Definitely Not Fifty Shades of Grey

At this time of year I'm longing to see a bit more colour, a lot more light; daffodils, crocuses, the sun rising just that bit earlier and setting later.

It extends to my reading too.  Most of this is still either (a) related to my (now in the fast lane for a quick finish) PhD or (b) by Julia Donaldson, Mick Inkpen or Roald Dahl.  So, when I can chose something for an hour's blissful and inspiring entertainment, I don't want any shade of grey within a hundred miles of me.  I want a colourful explosion of well-written stories!

I'm lucky enough to have a very talented group of friends and colleagues whose first novels have been published in the last few days and weeks, and it's these I'd like to share with you now.  Some are available only as ebooks, which is a choice more and more small publishers are making, others in hard copy too.  Either way, do take a few minutes to 'browse' and brighten your day.


A TAPESTRY OF VICE AND VIRTUE
By Clara Challoner Walker

Old friends, Gabriel and Shylah, find their lives thrown into turmoil when Gabriel returns from working in Saudi Arabia, where she has been party to a huge miscarriage of justice.  Their actions will have repercussions far beyond the small town of Market Hamilton where they both grew up... (ebook / paperback)

For more information: www.clarachallonerwalker.com 
To hear Clara speaking about the book, click on http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02j6h8n (only available for the next few days!) 

THE SINGLE FEATHER
By R.F Hunt

Rachel is a young woman who is trying to make a new life for herself after a horrible accident that has left her paraplegic, and subject to a bullying community.  A talented artist, she joins a local art group and starts to make friends, but ultimately learns that to move forward she must confront her past... (ebook / paperback)

For more information: http://www.rhunt4.com


THE FOREST KING'S DAUGHTER
by Kendra Olson

Ingrid is 16 years old, the daughter of poor farming folk in nineteenth century Sweden.  When she inadvertently falls foul of the Church, she decides to leave home - and there starts an epic journey for Ingrid culminating in the desire for a new life in America. (ebook)

For more information: https://kendraolson.wordpress.com/


FINDING DESTINY
by Katrina Hart

Alex chases his little sister's escaped pony into a strange forest, drinks a potion from an old gypsy woman - and finds himself transported to the year 2038 where he is already a husband and father.  Owls fight with humans to rule the world, and Alex must use the power of story-telling to save his family and perhaps the world... (ebook)

For more information: https://katrinamarie25.wordpress.com/


A SECOND CHANCE?
by Lucy James

Grace's heart is broken in Edinburgh, so she runs as far away as she can - to Seoul, South Korea - to teach English.  Here, she meets high-flying US diplomat, Xander West and so begins a whirlwind romance.  It soon becomes obvious that Xander has a past -  but then so does Grace... (ebook)

 
THE LAST ROSE
by Wendy Clarke

Actually a lovely collection of short stories based on family and friendship, which follows Wendy's first anthology, Room In Your Heart.  Written with humour, insight and sensitivity, they are a great read when you only have a few minutes at a time...  (ebooks)

For more information: http://wendyswritingnow.blogspot.co.uk/


All books available from Amazon UK (and other outlets/formats etc as mentioned on individual websites)

Happy reading!  Please do leave a comment if there's something you particularly enjoyed.

Anne x