Morton S. Gray's Blog, page 33
February 18, 2019
Out of My Comfort Zone
I’ve written on my blog before about how I love to learn new things. I’ve lost count of the courses I’ve attended over the years, from recognising antiques to ribbon Christmas tree ornaments, from silver clay to glass bead making, lino print to spiritual poetry. This weekend I went on the first part of a course to learn how to French polish (furniture not nails).
I think it’s important to remind myself of the emotions and feelings evoked by different situations, so that I can use them in my writing – I got a full range on Saturday! To begin with, I felt strange going out in old clothes and wearing no jewellery (a safety stipulation for the course). I got lost, hot and bothered trying to find the venue, as roadworks rendered my sat nav useless. I arrived just in time, but flustered.
There was a mix of male and female attending the course at a woodwork school. We’d been asked to take a couple of items to work on – I’d sourced a box from a charity shop for £2.99, another from an antiques fair and a table from a dealer for £15 (he gave me a huge discount without me even asking when I mentioned the course).
Naively, I hadn’t anticipated the sheer physical effort involved in preparing the wooden items for finishing. My shoulder ached, the tutor kept pointing out bits I’d missed, I felt under pressure and slow. (All emotions recorded in my notebook for future use lol)
It took all day to chemically treat and scrape off old varnish and polish, then sand the surfaces of my items. I was exhausted by the end of the course and I need a manicure, but definitely a different day! Next week, we tackle the staining and polishing part of the course!
In other news, last week saw authorly excitement when my advance author copy of the paperback of The Truth Lies Buried arrived (actually on Valentine’s Day). I spent a good while stroking the embossing on the front of the cover. It is lovely to be published in any medium, but to actually hold your story in your hands is wonderful. Thank you as always to Choc Lit for making my dream come true.
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The Truth Lies Buried is already available as an ebook and is published as a paperback and audiobook on 12 March 2019.
Blurb, cover and buying links below:-
Two children in a police waiting room, two distressed mothers, a memory only half remembered …
When Jenny Simpson returns to the seaside town of Borteen, her childhood home, it’s for a less than happy reason. But it’s also a chance for her to start again.
A new job leads to her working for Carver Rodgers, a man who lives alone in a house that looks like it comes from the pages of a fairy tale – until you see the disaster zone inside …
As Jenny gets to know Carver she begins to unravel the sadness that has led to his chaotic existence. Gradually they realise they have something in common that is impossible to ignore – and it all links back to a meeting at a police station many years before.
Could the truth lie just beneath their feet?
The Truth Lies Buried is available from all eBook platforms – Choc Lit, Amazon Kindle, Kobo, Apple iBooks. This will be available as a paperback and audiobook from 12 March 2019.
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Thank you for visiting my blog – Morton S. Gray – Author. I hope you enjoyed this post. You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Christmas at Borteen Bay is available now as both an eBook and audio download – Amazon Kindle, Audio, Apple iBooks, Kobo and Choc Lit for other buying options.
The Truth Lies Buried is available from all eBook platforms – Choc Lit, Amazon Kindle, Kobo, Apple iBooks. This will be available as a paperback and audiobook from 12 March 2019.
The Girl on the Beach published by Choc Lit is available as a paperback and from all eBook platforms – Amazon Kindle, Apple iBooks, Kobo, Barnes and Noble and Google Play.
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February 5, 2019
Looking Forward to Exciting Times
The wonderful group Apricot Plots which I am so happy to be a member of has a Valentine Tour event running 6-14 February. Each member of the group will take over the Apricot Plots Facebook and Twitter feed for the day. My day is Friday 8 February when I will be talking about ‘The Food of Love’ #ApricotPlotsValentineTour. There are prizes to win and fun questions to answer …
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On Saturday 9 February a flirty extract from my novel The Girl on the Beach features on Carol Thomas’ blog for her event Romance Writers Are #SharingTheLove.
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I am now gearing up for the paperback and audiobook release on 12 March 2019 of my novel The Truth Lies Buried. I’ve just been sent a picture of the paperback sleeve. Isn’t it wonderful?
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I shall be a guest on quite a few blogs around the time of the paperback and audiobook release of The Truth Lies Buried – Angela Barton (11 March), Carol Thomas (12 March), Lizzie Chantree (14 March), Tora Williams (18 March), Rachel Brimble (19 March) and Love Books Group.
