‘Buses Don’t Stop There’ @PaulaRomances
#writing #checkingfacts #Ireland #novels
Many
years ago, some scenes for a major British film were shot in my home town in
the north of England, and we watched the filming one evening. When the film was
shown at the local cinema, of course we went to see it. In one scene, a bus
pulled up outside the Town Hall. You could see and hear the reaction all over
the cinema, with people muttering, ‘Buses don’t stop there.’ In that split
second, the illusion was lost as people with a personal knowledge of the
location were distracted by an inaccuracy.
A minor
detail, I know, but it has stayed with me. As a result, I’m very wary about
making basic errors like this when I’m writing about ‘real’ places in my
novels. My last four novels are set in Ireland which I have visited many times,
so I’ve been able to use places I know e.g. Dublin, Galway, Connemara, Clifden.
However,
I realised very soon that, unless you go somewhere specifically to research an
area, all your memories (and even hundreds of photos) are not detailed enough
to answer the many questions that crop up while you’re writing a story. One
simple example was how long it takes to drive from Galway city to the town of
Clifden. I’ve done that drive several times, but, of course, I never thought to
time it.
This, of
course, is where internet search engines are invaluable, and I check and
double-check my facts, which can range from ‘How much is the toll fee for
Limerick Tunnel?’ to ‘What time is sunset in Galway in April?’ One of the best
resources, in my opinion, is Google’s ‘Street View’. I’ve had fun using this to
‘drive’ around Clifden, the small town where my stories are set, and its
surrounding area. So much so that when I actually paid my next visit to
Clifden, I felt I knew every street in the town.
And yes, I
do now know where the buses stop in Clifden – and also in Galway and Dublin!
Irish Inheritance
Book One
REVIEW
Solid start to this series as we meet Jenna and Guy who each inherit half a house in Ireland from a lady they had never met. they start doing some family research while trying to figure out what to do with the house which was quite interesting and it helped draw the two of them together even though he is American while she is British. I can say that it took a little while for the story to really get going as it felt a little drawn out but then it got so much better as weird things starting going on plus the romance started to heat up. I would recommend this to fans of contemporary romance novels that just happen to be set in Ireland. Nice ending too which sets it up for the other books in the series. I give it 4/5 stars but it may be closer to a 3.5.
Irish Intrigue
Book Two
REVIEW
Another wonderful installment to this contemporary romance series. This time we get Charley's story which I admit made me happy after meeting her in the last book. She is in Ireland while filming a short t.v. series and she meets the local vet. The two of them become friends and over time they develop felling for each other. The problem is that is has two young kids and a vindictive ex-wife which lands them in a heap of drama that they eventually have to deal with. I liked how well this book really captured that fact that lack of actual communication allows for lots of misunderstandings that only a real talk can fix. Great for fans of contemporary romance especially if you like Ireland as it is filled with lots of little tidbits to enjoy. I really enjoyed so it gets 4/5 stars.
Irish Secrets
Book Three
REVIEW
This time we get Kara's story who we met as Guy's cousin in the previous books. She is working at Mist Na Mara while researching her family origins in an effort to locate her mothers birth parents. She makes friends with what she thinks is a taxi driver but he is really an undercover cop investigating something. The two enjoy each others company and eventually their attraction in undeniable. Of course his lying had to come between them but like any self respecting romance novel they work it out in the end but I enjoy the healthy methods the author likes to use. By the end I am always hooked I have to say. Great for fans of contemporary romance novels set in Ireland. I really enjoyed it so I give it 4/5 stars.
Irish Deceptions
Book Four
After a devastating car accident which halts
her career as a professional dancer, Ellie Vaughan relocates to beautiful
Connemara in the west of Ireland, where she finds a new life teaching at the
Mist Na Mara Arts Centre.
When she’s teamed up with Irish actor, Dan
Nicholas, to work on a musical at the local school, they’re instantly attracted
to each other. Their mutual attraction grows, until Ellie discovers Dan has
deceived her. He, in turn, is angered by what he believes is her lack of
honesty.
