Ursula's Story

Reviews / Votes

Diary story 'The last general election may not have been the greatest of successes for Michael Howard, but -- as revealed by Spy at the time -- it was all smiles for his wife Sandra in May 2005: she signed a two-novel deal with Simon & Schuster the day before polling day. Her first book GLASS HOUSES, was published to critical acclaim last September and the second, URSULA'S STORY, will hit the shelves next month. And I can now reveal that the one-time Vogue model has just done a further two-book deal. "We're absolutely delighted to have signed Sandra for two more books," confirms a spokesman for Simon & Schuster' Daily Telegraph 8/8 'Sandra Howard's new novel Ursula's Story has all the appeal of her first' Observer 2/9 Diary Story 'Friends of Sandra Howard, the fragrant wife of former Tory leader Michael Howard, gather in St James's this Tuesday for the launch of her second novel' Sunday Express 2/9 'My First Kiss' piece 'It didn't put me off for life' Daily Mail 4/9 'Howard -- wife of former Tory leader Michael -- has done it again. Another smouldering tale of illicit passion within the corridors of power from someone who clearly knows her stuff. This time, a wronged woman watches as her ex makes a spectacle of his new, very political marriage' The Mirror 14/9 'When Ursula's daughter, Jessie, goes missing and Julian becomes central to the police search, their steamy affair comes under scrutiny' FT 'page-turners' 8/9 'In describing the hurt and confusion left behind at the breakdown of a marriage Howard is subtle and perceptive' The Spectator 15/9 'Sandra Howard's new novel Ursula's Story has all the appearl of her first, Glass Houses. For those, like the Browser, who are fascinated by the former leader of the Conservative party and his intriguing ways, his wife's fiction supplies tantalising, but thrilling, glimpses of a world in which newspaper editors have affairs with minister of housing...' The Observer 2/9 Howard Malay --two-page travel feature by Sandra, Daily Mail, 8/9 Sandra's Story - two-page interview, Refresh Magazine, September issue '"Whether or not an election is happening, it's good to get our message out," he (George Osbourne) told me at the launch of Sandra Howard's new novel, Ursula's Story' Spy diary column, Daily Telegraph 6/9 'Panda-eyed former Chancellor Norman Lamont is convinced he knows why Gordon Brown, who was his successor but one at the Treasury, will not call a snap election. Speaking at the launch of Sandra Howard's latest book, Ursula's Story...' Richard Kay diary column, Daily Mail 6/9 '"It's bad enough having one stressed-out writer in residence"' Michael Howard on whether he would put pen to paper, Day & Night, Daily Express 6/9 'Reader, I Married him' Interview with Sandra Howard, First Magazine 1st October 'This second novel by Sandra Howard, a Sixties fashion model now married to former Tory leader Micahel Howard, is much like the first: well-written, well-plotted and well-manntered. Be thanks for all three literary virtues' Saga, October issue 'Ursula's newspaper editor ex-husband is marrying his new partner, a government minister. Ursula also forms a new relationship, with Julian, a bookshop owner, but events take a terrifying turn when Julian and her daughter Jessie both go missing' Closer, 4 stars, 22/9 5-minute interview 'I was surprised to get a two-book deal' Independent 2/11 Piece on stammering 'When Words Fail Me' S Magazine, Sunday Express 28/10 Short story 'Sea-green Envy' Sunday Express Magazine 18/11 'I sold my first book when I was 64' Profile interview, Good Housekeeping, Jan issue 'The Week' 'It was gloriously sunny in St Moritz, the snow sparkling phosphorescently. We had a brilliant day cabling up a mountainside then came indoors, tuned into BBC World and heard all about Home Secretary Jacqui Smith's kebab...I live in London's Pimlico, not Peckham, but I quite often walk a few streets home late at night...I feel passionate about it; a couple of muggers once jumped me to the ground. It seems pointless to take a stuffed handbag, though, and I don't have a fancy watch. That's what Ms Smith needs to concentrate on -- helping drug addicts into rehab so they don't nick my swatch watch' Double-page feature in Express 15/1 'There was no stopping us' Six women tell how they broke mould and pushed back boundaries -- Sandra Howard included - Good Housekeeping Jan issue Sandra writes for the column 'The book that changed my life' on 'Darwin and the Beagle' Good Housekeeping Magazine Feb issue Sandra writes 'Portrait of a City: Milan' High Life Magazine Jan issue 'Ursula's husband has walked out on her and their three children, and his marriage plans are all over the newspapers. How can she protect the children, and is this the best time to start dating? Dilemmas galore in this tale of life after divorce' Prima Magazine, July issue 'When Ursula's cheating former husband, a newspaper editor, announces his intention to marry a Cabinet minister, she finds herself in the spotlight. Her lover Julian is a welcome distraction until her daughter Jessie vanishes and the evidence suggests that he has something to do with it' Daily Express 11/7 Interview 'I smoked woodbines to impress the boys' Daily Mail 8/7 Double-page Diary, The Week feature 'Is Obama new JFK?' Express, 19/ 7 'Ursula's husband Bill left her for another woman, but she's picked herself up and is seeing new man Julian who's hugely loved up. But Ursula has her doubts, which escalate dramatically when her youngest daughter Jessie goes missing -- and so does Julian. A lively, intelligent read' Closer Magazine 12/7 'Guess who's coming for dinner?' Feature in advance of Wigtown Festival appearance Ink Pellet Magazine, Sept issue