Posted on 20/04/201325/10/2014 by Jenn J McLeod — 15 Comments

Ready to lose your erotic genre virginity like me?

The Yearning, by Kate Belle, is being marketed as New Adult and age-wise I am a long way from New Adult! But I have been curious about Kate’s new novel. Then I saw the cover (yet another mesmerizing design from Simon & Schuster) and I decided to give this book a shot.

Since erotic fiction hit mainstream publishing lists, I have been wondering if the genre is for me, trying several books to see what all the fuss is about. I can be a bit of a fuddy duddy, and with my reading-for-pleasure time in short supply these days, erotic fiction is not on the top of my list. What I noticed most was that the ‘mechanics’ of the sex scenes tended to add a clunkiness and overshadow the plot (when there is one!)

My first comment about The Yearning is this…

It’s a shame a novel like this has to be categorized (largely so a bookseller knows where to plonk it on a shelf—cyber or real). It’s a shame because there will be people who’ll have their perception skewed as a result of a generic genre label and miss out on a wonderful reading experience.

I loved everything about this story: the writing is evocative, the storyline compelling, the biblical references intriguing. The Yearning is a truly unique and superbly crafted novel and while the author leaves nothing to the imagination, she handles the most intimate scenes deftly, delivering a soft, flowing, sensual (and sensory) journey of a teenage girl’s sexual awakening. I initially worried about the basic premise (blurb)—small town schoolgirl and older, unconventional male teacher in the free and easy seventies. I also thought I knew how the story would pan out. (Pretty predictable stuff this erotic fiction, you know?)

Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! And all I can say (after scraping the egg off my face) is Wow! Wow! Wow!

Wow to the clever, clever plot that, despite the small format paperback of only 300-odd pages, packs a punch in so many ways. Wow to the hauntingly beautiful prose and description that will transport you to a different time and place (and if you are my age, to a few fond memories of that fun-loving decade). Wow to the complex characters, the divine descriptions of small town life, and the delicious metaphors that bring this story to life. The Yearning is a fully dimensional read with great characterisations, beautiful prose, a proper narrative arc and a well-developed theme. The erotic elements are integral and necessary to the story—hence the label!

So… not into erotic fiction? I didn’t think I was either. Still not sure I am. I just know I loved The Yearning and I am so glad I took the genre plunge.

If you don’t want to be like me—a fuddy-duddy—and should you choose to lose your erotic genre virginity and see what all the fuss is about, this is the book—although I fear this novel may have ruined me for any other!

(I have to disclose that Kate Belle and I share the same publisher and I’m very glad. If not for that I may have missed out on reading this novel, which would’ve been a shame because it is absolutely beautiful—from the cover until the very last page.)

The Yearning has left me with a craving, so I look forward to more from Kate Belle.

Need more? Check this article out – written by Kate Belle.

Buy the book. Available in print om May 1. But you can download it now to your e-reader. Buy links.

Posted on 09/03/201319/11/2014 by Jenn J McLeod — 8 Comments

My ‘Meet The Author’ Moment

Meet the Author So there I was, all set up with my signing table in the local shopping centre when the most magical thing happened. Well, a couple of magical moments really.

I signed a few copies for locals who had read about my book (it happened to be in the local paper today with an article on last week’s launch). I also bought $10 worth of scratchy tickets and then had naughty meat pies for lunch. Not sure that will look good on the balance sheet or the bathroom scales so maybe I’m best to not do too many shopping centre signings!

BUT… and this is great…

I’m sitting there when a mother, father and a young girl (probably about seven or eight years old) walks by. They slow enough to read my ‘Meet the Author’ sign, smile and move on. The little girl hesitates, but is promptly tugged away with the shopping trolley. The family then stops outside the entrance to the centre, speak, and the girl looks back at me. She winces over, props in front of me, her little body twisting back and forth in a coy way, and asks, ” Are you a real author?’

‘Yes I am,’ I reply.

Her eyes widen and she looks to her parents, then back at me. ‘I’ve never met a real author,’ she says.

What a delight. We talked about lots of things – everything from writing to Selby The Wonder Dog. I didn’t sell a book, but I think I made a writer!

After she walked away, she stopped and ran back, gave me a big hug, and left again. So sweet.

Oh, and the other lovely thing was a woman walked up to me and explained that she’d already read and reviewed House for all Seasons online. (She was one of forty readers chosen to receive a copy from Simon & Schuster.) Then she went on to say she wanted to tell me in person how much she loved it and how much she’s looking forward to the second book. We talked at length about how neither of us wanted the story to end, but agreed that all good stories must come to an end sometime. It’s up to the author to do it in such a way that is both satisfies, but at the same time keeps readers wanting more. Thank you, Amanda Laird, for topping off a great first book-signing event. And thank you Toormina Book Warehouse for the fantastic support.

Addendum…

I was told by a friend observing this little girl’s family, that when they walked away from the shops, the mother commented: “That poor woman. We’re probably the only people to talk to her all day” (LOL – love it!)

Posted on 01/03/201311/03/2020 by Jenn J McLeod — 41 Comments

It’s time … come home to the country

Autumn is here – Jenn’s favourite season – and so is the official release of House for all Seasons.

To celebrate everything that’s great about small town stories, welcome Canadian powerhouse duo – Carli and Carli and Julie carli and julie 2 Julie Kennedy.

Bryce Courtney (The Power of One) wrote: “The joy of a small town lies in its unchanging nature.”.

You can watch Carli and Julie (below), but first I want to thank everyone who has ever encouraged me to keep writing and keep trying. There are no words to convey how I feel right now, or how I might say thank you to the wonderful Lou Johnson, Larissa Edwards, Carol Warwick (and the entire Simon & Schuster, Australia team) for giving my ‘House’ a home.

And a big Aussie thank you to the amazing Carli and Julie Kennedy with the perfect song for this occasion. So (click) to come home to the country with Jenn and to Small Town Stories with Carli and Julie.

If you loved Small Town Stories you can download the song (and there’s more) from iTunes or go to the girls’ store: www.cjkennedy.com.

While you’re clicking away online you can also: ** buy House for all Seasons as an ebook; ** order a gorgeous print version online ; or better still ** pop down the street and support your local bookshop. We should all do our bit to keep a bookshop in business.

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PHEW! Okay, so now the official ‘Jenn, the author’ thing is done, how am I really feeling?

I actually think I want to throw up! I am giddy and shaking and … Oh, now I think I’m having a hot flush! Someone pass me a fan — quick!

Speaking of fans …

I want to say a BIG thanks to you. Yes YOU! The one still reading this post. The one taking time out of your precious day to help me celebrate and spread the word.

More than anything I hope you enjoy House for all Seasons and you tell your friends, and they tell their friends.

Jenn