Getting To Know... Chaos At Dawn

Today I'm excited to bring my second musical Getting To Know... post with up and coming band Chaos At Dawn, their debut album, Embers, is released today!! I talk to Andrew Barlow (vocals) and Michael Walsh (guitar). 

So to get us started off, could you introduce yourselves and tell me what your part in the band is?

MW -  Hey, My name is Michael, and I play triangle.

AB - I'm Andrew, and I definitely do not play triangle.

MW - There's only room for one triangle player. And it is I. Nobody steps on my turf.

Today you've released your debut album, can you tell me anything about the inspiration behind the tracks and how you decided on your sound? 

MW - Nope!

AB - Someone's not cooperating. Ok! Sound! I think a lot of it comes from bands that we were listening to at that time. We both have similar and also different tastes, and I like to think we bring a bit of all of that to the writing process.

MW - Yeah, obviously every band draws inspiration from the bands that they've grown up listening to, and we've both been in a LOT of bands, and all played for a very long time. You sort of learn as you go on. Learn what sounds good, and what basically sounds like dog s**t in a tin.

How did you all become interested in music and how did you come together as a band?

MW - I wasn't interested in music, I wanted to be a race car driver!

AB - Really??

MW - Noooooooo. Not really. Music for me, growing up, the first time seeing Slash play guitar on MTV back in the early 1990's. That just really made me want to pick up a guitar and play. Slash and Guns N Roses were probably my first inspiration along with the first time I saw Metallica.

AB - For me, I've listened to all sorts of different music especially being a teenager. Some really embarrassing s**t as a youngster too. But I think Dookie by Green Day was one of the first rock albums I had. Listening to them kind of opened the door for everything else that followed. I remember once getting a copy of Korn's Follow the Leader on cassette from a friend at school and being hooked straight away. As a moody teenager that album was just perfect! Getting together as a band, me, Mick and Luis met around 5 years ago when we were in a cover's band together. When our drummer left, we just decided to carry on writing. I just don't think the rest of us were ready to just give up on it all and knew that we had the ability to write some original music.

Growing up who were your favourite bands or musicians?

MW - Guns n Roses, Metallica, and pretty much the whole grunge movement from the 90's, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Nirvana. Then again when the whole nu metal movement came in in the early 2000's, I loved all of those major nu metal bands.

AB - My dad got me into Elvis and Chuck Berry as a kid, and also Johnny Cash. So I kinda grew up listening to that, but then I'd say I really got into rock when I was in my teens, and loved listening to bands like Placebo, Metallica, Korn. Even Creed and then later Alter Bridge.

MW - Just realised I'm old as f**k! 

When you're all not performing, recording, writing etc, what would we find you doing?

MW - At the minute, recovering from extensive back surgery.

AB - And he's not even kidding! He's usually on a lot of meds when we're writing which makes the process more fun. For me, working, reading, family time.

MW - Yeah family time is important. I like to spend time walking my two dogs with my better half.

What would be your absolute dream stage to perform on be?

MW - Gotta be Donington all the way.

AB - Got to agree with Mick there. Download would be amazing. Or something overseas like Red Rocks, or something cool like Shiprocked.

Other than the obvious, singing and playing instruments, do you have any other hidden talents?

MW - Other than music, I spend a lot of time working on bikes.

AB - I'm good with numbers?

MW - So to your answer your question, no we have no other talents

If you could be any superhero, who would you be and why?

MW - Deadpool! That guy has a rocking body, and he probably gets more p***y than a whiskers advert.

AB - Batman!!  Bale..... not Clooney.

MW - And definitely not the one from the last movie! Jesus Christ that movie was a bag of d***s.

Are any of you gamers, whether it be console, pc, table top or maybe mobile phone? If you are, what's your favourite game?

AB - Only every now and again, difficult to find time at the minute. I do like a good game on FIFA or a shoot em up like Gears of War.

MW - Is p**n a game?

  

As well as loving music, I am a huge reader. Do you get any time in your busy schedules to read and can you give me any book recommendations?

