Guest Post With Amanda Giles

Beside the Seaside

This week, I'm delighted to welcome another fellow Cariad author, Amanda Giles, to the blog. Her novel,The Beat of Our Hearts, will be published by Ulverscroft in July when you will be able to find it in your local libraries.

Welcome, Amanda. Please tell us about your lovely new novel.

Over to you!  

Thanks for inviting me on to your blog, Jan.

The Beat Of Our Hearts is my debut novel. Originally titled Drummer Boy, it’s been living in my writer’s mind for quite a while. As an 80s girl at heart, I remain a fan of the music. I’ve a romance story about a ‘New Romantic’ band tucked away in a box, which focused on the singer. However, drummer Jonny was always a favourite character. I was wondering about a romance for him when into my mind came Sian, fully formed. (It’s fab when that happens!) She was a Welsh army training sergeant, not given to the nonsense of the pop music world. I knew that one day they would have their own story.

We used to live in Hastings. It’s a vibrant town with a lively creative hub. Of course, it has a glorious history, 1066 and all that, but it relishes any excuse for a procession, preferably with fancy dress, fire, drums, and alcohol. May Day’s Jack in the Green is a favourite event, with a giant marched through the town and thrown off a cliff to release the summer. (As you do!) If you don’t wear green, then you will be ‘greened’ with face paint. On Hastings Day, 14th October, Kent and Sussex Bonfire Societies parade in bizarre fancy dress, blazing torches held aloft, banging drums, and quaffing beer. (Did I mention alcohol?) It culminates in enormous bonfires on the beach. Being an anarchic bunch, the grotesque effigies are usually political figures.

I honed my writing skills at Hastings Writers’ Group, one of whose founding members was author Catherine Cookson. I actually won the Catherine Cookson Cup in 2017.

We moved to mid-Wales in 2021. Sure enough, Sian and Jonny popped up to remind me of their existence. Bo the border collie brought their story to life, which begins with a journey from London to Llandovery. We explored their Welsh route, visiting Tintern Abbey and Raglan Castle, and sampled the Welsh cakes. I even marched into the Castle Inn on a whim, where they showed me the bedroom with the fourposter bed. However, I must confess I only ventured part way down Devil’s Bridge Waterfalls (gulp!). It was fascinating and became Sian’s family’s proposal point. Research can be a challenge but great fun.

Devil's Bridge

Proposal point at Rheidol Gorge

Breezy day at Tintern Abbey

Set in 1988, rock star drummer Jonny comes to the rescue of army training sergeant Sian, not with a white charger, but with a red… Well, you’ll find out when you read it. From rainy London to lush Welsh hills, they share, laugh, and squabble. But can they solve the mystery of the farm saboteur? Will Bo the border collie recover? And can Sian release past heartbreak to take a chance with a drummer boy?

The Beat Of Our Hearts was originally published by The People’s Friend, DC Thomson, in January 2025. It’s being republished by Linford Romance, Ulverscroft, in July 2025, and will be available in libraries.

Social Media

Facebook: Amanda Giles Author https://www.facebook.com/catinabasketauthor/

What do the readers say?

‘Read this yesterday, from start to finish. Really enjoyed the journey through Wales - like going home - and the devil's cauldron – my, that took me back. I remember being terrified on those steps as a child. It even made it into my 13th Century Welsh romance! Brava!!’ Sue Cook, author.

‘I really enjoyed this. "The Beat Of Our Hearts" is a fresh and engaging story with two very different but stunning main characters. Congratulations!’ Sandra Mackness, author.

‘I really enjoyed it.’ Enid Reece, author.

Thank you, Amanda. Your novel sounds great and I look forward to it appearing in my local library in the summer. I can't wait to find out if Sian and Jonny do get together. Good luck!

Thank you for reading. I'm sure you agree that Amanda's story sounds intriguing with two very different characters. Writers, have you ever had a fully formed character arrive in your mind as Amanda did? If so, we'd love it if you left it as a comment. Thanks. 

