Paula's new novel - IRISH DECEPTIONS

Paula’s new novel, IRISH DECEPTIONS, will be released this week.   

This will be my 13th novel, if you count my early (1960s) four novels, and is the 9th of my ‘modern’ novels (those published since 2011). It’s also my 4th Irish novel. Like the other Irish novels, it’s a ‘stand-alone’ with two new main characters, but some of the characters from my previous novels do make an re-appearance, and the setting is the same – Mist Na Mara House which was introduced in ‘Irish Inheritance’ and since then has become an Arts Centre in the stunning surroundings of the west of Ireland.

As it’s my 13th (unlucky for some?) novel, maybe I should have expected some hiccups, and they definitely happened with the cover of this book. I thought all was going well as I loved the cover my cover artist produced, based on my ideas and the photos/images we selected. But then – oops, one of the photos couldn’t be used ‘for commercial purposes’. Panic stations! A whole evening was spent with back and forth emails between publisher, editor, cover artist and me, as we tried to find an alternative image that was suitable, and also available for a book cover.

A new ‘test cover’ had me cringing, as it didn’t look right at all, but a few hours later I received another cover – and yes, this was actually even better than the original cover. Cue a huge sigh of relief!

So here it is:

And here’s the ‘blurb’:

Ellie Vaughan relocates to Ireland after a devastating car accident which halts her career as a professional dancer. She finds a new but equally rewarding life teaching dance at the Mist Na Mara Arts Centre amidst the beautiful surroundings of Connemara and the stunning scenery of Ireland’s west coast.
A chance meeting with charismatic Irish actor Dan Nicholas leads to them working together as director and choreographer of a musical show at the local school. Their mutual attraction grows, until Ellie discovers Dan has deceived her. He, in turn, is shocked and angered by what he believes is her lack of honesty.
As soon as one problem appears to be resolved, another takes its place, with Ellie’s former dancing partner and Dan’s ex-girlfriend adding to the complications, as well as a thirteen-year-old schoolboy, who is hiding his own secret.
When the deceptions mount up, can Ellie and Dan find a way to overcome all the obstacles that threaten to tear them apart?