When Genre Fiction and Music Collide--A Unique Lyrical Collaboration between Local Author Scarlett Cole and Manchester's own BISHOP

    MANCHESTER, ENGLAND, June 05, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Women's fiction author, Scarlett Cole has successfully tapped into new market segments by collaborating with Manchester based recording artist, BISHOP. Intended to enrich the reading experience, the original song, "Living Without You", was written by BISHOP and appears in Cole's newest novel, THE PUREST HOOK. Released on May 3, 2016 from St. Martin's Press (Macmillan), the novel centers on two wounded people that must overcome their respective pasts to survive a love shakily built on secrets. The book trailer featuring the song can be viewed on YouTube and purchased from iTunes.

Cole's inspiration for the novel came from real life child abuse survivors. "I'd read a book called THE BOY WHO WAS RAISED AS A DOG by Bruce Perry and Maia Szalavitz. I was totally inspired by their work to treat children who had gone through the worst kind of traumas, and I immediately realised the band (featured in the series) needed this common thread of adversity," added Cole. Cole's Amazon best-selling series Second Circle Tattoos features characters that grew up together in a group home. "With (two) very guarded individuals, it was obvious that secrets and their respective pasts were always going to be a minefield, even if the past needed confronting." All the characters in the series are tied to a rock band; partnering with a musician to create bonus content made sense.

The project between the two has been a labour of love and Bishop is looking forward to the world seeing and hearing their collaboration. "I want the audience to focus on the music and lyrics, rather than be the face of a brand," explained Bishop, initially wanting to remain anonymous whilst pursuing a recording artist career. "Until Scarlett asked me to create a song for her beautiful book, I had resigned myself to being a songwriter for other people. She gave me the courage and strength to become a recording artist," added Bishop.

Cole left the corporate world in 2013 to become a romance writer. By 2014, she was represented by agent, Beth Phelan, at The Bent Agency in New York. Later that year, she signed a three-book contract with St. Martin's Press and her debut, THE STRONGEST STEEL, was released in July 2015 and has been nominated for two RITA Awards. "The awards were established to promote excellence in the romance genre by recognizing outstanding published romance novels and novellas. They are peer reviewed, so to be selected by, and to be up against, some of the very best romance writers with my debut is an incredible honor," stated Cole. THE STRONGEST STEEL has been nominated for Best Romantic Suspense Novel as well as Best First Book.

THE PUREST HOOK is the third standalone story in the Second Circle Tattoos series. The fourth book, THE DARKEST LINK, will come out in autumn 2016 and a spin-off series called PRELOAD , about the rest of Dred Zander's band, will start publication in early 2017.

About the novel

THE PUREST HOOK by Scarlett Cole, Romantic Suspense, 300 pages, published May 3, 2016. ISBN: 9781466886698, St. Martin's Press, Synopsis:

Can a love built on secrets survive?

Rugged, hot, and rock hard, Dred Zander is exactly the type of man that normally sends Pixie running. Not dreaming about running her hands down his washboard abs...and lower. The lead singer and guitarist for the band Preload embodies trouble behind his quick smile and guarded eyes, and Pixie left trouble behind her years ago along with the name Sarah Jane Travers and the pathetic trailer her mom called home. With her abusive past in her past, she has a new life, a new family at Second Circle, and a dream of opening her own business. She needs capital and time. What she doesn't need is a tempting long-haired rocker or the paparazzi that follow him around.

But Dred has other ideas. Pixie's sweet hazel eyes, purple hair and kaleidoscopic tattoo of exotic flowers that swirl up her arm haunt his dreams, and he knows she wants him too. He just has to convince her. But as a juicy expose threatens to expose their pasts, and a blackmailer terrorizes their present, Pixie and Dred have to decide what really matters and fight like hell to keep it.

