336 Hours by Rachel Cartan ~ Book Blitz - Humorous read

336 HOURS

by Rachel Cartan

Genre: ‘Based on the author’s true life experiences, 336 Hours is a humorous and poignant diary about one woman’s quest to be a mother.’

Release Date: 13^th February 2017

Publisher: SilverWood Books

The next 336 hours will be tough. No, the next 336 hours will be really tough…

I feel like an Olympian, waiting to see whether the years of hard work, sacrifice and dedication are finally going to pay off, or whether my body is about to fail me at the last hurdle and make me wonder why I ever hoped I could win.

My best friend is pregnant, my single friends are planning their pregnancies and, after five long years of tests and investigations, I’m coming to the end of my third – and supposedly final – IVF treatment. There are 336 hours to survive before I’ll know if I get to join the motherhood club. That’s 224 waking hours of pure psychological torture. 112 sleeping hours to stare at the ceiling and wonder, what the hell am I going to do with my life if it turns out I can’t have kids?

Based on the author’s true life experiences, 336 Hours is a humorous and poignant diary about one woman’s quest to be a mother.

Extract 

I can’t pretend to have a clue what she means, of course. I don’t know what it’s like to have little people shouting, ‘Mummy! Mummy! MUUMMEEE!’ all day long, to never be able to go for a wee on your own, to make spaghetti bolognese and then watch your dinner dates tip it straight over their heads, to stay up all night comforting a teething toddler, to spend hours coercing and pleading with very small people to put shoes and coats on so you can at last leave the fucking house.

But I want to know this life. Because that stuff gives you stories, first-hand experiences, and the right to exchange knowing smiles of solidarity with other frazzled parents as you all manoeuvre your wayward shopping trolleys around the aisles of Tesco.

And it comes with other stuff, too: the good stuff.

BUY LINK

AMAZON UK

AMAZON US

Silverwood Books

ABOUT RACHEL CATHAN

RACHEL CATHAN is a writer from Bedfordshire. In 2001, a mutual friend introduced her to a part-time pub DJ in Southend-on-Sea. A month later, they had moved in together, around seven years later they tied the knot, and a little while after that – just like so many couples before them – they made the exciting and terrifying decision to start a family. And then, like a growing number of couples today, well...not a lot happened.

Throughout the subsequent years of fertility investigations and failed treatments, Rachel kept a diary of her experiences, and it’s from these first- hand encounters in the world of infertility and IVF that her first book, 336 Hours has been adapted.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/336Hours/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rachelcathan

Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33350325-336-hours?from_search=true.

Blog: http://www.rachelcathan.co.uk/rachels-blog/

Website: http://www.rachelcathan.co.uk

GIVEAWAY

2 ECOPIES OF THE BOOK

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COVER REVEAL & GIVEAWAY - The Return of Mrs Jones by Jessica Gilmore - Harlequin Romance

Publishing 1^st April 2014

The woman he never forgot… 

Of all the places, Lawrie didn't expect to be celebrating her thirtieth birthday in the seaside town where she grew up. And she certainly didn't expect to be celebrating it with her estranged husband, Jonas Jones…. But life is full of surprises. His devastating smile and edgy good looks still have the power to send her heart racing! 

Seeing Lawrie again intrigues Jonas—while he hasn't forgiven her, he can't say he's forgotten her, either. And while they may not be teenagers anymore, there's no denying the sparks that still fly between them….

Purchase from

Amazon UK

Harlequin US 

About the Author 

After learning to read aged just two, Jessica spent every childhood party hiding in bedrooms in case the birthday girl had a book or two she hadn’t read yet. Discovering Mills and Boon on a family holiday Jessica realised that romance writing was her true vocation and proceeded to spend her maths lessons practising her art, creating Dynasty inspired series starring herself and Morton Harket’s cheekbones. Writing for Mills and Boon really is a dream come true!

An ex au pair, bookseller, marketing manager and Scarborough seafront trader selling rock from under a sign that said ‘Cheapest on the Front’,  Jessica now works as a Membership Manager for a regional  environmental charity. Sadly she spends most of her time chained to her desk wrestling with databases but likes to sneak out to one of their beautiful reserves whenever she gets a chance. Married to an extremely patient man, Jessica lives in the beautiful and historic city of York with one daughter, one very fluffy dog, two dog-loathing cats and a goldfish called Bob.

