Meyrueis and the Jacques Forêt Mysteries ...

... I'm not running with my planned post today because there is something much more important to say.  Read on ...

My first Publisher, Crooked Cat, who later became Darkstroke, looked after me and my books from day one with the publication of Messandrierre in 2015.  Since then, there have been five other books all published by Crooked Cat and subsequently Darkstroke.  There have been short stories, too, in the Dark World series of anthologies. As an introduction to the world of publishing, Crooked Cat always made sure that I was equipped to handle whatever was thrown at me.  I was supported through workshops and discussions, and could always seek help from fellow authors within the publishing house.  It's a great privilege to say that those relationships still exist, and it's comforting to know that those other authors are just a message away on social media.  However, good things sometimes come to an end.  Last year, Crooked Cat decided to close their business down.

I quickly found a new publisher, Northodox Press, and signed a new contract in January.  My previously published books were submitted to be prepared for re-publication, and Meyrueis, book seven in the series, was completed and submitted.  But things have changed at Northodox Press, too.  Yesterday, Northodox formally announced their change of direction in publishing, all of which means that my cosy crime books are no longer a good fit for their future publishing requirements.

Having spent 20 years working in business, I know how important it is not to become emotional about a company's changes in direction. We all have to adapt and adjust to changing market forces.   And that is what I have been doing.  Meyrueis will be a little delayed in making its appearance.  I had hoped that it would be available on Amazon by now.  But, look out for it in the New Year.  I also hope to have some news on the re-release of my first four books, so watch out for another post here on the blog in the coming weeks.

 

Rivers of France ...

La Loire at Saumur

... I’m picking up from where I left you in Amboise on my last blog post. Read on…

Leaving Amboise, we stick with the north bank of the river and the D952.  This route once passed through the heart of the city of Tours – a place I have visited many times, and if you want to catch up with those visits, you can read them Here and  Here.  Today, there is a ring road that takes you on a circuitous route around the north of the city.  But the old road is still there, and if you follow the signs for the Abbaye de la Lanterne Marmoutier, you can thread your way along the road that runs beside the river.  The old abbey is also worth a visit.

From Tours, the D952 continues its route along the riverbank through to Saumur – there’s a fascinating Tank Museum here that will take a whole day out of your trip, but it’s worth it.  From Saumur, the same road follows the river all the way to the southern side of the vast city of Angers.  From Pont de Dumnacus you see the full scape of La Loire.  It’s wide, with long, sloping silt shelves on either side and long, low bridges crossing it.  Not exactly noteworthy photo shots.  Just to the west of Angers, the Loire subsumes the river Maine, and the faster-flowing water makes its way to the old town of Ancenis.

With a population of under 10,000, this small town has some interesting historical connections, and it will be our last stop on our journey along La Loire.  As with many ancient towns, there is a château here, but perhaps the term ‘castle’ is a more fitting description.

Built in the late tenth century by Aremburga, the widow of Guerech, Duke of Brittany, the original motte-and-bailey castle had simple defences: a moat, a palisade, and an enclosed interior to protect the inhabitants.  Because of its location by the river, it became a strategic point for observing the river, the traffic and an opportunity to make money from tolls!  Records exist from the early fourteen hundreds decreeing that the then owners of the castle must desist charging river traffic for transportation of cargo.

From the 12^th to the 16^th century, the fortress was attacked many times, not only by French Kings and Dukes but also by our own Henry 2 and King John.  From the 17th century, the military significance of the castle diminished, and in 1626, Cardinal Richelieu ordered that the castle be dismantled.  What we see today are the remains of the original building in a new setting, as the moat was filled and new wharves created.  In the mid-nineteenth century, with the establishment of an Ursuline boarding school, the site was further damaged and adapted for the needs of the nuns and the children they educated.

Now, the château sits a short walk away from the river it once overlooked.  But Quai de la Marine runs behind the castle grounds and along the bank of La Loire.  It’s only when you stand on the esplanade and look the length of the river that you see the vastness.  It’s hard to believe that this great river started life as a ‘particularly disappointing pool of brownish water’.

From here in Ancenis the river flows westward towards the city of Nantes, the naval port of St.Nazaire and the Atlantic Ocean where the waters of La Loire are finally dispersed.

This is the final post for my journey along La Loire.  If you would like to read the earlier posts, just click the links below:  

Rivers of France  La Loire  Digoin  Nevers  Orleans  Blois and Amboise

Please welcome, friend and author ...

... Jenna Maeson to the blog today.  So Jenna, tell me, what is your current release?

JM  Mischief in the Magic Shop - a cosy holiday mystery, also the fourth in the Tails of Trouble series.

AW  Hmm, that sounds interesting.  What first got you into writing and why?

