FREE: It's not Shakespeare, but it will change your life

 The first book I published was written in a passionate frenzy.

I’d found out something life-changing, and I wanted everyone else to know about it. But within six months of publishing this book, I realised many people know about the Law of Attraction, and I also realised it isn’t the prettiest book on the shelves. Fact.

Fast forward seventeen years (17?!) and I am now on book number nine, having switched to fiction (romance, with loads of travel, stadiums, and music) and still in love with the writing and publishing world.

My shock when I realised life is supposed to be lived in joy was insurmountable. Rather than white-knuckling your way through life until you reached death, I had a new knowledge about life being something amazing. To enjoy life was something I decided I suddenly wanted to learn.

Am I there yet? Hmm, not too far off. Definitely closer than I was when I found out about the Law of Attraction back in 2009, but I partly think that’s the point of life. Navigating the tricky bits, learning from them, finding the beauty in all of it and moving forwards; having never ‘got there’ by the time life is over.

This brings me to the point of this post.

My book is up for free downloads on Amazon for the next five days. I want you to read the message inside it. Ignore the layout of the pages. I will be editing that and adding more about the meaning of life and phenomenology. So - have a free read in a couple of lunch hours (it’s 33 pages long) and start to rethink things. Find the magic in life and see if you can start to use the power of your mind to live on your terms.

Speaking of which, there will be some exciting news here soon, which is me having a go at a big new manifestation. Want to be part of my exclusive book social? Message me here and let me know about it. I can’t wait!

A little gift from me to you, with much love as always

Lou xoxo 

Richardsons Holiday Park, Hemsby - the norfolk broads lodge with hot tub

 We had a UK summer holiday recently. Yes, I use the word holiday sparingly, as so often my trips are work-related. But this was for sure a holiday.

I sat in the hot tub with friends and laughed until I cried in the sunny Sunday afternoon weather.

There was music and dancing and joy in every direction. I was alive with happiness.

Our lodge was a stunning haven of comfort and homeliness. We loved our time there, and Hemsby had a huge beach, lovely coffee shop cultures around and even some gluten-free delights. I can't tell you when I last felt so relaxed. But there was a definite UK summer vibe about this place, not in a cheap caravan sense, but rather in a luxury but affordable sense. 

This video shows you around the four-bed lodge we stayed in. Find out about booking it here: 

Here are the quick snaps I took on my phone before I got my flip flops on!

It was pretty amazing to enjoy some down time in such a way. So often my travel is linked to work and while it's still an incredible thing to do, this felt very different. 

Strawberry Fair, Cambridge - the most magical festival

 

Ok, so it might have been raining (it was), but there was some expected magic in the air in the centre of Cambridge last weekend. 

Strawberry Fair is held in the city centre, on Midsummer Common, right by the River Cam and the Fort St George. It is Cambridge’s one-day celebration of music, arts, people, and pure festival magic.

Starting in 1974, thousands of people come together each year to feel a sense of community and creativity. The performers and the free-spirited humans who follow them come together for a free day of utter escapism. 

This year was its 51st year.

But let’s go back to 1994 for a minute. Was that when that fateful World Cup happened, too? 

I’m sure I remember watching that on a portable TV in the courtyard of the Fort St George while something tasty was cooked on the BBQ by Deano, the chef. 

Living in the stunning 16th-century Fort St George back then, I always appreciated the building’s beauty with its wonky ceilings and creaking floors. Parts of the timber-framed building still date back to the original building, particularly in the snug. Back then, we would light a coal fire in there during those dark winter months, waiting for customers, and playing cards. Cassy sat next to us. She was the puppy that was supposed to keep us safe. The softest German Shepherd dog ever, she became my companion who had a talent for spotting a sad mood. 

The summer months were crazy days. Strawberry Fair in 1994 brought in £22,000 in just one day. 

While I was writing in the coffee shop last year, I decided to use Strawberry Fair in my fiction story. 

Simon Rhodes and Blake Winters were school friends who had a dream of being in a band. Their big break happened on a stage at Strawberry Fair, long before they became the massive band they ended up as. 

Book 3 in the series is being written right now, and there will be a standalone book out this year called Winters. That’s Blake’s backstory, written from his point of view. It’ll be dark and inspiring, and we will finally figure out why he has a permanent frown on his face. Liesa Ulman is the only person to soften that frown. 

Hearing about the return of Strawberry Fair, I had to go, for research, of course. There was a plan to either get on stage next year and read, or some other ‘book promo’ type of thing. But I’m not too sure the festival goers are my readers. 

Could I stand and imagine Blake and Simon on those stages? 

God, yes. 

There was a definite air of closeness to them while I stood with soaked trainers (should have put on the purple wellies!) and imagined them figuring themselves out and perfecting their craft, before the days of private jets and stadium lights. And before the tragedy which made it all possible. 

See the full vlog/find out more about these books by sending me a quick message. 

Note: thank you to the organisers for the hard work on this event. And an extra thanks to the lovely new author friends I made. 

Find out more about the Metronome Series 

Free Kindle Books for the Next 3 Days + A New Discounted Romance Novel Tomorrow

 

There is something surreal about writing these words.

