First Chapter Review: A Shore of Secrets by Megan Johns

I had the pleasure of interviewing Megan Johns earlier this month. You can catch our interview here. She kindly forwarded the first chapter of her book, A Shore of Secrets, a contemporary romance set in Italy for my review.

BLURB:  Italia! Oh Italia! Thou who hast the fatal gift of beauty.’ Byron

And Venice is exquisite. Nor is the beauty confined to the place. Hotelier Giovanni Renaldi is tall, dark, and devilishly handsome. Yet holiday representative Abi seems immune to his charms. Crossed in love, she’s in no hurry to fall again. Plus his arrogance is so infuriating.

Surely the discomforting feelings he evokes can only be guilt at covering for his naive sister’s secret lover?

When passion finally wins through, the thrill of their lovemaking is soon wrecked. Giovanni, proud and fierce defender of his family since inheriting the role of patriarch, is enraged to learn Abi has colluded with his sister.

But Abi quickly discovers her secrecy is nothing compared to Giovanni’s. As the family’s closely guarded secrets begin to unfold, she is sucked against her will into their internal wrangling.

Is nothing what it seems in this clandestine community?

And can love triumph over the turmoil of scarred lives?

COVER: Simply beautiful. The beach with the clouds rolling in and the darkly handsome man contrasting against the paler and equally attractive woman definitely makes you want to peek inside.

FIRST CHAPTER: Awakened early one morning for an emergency at Hotel Umberto, Abi, a holiday representative, is quickly put off by Giovanni Renaldi's handling of the situation. Why is he even there when he's a rival of the hotel's owner? Her day quickly goes from bad to worse when she must file a report on the events at Umberto but she has no idea what really happened and Renaldi isn't sharing much. Then she is forced to cope with meeting later in the day with a client where she again runs into the infuriating Renaldi.

KEEP READING: Sure. I have to admit to being a tiny bit confused because there were several characters introduced in this first chapter, but as I read along things started to fall into place. Abi bristles right away when she runs into Renaldi outside the Hotel Umberto and can't seem to get any information from him. You know this is setting up to be a powerful romance when a smooth-talking, secretive handsome man and a lovely, feisty woman who is supposed to be immune to his charms get together. Sparks are destined to fly.

While I'm not sure where this is going, I know I want to take the journey.

File Size: 380 KB
Print Length: 288 pages
Publisher: MuseItUp Publishing (May 22, 2013)
ISBN 978-1-77127-330-5

I received the first chapter of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Interview with Megan Johns, Author of A Shore of Secrets (Giveaway)

Megan lives in a pretty village in the Essex countryside, UK, having ‘escaped’ from London several years ago. She and her husband are now empty-nesters apart from an adorable, but incurably mischievous Cavalier King Charles spaniel.

Megan’s first publication was a children’s book, but her focus now is to write contemporary romance ‘with teeth’. The Path of Innocence was written for women who understand that life is not clear cut, that love exists in different forms, sometimes contradictory. In her latest release, A Shore of Secrets, Megan explores various themes, including the power of the family in a small Italian society, deception, secrecy and distrust. Can Abi, the heroine, overcome her hang-ups and put her trust in the hero?

Megan has also had short stories published in the anthologies Writers on the Wrong Side of the Road and The Speed of Dark.

Writers who have influenced her? Joanna Trollope because of the pithy way she deals with contemporary issues. She also admires the way the late Maeve Binchy and Rosamunde Pilcher weave their stories so skillfully.

When did you begin writing?

I always enjoyed writing, but juggling a family and career left little time for anything else. It was only when life slowed down that I truly discovered my creative streak. Actually, it was during a period of illness. I found it so therapeutic to be able to ‘escape’ inside my head and it was then that I got really hooked. Suddenly I discovered how much was stored inside, waiting to be unleashed. We are such complex characters, moulded by our unique life experiences, and once you start to delve inside your head, things from way back that you think are forgotten creep back into your conscious mind. There is no telling what you might find!

Do you write during the day, at night or whenever you can sneak a few moments?

When I am writing, I try to stick to a schedule of working in the mornings. I love the idea of waiting for the Muse to strike and writing into the early hours, but disciplining myself to write each day works better for me. Inevitably, some writing days are more productive than others, but even if I know something isn’t quite right, I can go back when I am feeling fresher and reappraise it. The point is to keep writing something. I firmly believe that no effort is wasted.

