A LION IS NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS by Henriette Gyland ~ sweet romance mystery

lion

A Lion is Not Just for Christmas

by

Henriette Gyland

 

lionSeries: 2nd in the Sweet Romance Mysteries series set in Norfolk

Genre: Romance mystery

Release Date: 20th December 2017

Is there life after the circus has left town?

Circus performer Justine Belmont works with big cats, but when the circus is disbanded and the old lion is sold to a private menagerie at a stately home in Norfolk, she is asked to spend a few weeks settling him into his new environment. When she arrives at the estate, however, she receives a mixed welcome.

The groundsman Tom Yates resents her presence as he doesn’t feel he needs her help with the lion. He revises his opinion when he sees the bond between her and the big cat, and she and Tom grow closer, although Justine remains torn about her feelings for him. The lady of the house, Priscilla – who is married to the reclusive owner, Lord Brooks’s, grandson – is not so easily convinced. She perceives Justine as a threat for the male attention and her plans for the manor. And her two young daughters are a little too curious about the lion for their own good.

When unsettling events occur, Justine begins to wonder if there is more to Priscilla’s animosity than meets the eye. Can Justine keep herself and everyone else safe until it’s time for her to leave again and start a new life elsewhere?

EXTRACT

 

Scene when Justine and Tom meet, in reality, for the second time.

I remember you.

Not many men had red hair like that and wore it so unashamedly loose like a rose gold crown. This groundsman – Tom – was the reason Justine had nearly missed a step during the last performance of the season. As far as she was aware ginger men preferred to keep their hair cropped short or even shaved off, fearing that it would make them look effeminate. Or something like that.

There was nothing effeminate about this guy. On the contrary, Justine thought, drinking in his broad shoulders, strong hands and sturdy workman’s clothes. He was every bit a man.”

BUY LINKS

 

Goodreads link: http://bit.ly/2yIqETy

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2k2CFhX

Amazon.com: http://amzn.to/2AWIKHp

GUEST POST

 

LION

I’ve always been fascinated by the circus. It was a different world of elegant line-dancers (which are known as wire-walkers among professional circus performers), daring trapeze artists, brave animal tamers, and of glitter and glitz on par with the magical. A world which was, at any rate, completely beyond the reach of ordinary people like myself, or “townies” as circus folk call us.

But what’s it like behind the scenes? When the bright lights are turned off, the make-up removed, sequinned costumes hung up, the animals stabled? What kind of life do circus people lead? Does it bear any resemblance to mine?

This is one of the absolute joys of being a writer; you have the freedom to make things up, of course, and I am grateful that I’ve have the ability to do just that, to tell a story. But you can also choose to do extensive research to get every little detail right, or even what I did when I worked on A Lion Is Not Just For Christmas: a combination of both. The research part was fun because it was an excuse to read lots of books and watch lots of films with the circus setting that I love so much. I also read non-fiction and watched documentaries, and used Google too, that eternally helpful little tool.

And then I pictured myself smack-bang in the middle of it. All my childhood dreams come true! Using the insight gained from my work as a writer, I pictured what it must be like working long hours doing the same thing over and over again until you get it right. The strength, determination and sheer willpower to succeed. Which I imagine to be exactly like working on your writing craft until that day when your book finally hits the shelves. And then you do it all over again, just like circus people do when they move onto the next town and the next glittery performance. In the end, seeing myself in the ring wasn’t so hard because as a writer I’m nothing without my audience, i.e. my lovely readers. And I’m always very conscious of this.

I’m lucky to have readers. There was a time when I wrote solely for my own eyes, and the thought of getting published was a mere speck on the horizon. I never thought I would get there, but winning the New Talent Award at the Festival of Romance in 2011 was a massive leap for me. It gave me the confidence to really target publishers with my writing and eventually led to a publishing contract.

Writing a book is a very mechanical thing for me. Once I’ve got the initial idea down, which is where blue sky thinking comes in, I begin to actually plan the book by writing an outline. Then I compile my own research folder. I do this for all my books, using a 40 pocket display folder that you can get a stationer’s, and put in everything which is relevant to putting the book together. This includes the working outline, which I’ll have to refer back to now and again, research into various aspects – in this case the circus and circus acts, caring for big cats, a suitable stately home for the other half of the setting, horse riding, running a café, posh Christmas decorations, etc. – anything that I feel is relevant to creating my story.

