Good Morning from an almost sunny Bristol.

Welcome to this month’s new subscribers. Time is not on my side at the moment, so this is a very quick update.

I’ve had a holiday (I think), and I am now looking after my grandchildren EVERY day as my daughter-in-law is on an intense four-week training course. I can’t remember my own kids being this exhausting. They might look like angels in this picture, but they are very demanding. I have a dog with an ulcerated eye, which after three procedures hasn’t healed, so I’m on first name terms with all the staff at the vets. That said, we’re off for another check-up in an hour, so please keep your fingers crossed.  She is not happy wearing the cone, which has been a fixture for almost four weeks and it’s driving her mad.

But, at least I’ve made it here to let you know that the latest audio book, Meredith & Hodge Bear Witness, went live today. The very talented Lee Beddow & Perdita Lawton have done an excellent job as always, and I think you’re going to love it!  If you would like a free code, please drop me an email. I know some of you listen to them via audible membership, and never ask for a code, so here are the links.  Click HERE if you use .com – and HERE if you use .co.uk.

With regards to the works in progress, I’m working (I use that term loosely at the moment) on the latest Meredith & Hodge – as yet untitled. Although I know who died and how, and most importantly why, I have still to decide ‘whodunit’. But, it is crawling along, albeit at a snail’s pace. Only three and a half weeks to go, and I promise to get my head down.

That’s it for now, got to find the harness and lead,

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.

Hello,

It’s a week later than promised but there’s a good reason for that, but first, I’d like to thank everyone for their kind condolences via email and messages, they were very much appreciated.

Back to all things books, I’m delighted to say that the audio version of Terms of Affection is now available. Narrated by the very talented Perdita Lawton, and produced by Lee Beddow, it really is a delight to listen to. I kept forgetting to proof it against the manuscript! As always if you are happy to leave an honest review please shout for a free code.

Here’s a sample for you:

In other news, I have written the opening chapters of both the next Meredith & Hodge and Bearing Witness, I don’t have titles for either yet. They sit on my laptop as M&H12 & BW4. At the moment it’s the Bearing Witness ladies who are holding my attention, not least because one of the characters shares many of the same traits as my dad. This was not by accident. At dad’s wake a group of his friends said I should write a book about him, and I know I couldn’t do that for all sorts of reasons. Instead, I promised them there would be a character in the next book that they would recognise, if only in part. It won’t be the first time I’ve ‘borrowed’ from dad. I have often used his expressions or mannerisms in the stories. The one that amused him most, was in One Secret Too Many.

Those of you who have read it, will remember Meredith was suspected of murder, and had to confront the Russian in London. Peggy became his getaway driver and undercover accomplice. She lost concentration while speaking (probably arguing) with Meredith in the back, and veered towards the wrong side of the road. An oncoming driver blasted her with his horn, and Peggy’s retort was that ‘he could have got a bus through there with Concorde strapped to the side’. As a driver of chemical tankers, my dad was never very patient with people who couldn’t manoeuvre a standard sized vehicle – me included.

It’s very early days, but I will keep you posted when it’s available for pre-order, and will share a snippet of the opening chapters in the next newsletter.

That’s it for now, I have writing to do.

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.

Hello, I’m back,

I haven’t written a newsletter for a while, in fact, until the last week I hadn’t written at all for a few months. On the 18^th January 2022, the most important man in our family passed away. David John Hawkes, our dad, and I think most importantly to him in his later years, Gramps, and great Gramps.

I’m going to tell you a little about him, and share some of my favourite photographs. I’ll do another news letter over the weekend, and I promise that that will be back on subject, but for now, let me tell you about my lovely dad.

Dad loved his family, children, dogs, telling stories and bad dad jokes, music, dancing (in his younger days), a bit of karaoke, and Spain. And he was much loved in return. He had old fashioned values, good manners, and a positive outlook for the best part. Although, I should mention he did predict that Russia was going to do something terrible. An avid newspaper reader, and follower of news, he spoke at length about his concern only the week before he went into hospital. He read reports about Russian military planes being escorted out of British air space, of submarines supposedly off course off the coast of Scotland, and wagging a finger at me said, “When Russia are in the news this much something bad is going to happen. You see if it doesn’t.” He was right.

