I'm Being Arrested by a Policeman!!

Today, in my chat studio, I have a policeman! Nothing to do with me and the law, though I can say, he his very arresting! Do joins us, I promise you Mark from Somebody to Love, will have your sirens blaring!

Peggy: Perusing him over her glasses as Mark walks in the studio. ‘I see you’re in uniform. And if I might be so bold, looking rather delectable and perfectly gift-wrapped in blue, have you any idea what that does to me?’

Mark: Smiling a twinkly-eyed smile, removing his cap.  ‘Uh, oh.  You’re not going to ravish me, are you Peggy? Not that I’d mind, of course.  It’s just that I’ve already been ravished three times this morning and I’m a bit worn out, to be honest.’

Peggy:  Smiling knowingly.  ‘Don’t tempt me PC, Evans. I might be old but I’m certainly not past it. There’s more than sherry runs through these veins, hot blood for starters!  So why a policeman?’

Mark: ‘Good question.  May I?’  Indicating to the comfy chair opposite Peggy.  ‘I suppose I’ve always wanted to be a policeman…’

Peggy: Sighing and settling back in her chair. ‘Sorry I’ve made you lose your thread, but do carry on constable!’

Mark: Biting his lip to stop laughing out loud. ‘You known how to distract a man, now back to being a policeman, I’ve wanted to be one ever since I was involved in a road accident…’

Peggy: Sitting forward.  ‘A road accident?!’

Mark:  ‘No, not me physically, Peggy, don’t worry.  I witnessed an accident as a child: Two lads, younger than me - a couple of years below me in school.  They were engrossed in swapping cards or something, chatting away, as kids do, and they stepped into the road without looking.  I could see they were going to.  See the accident even before it happened.  The kid nearest the car went over the bonnet and…’

Peggy: Grimacing. ‘Oh, how awful!’

Mark: Holding his hands up and smiling. ‘No worries, he was OK.  Well, that is, he made a full recovery.  Turned out his ribs were cracked, though, and he obviously didn’t know what day it was.  Anyway, long story short, I supported his back, yelled at someone to call an ambulance; kind of knew I had to keep him talking, so I got him to tell me his telephone number and then got someone else to support him while I ran over the newsagents to ring his mum.’

Peggy: Admiration making her face glow. ‘What a lovely thing to do.  How very thoughtful. I could tell as soon as you had stepped into my studio, you were a kind, decent young man.’ 

Mark: Blushing.  ‘Nah, more instinctive, really.  I was pretty sure his mum would want to get to him asap, and I was absolutely sure he would want his mum, so…’

Peggy:  Blinking emotionally.  ‘You’re a saint. One in blue of course.’

Mark: Laughing.  ‘Yeah, not sure Donna would see me in quite that light.  I, er, lied to her, you see.  I mean, we’re OK now, but… Well, I wasn’t very straight with her.  Not something I’m proud of.’  Running his hand over his neck, looking thoroughly ashamed.

Peggy: Sighing again, wistfully.  ‘A saint, definitely. But before we go down the Donna route, let’s finish this part of the interview. So weren’t you destined to be a paramedic, then, rather than a policeman?’

Mark: Puckering his brow. ‘I did quite fancy the idea, I must admit, until the police attending the accident gave me a ride home in the patrol car.  I was late by then.  My dad worked away a lot and I knew my mum would be on her own worrying about where I was, so the police gave me a ride in the passenger seat and that was it.  I was like, wow, this is what I want to do: Protect and serve – and drive a patrol car.’  

Peggy:  ‘I can tell you you’d certainly turn my head if you were to take me home in a patrol car. Now now, you’ve got me being silly, you naughty boy, let’s get back to the script.’ Checking her notes. ‘I see your wife ran off and left you?  Sounds to me she’s need her bumps checking.  You’re a good looking man, and obviously caring, so why did she pack her bags?’