*** STOP PRESS - Not only have I finished the first draft of book six, The Stolen Sister, but the structural edits have arrived for book five, The Silent Sister. Watch this space for details about a publication date. 

There will be a break from guest posts now until May. The next blog post will be about my research trip to Crete where The Stolen Sister is partially set. Two weeks and I'll be there! 

You may also follow me on:

X/Twitter - @JanBaynham

FaceBook - Jan Baynham Writer

Instagram -janbaynham

Bluesky - 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 With Jessie Cahalin

Meet Jessie.

My guest this week is another fellow Cariad, the wonderfully supportive, Jessie Cahalin. She hails from Yorkshire but has lived in Wales for many years. Her new book is out on Tuesday, 4th March and is already receiving fabulous reviews.

Jessie, welcome back to the blog! This week you're going to be appearing on a number of blogs so we're honoured that you've made time to join us. 

I think you're going to tell us more about your new novel so it's over to you.   

A Gift for Maisie Bloom: Jessie’s Book Launch

A Gift for Maisie Bloom is the story of a newly qualified teacher who becomes an accidental sleuth and falls in love. I hope everyone will love Maisie's company and enjoy an escape to my fictional village of Heatherbridge.

Heatherbridge is based on Kettlewell. This village in the Yorkshire Dales first charmed me when I was in primary school and it also inspired my love of hiking. You may be familiar with Kettlewell as it was used to represent Knapley in Calendar Girls. The place has always remained in my heart, and I dreamed of buying a cottage there when I was ten years old. Lucky Maisie Bloom inherits Tanglewood Cottage in Heatherbridge. 

The bridge in Kettlewell that inspired Back o’ Beyond Bridge

These Kettlewell cottages inspired Tanglewood Cottage

As a writer, I could build my dream cottage without the hassle of employing builders and making copious amounts of tea. Creating a Yorkshire village gave me the chance to travel in my imagination during lockdown.  It was such a joy to write an uplifting story that transported me to Yorkshire and then Paris. The characters burst onto the page, making me giggle at their shenanigans.

Jessie in Ilkley, singing the Yorkshire Anthem - On Ilkla Mooar Baht 'at

A Gift for Maisie Bloom is my debut romance novel, and I am excited to present Maisie and friends to readers. In fact, I loved visiting Heatherbridge so much that I am currently writing another story.

Here is a little more information about A Gift for Maisie Bloom:

You’re not supposed to fall in love when investigating your aunt’s disappearance.

When Maisie Bloom inherits her aunt’s cottage in Yorkshire, life is perfect, including her two love interests. But when mysterious mail and blog posts arrive, she discovers Aunt Ada was investigating the disappearance of a prolific author in Paris. Was it murder? Soon Maisie is hot on the trail.

But can you sleuth in Paris without falling in love?

What do the readers say about the novel?

‘This wonderful mystery is a gift for readers who enjoy cozy crime, intrigue and romance. Loved Maisie and I want to solve more mysteries with her. More please!’

Lizzie Lamb – RNA Indie Author Champion

‘Refreshingly different! Laugh-out-loud humour laced with whimsy, eccentric characters and delightful glimpses of the Yorkshire countryside and romantic Paris. Will Maisie find what she is searching for? I so enjoyed the journey. I love the pearls of wisdom sprinkled in this lovely story.’

Angela Petch – Bestselling author

More about Jessie:

Jessie is a northern writer who has lived in Wales for over half of her life. She writes romance books with an enthralling mystery to hook the reader. 

From an early age, Jessie spun elaborate stories to explain why her father wore cowboy boots and owned many rusty cars. Writing has always been her perfect escape destination, and she was thrilled to encourage her pupils to love the power of words and follow their dreams.

