Six of Crows is a duology by Leigh Bardugo set in the GrishaVerse and I have to say it is worth all the hype it's received. Books are my one true love in life. As a bookworm I read various genres but one of my favourites is fantasy. I envy how fantasy authors can create a whole new world and society, input different characters into the world and hook the reader from the first page. Some of my favourite books/book series are fantasy/dystopian novels including the Shatter Me series and A Court of Thorns and Roses series. However, I now have another series to add to that list and it's the Six of Crows duology. My friend gave me the paperbacks of the duology, which I was grateful for as I'd always wanted them but wasn't sure I'd like them, hence me not buying them myself. But then my cousins, who have read the duology, recommended them to me and so I decided to read them. Beware, a spoiler about the ending of book one is mentioned below. My Review of the Six of Crows Duology by Leigh Bardugo Fantasy world: 10/10 Action: 9/10 Romance: 8/10 Found family: 10/10 The Six of Crows duology consists of two books, Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom. The two books are to be read together as book one ends on a cliffhanger leading onto book two. Six of Crows introduces you to the world of the GrishaVerse and Ketterdam. We meet the protagonists of the duology and discover the aspects of the fantasy world Bardugo created. Book one follows the story of six misfits as they attempt to pull off an impossible heist. Each chapter is written in a different character's perspective allowing the reader to get an insight into each of them and see their point of view. The third-person narrative allows the reader to feel like an observer, watching the events unfold in real time. The premise of an impossible heist is one that captured my attention because after being introduced to each of the main characters and seeing their "status quo", the action begins and we see the characters planning and plotting. The male protagonist of the duology is Kaz Brekker. Brekker is portrayed as a ruthless, cold and dangerous man. He's notorious and nicknamed 'Dirtyhands' and 'Demon'. But from the chapters told from his perspective, we see that there is more to Kaz than ruthlessness. He has many layers to his character that he keeps hidden to maintain a sinister reputation. I personally loved Kaz's character because yes he is morally grey and sinister, but he is troubled by his past and trying to escape the trauma from his past; the mission he and his team of Dregs embark on brings his trauma back and adds more conflict into the narrative. Inej, to me, is the second protagonist. She is the one person who has probably seen more sides to Kaz than anyone else. Essentially, he saved her from a horrific path in life and as a result the two work side by side. Inej is his Wraith and is one of the most skilled people in Ketterdam who doesn't have the use of magic to aid her. I liked Inej's character because she was so controlled, so specific in her movements and actions but she was also a survivor. Throughout the book, we learn what each character has gone through and I felt so much empathy when it came to Inej and Kaz, actually, and I loved how Leigh portrayed these characters and their stories. Nina, Jesper, Matthias and Wylan are the other four misfits that make up the crew of six for the heist. Nina is a strong Grisha woman, fighting to survive after a past where she was captured and nearly killed. I liked Nina's humour and personality as a whole, especially the change in it when Matthias came into the story; their enemies-to-lovers vibes were so good and whilst Matthias isn't my favourite character - there was one scene where I wanted to punch him - he does have a good heart when it comes to Nina. Jesper was one of the more comedic elements throughout the novel and I enjoyed seeing how he fits into the group, his hidden talents and the way he interacted with Wylan as if he likes him but didn't want to like him. Wylan was a bit of a 'meh' character at the beginning for me; he was quite innocent to the horrors of Ketterdam and the Barrel but towards the end of the novel, his character arc was clear and you could see he was starting to embrace being a Dreg. The entire plot of book one kept me hooked all the way through because the way Bardugo wrote the prose keeps you wanting to know whether the team manage to pull of the heist. Obviously, as it's a fantasy book we know there'll be conflict throughout the novel, so the problems that kept cropping up just made it even more exciting but also added to the suspense. And now onto Crooked Kingdom Crooked Kingdom was very much the same. After Inej is captured at the end of book one, Kaz and the team create a plan to try and get her back. But nothing is as simple as it seems...obviously. I loved book one and couldn't wait to start book two because I needed to know what happens. Leigh's writing style is very poetic but it also has clarity that conveys the images she wants you to see off the page clearly and the narrative will hook you in until the last word. Crooked Kingdom follows on from Six of Crows and so, you already know the characters and what's happening. But I felt that throughout Crooked Kingdom, I actually got to know the characters better as individuals on a deeper level. In the first part, the focus is mainly on Inej and her safety, which means that as a reader we learn more about her character and the relationship she has with Kaz and within the dregs. I loved her character even more in book two because of the emotional connection Leigh creates between her and the reader. Similarly, Kaz became less of a villain and more of a tortured hero in Crooked Kingdom. In the first book, you do learn about his past but in book two, you see Kaz try to overcome what holds him back and it was refreshing seeing his vulnerable side as well as the 'dangerous Dirtyhands' that was primarily in book one. There is a lot of action happening in Crooked Kingdom. The conflict is not an easy conflict to resolve, hence the thickness of the book, but whilst reading it, I didn't feel that it was too long-winded or complex to follow. Leigh wrote the narrative in a way that flows well and isn't too fast or slow-paced - it was just right. However, towards the end, there is something that happens that I was not expecting. Looking back now, it makes sense why it happened and did seem logical but at the time, I wasn't happy because it was a sad moment and an emotional one for the characters of the story. But I do think it strengthens the narrative that bit more. Choosing my favourite book out of Six of Crows or Crooked Kingdom is difficult. Six of Crows introduces you to the world and the characters and you get immersed in their lives. But on the other hand, Crooked Kingdom is more action-packed, perhaps more emotional, and you have that stronger connection to the characters because you know who they are from book one. What I can decide, however, is that the Six of Crows duology by Leigh Bardugo is one of my favourite series to read. I will never forget the stories, the characters and will - definitely - reread them. Have you read the Six of Crows duology? If so, let me know your thoughts down below. Until next time...

Today, October 10th is World Mental Health Day. Mental health is and will always be one of the most important aspects of life, but sometimes it can be difficult to prioritise and take care of yourself mentally. So I'm going to give you some tips on self-care to help your mental health. Earlier this year, it was Mental Health Awareness Week. Back then, I shared some blog posts on tips to improve your mental health as well as movies to make you feel good. Now, with it being World Mental Health Day, I wanted to share some more tips and tricks to improve your mental health. Managing our mental health can be a tough thing to do in today's world, especially with the rise of social media. But it is so important for us to take time for ourselves and help ourselves feel good. It's okay to not always feel 100%. It's okay to have low days. It's okay to not want to always go out and about. But what's not okay, is not prioritising your mental health. So, I thought I'd share some ideas for self-care that you can do to help improve your mental health, feel better about yourself and life and just generally feel good. Embrace your social life When it comes to your mental health, there are times when you may not want to go out. You may feel quite lethargic or tired, but sometimes, it can pay to see family and friends, talk and connect to people and embrace your social life. Typically, extroverts are those who are re-energised through socialising. However, embracing your social life doesn't just benefit the extroverts. For introverts as well, having a conversation with a close friend or family member can really help lift your spirits. It doesn't have to be every day, or every other day. It can be that once a week, you schedule a phone call, or go for coffee or a meal out with someone who you're comfortable around. Having a small event like those above scheduled can give you something to look forward. And being around those you love can boost your mood and your confidence, and can make you feel less isolated. And if you're feeling really brave, you can even go to community events like a fair, a book club or a local quiz night at the pub. Whatever it is that you like to do, embrace it with someone by your side. Embrace me-time But going out and socialising isn't always the best for everyone and that's okay. Spending time in your home by yourself is just as valuable as seeing friends. And it isn't just for introverts either, extroverts can indulge in some me-time to help boost their mental health. Having that time by yourself where you can fully relax and not worry about anything else is a huge benefit to life. I don't do it nearly enough, but it's something I want to start doing more. Taking time for yourself, doing an activity you love like reading a book or watching a new film/TV series you've always wanted to watch, is more beneficial than you think. Sometimes, people think that if a friend asks you to go out, but you'd rather spend time at home, in your PJs snuggled up on the sofa for example, it's not really an excuse. Now I include myself in this group; there have been times where I've been asked to go out but what I really wanted - and what I needed for my mental health - was to stay at home and have a relaxing night in. However, I end up going out and I don't get to reap the rewards I would have had if I'd embraced my me-time. So the best thing for you, personally, will sometimes be to do something by yourself, to have that time on your own. Pamper evenings One thing I have recently discovered and now love is an everything shower. I first heard of this from a friend, who had seen it all over social media. And if you're reading this and thinking, what is an everything shower? I'll tell you. An everything shower is a shower where you wash your hair, shave, cleanse, exfoliate, wash your body - basically everything you need to do to make sure you're super clean. I love having an everything shower on a Sunday, particularly in the evening, because then when I come out, I can put fresh pyjamas on, maybe a face mask, sort out my hair, moisturise, and just generally feel as though I've been pampered. This tip is probably more for the skincare and beauty lovers that read this blog, but trust me when I tell you how good an everything shower can make you feel. It rejuvenates your whole body, makes you feel clean and fresh, and gets you ready for a lovely night's sleep before the next day. But if you're not an everything-shower type of person, then pampering yourself in other ways is just as advantageous for your mental health. Do what you enjoy In life, lots of people can get bogged down by what they think they're supposed to do than what they actually want to do. But when it comes to your mental health, doing what you enjoy is the most important. If you're finding yourself wishing the day or week was over before it's really just begun, or if you find yourself feeling 'meh' most days, having a hobby or something you love can really help. It's very easy in today's society to let life pass you by but you should try and embrace every moment and every opportunity that comes your way. And one way to do this is to do something you enjoy. There are so many different hobbies out there for all kinds of people and if you can find at least one hobby you love and schedule some time to do it, your mental health will be all the better for it. Release the endorphins Endorphins are hormones our bodies release when we feel pain or stress. However, they are also released when you do things such as exercise. So if you love exercise, if you're an active person and like doing some cardio or weight-lifting, then one way you can better your mental health and improve how you feel, is by getting that blood pumping and doing exercise. Not every exercise is for everyone; for instance, I have a friend who loves running. I don't run unless it's away from something bad. But I do love swimming and I love dancing and I love Pilates. To improve your mental health, you need to find the right exercise for you and schedule time to do it. Releasing the stress in your body, getting the endorphins flowing, and working up a sweat can have a huge impact on your mental health - but it's a good impact. Mental Health Charities If you ever need someone to talk to or need help regarding your mental health, there are several charities and organisations that are out there to do exactly that. Anxiety UK – www.anxietyuk.org.uk Men’s Health Support – www.menshealthforum.org.uk Mental Health Foundation - https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/ Mind – www.mind.org.uk No Panic – www.nopanic.org.uk Papyrus – www.papyrus-uk.org Samaritans – https://www.samaritans.org/ Young Minds – www.youngminds.org.uk Until next time...

