M.K. Turner's Blog: M K Turner, page 11

A Pub Quiz, a Hangover, and a Dog Walk

Easter Greetings,

It’s 10.00 AM on Good Friday morning, and if I’m honest I feel a little worse for wear. I went to a pub quiz last night (we came third and won an enormous Easter egg in the raffle), and not only did I drink a little too much, I went to bed two hours later than usual, so could have done with a few extra hours in bed this morning. Nobody told the dogs! So I was up by six as usual, and by twenty past was having any threat of a hangover stripped away by the cold. We had a sharp frost last night, and while the dogs bounded around joyfully, my feet crunched through the crispy grass and my head slowly cleared. A carpet of low fog slowly dispersed, and as the sun rose from behind the trees, a  fabulous full moon was making its exit.  It was a glorious walk, and one I would have missed if I’d listened to my body and not the dogs. So, Good Morning, wherever you are, I hope your Easter Weekend gets off to a good start.

Walk over, my body is now telling me I should sleep again, but there’s work to do first. An Unexpected Gift, the second in the Bearing Witness series, is in the final stages of editing and being formatted for print. Over half of the readers who received an advanced copy have reported back, and I’m relieved and delighted to say that they enjoyed it. A few suggestions have been received and acted upon, so now I can relax . . . in theory. The trouble with releasing a book, is you have to tell people about it, which means doing all the stuff I least like about being an author. So, I’m going to get on with it before I treat myself to a toasted hot cross bun, and perhaps a little nap.

An Unexpected Gift will be published on the 7th April 2018 – it is currently available for pre-order, at the reduced price of 0.99 – it will go up to full price on the 9th. Be quick if you want a bargain.

HOWEVER – a few of the advanced reader team had not read the first in the series, Witness for Wendy, and said they wished they had, SO, if you’ve not read Witness for Wendy and would like to, to celebrate the release of An Unexpected Gift, I have also reduced the price of that to 0.99, but only until the 7th April. Click the covers or the highlighted text to pick up your copies.

That’s it, no writing will get done today, but with an early night, and after another invigorating walk tomorrow, I will get back to poor old Meredith who’s been left in waiting in the wings this week.

Have a wonderful Easter holiday

Happy reading,

 

 

 

 

Help Required!

Hello, and welcome new subscribers,

An Unexpected Gift, the second in the Bearing Witness series, is in the final throws of editing and will then go for  proofreading, but as publication date is getting closer, I’m after Beta readers who wouldn’t mind reading an unedited version.  If you would like to join my Advanced Reader Team, please shout asap, and I’ll get in touch.

If you would rather wait and read the edited version, you can pre-order your copy HERE. It will be available from the 7th March, and only 0.99 until the 9th.

Finally, a favour to ask of those of you who have read Witness for Wendy, the first in the Bearing Witness series. If you enjoyed reading it and haven’t yet left a review, would you please be so kind and do so when you have a moment, as it would help immensely with a promotion I’m trying to sort out. Simply click on the title and you’ll be taken to Amazon. Many, many thanks in anticipation.

That’s it. Short, sweet, and in need of help.

Happy reading,

 

About that list I mentioned . . .

Hello from snowbound Bristol, and welcome new subscribers,

In my last newsletter I told you I wasn’t making any resolutions because I didn’t keep them. Instead I published my ‘to do’ list, and it seems I can’t keep to that either as I’m already behind. Seriously behind. Lots of excuses, and one reason – the dreaded boomerang flu which lasts about a month and zaps your energy. Each time I thought it was on its way out, it came back and knocked me off my feet. I’ve been clear for about a week, but this morning I woke with an irritatingly sore throat . . .

I have managed to put a tick against the first item on my list, and have completed An Unexpected Gift, the second in the Bearing Witness Series. HURRAH! It’s gone off to the editors, and is available to pre-order HERE, and will be published on 7th April 2018. The pre-order price is only .99 – this will increase full price on 9th April. Go on, order a bargain today!

I’d be interested in your thoughts on the cover. My designer sent several through, but this one grabbed me, so I decided not to bother you with voting on your preferred design, and went with my personal favourite – I hope I got it right.