JM  I read with my mom as a little kid and then fell in love with reading on my own.  I guess the love of books and an active imagination built it out.  I tell people I was writing books before I could write words because I would draw stacks of pictures and then dictate the story for my mom to write down.

AW  You write cosy mysteries.  Is it all imagination, or do you do research?

JM  Mostly imagination, but I do some research around various elements of the story if I’m not familiar with them.  I write a lot about animals, so I do a lot of research on what their behaviours are or what they can eat, things like that.  I don’t want to write an animal eating something they shouldn’t and getting a lot of angry comments about it.

AW   Have you tried/dabbled with other genres or writing for other forms of media?

JM  I’ve played in all genres for the most part.  My ideas are all over the place.  Earlier this year I did a Flash Fiction writing contest, an entire story in 1000 words or less.

AW  Famous authors such as Roald Dahl and Dylan Thomas had a special space for writing. Do you have a writing shed of your own?

JM  Sort of.  I have a big blue circle chair where I do a lot of writing, but sometimes it doesn’t have the back support I need to deal with sitting that long so I will move around to find what’s comfortable that day.

AW  And finally, what would your eight-year-old self think, and say about you and your achievements today?

JM  They would be super happy that I finally wrote and published my stories, although maybe a tad disappointed because I haven’t done a children’s book yet.

about the author… From a young age, Jenna has always found joy in the art of storytelling, weaving worlds filled with adventure, mystery, and heart.  A lover of plants, animals, and all things nature, Jenna draws inspiration from all parts of the world around her.  Her passion is for creating engaging stories, they aim to offer readers a delightful escape from the everyday, filling each page with fun, suspense, and unforgettable characters.

about the book… A disappearing act was supposed to be the grand finale—until the magician didn’t come back.

Emerald Ridge is all aglow for the holidays—twinkling lights in the square, steaming mugs of cocoa, and a brand-new attraction set to dazzle locals and tourists alike: The Vanishing Parlour, a magician-themed escape room promising wonder and intrigue.

But the magic turns deadly when its owner, up-and-coming magician Sam Dini, is found dead after a rehearsal. The police call it an accident. Olivia Morgan isn’t so sure.

Olivia already has her hands full with Mischief, the magician’s kleptomaniac ferret, Elmer the opinionated golden retriever mix, and holiday baking for the local shelter fundraiser. But when a string of puzzling clues surfaces—a forged contract, missing playing cards, a sealed love letter, and even a hidden hallway within the Parlour—Olivia can’t ignore the nagging sense that Sam’s “final trick” was meant to be something else entirely.

As snow blankets the mountain town, Olivia untangles secrets that stretch from a mysterious collector to a grieving girlfriend, from whispered rivalries to dangerous obsessions. With Christmas around the corner, she’ll need her quick wit, her small-town allies, and her animal companions to uncover the truth before another performance ends in disaster.

You can get the book on Amazon

You can follow Jenna on Instagram  on her Website  and on her Author Page

 

 

I'm Off My Beaten Track in Ceuta ...

... a Spanish enclave in North Africa.  Yes, I know, how did that happen?  Well, I've found some little nuggets of info in my journal of Spanish Scribblings.  Read on ...

Modern Ceuta has a population of around 84,000 inhabitants.  It has a geographical area of 18.5 square kilometres, roughly 7.1 square miles.  Not exactly large, but the territory sits at a strategic 'choke-point', to use military terminology.  Ceuta is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea on the north and east, the Atlantic Ocean and Morocco on the northwest and south.  Looking at a map, the distance from Ceuta to Gibraltar is only 28 kilometres — about 17 miles across the sea.  Hence, the beady eyes of the Phoenicians, those pesky Romans, the ancient Arab Caliphates and the Berbers of old fell upon this tiny piece of territory.

Across the centuries, what we now call Ceuta changed hands many times, was destroyed and rebuilt.  In 1415, it was annexed by Portugal.  After 1580, Cetua became part of the Hispanic Monarchy, in other the Spanish monarchy.  In the 17th Century, it became a province of Cadiz and finally, in 1995, it became an autonomous settlement.  I'll let my journal take you through the city...

SPANISH SCRIBBLINGS

'There's a quietness about this place that is very welcoming after the noise and bustle of the last port.  The traffic even stops and remains stationary when you come to a zebra crossing.  The walk from the port area into town is very pleasant, with the marina skirted by a wide road lined with palm trees.  The sea breeze is quite chilly today.

