Julia Bell's Blog
March 13, 2021
New Release - Harriet Grace
I'm so delighted my new novel is out now. Harriet Grace is my 11th book!
Harriet Grace has lived a blissful life with her grandparents in a small signalman’s cottage near Malton, Yorkshire. She's engaged to be married to her childhood sweetheart, Ned, and a happy future seems certain.
But when she discovers her grandfather is losing his sight, she decides to man the signal box herself in order to keep their home. This is discovered, the authorities are informed and Harriet must attend a Board of Trade Inquiry.
A chain of events follow that will change Harriet's life beyond anything she could imagine. Her move to the City of York and meeting attractive Detective Constable Mackinnon Taylor brings her mixed emotions. But his offer of employment as a telegrapher and clerk with the York Constabulary comes as a surprise and she accepts immediately.
On a visit to the signal box, Harriet intercepts a strange telegraph message. This message leads to the discovery of a shameful secret, the implications of which will threaten her life as she pursues an abduction and possible murder.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Harriet-Grac...
https://www.amazon.com/Harriet-Grace-...
Harriet Grace has lived a blissful life with her grandparents in a small signalman’s cottage near Malton, Yorkshire. She's engaged to be married to her childhood sweetheart, Ned, and a happy future seems certain.
But when she discovers her grandfather is losing his sight, she decides to man the signal box herself in order to keep their home. This is discovered, the authorities are informed and Harriet must attend a Board of Trade Inquiry.
A chain of events follow that will change Harriet's life beyond anything she could imagine. Her move to the City of York and meeting attractive Detective Constable Mackinnon Taylor brings her mixed emotions. But his offer of employment as a telegrapher and clerk with the York Constabulary comes as a surprise and she accepts immediately.
On a visit to the signal box, Harriet intercepts a strange telegraph message. This message leads to the discovery of a shameful secret, the implications of which will threaten her life as she pursues an abduction and possible murder.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Harriet-Grac...
https://www.amazon.com/Harriet-Grace-...
March 5, 2021
The Wild Poppy - Readers' Favourite
I've posted this information with The Wild Poppy, but I thought I'd copy it to my blog too. I'm so delighted I've been given a 5*review from Readers' Favourite and since I was awarded Finalist Winner in Historical Romance 2020 with Readers' Favourite for my novel Songbird: (The Songbird Story - Book One) I really must put them on my Christmas card list.
Reviewed By:
Joanie Chevalier
Review Rating:
5 Stars - Congratulations on your 5-star review!
Reviewed By Joanie Chevalier for Readers’ Favorite
In The Wild Poppy by Julia Bell, Melody was determined to become a newspaper reporter. It was 1864 and female reporters were unheard of. Female occupations at the time--seamstress, governess, domestic servant, teacher--didn’t interest her in the least. Marriage was the fulfillment of a woman’s dream and, for most in this era, their only goal in life. But Melody had too much to do and her job as a journalist was important to her. Because of her headstrong nature, calamities overtook Melody and her life ebbed and flowed in terms of her happiness, with her best friend, her beau, and her boss. The Wild Poppy moves at a quick pace and there are a few little surprises too. Readers will find themselves stamping their feet in frustration at times, and then cheering the heroine on as she plows through the narrow-mindedness of late 1800s society.
I was pleasantly surprised at the depth of The Wild Poppy and Julia Bell pulled me in with her rich and lively characters. The plot had my rapt attention; I was expecting a story that was good yet predictable but what I read was a story full of lively and interesting characters with a plot full of twists that were unexpected. Tough topics such as an execution by hanging and the hard life of a prostitute were brought out of hiding and in 1864 it was unheard of that a woman would be reporting on such scandalous topics. Even childbirth and feminine hygiene were off-limits and hushed. I am very glad we've advanced so much since the late 1800s! I highly recommend The Wild Poppy by Julia Bell. It has a satisfying ending that will knock your socks off.
