We’re marking a special birthday with a special gift! Joan – Put on a Happy Face by Carol M. Mottershead is now available as a free Kindle download until 22nd July. This heartfelt generational tale of resilience and hope is perfect for your summer reading list. 🎉 – and share the joy with fellow book lovers!
A Moment of Reflection on My Journey Into Authorship
I don’t usually write personal posts, but I felt compelled to speak out about something that happened recently.
To everyone who's been following my journey into authorship—thank you. Your support means the world.
As I’ve been learning the ropes of becoming an author, one piece of advice I kept hearing was: build an email list. So I dove into webinars and guidance from supposed experts, including a session hosted on LinkedIn. The manual method they shared was simple enough: send an introductory message, then—if someone replies or follows your page—check their profile, find their email, and add it to your author list.
I gave it a go. I don’t send many emails (truth be told, I often wonder if anyone would care to hear what’s going on in my world—ha!), but I pushed past that doubt and sent out a couple of messages.
And then it happened: someone emailed me requesting removal from my list… and threatened to report me under GDPR.
I was stunned. I’d followed the instructions from a LinkedIn webinar, and the person had followed me back—she was an author herself, so I assumed there was mutual interest. Clearly, I misread the situation.
I responded politely, explained how she’d ended up on my list, and assured her I’d remove her details—which I did, along with any interactions or connections we’d had. But the phrase she used stuck with me: “I never signed up to this email list.”
She was right, of course. And while I’m still finding my footing with social media and outreach, I never intended to upset or offend. I just want to share my stories.
So here’s what I wonder: why has it become so common to respond with threats instead of kindness? Why not simply say, “Please remove me from your list”? We're all just people trying to do our best—and in my case, I’m just someone who’s passionate about historical fiction and excited to connect with readers who might enjoy a dual timeline tale.
If that sounds like something you’d enjoy, you’re warmly invited to download my debut novel, Joan: Put on a Happy Face—free until 22nd July to celebrate my daughter’s birthday (happy birthday, sweetheart!).
Thank you for being part of the journey.
Today I was researching for the final book in my trilogy and decided I needed to recap how it all came to pass. Why had I started writing my books?
It came as a great surprise to me to discover that the interview with Professor Brian Llewellyn had struck a place in the heart of more than myself!
In an article by Emily Jane Davies dated 13th May 2024 she told of a University in Exeter who had taken Tricia Goddard at her suggestion and had decided to rewrite the script for Punch and Judy to make it less about violence as per her suggestion.
You may remember that it all started with an interview on 28th July 2018 on Good Morning Britain with presenter Kate Garraway and her guests Professor Brian Llewellyn and Tricia Goddard...more...
I'm so excited!
I'm so excited and I just can't keep this to myself, but I've finally finished the first draft of my next book! YAYY!
It's thrilling when you finally know how your characters want to end the story. 😛I've a bit more work to do on it before I can release it as a book, but it's power for the cause and, pretty much the boring part of writing, but as soon as I can, I'll get the book published and I hope you'll enjoy it! YAYYYYY!
An extract from my Work In Progress 'Nicholas' waiting to be cut!
I feel this is a good scene, but it would make one of my characters a murderer and I'm not sure I should... the scene might yet get cut... does anyone think the scene should be kept in? There's time to save it if you send a reply... to carol.m.mottershead@gmail.com -
I" believed he was my love, for
the rest of my life. I can’t believe how I can still be hurt by his memory. The
loss of my friend... and lover... he can still hurt me... yet he is no longer
the one causing me the pain, it is myself! Why? Other than let him kill me, I
did everything I could to try to make things work between us. I had to survive
him. To wake up every morning wishing you hadn’t... it couldn’t go on. It was
me or him in the end and I had every reason to live now... my child... the
child now growing inside me... the child he will never get to know, the child
he must never meet. For now, my only reason for living is to look after my
baby, our baby... it is the only good thing to come out of this horrible mess! I’ll make sure he has the best life I can
give him. He is my priority... I would give my life for my child..."
Work In Progress
'Nicholas'
"Onward and upwards!"
So I moved onto as third book. This one directly follows on from my first this time, so probably should have done this before, but my characters just weren't speaking to me ha!
Nicholas had been sent to the family crypt in my first book in the series you may remember. His father was tried and condemned as his murderer. He wouldn't defend himself. He spoke to no one and that's where we pick up this next story...
I've called it just 'Nicholas' for now, but this will probably change when the book in published. I hope you'll keep an eye on my blogs as I'll keep you posted as to when it is set for releases, so
'Watch This Space'
If you've already read my earlier books don't forget to spread the word by writing a review on Amazon or wherever you bought your copy from. Here are some links to facilitate your review...
AMAZON Reviews -
Thank you for following my blogs and HAPPY READING!
What People Say
Review are coming in for 'Memories Of...' and I'd just like to say THANK YOU to those who take the time to write a review rather than just ticking a box.
Kindle customers love 'Memories Of...' too -
"History meets Fiction in a seamless blend! Love it! - A feel good story in which we catch up with our old friend John whilst using fiction to redeem one of the biggest injustices in American history. Once again Carol M Mottershead makes history her playground in this amazingly detailed retelling of historical events. C'est Magnifique!"
Why's everyone speaking to me in French? 😆Not that I mind, as long as everyone enjoys the story!
We're back to Amazon for this one from a reader called McFarlane -
"A real window on to history in an engaging love story - I really enjoyed the attention to detail in this novel, which gave a real sense of place and time to an exciting romp of a love story. It took me to a place in history, about which I previously knew very little, and really set the scene to enjoy the twists in the unfolding story. A good read!"
There's more twists and turns to come, so keep uptodate by joining my email list!
Goodreads reader Alun Littlefair loved 'Memories Of...' too with this review -
"A feel good story in which we catch up with our old friend John whilst using fiction to redeem one of the biggest injustices in American history. Once again Carol M Mottershead makes history her playground in this amazingly detailed retelling of historic events. C'est Magnifique!"
Just goes to show, my books are enjoyed by both women AND men - Thanks Alun!
Susan Lake left her review on Facebook, but that's OK, it doesn't matter where the word is spread, she gave a lovely review -
"Well worth a read, a beautiful love story. Set in a time when hope and love, were precious".
Glad you enjoyed it Susan!
A lady calling herself LizFev, an Amazon reader responded with "Great follow on book, so captivating. Not disappointed, just as an enjoyable read as "Joan put in your happy face". I enjoyed the relationships developing, the historical element made me think and reflect on my understanding. Another fantastic read, I hope there is more to follow".
There certainly will be more Liz, just watch this space!
"What a nice love story, Carol." said Tom Edwards, Director of Gwynn's Island Museum before he went on to add a spoiler alert "A happy ending for all".
Thanks Tom, lol!
Want to keep uptodate about my writing? Join my email list at carol.m.mottershead@gmail.com today
If you've not read any of my books yet, you can purchase copies of paperbacks on any good online bookstore or as an ebook on Amazon. Also available in Kindle Unlimited
My books are both available on Amazon sites worldwide, just sign into your nearest Amazon story
Don't forget, a few words of feedback it much better at spreading the word than a click.
Add your reviews at
For "JOAN Put on a happy face" Click Here
For "Memories Of..." Click Here
HAPPY READING!
We’re marking a special birthday with a special gift! Joan – Put on a Happy Face by Carol M. Mottershead is now available as a free Kindl...
