M.A. Comley's Blog, page 20
October 1, 2011
Wonderful Interview
I had a fab time being interviewed by fellow writer Jim Bronyaur today, he's a brilliant writer and a hell of a guy. Drop by and have a look.
http://ow.ly/6KuRW
http://ow.ly/6KuRW
September 30, 2011
CRUEL JUSTICE released.
Well it's officially live! Lorne rides again.
The headless body of a wealthy widow is discovered decomposing in Chelling Forest. Detective Inspector Lorne Simpkins and her partner, DS Pete Childs are assigned to the case. A few days later another victim, this time a young girl, is discovered. Who could the killer be and what's the connection between the two victims?
Then after a third murder, the killer contacts Lorne with a grisly surprise. It looks like Lorne has a serial killer on her hands - and one that has become fixated on her. As she tries to solve the crimes, Lorne is also coping with a failing marriage and new, unsympathetic boss with whom she has a secret past. Then, as she begins to despair at the lack of clues, help arrives from an unlikely source.
Approx 88,000 words
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Smashwords
The headless body of a wealthy widow is discovered decomposing in Chelling Forest. Detective Inspector Lorne Simpkins and her partner, DS Pete Childs are assigned to the case. A few days later another victim, this time a young girl, is discovered. Who could the killer be and what's the connection between the two victims?
Then after a third murder, the killer contacts Lorne with a grisly surprise. It looks like Lorne has a serial killer on her hands - and one that has become fixated on her. As she tries to solve the crimes, Lorne is also coping with a failing marriage and new, unsympathetic boss with whom she has a secret past. Then, as she begins to despair at the lack of clues, help arrives from an unlikely source.
Approx 88,000 words
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Smashwords
September 29, 2011
Another reader interview.
This time it's Geoff turn to be interviewed!
Since I first read 2001: A Space Odyssey back in 1967 I'veread books, they have pretty well been my constant companion. As a family we have always been readers, Ithink this is why Sophie has become a writer. She was writing stories from the age of about 4 or 5 and hasn't stoppedsince.I'm an IT consultant. I run my own business in Cheshire and supply my services to any company,but I tend to be most attractive to banks and large IT services companies. I used to be proud of working for banks, butnowadays I tell people that I work in a gay bar selling my body for money, asit doesn't carry such a social stigma.
1.What genre do you prefer to read? I've become more drawn into non-fiction of late. Whether this is Kindle related, I'm reallynot sure. Also, I tend to be led byauthors at the moment. The authors onGoodreads continue to attract me to their work as well.
2.Is there a favourite book you've read more than a fewtimes because you found the story so engrossing? Dean Coontz Lightning is one of my regular reads. It has a great plot and the author is so muchbetter than Stephen King. The other bookI have read a few times is Stephen Coonts Minotaur. This is a great techno-thriller that reallyworks. There is one section covering 2-3pages where the writer describes a test aircraft that 'departs' in midair. The moment by moment description iselectric.
3.Do you read paperbacks or ebooks more? I like to think that I can read either, but I've read 3-4ebooks whilst trying to read Ian Rankin's The Falls in paperback. It is just so much easier to read the Kindle.
4.If you have an ereader has your reading increased orchanged in any way? I've always been an avid reader. My wife has always said I'd read anythinganywhere.
5.Have you ever thought of penning a book yourself? I'm currently writing a fictional book called Bump. It's a contemporary thriller. Whether it will ever see the light of day isanyone's guess, but we'll see. I'm alsowriting a short piece about my medical experience a few years ago called GoodMorning Dr Horner. Mind you, I thinkI'll leave the glory to my daughter Sophie. Her book, A Hole in the World is brilliant. She is a much better writer than I'll ever be.
6.What makes a book an absolute must read in your eyes? Is it characterisationor plot that's more important? I need a good synopsis
7.In the ebook world what do you consider is the best way tograb a readers attention? I think it has to be reviews. If there is one or more genuine positivereviews this gets my attention every time.
8.Name 6 authors you'd invite to dinner. Marc Levinson, author of "The Box: How the ShippingContainer Made the World Smaller and the World Economy Bigger."Sophie Robbins, author of "A Hole in the World."Stephen Coonts , author of "The Minotaur".Sameem Ali, author of "Belonging".Chris Petersen, author of "Tear in Time".David Simon, author of Homicide: A Year on the KillingStreet and creator of The Wire.
