Month: September 2013

These are quotes from the wonderful blog by Dizzy C. Dizzy is the most generous supporter of indie authors everywhere and works really hard to give them maximum exposure and encouragement.  I\’d forgotten to check back for replies so was really delighted to find these lovely comments on Daffodils.
Here\’s the link to Dizzy\’s blog – highly recommended for all readers who want to connect with great books.
http://dizzycslittlebookblog.blogspot.com/

Long excerpts from Daffodils are displayed on Dizzy\’s blog if you want more of a taster than you get on www.amazon.com and www.amazon.co.uk but be warned! there are SPOILERS!!!

1. \”An interesting era. I was also immediately drawn by the cover. Put me in mind of WWI poppy fields and men going across no-man\’s land – changed to women and daffodils: got the brain working, so many images and a new viewpoint. Sounds like I\’m talking twaddle, but I know what I mean. best of luck with Daffodils. This is the first reaction to the excerpts on Dizzy\’s Blog post by Carl Plummer.\”

1. Alex Martin30 September 2013 20:16

Well observed Carl! That\’s exactly what I was aiming for with the cover. The men who served during the Great War (silly name) suffered so much and died in such numbers that the vital role women played at this crucial time in our history is often overlooked. Although this story is full of dramatic history on a global scale, it is also a tender love story about real people. Thank you so much for your interest.

 

 

1. Guernsey Girl14 June 2013 00:40
2. This is a story that just begs to be read, the writing delightful and the tension stretching across each page.

1. 
   1. Alex Martin30 September 2013 20:14
   Thank you so much Guernsey Girl. I was just checking back through Dizzy\’s wonderful book blog and was delighted to find your remarks. I am thrilled with your words. They have made my day. I hope you felt interested enough to go on to read the rest of the book and, if so, that you enjoyed it. Great to meet you here and so sorry it\’s taken me ages to spot your reply!

I\’m deeply into the creation of The Rose Trail, a ghost story set against the backdrop of the English Civil War.
I tell you, I\’m scaring myself, writing it! I keep jumping at little noises and looking behind me…

I thoroughly enjoyed attending the Tenby Book Fair last Saturday.  I met some lovely authors there including Judith Barrow (Changing Patterns and Patterns of Shadows) who organised the event.  Judith is warm, generous and very reassuring.  She hails from the north of England, where the above two books (highly recommended) are set during World War Two.
I also met Thorne Moore (A Time for Silence) who is a local author and a very interesting person. Thorne also makes miniature furniture for dolls houses – a multi-talented lady! Other authors included Mhari Matheson (The Tinker Girl) and Sally Spedding (Malediction and Cold Remains). Sally was kind enough to recommend an agent she thought might be interested in my work.  Books were swapped and experiences  of writing exchanged. A really worthwhile jaunt.  Pity about the weather – we were shrouded in swirling sea mists all weekend but the warmth in St Mary\’s Church Hall more than made up for it.

Here I am looking unnecessarily apprehensive at the beginning of the day. Note the daffodil brooch that one of my lovely aromatherapy clients knitted for me after reading Daffodils!

Very proud to have been invited by the delightful Judith Barrow (Pattern of Shadows, Changing Patterns) to attend the Tenby Book Fair this Saturday.

Venue: Church House Time: 10am -12pm Details: The book fair will be the first event of the Tenby Arts Festival 2013 Saturday 21st September, 10.00 am–noon in the Church House, St. Mary’s Church. We have a brilliant line-up of Welsh authors who will be there to talk about and sign their books. I am thrilled to announce the authors will include Catrin Collier, Phil Carradice, Sally Spedding, Jenny Lloyd, Alex Martin, Judith Arnopp, Judith Barrow and many others.
Admission: Free I\’m really excited to be part of this and slightly nervous too, having never \’come out\’ as an author before! It will be great to connect with other writers and hopefully quite a few readers too.  Tenby is a lovely town in Pembrokeshire, South Wales.  It is crammed with good eateries, has a fantastic and unusual town beach that catches the sunshine on its warm south facing cliffs.  It is steeped in history as evidenced by the great variety of architecture of varying ages from the ancient town walls to the Regency hotels that line the front and the fishermen\’s cottages that huddle around the picturesque harbour. A perfect destination for an autumn weekend or day out. Hope to see you there!

10 reviews now clocked up on Amazon UK and 11 in the States

Just checking the page and found the latest one:

  ***** Captivating read, 3 Sep 2013

I found daffodils a captivating read. Within the first few pages I felt immersed in the lives of the main characters finding myself not wanting to put the book down, and when I did I found my mind drifting back and wondering what was going to happen next. A novel set in wartime would not be my usual choice however having enjoyed the authors\’ first novel, The Twisted Vine, so much, I was keen to see if this matched up and was pleased to find it did not disappoint. It gave a wonderful mix of characterisation and an informative and intelligent portrayal of the impact of war time on ordinary lives. I can thoroughly recommend this book.

Average= 5 stars now after 10 reviews and 4.6 after 11 in US

Well chuffed!

Now getting stuck in to the new story in earnest. Watch this space!