Where The Light is Hottest is out now. You can buy it here.
Natasha Jones has everything - a successful acting career, an Oscar, a wonderful husband and beautiful kids. But what does she have to go through to get there? From humble beginnings in a small town, Natasha's path to stardom is paved with setbacks, heartaches and moments of doubt. In the glittering world of fame and fortune, where dreams are spun from starlight and ambition fuels the relentless pursuit of success, one woman's journey stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Beneath the facade of glamour lies a story of unwavering determination and unyielding courage. Where the Light is the Hottest is a gripping tale of ambition, perseverance and the enduring power of hope. Through Natasha's journey, we are reminded that the road to success is rarely smooth, but for those who dare to chase their dreams, the rewards are beyond measure.
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- ‘I devoured Where the Light is Hottest in just 48 hours. The story of Natasha Jones, from her humble beginnings in Scotland to the dazzling yet treacherous world of fame, is both inspiring and heart-wrenching. We follow her story and that of her colleagues and frenemies. Yardley offers an unflinching look at the challenges women face in the film industry, weaving themes of ambition, betrayal, and resilience. A must-read for anyone seeking a powerful narrative about the cost of success.’ Ivy Ngeow, Penguin Random House author of The American Boyfriend and In Safe Hands.
- ‘What a book! If I could sum this book up in three words then it would be that…I often find it difficult to sit down and read too much of a book since I have been studying for a PhD, work in the book world and have books coming out of my ears! However, I sat down to have a flick through Catherine’s new book and couldn’t stop reading. I instantly fell in love with the narrator and the easy style of narration. It was so compelling that I was hooked from the very first pages. Absolutely brilliant! Thank you so much for a really wonderful read. Wow, wow, wow!’ Helga Jensen, critically acclaimed author of Fly Me To Paris, A Scandinavian Summer and many more.
- ‘A glittering behind the scenes look at the world of stardom all wrapped up in a scintillating and compelling feminist story that highlights the true struggle to be seen. With a rich narrative and fully fledged characters you’ll become immersed in Natasha’s brave rise to stardom and will her on,’ Caron McKinlay, author of The Storytellers.
- ‘Thank you for my copy of Where the Light is Hottest – I’ve read most of it in one sitting on a very grey day and it’s been a brilliant escape! Loved the dual timeline of this book which tells the story of Natasha Jones then and now – her life of ambition and her determination to be a successful actress despite all the behind the scenes awfulness that female actors go through – hopefully things are changing for the better now. A very compelling read,’ April Doyle, author of Hive.
- ‘Showing both the glamour and the grit, this is a searing look at the film industry,’ Alison Stockham, author of The Man She Married and The Cuckoo Sister.
- ‘With her real-life experience, Catherine Yardley has produced an unflinching account of making it as a big name in the movies, and everything that means for a woman. The protagonist, Natasha, has come through the hard way, with no handy step-ups to help her find her way. And life can be lonely when you are successful because of your talent and not because of what you are prepared to put up with from the misogynists. Natasha’s rollercoaster journey, along with the friendships made and tested, are depicted through an accessible dual time narrative. The reader is completely invested in Natasha’s efforts and achievements, and the positive ending brings hope for everyone.’ Sylvia Hehir, author of Sea Change, Valentine’s Selfie and The Shed..
- ‘Where the Light is Hottest’ is an uplifting but unflinching look at what it feels like for a woman to succeed as an actor. Protagonist Natasha is a wonderful creation: tough, passionate and loving in turn, fighting against a male-dominated hierarchy while surrounded by friends and family who are in turn supportive, dismissive and, all too often, downright poisonous in their readiness to betray Natasha and her dreams.As in Yardley’s earlier and equally readable book, ‘Ember’, torrid family relationships play an important role in ‘Where the Light is Hottest’. But I particularly enjoyed the focus on friendship, the struggle for success in a cut-throat, back-stabbing industry, and the fight for female empowerment. As one character says, ‘Do not doubt yourself, Natasha. They doubt us all the time. Be brave and put yourself out there knowing you are just as good as anyone else.’ I also learned a few terrific new words, including a ‘fashiongasm’ and a ‘floordrobe’. ‘Where the Light is Hottest’ is a great, entertaining and ultimately joyful read. I thoroughly enjoyed its depiction of a woman’s fight for success in an environment where she never quite can relax. As Natasha says in an insightful moment: “My life has completely changed. It is everything I ever wanted. So why am I so terrified?”!’ Leigh Turner, author of Lessons in Diplomacy.
