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Meeting My Main Character Blog Hop

Many thanks to fellow ChocLiteer, Laura James for inviting me to take part in the ‘Meeting My Main Character’ blog hop. Laura introduced us to Victoria Noble, the heroine of her forthcoming novel, Follow Me, Follow You. You can meet Laura and Victoria here, but you’ll have to wait until September when Laura’s latest novel is published to find out if Victoria achieves her goal!

My latest novel, Follow a Star, is out soon. As much as I love Bill, the book’s hero, it is, after all, my heroine’s journey, so this is a bit about her.


May Starling
What is the name of the main character? Is she real or fictitious?
Her name’s May Starling and like all my characters when I’m writing about them, she feels real to me.

When and where is the story set?
It’s set in the present and begins in a vintage wooden boat leaving Portsmouth Harbour bound for sleepy seaside town, Little Spitmarsh, the location for my début novel, Turning the Tide

What should we know about May?
May’s had enough. She’s set fire to a couple of bridges and is running away to sea to escape the smouldering wreckage of her burnt-out career and one very demanding ex.

What is the main conflict? What messes up her life?
Well, for a start, there’s Bill, a strapping red-haired builder, trying to do his best for his ailing uncle. There’s the strange sea malady that not only has her barfing over the side of the boat but which is also giving her distinctly disturbing feelings about Bill. And when May arrives in Little Spitmarsh she quickly discovers her troubles have only just begun – and not just because the scrappy little woman who owns the boatyard is breathing fire at her - wherever she turns, it seems someone's ready to put her in her place.

What is May’s goal?
Oh, May just wants everyone to go away and leave her in peace… but life’s never that simple, is it?

What is the book’s title?
Follow A Star … Why? Well, the answer’s in the book!

Thank you, Laura, for inviting me to take part in this blog hop.  I'm handing over to two more Choc Lit authors (they were nearest when I was twisting arms up backs finding volunteers):

and my fellow Mrs July (our books are out at the same time!)


And finally, my apologies for the lack of blogging during what's been a particularly busy time on the writing front. Thank you for visiting.


Comments

Juliet said…
That sounds fascinating, Chris! I love your stories and your characters, and I can't wait to read this one Happy writing :-)
Chris Stovell said…
Juliet, that's very kind of you. And lovely of you to visit when you're so busy too! Thank you!
Isabella Connor said…
Great title, Chris - and I'm loving May already.

Liv x
Laura E. James said…
I love these blog hops - they're priceless little teasers :-) Follow A Star sounds like a wonderful read and I look forward to settling down with it.
Unknown said…
What a fun idea for a blog hop. I really enjoyed reading this.
Berni Stevens said…
I'm so privileged to be able to read a lot of the Choc Lit books before everyone else - and I have already read Follow a Star.

May is a lovely main character and I was completely engrossed in her story - it's wonderful!
xx
Kathryn Freeman said…
May sounds like a true heroine - so looking forward to meeting her (and Bill!). May wouldn't have any similar traits to you would she? (thinking in particular of her disturbing habit of barfing at sea?!)
Chris Stovell said…
Thank you, Isabella! I'm very fond of these two!

Thank you for asking me, Laura - yes this has been a lovely one to take part in both reading and writing.

I'm sure either Mandy or Kate will be looking for a willing volunteer, Liz!
Chris Stovell said…
Berni, you are so kind. I was so thrilled with the cover - I know we all say that - but you've got May exactly as I saw her. Thank YOU!

May may be a little bit like me at times, Kate, *says no more*. I'm so looking forwards to reading yours next week.
Anonymous said…
Little Spitmarsh! I like the folk of Little Spitmarsh. I'm guessing the boatyard woman is Harry from Turning the Tide.
I'm looking forward to reading about them all again!
Chris Stovell said…
Yes, Rhoda, I couldn't keep Harry out of it! I love Little Spitmarsh so I had to go back and see what had been happening whilst I was away.
Preet said…
I can't wait to read Follow a Star! I can't wait to see the gang again! :)
Chris Stovell said…
Thank you so much, Chanpreet!
Beverley Oakley said…
May doesn't sound like your usual heroine. Well, very fiery and prickly. That's a nice way to start. I like the sound of her... :)
Chris Stovell said…
I'm very fond of May, Beverley, but I'll leave it to the readers to make their own minds up!
Pondside said…
I think this heroine may be the sort that takes some getting used to - I'll have to get to know her and then perhaps we'll have a connection....because I think I recall quite liking that scrappy woman who owns the boatyard!
Jane Lovering said…
I love books that return us to places we've grown to know and love, and Little Spitmarsh is no exception. Looking forward to getting to know May, I'm sure she will be as endearing as your other heroines, Chris.
Chris Stovell said…
Time will tell, Pondside - let's hope you grow to like her as much as I do.

Jane - what can I say? Oh, I know, I can return the favour and give you a big sloppy kiss instead! Mwaaaaah!
Flowerpot said…
Can't wait Chris and very much looking forward to revisiting Little Spitmarsh! x
Anwar Fazil said…
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