Ailsa Abraham's Blog: Ailsa Abraham, page 8

A day in the life of writing The Secrets of Villa Rosso

[image error]If you are a full-time writer then being organized is crucial and that doesn’t just mean your work space, but how you manage your timetable. Well, when it comes to being organised I’m at the OCD end of the spectrum, as a 100% certified starter/finisher!

So, what does that mean when it comes to writing a full-length novel like The Secrets of Villa Rosso? Well, I’ve never been the sort of writer who can write a couple of thousand words a day sitting at a desk. I often wish that was the case, because it’s much easier to accommodate within the wider timetable. After all, aside from the current work-in-progress, most authors will also be working on edits for their next book due to be published, setting up promotional events ready for launch day and making frequent, daily visits to social media.

My actual working day begins at six a.m. I tend to open my eyes and reach out for my iPad – which is always within reach! If it’s one of my ‘normal’ days then I’ll do an hour on social media before I begin writing. I’m lucky enough to get coffee delivered to me in bed every day by my lovely husband, for which I’m eternally grateful!

I usually write for a couple of hours, then shower and change to do two walking circuits of the outskirts of Cinderford, in the Forest of Dean. It takes me past stunning views of the forest, through the town centre and along a road that looks out over the river Severn. Then I head back to jump online. Sometimes the planning involved with an upcoming launch means I don’t get back to writing, but often I’ll forego TV and go to bed early to write. But, if the weather is reasonable, I do another two circuits first, as I’m on a mission to lose a little weight. Too much time sitting down isn’t good for you and besides, it’s my planning time and I always take a notepad with me.

If edits arrive I tend to drop everything and work solely on those. It can take two or three days as I like to do a read-through on my Kindle before I send the file back to my publisher.

When I hit the twenty-thousand-word mark in my work-in-progress I simply want to sit and write so I need to discipline myself. Once I get to fifty-thousand words then I’d happily stay in bed until it’s finished – literally. Even if that’s three, or four, days and I have done that. I do try to take frequent breaks to stretch my legs, aside from breaking off for my walks. But that’s just the way I write and it’s difficult because although it means I always deliver in advance of deadlines, I then have a lot of catching-up to do elsewhere.

But my head is so full of the story at that point, that I can’t really rest until the words are down on paper. I tend to edit as I go, so once it’s done I do several proof reads on my Kindle before it’s ready to send off to my publisher.

On Tuesdays, I look after a three-year-old and do the school runs for a soon-to-be seven-year-old. It’s a long day away from home but it’s wonderful because it gives me a break. Well, this week that involved six stints on the trampoline so that’s why I can’t say it’s a rest, but it’s physical and I laugh a lot. Weekend sleepovers are the best, but I get very little sleep ha! Ha!

If we don’t have family stuff to do at weekends, and we haven’t just moved and I’m up to my eyes painting or upcycling furniture (sixteen moves and counting), then I’m happy to stick to my normal work-day routine. My other half is usually busy in the garden and in between our regular walks, we might pop out for lunch, or do a forest walk. But the focus of my life, outside of family pursuits, is writing and I have a hectic schedule planned for 2018 and 2019.

Overall, though, I am super-organised so that the things that MUST get done on the work front, and things like cleaning the house, fit nicely within my timetable. When we take our frequent trips to see family in North Wales, for instance, it’s never a panic to simply take a couple of days off. So, while I do spend a LOT of time in my PJs, I am working – honest!

Some places stay with you forever…

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.

The Secrets of Villa Rosso is available to pre-order now: http://smarturl.it/SecretsofVillaRosso

About the author:[image error]

Linn writes chick lit, cosy mystery/romances, romcoms and women’s contemporary fiction – written from the heart, for the heart.

Bristol-born Linn, lives in the Forest of Dean in the UK with her lovely husband and Bengal cat, Ziggy.

“I’m a hopeless romantic, self-confessed chocaholic and lover of strong coffee. For me, life is all about family, friends and writing.

Most weekends I can be found either in the garden weeding, or with a paint brush in my hand – house renovation and upcycling furniture is another passion of mine! Oh, and I do enjoy the occasional glass of White Grenache…”

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.

An Amazon UK Top 100 best-selling author with A Cottage in the Country in November 2015, Under the Stars also became a best-seller in November 2016 and A Little Sugar, A Lot of Love in January 2017.

Linn is published by Harper Impulse, Choc Lit and Endeavour Press. Linn is rep’d by Sara Keane.

