We're all about Tom Ellen....plus a book giveaway

We're pleased to welcome Tom Ellen to CLC today, to talk about his debut adult novel, All About Us. Thanks to Harper360, we have one copy to give away!

Tom Ellen is an author and journalist from London, England. He is the co-writer of three critically acclaimed Young Adult novels: LOBSTERS (which was shortlisted for The Bookseller's inaugural YA Book Prize), NEVER EVERS and FRESHERS. His solo adult debut novel is the romantic comedy ALL ABOUT US (HQ/HarperCollins, published October 2020). His books have been widely translated and are published in 20 countries. He is a regular contributor to Viz magazine, and has also written for Cosmopolitan, Empire, Evening Standard Magazine, The Daily Mash, Glamour, NME, ESPN, ShortList, Time Out London, Vice, Stylist, and many more. (Bio courtesy of Amazon.)

Visit Tom on Twitter.

Synopsis:

If you could turn back the clock, would you choose a different life?

Ben’s always loved the month of December, but this year, with his relationship with Daphne on the rocks, it’s missing its usual magic. And then his old friend Alice gets back in touch. Ben’s always thought of Alice as the one that got away, and he can’t help but wonder: what if he’d done things differently all those years ago?

He never imagines he might get to find out… but when a stranger sells Ben a mysterious watch one freezing winter’s night, he’s astonished to wake up the next morning on 5th December 2005: the day he first kissed Daphne, leaving Alice behind.

Now Ben must make the biggest decision of his life, all over again. But this time around, will he finally find the courage to follow his heart?

All About Us is a captivating novel of heartbreak and loss, friendship and hope – and how the choices we make throughout our lives will shape our destiny. (Courtesy of Amazon.)

‘Magical and beautiful’ -Josie Silver, author of One Day in December

What was it like going from writing young adult novels to writing your first adult novel? 
The actual style of writing and the way of telling a story didn't differ very much, to be honest. I think people often imagine that YA books - or books for younger readers - are somehow easier to write, but that's definitely not the case. I think young readers want their stories just as grippingly told and well written as 'adult' books. The really big difference between the two, for me, was that I wrote all my YA books with my co-author (Lucy Ivison), and All About Us was the first novel I've ever written alone. So, that was a big jump to make - it's so much easier writing with a partner, because you can bounce ideas off one another, and if one of you is lacking in motivation, then the other will boost them up. Writing with Lucy, I would finish a chapter and then think: 'Brilliant - I can relax now until she sends me her chapter back'. But writing by yourself, the pressure is always on you! You definitely need a lot more confidence and will power. In the end, though, I really enjoyed it - but I'd still love to write more co-authored stuff in future. And more YA!
 
How are you similar to or different from Ben? 
I'm afraid to say I probably share quite a few of Ben's bad traits! Like him, I can definitely be prone to self-doubt, self-pity and just general anxiety and grumpiness. We also went to the same university - York - and acted in plays during our first term, so we're quite similar in that way too. However, I have never bought or owned a time travelling watch. So that's one major difference between us.  
 
If All About Us were made into a movie, who would you cast in the leading roles? 
Well, definitely Bill Nighy as the watch-seller! Bill, if you're reading this: call me. In terms of Ben, I reckon someone like Nicholas Hoult or Domhnall Gleeson could be quite good. And my dream casting for Daphne would probably be either Phoebe Waller-Bridge or Gugu Mbatha-Raw. Oh, and Kate Bush for Ben's mum. I realise that's pretty unlikely, but you've got to shoot for the stars, haven't you? 
 
What TV series are you currently binge watching? 
I've just finished I May Destroy You by Michaela Coel, which is ridiculously good. During lockdown, I did a lot of bingeing, and very much enjoyed Normal People, Succession, Sharp Objects, and the Hip-Hop Evolution series on Netflix. Next up is I Hate Suzie, which I've heard great things about.  
 
What is your favorite thing about the month of October? 
For me, the best thing about October is that it's usually the month that brings my favourite type of weather - crisp, cold, but very sunny. So I've got my fingers crossed for some of that this year - although judging by 2020's record so far, it'll probably just rain non-stop for 31 days.
 
What song is currently playing in your head? 
For some reason it's the song "Bullion" by the Swedish punk band Millencolin. I haven't listened to it since I was about 16, so I've got no idea why.  