9.If you were stranded on a desert island what three items would you take withyou?Linda and Sophie. Iknow these aren't items, but I just love their company and it would make anydesert island tolerable. My thirditem? My laptop with an internetconnection.
Since I first read 2001: A Space Odyssey back in 1967 I'veread books, they have pretty well been my constant companion. As a family we have always been readers, Ithink this is why Sophie has become a writer. She was writing stories from the age of about 4 or 5 and hasn't stoppedsince.I'm an IT consultant. I run my own business in Cheshire and supply my services to any company,but I tend to be most attractive to banks and large IT services companies. I used to be proud of working for banks, butnowadays I tell people that I work in a gay bar selling my body for money, asit doesn't carry such a social stigma.
1.What genre do you prefer to read? I've become more drawn into non-fiction of late. Whether this is Kindle related, I'm reallynot sure. Also, I tend to be led byauthors at the moment. The authors onGoodreads continue to attract me to their work as well.
2.Is there a favourite book you've read more than a fewtimes because you found the story so engrossing? Dean Coontz Lightning is one of my regular reads. It has a great plot and the author is so muchbetter than Stephen King. The other bookI have read a few times is Stephen Coonts Minotaur. This is a great techno-thriller that reallyworks. There is one section covering 2-3pages where the writer describes a test aircraft that 'departs' in midair. The moment by moment description iselectric.
3.Do you read paperbacks or ebooks more? I like to think that I can read either, but I've read 3-4ebooks whilst trying to read Ian Rankin's The Falls in paperback. It is just so much easier to read the Kindle.
4.If you have an ereader has your reading increased orchanged in any way? I've always been an avid reader. My wife has always said I'd read anythinganywhere.
5.Have you ever thought of penning a book yourself? I'm currently writing a fictional book called Bump. It's a contemporary thriller. Whether it will ever see the light of day isanyone's guess, but we'll see. I'm alsowriting a short piece about my medical experience a few years ago called GoodMorning Dr Horner. Mind you, I thinkI'll leave the glory to my daughter Sophie. Her book, A Hole in the World is brilliant. She is a much better writer than I'll ever be.
6.What makes a book an absolute must read in your eyes? Is it characterisationor plot that's more important? I need a good synopsis
7.In the ebook world what do you consider is the best way tograb a readers attention? I think it has to be reviews. If there is one or more genuine positivereviews this gets my attention every time.
8.Name 6 authors you'd invite to dinner. Marc Levinson, author of "The Box: How the ShippingContainer Made the World Smaller and the World Economy Bigger."Sophie Robbins, author of "A Hole in the World."Stephen Coonts , author of "The Minotaur".Sameem Ali, author of "Belonging".Chris Petersen, author of "Tear in Time".David Simon, author of Homicide: A Year on the KillingStreet and creator of The Wire.
9.If you were stranded on a desert island what three items would you take withyou?Linda and Sophie. Iknow these aren't items, but I just love their company and it would make anydesert island tolerable. My thirditem? My laptop with an internetconnection.
September 28, 2011
Welcome to the website for author, Mel Comley. There's lo...
Welcome to the website for author, Mel Comley. There's lots of information here about my books as well as author and reader interviews and updates from me as I work on my latest work-in-progress.
Another great reader interview.
1.
I'm Graham Reynolds, 62, English, retired from a profession in the building industry. I read and travel quite a lot hence the purchase of a Kindle.
1. What genre do you prefer to read? Adventure, action, detective, military history, Harry Potter, spies, travel books.
2. Is there a favourite book you've read more than a few times because you found the story so engrossing? All the Jack Reacher books by Lee Child. After a few months I can reread anything with only the vaguest recollection of reading it before, it's one of the advantages of getting older.
3. Do you read paperbacks or ebooks more? At the moment paperbacks but that could soon change as I get used to my Kindle.
4. If you have an ereader has your reading increased or changed in any way? Not yet.
5. Have you ever thought of penning a book yourself? I tried but I got stuck with the plot and now realise it was rubbish anyway.
6. What makes a book an absolute must read in your eyes? Is it characterisation or plot that's more important? Quite frankly it's usually the author I look for first, then the plot.
7.In the ebook world what do you consider is the best way to grab a reader's attention? Plot summary. Price.