Although during that last month we knew he didn’t have long to live. With covid restrictions he was only allowed one visitor in hospital, me, and knowing he didn’t have long, he wanted to come home. When he did, we were told he might have up to three months, as it turned out we only had this wonderful man who was the centre of all things family for three more days. To say we were devastated is an understatement, but logic tells us that for him it was a much better outcome and he was ready to go. I don’t dwell on those last few days, instead I think about the laughter, the hugs, and the comfort that just knowing you had him brought. But now we don’t. Now we rely on the wonderful memories we have, and I have to say it is almost impossible to have any sort of conversation about him without a smile, or more likely a laugh. Dad told a good story, and he had many, some we’d heard many times, but you never minded, because for the best part, they were either amusing, interesting, or shocking. Sometimes all three.

Born in 1938, dad’s family were not well off. Before the war his parents and the five children lived in three rooms in a Victorian house near the centre of town. When the bombing of Bristol began, they would have to run to the bomb shelter. With the iconic Bristol Suspension Bridge in sight, my grandfather would load his bicycle with the younger kids and get them to the shelter as quickly as possible.  My dad, used to the search lights filling the night sky, would be balanced on the handlebars. One night he decided to help, shining their torch at the shadows of the planes overhead. As you can imagine this cost him a severe slap around the ear and he didn’t do it again. For the latter part of the war he was evacuated to Weymouth. He loved it there, and tucked under a floorboard in the loft of the house is a note with the names of the group of evacuees and the date, with the message they were evacuees from Bristol. He often wondered if anyone had found it.

After the war the family moved into one of the newly built council houses, which seemed like a luxury, but money was still tight. Dad can remember his shoes being pawned until payday when they were retrieved in time for church on a Sunday, before the process started all over again. The tales of the wooden clogs when one of us needed a new pair of shoes was aired on many occasions. While her children were still young, my lovely grandmother spent a year in hospital with TB, and they had to go to a children’s home. Although my grandad visited every week if he could, my dad and his siblings agree it was the worst of times. Their guardians, in his words, were ‘cruel swines, who had not an ounce of care or compassion for their wards’.

I could tell you lots of stories about his childhood, but the one that sticks out for me, is the one where he became infamous for punching a nun in the stomach and calling her ‘Bloody cruel’ for humiliating his brother in front of the whole school. His experiences of the church in his childhood taught him little about the comfort some people find in religion, but on the contrary, taught him it was to be feared and never trusted. He made it very clear that his funeral was not to be a religious ceremony.

As a consequence, during the service, which was a real celebration of his life, and so many people attended they had to stand at the back of the chapel, the songs we played for him were: Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers, Wind Beneath My Wings by Bette Midler, The Green, Green Grass of Home, and Delilah by Tom Jones. The latter two he could belt out flawlessly.

Dad hated school and was delighted to leave. He had many jobs in the early days, most of them involved driving. He was a bit of a jack-the-lad I think, although those stories weren’t told to me. He loved music, and was a Teddy Boy, much to my grandmother’s horror. We kids loved nothing more than to see him jive with my mum. He used to spin her so fast I often wondered how she kept her balance. Before he met my mum, he was called up for National Service, and became a corporal in the military police. There were so many tales from those days, but one of the best was when escorting a lad who had gone AWOL back to barracks, dad managed to lose him in Woolworths.

Mum was the love of his life, having a family completed him. He was a man’s man, going to the pub at weekends, his word being the last word, whatever the disagreement, and so on. But other than on one occasion when I kicked my brother (he must have deserved it), I can not remember any real fall outs with dad. I hated the strict curfew he set me, I hated having to phone a taxi to get me home before I left the house if I was going out for the evening, after all I was working and considered myself very grown up.  I hated the way he’d ask boyfriends where they kept their guide dogs, but I hated it all with a secret smile, because that was my dad being my dad, and I loved him.

Dad’s biggest regret in life was that my mum never got to meet her great grandchildren. But he showered them with enough love for both of them. Dad loved kids and they loved him.

