Book Extract: Fantaisie by Michael Kenneth Smith

It’s a pleasure to be welcoming Michael Kenneth Smith to Novel Kicks as we shine a light on his novel, Fantaisie.

Fantaisie is set in the aftermath of war, where the front lines have shifted to secrets and survival.

Jan Orlinski, a pilot with few options, accepts work that puts him in the crosshairs of international intrigue. Sophie Gordon, caught up in a dangerous intelligence operation, vanishes behind enemy lines—setting Jan on a rescue mission that will test his limits.

Author Michael Kenneth Smith is known for The Postwoman, a novel rooted in real WWII resistance history. Fantaisie continues his legacy of character-driven, historically rich fiction.

 

Michael Kenneth Smith has kindly shared an extract from Fantaisie with us today. We hope you enjoy. 

 

*****beginning of extract****

 

The black sedan was still following them as they neared the airport, albeit at a distance. Jan decided whoever it was wanted to keep an eye on them but wasn’t looking for a confrontation. He glanced back again as Brian made a quick turn and then another. After four years in Matadi, he knew the city’s streets well. Soon, they were headed back across the bridge into the heart of town, the sedan no longer visible behind them. The sun beat down as Brian guided the truck through Matadi’s bustling streets, which smelled of exhaust and overripe fruit from market stalls and street vendors. He turned down narrow alleys twice, the truck’s tires screeching in protest.

Five minutes later, they pulled up to a small, tidy house in an affluent neighborhood.

“Come on,” Brian said. “We need to talk.”

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Novel Kicks Writing Room: Talking Whilst Doing

Hello Wednesday and I’d like to welcome everyone back to another Novel Kicks Writing Room. 

For today’s task, I thought it would be fun to concentrate on writing dialogue.

Many of us will hold conversations whilst doing something else and your character will be no different.

Spend a few minutes listing some activities. Then pick an activity from that list and write a piece using mostly dialogue. Make sure to incorporate the activity into the piece.

Here are some examples of activities should you need them –

Driving a car.

Washing up.

Walking around a supermarket.

Painting a wall.

Moving house.

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Book Review: Broken Hearted by Leia Stone and Julie Hall

The Winter Court princess Isolde must find the next piece of the puzzle to end the curse ravaging her lands.

My world is dying, and only I can save it.

When the princesses of Summer and Fall disappeared in Ethereum, the burden of stopping the curse that’s tearing Faerie apart fell to me. My mission is clear: kill an Ethereum lord and return with his magical black heart to save our land.

But I know a secret no one else does―Dawn and Aribella are alive, and everything I’ve been told about the Ethereum lords is a lie. Not only that, but there may be another way to break the curse once and for all.

At least, that’s what they claim.

I want to believe them, because when I gaze into the captivating teal eyes of the Southern Ethereum lord, the thought of driving a dagger through his heart becomes impossible to imagine. But trusting them could cost me everything.

Now, I’m torn between loyalty and truth, with no idea who to trust. The clock is ticking, and the fate of Faerie rests in my hands.

*****

The curse that is destroying the kingdom of Faerie is getting worse and Queen Lilianna now hopes that Isolde, the princess of the Winter Kingdom, can do what the Summer (Dawn) and Fall (Aribella) princesses could not – go through the portal into Ethereum, cut out the heart of a lord and bring it back.
Isolde hopes to help without having to resort to murder. She also finds herself fighting her feelings for Adrien, an Ethereum Lord who, when she arrives, is engaged to someone else.

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NK Chats To…Susan Ekins

Hello Susan. Thank you so much for joining me today. Can you tell me about your book, HoodWink! What inspired it?

Where to start? Probably seriously in Norwich in 2018.  My husband’s family are very much into get-togethers, and in 2018 all five siblings and their partners gathered there to celebrate various anniversaries and birthdays. In order to keep people’s noses out of their mobile ‘phones, I had produced a little guide book in which one of the characters mentioned was Saint William of Norwich. Except that he wasn’t a saint.  I knew a little about him, because Benjamin Britten had set a ballad, entitled Little Sir William, to music. My singing teacher was quite right when she said it was a terrible song.  Nevertheless, that had not stopped us performing it in recitals.