On the rare occasions that she is not writing, working, taking her daughter to activities or tweeting, Jessica likes to plan holidays – and uses her favourite locations in her books. She writes deeply emotional romance with a hint of humour, a splash of sunshine and usually a great deal of delicious food – and equally delicious heroes.

Author Links

Website

Twitter @yrosered

Giveaway 

To enter the giveaway of a paperback copy of The Return of Mrs Jones, follow Jessica Gilmore on Twitter @yrosered and let her know in the comments below where your ideal place is for a summer romance.  Don’t forget to leave your Twitter name in your comment too!  Jessica will choose the winners after the closing date of 31^st March 2014.

 

BOOK BLITZ & GIVEAWAY - To Catch a Creeper by Ellie Campbell ~ A Crouch End confidential Mystery

Welcoming the Sisters writing duo, known as Ellie Campbell, to my blog today with their book blitz for "To Catch a Creeper".

Blitz 26^th March

Publishing 24^th March 2014

Cathy is riding high in her brand-new job at a (surprisingly bitchy) top London advertising agency working with best friend Rosa. But when Rosa’s pregnancy goes amiss and enemies sabotage her new career, she finds herself leading a chaotic double life of lies and deception, hiding a shameful secret from all, especially husband Declan who appears in the throes of a nervous breakdown.  Meanwhile she’s agreed to unmask the notorious Crouch End Creeper, a burglar terrorizing their neighbourhood. Little does she know that her meddling, assisted by fellow mothers (the Wednesday Once Weeklies) and the Neighbourhood Watch, will lead their dangerous opponent to murder.  And that it's not only the tall elegant transvestite who is placing herself at risk...

Excerpt

‘It must have been horrendously frightening, Cathy,’ Holly Willoughby’s sparkling white teeth are shining directly into my eyes causing me to spontaneously blink, ‘finding yourself stalked and then almost strangled to death.’

‘Oh yes,’ I nod and refill my water glass. ‘Terrifying.’

Although, I squirm as three huge cameras circle closer like a cackle of hyenas moving in for the kill, nowhere near as terrifying as being on live TV. All through the interview I keep getting these uncanny impulses to indulge in a touch of Tourette’s, spouting obscenities while intermittently flashing a nipple.

‘And then not only did you capture the culprit but you managed to turn the situation round and through it launched the most talked about advertising campaign this decade.’

‘Not just me...’ I grin bashfully as Camera One’s red light gives a little wink in my direction.

‘So as a woman who’s spent the last eight years as a mother and housewife,’ Holly continues brightly, ‘how are you finding it being back out in the workplace?’

How am I finding it? Fantastic. Sodding-bloody-fantastic, I want to reply but for some reason, ever since the camera did that little wink, my throat simply refuses to co-operate.

‘It’s a...a...’ I cough and reach for the water, ‘case of...’

‘And balancing this brand new exciting career with taking care of two primary-school age children?’ prompts her co-presenter nicely. ‘You must be very organised...’

‘Well, Joseph... I mean Jason... I mean...’

And that’s it. My mouth freezes while I rifle through my memory bank trying to recall his name. Jason or Joseph... But no, it can’t be either. Joseph was the biblical character that this guy portrayed at a West End theatre and Jason...he was the ex-Neighbours actor who also played Joseph as well as dating Kylie Minogue and picking David Guest’s nose on some reality show. So this guy, the one sitting in front of me, all mike-ed up, awaiting an answer while millions look on... God, who is he? Sweat pools under the armpits of my new Vivienne Westwood polka-dot dress with the waist-cinching corset as I scan and rescan his grey speckled hair and cute baby face. ‘The thing is...’

A reassuring hand rests on my arm. For the fifth time this morning, Rosa steps in to save me.

‘Oh she is, Phillip,’ she laughs lightly. ‘Super-organised, that’s our Cath. Packed lunches prepared night before. Uniforms folded neatly on chairs. Dishwasher and washing machine fully loaded. Plants watered. Fish fed. Wonderwoman has nothing on her.’

She slaps me on the back, just as I take another gulp of water. Instead of drowning the giant South American toad now living in my larynx, a fountain shoots out from my mouth and nose.

Holly smiles once more as she smoothly links back to the weather, before the cameras wheel away, allowing her to dab at her water-spotted jacket and mercifully ending the second most scary moment of my entire life. 

