Emma Louise – Z. Elizabeth

GUEST POST: Number #1 Christmas Book & Film by Emma Louise

Posted on December 14, 2013December 13, 2013 by Z. Elizabeth

Number #1 Christmas Book & Film by Emma Louise

Merry Christmas everyone!

I hope you’re all getting deep into the festive spirit. Our Christmas tree was decorated this week and the presents have just gone under, so it’s made our little home a lot more festive.

Christmas is a great time of year to spend reading books and watching films whilst curled up on the sofa with a nice big cup of hot chocolate.

Zoe kindly asked me to guest post for her blog and I couldn’t say no.

Do come and say hello on Twitter @EmmaLouAuthor and if you’d ever like to guest post on my own blog, www.emmalouauthor.wordpress.com – just give me a shout.

Lots of love,

Emma Louise xx

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Just For Christmas by Scarlett Bailey [2013]

Blurb:

When Alex Munro learns that the love of her life is getting married to another girl, all she wants is to be alone – and as far away from Edinburgh as possible. Moving to a Cornish cottage, which comes complete with the world’s scruffiest dog, Alex finds that her new neighbours are determined to involve her in their madcap Christmas festivities. Then she meets her sexy neighbour Ruan – and somehow Alex doesn’t want to be alone this Christmas after all. But having lost one fiancé, Ruan has no intention of letting anyone get close to him again…

Just For Christmas is without a doubt, my number one Christmas read. Scarlett very kindly sent me a signed Paperback copy in the post which I won in one of her wonderful competitions and it was absolutely incredible. Alex and Ruan are two very loveable characters and the Cornish town is far from quiet. This is a Christmas novel you’ll regret not reading! I’ll be picking it up once again in 2014 when the festive period visits us once more.

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The Santa Clause directed by John Pasquin [1994]

Blurb:

When a man inadvertently kills Santa on Christmas Eve, he finds himself magically recruited to take his place.

The Santa Clause film is by far the best Christmas film in the entire world! Tim Allen who plays Scott Calvin/Santa is one of my favourite actors of all time. He’s witty, charming and of course, he’s Buzz Lightyear! Without fail, I watch this film on Christmas Eve before heading to bed and it really does get me into the festive mood. I wish I could get away with watching it all year round…

Guest Reviews

GUEST REVIEW: It’s Raining Men by Milly Johnson

Posted on August 5, 2013August 5, 2013 by Z. Elizabeth

Blurb:

Best friends from work May, Lara and Clare are desperate for some time away. They have each had a rough time of it lately and need some serious R & R. So they set off to a luxurious spa for ten glorious days, but when they arrive at their destination, it seems it is not the place they though it was. In fact, they appear to have come to entirely the wrong village…

Here in Ren Dullem nothing is quite what is seems; the lovely cobbled streets and picturesque cottages hide a secret the villages have been keeping hidden for years. Why is everyone so unfriendly and suspicious? Why does the landlord of their holiday rental seem so rude? And why are there so few women in the village?

Despite the strange atmosphere, the three friends are determined to make the best of it. But will this be the break they all need? Or will the odd little village with all its secrets bring them all to breaking point?

Review:

Before I give my honest opinion of Its Raining Men, I would just like to personally thank Simon & Schuster UK for sending me a review copy of the novel, and also thank you to the wonderful author Milly Johnson who is just a delight to talk to on Twitter.

Within the first three chapters, we are introduced to May, Lara and Clare – three women who all work for the same company, but never have the chance to have a proper girls day. Milly (that’s the author) is very clever with hinting as to what will happen later on in the narrative which allows the readers to be drawn in – and I certainly was! The three females are highly relatable, as they have troubles with men. Don’t we all? Yet, that doesn’t stop them from having an absolute blast on holiday. These three women are independent, successful and friendly – can I be friends with them?

