Morton S. Gray's Blog, page 36
May 21, 2018
Romantic Novelists’ Association Summer Party
I can’t believe that it’s a whole year since the Romantic Novelists’ Association Summer Party 2017, where I graduated from their New Writer’s Scheme by being a contender in the Joan Hessayon Award. Last Year, Kate Field won with The Magic of Ramblings.
The 2018 Summer Party was held in Oxford and it was a real treat to travel on the train with three other writing friends to support the many fellow writers who were contenders for the award. Liz Hanbury produced non-alcoholic cocktails and fruit kebabs from her bag as soon as the train had pulled out of the station – she knows how to travel!
I had been invited to afternoon tea with an audio publisher and met up with fellow Choc Lit authors including Victoria Cornwall and Sue McDonagh at the cafe. Lovely to chat to Katie Fforde, Nicola Pryce and Cathy Bramley as we munched cake and scones and drank tea. Thank you to Becky and Aimee from Isis Publishing and Soundings for hosting the event.
The AGM and Summer Party were held at the wonderful Ashmolean Museum. I must find time to go back and have a look at the exhibits. The short list for this year’s Joan Hessayon award was huge (17 writers) and a great testimony to the wonderful New Writers’ Scheme. In alphabetical order:
Mick Arnold, The Season for Love, Passion in Print
Donna Ashcroft, Summer at the Castle Café, Bookouture
Susanna Bavin, The Deserter’s Daughter, Allison & Busby
Cryssa Bazos, Traitor’s Knot, Endeavour Press
Hannah Begbie, Mother, Harper Collins
Anita Belli, The Traveller and the Rose, Endeavour Press
Lynn Forth, Love in La La Land, Crooked Cat
Erin Green, A Christmas Wish, Aria Fiction
Lisa Hill, Meet Me at Number Five, Choc Lit
John Jackson, Heart of Stone, Crooked Cat
Jane Lacey-Crane, Secrets and Tea at Rosie Lee’s, Aria Fiction
Zoe May, Perfect Match, HQ Digital
Sue McDonagh, Summer at the Art Café, Choc Lit
Kate Ryder, Summer in a Cornish Cove, Aria Fiction
Elaine Roberts, The Foyles Bookshop Girls, Aria Fiction
Tanya Jean Russell, Broken Trust, Evernight Publishing
Awen Thornber, Foxtrot in Freshby, Crooked Cat
Kate Field, last year’s winner gave a very moving handover speech to the new winner, Hannah Begbie with her debut novel, Mother. Hannah also gave a mascara threatening speech, which had many of the audience wiping away a tear.
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Morton Gray, Janice Preston, Tora Williams
We had a lovely time. Writers know how to party – they don’t get out much!!
At the time of writing, my second novel THE TRUTH LIES BURIED is only 99p on Amazon and Kobo!!!!!
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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May 14, 2018
Character Post by Lisa Blake heroine of Carol Thomas’ The Purrfect Pet Sitter
This week I’m welcoming Lisa Blake heroine of Carol Thomas‘ The Purrfect Pet Sitter to my blog to have her say.
Welcome, Lisa …
“What have I done? I’m staring at my mobile phone and the words on the screen, ‘Nate Baker has accepted your friend request’ are staring back at me. Drunken Facebooking! What was I thinking? And what must he think of me?
It has been eleven years since I last spoke to Nathan. Eleven years since the night of our prom and the events that spurred me to leave my hometown. I promised myself then I wouldn’t look back, and while it hasn’t always been easy, I have stuck to that promise – until now.
When things went so horribly wrong in London, and I returned to my parents’ house, starting over as The Purrfect Pet Sitter, I hoped the ‘what ifs’ would stop. Instead, it seems they are multiplying, and evenings spent looking at old photographs and snooping on Facebook are not helping.
The cooking sherry and Dr Oetker chocolate (not a high point but a slight incident at the supermarket meant the wine and Maltesers didn’t make it home) must have addled my brain. I don’t even like Facebook; I normally avoid it.
