Today is my stop on the Blog Tour celebrating the publication of The Happy Ever Afterlife of Rosie Potter (RIP) by Kate Winter.
For my part in the tour I'm going to be sharing my review of the book which I have to say that I simply adored.
For my part in the tour I'm going to be sharing my review of the book which I have to say that I simply adored.
By Kate Winter
Published by Little Brown
Purchase @ Amazon
The Blurb
Falling in love is never simple. Especially when you're dead.
When Rosie Potter wakes up one morning with what she assumes is the world's worst hangover, the last thing she expects is to discover that she's actually dead. With a frustrating case of amnesia, suspicious circumstances surrounding her untimely demise, and stuck wearing her ugliest flannel PJs, Rosie must figure out not only what happened last night, but why on earth she's still here.
Slowly the mystery unravels, but there are many other secrets buried in the quiet Irish village of Ballycarragh, and nobody is as innocent as they first appear. Aided by the unlikeliest of allies in her investigation, Rosie discovers that life after death isn't all it's cracked up to be, particularly when you might just be falling in love . . .
In this hilarious, life-affirming and romantic journey through Rosie Potter's afterlife, she shares the ghostly tale of how she lived, she died, and she loved (in that order).
Dawn's Thoughts:
I was drawn to this book before the Advanced Readers Copy became available, and was so excited when the publishers contacted me and asked me if I wanted to read it AND be a part of the tour. I jumped at the chance and have loved reading every single word.
The book has numerous moments of humour that had me laughing along, and I particularly loved Rosie Potter's sense of humour throughout. We begin meeting Rosie when she 'wakes' up one morning assuming that she has a hangover from hell. She gets up, goes into the kitchen and it hits her that she doesn't have a hangover at all, she is in fact... DEAD - when she realises she's standing right in the middle of the kitchen table. Then her friend Jenny whom she lives with screams an almighty scream to which Rosie realises she's done so at the sight of her dead body laying bloodied on her bed.
The book has numerous moments of humour that had me laughing along, and I particularly loved Rosie Potter's sense of humour throughout. We begin meeting Rosie when she 'wakes' up one morning assuming that she has a hangover from hell. She gets up, goes into the kitchen and it hits her that she doesn't have a hangover at all, she is in fact... DEAD - when she realises she's standing right in the middle of the kitchen table. Then her friend Jenny whom she lives with screams an almighty scream to which Rosie realises she's done so at the sight of her dead body laying bloodied on her bed.
From those very first two chapters I just KNEW this book was going to be a hoot!
We travel with Rosie as she works through the build up to her untimely death, we meet her brother Chris, and his best friend Charlie. Rosie's always been fond of Charles but has never really paid it much attention, especially when she's been in a relationship with someone from Jenny's past. Jenny warned Rosie about him but she wouldn't listen, and over time Rosie realises why she should have listened to Jenny.
I couldn't help but laugh when Rosie explains how she's standing in front of people pulling faces, being really sarcastic and they don't even realise she's there... albeit in spirit form. So no-one can see her, no one can hear her.... can they?
I couldn't help but laugh when Rosie explains how she's standing in front of people pulling faces, being really sarcastic and they don't even realise she's there... albeit in spirit form. So no-one can see her, no one can hear her.... can they?
Charles helps Rosie discover how she died and their connection throughout the book is so heartwarming and tender that I honestly didn't want the book to end. I have to say though that I cried like a baby at the end of the book, real hard tears that made my eyes sting. I will never forget Rosie Potter, she is right up there with Sadie from Sophie Kinsella's Twenties Girl.
I really liked how Kate Winter wrote the epilogue as we discover how life went for the people closest to Rosie after her death, and when we discover how Charles coped without Rosie, well, when you read it you will understand why this is the ultimate Rom-Com cum Tear-Jearker. I have no hesitation to recommend this book, giving it a maximum rating of 5 Page of Fictional Love Hearts, and I know for a fact that I will be absolutely reading this again... and again. (And I don't really re-read books, unless they are off the charts brilliant!).
HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY KERRY!!!!
Yes, it's Publication day for Kerry Fisher who has written this GORGEOUS Must-Have Summer Read. It's the day when we bloggers get excited about, and the day that authors and publishers go absolutely crazy with excitement! You see, this gorgeous looking book and MUST NOT MISS read hits the shelves and then 'accidentally' falls into your basket when shopping. We love those accidents!
Yes, it's Publication day for Kerry Fisher who has written this GORGEOUS Must-Have Summer Read. It's the day when we bloggers get excited about, and the day that authors and publishers go absolutely crazy with excitement! You see, this gorgeous looking book and MUST NOT MISS read hits the shelves and then 'accidentally' falls into your basket when shopping. We love those accidents!
To celebrate, as well as there being stunning sunshine, there is going to be a HUGE twitter picnic which i'll be taking part in, Just head over to Twitter between 12pm-1pm and join in with #islandescape
Also, I have for you a very special interview with Kerry and I can't tell you how excited I am about hosting Kerry on Publication Day. So let's get this party started!!
It's
been such a long time since we caught up with you here on A Page of Fictional
Love. The last time we met up it was for a chat about your debut novel; The School Gate Survival Guide.
Thanks
so much for inviting me here. I’m so happy to be back!
I
loved that book as you know, and I couldn't wait for your next book. How long
did it take you to write The IslandEscape?
All
my books take roughly a year but I don’t get much done in the school holidays.
Despite the fact I instruct my kids not to disturb me, they float in and out
with ‘What’s for lunch?/Can you take me into town?/When I can I use your
computer?’
You're
back, thankfully, with a new summer read, TheIsland Escape. How does it feel to have your second book hitting the
shelves?
I
feel so lucky. And surprisingly, it’s much more enjoyable second time around. Last
year, I was so worried that I might let down all the people who’d shown great
faith in me, that I almost forgot to enjoy the moment.
The
book is set on an exotic island, what can you tell us about the setting and
location?
The Island Escape is set in Corsica and
Sardinia, and Surrey, which isn’t quite as exotic! I lived in Corsica teaching
English as part of my French degree when I was nineteen. Initially, I was
really homesick as I lived in a boarding school that catered for the children
from all the little mountain villages. When they went home at weekends, I was
just there on my own, which was really spooky! In the end, though, I made friends
in the village and discovered some wonderful unspoilt beaches and learnt to
windsurf and waterski.
Where
did your inspiration come from?
I
have a milestone birthday coming up next year and I’m lucky enough to have lots
of friends I’ve known for several decades. None of us have ended up with the
lives we thought we’d have (some have turned out better, some worse). It
started me thinking about how we have a certain idea of how our future will
turn out when we’re twenty, yet a decade or two later the landscape can look
entirely different. I suppose that’s one of the attractions of Facebook –
seeing if the most popular/prettiest/most intelligent person really did end up
the happiest.
Like
your last book, The Island Escape
contains an element of the school setting in the guise of Octavia, one of the
main characters, being a Nursery Manager. Why did you choose a similar work
environment?
I’m
drawn to writing about motherhood. I always want to portray the realities of
having children and the mixed – and sometimes unwelcome – emotions they can
arouse even in a parent who loves them beyond all measure. There’s so much
pressure in school for children to conform and it’s easy to feel criticised if
they – or their parents - are a bit unusual, so schools/nurseries are a great
environment for exploiting conflict in any story.
Where
does your inspiration for the characters come from?
All
my inspiration for characters comes from what I observe around me. I take tiny
bits of character traits I see in people (or myself!) and weave them into
complete people. Jonathan, Octavia’s rather dull husband, is obsessed with
rotating apples in the fruit bowl according to age. I’m embarrassed to say that
I get cross when my kids eat all the freshest fruit and leave a manky pear
rotting at the bottom!
The
novel is written from the perspective of two characters, Roberta and Octavia,
who are close friends. What was it like to write in this style?
