I’m delighted to share an extract from This Time Next Year by Sophie Cousens today. Although I wasn’t able to read in time for today’s post, I’m thrilled to be participating in the paperback blog tour on publication day on 15th October, so do come back then to see what I thought of the book. My thanks to Rachel Kennedy at Penguin Random House for inviting me to take part in these launch celebrations.

Published by Penguin imprint Arrow on 1st August 2020, This Time Next Year is available for purchase through the links here.

This Time Next Year

Get ready to fall for this year’s most extraordinary love story

Quinn and Minnie are born on New Year’s Eve, in the same hospital, one minute apart.

Their lives may begin together, but their worlds couldn’t be more different.

Thirty years later they find themselves together again in the same place, at the same time.

What if fate is trying to bring them together?

Maybe it’s time to take a chance on love…

An Extract from This Time Next Year

New Year’s Eve 2019

The Night Jam was rammed. Pounding music pulsed through the club and the walls felt sticky with sweat, alcohol and likely worse. Minnie held tightly to Greg’s hand as they jostled through the crowd near the door.

‘We’re never going to get to the bar,’ Greg shouted back to her.

‘What?’ Minnie yelled back, her ears adjusting to the heavy bass.

‘We won’t be able to get a drink before midnight. I don’t even know where Lucy’s party is,’ said Greg.

He pointed upwards, indicating they should try to push their way upstairs to the terrace on the mezzanine above.

Minnie looked at her watch – it was ten to midnight. So far,this whole evening was only validating her hatred of New Year’s Eve. Why hadn’t she stayed at home and gone to bed early? Then she remembered that her heating had been cutoff – she’d come out to keep warm. And Greg had been determined to go to his work friend’s party; she would have felt like a bad girlfriend if she’d made him go alone.Minnie let herself be dragged through the throng of pulsating bodies. Finally, they emerged from the crush,stepping out into the cool night air where the thumping bass from the club settled to a more manageable decibel.

‘Watch it!’ Greg said, pushing a drunk guy out of his way.Greg glared at the man, trying to make him notice he’d spilt his beer on someone, but the man was too far gone to care.

‘I did warn you about spending New Year with me,’ said Minnie.

‘Will you stop with this jinxed stuff?’ said Greg, shaking his head.

‘Honestly, it’s a thing; bad things happen to me at New Year’s. I wouldn’t be surprised if this whole building went up in flames before the night’s out. Or perhaps a very small asteroid lands right where I’m standing.’

‘I don’t think we’re having a terrible night because you’re jinxed; I think we’re having a terrible night because you dragged us to dinner at weird Alan’s house on the other side of the galaxy. Now we’re arriving at a party two seconds to midnight when everyone’s high on moon juice and . . . come in Star Command?’ Greg lifted a finger to his ear, pausing to listen to an imaginary transmission, ‘Mission control says we’re not even at the right party.’

‘Permission to abort the mission?’ Minnie asked hopefully.

‘Denied,’ said Greg.

‘Look, you stay here,’ he said with a sigh, looking around the balcony, ‘I’ll go back through and try to find this private room.’

‘OK, well, if an asteroid lands in your absence. I can only say goodbye, I told you so, and Happy New Year,’ Minnie replied, trying to sound upbeat.

As Greg walked away, Minnie turned to look out at the London skyline and shivered. The city exuded a sense of serenity in sharp contrast to the atmosphere of the club. The buildings were bathed in silver moonlight and the night sky was still and cloudless. Minnie wished she could transport herself to the top of another empty skyscraper just to lie down on the flat roof and gaze up at the stars, unfettered by other people.

‘Ten, nine, eight . . . ’ People were starting the countdown.‘Seven, six, five . . . ’ Minnie looked at all the couples pulling together in anticipation of the midnight kiss. She was glad Greg wasn’t there to kiss her. She never understood why the end of the year had to be marked with the ridiculous convention of everyone locking lips in unison. People behaving like lemmings, following the herd. ‘Four, three,two, one, HAPPY NEW YEAR!’

An explosion of fireworks erupted in the sky, illuminating the city beneath in a shower of multicoloured lights. Huge bursts of energy ignited in the darkness, miniature universes flaring into existence only to fade to extinction moments later. Minnie wondered at all that effort for such a fleeting display of brilliance. The city buildings below looked still and stately, unmoved by the frenzy of activity above them.

On the balcony of the club, the fireworks cast ugly shadows onto the spaced-out faces of intoxicated people, as they swayed and swerved through the crowd. Light shone into grimy corners, full of cigarette butts and discarded plastic glasses. A group of girls tottering about in high heels pushed into her and Minnie had to grab the railing to stay upright.

‘Happy Birthday to me,’ Minnie said quietly to herself. Then she felt a warm, wet sensation as one of the girls vomited down her back.

*

What a place to end eh? I can’t wait to read This Time Next Year and find out what happens!

About Sophie Cousens

Sophie Cousens worked in TV in London for over twelve years, producing The Graham Norton Show, Big Brother and Ant and Dec. Sophie has previously published an eBook only romantic comedy novel How To Get Ahead In Television which was shortlisted for the 2015 Romantic Novelist Association Awards. She relocated from London to Jersey and balances her writing career with working for an arts charity, taking care of her two small children and enjoying small island life.

You can follow Sophie on Twitter @SophieCous.

There’s more with these other bloggers too:

I’m very partial to historical fiction and with Cromwell being a local to me figure I’m delighted to participate in the  blog tour for The Puritan Princess by Miranda Malins. I’m really grateful to Gaby Drinkald at Midas PR for inviting me to participate in this blog tour.

Published by Orion, The Puritan Princess is available for purchase through the links here.

The Puritan Princess

Power, politics and a devastating fight for the crown in this gripping historical novel following the rise of Oliver Cromwell’s youngest daughter. Perfect for fans of Anne O’Brien, Joanna Hickson and Alison Weir.

