#Author Spotlight Helen J. Rolfe & #BookReview ‘What Rosie Found Next’ for @BrookCottageBooks

This Book Review and Author Spotlight is part of a Blog Tour of ‘What Rosie Found Next’  by Helen J. Rolfe, organised by Brook Cottage Books.

Blurb: What Rosie Found Next
Genre: Romantic fiction / Women’s fiction
Release Date: 3rd November 2015

A shaky upbringing has left Rosie Stevens craving safety and security. She thinks she knows exactly what she needs to make her life complete – the stable job and perfect house-sit she’s just found in Magnolia Creek. The only thing she wants now is for her long-term boyfriend, Adam, to leave his overseas job and come home for good.

Owen Harrison is notoriously nomadic, and he roars into town on his Ducati for one reason and one reason only – to search his parents’ house while they’re away to find out what they’ve been hiding from him his entire life. When he meets Rosie, who refuses to quit the house-sit in his parents’ home, sparks fly.

Secrets are unearthed, promises are broken, friendships are put to the test and the real risk of bushfires under the hot Australian sun threatens to undo Rosie once and for all.

Will Rosie and Owen find what they want or what they really need?

BUY LINKS:
AMAZON UK
AMAZON US

My Review of What Rosie Found Next by Helen J. Rolfe

Now and again you read a wonderful book that’s like taking a holiday. No stress, no fussing, just relaxation and enjoyment. That’s exactly how I felt when I read What Rosie Found Next by Helen Rolfe. It’s no spoiler to say that there’s a happy ending, and that’s something the reader senses right from the start, but how to keep the reader interested? It’s not an easy task to convince the reader to keep turning the pages, but Helen Rolfe succeeds delightfully. What’s her recipe? She makes sure we’re interested in the characters and the plot. I was really interested in Rosie and her life, which was at an emotional and professional crossroads, and of course, I was also interested in Owen’s family secret. It was fun to watch their interaction, from his first unexpected intrusion, moving on to friendship, and more. There were also some ups and downs to the romance and twists in the plot, mainly due to a love triangle, including Rosie’s boyfriend, and Owen’s family secret.

I loved the setting in Magnolia Creek, in Australia, including various visits to nearby beaches. It was also interesting to read about how the population prepares for and deals with bushfires. I’m impatiently looking forward to reading more books in this series.

I’d like to thank the author & Brook Cottage Books for my advance copy in return for an honest review.

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I’ve asked Helen to answer some questions about her novel and her writing process, so let’s find out more about this talented writer.

1. What would you say to a reader to convince him/her to buy your book?

My books are an escape with the beautiful settings and love stories about characters and lives that aren’t necessarily easy. My characters in The Friendship Tree, Handle Me with Care and What Rosie Found Next all have challenges that readers will relate to I’m sure, and the books deal with heavy issues in a way that leaves you feeling uplifted. If you enjoy romance, family stories and blossoming friendships, you’ll enjoy my books.

2. What inspired you to write What Rosie Found Next?

That’s a tough question and I can’t actually remember what triggered the initial idea although I remember when I thought of it I was living in Australia and it was the height of summer. So I guess perhaps the news of bushfires in Victoria may have given me the foundations for my characters and the setting of Magnolia Creek. My ideas often start as small as that and then the characters come to life in my mind and I write a bit of a CV for each of them. This was the first book in the Magnolia Creek Series too so I did spend some time thinking about the town, sketching out where people lived, thinking of characters who may have stories of their own in later books.

3. Can you tell us about your writing routine?

I write Monday to Friday and sometimes a bit on the weekends although I have young children and so weekends are all about family time whether it’s cooking together, playing board games or going to the park or for a walk.

When I write I work during school hours which is great. The house is quiet! I generally answer emails and go onto Social Media first and then with a clear mind I can get on with my Work In Progress.

Like many other writers I do procrastinate – who doesn’t – but try to discipline myself as much as I can.

4. What are you working on now?

I’m writing the second book of the Magnolia Creek Series but I can’t say much else for now… I’ve finished the first draft and am now working my way through editing. It’s quite daunting! I can’t wait to share it with readers sometime in 2016.
Thank you for answering my questions, Helen, and I’m impatiently waiting for book two!

 

MORE ABOUT HELEN J ROLFE

Helen J Rolfe writes contemporary women’s fiction. She enjoys weaving stories about family, relationships, friendships, love, and characters who face challenges and fight to overcome them.

Born and raised in the UK, Helen spent fourteen years living in Australia before returning home. She now lives in Hertfordshire with her husband and children.

You can find out more or contact Helen on the following social media:

Facebook: http://facebook.com/helenjrolfe
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hjrolfe
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/helenjrolfe

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