Are you looking for a new TV show to watch this Autumn? If so, I have some recommendations. It's that time of year when the days get darker, the weather gets colder and the leaves get crisper. October is here, which means it's officially Autumn. Autumn is one of my favourite seasons and I love this time of year because I'm an introvert and being inside, watching a cosy TV show or snuggling up with a book makes me so happy. But what if you can't find anything to watch? Well, I have some recommendations of Autumn TV shows for you that you can binge-watch this season. If you looked up Autumn TV shows online, there would be hundreds to choose from - the same with movies for Autumn - and if you're anything like me, it isn't easy to decide. But I thought I'd share some of my favourite TV shows that I love and will probably be re-watching in the next couple of months. So first up is... Gilmore Girls I couldn't recommend a TV series for Autumn without mentioning Gilmore Girls. Yes, it is sometimes classed as a teen drama, and yes, it includes romance, but everything about Stars Hollow and the mother-daughter duo of Lorelai and Rory screams Autumn. Gilmore Girls spans seven seasons with a separate sequel - Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life - and there are roughly 20 episodes per season. It is one of the shows that I absolutely loved when I watched it. There will be characters that you may dislike, but aren't there in nearly everything? Throughout the show there are some heart-warming moments, but also some rather sad moments. However, Gilmore Girls is one of those shows that began in 2005 and is still a favourite among many. The character of Lorelai, especially, will forever be a timeless character because she is very relatable, very funny and has some great quotes throughout the series. Each character is vastly different and whilst Gilmore Girls is more popular among women in their teens and early 20s, it's still an enjoyable show for everyone. Next up is... Charmed When I talk about Charmed, I mean the original series that ran from 1998 to 2006. This TV show is one of my all-time favourites because it has everything you could ever want in a TV show: action, humour, romance, family, friendship, life lessons...it has everything. So this Autumn, especially in October when it's spooky season, a show about three sisters discovering they're witches and what happens to them from then on, is one of the best shows you could watch. There is a remake of Charmed but personally, it has nothing on the original. Charmed stars Holly Marie Combs, Alyssa Milano, Shannon Doherty and Rose McGowan as the main characters with Doherty leaving after season three, making way for McGowan. There are so many aspects of Charmed that I love and I can't tell you how many times I've watched edits of the show on YouTube or TikTok because it is just that good. And with it being supernatural, that brings me on nicely to... The Vampire Diaries The Vampire Diaries is a classic TV show that is watched again and again by many. The TV show is actually based on the book series by L.J. Shen with some slight differences. It follows the story of Stefan and Damon Salvatore, two brothers who are actually vampires. It is modern-day with flashbacks to the past, but the show is centred around Stefan and Damon and the town of Mystic Falls, where Elena Gilbert lives. The Vampire Diaries is a teen, supernatural and romance drama with vampires, witches, werewolves, hybrids and originals, which funnily enough have their own TV show The Originals. I loved The Vampire Diaries when I first watched it and I have rewatched the odd episode here and there. In fact, I'm currently studying the script for the pilot episode and whilst reading the script, I could picture exactly what was portrayed on screen. That shows just how good it is because it stays in your head once you've watched it. But another good supernatural TV show to watch this Autumn is... Buffy the Vampire Slayer I can't quite remember how I first came around to watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but I'm glad I did. Like The Vampire Diaries, it does have vampires in it and it is based on a high-school student becoming a vampire slayer - hence the name. It includes other supernatural creatures like witches and demons but is more about the life of Buffy and her friends as they tackle having to save the world every other day - as you do. It's been a while since I've seen the show but it is perfect for Autumn and October if you're stuck with what to watch. Buffy the Vampire Slayer has eight seasons, all very different, and it hooks you from the very beginning. If you like a darker supernatural programme, then Buffy the Vampire Slayer is for you. Moving onto a darker, non-supernatural, programme... Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin Now, full disclaimer, I have only watched one episode of this TV show so far. A friend introduced me to it and I got hooked. Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin is a spin-off series from the original show Pretty Little Liars. But whilst this one still has a tormentor/stalker, the storyline is quite different and to me, it seems darker. It's still a teen show, but from what I've seen so far, it is tailored to the older end of the teen/young adult demographic. It follows a group of five girls, all at high school, but not necessarily friends, as they're punished for their mothers' mistakes. So far, I'm loving it and I think it's the perfect show to watch in the build-up to Halloween. And moving on to more light-hearted TV shows... Once Upon A Time Once Upon A Time is probably what you guessed...a TV show about fairy tales. And you may be thinking that that seems more suitable for a child audience, but I can assure you it's not. Once Upon A Time follows the story of a saviour, the daughter of Prince Charming and Snow White, as she discovers her true identity and is forced into a world that she thought only belonged in books. The magic and fantasy elements of the show are probably some of the most realistic I've seen and the detail of all the fairy tales is incredible. There are seven seasons of Once Upon A Time and once you get started, you'll want to watch the rest because there are so many intricate storylines that you get hooked on the characters' journeys and want to see how it ends. And finally, my last recommendation... Hart of Dixie Hart of Dixie is one of my favourite TV shows that I will always rewatch. It is more of a late summer, early Autumn show in that it's set in Alabama and some of the episodes give off summery vibes. However, it is such a wholesome, light-hearted show to watch that it also has cosy vibes for Autumn. It follows the story of a New York City doctor moving to one of those small towns in Alabama where everybody knows everybody and nothing is really a secret. It's humorous, it's romantic, it's addicting. Hart of Dixie will make you smile - I guarantee it - and if you haven't watched it yet, what are you waiting for? So now that you have seven recommendations for Autumn TV shows, you can now snuggle up and escape reality for a moment. And if you fancy a reality Autumn TV show, I recommend Strictly Come Dancing or the Great British Bake Off. If you've got any other TV shows to watch this Autumn, let me know in the comments below. Or if you give any of these a go, let me know what you think of them. Until next time...

