It’s Friday, everyone! Yippee-yi-yay!
And that means it’s the day I get to give away a copy of my brand-new, not-even-released-yet novel Honey Trap to a lucky partier/commenter on this post!
In actual fact, I’m spending this afternoon doing research for my next book, which involves me going on a tour of Highgate Cemetery in London. This is all far too gloomy and gothic for a party, though, so I’m going to choose a different venue for the last day of my party.
Honey Trap is about Sophie Tennant, a private detective turned aromatherapist, who goes on tour with a rock band, only to find that the bass player is the ex-alcoholic, ex-womaniser, ex-rock god Dominick Steele, the man whose marriage she ended.
The novel’s climactic scene takes place at Blackbury Festival, a sort of mini-Glastonbury, where the band is playing and there’s a shadowy person in the crowd who’s been threatening Sophie. Here’s an excerpt from the book (based, I must say, on my extensive experience of rock festivals, except for the having someone there trying to kill me part):
The sun beamed down on ten thousand smiling people and Sophie, who stood with her back to a Chinese food stall and her front to a group of teenagers smoking pot.
She breathed in the smell of MSG and marijuana and scanned the crowd. It was between sets, and when she glanced up at the stage across the sea of people she could see Owen and Dempsey changing over the equipment to prepare for the Venusians. Festival-goers strolled around, sat on the ground, lolled in the sun, drank beer, laughed and ate and smoked.
Mostly, they were everywhere, in crowds that blocked her view of everything except for the square metre directly in front of her, or the far-off stage. Blocked her view of her stalker.
The Chinese food stall wasn’t a good vantage point. She began to thread her way through the clumps of people, wishing she’d paid more attention to photographs of crowds when she’d researched the festival. She had the timetable of the day by heart, she had the plans of the entire site memorised, she knew the best quick escape routes from every point, she knew the isolated places where a killer would be likely to drag a potential victim.
But she hadn’t noticed what people would be wearing. For example, hats: there were more silly hats here than she’d ever seen in one place in her life. Viking hats, cowboy hats, tall stripy Cat-in-the-Hat hats. Although so many people seemed concerned to protect their heads against the sun, that didn’t extend to the rest of their bodies: bare-chested men and bikini-topped women sweated and glowed bright red.
Sophie brushed past a man (she thought) dressed as Spongebob Squarepants. Her supposedly inconspicuous outfit of jeans and a white vest top must stick out like a sore thumb. All her stalker would have to do would be to paint himself blue or something and she’d never notice him.
A familiar explosion of drums and guitar on stage told her that the Venusians’ set had begun. Her back was exposed but she couldn’t help glancing up to the stage. Her eyes went straight to Dominick, standing off to the right looking at his bass guitar as he played, seeming not to hear the cheers of the sunburnt crowd.
She knew that intensity he brought to music, because he brought it to her, too.
Now, however, was not the time to think about that. Now was the time to concentrate on the hunt and the chase, which was a good thing because even with all her faults as a detective, she was much better at investigation than relationships. She scanned the crowd again, again failing to spot any villains. She did see somebody peeing into a plastic cider bottle.
“Dominick!” screamed a group of five bikini-topped girls next to her, and again her attention was drawn to the stage. Or rather, to the large screens either side of the stage, where Dominick was magnified dozens of times bigger than reality, and breathtakingly beautiful.
So… what better way to celebrate my blog party and my new book by hauling this whole shebang off to a big rock festival?
The music, the noise, the food, the crowd, the peeing in bottles…but mostly, the music.
C’mon guys, grab a beer from the beer tent and tell me: Who’s on stage?
Hmm… Bryan Adams!
I do like your new blogsite. It does represent the way you write and your personality. Bright, cheerful and full of character. Hope to see you in Chichester to say hello.
*dons straw cowboy hat, big sunglasses and Alabama 3 t-shirt. Grabs a bottle of something cold and alcoholic*
Excellent place for the party!! WOOOO!! As I am one of the lucky few who knows a bit about Dominick Steele, I’d say him! And then coming up later in the afternoon will be Kenny Chesney. Yee Haw!!
Love the excerpt — it’s all very vivid
And I’ve never even been to a music festival!
Hmm, who’s on stage… I’d have to vote for Jimi Hendrix, as it would be very cool to have seen him play if the live version of “Star-Spangled Banner” on my best-of album is anything to go by. But if I am only allowed to pick alive people, I would have to go for… mmm… Counting Crows. I saw them when I was 18 and they were amazing. Adam Duritz sang all the songs in slightly different keys to what they are on the albums and made them all the better (their Across a Wire/Live in New York album will give you a clue).
That hot rock chic band, Bathsheba and the Babylonians, strutting their stuff of course
Think I’ll put George Strait on the stage. Or maybe Billy Ray Cyrus or Keith Urban.
Rock-American Idol David Cook
Country-Carrie Underwood
Minna is my kind of girl! It has to be Bryan. I’m basing my next hero on him lol
Great excerpt, sounds like a fantastic book.
I am voting for David Cook American Idol.
I’ve never been to a festival, and shamefully the only concert I’ve been to was for Chesney Hawkes (bet you don’t even know who he is!)
I wouldn’t say no to a front row seat (erm, they don’t have seats at festivals do they…front row spot then) for Take That… :p
Who’s on stage! I would have to say I am not a fan of concerts in general!
