The Valentine’s Day winners

February 14, 2012

Happy Valentine’s Day!

I had so many lovely posts that I used random.org to choose two comments ( that weren’t mine) and the winners are MrsHiggins and Rebecca Emin. Congrats – please let me know which of my books/e books you’d like.

Thank you to everyone who posted their date movie stories. I’ve loved reading about them (from all eras, *cough.*)

Now, for those of you who think I’ve abandoned Mr Armitage for The Fassdong, here’s a little something to redress the balance: a gorgeous Valentine’s tribute to RA by my online friend, BccMee.

Valentine’s Special contest: tell me your first date movies

February 10, 2012

I’ll admit it: I’m an old romantic (okay, less of the old but you know what I mean!) I know Valentine’s Day isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but Mr B and I always mark it some way.

In April, we’re celebrating a special wedding anniversary and after XX years together, I think we’ve earned the right to indulge in a chocolate heart or two!

So in the unashamed spirit of romance, I’m offering two of my books as prizes and I’ll announce the winners on Valentine’s Day.

The two winning commenters on the blog can choose any one of my books, in any format, wherever they live in the world. As long as I have the book in stock or as a PDF, your wish is my command, US or UK edition. I’ll sign the print editions, if you like.

Date movie dream – or disaster?

I recently posted about the movie Shame on Facebook and this drew lots of comments about what would make a good – or disastrous – date movie.

My first date with Mr B was a visit to see Chariots of Fire which gives away how long we’ve been together, although we were dating for five years from then until we actually tied the knot.

So I’d love to hear about your actual or suggested ideas for date films. Did you choose a rom com or action movie? A screwball comedy or an arthouse drama? Did you start a lifelong romance over Sleepless in Seattleor crash and burn while watching Mission Impossible IV?

So now, it’s over to you…

My new muse

February 8, 2012

Come visit me on Maria’s blog, Fly High, on my new muse (and I promise, I *haven’t* abandoned Mr Armitage!)

Valentine’s Competition launches on Friday – books to be won. 🙂

Why ‘Shame’ blew my mind

February 6, 2012

So. Last week I blogged about a wind turbine appeal (no outcome on that yet, so its gigantic shadow still hangs over our little village…) and now I’m blogging about Shame, the controversial movie about Brandon, a sex addict, played by Michael Fassbender.

I love a contrast. 🙂

Now, I’ll admit that over the last few months, I’ve slowly developed a thing for Mr Fassbender. He has slipped insidiously into my consciousness, shall we say.

My thing started quietly enough last September after seeing his edgy, dangerous, portrayal of Mr Rochester in the new Jane Eyre movie.

Then my interest rose to a new level after I came across a photo of him as Azazeal in an old Sky series called Hex. OMG, be still my beating heart, but he IS the hero of my recently completed sexy rom com. He is Jago…edgy, tormented, jaded and arrogant. You’ll love him if/when you ever get to read about him. 😉

Last week, Maria Grazia at the culture blog, Fly High, heard about my current obsession with Mr Fassbender and has asked me to blog about what it is about the actor and his roles, that inspires me.

So in the interests of research, I ordered Hex on DVD and booked tickets to see Shame. Mr Bennet needed very little persuasion to head off to the Electric Cinema in Birmingham to watch the film. Carey Mulligan, who plays Brandon’s sister, was part of the attraction and luckily, Mr B has an eclectic taste in movies just like me. So we booked a double sofa, texted our drinks order to the bar and settled down to watch the film.

Settled is the wrong word; for this film is anything but settling. It’s explicit, and maybe a little shocking but it’s also serious, bleakly beautiful, uncomfortable, thought-provoking and most unexpectedly moving.

I haven’t stopped thinking about it all day. Do go and catch it if you can, though it’s coming to the end of its run. Michael Fassbender is astonishing in it.

And watch out for my post on Fly High.

Later this week, I’m running a Valentine’s Special on this blog. You can enter to win any of my books, e book or print, UK or US, as long as I have a copy in stock. Some even have hearts on the cover!

Watch this space. 🙂

A lesson about passion from an unlikely source

February 1, 2012

I’ve just been to a wind turbine appeal that I thought would be dull and vaguely comic. It wasn’t… it was passionate and moving.

The following is only *my* opinion but I’m glad I went to show support, find out what goes on and observe people. I have to say that there are some very bright and feisty people in the village concerned, and without them, nothing would have been done to oppose this – quite moving to see peop…le fighting for their homes and heritage.

There was an interesting contrast in the passions on one side vs the (often) unintelligible language used by the ‘appelant’s’ team (a utility company) from people who don’t live in the area and have no emotional stake in the outcome, beyond, perhaps, not hitting their targets or suffering the consequences of not performing at work.

There was lots of talk of ‘visual perception levels’ and ‘heritage asset’ measurement – a choice of words, IMO, designed to de-humanise the real life impact of their actions.

In writing a novel, it struck me that your characters need to be like the first group: impassioned, with everything at stake, fighting for what they truly believe in. So do you, the writer.

Don’t turn up and keep looking at your watch, ticking your boxes and expecting your pay check.

Throw yourself into the story; live those people’s lives – if you fail, at least you gave it everything. Readers will know and they’ll feel it too.
Rant over… time for a coffee and a ginger nut.