And Then he Kissed Me...

Believe it or not, in exactly 4 weeks time it'll be mid-summer! Doesn't much feel like it today, snuggled under my snuggie on my sofa in my chilly flat, or last week when I was forced to wear tights - TIGHTS in MAY! Can you believe it?! - but every time I get a glimpse of sunshine, my heart leaps and I break out the sunglasses and shorts and dash outside to soak up the rays in the hope that Summer is here at last.  
Summer. The season of sunshine, shorts, sand...and even a little summer romance? 
When I was a teenager I used to dream of having a summer holiday romance like Sandy and Danny in Grease, but somehow it never happened. 
There were always plenty of cute guys on the beach or around the park or pool, and I spent hours coming up with witty opening lines or scenarios where we might 'accidentally' bump into each other and strike up a conversation, but ultimately I was just too much of a chicken. The idea of approaching guys who were total strangers was really scary - plus I was usually on holiday with my parentals, so I was probably too embarrassed too.  
So when it came to writing a short story for a romance anthology And Then He Kissed Me I decided to write about a character who was just as shy as me - but managed to have a summer holiday romance of a lifetime after all. 
My story, Star-Crossed, is about a brief encounter which is hot, heady, and heartbreaking, and I'm so thrilled and honoured to be featured alongside truly incredible authors - Joanna Nadin, Cathy Kelly, Sarah Webb to name but a few - and look at the gorgeous cover! 
Plus - bonus! - it's released on 4th July, just in time for the summer holidays!
I can't wait to read all the other stories - perfect beach reading, methinks...

Thanksgiving

I know I'm not American, but whilst I was there on my study abroad year with uni I was lucky enough to spend a Thanksgiving with a family in Florida, and think it's kind of a shame we don't celebrate something similar on this side of the pond. 

I don't need pilgrims and pumpkin pie to just stop and take a moment and think about all the things I'm grateful for in my life. My family, my friends, just how lucky I am to be pursuing a career I love - to finally be a published author. Which leads me to a whole other bunch of people I'm thankful for - my lovely agent, wonderful editors and cover designers, the fab Matt Buckingham who illustrated the Fairy Tale Twists series, my friends and colleagues on The Edge, and all at the SCBWI and the Undiscovered Voices competition which really kicked everything off. 


This time last year I had no books to my name, but now I have nine. NINE! How crazy-mad-fantabulously-insane is that?! It's a dream come true. And yes, along with the euphoria and thrill it has been really hard work too - learning to work creatively yet restricted by deadlines, trying to balance writing and editing with other aspects of my life (I admit I am definitely still learning on this one, and have spent much of the year cloistered away like Rapunzel in my flat being a hermit working on my second novel, sometimes not leaving the building for up to a week!) But whilst it can be frustrating/maddening/time-consuming I thank my lucky stars that I get to live my dream, and I am so grateful to my friends and family for being so understanding and supportive whilst being somewhat neglected. I love you all. 

And tonight I am extra thankful because I am going to the SCBWI's Mass Book Launch Party - what better way to celebrate a truly incredible year than with my friends and colleagues who have also had their fabulous books published this year - and best of all I get to celebrate with my mum, who's celebrating the launch of her 6th picture book.
It's been a fantastic year. And I am truly grateful.

Interview with Rosie!

Today on the Blogtour, Rosie, the main character in Someone Else's Life, gets her own interview over at The Book Addicted Girl! 

Find out what it's really like to discover your whole life has been a lie...

k xx

Day In The Life

Blogtours are such fun! With the US one kicking off today, the UK tour is still in full swing, and I had great fun writing this 

"Day in the Life" post for Books4Teens! 

Thanks Jesse!

kxx

US Blogtour!

Thanks to The {Teen} Book Scene 

for launching my US Blogtour today, 

and thanks to Britta at I Like These Books 

for kicking it off with a lovely interview 

about travelling, writing, and the publication process

 - with some crazy madlibs thrown in too!

kxx

Someone Else's Life - 2nd Birthday!

Don't worry! You haven't stepped into a time warp and ended up two years in the future!  (Though how cool would that be?!)

Just like the Queen, SOMEONE ELSE'S LIFE is lucky enough to have TWO birthdays!

Today is its US and Canadian birthday, and to celebrate, three lucky winners can nab a copy of the US hardback edition with its beautiful cover by talented photographer Dimitri Caceaune - See details below!

Someone Else's Life - Soundtrack!

Ever wondered what the soundtrack to your favourite book would be, if it were a movie?

Head over to the fab Readaraptor blog to listen to the SOMEONE ELSE'S LIFE Soundtrack!

It's a work-in-progress so I'd love any further suggestions!

Enjoy!

k xx