Today I am delighted to sharing a guest post for the author of The Letter – Kitty’s Story by Eliza J. Scott as part of the blog tour by Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources. This book is available to buy HERE. Not only do I have a fabulous Guest Post from Eliza but also there is a chance to win a beautiful box of goodies and a signed paperback copy of her book xx
Synopsis:
Thirty-four-year-old Kitty Bennett is trapped in a loveless marriage to criminal barrister, Dan, who’s gradually isolated her from her family and friends. Until the day she (literally) bumps into her first love, the handsome and easy-going Ollie Cartwright – someone she’s done her best to avoid for as long as she can remember. Looking into Ollie’s eyes awakens feelings for him she thought she’d buried deep years ago, and he clearly feels the spark, too. As she walks away, Kitty can’t help but wonder what might have been…
Dan senses that his marriage is on shaky ground and knows he needs to win his wife round. He turns on the charm, skilfully using their two children, Lucas and Lily, as bargaining tools. But Kitty’s older brother, Jimby, and her childhood best-friends, Molly and Violet, have decided enough is enough. For years they’ve had to watch from afar as Kitty’s been browbeaten into an unrecognisable version of herself. They vow to make her see Dan for what he really is, but their attempts are no match for his finely-honed courtroom skills and, against her better judgement, Kitty agrees to give her husband one last chance. But, all-too-soon, a series of heart-breaking events and a shocking secret throw her life into turmoil…
Will she stand by Dan, or will Kitty be brave enough to take the leap and follow her heart to Ollie?
Life is anything but peaceful in the chocolate-box pretty village of Lytell Stangdale, where life unravels, and hearts are broken. Full of heart-warming moments, this book with have you crying tears of joy, laughter and sadness.
Guest Post:
Hello Eliza, Welcome to Me and My Books. I am curious to know what skills or experiences you have used in The Letter – Kitty’s Story. Also what new things have you learnt along the way ?
Hi Yvonne,
First of all, thank you for taking part in the blog tour of The Letter – Kitty’s Story. I’m really excited to be on your blog.
I think the first ‘skill’ – if you can call it that! – that has helped me write this book is that I can touch type really quickly, which means my fingers can keep up with the thoughts as they spill out of my head. My writing is also incredibly messy, and I struggle to read it back sometimes, so typing my manuscript is definitely the better option for me. Having said that, I still have loads of scraps of paper and notebooks dotted about with various handwritten ideas and reminders scribbled randomly across them.
(I am a pen and paper person myself as my touch typing is not very good, it is something I am working on.)
Experiences? Well, being the owner of two adorable black Labradors definitely helped when I was writing about Humphrey and Ethel (Kitty’s dogs). Some of Humph’s characteristics are based on those of one of my boys – particularly the greed part!
(I also have two dogs, and I agree that dogs have brilliant characters.)
My husband always makes a joke out of everything and has a mischievous sense of humour. He also has moments of clumsiness, which he’d be the first to admit. I had all of these attributes in mind when I wrote Jimby’s character. And, thanks to Mr S, I had a whole load of past experiences to draw on for inspiration!
On a more serious note, as Lily is in the story, my youngest daughter was bullied quite badly at school. It was a horrible time for her, and it was heart-breaking to see her so upset. I can still remember feeling a sickening cocktail of emotions and the struggle I had to control them. That experience, from a mum’s perspective, meant that I was able to put myself in Kitty’s shoes and feel her helplessness, anger and frustration while her young daughter, Lily, was having a tough time at the hands of Evie McEllison.
(Bullying is such a nasty thing and happens far too much)
As far as new things I’ve learnt along the way, well, where do I start? The learning curve I’ve experienced has been the mother of all learning curves, and I’ve absolutely loved it!
I think one of the first things I learnt was just how friendly and supportive the book community is. When I first booked a cover reveal and then publication day blog tour with Rachel from Rachel’s Random Resources, I was overwhelmed by the generosity of the book community, offering to host a spot on their blog for my book and its cover. It’s been so refreshing to experience this, and I’m so happy and honoured to be a part of it.
(Absolutely agree, Rachel is a brilliant and I love being part of the book blogging community)
As far as the actual writing process is concerned, this is huge! I’ve learnt how to structure a book, how to format one and how to publish one through Amazon KDP and CreateSpace. I’ve also learnt heaps from my fab editor, Alison Williams, on what is relevant in a story and I’ve developed a greater understanding of ‘showing, not telling – paying for a professional editor is definitely money well spent. Actually, when I sit down and think about it, the list of what I’ve learnt is endless!
Thank you so much for your great questions – they really made me think – and thank you for having me on your blog.
Eliza x
You are very welcome Eliza, it was a pleasure. Have a fabulous blog tour Yvonne xx
About the Author:
I live in a village in the North Yorkshire Moors with my husband, two daughters and two black Labradors. When I’m not writing, I can usually be found with my nose in a book/glued to my Kindle, or in my garden. I also enjoy bracing walks in the countryside, rounded off with a visit to a teashop where I can indulge in another two of my favourite things: tea and cake.
Social Media Links – Twitter – Instagram – @elizajscottauthor
Giveaway:
Giveaway – Win a PB copy of The Lettter – Kitty’s Story, Chocolate and Neom Hand Cream (Open Internationally)
*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then I reserve the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.
To be in with a chance to win this beautiful prize ENTER HERE Good luck xx
See what other readers think by following the tour
Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx
I am sharing my thoughts on “What Kitty Did Next” by Carrie Kablean, this is available to purchase from 
Catherine Byrne always wanted to be a writer. She began at the age of eight by drawing comic strips with added dialogue and later, as a teenager, graduated to poetry. Her professional life however, took a very different path. She first studied glass engraving with Caithness Glass where she worked for fourteen years. During that time she also worked as a foster parent. After the birth of her youngest child she changed direction, studying and becoming a chiropodist with her own private practice. At the same time she did all the administration work for her husband’s two businesses, and this continued until the death of her husband in 2005. However she still maintained her love of writing, and has had several short stories published in women’s magazines. Her main ambition was to write novels and she has now retired in order to write full time.
Jane Isaac is married to a serving detective (very helpful for research!). They live in rural Northamptonshire, UK with their daughter, and dog, Bollo. Jane’s debut novel, An Unfamiliar Murder, introduces DCI Helen Lavery and was nominated as best mystery in the ‘eFestival of Words Best of the Independent eBook awards 2013.’
Yvonne - Me and My Books 