Morton S. Gray's Blog, page 34

Spotlight on Guest Author Carol Thomas

This week I’m joined by Carol Thomas, author of The Perfect Pet Sitter published by Ruby Fiction.

I asked Carol some questions:-

What inspired you to write The Purrfect Pet Sitter?

I wanted to write a story that explored the idea of second chances in friendship and love. Add to that, my daughter is a pet sitter, it’s a great job for meeting people, and pets who, like children, add a certain amount of unpredictability – giving rise to great opportunities when writing romantic comedy. As the creative cogs began to churn Lisa Blake and her return to her hometown as The Purrfect Pet Sitter was born.

Tell me about the settings in The Purrfect Pet Sitter.

Time wise the novel is set between September and New Year’s Eve, so ideal for reading at this time of year

Happy Publication Day to Me!

Today Christmas at Borteen Bay is launched into the world. Thank you to all those who have pre-ordered it. This Christmas novella is set in my fictional seaside town of Borteen and is available as an eBook or Audio Download from 13 November 2018.

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It always seems such a simple statement – my new book is published today – but the work in the  background to get to that point is tremendous. I originally wrote the book in November 2017 and since then it has been through the Choc Lit Reader Panel, been worked on by my editor many times, I have read and amended it countless times, the cover designer produced the cover and that’s not counting the background work at my publisher Choc Lit to format it, load it to retail sites and market the title. For the first time for me this book is available as an audio download and is narrated by Penelope Freeman. Bloggers have read advanced copies and taken time to write reviews and I’m sure I must have forgotten something. Thank you to everyone who has had a hand in getting my third book to market. I do hope that readers enjoy it.

So what is Christmas in Borteen Bay about?

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 …

The novella is available from all ebook retailers and also (in a first for me) as an audio download narrated by Penelope Freeman.

To tempt you, I’m posting a taster below.

Chapter One
2 December

Ethan Gibson didn’t mind early morning shifts. In fact he relished the silence in the streets of the seaside town of Borteen. Somehow pre-dawn had a different energy about it. The majority of the population and visiting tourists, admittedly few in December, were mostly still in bed. His boots sounded loudly on the pavement.

He looked up to catch a few snowflakes that drifted from the overcast sky. Thankfully, his police hat was securely strapped to his head, otherwise it would surely have fallen off with that amount of head tilt.

Could it actually be a white Christmas this year? The bookies would be wary of having to pay out large sums to those hopefuls who gambled on the possibility. If these flurries continued there would be a lot of bets placed soon. Ethan didn’t think he’d bother to waste any cash.

Relaxed, content and rather distracted by the sound of the sea, combined with the orange glow of the dawn sky, he began to count his steps. The tide was almost completely out in the bay and the flat, as yet undisturbed beach lay beyond the sea wall. Ethan would have loved nothing better than to strip off his boots and socks, to run over the sand. He laughed to himself at how funny a policeman in full uniform running in circles barefoot on the beach would look to anyone watching, like something out of an old black and white movie. He’d no doubt get himself put on a disciplinary charge too, but the temptation was so great, especially as it didn’t appear as if anyone in the town was awake to see him.

He continued his steady walk along the promenade, checking the buildings as he always did, looking for anything out of place as he passed by. He paid particular attention to Rose Court guesthouse, but only because he hoped to catch a glimpse of Pippa Freeman, who ran the guesthouse with her mother.

Ethan had had a “thing” about Pippa, ever since he’d shared a table with the girl at Borteen Infants’ School. They’d not spoken to each other properly since a disastrous school Christmas party over ten years ago, but despite that and two failed relationships since, his secret adoration had never really gone away. He shook himself to remove the brief fragment of bad Christmas past memory invading his calm state.

The newly installed Christmas lights outside of The Ship Inn blinked into life as he neared the pub. Ethan checked his watch. They must be programmed to light up at six-thirty each morning. He unconsciously began to hum ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’ in his deep baritone.

