Tag: Mystery

Interview with Karl Holton

Karl Holton

About Karl

Karl is a chartered accountant who previously worked in financial markets for over thirty years. He has collected books his whole life with a focus on London and crime fiction. He is married with two children and lives in Surrey.

Jessie:  Can you tell me about ‘The Weight of the Shadows’?

Karl: At one level ‘The Weight of the Shadows’ is an entertaining crime thriller mystery with plot twists and turns. At another level it is the first six days at the beginning of a series that introduces some interesting characters and a narrative that has subtle and, I hope, thought provoking subjects.

Jessie:  Crime thrillers are always popular.  It’s a great genre to establish a fanbase. What have the reviewers said about your new book?

Smiling, Karl started to recall some of the reviews. 

Karl: “an intriguing plot, thoughtful, profound themes, complex troubling characters, and language that make us shudder for its honesty, clarity, and confidence” – Piaras O Cionnaoith

“irresistible book, impossible to put down” – Bookgirl Sulagna

“a story that is intense and heart-pounding!” – Elaine Emmerick

Jessie:  I’m impressed that you have already commenced your second book. We are in an ideal place to read.  Can you read an extract from the book to tempt the reader?

Karl:  It’s a real privilege to read here in Agatha Christie’s library.

Benedict was motionless with one thought. Never give up.

She pushed the tip of the blade in and under the skin on his chest, near his heart.

Karl: This extract is only a few words, but the importance of these at the start of the narrative is significant.

Jessie: A great choice – you certainly hook the reader into the narrative.  I can tell that you enjoyed constructing the narrative and the characters.  How did you feel when you had finished writing your book, and did you miss any of the characters?

Karl: The euphoria of finishing was quickly met by the realisation that as an indie author the work had just started. Apart from the marketing, reviews, social media etc. I remembered that I needed to start working on the second book in the series.

Given the second book in the series starts the day after the end of this first book I’ve not really had the opportunity to miss the characters.

Jessie: Who would you like to read your book and why?  This could be another author, someone famous, a friend or a member of your family.  

Karl: If I were choosing an author it would be Agatha Christie. We could discuss the pace of the plot and sub-plots.

If it were someone famous (and alive) I’d ask Stephen Fry to review the book. Within the series I’m going to try to examine and compare some cognitive and emotive subjects through the plot, characters and narrative. I’d really like to discuss these with him.

Karl Holton

Jessie: Why should I keep your book in my handbag?

Karl: Well I hope it has a plot that keeps you guessing and is enjoyable as it begins to reveal itself. If you read some of the reviews you will notice that it’s not clear what the connections are at the start and then the plot arcs entwine; that’s very deliberate.

Jessie: What is the last sentence written in your writer’s notebook?

Karl: ‘Nice nails’ – you’ll have to read the book to see why I might have written that down.

Jessie: What is the biggest challenge for an author?

Karl: This is a really interesting question because it will very much depend upon what type of author you want to be. A full-time author who wants a publisher to do everything for them will have a very different set of challenges compared to an indie with a job who is happy selling a few books a month. I’m going to give you my answer based upon what I am, which is an indie who is trying to make this my full-time job.

My single biggest challenge is becoming known enough so that people take a chance and buy, read and review the book. As an indie author, you have no one to help this happen so you need to do it and this takes a significant amount of both time and commitment. In a world where we have over 200k books published in the UK per year and possibly 1 million in the US, just being seen is a challenge that any aspiring author should not understate.

I have discussed this issue with other authors, both published and indie. Personally, I think many really talented authors will either give up or just never be seen because they get lost in this ‘jungle’.

Jessie: What is the best advice that you have received as a writer?

Karl: Get an editor.

Contacts:

Blog = http://karlholton.com

Twitter = @KarlHolton

Facebook = @KarlHoltonAuthor

Email = info@thuja.co

 

 

Connectedness with Sandra Danby

Sandra’s books in her handbag

Secrets, art, Spain and Yorkshire are always winning ingredients for me.  Intrigued by Connectedness, when it arrived in the Handbag Gallery, I invited Sandra to tell us more about the inspiration behind her book. She was kind enough to respond and offer a giveaway.

Dear Readers,

I am delighted to present an extract from Connectedness, the second in my ‘Identity Detective’ series of adoption reunion mysteries.

When her mother dies, Justine returns to her childhood home in Yorkshire where she decides to confront her past.

