A New World

My debut novel The Girl on the Beach was released  by Choc Lit on 24 January 2017, launching me into an unknown world of blog appearances, book promotion, rankings and review monitoring and readings!

Release day was exciting. Nothing compares to seeing your book cover (brilliantly designed by the lovely Berni Stevens – I officially love my cover!) appear on Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com, Kobo, Barnes and Noble, iBooks and Google play.

You can’t help but try to monitor how the novel is doing in the market by looking at your rankings and reviews. Highlights so far have been reaching 106 in the Romantic Suspense chart on Amazon.co.uk (25 January 2017) and 80 in the Kobo Romantic Suspense chart (5 February 2017). I’ve been lucky to have some lovely words written about my book in reviews. I’ll put some of my favourites later in this post.

On the morning of 24 January, a few of my friends gathered to mark the occasion with coffee and cake. We had fun and I talked about my book and read out part of the first chapter. My first ever reading, but thankfully I got through without stumbling. It was almost surreal to watch my audience listening to my words. I had unexpected presents and cards too, which was a lovely surprise.

Since then I’ve discovered just how much time can be taken up with the promotion of your book. I’ve struggled to master apps to put clever book banners together and tried to work out how to promote my novel.

I have been overwhelmed by support from friends, some I have met in person, some only online, but they have been equally wonderful. Bloggers have come forward and asked me for posts – some asking challenging questions. Facebook groups have also been incredibly supportive, particularly my own little group, the ADC’s and Book Connectors. I am blessed with so much help.

If you’d like to learn more about me, than read some of the posts:-

Jo Lambert

Romantic Novelists’ Association

Karen King

Rachel’s Random Reads

Rosethorn Ramblings

Shelley Wilson

Simona’s Corner of Dreams

Choc Lit

Novel Kicks

Kim the Bookworm

Lynda Stacey – Post on 27 January

Linda’s Book Bag

Clare Chase

Sally Jenkins

I’m on more blogs soon. Lol.

A big thank you to everyone who has read the book and reviewed it. If you have read it and liked it, please do a short review for me – it makes a difference. Some extracts from my favourite ones below.

‘I read this book this weekend and thoroughly enjoyed it! Couldn’t wait to get back to it when I was halfway through. It was a really great page-turner, so easy to read because you can’t wait to find out the truth and see how it all unravels and who knows what! I loved the characters and the way she portrays them and understanding the dynamics between them and what their lives have held in the past and what they might hold in the future.’

‘A romantic mystery thriller in which the intrigue gradually unfolds against a backdrop of mutual attraction growing between the two main characters. There are several strands to this storyline, all of which are skilfully woven into an absorbing and immensely enjoyable novel.’

‘What a fabulous first novel. I loved it the romance and the suspence fabulous.
Brilliant characters especially every woman’s dream Harry Dixon.’