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PRETTY FEET.... featuring Georgia Hill

3/26/2014

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Today on PRETTY FEET I'm welcoming the fabulous Georgia Hill, whose second book for Harper Impulse is Say It With Sequins: The Waltz
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About Georgia...

I used to live in London, where I worked in the theatre. Then I got the bizarre job of teaching road safety to the U.S. navy – in Marble Arch!

A few years ago, I did an ‘Escape to the Country’. I now live in a tiny Herefordshire village, where I scandalise the neighbours by not keeping ‘country hours’ and being unable to make a decent pot of plum jam. Home is a converted oast house, which I share with my two beloved spaniels, husband (also beloved) and a ghost called Zoe. 
 
I am addicted to Belgian chocolate, Jane Austen and, most of all, Strictly Come Dancing. 

And her book...


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Say it with Sequins: The Waltz

Who Dares Dances is a reality TV show with a difference. Not only do the contestants have to learn to dance, they also face a series of bizarre tasks.

Best-selling children’s writer, Lucy Everett, signs up as a personal challenge – can she battle her phobias and dance in front of millions of viewers?

When she meets fellow competitor, the seriously sexy but reserved Olympic swimmer Max Parry, she finds in him her very own Prince Charming.

But Max seems content to just be friends. Will Lucy ever get her longed for fairy tale ending?

Find out by waltzing into this dreamily romantic second novella in the Say it with Sequins series.

You can buy Georgia's book here:
Amazon 

And now for Georgia's shoes...

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And their story...


(Not So) Pretty Feet


When Jane asked if I'd like to guest blog I was delighted and then horrified. For once in my life I couldn't think what to write. And I'm not usually short of things to say, especially when talking about myself.

The reason? Shoes!

For me shoes are just well, things I put on my feet to keep them dry and warm. Not very girly, I know.

I’m ambivalent about my feet. I like that they are long and narrow but dislike my 4 inch big toes which mean I take at least a UK size 7 ½ or 8. Ever tried to get decent shoes in large sizes – and ones which don’t make your feet look like boats? Added to that, I’ve spent most of my working life upright. For various jobs I needed shoes in which I could walk easily, or stay on my feet in comfort. I’ve lost the ability to walk in anything higher than 2 inches. So, although I admire beautifully made shoes with those red soles and sky-scraper heels, sadly they’re not for me.

The shoes which have the biggest role in my life? My walking boots. As any walker knows, they are dear to the heart. Nothing worse than cold, wet feet or, even worse, blisters. These took a while to break in but now they are like best-friends.

I walk my dogs on a large area of common land, not far from home. It's rising land and commands fine views across three counties and to Wales beyond. In the winter it's often frosty and crisp and in summer the grassy meadows are covered with buttercups and wild orchids. This winter the going, as you can imagine, has been rather soft! I really needed my walking boots.

Most days I have the place to myself but occasionally meet other walkers, often accompanied by their canine chum. In good old English dog walking tradition, we introduce the dogs and not ourselves, so I tend to find out only the dog's name!

So these boots tell shaggy dog tales.

Today, I met Fizz the Rottweiler and with her was a bouncy brown Lab. The Labrador rejoiced in the name Mr Darcy (and, to be fair, he was exceedingly handsome although perhaps not quite as dignified as his namesake). His owner explained when they went to inspect the litter of puppies; this one fell into the water bowl and waddled over, soaking wet. Another iconic ‘Wet Darcy’ moment!

Then there is the touching story of Pete and his rescue greyhound, Sparky. No one wanted to take the dog on, as he was elderly. Pete, grieving for his wife, was persuaded by his son to have another dog to get him ‘out and about.’ When these two met, they knew they were made for one another. Widower met old, unwanted greyhound and it was love at first sight. Sparky has fallen on his paws, as when I last spoke to Pete, the dog had breakfasted on eggy bread and had been bought a new and expensive bed! 

Some people are new to the area and checking it out for possible dog walks, some are regulars who I bump into from time to time. 

One chap, who sports ferocious tattoos on his shaven head, has four little terriers and is the gentlest man I've ever met. He's besotted with his dogs but trains them well too. And, then there are the two tough looking blokes with a brace of Staffordshire Bull terriers. The owners explained, when I met them back in December, they'd just bought them all doggie Christmas presents, which were hidden under the bed!

I often have to revise my prejudices.

