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Awakening Love - Gladys Hobson
Awakening Love
Gladys Hobson
ISBN: 9781602760363
Stonehedge Publishing
Reviewed By Tracy Moore
Official Apex
Reviews Rating: 
Young, attractive, and with a limitless future ahead of
her, June has the world at her fingertips – and the chief subjects of her
domain are the doting Arthur and his handsome younger brother, Charles. Both
men desire to keep June for their own, and each has resolved within himself to
woo her to the fullest extent possible in order to win her lasting affections.
With such strapping, devoted men at her beckon call, how could life get any
better for June?
Enter Robert, June’s crafty boss and mentor. Ruthless and
relentless when he sets his mind on something, his sights are set squarely on
his delectable protégée, and he’ll allow nothing – and no one – to come
in-between him and the desires of his heart. As a result, Robert launches an
all-out stealth attack in an effort to thwart Arthur and Charles’ advances, and
he has just the moxie and resourcefulness to pull it off.
In the complicated love quadrangle that ensues, June is
forced to make some of the toughest decisions of her life – including whether
or not to follow the equally compelling leanings of her heart or her mind.
Awakening Love
is a tantalizing tale of love, desire, and self-discovery. Through a vivid cast
of characters who find themselves in all-too-real situations, Gladys Hobson
treats the reader to a vicarious journey deep into the wistful logistics of the
heart. With so much being thrown at her at once, June acts (and reacts) much
like anyone else who may find him or herself in the same position. You may be
initially inclined to blame her or find fault in her ostensibly fickle
tendencies; but you ultimately come to acknowledge and appreciate the fact that
the playing out of June’s indecisiveness – however painful it may be – fosters
her much-needed individual growth and development, which is ultimately to her
benefit.
An engaging coming-of-age story of the thrilling highs –
and crushing lows – of love, Awakening
Love is a rewarding literary treat, and a welcome addition to the world
of romance. Highly recommended for its inherent enlightening value and its
boundless, timeless themes.
Official
Apex Reviews Interview: Gladys Hobson (Awakening Love)
Apex Reviews: Thanks
for joining us for this interview, Gladys. We're looking forward to learning
more about your book.
What
inspired you to set the book in the late 1940's?
Gladys Hobson:
Some years ago, I began to write my autobiography for the benefit of my
children and grandchildren. I recalled an incident when my friend’s much older
brother took me by surprise by kissing me with a man’s passion — hard against
my lips, actually bruising them. I was fifteen, he in his thirties and not long
demobbed from the army. I was utterly shocked. He was a man and I had no idea
that he thought of me in that way. So began a secret ‘kissing only’ affair.
When I was a little older and it looked like he wanted more I froze and it came
to an end. Thinking about it, I thought what if…? So began Awakening Love and
brought to life as we lived it in that special era of change.
AR: What
is it about June that makes her so irresistible to her determined potential
suitors?
GH:
June is beautiful and creative. But also men are drawn to her youthful
innocence and vitality. A girl determined to get somewhere in life and on her
OWN merits — spunk!
AR: How
is June unable to see the manipulative motives behind Robert's efforts?
GH:
Like most of us, she sees what she wants to see. As the lynch pin to his new
fashion venture, she knows he is the key to realising her own ambitions. He
also has a sexual charm that draws her like a magnet. Robert senses this and
exploits it to the full.
AR: As
our reviewer mentioned, June's character, for a variety of reasons, is one to
which many readers will be able to relate. How were you able to depict her in
such a vivid and realistic fashion?
GH: There is a lot of me in June. This is the era of my youth. I was naïve and innocent — totally inexperienced in matters of sex and of the heart. We all start out that way even if innocence may be lost sooner now. I wanted to be a designer and trained in that actual factory where June worked. You learn a lot in factories. The setting is completely authentic. But no sexy entrepreneur to help me up a ladder to fame. Even so, I was designing at her age. An office girl, like June, had a boyfriend much older than herself. Workers smirked and talked about the romance, thinking she was being taken advantage of. I could see June in the same position with Arthur.
GH: There is a lot of me in June. This is the era of my youth. I was naïve and innocent — totally inexperienced in matters of sex and of the heart. We all start out that way even if innocence may be lost sooner now. I wanted to be a designer and trained in that actual factory where June worked. You learn a lot in factories. The setting is completely authentic. But no sexy entrepreneur to help me up a ladder to fame. Even so, I was designing at her age. An office girl, like June, had a boyfriend much older than herself. Workers smirked and talked about the romance, thinking she was being taken advantage of. I could see June in the same position with Arthur.