About the Authors

Ellie Campbell is a pseudonym for sisters, Pam Burks and Lorraine Campbell who collaborate across the mighty Atlantic from their respective homes in Surrey, England and Colorado, USA, finding writing together a great excuse for endless phone conversations.   Together they have written three previous novels How To Survive Your Sisters, When Good Friends Go Bad and Looking For La La.   They love any chance to connect with their readers.                             

Ellie Campbell is represented by the Hardman & Swainson Literary Agency (www.hardmanswainson.com). For further information and to get in contact with them please visit their website: www.chicklitsisters.com.

Author Links

https://www.facebook.com/EllieCampbellbooks

Twitter: @ecampbellbooks

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1710882.Ellie_Campbell

http://www.pinterest.com/ecampbellbooks

 Check out Looking for La La

In a recent survey 65% of mothers admitted feeling undervalued, over-criticised and constantly tired.

Cathy is no exception. Her dull, uneventful days as a stay at home, mother of two, are radically transformed however with the arrival of a heavily lipsticked postcard addressed to husband, Declan. Who is the mysterious La La? Could Declan really be having an affair? And is Cathy actually being stalked?

Whatever – it will definitely prove riveting gossip for the Tuesday Twice Monthlies, Cathy’s 'Mothers Restaurant Research’ group where scandal flows as recklessly as the wine. But what starts as a light-hearted investigation with best friend Raz, soon turns into something much more sinister.

With a possible murderer on the scene, a sexy admirer igniting long-forgotten sparks, and all her friends hiding secrets, it’s not only Cathy’s marriage that’s in jeopardy. Add in the scheming antics of Declan’s new assistant, the stress of organising the school Save The Toilet’s dance and the stage is set for a dangerous showdown and some very unsettling, possibly deadly, revelations.

http://www.amazon.com/Looking-for-La-ebook/dp/B00BJH29QQ

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Looking-for-La-ebook/dp/B00BJH29QQ

 GIVEAWAY

Ellie Campbell is generously offering a giveaway of a paperback copy of To Catch a Creeper PLUS £5/$10 Amazon Gift Card.  This giveaway is open Internationally.

To enter, click on the Rafflecopter link below:

BOOK BLITZ & GIVEAWAY ~ Waiting for Prince Harry - Aven Ellis

Welcoming Aven Ellis and her new book Waiting for Prince Harry. I just love this book cover and the cover for her debut novel Connectivity (shown below)

Waiting For Prince Harry—Coming soon in 2014

 

 

Publisher Soul Mate

Twenty-four-year-old Kylie Reed has always been a rule follower. Organized and cautious to a fault, her dreams for life are often filed away for future use—when she has a house, when she meets her future husband, when she has been at her visual display job at a chic Dallas boutique longer...Kylie always has a reason for living her life in the future, not in the present, and not living her life to the fullest and reaching her dream of becoming a fashion designer. 

The only exception to rules, of course, would be running away with Prince Harry—Kylie’s ideal man. A hot, fun ginger boy would be worth breaking all the rules for, of course.  And Kylie is sure Harry just needs the right, centering woman to settle him down.  But living in Dallas and not knowing Prince Harry make this a non-option.

Or does it?

Because when Kylie accidentally falls into the lap of a gorgeous ginger boy—yes, even more gorgeous than the real Prince Harry—all bets are off. Could this stranger be the one to show Kylie how to take a chance, to face her fears, and live in the present?  And could this stranger be the Prince Harry she has been waiting for? Kylie’s life takes some unexpected twists and turns thanks to this chance encounter, and she knows her life will never be the same because of it...

About the Author

Aven Ellis has been writing fiction since she was sixteen. She studied communications at a large

Midwestern university, and after graduation, Aven worked as a reporter for a community newspaper, followed by a stint at a public relations agency.

But writing about city council meetings and restaurant franchises was not as much fun as writing for young women trying to figure out their careers and potential boyfriends. So Aven got herself a job in television that allowed her to write at night.  Connectivity is Aven’s debut novel; Waiting For Prince Harry and Chronicles of a Lincoln Park Fashionista (New Adult romantic comedy) will be published this year.

 Aven lives in Dallas with her family. When she is not writing, Aven enjoys shopping, cooking, connecting with friends on social media, and watching any show that features Gordon Ramsay.

