Blog Archives
Boot Camp Bride – love, romance and danger on the Norfolk marshes
Boot Camp Bride: A sassy, workplace/enemies-to-lovers rom com guaranteed to make you smile
Hi everyone, I hope your summer is going well and that the sun is shining on you. I’ve been living a mole-like existence in the semi-dark of my study getting on with my writing. By which I mean the last novel in my Dark Skies Trilogy which I hope to bring out next spring. Then, as yu do, I decided that updating the cover of Boot Camp Bride was a good idea – so here it is. Reading the novel again I remembered how much fun I’d had writing it and creating the two main characters: sassy, up-for-anything Charlee Montague and brooding hero Rafa Ffinch.
Read the blurb and, if sounds like your kind of thing, why not download a copy . . .
Take an up-for-anything rookie reporter. Add a world-weary photojournalist. Put them together . . . light the blue touch paper and stand well back!
Posing as a bride-to-be, Charlee Montague goes undercover at a boot camp for brides on the Norfolk coast to photograph supermodel Anastasia Markova. At Charlee’s side and posing as her fiancé, is Rafael Ffinch award winning photographer and survivor of a kidnap attempt in Columbia. He’s in no mood to cut inexperienced Charlee any slack and has made it plain that once the investigation is over, their partnership – and fake engagement – will be terminated, too. Soon Charlee has more questions than answers. What’s the real reason behind Ffinch’s interest in the boot camp? How is it connected to his kidnap in Columbia? In setting out to uncover the truth, Charlee puts herself in danger …
And, as the investigation draws to a close, she wonders if she’ll be able to hand back the family engagement ring and walk away from Rafa Ffinch without a backward glance.
It seems I wasn’t the only who enjoyed Charlee and Rafa’ adventures!
Reviews for Boot Camp Bride
A touch of Sophie Kinsella, a smidgen of Jilly Cooper, yet totally Lizzie Lamb! Adrienne Vaughan
This book is above the average contemporary romance for me – the reason why? It’s intelligent as well as wildly romantic. India
Entertaining with comedic elements throughout, the pace of this well written tale rattles along at a good rate with sexual tension building from the start. Georgia Rose (Vine Voice)
Boot Camp Bride, however, is no straightforward Rom-Com. Ffinch has a sinister past, and hidden agenda. In cold and dark mid-winter, he drives them in his VW Camper Van into danger and menace at the isolated Boot Camp on the edge of the Norfolk marshes. Mags Cullingford
Undeterred by the alpha male, she managed to fight him with wit and stubbornness. Lizzie Lamb’s characters and style of writing sparkle in Boot Camp Bride. This romantic comedy is classic gold: it is the equivalent of comfort food and a good night out with friends. Lady Bracknell
Boot Camp Bride is a well written and very amusing romance novel which would be ideal for a holiday read or a long winter night in front of the fire. Catherine
As I mentioned at the start of this blog I am currently writing the third book in my Dark Skies Trilogy and where better to write it than Scotland? We’ll be heading north soon and if that doesn’t inspire me to finish the novel, nothing will. In the meantime, why not check out the first two books in the series? All my books are available as paperback which make ideal gifts.
Finally, I hope everyone has a great summer and look forward to touching base with you in September when, hopefully, the word count of my next novel will have increased. And, I’ll have lots of fabulous photos to share with you. In the meantime, do check out my other novels which are all available on Amazon and written with love.
Boot Camp Bride – love, romance and danger on the Norfolk marshes
Boot Camp Bride: A sassy, workplace/enemies-to-lovers rom com guaranteed to make you smile
Hi everyone, I hope your summer is going well and that the sun is shining on you. I’ve been living a mole-like existence in the semi-dark of my study getting on with my writing. By which I mean the last novel in my Dark Skies Trilogy which I hope to bring out next spring. Then, as yu do, I decided that updating the cover of Boot Camp Bride was a good idea – so here it is. Reading the novel again I remembered how much fun I’d had writing it and creating the two main characters: sassy, up-for-anything Charlee Montague and brooding hero Rafa Ffinch.
Read the blurb and, if sounds like your kind of thing, why not download a copy . . .
Take an up-for-anything rookie reporter. Add a world-weary photojournalist. Put them together . . . light the blue touch paper and stand well back!
