Veronica Heley and Free Books!

Bea’s garden wall comes tumbling down to reveal a human skeleton – and many more skeletons in the cupboards of her neighbours.

Before we revisit with today's featured author, I want to announce that the winner of the e-copy of Teresa Morgan's No Greater Gift is:

linderellar@ . . .

Congratulations! We'll get your e-book right out to you.

I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to participate in future book give-aways! Subscribers are entered a second time when they comment.

And now let's revisit with novelist Veronica Heley, author of the Inspirational cozy mystery, False Wall (Severn House Publishers, March 2016).

Veronica Heley celebrates the publication of her 76th book in 2016, having been in the business for over 40 years. She is currently writing two gentle crime series; the Ellie Quicke Mysteries and the Abbot Agency series. She also writes a short story once a quarter for the Methodist Recorder.

Her early books, which include more crime and some historical novels, are currently being brought out as e-books.

She’s involved with her local church and community affairs, likes to break for coffee with friends and does the garden when she has time.

Please tell us three random things we might not know about you.

--I love chocolate but hate coconut.

--My favourite colour is blue.

--I like to have something flowering all the year round in my garden.

I imagine your yard with that lovely English-garden variety and flair, Veronica.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of False Wall.

Bea Abbot watches in horror as her garden wall comes crashing down, leaving the rear of her house – and three others - wide open to trespassers. The fall of the wall also disturbs human bones in a neighbour’s pets’ cemetery.

A neighbour’s invitation to Bea and her financier friend Leon has horrifying consequences, as they both end up in hospital. It also leaves Bea’s house uninhabitable, wipes out her agency office and threatens to destroy Leon’s reputation.

Reeling from shock, Bea is distressed when Leon deserts her in an effort to rescue an important business deal.

Even with the help of her friends, can the agency survive – and what then will become of Bea’s relationship with Leon?

What is it about Bea that will make your readers care about her?

Bea is a successful businesswoman, running a domestic agency whose watchword is ‘discretion’, and she likes to pay attention to her appearance . . . but she has a nurturing nature and often finds herself taking on other people’s problems.

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your lead role?

Bea would be a gift for any older actress who has a sense of authority – and humor!

I picture someone like Helen Mirren, who easily displays both authority and humor.


Could you share with us a quote about writing that you find inspirational?

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.

But of course!

What is the last novel you read that you would recommend?

When life is dreary, we all need some fun to lift our spirits, so I recommend Kerry Greenwood’s series 'Miss Fisher Investigates' (Phryne Fisher Mysteries) . She has a light touch, has researched her background into 1930s Australia very well, and her books leave you feeling you’ve been eating a chocolate soufflé. But be warned; Phryne likes to enjoy a romp in bed in each of these books.

Well, I encourage my readers to heed your warning, but the series does look intriguing.

What are you working on now?

I’m working currently correcting proofs for the next Ellie Quicke story – Murder in Style - which comes out this summer, and working on the draft of the next Bea Abbot story – False Fire, which comes out at the end of the year. It’s hard to switch from one storyline to another, but it has to be done!

You certainly are prolific! 

Where else can readers find you online?

Readers can find me online at www.veronicaheley.com. Also at my blog which is blog.veronicaheley.com, and my e-books can be found at: www.veronicaheley.com/ebooks.There are over twenty of my backlist now available on e-books, and more to come. These include some more crime books, and some historicals, as well as the early Ellie Quicke and Bea Abbot stories.

The book can be purchased online via the following buttons:












Finally, what question would you like to ask my readers?

I like cats. Both Ellie and Bea have been adopted by cats, who appear in all their later stories. Do you think they should go on the covers, too?

Thanks, Veronica, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel.

Readers, Veronica has offered to give a free e-copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Monday, May 23. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Veronica's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. The drawing is done by email, so leave your email address, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com. 

I invite you to see the post below, about Harvest House's offer of a $1.99 e-copy of my contemporary romance, Tea for Two, through May. Purchase links are provided below.

Also, I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post.

Annoying legal disclaimer: drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer, as well as my Disclosure of Material Connection HERE.