Happy Publication Day, Jenni Fletcher 🙂

The Warrior’s Bride Prize

Daughter of a slave…wedded to the warrior!

Livia Valeria is furious when she’s ruthlessly gambled away by her intended bridegroom. Luckily, it’s tall, muscled and darkly handsome Roman centurion Marius Varro who wins her as his bride! Livia must hide her Caledonian roots, but when Marius faces a barbarian rebellion at Hadrian’s Wall she must make a choice: her heritage or the husband she’s falling for…

Purchase Links:

Amazon UK https://amzn.to/2NWoZSS

Amazon https://amzn.to/2NWoZSS

iBooks https://apple.co/2udYkZI

WHSmith http://bit.ly/2Nbne3b

B&N http://bit.ly/2ug1pbF

Author Bio –

Jenni Fletcher was born on the north coast of Scotland and now lives in Yorkshire, where she writes Medieval, Roman and Victorian romance novels.

She studied English at Cambridge University before doing an MA on Women and Literature in English and a PhD on Victorian & Edwardian literature at Hull. After realising that she was better at writing than teaching, she worked in a number of administrative jobs whilst trying to finish her first book, which was rejected. Thinking there must have been some mistake, she then wrote another, which was fortunately accepted by Harlequin Mills & Boon.

Her favourite Jane Austen novel is Persuasion and her favourite Brontë is Anne. If she had to choose a romantic hero it would be John Thornton, but maybe that’s just because she’s Northern.

Social Media Links –

FB https://www.facebook.com/JenniFletcherAuthor/

Twitter @JenniAuthor

Giveaway –

Win 1 x Signed US Copy of The Warrior’s Bride Prize (Open Internationally)

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter link below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then I reserve the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!

Hi and welcome to my stop on Jason Minick’s Arcam blog tour 🙂

Many thanks to the author and to Kelly at Love Books Group Tours

Interview with Jason Minick…..

For those who don’t know already, could you tell us about yourself and your book(s) please?

I have been a railway signalling engineer for twenty-eight years. I am currently a self-employed consultant in the design discipline. I’m pleased to say that my profession keeps me busy presently; but, as you can probably imagine, this poses a challenge in terms of fulfilling my writing passion.

I am married, with three extraordinary children. The kids are currently aged fourteen, eleven and eight. So, of course, I take my role of husband and father seriously. All this means that I could really do with there being just another couple of hours in a day. Something I know many of you will empathise with.

Nevertheless; I find that if you really want to do something enough, you will find the time. So it is for me with writing.

I am a fan of reading several genres, but I was in no doubt that I would begin my writing journey with a crime-fiction series.

I began writing Arcam, my debut novel, at the very beginning of 2017. The book is a crime/conspiracy thriller, based predominantly in Somerset, England. It is the first book in what I intend to become a series, based around the main protagonist – DCI Jack Robson.

Where did/do you get your ideas from?

There is no doubt that the inspiration for the Arcam story came from the location in which it is based.

North Somerset is an area I have become very fond of. In particular, I find the Quantocks and coastal area of St Audries Bay, Watchet and Porlock to be rather enchanting. My first novel was always going to be a crime fiction and it could only have taken place in one area.

I had several ideas in my mind as to what sort of sinister events a novelist could make happen in this area, but I was surprised at how, once I’d started writing, the events almost unfolded by themselves.

I was intrigued by what might happen if one got beneath the surface of such an understated, relaxed haven of tranquillity. In contrast to many thrillers that are based in well-known city locations, I wanted to use this ostensibly sleepy area to bring out the potential for the unexpected.

There are certainly a small number of specific, key locations in the book.

As I soon discovered, one of the key factors in plot development is identifying early on what the perpetrator wants. Without wishing to give too much away in this post, I can absolutely confirm that the locations themselves provided the answer to this challenge.

I have been fortunate enough to be able to spend quite a lot of time in the area, which really was a blessing in terms of location research. In fact, among the many enjoyable elements of writing this book has been the opportunity to try to bring the area to life on the page, as it were.

Having the main character being from a totally different location also provided the opportunity to highlight the contrast.

Are any of your characters based (however loosely) on anyone you know?

Not particularly, no.

I suppose DCI Jack Robson was quite easy to ‘build’. He’s not based on anyone specifically but is more an accumulation of various character traits.

First and foremost, I wanted Jack to be a ‘good man’. I wanted him to be strong, maybe even tough; but not in the stereotypical sense perhaps. It seemed important to me to be able to show vulnerability, to make Robson believable.

I don’t know if it’s because I am a father of young children, but it seemed obvious to make Jack a father, to add to his relatability for readers. This eventually evolved into the back story regarding his late wife, Isabelle.

Trying to put myself in his place, that of a single father, was not particularly comfortable. But I think it enabled there to be quite an interesting dimension to his relationship with Emma Wilson.

It seemed a natural development to incorporate some degree of romance in the story, given Jack’s sad past. I also wanted a strong detective partner for him, who also possessed a high level of intelligence and a personality that complimented Jack’s foibles.

Enter the remarkable Inspector Emma Wilson, of Somerset CID.

Emma is an attractive young woman and a fast-tracked high flyer in the force. But she soon proves to Robson that she isn’t one of the ‘wet-behind-the-ears’ new breed of recruits. Wilson has common sense and is street-wise.

These two main characters were really a product of how I wanted the tale to develop. Others, such as Superintendent Thorpe and Sir Geoffrey Charlesworth were also conjured in my mind. Although, when I think of Thorpe, I remember a grumpy, brusque college lecturer I once had. Perhaps I’ve also met someone like Sir Geoffrey before also.

Jonny Searle was based on a man I saw drinking at the Ship Inn at Porlock Weir, while I was still writing the first draft. He looked, to me anyway, like a typical man of the sea. He had an unassuming ruggedness and I couldn’t help noticing his rather large hands. He also seemed quite jolly and appeared as though he enjoyed life’s simple pleasures. (Perhaps the latter characteristic made its way into Jacob Miller).

The core characters were Jack, Emma, Sir Geoffrey and perhaps Thorpe. The other characters were developed around this core group, out of necessity as the story developed. I think I probably found the process of developing characters as equally rewarding as developing the story. After all, what could be more creative than producing new human beings!

I have been delighted by the feedback I’ve received so far, regarding Robson and Wilson in particular. I very much hope that I do these characters justice in book number two!

How do you pick your characters’ names?

Often, I lean back in my chair, close my eyes and imagine the character. But also, to pick some of the surnames that featured in the Arcam story, I did a little research into common Somerset names. Eventually, I found I would come across a name that ‘felt right’.

