Julia Hughes's Blog, page 13

J K Rowling plays detective

I'm looking forward to reading "The Cuckoo's Calling", but I'm willing to bet money that J K's private investigator Cormoran Strike never has to hunt down elephants, or comes face to face with an alligator in a London bathtub. 

For Detective Inspector Derek "Tigger" Crombie, it's all in a day's work. Crombie's nothing like my own favourite detective Morse, as instead of a Jaguar car, he drives a worn out VW Passat. He's also a family man – the father of four daughters, and as Wren – one half of the bane of Crombie's life – once observed, the poor guy's probably hen-pecked at home. Which might explain why Crombie secretly enjoys the company of the Celtic cousins, even if it does mean ending up in "An Explosive Time".

All three time after time after time adventures are available at the special summer good read price of only 99 cents, or 77p. But you can win a free copy of "An Explosive Time" by voting for your favourite detective. It seems we never tire of watching others solve riddles and unravel mysteries. I have a pet theory, and I'd like your help to explore further. Do readers reveal something of their own character by confessing their admiration of the cool intellect of Sherlock Holmes? Or maybe they secretly long to be bossed about by rich fat men, and so can't get enough of Stephen Spencer's Paul Mallory Adventures? So go on, indulge me, I promise to protect my sources, and reveal only the results of this survey at the end of this month. 
Vote for your favourite fictional Private Investigator, or Detective.  My Favourite Detective Is: * Email * Submit An Explosive Time

When a circus elephant goes missing on Detective Inspector Crombie's watch, he immediately thinks of Celtic Cousins Wren and Rhyllann, who have to his mind made a career out of being the collective bane of his existence. And his instincts are correct: the cousins HAVE been up to something--but when Crombie finds out what it is and why, he runs into resistance not only from his immediate superiors, but also from the corridors of power in Whitehall itself. Described by one reviewer as a "Masterful British Thriller" this is the third and shortest of the Celtic Cousins Adventures, and contains adult humour and some strong language. Especially when an unsuspecting Rhyllann discovers what's lurking in his bathroom! 

An Explosive Time starts with a fatal explosion; the action comes thick and fast, and Crombie will need all his wits about him to prevent his world - and London town - going supernova. 
SUMMER SPECIAL PRICE - only 77p/99 cents from Amazon.com or Amazon.co..uk

"Crombie's Christmas" a short story is available to download free from Smashwords. 

Your favourite ebook of 2013? eFestival of Words want to know!

The finalists in the eFestival of words have been chosen, now the floor is open for readers to vote for their favourites. 

How to vote: 

First register at the eFestival of Words Virtual Book Fair. 
Then go to the awards hall, where you'll find titles in all genres, and also some specialist categories. Is your favourite there? 
Two of mine are: "The Devil You Say" by Stephen Spencer, and "The Prince's Day out" by the lovely Monica La Porta have made it to the finals! I'm thrilled and delighted for my two friends. Stephen's thrillers are among the finest, if I had to pick a favourite, it would be "The Devil You Say".  Click here to vote for "The Devil You Say". 
Monica's writing talent is only excelled by her artistic skills, every time I read "The Prince's Day Out" my spirits are lifted by the mouth watering full colour illustrations. Click here to vote for "The Prince's Day Out". 

I'm very excited for both Monica and Stephen, and wouldn't be human if I wasn't equally excited to have two of my titles reach the finals. The mischievous but lovable geek Wren Prenderson, one half of the Celtic Cousins is a finalist in "Best Hero". If you think he deserves to win, click here & vote for "Wren, from A Ripple in Time". 

And really good news for all griffin lovers! "The Griffin Cryer" is a finalist in "Best Fantasy/Urban Fantasy". If you'd like to help Balkind and his friends win, your vote would be much appreciated. Click here to vote for "The Griffin Cryer". 


It's apparent that organiser Julie Dawson and her team have worked tirelessly to select the finalists, which cannot have been an easy task, given the high standard and diversity of nominated books. I sincerely hope you'll take a few minutes to cast your vote, and demonstrate your support. 

"Awesome story dude, but it needs more griffins."

On principal, I don't often agree with the sons, but on this occasion I have to admit they're right. Consequently, the publication date of "The Griffin's Boy" has been pushed back, and should hit Amazon's virtual shelves later this year. 

