Today is the start of the Sophie's Turn Virtual Book Tour!
Slapper. Slut. Adulteress. These are hardly words that Sophie Penhalligan would
normally use to describe herself. Yet this is exactly how she is behaving, all things considered,
even if she isn’t quite married to Tim yet. And it’s all happening because her past is coming to
tempt her! Nine years ago, she met her teenage idol and rock star extraordinaire, Dan, up close
and personal. Well, almost. Now Dan has crash-landed back in her life. How could Tim ever
stand a chance against the charming, handsome singer? How could she?
Rock On! Nicky Wells writes fun and glamorous contemporary romance featuring a rock star
and the girl next door. Her debut novel, Sophie’s Turn, is the first part in her Rock Star Romance
Trilogy. Not unlike Sophie, her heroine, Nicky loves rock music, dancing, and eating lobsters.
When she’s not writing, Nicky is a wife, mother, and teaching assistant. Nicky is also a featured
author on the innovative reader/author project, loveahappyending.com.
Originally born in Germany, Nicky moved to the United Kingdom in 1993, and currently lives
in Bristol with her husband and two boys. In a previous professional life, Nicky worked as a
researcher and project manager for an international Human Resources research firm based in
London and Washington, D.C.
Visit Nicky on her blog where you can find articles, interviews, radio interviews and, of course,
an ongoing update on her work in progress, the second and third parts of the Rock Star
Romance Trilogy. You can also follow Nicky on Twitter and find her on Facebook.
Twitter Handle: @WellsNicky
Reading Addiction Blog Tours MEET and
GREET
#1 – Do You See Writing as a Career?
Absolutely, one hundred per cent, and I’m only just getting
warmed up: watch me go! It’s a career dream-come-true for me, turned from a
vague ambition, a life-long plan to ‘write a book one day’ into a hobby and
finally, a full-time occupation. I have written and published my debut novel;
the second book is written, contracted to be published and due for editing; and
the third book is very much a work in progress but contracted to be written.
These are exciting times and yes, writing has become my career. How it will
work out and where it will take me remains to be seen, but I am giving it my
absolutely best shot. Plus: I’m loving it, so I’m a lucky girl!
#2 – What was the Hardest Part of Your Writing Process?
Ah. The hardest part, for me, is cutting my manuscript down
to size! I’m a prolific writer, and I write fast. The average length of a first
draft for my manuscripts is probably between one hundred and forty thousand and
one hundred and fifty thousand words. That’s a lot of words—and too many for
publishing purposes. So my very first task, and the task I like least and find
hardest, is to cut that manuscript down by about thirty thousand words. My
cutting room floor becomes littered with scenes, and the literal bloodshed is
intense! Yet the end result is always more beautiful. One day, I’ll publish a
book of outtakes, maybe!
#3 – Did you have any One Person Who Helped You Out with Your
Writing Outside of Your Family?
I have several people who help me with my writing, but
they’re quite deliberately outside of my family! Let me introduce you to two of
them. First and foremost, there’s my writing buddy and fellow loveahappyending.com author, Sue Fortin. We read each
other’s work-in-progress while it is, actually, in progress, and the real-time,
honest feedback has proved invaluable. It’s fabulous to have someone to bounce
ideas with, someone who knows your characters and your style and who can either
reassure you or put you back on track. Thank you, Sue!
Second, of course, there’s my long-time friend and book
lover, Deborah Smith. She gets to read my work in first draft format and is the
original, critical beta-reader. Again, her feedback has proved fantastically
helpful, especially as she has a keen eye for scenes and chapters that can be
cut and shortened! A big thanks to Debbie, too!
#4 – What is next for your writing?
I am just beginning to write my third book, the third and
concluding part in the Rock Star Romance Trilogy. The plan is up on my wall,
the detailed crib sheets for each chapter of the book have been written, and as
soon as I have finished chopping book 2 down to size, I will get writing,
probably in early October: I can’t wait! After that, I have several ideas in
the hopper that are already jostling for attention. I will remain in the genre
and will continue to write glitzy, glamorous romances (that, yes, rock your
world!) even when the story of Sophie and Dan has come to an end.