'As I meander through the streets, the mix of architectural styles is eclectic.  Old Spanish and Portuguese colonial buildings stand next to modern apartment blocks.  The squares are pedestrianised with carefully tended planters in full flower despite the weather I'm used to at this time of year in England.  I turn another corner and I'm met with the strong angularity of the Marinid Walls built by Abu Sa'id Uthman 2 in 1328.  Another ancient building houses a typical Roman arch, and as I make my way out towards the road that runs along the seaboard, I encounter the navigable moats that surround Royal Walls and their battlements.  A careful look shows that some parts of the walls are as old as the first century, while other parts are much later, 17th- and 18th-century additions and replacements.  As I continue my uninterrupted stroll, I come across a monument to the artillery that protected the territory in the late 17th and early 18th centuries.  A fabulous piece of modern sculpture that captures the look and feel of battle from that time...'

'Before I leave, there are two things that I know I must capture.  The entrance to the port of Ceute has a statue of Hercules on a promontory of the dock.  Here, Hercules is flanked by two pillars, which he is pulling inwards.  On a raised area in the town on the other side of the dock, a second statue shows Hercules in a pose where he is pushing the pillars apart.  This statue is surrounded by plants, trees, and fellow passengers.  All four of them, chatting away right in front of the statue.  I'm not the only visitor with a camera poised, ready to get that shot.  But the chatterers just keep on talking, oblivious to the growing number of camera addicts like me!  Another lady joins me, and we start a conversation of our own as we patiently wait for the chatterers to move.  Ten minutes later, my new friend decides to give up.  Stoic that I am, I move a little further forward and make a great play of lining up my shot.  Then I move left and line up another shot, and then right for a third.  I dig around in my bag for my notebook and pen.

As I'm about to approach the chatterers, to ask them for their names so that I can state who they are when I sell the pic to a newspaper, they start to depart, waving as they tear themselves away from their conversation...'

I did get my shot - see left.  As I returned to the spot I'd decided would give me the best aspect, I was joined by another photographer with a seriously good Pentax and a tripod. 

'Well done,' he said. 'I'd already been waiting twenty minutes before you arrived.' I just smiled.

The second place I wanted to see was the avenue lined with statues and monuments dedicated to the great and good from across the centuries.  Yes, I did get some shots, but my time was limited, and the sun was not in the right aspect.  I guess that's an excuse to go back and spend more time there.

If you want to read more of my exploits outside of France, then check out the following links : Cadiz  Casablanca  and  Cairo

I'm reviewing F is for France ...

... by Piu Eatwell.  This is a book that I've had on my shelves for quite a while, and I thought it was about time it moved onto my blog!  Read on ...

According to the cover, this book is a 'curious cabinet of French wonders.'  When you look inside and begin reading the introduction, you will see that the book is further described as 'themed trivia'.  Sorry, but I have to disagree with that!  Yes, it is a book about France, the culture and the French.  So, I accept that the 'theme' bit is totally accurate.  But 'trivia'?  No, I can't let that pass.  

This little book is an examination of the many odd little things that I have observed and wondered about as I've been travelling the length and breadth of the country over many years.  So, it is useful that the book is set out in the same format as a dictionary, beginning at A, and working its way through to Z, at the end.  Once you reach the back of the book, there's a helpful set of notes and a bibliography if you want to read more on any one of the many subjects examined in the text.

I found the various trips into history, culture, food, drink and customs absolutely fascinating.  Beginning with 'A is for Absinthe' and also providing a recipe for the said lethal drink, I was immediately perturbed about the rest of the content.  But my fears quickly disappeared as I read about elephants being banned from the beach in Granville and feral kangaroos in a forest west of Paris.  Now I can personally testify about elephants on the Allier—I was there and I saw them!  You can read that post Here if you wish to check it out.

As you move through the alphabet, you come across fascinating little nuggets of information, such as the guillotine being named after an 18th-century opponent of capital punishment.  You must also make sure you check out the sections on cheese and coffee.  You will be surprised by the long-held myths that the author's research busts.  And as for the table on coffee drinking, France isn't where you'd expect it to be, and the UK doesn't even get a mention!

This book is a delightful expose of the many eccentricities that make France and the French what and who they are.  The anecdotes and conveyed with wit and intelligence, and I can honestly say that I could not put this book down once I had opened it.  I also found myself nodding enthusiastically at some sections as I recalled memories from my travels and the places I've visited.  A book not to be missed by anyone who has a genuine interest in the country and its people.

Rivers of France ...

… I’m finally picking up my journey along La Loire.  It seems such a long time since I’ve been able to continue this series of posts.  Hopefully you won’t be disappointed with today's destination …

From the city of Blois, in my last post, we meander along the D952 which runs along the north bank of the river.  We follow the valley to the city of Amboise.  The oldest part of the city is on the south bank of the Loire and that’s where I’m taking you today.

