Peter E. Fenton's Blog, page 8

Meet The Author Event

Readers Fall For The Woodcarver’s Model

While fall doesn’t officially arrive for a few weeks, when the calendar flips over to September it somehow feels like summer has passed the baton to the next season. In this newsletter, I have a few updates on what’s happening with The Woodcarver’s Model, opportunities to get a signed copy of the book, and what I’m working on right now.

Retail locations

Signed copies of The Woodcarver’s Model are now available both in Toronto and in the Calgary. If you live in or near Toronto, you can pick up a signed copy of the book at Queen Books. Stock is limited, so check their website, or phone to reserve a copy in advance at 416-778-5053.

For those who are in the Calgary area, a small stock of signed books can be found at Shelf Life Books. Check online to see number of copies, or phone in advance at (403) 265-1033. I’ll keep you posted on other independent bookstores who may be carrying the book in the future.

Reviews

Reviews continue to accumulate, with 30 reviews on Amazon.com and almost 50 reviews on Goodreads. The book still has an average rating of over 4 stars on all of the sites. Reviews are a critical part of helping new readers determine what they will purchase. So it’s heartening to see a 5 star review like the one below posted just the other day by a reader on both Amazon and Goodreads.

This is a stunning and thrilling story, it starts off with a bang, then lulls us into a sense of calm, but slowly, oh so slowly, the tension rises and off we go again. A great plot, the inhabitants of the island are a mixed lot, some friendly, some a bit loopy, but all very protective of their island, their home, and all hell breaks loose when developers come sniffing around. This seems to be the first fiction from this author, I’ll be following on Goodreads and hope we get more thrilling reads soon.

Huge thanks to those that have already reviewed the book. If you’ve read the book and want to share your opinion, please review The Woodcarver’s Model on Goodreads or Amazon. The links are below. Every review makes a big difference. A new review on Goodreads can reactivate interest in readers who put the book on their list of books to read in April, but have forgotten about it. And Amazon reviews have been shown to directly link to sales.

Even if you can’t review on Amazon or Goodreads, you can share a post on social media that you read the book and enjoyed it. Spreading the word is a huge help to getting the story to more readers.

To review on Amazon.com click here.

To review on Amazon.ca click here.

To review on Amazon.co.uk click here.

And if you have a Goodreads account, you can go to this link and leave a review by clicking here.

Revisions and Rewrites On The New Book

While Pride Publishing was preparing my first novel for publication, I was already writing on a new book which is tentatively called Mann Hunt. A first draft of the book was finished by early May and I put it past first readers for feedback. That feedback is now being used to revise (and in some cases rewrite) the book before submitting it to the editor. The book is a mystery with a romance at the core. Plotting a mystery novel is different in many ways. I like to start with the crime and the cast of characters and their motives for committing the crime. Then I string a plot together in reverse. I thought I would share a small excerpt from one of the opening chapters that introduces one of the two main characters Declan Hunt and the situation that leads him to meet the other central character Charlie Watts.

******

Joan Beckerman unlocked the street-level door of the office, picked up the mail that had come through the slot, and began the slow walk up the flight of stairs to the second floor. She wasn’t sure which creaked louder, the wooden steps or her sixty-eight year old knees. She turned the key in the lock and entered the outer office.

Mrs B, as Joan was known in the office, occupied the only desk in the main reception room, along with a couple of comfortable chairs, a couch, and a coffee table with “up-to-date” magazines to ensure that no one would confuse this with a doctor’s office. She loved this room. It was warm and comfortable. Large, mullioned windows let light pour in from the street. The walls were a deep red-brown brick—rare for a building in Calgary where most old structures were wood-framed. And the floors—wide planked wood, worn by the feet of a thousand people over the seventy year history of this building. It wasn’t old by international standards, but here in Calgary, it was a grand old dame.

She dropped the mail on her desk. It was a couple of bills, and an envelope, probably containing a payment—she recognized the return address of the elderly man who had hired them to look for his missing brother. They’d found him buried legally in Queen’s Park Cemetery.

Before she would deal with any of these matters, coffee had to be made. Without coffee, her brain didn’t function properly.