I had the pleasure of interviewing romance author, Chelsie Hart, to talk all about her journey as a writer and her debut novel, Golden Hour. As an aspiring author and book lover, I've read many different genres and works of many different authors. I have my go-to authors that I will always return to but I also enjoy reading new authors. One of the new authors I've discovered this year is Chelsie Hart. Now, Chelsie was a fellow book reviewer but is now a self-published author. Recently, after having followed Chelsie's journey from reader to writer and reading her debut novel, I had the opportunity to interview her. Much like in my interview with Cressida McLaughlin, Chelsie and I spoke about her writing journey, her first published book, and her current work-in-progress as well as a game of Would You Rather. Chelsie was so nice and lovely. I'm really grateful I got the opportunity to speak to her and meet her - even if it was virtually. So read on to see my interview with Chelsie Hart. My interview with Chelsie Hart WriteWatchWork: Chelsie, you started out as a book reviewer on bookstagram, but now you're a self-published author. How did becoming an author come about? Was it something you've always wanted to do? Chelsie: When I was in high school, I started writing a book because I've always loved reading. It was terrible; I found it when I was cleaning out my closet in my childhood home and I was like, 'Oh my gosh, this is awful!' I've always wanted to write. I've always felt that I had cool stories swirling around in my brain. But it wasn't until I started reading romance that I found what I was good at writing. I had tried several different genres and nothing had ever really clicked for me and then I started reading romance and I was like, 'Hey, I could do this.' I would say reading the likes of Lexi Ryan's books really helped me find my voice. She's one of my favourites and then also Nikki Castle and Lulu Moore were pretty big influences on me starting to write. WriteWatchWork: And you're an indie author having gone down the self-publishing route rather than a traditional publishing house. What was the reasoning behind this? Chelsie: Traditional publishing is kind of intimidating generally. Who knows if you would ever really make it that way? But apart from that, I just like to do what I want and I don't like people telling me what to do. So the thought of someone being like, this is what your cover is going to look like or I don't like this part of your writing, change it to something else, I don't think I would handle that well. I'm generally really good at handling criticism, but I think if someone was talking to me like you have to change this stuff in your book otherwise we're not going to publish it, I think I would have a really hard time with that. So I felt like indie publishing was the way to go for me. Plus, I don't work well under deadlines. WriteWatchWork: How did it feel to publish your book and hold the physical copy in your hands? Chelsie: It was wild! When I got my author proofs back that still had the grey band across the front of them, I was like, 'Oh my gosh, this is the most beautiful thing I've ever held in my hands.' I was so excited. It's just so crazy to have a physical piece of something you've worked so hard on. It's not just a Kindle copy, it's a physical thing, so that was really cool to be able to flip through it and be like 'I wrote this.' WriteWatchWork: Has publishing Golden Hour changed your approach to writing in any way? Are there any lessons you learned that you can bring forward to writing the other books in the series? Chelsie: Actually, I started writing another series in 2021, I think, and with that one, I was just writing it in order. I didn't have anything planned out, it was a fly-from-the-seat-of-my-pants kind of thing; I was just writing whatever I wanted. And then when I started writing Golden Hour, I plotted everything in an Excel sheet, each chapter and what I wanted. I plotted out each chapter and what I wanted to happen in each chapter and then I would write whatever the vibe was that day. I would pick a chapter and then start writing it. WriteWatchWork: As you just mentioned, you plotted out each chapter for Golden Hour. But when coming up with the initial idea, did you start with the plot first or the characters? Chelsie: The characters, definitely. I'm a big country music fan, not so much stuff that's come out recently, but my family, our history is a lot of country music. My family has blue grass bands and they're all very musical, so I grew up listening to '70s and '80s country music. And so, I always imagined all of these women, country music artists from that era, what they would be like if they were all friends and not famous. So I wanted to write a book about that. I wanted to see what it would feel like to have all these normal, sassy women from rural America being friends. WriteWatchWork: That's really cool that you've taken inspiration from your childhood and what you knew growing up. But my next question is how do you get yourself into the writing zone and how do you overcome writer's block? Chelsie: I think my husband would laugh really hard if he heard you ask if I have a routine. I am the least regimented person ever - it's awful and not great both in writing and motherhood. I need to be better at it. I'm terrible at getting routines started and following through on them, so when I was writing Golden Hour, I was working part-time most of the time, so I would either text my husband and say, I've got to go to Starbucks once you get home from work so I can get some writing done, or I found this little Bluetooth keyboard and it hooked up to my phone. I'd take it to work with me and write on my breaks. It was pretty much just between working part-time and taking care of my kids, it was just writing here and there, whenever I could find the time. I wish I had a routine, that would be amazing, but I also don't think it's in the cards for me. As for writer's block, I would either just listen to music or get on Pinterest and look at my aesthetic boards. Or I have a note on my phone for each book where I'd write little ideas and so I'd go on there and pick a quote that I had thought of and written down, and then try to write off of that. WriteWatchWork: As we mentioned, you were an avid reader before you became an author. But now, when you read books by other authors, do you find yourself having an author's eye and noticing things that perhaps you wouldn't have prior to writing your own novel? Chelsie: Yes, it's a blessing and a curse because I feel like I'm more picky with what I spend my time on. I've always been pretty picky; I don't read books that I'm not into, I'll DNF a book 10 pages in if I feel like it's not what I want to read right now. But I feel even more so now if there are even just two sentences in a row that start with the same word, I'm out. I have such a more critical eye that it's hard to break out of that. WriteWatchWork: If you were to ever try your hand at another genre, what genre would it be? Chelsie: So actually, whenever I was in college, one summer I read 20-30, which is not that much now that I read romance books, but one summer I was home from college and I read a bunch of Young Adult dystopian, like The Hunger Games and Divergent and stuff like that. I have a notebook filled with dystopian world-building, I did the whole thing, I thought of literally everything. So if I ever wanted to switch, I think I would try to pick that back up, but I don't know if I would ever switch. WriteWatchWork: And how do you deal with both the positive and negative reviews of your book? Do you read them at all? Chelsie: A lot of the advice that authors I've known for a while gave me was to not read the Goodreads reviews, the negative ones, but I can't stop myself. So I read them anyway. But they don't bother me. I try to keep in mind I don't like every book that I've read, it's not going to happen. People aren't going to like my book and that's totally fine. If they're mean about it then I will just send a screenshot to my friend and be like, make me feel better about this. But more often than not, I'm okay with it. I was a journalism major in college so criticism is kind of the name of the game. So no big deal, I just let it roll off. WriteWatchWork: That's good, a good mindset to have because sometimes you can get bogged down so it's good to let it bounce off you in a way. Chelsie: You definitely can, but I was like, if you're going to read these reviews, you've got to be able to let it go. WriteWatchWork: In Golden Hour, there is such a vast cast of characters and they're all so different. Which character resonates with you the most that you've written? Chelsie: It would probably be a mixture of June and Louise. I'm from a really small town and when I was growing up, there is this pressure when you're from a small town to look a certain way, be a certain way because news travels fast. It's very gossipy and people know all your business and they all have opinions that they will freely share with you. So I feel like there is a lot of pressure when you grow up in a small town to put on a façade of perfection. But with Louise, her character is really - you guys don't know her a ton yet - but her character is really like a nurturing type of person. She likes to care for Goldie and her friends, pretty much anyone she can get her hands on. And I like to think I'm like that - I try to be, I like making people feel special and cared for. WriteWatchWork: Which character was the most challenging to write? Or will be if you haven't written their story yet? Chelsie: I think Beau is going to be a little bit hard to write. Just because he is more quiet, not grumpy, but kind of quiet and only says something when he feels it's important to say that thing. So writing a character to depict what they're thinking and feeling without having to say a whole is going to be challenging, you know. I feel like authors sometimes really depend on a lot of dialogue to tell instead of just show, and so I feel like Beau will be challenging having to really flex those show muscles instead of just using dialogue to get the point across. WriteWatchWork: Out of the characters you've written so far, were there any you disliked writing? Chelsie: I don't think so, I had a really good time! As far as the three best friends go, I wrote them based on all of my favourite parts of my friends and family members. I just wanted them to be a mixture of all the best parts of all of the women that I loved. And yeah, they're flawed, but not that flawed. So I've really enjoyed writing them. The men have been an interesting little journey for me. Grady started out as one thing and then ended up completely different for me. I loved writing his character and everything that he went through. So far, I've really enjoyed writing all of my characters. WriteWatchWork: You just mentioned Grady's character changed throughout the writing process and Golden Hour is in dual point-of-view. What was it like writing Grady's chapters and having to be in the mindset of a male character? Chelsie: That was harder than I thought it was going to be and I asked my husband a lot, obviously we're not writing men that are actual men because that would usually suck, but I would ask my husband, is this something so off-base from what a man would say or do, if I felt something was iffy. So he was a big help to me in trying to find my way. But it ended up being a lot easier than I thought it was going to be. It just kind of happens when you start writing from a male point of view and I did rewrite a couple of his first chapters because by the time I'd reached the end of the book, I thought his voice was more established in my head, so I did end up rewriting a couple of things, but it just kind of happened. WriteWatchWork: One thing I particularly struggle with is coming up with the names for characters, locations, etc. How did you come up with the names for places, characters, etc. in your book and the trilogy title, Porch Bitches? Chelsie: As far as the three main girls, I just go on Pinterest - that's where I find all of my names - and I looked for Southern names and Western names. I really like old-fashioned names so that's where June and Louise came from. Delia's was a magazine, a clothing magazine, that I got in the mail way back in the early 2000s and I have always loved that name. That's the only reason that's Delia's name because of that magazine and how much I loved that magazine. Maple Creek, I just wanted to name it something really salt-of-the-earth. It's not anything special, it's just a little town and then as far as the trilogy title, I knew I wanted them to have a place where they always went and I liked the idea of it being at Louise's house because she's the caregiver of the group. Some of my best memories growing up were sitting with my mum and my grandma on the porch swing, enjoying the quiet of living in a small town and that's where you solve all your problems. You're just swinging and talking and then by the end of the evening, you're like, alright, I've got it all figured out now. So I obviously wanted it to be on the porch and then I was like, what is this book about and what would make it funny because I like to be funny so my thought process led there. WriteWatchWork: You're currently writing book two in the series, Wilder Days, which is Delia and Kacey's story. How is that going so far? Are there any details you can tell us at all? Chelsie: I'm terrible at being hush-hush at anything, so I'll tell you anything you want. It's going well. I think I've shared this a little bit here and there, but me and my husband and our two children, are currently living with my parents. We moved from St Louis where we'd been living for the past five years, and we got some land and we're getting a modular home. And so we're living with my parents, I'm working on the family farm and it's harvest season so my life has been super hectic lately. So I'm writing literally every spare moment I have. It's been a challenge. So far, I'm loving both of the characters. I was so excited to write Delia in more detail and get inside her head because she's like who I always wanted to be; I always wanted to be the person who's like, I said what I said and consequences be damned, this is who I am, get over it. But I am so far the opposite of that. Inwardly, I feel like I'm like that, but outwardly, I'm not like that at all. So it's been super fun to get inside her head and it's just a stream of consciousness that I'm word-vomiting out on the paper. I'm going to go back and maybe get rid of some of it, maybe not because that's just who Delia is. When it pops into her head, she just says it. So that's been super fun and it's been fun to write Kacey. I just wrote his very first scene where he's still in the city and his life there and how he's coping with his life. I've written scenes with him in them already when he's already back in Maple Creek and the part where he and Delia are already back together. So it's fun to get in his head. WriteWatchWork: If you could give one piece of advice to aspiring authors, what would it be? Chelsie: It would be to write for yourself. I feel like especially if you've been in the Bookstagram world for a while, it would be easy to get caught up in the tropes that people are enjoying right now instead of writing the story that you want to write. I know small-town romances are really big right now, but if that's not your wheelhouse then don't write a small-town romance. Write the book that you want to write and people are going to read it. WriteWatchWork: One final question. This is related to books but not your books. I saw on your Instagram that you like Lexi Ryan's series. Now I love this series but I've never found anyone else who has read it and liked it, so I have to ask: Which book is your favourite and which brother is your favourite? Chelsie: I think my favourite one - I get all the titles mixed up in my head all the time - but it's Molly and Brayden's book, Wrapped Up in Love I think it is. I loved them so much. I love Molly's whole vibe, I loved her from the moment she appeared in the third book. And my favourite brother, I really liked Carter. I never understand why I don't see that series more often, I think it is incredible. And I'm rereading them now, because like I said, they were some of my very first romance books way back in 2020, and so I'm rereading them now to be like, was it just because they were some of my first books or are they actually as good as I remember. And they are. And that's a wrap! I hope you enjoyed my interview with romance author, Chelsie Hart. Until next time...