He continued along the promenade, lamenting the fact that the chip shop wouldn’t be open today. He was a big fan of the occasional battered cod and chips with lashings of salt and vinegar from The Borteen Cod. He would even have missed out on his promised beef and Yorkshire pudding Sunday lunch at his mother’s if the shop had been open.

Making sure the doors and windows were secure at Owl Corner Crafts, he skirted the churchyard to check on the church, stopping to straighten the crowns on the three wise men in the nativity scene outside the main door. Pressing against the church doors to ensure they were locked and satisfied that nothing was amiss, he turned back to walk along the promenade again.

That was when it felt like all hell broke loose and it seemed spookily as if he’d somehow conjured it all from his earlier thoughts about the beach.

As he marched along, noticing the change in the light as the sun came up, the shadowy figure of a woman ran from Rose Court guesthouse, across the road and straight over to him. It took him a few seconds to register that it was Pippa. He hadn’t recognised her normally slim outline wrapped in the voluminous Winnie the Pooh dressing gown and Eeyore slippers.

‘Officer, quick! Oh, it’s you, Ethan.’

Momentarily stunned by the fact Pippa had recognised him, Ethan stared at her blankly for a minute before responding. ‘What’s the matter?’ It must be something serious for her to be out on the promenade looking as if she’d just got out of bed. Her dark curls tumbled around her face and he felt a dart of familiar attraction.

‘I was just looking out of my bedroom window.’ She waved her arms around, gesturing at the guesthouse and the beach. She was out of breath and her voice was high-pitched with emotion. ‘My room’s up on the third floor nearly up by the roof and – and I’m sure there’s someone lying on the sand down by the waterline. It doesn’t look as if they’re moving and the tide’s on the turn. Quick.’

Ethan rushed over to the sea wall and looked across the expanse of sand. He could see a dark shape way down by the edge of the waves. A seal perhaps?

‘I’ll go take a look, just in case. It’s probably a seal.’ He smiled across at her, feeling regret that he couldn’t prolong their conversation. Sprinting to the steps which led down onto the beach, he began to run on the pristine sand, just as he’d been imagining such a short while before – although the dream had been minus his boots. If he wasn’t so concerned with getting to the shape on the sand, he would have laughed to think Pippa had spoken to him again at last, and more than that, she’d recognised him and remembered his name. He’d also got his wish to run the length of the beach. He only hoped he didn’t look as stupid as he’d been thinking he would earlier. He didn’t dare turn to see if Pippa was watching him, for fear of falling over his feet and looking even more of an idiot.

As he got closer, he could clearly see that the shape on the sand was not a seal, but a person, as Pippa had feared.

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If you would like to order it please use the following links – Amazon Kindle, Audio, Apple iBooks, Kobo and Choc Lit for other options.

Happy Publication Day to me, Happy Publication Day to me …

 

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 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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Bargains

Don’t we all love a bargain? As The Truth Lies Buried is on offer at 99p at the moment, I thought I’d share a couple of my favourite extracts to maybe tempt you to buy it. Remember that you can read extracts of the book on both Kindle and a huge chunk of the book on Kobo before you buy too.

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This is the second book in my Borteen Secrets Series but is stand-alone. Let’s start with the information on the back of the book …

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?

And then I’ll give you two short extracts:-

Suddenly, a huge grey dog leapt out of the undergrowth. The animal was as tall as Jenny when it jumped up, close enough for her to see flashes in his eyes. She backed against a tree, her heart in her mouth, stifling a scream. The dog circled around her, barking and snarling. Climbing out of harm’s way was impossible in her tight skirt, even if she could climb a tree. Enormous teeth came close to her face and saliva dripped from the animal’s jaws. Jenny clutched her handbag in front of her and stood as still as she could, given that she was shaking so violently. Scared of passing out, she closed her eyes and prayed for a miracle.

After what seemed a lifetime, during which she’d had plenty of time to imagine being eaten by the baying dog, the chainsaw silenced.

‘Wilf, away. Come here, you mangy beast.’

Jenny chanced opening her eyes. The dog retreated instantly in response to the man’s words. She sank down to the ground, her terror taking away all care for her suit.

