Even more excitement in the Tullett household!

Two blog posts in one day...  I know, very unusual for me!

However, in an up-date to my earlier news I just wanted to let you all know that Little White Lies and Butterflies has since been accepted for publication.

Oh yes, late this afternoon Safkhet Publishing contacted me with the offer of a contract and I'm pleased to say, it's one I accepted - which is why I'm now off to celebrate with a glass of wine x

It's all happening in the Tullett household...

It's been an exciting time for we Tulletts these last few weeks and all of it on the work front.

Firstly, there's my other half, Robert. 

Having been a Dog Handler for the past sixteen years, he's finally decided it's time for a change.  So, three German Shepherds, two Spaniels and a black Labrador later, he's handed in his ticket and is heading off for pastures new. 

Oh yes, he's made the step to start the up and coming new year back on section, so it's bye bye, doggies... hello stab vest.

I have to admit I'm a bit nervous about his move.  I think I got a little too comfortable knowing there was a dog standing between him and the bad guys.  Suddenly though, it feels a bit like when he first began in the job, not knowing what he's going to be walking into and who or what he's going to come face-to-face with.  But at least now he has experience on his side and I just have to trust he'll continue to stay safe.

Then there's Benjamin, who earlier this year was entered into the UK leg of the World Skills competition.   A competition described on Wikipedia as the 'global skills Olympics'; one that gives young people the opportunity to demonstrate their excellence in skilled professions....  And demonstrate Benjamin did!  

 

Suffice to say, a few gruelling rounds and a lot of hard work later he found himself making his way to Birmingham's NEC for the three day final.  And I can now play the proud mother and tell you he came in second, taking home the Silver Medal.  

 

 

Well obviously we're all very proud of him; for a young chap he's achieved so much in his working life already.  And we're keeping everything crossed that he makes the UK team to compete in the World Skills International heats.  Although if he does, with 50 member countries taking part there'll be a lot more hard work ahead of him. 

 

And now we come to Adam, my other gorgeous son...

 I've already talked about how he headed off to China a while ago, a move that I supported even if I did feel nervous about it at the time.  I mean, as parents what else can we do but encourage our children when it comes to their hopes and ambitions? 

 

 

 

Anyway, having had enough of living so far from home, much to my relief and two years on, he finally decided it was time to come back.  Although not to the UK (he's probably having way too much fun to have me on the doorstep) but to Holland.

 

He's been there a couple of weeks now and tells me he's settling in really well.  His colleagues have been very welcoming, he's been rushed off his feet at the salon and all going well, he's found a great little apartment in which to live.  One that I hope to be visiting some time soon, once he's had chance to settle in, of course.

 

Which brings us to me...

 

Not that I've done anything anywhere near as exciting as changing my job, entering an international competition or moved country.  But I have, at last, finished my book. 

 

Oh yes, Little White Lies and Butterflies has finally been sent on its way and hopefully some very interested publishers are reading as we speak.  So just like I have my fingers crossed for the rest of the Tullett clan, I'm guessing they've got their fingers crossed for me!

 

So now you know the recent comings and goings in my household, what exciting things have you all been up to? x

  

A big welcome to my very first guest blogger!

I'm excited to introduce you all to my very first guest blogger today, the lovely Janie Reinart.  A lady I first met a few months ago when she invited me to appear on her own website www.loveyoumorethanyouknow.com  giving me the opportunity to talk about my experiences as a Forces Mum. 

Anyways, without further ado here she is...  Please feel free to leave a comment in support of the fabulous work she does.

Happy reading, everyone x

 

 

 

I Will Dance at Your Wedding by Janie Reinart

When my son, Joe was deployed to Iraq in 2004, he wrote us a heartfelt letter after the loss of one of his fellow soldiers and several of his own brushes with death. A part of the letter said:

I think a lot of nights, restless nights, of the days to come. I ponder and daydream of the good and the bad and the anxiety weighs on me like a ton of bricks. Will I make it back? Will I be so different from when I left? What will I do with my life? Will I be successful? Will I be happy?

 

 

I answered him back: I will dance at your wedding and sing lullabies to your children.

Joe made it back in 2005. He is happy and successful. In two weeks my son is getting married. I will dance!

Fast-forward to Joe and Katie’s wedding day. Mass took place at St. Mary’s in Berea on July 28,2012. The presider was the Rev. Dan Schlegel.

Father Dan sang the wedding mass and gave a wonderful homily. He compared a giant redwood to the love and support of family and our church community. The huge tree has a root system that is only 4 to 6 feet deep. In the redwood forest, the roots of that tall tree entangle with neighboring trees improving its stability. Our family and church community will support the newlyweds so that they will stay strong in their union surrounded by our love and prayers.