Website/blog: http://linnbhalton.co.uk/

Twitter: @LinnBHalton FB: Linn B Halton Author

Friends’ Advice

You probably all know that I have been going through a bad time with my health, just one damn thing after another, which has (unsurprisingly) left me anxious and depressed.

Other things in my life aren’t brilliant but it’s hard to be objective when alternately trying to die or vomiting enough to turn oneself inside out. I thought about running away. I felt sorry for myself. Everyone on-line was wonderfully supportive but I couldn’t get to the place I go for the most sage advice – down by the riverside (sing along if you like).

The river is where I did my solo Crone ceremony and is a very central place in my magic. Uncle Walnut lives there and he dispenses great wisdom while tapping me on the head with the end of a branch and calling me “Twiglet”. I sing for him as that is a gift of carbon dioxide which trees love.

Before I even got to him today, the fish ganged up on me. The trout are my friends as I don’t eat them and I always warn them when “men with sticks” [image error]are coming and splash the water to make them go and hide. One huge trout was swimming downstream with a friend and asked me “Why aren’t you just enjoying your water? Are you in any imminent danger?”

I had to admit that I wasn’t but they demonstrated how to flee and hide under the banks if I were. Point taken. Enjoy your water, swim happily and be aware if there is danger you can get out of the blasted way rather than fight and get hurt.

Just a few steps up the path I notice an enormous number of smaller trout were swimming around together playing a form of piscean tag and they said “You really don’t know how big your shoal is, do you?” I thought about this and understood – so many people really DO care about me that I am in a virtual shoal with whom I can play and enjoy my water all the time rather than splashing about in a dirty pond of self-pity.

[image error]Uncle Walnut let me lean on him and for the first time I heard HIM sing. He being a basso profundo, after a few bars I could then harmonise two octaves up and we really enjoyed it. I let my fingers linger on his bark and he told me I couldn’t leave the village, it had chosen me, I am the village’s property. I can go away and bring back head-images of other places and feelings of the spirit of other bits of country I have seen…but 14 years ago this village chose me as its shaman and I belong here.

So that has me decided. I will play in the water, enjoy the sun, talk to my friends both here and on line and not think about tomorrow. If storms come, they always go again. If you are cut down, they cannot destroy you – even your ash goes back to the earth to grow again. What is there to fear?

Smiling hugely and thanking them all I took Lily back down the path, being extra generous with bikkies when a tiny dragon disguised as a lizard coughed politely so that I only just noticed him before he shot down a crack in a wall. Another message – running away but staying here is always possible if you know how. [image error]

Thank you my friends. Thanks to YOU on line and thanks to my spirit friends here. I feel a heap better. xxxx

Til it happens….

Ask any woman what she would do if her partner hit her and you will probably get one of two answer – 1 bugger off smartish or 2 hit him back.

The funny thing is that I would have replied the same until it happened to me.

Abusers have a proven track record of making their vicims feel that it is their OWN fault. “look what you made me do” and they have already cut you off from friends, family and anyone else who might talk sense to the abused.

They also beg forgivenss the next day and assure you that it will never happen again. Wanting to believe that your relationship is not dead, the abused believes, accepts and makes up.

SILLY – once a basher, always a basher. Mine only stopped when I came back with a message from my GP – hit me again and you will be sectioned.

The really bad thing about being a “battered wife/husband” is the guilt – can I leave? Won’t that leave him/her friendless, alone and sick (they have to be sick to bash others); if it were an old sick dog or cat would I abandon them?

No – it isn”t easy but hang on – I’ll let you know how it works out. This isn’t the first time, husband number one beat me up – is it written on my forehead somewhere????

APHRODITE’S CLOSET BY SUZY TURNER

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Genre: Chick Lit

Release Date: May 2017

Agatha Trout didn’t even know she had a Great Aunt Petunia, so imagine her surprise when she finds Petunia left her a corner shop in her will. But it’s not just any old corner shop—it’s a corner shop that needs something unique, something the town of Frambleberry has never seen before. Influenced by her confident best friend, Coco, Agatha is soon convinced that there’s only one way to go: an adults-only sex shop.

While some of the townspeople are clutching their pearls in horror, others are open to the new experiences this shop offers. But not everyone in Frambleberry is convinced. Will the women soldier on in the face of violent threats or will their fears get the best of them—and their new venture—before it even gets off the ground?

Extract

“What about wool?” Aggie suggested.

“What about wool?”

“A wool shop?”

“A wool shop?”

“Are you just going to repeat after me all morning?”