Dog-walking is great thinking time. When the weather is fine it’s a real pleasure to be away from the desk. Often, a knotty plot problem is resolved while I’m out. And, sometimes, as in the case of Pete and his elderly greyhound, it provides me with a ready-made story.

The real reason I walk the dogs though, is they won’t leave me in peace until I have. On our return, I treat myself to a coffee and sit at the desk while the dogs slump on the sofa. I can then write, interrupted only by their snoring!

Love, Georgia x

PS Just to prove I do have a girly side (even if they are flatties) here is my latest shoe buy.

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Where to find Georgia...
Facebook 
Twitter 
Website 



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PRETTY FEET...  featuring Zara Stoneley

3/21/2014

2 Comments

 
Today on PRETTY FEET I'm welcoming the fabulous Zara Stoneley whose second erotic romance for Harper Impulse is Love Is A Four Letter Word... and isn't that a great title?
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Hi Jane, thank you so much for having me over, I’ve got serious shoe envy after reading the other posts!

About Zara...

I’ve been writing stories for just about as long as I’ve been reading them I think. I sold my first erotic novel to Xcite Books in 2012, after entering a competition (and writing erotic romance for the first time!) and since then have had hot romances accepted by several publishers, including HarperCollins. My stories have featured on romance and erotic bestseller lists in the US and UK.

I’m a bit of a sun-worshipper and so divide my time between a country cottage in the UK and a Barcelona apartment, and my obsessions are now my family, sexy high heels, sunshine, good food and wine, coffee, cats, horses, dogs, music, writing and reading - but not necessarily in that order! And when I write, I like my heroes just how I like my coffee – hot, strong and moreish.

And her book...
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‘Love Is A Four Letter Word’

Sometimes being bad can be too good to miss...

Take one rich girl who has a thing for the bad boys.

Take one tough guy who thinks having it all is the road to hell.

Mix generously with a land dispute and a whole lotta lust…. And what have you got?

Sometimes being bad can be just too good to miss...

Where to buy Zara's book...

AMAZON (UK)     
AMAZON (COM)
BARNES & NOBLE 
KOBO 
SAINSBURY'S 
GOOGLE PLAY 

And now for Zara's lovely shoes...

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The shoes!

Favourite shoes is a tricky one, because I do love my shoes! I really didn’t know which ones to pick out, but then went with these because they mean the most to me right now. They aren’t the highest heels, or the sexiest, but they were picked to match an outfit I wore to celebrate my other half’s fiftieth birthday.

I’d bought a ‘posh frock’ ages before, because I’d seen it and loved it, but not bothered about shoes – being sure I’d find the perfect pair (yeah!). They had matching ones in the shop where I’d bought the outfit, but they were so expensive I was sure I’d find some other, better ones – I really should know better by now!

The day got nearer and I started to panic – none of the shoes I’d got were right (they never are, are they?) and all the ones I’d fancied in shops were the wrong colour. And then I just happened to go into the shop where I’d bought the dress. They had a sale on, had one pair of shoes that matched my outfit left – and they were my size! I’m a great believer in fate so I grabbed them. They were a fraction of the normal price and of course a perfect match for the dress.

We celebrated in Barcelona, in a very posh restaurant called ‘Botafumeiro’ which specialises in fish. Sorry, but the only pics we took were more to do with the food than the outfit!

It was a very special year last year, we both celebrated out 50th birthdays and we started to spend more time in Barcelona, which is a city I love. I also got a new job, time for my writing and a new contract with Harper Collins, so these shoes will always remind me of wonderful times, they’re all about a new, happier start.

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Find Zara at www.zarastoneley.com on her facebook page, or via twitter @ZaraStoneley, or on her blog (and she also has a blog under the name Susie Medwell where she promotes non erotic books, blogs about Barcelona and writing).  

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PRETTY FEET...   featuring Caroline Storer

3/12/2014

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Today on PRETTY FEET I'm welcoming Caroline Storer whose first book for Harper Impulse, The Roman, released on 20th February. This historical novel has THE most delicious cover guy EVER – makes me gasp every time I see him!
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Jane, thank you so much for inviting me onto your Pretty Feet blog spot. I’m thrilled to be here.