London, 1657. The youngest daughter of Oliver Cromwell, eighteen-year-old Frances is finding her place at England’s new centre of power.

Following the turmoil of Civil War, a fragile sense of stability has returned to the country. Her father has risen to the unprecedented position of Lord Protector of the Commonwealth, and Frances has found herself transported from her humble childhood home to the sumptuous palaces of Hampton Court and Whitehall, where she dreams of a love match that must surely be found at court.

But after an assassination attempt on the Cromwell family, Frances realises the precarious danger of her position – and when her father is officially offered the crown, Frances’s fate suddenly assumes diplomatic and dynastic importance.

Will she become a political pawn, or can Frances use her new status to seize control and further her own ambitions?

An Extract from The Puritan Princess

Frances Cromwell discusses foreign affairs with the young courtier Robert Rich

Robert’s mention of the Council’s split opinion on our aligning with France or Spain calls to my mind our Tudor forebears who, only a few generations ago, wrestled here at Whitehall with exactly the same dilemma: King Henry famously played the two much mightier nations off against each other for most of his reign where his daughter, the bloody Mary, married into Spain – the famous Armada the terrifying legacy of this for her sister, brave Queen Elizabeth. These thoughts bring to mind another topic about which I have long wished an opportunity to remind Robert, though I doubt the subject often strays far from his thoughts:

‘You are indeed knowledgeable, sir.’ I smile politely. ‘I wonder you do not offer your expertise to my father, hitching the Rich horse to the Cromwell wagon as your ancestor did a century ago. Did not the lawyer Richard Rich, the founder of your noble house, secure his fortune by entering the service of my great-great-great uncle Thomas Cromwell, rising to the top of Henry VIII’s court on the hem of his cloak before betraying him on his downfall?’ It is perhaps a little cruel, but faced with his cool expression, I smart, remembering how much of myself I revealed to him the last time we spoke. Now it is my turn to remind him of the murky origins of his own noble heritage; justice of a sort for all his jibes about East Anglian farmers.

‘I cannot account for the sins of my forebears,’ Robert replies carefully, his voice even against my taunt. ‘Though I would remind you, my lady, as the keen student of history you are, that your great-great-great uncle’s fall from King Henry’s favour was hardly the fault of my great-great-great-grandfather.’ He counts the ‘greats’ with elaborate nods of his head, emphasising the passing years.

‘That may be.’ I incline my head. ‘But doesn’t patronage in turn deserve loyalty? Thomas Cromwell did not abandon his sponsor Cardinal Wolsey on his debasement. And he could perhaps have expected the same loyalty meted out to him from his protégé Richard Rich.’

I see Robert take in a breath before turning away from me, his eyes now the ones focusing on the middle distance as he shifts his weight from foot to foot. ‘It is a long time ago now, my lady. And besides,’ he continues, speaking softly, his voice smooth as if to calm a restless horse, ‘the lesson I draw from our families’ tangled past is that, under propitious circumstances, an alliance between a Rich and a Cromwell is a formidable partnership indeed.’

His words stop all noise from the room for me and I am flattened by the wall of silence. I hear my breath loud beneath my stays, feel my breasts swell over the lace-edged top of my corset. I am struck by a sudden desire to reach out and touch his face, to run my finger along his jaw and turn his noble profile to face me. The urge unbalances me and I bury it in anger.

*

And now of course, I need to read the whole book to find out just what IS going to happen!

About Miranda Malins

Miranda is a writer and historian specialising in the history of Oliver Cromwell, his family and the politics of the Interregnum period following the Civil Wars. She studied at Cambridge University, leaving with a PhD, and continues to speak at conferences and publish journal articles and book reviews. She is also a Trustee of the Cromwell Association. Alongside this, Miranda works as a commercial solicitor in the City and began writing historical novels on maternity leave. She lives in Hampshire with her husband, young son and cat, Keats. The Puritan Princess is her debut novel.

For further information, follow Miranda on Twitter @MirandaMalins, or visit her website. You’ll also find Miranda on Facebook.

There’s more with these other bloggers too:

I’m very pleased to be opening the blog tour for Rachel Billington’s latest novel, Clouds of Love and War. My thanks to the team at Bookollective for inviting me to participate.

Published by Unicorn on 15th July 2020, Clouds of Love and War is available for purchase here.

Clouds of Love and War

Occasionally panoramic, more often intimate, in Clouds of Love and War author Rachel Billington balances a detailed and highly researched picture of the life of a Second World War Spitfire pilot with the travails and ambitions of a young woman too often on her own. The result is both a gripping story of war and a sensitive story of love, a love that struggles to survive.

Eddie and Eva meet on the eve of the Second World War. Eddie only wants to be a flyer, to find escape in the clouds from his own complicated family. However, the Battle of Britain makes a pilot’s life a dangerous way to flee reality.

Eva has her own passionate longing: to become a painter. When Eva’s Jewish mother disappears to Germany, she is left alone with her elderly father. Both Eddie and Eva come of age at a time that teaches them that happiness is always fleeting, but there are things worth living – or dying – for.

Through the connecting stories of these young people and their wider families, and against a background of southern county airfields, London, Oxford, Dorset and France, Rachel Billington brings the world of war time England, now eighty years in the past, back to life.

My review of Clouds of Love and War

Eddie and Eva’s relationship starts as WW2 begins.

Clouds of Love and War is a sweeping narrative set against the backdrop of the Second World War that takes the reader on a journey thorough time and place.

Rachel Billington’s research is meticulous so that the reader has a clear insight into the era, the world of a fighter pilot and the upper middle classes as well as into the lives of those leading more prosaic lives, particularly some of the women in the story. This makes for an interesting blend of writing.