For as many years as I can remember, I dreamed about becoming an author. Even as a little girl, I wrote things on pieces of paper. I wasn't just writing books in private or scribbling ideas into notebooks on planes and in coffee shops around the world, but I actually wanted people to read them, download them, and escape into them.

Right now, two of my Kindle books are completely free for the next three days.

I'm not asking for your email or any sign-up. No “comment below to receive the link.” Just free books for you to enjoy.

You can download them here:

Free Books:
https://amzn.to/4v5nWnE

https://amzn.to/4tXpU8w

One is a mafia romance short story collection for those of you who love drama, chemistry and escapism.

The other is a non-fiction book about the law of attraction, mindset and creating a life that feels aligned with who you truly are. This one isn't my best piece of writing and needs a heavy re-formatting and editing. I'm on it, but for now, the message is the same. People have said it has changed their life. It changed mine and it's the thing which set me on my author and YouTube path back in 2009. 

Honestly, both make great holiday reads.

Even if you’re not heading away just yet, you can still download them now and keep them ready on your Kindle for later. Perfect for airport lounges, poolside afternoons, long flights or those quiet evenings where you just want to disappear into something different for a while.

And tomorrow, one of my full length novels will also be included in a Kindle Countdown Deal, meaning it will be heavily discounted for a limited time:

https://amzn.to/49kqcPy

This one is for the romance readers. Think rockstar energy, travel, emotion, chemistry, luxury, longing and a billionaire romance woven through it all.

As somebody who has spent years building a life around storytelling, travel and creativity, every single download genuinely means something to me. Independent authors rely so much on readers sharing books, recommending them and simply giving them a chance.

So if you do decide to download one, thank you. 

And if you know somebody who loves reading on holiday, romance books, mindset books or discovering indie authors, feel free to share this post with them too.

Happy reading,

Louise xoxo

Who got there first - The Devil Wears Prada 2 or little old me?

 Lake Como - from my mind to reality

My daughter and I sat in the local cinema watching the anticipated ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2.’

Some way further into the film, I leaned forward in my chair to check the screen in front of me. Lush green lawns and perfectly manicured shrubbery were the scene in front of me, where the main character, Andy, was making a comeback.

I was sure I recognised the place. Squinting, I tried to remember a vision I had in my creative head last Christmas when I was writing my next book, “She Smells Like Strawberries”. Could it be the same place?

I set my scene at Christmas time, and it is a significant part of the book I wrote.

I can’t tell you too much more about the setting without giving a massive spoiler away for the Metronome series I am writing. But I can distinctly remember scrolling through many online videos, blog posts, websites, and Pinterest images to find the perfect location for my main character, Liesa Ulman.

A 16^th-century villa called Villa Balbiano caught my eye as I began writing my scenes in Lake Como. It’s a place that can accommodate several guests, which was perfect for hosting my fictitious band, Chasing Echoes, and their team. The Villa is the largest private residence on the lake, with lush gardens, an outdoor swimming pool and a private pier. Perfect for my stars.

Pinterest housed my ideas, as it always does, and I created a mood board for the book (you can have a look here). I find this is an excellent way to help me connect to my characters, too. I simply open up the mood board for the book, select the images I need to see on my phone, and prop it next to my laptop while I write. Works like a dream.

The film was incredible. It was easy to watch, entertaining, and both my daughter and I had a keen eye for spotting some dreamy, creative shots. The story stayed with me as we left the flicks and headed home. I noticed the vision of the writer as they had slightly softened Miranda’s character (played expertly by Meryl Streep) as she was somewhat older. Appearing reflective about life, I could tell she was listening to an inner voice which whispered to her about times gone by, hoping it wasn’t too late for her to continue achieving.

This is how I sometimes feel.

She even used the words, “I really like working, don’t you?” which I could have plucked directly from my voice box.

The following day, I dared to let my mind wander back to the scenes on Lake Como as I said out loud to my daughter, “I’m pretty sure that place is in ‘Strawberries’.” She knows what I mean by ‘Strawberries’, as she is my expert cover designer.

“Oh, really?” She acknowledged me casually. My face looked thoughtful as I reached for my phone and tapped the screen.

Searching in the browser, typing the words ‘Film locations for Devil Wears Prada 2’ gave me an instant reply. I cupped my open mouth and sat up in my seat instantly as my daughter smiled. She knew I’d just witnessed a top film scene on the big screen as if it were already my book.

Excerpt: She Smells Like Strawberries:

Outside, the lush green mountains surrounded Lake Como. The air refreshed my skin with a slight sting of its chill. The water on top of the lake was still, silver, and moody. It flowed more slowly because of the cold. White dustings sat on top of the mountains as I looked high into the air, with my hands in my pockets. Passing close by was a water taxi. Walnut wood gleamed from every surface on the boat as if it had been lovingly polished. The air smelled of wet stone and gentle hints of iris.

Without doubt, this was a sign for me to keep going on my path. I’ve since asked the Villa if I can come for a visit. I’ll keep you posted on this story