Gilli, thank you so much for asking me to come along today to chat on your blog.
A pleasure, Jo, we’ve been writing friends for a long time. Tell me, and the readers, a little about yourself?
I live with my husband and one small grey cat called Mollie, in a village on the eastern side of Bath, which is set in an area of outstanding natural beauty. It gives me the best of both worlds. I’m within a five minute walk of open countryside if I want fresh air and space but I’m also within easy reach of the city with its excellent shopping and restaurants.
I grew up in rural Wiltshire where I went to grammar school – a year in Marlborough and, after a family move, four years in Bradford on Avon. After school I attended college where I took a secretarial course which combined shorthand, typing and audio with an OND in Business Studies. Later I completed my Higher National in Business and Finance. My working life has been a mix of NHS and commercial companies. My NHS posts included typing pool supervisor, PA and PA/Office Manager. Outside the NHS I’ve worked for two different car companies, a truck and bus dealer, a tyre manufacturer, a couple of international building companies and three architect’s practices - a bit of a mixed bunch.
After managing to reduce my working hours by moving to a job share at the local hospital for a couple of years I eventually closed the door on my nine to five in 2013 to concentrate on full time writing.
Well done! When did you start writing and how did it grow into your sole career?
It began way, way back. I’ve always loved books and I guess writing was a natural progression. I can remember writing stories in junior school and reading them to my friends. So I imagine it was at that early stage that the seed was planted. I’ve written on and off all my adult life but never really thought seriously about getting published until about ten years ago. After completing my first full length novel I submitted to various publishers without success. Deciding to self-publish, when Tomorrow Comes became my first in a series of five connected books following the loves and lives of four girls growing up in the West Country in the 1960s. This was followed by Summer Moved On and Watercolours in the Rain, two connected contemporary romances set in south Devon. Keeping to my mix of rural and small-town locations I set my next book on the north coast of Cornwall in the fictitious fishing port of Carrenporth.
Although as an independent author I enjoy being in control and setting my own pace, it’s always been a dream of mine to get a publishing deal. In February 2018 after completing my Cornish novel, The Boys of Summer, I decided to submit it to Choc Lit. I heard back from them on 17th May 2018, the day before my birthday, with the offer of a contract. I couldn’t have received a better birthday present! The Boys of Summer, with its new title A Cornish Affair, has just been published under their Ruby Fiction imprint.
So what’s next?
Well, I’m currently writing another Cornish romance, this time set on the south coast. And when that’s completed there are two other projects in the pipeline. One is a sequel to the current book I’m writing, the other a completely new story. My usual worry after I’ve finished a book is what comes next. On this occasion there are no worries, I’m spoilt for choice.
What do you read when you are not writing?
I have a very broad taste - favourites are romance, historical fiction, thrillers and contemporary fiction. I do try to fit in as much reading as I can around my writing. I like to review too, but that’s not always possible. Memorable reads from this year are The Man I Fell in Love with and The Truth About You Me and Us by Kate Field, The Forgotten Village by Lorna Cook, The Mother in Law by Sally Hepworth and The Pagan Lord by Bernard Cornwell.
In your writing life, what have been your most memorable moments?
One has to be lunch with author Lesley Pearse and the other that all important e-mail the day before my birthday last year.
Congratulations, Jo. I hope it leads to bigger and better things!
A Cornish Affair
Even in your hometown, you can feel like an outsider …
In the close-knit community of Carrenporth in
Cornwall everyone knows everyone else’s business. Luke Carrack is only too
aware of this. He’s been away for two years but nothing has changed – from the
town gossips who can’t see past the scandal of his childhood, to the cold way
he is treated by some of his so-called family.
The only person who seems to understand is local hotelier’s daughter Cat Trevelyan, although even Luke’s new friendship with her could set tongues wagging.
But Carrenporth is about to experience far bigger scandals than the return of Luke Carrack – and the secrets unearthed in the process will shake the sleepy seaside town to its core …
The only person who seems to understand is local hotelier’s daughter Cat Trevelyan, although even Luke’s new friendship with her could set tongues wagging.
But Carrenporth is about to experience far bigger scandals than the return of Luke Carrack – and the secrets unearthed in the process will shake the sleepy seaside town to its core …
Available on Amazon : Kobo : Nook: Google Play
and Apple iBook Store
*
Jo Lambert lives on the
eastern edge of Bath with her husband, one small grey feline called Mollie and
a green MGB GT. She is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and the
Society of Authors. She has been writing
since 2008. Her first five books, a set of linked romantic sagas following the
lives of several families in West Somerset, was followed in 2015 by Summer
Moved On, a contemporary romance set in South Devon. A sequel, Watercolours in
th Rain followed in 2017,
In June 2018 Jo signed to Choc Lit and her
debut A Cornish Affair, set in North Cornwall, has just been published. Jo is
currently working on another coastal romance, this time set in South Cornwall.
When she isn't writing she reads and reviews. She also has an active blog. Jo loves travel, red wine and rock music and she often takes the odd photograph or two.
When she isn't writing she reads and reviews. She also has an active blog. Jo loves travel, red wine and rock music and she often takes the odd photograph or two.
Where to find Jo
Website: http://jolambertbooks.com
Twitter: @jolambertwriter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jolambert185
Instagram:
jolambertwriter185
10 comments:
Thank you for coming over to tell me about you're doing these days, and particularly about your new book with Choc Lit, A Cornish Affair. It sounds intriguing. x
Thank you for hosting me Gilli xx
A pleasure, Jo. gx
Gosh so many comments deleted, hope none of them was mine. Fab blog and article and both books are a great read. Recommended.
No Jane, they were posts which had absolutely nothing to do with the blog piece.
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