 

I am blessed to have the lovely Mrs. Katie Reinart as a new daughter and friend.
The reception was so much fun. We celebrated the joining of our two families. And I danced with my son. I am waiting for the day when the second half of my prediction comes true and practicing my lullabies.

Click here to enter free giveaways of Love You More than You Know Mothers’ Stories About Sending Their Sons and Daughters to War eBooks in honor of our Veterans and their families.

 

 

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to charities benefiting wounded veterans:

ReMIND.org, a Bob Woodruff Foundation initiative for injured service members and their families.

The Semper Fi Fund will also receive donations.

I am committed to continue bringing you true stories of our heroes in uniform, sharing with you the bravery and sacrifices that our troops and their families make everyday for all of us. You are invited to share your story about your soldier here at www.loveyoumorethanyouknow.com as a guest blogger. Send stories to storiesfrommoms@gmail.com

 

About Janie Reinart
As an author, teacher consultant, National Writing Project Fellow, storyteller, and poet, words are my tools. Janie seeks ways to give people a voice to tell their own stories through prose and poetry. She and her husband, Ed, are grateful for their five children and 10 grandchildren. Most weekends, you will find Janie praying and singing with the choir at Holy Angels Catholic Church.

Janie's chapter, “Boots to Ground “ in Love You More Than You Know, won second place in the National Federation of Press Women's 2010 Communications Contest in the category of a chapter/essay in a nonfiction book. Her chapter won first place in the Ohio Professional Writer's Communications Contest.

Janie's blog Love You More Than You Know is a finalist for the 2012 Milbloggies (6th Annual) Best U.S. Military Parent Blog Award.

Synopsis

In these stories, 45 mothers of U.S. service men and women open their hearts and share what it feels like when your son or daughter leaves home to fight a war.

Some were stunned when they learned that their “baby” had enlisted. Others had long been familiar with military life. But all of these mothers knew their world had just changed the day their child called home and said, “Mom, I’m being deployed . . .”

They discovered the strange mix of pride and fear. The anxiety of not knowing exactly where in Iraq or Afghanistan your son is, whether your daughter is facing mortar fire or enduring heat and boredom. Elation at the arrival of the briefest postcard or email message. The daily dread, when returning home from work or a trip to the grocery store, of seeing a government car in the driveway and two soldiers at the door . . .

Anyone who reads their stories will admire their faith and courage–and better understand the sacrifices made by our U.S. service men and women and their families.

 

'Look' Here...!

Playwright, Michael Sands, has tagged me in this blog game which involves searching my current WIP (Work in Progress) for the word ‘look’, with a view to posting the surrounding paragraphs.

 

Now, this couldn't have come at a better time considering I'm in the process of writing the very last chapter of my latest offering, giving me the opportunity to give you a little taste of what's to come.

 

So, without further ado, here's a sneak peak excerpt from Little White Lies and Butterflies...

 

A throng of unfamiliar voices tried to work their way into my head, but my brain had different ideas and refused to acknowledge them.   However, the voices kept on coming irrespective, compelling me to come sufficiently enough to, so I could at least try and survey my surroundings.  I smacked my lips in an attempt to overcome the dryness of my mouth, at the same time putting my sunglasses back where they belonged – on my nose instead of resting on my cheek.  And lazily lifting my head expecting to find myself enveloped by a frolicking crowd of mere mortals, alternatively I found myself surrounded by an abundance of perfectly toned, tanned and attractive bodies.  Obviously I’d died and gone to Greek God and Goddess Heaven, I deduced and happy to be there, I focused my attentions on not one but quite a few of the Adonis’ in my midst. 

Then I realised I hadn’t died at all.  I’d simply woken up!

I bolted upright and in a bid to tidy myself up a bit it very quickly became apparent that either A) I’d awakened to find myself slap bang in the middle of some glamorous photo shoot – one that I would, no doubt, be airbrushed out of thanks to my somewhat slovenly display; or that B) upon my arrival I’d accidentally chosen a section of the beach solely reserved for the islands ‘beautiful people’.  But whichever of the two it was, I was convinced someone was going to come along any second now, tap me on the shoulder and tell me to move on to the area set aside for the ‘uglies’.

I looked about me, just in case, much to my disappointment clocking that the climbers had, at last, descended from their great heights.  “Speaking of which,” I said, watching them somewhat raucously partaking in a game of football over to the left.  “At least they know their place!”  Not that I had any intentions of joining Team Ugly.  After all, I might’ve been a little curvier than all these other women, but my curves were in all the right places.  “Oh yes,” I maintained.  “I can carry a bikini off as well as the best of them.  So just let anyone try and say any different.”

