Emma's Review: The Women of Primrose Square by Claudia Carroll

Reviewed by Emma Crowley

When Frank Woods at number seventy-nine Primrose Square comes home to a surprise birthday party thrown by his wife and adoring children, it is his guests who get the real surprise.

Finding himself alone, he befriends the cantankerous Miss Hardcastle, who hasn't left her home for decades, and Emily Dunne - fresh out of rehab and desperate to make amends. 

As gossip spreads through Primrose Square, every relationship is tested, and nothing in this close-knit community will ever be the same again...

Amazon Affiliate Links: Kindle or Paperback

Emma's Review: The Secrets of Primrose Square by Claudia Carroll

Reviewed by Emma Crowley

So many stories hidden behind closed doors . . . 

It's late at night and the rain is pouring down on the Dublin city streets. A mother is grieving for her dead child. She stands silently outside the home of the teenage boy she believes responsible. She watches . . .

In a kitchen on the same square, a girl waits anxiously for her mum to come home. She knows exactly where she is, but she knows she cannot reach her. 

A few doors down, and a widow sits alone in her room. She has just delivered a bombshell to her family during dinner and her life is about to change forever. 

And an aspiring theatre director has just moved in to a flat across the street. Her landlord is absent, but there are already things about him that don't quite add up . . .

Welcome to Primrose Square.

Amazon Affiliate Links: Kindle or Hardcover

Author Interview: Claudia Carroll

Today I'm chatting to Claudia Carroll on the latest leg of her Our Little Secret blog tour.

Hi Claudia and welcome back to the blog.  It's been a few years since you last visited us so can you give readers a quick recap/intro to yourself and your writing journey.
Oh Sharon, it’s a joy to be back on your blog again! You know I follow you religiously and really have to congratute you on the fab job you do every day. I love seeing all your wonderful book reccomendations and really do be very honoured to be back here again. So  huge and heartfelt thank you, lovely lady. Your support means the world to me , it really does. 

So to answer your question, just to say that yes indeed, I’ve been a busy girl and my new paperback Our Little Secret hit the shelves on February 8th. SO exciting…!  

If you had to give an elevator pitch for Our Little Secret, what would it be? 
Did you ever see the old movie, All About Eve with Bette Davis? It’s basically about a good deed that comes back to bite you. Just like the song in Wicked (my all time favourite musical) about no good deed going unpunished. 

Our Little Secret has more of a serious undertone to it than your earlier books, where did the inspiration come from? 
As I mentioned above, the movie All About Eve, was a huge inspiration point for me, so I got to wondering – suppose you had a middle aged, older woman who, with no motive other than kindness and a genuine altruism, decides to help a younger woman, who needs a bit of a leg up in her own career. But of course there’s a twist, and pretty soon, my leading character comes to deeply regret ever having giving this young one the time of day.

Who was your favourite character to write in the book?
It’s always fun to write baddies, so I suppose I really enjoying writing the character of Lauren, who is basically all sweetness and light on the surface, but tough as a boot just underneath and with an ambition that’s terrifying. Someone who would walk all over you, just to advance their own career. So the moral of the story is---- be on the lookout for Lauren’s everywhere! 

Emma's Review: Our Little Secret by Claudia Carroll

Reviewed by Emma Crowley

Sarah Dee has the perfect life. A high-flying job in a law firm, a beautiful daughter and a house to die for. So how does she find herself looking in through the kitchen window while another woman enjoys it all?

When Sarah takes pity on a struggling young graduate who can’t get a job, she thinks she’s doing the right thing. She’s being kind, generous and helpful to others, as she always is. But as Sarah allows the younger woman into her home, her law firm and even her family, is there more to this pretty youngster than meets the eye? And could this be a good deed that goes further than expected?

Guest Post: My Life as a Writer by Claudia Carroll

Today it's my pleasure to welcome Claudia Carroll back to the blog on the latest leg for her new book All She Ever Wished For which was published on Thursday.

I was working as an actress on a long running soap opera in Ireland and, like so many others, had always dreamt of writing a book, but never really had the guts. Then one of our directors on the show, a good pal, published her first book and advised me to get three chapters of mine to her agent who she very kindly asked to look them over. So I decided there and then to stop messing around and just do it. Miraculously the agent, the fabulous Marianne Gunn O’Connor, took me on and had a book deal for me a few weeks later. All these years later and I’m still pinching myself. 

Funny, but I wrote my first three books while filming the TV show I was in at the same time, and seemed to find that even though my time was limited, I’d really use what little available time there was to write in. Even if this meant getting up at dawn to work. But now that I write full time I find that if you’re writing from home there can be so many distractions. Even as I’m typing this, I’m looking at a big mound of ironing, just winking at me to be done and it’s SO hard to ignore it….. But I have to remember, when I’m writing, I’m working, and just as if I was based in an office or business setting, I don’t take calls, answer emails from pals or surf the net when you’re working. 

