Morton S. Gray's Blog, page 7
July 1, 2024
The Elusive Elements Of A Good Read by Morton S. Gray
I went through a strange phase recently when I couldn’t settle to read and abandoned several novels that I had started. I hasten to add that it was my mood not the novels I tried. In the end I decided to reread a couple of favourites instead and it set me wondering why these books in particular appealed to me when the others I’d tried to read didn’t.
As a writer, I am obviously trying to include these elusive things in my own work so that readers will want to read my novel and maybe look for others I’ve written too.
It made me realise more than ever that reading a book is definitely a two way process. The writer has to have written a good book, yes, but also the reader needs to be in a receptive mood to the subject of the book at that particular point in time too. The more I thought about this the more I realised how this reader/writer relationship is quite a complex thing.
I’ve given below my random thoughts for the elements needed in a book for a reader to have a satisfactory reading experience.
The topic, characters, setting need to be relatable to you personally and this can either be because these are familiar, aspirational or totally out of your experience.Easy to read and not using numerous words that have to be looked up to understand their context or meaning.The plot keeps your interest, captures your imagination and transports you into the world of the story.The book allows the use of the reader’s own imagination.Taps into your own particular emotions and senses.The inclusion of a character like you are now, how you felt in the past, or even aspire to be even if only in your dreams.The story makes sense to you and maybe even puts into words thoughts you yourself have had or else make complete sense to you – these are the sentences that I often highlight on my kindle so that I can refer back to them.Sometimes you reread a book to recapture a feeling, a thought, a lost time, or to put things into perspective, to transport yourself out of a current situation or to put things into focus.Finally, the book must have a satisfactory ending.Not too difficult to write into a novel then! Haha.
I can hear those of you who have stuck with me this far wondering which books I’ve just reread!
Wintercombe by Pamela Belle – a great story set in the English civil war, with family dynamics and a love story.
A Hundred Pieces of Me by Lucy Dillon – a complex story set in different parts of the main character, Gina’s life, including university, living with parents, relationships in various phases, coping with illness and life in general.
If you as a reader or writer have anything else to add to my list above, please send me a comment below.
Thank you for visiting Morton S. Gray’s blog.
My latest release is A New Arrival in Borteen Bay
Sign up to my blog to receive weekly updates below:
About The Secrets of Borteen Bay Series
Christmas at the Little Beach Cafe
Tha nk you for visiting my blog – Morton S. Gray – Author. I hope you enjoyed this post.
You can also find me on Amazon, Facebook, X Twitter and Instagram.
Published by Choc Lit an imprint of Joffe Books
June 24, 2024
A Walk With Author Judith Barrow
Something slightly different on my blog today as Judith Barrow author of Sisters published by Honno takes us on a walk …
We walk, Husband and I, whenever we get the chance. And walking is at the centre of most of our holidays.
The following is of a climb walk we did last year on Pen-y-ghent, Yorkshire.
In both the Cumbric language and modern Welsh ‘pen’ means ‘head’, ‘ghent’ is either ‘edge’ or ‘border’. So … Pen-y-ghent or Penyghent … ‘Hill on the Border’
We arrived in Horton-In-Ribblesdale quite early in the day and parked in the village car park. Armed with warm clothes, waterproofs, water and snacks.
I was told Pen-y-gent is the smallest of the Yorkshire Three Peaks in the Yorkshire Dales, England. Although I’d read that it was an eleven kilometre circular walk ,I was told by the photographer that we would only be walking around the base of it. The photographer told fibs. He always tells fibs, to “get the best photographs”. You’d think I’d know this after all these years.
It’s just possible in this photograph to see the track way in the distance. Unfortunately, keeping my head down to make sure I navigated the rocks and ruts in the track, I didn’t notice at the time.
Before we began the ascent we did a detour for about five hundred metres to Hull Pot, a collapsed cavern. I’d read that after rainfall there is an impressive waterfall there, and even, after prolonged rainfall, it turns into a temporary lake. However we arrived after a time of little rain. Still the rock formation of grit stone and sandstone was fascinating.
Pen-y-ghent stands at six hundred and ninety-four metres. The higher we went, the colder and windier it became. And the higher we went the steeper some of the sections became, and the more breathless I was. A good reason to stop and take more photographs, the photographer said.
Approaching the summit is a man-made paved path and a series of steps leading to the summit – all two hundred and ten of them.
Unfortunately we discovered we’d walked up the alternative route, which meant that the scramble up to the top from the other side looked like a sheer drop downwards to me. We decided to retrace our steps. We returned to Horton via an enclosed walled lane called Horton Scar, with aching legs and feet. (The photographer wants me to stress that I’m speaking for myself here).
oplus_32
oplus_32‘That is the longest, highest walk we’ll be doing this week, isn’t it?’ I asked.
He didn’t answer.
About Judith Barrow
I originally lived in Saddleworth, a group of villages on the edge of the Pennines, but have lived in Pembrokeshire, Wales, for forty-five years. I have an MA in Creative Writing with the University of Wales Trinity St David’s College, Carmarthen, a BA (Hons) in Literature with the Open University, a Diploma in Drama from Swansea University. I give talks on creative writing as well as being a creative writing tutor and hold workshops on all genres.
