Guest Blogger - Lynn Forth

A warm welcome to my guest Lynn Forth. Lynn is known for her warm, witty escapist romances and she's here to tell us about the latest addition to her titles - Secrets of the Chateau! A château in France, with fairy-tale turrets. What’s not to like? Sophie Stewart loves her job. Working for Alex Conroy, who owns an exclusive hotel chain, is a dream - as is the man himself! So why does she panic at the thought of visiting Alex’s proposed new hotel, a dilapidated château with fairy-tale towers, in the glamorous south of France? Must she reveal her past to uncover the secrets of the château? And Alex has secrets too. You can get your copy of this fabulous book HERE

Lynn Forth went to live in Accrington when she was 11 and still has the accent to prove it. She now lives with her family in Worcestershire (where it doesn’t rain as much) and has a room with a view to write in. A lifelong fascination with words and people, led to her studying English and Psychology at University and, as a lecturer at the local College, she tried to pass on her enthusiasm to students of all ages. An avid reader, she runs two book clubs and, as a bit of a movie buff, she enjoys the discussions at a local Film Club. Although not a big exercise fan, she enthusiastically participates in the fun and music at her Zumba sessions and at home encourages a riotous array of flowers in her garden. She now writes romantic comedies full of sparky dialogue set in sunny foreign climes, which, of course, she has to visit for the sake of research. Her debut novel, Love in La La Land, combines this love of films, humour as her heroine Jane encounters the glamour and glitz of Hollywood. Her second novel, Love, Lies and Café au Lait, was inspired by a visit to Nice and evokes Accrington Annie’s delight in living in such a sophisticated city, although, perhaps, all is not quite as perfect as it seems. Her third novel, The Girl Who used To Be Me, features her much-loved character Reen on her home ground in Marbella where Kate meets not only Reen's family but also her fabulous pink plastic flamingos. Her fourth book, Secrets of the Chateau, sees her returning to her beloved city of Nice and to a beautiful but neglected chateau, high in the hills overlooking the stunning blue waters of the Bay of Angels.

Summer catch up!

It's been quite busy the last few weeks. I went to the Romantic Novelist Association's conference which was at Harper Adams college near Telford this year. It was very hot and we shared the campus with eight teams of christian footballers who were there on a training camp. I think they were quite bemused by so many, mainly female, novelists of a certain age suddenly appearing on the site. It was lovely to catch up with old friends and to make new ones. I've also had lunch with my editor and agent with lots of lovely positive news about the Miss Underhay series. I can't wait to be able to share some of that when we have bashed out the details. I left some signed copies of Murder at the Country Club at Oldway Mansion in Paignton which were sold to raise funds for the house and gardens. I'm reliably sold that these have now sold out so I shall have to see if they wish to have some more. Book 11, currently called Murder at the Charity Ball is well underway and see the return of Kitty's father. As you might guess this doesn't go well and Kitty's grandmother and Mrs Craven get to say 'I told you so!' a lot :) But there is also the small matter of a wedding...

Cover reveal for Murder on Board!

You can preorder your copy HERE

Signed copies of Murder at the Country Club

If you are in or near Paignton signed copies are now available of Murder at the Country Club from the tea room at Oldway Mansion. All proceeds are going to the house and gardens. Drop in, enjoy the beautiful grounds, buy plants, eat cake and if you want, buy a book!

Releasing June 17th!

Murder at the Country Club will be out! #Preorder #MurderAtTheCountryClub Stabbing a man to death at a social event simply isn't cricket... HERE

Returning guest - Verity Bright

Welcome back to the lovely writing team of Verity Bright and their fabulous new release - The French for Murder. Out today! Buy HERE A grand villa, croissants for breakfast and a dead body in the wine cellar… Lady Swift can’t seem to take a vacation from murder! Summer 1923. Lady Eleanor Swift is finally persuaded by her butler, Clifford, to take a villa in the south of France for the season. She plans to do what a glamorous lady abroad should: long lunches on the balcony followed by lazy afternoons lounging by the pool. Even Gladstone the bulldog is looking forward to a daily paddle in the ocean. But when Clifford examines the wine cellar, he discovers there are no decent reds but there is a very dead body. The victim is famous American movie star Rex Armstrong. Poor Rex seems to have been stabbed with a sword from the film set. So how did he end up in Eleanor’s villa? Before Eleanor even has time to change out of her travelling suit, her beloved butler is arrested for the crime. At sea without her right-hand man, Eleanor must gather her wits if she’s to outsmart a murderer and save Clifford. Attending a glitzy party at the luxurious Hotel Azure with the film’s cast and crew so she can question her main suspects, Eleanor overhears the director having a most unsettling telephone call that throws all her theories out of the water. Can Eleanor unmask the true killer before her time abroad is cut murderously short?