Coco shook her head and put her hand on top of Aggie’s. “Aggie, honey. You’re twenty-eight years old, not seventy-eight. Why, oh why would you want to sell wool to all the old biddies of Frambleberry all day long?”

Aggie shrugged, “It wouldn’t be so bad. Some of those old biddies are quite lovely.”

“Oh yeah, I forgot they’re some of your neighbours. You really need to find yourself another house. Living in a bungalow is for retired people,” she mouthed as an old lady walked past and scowled at her.

Coco raised her eyebrows and returned her attention to Aggie.

“Come on, there must be an alternative business opportunity needed in this town. Oh my God. I mean, seriously O-M-G,”

“What? What Coco?”

Coco began to grin at her best friend as she sat up straight. “I’ve got it. It’s bloody brilliant. I can’t believe I didn’t think of it earlier. It’s perfect and it’s a proper money earner, Aggie. There’s potential to earn squillions here. Oh my God…I’m so excited. I could so help with the decor. I’ve got ideas swimming about in my head already. We must get on to suppliers right away. I know a few people who might be able to help, come to think of it. Dickie from Saffron Walden, for example, he owes me a favour. And there’s Selena from Frome. Oh and I must ring Alison, although I think she’s in Edinburgh at the moment. I’ll wait ‘til the weekend. Oh this is going to be so much fun. Drink up, Agg. We need to get going. We’ve got masses to do. Come on, let’s…”

Coco stopped short and stared at her friend. “What?”

Aggie closed her eyes for a moment and shook her head.

“What’s up, honey?”

“Have you listened to yourself? You’re getting so carried away. But there’s just one little something you haven’t mentioned yet.”

“Oh really, what’s that?” Coco replied innocently.

“What kind of shop are you talking about?”

Coco slapped her own forehead and started to chuckle, “Oh right. Sorry…Aggie. You’re going to open the town’s first…sex shop!

BUY LINKS

AMAZON UK

AMAZON US

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ABOUT SUZY TURNER

Born in England and raised in Portugal, Suzy lives with her childhood sweetheart Michael, two neurotic dogs and a cat.

Shortly after completing her studies, Suzy worked as a trainee journalist for a local newspaper. Her love of writing developed and a few years later she took the job of assistant editor for the region’s largest English language publisher before becoming editor of a monthly lifestyle magazine. Early in 2010 however, Suzy became a full time author. She has since written several books: Raven, December Moon, The Lost Soul (The Raven Saga), Daisy Madigan’s Paradise, The Ghost of Josiah Grimshaw, The Temporal Stone, Looking for Lucy Jo, We Stand Against Evil (The Morgan Sisters), Forever Fredless, And Then There Was You and Stormy Summer.

In 2015 she launched her popular 40+ lifestyle blog which continues to go from strength to strength, while just over a year later, she trained to become a yoga instructor. Suzy continues to write, blog and teach yoga in one of Portugal’s loveliest settings – the Algarve.

Lifestyle Blog: www.suzyturner.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/suzyturner

Facebook: www.facebook.com/suzyturnerbooks

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/suzy_turner

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/suzyturnerbooks

Book Blog: http://www.fictiondreams.com

 

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GIVEAWAY

Ecopy of the book PLUS a £20 / $20 Amazon Gift Voucher

 

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/4be03017237/?

Merle (yes it’s an L not a D!)

[image error]Welcome to the back garden this morning where I am listening in to a conversation between Angela Wren and her lead character Jacques Foret

Thanks for inviting me to your blog today.You’re both very welcome so please dig into the fresh coffee and pastries from the local baker.

I’ve brought my lead character, Jacques Forêt, with me and I hope you don’t mind if we take this opportunity to talk about his new case. Not at all, dying to hear about it.

I’m certainly very eager to hear what he has to say and I’m hoping that he might, perhaps to give away one or two juicy pieces of info about what has happened to him and Beth…

  

AW  Welcome back Jacques, and you’re not in uniform I see.

JF  Yes, that’s right.  I’ve left the rural gendarme service and I now work in investigation in Mende.

AW  So, just to recap on your career thus far.  You joined the police force in Paris as a detective until you were injured whilst on duty and then came to Messandrierre as a rural gendarme. 

JF   That’s correct.  It was after I recovered that I came here.[image error]

AW  So why the further change?

JF  I found I missed the intricacies of handling major investigations along with the thrill of solving such complex crimes.  My last case in Paris involved breaking a drugs cartel and I’ve worked on cases involving people trafficking.  All very testing with many and varied leads to follow.  My current case means that I can use those skills again.

AW  And can you tell us anything about your new case?

