Book feature

BOOK FEATURE: “Holding on Forever” by Victoria Monroe

April 11, 2016 3 Comments

“Holding on Forever” by Victoria Monroe

Blurb: When it comes to love, you can’t deny it no matter how hard you try. When love finds you, hold on and never let go.

Gage Scott let go of love a long time ago. After his parents divorced, he learned love only ends up hurting people. He vowed to himself he would never be hurt again because he would never love. He leaves everything and everyone he ever knew behind him and begins a new life built on rules against love. But when fate brings him back to the place and people he left thirteen years ago, he learns there are some things he can’t escape.

He spent many years running from love only to find it was with him all along. When he accepts the truth he denied for so long, he realizes he can’t ignore love. He discovers there is more pain in denying it. Once he embraces the true feelings he has for Laken Bennett, everything changes for Gage. Love finds him, and he is holding on forever.

EXCERPT

Coming down the stairs is the most mouthwatering, incredibly gorgeous man I’ve ever seen. Gage was good looking when I knew him as a teenager; but the man standing before me now is absolutely breathtaking. Gage is about half way down the staircase leading into the foyer when he looks at his mother, and stops, realizing she isn’t alone. His eyes turn to me and heat spreads over my whole body. His gaze slides up from the open toe heels on my feet and work their way up my bare legs, then to my hips, then up to my breasts, then finally to my face – where once his eyes meet mine – his look of total appreciation and enjoyment of the female body slowly dissolve into a realization.

A recognition.

Our gazes never shift from one another and all of a sudden the air in the foyer becomes thick. Judy cuts the silence by saying, “Gage, you rem-…”

“Laken,” he finishes her thought, almost breathlessly, with his eyes never leaving mine.

“…Yes – Laken,” she continues. “Laken was just leaving, she brought over your favorite dinner – Mrs. Bennett’s lasagna – that’s what you smell and I need to go check it. Laken, thank you again. I will see you Friday at the luncheon.”

I break my attention from Gage to Ms. Scott – who is already on her way to the kitchen – I call to her, “You’re welcome.” The voice leaving my body doesn’t sound like mine – it’s too soft, too breathy and too sexy. I slowly turn my attention back to the movement on the stair case. Taking in the bare feet slowly sauntering down the stairs in my direction, my eyes travel up distressed, washed out denim clad legs. The unbelted waistband of the jeans hangs low on his waist and meets a tight gray t-shirt, drawing attention to chiseled abs and an athletically defined muscular chest. Rippled arms lead to broad shoulders and a thick neck. I notice slightly long ebony hair, still damp from a shower. His square, sculpted jaw is shadowed with a couple of days’ worth of unshaved growth and frames the most delicious set of lips I’ve seen on a man. As he reaches where I’m standing – my eyes find his again. His irises are an intense blue. The boy I knew melted away into this sinfully gorgeous creature standing before me.

My name on his lips still hangs thick in the air and chokes me.

**Buy your $0.99 copy of “Holding on Forever” on Amazon now!

**Add “Holding on Forever” to your Goodreads list!

About the author: Victoria Monroe was born and raised in Pennsylvania. She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a bachelor of arts degree in English literature. She and her husband relocated a few times within the state. She favors the Pittsburgh region, where she had her son and daughter. After a ten-year career in corporate retail, she resigned, allowing her the ability to raise her children and write. Victoria loves spending time with her family. She loves music, reading and being outdoors – from the mountains to the beach and everything in between. Watching the sunrise and sunset are some of her favorite things to do. She always looks for a reason to laugh.

**Contact Victoria: Twitter Facebook Goodreads Amazon

**GIVEAWAY**

Click HERE to enter a signed copy of “Holding on Forever”

BOOK FEATURE: “First Love Again” by Kristina Knight

November 20, 2015 1 Comment

“First Love Again” by Kristina Knight

Blurb:

Some loves deserve a second chance…

Coming back to Gulliver Island after a ten-year absence to take care of his father should have been simple. Emmett Deal would fix and sell the family home, and return to Cincinnati with his ailing father in tow. Yet something compels him to stay a little longer. The beautiful, bright eyes of Jaime Brown.