OK, so Nathan looked every bit as handsome in his photos as I remembered, and the pictures of him in the fireman’s uniform were quite something, but a friend request, really? Do you think he knows that a Facebook friend request is not an actual real-life friend request and that be my virtual friend doesn’t mean be my actual friend? Because seeing Nathan in the flesh, speaking to Nathan, being near him and only being his friend, I am not sure I can do that. And after what I did to him back when we were teenagers, how can I ever expect him to want to be anything more?”
Thank you, Lisa. I can’t wait to find out what happens between you and Nathan, indeed what happened in the past too … rushes off to buy a copy.
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About The Purrfect Pet Sitter by Carol Thomas published by Ruby Fiction
Introducing Lisa Blake, the purrfect pet sitter!
When Lisa Blake’s life in London falls apart, she returns to her hometown rebranding herself as ‘the purrfect pet sitter’ – which may or may not be false advertising!
But being back where she grew up, Lisa can’t escape her past. There’s her estranged best friend Flick who she bumps into in an embarrassing encounter in a local supermarket. And her first love, Nathan Baker, who, considering their history, is sure to be even more surprised by her drunken Facebook friend request than Lisa is.
As she becomes involved in the lives of her old friends Lisa must confront the hurt she has caused, discover the truth about her mysterious leather-clad admirer, and learn how to move forward when the things she wants most are affected by the decisions of her past.
Buying Links
Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/TPPS-AmazonUk
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/the-purrfect-pet-sitter
Ruby Fiction: http://www.rubyfiction.com/dd-product/the-purrfect-pet-sitter/
View the book trailer: http://tinyurl.com/TPPS-booktrailer
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About the author
Carol Thomas lives on the south coast of England with her husband, four children and lively young Labrador. She has been a playgroup supervisor and taught in primary schools for over fifteen years, before dedicating more of her time to writing. Carol is a regular volunteer at her local Cancer Research UK shop. She has a passion for reading, writing and people watching and can often be found loitering in local cafes working on her next book.
Carol writes contemporary romance novels, with relatable heroines whose stories are layered with emotion, sprinkled with laughter and topped with irresistible male leads.
To contact Carol use the following Website and Social Media Links
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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May 7, 2018
Review of Publication Week – The Truth Lies Buried
What a week! My second novel for Choc Lit The Truth Lies Buried was published on 1 May on all e-book platforms.
My day started with breakfast with my bestie, Susan Wood. She arrived with a huge bunch of flowers and we were both very excited.
I then went on to my regular monthly meeting with other writers at Bevere, Worcester. It was a super meeting as usual and my friend, Janice Preston had a book out on the same day too Lady Cecily and the Mysterious Mr Gray. We had photographs together and even did a short Facebook Live video ably filmed by Alison May – see video here. Elizabeth Hanbury gave us both lovely bunches of tulips and I received a fantastic card from Lynn Forth in celebration.
The Truth Lies Buried hadn’t been read by many beta readers, mainly Margaret Ruess-Newland at a very early stage, so I was unsure how it would be received by readers. A big phew from me when lovely reviews began to come in.
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I am overwhelmed by support from other writers and wonderful bloggers. I got sore fingers from typing thank you so many times and paid for my hours staring at the screen with a migraine the next day.
During the week the book achieved a number one tag on Amazon.com in what might seem a strange category – Hot New Releases in Carving Crafts! My hero in the book, Carver Rodgers is a specialist carpenter and chainsaw carver, so I think he would be both amused and thrilled with this accolade!
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About The Truth Lies Buried
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?
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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April 30, 2018
It’s Out Tomorrow! – The Truth Lies Buried
It’s the day before my second novel The Truth Lies Buried published by Choc Lit is launched into the world. I’m excited and in trepidation all at the same time.
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I thought this might be a good moment to focus on the dedication and acknowledgements included in the book.
