Blog Tour: 'Found' by Elle Field!

Who knew one flight could change everything? When Arielle Lockley stepped on the plane at Heathrow, she never realised how different her life would be when she touched down in New York City. Now she's dealing with that aftermath, as well as trying to find common ground with Etta, her new and unexpected business partner. 

But, trying to sort out business in London whilst her fiancé, Piers, recovers from surgery in New York, is starting to take its toll on their relationship. Can Arielle and Etta work together to continue Felicity's legacy without destroying it, and will Arielle and Piers even make it down the aisle to say "I do"?

I'm excited to be part of the blog tour for author Elle Field's latest release, 'Found', today! This book is the final part of Elle's book series about main character Arielle Lockley and I am honoured to once again be part of the tour Elle has organised herself to celebrate the release of one of her reads. Just a few months ago I read and reviewed 'B-Side', which was part 2.5 of the series, and I have to admit I was really curious to find out what would eventually happen to Arielle, so I was looking forward to picking up this read. Be sure to also visit some of the other stops on the blog tour and enter the giveaway below!

Sometimes your life can change in what seems like just a flash, and that is exactly what happens to Arielle Lockley. When she boards a plane to New York to be with her fiancee Piers, who has unexpectedly ended up in hospital, Arielle has no idea what other news will be waiting for her when she gets there. Stuck between New York, where Piers will need to recover, and her hometown of London, Arielle is forced to make some pretty important decisions about the rest of her life, including a possible career for herself, finally getting married, and working together with the most difficult business partner in the form of Etta. Will Arielle finally find what she has been searching for or does life simply have other things in store for her?

'Found' is the final part of Elle Field's 'Arielle Lockley' series; a series which features the life journey of twenty-something Arielle Lockley over the course of 4 books. In this last and final part, Arielle has just received some terrible news and her life is suddenly turned upside down. With her fiancee Piers stuck in a hospital in New York and the rest of her life not standing still back in London, Arielle is torn between two places and forced to make some pretty big decisions. I think this is probably my most favourite part of the series, because we really get to see how Arielle has grown as a character while also focusing on the other characters we've met along the way such as her parents, her best friend Ob, Felicity, Tabitha, and Etta.

If you decide to pick up this read, I'd like to recommend everyone to start at the beginning of this series. While technically speaking this read could work as a stand-alone (the author does provide some background information), I definitely think it works better if you know all the characters and what they've already been through. Having read the whole series myself, I do have to admit it doesn't feel like an ending; I still have some unanswered questions about what happened to particular characters and what will happen to them in the future. Perhaps Elle Field still has some surprises I store for us, but I have to say it didn't feel like the ending I was expecting. However, overall, 'Found' is an enjoyable and fun read, and once again a promising title by author Elle Field. I've quite enjoyed this series, but have to say I'm really curious to see what else she has in store for us next!
Rating:8/10

  For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads
Thanks to the author for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
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Blog Tour: 'B-Side' by Elle Field!

