M.K. Turner's Blog: M K Turner, page 7

Competition Time

Hello from Bristol UK,

As is traditional for a UK holiday weekend, its grey and dreary here. Summer is not playing ball!

I’m a week late I know, but I do have an excuse. I’ve started on the next in the Murder Tour series, and time ran away with me, but first, it’s competition time. A Measure of Guilt has been through the mill, and I’m so chuffed with the Beta readers feedback, although I am sorry I shocked them . . . I think. A Measure of Guilt will go live on the 9th September 2021, and the paperback will too! First time we’ve managed that. To celebrate there will be a couple of competitions, and here is the first, for those of you who have pre-ordered.

Prizes: There are three $10.00 Amazon vouchers up for grabs AND a copy of the paperback version (signed for those in the UK).

All entries will be placed into a draw, and the winners will be the first three names chosen at random. The draw will take place on 9th September 2021, the day of publication.  The last entry will be accepted at midnight on the 8th September.

To enter, all you need to do is send me confirmation of your pre-order and answer these simple questions?:

What is the name of Meredith’s daughter?

What is the nickname Meredith has given Frankie Callaghan?

***

I’ll be back with another competition next week, but before I go I’d appreciate you opinion. As mentioned, I’ve started on the next in the Murder Tour series, the victim in this one, is Rosie Webber, and I’m not sure on the title. Which do you prefer?

Who Killed Rosie Webber?

What Happened to Rosie Webber?

Whatever Happened to Rosie Webber?

I’m inclined to go with the first purely on the similarity it affords the covers, I loved the cover of Who Killed Charlie Birch? – but didn’t know if to shake it up a little. I am also aware of Baby Jane – one of my favourite films. I love Bette Davis. Let me know which title you prefer.

I’m going back to Rosie, I’ll be back next week, in the meantime I look forward to hearing from you, happy reading,

 

Meredith’s most devastating case yet?

Good Morning,

From a very stormy Bristol, looking out of the window it seems more like November than August!

A Measure of Guilt is away with the editors, and available for pre-order. This seems to be Meredith’s most devastating case for readers yet. I’ve had the first Beta reports in, and the one word they all use? Shocked! Will you be? One of the readers said “….However, what a shocker!!!!!!!!!!   How could you?  Poor old X . . . .  I couldn’t sleep after finishing the book. Shocked.” My apologies to Angela, I think perhaps this one should come with a warning.

It all begins with a gruesome murder at the top of Christmas Steps in Bristol. Designer, Lindsay, has chosen a great photograph for the cover showing the view from the top of the steps. I hope you like it as much as I do. If you want to get your copy before it goes up to full price, click HERE.

For those  of you yet to catch up with the Meredith & Hodge story so far, the new boxed set with books 1 – 9 will be available from 16th August, and is half price for the first four weeks. This set will bring you right up to date and ready for A Measure of Guilt. On offer for a limited time, click here if you want to immerse yourself in the world of Meredith & Hodge.

For audiobook listeners, An Unexpected Gift, from the Bearing Witness series is almost complete. Nikki Loy has again done a fabulous job in bringing the characters to life. Watch this space for news on a release date. The audio version for A Measure of Guilt should be out a month after the ebook. I’ll keep you posted with the release dates.

FREE I still have free codes for most of my audiobooks if you would like to grab one. Click here to see what is currently available on audio and drop me a line if you would like a copy.

Finally, to celebrate the release of A Measure of Guilt there will be a Meredith & Hodge competition with some great prizes. Keep your eyes peeled for the next newsletter.

Happy reading,

Follow me on BookBub and you may choose a FREE ebook from my list of novels. ( boxed sets excluded)  Simply click here and you’ll be taken to my author page, and will find the follow button on the top right. If you don’t use your own name for BookBub please drop me a line and let me know what it is and I’ll be in touch.

 

Babies, excuses & a couple of offers

Good afternoon,

It’s been a gorgeous day again here in Bristol, I hope the sun shines where you are. We took the dogs on a different walk today, and as you can see from the terrain, I was very happy it wasn’t raining.

I will begin with my usual confession: It’s not finished! The writing is happening . . . slowly. I have no excuses, not real ones, and at a guess I would say I’m about three quarters of the way through. On Wednesday I wondered if it was the story that was holding me back, so I started doing a read through without stopping for the many typos, and found it’s not me losing the plot – well not with the writing anyway.  I’m liking it. I’ll continue reading through to the end, when I’m sure I will be inspired and my fingers will fly over the keyboard until it’s too hot to touch – if not I shall plod on.  I wouldn’t mind, but I’ve got the next Bearing Witness and Murder Tour plots buzzing around in my head, so I need to get it finished.