Ten years ago, traumatic events changed the course of Jaime’s life forever, catching her in a small-town life she can’t escape. Emmett’s return stirs up the memories she wanted to ignore…and dreams she had forgotten. Now she finds herself with a rare opportunity—a second chance. Only this time, it’s not just for love…

EXCERPT

“You could install an alarm system,” a new voice joined the conversation. The hairs on Jaime’s neck stood up again. The man in the corner. This time it wasn’t annoyance at being talked down to that caused the reaction. It was the voice itself. A voice she never thought she’d hear, at least not while she was on Gulliver.

The broad shoulders.

The not too long but not too short black hair.

Sure, his face was turned away, but she should have known or at least suspected. Ten years.

She turned slowly and felt the blood drain from her cheeks. The man from the corner booth wasn’t so much stranger as long-lost resident.

Emmett Deal stood there, listening to her argument with the trustees. Sunlight glinted off the pristine windshield of an unfamiliar work truck. Stenciled on the side were the words Deal Construction. Here was Emmett and here was his truck. She blinked and he was still standing at a table near the front door. She wasn’t imagining him.

His eyes were bluer than she remembered. More of a cerulean than the baby blues that invaded her dreams when she was overly tired. He was taller, too. Not by much, maybe an inch. His shoulders more broad and his hips— Jaime gave herself a mental shake and brought her gaze back to Emmett’s beautiful face. Chiseled jaw…hint of stubble.

Before he’d left Emmett had hated that he couldn’t grow a proper mustache. It didn’t look as though that was a problem any longer. Black, black hair flirted with the collar of his tight tee.

He seemed to look straight past her, though. Jaime swallowed and tried to ignore her rapidly beating heart.

**About the author: Once upon a time, Kristina Knight spent her days running from car crash to fire to meetings with local police–no, she wasn’t a troublemaker, she was a journalist. Her career took her all over the United States, writing about everything from a serial killer’s capture to the National Finals Rodeo. Along the way she found her very own Knight in Shining Cowboy Boots and an abiding love for romance novels. Kristina writes contemporary romance with a smattering of sass, sex and (of course) drama, and she loves hearing from readers. And just like the characters from her favorite books, she’s living her own happily ever after.

**Contact Kristina: Website Facebook Twitter Pinterest Goodreads Google+

BOOK FEATURE: “Lotus”

September 29, 2015 Leave a Comment

“Lotus” by Kay W. Smith

Blurb: Saying ‘I do’ is easy. Deciding who to spend forever with can be a little complicated.

Newlywed Lotus Price has everything that she should have ever wanted: a great husband and a dream job as an executive of Chicago’s most prominent philanthropic foundation. Her pre-planned future seemed to be gift-wrapped in a perfect bow, until the day she discovers she is pregnant and runs into her first love. Despite his offer to be friends, Lotus tries to keep the past where it belongs.

As the pregnancy begins to interrupt the dream that Lotus envisioned for her marriage, she is forced to rethink everything she thought she knew, including the single day that led her to her husband and away from the man she saw herself spending forever with. Ultimately, the one question which will remain is who will be willing to give up what they have in order to get what they have always desired?

In the end, the scars that each of them thought were long buried will resurface to reveal the single event that changed each of their lives forever.

EXCERPT

By the time the sun began to creep through the silk curtains, I had already been awake for three hours. My mind was no longer racing and for the first time in a long time, my thoughts were oddly quiet. I was strangely numb. Knowing that I couldn’t avoid getting up any longer, my palms clenched at the sheets beneath me one last time as I tried to push down the nausea that was slowly trying to creep back into my stomach.

Rolling over, I shielded my face from the sunlight that was now beginning to brighten the entire room. It wasn’t until I heard the loud snores coming from under the sheets next to me that I even remembered that she was there. I snapped out of my haze and began to contemplate how many times I might have to lie and say that everything was okay before the day was over.