I’ve also reviewed all the books I’ve read so far this year. Have a peep HERE, you might see something you fancy. Are your reviews up to date? If not, make an author smile and play catch up today.

Other than some promotional bits and bobs to work on, I will be returning my attention to Sinister Intentions – the next in the Meredith & Hodge series, and as it’s snowing properly here now, and it’s forecast to continue without cease for several days, other than dog walking, it looks as though I’m going to be stuck in the house for a while. To be honest it’s quite exciting, we usually only get wet slush for a couple of hours. The photos dotted around are the dogs experiencing their first proper snow – Now on day two, and it’s still coming down, Our walk was challenging this morning (for me!) this evening will be interesting!

Right, back to it.

Happy reading,

Confessions & Resolutions

Happy New Year!

Whatever 2017 brought into your lives, I hope that 2018 is better. Let it be interesting, fulfilling, and most importantly calm and peaceful. Whatever your political views, I think we can agree the world could do with a little more peace and harmony in 2018.

How was 2017 for you? What do you like from 2018?

2017 was a good year for me, if more than a little disorganised. I finished writing, and published three novels, and made new friends via my writing, most of whom I will never meet, but I consider them friends none the less. But top of the list of highlights, by a considerable margin, is of course the arrival of my first grandchild, Edie. What joy and happiness she’s brought to our family.

So, here we are. The first day of the new year, time for ‘out with the old, in with the new’, and to clear the mind, a few confessions.

1st confession: It’s a little after midday on the 1st January 2018. I’ve taken down the tree and decorations, cleaned the house, walked the dogs, washed and dried the dogs, (it’s raining for a change!) I’ve showered, and I’m sitting in a sweatshirt & PJ bottoms, writing to you. I have no intention of doing much else today other than eating, and that will be whatever is easiest to prepare, as I simply can’t be bothered. Today I veg out!

2nd confession: I have three half written novels, and I haven’t added a word to any of them since mid-December. As always with Christmas, there was a late flurry of activity making sure everything was ready, lots of socialising, and a front door that never seemed to close for more than an hour. I’m not complaining, I had a wonderful Christmas, but it did stop any form of concentrated thought.

3rd confession: I’m still not writing! Now that the festivities are over and done with, I’m off on holiday. We didn’t manage to get a sunny, lie on the beach, do nothing type of holiday, last year. Although we had some great sight-seeing trips, they’re not quite the same as a kindle full of books to read, and the sound of the waves lapping at the shore as you drift off in your own world, oblivious to everything around you. So, it’s booked, and on Friday we’re off to Tenerife for a week of winter sunshine.

But, I am taking my laptop, and the plan is to get some serious writing done. Wish me luck.

Final confession: I haven’t made any New Year’s resolutions. I’ve tried that in the past and failed miserably each time. However, I do have a ‘To Do’ list. This is how it’s looking so far:

1 – Finish and publish, ‘An Unexpected Gift’ (second in the Bearing Witness Series) Target: End of March 2018.

2 – Finish and publish, ‘Sinister Intentions’ – the third working title of a Meredith & Hodge mystery novella. (An alternative working title was, A Meredith Christmas and a Patsy New Year – I know! But in my defence, and as I’ve mentioned, it’s been hectic!) Target: Published by the end of March 2018, as this will set the scene for the next Meredith & Hodge novel, ‘Family Matters’. 

3 – Finish and publish ‘Family Matters’ (Major plot issue needs to be sorted out) Target: Publish by June 2018.

4 – Don’t start another novel until 1-3 are completed.

5 – When 1-3 complete, plan another M & H and another Bearing Witness.

6 – Do not use social media for more than an hour a day until 1 – 3 are complete.

7 – Write every day.

8 – Don’t ignore this list.

There are another ten or so items to go on the list, but I think that’s enough to consider for the moment. After all, I am supposed to be doing nothing today. I’ll add them later, after I’ve written the list of holiday reminders. Oh yes, and the shopping list to stock the fridge for my daughter, who will be looking after the dogs while we’re away …… I’d better get on with them.