The Truth Lies Buried is dedicated to my little sister, Stephanie. We don’t see as much of each other as we once did and she has a somewhat stressful existence, so I hope she’ll be able to read the book and have a little down-time for once.
I find acknowledgements difficult to write, as I don’t want to forget or indeed offend anyone. Below are the acknowledgements included in this book.
Acknowledgements for The Truth Lies Buried
This novel was conceived during a writing exercise run by author Linda Gillard at the 2011 Romantic Novelists’ Association Conference. During the session, we had to choose a postcard and write a descriptive piece based on the image. My postcard was a wooden castle amongst trees. I gave the postcard back at the end of the class, but when I later told Linda it had formed the basis of a novel, she very kindly sent the postcard to me. It has been on my study wall ever since.
The first chapter of the fledgling novel, now actually the third chapter, was shortlisted for the Festival of Romance New Talent Award in 2013.
Thank you to the staff on the Makita stand at the Tool Show at Kempton Park Racecourse, who demonstrated the use of a chainsaw for carving sculptures and kindly marked up the equipment and clothing my hero would need in one of their brochures.
It has been lovely to bring my love of family history into the novel – and yes, I did once actually meet a lady researching her house ghost.
Particular thanks to Susan Wood for naming Owl Corner Crafts and thinking of a brilliant nickname for my hero, Carver Rodgers.
Appreciation must go to my lovely writing friends the ADC’s, members of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, especially the Birmingham Chapter. Margaret Ruess-Newland read an early version of this book, Victoria Cornwall has been a constant support and helped me with some of the scenes. Thanks must also go to my family and my good friend Susan Wood for putting up with me during the writing and editing of the book.
My editor has been invaluable in helping me shape the novel into its final format. Thanks also to the Choc Lit tasting panel members who voted for my story: Rachel A, Jenny M, Cordy S, Hilary B, Lizzy D, Melissa C, Rosie F, Christine Y, Jenny K, Gill L, Katie P, Jo O and Alma H.
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Thank you also to Choc Lit for believing in my stories.
About The Truth Lies Buried
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?
To order The Truth Lies Buried, so you can read it tomorrow, please use the following links:-
Amazon Choc Lit Apple iBooks Kobo Google Play
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. My novel The Girl on the Beach published by Choc Lit is available from all eBook platforms – Amazon, Apple iBooks, Kobo, Barnes and Noble and Google Play. The Girl on the Beach will be available as a paperback from 10 April 2018 – to order click Amazon. My new novel The Truth Lies Buried is published as an eBook on 1 May 2018 and can be pre-ordered here.
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April 23, 2018
Return to the Author Spotlight – Kirsty Ferry
Kirsty Ferry is becoming a regular blog visitor. She returns today to answer some questions about the next book in her Hartsford Mystery series for Choc Lit, which is out now – Watch for me by Candlelight.
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“The stars are aligning and it’s time again …”
Working at the Folk Museum in Hartsford village means that Kate Howard is surrounded by all sorts of unusual vintage items. Of course she has her favourites; particularly the Victorian ice skates with a name – ‘CAT’ – mysteriously painted on the sides.
But what Kate doesn’t realise is how much she has in common with Catriona Aphrodite Tredegar, the original owner of the skates, or how their lives will become strangely entwined. All Kate knows is that as soon as she bumps into farrier Theo Kent, things start getting weird: there’s the vivid, disconcerting visions and then of course the overwhelming sense that she’s met Theo before …
I asked Kirsty some questions:-
Where did the inspiration for the Folk Museum at Hartsford village come from?
It’s based on the Angus Folk Museum near Glamis, in Scotland. The museum was in a terraced row of six cottages built in 1793, and also included a farm steading. It was run by the National Trust for Scotland, but unfortunately it closed in 2017, due to structural problems. I think it had problems with the roof, and as my heroine Kate lives in the attics of her museum, I hope Hartsford museum doesn’t suffer the same fate. Like the Hartsford Folk Museum, you could walk through the terrace and come across different collections and cottage interiors as you went. There was also a rather impressive horse-drawn hearse in one of the farm buildings, which was very spooky indeed, but that didn’t find its way into my book – it was maybe a little bit too dark and Gothic for this story!