In modern society, it can be difficult to maintain a work-life balance between our professional lives and our personal lives and have boundaries. But it is an essential part of life to ensure we stay healthy and avoid burnout. Having a work-life balance is one of the most important things we can have to help ourselves daily. But it is also one of the toughest things to accomplish. Trust me, I know. Recently, it was the Japanese Grand Prix for Formula 1 and living in the UK meant the track action started at 3:30am most days. As a sports journalist, I was awake for all the sessions for three days on the trot. On top of that, my university modules had just begun. I was still getting acquainted with what the courses entailed as well as battling COVID-19, which had invaded our household once again. So I've had a lot going on and it's had a negative effect on me because I have burnt myself out. I always advocate for a work-life balance and setting yourself boundaries, but I'm not that great at actually implementing what I preach. However, I'm going to start. So, here are some ways to implement boundaries into your life to achieve that work-life balance, decrease your stress levels and hopefully, avoid burning out. No-phone day Since mobile phones were invented, people have relied more and more on those devices to help them live. With smartphones, such as iPhones and Android phones, it is so much easier to have everything you need and want at your fingertips. We can read the latest news, see what our family, friends and celebrities are up to, check our emails, watch a programme on Netflix, spend hours on TikTok, buy new clothes and so much more all from our phones. But having access to our phones all the time can be detrimental. As someone who relies on their phone for aspects of their job, I know how difficult it can be to switch off from our devices. It is very easy to become addicted to checking your phone every ten minutes. Trust me, I know it is, but it is so much better for you and your mental health if every once in a while, you can break away from that. The other day, I didn't have my phone on me for the whole day. I left it somewhere in the house and didn't need to check it. I wasn't in the middle of a conversation with someone, I wasn't expecting any important emails and I didn't need to post on social media for work. And you know what? It was liberating. So when you're struggling with a work-life balance, when things are getting too much, maybe have a no-phone day. Have one day a week - or fortnight - where you leave your phone in a drawer and turn it off. Out of sight, out of mind as they say. Turn off notifications If having a no-phone day sounds daunting and not that plausible for you, then turning off notifications could be the next best thing. A friend of mine on LinkedIn recently shared a post about how turning off notifications for everything over the weekend really helped her create boundaries between work and play. With smartphones, we can get notifications for all sorts of things, it isn't just messages. We can get them when there's a new episode of our favourite podcast, when a colleague or a client sends you an email and even when there are new stories on Apple News. Notifications can be for everything but having them light up your phone screen all the time - and remain in your notifications centre if you don't look at them right away - can have a detrimental effect on mental health and our moods generally. But if you turn notifications off for a couple of days - apart from the essentials (e.g. if a family member is going away and they may contact you) - then it can help cleanse your mind, and it can help you destress and focus on things away from work. Having just one day a week, or perhaps just a few hours, where you're not constantly looking at your phone, has more benefits than we all probably realise. Schedule in downtime In the digital age, I think one of the more challenging things to do is to set aside time for ourselves. This is especially difficult because a lot of people can work from their phones, or at least check emails etc. But if there's one thing I've learnt from constantly working is to take breaks. If someone asks me when do I take breaks from work, my usual answer is when I go to bed. And that's true. My downtime for myself is usually once I'm ready for bed and from nine in the evening onwards. But whilst I enjoy reading and listening to music at that time, it isn't that good for me in the long run because it impacts my sleep. So, I'm learning to schedule downtime where I do something fun and enjoyable away from work. This not only gives me a break and gives my mind a rest, but it means that when I return to work, I can be more efficient in tackling the tasks I have to do. And I know it's easy to say, I'll have a break tomorrow or I won't work all the time over the weekend, but unless you schedule in time for yourself, it probably won't happen. So, schedule it in, and don't be afraid to prioritise yourself. Even if a friend asks you to go out for the evening, if you don't want to or would rather stay in, saying you're busy is okay - it's not a copout, it is a valid reason because it can make all the difference. Lower cortisol levels I recently saw a TikTok video about how cortisol levels have a huge impact on our bodies and daily lives. Now, cortisol is the stress hormone and when you're feeling stressed, the levels of cortisol increase. And when you're stressed, things can feel out of control; it can take a toll on your health and you may feel guilty if you don't work or accomplish the things that you think need to be accomplished. But if you try to lower your cortisol levels, you'll feel better generally and less bogged down by everything on your to-do list. It's easy to say, reduce your cortisol levels, but it's not as easy to do. So, some ways you can lower your cortisol levels are: Get adequate sleep - at least seven to eight hours a night Practice gratitude and journaling Go outside for walks or for a coffee to be among nature Take deep breaths and practice somatic movements Use the Eisenhower Matrix I first heard of the Eisenhower Matrix back when I was studying at Sixth Form, but my sister recently reminded me of it. Essentially, the Eisenhower Matrix is how you categorise different tasks in levels of urgency and importance. Doing this with work tasks, but also things you need to do in your personal life, can help you create those boundaries and ensure you have more of a balance and aren't overdoing it. So, what is the Eisenhower Matrix? The Eisenhower Matrix categorises tasks into four different sections: Important and urgent Important but not urgent Not important but urgent Not important and not urgent The idea is that you group your tasks on your to-do list into one of these categories. Then, depending on what category the task is in, depends on what you do with it. If it's in the 'Important and Urgent' section, then the tasks usually have a deadline or consequences if they're not completed ASAP. So those tasks are marked as 'DO'. The jobs in the 'Important but not urgent' section are ones that need to be done, but not necessarily straight away, so you want to schedule them. Moving onto the 'Not important but urgent' tasks. These ones you can afford to delegate with. They need to be done urgently, but it doesn't have to be you who does them. And then finally, the 'Not important and not urgent' tasks are ones you can forget about. Delete them from your mind. Structuring your to-do list this way will help make your day more efficient because you'll be wiser when it comes to spending your time. It will also help you create those boundaries between life and work creating a more harmonious balance where you don't get too stressed. So hopefully, these five tips can help you create a better work-life balance so you can avoid burning yourself out. If you have any more tips to create boundaries, let me know in the comments below. Until next time...