Worried that my eyes were bloodshot, I reached for the pocket mirror that I had left on the nightstand next to me. After blindly feeling around unsuccessfully in the dark for a few minutes, I started to run through all the excuses I would give if any of the twenty people who would soon be in my hotel room inquired about my appearance.

I’m overwhelmed with happiness.

I’m hungover from last night.

I’m nervous because I’ve dreamt of this day my entire life.

Another bad excuse was forming in my mind when I heard her voice.

“It’s not too late to hop a plane to Mexico,” she whispered from under a pillow.

I kept my back to her as I ran my hands across my pillow one last time. In case she turned on the lights, I wanted to be sure that the wet puddle that had formed through the night was gone. I took a deep breath before turning in her direction, conscious enough to avoid eye contact with her as much as possible.

**Buy “Lotus” now: Amazon

* * * * *

**About the author: Kay W. Smith is a writer and blogger living in Chicago, Illinois with her husband and two sons. She worked in public policy for several years before pursuing her passion to write full-time. She is a graduate of Spelman College and the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy.

**Contact Kay W. Smith:

Email Website Facebook Twitter

AUTHOR & BOOK FEATURE: “Afraid of Her Shadow” by Carol Maloney Scott

September 29, 2015 Leave a Comment

“Afraid of Her Shadow” by Carol Maloney Scott

Blurb: Forty something, self-proclaimed cougar, Rebecca is committed only to her cats and her career. Her veteran single girl lifestyle has been peaceful and happy – that is until she started dating age-appropriate Steve, an entomology professor with a sweet smile and demeanor to match. Who knew an insect scientist could be so appealing?

The problem? Steve is a widower with baggage to spare. Memories of his late wife fill his home. Smiling photos and jars of bugs serve as constant reminders of Steve’s continued attachment to his dearly departed wife, Noreen, who shared his passion for creepy crawlies!

Now that Rebecca is facing her commitment phobia by moving in with Steve, she is becoming more unhinged. Behaving more like her zany friends than her level-headed self, she burns her butt at the tanning salon, crashes on energy drinks, and even loses a hamster. Throw into the mix a few delusional relatives, a sarcastic teenager, and a fluffy dog who sheds a new dog every day, and Rebecca doesn’t recognize her old self.

And if that isn’t enough to push her over the edge, her smokin’ hot ex returns, reminding her of a simpler time with a man who carries no more baggage than a wallet.

EXCERPT

Steve is an Entomology professor at the state university downtown. Yes, I am dating a nerdy science guy. Apparently, there are a handful of students who are passionate about bugs, or “insect biology.” I took Bio in ninth grade and I tried to be sick as much as possible during the bug study unit. Steve’s wife, Noreen was a high school Biology teacher. The love of creepy crawlies was something they apparently had in common. Something I can’t give him.

“My ass isn’t little anymore, and I love your stories, except when you start to explain about the claustrophobic foundation and the genital grabbers.” My eyes cross when he brings up these topics, but it is an awesome insomnia treatment, especially when coupled with hair caressing. I just love having my head… “What did you say?”

Steve is practically doubled over in his chair. “Love, its claustral foundation and genital claspers.”

I look down and bite my lip. “Oh. Honestly, I don’t even see how the first one is different. Don’t the termite king and queen hide and make babies by feeding off their fat or something? And I know some other bug grabs its mate during sex. Claspers, grabbers, close enough.”

He rubs his eyes beneath his glasses and smiles. “Hey, there’s something I want to tell you.” Steve gently places his wine glass on the table and rolls the stem between his fingers.

My breath catches just in time for the waitress to appear with our food and all sorts of enthusiasm. Steve told her it was our anniversary so she is hamming it up. I want her to drop the crabs (which look like big bugs) and run, so I can hear this big announcement. He doesn’t have a little velvet box in…?