Hartsford Folk Museum has also got a little bit of the Bellingham Heritage Centre in it, which is a gem of a place, a few miles away from Hexham in Northumberland. That’s where the inspiration for Will’s blacksmith’s forge came from as they have one set up in the museum. There’s also a copy of a very wonderful painting there that an artist created from a group of his friends, family and staff, and it’s fascinating to read their stories.
If you were going to start a collection of vintage things, what would be in it?
Costumes! Loads and loads of costumes. I have a desire to get into the V&A museum and run amok amongst those clothes, trying on whichever ones will fit– which probably wouldn’t be any of them without a sturdy corset. I just love vintage clothing. I can remember drawing a map at school for a village we had to create for an English project, and I included a costume museum in it.
I also loved visiting the Bath Costume Museum years ago, and saw a fantastic Yves Sant Laurent exhibition at Bowes Museum recently about fashion, where they juxtaposed the old and new together, and an exhibition at the Pannett Gallery in Whitby about wedding dresses. There is a very small collection at the Discovery Museum in Newcastle as well. If I can get to an exhibition to see costumes, I will. Being the only female in the house can often pose a challenge in that respect though!
You seem to have a fascination for stories about the past and present colliding. Have you ever had a strange occurrence of your own?
Interesting question. I’m going to say yes – nothing as exciting as the experiences my characters have, but the building I work in is haunted. It’s a bit like the Folk Museum, in that it’s an old terrace knocked together; but it’s a row of five huge Georgian townhouses with a lot of history. Many of the cleaning and estates staff can tell tales about men disappearing into rooms or drifting up the stairs then vanishing, and I can tell you about the argument that was going on early one morning when I got into work. I walked into the office, embarrassed that I would be intruding on something, and the voices just stopped and the room was empty.
On other occasions, I lost a pen, and it turned up in a place I had just looked; a wooden pole we used to open the windows just laid itself gently on the ground one morning; and many a time, I’ve turned around to speak to a colleague next to me or turned to follow them into a room and found I’ve been alone. I also used to live in a haunted house and someone walked up the stairs one night. It was a lady and all she’d ever done was stand by my bed in the wake of a cold draft, but the day she got noisy I asked her to stop. It never happened again and curiously I was never scared. I also never saw her; I just used to burrow under the blankets but weirdly I just knew what she looked like.
I have to ask if you had an image in mind when describing Theo Kent, who sounds sexy even from his name?
No, not really. But yes, he’s very nice! All outdoorsy and fit! If you look at my book trailer on YouTube, I found a picture of a chap who could very much have been him though, and put the photo in. It was uncanny – exactly as I imagined him to be.
Will there be more stories from Hartsford Village?
Yes. The next one is called Watch for me at Twilight, and it’s all good to go. That one is Cassie’s story, and runs concurrently with Candlelight,which was interesting to write as I had to keep cross-referencing the stories to see where they matched to make sure there were no discrepancies for eagle-eyed readers to spot. I’ve also submitted a Christmas novella, which is the fourth in the series, and is my heroine’s brother, Tom’s, story. I’m awaiting a decision on that one, so fingers crossed Watch for me at Christmastime will make an appearance this year. That’s the working title, at least!
To buy Watch for me by Candlelight you can use the following link:- http://www.choc-lit.com/productcat/kirsty-ferry/
About Kirsty Ferry
Kirsty is from the North East of England and won the English Heritage/Belsay Hall National Creative Writing competition in 2009 with the ghostly tale ‘Enchantment‘.
Her timeslip novel, ‘Some Veil Did Fall‘, a paranormal romance set in Whitby, was published by Choc Lit in Autumn 2014. This was followed by another Choc Lit timeslip, ‘The Girl in the Painting‘ in February 2016 and ‘The Girl in the Photograph’ in March 2017. October 2017 saw the release of ‘Watch for me by Moonlight’, ‘A Little Bit of Christmas Magic’ and ‘Every Witch Way’, again, all published by Choc Lit. Her latest release Watch for me by Candlelight is out on 3 April 2018.