Mark: Raking a hand through his hair.  ‘It seems I simply was not caring enough according to my now ex-wife.  My son, Karl, he’s autistic – we hadn’t had the official ‘diagnosis’ then, of course, that alone was an uphill struggle, but his behaviour was becoming more challenging, and instead of being there for my wife… To be honest, I couldn’t wait to get out of the door, to bury myself in my work and my head in the sand, I guess.  Kate couldn’t do that.  She couldn’t walk away, physically or emotionally.  She was on her own with it – and she was lonely.  I realised that, too late, as it happened.  She couldn’t cope, and…  Well, eventually, she did walk away.  I don’t blame her, not really.’

Peggy:  ‘Mmm not sure about your thoughts there, but we’ll run our of time if we argue about whose to blame, but this little chap of yours, Karl, spelt with a K, you modern folk with names and spelling… Ahem…’  Pausing, ferrets for her hankie and gives her nose a dainty blow.  ‘Tell me a little about him.  How’s he getting on?’

Mark: Smiling brightly.  ‘Yeah, good.  Excellent, actually.  I mean he’ll always need support, caring for a child with autism is for life, you know, but he’s made real progress. He still throws a wobbly when he gets spooked, but the repetitive behaviours are less obvious.’

Peggy: ‘Repetitive behaviours?’ 

Mark:  ‘Hand-flapping when he gets stressed, that sort of thing.  Then there are the daily rituals you live your life by.’

Peggy: Crossing her legs and leaning forward.  ‘Could you tell me a little more about that, Mark?’

Mark: Looking straight at Peggy. ‘Well, it’s complicated but, simplistically, Karl has to do things in a certain order, or not all if he finds the situation too stressful, so we have to make sure his daily routine isn’t distracted from before he’s ready.  A shopping trip, for instance, can be a complete nightmare.  Or it used to be.  He was scared of traffic, of crowds, of shops, the noise seeming to close in on him and cause a total meltdown sometimes. Even background noises — noises most people couldn’t even hear – could drive Karl to distraction.  But now…’ Pausing to draw breath, ‘Now, he’s interacting with people more, verbally and socially.  It’s bloody… ahem, sorry.  It’s amazing.  And it’s all down to Starbuck, his Autism Assistance Dog, and to Donna.’

Peggy: ‘Sitting back. Ah, yes, Donna.  I’d heard you had your eye on a new woman.  From what I’ve learnt, she’s a bit scatty with a three legged dog and a rabbit that lives in the house.  How do you manage to find them?’

Mark: Laughing: ‘Finding Donna was nothing short of a miracle.  I hardly dared hope there’d be a woman out there with a heart big enough to love me and my son.  To be honest, I’d almost given up looking.  Better to have no dates, I decided, than short-term dates.  Karl needed stability, you know, and I’d have done pretty much anything to protect him at that stage…’

Peggy: Screwing her eyes up.  ‘Even lie to protect him?’

Mark: Sighing heavily.  ‘Yeah, that.  I can’t believe I almost blew it. Donna might be scatty, totally crackers sometimes, but she cares, you know?  Really cares.  Some people say they do, think they do, but when push comes to shove… Donna’s doesn’t just talk the talk.  She’s special, in the best possible way and would pretty much forgive anybody anything, so long as they didn’t mess with her son or her three-legged dog – or step on her rabbit. I’m happy with the whole package.  The rabbit chewing its way through ten pairs of bootlaces a week I could with do without…’ Mark crosses his legs. One highly-polished shoe flops a bit loose ‘…but it’s definitely a case of love me, love my dog, my son, my rabbit with Donna, so I guess I can live with it.’

Peggy: Checking her notes. ‘Tell me about the woman in the park who talks to dogs.  Have I read this right?’

Mark: Rolling his eyes.  ‘Ah, Agnes, the befriender of dogs and bequeather of balls. She lives at the care home adjoining the park.  She’s a bit senile, but harmless – unless she thinks you’ve cheated on your girlfriend, in which case she’s capable of GBH with a deadly weapon.’

Peggy: Laughing. ‘Her ball bag? Hardly a deadly weapon.’

Mark: ‘Have you ever had one of those things swung at you full force by an angry woman?  She was out for blood, I swear.’