About Caroline...
For many years now I’ve suffered from insomnia. To get to sleep I normally make up stories in my head - the beginning of a love story between two individuals set almost anywhere! Then by the end of the first chapter I’ve normally fallen asleep. (My hard drive is full of “Chapter 1” ideas!). I also get ideas from reading voraciously. In my debut book for HarperImpulse – “The Roman”, – the idea came from reading a children’s book about Herculaneum that I found in the library one day. I often find children’s history books (lots of pictures) spark an idea much more readily than a weighty historical tome! In this particular book there was a villa discovered at Herculaneum which had lots of bronze statutes. Justina, my heroine in “The Roman” is a sculptress and she lives and sculpts in a huge villa in Herculaneum! But when it comes to writing the whole book I’m definitely a “pantster” though. The idea starts and just flows from there. I’ve tried to plot out books, but to no avail. The characters just take over and demand to have “their” story written, and not some script I’ve developed for them.

I live on the lovely island of Anglesey in North Wales, and I’m married to my own AlphaHero – Colin.


And her book... and that cover... swoon...
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The Roman
ROME AD 79 - The one woman he ever loved was the one woman who betrayed him. And now, the Roman will have his revenge… Marsallas and Justina were young, beautiful and desperately in love once, until a tragic betrayal tore them apart. Six years have passed since that day and Marsallas has since thrown himself into the deadly world of chariot racing, gaining fortune, fame, and a salacious reputation throughout Rome. His bed could be kept warm by a different woman each night if he chooses, but his heart remains iced over as the memory of Justina’s betrayal continues to haunt him. The last thing he expects is to see her again, but when she steps back into his life he sees a chance to avenge his broken heart. But beneath the hurt, an attraction so intense still burns between the two, and as their fates begin to intertwine once more, their determination to resist one another starts to falter…

Where to buy Caroline's book...
Amazon.com 

Amazon.co.uk 

Barnes and Noble 

Kobo 

Google Play 

iTunes 


And now for Caroline's shoes...
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Very special shoes for a very special day...

OK. First up a confession. I’m the least likely candidate to have on a Blog about shoes! And why? Well, because I’ve probably only got about 10 pairs of shoes in my entire shoe collection!

But not withstanding that, I have got two pairs of “best shoes”. The shoes I’ve decided to talk about are my wedding shoes as seen in the picture above. (It's my wedding anniversary this week too, so quite timely I think!)

I got married in 2010 to my long suffering fiancée, Colin. We had been courting since 1999, (wella girl has to make sure that he’s “the one” doesn’t she?) Our wedding was planned on the spur moment, and I think I had about two months to organise the whole thing! Now, those that know me, know that by nature I’m a bit of a tomboy at heart. Jeans and boots are the order of the day to be honest. So…when it came to finding “The Outfit” it was a major cause of stress I can tell you.

I started my hunt for “The Outfit” by going to the usual wedding shops – the furthest being around 100 miles away. Nada. Nothing. I was 46 at the time and a white wedding dress would have only made eyebrows rise! Definitely not me. The hunt for “The Outfit” then ended up in all the major high street stores. Again. Nada.

Fast forward to a week before the wedding and I still hadn’t found “The Outfit”. To say I was panicking would be an understatement. In my desperation I went to a small shop in my home town of Holyhead. To be honest I wasn’t expecting much – the shop dummies in the window normally carry outfits for the older (much older) lady. Oh, how wrong I was! There lurking behind all the twin-sets was “TheOutfit” – a three piece suit – skirt, top and silk jacket. I tentatively asked for it in my size – fully expecting a “sorry”, but again I was surprised to find they had my size – and even better – when I tried it on it was too big and I had to get the size smaller. Bonus! It wasn’t cheap – but it was worth it.

As I was trying on “The Outfit”, and admiring it in the mirror, the oh-so-helpful shop assistant, (Mair) asked me what shoes I would be wearing with it. She must have seen the panic flare in my eyes at the thought of getting a pair to match my outfit (pale/dark pink pattern), not to mention the limited time frame left to buy said shoes. She then asked me what size I was. I told her size 7. She clapped her hands, and said that she was a size 7, and had the perfect pair of shoes to match my outfit at home, and that she had bought them but hadn’t worn them!! To be honest I wasn’t entirely convinced. But nothing ventured, nothing gained. So she gave me her address, and the next day I went to her house and she showed me the shoes you can see in the picture above. (Believe me when I tell you that Mair has a serious shoe collection – I’ve never seen so many boxes of shoes!) The shoes were pale pink, and they fitted me like a glove, not to mention they complimented my outfit perfectly. I couldn’t believe it. Many kisses and thanks later (plus a bunch offlowers of course) I took delivery of my (free) shoes and had a worry free rest of the week before my wedding day.