I have to confess that it rook me a very long time to warm to Eddie’s frenetic character and yet by the end of Clouds of Love and War I felt I had been on his journey of self-discovery with him very effectively and I understood and appreciated him much more. Indeed, I found the women far more empathetic. Eva’s desperate desire to become a painter and the events that happen to her felt quite moving at times and I liked her more than Eddie. It’s not possible to say too much more without plot spoilers because who they are and who they become is so very much part of the story.

The themes are clear and well developed. I enjoyed the frequent literary references although occasionally the more spiritual elements sat slightly uncomfortably for me, but that says more about me than Clouds of Love and War. The exploration of relationships, valour, endeavour, war and self awareness is very thorough so that there is something for all readers to take away from Rachel Billington’s writing.

Clouds of Love and War will very much appeal to those who like to be transported back to another era and especially to readers looking for a tale founded in well researched factual assiduousness.

About Rachel Billington

Rachel Billington worked in television in London and New York before taking up full-time writing in 1968. Her first novel All Things Nice was set in sixties New York. Her latest novel for adults is Clouds of Love and War, about a Spitfire pilot in the Second World War and the girl who falls in love with him.

Rachel Billington has written twenty three novels, one novella,  several books for children, and three non-fiction books.

She has also written and continues to write journalism for newspapers both in the UK and the US, including a three year stint as a columnist for The Sunday Telegraph.

Rachel Billington has written two plays for television, Don’t be Silly’ and ‘Life after Death’, both in the BBC Play for To-day series, and several radio plays, as well as contributing to film scripts.

For further information, visit Rachel’s website.

There’s more with these other bloggers too:

I’m trying very hard to decline blog tours and especially posting on a Sunday because I’m inundated at the moment so you might wonder what I’m doing here today! Well you see, I am very fond of lovely Julie Stock both as an author and a person so when Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources asked me to participate in a mini blog blitz for Julie’s Starting Over at the Vineyard in Alsace, I had to agree!

Julie has featured here many times before, partly through the Deepings Literary Festival and including when she wrote a smashing post about happy endings here to celebrate The Vineyard in Alsace. I’ve also reviewed Julie’s The Bistro by Watersmeet Bridge here and From Here to Nashville here.

This time Julie has agreed to stay in with me.

Staying in with Julie Stock

Welcome back to Linda’s Book Bag, Julie. Thank you for agreeing to stay in with me.

Thank you very much for inviting me, Linda! It’s lovely to talk to you after not seeing you for so long.

It seems ages since you gave a talk at the Deepings literary Festival last year Julie. Tell me, which of your books have you brought along to share this evening and why have you chosen it?

I’ve brought along my latest release, Starting Over at the Vineyard in Alsace, which is book 2 in my Domaine des Montagnes series. It was published on 14 July so it really is very new.

Oo. A belated happy publication day! I love how the cover of Starting Over at the Vineyard in Alsace picks up from The Vineyard in Alsace.

What can we expect from an evening in with Starting Over at the Vineyard in Alsace?

In the first book of the series, The Vineyard in Alsace, Lottie and Thierry have just met and started a fledgling relationship, and this book tells their story following on from that. She’s pregnant by someone else and he’s still getting over the death of his wife, so there are lots of obstacles in the way of their happy ending. It’s a poignant story about how to let go of pride and grief, and of learning to love again with someone new.

It must be interesting to return to previous characters.

It was lovely for me to be writing about the characters from the vineyard again. Readers will be able to catch up with Fran and Didier from the first book, and also Ellie and Henri, although the next book will be all about them. Each book works on its own but if you’ve read the first book, you will have the benefit of knowing what brought all the characters together.

As this book ends, Ellie and Henri go off on their travels, so the final book in the series will hopefully see everyone reunited, but I haven’t started writing it yet so we’ll have to see!

When you have, you’ll have to come back on Linda’s Book Bag and we can find out!

What else have you brought along and why?

I’ve brought along a couple of glasses of Alsace pinot blanc and a home-made Tarte Flambée or Flammekeuche, one of the region’s signature dishes. Please help yourself!

Oh I will. Thanks Julie. You can have my share of the wine but I’ll certainly be having some of that Tarte.

I’ve also brought along a photo of the little church in Alsace and the surrounding vineyards which got me thinking about writing this series in the first place. It’s such a romantic setting. My two characters from the first book attend a wedding at that church, and I might make a return to it in the final book…

That looks so atmospheric. No wonder you decided to write about the region. 

I first visited Alsace with my husband in 1993. I’d just got a job with The Wine Society and we went on a touring holiday of France before I took up the position. We already loved Alsace wine but on that holiday, we fell in love with the place, its people and its food. We’ve been back many times since and it really does hold a special place in our hearts now. I hope we get to go back again before too long.

Oh, I hope so too Julie. In these uncertain times at least we can travel there through your books. Thanks so much for staying in with me to chat about Starting Over at the Vineyard in Alsace. I think it sounds delightful.

Thank you so much for having me on your blog today, Linda. It’s been lovely chatting with you and catching up. I look forward to meeting up with you in real life again soon.

Gosh I hope so Julie – perhaps at next year’s Deepings Literary Festival. Fingers crossed.

Starting Over at the Vineyard in Alsace

It’s springtime at The Vineyard in Alsace, a new season and a new beginning.

After being abandoned by her partner when she falls pregnant, Lottie Schell goes home to live on The Vineyard in Alsace, where she has started a new relationship with the estate’s winemaker, Thierry. Now about to give birth, Lottie’s determined to raise her child and to provide for them both on her own without having to depend on anyone else.

Thierry Bernard is still dealing with his grief and guilt following the death of his wife two years earlier, for which he blames himself. When he meets Lottie, the instant attraction he feels towards her gives him hope that he can move on from the tragedy of his past, as long as he can tell Lottie the truth of what happened.

When circumstances force Lottie and Thierry closer together, they both find it hard to compromise – she’s proudly independent and he’s fiercely protective – and they’re both wary about trusting someone new with their heart.