Deceptions mount as Ellie’s former dance
partner and Dan’s ex-girlfriend add to the complications, and a
thirteen-year-old schoolboy is hiding his own secret.
Can Ellie and Dan find a way to overcome all
the obstacles that threaten their future together?
Exceprt
Ellie’s laughter was infectious, and Dan started to laugh, too.
Eventually, he managed to say, ‘I’m not sure why we’re laughing.’
‘Because—’ She wiped the tears from her cheeks with the back of her
hand, and gulped to control her giggles. ‘Because all I can think is – I’m so
glad you spilled the coffee, and not
me.’
He guffawed and automatically put his arms around her to hug her. She
rested her forehead against his shoulder, and the fresh citrus scent of her
hair sent all his senses into overdrive. ‘In my defence, when I spill
something, I don’t do it by halves.’ When her slim body shook with laughter
again, an involuntary groan escaped him. ‘Ellie—’
Her wide eyes looked up at him. ‘What?’
‘This.’
This was the kiss he’d wanted to give her ever
since she slopped the beer down his trousers in the pub. The kiss every instinct
told him he shouldn’t even think about, let alone make a reality, but he no
longer cared. It didn’t matter how complicated it would make his life. The
truth was simple enough. He wanted her.
As he crushed her against his chest, her breath hitched, but her lips
were warm and yielding against his. When they parted in sensual invitation, and
she moved her hands up to grip his shoulder and the back of his neck, his body
responded with feverish desire.
His tongue sought hers, first in gentle flirtation but soon deepening
into hungry intensity. He was about to lift her onto the desk until he
remembered it was still strewn with soggy tissues. Instead, he slid his hands
down her back to her hips, pulling her firmly against him. He was aware that
would leave her in no doubt about how aroused he was, and wished they were
anywhere but the office, where someone could walk in at any minute.
The sobering thought brought him back to reality, and reluctantly he
drew back. He gave her lips a gentle kiss and gazed down into her blue eyes.
The soft desire in them threatened to destroy the last vestige of his
self-control, especially when she ran the tip of her tongue along her lower
lip.
She looked up at him for a few moments before she blinked, and her
mouth quirked into a coy smile. ‘Well, that was – unexpected.’
‘Yes.’ He took a deep breath. ‘But enjoyable, I hope?’
Her smile spread to a playful sparkle in her eyes. ‘Definitely.’
He struggled to
regain his equilibrium. If he stayed here a minute longer, he’d kiss her again,
and more…
REVIEW
yet another great installment to this series. This time between a healing dancer and a Irish actor. The two really ignite some sparks as they get to know one another and just as things are looking good all the lies and deceit tears them apart. I really enjoying how each book in this series really breaks apart the bad communication habits of these couples in a way that makes them deal with though in a healthy way. There is no fairy tale fell to it which is nice every now and then. You should really give this book/series a try if you enjoy HEA contemporary romance novels that just happen to be set in Ireland in all its glory. i really enjoyed it so I give it 4/5 stars.
Links to all four of my Mist Na Mara novels are shown on my Amazon author
page: Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2ELbXqo
and on my
Tirgearr Publishing page: http://www.tirgearrpublishing.com/authors/Martin_Paula/
Bio:
Paula Martin lives near Manchester in North
West England and has two daughters and two grandsons.
She had some early publishing success with
four romance novels and several short stories, but then had a break from
writing while she brought up a young family and also pursued her career as a
history teacher for twenty-five years. She has recently returned to writing
fiction, after retiring from teaching, and is thrilled to have found publishing
success again with her contemporary romances.
Apart
from writing, she enjoys visiting new places. She has travelled extensively in
Britain and Ireland, mainland Europe, the Middle East, America and Canada. Her
other interests include musical theatre and tracing her family history.
Links:
Website: http://paulamartinromances.webs.com
Follow the rest of my tour here! http://writermarketing.co.uk/prpromotion/blog-tours/currently-on-tour/paula-martin/
Many thanks for having me as a guest today, Jessica - and thank you so much for your reviews. I'm delighted that you enjoyed the Mist Na Mara series.
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