Peter E. Fenton's Blog, page 6

Peter E. Fenton Celebrates Two Weeks Until Launch with Two Free Chapters of Mann Hunt

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It’s just under two weeks until Mann Hunt launches, and the book world is buzzing about the mystery, about the relationship between the two leads and about the many twists and turns to the plot. The book has an unusual structure. It starts with three smaller stories… each one introducing central characters in the book.

Chapter one introduces Ian Mann.

Chapter two introduces Declan Hunt, the detective.

And chapter three introduces Charlie Watts, the character that changes Declan’s life.

I don’t want to give TOO much away, but since it is two weeks until the book comes out, I thought I would share two chapters to entice you to pick up a copy when it is released.

To read this free sample, click here.

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I love jigsaw puzzles, and thought maybe you could solve the mystery of the scrambled book cover and help put Declan back together again. Try your luck by clicking here.

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If you have a Goodreads account, then you can enter to win an autographed print copy of Mann Hunt. All of the details can be found below. And if you don’t have a Goodreads account, it’s easy to start one, giving you access to reviews from other book lovers and a chance to join a community of people who love to read and talk about books. Any of the links below will take you to a place where you can set up an account.

Goodreads Book Giveaway Mann Huntby Peter E. Fenton

Giveaway ends September 07, 2023.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

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Next week I’ll be counting down to the launch, and you can bet that in the fall there will be a proper book launch event in the Toronto area. When will it be? That’s another mystery you’ll have to wait to discover. Until then, thanks for reading.

Warmest Regards,

Peter E. Fenton

Peter E. Fenton August Updates

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Tomorrow is National Book Lover’s Day. It’s three weeks until Mann Hunt is officially released and things are getting exciting. More early reviews are coming in and there’s a lot of discussion around the mystery. The book is keeping readers guessing right to the very end. There are plenty of clues to follow, so when you read the book, be on the lookout. And readers are falling in love with Declan Hunt and his new assistant Charlie Watts as they begin to impact each other’s lives. Mann Hunt is only the beginning for these two and in the sequel Hoodoo House their relationship will move to the next level as they try to solve another challenging case. If you want to preorder Mann Hunt in either e-book form or print (yes it is now available in print), you can do so by clicking here.

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This fantastic werewolf novel comes out August 22nd

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Just a week before Mann Hunt comes out, another exciting book by fellow author Robin Jeffrey is hitting the shelves. If you love the supernatural and love romance, then you will eat up Hungry Is The Night. Check out the description below.

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The werewolves of the world live in tight knit gangs, or “dens”, for protection from outsiders – and each other. Every major metropolis has one; to belong to a den is to have a family for eternity. However, Grace Holtz, next in line to lead the Seattle den called The Nameless, has had enough of living under the crushing weight of her den’s expectations. Having fled to a small, rural town in southeast Oregon, her goal is to blend in and be as “normal” as possible for the rest of her unnaturally long life.

But Marcus Bowen, a wolf from the UK-based Feóndulf den (and the closest thing Grace has ever had to a lover), has other plans. Reappearing thirty years after their affair came to an abrupt and bloody end, Marcus needs Grace. He needs her to return to Seattle and arrange an audience with Mama, the current leader of The Nameless and Grace’s estranged grandmother. The leader of the Feóndulf and his heir have both been brutally murdered, and Marcus suspects that Grace and Mama are next.

Teaming up to hunt for the killer in the Emerald City, the pair slowly begin to realize their romance may not be as dead as they thought. However, as it becomes clear that the person they’re looking for holds secrets about both their dens, Marcus and Grace must grapple with competing loyalties, conflicting desires, and ultimately decide what matters more: their dens or each other.

To pre-order a copy, click here.

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In a little over two months, I’ll be heading down to the largest Gay Romance Literature conference in North America. I’ll be one of 200 authors, and my time at the conference will include an author’s lounge where readers can stop by and meet me, as well as a signing day for autographs on books and memorabilia on the final day of the conference. If you are near Virginia or love gay romance, drop by. For details on how to attend click here.

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Goodreads Book Giveaway

If you have a Goodreads account, you can enter to win an autographed PRINT copy of Mann Hunt. To enter, click the link below.

Mann Huntby Peter E. Fenton

Giveaway ends September 07, 2023.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

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Just before Mann Hunt launches, Scott and I are going to take a week of time to relax and take in the sights of Newfoundland. We’ve been there before and loved it. This trip our focus will be on the southwest shore between Port Aux Basques on the southern tip and Gros Morne National Park on the central west coast. Scott will write about our travels in our other blog at www.fentonandwhite.ca after we get back.

I might post a few pictures from our trip along the way. In the meantime, thanks as always for reading.

Warmest Regards,

Peter E. Fenton

Peter E. Fenton Releases New Mann Hunt Video

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Press Play to enjoy this preview trailer for Mann Hunt

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As Mann Hunt comes within ONE MONTH of launching, the novel gets some exciting new promotional materials including the above preorder video. Press play on the video to enjoy it and turn up the sound for the full effect.

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Early reviews are coming in for Mann Hunt based on the Advanced Reader Copies sent out over the past few weeks, and readers are really enjoying the book. Early reviews are a critical way of getting readers excited for the launch.

If you want to see what others have already said, check out the Goodreads page by clicking here. And if you received an advanced copy, join in the conversation and see how your thoughts compare with the other readers who have already tried to solve the mystery.

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The countdown is on until the release of Mann Hunt

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There have been a few changes to the website, including a countdown to the release of Mann Hunt. I love checking in and seeing to the second how long it is until readers will have the chance to dive into the novel. If you want to see the actual number on the live countdown, click here and scroll down beneath the video trailer.

