A huge ‘Hooray!’ As I introduce Christie Barlow, author of the fabulous A Year in the Life of a Playground Mother, http://www.amazon.co.uk/A-Year-Life-Playground-Mother/dp/1495288773, who is going to share her Hot Holidays! with us.

In her own words, Christie is ‘a 5ft 5 brunette born in the county of Cheshire. Now at the ripe old age of 42 I lead nothing but a glamorous lifestyle, ironing, mucking out chickens and horses and chasing the mad cocker spaniel that has usually pinched my shoes.
I’m a mum to four, wife to one and have more animals than the local zoo. From the young … Read the rest »

I could not be more pleased today! We open our 2015 Season of Hot Holidays with my fellow Essex-girl writer……. Caroline Mitchell. And……..drum roll…..her book Don’t Turn Around is published TODAY!!! HOORAY!

Caroline, a detective, lives with her husband, four children and two dogs in a pretty village on the coast of Essex.

Three years ago, Caroline encountered true paranormal activity from an unknown entity in their home. A writer at heart, Caroline documented her experiences and wrote a book in the hope of helping others. She discovered a passion for writing and based her fiction thrillers on the two … Read the rest »

Now the clocks have gone back and we are slipping through Autumn into Winter, Hot Holidays! is going to have a little rest; a hibernation, if you like.

The feature will be back in the Spring :).

 … Read the rest »

Julie Barker (aka Mrs Julie Carter) is one of the most talented people I know.  Julie has been teaching dance for thirty-two years, twenty-nine of those as the principal of Tip-Toe Stage School in South Ockendon, Essex.  Her students have performed in many of the West End’s theatres, Disneyland Paris and at the Olympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies and several have gone on to have West End careers.  http://tiptoestageschool.co.uk  Her shows are always innovative and the standard very professional, so I am delighted that she is the choreographer and musical director of the Melabeau Productions panto … Read the rest »

What a treat today!  Our guest is the innovative South African-born designer Katie Smith.  Yes!

Katie has been living in London since 2007, currently living in South West London. After graduating in Media & Communications, Marketing and Interior Design, Katie worked in Interior Design, ladies fashion design and Public Relations, until she decided to follow her dream.   Katie has recently started her own business, home-sown, making and creating her own handmade products, which I can tell you, are beyond fabulous.  And you can see them all at: www.home-sown.com

ES:  So, here we go with … Read the rest »

Our guest today is one of my favourite reviewers and bloggers, Jo Hurst.  I’ll let her introduce herself and tell us all about her Hot Holiday! secrets!

I’m Jo from Cometbabesbooks, I am from a little town near Manchester, called Wigan. I love reading and holidays, I try to get away at least a couple of times a year. I started my blog in September 2013 and have made loads of lovely new friends since then. I am addicted to social media, crisps and wine.

ES: Where did you spend your last holiday and why did you choose to go … Read the rest »

I’m delighted to introduce our guest today:  Angela Bradshaw!

Angela Bradshaw wants to live in a world where everyone has beautiful posture.

As a teacher of the Alexander Technique, she’s been educating people on the merits of natural poise and balance, through her programme of Self Care Skills. Angela believes that the ultimate life skill is learning how to take care of ourselves as a whole: How we function, how we ‘use’ our bodies, how we think – all are required for health and well-being. Angela’s teachings demonstrate how to get the basics right … Read the rest »

Our guest today is my old friend and travel expert Rachel Whitely-Williams.  I can’t recommend her enough; she’s just booked the most amazing trip through Thailand for the Daughter and her friend with a real eye to detail and cost.

ES:  So, to start off, Rachel, tell us a bit about you, please.

RWW:  Travel is my passion and with 15 years of experience on the High Street and a nominee in “The National Customer Service Awards”, means I have a great knowledge of a variety of destinations from Bognor to Bermuda, Halifax to Havana!! If I … Read the rest »

Big drumroll today as we welcome our guest………..SUE WATSON!

Sue enjoyed a very successful career as a journalist with The Sun and The Daily Mail and a TV producer with the BBC. Like many women, she reached a point in her life juggling children, marriage, long hours and high pressure at work and realised that she had to make a change if she was to realise her dream of writing a novel.
Her decision was made for her when one day her daughter Eve, then aged 6 was sent home from school with suspected meningitis and Sue and husband Nick … Read the rest »

Let’s have a huge round of applause for today’s guest……….NIGEL MAY!

Nigel May is a TV presenter and author. He regularly presents on UK shopping channels where he has built up a substantial fan base. He has also featured on Channel 4, C5, ITV and broadcast live from America.
As a writer he has written for many of the UK’s most successful magazines and newspapers, specialising in showbiz and celebrity, as well as writing on subjects ranging from relationships through to travel. He is also one of the UK’s most popular craft personalities, having launched his own successful range, A-May-Zing.… Read the rest »