What is this book about?

Holiday representative Abi works in a resort along Venice’s lido and she loves the lifestyle. However, crossed in love, she is in no hurry to fall for an Italian man again, especially not with tall, dark and devilishly handsome.hotelier Giovanni Renaldi. He is just so infuriating. Surely the discomforting feelings he evokes can only be guilt at covering for his naive sister’s secret lover?

When passion finally wins through, the thrill of their lovemaking is quickly wrecked. Giovanni, proud and fierce defender of his family since inheriting the role of patriarch, is enraged to learn Abi has colluded with his sister.

Then Abi discovers her secrecy is nothing compared to Giovanni’s. The family’s closely guarded secrets begin to unfold, and she is sucked into their internal wrangling.

Is nothing what it seems in this clandestine community?

And can love triumph over the turmoil of scarred lives?

What inspired you to write it?

Italy! I love everything about the place – it’s so inherently romantic – the culture, the scenery, the architecture, the people, the food, the lifestyle; a perfect setting for a romance novel. I tend to write about places that I know and with which I feel a strong emotional attachment. If I can visualise a place, feel it around me, absorb its ambiance, then put my characters there, it seems to kick start my imagination and the plot follows.

In A Shore of Secrets, the setting defined the context and created a mood that influenced what the characters did and, to a certain extent, determined the plot.

Who is your favorite character from the book?

My favourite character is the heroine. She’s a mix of characteristics, gutsy and strong minded, true to herself, yet fallible enough to be accessible.

Where can readers purchase a copy of your book?

The book is available from MuseItUp publishing at http://tinyurl.com/c55958j

What is one piece of advice you would like to share with aspiring authors everywhere?

Believe in yourself and keep writing. Don’t let rejections knock you down. Learn from them and take on board constructive criticism.

What is up next for you?

My current project is a romance featuring an aristocrat who inherits the family’s crumbling manor in the UK and the twists and turns of events as she attempts to save it from the hands of a property developer.

Website: www.megan-johns.com
Blog:http://www.meganjohnsinvites.blogspot.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/megan.johns.3766?ref=tn_tnmn
Twitter: Megan Johns @meganjohns12
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3420014.Megan_Johns

BUY link http://tinyurl.com/c55958j

The author has graciously agreed to give away one PDF version of A Shore of Secrets to a lucky person who leaves a comment. Winners must be 18 years of age or older. Please be sure to leave your email address in the body of your comment so that we can contact you if you win.  Giveaway ends at 11:59 PM EST on Sunday, June 16, 2013. Good luck!

Interview: Barbara Conelli, Author of Chique Secrets of Dolce Vita

Joining us today is Barbara Conelli, author of Chique Secrets of Dolce Vita. Barbara is an internationally published author. In her charming, delightful and humorous Chique Books filled with Italian passion, Barb invites women to explore Italy from the comfort of their home with elegance, grace and style, encouraging them to live their own Dolce Vita no matter where they are in the world.

As a naturally curious person who loves traveling, meeting new people and discovering their life stories, Barbara founded Chique Show, an entertaining radio show for women and about women. On Chique Show, Barbara shares her Dolce Vita adventures and interviews inspiring women authors and experts who show listeners how to live their sweet life with gusto.


Barb lives between New York and Milan.

Welcome to The Book Connection, Barbara. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?



Absolutely, I'd love to! My name is Barbara Conelli, I'm an author and Chiquenist on the mission to bring Fantastic Fearless Feminine Fun into women's lives. I write Chique Books filled with Italian passion. I'm a globetrotter, chocoholic, avid linguist, very eager yet very bad golf player and a passionate Dolce Vita lover.


Where did you grow up?


I come from a multicultural family of nomads. I grew up between Milan and London, but thanks to frequent travels I've always had many homes away from home. Today I'm a New Yorker who travels all around the world and never gets to spend more than a couple of days in New York. Talk about an adventurous life!


What is your fondest childhood memory?


There are many, but should I choose one, I'd say my Dad's bedtime stories. He made up exciting, magical worlds and he was the most creative and entertaining storyteller I've ever met.


When did you begin writing?