Can you share your writing process with us, in a nutshell?

Certainly:

Phase 1 – I think about what I want to happen in the book, very much in generic terms. I also consider locations. I spend a few weeks scribbling ideas in my notepad. I also use this initial period to carry out any obviously key research that is necessary; whether it be locations, technology or protocol (police, military, etc).

I also like to visit any pertinent locations in person, to get a feel for the surroundings, including taking in the sights, smells and sounds. Where this is not practical, then it’s a matter of desktop research of course.

Phase 2 – Begin first draft. The best advice I have absorbed is to write, write, write! The first draft is essentially a brain-dump. It’s the most creative period really. I may know what key events I want to happen and I will have a vague idea of the ending; but I don’t know what’s going to happen in between until I write it.

Phase 3 – Start to turn the waffle into a decent piece of writing. For Arcam, I wrote five drafts, before I was happy to submit my manuscript for proof-reading. This re-writing process not only involved trying to make the writing good; the plot was also developed further – some scenes deleted, some added.

Phase 4 – Proofread/editing – I paid a professional to carry out a kind of hybrid ‘proof-edit’. This was money well-spent. No matter how carefully you check your own work, it is never possible to pick up everything. So, an independent, professional review is a must.

Phase 5 – Get a cover design and publish!

Who are your top 5 favourite authors?

Tricky … I’ll settle on these:

Frederick Forsyth

LJ Ross

Charles Dickens

James Ellroy

CJ Sansom

If you could meet any author, who would it be and what would you ask them?

I would like to meet H.G. Wells (using his time machine, of course!).

I’d visit him in 1895 and invite him to come and sample 2018 for a short while, so that I could ask him what he thought of society in our time.

I would ask him if civilisation had evolved into all that he had feared, or whether he saw any unexpected positive developments.

I suppose I’d also have to ask him … “Would you have voted for or against ‘Brexit’”!

Were you a big reader as a child?

Honestly … no.

There were certain books that captured my imagination, but I remember being an impatient reader. I’ve always loved the idea of getting lost in books, but my reading didn’t really take off until I was in my early twenties. I do, however, remember wanting to write my own stories from a very young age.

When did you start to write?

Very recently! Many people speak of how they would “love to write a book, but don’t have the time”. That was me, until a couple of year ago, when I decided to finally take some action.

For a while before I finally began work on Arcam, I found myself wanting to write down thoughts and snapshots of storylines that occasionally popped in to my head, when I wasn’t thinking about work, family, or other daily issues that tend to occupy our minds almost constantly!

I was slightly surprised at how cathartic I found the process of writing to be – that of simply putting one’s thoughts and ideas on paper. I believe that’s what drove me on to proceed with my first novel.

If you could re-write the ending to any book what would it be and what would you change?

Romeo and Juliet.

It’s a great tale, but the ending is far too harsh! We studied R & J at secondary school and I remember being possibly more invested in the story than any other I had encountered up until that point.

It was such a cunning ploy they came up with to ultimately be with one another; and I found it quote disappointing when it failed so disastrously.

But then again, it wouldn’t have qualified as a ‘tragedy’ otherwise, would it?!

Is there a book you wish you had written?

The Book Thief (By Markus Zusak).

There are some books you read, that you never forget. This is one of them, for me. I think I’m in awe of this work for several reasons.

But, in a nutshell, it’s the way Markus has written about a deeply sad subject and still portrayed human traits that we can relate to, with great clarity. The narrative is just so very clever. I remember being hooked from the first sentence.

A masterclass in writing.

(I haven’t included Markus in my list of favourite authors, because this is the only work I’ve read of his so far).

If you wrote an autobiography, what would your title be?

‘Help me, I’m scared!’

If you could invite any fictional character for coffee who would it be and where would you take them?

Victor Frankenstein.

We’d visit a convention or exhibition for Artificial Intelligence.

What are you working on right now?

The second book in the DCI Robson ‘series’ – It is a sequel to Arcam.

Tell us about your last release?

Arcam is the first book in my ‘DCI Robson’ crime series. In the first book, the investigation that Robson is appointed to lead turns out to be a little more than your average crime.

I wrote book one in such a way that I hoped it would be a ‘standalone read’, as well as setting the scene for the story to continue further.

I am currently working on the sequel – watch this space!

Do you have a new release due?

Not yet. I’m probably three quarters of the way through my first draft. So, I estimate an Easter 2019 release.

What do you generally do to celebrate on publication day?

Well, nothing formal took place when I released my debut novel, Arcam. However, we subsequently got together with friends and drank Prosecco to recognise my accomplishment!

How can readers keep in touch with you?

My website is: www.jasonminick.com

I’d also be delighted for people to keep in touch via social media:

https://www.facebook.com/JMinickFictionAuthor

https://twitter.com/JMinick_Author

https://www.instagram.com/jminickauthor/

Is there anything else you would like us to know?

Thank you for taking the time to read this interview. I hope you will give Arcam a try and I would be glad to receive your feedback, whatever it may be, good or bad. Happy reading!

Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions, Jason 🙂

Blurb

A FAST-PACED CRIME/CONSPIRACY THRILLER THAT IS FULL OF SUSPENSE:

DCI Jack Robson believes he is hunting a kidnapper…

Away from his posting in London, Robson is asked to lead an investigation in the south west of England. But what begins as a baffling local kidnapping mystery, quickly escalates into something far more sinister.

In pursuit of the perpetrators, DCI Robson joins forces with Inspector Emma Wilson and the rest of the regional CID team. Together, they attempt to make sense of the lack of evidence or motive, eventually getting drawn to the tiny island of Steep
Holm, in the Bristol Channel.

As the investigation progresses, Robson, Wilson and their colleagues find themselves facing something far beyond normal detective work. Unthinkable connections lead them to a conspiracy, so great it could change the course of humanity. The question is, can they intervene before it’s too late to prevent the appalling future that potentially lies ahead …

Buy Link

https://amzn.to/2R6SX8w

Author bio…..

Jason Minick is an engineer living in the south-west of England. He has a passion for the written word and reading.

Jason is a fan of many genres. His debut novel, Arcam, is a crime/conspiracy thriller set in his favourite part of the UK.

He lives with his wife, Emma, and his three children, Lucy, William and Sophie. The family share their home with two very small dogs, Digby and Tizzie.

The author is currently working on the second book in the DCI Robson series, the sequel to Arcam.

Hi and welcome to my stop on Ronnie Turner’s Lies Between Us blog tour! I am absolutely OVER THE MOON to be a part of this tour. It is going to be epic!! 