The chainsaw man came towards her, removing his ear defenders as he walked. He took off his goggles, revealing slate grey eyes that showed concern, but maybe a hint of amusement too. Wood shavings coated his long curly hair.

‘Are you all right? I wasn’t expecting visitors.’

Jenny stuttered when she finally found her voice. ‘You w-weren’t ex-expecting me?’

And

An hour and a half later, the kitchen was transformed and she couldn’t help a glow of pride. Maybe she could do this job after all.

‘Blimey!’ Carver’s exclamation from behind her made her jump what felt like two feet in the air.

When she turned, he was staring around the room with wide eyes. ‘Is this my kitchen or did you get a new one fitted while I was out?’

‘It’s yours.’ She smiled. ‘It was just … hidden.’

There was something child-like about this tall man gazing around his own kitchen as if he had never seen it before. He ran a finger along the work surface, then examined it and his expression suggested amazement when it came away clean. He moved over to trace a man’s face in a photograph framed on the wall. She’d wondered about it as she’d polished the glass at the front of it earlier.

‘I don’t know why, but that man looks very familiar. May I ask who he is?’

Carver turned and stared at her. He paused before replying, totally unaware of his effect on her insides, which felt jelly-like all of a sudden.

‘My father, Michael Rodgers.’

‘Does he live near here? Is that why I recognise him?’

‘No … well, he did once, but he … disappeared twenty-five years ago, when I was eight.’

Jenny sank heavily onto the stool in the corner. She felt the colour drain from her face. Her heart had begun to beat erratically and faintness threatened to overwhelm her. She hoped she wasn’t going to be sick on the floor she’d recently cleaned.

‘Are you okay? Are you ill?’ Carver’s face and voice held panic and concern, his eyes wide open.

‘I don’t believe it! So … so … did my dad. Twenty-five years ago, almost to the day. I was seven. Wait a minute … you must be that Damien Rodgers.’

‘That Damien Rodgers?’

So if you’d like to find out the mystery behind the disappearance of Carver and Jenny’s fathers you can get The Truth Lies Buried for 99p for a short while on the following links:-

Kindle        Kobo

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Also at just 99p is the pre-order of my Christmas book Christmas at Borteen Bay which is again stand alone. It follows the story of Pippa Freeman who manages the Rose Court guesthouse in Borteen. She features in The Truth Lies Buried too.

Christmas at Borteen Bay will be published on 13 November 2018 as both an eBook and audio download. Pre-order now at Amazon Kindle, Apple iBooks, and Choc Lit

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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 will be published on 13 November 2018 as both an eBook and audio book. Pre-order now at Amazon Kindle, Apple iBooks, and Choc Lit

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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Christmas is Coming …

‘Tis the season of the Christmas book!

I thought I’d use my blog this week to celebrate the Christmas books being published by my publisher Choc Lit this year. Lots have been announced already and there are more to come!

Shameless plug for my own first – Christmas at Borteen Bay is now available for pre-order and is published on 13 November 2018.

About Christmas at Borteen Bay

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 …

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Pre- order on these links Amazon Kindle, Choc Lit only 99p

Good friend and fellow Choc Lit author, Victoria Cornwall‘s Christmas novella cover was revealed today. Can’t wait to read this one. A Daughter’s Christmas Wish is out on 20 November 2018 again at 99p.

About A Daughter’s Christmas Wish

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 …

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To pre-order use the following link Amazon Kindle

I’ve included below some of the other lovely Christmas covers from Choc Lit this year, click on the titles to see more detail and order.

Kathryn Freeman has two titles A Little Christmas Faith and A Little Christmas Charm.

Kirsty Ferry has Watch for me at Christmas and A Christmas Secret.

