Carmen Reid

Carmen Reid was our Guest Editor in February 2011 - click here - to see the books that inspired her writing.

Carmen Reid was born and brought up in a chilly and windy corner of Scotland in the depths of the countryside.
 
This may explain her lifelong phobia of cows and abiding interest in cities, department stores, books, the cinema and newspapers.

Her parents still live on the organic farm she grew up on and she goes back regularly to eat the alarmingly healthy home-grown meals which probably turned her into a 6" lass.

She spent four teenage years at a girls' boarding school in Edinburgh (yes, just like the one in Secrets at St Jude's!) where she read her way through the school library. Favourite subjects: English, German, French and Spanish.

After school, she went to study English Literature at University College, London, though her fashion sense will remain "Edinburgh-with-an-edge" forever.

Being a student in London was fantastic - she even paid a few bills with modelling jobs. After uni, she went back to Scotland to work as a local newspaper reporter: a brilliant job for anyone planning a career as an author.

London kept calling and she was soon back working for news agencies then a national tabloid. She has interviewed many famous (and often unwilling) people but was especially dazzled by Hugh Grant (even better looking in real life!), Rupert Everett and Elle Macpherson.

Knowing deep down that she was supposed to be an author not a journo, she left her day job to have a baby and write her first novel. (Hey, and just a few sleepless, penniless years later it was published!)

Although there is a corner of her heart that will always belong to London (and she still knows all the streets like a cabbie) Carmen now lives in Glasgow, Scotland, with her husband, Thomas, her two lovely children, Jimmy the Jack Russell and the (now sadly) two goldfish. She writes full-time and is aiming to have four new books out in 2011.

Fortunately her hobbies include laundry, cooking, cleaning, arguing about whose turn it is to walk the dog, cleaning the fish tank, doing the school run... and so on.

If you like Carmen Reid you might also like to read books by Adele Parks, Jane Green and Sophie Kinsella

The Jewels of Manhattan Carmen Reid Like all crazy plans, it was plotted out on a cocktail napkin. 1. Steal fabulous jewels 2. Sell for millions 3. Live happily ever after Brilliant and oh so simple...when you're a few Cosmopolitans down. Not quite so easy...if you've never stolen anything before,... Format: Paperback - Released: 10/11/2011 Lovereading Price: £5.24 - Saving £1.75 (25%)

New York Valentine Carmen Reid Snapping at Sophie Kinsella’s heels, Carmen Reid has written a must-read tale of romance but with an edge as Annie Valentine, personal shopper extraordinaire with a dream job in Manhatten must make a choice; that of her new love in... Format: Paperback - Released: 20/01/2011 Lovereading Price: £5.24 - Saving £1.75 (25%)

Celebrity Shopper Carmen Reid Annie Valentine is a lovely character who has grown from personal shopper to presenting a popular TV fashion series. But her life is far from easy and once again this lovely author addresses real women’s issues in a light-hearted, compulsive... Format: Paperback - Released: 30/09/2010 Lovereading Price: £5.24 - Saving £1.75 (25%)

Celebrity Shopper Carmen Reid Funny, chaotic, sexy and entertaining. Carmen Reid manages to mix glamour with the daily routine of domesticity to create a truly believable story about balancing your life and sorting out priorities. Another great book from this author and thoroughly enjoyable. Format: Hardback - Released: 04/03/2010 Lovereading Price: £7.50 - Saving £2.50 (25%)

How Not To Shop Carmen Reid Her passion is fashion, but she's on a budget! Personal shopper Annie Valentine is about to hit the big time: presenting a glamorous TV makeover series! But too late, Annie discovers this is TV on a shoestring. They're paying her... Format: Paperback - Released: 13/08/2009 Lovereading Price: £5.24 - Saving £1.75 (25%)

Late Night Shopping Carmen Reid As someone who wants nothing more than a quiet life, Ed is shocked to discover Annie, personal shopper extraordinaire, staking their home on her success as she ploughs everything into a new business, and now their relationship is on the... Format: Paperback - Released: 30/06/2008 Lovereading Price: £5.24 - Saving £1.75 (25%)

How Was It For You Carmen Reid Abandoning the urban rat-race for organic strawberry growing, Pamela and Dave have their problems and then Pamela’s lusts get the better of her. I really loved this, it is such an addictive read. Astute, sensitive and light, she’s so good.... Format: Paperback - Released: 02/07/2007 Lovereading Price: £5.24 - Saving £1.75 (25%)

Up All Night Carmen Reid Tackling the demands of modern living, a journalist career, two needy daughters, a social life, ex-husband and more, Jo certainly has her hands full. Pacy, compulsive, highly sexy, honest and good fun, Reid has the ability to make you both... Format: Paperback - Released: 02/07/2007 Lovereading Price: £5.24 - Saving £1.75 (25%)

The Personal Shopper Carmen Reid This woman can not write a bad book – I love her, she has a relaxed, easy style I find endearing and she has her finger on the pulse of reality. An added aside here is the shopping experience! Annie... Format: Paperback - Released: 02/07/2007 Lovereading Price: £5.24 - Saving £1.75 (25%)

Three in a Bed Carmen Reid Bella is a high-achieving, go-getting management consultant who seems to have it all. She's brilliant at her job, plays just as hard as she works and has a fantastic, sexy relationship with her husband Don. Then, she realizes that something's... Format: Paperback - Released: 02/07/2007 Lovereading Price: £5.24 - Saving £1.75 (25%)

Did the Earth Move? Carmen Reid Did the Earth Move? is a sexy, thought-provoking and wildly entertaining novel from the bestselling author of Three in a Bed. It's relationship tales gone wild. Format: Paperback - Released: 02/07/2007 Lovereading Price: £5.99 - Saving £2.00 (25%)