I’m super happy to announce I signed a four book and two novella deal with Audible and the first audio book has been released today worldwide!
The first audio book released is BURNING FIELDS with the rest to follow shortly. I’ve recently found a love for audio books and I hope you enjoy them just as much as I do!
Happy listening!
It’s been a busy year, for which I am very thankful and I’ll be doing a year in review later this month, but in the meantime I’ve been doing some guest blogging to celebrate the release of Under the Spanish Stars in the USA, UK, Canada and beyond. If you’d like to find out a little more about me, my writing process and the inspiration behind this award-winning book, you might like to pop onto the blogs below:
I reveal the book I wish I had written and why, as well as what readers can expect from me next year.
This blog post uncovers some of the super interesting information I learnt about Spain and flamenco when researching Under the Spanish Stars.
SHELLEY WILSON – Tuesday Book Blog
Here I reveal which super power I wish I had. Can you guess it?
Where I chat about why I chose Spain and flamenco as a destination for this book.
Where I reveal my reading habits and a little about my next book.
Here I offer advice to writers just starting out or in the midst of self-doubt.
And last, but by no means least, I had a lovely feature in Readers Entertainment magazine where you can read the first chapter of Under the Spanish Stars. CLICK HERE to read more.
Stay tuned as I have a few more lined up over the next little while. Thank you so much to all the bloggers and readers who have supported me not only for the release of Under the Spanish Stars, but in every way since I first started this amazing journey in publishing.
Hooray! Today is the official release day for Under the Spanish Stars for readers living in the USA, Canada, UK and beyond (for readers in Australia and NZ, Under the Spanish Stars was released in February, 2016 – click HERE for details).
So, what’s the story about? Here’s the rundown:
Amid the vivid beauty of Granada, a woman entrusted with unraveling a family secret will discover the truth about her heritage–and the alluring promise of love…
When her beloved grandmother falls ill, Charlotte Kavanagh will do whatever she asks of her–even if it means traveling to a country that broke her abuela’s heart. Can an unsigned painting of a flamenco dancer unlock the secrets of her grandmother’s youth in Spain? To find the answers she needs, Charlotte must convince the charismatic and gifted musician, Mateo Vives to introduce her to a secluded gypsy clan.
The enigmatic Mateo speaks the true language of flamenco, a culture Charlotte must learn to appreciate if she wants to understand her grandmother’s past–and the flamenco legend that has moved souls to beauty, and bodies to the heights of passion. As Mateo leads her into the captivating world of the music and the dance, Charlotte embraces her own long-denied creative gift and the possibility of a future rich with joy…
And if you’d like to purchase a copy, you can get it through most e-tailers and if you prefer print, you can order it online and it will arrive on your doorstep in no time!
Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me on this writing journey and for sharing posts, telling people about my book and the lovely readers who take time out of their precious days to immerse themselves in the worlds I create. You are all wonderful!
Stay tuned – there’s some more exciting news about to let out of the bag!
Wow, it’s been a busy couple of days! I am delighted to reveal the cover for Under the Spanish Stars, out with Kensington Books 6 December for those outside Aus/NZ. (If you are an Aus/NZ resident, please click here. for your version).
Here goes …
Amid the vivid beauty of Granada, a woman entrusted with unraveling a family secret will discover the truth about her heritage—and the alluring promise of love…
When her beloved grandmother falls ill, Charlotte Kavanagh will do whatever she asks of her—even if it means traveling to a country that broke her abuela’s heart. Can an unsigned painting of a flamenco dancer unlock the secrets of her grandmother’s youth in Spain? To find the answers she needs, Charlotte must convince the charismatic and gifted musician, Mateo Vives to introduce her to a secluded gypsy clan.
The enigmatic Mateo speaks the true language of flamenco, a culture Charlotte must learn to appreciate if she wants to understand her grandmother’s past—and the flamenco legend that has moved souls to beauty, and bodies to the heights of passion. As Mateo leads her into the captivating world of the music and the dance, Charlotte embraces her own long-denied creative gift and the possibility of a future rich with joy…
Isn’t it gorgeous? I’m one lucky gal, indeed! I’m very much looking forward to sharing the story of Charlotte, Mateo, Katarina and Raul with you.