Berni Stevens – One Magical Christmas

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Lynda Stacey – House of Christmas Secrets

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Evonne Wareham – What Happens at Christmas

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I’ve come over all Christmassy now! I’m sure there are a few more left to reveal – keep an eye on the Choc Lit website here

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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 will be published on 13 November 2018 as both an eBook and audio book. Pre-order now at Amazon Kindle, Apple iBooks, and Choc Lit

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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Returning the Spotlight to Author Lynda Stacey

I’d like to welcome Lynda Stacey to talk about her latest novel The Fake Date which was published by Ruby Fiction on 18 September 2018. I took the opportunity of asking Lynda  some questions about this novel and herself …

Congratulations on the release of your new novel The Fake Date, which sounds like quite a departure from your other books. Please tell us a little about it and your inspiration for the story.

Thank you so much. The Fake Date began a good two years ago when I wrote a ‘first chapter’ as an entry for the Elizabeth Goudge competition that’s run by the Romantic Novelists’ Association. The subject was ‘FAMILY VALUES’ and I thought of the times when we were most likely to think of and appreciate our own families.

I used to be a nurse and I tried to think back over conversations I’d had with patients, who often said that at times when they thought they were about to die, they thought of the people they loved, and the family that they thought they might never see again.

So, in my novel (and Elizabeth Goudge entry), The Fake Date, began at a time when Ella Hope a reporter, had been beaten and left for dead. It’s a time when thoughts of her family, her parents and memories of how happy her childhood had been. They are all in the forefront of her mind and during this chapter she believes she will die, her breathing is failing and she worries about how her mother will take the news, if and when her body is found.

(Blog comment – Wow!)

Do you plan your plot before you begin, or does the story evolve as you write?

My stories very much evolve as they go along. I always know the beginning, the twist and the end. But everything in between is written organically and to be honest, it’s great for me to have and read a few surprises as I write too.

If this novel was made into a film, who would play the lead roles?

Ohhhh what a good question. I absolutely love Michelle Keegan as the heroine, I think she’d be amazing. But the hero… well, that’s hard because I’d love to say Chris Pine, who was in Star Trek…! He’s very cute…!

What sort of books do you enjoy reading yourself? 

I love reading other Romantic Suspense or Psychological Thrillers. I’ve just finished reading an advanced copy of The Woman in The Dark by Vanessa Savage. It’s amazing…. I literally couldn’t put it down.

I’m going to be cheeky and ask you to list five things you love that people reading your books so far would never guess you liked.

Audi TT’s… I had one for 10 years and have vowed to buy myself another one one day.
I love Oysters… I always thought I’d hate them. The thought of just swallowing them worried me and even surprised myself that with just a small drop of lemon, they were absolutely amazing.
I’m a bit of a control freak… (according to my husband) … I always plan what we’re doing, I always drive and I always decide what’s for dinner.
I’m happiest when I’m at home…. I absolutely love the summer. My patio is south facing and we always get chance to sit out after work with a glass of wine. And during the winter I have a big log burner which I love to cuddle up in front of. So it’s a win win situation.
West End Shows… I’m a big fan. I absolutely admire the talent and courage of people doing live shows.

What can we look forward to from you next?

My next novel will be another psychological thriller. I tend to be steering that way, my novels get darker and darker lol (but not too dark).

It has the backdrop of the historic Victorian marvel that was The Sand House, a prominent feature that was in Doncaster from the 1850’s until the 2nd World War. The house was carved from sandstone and the owner of this house carved catacombs / tunnels and the most beautiful carvings, the most famous of which was the Elephant and Mahout. (see pic below) But in the 1960’s the council destroyed the catacombs and filled them with concrete.

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In reality the tunnels can’t be accessed. However, my story begins when my heroine is employed as an archaeologist to uncover the past, but her own past catches up with her, the man who murdered her mother has never been caught and unexplained happenings begin to bestow the site. She’s left frightened and afraid, all the time not knowing who is following her, who is entering her home when she isn’t there and who is gaining access to the site without permission.

As with all my novels, there will be a romance in the background, along with the other characters who will bring the story to life and keep the intrigue turning. I’m hoping this novel will be released during 2019.

Thank you for answering my questions, Lynda and I’m sure readers will agree that you have given some very interesting answers.

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About The Fake Date

Nine hours and eleven minutes …

That’s how long it’s been since Ella Hope was beaten to within an inch of life and left for dead. 

