This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
by Jenny Banks
What better way to celebrate the slow arrival of spring, I found myself asking recently, than with great company, lovely books, and a panel of fantastic authors? Reporting for Novelicious duty is always a pleasure, especially when it involves attending Books and the City’s Spring Blogger Evening at Simon & Schuster HQ.
Along with other bloggers and book enthusiasts, Novelicious was invited along to celebrate the latest books from Juliet Ashton, Holly Hepburn, Paige Toon and Penny Parkes.
The evening kicked off with exclusive readings from each author. Juliet Ashton’s book These Days of Ours tells the story of Kate and Charlie, childhood sweethearts who are set to be married, and Kate and her cousin and best friend Becca who have shared the most important moments of their lives together.
Summer at the Star and Sixpence is part two in Holly Hepburn’s new novella series, catching up with sisters Nessie and Sam as they continue to get to grips with unexpectedly inheriting a pub from their father.
Paige Toon’s tenth book, The One We Fell in Love With, follows identical triplets Rose, Phoebe, and Eliza, and Angus, the boy next door, who captivates each sister.
Out of Practice is the debut novel from Penny Parkes, and tells the story of GP Holly Graham, who moves to Larkford and finds a hotbed of rivalry, rule-breaking and romance.
There was an insightful discussion around each of the four books, delving into the deeper themes of the novels, such as family, love and friendship. We were joined later in the evening by Georgia Clark, who flew in from Barcelona to join the celebrations. Georgia’s new book, The Regulars, follows three best friends who are swayed to try Pretty, a magic tincture that transforms the girls into stunning versions of themselves.
The authors were very generous with their time, speaking with everyone in attendance and signing lots of books from a brilliant goody bag. It was a super evening, made only better by the presence of cheese straws, cake and a glass of fizz.
A huge thank you to the Books and the City team (extra special thanks to SJV!) and Simon and Schuster, for creating not only the home for female fiction, but a home for bloggers too.