The Christmas Q&A!

It’s that time of year where we say “it’s that time of year” again, and we corner some of the fabulous UK lesfic authors to ask them about their favourite reads of the year. And because, let’s be honest, 2016 left a lot to be desired, we asked them about their hopes for 2017. Take it away gals…

 

 

 

Clare Lydon

Clare’s the author of the best-selling romcom series All I Want – Christmas, Valentines, Autumn, you name it her heroines have been there and entertained her readers all the way. Clare’s other novels include London Calling, The Long Weekend and her latest Nothing to Lose.

What was your favourite book of the year and why?

Can I choose three? I loved HP Munro’s Saving Grace, the follow-up to Grace Falls. It’s romantic, sexy and funny, and it was great catching up with old friends. I was also a fan of G Benson’s Flinging It – her easy style just wraps itself around you. Plus, Catherine Ryan-Hyde’s The Language Of Hoofbeats was just terrific – a family saga which was beautifully written and paced.

And what are your hopes for 2017?

I’d love to see a breakout lesfic book crossover to the mainstream – there’s so much talent around, it’s about due to happen again. On a personal note, my aim for 2017 is to release three novels including All I Want Forever and the third in the London series.

AL Brooks

AL Brooks’ debut has been causing a stirring this year with readers finding her erotic novel The Club a refreshing read. Her second novel, Dark Horse, is published by Ylva in February.

What was your favourite book of the year and why?

Favourite book of the year was Just Juliet by Charlotte Reagan. Simply one of the best YA coming out stories ever – great characters, a genuine warmth and depth to the story, and moved me to tears at the end. Beautiful.

What are your hopes for 2017?

My hopes for 2017 are twofold. Firstly, a hope for us all: that the good people of the world, the ones with humanity and tolerance, come together to show the hate-mongering minorities that we will not stand for their destructive rhetoric any longer. Secondly, a personal hope: that this deluge of words that has taken over my soul the past eighteen months keeps on going and lets me continue to fulfil my lifelong dream to be a writer…

Wendy Hudson

Wendy Hudson is the debut author of romantic thriller, Four Steps, that has impressed readers as a work that could have been written by a seasoned pro.

What was your favourite book of the year and why?

I’m going to offer two titles for this because they are really one, wonderful story, that my 20 year old self completely identified with. A Story of Now and The Sum of these Things by Emily O’Beirne. I think Emily is one of the most skilled writers I’ve come across in lesfic, at writing those beautifully intimate moments between her main characters. I’d defy anyone not to fall in love with them and their story. It truly touched me.

What are your hopes for 2017?

For 2017 I’m hoping to be less of a pantser and more of an organiser when it comes to my writing. I even bought a whiteboard to help me plan! Okay, so I bought it four months ago and it’s still not up on the wall, which I admit isn’t a good start. But, you know, it’s not 2017 yet…

Book two will hopefully be published, it’s currently titled Mine to Keep but as always these things are subject to change! I’d also like to continue Alex and Lori’s story (and Frank’s!) with a follow up to Four Steps, but I don’t want to force it, so we’ll see what happens.

HP Munro

 Award-winning author HP Munro can turn her hand to historical novels as well as a romcom and this year followed up the popular Grace Falls with Saving Grace.

What was your favourite book of the year and why?

Clare Lydon’s Nothing To Lose – I loved the book when I read it. However,  I found myself thinking about the book more and having way more empathy for Scarlet and her predicament when I had two weeks to pack my life up for a move from Edinburgh to London. After the stress of doing that, I can’t imagine only having minutes.

And what are your hopes for 2017?

For time and space to write and a little less stress.

Jenny Frame

Jenny Frame loves her royals. From the Aristocratic Courting the Countess to the A Royal Romance. And wolves! Don’t forget Heart of the Pack.

What was your favourite book of the year and why?

Beneath The Waves by Ali Vali. I’m hugely interested in ancient myths, and alternative history. The themes in this book explored both of these subjects. It was refreshing to read these themes wrapped up with a lovely love story.

And what are your hopes for 2017?

2016 has been a tumultuous year, on both sides of the pond, and personally. Therefore I would be delighted if 2017 was a nice, boring, hum drum, year. I would just be absolutely fine with that. Here’s hoping we get it.

Jade Winters

Jade Winters is the popular and prolific author of both lesfic thrillers and romances with her books rarely out of the top 100. Her latest are Flirting with Danger and Christmas Kiss.

What was your favourite book of the year?

