An Exciting Week

Last week was a whirlwind week for me! Just back from a trip to Kefalonia where novel five is partially set, last Monday my daughter Joanna and I travelled to London for the RNA's Romantic NoveL Awards 2024 ceremony. My novel, The Secret Sister, had been entered for the Romantic Saga category by my publisher JOFFE BOOKS and I couldn't have been more thrilled to have been shortlisted. 

The event was held at the Royal Leonardo Hotel in Tower Hill on a lovely fine evening. The shortlistees had to turn up early at 5pm for photographs and a chance to meet and chat with the other finalists. Another Joffe author and fellow Cariad, Evonne Wareham, was shortlisted in the Romantic Suspense category. 

©Katie Hipkiss Visuals

The ceremony began at 6.30pm and we found our seats at the Joffe table. It was so good to have the support on the night of my fantastic editor, Emma Grundy Haig, and other members of the Joffe team as well as Joanna and fellow author, Anni Rose. The presenter of the awards was celebrity Anton du Beke who was great fun. I didn't win but to be a finalist made it very special. Huge congratulations to the winner of my category, lovely Francesca Capaldi, with her book A New Start at the Beach Hotel! 

It was great meeting in person authors I've admired from afar as well as catching up with old friends. I loved being part of such a fabulous, glittering occasion and it's one I will remember for a very long time. 

©Katie Hipkiss Visuals

Later that week, I travelled back up to London for the Joffe Books 10th Anniversary Garden Party. It was another brilliantly sunny day after the rain of the previous days and just perfect for the garden party held at Six Park Place, St James's. As you can see from the photograph, there were so many people there! The bubbles and wine flowed and trays of canapes were continually being offered. There was a good representation from fellow Choc Lit authors, many of whom I only 'knew' online, and it was lovely to get to know them better. As well as meeting more of the Joffe team, it was great to meet Jasper Joffe himself and celebrate the milestone of ten years of successful publishing with so many authors of all different genres. Another marvellous evening!

Now it's down to earth with a bump! This week I shall be further editing novel five after a successful and informative research trip to Kefalonia. The novel was already written when I went with a list of questions and places to visit. Armed with my notes and photographs, I'm delving in! Please wish me luck. 

Thank you for reading. 

You may also follow me on:

X/Twitter - @JanBaynham

FaceBook - Jan Baynham Writer

Instagram - janbaynham

Bookbub - https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jan-baynham

For more information about me and my books, please visit my Amazon page.

Did you know that all my novels are available to read on Kindle Unlimited for those of you who subscribe?

Shortlisted for Romantic Saga of the year 2024

'I was transported to stunning Sicily and enjoyed the senses evoked through the setting and food. The mystery woven into the novel is compelling, and I love the art theme.'

Guest Post by Vicki Beeby

This week, I'm thrilled to welcome very talented author, Vicki Beeby, to the blog. Vicki writes historical fiction about the friendships and loves of service women brought together by the Second World War. The second in her Bomber Command series, A Wedding for the Bomber Girls was published by Canelo on April 25th.

Welcome, Vicki. I think you're going to tell us about wartime wedding gowns, a subject you know lots about after writing your latest novel. It's over to you   

Wartime Wedding Gowns

What subject for a novel could be more heartwarming than a wedding, complete with springtime flowers and a beautiful dress? That’s what I thought when I was outlining ideas for my Bomber Girls books, and I was thrilled when my editor at Canelo agreed and commissioned the series. Of course, as soon as I started to write A Wedding for the Bomber Girls, I was faced with a major challenge – what was the bride, Pearl, going to wear to her wedding? The more I researched the matter, the more I saw how difficult clothes rationing made procuring a luxury one-off item like a wedding gown. I soon found that wartime brides who wanted to get married in a new dress would use their clothing coupons to make or buy a smart dress or suit that could be worn again. Those that wanted a traditional white wedding gown would usually have to borrow one from a friend or relative. But what options were open to brides unable to borrow a dress if they had set their hearts on a white wedding? 