Thanks to Tom for chatting with us and to Harper360 for sharing his book with our readers.

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Giveaway ends October 21st at midnight EST.

Book Review and Giveaway: In a Holidaze

By Melissa Amster

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…but not for Maelyn Jones. She’s living with her parents, hates her going-nowhere job, and has just made a romantic error of epic proportions.

But perhaps worst of all, this is the last Christmas Mae will be at her favorite place in the world—the snowy Utah cabin where she and her family have spent every holiday since she was born, along with two other beloved families. Mentally melting down as she drives away from the cabin for the final time, Mae throws out what she thinks is a simple plea to the universe: Please. Show me what will make me happy.

The next thing she knows, tires screech and metal collides, everything goes black. But when Mae gasps awake…she’s on an airplane bound for Utah, where she begins the same holiday all over again. With one hilarious disaster after another sending her back to the plane, Mae must figure out how to break free of the strange time loop—and finally get her true love under the mistletoe.

Jam-packed with yuletide cheer, an unforgettable cast of characters, and Christina Lauren’s trademark “downright hilarious” (Helen Hoang, author of The Bride Test) hijinks, this swoon-worthy romantic read will make you believe in the power of wishes and the magic of the holidays. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

I enjoy Christina Lauren's novels a lot, but In a Holidaze was one of the more enjoyable ones overall. I had a lot of fun reading it. While it follows a trope that has been overused quite a bit lately (maybe because every day feels like Groundhog Day right now), it was done in a clever way that kept me wondering if Maelyn would get sent back again or not. I liked the characters and the dynamic between everyone. Even though I don't celebrate Christmas, it made me appreciate the holiday and reminded me of the days when I was into the Christmas spirit. Having said that, I wasn't so on board with a church scene, but I can see why it was in there. I could practically hear Christmas songs coming out of the pages and could smell and taste the hot cocoa and candy canes. I could even feel the coldness of the snow. It just seemed like they all were having a lot of fun, despite Maelyn's stress over her situation. 

Movie casting suggestions:

Maelyn: Maia Mitchell

Andrew: Robbie Amell

Theo: Brandon Flynn

Miles: Mason Cook

Elise: Diane Franklin

Lisa: Peri Gilpin

Benny: Richard Roxburgh

Thanks to Gallery for the book in exchange for an honest review. They have one copy for a lucky reader!

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here. '

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Giveaway ends October 20th at midnight EST.

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Spotlight and Giveaway: The Merriest Magnolia

Today we are pleased to feature The Merriest Magnolia by Michelle Major. It is book two of the Magnolia Sisters series, but can be read as a standalone. If you're ready to get into the holiday mood, you've come to the right place. Thanks to Kaye Publicity, we have one copy to give away!

Home for the holidays has always meant cozy small-town traditions…but this year all that may change…

Carrie Reed has always been known as her hometown Good Girl, yet she still loves Magnolia, North Carolina—after all, this is where her newly discovered sisters, Avery and Meredith, live. But Christmas is on its way and with it, her first love. Dylan Scott is back in town and planning on changing everything she’s ever loved about Magnolia with his real estate development project…but not without a fight.

Returning to Magnolia was never in Dylan’s plans—it holds too many reminders that he would never be good enough, and memories of the girl he left behind. But when a tragedy leaves him guardian of a grieving teenager, Dylan returns, ready to remake the town into something only money can buy, small-town traditions be damned. But with Carrie determined to stop him, he finds himself wondering if redeeming his teenage reputation is worth losing out on his second chance at love.

Michelle Major grew up in Ohio but dreamed of living in the mountains. Soon after graduating with a degree in Journalism, she pointed her car west and settled in Colorado. Her life and house are filled with one great husband, two beautiful kids, a few furry pets and several well-behaved reptiles. She’s grateful to have found her passion writing stories with happy endings. Michelle loves to hear from her readers at www.michellemajor.com.

Visit Michelle online:
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Giveaway ends October 19th at midnight EST.

Tori Whitaker is a wish come true...plus a book giveaway

Photo by Nina Parker

Today we are pleased to welcome Tori Whitaker. Her debut novel, Millicent Glenn's Last Wish, published earlier this month. Thanks to Kathleen Carter Communications, we have THREE copies to give away!

