Ailsa Abraham's Blog: Ailsa Abraham, page 7
September 11, 2017
No tricks, just a TREAT
This isn’t the treat but you have to watch it to learn how to get it ………
There you go! Answer the competition question as a comment below or PM me on Facebook and on Samhain (Halloween) I will announce the winner…….
No magic – just fun!
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September 6, 2017
NEVER ON SATURDAY BY SUE BARNARD
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Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: 9 February 2017
Publisher: Crooked Cat Books
Two stories, two heartbreaks: one past, one present…
Leaving her native France and arriving in North Wales as a postgraduate student of History and Folklore, Mel is cautiously optimistic that she can escape from her troubled past and begin a new and happier life.
She settles into her student accommodation and begins work on her thesis, concentrating particularly on one fascinating manuscript: a compelling and tragic tale of a cursed medieval princess.
Then she meets Ray – charming, down-to-earth and devastatingly handsome. Within days, Mel’s entire world has transformed from lonely and frustrated to loving and fulfilled. Despite her failure with previous relationships, she allows herself to hope that this time, at last, she can make it work.
But Mel’s dreams of happiness are under constant threat. She is hiding a dark and terrible secret, which Ray – or indeed anybody else – must never ever discover…
EXTRACT
From Chapter 3
[SUNDAY]
“Here you are!” Ray had appeared at her side, clutching two large white bread rolls, each wrapped round with a paper serviette. “Hang on to these for a moment, would you? I need to go back for the coffees.”
Mel laid aside the binoculars before lifting up the top of one of the bread rolls and peering cautiously inside. The bread itself was feather-light, and the filling consisted of two steaming slices of dark-pink meat, each edged with a strip of crisp golden-brown fat. Her mouth watered at the bewitching aroma, but she forced herself to wait until Ray had rejoined her and placed two paper cups on the table in front of them.
“So, this is a bacon bap?” she asked, as she handed one back to him.
“It is indeed!” He pulled the paper serviette aside and took a large bite from the roll, chewed for a moment, then closed his eyes as if in rapture. On opening them again, he noticed that her roll still remained untouched.
“Come on,” he urged, “don’t let it go cold!”
Mel picked up her roll and took a cautious nibble. The flavour was quite unlike anything she had ever experienced; smoky, savoury, salty and sweet, all at the same time.
“Mmm, this is divine!” she murmured. “I can’t believe I’ve lived for so long without tasting this.”
Ray grinned. “And you come from France – the spiritual home of good food?”
Mel nodded as she prepared to take another bite. “I’d always thought it was. But I suppose this must prove that there’s still room to learn more!”
They finished their rolls in companionable silence. As they sipped their coffee, Mel took up the binoculars and focussed on the tops of the pine trees.
“What are you looking at?” Ray asked.
“Those birds up there. What are they?”
Ray picked up his own binoculars and followed her gaze. “Oh, they’re crossbills. They feed on the seeds from the pine-cones. Can you see the shape of their beaks?”
“Cross-bills? Oh, yes, I see now. In France, we call them becs-croisés. I didn’t realise you had them round here. That’s probably why I didn’t recognise them.” She sighed.
“What’s the matter?”
Mel forced a smile. “The last time I saw any of them was in the pine forests in the Vendée. They reminded me a little of home.”
Feeling a tear pricking the corner of her eye, she quickly turned her head away and focussed even more intently on the birds. Why did such a seemingly trivial thing as the sight of a flock of crossbills make her so upset? But she would not cry – not here, not anywhere. She would enjoy the day. Whatever else might be troubling her, she would enjoy the day.
In fact, she had another six days before she needed to trouble herself about anything at all.
Yes, she told herself firmly. She would enjoy the day.
BUY LINKS
Paperback: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Never-Saturday-Sue-Barnard/dp/1542479541/
Kindle: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Never-Saturday-Sue-Barnard-ebook/dp/B01N4DOV64/
ABOUT SUE BARNARD
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Sue Barnard is a British novelist, editor and award-winning poet whose family background is far stranger than any work of fiction. She would write a book about it if she thought anybody would believe her.