Posing as a bride-to-be, Charlee Montague goes undercover at a boot camp for brides on the Norfolk coast to photograph supermodel Anastasia Markova. At Charlee’s side and posing as her fiancé, is Rafael Ffinch award winning photographer and survivor of a kidnap attempt in Columbia. He’s in no mood to cut inexperienced Charlee any slack and has made it plain that once the investigation is over, their partnership – and fake engagement – will be terminated, too. Soon Charlee has more questions than answers. What’s the real reason behind Ffinch’s interest in the boot camp? How is it connected to his kidnap in Columbia? In setting out to uncover the truth, Charlee puts herself in danger …
And, as the investigation draws to a close, she wonders if she’ll be able to hand back the family engagement ring and walk away from Rafa Ffinch without a backward glance.
It seems I wasn’t the only who enjoyed Charlee and Rafa’ adventures!
Reviews for Boot Camp Bride
A touch of Sophie Kinsella, a smidgen of Jilly Cooper, yet totally Lizzie Lamb! Adrienne Vaughan
This book is above the average contemporary romance for me – the reason why? It’s intelligent as well as wildly romantic. India
Entertaining with comedic elements throughout, the pace of this well written tale rattles along at a good rate with sexual tension building from the start. Georgia Rose (Vine Voice)
Boot Camp Bride, however, is no straightforward Rom-Com. Ffinch has a sinister past, and hidden agenda. In cold and dark mid-winter, he drives them in his VW Camper Van into danger and menace at the isolated Boot Camp on the edge of the Norfolk marshes. Mags Cullingford
Undeterred by the alpha male, she managed to fight him with wit and stubbornness. Lizzie Lamb’s characters and style of writing sparkle in Boot Camp Bride. This romantic comedy is classic gold: it is the equivalent of comfort food and a good night out with friends. Lady Bracknell
Boot Camp Bride is a well written and very amusing romance novel which would be ideal for a holiday read or a long winter night in front of the fire. Catherine
As I mentioned at the start of this blog I am currently writing the third book in my Dark Skies Trilogy and where better to write it than Scotland? We’ll be heading north soon and if that doesn’t inspire me to finish the novel, nothing will. In the meantime, why not check out the first two books in the series? All my books are available as paperback which make ideal gifts.
Finally, I hope everyone has a great summer and look forward to touching base with you in September when, hopefully, the word count of my next novel will have increased. And, I’ll have lots of fabulous photos to share with you. In the meantime, do check out my other novels which are all available on Amazon and written with love.
Winter Star in the Scottish Highlands – 99p – #kindledeal
Winter Star in the Scottish Highlands is available to download for £0.99 until 31st of May.
After that it reverts to the original price of £2.99. So get it while it’s hot. Winter Star in the Scottish Highlands can be read as a stand alone. Or, you can find out more about Halley and Tor’s relationship and how/when they fell in love by reading Dark Highland Skies . I am currently writing the third book in the series: Summer Solstice in the Highlands of Scotland which I hope to publish late spring 2026.
This isn’t the first time kindle deal I’ve been offered. I was on holiday in Scotland on a freezing cold autumn day at John O Groat’s when my phone pinged and there it was. That deal was for my novel Boot Camp Bride. If you want to know more about Boot Camp Bride you can read an extract here. It is currently available to download for £0.99. Strangely, I was in the Cotswolds on the hottest day of the year this time when Amazon offered me this kindle deal. I accepted straight away as such offers are as rare as hens’ teeth.
Perhaps caravanning brings me luck! Back in 2017 when I was offered my first deal, we were touring Scotland with our first caravan – and Ebay bargain at £300. Since then, after deciding that caravanning is for us, we have upgraded several times and are currently on our fifth – a double axle with ensuite shower room, island bed and full size fridge. Strangely enough, we collected it from Newhaven which is exactly where we spent our honeymoon in great uncle Tommy’s wooden (!) caravan with no running water, fridge or other refinements.
You can read here about how our caravan becomes my writing room when we’re on holiday
Anyway, I digress. Here the books are side by side. I have a lot of affection for the hero/heroine in Boot Camp Bride, Rafa and Charlie – but Tor and Halley (Winter Star) are my and readers’ current favourites.