If you have a blog and would be happy for me to feature with The Truth Lies Buried and spread the word about my book, then please get in touch in the comments below.
Exciting Times …
Thank you for visiting my blog – Morton S. Gray – Author. I hope you enjoyed this post. You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Christmas at Borteen Bay is available now as both an eBook and audio download – Amazon Kindle, Audio, Apple iBooks, Kobo and Choc Lit for other buying options.
The Truth Lies Buried is available from all eBook platforms – Choc Lit, Amazon Kindle, Kobo, Apple iBooks. This will be available as a paperback and audiobook from 12 March 2019.
The Girl on the Beach published by Choc Lit is available as a paperback and from all eBook platforms – Amazon Kindle, Apple iBooks, Kobo, Barnes and Noble and Google Play.
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January 28, 2019
Five Things You Would Never Guess About Author Alison May
Continuing with my blog series sharing five things people would not guess about the authors featured, this week I have Alison May for you.
Over to Alison …
I once played an alien in a radio play. When I was at secondary school/sixth form I thought I wanted to be an actor when I grew up, so I got involved in lots of plays and drama activities. One of those led to a group of us being invited to perform in a drama series for a local radio station to warn kids about the dangers of drugs. Because obviously ‘the kids’ all listen to local radio drama avidly. I played an alien called Zarc who came to Earth to find out about humans and fell in with a bad crowd. At the end of episode 3 I had a bad trip and was unconscious all the way through episode 4. I recovered in episode 5 though by which time I think we’d all learned a valuable lesson. Just say no kids, and all that.
Christmas plates! I’m quite fond of a ‘paint your own pottery’ place. It’s very soothing and painting onto pottery is, strangely, much easier and much more forgiving than painting on canvas or paper. I do paint the same thing every time I go though – it’s always a Christmas plate. What can I say? Christmas plates make me happy.
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I maintain a showbiz age of 29, and have done for many years now. I properly freaked out about turning 30. I did not like the notion of being out of my twenties one little bit, to the point where refused to celebrate and had a ‘Still 29’ party the night before my birthday instead. Weirdly, I was much more comfortable with turning 40, but by then I’d sort of established the claim to be permanently 29, so I’m sticking with it!
As well as being myself, I also write as Juliet Bell. Juliet isn’t just me though. She’s a collaborative penname for myself and Janet Gover. Juliet came into being at a Romantic Novelists’ Association conference where Janet and I both led workshops that referenced Wuthering Heights. We started joking about writing an adaptation of Wuthering Heights together, and several glasses of wine later, Juliet was born. Juliet’s first novel, The Heights, based on Wuthering Heights, came out in January 2018, and the second, The Other Wife, is out now.
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Alison May and Janet Gover = Juliet Bell
I’m a fully qualified teacher, who has never taught in a school. I specialise in working with adults, but in principle, if the writing thing all falls apart, I am qualified to teach English and History in secondary school. I mean I wouldn’t. I know plenty of proper teachers. It sounds incredibly stressful and like really hard work, which I can’t imagine would suit me at all! I do love teaching adults though – I work with lots of developing authors on courses and retreats and through one-to-one mentoring, and that’s an absolute joy.
Thank you Alison. Interesting – I would never have known about the plates 
January 21, 2019
Five Things You Would Never Guess About Author Morton S Gray
As I’ve started to ask other authors to share five things people would not guess about them, I thought it was only fair to do the same. So this week I am sharing my five things…
Soft Toys
I have a weakness for soft toys. I keep telling myself I’m too old to buy them and then I fall for yet another cute face!
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Carnival Glass
When my oldest son was little I went to night school to learn about antiques and discovered carnival glass. It is moulded glass with an iridescent sheen. I’ve been collecting it ever since and was even a member of The Carnival Glass Society for a while. I love the jewelled colours and the way light bounces off the pieces. It’s also generally reasonably priced, so doesn’t break the bank to build up a collection.
Career
I had two very different careers before I got published as a writer. I worked for sixteen years at an electricity company, mainly in training and development, but with spells in administration and conference organisation. At one point I had fifty staff. I left to start my own therapy business and am a trained clinical hypnotherapist, Reiki Master, Tuina acupressure masseur and energy field healer. This change of direction was instigated by a past life regression!