The experience of signing ‘Some Veil Did Fall‘ in a quirky bookshop in the midst of Goth Weekend in Whitby, dressed as a recently undead person was one of the highlights of her writing career so far!
Kirsty’s day-job involves sharing a Georgian building with an eclectic collection of ghosts – which can sometimes prove rather interesting.
You can find out more about Kirsty and her work at www.rosethornpress.co.uk, catch her on her Facebook Author Page or follow her on Twitter @kirsty_ferry.
Thank you for answering my questions, Kirsty and good luck with the book.
*** On a personal note, I’m getting both nervous and excited as the ebook of my second novel in the Borteen Secrets Series for Choc Lit is out on 1 May. Pre-order The Truth Lies Buried here now!!!***
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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. My novel The Girl on the Beach published by Choc Lit is available from all eBook platforms – Amazon, Apple iBooks, Kobo, Barnes and Noble and Google Play. The Girl on the Beach will be available as a paperback from 10 April 2018 – to order click Amazon. My new novel The Truth Lies Buried is published as an eBook on 1 May 2018 and can be pre-ordered here.
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April 16, 2018
Spotlight on Guest Author Sue McDonagh
I’m joined on my blog this week by Sue McDonagh, whose debut novel Summer at the Art Café is published by Choc Lit on 15 May 2018. I have met Sue at the Romantic Novelists’ Association (RNA) conference and she is a great character. Her route to publication is similar to mine as she was a member of the wonderful RNA New Writer’s Scheme before being picked up by Choc Lit.
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Sue remembers writing for pleasure as a child, writing regular features and stories for the school magazine, and later, as a police officer in Essex, for The Law newspaper.
Having survived cancer in her early twenties, she retired from the police, and became a full-time artist. Her work has since been distributed across the UK, and has been published into greetings cards, calendars and Limited Edition Prints, and she was selected for the regional finals of the Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year. (Wow, I didn’t know that!)
When the idea for her debut novel began to occupy not only her waking moments, but also her sleep, Sue discovered NaNoWriMo, and embarked on the challenge of writing a 50,000 word novel in the month of November. Although it has been honed and re-written endlessly, that first novel was shortlisted for publisher Choc-Lit’s Search for a Star competition, missing a win by one mark. However, her second novel clinched the deal, and she signed contracts on both novels in 2017, with an option on the third, which she is currently writing.
Her debut novel, Summer at the Art Café is now available for pre-order.
I asked Sue some questions.
Can you share with us how you came to be a writer?
I’ve always appreciated and enjoyed the power of the written word, and I remember writing stories when I was in Primary school. Later I wrote for the school magazine, long and newsy letters to friends and family who lived abroad, and then, during a stint in the Essex Police Press Office, I wrote articles and features.
I had always harboured the idea of a novel, but I had no idea how it might come to fruition. It was NaNoWriMo, the world-wide challenge of writing 50,000 words during the month of November, which finally made me knuckle down. I soaked up instruction like a sponge and was inordinately proud of that first draft – even though it was utterly dreadful, and has been re-written countless times since, you’ll be pleased to know!
Where did the idea for Summer at the Art Café come from?
Eight years ago, a few years after my first hip replacement, I learned to ride a motorbike. The fun I had, combined with the steep learning curve and the amazing women I met who rode motorbikes, prompted me to think about how motorbiking had increased my confidence. I wanted to show that journey through the eyes of a female character and explore how overcoming her failures might change her life. Many of her experiences were inspired by my own, needless to say. It’s probable that my long-suffering instructor will recognise them!
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Sue and her Honda 1000cc motorbike
I know that you are also an artist and designed your own book cover. Tell us about your style of painting.
