Divorced mother and romance writer, Lorie Foster, loves her job. She gets to work in slippers and be home for her son. The only problem is her books are no longer selling. 'Sex sells,' her editor informed her, 'so spice up the sex scenes.' A seemingly easy fix, but for an inexperienced Lorie, not so much.
Dane Trevors is a bachelor, who's recently got out of a rough relationship. He's moved back home to be close to his sister Dara; Lorie's best friend. Dara introduces Dane to Lorie, and he's more than interested, he's captivated. The only problem is, Lorie thinks he's gay. To make matters worse she also needs to learn about sex, and he's been wrote out of the equation. He's going to try to help her out of her dilemma, but he's got to remember to keep his hands to himself. Surely that won't be a problem?
It's getting closer to Christmas, and the only thing Dane wants is Lorie. He has a surprise for her, but things don't go quite to plan. Lorie can forgive many things, but can she forgive his lies?
Can Dane sort out the mess he's unwittingly found himself in? Or is he set for a very Blue Christmas?
Throw in a flatulent Bulldog pup, an ex-husband and a mother from hell, and you have the makings of a spoof. But this isn't a comedy, this is Lorie's life.
I still live in the small town in Manchester, UK, where I was born at home on January 10th 1968.I was raised and attended school here. Now a wife and mother, I live with my husband and 6 children, and a small menagerie of animals.
I've always loved the underdog, the fighter. But let's face it, we all want to believe in a happily ever after. As a huge fan of books (book nerd is the endearing term, my children use). I have an immense romance collection which also includes paranormal romance. If I'm not writing, I've got my head stuck in a good book.
You can't beat reading, watching the plot and characters come to life in your imagination. It's so much better than television. When I was younger, I tended to re-write books and fairy-tales where I wasn't completely happy with the ending. It confused the hell out of my children once they learned to read. None of the books matched the stories I'd read them growing up.
I had a varied career including Admin, Customer Service, and Teaching unemployed adults IT and customer service skills. Well, until I became ill a few years ago.I'm now at home full time, classed as disabled (neuro fog can make life, and writing fun sometimes).So instead of feeling sorry for myself I decided to do something I'd always wanted to do and loved with my life.I began to write my own stories (as I'd done as a child) and as well as keeping my mind active it's fun too.I'm now ready to share them and happy to receive feedback about my books (stories).
Yesterday I landed back in Manchester, after attending the fourth annual Planet #Rockstock Event, in Porthcawl, South Wales. To say I was impressed by the whole extended weekend, would be a major understatement.
The staff onsite, all the Planet Rock staff, DJ's, fans and bands were so fantastic. So well organised, and the events ran smoothly to the timings. No easy feat, I can tell you, after having had first hand expereince at organising my very first author event and gig in Manchester, in August this year. Herding cats is probably easier.
As I said, this is the fourth such event, and the third one at the venue itself. The radio station Planet Rock, wanted to bring their radio station to life, which they did in spades. To be able to mix with the fans, staff, DJ's and artists is a rare thing, and an amazing chance to chat and make new friends which we did.
Planet Rock have supported a number of bands over the years, such as big favourites of mine - Rival Sons, from the US. Too many to mention really, have received similar support, with new and upcoming bands being played by their superb, and approachable DJ's. ( I apologise as I was quite probably a little drunk, when I chatted with some of them.)
The official charity of the event is CALM, Planet Rocks official charity that raises awareness of Men's mental health issues. Wyatt Wendell - DJ, raised an amazing amount of money by completing a bike ride from to . Last I heard in the region of £70,000.
On Friday 25th November at approximately 3.30pm, after his show on Planet Rock, Wyatt left his Central London Studio to travel the 1,100 mile journey across the UK ending at Planet Rockstock in Porthcawl, South Wales. Wyatt's journey took him to Nottingham, Sheffield, Leeds, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham and finally arriving in Porthcawl in time for day one of Rockstock. You can still contribute to this very worthy charity here CALM - the JustGiving page for the charity. Suicide is the single biggest killer of men aged under 45 in the United Kingdom, and The Campaign Against Living Miserably, (or CALM) are trying to change that.
CALM keeps men alive by talking. Did you know that men are three times more likely than women, to take their own lives.As an ex-nurse unfortunately I was well aware of these sad facts. All funds raised by Rockstock supports CALM's helpline 0800 58 58 58 and webchat service, open to all guys every day from 5pm 'til midnight. Find out more at thecalmzone.net. I only arrived at Porthcawl on the Friday afternoon, so unfortunately missed all the bands that played on the Thursday. But, I can give you the line-up and some videos of the bands I missed. You can find Planet Rock here on Facebook, Twitter, their website, and instagram.