Crime TV shows, both fiction and non-fiction, have grown in popularity with more and more being produced for our viewing. I love watching TV; getting invested in a programme and attached to the characters is a great way to escape from reality. And recently, I was thinking about the TV shows I really like to watch after a conversation with my family. It turns out, a lot of people in my family actually watch similar shows. They mainly consist of medical dramas like Grey's Anatomy but crime dramas are also rather popular. So I thought I'd share my top crime TV shows with you all and see if we have watched any of the same ones. The Rookie The Rookie is a US crime show that consists of five seasons. It begins focusing on a rookie cop, John Nolan, who is older than most recruits. Whilst he's the protagonist in the first series, as the show develops, we get to see a group of central characters and their storylines. This show is one of my favourites because it combines humour with the traditional aspects of a crime show. I recently watched the season finale of season five, and let me tell you, the way the show grips you and keeps you hooked throughout the episode is amazing. Also, as a budding screenwriter myself, the different ways they portray episodes, for example, through police cameras, is intriguing. Chicago PD Chicago PD is another American crime drama but it's part of the One Chicago universe. It is a spin-off from the show Chicago Fire and often has cross-over episodes with Chicago Fire as well as Chicago Med. The show is centred around the Intelligence Unit within the Chicago Police Department, which is run by Hank Voight. There are currently ten seasons of the show - the latest season finished quite recently. Each season has different storylines throughout with each episode centred around a specific case. The reason I love this show is that it features the darker side of crime and how police officers are affected by what they see on the job and also what happens when they're threatened. I know it is fictional, but Chicago PD is a great piece of escapism if you love some drama, dark detective work and also a bit of romance. Magnum P.I. Now for those of an older generation, you may be thinking of Magnum P.I. with Tom Selleck as Thomas Magnum. And whilst that is Magnum P.I., I'm talking about the 2018 reboot. Magnum P.I. with Jay Hernandez and Perdita Weeks as Magnum and Higgins is one of the shows I love to watch because it is such a feel-good show that incorporates a more light-hearted take on investigating crimes - kind of like The Rookie. I must admit, I haven't actually watched the first season. However, I have watched every one since because it is so good. Magnum P.I. is set in Hawaii, so you have the Hawaiian feel to the show with the ocean and sunny weather. And the key characters - Magnum, Higgins, Rick, TC, Gordy and Teuila - make the show what it is. There is action, humour, romance, which I'm very happy is happening, and so much more in the show that is Magnum P.I. NCIS: Los Angeles When it comes to the NCIS universe, there are many different versions of the show in many different cities within America. There is the standard NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigation Service, NCIS: Hawai'i, NCIS: New Orleans, and NCIS: Sydney, which is the new series that has yet to be released. But my favourite version is NCIS: Los Angeles. NCIS: Los Angeles has actually now finished completely, so if you don't like starting tv shows that have lots of seasons and are ongoing, now is the time to watch it. It follows the story of the Office of Special Projects with the Naval Criminal Investigation Service. The main characters are G Callan and Sam Hanna, but over time we also get Kensi Blye, Marti Deeks, Hetty Lang and many more. Sometimes NCIS: Los Angeles can be difficult to follow, but only because of the intricacies of the cases the team work. There are so many subplots that run throughout the entire show in addition to the general cases of each episode. I feel that as the show goes on and you get to the later episodes, the humour and comedic element increases, which is one of the aspects of the show I really enjoy. Also, all the characters and their relationships are portrayed incredibly well. MacGyver Much like Magnum P.I., the version of MacGyver that I love to watch is the reboot. The 2016-2021 version of the TV show stars Lucas Till, who was actually in Hannah Montana: The Movie, as well as Tristan Mays and George Eads. Now, I've written about MacGyver before because the TV show has, in fact, been cancelled. There was a petition trying to get the show picked up again, but unfortunately, it remains cancelled. And for me, that's a shame because I really enjoyed watching the show. Yes, it is centred around government agents saving the world and bringing people to justice, but it was also a fictional TV show that taught the audience a lot. MacGyver, the character, has an incredible brain that is often the reason he's able to save the day - not brute force. So, the show taught people about science and brought humour and action together as well as onscreen friendships. So these five TV shows are some of my favourite crime shows. There are plenty more out there to watch, I just haven't got round to them yet. But if you have any recommendations for your own favourite crime shows, let me know in the comments below. And also let me know if you've seen any of the above and what you thought about them. Until next time...

Romance author, Eliah Greenwood has just released a new book, P.S. I'm Still Yours and oh my goodness is it good. Eliah Greenwood is an author I will always read. I've read every book she's published and so when I received an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of her latest novel, I was over the moon. Thank you Eliah and Wildfire Marketing for giving me an ARC of the book. P.S. I'm Still Yours is set in the same universe as Dear Love, I Hate You and the Everything But You duet. It features characters from the Easton Boys series and I loved that it was intertwined but also a separate novel in itself. Having absolutely devoured it in about 24 hours (I did have breaks, lol), I just wanted to go back and reread it. P.S. I'm Still Yours is one of the best books I've read this year and so here is my spoiler-free ARC review. My review of P.S. I'm Still Yours by Eliah Greenwood Tropes: Second chance romance Enemies-to-lovers Childhood best friends Rockstar romance Forced proximity Brothers best friend 'No one but you' vibes Where do I start? P.S. I'm Still Yours is a standalone romance that follows the story of Kane Wilder and Hadley Queen. Kane is a completely new character in the Easton Boys universe, but we have seen Hadley before in the previous books. However, you don't need to have read them to understand the story of P.S. I'm Still Yours. Hadley and Kane are childhood friends who have kind of grown up together because their mums are best friends. Every summer, Hadley, her brother Gray, and their mum, travel to Kane's beach house in Golden Cove. One particular summer, whilst staying at the beach house, Hadley stumbles upon something she was never meant to see. This kickstarts Hadley and Kane's friendship as a few months later, both the Wilders and the Queens are forced to live together. From there, despite his best efforts, Kane and Hadley open up to each other and grow closer. But then things happen. P.S. I'm Still Yours has two different stages of the narrative, by which I mean there is a time jump in the novel. So, fast-forward several years and we get to the enemies-to-lovers part of the story. Hadley and Kane are then very much not what they used to be and their lives have completely changed and they are different people. But they still have remnants of their younger selves and we see this push and pull between them. Eliah takes us on a journey through the whole transformation of a relationship. In the beginning, we see the start of a friendship and two people building a bond between them, but we also see conflict that disrupts that relationship and forces Hadley and Kane to re-evaluate everything. From the opening line of the prologue, you're immediately hooked as a reader. Eliah captures your attention with a single sentence because you're thrown into the middle of the action and then from Chapter One, the words "Before he left" create questions from the reader, making you want to read on. Now focusing on the protagonists, Hadley Queen is a strong, sassy heroine. She stands up for those who need it and will always fight for the ones she loves. Her passion is painting, which Kane discovers, but Hadley's confidence isn't always present when it comes to her art. She's intelligent, kind-hearted and a stubborn woman, who has been through a lot. Her resilience to keep going and be positive no matter what happens is something to admire and I must say she was a rather refreshing protagonist. Kane Wilder is a rich boy but there is so much more to his character. He's had a difficult life, especially growing up, and then overnight he's launched into the lifestyle of a rockstar after becoming a musician. He's confident, good-looking and loved by many people. But he does have his flaws, which crop up throughout the novel. Kane's character transformation is a beautiful one; he has a certain innocence to him in the first part of the book, but then when he's famous, you see how the industry has changed him. I love Eliah's writing - I have in every book of hers I've read - but I particularly liked reading the prose in P.S. I'm Still Yours. It was the perfect balance of exposition and action, and it wasn't too fast-paced. It felt natural and the change in POVs for each chapter, allowed us to get an insight into both Hadley and Kane and see the two sides of their relationship. But also see them as individuals rather than just a couple. The plot of the book was intricately written and well-thought-out - there were no plot holes. And I can't tell you exactly what, but there is a major twist at one point in the book. Now I had a feeling about this plot twist and I got part of it correct, but the other part...Oh my goodness, Eliah I was not expecting that! P.S. I'm Still Yours has a lot of different tropes, it has a lot of different characters but everything works. You see some of the characters from the Easton Boys series but also new ones including Drea, Scar, Jamie and Shay. I would love a book on Drea's story because I really liked her character and thought she had a complex history, which would be interesting to find out about. The entire novel is a heart-warming tale of second chances and redemption but it is also emotional to see what the characters go through and Eliah handles it incredibly well in terms of conveying the emotion and difficulties of events. Overall, P.S. I'm Still Yours by Eliah Greenwood is an incredible romance and definitely worth the read. To buy P.S. I'm Still Yours on Amazon or Kindle Unlimited, click here. If you've read it or are going to read it, let me know your thoughts in the comments below. Until next time...