Check out how many awesome book bloggers are taking part, throughout October ⇓⇓⇓

My review…..

Lies Between Us is a very cleverly written psychological thriller and one which is likely to stay with me for a long time to come. It’s hard to believe this is a debut novel!

I’m going to find it quite hard to review I think as I don’t want to give anything away and I’m pretty sure nothing I say will do this book the justice it deserves, but I hope I can convey how much I have enjoyed it and would recommend to anyone looking for a unique and compelling story in this genre.

The story is told from three perspectives. John is married to Jules and they have a little girl. Their life is a happy one until their daughter goes missing and they struggle to piece the clues together to find her, all the time being tortured with horrifying images sent by the kidnapper to make sure they suffer the worst thing any parent could possibly go through. They quickly realise this must be someone obsessed with John, looking for some kind of revenge, but who and why? He can’t think of anyone from his past who would be capable of such an horrendous act and time is running out.

Maisie is an ICU nurse, taking care of her current patient, Tim, who was attacked and left for dead. She gets caught up in the life of his family and friends, always wondering if there is more to their story than his wife seems willing to let on. Maisie also has her own difficulties and she’s an intriguing character. It was hard to see her significance to the story initially, but I still found myself intrigued by her and this family she is caring for.

Miller is a disturbing character. This is a child with some serious issues and his chapters made for uncomfortable reading, but he is fascinating and I couldn’t help being intrigued by him. The characterisation throughout this story is amazing!

I had SO many questions forming in my mind as I was reading this book as I had no idea where the story was going, although I had a feeling it would be nothing like I was imagining. It was clear the obvious was not going to be the truth, but finding out what on earth was going on and how these people could possibly be connected made for a very tense and exciting read. I’m pretty sure I held my breath towards the end and was absolutely blown away. Jaw dropping would be a bit of an understatement!

Excellent writing! I can’t wait to read whatever Ronnie Turner writes next.

Many thanks to the author and publisher for my ARC. I highly recommend!

Lies Between Us

by

Ronnie Turner

E-Book & Audiobook 1^st October, Paperback 13^th December 2018

Blurb:

Will they ever learn the truth?

Three people, leading very different lives, are about to be brought together – with devastating consequences . . .

John has a perfect life, until the day his daughter goes missing.

Maisie cares for her patients, but hides her own traumatic past.

Miller should be an innocent child, but is obsessed with something he can’t have.

They all have something in common, though none of them know it – and the truth won’t stay hidden for long . . .

A gripping psychological thriller for fans of Clare Mackintosh, Shari Lapena and Lisa Jewell.

Buy Links:

Kobo:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lies-Between-Us-psychological-thriller-ebook/dp/B07CWTBL6C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1538219110&sr=8-1&keywords=lies+between+us

Google Play:

https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Ronnie_Turner_Lies_Between_Us?id=N3BbDwAAQBAJ

Amazon UK:

https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/lies-between-us-a-tense-psychological-thriller-with-a-twist-you-won-t-see-coming

Itunes:

https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/lies-between-us/id1388910063?mt=11

&

Lies Between Us on Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40169201-lies-between-us

Author Bio:

Ronnie Turner grew up in Cornwall, the youngest in a large family. At an early age, she discovered a love of literature and dreamed of being a published author. Ronnie now lives in Dorset with her family and three dogs. In her spare time, she reviews books on her blog and enjoys long walks on the coast. She is currently working on her second novel.

Ronnie’s debut novel, Lies Between Us, will be published by HQ Digital in October 2018.

Twitter:@Ronnie_ _Turner

Facebook: @RonnieTurnerAuthor

Instagram: @ronnieturner8702

Website: www.ronnieturner.wordpress.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/RonnieTurner

#LiesBetweenUs

#WhereIsBonnie?

Hi! Do you live in, or around, Stoke-on-Trent? If yes then why not go along to one (or all) of the following events…..

The Local Poets

Saturday 13 October, 11am-12.30pm

City Central Library, Hanley

Cost: free

Join us for a morning of poetry from Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, featuring Stoke-on-Trent Poet Laureate Stephen Seabridge, former Staffordshire Poet Laureate Bert Flitcroft, and local poets G.K.A.Gay and Nick Degg. Each poet has their own distinct style and voice, and all are excellent – so do get in touch if you’d like to come along.

This event is free, but tickets should be booked in advance.

Tel: 01782 238455 Email: central.library@stoke.gov.uk

City Voices: Season of Mists

Wednesday 17 October, 6:30-8:30pm (doors open 6.15pm)

City Central Library, Hanley

Cost: free

The event will begin with an introduction to the evening at 6:30pm.  Following which, members of the City Voices Writers Group will share their work until 8pm.  Time permitting, there will then be an opportunity for audience members to share their own work (2-3 minutes per person). Please bring a story or poem with you if you would like to share your own work. Books produced by the group and its writers will be available to buy on the night.

This event is free, but tickets should be booked in advance.

Tel: 01782 238455 Email: central.library@stoke.gov.uk

6X6 Reading Café

This is always a lovely evening and is becoming increasingly popular. Hope to see you there!

Tuesday 11 December, 7-8.30pm (doors open 6.30pm)

City Central Library, Hanley

Cost: free

Six writers…six readings…six minutes each. By popular request, this will be a seasonal evening, with readings that echo the time of year – be that Christmas, Yule, New Year or other Winter/December celebrations.

For details of how to submit your work, go to the Writing Guidelines page at https://6x6writingcafe.wordpress.com/  The submissions window opens 1st October and ends 25th November. If you’re not reading your work aloud, you are very welcome to come, listen and give your support.

This event is free, but tickets should be booked in advance.

Tel: 01782 238455 Email: central.library@stoke.gov.uk

Guest post…..

CRUSHING (ON) CELEBRITY

Do you have fictional character crushes? Do you finish a book and feel a little bereft, even if it has a happily-ever-after ending? Do you get lost in the male protagonist with his six-foot plus of hot model gorgeousness? His chiselled jawline, strong cleft chin, Cupid’s-bow lips, and brown puppy-dog eyes; his toned and taut buns ’n’ guns, buff pecs and ripped abs?

Then spare a thought for us authors.

You get to move on to the next BILF in another book. But we’re stuck with our creation in what can feel like the worst case of unrequited love. It’s why my books have turned into a series. That above-description—it’s Ralph, my lead male character. And I can’t get him out of my head.