If they were able to get hold of used or surplus parachute silk, they would have plenty of material for a gown without using up any of their precious coupons. In fact, there are several cases of a bride using silk from the parachute that saved her fiancé’s life, which has to be the most romantic ever dress to get married in! There are also examples of well-to-do women buying up second-hand wedding dresses to either hire out or donate. Author Barbara Cartland famously advertised in The Lady for two wedding gowns which she then donated to brides. These gowns would be worn for the day and then returned so other brides could also use them. Over time, Barbara Cartland amassed a large pool of gowns, enabling many brides to have their dream wedding. As well as clothes rationing creating problems for brides, theatres and film studios also suffered – clothes rationing applied to theatrical costumes as much as to everyday clothing. To help, Gainsborough film studios compiled a catalogue of their entire costume collection and made it available to other film studios and theatres, enabling them to hire costumes for their productions. However, they had several bridal gowns in their catalogue, and brides started using the service to hire dresses. Imagine the thrill of being married in a gown that had been worn by a film star! 

Another option for servicewomen was to marry in uniform, and many did. However, I immediately dismissed that idea for Pearl – planning the perfect wedding is how she distracts herself from the terrifying truth that her bomber pilot fiancé might not even survive long enough to make the wedding. So which option did I choose for Pearl’s gown? You’ll have to read A Wedding for the Bomber Girls to find out!

Blurb

As wedding bells ring out, joy will be found amidst the tensions of war… At RAF Fenthorpe, instrument repairer Thea is helping her sister, Pearl, plan her wedding alongside fellow WAAF and maid of honour Jenny. A misfit amongst the women on the base, though, Thea is struggling to get others onboard. When Flight Sergeant Fitz makes a point of befriending and standing by her, sparks fly between the two. And when Fitz’s crew member, Jack, faces being stripped of his rank due to cowardice, Thea throws herself into seeking justice and support for him. Just as she begins to be accepted by her fellow WAAFs, a shadowy figure from her past has returned and is determined to ruin not just Thea, but also Pearl’s wedding. Will Thea's reputation be marred once more? And will she face this struggle alone…? 

A page-turning and feel-good Second World War saga, for fans of Johanna Bell, Daisy Styles and Kate Thompson.

Purchase links

mybook.to/WedBG

Social media links

Website: vickibeeby.co.uk

Facebook page: facebook.com/VickiBeebyAuthor

Instagram: @vickibeebyauthor

Thank you, Vicki. I love the fact that some brides were able to have their dream white weddings with the help of Barbara Cartland. I knew first-hand about wedding dresses at the time being made from parachute silk. Although it was a few years after the war, my mum looked beautiful in hers. Your novel is already doing brilliantly and receiving super reviews. I wish you much continued success with it.

Thank you for reading. I'm sure you enjoyed Vicki's post as much as I did. Did any of your relatives have a wedding dress made from parachute silk? Did anyone hire one from someone famous? We'd love to hear. Thank you. 

You may also follow me on:

X/Twitter - @JanBaynham

FaceBook - Jan Baynham Writer

Instagram - janbaynham

Bookbub - https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jan-baynham

For more information about me and my books, please visit my Amazon page.

Did you know that all my novels are available to read on Kindle Unlimited for those of you who subscribe?

'I just adore Jan Baynham's books - they each read like a beautiful saga - stretching over a couple of generations, the stories just grab you and draw you in.' 

Amazon Reviewer 5*

Guest Post With Angela Petch

Today I'm delighted to welcome one of my favourite authors, Angela Petch, to the blog. Angela writes the most amazing historical WW2 novels set in Italy. Her latest, The Sicilian Secret. was published last Tuesday by Bookouture. 

Angela, welcome. As you know I'm a huge fan of your books so I'm fascinated to learn more about how you set about writing your novels. I think you're going to tell us about PLOTTING. It's over to you! 

I tend to be a pantser – somebody who writes, supposedly, by the seat of their pants. But in writing The Sicilian Secret, I had to keep a tighter rein.

The story has three timelines, many locations and a mystery running through.

I had to keep careful notes, making sure characters were in the right place at the right time and not lose the reader before I had even started to drop breadcrumb clues. Cue post-its, spread sheets, notice board and notes in the margins. 

In a very early chapter, I introduced a mysterious coded letter and I hoped the readers would want to work it out for themselves.

I love watching whodunnits and I know there is nothing more annoying than keeping the viewer in the dark by not dropping sufficient clues or being dealt random red herrings. Ashley Stokes in The Creative Writing Coursebook (from the university of East Anglia) writes:

 “Plotting is the underside of the stone that nobody sees.”