JF  It’s very different from my previous cases and involves commercial sabotage, but some the evidence is pointing to other types of crime.  The more I delve the more complex this case is becoming.

AW  How interesting.  Any suspects yet or dead bodies?

JF   It’s early days.  I only picked up the investigation a week ago, but there are a number of suspects that need to be narrowed down.  There are also some lines of enquiry that are leading me to believe that there are other malpractices that need to be investigated which might mean there is fraud to be uncovered.  There are no dead bodies at the moment but… if the evidence does lead me where I think it might, then yes, someone might have the motive to commit such a serious crime.  Naturally I will do all I can to ensure that doesn’t happen.

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AW  Of course.  Working in Mende, has that meant many changes for you here in the village of Messandrierre?

JF  Not really.  I’m still the Policeman from Paris to everyone living here and I still seem to be the first person they come to when there’s trouble.  Gendarme Thibault Clergue has taken my post here in the gendarmerie.  I don’t want to tread on his toes so we work on things together when necessary.

AW  Back working in investigation, does that mean you’re working with Magistrate Bruno Pelletier again?

JF  Not at the moment. I do sometimes bump into Bruno in the city, but if my case develops as I think it might, then I may need to involve him.  And I will do that as appropriate.

AW  When we first met I seem remember you saying that you would like to ‘have ‘someone to share your life with.’  Those were your precise words, I think.

JF  Ahh, I was wondering when you would get around to that!

AW  And you can tell us… what?  The Readers do need to know, Jacques.

JF   I also remember telling you that it was complicated.  It still is… But I know what I want… Beth just has to make the right decision for her.  Moving to another country requires a lot of consideration.

AW  Are you saying that you’ve asked-

JF  Non!  And before you ask, I didn’t say that I was moving to England either.  What I am saying is that, if Beth and I are to move forward then we both need to consider very carefully how we achieve that.

AW  Well, you may no longer wear uniform, Jacques, but you are ever the policeman!

JF   Perhaps

AW   And that smile of yours tells me everything.  Thank you, Jacques, for being here today.

You can read more about Jacques’ new case, the village and Beth in Merle[Link TBC], book 2 in the Jacques Forêt mystery series published on July 5th.

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Blurb :

Jacques Forêt, a former gendarme turned investigator, delves into the murky world of commercial sabotage – a place where people lie and misrepresent, and where information is traded and used as a threat.

The Vaux organisation is losing contracts and money, and Jacques is asked to undertake an internal investigation. As he works through the complexity of all the evidence, he finds more than he bargained for, and his own life is threatened.

When a body of a woman is found, it appears to be suicide. But as the investigation takes another turn, Jacques suspects there is more to it.

Who is behind it all…and why? Will Jacques find the answer before another person ends up dead?

Merle – the second in a new crime series featuring investigator, Jacques Forêt.

Both mystery stories, set in France, are available from Amazon
Website : www.angelawren.co.uk
Blog : www.jamesetmoi.blogspot.com

The Good, The Bad and one WTF????

[image error]Hello Friends, it’s that time again when I do my “What I did on my holidays” essay. This was a belter in so many ways, not all of them good.

The itinerary was changed at the last minute due to Badger realising he is going to be 80 years old soon & may not be able to do these trips much longer. He decided to go visit some old “friends and relations” in Southern Britain so we had to arm-wrestle which of my own pals got left out.

The Fabulous – my two-day trip to Wales Ape and Monkey Sanctuary, staying on a campsite nearby which was behind a pub wot did good veggie menu

[image error]How many Apes?

so we ate there every night and nobody minded Lily coming with us. I’ve been involved with the Sanctuary for some years through Bestie Brenda who came up to meet me and so I was surrounded by mates both clothed and hairy – Paradise.

[image error]Winston

Wonderful to finally meet FB family in the flesh and I also got to see my “godchildren” adopted chimps. Must adopt Winston who is the world’s best kiss-blower who spent ages exchanging whistles and kissie sounds with me.

The Bad? There is a thing called “Wild Camping” which usually costs nothing and consists of just poling up somewhere and plonking oneself down with no facilities. We found one that wanted paying for this! In Walton on Thames we were put in a huge field which, to be fair, had electricity, a chemi-loo disposal point and a cold tap. The shock came when the car boot sale, which is apparently the biggest in the outer London area, took place in the field next door and the “campsite” became an unoffcial car park, dog toilet (only one person picked up after her dog, bless her) and public footpath shortcut… we didn’t dare leave the caravan and go out, even if it had been possible to fight through the incoming traffic.  Oh yes, there were no showers within walking distance of the camping field so we had to resort to hot kettles, mugs and washing up bowls to do hair. Talk about frontier-living!

