Yes, I've been woeful at blogging of late - too much going on and a million other excuses.

I've still be reading and learning though. 

Normally I wouldn't select a book on the basis of the publisher, but independent publisher Choc Lit has provided all of my top reads of this year.

 This small but perfectly formed outift are consistently producing top quality books.  Definitely falling into the romance category, they have added depth to them.  Their publishing criteria is that the story must include the hero's perspective, which although does add an extra dimension, I think what sets apart their line up is the quality of the writing and the writers they are showcasing.  Choc-Lit seemsto have a great partnership with its writers and really care about what they put out there. 

I know from inside gen that they have an industrious panel of readers who have to give manuscripts a postive critique before they get published and that the panel is carefully chosen and vetted before they're let loose.

It's certainly paying off. 

My top read of this year is the fantastic, The Untied Kingdom, which I bought on Kindle but its a keeper and I'm going to have to buy the paperback. 

Where do I start? From page one, you are thrown into the story - quite literally dropped into the Thames with the heroine, Eve,who is down-to-earth and a fighter, without that awful cutesy feistiness.

A riveting page turner this book is set in a modern day parallell world, which is brilliantly conceived.  The detail of the setting and the locations really creates an evocative world that you become absorbed in. 

The battle scarred hero is a gem, tough, uncompromising and fiercely loyal as well as bit more than a bit sexy. 

From a writers point of view, this book has it all, a clever plot which is full of conflict, great description of an original setting, engaging characters and page turning pace.  Set some time aside - you might want to read it in one sitting.

   

 

 

 

I could just die of shame.  Snow? My previous blog is of course horribly out of date, although looking out of the window at the rain lashing down in mid August, winter suddenly doesn't seem so far off.  (It's being so positive keeps me going you know.)

I'm trying not to read too much at the moment.  Mainly because I'm focusing on finishing my WIP and because I'm saving up a pile of goodies to read on my hols.  Top of the pile is the incomparable Jill Mansell's To the Moon and Back (a signed copy no less from when I met the very lovely lady herself at the RNA conference in Wales in early July) which I have been hoarding like a secret bar of chocolate.  Needless to say that is the first book that I'll whip out on the plane signifying the start of my holiday proper. 

This year I've got the wonderful security of knowing that there's absolutely no chance of me running out of books.  I have a kindle! Hurrah!
My biggest fear about going on holiday is that I will run out of books to read.  No chance this year. 

So hopefully when I get back, the current WIP will be on some reader's desk being critiqued and I can blog about some of the books I've caught up on. 

Here's the first half of my holiday reading list:

To the Moon and Back - Jill Mansell
A Perfect Proposal - Katie Fforde
Count  to Ten - Karen Rose
Spider Bones - Kathy Reichs



In the meantime back to editing!

With all this snow, its the perfect excuse to curl up in front of the fire with a good book and I've been powering through them recently.

Christine Jones - Moonshine
Tricia Ashley - Wedding Tiers
Julia Quinn - Ten Things I Love About You
Allie Spencer - Tug of Love

And loved them all.

Tricia Ashley's books have become particular favourites because I adore her characterisation.   Wedding Tiers was no exception. The characters come alive from the page almost to the extent where you feel you can predict how will they behave.