**Find “Afraid of Her Shadow” now! Amazon Goodreads

* * * * *

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Describe your writing style in five words: Witty. Fresh. Real. Honest. Brave.

What made you want to be an author? As a little girl I wrote non-stop, churning out story after story. Then it all stopped in adolescence – so I had writer’s block for about 30 years.

Now the flood gates have opened, and the universe has unplugged my creative blockage – and the words are flying out of me. In the car – I have to pull off the road. In the shower – I need waterproof paper. In bed – I dream of new stories and have to sleep with my iPhone and it’s many lists.

So that bitch, Writer’s Block, is now history. The words are flowing like a waterfall or the liquor at an Irish wedding. I am no longer expecting any dry days ahead, now that I have rediscovered my first love.

I write because I can’t stop. I love it.

Hard/paperback or eBooks? I love the feel of a real book in my hands, and I especially love to see many books on my shelves. Books are a beautiful decorative home accessory. But I have embraced the Kindle as well. The convenience and the lower cost of e-books have made it impossible to resist.

Do you have any writing rituals? I like to have a drink nearby, and I write better when no one is home. Even if my husband or son are not in my space, just knowing I might be interrupted at any moment messes with my creative flow. I would greatly benefit from a solitary writer’s retreat weekend every now and then.

Salty or sweet? Hmm. I love those candy bars with the peanuts. Payday, that’s what they’re called. They are the perfect combination of both tastes. However, my sweet tooth will always win out!

Where do you get ideas for your books? My books are inspired by real life events, but much of the stories come out of my never ending imagination. I can’t stop thinking of ideas. Of course I don’t sleep very well and stare into space a lot.

If you could meet any other author, who would it be? I would like to meet Laurie Notaro. Her hilarious stories of her own life, as well as her fiction, have inspired me to write. And I know I would have a fabulous time hanging out with her, talking about dogs and stupid things we’ve both done – two of her favorite things that I share.

What time of day do you seem to work best? I am not a morning person. I prefer to sleep through morning and pretend it never happened. Afternoons are best for me, or early evening. Too late in the evening my creativity wanes again.

What must every author have? A private writing space decorated with their favorite things. A good quality computer. Pretty pens – I have a wiener dog pen that makes my chuckle. Colorful notebooks. Oh, and something inspiring. I have a Wonder Woman stuffed doll from the Hallmark store. Oh, and good lighting. I can’t see a damn thing anymore.

Where do you see yourself in five years? I see myself with at least 10-15 books published, and a revenue stream that will allow me to quit my day job. I also see myself blogging regularly and traveling to promote my books.

What’s the best advice you’ve been given? Don’t skimp on quality, whether it be in editing, cover design, formatting, advertising, etc. Pay the pros and invest in your business. You are investing in yourself.

Can you tell us about any of your upcoming projects? Book 3 of my Rom-Com on the Edge series is due out in January! The first draft is complete and I am hard at work on the polishing before it goes to my editor for his suggestions. It’s called The Juggling Act and is the continuation of Claire’s story from There Are No Men, my first book in the series.

My first two books, There Are No Men and Afraid of Her Shadow were told in first person, present tense from a single character’s point of view. The Juggling Act mixes it up a bit and will be narrated in first person present tense, but from the point of view of four characters. It was great fun to get into the heads of the other characters, and I hope readers will enjoy a different twist on my existing story line.

* * * * *

About the author: Carol Maloney Scott, author of the Rom-Com on the Edge series, is a frazzled new bride and wiener dog fanatic. Recently unearthing a childhood passion for writing, she can once again be seen carrying around a notebook and staring into space. Her stories are witty, fresh and real, just like life.

**Contact Carol: Email Facebook Twitter

BOOK FEATURE: “Love on the Rocks: A Positano Tale”

September 16, 2015 1 Comment

“Love on the Rocks: A Positano Tale” by Catie Costa

Blurb: Two American women spend a summer in Positano, Italy, the Pearl of the Amalfi, where there is no shortage of delicious food, sparkly prosecco, and romantic confusion.