AR: The
other characters in the story are no less unique and lifelike. Are they based
on people that you know?
GH: This is quite possible, but not consciously. They just came into my mind in complete form, to the extent that I have to remind myself to ‘show’ them as I hear and see them. No doubt some are like people I have known over the years. But, when I was writing, I fell in love with both Arthur and Charlie and even I did not know who would end up with June. But the shadow side of me is drawn to Robert — a man with rugged good looks, who knows what he wants and is determined to get it. You know — a hate-love thing. I found myself driven by the characters. At times, I would be caught weeping at my computer. When I read the end of the story, I still do.
AR: What
advice would you give to anyone who finds him or herself in June's position?
GH: Always keep your integrity. If the question refers to a certain incident pivotal in Awakening Love that could have destroyed June’s happiness, I would advise to see yourself as others see you, and don’t get trapped by sending out confusing messages. Follow the desires of your heart, but be true to the one who loves you and try to avoid hurting others in the process.
AR: You
initially published Awakening Love as a print book. What inspired you to
release it in eBook format?
GH: The print copy is available, (as are all MNP books) if ordered from Waterstones or any other good bookshop in the UK, or directly from Magpies Nest Publishing. But the eBook makes it available world-wide directly, and at a much cheaper cost. And I don’t have any handling to do. When Stonehedge Publishing offered a contract I was over the moon. It was a validation of my writing. As you may know, they have a reputation for good sellers. Stonehedge will also be publishing the sequel: Seduction By Design. That book reflects a change to the more permissive society of the late 60’s-70’s and the change in fashion — miniskirts are in.
AR: The
book has received rave reviews thus far. Do you plan to tour in order to garner
more widespread attention for it?
GH: Now that would be a wonderful thing, but I am no good at organising such events and I do not live in an area of easy travel.
AR: Please
share more with our readers about your other writings.
GH: A print version of Awakening Love under a different title — Desire — is likely to be published by AGPress in the USA shortly, and will be available at Amazon.com and other top sellers. I am presently working on a stunning cover with the artist Charles Davis. Sequels already in Manuscript form to follow. Mythica Publishing has released When Angels Lie in eBook form and will be doing the same with Blazing Embers. An Illustrated book of childhood memories 1939-53, called ‘When Phones Were Immobile and Lived in Red Boxes,’ published by Magpies Nest Publishing, I wrote to raise money for a children’s charity. The book sold well and may be getting a second edition. Magpies Nest published two of my novels under pen names. (These two, When Angels Lie and Blazing Embers are now published by AGPress under my own name.) Awakening Love followed next, plus an anthology by nine authors, called Northern Lights which I co-edited and illustrated. I illustrated a book of poetry by Bob Taylor and published it through MNP. My latest anthology is Still Waters Run Deep, Stories Of Hidden depths. I have short stories in The Jimston Journal and Esdras Scroll Magazine.
AR: Please share more with us about your publishers, Magpies Nest Publishing and
Stonehedge Publishing.
GH: My son set up Magpies Nest Publishing to publish the memoirs book and it seemed natural to go on to my novels. Publishing is a big hassle if you do it properly and we only publish my books and those of my friends. Magpies Nest may publish the sequels to Awakening Love as my readers are keen to read more.
Stonehedge Publishing has a number of award-winning authors with great books in all genres.
Mythica Publishing is a new eBook publisher with interesting titles.
AR: What
are your future writing/publishing plans?
GH: To get the sequels published. Maybe start a new novel but only if truly inspired to do so — something quite different. Develop my blogs, especially a new one called Ask Gran Hobson. I already have a young man asking me some very deep questions. I’ll be posting them shortly.
AR: Do
you have a website where our readers can learn more about you and your ongoing
efforts?
GH:
The latter two are still being developed as is the publishing site. I am on Facebook and a number of Ning web sites.
AR: How can they contact you directly?
GH: All the sites have means of direct contact.
AR: Any
final thoughts you'd like to share?
GH: Writing is jolly hard, but enjoyable work. Getting published is another matter altogether and requires dedication and stamina. A thick skin comes in handy and always be ready to learn. If anyone thinks they are god’s gift to readers, take a more humble approach. And if you are looking for good returns in money, you’d do better on the lottery. But when you hold that first book in your hand, the feeling is indescribable. This is your baby and YOU have brought it into the world!
AR: Thanks
again, Gladys, and best of continued success to you in all your endeavors!
Click Here To Learn More About Awakening Love
Click Here To Learn More About Awakening Love