Can Lottie and Thierry take a chance on each other, move on from their pasts and start over?

Escape to The Vineyard in Alsace once again with this romantic read set in the heart of Alsace’s wine country.

Starting Over at the Vineyard in Alsace is available for purchase on Amazon.

About Julie Stock

Julie Stock writes contemporary feel-good romance from around the world: novels, novellas and short stories. She published her debut novel, From Here to Nashville, in 2015, after starting to write as an escape from the demands of her day job as a teacher. Starting Over at the Vineyard in Alsace is her ninth book, and the second in the Domaine des Montagnes series set on a vineyard.

Julie is now a full-time author, and loves every minute of her writing life. When not writing, she can be found reading, her favourite past-time, running, a new hobby, or cooking up a storm in the kitchen, glass of wine in hand.

Julie is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and The Society of Authors.She is married and lives with her family in Bedfordshire in the UK.

You can find out more about Julie via her website , by finding her on Facebook or following her on Twitter @wood_beez48.

I couldn’t be happier to be staying in with Ameila Henley today and I’m thrilled she agreed to be here to chat about her brand new book. For those of you who don’t yet realise (where have you been?) Amelia Henley is the alter-ego of fabulous writer Louise Jensen. I reviewed Louise’s The Family here and it was one of my books of the year last year.

Let’s see what Louise/Amelia has to tell me today:

Staying in with Amelia Henley

Welcome to Linda’s Book Bag Amelia and thank you so much for agreeing to stay in with me. Tell me, which of your books have you brought along to share this evening and why have you chosen it?

I’ve brought along The Life We Almost Had, my contemporary fiction debut which published this week. Adam and Anna’s unusual love story is one of courage, hope, loyalty and sacrifice. It’s always been a dream of mine to write a story that will make people cry and this is that book!

You’re not kidding. I sobbed buckets reading The Life We Almost Had!

It’s been such a joy to write and as I’ve published several thrillers (as Louise Jensen) I’ve been able to incorporate the things I’ve learned and apply them to this book where nothing is what it seems. There is lots of suspense, twists and cliff hangers at the end of every chapter but at its core, it’s a beautiful story of love. I hope it appeals to both romance and my loyal thriller readers.

Oh it certainly does. I can vouch for that.

Here are the first few paragraphs –

Prologue

Seven years. It’s been seven years since that night on the beach. I had laid on the damp sand with Adam, his thumb stroking mine. Dawn smudged the sky with its pink fingers while the rising sun flung glitter across the sea. We’d faced each other curled onto our sides, our bodies speech marks, unspoken words passing hesitantly between us; an illusory dream. Don’t ever leave me, I had silently asked him. I won’t, his eyes had silently replied.

But he did.

He has.

My memories are both painful and pleasurable to recall. We were blissfully happy until gradually we weren’t. Every cross word, every hard stare, each time we turned our backs on each other in bed gathered like storm clouds hanging over us, ready to burst, drenching us with doubt and uncertainty until we questioned what we once thought was unquestionable.

Can love really be eternal?

I can answer that now because the inequitable truth is that I am hopelessly, irrevocably, lost without him.

But does he feel the same?

I turn over the possibility of life without Adam, but each time I think of myself without him, no longer an us, my heart breaks all over again.

If only we hadn’t…

My chest tightens.

Breathe.

Breathe, Anna. You’re okay.

It’s a lie I tell myself, but gradually the horror of that day begins to dissipate with every slow inhale, with every measured exhale. It takes several minutes to calm myself. My fingers furling and unfurling, my nails biting into the tender skin of my palms until my burning sorrow subsides.

Focus.

I am running out of time. I’ve been trying to write a letter but the words won’t come. My notepaper is still stark white. My pen once again poised, ink waiting to stain the blank page with my tenuous excuses.

My secrets.

But not my lies. There’s been enough of those. Too many.

I am desperate to see him once more and make it right.

All of it.

I think that sets the scene perfectly Amelia. I cannot express how much I loved your book.

What can we expect from an evening in with The Life We Almost Had?

If Josh and Nell who are Adam and Anna’s best friends join us they’ll be lots of music, laughter and games.

That’s true!

What else have you brought along and why?

I’ve brought along a photo album of Lanzarote which is where part of the story is set (although I renamed the island), a Limoncello and plum tart which is Adam and Anna’s favourite meal and a book on neuroscience as this is integral to the plot (did I mention this isn’t a typical love story)… And a giant box of tissues because you’ll need them!

We certainly will Amelia. My review here tries to explain why!  Thanks so much for staying in with me to share a bit about one of my books of the year in 2020!

Thanks for having me Linda!

You slice up that plum tart and I’ll give Linda’s Book Bag readers all the details they need:

The Life We Almost Had

This is not a typical love story, but it’s our love story.

Anna wasn’t looking for love when Adam swept her off her feet but there was no denying their connection, and she believed they would be together forever.

Years later, cracks have appeared in their relationship. Anna is questioning whether their love can really be eternal when a cruel twist of fate delivers a crushing blow, and Anna and Adam are completely lost to one another. Now, Anna needs Adam more than ever, but the way back to him has life-changing consequences.

Is a second chance at first love really worth the sacrifice? Anna needs to decide and time is running out…

A beautiful and emotional love story that asks, how far would you go for a second chance at first love? Perfect for fans of The Man Who Didn’t Call and Miss You.

The Life We Almost Had was published on 23rd July by Harper Collins imprint HQ and is available for purchase through the links here.

About Amelia Henley

Amelia Henley is a hopeless romantic who has a penchant for exploring the intricacies of relationships through writing heart-breaking, high-concept love stories.