Like most writers I’m a people watcher. Not in a creepy way… well, I don’t think so! But in that way of, “hmm, they could make a wonderful character!” and, “I wonder why they did that? Said that? What’s going on?” kind of way. People are fascinating. As human beings we do and say the most extraordinary things – however mundane we think we are, however boring we believe our lives to be. But it’s the layers of the experiences we’ve all built up from childhood to adulthood that makes each of us interesting. And the way we react to others is fascinating. Not least in the relationships within families. Because where else, in what circumstances, is there such a capacity for secrecy, for deception, for lies, for love, for empathy, for forgiveness? For misunderstandings and misreading of siblings, of parents. It’s intriguing. And no two families are alike – so the scope for creativity is endless. And I love exploring all these aspects.
My social media and website links:-
Website: https://judithbarrowblog.com/
Author page on publisher’s website: https://www.honno.co.uk/authors/judith-barrow
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/judithbarrow2912/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judith-anne-barrow-02812b11/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/judithbarrow/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/judith.barrow.3/
X Twitter: https://twitter.com/judithbarrow77
My latest book is Sisters. It’s a story built around one of the most devastating tragedies a family can endure.
About Sisters
Most of us like to think that our home is our safe haven, a place we live with our families, where we can just be ourselves.
But what if it’s not?
What happens when there is a family disaster and one member of that family is seen to be at fault? Tension inevitably builds, judgements are made. Whether it’s a total catastrophe or an avoidable misfortune, if the finger is pointed, estrangement can follow.
Some of these rifts develop over long periods of time, following a series of mistakes and carelessness, whilst others are brought about by a sudden, unexpected tragedy. Often, when it’s the latter, when it’s something so dreadful, so unforgivable, that the hurt within the family is too great, there seems to be no choice but to expel that member off, to disown them. They are denied a voice, become vilified. The estrangement widens and over the years layers of resentful memories build up.
The misery is more palpable when the alienation is between children. Sibling relationships can be one of the most enduring connections we have in our lives. Usually they are the first people we bond with, after our parents. When that bond is forcibly broken it can lead to unimaginable heartbreak. As it is in Sisters.
A powerful story of domestic violence, courage and forgiveness. An accident and a terrible lie by sixteen-year-old Angie tears her family apart and her younger sister, Lisa, being sent away. They don’t speak for thirteen years, until their mother’s death brings them together. Lisa quickly realises her sister is trapped in a dangerous marriage.
What does Lisa owe to the family that betrayed her? And if she tries to help, will she make things more dangerous for them all?
Book buying links:
Amazon.co.uk: Paperback: https://tinyurl.com/47n8ww4p
Kindle: https://tinyurl.com/4n8trsv6
Amazon.com: Paperback: https://bit.ly/3WGcuB1
Kindle: https://bit.ly/3QM0cD9
Honno: Paperback: https://tinyurl.com/5n782cew
Kobo: eBook: https://tinyurl.com/3jw3pjwj
Other Books by Judith Barrow:
And coming in November 2024 – The Stranger in my House watch out for it …
Thank you for visiting Morton S. Gray’s blog.
My latest release is A New Arrival in Borteen Bay
Sign up to my blog to receive weekly updates below:
About The Secrets of Borteen Bay Series
Christmas at the Little Beach Cafe
Tha nk you for visiting my blog – Morton S. Gray – Author. I hope you enjoyed this post.
You can also find me on Amazon, Facebook, X Twitter and Instagram.
Published by Choc Lit an imprint of Joffe Books
June 17, 2024
Who Is The Real Lilac Mills?
I am loving this series of posts from fellow authors telling me about the real person behind their books. Today I’m featuring Lilac Mills, the author of the Tanglewood series for Canelo. Enjoy her story …
Thank you so much for inviting on to your blog, Morton; it’s an honour to be here.
Some readers may already know that Lilac Mills is really Liz Davies (that’s me!) and that I also write feelgood contemporary romances under my real name, as well as novellas under the name Etti Summers.
Whilst Lilac may be a pen name, I am incredibly fond of her. My Lilac journey began when I lost my gorgeous little dog, Millie. I felt the need to commemorate her, but I also wanted to celebrate the joy she had brought into my life, so I found myself writing an uplifting romance, with Millie as the cornerstone of the story. Although the book is fundamentally a romance, there is so much of her in it that I found it very cathartic.
Lilac was (and still is) my go-to persona when I need to escape from the realities of life. Her stories are pure escapism, which are set in locations such as Barcelona and Tenerife, or, more usually, little villages in Wales that have community and friendship at their heart. My bestselling series, Tanglewood, is one such place, based loosely on a small market town on the Welsh-English border. Set in a green valley with a river running through it and mountains on either side, it’s where I would love to live.
Maybe one day…
But until then the next best thing to the expense and upheaval of moving is to revisit it, which has led to me writing a fourth book in the series, which is due out on 12th September, and I’m so excited about that because readers have been asking me for some time whether there will be a another Tanglewood story.
