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Thursday 12 October 2017

BAD SISTER Blog tour Days 7 and 8






I was delighted that Sharon, from Shaz's Book Blog was part of the Bad Sister blog tour yesterday! 

I wrote a guest post relating to my experience of writing books 1 and 2 - and the differences I found between them. You can read it HERE

Today, Stephanie Rothwell shares her review of Bad Sister - you can read that HERE


Over on Twitter at lunch time, Avon will be asking for your best sibling rivalry stories to celebrate Bad Sister's ebook release - please do share some of your stories! I'm sure there will be some funny ones :) 
Please feel free to join in on Twitter - Avon's page from 12 pm today...

Or share your stories in the comments below!

Tuesday 10 October 2017

DAY 6 of BAD SISTER's blog tour!


Today I am delighted to be on Short Book & Scribes blog with a guest post about switching off from writing.

You can read if, how and when this happens right ... HERE

Elsewhere, you can *WIN* one of THREE proof copies of Bad Sister if you pop along to Twitter! All you have to do is retweet Avon's post to be in with a chance!
Here's the link to make it super easy :

https://twitter.com/AvonBooksUK/status/917721765371105280

Good luck!

I hope those of you who've read the ebook of Bad Sister have enjoyed it. If you have, please help by leaving a brief review on Amazon - they are SO important to authors!

Thank you! 

Monday 9 October 2017

Bad Sister - Day 5 of the Blog Tour






























Day 5 of the tour sees me featured on Writing.ie talking about my journey to becoming a writer.


You can read it HERE

Keep an eye out for tomorrow's guest blog post on Short Book and Scribes!


Sunday 8 October 2017

Bad Sister Blog Tour Days 3 and 4

It's Day 4 already - and the BAD SISTER blog tour is in full swing!




Yesterday - Day 3 - saw an exclusive extract from Bad Sister on Tracey's blog - Island Girl Book Blogger - you can read it HERE

Today, Day 4 - Katherine has written and shared the most amazing review on her blog, BiblioManiac
You can read what she has to say about Bad Sister - HERE







I've also been getting other fantastic reviews coming in, and I must say, I'm thrilled with the reception for BAD SISTER so far. Thank you to those who've bought it, and those who've reviewed. 
Getting those all-important reviews is the holy grail for writers! I'm hugely appreciative!

Here are a few examples of what readers are saying about BAD SISTER:

"When a new author gives us a debut as brilliant Saving Sophie, you can be forgiven for wondering what else they have to offer ... Will book two live up to our expectations. Well let me tell you, Sam Carrington is NO one-hit wonder!!!
Bad Sister is brilliant! ... As we jump from past to present, we are taken on a journey so mind-blowing that its conclusion will leave your blood tingling!

Do not miss this one folks, it's frigging awesome!!!!" - EmmaTheLittleBookWorm


"...If we were to talk about shocking twists and stunning endings, well this one is pretty awesome and deliciously chilling! ... I was impressed with the level of complexity in the novel which although ambitious, makes for a much more exciting, unpredictable and gripping read... A perfect thriller with depth, complex characters and a storyline that weaves a wicked web that you cannot help but get tangled up in. Put yourself in Carrington's hands and prepare yourself for an explosive read!" - BiblioManiac 

  "What I like about Sam Carrington’s writing is the tense atmosphere that she creates ... Bad Sister is another thrilling read ... I can’t wait to see what she does next, I will definitely be first in line to read her next book"  Jacob Collins

"Well, of all the places I thought this book would take me to, I never thought we'd end up where we did. In fact, I actually gave up trying to work it out about half way through as I was getting dizzy from all the twists and turns, and a bit frustrated at myself for being led down dead ends, so I acquiesced and just let the author lead the dance. Well, she did a pretty good job of things with Saving Sophie, her previous book which I also enjoyed...The ending when it came was rather shocking ... I was rather gobsmacked although, thinking back with hindsight, all very cleverly worked out." - Ashrae

You can buy BAD SISTER now from Amazon, Kobo, iTunes, GooglePlay and other online stores.







Friday 6 October 2017

BAD SISTER publication day and Blog Tour!