Sue was born in North Wales but has spent most of her life in and around Manchester. She speaks French like a Belgian, German like a schoolgirl, and Italian and Portuguese like an Englishwoman abroad.
Her mind is so warped that she has appeared on BBC TV’s Only Connect quiz show, and she has also compiled questions for BBC Radio 4’s fiendishly difficult Round Britain Quiz. This once caused one of her sons to describe her as “professionally weird”. The label has stuck.
Sue joined the editorial team of Crooked Cat Books in 2013. Her first novel, The Ghostly Father (a new take on the traditional story of Romeo & Juliet) was officially released on St Valentine’s Day 2014. Since then she has produced three more novels: Nice Girls Don’t (2014), The Unkindest Cut of All (2015) and Never on Saturday (2017) – all published by Crooked Cat.
Sue lives in Cheshire with her extremely patient husband and a large collection of unfinished scribblings.
Personal: https://www.facebook.com/sue.barnard.7
Author page: https://www.facebook.com/suebarnardauthor
Twitter: @SusanB2011
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1171386.Sue_Barnard
Google+ http://google.com/+SueBarnard
Blog: http://broad-thoughts-from-a-home.blogspot.co.uk
GIVEAWAY
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A signed copy of the paperback of Never on Saturday, plus ten runner-up prizes of a signed Never on Saturday postcard. (Open Internationally)
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/4be03017246/ ?
September 5, 2017
HIGH NOON
Make a date with me!
Tomorrow (Wednesday 6th Sept) at 12.00 UK time I shall be picking up the gauntlet my publishers, Crooked Cat Books, threw down.
They challenged their authors to do a Facebook live chat about their work and answer any questions readers / viewers might send in.
So join me on FB https://www.facebook.com/ailsa.author
I’ll be talking about Alchemy [image error] and if this is successful, I’ll do another about Attention to Death soon.
COMPETITION – for those who watch there will be a competion for a prize
August 28, 2017
What are friends for?
[image error]I’ve spoken on this blog before about how many friends I have in the medical centre, hospitals and our local pharmacy. Here is a funny that came up today.
Given a few centimes change in the chemist’s the other day I asked if they didn’t have a charity box. We got talking and agreed it would be a good idea. The pharmacist said “We could even buy ourselves a bottle of something for New Year!” So I promised to make them their own collecting tin.
Short French lesson. The minions from Despicable Me are just as popular over here and pronounced nearly the same as the word “mignon” which means cute, sweet, lovable. I found a collecting tin with the minions on it and put a label on it. Not often a play on words works in two languages but as it’s all women in the shop I used mignonnes (the feminine plural form)
So here is the collecting tin I delivered this morning for the girls’ tips – why not?
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August 16, 2017
ETHAN’S DAUGHTER BY RACHEL BRIMBLE
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Series: Templeton Cove Stories # 7 (can be read as a standalone)
Genre: Romantic suspense
Release Date: August 1 st 2017
Publisher: Harlequin Superromance
There’s safety in solitude…isn’t there?
Single dad and best-selling thriller writer Ethan James has no problem being Templeton Cove’s most famous recluse…until a surprise visit from the past plunges him into a real-life crime drama just as feisty nurse Leah Dixon barges her way into his world.
Ethan’s first priority is to protect his daughter. His second priority is to keep Leah out of this dark web—and that means out of his bed. Except Leah isn’t going anywhere; she’s afraid little Daisy is in danger. Ethan couldn’t live with himself if anything happened to Leah…but pushing her away may be even harder..
EXTRACT
On the other side of the front door, the kitchen/dining room stretched from the front to the back of the house. Even though it was in semi-darkness, Leah could see straight through to some French doors at the back, the only illumination coming from the overhead light of the stove as it glinted on steel toward the center of the room.
