It’s been a real pleasure finding new authors and being a very small part of their publishing journey here on Linda’s Book Bag this year. I’m delighted to welcome KT King today to tell me all about her debut novel.

Staying in with KT King

Welcome to Linda’s Book Bag KT.

Thank you for inviting me to stay in with you!

My pleasure! Tell me, which of your books have you brought to tell us about this evening?

Staying in sounds such a cosy and lovely idea so I have chosen to bring my debut novel Little Eden ~ A Magic Book because it’s cosy and quirky and it’s packed full of tea and cakes too!

(Now that sounds perfect. A book, tea and cakes. It’s difficult to think of anything better! Tell me a bit more.)

Little Eden is thrilling, cosy, exciting, comforting and enlightening but what makes it a Magic Book? Because a magic book opens the heart and expands the mind! I wanted to write a novel that was interactive, that the reader could feel part of and make friends with. I also aimed to create a space in which they would feel safe to explore their sense of self, their spirituality and faith (or lack of it). I feel Little Eden is a literary sanctuary of fun, friends, enlightenment and healing, and so far my readers seem to have fallen in love with it, just as I had hoped they would!

(Little Eden sounds really interesting.)

What readers are saying:

I want to live in Little Eden! I loved the characters even just after reading the first few pages and wanted to know what would happen to them. AK, Health Visitor

I’m so in love with Robert! Great cliff hangers and plot twists and I love all the spiritual stuff too but most of all it’s a great story set in a really beautiful place. LM, Beauty Therapist 

I love the fact you can listen to the music, bake the cakes and be part of Little Eden. The story is full of unexpected moments and at the end of each chapter I just wanted to read another. KE, Shop Assistant

I would recommend this book to anyone, spiritual or not because although it has a lot of true spiritual knowledge in it, it’s also a great read. I could feel the energy vibrating as I read it. Roll on Book 2. AP Author

All  my reviews can be found on www.troubador.com

(This is lovely feedback. You must be delighted.) 

It’s quirky because I have included wiki-links so that readers can find out more about things like past-lives, auras, star children and other spiritual ideas. I have also included recipes, a meditation, prayers, and quotes from literature and some footnotes. There is even a soundtrack, including quoted song lyrics from Tim Rice and Julie Gold, as well as an original poem by Andrea Perry. Readers can also buy the crystals and jewellery mentioned in the book at my Etsy shop, KTKingShop.

(I’ve had a look at your Etsy shop and you’ve some beautiful items there KT.)

It’s got a serious side to it too though. I have suffered with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for over 25 years and my heroine, Sophie Lawrence has CFS. I wanted to create a heroine who had CFS/M.E to show sufferers and the general public that we are still valid human beings and can contribute to society if given the proper understanding, care and support. Sufferers are often ridiculed, ignored and accused of making it all up or being lazy. Suicide rates are high as are deaths due to neglect and homelessness. This is a real disease which needs to be recognised and researched properly. Over 250 thousand people suffer with it in the U.K alone. I am hoping my heroine, SOPHIE, can help to raise the profile of this devastating illness in the hearts and minds of the public.

(I love that about books KT. They can raise awareness of so many issues and surprise people.)

In 2012 I lost my home and my Reflexology business due to a severe bout of CFS. My elderly parents provide food and shelter for me as I can only work a few hours a month and sometimes not at all. I spent my savings on producing the e-book and get no state aid so I am hoping that I can provide for myself again through Little Eden and the support of my readers. Little Eden has given me a reason to live and I hope it can help others to find some hope, joy and self-confidence again.

(I hope so too. It sounds as if you’re due some positivity.)

What else have I brought and why have you brought it?

Being such a massive fan of afternoon tea, I had to bring Mrs B’s scrumptious scones. The recipe was inspired by scones I had at a hotel in London a few years ago, for that extra melt in the mouth sensation! The Daisy Place Cafe-Bookshop in Little Eden serves afternoon tea all day long so I put five of Mrs B’s recipes in the back of the novel for my readers to try. After all, a book with a cuppa and a slice of cake is the best night in!

(Oh my goodness. Scones are one of my favourite treats. You’ll be welcome back any time if you bring lovely food like this!)

And we can listen to the soundtrack of Little Eden which is an eclectic mix of disco, ballad and gospel songs.  My favourite song is From a Distance by Julie Gold, because it inspired the novel in the first place and she kindly let me quote her lyrics at the end of the novel, plus Julie herself is an amazingly kind soul, she has been so encouraging to me personally and yet we have never met in person. She reached out to help me, a total stranger! (ITunes links to all the songs are on my blog).

The kindness of strangers is a wonderful thing KT. It’s been lovely staying in with you to hear about Little Eden. I do hope it all works out for you. Good luck!

Little Eden – A Magic Book

Little Eden, London, England

2012. The ancient sanctuary town of Little Eden is under threat. Human greed, selfishness and disregard are about to turn the last 1,000 years to dust.

Robert Bartlett-Hart must make a choice.

With the help of his friends (plus plenty of tea and cake), Robert learns that there is more at stake than just Little Eden. Something lies at the heart of Abbey; something that stands between mankind and Armageddon.

Robert and the residents of Little Eden must navigate past lives, other dimensions, and even Heaven itself, to find a way to save Little Eden and themselves.

Will Little Eden survive to usher in a New Age, or will Humanity perish along with it?

Little Eden is available for purchase from your local Amazon site, iBooks, Kobo and Googleplay.

About KT King

KT King was born in 1973, East Yorkshire, England. She attended university in Lancaster and Cambridge but in her early twenties found that Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, along with congenital spinal problems (causing severe chronic pain), prevented her from working full-time.

She began re-training as a healer to help with her own health issues and in 2000 trained as a Reiki healer. Over the course of several years she went onto train as a Hypnotherapist, Counsellor and Reflexologist. She became a teacher and a spiritual guide to other healers.

Since 2012, KT has been too ill to work more than a few days a month and so has dedicated the time she can to her lifelong ambition of becoming a writer.

KT says “Several years ago I bumped into a childhood friend who, when she found out I was writing a book, reminded me that we used to play The Famous Five together but I didn’t want to be one of the characters, I wanted to be Enid Blyton! So, it’s only taken 40 years to realise my dream! I wanted to create a novel in which my friends, who are healers and light workers, would see ourselves portrayed in reality rather than pushed into fantasy or ridiculed. A novel in which we could say – that really happens to me!”

Due to ill health and (as many CFS sufferers find) she is not entitled to any disability or state benefits of any kind and is reliant on the charity of her family to provide food and shelter. Having lost her home and her business in 2012, she hopes to make enough money from her series of Little Eden books to have one day have a home again.

KT Loves to hear from her readers.

You can find out more by visiting KT’s blog, finding her on Facebook or following her on Twitter @KTKINGbooks. You might like to visit her Etsy shop too!