Now in his hands, he holds my words of how I feel about him. Most importantly, what he means to me. In black handwriting, I have penned the truest of words to my love. My wonderful Jonny.
Famously Yours … coming 2015
In order for me to be able to write my acknowledgements, I am really going to have to start from the beginning. So here goes. . . . . . . . . . .
I fell in love with words as a young child and was often writing silly notes and stories to my beloved nan and gramp. In my teens, I began experimenting by writing songs and verses. I once wrote a poem that I felt truly proud of so I eagerly showed it to my dear gramp. He read it quietly, then smiled. His words still make me laugh to this day. “It’s a great poem . . . but do you think you could write something a little less morbid?” He said over the top of his Eric Morecambe glasses. Yes my words were melancholic but the fact that the one person who I had incredible respect for actually liked my angst ridden poem gave me the confidence to write more, and to my gramps relief, happier things.
So I continued writing but for all the pleasure it gave me, I never for one minute believed that my work would ever be good enough to one day publish.
As life often does, it tends to take over. Before I knew it, I was a happy wife with six gorgeous children. My writing became less and less important because motherhood was very much in the driving seat of my life.
However the need to write was forever present, I just never found the time to sit down and actually compose anything. I truly believe that if you are a writer who doesn’t write, you begin to lose your identity. . . . your ability to express yourself.
I was never academic at school but I loved English language and English Literature. I was happiest when I was writing. I felt as though it was the only thing I could do really well. It was my gift and whether or not I chose to share it, it was a gift that I had forgotten how to nurture. My gift had laid dormant for so long that I began to feel unfulfilled. As happy as I was, something was certainly missing in my life. My soul was without nourishment and damn was it hungry!
One day, my lovely friend Anne, suggested that I try an app called Opuss. A place of beautiful words, a community of fellow minded souls. I was very intrigued, so later that day I signed up and nervously posted one of my poems.
It is because of that wonderful app that my writing journey has been brought back to life. I cherish Opuss and indeed all of my wonderful and supportive Opussians who have journeyed with me. So I thank you from the bottom of my heart . . . Seamonster, Honza, Leelee101, Burrfoot, SJW, ckahn, VikingHorn, crowncottage, HeatherAnne, glen, Fly10, chickgamer, blindsilence, eddie12309, sammielee46, tetti2, sleepydragon, MrsS, Stablish, smellyfingers, sarahgamal, wolfie, ashhkat, niixxz, minxyMolly, RichWithey, MrAlex, Weirdwolf, Yowwa, TheCodsPollocks, blacknova, IndiaSparrow, naaviie, redfae, patdolan83, nikujagagirl, Nom, rayleen43, Barknbite, merlin1038, Jamtots, MelchiorJ13, Irrational_kimmi, iresh, Bunts and many others who reign there!!! You and Opussia will forever inspire me.
So it was while I was under the tender and supportive wing of Opuss and a drunken conversation with my girlies, that the idea for A Famous Affair was conceived. My slightly inebriated self had an amazing EUREKA MOMENT!
I started writing my novel in November 2012 and finished it in March 2013. My hunger for writing was being well and truly satisfied, writing well into the early hours and I had the attractive under eye bags to prove it!
I had done it! I had written this novel but didn’t have a clue what to do with it. So I asked my wonderful friend, Sonia to read my manuscript. I knew she had read lots of erotic romance so figured she would be a good place to start. Sonia has since championed A Famous Affair. She has been there so many times to pick me up off the floor when I’ve thought I can’t do this anymore. So I thank you my lovely, Sonia. You have been there since my humble beginning and your friendship, loyalty and opinion has been invaluable to me. . . . big mwah! I think it’s time to use that lovely martini glass now, don’t you? I raise my glass to you lovely lady because without you by my side, A Famous Affair would have been put away in a folder somewhere and never shared with the world.
Soooooo, moving on.
People who know me well, will tell you how phobic I am of computers. I just don’t understand them. I know the basics but anything beyond that and I’m lost. The lovely, Tony Hawkins helped me prepare my manuscript because at the time I was thinking of trying to get a literary agent. I never did get an agent but I did get a lovely friend who is always there for me when I get stuck and always with a patient smile . . . thank you, Tony (my conversion king)
After nearly a year, A Famous Affair was still no closer to being published. Before Christmas 2013 I was ready to throw in the towel but something stopped me. I had another chat with Sonia who convinced me to keep going. I don’t know whether it was a sign but on my Facebook feed I saw the cover for Driven by K Bromberg. I was intrigued by writers who self publish. I began reading some indie authors work and was blown away by just how amazing they were. Those who inspired me, I contacted. Again, I was amazed by how wonderfully warm and helpful they were.