Oh, I have the odd moment, you know, when I look at my husband. And he’ll look at me the same way. But the moment’s gone, just like that—pfft—when he says, ‘Pull my finger.’

You see, this is why I’m hooked on Ralph, why I hanker for him, why I wouldn’t climb over him in bed to get to hubby.

And it’s just one reason why we girls crush on book characters. Or celebrity-worship. There are many others:

1. Fictional leading men don’t belch like a chainsaw

2. They don’t pick out their belly-button lint and drop it in the indoor plants

3. They don’t stand in front of an open fridge calling out, ‘I can’t see the cheese!’ And they don’t cut it

4. They don’t drink orange juice straight out of the container

5. They don’t scratch their nuts

6. They don’t leave the seat up (because they don’t even go to the toilet)

7. They don’t pick their noses or scatter toenail clippings on the carpet

8. They don’t hoik phlegm (loudly)

9. They don’t check their text messages while you’re talking to them

10. They don’t refuse to ask for directions

11. And they don’t yell at the footy ref on TV, ‘Oh what was that?! Make a call, ya fuckwit!’

This inventory of gnarly habits that our non-fictional leading men have, does it sound cliché? Does it look like I googled it? Yes, it does, and no, I didn’t. My research is close to home, so to speak. Thanks heaps, Hubs and Dad.

When I was little, my mother told me my father had been raised by une paire de singes—a pair of monkeys. And where Mills & Boon became her drug of choice, I accepted her explanation for his behaviour. But it stopped making sense after I got married: my husband was raised by a pair of self-respecting humans. So …

It seems men are just hardwired as yobs. And women are hardwired with a certain je ne sais quoi. Finesse, shall we say? We might well have a potty-mouth, but we won’t leave skid marks. (Although, some women’s public lavs can leave one wondering, and hoping it’d been a shit-faced bunch of blokes who’d mistaken it for the men’s room and then let loose in there.)

All things considered, for me it’s a double-edged sword because I admire the real. Writing ‘real’ and with depth is my stock-in-trade. But as a starry-eyed teen, I’d interpreted ‘he’s a real man’ as he’s a guy with ample testosterone—deep voice, decent muscle mass, a nice smattering of body hair (not like a gorilla, though), a good libido. I hadn’t factored the other stuff into what constitutes a real man.

We become more feet-on-the-ground as we get older, but the idea of the dreamy one still hangs about. And even though I think fairy tales are bollocks, when too much reality gets tired, a yearning calls from the depth: Please—please—just give me the goddamn storybook man!

And so, Ralph was conceived. He’s real-ish inasmuch as he has his foibles. I even had him vomiting a couple of times, although that’s where I drew the line. I foisted those rubbish tendencies on my other male characters, but I wanted to humanise Ralph, not make a monkey out of him.

. . . .

My girlfriends and I sometimes compare notes about our real-life men:

‘You’re not gonna believe what mine did! He blah blah blah …’

‘Oh, hon, I can go you one better!’

Sounds like a pissing contest, no? A male preoccupation—not the sort of thing fictional female protagonists do. Well, we’re not fictional. We’re real women. Could it be, then, that we women and our husbands are well-matched? Ugh!

Lol! Brilliant!

Cupid F*cks Up

Ruth Roth is a straight shooter. Pity Cupid’s not.

Smart-mouth Ruth is an inspirational humour columnist for a popular women’s magazine. Recently divorced, she has found the love of her life. Without any help, mind you, from the little fat love god. Ruth has decided she herself is her one and only.

And she’s in a comfy place. Why wouldn’t she be? No need to yell ‘Put the bloody toilet seat down!’ No need to hoover toe-nail clippings off the carpet.

But then a silver-tongued Prince Charming fronts up in his shiny Merc and tickles her discarded, little-girl fantasies. He tells her their love is written in the stars.

It must be a misprint.

A romance with this particular PC is not so PC! Still …

Ruth’s life plays out more like ancient myth than fairytale. And what hot-blooded woman can resist forbidden fruit?

There’s a problem, though. Ruth does not have a hot-blooded mum. Ruth has a pain-in-the-arse mum whose squawking disapproval cranks the taboo up a notch.

All the more reason to take up with the stud! But it means taking on the harpy.

Tensions mount, and even Ruth’s man can’t protect her from the trash-talking voices in her head. It looks like he can’t muzzle his own either. When an earth-shattering revelation causes him to give her grief, it makes her feel like she’s dating her mother.

Taking the kind of advice she doles out to her readers is not so easy, and Ruth wonders if this love can survive. More to the point, is it worth the trouble?

Purchase Links

Amazon UK –

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cupid-cks-Ruth-Roth-Book-ebook/dp/B07FZWR76L/

Amazon US –

https://www.amazon.com/Cupid-cks-Ruth-Roth-Book-ebook/dp/B07FZWR76L/

My T(r)oyboy is a Twat

Love, romance, marriage, and a dark little secret. Shh … Small things let loose can grow out of hand.

Ruth Roth’s new husband can’t keep it in. If only he had all those years ago, things might be different now.

His big mouth sends every family member into hell. Except for Ruth’s late mother. She blows in from there. Seems the woman just won’t die. Or let up. Faaaark!

As if Mama’s earbashing isn’t enough, everyone else needs a scapegoat. Ruth is it. Somehow, this mess is her fault.

With everything falling apart, she feels overwhelmed. Until a hunky celebrity pants man—who clearly wants to get into hers—befriends her and makes her feel all warm and fuzzy. At the same time, an educated silicone seductress has designs on hubby.

Temptation abounds. But it’s overshadowed when a startling discovery throws Ruth and her man into uncharted waters, and life comes crashing down.

Ruth has survived plenty with the help of her friends. And as a writer, her wry wit, dirty muse, and a bent for ancient mythology have sustained her. This, though, might be her undoing.

Purchase Links

Amazon UK –

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FKN8HF6/

Amazon US –

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07FKN8HF6/

Author Bio –

Paula Houseman was once a graphic designer. But when the temptation to include ‘the finger’ as part of a logo for a forward-moving women’s company proved too much, she knew it was time to give away design. Instead, she took up writing.

She found she was a natural with the double entendres (God knows she’d been in enough trouble as a child for dirty wordplay).

As a published writer of earthy chick lit and romantic comedy, Paula gets to bend, twist, stretch and juice up universal experiences to shape reality the way she wants it, even if it is only in books. But at the same time, she can make it more real, so that her readers feel part of the sisterhood. Or brotherhood (realness has nothing to do with gender).

Through her books, Paula also wants to help the reader escape into life and love’s comic relief. And who doesn’t need to sometimes?