Website:    https://jessiecahalin.com/

Twitter/X:  https://twitter.com/@BooksInHandbag

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessiecahalinwrites

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

Book Links

Kindle UK

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DVQ9X7WX

Kobo

https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/a-gift-for-maisie-bloom

Apple

https://books.apple.com/us/book/a-gift-for-maisie-bloom-fun-romance-gripping-cozy-mystery/id6741367402

Google Play

https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=t9w7EQAAQBAJ&pli=1

Thank you, Jessie. Your novel looks and sounds wonderful. I'm so envious of Maisie inheriting beautiful Tanglewood Cottage! I can't wait for Tuesday when A Gift for Maisie Bloom will appear on my Kindle. 

Thank you for reading. I hope you found knowing more about Jessie's book as intriguing as I did. 

You may also follow me on:

X/Twitter - @JanBaynham

FaceBook - Jan Baynham Writer

Instagram -janbaynham

Bluesky - 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 With Imogen Martin

My guest this week is no stranger to my blog. I'm delighted to welcome back another fellow Cariad author and good writing friend, Imogen Martin. Her third novel, The Mountains Between Us, will be published this coming Tuesday, February 18th, by Storm Publishing. Her wonderful books never fail to enthrall me.

Welcome, Imogen. With just two days to go before publication day, please tell us a little about novel three. Over to you!

The Mountains Between Us is the book I never expected to write.

My previous novel, To The Wild Horizon, is set in 1846 and is the story of pioneer Grace Sinclair.  She’s accompanied on her 2,000 mile journey to Oregon by the stern Captain James Randolph and they gradually fall in love. At the end of the book, they ride off into the sunset together. Whilst I loved these characters, I waved them off and thought their story was over.

Then lots of readers asked what happened next and wanted a further book. I didn’t think there was a strong enough story if Grace simply became an army wife. But then I remembered: the California Gold Rush! That happened in the middle of the nineteenth century, didn’t it? Little bit of Googling later, and yes: gold was discovered in 1848, on the America River, California. Perfect. 

If Randolph was looking for gold though, he couldn’t be in the army anymore. What happened in 1847 that could make the change? The United States was at war with Mexico – so Randolph must have been there, and something awful must have happened (these characters really do take on a life of their own!).

Now the book is written, this is how my publisher has described it:

A moving portrait of a marriage tested by trauma, secrets, and the wild promise of the California Gold Rush.

Oregon, 1848. Their love began on the perilous Oregon Trail, when Grace – an independent young woman on the run from the law – met her match in the surly Captain charged with getting her to safety.

Now their once-passionate marriage is fraying, as James, haunted by the crime that led to his dismissal from the US army, refuses to tell his worried wife what happened, and Grace hides her sorrow at her childlessness.

When rumours reach them that gold has been discovered in California, they set off, Grace praying that a new start will save them. At first their efforts meet with success, and she dares to hope that they can make a life for themselves in San Francisco – that her husband will return to the caring and steadfast man she married.

But when a fire takes everything they have, a devastated James decides to go out into the gold fields alone. There, he is captured by the worst of men.

Desperate and broken, only one person can save him. His wife. 

I am delighted by the reviews so far. One thing I wanted was that this book could stand alone. Whilst I hope you will read To The Wild Horizon, readers agree that you can easily start with The Mountains Between Us.

Buying link:

The Mountains Between Us is published on 18 February 2025.

UK: https://geni.us/763-al-aut-am

US & Canada: https://www.amazon.com/Mountains-Between-Us-heart-wrenching-California-ebook/dp/B0D464GLHX/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1DH2ARC3J34K9&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Hd5mppSx9i5cCKMzz4t0DF_mYrrNsNaBlgSQ755o7vk.MKzu64ifauaGkCT4cTUfmq1IsVF9ds4By7aJS-F__Gk&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+mountains+between+us+imogen+martin&qid=1739538359&sprefix=%2Caps%2C138&sr=8-1

Social Media Links

Newsletter: subscribepage.io/EU9Ckx 

Website: https://imogenmartinauthor.com

Twitter / X : https://twitter.com/ImogenMartin9

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImogenMartin.Author/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imogenmartinauthor/?hl=en-gb

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/imogen-martin

GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/40418258.Imogen_Martin

Author Bio

Imogen writes sweeping, historical fiction set in nineteenth-century America.