Four Steps by Wendy Hudson. This book had me gripped from the first page. I especially like thrillers with some romance thrown in and this book didn’t disappoint. I have a tendency to start reading a book, then get distracted and not go back to it for a while, but this one kept my attention throughout. Well thought out characters and a good pace made sure of this. I particularly liked the setting in the Scottish Highlands and could really visualise the scenes. It was really well written and I literally couldn’t put it down.

What are your hopes for 2017?

Aside from good health and world peace 🙂 I’m hoping to travel more and work less. From a writing perspective I’m hoping to concentrate on crime fiction in 2017 i.e The Ashley McCoy series, although I do have a romance in the pipeline for early next year.

Anna Larner

Anna Larner has been signed up by Bold Strokes and her debut Highland Fling, set everywhere from the Scottish Highlands to a gay bar in Leicester, is out in April next year.

What was your favourite book of the year?

During this tumultuous year, I found myself returning to the comfort of my favourite writers who have meant such a lot to me, such as Nancy Garden, Carol Ann Duffy, and Virginia Woolf to name a few.

But, of course, all favourites begin as exciting new discoveries. This year I read my first novel by KE Payne, her lesbian romance When I Knew You.

What I particularly enjoyed was the clever idea underpinning the story – let’s just say it involves a series of letters.  I also loved the contrast between the two main characters, and on turning the last page I felt sad that I would never get a trip on Ash’s boat or have my pulse taken by surgeon Dr Nat.

What are your hopes for 2017?

My hopes for 2017? That my debut novel Highland Fling becomes your new discovery and a favourite you treasure and return to.

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and a fabulous 2017.

New roundup: latest from the Rainbow Awards, new author Vicki Clifford, Cari Hunter is profiled, reviews and new releases!

Lots of news this week with a new author, reviews and new books to read in between raking up the leaves, throwing out the mouldy pumpkins, setting off the fireworks and putting up the Christmas decorations – yes, this early 🙂

 

The Rainbow Awards have been rolling out more honorable mentions in the run up to announcing the winners in December:

Clare Lydon‘s Nothing to Lose in the Contemporary Romance Category – “Thoroughly enjoyed reading a relationship I could relate to in a British setting.”

Wendy Hudson‘s Four Steps in Romantic Suspense – “A complicated, slow-burning romance entwined with a hard-hitting thriller plot. Beautifully and masterfully done.”

And Vicki Clifford‘s Digging Up the Dead in Bisexual Mystery / Thriller – “I enjoyed reading this book. I would have liked to read the others first but I was able to get a handle on the backstory quite easily. Writing style made the story flow nicely.”

Vicki is an author we haven’t covered before but Digging up the Dead is book 3 in a series of crime novels featuring heroine Viv Fraser. Vicki has a fabulously varied background as a freelance hairdresser with a PhD in psychoanalysis and until recently taught religious studies at the University of Stirling. You can find out more about Vicki and her Edinburgh crime series on her website and here’s the cover and blurb for book 1, Beyond Cutting:

If you ever thought the life of a hairdresser was tranquil, then think again. This is no ordinary hairdresser. Viv Fraser Ph.D and stylist to the Edinburgh establishment, has a double life as an investigative journalist and finds herself involved in some hair-raising, not to mention explosive scenes, as she trawls the seamier side of her city. In this fast-paced mystery Viv investigates the case of a missing teenage boy, but her efforts are hampered by people trying to save their own skin. Always top of his class, Andrew’s school blazer turns up on a river path without him. As she picks at the veneer of the Capital’s gay scene Viv discovers an unsavoury mix of lies, jealousy and sexual deceit. Determined to find Andrew, she ignores threats on her life and continues to dig in places that even Detective Marconi has yet to explore.

The Lesbian Review has been building up its author profiles and latest to submit to their questions was Cari Hunter who they describe as an “author who writes beautifully. Her work is thriller and action related novels rather than romance and lighter. I love her use of language and absolutely consume her novels with a vengeance.“:

When asked what inspired her to write the Dark Peak Series Cari wrote: “Simple answer? I wanted to write a crime series, so I decided I’d do that. I returned to my favourite setting of the Peak District and I created Detective Sanne Jensen – small, not Scandinavian, quite timid – and her best friend and sometime lover, Doctor Meg Fielding – feisty, scruffy, likes swearing.”

Find Cari’s full profile here.