Peggy: Eyes travelling suggestively downwards.  ‘Thank God, she missed her aim.’

Mark: Flushing.  ‘Ahem, yes.  As for whether she talks to the animals…  Well, she does, obviously.  Lonely, like I say.  But whether the dogs answer back or not?  If you’d asked me that pre-Donna’s three-legged dog and Starbuck, I’d have said, uh-uh,  no way. Loony idea.  Now, I’m not so sure they don’t.’

Peggy: Tapping her fingers on her note pad. ‘Your father is a bit senile, too, isn’t he?  Or is it he’s trying to appear that way because of the old biddies who are his neighbours?

Mark: Laughing. ‘And after his body, you mean?  A bit of both I reckon.  He’s on his own, too, after Mum died, as you know, and I think a mixture of loneliness and guilt – he cheated on her, Mum, I mean – led to him becoming a bit depressed.  I don’t think your mind’s as sharp as it should be when you feel that way.  He is getting older, though, and definitely more forgetful.  I’m going to have to keep an eye on that.  Truthfully, I think he does play on it, yes, when he wants to keep the ‘biddies’ at bay.’ 

Peggy: ‘I was going to ask you about Starbuck, because that part of your life made me cry, but I’m not going to let my visitors see me crying, they can find out all about him in the book. So let’s focus on something less emotional, tell me is this new woman in your life the real thing?’

Mark:  Pausing for thought, then looking levelly at Peggy:  ‘I love her.  All of her.  She makes my life complete.  I simply wouldn’t know how to be without her.  I wouldn’t want to be.’  

Somebody to Love

How do you tell her?

After that idiot of a husband ran off with that broomstick of a girl, single-mom Donna thinks there's no sunshine in her future.  What she needs now is a hunk of a guy who loves her and her three-legged dog with no complications.
Mark is a single dad with two big worries – protect and serve, and his autistic son Karl. Desperately he wants someone who'll love him and his son without question and with no complications.  He's been hurt before and Karl needs stability – not short dates.  So he'll do anything for his kid – even lie to protect him.
Can these two get it together and get together?  Is Mark the hunk Donna needs? Is Donna the rock Mark can lean on?  If they look hard enough, can they find Somebody to Love?

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Somebody to Love has been made with love... love of animals. Sheryl Browne has done excellent research on assistance dogs, specifically their use with autistic individuals. With a focus on romance with police officers, appealing to all readers who love our boys in blue, the author's "teasing but not telling" style makes this read appropriate for anyone, including young adults and older teens.

Somebody to Love is endorsed by Danemere Animal Rescue Centre and Our Dog Publications.

 You can learn more about Sheryl Browne and her books:

View Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pKh3lX5mto&feature=colike

Publisher Buy Link: http://www.safkhetpublishing.com/books/soul/9781908208118/Somebody_to_Love.html

Amazon Links: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Somebody-Love-Sheryl-Browne/dp/1908208112/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1339421531&sr=1-1
http://www.amazon.com/Somebody-Love-Sheryl-Browne/dp/1908208112/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1339421630&sr=1-1&keywords=somebody+to+love+sheryl+browne

Website: www.sherylbrowne.com

LoveaHappyEnding Author Page: http://loveahappyending.com/sheryl-browne/

Author Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sheryl-Browne-Author-Page/245372252189480

RNA: http://www.romanticnovelistsassociation.org/index.php/about/author/sheryl_browne

Twitter: @sherylbrowne

Today, I'm over in my other studio at Famous Five Plus chatting to the hunky Tex from United State of Love by Sue Fortin. Do pop along and meet him, he's a real cowboy, well he is to me! http://www.famousfiveplus.com/

I'm Talking to a Chukkon!

Today, I'm over in my other little chat studio at Famous Five Plus talking to the life loving, if not a tad strange, Artie from Maycly. He's a Chukkon. I'm serious! Do pop along and meet him and you'll see just what I mean! http://www.famousfiveplus.com/

My Dizzy Guest, Carol!