You can pre-order your copy below:
Thank you to everyone who entered the Under the Spanish Stars #shelfie contest. There were many fabulous pics spread across Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Your enthusiasm for putting our lovely heroine, Charlotte, in some interesting positions kept me entertained! Because I had so many great entries, I’ve decided to give away an extra Spanish fan.
To see the compilation of entries set to some cool music CLICK HERE
But of course, you want to know who won the Spanish Stars mug and Spanish fan, don’t you?
And the winner is … drumroll …. JAN VAN ENGEN!
This is the entry that was drawn out of a hat (very technical way of doing things, I know).
And the winner of another Spanish fan is … LEANNE MCFADYEN!
Congrats Jan and Leanne thank you to everyone who entered. Happy reading!
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To celebrate the release of my new book, Under the Spanish Stars, I’m running a #shelfie contest!
What is the prize, you ask? A gorgeous Under the Spanish Stars mug and a lovely Spanish fan.
Entry is simple, and you can enter as many times as you like (with different photos and types of social media). Every entry gives you an extra chance – the more entries, the better the chance of winning!
Here are the details:
Post a photo of Under the Spanish Stars out in the wild – either on a bookshelf in a store, on your e-reader or being read by you or a friend/family member (the more creative the better!). Use your social media account to share your pic with me (details of how to tag me below) and use the hashtag #shelfie.
Entries will be open from 9.00 am Friday, 29 January, 2016 until 8.00 pm, Sunday, 14 February AEST (because why not end the contest on the day of romance?).
Here’s the links to my social media accounts.
Or, if you don’t have any of these, post your pic in the comments below.
After the closing date I will randomly draw a winner. The winner will be notified and announced no later than 17 February.
PLEASE NOTE: This contest is only open to Australian and New Zealand readers as the book is only available in this region (at the moment!).
And to get you started, here are some examples that have already been sent to me:
Taken by Ruth at Target Waurn Ponds
Taken by Laura at Big W
“Ready to relax and read!” Tania, Jan Juc
A special thank you gift to you, my lovely readers –
I’ve written a FREE NOVELLA as a lead-up to my new release (Under the Spanish Stars) and it’s available now!
Don’t worry if you don’t have an ereader, you can read it on the computer or your tablet (just check the retailer’s delivery method on their site where you order).
HAPPY READING!
Here’s a brief rundown on the story:
Charlotte Kavanagh is averse to risk and researches every decision she makes. Although it hasn’t helped her recently with her failed romance, a job she despises and a strong feeling there is a better life out there—somewhere.
When her grandmother takes ill and requests Charlotte travels to Spain to solve a mystery, Charlotte faces a huge decision—stay with the status quo or face her fears and take the biggest risk of her life…
Available for order from 26 December (links will be added when e-tailers have them available):
eBooks.com
Folks, I am so happy to finally reveal the cover for my next novel – Under The Spanish Stars (coming out in Aus/NZ in February 2016). I absolutely adore what Harlequin MIRA have come up with and it reflects the journey of my heroine, Charlotte, from Australia to Spain beautifully.
Under The Spanish Stars is now available for pre-order!
If you click on the link below it will take you through to Harlequin’s website. It will also give you links to other online retailers.
Here’s the blurb:
An Australian woman’s life-changing journey, a secret from the past, a passionate encounter …
Charlotte Kavanagh’s beloved grandma Katarina Sanchez is gravely ill, so when she begs Charlotte to travel to her homeland in Andalucía to uncover the truth behind a mysterious painting, Charlotte agrees. Taking leave from her soul-destroying job and stalled life in Australia, Charlotte embarks on a quest through Granada’s ancient cobble-stoned streets and vibrant neighbourhoods. There she meets Mateo Vives, a flamenco guitarist with a dark past, and through him she quickly becomes entangled in the world of flamenco and gypsies that ignites a passion she had thought lost.