Snapping her gaze to Daisy, Leah’s opinions on personal tastes flew to the wayside. The little girl’s eyes were wide as she chewed her bottom lip. Leah frowned. “Are you all right, sweetheart? Do you want me to knock?”
Daisy nodded and raised her arms toward Leah as though asking to be picked up. “Yes, please. Daddy might be mad.”
“Oh, Daddy won’t be mad.” Leah bent down and picked her up, hitching her onto her hip as Daisy’s arms wound around her shoulders. “If Daddy’s mad, I’ll show him how to calm himself down real quick. Don’t you worry about that.” Leah lifted the brass knocker and let it fall a little harder than necessary.
No answer.
Narrowing her eyes, she knocked again.
She was readying to knock a third time when the door swung open.
“I told you to get the hell out of here and not come back.” The man’s dark hair sprouted from every angle, his raging eyes bulging and his right hand swathed in a blue and white––and bloodied––dishtowel. His gaze held Leah’s for a split-second before he snapped his attention to Daisy. “My God, Daisy. What are you…” He cupped Daisy under her armpits, wincing slightly as he pulled her from Leah’s arms to hold her close. He pressed a lingering kiss to her temple, his raging eyes hidden behind his closed lids.
Leah stared, completely stunned by this flannel-shirted, blue jeaned, incredibly good-looking man…despite the bulging eyes. She coughed in a bid to find her voice. “Mr. James?” She planted her hands on her hips. “You’re Daisy’s father, I presume?”
He opened his eyes and Leah stepped back.
Apparently when his eyes had softened and were filled with regret rather than rage, they looked good. Really good.
She stilled. Oh, good Lord. Be damned if those weren’t the eyes of Templeton’s reclusive novelist, Ethan James.
BUY LINKS
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01NAMY53H/ref=series_rw_dp_sw
Amazon UK:
Barnes & Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ethans-daughter-rachel-brimble/1125531674?ean=9781488017186
Kobo:
ABOUT RACHEL BRIMBLE
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Rachel lives with her husband and two teenage daughters in a small town near Bath in the UK. After having several novels published by small US presses, she secured agent representation in 2011. Since 2013, she has had seven books published by Harlequin Superromance (Templeton Cove Stories) and an eight coming in Feb 2018. She also has four Victorian romances with eKensington/Lyrical Press.
Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and Romance Writers of America, and was selected to mentor the Superromance finalist of So You Think You Can Write 2014 contest. When she isn’t writing, you’ll find Rachel with her head in a book or walking the beautiful English countryside with her family. Her dream place to live is Bourton-on-the-Water in South West England.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachelbrimbleauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RachelBrimble & https://twitter.com/TempletonCove
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1806411.Rachel_Brimble
Blog: http://rachelbrimble.blogspot.co.uk/
Website: http://rachelbrimble.com/
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GIVEAWAY
Signed copy of Ethan’s Daughter & tote bag (open internationally)
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/4be03017243/ ?
August 6, 2017
THE HOUSE WITH OLD FURNITURE BY HELEN LEWIS
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Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Release Date: 20 July 2017
Publisher: Honno Press
The ghosts of a century’s worth of secrets and betrayals are coming home to Pengarrow…
Evie has lost her eldest son, Jesse, to gang violence. Leaving the house he grew up in is pulling apart the few strings left holding her heart together. Only the desire to be there for her younger boy, Finn, impels Evie to West Wales and the ancient house her husband is sure will heal their wounds.
Days later, Andrew is gone – rushing back to his ‘important’ job in government, abandoning his grieving wife and son. Finn finds solace in the horse his father buys by way of apology. As does his evasive and fearful new friend, Nye, the one who reminds him and Evie of Jesse… Evie loses herself in a dusty 19th century journal and glasses of homemade wine left by the mysterious housekeeper.
As Evie’s grasp on reality slides, Andrew’s parents ride to the rescue. It is clear that this is a house they know. They seem to think they own it, and begin making changes nobody wants, least of all Alys and her son, Nye, the terrified youth who looks so like Jesse.