Today in my Chat studio I have a dizzy lady! You might raise an eyebrow, but that is what she is called these days, I kid you not! So sit back, enjoy a piece of Mrs Palmer's shortcake and find out why the lovely Carol from DizzyC's Little Book Blog is Dizzy!

Peggy: Hugging her guest. ‘Lovely that you came along to my little studio to have a natter, but Carol, my dear do enlighten me before we go too far, why on earth are you called Dizzy, you look so charming and in control?’  

Carol: Making herself comfortable in the large chair opposite, blushes. ‘Whoa, Peggy you say some of the nicest things, but I’m afraid that’s what I’m called these day. I’m sure you’ve heard the expression Dizzy Blonde, yes I know it’s an un PC reference to females who seem to be a sandwich short of a picnic, not that I am of course, but!  As you can see I am a natural brunette, I love my hair colour, but nevertheless I have many blonde moments. I’m inclined to be rather forgetful and repeat myself a lot. Quite a lot at times! One day, when I was having one of my blonde moments, my partner called me Dizzy and it stuck. Hence DizzyC.’

Peggy: Raising an eyebrow. ‘I’m sure he loves you to bits, dizzy or otherwise, but before we launch into my many questions, let us have a nice cup of tea, I’ve ordered some homemade shortcake from Mrs Palmer who lives next door to me and is a dab hand with a mixing bowl and a rolling pin.’

Carol: Reaching forward. ‘Thanks Peggy, I was told you make everyone comfortable and you certainly do.’

Peggy: Chuckling. ‘Now it’s my turn to blush, I just love having super people on my chat show and you are no exception.  Now, as we sip our tea and munch away on Mrs Palmer’s shortcake, you can tell me about yourself. You see I’ve been having a snoop around and I know that you have two lovely little blogs. I have one too you know, well of course you do you are going to be a star there. Oh dear, I’m rambling again so maybe it’s me that should be called Dizzy! As I was saying, I see from one of your blogs you’re an avid reader, what do you love really to read and feel free to be honest, there’s only you and me here?’

Carol: Brushing the crumbs from her knees. ‘Delicious shortcake as good as my grandmother used to make. Now as to what I love to read. I admit that my first love is historical fiction, mainly the romance sub-genre. I am also a big fan of chick-lit and chick-lit 40+.  I know this genre gets lot of stick for being fluffy and the title doesn't help. I have absolutely no problem with the genre.  I have a stressful and complicated family life so reading chick-lit is like having a chat with a friend and listening to their complicated life stories. It stops me from worrying about my own life when I have my head stuck in one of these books.’

Peggy: Frowning. ‘My dear, you do need to find an outlet for relaxation when you live in the fast lane and it is reassuring to know you have. I admit to reading chick-lit too, I just wish I was young enough to be like some of those girls in those novels, what exciting lives they have. Born too late, that’s my problem. So with all that you read do you ever dislike a book so much that you toss it to one side? I know I do!’

Carol: Laughing: ‘Yes Peggy, I do.  You know there are so many books to read and so little me time. I’m sure you’re up there with me on that problem. When I pick a book for the first time, I normally give it 50 pages to grab me, if it doesn’t then it will either be put back on the shelf to try again at a later date, or be banished to the Did not finish pile. It doesn’t happen often, but it does happen! Also I sometimes put a book back on the shelf as there are times when I am just not in the mood for that particular genre or I can feel something in the writing, but it is just not right to read now. I hope this makes sense?’

Peggy: Looking at her notes. ‘It makes perfect sense. I too need to be in the mood to read certain books. I’ve made a note here, because this intrigued me, it seems you like to have a peek into what authors are busy doing now, whatever for?’

Carol: Smiling and leans forward. ‘Oh, this part of my blog has become quite a hobby since I discovered twitter.  I see tweets asking strange questions and think to myself, "I wonder if that is research for a new novel? What are they writing?"  I often see authors tweet that they are holed up in their offices procrastinating instead of tapping away at that word count and wonder what they are working on. I was so curious about what these authors where up to that I set up a feature on my Book blog, I aptly called it WIP Wednesday and it is here where authors can share their Work In Progress with readers. I never realised it would be so popular with both authors and readers alike. Start writing a book Peggy and you can be there too!’

