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Coleen Kwan | Ending the year with a new book
December 11, 2015
It’s an overcast day here in Sydney, a welcome relief after a few days of
blazing temperatures. El Nino has gripped the southern hemisphere, and we are
experiencing a hotter than usual summer. Already I’ve had to cover my poor
hydrangea during midday to protect it from the scorching sun. I’m an
inconsistent gardener; my interest waxes and wanes depending on how busy I am. As Christmas and the end of 2015 hurtle towards us with uncomfortable speed, I
reflect on what I’d hoped to achieve this year and what I actually did.
Certainly my gardening deserved only a middling grade. However, health-wise, I’m
happy with what I’ve achieved. Since making some changes to our diets, my
partner has lost more than twelve kilos, while I’ve shed about four. I wasn’t
overweight to begin with, but the flab was beginning to settle too comfortably
around my waist. We didn’t actually ‘go on a diet’ but rather changed what we
ate, reducing carbohydrates (oh, it was so hard cutting back on rice, bread, and
pasta) and eating lots more vegetables. I’ve found that my sugar cravings have
also subsided a lot, though I still enjoy the odd chocolate! As for my writing, this year I’ve been lucky enough to have six releases this
year. LOVE, DOGS, AND OTHER
CATASTROPHES was my first sale at the beginning of this year, and it’s my
latest release. With other writing tasks claiming my attention, I kind of forgot
about this book until it was time for editing, and I got to read it again and
remember why I enjoyed writing it so much. This is my first book where animals,
specifically dogs, play a large part in the story. At first I was a bit hesitant
about writing about four-legged furry friends because I’ve never owned a dog
myself. However, I live in an inner city suburb where dogs are often treated
like de facto kids and I’ve seen the strong bonds between canines and humans. As
my inspiration I used two dogs I know, one a shih tzu cross, the other a bichon
frise, both of them silly, crazy, and loveable. So it wasn’t that hard to
include dogs into my romance, and soon they became characters in their own right
and clamored for my attention. LOVE, DOGS, AND OTHER
CATASTROPHES also deals with the consequences of parental expectations. Joel
Winslow and Andrea Ho are two very different personalities, yet both have
experienced the subtle and not so subtle pressures of what their parents expect
of them. In Joel’s case, his father wants him to be as ambitious and ruthless as
himself, while Andrea’s mother is anxious for her to give up on her unrealistic
dreams of being an author and do something more practical. Joel and Andrea are
strong, intelligent people who want to forge their own lives and be true to
themselves without having to cut ties with their parents. When the differences
between them are so stark, their mutual attraction only adds to the complication. I hope readers will take time out of their busy holiday season to read a book or
two! On a personal level, I’m happy with what I’ve achieved this year, and I’m
looking forward to setting new goals for the coming year. Giveaway
What are you happy about this year, or what are you looking forward to next
year? Leave a comment for a chance to win a Kindle ecopy of LOVE, DOGS, AND OTHER
CATASTROPHES. International entries welcome.
Coleen Kwan has been a bookworm all her life. At school English was
her favorite subject, but for some reason she decided on a career in IT. After
many years of programming, she wondered what else there was in life — and
discovered writing. She loves writing contemporary romance and steampunk
romance. Coleen lives in Sydney, Australia with her partner and two
children. When she isn’t writing she enjoys avoiding housework, eating
chocolate, and watching TV shows like Criminal Minds and
Masterchef.
About LOVE, DOGS, AND OTHER CATASTROPHES
He knew everything he wanted…until she showed him everything he never
knew he needed Dog person, cat person: Joel Winslow is a money person. PetzBizz is facing
bankruptcy, and it’s his job to fix it. Shoring up a business often means hard
decisions, but Joel knows that short term pain leads to long term gains, and it
is in everyone’s best interest to keep the doors of PetzBizz open. If only he
can convince Andrea, the prickly part-time clerk determined to get in his way. Andrea Ho understands jargon, and ‘restructuring’ means ‘slash and burn’. The
last thing PetzBizz needs is some corporate drone coming in and making decisions
based on money instead of compassion. But Joel comes with three adorable if
unruly dogs, and Andrea is desperate for some extra cash. A side job doing
something she loves seems like a perfect solution—and it allows her to keep an
eye on Joel and PetzBizz. Unfortunately, Andrea likes what she sees just a bit
too much for her own comfort—and it looks like Joel feels the same way. Opposites may attract, but different values aren’t the basis for long-term
happiness. When it comes to a choice between love and money, only one can win. Buy on: Kindle |
BN.com | Kobo | iTunes/iBooks | Google Play
Comments
26 comments posted.