AB - Oh god, I read too much. Favourite books are A Prayer For Owen Meany by John Irving, and the His Dark Materials trilogy by Phillip Pullman.

MW - (In the voice of Mike Myers) I..... never..... Learned.... To ........ Reeeeead.

  

Now that your album has come out what can we expect from you next? Will there be a tour, music videos etc?

AB - After the last few years, I feel like I need a few weeks to wind down, as we've wrote, recorded, mixed, produced and mastered the EP by ourselves, on our own terms which has been incredibly time consuming but in a good way. But we've already started writing again. Our single will be out shortly, and the EP is due at the end of this month. (at the time of answering these questions) Excited but nervous all at once. I definitely see us doing some gigs in the very near future though.

MW - I think we are just looking to keep momentum going, grow musically, and try a few different things. As far as touring goes, we will have to see what comes around once the EP has been released and once I've fully recovered.

Thank you so much to both Michael and Andrew for answering my questions in the busy run up to their release of the debut album! 

To check out Chaos At Dawn and their music

Facebook - Chaos At Dawn

Twitter - @chaosatdawn

Instagram - chaosatdawnmusic

Youtube - Chaos At Dawn

Getting To Know... John Lov - Ascendia

Today is the day! I am so happy to kick off a new part of my Getting To Know... feature with John Lov of the absolutely freaking amazing band Ascendia! 

So to get us started off, could you introduce yourself and tell me what your part in the band is?

My name is John and I am the lead guitar player and one of the song writers for the band Ascendia

Your sound is very distinctive (and awesome), have you always known how you wanted to sound or has it come about more organically?

We appreciate the compliment! I think life as a musician starts by absorbing all the musical influences you possibly can and learning as much as you can. The music we write is the product of 3 guys with unique musical influences and experiences combining them in the most cohesive way possible. I think through this process we have managed to develop our own unique sound that we are very proud of!

Growing up who were your favourite bands or musicians?

I started off listening to classic rock/metal which includes bands like Black Sabbath, Rainbow, Scorpions, Whitesnake, Rush, Boston and Europe. After years of listening to these bands I got introduced to a band called Nightwish and everything changed! Once I got a taste for new modern metal there was no looking back.

When you're all not performing, recording, writing etc, what would we find you doing?

We all are either working or in school! I work for a finance company, Nick is an electrician and Billy is studying finance at York University.

What would be your absolute dream stage to perform on be?

I think we would all love to be able to play the stage at Wacken festival in Germany. It is an epic festival with some epic bands!

Other than the obvious, singing and playing instruments, do you have any other hidden talents?

I like to take naps. I’m pretty good at that!

Your music videos are extremely well polished and make an impact, do you have a lot of say in the concept and what you'd like the finished video to look like?

The first thing we do is break down the lyrics and the meaning of the song. At this point we start brainstorming ideas and ways to convey the message and overall vibe of the song. We then present these ideas to the music video director and discuss how these ideas will look on camera. He then gets his input and we create a plan of execution.

If you could be any superhero, who would you be and why?

I would probably pick Batman just to ride that crazy motorcycle he has haha!

Are any of you gamers, whether it be console, pc, table top or heck even mobile phone? If you are, what's your favourite game?

Billy Lov is into gaming quite a bit! He’s got PS4 and I catch him playing Call of Duty all the time.

As well as loving music, I am a huge reader. Do you get any time in your busy schedules to read and can you give me any book recommendations?

Being a past business student I would recommend the “Big Short.” It is a really interesting book that explores the 2008 US mortgage housing crisis. Yea, I’m boring.

I know the new album is in the works which is incredibly exciting for fans, can you tell me anything about it and what we can look forward to from Ascendia in the future?

The new album has been taking a while, but for a very good reason. A lot of things have changed in our musical interests and tastes and we needed time to be able to put these ideas together in a cohesive manner. You will get everything you love about Ascendia in there. What I can tell you is that it is going to be a very lean, polished, melodic, emotional and heavy album.  We are working hard on the recipe and we think all our fans will be happy

THANK YOU so much to John Lov for taking the time to answer my questions, especially with how busy he is with the new album and up coming tour!