As a teenager, she took the Greyhound bus from San Francisco to New York. Over those three days of staring out of the window at the majestic mountains and endless flat plains, stories wound themselves into her head: tales of brooding, charismatic men captivated by independent women.

Since then, she has worked in a coffee-shop in Piccadilly, a famous bookstore, and a children’s home. She has run festivals, and turned a derelict housing block on one of the poorest estates in the UK into an award-winning arts centre.

During 2020 Imogen was selected by Kate Nash Literary Agency as one of their BookCamp mentees, a mentorship programme designed to accelerate the careers of promising new writers.

Married with two children, Imogen divides her time between Wales and Sardinia.

She hopes her books will bring you the tingle of a new love affair whilst immersed in a different time and place.

Thank you, Imogen. I'm so glad you did write The Mountains Between Us. I thoroughly enjoyed the novel. It took me to a time and place I knew very little about and it was a book I couldn't put down.

 Here is my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7153812154

Thank you for reading. I highly recommend Imogen's new novel to all of you who'll enjoy a sweeping historical love story as I do. Writers, have you written a story you hadn't expected to write? I'd love to hear about it in the comments. Thanks!

You may also follow me on:

X/Twitter - @JanBaynham

FaceBook - Jan Baynham Writer

Instagram - janbaynham

Bluesky - 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 With Lilac Mills

If you read my New Year goals in my last post, you will have noticed that in 2025, I hope to support other writers. One of the ways I like to do that is to invite them to write guest posts for the blog.

The first of my guests this year is a fellow Cariad and author friend, Lilac Mills. I'm always in awe of the number of books Lilac has written but as well as being a prolific writer, she is always ready to support others with her experience. Her latest novel Surprises on the Scottish Isle was published by Canelo on 23rd January. 

I've asked her to tell you about herself and her new novel. It's over to you, Lilac! 

My bio states that I love making things out of glitter and glue (a mess, usually), and that is so very true. I’ve always loved anything crafty or arty and have tried my hand at quite a few over the years. One of my earliest memories is Christmas time in the first year in school making paper lanterns, and angels using card and gold doilies – Father Christmases out of loo roll inserts!

I used to draw and paint a lot, but although my pencil drawings weren’t too bad, I can’t paint for toffee. See?

I’ve also made some of my own clothes in the past and even made loose covers for a sofa and chairs. I’ve done quilting (harder than I thought it was going to be), embroidery, cross-stitch and knitting. I was pleased with my cross-stitch results, but anything I knitted was always a disappointment. No matter how hard I tried, I could never get the tension right. 

And as for needle-felting… This is how far I got! I keep going back to it and giving it another try, but I’ve been working on this kit for nearly two years, so I don’t anticipate finishing it anytime soon.

I’d like to do more crafting, but I never seem to have enough time, so writing a series set in a craft centre was a real treat, and I wanted to pick those crafts that I want to learn more about or have another so at.

Surprises on the Scottish Isle features dolls’ houses and all things miniature because my daughter reminded me of the dolls’ house I renovated for her when she was tiny. She wanted to know whether I still had it, but unfortunately I don’t. But it got me thinking that it’s something I would like to do again one day, especially when I see one in a charity shop that needs some TLC, like this one. In the meantime, I had my main character, Tara, make dolls houses for a living instead.

The craft centre in the story is loosely based on one I used to visit often when I lived in the West Midlands (that’s a part of England, for non-UK readers), and I must admit that I stole shamelessly from it, from the layout to the gorgeous crafty vibes. The real one doesn’t have a castle, but it should! I love castles and the older they are, the better as far as I’m concerned. Their history fascinates me and I’ve visited many over the years, so the temptation to put one in my latest book was too great to resist. And you must admit, Scotland has its fair share of stunning castles! Nature and the natural world also feature quite heavily in the book, so I suppose I could say that I’ve combined all my favourite things into one gorgeous story!

