Friday 27 July 2012

Catherine Green, Famous Author

I am Catherine Green. I am a famous author. There, I said it! I am currently riding the waves of the Indie cruise, desperately promoting my books through all the free social network avenues that I can pyhsically fit into my days. I am active with the World Literary Cafe, a Facebook group called Tweets4Authors, and I am always surfing Twitter and Facebook searching for new concepts and outlets.


Aside from that I read blogs, books and newspaper articles on the subject of being an entrepreneur, a small business owner, an Indie author, and all sorts of other relevant industry news. It is exhausting! It takes me away from my writing, which really is kind of silly. I have to be strict with myself, and sometimes switch off our internet connection so I will actually work on my manuscript.

It is strange how addictive the task becomes. I find myself compelled to sit glued to my computer, checking my Amazon rankings, making sure I am active on all my networks, chatting with other authors in the same situation. But now I am changing my tactics. I am reaching out to people by attending local Mind, Body and Spirit events, as well as the obligatory booksignings in Waterstones book shops.


My other tactic is that of Law of Attraction. I am currently reading The Power by Rhonda Byrne. I read her previous book The Secret a few years ago, and while I wouldn't say it changed my life, I do agree with the concept. It just makes perfect sense. Everything she suggests is so simple, so true, and so completely accessible. So that is me now. I am Catherine Green. I am a famous author. I love my life!

If you are in or around Cheshire this weekend, why not come and see me in Knutsford? We can share stories, and I will tell you all about the Redcliffe Novels... See you later!

Sunday 22 July 2012

Review - The Mark of a Druid by Rhonda Carpenter

I recently read The Mark of a Druid by Rhonda Carpenter after downloading the free Kindle version that is currently available. Here is my review:




I really enjoyed this book! At the beginning I struggled to get involved. There are lots of characters, and I became very confused trying to decipher their connections and relationships. This isn’t helped by the fact that the story revolves around past lives, regression, and people remembering themselves in different eras. My advice is to stick with it, because once you get half way through, you will be hooked! I loved the historical references, because it resonated with me personally, as it will to anybody who feels drawn to Celtic heritage and ancient folklore. It is different to anything I have read before, and I am very impressed with the author and the way she wove a very difficult story into something entertaining and absorbing. Try it for yourself!

Friday 20 July 2012

Mind, Body and Spirit Festival – Knutsford, Cheshire


Join me on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th July 2012 from 10:00am – 5:00pm for a Mind, Body and Spirit Event at the Civic Centre, Toft Road, Knutsford, Cheshire.


I will be exhibiting at this event to promote my adult paranormal romance series, The Redcliffe Novels. I have two books available; the first is Love Hurts (A Redcliffe Novel) and the sequel is Love Kills (A Redcliffe Novel). On Saturday afternoon I will do a talk about my books, explaining where the ideas came from, why I chose Cornwall for the setting, and how I find my journey as an Indie author. 


Set in Cornwall, England, the Redcliffe novels follow the adventures of bookshop owner Jessica Stone as she unwittingly falls in love with a vampire, becomes entangled with his identical twin brother's werewolf pack, and then discovers she is a witch.

In the newly released sequel Love Kills (A Redcliffe Novel) Jessica Stone recovers from an horrific werewolf attack and comes to terms with revelations that her lover, Jack Mason, is a vampire, his brother, Danny, the werewolf pack leader, and her best friend, Simon, is a werewolf.  Add to that her discovery that she is a witch, and life is suddenly a whole lot harder than it used to be. Jessica has to fight for her own life and Jack’s when faced with his jealous vampire master who wants her old lover back. But things are never easy, and a vampire master is not so easy to defeat…


There will be lots of other exhibitors at the event, offering anything from Tarot readings, aura readings, mediumship demonstrations, holistic therapies and healthy living products and gifts. See you at the Civic Centre, come and say hello! 

