Karen King tells us about The Cornish Hotel by the Sea

I'm delighted to welcome back onto my blog, author and good friend, Karen King. Karen's brand new romance The Cornish Hotel by the Sea, published by Accent Press has just been released. This is Karen's second chicklit for Accent Press, her first, I Do?...Or Do I? Was published last year, and she has yet another romance in the pipeline.

Accent have also republished her earlier romance novels, The Millionaire Plan and Never Say Forever. She has also written several short stories for women's magazines and has had around 120 children's books published!

Prolific writer Karen, is a member of The Romantic Novelists Association and the Society of Women Writers and Journalists. She's also a tutor for The Writers Bureau. Being so busy with her writing and helping others improve their writing skills, she doesn't get a lot of free time. But when she does get chance to relax she enjoys travelling, watching the 'soaps' and reading.

“Give me a box of chocolates and a good book and I'm in heaven,” says Karen.

I've read all of Karen's YA books and romances, which I've loved. And I'm currently reading her latest novel, The Cornish Hotel by the Sea and enjoying it very much.

It's about Ellie Truman who's widowed mum is struggling to keep Gwel Teg, the family hotel in Cornwall, afloat. Ellie is determined to do everything in her power to help her, even if that means moving back to the sleepy Cornish village she fled from broken-hearted a few years before. However, things go wrong from the start, and she's grateful for the help from hunky guest, Reece Mitchell. But Reece has ulterior motives for being so helpful.

What I love about this book is the perfectly created setting. You really get a feel for being in a sleepy Cornish village on the coast. I asked Karen if there was a particular beach that had inspired her in this story. Here's what Karen said.

“I know Cornwall really well as I holidayed down there for many years and l lived in a bungalow ten minutes from the beach in Hayle for almost a decade. Memories kept flooding back as I wrote it. There wasn’t one particular beach that the story is based on, but the gorgeous beaches in St Ives were definitely the main inspiration.”

Much of the action takes place in the hotel. I asked Karen if that caused any difficulties.



“Well I’ve stopped in quite a few hotels so I didn’t have to research that but a key event in the story was a leak from an upstairs bathroom that came through the ceiling and flooded the room below. So I had to research how to plaster a ceiling, how long it would take to dry out, etc – and it took far longer than I wanted it to so I then had to tweak the story a little.”

I know it's been a busy year for Karen, I asked her to recap on what's been going on in her life book-wise.

“It has been very busy. My YA Perfect Summer was republished by Accent Press in May so I had a book launch for that and for my romance novel I do?...or do I? which was published last year by Accent. In fact it was three book launches, and all with you Ann when your crime novel Kill or Die was published! Also, I’ve been busy visiting schools, writing my third novel for Accent which will be out next year, and writing short stories. I’ve recently had a story published by My Weekly, and am due to have one published in Yours magazine in August.”

I wondered what she was working on now? Any more books in the pipeline, Karen?

“Yes, as mentioned earlier, I’ve just finished my third book for Accent which will be published next summer. I’ve got a few more projects on the go, a YA, an emotional drama and another romance, as well as a couple of short stories. Not to mention a notebook of ideas I want to write up when I can find the time…”

Read more on Karen's blog tour....

Good luck with all these ventures, Karen. And here's a short extract from The Cornish Hotel by the Sea.

"Excuse me."

The man’s voice made her jolt. Ellie tore her eyes away from the figures on the computer screen and looked up, straight into a pair of deep grey eyes set in a ruggedly handsome face topped by chocolate-brown hair. Very nice.

It took her a few seconds to realise that it was Merc Guy, now wearing a black tee shirt and jeans, and to notice the angry set of his jaw and the frown lines in the middle of his thick eyebrows. He was staying here then. Great. An unhappy customer was all she needed.

She just hoped he didn’t recognise her from this afternoon when he was blasting his horn at her. Thank goodness she’d been wearing sunglasses. She fixed a pleasant smile on her face. "Can I help you?"

"The shower isn’t working in my room and I have an important business meeting in less than an hour,” he informed her curtly. "So will you either arrange for it to be fixed immediately or provide me with the use of a shower in another room?”

Great. Problems already.

“Did you hear what I said? I haven’t time to waste. I have an important meeting to go to.”


The man’s abrupt tone annoyed her but she kept calm. “Of course, Mr...er..." she glanced at the hotel register for the man`s name.

"Mitchell." He supplied. "Reece Mitchell. I arrived earlier today. And I’m in a hurry.”

Yes, I got that. A quick glance at the register told her that Reece Mitchell was in Room 12. Luckily the room next to him was empty and there was a connecting door between the rooms. Problem solved.

“I do apologise, Mr Mitchell. I’ll get it sorted for you today. Meanwhile, please use the shower in the room next to you. It’s vacant at the moment and you can access it through a connecting door.”