Have you ever felt like you're not good enough? Well, that's essentially what imposter syndrome is but I'm here to give you some tips on how to overcome it. The other day, I was reading Set On You by Amy Lea. It's a romance book about a curvy woman who is a fitness influencer, inspiring others to embrace their bodies. And at the beginning of one particular chapter, there is a bit about downplaying your success and it got me thinking. The National Institute of Health's definition of Imposter Syndrome is: 'Imposter Syndrome (IS) is a behavioural health phenomenon described as self-doubt of intellect, skills or accomplishments among high-achieving individuals.' To simplify this, imposter syndrome is those feelings of anxiety and those thoughts of negativity when it comes to your success. If you've ever had thoughts along the lines of 'I'm not good enough', 'I got lucky' or 'I don't deserve this', then the likelihood is, you've experienced imposter syndrome at some part in your life. Now some people may be embarrassed to admit that they've felt like an imposter, but I can guarantee you, that nearly everyone has experienced it at some point. Everyone has moments of self-doubt, including me. If you spoke to my parents, they would tell you I often say things like, 'I'm not good enough' or 'What if I fail?'. In high school and sixth form, I almost always doubted my abilities to the point where during a biology exam, I had a panic attack and then cried after it thinking I'd failed. Even now as a journalist, I doubt myself sometimes because I'm not as experienced as others and I don't have the NCTJ qualification, so I do feel that sense of inadequacy sometimes, despite the fact I know I'm a good writer. And it's easy for me to sit here and write this blog post and tell you to just have faith in yourself, grow some more confidence etc. But that's easier said than done, especially in a world where our every action and every word can be scrutinised on social media. So, I'm going to give you some actual proactive tips that can help you battle the imposter syndrome, overcome that self-doubt and increase your self-confidence. Take breaks and relax Now I know I just said I'd give you some proactive tips and having a break and relaxing may seem like the opposite of proactive, but it's not. Imposter syndrome can be a really difficult and challenging feeling to deal with and constantly battling with it can cause you to burn out. And burnout isn't good for anybody. So when you're feeling that self-doubt, when you're feeling inadequate, take a break. Step back from work or your studies - whatever is causing you to have that anxiety - and relax. Do something you enjoy and find calming to reset your mind, calm yourself down and get a fresh perspective for when you're ready to go back to work. Review your success Imposter syndrome stems from not feeling your success internally or feeling as though you're not deserving of your success. But if you review the work you've completed and what you've achieved, it can help you overcome those anxieties because you'll see how much effort you put in and what tasks you actually had to do to get to the end result. You could keep a list of every project you complete, of every bit of revision you do for an exam, of every bit of praise from co-workers/teachers/bosses. Having something tangible that shows you your journey from start to end can help you realise what you've actually achieved. Express your thoughts This tip can be used not only for imposter syndrome but for any situation where you feel nervous, anxious or not confident. Expressing your thoughts can help you relieve tension and lift a weight off your shoulders. You can talk to someone else about how you're feeling and what you're thinking - it doesn't have to be a professional, it can be a good colleague or a family member, just someone you trust. Or if you'd prefer to express your thoughts but keep them private, getting a good journal or notebook where you can brain-dump everything onto the page is equally as helpful. Change your mindset These three words, Change Your Mindset, can seem daunting and scary at first because they hold so much weight behind them. But in reality, it's a small change that will lead to a happier and more positive mindset, battling that imposter syndrome. You need to re-evaluate and assess what your goals are in life and what your ambitions are. You also need to change your outlook because life and your career aren't quick trips - they are a journey. Getting to where you want to be, and having that success, shouldn't be a sprint. It's a marathon. Things take time but if you have a growth mindset, take setbacks as lessons to learn from, and try to not let the negative thoughts take over, you can overcome imposter syndrome. Can you do it? The answer to this question is YES! You may feel overwhelmed and think that whilst I've given you these tips, you can't actually do them, but you can. Everything in life can be made easier and simpler if you take it a bit at a time. This is the same for tackling imposter syndrome. These tips are there to help you and inspire you to think of more - you don't have to follow all of them. They may not be for you. But if you've suffered from imposter syndrome, then they may help. And if they help, you may be starting your journey to become the most confident, self-believing, ambitious version of yourself. Imposter syndrome isn't great but we've all been there. So if you find yourself feeling anxiety, and having those thoughts of self-doubt, then see if these tips can help you. Until next time...

Love Her or Lose Her by Tessa Bailey has quickly become one of my favourite reads this year. Before reading Love Her or Lose Her, I'd only ever read the Bellinger Sisters books by Tessa Bailey. But I have had quite a few of Tessa's works on my TBR (to be read) list - one of which has been Love Her or Lose Her. And then I went to The Works, bought the paperback copy and started reading it this August. Love Her or Lose Her is the second book in the Hot and Hammered trilogy by Tessa Bailey. I must admit, whilst I do have book one - Fix Her Up - I haven't actually read it yet. But I intend to read it now I've finished Love Her or Lose Her. But first, let's get into my review of book two. Review of Love Her or Lose Her by Tessa Bailey Marriage in trouble: 10/10 Romantic comedy: 8/10 Second chance romance: 9/10 Childhood sweethearts: 8/10 Mature read: 10/10 Love Her or Lose Her by Tessa Bailey is an interconnected standalone novel that follows the story of Dominic and Rosie Vega. The two met at school and were high school sweethearts, going on to get married. During their marriage, Dominic leaves for Afghanistan, having several deployments. When he returns from the army/military, he isn't quite the same person as he used to be. Instead, Dominic is quiet, brooding, and closed off. Over time, Rosie and Dominic grow apart, being more like strangers who are sharing a bed than a married couple. The plot really kicks off when Rosie comes home from work one day - working in a department store - and decides she's had enough of life and wants to make changes. That night, instead of indulging in the physical aspects of their relationship, Rosie packs a suitcase and tells Dominic she's leaving. To say this is a shock to him is an understatement. From there, the two deal with how their marriage has unravelled. This brings about Rosie's plan of getting Dominic to prove he actually wants to fight for their love. Marriage Boot Camp. Rosie and Dominic go to extreme couples counselling, which sees them tasked with homework and lessons all with the aim of figuring out whether or not their marriage is salvageable. The idea of marriage in boot camp for a marriage-in-trouble novel immediately enticed me in because I'd never read anything like that before. It was a unique plot with two very different characters involved which made for an enjoyable read of not only romance but also lessons in love and self-acceptance. Rosie has always dreamed of opening a restaurant but that's something that was put on the back burner in her marriage to Dominic. And as years went by, it became more of a dream and less of a goal to strive for. Rosie is an amazing cook, a talented woman, who is selfless, stubborn, and independent. But she also suffers from imposter syndrome and a lack of self-confidence. Dominic, however, comes across as this self-assured man, who walks with confidence and masculinity. He's very much a strong, dominating character, who often feels he knows best and therefore doesn't always ask other's opinions. When it comes to Rosie, Dominic only knows how to demonstrate his love through deeds - he was taught that providing a stable home for his family was the best thing he could do. But this is where things got rather interesting and also made you think. Whilst Dominic shows love through deeds, Rosie learns that she actually needs words. She needs words of affirmation, words of praise, words that convey her husband's confidence and belief in her. On the other hand, Dominic needs Rosie to demonstrate her love through deeds and actions. So the two have very different love languages and it was interesting to see how Tessa introduced the idea of love languages and knowing which one suits your partner best. Throughout the whole novel, Rosie and Dominic have this push and pull. The chemistry and sexual tension are electric and almost tangible. This is a mature read for audiences of 18+. Tessa writes their characters as individuals but also as partners and it was great to see the dynamic between Rosie and Dominic. Another thing I really liked about Love Her or Lose Her was the character arcs and hints of the side character's stories. Rosie and Dominic make strides in their marriage in this novel and the change in them as a couple is evident throughout because as readers we see them go through ups and downs and how they tackle different conflicts. Both Rosie and Dominic have their own character arcs as well. Rosie becomes more confident in her abilities and grows her self-belief. She also then realises how she can help her husband and learn his love language. Dominic does the same, learning how best to show his love to his wife and it was good to see him be more open towards the third act of the novel; however, I would have liked to see him change more for him, not just to make Rosie happy. The side characters as well were amazing. I mentioned earlier that Love Her or Love Her is the second book in a trilogy. The first is Fix Her Up, which centres around Travis and Georgie, who feature in this book as a couple. There's also Bethany and Wes and we get hints at their enemies-to-lovers vibes in Love Her or Lose Her, which made me super excited to read Tools of Engagement - the third book in the series. I've now read three Tessa Bailey books and I have more of hers to read. But I can assuredly say that I will be reading them because I've found Tessa writes in an effortless way that provides raw emotion but also humour to the reader. I loved Love Her or Lose Her and am so glad I have it as a paperback to add to my bookshelves. It is definitely worth the read if you like some spicy romcoms with a couple working on rehabilitating their marriage! If you've read Love Her or Lose Her - or any book in the Hot and Hammered trilogy - let me know your thoughts. If not, you can buy it on Amazon here. Until next time... Disclaimer: I own edits, not images

Have you seen the latest gripping thriller on Netflix, Who is Erin Carter? If not, you should watch it. I love a good TV show that keeps me hooked all the way through. But this time of year is the time when a lot of the TV shows I usually watch have a break because the season airing at the moment has finished. And the other day, my mum and I wanted something to watch so we thought we'd try a new show. We went onto Netflix, scrolled through and came across a limited series called Who is Erin Carter? Now let me tell you, I am so glad we decided to watch Who is Erin Carter? because it is such a good show. It's only seven episodes and a season two hasn't been confirmed yet because it is a limited series, but I'm hoping there will be a second season. To introduce you to the show, the synopsis of it is: Erin Carter, a British teacher in Spain, finds herself caught up in a supermarket robbery. When one of the robbers claims to recognise her, her life threatens to unravel. Those two sentences were what grabbed my attention. I love TV shows and movies that keep you on your toes, have a mystery to be solved and have lots of action. From the title alone, Who is Erin Carter? you can tell there would be lots of questions needing to be answered throughout the show. So when we watched episode one, I was hooked. Who is Erin Carter? is an action, thriller TV show that explores the effect of secrecy, hidden pasts and betrayal. But it also focuses on family and love and just how far someone - Erin Carter - will go to protect those she cares about. The series begins by showing you Erin's life in Barcelona and her family. Everything seems picture-perfect under the Spanish sun, but when a supermarket robbery occurs, Erin ends up being classed as a hero and famous in the town. From there, things start to unravel and it turns out things aren't quite as they seem. You get an entwined story of two characters really because you have Erin Carter who's a mother, a school teacher and a wife; but there's also the other Erin who knows how to fight, how to defend herself and has secrets. Throughout each episode, you're asking yourself the same question: Who is Erin Carter? There is an episode that is set in the past and it details Erin's backstory and how she ended up in Barcelona. And from there, I thought, okay, I can guess what's going to happen. I was wrong. My mum and I managed to guess one thing about a specific character, but everything else was a surprise. There are so many twists and turns throughout all the episodes. And they tend to end on cliff-hangers, which makes you want to binge-watch the series. The plot of the show is one of the most addictive plots I've watched unravel on screen in a long time. As someone who has studied screenwriting, I find it fascinating to see how script translates to screen and Who is Erin Carter? will definitely be an example I will look at. The acting is amazing. The protagonists of Erin, Emilio, Jordi, Harper, and Daniel are portrayed effortlessly and in such an authentic way. And the same goes for Lena as well, when we see her and Erin in the two different timelines, it shows the talent of the actors. Another thing I loved throughout the show was the character arcs. Each individual character had their own journey in the show that they went on and by the end, they were different, they'd transformed and reached the goal/want that they needed to. Erin tells her family the truth, unable to hide it anymore; but it actually brings her and Jordi closer and Harper as well. Lena goes from bad to good much like Penelope. And after all the action of the whole season and the climax in the season finale, it does kind of set it up for a season two - it's left open so there is the opportunity for more storylines. At the moment, Who is Erin Carter? is a limited mini-series on Netflix, so if you fancy a watch, give it a go and let me know what you think in the comments below. Until next time...

