Cristina
About Cristina
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Q & A with Thomas Hocknell.
The Life Assistance Agency by Thomas Hocknell.
Please welcome author Tom Hocknell to my blog today. Hello Tom, please make yourself at home. You’ll find some tea and scones to your right, but if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous and it’s not too early, to your left, the unlocked drinks cabinet. ; )
Tom, your debut novel THE LIFE ASSISTANCE AGENCY which was released at the end of last year, has been selected for the WHSmith’s fresh talent. Congratulations!
Could you summarise your latest work in just a few words.
Thanks very much! The intention was to imagine PG Wodehouse writing Da Vinci Code. No pressure there then – he’s only one of the greatest writers in English literature. That’s Wodehouse by the way, not Dan Brown. Someone has compared my novel to the Blue Brothers searching for the Holy Grail, which I’m almost annoyed I didn’t come up with as my elevator pitch.
Tell us a little bit more about what the WHSmith’s fresh talent is all about, what were you doing when you heard the great news?
What a great question. Well, the WHSmith’s Fresh Talent clearly has a very discerning eye! It’s a selection of 12 new writers who show promising talent. I can’t quite believe I’m in it. I feel too old to be fresh. But what fantastic company to be in. It’s really helped with sales and given my novel readers that it might otherwise have failed to meet.
![17362090_10211846655743826_7888003748225462836_n[1]](https://cristinahodgson.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/17362090_10211846655743826_7888003748225462836_n1-1160x665.jpg "17362090_10211846655743826_7888003748225462836_n[1]")
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Guest post: Ailsa Abraham
Please welcome Alisa today, who’s new novel ATTENTION TO DEATH was released yesterday. (And if you pop to her launch event NOW by clicking on this link: LAUNCH EVENT: ATTENTION TO DEATH you can still get your name in for some great prizes).
Alisa, congratulations on your new novel Attention to Death. Described as a “steamy romance with a twist of murder.” Please tell us a bit more about it.
YOUR ATTENTION, PLEASE.
![book flying letters[1]](https://cristinahodgson.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/book-flying-letters1-1024x768-1160x665.jpg "book flying letters[1]")
A day in the life of a part-time writer.
The alarm clock goes off. 5.30 a.m. I really need another 10 more minutes of sleep (well at least a couple more hours to be honest). I struggle to peep open my eyes and not to fall back into slumber again. Somehow, I loosen myself from the warm bed covers and reach for my housecoat as I fumble to put my slippers on in the dark. I make my way down the dark corridor and amaze myself on a daily basis that, up until now at least, I manage to make my way down the darkened stairs in my sleep-like trance without tripping and landing headfirst on the marble floor (carpet would at least cushion my landing, but I live in Southern Spain where you only have a carpet on the floor if it’s red and have royalty coming).
Valentine’s day. You either love it or…
So it’s coming up to that time of the year again. St Valentine’s day. For some, a day to just crawl under the the duvet and hide. For others a day to proclaim their love to the four corners of the world. The feast actually originated as a Western Christian liturgical feast day honouring one or more early saints named Valentinus, and is recognized as a significant cultural and commercial celebration in many regions around the world, although it is NOT a public holiday in any country. So why do we all go mad on this day? For better or for worse, there is always a buzz around St Valentine’s day. I could understand it if we actually had the day off work!!
The reality is, each year in Britain, we spend around £503m on cards, flowers, chocolates and other gifts for Valentine’s Day. Traditionally these were sent anonymously, but nowadays we often make it clear who is sending each ‘Valentine’. (After all you’re not going to spend a bomb on expensive gifts and let someone else get the credit for it!)
Q & A with Author Sue Barnard.
Today is a special day. Not only am I interviewing my first blog guest, but I’m also interviewing a very talented author and editor. Someone I’ve had the pleasure to work with over the last few months, and who has become more than just a writing colleague. Please welcome Sue Barnard.
Hi, Cristina, and thank you for inviting me to your blog. I feel especially honoured to be your very first guest!
Sue, your next novel NEVER ON SATURDAY will be released through Crooked Cat Books very soon, on the 9th February. This is your fourth novel, I believe. Could you summarise your latest work in just a few words?
A young French woman comes to North Wales as a postgraduate student of history and folklore, hoping to escape from her troubled past and build a new life. But she is hiding a dark and terrible secret which threatens to ruin her future…