So I thank you K Bromberg, Megan Keith, AJ Summer, Kim Black and KM Golland. All you lovely ladies helped me make up my mind to become an indie author, not only with your talent but your kindness as well.
So my mind was made up. I was going to self publish . . . oh yes I was!
I started my author page in January 2014 . . . new year . . . new beginnings and all that.
It was about this time that I began introducing myself to all the fantastic bloggers who tirelessly work hard for us indie’s because they are passionate about our books. Again, no words can express the gratitude I have for all of the bloggers who have helped me in so many ways. They graciously and without fail are always there for me. I know lots of authors say it but I’m going to say it anyway. I would be nothing without you all. A Famous Affair would not be where it is today without your support. I have nothing but the utmost respect and admiration for each and every one of you. All that you do is often in your spare time and voluntary. . . . so big mwahs to each and every one of my blogger belles (that is including any guys too who run a blog . . . I just can’t think of a manly endearment beginning with a B) blogger beau’s maybe??? Anyway . . . virtual voddies and chocs all round.
Not only have I been blessed with my blogger belles/beau’s, I have been fortunate enough to cross paths with some wonderfully talented authors too. They have been with me throughout my highs and lows, I know I have made lifelong friends. So to my beautiful girls . . . PJ Belden (my soul sister), Megan Keith, AJ Summer, SJ Reynolds, Kim Black, Kizzie Darker, Steph M Phillips, Sarah Hardy, Hellen Barnes Lowe, Tracy McKay, Lisa J Hobman, Leigh Stone, Louise Bay, Elena Matthews, Bella Johnson, Emma Leech, Linzi Clarke . . . is this a Tissues & Tena moment, ladies? I love you all muchly, I really do. The amount of unwavering support and sinful amount of laughter you have brought into my life is something I cherish and grasp with both hands. As Leigh would say “I love you woman!” Or in this case, women! Not only do your words inspire me, your friendship nurtures me. . . . THANK YOU!!!
I’d also like to say a huge thank you to my wonderful beta babes, Trisha Lukasik Hudson, Tammy Sipe and Karen Hrdlicka. Both myself and Jonny Riley are very grateful for your input and just for being the gorgeous people that you are.
Moving onto my special street team. My treasured Rilette’s. . . . I love you girlies, mwah for all that you do . . . my pimping princesses!
Behind every author, should be a fabulous editor. I started AFA’s journey with Hot Tree Editing, however through no fault of theirs, after their edits . . . I realised I still wasn’t happy with my manuscript. Panic set in. I didn’t know what to do. After careful consideration, I decided to re-write AFA. It was something I needed to do, to ensure I was 100% happy with my MS. That is when the wonderful, Karen from Barren Acres Editing stepped in. As my beta reader, she was already familiar with our Mr. Riley. I felt she understood m
y reasons for wanting to re-write. She certainly did and quickly became my back bone. She has been sooooooooooo wonderful. She has the patience of a saint with me. I am so very thankful for that. So my dearest, Karen. You know how overwhelmed I have felt at times, yet you only respond with warmth and honesty. It has been a pleasure to have you take A Famous Affair under your professional wing. . . . mwah for making my novel something I am truly proud of. This is where OUR journey truly begins. I loves yoooooooooou lady. (Did I ever tell you that?) Tee hee!!
Next up is my formatting angel and my priceless proofreader, the wonderful and super duper, Tami from Integrity Formatting. I just love you lady. You really went that extra mile for me in order to publish AFA and you have made it so deliciously gorgeous and pretty . . . as you will with ALL of my books. THANK YOU!! Big huggies my fabulous friend.
For my cover of A Famous Affair, I knew exactly how I wanted it to look but had no idea how to do it. As fate would have it, I came across a wonderful local photographer. The immensely talented Fiona from Photografi. So I sent her an email. Her reply nearly floored me. Not only would she happily do it, she was genuinely excited about doing it. So I (legs) and my dearest friend Clancey (hands) showed up at Fiona’s, wondering whether we could create a cover that would wow the world. With this gorgeous lady, I believe we have. It was a delight to work with you lovely lady and you’d better get your thinking cap on for the sequel of A Famous Affair! Mwah mwah mwah! Just for the record, Clancey’s hands didn’t get used on the cover but are very lovely nevertheless.
I also have to mention Kitty, my Goodreads Goddess. I appreciate everything you do my lovely chickadee . . . mwah!