Etta Millhouse has always had big musical ambitions to match her big voice, but she’s also got three very big problems - the addiction she won’t admit to, her godmother’s illness she can no longer ignore, and her godmother’s useless business partner (who she wishes she could ignore). 
Keeping an eye on Arielle’s bad business decisions is the last thing Etta wants to do when she’s offered the chance to record a demo with a top producer. But, a promise is a promise, even if it has her reaching for another pick-me-up... And then another. And then one more. 
When the secret she must keep for her godmother, Felicity, sends her drug habit spiralling out of control, can Etta battle her demons in time and make her dream happen? Or, will her music career be over before it’s even begun?
Today I'm really excited to be part of the blog tour for Elle Field's latest release, 'B-Side'! 'B-Side' is part 2.5 of Elle's Arielle Lockley series and provides us readers with an insight into the life of another one of the characters in the series, namely Etta Millhouse. I've really enjoyed the other parts of the series so far, so I was excited and curious to read this extra instalment and look at things from another character's perspective for a change. Be sure to also check out some of the other stops on the blog tour, you can visit Elle's Blog to view all the stops, and enter the giveaway which you can find at the bottom of this blog post!
It has always been Etta Millhouse's dream to become a famous singer; music is her passion and she couldn't imagine doing anything else. So when she is finally offered the chance to record an actual demo, she's over the moon. However, as with any dream, Etta has to face quite a number of challenges on the way, including the addiction she knows she has but won't admit to and the illness of her godmother whom she doesn't want to lose. Next to that, she also needs to check up on Arielle, her godmother's new business partner, which only adds to the stress and before she knows it, Etta is forced to make some pretty important decisions about her life and career...
I was quite excited when I heard Elle Field would be releasing an extra instalment of her Arielle Lockley series; book 2.5 focusing on a completely different character in the form of Etta Millhouse. I think the words 'completely different' fit quite well here, because from the first few pages of the book it already becomes clear that Etta is indeed the complete opposite of Arielle, the main character throughout this series. I would be lying if I said it was easy for me to warm to Etta, because I found her a very troubled and challenging character which I had difficulty relating to and understanding. This did make this a bit of a tricky read for me, because I just didn't really like Etta and this feeling unfortunately didn't change as the story progressed.
I definitely recommend not picking this up as a stand-alone; it's a book that's best appreciated when read as a part of the whole series, so you know the background and the different characters and their relationships. Elle's writing style is captivating and well-paced and even though Etta just isn't my type of character, the story held my attention until the end and I'm already curious to read part 3 of the series, 'Found', which will be released later this year. Overall, 'B-Side' is an interesting addition to the Arielle Lockley series; a book that is just a bit darker than the other parts of the series and even though I'm sure others will really enjoy this, I personally prefer Elle's more light-hearted work, the chick lit-esque novels that make me smile!

Rating:7,5/10

  For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

Thanks to the author for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Cover Reveal: 'Found' by Elle Field!

We're being treated to quite a number of exciting and gorgeous book cover reveals these days and I've got another one in store for all of you today! I've had the pleasure of reading several of author Elle Field's novels over the past few years and I'm really excited to see she's releasing the third part of her Arielle Lockley series this August. Here's the lovely cover for the book:

One death. Two weddings. Three months in New York City.
Who knew one flight could change everything? When Arielle Lockley stepped on the plane at Heathrow, she never realised how different her life would be when she touched down in New York. Now she's dealing with that aftermath, as well as trying to find common ground with Etta, her new and unwanted business partner.
But, trying to sort out her shop in London whilst Piers is stuck in New York is starting to take its toll on their relationship, and Arielle isn't the only one with an important decision to make... Can Arielle and Etta continue Felicity's legacy without destroying it, and will Arielle and Piers manage to make it down the aisle to say "I do"?
Find out what happens in the final part of the warm and wonderful Arielle Lockley series - out this August.
Can't wait to see what is going to happen next to Arielle!
Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads  

Blog Tour: 'Lost' by Elle Field!

Arielle is back! OK, she’s not on her way to becoming the next Coco Chanel, her childhood dream, but she is one way step closer to running her very own shop with her business partner, Felicity.
She’s also planning her perfect romantic wedding to fiancé, Piers, and Arielle is starting to believe that she’s finally found her place in the world... Of course life is never that straightforward.
With a new-found foe interfering with her shop decisions, not to mention haughty wedding planners and loved ones facing personal struggles, will Arielle figure out what's important before all is lost?
Today I am really excited to be part of the blog tour for Elle Field's latest release 'Lost', which was published on the 7th of April 2015. 'Lost' is the sequel to Elle's debut chick lit novel 'Kept', which I read and reviewed last year (click here to read my review). Elle herself contacted me about the upcoming blog tour for 'Lost' and I straight away agreed to take part. Not just because Elle is a lovely person, but also because I really enjoyed her debut novel 'Kept' and looked forward to reading more about Arielle and the other characters and see what they are up to this time around!
Twenty-five-year old Arielle Lockley has finally managed to get to a point in her life where things seem to be going well on all fronts: together with her business partner Felicity she is busy finding a new location in London for their successful clothes shop, everything's going well with her family and friends, and she is planning her wedding to her lovely fiancé Piers. Everything just seems to have fallen into place and Arielle knows she has to embrace it for as long as it lasts. Which unfortunately isn't long. Arielle doesn't know what to do with the launch of the new store in London, Felicity is acting weird, and Piers seems to be under the weather just while they should be busy planning the details of their upcoming wedding... It doesn't take long before Arielle starts to feel quite lost, but what will it take for her to find her way back?
I'm really glad Elle Field decided to write a sequel to her debut novel 'Lost', because it was great to once again be back with main protagonist Arielle and her friends and family! Arielle went through a lot and really changed as a person in 'Kept', and it was great to see her doing her thing and trying to build up her and Felicity's business while also dealing with other things that are asking her attention, such as her upcoming wedding. Next to Arielle, there is a selection of great secondary characters, such as her fiance Piers, her business partner Felicity, and her friends Tabitha and Ob, who also all have their separate storylines with things they are dealing with.
Because there are many things happening in the novel, not just with Arielle but also with the other characters, I really enjoyed every second of reading this book and it managed to hold my attention from start to finish. I think I even enjoyed this book more than the first part of the series, it was just a really great read! The book ends with a big cliffhanger, and I already can't wait for the third part of the series, which will be released in 2016. I personally would recommend reading 'Kept' before picking up 'Lost', just so you know the background story and what happened to Arielle before this, but if you want to, this can also be read as a stand-alone. 'Lost' is a thoroughly enjoyable, fast-paced and fun chick lit read; the second part of a book series I'm quite excited about and I already can't wait for Elle Field's next release!