With a population of over 12,500 people, the city of Amboise has a significant and very long history.  It also has a beautiful château that originates from the 11^th century.  Changed, added to, and improved over time, it was eventually confiscated by the monarchy and then extensively rebuilt to suit royal tastes.  Our own Mary Stewart, Queen of Scots, arrived in Ambiose at the age of six in 1548 and remained in the château until 1561, when she returned to Edinburgh to claim her title to the English crown.  But we’ll ignore the stunning building that towers over the river for the moment.  There's somewhere else I want to you to see.

From the bridge that crosses the river right by the château it’s a short walk – five hundred metres - deeper into the old town to Le Clos Lucé.  This was once the residence of Leonardo de Vinci.  The artist was lured to France by Francis 1.  Despite his age, da Vinci travelled to France in 1516.  He was by then sixty-four years old.  The King promised da Vinci the house and the artist lived out the final years of his life in the luxurious surroundings of the manor house until he died in 1519.

Built by Hugues d’Amboise in 1471, the small palace – in comparison with the royal château – is still sumptuous by an artist’s standards.  Leonardo was also in good company as previous inhabitants were as noteworthy as King Charles 8.

Now, the building in its own grounds, is a museum dedicated to the life and work of Leonardo.  You can meander through the artist’s studio, his living quarters, his workshop for his war machines, and the kitchens were his staff toiled to keep the household fed and watered and Leonardo in the style to which the King had set out for him.

As I moved from room to room, from staircase to landing, and window to window I couldn’t help but think about the feet that the passed the same way five hundred years before me.  As I gazed out of the windows at the gardens and grounds below, I couldn’t stop asking myself if da Vinci might have taken inspiration from this or that particular view.

The most fascinating part of a visit to this establishment, are the rooms containing the models of da Vinci’s many war machines.  There is an early form of tank right here!  Not to mention an equally early version of a machine gun along with a wooden bicycle and lots more to discover.

I spent a whole day meandering through Le Clos Lucé.  Which I suppose means I’ll have to come back to take another look at the royal house!  But, as I make my way back to the King's residence I have to call in.  Not to visit the house but to visit da Vinci’s grave which sits in the grounds of the royal château.  Da Vinci died on May 2^nd, 1519.  There is a painting by Ingres that was completed in 1818, depicting the artist on his deathbed with Francis 1 at his side.  Did he really die in the arms of the King of France?  I genuinely don’t know the true answer to that question.  But, it does kind of seem fitting that he might have done!

If you would like to read the earlier posts in this series, you can find them by clicking the following links :  Rivers of France  La Loire  Digoin  Nevers  Orleans  Blois

Come and join me and ...

... Gianetta Murray, in the fabulous and historic Abbey inSelby on November 22nd.  More details below ...

Authors in the Abbey is the next event for your diary.  There will be numerous authors from in and around Yorkshire.  You can expect a plethora of genres to choose from, and if you wish, you will be able to take home signed copies, too.

The event runs from 10am to 4pm, and both Gianetta and I will be there all day.  

I will have all six of my Jacques Forêt Mysteries with me.  So, if you would like to chat about France, the Cévennes, the stories, or even Jacques himself, please drop by and say hello.  I will also be able to give you the latest info on the next book in the series.

I will be bringing the three fabulous Miss Moonshine anthologies as well.  If you are in need of a feel-good, heart-warming read for the cold winter nights, then these collections of gentle stories will see you through.  They are also ideal for those few moments when the kids are busy, and all you need is a cuppa and a bit of me-time.

Gianetta Murray, (author of A Supernatural Shindig, an anthology and  Moved to Murder, the first in her cosy crime series) will also be at the fair with her books.  I’m sure Gianetta will be only too pleased to chat about how the work on book 2 is shaping up.

In addition, we will have the multi-genre miscellanies of tales from the Seasonal Paths Collection. All four are now available in print and E-format.  We will also have Earth, the first in a new series of anthologies with the elements as a theme.

Once you've filled your bags with books for yourself or gathered stories to use as Christmas presents, please take a moment to appreciate the abbey itself.  

This magnificent building has stood in the heart of Selby since 1069.  The building began life as a monastery.  Over the centuries, it has weathered fires, dissolution, decay, rebuilding and changes in structure.  

The architecture is primarily Gothic and Romanesque and contains one of the finest examples of medieval stained glass in the whole country, which dates from 1340.  I'll keep my fingers crossed for the sun to be in the right aspect, as I want to get a photo of the Jesse Window when I'm there.

Please join me and Gianetta on November 22nd from 10.00 am at Selby Abbey, The Crescent, YO8 4PU.  It'll be great to see you there... 

 

Come and join me ...

  ... at the Craft Fair in the beautiful village of Kirk Smeaton (WF8 3LB) on October 11th...

