Fiona Tarr's Blog, page 3

Which Cover Would You Choose?

I’m preparing to finalise the cover for book 2 – Presumed Missing & start on book 3 – Deadly Deceit but: I need to get the first book right first. Whatever style we settle on for book 1, we’ll repeat throughout the whole series, so I’ve been testing covers on Amazon ads to see if one is more popular than the other, but I’d like your opinion too.

Which one of these covers would you click on in an advert on Amazon or Facebook?

Enemies to Lovers!

This may sound totally strange but I think I’ve finally found my brand!!!

An author friend of mine pointed out that my Death Beneath the Covers blurb and cover said enemies to lovers romance as far as she could see.

It was a lightbulb moment for me. I did a mental review of all my book plots and nearly all of them (either book or entire series) have an enemies to lovers trope (that’s fancy author speak for a theme or motif).

The Covenant of Grace series has it twice, Francesca and Martinez in the first few books, then Nina and Salaman in the last book.

In The Eternal Realm series, each book has an enemies to lovers theme, although Reign of Retribution is more friends to lovers, but you get the idea.

The Priestess Chronicles isn’t finished yet, and Ariela and Culaan have moved on from enemies to very close friends yet to be lovers, but readers will just have to wait for that one.

Finally, Foxy Mysteries is definitely an enemies, now friends with the tension saying they will one day (or won’t they) become lovers.

Big, fat, palm slap on my forehead please people. It has only taken me eight years and 12.5 books to figure it out, or to have it pointed out I should say.

What do you think? Are my biblical fantasy, young adult fantasy and crime fiction books all linked with this them?

The End!

I network with lots of authors and some put The End, or To Be Continued… at the end of their books, but it’s something I’ve never even considered. I thought it was a childhood legacy, only found in fairytale books, but am I wrong?

Do you want to see The End or To Be Continued in my books? Is it something important to you? Comment below or send me an email and share your thoughts, I’m really curious.

In the meantime, I need a bit of help. I’m in the final edit phase of Presumed Missing and it will be out with my Beta team soon. I have a former forensic scientist, an IT guy and two other members who have been with me from the beginning. I really value their input in polishing the book before it goes out to my advanced readers.

So I have two more questions:

Can you help me decide on the colour option for this new book? (see below). Red or Blue?Do you want to be on my street team, my advanced reader review team for this 2nd instalment? If so, let me know ASAP because spaces are limited and I’d love to have you onboard.

Just contact me here or comment below.

Pool Project Done

It’s been months in the making. Many hours of digging, raking, screwing, nailing, washing, painting, digging again, but we are pretty much done.

I had to be patient with this project and patience isn’t my thing, not at all. First we had to change our decking plans. Then we had to make the pool smaller to avoid a sewer line no one noticed during the approval phase. Then we had delays with the spa heater due to COVID supply chain issues and then there was all the waiting for builders and contractors to fit us in.

Building at pool has taught me a lot about accepting the process. I’ve always been on it when it comes to project management. That’s how I get writing done between my other commitments. What I’ve always found tricky is accepting there can be delays, unexpected road blocks, other people’s timelines to consider and basically moments where the project can be out of my control.

Control, there it is, that word that I like to ignore, but often comes back to bite me. Now, as we discover a leak in our spa pipe, I am reminded that I need to enjoy the process, not just persevere until the final outcome is reached and sigh in relief.

So, although book 1 of my new mystery series is yet to be live on sales channels, I’m enjoying the process of planning book 2. I’ve given myself plenty of time to get it finished, having hopefully now learnt that things can get out of my tight control, and often do.

So stay tuned for Presumed Missing, coming out in September.

Foxy Mysteries Book 2

I decided that I enjoyed writing Death Beneath the Covers so much, that I wanted to keep going with the Foxy Mysteries series. So I’m about a third of the way through drafting book 2 – Presumed Missing, with a release date in September.

I’m so excited that I’ve already drafted the cover. I’d love to hear what you think?

Now it’s time to work on the blurb so I can put it on pre-order after book 1’s official release on the 31st May.