If you haven’t read ‘Winter Star’, Here’s the blurb – As the harsh Lochaber winter approaches and with Halley expecting a baby, living in the converted Airstream caravan, Beag air Bheag, becomes impractical. Tor’s family home – Eagles Crag – offers shelter, but his mother’s inevitable meddling is holding them back from moving there. Instead, they find refuge in the Dower House and prepare for the arrival of their baby with optimism and hope, embracing the magic of a Highland Christmas, culminating in the Ghillies’ Ball on Hogmanay.
However, an old flame of Tor’s rents the nearby bothy threatening to disrupt their idyllic life . . .
Is their love strong enough to survive the trials of family, winter and a ghost from the past?
. . . and finally. When we were in the Cotwolds we went to Snow’s Hill Manor where I spotted a bassinet in an attic room. It was seeing a similar cot in Drum Castle in Scotland two years ago which inspired me to include the contentious “Strachan Bassinet” in Winter Star.
I’ll sign off for now. Thank you for reading my blog post – I hope it has inspired you to download Winter Star and Dark Highland Skies which are available for £2.98
PS – I would love it if you ticked the FOLLOW box on my Amazon page and susbcribed to my blog
A Room of One’s Own
My Writing Space: From Promotion to Planning
Growing up, I shared a bedroom with my two sisters.Then, when I went to teacher training college in 1969, I found myself sharing a room with another student. I’ve always wanted my own room; a space in which to write and dream. It wasn’t until I married in 1973 that I was able to achieve this. Our first home was a large three bedroom pallisaded villa and my husband turned the smallest bedroom into a study for me.
Scroll forward a few years to when we were able to take early retirement and pursue our hobbies. Me – writing my first novel, and husband Dave restoring classic cars and metal detecting. (He still hasn’t found the elusive Saxon horde but lives in hope). I live in hope of writing that award winning novel and seeing it made into a movie! Well, a girl can dream, can’t she? My ambition is to have ten novels to my name and I am about to start writing number nine for publication next spring.
My study
I’m old school and call my writing den/office ‘my study’. It has everything I need and more besides, including a mug from the Literary Gift Company bearing Virginia Woolf’s eponimous book: A Room of One’s Own. The room overlooks the garden, has a window into our conservatory straight in front of my desk and, to my left, a shelf which my husband erected so I can spread out papers etc. In the winter, we have a wood-burning stove in the conservatory to keep us warm and in the summer, the doors open directly onto the patio. I sit at an old desk I bought years ago out of the local paper. My chair is new and supports my back. The desk is wide enough to hold my PC, printer, pens and notebooks, etc. I’ve also added a piece of wood over the top right hand desk drawer which provides me with extra space for my diary and in-tray. I have thought of installing a coffee machine but decided that would be a step too far.
Recently, I’ve had a massive clear out and have donated some of my paperbacks to charity shops. You can’t keep everything, right? Some books I can’t bear to part with – my ancient ‘penguins’, Mary Wesley, Jilly Cooper and Georgette Heyer novels; and of course all of my research materials. I figure that one day someone will have to empty my study so I want to make the task easy for them.
Where else do I work ?
When I’m planning the next novel I use post-its and large sheets of A3 paper, I like to work at the dining room table with MacBook, pens, highlighters, etc to hand. Again, it has everything I need, and through the double doors, I can see the sitting room where I can go to relax and watch TV/DVDs and videos for inspiration and research. My current fixation? HIGHLAND COPS ON BBC iPLAYER.
Research, caravanning and holidays
Followers of my blog will know that we try to spend most of the summer caravanning in Scotland. This year will be no exception. Once there I manage to get down to some writing each day using my MacBook Air. I save the manuscript each day on Dropbox and back up on Microsoft. Belt and braces, that’s me.
Recently I bought a keyboard to work alongside my Ipad and that takes up even less space. I do like music in the caravan (when I’m not writing) and take my blue-tooth speaker along to listen to music on Spotify. This summer , I hope to work on the sequel to Winter Star ready for publication in 2026. If you haven’t read Winter Star and the pre-quel Dark Highland Skies you can read an extract on their Amazon page.
Here is one of my favourite reviews – from Sue Baker of Facebook group – Rivetting Reads and Vintage Vibes, who recently organised a Burns’ Night celebration of my books
Well, I guess that about wraps up February’s blog post. Please be sure to follow my blog as over the coming months I will be organising a couple of giveaways . . . signed paperback copies of my novels. Until then, stay warm and look forward to spring.