Her style is a tad Monty Pythonesque because she adores satire. It helps defuse all those gaffes and thoughts that no one is too proud of.

Paula lives in Sydney, Australia with her husband. No other creatures. The kids have flown the nest and the dogs are long gone.

Social Media Links –

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/paulahouseman

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/PaulaHouseman

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/PaulaHousemanAuthor

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulahouseman

Check out the rest of the blog tour for reviews, and more, with these awesome book bloggers…..

Happy reading 🙂

Happy Publication Day, Cynthia Hilston 🙂

A Laughing Matter of Pain

Harry Rechthart always knew how to laugh, but laughter can hide a lot of pain that’s drowned by the bottle and good times. He grew up the joker in the early 1900s in Cleveland, Ohio, but as he enters adulthood, conflict splits him. His once close relationship with his brother, Erik, breaks as they come into their own and Erik goes off to college. No longer under Erik’s shadow, Harry feels he might finally shine and make others see him as someone to be proud of. Harry finds an unlikely comrade who understands how he feels–his younger sister, Hannah. Once free of high school, Harry and Hannah double date sister and brother, Kat and Will Jones, attending wild, extravagant parties during the years of Prohibition. Harry thinks he’s won at life–he’s found love in Kat, in a good time, and in the bottle. But all the light goes out fast when Harry’s alcoholism leads to disastrous consequences for him and Kat.

Harry thinks the joke’s on him now that he’s sunk lower than ever. He’s in jail. He’s pushed away his family. He’s a broken man, but in the darkest depths of a prison cell, there is hope. Can Harry rebuild his life and learn that true laughter comes from knowing true joy, or will he bury himself once and for all in this laughing matter of pain?

Purchase Links:

Amazon US:

https://www.amazon.com/Laughing-Matter-Pain-Cynthia-Hilston-ebook/dp/B07F75Z5YP/

Amazon UK:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Laughing-Matter-Pain-Cynthia-Hilston-ebook/dp/B07F75Z5YP/

Author Bio –

Cynthia Hilston is a thirty-something-year-old stay at home mom of three young kids, happily married. Writing has always been like another child to her. After twenty years of waltzing in the world of fan fiction, she finally stepped away to do her debut dance with original works of fiction. Hannah’s Rainbow: Every Color Beautiful is her first original novel. She’s currently working on more books. Visit her website for more information.

In her spare time – what spare time? – she devours books, watches Doctor Who and Game of Thrones, pets her orange kitty, looks at the stars, and dreams of what other stories she wishes to tell.

Social Media Links –

http://www.cynthiahilston.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cynthiahilstonauthor

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/cynthiahilstonauthor

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Cynthia-Hilston/e/B01KSD8RPS/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1532102291&sr=1-1

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/cynthiahilston

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/authorcynthiahilston

Hi and welcome to my stop on Florence Keeling’s Reflected Destinies blog tour 🙂

Interview with Florence Keeling…..

For those who don’t know already, could you tell us about yourself and your book(s) please?

My name is Florence Keeling, I use this name in honour of my Great Grandmother with whom I share a birthday of April Fool’s Day. I am married with two teenage children and two dogs. I write women’s fiction with a hint of the supernatural and my debut novel, Reflected Destinies has a 1940s twist.

Where did/do you get your ideas from?

My ideas can come from anywhere, from a song, something I’ve seen in my day to day life or something that I or someone I know has experienced.

Are any of your characters based (however loosely) on anyone you know?

A lot of my characters are loosely based on people I know or situations that they have been in.

How do you pick your characters names?

Google and baby books are the best for choosing names.

Can you share your writing process with us, in a nutshell?

My writing process consists of me sitting down in front of my laptop and typing. I do very little planning and probably only start thinking of the next chapter as I come to the end of the current one although my brain has often woken me up at 3am to tell me something important which I then have to tap in my phone.

Who are your top 5 favourite authors?

Philippa Gregory, J K Rowling, Catherine Cookson, Jill Murphy and I need to read lots more Terry Pratchett.

If you could meet any author, who would it be and what would you ask them?

I would like to meet Philippa Gregory and ask her how on earth she does all the research for her novels and make the characters so vivid and real.

Were you a big reader as a child?

I devoured books as a teenager. Historical romance was my favourite, but The Worst Witch and Famous Five were my childhood books. And I can always remember my Dad reading me the Topsy and Tim books.

When did you start to write?

I wrote poetry and short stories as a teenager and then a few years ago, once my children were older I started to write more seriously.

If you could re-write the ending to any book what would it be and what would you change?

I would re-write the part in the last Harry Potter where Snape dies. He had suffered so much anguish and hurt in his life it would have been nice to see him survive and torment future Hogwarts students.

Is there a book you wish you had written?

No, I am happy writing my own stories.

If you wrote an autobiography, what would your title be?

Dreams do come true.

If you could invite any fictional character for coffee who would it be and where would you take them?

I’d love to sit down with The Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland and it would have to be in Wonderland of course.

What are you working on right now?

I am currently working on a children’s series of books about a magic academy and then I will be returning to the 3^rd book in my Josie James urban fantasy series under my children’s author name of Lily Mae Walters.

Do you have a new release due?

My second book under Florence Keeling is called Winters’ Gift and is due out in October.

What do you generally do to celebrate on publication day?

I usually spend the day checking social media and Amazon sales and rankings.

How can readers keep in touch with you?

I am on Facebook and Twitter under both author names and love it when readers get in touch.

Is there anything else you would like us to know?

I would be deeply honoured if you would consider reading a new author or genre that you haven’t read before. It means the absolute world to me when someone enjoys my books.

Reflected Destinies

Laura is happy and content, she has a new boyfriend and loves her job teaching primary school pupils in London.  But when she inherits a rundown house from a stranger on her 30th birthday, memories of her prom night come flooding back, memories of a scary encounter and an antique mirror in the very same house.

Laura visits the house with all its secrets and as she unravels the clues she reveals the biggest secret of all: her own destiny.  But how can you change the future if it’s already written in the past?

Purchase Link –

http://mybook.to/reflecteddestinies

About Florence Keeling

​Florence Keeling adopted for her pen-name her Great Grandmother’s name, chosen because of the shared birthday of April Fool’s Day.  She is married with two teenage children.  Born and raised in Coventry, England she now lives just outside in Nuneaton.  Reflected Destinies is her first novel.

Florence Keeling also writes for children under the name of Lily Mae Walters.

Facebook –

https://www.facebook.com/florence.keeling.7

Twitter –

https://twitter.com/KeelingFlorence

Instagram –

https://www.instagram.com/florence.keeling/

Giveaway…..