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While promotion is ongoing for Mann Hunt, it is important to note that the book is the first of a three part series. Advance readers are already wondering what is going to happen to Declan and Charlie next. I am pleased to say that Pride Publishing will be releasing the second book in the series, entitled Hoodoo House on June 25th of 2024. I promise another challenging case to solve, a deepening relationship between Charlie and Declan and a great location for adventure. I’ll keep you posted as that project progresses … speaking of which, I should get back to working on the manuscript.

I look forward to sharing more updates with you next week including letting you know about Robin Jeffrey’s new werewolf romance book Hungry Is The Night and an update on other events I’ll be participating in later in the year.

Thanks for checking out my newsletter and I hope you find lots of ways to enjoy soaking in the summer sun (and maybe sipping a cool drink along the way).

Warmest Regards,

Peter E. Fenton

Mann Hunt will be released by Pride Publishing on August 29th of 2023 and can be pre-ordered by clicking here.

Peter E. Fenton reveals deleted scene from Mann Hunt

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As I get closer to the release of Mann Hunt on August 29th, I thought I would share some of the process that went into creating the book. During the initial phase of writing, there is a surge of energy. As the book takes shape, the structure and plot of the novel often shifts and something that seemed like a big idea at the time, is pared away so the narrative of the book is a bit more streamlined.

I often keep my cut scenes and shop from them later, but some scenes simply never make the book. This is one such section that was deleted from Mann Hunt. It is rough and ready … unedited, but I put it below for your entertainment … something that few others will see … except for you.

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The Rouge was the place to be seen. Declan thought that if he had to entertain Max Simpson, this would be the place to take him. The prices were out of reason, and the decor—out of this world. Out of his world, at least. He would have been more comfortable at a local pub than this chichi establishment, but it was the destination restaurant in Calgary, and Mrs B had asked if he would show her nephew a special time. This was Max’s first time in Calgary, and she wanted to make it memorable. At least that was the story. But Declan knew better. He could see a setup coming a mile away like it was a fiery comet wearing a tiara. He wondered if Max had figured it out yet.

Mrs B felt that no man could be happy, truly happy, if he was single. Who could you tell your problems to? Who could you make long-term plans with? Who could you fight battles with annoying neighbours with? If you were single…

“But, I’ve got you to help me with life’s problems,” he had told her.

“I’m not going to be around forever. Who will you talk to when I’m gone? You don’t even have a cat,” she’d replied.

“I’ll get a cat. I promise.”

“You can’t snuggle up with a cat and expect anything more than a scratched face.”

Declan liked his single life. He could do what he wanted, go where he wanted, with whomever he wanted. He didn’t have to make plans keeping another man’s needs in mind, trying to work things around his schedule. He was thirty-five and, already, pretty well set in his ways. And he was happy…enough. Or so he told himself.

The problem with his relationships was that they usually went south pretty quickly—often as soon as the novelty of having a live-in sex partner wore off. It was around that time that one started noticing the flaws in the other person. It started small, like when they always left the milk out on the counter, or noticing how loudly they chewed—everything. Even yogourt.

In Declan’s idea of a perfect world, people entering a relationship would have to sign a contract in which they agreed to a mandatory three-year separation after five years. After that, if they still wanted to get together again, they could sign up for another tour of duty. Maybe it would have staved off the problems his parents had faced.

So here he sat, waiting for Max Simpson—Mrs B’s idea of his future husband. Was it too late to find religion and start praying?

It was at that moment that Declan spotted the hostess heading his way, weaving around tables with a handsome man in tow.

Declan quickly assessed the situation. Thirty years old, maybe. Fit. Well dressed—sadly, he probably wasn’t going to be able to convince him that the pub around the corner would be a better choice for dinner after a few drinks here. And he was…nice looking. Not stunning, which was good. He wouldn’t be spending the evening hunting for compliments on how clear his skin was, or how perfect his teeth were—“and I didn’t even have braces!”

As they approached, Declan stood and started to reach out to shake Max’s hand when…they walked by.

To save himself, Declan reached over and fussed with something across the table.

“Declan Hunt?” a voice from nowhere asked.

Declan raised his eyes to find himself face-to-face with—“Max?”

“That’s me. I recognized you from the picture my aunt sent.”

Before him stood a man—probably a few years younger than he was, and a little bit shorter. He was slim and dressed in a nice, comfortable suit.

“I hope I’m dressed alright for this place. I had no idea it would be so fancy.”

“No. You are dressed perfectly. We’re a pretty casual crowd here in Calgary.”

They both sat.

Max seemed…pleasantly normal. He had a gentle smile and a relaxed manner. His face verged on pretty. All of this made him quite attractive to Declan. This evening might not be as hellish as I thought.

With his date settled in and glasses of wine poured, Max asked, “So, I understand you know my aunt.”

“Oh, I know her, alright. She works for me.”

“She’s still working? Aunt Joan’s got to be what—eighty?”

“Not quite. She’s in her very-controlling late sixties.”

“A tough old bird, is she?”

“She keeps me in line, and that’s something my parents never could do. So, I understand this is your first trip to Calgary.”

“Yes. Business usually takes me to London and Frankfurt, but, and don’t spread this around, we’re working out a huge deal with the Alberta Treasury Board,” Max said in a whisper. “We thought it better to meet here rather than Edmonton. Better chance of going unnoticed, if you know what I mean.”

“Definitely.”

Declan had no idea what Max was talking about.

“I’ve never been west of Toronto, other than stop-overs in Vancouver on my way to Singapore. We do a lot of work there.”

Declan was beginning to calculate the point when it would be too rude to ask him exactly what line of work he was in. It was like going out on a third date with a guy and realizing it might be awkward to finally ask him what his last name was.