Being on a new “learn serenity and be nice” course I managed to not hit anyone by saying “It’s only this morning, they will be gone soon and I won’t be here next week”. But it got close!

We had to pay for this privilege of course and it was only because we were just up the road from one of our besties with whom I had a grand time and got taken to that there Lundun – yes, he let me loose on the capital, mad fool !

The Good campsite was in Ashton in Kent where everything was clean, friendly and had a very family atmosphere. The rules were a bit strict but that is probably why all the campers got on so well. Piston didn’t like having to be walked on his lead and showed his displeasure by shredding his Dad’s paws… no thank you I can take my OWN jacket off!  I always carry a full medical kit in the van and so treated wounded Badger with spray antisepti, tea,  Milka chocolate and unexpected sympathy.

The WTF experience was near Bristol where a very charming elderly couple were delightful but I got bullied, harrassed and close to committing GBH on one of their in-laws. While Badger was up in the reception talking air compressors to the old feller, a long haired bloke with a Hitler-complex came back three times to tell me to move the caravan as it was parked facing in the wrong direction. Having been told the first time that I don’t drive and advised to speak to my husband didn’t do it. He came back again. I marched him up to Reception to speak to Badger but he refused to come in. Eventually, in tears of rage and frustration, I made a dramatic entry on the old fellers’ conversation and demanded he be hauled off me.

The old folks came down to see us that evening and were distressed and apologetic which I tried to sort out. It wasn’t their fault and the only person who should apologise was the guy with the “I’m in charge” psychosis. I was good. I didn’t assault him but it came close.

Being without WiFi for nearly two full weeks was hell and meant that we didn’t discover until half way through the holidays that we had been defrauded to the tune of over 1200 euros on my bank  card. Fortunately our bank manager, David, is a lovely lad and got it sorted by cancelling my card and sending a new one to the house so I spent the last week of the hols with no means of paying for anything. I am now trying to claim the money back from a different dept.

Two weeks was a bit too long with the whole family but then I don’t know that we will try it again. As swan-songs go, it was an aria but a bit out of tune in places.

[image error]Lily with her Auntie Brenda

 

 

 

 

 

THE MAN IN THE NEEDLECORD JACKET

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BY LINDA MACDONALD

Genre: Adult contemporary fiction; Domestic Noir

Release Date: 28 th May 2017

Publisher: Matador – An imprint of Troubador Publishing

The Man in the Needlecord Jacket follows the story of two women who are each struggling to let go of a long-term destructive partnership. Felicity is reluctant to detach from her estranged archaeologist husband and, after being banished from the family home, she sets out to test the stability of his relationship with his new love, Marianne.

When Felicity meets Coll, a charismatic artist, she has high hopes of being distracted from her failed marriage. What she doesn’t know is that he has a partner, Sarah, with whom he has planned a future. Sarah is deeply in love with Coll, but his controlling behaviour and associations with other women have always made her life difficult. When he becomes obsessed with Felicity, Sarah’s world collapses and a series of events is set in motion that will challenge the integrity of all the characters involved.

The Man in the Needlecord Jacket is a thought-provoking book, written from the perspectives of Sarah and Felicity. The reader is in the privileged position of knowing what’s going on for both of the women, while each of them is being kept in the dark about a very important issue.

Inspired by the work of Margaret Atwood and Fay Weldon, Linda explores the issue of mental abuse in partnerships and the grey area of an infidelity that is emotional, not physical. The book will appeal to readers interested in the psychology of relationships, as well as fans of Linda’s ‘Lydia’ series.

BUY LINKS

AMAZON UK

AMAZON US

TROUBADOR

ABOUT LINDA MACDONALD

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Linda MacDonald is the author of three independently published novels: Meeting Lydia and the stand-alone sequels, A Meeting of a Different Kind and The Alone Alternative. They are all contemporary adult fiction, multi-themed, but with a focus on relationship issues.

After studying psychology at Goldsmiths’, Linda trained as a secondary science and biology teacher. She taught these subjects for several years before moving to a sixth-form college to teach psychology. In 2012, she gave up teaching to focus fully on writing.

Linda was born and brought up in Cockermouth, Cumbria and now lives in Beckenham, Kent.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MeetingLydia/

Twitter: @LindaMac1

Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4870870.Linda_MacDonald

GIVEAWAY

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First prize signed paperback book bundle of all of Linda’s 4 books with 3 recipe cards and a bookmark. (uk only)

Second prize signed copy of The Man in the Needlecord Jacket + 3 recipe cards and bookmark (uk only) OR an ecopy of The Man in the Needlecord Jacket (International participants.)