Win a Signed copy of Reflected Destinies (UK Only)

*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter link below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then I reserve the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33c69494137/?

Good Luck!

Check out the rest of the blog tour for reviews, and more, with these awesome book bloggers…..

Happy Reading 🙂

Hi and welcome to my stop on Christopher Lowery’s The Mosul Legacy blog tour with Urbane Publications and Love Books Group Tours…..

Interview with Christopher Lowery…..

For those who don’t know already, could you tell us about yourself and your book(s) please?

Christopher Lowery is a ‘Geordie’, born in the northeast of England, who graduated in finance and economics after reluctantly giving up career choices in professional golf and rock & roll. He is a real estate and telecoms entrepreneur and inventor and has created several successful companies around the world, including Interoute Communications and Wyless Group.

The African Diamonds Trilogy:

Vol I. The Angolan Clan. The genesis is his life in Portugal during and after the revolution and the ‘liberation’ of the African colonies, which results in a dramatic international murder mystery in 2008.

Vol II, The Rwandan Hostage is based upon an incident during the Genocide of 1994 which spawns subsequent catastrophic events in 2010.

Vo II. The Dark Web describes a multi-nation cyber-warfare attack in 2017, demonstrating the inherent dangers of the internet.

The Mosul Legacy, set in 2016, deals with the consequences of the jihadist wars in Iraq and Syria, the menace of a European terrorist attack and the desperate plight of a family of refugees fleeing the war-zones.

Chris also writes patents, poetry, children’s books and songs. He and his wife Marjorie live between London, Geneva and Marbella. Their daughter, Kerry-Jane, a writer/photographer, lives in London.

Where did/do you get your ideas from?

From my life’s experiences, both personal and business; countries resided in and events witnessed.

– Fleeing Portugal after the Revolution of the Carnations in 1974,

• My daughter’s work in Rwanda in 1996 as a delegate for the International Red Cross,
• My involvement in the birth of the ‘Internet of Things’, from 2003,
• World historical and current events, eg the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.

Are any of your characters based (however loosely) on anyone you know?

Many of them.

How do you pick your characters’ names?

I have no idea.

Can you share your writing process with us, in a nutshell?

As I did in business, I see everything as a jigsaw puzzle. The end picture is clear to me and I try to find or invent the pieces to compose it.

Who are your top 5 favourite authors?

Wilkie Collins, PG Wodehouse, Frederic Forsyth, John Buchan, JR Tolkien, (+ W Shakespeare).

If you could meet any author, who would it be and what would you ask them?

I have met many authors, they are just other people doing something they enjoy.

Were you a big reader as a child?

Yes, I started reading very young and devoured the classics before I was required to in school.

When did you start to write?

In grammar school.

If you could re-write the ending to any book what would it be and what would you change?

Not applicable.

Is there a book you wish you had written?

Many, but I’m content to have written several myself.

If you wrote an autobiography, what would your title be?

Wait and see. (That’s not a title, I haven’t decided upon it yet.)

If you could invite any fictional character for coffee who would it be and where would you take them?

Frankenstein. Bloody Mary’s.

What are you working on right now?

A number of song productions.

Tell us about your last release?

The Dark Web is described above.

Do you have a new release due?

The Mosul Legacy is published on Sept 27^th by Urbane Publications.

What do you generally do to celebrate on publication day?

Nothing different.

How can readers keep in touch with you?

I’m easy to find on Google or Facebook.

Is there anything else you would like us to know?

I don’t like filling in questionnaires.

LOL!

Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions anyway, Christopher 🙂

Thank you for asking.

Buy link…..

https://amzn.to/2oAQ56X

Christopher Lowery is a ‘Geordie’, born in the northeast of England, who graduated in finance and economics after reluctantly giving up career choices in professional golf and rock & roll. Chris left the UK for Switzerland in 1966 and has lived and worked in six different countries over the last 50 years. He was a real estate developer and Telecoms/Internet entrepreneur and inventor and has created several successful companies around the world, notably Interoute Communications, now Europe’s largest cloud services platform provider and Wyless Group, now part of Kore Telematics, one of the world’s largest Internet of Things providers.

In 2014, Chris started writing historically/factually based thrillers and the first two volumes of his African Diamonds Trilogy – The Angolan Clan & The Rwandan Hostage, were published by Urbane Publications, a UK publisher. These books are based upon his family’s experiences during the Portuguese Revolution of the Carnations of 1974 and his daughter’s work as a delegate with the ICRC in Rwanda in 1996. The third volume, The Dark Web, was published in April 2018, and draws on his experience as one of the creators of The Internet of Things, between 2002 and 2016. His fourth book, The Mosul Legacy, an unrelated story, will be published in September 2018. His illustrated All About Jack stories for children are written in humorous verse, and were published privately.  

Hiya! Today I have the pleasure of welcoming K. E. Young 🙂

Kerry I am so happy to be joining you here on Chat About Books.

For those who don’t know already, could you tell us about yourself and your book(s) please?

I’m a middle aged fat lady who worked as a network engineer for cellular companies (mostly) for 17 years. Some of that was in Europe. I spent 4 years living in Amsterdam… and I still miss it. I loved it there. Now I write. Mostly fantasy, but there are some contemporary thriller stories in there too.

The thrillers were originally stories I wrote as gifts to my mom, who is a fan of thrillers. The heroine, Charley, is an ATF agent. I rather like her. She’s not a simple character.

Fair warning, very few of my characters are simple. In any of my books. In general, people aren’t. Everyone is more complicated than they seem on the surface.

My fantasy novels are all part of a series. They came about because the world in my head morphed as I was writing a book into something I didn’t expect. So I started a new book (Valbore) in this new world. In order to keep events straight, I had to put together a timeline. The one I put together spans four thousand years and has sparked ideas for well over a dozen stories. Some of them are book and some are less than that, but I made notes on all of them. More stories crop up in this world all the time. I faithfully record them all. I have no idea where it will end.

The world the Tasks of the Nakairi are set in a world of magic, but that magic is treated more like physics. For what it’s worth, I’m told the books skirt the line between fantasy and science fiction.

It is a world where the Aria Atlani, children of the Goddess, are exiled from their home universe by a disaster. Thirteen of the Goddess’s brothers and sisters offer her children havens in their own universes. So far, the stories have all concerned Eperu, one of these offered havens. If a problem crops up that the locals can’t solve, the Goddess brings a Nakairu from another haven to deal with it. Earth is one of those havens.

