Faith Hogan's Blog

I’m delighted to share that THE BOOKSHOP LADIES has been nominated for an An Post Book Award in the Ireland AM Popular Book of the Year Category.

It’s sitting on a shelf in the very best of company, next to Ceceila Ahern, Rachel English, Marian Keyes, Ross O’Carroll Kelly and Graham Norton.

Of course now that it’s been chosen – which is lovely and quite an honour it has to gather up a few votes – so if you’ve enjoyed reading it or any of the books on the shortlist – there are different categories and something there for everyone, do vote here:

A little about the awards: The An Post Irish Book Awards are a set of industry-recognition awards set up by a coalition of Irish booksellers in 2007. Thousands of ordinary readers vote to select the winners every year. Libraries and bookshops showcase the best books of the year in the run up to Christmas. Winners in each category are chosen by popular vote.

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July, July, July!!

And we are still waiting for summer to arrive – well some people are at least, me? I’m happy with the grey skies and to have a house full of people on summer holidays… or at least here while school and college is out!

The other thing that marks out this time of year is the fact that my summer book – The Bookshop Ladies is now making its way all around the world in people’s holiday suitcases, so at least Joy, Fern and Robyn will be catching those rays.

Of course, this means that we are in the bookshops, front of the house – very often and this is such a wonderful thing, I really do appreciate it.

Last week, Easons chose to place the book in their on-line sale, it’s still reduced if you fancy picking up a bargain.

All of this leads me back to the heading of this post, because if I don’t put this here, then I’m not sure where exactly to put it!

We are currently on our fourth week in the Irish best seller list – which is beyond lovely, so a very, very big thank you to everyone who has picked up a copy, to everyone who has nice things to say about it and to all of the booksellers who have pressed it into hands looking for something to read this summer!

Thank you!

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We are just under three weeks to go until The Bookshop Ladies hit the shelves and here in Hogan HQ (well, the hogan house – at least!) it’s all engines GO!

Again, maybe that’s a bit of an overstatement, if you’ve signed up to my Newsletter you’ll know that I’m doing something just for subscribers this week, but if you haven’t, and you fancy something a little special, a little earlier than everyone else, I have some very, very good news for you…

Thanks to Sue Brown @brownflopsy for allowing me to borrow her image 1

I might just have an advance copy of my new book to give away to one very lucky reader – but you will have to do a bit of work to be in with a shot of winning it…

First off, head over to any of my social channels, find the post offering the giveaway and follow the instructions – generally very simple, like or follow or comment – to be in with a chance – really, that simple.

For more news from out and about, sign up to the newsletter – where I’m spilling the beans on all sorts of shenanigans…

For now, the countdown is on… The Bookshop Ladies is up for pre-order now and available to get your hands on it in Hardback, Trade Paperback or Ebook from bookshops on June 9th.

Cover photo courtesy of Danielle @DanSamEnd

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It’s OFFICIAL…

The Bookshop Ladies are on the way…

And today, I’m delighted to share the cover of my next book with you!

Tah Dah!!!

Isn’t it just divine?

Honestly, I could just dive in there and curl up at that window with a good book and a mug of something comforting.

Of all my books, this is probably the best kept secret to date and I’ve been so looking forward to talking about it. So, what’s it all about?

Well, the publishers have a very lovely blurb to go with the book on all of the retail sites, so do have a browse when you get a chance…

HERE https://linktr.ee/FaithHogan

In the meantime, here’s the inside story…

The Bookshop Ladies is a story about three women, brought together by the death of Yves Bachand; the widow, the ex-client and the daughter he never knew. A struggling little bookshop in the village of Ballycove provides a middle ground where friendships blossom and a community takes to its heart the grieving widow, until she reveals the real reason for her trip to Ireland.

But by then a few untold truths turn out to be the least of their problems, with a missing priceless first edition, unrequited love and the frenemie from hell to contend with – perhaps pulling together is the only way forward for The Bookshop Ladies.

The Bookshop Ladies is out on the 8th of June and you can pre-order it now!

https://linktr.ee/FaithHogan

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Many thanks to Julie Draper and her wonderful book club – The Community Lutheran Church Book Club from Rancho Santa Margarita, California for this great list of questions to get you thinking as you read The Ladies Midnight Swimming Club.

I’m so often asked for a list of book club questions and although I’ve set out lists in the past, I’ve never actually properly shared a list – for me this list is just perfect, I hope, if you are discussing the book that first off you enjoy it and second you find these in time!

My thanks again to Julie and the Community Lutheran Church Book Club from Rancho Santa Margarita, California.

Here we go….

1.           What prompted Elizabeth to join Jo in the water (naked) the first time?  How did it make her feel?

2.           How did Elizabeth feel about Eric at the time she married him?  How did her feelings change during the marriage?  How did Elizabeth feel about Eric after his death? 

3.           How did Elizabeth feel about her own life following Eric’s death?  How did she feel about her home and the surgery?

4.           What did Jo’s midnight swims contribute to her life, wellbeing and state of mind?  How did sharing the swim with Lucy and Elizabeth change the experience for Jo?

