Wow. This is a subject I never really expected to blog about. Not when the publication and review is of my very own debut novel, Grace’s Turmoil.

But here I am the proud author of my very first novel, Grace’s Turmoil, which has gone from being a single novel to the first novel of my seasoned romance series ‘Not Too Old for Love’. And I am the even prouder recipient of my first review, a cracking five star from N.N. Light.

Also, earlier today I listened to my first broadcast interview about Grace’s Turmoil. It went very well and covered a range of things about me as a person and a writer, and how/why I got into writing. The interviewer was especially interested in why I had decided to write about not just romance, but seasoned romance with seniors/pensioners as the characters.

The interview was with Swindon 105.5 Radio, and should be on their site http://www.swindon1055.com/ soon as a podcast. Not sure how long it will be there but it will be worth a listen.
Blurb
Divorced and emotionally damaged, artist Grace Stollery wants nothing more than to spend her semi-retirement painting and let time heal her emotional scars.
But when dashing widower Alfred Nobel moves into her retirement village he turns her life upside down and her heart inside out by awakening feelings she wants to keep dormant.
Alfred quickly sets out to woo Grace and slowly she warms to him. But the village’s resident femme fatale wants him for herself. Will she succeed in driving a wedge between Alfred and Grace?
Excerpt
Grace jabbed at the volume button on the remote control, turning up the sound on the television. She was trying to drown out the chatter which filled the palatial residents’ lounge. It had been like that for days, and she’d grown tired of it. Who would have thought the imminent arrival of one man could affect mature ladies like that?
One of the things which had appealed to her when she moved to The Grange retirement village was the lack of men. Yet a man who aroused feelings in her she didn’t want was going to add to their number.
Grace had caught a glimpse of him across The Lounge a few months ago, taking the standard tour of The Grange. He’d towered over the young woman he’d been with, and she’d guessed he was at least six-foot-five. Built like a tank, with a mass of wavy white hair and a snow-white beard, he’d reminded her of a polar bear. His presence had been overpowering and almost menacing. An image of him defending a seventeenth century mansion in days gone by had jumped into her mind.
Looking at him had sent a spontaneous burst of attraction rippling through her. It had caught her by surprise. Becoming attracted to anybody was the last thing she’d needed right then. Her divorce had been too recent and too painful. All she wanted was to focus on her painting to block out the pain. Although she hadn’t come there to look for a man, there was no denying how she’d reacted to the sight of him. She wondered how she would cope when they met. And she couldn’t help feeling he was going to have quite an impact on her life. Whether it would be a good impact or not was the million-dollar question. He might be the greatest thing since sliced bread! Or he could turn out to be a snake in the grass like her ex-husband.
Here is the review.
Think falling in love is reserved for the young and impetuous? Wrong! Love, romance and dating is for everyone, no matter how old they are.
Grace is a bitter divorcee living in a retirement village in England. Her ex-husband broke her heart and she’s trying to heal when Alfred moves into the same retirement village. A jaunty widower who reawakens feelings in her she long thought dead. She’s determined to ignore his charming eyes and alluring smile but when he looks at another woman, she’s instantly jealous. There’s something about Alfred she can’t resist. Could it be lust or something more?
Alfred’s adjusting to life at The Grange but it’s difficult when you’re the new guy. He’s attracted to Grace immediately, but she gives him the cold shoulder. He doesn’t have that problem with some of the other ladies, but he doesn’t want those women, he wants Grace. She plays hot and cold with his feelings and he can’t help it when another woman sinks her claws into him. When she threatens to expose their “affair” to Grace, Alfred panics. One disastrous event after another happens and Alfred’s life is in danger that makes Grace’s Turmoil come to fruition. Will she believe him when he bares his soul or will Grace continue to hold herself back from love?
I fell in love with Grace’s Turmoil from the first chapter. There are so many great characters besides Grace and Alfred. The Grange reminds me of a British Golden Girls, only funnier. The humor is very British but I loved it. The sweet romance that blooms between Grace and Alfred is realistic and full of emotions. Both Grace and Alfred have walls around their hearts and it takes time to unfold. My favorite parts, though, include the struggle these senior residents face growing older and dealing with life’s challenges. It’s heart-warming and I highly recommend it
Favorite Character/Quote: “And she couldn’t help feeling he was going to have quite an impact on her life. Whether it would be a good impact or not was the million-dollar question. He might be the greatest thing since sliced bread! Or he could turn out to be a snake in the grass like her ex-husband.”

@peterperrin44   peterperrin.blog