Peggy: Grinning. ‘I leave the book writing to my dear, yet bossy friend, Pauline Barclay, you’ve no doubt heard of her, but for me I’ll stick to what I am best at and that is talking on my chat show to lovely interesting people. Though I think we are alike in many ways, one of them is being nosey!  Now as I glance down at my notes I see you have three darlings, well four if you count your other half, talking of which I believe that in less than twelve weeks you will be saying I do, tell me why now?’

Carol: Sitting back in her chair. ‘I can see nothing escapes you and yes you are right. Though I have been married before for over fourteen years, after that I was a single parent for three years and then I met the love of my life, D.  We settled together. I’ll be honest with you, I was happy not to get married again.  We have been together almost seven years and the last couple have been very testing for me, my partner has been my rock.  His commitment to me has really shone through and I now want to cement our relationship in marriage.’

Peggy: ‘He sounds wonderful. It certainly seems to me your partnership is what love is all about. I just might have to read more of those chic-lit books you never know, I might spy a good man whilst I’m browsing. I noticed on your blog you’ve talked about the flowers you’ll be having on your big day, but just as important tell me about the invitations because you designed and made them yourself?’

Carol: ‘Oh thank you Peggy, I’m blushing again. As for my flowers I do hope I can get those shades in September so I can recreate those table decorations.  If not I will find other flowers that will compliment what I have in mind.  One of my problems is I worry, I even have to invent things to worry about :) When I had only two children, I used to craft a lot, knitting, cross-stitching, glass painting, dress-making, a little card-making, but now I have three children and family life is hectic. Sadly this means I no longer do all the lovely crafty things I did, but I wanted to make my own invitations. I wanted to do this for several reason, one I love doing this kind of thing. Two, I wanted to get exactly what I wanted and three, I guess it was cost effective.  There is a step by step on my Wedding blog showing the materials I used and how I created them. Take a peek when you can.’ http://dizzycslittlewed.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/wedding-invites.html

Peggy: ‘I will for certain, but let’s go back to you and book reviewing, what made you turn your love of reading into reviewing?

Carol: Gazing round the room. ‘I had never heard of blogging and then one day, I stumbled across a Book blog whilst looking for book recommendations. I was very interested in what I saw and decided to follow a few of these blogs as I started to order books that were recommended.  After a couple of months, I decided I loved the blogging community and the passion these folks were sharing with others about books, so I decided I would like to be part of that environment. From there I set up my own blog, Little Book blog. I expected it to be quite small compared to some of the blogs I was following, but in a short space of time, it grew and grew. I never dreamed when I started my Little Book Blog, that I would be showcasing authors, hosting giveaways and have hundreds of followers.  I LOVE BOOK BLOGGING COMMUNITY.’

You can see Carol’s amazing blog sites by visiting:

Little Book Blog  http://dizzycslittlebookblog.blogspot.com/

Wedding Blog

http://dizzyclittlewed.blogspot.com/

Meet Carol on:

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/DizzyCs-Little-Book-Blog/209614725766997

Twitter @DizzyCLBB

Amanda Wilson, Rioja & Red Hair!

Today you can find me over at http://www.famousfiveplus.com/ talking to the fiftyish Amanda Wilson from Mini Skirts & Laughter Lines by Carol E Wyer! Believe you me she's changed my thoughts of a raspberry ripple. Anyway, if you fancy a giggle then pop along and help us quaff the bottles of Rioja I has specially sent in. Mind, Amanda has already dealt with one bottle and it's only 10am.... what have I let myself in for?

Cheeky Radio Presenter, Pete Forsyth!

Today I have the lovely, yet cheeky, radio presenter from Replay Radio, Pete Forsyth with me in my chat studio and what an entertaining person he is. Please take a seat, sit back and enjoy meeting the one and only Pete Forsyth!