Rating:8,5/10

  For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

Thanks to the author for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Author interview with Elle Field!

I'm really excited to have Elle Field visiting the blog today to tell us more about her exciting new release 'Lost', the second book in the Arielle Lockley series!

Can you tell us something about your new novel, ‘Lost’? Lost begins two months after the end of Kept, and Arielle is busy planning her shop launch in London. The trouble is, Arielle is finding out that managing a shop for someone else is far less stressful than owning a shop. Arielle has a lot on her plate, including planning her wedding, but she’s desperate to prove that she is more than the "kept" woman she used to be.
The book is a sequel to one of your other novels, ‘Kept.’ Why did you feel this story needed a sequel? I never planned on making a series of books about Arielle Lockley, but a lot of people asked me to write another book about Arielle when they had read Kept! I wanted to show that there is more to Arielle than the girl we first meet at the beginning of Kept and, like with anyone, we all develop and mature as we get older - Arielle is no exception to this!
Where did you get the inspiration for your novel? Is it in any way based on your own experiences? Real life and people you know can be great for inspiration but I always add a heavy fictional twist if I do borrow from real-life. Arielle has a few of my own traits, though I've definitely never been a "kept" woman!
Can you tell us a bit more about the main character, Arielle? Arielle had big dreams as a child and always wanted to be the next Coco Chanel; she never did anything to make that happen. After graduating she ended up falling into the role of being Piers' trophy girlfriend - amazing fun, until things went wrong. 
As she emerges out of the privileged world she lived in with Piers, she plucks up the courage to realise that she wants to make something of her life, even if failure is her most likely outcome. In Lost, she's not managed to get rid of all of her bad habits, but she's trying hard to prove that she's no longer a "kept" woman and show that she is a successful businesswoman.
There’s a great cast of supporting characters in the novel as well. Which character did you most enjoy writing? I am a big fan of Arielle’s childhood best friend, Obélix, so much so that his voice is the one that the prologue and epilogue is written in. He'll definitely be featuring a lot more in the follow-up to Lost.
Did you do any particular research for parts of the book? As Arielle is planning on opening a shop in London, I did lots of research into the retail rental market in London and I had great fun thinking up her dream shop. I also had to research what it would be like to plan a wedding , picking out dresses and venues for Arielle's big day to Piers. Can you perhaps tell us something about your future plans? Are you perhaps already working on a next novel? I'm working on the next, and (probably) final book in the Arielle Lockley series. Found will be out later on in the year. I also want to finish writing The Dirtification of Tabitha-Rose, especially since Tabitha has a big part in Lost - part of her plotline in Lost came out of The Dirtification of Tabitha-Rose. I really love how my characters cross over and pop up in my other books.
Do you have any tips for aspiring writers? Never give up. It might take you six months to get your novel published, or it might take you six years - perseverance is key!
What is the last book you read that you’d like to recommend to others? I really loved 'The Martian' by Andy Weir. It’s really technical and cinematic – I had such vivid pictures in my head when I was reading it, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Which book could you not live without? I adore 'The Chronicles of Narnia' by C.S. Lewis – I have a gorgeous illustrated edition that I received as a child, and I still read it today. 
And last but not least, if you had to describe ‘Lost’ in just three words, which words would you pick? Change. Loss. Love.
Thanks so much, Elle!