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Thanks for having me, Jane. It’s been great! Caroline xx

Find Caroline on Facebook 

Follow Caroline on Twitter 
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PRETTY FEET...  featuring Teresa F Morgan

3/5/2014

5 Comments

 
Today on PRETTY FEET I'm welcoming the fabulous Teresa F Morgan, whose debut romcom for Harper Impulse is Plus One Is A Lucky Number
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Thank you, Jane, for having me over on your blog today.

About Teresa...
I live in sunny Weston-super-Mare, trying to hold onto my Surrey accent where I was born and bred.
 For years I persevered with boring jobs, until my two boys joined my nest. In an attempt to find something to work around them, and to ensure I never endured full time boredom again, I found writing.
 I am at my happiest baking cakes, putting proper home cooked dinners on the table (whether the kids eat them or not), reading a good romance, or creating a touch of escapism with heroes readers will fall in love with. 
And her book...
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Plus One Is A Lucky Number

Sophie’s going to a wedding where the invite is strictly plus one… but with her single girl status not exactly fitting in with the bridesmaid dress code, and the best man being none other than the ex she would rather forget, Sophie needs a favour and she needs it fast!

Luckily for Sophie, her dreamy but distant co-worker Adam Reid owes their mutual friend James big time…and his gorgeousness more than fills the role of the ‘Perfect Boyfriend’!

As they take off to the sunny shores of Cornwall for the wedding weekend, it’s not long before pretence leads to passion and Sophie and Adam must decide; is their relationship real or is it all for show?

Where to buy Teresa's book:
Amazon UK
Amazon US
Harper Impulse
Kobo

And now for Teresa's gorgeous Pink Shoes...  some serious shoe envy going on here I can tell you!!!
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And their story...

When Jane asked if I’d appear on her blog I jumped at the chance. Then she said, “It’s really easy, just pick a favourite pair of shoes...” I was thinking, do flip-flops count? 

Lately – maybe it’s my mid-life crisis – I have become a more shoe obsessed person. Even though I can’t really wear high heels, I do appreciate pretty shoes. I would love to wear some shoes that women seem to be able to wear like they are slippers. I love killer heels... I just can’t wear them, or walk in them – you know that scene – Sandra Bullock, Miss Congeniality, walking out of the aircraft locker? Yep, that would be me!

These shoes are the highest I own, and I did have a pair of flip-flops tucked away in my handbag to swap to as the evening wore on, and serious dancing commenced.

My sister was diagnosed with Leukaemia in 2010 and my (now ex) husband ran the London Marathon in 2012 to raise money for CLIC Sargent. We organised a huge party in November 2011 as part of our fundraising. The theme was Pink and Quirky – chosen by Katie. I found a fabulous pink dress out of TK Maxx – The Pink Dress as it became better known, and then spotted these shoes in Next. 

At the time, to justify buying the shoes, I also bought a top out of Next, so I’d have an excuse to wear the shoes again...  Hmmmm... 

The good news is my sister received the all clear from Cancer last year! 

Sadly, the shoes really are too high for me so they only see the light of day (or night) if I’m going for dinner and no dancing is planned!
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Thank you, Jane, for having me over on your blog. Next time I’ll talk about my favourite boots...

Find Teresa: Blog / Website / Twitter / Facebook   
Add Teresa on Goodreads: Add on Goodreads
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THE RIGHT SIDE OF MR WRONG out on 6th March

3/4/2014

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My next book for Harper Impulse is The Right Side Of Mr Wrong 
Out on 6th March...
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The Right Side Of Mr Wrong
One-off, moving on sex wasn’t meant to be this hot…

When determined singleton Shea Summers is persuaded to become the “wife” of the Lord of Edgerton Manor, the last thing she wants to do is play house with a stranger.

Brooding playboy Brando Marshall, is far from happy when Shea turns up at his sprawling estate with production crew in tow. Surely she’s just another woman after his wallet? And if she’s looking for Mr Right, she’s definitely hitting on the wrong guy. Then again, after catching an unscheduled glimpse of her knickers, perhaps Brando needs to teach this “gold-digger” a lesson!

She’s seizing the moment, he’s breaking the rules, and when bad boys can be so much fun, who can resist getting on the right side of Mr. Wrong...

Buy links:
UK   http://amzn.to/NbO6R8
US  http://amzn.to/1nOCgba




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    Jane Linfoot, Author

    In love with romance, writes fun, hot and flirty...

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