Life has been a bit of a trial of late so what better than to invite lovely Jessie Wells to stay in with me to chat about her debut book that will lift our spirits? Let’s find out more.

Staying in with Jessie Wells.

Welcome to Linda’s Book Bag Jessie and thank you for agreeing to stay in with me.

These days, there’s nothing I love more than staying in! With two young primary school-aged children with a very active social life, I spend most of my time in the driving seat of a car, on the side of a football pitch, or in a dance school car park. These days, staying in is an absolute joy.

The more I hear about parenthood, the more pleased I am I don’t have children – though it would be grand children for me now I suppose. I’m at the opposite end of the scale with an 89 year old to run about after! 

Tell me, which of your books have you brought along to share this evening and why have you chosen it?

It’s the eve of publication of my debut novel, THE GOOD NEWS GAZETTE, and I’m so excited about it.

Ooh! Happy publication day for tomorrow Jessie. You must be very excited.

I read vociferously as a child and always dreamt of writing my own book, but as I grew into adulthood with a full-time career and became a mum, it seemed less and less likely it would ever happen. Ironically, if it hadn’t been for the unexpected amount of time we all found ourselves with during lockdown, I’m not sure it ever would have.

How wonderful to have achieved something positive in difficult times. Congratulations. So, what can we expect from an evening in with The Good News Gazette?

Good news! The last few years have been tough, and we’re all more than due an injection of the feel-good factor. Fortunately, our trusty heroine Zoe Taylor is on hand to track down those upbeat news stories to make you smile.

That sounds perfect. So is The Good News Gazette all positive?

That said, it’s not all fun, fun, fun! This single parent is juggling trying to cheer up an entire community with bringing in enough money to support her and her son. And with a sexy football coach and a mean and moody property developer on hand to challenge her, not to mention the upstanding and not-so-upstanding residents of Westholme, she certainly has a battle on her hands.

I love the sound of that!

Fortunately, there’s plenty of giggles along the way as Zoe single-handedly takes on Westholme’s finest and fights for the very future of the town.

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

Face masks, pasta and toilet roll. As the bulk of this book was written during lockdown, these three things sum up perfectly to me a time when, for a short period, the world seemed upside down and items we never particularly valued suddenly became some of the most wanted products in the country.

I think that’s no bad thing actually. It made us realise what is important in life!

I’d also bring a massive cake and a good coffee – both of which feature heavily in The Good News Gazette – on the basis that the introduction of one or preferably both of them can turn a miserable day into a great one.

I’ll have tea with mine as coffee doesn’t suit me, but whilst you put the kettle on Jessie, I just wanted to say thank you so much for staying in with me to chat about The Good News Gazette, to say congratulations and to give readers a few more details:

The Good News Gazette

Because we all need something to smile about!

She may be down but don’t count this determined single mum out just yet…

Nine years ago, Zoe Taylor returned from London to the quiet hamlet of Westholme with her tail between her legs and a bun in the oven. Where once her job as a journalist saw her tearing off to Paris at a moment’s notice after a lead, now the single mum covers the local news desk. At least, she did…until she’s unceremoniously let go.

When Zoe invites her friends over to commiserate, wine and whining soon turns into something more… and before the night is out she’s plotted her next step: The Good News Gazette.

Now, as a developer threatens to force Westholme into the twenty-first century, Zoe’s good news movement finds her leading a covert campaign as a community crusader. She may have started The Good News Gazette as a way to save herself, but she might just be able to save Westholme in the process…

Published by Harper Collins imprint One More Chapter tomorrow, 25th November 2022, The Good News Gazette is available for purchase through the links here.

About Jessie Wells

Jessie Wells is the pseudonym of Rachael Tinniswood. Jessie lives with her husband and two children in Merseyside. She has always written in some form, and previously worked as a journalist on the Liverpool Echo and Sunday Mirror and as a freelancer for various national women’s magazines and newspapers before moving into finance. She loves nothing more than getting lost in her imaginary worlds, which are largely filled with romance, communities bursting with character and a large dose of positivity.

For further information, follow Rachel/Jessie on Twitter @JessieWells22, find Jessie on Instagram or Facebook.