Friday 29 May 2015

Giveaway! Amazon Gift Voucher

GIVEAWAY, 5* REVIEW
 
 
To celebrate the launch of Innocence (The Innocence series book 1) I am giving you a chance to win a Amazon gift voucher that is running for the next few weeks, all you have to do is add Innocence on Goodreads to your 'WANT TO READ' then I will choose at random the winner!

Innocence On Goodreads!


This is the time any author has fingers, knees, feet crossed hoping and praying someone will buy your book and enjoy it.
 
The promoting side of being an author is the hardest part, gaining the traffic to your book and hoping you've done enough to collect some happy sales. Thankfully I have already received a 5* review on Amazon and here its is...

Well I've enjoyed all of Holly 's previous books ,but this one was written in a completely different direction to her others . I wasn't sure what to expect . Well what can I say other than 'when is book two out' . Loved it from beginning to end , you could feel both of their pain on the decisions life had put in front of them .not sure where to go who to turn too, yet she came through it all and is still fighting. What a roller coaster ride she had ,then after all those years she meets a man who seems to care about her ,like no one has for such a long time ,only to find he was the someone she had to run away from ,frightened he would disown her like her mother did . Bringing her mother to mind as someone I would like to disown , treating her daughter the way she did ,leaving her homeless , helpless on the streets vulnerable .while she carries on leading a normal life .. what amazes me is they all feel there suffering more ! They haven't lived the life of hell she has ,quitting her family ,giving something precious up ..well without telling you the whole story , this was a book I enjoyed from beginning till end ....

Smiley face clapping and dancing, it always delights me when someone has enjoyed my hard work. All that time and dedication, pays off, of course any author would wish for more interest, but Innocence has only been out a few days lol

Buy link


Saturday 23 May 2015

Interview with Calvin Edwards from Innocence

Interview with Calvin Edwards from Innocence series 
OUT NOW .



Calvin has gratefully joined me today sitting inside Betty's tea room in York in St Helen's Square, a truly elegant café surrounded by huge curved windows, elegant wood panelling, ornate mirrors,  almost able to imagine yourself aboard a luxury liner. the inspiration taken for the  art deco elegance of the Queen Mary is particularly evident in our first floor Belmont Room which was inspired by one of the cruise liner's state rooms. The café offers the most sophisticated tea, cakes and sandwiches just perfect for this wonderful warm May day on the verge of the first book in the Innocence series to be released.

Thank you so much Calvin for joining me and taking time out to enjoy some serious tea and cakes.

Your very welcome Holly, and thank you kindly for writing the series. I'm not so sure many people will like you after reading the first book (he chuckles)

Oh well, a risk I am prepared to take. (I laugh)


How do you feel that your story with Kacey is about to hit the world? Scared to be honest! For myself as you know I'm still suffering and have so much to consider and sort out, and making the wrong decisions about the issues that have been brought to me. It doesn't help I care so much for Kacey and now to be honest...well read Innocence to find out how I feel at the end!


 
Describe yourself what is your worst and best quality?  This depends on who you ask, if regard to my employees I try and maintain good atmosphere and I never tolerate any shape or form of bullying or harassment. I don’t take kindly to people who think they are greater than others. If you ask Kacey the question I think she would say I’m a good friend and have been there for her in her hours of need. My worst quality I have money and can have what the heck I want…within reason.

What is the one thing you wish other people knew about you? I am approachable and I care more than people think.

What is your biggest secret something no one knows about? I have told a few lies to cover my own backside!

What are you most afraid of? Not being there for Kacey.


What do you want more than anything? To love someone who will love me back, without seeing the luxuries in my life.    

What is your relationship status? Single and pretty much on the market. (he winks) 

How would you describe your sense of fashion?  Fashionable and brands, at least I try and stay in the latest trends. I do enjoy retail shopping.

How much of a rebel are you? I don’t see myself as a rebel even if I told a few lies to Kacey about going to prison, well I got desperate to get her of the bridge. There was no-way I would live with myself if anything had happened, to her and the unborn.

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement? Running my father’s real estate company. I have worked my backside of to gain the qualifications I needed and to prove to my father I was capable of helping him run the company. I always say if you want something hard enough you can achieve it. Then of course I have to mention coaxing Kacey of the bridge and saving her and her daughter’s life was a bigger achievement.
Do you think she would have jumped? The frame of mind she had been in at the time, anything had been possible. She was at rock bottom and needed someone to listen and guide her through her troubled times, just typical it had been me to discover her. But now I feel blessed to have had our paths met.
Do you think you and Kacey will get together? I have no idea. I like her. I like her a lot, but we have so many issues we need to untangle and get through before we could even consider walking down that road.


What is your idea of happiness?  Being loved, cared for having someone in my life for my heart and soul, a woman to be my best friend as well as my lover, and have many munchkins running around my ankles.

What is your current state of mind? Mixed up, I have no idea which direction to head, as either way it would be the wrong way.

What is your most marked characteristic? Loyal!


What is it that you, most dislike? Drugs. Cowards and physical and mental abuse.