British Book Awards

So, on Monday I had the honour of joining my agent and her staff along with three other fab authors, Alex Shaw, Bella Osbourne and Faith Martin. Kate, my agent had been shortlisted for agent of the year. A huge achievement and very well deserved. We met lots of famous people and ate lovely food. It was very exciting. I also had the great honour of meeting Robert Rinder, someone I admire hugely for his compassion and kindness. I can't even begin to tell you how amazed I was when he told me he knew my name and had read one of my books and he was a fan! Kitty has a celebrity fan. Wow, just wow!!!

Bargain alert!!!!

For anyone in the UK looking for a bargain, Murder in First Class is just 99p on a kindle monthly deal for April. "Five stars are not enough" "Excellent and I read it in one sitting, a page-turner I couldn’t put down" "Fast, fun and utterly unputdownable…perfect for fans of Agatha Christie" HERE

Also in Australia Murder At The Dolphin Hotel is just $1.49 on a kindle monthly deal

Guest blogger- Verity Bright!

I'm very excited to have Verity Bright return to tell us about the latest Lady Swift book! A Royal Murder GETITHERE At the royal boat race there are beautiful barges, plenty of bunting, a handsome prince and… is that a body in the water? Lady Swift is on the case! Spring, 1923. One-time adventurer and now amateur sleuth Lady Eleanor Swift is attending the annual royal regatta with her new pal Tipsy Fitzroy. Tipsy has Eleanor trussed up like a debutante in a new dress, determined to turn her into a proper society lady. Even Eleanor’s favourite companion, Gladstone the bulldog, has a new outfit for the occasion. But the sparkling prize-giving ceremony is interrupted when the devilishly handsome host gulps his glass of champagne on stage and collapses to the floor. The victim is none other than the king’s cousin, Lord Xander Taylor-Howard. He was rumoured to be entangled in a rather dubious gambling ring, but did someone kill him instead of collecting his debt? Or was this simply an ill-timed tragic accident? Either way, a right royal scandal is afoot… Sir Percival, the head of the royal police, asks Eleanor for her help investigating. He’d do anything to keep the story under wraps. She knows it will get her into hot water with a certain dapper Detective Seldon, but she’s determined to see justice done. However, as she digs deeper, she learns Lord Taylor-Howard was hiding more than one murky secret. It isn’t until she takes a closer look at the unfortunate royal’s shattered champagne flute that she stumbles upon just the clue she needs. But can she reel in the killer before her ship is sunk too?

Murder at The Country Club

Nothing says Happy Valentines like a cover reveal for a new cozy mystery! PREORDER

Murder in First Class

Murder in First Class releases Feb 16th and is available for preorder now!HERE Murder at the Coutry Club is finished and with my editor so I'll have exciting news to share with you all about that soon too.

A Christmas Catch Up

Dropping by to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and safe New Year. Thank you for all your lovely support for my books and those of my fabulous guest bloggers this year. It is so appreciated. Proofs have just been sent off for Murder in First Class which will release mid February. I have about 20k left to write on book 9 and hopefully, now my house move is completed I should be more productive next year. I may even have my new office space done soon.

Returning guest blogger - Verity Bright

A warm welcome back to the lovely writerly team of Verity Bright and their new release - Death on a Winters Day Christmas at the castle with holly, handmade gifts, snowflakes and… is that a body under the tree? Someone call Lady Swift! Winter, 1921. Lady Eleanor Swift, amateur sleuth and reluctant lady of the manor, has been invited to spend Christmas in Scotland, at the beautiful castle of her dear friends Baron and Baroness Ashley. Even her favourite companion, master of mischief Gladstone the bulldog, is coming along to share a slice of turkey. As snow begins to fall outside, the rather mismatched group are cozy by the roaring fire, sharing a tipple over a plate of Mrs Trotman’s famous mince pies. But after what was supposed to be a fun party game, Mr Eugene Randall is found dead at the feast. A somewhat unpopular business associate of the Baron’s from across the pond, it seems Mr Randall has certainly upset somebody. Was it what he said about Scottish whisky? The killer must be in the castle… and when the Baron is arrested, Baroness Ashley begs Eleanor to investigate. Determined not to let her friend down, Eleanor sets about questioning the remaining partygoers. All too swiftly, someone else is found dead, having apparently fallen from a high balcony. As if one murder wasn’t enough to put a twist in the tinsel! Eleanor knows she’s skating on thin ice now. And when she discovers a hidden document that points the finger of suspicion at the unlikeliest of suspects, she realises there’s more to the story. Can Eleanor catch the killer before it’s time for Christmas dinner?

