance meeting brings Rosie face to face with her past, unravelling the mystery behind her arrival in New York. Rosie is forced to confront questions she has long been trying to ignore, including will she ever get her very own happy-ever-after? A sparkling, romantic comedy about an English girl who finds herself in the city where dreams can come true - or so she thinks!
On this new feature "Friends Friday" I'm putting the spotlight on you, my lovely book blogger friends. In my very short time of blogging I've got to know so many awesome bloggers. The blogger community is like family. They all are very welcoming, caring and supportiv. So many of you deserve a spot here.
Every friday I'm posting an
Q&A about one blogger out there. I hope you all are going to enjoy this feature. Thank you to everyone who is taking part. You're awesome!
Are you interested to be part of my feature? Just fill out this form with all the necessary details and I will get back to you with all information (interview questions, publishing date of the interview etc.). I'm looking forward to hear from you soon!
Do you want to know who has been interviewed for my feature already? Have a look down below at the my list.
Blogger Friends
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Name: I heart Christmas
Author: Lindsey Kelk
Format: paperback
Release date: 21st November 2013
Publisher: Harper
Pages: 384
Teaser
Angela’s planning her very own fairytale of New York…
• Enormous Christmas tree
• Eggnog
• Eccentric British traditions
• Gorgeous man
But Santa’s throwing her a few curveballs – new job (as if it’s not mental enough already), new baby-craze from her best friend Jenny, and Alex determined they should grow up and settle down. Once friends start turning up uninvited on her doorstep (and leading her astray), can Angela really have a merry little Christmas? So much for happy holidays – something’s got to give…
Are you an author or publisher and are you looking for someone to review your book? I would love to help! I am happy to receive paperback copies for review. If that is not possible, ebooks are fine as well.
I am currently accepting limited review copies purely for the reason my pile of books to read is almost ridiculous. Therefore please don’t be offended if I don’t
respond/accept your kind request. If I accept your request please understand that it may be a while before I get round to reading your book.
If the book does not appeal to me, the last
thing I want to do is waste the time of myself, the author or the
publisher. I try to only accept books that I think I will really enjoy.
My reviews will always be honest, and this is my own personal thoughts about the book. Even if it be bought, won or given for review. I will give my opinion about all aspects of the book without giving away any plot spoilers. I try to review the book as soon as I can but I like to read for pleasure so I do not read to review as quick as possible, book blogging is a hobby not a full time job. Keep in mind that when you contact me I may be in the middle of another book, and will not stop reading that one to immediately start yours and also that I am not a professional reviewer and that I do this blog and write reviews as I just love to read!
I am also happy to promote authors or books through interviews, guest posts, blog tours and contests or giveaways.
I will post a review even if I don't like the book. I will be as professional as possible and I do not mean to hurt anyone in any way, so be ready for some literary criticism if I do not like the book you have sent me.
I also post my reviews on Goodreads and Amazon.
I enjoy a varied range of books but I mainly enjoy:
- Chick Lit - Romance - New Adult - Contemporary -
You can contact me via Mail. I get back to you as soon as possible.
Rating system
No flower -
I didn't manage to finish the book, no spark at all.
1 flower -
It was a bearable read, but not my kind of thing.
2 flowers -
An okay read, I even kinda liked it.
3 flwers -
I enjoyed reading this book, good story.
4 flowers -
I really liked this book, definitely worth reading.
5 flowers -
Absolutely loved it, such a great story!
Thank you so much for your time and reading this!