Author Archives: emmacalin

Shannon In Venice With Tiepolo

Posted on by
Reply
To Infinity and beyond. 

There was an old song “It’s almost tomorrow”. My father was a bit of a dancer and he used to waltz around to this song playing on the record player with me standing on his feet. And YES!!! It is almost tomorrow. The great ship Shannon stands on the slipway. Workmen are greasing the rails. The seagulls hold their breath. The Queen is choosing a frock….


My Pinterest reveal tour is nearly over. Today I’m grateful to harliesbooks for hosting my feature on painted ceilings. When Shannon gets to Venice she looks up at the ceiling of a fabulous palazzo on the Grand Canal. The art was painted by the famous Venetian painter, Tiepolo. I have tried to make all the settings of the book “real”. Let’s just say that fact is blended with fiction. The actual painting shown in the photo is from the throne room of the Royal Palace in Madrid. Maybe Tiepolo did an earlier study in Venice or maybe he didn’t…..If he did it’s in the Palazzo Coccolare. The only access is via Shannon’s Law.

Emma thinx: Fiction exists and that’s a fact.

Hatching A Plot

Posted on by
Reply
Dodgy focus from ultra long range. Fly my little ones…….

Only one whole day to go. Then Shannon’s Law and Cop’s Kitchen will be out there all alone. Slings and arrows of outrageous fortune will be released. 

There is another world away from books and the market place. Sometimes one is so close to one’s own affairs that the beauty and continuance of this life and time seem no more than scenery. Deep down we know the depth of our human shallowness. We are helpless creatures, vainly bigging ourselves up to confront a universe that does no more than shrug. 

There is a blackbird nest in my hedge. It contains three miracles of beauty. Such eggs existed before there were words for yolk or albumen – or for that matter, any concept of love, vocabulary, gods or even Amazon.com. Nature will probably waste them all and the mother will lay again and again. The stronger ones will dominate the weaker. In fact, it’s not that different from incubating a novel. 

Emma thinx: And the last will study the faces of winners. And the winners will see merely a crowd. There are no victories.


A Vespa Ride Through Paris At Midnight

Posted on by
Reply
Hey tough guy – d’ya think I’m kinda curvy?

A pivotal pinning today on my Pinterest reveal tour. The sound of a motorcycle mixed with church bells opens the book. If Shannon hadn’t heard the sound of a Vespa engine, there would have been no Shannon’s Law. I’m grateful to writerwonderland for hosting my feature. 

The machine in the picture and I came into this world at about the same time – 1962.  The Italian design motorcycle has gone on to be an icon of style and social identity. I’m not sure exactly what I have become but at least no one sits on me and kick starts my motor.  Looking at images of these bikes, you can see the attraction. They are a clean and androgynous.  A big thumping motorbike is oily and probably runs on testosterone. Perhaps I’m being a bit sexist. I’m sure that many a leather studded rocker is fully in touch with his feminine side. 

I have never ridden a scooter but the movie Quadrophenia fascinated me. A central element of Shannon’s Law is how we relate to young people. (Don’t tell anyone but it is a novel of sociological commentary). The era of the Mod and the scooter represent a different social universe. If you’re interested in modern history here is a link to a short documentary on those times. I do wish I’d been a participant in the 60’s. Or the twenties. Or some of the thirties. Or maybe ….If you really want to see a work of genius about nostalgia by Woody Allen, check out the movie Midnight in Paris. I adore this it. 

Emma thinx: There’s already a silicone chip museum. 







Shannon’s Juicy Little Devils

Posted on by
Reply
Juicy little devils

As the big day approaches there are only a few remaining items to add to my  Pinterest board. Today I’m appearing on the blog annelisplace. She’s a fantastic editor I can recommend to any of you scribes out there. Also if you like those impossible photos you see in National Geographic  Magazine, check out her stuff here.

One of my lusts is food. I deal with this both in the text of the novel Shannon’s Law and in the accompanying cookbook Cop’s Kitchen. The feature today is about an hors d’oeuvre item served after a cricket match played at the stately home, Bloxington Manor. It’s a really exotic flavour and also a bit of a glistening feast for the eyes. Shannon had never encountered such fancy offerings, but she was never shy about trying something new. 