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/4be03017233/?

When “nice” stops.

[image error]Nice me

Following the latest terrorist attacks in London I am moved to offer some advice. Firstly, read this article  

Some of us have had the good fortune to be trained and our minds are on automatic. If someone is out to kill me, I’m going to make it as difficult and uncomfortable as possible.

The problem for civilians is that they have spent their entire lives being told to be “nice” polite and avoid hurting people. So first off – get over that idea. Go and take lessons in self-defence.

Secondly – stop worrying about hurting someone. That person wants to do you severe damage so it’s up to you to stop them.

Running away is a good idea if it’s practical. This does not include if firearms are involved. Can you run faster than a bullet? Can you run to somewhere sensible to hide? In doube quick time?

I was lucky enough to make friends with a Rock Ape (RAF Regiment) Sergeant who taught me. His first words were “If your life depends on it, everything is fair.” Yup, this includes poking eyes out or straight-finger jabbing them in the throat (that’s nasty). Put your own hand gently on your throat and swallow. Feel the lump? That’s where you aim for and put all your force behind it.

The biggest mistake most people make is not meaning it. This person wants to kill you. If you are going to aim for the groin, go for it – explode the damn things. If you are kicking up from under the kneecap, make sure you move it up their thigh.

If he or she gets up again, you are in BIG trouble – but they were going to kill you anyway so you have nothing to lose.

Get inventive with improvised weapons. I fully intend to carry a perfume spray bottle of pure bleach in my handbag – that in the eyes will disable someone and it is legal. Handbag? Wow that is a perfect weapon to swing at the side of their head – in the article he mentions computer bags but most women (including me) have half a ton of weight on a long string – hammer throwing isn’t a game, it’s a defence mechanism but don’t let go, you can use it again.

Get trained.

Also – go and do a first aid course because if you finish defending yourself, you can devote time to helping the injured. In our Paris attacks many people died because nobody dared try first-aid on them. OK so if you put a tourniquet on someone who is bleeding to death, amputation will probably follow…but that is better than bleeding to death on the spot…isn’t it?

Lastly – if you are going to bottle or glass someone in the face, do remember to twist it. Your original thrust will do damage but twisting it will remove eyes, tear skin etc. The idea is to disable them, giving you time to escape.

You are not a soldier, you are saving your own life – the aim is to get away. I hope this has inspired some of you to work on it. Be safe xxxx

[image error]Not so nice me!

The Watcher Watched – Eli Carros

[image error]Coming in on the magic carpet today is my new Crooked Cat Colleague and pal Eli Carros who has a new release on 21st June

Hop on down and don’t mind Lily barking, she’s only saying hello. Feel free to ignore or fuss her as you feel comfy.

Pets Lily behind the ears and hops off the carpet, dusting himself down. “Sorry about the cake crumbs I couldn’t help but pick up a slice of Victoria Sponge when the carpet took me on an impromptu detour to Hever Castle.”

Don’t blame you! Come and sit down and let me serve you some of my Victoria Sponge. Gingerbread Rum with it? I do hope the trip was OK. How long did it take you and did you see anything interesting?

I think the magic carpet must have taken a fair bit of a detour because I got to see a few of the places I’ve been meaning to go to but keep putting off. We did the Jack The Ripper Tour through Whitechapel then had a lovely stop at Glastonbury Tor. Then we popped to Stonehenge before we whizzed off to Oxford and flew around the tops of the Colleges. Finally we zipped off to Hever Castle in Kent, to check out the castle and beautiful gardens. Anne Boleyn’s former childhood home did you know? All without even having to disembark. Bloody amazing, I feel like I got something for free.

Oh and we did see a naked man on our way back over to you, as we passed the Cerne Abbas Chalk Giant. I’m not quite sure what he was doing, but he was wearing only boots and seem to be dancing about and waving his arms. I know the place is famed for its supposed fertility inducing powers, so perhaps he was indulging in a kind of peculiar fertility ritual? Or maybe he just got a tad warm, we’ve had some lovely weather lately haven’t we? Come to think of it, he looked a little like that man over there in your garden, only without clothes…who is that by the way?