 Author Links

Connect with me on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/AvenEllis1

 

Talk to me on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/AvenEllis

 

Visit me on the web:

http://www.avenellis.com/index.html

 Check out my pins on Pinterest:

http://pinterest.com/avenellis/

 

Check out Connectivity, Aven Ellis’ debut novel:

Overachiever Mary-Kate Grant (who is indeed named after an Olsen Twin) has followed every rule to the letter to pursue her dream of working in TV programming. Ripping a page from the “hard work pays off” playbook, she takes an assistant level job at a Chicago sports network to break into the industry.

MK has no time or desire for a relationship right now—she is totally focused on her career and being independent, unlike the other women in her family.

But MK’s plans are run through the shredder when she finds herself working for William Cumberland, a British media mogul who made his fortune with Connectivity, a social media site. William blows into Chicago just like the winds off Lake Michigan and purchases the group of networks MK works for—and makes her his personal assistant in the process.

Suddenly MK finds her career plans in jeopardy. William makes her question everything she has ever thought and has the uncanny ability to see right through her. And for the first time in her life, MK finds herself not only questioning what she wants for her career but for her personal life as well…

 

|  Amazon  | Goodreads  |

 

The giveaway on this blitz is 1 x ecopy of Waiting for Prince Harry (when it is published) and 1 x ecopy of Connectivity.  Open Internationally.

 

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BOOK BLITZ & GIVEAWAY ~ Murder in the Afternoon - A KateShackleton Mystery - Frances Brody

Welcoming once again to my blog, Frances Brody with another Kate Shackleton Mystery ~ Murder in the Afternoon.

Publisher Minotaur Books

Dead one minute -

Young Harriet and her brother Austin have always been scared of the quarry where their stone mason father works. So when they find him dead on the cold ground, they scarper quick smart and look for some help.

Alive the next -

When help arrives, however, the quarry is deserted and there is no sign of the body. Were the children mistaken? Is their father not dead? Did he simply get up and run away?

A sinister disappearing act -

It seems like another unusual case requiring the expertise of Kate Shackleton. But for Kate this is one case where surprising family ties makes it her most dangerous - and delicate - yet. 

REVIEWS (also on website)

 "The bucolic setting of the village of Great Applewick and the period atmosphere add authentic touches to this finely drawn traditional mystery with multiple storylines."

Publishers Weekly

"Brody's third in the series (...) is a perfect fit for lovers of classic British mysteries who'd like to watch a clever, introspective, delightful heroine solve a tricky puzzle."

Kirkus Reviews, January 2014

"Much of the appeal of the novel is in the details of the period. To hold our interest the author has to make us feel part of the landscape. In doing this, Frances Brody succeeds brilliantly.

"Her post-war world in which making any sort of living is hard grind and where an independent career woman is viewed with hostility is entirely convincing. Kate is a heroine to like and admire. Her further adventures are eagerly awaited."

Daily Mail

"A good mystery that had me perplexed, but also a moving episode in the life of Kate Shackleton ... Highly recommended."

Promoting Crime

"..characters we really care for and an authentic feel for the West Riding. There are enough red-herrings to keep us guessing and the plot twists and turns throughout every chapter. These gentle crime novels are simply first-class and if you haven't read any I urge you to do so."

Ryedale Gazette & Herald

TO BUY

The US edition will be published by St. Martin's Minotaur on February 11th 2014. It is already available for advance order from Amazon.com; or ask your favourite bookstore to order it for you - tell them the ISBN is 978-1-2500-3702-2. 

 http://www.amazon.com/Murder-Afternoon-Kate-Shackleton-Mystery/dp/1250037026/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid

 

About the Author

 

 

 

Frances Brody writes the highly acclaimed mystery series set in 1920s Yorkshire, featuring First World War widow turned sleuth, Kate Shackleton; twice nominated for the Crime Writers’ Association Dagger in the Library. As Frances McNeil, she has written for radio, theatre and television and published sagas, winning the HarperCollins Elizabeth Elgin Award for the most regionally evocative debut saga of the millennium.

Visit Frances online at

www.frances-brody.com

on Facebook http://Facebook.com/FrancesBrody ,

Twitter @FrancesBrody,

or on Goodreads

Giveaway

 

The publishers are offering a giveaway of one e-copy of Murder in the Afternoon

 

 

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