This super event will run from 11.00am until 3.00pm and is being held in Saint Peter's church.  It may be a small building, but it dates from the 12th century and has an interesting history.  Have a look at the chancel arch, which is thought to have been constructed around 1160.  There is also a large stone font that is thought to be a little earlier.

The village is listed in the Domesday Book - Domesday being the Middle English spelling of our modern-day title, Doomsday.  Dating from 1086, this incredible piece of ancient documentation can now be accessed online.  Check it out Here.  The book records who owned the land, both before William's invasion and afterwards, and the church is briefly mentioned.

One other little bit of information that might interest you is that the current name of the village originates from Smedetone, which is a composite of two words from Old English.  The first meaning 'smith' and the second meaning 'estate' or 'farm'.  The Kirk, derived from the Old Norse word for church, was added later and is first documented in the 14th century.

And if the history doesn't encourage you to visit on Saturday, then maybe the details of the fair will.

There will be all sorts of stalls. Come and explore the stunning bags and scarves that have been created, or take a look at the table with various knitted goods.  Perhaps you are looking for some early Christmas presents or decorations for the house - check out the relevant stall.  

I will also be there with my books, and perhaps something to read might be the answer to that nagging question about what to get Auntie so-and-so for Christmas this year.

In addition, there will be refreshments available throughout the day, and you can try your luck in the raffle, too.

I can guarantee you a lovely day out in stunning, historic surroundings.  So please drop by and say hello.  Entry to the fair is absolutely free.

October 11th, St Peter's Church, Main Street, Kirk Smeaton, WF8 3LB

Entry to the Fair is FREE

I'm reviewing The Paris Muse ...

... by Louisa Treger.  Read on to find out what I thought ...

Henriette Theodora Markovitch was born on November 22^nd, 1907, in the city of Paris.  She grew up to become Dora Maar,  the photographer, pioneering Surrealist artist, antifascist and muse of Pablo Picasso.  The Paris Muse is an exploration of Maar’s relationship with Picasso.
In many respects, this book could be seen as a romance, but there’s a lot of discord in the relationship, a lot of distrust, and yet a common bond persists that keeps these two together, even after long periods of separation.
In one other respect, the book is an enigma.  Despite the central characters being real people who have both left a body of artistic work behind, along with numerous well-researched books about each of their lives, it is described as a novel.
I’ve seen some of Maar’s works.  I’ve seen some of Picasso’s work, too.  When I visit exhibitions, I like to figure out what the artist is telling me with each piece I view.  Sometimes, the real message may in a tiny detail somewhere on the canvas or in the photo.  That time spent looking and deciphering is my treat to myself and always the reason for my trip to whichever exhibition it is.  It also means that I have reached certain conclusions about the artist's mind.  So, picking up a book about people that I know something about, and to read on the cover the words ’A novel’ was a bit perplexing.  However, the author does state in the notes at the back that she has based her fiction ‘on the biographical facts’ of Dora Maar’s life.  She then goes on to say that she applied artistic license to ‘facts, characterisations, … and chronologies.’  The middle aspect I get.  The other two not so much.
I started reading with a feeling of trepidation.  But, I soon realised, that the story was every bit as gripping as any drama that invites the reader to examine the dynamics between the characters.  The story is thought-provoking, tense with emotion and passion and countered by the various periods of distress supposedly experienced by Maar.  The narrative voice is easy and carries you through every page and all the highs and lows of this imagined relationship.  It was a thoroughly good read.
 To turn back to reality.  Maar had an eight-year relationship with Picasso, both on a personal and a professional level.  They both influenced each other and Maar was the model for Picasso’s piece Monument à Apollinaire and featured in other works namely Weeping Woman.  Maar continued her own work and died on July 16^th, 1997, in the city where she had spent the majority of her life.

Come and meet...

... friend and author, David Beckler.  I first came across David at a CWA lunch where we authors could debate the trials and tribulations of the world of writing and publishing.  Since then, I've had the great pleasure to catch up with David at other similar events at various locations across the north of England.  And now, David is here on my blog.  Come and meet this fascinating writer...

I write fast-paced action thrillers populated with well-rounded characters.  Born in Addis Ababa, I spent my first eight years living on an agricultural college in rural Ethiopia, where my love of reading developed.  After dropping out of university, I became a firefighter and served 19 years before leaving to start my own business.  I began writing in 2010 and use my work experiences to add realism to my fiction.  The Mason and Sterling series centres on two ex-Royal Marines, Byron, who now runs a security company and Adam, who is a firefighter.  A strong cast of characters support my protagonists.  Brotherhood, is the first in the series with The Profit Motive, the second which is set in Manchester and Wenzhou, China.

I live in Manchester, my adopted home since 1984.  In my spare time, I try to keep fit—an increasingly difficult undertaking—listen to music, socialise and feed my voracious book habit.

about the book … When firefighter Adam Sterling rescues glamorous businesswoman Kate Hetherington from a road smash, he has no idea of the impact it will have on his life. 