But the mystery surrounding the painting deepens, reaching back in time to the war-torn Spain of the 1940s and Charlotte discovers her grandmother’s connection to the Spanish underground. Who is her grandmother, really? What is Mateo’s connection to her family history? And why is finding answers to a family mystery turning into a journey of self-discovery for Charlotte?
Weighed down by secrets, betrayals and shattered relationships, Charlotte finds herself questioning the true meaning of heritage, family and love.
A wonderful and talented friend of mine, Inge Mulhauser, joined a group of other equally talented flamenco dancers in Turkey to celebrate International Women’s Day earlier this year. Each were asked to express, through dance, what thoughts run through a woman’s mind. I’ve watched this video many times and I’m still fascinated by the dancing and the intensity on their faces and in their eyes. It’s beautifully filmed and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Photo by Mazkeret Batia – Wikimedia commons
The lovely Barrie Summy invited me to participate in a Meet My Character Blog Tour. I’ve chosen a character from my current manuscript, Flamenco Fire.
1.) What is the name of your character?
Charlotte Williams
2.) Is he/she fictional or a historic person?
Fictional but in my head she’s real!
3.) When and where is the story set?
Mostly in Granada, Spain with a few scenes in London scattered throughout. As I love my dual storylines, part of the story is set during the Spanish Civil War and World War II and the rest of the story is present day. Of course, the storylines will meet up in order to solve a mystery involving flamenco!
4.) What should we know about him/her?
Charlotte is a talented painter but has quashed that dream in favour of a stable career and life. Her ailing grandma tips that upside down when she begs Charlotte to go to Spain and find out who is the anonymous artist behind a painting belonging to her great-grandfather.
5.) What is the main conflict? What messes up his/her life?
Charlotte works as an insurance broker and spends her days assessing risk both in her professional and personal life. When she meets Mateo Vives, a Spanish flamenco guitarist and free spirit, she is forced to reassess her own beliefs and listen to her heart. What she doesn’t realise is the discovery of the identity of the painter will set off a chain of events that have dire consequences that spread across multiple generations.
8.) When can we expect the book to be published?
Flamenco Fire will be published in 2015 by Harlequin MIRA
What happens next? See the names below in green with links to their websites? Those authors will be posting on Oct 16, 2014 about one of their characters. In fact, you might want to click through now and find out more!
Rachael Johns is an English teacher by trade, a mum 24/7, a supermarket owner, a chronic arachnophobic, and a writer the rest of the time. She rarely sleeps and never irons. She writes contemporary romance for HQN and Harlequin Australia and lives in rural Western Australia with her hyperactive husband and three mostly-gorgeous heroes-in-training. Rachael loves to hear from readers and can be contacted through her website at www.rachaeljohns.com.
Rebecca Raisin is a true bibliophile. This love of books morphed into the desire to write them. She’s been widely published in various short story anthologies, and in fiction magazines, and is now focusing on writing romance. The only downfall about writing about gorgeous men who have brains as well as brawn, is falling in love with them – just as well they’re fictional. Rebecca aims to write characters you can see yourself being friends with. People with big hearts who care about relationships, and most importantly, believe in true, once in a lifetime love.
Heidi Noroozy is a translator, blogger, and writer of multicultural crime fiction. Her travels around the globe have led to extended stays in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Mexico and Iran. Heidi’s Cold War story, “Trading Places,” was published in the “Secret Codes” issue of Nautilus and draws on her experiences living in the GDR in the 1980s. Other stories appeared in German crime anthologies and have been translated into five languages. She lives in Northern California with her Iranian-born husband and is currently writing a novel set in present-day Tehran.
Pamela DuMond is the author who discovered Erin Brokovich’s life story – Pamela though it would make a great movie so pitch it to Hollywood and the rest is history. She writes romantic comedic mysteries, romantic Young Adult, time travel novels and New Adult romance.
Alli Sinclair 