I
loved it. I feel most comfortable writing in the first person and by doing it from
the perspective of two characters, I got to be privy to the machinations of two
minds, rather than just one. It does present a writing challenge, though, to
make the two characters instantly recognisable with different ‘voices’ and
attitudes.
Can
you briefly introduce us to Roberta and Octavia and maybe share a secret from
each character?
Roberta
grew up in an affluent household and is used to the finer things in life. Against
everyone’s wishes, she married Scott, who turned out to be a bully. He’s completely
drained her confidence. Secretly, she yearns to prove that she’s not just a
woman who can match a handbag to a pair of shoes, that she’s a capable,
intelligent woman who can stand on her own two feet. Octavia was a rebellious
and wild teenager, who’s ended up married to Jonathan. He used to embrace her
daredevil nature but over the years, her adventurous spirit has started to
irritate him. Her secret is that she still hankers after the ‘one that got
away’, a charismatic Corsican called Xavi.
The
cover says: 'What if there was somewhere you could disappear to?" - so to
answer your own question, what would be your escape?
I
lived in Florence for five years in my twenties and I still dream of a little
farmhouse in Tuscany, up on a hillside with a terrace, carafes of Chianti,
sunflowers and poppies.
When
you're not writing, how do you escape from life's twists and turns?
My
ridiculously naughty dog, a Labrador/Giant Schnauzer cross infuriates me and
makes me laugh in equal measure. We live on the South Downs in Surrey and I
walk her through gorgeous English countryside every day. Just seeing the
changing seasons relaxes me – at the moment all the bluebells are out, the
hawthorns are blossoming, the cowslips and violets are dotting the hill. I love
it.
If
you could eat an exotic meal on an island beach, what would it be and
why?
I’m
not fussy at all but I hate fish, so sadly, my fantasy of barbecuing a freshly
caught squid over a fire won’t ever come to pass. One of the things I loved so
much about living in Mediterranean countries was that you could taste the sun,
rather than the greenhouse, in the vegetables. Nothing beats a plate of
sun-ripened tomatoes, peppers and aubergines, drizzled with peppery olive oil,
rosemary focaccia and goat’s cheese…yum!
Can
you share a summer holiday memory of yours?
I
studied French and Italian at university and in the summers I used to au pair
for a lovely family in a tiny Italian village in Liguria. The first evening I
was there, when I didn’t know much more than ‘hello’ and ‘where’s the train
station?’, the mother left me in the village piazza with all the other young
people and basically said, ‘Look after her.’ It was terrifying at first but
they were so friendly to me. We used to spend every evening sitting in the
square – someone would get a guitar out and we’d all sit under the stars
singing ‘We Are The World’. So simple but so much fun.
If
you could meet a handsome exotic bookish hunk, what would he be like?
A
cross between Gerard Butler and Clive Owen!
Lastly,
are you planning on writing a third novel? Because I'm already eagerly awaiting
news of where you're going to take us next.
The
best advice I ever received from my author friends was to get writing the next
novel as soon as you get a publishing deal because those deadlines fly round.
So thankfully, I’ve already finished book three – basically, ‘What happens when
a secret you thought you and your family had buried bites you on the bottom a
few decades later’! I hope I’ve intertwined a serious subject with a witty look
at the challenges of parenting teens.
Thank
you so much for taking time out of your hectic promotions schedule to talk to
us about The Island Escape. I wish
you the very best success with it, and I will be doing everything I can to help
you easily secure that No1. Bestselling author's spot!
Thank
you so much for inviting me here again, Dawn, I really appreciate your support.
The
Island Escape is out now: http://amzn.to/1Oz0NkM
Please be sure to 'check-in' with the other gorgeous blogs taking part in the tour and stop by the Twitter Picnic if you can;
Hi there everyone,
As you may know, Carina publishes all over the world so we have authors from the UK and even as far as Australia! And I've got some fabulous Q&As with amazing Carina UK Authors. We've already received so many hits for the Q&A with Samantha Tonge and today we get to meet yet another fabulous Author.