To connect with Ascendia

Facebook - Ascendia

Twitter - @Ascendiamusic

Instagram - ascendiamusic

Snapchat - ascendiamusic

Youtube - Ascendia

Website - http://ascendiarocks.com/

To purchase a copy of The Lion And The Jester 

ITunes

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Getting To Know... Me - Nerdish Mum!! (And A Cheeky Announcement)

As I've had a couple of weeks break from Getting To Know... to catch up on reviews and other things (see my announcement at the end), I thought it would be fun to do a Getting To Know... with me! So instead of writing my own questions I asked in Book Connectors (an awesome book group on FB and Twitter full of authors and book bloggers) for questions that I could answer and I got some absolutely great ones! This is a bit nerve racking now being in the hot seat but here goes!

What is the inspiration behind your blog name, Life Of A Nerdish Mum - Mairead of Swirl and Thread

When I first set up my blog, the idea was to blog about all the nerdish things that I get up to, to share my experiences and meet other people who like the same things as I do. So Life Of A Nerdish Mum just made sense as I was already Nerdish Mum on twitter. This included reviewing books and comics etc and the book review side of things has just bloomed so much it's the majority of what I post now, but I still do blog about other things too and there is more on it's way (sneaky hint about my announcement below).

What made you decide to be a blogger, how long have you been doing it and how long do you spend each week doing it? - Marie Campbell author of Baby

After having my little guy, Mini Nerdling, in 2013 I ended up with quite bad post natal depression (which goes well with my normal anxiety and depression *sarcasm*) and I needed something that was just about me so I set up my Twitter account and dived into the nerdy/geeky community. I discovered an amazing group called IGGPPC (International Geek Girl Pen Pal Club) and they have loads of groups that are just so friendly. I obviously was drawn to the book group (Iggleworms) and everyone was talking about what book challenges they were going to be doing for 2015 and how they were going to keep track of them. I made the decision to start up a blog that would be a place to review each of the books that I read for my chosen challenges as well as a place to share my experiences of cons and other such things that I went to. So on the 1st of January 2015 my first blog post went up and I've been blogging ever since. For the first year I only really published my posts and never shared them or promoted them in any way until probably about a year into it when I became more and more involved in the book blogging community. As to how much time I spend each week, it varies but I can tell you it's a full time job! I am a stay at home mum during the day, I work six evenings a week and until recently I volunteered one morning a week helping children aged 2-5 with speech delays. Every bit of my spare time (hahahahaha) is spent either reading or blogging. When I'm prepping for my Getting To Know... feature as well, it takes even more time as I like to personalise my questions as much as possible so I research each participant so I can ask the most interesting questions I can manage,

What else do you write aside from blogging and what inspires you to write these things? - Chantelle Atkins author of The Mess Of Me

I used to write articles for Teddy Bear Times as before I had my little guy I made collectors style teddy bears and I somehow ended up working for one of the most well known teddy bear magazines. I also write letters which I absolutely love doing when I have the time as I have met some absolutely wonderful people through being a pen pal and I keep a couple of journals, one book and one bullet, These really help keep me organised, focused and motivated which is really important to me.

I am also in the process of writing my own novel, it's all laid out I just need to finish writing it. Other than it being fantasy I won't give anything else away ;)

I wondered how you deal with books that you start with a view to reviewing, but find you really don't like, do you always finish them? Do you always write a review? - Peta Rainford, author of Isabella, Rotten Speller

I am very lucky in the fact the the books I have received for review have all been good (so far anyway) as I try to only accept ones that I think that I will enjoy. I have a real problem with not being able to put a book down though even if I am hating it, I came very close last year to putting my first ever DNF (on a book I chose myself from the library), but I felt so much readers guilt that I finished the whole darn thing!! I will always leave a review though good or bad for a few reasons; firstly that it'd look weird if I liked every single book that I ever read, I don't think anyone has got that lucky. Next, good or bad, a review on a book is good for the author as it gets their book more audience and I try to be as constructive as possible and a lot of the time I explain that the reason I don't like something is that it's just not for me rather than it being bad. The only thing I would do differently if my review was "negative" is that I wouldn't tag the author or publisher on social media and I probably wouldn't promote my blog post like I do when it's positive review.