Which living person do you, most despise? Despise if a harsh word, but if I was to name one person, I’m sorry but I cannot and will not forgive Rosalind Richards Kacey’s mum for not being there when her daughter most needed her. To try and force something on her all to save the family name, she should be ashamed of herself, let alone the other issues I have with her, but please don’t make me go there, I already feel my blood boiling.

What is your greatest regret? My biggest regret, oh did you have to ask me that? Seriously read Innocence I think you will find out. I know I should have done things different, but through my selfishness, I didn’t and now…well now my heart kills.

Which living person do you most admire? Kacey, because she has despite what she has been through, come out to be the most precious, strong person I have ever met. What Kacey has been through sends my stomach summersaulting, and like she often says ‘I have seen the real world’.
What is your motto?  Never make promises you cannot keep, unless you are prepared see them through.

And advice you would give to anyone? Don't take things for granted and enjoy what you have. Life is a challenge and full of surprises, it's how we deal with the issues that matters and can have the impact to change the smallest of things. Life is precious!


Thank you so much Calvin for chatting to me. Not quite!

I have a question for you Holly!
I lift my brows shocked, not sure I'm willing to answer him. (giggles)
Go for it!
Are you anxious about the release of Innocence, and what have you learned from writing book 1?
Gosh, wow, Yes I am very nervous about the release of book one, being a different genre for me as I usually write erotica. I also think that any author suffers with nervousness, hoping it will do well, and is it good enough! You asked two questions (scoffs). What have I learned from book 1 my goodness, life always has a funny way of things catching up with us, never take life for granted and no matter what sometimes we all need a special chance to have our voice heard.
Thank you Calvin for the wonderful afternoon tea and fingers crossed for Innocence.
Thank you for being great company. Fingers, legs, arms and everything else crossed (he smiles). 
 
 
Buy link
 
 
Innocence Blurb
Book 1
 
Calvin Edwards has everything he could dream about— perfect lifestyle, running the family real-estate company back in London. He takes a holiday up north to visit his parents only to find a young pregnant woman attempting to take her life. Wishing to help, Calvin becomes a friend to her, only fears he’s out of his depth. Just when he thinks he can do this his past resurfaces, sending his life crashing.
 
Kacey is pregnant and her life is out of control with nowhere left to go. She descends on her mum for one last chance for help, only to have the door slammed in her face. At her wits end, she is alone, scared, and helpless until Calvin comes along. He becomes a dear friend giving her kindness, something she thought no longer existed in the world. Only she finds what she’d pushed to the back of her mind through selfish pain is back. Her past with all its mistakes has come back to life!
 
 





Tuesday 19 May 2015

Images of Inspiration for Innocence



 I have a great passion, an area where I love to visit regular, an area where I feel tranquil, refreshed and calm, a place where I can inhale the fresh air, relax my shoulders and drain my brain of any troubles. I love the idea of sitting and overlooking the most stunning of views listening to nothing but the birds singing and sheep grazing in the fields not far away.


I will confess this is where most of my inspiration came from for Innocence, the picturesque scenery. Let alone a landscape that forever changes.
 
I just love Yorkshire, and will find any excuse to visit. The area I have chosen for Innocence was discovered  over the years driving around and having many wonderful camping holidays. This location is based on the York, Malton close to the A64. A place where my hubby took me to visit just recently, not only giving me the emotions of where I based the tearjerker Innocence series but the fact the weather glorious and gave me time to relax.    








Innocence coming 23rd May 2015
with Secret Cravings Publishing
 

Thursday 14 May 2015

City of Inspiration

Innocence City



There is a particular city that I would find any excuse to visit, whether its, on the outskirts passing through to head to the Yorkshire Dales, just seeing a sign post for York in England gets me wishing I was visiting the historic walled city filled with rich heritage.

York Minister
York is the location I used for Innocence, inspiring me greatly on visits, although the main storyline is created in small villages twenty minutes drive from York, but close enough to use the historic city

The city was originally built by the Romans due to the River Ouse and Foss
 
The York Minister is one of the most famous landmark of the city giving the city the large amount of tourists from around the world.











Shambles


The shambles one of my favourite areas in York set back in the is an old street in York with the overhanging timber-framed buildings, some dating back as far as the fourteenth century. these shops are filled with stunning boutiques, small cafe's, some of the best butchers and I will confess make the best fudge I have ever tasted
Minister and Shambles
 
York castle is a short walk from the city centre, commonly known as Clifford's Tower the castle suffered a tumultuous early history before developing into a major fortification with extensive water defences. After a major explosion in 1684 rendered the remaining military defences uninhabitable, York Castle continued to be used as a jail and prison until 1929.

Clifford's Tower
 
 






Tuesday 12 May 2015

The Special Friendship

Friendship is always something very special and true friends stay around through all the tough times and always have their ears open to hear your troubles and share some amazing good times.
 
Although there are many forms of friendship, some of which may vary from place to place, certain characteristics are present in many types of friendship. Such characteristics include affection, through sympathy, empathy, honesty sharing a mutual understanding and compassion. It's important to have those special friends to share enjoyment of each other's company, share your secrets and not hide, be yourself, express one's emotions, and make those silly mistakes without the fear of that friend judging you.
 
