Sunday 7 September 2014

Inspiring Women

Between juggling a full time day job and writing and everything that life throws at me, sometimes I just want to go back to bed and stay under the duvet for a long stretch.

But that's not an option and of course I don't really want to pack it all in, which is why I love reading inspiring stories, books and articles about women who are getting things done. I recently read Sheryl Sandberg's Lean In. I enjoyed it a lot and in particular one quote stuck with me "done is better than perfect." I keep reminding myself to just get started. Just get it done.

With that in mind, I was hugely inspired by this Victoria Beckham article. It's well worth a read, whether or not you're a Spice Girls fan from back in the day! I'm a huge admirer of anyone who works this hard and has managed to reinvent herself and keep believing in herself in the face of a Great British public who, too often, tend to try to cut people down to size.

So cheers Victoria Beckham... exactly the Monday morning motivation that I needed.

Saturday 6 September 2014

Remember My Name - now on release

My novel Remember My Name is now on release. 
Check it out! 

Can't wait to read your reviews.

And don't forget to enter my giveaway. Details HERE 

Havana
xox



What price would you pay for fame?

Scriptwriter Talia knows ambition: she sees it in the mirror every day. But working with the world’s biggest divas should come with a health-warning. And when she finds herself in actress Tamara’s bad books, her own claws don’t look so sharp anymore…

Suddenly, Talia’s back to looking up at the stars – and even more determined to take her place among them. And when she lands a job with Alex Golden - legendary womanizer, LA bad-boy and Hollywood’s hottest property - it looks like she could be on her way up. So long as she steers clear of Alex’s scandalous propositions… 

But Talia hasn’t nearly seen the worst that ambition can do. Because the road to fame may glitter… but it’s no easy ride. And in a world where winner takes all, some people will stop at nothing to claim their prize.

Friday 5 September 2014

Giveaway Klaxon

Here in London it feels very much like summer is over... but what a summer it's been for me. Over the summer Carina UK released two of my novels Black Diamond and Remember My Name.

It's been so great getting feedback, reviews and such lovely comments from readers.

To celebrate the release of both of my books and to say thank you to all my readers, I'm doing a Giveaway via my Facebook page.

I love plotting my stories the old fashioned way - with pen and paper and one of my biggest indulgences are Smythson notebooks. When it comes to notebooks Smythson really are the gold standard! So, I'll be giving away a Smythson Notebook to two lucky Facebook followers.



To be in with a chance of winning, simply head over to my Facebook page - HERE
Then make sure to LIKE my page AND also post a comment just to say hi.

I'll pick the winners on Saturday 13th September, so get entering and spread the word.

Good Luck!!

To be in with a chance of winning, you must:
1. Like my page Here and
2. Make a comment on my Facebook page...

Thanks again to all the readers who've read and supported Black Diamond and Remember My Name.

Happy Friday!!

Havana.
xox



Monday 23 June 2014

And we're off….

So excited that Black Diamond is now available to download on Amazon.  I can't wait to read your reviews!

Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk


Keep an eye on my blog as I'll be updating buy links as the book becomes available on various sites. And I'll have a giveaway coming up soon.

Happy Monday!

Havana.
xox

Tuesday 10 June 2014

10 Days to Go!

With just 10 days to go until the release of Black Diamond, I thought I'd start a little countdown on this blog to tell you a bit more about the inspiration for the book and how I developed the story.



Black Diamond is a story about two very different sisters. More than that it's a story about twins. My grandfather was a twin and my great grandmother gave birth to four sets of twins. Yes four! It was a fascinating journey for me to imagine and create the differing fortunes of twins separated at birth.  Hopefuly I've found an intriguing new perspective on the twin Story for Black Diamond. I really can't wait to get the book out into the world.

To start my 10 day countdown to publication, please check out here on Pinterest a few of the visual images that inspired me as I wrote Black Diamond.





Locations are also crucial in the story that unfolds in Black Diamond and we go from London to Los Angeles, Cape Town to Santorini, Oxford to Charleston.



Over the next 9 days until publication, I'll be releasing some snippets from the book and some other goodies, so please do check back. And do comment below to say hello.

Black Diamond will be released on June 20th by Carina UK

Happy Tuesday!
Havana. x




Thursday 5 June 2014

Cover and Blurb Reveal.

After what feels like a really long time buried in my writing cave I am so proud and excited to reveal the title, blurb and cover for my new novel BLACK DIAMOND.

I had so much fun writing this book and I think it's a perfect read for summer. Black Diamond will be released by Carina UK on June 20th and over the next few weeks I'll be teasing you with some extracts from the book.

In the meantime…. here for your enjoyment is the blurb and cover.

Drum Roll Please…..


As the blaze of a township shack fire dies down, an elderly woman stands cradling two orphaned children – identical twin baby girls. Lola and Grace are sent to the local orphanage, but their shared journey soon ends there. Lola is chubby, pretty and healthy, while Grace is weak, thin and sick.

When Hollywood actress Scarlet decides she wants to adopt a South African baby, she visits that same orphanage and chooses Lola immediately. She is never even told about Grace – who is hidden away, and given just weeks to live. Lola goes on to lead a privileged and pampered life in LA with Scarlet, while Grace, who miraculously survives, is raised by the strict and violent Pastor in North London.

Although their lives progress on different continents, the same sense of abandonment still haunts them both. But when fate eventually draws them together in the most unexpected of ways, will they like what they find?


What do you think? Can't wait to share more. 

H. x