Have you ever been to an interview where you're the one who is going to be interviewed but felt unprepared? I have and so here are some tips on how to prepare for an interview. As a journalist and blogger, I tend to be the person conducting interviews, asking the guests questions. However, I was recently a guest on a podcast where I was the interviewee. The podcast I featured on was Megan's Bookish Life Podcast - available on Spotify - and it was such an enjoyable experience but also very different to what I'm used to. Generally, I'm interviewing racing drivers or authors and researching them and their careers. But being interviewed myself was a whole different experience because it wasn't me in charge of the interview. But that being said, there was still preparation I could do to make sure I was less nervous about being the subject of all the questions. So I thought I'd share some tips on how I prepared to be a guest on a podcast and to be interviewed. Know your host Whilst I'm a podcaster, the only experience I have is with regards to motorsport. I review races, and interview drivers and legends of the sport, which is very different to appearing on a podcast that is centred around books. So before the interview, I made sure I knew what the podcast I was appearing on was about. I'd listened to previous episodes of the show, so I already had some knowledge. However, it was still helpful to list some of the topics that were common on the podcast. This is the same for a job interview. If you're being interviewed for a job, it's good for you to know information about the company you've applied to work for and if you know who will be conducting the interview, some information about them too; for example, their role in the company. Know yourself One of the hardest things in life is being able to sell yourself. But when you're being interviewed it helps to know your selling points and key information about yourself. For the podcast interview, I was asked questions about my job, working in motorsport, wanting to write a novel and my blog too. Before the interview, I prepped some pointers I could draw upon so I knew what sort of things I could say in response. In a job interview, you're often asked 'What can you bring to the company?' This exact question is one where you need to know yourself and be able to sell your strengths. Knowing what type of person you are, and what skills and abilities you have can all help you in interviews and make you seem both more confident and prepared. Know the type of interview When it comes to interviews, there are lots of different types. For example, it could be a one-to-one interview, a group-based interview, a podcast interview or one that requires a presentation. For me, it was a podcast interview that was conducted over Skype. As it was a podcast interview, I needed the correct set-up and equipment. Thankfully, as part of my job, I already have a decent microphone and laptop. However, I needed to check the audio sounded okay, the backdrop behind me wasn't too bright and overbearing as well as making sure I had a stable internet connection. Checking all of these off the list meant I was one step closer to being fully prepared. If you've got an interview that requires a presentation, you need to make sure you have the presentation, you know what slides are coming up next as well as making sure it is accessible to everyone. Practice For my interview, Megan sent me the questions in advance so I was aware of what she would be asking me. Once I had them and had prepared some bullet points for answers, I was able to practice what I would say. It would never be the same every time because I didn't memorise my responses. But, practising giving an answer made me feel more confident when the time came to actually speak to Megan on the podcast. So for any interview, practising answering common questions can be helpful because you're less likely to be nervous and also more likely to be able to think of an answer in the interview. The right frame of mind When it comes to being interviewed, it can be a daunting experience because you'll never know how it's going to go until it's over. But you can help yourself prepare by getting in the right frame of mind. For mine, I felt a mixture of nerves and excitement because it was my first time being the interviewee. I was excited about the prospect but also nervous because I kept thinking: What if I say the wrong thing? What if I don't have anything to say? What if I freeze up on the spot? But getting myself in the right frame of mind beforehand meant I felt more at ease when the podcast interview began. Some of the ways I helped prepare was that I left 20 minutes before the interview started to set up and get ready. Once I had my laptop set up, I went over the questions and my answer prompts one more time. I had some water and then was in front of my laptop, calming my breathing, until it began. I'm usually someone who speaks very fast when nervous - although I get told I speak fast any time by family - and so for me, I really wanted to try and calm my heart rate and breathing to an even level making sure I didn't speed-talk when it came to the interview. And the tips above helped me with that. Be yourself Perhaps the most important tip of all. When it comes to anything in life, whether it's interviews, dating, or friends, the best thing you could be is yourself. In today's world, so many people try and put on an exterior of a person who they think people want to see, but it's not always true to themselves. But being yourself, being the unique you, is the best and most important thing because there is no one like you in the world and that on its own is a selling point. So if you have any kind of interview coming up, where you're the one being interviewed, practice some of these tips and you might help you more than you think. Until next time...