Emma Thinx: The second bite is with your imagination.





1066 And All That

Posted on by
Reply
Coat of Arms for William the Conqueror.

Today the Pinterest reveal tour deals with the character Jasmine de Montfort. My thanks to Kim the Bookworm for hosting me. Jasmine is from an aristocratic family. She believes that a special type of person is bred to command the subservient social classes. That type of person is her. The subservient classes are everyone else. 

She was born to be a mortal enemy of Shannon. Right from the start there is a high tension risk of shocks. They are a match for each other. Even I don’t know if there will ever be a winner. As I finished the book I kinda felt they’d be slugging it out even if I was no longer writing up the bout. 

Jasmine de Montfort acts as an indicator of social differences in England. She also provides an off handed humour and gets to join in some of the sharpest dialogue in the book. She tells everyone that her family arrived in 1066 with William the Conqueror. I’m sure her descendants will be firing out commands for at least another thousand years. 

Emma thinx:  You can’t command a genuine smile



Venice, The City Lover’s City Of Love

Posted on by
Reply
Stone to lighten any lover’s heart

You can’t do a tour of anything in this world without taking in Venice. My Pinterest reveal today is of that magical place. I’m grateful to Patricia Sands for hosting me today.In Shannon’s Law a pivotal moment of the book unfolds out of the blue. A character comments that after Venice or Love, nothing is ever the same.Shannon has to cope with both at once.

So much has been said of Venice that I’ve always felt that a little scribbler like me can add nothing. In the full feature I tried by saying Venice is a city of love because, like love, it is very unlikely, impossibly fragile and impossibly strong. Many never find true love. I had to wait for the last third of my life to know it. I did not expect its weight  to float on the mud of life. I expected storms and floods to sweep it away. They might yet do so and indeed mortality will shuffle me off into the lagoon. To me, this is the essence of Venice. It rises above the impossible to proclaim beauty and passion. Like love it knows no common sense.

All the rest is photos and farfalle. 

Emma Thinx: Often you need mud to float a dream.







MADE IN NASHVILLE – @MandyBaggot likes to do it the American Way

Posted on by
2

Today I am delighted to welcome a wonderfully talented writer and performer to my blog – Mandy Baggot. 

I first met her at a literary event where she was not only promoting her novels but was entertaining the crowds at lunch with her microphone and PA system belting out Amy Winehouse’s “Rehab”. She is a total star.

She has a brand new book out called MADE IN NASHVILLE … for a good ol’ dose of country-style romance. 

Without further ado – Mandy, I’ve noticed a number of your books are set in the US. Why is this? 

Mandy:  To be really honest I’m not entirely sure how this happened!

When I started writing I had in mind using my cool British humour and knowledge of UK popular culture in my novels. My first four books had British heroines and three of those were set predominantly in England but two had ‘foreign’ heroes – American heartthrob actor Nicholas Kaden and ice-dance sensation Jimmy Lloyd.



By the time I got to novel number five I was writing about an American-born heroine travelling back to her homeland. There were diners, hockey, my words had Zs in them and one less ‘l’. I was talking pants instead of trousers and clutching purses instead of bags.

I think having my dad living in the US is an influence. He’s a constant source of inspiration, keeps me in touch with American culture and all things Michigan.
But another reason is my obsession with US TV shows. British drama for me has got a little too British. I want escapism. I want action, talk of bodegas and a sexy drawl on my hero.



Made in Nashville was born out of my love for country music and the American lifestyle. Writing about things you’re passionate about always makes for a great story and I really hope that passion shines through on the page.

Although the book is set in Nashville, in the middle of the music scene, you don’t have to be a fan of bluegrass to enjoy Honor and Jared’s story. Their relationship is the focus and it’s their feelings that drive the plot forward. But, before you know it, you’ll be listening to Tim McGraw and wearing plaid!
So there you have it! I’m a girl who loves writing over the pond but I also like to keep everyone on their toes. My next hero’s a Bulgarian!


Mandy Baggot is a romantic fiction author. In 2012 she won the Innovation in Romantic Fiction award at the UK’s Festival of Romance. Her self-published title, Strings Attached was also short-listed for the Best Author Published Read award.