Oh he’s just the main character from two of my books. Don’t mention him to my husband, Badger, he can’t see him. Wow you have had your money’s worth from the carpet. It tends to pick up on the passenger’s interests. Those who are scared are brought here in no time. Now, the real business! Tell us all you want us to know about The Watcher, your new release.  [image error]

I must say, it’s lovely to see you Ailsa, it’s always nice to chat with a fellow Cat. Of course I’m on a rather shameless whirl of self-promotion at the moment as my crime thriller The Watcher’s due to be released on June 21 st , by Crooked Cat Books.

It’s all quite exciting really, I’m rather nervous but eager to get it out there at the same time. I’m like an overly-vain child pleased as punch that its picture’s up there pinned to the fridge.

What was that that just brushed my leg? Was that you Ailsa, oh no wait, it’s a cat. *Reaches down and strokes the cat. This one’s not crooked though, have you ever seen a crooked cat? I think I’m digressing but…*Scoffs a mouthful of Victoria Sponge, spraying a few crumbs down himself then attempting to brush them off frantically. Oops sorry, this is a rather delicious sponge though, did you make it yourself or is it an M&S special?

All my own work and Piston is very crooked in his own way – he thinks he is a human and hates cats! He”s imprinted from being hand-weaned. There isn’t an M & S within a hundred miles of here. Anything Brit we fancy I have to make. I even do a mean Pork Pie although I’m vegetarian!

Anyway, I was inspired to write The Watcher because of my fascination with the strange and often violent things some people are capable of doing. The overriding question I attempted to answer when writing the work, and I think, the underlying theme of the book is, what kind of background, personality, and formative events shape a violent psychopath? Or are they just born that way?

I was also inspired by the urban landscape of London too, the way it sprawls and conceals, enabling complete anonymity. The perfect place for a devious killer to go unnoticed don’t you think?

If you are reading this and you happen to like crime thrillers, that are a rather dark and have lots of twists you might want to give The Watcher a whirl. To whet your appetite here’s the teaser trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-orEuqrtuo[image error]

And if you like the look of that, why not come and join the mailing list because I’ll be sending out exclusive teaser chapters of The Watcher soon before the book officially releases on June 21st. Plus you can also get three of my dark and twisted short stories, so that’s a little bonus. If you like dark and twisted that is. Here’s where you can sign up:

My there is quite a bit of noise going on here isn’t there with all the farm equipment. What do you, erm, grow here Ailsa? Anything fun? Takes a rather large swig of Gingerbread Rum. Hic, sorry, oh and I should say, I’m having a party on the day of release to launch the book too. Do you like parties Ailsa?

I love parties and I’m especially fond of FB ones – I tend to man the disco and serve drinks, sometimes in silly costumes. We grow mainly cattle food around here and rape-seed for cooking oil. We also have quite a lot of cattle as this area is known for its diary produce.

You’re welcome to come, I’m going to be answering questions about the book, holding themed competitions, and giving away some goodies, including a £25 Amazon Giftcard. I thought that would be helpful because we all love to buy books don’t we?

Everyone’s invited to my party by the way, so if you’re reading this and you’d like to come, please do! Here’s your personal invitation to my launch event, and I’ll look forward to meeting you there:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1541000742597845

[image error]I must say, what a lovely place you have Ailsa, thank you so much for having me and what a fantastic place for you to be able to sit and write your fantastic novels and short stories too. Your fab book Attention To Death, is on my next-to-be read list by the way, I downloaded the sample the other day to my Kindle. The title grabbed me and then the blurb reeled me in, so I had to try it. The first few chapters are extremely intriguing. Plus it has murder in it and I’m a bit of a crime fan. And I do like to keep up with what my fellow Crooked Cat Authors are doing.

It’s been a huge pleasure to have you visit and Lily would love you to come back if you continue to give her bits of cake. Looking forward to your launch party to which I’ll certainly come and your next launch when you will be invited back for another chatter in the back garden. Thanks so much for visiting.

The Watcher releases on June 21 st by Crooked Cat Books. Find out more at www.elicarros.weebly.com and check out The Watcher and all the other fantastic books from Crooked Cat Authors at: http://www.crookedcatbooks.com/author-book/eli-carros/

Kindred Spirits: Royal Mile

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Back in the Old Country

I’m delighted to do this interview today because my good friend and fellow-Crooked Cat author Jennifer Wilson has invited me to meet her in Edinburgh, which is where my mother’s family come from.

I put Lily-dog’s warm coat on and bundled myself in a load of hand-knits and we took the magic carpet over the water from France.

So here we are, trotting up the Royal Mile…Oh! A piper. I’m just going to stand here and grin inanely at him. I adore the pipes.