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Family History
My favourite thing is to trace family trees. I view them as a puzzle and am like a dog with a bone trying to solve mysteries. I once taught family history to adult education classes. My latest interest is in the possibilities for research which have been opened up by the increase in popularity of DNA testing. I am fascinated by genetics.
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Learning
I love nothing better than learning new things, some of which eventually end up in my books. For example, in February 2019 I’m booked on a French Polishing course – no not nails – finishing and restoring wooden furniture. I can’t wait!
Examples of recent courses include silver clay jewellery, glass bead making, lino printing and mandala painting.
Thank you for visiting my blog – Morton S. Gray – Author. I hope you enjoyed this post. You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Christmas at Borteen Bay is available now as both an eBook and audio download – Amazon Kindle, Audio, Apple iBooks, Kobo and Choc Lit for other buying options.
The Truth Lies Buried is available from all eBook platforms – Choc Lit, Amazon Kindle, Kobo, Apple iBooks. This will be available as a paperback and audiobook from 12 March 2019.
The Girl on the Beach published by Choc Lit is available as a paperback and from all eBook platforms – Amazon Kindle, Apple iBooks, Kobo, Barnes and Noble and Google Play.
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January 14, 2019
Five Things You Would Never Guess About Author Caroline James
This week I’m pleased to welcome fellow Apricot Plots author, Caroline James to share five things that you would never guess about her. My curiosity is aroused already, I don’t know about you? Over to Caroline …
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Five things I love that readers may not guess…
At the start of a new year I sit down and ask myself if the previous year lived up to expectations. Like resolutions, expectations are personal and for me involve making sure that I fit in things that I like to do. Here are five things I love, that I did in 2018, and hope to continue in 2019.
Trekking. I enjoy getting out in the hills and dales and even trekking up the odd mountain or two. I’ve trekked in places such as Peru and China and adore the Scottish Highlands, including the daunting Ben Nevis. Last year began with plenty of walking and outdoor exercise but I broke my foot which has curtailed the more adventurous walks. I hope to be back on the fells soon.
(Wow! I’ve always fancied going to Peru! M)
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Outdoor swimming. I’ve long had the urge to swim in open water and last year began with a New Year’s Day swim in the Irish Sea which was bracing but exhilarating. Grab your swim suit and join me in a tarn or lake in 2019.
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Northern Soul Music. As a young girl growing up in Northern England where Northern Soul was a cult, I collected singles and went to all-nighters to dance the night away to the heavy beat and fast tempo. I had a vast collection of singles, some by small regional American labels such as Ric-Tic that have a strong commercial value today. Sadly, my record collection was stolen. Now, I have only to hear the pulsating beat of the opening bars of any of my favourite artists and I’m immediately on my feet bopping around the kitchen to memories of the days when spins, flips and backdrops were the dance style that grew out of the underground rhythm and soul scene of that period.
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Banana Toasted Sandwiches. My working life has been spent in the hospitality industry and food is a big part of my life. I’ve worked with many celebrity chefs and on occasion, spent time in commercial kitchens whipping up recipes. I’ve been lucky enough to dine out in some amazing restaurants too. But often, when snuggling down at home, my meal of choice would be a simple mashed banana sandwich – toasted with butter until golden brown.
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Mindful Meditation. In 2018, I went to a class to learn a little about Mindful Meditation. Within minutes of practicing, I felt calm and relaxed. Mindfulness is the ability to be fully present and aware of where we are and what we are doing and not over reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us. I have continued to practice this and will endeavour to learn more in 2019.
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Huge thanks to lovely Morton for hosting me on her blog
Wishing everyone a fabulous year ahead.
Caroline xx
Caroline‘s latest novel published by Ruby Fiction is The Best Boomerville Hotel.
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Let the shenanigans begin at the Best Boomerville Hotel …
Jo Docherty and Hattie Contaldo have a vision – a holiday retreat in the heart of the Lake District exclusively for guests of ‘a certain age’ wishing to stimulate both mind and body with new creative experiences. One hotel refurbishment later and the Best Boomerville Hotel is open for business!
