Thursday 7 March 2013

My guest today is Serena Clarke



Today I have a guest from New Zealand - the other side of the world to where I live. Do tell us a little about yourself Serena and your writing 

Thanks so much for having me to visit with you Gwen!



Like lots of New Zealanders, I have a strong Scottish heritage, so I feel kind of at home here with you! In fact, tracing my ancestors back from my great-grandmother Ellen Kidd, I come to one infamous Scot: Captain William Kidd. He was once characterised as a ruthless pirate who left buried treasure hidden around the world. But he’s recently been recognised as a privateer – a pirate hunter who even had a commission from King William III of England. His adventures ended in treachery and betrayal by a true pirate who walked free. Charged with piracy and murder, Kidd was unable to prove his innocence, and his final journey was to the gallows in London.
This sounds intriguing Serena. Are there any pirates in your book?
 


No, there aren’t any in All Over the Place – although there might be in a future book! However Livi does find herself trying to figure out the true character of one man. And she also begins to realise that there might be another side to a man she thought she knew. Of course, neither of Livi’s potential heroes come to a sticky end like Captain Kidd, and she gets her own treasure – a happy ending!


All Over the Place is contemporary romantic fiction with a chick lit feel.


Livi Callaway has fled back to London after a reality TV disaster in New Zealand. Safely anonymous in the big city, she’s determined to stay under the radar from now on. But her attempts to build a new life are complicated by unexpected visitors from her old one, and new dangers and temptations lie in wait.



Late one night, she meets a mysteriously sexy American on the Underground – and the events that follow take her from Pooh Bear to the golden lights of Paris, via a trail of rock stars dead and alive. A family in disarray, a determined Swede, a crazed Australian and a childhood friend (who might yet be more than that) have her all over the place as she tries to discover the American’s secret – while keeping her own.



With help – and occasional hindrance – from her friends, what she eventually finds is something unexpected...sometimes, running away can lead you to exactly what you didn’t know you needed.

All Over the Place is available at all major e-book retailers, including:

Thank you Serena. I shall look forward to reading about Livi's adventures. 
About Serena Clarke
Serena grew up in a family of itchy-footed readers and dreamers – not concentrating, reading the atlas and Narnia books, and planning to escape somewhere magical as soon as she could. When she was 16, she went from New Zealand to live in Sweden for a year. It was the beginning of many travels and adventures – and quite a few disasters! She didn’t know it at the time, but eventually she’d be grateful for all the downs as well as the ups. As writers say in the face of adversity: “I can use that.” She’s now living back in New Zealand, where she writes stories reflecting her determined belief in magic, possibility and second chances – and happy endings!
 Serena would love to hear from you!