I’ve put Misplaced Loyalty and Who Killed Charlie Birch? On offer this week, so if you want to grab a 0.99 bargain, simply click the covers. I’m also trialling some adverts on Facebook, so if you do happen to have one appear in your newsfeed, I’d be forever grateful if you would be kind enough to share it. Once I’ve finished this (almost) newsletter, it’s headphones on to listen to the latest audio chapters for Charlie – as always Lee is doing a great job, and I’m sure you audio listeners will love it. Still have a few free codes for most of the other books, if anyone wants one, please shout.

With not much news on the writing front, I will bore you with news from the family. We had a beautiful new addition to the family this week, my great niece, Maisie arrived a little before midnight on the 20th April.  She is beautiful, and I can’t wait for my cuddle.  Maisie is our second lockdown baby, and my lovely niece Lucy, and hubby Adam, are rightfully over the moon. This generation of our family certainly produces stunning babies. I’ve had a quiet week, as my grandchildren have been off having adventures at Centre Parc, and as most of their usual attractions are still closed, they were lucky with the weather and have had some lovely adventures. I’ve put up a collection of pictures to distract you from the news that the next Meredith & Hodge still isn’t finished.

That’s it, I’d better get on with it, you probably won’t hear from me now until I am dancing a jig, and swigging from a bottle, because I’ve finished . . .

Happy reading,

Follow me on BookBub and you may choose a FREE ebook from my list of novels. ( boxed sets excluded)  Simply click here and you’ll be taken to my author page, and will find the follow button on the top right. If you don’t use your own name for BookBub please drop me a line and let me know what it is and I’ll be in touch.

And the countdown begins . . .

Greetings from a crisp & sunny Bristol,

To say it’s been a tad busy the last week or so is an understatement. I’m pleased to say that some of it has been getting Meredith & Hodge on the move in A Measure of Guilt, some has been the outline of the next Bearing Witness – currently titled In Time of Need – and believe it or not, a rough sketch of the characters in the next in the Murder Tour series – Whatever Happened to Rosie Webber (again this is only a working title), and talking of the Murder Tour, the Beta reader feedback is coming in (Thank you to all of you who volunteered) for Who Killed Charlie Birch? and here are a few of their comments:

I loved this book. I cannot wait to get a review written. A complete comedy of errors. I had to go back and read all the interviews again. This book will be on my mind for a while.

I loved it! I wasn’t sure at first because as you say, it’s different to your normal books, but it drew me in and I liked the style and the characters.

Loved every minute, it got me so involved . . . it was like watching it on tv, the characters drew you in and you couldn’t put it down. I loved the comedy in it and all the twists and turns

Different in style and tone to M&H, and the Bearing women, nonetheless an excellent read, and full of the twists and turns expected of you as the writer . . .  loved the little epilogues at the end of the chapter detailing Charlie’s wrongdoings . . .

Two days to go, the countdown begins!  I’m very nervous, and a tad excited about this one, as although still a mystery, it is different to the others. Who Killed Charlie Birch? will be published on 1st March, pre-order here – and I can’t believe I’m saying this, but the paperback is also available, thanks to the lovely LWP from www.behance.net/lwpmarshala1e9.That’s it for an hour or so, I’ll be back with news on the first FREE offer I promised, this first one chosen because of a review which surprised me.Happy reading,Follow me on BookBub and you may choose a FREE ebook from my list of novels. ( boxed sets excluded)   Simply click  here  and you’ll be taken to my author page, and will find the follow button on the top right. If you don’t use your own name for BookBub please drop me a line and let me know what it is and I’ll be in touch.

Not a lazy Sunday afternoon

Hello, and welcome new subscribers,

After numerous blips, Who Killed Charlie Birch? is fully available to pre-order for 1st March 2021. The cover is showing on Amazon, and the formatting for paperback is underway, and that should be sorted by the 1st. It’s out to the Beta readers, so I have everything crossed they enjoy it. You can read the first chapter HERE. I’m also getting the script ready for the lovely Lee Beddow who will be narrating it.

I’m dipping in and out of the latest Meredith & Hodge, and although I’m having a bit of a fight with the middle section, I’m writing around it. It’ll all work out in the end, it always does. AND I’ve finally come up with the title A Measure of Guilt. About time, I hear you shout.

Peggy Greene has just turned up, and I’m wondering how involved she should become. Those of you familiar with Peggy, will know she can sometimes outstay her welcome. What do you think, a cameo role, or something more substantial?