As she waited for the coffee to finish brewing, Mrs B organized her desk for the day. She was, undeniably, an organized woman. As the sole employee of Declan Hunt Investigations, aside from Declan, she was responsible for dealing with the clients, maintaining Declan’s schedule, billing, and whatever else was required to keep the company going. And for that, organization was the key to success.

The coffee maker beeped, letting her know that caffeine was mere moments away. She returned to her desk, coffee in hand—black, two sugars—and sorted the contents of the envelopes. The bills went into one pile, the payment from the man in search of his brother, in a second stack. She noticed that the payment also included a note—’Seeing as how you found my brother deceased, and now of no use to me, I see little reason to pay you the full amount demanded. Enclosed you will find a cheque for half your bill.’ Mrs B let out a sigh. She wanted today to go smoothly.

She heard the street door to the office open, followed by the sound of heavy footsteps on the stairs. The office door opened and in walked a man in a long, dirty coat. His face was unshaven and grimy. He walked with a limp.

“Good Lord, what the hell happened to you?”

Declan paused to look at her.

“Some people in this city have no respect for the homeless.”

As Declan straightened up his body he winced and grabbed his side.

“Can’t take a kick like I used to.”

She moved towards him. “Here. Let me help you.”

Mrs B got him up to his apartment, which occupied the third floor of the building. She helped him take off his coat and shirt.

“If it’s alright with you, I’ll chuck these into the wash,” she offered.

“Thanks.”

She looked at his strong chest and rippling stomach muscles. While attractive to many, they had no effect on her. The bruising, however—she pursed her lips and inhaled. “Oooo, that’s going to hurt tomorrow.”

She touched the area. Declan inhaled sharply.

“Oh, come on. I’ve seen you beat-up worse.”

“What—no sympathy for the guy who gets beaten just so you can get a pay cheque?”

“Stop your whining. Nothing appears to be broken.”

“You’re a harsh woman, Mrs B.”

She walked over to the fridge and took out an ice-pack which she wrapped in a tea towel and handed it to him. “Here. You know what to do.”

Then she went into his bathroom and returned with the first-aid kit.

“Take these,” she said, passing him a couple of pills. “Vitamin C might help lessen the bruising which, if I know my beatings, will be spectacular over the next few days. I’ll wrap you up to give you some support. But first…you’ve gotta go shower. You smell like you’ve spent the night in a dumpster.”

“Where do you think they threw me after they did this? It took me an hour to crawl out after I came to.”

Declan went into the washroom and had a shower. By the time he got out, Mrs B had laid out clothes for him on the bed. She returned with a coffee.

“It has sugar in it. I figured you could use the energy.”

He took it from her and had a sip. She stood there, trying to figure out how to break the news to him.

Declan smiled. “You’re a life saver. I don’t know what I’d do without you,” he said, as he eased himself down onto the edge of the bed.

Mrs B paused and then said, “Well, now that you mention it… I guess there’s no point in beating around the bush. You remember how I told you my daughter and her friend were going on a three week trip to South America?”

“Yeah, I think so,” Declan replied, taking another sip of his coffee.

“Well, it seems her friend tripped over her cat, and somehow fell out of her window—”

Declan laughed in mid-sip and the laugh manifested as a snort which shot the hot coffee up and out through his nose.

“Ow, ow, ow,” he cried.

“Luckily she lived on the second floor, so she only broke her leg. The girl is clearly an idiot.”

Declan mopped his face with his towel which Mrs B took from him and proceeded to use to clean the floor. As she got up she felt out of breath and steadied herself against a chair.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Anyway, I got a call from my daughter last night, all in tears because her trip, well, it was—look, she asked me to go with her in her friend’s place and I said yes.”

She stared at him, waiting for a reaction.

“Well, I couldn’t let her go on her own, could I?”

“And when does this happen?” Declan asked.

“I leave Sunday.”

“Sunday? Like this Sunday? Two days from now Sunday?”

“That would be Sunday. So, you’ll need to find a replacement for me for the time I’ll be away.”

“Well then,” he seemed to be piecing things together, “would you call a temp agency and see what they can do?”