It might be a strange thing to say, but through Lilac I’ve become a calmer person. She has taught me to enjoy the little things and encouraged me to slow down and take a step back. I’ve always loved the countryside, and Lilac has deepened that love as I write about growing vegetables, taking long walks up mountains and having picnics by rivers. Lilac is the me I wish I could be all the time, especially when I’m cleaning the oven or doing my accounts. She is the me I aspire to be, someone I look up to. And the longer I spend in her company, the more like her I become, as I find myself converting a piece of my garden into a vegetable patch or trying my hand at baking – not too successfully, I might add! Lilac’s stories take me out of myself and make me forget my worries, and I hope they do the same for my readers. I want to leave people with a cosy, contented feeling at the end of the book, and I sincerely hope I achieve that.
She was born out of a wish to keep my work life and my writing life separate. However, that is no longer an issue since I became a full-time author, which is why I have started publishing under my real name, too. That, and the fact that I write more books in a year than Canelo, who publishes my Lilac Mills’ novels, can handle.
About Lilac Mills
Lilac lives on a Welsh hillside with her very patient husband and incredibly sweet dog, where she grows veggies (if the slugs don’t get them), bakes (badly) and loves making things out of glitter and glue (a mess, usually).
She’s been an avid reader ever since she got her hands on a copy of Noddy Goes to Toytown when she was five, and she once tried to read everything in her local library starting with A and working her way through the alphabet.
She loves long hot summer days in the garden, and cold winter ones snuggled in front of the fire, but whatever the weather she’s usually writing, or thinking about writing, with heartwarming romance and happy-ever-afters always on her mind.
Social media links:
Website: https://www.lilacmills.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LilacMills
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilacmillsauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lilacmills
About The Tanglewood Bookshop
A rural book shop. A chance to start over. But can she make her dream a reality?
Kazz used to love the excitement of her London life, but lately her passion for expensive city living has begun to wane. So when she’s given the opportunity to open a bookshop in picturesque Tanglewood, she jumps at the chance.
But village life is much quieter than she anticipated – is she actually suited for rural living? Resigned to a boring and uneventful Christmas, when she meets gorgeous Saul she is more than ready to have some fun and enjoy the festivities. If only Saul didn’t have a reputation for being a player…
Will Kazz become the heroine in her own Christmas romance, or will he love her and leave her under the mistletoe?
Pre-order link: https://geni.us/TheTanglewoodBookshop
It will be published in both ebook and paperback and can be read as a standalone story, but if you don’t want to wait for this and would like to immerse yourself in the picturesque village of Tanglewood, here is the link to read the first in the series
https://books2read.com/TanglewoodTeaShop
Thank you for visiting Morton S. Gray’s blog.
My latest release is A New Arrival in Borteen Bay
Sign up to my blog to receive weekly updates below:
About The Secrets of Borteen Bay Series
Christmas at the Little Beach Cafe
Tha nk you for visiting my blog – Morton S. Gray – Author. I hope you enjoyed this post.
You can also find me on Amazon, Facebook, X Twitter and Instagram.
Published by Choc Lit an imprint of Joffe Books
June 3, 2024
A Garden Party And What Else Has Morton Been Up To?
I’m really enjoying my blog visitors’ posts at the moment and I do hope my readers are too – plenty more coming up soon. There was a gap in my schedule this week, so I thought I would do an update on what I’ve been up to.
I have been persevering with my sourdough bread making and have found a kindred spirit with author Angela Petch who is also on the same baking journey. The warmer weather threw my making into disarray as I wasn’t experienced with how the temperatures would affect my bread mix, so I had a couple of disasters. This week’s loaf is the best I’ve made texture wise and it tastes lovely, but I still need to perfect oven temperatures as the crust is rather too crusty.
I am still crocheting every evening and am just finishing off one blanket (Spring Love by Ana Morais Soaras – link here) and about to start another (Fairy Dust Mosaic by Rosina Plane – link here).
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/spring-love-cal
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fairy-dust-mosaicWe are hoping to visit Norfolk soon and so I have been working on my husband’s Norfolk branch of his family history in anticipation of our visit. I’d forgotten how much I love family history research and have vowed to do much more. I particularly need to write up the family information I have, as if anything happened to me I doubt anyone would make head or tail of my files and papers as I have been collecting them for years.
As for writing, I have divided my current work in progress into five parts and am gradually assessing each part and editing the first draft of the first book in a new series. I will be honest and say that I much prefer raw new writing to this slog of getting all my ducks in a row with an edit, but if you want a book to be published, of course, this is a necessary evil. New ideas for other books keep arriving in my head and I have parked them after making notes, but really I would love to pursue these ideas instead. Author Alison May used to tell me off when I get to this stage and I can still hear her voice saying “Step away from the shiny.”
Life is quite busy at the moment and it is easy not to make the time for writing or the less preferred editing, so I will make another vow here on my blog that I will make more time for ‘writing dates’ – in other words setting time aside for writing. After all, the sooner I finish the self-editing on my work in progress the sooner I can get to work on those shiny new ideas.
I have been writing seriously now for over ten years and had seven books published, but writing is a strange business that can be fraught with self-doubt. With this in mind, it was lovely to be invited to my publisher’s tenth anniversary garden party in London recently. Joffe Books took over my first publisher Choc Lit just over a year ago. I travelled to London on my own and met up with Jan Baynham at Paddington Station. Then we went on the tube to Covent Garden and met up with Berni Stevens. Berni knows London well and so we walked to the venue rather than taking the tube. We met up with other Choc Lit authors in a pub and it was really lovely to get together. We then walked all together to the garden party venue.