“Thanks for making time for me. Joan told me what a busy life you have. From the looks of it, a lot of it must be spent at the gym.”

Flirting. This could go well.

“I have my own gym at home.”

“Ooh. That’s handy.”

“And it’s right above my office, so I can get in a workout, shower and be at work in no time.”

“Very handy,” Max said, then smiled.

He is so flirting with me.

Max’s eye’s were large and clear. Their hazel-coloured irises complimented his wavy light-brown hair. Declan was mesmerized by his perfect porcelain skin. It was unflawed—not a crease or pore marked its surface. He’s like an extremely cute vampire, Declan thought.

Their conversation flowed as freely as the wine. Declan talked about all that the Calgary area had to offer. The mountains, the badlands, skiing in the winter, horseback riding in the summer. He had become a Chardonnay-fuelled travel consultant, and Max sat there, transfixed, laughing in all the right places, occasionally reaching to the centre of the table to put his hand on the back of Declan’s when he made a joke. Maybe Mrs B had the right idea, he thought. Having someone in his life like Max might not be such a bad thing.

With dinner over, and Max having snapped up the bill, Declan asked, “Would you like to go and grab a drink someplace?”

He hoped that Max would suggest that they go back to his place.

Max smiled and cocked his head to one side like an eager cocker spaniel. Declan watched him purse his lips and think for a moment.

“Why not. The night is still young. You lead the way.”

“What are you up for?”

“Anywhere, as long as it’s a good place to pick up women. I’m horny as hell and this boy hasn’t had anything for days.”

Declan led the way up the street, reexamining his life choices every step of the way, and trying to think of an appropriate way the break the news to Mrs B that her nephew was, sadly, straight, and the odds of a marital relationship with him looked a little less rosy.

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So that’s a cut scene. To see what DID get left in the book, you’ll have to pick up a copy. The book is currently available in e-book form, and paperback will be available for pre-order in early August.

Mann Hunt will be released by Pride Publishing on August 29th of 2023 and can be pre-ordered by clicking here.

An Interview with Peter E. Fenton as he launches his second novel

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I have troubles putting into words my thoughts about my books, but my partner has a gentle way of interviewing that allows me to open up more easily. Earlier this month, Scott asked me a series of questions and we recorded the interview. Here’s the highlights as I disclose the journey to my latest novel.

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Scott: It’s been well over a year since I last interviewed you about your writing and your process around creating The Woodcarver’s Model, and now you have a new book coming out.

Pete: Yes. Mann Hunt is being released on August 29th.

Scott: So let’s talk about the new book. Does it follow the same characters as The Woodcarver’s Model, or is it something completely new?

Pete: Mann Hunt is completely new. New characters, new location and it is a murder mystery. The novel definitely has a bit of a darker edge. It’s also the first in a three part series (The Declan Hunt Mysteries).

Scott: So is there anything similar about this book to your first novel?

Pete: There are three primary similarities. As in my previous book, readers will meet an assortment of interesting characters and the book is told from multiple points of view. It means that the central character doesn’t have to be in every scene, and it allows the reader to travel more widely through the world I am creating.

The second similarity is that this book is set in Canada. Mann Hunt takes place in Calgary, Alberta and for those familiar with the city, there will be a lot of recognizable locales.

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Mann Hunt takes place in Calgary

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One other similarity is that the world I create for my characters is heightened. In The Woodcarver’s Model the inhabitants of Marsh Island were a community of varied individuals, but they all had strong and sometimes over-the-top personalities. In Mann Hunt the central character Declan Hunt is a troubled soul with a lot of life experience, and his new assistant Charlie Watts is young and somewhat naive. They have moments of great seriousness, and moments of silliness. They are not one-dimensional characters. The other characters that populate the story range from good-natured to downright evil, but among all of this there are also gangsters that pause their business to enjoy a good piece of pastry, and other secondary characters that are only in a few scenes that make a huge impact. My books are about taking readers on a journey to a place that isn’t ordinary … one that is richly populated with interesting people, and people who have troubled pasts. First and foremost, these books are meant to entertain.

Scott: How has your process changed in terms of your writing since your first book?

Pete: I would like to think that I’m improving my craft. My editor Anna Olson really pushes me to try and make my story-telling clearer. She is excellent at identifying sections where I need to be a bit more prosaic … likely due to my history as a playwright who was primarily focused on dialogue as opposed to visual description. Anna also supports me developing my own voice. I rarely get content editing notes, but she provides a lot of more technical notes about ways to avoid pitfalls that might distance my readers. I greatly admire her patience and skill.

And as a writer I am still relatively new to writing novels, and with each book I am still finding my way in terms of my process. For instance, Mann Hunt is a mystery and plotting a murder mystery is very complex. I start with an outline, and focus on my characters. I know how the book is going to begin and end, but the path to getting to that ending, the clues that are dropped along the way and the order those clues are given in … that shifted right up until final revisions of the book with the editor.

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Writing a three part series, also means having a long vision for the piece. In Mann Hunt I am trying to set up characters that will continue onward through the second and third book. It also means having a long-range vision of the romantic journey for the main characters. And the biggest challenge of all is that because this book is a slow burn, in the first book, the romance is more of a sub-plot that will take on greater importance as the second and third novel is released. The mystery in the book is a stand-alone, but the relationship piece between Charlie and Declan is an arc that will unfold over the three books. There are still steamy scenes, but they happen in surprising ways.

Scott: I’m intrigued. I’d like to talk more about those steamy scenes. You recently wrote an essay for The Globe and Mail where you talked about coming to terms with writing sex scenes in your novels. Can you talk more about that?