BUY LINKS
http://www.honno.co.uk/dangos.php?ISBN=9781909983663
https://www.amazon.co.uk/House-Old-Furniture-Helen-Lewis/dp/1909983667/
https://www.amazon.com/House-Old-Furniture-Helen-Lewis/dp/1909983667
ABOUT HELEN LEWIS
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Helen was born in 1967 in the New Forest. She spent her childhood dreaming of becoming a ballerina and doodling in the margin. She graduated from Southampton Faculty of Art and Design (so long ago now, that the place doesn’t even exist!) and worked as a professional Doodler of Margins (Graphic Designer) for twenty years. In 2006 She moved to Pembrokeshire with her family and lives in the middle of nowhere where she reads, writes, and runs.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/helenlewisauthor
Twitter: @hedlew
Blog: http://www.helen-lewis.co.uk/blog
Website: www.helen-lewis.co.uk
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GIVEAWAY
3 ebooks (open internationally)
3 paperbacks (Uk only)
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/4be03017242/?
August 5, 2017
The Spiral of Hooves Tour
Today I am delighted to welcome back an old friend, Roland Clarke, re-issuing one of my favourite books of the past few years. I can’t wait to read the new edition! – Ailsa xxx
[image error]Welcome to this hitching post on The Spiral of Hooves Blog Tour celebrating the August 7th launch of the second edition of Roland Clarke’s equestrian mystery, “Spiral of Hooves”.
BLURB:
In Canada, researcher Armand Sabatier witnesses what could be the murder of groom Odette Fedon, but traumatic images from his past smother his memory, and a snowstorm buries the evidence. Harassed by nightmares but fighting through them, Armand remembers the crime a few months later. By then he is in England, where he is dragged into a plot involving international sport horse breeding.
Suspecting everyone around him, Armand is forced to brave the past that he has kept buried. But what made Armand leave France? Where did he learn to survive and fight for justice? Why is the English rider Carly Tanner treading the same path as the first victim, Odette?
Can he save Carly before he has more blood on his hands?
Spiral of Hooves is available from Amazon on Kindle and for the first time in paperback – https://bookgoodies.com/a/B073W3CLDV
What is “Spiral of Hooves” in brief?
An enthralling mystery full of twists, turns, and suspense, “Spiral of Hooves” is set against the competitive equestrian world of eventing. Characters are thrown together from different countries by their ambitions, ideals and desires, and by their passion for horses. Relationships are tested and challenges surmounted as the mystery builds.
Who is Roland Clarke in brief?[image error]
He is a retired equestrian journalist, photographer, and event organiser. Sadly, Multiple Sclerosis clipped his wings, and he was unable to meet deadlines or get to equestrian events easily. Recently, his wife Juanita and he moved with their two dogs, Quetzal & Treeky to Boise, Idaho having lived in Harlech, North Wales for over two years.
THE CROSS-EXAMINATION
How did “Spiral of Hooves” originate?
The novel arose from observations made during my years as an equestrian journalist, right back to my brief time at ‘The Field’. In my twenties, I had a rough idea for a story involving a Canadian and an English rider, but while watching a horse show in about 1998, the idea began to evolve. Although the first edition of “Spiral of Hooves” took me thirteen years to complete, I used my experience of the equestrian world to develop and refine the novel. The Second edition allowed me to address some of the questions raised by reviewers of the first release and correct some typos, I hope.
Why a Canadian? Aren’t you British?
I was born in England although my mother was Anglo-Chilean and my father was English. I spent a few years studying near Montreal, in the French part of Canada and that sowed the seeds of the novel before I even started on my equestrian career. A part of me dreamt of living in Canada, but I’ve ended up in the Idaho, USA – where the sequel to “Spiral of Hooves” will be set.
Is the sequel written? Does it involve more eventing?