Meantime, if you want to learn what really happens should you fall off your griffin mid flight, click here to read "The Boy's Fall". 


It's a sensation common to all riders, whether your mount of choice is horse, cycle, or a beast of a motorbike. Terror grips as you realise that you've lost control and you're about to fall. The next moment, you're headed towards the ground at the speed of sound; nothing can save you, and all you can do is pray. 

The Bridle Path in Amazon's Top 50!

The Bridle Path hit Amazon's top 50 in free downloads - this promotion is now over, but you can still come for a romantic canter along the country lanes of Cornwall for only 99 cents, or 77p: The Bridle Path. 

Top Class Writers - Top Class Books.

The phone rang yesterday with an insistent joyful noise. It was Charlie – bursting with excitement:

"I've just had the most wonderful news, and I wanted someone to squeal with!"

Now we all know Charlie Plunkett is the girl with the highest spirits, and leads an extra-ordinary life, as detailed in her "True Diaries". I imagine that everyday in the Plunkett household is packed with fun and laughter, but Charlie back tracked a little to explain why this day was Ultra-extra special:

Last month, the Duchess of Cambridge, who as we all know is expecting her first baby, revealed she was considering a "Hypnobirth". Charlie reasoned that her own experience of a Hypnobirth, as recounted in her "True Diary of A Mum to Be" might be of interest to the happy expectant couple. Without telling anyone, Charlie posted her book off to Buckingham Palace, together with its companion "True Diary of Baby's First Year" and also "100 Little Words on Parenthood", a compilation of advice and memories of the special child in their world from mums, dads and grandparents from all walks of life.

Yesterday, Charlie's postman delivered a very special envelope, bearing a crest, from St James's Palace. I don't often squeal, but Charlie had to read the letter's contents out twice to me! I couldn't be more thrilled and excited, and am still walking on air, so heavens knows Charlie must still be way above cloud ninety-nine!

When I could speak, the first thing I said was 'Oh congratulations!' Followed by 'you must publish this letter!'

'Julia, I'm afraid wild horses couldn't make me reveal the contents of this letter publicly. It's marked "private and confidential"' Charlie replied, 'although I couldn't resist posting a photo of the Royal Crest on Facebook. I simply had to share the excitement with all my wonderful author friends who contributed to "100 Little Words on Parenthood".

'I'm sure they'll all be thrilled to think that their anecdotes and stories are on the bookshelves of St James's Palace. However, it's enough for me to know that my gift has been acknowledged, and is appreciated.' Quite right too.

My friend has class. 
Class, of course is something that money can't buy. But another friend, Sean Campbell who also knows more than a thing or two about class, has produced the definite guide to the British Peerage System. 

While I harbour no aspirations of ever becoming a lady, I do nurture ambitions of writing the next "Downton Abbey" novel, so I immediately downloaded a copy of "How (not) to become a Lord or Lady" by Sean Campbell. You can download your copy now for £3.99, from Amazon. This concise and definitive guide to the British Peerage System also makes intriguing reading for anyone interested in history, sociology, or peering into how the other half live. Thoroughly recommended.  From the Sublime to the Ridiculous - and the 200 boozy challenges in what can only be described as a fine example of the genre "Prick Lit" are fantastically offensive, but also, according to the #1 son fantastically funny. At the moment "Slag Night" by Max O'Toole is free to download - the usual price is only 99p, and if you want to know how a Slag Night differs from a Stag Night - it doesn't. Not in terms of drinking, or playing hilarious pub games that are sure to end in tears - of laughter!  

Feed your romance - Free!

A good day for romance lovers: The Bridle Path , a romantic adventure set in Cornwall is free to download today, as is a true life romantic story: Charlie Plunkett's " True Diary of A Bride to Be ".  
Download Free! The Bridle Path.

"What does any thirty something single woman wish for most?" 
The Bridle Path is free from today until Friday 28th June. (Midnight PST) Download Free! "Diary of a Bride to Be"

"The True Diary of a Bride-to-be is a fresh, funny insight into the realities of planning a fairy-tale wedding."
-- Sussex Life Magazine

"The True Diary of a Bride to Be" is free until Tuesday 25th June. (Midnight EST)

Win an advance reader's copy of "The Griffin's Boy".