“You’re not going to be using one of those companies. They charge an arm and a leg, and the poor temp only sees a fraction of it. Anyway, I’ve already placed an ad on one of those job-search websites. They’ll set up the interviews starting on Monday. No need to thank me. Now I’d better leave you to rest.”

She left Declan looking out the window with a slightly hurt look on his face. As she left she thought “He’ll get over it. It’s only three weeks.”

*****

Book Signing In Toronto

I’m currently working on a date for a book signing. It will likely be done in a pub in Toronto in October. Those who have already purchased a book can come and share a drink and get their book signed, and those that haven’t gotten a book will be able to pre-order a copy for the day of the signing. Further details coming soon!

Thanks for reading, and I look forward to sharing more updates on the new book, further developments on The Woodcarver’s Model and upcoming events connected to my writing.

As a reward for reading this far, here’s a fun puzzle of the image at the top of this blog. To play simply click on the title of the book below. Have a super long weekend.

THE WOODCARVER’S MODEL PUZZLE

Warmest Regards,

Peter E. Fenton

The Woodcarver’s Model is published through Pride Publishing.

To buy a copy click below

Choose Your Store or First For Romance

An End Of The Week Puzzle & A Promotion

As we reach the dog days of summer it’s time to take a break. I’m going on vacation for a few weeks to recharge my writing batteries prior to doing the final revisions on my next novel.

I hope to get in lots of good food, and relax by doing things like jigsaw puzzles. Speaking of which, the photo above has been turned into a jigsaw puzzle. If you want to play, simply click the link here.

If you like romance in all of its many styles, then you might enjoy this weekly newsletter put out by my publisher. If you refer friends to the newsletter, you can win fabulous prizes. To find out more, click here.

Whatever the end of your summer holds, I hope that it involves finding time to relax, to eat good food and maybe even sneak in reading a good book.

See you in the fall.

Peter E. Fenton

The Woodcarver’s Model is published through Pride Publishing.

To buy a copy click below

Choose Your Store or First For Romance

What Does An Author Do With The Time In Between Novels?

It’s been over three months since The Woodcarver’s Model was released. The initial reviews are in, the marketing connected to the release of the novel is all done and now the focus turns to advertising and setting up potential readings in the winter and spring. But what happens next?

A book has its highest profile in the weeks leading up to the launch and the three months after. The next time The Woodcarver’s Model will see much attention is likely when the publisher releases the audio book version next spring. You’ll be the first to know the details of when the book goes into studio and when it will be released.

In the meantime there are lots of people who bought the book, but haven’t gotten around to reading it. It’s in their TBR or To Be Read pile. Over the upcoming year, readers that bought the book will discover it, read it and hopefully review it. And that review will alert other readers that the book might be of interest to add to their … TBR pile.

So the next big step that happens is of course, the writing of the NEXT book. And I am pleased to say that I am three quarters of the way through revisions on my next book MANN HUNT and it is almost ready to turn over to my editor.

FIVE THINGS ABOUT THE NEW BOOK

It’s a mystery novel, with a romance at the core of the storyThe novel is the first of a three part seriesThe mystery is set in Calgary, Alberta, CanadaThe plot is filled with twists, turns and surprises to keep you guessingLike The Woodcarver’s Model it has a cast of wonderful characters

After revisions are finished, I’ll be starting to share later excerpts of the novel … nothing that will spoil the plot, just a few things to get you interested. I already released a teaser in the July 1st newsletter, so you can go back and check that out if you didn’t see it before.

So when will the new novel come out? The hope is to have it ready to release around the same time as the audio book of The Woodcarver’s Model, so the marketing for MANN HUNT will also increase attention to the previous novel and the audio book.

So stay tuned. I’ll try and put an update out once per month until I get closer to the launch for the new book. In the meantime, I’ll be sharing more regular insights on the journey through my social media sites. You can join my over 500 followers on

Instagram @peterefentonbooks

Twitter @virtualfenton

or Facebook @peterefentongayromancewriter

Thanks for reading, and I look forward to sharing more information on the new book and the audio version of The Woodcarver’s Model when it becomes available.

Warmest Regards,

Peter E. Fenton

The Woodcarver’s Model is published through Pride Publishing

and is now available wherever books are sold.

