blimey what a roller coaster of a ride...

Yes, it is me. The me who seems to have disappeared from the blogging scene this last year. My bad.
I've had a roller coaster of a 2019... Lots of highs...lots of lows.

(source: pinterest)

As most of you know it started with a massive low with the death of my bestie, the late great Doris O'Connor, went on to the high of out last joint story being published.

you can find it here

I've had a best seller on Amazon.com in three categories The Duke's Seduction of Lady M.

that's here

Plus a few more books out.

I've been lucky enough to visit lots of the UK, plus, South Africa, California, Portugal, Malta and Gozo, and Lanzarote.

Eaten some great gluten free food and some not so great

Watched (and got joyfully tearful) as our daughter got married, gained the perfect son in law, seen our son happy with his special lady, and spent time with the lovely hubby, both at home and away.

I've carried on my habit of writing anywhere I can get my laptop out, made lots of notes, had work accepted and yes, rejected.

It's been interesting to say the least.

I've started this year I hope, as the way I want to go on. More interaction, blog posts, guest blog posts, chat, fun, competitions, giveaways and writing. Lots of writing.

So on that note, I'm back off to my edits for my next Katy Lilley romcom, What Maisie Did Next.

But I'll be back, sooner rather than later.

Happy reading,

love Raven xx

#SundaySnippet—where Iona confronts her now ex-best mate.

It's Sunday again, and time for my, yes, you've guessed it #SundaySnippet.

This week, It's from a new WIP, and as yet, it hasn't told me if it is a Raven book, or a Katy Lilley—my softer sweeter side. All I can say is I'm having so much fun writing it.

Iona returns home early to find her best mate—from that moment on her ex-best mate in bed with Iona's husband.

later on she mets the mate to confront her...

So, here's your seven sentences...oops I've counted wrongly—it's er.... needed?

“A bit of a dominant sort then?”

Susie rolled her eyes. “You better believe it, I’ve spent all afternoon pleasing him.”

 Well you spent half the afternoon pleasing someone in any case, though unless you’ve changed jobs lately it wasn’t your boss. Iona took a deep breath. “Funny how I’ve never seen him like that.”

“What...who...what do you mean?” Susie asked as she opened her eyes wide. 

“The man you spent the afternoon with...in my bed...my husband. Why do you need to screw him when you’ve got a husband of your own?”

I'll let you know how this goes... At the moment, I'm doing as they tell me and writing the thing. I have my own ideas of course, but that doesn't mean they will happen.

Happy reading,

have a great Sunday

love, Raven xx

I'm so pleased to say that at the moment I have two books out in January, two in March and one in May. If I get my act together there could be more.
Very happy.

Seven years ago, I'd never have believed I'd still be writing or had so many books out.To everyone who supported me, who still supports me, a very big thank you.
No, none are under my 'real' name, but I have no problem about anyone knowing it. However, I find it helps to have pen names. I put that 'hat' on, get into the mindset, and start writing.

So we have Raven for hotter romance, Kera Faire for dark romance, and Katy Lilley for sweeter romance.

I mustn't forget J. Lilley for YA either.

(You can find them all on Amazon, 

under whichever pen name you want to look at)

Writing is something I love. I was very fortunate that when I was first published, my then publisher let me try my hand at whatever I fancied. (Thank you Breathless Press) This gave me the chance to discover what I preferred, what I was okay at and yes, what not to touch with a bargepole. 

There's nothing nicer than having the opportunity to discover your strengths and weaknesses. 

I know I love Regency, adore writing stories set in places I've lived in or visited all around the world, can't write sci-fi or horror, and seem to be migrating to sweeter stories most of the time. Not all of the time though *wink*

Of course not everyone likes what I write, and that's fine. We all have our likes, dislikes and preferences. But that won't stop anyone who wants to write. We just grit our teeth, smile sweetly and get on with it. I tink in the first place, if you have writing in your blood, you write and hope others will read it. But you can't not write.

After all, what can be better than a coffee and a good book?

and on that note, I'm heading back to write

Want to know what? Ah well, you'll have to wait and see...

Happy Reading,

love Raven, Katy, Kera and J

xxxx

The Gluten-Free Author's guide to goodies-or not and, it's definitely GOOD, gorgeous goodies at OdeTrueFood

This is a long time overdue, but here we go.

Hell everyone and welcome to my latest gluten free author chat. Which I am honest enough to say is all about a company with fabulous ethics and sustainability, as well as amazing g-f goodies. 

I've just returned from Shaldon in glorious Devon, in an area where now I think of it, quite a few of my books are set, both contemporary and historical. 

Not only do I enjoy going there for the scenery, inspiration and relaxation, I love the food. 

Over the years, Ode True Food has become a firm favourite, which just gets better and better. 



Ode's food is amazing. This year there have two places on the go, Cafe Ode 'up' the Ness with this beautiful view that my camera can't do justice to. 

They have g-f home made oat bread for sarnies and on this visit, blondies (think white chocolate brownies with attitude) 

I should have taken photos of the food, but my bacon, leaves and tomato jam on that home made oat bread was so appetising, I forgot, until I'd eaten three quarters of it.

And the blondie...ditto. Next time, I promise I will try to remember.

