Saturday, December 31, 2016

Monday, December 26, 2016

Goodreads Giveaway - Five ARCs up for grabs!

If you'd like to get your hands on one of five advanced copies of WAIT FOR ME, head on over to Goodreads for a chance to win, courtesy of Harper Teen.


And while you're there, I'd love you to FOLLOW me on Goodreads too - there's a button for that on my author page. It's a great way to keep up with what's happening with WAIT FOR ME, and with my future books too. And if you are looking for a good book to read, you can also see all the books I am reading and loving, and happy to recommend. 

The books on my READ list are mostly, but not all, young adult books, and if I've added them to my list with four or five stars, that means they are definitely worth your attention. If I have written a full review (rather than just given them stars), that means they are probably books which are coming out in 2017. So if you see one which appeals to you, then click on its WANT TO READ button, and you'll get a reminder from Goodreads when it hits bookstore shelves.

And if you are not on Goodreads yet, it's just like Facebook for readers. Yes, it has had it's problems, but overall it's a great way to find out what books should be next on your TBR list (your To Be Read list).

(However, I've recently discovered that someone who is my Friend on Goodreads will have any Amazon reviews they post about my books removed. So while I'd love you to follow me, please let me apologize now if I don't accept your Friend request.)

Monday, December 12, 2016

Listen to Chapter One

WAIT FOR ME, my debut novel, is set in 1945 on a farm in Aberlady, East Lothian, about twenty miles to the east of Edinburgh, where I was born and brought up. Even after living in London and Wales for a number of years, and in Texas for almost ten, people still comment that my Scottish accent is as strong as it ever was.

There are a number of distinct regional accents even within Scotland, though most people from outside the country seem to think we all talk the same. People from Edinburgh and the eastern side of the country generally have a softer accent than those from Glasgow and the west. Highlanders and Islanders have a very lilting, sing-song way of speaking while those from around Aberdeen and Dundee can be all but indecipherable to outsiders when they are talking among themselves.

So you have been wondering what accent should be in your mind as you read WAIT FOR ME, I've recorded the first chapter for you to listen to for guidance. 




If you'd like to read along as you listen, the first chapter has also been published today by the wonderful friends at the YA Book Central blog.





There will be more exciting news about a full audiobook in the next few weeks, but in the meantime, I hope you enjoy reading and listening to the opening few pages of my debut novel.