Happy New Year or, as we say in Scotland . . . lang may yer lum reek
My novel, WINTER STAR IN THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS, published mid-December, has been well received. It’s a sequel to Dark Highland Skies and continues the love story of Tor and Halley as they prepare for the birth of their first child. I’m happy to say it’s one of my best-selling novels and due to readers’ feedback, I plan to write one last book in the trilogy.
As one of my lovely readers put it: “This is a superbly written story, easy to follow with fine details and explanation which are second to none. You will laugh, cry and sense all the emotions that the characters do in this snow-covered Christmas setting with an ending not to be missed. I’ve learnt so much from Lizzie Lamb’s portrayal of this magical place. As always, it’s best to read both books, but Winter star in the Scottish Highlands can be read as a standalone.”
This is Ballindalloch Castle which I visited a couple of summers ago and which inspired the castle in my book – Creag na h-lolaire, which means Eagles Crag in Gaelic. Everything about it is romantic and if you’re ever in the Trossachs its well worth a visit.
If you would like to know what the novel is about. here’s the blurb
If you’d like to read the opening chapters of Winter Star in the Scottish Highlands FREE, click here
. . . A Winter’s tale to warm your heart from the Queen of Highland Romance Wrap up and snuggle down, this is the perfect winter read, whatever the weather
if you’d like to know what readers thought of Winter Star in the Scottish Highlands – see below –
. . . A captivating and heartwarming sequel to Dark Highland Skies. Fall in love with Halley & Tor and the glorious Scottish Highlands all over again! A Winter Wonderland of love, family feuds and friendship – a gorgeous read
. . . As usual Lizzie Lamb writes a compelling and heart-warming story of love, friendship and at times difficult family relationships, with great characters and a few scheming villains too! Tor is a wonderful hero and Halley is a strong heroine and their love for each other really shines throughout the story.
And, finally, before you go, please consider leaving a rating/review for Winter Star. Short written reviews matter on Amazon and just a few sentences is enough. More importantly, enjoy the story and look out for the last book in the trilogy which I hope to publish at the end of the year.
Bliadhna Mhath Ùr
Happy New Year from Lizzie and her kilted hero
We might be a long way from the highlands but we know how to party.
An extract from the Ghillies’ Ball in Winter Star in the Scottish Highlands –
Lights and music greeted them as they disembarked from the Land Rover and entered the barn, transformed under Lady Strachan’s expert guidance. Industrial-size machines pumped heat into the air of the cathedral-like building, melting the snow on its slate roof. In lieu of seating, straw bales draped in rugs and tartan shawls were arranged around three sides of the barn. As the temperature rose the scent from the bales reminded them of the successful harvest gathered in thanks to unseasonably good weather.
The Ghillies’ Ball was the family’s way of thanking their staff and tenants for their hard work and looking forward to the new year with hope and enthusiasm.
Behind the bales, along the bottom edge of the barn, large trestle tables had been erected and staff, under the critical gaze of Mrs Robinson, were unloading food from catering vans. At the opposite end of the barn on a temporary stage draped with a large saltire, musicians were tuning their instruments in readiness for the ceilidh: bagpipes, snare drums, accordion, fiddle, electric guitar and a small Celtic harp.
Chains of fairy lights, strung along the sides of the barn and as high as staff could safely reach, made everything festive and inviting. Soon folk arrived, stamping their feet to clear their boots of snow, and blowing on frozen hands to ward off chilblains. Arranging their coats over individual bales to reserve their place for the night and exclaiming at the barn’s transformation they greeted friends noisily. Once they’d bagged their spot, they removed outdoor shoes and replaced them with trainers. Or, in the case of the older generation, dancing shoes.
Tor and Halley’s party were as impressed as the other guests at the barn’s makeover and exchanged knowing looks as they recalled discussing the barn’s potential as a wedding venue. Leaving Halley in Lexie and Rowan’s capable hands, Tor walked over to the band to check everything was ready, keen to ensure Halley’s first Ghillies’ Ball would be a night to remember.
If you’ve enjoyed reading this extract from my novel then read a longer sample and maybe even download a copy of the novel. All my other Scottish themed romances are currently priced at 99p/99c.