Perhaps not surprisingly Boomerville attracts more than its fair share of eccentric clientele: there’s fun-loving Sir Henry Mulberry and his brother Hugo; Lucinda Brown, an impoverished artist with more ego than talent; Andy Mack, a charming Porsche-driving James Bond lookalike, as well as Kate Simmons, a woman who made her fortune from an internet dating agency but still hasn’t found ‘the One’ herself.
With such an array of colourful individuals there’s bound to be laughs aplenty, but could there be tears and heartbreak too and will the residents get more than they bargained for at Boomerville?
What people are saying about The Best Boomerville Hotel:
This is a brilliant 5 star story. The writing is modern and fresh. I found the Boomerville Hotel a fantastic and memorable setting with many likeable characters. Each guest had their own story which had an ending in the book, always a big plus. Susan D, reader.
I need to go to a place like this! Quirky characters, right up my street, I really enjoyed the
story. Cal Sleath, Birmingham.
‘I really wish I could check into Boomerville and participate in the courses. I loved this book, it is a great read. Thanks to the author for bringing the crazy characters to life – I can’t wait for the next book. Ronnie Montgomory, London
The Best Boomerville Hotel Buying Links:
Amazon http://mybook.to/BVC
Kobo: https://goo.gl/VRh2XT
Ibooks/Google: https://goo.gl/2aq7sz
Itunes: https://apple.co/2lZrl6F
Caroline James has owned and run businesses encompassing all aspects of the hospitality industry, a subject that features in her novels. She is based in the UK but has a great fondness for travel and escapes whenever she can. A public speaker, which includes talks and lectures on cruise ships world-wide, Caroline is also a consultant and food writer. She is a member of the Romantic Novelist’s Association and the Society of Women’s Writer’s & Journalists, she writes articles, short stories and contributes to many publications. Caroline also runs writing workshops.
In her spare time, Caroline can be found trekking up a mountain or relaxing with her head in a book and hand in a box of chocolates.
To contact Caroline you can use the following links:
Twitter:@CarolineJames12
Facebook:Caroline James Author
Thank you so much for an intriguing post, Caroline.
Thank you for visiting my blog – Morton S. Gray – Author. I hope you enjoyed this post. You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Christmas at Borteen Bay is available now as both an eBook and audio download – Amazon Kindle, Audio, Apple iBooks, Kobo and Choc Lit for other buying options.
The Truth Lies Buried is available from all eBook platforms – Choc Lit, Amazon Kindle, Kobo, Apple iBooks
The Girl on the Beach published by Choc Lit is available as a paperback and from all eBook platforms – Amazon Kindle, Apple iBooks, Kobo, Barnes and Noble and Google Play.
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January 8, 2019
Where Did Christmas Go?
Am I the only one emerging from the Christmas season and New Year blinking, not sure what day it is, to suddenly find it’s the second week of January already? How did that happen?
I hope my readers had a lovely Christmas and best wishes for a wonderful 2019!
When I look back at 2018 it was quite a year for me with the paperback publication of The Girl on the Beach and two new ebooks published by Choc Lit The Truth Lies Buried and Christmas at Borteen Bay! My Christmas book was also my first audio download – another writing milestone.
I’ve had some super guests on my blog in 2018. If you get chance have a scroll back and read a few of the great features.
2019 is the year of my youngest son’s GCSE exams. He has mock exams this week and next, so Christmas was a time of work for him or else feeling guilty because he wasn’t studying. My mom is also in need of much more support at the moment. Despite this I’m hoping to complete at least another two books in 2019, even though it feels like I’m wading through treacle at the moment with the other demands on my time and a few health niggles of my own. Keeping the faith and determined to add to the covers above by this time next year.
I hope you have your own positive goals for the new year.
Watch out next week for a blog featuring Caroline James author of The Best Boomerville Hotel published by Ruby Fiction.
Thank you for visiting my blog – Morton S. Gray – Author. I hope you enjoyed this post. You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Christmas at Borteen Bay is available now as both an eBook and audio download – Amazon Kindle, Audio, Apple iBooks, Kobo and Choc Lit for other buying options.
The Truth Lies Buried is available from all eBook platforms – Choc Lit, Amazon Kindle, Kobo, Apple iBooks
The Girl on the Beach published by Choc Lit is available as a paperback and from all eBook platforms – Amazon Kindle, Apple iBooks, Kobo, Barnes and Noble and Google Play.