Kate’s father, James, is badly injured in a car crash in Wenzhou, China. Senior Inspector Jie Gang is convinced it was an attempt on the man’s life, but he’s not allowed to say so.

Kate asks half-Chinese Adam to help her find out what’s going on. When James disappears, Adam recruits fellow ex-Royal Marine and best friend, Byron Mason, to assist him in the search.

They arrive in China to find Jie struggling. Not only is he facing an implacable assassin Zhang, but opposition from powerful interests who want him off the case.

Then Kate disappears, but who has taken her? The police seem reluctant to search for her, but unable to speak the language, unfamiliar with the city, and without any allies, Adam and Byron are up against it. When they seem to be getting somewhere, a rescue operation goes wrong, and Zhang turns his attention on the two men.

As they frantically search for Kate and James, they have to keep out of Zhang’s clutches, and avoid the authorities.

Will they find them in time and discover who is behind the attacks?

You can get the book Here You can follow David on his website  on Facebook and on Twitter

If you are coming to the Death in the Dales Festival of Crime in October, David will be joining Wendy and me in a panel discussion about using foreign locations in our books.  

You can read more about the Festival of Crime Here

You can read Wendy's post Here

I am very pleased to announce...

From top left : PC Arseneault, A Cormier, C Sweet, S Bunting
S Casey, A Hudson, SC Eston, Yours truly, E Monroe, G Murray
 

...that a new series of linked anthologies from the Seasonal Collective has been devised. Read on to find out more ...

Having completed the four Seasonal Paths anthologies - you can read about those Here - we have gone on to start a new project.  The group is still working cross-Atlantic as before, but we have some new faces in the team as well.

The first in a new series of anthologies linked by the elements—earth, air, fire, and water—is now available.

For this book, we have ten stories in various genres, from some writers you will recognise, and some new ones that you may not have come across before.  The stories have been fascinating to read as each one has become available to us.

All in all, they will transport you to different worlds, through various times, and on compelling emotional journeys as you progress through the book.

...about the book  Earth, An Anthology, is the first in a compelling four-part series that celebrates our planet in a smorgasbord of unforgettable short stories.

Ten best-selling and award-winning authors who call the North Atlantic home, share their vivid imaginations in these tales of intrigue and adventure. From potato farm mayhem; investigating mysterious jagged trenches; a voice from the past, a grim discovery, and a quest for a lost sword, to life lessons; seductive sparkle and fire; questioning the balance between good and bad; and someone – or something – that threatens the existence of Warden McCabe — Earth, An Anthology, is a treasure trove of pure entertainment.

So tuck into your favourite armchair and experience our world as never before. 

I hope you will enjoy our new set of offerings, and you can get the book on Amazon

Please welcome friend and author ...

... Michele Pariza Wacek to my blog this week.  Thanks so much for being here today.  Tell me, Michele, what is your current release?

MPW The Mysterious Case of the Missing Ghost.

AW   Hmm, that sounds interesting.  What first got you into writing and why?

MPW When I was three years old, I taught myself to read because I wanted to write stories so badly.  Once I learned how to write, I then spent most of my life focusing on mastering it.  (For example, along with writing fiction, I also owned a company that wrote sales copy for businesses.)

AW  You write mysteries from Cosy Crime right through to psychological thrillers.  Is it all imagination, or do you do research?

MPW It’s mostly my imagination but I will do some research.  As much as I can, I like to make sure the facts are right and the events are (mostly) realistic.

AW  Have you tried/dabbled with other genres or writing for other forms of media?

MPW I’ve done lots of different writing.  Along with writing sales copy (which I did for over twenty years), I’ve written articles and nonfiction books, and I also write psychological thrillers.

AW  Famous authors such as Roald Dahl and Dylan Thomas had a special space for writing.  Do you have a writing shed of your own?

MPW I will very soon.  Right now I’m writing on my dining room table, but eventually I’m going to set up my office in the loft.  I haven’t yet because my old dog can no longer climb stairs, and she likes to be with me while I work.

AW   And finally, what would your eight-year-old self think, and say about you and your achievements today?

MPW I think my eight-year-old self would be both happy and sad.  Happy that I’m finally doing what my eight-year-old self wanted to be doing (aka writing and publishing books), but also sad that it took me years before I finally got here.  (While building my copywriting company, I mostly put my fiction writing dreams on hold, and I do regret doing that.)  I also think my eight-year-old self would be a little confused by the whole idea of self publishing and would have wanted to know why I don’t have an agent or a “real” publisher, lol.

about the author … A USA Today Bestselling, award-winning author, Michele taught herself to read at 3 years old because she wanted to write stories so badly.  It took some time (and some detours) but now she does spend much of her time writing stories.  Mystery stories, to be exact.  They're clean and twisty, and range from psychological thrillers to cozies, with a dash of romance and supernatural thrown into the mix.