BREAKING NEWS – RNA INDIE CHAMPION OF THE YEAR AWARD
I’m super thrilled to announce that I’ve been shortlisted for the inaugural ‘INDIE CHAMPION OF THE YEAR AWARD 2021′ by the Romantic Novelists’ Association.
I’ve been blogging for quite some time but some of my newer followers might not know the story behind my writing journey. So I thought it might be a good idea to bring you all up to date. If you’d like to learn more about the award, here’s a link to the article in The Bookseller.
This link takes you to the RNA blog and more information.
Being shortlisted for such a prestigious award has given me a chance to reflect on what – to date – has been a wonderful career as an author. I am grateful for the fabulous friendships I have made throughout this journey, hopefully helping and inspiring others to achieve their publishing dream too.
I’ve always wanted to be a writer of romantic fiction. Being an indie author works for me as it gives me the opportunity to work at a pace which suits me. Going it alone, without the backing of a publisher/agent has been challenging at times and I wouldn’t have come this far without the expertise and generous support of the Romantic Novelists’ Association at local and national level. I was one of the first full members of the ‘Independent’ arm of the RNA and, with a little help from my friends, have gone on from strength to strength, learning all the time.
This support has spurred me to write and publish six novels with the seventh currently underway. Here are some photos I thought I would share with you.
some members of the Belmont Belles and Beaux writers’ group 
Me and Louise Jensen 
Celia Anderson, Ros Rendle, Isabella Tartaruga et moi ❤ 
June Kearns, Adrienne Vaughan, Jan Brigden 
Carol Bevitt, Adrienne Vaughan, Lizzie Lamb, Marcia Holah, Caroline Bell-Foster, Marilyn Rodwell 
Tawna Wickenden, Carole Matthews and me
I’ve never been a ‘lonely in a garret’ type and embraced the notion of networking with and learning from other writers early on. I joined the RNA’s New Writers’ Scheme and formed the Leicestershire & Rutland Chapter – the Belmont Belles and Beaux – with June Kearns almost fifteen years ago. From a standing start we now have 63 members and as part of our ethos of being inclusive and sharing our experiences, we have organised and hosted a range of events including talks from:
- Bestselling authors: Carole Matthews, Cathy Bramley, Sue Moorcroft and Louise Jensen
- Workshops & writing groups
- Plus ‘sharing-knowledge’ events featuring invited book bloggers/agents & publishers and other publishing technicians.
The writer on the back row in the kingfisher blue cardigan is Sarah Houldcroft of Goldcrest Books who formats my books and uploads them on to Amazon.
Highly recommended.
Nearly ten years ago along with June, Adrienne and Mags I co-founded an indie publishing group – New Romantics Press. To date we have published a total of 15 books between us – many of which have won awards for romantic fiction.
Adrienne Vaughan, Mags Cullingford and June Kearns 
one of our first appearances as New Romantics Press 
Lizzie and Adrienne at Romance in the Court – May 2017 – ‘girls just wanna have fun’.
I’ve written and published six novels, with no 7 well underway. Of those, Scotch on the Rocks and Girl in the Castle have been shortlisted for the Exeter Novel Prize with Harper’s Highland Fling and Bootcamp Bride and Take Me, I’m Yours becoming #1 in their genre on the Amazon charts. I am very proud of my achievements and still think back to the heady days when I published Tall, Dark and Kilted and reflect how much publishing has changed since then.
I was a primary school teacher for 34 years and am happy that I’ve been given the chance to help others achieve their publishing dream. Once a teacher, always a teacher – right?
So, to conclude this blog pots, I’ve booked the train, bought the ticket and reserved a room for October 28th – the night of the ceremony. Follow me on Facebook and Instagram to see how I get on. In the meantime I’ve got a new novel to write, currently standing at 40:110k words. Is it set in Scotland / does it feature a new hot hero in a kilt? You bet it does.
Have a great weekend and enjoy reading my blog. Please leave a comment if you have time. It’s always refreshing and inspiring to hear from my followers. All the best –
That was the year that was – 2019 . .
January
Christmas Lunch 2018 
Happy New Year ! 
Hogmanay – Himself and me 
Dave – Burn’s Night
February
Isabella comes to stay and we attend Carole’s book launch in MK 
We took the caravan over to Ludlow. Didn’t expect to hear bagpipes. 