Choc Lit FamilyI was lovely to meet up with Joffe staff and Jasper Joffe himself. I think it was nice to have a day feeling like a proper author lol. Thank you Joffe Books for inviting me.
Thank you for visiting Morton S. Gray’s blog.
My latest release is A New Arrival in Borteen Bay
Sign up to my blog to receive weekly updates below:
About The Secrets of Borteen Bay Series
Christmas at the Little Beach Cafe
Tha nk you for visiting my blog – Morton S. Gray – Author. I hope you enjoyed this post.
You can also find me on Amazon, Facebook, X Twitter and Instagram.
Published by Choc Lit an imprint of Joffe Books
May 27, 2024
What Makes Me A Writer By Caroline James
I am delighted to welcome Caroline James, author of The French Cookery School for One More Chapter back to my blog to tell readers about what makes her a writer. I have read her latest lovely book, so will include my review at the end of the blog. Over to Caroline …
Hi everyone and huge thanks to Morton for hosting me on her wonderful blog. I write romantic comedies and currently live in lovely Lancashire.
I yearned to write novels early on, and my childhood dream continued throughout my life. Educated an all-girls grammar school in Cheshire, my two elder sisters loved this school, but for me, it was hateful, and I was bullied. My teachers said I wasn’t clever enough to be an author, so my career went in an entirely different direction. College in Bournemouth led to working in a five-star hotel in London, then a job with lots of international travel, including an American company that used Concorde to fly me to New York.
My hotel in CumbriaMy career continued in hospitality, and eventually I owned a pub in Cumbria and a gorgeous country house hotel. I was a media agent for celebrity chefs for several years. There were so many stories that spun in my head during these years. A hotel is a revolving door, and you never know who is going to step in. I met some fascinating characters and always knew I could weave stories from these times but because of my teacher’s comments, I didn’t have the confidence to start writing.
My writing life started in my early fifties. A story had been in my head for years, but I was running a business, had a busy life, and constantly made excuses. Deciding that I didn’t want to die wondering, I glued my fingers to a keyboard at every opportunity, early mornings, and late nights, until I had a completed manuscript. Over eighty rejections later from agents and publishers, I decided to self-publish Coffee Tea the Gypsy & Me. Within a week, the eBook went to #3 in Women’s Fiction on Amazon and was eBook of the Week in The Sun Newspaper. My writing life had begun. Ten books later, I have been self-published and traditionally published and am now writing for One More Chapter (Harper Collins UK).
I like to write about older characters having fun in later life. Although my genre is rom-com, I tackle complex subjects and the power of friendship, and I hope my readers experience a funny, roller-coaster ride and always a happy ending.
My first marriage to a Bajan, whom I met in London, didn’t last, but it gave me a love of the Caribbean, which often features in my books. My best seller – The Cruise was inspired when I was a guest speaker on a Fred Olsen Cruise. I met so many eclectic passengers that I knew a ship was an excellent setting for a novel. The novel has prompted mail from holidaymakers either on a cruise or telling me that the book inspired them to go cruising. One reader said they were on a Mediterranean cruise, and everyone on the sundeck was reading The Cruise. That wonderful comment made all the hard work worthwhile.
My new novel, The French Cookery School, is a story inspired by a week spent in the Charente, for a cookery course. The host, Valentina Harris, invited me on a press trip with eminent journalists, and we discovered the magical setting of an old farmhouse, formerly the boyhood home of President Francois Mitterrand. This enchanting time stayed with me, and I knew it would be the perfect setting for a novel. It is a love story, with escapades aplenty for the characters who get together for an unforgettable holiday.
Writing has given me the happiest time of my life. I am lucky enough to do this full-time and can never imagine retiring. I feel energised by the people I meet and the places I research for my stories. My childhood dream has come true, and I’d love to be able to say to my grammar schoolteachers who told me I would never be an author, ‘Just look at me now…’
How to find Caroline:
Website: www.carolinejamesauthor.co.uk
Twitter: @CarolineJames12
Facebook: Caroline James Author
Insta: Caroline James Author
About Caroline James
Caroline James always wanted to write, but instead of taking a literary route, followed a career in the hospitality industry, which included owning a pub and a beautiful country house hotel. She was also a media agent representing celebrity chefs. When she finally began to write, the words flowed, and several novels later, she has gained many bestseller badges for her books.
She likes to write in Venus, her holiday home on wheels and in her spare time, walks with Fred, her Westie, or swims in a local lake. Caroline is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association, SOA, ARRA and the Society of Women’s Writers & Journalists. She is also a speaker with many amusing talks heard by a variety of audiences, including cruise ship guests.