Wednesday 18 July 2012

A Booksigning Event and the Indie Author


I recently attended a book signing event to promote my latest Redcliffe novel, Love Kills (A Redcliffe Novel). I returned to the Waterstones bookshop in Warrington, Cheshire. When I last visited this venue, it was in the run-up to Christmas and we had expected a busy day. At the time it was disappointingly quiet and I felt very disillusioned about the whole process. This time I swallowed my pride, and decided that I had to keep trying and get myself and my books out there.


It was good to see that many people still visit their local bookshop just to browse and buy something new. When I first entered the store it was vibrant and lively, with families filling up the children’s book section, couples of all ages wandering in and out, and groups of friends checking out the new releases and popular books in the charts. Despite all the doom and gloom in the media about the eBook revolution and the demise of the old-fashioned paperback, it seems that people do still enjoy the feel, smell, and texture of a good solid book in their hands. That said, I didn’t see very many hardback books in the shop. I believe these formats are now almost obsolete.

My table was set up at the front of the shop, near the door, where people could not fail to see me as they walked in and out. I had a low table on which to display my books, and I sat in a comfortable faux-leather armchair. Actually, it was quite nice to have the opportunity to sit still for a while and not be distracted by demanding children and pets (fellow parents, you know what I mean!) I sat back, settled comfortably in my chair, and watched the shoppers going about their business.


The first thing I noticed was that I was surrounded by piles of the current popular book: the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy by E.L. James. This book has exploded into the public sphere within a year it seems, and I am intrigued about how and why this has happened. All accounts I have heard from friends, colleagues and press attention do not exactly paint the books in a good picture. Yet here it is, now released by a large publishing house, and being bought by many thousands of people. I believe it is one of those stories that you simply have to try out for yourself…

After glancing at the book Fifty Shades of Grey, I am not compelled to read it myself. I have downloaded the free sample on my Kindle from Amazon, and I will give it a try just to be fair. I feel like I should read the book more for research purposes. It might help me with my own personal marketing campaign, since the genre is the same as that of my own Redcliffe novels. I am not immediately sure that I like the style of writing for Fifty Shades of Grey. It is presented in the first person present tense, and usually I find this irritating. However, I am currently reading another novel written in the same way and I am enjoying that one, so maybe I should get past that particular hump.


Books and authors are still perceived as glamorous, I think. People love the excitement and exhilaration they feel from discovering and reading a good book. It elicits all sorts of emotional responses, and allows us the freedom to push our boundaries, step outside our cultural and societal norms, or simply to try a new experience through a work of fiction. That said, I don’t think people are quite so concerned about having autographed, paperback copies of books these days. I noticed several customers pick up Fifty Shades of Grey and glance quickly at the back cover, before replacing it on the shelf and walking off. I suspect these people will be searching for the book at a cheaper price on the internet, or they will order an eBook version.

I think that the technological revolution is not to be feared or disliked. Yes, it is easier to get published nowadays. We have a much larger platform on which to sell our work. But that platform is also far more crowded, and we have to fight to be heard above the clamour. EBooks have intensified the game of publishing and selling books. We have stepped up a level, we must be strong, we must not back down. Let’s hear it for the Indie authors! Ding, ding!

Wednesday 11 July 2012

Live Author Interview on RedShift Radio

I will be a guest at Red Shift Radio in Crewe, Cheshire tomorrow evening (Thursday 12th July) from 7:00pm - 9:00pm GMT (2:00pm - 4:00pm EST) and will be interviewed by local historian and ghost tour guide Tim Previtt.

We will discuss my adult paranormal romance series The Redcliffe Novels and my opinions on popular media including the Twilight saga, Being Human, True Blood and whatever else comes up in the conversation...



Set in Cornwall, England, the Redcliffe novels follow the adventures of bookshop owner Jessica Stone as she unwittingly falls in love with a vampire, becomes entangled with his identical twin brother's werewolf pack, and then discovers she is a witch.


In the newly released sequel Love Kills (ARedcliffe Novel) Jessica Stone recovers from an horrific werewolf attack and comes to terms with revelations that her lover, Jack Mason, is a vampire, his brother, Danny, the werewolf pack leader, and her best friend, Simon, is a werewolf.  Add to that her discovery that she is a witch, and life is suddenly a whole lot harder than it used to be. Jessica has to fight for her own life and Jack’s when faced with his jealous vampire master who wants her old lover back. But things are never easy, and a vampire master is not so easy to defeat…

Saturday 7 July 2012

A Redcliffe Short Story: It’s Complicated


Join my tribe today, and I will send you a fabulous FREE book to get you started… (be warned, my vampires do not sparkle, and my wolves will bite!) 