Why was it so terrible?  For two reasons: one, the child is killed at Easter by the school wife with a little penknife. Worse, in the original story, set around 8oo years earlier, it was all blamed on the Jewish Community, who were said to have killed him in a ritual murder. The child was then declared a martyr. The man who had really stoked the flames was a certain Thomas of Monmouth, who wrote a book on the sufferings and miracles of St William.  Later – but much too late to stop the hatred – they received orders to cancel the cult.  

To this day, nobody knows who killed the little boy, but it certainly wasn’t the Jews.  But I did become angry at all the fantasy and deceit, and this gave birth to the book.  If Thomas of Monmouth could write a book, then so could I.  There is a murderer, and at the end of the book the reader, having carefully followed the clues, finds out who it is. But unlike Thomas, I do not claim my book is the truth, but my way of showing how a community can be destroyed by lies, ignorance, and hatred.

 

What are the challenges when writing a book with historical and fictional elements combined? What do writers need to consider when writing a book like Hoodwink!?

Firstly, I would say do your research. Sadly there is not a lot of information on William, and most of that seems to have been invented by Thomas. Some of the characters in my book did exist, and are documented – though not in much detail. Make sure you have your background correct.  In my case it was to reinforce or double check what I knew about the Monastic Hours, the seasons of the year, medicinal cures, food, even the flowers that grew here in that time. In other words, you have to live there and experience it.

 

From first idea to finished book, how long did this book take you to write? Do you have any advice about the research and editing process – like, when do you know when you’ve done enough?

It took about eight months, but that is not to say I sat at my computer every single day. It may be a strange thing to say, but when I sat down to write, it was almost as if I suddenly felt the urge to pay a visit to Brother Anselm, to Sheriff John, to Brother Dunstan. It was rather like dropping in on friends. I never forced it, although the book was carefully planned, with a time line. I finished it the day before Hamas invaded Israel. The research I have already mentioned above. To this one might add the Popes of the time and their fates; the second crusade, modes of travel. All dates were carefully checked, even to the dates of Easter for any particular year.

 

If you were putting together a playlist for this book, which modern songs would you include?

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Book Extract: Flowers of Evil by N.L. Holmes

It’s a pleasure to be welcoming N.L Holmes to Novel Kicks as we shine a light her Hani’s Daughter Mysteries Series. 

No Pyramids, Just Crimes Worth Solving

While most historical fiction about ancient Egypt fixates on pharaohs and pyramids, N.L. Holmes takes a refreshingly intimate approach: small neighborhoods, family entanglements, and the everyday tensions that lead to murder. Her four-book series follows Neferet and Bener-ib — medical women turned reluctant detectives — as they navigate deadly mysteries within the working-class community of Thebes.

Each installment, from Flowers of Evil to The Melody of Evil, presents a different crime, a new emotional layer, and evolving relationships. Holmes’s deep archaeological knowledge makes every page ring with authenticity — and the fact that these stories center queer women in the Bronze Age? Even better.

The books in the series include Flowers of Evil, Web of Evil, Wheel of Evil and Melody of Evil. 

 

N.L. Holmes has shared an extract from Flowers of Evil, book one from the series. We hope you enjoy. 

 

*****beginning of extract*****

 

“Can you do anything?” the woman cried tremulously, clutching at Neferet’s arm.

But Neferet could think of nothing encouraging to say. Her insides had that hollow, leaden feeling that meant the worst was about to happen.

“There’s no point in stitching up the outside,” she said gently. “He’s lost a lot of blood, and they’ve chopped him up pretty seriously inside. As the medical books say, ‘This is not a case I will treat.’”

The woman understood and began to whimper. She reached out a hand to touch her husband’s shoulder but then drew back as if she’d just discovered it was someone else. A gloomy silence fell over the group, broken only by the increasingly weak huff of the patient’s breath. His lips moved feebly, and Bener-ib leaned over his face.

“I think you’d better stand with him, mistress,” Neferet said. “His soul is ready to fly. He might have something to say to you.”

