Introducing Claire Sheldon

Throughout July, I shall be continuing with my series of 'Firsts'. Today I'm delighted to welcome another debut author onto the blog. A fellow novelist with Ruby Fiction, Claire Sheldon is a crime writer whose book, Perfect Lie, was published on June 16th. I asked Claire to tell us something about her own life that's linked to her novel.

Welcome, Claire. Congratulations on the publication of Perfect Lie. Over to you!

Why Jen runs so much in my novel….

Back in December 2015, I took my son Alex to his first Parkrun. He managed his first 2k in 17 minutes and 13 seconds. I was so proud of him that day! It was something I wanted to do myself but thought it would just make me more ill. Alex continued to do junior Parkrun and finally, when Melanie turned four she was finally able to join in after watching her brother do for years!

Having spoken to my neurologist about taking part and the impact on my fatigue, the wheels were set in motion for me to start Parkrun. Almost a year after I had made my son take part in junior Parkrun, I did my first event and proceed to walk the whole thing. I knew with my health it wouldn’t be the easiest thing. I first started with C25K (Couch to 5K) which didn’t suit me as I was only running once a week. Then my mum told me about an app for my phone that you can set interval timers on, so I started to set it. I did X minutes running and X minutes walking. It also meant I could listen to my music without having the annoying woman in my ear and that was how I continued happily for quite some time believing I would need to build myself up to run solidly for 5k.

But one day I found myself without my phone, so without the intervals, and I decided to give it ago and just jog and see how I went. Somehow I did a whole 5k without having to stop to walk! I can quite happily say that this has continued to be the case. My personal best is 40.51 and though Parkrun has been cancelled due to COVID-19, Podrick (my dog) and I are still running once a week around the park near where I live. Sometimes Alex comes too if I can drag him out of bed. Both my kids have sadly lost interest in junior Parkrun and if I can stay in bed on a Sunday I will as this has turned to be my only lie-in day. They can both look after themselves with TV and breakfast in the morning! I kind of miss Parkrun but at least now I can get up and go when I wake up and not need to be there for 9 am!!! I have also become an advocate for Parkrun and I’m always telling people they should join and take part. I am not sure how much success I am having though!

Jen runs so much in my books because in my head that’s me! My daydream is of being faster than everyone else and running with such elegance and style as the faster runners seem to do. The record for the female runner in Long Eaton is 15min 51sec and I’m a very long way off that goal!

Thank you, Claire. What an inspirational post for people wanting to run, especially for those with health problems. Good luck with the sales of Perfect Lie. The reviews are amazing.

About the author

Claire lives in Nottingham with her family, a cat called Whiskers and a dog called Podrick. She suffers from Multiple Sclerosis and as a result of the disease had to reduce her hours working in insurance for an Insolvency Insurer. This spare time enabled her to study a creative writing course which inspired her to write her debut, Perfect Lie. 

When Claire isn't working she enjoys reading crime novels and listening to music - the band Jimmy Eat World is her biggest muse! Claire is also an avid reader and book blogger.

Blurb for Perfect Lie

What is 'perfect' trying to hide?

Jen Garner tries her best to be 'wife and mother of the year'. She helps organise school plays and accompanies her husband to company dinners, all with a big smile on her face. 

But Jen has started to receive strange gifts in the post ... first flowers, and then a sympathy card. It could be just a joke; that's what she tells herself. 

Then the final 'gift' arrives, and Jen has to question why somebody is so intent on shattering her life to pieces ...

Links to the book

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2XdiWyM

Kobo: https://bit.ly/36T7mO0

iBooks: https://apple.co/2TVYvpj 

Google Play: https://bit.ly/3dj40WZ

Barnes Noble: https://bit.ly/3gAeT8V

Claire's Links

Facebook Author page: https://www.facebook.com/clairesheldonauthor/?fref=tag

Twitter: @ClaireEESheldon

Blog: A Story About a Girl

Thank you for reading. What have you done in your life that happens to your main character? I studied art and specialised in pottery and ceramics just like Alexandra in Her Mother's Secret. 

You may also follow me on Twitter @JanBaynham and on my Jan Baynham Writer Facebook page.