Clare's Holiday Update!

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Greetings from Greece! This newsletter is coming to you live from Rhodes, where my wife and I are having a much-needed week away in the embers of the summer sunshine. I'm typing this from our balcony with the sea glittering in the distance, the sunshine providing a welcome shot of vitamin D not in tablet form.

My wife is currently laid on a sun bed beside me, reading my upcoming novel, Not Part Of The Plan. I told her to make notes of anything that's not clear, typos, missing words, likes/dislikes. I think she's up to about 15 notes now. She's given me a couple of smiles, a gasp about the cream scene (IYKYK), but overall I think it's a thumbs up.

Five Things From My Week:

1. Pre-Order, You Know You Want To. My upcoming romance, Not Part Of The Plan, is officially available for pre-order in my shop in ebook, paperback, and now signed paperback if you like your books with a personal touch. The countdown to my official shop launch on November 5th is on. I'd love to make this my biggest pre-order ever. Can it outdo The Princess Match? Only if you pre-order it. Go on, treat yourself!
2. Turn Back Time: We had a White Party at our hotel last night that I swear was a fever dream from 1974. But when they're serving up Earth, Wind & Fire, Abba and Donna Summer, who are we to argue? Plus, the biscuity champagne was served in pure white flutes. It's all in the details.
3. Coffee Win: When you're on holiday, getting coffee strong enough to make your eyelids flicker is always an issue. The breakfast coffee served at the buffet does not cut it. However, we have a Nespresso machine in our room that serves a perfect cup every time. It's creamy, dreamy, and the perfect way to turbo-charge your day.
4. Nut-Free Me: I'm allergic to tree nuts, and in Greece, they sneak nuts into and onto EVERYTHING. Crushed in smoothies, stuffed inside olives, bobbing about in urns of honey, lounging atop beef carpaccio, even smuggled into smoked aubergine. Our first night here, I asked the pastry chef what dessert I could have. He told me only the Basque cheesecake, and somebody had just eaten the last slice. He disappeared, and returned with an individual portion just for me. It was as good as the one I had in San Sebastian. Bravo, sir!
5. Where's the romance? Lying around the pool, I haven't seen many romance paperbacks on show. A smattering of fantasy, sure. A bunch of thrillers. But my romance readers must be on their phones or ereaders. When I'm by a pool, I prefer to read a paperback. To hold it in my hands. Maybe I'm in the minority!

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Pre-Order Not Part Of The Plan! (Now including signed paperback): Enemies-to-lovers second-chance romance? If that sounds like your bag, click to order your ebook or paperback or signed paper

What am I reading? I'm currently devouring Experienced by Kate Young. It's the perfect book to read by the pool, and I'm loving it. Expect a review next time. You can check out my my longer list of recommended queer reads by clicking here.

Would you write me a review on my web shop? For any book of mine you've read. Reviews are important to new readers who might take a chance on me. Also, they make my shop look like a proper grown-up shop, which I very much like!

New to my books? If that's you, hello! Also, you're in luck: I created a special page on my website so you don't feel lost. I have 27 novels to dive into. Go here for your next sapphic read!

Last time's question: Last time I asked: are you a re-reader, and if so, why? Thanks so much for all your answers. Here are a select few...

Brenda says: "The book I have re-read several times is Madam President and its sequel, by Blayne Cooper and T Novan. I love the idea of a gay woman being president, and it's very comforting during these troubling times."

Donna says: "I love re-reading books that speak to me. I've read some so many times I could probably recite them. My most re-read books are: Reservations of the Heart by TB Markinson (my first sapphic book). At The Water's Edge by Harper Bliss (the emotions and memories speak to me). The Brutal Truth by Lee Winter (there is so much in this book). And Hotshot by Clare Lydon (your love of footy shines through)."

Aoife says: "I'm not a big re-reader. To get me to re-read something, it has to be part of a series where you see character growth and story development."

Helen says: "I love to re-read books, it's like visiting old friends. I've re-read your London series, Clare Ashton's books, and Milena McKay. With every reading of any book comes a new insight or discovery. I'm never the same person I was when I read it last time, so it speaks to me in a different way."

Kimberly agrees: "There's a certain comfort in revisiting a story that is familiar. Stories take on different meanings at different points in life. I love discovering new books, but re-reading old favorites is a must, too."

Tamara: "I love a re-read because I know it will be good, give me the feels, and won't have any of my no-nos. My most re-read book is And Playing The Role Of Herself. Swoon!"

Jude says: "I like to re-read books when characters have stuck with me or storylines have struck a chord. I have re-read many and it's never the same book because you aren't the same."

Jessie says: "I re-read for many reasons. It's either to get those feelings again. To start my year-long reading challenge. Also, when I travel I like to bring an old book as well as buying a new one."

This week's question: For this holiday, I brought two sapphic romances with me, along with a business book. What do you like to read by the pool? Your usual, or do you change it up? What was your holiday hit this year? And do you read paperbacks or ebooks when you're away? Click reply and tell me. I'd love to know!

That's it from me. This weekend, I predict there will be more lounging by the pool while drinking pina coladas, eating souvlaki and tzatsiki, and reading all the books. Whatever you're doing, don't forget to pre-order my new book, soak up the sun where you can, and only read books that make your heart sing.

Until next time, thanks for your support & happy reading!

Love,

Clare. xxx

ps - Don't forget to hit reply and tell me what you read by the pool. I'd love to know!

pps - Pre-order my upcoming romance, Not Part Of The Plan, by clicking here!

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Latest Book: The Princess Match

Latest Translation: La Partita Della Principessa

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