The sun is shining here and #Lockdown continues. This is just to say that I hope you and your family are keeping well, staying safe and finding your way through this very difficult journey.
There are some amazing stories coming out of this crisis and our homegrown most wonderful news is that of Captain Tom Moore who celebrates his 100th birthday on 30th April and has raised over £27million to date for NHS charities, walking 100 laps of his garden. I’m sure you’ll have a tear in your eye when you watch and listen to ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone‘ with Captain Tom & Michael Ball. God bless you, Sir.
If you are reading during these days spent at home, I have a flash sale today. Hattie Goes to Hollywood is only 99p /$1.25 and you can download a copy here at Amazon:
I seem to be ‘comfort’ eating whilst stuck at home and if anyone fancies a very quick sweet treat that is so easy to make, grab these few ingredients and you’ll have a Swiss Roll on the table in no time.
Beat eggs & sugar until thick and pale. Fold in flour. Pour into tin 16x 28cm (greased & lined). Bake for 10 -12 mins. Turn out, spread jam, roll up. Eat & enjoy! *add 1 tsp baking powder if using plain flour
Wild garlic is still growing and makes the most wonderful pesto. If you want my recipe, drop me an email.
EXERCISE
The glorious spring weather has enabled me to get out during our one allowed exercise period each day and I’ve dragged my old bike out of the garage and enjoyed some lovely rides on deserted roads and lanes. I hope that you too can enjoy a walk or find something new to do whilst restricted.
To everyone who is self-isolating and in lockdown, I send my love and also prayers for those who are suffering from Covid-19. These are dark days for all across the world and I hope that you are coping and keeping your spirits up.
Its Easter weekend – a celebratory time for being with family or friends for both religious and social events. We had a very special birthday and anniversary celebrations in our family and by the wonders of modern technology managed to all get together for an online ‘pub quiz’ and a bit of fun to lighten the loss of not being together.
CHOCOLATE
I made Easter chocolate bars this year for the family and sent them by mail. Unfortunately, I got a bit mixed up so many apologies to the singles who received family packs and vice versa. Does anyone else find that their brain is scrambled at the moment?
EXERCISE
I’ve been out on my bike for bursts of daily exercise. We live in a rural area and I am so grateful that I’m able to do this. The countryside is beautiful at this time of year and weirdly quiet with no planes, trains or vehicles.
GIVEAWAY
Many people in lockdown are enjoying a good read. My books are available on KindleUnlimited and Amazon Prime if you want to have aFREE read. For those who enjoy AUDIBLE, I am giving away 10 copies of my new book Hattie Goes To Hollywood. You can enter on Facebook by going to the link below:
Winners will be announced and contacted by 20th April. Good luck!
BAKING
With more time at home, I’ve been baking and we enjoyed hot cross buns straight from the oven on Good Friday. It also reminded me of my childhood when Mum would come up the stairs early in the morning with a tray of warm, buttered buns and a pot of tea and my sisters and I would snuggle up in bed eating the sticky delights.
WRITING
I was ‘author of the day’ this week for an online site and if anyone is interested in my writing journey, have a look at the article here:
With the news getting more and more disheartening each day, I am sending this post hoping that you are all safe and healthy and steering clear of this terrible Coronavirus. My bookings for talks and guest speaking at events over the next few months are cancelled and these difficult times will affect us all.
If we do have to spend more time at home, it might be an opportunity to catch up on reading. I’ve just read a fabulous book by Jenny Éclair called Moving. It’s the first book I’ve read by this very clever comedienne and author and I will certainly read more. I love audiobooks and Liz Nugent’s Skin Deep had me gripped. What a great book to listen to, perfectly narrated, chilling at times with a lead character that you loathe but can’t help but follow.
AUDIBLE BOOK
I’m thrilled to tell you that my new novel Hattie Goes to Hollywood is now out as an Audiobook and you can download it here:
The narrator is Gill Mills. Gill is a former BBC broadcaster and journalist who now divides her time between family, narration and fiction writing. It was great fun working with Gill on the project and listening to my characters come to life is a strange but very rewarding experience. I hope that you enjoy this audible version, reviews have been brilliant and many listeners and readers are telling me that it is my best book to date.