Because of this method of working, once I start the actual writing, the setting and the research has become so central to my thinking, that it’s very easy to picture the scene, to see the people on the page, to listen to them “talk”. Research can be fun and exciting, but nothing beats that moment when your characters truly come to life!

ABOUT HENRIETTE GYLAND

 

LION

Henriette Gyland grew up in Northern Denmark but moved to England after she graduated from the University of Copenhagen. She wrote her first book when she was ten, a tale of two orphan sisters running away to Egypt, fortunately to be adopted by a perfect family they meet on the Orient Express.

Between that first literary exploit and now, she has worked in the Danish civil service, for a travel agent, a consultancy company, in banking, hospital administration, and for a county court before setting herself up as a freelance translator and linguist. Henriette recently began to pursue her writing in earnest winning the New Talent Award in 2011 from the Festival of Romance and a Commended from the Yeovil Literary Prize.

Henriette lives in London.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/henriette.gyland

Twitter: @henrigyland

Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5426857.Henriette_Gyland

Blog: https://henriettegyland.wordpress.com/blog/

Website: https://henriettegyland.wordpress.com/

 

THE GIRL IN THE GALLERY by Alice Castle #coverreveal #cozycrime

gallery

The Girl in the Gallery

by

Alice Castle

 

gallerySeries: London Murder Mystery series book #2

Genre: Cozy Crime

Release Date: 19th December 2017

Publisher: Crooked Cat Books

Just when you thought it was safe to go back to Dulwich…

It’s a perfect summer’s morning in the plush south London suburb, and thirty-something Beth Haldane has sneaked off to visit one of her favourite places, the world-famous Picture Gallery.

She’s enjoying a few moments’ respite from juggling her job at prestigious private school Wyatt’s and her role as single mum to little boy Ben, when she stumbles across a shocking new exhibit on display. Before she knows it, she’s in the thick of a fresh, and deeply chilling, investigation.

Who is The Girl in the Gallery? Join Beth in adventure #2 of the London Murder Mystery series as she tries to discover the truth about a secret eating away at the very heart of Dulwich.

BUY LINK

https://MyBook.to/GirlintheGallery

ABOUT ALICE CASTLE

GALLERYAlice Castle was a UK newspaper journalist for The Daily Express, The Times and The Daily Telegraph before becoming a novelist. Her first book, Hot Chocolate, was a European best-seller which sold out in two weeks.

Alice is currently working on the sequel to Death in Dulwich and The Girl in the Gallery. The third instalment in the London Murder Mystery series, it will be published by Crooked Cat next year and is entitled The Calamity in Catford. Once again, it features Beth Haldane and DI Harry York.

Alice is also a top mummy blogger, writing DD’s Diary at www.dulwichdivorcee.com.

She lives in south London and is married with two children, two step-children and two cats.

Alice Castle’s Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/alicecastleauthor/

Alice Castle is on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DDsDiary?lang=en

Links to buy Alice Castle’s books: myBook.to/GirlintheGallery myBook.to/1DeathinDulwich, myBook.to/HotChocolate

Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/dashboard

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dds_diary/?hl=en

Blog: http://www.dulwichdivorcee.com

STOP PRESS!!!

Are you interested in reviewing this book? There is a review tour running 15th – 19th January 2018. Want to take part? Then email brookbooks@hotmail.co.uk for more details!

 

PENHALIGON’S PRIDE by Terri Nixon #extract #giveaway

Terri Nixon

Penaligon’s Pride

by

Terri Nixon

 

Terri NixonSeries: The Penhaligon Saga

Genre: Historical Saga

Release Date: 07 Dec 2017

Publisher: Piatkus

1910. Anna Garvey and her daughter are still running the Tin Streamer’s Arms in Caernoweth, Cornwall, and it finally seems like she has left her tumultuous history behind in Ireland. Meanwhile Freya Penhaligon has blossomed and is now the object of increasing affection of Hugh, the elder son of the wealthy Batten family.