Clare Lydon‘s been twiddling her thumbs for a brief spell in between books but she’s now back in the saddle and plans on having two more novels by March:

“I spent October trying to figure out if I should write the next book in the London series next, or if I should write the final book for All I Want. I asked readers, and the responses were 50/50 for both. I asked myself, but I was reluctant to plot either. But when I eventually knuckled down and set to work, the answer was clear: All I Want Forever began to flow from my fingertips, so I went with that. But if you’re waiting for the next London book, have no fear: I will be writing it as soon as I’ve finished Forever, and it’ll be with you by the end of March next year.”

You can catch up with more news from Clare on her blog here.

Clare’s All I Want for Autumn was also reviewed by Kitty Kat:

“This was a fantastic story with emotional turmoil, sizzling love scenes with ultra hot sex as one expects from Clare Lydon. I can’t wait for the final instalment but I will really miss Holly and Tori after following their beautiful romance all year.”

Jen Silver  announced the publication of book number five:

“A fifth book release is just as thrilling and nerve-wracking as it was the first time. Thrilling – to see it online. Nerve-wracking waiting to find out what readers think of it – particularly friends and relations.”

And the story of Christmas at a lesbian guest house has already been reviewed by Kitty Kat:

“This is a love story with great humour, relationship angst and deep emotions running through it.  The fact that it is set at Christmas makes it all the more special, with a cosy, traditional feeling.  I felt as if I was there with them all.  The setting is beautifully described and Jen Silver has got me so convinced that I want to book a stay there!  I highly recommend ‘Christmas at Winterbourne’.”

Catch the full review here.

Meanwhile, Jody Klaire has been reading from her novel Hindsight, book 4 of the Above and Beyond Series. Also on Jody’s blog is part 4 of her series The Whistleblower. This is a free downloadable series featuring Susan from The Empath and other characters from the Above and Beyond Series.

A quick note to say that the film The Handmaiden, which was inspired by Sarah Waters’ Fingersmith, goes on general release in February 2017. Read up about this version of the story here.

Also a quick note to say that the following are also out now!

Jenny Frame’s Heart of the Pack is now out as an audio book.

Selena Miller accepts a job in Wolfgang County, jumping at the chance to get away from her overbearing family. Crippled by anxiety, she’s determined to start a new, independent life.

As second of the Wolfgang pack, Caden Wolfgang is used to having her orders followed without question. When the Alpha allows a human to work in the heart of their business, Caden is horrified. Haunted by a childhood tragedy at the hands of a human, Caden makes it her mission to keep Selena from threatening everything they’ve built.

When contempt turns into attraction and passion flares, can their love survive Selena learning the truth of what the Wolfgangs really are?

Robyn Nyx‘s Never Enough is now available from Bold Strokes and will be available from Amazon on the 15th.

When a killer sets her sights on her target, is there any stopping her?

Award-winning journalist Madison Ford is taking a well-deserved break from covering foreign wars. That break is cut short when she receives a mysterious package, full of incriminating information on a human trafficking ring. When she’s asked to do an interview with an actress and humanitarian, it seems like a welcome distraction. Little does she know how distracting it will become.

Elodie Fontaine is in demand. She chooses the movies she wants to work on and the women she wants in her bed. Humanitarian work takes up the rest of her time. Love isn’t an option. When Madison walks into her life, she’s faced with a dilemma: pursue Madison and lose her heart, or avoid the risk and lose her chance at happiness.

When Madison’s life is in danger, will love pull them through? Or will it be too late?

Pat Adams-Wright‘s book 2 of the Reluctance Series,  Reparation, is out on Amazon.

Carrie Markham’s life is in a state of flux. Former society girl married to a property developer, Jonathan, finds herself facing a long-denied truth when she meets a struggling sales rep named Simone.

Next door, Carrie’s friends Esther and Joy continue to hope to adopt baby Marc while also taking on the battles of everyday life and what it continues to throw at them.
All the women have choices to make and some long-standing situations to put to bed. In all encounters, there must remain the hope of… REPARATION.

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That’s all folks!

 

News Roundup: New Author CK Martin, Reviews, Threesomes, Bargain Books, Giveaways, and More!

With the debacle of the Great British Bake Off’s C4 sell-off travesty hanging heavy over us all here at UK LesFic, it’s a good thing we have so many new books to cheer us. So, Ready, Steady…BAKE READ!

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First up, we’ve recently added a new author to the UK LesFic listings. C.K. Martin loves writing character-driven stories, so you’ll find her books in the romance, crime and fantasy genres. She believes that realistic, diverse and engaging characters shouldn’t come at the expense of great plots – readers deserve to have both – and is a big fan of the slow burn when it comes to relationships, so be warned!