I can't quite believe my second book has been published! It doesn't seem long ago I was following the blog tour for Saving Sophie, and revelling in the amazing support from family, friends, bloggers and reviewers ... Now, here we are again. BAD SISTER is out! 



I'm, yet again, overwhelmed by the support - massive thanks to all who've been part of the journey, and those who are now helping push (guide?) Bad Sister out into the world. I'm so grateful.

Yesterday went by in a bit of a blur, really. There were so many people to thank on social media - I think I spent the majority of the day attached to my laptop. It was wonderful to receive so many 'Congratulations' posts and words of support - and if I missed anyone (which I'm bound to have!) then I'm sorry - and please know I am hugely appreciative of everyone taking the time to tweet, share posts and comment/message me. 

I did manage to celebrate in the evening - Chinese, chocolate, champagne ... and Baywatch (the film) with my family - it was perfect.
I also had some fabulous balloons from my lovely friend, Libby - flowers from my hubby - and from my amazing publisher's, Avon. 

The blog tour kicked off yesterday on Amanda's blog, Ginger Book Geek, with an extract from Bad Sister, and a fantastic review. You can read her review  HERE and the extract HERE.

Day 2 sees another brilliant review from Emma Mitchell, on her blog - Emma The Little Book Worm - thank you! You can read it HERE

I'm also featured on Female First - 10 Things I Would Like My Readers To Know About Me
You can read that, HERE!

And... there's more. The lovely Barbara Copperthwaite, whose new novel Her Last Secret, is out in a few days, has me on her What's Their Secret? feature, which you can read HERE

So, all-in-all, a very busy Day 2!

The blog tour is filled with brilliant bloggers - please do follow and support if you can. They do a fantastic job in supporting publishers and authors, they are amazing! Here's the line-up:
Thanks again for all the support.
Thank you to my wonderful agent, Anne Williams, for all her hard work and support, and to all at Avon who are so enthusiastic.
And THANK YOU to those who have bought Bad Sister - I hope you enjoy it!

You can buy Bad Sister as an ebook from Amazon, Kobo, iTunes, Google Play, as well as other online stores: Waterstones, WHSmith

Thursday 5 October 2017

Caroline England - 20 Questions

Debut Author Spotlight – 20 Questions
with Caroline England

                                      

I'm delighted to welcome debut author, Caroline England to the spotlight feature today. I first met Caroline at CrimeFest in May, and we also share publication days!

Beneath The Skin is a brilliantly dark, domestic noir about a life changing lie - here is the blurb:

No-one remembers your past. But you do.
‘Antonia, Antonia. My name is Antonia.’
It’s been her name for many years. But sometimes, like tonight, she forgets.
Antonia has a secret. A secret so dark and so deep that she can barely admit it to herself. Instead, she treats herself to Friday night sessions of self-harm while her husband David is at the pub, and her best friend Sophie is drinking too much wine a few doors down.
Nobody close to her knows the truth about what the teenage Antonia saw all those years ago. No-one, that is, except her mother. But Candy is in a care home now, her mind too addled to remember the truth. Antonia is safe. Isn’t she?
The lies start small. They always do. But when the tightly woven story you’ve told yourself begins to unravel, the truth threatens to come to the surface. And then what’s going to happen?


Sounds fabulous, doesn't it?

Now, over to you, Caroline:


1)      Congratulations, Caroline, IT’S PUBLICATION DAY! Tell us in three words how you’re feeling right now:
                
Thrilled, dream, true!

2)      Describe your novel in ONE sentence:
                
Four couples with interlinking histories; eight individuals, all with secrets that are ready to explode (thank you to Sarah Jasmon for putting it so succinctly!)

3)      How are you celebrating publication day?
                
I think a bottle of fizz might be in order!

4)      Why/When did you decide to write your first novel?

     The first novel I wrote was chicklit set in a solicitor’s office. I started writing it at my desk between working on my cases, but don’t tell anyone!

5)      How long was it from the first submission of your completed manuscript to agents, to this day?

 A fairly long time! But, like most writers, I submitted it far too early.

6)      So far, what has been the biggest surprise/shock about becoming a published author?

 How supportive and friendly other published writers are!