COMPETITION
As a thank you, I have a competition this month to win a gorgeous cuddly ‘Drake’. Drake is Hattie’s pet duck in the book and follows her everywhere, even helping her to sleuth when needed. If you would like to win Drake please head over to my Facebook page:
If you’re not onFacebook – simply drop me a line (caroline@carolinejamesauthor.co.uk) telling me why you’d like Drake to come and live with you. The winner will be drawn at random on 22nd March (Mother’s Day in the UK) and announced in next month’s newsletter. Good luck!
RECIPES
I’m thinking of creating store cupboard recipes if we have to stay at home during the Coronavirus outbreak and if you have any that you’d like to share, please send them to me and I’ll publish the best here.
Do take great care of yourselves, your friends, family and those who are alone.
Its publication day for Hattie Goes To Hollywood! Huge thanks to everyone who has pre-ordered their copy and is now has the novel winging its way to their e-reader or popping through the letterbox.
The launch of a new book is always very stressful for me. I know that I am supposed to feel elated that the work is done, the book is out in the public domain and publication day has arrived. But until the book has favourable reviews from valued readers who are kind enough to leave a review, I am always very nervous. I do hope that you enjoy the Hattie in her new role as a private investigator and watch this space because this is the first in the stand-alone book series and there is plenty more to come!
Hattie Goes To Hollywood is available online and in book shops and will be available as an audiobook very soon too.
“A big fat 5 stars!” Nikki Ashton, Best-selling author
A Cumbrian Village… Three suicides… A red-hot summer…
Join super-sleuth Hattie as tempers and temperatures rise in the Cumbrian village of Hollywood. With mischief and shenanigans aplenty, will Hattie discover the truth?
When recently bereaved Hattie Mulberry inherits her aunt’s dilapidated cottage in the village of Hollywood in Cumbria, she envisages a quiet life. But retired hotelier Hattie is bored and when her neighbour asks her to investigate a suspicious suicide, Hattie’s career takes a new direction and H&H Investigations is born. During the hottest summer for years, Hattie discovers there have been three recent suicides in Hollywood and she determines to find out why. Temperatures rise as she throws herself into village life and, with mischief and shenanigans aplenty, Hattie has her work cut out. But will she establish the truth?
PUBLISHING
I’m excited to whisper that I am working with a new company. The Publish Hub is run by authors to enable aspiring and established authors to get published. If writing a book is your dream, have a look at The Publish Hub.
RECIPE
Today is also Valentine’s Day and here’s a recipe for pineapple cake that is full of passion and very easy to make. Pineapple, I’m assured is an aphrodisiac. Enjoy!
CAROLINE’S PINEAPPLE CAKE
This cake oozes with love and passion and is sexy and sweet – perfect to nibble when snuggling down with a good book or someone…
Heat the pineapple and brown sugar and stew gently till the sugar dissolved, allow to cool. Cream the butter and sugar together until white and fluffy. Beat the eggs well then slowly add to the butter mix. Carefully fold in the almonds and flour. Grease a non-stick baking tray and add half of the sponge mix. Spoon cooked pineapple over. Add the remainder of the sponge mix. Bake in an oven at 325F /160 C /gas mark 3 – until firm to touch and light brown in colour. Cut into squares and keep in an airtight container.
Have a perfect Valentine’s Day, I hope that you enjoy a special treat with your loved ones.
It’s that time of year when TV viewers in the UK can watch a show that comes around every November, titled, “I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!” A group of British and American celebrities are sent to a jungle camp for a reality TV show. They face some grisly tasks during their time in camp and ultimately, the public vote for the winner.
I’m not a fan of reality TV but this show always amuses me and a while ago, it inspired me to write a novella:
“HE’S DOING WHAT?” Hattie said. She had a mouthful of shortbread and a mug of coffee in her hand and stopped in her tracks as she watched Jo stare at her mobile phone.
“Zach’s going into the jungle. He’s a contestant on Jungle Survival.”
“Oh my.” Hattie smiled and wiped a spray of crumbs off her chest.
“He’s at the airport with Bob; they’re about to board a plane.”
“Well I never.” Hattie put her mug on the desk and stared at her friend. “How do you feel about that?”
“Astonished.”
“It might do him good.”
“Or not.”
“Fancy a bracer?”
“Start pouring.”