When she’s not writing, she can usually be found with her nose in a book (or pressed against the Kindle screen). Her third biggest passion in life is travel, so although she says she’s based in England, for much of the year you won’t find her there. Instead she’ll be hanging out with her wife in some amazing city or, more likely, at the beach. Read more about CK and her novels here at her blog.

CK’s current release is Dirty Little War, the blurb for which reads like this:

Evie Baedeker knows her place in the world. Born into a life of organised crime in the gritty East End of London, she has endured nothing but hardship and disappointment. Then one night, in a sleazy bar, fate sends a dangerous opportunity her way.

Carmen Trogan, daughter and heir apparent to a rival business, has no idea who Evie is when their eyes meet across the dance floor. But Evie knows all about her. The chance to bring the rich and beautiful woman to her knees – both figuratively and literally – is too good to pass up. Sparks fly from their first kiss, but Evie is playing a dangerous game. There are consequences that come with spending the night with a woman like Carmen.

Will she be able to walk away from the best night of her life, or will she risk it all to see Carmen one more time?

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If you’re fond of relaxing and letting someone else do the work for you, then take a peek at Kiki Archer reading the first chapter of her new super smash hit Lost in the Starlight. Kiki will also be appearing alongside VG Lee and Scott Campbell at the Polari Shout Festival on Saturday 19th November at the Birmingham Mac. The event sold out last year, so get your skates on and head here for more details and tickets.

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Never one to shy away from a contentious subject, AL Brooks has been discussing threesomes in her There Were Three in the Bed post over on the Ylva blog:

The other main issue women have with it is that, somehow, saying you’d want to experience a third woman in the bed equates to you saying that there’s a problem with your sex life as it is. That there’s something ‘missing’. That may be true in some instances, but I think if both women in the couple are open to discussing sex freely and without judgment, they could find that it’s something that appeals to them both, and add a whole new dimension to the way they enjoy each other. There could also be a specific reason why a third woman could compliment their existing relationship – for example, if the couple has a very established top/bottom dynamic and one (or both) wants to occasionally play with the other role.

If that snippet has tempted you into reading the full piece, hit the above link.

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Some reviews now to tempt you in the direction of recent releases…

Les Reveur (ooh la la!) has thoroughly enjoyed Nothing to Lose by Clare Lydon:

I found the novel light, sexy and easy to read. It was exactly what I was in the mood for. The characters had genuine life and love obstacles and I found myself cheering them on throughout…This was the first novel by Clare Lydon I’ve read and I’ll definitely be watching out for her next. 

Meanwhile the lasses at The Lesbian Review have been casting their critical eye over All I Want For Summer:

This book reminded me why I hate camping, but it also reminded me why I enjoy this series. It’s charming, light and fun and keeps you reading until you realise you’re at the end. I am super surprised at how this one ended though, much darker than usual. I can’t wait for the next book to see what happened.

And Gill McKnight‘s Welcome to the Wallops:

I love when an author gives me a great storyline, wonderful rich setting, believable characters, and new information that enhances the story, but never interrupts  or takes away from it. Ms McKnight ticked all those boxes for me.

Read the full text of those reviews here and here.

Clare Ashton‘s Poppy Jenkins continues to garner strong write ups. This first from Jess van Netten at the Lesbrary:

There is underlying current of chemistry between Poppy, the out lesbian, and Roslyn, the seemingly straight friend, that moves the story along at varying speeds. At times, it reaches fever pitch, with sexual innuendoes providing very funny conversations between the leads. I laughed out loud many a time, explaining little plot points to my wife as though talking about my friends.

And this in-depth review from Shira Glassman on her blog Welcome to the Mangoverse:

Poppy may as well be a 21st century Anne of Green Gables or other costume drama small-town girl, full of buoyancy and enthusiasm, as well as love for her village and its people. But by making her this, the author doesn’t rob her of her sexuality, and that’s what makes this so wonderful. A woman’s sexual–not just romantic but sexual–attraction to another woman is depicted as innocent and wholesome. Do you have any idea how fucking healing that is?

Click both links to read the full text.

And finally, The Romantic Reader has had fun with Andrea Bramhall‘s new comedy release Just My Luck –

While Bramhall’s other novels have serious plots, murder, kidnapping … this book is just more fun. These characters talk to you, the reader, and it took me a few chapters to get into it, once I did I was hooked on them. I loved being in their headspace, feeling their struggles right along with them.