Amelia also writes psychological thrillers under her real name, Louise Jensen. As Louise Jensen she has sold over a million copies of her global number one bestsellers. Her stories have been translated into twenty-five languages and optioned for TV as well as featuring on the USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestsellers list. Louise’s books have been nominated for multiple awards.

The Life We Almost Had is the first story she’s written as Amelia Henley and she can’t wait to share it with readers.

You can follow Amelia on Twitter @MsAmeliaHenley and find her on Facebook.

You can find out more about Amelia writing as Louise Jensen by visiting her website, finding her on Facebook and following her on Twitter @Fab_fiction.

There’s a blog tour happening too so you might like to check out these other bloggers:

 

I’ve long loved John Marrs’ writing and John has featured here on Linda’s Book Bag many times. Today, as his latest book The Minders, is published, I’m delighted to interview John all about it as part of the launch celebrations. My enormous thanks to Isabelle Ralphs for inviting me to participate.

You’ll find John on the blog when I reviewed What Lies Between Us here. I reviewed John’s The One here, and interviewed him about The One here. When John’s The Good Samaritan was published he provided a superb guest post that you can read here too.

The Minders was published in ebook yesterday, 23rd July 2020, by Penguin imprint Ebury and is available for purchase or hard copy pre-order through the links here.

The Minders

Five strangers guard our secrets.
Only four can be trusted…

In the 21st century, information is king. But computers can be hacked and files can be broken into – so a unique government initiative has been born. Five ordinary people have been selected to become Minders – the latest weapon in thwarting cyberterrorism. Transformed by a revolutionary medical procedure, the country’s most classified information has been taken offline and turned into genetic code implanted inside their heads.

Together, the five know every secret – the truth behind every government lie, conspiracy theory and cover up. In return, they’re given the chance to leave their problems behind and a blank slate to start their lives anew.

But not everyone should be trusted, especially when they each have secrets of their own they’ll do anything to protect…

An Interview with John Marrs

I can’t believe it’s over three years since last I interviewed you John, when The One was published. What’s been happening in your life since then?

I’m shocked it’s been that long! But your support has always meant a lot to me. Bloggers and reviewers have, and continue, to keep me in this career and they have my utmost gratitude.

It’s our pleasure John – especially when writers are as talented as you.

Anyway, since that book was released, everything has changed for me. I’ve written five others, given up my day job as a journalist and I am now a full-time author. The One has been turned into an eight-part drama for Netflix which will debut this autumn, world-wide.

Congratulations. How exciting. How much have you been involved in the adaptation of The One?

By choice, I’ve had nothing to do with the adaptation. I feel as if I took the story as far as I could, and now it’s up to a team of writers and directors to turn what I wrote into their own vision. I will be so excited to see it on screen.

Me too. I loved it (and my review is here).

I also got the opportunity to visit the set earlier this year and watch it being filmed. That was a surreal experience. And my recent release, What Lies Between Us, has been optioned by Renee Zellweger’s TV production company. So I hope that too will end up making it to the small screen.

Wow. That is fabulous. I think What Lies Between Us would make a fantastic feature film actually. (I reviewed What Lies Between Us here.)

Tell us a bit about your latest book, The Minders.

It’s set in the same world as The One and The Passengers, so slightly in the future but I never say quite how far.

It’s about five people who are given the opportunity to start their lives afresh, with new identities and backgrounds. At its heart, it’s about how they cope with some exceptionally sensitive secrets they are privy to. Many countries have had their intelligence and secrets hacked and held to ransom by cyber terrorists. So the UK takes all its confidential information offline and turns it into DNA. It’s carried by these five volunteers who have to give up their old lives and disappear to different parts of the country for five years while the Government makes our online systems unhackable. But someone has identified these ‘Minders’ and is out to kill them.

The Minders sounds brilliant. And with all the recent Huawei controversy, and the Russian attempts to infiltrate Covid 19 vaccine research, it might be more relevant than we hope!

Technology – from DNA testing to the internet – often plays a part in your work and there’s cyberterrorism in The Minders. What draws you to these concepts when you write?

I write for two publishers – psychological fiction for Thomas & Mercer, and psychological fiction with a sci-fi twist for Penguin. The latter gives me the opportunity to use my imagination more, but on the flipside, it takes a lot more research because everything I write will soon be possible so I have to get it right. I have no background in science (I even failed my chemistry and biology GCSEs) and my journalism was all about celebrity interviews. So each of this type of book is a challenge for me to write. And so far, my readers have been willing to go with me on this writing journey.

Oh we have indeed John. We love your books.

When I read your books I find the protagonists frequently twisted, damaged or unlikeable and yet I care about them. How do you manage to find a balance in creating such complex characters?

Thanks Linda! That’s reassuring to hear. I think there either has to be a little humanity deep inside them that I gradually draw out, or you have to hate them so much that you want to see if they get their comeuppance. I like to read books where the characters aren’t necessarily likeable. I’m also a sucker for an unreliable narrator too. They are more fun to read and a lot more fun to write. I like pushing my readers as far as I can and then trying to turn their feelings around to a character they might have hated for half a book. These characters tend to develop organically. I have a rough sketch in my head of who they will be. But often when I start writing, they will change completely by the time I have finished. That means I have a lot of rewrites to do! Very few are based on people I know. I prefer to surround myself with better natured, positive people!

Given the characters I’ve met in your writing, I think that’s very wise!

Identity and belonging seem to me to be recurrent themes in your books. To what extent do you think that’s true and why?

You know what, I have no idea, Linda. I really don’t. It’s not as if I come from a broken home, have a string of bad relationships behind me or am searching for my real self. I’ve found him and I’m quite happy with him! I guess characters who are lost and who I can help to find their way through the pages of my books appeals to me more as a writer than characters who already know who they are. There’s more scope to use my imagination and put them in – admittedly often awful – interesting predicaments!

You previously told me that you’re not particularly methodical in anything you do! What is the writing process like for you three years on from that last interview? Have you changed as a writer?