It’s my fastest release schedule and I’m hoping for book 3 by the end of the year. To my fantasy readers, I haven’t forgotten you, book 4 in The Priestess Chronicles is still in draft, with ongoing research. Release date to be advised but I’m still planning on more adventures for Ariela.

If you’d like to know when I release the next instalment in the Foxy Mysteries series then don’t forget to join my Crime Fiction emailing list. You’ll discover other crime fiction books from my author friends, often on sale. I’ll offer ARC opportunities to this group and of course, you’ll be the first to see new covers, new blurb and new release information.

Join Now

Death Beneath the Covers Release – Coming Soon!

With less than a week to go before book 1 is released, I’m already a quarter of the way through writing book 2 – Presumed Missing.

When a school girl goes missing, everyone believes she’s run away from her over bearing mother. But when her mother contacts Liz, the investigation begins. Will Liz find a runaway or a sinister crime?

I’m planning on releasing book 2 in September, so get started on book 1 – Death Beneath the Covers now, while it’s still on pre-order at only 99c. Full price will be $2.99.

Find the buy links here.

Death Beneath the Covers Pre-Order

My first crime thriller is due for release on the 31st May. I’m really excited about this novel. It has gone live for pre-order on Amazon and will soon be available on all other e-book retailers.

If you jump in now and grab Death Beneath the Covers on pre-order you can take advantage of the 99c release price.

Can A High-Class Escort Turn Amateur Detective and Find A Killer? 

When one of her girls is brutally murdered, Liz Jeffreys throws herself right in the middle of the investigation. Detective Cunningham isn’t impressed with her meddling but quickly realises, she is a force to be reckoned with.

Another body is discovered and the pressure is on Liz to act. But when she too is attacked, Cunningham decides she must be on to something and it could get her killed, leaving him no choice but to forge an alliance.

Will a shared dark past lead Liz and the Detective down a path of no return? 

Pre-Order Now on Amazon

Cover Reveal Help

Maybe you can help us decide which cover to use for Death Beneath the Covers.

Here is the draft blurb, to help give you an idea of the story.

Can a High-Class Escort turn Amateur Detective and find a Killer? 

When one of her girls turns up murdered, Liz Jefferys, Madam Lillian Fox to her clients, can’t help herself. She’d adamant her skills at reading people will help find her friend’s killer.

But Detective Cunningham isn’t impressed. Ms Jefferys could get herself killed with her amateur detective work and unauthorised undercover digging.

When another body is discovered, the stakes heat up. But when Liz is attacked, the Detective, and his not so squeaky clean partner decide it might be time to take her investigation seriously.

Finding the murderer is only part of the puzzle. When Liz infiltrates herself into the underbelly of Adelaide society, she discovers someone high up is pulling the strings, and one of the puppets is right in front of her. 

It seems the sleepy little city of Adelaide has a bubbling undercurrent of organised crime that runs deep. Will it lead Liz, and the Detective down a road they can’t return from?

Make a comment below or send me a message with your choice. 1, 2, 3 or 4?

Death Beneath the Covers

This is it. My first dabble into the mystery, crime fiction genre. So far, beta feedback has been great. I’ve got my ARC team primed ready to go and the cover is under construction. The book will be off to the editors in two weeks and ready for release late April, early May.

I really enjoyed writing this book for a few reasons. I’ve been wanting to write something in current, urban culture but wasn’t really sure urban fantasy was the right genre. I’m a keen crime thriller reader, possibly even more so than fantasy, so I thought why not?

What made me choose a high class call girl as the protagonist? Your guess is as good as mine to be honest. It just came to me. I can’t even tell you when, but I think it has worked really well. From all accounts, I don’t think it has been done before either. Call girl madam turned amateur sleuth.

I’d like to share an excerpt with you, just to see what you think and a pre-cover reveal ie the image we’ve decided to use for the cover.

Excerpt:

‘Detective Cunningham, Major Crimes.’ Liz cringed at the division name but took a breath and fired away.

‘Detective, it’s Liz Jeffreys. I’m at Becca’s and I noticed something that might help with your investigation.’ 

