What:
In 2017 I signed a three-book contract with Ruby Fiction (a new imprint of Choc Lit Publishing). Two of my novels are contemporary women’s fiction and one is historical fiction.
Why:
Writing is like a therapy for me. For a long time I felt I couldn’t control my own life so I escaped into stories, which I could control. If I have a problem, I give it to one of my characters and help them work it out. Writing is good for mental health in other ways, too. It’s something I love doing, I travel to help with research, I meet like-minded people at conferences and workshops, I find researching and writing relaxing, so much so that it’s almost meditative for me.
I wrote Arlette’s Story because I felt compelled to tell the story after visiting Oradour-sur-Glane, in France. On 10th June 1944, two hundred Germans invaded the small town and left all but six villagers dead. Oradour stands today as it was left that day, by order of Charles de Gaulle. Although my choice of themes can appear somewhat gruesome to some, the majority of this story includes romance, friendship, family dynamics and strong characters. I’ve been quite overwhelmed by the positive reader reviews left on Amazon.
How:
My three children grew up and left home, leaving me with more time to find out what I wanted to do. I had a part time job but my passion lay in reading and writing. I started to write a novel in 2007, at first simply enjoying creating stories, both for adults and children. After a couple of years I decided to take writing more seriously and joined a writing group, became an active member on Facebook and Twitter, designed a website and blog, attended writing workshops etc. I wrote book two and then book three. I entered competitions and was long listed, then shortlisted and finally won a few writing competitions. I decided to send off manuscript to some publishers and was delighted to hear back from Ruby Fiction (Choc Lit’s new imprint). They have published all three of my books, which just goes to show, dreams can come true.
Bio:
Angela Barton was born in London and grew up in Nottingham. She is married with three grown up children and adorable five-year-old twin granddaughters. She is passionate about writing both contemporary and historical fiction and loves time spent researching for her novels. In 2018 Angela signed publishing contracts for three of her completed novels with Choc Lit’s new imprint, Ruby Fiction.
In addition to writing, Angela also relaxes by making landscapes using free motion sewing on a machine. She is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and a reader for their New Writers’ Scheme. Angela is also a member of Nottingham Writers’ Studio, the Society of Authors and Ellipses and Ampersands’ fiction critique group.
Links:
Arlette’s Story
Magnolia House
You’ve Got My Number
Facebook
Twitter
About Angela’s Books:
Arlette’s Story is set in southern France during WW2 about one woman’s struggle to fight back against the enemy in order to protect the ones she loves. Arlette is an ordinary young woman who lives on the family farm and falls in love with Jewish medical student, Saul. He’s been prevented from studying by the Nazis. In 1942, members of the Gestapo move in to a nearby empty manor house,so Saul is hidden in a secret room at the back of the barn. Arlette must navigate her way through dangerous obstacles, unwanted attention and the horrors of war, but will she succeed? And will Saul evade capture?
Magnolia House tells the story of a young widow called Rowan. She lives in London and turns her three-storey Georgian townhouse into three separate apartments to help pay her mortgage. Home become the first floor apartment, a charismatic gay man called Mason (Ace), moves into the ground floor apartment along with his handsome, straight brother, James. The basement is rented to a plus-size model and her young daughter. Can Rowan learn to trust again? Who is sending her anonymous, threatening messages? What secret does she uncover? This story includes themes of romance, an obsessive compulsion, deceit, humour, grief and a mystery to solve.
You’ve Got My Number is a story of new beginnings. Tess decides to change the direction her life is taking her, but one evil lie prevents her from moving on. This lie grows and distorts until it begins to affect other people, not just Tess. Will she discover the lie in time to start her new life? Can she help her neighbour and troubled artist, Daniel, to overcome his demons? This story includes themes of romance, guilt, obsessive compulsive behaviour, revenge and don’t forget that great big fat lie!
Linda K. Sienkiewicz is the author of the award-winning novel In the Context of Love, a story about one woman’s need to tell her truth without shame. Discovering who you want to be isn’t easy when you can’t leave the past behind.
2017 New Apple Book Awards Official Selection
2016 Sarton Women’s Fiction Finalist
2016 Eric Hoffer Book Award Finalist
2016 Readers’ Favorite Finalist
2016 USA Book News Best Book Finalist
“…at once a love story, a cautionary tale, and an inspirational journey.” ~ Bonnie Jo Campbell, author of National Book Award Finalist, American Salvage, and critically acclaimed Once Upon a River,and Mothers, Tell Your Daughters
“With tenderness, but without blinking, Linda K. Sienkiewicz turns her eye on the predator-prey savannah of the young and still somehow hopeful.” ~ Jacquelyn Mitchard, author of the #1 NY Times Bestseller, Deep End of the Ocean
Buy now: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound
Thanks for another intro to a new writer for me. I’ll check her books out.