Michele grew up in Wisconsin, (hence why all her books take place there), and currently lives there after spending nearly 30 years living in the mountains of Prescott, Arizona, with her husband and southern squirrel hunter Cassie.

When she's not writing, she's usually reading, hanging out with her dog, or watching the Food Network and imagining she's an awesome cook.  (Spoiler alert, she's not.  Luckily for the whole family, Mr. PW is in charge of the cooking.)

about the book … Emily Hildebrandt is learning to settle into some of the very strange cases that come through The Redemption Detective Agency’s door.

Like Aunt Tilde’s friend Ruth who claims she’s lost a ghost.

How does one lose a ghost?  Apparently when the ghost decides to walk out the door.

But, to make matters more complicated, it’s not just any ghost but the ghost of Ruth’s dead husband.  Who was murdered decades ago under very suspicious circumstances.

Emily has no choice but to go back in time and figure out what really happened to Ruth’s husband, in order for everyone to rest in peace.

You can get the book  Here

You can follow Michele on her Amazon Author Page her Website or on Goodreads  Facebook  Instagram and on Youtube 

A tribute to an old friend ...

I’m not running with my planned post for today.  Apologies if you were hoping to read more about my journey along La Loire.  That post will now run on October 7th.

Today, I want to pay tribute to an old friend who has, very sadly, died.  You have met him once before on this blog, although I was appropriately respectful in making my mention.  You can read that earlier post Here

Jan Kleiboer was husband to Nieske, father, grandfather and a great interlocutor and camper.  Jan and his wife came to one of my favourite campsites in the Marne Valley.  They spent many summers there and over twenty years, and more, I had the great privilege to get to know them as my tours across France sometimes coincided with theirs.  There were many times when I was able to listen to Jan discussing this or that, the EU often, and many other subjects that he felt passionate about.  

So, it is with great sadness that I say rest in peace old friend.  Thoughts are with Nieske and the rest of your family.  

For me, returning to the campsite in the Marne valley will always be tinged with a sense of loss.

I'm reviewing ...

 ... Fox Evil by Minette Walters.  I've always liked Walter's stories, and some I've read more than once.  Although this story has been around for quite a while, it was new to me, and I think it might be staying on my bookshelves.  Read on ...

An absolutely riveting read.  Ailsa Lockyer-Fox dies in suspicious circumstances.   Her husband Colonel James Lockyer-Fox is the prime suspect but the coroner and exonerates him.

But there are unseen tensions within the little Dorset village.  There are a group of gypsies encamped in a copse adjoining the Lockyer-Foxes' small estate.  The gypsies are attempting to lay claim to the land as their own, but in the village of Shenston, there are too few to resist or refute the claim – not that these people would want to be seen working together – there are too many old rivalries between the permanent residents of this sleepy little place.

Then James begins to get threatening phone calls and nuisance calls, and refuses to challenge them or deal with them, and instead focuses on his search for his illegitimate grandchild.  James becomes more and more reclusive until Mark Ankertone, his solicitor, comes down from London to see him and uncovers the mental torture to which his client has been subjected.  It is at this point that we also meet Captain Nancy Smith of the Royal Engineers – the long-lost granddaughter, and the opportunity for romance between these two is not lost.  But this is a crime novel, and I just could not stop myself wanting and hoping for Mark and Nancy to hit it off – Walters kept me waiting right to the very end.

The story is very well told with scenes from one aspect of the story interspliced with scenes from another theme.  As you get closer to the end, the scene interchanges happen more frequently, and at the end of each one, there is always a cliffhanger.  It’s definitely a page-turner.

Please welcome, friend and author...

... Kimberly Webb to the blog this week.  Thanks very much for making time in your busy schedule to be here today. So tell me, what is your current release?

KW  Jillian’s Island – a novel with love, laughter, a shipwreck, and seven castaways on a deserted island.  What could go wrong … that hasn’t already?

AW   What first got you into writing and why?

KW  I loved to read as a young teenager – I read and reread Harry Pottery, The Chronicles of Narnia, and Ella Enchanted so often the covers fell off.  I realized that I could make the stories last longer if I started writing my own, so when I was in high school I worked for years on my first novel, and I’ve never been able to stop writing ever since. 

AW   You write Romantic Comedy Mysteries.  Is it all imagination or do you do research?

KW  While all the characters and places are fictional, I do have to research to stay grounded in reality.  If I want my story and characters to be believable, I have to make sure that I get things right.  So, while I’m not having to learn a country’s entire history, I do need to know the current standards for a lifeboat, what exactly is a nautical mile, and how do you work a HAM radio?