My new sign which took some tracking down. 
The sign reads . . better than gold is a tale well told. How true !
March
Crazy Celts deliver talk at Great Glen Library 
Carnaby Street.
Groovy, Baby
We took in an exhibition 
Waiter photobombed my birthday meal 
Annabel’s wouldn’t let us in on my birthday – 🎊 
Our posh Lunnon Hotel – Mayfair
March -and there’s more . . .
Snowdon via railway 
Blimey, it’s a long way down, look you, Boyo 
RIP Uncle Joseph 
secret gate to Bristol campsite 
Gottle-a-geer – Portmeirion 
first day without Uggs
April- come she will (click here for a song)
Book Swag courtesy of Carole 
Himself and Me,
Hambleton HallWriters Workshop
Chez Lamb
The Fab Four at Hambleton for Maisie’s birthday 
Our first Banksy
(note burglar alarm as pearl earing)
May – she will stay
New caravan #5 
transverse bed and end washroom – luxury 
Mr David arranging the blinds 
where the caravanning adventure began –
honeymoon Newhaven 1973
I am invited to a Lit Fest 
I make the Stamford Mercury next to Sophie Hannah – fame indeed
June – will change her tune (we head for Scotland)
June 8th – Bonnie Scotland 
Glen Etive – the very stone where Daniel Craig stood in Skyfall 
I present owner of Castle Stalker with copy of Girl in the Castle 
MH driver getting stuck on the road to Applecross
Peaty Highland water, Applecross 
Badenoch Inn with Sarah Mallory and husband 
Train ride to mythical Glenbogle 
Desperate Dave in Dundee 
Two Minxes 
Herself and Dave, Falkland Fife 
bagpipe playing pig, Melrose
July – she will fly – research for #6 Plockton
my favorite castle Ballindalloch 
research for #6 – Plockton 
Gaelic for ‘Co-op’ on Isle of Skye 
If we ever tire of being retired 
view from Big Sand to Port Henderson 
Walter Scott’s Abbotsford 
I sold my Golf VR6 (sobs) Hope to buy a mini convertible in 2020
August – the Isle of Wight
Biddy and Betty down The George 
Mad friends meet up in Cambridge 
paperweight made by Phyllis 
Carry on Writing 
We 💝 Steephill Cove 
We find a Secret Beach Cafe 
We sell caravan #4 😪
September
The dreaded tax return, done and sent to the Revenue Men 
Narberth Book Fair and a man in a kilt 
Books what I have wrote RNA Afternoon Tea, York 
Writer and La Diva Four besties :
June, me, Adrienne, Jan
October /November
One appears in Writers’ Forum 
My article about writing in the caravan 
New author pics needed 
I host a ‘charidee’ event with Adrienne 
Big in Bangalore
Amazon offer me a Kindle deal in India.
First fire of autumn 
Herself – aka The Teenager – on her iPad.
December and beyond …
The jays return to our garden 
We become addicted to raspberry gin 
A new month and yet more promoting 
Lizzie explaining her planning methods at a writers’ workshop
Looking ahead . . . 2020
What does 2020 hold for us? More trips away in the van, certainly. Have tickets for the Braemar Highland Gathering in September to celebrate Dave’s BIG BIRTHDAY. Other than that, we’ll take life as it comes and touch base with as many friends as possible. Keep in touch and let us know what you’ve been up to. Love from Lizzie and Dave
viewAuthor.at/LizzieLamb
You can find her paperbacks here (cheaper than Amazon, just saying)
Say Hello to Anna Shenton
A big hello to author, blogger and Facebook aficionado – Anna Shenton. Anna and I met via her writers’ page on Facebook and I wanted to get to know her better. So, here we go.
Anna, tell us a bit about yourself.
Born in a village in Staffordshire, England I experienced an interesting upbringing via my English father, and German mother -together with two elder siblings Ilona and Steven, and later, Ingo, a surprise brother from Germany.
Interesting names: I would like to know more about them sometime.
I live in Staffordshire with my lovely retired policeman hubby. We love to travel with our touring caravan. We share a fantastic family of six sons and daughter-in-law’s, and millions of adorable grandchildren, no shortage of inspiration.