The friends I have are special and mean a great deal to me, they know more about me than sometimes I know about myself, which is scary. Then there is being a special friend back and even though I do get lost in my book world no matter what they contact me, 'are you still alive?' I often laugh but time goes so quickly.



While writing Innocence there is a very special, caring, compassion and heart-warming relationship that builds between Calvin and Kacey. Despite Kacey's pain and where her mental state is Calvin is prepared to be ears and listen to her story, he isn't there to judge her no matter how he truly feels about some of the subjects. He is there, no matter what, to see through her dark days and make them blossom again allow her to be honest and be truly sincere. His friendship means the world to Kacey, and learning to trust him at first was something Kacey struggled to do. In time she slowly allows her guard down and he becomes the first person in her life in many years she has come to confide in and be herself. Calvin stays by her side to keep her safe and be that important shoulder to cry on let alone him doing all he can to try and make her smile, take her mind away from her troubles and show her a good time, and life isn't all about being used.




  

Friday 8 May 2015

Teaser from Innocence

Teaser time!! the first 500 words from Innocence


 
 
 
“Hey there, are you okay?” he called out, as he saw the woman standing on the river bridge.

Her arms out to her sides, holding tightly onto the thick steel rail, her back pressed firmly against it for support. He walked closer to her along the river embankment, the dark muddy water flowing down stream. It was the very bridge he used to cross with his parents when he was a boy going for long country walks; it was also the way to get to the other side of the river onto their land many years ago, but now not used. The bridge was not very strong, the planks of wood had rotted in a few places and the bar across had rusted, he feared it wasn’t safe to be used these days.

He wondered how she had got here onto this private land.

He had been minding his own business, blue sky and the sun already giving off some extensive heat. He heard the sound of his shoes on the small pathway running down the river on his parents’ land. He had decided that with the weather being so glorious, he would take a stroll, embracing the quietness, listening to the sound of the birds singing in the tress. The trees were showing signs of new life, budding and the weeds on the embankment were turning green, let alone enjoying the sight of blossom on the trees giving a real true feeling spring is here after such a mild winter.

 

He stopped walking and checked around that there was no-one with her, he couldn’t see anyone but him and her. Mystified he strode slowly toward her. When near enough he had a clear view of her face, she looked frantic and had been crying for some time. His gaze lowered when something else caught his attention. Her pregnant bump, that looked very swollen. Her brunette coloured hair was long, hanging down with a few curls at the end. She wore a pair of black slouch pants and bright pink vest top, which clung to her round shaped tummy. The woman didn’t look very old at all. She looked stressed and emotional, sobbing her heart out. He felt it was his duty to try and talk to the woman and stop her from what she might be considering.

“My name is Calvin,” he said, wanting to gain her attention. “I’m just taking a walk, it’s a beautiful day, don’t you think?” Hoping she’d answer him. She didn’t even flinch, or glance his way but continued to stare into the water.

He gulped heavily.

The sun was low in sky, and it was warm without a cloud in sight. A perfect spring day.

“I love days like this, don’t you?” he asked, desperate for her to make conversation with him, or even notice he was there. He scrunched up his nose, and rubbed the back of his neck trying to think what he should do or what to say. All he could see, at that moment was a young expectant mother intending to take her life by flinging herself into the river.

He coughed to clear his throat. The woman remained holding onto the railing. He could tell she was quarrelling with herself to do something, and hoped to God it wasn’t what he suspected. The girl still wasn’t showing any indication that she knew he was even there. She was clearly distressed and he longed to try and help her, even if to just get her down from the bridge and to safety.

Monday 4 May 2015

Monday Teasers 11 days until Launch!


 
Hello and thank you so much for stopping by.
Now I'm posting today due to the next two days being at the day job and earning enough money to pay for swag, books and attend book signings which I'll be doing in July in the UK, here's the link if your interested Second City Book Singing in Birmingham 18th July I will be there with my erotic series Desires and Innocence, as well as many other wonderful authors.
 
Now in 11 days I have a massive event happening in my life the launch of my first contemporary sweet romance only 2-3 flames throughout the whole series
 
Innocence
Innocence Of Love
Breaking Innocence
Return To Innocence
 
 
 
Innocence Blurb
 
Calvin Edwards has everything he could dream about— perfect lifestyle, running the family real-estate company back in London. He takes a holiday up north to visit his parents only to find a young pregnant woman attempting to take her life. Wishing to help, Calvin becomes a friend to her, only fears he’s out of his depth. Just when he thinks he can do this his past resurfaces, sending his life crashing.
 
Kacey is pregnant and her life is out of control with nowhere left to go. She descends on her mum for one last chance for help, only to have the door slammed in her face. At her wits end, she is alone, scared, and helpless until Calvin comes along. He becomes a dear friend giving her kindness, something she thought no longer existed in the world. Only she finds what she’d pushed to the back of her mind through selfish pain is back. Her past with all its mistakes has come back to life!

 
 
 
Thank you so much for joining me