5.           What was Dan’s state of mind when he decided to leave London?  How did it change over the summer?

6.           What was Lucy’s state of mind when she decided to leave Dublin?  How did it change over the summer?

7.           How did Niall’s attitude toward Ballycove change over the summer?  What influences (or individuals) affected his attitude changes?

8.           How did all of the changes affecting Elizabeth’s day-to-day existence affect her self-esteem?

9.           Do you feel Dan intruded on Lucy, Jo and Elizabeth’s privacy by writing the book about them?

10.  What did you think about Jo’s approach to her cancer diagnosis?

11.  Would you have participated in the Midnight Swim for charity? 

12.  Elizabeth believed Eric saved her from Saint Nunciata.  Did the selfish decision he ultimately made about the child truly save her? 

13.  How do you feel about Elizabeth’s reaction to learning the truth?  Were either Dan or Elizabeth bitter about the events that affected their lives?

14.  How did Ballycove affect the lives of the main characters of the book?

Just dropping in here very quickly to let you know that for a few more days you can drop into Esme’s Guest House by the Sea for the reduced price of 99p if you’re a kindle reader.

People come to the guest house for fresh air and views across the Atlantic. But if they’re lucky, they might just leave with the second chance they didn’t know they needed…

Esme has run the guest house for as long as anyone in Ballycove can remember. But in her declining years, her sight is failing, and when she has a fall on the eve of the summer season, she is forced to take a back seat for the first time in her life.

From her chair in the entry hall, not much passes Esme by. There’s Cora, the wife visiting indefinitely… without her husband; Niamh, the city professional with a life-changing decision to make; and Phyllie, the grandmother whose family is slipping away from her.

Esme’s guests provide the colour that helps her keep her grip on the world. All of them have something they want to escape – or to hold on to. But can Esme help them find their way before the summer is over?

On The First Day Of Christmas is here!!

I know, it’s only October, we really need to get over ourselves, right? But some things are beyond our control and if everything moves slowly in publishing, the one exception to that rule has to be the arrival of festive reading. Honestly, I’ve had a hankering after some Christmas books since July – so I really can’t be the woman throwing stones from my glass house!

The good news is that On The First Day Of Christmas has hit the shops this month. It’s available here in Ireland in Easons and very many of the Independents but also in some of the bookshops in the UK – certainly Sainsbury’s and of course, the usual bookshops. This is the paper pack edition, so it’s a different cover to the larger version which came out last year and managed to pick up some lovely quotes and reviews along the way.

The new cover is… I KNOW! Lovely and sparkly!!

It’s been compared quite a bit to Sliding Doors and a little PS I Love You, although that wasn’t the intention when I was writing it, I can definitely see the comparisons. This could be the ideal gift for the reader in your life who’s teetering between Taylor Jenkins Reid and Cecilia Ahern – it’s got a little more bite than some of my books, but I promise, it’s still an uplifting read, which I think is what we’re all after at the moment.

Here’s the gist of it…

A gorgeous new festive read from the Kindle #1 bestselling author of The Ladies’ Midnight Swimming Club

This Christmas, everything will change…

When Liv Latimer says goodbye to her fellow nurses and finishes work for the holidays, she’s looking forward to a Christmas to remember with her boyfriend Eddie.

But as she leaves the hospital, tragedy strikes and Liv is faced with a choice. Will she ignore her instincts and go home as planned? Or will she stay, and potentially change the course of her life as she knows it?

Whatever choice she makes, Liv is about to discover that fate finds a way…

From the bestselling Irish author of The Ladies’ Midnight Swimming Club comes an emotional and uplifting festive story about love, family and how a split-second decision can change your life.

The release of The Gin Sisters Promise meant we were out and about talking books, sibling rivalry, families, forgiving and forgetting.

Here’s an interview on Liffey Valley sound with Teresa Quinn where we talk about The Gin Sisters Promise, Ballycove and where it all started…

Well, it is a full month since The Guest House By The Sea hit the bookshops and into readers hands and I’m delighted to share that it seems to be hitting the spot!

We (the assistant and I) had fun dropping into some bookshops over June – this is in Stephen’s Green one quiet morning – signed copies, Glen and his fantastic team were good enough to supply the sharpie and the stickers! Eason’s championed the books as one of their books of the month – very much appreciated!!

It’s a strange thing, we are onto our ninth women’s fiction book and still, in the run up to publication, there is always that question – have we done enough? Is there something extra that might mean the difference between the book getting a really good send off and feeling that there was something we were meant to do and we’ve missed it. You know that feeling, it’s the one you remember from Home Alone, where every item is ticked off the list – except someone forgot to count Kevin!

But it seems this time round, that despite our summer holidays clashing with publication week and even despite the fact that it feels as if there was never less done in the run up to publication, Esme and her guests have found their own legs and they have taken off running – no mean feat when you’re in your ninth decade.

Looking fab in Bookstation windows across Dublin over June! Sharing the space with some fantastic books this year – thank you Bookstation!