If you fancy trying your luck to win a copy of this book, Andrea is running a Goodreads giveaway for five signed copies. The closing date for entries is October 7th.

Wendy Hudson is also running a GR giveaway for three signed copies of her new Scotland-based thriller/romance, Four Steps. Closing date for this one is September 30th.

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Bargain books!

From free books to very cheap books now, with Clare Lydon‘s second novel The Long Weekend currently on e-book sale for the whopping bargain price of 99p.

And Cari Hunter‘s debut romantic Peak District-set thriller Snowbound is today’s e-book Daily Bargain over at the Bold Strokes website (Saturday 24th September only.) It’ll be on sale for $2.99 (about £2.30) until 11.59 p.m. (EDT) and will also come hand in hand with Jenny Frame‘s short story Dapper, which is free with all BSB e-book purchases throughout September.

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Hopefully there’s enough in that little lot will tide you over for a while. Meanwhile, let’s just remember the good times before they get taken away from us…

News roundup: new books, a new author, Polari Tour and Prize, crime blogs and a freebie!

And we’re back! After a lovely summer, where traditionally all goes quiet in lesfic land, there’s a load of news waiting to be unleashed and a fresh pile of books for your autumn reading. Here we go!

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It has been out a matter of hours but Kiki Archer’s new book is at the top of the lesfic charts already. Here’s the blurb and lovely sparkly cover:

A-list singing superstar, Honey Diamond, has it all – the albums, the talent shows, the upcoming Hollywood film. But it’s her gentle light, endearingly shining through all the glitz and glam, that warms the hearts of so many. A shy girl, who’s only ever known fame, born into a world that’s not true to life. Will Honey ever experience the love she so knowingly sings about? Will the vindictive online gossip sites ever leave her alone?

For a bit more of tease have a peek at the book trailer on YouTube.

Lost in the Starlight is available on Amazon now!

Also just out is Wendy Hudson’s Four Steps and it’s already been covered at The Lesbian Review:

“I was swept up into the Scottish Highlands and the lives of Alex and Lori. The author uses alternating chapters to tell the story of the growing romance between Alex and Lori and the secondary story of suspense, which builds step by step until the final chapters where I was flipping (tapping actually, as my copy was an ebook) pages as fast as I could…I loved the arc of the romance between Alex and Lori. And the pacing of this story was perfect.  Alex and Lori’s romance built slowly alongside the trouble creeping toward them. The trouble was indeed creepy.”

You can read the rest of the review here and get your copy on Amazon.

Clare Lydon continues Holly and Tori’s adventures in her next book in the All I Want series. The Autumn installment is out on September the 21st and here’s the blurb:

What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger…

After a hit & run accident, Holly is determined to recover in record-speed, but she’s frustrated when her mind and body have different agendas. Meanwhile, when Tori’s career takes an unexpected turn, the couple are faced with some life-changing decisions.

When Tori & Holly’s journeys begin to pull in different directions, will the glue that keeps them together be enough to secure their future?  Is true love enough to win the day?

Natalie Debrabandere’s new book Ashakaan was published at the beginning of summer to rave reviews in the US:

The year is 2251. Jamie Cartwright is a gifted young army officer, the owner of a sexy smile, handsome looks, and a fiery temper. Stationed on-board the Atlantis, the finest spaceship the Quantum Fleet has ever commissioned, her future as a member of the Alliance military is looking bright. Unbeknownst to her though, and to everyone else except an old shaman in a distant and mysterious universe, Jamie’s destiny is accelerating, headed fast toward an extraordinary conclusion…

Also released during the summer was Sally Edwards‘ Needle in a Haystack:

A pivotal point in a young girl’s life, with family tragedy, new friendships and the first glimpse of romance. We are plunged deeply into the mind of Charlie Duke as we read extracts from her personal diary.

Sally is new to the UKLesFic news listings but published her debut a couple of years ago. She hails from Shropshire and specialises in stories that feature disabled characters. How to Love was her debut – the story of a young disabled lesbian woman, coming of age, living a life of independence, and finding love.

You can find both How to Love and Needle in a Haystack  on Amazon and you can find out more about Sally on her website.

Looking further ahead, Andrea Bramhall has announced that her second book in the Norfolk Crime Investigation Stories will be published in May 2017.