I couldn’t have been more delighted to be allowed to paint my own cover! Summer at the Art Café is set in Wales, on the Gower Peninsula, Britain’s first Area of Outstanding Natural beauty. I painted it in watercolour for a summery feel, although I’m probably best known for my paintings of children at play in pastels and lately, oils.
If you were in charge of casting for the film of your book, which actors would play the main parts?
Ooh, that’s a great question, and I think it would make a terrific film! My hero, Ash, would be played by Gerard Butler, although I think his Scottish accent would have to replace Ash’s Welsh one. Lucy is more tricky – I see her a bit Keira Knightley towards the end, but she is quite different in the beginning.
Seven year old Daisy was inspired by my gorgeous granddaughter, Emily, and if there was ever an audition for that part, I’ll be taking her along!
What can readers look forward to you writing in the future?
I have a second novel in the Art Café series already written. Once again based in Gower, vintage motorbikes make an appearance in this one, but the topic of step-families, a subject very close to my heart, takes more precedence, and there are secrets to be uncovered. Can there be a happy ending for Ed and Jo?
Number three in the series is being written as we speak and has plenty of twists and turns to keep track of!
Thank you, Sue.
Having met the author, I can’t wait to read her books.
To get in touch with Sue use the following links:-
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About Summer at the Art Café
From watercolours and cupcakes to leather jackets and freedom …
If you won a gorgeous purple motorbike, and your domineering husband said you were too fat for leathers and should sell it, would you do as you were told – or learn to ride it in secret?
Artist and café owner Lucy Daumier intends to do just that – but learning to ride is far from easy, especially under the critical eye of prickly motorcycle instructor, Ash Connor.
But gradually Lucy gets the hang of it, and in the process re-discovers the girl she used to be. So starts an exciting summer of new friendships and fun – as well as a realisation that there is more to Ash than meets the eye when she is introduced to his seven-year-old daughter, Daisy.
But can Lucy’s new-found happiness last when a spiteful family member wants to see her fail?
Buying links for Summer at the Art Café
Thank you for joining me on my blog and for answering my questions. I wish you well with sales of your debut novel.
Sue is among the contenders for The Romantic Novelists’ Association’s (RNA) Joan Hessayon Award for new writers with Summer at the Art Café, so I wish her well for that too. Winner announced on 17 May 2018.
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. My novel The Girl on the Beach published by Choc Lit is available from all eBook platforms – Amazon, Apple iBooks, Kobo, Barnes and Noble and Google Play. The Girl on the Beach will be available as a paperback from 10 April 2018 – to order click Amazon. My new novel The Truth Lies Buried is published as an eBook on 1 May 2018 and can be pre-ordered here.
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April 9, 2018
The Girl on the Beach Goes Paperback
Whoo hoo! My debut novel The Girl on the Beach goes paperback on 10 April 2018. This feels so amazing. Thank you to my lovely publisher Choc Lit.[image error]
You are going to see my name popping up on lots of blogs in the next few weeks, talking about The Girl on the Beach out on 10 April 2018 and my second novel The Truth Lies Buried, which is out on 1 May 2018. Some of the blogs will have extracts, others have asked me questions or given me a subject to write about. Thank you to all of the bloggers who have hosted a slot for me, it really is appreciated.
Look out for me on :-
5 April – Heidi Swain
10 April – Lynda Stacey
10 April – Shelley Wilson
11 April – Choc Lit Blog
13 April – Linda’s Book Bag
14 April – Whispering Stories
17 April – Dash Fan
17 April – Tora Williams
24 April – Portobello Book Blog
30 April – Jo Lambert
30 April – Romantic Novelists’ Association Blog
Also, (if I can get the technology to work) I have recorded the first chapter of The Girl on the Beach on a series of videos. In common with most people I’m not very keen on the sound of my own voice, but if you listen to them I hope you enjoy and it temps you to buy 
April 2, 2018
Another Milestone
My debut novel The Girl on the Beach has achieved another milestone. Published as an e-book on 27 January 2017, after winning Choc Lit Publishing‘s Search for a Star competition, it has sold steadily and from 10 April 2018 it is available as a paperback! Squee.
