Catherine Alliott
'People often ask me if I always had a burning desire to be an author, and the honest answer is no, in fact, it almost happened by accident.
I was working as a copywriter in an ad agency and tired of writing blurb for soap powder, began writing a novel under the desk. I had no thought of publication, was just doing it to relieve the boredom, but I must say it was a bit of a shock when my boss walked in one day and said we're not sure you're entirely committed and gave me the sack!
Actually, I think that galvanized me and I was determined to finish it. I did, but it took a while: I was working freelance, and then pregnant with my first child so it wasn't at the forefront of my mind. When my son was born I discovered babies slept for great chunks of the day, so I revisited it, tapping it onto a computer my brother gave me. (The first draft was in long hand, I'm a complete Luddite by nature, and actually, still write my first draft into note books.)
My husband persuaded me to send it to an agent who took it - amazingly and then a few weeks later I had a publisher too. The Old Girl Network came out about a year later and the first time I saw it in a shop, I was so startled I ran out again! I'm convinced it was easier back then to get published, these days it's far more competitive because there are so many girls doing it I'm glad I started early!
I've written a few more since then, but some things don't change: I still get a thrill when I see them around. I hope you enjoy the books, I certainly have a lot of fun writing them.'
Behind Closed Doors
by Catherine Alliott
From the outside, anyone would think that Lucy Palmer has it all: loving children, a dashing husband and a gorgeous home. But when her marriage to Michael comes to an abrupt and unexpected end, her life is turned upside down in a flash. As the truth of her marriage threatens to surface, Lucy seizes the opportunity to swap her house in London - and the stories it hides - for a rural escape to...
The Wedding Day - Abridged
by Catherine Alliott
Annie O'Harran is getting married . . . all over again A divorced, single mum, Annie is about to tie the knot with David. But there's a long summer to get through first. A summer where's she's retreating to a lonely house in Cornwall, where's she's going to finish her book, spend time with her teenage daughter Flora and make any last-minute wedding plans. Annie should be so lucky. For almost as...
The Old Girl Network - US Abridged Edition
by Catherine Alliott
Number one bestselling author Catherine Alliott tells a hilarious story about the twists and turns of love, loyalty and getting mixed up in someone else's affairs in The Old-Girl Network. Finding true love's a piece of cake - as long as you're looking for someone else's true love . . . Polly McLaren is young, scatty and impossibly romantic. She works for an arrogant and demanding boss, and has...
Going Too Far - Abridged
by Catherine Alliott
'You've gone all fat and complacent because you've got your man, haven't you?' Polly is outraged at the suggestion that since getting married and settling into a beautiful manor farmhouse in Cornwall she has let herself go. But watching a lot of telly and gorging on biscuits, not getting dressed until lunchtime and waiting for pregnancy to strike are not the signs of someone living an active...