My Review of Debut Novel - The Season for Love

The Season for Love by M.W.Arnold

Believing she was responsible for the death of her husband, Chrissie Stewart retreats from all those who love her. A chance meeting with mysterious stranger, single-parent Josh Morgan and his bewitching young daughter Lizzy, breathe new life into her and gradually, she feels able to start to let go of the memory of her lost love. Unexpected links are revealed between the two families that strengthen the growing bonds she feels to this man and with the encouragement of her best friend Annie, herself hiding a hidden conflict from Chrissie, she battles with her demons to believe in her ability to trust and love again. Everything comes to a head on Christmas Day; which all goes to show that this is truly The Season for Love.

Title: The Season for Love

Author: M.W.Arnold

Publisher: Passion in Print Press

Publication Date: 16th December 2017

Rating: ¶¶¶¶ê  (4.5)

I loved this story of young bereaved Chrissie waking up from the cocoon she'd retreated into after the death of her husband. This could have been a dark read but Mick's writing style is bright and breezy and you get swept up in this tale of lost love and new hope. His characters are lively and vivid yet he is able to show the struggles and pain of those who are suffering difficulties.

I found the story quick paced and enjoyed how Mick used Chrissie's diary notes to give us glimpses of Chrissie's former self and as an insight into the guilt she is feeling. It was also a lovely way of signposting Chrissie's inner journey throughout the story.  

This is a debut novel and there are a few imperfections but I loved the premise and how the plot developed and most of all Mick's exuberant writing style and I look forward to this author's future books as he has the makings of a great storyteller. 

Author Bio – Mick is a hopeless romantic who was born in England, and spent fifteen years roaming around the world in the pay of HM Queen Elisabeth II in the Royal Air Force, before putting down roots, and realising how much he missed the travel. This, he’s replaced somewhat with his writing, including reviewing books and writing a regular post at the www.NovelKicks.co.uk blog site.

He’s the proud keeper of a cat bent on world domination, is mad on the music of the Beach Boys and enjoys the theatre and humouring his Manchester United supporting wife. Finally, and most importantly, Mick’s a member of the Romantic Novelists Association, with the forthcoming publication of his debut novel The Season for Love.

Twitter - https://twitter.com/mick859

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MWArnoldAuthor/

Amazon US - The Season for Love

Amazon UK - The Season for Love

Barnes & Noble - tinyurl.com/yaqhy3lp

Bookstrand - tinyurl.com/yaddlwfv

Smashwords - tinyurl.com/yarnr484

Kobo US - tinyurl.com/ycvage9b 

Kobo UK - tinyurl.com/ydb9em2x

Cakes. Glorious Cakes.

This year's cake international competition pieces at the Birmingham NEC were spectacular. 

As a taster; this cake which won silver in its category, depicts the success of the show.

It truly was a feast for the eyes.

From human sized seahorses to alien spaceships that rotated.

From little mermaids to - well, more saucy mermaids.

I was greeted by a life sized David Attenborough which was a gold winner.

And fell in love with a dress which was divine from every angle.

 

I looked on in awe at all these amazing creations from all around the world. Loved the facial details and the gorgeous draping of the dress and cloth from this gold winning entry from Italy. A true work of art.

Gold winner from Italy.

Most were sugar craft but one of the largest was Chocolate Magic which they were working on during the show. Stopping it from melting, being the most challenging aspect, but the beauty and the intricacies were breathtaking.  

Two of my favourite bust cakes were:- 

Hugh Jackman - Well who doesn't want to take a bite out of him!

And Sir Bruce Forsyth OBE who deservedly won gold. 

A fitting touch was the remembrance poppy worn on his lapel which leads me to the piece de resistance:- 

The life sized 'War Horse' ensnared by barbed wire in the middle of no-man's land and dripping blood. Eyes so real they cry out to you to help him. 

And by his side two beleaguered poppies.

To the sugar and chocolate crafters, I salute you.

10 Ways to get your writing organised.

It's January. A new year has begun. Time to think about your resolutions for the year. Do you want to get that manuscript finished? Start pitching? Get published? Well whatever your resolutions - first you need to get organised.

1) Have a clear out of all those things you no longer need. Clear off your desk. Clear off your desk top. Streamline you computer files. Move those old projects you will probably never get around to, into a single folder. That way you won't get distracted when you open up your word processor to start work on your current project.

2) Invest in some storage. When I saw this set of storage draws I couldn't resist. I have placed it on my work desk but it can be put on the floor as it comes with wheels so can be moved around. They have clear plastic ones as well but I wanted my organisation to be colour coded. I associate different colours to my stories and so I can match a corresponding draw for each of my current writing projects. Plus I still have draws left for research; stationery; writing gloves. Whatever works for you.

3) If you've got notes for a project either in several note books or just simply out of order, get a folder and some plastic pockets and organise your notes into chronological or chapter order and use the pockets to store each page. (If you've been using A6 note books you could try cutting out the sections and gluing onto A4 paper so it slides into the pocket easier and stays the right way up). Put them in the draw for that project, then when you get to that particular part in your manuscript you can find your corresponding notes.

4) Set up a story board for your current project.

5) Do a time chart. If you only have 3 hours to spend on your writing - break your time down into sections - dedicated writing time (make sure you switch off your social media) - speed writing time - book plotting - social media time (keep this one till the end of your available time. This way you can post your progress - a great way of keeping you motivated). Remember - You know what you want to achieve, so work out what you need to do to achieve it. It's your time chart, make it work for you.

6) Get a wall calendar. Mark any up-coming events you're looking forward to. Set yourself targets and plot your progress. Use pretty stickers, or brightly coloured pens.

7) Attach a plastic pocket to your wall chart / calendar so you can store your pens and stickers, so they are easy to hand and not cluttering up your desk.

8) Make schedules, set deadlines and keep them.

9) Use labels. Make them clear and easy to read. The quicker you can find what you are looking for the more productive you can be.

10) Keep track of what you have done. Set up a spreadsheet to record where you have sent projects to: what date, the response. Track your progress on your current project: Word count, character lists, scene chart. Remember to enjoy your successes. 

Get organised and get going.

Any other great tips for getting organised? Let me know in the comments section.