I thought about all the time and money I’d spent over the years, turning myself into the ideal woman for when I did happen to chance upon the man of my dreams.  What with beauty products, waxing, exercising and dieting – the latter not exactly an easy task for a woman who loves her food…  “And let’s not forget the elocution lesson,” I reminded myself, something which I doubted any of these Ladies would deign to put themselves through.  “And surely it’s time these efforts were rewarded somehow,” I told myself.  “Even if the prize is only to stake my claim on a bleeding sunbed!”  Although I knew I stood a better chance of not being booted off if I actually looked the part, which needless to say called for a cool, calm and collected composure.

I began the process of arranging myself into a model-esque type pose, a position that felt a lot more precarious than they’d made it out to be on one of those modelling TV shows.  However, if I could just perfect my balance I was sure I’d be okay… 

“Ouch!” I screamed  A searing sting suddenly swiped my face as something ricocheted off it, catapulting me, legs akimbo, off my much coveted sun lounger. 

 

So, everyone, what do you think? x

 

The Next Big Thing!

Thanks to the lovely historical fiction author, Sue Millard, it’s now my turn to take part in The Next Big Thing!

So here goes, the answers to ten questions about Little White Lies and Butterflies:

 1.      What is the working title of your book?

Little White Lies and Butterflies.

 2.      Where did the idea for the book come from?

Years ago, I remember reading something somewhere about a woman who’d gone on holiday on her own for the first time.  Whilst there, she re-invented herself, making up a job, a personal life etc.  I thought what if someone found out?  What if someone realised she was fabricating a whole life story?  And so the initial idea was born…

 3.      What genre does your work fall under?

Chick Lit, Contemporary Women’s Fiction, Humour – yes, definitely Humour!

 4.      Which actors would you choose to play your characters?

Lydia is quite a curvy, gorgeously confident, fuller figured woman so I’m thinking someone like Jennifer Neala Page would be perfect – as long as she wouldn’t mind dying her hair black.  Then there’s Sam, tall with an athletic build, so an actor like Darren Boyd would be great.     

 

 5.      What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

When you’re digging yourself into a hole, stop digging.

 6.      Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

As I don’t have an agent at the moment, it’ll be sent direct to publishers and I’ll take it from there.

7.      How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

Taking everything into consideration and including the planning stage which I absolutely love, probably about four or five months. 

 8.      What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

Because the book is primarily set in Greece, it would be easy to think along the lines of a Shirley Valentine, Mama Mia or My Big Fat Greek Wedding storyline.  But apart from the setting and the comedy element they don’t really compare.  This story is something different.

 9.      Who or what inspired you to write this book?

You could say my inspiration came from a variety of sources.  I’ve already mentioned the piece I read about a woman re-inventing herself.  But add to that my home here in Greece, the Hellenic way of life, alongside the most colourful of characters and attitudes… there’s so much to draw upon for any writer.

 10.  What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

Greece, climbing, cooking and characters – now that is an interesting combination!

 

So, those are the answers for the next Suzie Tullett novel.  All that remains now is for me to introduce the writers who'll be picking up the mantel next Wednesday.  These lovely authors will be sharing information about their up and coming releases and introducing yet more writers taking part in The Next Big Thing:

 

http://www.emilyharvale.com/blog  Emily writes about love, fun, friendships, drama, sex and romance.

http://www.lizzielamb.co.uk/ Lizzie writes contemporary romance and her novel Tall, Dark and Kilted is due for an Autumn release.

http://www.celiayeary.blogspot.gr/ Celia Yeary is an author of romance and every story she writes, be it long or short, is based in her native home of Texas, the state she knows so well.

http://catherinegreenauthor.blogspot.com Catherine is a British paranormal romance author and a writer of occult non-fiction.

http://thefearlesspen.wordpress.com/ Fran and Caro, who juggle life as mums and that gnawing need to write.

 

Thanks for stopping by, everyone, and I hope you're looking forward to reading Little White Lies and Butterflies as much as I've enjoyed writing it x

 

Another Review!

I'm seeing that Brit writer/Brit Lit title again and I have to admit, I quite like it!

Thanks to Donna Trinder over at her reading room for a great review! 

http://donnasroomforreading.blogspot.gr/2012/09/going-underground-suzie-tullett.html?showComment=1348999682358

Would be great if you could check it out x

Love You More Than You Know

I'm a guest over at Love You More Than You Know - a site dedicated to Mothers who have children in the Forces.

Here I talk about when my youngest son signed up for the British Royal Air Force... a traumatic yet very proud day for me as his Mum.

Happy reading, everyone x

http://neomilitarymoms.wordpress.com/2012/09/08/what-a-difference-a-day-makes/