After the dramatic events of the previous months, it feels like everything is finally getting back to normal. But when Anna inadvertently reveals something she shouldn’t, she finds herself at the centre of a blackmail plot and it seems like the past she longed to escape is coming back to haunt her. To make matters worse, the tiny fishing hamlet is battered by a terrible storm and shifting relationships find themselves under more scrutiny than ever before.

With the Penhaligon family at breaking point it will take enormous strength and courage to bring them back together – but is it already too late?

Extract from Penhaligon’s Pride

 

(Matthew Penhaligon is working in the tin mine, and his old adversary David Donithorn, his shift captain, has been uncharacteristically distant all morning. The men are on their lunch break.)

 

Alan had broken off from talking to cough; a deep, hacking sound, appalling enough in an old man, never mind in a nineteen-year-old. Matthew swallowed hard, wondering if he was imagining the tickle in his own throat, and determined not to cough himself… it sounded as if Alan would never stop. He’d surely returned to work too soon, but during his time working with Tommy, Matthew had learned the Trevellicks had no living parents, just aging grandparents Esther and Joe. There had been little choice in the matter, Alan’s wage was needed.

At thirty-eight, Matthew was probably one of the oldest men working the underground levels, particularly down this far; most had succumbed to injury or illness long before they reached such an advanced age, but then most of the others had been doing it all their lives. He wondered, with a returning bleakness, how long it would be before he too sounded as if he were tearing himself apart inside. The tickle in his throat grew, and he cleared it, tasting rock dust. A swig of water helped, but as he pictured the dust swirling down his throat he wished he’d spat instead.

Donithorn came back, and picked up the coil of fuse and the tamping bar. ‘Time.’ He started back down the tunnel, but Alan spoke up.

‘Powder, Cap’n? Or be we not botherin’ with that today?’ The sarcasm made Tommy visibly flinch, and Donithorn stopped. Matthew couldn’t see his face properly, but he gave a little shake of his head, as if coming back from some other place his mind had been inhabiting. ‘Yes. And, um… bring the bar.’

‘You’ve got that,’ Alan pointed out.

Donithorn looked down at his hand. ‘Right. Swab stick then.’ Irritation crept in. ‘Just make haste.’ Then he was gone into the dark again, and Matthew and the others put their water bottles and lunch tins back in their bags.

‘Well he’s changed,’ Alan observed. ‘Time was you couldn’t speak to ’un like that without getting a right ear-bashin’ back.’ He nudged his brother. ‘Why din’t you tell me he’d turned into a purring kitten? I’d have come back sooner.’

‘He’s only been like it today,’ Tommy said. ‘And you wouldn’t anyway, you’ve been too sick.’

‘I was joking,’ Alan pointed out patiently. ‘Come on, boy, grab what’s needed, and let’s get this bloody stuff out.’ As they started down the tunnel he caught at Matthew’s shirt. ‘You take this. Nature’s callin’ an’ she’ve got a bleddy loud voice.’

He pushed the swab stick into Matthew’s hand, and went back out to one of the worked-out tunnels to relieve himself, while Matthew and Tommy rejoined their captain.

When they reached him he had already cut the three fuses, and was neatly re-coiling what was left. He looked up, and dropped the depleted coil of fuse on the floor, then nodded at the cart. ‘Tommy, finish getting that loaded, and get it out.’

‘Yes, Cap’n.’

‘On you go, Pen’aligon, since you’ve got the stick.’

Matthew cleaned the loose grit and dust out of the three holes, and Alan arrived and began pouring the gunpowder into the scraper. When he and Donithorn started to pack and tamp the shot-holes, Matthew turned to help Tommy push the almost-full cart back out to the main shaft.

‘Get in,’ he said, when he was sure they were out of Donithorn’s hearing.

Tommy looked at him, puzzled. ‘What?’

‘Get in!’ Matthew knocked the side of the cart, and grinned.

Tommy gave a snort of surprised laughter, and climbed into the cart, where he huddled down on the lumps of ore, making himself as small as possible. Matthew pushed, enjoying the sound of Tommy’s chuckling as they went, and only just remembering in time to duck his own head to avoid an ear-ringing collision with the low, rocky roof. The boy worked so hard it was easy to forget he was still a child, and it was good to be able to give him a rest, even a brief one, though the ground was almost impossible to navigate without stopping every minute or so to kick rubble out of the way.