The woman drew closer fearfully. “Sen-em-iah, my brother, I’m here.”

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Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: Labyrinth

It’s Friday which means it’s time to start writing some fiction.

Fiction Friday is our weekly writing flash fiction prompt.

The aim is to write for a minimum of five minutes and then keep going for as long as you can.

Don’t edit, just write. Once you’re done, you’re welcome to share in the comments but there’s no obligation.

Today’s prompt: Labyrinth. 

Using the prompts below, write a story. 

Start with this line – ‘I didn’t know how long it would take me to find the centre’. Write 100 words.

Then use the next sentence – ‘I couldn’t believe that I was standing in front of a…’. Write 100 words.

Then use the next sentence – ‘I think I need to steal that…’. Write 100 words.

Then use the next sentence – ‘They were both identical but each held a different power. One I needed, one I didn’t. I only had one chance to pick the right one’.

Write at least another 100 words.

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Book Review: Men of Iron by MJ Porter

We are pleased to be welcoming MJ Porter to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for their latest book, Men of Iron.

After the legends of Arthur, yet before the Saxon kingdom of Mercia, a tribal age of iron and rust ruled.

Britain AD540.

In the western hinterland of Roman Britannia, Meddi, the seeress of the Eorlingas tribe, can only obtain vengeance when her husband’s dead and her ancestral villa returned to her.

With her brother, Madog, as leader, they unite and stand strong against those who seek the riches of their villa. They must harness the power of the lost magiks of iron to make weapons to mercilessly oppose those who seek to challenge and fight to rule.

Meanwhile in the east, Waermund, a young warrior of Saxon descent, has exacted the ultimate revenge against his brother. Startled by his own ruthlessness, he knows his father will pursue him to exact retribution. He and his band of miscreant warriors must flee westwards and forge a new future by earning coin from those too weak to protect themselves.

Meddi and Wærmund are set to collide in a world of iron and rust.

*****

Men of Iron is the first in a new series by M.J Porter. Having read novels in previous series by this author, I was eager to see what this new one had to offer.

This book is based in the dark ages, between the departure of the Romans and the rule of the Saxons. It’s a time when sharp iron which holds its edge is worth more than gold.

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Book Extract: How To Fix A Broken Heart by Nicola May

I’m pleased to be welcoming Nicola May to Novel Kicks as we celebrate the publication of her book, How To Fix A Broken Heart.

A heart-wrenching and life-affirming story of love and loss from number one bestselling author Nicola May

Gracie Davies is at an all-time low. After a devastating loss, the last thing she needs is a colleague hinting over coffee that it’s time to lose her baby weight. Then her boyfriend betrays her, and her world totally falls apart.

Rebuilding her life from scratch – with the support of her free-spirited sister, an unorthodox therapist, and a feisty new friend – Gracie finally begins to get her mojo back. Add in a passionate fling with handsome landscaper Ed, a fairytale encounter with a Hollywood film star and the persistence of her adulterous ex, and life is anything but predictable…

Soon she finds that community, purpose, and perhaps even new love might be the perfect prescription for a broken heart.

But can a heart that’s been so utterly shattered ever trust again?

Warm, witty, wildly sexy and deeply moving, Nicola May’s unforgettable novel is perfect for fans of Jojo Moyes, Marian Keyes, and Amanda Prowse.

This is a revised version of The Women of Wimbledon Common/The SW19 Club.

 

To celebrate How To Fix A Borken Heart, Nicola has shared an extract with us today. We hope you enjoy. 

 

*****beginning of extract*****

 

Gracie goes on her first date after her boyfriend’s betrayal.

 *****

Ed smiled warmly as he saw Gracie’s red Puma pull into the Wimbledon car park, where they had agreed to meet. He had thought she might chicken out and was pleased she’d stuck to her word. He jumped out of his van as she approached.

‘Hey, you look lovely.’ He kissed her on the cheek.

‘Well, you know, it’s not every day you get asked on a date by a handsome landscaper.’ She self-consciously pulled her jumper down over her jeans.

‘Oh, it’s a date, is it?’