Thank you to all of my readers who have supported me since my novel was published and for the 72 lovely reviews to date.
I can’t tell you how exciting it was to hold my book in my hands for the first time. The cover has embossed lettering perfect for running your fingers over! I never really like photographs of myself, but thought I would share one of me holding my paperback and looking very pleased.
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The Girl on the Beach is published as a paperback on 10 April 2018. Watch out for blog appearances and some special videos to promote the book in the coming weeks.
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The Girl on the Beach by Morton S. Gray published by Choc Lit
Who is Harry Dixon?
When Ellie Golden meets Harry Dixon, she can’t help but feel she recognises him from somewhere. But when she finally realises who he is, she can’t believe it – because the man she met on the beach all those years before wasn’t called Harry Dixon. And, what’s more, that man is dead.
For a woman trying to outrun her troubled past and protect her son, Harry’s presence is deeply unsettling – and even more disconcerting than coming face to face with a dead man, is the fact that Harry seems to have no recollection of ever having met Ellie before. At least that’s what he says …
But perhaps Harry isn’t the person Ellie should be worried about. Because there’s a far more dangerous figure from the past lurking just outside of the new life she has built for herself, biding his time, just waiting to strike.
You can pre-order the paperback of The Girl on the Beach with the following links:-
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. My novel The Girl on the Beach published by Choc Lit is available from all eBook platforms – Amazon, Apple iBooks, Kobo, Barnes and Noble and Google Play. The Girl on the Beach will be available as a paperback from 10 April 2018 – to pre-order now click Amazon. My new novel The Truth Lies Buried is published as an eBook on 1 May 2018 and can be pre-ordered here.
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March 26, 2018
Spotlight on Guest Author Caroline James
This week I am delighted to welcome Caroline James to my blog. Caroline‘s new novel The Best Boomerville Hotel is her first novel for Ruby Fiction, an imprint of Choc Lit Publishing.
The book is about the boomer generation and not giving up, learning new things and making the most of life over 50 with a lot of fun thrown in. Boomerville is a newly refurbished hotel in the Lake District (a place Caroline loves) that runs whacky courses to encourage mid-lifers to run down the road to happiness and not stumble along on a Zimmer frame. (This book sounds great fun and is sitting waiting on my kindle for my next holiday break coincidentally in the Lake District! Mx)
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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. An author, public speaker, consultant and food writer, Caroline is a member of the Romantic Novelist’s Association, she writes articles and short stories and contributes to many publications.
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.
I asked Caroline some questions.
Tell us a little about your journey to the publication of this book.
When I was a child I had dreams of writing books, but as I got older I never thought that I was good enough to realise this ambition. School, an all girl’s grammar, was a hellish experience and I couldn’t wait to leave.
My dreams of writing took a back burner and I entered the hospitality industry as a pot washer who progressed to waiting table, kitchen work and ultimately, management. I worked hard in my profession and in time, owned my own businesses. Catering is a melting pot of characters and ever changing situations and I still dreamed of writing and creating stories around my experiences.
Six years ago, I had an epiphany and knew that if I didn’t start to write I would die wondering, so I stole hours from what little free time I had and my debut novel Coffee, Tea the Gypsy & Me was born and after scores of rejections and dreams of traditional publication shattered, I decided to self-publish. The book went straight to #3 in women’s fiction on Amazon and was EBook of the Week in The Sun newspaper. I was gobsmacked! (Wow!)
This gave me the writing bug and three more books followed. My latest manuscript, The Best Boomerville Hotel, is the first book to roll off the press for Ruby Fiction, which is an imprint of multi-award winning Choc Lit Publishing and I am thrilled that Boomerville has been chosen to spearhead this exciting new venture.
Where did the idea for The Best Boomerville Hotel come from?