“Tortuous Terrain” has yet to progress beyond draft one, but it has some of the characters from “Spiral of Hooves” so there is some eventing. However, the mystery to be solved by the main characters this time revolves around the threats to two sisters, one an endurance or trail rider and the other a barrel racer.
How much of your books is realistic?
[image error]One of Roland’s professional photos
I set “Spiral of Hooves” in the eventing world, so elements had to be realistic. All the shows are based on real events, so where possible, I tried to give a sense of the settings, using, for instance, some fences that I knew were on the cross-country courses. Some of the actions and reactions are based on interviews with riders, veterinary surgeons, breeders, etc. I had to ensure that my colleagues in the sport would recognise elements, and then accept that the fiction was possible. “Tortuous Terrain” requires more research as the setting is less familiar.
Have you ever met the characters in “Spiral of Hooves”?
Although none of the characters resemble anyone, I have interviewed five of the characters for my website if you want to meet them at https://rolandclarke.com/spiral-of-hooves/.
Is there a message in your novels that you want readers to grasp?
Don’t let outward appearances dictate your actions.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
I attempt to be an MS Warrior and keep writing. However, the toughest challenge is finding time to write when multiple sclerosis is draining my strength. Beyond that, I struggle with the editing, never quite sure how to improve my drafts. I’m better at plotting the original story.
Do you have a blog/website? If so what is it?
I blog erratically at http://rolandclarke.com. Please drop by and say hello.
Please make a comment below if you would like to be entered in the Giveaway for a signed copy of the Second Edition of “Spiral of Hooves”.
August 3, 2017
THE SECRETS OF VILLA ROSSO BY LINN B HALTON
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Genre: Cosy mystery/romance
Release Date:21 July 2017
Publisher: Harper Impulse
The Secrets of Villa Rosso:
Escape to Italy for a summer romance to remember
When Ellie Maddison is sent on a business trip to Southern Italy, she’s reminded why she loves her job – set amongst rolling vineyards and rich olive groves, the beautiful Villa Rosso is the perfect escape from her life back home. But what Ellie isn’t prepared for is the instant connection she feels to the estate’s director Max Johnson, or the secrets they share that are as intertwined as the rambling vines that cover Villa Rosso.
It’s not long before Ellie finds herself entangled in the history of the place, trying to understand the undeniable effect Max is having on her. As their relationship grows, what will Ellie discover about this idyllic villa and those who have walked through its doors?
What started as a simple work trip will change Ellie’s life forever.
BUY LINKS
Amazon: http://smarturl.it/SecretsofVillaRosso
KOBO:
EXTRACT
It isn’t just the sunshine and the electric blue sky, but the musical calls of the countryside that reach out to me. A chorus of low-level sounds play like a soft melody in the background. It’s breathtakingly beautiful and I feel like I’m watching a re-run of a favourite film. I could stand here for a long time simply taking in the detail and with each sweep of my eyes noticing something new.
Spinning around I look back at the villa, taking in the rustic beauty of the stonework and the pale orange-red hue of the sun-bleached roof tiles. This is, quite simply, unreal. It’s a little piece of heaven and, so far removed from my daily life that it’s hard to believe this is on the same planet. The sheer scale of the landscape literally steals your breath away. I’m a mere speck, small and insignificant in the grand scheme nature is presenting to me. But rather bizarrely, it doesn’t feel alien in anyway at all. The vastness isn’t overwhelming, but strangely comforting.
I walk back to a cluster of wooden tables surrounding a small fountain and take a seat. As I dive into my bag to extract some sunglasses, I hear a polite cough and look up at the face staring down at me.
‘Mrs Maddison? I’m Max, Max Johnson. Welcome to Villa Rosso.’
I stand, automatically plastering a pleasant smile on my surprised face as recognition kicks in. I know this man, I mean, I’ve met him before. At least I think I have, but there’s nothing similar reflected back at me, only a warm smile. The sort of smile that radiates out from mysteriously deep, hazel eyes. We shake hands. He’s younger than I expected, probably in his early forties and tall. Six foot something that’s for sure, because I feel he’s towering over me.