Where did/do you get your ideas from?

To be honest, I don’t know. I sit down with a character in a particular situation or a particular place and it’s all stream of consciousness after that. Even when I have some idea of how it will progress, I’m constantly surprised by what happens.

Are any of your characters based (however loosely) on anyone you know?

Not just people I know, sometimes it’s people I know of. All of my heroines have touches of myself in them of course (just a little), but Sebas from ‘Nexus of Change’ and ‘The Shurshu’ is based on Congressman Adam Schiff combined with Niccolo Machiavelli and Bren Cameron from CJ Cherryh’s Foreigner series. Other characters are based on family or friends. Usually just bit parts and supporting characters though, and they’re never the whole character. Just a seed. Most of my main characters begin as an idea and take on a life of their own. Sometimes, I have to go back and rewrite to take the mutation into account.

How do you pick your characters names?

For my fantasy novels, I look to names in history. Pre Roman usually and not usually European. I’ll also cruise through Arab or Indian names. Some of the names are alterations of a name from one of those sources or a translation of some defining feature into a dead language.

For the thriller stories, I use names from around my own neighbourhood or I’ll look at names common in the area that the story is set.

Can you share your writing process with us, in a nutshell?

I sit down at my computer, read the last couple pages that I wrote just to remind myself where I am in the story, pop on my headphones with an Epic music playlist, and start typing. On a good day, I can pound out 2000 to 4000 words. On a bad day and the story doesn’t want to come… I move to editing, filling out my world bible for the TOTN series, do research, or playing with ideas for stories. Sometimes, your subconscious is still working something out in that next bit you have to write and it’s best to occupy yourself with something else.

I work very linearly. Start to end. I don’t use an outline because all too often, I have no idea where it’s going. All I know is that my subconscious has something planned.

That doesn’t mean I can’t write from outline. That’s what I do with my technical writing, but with fiction… Writing from outline is too restrictive. My subconscious hates not being able to roam. Since my subconscious has better ideas than my conscious does, I let it do what it wants.

Who are your top 5 favourite authors?

Only 5? How do you expect me to choose only 5? Sigh… in no particular order:

Sharon Lee and Steve Miller
CJ Cherryh

Lois McMaster Bujold

H Beam Piper

James H. Schmitz

Thornton W Burgess

Dorothy Gilman

Boccaccio

You can add Normandi Ellis too although the ‘author’ part is a bit arguable. She did a prose (slightly loose) translation of the Egyptian Book of the Dead that is a joy to read. Gorgeous language.

I know. That isn’t five. I couldn’t choose.

If you could meet any author, who would it be and what would you ask them?

I’m not sure. I had never thought of it. CJ Cherryh perhaps. I want to know how she keeps all the little details straight. The politics in her books can be absolutely byzantine.

Were you a big reader as a child?

Voracious. I learned to read before I ever started kindergarten. I was a non-Mormon in a strongly Mormon neighbourhood so I didn’t have many friends growing up. So I read instead. Later on, after we moved to Seattle, I spent time in the library after school because mom was working double shifts. My first friends in Seattle were the librarians. Yes, I was really bad at the social thing for a long time.

When did you start to write?

I started with writing poetry as a child. Eventually, I realized that I wasn’t very good at it and there were all these stories in my head. I’d be watching TV and think “Well, that was dumb. Why didn’t they do it this way instead? By high school, I was putting them on paper. They were still awful, but there were some really good ideas there. Some stories I wrote as presents for my mom.

I didn’t actually start writing in earnest until I suffered a back injury. There I was, lying flat on my back, I couldn’t sit up to work or use the computer because of a ruptured disc and a bunch of torn connective tissue. Most of my books were in boxes in storage, and I could only watch so much YouTube and play so much WordSearch on my tablet before going insane. But the tablet had a Word-compatible word processor. It lacked a lot of features, but it worked.

I started with a fantasy story I began as a way to pass the time during my commute before I hurt my back.

In the process of writing that story, the world changed and, realizing that I would have to rewrite it from the beginning, I tossed it aside. I started another story, the one that became ‘Valbore’. Eventually, I got back to that first story and tried to finish it. I ended up splitting it into two books when I realized I had more than enough story for two volumes. The first half became Nexus of Change. The second half is The Shurshu (due out Oct 1)

If you could re-write the ending to any book what would it be and what would you change?

Not really. At least, not so far. I get that with movies or TV shows when they’re being gratuitously stupid, but not usually with books. My head insists that a book is the territory of the writer. It’s their world, not mine. Since I’m a bit territorial by nature, my head just refuses to intrude on other people’s territory.

Is there a book you wish you had written?

Yes. There was a cyberpunk story I was working on in high school. I had only planned to do a short story, but the story insisted on being more than that. It had taken on a life of its own. Rather than accede to the demands of the story, I dropped it. I never finished it. Thinking back, it would have made an awesome book (with a lot of polishing of course). These days, if the story insists on going in a different direction than I thought it should, I go along with it. The story isn’t always comfortable (like Valbore), but it’s always a better story than my conscious mind was thinking of.

If you wrote an autobiography, what would your title be?

“Well crud, now what do I do?”

I have these streaks of really good luck in my life, and then streaks of really bad luck. Every time I hit one of those bad luck streaks, my life takes a left turn and I’m left asking myself “Now what do I do?” I always muddle through. Somehow. My life may not be what I expected and planned for, but the universe doesn’t care. You just have to deal with the crap you’re handed. If you can’t adapt, you’re going to spend your life bemoaning your fate. TBH, pulling the victim card for the rest of your life is a good way lose all your friends and at that point, it’s your own fault.

If you could invite any fictional character for coffee who would it be and where would you take them?

Bren Cameron from CJ Cherryh’s Foreigner series. A very smart and canny man with a lot of wisdom to impart.

Tell us a random fact about yourself.

I lived and worked in Europe & Britain for four years. Three and a half of those were spent in Amsterdam (mostly working with Brits), but the last 6 months I lived in Sheffield. I still miss the little Syrian restaurant across the street from my apartment and watching the college students making the rounds of the pubs and bars on Friday and Saturday nights. There was some very entertaining viewing. I wished that I had recorded some of it on camera. It would have made great blackmail material.

What are you working on right now?

I’m editing The Shurshu (book 3 of Tasks of the Nakairi) so I can get it released. I have a target date of October 1^st (2018) but I’m not sure if I can get it all done by then. I’ll try.
I’m also about 60 pages in to writing Demon Gate (book 4 of Tasks of the Nakairi) but I’ve mostly put it on hold until I can finish the editing on The Shurshu.
There are also random moments working on more Charley Rogers stories and making notes for future TOTN stories.

