Wordwrights

It's time for some overdue praise for members of our talented critique group WORDWRIGHTS. Here in WA our group have all been working hard, getting our books up to scratch - and with considerable success!

Congratulations to all. I know how hard you've worked towards publication, some with full time day jobs to contend with as well.  Special congrats to the first timers, who have written some wonderful books, all different in style and voice - books they can be really proud of.

I've mentioned Anne E Summers first book SINGING MOUNTAIN before, reviewing it and showing off the lovely cover. The book has gathered some wonderful reviews from readers of Ebooks, and it's now available in print from Amazon and directly from the publisher, Solstice.

Eliza Redgold's first book has just been released by Harlequin and is available through the usual channels. Set in the lush vineyards of WA, mix together one young women with more grit than gold, a honey of a Frenchman - two adjoining estates in dispute over water and a whole heap of luscious truffles and what do you get? BLACK DIAMONDS!

Last, but not least comes the release of Venetia Green's erotic Vikings novel. If you're into delicious Danes, naughty Norwegians and sexy Swedes, or willing to give them a try - A HAWK ENSLAVED is a boatload full of erotic fun and it's available in electronic form and available from various sources.

Quarterly post.

It's ages since I've posted anything to my blog, but nobody has sent me frantic emails asking me where it is. As usual I've been working pretty hard, and it's been a long, very hot summer here. My latest book I'LL GET BY has just been released (Feb 2013). It was reviewed by WritingWA, which is the literary body for the State of western Australia (see below). The review also appeared in the West Newspaper. After writing 30 books this is my first review by them so I was understandably nervous. This book is the third one in the World Wars' trilogy and is preceded by books one and two: TALL POPPIES and SECRETS AND LIES.

I’ll Get By, Janet Woods (Severn House)
Set in London against the unfolding background of World War II, this is a story of a young woman’s journey to find love, happiness and the promise of a future amidst the destruction, uncertainty and horror of war.  The characters are familiar and endearing, without being too predictable and their efforts to retain some semblance of normality and social standing amidst the chaos and upheaval provides a warm-hearted glimpse of British stoicism in action.  There is a well-balanced mix of suspense, intrigue, and passion to suit avid romance readers, all capped off with a happy ending . . . . .West Australian Newspaper 29th Feb 2013. www.writingwaorganization.

I've just finished another book, a love story set amid the cut-throat world of smuggling along the British coast. Although I'm classified as a romance writer MOON CUTTERS is not full of romantic swaggering figures, but depicts the smugglers as the thieving bunch of criminals that they were - criminals who came from all walks of life. I've now started another book. No time to relax since this one is contracted.

What else nice has happened in my life? Firstly, a paperback saga I wrote for Simon and Schuster and which was published in 2004 has attracted a sale of over 7,000 copies to a bookclub. This one is A HANDFUL OF ASHES.

I've also released some of my older, out-of-print, books for ebooks through Belgrave House.

Last, but not least. A short story (non-romance) that was a runner up in the Katherine Susannah Prichard award three or so years ago is to be included in a  an American anthology with the theme - I thought I'd never see you again. "The Greek, The Dog, Shangri-La, and Me" is already contracted, and the anthology will be published and offered for sale by Novelist's Inc, which is a professional published writers' organisation.(NINK) for short.

All the best.
Janet.

The Singing Mountain - review

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THE SINGING MOUNTAIN by Anne E Summers. 

www.aneesummers.com

Solstice Publishing - January 2013

 1918 – 1940 Set in the mysterious Welsh mountains, this is the story of Megan a working class girl from a mining town who falls in love with someone far above her. Ignoring tradition and disregarding the advice of her family and friends, Megan weds Ian, the wealthy local landowner. 

Soon Megan is expecting her first child, but the first flush of love begins to be eroded by Ian’s family. When her son is born it seems to Megan that he’s in danger - something she tries to credibly articulate, but without success.  She is labeled hysterical, and unstable. Her husband is torn between wanting to believe her, but is forced to accept the more rational explanation of doctor and family members. Megan is scared of losing Ian’s love, and the son she has borne him, and at times she questions her own sanity.

During her lonely walks in the high country the voice of the mountain calls Megan. Aware of the unusual forces surrounding her she confides in Alun, a gypsy who befriends her. He relates to her the legend of Rhiannan, the White Witch, and she understands she has past issues to resolve before she can find peace in the present. Alun takes her through the circle of stones into the Otherworld. Time is flexible as they move between past and present meeting people they’ve known before. One of them is Wil, with whom Megan shares a deep affinity.

Megan’s marriage settles down as she begins to understand herself, but twenty years later the repercussions of her involvement in the Otherworld come back to haunt her when bad magic comes to threaten everything she loves. Megan has made an enemy that follows her through time - the White Owl. Raked by its poisonous claws Megan’s life is at a low ebb when her beloved son Huw, goes through the stones to seek the help of Rhiannan, The White Witch.

There is nothing contrived about this novel.  A connection is established with the characters early in the story. The author is Welsh-born, and the empathy with her heritage through her characters is strong. The Celtic love of folklore with all its mystery and drama glows through, and the language is evocative of the time and place. The novel deserves its fine cover.  

This is Anne E Summers first published book. She’s made a fine fist of it. The writing is beautifully lyrical and the fantasy element is believable - anchored as it is to Megan’s reality. The dangers encountered in both the Otherworld, and Megan’s present keep the tensions high. The characters captivate, and their stories raise the emotional levels.

A highly entertaining story that lingers in your heart long after you’ve finished reading it.

Janet Woods  * *  * *  *

I'LL GET BY

 

I’LL GET BY

London/Dorset. World War 2

This third book in the Tall Poppies - Secrets and Lies trilogy will be released by Severn House, in hardcover, in February 2013. It can be pre-ordered from popular online bookshops, usually at a discount.

 About the book.

Meggie Elliot is a young woman of above average intelligence, and on the brink of adulthood. Living with her aunt and uncle in London at the outbreak of WW2 she’s intent on going to university, then pursuing a career in law. She is encouraged in this by her solicitor – a man she admires a little too much. Too old for her, he lets her know it.

In a burst of patriotism she joins the WRNS to do her bit for the war and is sent to work in a decoding unit. There she meets the dangerously exciting young aristocrat, Nicholas Cowan, whose own war efforts are definitely on the shady side.  Nick sweeps her off her feet.

But Meggie suspects Nick of being the man who burgled her aunt’s home, and to expose him would ruin a lot of lives. Against all reason, Meggie and Nick begin to fall in love . . .