Cold Sunflowers a debut novel from Mark Sippings.

Today I am pleased to welcome a friend, Mark Sippings, to my blog. 

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I was born in Walthamstow in 1959 and now live in Essex. I have two daughters.

Are you a full time writer or do you still have a real job?

I worked as a Civil Servant for most of my adult life contributing to speeches for the Minister for Women and developing new ways to assist disabled people to find their way back into employment.

I'm impressed. Did you do anything else?

In the 80s I owned and ran a restaurant in Colchester and travelled around the world.

getBook.at/Cold-Sunflowers

Now, that sounds more like an interesting preparation for writing. I gather you are also a musician? 

I am. I spend my time fronting a retro rock covers band, PSYCHO DEHLIA (www.psychodehlia.com). I also do 'extra' acting.

Have you played any interesting parts?

An office worker, a caveman and zombie but I prefer to write. I also write poetry.

There's one thing you haven't mentioned that everyone would like to know..

What's that?

That Eleanor, your daughter, was runner up in the last series of Britain's Top Model. I watched every episode. I am sure many of my readers did also. 

I am very proud of her. 

I'm sure she is proud of you too.
Thank you for coming on my blog today and I wish you every success with your book.

Here is the blurb for this amazing book:

It's 1972. Raymond Mann is seventeen. He is fearful of life and can't get off buses. He says his prayers every night and spends too much time in his room.

He meets Earnest Gardiner, a gentleman in his seventies,who's become tired of living and misses the days of chivalry and honour. Together they discover a love of sunflowers and stars and help each other learn how to love the world.
Ereenst recounts his experiences of 1917 war torn France where he served as a photographer in the trenches... of his first love and how his life was saved by Bill, a hardened soldier.
But all is not as it seems. There is a secret that will change Raymond's life for ever.
Cold Sunflowers is a story of love.
All Love.
But most of all it is about the love of life and the need to cherish every moment.

I read this as a first draft and loved it then. I can't wait to read it now it's polished. This is a truly remarkable first novel. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Fenella J Miller