December 5th, 2013 left its mark on the North Norfolk Coast in more ways than one. A tidal surge and storm swept millennia-old cliff faces into the sea and flooded homes and businesses up and down the coast. It also buried a secret in the WWII bunker hiding under the golf course at Brancaster. A secret kept for years, until it falls squarely into the lap of Detective Sergeant Kate Brannon and her fellow officers.

A skeleton, deep inside the bunker.

How did it get there? Who was he…or she? How did the stranger die—in a tragic accident or something more sinister? Well, that’s Kate’s job to find out.

Jen Silver’s fifth novel will be out in November, ready for Christmas, and is the first of Jen’s novels to be set in southern England:

The Christmas festivities for the guests booked into Winterbourne House have all the goings-on of a traditional holiday. The only difference is that this guesthouse is run by lesbians, for lesbians. When the guests arrive, tensions are already simmering between the house’s owner Wilma (Wil) and very pregnant partner, Gabriella. Wil has a lot on her plate… ensuring the smooth running of the events, looking after all the guests, including her in-laws and business partners. What she hasn’t planned for is a ghost from Christmas past.

Wil inherited Winterbourne from her adopted mother, Kim Russell, author of a series of successful lesbian novels. Most of the guests who stay, do so because they are fans of the author. One guest, Sally Hunter, is on a mission to write Kim’s official biography. She meets with resistance from the people at the house she tries to interview, stirring up memories from those who knew the reclusive writer well. For a bit of extra spice to the festivities, add in an unexpected snowstorm, a disappearing guest, and an imminent birth. Join the guests and staff at Winterbourne for a Christmas you’ll not soon forget.

If you can’t wait until November to read more you can have a sneak peek at the first chapter on the Affinity website.

On to blogs and August has been crime month over at Ylva Publishing. Andrea Bramhall has been pondering why the British are fascinated with murder:

“Books, TV shows, documentaries, news broadcasts, popular music…it’s everywhere. Crime drama, mysteries, murders, and detective stories. As a nation we’re hooked on them. Well, I know I am, and looking at the top rated shows on TV, so are you! As a population does that make us a bunch of morbid, blood thirsty savages, living vicariously through fictitious characters who carry out our innermost desires?”

It’s had LT Smith puzzling too:

“Personally, I love reading crime and detective novels because when I read I love to think, love to work at the plot like a literary winkle, prising out information, identifying those red herrings that attempt to lead me up the garden path, and, more than anything, I love to figure it all out before everyone else. A definite smug face moment.”

Meanwhile Wendy Hudson wondered why Scotland in particular lends itself to murderous goings on:

“The dilemmas of the human condition remain the same no matter what period you look at in history. Living in a country soaked in past bloodshed, and steeped in unsolved mysteries, whether reader or writer, Scotland will always intrigue and suck us in. If you combine all of these reasons, the history and landscape, the miserable weather, our sense of justice and cutting humour; maybe we can start to understand why the darker stories continue to live on in Scotland, more so than the good.”

And Clare Ashton had to bring sex, well passion at least, into it:

“The biggest high, I think, comes from a novel that pulls together passion, suspense and intrigue. With romance, circumstance may pull the heroines apart and break your heart, but with romantic intrigue you can twist the story to stop the reader in their tracks, chill them to the bone, even make them drop their eReader and exclaim “oh shit”. The stakes can be so much higher. It isn’t simply a matter of will the couple get together, more the terror that secrets and even death may pull them apart.”

Click here to read all of these blogs in full.

Clare Ashton has been getting around a bit over the summer and also had a good chin wag with Clare Lydon for her Lesbian Book Club podcast.  During the podcast, Clare Lydon does a run down of the charts and gives an update on her writing, then gets chatting with Clare Ashton about writing process, Wales, Poppy Jenkins and synonyms for breasts.

Have a listen here.

The LGBT Polari First Book Prize short list was announced at the beginning of summer and the Polari website notes that:

“Fiction features strongly – from Anne Goodwin’s poignant midlife coming-of-age (Sugar and Snails) and Jacquie Lawrence’s exploration of love through the entangled lives of six women (Different for Girls) to Paul McVeigh’s funny and frightening story of a young boy navigating the troubles of 1980s Northern Ireland (The Good Son) and Stevan Alcock’s unforgettable tale of teenage life set to the backdrop of the Yorkshire Ripper murders (Blood Relatives). The shortlist is rounded-off by Juliet Jacques poignant memoir of the transgender experience (Trans) and a raw yet moving collection of poems written in celebration of the masculine form (Physical).”

The winner will be revealed in October.

Polari is also touring the country again this year. Here are the details in brief. For performers and more information see the Polari Salon listings.