He kept his sense of humour until the end. On the day he was coming home from hospital, he told me he didn’t think he had long as he’d been hallucinating. Before I got there, my Godfather had been sitting in the chair I was using for over an hour. ‘He kept looking at me like I was going to speak to him.’ Dad told me. I asked if he did. ‘Don’t be stupid, the man’s been dead for twenty odd years, do you think I’m mad?’ he replied, and then winked at me.

His funeral was sad, but I hope a true celebration of his life. He’d have had competition on the stories being told about his life at the wake, and if he was looking down on us, he’d have been miffed he wasn’t there to join in.

So, David John Hawkes, my wonderful Dad, it’s a goodnight from you, and a goodnight from us. If I ever wake to find you sitting in a chair expecting me to speak, rest assured I will. How I’d welcome one more story.

Good Morning,

Christmas Eve finds Bristol grey, dismal and damp – there will be no picturesque Christmas for us, not even a touch of frost – but that’s outside. Inside, I’m hoping lights are twinkling, fires are roaring, last minute presents are being wrapped, and someone has started on the sprouts. 😊

I’m fully recovered from the effects of the virus, and fingers crossed won’t go back to smoking! I’m also very lucky to be going to my son’s home for Christmas as my daughter-in-law is an excellent cook and hostess, all my family will be there, and we get the excitement of Christmas with the Grandchildren. All is well in our world. I think everyone in the UK is going to squeeze all the enjoyment they can out of the next few days, as I fear another lockdown is looming.

This is just a quick note, to thank you for your encouragement, support and kind words over the last year. Thank You!  I hope that whatever you’re doing, whoever you are with, you have a peaceful, happy Christmas, and a healthy, peaceful New Year.

So, until the 2022, stay safe, and happy reading,

Good Morning, from crisp and sunny Bristol,

Not that I’m complaining, but someone has forgotten to tell November it’s supposed to rain all the time.

The first draft of Meredith & Hodge Bear Witness has come back from editor, the wonderful Sharon. The amendments she’s requested have been made, and once she’s cast her eye over them, it will be off to the lovely Jill for proofreading. (Happy Anniversary, Jill)  Although it’s different, and unlikely to be repeated, I enjoyed both writing and then rereading the interaction between the characters. I hope you do too! For those of you yet to pre-order, please click HERE.

AUDIO NEWS

I’m also delighted to advise that A Measure of Guilt has been through Audible’s quality checks and is now available.  I’ve sent codes off to those who always have them and leave a review, if anyone else wants a code to download a FREE copy, please shout.

Here’s a little snippet for you.

Still have free codes on most of the audios should anyone want them.

That’s it for now, writing is back on hold while I do a little of the stuff that always gets shoved to one side. Not sure how long that will hold my attention though, especially with my brain still working out plotlines.

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.

Good afternoon, from a grey bleak Bristol.

Although it’s grey and bleak outside, and some of the trees in my garden have but an odd leaf clinging on, I can’t believe how many plants are still in bloom. We have a few Dahlias, a profusion of Fuchsia, Lobelia, Hydrangea,  a few Roses, and even some Snapdragons still in bloom. It’s mid-November! I can only assume it’s down to global warming – perhaps the powers that be should hold a conference 😉

Weather and freaky flowers out of the way, a quick update. Due to other commitments, the lovely Nikki Loy has decided to hang up her microphone. She would have honoured her promise to record all three of the Bearing Witness books, however this week I listened to an audition by another talented narrator, Perdita Lawton. She was wonderful, and moving forward she will be bringing the Bearing Women to life. The script for Terms of Affection (my favourite Bearing Witness story), is already winging its way to her. In other audio news, the final edits on the last few chapters of A Measure of Guilt have been sent to Lee, and with a fair wind and all fingers crossed should be live within a month.

While I’ve been twiddling my thumbs, I’ve looked at the pricing of all my books, and they have all been reduced to the lowest price that Amazon will allow if they are enrolled in Kindle Unlimited.  The only books that will remain at full price are new releases. All will be put on pre-order at a lower price which will increase once they  go live. The only exception, is Meredith & Hodge Boxed Set 1- 9 which is still only £4.99 as its selling well, and almost in the top 100 British Detective category on Amazon paid books, UK. But this does mean that if you want Meredith & Hodge Bear Witness at the lower price you will have to order it prior to December 15th.