Gracie reddened. ‘Err… well… I… err.’

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Novel Kicks Writing Room: Using A Starting Point

Hello all. Happy Wednesday.

Today, the exercise requires you to use one of the sentences below as a starting point. Once you’ve picked one, write for five minutes.

Set a timer, don’t stop and just write until the time is up.

Feel free to change the POV if you’d rather write in third person.

‘When I look back…’

‘I couldn’t believe what I was hearing…’

‘We, the jury find Cara Hardy not guilty…’

‘Once the bright light faded, the fear…’

‘The audience goes quiet as you step onto the stage…’

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Book Review: Meet Me Under the Clock by Jo Lovett

I’m happy to be welcoming Jo Lovett to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, Meet Me Under the Clock.

Sometimes love happens when you least expect it…

When Nadia and Tom are both unceremoniously stood up by their dates under the clock at Waterloo Station, fate throws them together in the most unusual of circumstances.

What starts as a brilliant story for future dinner parties soon turns into a wonderful friendship, and both Tom and Nadia realise they’ve found the perfect partner in crime.

Tired of dating but always needing a plus one for weddings, parties, and the like, they agree to fake date each other. But as their pretend relationship starts to feel more real, Nadia and Tom begin to wonder if there’s more to their connection than convenience.

Could the relationship they’ve been faking be the one they’ve been waiting for all along?

A heartwarming fake dating rom com, perfect for fans of Beth O’Leary and Sophie Kinsella.

*****

Nadia arrives at Waterloo station for a blind date. At the same time, Tom is there to meet a woman he made a pact with. As a security alert brings these two together, they decide to help each other out with the dating thing by pretending to be an item. This surely can’t backfire… right? 

Although i have had the opportunity to host Jo Lovett before on this blog, this is the first time I’ve had the chance to review one of her novels. The idea of this book sounded great and so I was pleased to be invited onto the blog tour for Meet Me Under The Clock. 

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Book Review: Catch a Falling Star by Laura Carter

It’s a pleasure to be welcoming Laura Carter back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, Catch a Falling Star.

It’s never too late…

Lyra Clarkson has built a career capturing other people’s perfect moments. She loves her work as a wedding photographer – despite her family’s disapproval – but she’s never quite found her own path.

Guy Walker, former rock star turned wedding singer, has hit a new low. Desperately needing cash, he’s agreed to take any gig his manager can get him, even if this new form of entertainment isn’t just singing.

As Lyra and Guy’s paths cross – in the most bizarre way possible – an unexpected kiss will change everything. But was it simply a chance encounter or is fate bringing them back together?

Now forced into each other’s lives for the entire wedding season, the unlikely pair may just figure out together how to realise both their dreams…

*****

One night, Lyra shares a moment with her favourite musican as he performs on stage. When she is invited backstage to meet him, she allows herself to get swept up in the dream. However, a phone call at the dressing room door changes the trejectory of her life. Seven years later, she meets a stranger in a lift, one that feels really familiar.

Being a big fan of Laura Carter’s novels, I couldn’t wait to get started on her latest book, Catch A Falling Star.

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Book Review: Safe Harbour in Pelican Crossing by Maggie Christensen

I’m pleased to be welcoming Maggie Christensen back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, Safe Harbour in Pelican Crossing.

Safe Harbour in Pelican Crossing: An emotional and uplifting story of friends, family and second chances

After the death of her abusive husband, Erica Masters returns to Perth, eager for a fresh start and the birth of her granddaughter. But when she learns her husband has changed his Will in favour of their son, leaving her with nothing, she flees to seek refuge in Pelican Crossing, the place she once called home.

Having sold his fishing boat after a bitter divorce which left him to bring up his two teenage sons, Jamie Whittaker has found success with his fishing charter business. Thrilled by the arrival of his first grandchild, he is stunned when his teenage flame, Erica, reappears in town.

As the pair reconnect, old feelings resurface, but Erica remains guarded after her painful past. Jamie, determined to win Erica’s heart once again, manages to break through her defences until a family tragedy turns their lives upside down.

With everything unravelling around them, can these two troubled souls build a future together?