May your 2018 be filled with making happy memories,

Happy reading,

Christmas is coming & decisions, decisions, decisions

Hello, and welcome new subscribers,

I’ve not been in touch for a little while … writing, babysitting, dog walking, and now of course starting the Christmas shopping. So many decisions – Will he like this? Will she have one already? What colour? The decisions seem endless. I have to say with a new granddaughter, I’m more excited about Christmas 2017 than I have been for many years – and I get to spend the day with her. I also apologise for managing to sent the last newsletter instead of this one – I told you I was technically challenged!

The second in the Bearing Witness series, An Unexpected Gift, romps on, and I’m over halfway through. All the clues are there, but I’ve reached the stage where I have to decide ‘whoactuallydunnit’. I thought I’d made my mind up, but changed it twice in the last hour. Those of you familiar with my work will know that there are always several possibilities, and I try to keep the writing fresh by not deciding myself until I have to write it. So, it’s decision time for me, if I’m ever going to get it finished. The first in the series, Witness for Wendy has been well received, especially by Meredith & Hodge fans, which was a huge relief. The reviews so far have been wonderful with comments such as:

“Gripping to the last page.”   “I can imagine it being made into a TV series.”   “A worthy successor to Meredith & Hodge”   “On-the-edge-of-your-seat terror!”   “M K Turner has outdone herself with this one!”

If you’ve not downloaded your copy yet, click HERE or the cover.

Needless to say I’m delighted, and send sincere thanks to all of you who have left reviews, on Wendy and any other books you may have read. I really can’t express how much they mean to all authors. If you don’t usually leave reviews, why not give your favourite authors a Christmas treat? My reviews are up to date, and you can read them by clicking here.

And so back to the Christmas shopping – love the internet for shopping, but I will have to grit my teeth and actually visit some real shops shortly. By the way, if you are looking for a bargain for a reader in your family, Amazon currently have the Kindle 7 on offer at only 29.99. I couldn’t believe it, I paid over £100 for my very first kindle, and it didn’t do anything but allow me to read. I ordered three as gifts, and was surprised to find they even had cameras front and back! How technology moves on, I’m still running to try and catch up.

Happy shopping, and of course reading,

Celebrations all round

Hello, and welcome new subscribers,

October was a busy month here in the Pupperteers Palace – my husband’s name for our home as he thinks the dogs get more attention than he does – he’s probably right. My darling granddaughter, Edie, has been here more often than is usual, which is wonderful, but does mean the midnight oil has taken a battering trying to get everything else done. The new Meredith & Hodge is well underway, and you won’t believe what Meredith has done now – no, I’m not telling . . . yet.

I’m delighted to confirm that Witness for Wendy, the first in the Bearing Witness series, will go on sale on the 9th November 2017 – and to celebrate it is available for pre-order at the reduced price of 0.99, it will revert to full price on 10th November 2017 – you can pre-order here.  Many, many thanks to the beta readers & advanced reader team for their help and input on this. I hope you all like the final version.

Thank you to everyone that took my survey on your reading/book buying habits, over 100 of you took the time. The most interesting results are below, but first the winners of the three 10.00 Amazon vouchers. These were drawn at random from all entries, and those who also sent links to reviews were entered twice. The winners are:

Suzanne from Kentucky, USA  –   Liz from Canada  –  Jan from Hertfordshire, UK – Congrats!

Here are the results from the survey which I think you will find most interesting, and my answers to those questions are in italics:

An amazing 50% of respondents had over 50 books waiting to be read on their kindle. One had more than 1000!  I have thirty books on my kindle.

At least 50% of the books on your kindles were free. I guess about 10% of mine are free.

10% NEVER review books they have read. 8% because they can’t be bothered. Although 44% would always leave a review if they liked the book. I’m quite shocked that people can’t be bothered, particularly as it is a way of thanking an author if you’ve enjoyed a free book. I do wonder if they simply don’t realise how important reviews are to the author. To keep taking and not giving anything back when it only takes a few words and a few minutes seems harsh. One of my favourite reviews said simply: “I loved it – more please!” I always review a book if I can award 3 stars or more. I never leave a negative review, as I know you can’t please all of the people . . . and I guess that book simply wasn’t to my taste.

