Virtual Strangers

by Lynne Barrett-Lee

Fed up, frustrated and fast approaching forty, Charlie Simpson hasn't had many high points in her life just lately. The only peak on the horizon is her ambition to climb Everest, if she could only get organized and save up the cash. Unfortunately, though, she has more pressing things to deal with; her eldest son moving out, her father moving in, and her best friend moving two hundred miles away. She finds solace, however, via her newly acquired modem, when she stumbles upon a stranger who's a like-minded soul. Like-minded, perhaps, but no fantasy dream date. Though virtual, he's of the real-life variety - he may be a hero, but he has a wife. Charlie hasn't a husband, but she certainly has principles, and they're about to be hauled up a mountain themselves. And, of course, her mum's always said she shouldn't talk to strangers. The question is, is now the time to start breaking the rules?

Genres: Chick Lit, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Romance, Fiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Lynne Barrett-Lee


Born in London, I began my writing career as a teenager, when I was ‘discovered’ by a London-based literary agent, Annie Hallam, via a fan letter I sent to an actor who was her friend. Though life and love took precedence and I didn’t actually achieve publication then, I returned to my first love in 1994, as a mother of three, newly transplanted to Cardiff. My first paid-for piece of writing was a short article about being a mature primary school teacher training student, published in the Times Education Supplement. My world changed that day; I have yet to work as a primary school teacher.

I have been a full time author since the mid 1990s. My latest novel, a psychological mystery/thriller, called CAN YOU SEE ME?, probably constitutes one of my proudest achievements as a writer, since it’s a return to the genre I started writing in as a teenager - dark, edgy, ‘underbelly’ fiction, where nothing is as it seems.

I haven’t always been dark though. I also have eight romantic comedy novels and over a hundred published short stories to my name, most of the latter (which is how I learned my craft) appearing in UK Women’s magazines. I have also published two ebook guides to writing fiction, based on the short courses for adults I have taught for Cardiff University since 2009.

I also write a weekly column for the Western Mail Weekend magazine; something I have done since June 2006, with only a week off per year for good behaviour.

I began ghostwriting in 2007 and have since ghosted 26* full-length memoirs, most of which have been UK Sunday Times bestsellers. My titles include Giant George; life with the world’s biggest dog, and The Girl With No Name; the incredible true story of a girl raised by monkeys, which has now been published in 27 countries and is also the subject of a National Geographic documentary. It also led to me being asked to give a TedEx talk – about what it’s like to be a ghostwriter - possibly the proudest, and definitely the most terrifying day of my professional life.

Recent publications include On Duty For The Queen, for former UK Royal Press Secretary Dickie Arbiter, and the heartbreaking story of the Rebecca Aylward murder, Bye Mam, I Love You, which has garnered over 700 five star reviews. I am also the co-writer of the Julie Shaw series of gritty Bradford-based crime memoirs, the first of which, Our Vinnie, went straight into the bestseller lists. The fifth title, Bad Blood, published in October 2016, charted at number one in the UK in its first week.

My most recent ghosted work (and probably my personal favourite) is Fabulous Finn, the story of a now famous police dog, who was stabbed, almost fatally, when on duty with his handler Dave Wardell. Finn (now retired) has gone on to win multiple prestigious awards for his bravery, including a PDSA Gold Medal (the civilian version of the Dicken Medal – see Able Seacat Simon, below) and, most recently, the 2019 Crufts ‘Friends For Life’ award. Finn is also the RPD behind the campaign for Finn’s Law, to strengthen current legislation to protect service animals. It has just passed its third reading in the commons.

(Modesty usually forbids me from shamelessly plugging books I’ve ghosted, but I always make an exception for Finn. It’s a remarkable, heartbreaking, uplifting story, and I’m honoured beyond belief to have been the one to help tell it. )

CAN YOU SEE ME? is published by Thomas and Mercer, and is out on 01.01.20

For more information about me and my work, please visit
www.lynnebarrett-lee.com



Full list of published full-length works

*As well as the titles listed below, I am also the ghostwriter of a series of fostering memoirs (the author name is pseudonymous for confidentiality reasons) for one of the UK’s leading publishers. The first was published in 2011, and the nineteenth title will be published in May 2020.

Psychological thrillers

Can You See Me? (Thomas and Mercer

Reviews

[Annett Jummrich · Rating 1 out of 5]

One of the worst books I've ever read. Utterly boring. I fell asleep twice while reading this book (Sunday afternoons). The author tries so desperately to be funny that it is exactly the opposite. I couldn't wait to finish this book. As I always finish a book once started I soldiered on and made it through to the end, but it wasn't a pleasant experience. I didn't like any of the characters in the book and couldn't care less about them. Save yourself the time and money to ready this book. Not recommended.

[Jo Notary]

336pgs, Internet, her eldest son moving out, her father moving in, and her best friend moving two hundred miles away. She finds solace, however, via her newly acquired modem, when she stumbles upon a stranger who 19s a like-minded soul. Like-minded, perhaps, but no fantasy dream date. Though virtual, he 19s of the real-life variety 13 he may be a hero, but he has a wife.

[Lindsay]

Amazon Freebie 12/3/2012

[Linda P]

4.5*(26) (336pgs)

[Cassie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was ok but I couldn't say that I enjoyed it, nor would I recommend it.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book although I had a feeling in the middle that it was who it turned out to that she was emailing I would recommend this book to others who liked this genre

[Sarah Booth · Rating 3 out of 5]

it started of very boring but after a few chapters it got really good once the story kicked in properly.

[Clo]

Gave up with this book, it was really naf.

[Priya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVE the writing style/narrative voice, mainly because it's so like mine when I'm thoroughly engaged and energetic in the process.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was OK. A quick read and a bit predictable. A bit of its time as it is set at the beginning of the email craze....

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Where to start with this book, really tedious beginning but had a good soppy ending.