And so to broken promises . . .  I promised myself a break from writing until after Christmas, it turns out that’s pretty impossible, and I’ve started work on the next Meredith & Hodge AND Bearing Witness. I won’t be writing flat out as I did with the last one, but at least I have something on the go to keep me out of trouble.

That’s it for now. If the sun shines where you are – enjoy. If now, wrap up warm and venture out to enjoy those colours.

Happy reading,

Good morning one and all.

I hope the sun shines where you are, after a weekend of rain it’s lovely, if a little nippy, here in Bristol.

Icy Globe

As you know the fabulous Lindsay designed some wonderful covers for Meredith & Hodge Bear Witness. I managed to narrow it down to four and then put it to the vote. I did this on the basis that if one really does judge a book by its cover, I’d use the one voted the most popular. The winner was the Icy Globe. My personal favourite was the Street with Candles, but that came third, the Desolate Tree beating it to second slot. To maximise the number of people who saw the covers, I asked here, on Facebook, and in a group Lindsay is involved with on Facebook – Manchester Terrier Lovers Worldwide. I had a great response from them, and once the winner was known, I put those who voted for the Icy Globe into a draw.

Agatha & Dog

The prize for the winning dog is a cameo role in the book. Despite coming from a dog loving family, I’d not heard of the Manchester Terrier before. I found this wasn’t surprising as this breed is endangered, almost disappearing at the end of WW2 – but thanks to a few dedicated souls it survived. An affectionate and loyal breed, originally used for rat catching and rabbit coursing, they are described as elegant and sleek, black of body and tan of leg. And here’s an added twist, and we all like a good twist, Agatha Christie owned several. I thought this was very apt, as it was Agatha Christie who drew me into the world of Murder Mysteries.

Ince

The winner was Ince- a two year old bitch from Tasmania, Australia. Isn’t she stunning? For those of you who read my opening teaser, Ince will be owned by Sandra Wright, the mother of the victim, so I have a little rewriting to do now.

Ince with her Poodle family

I’m about halfway through the novel, and really enjoying the interaction between the two sets of characters. Its moving along quite quickly for me, lets hope that continues.

I’m going to give it another week, and if it keeps moving at this pace, I’ll get it up for pre-order.

I’ll leave you now and get back to writing, before I go a little reminder that Witness for Wendy is still on offer at 0.99 until 9th October if you want to grab a bargain.

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.

Good Morning from a very sunny Bristol,

Just a quick note, I won’t keep you from the sunshine.  The final countdown has begun. A Measure of Guilt goes live tomorrow. The paperback is already available (that’s a first), and the hardback is on it’s way. The talented Lee Beddow is off and running with the audio version. I have to say it’s lovely to hear Meredith again. I realised the other day that it was nine years ago on the 20th September, that Misplaced Loyalty was published. Meredith & Hodge have certainly had a few ups and downs since then!

Fifteen hours left until the competition closes, so if you want to enter, please email me asap: mkturnerbooks@gmail.com  If you missed the email about the competition the details are below.

I’ll be back in a few days with news of Meredith & Hodge Bearing Witness.  But for now, thank you for your continued support and encouragement, I hope you enjoy A Measure of Guilt.

Happy Reading

Competition rules:

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 9^th September 2021, the day of publication.  The last entry will be accepted at midnight on the 8^th 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?

*****

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.

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 . . .

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.

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.

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,

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,

Good Evening one and all,

And finally . . . Witness for Wendy is now available in audio.  I loved working on this one with my old friend and work colleague Nikki Loy, I think if anyone had told us we would be collaborating on such a project ten years ago, we’d have thought they were mad. But here we are, and I love this!

I’m not sure if any of the Meredith & Hodge fans are aware of the Bearing Witness series, but it’s a little bit different. There is a mystery and a murder, but the detectives are a tad unusual. I won’t say more, you’ll need to read/listen to find out.

Because this isn’t a Meredith & Hodge, and as codes are more limited these days, I haven’t sent any out to the usual suspects, but if you would like a code, and are willing to leave an honest review, please shout and I’ll get one off to you.