Reviewed By:
Joanie Chevalier
Review Rating:
5 Stars - Congratulations on your 5-star review!
Reviewed By Joanie Chevalier for Readers’ Favorite
In The Wild Poppy by Julia Bell, Melody was determined to become a newspaper reporter. It was 1864 and female reporters were unheard of. Female occupations at the time--seamstress, governess, domestic servant, teacher--didn’t interest her in the least. Marriage was the fulfillment of a woman’s dream and, for most in this era, their only goal in life. But Melody had too much to do and her job as a journalist was important to her. Because of her headstrong nature, calamities overtook Melody and her life ebbed and flowed in terms of her happiness, with her best friend, her beau, and her boss. The Wild Poppy moves at a quick pace and there are a few little surprises too. Readers will find themselves stamping their feet in frustration at times, and then cheering the heroine on as she plows through the narrow-mindedness of late 1800s society.
I was pleasantly surprised at the depth of The Wild Poppy and Julia Bell pulled me in with her rich and lively characters. The plot had my rapt attention; I was expecting a story that was good yet predictable but what I read was a story full of lively and interesting characters with a plot full of twists that were unexpected. Tough topics such as an execution by hanging and the hard life of a prostitute were brought out of hiding and in 1864 it was unheard of that a woman would be reporting on such scandalous topics. Even childbirth and feminine hygiene were off-limits and hushed. I am very glad we've advanced so much since the late 1800s! I highly recommend The Wild Poppy by Julia Bell. It has a satisfying ending that will knock your socks off.
February 14, 2021
Well, Harriet Grace is on her way!
I did feel surprised when I checked my blog and realised how long it's been since I had written anything. I noticed that I've been quiet since I moved from my house into my flat. But I have been busy with various projects.
Now we're going through strange times and I've discovered an important fact. My flat is in the shape of a square 6 and from one end to the other is 27 steps. I never realised that before.
Over the winter months I've paced those 27 steps many times as I've striven to finish my 11th novel and start the draft of my 12th.
So, my 11th novel is called Harriet Grace and will be online very shortly. Set in York, England it involves the trials and tribulations of a railway family. I hope you enjoy it and I'm also hoping that the ending will not shock my readers too much. I might be breaking rules, but the only excuse I have is that the characters made me do it.
If you'd like the exact date Harriet Grace will be online then please email me, otherwise look out for it on the various groups I belong to including Historical Romance and UK Forum.
Now we're going through strange times and I've discovered an important fact. My flat is in the shape of a square 6 and from one end to the other is 27 steps. I never realised that before.
Over the winter months I've paced those 27 steps many times as I've striven to finish my 11th novel and start the draft of my 12th.
So, my 11th novel is called Harriet Grace and will be online very shortly. Set in York, England it involves the trials and tribulations of a railway family. I hope you enjoy it and I'm also hoping that the ending will not shock my readers too much. I might be breaking rules, but the only excuse I have is that the characters made me do it.
If you'd like the exact date Harriet Grace will be online then please email me, otherwise look out for it on the various groups I belong to including Historical Romance and UK Forum.
October 25, 2015
The Trouble with Reviews
When I was studying with the Open University I remember completing assignments that asked me to 'Describe and Discuss'. This instruction always comes to mind when I read reviews; for my own novels and for those by other authors.
I firmly believe that reviews should keep well away from the 'describe' and concentrate on the 'discuss'. Not an easy task, I know; almost akin to the 'show don't tell' for we authors. But put simply, describing the content of the novel isn't really necessary, since any potential reader can get that from the blurb. And yet often there are paragraphs telling the story in great detail (often giving away the ending). But a discussion on the novel is worth its weight in gold. If a reader spoke about their feelings when reading the story; their views on the characters and what they liked and disliked about the story, then I would give five stars for that review.
Here's two reviews that I would give five stars to, even though they are at each end of the spectrum.
4.0 out of 5 stars Totally absorbed by this
ByHullaballooon October 24, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition
I like time travel and this one had me trying to find more reading time as the story unfolded. The story started in the 20th century and the author describes the scenes so well, I felt I was there with the hero moving into his new flat. I was soon absorbed in the lives of the characters. A few hints and clues are dropped as the story moves on but the ending still came as a complete surprise. Bit of a shock really. I’m not one for explicitness but much of the gory part goes with the characterisation.
1.0 out of 5 stars Not that good.
Byanon19on September 25, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition
* spoiler * Disappointed by the unnecessary degradation of story by torture and rape.