Did you say caravan? Small wonder we clicked on Facebook. Not that OUR caravans are anything like this one – LOL.
(with the help of Fiona Morgan and Anne Williams)
Share with us how the writing process works for you
I write purely as a hobby, no set rules to how I work. I rely on what, where and when. I’ve never experienced (what shall I write feeling, or I must do this). Having said that, I hold much optimism for the future and revel in the freedom of writing. A home study course with the Writing School of London helped with publication of Star Letters, Fillers, and Articles in various magazines including Writers Forum.
Indie-publishing is my ideal. I’m free, no deadlines, no criteria, no rules. Thus far I’ve created – Seduced by Mind Tricks being my debut romance novel, followed by Lust for Survival a collection of short stories, Writing Spelled Out a guide on how to start writing, and my recent release 76 Silver Street a historical romance novella.
Freelancing is always lurking at the back of my mind, too. Scanning through magazines often tempts me to submit feature articles. If they’re accepted, great, if not, I’ve enjoyed writing it.
I love social media and through it I’ve made many new friends – writers and readers alike. But it can be ‘time suckage. What do you think, Anna?
My heart has warmness to the social network. Without it I wouldn’t have learnt so much, neither would I have met so many wonderful people. Controlling usage is the key; I don’t allow it to takeover! Many opportunities are there for the taking and I do believe building a social network reputation is essential for all authors! I’ve enjoyed building a Facebook page, and creating the writers authors & readers closed group, almost 1,000 fabulous supportive members.
Tell us who or what inspired you to become a writer –
My flair to create comes from my family. My late uncle, a famous artist, and my late father, a pencil/cartoonist who contributed to the Daily Mirror. My late brother wrote his Debut Novel (Notes in the Margin) which unfortunately, wasn’t published. I hope to get this published one day donating proceeds to cancer. My Sister writes a very popular frugal blog too (Mean Queen) she is amazing. The freedom of writing, expressing your inner self and creating is something I would hate to lose. I breathe inspiration from everyday life.
If not a writer, then what
Thank you Lizzie, for the opportunity to answer this question. It holds so many diverse answers. Naturally life itself is foremost, family, sharing and savouring precious moments. Thereafter, I’m lucky enough to have time to travel with my touring caravan, to tranquil places taking my pencil drawing subjects with me. I mainly draw portraits, self-taught, from photographs and find it rewarding. Outdoor life suits me too, so lots to do beyond writing.
A sequel to 76 Silver Street is at its infancy, title coming later.
Blurb – Although she had a roof over her head, Rosa Brown couldn’t abide Dan’s drunken coercive behaviour as his housekeeper anymore. Aunt Mildred’s call from her hospital-bed sends Rosa sneaking out of town, to take over her aunt’s rundown boarding house. Met by Jack Howard on arrival, in Pemberton 1905, Rosa’s heart plummets when her eyes meet with the dingy filthy place and Jack’s dark devilish impudent manner, who thinks she’s mad and has no intention of helping to get the place up and running before it goes bust.
Rosa is shocked when faced with all the ruffians and commoners knocking on the door and struggles to keep Jack’s hands off her. Sprucing the place up and filling it with respectful paying guests, proves harder than expected.
Now, filled with fear for her aunt and her own wellbeing, will Rosa ever find true love and be free from trouble?
Reviews
Jenny Lakin – 5.0 out of 5 stars Fast paced romantic novella of lives in the early 20th century suburbs of working Manchester . The story is fast paced and keeps you reading, I read it in one go.
S. M. Wragg – 4.0 out of 5 starsLively, believable characters. Sets the scene well at the turn of the 20th century. Running away from an abusive relationship, young and feisty Rose Brown has been left in charge of a run-down boarding house by her aunt, who is ill, a happening that brings her into contact with a variety of lively, believable characters. I enjoyed this book and I’m looking forward to reading the sequel.
Lady Rochford – 5.0 out of 5 stars
This is a time when life is cheap . . . Manchester at the turn of the last century is no place for a girl like Rose. Just when she thinks she’s found safety and love she needs to draw on all her reserves of strength in order to survive. She needs a way out of the slums; and a call from her aunt provides her with just that.
Thank you Lizzie, for the kind invitation to write a guest post for your blog. It’s a delight to be here. I hope to make this post as fulfilling, interesting and joyful as I can!
