'A Love That Makes Life Drunk' Re-visited

As with many writers, as the years pass by since your first book was published you begin to think about that book in a different way.

After all, you age and experience new and exciting life changes, but also unwelcome and traumatic ones. These experiences all help shape the people we are - and the characters we create and so there is no wonder that when I think back to my debut novel 'A Love That Makes Life Drunk' I wish I could re-write parts of it.

 

I think maybe I wrote too much? Expected too much from my characters Lily and Jefferson? Should I have curbed though sex scenes a little?  Maybe it's a little too indulgent? I don't know, but unlike many writer's before me, I won't be re-writing 'A Love That Makes Life Drunk', instead I shall focus my efforts on new work while taking on board the mistakes I might of made on others.

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'A Love That Makes Life Drunk' by Karen Roderick is available in paperback from Amazon and YPD Independent Book Shop.

'Hope & Jump' on the move!

In you're in Cornwall this summer you might see my new car magnets on your travels!

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'Anderby Wold' - Winifred Wold

On a routine trip to my local garden centre today I stopped (as usual) to browse the cheap books by the counter and stumbled upon 'Anderby Wold' by Winifred Holtby.

I will admit I didn't know anything about the book before today, but after reading numerous reviews I am delighted I decided to slip it into my trolley as my 'shoppers treat'.

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The Lovely Endeavour Morse

Yes I'm talking about young Endeavour Morse played brilliantly by actor Shaun Evans.

I love everything about this show - the brooding characters, the deep plots, the soundtrack and Oxford, my only regret is that I have to wait until next year for my fill of series 2, but then there's always the box set!

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'Notting Hill' meets 'Hope & Jump'

With summer approaching, in my seaside cottage I am embracing everything I love about the beautiful County where I am fortunate enough to live; and in my little Cornish cottage, in my lovely little town (soon to be swamped by tourists!!!), I am appreciating the reasons why it remains so important to me.

So, I have recently fallen in love with Seasalt - "a Cornish fashion company...inspired by the creative and maritime heritage of Cornwall" and bought the 'Trenoweth' dress (above picture), an easy casual dress for the beach or for a glass of something chilled on the terrace at the Pedn Olva Hotel.

I am also gushing about this outfit -

a cute denim apron dress (inspired by the dresses worn by famous sculpture and St Ives settler Barbara Hepworth, so the shop assistant told me, which made me even happier!) perfect with flip flops, and add a cardigan for watching the sunset over Porthmeor Beach on breezy summer evenings.

Such is my adoration of my adopted home town, my mind has started to drift into writer's mode, something that has surprised but pleased me as I thought it was long gone.  Already I have characters. a house and location, occupations and the beginnings of a plot - all I can say is 'Notting Hill' meets 'Hope & Jump' and now I'm rather excited.

(proposed location and cottage in Mousehole)

However, as I have decided not to publish any further work I write (no, I'm not becoming J.D Salinger, although I so wish I'd written 'Catcher in the Rye (who doesn't??), this project will probably be for my eyes only, and if I do change my mind about publishing, it will be to download only.

Have a great day

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St Ives 'Secret' Supper Club

This is St Ives, Cornwall's new supper club, Saltwater (mark 2) which sits quaintly on Fish Street in the centre of town.  It's a cute B&B, come house, come private dining space, but if you've ever been to St Ives before, you might remember it used to look like this -

a chic, popular and bijou restaurant in the centre of town, but now it looks like this -

with this -

a Bed & Breakfast now open for bookings.

I loved Saltwater as a restaurant and I am sure I am going to love it as a supper club and highly recommend if you are down or over this way that you book a reservation.

 

Saltwater,

16 Fish Street,

St Ives,

Cornwall

TR26 1LT

01736 794928

 

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All photos from Saltwater Facebook page.

 



Bluebells

It's our 4th year in Cornwall and the one outstanding thing for me at this time of year, and in this part of the World is the Bluebells.

They seems to sprout from anywhere, even between patio slabs and decking.

It's our first spring in this cute seaside cottage, and when we moved here I feared I'd have to kiss goodbye to the Bluebell I have come to love in a previous garden, so yesterday I was elated when I discovered the odd one popping up here and there in our garden that over looks the Lighthouse.

Since living in Cornwall I can happily announce that my favourite flower is the Bluebell. It reminds me of all the reasons why life is so wonderful, and so keen to fill my house (and garden) with this beautiful blue flower I recently bought a 'Wild Bluebell' candle by Jo Malone (and with free cologne sample which is now on my wish list) and now I'm ready for spring.

When it's ready for us!

Karen

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Blackberry & Bay - Jo Malone

This has to be one of my favourite perfumes - 'Blackberry & Bay' by Jo Malone, and since I had a little bit of Birthday money last week, I decided it was time I treated myself, and now I'm looking forward to my free sample of 'Wild Bluebells' to add a little spring into my life!

Have a great day

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Cath Kidston PJs

OK, so it's supposed to be spring, and although in Cornwall we haven't suffered the fate of snow, it has been damned cold and wet, so, on that note I thought I'd cheer myself up with a pair of new Cath Kidston PJs in the hope of storing away my winter ones, saying that, I've had to lay my eiderdown back on the bed, so clearly no chance of wearing them any time soon!

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"So Shabby Chic"

This is one of my gorgeous new door hangers made by the brilliant 'So Shabby Chic' who I stumbled upon when looking for something to inspire me.

This is doggie number 2 who I love just as much as number 1. If I had more room in my little seaside cottage I'd have one for each door!

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