If you enjoy emotional reads, you’ll love this gripping tale of love and second chances.

*****

Erica’s life has not been the happiest. After the death of her abusive husband, she is looking for a new start, back where she grew up. Pelican Crossing promises the solace Erica is looking for. Will she still be happy to be back when she runs into old flame, Jamie?

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Book Extract: Karma Never Sleeps by R. John Dingle

I am pleased to be welcoming R. John Dingle to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for his latest novel, Karma Never Sleeps. 

In a small town, the truth can’t always set you free…

When a second woman from a group of friends known as “the posse” is murdered in the woods near the New England enclave of Kendalton, FBI agent and profiler Gus Wheeler and his partner are called in to determine if this is a serial killing. He’s intrigued by a clue hidden on the body: a memorial picture of a teen who died 25 years ago.

Instead of helping with the investigation, the long-term friends stonewall the agents. But Gus can smell fear beneath their calm masks, fake smiles, and politely vague answers. Digging deeper, he discovers they are being terrorised by cyberstalking, spying, threats and mysterious break-ins. When a third member is hospitalized after a brutal attack, Gus suspects someone in the posse is the hunter instead of the hunted.

Is it the alpha leader Jules, her best friend Maria-married to the chief of police-outsider Mel, or weak link Lizzy? Or someone else bent on revenge? Time’s running out, and Gus’s life depends on his skill at determining who’s the best liar in town.

 

R. John Dingle has shared an extract with us today. We hope you enjoy it. 

(Warning: Violence).

 

*****beginning of extract*****

 

Chapter One

Everyone knew Sarah Nelson loved to run. She was a triage nurse, so her days were filled with alarms and buzzers and life-or-death decisions. Running gave her much-needed quiet time, a chance to decompress and get lost in her own head without any distractions from work or kids or social media. She loved the alone time on the trails, just her and her music and the fresh smells of nature. And the endorphins; oh, how she loved the endorphins. Sarah would rave to the girls, the Posse as they called themselves, that as good as sex was with Steve (and it was pretty amazing), when she hit the zone on a run and the world melted away, the endorphins she’d get afterward were simply orgasmic. But, of course, all this was a lie, especially the Steve-sex thing. Sarah hated running, she absolutely loathed it. But deep down she loathed her vile friend, Jules, even more. Jules was a liar and a drunk and a constant thorn in Sarah’s side. Any day Sarah didn’t see Jules was a good day. But worst of all, Jules was a runner and a big-time one at that. And Sarah would be damned if that bitch did anything better than she did.

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Cover Reveal: A Scottish Lighthouse Escape by Julie Shackman

I am beyond excited to be helping to reveal the cover for A Scottish Lighthouse Escape, the upcoming novel from Julie Shackman.

Get ready to fall in love with the brand new romance in the Scottish Escapes series from bestselling author, Julie Shackman.

 When romance author Rosie Winters’s own fairytale romance ends with a bang, she’s determined to get away from everything. Packing up her belongings she sets off for the furthest place she can think of: Scotland.

Rosie spent her summers at her late grandmother’s coastal cottage in the Highlands and knows it’ll be the perfect place to wallow for a while. Even better that there’s a gorgeous lighthouse and dolphins in the bay.

What Rosie didn’t expect was to bump into the new lighthouse keeper, Mitch. Despite her recent heartbreak, Rosie finds herself fascinated by the mysterious Mitch. As they spend more time together, is it possible that he needs Rosie every bit as she needs him…

OK, now we know what the book is about, it’s time to reveal the cover. Ready? Drumroll…3…2…1…

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Book Spotlight: The Dressmaker’s Secret Earl by Susanne Dunlap

I’m delighted to be shining a light on The Dressmaker’s Secret Earl by Susanne Dunlap. It’s book one in the Double Dilemma Romance series. 

A marriage of convenience to a scoundrel? Not if Augusta can help it.

The impoverished daughter of a baronet, Augusta has no intention of being bartered away like a prize horse. Instead, she flees to London, determined to forge her own path as a modiste.