Fingers crossed Not If You Paid Me should be out by the end of the week.

Happy listening,   

Good Morning from sunny Bristol,

When naming a character, I can spend ages trying to come up with the right name. One that fits the character, one I haven’t used before, one that’s not associated with anyone famous, the list goes on.  Even when I think I’ve sorted it, I often realise that name didn’t suit, so I change it. Take Louie Trump for instance, I didn’t name him, my best friend, Jane, did. We were away for a weekend of pampering and I was talking about Ill Conceived the second in the Meredith & Hodge series. I explained that a rather posh chap would be joining Meredith’s team and I hadn’t got a name for him. I described him and she came up with Louie Trump. This was almost eight years ago, I liked it, and Meredith’s side kick was named. Of course, had she suggested that name today, I would have rejected it, and I’ve had more than a few comments from readers since, but back then . . . who knew?

I think I got it right with John Meredith though. BUT other than a few vague references, his height, the fact he has hair (!) I’ve not really described him, and I’m often asked who I picture when I’m writing. It has been known to vary, but usually it’s the actor Philip Glenister. When I asked the readers on Facebook, I got lots of different answers, and the only similarity? They are of course, all very good looking!

I’ve shared some of the pictures of those suggested here, who do you think looks most like ‘your’ Meredith?

In other news: Not If You Paid Me has been sent out to the ARC team, and the first reports are back. They like it. One said, “Not sure why you struggled with this one, it’s a cracker!”  I hope you like it too. It will be available on the 17th June and can be pre-ordered HERE.

That’s it for now, don’t forget to let me know who your Meredith is.

Stay safe & happy reading

As many of you know I have two German Shepherds and a Bichon Frise. The boys are lead reactive and I walk them very early in the morning, around five-thirty, so they can come off the lead and enjoy some freedom. I am very lucky to live across the road from some beautiful woodland, Blaise Castle. Meredith & Hodge readers will recognise the name. If you look very closely, you can just make out my house on the right hand side of the picture.

You may also know that I do most of my plot sorting while out walking the dogs. Believe it or not, even at that time in the morning you meet some very interesting characters. So, tucked away at the back of my mind was a plot where two dog walkers happen across a body.  I don’t know who, or why, just that one of the dog walkers had committed the murder, then doubled back to give himself an alibi by choosing to take that route with a fellow walker. This is now a story which will never be written.

This morning having walked the boys, I came back and collected Molly, (she can’t keep up with them) and off I set again. As I released her from her lead, something caught the corner of my eye. It was still quite dark, not even half-light, so I shone my torch in that direction and saw something seemingly hanging from a tree. It looked like a body but the feet were touching the floor, it was kids playing pranks I told myself. Molly had scooted off, so I went after her, all the while concerned that I should have gone and checked. A few minutes later, I saw a chap we see most mornings on his cycle into work, and I asked him to look with me. The clouds had cleared a little and we knew without getting too close that it was a very real, but very dead, young lady. She was a very smart looking young girl, and I doubt that she was out of her teens.

NOT YET TWENTY!

How is it that someone of that age can be so desperate?

I had to wait very close to her for about twenty minutes, one to direct the emergency services, and two, to warn other arriving dog walkers not to come near. I was helped in this task by my cycle riding friend, who I now know as Andy, and another young man who also takes that route on his walk to work. We didn’t really speak, and all I could think about was her age, her family, and how lost she must have felt. My daughter lost a friend to suicide, same method, a little before Christmas, he was twenty-three. He left behind him many devastated friends and family members, as I’m sure this young lady has.

There is an alarming increase in the number of young people taking their lives. Which is so very wrong, it breaks my heart. Please keep an eye on those young people around you. Be they friends, family or someone you work with. I don’t know what you should look for, nor can I advise you on what to do if you do think something is amiss. But you never know, a kind word or a helping hand may make the difference.

Go and give someone a hug,

Happy New Year!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and my very best wishes for a happy and healthy 2020.

Thank you for all your support over the years, particularly last year, which was a tough one for our family, although I’m delighted to advise that Ellie has been given the all clear and is currently cancer free!