‘I’m sorry to disturb you. I just wanted you to know that I’m here at your disposal whenever you are ready to begin. Would you like me to fetch you a coffee so you can sit for a while and enjoy the view?’
Although I knew he was British, his tan and elegant demeanour lend an air of cosmopolitan sophistication. I would not have been at all surprised if he had been Italian. He’s hovering politely and I still haven’t answered him…
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ABOUT LINN B HALTON
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Bristol-born Linn B Halton lives in the Forest of Dean, in the UK.
“I’m a hopeless romantic, self-confessed chocaholic, and lover of strong coffee. For me, life is about family, friends, writing … and house renovation! Oh, and the occasional glass of White Grenache…”
An Amazon UK Top 100 best-selling author with A Cottage in the Country in November 2015, Under the Stars and A Little Sugar, A Lot of Love also became best-sellers in 2016 & 2017. Linn’s novels have been short-listed in the UK’s Festival of Romance and the eFestival of Words Book Awards. Linn won the 2013 UK Festival of Romance: Innovation in Romantic Fiction award.
Linn writes chick lit, women’s contemporary fiction and psychic romance for Harper Impulse, Choc Lit and Endeavour Press.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LinnBHaltonAuthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LinnBHalton
Goodreads Author Page: http://ow.ly/mk3H30atV5h
Website: http://linnbhalton.co.uk/
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COMPETITION (no purchase necessary)
A pamper kit (UK ONLY)
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https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js
July 26, 2017
Barnabas Tew and the Case of the Missing Scarab
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Today, author Ailsa Abraham has been so kind as to invite myself and my lead character (the Victorian detective Barnabas, of none other than “Barnabas Tew and the Case of the Missing Scarab”) to have a lovely chat with her in her back garden. She graciously even provided our transportation from the United States all the way across the pond to the south of France! Unfortunately, however, said transportation arrived in the form of a magical flying carpet, which caused Barnabas no small amount of consternation.
“Oh dear,” he said, eying the carpet warily. “What, may I ask, is that?”
“Why, it’s a flying carpet, Barnabas, come to take us for our visit with Ms. Abraham,” I replied.
“Well,” sniffed Barnabas. “I can’t see why we must always be flying about to and fro in the sky, like a couple of birds. Doesn’t anyone take a proper train anymore?”
Still, despite his reluctance to climb onto the carpet, after some cajoling and a good deal of prodding I was able to nudge Barnabas aboard, and we were immediately whisked away. I, for one, greatly enjoyed the views over the Atlantic, whilst Barnabas spent most of the trip face-down with his eyes squinched tightly shut and his fingers dug so deeply into the weave that I feared he might unravel the rug entirely.
At last, we arrived safely in Ailsa’s garden, where we were greeted by Ailsa herself.
Ailsa: “Hello, and welcome to the Bingerbread Cottage, Columbkill! And thank you for bringing Barnabas as well. I’m very excited to…er, well, is that Barnabas?”
Columbkill: (sighing) “Yes it is. You can come off the carpet now, Barnabas.”
Ailsa: (looking curiously at Barnabas) “Why is he laying there with his face all mashed into the carpet like that?”
Columbkill: “Barnabas is just a bit afraid of heights, I’m afraid.”
Barnabas: (unintelligible mumbling into the carpet)
Ailsa and Columbkill together: “Pardon?”
Barnabas: “I said, I am most certainly not afraid of heights, any more than one ought to be, that is, when one is flitting amongst the clouds on a piece of fabric whilst a typhoon rages all about one.”
Columbkill (as an aside to Ailsa): “We ran into a bit of a rain shower. Just a sprinkle. It was quite pretty, really.”
Ailsa: “Sounds as though you had an eventful trip! Perhaps some tea would settle everyone’s nerves?”