A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of sitting down to interview romance author Cressida McLaughlin, where we discussed all things writing and books. They say never meet your heroes, but I've done just that. If you know me, you know I always have a book on the go and stories in my head that I'm dying to write. Well, I've found that being an aspiring author isn't always that easy, but it can be a good thing to sit and chat with other authors. And so, I interviewed one of my favourite writers, whose books I love. Over Zoom, I interviewed the best-selling romance author, most famously known for her Cornish Cream Tea series, Cressida McLaughlin. Cressida was so lovely to speak to, and I'm very grateful I had the opportunity to speak with her and that she gave up some of her time for me. We spoke about all things writing, her success and her career spanning almost a decade, as well as a fun game of Would You Rather. If you haven't read any of Cressida's books before, have a read of the interview below and check out my review of The Once in a Blue Moon Guesthouse -- a standalone novel by Cressida. My interview with Cressida McLaughlin WriteWatchWork: How did you get into writing? Was becoming an author something you'd always dreamed of doing? Cressida: I never really wanted to be an author when I started out. I always loved books and I've loved reading books since I was really young, but I never had that desire to write books myself. I went to university in Norwich, the University of East Anglia, which has a really strong creative writing and literature programme. They made me do a unit in the first term, which was Creative Writing, and I was really angry about it because I just wanted to read books and write essays on them. I didn't want to write myself. But when I left university, my first job was at Norfolk Adult Education, running the courses. I was an administrator behind those courses, and at the time, if you worked there, you could get a course free, you could do a term for free. So I thought, well I've got to take the opportunity, it's a really good perk. I couldn't think of what to do and in the end, I did Creative Writing. I did a term of it and at the end, I was completely hooked. I loved writing. I loved all the little exercises and doing short stories and I decided at that point, I was just going to write a novel, I was going to get it published, that was it. That was going to be my new career. I think it took about six years and some courses and lots of rejections after that that I got my book deal. It was a really really long road, but it was something I sort of fell into. I've always loved books but it was a while before I decided that writing them was something I wanted to do. I know loads of people wrote stories when they were little and I'm sure I did do that because I think all kids do. But I certainly don't remember writing stories as the bit I was excited about then. But now, I couldn't imagine doing anything else. WriteWatchWork: How did it feel to have your first book published? Did it change your approach to writing in any way? Cressida: I think it does and that is one of the things that even as many books as I've written now, when you get that first copy of the book through the post with its beautiful cover, quotes on the back and everything, and you think that started as a little tiny idea in my brain, it's a huge moment. I think I remember getting that first one through. My first book was a paperback, a Christmas book. It was called A Christmas Tail, and it was about a dog walker and it had little glitter snowflakes on the front -- it was a really beautiful paperback -- and I just remember thinking, I just couldn't believe that having gone into Waterstones and run my hands over all the lovely covers and thinking this is my book now. I think it's just made me more determined because it's such a good feeling and it feels like such an achievement to hold a physical copy of something that you've created from scratch. It just reminds you what an amazing job it is to do. I think it's just made me more determined to keep going, to always try and get better with each new book and take it from there. WriteWatchWork: Do you start with a character and then the plot when creating a book idea, or do you have the plot first? Cressida: I think with every book it's different and quite often, I'll start with the idea of the main character, definitely, because I think you can't have a plot without characters to move that plot forward. So quite often, I'll think of a character and I'll think of what I want their main problem to be or their goal, where they want to get to, what their issues are at the beginning, and where I want them at the end, and that kind of drives the plot. But sometimes, I will come up with an idea and then I'll create the characters that would fit perfectly into that idea; so with The House of Birds and Butterflies, which is a book I've written that is set on a nature reserve, I came up with the idea because my husband and I often visit nature reserves. And with quite a lot of them, you have to go down this really long track that's not connected to the nature reserve, and I just thought: imagine moving somewhere like that and thinking it's going to be this beautiful isolated cottage and then you've got people driving past and walking past all the time. So then the idea came that this guy would have moved into this cottage and the heroine works on the nature reserve and obviously, they clash because she's supposed to be bringing more visitors to it and he wants fewer visitors there. So that was how that came up, so in that case it was the idea first, and then the characters developed from it. Also, with the Cornish ones, I knew to begin with that I really wanted to set a book in Cornwall, so then I thought what kind of little piece of Cornwall or what idea would I have, and then the characters came from that. So every book is different, but you certainly can't have a plot unless you've got characters that will drive it forward. WriteWatchWork: How long on average does it take to go from the initial book idea to the published copy? Cressida: Usually, it would take me a couple of months to do the first draft and then there are several different editing stages. There's the structural edit, which is the big one. It's when my editor will read through my book and she will say there's some plot missing here or you should move this up or this bit of storyline isn't strong enough, so that's either a complete re-juggling of the book, or it can be smaller changes to certain storylines, and that will take a few weeks or a month. Then there's the copy-editing stage, which is where someone else looks at it and they'll check it for continuity. So if I've got a scene on a Thursday and then the next scene is on a Tuesday but it's supposed to be the day after, they will pick those kind of errors up and I'll go through and do those. And then there's a proofreading stage, which is once the book's been turned into the layout it's going to be in the paperback with all the chapter headings. I'll get that as a PDF document and I've got to go through it, and that's really to check for any errors that are still there like spelling mistakes, things like that. Then it goes off to be turned into a book. So the process is very different for everyone and I know that some people take a year to do a first draft and some people, like me, take a couple of months, and it's just really different depending on what style of writer you are. But I would say probably for me, it's about nine months between starting a book and it being turned into the finished product. If I think about this one I'm writing now, I've got a bit longer to do it. I started it in May and it's coming out in May, so that's a whole year, but I think that's also to allow for more publicity, so I'm hopefully going to get some proofs that go out to other authors and things. So it's a bit longer this time around, but in the past, it's probably been about nine months. WriteWatchWork: How would you say you get yourself into the writing zone and also out of writer's block? Cressida: I certainly have days where I'll sit down at my computer and I'll look at every single website on the Internet before I open my document and get on with it. But I'm quite lucky because I've got a really nice writing space, which is one of the bedrooms in our house. It's got a lovely desk and I like to light a candle and have a big cup of coffee. I'll put on some music really quietly in the background, usually without lyrics so kind of classical or mood music, and then open my document. And usually, if I even write a few words, then I'll get going. So sometimes if I don't even know what I'm writing, even though I've got a plan, sometimes you just think how will I start this chapter off, I'll just write a few random words like 'Hello computer' or something, and I think just the act of doing that will often put me in the zone and then I'll be able to continue with it. And then sometimes, if I'm really stuck, I'll read through what I did the day before. I'll try not to change it because I like to write a first draft and then go back and improve it, but if I read through it then that will put me back into the story and I'll be able to crack on with it. If I'm really stuck, if I just have no clue, then often I think it's best to walk away from the computer. I'll go for a walk around the block, have a cup of coffee in the garden or something, and just sometimes if you take yourself completely away from it, then you can come back and feel a bit fresher. So there are different tactics for different levels of stuckness, I'd say. It's nice to have a little routine before you start, I think, to put you there, and I know some people love going and working in coffee shops because they like that sense of chaos around them or they can listen in to conversations and get inspiration from that. But I find, being in my office is just the best way to start. WriteWatchWork: As an author who loves reading books, do you find that when reading you have an author's eye and are analysing other writer's styles? Or can you just relax and enjoy the read? Cressida: Yeah, I think it's really difficult to not do a little bit of that. And I was saying to my husband just this morning, that I think with every book I read, it helps me become a better writer, even if it's a completely different genre, so if it's like really dark crime, you just kind of pick up ways in which a writer makes something really work --- a way of doing dialogue or a way of introducing setting --- and I think that maybe some people who don't like books think that must be really confusing to be reading and picking stuff up all the time. But I think because now I've been writing for nearly a decade, that's sort of become the way that I read books, and it doesn't stop my enjoyment of the story at all. It just brings, I would say, extra layers to reading it. So, if I'm reading a really good romcom, I'll kind of think: 'Oh my God, the tension between the hero and heroine here is brilliant, how is the writer doing it?' I'll just be aware of that as I'm reading and pick things up and maybe sometimes make some notes that: 'They do this brilliantly because of this'. So I think I'm always doing that, but I don't find now that I'm used to my brain doing it, that it spoils my enjoyment of reading at all. I kind of do them both simultaneously. WriteWatchWork: I've seen on your social media that you like to read other genres, such as thrillers. Would you, or have you, ever tried your hand at another genre and what would it be? Cressida: Okay, so part of me would love to write a thriller, but I just feel like my brain isn't geared up to that. The intricacies of having a plot where it's potentially possible for the reader to work out who did it, but also it's so well-crafted that there are lots of red herrings along the way. The thought of doing that and planning something that complex, I just think, is really difficult. Also, lots of them involve lots of police procedures, and I have no clue about that, so that would involve speaking to a professional, and I'm just not sure that I'm cut out for something like that. But I would love to write a ghost story. I love ghosts, I love supernatural, and I would love to write a really really creepy ghost story. And I think there would be some element of romance in it because that's my favourite thing. I think you could do that, you could have a couple go to a creepy old house and horrible things happen to them. So that's something that I would love to do in the future, and in a couple of my books there have been some slightly ghostly storylines, but I've never full-on turned it into a ghost story; however, I think that's something that I would love to do at some point in the future. WriteWatchWork: I would definitely read your ghost story because I read The Cornish Cream Tea Summer with Estelle and then Audrey's ghost hunt in The Cornish Cream Tea Christmas. It was a really surprising element but it was good because it added to the tension and more layers to the plot. Cressida: I'm glad you liked it. I have had some reviews saying some people hated that bit of the book like they weren't expecting that in their contemporary rom-com. But I think I made it fit quite well because often at Christmas you love sitting around the fire, and having a ghost story. So it's been a bit of a Marmite thing. I wonder if I did it again whether I wrote a completely separate book that was focused on a ghost story and people knew they were getting that before they went into it. But I'm glad you like those elements because I love writing them. WriteWatchWork: With that, how do you deal with both negative and positive reviews of your books? Cressida: I used to read all of them, and I think that was a really bad idea. I do think that what you have to realise, and it is difficult because writing is such a personal thing, is that not everyone is going to love your book. There is nothing in the world that is universally loved by everyone, even the really really popular things, books that people go mad over like Fourth Wing and stuff, I'm sure that some people have read them and not liked them, so you have to remember not everything is for everyone and just be aware of that. I have read some critical reviews where someone said something like there's too much time spent in the character's head and it's a bit slow and clunky in places. I will read those and I will take that on board and think, 'Ok, so maybe I need to be a bit more pacey with my plot'. So I think some reviews with constructive criticism can be really useful, some just say 'I hate this book'. You are going to get those and I think you just have to build a better thick skin and say, 'I'm not going to read those'. If I see someone's put one star on Amazon, I just walk away, it wasn't for them. But other people like it, so it's fine. And then the positive reviews, it's really really lovely to read those, but I tend not to go through Amazon or Goodreads and read them. But if someone on Instagram, for example, has tagged me in a review, then I'll always read that because they've taken the time to put up a post. And touch wood, so far, I haven't been tagged in many bad reviews on Instagram, so on social media if someone's taken the time to do that, it's usually because they've loved it and want to share it. So I'll read those, comment and thank someone for taking the time. If you enjoyed the first half of my interview with Cressida McLaughlin, stick around and read my next blog tomorrow where we talk all about Cressida's books and do a bookish game of Would You Rather. Until tomorrow...