I’m currently nursing a lurgy, so today I will be writing! I think Not If You Paid Me, is going to hold the record for the one that took the longest to complete!

To welcome in the New Year, The Story so Far, Meredith & Hodge 1 -6 has been reduced to 0.99. I know most of you have read them, but thought it worth a mention for new subscribers.

Audio News

The manuscript for One Secret Too Many has been amended for audio, and Meredith & Hodge narrator, Lee Beddow, will be making a start on it tomorrow. Tin Soldiers is now complete, and Amazon are currently reviewing it before release, so hopefully that should be available within the next week or so.

I know many of my readers don’t listen to audio, so I’m planning on running a separate mailing list for that, so those who have no interest in audio don’t get unnecessary emails.  If you would like to keep getting the latest audio news, simply respond to this email and I’ll add you to the list.

I still have a few promo codes for a free download the first three in the Meredith & Hodge series should anyone be interested, and of course will have a fresh batch for the new release of Tin Soldiers.

That’s it for now, I have writing to do… take care & have fun

Happy reading

Good Morning,

I hope you are all enjoying your weekend, and welcome new subscribers.

A Quick note to announce that Ill Conceived is now available in Audio format. I have free download codes for both the UK and the US available, please shout if you would like one. These are limited, and I will send out as requests come in, so don’t delay if you would like one.  I’m not sure why ACX/Amazon are so restrictive and apologise to readers/listeners elsewhere.  I understand you may have to sign up to join audible to use them, BUT you may cancel this at anytime, so please don’t be put off. I have been given a further allocation of free codes for Misplaced Loyalty if anyone is interested.

If you would like a sneak preview the most popular links are below.

For those of you in the US you can take a peep HERE  Those in the UK HERE If you are in France click HERE and finally Germany HERE

In other news THANK YOU if you followed me on BookBub (see below) I did contact quite a few who were also on my mailing list, unfortunately there were several names on BookBub that didn’t show up on my list. If you were one of them please shout.

That’s it, I’ll leave you to enjoy the remainder of your weekend. Hope you’re having a good 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.

Hello from sunny Bristol.

Only a few days to go, and Terms of Affection will be published. Hurrah! This is always the most nerve-racking time for me. Will the advanced reader team like it? Did I get the pace and the reveal right? Were there enough clues? …..and  many other doubts and concerns. Well, it’s too late now, I’ve hit that button.

Most of the critique is back in, tweaks and amendments made, so now it’s up to you. Here’s what a few of them said:

“Loved reading the book, the ups and downs, really got emotional at the funeral.  Only a truly good book will hit you in the feelings.”

“Thoroughly enjoyed Terms of Affection kept me entertained all the way through, had me near to tears too.”

“Thought I’d worked out who-dun-it fairly early on, so was hoping I wasn’t going to be disappointed in the book, and I wasn’t.  It had all the usual unexpectedness that I have come to love and expect from your novels……”

Terms of Affection goes live on the 17^th May and can be purchased here.

If you’ve yet to read any of the Bearing Witness and would like to get started with the series, to celebrate I have some FREE and BARGAIN promotions coming up, so now’s your chance to jump in.

Witness for Wendy will be FREE from the 15^th – 19^th May.

An Unexpected Gift will be 0.99 from 15^th May – 22^nd May.

Alternatively, you might want to pick up the new boxed set and get all three together – Bearing Witness  1 – 3 is now available.

As always all are free to read with Kindle Unlimited, to check them out simply click on the cover.

BEFORE YOU GO: Yet again I seem to have a technical blip with the newsletter and some people appear to receive it twice. If you do receive this twice, firstly, apologies, and secondly, would you be kind enough to drop me a line as we have an idea what the issue is, but I need more feedback before I start hitting the delete button.

I think that’s it for now,

Happy reading,

Don’t forget if you follow me on BookBub you may choose a FREE ebook from my list of novels. (Not boxed sets)  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.

Good Afternoon,

I hope all is well in your world. Here in Bristol things have been frantic. As always, so much to do, so little time. Although I’m happy to say, if we ignore the state the world has found itself in, I have nothing to complain about, and I’m grateful for that.