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December 17, 2018
Introducing Magnolia House by Angela Barton
I have a short extract of Magnolia House by Angela Barton to share with you this week. The book is published by Choc Lit on 29 January 2019 and is available for pre-order right now.
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What a lovely cover!
Here’s a description of Magnolia House –
When you open up your home and your heart …
Rowan Forrester has it all – the happy marriage, the adorable dog, the good friends, the promising business and even the dream home after she and her husband Tom win a stunning but slightly dilapidated Georgian townhouse in London at auction.
But in the blink of an eye, Rowan’s picture-perfect life comes crashing down around her and she is faced with the prospect of having to start again.
To make ends meet she begins a search for housemates, and in doing so opens the door to new friends and new beginnings. But could she be opening the door to new heartbreak too?
This extract is from the opening page of Magnolia House:-
“April’s unexpected heat-haze danced as it levitated above broiled pavements. Shiny black slugs of melted tarmac dribbled into gutters, smelling as sickly-sweet as pineapple chunks. The news channels were proclaiming that it was going to be the hottest spring on record for the past seventeen years and the damp skin on Rowan’s back lay testimony to that fact.
Rowan and her husband, Tom, were in Clapham, standing across the road from Magnolia House and looking up at it in disbelief. It was a neglected and weather-worn building and its flaking central front door didn’t bode well for the rest of the house. The sash windows looked rotten where paint had peeled and rain had drenched the exposed wood. The low parapet that was built around the edge of the roof was crumbling in parts and missing in others. Its only redeeming feature was a mature magnolia tree standing in the diminutive front garden.
Rowan unfolded the page from the newspaper that Tom had shown her at breakfast the previous morning and, after great excitement, they’d decided to drive to London for a viewing.
‘It says here,’ Rowan read, ‘elegant semi-detached Georgian town house with basement accommodation. In need of some modernisation to bring it back to its former glory. Full of original features. Pretty courtyard to the rear of the property. Dated decor requiring attention throughout.’
‘Dated! I think they mean delapi-dated,’ said Tom, rubbing the stubble on his chin. It was a nervous habit he’d developed since recently establishing his own photographic business, The Wider Picture.
Nearby church bells chimed half past the hour as the estate agent fidgeted impatiently next to the front steps.
‘Do you still want to take a look?’ asked Rowan.
Tom pulled a face and shrugged. ‘We’re here, I suppose.’”
Well I’m off to pre-order…
Angela told me more about the inspiration for the book…
I was born in Clapham, London, so I suppose it was natural that I felt drawn to setting my story there. My family moved to Nottingham when I was four but I have happy memories of pushing Looby-Lou, my rag doll, in a toy pram on Clapham Common, so this large expanse of greenery in the middle of London plays an important role in my story. I’ve always been fascinated by obsessive compulsions and how some people’s minds can make them do strange actions by the flawed misconception that its presence is bringing order to their chaotic lives – albeit harmful or anti-social. How do people overcome a compulsion that plays such a negative role in their lives?
I’ve also examined friendship and the faith we have in our relationships. Rightly or wrongly, throughout our lives we feel hurt or let down by people we’re close to. Magnolia House is about rebuilding a life & learning to trust again. It’s about decisions – who makes the rules on when to fall in love following bereavement? Who can we trust to tell our deepest secrets to? It’s about self discovery and how we never really know the psyche of others, no matter how close we think we are to them.
One of my characters stepped into my story without being invited, but I love him like a dear friend despite him causing me to blush occasionally. Mason (Ace) is the brother of my hero. He’s a gay man with a fabulous character and wicked sense of humour. Occasionally in my book he comes out (no pun intended) with smutty innuendos that I thought I couldn’t possibly write in my story, but as Ace told me when I questioned him, it’s his character and I had no right to censor him. I hope you love him as much as I do, and fall in love with my hero, James, as much as I did.
About the Author Angela Barton
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Angela Barton was born in London and grew up in Nottingham. She is married with three grown up children and two spoilt spaniels she calls her ‘hairy daughters.’ Passionate about writing both contemporary and historical fiction, Angela has won and also been shortlisted for several writing competitions. She reads avidly, makes book-related jewellery and loves a nice cup of tea. Having recently planted a field of lavender with her husband in south-west France, she is looking forward to spending more time writing in Charente and watching their lavender grow.