I firmly believe that reviews should keep well away from the 'describe' and concentrate on the 'discuss'. Not an easy task, I know; almost akin to the 'show don't tell' for we authors. But put simply, describing the content of the novel isn't really necessary, since any potential reader can get that from the blurb. And yet often there are paragraphs telling the story in great detail (often giving away the ending). But a discussion on the novel is worth its weight in gold. If a reader spoke about their feelings when reading the story; their views on the characters and what they liked and disliked about the story, then I would give five stars for that review.
Here's two reviews that I would give five stars to, even though they are at each end of the spectrum.
4.0 out of 5 stars Totally absorbed by this
ByHullaballooon October 24, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition
I like time travel and this one had me trying to find more reading time as the story unfolded. The story started in the 20th century and the author describes the scenes so well, I felt I was there with the hero moving into his new flat. I was soon absorbed in the lives of the characters. A few hints and clues are dropped as the story moves on but the ending still came as a complete surprise. Bit of a shock really. I’m not one for explicitness but much of the gory part goes with the characterisation.
1.0 out of 5 stars Not that good.
Byanon19on September 25, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition
* spoiler * Disappointed by the unnecessary degradation of story by torture and rape.
October 22, 2015
Tips on entering a writing competition
Recently, I entered the Women's Writing Competition for Mslexia Publications. I'm afraid I didn't make the long-list, but I thought I would share their comments on the genres submitted and common errors found in a story.
'Some genres were especially well represented. In previous years crime and romance were the favourites. This year, by contrast, an unusually large number of historical novels were submitted – mainly Medieval and early 20th Century – perhaps resulting from an upsurge of interest in the genre following the success of authors like Hilary Mantel and Philippa Gregory. But this meant that it was harder for a historical novel to stand out, and some otherwise powerful extracts were regretfully set aside because a vivid historical setting rather dwarfed the characters in the story, who were rather two-dimensional in comparison. The judges also noted that dialogue can be especially challenging in a historical novel – speech needs to sound natural as well as ‘historical’, a balance that is very hard to achieve.
‘Travelogue’ novels were another big category of entrants, with the Middle East, Africa and India the most popular destinations. With these books, too, there was a tendency for the setting to dominate, and the judges asked me to say that although an exotic setting does grab the reader’s attention, their interest will be short-lived if they can’t engage with the people in it.
Another major trend in this year’s submissions was YA novels – inspired we assume by the huge popularity of Hunger Games and Divergent. The judges commented that the YA submissions were particularly impressive, with writers well versed in the conventions of the genre – in a good way! Where some fell down was explaining too much about the fantasy world they had created, rather than showing characters grappling with it directly. The best entries in this genre opened with the protagonist right in the midst of the action – it may be that simply discarding the first three chapters and starting later in the plot is all that’s needed to bring these novels to life.'
'Some genres were especially well represented. In previous years crime and romance were the favourites. This year, by contrast, an unusually large number of historical novels were submitted – mainly Medieval and early 20th Century – perhaps resulting from an upsurge of interest in the genre following the success of authors like Hilary Mantel and Philippa Gregory. But this meant that it was harder for a historical novel to stand out, and some otherwise powerful extracts were regretfully set aside because a vivid historical setting rather dwarfed the characters in the story, who were rather two-dimensional in comparison. The judges also noted that dialogue can be especially challenging in a historical novel – speech needs to sound natural as well as ‘historical’, a balance that is very hard to achieve.
‘Travelogue’ novels were another big category of entrants, with the Middle East, Africa and India the most popular destinations. With these books, too, there was a tendency for the setting to dominate, and the judges asked me to say that although an exotic setting does grab the reader’s attention, their interest will be short-lived if they can’t engage with the people in it.
Another major trend in this year’s submissions was YA novels – inspired we assume by the huge popularity of Hunger Games and Divergent. The judges commented that the YA submissions were particularly impressive, with writers well versed in the conventions of the genre – in a good way! Where some fell down was explaining too much about the fantasy world they had created, rather than showing characters grappling with it directly. The best entries in this genre opened with the protagonist right in the midst of the action – it may be that simply discarding the first three chapters and starting later in the plot is all that’s needed to bring these novels to life.'
August 9, 2015
My new website
Hi there,
Pleas check out my new website. I think it's fantastic, but I can't take the credit. My son acts as my IT Editor (one day I must pay him) and he's done a wonderful job.
http://www.juliabellromanticfiction.c...