Hotel Boomerville had been in my head for a long time. I used to own a lovely country house hotel in Cumbria and if I still had it, I would turn it into a real Boomerville as my gut feeling tells me that the rooms would be fully booked.
The inspiration for the book came from listening to many friends discuss their worries and fears as they approach the middle years and beyond. Getting older can be isolating. Many people are single and live on their own and I felt inspired to write something uplifting about having joy in these years by stepping out of your comfort zone and taking on new experiences.
I have challenged myself many times by doing something I didn’t think I could do and this has made me stronger. I thought it would be fun to write about older protagonists taking centre stage and having a blast whilst doing so.
Are any of the characters like you and if so, in what way?
I used to think I was a bit like Jo, who is the owner of Hotel Boomerville but as her character has developed I find her doing the opposite of what I would do and I enjoy pushing Jo to her limits. Perhaps it is subconscious? We all need a push to find out what we are capable of. Jo and I are similar in that I strive for perfection and enjoy cossetting and taking care of people. Her family give her purpose which mirrors mine. My family are my rock.
If this book was turned into a film, who would play the lead roles?
I’d have to have the brilliant Billy Nighy in the cast. He would be Sir Henry Mulberry, the owner of a cider company and a naughty old boy who still has a twinkle in his eye. Celia Imrie would become Lucinda Brown, an eccentric artist, who enjoys getting stoned with the resident Shaman in his tepee. Hattie, the manager at Hotel Boomerville, might be played by Lisa Riley, a great character actress. Hattie is larger than life and enormous fun with a voracious appetite for food, booze and sex (sorry Lisa!).
What can we expect from you in the future?
I am currently writing a follow up to The Best Boomerville Hotel and a cosy detective series with Hattie (from Hotel Boomerville) in the lead role. The first in this series is entitled Hattie Goes to Hollywood and is set in beautiful Cumbria.
Morton, thank you so much for hosting me and The Best Boomerville Hotel on your lovely blog. Happy writing and reading to you and all your visitors.
Caroline xx
Thank you. Well, I don’t know about my blog readers, but I am itching to read The Best Boomerville Hotel now and hoping that we meet in real life sometime soon, Caroline.
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About The Best Boomerville Hotel
Let the shenanigans begin at the 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 it’s 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?
To buy The Best Boomerville Hotel follow the following links:-
Amazon: http://mybook.to/TBBH
Kobo: https://goo.gl/VRh2XT
Ibooks/Google: https://goo.gl/2aq7sz
Itunes: https://apple.co/2lZrl6F
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To get in touch with Caroline James use the following links:-
Email: caroline@carolinejamesauthor.co.uk
Twitter: @CarolineJames12 https://twitter.com/CarolineJames12
Facebook: Caroline James Author https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCarolineJames/
Website: http://www.carolinejamesauthor.co.uk/
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. My novel The Girl on the Beach published by Choc Lit is available from all eBook platforms – Amazon, Apple iBooks, Kobo, Barnes and Noble and Google Play. The Girl on the Beach will be available as a paperback from 10 April 2018 – to pre-order now click Amazon. My new novel The Truth Lies Buried is published as an eBook on 1 May 2018 and can be pre-ordered here.
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March 19, 2018
Here it is! The Truth Lies Buried
I can now proudly present my second novel for Choc Lit The Truth Lies Buried is published as an eBook on 1 May 2018 and is available for pre-order now!
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About The Truth Lies Buried
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?
To pre-order The Truth Lies Buried (and I really hope you will) please use the following link
or search on iBooks for The Truth Lies Buried
I’m hoping that everyone loves the story of Carver and Jenny. Please leave me a review if you do read and enjoy it. Squee …
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. My novel The Girl on the Beach published by Choc Lit is available from all eBook platforms – Amazon, Apple iBooks, Kobo, Barnes and Noble and Google Play. The Girl on the Beach will be available as a paperback from 10 April 2018 – to pre-order now click Amazon. My new novel The Truth Lies Buried is published as an eBook on 1 May 2018 and can be pre-ordered here.
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