I promised you some promotions, and they are on their way, but I’m hoping to work with a new set up called Hello Books, and am awaiting my slot. Amazon restricts the number of days you may discount any book each quarter, and I don’t want to shoot myself in the foot by jumping ahead. More news on that soon, and I’ll also be telling you about freebies from other authors too, so worth the wait.

The latest Meredith & Hodge boxed set has been put together for books 7 – 9, you can check that out HERE, hopefully by the time you open this email, I will have also updated the website . . . so much to do . . . etc., I remember the days when I used to have lazy Sunday afternoons!

That’s it for now, except a quick mention to AUDIO listeners – I still have UK codes on all the books you find on the audio tab, and almost all for the US. They are going quickly, so shout if you want one.

Happy reading

Follow me on BookBub and you may choose a FREE ebook from my list of novels. ( boxed sets excluded)  Simply click here and you’ll be taken to my author page, and will find the follow button on the top right. If you don’t use your own name for BookBub please drop me a line and let me know what it is and I’ll be in touch.

And I’m back

Hello again,

As is always the case, because sod’s law prevails, within thirty minutes of my last post,  Who Killed Charlie Birch? went live in UK, US and Germany. Not sure why the rest of the world hasn’t caught up, and I waited overnight as the Cover hasn’t appeared either. Amazon are now working on that little conundrum. However, if you are in one of those locations, Who Killed Charlie Birch? is available for pre-order. You may do so HERE.

I’ll  be back with more news, and some promotions soon.

Happy reading,

Take a look at this!

Hello,

I’ve been busy!

First as you can see, the Charlie won the vote, and thanks to my lovely Beta reader Barbara, I have found a new designer, and she’s a genius – and very patient – which is a given when working with me and my limitations. I gave LWP from www.behance.net/lwpmarshala1e9  a brief synopsis, told her I wanted it to stand apart from the other series and this is the new cover. I love it! And, I’ve seen the one for the next in the series . . .

Who Killed Charlie Birch? Is still with the editor and should be with the proof reader over the weekend. I have tried to put it on pre-order for a 1st March release, but at the moment Amazon have it stuck in one of their ‘machines’,  They are looking into it and have promised a response in the next few days, so I will of course keep you updated.

While speaking to LWP, I mentioned that I wanted new covers for the Meredith and Hodge series, as my previous designer had retired, and I had a new book coming out. We had a discussion about the storylines and settings etc., and she was kind enough to send me several mock ups.

This is what we ended up with, and I am absolutely thrilled.  Not only have I managed to finish another chapter on the latest M & H I also have the next cover – albeit it hasn’t got a title at the moment. When Amazon have finished their processing, I will be ordering a full set as I can’t wait to see them in the ‘flesh’.  I think they’re stunning, what do you think? Those of you who know Bristol will recognise some of these locations. The next story commences with a murder on Christmas Steps – going to be a fabulous cover!

My favourite is The Making of Meredith – that really moody alley is definitely where the young Meredith stopped the attempted rape. Which is yours?

        

        

I am shortly going to be doing some promotional discounts just to enable me to show off these covers (again you’ll hear it here first), and will be using Facebook to advertise them.  Should one pop up in your feed, I would be forever grateful if you would share it. If we’re not friends on Facebook, or if you would like to follow me, here’s my page address: https://www.facebook.com/mkturnerbooks.

That’s it for now. Once these final blips with Amazon have been ironed out, it will be head down and on with the next M & H.

Stay safe & happy reading,

 

 

I’m off and running . . .

Hello & Happy New Year,

Remember me? It’s been a while since my last confession, and there’s a reason for that – I didn’t want to come back with no news. Again. So, I’m chuffed to be able to tell you that I have actually FINISHED a book – yes, one that I’ve written.  Not a Bearing Witness or a Meredith & Hodge, which many of you are chasing me for, but still, it’s finished. And, I will confess that eighty per cent of it was written quite a while ago, but most of it had to be rewritten or tweaked, so I’m counting it. It was going to be a one off, but I might just pull together a mini-series, as I have a couple of ideas for stories with a similar set up. The working title is An Unexpected Turn of Events, but it’s more likely going to end up being called, Who Killed Charlie Birch?  Which of these two titles would grab your attention in the first instance?

An unexpected chain of events, has resulted in Charlie Birch holding a group of people hostage in the village pub. He didn’t intend to, events took over, and it seemed like a good idea when he bolted the last door. It wasn’t. Within hours, Charlie is dead. But who killed him?