But fate has other plans. On her very first day in the city, she crosses paths with a brooding earl—one burdened with a clubfoot and a reputation nearly as scandalous as the proposal she ran from. His captivating sister, Mariana, is not only Augusta’s employer’s best client but harbors a secret ambition of her own: to marry the one man society deems wholly unsuitable.

Drawn into Mariana’s reckless schemes of masquerades, cross-dressing, and Whig intrigue, Augusta soon finds herself entangled in more than just scandal—she’s losing her heart to a man who embodies everything she swore to escape.

But the earl has secrets of his own. Is he truly the rogue society believes him to be?

And when Augusta’s past comes calling, will her newfound independence—and her heart—survive?

A charming, fast-paced Regency romance perfect for fans of Bridgerton and the sweetly adventurous love stories of Maggie Dallen and Jenny Hambly.

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Novel Kicks Writing Room: Starting Lines And Genres

Hello Wednesday. 

You made it. You’re halfway through the week. It’s time for another Novel Kicks Writing room writing exercise. 

Today, I thought it would be good to take the following starting line and then write in different styles. 

The starting line is as follows: ‘the last thing I broke was.’ 

Now pick a genre: 

Crime/psychological thriller 

Romance

Dystopian 

Historical 

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Book Review: Happy Ever After at the Second Chances Sweet Shop by Hannah Lynn

It’s a pleasure to be welcoming Hannah Lynn back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, Happy Ever After at the Second Chances Sweet Shop. 

Love is in the air…

After difficult times, Holly is finally adjusting to her new normal. Her daughter Hope is happy, she’s created a beautiful home, and an unexpected offer may mean fantastic opportunities for her sweet shop, Just One More.

But her sense of calm is shattered when best friend Giles drops a bombshell – a proposal to Sienna, a woman Holly barely knows and who isn’t right for Giles at all.

For Giles’s sake, she tries to make peace with Sienna, throwing herself into wedding planning. But as everyone else cheers on the ‘happy’ couple, Holly’s left questioning whether her doubts are about them – or about something in her own heart…

Return to the cosy world of the Cotswolds in this heartwarming story of love, friendship and second chances – perfect for fans of Holly Martin and Jessica Redland.

*****

Holly has settled into life running her sweet shop and bringing up her daughter.

However, when her best friend proposes to his girlfriend, Holly isn’t happy. She wants to try and convince Giles that Sienna is wrong for him but are her reasons for the warnings simply because she doesn’t want him making a mistake or is there something more to it?

I am such a big fan of Hannah Lynn, so I threw myself at any chance to be part of the blog tour for her latest book in the Holly Berry Sweet Shop series, Happy Ever After at the Second Chances Sweet Shop.

What I soon realised, is that I am not as up to date with this series as I am with Hannah Lynn’s Wildflower Lock books. I know. I don’t understand how that happened, but I will be rectifying that by adding this series to my TBR pile. The last book I’d read in this series was book five so there’s a few things that I’ve missed. Happy Ever After at the Second Chances Sweet Shop is book eight. This can be read as a standalone and I was able to keep up very well but obviously starting at this point will reveal spoilers if you’re then planning on reading the previous novels.

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Cover Reveal: Tucker’s Time Machine Telescope by Robin Bennett

I’m excited to be helping to reveal the cover for Tucker’s Time Machine Telescope, the upcoming children’s book from Robin Bennett.

Thomas Tucker (or just Tucker to everyone who knows him) is walking innocently down the street when he is attacked by a chicken and falls down a hole. Unlikely as it sounds, this is how he ends up finding the Time Machine Telescope.

Unfortunately, Tucker seems to attract chaos and bad luck the same way that someone standing on top of a mountain waving a metal pole will eventually attract lightning and a free Xray.

Can he survive killer robots, Tudor kings, dinosaurs … and Kylo Hens long enough to complete his Time Machine Wish List

  • GET RICH
  • HAVE FUN!
  • GET MUM AND DAD TO SPEND LESS TIME ON THEIR MOBILE PHONES

There’s only one way to find out…

 

Now we know a little about the book, it’s time to reveal the cover. OK, are you ready? Drumroll…3…2…1…. 

