Today I’m delighted to introduce fellow blogger turned bestselling crime author Noelle Holten.

Noelle is an award-winning blogger at www.crimebookjunkie.co.uk. She is the PR & Social Media Manager for Bookouture, a leading digital publisher in the UK, and was a regular reviewer on the Two Crime Writers and a Microphone podcast. Noelle worked as a Senior Probation Officer for eighteen years, covering a variety of cases including those involving serious domestic abuse. She has three Hons BA’s – Philosophy, Sociology (Crime & Deviance) and Community Justice – and a Masters in Criminology. Noelle’s hobbies include reading, attending as many book festivals as she can afford and sharing the booklove via her blog.

 

Which 5 pieces of music/songs would you include in the soundtrack to your life and why?

 

Wheat Kings by The Tragically Hip. This song is about someone who has been wrongfully convicted and I’ve always been drawn to it. Not that I have every had that experience, but perhaps my inner probation officer and the reasons why I went into criminal justice comes out when I hear it. Who knows?

Mr Brightside by The Killers. I just LOVE this song. Despite the meaning behind it, it makes me happy and every time I hear it, I just want to dance. A song that makes you want to dance wherever you are, like nobody’s watching… yeah – I need it in my life!

Since U Been Gone by Kelly Clarkson as it reminds me that I don’t have to take any sh*t from anyone. Kickass song and a middle finger up to all the assholes out there! #truestory!

This is Me by Keala Settle – LOVE this song! It’s a reminder and a sort of f*ck you – be who you are, find that happiness within etc. I need that a lot.

And anything from ACDC – because I’ve been a fan since my teens and that ain’t ever going to change!

 

Highlight 5 things (apart from family and friends) you’d find it hard to live without.

 

My memories.

My books.

My sight.

Stationary.

Scented candles.

 

Can you offer 5 pieces of advice you’d give to your younger self?

 

Believe in yourself.

Everything that happens in your life will make you the person you are today.

Avoid toxic people.

Spend more time with your family and friends and tell them how much you love them…often!

Worry less about what others think of you.

 

Tell us 5 things that most people don’t know about you.

 

I am obsessed with all things Jack the Ripper – I have a collection of books (and still collect) on the different theories about who he was .

I can play the baritone but always wanted to play the drums.

I want to visit old asylums – I’m fascinated by them.

I hate worms, they make me feel physically ill.

I struggle daily with self confidence.

 

Tell us 5 things you’d still like to do or achieve

 

Travel – anywhere but specifically Iceland, Italy, Prague, Amsterdam, Switzerland – oh so many places!

Move to Scotland

See the Northern Lights

Own/live in a cottage by a lake/the sea – I love cottages and I have always wanted to live by a lake/ near the sea … one day maybe…

Go dog sledding

 

Many thanks for joining us today Noelle. Though we’ve met several times, it’s lovely to have a more off topic chat and discover more about you.  I love songs you can dance to, I’m often found dancing around the kitchen while cooking with a Spotify mix booming out! I’m a recent convert to scented candles, but I am building a little collection. Ah self confidence, it hampers us growing up and still refuses to do the decent thing and disappear when we’re adults. Maybe you could lose it on your eventual move to Scotland, hopefully in a cottage near the sea? I went to University in Stirling and Glasgow (where I also lived for a while longer). I’ve also got a strong ancestral link with Dundee so I’m a big lover of Scotland too. Given the number of people wanting to see the Northern Lights, I think we should get a trip organised.  

 

Dead Inside – Noelle’s debut novel with One More Chapter/Harper Collins UK is an international kindle bestseller and the start of a new series featuring DC Maggie Jamieson. Book 2 is released later this month and available to pre-order.

 

Dead Inside (Book 1)

When three wife beaters are themselves found beaten to death, DC Maggie Jamieson knows she is facing her toughest case yet.

The police suspect that Probation Officer Lucy Sherwood – who is connected to all three victims – is hiding a dark secret. Then a fourth domestic abuser is brutally murdered.

And he is Lucy’s husband.

Now the police are running out of time, but can Maggie really believe her friend Lucy is a cold-blooded killer?

 

 

Dead Wrong (Book 2) published 14th March

Three missing women running out of time…

They were abducted years ago. Notorious serial killer Bill Raven admitted to killing them and was sentenced to life.

The case was closed – at least DC Maggie Jamieson thought it was…

But now one of them has been found, dismembered and dumped in a bin bag in town.

Forensics reveal that she died just two days ago, when Raven was behind bars, so Maggie has a second killer to find.

Because even if the other missing women are still alive, one thing’s for certain: they don’t have long left to live…

 

You can connect with Noelle via

Twitter: (@nholten40) https://twitter.com/nholten40

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/noelleholtenauthor/

Blog FB page: https://www.facebook.com/crimebookjunkie/

Instagram: @crimebookjunkie

Website: https://www.crimebookjunkie.co.uk

Bookbub Author page : https://bit.ly/2LkT4LB