Cradling mugs of coffee, laced with a good slug of brandy, Jo and Hattie sat in the conservatory and looked out at the garden beyond.
“It doesn’t seem five minutes since he was a little boy running all over this lawn with his brother,” Jo said as she stared across the neatly manicured grass.
“And now he’s running off to Australia.”
In the distance, a group of guests appeared from the meadow, where a clairvoyance course was being run in an old gypsy caravan. Originally horse-drawn, the caravan was Jo’s pride and joy, brightly painted with little wooden steps. It was a perfect setting for an intimate group.
“Another successful event,” Hattie said as she watched the beatific expressions of the participants as they drifted down the garden, confident that the spirits of their dead granny and Rover, the family pet, were beside them, whispering and woofing encouraging words from beyond.
“I wish I could see into Zach’s future,” Jo replied. “I hope he’s not making a terrible mistake.”
“Well, if he is, he’s picked the right place to make it. That show’s watched by millions. Perhaps we should run something similar here?” Hattie closed her eyes and began to plan out a jungle camp, set in the meadow. “The old ‘uns would love it! Prancing about like Bear Grylls, cooking over an open fire, sleeping under the stars. It has ‘winner’ all over it.”
“It has mass suicide all over it,” Jo replied, “hyperthermia and food poisoning.”
“Think of the low overheads. We could bring Wonder Boy in to teach them how to skin a rabbit or two, a bit of camp-fire bonhomie and all that stuff.”
“Hattie, will you please be serious. My son is currently on his way to the other side of the world, where he’ll be exposed to any amount of danger; he’s emotionally vulnerable and I’m worried about him.”
Hattie sat up and opened her eyes.
“Oh, get a grip,” she said. “Can you imagine what he’s getting paid for this stint? How can he possibly go wrong? They’ll have him stripped down to his six-pack before the opening credits have run. He won’t even need to open his mouth and the phone lines will be pulsating as fast as every female viewer’s heart. Your Zach has made his finest career move yet.” Hattie reached for Jo’s empty mug. “Get that grumpy expression off your face and let’s send him good luck wishes for his arrival in Australia.” She stood and glanced at the group in the garden. “Perhaps we can get that lot to send him a mystical sign.”
As Jo watched Hattie walk away, she felt cross. She knew that Hattie was right, but Jo had a niggling feeling that Zach’s trip wasn’t going to run as smoothly or as successfully as everyone expected. A mother had an instinct about her offspring, but in this case, Jo hoped that her instincts would be proved wrong.
Its summer time in the UK with annual sporting events entertaining us, such as the Wimbledon tennis tournament and the tremendous result of England winning the cricket World Cup. In-between my working days, I have been enjoying sunny trips away.
I went south to Falmouth, in Cornwall, for a Sea Shantie Festival. This was a first for me and we spent three perfect days listening to a variety of shantie groups from as far away as Brittany, Holland, Spain, Canada and Ireland. They performed their unique take on sea songs and shanties at different venues in the coastal town from quaint pubs to main stages.
Falmouth has a long history as a safe port of call for deep water sailing ships and tired Capehorners and Clippermen crews, who may have been at sea for months, would stop here and entertain themselves at the many alehouses, with tales and yarns. Their shantie songs are kept alive to this day and locals say if you listen carefully as you walk along the 17th century streets, you can still hear them singing.
The picture below shows the shantie group, Fisherman’s Friends, who inspired the movie of the same name. They were brilliant.
The beaches in Falmouth are stunning, I enjoyed several sunny walks along this one below, at Gyllyngvase, there’s a gorgeous cafe there too!
Another trip was to beautiful Norfolk. It’s lavender season in this eastern county and fields of the stunning crop give a purple haze and heady scent as you wander through the countryside.
Norfolk beaches are also lovely, this one is at Hunstanton where relics of fossilised trees can be seen at low tide.
Poppies are in abundance too and the Norfolk coast between Sheringham, Cromer and Overstrand is known as Poppyland, a name first given to the area by the writer, Clement Scott, in the 1880s. I love poppies and am told that the common poppy has been voted the county flower for Norfolk.
We visited the Queen’s private home at Sandringham House, a country house in the parish of Sandringham. The Queen’s father George VI and grandfather George V both died here. It is a beautiful building standing in a 20,000 acre estate in the Norfolk coast area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is listed as a Grade II building along with the gorgeous landscaped gardens, park and woodlands.