In plotting The Sicilian Secret, I felt at times like a duck paddling furiously on top of muddy waters, trying to remain calm, occasionally sticking my bill through the murky depths to see what the hell was going on beneath. There were so many what-if moments cropping up, not apparent to me at the start. Characters appeared in scenes I hadn’t plotted out in the beginning stages and I allowed them in, but always with the fear I was pulling the narrative out of shape. But I needed all these separate stories. In the end, I realised the process had to be a combination of planning, composing and, most importantly, careful editing once I had laid everything out.

One location in the story involved a visit to further my research. On a sunny day in September 2023, I travelled to Bletchley Park – BP or X as some of the workers there knew it.

A photo of me at Bletchley Park in 1940 clothes. 

It is a fascinating place and going there helped me get inside the head of one of my main protagonists. Out of the 12,000 workers, 8,000 were women. They helped with decoding, classifying and breaking codes, providing important intelligence that led to Allied victory in the Second World War.

To work in such a place, amidst absolute secrecy, involved having a tidy, meticulous mind but it also involved huge powers of imagination and ingenuity. (Rather like a writer, I thought.) I needed one of my characters in particular to read into a strange message that arrived. Did she? Could she? Or was she only human and having a bad day? Would it make much difference?

After plotting, pruning, cutting, cogitating, revising your book, it’s time for the author to let go and let the readers decide.

And decide we did, Angela. I felt I knew your characters so well that I could gauge what they were thinking and why they made the decisions they did. Thank you for giving us such an insight into the plotting that went into your fabulous book. 

Blurb

Italy, 1943. With war raging across the rugged cliffs and turquoise waters of his beloved Sicily, Savio's pen scrawls desperately across the page. His letter must be sent in secret - or his life will be in terrible danger...

England, present day, Paige is devastated when her reclusive but beloved Aunt Florence dies - the only family she'd ever known. Inheriting her crumbling cottage, Paige finds an unfinished note. 'I'm sorry, Paige. It's time to tell you everything. It all began in Sicily...'

Beside the note is a faded envelope - addressed to a woman called Joy  - with an Italian postage stamp from 1943. The letter is made up of Roman numerals and snippets of sentences written in Italian. But who is Joy? Was someone sending a coded message? Paige is desperate to piece together the truth. But she soon discovers it will change everything she'd ever believed about her aunt, and her family history.

1943. Lady Joy Harrison may have grown up in a manor house, but she's determined to fight for what's right and use her fluent Italian to help the Allies. Breaking code on a long night shift, Joy reads a secret message that makes her whole body shake. A dark haired young man she once loved is in terrible danger on the shores of Sicily. Was the message sent by him? And will she ever see him again - or will war tear them apart for good?

An absolutely heartbreaking and stunning historical novel about how wartime secrets can stretch across the generations, and the incredible bravery of ordinary people in the darkest of times. Fans of 'The Nightingale', Fiona Valpy and Lucinda Riley will be captivated. 

Read what everyone's saying about The Sicilian Secret:

'Stunning and captivating... Moved me to tears... Powerful... An absolute must-read! I really loved it! Cindy L Spear. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Unforgettable... I was swept away... An achingly beautiful story, brimming with emotion... Simply stunning! Goodreads reviewer. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A story of love, danger and sacrifice. A tear jerker. I used so many tissues... it was wonderful! Goodreads reviewer. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Fantastic... I fell in love with Joy and Savio... Beautiful... I adored this book.' Confessionsofabookworm1. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'I had trouble putting this down!... A stunner!... Put everything on hold whilst reading this one.' Goodreads reviewer. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Charming... a mystery that was hard to put down until every question was answered.' Goodreads reviewer. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Bio

Published by Bookouture, Angela Petch is an award-winning writer of fiction – and the occasional poem.

Every summer she moves to Tuscany for six months where she and her husband own a renovated watermill which they let out. When not exploring their unspoilt corner of the Apennines, she disappears to her writing desk at the top of a converted stable. In her Italian handbag or hiking rucksack she always makes sure to store notebook and pen to jot down ideas.

The winter months are spent in Sussex where most of her family live. When Angela’s not helping out with grandchildren, she catches up with writer friends.

Angela’s gripping WWII novels set in Italy are published by Bookouture. While her novel, Mavis and Dot, was self-published and tells of the frolics and foibles of two best-friends who live by the seaside. Angela also writes short stories published in Prima and People’s Friend.