• Sep 22 – Bishops Stortford Library
• Sep 28 – Printworks, Hastings
• Oct 14 – Marlborough Theatre, Brighton
• Oct 21 – Nottingham Writers’ Studio
• Nov 4 – Assembly Roxy, Edinburgh
• Nov 11 – Ideas Store, Tower Hamlets
• Nov 15 – Hove Library
• Nov 18 – Grand Theatre, Blackpool
• Nov 19 – MAC Birmingham
• Nov 21 – Fruit Space, Hull
• Nov 23 – Newcastle City Library
• Nov 25 – End of tour at Southbank Centre, London

Finally, it’s always nice to have a freebie. Jane Retzig has released her novel The Retreat in audio which is available from Audible.

To celebrate its launch she has several free copies to give away. Be quick and email her at  janeretzig @ gmail.com if you want to win a copy.

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Phew! That’s all folks!

News roundup: New Releases from Angela Peach, Jody Klaire, Andrea Bramhall, and Jenny Frame. Blogs, Events, and Giveaway Winners!

As befits a week when it’s more tempting to sit out in the garden than it is to sit in front of a computer, this news is crammed with brand new book releases. So, grab a copy of whatever tickles your fancy and head into the sunshine!

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Let’s start with A Darker Kind of Love, the new novel from Angela Peach that’s so hot off the Amazon presses it almost missed being included in this news post. It’s Angie’s first novel in two and a half years, an absence that Angie explains in the book’s acknowledgements: Turns out I’m much better at producing a novel when my heart has been broken! Although this does not bode well for a happy love life/successful writing career combo, I know where to tap into for inspiration… 

The blurb for A Darker Kind of Love reads like this:

Stronger than desire, deeper than attraction. Relationships can be tricky, especially when your ex is still hanging around. For Hanna, meeting Sophie marks the start of something new…but first she has to convince her ex girlfriend, Mel, to let her go. But Mel doesn’t want to let go. Ever.

Angie has also been confirmed as a guest on the Indie panel at this year’s LFest. The annual lesbian festival will be held July 15th-18th at Uttoxeter Racecourse, Staffordshire. If you’re interested in going, click the link for the festival’s main website.

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Jody Klaire, meanwhile, has two new books in the offing: Hindsight (the fourth in the Above & Beyond series) and Best Maid Plans, the follow-up to La Vie En Bleu, which is tentatively set for release in October. I’ll let Jody tell you a bit more about Hindsight…

Hindsight is in the workshop ready for August… ish and takes us further into the series plot while, I hope, giving you more of the characters and what makes them who they are. It was fun to use a whole other technique, writing wise, to bring the story to life. I’m not sure if you feel the same but Frei is a character I really love and, once again, you get to know her. Hindsight sees you meet Bess… who I really hope you’ll love as much as me; you revisit Oppidum to catch up with just what the new mayor has been up to… and Mrs. Squirrel; all on the adventure that sees Aeron and Renee push themselves and each other to help their dear friend.

The rest of that blog post can be read right here.

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October will also see the publication of Just My Luck, 2016’s second release from Andrea Bramhall:

Genna Collins works a dead end job, loves her family, her girlfriend, and her friends. When she wins the biggest Euromillions jackpot on record everything changes…and not always for the best.

When Abi Kitson fell in love she always knew it would go unrequited. The woman of her dreams was so close yet seemingly untouchable for so many reasons.  Reasons like – they are best friends, or the big age gap, or the ‘other’ woman, nevermind Abi’s own baggage.   And even when those reasons crumble it seems luck just isn’t on her side.

It’s a learning curve for both of them. But what if money really can’t buy you everything you want? What if the answers aren’t hidden in a big, fat bank balance? What if happiness is right in front of them? They just have to reach out…

Andrea was recently interviewed by Jules Bremner on Radio Pride Live. Hit the link to hear her chatting about her murder/mystery Collide-O-Scope.

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And last but by no means the least of the new releases is Dapper by Jenny Frame, who had this to say on Facebook:

Good news! I have a new short story coming out in September. It’s called Dapper and you can check out the cover below. It will be given away for free, as part of a promotion for the month of September on the Bold Strokes Books site. 

As soon as that promotion rolls around, we’ll be sure to let you know.

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A heads up now for anyone who lives near Glasgow, as Wendy Hudson is holding a launch party for her début novel, Four Steps, on 26th August at 7 p.m. The event will take place at Katie’s Bar and will feature a book chat and signing, followed by a DJ. According to the Facebook event page, it’s an open and free event so “invite your friends and family.”