Together Matthew and the cart rattled and slid around the last bend, where the tunnel opened up and the ore could be unloaded onto a kibble for its journey to the surface. Tommy climbed out, and Matthew manoeuvred the cart into position. He glanced around as the boy started back up the tunnel.

‘Where are you going now? Alan’s here, there’s no need for either of us to go back.’

‘My coat,’ Tommy said. ‘I tied it around one of the props. It’s the only one I got,’ he added, almost apologetically. He needn’t have; Matthew was only too well aware of the consequences of losing clothing, when you earned so little money.

‘I’ll fetch it. Stay put.’

Donithorn was removing the candle from his helmet as Matthew returned to the end of the tunnel. ‘What’re you back for?’

‘Tommy’s coat.’ Matthew stepped past him and saw the coat, tied by the arms around one of the roughly sawn props.

‘Get it then, and be quick.’ Donithorn touched the candle to the end of the first fuse. ‘Fire in the hole!’ Alan quickly lit the other two, and flashed a grin at Matthew, who swore and ripped the coat sleeves free. Turning to follow, Matthew’s foot slid on loose rubble, and, as he reached out to steady himself on the wall he glanced at the nearest burning fuse and blinked. Something was… then he froze. Almost burned through…

‘Run!’ It came out weak and dismayed, so he snatched a short breath and bellowed, ‘RUN!’

Donithorn half-turned to question the sudden panic, but there was no time to explain. Matthew’s heart hammered against his ribs, the sweat of terror mingled with that of the natural heat, and made his free hand slip and slide on the rock wall. The hand holding Tommy’s coat gave him better purchase, and he leaned hard to his left, pushing against the wall to drive himself forward.

Donithorn, still blankly unmoving, looked past Matthew and, coming to life, gave a low cry of horror. Alan had heeded Matthew’s urgency and disappeared around the first bend, but Donithorn seemed locked in place and his face, in the thin light of the candle, was whiter than ever. ‘How…’

‘Go!’ Matthew shoved at him. He ducked low beneath the uneven roof, pushing Donithorn ahead of him. Even as he slipped and slid, and the skin was torn from his hands by sharp rock, he tried to calculate how long they had left. In his mind’s eye was only the sparking burn of the safety fuse, working its lazy, but unstoppable way towards the densely-packed gunpowder.

Terri NixonTerri Nixon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BUY LINKS

 

Amazon UK: www.amazon.co.uk/Penhaligons-Pride-Penhaligon-Terri-Nixon/dp/0349418780

Amazon US: www.amazon.com/Penhaligons-Pride-Penhaligon-Terri-Nixon/dp/0349418780

Waterstones Online: www.waterstones.com/book/penhaligons-pride/terri-nixon/9780349418780

ABOUT TERRI NIXON

 

Terri Nixon

Terri was born in Plymouth, UK. At the age of 9 she moved with her family to Cornwall, to the village featured in Jamaica Inn — North Hill — where she discovered a love of writing that has stayed with her ever since. She also discovered apple-scrumping, and how to jump out of a hayloft without breaking any bones, but no-one’s ever offered to pay her for doing those.

Since publishing in paperback for the first time in 2002, Terri has appeared in both print and online fiction collections, and is proud to have contributed to the Shirley Jackson award-nominated hardback collection: Bound for Evil, by Dead Letter Press.
Penhaligon’s Pride is her eighth novel to be published.

Terri also writes under the name T Nixon, and has contributed to anthologies under the names Terri Pine and Teresa Nixon. She is represented by the Kate Nash Literary Agency. She now lives in Plymouth with her youngest son, and works in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at Plymouth University, where she is constantly baffled by the number of students who don’t possess pens.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/terri.nixon.page

Twitter: twitter.com/TerriNixon

Goodreads Author Page: www.goodreads.com/author/show/7161840.Terri_Nixon

Instagram: www.instagram.com/telnixon

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/telnix/

Blog: www.terrinixon.wordpress.com

Website: www.terrinixon.com

GIVEAWAY

One lucky winner will receive signed paperbacks of Books 1 & 2!