To buy a copy click below

Choose Your Store or First For Romance

Guest Author Ellen Mint Featured With Her Novel Pride & Pancakes

In the last newsletter I wrote about how important it is to talk about other writers. I asked author Ellen Mint if she would like to promote anything special in an end of the month note to my readers, and she said, “Tell them about my book Pride & Pancakes.”

So here it is!

When Beth Cho is tasked with interviewing elusive musician Tristan Harty, it’s hate at first sight. Despite his sapphire eyes and lithe frame, he’s got to be the most infuriating man on the planet.

Tristan Harty is already sick of reporters and this one is proving no different. Sure, she might be adorable with her ebony hair and big brown eyes. But her incessant need to dig into his past is dragging on his last nerve.

The bickering duo vow never to meet again, but Mother Nature has other plans for them, trapping them in a Vermont cabin via a blizzard. The more Beth learns about the aristocratic Tristan, the harder it is for her to keep her professional distance, just as Tristan discovers a familiar heart beating in the beautiful reporter’s heart.

But what happens when the snowstorm’s over, and the melted Tristan and enamored Beth are free to leave? Can their reluctant attraction bloom into a deeper love with the thaw of their judgmental ice. Pride & Pancakes is a sweet yet steamy contemporary story inspired by Pride & Prejudice.

***

You can get this fun book at  https://books2read.com/pancakes

And if you want to find out more about Ellen Mint, click here.

***

Peter E. Fenton Coming To Calgary

I’m pleased to announce that I’ll be in Calgary during the last week of August. Plans for a reading and book signing have been “adjusted” due to the rapidly changing status of both COVID as well as potential travel disruptions.

If you live in Calgary and have already purchased a copy of The Woodcarver’s Model and want it signed, or you want to acquire a signed copy while I’m in Calgary contact me at peterefenton@gmail.com and I will give you the details.

If the numbers are large enough, then I’ll try and arrange a place to meet and do an event. If numbers are smaller, I will arrange to drop a book to you, or meet up for a coffee and sign your book then.

As for Toronto readers, stay tuned, as there will be a reading and signing event in September.

In the meantime, as always, thanks for reading.

Warmest Regards,

Peter E. Fenton

The Woodcarver’s Model Reveals His Secret Past

Pride Publishing asked me to write a short story with a bit of spice … a prequel to The Woodcarver’s Model about the central character Rob Hanson. The response was The F-Road, inspired by my recent trip to Iceland.

This story is exclusively available to subscribers to this newsletter. If you haven’t already read the book, this won’t spoil a thing, and if you have read the book, this adventure takes place a full ten years before Rob’s adventures in The Woodcarver’s Model.

To read the story, click here.

If you enjoyed The Woodcarver’s Model and want to share the book with a friend, there’s great news for those that read e-books. Until July 30th, the e-book version of the novel is on sale for 30% off through the publisher’s website at First For Romance. To take advantage of this deal, click here. And while you’re there, why not take a look around at all of the other great romance novels. There’s something for every taste.

If you’re in Toronto and looking for a paperback copy of the novel, Queen Books has a limited stock of signed copies available. I recommend phoning in advance to put a copy on hold at 416-778-5053 as stock will run out quickly. There are plans for a book signing in Toronto and a book signing in Calgary in the upcoming two months, but details are still being ironed out. Look for details in the next newsletter.

Unexpected kindness creates such a huge ripple of positive feelings.

Yesterday a friend had phoned and reserved a copy of the The Woodcarver’s Model at Queen Books, and when they went to pick it up, someone had already paid for it.

I am guessing that person bought a copy and then paid for an extra copy for the next purchaser … a sort of pay it forward gesture.

To whoever that was, it not only meant the world to our friend, but it meant the world to me.

Today we donated to a challenging cause for an individual … because kindness creates more kindness.

So thanks to those that put kindness out into the world. It makes a huge difference.

One of the ways authors show kindness to one another is to cross-promote books, and we are THRILLED to be promoting Ellen Mint in our upcoming newsletter. In the next few weeks, look for info on the romance novel Pride and Pancakes part of her Happily Ever Austen series. These romance stories riff on Jane Austen themes with fun results.