I learned to read and write at the age of four, and a year later I wrote a bestselling book that became a big hit in local kindergartens. The overnight success lasted for an exciting twenty-four hours, but since then, I have never separated from my writing endeavors. I guess me and my beagle's wonderful vet are the only people in the world who knew with absolutely certainty what they wanted to become when they grew up already as toddlers.


Do you write during the day, at night or whenever you can sneak a few moments?


I write all the time. I carry my journal everywhere because new ideas tend to come to me unexpected. I have the best writing sessions at 3am when you can see me sitting on the bed with a flashlight frantically processing my somnambulant ideas. Why with a flashlight, you may ask? Well, my beagle gets really grumpy when I wake him up.

What is this book about?

Chique Secrets of Dolce Vita, subtitled "Put on your Borsalino and swing those hips, baby", contains charming, poetic, delightful and humorous travel and life stories about extraordinary Milanese women, men who have succumbed to their temptation, and the art of living your own dolce vita no matter where in the world you are. In this book, I describe my personal, intimate encounters with the city I've always been in love with, with places off the beaten track, women who have changed the face of Milan, and its darkest, most passionate secrets.


What inspired you to write it?


The Milanese women and their stories, the Italian art and tradition of living your own Dolce Vita, the smells, flavors and colors of Italy, and my grandma Lily's scrumptious cannelloni.


Who is your biggest supporter?


My mum. She's more excited about my success than I am. She urges me to write, complaining: "I have nothing to read!"


Are you a member of a critique group? If no, who provides feedback on your work?


I'm not a member of any critique group. My mum is my first reader who provides the toughest and most authentic feedback (yes, I do wish she was a little bit more gentle). I also have two close girlfriends who get to read my galleys, and their feedback is always very helpful and valuable, because they represent my target market.


Who is your favorite author?


I love many authors, but my absolutely favorite ones are Simona Sparaco and Marian Keyes. I admire their writing style, their use of the language, and their humor.


Do you have an agent or are you looking for one?


No, I don't have an agent, and I'm currently not looking for one, although I do not exclude the possibility of going traditional one day, just for the fun and the adventure.


Was the road to publication smooth sailing or a bumpy ride?


I'm a proud indie author and publisher, and the publication journey of this particular book has been smooth, fun, effortless and fun. I had my fair share of publishing bumpy rides in the past, and I'm grateful for each and every one of them. They helped me become a knowledgeable and smart independent publisher.


If you knew then, what you know now, is there anything you would have done differently?


I wouldn't, because I love challenges! Challenges are your biggest teachers, and I've learned to embrace challenges and obstacles patiently and with expectation. Challenges always lead to amazing breakthroughs!


Where can readers purchase a copy of your book?


Chique Secrets of Dolce Vita is available online and in bookstores. I love and recommend especially Amazon because it offers also the Kindle edition of my book.


Do you have a website and/or blog where readers can find out more?


Yes, my website is http://www.barbaraconelli.com/, and my blog is hosted right on my website. I'd like to invite you to check out my Chique site and sign up for my free 5-day Myth-Shattering E-Course. It's absolutely hilarious and it will help you uncover and shatter five toxic myths that ruin your mood, your life and your appetite - in a very Italian way.
Do you have a video trailer to promote your book? If yes, where can readers find it?


Yes, I have a fantastic Chique Book Trailer that you can watch right on my website: http://www.barbaraconelli.com/books.htm You can also find it on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/barbaraconelli


What is the best investment you have made in promoting your book?


As a passionate indie author and publisher, I'm a big fan of guerilla marketing, and I love thinking of new ways to promote myself and my book with little or no expense. I'd say it works, because Chique Secrets of Dolce Vita has been an Amazon bestseller in two categories for quite a while! The biggest and best investment has been this virtual book tour with PumpUpYourBook.com. It's so much fun, and Dorothy is a real book tour wizard!


What is one piece of advice you would like to share with aspiring authors everywhere?


Write. Writers write. Aspiring authors don't. Do what you love, love what you do. Listen to your heart, follow your passion, pursue your dreams. Never ever give up!


What is up next for you?


I'm working on a new Chique Book that's going to be published in October. I'm very excited about it, I'm totally submerged in the process, and I love the writing flow. Just in case you didn't know, Italians don't do writer's block!