(UK & Ireland only)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

HOUSE OF CHRISTMAS SECRETS ~ by Lynda Stacey #romantic #suspense

Lynda Stacey

House of Christmas Secrets

by

Lynda Stacey

 

Lynda StaceyGenre: ROMANTIC SUSPENSE

Release Date: 5TH DECEMBER 2017

Publisher: CHOC LIT

This year we’re just going to have a nice, normal Christmas…

Last year’s Christmas at Wrea Head Hall didn’t quite go to plan which is why Jess Croft is determined this festive season will be the one to remember, for the right reasons. And she has plenty of reasons to be hopeful, she’s going to marry the man of her dreams, Jack Stone, seven days after New Year’s Eve.

However, as family secrets are revealed in hidden letters and two unexpected guests turn up on the doorstep, Jess is left wondering whether her life will ever be the same again.

Can Jess and Jack still experience a peaceful festive season that they had imagined or are there some problems that even Christmas can’t fix?

BUY LINKS

House of Christmas Secrets – GetBook.at/ChristmasSecrets

House of Secrets – GetBook.at/HouseofSecrets

Tell me no Secrets – GetBook.at/Tmnsecrets

ABOUT LYNDA STACEY

Lynda Stacey

Lynda grew up in the mining village of Bentley, Doncaster, in South Yorkshire,

Her own chaotic life story, along with varied career choices helps Lynda to create stories of romantic suspense, with challenging and unpredictable plots, along with (as in all romances) very happy endings.

Lynda joined the Romantic Novelist Association in 2014 under the umbrella of the New Writers Scheme and in 2015, her debut novel House of Secrets won the Choc Lit & Whole Story Audiobooks Search for a Star competition.

She lives in a small rural hamlet near Doncaster, with her husband, Haydn, whom she’s been happily married to for over 20 years.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lyndastaceyauthor/

Twitter: @Lyndastacey

Blog: www.Lyndastacey.co.uk

GIVEAWAY

2 x signed copies of House of Secrets (UK & Ireland)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Mezzanotte Medical Romance ~MAKING THE DIFFERENCE by Kathryn Haydon

Mezzanotte

Making the Difference

by

Kathryn Haydon

 

MezzanotteGenre: Medical romance

Release Date: January 2017 (e-book format) & March 2017 (print format); both available via Amazon.com

Publisher: Mezzanotte

Single mum, Phoebe Jackson is stunned to find her new neighbour is hot, new doc Oliver Grey – locum consultant for Greenways Hospice where she is a specialist palliative care nurse. At their first encounter sparks fly, but soon there are sparks of a different sort. However, Oliver makes it clear from the outset that he’s not a settling down kind of guy. Having a family is not for him. Phoebe must decide if a summer romance is enough – or can true love change his mind?

Mezzanotte

EXTRACT

 

“I like you, Phoebe Jackson – very much.” Placing a finger on her lips, Oliver silenced her. “If we take things any further it’s your call. Only before you make that decision you need to know something. I don’t do families, or long-term commitment. I’m a man who can’t offer roses round the door and a happy ever after ending. So, if that’s what you’re looking for, never say I didn’t warn you.”

Feeling her cheeks flame, Phoebe gasped. Stepping back smartly, she broke Oliver’s hold, head held high.

“I think you’d better go,” she hissed, keeping her voice low because of her son sleeping upstairs. “Though, for the record, aren’t you getting a little ahead of yourself, Oliver? I’m content with my life the way it is. Noah and I are fine on our own. It would take a really special kind of guy to make me even consider changing the status quo. And, in case you hadn’t noticed, I’ve already got roses round my door!”

 

“Hell, Phoebe, I didn’t mean – – -” Cursing under his breath, he reached for her.

Fending him off, Phoebe’s eyes blazed.

“What exactly did you mean, Oliver? I’m not sure.” Her voice was saccharine sweet. “Are you suggesting, since we live in such close proximity, that you pop round for a spot of sex whenever the mood takes, no strings attached? We are both single, how very convenient. I’m afraid you’ll have to let me get back to you on that one. I haven’t had much experience of playing the hussy.”

“Phoebe, be a gown up. I’m moving on after the summer.” Oliver gave her a hard look. “We both know that. I’m not into making promises I can’t keep.”