Took me a long, long time to get used to this one though, but soon enough my family and friends copped on not to call during the day, which for me is writing time. So a tip to would be authors who may be reading this; just ignore the door, put the phone on silent, don’t go online and you’ll be amazed at how much you’ll get done. Really. 

Books Read: Claudia Carroll - Meet Me in Manhattan

In a New York minute, everything can change …

You don’t mess with aspiring journalist Holly Johnson! The man she fell for is not all that he seems – because sometimes dating online doesn’t quite go to plan. She’s decided to fly to the Big Apple to surprise him and to get some answers. And if her plan works she’ll also get the scoop of her career …

But as she steps out of her yellow taxi and the first snowflakes start to fall, it’s Holly who has the surprise of her life.

What should be a dream come true is looking a little like a nightmare. But Holly is determined to get her New York happy ending!

Amazon Links: Kindle or Paperback

Cover Reveal: Meet Me in Manhattan by Claudia Carroll

One of the books I've been looking forward to reading all year is Meet Me in Manhattan by Claudia Carroll after chatting to Claudia about the book back in March as part of my Irish Fiction week, you can read the post here.  And finally the wait is almost over as it's being published here in the UK soon, eBook on 5th November and paperback on 3rd December.

But today I'm happy to be part of the cover reveal blitz, so without further ado here it is in all its glory ;)

In a New York minute, everything can change …

Irish Fiction Week Guest Post: Claudia Carroll talks Catfishing

I have been a huge fan of Claudia Carroll's for years, long before I started blogging, and love how supportive she is to bloggers such as myself and always willing to help out.  Claudia's new book Meet Me in Manhattan is being published in Ireland on 26th March so when I was planning this feature week I decided to contact Claudia to find out a bit more about it.  

Huge thanks to the lovely Sharon at Shaz’s book blog for asking me to visit her wonderful blog to tell you all about my new book. Always a pleasure to talk books and particularly with Sharon, who’s the most avid supporter of authors that I know. 

Anyway, my new book is out on March 26th and it’s called Meet Me in Manhattan. And it’s about catfish. The internet kind, that is. Never heard of them? Then lucky you. This clearly means that you’re in a deeply committed relationship and have never had to dip as much as a toe into the murky waters of internet dating. 

But I have, you see and my God, did I think there was a story to be told here. Thing is you see, people lie online. All the time. And OK, so you might have the odd little white lie, where you knock of a few years off your age or a few pound off your waistline; everyone seems to be at that and over time, you allow for it.

I’m talking about catfish here, who are people – and it’s woman as we as guys, by the way, and who invent wholly fictitious fake profiles, purely to lure in the unsuspecting. Some of them you see, can be so plausible, that it’s actually scary. 

Which is where the germ for Meet Me in Manhattan came from. I wanted to write about a character who the most together woman you could ever meet when it comes to meeting guys online; in fact, if she were ever to be a contestant on Mastermind, Holly Johnson could take ‘dating sites’ as her specialized subject. From Tinder to Elite Singles, she’s tried out them all and although Mr. Right hasn’t pitched up just yet, she’s convinced just a matter of time. 

Books Read: Claudia Carroll - Love Me or Leave Me

‘Welcome to the Hope Street Hotel – where you check in married, and check out single.’

Two years ago Chloe Townsend was dumped at the altar and had to leave behind everything that mattered to her. Even now she’s finding it hard to move forward. That is until she lands an incredible job, running a brand new boutique hotel. Suddenly she’s starting to put her life back together, and, apart from the fact that her hard-to-please new boss is breathing down her neck, things are looking good.

But what goes on in the Hope Street Hotel is a far cry from anything she’s ever dealt with before. This is a pioneering ‘divorce hotel’ designed to make every aspect of breaking up efficient and pain-free. In one single weekend, Chloe’s team promises to take care of everything – legal, technical, emotional – and guests check out carefree and single.

No one is better qualified than Chloe to understand what couples need when their relationship is at breaking point, but she soon finds herself having to tackle the heartbreak she’s tried to bury. In particular three couples need her help – Jo and Dave, Lucy and Andrew, and Kirk and Dawn – and the opening weekend is full of revelation, trouble, memories happy and sad, facts that need facing, and some very big surprises.

It’s time to move on. And it soon becomes clear that some endings are, in fact, very exciting new beginnings…

Amazon links: Kindle or Paperback

Books Read: Claudia Carroll - Me & You

“I’m fine. I’m sorry. Please take care of him for me. And maybe one day I’ll get to explain.” 

Angie knows a lot about her best friend Kitty. She knows Kitty is mad and wild and loves to wear clashing colours. She knows she’s incredibly funny and generous but also very unreliable. And she knows that there is a perfect explanation for Kitty standing her up on her birthday. She thinks she knows everything about Kitty, except she doesn’t. 