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Giveaway!
The lovely Elle is also organising a fabulous giveaway of two sets of paperback copies of 'Kept' and 'Lost'! Be sure to enter the giveaway by following the instructions on the Rafflecopter below; good luck to everyone!
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Review & Author Interview: 'Kept' by Elle Field (2013)

Life hasn't quite worked out how Arielle Lockley planned. Becoming the next Coco Chanel, not shopping at Chanel, was always her childhood dream but somehow she's ended up as a kept woman, living the jet set lifestyle with boyfriend Piers.
When the recession hits, it's not just the economy that takes a tumble. Broke and homeless with zero job prospects, can Arielle find her way again in time or will she always have to be a kept woman?
I’ve been following author Elle Field on Twitter for quite some time now, which is how I couldn’t possibly have missed the releases of both her chick lit novels ‘Kept’ and ‘Geli Voyante’s Hot or Not’ in 2013. This year, a sequel to ‘Kept’ will be released in the summer, called ‘Lost’, which is great news for fans of Elle’s work. I thought it was about time I sat down with one of Elle’s novels myself, because I’d been hearing great things. Next to that, I managed to get the lovely Elle to do a short interview for this blog, to go online together with my review of ‘Kept’, so be sure to check that out as well by simply scrolling down!
To the outside world, Arielle Lockley appears to lead a glamorous and comfortable life; an adoring banker boyfriend named Piers who pays everything for her, the most stylish designer outfits, numerous trips to the most luxurious locations, and she doesn’t even need to work. Yet, Arielle never expected she’d end up a kept woman, forgetting her dreams of becoming a fashion designer. When Piers unexpectedly kicks her out after an argument, Arielle is forced to go back to her parents and think about her life. This is her chance to no longer be a kept woman, but fight for her own dreams... But is it too late? And can Arielle really forget Piers?
Elle Field’s debut novel is a really enjoyable read with a fascinating heroine at its centre. Arielle is incredibly spoiled and self-centred, which didn’t make me warm to her at the start of the novel. However, as a reader we are taken on a journey to experience how Arielle’s character changes and is forced to make some important decisions in her life. I think most of us will be able to relate to Arielle in a way, and I really enjoyed seeing how she dealt with everything in her life. We are introduced to Arielle’s life by a switch between the present time and a collection of flashbacks (some elements from her past even come back as the story progresses), which gives the reader the chance to understand why Arielle has made certain decisions and how she has found herself in this position. Elle Field managed to make me root for Arielle and I ended up loving her!
The book has a lovely collection of supporting characters: I personally developed a small crush on Piers, Arielle’s banker boyfriend, who is a real gentleman, and Arielle’s best friend Obelix managed to make me laugh out loud multiple times (I’m just not too sure about the name, I constantly saw Obelix in my head, blue-and-white striped trousers and two braids and all!). The story is well-written and develops in a good pace; it made me want to keep on reading to find out what would eventually happen to Arielle and where she would end up. Overall, ‘Kept’ is an enjoyable and fast-paced chick lit read, and I look forward to reading more of Elle’s work in the future!
Rating:

  8/10

For more information about this book: Amazon UK / Amazon US / Goodreads

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Author Interview with Elle Field

Can you tell us something about your novel, ‘Kept’?

Kept is about twenty-something Arielle Lockley who always wanted to be the next Coco Chanel, but has instead spent the past four years living a dizzying whirl of glitzy parties, luxurious holidays and daily shopping sprees, and not doing anything to make her Coco dreams happen. 

When the recession hits, it’s not just the economy that takes a tumble… Arielle finds herself living back with her parents, on bad terms with her ex boyfriend Piers, and with a CV that’s as welcome as a pair of knock-off Jimmy Choos. Not to mention unwelcome thoughts of her childhood sweetheart that are popping into her head. Arielle must not only figure out what it is she wants to do with her life but who she wants to be with.

Kept is the jet-set fantasy we’ve all dreamed of, but it explores the reality of what it’s actually like being that kept woman, especially when it all goes horribly wrong!