Hosting the "Carina Catch Up" (which by the way, please use the HASHTAG #CarinaCatchUp if you are on Twitter and Social Media), is an author I've not had much awareness of ... that is until NOW! She is brilliant, and has written some pretty saucy books (See them here ), is a Bestselling Historical Romance author, which very much remind me of books my mum used to read.
Please welcome, Anabelle Bryant;
Hi, and welcome to A Page of Fictional Love. It's lovely to have
you here for a Q&A. I love being able to do these Q&As because we get
to chat with the author of books we love and we meet the real person behind the
words.
Congratulations on your published
novels; Being a published author must make you feel so excited?
Becoming published had
been a dream of mine for over a decade so finally realizing my heart’s wish was
amazing. I cried when I received my first contract and I rarely cry at
anything.
Can you remember the moment that you
discovered that you were going to be a published author?
I can see it in my mind perfectly.
I was reading my emails and almost deleted “the all-important life-changing email”
because I thought it was spam or an advertisement. I was rushing and almost
pressed delete, but something made me pause and then once I started reading my
heart began to race.
What is your experience of being an
author?
I love writing, but I’m
also an elementary teacher. Between teaching, writing, and life in general,
time is sparse. Add the layer of all time consuming promotion and I’m usually
dead tired by the end of the day. Lucky for me, I’d tried to become published
for so long, I had a few full length novels to reread, edit and submit while I
try desperately to balance life’s demands.
As someone who has written extremely
short stories, I know how difficult I find the process of writing to be when
you're trying to cram all your bursts of ideas in. How do you find the writing
process? Are there any tips you have on writing a better novel?
My advice is to let it
sleep while you sleep. In other words, whenever I feel trapped by my plot or
frustrated with my hero, I let the book rest and I do something different –
sometimes even sleep. When I wake up or return to my laptop, I often have a
better feel for the problem. As far as the writing process, I love the beginning
of a new novel. The first several chapters when the hero and heroine are
beginning their romance is the favorite part for me.
Can you share with us a typical
writing day for you?
Typical writing days are
Saturday and Sunday, otherwise during the week I only have an hour or less in
the evening. On the weekends, I’m up early and working social media while I
visit and revisit my manuscript. I don’t sit in front of my story for hours on
end unless I’m rereading or editing. When I write I’m definitely more hit and
run. Write a few pages, dabble in Twitter, write a few more, check out
Facebook. Lol.
Where did your inspiration for
writing come from?
I’m a certified word-nerd and proud
of it. I love words and am always up to play Scrabble or read a dictionary.
Something about syllabication and clever turns of phrase ignites my love to
write. I know my author voice is not the norm, and I think that’s because I’m
very interested in how the words play together on the page.
What comes first when inspiration
strikes; The characters, the plot, or the ending?
Inspiration strikes for me with a
particular scene and I build the plot and story around it. Sometimes it’s only
a conversation, so to answer your question, I would have to choose characters
since they are in every part of what I do.
Do other authors inspire you, if yes,
who and why?
Sherry Thomas writes the most
emotional, heart twisting historical romances I’ve ever read. Lisa Kleypas has
inspired me to put humor into my stories. Certain works from Julia Quinn,
Loretta Chase and Eloisa James are also favorites.
What was it like when you first
submitted your manuscript?
Let me lean on my huge
pile of rejections while I answer this question. Lol! I have a lot of rejections,
but oddly, about 80% of them were near misses, always encouraging and providing
positive feedback about my writing. I knew I was close…but how long “close”
took was another story altogether.
What is your biggest “Author Dream*?
Well, the new historical romance
series that began two weeks ago is connected by the charms on a bracelet. I can
totally see that as a mini-series on television. I wouldn’t say “no” to that!
Of course, that would drive my book up the charts to New York Times Bestseller.
It’s all connected…these wild dreams of mine.
How do you celebrate Publication
day?
Sadly, it’s rather an
ordinary day. There’s so much to do…not too much time for celebration. I think
I need to change that in the future.
What is it like to hold your paperback/ebook
reader in your hand and see the words you wrote available for millions to
read?