Books by Caroline James:
BRAND NEW: The French Cookery School
Waltho Williams has no idea what he’s letting himself in for when he opens the doors to his beautiful French home, La Maison du Paradis. But with dwindling funds, a cookery school seems like the perfect business plan…
Divorcée caterer Caroline needs to be able stand on her own two feet. While warm-hearted Fran hopes to help her beloved husband fulfil his lifelong dream. And for food journalist Sally it’s a PR opportunity – until a certain celebrity chef gets under her skin…
But will the eclectic group be a recipe for success, or will the mismatched relationships sink like a souffle? Whip out an apron, grab a wooden spoon and take a culinary trip to La Maison du Paradis…
Purchasing Link for The French Cookery School: https://mybook.to/TFCS
The Cruise : https://mybook.to/CruiseK
Morton’s Review of The French Cookery School
5 Stars – I loved Caroline James’ The Cruise, but I think I like The French Cookery School even more. The author draws on her extensive knowledge of recipes and celebrity chefs for this title and I found that I wanted to be included as a guest at some of the meals described.
It took me a few chapters to get to grips with the many characters in this book but once I had, I loved living the cookery school students’ experiences in France at the exclusive La Maison du Paradis the venue for the course.
The characters of this novel rapidly get under your skin with their own unique back stories adding to the action. I found myself wishing I was as flamboyant as Fran, although I think if I could choose I would be Sally with a healthy dose of Fran thrown into the mix.
A thoroughly enjoyable read, but just to warn you – it may make you hungry with all the talk about food.
Thank you for visiting Morton S. Gray’s blog.
My latest release is A New Arrival in Borteen Bay
Sign up to my blog to receive weekly updates below:
About The Secrets of Borteen Bay Series
Christmas at the Little Beach Cafe
Tha nk you for visiting my blog – Morton S. Gray – Author. I hope you enjoyed this post.
You can also find me on Amazon, Facebook, X Twitter and Instagram.
Published by Choc Lit an imprint of Joffe Books
May 19, 2024
Who Is The Real Angela Petch?
An absolute treat for my blog readers this week as author Angela Petch reveals more about herself and a fascinating story it is indeed!
I’m speaking to Angela quite a lot of late as we share our adventure into the world of sourdough bread making. Angela’s latest novel published by Bookouture is The Sicilian Secret. Over to Angela …
I came across an author’s quote the other day: “We are the sum total of our experiences,” penned by B. J Neblett. Combined with a piece of writing advice: “write what you know”, it started me thinking about the various places I’ve lived and their influence on my writing.
Morton asks, “Who is the real Angela Petch?” It sounds deep and meaningful; as if I am on the psychiatrist’s couch. But she’s certainly got me thinking. Warning: I’m delving deep into the past and there were no digital photographs back then, so pardon the grainy quality of my images.
I was born in Germany as my father was in the army during that period in the early 1950s, helping with the displaced.
We moved to England and lived in a rather anonymous suburb of London when he joined the Civil Service. When I was seven years old, he accepted a sideways career move to work for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at the European and North African headquarters in Rome. We had seven amazing years living in the Roman countryside, taken on tours by my wonderful parents. My classmates were from all over the world: France, Australia, USA, Nigeria, Scotland, Denmark to mention a few.
OUR YOUNG FAMILY
ME SITTING IN THE SCHOOL GROUNDS OF ST GEORGE’S ENGLISH SCHOOLItaly has featured greatly in my life since those formative years when I lived in the Eternal City and they sparked a deep love for this beautiful country and people. Back in England, after the tragic death of our youngest brother, I couldn’t study Italian at school, so I found a teacher myself. Then, I studied for my Italian degree.
ME IN MY 20S ON MY THIRD YEAR ABROADFast forward and I am working for The Times European Sales department. A two-timing boyfriend causes me to apply for a job to leave London. (Despite my broken heart, no way was I going to be messed about). I ended up in Amsterdam using my Italian for a construction company, working on a project in Sicily. On the island my broken heart was mended when I met my husband. (You never know what is round the corner).
ME PICKING ORANGES 
ME IN OFFICE IN AUGUSTAAfter our wedding, we relocated to Tanzania, East Africa for three years, where I taught in a mission school: a commercial college preparing students for work in business. The nuns couldn’t pay me but I received something far more wonderful than money: invitations to various outposts that we would never have experienced otherwise: a maternity hospital run by Italian nuns for Masai women; a nomad American priest who worked with the Masai and a visit to a witch doctor’s hospital.
ME IN SELOUS PARK
US IN SERENGETIFamily life with three young children absorbed us in our middle years but now that I am retired (am I??? I’ve never been busier), we live in Tuscany for six months each year and my writing began to take shape.
WRITING IN FRONT OF OUR WATERMILLWith my various experiences, I have plenty of subject matter for stories. Life is never boring for me.
About Angela Petch
Published by Bookouture, Angela Petch is an award-winning writer of fiction – and the occasional poem.
Every summer she moves to Tuscany for six months where she and her husband own a renovated watermill which they let out. When not exploring their unspoilt corner of the Apennines, she disappears to her writing desk at the top of a converted stable. In her Italian handbag or hiking rucksack she always makes sure to store notebook and pen to jot down ideas.
The winter months are spent in Sussex where most of her family live. When Angela’s not helping out with grandchildren, she catches up with writer friends.
Angela’s gripping WWII novels set in Italy are published by Bookouture. While her novel, Mavis and Dot, was self-published and tells of the frolics and foibles of two best-friends who live by the seaside. Angela also writes short stories published in Prima and People’s Friend.