Can’t wait to find out more? You can find out more about the book here. This is also part of the 30% off sale at First For Romance until July 30th.

On a final note, thanks to all those who have left reviews for the book. If you haven’t had a chance, every review makes a big difference. A new review on Goodreads can reactivate interest in readers who put the book on their list of books to read in April, but have forgotten about it. And Amazon reviews have been shown to directly link to sales.

To review on Amazon.com click here.

To review on Amazon.ca click here.

To review on Amazon.co.uk click here.

And if you have a Goodreads account, you can go to this link and leave a review by clicking here.

Thanks for your support. Tell all your friends to subscribe to this newsletter. There are exciting things coming up this year including a new book as part of a series, a new youth novel and more free stories and giveaways. To subscribe, they just have to go to https://peterefenton.ca/blog/ and put in their email.

Thanks for reading!

Peter E. Fenton

A New Book In The Works

I’m excited to announce that I’ve completed a full draft of the first in a three-part series of gay detective novels. The book has lots of romance and is set in Calgary, Alberta. I’ll spend the month of July doing more tweaks before sending it on to my editor later in the summer. Stay tuned for details.

You are the very first to see the first few paragraphs. Let me know what you think! Does this intrigue you?

The working title of the book is Mann Hunt.

***

Friday, July 10

Declan looked down at his coat, frayed at the edges and covered with grime. His toes poked through the ends of his shoes, and as he stumbled down the street, he weaved around the people who walked past him. Occasionally he mumbled an apology. It was around two in the morning, and the street was poorly lit thanks to several burnt out street lamps. Declan knew the city hadn’t bothered to spend its tax dollars on this part of town—a part where most people earned very little money, and those that did, rarely did it legally. 

He leaned up against a lamppost and pulled a cigarette out of his pocket, holding it in his shaking left hand. He tried to light it but the match went out before the cigarette took light. Declan saw a large man moving along the street towards him. He was tall—about six-foot two—and built like a brick wall.

“Hey buddy—got a light?” Declan asked.

Brick Wall stopped and looked at him, then pulled out a fancy gold lighter, lit it and held it up to the partially-smoked cigarette.

“Thanks.”

Brick Wall grunted an acknowledgement and moved on down the street, entering a building a few doors down. 

Declan waited a few seconds and then snubbed out the cigarette and put the butt back into his coat pocket. He didn’t smoke and at fifteen bucks a pack he wasn’t going to just throw one away. It might come in handy later.

After a few moments he headed towards the building where the guy had gone in. It was a two-storey wood-framed structure that looked like an old store that someone had converted. An alleyway ran down one side. 

‘How convenient’ he thought.

Declan hurried around the corner and down the alleyway. The wall of the building was punctuated by a single window, too high to reach. A small dumpster had been pushed up against the wall under the window, right next to a door.

He hoisted himself up, making as little noise as possible and gradually stood up high enough to look in.

Inside he saw Brick Wall talking to another guy seated at a desk. Declan couldn’t see the face of the second man as his back was towards the window. The two of them seemed deep in conversation and the man who was sitting, gesticulated wildly with his hands. Brick Wall took him by the shoulder and led him out of view. Declan surveyed the room. It appeared that it took up the entire first floor. On a table, along the back, was a large model of a grand old building. Other than the desk and the table with the model, the space was empty. If Attwal was here, he must be in the basement.

Declan leaned a little further to the left to get a better view. Suddenly it seemed the building was moving upward and he was heading down. His body hit the dumpster lid and the sound was like a mallet pounding on a giant kettle drum. As the dumpster continued to roll, he looked up and saw the high-mounted alleyway lights, and the face of Brick Wall staring down at him.

“Whadda we got here?” he asked. “A little late to be sightseeing.”

Declan rolled himself off the dumpster and hit the pavement. He intended to run, but before he could get to his feet, Brick Wall grabbed him by the jacket and hoisted up his one-hundred and eighty-five pounds without effort. Then he slammed him back down on the edge of the steel dumpster. Declan crumpled to the pavement.