There are so many friends that I need to thank. Those who stood by me and believed in me when I said I was going to self publish. Some of them knew I wrote, others didn’t . . . but what counts is that you were always there for me when self doubt was being such a cow to me. Each and every one of you, I adore. I couldn’t have travelled on this road without you . . . My PR Princess and true friend, Kate Woodward. . . . my gorgeous girlies, Rachey ‘Kylie Ass’ Pegler, Anne ‘Songstress’ Martin, Clancey Gardiner, Michelle Negri, Emma Rollins, Helen Williams, Sonia Rollo, Kim Hawkins, Louise Sargeant, Charlie Konieczny, Michele Calverley, Jayne Avery, Louise Gobey, Dawny Phillips, Caroline Dodds, Sian Sykes, Vicky Usher, Vicky Hulse, Abbie Furley, Sarah Crook, Julie Baines, Liese Cavanagh, Keri Flight, Justine ‘busty’ Norman, Charmaine Brown, Katie Bunting from Blackshoe Cards and Gifts. . . . I love you ladies!
Now for the emotional part. Without the love, support and patience of my precious family, emotionally and physically I could never have done any of this. It has been tough. The amount of my time that has been sacrificed in order for me to follow my dream has been truly felt by my family. All the time that I am writing, is time taken away from my husband and children. It is time I can never give back but they graciously give me that time because they know how much it means to me to pursue my dream.
On the occasions they actually got dinner, it was often so inedible that I don’t think my food was actually fit for human consumption. Yet still, they would politely say thank you, trying to swallow it down appreciatively. They had to endure all of this alongside a grumpy mummy/wife, a house that was a mess and my absent-minded conversations because I was writing like a woman possessed. It has been a learning curve for all of us. I would like to think that I’ve now got a much more happy and healthy balance between writing and being a good mummy/wife.
So I have to express a heartfelt thank you to my beloved children . . . I love you all.
Moving swiftly on to my long suffering husband. Who at first, found my new determination really hard to understand. He had never really seen much of my work. He had seen a few of my poems but that was about it and because he is not much of a reader, I knew he wouldn’t be keen on reading my novel. However, one night I went out and he DID read some of A Famous Affair. I simply have to share what he said to me upon my return.
“I’ve read some of your book.” As soon as he said that, my heart just dropped. I was waiting for him to tell me how much he didn’t like it or why on earth was I writing such filth.
Have you?” I nonchalantly reply.
“I wasn’t expecting that, it’s really good . . . I mean it’s like a proper book and everything!” I remember the laughter filling the room. It was a real turning point for the both of us. He had a new understanding and respect for what I do . . . I had a new fan! So to my wonderful husband. Thank you for loving me unconditionally. Allowing me to be the person I want to be and for not having a problem about having to share your wife with a fictional character . . . I love you!
Now I move on to my adorable nan, Mary Arnold, the oldest Rilette on the block. Who has not only backed me on my literary journey. She has been there for me throughout my entire life. After the passing of my gramp, our closeness has only grown. All that I am is very much down to this magnificent woman. All that my children are is because of this magnificent woman. No matter what I say or do, right or wrong. My faithful, loyal nan only sees the best in me. So thank you, nan. I hope I have made you proud. I love you for loving me.
I would also like to say thank you to my brother Craig, aka smegness. Not that he has ever read anything of mine, nor is he likely to . . . but I love him regardless. He never fails to make me smile.
To my mum. We have not always had the closest of relationships but I admire the fact that you’ve turned your life around. You are now trying to be more involved in mine and for that, I am thankful. You have shown strength and true courage.
To my dad, who sadly passed away. I know you are not going to see these words but feel you deserve a thank you anyway. Again, we had a less than conventional father/daughter relationship but you did your best under the circumstances. After your death, I felt that so much had been left unsaid. You too never really knew about my writing but instead of grieving about that, I try and channel that loss into positive writing. Dad, I hope you are up there with my beloved gramp. He always thought so much of you but wherever you both happen to be, I hope I’m not raising too many eyebrows.
My final thank you goes to my muse, the adorable Declan Donnelly. If it weren’t for my ridiculous crush of over twenty five years on you and that drunken conversation with my girlies in my local pub that night in November 2012, the seed for A Famous Affair would have never been planted, meaning that Jonny and Jessica’s story would have never been written. So thank you Mr. D xxxxx
K B Mallion is a busy mum of six, wife of one and carer of Guinea Pigs.
She is a British author who lives in the West Country in the South West of England in the United Kingdom. Her literary journey is just beginning so if you have enjoyed A Famous Affair you can follow this author on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KBMallion.author?ref=hl
Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/misslittle
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20572533-a-famous-affair
K B would love to hear from all of you Rilette’s out there!
Table of Contents
Dedication
Play List
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty One
Chapter Twenty Two
Chapter Twenty Three
Chapter Twenty Four
Chapter Twenty Five
Chapter Twenty Six
Chapter Twenty Seven
Chapter T
wenty Eight
Chapter Twenty Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty One
Chapter Thirty Two
Chapter Thirty Three
Chapter Thirty Four
Chapter Thirty Five
Chapter Thirty Six
Acknowledgements
About the Author
A Famous Affair Page 49