MezzanotteMezzanotte

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BUY LINKS

Mezzanotte – http://bit.ly/2ADd7ir

Amazon UK – http://amzn.to/2BJbKhL

Amazon US – http://amzn.to/2joV5t6

STOP PRESS!!!

THE BOOK IS FREE TO DOWNLOAD FOR THE DURATION OF THE TOUR!

 

KATHRYN HAYDON’S WRITER’S JOURNEY

I don’t remember the start. From as far back as I recall, from the moment I first held a pen, I’ve loved to write. There’s always been a story running through my head. At school, English was my favourite subject; I excelled at essay writing, if not much else. My secret dream was to be published ‘one day.’ That day took a long time coming, but what a wonderful feeling when it happened!

When my children were small, like many young mums who are nurses, I chose night duty. This fitted around family commitments, especially working on a part-time basis. As my children grew, I felt the urge to write again and joined a creative writing group run by the Exeter branch of the W.E.A. It was a very supportive little group; members ranged in age from nineteen to ninety. Thursday afternoons soon became the highlight of my week. And I learned many important lessons: primarily, if you want to be published, remember writing is a business. So, act professionally.

Glibly, I shared the fact I once wrote a romance, painstakingly slowly on my word processor. And sent off a partial – the usual three chapters and a synopsis – to a well-known publisher. Unfortunately, what followed was a rejection, in the form of a lengthy letter with detailed comments and an invitation to resubmit (with a different story-line). Much water had gone under the bridge since then and I hadn’t resubmitted, believing what I received to be a publisher’s standard reply. I recall our writing tutor’s ‘shock, horror.’ Why hadn’t I penned another story and sent if off immediately? Writing is a business, she said. Time is valuable. Nothing is written or said, ‘just to be polite.’ No one would bother to read three whole chapters and make constructive comments, if they didn’t see promise and seriously intend the author to resubmit. Oh dear.

Fast forward several more years; children all grown up now. Timidly, I entered one of the Writing Magazine’s short story competitions. Oh, the joy of seeing my name in print, short listed at first attempt! However, my confidence – shaky at best – took a dive when several more entries never got a mention. Maybe I didn’t have what it takes, after all. Then, a Eureka moment when another short story entry was placed second.

Around this period, I tried novel writing again to test the waters. The mistake I made was not completing my story before approaching a publisher. In fact, those three chapters and a synopsis was all I had this time. Who would have thought the response would be so quick, especially un-agented, from the ‘slush pile!’ Not me, that’s for sure. It was a hard lesson; always best to complete one’s story before sending anything off.

Leafing through my Writing Magazine about two years ago, I spotted an article on the Subscriber Spotlight page mentioning the publisher, Mezzanotte. With trepidation, I made contact and was invited to send a sample of my writing – the usual three chapters and a synopsis. They say, ‘write what you know’ and I was trying the medical romance genre and enjoying it. Anyway, back came the reply, please send the rest. So glad I had the rest!

‘Making the Difference’ was published in January 2017. It is available from www.mezzanotte-publishing.co.uk or direct from Amazon.com, in both e-book and print format. Thank you, Bettina for your steady support and guidance along the way. One of my best memories is working with Bettina to help choose the book’s dust jacket – which I love!

I write under the pen name Kathryn Haydon. Why use a pen name? For me, it gives a certain professional freedom. How did I choose it? Well, Haydon is a nod to my mother – Haydon was her maiden name – and Kathryn just seemed to flow with it.

What am I doing right now? Retirement has gifted me more time to do what I enjoy most – writing. Under contract with Mezzanotte, I am working on a book sequel. My writing journey hasn’t stopped; indeed, I don’t think it ever will.

 

A WORD FROM KATHRYN HAYDON

 

Mezzanotte

Hello readers, pleased to meet you and have this chance to introduce myself. I am a West Country author; indeed, the red earth of Devon is steeped in my bones. I write under the pen name of Kathryn Haydon – Haydon as a nod to my mother (it was her maiden name) and Kathryn for no other reason than it flows well!