Buying Links

Order link for book

https://geni.us/B0CYQTW8KKauthor

Order link for audio

UK: https://ow.ly/8BP850RkY2U 

US: https://ow.ly/xrJn50RkY2T

Social Media Links

Blog: https://angelapetchsblogsite.wordpress.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AngelaJaneClarePetch

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Angela_Petch

Instagram:  @angela_maurice

Thank you for reading. I hope you found Angela's comments on plotting as interesting as I did. If you haven't yet read The Sicilian Secret, I highly recommend it. Here is my review:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6450158040

You may also follow me on:

X/Twitter - @JanBaynham

FaceBook - Jan Baynham Writer

Instagram - janbaynham

Bookbub - https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jan-baynham

For more information about me and my books, please visit my Amazon page.

Did you know that all my novels are available to read on Kindle Unlimited for those of you who subscribe?

'I just adore Jan Baynham's books - they each read like a beautiful saga - stretching over a couple of generations, the stories just grab you and draw you in.' 

Amazon Reviewer 5*

My Debut Novel's Fourth Birthday

Four years today, I became a published novelist for the first time when Her Mother’s Secret – the Summer of ’69 entered the world. As a very late starter to fiction writing, it was a dream come true. There was no formal launch, no celebratory meal at a fancy restaurant and no meeting up with friends and family. We were at the height of COVID restrictions and couldn't go anywhere but it didn't detract from how I felt on that day. 

You may read about my special day here:

PUBLICATION DAY - 21st April 2020 

I hope that from the post you can tell how thrilled I was that day. I remember it as if it was yesterday. Becoming a published author was something I'd only ever dreamed about and there I was sending my novel out to be read by others. I had a feeling of excitement yet I was nervous, too. How was it going to be received? What if it was a real flop? I knew I'd worked hard to get it as good as it could as I could make it and I was lucky to be working with a super editor but... I was thrilled (and relieved!) once the early reviews started to come in.

With all the restrictions on travel and as my novel is partially set on a Greek island, the book soon became an escapist read. I began receiving messages from readers about how they enjoyed travelling to beautiful Greece via their armchairs, soaking up the sunshine and sampling the Greek food and drink. For a few hours at least, they were able to forget about the dire situation we were in.  

Being my first published novel, Her Mother's Secret will always be very special for me. I loved writing it as I was able to reminisce about holidays spent in my favourite country while, at the same time, exploring the more serious themes of family secrets, the bond between mothers and daughters, forbidden love, new romantic love and a sense of identity.

Recently, the novel had had a makeover. It has a new cover, a new title and a new blurb. 

Blurb:

Previously published as Her Mother's Secret - the Summer of '69.

A secret diary. Love lost. And love found...

Greece, 1969. Reeling from a devastating loss, free-spirited Elin Morgan escapes to a sun-drenched Greek island. She seeks shelter among the blue-painted shutters, bobbing fishing boats and lanes lined with olive trees.

Up the hill from the taverna where she is staying, Elin rekindles her love of painting at a tiny art studio, and with the help of handsome wood-carver, Stelios, unlocks hidden passions.

But their carefree summer isn't to last. Elin leaves, taking with her a shocking secret that will span decades.

Wales, 1991. Art student, Alexandra, is unmoored by the death of her beloved mother, Elin. She doesn't know what to do when she learns she's been left a beautiful old diary.

Elein's journal tells of the summer she spent on a Greek island in 1969 and gives Alexandra her blessing to find out the truth about her past.

With just the old diary to guide her, she seeks answers to long-buried secrets. And as Alexandra begins to see the world through her young mother's eyes, she realises that some love stories have no ending.

This captivating and unforgettable story about the bonds between mother and daughter, set on a Greek island decades apart, is perfect for fans of Fiona Valpy, Louise Douglas, Kate Frost, T. A. Williams, Mandy Baggot, Francesca Catlow or Chris Penhall.

Buying Links:

Available as an eBook, on Kindle Unlimited, Paperback and Audio.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Greek-Island-Secret-spellbinding-historical-ebook/dp/B0D135N3RB/

https://www.amazon.com/Greek-Island-Secret-spellbinding-historical-ebook/dp/B0D135N3RB/

Thank you for reading. You may also follow me on:

You may also follow me on:

X/Twitter - @JanBaynham

FaceBook - Jan Baynham Writer

Instagram - janbaynham

Bookbub - https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jan-baynham

For more information about me and my books, please visit my Amazon page.

