Does the name Kate Belle ring any bells? Well, she’s a fellow Simon & Schuster author and while we’ve been on this publishing journey together, we have yet to meet in person. I hope to rectify that soon.
In the meantime, Kate has dropped into the Calingarry Crossing pub for a beer and a beer nut with me and to chat about her latest women’s fiction novel Being Jade. (And it’s ringing bells with readers and reviewers everywhere and you can win a copy below.)
I have to say,“Sometimes the strongest love casts the darkest shadow” is an evocative tagline (and I am rather partial to the concept of shadows given with my 
next release will be titled: Season of Shadow and Light.)
So, come on in, Kate. Grab a pew. What can I get you to go with your beer nuts? (Shandy? Wine Spritzer? Pink Lemonade?)
Harvey Wallbanger? No, seriously, I’ve never had one of those. I usually down a glass of bubbles pretty quickly, but with beer nuts?? Don’t suppose you have any macadamia’s lying around?
Hey, did you hear the one about …
I had to google one. I only know really stupid jokes that make 8 year old’s laugh. Not sure this one’s any better but here goes…
What did the snail say to his wife?
‘I’M STILL LEAVING YOU…’
I’m a beer nut nut! What bar snack would you be and why?
Do they have chocolate coated liquorice in bars? Well they should! The one’s from Aldi’s…nom nom…arethebessshhht…nom nom.
Ahh, that beer hit the spot. Let me slip a drink coaster under your glass while you tell us—on a scale of 1 to 10—as a writer are you a messy desker or tidy desker? (NB: 1 = “I am a neat nut case” and 10 = “What desk? Where? Is there a desk here somewhere?”) Are you game to post a working space picture right now?
My desk is a picture of organisation.
Oh MY GOD – No, Jenn, please don’t put that photo up – please – NO, JENN, NO!
Oh, how embarrassing.
The publican offers you free drinks all night if you will:
- Dance to Gangnam Style
- Sing John Denver’s ‘Take me Home Country Roads’ on the Karaoke machine
- Spend an hour washing dishes
Which do you choose?
I’ll do anything (yes, ANYTHING), except wash god damned dishes.
(I do an impressive rendition of ‘Hey Big Spender’ on the Karaoke, by the way. Especially after 1 or 2 champagnes (bottles that is)!)
Time to liven the place up. Got a buck? We can crank up the old jukebox in the corner. You get to pick three songs.
WOOO HOOOO – Parteee time – Let’s get down!
- Baby I’m a Star – Prince (gets me leaping around the kitchen EVERY time)
- It’s a long way to the top – AC/DC (it soothes my inner bogan)
- It’s Raining Men by pretty much anybody – it’s more like a prayer than a song – Amen!
There’s a stapler on the bar. Tell me what it’s doing there?
Tap dancing and telling jokes. (What did you put in that champagne, Jenn?)
The pub is the heart of a small town and most locals would be lost without one. What are three things you’d be lost without?
- My iPad – ooops – I’ll get in trouble for putting that first – My ever lovin’ family and friends.
- My iPad (strokes it lovingly and glazes over)
- What? Three things you say? Oh, other authors – you all ROCK! x
There are a few good prizes up for grabs in the bar jackpot. Do you have a lucky number?
Always 7 – couldn’t tell you why. I fairly fancy 3 sometimes too, though. And 9 has a certain resonance to it. And I don’t mind the occasional…
Last drinks, my friend! It’s been great. But before we go, tell us how we can find out more about you and your writing/books.
It’s time to go? But the party’s just got started. Hey, bartender – order up – drinks all round. Now, where’s that jukebox? C’mon Jenn, dance with me…I promise I won’t sing in your ear this time…
ABOUT: BEING JADE
A tragic death. A family divided. One truth can set them free.
Banjo Murphy is killed on the night he finally musters the courage to walk away from his wife Jade after twenty five years of repeated infidelities. In the aftermath, Banjo is bewildered to discover he still exists, but death has placed an invisible wall between him and his beloved family. In despair he watches Jade collapse into deep depression and his daughters, Lissy and Cassandra, struggle with their unexpected loss.
Lissy is tortured by guilt and the mysteries surrounding her father’s death. What compelled Banjo to leave the night he died? Why won’t Jade speak about what happened? In spite of their volatile relationship, Lissy believes her parents’ love to be enduring, but sensible Cassandra sees things differently. When Cassy discovers a sketch book chronicling Jade’s extra-marital affairs, the truth of their parents’ relationship begins to unfold and Lissy’s loyalties are divided.
Searching for answers, Lissy contacts Jade’s ex-lovers, unaware her father’s spirit watches as they visit. Unable to let go of his one true love, he aches to know that Jade loved him above all others. Banjo is taken on a journey of discovery through Jade’s memories as the lovers unveil long hidden secrets about her affairs. But the mystery remains, frustrating Banjo and Lissy, until Lissy’s questioning leads her to an explosive truth. One that will finally set her family free.