“A guy’s gotta learn not to poke his nose in another fella’s business,” Brick Wall said, before sending the toe of his sizeable right shoe crashing into Declan’s ribs. Several kicks followed before Declan felt himself being picked up again. He heard the sound of the dumpster lid being opened, then felt himself falling into a pile of rotting waste as the lid slammed shut and he was surrounded by darkness.

***

A PREQUEL TO THE WOODCARVER’S MODEL

In August, I’ll be working with First For Romance on a promotion that will include a giveaway of a brand new Peter E. Fenton short story called The F-Road inspired by our recent travels in Iceland.

This prequel is set ten years before Rob’s later adventures in the full-length novel The Woodcarver’s Model. It’s filled with action, and it’s a bit … spicy. Stay tuned for details next month. Here’s the description.

Travel writer Rob Hanson loves adventure, but a trip with his handsome guide Kristján deep into the highlands of Iceland gives him more than he bargained for. What will he find when they go up the F-road?

***

Speaking of Iceland, if you’re interested in reading about the adventures my partner and I had at the end of May and early June, check out my other blog that has lots of pictures and fun stories. You can look at it and find out how to subscribe by clicking here.

***

AN UPCOMING READING AND BOOK SIGNING IN CALGARY

I’m also happy to let you know that I’ll be in Calgary in late August, and plans are underway to take part in a reading and a book signing. If you live in Calgary and haven’t picked up a copy of the paperback (or just want your copy signed), you can do so in August. The location is still a secret, but stay tuned for more information in next month’s news.

***

HAVE YOU REVIEWED THE WOODCARVER’S MODEL YET?

If you have read the book and have time, please review The Woodcarver’s Model on Goodreads or Amazon. The links are below. Every review makes a big difference. A new review on Goodreads can reactivate interest in readers who put the book on their list of books to read in April, but have forgotten about it. And Amazon reviews have been shown to directly link to sales.

To review on Amazon.com click here.

To review on Amazon.ca click here.

To review on Amazon.co.uk click here.

And if you have a Goodreads account, you can go to this link and leave a review by clicking here.

***

Thanks for reading, and I look forward to sharing the specifics of next month’s promotion with First For Romance and the details of the book signing.

Until then, thanks for your support.

Peter E. Fenton

***

The Woodcarver’s Model is published through Pride Publishing.

To buy a copy click below

Choose Your Store or First For Romance

The Woodcarver’s Model Goes To Iceland

The Woodcarver’s Model loved the fjords of the Westfjordlands

The process of getting a book from the idea stage to the printed page is a long journey. In the case of The Woodcarver’s Model this journey took around a year. Of course some of that time was spent sending and waiting for edits from the publisher. And as of December of last year, much of the “work” had been done except to promote the book … and start writing on the next one.

So after the launch, I took The Woodcarver’s Model on his first vacation to Iceland. While I didn’t do any readings or bookstore signings, I did find a way to share the journey of The Woodcarver’s Model on Instagram and Twitter. Below is a collection of some of the highlights of the journey. And at the bottom of this blog, some news on the next novel.

After an overnight flight, The Woodcarver’s Model woke up with this view of the harbour in Grindavik

On the first day, The Woodcarver’s Model travelled the Golden Circle stopping at the amazing Gullfoss waterfall

Haimeay Island was a fantastic stop on the second day … the first time The Woodcarver’s Model saw a puffin.

The Woodcarver’s Model found it chilly at the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon on day three

The Woodcarver’s Model was a bit uncertain about the way the roads clung to the cliff as he travelled along the Eastfjords

On the fifth day, The Woodcarver’s Model found himself up a tree at Ásbyrgi Canyon

After a long day of travelling on day 6, it was nice to relax at the Hotel North in Akureyri

Driving towards Holmavik it was nice to see the Icelandic people showing their Pride

The route to Isafjordur involved driving AROUND 5 fjords and crossing one fjord on a long bridge

The Woodcarver’s Model enjoyed the beauty of Hridsvadfoss Waterfall

The crossing to Stykkishólmur on the Ferry Baldur looked smooth, but the boat rocked up and down and side to side

After a chilly day on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, it felt good to get into a hot shower

The Woodcarver’s Model always plays it safe when getting in some back seat action

You just never know who you are going to meet in the hot tub at the Hotel Glymur

In Reykjavik even the pigs have a unique style

The Woodcarver’s Model would like to wish one and all a Happy Pride Month

And so that is a VERY brief look at The Woodcarver’s Model‘s first vacation. If you want to see full trip pictures of the author, you can click here.

