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Okay – so what if I’m not a blonde – my hormones are blonde |
Category Archives: Mandy Baggot
MADE IN NASHVILLE – @MandyBaggot likes to do it the American Way
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.

Elvis – The King
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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.
Why don’t you call me some time?
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You can call me Icon |
The Pinterest reveal goes on and on. There’s been a glitch with my host blogger but I’ve got a little slice of English village life that I wanted to share in any case. OK – what do you see in every postcard from the UK along with the black taxi cab and the double decker bus? You got it. It’s the red telephone box.
In Shannon’s Law the parish council of Fleetworth-Green agree to install a second red box but without a phone. Everyone has a mobile device. The phone box forms the perfect privacy and shelter where you can pull out your electronics without fear of rain damage. It’s a classic British compromise.
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Love on the phone. It’s easy as A B – See. |
If you want to know the full history of the phone box – it is here. To this day, they remain an iconic element of tradition and continuance. My own memories are of standing outside while other lovers poured their boring sweet nothings into the heavy handset. By the time I got in my own passion had cooled but I still loved the old fashioned rotary dial.
Before I go I do want to share with you a video trailer for a book by the Harper Impulse author Mandy Baggot. Her story, “Made In Nashville” launched recently. It’s a page turner and I’m turning them. The book is about a singer and you can tell the authenticity in the way Mandy writes. She just loves the music.She’s a trouper. She doesn’t hold back. She gives you full music power straight out of her generous talented heart. That’s a star. She’ll be a guest on my blog in the next week.
Emma Thinx: Big up the tip. Mortality will snatch your change.
In The Sack – With Mandy Baggot
I had seen her books in Waterstones, I had heard her talking on the radio, but it was not until I went to a literary festival that I encountered her. During the lunch break I heard someone singing “Rehab” which is definitely my kind of song. The singer had brought along a backing track – and well, the girl could sing. If only I could sing! I could be somebody, maybe even a contender like Rocky. At least I wouldn’t have to try to write books. Then, a passing novelist told me the singer was Mandy Baggot – and well, the girl can write!
She’s a power-house, she’s an inspiration and she’s here…..
I bought this rather large handbag at the Ladies Who Love Salisbury Fashion Week shopping event and I love it! It’s huge and has room for everything I need on a daily basis and more! Want to see what’s in it?
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Purse
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Two lip balms (?)
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Name badge (in case I forget who I am!)
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Huggies wipes
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Fiction Addiction Book Tours diary
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House of Colour colour wallet
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Leopard print tissues
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Business card holder
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Cheque book
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Tesco coupons
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Pyrex collection stickers
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Petrol receipt
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Pens
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Avon book
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My phone would have been there but I was taking the photo!
Wot? No soggy furry humbugs, no crumpled up parking tickets, no leaked out biro? Thanks Mandy, I’ll be having a rummage in my sack and exposing my slovenly soul on your blog in August. It certainly adds a new dimension to I’ll show you mine if you show me yours. Mandy has been shortlisted for The Southern Women Inspiring Women Awards and she sure has my vote.
Emma thinx: Gucci – the sack of Rome.
Escape To Love On Tour.
You would have thought that by now a media pro like me would have gone on display somewhere. Perhaps a tour with beasts in an old fashioned circus or starring as a fortune teller on the end of a pier somewhere would have been glamorous. As a kid I always longed for such a life – but it was not to be.
I can now set aside all my previous disappointments. I am going on my first ever blog tour. It was only recently that I really found out what a blog tour is. I guess all of you out there knew already. Since I’m something of a virgin, I’m only doing five stops with the following kind hosts:
Anneli Purchase on 4th Feb.
Gallo-Romano Media on 6th Feb.
Laurie Jenkins On 10th Feb.
Sheryl Browne on 11th Feb.
Mandy Baggot on 12th Feb.
There will be a chance to win a prize at each stop.
I am hoping not to destroy their readership. Of course, the purpose of the tour is to announce the publication of my latest story “Escape To Love”, which will be out on Monday 4th February. This novelette is a further addition to my urban love series. There will be two more after this which will then form a collection under the banner “Love In A Hopeless Place” – all with full free audio book narrated by me (female roles) or Oscar Sparrow (male roles).
If you tune in tomorrow there will be a SoundCloud link to the audio of chapter one. Hope to see you there.
Emma thinx: The rose of love blooms and dies in water – but it thrives in a nice bit of dirt.
Festival Of Romance 2012
The occasion of course was the Festival Of Romance. This was my first time at such an event. There I was, not even a dairy maid on the Milky Way or a knobbly asteroid in the Romance Universe. Around me were all manner of authors, some of whom I knew only as names on the covers of books I had read. My greatest impression of the whole show was that everyone was so friendly, helpful and willing to share their experiences.
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You know who you are (I hope) |
The festival was organised by Kate Allan and it was a triumph of hard work, logistics and enthusiasm. I think everyone involved in the organisation should be really proud of the result.
I’ll be coming back to different aspects of the weekend over the next few blogs. One the highlights for me was Mandy Baggot from the “Love a Happy Ending” group picking up the prize for Innovation In Romance at the prize giving ball. The frocks were fabulous too. I shall never forget Nicky Wells performing an ad lib singing performance of “You Give Love A Bad Name” at the Rock Star party. Oh for that kind of confidence!
I had some lovely table mates at the book fair so thanks to Cara Cooper, Caroline Bell Foster and Gilli Allan. Dear old Oscar was there too because he knew I would never be able to construct my poster display without his help. He is my favourite poet and some of his poems aren’t too bad. He is a knight of the cable tie and a Prince of masking tape.
I had a lovely lovely time meeting all the other writers. I’ll be coming back here to digest some of my more technical impressions of the business from my independent viewpoint. In the meantime….thanks for having me, it was wonderful to be had.
Emma thinx: Sisters are doing it for their shelves.