Social media links:
Blog: https://angelapetchsblogsite.wordpress.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Angela_Petch
Instagram: @angela_maurice
About The Sicilian Secret
Italy, 1943. With war raging across the rugged cliffs and turquoise waters of his beloved Sicily, Savio’s pen scrawls desperately across the page. His letter must be sent in secret – or his life will be in terrible danger…
England, present day. Paige is devastated when her reclusive but beloved Aunt Florence dies – the only family she’s ever known. Inheriting her crumbling cottage, Paige finds an unfinished note. ‘I am sorry, Paige. It’s time to tell you everything. It all began in Sicily…’
Beside the note is a faded envelope – addressed to a woman called Joy – with an Italian postage stamp from 1943. The letter inside is made up of Roman numerals and snippets of sentences written in Italian. But who is Joy? Was someone sending a coded message? Paige is desperate to piece together the truth. But she soon discovers it will change everything she’s ever believed about her aunt, and her family history.
1943. Lady Joy Harrison may have grown up in a manor house, but she’s determined to fight for what’s right and use her fluent Italian to help the Allies. Breaking code on a long night shift, Joy reads a secret message that makes her whole body shake. A dark-eyed young man she once loved is in terrible danger on the shores of Sicily. Was the message sent by him? And will she ever see him again – or will the war tear them apart for good?
An absolutely heartbreaking and stunning timesplit historical novel about how wartime secrets can stretch across the generations, and the incredible bravery of ordinary people in the darkest of times. Fans of The Nightingale, Fiona Valpy and Lucinda Riley will be captivated.
Purchase link: https://geni.us/B0CYQTW8KKauthor
Order links for audio –
Thank you for visiting Morton S. Gray’s blog.
My latest release is A New Arrival in Borteen Bay
Sign up to my blog to receive weekly updates below:
About The Secrets of Borteen Bay Series
Christmas at the Little Beach Cafe
Tha nk you for visiting my blog – Morton S. Gray – Author. I hope you enjoyed this post.
You can also find me on Amazon, Facebook, X Twitter and Instagram.
Published by Choc Lit an imprint of Joffe Books
May 12, 2024
An Extract From A Wedding For The Bomber Girls by Vicki Beeby
Happy to welcome Vicki Beeby back to my blog with an extract of her latest novel A Wedding for the Bomber Girls. I was fortunate to read and enjoy immensely an advance copy of this book, so I will give Morton’s review at the end of the blog post.
Thank you so much for inviting me onto your blog again, Morton. My latest book, A Wedding for the Bomber Girls was published by Canelo Saga at the end of April, so I thought I’d share an extract. Before I start, here’s a little about the book. This is what my publisher says about it:
As wedding bells ring out, joy will be found amidst the tensions of war…
At RAF Fenthorpe, instrument repairer Thea is helping her sister, Pearl, plan her wedding alongside fellow WAAF and maid of honour Jenny. A misfit amongst the women on the base, though, Thea is struggling to get others onboard.
When Flight Sergeant Fitz makes a point of befriending and standing by her, sparks fly between the two. And when Fitz’s crew member, Jack, faces being stripped of his rank due to cowardice, Thea throws herself into seeking justice and support for him.
Just as she begins to be accepted by her fellow WAAFs, a shadowy figure from her past has returned and is determined to ruin not just Thea, but also Pearl’s wedding. Will Thea’s reputation be marred once more? And will she face this struggle alone…?
A page-turning and feel-good Second World War saga, for fans of Johanna Bell, Daisy Styles and Kate Thompson.
This is the second book in my Bomber Girls series, featuring three WAAFs: Pearl, Thea and Jenny. Book two is Thea’s story, and as the story opens, Thea is being ostracised by most of the Personnel at RAF Fenthorpe after being accused (wrongly) of theft. Her sister, Pearl, on the other hand, is thriving in her new job and has just announced her wedding date. The extract I’ve chosen is near the start of the book as the three women meet at the pub to discuss wedding plans.
***
Pearl tapped the corporal’s stripes on her sleeves. ‘It feels like everything is changing so fast. I’ve hardly been at Fenthorpe for a year and already I’ve passed my NCO training, got the job of my dreams and met the man I’m going to marry.’
Thea mumbled something she hoped sounded encouraging. She tried not to mind that, although Pearl had only been in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force for just over a year, she already outranked Thea, who had joined in 1939. Thankfully she didn’t need to say anything more coherent, because a group of WAAFs on a neighbouring table, who had obviously overheard Pearl’s announcement, flocked around the corner table to congratulate her. None of them spoke to or even looked at Thea. It was as though she was invisible.
Jenny clearly felt uncomfortable about this treatment, and she did her best to include Thea in the conversation, but Thea shook her head with a wry smile. ‘Don’t worry, Jenny. I’m used to it.’ She raised her voice. ‘Everyone with more than half a brain values me, and I couldn’t care less about anyone else.’ The other WAAFs seemed to have selective hearing, however, for none of them betrayed even with the flicker of an eyelid that they had heard.