Get your copy HERE

Returning Guest Blogger - Lizzie Chantree

I'm delighted to welcome back lovely Lizzie Chantree with her latest release! The Woman who felt Invisible A gorgeous romantic story of love and new beginnings. Learning to love herself and be content on her own is the first step. But will Olivia be able to leave her past behind, follow her heart and find lasting happiness? A read full of humour, romance and tear-jerking reality, from international bestselling author, Lizzie Chantree. Have you ever felt invisible? Working as a stationery supervisor and a sitter to a pair of internet famous, delinquent dogs, wasn’t how former cyber-specialist, Olivia, imagined her life turning out. Working in a tiny cubicle with a decrepit computer and being overlooked had suited her for a while, but now she’s fed up, lonely and determined to make the world ‘see’ her again. Old school friend, Darius, wants to fill Olivia’s days with romance, but their love of technology has taken them on very different paths. Gorgeous undercover policeman Gabe, is steadfast in finding out if Olivia was part of an online scam, but something doesn’t feel right and he suspects someone else was manipulating her life. Can love blossom from the most deceptive of starts? And can someone who feels lost, find a way to flourish against all odds?

Get yourself a fabulous booky bargain read from a wonderful author HERE

Guest Blogger- Emmy Ellis

A warm welcome to Emmy Ellis who is here to tell us of her upcoming release:The Lion Cartel (The Barrington Patch book 6) Emmy Ellis writes detectives, gangland, and anything crime. She runs her own editing and cover art business and writes at weekends and any spare time she has. A mother to five, a grandmother to three, she lives with her husband and cat in Nottinghamshire, UK, basing her stories in that area and London. You can find her on Facebook Author Page Here are the details of her next release in this fabulous series! The Lion Cartel has descended on the Barrington, plotting behind Cassie’s back. A resident wearing a lion’s head signet ring is involved with them, but she can’t find him for love nor money. She only has one day to sort this new mess out, and the ticking clock is counting down too fast for her liking. Not only does she have to discover what they’re up to, she has other issues to deal with. It’s getting too much, being the leader, and she longs to run away and hide, but that’s not an option. With her thoughts about her mother pushed to the back of her mind, Cassie is on a mission to save not only her own life but those of other people. Some residents aren’t what they seem. They have two faces—one they present to the Barrington, another they present to the dark web. They’ve been involved in a disgusting racket for many years, which ties in to a terrible tragedy from years ago. Cassie is oblivious, but members of the illegal group fear the net is closing in… A cartel, an underground society, and someone running around with guns. Ten p.m. is Cassie’s deadline. Will she find everyone in time? Or will more blood be shed on her patch? You can preorder your copy HERE

Murder at the Wedding is out!

Murder at the Wedding is out! Thank you to everyone who has bought a copy, left a review, messaged me and generally been all round fabulous. Murder in First-Class is also up for preorder!HERE Now on to planning the next Miss Underhay mystery!

Guest Blogger - Verity Bright

A warm welcome back to the dynamic duo behind Verity Bright who has a fabulous new release! A Lesson in Murder When Lady Swift is invited to her old school, she walks through familiar classrooms, finds her favourite books in the library… and surely that’s not a body? Time for a lesson in murder! Autumn, 1921. Lady Eleanor Swift is invited to her old school, St Mary’s, as a guest speaker. Her favourite teacher, Mrs Wadsworth, has asked that Eleanor talk about her intrepid travels around the globe – travelling the Silk Road by bicycle, crossing the Himalayas and even befriending the Maharaja of India. But in the circumstances, perhaps it would have been a good idea to talk about her career as a daring detective… Because no sooner has Eleanor brushed up on her times tables then she is greeted by terrible news: Mrs Wadsworth has been murdered. Eleanor is utterly devastated but she owes it to her dearest teacher to find out who killed her and why. So, alongside Gladstone the bulldog, it’s best paw forward to track down a villain. But when the art teacher is also found dead, Eleanor is sure someone is trying to do away with the people who taught her everything. As Eleanor delves into possible motives, she discovers a clue in the most unlikely place: her mother’s old school diary. Does the route to the murderer lie within a secret passageway her mother uncovered? Can Eleanor nail the culprit in time or is the killer coming for her next?