Kitty knows that she is the happiest she has ever been. She knows she’s so lucky to have a lovely boyfriend, Simon and a best friend like Angie. But what she doesn’t know is that on this night, her past is finally going to catch up with her and change everything.

Amazon links: Kindle or Paperback

Sneak Peeks: The Perfect Murder & The Perfect Escape, free short story collections

Avon Books are really spoiling their readers next month with not one but two fantastic FREE short story collections.  The Perfect Murder will be published on June 10th and The Perfect Escape on 27th June.

Spine-chilling short stories for long summer nights…

Featuring short stories from e-book bestsellers Paul Finch, Jacqui Rose and Mark Sennen and highly anticipated stories from Luca Veste and Michael Russell, this FREE short story collection will have you up all night.

Each short story is followed up by exclusive extracts of each of the authors’ upcoming titles.

Before Noon by Jacqui Rose: A nail-biting story that focuses on the events prior to a safe deposit robbery.

Time’s Up by Luca Veste: Set in Liverpool a grisly tale of being lost and seeking redemption.

Him! by Paul Finch: The darkest things happen at night… A thriller sure to keep you on the edge of your seat from the #1 bestseller Paul Finch.

Wunderland by Mark Sennen: A chilling story based at a writer’s retreat in the middle of nowhere.

The Puzzle Behind The Istanbul Puzzle by Laurence O’Bryan: A feature that looks at Laurence’s fascination with conspiracy theories.

Irish Fiction Month Interview: Claudia Carroll

Earlier this month I did a sneak peeks feature for one of the books I'm looking forward to reading this year which is Me and You by Claudia Carroll.  Today I'm delighted to be able to welcome Claudia back to the blog for a bit of a natter about the book, which Irish writers inspired her and the biggie, why has Irish fiction become so popular?...

Why do you think Irish Fiction has become so popular worldwide?
Oooh tough one! Hard to call, but I always think it’s because we’re a desperate nation of talkers. Yak yak yakking the whole time. In this country, trust me, in this country, it’s tough having a phone call with your mother that lasts less than an hour. So I think maybe the huge input of Irish lady authors is a natural follow-on to that. Would love to know what everyone else thinks though!

Did you always know you wanted to be a writer?
It was always something I’d just done automatically, without ever a second thought of publication. Even as a kid I was forever scribbling away short stories and at one point co-wrote a sitcom for telly which I know would make a holy mortifying show of me if it were ever to see the light of day! But I have to say, never with any thought of publication. Honest.

Irish Fiction Month Sneak Peeks: Claudia Carroll - Me and You

Today I've decided to give you a sneak peek at one of the books I'm really looking forward to reading this year, Me and You by Claudia Carroll who I'll also be interviewing later this month.

I’m fine. I’m sorry. Please take care of him for me. And maybe one day I’ll get to explain.

Angie knows a lot about her best friend Kitty.

She knows Kitty is mad and wild and loves to wear clashing colours. She knows she’s incredibly funny and generous but also very unreliable.

And she knows that there is a perfect explanation for Kitty standing her up on her birthday.

She thinks she knows everything about Kitty, except she doesn’t.

Christmas Shorts with... Claudia Carroll

I'm delighted to be able to welcome bestselling author Claudia Carroll to my blog for today's Christmas Shorts feature.  Claudia has written 9 books to date including A Very Accidental Love Story which I reviewed earlier this year. 

What is your earliest Christmas memory?  

My awful older brother telling me that were was no such thing as Santa. To this day, I’ve yet to forgive him….!

What is your favourite Christmas tradition?
Ahem, wine. And chocolate. Lots of it. Quality St, family sized tins go down a treat in my house. But then, we’re a very grub-orientated house this time of year.  

What is or was the best book-related Christmas gift that you’ve received?
Getting an iPad....it's completely changed my life...and reading habits! 

Books Read: Claudia Carroll - A Very Accidental Love Story

There are some things in life that you just can't plan for...

Eloise Elliott is one of the youngest newspaper editors in the country.  But on the eve of her thirtieth birthday she's hit with a sharp pang of lonliness.  With dazzling clarity, she realises what she wants - someone to share her life with.

Fast forward three years and she is the adoring mother of a gorgeous little girl, Lily.  Juggling a high-powered job with single motherhood is not easy and when Lily starts asking about 'daddy' Eloise begins to panic.  What will she tell her?

So Eloise goes on a mission to find Lily's father.  After all, she chose the perfect donor, surely there won't be any surprises... 

Books Read: The Perfect Treat - collection of short stories

Heart-warming short stories for cold winter nights…

Love, Loss and Coffee Cake: Miranda Dickinson

It’s A Wonderful Life: Claudia Carroll

Driving Home For Christmas:Julia Williams

Breaking The Spell: Liz Trenow

The Twelve Lies of Christmas: Mhairi McFarlane