* * * * *

EXCERPT

Bridget flipped through the photo album labeled “Positano.” She and her best friend, Kit, had started the album two summers ago when they had returned from their first visit to the seaside resort. The girls conceded that the cliffside town had cast some sort of spell over them that summer. What had it been about that first summer: the lazy beach days; the hot, prosec- co-downing nights at the disco? Yes, of course. But more than those things, it had been about the people they’d met there.

Bridget perused the pages of the album and sighed nostalgically. There was Tino in front of his ceramics shop; the Americans they’d met at the disco; there was bespectacled Lassino sticking his tongue out at Kit; and there was Paolo. Paolo, with his prominent nose, bright-blue eyes, and gor- geous white teeth. Paolo and Bridget, well, what had transpired between them during this last trip had been completely harmless, although a bit out of character for Bridget. There was nothing wrong with what she’d done, per se. Everybody did stuff like that on vacation. That’s what they said. Whoever “they” were. Bridget remembered the night all too well…

* * * * *

**About author, Catie Costa: Catie has traveled all over Western Europe, with repeated trips to Ireland and Italy. She currently lives in the San Francisco Bay area.

**Contact Catie: Website Facebook Twitter

BOOK FEATURE: “First Sight”

August 4, 2015 1 Comment

“First Sight” by Laura Donohue

Blurb: Maddy Smith writes for a trendy website in Washington DC, has two fabulous best friends, and her own apartment. When a girl’s night out ends with her locking eyes with the handsome stranger across the room, the last thing she expects is for him to show up at her office on Monday morning.

Travis Emerson, her attractive and single new colleague, just moved to town. Although an immediate friendship between Maddy and Travis forms, she soon finds herself wishing for something more. After a misunderstanding between them occurs, not only is her hope for a relationship ruined, but their friendship is in jeopardy as well. Is any chance that Maddy had with Travis over? Or could he possibly be what she’s been looking for all along?

Follow Maddy and Travis on a series of adventures that will quickly have you cheering them on. First date jitters? Not when you’ve been in love since First Sight!

EXCERPT

We chatted easily throughout dinner and after we’d finished eating, walked outside into the night. Travis held the door open for me, and I thought to myself at how chivalrous he always was. It had started to snow again, and tiny flakes were falling softly down, dancing in the light from the lampposts. As they swirled around in the air, they were landing on both of us. “Wow, it got cold,” Travis said, the fog from his breath filling the air between us. He zipped up his jacket as he stood facing me.

“I know,” I said, brushing a few snowflakes out of my hair. I noticed that he watched me as I did so.

“Should we head for the metro?” Travis asked.

“Yeah, definitely,” I said. “It’s freezing out here.”

“I don’t know this part of DC, so you lead the way.”

“There’s a station right around the corner.” I started walking down the block with Travis at my side.

“What line are you?” he asked.

“Orange line. How about you?”

“Same thing.” Travis walked along beside me, and I felt content next to him. It was a comfortable silence. He slowed his long stride to keep pace with mine, and it actually took me a few minutes to notice that neither of us had said anything in a while. “Are you okay to get home?” Travis suddenly asked. “I can drive you back to your apartment after we get to my metro stop if you’d like.”

I looked up at him, surprised. He was gazing down at me, his brown eyes intense, but I couldn’t read the expression on his face. Still, as I watched him, I felt a tiny surge of pleasure at his concern, at the idea of Travis driving me home. “Oh, uh, yeah; I’ll be fine,” I stammered.

“Are you sure? I don’t mind.”

“Really, I’ll be fine. It’s not late. Thanks for the offer, though.” I smiled up at him, telling myself that he was just being polite. He probably would’ve offered anyone a ride if he thought they needed one.