Peter: Different readers want different levels of steam in a book. No matter what I write, it will appeal to some, and not to others. I always write my books from the place of being a gay male and so the types of scenes I write focus on the way men interact with men in my experience. I am also, more importantly, writing from the wants and desires of the characters. In Mann Hunt the sex scenes are not just used to spice up a moment in the book, but they are used to identify status and power of the characters. Sex can be used to express love, but it can also be used purely for physical release or it can be used in a way that may be manipulative. The sex scenes (and there aren’t a lot of them) are integral to either character development or plot. The Woodcarver’s Model had more romance, with some sex. Mann Hunt has less direct romance (as the focus is on a murder mystery) but that will evolve much more in the second book.

Scott: In that same Globe and Mail article you talked about “romantiphobia”. What is that?

Peter: A fear of being associated with romance … or in this case being labelled as a romance writer. Romance novels have long been perceived as pulp writing. Prior to starting on my first novel, I hadn’t read much romance, and certainly never read much gay romance. In my mind’s eye, all I saw were the book racks in the airports showing Harlequin covers of partially dressed people and my assumption was that the books were light stories that didn’t have deeper meaning. I thought of them as reading for pure entertainment and therefore somewhat disposable. And I see nothing wrong with that, but I had never fully explored what level of craft the books did or didn’t contain.

So for me to say I was a romance writer to others … and a gay romance writer at that, it felt like people might perceive that the writing was somehow lesser, or easier to create. I can tell you that since I began this journey, I have read many other romance writers. It may be true that there are varying qualities of writing, but the best of them are very well written. Many of the top grossing films have a romance at the core. And they are often based on well written books. So the Globe and Mail article was a way of breaking my “romantiphobia” … my fear of saying I am a romance novelist, and wearing that badge with pride. My goal when I write is over time to become know as one of the writers whose work has romance and sex and relationship, but also strong characters, interesting stories and perhaps even explores deeper themes in the process. The response to the Globe and Mail article was incredibly positive. If anyone wants to read the piece, they can do so by clicking here.

Scott: So what sorts of themes are you exploring in Mann Hunt?

Peter: There are two central themes. One is about how people experience homophobia. There are characters who are struggling with internalized homophobia and staying closeted. There are characters who openly express their distaste for gay relationships, and there are characters who are navigating familial tensions surrounding their sexuality. It was important to me that this element was touched on in a way that served the plot and not just used to create conflict. Each of the characters has a very different relationship to their sexuality.

The other theme is about fathers and sons and as the series goes on, about how we create family in our lives.

I don’t want to make it sound like the books are going to be heavy dramatic reading. Mann Hunt is a fast paced mystery filled with clues for the reader to follow, and it has many moments of lightness. But threaded throughout the stories are characters that are conflicted and dealing with their personal issues, and it is those things that give the book a little more depth.

Scott: So Mann Hunt comes out in August. I’ll put a link to the pre-order at the bottom of this interview. But what comes next after that?

Peter: I am thrilled to announce that I have a youth gay romance coming out in 2024. An acquisitions editor from Lorimer Publishing in Canada approached me after The Woodcarver’s Model came out and asked if I would be interested in trying my hand at a youth novel. I spent the early part of 2023 writing Not Not Normal, and it is now in revisions with the publisher. This book is entirely different from the other books and has a gentler edge to it. It is filled with heart and charm. I’m really proud of it.

And since Mann Hunt is a three part series, I am writing on the second book in the series, which will come out in the summer of 2024. It is called Hoodoo House.

Scott: That sounds like your plate is very full. Thanks for taking time to talk to me today and I wish you all the very best with the release of Mann Hunt and your upcoming books in 2024. Perhaps we’ll check in early in the year around the time of the release of the youth novel.

Pete: I would like that very much. Thanks so much for your time.

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The Woodcarver’s Model is published by Pride Publishing and is available for purchase by clicking here.

Mann Hunt will be released by Pride Publishing on August 29th of 2023 and can be pre-ordered by clicking here.

Peter E. Fenton July News

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July is a busy month as Mann Hunt goes into preorder. This means that the novel is available to buy on all major sites (at least in e-book form) and by the end of July, fans who want to get the book in paperback will be able to place their orders.

On release day on August 29th the book will immediately ship to all who have placed their order early. It is exciting to be the VERY FIRST to read a new book, and it is also exciting to place an order and have something to look forward to … just in time for the September holiday long weekend.

If you are interested in preordering a copy of the book you can click here.

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I was delighted to see my essay on coming out as a writer of gay romance appear in the national edition of the June 29th Globe and Mail. The response to the article was overwhelmingly positive. If you didn’t get a chance to read the article and don’t have a subscription to the paper, you can see a PDF version by clicking here.

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One of the direct impacts of the coverage was that a lot of people googled my name, and googled The Woodcarver’s Model. It appears that the interest in the book led to some sales on Amazon.ca which put the book close to the top 100 in its categories in Canada. It also made the e-book version rank #5700 overall out of millions of possible books. It is a testament to the power of media in getting word of mouth out about a book. As Mann Hunt approaches release, I will be working to get more of this sort of coverage to try and allow as many readers as possible to access the novel.

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My planned appearance in Orangeville for the Celebrate Your Awesome festival has been delayed until 2024. There was a hope to get together a particular group of authors for the event, and getting everyone’s schedule lined up proved to be an insurmountable challenge. With a full year for planning, I look forward to attending next year (and will have two new books to read from and talk about). But there are other exciting events coming up.

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In October I will be travelling down to Portsmouth, Virginia as a registered author for one of the largest gay romance conferences in North America. I will be one of 200 featured authors from around the world, and my participation will include a meet and greet author’s lounge appearance for industry and a full day of book signings at the end of the conference. I am looking forward to meeting other authors from my publisher (some travelling in from as far as Australia), other Canadian gay romance authors and of course … lots of readers who have read my work. For more information on GRL, check out the link here.

