Be yourself!

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I know I’ve been missing for quite some time due to technical issues but I’m back now and ready to get started again.  I have picked two books to start with because they’re part of a set so, let me tell you what I thought of The Waiting Duo from Clare Bentley.

Waiting to Live

Chris Harper was her brothers’ best friend, so it was only natural that Isobel Matheson would fall in love with him.

When he went away to college, she stayed in touch with him in the hopes that one day he would look at her as more than Oliver’s little sister.

But when Chris returned home after qualifying as a firefighter with a wife, Isobel knew she had missed her chance to tell him the extent of her feelings.

She did her best to hide her disappointment, however Charlotte Harper recognised the look in her eyes the minute they were introduced and was instantly intimidated by the woman who knew him so well.

Over the years of marriage, her insecurities convince her that she’s her husband’s second choice and she goes to drastic lengths to prove it.

I received and ARC copy of this book and considering it’s only the 2nd book published by this new author I was not disappointed.

It was another one that I couldn’t put down as I just needed to find out what happened next.

Although I don’t agree with the way Chris’ wife Charlie tried to teach him a lesson, I can’t say I blame her to be honest because he really was clueless about why she felt the way she did, and he didn’t really do much to put her mind at ease.

Izzy was a rock for so many people and stepped up when Chris needed her but he put too much on her and expected her to just fall in with what he needed regardless of what she wanted or how she felt.

I will admit I was not happy with the way this book  ended, it left us on a real cliff hanger which I really don’t like, especially when I have to wait for the next one to come out but wait I did. I’m sure some of these authors revel in the pain of making us readers wait for a new book.

No More Waiting

Just when it looks as though Isobel Matheson will get everything she’s wanted since she was a teenager, Charlotte Harper returns home – and she has an ultimatum to deliver to her husband. Everything Isobel ever wanted hangs in the balance along with the promises Chris made.

Forced into giving his wife what she wants, Chris begrudgingly chooses his wife over his best friend, and Isobel moves in with her father to focus on repairing their broken relationship before he dies.

Soon Charlotte’s demands start to weigh on Chris, and he delivers an ultimatum of his own. But Isobel is gone, and no one will tell him where to find her.

Will Chris finally catch up to Isobel? Will Isobel let down the walls she built up to protect her? Will they get their happily ever after?

Just like the first book, I received an ARC copy of this book and I loved it and all of its characters, well except for Charlotte despite feeling sorry for her in book one by the time I got stuck into book two, I decided that she deserved to die horribly for being such a vindictive cow but that’s just me.

I could have smacked Chris in the face a few times as well for being a complete idiot, he was completely clueless sometimes but like a lot of men he doesn’t think.

Isabelle went through so much bless her so many ups and downs and my heart broke when hers did, I laughed along with her and got angry when she did, I could put myself in her shoes and lose myself in this book for ages.

Once again Clare Bentley has brought us another story that kept us interested and longing to know more.

I enjoyed every part of both of these books and I especially loved the attention to detail of the surroundings, without going into too much depth, the details given allowed me to picture the houses and places that were visited, and you can tell that the author has received some in depth knowledge and has done her research on certain aspects mentioned in the books, which I find refreshing, its lovely to have someone accurately describe things.

 I cannot wait to read what’s next from her because she never seems to disappoint! I managed to catch up with Clare Bentley and she very kindly agreed to do an interview with me so we could all get to know her a little better.  So, sit back and let’s find out more about this new up and coming author and find out what inspires her.

Where did you grow up?

‘I was born in the Wordsley, West Midlands, but spent most of my young life in Telford – bouncing from place to place. When I was kicked out at 16, my mom moved back to the Midlands while I stayed in Telford and it wasn’t until I found out I was pregnant that I moved back to the Stourbridge area to be closer to my mom.’

What made you want to become an author?

‘I fell in love with writing in secondary school – English was the only lesson I cared to attend and it showed in my GCSE grade. I always loved making up stories…whether that was writing them down or acting them out with my friends. It’s just always been something I felt good at.’

How long have you been writing for?

‘Wow…a long time. I started making up stories when I was about 13 or 14 and once I was a mother, I wrote fan fiction… it’s only been the last 6 years that I’ve been working to become a published author.’

Do you have a favourite genre you like to write?

‘I haven’t really settled into a genre yet. I love reading a good romance, but I think I’m going to be one of those ‘darker side of life’ authors. I think my past makes it easier for me to write a victim than perhaps it should be, but it’s what works for me. My last book was a romance and yet, it was still a little dark. I don’t want to get bored of the stories I tell, hopefully it’ll mean my readers won’t either.’

Where do you get your inspiration from?

‘Oh, my God…everywhere. My past played a huge part in my debut novel being about domestic violence – I think that’s why it was received so well, because it came from my experiences, as a child growing up in a house that was rife with it. But I can watch an episode of a TV show I enjoy, and it’ll inspire an idea. I’ve even been inspired by some songs. There’s inspiration everywhere, you just have to be paying attention to be hit with it.’