We arrived at the metro station and rode the escalator down beneath the city streets. A train had just pulled into the station, and we strode right on. I selected a seat next to the window, and Travis sat down beside me. The train was not very full, and he stretched his long legs out in the aisle. As we pulled away from the platform, the walls were soon whizzing by us, and then we were in the dark tunnel. A young couple was sitting near us, and I wondered if they thought that we were a couple, too. The guy had his arm casually draped around his girlfriend’s shoulders, and he was whispering in her ear. Although Travis and I were seated side by side, I was quite aware that no parts of our bodies were touching.

The conductor announced the next stop, which came out sounding completely garbled over the intercom. “This is me,” Travis said, glancing over.

“Okay. So I guess I’ll see you Monday?” I asked. We’d had such a fun afternoon and dinner together, I was kind of sad that he was leaving. Maybe I should have taken him up on the offer for a ride. Did he want to spend more time with me, too? I could have always invited him up to my apartment for a drink after he’d driven me home. There was no time to analyze the situation now, though, because the train was coming to a stop.

“Yep,” Travis replied. “I’ll see you on Monday. Goodnight, Maddy.” He slowly stood up, and I watched as he walked toward the doors. His broad shoulders filled out his black leather jacket, and he had an easy saunter to his step. He pulled his black wool cap back over his head, covering his dark brown hair. As he turned to leave, he looked back at me. My breath caught as my eyes met his. Neither of us said anything, but as his dark eyes bore into mine, I knew in that moment that I was starting to fall for him.

* * * * *

**GIVEAWAY**

**Click HERE to enter to win a $25.00 Amazon Gift Card!

* * * * *

**About author, Laura Donohue: Laura Donohue is a graduate of George Mason University. She spent ten years working as a technical writer and editor before publishing her first novel. She lives in Washington DC with her husband and daughter.

**Contact Laura: Website Facebook Goodreads Twitter

BOOK FEATURE: “Drive Me Crazy”

July 14, 2015 Leave a Comment

“Drive Me Crazy” by Portia MacIntosh

Blurb:

It was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime…

In reality it was a business trip, prettied up as a romantic mini break, but the man behind the wheel was meant to be Candice Hart’s boss and (married but separated, I swear!) lover. Not Danny the new guy!
Not only is Candice faced with a new driver, but the office’s far too handsome hipster expects her to share the cramped space inside his “fully” restored VW Beetle, aka The Love Bug, and put up with his constant opinions about her life…

Before long she is tired of playing the ‘good girl’ and, with Danny’s help, is determined to finally show the world the real Candice Hart!

Don’t miss this hilarious new novel from bestselling author of Bad Bridesmaid

**Click HERE to buy your copy of “Drive Me Crazy” now!

* * * * *

About the author, Portia MacIntosh: When she was fifteen-years-old, Portia MacIntosh fell in with a bad crowd… rockstars.

After disappearing on tour and living the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle for a few years, Portia landed a job in the music industry – but only so that she didn’t have to join the real world just yet.

Now in her twenties, Portia is ready to spill the beans on the things she has witnessed over the years. Well, kind of. If her famous friends knew that she was borrowing their lives to inspire her fiction, they would stop inviting her on tour and banish her from the inner circle. Then she really would have to rejoin the real world, and she’s still not ready.

Portia only started writing novels to share her secrets, but then she realised she actually quite liked writing – maybe even more than she likes living on a bus with a bunch of smelly boys – and has since tried her hand at writing about other things.

**Contact Portia: Facebook Twitter

BOOK FEATURE: “Fairytale Beginnings”

July 14, 2015 1 Comment

“Fairytale Beginnings” by Holly Martin

Blurb: Love is an open door… except when it keeps slamming in your face.

Hopeless romantic Milly Rose has had her fair share of heartbreak. Obsessed with all things Disney, she refuses to give up on finding her Prince Charming – he’s out there somewhere, isn’t he?

When Milly is given a job to investigate the origins of a historical building in the village of Clover’s Rest, she’s not sure what to expect. What she discovers takes her breath away – a beautiful real life Cinderella castle, complete with turrets, a magnificent drawbridge AND a very handsome owner…Cameron Heartstone.

