Hell of a week for Cari Hunter to bugger off on holiday. But luckily the launch of her latest book seems to have taken on a life of its own, and I see No Good Reason not to start with her news. Badum tsh. OK, it’s been done before….quietly gets on with the news….
So, the first book in Cari Hunter‘s Dark Peak crime series is now available absolutely everywhere including Amazon UK in downloadable ones and zeroes and black marks on a page.
If you’re quick, you’re in with a chance of nabbing a free copy. Pop over to the Bold Strokes Facebook page before Sunday and share the cover and you’ll be entered into the draw.
The Velvet Lounger has already devoured the book and had this to say in a glowing review in Curve Magazine:
“The plot keeps us on the edge of our metaphorical seat, turning the pages long into the night. The setting of the English Peaks District adds ambiance and a drama of its own without excluding anybody. And through it all a glimmer of humour and a large dose of humanity keep us engaged and enthralled.”
Meanwhile, Kiki Archer‘s new novel has been quick out of the gates and even though it’s only been out a little over a week it’s rapidly claiming the top spots in the lesfic charts and heading up the mainstream charts too. Let’s hope mainstream buyers like Kiki’s lady-loving twist. Here’s the cover and blurb which missed last fortnight’s news by a whisker.
Connie Parker isn’t convinced by this falling in love lark. Falling hurts, you end up with bruises and scars.
She has the perfect answer: she’ll write about love instead. But what happens when the novel-in-progress describes more about Connie’s own dull existence than she wants to admit? And when will she realise that her hero is beginning to resemble her new best friend Maria – a woman who seems to turn every simple outing with their 3-year-olds into a fun-filled adventure for them all?
In trying to make sense of the puzzle of her life, Connie learns there is no perfect person. Just that person who’ll fit you perfectly.
Too Late… I Love You is available on Amazon.
Manda Scott‘s Into the Fire has hit the Amazon shelves and there’s also a chance to win a paperback on Goodreads. Eighteen copies are being given away and you have up until the 24th to enter (UK entries only). You can join the giveaway here.
Manda’s tale of Joan of Arc intertwined with a present-day police investigation has already been reviewed on For Winter Nights:
“Into the Fire is without doubt the finest novel I have read so far this year. The writing is astonishing – beautiful and poetic. Its characters are complex and true, its heroism and evil are breathtaking. Every page of this magnificent book is a pleasure. I’ve sung Manda Scott’s praises for a fair few years – her Rome series is outstanding and I adore it – but with Into the Fire Manda has outdone herself. It is glorious!”
You can read the full review here.
There’s also a piece about Manda over on Dead Good Books which asked Manda’s editor to describe why her writing was so special:
“whatever she’s writing, Manda’s books have the kind of depth that drag you in and make you live, eat and dream the characters, and the kind of writing that leaves you breathless, but it’s the scope of the ideas that never ceases to amaze.”
You can read the full piece here.
Ke Payne has just revealed the cover and blurb for her next romance. When I Knew You is out in Spring 2016 and very enticing it sounds too:
When Ash Wells and Nat Braithwaite are thrown together after seventeen years apart, old resentments and passions are rekindled. The days of their heady teenage relationship are long gone – or are they? As they put aside their differences to honour the memory of a friend, Ash and Nat learn that sometimes, to build a future, you have to be willing to let go of the past.
Clare Lydon is gearing up for the publication of her third novel, This London Love, and has been talking to Diva about that and her lesbian fiction podcast.
She says of the show, which has included guests HP Munro, Amy Dunne, Karen Campbell and Angela Peach:
“I’m shaping the show as it goes, but it’s very informal and chatty – much like a usual radio show. I do a run-down of what’s hot in the Amazon lesbian charts in the UK and US, and I update on what I’ve been doing bookwise and share any lesfic news. Then I’ll interview an author about their books, their writing process and their take on lesfic. The show lasts around 45 minutes, so it’s a good bite-sized chunk of goodness.”
Here’s the full interview and past episodes of the lesbian radio podcast.
And, if you haven’t read Clare’s London Calling yet, perhaps the After Ellen site can persuade you:
“Well, it’s official: I am moving to London. According to Clare Lydon’s debut novel, London Calling, the city is a hotbed (quite literally) of lesbian activity, where the drinks are constantly flowing, everyone’s fashion sense is impeccable, and the only real problem is a surfeit of women flinging their bras at you.”
Andrea Bramhall is on the move. The Lambda Award winning author joins the pack at Ylva with her next book and is also their new UK Events Manager. In their announcment, Ylva says “[Andrea] will be taking charge of all future Ylva special events in the UK, including author appearances and our famous travelling pitch sessions, where new authors can meet with Ylva staff and propose a book idea in person.”
We’ll be keeping an eye out for those new events!
The Green Carnation Prize organisers have announced the judges for the 2015 LGBT award and they include Jack Monroe and Sophie Ward. Submissions are now open and books published between 1st of October 2014 and 30th of September 2015 are eligible for this year’s prize, although self-published works are not. For more information click here.
Finally, a big thanks to Jen Silver. Her post on UKLesFic last week was so popular that she’s been super lovely and upped the number of giveaway books to three! Congratulations to Lin Shepherd, Barbara G and Ann. Happy reading all!
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And for this week, that’s all folks. If we missed something, let us know. We’re always on the lookout for news items and new places to look. Have a spiffing weekend!
UK Lesbian Fiction 