“Sally, would you take bloods from Mr Kelner in bed 3 please?” asked Sister Bond, my supervisor,  “and then assist Doctor Wayne with the patient in bed 1.” she added in her clipped, efficient tone.   
 I nodded and hurried away to fulfill my tasks, several in an everlasting list at this busy city hospital in the English Riviera.  Well, thats what people call Devon and Cornwall isnt it?  No matter, I love this place, even if it is work.  I love my job, I love my home, and I love my friends.  Life is good.
But life isnt perfect, not by a long shot.  Im still single, despite my best attempts to seduce my boss.  And I dont mean my boss at the hospital.  Nope, I have two jobs.  By day Im a mild-mannered, efficient, NHS nurse at my local hospital.  But in my personal life, I am third in command to the Redcliffe werewolf pack.  Yes, thats right, we do exist!  And that is where my life becomes complicated.  Not because Im a werewolf, although that can be confusing at times.  Especially around the full moon when I have to work with sick and wounded patients, and their blood smells so good, and all I can see is food when Im supposed to care for them. 
No, being a werewolf is easy.  Im powerful and strong, which is why I am a deputy pack leader.  The complicated part is my alpha male, Danny Mason, and his lieutenant, Simon Bunce.  You see, I am in love with Danny, and so is Simon.  I am certain that Danny loves me too, but he wont commit to a relationship because he cares deeply for Simon.  Danny isnt gay, but he and Simon share a special relationship, and for that he makes exceptions.  And this is where the complications arise. 
Danny has only recently returned to Redcliffe after a long mission working undercover for the police in Scotland.  That is a whole different story.  While he was gone, Simon and I commanded the pack.  Simon took over as alpha male, and I was alpha female.  I still am in some ways, since Danny wont choose a mate, but I still fall in line behind Simon because he is stronger than me, and Danny defers everything to him. 
“Nurse Frost, did you hear me?” asked Doctor Wayne, rousing me from my thoughts.  I shook my head, cleared my throat, and ducked my head in an embarrassed gesture. 
“Sorry, Doctor Wayne, what did you say?” I asked politely.  But it was too late. 
Doctor Marianne Wayne couldnt stand dreamers, and she especially couldnt stand me.  Here in the hospital she was a successful cardio surgeon, with a track record of success and a skill with new medical techniques.  At five feet and ten inches tall she dwarfed my petite frame.  I knew she was jealous of my naturally blond hair, but what really upset her was my superiority outside of work.  Doctor Wayne is a member of our pack, and she wants the job of alpha female.  But in wolf form, I overpower her in every way.  She could never challenge me because I would win, and she knows that.  So at work, in the hospital, she makes my life a living hell.









Thursday 5 July 2012

Book Signing Event – Waterstones, Warrington


Join me in Waterstones, Warrington on Saturday 14th July 2012 from 11:00 – 3:00pm.

I will be on hand to sign copies of my adult paranormal romance novels Love Hurts (A Redcliffe Novel) and the newly released Love Kills (A Redcliffe Novel).



 Love Kills (A Redcliffe Novel) is book 2 in the developing Redcliffe series. In the quiet Cornish seaside town of Redcliffe, Jessica Stone recovers from an horrific werewolf attack and comes to terms with revelations that her lover, Jack Mason, is a vampire, his brother, Danny, the werewolf pack leader, and her best friend, Simon, is a werewolf.  Add to that her discovery that she is a witch, and life is suddenly a whole lot harder than it used to be. Jessica has to fight for her own life and Jack’s when faced with his jealous vampire master who wants her old lover back. But things are never easy, and a vampire master is not so easy to defeat…

If you are interested I will also tell you about my work as a spiritual advisor for Spirit Sisters, and my training as a shaman… See you there!