She lies, unable to move and praying for somebody to find her, as she counts down the minutes and wonders who could have hated her so much to have hurt her so badly. 

Was it the man she went on a date with the previous evening, the man linked to the deaths of two other women? Or somebody else, somebody who wants her out of the picture so much they’re willing to kill? 

Whoever it is, they will pay. All Ella has to do first is survive …

Buying Link :-

THE FAKE DATE – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fake-Date-gripping-thriller-that-ebook/dp/B07FM915Q2/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Links for Lynda Stacey’s other novels:-

HOUSE OF SECRETS – https://www.amazon.co.uk/House-Secrets-truly-gripping-suspense-ebook/dp/B01H9961XY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1493732541&sr=8-2&keywords=house+of+secrets

TELL ME NO SECRETS – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tell-Me-No-Secrets-gripping-ebook/dp/B06Y5LN8BP/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1493732572&sr=1-1&keywords=tell+me+no+secrets

HOUSE OF CHRISTMAS SECRETS – https://www.amazon.co.uk/House-Christmas-Secrets-Choc-Lit-ebook/dp/B07771T7S5/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

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About Lynda Stacey

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

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

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

She lives in a small rural hamlet near Doncaster, with her husband, Haydn, whom she’s been happily married to for almost 30 years.

To contact Lynda use the following links –

Facebook   Twitter   Lynda’s Website

Thank you for appearing on my blog Lynda and I hope that readers enjoy The Fake Date. It has already attracted some great reviews!

 

 

 

Just a quick reminder that my own Christmas novella is now up for pre-order Christmas at Borteen Bay will be published on 13 November 2018 as both an eBook and audio book. Pre-order now at Amazon and Choc Lit

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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.

The Girl on the Beach published by Choc Lit is available as a paperback and from all eBook platforms – Amazon, Apple iBooks, Kobo, Barnes and Noble and Google Play.

The Truth Lies Buried is available from all eBook platforms – Choc Lit, Amazon, Kobo, iBooks

Christmas at Borteen Bay will be published on 13 November 2018 as both an eBook and audio book. Pre-order now at Amazon and Choc Lit

 

 

New Cover Revealed – Christmas at Borteen Bay

I’m so excited that the cover of my new novella Christmas at Borteen Bay is revealed and the book is up for pre-order now. It is released on 13 November 2018 as eBook and audio.

 

About Christmas at Borteen Bay

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 …

 

My lovely cover …

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Pre-order now for:-

Amazon Kindle

Available at other eBook publishers when the links go live – see my Choc Lit page here

More details of audio book soon.

 

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.

The Girl on the Beach published by Choc Lit is available as a paperback and from all eBook platforms – Amazon, Apple iBooks, Kobo, Barnes and Noble and Google Play.

The Truth Lies Buried is available from all eBook platforms – Choc Lit, Amazon, Kobo, iBooks

Christmas at Borteen Bay will be published on 13 November 2018 as both an eBook and audio book. Pre-order now at Amazon and Choc Lit

 

I Have a Date!

New Release News

My novella Christmas at Borteen Bay will be published by Choc Lit on 13 November 2018. For those of you who have read my other books, this is the story of Pippa Freeman, who runs the Rose Court guesthouse in my fictional seaside town of Borteen. Watch out soon for a cover reveal and further details. This book will be both eBook and audio book. Exciting!!!

 

Sale News

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The Truth Lies Buried is currently in a September sale at only 99p, but only until 12 September. It is alongside lots of other exciting Choc Lit and Ruby Fiction titles.

Links to Sale:

Kobo

Kindle

 

New Group News

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Another exciting development for me is that I am joining together with some other authors in a new group called Apricot Plots!

This includes – Angela Barton, Jane Cable, Caroline James, Marium Kobras, Carol Thomas and Tora Williams.

The idea is that we will help each other to promote our books. We hope to have book launches, competitions, giveaways and more. Launched on Twitter already as @ApricotPlots – follow us and watch this space. Facebook Page to follow soon.