First off, the reviews began to trickle through. Kind words from other writers are always lovely, particularly from writers you really admire and I had an inkling when Sheryll Woods (Sweet Magnolias and Chesapeake Shores) sent on her compliments that we might be onto something.

Quickly, the trickle turned into a flow and then, as the big date approached, it felt like an oncoming tide – a very, very welcome one.

Netgalley – a forum for reviewers also threw up some absolutely fabulous reviews, these come from all over the world and so, you get an idea of how the book is resonating not just with people who are familiar with Ireland and our funny little ways.

The press too, have been very generous in their reviews and coverage for the book, with great reviews appearing in Woman’s Way, Prima Magazine, Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Weekly Love Picks, Pick Me Up Special and closer to home, The Clare Champion.

All of this coverage is of course down to the hard work and dedication of the publicity team in HoZ – so thank you to Ayo, Amy and Jo for all their hard work.

Dubrays gave us a warm welcome with a gorgeous display to greet us when we arrived! Thank you Dubray!

The highlight of any book coming out – well, honestly it’s a lovely thing that happens all year round, but it’s especially nice for a new book – is when people you know, sometimes people you’ve known for years, occasionally people you’ve lost touch with, reach out to let me know that they’ve read and enjoyed the book. You have no idea how much this means, such kind words and that feeling that someone actually took the time out to put their thoughts down and say well done!

Finally, one of the ways the publishing industry measures a book is by how it is ranked across various sales regions. The good news here is that The Guest House By The Sea is holding its own also. It’s been in the top ten Easons weekly best sellers list – up to number three since it’s release, it’s also been a Top 5 Irish Times Bestseller for the last three weeks!!!

So, what’s next?

Well, watch this space or of course, you could just sign up to the newsletter and see what we’re all up to in the Hogan House this weather….

In the meantime, if you’ve bought, read, gifted, borrowed or shared the love for the book in any way – thank you so much, I really hope you enjoy meeting Esme, Cora, Marta & Co at The Guest House By The Sea!!

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I can’t quite believe that it’s just one week away – and The Guest House By The Sea will be in readers hands. I’m so excited for you to read this book. It’s a book I’ve wanted to write for years. It’s all of those things that I love when I settle down to escape the daily grind. It has sun, sand, sea and characters that I hope will charm you so you are invested in following them until the very last page. It has, I hope an ending that will satisfy and in Esme, Cora, Marta, Phyllis and Niamh there is a little bit of all of us, which of course means that only time will tell how things work out for them.

So far, the feedback for the Guest House has been phenomenal. I’m overwhelmed by the kindness of early readers and just a little awestruck at some of the wonderful quotes other writers have been good enough to send in after enjoying their stay in The Willows – The Guest House By The Sea.

One of the big surprise visitors to Ballycove this year was Sherryl Woods – yes, THAT Sherryl Woods – she of the hugely successful Sweet Magnolias and Chesapeak Shores series currently running on Netflix – just a little star struck to say the least! She was very kind in her praise, as were so many other hugely successful writers that I admire who read and quoted for the book.

In other, BIG news, The Guest House By The Sea has also been selected as a Pigeon Hole Bookshelf read and the feedback from this has been just amazing. I’ve popped in each day to see how things are going and thus far, readers are loving it! If I was technologically savvy enough – I would be sharing some of the lovely comments here- unfortunately, the particular level of guru feature only comes when Tomas – computer genius son is here to help!

And so, one week left to go… over on the socials, there will be competitions running to win free books and all that goes along with the bells and whistles of a new release, so be sure to follow along and join in to be in with a chance of winning some very special prizes.

For now, I’m luxuriating in that lovely feeling in advance of the book hitting those bookshelves. There are pre-order links everywhere, but if you’re in Ireland and you’re looking for a summer read, why not pop into your local bookshop and pick up a copy!

And of course, welcome back to Ballycove….

People come to the guest house for fresh air and views across the Atlantic. But if they’re lucky, they might just leave with the second chance they didn’t know they needed…

Esme has run the guest house for as long as anyone in Ballycove can remember. But in her declining years, her sight is failing, and when she has a fall on the eve of the summer season, she is forced to take a back seat for the first time in her life.

From her chair in the entry hall, not much passes Esme by. There’s Cora, the wife visiting indefinitely… without her husband; Niamh, the city professional with a life-changing decision to make; and Phyllie, the grandmother whose family is slipping away from her.

Esme’s guests provide the colour that helps her keep her grip on the world. All of them have something they want to escape – or to hold on to. But can Esme help them find their way before the summer is over?

From bestselling Irish writer Faith Hogan comes a new, uplifting story about discovering love, friendship and the healing power of the Irish sea air. It will charm fans of Sheila O’Flanagan, Heidi Swain and Susanne O’Leary.

‘Once again Faith pulls you into her world instantly and never lets you go, with such an incredibly real cast of characters who you feel actually exist. A Life affirming and unputdownable read.’ Phillipa Ashley

‘What a delight this book is. A gorgeous cast of characters, the perfect seaside setting and Faith Hogan’s wonderful talent for dialogue all come together to make this a lovely feel-good story with an ending that will cheer your heart.’ Imogen Clark

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