Did you know that all my novels are available to read on Kindle Unlimited for those of you who subscribe?

'I just adore Jan Baynham's books - they each read like a beautiful saga - stretching over a couple of generations, the stories just grab you and draw you in.' 

Amazon Reviewer 5*

Special News Made Public

Two months ago, I received an email from the RNA with exciting news that opened with the words STRICTLY PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL. My latest novel, The Secret Sister, had been shortlisted for the prestigious Romantic Novel of the Year Awards in the Romantic Saga category. I knew that my lovely editor, Emma, at Joffe had entered it but I never thought for a minute that it would be shortlisted. I think I actually squealed when I read the words for the first time! I kept reading the email over and over. Although bursting to tell people, I had to wait until the news was made public yesterday.

There are five writers in each category. Along with the titles of their novels, here are the authors shortlisted with me for the Romantic Saga Novel:

To see my novel grouped with such excellent writers is a real honour and I thank the judges who shortlisted me.

Once the shortlists were announced yesterday, I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of good wishes and congratulations I received especially from the writing community on social media. I tried to thank everyone in person and if I've missed anyone, I apologise. Friends in my RNA Chapter, Cariad, (which has two other writers shortlisted but in other categories, Evonne Wareham and Helga Jenson-Forde!) have been wonderfully supportive as always. There's definitely going to be celebratory cake at the next meeting! 

So what next? The award ceremony will be held on Monday 20th May at the Royal Leonardo Hotel, London. The hotel and tickets are booked. All that's needed now is to choose the all-important frock with the question To sparkle or not to sparkle?

I'm not expecting to win but I'm very much looking forward to meeting up with everyone and simply enjoying the occasion. I started this blog when I began writing my first novel. I called it Jan's Journey into Writing. Apart from gaining my publishing contract with Ruby Fiction, being shortlisted for this wonderful award has to be the highlight of my journey since then. A big thank you to the RNA for making it happen. 

Thank you for reading. You may also follow me on:

X/Twitter - @JanBaynham

FaceBook - Jan Baynham Writer

Instagram - janbaynham

Bookbub - https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jan-baynham

For more information about me and my books, please visit my Amazon page.

Did you know that all my novels are available to read on Kindle Unlimited for those of you who subscribe?

'I just adore Jan Baynham's books - they each read like a beautiful saga - stretching over a couple of generations, the stories just grab you and draw you in.' 

Amazon Reviewer 5* 

 Guest Post with Eva Glyn

As part of my series welcoming RNA Cariad Chapter authors onto the blog, this week it's a huge pleasure to welcome the lovely Eva Glyn. (She also writes under her own name as Jane Cable.) Set in beautiful Croatia, Eva's books never fail to impress me and her latest novel, The Dubrovnik Book Club, is superb. It was published by One More Chapter on March 8th.

Eva, welcome. When I read your novel, I loved how the books chosen at the book club were relevant for each of the characters who chose them in turn. I think you're going to tell us how you went about deciding what those would be. It's over to you!

CHOOSING THE DUBROVNIK BOOK CLUB BOOKS – EVA GLYN

One of the joys of writing a book about a book club was knowing that I’d have to choose books for them to read – especially as most, if not all, of the selections needed to tie into the plot.

Claire is the new manager of The Welcoming Bookshop and has rather had the book club thrust upon her by her enthusiastic assistant, Luna, so I asked myself what she might pick at short notice. Her answer was Britain’s bestselling book of the year before, a cosy crime by Richard Osman.

To support her in her new endeavour, Claire recruits her Croatian cousin Vedran. He’s not much of a reader and he’d rather stay at home these days, having been pilloried on social media following the disappearance of his girlfriend. Which is the reason why Luna recognises him, and two thoughts collide in her mind: that Vedran is too nice to be a murderer, and inspired by The Thursday Murder Club, could they not solve the mystery of what happened to Didi and clear his name?