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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.

The Girl on the Beach published by Choc Lit is available as a paperback and from all eBook platforms – Amazon, Apple iBooks, Kobo, Barnes and Noble and Google Play.

The Truth Lies Buried is available from all eBook platforms – Choc Lit, Amazon, Kobo, iBooks

Christmas at Borteen Bay will be published on 13 November 2018 as both an eBook and audio book. More details to follow.

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Character Post by Matilda Comyn, Heroine of Tora Williams’ Debut Novel “Bound to Her Blood Enemy”

I’m pleased to welcome to my blog this week the heroine of Tora Williams‘ debut novel Bound to Her Blood Enemy. I’ve read and thoroughly enjoyed this book and my review is included further down the post.

Meanwhile, over to Matilda Comyn …

Holy Mother, tell me what to do. My guardian’s wife is dying. I’m safe while she lives, but once she dies, my guardian will force me to marry him so he can take my inheritance. But Coed Bedwen Castle is mine. It’s the only place I’ve known happiness, and I want it back.

I can’t escape my guardian alone, though. He keeps me under a close watch, and I’m not allowed through the castle gates. I met a man today—Huw. He said he’d help me escape, but how does he know who I am? And why would he want to help? He must have his own reasons. He’s a man, after all. They may say they’ll be there for you, but they really mean they’ll care for you only while it suits them. To make matters worse, Huw is Welsh and a spy for his king. How can I ever trust him?

Blessed Mary, please send me a sign, show me the path I should take. I can’t escape the castle without Huw’s help, but am I putting myself in even greater danger if I go with him? Maybe I could think more clearly if I didn’t get so flustered when I’m with him. I don’t know if it’s those dark brows and strong jaw or his height and obvious strength, but my stomach goes into knots whenever he’s near. I need to forget his handsome face and find out more about him. The trouble is, he always evades my questions. Before I know it, I’m telling him all about me instead.

Still, I don’t have to do everything his way. He says he’ll take me to the King of Gwynedd, but I have no intention of putting myself in another man’s power. I have knowledge of herbs and potions. Maybe I can use that to my advantage. Yes, I need to accept Huw’s help to escape but after that…well, let’s just say Huw won’t have everything his own way.

Wow! Thank you, Matilda. Your message gives the reader of this blog a real taste of the book! And, here is a large picture of the cover, which perfectly captures the atmosphere of the novel too.

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About Bound to Her Blood Enemy:

Norman heiress, Matilda Comyn is desperate to escape her grasping guardian and reclaim her inheritance. After a lifetime of being let down by men, she wants to rule her lands on her own terms. She can’t escape without help and battles her mistrust when compelled to join forces with a Welsh spy.

Huw ap Goronwy has a rival claim to Matilda’s castle and has sworn a blood oath against the Comyns. When his king rules they must marry, he struggles to reconcile his attraction with his need for revenge. But they must form a truce if they are to seize their castle.

Risking capture and death, they will only succeed if Matilda learns to trust, and Huw allows his love for Matilda to overcome his need for revenge.

Purchase links:

Amazon: mybook.to/boundbloodenemy

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/bound-to-her-blood-enemy

Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bound-to-her-blood-enemy-tora-williams/1128778927

About Tora Williams:

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Tora Williams writes historical romance with a dash of intrigue and adventure. When she was a child, family holidays usually involved visiting Welsh castles, where she would make up stories in her head about the women and men who once lived there. When she started writing she naturally set her stories in medieval Wales and the turbulent border between England and Wales. She lives in Shropshire, England in a house that doesn’t contain nearly enough bookshelves.

You can find out more about Tora at:

Twitter: @ToraWilliams1

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ToraWilliamsAuthor/

Website: www.torawilliams.uk

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/tora-williams

 

Thank you to Tora Williams for her contribution to the blog.

Morton Gray’s review of Bound to Her Blood Enemy

Ever since childhood, castles have always intrigued and captivated me. I really enjoyed escaping into the past with this novel and could easily imagine myself as the heroine in the book, sparring with the intriguing Huw. Tora Williams transports you out of modern day life and into the medieval world of Matilda Comyn. A super five star debut.