I’m so very guilty of not
taking time to relish in my success and “smell the roses”. The first time my
work popped up on my Kindle I stared at it a long time. It was a goal long
fought for and finally won! A surreal moment!!
What was the last book you read, and
what did you enjoy most about it?
I am reading Julie AnneLong’s A Love Like No Other and enjoying it. Her PennyRoyal Green series is
about 15 books long, so this is #3 and I have many more in the series to look
forward too. I think knowing that I’ll be with these characters for a long time
makes it most enjoyable for me.
What would your dreamiest book hero
hunk be like?
My hero hunk must be
tall, with dark hair, dark eyes, a good build, and longer hair. My most recent
book, Defying The Earl, nailed my description perfectly.
What can we look forward to in your
*new* book out later this year?
My Regency Charms series
just launched with book 1 releasing May 5th. The next 3 books are
already up for pre-sale. (No pressure there!) Book 2 comes out in August and is
titled Undone By His Kiss. I feel it’s one of my best romances yet and I’m
totally in love with the hero.
Are any of your characters based on
you? Or someone you know?
I suppose all of my characters
possess a little of my personality, but my heroes are all inspired by
celebrities who catch my eye. Jared Leto, Gabriel Aubry, Orlando Bloom, and
Colin Farrell have all provided me with inspiration.
Before we finish up, can you share
where you love for the fictional pages first came from? Perhaps a memory from
childhood?
I was an avid reader
since age 3 and always in trouble because I wouldn’t put the book down and come
to the table for dinner, or get in the bath, or go outside and play. I
therefore learned to take my book with me everywhere and just do as I was told,
reading in secret. It became second nature because I still take a book
everywhere.
I can't believe this is the end of
the interview (sob!) I've had such a great time talking with you I'd love to
invite you back to talk more your books in the future.
Thank you so much for having me for a
chat. I really enjoyed this interview!
From all my readers
here and myself, we wish you the very best success with your books, and can't
wait to see them listed as a Bestseller!
Make sure that you check out her amazing historical romances by searching on Amazon for them. I'm off to find that Hunk of an Earl we heard about in Defying the Earl... I love a dark, tall and well built guy. Mmmmm lol.
Hi there everyone,
I've managed to organise a very special feature here over the coming weeks. I've managed to secure Interviews with some TOP authors from Carina. Carina publishes all over the world so we have authors from the UK and even as far as Australia!!
Kicking off "Carina Catch Up" (which by the way, please use the HASHTAG #CarinaCatchUp if you are on Twitter and Social Media), is one of my favourite authors who has written and published the BESTSELLING Game of Scones which I utterly raved about.
Please welcome, Samantha Tonge;
Hi, and welcome to A Page of
Fictional Love. It's lovely to have you here for a Q&A. I love being able
to do these Q&As because we get to chat with the author of books we love
and we meet the real person behind the words.
Thanks so much for having me here,
Dawn!
Congratulations on your published
novel/s; Being a published author must make you feel so excited?
Yes, I still can’t quite believe it.
It took me eight years or so to get my novel publishing deal, and many times I
felt like giving up – but I didn’t. I think perseverance is one of the most
important qualities for a writer... along with a good stash of chocolate!
Can you remember the moment that you
discovered that you were going to be a published author?
Yes, my then agent emailed me. There
were two offers on the table which were very exciting. It did take a few days
for it the news to settle in properly though. My editor-to-be did a print out
of comments from members of the Carina team, saying why they liked my debut
book, Doubting Abbey. That was special.
What is your experience of being an
author?
There is a lot more to it than the
writing, and that surprised me – especially for a digital-first author. All the
promotion, to get your book noticed... Luckily I enjoy social media but it can
be time-consuming!
As someone who has written extremely
short stories, I know how difficult I find the process of writing to be when
you're trying to cram all your bursts of ideas in. How do you find the writing
process? Are there any tips you have on writing a better novel?
Look on each chapter as a short story
– it must have a good start, good end and not just fluff in the middle. And if
you break a novel down in that way, it doesn’t seem as daunting to write.