20% will only pay up to 2.99 for a book, and the same number would go up to 4.99. A surprising 40% would pay over 4.99 for the ‘right’ book. The average cost of the books I buy is probably 2 – 3.99 although I would pay more if it was something I wanted to read.

An amazing 60% don’t consider the cost if they like the sound of the book. But 8% wouldn’t consider paying for a book as there are so many free books available. I only ever download books, paid or free, that I want to read or have been recommended.

32% of respondents had over 50 free books waiting to be read, and some admitted they might never get around to reading all those they had downloaded. 40% had over 20 paid books in the queue. It’s lucky most of us use e-readers or we’d be buried in books!  I will certainly read all of the books on my kindle, I’m now being very disciplined in not downloading new books unless something really, grabs my attention. Currently there is only one free book in my to be read queue.

Finally, I’ve also managed to get my reviews up to date, have a peep you might find something that grabs your fancy HERE. I’d better get back to Meredith & Hodge …

Happy reading

Meredith & Hodge Boxed Set

Hello, and welcome new subscribers,

As promised a quick note to let you know that the Meredith & Hodge Boxed Set 1 – 3 is reduced to 0.99 for the next few days. If you have already downloaded Misplaced Loyalty you can get the next two in the series for a bargain price.

Simply click the cover to pick up your copy now.

Many thanks to those of you who have already completed the survey for me, I’ve had some interesting results. If you haven’t completed it yet, please click HERE to do it now. Remember there are three £/$10.00 gift vouchers up for grabs. To enter the draw type your email address in the comment box on question one, and as it’s #October review month, to have a second entry into the draw simply copy and paste a link to your review of any of the M K Turner novels in the comments box on question two.  The draw will take place on Friday 3rd November, when I will also give you the highlights of the results.

That’s it for now, Happy Reading

 

Amazon vouchers to give away – have you got a few minutes?

Good Morning, and welcome new subscribers,

It’s bright, it’s breezy and autumn is well on its way.  I had a wonderful walk with the dogs this morning, and I am raring to go. There is so much going on at the moment, it’s sometimes difficult to know where to start.

First something which will give you a chance to win an Amazon voucher worth £/$10.

Following many discussions on free giveaways and the reason most readers don’t leave reviews with a few author friends, I decided to put a survey together to see what readers really think, AND there are three £/$10.00 Amazon vouchers up for grabs!

This is a confidential survey and I won’t know who said what unless you tell me. At the end of each question there is a comment box, please feel free to make any additional comments you feel are appropriate. As the survey is confidential, if you would like to be entered into a draw for one of the Amazon vouchers, please put your email address in the comment box at the end of question one. As it’s #October review time, if you would like to be entered into the draw twice, then copy and paste a link to your review of one of my novels into the comment box on question two. The survey will remain open for four weeks. It will only take a few minutes to complete – click here to join in: SURVEY

The draw will take place on Friday 3rd November, and I will reveal all the results then.

In other news, Witness for Wendy has been well received by the beta readers, and is now going through the final editing process, once that’s done it’s off to be formatted, and on to Amazon.

 To celebrate, the Meredith & Hodge Boxset 1 (books 1 – 3) will be reduced to 0.99 from 9th October for one week only, an ideal opportunity for those of you who have only read Misplaced Loyalty to pick up the next two in the series at a bargain price. I will send out a little reminder early next week.

I’ve updated my reviews on books I’ve read recently, and they can be found here. Please don’t forget to get your reviews up to date – your opinion matters – to other readers, and the authors alike.

I think that’s it for now, I’m off to sort out Meredith, he’s in trouble – again.

Happy reading,

Road rage brings on a bout of ‘What if?’

Hello, and welcome new subscribers,

I’ve done it! I have finished writing Witness for Wendy. Hurrah! It’s on track for a mid-October launch. Now it’s over to the beta readers in the advanced copy team, and on to the editor. Editing – Boo! If you would like to join the advanced reader team, please shout.

I’ve now started work on the next Meredith & Hodge novel. Just as Meredith thought he could relax, and Hodge thought he was behaving himself . . . but more of that next time. At the moment I’m wondering if my latest ‘what if’ character might have a role to play.