The second book is Vedran’s choice and he asks Claire to pick a sporting biography. This really isn’t her forte so she chooses one which looks as though it has more to it than simply balls, if you’ll pardon the expression. It’s Marcus Trescothick’s Coming Back to Me, a book which affected me profoundly when it came out in 2008, dealing as it does with the cricketer’s battles with mental health. Vedran, however, takes great offence at her choice – as far as he’s concerned, mental health is not something which ought to be discussed. Not an uncommon opinion in Croatia.

Karmela, a professor who has only joined the book club to admire the medieval architecture of the shop, agrees with Vedran. So to give them a little respite, the next title I chose was book club classic, William Boyd’s Ordinary Thunderstorms. Because there were certainly plenty of those rumbling around the group.

When Karmela’s turn comes she picks a British classic, Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility. Without realising just how like Elinor Dashwood she is. Head before heart, self-contained… But the next book on the list has the potential to open old wounds; Priscilla Morris’s Black Butterflies, which is inextricably linked to the past Karmela has tried to bury for so long.

There are two more titles, but as I write this I realise that to tell you about them would give away too much of the plot.

At times it was more than challenging to pick the right book, and along the way I read and rejected so many – including Virginia Woolf’s Orlando, which I loved and almost fitted in so many ways. Just not quite well enough. Hopefully, with my final choices, I’ve got it right.

 

THE DUBROVNIK BOOK CLUB  - BLURB

In a tiny bookshop in Dubrovnik’s historic Old Town, a book club begins…

Newly arrived on the sun-drenched shores of Croatia, Claire Thomson’s life is about to change forever when she starts working at a local bookshop. With her cousin Vedran, employee Luna and Karmela, a professor, they form an unlikely book club.

But when their first book club pick – an engrossing cosy crime – inspires them to embark upon an investigation that is close to the group’s heart, they quickly learn the value of keeping their new-found friends close as lives and stories begin to entwine…

Buy links for all formats and retailers can be found here: 

https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/the-dubrovnik-book-club-eva-glyn

EVA GLYN BIOGRAPHY

Eva Glyn writes escapist relationship-driven fiction with a kernel of truth at its heart. She loves to travel and finds inspiration in beautiful places and the stories they hide.

Her love affair with Croatia began in 2019, and since then the country’s haunting histories and gorgeous scenery have proved fertile ground for her books, driven by her friendship with a tour guide she met there. His wartime story provided the inspiration for The Olive Grove and his help in creating a realistic portrayal of Croatian life has proved invaluable. Her second novel set in the country, An Island of Secrets is a dual timeline looking back to World War 2, and although her third is a contemporary romance featuring mature main characters, The Collaborator’s Daughter, has its roots in that conflict too.

Inspired by authors she loves such as Libby Page and Faith Hogan, Eva has wanted to write books about unlikely friendships for a long time. March 2024 saw her dream realised, when The Dubrovnik Book Club was published.

Eva lives in Cornwall, although she considers herself Welsh, and is lucky enough to be married to the love of her life, who she’s been with for almost thirty years. She also writes as Jane Cable.

SOCIAL MEDIA:

Follow Eva on

Instagram: @evaglynauthor
Twitter: @JaneCable
Bookbub: @EvaGlyn
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EvaGlynAuthor/

Thank you, Eva. You certainly did get your choices right. It's a fascinating book and it made me want to go back to the stunning city of Dubrovnik. It's already doing so well and I wish you much continued success with it.

You may read my review of The Dubrovnik Book Club here:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6195090240?fbclid=IwAR1jMyaixqPu1WsUsEKheqxJ4Ca9UOuvLaXct9toZoetv0q9s5zhp8HR6Ss

Thank you for reading. I'm sure you found Eva's piece as interesting as I did. 

You may also follow me on:

X/Twitter - @JanBaynham

FaceBook - Jan Baynham Writer

Instagram - janbaynham

Bookbub - https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jan-baynham

For more information about me and my books, please visit my Amazon page.

Did you know that all my novels are available to read on Kindle Unlimited for those of you who subscribe?

'I just adore Jan Baynham's books - they each read like a beautiful saga - stretching over a couple of generations, the stories just grab you and draw you in.' 

Amazon Reviewer 5*

Guest Post with Jacqui and Anna Burns

This week I am delighted to welcome Jacqui and Anna Burns to the blog for the first time. Their situation is unique in that, as mother and daughter, they write novels together. People are always curious about how the set-up works. Now published by Allison and Busby, their third novel, Poles Apart, will be published on the 21st March.