Have you ever based a character on yourselves or someone you know?

‘Absolutely. And I think that’s the beauty of characters. You can add parts of yourself that you like and leave out the parts you don’t.

There is an aspect in all of my characters that I take from my friends too, as little tributes – I’m not sure any of them notice. But the subtle hints are there. I haven’t written a full character based on one of my friends or myself – at least not in my published novels – though adding little traits they have isn’t out of the question.’

Do you read when you’re relaxing or is that too much like work?

‘I do love to read. But I can’t read while I’m writing – and I always seem to be writing these days. I’m like a sponge, so if I read a specific author while I’m writing, I tend to write like them. But I do enjoy a good book.’

Do you have a favourite genre to read?

‘I read the way I write. I don’t like to be boxed in, so I read any genre. I love Martina Cole for how dark her writing is, and I love Nicholas Sparks for how romantic his stories are, which is why I think I won’t be sticking to one genre myself. I have a few indie author friends who’s books I love, but they’re not all one genre…variety is the spice of life after all.’

How do you research specifics, like police / fire / etc protocols?

‘I like to pride myself on accuracy. I try to find any details I need through Google, but there is sometimes not enough information out there, so it helps to have a back up.’

Do you have a trusted source for specifics?

‘I don’t want to give their names, but I am lucky to have access to a police officer, a firefighter and a musician that I can ask questions of, for authenticity. If I’m unsure of anything, I can call on any of them to answer any queries I have and can’t find the answers to.’

From the books you’ve written do you have a favourite character and why?

‘I always love my female characters, more so than my male. I’m not even sure why. Kaidence will always be my favourite because she helped me tell a story that was close to my heart and she went through so much. It pained me to be in her shoes for so long, reliving what I went through as a teenager – but she emerged stronger than my original plans for her. I hope when I decide to step back into her shoes, you’ll see a different side to her.’

What was the hardest book to write?

‘What She Deserves, without a doubt. I had to tap into a part of myself that I’d suppressed for so long, in order to ensure my survival. I wasn’t the subject of domestic violence myself, but being a kid whose Mum is being abused is hard. There’s a helplessness, and a fear that is indescribable. It was hard reliving something I had put behind me – to be a wife and a mother. But it was important to me to tell this story, and for it to be raw and uncomfortable for readers… it had to be, I wouldn’t have been doing the subject justice if it wasn’t.’

Do you have a favourite author?

‘As I mentioned before, I love Martina Cole and Nicolas Sparks. But being in the indie author business has opened me up to so many other great indie authors. My favourite’s are M.B. Feeney, who’s also a magnificent friend, Holly C. Webb, R.E. Hargrave, Carrie Elks and T.S. Arthur.’

If you could co write a book with anyone else who would you choose?

‘Oh God, now you’re asking. I think it would probably have to be M.B. Feeney. I feel as though we have similar writing styles. Plus, we know each other pretty well, so I think the collaboration would work.’

If you could make any of your books into movies which one would you pick and who would play the main characters?

‘It would have to be What She Deserves…just for the message, and I know there are some domestic violence films out there, but I just think the rawness of my story may make it a little different. Kaidence would have to be played by some with a range of talents…who can play confident and playful, but also convey the fear she feels. I can think of no one more suited to the role than Rachel McAdams because I love her and there’s a confidence and vulnerability to her acting. As for Jackson – can I say Chris Evans? It’s not who I had in mind when I was writing the character, but there’s not a role I don’t love him in and he’s just so good at what he does.’

Ooh, who did you have in mind when you were writing the character?

‘Chris Wood’s character in Containment.’

What advice would you give to anyone wanting to get into writing?

‘Don’t think you’ll be successful overnight. Work at your craft and find someone who can be your support to talk you through your moments of doubt. I’m not the most confident, but I have amazing friends that help to build me up whenever I feel as though I’m not good enough.’

What’s next for you?

‘My last release was barely out before I started writing my next novel, which is titled After You’ve Gone. But that was mainly to get the opening scene written and out of my head. I have since gone back to a piece that was originally supposed to be for an anthology that didn’t go ahead, titled Looking For Him, which is another romance piece. But I have many more stories plotted out and ready to go.

I’m also part of a couple of anthologies – one of which is out already. It’s called A Hero Next Door and we’re raising money for NHS Together Charities and the All Clear Foundation. The second isn’t out yet, but it will be soon.’

Where can people find you on Social Media?

‘Website –  https://cbentleyauthor.wixsite.com/home

Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/clarebentleyauthor

Facebook Group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/clarebsinnersanctum/

Instagram – http://instagram.com/cbentleyauthor

Follow me on amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/~/e/B0853DC1N9

BookBub – https://www.bookbub.com/profile/clare-bentley

Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20159176.Clare_Bentley’

So if you haven’t already I strongly recommend you check Clare Bentley out because you will not be disappointed.