Tori Whitaker grew up in the Midwest. She now resides outside of Atlanta, Georgia where she and her husband of more than forty years live near their two sons and their families. Tori belongs to the Historical Novel Society and her feature article, "Multi-Period Novels: The Keys to Weaving Together Two Stories from Different Time Periods," appeared in the Historical Novels Review. Tori graduated from Indiana University and is chief marketing officer for a national law firm. She is also an alum of the Yale Writers' Workshop. (Bio adapted from Amazon.)

Visit Tori online:
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Synopsis:
Three generations of women—and the love, loss, sacrifice, and secrets that can bind them forever or tear them apart.

Millicent Glenn is self-sufficient and contentedly alone in the Cincinnati suburbs. As she nears her ninety-first birthday, her daughter Jane, with whom she’s weathered a shaky relationship, suddenly moves back home. Then Millie’s granddaughter shares the thrilling surprise that she’s pregnant. But for Millie, the news stirs heartbreaking memories of a past she’s kept hidden for too long. Maybe it’s time she shared something, too. Millie’s last wish? For Jane to forgive her.

Sixty years ago Millie was living a dream. She had a husband she adored, a job of her own, a precious baby girl, and another child on the way. They were the perfect family. All it took was one irreversible moment to shatter everything, reshaping Millie’s life and the lives of generations to come.
As Millie’s old wounds are exposed, so are the secrets she’s kept for so long. Finally revealing them to her daughter might be the greatest risk a mother could take in the name of love. (Courtesy of Amazon.)

In one sentence, what was the road to publishing like for you?
My road was long and winding and filled with big potholes, but when I fell, I climbed back up and kept moving forward until I reached my destination.
 
Which of the three women in your novel can you relate to the most?
Hmm. Certainly parts of all three. I suppose I relate to Millie the most, because in the final analysis, she’s a grandmother who wants what’s best for her family. And I am already conscious of the things I’m passing down to my granddaughter.
 
If Millicent Glenn's Last Wish were made into a movie, who would star in the leading roles?
You’re the first to ask! I would happily leave casting to the pros, but with good make-up artists to transform stars into looking older or younger as needed, I have toyed with this cast: Judi Dench as matriarch Millie; Goldie Hawn as aging ex-hippie Jane; Goldie Hawn’s real-life daughter Kate Hudson as pregnant Kelsey in the modern storyline (and in dual roles—Hudson playing young housewife Millie, too). For Millie’s husband Dennis in his youth? Scott Eastwood all the way.
 
If we were to travel to your hometown, what are some places you would take us to visit?
I was born in Cincinnati and lived there until I was 10, and that’s where my novel is set. I’d recommend going to the art deco Union Terminal which opened in 1933. It still has trains and glorious original murals, but it’s renovated to hold the Children’s Museum, the Museum of Natural History, and the Cincinnati History Museum. While there, ask about the Whispering Fountains (they are featured in my book). If you’re into craft beers, you can wander not far off to the OTR where there are numerous breweries and bars. This neighborhood is filled with restored Italianate architecture, and it pays homage to the city’s German brewery history that dates to the 1800s. Brewing was a major industry here until Prohibition.
 
What is something you've learned about yourself during the pandemic?
I’ve learned that I love working from home. My day job (marketing for a national law firm) has quite a commute. Only now are our Atlanta office employees returning two days a week. But as a writer, I’m already self-disciplined—especially when writing must be done in my free time. Turns out, I’m productive doing my job remotely. The time that I used to spend getting ready for work or driving a car has allowed more time to walk, handle book launch needs, and often cook a comforting meal. I love that.
 
What is the last movie you saw that you would recommend?
I enjoyed Gerwig’s film adaptation of Little Women. Jo March’s journey to publication made my husband and I both get teary-eyed.

Thanks to Tori for visiting with us and to Kathleen Carter Communications for sharing her book with our readers.

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here. 

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Giveaway ends October 18th at midnight EST.

