# Carryl Church > Official website of author and artist Carryl Church ## Posts - [The inspiration behind Secrets at the Ambrose Café](https://carrylchurch.co.uk/the-inspiration-behind-secrets-at-the-ambrose-cafe/): It’s been almost six months since my second Novel – Secrets at the Ambrose Café was published so I thought I’d share a little of the inspiration and research behind the book. The 1920s has held a fascination for me since my teenage years when two of my favourite television series were The House of Eliott and Jeeves and Wooster – I read the novels too! I relished the idea of setting a story in that period. Inspiration for me often starts with a location. In the case of this book, it was Deller’s Café – a chain of beautiful... - [One week!](https://carrylchurch.co.uk/one-week/): I still can’t believe The Forgotten Life of Connie Harris has been out in the world for just over a week! If you’ve read it, reviewed it or invested in a copy, a huge resounding thank you. And if you’d like to do any of the above, links are at the bottom of the page. Here are five things I’ve learned in my first week as a published author: Kindness is everything. People have been incredible, from the support given by family, friends and even strangers to the lovely words I’ve received about the novel both by email, in reviews... - [Book Launch](https://carrylchurch.co.uk/book-launch/): I’m delighted to be having a book launch in The Rougemont Room at Exeter Library. I’ll be reading from The Forgotten Life of Connie Harris and answering questions during a Q&A with author Jenny Kane. There will also be an opportunity to purchase signed copies of the novel. It’s wonderful to celebrate in the city where so much of the novel is set. Refreshments included. Please join us!   ## Pages - [Secrets at the Ambrose Café](https://carrylchurch.co.uk/secrets-at-the-ambrose-cafe/): [vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” z_index=”” css=”.vc_custom_1749032774614{margin-bottom: 35px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”327″ img_size=”full” css=”.vc_custom_1748265745043{margin-bottom: 35px !important;}” qode_css_animation=””][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”343″ img_size=”full” css=”.vc_custom_1749032788115{margin-bottom: 35px !important;}” qode_css_animation=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” css=”.vc_custom_1724501781029{margin-bottom: 120px !important;}” z_index=””][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]Secrets at the Ambrose Café Two women. Two different worlds. One secret that could ruin them both. Exeter, 1925. Della Wilde has set aside her dream of moving to Paris to study at the renowned Le Cordon Bleu, choosing instead to support her family torn apart by war. By night, she works at the prestigious Ambrose Café, serving the city’s elite — she feels... - [The Forgotten Life of Connie Harris](https://carrylchurch.co.uk/connis-harris/): [vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” z_index=”” css=”.vc_custom_1748265888999{margin-bottom: 35px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”243″ img_size=”full” css=”.vc_custom_1748262329924{margin-bottom: 35px !important;}” qode_css_animation=””][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”311″ img_size=”full” css=”.vc_custom_1748262322960{margin-bottom: 35px !important;}” qode_css_animation=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” css=”.vc_custom_1724501781029{margin-bottom: 120px !important;}” z_index=””][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]The Forgotten Life of Connie Harris A woman who dared to dream beyond her circumstances and a legacy that refuses to fade away. 1951, Devon. Connie’s job at the Tivoli cinema provides an escape from her alcoholic father, Frank. There she meets and falls in love with projectionist Charlie. After a whirlwind romance, he splices his proposal into her favourite film, Casablanca, and for the first... - [HOME](https://carrylchurch.co.uk/): [vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” css=”.vc_custom_1724501918661{margin-bottom: 120px !important;}” z_index=””][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””] Hello and welcome to my website. I write emotive historical fiction focusing on the 20th Century. My writing explores love in turbulent times, both romantic and familial. The people we’re given and those we choose for ourselves.  [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” css=”.vc_custom_1748266495968{margin-top: 20px !important;}” z_index=””][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”239″ img_size=”full” onclick=”custom_link” css=”.vc_custom_1748266501670{margin-bottom: 35px !important;}” qode_css_animation=”” link=”https://carrylchurch.co.uk/connis-harris/”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”333″ img_size=”full” onclick=”custom_link” css=”.vc_custom_1748266507141{margin-bottom: 35px !important;}” qode_css_animation=”” link=”https://carrylchurch.co.uk/secrets-at-the-ambrose-cafe/”][/vc_column][/vc_row] - [News](https://carrylchurch.co.uk/news/) - [About](https://carrylchurch.co.uk/about/): [vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” css=”.vc_custom_1724501935920{margin-bottom: 120px !important;}” z_index=””][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css=””]Carryl writes historical fiction with a focus on the 20th Century. Originally from the Isle of Wight, Carryl now lives in Devon. The local landscape and locations are an inspiration for her novels. Although writing was always a dream, an early fascination with cinema, and in particular the films of Humphrey Bogart, led to a career as a Film and Photography Archivist. This background not only inspired her debut novel The Forgotten Life of Connie Harris – a dual timeline story celebrating the romance of cinema –... - [Contact](https://carrylchurch.co.uk/contact/): [vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””] Email me if you have an enquiry or sign up to my newsletter below for updates about my writing. Agent: Saskia Leach, Kate Nash Literary Agency https://katenashlit.co.uk/ Twitter: @carrylchurch Instagram: @carrylchurch Facebook: Carryl Church Author [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row] - [Under Construction](https://carrylchurch.co.uk/under-construction/): [vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text] This website is under construction [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row] [comment]: # (Generated by Hostinger Tools Plugin)