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Here’s a few books that I am looking forward to seeing released this summer, starting with Kristian Parker’s Public Affair, the fourth in the Queens Crescent series. The description is below.

London is in the grip of a heatwave, but something else is causing Nihal Varma’s temperature to skyrocket.

The CEO of a PR agency, he’s used to dealing with glamourous and beautiful people. He’s woken up with a lot of them too.

Yet when Carl Carrington, MP and candidate for leader of the opposition, walks into his office, Nihal finds himself a bag of nerves. And that never happens. He soon discovers that not only is Carl stunning to look at, he radiates decency. In Nihal’s world, that’s a very rare commodity.

When Carl insists on working with Nihal only, he’s entranced. Could this MP be interested in a man whose past is…chequered, to say the least? Nihal ‘I don’t do relationships’ Varma really hopes so. Even if getting involved with a client, especially such a high-profile one, is not just crazy. It’s insane.

But for once Nihal is out of control and that makes a man do very strange things…

To preorder a copy of the book, click here.

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Thom Collins is a master of romance and suspense and Cold Day Dawning the fourth installment of his Jagged Shores series is coming out on August 22nd. Here’s the description of the book.

Danger comes in the cold of morning.

It should be the perfect weekend away. Dalton Caine makes the long journey to Nyemouth to attend a party hosted by his sister. Catherine is estranged from most of the family, but Dalton feels the time has come to build bridges between them. Things don’ t turn out how he wants, however, when Catherine gives him a cold reception at the party. But the evening is not a complete waste of time when he meets local photographer Antoni.

Following a near-fatal attack six months earlier, Antoni has struggled with his physical and mental recovery. Catherine’ s party is the first time he has been out at night since then, and he’ s ready for an early exit when he meets Dalton. The stranger is warm, friendly and incredibly handsome. When Antoni overcomes his reservations and accepts a drink at Dalton’ s hotel, it could be the start of something new for them both.

Despite the joy of fresh romance, things soon take a darker turn. The morning after the party, Catherine’ s boyfriend reports her missing. Dalton isn’ t initially concerned. Catherine has disappeared of her own will before, and he’ s more interested in getting to know Antoni, but the men soon find themselves at the centre of a twisted mystery, one that puts both of their lives at risk.

To place a preorder for the book, click here.

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You’ll be hearing from me a little bit more regularly as I get closer to the launch of Mann Hunt including deleted scenes from the book, an interview, early reviews and information on media coverage and events. In the meantime, thanks for reading, and I look forward to sharing more news with you in the upcoming weeks.

Best Regards,

Peter E. Fenton

Peter E. Fenton’s Hot Summer Reads

There are so many great books coming out this summer. Here are a few shout outs for books I am looking forward to, as well as a bit of information on how YOU can be the VERY first to read Mann Hunt. Check it out below.

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How would you like to be the VERY FIRST to spend a night with Canada’s sexiest private detective?

How would you like to be the VERY FIRST to read Mann Hunt … for free?

Gay Romance Reviews is now accepting bloggers, advanced reader copy reviewers and instagram and bookstagram posters for the release of Mann Hunt.

Spaces are limited, so sign up as quickly as you can.

Generating advance reviews helps launch a book on release day, and I want to share this book far and wide. Join the review team today and be part of a select few who will get to read the book before anyone else.

To look at what it means to become part of the review team, click here.

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If you love fantasy novels with a touch of romance, check out The Patron Stone by author Don McEnery. This is a supernatural war between angels and demons with a slow burn sweet romance.

Her background unknown, Anise walks the streets looking for clients. She offers them pleasure but instead lightens their pockets. Waking in a strange warehouse, she fears the worst. Prepared to fight her way to freedom she discovers a world unlike anything she could ever imagine.

A former soldier, Garrett becomes her mentor and sparring partner. He teaches her the workings of her new life, including her patron stone. The stone reveals terrifying and freeing details about Anise’s background. With this newfound power, Anise and Garrett take their place in an otherworldly war they know little about. Those they thought allies turn against them.
Are they fighting on the right side? Do they have a choice?

The book comes out August 1st, but you can pre-order now by clicking here.

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Rosanna Leo’s new novel Darke Music just came out last month and it is filled with ghostly romance. This is the second in a two part series, so why not pick up both books!

Here’s what you can expect.

Historian Susannah Darke is no stranger to haunted houses. As one of a trio of ghost-hunting sisters, she’s had plenty of experience investigating the paranormal. When an opportunity arises to explore a haunted opera school in Toronto, she jumps at the chance, even though she once had her
own frightening brush with its resident ghosts.

Noah Bellamy is the dean of the Asch Institute of Opera, and a former opera singer himself. He was once a student at the Asch and is well-acquainted with its boisterous spirits. But when the activity worsens, threatening one of his star students, he knows he has to take action.

The fact that Susannah and Noah have been hooking up for the past year complicates things, but they agreed long ago to keep things casual. As long as they both remember their boundaries, the investigation should go smoothly.

When the paranormal activity begins to target them personally, it becomes harder not to seek comfort in each other’s arms. For the first time ever, Susannah and Noah have to decide if it’s worth taking a chance on love.

The ghosts present a huge challenge, but battling their personal demons may be even harder.

To pick up a copy click here.

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K.E. Turner has a new series out, and this one is going to leave you shivering with delight. This is book one of The Wolves of Langeais series.

Here’s a brief description.

He’s all she loathes. She’s everything he needs.

Time isn’t the only barrier she’ll cross to gain her heart’s desire.

Archaeologist Erin Richardson loves her job, but the dig in France is something else.

