Releasing January 24, 2017
Bella Tulip Publishing

A donation for each copy sold will go to the Katie Piper Foundation.
https://katiepiperfoundation.org.uk/

Novelist, movie addict, and animal lover, Cristina Slough is the author of: Till Death Us Do Part, her debut novel.

Cristina has always been a bookworm, rarely seen without a pen and paper in her hand, she loves delving into a literacy fictional world of her own.

Cristina is married to Adam, who runs a successful business; together they share their Bedfordshire home with their son, crazy white German Shepherd and three spoiled cats.  They can be found trekking through woodlands, or around the many shops Cristina loves to explore.  As a family, they love to travel frequently, the United States being a firm favourite.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Goodreads

On the surface, Gaby Parker has it all; however, behind closed doors, is a woman who lives in constant fear of the man who was supposed to love her: her husband, Kyle. Beaten, desperate, and broken, Gaby realizes the only way to escape from her violent husband is to kill herself — on paper. Gaby is dead, and Riley Locklin is born, residing in the tranquil coastal town of Chesswick Bay Montauk where she hopes to start over and meets a man who shows her bruises aren’t kisses.

Meanwhile, back home, Kyle is doing everything in his power to prove Gaby isn’t dead.

But…police find her burnt-out car and remains?

Kyle isn’t buying it; he knows she’s still alive. He launches his own full investigation to find his wife — and he’ll stop at nothing to claim her back. A female Detective assigned to his wife’s case doesn’t like him very much after discovering a domestic violence report – scorned by the history of her mother’s domestic abuse, she’s determined to send Kyle down for his wife’s murder.

And then he finds her. Will Gaby finally take a stand?

Katie Piper Foundation:

Katie survived a violent acid attack in 2008 and soon after created The Katie Piper Foundation to help people who are living with burns and scars.

The charity’s vision is for a world where scars do not limit function, social inclusion or sense of well-being. We aim to give the life-changing rehabilitation and scar management that the UK so desperately needs.

Katie is now thriving – she’s been able to rebuild her life, returning to work, getting married and having her first child. But life isn’t without struggles. For burns survivors the suffering continues long after the injuries.  Katie’s Foundation transforms the lives from ones of simply surviving, to thriving – whatever that may mean for them.

In buying this book, you’ve been part of changing everything for someone who may have felt they had nothing. Here’s what the proceeds will fund.

• Events across the UK, run by trained Peer Supporters, which give beneficiaries the chance to meet others in similar circumstances and to share experiences.  Here’s what one attendee said about it: “Last year I endured 85% burns to my face and body. Overnight the person I knew was gone. I thought “what is the point in me being here anymore?”I attended a weekend with other burn survivors.  I learned that I was not alone! I was amazed at the attendees’ strength, courage and confidence. My life wasn’t over. I am just different now. If it wasn’t for that weekend away, I don’t know if I’d still be here today.”
• Advice to people who are living with burns and scars, often enabling free, ongoing, access to life-changing treatments such as medical tattooing and hair replacement.
• Sharing our knowledge and insight through activities.  Hosting workshops such as Scar Academy UK, attended by professionals ranging from physiotherapists, to nurses working in UK burns healthcare. Other charities and organisations in the UK are supported by us and we contribute towards the national strategy of burns rehabilitation and scar management.

We are closer than ever to accomplishing Katie’s aim to set up specialist residential rehabilitation, with the best partners, giving a pioneering service.  We have so much more to do – and we treasure your support in achieving our vision.

We had the honor of asking Cristina a few questions about writing, what inspires her and life! Here’s what she had to say. Enjoy!

 

• Does writing energize or exhaust you?

 

Definitely energizes, even with little sleep after writing something I love, I am still buzzing.

 

• What are common traps for aspiring writers?

Sometimes an idea of a story might be good but may need several re-writes before it will be ready. Remember that your first draft should never be your last draft…

• Does a big ego help or hurt writers?

In my opinion it hurts them. I am unlikely to buy a book written by somebody who is up their own backside. It is important to engage with readers, they are your bread and butter, the fuel to your craft!

 

• What is your writing Kryptonite?

My phone! I end up checking Instagram when I should be writing.

 

• Have you ever gotten reader’s block?

I have started books which I have just not connected to for one reason or another. I like to give a book a chance, but if I just don’t feel it, I set it aside or give it away to somebody else who may appreciate it.

• Did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym?

No. I want to put my real name to the work I put out there. I may change my mind later down the line, but not for the foreseeable future.

 

• Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?

I like to be original, I follow my heart when I write and hope that it will give readers something special.

 

• Do you think someone could be a writer if they don’t feel emotions strongly?

I think it would be tough, only because I pour emotion into my own writing. But every writer is unique.

 

• What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?

I have a close community of author friends. They are amazing. We always bounce ideas off one another. We swap drafts and they give their opinion on what they think works, and what doesn’t.

 

• Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?

All of my books to date are standalones, I can’t see that changing anytime soon…but never say never!

 

• If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?

Take the opportunity to go and see the world. Freedom to come and go as you please is rare. Adventure nurtures the soul!

 

• How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?

I took my writing far more seriously. If something didn’t feel right in a chapter, I wouldn’t just leave it—I changed it. With my second novel, I used the delete button a lot. It wasn’t about reaching a word count, it was making the words count!

 

• What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?

Investing in editing, and taking refresher courses.

 

• What authors did you dislike at first but grew into?

There are no authors that I disliked and then liked. I always loved Emily Giffin but one of her books didn’t hit the spot with me, but that would never stop me buying her future books.

 

• What do you owe the real people upon whom you base your characters?

 

To give them a voice that readers want to hear!

 

• How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?

I have a novel which I was working on prior to my debut that I just couldn’t connect with, I doubt that will ever see the light of day again. I am currently working on my third novel, I hope to complete that by early summer.

• What does literary success look like to you?

A strong fan base of readers that become your cheerleaders and will keep buying your books. Bestselling novels that everybody knows about…and the blessing to call writing your full-time job.

 

• What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?

For research, I google, I buy books to study a subject, and I talk to expert people. For Nelumbo Nucifera, I spoke to real women that had been in domestic abusive relationships. So, the information in the book is very raw, and very real. I also consulted an expert in the field of mental illness—a subject which is also highlighted in Nelumbo. I want my writing to really speak to people, so I want to bring them into the story by knowing my stuff!

 

• Do you view writing as a kind of spiritual practice?

I would consider myself a very spiritual person in general. I always have been. I keep journals, and that is the area of my writing that is very private, and where my spiritual roots are deeply embedded.

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon AU | Amazon CA