She reached for the key and handed it to him. “I’m very sorry for the inconvenience. Would you mind popping the key back on your way out?”

He didn’t look too pleased. “Well, I guess it will have to do. I must say this hotel isn’t what I’d expected. I’m surprised you do any business at all.” He almost snatched the key out of her hand.

She swallowed the angry retort that sprung to her mouth reminding herself of Mum’s mantra that the customer was always right. And if they weren’t you didn’t tell them so. She watched, fuming, as Reece Mitchell stormed off.

What an arrogant man!


Thank you for being on my blog, Karen.

Here's the buy links for The Cornish Hotel by the Sea by Karen King.

Buy Links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cornish-Hotel-Sea-Cornwall-perfect-ebook/dp/B072275N5V/

Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-cornish-hotel-by-the-sea/karen-king/9781786150714

W.H.Smiths: https://www.whsmith.co.uk/products/the-cornish-hotel-by-the-sea/9781786150714

Author links:
Website: http://www.karenking.net/
Twitter: @karen_king Karen King Romance Author
Facebook: Karen King
Facebook: Karen King Young Adult Books
Pinterest: https://uk.pinterest.com/karenkingauthor/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenkingauthor/?hl=en

Are you looking forward to a Perfect Summer?

I'm delighted to welcome my good friend and fellow author, Karen King, back onto my blog. As a busy writer, Karen is actually celebrating three new books at the moment. Her YA book Perfect Summer which we will hear about today; a fun-filled romance called I Do? Or Do I? plus The Cornish Hotel by the Sea which will be released on 13th July. All published by Accent Press. Karen will be back on my blog in July telling us all about that Cornish hotel by the sea – and I can't wait to read it.

In total Karen has more than 120 children's books to her credit; she also writes short stories for women's magazines, and for many years worked on children's magazines such as Thomas the Tank Engine and Winnie the Pooh, My Little Pony, Fireman Sam, Barbie and Sindy, as well as the iconic Jackie magazine.

Having read Perfect Summer, as well as being a great story, it's quite a gritty teenage read featuring disability and child abduction. It's set not too far in the future in a society obsessed with perfection. I know that her book has prompted many discussions and debates in schools. So hats off to Karen for tackling these topics.

Here's the blurb:

Set in a society obsessed with perfection, 15 year old Morgan is best friends with the seemingly perfect Summer. But when Morgan’s brother, Josh, who has Down’s syndrome, is kidnapped, they uncover a sinister plot and find themselves in terrible danger. Can they find Josh before it’s too late? And is Summer’s life as perfect as it seems?

I asked Karen if she found it a difficult subject to write about?
She said: “Yes, the storyline is quite gritty and I wanted to make sure I tackled it sensitively. Another difficulty was that the story is set in the not- too- distant future so I had to try and guess what technology would be available then. The first edition of Perfect Summer was published a few years ago so I’ve now updated it for this new edition.”

And I believe it has already won an award?
“Yes, it was runner up in the Red Telephone Books YA novel competition in 2011 and I'm thrilled that it has been republished by Accent Press. They are also the publisher for I Do? Or Do I? and The Cornish Hotel by the Sea.”

So, what inspired you to write Perfect Summer?
“I’ve been concerned for a long time about society’s obsession with physical perfection, especially when I read an article about girls as young as four and five worrying that they are too fat. Another concern of mine is how disabled people are treated, so both these concerns sowed the seeds of this story.”

As well as writing for children and YA, you also write contemporary romance novels. So when and why did you turn your attentions to this genre?

“I started writing romance novels about ten years ago. I’d been wanting to write one for a long time but I write for a living and couldn’t spare the time it would take to write a 75,000 word book – most of my children’s books were under 10,000 words. Finally, when all my children were grown up and left home, I had more time and less financial pressure so decided to take the chance and write a romance book.”

So, for you, what is the best part of the writing process? And what's the hardest part?
“Seeing the story in your head come to life on the screen/page. It’s a marvellous feeling when it all starts to come together. And the hardest part is getting the story out of your head and onto the screen/page.”

Karen, I know that you're a tutor for The Writer's Bureau and run writing classes, plus you've written a book on writing called Get Writing Children's Fiction, but in a nutshell what advice would you give a budding writer?

“I'd say, write, revise, rewrite. Make sure your work is the very best you can do before you send it off. Too many new writers send of hurried first drafts. And never give up!”

Thank you so much for chatting on my blog today, Karen, and I'm delighted to print an extract from Perfect Summer. Good luck with all of your new books!

Extract from Perfect Summer

Summer and I hurried upstairs while Josh was busy watching TV. Summer plonked herself down on my bed while I got my things ready.

“Want some music?” I asked, pressing the silver button on the comm-panel. The latest hit from Krescendo, our favourite band, blasted out and a hologram of them playing beamed onto the wall.