A crumbling keep, a dungeon and the search for legendary chevalier Gaharet d’Louncrais… Her imagination is running overtime. Thank God he’s long dead and only comes to life in her dreams. Until a mysterious amulet sends her back to the tenth century. Now her fantasy has become her reality.

Gaharet d’Louncrais needs a wife. He’s powerful and handsome and women constantly vie for his attention. If they knew his secret, they’d run for their lives.

Forget love. Forget finding his true mate. He’d forsake it all to save his wolf pack from extinction. But when Erin appears, with her strange clothes and her even stranger tale, she stirs his inner beast. He wants nothing more than to claim her as his own.

Erin knows a player when she sees one. Arrogant and charming, he’s everything she’s guarded her heart against. The Dark Ages are no fairy-tale, and she will need to fight to survive, but the most dangerous thing of all is the way Gaharet makes her feel. She needs to find a way home. Gaharet needs her to stay. And now he’s found her, he plans on never letting her go.

The novel comes out on July 25th and you can pre-order now by clicking here.

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Gin Vane’s second book in the Southern Awakening series has just been released, and it is sure to get you a little hot under the collar.

Here’s an excerpt to whet your appetite.

Carver’s smile stuck around longer, fading on his face into an expression like interest. The tension in the cab shifted to something more familiar. “So, you’re not…”
“Straight?” It was Daniel’s turn to laugh. “Hardly. People are usually surprised when they hear I had a girlfriend.”
Carver’s voice remained low, still unsure. “What is it you want, then?”
That was the question, wasn’t it? He’d been trying to find the words all week and hadn’t managed any that didn’t make him sound like some desperate cliché.
“Honestly? I want what you have. To be able to let go for once. To just let myself be.”
He didn’t know what to expect in response, but the mechanic’s smile widened to something like a grin.

“That?” Carver dared to wink at him. “I think we can do.” He pulled into Daniel’s driveway and shifted into park, turning in his seat to give him full attention. “I work late tonight, but I’m not closing. You should come by. Finish the drink I owe you.”
He searched the other man’s eyes for signs of sympathy, but Carver shook his head. “It ain’t pity, all right? You can trust me on that.”
Something about how he said that made Daniel believe it. He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned on familiar territory—talking shit to each other. “What, are you going to show me your moves? How you get all the guys?”
“I could.” Carver’s grin was sharp enough to cut. “Been going easy on you. On account of thinkin’ you were straight.”
“Assuming, just like the rest of them.” He smiled at the floor. “Fair warning. I’m not going to fall for your cheesy lines.”
“My lines aren’t cheesy.”
“No one ever thinks they’re cheesy,” he explained. “Just like everyone thinks they’re a good kisser.”
“I’m a good kisser.”
He met Carver’s eye. “My point exactly.”
The mechanic breathed a laugh and tipped his head away. “All I’m sayin’ is I know how to show someone a good time.”
“So show me, then.”

Carver’s gaze snapped to his, amazed. He hadn’t expected him to be so obvious—to be honest,
Daniel had surprised himself. But it felt good to say what he actually meant. It reminded him of other parts of his life, of times he’d been much more comfortable taking the lead.
He gathered up his groceries and pinned Carver with a stare. A dare, if he cared to think of it that way. “If you weren’t just feeding me lines that night, then show me a good time.”
Was it his imagination, or was Carver leaning closer?
“Come by Jeanie’s and it’s a date.”
An interesting choice of words, coming from someone like Carver. “A date, hmm?”
“Yessir.” The mechanic smiled broadly. “My way.”

To pick up a copy of Some Place Like Home click here.

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If you’re curious about the life of a romance writer, check out my essay under the First Person section in The Globe and Mail coming out on Tuesday (June 27th) in the digital copy and June 28th in print.

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Thanks for reading romance, and thanks for following my news. In July there will be more exciting things to report including pre-orders on Mann Hunt, other hot reads by Kristian Parker and Thom Collins and news on my upcoming appearance at the Gay Romance Literature Retreat.

Hope you have a sizzling summer. And on this pride weekend, may you celebrate love in all its many forms.

Best Regards,

Peter E. Fenton

Peter E. Fenton’s Sizzling Summer

Mann Hunt is available for pre-order in digital form now through First For Romance and Amazon.com

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I can now officially reveal the cover for Mann Hunt.

For my readers in Calgary, you may notice a nod to the city on the front of the novel.

So what’s it all about?

Declan Hunt is having a bad week. His kidnapping case is showing little progress, his office assistant has left him on short notice, and his latest investigation has left him literally battered and bruised. But things change when he hires twenty-four year old Charlie Watts to help out at the office. They form an unlikely partnership while trying to solve two seemingly unrelated cases whose threads begin to weave together when the missing person case turns to murder.

The investigation takes them from the dark alleys, gay bars and bath houses of Calgary to the richest parts of the city during the world-famous Calgary Stampede.

But will they be able to discover who the killer is before another life is lost? And will Declan be able to solve the mystery of his relationship with Charlie, who is clearly attracted to him — especially since it is evident that the attraction is becoming mutual?

This is a great novel for people who love mysteries and a slow burn romance. The plot is filled with twists and turns that will keep you guessing to the end.

Pre-orders for paperback won’t be available until June 29th, but if you read on kindle or e-book, you can place your order now at First for Romance by clicking here or on Amazon.com by clicking here.

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Have you ever wanted to be the very FIRST to read a novel, and get a free copy?

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In early July, Mann Hunt will be looking for ARC readers for the book. ARC stands for Advanced Reader Copy. If you decide to become an ARC reader, a copy of the novel is sent via email prior to the general release. In exchange for the free copy, you are expected to post an unbiased review. The goal is to create a pool of reviews that land on major distribution sites on the day the book launches (and in the case of Goodreads in advance of the official launch date). If you like reading books in digital form and want to be the VERY first to read Mann Hunt before it comes out to the rest of the world, stay tuned! I’ll have more information in next month’s newsletter about how you can become a Mann Hunt ARC reader.

