Welcome Laura Briggs, author of A Spirited Girl on Cornish Shores

Today, I'm delighted to welcome author Laura Briggs to my blog as part of her blog tour with Rachel's Random Resources. Laura will tell us a little about her brand-new release, A Spirited Girl on Cornish Shores. It's a Halloween Romance! 

Laura has even brought with her some goodies for you to win, so make sure you enter into the Rafflecopter giveaway below to be in for a special treat!

Having sadly never been to Cornwall (it's been on my list of places for too long to remember), I'm intrigued about Laura's novels. I hope you are too. So, grab a cuppa and get settled...

Over to Laura...

Writing a Spooky ( But Not-Too-Scary) Halloween Romance!

Thank you so much to Cathie for letting me share with her lovely readers about my newest romantic read, A Spirited Girl on Cornish Shores.

If you’ve seen the cover art for this book, you’ve probably guessed already that it’s a Halloween-themed story. It’s also the sequel to my summer romance read, A Little Hotel in Cornwall, in which aspiring novelist Maisie Clark found herself working ‘across the Pond’ at a beautiful seaside hotel in Cornwall. Surrounded by quirky co-workers, glamorous guests, and breathtaking scenery, Maisie was swept away by her newfound opportunity—and a little swept off her feet by the village’s handsome and semi-mysterious jack-of-all-trades Sidney Daniels.

Now, the autumn wind carries with it a new adventure for Maisie and the staff at the hotel Penmarrow. An eccentric earl has booked the historic venue for his 100^thbirthday celebration with a guest list that includes his wealthy (and scheming) family members, several illustrious friends, and a clairvoyant whose uncanny predictions have even Maisie wondering if they might be genuine.

Setting this sequel story at Halloween was tremendous fun, as I do enjoy a good ghost tale now and then. Growing up, I loved classic movies like The Ghost and Mr. Chicken, Arsenic and Old Lace, Blackbeard’s Ghost, and Bell, Book, and Candle. I’ve read Henry James’s The Turn of the Screw more than once, and like my book’s heroine, Maisie, I’ve come to love the poems of Edgar Allan Poe.

For me, A Spirited Girl on Cornish Shores is a combination of favorite ghost story elements with a cast of characters that might be more at home in a classic Agatha Christie novel. It’s more quirky than scary, which is good since I do have a low threshold for the truly scary in fiction. For instance, you won’t find many Stephen King novels on my shelves, and I still haven’t seen the movie The Conjuring because... well, the theater trailer alone was enough to keep me awake at night. You get the picture. 

So if you’re fond of bedtime reading— but not the kind the keeps you up after the lights are out—rest assured, A Spirited Girl on Cornish Shores is much more feel-good than frightening. After all, this is still the romance genre and Maisie’s budding attraction for the charming Sidney gets its fair share of page time too. From autumn excursions on Sidney’s bicycle, to picking apples in a special wood, and party preparations at the vicarage where Sidney works as groundskeeper, the pair finds themselves growing closer despite their ‘friends only’ pact of the previous summer.

Will Maisie and Sidney risk a kiss before All Hallows’ Eve is over— or will secrets between them keep romantic sparks from catching ablaze? And what about the strange happenings at the historic hotel where Maisie works? I hope you’ll join other readers in finding out the answers by grabbing your own copy of this fun Halloween romance that’s more treat than trick!

~ Thank you, Laura, for this intriguing post. Like you, I adored Arsenic and Old Lace. Combining the beautiful, dramatic scenery of Cornwall with the ghostly shenanigans of Halloween, and then adding a touch of romance, sounds like a very special read. Wishing you much success! Cathie

~~~

A Spirited Girl on Cornish Shores (A Little Hotel in Cornwall Book 2)

It looks like a perfect Cornish autumn, with aspiring novelist Maisie Clark still finding inspiration as a maid at the historic Penmarrow Hotel. Between the staff of quirky co-

workers, glamorous and unusual guests, and her growing friendship with the charming but mysterious Sidney Daniels, Maisie is living out adventures instead of just penning them in the pages of her would-be novel's growing number of chapters.

And then there's the slight problem of keeping the balance between friendship and 'something more' with Sidney, who's helping introduce her to the village's version of a Cornish Halloween, and has recently taken an interest in Maisie's secret that may change things between them. But even Maisie’s imagination can't conjure the unusual event this Halloween brings to the Penmarrow. An eccentric earl has chosen this site to host his lavish birthday celebration that includes a pretty (and perceptive) young psychic whose predictions seem to have everyone on edge — and, to Maisie's delight, the elusive novelist Alistair Davies is rumored to be part of the guest list! But with the earl's bickering relatives and illustrious friends on hand— and more than one ghost of the past waiting to be revealed — it’s anyone’s guess what the festivities will bring before the party is over.

Will the psychic foretell doom for the earl's gathering—and is her ‘gift’ as genuine as it seems? Will Maisie finally meet her favorite author face to face? And, more importantly, what about the romantic sparks that fly between Maisie and Sidney?

Purchase Links 

UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Spirited-Cornish-Shores-Little-Cornwall-ebook/dp/B07R59BM53

US- https://www.amazon.com/Spirited-Cornish-Shores-Little-Cornwall-ebook/dp/B07R59BM53

~~~

Author Bio –

Laura Briggs is the author of several feel-good romance reads, including the Top 100 Amazon UK seller 'A Wedding in Cornwall'. She has a fondness for vintage style dresses (especially ones with polka dots), and reads everything from Jane Austen to modern day mysteries. When she's not writing, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, caring for her pets, gardening, and seeing the occasional movie or play.

Social Media Links – 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PaperDollWrites

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/authorlaurabriggs/

~~~

Giveaway to Win one of 3 Cornish themed prizes (Open Internationally)

1^stPrize: A Ross Poldark collectible Knitdark character doll (Open Internationally) –1 winner

Perfect for fans of all-things Cornwall, this Ross Poldark doll with tricorn hat is made by Angela Blay, whose popular Knitdark creations have been featured on The Graham Norton Show. Since each doll is hand made, the Ross the winner receives may vary slightly in appearance from the one in the picture. Readers can learn more about the Knitdarks at Angela's Twitter page @kwerkyknits as well as her Etsy shop at https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/kwerkyknits

2^ndPrize: A decorative tin T.A.R.D.I.S (Open Internationally) –1 winner

A tin T.A.R.D.I.S similar to the keepsake Maisie is gifted by Sidney in Book 1, A Little Hotel in Cornwall. Designed by Etsy artist KittyConduitt81 and perfect for fans of Doctor Who! Being a unique, hand made item, the final design may vary slightly in appearance from the one pictured. Learn about KittyConduittDesigns on Etsy at https://www.etsy.com/shop/KittyConduittDesigns

3^rdPrize: A Kindle/Tablet case featuring cover art from A Little Hotel in Cornwall (Open Internationally) –1 winner

A specially designed case for a Kindle or Tablet featuring the cover art for Book 1 in the series A Little Hotel in Cornwall. The final product's size, texture, and color will depend on the winner's device.

*All 3 winners will also receive a digital copy of Book 1 in the series, 

A Little Hotel in Cornwall.

*Terms and Conditions –

Worldwide entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
~ A big 'thank you' to Laura for her fabulous post. I hope readers enjoy discovering Cornwall through Laura's eyes. And don't forget to enter the giveaway! Cathie