THURSDAY
Stage 2:
Doors opened at 18:00
18:55 The Mojo Sinners
20:00 Lazuli
21:10 Broken Witt Rebels
22:30 Tax The Heat
Mojo Sinners - The Traveller (Official Video)
Biography
The Mojo Sinners are a heavy blues rock band formed in the South Wales valleys during early 2015.
Rhondda, Cardiff, Ystrad Mynach. The band comprises Dave Williams (formerly of South Wales blues legends Blue Traffic) on guitar and vocals, Dane Campbell (also a member of rockers Straight Lines) on drums and Ross McInch on bass guitar. Between them they have shared stages with blues legends Robert Cray, Robin Trower, Walter Trout and Virgil And The Accelerators, as well as grunge rockers The Presidents Of The USA, Feeder and the mighty Mötörhead. The Mojo Sinners’ sound is a unique combination of heavy rock riffs and blues guitar solos, all played with the raw punk energy of early grunge.
Jimi Hendrix has always been a huge source of inspiration for Dave Williams, which can be heard in his guitar playing as well as his voodoo, gypsy-themed lyrics. Dave recently discoveredthat some of his ancestors were Romany Travellers, sparking a fascinationn that fuelled the concept of the trio’s debut EP, ‘The Carnival’, telling tales of old-fashioned travelling circus acts, fortune tellers, curses and the gypsy woman scorned, Belladonna.
Photo courtesy of Planet Rock taken by Darren Grifiths
Set List
Melancholy Man The Traveller Nightshade Dead Roads Jester Sister Judy
"One of the best new live bands in the country, it's a matter of time before they explode onto the big stages" This Feeling
Birmingham quartet Broken Witt Rebels combine the power and intensity of indie rock with the finesse and delicacy of soulful blues. Heralded as one of the most exciting new live bands in the country, they have just released a new EP Georgia Pine which is out now. Listen to the full EP on Spotify.
The band from Birmingham describe themselves as being Indie/Alternative/Blues/Rock, on their Facebook page. The line-up being Danny Core - Vocals & Rhythm guitar, Luke Davis - Vocals & Bass, James Tranter - Vocals & Lead Guitar, and last but not least James Dudley - Drums & Percussion. I love that they like Rival Sons, one of my favourite bands, and being influenced by the likes of Fleetwood Mac, another firm favourite of mine.
Lead single Low has been the featured track of the week on Radio X and playlisted on Planet Rock.
“There's something about this type of music that feels raw, Southern, and whiskey-soaked. I can't get enough” Indie Shuffle.
The arrangement of James Tranter’s dominant, layered guitar work, Danny Core’s strong and unique vocals, Luke Davis’s muddy harmonic bass playing and James Dudley's thunderous drumming are the framework of a band that’s enchanting and irresistible.
Photo courtesy of Planet Rock taken by Darren Grifiths
On their powerful debut album ‘FED TO THE LIONS’ is a sound inspired by the great bands of the 60's – The Kinks , The Beatles, The Stones, The Yardbirds, and The Who – But, comparable to contemporary artists such as Jack White, Queens of the Stone Age, and The Black Keys.
Biography
Tax The Heat was born from a pure love of straight-ahead rhythm and blues music. With nods to many of their influences, calling back to a time when rock’n’roll was still new, vibrant and exciting while all the time keeping an energy-filled modern, alternative edge to the music they create.
Leading on from a chance meeting in a record store between two old school friends, Tax The Heat crafted the early rumblings of their retro-rock’n’roll sound in the late-night living room jam sessions. As a result, the 4-piece started recording their own demos using whatever suitable equipment and locations were available at the time.
Tax The Heat made a strong impression on the U.K’s live music scene in 2014 with performances at Download Festival (2nd Stage), Calling festival (w/ Aerosmith), Steelhouse Festival and Camden Rocks Festival as well as being invited to tour as support to Black Star Riders (ex-Thin Lizzy), The Graveltones, The Virginmarys and The Cadillac Three. 2015 has been an intense year for the band so far, having joined Thunder & Reef for 3 arena shows in March as well as continuing to build their live reputation for tight, energetic and exciting performances playing support to Masters of Reality, Black Star Riders, Europe, Reef and a main stage slot at this year’s 2000 Trees Festival.
All in all, it seems I missed a great evening of rock and roll entertainment, so maybe a clue to shop early this time for my Rockstock tickets and make the Thursday evening.
More information will be added to the blog as I receive pictures and set lists from the bands.