#5 – Do you have an addiction to reading as well as writing?
If so, what are you currently reading?
I love reading! I think that’s how my own writing career
started, from a deep love for the written word. I used to read a lot but sadly,
I find I have very little time now. Mostly, I manage to squeeze in a half-hour
before bed (if I can keep my eyes open long enough). At the moment, I’m reading
something quite different from my own genre, David Baldacci’s Zero Day! It’s gritty and gripping and just
a touch on the gory side in places, but I do like a good thriller.
This or That?
#1 - iPod or Mp3? Err… Can I opt for a conventional, old
fashioned stereo, please? I’m still in the musical dark ages. No, scratch that,
I’m a traditionalist! J
#2 – Chocolate or Vanilla? Vanilla, every time. There’s
nothing plain about it!
#3 – Mashed Potatoes or French Fries? French fries, please.
#4 – Comedy or Drama? Comedy. Life’s dramatic enough,
everybody needs a few laughs!
#5 – Danielle Steel or Nicholas Sparks? Oh. Oh. Oh. Must I
choose? Really? Oh. Ok then. Danielle Steel.
#6 – Fantasy or Reality? Reality. I know, weird, huh? I prefer
comedy to drama but reality to fantasy? Well, it’s only escapism if it could have happened, right?
#7 – Call or Text? Call. Except when I’m in a blazing hurry,
or in a grump. Then, a text is infinitely preferable.
#8 – Public School or Home School
#9 – Coffee or Hot Chocolate? Mocha, please. Can you believe
I only discovered Mocha a few months ago, when I couldn’t make up my mind
between coffee and hot chocolate?
#10 – eBook or Paperback? I can’t answer that one. Really! I
love my Kindle and my reading habits have definitely shifted towards eBooks.
However; you can’t beat the feel and smell of a real paperback and… holding my own paperback in my hands for the first
time was an indescribable moment of joy. So no, I can’t answer that one. Sorry!
GIVEAWAY
Follow Along With This Tour:
September 6 - Beth Art From the Heart - Review/Guest Post
September 7 - Wonderland Reviews - Review/Interview
September 8 - Andi's Book Reviews - Review/Guest Post/Giveaway/Excerpt
September 10 - For the Love of Film and Novels - Review/Guest Post/Giveaway
September 11- Books For Me - Review/Excerpt
September 12 - Solitary Bookworm - Review/Excerpt/Giveaway
September 13 - Literature Lovers' Labyrinth - Review/Interview/Excerpt
September 14 - My Seryniti - Review/Interview/Giveaway/Excerpt
September 15 - Sweeping the USA - Review/Excerpt/Giveaway
September 17 - My Reading Room - Review/Interview/Giveaway
September 18 - Up All Night Reviews - Review/Giveaway/Excerpt
September 19 - A Date With a Book - Review/Excerpt/Giveaway
September 24 - What's Beyond Forks? - Review/Interview/Giveaway/Excerpt
September 25 - Paranormal Wastelands - Review/Guest Post/Giveaway
September 26 - Coletta's Kitchen - Review/Giveaway
September 27 - Cocktails and Books - Review/Guest Post/Giveaway/Excerpt
September 28 - Booklovin Mama's - Review/Guest Post/Giveaway
September 29 - Crazy Four Books - Review/GIveaway/Excerpt
September 30 - Whoopeeyoo! - Review/Guest Post/Excerpt/Giveaway
October 1 - My Cozie Corner - Review/Giveaway
October 2 - Review's By Molly - Review/Excerpt
October 3 - Reader Girls - Review/Excerpt/Giveaway
October 4 - Jersey Girl Book Reviews - Review/Guest Post/Excerpt
I love what Nicky had to say about vanilla ice cream! There really is nothing plain or bland about it!!
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