Tell us about your last release?

It was pretty much a non-event. I had no pre-release hoopla, no reviews, no marketing at all. I dumped 4 books onto KDP in one day Then opened a bottle of champagne and had pizza for dinner. The next morning, I continued work on The Shurshu.

Since then, Mom has been helping out by handling the marketing side of things while I write. She enjoys having something new to learn and do and I can never thank her enough for it.

Do you have a new release due?

Theoretically, on October 1, 2018.

The Shurshu. Book 3 in my fantasy series, Tasks of the Nakairi and a direct sequel to book 3, Nexus of Change.

It is the continuation of Kendra’s story and takes up the story at the exact point Nexus of Change leaves off. At some point, I’ll do a little editing and meld them together, but not until I have the next few stories either done or in the works. There are stories in my head and they want OUT.

What do you generally do to celebrate on publication day?

So far, champagne and pizza, but I’m willing to switch it up. Bourbon and ice cream might be good. French fries and cognac? I’m open to suggestions. They may sound a little odd, but the whole idea is to splurge on something you don’t allow yourself the rest of the time, right? I don’t allow myself French fries because they’re addicting and I don’t want to be craving something that really isn’t good for me. So I make it a special occasion thing. Mind you, bourbon, cognac, and pizza are a different story. A bit more than I usually have, but not unusual. After all, pizza is easy to make.

How can readers keep in touch with you?

My webpage, Facebook, etc. There are links on the website for them all. http://WorldsofKEYoung.com

Is there anything else you would like us to know?

Yes. I see a lot of people who seem to think that writing is easy. It’s NOT. There’s a lot more that goes into it than just letting your brain spit diarrhea onto the page, despite what it may seem from what I’ve already said. It took a long time to write my first book because I was learning more about spelling, punctuation, grammar, plotting, editing, character creation, and a hundred other things, than I spent actually writing. It took me a year to edit Valbore because of all I had to learn.

It’s still not perfect and at some point I’ll revisit it and release an update. Meanwhile, if anyone spots a problem in any of my books, LET ME KNOW! I can’t fix it if I don’t know about it.
During editing, you go over the same stuff so many times that you don’t always see the problems. You see what you expect to see. That’s why you use someone else’s eyes. A writing group, a paid editor, or a writing partner. Beta readers to tell you where your plotting or characters are wonky, where it drags, or needs clarification.
You cannot write in a vacuum. You can’t do it all alone.

That means you have to be able to take criticism. You must be willing to listen and adapt. Your Golden Words are only golden to you. Someone else may think they’re dreck and with good reason. Maybe you missed a word that clarified everything. Maybe you spent too much time describing every little thing and now it’s just plain boring. Maybe you tend to pontificate instead of giving the reader action. There are more reasons than there are words in this answer for things to go wrong and you have to be open to fixing those things. Even if it means your Golden Words get the axe.

Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions! 🙂

K. E. Young’s Amazon Author Page

K.E. Young lives and writes in a small commuter city near Seattle on the west coast of the US. She is supervised there by her long haired rescue cat named Slick. Her work history has included periods of time spent as an assistant librarian, a phlebotomist, phone technical support, Call Center Administrator, Sysadmin, taught networking to high school students, Fault Surveillance Technician, Networking Consultant, Network Engineer, Senior Network Engineer, Network Designer, and now Writer. 

Hi and welcome to my stop on Alex Walters’s Their Final Act blog blitz!

Many thanks to the author, publisher and Sarah Hardy

This is the first book I’ve read by Alex Walters and I have to admit that I don’t usually read a series out of order. I had hoped to read the first two books prior to starting Their Final Act, but I ran out of days with the blog tour fast approaching. It hasn’t hindered my enjoyment of the book though. There are obviously things that happened previously that I now need to find out, so I have already added the first two books to my list!

DI Alec McKay is an interesting character and likeable in his own way. I enjoyed the banter between him and some of his colleagues, but he obviously isn’t the type to suffer fools gladly. I found his lack of patience with some of his lower ranked colleagues quite amusing, although I doubt I’d find it funny if I was one of them. It was nice to see a more personal side to him in regards to his relationship with his wife.

McKay and his team find themselves investigating the brutal death of a comedian. Garrotting isn’t a common way to murder someone and it feels personal, but is it, or is it just a random attack and a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. When more bodies start turning up, killed in the same way, it’s a race against time to find out if they are dealing with the same killer and if so what the connection is between these victims.

This is a fast-paced police procedural with twists and turns a plenty. It has certainly kept me on the edge of my seat and reading late in to the night until I had to force myself to put it down so I could go to sleep. The shortish chapters add to the pace of the story and each are full of enough suspense to make sure you read just one more. Very well written, with excellent characterisation and a compelling plot. I highly recommend to anyone who loves a good police procedural/crime thriller.

I’m looking forward to going back and reading the first two books. I have a feeling DI Alec McKay will be become a firm favourite.

Their Final Act

blurb

Jimmy McGuire, a washed-up comic, is found dead on
the streets of Inverness, his body garroted. Back in the 1990s, McGuire had
been half of a promising double-act until his partner, Jack Dingwall, was
convicted of rape.

Soon after, a second corpse is found in an
abandoned industrial site on the edge of the Moray Firth. The body has been
there for some days and has also been garroted. The victim turns out to be a
former musician turned record producer, who had also been the subject of rape
allegations.

Meanwhile, DI Alec McKay and DCI Helena Grant are
still wrestling with the fallout from one of their recent cases following an
acquittal.

As the body count rises, the police think they
have the killer in their sights. But McKay is concerned that the evidence is
too neat so when he realises there will be a final victim, he fears that time
is running out…

Author Bio:

Alex Walters is the author of Candles and Roses, Death Parts Us and Their Final Act, all featuring DI Alec McKay and set in and around the Black Isle in the Scottish Highlands. He has also written four books set in and around Manchester – Trust No-One and Nowhere to Hide featuring the undercover officer, Marie Donovan, and Late Checkout and Dark Corners, featuring DCI Kenny Murrain – and three crime novels set in modern-day Mongolia, The Shadow Walker, The Adversary and The Outcast.  Alex has previously worked in the oil industry, broadcasting and banking and as a consultant working mainly in the criminal justice sector. He now runs the Solus Or Writing Retreat in the Black Isle with his wife, occasional sons and too many cats.

Links:

Website: https://www.alexwaltersauthor.com/

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

Twitter: @mikewalters60