AW  Have you tried/dabbled with other genres or writing for other forms of media?

KW  I have!  Right now, I’m writing romcoms, but I began with fantasy/fairytale, and I’ve explored a story in Historical Fiction.  I hope to write that one someday, but for now I’m trying to focus on one genre to get really good at that!

AW  Famous authors such as Roald Dahl and Dylan Thomas had a special space for writing.  Do you have a writing shed of your own?

KW  I’m lucky enough to have a spare room downstairs that my husband graciously agreed to let me turn into my office.  I do about half of my work there and the other half in my recliner with a laptop, simultaneously trying to concentrate and looking after my two rambunctious little kids!  The work in the office is probably better quality, but the armchair work is more fun!

AW   And finally, you find yourself alone on a dessert island with just enough battery power to make one call.  Who would you call and why?

KW  A perfect question (since this is a topic in my book!).  I assume you don’t want the boring answer of “Call the coast guard!” so I would call my husband to let him know I’m okay and could he please use his MacGyver skills to rig up whatever he needs to do to come rescue me!  I know he’d do it, too!

about the author… Kimberly has loved books and writing stories since she was 14, falling in love again and again with fictional heroes.  She earned an English degree from BYU-Idaho, but her true education came from the countless books that swept her away on grand adventures. 

When she’s not writing, Kimberly can be found jogging, getting lost in a good book, or chasing a bit of everyday magic with her husband and three children.  She still believes in the wonder of Disneyland, the thrill of a well-told tale, and the idea that the best adventures often begin with a single, unexpected detour.

about the book…Tagline: Stranded in paradise. Seven strangers. One unforgettable adventure.

Jillian knows how to keep her cool.  She’s spent years smoothing over chaos as a yacht stewardess, but nothing could prepare her for the real storm: when her grandfather’s yacht is shipwrecked on a remote Bahamian island.

With Grandpa Skippy and five other castaways stranded alongside her, Jillian must navigate more than just survival.  Mysterious ruins, unexpected dangers, and the island’s secrets test their limits.  And then there’s Dr. Carter Buckley, a marine biology professor who’s far too distracting for this deserted-island scenario.

As friendships form and romance stirs under swaying palms, Jillian realizes getting off the island might not be the only adventure fate has in store.

You can get the book on Amazon

You can follow Kimberely on her  Amazon Author Page  her Website and on Facebook

 and Instagram

Come and meet ...

... friend and author Wendy Nakanishi. I first came across Wendy at a conference where she was talking about living in Japan.  My second encounter was over dinner in an Italian restaurant in Brighton. Like Wendy, I was in the city for a conference.  And now, Wendy is here on my blog.  Come and meet this fascinating writer...

I am Wendy Jones Nakanishi, an American, a long-term resident of Japan: my husband is an orange grower on Shikoku island.  I adopted the pen name of Lea O’Harra to write crime fiction, wanting to try my hand at a literary genre I’ve researched in a number of published articles as a Japanese university professor.  That Ian Rankin was a fellow postgrad at Edinburgh in the early eighties also played a part in my decision.  I wrote the Inspector Inoue thriller series first: Imperfect Strangers (2015), Progeny (2016), and Lady First (2017).  My fourth book, Dead Reckoning (2022), is a standalone murder mystery set in the American Midwest in a rural community not dissimilar to my hometown of Rolling Prairie, Indiana, population 500.  My fifth, Sayonara, My Sweet ((2025) is a standalone in small-town Japan. My books have been nominated/finalists in a number of literary competitions.

about her latest book ... In the summer of 1988, beautiful young Kaori Hirakata from a wealthy family resident in a town in Kyushu falls in love with Hiroki Sato – a local boy from the wrong side of the tracks – and decides to run away with him.

Is it a case of love is blind?  Kaori is horrified when Hiroki admits he once belonged to a yakuza gang in Tokyo.  She toys with breaking up with him but changes her mind after he apologizes and brings her a box of chocolates.

Her younger brother Aki is eavesdropping on the couple when he hears the sister he adores begin to cough.  An ambulance is summoned but too late: she dies, and it turns out some of the chocolates were poisoned.  Hiroki disappears.  Unable to find the main suspect, the police cannot solve the case, and Kaori’s family moves away.

Ten years later, Aki returns, determined to find out who killed his sister.

You can get the book Here

You can follow Wendy on her author Website and on her Amazon Author Page

If you are coming to the Death in the Dales Festival of Crime in October, Wendy and I will be taking part in a panel discussion about using foreign locations in our books.  You can read more about the Festival of Crime Here

A post about the third panel member, David Beckler, can be found Here