What do you find most fascinating about your feature Getting To Know... and is there something that you've learnt that you can use in your own reading? - Susan of The Booktrail

I find each and every person I interview fascinating. I love finding out about people and each person is so different from the last and the next. There was something I did learn which I think is invaluable to both readers and writers from Anna Osborne, author of Walking Wounded, (Anna's Getting To Know... is here) who is also a chiropractor, make sure you stand up and pace around every 20 minutes so that you don't damage your back.

What world from a story you've read is the one that you'd least like to live in; and conversely, the one that you'd most like to inhabit? - Karl Drinkwater author of They Move Below

There's quite a few that I'd hate to live in like Panem, The Phase, The Glade and other such places, though thinking about it they are all post apocalyptic/dystopian so I'm pretty sure I shouldn't want to live in them haha! Also anywhere like Gotham City, Star City or Central City, I couldn't cope with the constant threat of one bad guy or another.

The one I'd most like to live in is actually really hard, I think it'd have to be Discworld! Terry Pratchett just created an amazing world full of both good and bad.

What's the best and worse thing about blogging? - Lorraine of The Book Review Cafe

The best thing is the people! The bloggers and authors and publishers that I've got to know have all been so wonderful and welcoming. I am extremely awkward when communicating so I don't always comment or interact too much, but no one minds and I'm always made to feel so at home with everyone. I finally met my buddy reader a few weeks ago which was so nice after knowing her for over two years and I'm hoping to meet more people in the future.

The worst thing I think is the guilt - you feel guilty for saying no, you feel guilty for taking too long to read a book, you feel guilty for not sharing other peoples blogs as much as you'd like, you feel guilty for spending so much time blogging, you feel guilty that your review is too long/short....the list of guilt is endless. But it's all worth it!

I'd like to know what made you decide to review books in the first place and how you find the books? - Harriet Springbett author of Tree Magic

I've enjoyed reviewing books since I was little. My local library when I was in primary school had a kind of book club in which you could progress through the ranks by reading books and writing reviews for the librarian to read. My primary school was also very into books and having us write reviews so I had a solid foundation in writing reviews when I'd finished a book. I did fall out of it for a while until I discovered Goodreads and the online book community. As to where I get books, 95% or more of my books are books that I buy myself or get from the library, it's only been in the past year that I have started receiving books from authors and publishers, but even then if it is a book I adore, I go out and buy my own copy to make sure I'm supporting the author.

Which book that you've read do you really wish you'd written? - Linda of Linda's Book Bag

Oooooh there's a few for this one (I'm allowed more than one right?) - The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S Lewis, The Talisman by Stephen King and Peter Straub and The Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning. In fact I could go on and on!

What was the first book you remember from your childhood? - Jane Cable, author of The Cheesemaker's House

I still own a lot of my childhood books so that'd be cheating to just look at them, but the first book I really remember reading myself and it really sticking with me was The Sixth Seal by Mary Wesley. I had read things like the Chronicles of Narnia, The Famous Five, The Secret Seven, The Hobbit etc before it, but this one really stood out to me. I had borrowed it from the library and I wrote a book review for school about it (I think I was in year 5) and I even decorated the edges of my review with pictures I'd drawn from things that happen in the book. I always remembered this book and so as an adult, early twenties, I decided I needed a copy of it and I went out and bought it. I've read The Sixth Seal again about two or three times since then and I still absolutely love it.