I’m looking forward to Tora‘s next book, A Gift of Time, a Christmas novella which will be published by Wild Rose Press later in 2018.

 

In Morton Gray news – I realise I missed a blog post last week!!!! Apologies, it’s the first week I’ve missed for ages, but I was deep in the structural edits for my first ever Christmas novella, which is published in November. I’ve almost dug myself out of the snow now – phew! More news about this book soon.

 

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.

The Girl on the Beach published by Choc Lit is available as a paperback and from all eBook platforms – Amazon, Apple iBooks, Kobo, Barnes and Noble and Google Play.

The Truth Lies Buried is available from all eBook platforms – Choc Lit, Amazon, Kobo, iBooks

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My Favourite Things – 3

I’m just back from a two week holiday in Dublin with my family. Looking at the photographs, I decided that I can add skies as one of my favourite things! Just a short post this week while I catch up with washing, etc. My edits for Book 3 have arrived too. I’ll leave you with a few Dublin skies…

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Click to view slideshow.

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.

The Girl on the Beach published by Choc Lit is available as a paperback and from all eBook platforms – Amazon, Apple iBooks, Kobo, Barnes and Noble and Google Play.

The Truth Lies Buried is available from all eBook platforms – Choc Lit, Amazon, Kobo, iBooks

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Morton S. Gray Out and About

July flew past – I can’t believe its August already!

At the beginning of July, I went back to the writing class run by Sue Johnson which I attended for many years, but this time as a speaker. It felt a little surreal and almost like a graduation for me as a published author.

I attended the Romantic Novelists’ Association annual conference. This year it was in Leeds and started with a road trip with Janice Preston and Lynn Forth – always a treat. The conference, as usual, was superbly organised by Jan Jones and her helpers. I arrived on Thursday and so was able to help with greeting new arrivals on Friday morning. It is always interesting to put real life faces to the names you follow on Facebook and Twitter.

The most memorable workshops I attended were:-

Sue Moorcroft talking with her agent about becoming a bestselling author
Alison May giving invaluable tips about editing your manuscript
Nicola Cornick in conversation with one of my author heroines, Barbara Erskine
Liam Livings and Virginia Heath in a hilarious, but very useful look at writing sex scenes.

The social time at conference is fun and I was particularly happy to socialise with the Choc Lit and Ruby girls and to meet for the first time, Caroline James, Carol Thomas, Angela Barton and Marie Laval. In another first – I was able to see one of my books on the conference book sales table.

I’d hardly caught up on sleep when I was speaking at Coombs Wood Book Club in Old Hill, Staffordshire about my debut novel “The Girl on the Beach” which, in a first for me, they had kindly set for one of their monthly reads.

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Coombs Wood Book Club

The book club leader had made contact from my Facebook author page and in a spooky turn of fate, they meet in the same road where my three times great grandfather was living when he died in 1870. A unique opener to the talk!

I will admit to being a little apprehensive, but they all appeared to have enjoyed the book, some even surprised to have done so and were interested in why I wrote it, how it got to be published and what I am doing in the future. The question that touched my heart was when one gentleman asked if I would be writing any more about Nick Crossten, one of my teenage characters, an artist in “The Girl on the Beach”. I was happy to report that Nick is one of the main characters in Book 4 which I’m just finishing.

Also in July, I did a talk and book signing at The Chocolate Deli in Worcester. Thank you to owner Lisa, who has been a great supporter of my writing. Little son came along to carry the bags and help me which was much appreciated.

Maybe this is an appropriate time to mention that my third book, currently titled “Christmas in Borteen Bay” will be published in November 2018. I’m working on the publisher edits for this novella right now.

 

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.

The Girl on the Beach published by Choc Lit is available as a paperback and from all eBook platforms – Amazon, Apple iBooks, Kobo, Barnes and Noble and Google Play.

The Truth Lies Buried is available from all eBook platforms – Choc Lit, Amazon, Kobo, iBooks

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