Photo by Gratisography on Pexels.com
You can connect with Anna Maria at –
https://authorcentral.amazon.co.uk/gp/profile
https://www.facebook.com/annaswritingpage/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/writersauthorsreaders/
76 Silver Street – Kindle edition https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07JGQGYRQ
paperback coming soon
My Writerly Year 2019 #part two
The highlight of the year was publishing my fifth novel – Take Me, I’m Yours. For this one I abandoned Scotland and headed for Wisconsin where I spent a glorious five weeks a few summers ago. However, fear not, there is a Scottish connection as the hero – Logan MacFarlane and the heroine India-Jane Buchanan are of Scots descent – natch. You can read about it here. Within a few weeks it reached #1 in its genre –
If you’d like to read the first three chapters – follow this link – And if any readers think I’ve abandoned Scotland, read to the end of the blog for details of my next novel . . .
July was a busy month. Adrienne Vaughan and I arranged a Literary Lunch at the Belmont Hotel, Leicester which raised £300 for MIND. It was also a great chance to showcase our books and to thank people for supporting our writing. We are lucky to have such generous friends and readers.
It’s funny how good things happen when you least expect them. I was overwhelmed when Simon Whaley of Writers Magazine contacted me and asked if I’d like to contribute to a piece he was writing on BLOG TOURS. Having taken part in two blog tours in as many months I felt qualified to comment.
June saw Bongo Man and me heading for Scotland with our caravan for a month – writing, touring, kicking back. I don’t know what it is about Scotland but it feeds my soul and my imagination. We’ll be returning there this summer, too. This time, we’ll be staying on a site overlooking Castle Stalker which was the inspiration behind Girl in the Castle.
For me, writing is all about making friends and sharing my work with others. Through Facebook and Twitter I’ve made many friends who have gone on to become readers and reviewers of my novels. I never take their support for granted. On our way up to Scotland, by an amazing coincidence, one of my proofreaders was staying on the same campsite in Kendal so I was able to thank her in person for all her help. Later in the summer, on the way to Cornwall in July we were able to meet up again at Exeter Service Station where I gave her a signed copy of Take Me, I’m Yours. Who says writing isn’t romantic? LOL.
In March I attended the RONAs with La Diva, Isabella Tartaruga, who is always first to read the rough draft of my novels and give me honest feedback. I also met fabulous JILLY COOPER – cue fan girl moment. And, in case you’re wondering, Jilly is even lovelier than you could ever imagine.
If I was to choose an author whose books put me on the path to writing, it would have to be Jilly and books such as EMILY, IMOGEN etc. And who could fail to fall for her hero Rupert Campbell-Black in her bonkbuster(s) Polo, Ride and Jump?
We’re getting close to the beginning of the year and Burns Night, which we celebrated at our Danish neighbours’ house. Go figure. As for my obsession with Men in Kilts, I encourage my husband Dave to wear his as often as possible. Purely for inspiration you understand. Here he is on his way to the Burns Night supper, looking quite the part. For those who are wondering, we belong to clan LAMONT (pron: Lam’NT, not La Mont). It’s motto is: Ne Parcas Nec Spernas (Neither spare nor dispose). Not quite sure what that means . . . but I do know that I wouldn’t have achieved half of my success without Bongo Man by my side.
I was lucky enough to be featured on other writers’/bloggers’ posts this year. Here’s a selection (including two blog tours ) if you want to take a look:
- A Night in with Linda Hill
- Books in my Handbag – A Wee Dram with Lizzie Lamb
- Rosie Travers – Comfort Reads
- UKRomComChat
- Being Anne – review of Take Me, I’m Yours (blog post)
As for 2019, the events are stacking up
Carole Matthews Book Launch (February), States of Independence (March), Self publishing Conference (April), Deepings Lit Fest (May) RNA Conference (July), RNA York Tea (September), Narberth Book Fair (Wales), return to DMU to give talk on self-publishing. In addition, there’s monthly Belmont Belles meetings which I organise with mu oppo and great mate, June Kearns.
All that remains now is for me to wish you a healthy and happy 2019. I’m about to pick up the threads of the next novel which I started just before Christmas and to get stuck in. What is it about? I’ll let this tweet and the video do the talking –
Lizzie Lamb - author 