Praise for the Second Circle Tattoos series

"Cole has a winner in this series ... steamy romance, body art, and a little intrigue will keep readers up well past their bedtime." --Library Journal Xpress Reviews

"Scarlett Cole truly knows how to get readers invested in her characters and in the story. Her writing is excellent, and I'd love to read more from her. I'm definitely waiting with bated breath for the next book in this series. "--The Romance Reviews, Top Pick

"This series is addictive!"--(un)Conventional Book Reviews

"Scarlett is one of the best new authors around!"--The Book Disciple

"Filled with mystery, suspense, love, and tragedy, this novel from Cole (The Strongest Steel) is hard to put down."--Library Journal Xpress Reviews on THE FRACTURED HEART

For more information, review copies or interview requests, please contact Danielle Barclay, Publicity and Marketing Director at Barclay Publicity at 740.404.2719 or e-mail her at [email protected]

About Barclay Publicity

Barclay Publicity is a boutique public relations agency specializing in author publicity and book promotion. Our goal is to provide results-oriented author publicity and book promotion services to published authors writing Women's Romantic Fiction. We are committed to building trust by delivering a tangible service to our clients in an area of public relations in which results are usually difficult to guarantee. To get more information about Barclay Publicity or its clients visit http://www.barclaypublicity.com. Email them at [email protected].

About Scarlett Cole

Scarlett Cole is a writer of contemporary romance and a two-time RITA finalist. Her debut, THE STRONGEST STEEL, has already become an Amazon best seller in romantic suspense, was a Best Debut Goodreads Author Finalist 2015, and Authors On The Air Global Radio Network Contemporary Romance Pick of 2015.

Having travelled the world for work and fun, Scarlett is a citizen of both Britain and Canada. A true city-dweller, she considers Toronto and Manchester home and likes to set her books in vibrant locations such as Miami and Los Angeles. She'd love to hear from you on twitter @itsscarlettcole

Rep'd by Beth Phelan at The Bent Agency, and published by St. Martin's Press.

Learn more at http://www.scarlettcole.com.

About BISHOP

Bishop mixes contemporary soul with a strong pop influence, and is a songwriter with 10 years experience of writing catchy radio friendly anthems. Infecting real life situations into emotional vocal performances fueled by the desire to extenuate the art form. The mystery of being a faceless artist is starting to captivate audiences of all walks of life into appreciating the songwriting and vocal talents behind the hidden identity.

Sylvia Tella (Boney M Vocalist): "His voice is spectacular"
Michelle Hussey (BBC Introducing): "His songs make me cry, they are Beautiful"
Location: Manchester
Listen: https://soundcloud.com/bishop-273580687/living-without-you/s-RCSHp
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OfficialBishopUK
Twitter: @BishopUK_
Instagram: @OfficialBishopUK
Record Company: TBA
Record Label Type: TBA
Manager's Contact details: [email protected]
Booking Agent: [email protected]‎

About BIMM

Over 5,500 students now have access to a range of amazing opportunities as part of our aligned network of colleges. We take students with talent and the will to work hard, and support them to become better connected than any other graduates. BIMM students collaborate with some of the finest aspiring musicians and music industry professionals in the world, and are guided by a talented group of top-class tutors; every one of them still active in the contemporary music business; and every one of them working to a syllabus honed and informed by the modern industry.
We offer direct access to regular collaborative experiences, including Masterclasses hosted by internationally renowned guest artists, end-of-term gigs, A&R panels, the annual BIMM album, and ongoing engagement with the industry, including work placements and internships.

BIMM students also benefit from being connected to the largest alumni network in the industry, with graduate success stories including The Kooks; singer-songwriters Tom Odell, James Bay and George Ezra; and Ben Thompson, session drummer with Two Door Cinema Club. Between them, BIMM alumni boast Brit, MOBO and Ivor Novello awards, and have scored countless UK Top 10 albums and more than 30 UK Top 40 singles.
Visit their website for more: http://www.bimm.co.uk/manchester/

About St. Martin's Press

St. Martin's Paperbacks continually produces a strong list of bestselling mass-market books--from already established to up-and-coming authors--in both original and reprint form. The scope of the SMP list is extensive and inclusive--from contemporary fiction and historical romance to paranormal suspense, mysteries (under the Minotaur imprint) and thrillers to the True Crime library, military nonfiction to movie tie-ins, and many other sub-categories in each genre. Visit their website for more: http://us.macmillan.com/smp

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