I have a bit actually. Now that I’m doing this job full time, I’m able to plan ahead more and work out where a story is going from start to finish. That’s not to say I don’t often change my mind during the writing process. But at least I have a beginning, middle and an end. I used to only have a starting point and a rough idea of where I wanted it to go.

So what’s next for you?

A year off! With two books out this year, my next one doesn’t need to be delivered to my publisher until the end of next year so that won’t be out until 2022. I need a break to recharge my batteries and be a part of the world, not hide away from it in my home office making up stories for a living!

I hope you enjoy the break John. We’ll all be waiting impatiently for the next book but at least we have The Minders to enjoy in the meantime. I can’t wait to get reading it.

About John Marrs

John Marrs is an author and former journalist based in London and Northamptonshire. After spending his career interviewing celebrities from the worlds of television, film and music for numerous national newspapers and magazines, he is now a full-time author. His science fiction novel The One has been adapted into a 10-episode drama series for Netflix by Misfits creator Howard Overman, and is currently being filmed. What Lies Between Us was John’s seventh book.

You can visit John’s website for more information, or you can find him on Facebook and Instagram.  Follow him on Twitter @johnmarrs1,

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Welcome to Linda’s Book Bag Cara. Tell me about Epoch Press

Epoch Press is a brand new, independent creative nonfiction press that seeks to publish stories that explore every corner of our society. Because our volunteer staff lives around the globe, that ‘society’ is simultaneously local and international.

That sounds a very innovative view of ‘society’. Your focus is marginalised voices. What made you decide to move into this area? 

One of the most powerful things about creative nonfiction is the way it makes us see the world around us— not only through the lens of someone else’s perspective, but also through the way it ties together narrative, research, and lived experience.

Society centres privileged identities, and that bias is reflected in publishing. That’s something we’re conscious of, and our goal is to disrupt that pattern by publishing and paying underrepresented writers and artists.

That sounds a brilliant idea.

So much of our literary canon consists of work by straight, white, non-disabled men—and usually, these guys had a lot of money supporting them. Representation is a powerful force for change. We want to look beyond that one corner of society, to seek out and amplify the voices that don’t  have that privilege. We’d like to see marginalised voices become the standard, not the exception to the rule. As a new journal entering into this industry, we feel a responsibility to implement the changes we’d like to see. We’re still figuring out the best ways to do this, but it’s a goal we’re committed to for the long term. We welcome submissions from everyone, but we particularly encourage submissions from writers and artists who have been marginalised on the basis of identities such as race, ethnicity, disability, sex, gender, sexuality, education, or age.

I think this is brilliant Cara. When I was teaching English many moons ago, most of the texts we were supposed to teach featured straight, white middle class men – most of whom were dead too!

You sponsor charities too. Which have you chosen and why? 

Creative nonfiction writing is entwined with the world around us, and because of this, we believe that we have an obligation to use our platform to promote charities and campaigns that work to better our society.

Two weeks after Epoch Press launched, my home country, the United States, erupted into what is now a global civil rights movement. Vulnerable groups, including people of colour and trans women, are under attack. The COVID-19 pandemic was already in full swing at this point, with more and more people being displaced and endangered. I wanted to do something to support both of the countries I call home, but like many others, I didn’t have much in the way of funds. But I realised I could use Epoch as a platform to amplify important causes.

Our team decided we’d guarantee free advertising space in each digital and print issue for up to five charities. Each charity will have a full page in colour to do with as they see fit, and we’ll also include their details and donation links on our website’s homepage.

So far, we’ve reached out to five charities doing important work we believe in, and three are currently live on our website: The Bail Project, Scottish Women’s Aid, and Mermaids. We’re in talks with two other important charities, and hoping to announce more details as soon as things are official.

I know readers can find out about the work you’re doing here.

Tell me about your Kickstarter campaign.

Our Kickstarter campaign goal is quite modest. Currently, we’re hoping to raise £3000 so that we can launch Epoch as a printed literary journal. Every backer will be included as a named contributor in our first issue unless otherwise requested. There are other exciting rewards for supporting us, so please visit the campaign and take a look!

How best can Linda’s Book Bag readers get involved?

Linda’s Book Bag readers can best get involved by backing our project on Kickstarter, supporting our charity partners, and sharing our posts on social media with their friends and family. They can also submit creative nonfiction and artwork to be considered for our first issue, on the theme of ‘Beginnings’—we’re accepting submissions through 1 October 2020.

This sounds such an exciting initiative Cara. I wish you every success with Epoch Press.

About Epoch Press

For more information about Epoch Press, visit their website where you can meet the team, including Cara.

You’ll also find Epoch Press on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn and you can follow them on Twitter @EpochPress.

Contributions to Epoch’s Kickstarter campaign begin at a mere £3 and you can find out all you need to know here.

When Lesley Crooks asked if I’d like to be part of the launch celebrations for Katherine Johnson’s new book I took one look at the description and knew it would be my kind of read. I’m delighted that Katherine has agreed to stay in with me to chat about the book, but I’m devastated I haven’t had chance to read it yet.

Let’s find out more:

Staying in with Katherine Johnson

Welcome to Linda’s Book Bag Katherine. 

Thanks, Linda. I’m delighted to be here. I hope you’re keeping well.

I am thanks and thank you for agreeing to stay in with me. Tell me, which of your books have you brought along to share this evening and why have you chosen it?

I’ve brought Paris Savages, my most recent novel and one that is very timely given discussions about race and racism.

Isn’t it just? So, what can we expect from an evening in with Paris Savages?

I hope readers will be transported to another time and place, where they will be moved and enlightened about a little-known part of history and inspired by acts of bravery and strength. There are love stories, betrayals and shows of defiance.

This is historical fiction based on a true and incredibly stirring story about three Aboriginal people from beautiful Fraser Island, Australia, who were taken to Europe in the 1880s to perform for audiences in ‘human zoos’.