I heard some sad news this week. Susan Haughton, one of Meredith & Hodge’s first readers, died unexpectedly. She hadn’t been ill, in fact she had only just returned from a dream holiday in Alaska. Susan was only sixty-two, and she was one of the nicest people I have never met. Genuinely one of life’s nice people. She cared passionately about animal welfare. Her dog, Mia, was a rescued German Shepherd. In February it was Love your pet day, Susan commented. “Seriously? This is “Love Your Pet Day”? If that isn’t every day, then you should not have a pet.” While in Alaska she and her husband were going to the Mushers Banquet, and she told us, “We will get to meet the Mushers. Shhhh, would prefer to meet the dogs, but this is second best!”

I laughed regularly at some of the things she posted on Facebook. We shared a similar sense of humour and taste in music. We exchanged numerous emails over the years, and Susan was one of the first to put her hands up to Beta read for me. I will miss her input on the trials and tribulations of Meredith & Hodge, and having a giggle with her on Facebook. It just goes to show, that you don’t need to meet someone for them to make an impression in your life. My sincere condolences to Susan’s family, I know they will be devastated. RIP Susan.

And, now the good news . . . The winners are ….

Thank you, if you completed the recent survey on audio books. The draw for the three $10.00 Amazon cards has been made, and the winners are . . . Actually, first, I’ll share some of the results.

57% of the respondents listen to audio books, but only 27% are members of Amazon’s Audible. Of those that are members, 45% buy extra credits to purchase additional books. Only 20% leave reviews. 41% of those who do listen have stopped because they didn’t like the narrator. Of the 43 who never listen to audio books, over 82% would consider it. But only two people, a tiny percentage, would pay over 7.99 for a book.

This is all very useful information for me, so once again, if you took the time and trouble to complete the questionnaire, thank you. Your contribution is much appreciated. However, as I’m finding out, there is an awful lot invested in producing an audio book, not least time, so please, if the author and narrator have entertained you, leave a review when you have a moment. It really does help and is very much appreciated. Which brings us to the winners, the following three readers were selected at random by my hubby, and in no particular order, the winners are:  Angela Herron, Jan Meredith and Diana (Evs2Hui)

Congratulations! You should receive an email later today with your eVoucher.

In other news, Terms of Affection is nearly done, yes, I know I’ve said that before, but this time I think I mean it 😉, the audio version of Misplaced Loyalty is also progressing nicely, and I’m hoping to find a way of providing a link where you can listen to a snippet. Another thing on the to do list!

Finally, huge thanks to those of you who have written to me, and or reviewed Family Matters, I’m grateful and chuffed that you enjoyed it.

That’s it for now,

Happy reading,

 Don’t forget if you follow me on BookBub you may choose a free ebook from my list of novels. (Not boxed sets)  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.

Hello from Bristol, where the sun is trying to put in an appearance after a miserable drizzly morning.

It’s all go here. Family Matters #8 in the Meredith & Hodge series, has been through the mill with the editor, proof-reader, and beta readers. It has been tweaked and polished and is ready to go. It will be published on 15^th February 2019, and is available for pre-order HERE.  I’m delighted to say that everyone who has read it likes it. Meredith is back, and he’s on form! A few of the comments so far:

“. . .  bang on the money.  Meredith back into the old routine, just about back to health, and finally ….”

“All in all I would highly recommend to all book lovers whatever their favourite genre they should enjoy this one”

“I’ve just finished the latest Meredith & Hodge book, and wow it was a great story and I kept guessing the wrong person all the way through”

“I can honestly say another thoroughly enjoyable and gripping book right to the end”

“Liked the new characters, well described, I didn’t work it out which I normally do, so you had me on this one.”

While all the final editing was going on for Family Matters, I was also busy working away on the #3, in the Bearing Witness series, Terms of Affection.  The story seems to be telling itself. This is how it opens:

Popular, seventeen-year-old, Henry Cooksey went missing in 1977.  An athletic boy and talented ruby player, it was rumoured he would be selected for the England junior squad. Lorna Rogers, his teacher’s daughter had caught his eye, and the two were smitten with each other. If Henry wasn’t thinking about rugby, Lorna filled his thoughts.  On the evening he disappeared he was due to meet Lorna on the bus but he never arrived. When the search for him began the only trace that Henry had been on the bus stop was his scarf. Happier than he’d ever been, Henry had no reason to disappear, but despite an extensive police operation no trace of him has ever been found.

