Reviewed by Ceri Kehoe
Livi Callaway has fled back to London after a reality TV disaster in New Zealand. Safely anonymous in the big city, she’s determined to stay under the radar from now on. But her attempts to build a new life are complicated by unexpected visitors from her old one, and new dangers and temptations lie in wait.
Late one night, she meets a mysteriously sexy American on the Underground – and the events that follow take her from Pooh Bear to the golden lights of Paris, via a trail of rock stars dead and alive. A family in disarray, a determined Swede, a crazed Australian and a childhood friend (who might yet be more than that) have her all over the place as she tries to discover the American’s secret – while keeping her own.
With help – and occasional hindrance – from her friends, what she eventually finds is something unexpected...sometimes, running away can lead you to exactly what you didn’t know you needed.
I recently introduced you to Serena Clarke in a debut spotlight feature but today I'm delighted to welcome Serena back for a bit of a chat.
Can you tell us a little bit about All Over the Place?
The starting point for All Over the Place was inspired by something that happened to me on the tube, when I lived in London. Livi’s adventures after that are not the same as mine, of course. (Well, mostly…but I’ll say no more!) It’s a story about finding the place you’re meant to be – and the person you’re meant to be with.
Which comes first, the characters or the plot?
For me, it’s a mixture. I start with a fairly clear idea of the main characters. I like to think through a basic plot to begin with, and then the strands gradually come together. I do like stories with interwoven threads. And then other characters just kind of turn up, which is a lot of fun! But if I get stuck on a scene, it’s actually dialogue that saves me. I let the characters have their conversation, and then fill in from there.
One of the things I've loved since setting up the blog is discovering new authors, especially International authors, who I would probably never have heard of otherwise.
Under the debut spotlight today is New Zealand author Serena Clarke, her first novel, All Over The Place, will be published by Crimson Romance on 18th February.
Serena Clarke writes smart, sweet and sassy fiction that reflects the international lives we lead – or dream of. No matter where you are, life can be complicated. But it’s also full of magic, possibility and second chances. So you’ll definitely find a happy ending in her stories!
Serena grew up in a family of itchy-footed readers and dreamers – not concentrating, reading the atlas and Narnia books, and planning to escape somewhere magical as soon as she could. When she was 16, she left New Zealand to live in Sweden for a year. It was the beginning of many travels and adventures – and quite a few disasters! She didn’t know it at the time, but eventually she’d be grateful for all the ups and the downs. As writers say in the face of adversity: “I can use that.”
Having come full circle, through seven cities in four countries, she’s now back in New Zealand, in her 39th house – probably not the last! Luckily, she has a tall, dark and handsome husband to help look after their two boys while she dreams up stories. Turns out that happily-ever-afters happen in real life too.