The house is open to the public in the summer months but closes in October to enable staff to get ready for the Queen, who stays there from December to February. You can wander through the private rooms and have a fascinating guided tour in what feels like a much-loved home. I never tire of Sandringham and always enjoy a visit there.
The lovely folk at Amazon have discounted my novel: Coffee, Tea the Caribbean & Me, throughout July and August and if you fancy jetting off the Caribbean with a feel-good read that has been an Amazon best-seller for some time, grab a copy now at the heavily discounted price of 99p in the UK and Europe and $1.24 in the USA. Happy reading!
My recipe this month is a favourite with my family. Coconut and Raspberry Slice is an easy tray-bake that is great for picnics.
If you scroll down on the link, you’ll also find a recipe for Toffee Vodka. This was shared by a friend recently and I have to say it is addictive! You make it in your dishwasher! Check the link to see how: Toffee Vodka.
Lovely Amazon is also promoting my debut novel in their Prime Reading during the summer and you can grab a copy there for free. Coffee Tea The Gypsy & Me is a popular read and gets wonderful reviews. It was E-book of the Week in a national UK newspaper and reached #3 in Women’s Fiction on Amazon when it was released.
Coffee Tea The Gypsy & Me
I was invited to chat to presenter, John Gillymore, on his popular BBC Radio show, which was broadcast from the fascinating Harris Museum in Preston, Lancashire. The Harris Museum is also a public library and art gallery and what better place to sit and chat about books and creativity.
The founder of the museum, Edmond Harris left a legacy to create this historic building and it officially opened in 1893. The Harris is an important regional museum and holds fascinating collections of fine and decorative art, costume and textiles, history and photography, many of which are of international significance.
The RNA (Romantic Novelist’s Association) conference was held recently and I enjoyed spending time catching up with writer friends and listening to some excellent seminars. The RNA is a great organisation to be a part of and the conference is a brilliantly well organised affair, offering a great deal to its members.
Audio books are entertaining me more and more. I find I listen when I’m driving, cooking or ironing and I’m currently enjoying The Other Wife by Michael Robotham. It’s a cracking thriller. I’ve just downloaded a new audio book by the brilliant Deborah Moggah, author of many of my favourite novels, including the Best Marigold Hotel. Her latest, The Carer, looks like it has ‘best-seller’ all over it and I can’t wait to listen to it.
Have a wonderful July lovely newsletter friends. I hope that you all enjoy some of your favourite things this month.
Whenever I get together with other writers there is often a debate that starts with the question, ‘Do men read romantic fiction?’ As an author of this genre it is fascinating to know where my readers come from, their age, reading tastes and of course gender.
I gave a talk in a library recently and having arranged my book display, I stood back whilst waiting for the audience to take their seats. A man, whom I’d noticed in the computer area, came forward and started flicking through the books. He made some derogatory comments about never reading ‘chick lit’ and ‘fluffy silly stories with no depth,’ and I was amused to listen to several ladies, who were already seated, engage him in conversation, telling him he was cynical and should listen to my talk. Later, when I was book signing, guess who bought three of my books? Yes, the cynic who never reads romantic fiction.
Below are a couple of comments that have been mailed to me recently, by men:
“After over half a century of only reading murder mystery novels I was drawn to the book cover of The Best Boomerville Hotel. I certainly did not regret my choice. What a wonder and so very well written, this book caused me to go to bed an hour earlier than usual just to read it in peace. Thank you, Caroline, for such a great read. Hattie has got to be the person I would love to get drunk with and have a curry.”
And this from a gentleman on Amazon:
“I’m a man, 71 and read the 4 books in the set and thoroughly enjoyed all and found them very moving, each difficult to put down and I read into the night, 5 stars to Caroline”
I’d like to think that my work appeals to both women and men and aim to write books that have a serious message, taking the reader up and down emotionally as well as providing plenty of love interest.
What do you think? Are you a male who reads romantic fiction or a female who has an opinion on this subject? I’d love to hear your thoughts, please comment below.
For those readers who want to know what happens next in Caroline’s novels, here is a snippet from Hattie Goes to Hollywood – the first in a new series, coming soon. The much-loved character, Hattie, takes on a new role as private detective.
