‘The Honey Queen’ by Cathy Kelly

After reading Cathy Kelly’s latest book ‘The House On Willow Street’ and enjoying it so much, I have discovered that she has already penned another, no doubt equally successful novel, due for release in Spring 2013, titled ‘The Honey Queen’.

Cathy has already firmly established herself in the upper echelons of female Irish authors, who are such consummate story tellers, able to keep the reader spellbound with their seemingly effortless, conversational writing style, characters who are easy to connect with and richly crafted storylines we can all relate to.

I first read a couple of Cathy’s books, back in the late 1990’s and was only too keen to get reacquainted with her work, after an initial contact request from her current publisher HarperCollins, who were then kind enough to forward me a copy of ‘The House On Willow Street’, my review of which will be published shortly.

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‘THE HONEY QUEEN’ by CATHY KELLY

It’s easy to fall in love with the beautiful town of Redstone – the locals wave and chat to each other, the shops and cafes are full of cheerful hustle and bustle. And amidst all this activity, two women believe they are getting on just fine.

Francesca’s boundless energy help her to take everything in her stride, including a husband who has lost his job and the unwelcome arrival of the menopause, which has kicked in – full throttle.

Peggy, on the other hand, has always been a restless spirit. But now, focused and approaching thirty, she has opened her own knitting shop on the town’s high street. It’s a dream come true, but she still feels adrift.

When Australian-raised Lillie finally makes it back home to Ireland, she is drawn right into the heart of Redstone’s busy, close-knit community. But what she thought would be an ending is actually just a beginning – all is not quite as it seems in the picturesque town.

Soon, Lillie’s hard-earned wisdom will be called into play as she helps new friends navigate unchartered territory…

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MEET THE AUTHOR … CATHY KELLY

Cathy Kelly Was born in Northern Ireland, but raised in Eire, where she still lives, with her husband and family.

Her career for some thirteen years, was as a newspaper journalist with a national Irish Sunday newspaper, where she worked in news, features, as an agony aunt and the paper’s film critic.

Cathy published her first international bestseller, Woman To Woman, in 1997, although she did not become a full-time writer until she had written another two books, finally deciding to leave the world of journalism in 2001, moving to HarperCollins Publishers at the same time.

Her sixth novel, ‘Just Between Us’, was her first Sunday Times number one bestseller, although most certainly not her last.

Her eighth novel, ‘Always and Forever’, topped the UK bestseller lists in October 2005, displacing Dan Brown and J. K. Rowling.

‘Lessons in Heartbreak’, was shortlisted for the Eason Irish Popular Fiction Book of the Year at the Irish Book Awards in April 2009.

In Autumn 2011, Cathy headlined a search for a new writer, as one of the panel of judges for the ‘UK People’s Novelist Competition’, on ITV’s The Alan Titchmarsh Show, carrying her category through four stages to win.

Her fourteenth novel, ‘The Honey Queen’, will be published in early 2013.

Cathy’s trademark is warm story-telling and she consistently tops the bestseller lists around the world with books which deal with themes ranging from relationships and marriage to depression and loss, but always with an uplifting message and strong female characters at the heart.

Cathy also has a passionate interest in children’s rights and is an ambassador for UNICEF Ireland. Her role for UNICEF is a Global Parent, which means raising funds and awareness for children orphaned by or living with HIV/AIDs.

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IN CATHY’S OWN WORDS …

I find that characters tell their own stories and if you’ve created them properly, they really do lead you on the right path. I used to interview novelists when I was a journalist and I thought they were mad when they said the characters take over, but they do.

I think a lack of confidence is a necessary requirement for writing. If you start to think you’re brilliant, you’re in trouble.

Believe in yourself and do the work. Writing is glorious but it’s hard work too.

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