I am excited to announce that I am almost finished a draft of my next novel. I can’t say MUCH about it right now, but it is a gay detective story set in Calgary, Alberta with a relationship at the centre that brims with sexual tension. If you enjoyed The Woodcarver’s Model, you’ll love meeting Declan and Charlie as they work together to solve a murder.

Until next time, thanks for following. If you have read The Woodcarver’s Model and enjoyed it, please take the time to review on Amazon or Goodreads. These new reviews create interest in the book.

To review on Amazon.com click here.

To review on Amazon.ca click here.

To review on Amazon.co.uk click here.

And if you have a Goodreads account, you can go to this link and leave a review by clicking here.

The Woodcarver’s Model is published through Pride Publishing

and is now available wherever books are sold.

To buy a copy click below

Choose Your Store or First For Romance

The Woodcarver’s Model Goes On Vacation

The Woodcarver’s Model has been very busy. Last week the novel finished a blog tour gaining coverage in 28 different blogs.

So what’s next? Well after the launch and the blitzes and the blog tours and the reviews and the advertising campaigns, it’s time to take a rest. The Woodcarver’s Model is going to head to a place where there are fewer people, less social media and a lot of gorgeous scenery.

So you won’t be seeing much on this blog for a few weeks, BUT you can follow the daily posts of The Woodcarver’s Model on Instagram and Twitter as he experiences the wonders of Iceland. To follow, go to

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peterefentonbooks

Twitter: @virtualfenton

While you are following his travels, there are other things you can do to keep the sales of the book moving forward, even while he is on vacation.

3 FREE WAYS TO HELP OTHERS ENJOY THE WOODCARVER’S MODEL

1. POST A REVIEW

The sale of a book is a long game that involves days where there are very few copies sold, and other days where there is increased interest, and there are many books sold. A key to keeping the book at top of mind for readers is to post a review. If you have read the book and enjoyed it, posting a review can ensure the book doesn’t fall to the bottom of the barrel.

To review on Amazon.com click here.

To review on Amazon.ca click here.

To review on Amazon.co.uk click here.

And if you have a Goodreads account, you can go to this link and leave a review by clicking here.

2. REQUST A COPY AT THE LIBRARY

Did you know that in Canada, if you have a library card, you can request the library to explore buying a copy of the book so others can check it out free of charge? This means that readers who can’t afford to buy the book can borrow it for free, once the library purchases its copy. The Woodcarver’s Model meets the guidelines for library books in Canada. In order to request the book, you need an active library card and you would be the first one to sign it out, but after that, others can read the book as well.

Check your local library page. In Toronto, you can find the request link here.

3. TELL A FRIEND

If you liked the book, tell a friend. You can share information on social media, or simply mention the book over coffee or tea with a friend. And speaking of tea, the cost of an e-book in Canada or the U.S. is likely less than a bubble tea at your local shop. And if someone can’t afford the book, well, maybe it will be available at their local library.

So to demonstrate the value of word of mouth, I’d like to shout out to two items of interest that connect to the above post.

If you are in Calgary, perhaps check out Chatime West 85th at 8560 8A Ave SW #320. It is owned and operated by my nephew’s partner Sarah, and they have the best bubble tea anywhere. Check out the menu by clicking here

And for those looking for a great summer read, check out Kristian Parker’s latest release. This looks like it might be an interesting read and comes out June 7th. To find out more about the book, click here.

I hope the upcoming few weeks are filled with sunny days and the opportunity to do whatever brings you joy.

The Woodcarver’s Model is published through Pride Publishing

and is now available wherever books are sold.

To buy a copy click below

Choose Your Store or First For Romance

The World Of The Woodcarver’s Model

I enjoy taking the ferry to Vancouver Island from Horseshoe Bay.
Rob’s journey on the ferry is described in The Woodcarver’s Model starting on page 36.