Peggy: Looking towards the open door. ‘Come on in Peter, don’t be shy, though from the earlier conversations we’ve had I know that is not true, so stop hovering and sit yourself down, we got a show to get through.’

Pete: Settling into the chair opposite a cheeky smile making his eyes sparkle. ‘Before we begin, may I ask you to call me Pete? Only my Mum and other figures of authority, calls me Peter!’

Peggy: Laughing. ‘Good grief you don’t see me as a figure of authority then? Well you can rest assured, you might be able to charm the dickie birds of the trees, but you’ll find I’m not such a soft touch. But for now never mind all that, so Pete it is as you so nicely insisted.’

Pete: Winking. ‘Thanks Peggy, I feel flattered by what you’ve just said, especially about the dickie birds! I like to think I have a sunny personality and yes of course, when I see a lovely lady sitting in front of me my natural charm comes to the fore, though others may say I’m a bit too forward sometimes but that’s just me!’

Peggy: Flicking her hair. ‘Forward, your reputation goes before you, hence why you’re here. I like the rugged, the devilish and the ones who make me smile. Now let’s get down to the nitty gritty. You’re a radio presenter, now let me tell you I love radio, Terry Wogan made my mornings for more years than I care to count as his Irish brogue lifted my spirits. So baring this in mind, I would say your job is about as wonderful as mine with day in day out meetings of super stars and celebs.’

Pete: Laughing. ‘I’ve certainly spoken to some amazing people over the years. Ever heard of Collete Caddle? Not only a talented author, but like you Peggy a lovely lady. Now having said this, unlike you I don’t consider what I do as a “job”. I don’t get paid nearly enough to justify that title and anyway, if it was a “job”, I probably wouldn’t enjoy it as much as I do. I’m a zannie kind of guy.’

Peggy: Grabbing a book from the shelves behind her chair. ‘Heaven only knows what that means, zannie, but suffice to say, I love the word. Now back to this lovely lady, Collete, I’ve got a copy of one of her books here, Always on my Mind, a great read and you’re right of course, I am very much like the lovely Collete, though a tad older, but I have the same striking personality. Oh dear, we’ve rather digressed, let’s get back to you and being a radio presenter. Tell me is it necessary to have your earphones on and right in your face such a big mic?’

Pete: ‘That BIG mic, as you put it, is actually an extension of myself! I am what I say, so to speak. What I saw  through that big mic is the real me. Of course there are times when it is important, nay, VITAL, to have it securely switched OFF. But that’s another story!!’

Peggy: Interested. ‘You mean to say you forget to switch it off and little secrets get broadcast. Goodness gracious me! Remind me when you invite me to your studio to have my fingers firmly on the off button. In the meantime, I’ll pay more attention to your show you never know just what I might pick up on. Talking of which, do tell me about this funny voice you do?’

Pete: Running his fingers through his hair. ‘Oh you mean my Thunderbird sketch? It’s not my funny voice, but in fact I mime to a funny sequence I’d put together ages ago when I was living in Tenerife. I play the parts of Parker (the chauffeur), Lady Penelope, and Jeff Tracy. Complete with quick hat changes, it works quite well.’

Peggy: Folding her arms across her ample bosom: ‘Call me strange, but how do you mime on a radio?’

Pete: Shaking his head. ‘Let me explain. When I lived in Tenerife and incidentally, Corfu for a few years, I was DJ in a few fun bars and clubs where I played the kind of stuff drunk, er I mean, happy, holidaymakers wanted. Middle of the road oldie songs and current pop music! To add more fun to the evening I also did a few sketches, one of these sketches was Thunderbirds, like I’ve just mentioned. I’ll admit to you Peggy, but only for your ears, some of my sketches were only for the eyes and ears of the drunken, I mean the happy holidaymakers. And before you ask for details, I’m going to have to stop you as I couldn’t possibly offend your delicate, and may I say not unattractive, ears with what made those merry holiday makers laugh! But one thing I can tell you, and I know this will surprise you, I was responsible for exporting the very first Karaoke equipment to Corfu, way back in 1990 when you were just a slip of a girl.’