Also in 2012 she signed with American publishing house, Sapphire Star Publishing, who produced her novels, Taking Charge and romantic suspense, Security.

In June 2013 she signed a two book deal with Harper Collins’ digital first romance imprint, Harper Impulse.

She is a regular contributor to writing blogs and on-line magazine, Loveahappyending Lifestyle http://www.loveahappyending.com/.

Mandy loves mashed potato, white wine, country music, World’s Strongest Man, travel and handbags. She has appeared on ITV1’s Who Dares Sings and auditioned for The X-Factor.

Mandy is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and lives near Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK with her husband, two daughters and cats, Kravitz and Springsteen.

Loveahappyending Bookshelf: http://loveahappyending.org/mandy-baggot/
Harper Impulse: http://ow.ly/mAQBP
Latest release: Made in Nashville– Amazon UK http://ow.ly/sMOIG


Shannon At Scotland Yard

Posted on by
Reply
Shannon Aguerri on her way to see the boss

Only a week to go! Only a few more items for my Pinterest reveal tour.  Thankfully I’m not an actress or singer who has to face the public everyday. Just to think in  seven days millions and millions of potential critics will be reading my book…….. Perhaps I could perform as a stand up comedienne. Or a street cop?  
Today I’m on the site of cluereview featuring the actual heroine of Shannon’s Law, Shannon Aguerri. 

Born on a tough south London estate with a West Indian father and an Irish mother she had to fight just to stay afloat. She has a big heart but doesn’t do sentimentality. She likes her cup of tea and her man to be strong with a generous portion of sugar. Her wit is as sharp as the knives she has faced. Cross her and you’ve got an ice cool enemy. If she loves you – watch out for the heat.

I was very lucky to have a beautiful and patient model for my cover photo. Readers will draw their own picture of her. There’s a look of daring in her eye that captures her character for me.

Emma Thinx: Who dares slims.





Elvis – The King

Posted on by
Reply
When you’re this big a crown is just a silly hat

My Pinterest reveal today is one of the most famous persons ever to have lived. It is estimated that there are 35,000 impersonators of this man in the USA and maybe up to 85,000 in the world. He is the ninth most known man according
towhoismorefamous.com. Ladies and Gentlemen, for those who believe, Elvis has never left the building. 

A true fan and music writer Mandy Baggot has hosted my post today. The great man plays a big part in Shannon’s Law. I can’t give away too much of the story. He has to rely on others to provide physical manifestations of his presence. This does not mean that the King is not still here. Wherever there is a blue suede shoe there is a footprint. Wherever there is a heartbreak hotel there is a tear stained sheet bearing his scent. Wherever some helpless human can’t help falling love there is a man in a white suit who understands. If you believe like me you should read my book and feel the presence of the great man.

While researching the book I splashed out on a new Elvis DVD to help me soak myself in the flavour. It is a show to commemorate the 25 years since his death. Footage of Elvis is mixed with his old backing musicians playing live. It’s very skilfully done and you can catch it here. 

Writing books allows me many forms of self indulgence. It was a joy to include Elvis. Somehow he arrived on Earth and brought his own era with him. He was a fabulous performer who brought a charisma and a belief that will never fade. 


Emma Thinx: When you’re OTT, you’re feeling the real thing.

French Letters

Posted on by
Reply
In the heat of battle, she was his hottest thought. 

Today I’m revealing Josephine, Empress of France on my  Pinterest board. I’m grateful to the site Queen of the Night Reviews for hosting me. In Shannon’s Law, our heroine seems to walk in the footsteps of this famous femme fatale. 

For sure she was something of a handful even for  an emperor. My impression is that she was the boss in their relationship. In my story Shannon certainly sets the tone and her earl is happy to follow. My full feature is here. The picture above is a copy of a book of Napoleon’s letters to Josephine. This book was given to me by the poet Oscar Sparrow at the beginning of our relationship. He’d bought it from one of those booksellers by the Seine in Paris. Loitering in Paris is his favourite occupation. Poets don’t do deadlines and book launches. They die and get discovered.

Emma Thinx:   Dip Cupid’s arrow in ink.