What is your favourite genre to review? - Alison of Ali's Romance, Thriller and Christian Fiction Book Reviews

I always say that fantasy is my favourite genre, which is the truth. However, I don't like to read just one genre of book, I love classics, non fiction, YA, middle grade, horror, crime, children's etc etc. I could never set myself just one to read as I'd always feel like I was missing out. Since book blogging I have also read books in genres that I never thought I would read and have thoroughly enjoyed reading them so it's always good to keep an open mind.

And that's it! Phew that was pretty intense, but I hope you all enjoyed that as much as I did! Thank you so much to all the authors and bloggers that gave me questions, it is greatly appreciated and I hope I did justice in my answers!

Now onto my announcement! As well as reading, my other number one love is music! I have always been a HUGE music fan and have been to countless gigs over the years. From pop to classics to heavy metal, I love it all (though I am a full on rock chick when it comes down to it). So to include this part of me in my blog, I will now have a monthly feature where I interview bands. I cannot explain how much this excites me and I am really looking forward to my first one going live this Friday the 7th of April. I really hope that this is exciting for you all too and that you'll come join me on Friday when I interview John Lov, the guitarist of Ascendia. (Check out one of their music videos here)

Getting To Know...Nicola Slade

On Getting To Know... today I am welcoming author of the Harriet Quigley Mysteries and Charlotte Richmond Investigates series, Nicola Slade.

You originally wrote a romantic comedy when changing from children's book to adult books, but you now write two mystery series. What was it that drew you to this genre and prompted you to make the change?

My mother and grandmother were voracious readers so I was always surrounded by books.  I was brought up on mostly Victorian novels and the classic mysteries of the Golden Age: Margery Allingham, Patricia Wentworth, Dorothy L Sayers and to a lesser degree Agatha Christie. It’s the puzzle element that appeals to me in those classic mysteries – who did it, why and how – and working through the various suspects to find the murderer. I love that aspect as a reader and as a writer.

Do you have a favourite character that you have written so far?

My Victorian sleuth, Charlotte Richmond, is my favourite. I’m very fond of Harriet Quigley, my contemporary retired headmistress sleuth but she’s slightly scary after her years as a top headmistress and is comfortable in her own skin. Charlotte is much more vulnerable and has to contend with the problems of being a young widow in the 1850s as well as with the difficulties that arise in a murder case. She has a slightly shady background and comes from Australia, which makes her a curiosity in mid-Victorian England. I’m passionate about history and it’s certainly much easier to set a mystery before the days of forensic science, fingerprints and the internet!

Do you have a set routine or schedule that you like to follow when you're writing?

Not really, it’s more a case of ‘when the spirit moves me’. I do tend to write mid-morning to mid-afternoon, rather than the classic thing of dashing off a thousand words by breakfast time! Sometimes I’ll lose myself in the story though, and emerge dazed after a long writing session.

When you're not writing, what would we find you doing?

Chatting and meeting friends is what my family would say! And poking in charity shops and second hand bookshops because a friend and I were antiques dealers in a small way, some years ago, and the urge to check out the date stamp or maker’s mark never leaves you. I love going to castles and stately homes and I read a lot, as well as painting.

You are also an artist and do some wonderful paintings (I love your hares, in particular Hare Flight). Are you a natural artist or is something that you worked on to become?

Thank you! I have a ‘thing’ about painting hares! I did Art at O Level and could always draw, but it wasn’t till my children were older that I started going to art classes. When the teacher retired we set up our own art workshop and hold an exhibition every year. I’m strictly amateur but it’s fun to do and our group is now quite well-known locally. My latest mystery ‘The Art of Murder’ is about an art group, but not – I hasten to add – about the one I belong to!

Have you always known that you wanted to be an author?

I think I was about six when I understood that books came out of people’s heads and decided that’s what I wanted to do. I had some children’s short stories published in my early twenties, then put my creative energies into raising a family, after which I wrote stories for women’s magazines until my first novel, Scuba Dancing, was published.

Harriet Quigley is an older main character than in a lot of books, which is good to see. What was the reason behind choosing to write an older character?