From as far back as I remember, I’ve loved to write and always hoped to be published ‘one day’ – but, as all writers know, the road to publication is a tough one and it’s taken me a while. Although short story competition wins, not least the Crediton Courier prize in June 2016, felt good, publishing a novel remained elusive. However, in January 2017, my dream was realised. What a thrill to see ‘Making the Difference’ launched via Amazon.com, first as an e-book and later, March 2017, in print format. A big thank you to Bettina at Mezzanotte for all her support and guidance along the way.

What were the highlights as I worked steadily though my six- month contract with Mezzanotte, bringing my book to completion? There were several, starting (of course) with Bettina’s email stating that she liked my synopsis and first three chapters – and could I please send her the rest. You bet I could; in fact, I couldn’t send the remaining chapters off fast enough! The thing that stands out most, though, is the excitement I felt on being involved in choice of my book’s dust jacket. A real ‘wow’ moment, especially as I love it!

Why choose the medical romance genre? Well, they say write what you know and I am a retired nurse. So, it made sense to use a medical setting as the backdrop for my story. Also, I remain passionate about good palliative care; it really does make the difference. So, if you’re looking for something new – a ‘feel good’ book to curl up with on a winter evening by a cosy log fire, perhaps – then look no further. ‘Making the Difference’ is waiting for you, with an ending that won’t disappoint.

I’ve enjoyed writing Oliver and Phoebe’s story very much. I hope you have equal pleasure reading it.

Very best wishes,

Kathryn Haydon.

https://www.facebook.com/flickypenpot/

GIVEAWAY

One lucky winner will receive a paperback copy of the book! (open Internationally)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A CHRISTMAS WISH by Erin Green #contemporary #romance #giveaway

Erin Green

A Christmas Wish

by

Erin Green

 

Erin GreenGenre: Romance Contemporary

Release Date: 1st August 2017

Publisher: Aria Fiction/Head of Zeus

Flora Phillips has an excuse for every disaster in her life; she was abandoned as a new-born on a doorstep one cold autumn night, wrapped in nothing but a towel. Her philosophy is simple: if your mother doesn’t want you – who will?

Now a thirty-year-old, without a boyfriend, a career or home she figures she might as well tackle the biggest question of them all – who is she? So, whilst everyone else enjoys their Christmas Eve traditions, Flora escapes the masses and drives to the village of Pooley to seek a specific doorstep. Her doorstep.

But in Pooley she finds more than her life story. She finds friends, laughter, and perhaps even a love to last a lifetime. Because once you know where you come from, it’s so much easier to know where you’re going.

A story of redemption and love, romance and Christmas dreams-come-true, the perfect novel to snuggle up with this festive season.

BUY LINKS

https://www.amazon.ca/Christmas-Wish-Erin-Green-ebook/dp/B071YNFZGQ

https://www.amazon.com.au/Christmas-Wish-Erin-Green-ebook/dp/B071YNFZGQ

https://www.amazon.com/CHRISTMAS-WISH-Erin-Green/dp/1786697955

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Christmas-Wish-Erin-Green-ebook/dp/B071YNFZGQ

ABOUT ERIN GREEN

 

Erin Green
Actor headshot photography

Erin was born and raised in Warwickshire, where she resides with her husband. An avid reader since childhood, her imagination was instinctively drawn to creative writing as she grew older. Erin has two Hons degrees: BA English literature and another BSc Psychology – her previous careers have ranged from part-time waitress, the retail industry, fitness industry and education. She has an obsession about time, owns several tortoises and an infectious laugh!

Erin’s writes contemporary novels focusing on love, life and laughter. Erin is an active member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and was delighted to be awarded The Katie Fforde Bursary in 2017. An ideal day for Erin involves writing, people watching and drinking copious amounts of tea.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/ErinGreenAuthor/about/?tab=page_info

Twitter: @ErinGreenAuthor

Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16881009.Erin_Green

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erin_green_author/

Website: www.ErinGreenAuthor.co.uk

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THE SATURDAY LETTERS by Jill Treseder #saga #review

Saturday

The Saturday Letters

by

Jill Treseder

 

SaturdayGenre: Family saga

Release Date: November 2017

Publisher: S Books

18+: Scenes of a sexual nature

When Henrietta finds herself excluded from seeing her grandchildren, she decides to write to them to explain their Afro-Caribbean origins in slavery.

