The Black Door
by Charlotte
Howard
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
Imogen
Pearce is a single mum of four children and fast approaching 40, she works at
Ryedale Incorporated where she has to battle a younger and smarter generation
to get to where she wants to go. If that means taking on the account of Cherry
and Sean Rubin’s adult shop, then she will. But what happens when Imogen
discovers the private club that they run at the back? And what happens when she
realizes she knows quite a few members?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Excerpt
We sat down on a pair of large leather sofas and prepared to
play our usual game of ‘who says what’. I looked around and spied a young woman
with a laptop open, and a tall, skinny, something hot by her arm. The woman was
in her late twenties, perhaps early thirties, with pale skin, dark hair that
had been let loose around her shoulders, and a slick of crimson lipstick.
“She’s a writer,” I said, leaning close to Caroline so that
nobody could overhear. “She’s writing a hot, steamy, romance where the two main
characters are having a clandestine affair, and it’s all based on her life.”
Caroline tried to hide her giggle by taking a sip of her
drink before hunting out a new victim.
“Okay, him,” Caroline said, pointing towards a man standing
at the counter. “He works in a bank, but is trying to remain discreet and blend
in with us common folk, not give away his fabulously wealthy background. He’s
having an affair with a married man, and secretly likes to wax his legs.”
The man turned around. “Oh no,” I said, adding a few choice
curses under my breath.
“What’s the matter?” Caroline asked, watching as I tried to
shrink into the sofa and blend with my surroundings.
“That’s my boss,” I whispered.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
British
author Charlotte Howard, was born in Oman and spent much of the first part of
her life flitting between Oman, Scotland, and England. Now settled in Somerset,
Charlotte lives with her husband, two children, and growing menagerie of pets.
Her career as
a writer began at an early age, with a poem being featured in an anthology for
the East Midlands. Since then Charlotte has written many short stories and
poems, and finally wrote her first full-length piece of fiction in 2010.
During what
little spare time she has, Charlotte enjoys reading and writing (of course),
spending time with her family, and watching action movies whilst eating curry
and drinking tea.
Charlotte is
an active member of Yeovil Creative Writers.
Interview:
Where are you from?
Everywhere. My dad worked on the oil rigs so we moved around a
fair bit when I was younger. I was born in Oman, and moved to England when I
was about 7. We lived in Scotland for a few years before moving back to
Nottingham, and I spent my teenage years living on the Nottinghamshire /
Lincolnshire border. I moved down to Somerset in 2003, but we moved to the
Channel Islands for a couple of years. We moved back to Somerset about 6 years
ago though, and I think I’m settled now.
Tell us your latest news?
Wow. So much has gone on over the past year I don’t think I’ve
caught up with myself yet. Since January, I’ve had Four Letter Words, the
sequel to my debut novel published, and The Black Door was published in July.
I’ve also had my first short-story (One Night in Edinburgh) accepted, due to be
published in November, and I’ve just submitted my next full-length novel, which
still doesn’t have a title.
When and why did you begin writing?
I started writing poetry when I was little. A poem I wrote when
I was 10 was published when I was 14 in an anthology. That spurred me on, and
I’ve been writing ever since. I wrote short stories when I was at school to
amuse my friends, and haven’t stopped! I write because I enjoy it, and it’s as
simple as that.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I’ll let you know when it happens! It still hasn’t sunk in that
I’m a published author. I started referring to myself as a writer though, when
I was handed my first private contract. But that was as a freelancer and not a
novelist.
What inspired you to write your first book?
I always wanted to write crime or mystery, but a certain trilogy
was released and almost everyone I know was saying I should read it. I did, and
was asked if I’d ever considered writing erotic romance (my stories are always
full of sex anyway). I hadn’t, but thought I’d give it a go and Seven Dirty
Words was created.
What would you like my readers to know?
We are always learning, and we never stop. I joined my local
writer’s group a couple of years ago and it was the best move I ever made. I
have learned so much from them, and get great advice with regards to any
extracts I read out. But you do need a thick skin as a writer – you can’t
please everyone!
Social Media / Website links:
Buy Links:
Charlotte will be awarding an eBook of The Black Door, a signed print copy of Seven Dirty Words with a bookmark, and a $10 Amazon gift card (£10 Amazon gift card if UK winner) to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour
Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteThank yo for the interview, it was interesting :)
ReplyDeleteGreat interview, nice getting to know you.
ReplyDeleteInteresting interview, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the interview.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed reading your interview today
ReplyDeleteGreat interview!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win!