Where did you find the inspiration for ‘Kept’? Is it in any way based on your own personal experiences?

Like Arielle I’ve known what career I’ve wanted to do ever since I was a child (Arielle’s childhood dream was to be a fashion designer). Writing Kept made my dream happen, but I won’t spoil it by telling you how things work out for Arielle! 

Real life is definitely a great place for book inspiration but I always make sure to add a fictional twist if I do draw upon any of my own personal experiences.

What about the protagonist of the novel, Arielle. Can you tell us a bit more about her and how she became your main character?

Arielle is definitely a flawed character, and one confused lady! I wrote her so that you hate her at the start of the book but then slowly warm to her as she realises what an awful person she has become - you see her try to redeem herself for her past bratty behaviour throughout the book. She's a fan of fashion but underneath her flawless appearance - which makes her appear more confident than she actually is - she has the same insecurities as anyone else.  

There’s a great mix of support characters in the novel. Which character did you most enjoy writing about and why?

That definitely would have to be Obélix, who is Arielle's best friend from home. He completely has Arielle's back, although theirs is a relationship that is very much stuck in their teenage years - lots of name calling and taunts, which was great fun to write! Obélix has a heart of gold though, despite his perversions, and it was fun thinking of ways to make him dreadful, albeit still very lovable.   

Can you perhaps tell us something about your future plans as an author? Are you already working on a next novel?

I'm currently working on Kept's sequel, which is called Lost. You'll be able to find out how Arielle gets on now she's back in London... I don't want to spoil it for those who still have Kept on their TBR pile, but I can tell you that there will be more of Obélix and Felicity in this book, as well as some interesting new characters who might not be all that they seem on first appearances...

Lost will be out later this year. My second novel Geli Voyante's Hot or Not was released last October, and is currently available in Kindle and paperback formats from Amazon. 

Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?

Never give up. It might take you six months to publish your novel or it might take six years... if you give up though, it never will. 

What is the last book you read that you’d like to recommend to others?

Broken Dolls by James Carol. It’s not a chick lit book – I tend to read thrillers, crime fiction, young adult and non-fiction when I’m working on my own books so I can’t accidentally ‘contaminate’ them – but it was a gripping storyline, albeit sometimes a little too gruesome in parts! It tells the story of Jefferson Winter, an investigator who is over in London trying to stop a serial killer, and I’d highly recommend it. 

Which book could you not live without?

Do I really have to pick just one?! OK, fine then, but I’m going to cheat slightly and pick my copy of The Complete Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis, which is beautifully illustrated by Pauline Baynes – it’s technically one book! It’s one of my favourite books, and one I’ll read time and time again. 

And last but not least, if you had to describe ‘Kept’ in just three words, which words would you pick?

Love. Fashion. Redemption. 

Thanks so much, Elle, for taking the time to do this interview! :)

You can read Elle's literary, London and life adventures on her blog: http://www.ellefield.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter: @ellefie

Like her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ellefieldauthor

Connect with her on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7060681.Elle_Field

Cover Reveal: 'Geli Voyante's Hot or Not' by Elle Field

From Elle Field, the author of 'Kept', 'Geli Voyante's Hot or Not' will be released on October 17th in Kindle and paperback formats. You can add it to your Goodreads shelf today!

 

'I think I will always be known as the Hot or Not girl, defined by it for the rest of my career. Even my tombstone will read: Angelica “Geli” Voyante, beloved trendsetter. Death? Not Hot.

Yet, it doesn’t sound right. Why won’t anyone realise that there is more to me than this fickle persona I have inadvertently become?'

Geli Voyante is bored of being the Hot or Not girl, even if it has the perk of sitting next to Theo, the newspaper's very Hot political columnist. She's also getting a little lonely being single.

When her arch-nemesis Tiggy Boodles gets engaged, and other loved ones start to settle down, it's time for Geli to convince Theo that she’s not as shallow as her column suggests and, more importantly, she’s the one for him. Geli should remember though that there are always two sides to every story, and that applies to people too...
 

I am so excited to be able to share the cover for Elle Field's fabulous upcoming release with all of you today! I personally love the blue, wintery, lovely look of this cover, and I can't wait to pick up a copy of the novel myself on the 17th of October!