She tells the story of her childhood in Bermuda, of marrying a British soldier, bringing up six children in Gibraltar and moving to England on her husband’s retirement from the army. Writing the letters reveals unexpected and challenging truths about herself and her family, which give her food for reflection.

Do her grandchildren ever receive the letters? And if so, how true a picture of their grandmother and family do they paint?

EXTRACT

First things first. I introduce myself. I am your great-grandmother. Your grandmother, Ada, is my daughter. As you know, of course, you visit her every Saturday afternoon with your parents. I live in the house just up the hill from hers. Not the one joined on to your grandmother’s house, but the next one.

I should say, I did live there. Because, if my plan works out, you will be opening these letters as a young man, aged twenty-one years, and I will no longer be on this earth.

BUY LINKS

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2Brvy93

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2ixYCrG

REVIEW

Imagine living within sight of your family but being cut off from them at the same time. In this poignant novella, Henrietta is faces this dilemma every day.
I loved the letters she wrote to her descendants with the hope of reuniting with them. I loved the expressions she used from her childhood in Bermuda in her correspondence. “cheese…” was a particular favourite (confirm from the glossary at the beginning of the story).
I almost got sea-sick myself as I travelled across the ocean to Gibraltar. I’ve never been but could picture it well from the author’s description. I looked up a photograph after reading the book and it was exactly like I’d envisioned.
Do the intended recipients ever see the Saturday letters? To find out, you’ll have to read the book.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Saturday

Jill Treseder was born in Hampshire and lived all her childhood in sight of the sea on the Solent and in Devon, Cornwall and West Wales. She now lives with her husband in Devon overlooking the River Dart.

After graduating from Bristol with a degree in German, Jill followed careers in social work, management development and social research, obtaining a PhD from the School of Management at the University of Bath along the way.

Since 2006 she has focused on writing fiction.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jill.treseder

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jill_Treseder

Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7919007.Jill_Treseder

Blog: http://www.jilltresederwriter.com

Author: http://www.jilltresederwriter.com

Publisher: http://sbooks.co.uk

 

WHAT HAPPENS AT CHRISTMAS by Evonne Wareham #romantic #suspense

Evonne WarehamWhat Happens at Christmas

by

Evonne Wareham

Evonne WarehamGenre: romantic suspense

Release Date: 5 December 2017

Publisher: Choc-lit

Best-selling author Andrew Vitruvius knows that any publicity is good publicity. His agent tells him that often, so it must be true. In the run-up to Christmas, she excels herself – talking him into the craziest scheme yet: getting himself kidnapped, live on TV.

But when the plan goes ahead and Drew is unceremoniously thrown in the back of a van before being dragged to a hut in middle of the Brecon Beacons, it all starts to feel a little bit too real.

Meanwhile, not far away, Lori France and her four-year-old niece Misty are settling in to spend the holidays away after unexpected events leave them without a place to stay. Little do they know they’re about to make a shocking discovery and experience a Christmas they’re not likely to forget

BUY LINKS

Amazon UK http://amzn.to/2AlOozk

Amazon US http://amzn.to/2BxFQoS

Apple http://apple.co/2AjZYxl

Kobo http://bit.ly/2j1drjJ

Google http://bit.ly/2hZxCgR

Evonne Wareham

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Evonne Wareham

Evonne Wareham was born in Barry on the South Wales coast, but spent most of her working life in London. Now home again in Wales she is studying for a PhD in History and writing romance. She was a finalist in two reality writing contests in the United States and had a great time, even if she didn’t win. When not studying or writing, she loves to travel, go to the theatre, walk on the beach and sleep. She has won and been nominated for awards for her romantic suspense novels on both sides of the Atlantic, and is now also writing romantic comedy with a light dusting of crime – which is a change of pace from writing the dark scary stuff. She is a member of both the Crime Writers’ Association and the Romantic Novelists’ Association, which means she gets to go to twice as many literary parties.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/evonnewarehamauthor/?ref=bookmarks

Twitter: @evonnewareham

Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5055952.Evonne_Wareham

Blog: http://evonneonwednesday.blogspot.co.uk/

Website: http://www.evonnewareham.com/