Justine Tree’s art sells around the world, but does anyone truly know her? When her mother dies, Justine returns to her childhood home in Yorkshire where she decides to confront her past. She asks journalist Rose Haldane to find the baby she gave away when she was an art student, but only when Rose starts to ask difficult questions does Justine truly understand what she must face.

I firmly believe that daughters do not tell their mothers everything, and vice versa. I didn’t. Did you?

Happy reading!

Sandra Danby

Collaging on the track in Istan, Spain

Extract from Connectedness by Sandra Danby

The clouds hurried from left to right, moved by a distant wind that did not touch her cheek. It felt unusually still for May. As if the weather was waiting for the day to begin, just as she was. She had given up trying to sleep at three o’clock, pulled on some clothes and let herself out of the front door. Despite the dark, she knew exactly the location of the footpath, the edge of the cliffs; could walk it with her eyes closed. Justine lay on the ground and looked up, feeling like a piece of grit in the immensity of the world. Time seemed both still and marching on. The dark grey of night was fading as the damp began to seep through her jeans to her skin. A pale line of light appeared on the eastern horizon, across the flat of the sea. She shivered and sat up. It was time to go. She felt close to both her parents here, but today belonged to her mother.

Three hours later, she stood at the graveside and watched as the coffin was lowered into the dark damp hole. Her parents together again in the plot they had bought. It was a big plot, there was space remaining.

Will I be buried here?

It was a reassuring thought, child reunited with parents.

Istan, Spain is a location in Connnectedness

More about Connectedness

TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD, ARTIST JUSTINE TREE HAS IT BUT SHE ALSO HAS A SECRET THAT THREATENS TO DESTROY EVERYTHING

Is Justine strong enough to admit the secrets and lies of her past? To speak aloud the deeds she has hidden for 27 years, the real inspiration for her work that sells for millions of pounds. Could the truth trash her artistic reputation? Does Justine care more about her daughter, or her art? And what will she do if her daughter hates her?

Justine’s tale of art, adoption, romance and loss moves between now and the Eighties, from London’s art world to the bleak isolated cliffs of East Yorkshire and the hot orange blossom streets of Malilaga, Spain.

A family mystery for fans of Maggie O’Farrell, Lucinda Riley, Tracy Rees and Rachel Hore.

Praise for Sandra Danby

This is a novel that I found hard to put down as it swept me along on a roller-coaster of an emotional ride. I had to pull myself together not to burst into tears. Isabell Homfeld, book blogger, Germany

With her well-defined, sympathetic characters, layers of meaning, and sensual, all-engaging descriptions, the author takes us on a highly-emotional and gripping journey through the art world, exploring love, loss and human weakness, all coming together in a truly heartfelt conclusion.Liza Perratt, Book Muse book blog

Evocative and descriptive prose brings places to life with sights, sounds and scents. Justine becomes a very sympathetic character as layers are peeled away and more and more of her past is revealed. Cathy Ryan, Between the Lines book blog

More about Sandra Danby

A proud Yorkshire woman, tennis nut and tea drinker, Sandra believes a walk on the beach will cure most ills.

A proud Yorkshire woman, tennis nut and tea drinker, Sandra believes a walk on the beach will cure most ills. Unlike Rose Haldane, the identity detective in her two novels Ignoring Gravity and Connectedness, she is not adopted.

One of the great things about writing this series is that I continue to write about Rose, of whom I am very fond despite her occasional spikiness. To me she is a real person. I grew to love Justine too, perhaps because her birthplace in Yorkshire is also mine. She has also left me with a lasting love of art, which I continue to indulge by buying beautiful art books and wishing I could paint. Despite many attempts at watercolours, I really am hopeless. Perhaps it is time for some lessons.

Contact Sandra
Website http://www.sandradanby.com/
Amazon Author page https://amzn.to/2vEvGS8
Twitter @SandraDanby https://twitter.com/sandradanby?lang=en
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/sandradanbyauthor
Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/sandradan1/
Photos attached@SandraDanby]:

An English Country Cottage and Simple Pleasures

Helen Christmas posting the letter

Folks, I am suffering from cottage envy.  Author, Helen Christmas sent me pictures of her chocolate box cottage, with an English country garden. She has an enviable writing room, with a view.  The colours of her summer garden will lift your spirits. Indeed, Helen’s sunny letter provided me with the desire to write and the need to purchase a new home.  I invite you to retreat to Helen’s life, in the country, via her blog post.  Let’s dream about the idyllic writer’s life…

17th century thatched cottage passed down through five generations

My husband, Peter and I are blessed to live in a 17th century thatched cottage passed down through five generations. We not only love our home but live near close to Bognor seafront. I escaped the rat race in 1999 by which time we had set up a small website design business at home. In summer we spend time maintaining our walled back garden, growing vegetables whilst sharing our home with a beautiful white cat, named Theo (after Peter’s Great Great Grandfather) and doting border collie, Barney.