There are TONS of other books you can review that are put out by my publisher. If you have a passion for reading, go to this link and sign up to become an ARC reader for some of their other offerings today. You may discover your next great read!

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Not Not Normal will be published by Lorimer Publishing of Canada in 2024

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I am excited to announce that my youth novel Not Not Normal has been contracted by Lorimer Publishing of Canada. The book will come out in early 2024.

Not Not Normal is part of the Real Love Series, described by the publisher as stories that focus on realistic teen relationships. The novels feature diverse teen characters in contemporary settings as they experience love, romance, dating, sex, body image and LGBTQ issues. 

The books are aimed at reluctant readers and will be widely available through book stores as well as through school catalogues. It is a thrill to be published by a Canadian publishing house, and I am excited to share this story. More details will be coming up in future newsletters.

Check out the publisher’s website by clicking here.

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In other Canada-related news, I was delighted to be approved by the Canada Council for the Arts as a literary writer.

Approval requires a publication history and a commitment to spending a significant amount of time writing on new work.

What this means is that I am now eligible to apply for funding to travel to conferences to promote the work, or for professional development or research for upcoming novels.

Ultimately my goal is to continue to grow as a writer and improve my craft with each novel and in the process destigmatize people’s assumptions about romance writing and books with gay central characters.

Thank you to the Canada Council for the Arts for this designation. It means the world to me.

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Peter E. Fenton is coming to the Globe and Mail on June 27th and 28th

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In other Canada-related news, the Globe and Mail has taken an interest in my journey from palaeontology to gay romance writer and as a result will be publishing an essay I wrote for the First Person section.

The article will likely be behind a paywall, but if you are a subscriber to The Globe and Mail, the article will come out on June 27th online and if you aren’t a subscriber, it will be in the print edition on June 28th.

After publication, if you didn’t see it and you are curious what I wrote, you can reach out to me, and I will share the content with you.

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There’s more news to share, but I should save some for next month, including exciting updates about the upcoming tour of the musical I’ve been working on, and preparations to attend the Gay Romance Literature Retreat in October in Virginia.

In the meantime, thanks for reading.

Warmest Regards,

Peter E. Fenton

Peter E. Fenton May News

Mann Hunt will be coming out in August

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My newest novel Mann Hunt is scheduled for release on August 29th and I couldn’t be more excited. This is the first novel in the three part Declan Hunt Mysteries series and I think you are going to love it. Just like The Woodcarver’s Model, this book is set in Canada. The cover art is done (I’ll reveal the full cover next month), the editing is just about complete, and pre-orders will be available by the end of June for the August release.

If you love detective novels, romance and a plot rich with entertaining characters, you are going to LOVE this book. Here’s the description from the back cover.

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Declan Hunt is having a bad week. His kidnapping case is showing little progress, his office assistant has left him on short notice, and his latest investigation has left him literally battered and bruised. But things change when he hires twenty-four year old Charlie Watts to help out at the office. They form an unlikely partnership trying to solve two seemingly unrelated cases whose threads begin to weave together when the missing person case turns to murder.

The investigation takes them from the dark alleys, gay bars and bath houses of Calgary, to the richest parts of the city during the world-famous Calgary Stampede.

But will they be able to discover who the killer is before another life is lost? And will Declan be able to solve the mystery of his relationship with Charlie who is clearly attracted to him — especially since it is evident that the attraction is becoming mutual?

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A version of the cover of The Woodcarver’s Model created by Jim Houston for the Helliwell Book Club

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On May 15th, I had the chance to meet with 20 members of the Helliwell Book Club to talk about The Woodcarver’s Model. There were lots of questions about the book, the characters (especially Rufus the dog), and about the world of writing gay romance. Thanks to everyone for coming out and for expressing so much interest. It was a wonderful afternoon. If you have a book club and you want to make one of my novels a book for discussion, get in touch. I can do a ZOOM session for those who don’t live in Toronto and it is a lot of fun.

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Shelf Life Books only has 3 copies left of The Woodcarver’s Model

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For those of you who have never read a romance book, and if you live in Calgary and want an autographed copy, there are only 3 copies of The Woodcarver’s Model remaining at Shelf Life Books. This is a fantastic Indie book store that focuses on Canadian authors. I’m hoping you can help them to make shelf space for my upcoming novels in the store by buying up the last copies of The Woodcarver’s Model. The book makes a GREAT gift. Don’t take my word for it, check out the reviews on Amazon.ca. Drop by this beautiful book store and pick up a copy before they are all gone.

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This sweet teen romance is definitely worth checking out

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Part of the research work I did when writing on my youth novel was to check out other young audience novels, and this past week, I read No Limit on Love by Alison Lister. The characters in this book are fantastic, the story is charming and the author is Canadian. If you are curious about teen romance, I highly recommend you give this novel a read.

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It is an exciting time with The Woodcarver’s Model continuing to gain new readers, Mann Hunt coming out in August, a publishing deal for Not Not Normal and of course, I’m writing on the second book in the mystery series. And the timing couldn’t be better, as this fall I will be attending the Gay Romance Lit Conference in October as a registered author. This is one of the largest conferences of its kind in North America and will feature over 200 writers, and hundreds of fans of romance writing. I will have the opportunity to showcase my work at the author’s lounge, and also have a book signing as part of the larger event on Saturday. I can’t wait to meet with readers and authors who travel from as far away as Australia to take part in this conference. There will be lots of stories to tell when I return.