But that’s not all. I can’t not mention the most important aspect of the book - the romance! I simply adored writing Tara and Cal’s story, and I hope readers will fall in love with it just as I have. 

Blurb:

Will they get a second chance at first love?

When newly divorced Tara McTaigh spots an advert for a studio to let in Coorie Castle’s craft centre, she packs up her Edinburgh life and moves to the Isle of Skye, eager for a fresh start.

Little does she know that the castle’s estate manager, single dad Calan Fraser, is the man who broke her heart back at university.

Thoroughly done with romance, Tara decides to ignore Cal and focus on building her business – creating dollhouses to commission. But Duncoorie is a small community, and the two keep bumping into each other…

Just as she is starting to open her heart once more to Cal, a change in his life puts everything on the line. When a surprise storm threatens Tara’s safety, will Cal realise in time that love is worth the risk?

BUYING LINK:

Surprises on the Scottish Isle was out on 23^rd January and can be ordered here: https://geni.us/SOTSI

BIO: 

Lilac Mills lives on a Welsh hillside with her very patient husband and incredibly sweet dog, where she grows veggies (if the slugs don’t get them), bakes (badly) and loves making things out of glitter and glue (a mess, usually).

She’s been an avid reader ever since she got her hands on a copy of Noddy Goes to Toytown when she was five, and she once tried to read everything in her local library starting with A and working her way through the alphabet.

She loves long hot summer days in the garden, and cold winter ones snuggled in front of the fire, but whatever the weather she’s usually writing, or thinking about writing, with heartwarming romance and happy-ever-afters always on her mind.

 

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Website: https://www.lilacmills.com

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilacmillsauthor

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/lilacmills

Thank you, Lilac. I wish you good luck with Surprises in the Scottish Isle. You must be delighted with the wonderful reviews already coming in.

Thank you for reading. I'm sure you enjoyed finding out more about Lilac, the author behind the story, as much as I did. Writers, have you had a hobby that you've been able to use in your writing? Readers, what novel have you read where the author's hobby has piqued your interest to find out more? I'd love it if you commented. Thanks!

You may also follow me on:

X/Twitter - @JanBaynham

FaceBook - Jan Baynham Writer

Instagram - janbaynham

Bluesky - 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.'

 HAPPY NEW YEAR!

A new year means new writing goals. What will the year ahead bring?
At the end of last year, I re-signed a contract with my publisher, Joffe Books/Choc Lit. This time it was for two further novels, the working titles of which are The Silent Sister, partially set in Kefalonia, and The Stolen Sister, partially set in Crete. The first part of the year will be spent concentrating on both those novels. I missed taking part in NaNoWriMo24 due to getting the first draft of the Kefalonia novel ready for submission so instead, I shall be taking part in the RNA Cariad Chapter's own version of NaNo during January and February. The discipline of getting the bulk of a first draft written and reporting my progress to others in the writing group will be good for me. I shall also be meeting a writing buddy via Facetime each Friday to have a brief meeting to talk about our novels-in-progress. 

So what are my writing plans and goals for 2025?

• to work on edits when they arrive for The Silent Sister (already submitted to my editor)
• to complete the first draft of The Stolen Sister 
• to edit and polish it until it is as good as I can get it
• to make a research trip to Crete where the novel is partially set
• to submit to my editor by 1st May
• to start a newsletter and build up a list of subscribers
• to attend the RNA one-day event in August 
• to continue to support other writers
• to write more flash fiction and short stories
• to arrange more library and book-fair talks

🍀🍀Wish me luck! 🍀🍀

Thank you for reading and a big thank you for your wonderful support in 2024. 

You may also follow me on:

X/Twitter - @JanBaynham

FaceBook - Jan Baynham Writer

Instagram - janbaynham

Bluesky - Jan Baynham

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