In summer we spend time maintaining our walled back garden

In the time I have lived here, I’ve become fascinated with the conservation of period property as we endeavoured to protect our cottage. We did come up against the might of our local council who purposefully made planning applications difficult. In fact there was one planning officer in particular whose underlying duplicity astounded me and was perhaps the inspiration behind some of the scenes in my book series, ‘Same Face Different Place,’ a mystery thriller which spans 4 decades.

Working from home gave me the freedom to reflect on life, especially when walking Barney along the beach

I began my writing journey in 2011. Working from home gave me the freedom to reflect on life, especially when walking Barney along the beach; such musings included the various social changes I’d observed. I remember the 70s when Labour were in government and despite the power of the trade unions and strikes, there was more camaraderie. People looked out for each other. Next came the 80s. As a student, it was an exciting time, the clothes, the outrageous styles and the music; a time when everyone craved more money but sadly, it turned into an era of greed. With less compassion in society, it makes me wonder if people forgot life’s simple pleasures, something that our home has made us appreciate. It made me want to write a novel that embraced all these different decades.

I have always loved reading and cannot deny the influence of certain authors: Leslie Pearse for her loveable characters and unforgettable stories; Martina Cole who opened my eyes to a world of psychopathic gangsters. But most poignant of all was Ken Follet’s ‘Pillars of the Earth’ a saga which explored the conflict of Medieval times and the impact wielded by men in power.

Going back to my own writing, once started, I began to get up at dawn to get at least a couple of hours in before work. Much of my writing takes place in our peaceful office with Barney curled up at my feet and nothing but the cry of gulls on the beach.

Whilst thinking about my writing space, there is just one more thing I would like to mention; there is a very special picture in the office of Peter’s ancestors, all of whom lived in this cottage. In fact this inspired a particular scene in my second book ‘Visions.’

In fact this inspired a particular scene in my second book ‘Visions.’

The misty faces of three generations (including their father, just a baby at the time) added an element of comfort to the atmosphere and even though the sepia-toned picture contained an eerie quality, it emitted the sense that someone was watching over them.

I definitely feel something when I gaze at that picture; it breathes a sense of nostalgia into my world and feels very reassuring, which is wonderful for a writer…

Helen is certainly blessed with inspiration, and it is wonderful she appreciates her life.  Helen writes romantic suspense.  She has written a saga spanning decades.  Her work sounds fascinating.  Interesting, how the environment and experiences make us and inspire us.  Many thanks to Helen for writing to my blog.

About Helen

Helen Christmas enjoying her life

Helen J. Christmas lives on the south coast of Sussex in a very old thatched cottage with her husband. With a love of writing since childhood, she started her decade spanning thriller series ‘Same Face Different Place‘ in 2011. Her first book ‘Beginnings,’ set in 1970s London, combines romantic suspense with a hard-hitting conspiracy thriller.

Writing is something she juggles around family and social life. Helen is self employed and enjoys running a web design company from home with her husband, accompanied by their faithful border collie and a fluffy white cat.

We have busy lives and among my many hats, I am a writer, a blogger, photographer and website designer. I love networking with other authors and readers and when I’m not engrossed in work, I enjoy gardening, cooking, reading books, films and fine wines.

The Series: Same Face Different Place

Same Face Different Place is a mystery suspense thriller, set across 4 decades. The first book ‘Beginnings’ is based in 1970s London against a backdrop of organised crime and police cover-ups. Part thriller and part romance, it has been likened to books by Martina Cole and Kimberley Chambers and received some pleasing reviews.

The next part of the saga, ‘Visions’ resonates through the 80s, packed with nostalgia from the music and fashion to the politics under Margaret Thatcher’s government.

Book 3 ‘Pleasures’ continues where ‘Visions’ left off, a thrilling coming of age story, where the younger generation are drawn to designer drugs and raves. This book ends with a dramatic trial at the Old Bailey, where pieces of the mystery are unpicked and justice is served…

But nothing is straight forward with this complex cast of characters; as the main heroine, Eleanor, must once again protect her family from the evils of her enemies. The final episode, ‘Retribution’ concludes with a terrifying campaign of revenge and is published in 2 parts, ‘Retribution – Phase 1’ and ‘Retribution – End Game.’ With the characters reunited in an epilogue in 2012, I am pleased to say, the series was completed in summer 2017.