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Angela’s writing room
Angela is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and Nottingham Writers’ Studio.
Angela writes for both Choc Lit and Ruby Fiction.
The link to pre-order Magnolia House is smarturl.it/fttfc2
Angela Barton‘s personal links are:
Website angelabarton.net
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/angela.barton3
Twitter https://twitter.com/angebarton
Pinterest https://www.pinterest.co.uk/abarton3862/
Thank you for sharing your extract, Angela, I am most jealous of your writing room. Good luck with the book.
Thank you for visiting my blog – Morton S. Gray – Author. I hope you enjoyed this post. You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Christmas at Borteen Bay is available now as both an eBook and audio download – Amazon Kindle, Audio, Apple iBooks, Kobo and Choc Lit for other buying options.
The Truth Lies Buried is available from all eBook platforms – Choc Lit, Amazon Kindle, Kobo, Apple iBooks
The Girl on the Beach published by Choc Lit is available as a paperback and from all eBook platforms – Amazon Kindle, Apple iBooks, Kobo, Barnes and Noble and Google Play.
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December 10, 2018
Five Things You Would Never Guess About Author Jane Cable
I’m pleased to welcome fellow Apricot Plots author, Jane Cable to my blog today to share five things that you would never guess about her. I’m loving this feature as I’m finding out more depth about other authors. Over to Jane …
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Jane Cable says …
Some of my great passions are easy to guess from my books; my fascination with people, my love of history and of the beauty of the British countryside. Readers may also work out that my girlfriends are hugely important to me – as is the wise council of the older generation. But when Morton asked me to write about what readers mightn’t guess I was left scratching my head so please excuse this rather eclectic mix!
1. Love at first sight
I believe fervently in love at first sight. A month before my twentieth birthday, it happened to me.
I was on a little road trip around Devon and Cornwall with my shag buddy (no, Generation Y, you didn’t invent them) when he suggested we drop by to see a friend of his. Miles of farm track later we pitched up in a muddy yard, somewhere between Dartmoor and Exmoor, and a bloke with a shock of dark hair and the most intense eyes you’ve ever seen bounced out of the house to meet us.
Reader, I married him. And divorced him three years later. Which is probably why love at first sight doesn’t feature in my books.
2. Consciousness beyond matter
My readers might guess at this one because my novels always have a slightly ghostly or time-slippy edge. But the actual phrase is borrowed from the aims of The College of Psychic Studies which was set up by Conan Doyle and others to explore just that.
The College was a client in my business life and as a result l had access to their extensive library for research. There I discovered that this is a subject people study very seriously and I learnt to accept there are many things we don’t know – maybe can’t know – and to assume our knowledge is complete seems to me to be rather arrogant.
3. Foreign travel
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So far my books are all set in the UK, with no exotic landscapes. They are led by place – which my readers do expect – but all the places are in England.
And I love to travel. When I was working at full pelt I didn’t have enough time, but now my OH and I have kicked back a little we’re making up for it. Vietnam, Cambodia, the USA. And that’s just in the first year.
But I would struggle to put these places in my books because, as a tourist, you only ever skate the surface. To write about a location, to properly take my readers there, I need to be able to live and breathe it.
4. Music radio
This has been a love for most of my life. The first thing I remember wanting to be was a DJ and I spent my later teenage years volunteering at one local radio station and my first job after graduating was at another. I worked in the newsroom, at the sports’ desk, as a producer, presenting rock music specials and scheduling adverts. I felt I was in my element.
I would still rather listen to the radio than watch TV, although now it’s more likely to be a cricket commentary demanding my attention. Although I did cry buckets when Terry Wogan died. And I’m hoping Ken Bruce is immortal.
5. Wales
I am Welsh through and through and it’s one of the most important aspects of my identity, but as yet the country hasn’t featured in my novels.
I don’t know why, because there are many beautiful places I could write about, many fascinating historical themes. Perhaps it’s the intensity that scares me, or maybe it’s all just a little too close for comfort.
But one day, one day, it just might happen.
Wow, those were interesting, thank you. And now more about Jane’s books …
Jane Cable writes romance with a twist of mystery and has just signed a deal with Sapere Books for two contemporary novels slipping back to World War Two.