Honey Trap seems like a fun book… I just can’t wait for it to hit stores
Justin Timberlake
Can you see Julie roll her eyes at me
I would have to say Tim McGraw. There’s just something about a good looking guy in a coyboy hat
Marcy
on the stage…..can i have David Bowie please? unless of course, David Tennant is going to launch a singing career, tho he wouldn’t even have to sing, i’d happily just go and stare! and the book sounds fab, looking forward to a good summer read and i can enjoy being at the festival without going out!
How about U2?
Today I think it’s a triple bill of Cowboy Mouth, Guster and Barenaked Ladies. Man, I wish I could make this show a reality!!!
OMG, I can stay quiet no longer, what is with these suggestions people – it has to be AC/DC all the way or no-one!
If you can’t head bang until you give yourself vertigo at a concert, what’s the point?!
I say Paul Brandt(cowboy hat and all)
Me, I’m in the mood for some Nickelback.
All together now: “We all want to be a big rock star…”
Bon Jovi plays alot here where I live, however I have not had a chance to see them play, lol.
We have a big hoopla here called Summerfest where many name bands come to play.
Whew, I didn’t know if I’d make it to the party. Great new digs, Julie. Very you.
I’ve seen Bryan Adams in concert twice, and he’s worth a third look. And a fourth. g
Joyce
Oops. Forgot to say, Honey Trap sounds great. Can’t wait to read it. So glad that Amazon.ca carrys your books now.
LOL, that was me being real anonymous, Julie. Forgot I’m not signed in here. Joyce, the idiot
Hmmm…I’ve been listening to a lot of country on the way to work since they have less commercials. Maybe Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley?
The book sounds great, Julie
How about The Boss? I can always go for some Bruce Springsteen.
I have to say
It would be great to have Enrique Iglesias on stage
Anyway… Honey Trap sounds great!
OMG – I love your new blog and website. Stars rock. As for who is on stage, it sure looks like David Bowie and Muse having a little jam together!!!!
Good luck with the research. Honey Trap sounds great. As for who’s on stage…how about Rainbow?
George Michael.
I was so upset he didn’t include Australia in his tour last year.
Someone I know would have had the chance to dance with Bryan Adams (this was when he famous only in Vancouver) and she turned him down! Boy, does she regret it now.
Great question Julie.
I have to agree with Jenny; for a festival it has to be Rock – the louder the better.
And who better than the greatest rock band ever?
After their fantastic reunion concert at the O2 recently, it is only fair that they give the rest of us a chance to see them. So, on stage now it has got to be Led Zeppelin!
Oh, and by the way, I played bass in a band for 15 years, so, do you think John Paul Jones will move over for just one song, and let me on stage to play Whole lotta love, with Jimmy and Robert?
It has to be Robert Plant. (In deference to your book, he’d be with the Honeydrippers.)
Having seen him live (and been literally about eight feet away from him – so glad he went through a phase of playing little venues!), I can tell you that the man’s smile lights up a whole room. And when he sings… such an astounding voice.
Kate sees Julie’s wagging finger and goes off to have cold shower and a cup of tea.
Hey Tracy – great minds think alike!
For me, tho, I want to see him sing ‘Since I’ve Been Loving You’.
Hi Kate
Oooh, yes! That is definitely one of my favourites. The passion in his voice gives me goose bumps.
I love to listen to him sing ballads, but if I’m gonna play bass – especially with the band – it has to be head banging rock.
I am trying to write an M&B at the moment, and have made myself a playlist of songs to help inspire me. I’d forgotten about this one; I guess I’m going to go and add it this minute. Thanks for the reminder.
Of course the band who’s on stage in Julie’s book are the Venusians. An imaginary band from Venus. Or maybe they’re from earth but just look like aliens. Or they’re all female and are into love. Which one is it, Julie? Did I come close? Joyce, who really should figure out how to register.
Hey, I’m not Jenny (Aunti Pork). I’m Joyce, the anonymous poster who doesn’t know how to register.
Enjoyed the excerpt. I would love to see U2,and Garth Brooks.
This is like the best festival ever!
I’m sorry I’ve been MIA but the graveyard visit spooled into a wine-fuelled visit with Biddy, and I’ve only just recovered. But I am loving that we’ve filled the stage with all these great bands.
I am so not surprised that Jenny has got AC/DC in here. Or that Kate Hardy has been engaged in fantalk about Her Robert with Tracy. Or that Biddy has engaged The Chesney.
Of course the band who’s on stage in Julie’s book are the Venusians. An imaginary band from Venus. Or maybe they’re from earth but just look like aliens. Or they’re all female and are into love. Which one is it, Julie? Did I come close?
Joyce, the lead singer of the band is called Max DeMilo, and so the band is called Max DeMilo and the Venusians. Like the Venus de Milo. You know. Small joke. About this big.
Anyway, anyone’s who’s read Spirit Willing, Flesh Weak, might recognise Max as the 80s past-it rock star who turns up with Rosie’s manager Gina. I love him so much I had to write about him again.
I am amazed at all the COUNTRY going on around here! George Strait, Billy Ray Cyrus, Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, Garth Brooks…I guess you guys are fans.
Me, I’m tending to agree with Amanda and Jess in wanting David Bowie, or Kirsty wanting George Michael. Though Tammy I cannot argue with The Boss.
And AC/DC must of course be at any festival, ever.
Carol, did you make up Bathsheba and the Babylonians?!
If it were dream festival time, I’d add Earth Wind and Fire onto the bill, and also Jeff Buckley and my current obsession Sufjan Stephens.
And ELVIS.
Oh, and I forgot to roll my eyes at Jenna.
*rolls eyes at Jenna*