Goodness me. I had no idea this kind of thing happened.

Many indigenous peoples from around the world (35,000!) were transported and shown in this way. The three Badtjala people from Fraser Island were Bonny/Bonangera (18), Dorondera (15) and her uncle Jurano (22). NB the names are spelled variously in the archives. The novel is told from the perspective of Hilda, the fictional daughter of the German man who shipped the Aboriginal group to Europe.

Hilda is a witness to the trio’s journey and the audience’s reactions to the performances of boomerang and spear throwing, dancing and singing. There are relentless measurements by scientists, and Hilda’s relationship with her father, Louis, is tested. There are also moments of agency on the part of the performers. Above all else, Bonny wants to see Queen Victoria to protest the treatment of his people at home, where there have been massacres.

Hilda, a friend of Dorondera and Bonny, who she is forbidden to love, walks a path between naïve ‘saviour’, a role she begins to question, and complicit showperson. There are lessons learned, friendships tried, and loves lost and found.

Paris Savages sounds amazing and am important story to tell. 

It was an epic story to research and write, but one that moved me deeply and that I believe has great relevance now as society examines the historical sources of racism.

Sadly, I think you’re absolutely right Katherine. What else have you brought along and why have you brought it?

I’ve brought along some photographs I took on my research trip in Europe, following in the footsteps of the group. I started at the Hagenbeck Tierpark (thierpark) in Hamburg, Germany, where the group likely began their journey. The photograph shows the old site of the ‘tierpark’, now a primary school, and groups of performers atop elephants. There are no photos of the Aboriginal trio here, but a newspaper piece from the time reports that they were shown by Carl Hagenbeck.

What must Bonny, Dorondera and Jurano have made of the experience of performing in places such as this, or at the Dresden Zoo, where they were also shown? What did they make of the audiences looking on? We, of course, can never know, but it is important to ask such questions, for the history of ‘human zoos’ has been largely one-sided. Paris Savages sheds light on the silences and contests old stereotypes. I consulted with Badtjala representatives during the writing of the story and am grateful for their time and input.

What amazing photos Katherine. I’m sure you must be immensely grateful for input you had. I’m even more determined now to make sure I get round to reading Paris Savages. Thank you so much for staying in with me to tell me all about it. It sounds entertaining and important. Let me give blog readers more details:

Paris Savages

‘A masterful work, fully realised and richly embroidered’ Alice Nelson, author of The Children’s House

Fraser Island, Australia 1882. The population of the Badtjala people is in sharp decline following a run of brutal massacres. When German scientist Louis Müller offers to sail three Badtjala people – Bonny, Jurano and Dorondera – to Europe to perform to huge crowds, the proud and headstrong Bonny agrees, hoping to bring his people’s plight to the Queen of England.

Accompanied by Müller’s bright daughter, Hilda, the group begins their journey to belle-époque Europe to perform in Hamburg, Berlin, Paris and eventually London. While crowds in Europe are enthusiastic to see the unique dances, singing, fights and pole climbing from the oldest culture in the world, the attention is relentless, and the fascination of scientists intrusive. When disaster strikes, Bonny must find a way to return home.

Published by Allison and Busby tomorrow, 23rd July 2020, Paris Savages is available for purchase in all the usual places, including directly from the publisher here.

About Katherine Johnson

Katherine Johnson lives in Tasmania with her husband and two children. She is the author of three previous novels and her manuscripts have won Varuna Awards and the Tasmanian Premier’s Literary Prizes. She recently completed a PhD, which forms the basis of her latest novel, Paris Savages.

You can find out more by visiting Katherine’s website and finding her on Facebook. You can also follow Katherine on Twitter @KJohnsonauthor.

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Lovely Mary Grand has a brand new book out today and having heard so many good things about it from my blogger friends, I couldn’t resist asking her back to Linda’s Book Bag to tell me all about it.

I have stayed in with Mary on a previous occasion when she told me all about Behind the Smile. You can see that post here. Mary also provided me with a super guest piece on the importance of place in writing to go alongside her book Hidden Chapters and that can be viewed here.

Lets find out about her brand new book:

Staying in with Mary Grand

Welcome back to Linda’s Book Bag Mary and thank you for agreeing to stay in with me once more.

Thank you so much for inviting me back!  It’s lovely to be somewhere I feel so at home.

That’s great to hear. Tell me, which of your books have you brought along to share this evening and why have you chosen it?

I am very excited to bring my new book The House Party which is published TODAY!!!

Hurrah! Happy publication day for The House Party Mary. Congratulations.

This is the first of my books to be published by Boldwood Books and so it is a real ‘dream come true’ day for me!

I’m thrilled for you. So, what can we expect from an evening in with The House Party?

With The House Party, our evening will be full of suspense, mystery, and even murder!

Gosh, I hope that’s only fictional murder!

We will get to know Beth, the main character in the story, who is desperate to find the truth behind the death of her close friend Kathleen. Her search is a hard one, full of twists and turns, at times her marriage and even life are in danger. This is a story with revelations about people Beth thought she could trust and the uncovering of dark secrets.  At times, with Beth, you will wonder if there is anyone you can really trust.

That sounds quite dark Mary!

However, our evening will have shades of light as well as darkness. With Beth we discover goodness in unexpected places.

That’s a relief!

Also, while many holidays are on hold, we will be able to escape virtually to my home, the Isle of Wight, as this is where the story is set. ’The island’ is a place of spectacular beauty, can feel remote and has tight knit communities. It is always a ferry ride away from the rest of the world and a wonderful place for us to be transported to for an evening.

Do you know, I’ve always wanted to visit the Isle of Wight since I saw a feature on the multi-coloured sands about half a century ago on Blue Peter.

As we settle down for the evening, I am delighted to share a few snippets of reviews of The House Party.