Her existing books were published independently. The Cheesemaker’s House reached the final of the Alan Titchmarsh Show’s People’s Novelist competition and tells the story of a divorcee who moves to Yorkshire and meets her neighbours from the present and the past. Jane’s second novel, The Faerie Tree is about a couple who meet again twenty years after their brief affair and discover their memories of it are completely different.
Both books are available in all ebook formats with paperbacks on Amazon or by ordering from all good bookstores.
Find out more on Jane’s website (www.janecable.com), her Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/romanticsuspensenovels/) or follow @JaneCable on Twitter.
As part of the Apricot Plots Kick Start Christmas giveaways look out for posts on Tuesday 11 December by Jane Cable as you can win a copy of The Faerie Tree. Also, there is a copy of The Cheesemaker’s House in the bundle of books whose winner will be announced on Friday 14 December – you can nominate someone to win this prize up until 14 December at 8pm GMT. Find out more by liking our Apricot Plots‘s page on Facebook and Twitter.
Thank you for visiting my blog – Morton S. Gray – Author. I hope you enjoyed this post. You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Christmas at Borteen Bay is available now as both an eBook and audio download – Amazon Kindle, Audio, Apple iBooks, Kobo and Choc Lit for other buying options.
The Truth Lies Buried is available from all eBook platforms – Choc Lit, Amazon Kindle, Kobo, Apple iBooks
The Girl on the Beach published by Choc Lit is available as a paperback and from all eBook platforms – Amazon Kindle, Apple iBooks, Kobo, Barnes and Noble and Google Play.
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December 3, 2018
Kick Start Christmas with Apricot Plots
I posted a little while back to say that I am now part of a wonderful group of supportive authors and we call ourselves Apricot Plots. If you are interested in finding out more then follow us by liking our page on Facebook and Twitter.
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We are celebrating our friendship and new venture with a Kick Start your Christmas event running from 1-14 December. There are different giveaways and competitions each day – so get over to Facebook and Twitter and call back each day during the event for another chance to win.
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I will be giving away a signed copy of my Search for a Star competition winning novel The Girl on the Beach published by Choc Lit on 4 December, so watch out for details on Facebook and Twitter.
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I will also be giving away a signed copy of The Girl on the Beach as part of the final big book bundle. This giveaway is a little bit different as we are asking people to nominate someone special to receive the bundle of books during the period 1-14 December, so look up the details on the Apricot Plots pages and get nominating. What a lovely prize to receive.
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Get nominating on Facebook and Twitter.
Watch out next week for a post from another Apricot Plotter, Jane Cable.
Thank you for visiting my blog – Morton S. Gray – Author. I hope you enjoyed this post. You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Christmas at Borteen Bay is available now as both an eBook and audio download – Amazon Kindle, Audio, Apple iBooks, Kobo and Choc Lit for other buying options.
The Truth Lies Buried is available from all eBook platforms – Choc Lit, Amazon Kindle, Kobo, Apple iBooks
The Girl on the Beach published by Choc Lit is available as a paperback and from all eBook platforms – Amazon Kindle, Apple iBooks, Kobo, Barnes and Noble and Google Play.
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November 26, 2018
Internet Friendship
Something a little different for my blog this week. Victoria Cornwall and I have both had new Christmas novellas released in the last few weeks. We both signed with Choc Lit about the same time and since then we have become good friends and communicate most days. We decided to answer some questions about our friendship.
What does your internet friendship mean to you?
Morton– I always know that Vicki will be there if I need to ask for an opinion on something and she is good at noticing if I’ve missed something on social media that I should respond to. We have shared highs and lows, good times and bad about our writing, our families, pets and ourselves. Vicki is probably one of the first people I think about to tell when something happens and it somehow helps that she lives so far away from me and can be a little more detached. (I live in Worcestershire and she’s in Cornwall).
Victoria– Writing is a lonely job and, in my opinion, can only be fully understood by another writer who has experienced the same journey. It’s good to know that I can discuss, rant, confide, confess and share good times with someone who really understands. I can also message Morton at any time, from anywhere and within hours, if not minutes I will get a reply that understands, encourages or give me a firm kick up the virtual bottom.
What did you think when you first met in person?