It all stems from my first publisher, Transita Ltd, who published Scuba Dancing. They featured older heroines – from forty-five and upwards and Harriet arose from that idea. The classic lady sleuth tends to be ‘of a certain age’, Miss Marple and Miss Silver, for example, and if you think about it, an older woman is likely to have more time to observe and investigate than if she’s holding down a full-time job. My Victorian heroine, Charlotte, has time on her hands because she’s a lady, but she does have other restrictions – it’s not easy to run away if you’re wearing a crinoline!

You enjoy travelling and have lived in some lovely places, do you have a favourite place that you have visited?

We had a few days in Fiji that were magical – coral islands, palm trees and so on, I’d love to go back one day. Our son and his family live in Sydney and we did a trip to Tasmania which was fabulous; besides seeing the family, Australia has the added bonus of letting me do research for my Australian heroine!

Do you have a favourite author?

I love the novels of Charlotte Yonge, a Victorian best-seller, and I’m particularly fond of her novel ‘The Pillars of the House’. I also love Terry Pratchett’s Discworld novels and recently, I’ve discovered Jodi Taylor’s The Chronicles of St Mary’s books and can’t wait to read the next.

What can we look forward to from you in the future?

My previous publisher ceased trading a year ago so I’ve been wondering which direction I should take. I’m currently revising a contemporary novel which has historical echoes, a kind of time-slip novel, and I’m about to send it to my agent. Besides that, I’m two-thirds of the way into a cosy mystery set in 1918 which is great fun to write, though whether a publisher would like it remains to be seen. There’s always self-publishing which is something I might explore in the future.

Thank you so much to Nicola for taking the time to answer all my questions, it's been wonderful having her on my blog today.

To Connect With Nicola Slade

Twitter - @nicolasladeuk

The Art Of Murder

A weekend art course at an upmarket B&B near Winchester’s historic cathedral is bound to be relaxing and fun… 

But not when man-crazy Linzi Bray, Chairman of the local art group, is in charge and the house is full of people who loathe her. 

Accidents start to happen – in a ruined castle, in a fast-flowing river, in a peaceful garden. 

There’s a stalker – or is there? 

And there are far too many dead insects, as well as a vandalised Porsche and a pond full of blood. 

It’s not the first time former headmistress, Harriet Quigley, and her cousin, the Reverend Sam Hathaway, have been embroiled in a mystery, but this time they’re baffled at the “spiteful game” that seems to be being played. 

And then somebody else dies and the games all stop. 

Act of Murder is perfect for avid crime mystery fans – with festering secrets, potential motives and the opportunity for sweet – or spiteful – revenge. 

Getting To Know... Casey Kelleher

I'm excited today to welcome Casey Kelleher to Getting To Know... Casey is the author of Crime Fiction and her next book, The Promise is being published this coming Friday, 17th of February 2017.

Your books are all crime fiction, what is it that draws you to this genre?

I remember reading my first Martina Cole novel - The Ladykiller when I was about sixteen and after my usual reads of authors such as Danielle Steel and Virginia Andrews, Martina's book was an eye opener, to say the least. I loved reading about the criminal underworld, the darkness and the grit. I was hooked after that. 

Your books are all stand alone novels, did you make a conscious decision to do this rather than a series or was it a more organic process?

I think it's always been a conscious decision for me to do stand alone's. I start with a story that I'll already have a vague beginning and an ending for. I do like to leave a little bit to the reader's imagination at the end of the novel, so there's always the feeling that the characters still have a bit more of a journey to go on. As if we only were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of that character's story. 

I am considering doing a series in the future, though. I've got a really exciting idea that I've been thinking about that I might be able to put into play next year. So a series is certainly a possibility in the future. 

Do you have a favourite character that you have written so far?

I loved writing Harry Woods in BAD BLOOD. In my mind's eye, I always pictured Ray Winstone as Harry's character. A hard man with a wicked sense of humour and a sense of loyalty to his family that holds no bounds. 

I also loved writing about Lena Cona in THE TAKEN. Her journey was a harrowing one, and she faced so many heartbreaking situations, but she was so spurred on by her love for her daughter that she just never gave up. I loved her for that. 