Re: Coleen Kwan | Ending the year with a new book
Sydney is such a beautiful city. Animals always seem to add
to the story and I love it when the owners talk to them like
they will answer. Happy this year that all my children and
grandchildren are doing good. Best to you on your book.
(Leona Olson 7:31am December 11, 2015)
What I am happy about this year is still being here. What I
am looking forward to next year is a new opportunity that
begins in January which hopefully will lead to something that
I want very much.
(Edward Washington 10:13am December 11, 2015)
I would love a chance to win this book!
(Linda Barrier 10:31am December 11, 2015)
I love every day because I am such a lucky girl/woman. Your book sounds wonderful. Thanks for the chance to win.
(Nancy Reynolds 11:26am December 11, 2015)
wow, six releases? I wish some of my favorite authors put out that much a year lol
I'm happy that this year is almost over, and I'm looking forward to all the new releases coming out next year. Can't wait! Authors/Their Publishers should allow for 1 release a month!
(Lisa L. 7:45pm December 11, 2015)
Animals always seem to add to the story. I love it when
the owners talk to them like they answer. I do this
myself. I am a dog person, enjoy cats if they are
someone else's but enjoy petting the kitty kat. Thanks
for this giveaway.
(Shirley Sego 1:22am December 12, 2015)
A new year better health for my 91 yr old mom who had
shingles and fell up the stairs and dislocate her
collarbone.
(Marissa Yip-Young 6:42am December 12, 2015)
For the New Year, a successful outcome for a family member...that would be the greatest gift.
So nice to meet you and yes, animals always increase the richness of one's life.
(Kathleen Bylsma 12:02pm December 12, 2015)
peace on earth
(Debbi Shaw 1:03pm December 12, 2015)
I would love to read this book, thanks for the chance to
get it
(Jeri Dickinson 2:10pm December 12, 2015)
I am happy this year that I finally read all of Shakespeare's work. Took me awhile
but I did it!
(Joy Isley 5:12pm December 12, 2015)
I'm happy about my family's good health and hoping for the
same for next year.
(Sue Farrell 10:04am December 13, 2015)
So very pleased to meet you. Yes, animals do add so very much to a person's life...makes no difference what species...it's there to be loved and love given back.
(Kathleen Bylsma 12:06pm December 13, 2015)
I love cats and I would love to read this book
(Jeri Dickinson 1:54pm December 13, 2015)
I have a dog that has dug up our hole back yard up. We call
her a mother digger. We have another dog that's a lab. He
licks a lot. We call him a mother licker. Their names are
Rocky and sadie
(Anita Vivian 1:32pm December 14, 2015)
I'm happy with friends and family and I look forward to
more of the same in 2016.
(Janice Santillo 4:20pm December 14, 2015)
Finances are a little better and I've been able to buy a few
books, especially the cheaper bundle sets. and some of my health
issues are good. Also I get to see our grandchildren for
Christmas. That is always a joy.
(Nancy Luebke 7:49pm December 14, 2015)
I have fostered over 300 pets and any book that includes
them, is a winner for me.
(Dagmar Finch 2:14am December 15, 2015)
Just being here with my family to celebrate another year
(MaryEllen Hanneman 2:53pm December 15, 2015)
I love to read books with animals included. I have a dog, who loves to play ball. Happy holidays.
(Cindy Davenport 6:09pm December 15, 2015)
I look forward to a peaceful new year filled with love and joy for all, void of
the terrible things we have seen this year.
(Lily Shah 11:38am December 16, 2015)
I didn't see my family much this year, so I'm looking to
forward to more time with them next year.
(Jen Barnard 5:52am December 17, 2015)
my family makes me happiest
(Dianne McVetty 8:34am December 17, 2015)
This whole year has been very hectic but I am very happy
to have had the opportunity to spend time with my wonderful
family. I really look forward to the birth of my baby
sibling who is due in January. Life is certain to be more
interesting :)
(H J 11:00pm December 17, 2015)
WOW, Congrats on your new book. I am thankful and happy to
be alive and married for almost 30 years. We have 2 small
dogs that Chawinnies. Half Chihuahua and half Dachshund
Dogs. They are fun animals and like little children. Loads
of fun to play with. You should get some small cute Dogs to
start out with and then you can write more fun Dog stories.
Thanks so much. I would love to win your new book for the
Holidays. Thanks and Happy Holidays. Cecilia Dunbar
Hernandez CECE
(Cecilia Dunbar Hernandez 11:01pm December 17, 2015)
Looking forward to getting some home improvements completed. I am a messy person but this is too much!
(Beth Elder 6:34pm December 19, 2015)
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