 

Please see all my guests’ posts at Mail from the Creative Community and my website and blog at JessieCahalin.com.

 

A Wing and a Prayer : M. W. Arnold

For King and Country

M. W. Arnold is celebrating the release of his saga novel – A Wing and a Prayer. When I discovered the novel is about women pilots, I had to find out more. I invited Mick Arnold to tell me why he decided to write A Wing and a Prayer.

‘How many people do you know who say, often as a throwaway, I could write a book! Then go on to say, if only I had the time.

‘A Wing and a Prayer’ isn’t one of those books. However, it also wasn’t planned. A couple of years ago, I wrote and had my first book published, ‘The Season for Love’, a contemporary Women’s Fiction story. I followed this up with a bout of ill health which lasted the best part of two years. Good author friends suggested it would help to write something new, instead of taking up an unfinished project. The theory was, by going for a new, unrelated project, I could take myself somewhere I hadn’t been before. It worked.

‘Strong female characters and the true British stiff upper lip to keep calm and carry on in order to find out what happened! This book was more than a wonderful story, it was also a history lesson and I just loved it!’ Amazon Reviewer

Write what you know; is also said. I love history and the same day this was suggested to me, I caught a program on television about the women (men did the same job) pilots of the Air Transport Auxiliary who ferried aircraft to the operational squadrons. Now, that sounds interesting, I thought. So, I spent the whole of the rest of the day scrolling through the internet for anything along the same lines.

I’m usually a pantser but on this occasion, I found myself planning out a saga novel. I’d only ever read a couple but with help and suggestions, again from the same friends, I knew what it needed to read like. Quicker than I’ve ever done, this novel came together and the The Air Transport Auxiliary Mystery Club was born! I didn’t set out to write a mystery into the story of how four girls from different parts of the world find a way of living and working together, yet the first scene in the story sets the scene with one of the girls sisters being found dead in the cockpit of a Tiger Moth biplane!

I served for over sixteen years in the Royal Air Force, travelling all over the world and, of course, the United Kingdom. Some of the bases I served on were once visited by these brave people I’ve written about and I feel honoured to play a small part in keeping their story alive and in, perhaps, bringing it to a new audience. Their bravery needs to be heard about and with this story, the first in the ‘Broken Wings’ series, I hope to be able to perform this task I’ve set myself.’

M W Arnold lives near Northampton, UK and is known to his family and friends as, Mick.

M W Arnold lives near Northampton, UK and is known to his family and friends as, Mick. He was in the Royal Air Force for 16 years, visiting many different countries and very much enjoying himself. If he ever meets the Queen, he will have to thank her. He began writing as these characters needed their own voices. For a few years now, he’s been a member of the Romantic Novelists Association, a wonderful group of writers who’ve welcomed this bloke into their fold with open arms. 

 

Please see all my Guests’ Posts and also my website and blog at JessieCahalin.com.

A copy of my novel is available here.

Jill Barry’s Writing Adventure

She is a talented, multi-genre author who has helped many aspiring writers to realise their dreams.

Recently, I listened to Jill Barry, a local Welsh author, chat with Roy Noble on BBC Radio Wales. Captivated by Jill’s life story, I could not resist inviting this bestselling author to my blog for a chat.    She is a talented, multi-genre author who has helped many aspiring writers to realise their dreams.  As a former Butlin’s Red Coat, hotel receptionist and air hostess, Jill has collected characters and stories. She writes pocket novels for D C Thomson so you have probably seen her name on the newsstands. The House Sitter, published by Headline Accent, is Jill’s first novel in a different genre.

Jessie:  Jill, you have topped many kindle charts with your romance and historical romance novels, but The House Sitter is very different.  Is there any romance in your latest novel?

Jill:  The House Sitter is a psychological suspense but does have a frisson of romance.  I had lots of fun plotting the twists and turns.  The central character is quite nasty, and she surprised and intrigued me.

The House Sitter is a psychological suspense but does have a frisson of romance.

Jessie: Tell me why I should keep your novel in my handbag.

Jill: I am not sure you will be able to keep The House Sitter in your handbag for very long, Jessie.  You will be keen to reach the end.

Jessie:  Choosing novels is one of the greatest pleasures in life.  I always feel as if I am waiting to drop myself into another world. I admit I do feel a little scared of The House Sitter as the title is so evocative. Read the blurb of The House Sitter and give me a glimpse of the novel.