“This is a real page turner, that kept me guessing until the end! …A gripping read.”

Katie S, Reviewer

“A brilliantly clever read, one to remember.”

Nicki M, Reviewer

“The House Party is a fantastic read for anyone who likes twisty, witty thriller reads.’’

Amanda R, Reviewer

Those are fabulous Mary. You must be delighted to get that reaction from your readers. What else have you brought along this time and why?

I have, of course, brought along some Prosecco and Elderflower Fizz for us to drink.

Brilliant. I’m rather partial to a glass of something fizzy!

As we sip them, I would love to share some photos of places on the Isle of Wight that were the inspiration behind The House Party.

The novel opens at a house party to celebrate Kathleen’s amazing new designer home. Although the house is fictitious, it is set on the cliff tops of Freshwater Bay.

The village where Beth lives, Castleford, is my creation, the people are all fictitious. However, I have used the geography of real places and here are a few of the places mentioned in the story.

The Shute

The Castle

A few other places Beth walks on the island that are favourites of mine are Mottistone Down and Tennyson Down.

Shepherd’s Chine

Parkhurst Woods

With my trips to India, China and Japan this year all cancelled Mary, this vicarious visit to the isle of Wight is just what I needed. Thank you so much for staying in with me and huge congratulations again on today’s publication of The House Party.

Thank you so much for being with me to celebrate and keeping me company on this special day xx

The House Party

Someone is about to die… Someone is about to lie…

At the intimate house-warming party for her glorious ‘grand design’, Kathleen confides in her best friend Beth that she is terrified of one of their close friends, but daren’t reveal which one. The guests are a tight-knit group, but Kathleen is convinced one of them is dangerous.

The next day Kathleen’s body is found at the foot of a cliff and Beth must face the sickening truth that she may have been killed by one of their trusted friends. With little help from the police, Beth’s decides to seek answers.

All the friends have secrets they are desperate to hide, but only one of them is ready to kill to keep theirs safe…

The House Party is set on the Isle of Wight – insular, claustrophobic, and with nowhere to run. Mary Grand has written a heart-stopping novel of secrets, betrayal and desire, perfect for fans of Louise Candlish and Lucy Foley.

The House Party is published by Boldwood Books, today 21st July 2020, and is available for purchase here.

About Mary Grand

Mary Grand lives on the Isle of Wight with her family.  Before coming to the island, she worked as a teacher of Deaf children in Hastings and Croydon.  Mary grew up in Wales and speaks a smattering of Welsh, and her first two novels are set in Wales.  After several very happy years of self-publishing, during which time Mary published three novels and two collections of short stories, she is now excited to be working with and to be published by the team at Boldwood Books.

For more information, you can visit Mary’s website, find her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter @authormaryg.

It was way back in December 2017 when I welcomed Caroline England to Linda’s Book Bag with a terrific guest post about secrets that you can read here. Since then she has stayed in with me under her other writing persona of Caro Land chatting about Convictions and you can see what happened then in this blog post.

Today, at last, I have finally got round to reading one of Caroline’s novels and I am delighted to be part of the paperback launch celebrations for Betray Her. My enormous thanks to Beth Wright at Little Brown for inviting me to participate and for sending me a copy of Betray Her in return for an honest review.

Betray Her is available for purchase through these links.

Betray Her

Best friends forever.

That’s the pact you made.

You’d do anything for her.

And you have.

She’s always had it all.

If you could take it for yourself . . . would you?

My Review of Betray Her

Jo and Kate have been best friends since they were 8.

Oh, yes. I very much enjoyed Betray Her. It’s really effectively plotted with a dramatic opening that lingers right through the rest of the book so that the reader wonders exactly who was involved and what it means for the narrative. Caroline England has created a very effective sense of menace that hooked me in brilliantly and had the effect of making me think about Betray Her when I wasn’t actually reading it. This story gets right under the reader’s skin.

The plot has an interesting time frame so that the way Jo and Kate’s childhood pasts are revealed contributes to the reader’s understanding of who they become in the present, but equally adds to the uneasiness of the story. Betray Her is a tantalising read. I felt I had a complete understanding of what was happening only to be wrong-footed. Caroline England’s style is incredibly fluid and easy to read so that the action she packs into Betray Her is somehow all the more captivating and shocking.

I thought Caroline England’s characterisation was quite brilliant. Although I thought some of Jo’s behaviour was foolish at best, and often completely reckless, I understood absolutely why she behaved as she did. Similarly, Kate’s more affluent upbringing gave me a clear comprehension of her adult personality. That said, I was still given shocking surprises about both of them so that Betray Her felt like a sophisticated and utterly believable portrayal of the human psyche that I found fascinating. I loved the sexual tension surrounding Jo too as an added layer of intrigue.

Sexuality is only one of the cleverly explored themes of Betray Her. Jealousy, loyalty, family, friendship, parenthood and identity create a tapestry of intrigue that really appealed to me. Indeed, I’d like to go back and reread Betray Her immediately because I think there is more to discover now I know the outcomes of the cracking plot!

I feel I haven’t done justice to Betray Her because it’s so difficult not to give plot spoilers and saying too much about character and events will ruin the read for others. What I will say is that I found the book a compelling and entertaining read that I can recommend without hesitation. I only wish I’d read Caroline England’s writing earlier.

About Caroline England

Caroline England was born and brought up in Yorkshire and studied Law at the University of Manchester. She was a divorce and professional indemnity lawyer before leaving the law to bring up her three daughters and turning her hand to writing. Caroline is the author of The Wife’s Secret, previously called Beneath the Skin, and the top-ten ebook bestseller My Husband’s Lies. Betray Her is her third novel. She lives in Manchester with her family.

To find out more you can follow Caroline on Twitter @CazEngland and find her on Instagram and  Facebook or visit her website.

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