Ember
A family torn apart by their father’s infidelity are forced to confront the past thirty years later. As Natalie’s younger sister, Amanda, prepares for marriage and impending motherhood, her plea for the family to reunite uncovers pent-up tension and animosity. Can they forget the past and become a family again?
Natalie’s life begins to unravel as their father starts to creep back into their lives and family tensions resurface, affecting her relationship with her boyfriend, Rob. Will the couple find their way back to each other, and can a family that has been torn apart ever heal their wounds?
Can you ever walk away from someone you love, or do some fires never die out?
Ember has a 4.8 rating on Amazon and a 4.55 rating on Goodreads. Ember was picked for Jules Swain’s book club, The JAS Club. I am always eager to hear from book clubs and readers.
You can buy it here on Amazon, Waterstones, or Foyles.
‘Ember is a beautifully detailed study of sibling rivalry and how the traumas of family life as a child can impact the adult self. Reading it was an absolute joy and I found the book flowed so well that it was difficult to put down. Yardley’s almost forensic understanding of the psychology of her characters is quite an achievement and although the subject matter was serious, the delivery was so effortless and palatable, it felt incredibly uplifting as a read. No family is perfect. Everyone should read this book!’ Five star review from Mairi Chong, author of Death by Appointment.
‘Ember is a story about the intricate, fraught, and sometimes fragile bonds that hold us to the people we love. At the heart of this story is Natalie, who is struggling to come to terms with a difficult childhood and a deeply strained relationship with her estranged father. His attempts to reconcile with other family members create new tensions in those relationships, intensifying Natalie’s feelings of familial alienation. Yardley draws characters with such genuine emotional intensity and complexity that they feel very real to the reader, making the story hugely compelling. It unfolds with great tenderness and emotional astuteness. I thoroughly enjoyed it,’ Rosemary Hennigan, author of The Truth Will Out and The Favourites.
‘Yardley explores the complex relationships that exist within siblings and their parents in this emotionally driven drama. She does so with a real flair and understanding of how our memories are tinged with our own perspectives. Of how siblings can have completely different relationships with the same set of parents. There were scenes here that were heartbreaking and raw
– The chapter with the tiara at Christmas.
– The phone calls from her father after a
shopping trip.
– The lack of proper care
– Their mother and her motives
But overall, this is an uplifting book. It speaks of sacrifice for those you love. Of healing. Of letting go of fear. The relationship between Natalie and Amanda is brilliantly portrayed. All those little nuances between sisters forensically explored. And while, Tim their father influences both sisters in very different ways. Yardley examines that construct in a very accomplished manner and lays it bare A truly gorgeous tale, poignant but centred around love. It will resonate with many readers. Just as it did with me,’ Caron Mckinlay, author of The Storytellers.
‘Natalie can’t forgive her father for destroying her family with his unfaithfulness when she was a child. Thirty years later, when he returns and tries to inveigle himself into her life, the hurt that she has suppressed comes crashing back only this time threatens to destroy her relationship with her boyfriend, Rob, and with her younger sister, Amanda. Natalie’s father’s return upends Natalie’s life, forcing her to question all that she holds dear.
The emotional core of Ember is Natalie’s relationship with her father, which I thought was beautifully handled by the author. It hooked me straight away. We understand and empathize with Natalie’s hurt which is compounded by her siblings’ acceptance of their father’s behaviour. I was fascinated by the idea that a childhood event brushed off as inconsequential by an adult can have consequences that reach far into adulthood and, given Natalie’s rejection of any notion of forgiveness of her father, I found myself needing to know how she reconciles the impact of this painful childhood memory with her present-day world. Ember is a wonderful page-turner of a novel,’ T. Orr. Munro author of Breakneck Point.
‘Ember is a raw and honest look at the complexities of family and the difficulties of navigating relationships between people related to you, people you cannot choose but are family nonetheless. It is a look into one deals with their pettiness, jealousy and trauma of family, and how they reconcile with one another after tragedy. Each of Ember’s characters are wonderfully flawed, with their own problems and outlooks on life. Watching them bump against each other, help, and hurt one another in their attempts to sort out their own problems was fascinating,’ Ann Sei Lin, author of Rebel Skies.