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New Beginnings: A Garden Uncovered, A Cover Revealed.

Snowdrops at Llanerchaeron
No winter lasts forever… and nor, thank goodness, does every lurgy. After ten weeks of wondering if I’ll stop coughing, the infection loses its grip and I’m well enough to tackle my first Park Run with Helen in the beautiful grounds at Llanerchaeron. Park Run, of course, is not a race but it doesn’t stop Helen and I blatting along each week in pursuit of new PBs.

Tom and I have both been busy at work. One week there’s a strange juxtaposition when I proofread my novella and then check Tom’s draft thesis! I begin ‘Cyborg Music:A Future Musicotechnographic Aesthetic’ with some trepidation about how I’ll cope with the deep philosophical concepts but by the end I’m fully on board and bursting with pride. Tom makes his final amendments and takes three copies to the post office where he pays a whopping £15 to send it on its way. Now ‘all’ he has to do is sit back and wait for the date of his Viva Voce…

Lily’s second baby is due… ooh… tomorrow, so excitement’s running high here and we both jump every time the phone rings. Trying to channel our nervous energy into something positive, we’ve started to tackle our neglected, overgrown garden. It’s hard work, but we’re already making some unexpected discoveries like the extent of this garden path.




Some news I can share is that my publisher, Choc Lit is releasing my novella, Moonbeams in a Jar in May. It’s available for pre-order from today and book blogger Karen Mace has kindly revealed my gorgeous cover which I can now show you. I’ll be talking more about the story in coming weeks (you knew I’d say that!) but here’s a flavour of it for now.

When Chloe Potter wishes on a star that she’ll find a man who’ll accept her and her noisy dachshund Wilma, she doesn’t think that she’ll bump into one quite so soon …

But almost immediately she meets Ryan Green and his boisterous basset hound, Fred. Ryan is larger than life, ruggedly handsome and, most importantly, a dog lover – surely a match made in heaven?

But Chloe soon finds that trying to tie a man like Ryan down is like trying to catch moonbeams in a jar. Ryan’s job as a photographer means that when he’s not in the middle of a war zone, he’s trying to catch just the right light at the top of Mount Snowdon.

Chloe wants stability and when it becomes clear that Ryan will always put his job first, she knows she has to move on. But then a once-in-a-lifetime trip unexpectedly brings them together once again …


Isn't this pretty?

Comments

Jane Lovering said…
The garden looks beautiful - it will be wonderful when (if) summer ever comes! And the novella sounds brilliant. Good luck to all for the new baby.
Kathryn Freeman said…
Love the sound of your new book (and the cover!). Have to admit, I'm very glad it's not called Cyborg Music:A Future Musicotechnographic Aesthetic.....although that does sound fascinating (good luck Tom!), I don't think it would be the sort of story I could take to bed. Moonbeams in a jar, now that's more my style :-)
Clare Chase said…
Can't wait to read your new novella, Chris! And hope you get your baby news soon - all the very best to all concerned! xx
Chris Stovell said…
Thanks for all Jane. A glimpse of sunshine would be wonderful and we're all waiting for the new baby. xx

Not quite such a snappy title for a novella, eh? It is fascinating though you're right, not exactly a bed time read - and thank you! xx

Clare, thank you so much - and for your pre-order. Much appreciated. xx
Angela Britnell said…
What a lot of wonderful things you've got happening in life! Best of luck with it all - maybe I should buy your new book for my single photographer son :)
Chris Stovell said…
It's a busy time, Angela... and another night of wondering, will it be tonight? Your son doesn't need my book, he needs a Chloe :) x

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