Guest Post with Jill Barry

This week I'm delighted to welcome my very good author friend, Jill Barry (aka.Sandra Mackness) back to the blog. Her new book, Love at War, will be published by ROMAUNCE BOOKS on Wednesday 14th June.

Sandra, welcome back. I know this new book means a lot to you so why don't you tell the readers more about you and your new novel, please? Over to you!

Thanks, Jan. It's a pleasure to be back. So, who am I?

I can’t recall a time when I didn’t love books, but never imagined writing them. I wanted to be a chorus girl. Or an air hostess. I did achieve the latter! Much later, my writing career began with short stories for anthologies and women’s magazines. Several of these stories have won prizes, but my true love is the novel.

My tender romances are published by D C Thomson Pocket Novels; these are also available from public libraries as large print Linford Romances. Other contemporary and historical romances are published by Lume, now part of Joffe Books. My only psychological suspense is published by Headline Accent.

I love learning more about my craft and since the year 2001, have attended residential courses, run by Literature Wales, also conferences organised by the Romantic Novelists’ Association and the Historical Novel Society. Gaining my MA in Creative Writing gave me the confidence and street cred to run writing workshops for adults, also to tutor students attending InterHigh, an online school with pupils worldwide. I continue to mentor aspiring authors, also to read for the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s popular New Writers’ Scheme, something I feel hugely privileged to be involved with.

In 2004 I moved to Carmarthenshire and discovered Liz Fielding lived not far away. I began attending the chapter meetings she ran, until Liz moved house and I somehow parachuted into meetings which a group of local writers were holding in Cardiff. I enjoyed organising chapter meetings and since then, the Cariad Chapter membership has snowballed. The current organisers arrange Zoom sessions and workshops, also real-life meetings where we discuss all sorts of writing matters. And eat cake! We’re also supportive of one another on social media.

Throughout my writing career, I have built relationships with local newspapers and radio stations, also public libraries. BBC Radio Wiltshire, Radio Berkshire, Radio Wales, Chris Evans, formerly of BBC Radio Two, and Showboat TV, an online streaming service, have all interviewed me.

My research for Love At War has been fun and, thanks to Facebook specialist groups, has brought me back into contact with old classmates and a couple of forgotten relatives. My questions have stirred up interest in Love At War which is my ‘Book of the Heart.’ 

Whitmore Bay, Barry

The novel is a World War Two romance mainly set in my hometown of Barry in South Wales, and also in Bari, Italy

Campell's Steamer

I also hope to continue my enjoyable relationship with The People’s Friend and My Weekly. I love entertaining my readers and have worked happily with various editors.

My varied career has influenced my plot lines and my characters. Former roles include Secretary/Butlin Redcoat, airline receptionist, hotel receptionist and flight attendant. I have also been employed as Secretary/PA in industry and run a village guest house with my husband. The old Victorian School we converted was haunted, but the little ghost was friendly and provided inspiration!

There are still books I want to write, and I’m delighted to have a TBW list as well as the TBR pile. Being an author often involves a bumpy ride, but I’m still enjoying my journey.

Thank you, Jill. I am always in awe about how many novels you have written. I love the idea of having a 'To Be Written' list as well as a 'To Be Read' list. Having had the privilege to read an early draft of Love at War, I know readers are in for a treat when they read your latest story.

ABOUT THE NOVEL: 

Love at War begins halfway through World War Two when Anna Christensen has almost completed her business training. The daughter of a handsome Norwegian seafarer and his beautiful wife, Anna's looks attract much attention and it is this that drives the story of two men and one woman. Charismatic Captain Charles Milburn and his aide, 2nd Lieutenant Geoffrey Chandler, are both attracted to the depot's new shorthand-typist, but it is Charles, although engaged to be married, who finds Anna irresistible.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

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

Twitter:       https://twitter.com/barry_jill

Website:       https://www.jillbarry.com

Amazon Page:  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jill-Barry/e/B00FE0GQJ0

BUYING LINKS:

Love at War is available from Romaunce and Amazon in paperback and as an ebook:

tinyurl.com/RomaunceLoveAtWar

Thank you for reading. Writers, do any of your career choices influence your plot lines or characters? Do you have a TBW list like Jill? I'd love to read your comments below. Thank you.

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

For more about me and my novels, please visit my AMAZON page.