Peggy: Wringing her hands. ‘You are a naughty charmer, but I like you. Now let us get back to what we started this show talking about, your wonderful life as a radio DJ’.

Pete: ‘I can see you know which button to press to keep me talking to you and you’ve already got my measure, yes, I love being on t’radio! I broadcast from my studio which is situated in the shed at the bottom of my garden! It only just holds me and I have to squeeze myself in so I can close the door! But once in, I have everything to hand, so to speak! If you wanted to come and see my equipment you’d have to sit on my knee!’

Peggy: Batting her eyelids. ‘Oh my goodness, you are a very cheeky man, but I do love a man who makes me smile and believe you me, you certainly do.’

Pete: ‘Are you flirting with me Peggy? If you want my private mobile number, just ask!  I’ll give you an interview that’ll make even YOU blush!!’

Peggy: Laughing. ‘You’ll have your work cut out, but I’m up for being interviewed with a famous DJ anytime. I’ll scribble down your number just as soon as we’ve finished this show.’

Pete: ‘You’re on Peggy, but I’m not sure I’m a famous presenter, yet! But I’m working on it! Mind, I’m actually on three radio stations. Thursdays - 10pm – midnight, I do a golden oldies slot for ex Radio Caroline station Radio Northsea International, I also do an 80s show, Wednesdays 10pm – midnight on my local community radio station Phoenix FM, and I do a LIVE broadcast to the world on Replay Radio, Fridays 8pm – 10pm. All are great fun but Replay is the best because the listeners can interact with me LIVE whilst I’m on air. So Peggy you can natter with me anytime when I’m on Replay Radio and the world can hear us. What do you say to that? Oh by the way did I tell you I’m going to Lanzarote in the summer and it seems the hotel I’ve booked is very close to the sea, but at the top of a short steep hill. You’ll never guess what that nosey author friend of ours told me? She said  it’s quite a nice hill. A nice hill? What the f, sorry, what the heck is a NICE HILL? Anyway enough of my chat, I could do this all day you know, but before you press the off button on the mic, it’s been lovely talking to you Peggy and maybe we can do it again sometime, but next time over a glass of three of Merlot? Here’s my number, so just call me.’

If you’d love to listen to Pete on the radio here are all the links

RNI: www.rni.vze.com

Phoenix: www.phoenixfm.co.uk

Replay: www.replay-radio.net

I also have my own website which I find difficult to keep up with, but here it is anyway: www.peteforsyth.co.uk

Meet, Author Jo Lambert!

Today, I have the author of , Behind the Blue Eyes trilogy, the talented, Jo Lambert. And as ususal we're celebrating with bubbly and a good chin wag about Jo's writing, loves and handbag passion!

Peggy: ‘Hello Joanna, lovely to meet you dear, do take a seat, I heard you like bubbly, so help yourself, there’s a couple more bottles chilling in the fridge!  As you know, I’ve read all your three books and what a story it is. I’ll not say too much, but my my there are some rather mean people in there. Have you met anyone like your characters in real life?

Jo: Pouring a glass of bubbly. ‘Hello Peggy, call me Jo, it’s what’s on the cover! And thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to chat to you –and a glass of bubbly too!  I feel really spoilt!  Have I met anyone like my characters?  No, actually each of the characters is a complex mixture of many people.  I take someone as a general building block and then create my character around them.  For instance Mel Carpenter, (Ella’s mother), is an unbelievably dreadful woman with no redeeming features at all.  She was based loosely on someone I knew way back but I embellished her character, adding in the traits of some of the most awful women I have ever met.’

Peggy: ‘Mmmm, I’d best watch my Ps and Qs or I just might end up in one of your books if I’m not careful. Hoping of course! Now your books are set in the 60s, which I admit to being as being my era, stiletto heels, fab group the Beatles, a wonderful time. But what made a young thing like you want to write about that decade?’