8. Name 6 authors you'd invite to dinner. Lee Child, Jeffery Deaver, Winston Churchill, Bernard Cornwell, JK Rowling, Dean Koontz.
9. If you were stranded on a desert island what three items would you take with you? MP3 player, Kindle, Shotgun.
I
I'm Graham Reynolds, 62, English, retired from a profession in the building industry. I read and travel quite a lot hence the purchase of a Kindle.
1. What genre do you prefer to read? Adventure, action, detective, military history, Harry Potter, spies, travel books.
2. Is there a favourite book you've read more than a few times because you found the story so engrossing? All the Jack Reacher books by Lee Child. After a few months I can reread anything with only the vaguest recollection of reading it before, it's one of the advantages of getting older.
3. Do you read paperbacks or ebooks more? At the moment paperbacks but that could soon change as I get used to my Kindle.
4. If you have an ereader has your reading increased or changed in any way? Not yet.
5. Have you ever thought of penning a book yourself? I tried but I got stuck with the plot and now realise it was rubbish anyway.
6. What makes a book an absolute must read in your eyes? Is it characterisation or plot that's more important? Quite frankly it's usually the author I look for first, then the plot.
7.In the ebook world what do you consider is the best way to grab a reader's attention? Plot summary. Price.
8. Name 6 authors you'd invite to dinner. Lee Child, Jeffery Deaver, Winston Churchill, Bernard Cornwell, JK Rowling, Dean Koontz.
9. If you were stranded on a desert island what three items would you take with you? MP3 player, Kindle, Shotgun.
I
September 27, 2011
Interview with a reader.
Here's my first interview with a reader, their views are always important, without them we wouldn't write!
My name is Katy. I'm 17 years old and love reading. I drink too much tea and am slowly converting my boyfriend to Kindle!
1.What genre do you prefer to read?
I'll read anything, from horror to romance!
2.Is there a favourite book you've read more than a few times because you found the story so engrossing?
Too many to count! Wind in the Willows, Black Beauty, The Time Machine, to name a few!
3.Do you read paperbacks or ebooks more?
Ebooks, due to all the freebies!
4.If you have an ereader has your reading increased or changed in any way?
My reading has increased because ebooks are easier to get hold of! I love being able to have a new book in minutes (a great thing when you live in the middle of no where). Also, being able to have 6+ books on the go without needing atleast 6 booksmarks is great!
5.Have you ever thought of penning a book yourself?
I'm in the middle of trying..
6.What makes a book an absolute must read in your eyes? Is it characterisation or plot that's more important?
Both the plot and characterizations are important, in my opinion. You need a good plot!
7.In the ebook world what do you consider is the best way to grab a readers attention?
A good book cover and the price! I know you're not supposed to judge a book by it's cover, but we all do! Right..? or is that just me..? Hmmm...
8.Name 6 authors you'd invite to dinner.
Mel Comley, Shaun Jeffrey, Willie Wit, Steve Robinson, Stephen James and Mira Grant! (all authors I have discovered since getting my Kindle!)
9.If you were stranded on a desert island what three items would you take with you?
My Kindle, My mobile phone, and a solar powered battery charger (for both)
Thanks Katy for dropping by, and good luck with your writing! ;-)
My name is Katy. I'm 17 years old and love reading. I drink too much tea and am slowly converting my boyfriend to Kindle!
1.What genre do you prefer to read?
I'll read anything, from horror to romance!
2.Is there a favourite book you've read more than a few times because you found the story so engrossing?
Too many to count! Wind in the Willows, Black Beauty, The Time Machine, to name a few!
3.Do you read paperbacks or ebooks more?
Ebooks, due to all the freebies!
4.If you have an ereader has your reading increased or changed in any way?
My reading has increased because ebooks are easier to get hold of! I love being able to have a new book in minutes (a great thing when you live in the middle of no where). Also, being able to have 6+ books on the go without needing atleast 6 booksmarks is great!
5.Have you ever thought of penning a book yourself?
I'm in the middle of trying..
6.What makes a book an absolute must read in your eyes? Is it characterisation or plot that's more important?
Both the plot and characterizations are important, in my opinion. You need a good plot!
7.In the ebook world what do you consider is the best way to grab a readers attention?