Buy links: Simply click and smile (and you will smile because Kate’s stories are sensual, sensory and sensational.)
Find out more about Kate and her books at Simon & Schuster
GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED. The winners (as voted on Facebook) is ‘MUM’ and ‘COMPROMISE’. Congratulations to Gloria and Sharon: WIN a copy of Being Jade from Simon and Schuster. Simply leave a comment. One word will do. What is the most powerful word you’ve heard describe love? (or just leave a comment. We are not fussy around here. We just like comments!!)
About Kate Belle:
Kate is a multi-published author of dark, sensual love stories that will mess with your head. Her interests include talking to strangers, collecting unread books, and ranting about the world’s many injustices. She writes regularly about women, relationships, sexuality and books on her blog, The Ecstasy Files. She is also the creator of the Eros in Action writing sex workshop.
Kate lives, writes and loves in Melbourne with her small family and very annoying pets. The Yearning was released in 2013 to rave reviews. (Mine was one of them: My review of Kate’s first book – The Yearning – or How I lost my erotic genre virginity!)
Being Jade is her second novel.
Blog/website: http://www.ecstasyfiles.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/katebelle.x
Twitter: @ecstasyfiles https://twitter.com/ecstasyfiles
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6572571.Kate_Belle
The Reading Room: http://www.thereadingroom.com/kate-belle/ap/2394119
Sounds like a fantastic story, have added to my to be read pile 🙂
Being Jade is one of a kind and worthy of all the praise, Claire. Thx for dropping.
I’m sure you won’t be disappointed Claire. Thanks for dropping in.
MUM.
Gloria, Gloria, you just made me cry. That word is beautiful – also unexpected. Thank you.
That was unexpected. Great word for love. Thanks Gloria
Thankyou so much.
The book will find a home on the bookshelf at Mums nursing home. Will be shared and enjoyed by many.xx
I absolutely love your Bar Yarns Jenn – always so laid back and humorous. As for the most powerful word I’ve heard describe love … dare I say “passionate”!
Indeed, Marcia, I think passionate also described Kate and her writing. Thx for dropping by.
Passionate is one of my faves, because it can be applied to so many things, Marcia. X
Loved the bar chat, book sounds very intriguing and would love to win a copy. Looking forward to your next bar yarn Jen
Thank you, Lovely Gailene. Fingers crossed for you. Time you won a book for yourself.
Good luck Gailene, I would love for you to win a copy of the book. (Not hinting tho Jenn)
LOYAL
Great word. And very relevant to Being Jade, Andrea, because it’s definition is pushed right out of the boundary.
Love Barn Yarns, Jenn, and really looking forward to reading Being Jade. Word for love – rapture.
Oh I love that word Maggie! It’s so – rapturous!
Keep singing ladies, it’s so much fun listening… and I knew Kate Belle was a bubbles girl right from the get-go. Can’t fool me with talk of beer!
My most powerful word for love comes from Twilight (yes I know, I’ll apologise already) it was: irrevocable.
Ah you are so right Lily – love my bubbles!
Irrevocable – that’s one I wouldn’t have thought of, but very appropriate.
Cherish is the word that springs to mind with me 🙂
Great Barn Yarn, I too am looking forward to reading Being Jade, I have a bit of a crush on it’s striking front cover, lol!
Amanda, I know what you mean about the cover. It POPS! Simon & Schuster do guuuuuude!
Cherish is a lovely sensitive word, one I don’t use nearly enough.
And yes, Amanda, the cover is really striking.
Chocolate ……… 🙂
LOL Laura. Cute!
Chocolate could stand in for any of the other words I reckon!
Selfless, and sometimes that’s selfish. Beautiful cover, Kate. And the proprietor wants to know if you two have finished dancing on the table yet? 😉
Oh, nice choice, Susanne. And you will know when Kate and I are finished dancing ON the table because we will then be UNDER the table. RWA awards night – watch out!
Yep, at least you know where to look if you can’t find us. Just look for a table and we’ll be above or below it.
Jenn, your barn yarns always make me feel like I’m out socialising, when I’m usually just in my ugg boots or under the doona…best of both worlds! Can’t wait to read this one!
And as for a word to describe love…..Savage Garden said it best – insatiable.
Good luck with it Kate!
Ooooh, nice word. Don’t mind a nit of savage Garden. Thx Kylie.
Oh Yes! Love insatiable – gorgeous sexy word. Thanks for playing Kylie.
Love = fate
forgiveness
devotion
Sounds like my kind of book! (Fun interview, BTW.)
Oh, and my word for love? Adoration.
Hi Cheryl! Thx for dropping by and yes, I like that word too.
Everlasting
Compromise is my magic word for love (it makes it work).
Sharon, I totally agree. Maybe if there was more in all sorts of situations the world would be a better place.
Oh! I love that. So true, Sharon.
HONESTY
Every relationship should be based on honesty, Kirsten. So true. Thx for playing.
Eternal
Lovely Leanne. We can all hope for that. Thx for dropping by.