The Bearing women take on the case, and Angie discovers that a car picked Henry up from the bus stop, and within the hour he was being buried alive. The Bearing Witness team need to discover the Who, and the Why.  I need to choose a cover, and after a mini poll, it’s down to these two, which one do you prefer – Scarf or Face?

In other news, Misplaced Loyalty is free from the 12^th – 16^th February, so grab a copy if you’ve not yet read it, alternatively tell a friend 😊 I’ve just finished reading a cracker of a suspense novel. Check it out Here

That’s it for now, so much to do ……

Happy reading,

Don’t forget if you follow me on BookBub you may choose a free ebook from my list of novels. (Not boxed sets)  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.

Hello and welcome new subscribers,

And finally, after what seems like an age, Quite by Chance goes live tomorrow.

I’ve had some wonderful comments from the advanced readers team.  Below are some excerpts from comments received.

“Brilliantly funny book. I was engrossed from the beginning”

“I first thought it was a cross between Agatha Christie and Midsommer Murders but as I got further into it it has a humour and flair not seen in either of the two above.”

“Meredith & Hodge are back! Had absolutely no idea who the guilty party was!”

There are still a few hours to send in your screenshot of your pre-order to be entered into the draw for a $/£10.00 amazon voucher. I’ll be doing the draw tomorrow afternoon 2.00pm UK time. If you have yet to order, and would like to, please click here. Send me a screenshot of your order, and you’ll be entered into the draw.

A big thank you to all those who have followed me on Bookbub. I’ve managed to work out who most of you are, but there are still a few where it’s not possible, including: April, Mark, John L, to name a few. I’m sure you’d like your free book, so please let me know who you are.  If you would like to follow me on Bookbub, and claim a free copy of one of my novels, click the red button above.

By the way, if any of you are still getting duplicate newsletters, please let me know. I know how to solve that once I know who is getting them, and as always my apologies for my total lack of technical ability.

Better dash, I’m now working on the next Meredith & Hodge, but promise (to those who have asked) the one after that is a Bearing Witness story, I already have the title: Terms of Affection – and was fleshing out the plot on this morning’s dog walk!

I’ll be back on Saturday with the draw results. Keep those fingers crossed.

Happy reading,

Hello one and all,

I did it again! I am so sorry, but I think you probably received the last newsletter earlier! Please accept my sincere apologies, this was your intended email – yet again I am reminded that me and technology don’t mix!

Only ten days to go! Quite by Chance will be whizzing through the invisible magic cloud that no one understands, (do they?), and landing on an e-reader near you on the 19^th October.

I’ve had some great feedback through from the advanced reader team, a couple have actually asked when the next one is out – give me time to catch my breath – but the answer is, hopefully, with a fair wind, December/January time.

To continue the celebration, and as ten is a nice round number, I thought some £/$10.00 Amazon vouchers would be appropriate prizes for our celebratory pre-order draw. If you have yet to order, click here: Quite by Chance

To take part all you need to do is send me a screenshot of your pre-order of Quite by Chance. Five winners will be drawn at random on the 19^th October, and winners will be announced on the 20^th.  If you have already sent your screenshot for a different reason, no worries, simply send it again for your chance to win. Oh yes, if you fancy joining the advanced reader team for my next novel, please note that on your response and I’ll gladly add you to the team.

I am sure you have heard of BookBub, (if not you really should check it out. Loads of bargain and free books emailed to you on a frequency of your choice. I picked up a great John Grisham for 99p last month). If you have already, or decide to subscribe, I would be very grateful if you would follow me as an author. Nothing bad will happen ;), you will simply be told when I have a new release coming out, however it might just help me get a promotional slot with them, which are like gold dust now the big names are in on the act. I will be checking at regular intervals, but if you do follow me, let me know in case I don’t associate your user name, and I’ll send you a link to a free ebook.  Simply click the button above to get to my author page, and thank you in anticipation.

Happy reading,