 Everything that can be recycled is recycled, and how great is that?

They also have Ode at Coast View, which is pizza with pizzaz, and sadly also with gluten. 😞 That's because they have a wood fired pizza oven and as Tim, the great owner says, cross-contamination would be a problem. 

 (However I was nice, and didn't moan when my husband devoured his with appreciation)

But, hey we g-f-ers don't miss out. There are lots of gorgeous salads...mackerel, yum... and steak and other foods that can be gluten free. Oh and some of the best rosemary chips ever. 

And Tim makes a mean scone...

(Tim and the lovely Lottie >>>>>>>>)

I'll be honest, I missed my tasting menu of years gone by, but these two places do have better views. 

I'm putting in an order for next year. more scones please.

Before I go, I promised to put this pic up...

Happy eating,

love Raven xx

(I just had to mention Ode in my latest book, New Beginnings by Bryony Bennet written as Katy Lilley. Coincidentally, my heroine is coeliac...)

#MidWeekTease Where Bryony meets Lottie and wonders what the woman is on about.

Hi all, welcome to #MidWeekTease again.

This week I'm teasing from my still as yet unnamed, coverless (but not for much longer) chick lit, written as Katy Lilley

Where Bryony meets the unlovely Lottie... (who is the heroine in my next chick lit book, just contracted by Manatee Books)

~~~She made her coffee and ate a few mouthfuls of salad. All she needed was grotty Lottie to come in, and her day of harpies and nasties would be complete. Please, no.

It looked as if her plea would be answered. For the rest of the afternoon, she had a steady stream of customers. None were local, but all were pleasant. Several bought, some said they’d be back, and a couple admitted freely they were just passing the time until their husbands finished playing golf. Such a change from her earlier non-customers. All in all, she thought it had been a successful day. Five minutes before she was due to turn the sign from ‘open’ to ‘closed’, her day took a turn for the worse. Lottie Botte—it had to be her, she was the female equivalent of Dario—swanned in and glared when she saw Bryony.

 ‘You,’ she said, in a voice to cut ice. ‘You’re that woman who bought Cliff Cottage and gazumped my brother. You were pointed out to me. What are you doing here?’

Definitely Lottie. Bryony decided she’d had enough of being portrayed as a femme fatale or seducer of innocents, so she might as well act the part. ‘Plotting to seduce your brother, what else? Corrupt him and get him to be my slave.’ And if Lottie thought that remotely likely she was stupider than Bryony thought possible. ‘Have him on his knees, begging for my attention.’

‘What a vile thing to say,’ Lottie shouted. Her hands were clenched so tightly her knuckles were white. ‘How dare you? He’s too good for you. I’ll tell him how horrible you are, and he’ll hound you out, you wait and see.’

 Bryony yawned. It was that or giggle. Talk about a second rate actress from an old ‘B’ film like her gran had talked about. It was pathetic.

 Lottie shook with temper. ‘We don’t need the likes of you around here.’

 What on earth does she think I am? A serial seducer of innocents...and not so innocents?

‘Tough, honey, I’m here to stay.’ Probably not a good idea to inflame her further, but Bryony was unrepentant. The day had been on the up until Lottie arrived.

‘You, you, hussy. Keep away from my brother, he’s too good for you, too kind and, loving and loyal and...’

 Bryony saw red. Enough was enough. ‘Careful, Mrs Bott-ee.’ She said the name with exaggerated emphasis on purpose. ‘You’re beginning to make it sound incestuous. You don’t want people getting the wrong idea.’

 Lottie went red, white and red again.

 Oh God, I hope I haven’t given her heart failure. She might be annoying and like a stuck record, but Bryony didn’t want to cause the woman any harm. Just to get her to shut up and go away.~~~

catch all the other #MidWeekTease posts here

Happy reading,

love Raven x

#SexySnippets with all the bother and upheaval of a house move.

With a thought or two for moving house angst...

The Pop-up Book Shop on the Cliffs... From my softer, sweeter side, Katy Lilley To be published by Manatee Books in May

Why on earth her bras were in the dining room sideboard, she hadn’t got a clue, and as for her clean undies? 

Apart from the one to wear and one for a spare she carried with her in the small bag—all she had space for in her car on her journey south—Bryony had no idea what she had done with the rest. 

Did that mean she’d find them along with the cutlery in the bathroom and her shoes in the garage? It wouldn’t surprise her in the least. 

She’d been so concerned with washing—and disinfecting—walls and floors, sweeping out cockroaches and any dead spiders she’d missed—surely it hadn’t been that bad when she made her previous visit—that even a couple of weeks later, putting things where she would find them, and food shopping, was low on her list of priorities. 

Clean sheets, a shower that was mould free, and a loo that no longer looked as if it hadn’t been flushed for the last decade hit the top of that list. Okay the loo wasn’t to her taste—the inside was decorated with leaves and flowers that were enough to make you wonder if a bee would pop out and bite you on the bum—but it sparkled, and due to copious amounts of room spray smelled nicely of lavender.

(adapted a bit to give you the gist)

you can find Katy Lilley on Facebook and Twitter. The Pop-up Book Shop is her first chick lit. 

Catch the other #SexySnippets here

Happy reading,

love Raven xx