Book Review: The Understudy

By Jami Deise

With prestige television writers having developed a reputation as being this century’s equivalent to Charles Dickens, it’s not surprising that many novel writers are going into TV. Crime writer Megan Abbott joined HBO producer David Simon’s writing room; Gillian Flynn, Neil Gaiman and Tom Perrotta have also adapted their novels into series. But in today’s high-tech world, there are myriad ways to share stories: Twitter, YouTube, Wattpad, to name a few, and novel writers are looking at all kinds of media to distribute their work. 

The company Serial Box has combined the cliff-hanger format of TV with the written word of the novel, and its latest offering is attached to big names in the crime fiction genre. Sophie Hannah (The Monogram Murders, Closed Casket, The Mystery of Three Quarters), Clare Mackintosh (I Let You Go, I See You, Let Me Lie), B.A. Paris (Behind Closed Doors, The Breakdown, Bring Me Back), and Holly Brown (Don't Try to Find Me; A Necessary End; This is Not Over; and How Far She's Come) have teamed up in a novelists’ version of a TV room, producing The Understudy, which Serial Box calls “Big Little Lies meets Thirteen Reasons Why.” The ten episode series can be downloaded on both iOS and Android devices for ten dollars. 

The story centers around a London drama academy, where four teenage girls who dream of stardom are joined by a fifth, who may or may not have ulterior motives. Last year, the group nearly broke apart because of how Ruby bullied Jess. This year, someone else is bullying Ruby. Could it be motherless newcomer Imogene? Or someone else? The episodes are actually told from the points of view of their mothers, each of whom is very different from each other, yet all would do just about anything for their daughters. 

Serial Box describes each episode as “the length of the average commute, designed to fit into today’s fast-paced mobile lifestyle.” It did take me about 20-25 minutes to read each one, so I guess Serial Box is aiming for subway commuters who aren’t refreshing their Twitter feeds every 30 seconds. 

I received all ten episodes at once, and while I did not read them all in one sitting, neither did I stop when the episode ended. The series was a great fit for someone with my reading tastes, and the voices of the four authors worked well together. Each writer wrote for a specific character, and the mothers all sounded unique, while the narrative flowed. I did have some trouble remembering which mother belonged with which daughter – and I thought the ending relied too much on coincidences – but overall, it’s a very enjoyable read, and it sets itself up nicely for season two. 

Fans of these authors, and of female-driven psychological thrillers in general, will seek out The Understudy and would enjoy it on any platform. I’ll be interested to see if Serial Box attracts fans who don’t usually read novels. It’s an interesting concept, and I’d like to see it succeed.

Thanks to MPRM Communications for the book in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Then I Met You

By Sara Steven

I didn’t choose the role of single dad...it chose me. I’ve been picking up the broken pieces my wife left when she walked out on my daughter and me. The last thing I’m looking for is a relationship.

Then a spunky blonde with a career filled with instability starts making rounds, making me question if I can trust another woman. My daughter isn’t the only one curious about the country star. I’m not a blind man despite how scarred my heart is. She’s gorgeous, kind, and loves my child. What more can a man ask for?

As I get to know her, she adds sunshine into my grey life, and being with her reminds me of the man I once was. Our lives are destined to take different paths, though, and I’ll do whatever it takes to protect my daughter from the spotlight, even if it means giving up my second chance. (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads)

It’s always good to be back in Everton. This is my fifth trip back—somehow I missed reading the third book in this series, a serious mishap on my part! And while all of Francisco’s books can be read as standalones, they’re all so good that it’s worth reading every single one! 

Then I Met You proved to be deep and all encompassing, a more unique storyline for both Gavin and Sutton. It’s not often we get to see a single dad’s point of view, but we get that with Gavin, and there is a real sense of just how much he adores his daughter, Penny, and how important it is that he be the best dad he can be for her. He chooses not to let others in, particularly where potential romantic relationships are concerned. Having been a single mother, I could really identify with how he feels and where he is coming from. Really, anyone who wants to pursue a relationship with Gavin would need to see that it’s a package deal where his daughter is concerned, and add to that the pain he still feels from his past relationship with Penny’s mother. It’s a lot.

Sutton was the quintessential ray of sunshine, a sweet spot who lights up a room and makes it nearly impossible for Gavin not to feel drawn to her. I appreciated the back and forth between the two characters, the hesitancy, the “will they or won’t they” dynamic. It made for a nice build up to what we all had hoped might happen, that they’d eventually get together. It was also sweet to see the relationship that forms between Sutton and Penny, one of the bigger hurdles for Gavin. He doesn’t want to let just anyone into their family, and I could totally understand his caution with that. 