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A huge thank you to everyone who has been following, reading and supporting my work as a writer. YOU are the reason I keep writing and sharing stories. Until next time …

Warmest Regards,

Peter E. Fenton

An Interview With M/M Romance Author Thom Collins

Spring has arrived and with it, a flurry of activity that includes presenting to the Helliwell Book Club in May, taking part in Pride events in Orangeville in June, a new release in August (Mann Hunt), and attending the Gay Romance Literature Conference as an author in October. There will be lots of details on those activities in the upcoming newsletters, but THIS month I want to feature another author I greatly admire who lives in County Durham in England and has eighteen published titles. I hope you will enjoy reading about his work, and hopefully it will inspire you to check out some of his books. It’s my pleasure to present an interview with Thom Collins.

What was it that inspired you to start writing M/M romance books?

I’ve always written gay stories under different pen names, all the way back to the mid-1990s when I wrote erotic stories for gay porn magazines and paperback anthologies. I must admit I was very young then. I consider myself a genre writer, so I was never going to write huge literary novels like Alan Hollinghurst (though I wish I could). When I decided to write something more romantic, the M/M genre really appealed. And there are a lot of sub-genres to explore within the romance field, so the possibilities are pretty much endless.

What is the book you are most proud of and why?

I’m quite proud of all of my books. I had so many unfinished manuscripts in the past, that I now appreciate what an achievement it is to complete a novel, but the book I have a real soft spot is Anthem of the Dark. It’s the second book in my Anthem Trilogy. When I wrote the first book, I had a few scribbled notes of where I would take the characters next, but I didn’t really know for sure. So, it was daunting and a big challenge to continue the storyline, but it all came together. It’s one of those books that almost wrote itself. Also, most of my stories are set in fictional locations, but that one was set in Blackpool in the northwest of England, a place I adore. And the supporting characters are some of my all-time favourites. I keep meaning to bring some of them back but haven’t found the right story for them yet.

What is the thing you find hardest to write?

It’s not the writing I find hard, but everything that comes after it – the second and third drafts, edits and most of all promotion. Researching, outlining, planning and writing the first draft are when I’m most at ease. I love all of that stuff but the rest of it is a real chore.

When you write your novels, do you have a set process or does each book dictate its own process?

I’m a creature of habit so I tackle every book in the same way. I’m old school and have a notebook that I take everywhere, and I use that to jot down ideas, names, titles, scenes – all quite random stuff. When I’m ready to begin a new novel, I start with a project book and that’s where I work out the settings, character bios, and a chapter by chapter outline. All in long hand. From there I type up a full story outline and once I’m happy with the flow, pace and revelations, I’m ready to begin.

I once read an interview with Stephen King where he said he likes to complete his first draft in a single season – about 4 months and that’s a timeline that I’ve found works well. I write from the start to the end and never look back to edit while I’m working, and I always write in 1000 word bursts. Once I’ve got a complete first draft, then the hard work begins. Because I try to have a tight outline to begin with, my second and third drafts are usually just to improve grammar and maybe flesh out a few scenes or characters. Thankfully I’ve never had to do any major structural fixes or rewrites. All writers have their own process. The idea of an exploratory draft or pantsing fills me with anxiety, but we all find a way that works best for us.

What are your biggest artistic influences, or what artists in any art form or genre offer inspiration when you are writing?

That’s a tough one. I’m inspired all the time by other writers, by movies, music and TV. At the minute I’ve just written the first book in a new series for 2024 which I would describe as an erotic thriller, so I’ve been watching a lot of neo noir movies from the 1980s and 90s like Cruising, Body Heat, Dressed to Kill, Sea of Love and Basic Instinct for inspiration. I also listen to music while I’m writing. For fun, upbeat scenes, it’s pop, dance and disco, and if it’s a thriller scene I like to listen to movie soundtracks to set the mood. I listen to a lot of vinyl records and can usually time it to complete around a thousand words by the time I’ve played both sides of a record.

I know you are a big fan of horror. Do you have a favourite horror film and why?

That’s another tough one. I don’t have one favourite but as my birthday is 31st October I’ll go with Halloween – the 1978 version, definitely not the 2018 one. But I can’t get enough of horror films. I’ve probably watched every piece of crap Netflix, Amazon and Disney+ have to offer. I know they’re most likely going to be terrible before I begin but if it’s a choice between a cheap horror film or a huge budget Marvel blockbuster, the horror will win every time. In amongst all the rubbish, there are still plenty of gems to be found.

What piece of advice would you give to another writer based on your experiences?

For anyone starting, the best advice is to finish what you’re working on. Writing a novel takes a long time and you’ll be distracted by new ideas all the time. Don’t give in to the temptation of starting something else. Make a note of your new idea but stick with what you’re currently writing until you finish. No one will ever read an incomplete book. And I definitely speak from experience, I’ve got folders and files full of them.

When is your next release coming out? (or you can also talk about your most recent release).

My most recent release Deep Waters is the third novel in my Jagged Shores series. It’s a romantic suspense set on the northeast coast of England. Christian is a writer looking for inspiration. He hires Harry, a handsome young boat operator, to take him along the coast. The guys soon become embroiled in a murder mystery when they rescue a wounded man from the sea. The Jagged Shores books are a series of loosely linked standalones set in the coastal town of Nyemouth. Expect lots of passion, suspense and intrigue. I grew up in that area of Northumberland and this series is so much fun to write.

The fourth book Cold Day Dawning comes out in August and I’m currently working on the characters and storyline for book five. This is the exciting part when even I don’t know what’s going to happen.

Thanks so much for taking the time to do this interview. If readers want to find out more about your writing, what is the best way to find out all of your news?

You can follow me by clicking on any of the links below.

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