Jacqui and Anna, welcome. Please tell us about your new novel and writing as a duo even though you live two hundred miles apart. Over to you both!

Jacqui - We started our first novel during lockdown in 2020 and we had no idea if anything was going to come of it. We had tried writing a play some time before this, but the Covid pandemic gave us the space to take it further and see if we could finish a whole novel. We had the germ of an idea after a cruise we took in 2019 when we stopped for the afternoon in the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro. Why had we never heard of this place before? We decided to set our novel there and it gave us a great excuse to go back a couple of years later. We were thrilled when Honno agreed to publish it.

Anna – We finished that first book, Love at Café Lompar, in five weeks and felt very pleased with ourselves. Naïve, to say the least, and we soon learned about the process of editing and the time and agony it takes. Poles Apart is our third book and I have to admit it’s our favourite. Not only is it set in Pembrokeshire, which is close to home, but female friendship is at the heart of it. We have four main characters – two each – and they all face challenges in their lives. Despite living in a small community, the women are quite isolated. A pole dancing class brings them together and, despite their different ages and circumstances, they form a close bond.

Jacqui – It was such fun to write. We wanted it to be funny but also poignant. A pole dancing exercise class seems so out of place in a sleepy village, but it’s a great vehicle to unify the women when faced with opposition from, let’s say the less enlightened, members of the community. We wanted the women to push themselves out of their comfort zone and it was wonderful to seem them develop and grow from their experiences, despite being painful at times.

Anna – We were ecstatic when Bill Goodall agreed to represent us and he secured a two-book deal with the publisher Allison and Busby.

People often ask how we write as a duo and if we ever disagree. Well, of course we do at times, but generally it works really well and it’s half the work – not just the writing, but the editing and promoting, too.  I have a one-year-old, very lively baby boy so it’s marvellous to share the workload. I’m also back in work as a psychiatrist after maternity leave. I write on my phone when he’s asleep. If you’re determined enough, you’ll find a way to write! I would like to write my own novel in time but I think the dynamic my mother and I have is quite unique.

Jacqui – We’ve written novel number four – Escape to Pumpkin Cottage, set in the Wye Valley – and we’re a quarter of the way through number five. There’s no time to rest! My dream would be to have Poles Apart made into a drama for the BBC, like the wonderful Men Up. Fingers crossed!

Blurb

Four women, one sleepy village ... It's time to give life a whirl.

The Pembrokeshire village of Morlan is undoubtedly a beautiful place to live, but four of its female residents find themselves in search of something more.

Gwen seems to have it all but in reality, her marriage is on the rocks. Meg has struggled with her health and her love life has barely got a pulse, but is she ready to shake things up? Recently widowed Ivy is fed up, but at seventy-two can she put herself first and revamp more than just her home? Mum of two Summer dearly loves her two children but is desperate to escape the sleep-deprived fog that has settled over her.

The announcement that pole dancing exercise classes are coming to the village offers something fresh and exciting to each of them, as well as the discovery of previously hidden strengths. As the group comes together, a bond is formed that will allow them to overcome the trials and tribulations that lie ahead.

'Poles Apart is an absolute joy to read and a reminder of the value of female friendship.' Helga Jensen, author of 'Fly Me to Paris'.

'This book is an absolute tonic. If you need a lift, read it!' Luisa A. Jones, author of 'The Broken Vow'.

Social Media Links

Website: Mother and daughter writing team | Anna and Jacqui Burns

X/Twitter: @annaandjacqui 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Poles-Apart-uplifting-feel-good-friendship/dp/0749031905

Thank you both. Writing together obviously works well for you both and the new novel sounds wonderful. I'm very much looking forward to reading it. I wish you both much success with it and hope the sales soar. 

Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed meeting Jacqui and Anna for the first time as much as I did.

You may also follow me on:

X/Twitter - @JanBaynham

FaceBook - Jan Baynham Writer

Instagram - janbaynham

Bookbub - https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jan-baynham

For more information about me and my books, please visit my Amazon page.

Did you know that all my novels are available to read on Kindle Unlimited for those of you who subscribe?

'I just adore Jan Baynham's books - they each read like a beautiful saga - stretching over a couple of generations, the stories just grab you and draw you in.' 

Amazon Reviewer 5*