Contract News!

My fab news today! Emily Gowers has acquired world rights in three new cosy historical mysteries in the Miss Underhay series by Helena Dixon, from Kate Nash of the Kate Nash Literary Agency. Emily says, ‘It’s a real pinch-me moment, to think that I can continue to work with Helena, who has now sold over 100k copies, on this incredible series. Kitty and Matt can’t seem to keep out of trouble, and I can’t seem to stop loving every moment of it!’ Helena says, ‘I am so excited to continue working with Emily and all the Bookouture team on the Miss Underhay series. I know my readers will be delighted too. I love being in Matt and Kitty’s world and can’t wait to write more mysteries for them to solve.’

Guest Blogger - Morton S Gray

A warm welcome back to Morton S Gray. Morton has a new book, Summer at Lucerne Lodge, and she's here to talk about some of the inspiration behind the story.

Life Defining Moments As a writer, I find I think a lot about what makes individuals exactly who they are. I ask myself questions. Why is that man always frowning? How did that woman get that scar on her lip? Why do that couple never speak to me, even though I say hello to them almost every day? We are all on the same earth, but our experiences of this life are vastly different. Part of that is due to the circumstances of birth and the way your parents bring you up. Some of it is in your genes. The part of a person I find myself drawn to as a writer is the part determined by life defining moments. I love nothing better than to give my characters at least one of these defining moments in their backgrounds, one of those episodes in a lifetime that can make or break you, an instance that can change the way you feel and exist in the world. Those instances which can make a person wither and never fulfil their potential, or else even more determined to succeed and prove any critics wrong. I recently tried to write a list of these defining moments, but I can’t claim for it to be in any way complete, more a start, so if you can think of any others then please comment on this post. The idea being that the event or happening changes the way you see the world and react to others in your life. Loss – this might be the death of a child, parent, friend or sibling, a miscarriage, the door closed on a dream, crippling debt, or finding out someone isn’t who you thought they were. Luck – an unexpected windfall, everything falling into place, being at the right place at the right time. Witnessing Something – death, a murder, an accident, knowing a secret, prejudice, bullying or violence. Love – falling in love, falling out of love, experiencing unrequited love, falling for the wrong person. Hate – hating your job, your boss, your family, your lifepath, or wanting to murder someone. Making a Mistake – accidently killing someone, betraying a friend, losing money, causing someone to lose something. All of these things have a multitude of variants, but each one can cause you to live your life differently after the experience. If I look at my own life, I can cite some of my own life defining moments, my dad being made redundant when I was a teenager caused me to fear being short of money, going to university showing me new ways of living, getting divorced when I had a small child making me more self-reliant, resilient and determined. I could go on... What are your life defining moments? And next time you read a book look out for what makes a character react in a certain way.

Summer at Lucerne Lodge is available from: HERE About Morton S. Gray Morton lives with her husband, two sons and Lily, the tiny white dog, in Worcestershire, U.K. She has been reading and writing fiction for as long as she can remember, penning her first attempt at a novel aged fourteen. She is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and The Society of Authors. You can find her on Facebook or Twitter or instagram

Trouble in Paradise

Regular readers will remember that umpteen years ago I had a book called Animal Instincts. It won the RNA's Love Story of the year. Well, exciting stuff! It's back with a new title - Trouble in Paradise and a rather lovely new cover. If you missed it first time around then why not check it out.USA Here is the blurb! Clodagh Martin has enough problems right now. Her beloved animal sanctuary is facing financial ruin, her celebrity sister has just announced she's coming for an extended visit, and her foul-mouthed parrot Dave is, well, foul-mouthed. Combined with a troubling wave of vandalism on her property, Clodagh feels that the whole world is against her and her animals. And if that wasn't enough, property magnate Jack Thatcher has been sniffing around her struggling business. But when Jack begins to show an interest in Clodagh as well, there really is trouble in paradise...

You'll see too that it's now joined my Helena Dixon collection although it is a contemporary.