Book Launch Week

On release day, I went downtown to see A Change of Location on the shelves of our local independent bookstore.

Front window poster

Books on the store shelves

Last night I returned for my launch event. 

Coordinating my outfit with my book cover!

I'm so grateful to the many friends and fellow writers who came to hear me talk about the process of creating my 16th novel--my experiences and other events that inspired it, my work habits, and more.

Introduction by Elisabeth, the Events Coordinator

Reading

Talking

And of course, my gratitude extends to those who purchased a copy at the event or as a pre-order, and had it signed for themselves or someone else. Autographed books make great gifts!

Signing

I'm glad people enjoyed sampling the Eton Mess and the English cheese from Somerset, and everything else. I gave out recipe cards so others can create the dessert and a main dish from the story.

Food Table

The other handout was a map of the (fictional) Milver Vale. Suitable for colouring, or as a reference when reading the novel.

Map of Milver Vale in Somerset

An amazing double rainbow that appeared during the Q&A made the event even more memorable!

Rainbow #1

Rainbow #2 begins to show on the left.
Fantastic backdrop!

The promotional campaign is ongoing. A Change of Location is featured in a Virtual Book Tour, with instagrammers and bloggers.

Anyone who would like the digital versions of the recipes and/or the map, can request them by clicking HERE. Please put "giveaway" in the MESSAGE section and be sure to include an email address. 

Springtime is showing its face in my part of New England. I look forward to seeing more spring flowers on my next trip to England, where I'll be researching and writing my next novel, and enjoying all the usual activities.

A Change of Location . . . Publication Day!

 

Hannah Ballard's most successful relationship: her career.

     Her superpower is an uncanny ability to discover perfect movie settings while avoiding the limelight herself. She's involved in pre-production for a film based on a bestselling historical novel when a chance meeting with an aristocratic landowner leads her to Somerset and his estate in picturesque Milver Vale--the ideal backdrop for a period drama.

     Martin Latimer, Marquess of Milverston, believes the release of a high-profile motion picture can increase tourism and bolster the local economy. And he hopes to spend more time with its intriguing location manager.

     But Hannah's discovery that Martin is a magnet for the scandal-hungry press forces her into a painful and damaging decision. Powering through heartbreak is hard. Especially when coping with unemployment--and dealing with members of her fractured family. For their protection, she must part from the nobleman asking her to stay with him. Who makes her believe that, at long last, she actually could be falling in love.

AVAILABLE FROM YOUR FAVORITE RETAILER or E-TAILER

Autographed paperbacks can be purchased from Gibson's Bookstore.

Order the paperback from: Bookshop.org (Indiebound), Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Books-a-Million, Walmart, Target, Books and Books,
Waterstone's (UK), Hatchards (UK), Bokus (Sweden).

Order the ebook from: Kindle, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, FNAC (France), Booktopia (Australia)

Reviewers Say: 

“Porter has perfectly captured the romance trope of finding unexpected love while traveling to new places. The author also deftly portrays the machinations of a twentysomething career woman who's somewhat closed off to romantic intrigue. Porter skillfully immerses readers in the fictional Milver Vale and vividly evokes British village life, from pubs to fun characters to countryside exploits . . . A charming sojourn to the English countryside for readers who enjoy smart love stories.” Kirkus Reviews

“Hannah's ability to navigate and analyze unfamiliar surroundings and people becomes a driving force in a novel that explores her international sojourns, matters of the heart, and the people and places that motivate her to step away from her former successful patterns and into different relationships and milieus . . . A revealing novel of new possibilities and life that covers unemployment, romance, heartbreak, other cultures, and new lives . . . The perfect ticket for a warm account of movie-making and personal magic.” Midwest Book Review

“A triumph! A Change of Location hits its marks perfectly on both sides of the pond. I had so much fun with Porter's quirky, thoroughly lovable characters that I couldn't put the novel down.” Leslie Carroll, author of Royal Affairs.

“Perfect for romantics who adore stately homes, all things England . . . and delicious budding romances. . . . Highly recommended!” The Literary Redhead

HAPPY READING! 

ANNOUNCEMENT: A Change of Location, my first contemporary novel!

I'm thrilled to announce that A Change of Location, my sixteenth book--and my very first contemporary novel--arrives in April 2024.

A great deal of personal experience went into this story, although it isn't actually autobiographical. It takes readers to areas in Somerset that are very familiar to me (only slightly fictionalized), and is based on some of my own past activity in film and television.