Can’t say fairer than that!

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Sneaking in under the deadline is a special offer on Guilty Hearts by Jade Winters. The e-book is available on Amazon at the reduced price of 99p for a “limited time”. Which basically translates as: Get your skates on.

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We’ll sign off this fortnight with the winners from Jen Silver‘s giveaway of The Circle Dance. Congratulations to Karen Hughes and Melissa Whisenant. Look out for an email from Jen in the not too distant future!

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And that’s yer lot. Enjoy the weekend and make the most of the sunshine while it’s with us!

News roundup: Goldie short lists, a bit of blogging, a new book and a new author!

The sun is shining and there’s an ice-cream with my name on it, so let’s get on with the news!

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First up, the Goldie Award finalists were announced this week, and after a good showing from the Brits in the Lammy shortlists, it was disappointing from a UK perspective. All except for Cari Hunter that is, who turned up twice in the Mystery/Thriller category. Books 1 and 2 of her Dark Peak series made it onto the shortlist, so a big huzzah and a double helping of congratulations to Cari and everything crossed for the announcements at the GCLS conference in July.

The full listing of finalists can be found here for every category from erotica to sci-fi.

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Right, on to bits and pieces from around the interweb:

Andrea Bramhall has been busy with the publication of her latest novel, Collide-O-Scope. She even blogged about the book and its early reception.

Rainbow Book Reviews have already reviewed the thriller and this is what they had to say:

“‘Collide-O-Scope’ is the sixth novel by Andrea Bramhall (author of the Lambda Award-winning ‘Clean Slate’). This is her first full police procedural novel, and it’s a genre she’s taken to like a duck to water. Set along the north Norfolk coast, an area the author has lived in for some years now, the atmosphere of that oftentimes ethereal coastline seeps into every key scene of this story. If you have never been, the descriptions will take you there; if you have been, you will recognize every nuance.”

The full review is available here.

Meanwhile Jen Silver has been blogging about dedications. This oft overlooked element of a novel has captured her attention since becoming an author and for her fourth novel she has chosen a cat. She assures us that she hasn’t run out of cherished relatives and friends and there’s a cat in the story and story behind the cat. Read on here.

Nicola Griffith is busy working on the sequel to Hild with a third also planned, but this week book 1 made it onto an interesting list of historical novels that verge on fantasy. This is what the article had to say of Hild:

“The reality of otherworldly forces is taken for granted as real in this brutal, violent land, and Griffith plays with the concept expertly as Hild becomes increasingly masterful at sniffing out plots and advising her uncle in ways that often seem magical. Anyone who has been awed by a brilliant mind’s ability to perceive what most cannot will witness that superpower at work in Hild, one of the most complex and deeply-drawn characters to ever appear in a novel—historical, fantasy, or otherwise.”

You can read the full piece here.

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A new book and a new author now.

The latest novel from Jade Winters, Accidentally Together, is out now and available from Amazon. Here’s the intriguing blurb:

When Emma witnesses a burglary in the apartment opposite, she has every intention of doing the right thing: report it and move on. However, things don’t go quite as planned…

Emma is stunned to discover the apartment belongs to Lauren, her first crush who she hasn’t seen for fourteen years.

The return of her old amour reawakens a latent desire. Can Emma reignite the passions of her past, or will the reason Lauren left all those years ago tear them apart once again?

New author Wendy Hudson, with Ylva Publishing, has revealed the cover and blurb for her debut.

Wendy hails from Northern Ireland and currently lives in Scotland and used turning 30 as the impetus to getting her first book published. You can find out more about Wendy on the Ylva website and on Wendy’s Facebook page. Here’s the book and blurb:

Alex Ryan lives a simple life. She has her farm in the Scottish countryside, and the self imposed seclusion suits her, until a crime that has haunted her for years, tears through the calm and shatters the fragile peace she’d finally managed to find.

Lori Hunter’s greatest love is the mountains. They’re her escape from the constant hustle and bustle of everyday life. Growing up was neither traditional nor easy for Lori, but now she’s beginning to realise she’s settled for both. A dead end relationship and little to look forward to. Her solution when the suffocation sets in? Run for the hills.

A chance encounter in the mountains of the Scottish Highlands leads Alex and Lori into a whirlwind of heartache and a fight for survival as they build a formidable bond that will be tested to its ultimate limits.

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And that’s all for this week. Tara a bit!