Is there anything you would like to add?


Thank you very much for interviewing me, I had a blast! And remember, if life gives you twists and turns, Chique Yourself Up in Italy!

Italy is author Jo Linsdell's speciality

Today I have the pleasure of speaking with freelance writer and author, Jo Linsdell. Jo is also the organizer of PROMO DAY!—an online event for people in the writing industry. Thank you for joining us, Jo. It is a pleasure to have you here!

Thanks for having me.

Q: You specialize in articles, poems, and books about Italy. What is it that inspired you to write about the place you’ve called home for the past several years?

I love Italy. I originally came to Rome for 3 days at the beginning of 2001 and ended up staying. I’ve moved around a lot over the years but this is the first place I’ve ever felt at home and I have no plans to leave anytime soon.

My writing is based on my own experiences since moving here and the fact that I’m fascinated by the traditions and history of Italy. I hope to share my passion for this country and help others to experience it in the easiest way.

Q: Did your past occupation as a tour guide and working in the hotel business help you when you sat down to write your books?

It helped a lot with the writing of my first book ‘Italian for Tourists’ which is a phrasebook designed specifically for tourists. When deciding what information to include I thought about the words and phrases I needed when I first arrived here and the most common questions that tourists used to ask me.

Q: What is your writing process like? Is there a time of day you find yourself more productive than others?

I usually write in the mornings as I teach English as a second language in the afternoons. I don’t have a fixed writing process but I always start the day by making a to-do list. This helps to keep me focused on what needs doing.

Q: In addition to your many books about Italy, you wrote a memoir titled Some risks are worth taking, which is your story of leaving England and moving to Italy, and the changes that happened in your life. Why did you feel the need to share this story with others?

Friends have told me for years that I should write a book about my life. Coming to Italy was the best thing I’ve ever done and probably the biggest risk I’ve taken. I came here by myself planning to stay for 3 days and ended up staying. Everyone thought I was mad going by myself (including me) as I didn’t know anyone in Italy or even one word of the language. Now I’m happily married to an Italian I met at Piazza di Spagna and pregnant with our first child. It turned out to be the best risk ever. If that’s not a good reason to start sharing about my experiences I don’t know what is!

Q: Let’s talk about PROMO DAY!. Due to the success of the first event, another PROMO DAY! has been scheduled for Saturday, June 23, 2007. What is PROMO DAY! all about?

PROMO DAY! is an all day, online, international, promotional event for people in the writing industry. Blatant publicity is not only allowed but encouraged. There will be two chatrooms open all day (one for promo and chatting about books and one for writers to discuss the industry). There will also be a free downloads page packed full of files containing useful information about various topics related to writing, a samples page for posting examples of your writing e.g. a first chapter of your book which can then be discussed and reviewed during the event, a page full of links to useful sites for writers, a section dedicated to promo video’s/ book trailers, and more…

Q: How did you come up with such an innovative idea to connect people throughout the writing industry?

I do a lot of my networking online. I’m a member of several writers groups and take part in the annual Muse Online Writers Conference. This experience combined with my ‘cheap ways’ lead me to thinking of ways I could use the internet to promote my books for free. As I have a good support network of other writers online through my various groups I thought it would be nice to help them too.

Q: Is this event only for published authors?

No, it’s open to everyone. Published, new writers, publishers, editors, journalists, avid readers… everyone is welcome to join in the fun!

Q: What are some of the exciting things people can expect to take away from PROMO DAY!?

For one, it’s an opportunity to promote their work and network with others in the industry. It’s also a possibility to get to know authors better and find out about new releases. With all the files for free download it’s a great way to learn more about the industry too.

Q: Do you think we’ll see more PROMO DAYS! in the future?

Definitely. I’m hoping to make it an annual event or maybe even every 3-6 months. With baby on the way I’m having to rethink my original plans a little.

Q: Is there anything you would like to add?

I recently started a site for people in the writing industry called Writers and Authors (http://writersandauthors.blogspot.com) It has interviews, competitions, links to sites for writers and much more. Anyone interested in being interviewed can email me at jo_bins@yahoo.com with ‘Writers and Authors’ in the subject line.

Thanks for spending some time with us today, Jo. I wish you great success on PROMO Day! and with all your future endeavors.

Thank you for having me here.