Pleas check out my new website. I think it's fantastic, but I can't take the credit. My son acts as my IT Editor (one day I must pay him) and he's done a wonderful job.
http://www.juliabellromanticfiction.c...
My new website
Hi there,
Pleas check out my new website. I think it's fantastic, but I can't take the credit. My son acts as my IT Editor (one day I must pay him)and he's done a wonderful job.
http://www.juliabellromanticfiction.c...
Pleas check out my new website. I think it's fantastic, but I can't take the credit. My son acts as my IT Editor (one day I must pay him)and he's done a wonderful job.
http://www.juliabellromanticfiction.c...
My new website
Hi there,
Pleas check out my new website. I think it's fantastic, but I can't take the credit. My son acts as my IT Editor (one day I must pay him,)and he's done a wonderful job.
http://www.juliabellromanticfiction.c...
Pleas check out my new website. I think it's fantastic, but I can't take the credit. My son acts as my IT Editor (one day I must pay him,)and he's done a wonderful job.
http://www.juliabellromanticfiction.c...
August 4, 2015
Time Travel now available
Hi everyone,
My inspiration for writing To Guide Her Home, a time travel story, came from my supervisor at work. One day she was sorting out old file boxes in the storeroom and behind a door she discovered a cobwebby stone staircase. She followed it up only to find it led nowhere. To say she was spooked is an understatement as she came running back into the office quite alarmed. Nothing had happened; it was just the fact the stairs went to a bricked off area. It made me wonder about a staircase that might lead to somewhere....
Generally, my stories are historical romances, so this is my first venture into time travel and I must say, I really found it fun to write. But I must warn you that it does have some dark elements to the story.
Hope you enjoy reading it and finding out what they are.
Best wishes
Julia
My inspiration for writing To Guide Her Home, a time travel story, came from my supervisor at work. One day she was sorting out old file boxes in the storeroom and behind a door she discovered a cobwebby stone staircase. She followed it up only to find it led nowhere. To say she was spooked is an understatement as she came running back into the office quite alarmed. Nothing had happened; it was just the fact the stairs went to a bricked off area. It made me wonder about a staircase that might lead to somewhere....
Generally, my stories are historical romances, so this is my first venture into time travel and I must say, I really found it fun to write. But I must warn you that it does have some dark elements to the story.
Hope you enjoy reading it and finding out what they are.
Best wishes
Julia
April 18, 2015
To Guide Her Home
Hi there,
I haven't written anything for such a long time and I do apologise.
My ninth novel is with Hazel, my proofreader. I've always wanted to write a time travel since I thought it would be a fun story and I must admit I had fun writing it. But in keeping with my theme of 'HR with Attitude', Lydia, my heroine is no wilting violet and living in the Victorian era, she seeks adventure before settling down to married life. The hero, Russ, comes from the late twentieth century and is more than amazed at the adventure he's having, as he travels over one hundred years into the past.
Now, this story has dark elements so it's not a fuzzy-wuzzy love story and if I mention a certain serial killer stalking London in 1888, I think you'll know what I mean.
I had trouble with the title as I was looking for something different. I decided on TO GUIDE HER HOME since it points to travelling. But where is her home and more precisely when is her home?
This story should be out in the summer. Please look out for it and tell me what you think.
Happy reading (and writing)
Julia
I haven't written anything for such a long time and I do apologise.
My ninth novel is with Hazel, my proofreader. I've always wanted to write a time travel since I thought it would be a fun story and I must admit I had fun writing it. But in keeping with my theme of 'HR with Attitude', Lydia, my heroine is no wilting violet and living in the Victorian era, she seeks adventure before settling down to married life. The hero, Russ, comes from the late twentieth century and is more than amazed at the adventure he's having, as he travels over one hundred years into the past.
Now, this story has dark elements so it's not a fuzzy-wuzzy love story and if I mention a certain serial killer stalking London in 1888, I think you'll know what I mean.
I had trouble with the title as I was looking for something different. I decided on TO GUIDE HER HOME since it points to travelling. But where is her home and more precisely when is her home?
This story should be out in the summer. Please look out for it and tell me what you think.
Happy reading (and writing)
Julia