Jill: The year is turning, and in The Sugar House, deep in rural mid-Wales, change is also afoot. When retired couple, Eddie and Suzanne Deacon plan a return to England, they’ve either forgotten an important promise made to a longstanding friend or had no intention of keeping it.

This photograph was taken in the remote mid-Wales village where Jill used to live. The building in the background is the old church and in my mind forms part of the view from the house where Eddie and Suzanne Deacon live and which they have put on the market.

Jessie:  Wow!  The House Sitter is steeped in mystery.  You have me hooked.  Can I trouble you for an extract, please?

Jill: Of course, Jessie.  I am always delighted to introduce my books to new readers with large handbags.

“Do you mean now?” Ruth eyed the slice of mountain range visible through her window, its distant peaks veiled in misty cobwebs.

“The sooner the better, to be honest. We have some important news, though I’m afraid it’ll come as a shock.”

Jessie:  Oh, my goodness, I am on the edge of my seat now.  What have your readers said about The House Sitter?

Jill:  My pleasure!  I have been very pleased with the reviews.

‘Spine-chilling with an undercurrent of mystery and deceit.’

‘An impeccably plotted tense tale, The House Sitter explores what lengths people go to in desperation. Deceitful and dark, it’s a great novel to curl up with on these toe-nipping winter evenings. Just be sure to lock your door…’

‘What Barry does best is to allow the reader to laugh at the ridiculous in her characters as well as to make them care, even perhaps slightly for the unbalanced Ruth, who appears lonely and vulnerable beneath her confident façade.’

Dylan the black cat belongs to Ruth Morgan, the house sitter.

Jessie: How did you feel when you had finished writing your book, and did you miss any of the characters?  

Jill: I was sorry to leave Ray and Bethan’s story unfinished as I found their unspoken attraction for one another intriguing. My book group read the novel and all wanted to learn the result of that pent-up longing! So, a sequel could be on the cards…

Jessie: Did any of your characters misbehave when you were writing the book?

Jill: The plot revolves around house-sitter Ruth’s horrendous behaviour and sometimes I felt surprised when up popped another malicious prank.

Jessie: Who would you like to read your book and why?                                                                   Jill: I’m a great admirer of author Harriet Meg Evans and have been in touch with her via social media. Harriet very kindly asked when my novel was due out and it would be amazing if she decided to read The House Sitter.

Of course, I do expect to tempt my usual readers with something a little different.  I am going to be bold and say most readers love to indulge in mystery and suspense.

Jessie:  You have every right to be bold, and you have certainly tempted me to purchase a copy of this book.  I am so impressed with the way you have explored a new genre.

Jill:  It is wonderful of you to say so, Jessie. Maybe The House Sitter could inspire authors who long to write outside their usual genre into challenging themselves by writing something different.

Jessie: Writing stories seems to be in your heart and soul.  I imagine your notebook is a trusty companion.  Please, do tell me the last sentence in your notebook.

Jill: Tabitha disguises herself as a boy, deeming it safer than remaining in female guise.

Jessie: You certainly have an eye for a great story.  Once again, I am hooked.  I don’t know where you get all your ideas from.  You must be constantly writing.  What is the greatest challenge for you as an author?

Jill: For me, it’s concentration. Yes, even though I enjoy writing! There are so many distractions and social media, whilst valuable, is a hard taskmaster. I know many other authors feel the same.

Jessie: What is the best advice that you have received as a writer? 

Jill: The best advice I’ve ever received as a writer came from my former tutor, Menna Elfyn. Her wise words were: ‘No piece of writing is ever wasted’.

Jessie:  This really helps me as a fledgling author. I will save those deleted scenes use for a rainy writing day.  Perfect!   Before you go please tell us one secret about yourself that may surprise us.                                                       

Jill: Long before I thought of writing outside the romance genre, I volunteered as a role player for trainee police officers. So, I’ve experienced being handcuffed, have been locked in a cell, also sampled a cup of police canteen tea!

About Jill Barry:

Jobs like hotel receptionist and cabin crew provide magic moments and help inspire my writing. Since settling back in Wales, I’ve joined writers’ groups, gained my MA degree, also tutored and mentored. I hope to continue entertaining my readers and to walk, read and bake, plus keep up with my wonderful friends.

Contact Details

Facebook:       https://www.facebook.com/JillBarryBooks/
Twitter:        @barry_jill
Website:        www.jillbarry.com
Link to            The House Sitter

 

Please all my guests’ posts at Mail from the Creative Community and my website and blog at JessieCahalin.com.

A copy of my novel is available here.