To Pearl’s credit, although she graciously thanked the WAAFs, she soon afterwards said, ‘You must excuse me. I need to discuss my plans with Thea and Jenny.’ Once they had drifted back to their table, she turned to Thea, looking annoyed. ‘Honestly, did no one read my report? It proves you were innocent.’
‘I know. But some people argue that it’s in your interest to clear my name, as I’m your sister. And heaven forbid they should let the truth stand in the way of good gossip.’ When Pearl opened her mouth to speak again, Thea silenced her with a gesture. ‘Leave it, Pearl. I can fight my own battles. And, as you say, we’ve got a wedding to plan.’
Pearl eyed her for a while as though contemplating saying more, but finally she pulled a pencil from her gas mask case, saying, ‘Fine. You’re right, we have got a lot to organise. I’m sure this will soon blow over. Now’ – she looked from Thea to Jenny – ‘first things first. I find myself in need of bridesmaids. Please say you’ll both do it. Blatchford promised to make sure you both get forty-eight-hour passes for the weekend.’
‘I’d love to,’ Thea said, feeling strangely tearful.
At the same time, Jenny said, ‘Of course. I’ve always wanted to be a bridesmaid.’
‘Wonderful. I can’t think of anyone else I’d rather have than the two of you.’ Then the brilliance of Pearl’s smile faded as she seemed to brace herself for saying something difficult. ‘The thing is… and don’t take this the wrong way, Thea…’ She tailed off.
‘Out with it.’ If Pearl was about to say something unwelcome, Thea wanted it out in the open right away.
‘Well, I want to ask Jenny to be my maid of honour.’
Jenny’s face lit up but her expression sobered when she caught Thea’s eye.
Thea would have laughed if she hadn’t felt so snubbed. ‘I have to ask myself what’s the right way to react. I’m your sister. What do you expect me to say? I’m—’ Thea suddenly noticed Jenny, shrinking away as though wishing herself to be anywhere else. Immediately she shut her mouth, feeling like the worst friend in the world. ‘Sorry, Jenny. I didn’t mean… You’ll make a wonderful maid of honour. Pearl’s right.’
***
I hope that’s whetted your appetite for more. If so, you can find purchase links here: mybook.to/WedBG
About Vicki Beeby
Vicki Beeby is a saga author who writes about the friendships and loves of service women brought together by the Second World War.
Her first job was as a civil engineer on a sewage treatment project, so things could only improve from there. Since then, she has worked as a maths teacher, an education consultant before she turned freelance to give herself more time to write.
She is published by Canelo and represented by Lina Langlee of The North Literary Agency. She was a finalist for the RNA Romantic Saga award in 2021 and won it in 2023.
Website: www.vickibeeby.co.uk
Facebook page: facebook.com/VickiBeebyAuthor
Instagram: @vickibeebyauthor
Morton’s Review of A Wedding for the Bomber Girls
5 Stars
I relished being back with Vicki Beeby’s Bomber Girls. Reading this book was like re-joining old friends and I loved the ups and downs and ins and outs of the story.
Pearl, Thea and Jenny definitely go through the emotional ringer in this book and it brought home some realities about what life must have actually been like in the war, even planning a wedding or getting a wedding dress was not straightforward. The bomber crews must have had terrible anxieties and flashbacks and felt such relief when they had completed the required number of missions.
Vicki Beeby has such a lovely way of writing that reading is effortless and flowing. I will admit to not wanting to stop at the end of the chapters and to often sneaking off to read when I should have been doing other things. Can’t wait for the next one.
Books by Vicki Beeby –
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My latest release is A New Arrival in Borteen Bay
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About The Secrets of Borteen Bay Series
Christmas at the Little Beach Cafe
Tha nk you for visiting my blog – Morton S. Gray – Author. I hope you enjoyed this post.
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Published by Choc Lit an imprint of Joffe Books
May 6, 2024
New Graphics Plus Book Recommendations
I’ve been experimenting trying to summarise the novels from my The Secrets of Borteen Bay Series in simple graphics. Please let me know what you think …
Buying Links here, just in case you are tempted 
.
Book Recommendations
A few more book recommendations from my recent reading:
A Wedding For The Bomber Girls by Vicky Beeby
I relished being back with Vicki Beeby’s Bomber Girls. Reading this book was like re-joining old friends and I loved the ups and downs and ins and outs of the story.
Pearl, Thea and Jenny definitely go through the emotional ringer in this book and it brought home some realities about what life must have actually been like in the war, even planning a wedding or getting a wedding dress was not straightforward. The bomber crews must have had terrible anxieties and flashbacks and felt such relief when they had completed the required number of missions.
Vicki Beeby has such a lovely way of writing that reading is effortless and flowing. I will admit to not wanting to stop at the end of the chapters and to often sneaking off to read when I should have been doing other things. Can’t wait for the next one.
Vicki is featured on my blog next week. Link to book on Amazon here.
The French Cookery School by Caroline James
I loved Caroline James’ The Cruise, but I think I like The French Cookery School even more. The author draws on her extensive knowledge of recipes and celebrity chefs for this title and I found that I wanted to be included as a guest at some of the meals described.
It took me a few chapters to get to grips with the many characters in this book but once I had, I loved living the cookery school students experiences in France at the exclusive La Maison du Paradis the venue for the course.