Can you share with us a typical
writing day for you?
At my desk by eight, catching up with
Twitter and Facebook. Then bath and breakfast, um, ahem, anywhere between then
and eleven! If I can, I work more or less through until the kids come home from
school and then I continue, as they are older now. I am very lucky to be able
to write more or less full-time – apart from the moments I really must stock
the food cupboards and clean!
Where did your inspiration for
writing come from?
It sounds a bit cheesy, but I always
kind of knew that one day I would be a writer. Just a feeling inside – a love
of words. I really used to craft letters that I wrote to people and back then
the inspiration was a passion for words and sentences. Now it is also about
sharing emotions with readers.
What comes first when inspiration
strikes; The characters, the plot, or the ending?
With me, it is the title first! Title
is everything to me (so it is rather upsetting if it gets changed!) Then
character comes shortly before plot.
Do other authors inspire you, if yes,
who and why?
Sophie Kinsella has inspired me –
creating ditzy character in the Shopaholic series who was loveable as well. And
John Green, his teenage voice in The Fault In Our Stars is exquisite. I’ve
never read Barbara Cartland, but her output was inspiring. And Stephanie Meyer
of the Twilight series, who wrote something so original that grabbed the
public’s imagination.
What was it like when you first
submitted your manuscript?
The first ever manuscript I subbed
was to the Darley Anderson Agency and I was hugely (and naively!) shocked when
it came back! I soon grew a thick skin as rejections rolled in over the years,
although the odd one always hurt. I think in the beginning I thought that
writing a novel was a real feat and it would just, kind of automatically, get
published. I had a lot to learn!
What is your biggest “Author Dream*?
A Hollywood movie based on one of my
books. Yes please!
How do you celebrate Publication
day?
Usually low-key, as I am working late
into the evening, promoting. But I always have a lovely lunchtime launch party
on Facebook and that means everything.
What is it like to hold your
paperback/ebook reader in your hand and see the words you wrote available for
millions to read?
Some days it still hasn’t sunk in
that people have not only read my work, but enjoyed it. It’s made all the sweat
and tears along the way worth it.
What was the last book you read, and
what did you enjoy most about it?
I read Love, Lies and Louboutins by Katie Oliver and loved it! A chicklit
book with a bit of a difference, and fast-paced writing which I love.
What would your dreamiest book hero
hunk be like?
Ooh, well my heroes have come in all
shapes and sizes - in my new book, Game
of Scones, there is tall, suave, executive half-Dutch Henrik and mocha-eyed, flirty
fisherman Greek Niko.... But certain characteristics in all my heroes are very
important, like determination, kindheartedness and loyalty.
Following on from your HUGE success
of Game of Scones (Congratulations!),
What can we look forward to in your *new* book out later this year?
Well, it’s called My Big Fat Christmas Wedding, so I
think that says it all! It is a standalone sequel to Game of Scones.
Are any of your characters based on
you? Or someone you know?
The character of Henrik in Game ofScones is based on a charming Dutch flight attendant I met last year. Twitter
put us in touch and he has been lovely, sending me photos for promotional
purposes.
Before we finish up, can you share
where you love for the fictional pages first came from? Perhaps a memory from
childhood?
Enid Blyton. I used to read her books
in the bath, and still have them, brown and curled, in the loft. They provided
pure escapism.
I can't believe this is the end of
the interview (sob!) I've had such a great time talking with you I'd love to
invite you back to talk more your books in the future.
I would love that! It’s been huge
fun. Thanks so much, Dawn!
From all my readers here and myself,
we wish you the very best success with your books, and can't wait to see them
listed as a Bestseller!
Thank you!! xx
Well fictional lovers, I don’t know about you but I really enjoyed
catching up with Samantha. I just need to imagine what the dishy Dutch Flight
Attendant looks like now to drool over… Ahem, I mean visualise Henrik more
accurately ;)
If you haven’t already got yourself a copy of Game of Scones then I
strongly urge you to. You can buy it HERE
and read my review HERE
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