As Milly and Cameron begin to unearth the secrets of Clover Castle, they can’t ignore the intense chemistry building between them. But they’ve both been hurt badly before. Can they take a big leap of faith and find their own happily-ever-after?

**Buy “Fairytale Beginnings” now: Amazon – UK Amazon – US

* * * * *

**About author, Holly Martin: Holly has been writing for six years. She was shortlisted for the New Talent Award at the Festival of Romance. Her short story won the Sunlounger competition and was published in the Sunlounger anthology. She won the Carina Valentine’s competition at the Festival of Romance 2013 with her novel The Guestbook. She was shortlisted for Best Romantic Read, Best eBook and Innovation in Romantic Fiction at the Festival of Romance 2014. Holly lives in Bedfordshire.

**Contact Holly: Website Facebook Twitter

BOOK FEATURE: “The Morning After Memoirs”

July 9, 2015 Leave a Comment

“The Morning After Memoirs” by Kate Michaels

Blurb: A smart, candid slant on the world of dating, Kate Michaels’ sexy, laugh-out-loud debut novel reimagines the world of Sex And The City with the biting realism of Lena Dunham’s Girls.

Twenty-nine-year-old Jess wakes up on New Year’s Day a touch hungover and a whole lot confused. The man in bed next to her is not her boyfriend, Ben. In fact, she doesn’t even remember Not-Ben’s name. It won’t be the first time she finds herself in a questionable situation in a year that proves her new single-in-the-city lifestyle is far from the glamorous, Sex And The City world she’s been promised on TV. Between hacking through last year’s leg hair, accidentally snogging someone who may well be her cousin, getting hit over the head with a sex toy that isn’t even hers, and ending the night with a walk of shame into her parent’s garage, Jess’s single life is turning out more cockroaches than cocktails.

The Morning After Memoirs is the story of one woman’s search for love, meaning, and a low-calorie alternative to wine.

EXCERPT

By the time my Set Menu For 2 (don’t judge me) arrived, I’d already started feeling the food guilt. I was about to rack up an extreme diet fail and I wasn’t sure if my self-esteem could cope with the Kung-pow comedown. I discarded it heartlessly on the sideboard and headed to the lounge to find something more productive to do. Rifling through my (mostly unwanted) Christmas presents I discovered a retro-style step aerobics set – it was the latest in a long line of gifts I’d requested in anticipation of a fabulous new me. Last year it had been a Piloxing (yes, Pilates mixed with boxing) DVD and the year before that an exercise ball, which had actually stopped me exercising for two months with a sprained ankle after I tried to walk on it like I was in the circus. The step came ready assembled, so I manoeuvred it onto the floor in front of the TV and sat on its (surprisingly comfortable) top while I forced the DVD into the player. Within ten minutes I was hooked, watching a crazed blonde jump around like Energizer bunny’s bubbly second wife – all the while sitting comfortably on my new step, devouring my second main course…

Exercise has never really been my thing. Well, not since turning 13 at any rate. Until then I’d been the perfect little athlete, joining every team on offer and wowing the parents (OK, my parents) on sports day by being what I would be described on my report cards for years to come as ‘a good all-rounder’. While my folks were encouraged by their daughter’s ability to turn her hand to any subject thrown her way, I was aware from an early age the dark truth behind that backhanded compliment. I was destined to be ‘good’ at most things, but I had a sneaking suspicion I was ‘great’ at absolutely nothing. Still, I rushed around in an obscenely short gym skirt, like a slightly dumpy version of a Japanese businessman’s fantasy, full of energy and the joys of life. From the ages of 13 to 29 I had moved very little.

* * * * *

**About author, Kate Michaels: Kate Michaels was born in Birmingham. After studying English, drama and film, she moved to London where she currently lives with her boyfriend and two cats. As a journalist and copywriter she writes about everything from bars and theatre to luxury property. The Morning After Memoirs is Kate’s debut novel.

**Contact Katie: Twitter

Book feature

Footer

For inquiries

Follow Us