Follow her shenanigans and scrapes as she sets about clearing up crime in her beloved Cumbria.
Sergeant Harry Knowles liked to think of himself as a chameleon when it came to policing his patch. A man who blended in with his surroundings. This had its good points and served him well as a shadowy observer of situations, swooping in when least expected to utter the phrase he liked the most, ‘You’re nicked!’ Not that he had much opportunity to use the words, for very little happened when Harry was on duty and this he put down to good law enforcement by himself and fellow officers.
Some would say that Westmarland was a sleepy place, where not much happened, other than chasing visitors for speeding fines, or litter-dropping on the pristine streets of the tourist towns and villages of the county. But others, like Harry, found a crime around every corner and made it their duty to investigate each lost kitten and stolen bike.
But that morning, the station at Marland was a quiet as a tomb.
Harry paced around the reception area and straightened posters on a notice board then wandered over to the main desk and tidied scattered pens and miscellaneous memos. He glanced over to the corner of the room where Constable Derek Jones sat with his feet perched on a stool, sipping from a large mug of tea. The local paper was spread out before him and he studied the crossword. The constable was in shirt-sleeves, the buttons of his uniform shirt straining over a paunch. Podgy fingers reached for a biscuit from a half-consumed pack and he dunked absentmindedly as he contemplated clues.
‘Pinging call as they search for food around Bassenthwaite,’ the constable said, ‘eight letters, third letter, ‘Z’.’
‘Buzzards,’ Harry replied with little interest and stared out of the window.
It was another hot day and the streets of Marland were filled with holiday-makers in bright casual clothes. Families wandered about, shopping for burgers for their camp-side barbeques and local fudge as a take-home treat. Harry sighed as he watched the world go by. He was bored and longed for some action, something to set the streets alight and prove his worth in his new position. Anything to liven up his day.
Suddenly, the front door was flung open and a woman bustled into the station. Hot and harassed, she swept up to the front desk and drummed her fingers on the counter. ‘Anyone home?’ Hattie called out.
Derek whipped his feet off the stool and ambled to his feet, ‘What can we do for you, Madam?’ he said as he straightened his tie and wiped crumbs from his mouth.
‘You can make me a brew and shove those biscuits over here,’ Hattie said, ‘is Harry the Helmet at home?’
‘Morning Hattie,’ Harry called out, wishing that Hattie wouldn’t be so familiar. ‘What can we do for you on this lovely sunny day.’
‘I want to have a word, somewhere quiet,’ she glanced at Derek. ‘Haven’t you got something to do?’ she asked as Derek stepped forward, ‘crime won’t crack itself, Constable.’
‘Step into my office,’ Harry said, ‘two teas, when you’ve a moment, Derek.’ He guided Hattie along a dingy corridor and into a small room, where he pulled out a chair. Hattie sat down beside a rickety table. Pulling a chair up for himself, Harry rubbed his hands together. Perhaps Hattie had something interesting for him to get his teeth into?
‘So, you’re back.’ Harry said.
‘State the bleedin’ obvious,’ Hattie replied, ‘hardly needs a copper to suss that out.’
I often write about Cumbria after falling in love with the county many years ago. For me, the Lake District is a creative’s dream.
Cumbria – the inspiration for The Best Boomerville Hotel
My novels often feature a fictional hotel and the latest, The Best Boomerville Hotel is no exception as guests’ flock to the area and book in, to experience the beauty and splendour of the landscape.
For several years, I ran a pub, then a hotel, in the Eden Valley and was captivated by the warmth of the locals who were so supportive to a newcomer. Walking along the shadowy ridges of the fells in my spare time restored my spirits after a hard day at work and spurred my creative juices, for even then I knew that I wanted to write stories based in this special place.
More recently I was touched by the floods that devastated parts of the country. In particular, the town of Appleby which had once been my home and the floods feature in The Best Boomerville Hotel.
I write feel-good novels to uplift and inspire and with the magic of the mountains and sparkling waters of the lakes, I owe a great deal to my muse.
Beautiful Cumbria, thank you.
Novels by Caroline James
The Best Boomerville Hotel is available in paperback from all good bookshops and online as an ebook and audible download.
Caroline James Author 