Eva Carter

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Introducing... Owner of a Lonely Heart

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It’s time to reveal the BEAUTIFUL, joy-filled cover for my next Eva Carter novel which is called OWNER OF A LONELY HEART…

Isn’t it gorgeous? The book is set during a summer heatwave in Bristol, and the cover designer has recreated the Clifton Suspension Bridge in a balmy evening – I think it’s so upbeat and colourful.

Here’s more about the book:

What are you most afraid of . . . ?

Gemma is terrified of slowing down, because if she does, she’ll have to admit how lonely she’s felt since losing the love of her life. So she fills her days with work and taking her dog, Bear, to comfort young patients at the local hospital. That's enough, isn't it?

Dan is scared of anyone getting to know the real him. He’s the life and soul of every party, but he’s certain that if people find out what he’s done, everything will fall apart.

Casey is Dan’s twelve year old daughter – though they barely know each other. She’s starting four weeks of treatment for a benign tumour, and is scared this summer could be her last.

When Gemma, Dan and Casey meet one scorching July, the connection is instant. Yet they’re all used to protecting themselves from heartbreak by keeping their distance. Now that fate – and a small, scruffy terrier – have brought them together, can they find the courage to connect?

A story of bravery in all its guises, Eva Carter's Owner of A Lonely Heart is about taking the plunge even when it frightens you – because it's never too late to find the people who make your world make sense.

This is a book I was writing while I was caring for my dad last year and – reading it again – I realised how much the story is about fatherly love, as well as the romantic kind.

YOU CAN BUY THE HARDBACK FOR DELIVERY ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD ON THE BOOK DEPOSITORY, OR IN THE UK, AT BOOKSHOP.ORG OR VIA WATERSTONES.COM

BUY ON KINDLE OR AUDIOBOOK AND CHECK OUT MY AMAZON BOOKSHOP LINK WITH ALL MY TOP SUMMER READS

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After the miracle…

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October is Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month - so I wanted to share the stories of six amazing survivors whose portraits I took, showcasing the items that reflect the amazing second chances they’ve had since beating the odds and surviving cardiac arrest. You can see their portraits below.

I took the photos as part of my research for How to Save a Life which was itself inspired by my experience of giving CPR to my partner. This is the perfect time to discover how quick and simple it is for you to learn CPR, with options for online or face-to-face.

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Beautiful Italian and Romanian editions of How to Save a Life

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I love seeing new editions of my books in different languages - and especially seeing the differences in design. Look at these two beauties - the Italian and Romanian editions of How to Save a Life.

Il Bacio della Vita means ‘The Kiss of Life’ - and this cover, from Mondadori, is a fab minimalist take on the UK cover.

The Romanian edition is SO different - the heart motif rendered in blossom with such gorgeous colours. I think the novel is romantic as well as gritty in places so this is a great image.

Which do you like best?

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How to Save a Life on BBC Woman's Hour

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Since How to Save a Life was published, I’ve been on a real mission to spread the word about learning CPR – it was a privilege to talk to Emma Barnett on Woman’s Hour – she’s a brilliant interviewer and I would love to share the link with you – you can listen anywhere in the world:

How to Save a Life ebook just 99p

This week, the e-book and audiobook of How to Save a Life have been published in the UK! It's a joyful but also slightly unreal experience for me as the hardback isn't out for another month so I haven’t yet held a ‘real life’ copy in my hands. But I'm excited that the story - and the CPR message it includes - is out!

I’m thrilled with the quotes and reviews so far - and if you’d like to be one of the first to read this epic story, it’s now priced at just 99p on Amazon, iBooks or wherever you get your e-books from.

“By the time I finished this book I felt completely drained but also so uplifted and happy. I’m going to re read it again soon, I did rush it somewhat as I just had to know how it would all work out.
This book deserves to stay on the best seller list forever, a total gripping read.”
— Amazon reviewer
“Well written, realistic characters and an engaging and interesting plot, this would make a great tv series or film. It would also be a fantastic Book Club pick due to the many moral conundrums it throws up throughout.

I’ve read a lot of books in lockdown but this has to be my favourite to date. I can’t recommend it enough.”
— Waterstones reviewer

That’s right - for 99p you’ll get a gripping love story AND discover much more about the chain of survival that could help YOU save a life…

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Plus, the audiobook is something special, with the roles taken by three fantastic narrators: Yolanda Kettle, Joshua Akehurst and Thomas Judd. And you’ll even hear from me as I recorded my author message at the very end too.

I am nervous but oh so excited now that the book of my heart is out in the world…

Learn How to Save a Life, wherever you live

I know how to save a life – you can learn too

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In 2013 my partner’s heart stopped, and I had to do CPR. His chance of survival was under 10% but he was one of the lucky ones.

Our experiences inspired me to write How to Save a Life – and they’ve also made me passionate about the importance of learning CPR. So you’re in the right place if you want to learn the basics…

Play this interactive game to learn the basics:

Even in non-pandemic times, it can be tricky to find courses available at short notice. It’s still best to learn first aid face-to-face if possible, but this video really does make you feel more confident in some of the decisions any of us could face if someone has a medical emergency.

Lifesaver is an interactive game developed by Resuscitation Council UK - I’ve recommended it to everyone I know as a brilliant start in understanding CPR and the Chain of Survival which can increase the chances of cardiac arrest patients.  

Discover hands-only CPR

This short video gives an update on the safest approach to CPR during the current pandemic.

Find courses in your country or region:

These links either take you to national societies or government advice on first aid training OR the local resuscitation council for your area. You can also learn about the annual Restart a Heart day, which happens every October worldwide.

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German publication day - Zwischen Zwei Herzschlägen

What a perfect day to publish a gorgeous-looking novel! It’s publication day in Germany for my first novel as Eva Carter – a.k.a. - in English - as How to Save a Life.

The publishers have created a truly beautiful edition and the title – which translates as Between Two Heartbeats – is perfect for a love story that begins when one heart stops. I love how it looks – and early reviews suggest that the translator Katharina Naumann  and the editorial team have done a wonderful job. The audiobook also features some wonderful German actors.

In a strange synchronicity, this manuscript of this book went out to publishers on my mother’s birthday and Rowohlt Verlag said they wanted to publish it within 24 hours! So it’s wonderful that they’re the first in the world to publish this novel. And today would have been my parents’ 55th wedding anniversary and while neither would have said theirs was an entirely conventional romance, my parents were a huge influence on the story - another reason to celebrate the fact that the book is out today.

Mein herzlicher Dank geht an das Team von Rowohlt Verlag!