#Booklove: Patricia M Osborne @PMOsborneWriter

Today it’s my great pleasure to be welcoming author Patricia M Osborne to the blog in order to spread a little more book love. We’ll be taking a look at all Patricia’s book love choices just as soon as we’ve found out a little more about the woman herself.

About Patricia

Patricia M Osborne was born in Liverpool and spent time in Bolton as a child.  She now lives in West Sussex. Apart from novel writing, Patricia writes poetry and short fiction. Her poetry and short stories have been published in various literary magazines and anthologies. She is studying for an MA in Creative Writing with University of Brighton.  House of Grace is her debut novel.

When Patricia isn’t writing she likes to try and play her piano. She’s also interested in photography and art and loves walking, particularly around her local Victorian Park and lake where she is Poet in Residence.

Website | Twitter |  Facebook

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House of Grace

It’s 1950 and all sixteen-year-old Grace Granville has ever wanted is to become a successful dress designer. She dreams of owning her own fashion house and spends her spare time sketching outfits. Her father, Lord Granville, sees this frivolous activity as nonsense and wants to groom her into a good wife for someone of his choosing… 

Grace is about to leave Greenemere, a boarding school in Brighton. She’s blissfully unaware of her father’s plans when she embarks on a new adventure. The quest includes a trip to Bolton’s Palais where she meets coal miner, Jack Gilmore. Grace’s life is never the same again. 

Travel with Grace through two decades as she struggles with family conflict, poverty and tragedy. Is Grace strong enough to defy Lord Granville’s wishes and find true love? Will she become a successful fashion designer? Where will she turn for help? 

Amazon UK | Amazon US

Childhood Sweetheart
Favourite book from childhood

An old 1950’s Rupert Annual. I think my mum brought it home one day from a jumble sale when I was about five. It obviously had quite an impact on me as I regularly feature a Rupert book in my fictional stories.

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p style=”text-align:left;”>First love
The first book you fell in love with

Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women. I was around nine years old when I fell in love with this little red book with its thin pages and tiny print. I remember my teacher was cross with me and said I should be reading an Enid Blyton Famous Five or Secret Seven story instead. To this day I’ve never read either, probably out of stubbornness. My late sister however, was a great fan.

Biggest book crush
The book character you’re totally in love with

Bernard Cornwell’s, Uhtred of Bebbanburg from The Last Kingdom series. I fell in love with this wonderful character as I turned the pages in the book. I wasn’t disappointed in the recent television screening either, the actor they chose fitted the bill nicely.

Weirdest book crush
Well… duh

Stephanie Meyer’s, Twilight Series. A member of my book group chose Twilight for her book choice. I was hooked and read the whole series within a few days, craving for more of this vampire, Edward Cullen. Craving for a vampire, how weird is that? Unfortunately, once I watched the film my dream hero vanished. The actor chosen to play this character was not at all as I’d imagined.

Hardest break up
The book you didn’t want to end

All the Light We Cannot See. This was such a brilliant book that I did not want it to end.

The one that got away
The book in your TBR or wish list that you regret not having started yet.

Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale. I don’t know how come I’ve never read this and since the series has been on television, friends have told me that the novel is even better. Chilling, frightening and unthinkable, but only what I’d expect from this talented writer.

Secret love
Guilty Reading pleasure

I have to admit that I love a bit of Catherine Cookson, Virginia Andrews and Danielle Steel and until I joined my book club thirteen years ago this was all I seemed to read. However, I’m now open to reading all genres as each month a member chooses a book. It’s quite an eye opener as you end up reading all sorts of books that you’d never have chosen yourself.

Love one, love them all
Favourite series or genre

I love fantasy, futuristic, sci-fi, romance and family sagas. I particularly loved the Time Traveller’s Wife. I’ve never really been into crime or westerns.

Your latest squeeze
Favourite read of the last 12 months

Emma Donohue’s, Room. I read this as research into child narrators for my work in progress. I would definitely recommend it as a great read. The book is much better than the film.

Blind date for a friend
If you were to set a friend up with a blind date (book) which one would it be?

Margaret Attwood’s Oryx and Crake. This was our first read when a group of mums got together thirteen years ago to start a book club. It has become a bit of a joke that when a new member joins they have to read Oryx and Crake as a form of an initiation. It seems you either love it or hate it. Personally, I loved it.

Greatest love of all
Favourite book of all time.

All The Light We Cannot See, the Pulitzer Prize winner for Fiction 2015. You will note that it’s the same book that I never wanted to end. It was chosen as a group read for my book club and it’s probably the best book I’ve ever read, beautifully written and moving. Although it’s got 531 pages, it’s broken down into small chapters, which I like, making it manageable with a busy lifestyle.

If you haven’t read it, I definitely recommend it. I’m so pleased that I belong to my book group because otherwise I may never have thought of choosing this.

Thanks for taking part Patricia. Some really interesting and diverse choices there. MIght have to go and look a few up myself. I loved Rupert too as a child, and Little Women had more than just a few outings over the years too. I’ve not read All The Light We Cannot See yet but I’ve seen quite a few people recommend it. Might have to take a look.

What do you think guys? Any recommendations for Patricia that you think she’d like?

Make sure to join me this weekend when author Eve Seymour spills the beans on her #booklove.

Have a great week all

JL