A good book cover and the price! I know you're not supposed to judge a book by it's cover, but we all do! Right..? or is that just me..? Hmmm...
8.Name 6 authors you'd invite to dinner.
Mel Comley, Shaun Jeffrey, Willie Wit, Steve Robinson, Stephen James and Mira Grant! (all authors I have discovered since getting my Kindle!)
9.If you were stranded on a desert island what three items would you take with you?
My Kindle, My mobile phone, and a solar powered battery charger (for both)
Thanks Katy for dropping by, and good luck with your writing! ;-)
September 16, 2011
Editing going well.
Well with the house quiet because of my 'Rock' being back in blighty, I've managed to get some serious editing finished this week.
Cruel Justice is still on course for a 1st of October release date.
Can't wait, Lorne is definitely back to her best in this new book.
There's also a big surprise planned along with the release.
Watch this space as they say...
Cruel Justice is still on course for a 1st of October release date.
Can't wait, Lorne is definitely back to her best in this new book.
There's also a big surprise planned along with the release.
Watch this space as they say...
September 9, 2011
New mystery/romance released.
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A Time for Change is now live on Amazon and smashwords. Here's the blurb.
Based on a true story.
Danielle Pires's life is going well. She has a boyfriend who wants to marry her and is building a reputation as a talented and hard-working interior designer. Keen to expand her portfolio, Danielle is delighted by a request to breathe life back into the Victorian Mansion that handsome Scott Jordache is renovating.
Her parents, meanwhile, have organised a surprise Caribbean cruise to give her a much-needed break.
Danielle sets sail only to discover Scott aboard the same ship, but mysteriously travelling under a pseudonym. Intrigued, she feels torn between mistrust and being drawn in by his charm.
Should she let herself fall for Scott or return to the security of the man she left at home?
Amazon UK 86p
Amazon.com 99c
Smashwords 99c
A Time for Change is now live on Amazon and smashwords. Here's the blurb.
Based on a true story.
Danielle Pires's life is going well. She has a boyfriend who wants to marry her and is building a reputation as a talented and hard-working interior designer. Keen to expand her portfolio, Danielle is delighted by a request to breathe life back into the Victorian Mansion that handsome Scott Jordache is renovating.
Her parents, meanwhile, have organised a surprise Caribbean cruise to give her a much-needed break.
Danielle sets sail only to discover Scott aboard the same ship, but mysteriously travelling under a pseudonym. Intrigued, she feels torn between mistrust and being drawn in by his charm.
Should she let herself fall for Scott or return to the security of the man she left at home?
Amazon UK 86p
Amazon.com 99c
Smashwords 99c
September 6, 2011
Busy Bee Comley.
Wow! What a summer it's been. I'm afraid no awards for having the best garden in the community this year for me. But I do have the satisfaction of having written three books.
A Time to Heal was released about three weeks ago and has already sold a hundred copies to date.
A Time for Change a mystery romance is due for release this weekend, once I get the okay from my editor Harry.
Last week I edited Cruel Justice for the final time before sending it to the editor. I believe it's my best book yet and don't think he'll find much fault with it.
Can't wait till October and the launch of my new baby. I hope my fans feel the same way about the book as I do, my half-dozen beta readers seem to agree with me so far.
A Time to Heal was released about three weeks ago and has already sold a hundred copies to date.
A Time for Change a mystery romance is due for release this weekend, once I get the okay from my editor Harry.
Last week I edited Cruel Justice for the final time before sending it to the editor. I believe it's my best book yet and don't think he'll find much fault with it.
Can't wait till October and the launch of my new baby. I hope my fans feel the same way about the book as I do, my half-dozen beta readers seem to agree with me so far.
August 29, 2011
Looking forward.
Well that's virtually the summer over with, time for us Indies to get ready for Christmas. It's the time of year every new e-reader will hopefully discover our books.Over the summer I've been busy writing a couple of romances, A Time to Heal was released two weeks ago and is already selling well. The second romance A Time for Change is in its final editing mode and should be ready to upload to Amazon and Smashwords in a week or two.But the most exciting news I've had over the weekend, is the fact that my agent has given me the all-clear to release the third thriller in the 'Justice' series on October 1st. I can't wait, as this I believe is the best book in the series so far. ;-) Then it's back to the grindstone to write the fourth book in the Lorne Simpkin's thriller series.