Hello, Jennifer! Sorry I was filling up there. How are you? Let’s get out of this wind and go for a nice cup of tea somewhere.

Hi Ailsa! Lovely to see you. And I’m the same – could spend hours listening to a piper. The solo-playing at the end of the Tattoo [image error]always turns me to mush.

Where can we go for a cuppa? I’m parched. 

Well, as it’s such a lovely day, and we have Lily with us, I thought we’d enjoy the sunshine, and go al fresco with a cuppa from the kiosk in Princes Street Gardens, if that works for you? You mentioned a transporter? It’ll only take a moment, and we can pop back up for more wanderings later.

Now, Lady, you have another book coming out which is why we are here. It is set in Edinburgh, isn’t it?

I do, it’s released today, and it is indeed set in this fair city. Kindred Spirits: Royal Mile explores the spirit (and spirits) of the Mile, with particular focus on Mary, Queen of Scots, but there are plenty of other characters to get to know up here. I’m having an online launch today on Facebook, and I’d love to see you and your readers there (click here for info and to join in the fun – there are prizes up for grabs!).

Can you show me any of the places that feature in the book (I’ve got a pocket transporter to get to places quickly and unseen)

It’s a bit of a trek, but with that transporter, we can do both ends of the Mile, and take in two of my favourite historical sites: Edinburgh Castle, and Holyrood Palace. Shall we start with the Castle? It was built first, after all, so seems logical. There’s evidence it was first fortified in the Iron Age, and was either a fortress, royal palace or barracks until fairly recently. It’s still one of the most iconic images of Scotland, and is easily one of my favourite castles. Well, I say castle, it’s more a collection of buildings behind a wall, but either way, it has such an amazing history (an estimated 26 sieges, no less!), and of course, these amazing views. The café’s not bad either…

Once we’re done up here, we’ll head to the opposite end of the Mile, to Holyrood Palace. This is by far the more luxurious of the two, and is still used as a royal residence today, when the Queen or other royals are on official visits to the capital. The Palace itself is great, especially the final room, which is a proper ‘old-fashioned’ museum room, stocked full of great items like locks of hair, Queen Mary’s sewing, and more. But for me, I love the Abbey. There’s always something about a ruin which is just inspiring, don’t you think? You’ll spot a theme here – the café does great scones!

So without giving too much away, what’s it about?

It’s the same premise as Kindred Spirits: Tower of London, eavesdropping on the ‘lives’ of the Royal Mile’s ghostly residents, getting to know them, their friendships and their feuds. We meet Mary, Queen of Scots trying to deal with her father’s melancholy, as well as her (in my opinion) wastrel of a second husband, Lord Darnley, famously murdered not too far from where we are now. But as well as that, we have Sir William Kirkcaldy, one of Scotland’s last great knights, and Janet Douglas, Lady Glamis, who was executed by Mary’s father. It’s a complex life, being a ghost!

How did you come up with this story?

I’ve been trying to write about Mary, Queen of Scots for years. She’s such a great character, and far more complex than people realise. I really enjoyed writing Kindred Spirits: Tower of London, and realised that this was my way to finally, satisfactorily write about Mary. I know she’s buried in Westminster, but the Royal Mile seemed a better ‘fit’ for her to be hanging out. Once I had my lead, and my location, it was great fun reading more about Edinburgh, and the ghosts which might be loitering about. Bringing in characters and locations I had been fascinated since childhood meant it was once again a lot of fun to write, and I hope people enjoy reading it just as much!

Are you going to stick around in Edinburgh for a bit longer Ailsa? If you’re up for it, I’ll be heading to Frankenstein’s later for a celebratory cocktail, and a spot of dancing![image error]

About Jennifer C. Wilson

Jennifer is a marine biologist by training, who spent much of her childhood stalking Mary, Queen of Scots (initially accidentally, but then with intention). She completed her BSc and MSc at the University of Hull, and has worked as a marine environmental consulting since graduating. Enrolling on an adult education workshop on her return to the north-east reignited Jennifer’s pastime of creative writing, and she has been filling notebooks ever since. In 2014, Jennifer won the Story Tyne short story competition, and also continues to develop her poetic voice, reading at a number of events, and with several pieces available online. She is also part of The Next Page, running workshops and other literary events in North Tyneside.

Jennifer’s debut novel, Kindred Spirits: Tower of London, was released by Crooked Cat Books in October 2015, and Kindred Spirits: Royal Mile is released today! She can be found online at her website, on Twitter and Facebook, as well as at The Next Page’s website.