Balkind & Friends by Damian Harrison Last chance to gather your paints and colour pencils and bring the sketch of Balkind and friends to life. This contest closes at midnight tonight. Full details on Charlie Plunkett's site. The winner will receive an advance reader copy of 
"The Griffin's Boy". 

Release date for "The Griffin's Boy"

COUNTDOWN WIDGET Parallel Universes do exist; in one of them, is our own Earth's twin: Ella-Earth: 
In 1066; two invading forces were successfully repelled, the Norwegian Vikings, and William of Normandy. Britain is still divided into tribes, with Chieftains, Lords and Princes. 
There is another crucial difference: Evolution has taken a different path, a species known as griffins rule the sky. To become a Griffin Rider, is to become part of an elite group: something a nameless nobody would be a fool to hope for. 
Yet only a fool gives up hope, when hope is all that's left. 

"The Griffin's Boy" Available to download from July lst, 2013. 

Can't wait? To win an advance reader copy, visit Charlie Plunkett's blog, and enter her free competition. But hurry, entries close 16th June.

Creepy inspiration for horror writers?

Shuffling through old favourites, and "must reads" requires self-control if a purge of the bookshelves is to succeed. However, there's one little book that stops me in my tracks every time I come across it. I've no recollection of buying it, so I've a feeling it once belonged to my dad, although it isn't his name written in pencil on the cover. No publication date either, though readers are addressed by a term once used to identify Native Americans, and the author calls himself Big Chief I-SPY, and claims to live in a Wigwam, on the banks of the River Thames. (aka Charles Warrell, who lived for 106 years). 

Political incorrectness aside, the I-SPY series produced some great little "explorer" books. Pocket sized, and illustrated with exquisite cameos, with easy to follow text that invited children to add their own notes. Long before game-boys and such like, these books were considered essential to keep the kids amused on long journeys. According to Big Chief I-SPY, in the UK alone, there's over ten thousand different types of insect. Most of ours are pretty benign, unless you happen to be another insect: from the book's preface:

"The insects in this book are specially selected, and they include poisoners, paralysers, stingers, stinkers, bloodsuckers, and thieves – a sinister sounding crew."

Now, boys and girls, all you need do is substitute the word "characters" for "insects", to write the creepiest horror story ever. 
In other news: "An Explosive Time" is featured in today's Kindle Books and Tips as a "Bargain Book". I know many of you have already enjoyed this read, but by clicking this link - you can like the facebook page and help "An Explosive Time" gain visibility. Not only that but - and here's the best bit - you'll also find lots of other free and bargain books. That's a triple whammy! 

A Couple of Free Action Adventure & mystery ebooks for your Kindle:

FREE today & Sunday: 

"Third Time Lucky" 
A Paul Mallory thriller. When news analyst and special assignment reporter Paul Mallory finally gets offered an overseas gig he actually wants, he's suspicious...but not suspicious enough to turn it down. Not when the job involves going to Riga, Latvia to cover the greatest chess tournament of all time, and certainly not when the leading player is 18-year-old phenom Anna Berzina, whose photo shoots in Sports Illustrated and Maxim reveal her to be far more than just another beautiful mind.

If only that was all there was to it. But Latvia's on the brink of civil war, pending the outcome of a January referendum that may see them reunited with a revivified Soviet Union; and when Paul gets caught up in some activity far from the 64 squares of the chessboard, he once again must choose between following orders and following his instincts... get it free today & tomorrow: 
Third Time Lucky. Cover by LLPix.com FREE today only (June 8 2013).

"A Raucous Time" 
Celtic Cousins' Adventures.
Rhyllann Jones's geeky cousin Wren is convinced an ancient diary can lead them to the mythical treasure of Bad King John, last seen 900 years ago. Trouble is, "The Brotherhood" will stop at nothing to get to it first. Even more dangerous in Rhyllann's eyes is Detective Inspector Crombie. This father of four daughters knows Rhyllann is lying, and is certain Wren is a master manipulator. Crombie is determined to keep the boys safe at any costs. This leads "The Brotherhood" to take desperate action to learn the secrets Wren keeps, plunging Crombie and Rhyllann into a race against time across the wild Cornish moors.

“But the treasure is guarded. He who wishes to enter the secret chamber must first ensure he knows of the Celtic rites and mysteries. No other hand is permitted to touch Caliburn, sacred sword of the Celtic Nations.” 
Free today only: A Raucous Time.