‘I have a team on their way there already. You shouldn’t be contaminating the scene Ms Jeffreys.’

‘I’m not contaminating the scene Detective. When I came in to check on Becca this morning, before I talked to you, there was a brochure on the kitchen bench. It’s not there now. I find that strange, don’t you?’

‘You could be mistaken.’ The detective’s tone said he didn’t believe it, but just had to say it anyway. 

‘Or I could be right and your killer has visited Becca’s apartment, using her key. I’m guessing her key wasn’t found with her. Am I right Detective? There could be evidence here. Finger prints.’ 

‘Don’t get carried away Liz. This isn’t some crime drama on TV.’ Liz smiled. He called her by her first name. That was a start.

‘I won’t get carried away Jack’, she wasn’t about to let it slide either. ‘I just think it’s pertinent. Don’t you?’

There were a few seconds of silence as Liz waited. She heard the detective take a deep breath and slowly release it. ‘I’ll call the team now and brief them.’

‘Will you be coming here?’ 

‘Yes. I’ll grab Max and head right over. You need to wait for the forensic unit. They’ll need to take your prints for elimination. Then you best leave Ms Jeffreys. If my boss finds out you’ve been digging around one of our crime scenes, he’ll be ropable.’

‘It isn’t a crime scene Detective. There was no tape up to say so.’

‘Well things move a little slowly in the real world Ms Jeffreys. We’ve not had the time to tape it off as yet.’

Liz pursed her lips and chewed her lip. The smart-arse comment that was on her lips stayed put, thankfully. She knew the detective was holding back. She knew he really wanted her to mind her own business and leave the investigation to him, but he was polite enough to not say it.

‘I’ll leave a soon as they get here.’

‘After the prints.’

‘After the prints.’ Liz repeated.

Yet to be purchased and turned into a book cover, but we think this might be the image we’ll go with. Wait until you see the finished cover.

It’s not too late to ARC Death Beneath the Covers, so please comment below if you’d like to be one of the first to read this crime fiction novel. Spots are limited, so get in quick.

For my fantasy fans, never fear, I’ve already started drafting book 4 in The Priestess Chronicles. A tale set in the Nubian Kingdom that combines history with myth and legend. I think you’ll enjoy it. I will have that ready for release in October.

Enlisting the Pros!

I spoke to you about my new pool recently and about how sometimes you just need to use a professional to do the job. Here are a few updated photos now that the iron is off the sides and the soil is pushed into the right spot to get some landscaping and decking started.

Not so pretty yet, but getting there. I’ll keep you posted on the progress later.

I also said I’d keep you up to date with my new professional blurb and hooks for Call of the Druids. Well the company I used haven’t disappointed. Here’s their take on it.

A teenager desperate to step into her powers. A time-traveling adventure. Can she save Druids from a brutal empire out for their extinction?

Priestess Ariela longs to harness her skills to fight evil. But as King David’s niece, the sheltered seventeen-year-old fears she’ll never get a chance to utilize her potential. And when her arranged marriage is announced, her only escape is a mysterious quest through an angel’s portal… to a thousand years in the future.

Immediately threatened by soldiers in the unfamiliar world of the Roman Empire, Ariela is grateful to find sanctuary among a tribe of Gauls. But after learning of an ancient prophecy, Ariela puts her life on the line and vows to use her developing abilities to secure her allies’ freedom.

Can Ariela complete her destiny to unite the clans and rescue them from annihilation?

Call of the Druids is the fascinating first book in the Priestess Chronicles historical fantasy series. If you like magical journeys, riveting characters, and coming-of-age stories, then you’ll love Fiona Tarr’s enchanting tale.

Buy Call of the Druids to leap through time to defend against enemies today!

I’d love to know what you think. Do you like it? Is it better than mine – of course it is! If you have any feedback, just leave your comments below.

If you’ve read Call of the Druids, please consider leaving a review for others. You can review on Amazon here. Don’t forget, Call of the Druids is also now available on Kindle Unlimited, to read free.

One of the new hooks. What do you think?