Hannah Ballard’s most successful relationship: her career. Her superpower is an uncanny ability to discover perfect movie settings while avoiding the limelight herself. She’s involved in pre-production for a film based on a bestselling historical novel when a chance meeting with an aristocratic landowner leads her to Somerset and his estate in picturesque Milver Vale—the ideal backdrop for a period drama.

Martin Latimer, Marquess of Milverston, believes the release of a high-profile motion picture can increase tourism and bolster the local economy. And he hopes to spend more time with its intriguing location manager.

But Hannah’s discovery that Martin is a magnet for the scandal-hungry press forces her into a painful and damaging decision. Powering through heartbreak is hard. Especially when coping with unemployment—and dealing with members of her fractured family. For their protection, she must part from the nobleman asking her to stay with him. Who makes her believe that, at long last, she actually could be falling in love.

Some advance reviews:

“Porter has perfectly captured the romance trope of finding unexpected love while traveling to new places. The author also deftly portrays the machinations of a twentysomething career woman who's somewhat closed off to romantic intrigue. Porter skillfully immerses readers in the fictional Milver Vale and vividly evokes British village life, from pubs to fun characters to countryside exploits . . . A charming sojourn to the English countryside for readers who enjoy smart love stories.” Kirkus Reviews

“Hannah's ability to navigate and analyze unfamiliar surroundings and people becomes a driving force in a novel that explores her international sojourns, matters of the heart, and the people and places that motivate her to step away from her former successful patterns and into different relationships and milieus . . . A revealing novel of new possibilities and life that covers unemployment, romance, heartbreak, other cultures, and new lives . . . The perfect ticket for a warm account of movie-making and personal magic.” Midwest Book Review

“A triumph! A Change of Location hits its marks perfectly on both sides of the pond. I had so much fun with Porter's quirky, thoroughly lovable characters that I couldn't put the novel down.” Leslie Carroll, author of Royal Affairs.

“Perfect for romantics who adore stately homes, all things England . . . and delicious budding romances. . . . Highly recommended!” The Literary Redhead

Pre-order links are already live on retail and e-tail sites. They can be found HERE.

Author on the Move

Recently I returned to England, for numerous reasons--several personal, some professional. The weather, as evidenced by these photographs, was perfect--only five minutes of rain the entire time I was there, which fell on me during a short walk to the village post office. But no more after that!

The flowers were abundant, especially the wisteria in Somerset.

At Barrington Court

At Forde Abbey

Over the border in Dorset: Forde Abbey, so many water features

Montacute House, Somerset-every time I'm there, it's sunny!

        

Montacute

Many of the places on my itinerary were chosen because of ancestral connections. I hadn't been to Glastonbury since my teen years, and it was wonderful to visit the Abbey ruins again. The famous Glastonbury Holy Thorn was flowering.

Holy Thorn

Glastonbury Abbey

About a fortnight before my arrival in the family village that serves as my base, the little river running through it burst its banks during heavy rains. By the time I was there, it was gently flowing once more, but homes and businesses suffered greatly 

Our little river, no longer flooding

In the village

I visited a series of ancestral properties--and churches.

My ancestors once owned this manor house.

In a different village church, my relatives' effigies

An ancestress in another church

Moving on to Gloucestershire, I visited many more family manors and churches. And I had the opportunity to stay in this one!

View of the rear facade from the canal

Making myself at home in the former family manor house

After leisurely time in the countryside, I had a rather busy schedule in London. 

View of Mayfair and more from a hotel skybar

I appeared in the documentary being filmed in this location

At the British Library, I renewed my Reader's Card

Visiting my favourite rose garden, in Hyde Park

I'm always glad to return to the Ritz!

This grand staircase at the Ritz appears in my contemporary novel

A highlight of my time in the city was attending the exhibition "Style and Society: Dressing the Georgians" at the Queen's Gallery, Buckingham Palace.

A magnificent court gown

I was framed!

A double portrait by Hogarth, with special significance for me

Beautiful laburnum

My return home plunged me into plenty of activity--two writers' conference (presenting at both), several upcoming media interviews (print and broadcast), having my author photos updated, and my annual Rose Party/Open Garden, when neighbours and friends come to admire my 190+ rose bushes at peak bloom. Oh, and finishing Novel #17, the sequel to my contemporary novel. Plus spending leisure time at the lake house, with my husband and our dog.

On the lakeshore with Dot