Do you ever ask yourself ‘what if?’ No? Do it now. Think about something important to you: Your partner, your job, your home, and ask some ‘what if’ questions. What if he/she had said no? What if you hadn’t gone into that bar? What if the car had broken down on that day? Where would you be now? What would you be doing?

I am a people watcher. But I’m very discreet – I hope. Even the briefest of encounters can become a dramatic snippet of someone’s life . . . in my mind. What if he’d missed that bus? What was he covering so diligently in the boot of that car? What would she do if he turned and walked away from her nagging? Why is that child wandering along the street on their own? What caused that black eye? And on, and on. I’m lucky, as now I can offload most of my theories into a story, thereby making them real. Yesterday, a mild case of road rage had me itching to write the offenders backstory.

While driving to work in a 20 MPH zone, I slowed to allow a car out of a side street and onto the main road. The gentleman waved politely and pulled into the traffic queuing ahead of us. Imagine my surprise when the car behind him shot forward and the driver shook her fist at me. She then began gesturing wildly for me to get a move on. I drove forward the few yards that I could, wondering where she thought I might be able to go. Intrigued, and inching forward in the slow-moving commuter traffic, I watched her in my rear-view mirror.

Clearly agitated, she gripped the steering wheel, all the while muttering to herself. When we finally started moving at a steady pace, she kept swerving into the cycle lane to see if she could overtake on the inside. Needless to say, every couple of hundred yards or so, an obligatory white van had bumped onto the kerb and blocked the cycle lane. Each time she saw this her hands would fly from the wheel, and she’d hold them up in disbelief, the muttering certainly now cursing. She was stuck behind me. There was no shortcut. She even beeped a cyclist, riding in the correct lane as he sped past.

I’m guessing she was in her sixties, driving an expensive estate car, and if you ignored the wild gesturing, and the obvious cursing, she looked like someone’s favourite aunt, and certainly not like a woman prone to road rage. Eventually the errant vans petered out and she saw her chance. She placed her hand on the horn, and drove up the cycle lane well over the speed limit, and took the next available turn, leaving the main road she’d been so keen to join.

What if it was an emergency? What if she didn’t get there in time? What had caused the urgency in her journey? Where was she going? Who would she meet at the other end? By the time I got to work I had at least six different scenarios, one of which will almost certainly make it into a future novel.

My reviews and recommendations have been updated here.  Take a peep you might find something which takes your fancy.

I must get back to Meredith, don’t forget to shout if you would like to join the advanced reader team.

Happy reading,

Not enough hours . . .

Hello, & welcome new subscribers,

It’s been a while since my last update, mainly because I’ve had my head down working on Witness for Wendy. As previously mentioned, this is not a Meredith & Hodge, more of psychological suspense with a touch of paranormal – I know – what a change in direction! It’s nearing its conclusion, and as always I now have to decide which of the three suspects ‘did it’. The wonderful Antony at ebook.designs.co.uk has come up with this cover for me. I like it, but what do you think? What does it say to you? Would this grab your attention? I’ve had to force myself to stay away from Meredith – a new plot is bubbling away in the background, and I know if I even type a note, Wendy will lie waiting for me until Meredith & Hodge are sorted. There are simply not enough hours . . .

In other news. . . my darling granddaughter is growing by the day and has such a cheeky smile – the dogs are behaving themselves (almost), and I’ve just discovered I have over thirty books on my kindle awaiting my attention. I think I need to book a holiday and get some serious reading done. Must finish Witness for Wendy first though! I have just taken some time out to get my reviews up to date. You can read them here: mkturnerbooks.co.uk/reviews/

A reader has asked, (some might say he’s cheeky, I say if you don’t ask you’ll never know) if any of my other books will be going on offer. So, to enable you to see what made Meredith the man he is, I’m pleased to say that The Making of Meredith will be reduced to .99 for a week from the 14th August. Click on the cover if you want to grab a copy.

Finally, if you have read the first three of the Meredith & Hodge series – I now have a box set available and I’m in need of reviews to qualify for a promotion I want to run. If you enjoyed reading, Misplaced Loyalty, Ill Conceived and The Wrong Shoes, your honest thoughts would be wonderful. Please click here to leave even the most basic of reviews.

That’s it for now, back to the laptop…

 

Happy reading,