Then I pressed the green button, my wardrobe doors glided open, and a rail of clothes slid out. I glanced over at Summer, feeling awkward as always, that my room was so small and my wardrobe so sparse. Summer’s wardrobe was a huge walk-in affair full of designer clothes. Luckily, she was sprawled out watching Krescendo so I quickly grabbed the clothes I needed for the weekend and shoved them in my rucksack. Thank goodness I’d found an immaculate emerald green Maliko dress at the recycle store the other week. That would be perfect for Roxy’s. I knew Summer would let me borrow her clothes but felt better if I wore something of my own.

I took out the dress and zipped it into a freshpack to keep it crease-free. I glanced at the image screen on my bedroom wall and grimaced. My make-up needed renewing and some strands of my chestnut hair were escaping from the ponytail I’d swept it into. I swiftly fixed it and applied more make-up. I didn’t want to turn up at Summer’s looking a mess, Tamara and Leo expected everyone to always look their best.

“Ready.” I pressed the buttons on the CP again to close my wardrobe doors, and switched off the music.

“Have a nice weekend,” Mum said as we popped in to say goodbye. She looked so pale, with dark circles under her eyes. I could tell the visit from the Ministry had upset her and hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should stay. But Dad was due home soon and I was so looking forward to the weekend. I loved going to Summer’s house and being spoilt for a bit. It was like living in another world. She was so lucky.

“Thanks, we will.” I leaned over and tousled Josh’s chestnut curls. “Bye, Josh.”

“Play, Maw,” he said, scrambling up.

“Maw going out now. I’ll play with you when I come back.” He puckered his face as if he was going to cry, but Mum took his hand. “Come on, Josh, let’s pick some tomatoes for tea.”

Josh’s face lit up. He loved helping Mum in the garden. Everyone had a vegetable patch, compost and water butt by order of the Ministry as part of the Planet Protection Programme. I hated gardening but Josh loved helping Mum water the plants with the rainwater collected in the butt, and picking the vegetables. Summer’s parents had a gardener, of course.

Mum led Josh out into the garden while we went out the front door. before Josh could realise I was leaving. I had no idea how much I was going to regret not playing with Josh one more time.

Discover more about Karen King.

Website: http://www.karenking.net/
Twitter: @karen_king
Karen King Romance Author Facebook Page
Karen King Young Adult Books
Pinterest: https://uk.pinterest.com/karenkingauthor/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenkingauthor/?hl=en

Buy Links Amazon: http://amzn.to/2mMXTzI 

KAREN KING SAYS I DO? ... OR DO I?

A big welcome to my good friend, Karen King, whose brand new romance is released today: I DO? ... OR DO I?

Multi published writer, Karen is well known for her children books – with around 120 books for young readers published, ranging from picture books to adventure books, and from activity books to joke books. She also writes for young adults and has written two other romances.

I DO? ... OR DO I? is Karen's first chick-lit for publisher Accent Press and she has also been contracted for two more chick-lits for Accent – plus they are republishing three earlier books, The Millionaire Plan, Never Say Forever and Perfect Summer. Having read all of these, they are all great reads, so keep a look out for their release dates.

Having read Karen's latest book, I have to say it's a really enjoyable read, and very funny. The main character, Cassie gets herself into such trouble, that it somehow reminds me of Karen herself!

She's the only person I know who can nip off to the loo and find herself on the wrong side of the Israeli border – without her passport! She's also been known to frantically search her house looking for the sound of running water – only to eventually discover the phone in her pocket is playing a relaxing running water sound effect!

But back to I DO? ... OR DO I? The story is about local journalist Cassie who is getting married to hot-shot lawyer, reliable Timothy. His mother Sylvia, who Cassie has nicknamed ‘Monster-in-Law’, wants to plan the entire wedding. When Sylvia books the exclusive ID Images to take photographs of the extravagant do, Cassie has no idea what she’s walking into. 

The elusive JM, ID Images’ newest photographer, just so happens to be Jared, Cassie’s first love and ex-fiancé, who broke off their engagement to travel and take photos of far-reaching wonders. He’s back to pay for his next wild adventure. 

Cassie decides it’s best to pretend not to know him, but when she’s asked to write an article for her newspaper, she’s tasked with a column surrounding all things wedding related. When Cassie jokingly writes a column meant for herself depicting her situation, a co-worker submits it in place of the real article and it’s soon making headlines, with readers asking the age old question - Who will she choose?

It's a great fun read and I wish Karen every success with it.

Find out more about Karen:

Website: http://www.karenking.net/

Twitter: @karen_king

Karen King Romance Author Facebook Page

Karen King Children’s Books Facebook Page

Pinterest: https://uk.pinterest.com/karenkingauthor/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenkingauthor/?hl=en

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://bookgoodies.com/a/B01CGKLOKQ
Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/i-do-or-do-i/karen-king/9781910939345
Book Depository - http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9781910939352