Morton– It was lovely to meet Vicky for the first time in real life. I was nervous, as even if we were good friends on the internet it didn’t mean we would get on in real life – I needn’t have worried we’ve had a great time on the three occasions we have met, in Worcester, in London and in Oxford. The one thing I always forget is that she has a Cornish accent. Lol.
Victoria– I was a little worried. We were both finalists for a Romantic Novelists’ Association Award and we had arranged to attend the ceremony together. When she arrived at my hotel room door, she looked just like her photograph, which was great, but she was also so friendly, excited about the evening ahead and full of laughter that any worries I did have instantly evaporated.
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How can you help each other if you write such different genres?
Morton– We don’t really critique each other’s work, unless it is a short piece on which we need an opinion. We more often offer moral support, a listening ear and help in sharing tweets and Facebook posts. It’s nice to know that someone understands when you are struggling with writing or editing. I have read and enjoyed all of Vicki’s novels.
Victoria– Morton is right. Perhaps that is the key to our successful online friendship, to not make a habit of critiquing each other’s work, but provide much needed support in other ways. We have different writing styles which we both respect and enjoy. It also makes reading the final published version so much more exciting as we are unaware of the plot or the twists to come.
You wrote your Christmas novellas at the same time. Was this an advantage or a disadvantage?
Morton– I found it helpful, as I knew someone else was going through the same ups and downs as I was. Sometimes all you need to help on the journey is a good listening ear and encouragement, especially when you are trying to be Christmassy out of season!
Victoria– It was advantageous for me. We wrote the novellas the same time, worked with our editors to prepare them for publication around the same time, even saw our covers within the same month or so. There was no competition between us regarding who had written more words, but it kept me focused so my novella was finished in plenty of time. A common phrase we would often message to each other would be “I need to add more Christmas!” Those words were a bonding session in their own right!
Which character did you like best in each other’s Christmas novella?
Morton– When asked that question, I felt I should say Nicholas, the hero of A Daughter’s Christmas Wish, but actually my favourite character was Rose, the heroine. She has been through a lot with both her mother, brother and her fiancé, but still she gets up every day and carries on running her tea shop. She is strong and resourceful, despite her trials and tribulations and I admire that.
Victoria– As soon as I read Christmas at Borteen Bay I messaged Morton to tell her I’d fallen in love with the hero, Ethan. He’s stable, supportive, understanding and totally believable. He is ‘a keeper’ who has never really got over the love of his life. What’s not to like?
We hope you enjoyed our celebration of our friendship.
Our books
Morton – Christmas at Borteen Bay
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Christmas has a way of bringing family secrets to the surface …
Christmas is a bittersweet time for Pippa Freeman. There are good memories, of course – but some painful ones too.
Then her mother is implicated in a mysterious occurrence in their home town of Borteen, and Pippa wonders if she’ll ever experience a happy Christmas again – especially when a family secret is revealed.
But when police officer and old school friend Ethan Gibson offers his support, Pippa begins to realise that even though her life has been turned upside down, a happy and hopeful Christmas isn’t impossible …
Buying Links for Christmas at Borteen Bay
Ebook Amazon Kindle Kobo Choc Lit
Audiobook Audible
Victoria – A Daughter’s Christmas Wish
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A Cornish Christmas wish sent across the ocean …
Christmas, Cornwall 1919
A promise to a fellow soldier leads Nicholas to Cornwall for Christmas, and to the teashop managed by Rose; the youngest daughter of a family whose festive spirit has been blighted by their wartime experiences. But as Nicholas strives to give Rose the best Christmas she could wish for, he begins to question whether his efforts are to honour his friend, or whether there is another reason …
Buying links for A Daughter’s Christmas Wish
Ebook: https://books2read.com/u/bppJPg
Audiobook: https://goo.gl/cYCXxs
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Thank you for visiting my blog – Morton S. Gray – Author. I hope you enjoyed this post. You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Christmas at Borteen Bay is available now as both an eBook and audio download – Amazon Kindle, Audio, Apple iBooks, Kobo and Choc Lit for other buying options.
The Truth Lies Buried is available from all eBook platforms – Choc Lit, Amazon Kindle, Kobo, Apple iBooks
The Girl on the Beach published by Choc Lit is available as a paperback and from all eBook platforms – Amazon Kindle, Apple iBooks, Kobo, Barnes and Noble and Google Play.
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