As always, the clues are there, in what is a light-hearted murder mystery.

It’s gone off to the editor, so as soon as it’s ready for advanced copy readers, I’ll be shouting for volunteers. This is a cover I put together for this newsletter, I can’t show you the actual cover because my previous designer has retired and I’m in the process of finding someone new, if anyone has any recommendations, please don’t hesitate to shout.

I’m now back to Meredith & Hodge, as yet untitled, and hoping to get it finished in the next couple of months. My ability to focus has been so bad this last year, I’ve now started giving my self daily targets.  I don’t meet all of them, but it has certainly kept things moving along.

AUDIO NEWS

The BIG news this time, is that The Cuban Conundrum, narrated by the talented Lee Beddow, went live on audio today.  I will be sending out codes to those who are on the ‘every time’ list, but if you would like a FREE code and haven’t heard from me, please let me know and I’ll get one off to you. Click the track below to hear a sample. I’m sure the ladies will like Alberto’s voice, and Clara is guaranteed to raise a smile.

https://mkturnerbooks.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Cuban-Conundrum-MKT-ZZ-Retail-sample-only.mp3

 

In other news, feedback on Witness for Wendy audio has been fabulous, Nikki Loy has definitely picked up more than a few fans, on this, her first audio book. If you did enjoy it, I would be grateful if you would also take the time to review it on Audible or Amazon to let other listeners know too.

Excerpt below if you would like a preview

https://mkturnerbooks.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Witness-for-Wendy-Amazon-Retail-Sample-Only.mp3

 

I still have FREE codes for most of the books out in audio in both US & UK, if you would like to try one, let me know and I’ll get codes off to you.

That’s it for now, I hope you are all safe, well, and coping with this seemingly never-ending pandemic. Things are awful here in the UK at them moment, and I think it will get a little worse before it starts getting better, but, with the vaccine being rolled out at a rate of knots, there is now light at the end of the tunnel.

Happy reading,

Follow me on BookBub and you may choose a FREE ebook from my list of novels. ( boxed sets excluded)  Simply click here and you’ll be taken to my author page, and will find the follow button on the top right. If you don’t use your own name for BookBub please drop me a line and let me know what it is and I’ll be in touch.

Well, it is nearly Christmas!

Hello one and all,

The drizzle and mist have cleared, and it’s bright and sunny, if a little chilly, here in Bristol UK.

Christmas is coming, and without a doubt it will be different for all of us this year, but given the devastation that 2020 delivered, I think this year in particular it really is the time to be thankful for what we have and to make the most of it. Which of course, is just what Meredith did when he got stuck  in a remote Scottish castle last Christmas. I doubt Linda will ever be allowed to forget her choice of location!

In recognition of the approaching, if somewhat reduced, festivities, Quite By Chance is reduced to only 0.99 for the week. So, grab yourself a bargain, settle yourself down and find out how Meredith & Hodge dealt with their unexpected Christmas. To find out more, click HERE.

If you would rather listen to the story, I do have FREE audio codes available for both US & UK. I only have a limited number so it will be first come first served. I also have a number of codes on all the Meredith & Hodge novels in the UK and for most of the later ones in the US. If you would like to listen to any of them please shout.

In other news . . . . a reason to be grateful in 2020 was provided by my niece Lucy and hubby Adam. They are expecting, and their Lockdown surprise will be joining us mid-April. Can’t wait. By then I might even be allowed a cuddle. My writing progresses slowly, but at least it’s progressing, and on the audio front, narrator, Lee Beddow is reaching the end of  production of The Cuban Conundrum. For those of you who have read it, he ‘does’ a wonderful Clara!

That’s it for now, get back to me promptly if you would like any audio codes, and enjoy spending Christmas with Meredith.

 

Happy reading,

Follow me on BookBub and you may choose a FREE ebook from my list of novels. ( boxed sets excluded)  Simply click here and you’ll be taken to my author page, and will find the follow button on the top right. If you don’t use your own name for BookBub please drop me a line and let me know what it is and I’ll be in touch.

Tis like buses . . .

Hello again,

And I’m back, but I’ll keep it brief.  Within hours of sending the newsletter regarding the audio release of Witness for Wendy, I had an email from Audible, confirming that Not If You Paid Me, the latest audio in the Meredith & Hodge  series had also  gone live, so apologies for appearing in your in box again so soon, but I know many of you are awaiting this news.

As always I have UK and US codes available for those happy to leave an honest review. Please shout should you want one.

I’m off to do some writing, or this will end up the last in the series!

Happy listening