The largest obstacle is Sutton’s profession. She’s on the rise to becoming a country music sensation, and given she’s in the spotlight and others are starting to know who she is, it makes it hard for Gavin to live a quiet, simple life. The last thing he’d ever want is to suddenly become everyone else’s business, and that includes Penny, too. How can he live a peaceful existence with someone who has chosen a job that will be anything but? What I really loved is the realism behind that, learning to compromise and give and get a little, and wondering if two completely different personalities could learn to work through all of it and stay together. I really enjoyed Then I Met You, and I’m making plans to go back and read the third book too, so I’m completely caught up on all of it!

Thanks to Bare Naked Words for the book in exchange for an honest review.

Trope: Single Dad/ Small Town Series: Love in Everton, 6 (standalone)

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Meet the Author

Fabiola Francisco loves the simplicity—and kick—of scotch on the rocks. She follows Hemingway’s philosophy—write drunk, edit sober. She writes women’s fiction and contemporary romance, dipping her pen into new adult and young adult. Her moods guide her writing, taking her anywhere from sassy and sexy romances to dark and emotion-filled love stories.

Writing has always been a part of her life, penning her own life struggles as a form of therapy through poetry. She still stays true to her first love, poems, while weaving longer stories with strong heroines and honest heroes. She aims to get readers thinking about life and love while experiencing her characters’ journeys.

She is continuously creating stories as she daydreams. Her other loves are country music, exploring the outdoors, and reading.

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Book Review: She Lies Close

By Jami Deise

Most modern domestic thrillers follow a similar trajectory and tone: Frazzled mother, something small happens, something bigger happens, then something happens to the child. The screws tighten predictably as the tension builds until the final climax of the book. The villain is revealed to be the heroine’s best friend/husband/next-door neighbor. It’s a good, satisfying structure that works. But sometimes it makes things a little too neat. Sometimes a reader wants to get outside the box just a little.

Debut author Sharon Doering breaks some rules in her domestic thriller, She Lies Close, and the book is that much more enjoyable because of it. Her protagonist, Grace Wright, is recently divorced with two young children. She finds herself in the middle of a mystery, but Doering recognizes that even while the screws turn, a mom has to deal with runny noses, dog issues, inappropriate humor, immature ex-husbands, and all the messiness of life. Sometimes a person can’t worry about the kidnapper next door because she has body fluids in the refrigerator. 

Pre-school teacher Grace has divorced her cheating surgeon husband Nate and moved with their kids, eight-year-old Wyatt and three-year-old Chloe, into the only house they could afford. She’s barely there a week when she finds out why the house was such a steal: It’s right next door to the only suspect in the kidnapping and disappearance of cute little Ava Boone. She had already thought her neighbor, Leland, was a creepy old man. Now she wonders if he’s paying too much attention to Chloe. Then, one night, she thinks she sees Ava in the window… 

Has Grace found Ava, or has her single-mom insomnia caught up with her? Grace has a bizarre sense of humor, and weird things seem to happen around her; the book opens with Grace running into a colony of bats and needing rabies treatment as a result. She’s already on ADD medication and stressed out over the divorce. The news about Leland sends her into a complete panic. She tracks down the Boones to try to find out more about Ava—not surprisingly, this doesn’t go well. She’s late and distracted at the pre-school where she works. And then the dreams start…

Doering’s concept has a “what would you do” subtext that resonates beyond the particulars of her plot. Grace’s situation may be unique, but many women find themselves counseled that nothing can be done about low-grade stalking, implied threats, etc. until the guy actually does something. So they are sitting ducks, waiting for him to act on his worst impulses and offering themselves up as bait. It’s an unbearable situation, and it’s just as unbearable for Grace, waiting to see whether the monster next door will try to hurt her daughter. Because of this compelling thread, even the scenes that don’t feature the mystery have an underlying tension. 

Other than a few eye-rolling coincidences, Doering’s debut is a refreshing addition to a still enjoyable, but somewhat predictable, genre. Congratulations to Titan Books for finding this author. I look forward to her future releases. 

Thanks to Titan Books for the book in exchange for an honest review. 

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