When you're writing, do you have a set routine or schedule that you like to follow?

I try to do the bulk of my writing when I'm at home alone during the day. My husband and teenage sons can be a bit distracting otherwise. I love doing writing sprints. It really helps with the word count up. If I can do two thousand words a day, then I'm very happy with that. 

Do you have a favourite thing about being an author?

I think everything about being an author is great. 

I'm a complete bookworm, and now I'm doing a job that I love. I get to hear about all the new books coming out, I have lots of authors as friends, I go to the crime festivals, it's all great. Though if I have to pick my most favourite bit about being an author I'd say it's when I first receive a proof copy of my finished book. All that work that has been inside my head for so long, is finally real, in the form of a book. There's nothing quite like it. 

You are a fully qualified Holistic Therapist, can you tell me more about that and why you decided to make the switch to writing?

I worked in the beauty industry for almost ten years and loved it. I really enjoyed working in some fantastic spa's and salons and I made a lot of really good friends too. 

I guess my change in career was mainly down to my Grandad. He inspired me. 

He was in his 90's when he bought himself a laptop, with the intention of teaching himself how to use it so that he could write his own life story. Sadly, he'd only managed to write a few chapters before he passed away. It got me thinking about what I’d like to do whilst I still can, and whether we all do all really have a book in us. I set myself the challenge of seeing if I could write a book, and a year later 'Rotten to the Core' was complete.

I didn't think it would take off the way it did, but suddenly there just wasn't enough hours in the day for me to work my day job and write books too. So something had to give. 

It was a huge risk leaving my day job, but one that paid off thankfully.  

When you're not writing, what would we find you doing?

Spending time with my husband and kids, shopping, watching The Real Housewives, going out with my friends.

You're a big reader and always have been. Do you remember the first book or book series that you absolutely fell in love with?

The first book I ever fell in love with was The Little Matchgirl by Hans Christian Andersen. I was only five years old, and I remember asking my mum to read it to me over and over again. Tragic, but also magical. I also loved Nancy Drew, and the Sweet Valley High books. 

Do you have a favourite author? 

The queen of crime herself, Martina Cole. 

I also loved Gillian Flynn's 'Gone Girl' and Emma Donoghue's 'Room'.

What can we look forward to next from you?

THE PROMISE is my next book, which is due for publication on 17th February 2017. We've just done the cover reveal and the response has been amazing. It went straight into the bestseller's chart at number 31 so I'm really excited about that one. I'm also working on my 7th book as we speak... it's all very exciting, but you'll have to watch this space to hear more on that one. 

Thank you so much to Casey for taking the time to answer my questions in the run up to publication day! To pre order your copy of The Promise click here! Also keep your eye out soon for my review of The Promise as part of the blog tour! 

To Connect With Casey Kelleher

Website - http://www.caseykelleher.co.uk/

Blog - https://caseykelleher.wordpress.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/officialcaseykelleher

Twitter - @caseykelleher

The Promise 

Family ties can be deadly...

THE PROMISE

Two sisters. One murder. And an unbreakable bond.

Growing up in squalor with their drug-addicted prostitute mother, sisters Georgie and Marnie Parker have had to endure the very darkest side of life. 

When their mother is sentenced for brutally murdering a client, Georgie and Marnie’s already precarious lives are blown apart and they now share a terrible secret. Sent to a children’s home, the sisters hope this might finally be their safe haven after years of neglect. But they soon discover they’re in real danger.

Desperate to find a place of safety, Georgie and Marnie run for their lives, but end up in the hands of Delray Anderton. A violent London gangster and notorious pimp, Delray has big plans for beautiful teenager Georgie, seeing her as a chance to make some serious money.

Fiercely protective of each other, Georgie and Marnie must escape the clutches of a man who will do anything to keep the sisters for himself. And, they must keep the promise they made to each other – no one can ever know the truth. 

A gritty, shocking and gripping thriller that will engross fans of Kimberly Chambers, Martina Cole and Jessie Keane.