Barnabas: (looking up, then rising to join us on the terrace) “Tea, you say? Ah, yes, well, I’d be delighted, please and thank you very much.”
Barnabas politely accepted the tea that Ailsa so graciously offered, as did I, and we all settled down to have our talk.[image error]
Ailsa: “So, Barnabas, are you terribly excited for your big day? Your story is coming out, is it not?”
Barnabas: (blushing just a little bit) “Why yes, yes I am, at that. Although…is that a cat?”
Ailsa: (looking to where Barnabas was gesturing) “Oh, yes, that is just Piston. He’s quite friendly. You may pet him, if you like.”
Barnabas: “I just might, at that. I’ve just had quite an adventure, you know, with the goddess of all cats, Bastet. We….”
Columbkill: “Barnabas! No spoilers, please! We talked about that, remember?”
Barnabas: “Quite so, quite so. Terribly sorry. It’s just that it was such a wonderful adventure, really, and I would so love to tell Ms. Abraham all about it.”
Ailsa: “And you shall, soon enough. Only let everyone read the book first, perhaps, and then you can talk about it all you like.
Bastet is an old friend of mine so I am dying to know what you got up to with Her.”
Columbkill: “Yes, the book is out July 26! But while you’re waiting for people to read your story firsthand, perhaps there are some things you could talk about without spoiling it for them?”
Ailsa: “I read on the back cover that there was some sort of kidnapping, and that Anubis, the Egyptian god of the Dead, called for you personally to solve the case, and thereby save the world? (Love Anubis, did you know he is the patron god of surgery now we don’t do mummification?)”
Barnabas: (bowing his head modestly) “Well, I don’t really much care for all the attention, really, nor do I want to seem boastful in any way…”
Ailsa: “Perhaps just a wee bit… my readers love to get a teaser!”
Barnabas: (interrupting) “…but I can say, in a very objective sort of way, mind you, such as I might describe the conduct of anyone else who had worked on such a case such as this, of which there are very, very few, if any, other than myself, really, if one were to think about it…”
Columbkill: “To the point, Barnabas?”
Barnabas: “Ahem. Yes, well, as I was saying, it was a case of extraordinary difficulty, and Wilfred and I….”
Columbkill: “Wilfred is Barnabas’ assistant, you see.”
Barnabas: (casting me a censoring look before continuing): Wilfred and I were placed in the most unusual of situations, and faced a host of the strangest and most dastardly foes, that I believe would have done in even the staunchest of my peers.”
Ailsa: “Sounds terribly exciting! I don’t often bump into other people who play around with the old gods. This is a real treat for me. Have some home-made cake!”
Barnabas: “Indeed it was. Perhaps a bit too exciting, if truth be told. But I assure you that the episode with the crocodiles was most definitely not my fault…”
Columbkill: “Barnabas! Mind the spoilers, please!”
Barnabas: “Of course, terribly sorry…ooh, are those biscuits?”
Ailsa: “Indeed they are. Please, help yourself. I didn’t make those so they might be better than the cake (hysterical laughter).”
Barnabas immediately set into the biscuits with an almost unseemly gusto. Indeed, between the biscuits and Piston the cat, he was too distracted to continue on with the conversation.
Ailsa: (smiling indulgently at the little detective, with crumbs in his mustache and her cat on his lap; who had only just recently had an adventure of the most exciting variety, in the most unlikely of places, but who was still able to be completely charmed by the simple pleasures of an afternoon in the Bingerbread Cottage) “Well, I do believe we’ve got all we can out of him, at the moment! Do you have anything more to add? Any further adventures for Barnabas and Wilfred?”
Columbkill: (affecting as cryptic a look as possible) “Oh yes, we have so many more adventures planned! There are more worlds to save than just the Egyptian afterlife, you know.” (leaning in to whisper quietly to Ailsa) “But perhaps we’d best not tell Barnabas about that. He does get so nervous about having adventures, and I don’t want to spoil his fun just now.”