The characters of this novel rapidly get under your skin with their own unique back stories adding to the action. I found myself wishing I was as flamboyant as Fran, although I think if I could choose I would be Sally with a healthy dose of Fran thrown into the mix.
A thoroughly enjoyable read, but just to warn you – it may make you hungry with all the talk about food.
Caroline is featured on my blog very soon. Link to book on Amazon here.
Under A Summer Skye by Sue Moorcroft
I have been a fan of Sue Moorcroft’s novels for a long time and loved this the first in her new Skye Sisters series.
A tale of complex relationships, past secrets and true modern life problems. As usual in a Sue Moorcroft story, there are also some serious issues raised such as drinking, adoption and internet bullies. I thoroughly enjoyed this read, even if Sue did keep me on tenterhooks and reading on frantically waiting for the big bombshell to drop.
Loved the Isle of Skye setting, was on Thea’s side from page one and didn’t want Deveron to lose the chance of a relationship with her (although I think I might have been less forgiving than she is in the novel). Even related to the dog, Daisy and her part in the book.
Now can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
Link to book on Amazon here.
Next week I begin some new posts featuring other authors beginning with Vicki Beeby.
Thank you for visiting Morton S. Gray’s blog.
My latest release is A New Arrival in Borteen Bay
Sign up to my blog to receive weekly updates below:
About The Secrets of Borteen Bay Series
Christmas at the Little Beach Cafe
Tha nk you for visiting my blog – Morton S. Gray – Author. I hope you enjoyed this post.
You can also find me on Amazon, Facebook, X Twitter and Instagram.
Published by Choc Lit an imprint of Joffe Books
April 29, 2024
Progress Report On My Experiment
The oven is heating as I type this blog, ready for my latest batch of sour dough loaves. This time it’s marmite, cheddar and chilli. Not too sure I’ve done things quite right today, but I’m enjoying the experimentation as it is different and fun.
It felt sad to finish my bread making course last week, but I think it is safe to say that my bread making journey is far from finished.
I also made more wire wrapped pendants this week and I’m especially pleased with a sea glass one.
Writing up the Norfolk branch of my husband’s family is progressing well. I now have a completed first draft to work with and I’m enjoying being back looking at historical documents.
There was a flurry of activity last week, as my youngest son had to submit his university dissertation and I checked that document several times before he uploaded it with seconds to spare! 
So, the all important question – has the continuation of continuing to do more activities apart from writing helped my writing productivity again this week? And the answer? Surprisingly, yes!!!
I’ve continued steady progress on my work in progress and completed a couple of smaller writing projects too. Everyone is different and works in completely different ways, but for me it seems that I need variety to stay motivated on my writing projects. Maybe I need to go and look for some new courses …
Thank you for visiting Morton S. Gray’s blog.
My latest release is A New Arrival in Borteen Bay
Sign up to my blog to receive weekly updates below:
About The Secrets of Borteen Bay Series
Christmas at the Little Beach Cafe
Tha nk you for visiting my blog – Morton S. Gray – Author. I hope you enjoyed this post.
You can also find me on Amazon, Facebook, X Twitter and Instagram.
Published by Choc Lit an imprint of Joffe Books
April 22, 2024
So, What Did I Learn?
I talked last week about my efforts to get out more and refill my creative well. So, what did I learn from my experiment?
Day Two of my bread making course was great. I prepared a sour dough loaf for the oven, cooked a focaccia bread and prepared the dough for another sour dough bread, which I cooked at home. Since then, I’ve had a go at baking my own flavoured sour dough loaves – marmite and cheddar and the result was lovely. I felt so proud to have achieved the process from start to finish with my own sour dough starter too! I’ve even had a dream about different sour dough flavourings lol.
I wasn’t quite as successful in trying to replicate my wire wrapped pendant from my jewellery course, but I think that was caused by not having the correct wire. I’ve ordered some more so will try again this week.
The most valuable lesson from all of this was that I need to continue getting out and about more. If readers want to recommend anything new I should try in the comments, please do. I found that when I was more active, I got more done at home, writing more on my current work in progress novel and even starting to work on my family tree once more. We won’t talk about the two days lost to a horrible migraine.
I have also been rethinking this blog. My posts got so busy with guest authors that I didn’t reserve enough time for my own thoughts, so I want to balance this a little better going forward. However, if you are an author reading this and would like to book a guest slot here, please get in touch with me in the comments.
Today I’m off to a garden centre with a friend I have known for many years, but don’t see as often these days and tomorrow is Day Three of the bread course. For those who asked, the bread course is being run by The Doorstep Baker in Bewdley Worcestershire – link here. I’ll report back next week.
Have a great week everyone.
Thank you for visiting Morton S. Gray’s blog.
My latest release is A New Arrival in Borteen Bay
Sign up to my blog to receive weekly updates below:
About The Secrets of Borteen Bay Series
Christmas at the Little Beach Cafe
Tha nk you for visiting my blog – Morton S. Gray – Author. I hope you enjoyed this post.
You can also find me on Amazon, Facebook, X Twitter and Instagram.
Published by Choc Lit an imprint of Joffe Books