7)      What are you most looking forward to as a published author?

To readers enjoying my novel! Not everyone is going to like it, I know, but I hope    
some people do!
                
Ok, let’s get down to the writing process

8)      Which authors inspired your writing?

Funnily enough I was thinking about Einstein’s quote about fairy tales today: “If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.” I can’t recall my mum reading them to me, but she bought me fairy tale volumes every birthday and Christmas. I can see one now on my bookcase - The Yellow Fairy Book - I can still remember eagerly dipping in! I’ve never read Roald Dahl’s novels for children, but I discovered Switch Bitch, Kiss Kiss and his other short stories as a teenager. I loved the intriguing colourful tales with their dark twists. Looking back, I can see how they’ve influenced my own short stories.

I adored Mary Wesley’s surprisingly risqué novels and Elizabeth Jane Howard’s Cazalet Chronicles. I’m also a big fan of Maggie O’Farrell and Kate Atkinson’s contemporary fiction. I have always enjoyed reading crime fiction, from Agatha Christie as a child through to Ruth Rendell, Minette Walters, Val McDermid, Ian Rankin and more recently Mark Billingham and Jo Nesbo. And now I’ve found all the fab Avon HarperCollins crime writers! Though my novels are more ‘domestic noir’ than standard crime fiction, I think my writing has been influenced by the blend of these two genres, so I write about contemporary lives but with intrigue, complications, dark edges and secrets. And, of course, love.

9)      How long did it take you to write ‘BENEATH THE SKIN’?

This is a tricky question as the first draft was written fairly quickly, maybe ten      
years ago, then I came back to it in more recent times and fleshed it out.

10)  What was your first draft like?

The basic story was pretty much the same as it is now. I thought it was      
complete, but of course it wasn’t! It has probably doubled in length since then.

11)  How did you find the editing process a - before you had an editor?
                                                        b - and now you do?

I think the self-editing process is a massive learning curve. My local writing group is particularly good at spotting howlers. I actually enjoy the process and I have certainly got better at it over time, but there’s nothing like having another pair of eyes, especially professional ones!

12)   When you write do you need music, or silence?

Silence (though the cats make their presence known, often by sitting on the           
laptop and purring loudly!)

13)   What is your guilty pleasure when writing? 

 Yorkshire tea!

14)   What is your favourite part of the writing process? Least favourite?

 Lying in the bath and getting inspiration is my favourite. Getting distracted by life and
 thinking I’ll never have the ability to write again is the least.


15)   Did you need to conduct any research for your novel? How did you approach it?
               
No.

16)   Now you have a book deal – with deadlines (!) – how has that affected your writing process?
                
I’m very much a ‘doer’ so I quite liked the deadlines for book 2, but I don’t know       
how I’d feel about writing from scratch. Super stressed probably! Fortunately I had My    
Husband’s Lies in the bag!

17)  What do you do in your ‘spare’ time? 

 Spending as much time as I can with my three gorgeous girls!

18)  What’s coming next? 
                
My Husband’s Lies will (hopefully) be published in May 2018. It’s available for pre-            order now on Amazon!

19)  Where can readers find you?
                Twitter: @CazEngland
                Facebook: Caroline England Author
                Instagram: CazEngland1
                Website: carolineenglandauthor.simplesite.com
                Email: carolineenglandauthor@gmail.com

20)  All importantly, where can readers buy your fabulous debut novel?
            Just click on any of the following to be taken to the site:
                Amazon
                Waterstones
                HarperCollins
                WHSmith


Now, here's a bit about Caroline:

Born Yorkshire lass, Caroline studied Law at the University of Manchester and stayed over the border. Caroline was a divorce and professional indemnity lawyer and instigated her jottings when she deserted the law to bring up her three lovely daughters. In addition to the publication of her short story collection, Watching Horsepats Feed the Roses by ACHUKAbooks, Caroline has had short stories and poems published in a variety of literary publications and anthologies. She was shortlisted for the Impress Prize 2015, in the Pulp Idol 2016 finals and long listed for the UK Novel Writing Competition 2017.

Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions - wishing you HUGE success with Beneath The Skin - and enjoy your day!

I think we'll both be celebrating later :)