As the readers are brought into the mysterious village of Ren Dullem, we learn about the history as and when the characters learn. This allows the narrative to have a calming pace to it, and I did in fact, at several points, think I was on holiday! There are a million questions swirling around Lara, May and Clare’s heads but will they receive the answers they deserve?

Milly has added another storyline to the plot which I was confused about at first, I couldn’t figure out how the character of Joan had anything to do with the village – but then it clicked! What a bitch! She’s evil. Readers, watch your back with that one! As the narrative reaches the climax, the two storylines gel as one and it is an emotional yet spectacular ending that the novel deserves.

I really enjoyed reading It’s Raining Men, and on the 1st August, it can be yours to own!

You can find the author on Twitter: millyjohnson

Review by Emma Louise
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EmmaIsWriting
Website: emmaiswriting.wordpress.com

Guest Reviews

GUEST POST by Emma Louise

Posted on July 23, 2013July 22, 2013 by Z. Elizabeth

So today, Emma is guest reviewing again on The Book Lovers.

She will be taking about her book, The Mistake and answering a few questions.

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The Mistake is about a love triangle between Daniel, Nina and Thomas. The narrative is shown on the present day of a wedding and then it continues onto the party. Every now and then, there are flashbacks to help the readers figure out what will happen next. The idea came about when I was in my second year at University during a Fiction class and we were given a five minute warm up to get our brains thinking. My lecturer says “write about flowers.” Instantly, I thought of a wedding and a beautiful bouquet of flowers but the person holding the bouquet has a dark secret. I decided to self-publish because I came impatient; I wanted people to know about my novel this year rather than hanging around waiting for an agent to agree to my terms and to find a book deal. I wouldn’t say that self publishing is difficult, but I wouldn’t say it’s easy either. Self-publishing gives you complete control and that’s what I want. The difficult part is the promoting because you ask for help, and some people are more than happy to help and others only care about themselves and their own novel. In my opinion, the best thing about writing is definitely the characters. I love creating the characters and getting to know them. It’s fantastic to be in complete control of the people who you’re writing about.

Q. Who is your favourite author?

A. I have three – is that cheating? So, the main one is JK Rowling. I was heavily bullied whilst at High School and it seemed that the one way I could keep myself happy was to read one of the Harry Potter novels. I fell in love with Daniel Radcliffe when he hit the big screen and I’ve been a diehard fan ever since. My other two favourite authors are Nicholas Sparks and Paige Toon. Nicholas Sparks is my favourite American author of all time – nobody will ever beat him to the top spot. He has a way of writing descriptively that is so beautiful and captivating. Each time I read one of his novels, I learn something new. He knows how to take a simple love story and make it beautiful and new. Paige Toon is my favourite romance author here in the UK. I’ve met Paige at a book signing and honestly, that woman is one of my idols. I have so much respect for her. Her books are beyond incredible. She’s a real inspiration to me and I felt a connection with her when I first picked up one of her books.

Q. Can you tell us a little bit about your blog?

A. Of course. My blog can be found at http://www.emmaiswriting.wordpress.com and it’s where I do interviews with authors, post book reviews which tend to be posted straight after I’ve read them and then there are updates of my writing. I also have Twitter @EmmaIsWriting if anyone has any questions

Q. Where do you see yourself in ten years?

A. In ten years, I’ll be 32. Wow. That’s old! I see myself working as an editor in a publication house. Hopefully in Manchester as it’s a beautiful city. I’m not worried about marriage or children, because for me, my books are my life and right now, I’m focusing on my career.

Q. Do you have a writing degree?

A. Yes, I have two. I have a Bachelor Honours in Creative Writing and Film Studies, and I also have a Masters in Creative Writing. Degrees will allow you to be taken serious in the publishing industry.

You can find Emma’s debut novel, The Mistake, on Amazon. Follow the link below: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mistake-What-happens-terribly-wrong/dp/1490412840/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1374502388&sr=1-1&keywords=the+mistake+emma+louise+dagnall

Emma’s Links:

Twitter: @EmmaisWriting

Website: www.emmaiswriting.wordpress