Carol Mason's Blog

I am always a bit "Eek!" about reading reviews of my novels. Unlike some other authors, I find them very illuminating. They often remind me what I'm doing well, or draw attention to things I might want to improve on. Unless they're cruel or abusive (some are), or plain daft, I am pretty much up for hearing what people have to say. I've been particularly happy with my reviews on Goodreads for The Shadow Between Us. Especially one I've just seen from a man called Ian who says he's read all my books. I can honestly say he describes what I write in a way that I could never have managed myself, even if I were to sit there for two hours and try - because I have tried. He also explains how TSBU was a slightly different book from my others, and he thoroughly understood the distinction. His comments really made me think. So I suppose I just wanted to say that if you leave a book review, you might imagine the author will never read it, and it won't much matter, but believe me, it does. If it's kind and constructive, it doesn't have to be glowing. But there is a human being at the end of it, reading it. And you have the power to either make their day or make them go curl up in the corner. Ian kind of made my day. So if you read a book and are inclined to review it, do it! We writers think writing is a very solitary process but it's actually quite collaborative - with you, our readers and reviewers. Your constructive opinions might well shape our next book. Huge thanks x

I just wanted to drop in and do this while I remember, because it's so easy to forget to say thanks, and then the moment gets swept away. I am enormously grateful to all you wonderful readers who have left glowing reviews for The Shadow Between Us (and for my other books, but of course this one has just come out so it's upmost in my mind). This was a hard book for me to write in some ways - especially once I figured out what the final twist was. Before that, I just kind of put myself in Olivia's shoes and did the whole "what if this happened to me... how would I feel... how would I go on" thing. As I've gotten older I ask myself these tortuous questions on a regular basis! I honestly do feel we think more about big stuff as we age. I'm grateful that my mind has expanded in that regard, but nostalgic for the simpler days when we worried about nothing and felt like we could take on the world.
If you've enjoyed The Shadow Between Us, please pop over to Amazon and leave a review there. It's of critical importance these days. I hate that it is, but I have to just go with it. I hate asking anything of people, but, speaking on behalf of all authors, the more places you can leave your great review, the better. Phew! That's over. Anyway, tonight I am settling in to a long writing evening. My husband won't be home until late. I've eaten dinner ( my kind of dinner, not his) and I've poured a second (small.... small-is) glass of wine. My new novel beckons. It's got a lot of kinks to iron out before my deadline in a month. I've got this. I hope. I will believe, for now. xx

Dear readers,

My new novel, The Shadow Between Us, will be out March 21. I've had some amazing comments from bestselling authors who read an early copy. Here's what they are saying. But remember too, your comments are just as important. I can't wait to hear what you have to say about this one as this story is very close to my heart. It's a story I wanted to write since I began writing novels but perhaps I wasn't quite mature enough or ready for it. Anyway, I won't give the plot away, but I hope it moves you to read it, as much as it moved me when I wrote it! All best wishes. Carol

Poignant, emotional, and breathtaking…In THE SHADOW BETWEEN US, Olivia is running from something we’ve all feared and hope to never face. Carol Mason’s effortless storytelling and exquisite writing will keep you turning the pages until the book’s stunning and surprising ending. Bring tissues! — Kerry Lonsdale, Amazon Charts & Wall Street Journal bestselling author

‘Acutely observed, emotionally honest, utterly brilliant writing, with a shocker of a twist that took my breath away.’ Melissa Hill, bestselling author.

A beautifully written story of how we connect with each other in terrible crisis, told with wit and humanity – and one hell of a final twist. I loved it.
Louise Candlish, author of Sunday Times bestseller OUR HOUSE

A skillful compassionate journey into the aftereffects of trauma, The Shadow Between Us deftly explores what happens when we hold tight to the secrets we keep, and they hold tight to us too.
Amy Hatvany, bestselling author

A haunting heartfelt exploration of guilt and hidden turmoil, of running away, of turning back to face the shadows. I loved it.
Charity Norman, bestselling author of See You In September

I read THE SHADOW BETWEEN US in two sittings. Carol Mason has created a fast-paced novel. At its centre is a woman whose heart has been broken. She is on the run from herself. Carol takes us on an emotional journey which keep us gripped right to the very last twist, which hit me in the solar plexus. I had not seen it coming."
Carol Drinkwater, bestselling author and actress


'We write to get beyond what we think we can't get over.' This book is a haunting exploration of the corrosive power of grief and the redemption to be found in understanding each other and ourselves. Caroline Bond, bestselling author of The Second Child.

Hello lovely readers! I thought now would be a good time to launch a blog on here - The Last Time We Met has just come out and I hope you've had the chance to download it onto your Kindle. It's a special book for me, this one. I wrote it a few years ago and it was only ever published in Canada, where I live. Now while that's great and all, I was sad at the time that it hadn't reached as wide an audience as my other two at the time had - The Secrets of Married Women and Send Me A Lover were published everywhere and to rave reviews in the international media. That was a feeling I can't describe. But since I have changed publishers to the wonderful Lake Union, my new publisher read the story and said, Hang on! This is a great story indeed! So they wanted to re-issue it after giving me the chance to go back in and revisit the story and see what I might now want to add to it. So here is where we are at! The book came about because I happened to be in London and see an American man I'd had a crush on many years ago. It was the most bizarre coincidence. Kind of one of those "am I seeing things?" moments? He lives in the US. I lived in England, and there we both were in London - our paths crossing but not quite intersecting. So this got me thinking of a story. What if I'd been in love with him? If he'd been in love with me? If I were now married? If my husband were actually WITH me right when I saw him again after 15 years?! What would I do? How might this change things when I realized that all the old feelings were still there even though they really should not be. What would be the implications for my marriage? And so the book grew wings!

I believe everybody wonders about their first love - if we're being honest. But what if yours wasn't just a case of wondering? If somehow, no matter how well your life had turned out, you still felt he was the one you belonged with. And then on your wedding anniversary of all times you happen to see him quite by chance in the middle of London. And now everything about your life is about to change in ways you could never have anticipated.

I thought this was an exciting story that all women, and even men (!) would be able to relate to. So I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Please consider leaving a review (ideally it will be a nice one!) as they are so important to authors - on here and on Amazon. Come visit me on Facebook because I am quite active on there and love a bit of chit chat and banter. All best wishes. Carol Mason. The Last Time We Met