Many readers have commented on the authentic feeling of Marsh Island where The Woodcarver’s Model is set. And some people have asked if it is a real place.

The answer to that question is both yes and no. The setting for the novel was definitely inspired by real places that I’ve visited on the west coast of British Columbia, but there isn’t an island called Marsh Island. I think of writing as a combination of observation and imagination. And as the book evolved, I drew on my experiences with several different locations to create the locations described in the novel. This week’s blog is a peek at those real-life places. If you have a copy of the book, you can go to the page number described and see if the picture matches what you imagined (page numbers may vary in digital formats). And perhaps this blog will inspire you to travel to B.C. The scenery is truly spectacular.

Marsh Island is very much a character in the book. In a scene on page 45, the central character Rob Hanson is stunned by the beauty of sunlight streaming through the branches of the trees. He says that his mother used to call the phenomenon “God’s eyelashes.” This moment was inspired by a morning stroll on the beach of Half Moon Bay near Ucluelet B.C.

“God’s eyelashes” reveal themselves through the trees at Half Moon Bay near Ucluelet, B.C.

Rob Hanson meets the woodcarver Mitchell Carcross at a market stall on page 55 of the book. The market was very roughly based on the Saturday Market on Salt Spring Island seen below.

The Saturday Market on Salt Spring Island has unique hand crafted items.

One of the special places on Marsh Island is Admiral’s Peak which is first described on page 69 of the novel. The description was inspired by a trip I took to the top of Mount Erskine on Salt Spring Island.

The top of Mount Erskine on Salt Spring Island was the inspiration for Admiral’s Peak

Marsh Island is also populated with towering trees. The description of a seventeen hundred year old tree found on page 71 was in part inspired by a hike along the Rainforest Trail near Tofino. Along the hike there are signs that describe the life cycle of the trees, and how even after they fall down, they become “nurse logs” rich in nutrients which allow other seedlings to grow on them, feeding on the nutrients from the decaying wood and becoming new trees.

These trees are ancient and very very tall.

In a later part of the book, one of the secondary characters finds herself in Victoria, and there is a delightful scene on page 222 where Karen encounters goats that will climb all over you. This scene was inspired by a visit to the goat enclosure at Beacon Hill Park, and the goats truly DO crawl all over you.

The goats at Beacon Hill Park

And of course, it is true that in all of the guide books, one of the essential stops in Victoria, B.C. is to take high tea at the Empress Hotel. Karen describes her tea on page 223, and the inspiration for this scene came from my own experience pictured below.

Tea at the Empress Hotel in Victoria B.C.

So while it is true that The Woodcarver’s Model is a romance and also a novel about protecting the things we love (including nature), it is also a love letter to the islands on the west coast of Canada. If you haven’t had a chance to read the book, dive in and explore this beautiful place. I hope you enjoy the journey.

******OTHER NEWS******

It is still too early to track precise numbers of sales, but I am thrilled to say that The Woodcarver’s Model is a #1 Best Seller on the First For Romance site this week. To see all the best selling romance novels, click here.

The response to the Goodreads Giveaway was immense with over 1900 readers entering to win one of three signed copies of the book.

Congratulations to G. Urra of Calgary, AB, Canada; J. Fox of Shirley, Indiana USA: and L. Whitley of LaGrange, Georgia, USA. Your signed copies are on their way.

******ANOTHER CHANCE TO WIN******

There is another giveaway for a $25 gift certificate from First For Romance that anyone can enter. The competition is open until the end of May. This means you can buy a copy of any book on their site. To enter the draw click here.

******YOUR OPINION MATTERS******

Sales are highly influenced by reviews. If you have read the book and want to make a difference, please take the time to review the book on Goodreads or Amazon. The links are below.

To review on Amazon.com click here.

To review on Amazon.ca click here.

To review on Amazon.co.uk click here.

And if you have a Goodreads account, you can go to this link and leave a review by clicking here.

The Woodcarver’s Model is published through Pride Publishing

and is now available wherever books are sold.

To buy a copy click below

Choose Your Store or First For Romance