Ailsa: “I do believe you are right on that. We’ll all just have to wait for the sequel to find out what happens next, and where he goes! But “Barnabas Tew and the Case of the Missing Scarab is available now, is it not?”
Columbkill: “Yes it is, on Amazon, both as an ebook and a paperback.”
Ailsa: “Splendid! More tea?”
And so concluded our terrifically enjoyable interview with Ailsa in the Bingerbread cottage. Thank you all for listening in, and the buy links for “Barnabas Tew and the Case of the Missing Scarab” are listed below!
Connect with Columbkill:[image error]
Blog: www.columbkill.weebly.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ColumbkillNoonan
Twitter: @ColumbkillNoon1
July 25, 2017
NOT THOMAS BY SARA GETHIN
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Genre: Fiction
Release Date: 15th June 2017
Publisher: Honno Press
Tomos lives with his mother. He longs to return to another place, the place he thinks of as home, and the people who lived there, but he’s not allowed to see them again. He is five years old and at school, which he loves. Miss teaches him about all sorts of things, and she listens to him. Sometimes he’s hungry and Miss gives him her extra sandwiches. She gives him a warm coat from Lost Property, too. There are things Tomos cannot talk about – except to Cwtchy – and then, just before Easter, the things come to a head. There are bad men outside who want to come in, and Mammy has said not to answer the door. From behind the big chair, Tomos waits, trying to make himself small and quiet. He doesn’t think it’s Santa Claus this time.
When the men break in, Tomos’s world is turned on its head and nothing will be the same again.
BUY LINKS
http://www.honno.co.uk/dangos.php?ISBN=9781909983625
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Not-Thomas-Sara-Gethin/dp/1909983624/
https://wordery.com/not-thomas-sara-gethin-9781909983625
EXCERPT
The lady’s here. The lady with the big bag. She’s knocking on the front door. She’s knocking and knocking. And knocking and knocking. I’m not opening the door. I’m not letting her in. I’m behind the black chair. I’m very quiet. I’m very very quiet. I’m waiting for her to go away.
I’ve been waiting a long time.
‘Thomas, Thomas.’ She’s saying it through the letter box.
‘Thomas, Thomas.’
I’m not listening to her. I’m not listening at all. She’s been knocking on the door for a long long time. I’m peeping round the black chair. I’m peeping with one of my eyes. She’s
not by the front door now. She’s by the long window. I can see her shoes. They’re very dirty. If Dat saw those shoes he’d say, ‘There’s a job for my polishing brush’.
She’s stopped knocking. She’s stopped saying ‘Thomas’. She’s very quiet. The lady can’t see me. I’m behind the big black chair. And I’ve pulled my feet in tight.
‘Thomas?’ she says. ‘Thomas?’ I’m not answering. ‘I know you’re in there. Just come to the window, sweetheart. So I can see you properly.’
I’m staying still. I’m not going to the window. I’m waiting for her to go back to her car. It’s a green car. With a big dent in it. If I hide for a long time she’ll go. She’ll get back in her car and drive away. She’s knocking. And knocking again.
She’s saying ‘Thomas.’ And knocking and knocking again.
‘Thomas.’
That is not my name.
ABOUT SARA GETHIN
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Sara Gethin is the pen name of Wendy White. She grew up in Llanelli and studied theology and philosophy at Lampeter, the most bijoux of universities. Her working life has revolved around children – she’s been a childminder, an assistant in a children’s library and a primary school teacher. She also writes children’s books as Wendy White, and her first, ‘Welsh Cakes and Custard’, won the Tir nan-Og Award in 2014. Her own children are grown up now, and while home is still west Wales, she and her husband spend much of their free time across the water in Ireland. ‘Not Thomas’ is her first novel for adults.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SaraGethinWriter/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sgethinwriter
Blog: www.saragethin.com
Website: www.saragethin.com
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GIVEAWAY
3 e-copies (International) & 3 paperbacks (UK only)
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Ailsa Abraham
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