Jo: Blushing: ‘That’s kind of you, I’m…. well never mind, suffice to say, I’ve plenty of recollection from that buzzing decade. I thought the sixties provided a good setting for the story.  It was my growing up era too and a very exciting time – the whole world seemed to open up – fashion, music and above all freedom!  I grew up in a village but moved to the town when I was 12, so there are elements of the book which are autobiographical.  I know there are people who think us baby boomers tend to go on a bit about the sixties, but it really was a fabulous time to be young. Writing the story brought back a lot of memories which helped enormously with the plot.’

Peggy: Smiling wistfully. ‘My dear we have more in common than just your three lovely books I can tell. But life’s not all about writing and living those heady days and when you’re not writing, I hear you  toddle of to buy handbags, Radley no less? Yes I see you’ve brought one with you today. Why Radley?

Jo: Laughing and clutching her bag. ‘Yes, I’ve been a great fan of Radley for a long time, I like their style and the colours.  I have to admit handbags are one of my weaknesses and I’ve probably got far more than I really need!  Shoes I love too, but that’s another story!’

Peggy: Gazing down at her feet slipped into purple low heels. ‘A weakness of mine too as you can see. Fur is the other love of your life and I don’t mean wearing it, but I hear you’ve got 2 cats, lovely creatures, but I can’t be doing with all that fluff  everywhere, tell me a little about your fur balls.’

Jo: Flicking an imaginary hair from her skirt, smiles. ‘They are 20 months old, the female (Mollie) is a short haired grey, the male (Max) a long furred ginger and white tabby.  They have the same mother but definitely different fathers – it is possible for cats to have a litter by more than one father.  They are absolutely nothing alike in looks and in temperament.  Mollie definitely has some oriental in her and Max has Maine Coon – he has an enormous tail!  They are both very adorable; Max is the more affectionate of the two and Mollie definitely has a mind of her own a very cantankerous female!  This week Max visited a neighbour who was in the middle of decorating his lounge and managed to walk through the paint tray typical Max   - but Mollie would have rolled in it!’

Peggy: Smirking and looking down. ‘Goodness me, but they sound adorable and as you can see, I’ve got your three books here on the coffee table, but I heard a whisper that you’re     having the covers changed, whatever for?’

Jo: Reaching forward picks up one of the books. ‘They are lovely, but I decided like a lot of my fellow indie writers that my books had to be identifiable; that I had to have a brand which said this is Jo Lambert.  I did like the original covers but wanted something which looked more professional and instantly recognisable.  A friend who had just had a complete makeover with her own covers recommended designer Jane Dixon-Smith.  I have to say Jane was absolutely brilliant and the trilogy covers she produced were amazing and just what I wanted. They say a lot about the books and the Jo Lambert brand.’

Peggy: Tutting. ‘I’m sure they are amazing, well I suppose that’s the way it is with the publishing world. So now you’ve got a new image for you and your books, when can we all expect to see another book from you?’

Jo: Sitting up straight and finishing the last drops of bubbly in her glass. ‘I’ve just finished the first draft on Book 4 and it’s about to go for editing.  It’s taken longer than I’d planned, but I had to be completely happy with it before I let it go. I have the cover designed and ready and just need to add the back page synopsis.  My publisher is lined up too, so it’s all down to how long it will take for me to do the amendments once the editing is complete.  I’m hoping for publication in early summer.’

Peggy: Reaching over and refilling Joanna’s glass. ‘A perfectionist I can tell, but that’s how we were made back then. Tell us this it then, 4 books or are you going to delight us with another one?’

Jo: Laughing. ‘Oh no, there are definitely more books!  Once you’re as addicted to writing as I am there’s always something going on in your head that makes you think ‘yes, there’s a potential story there!’  Several scenarios have been going round in my head as I’ve been coming to the end of the draft.  Once I decide on which one to run with I’ll spend the summer building the plot ready to start writing again in the Autumn.’

Peggy: Raising her glass. ‘Cheers to success and keeping that head of yours filled with likely stories and a few mean characters.’

You can visit Jo Lambert at:

Web: ladywriter@moonfruit.com

Twitter: @jolambertwriter

Facebook.com/audreyhawkins