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Book Review: Damaged Beauty: Joey Superstar by Margaret Gardiner

Welcome to the world of model Joey Superstar – a whirlwind of cocaine, sex, and money.

Josaphina Brinkley seems to have it all: she’s a superstar model in 1980s America, a cover girl plastered naked on fashion billboards above Sunset Blvd. Women want to be her. Men simply want her.

But underneath the glossy veneer she hides a traumatic past. The end of her marriage to Italian Aristocracy led to a stint in rehab. As she returns to parties, premiers and modeling, she’s hoping a life of designer clothes and beautiful people won’t take her back to blow. If only she could be truly seen, heard and understood, perhaps she wouldn’t self-destruct again?

Joey sets out to confront the roots of her wildness – but must admit to a youthful act that haunts her. As Joey fights from addiction to redemption, can she change the course of her life, deal with her dark past and become the superstar she was always destined to be? Former Miss Universe Margaret Gardiner gives readers the key to a secret world of supermodels, sex, style and scandal in her deliciously intoxicating debut, Joey Superstar, the first in an exciting Damaged Beauty series.

*****

It’s the 80’s and Joey is a successful model, well, until her marriage ends with her being sent to rehab. When she is released, she tries to pick herself up again but it isn’t an easy road and it’s not long before Joey is falling into familiar destructive patterns.

I am going to talk about this book as much as I can without giving away too many spoilers (I hope).

I have to admit, it did take me a couple of chapters to get into this story. However, the plot grabbed hold of me and before long, it’s was the middle of the night and I hadn’t realised how long I’d been reading.

At the beginning, I didn’t like Joey at all. That being said, the further I got into the book, the more compelling she became and before long, I felt much empathy for her. That’s all I will say about Joey as I believe one of the brilliant things about this novel is the layers it has to it. Nothing is as it seems on the surface – much like celebrity status.

Margaret Gardiner has done a good job at giving us a snapshot of what it was like for women in the 80’s. You would hope that in this day and age, the behaviour exhibited by some of the characters would be a thing of the past. I get the feeling it isn’t and that makes me incredibly worried and sad. Some of what happens within the story is shocking. I found myself getting angry at injustices portrayed within this book. It definitely is an emotional rollercoaster that, by the end, had me wanting to know what happens next. As this is the first book in the Damaged Beauty series, I am hoping I won’t have to wait long to find out.

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Book Review: Enemies of the Crown by Peter Gibbons

We are pleased to be welcoming back Peter Gibbons to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for his latest book in the Saxon Warrior series, Enemies of the Crown.

A weakened crown. A country besieged by Vikings, suffering under the oppression of a powerful church.

994AD

King Aethelred the Unready’s rule falters. Policies recommended by the controlling bishops invite more attacks upon his Saxon kingdom as Sweyn Forkbeard, Viking battle-king of the Danes, grows in power; bloodthirsty for conquest.

Beornoth, Viking-killer and kings thegn believed his days in the shield wall to be over until summoned by the king to enforce a policy of retribution against his enemies.

In a time of shifting loyalties, alongside a savage warband of cruel Norman warriors, Beornoth embarks upon a brutal quest to rid England of King Aethelred’s so-called Viking enemies.

However, when this murderous campaign leads to the door of an old friend, Beornoth must choose sides, as his loyalty to king, country, and his brothers of the sword are put to the test.

Can Beornoth triumph over insurmountable odds in this shield splintering battle for the future of England itself?

*****

Enemies of the Crown continues the story of Beornoth, a fierce  Saxon warrior and King’s Theign.

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Book Extract: I Kill Always Love You by Helen Golden

I am so delighted to be welcoming Helen Golden back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, I Kill Always Love You.

A perfect sunny getaway with no drama. Or so they’d hoped…

BREAKING NEWS Woman Taken in for Questioning in Death of Actress’ Husband

Police in Portugal this morning told reporters that a woman is being questioned in connection with the murder of the film producer Jason ‘JT’ Kenda, who was married to award-winning actress Ariella St Gerome.

Mr Kenda, who was found dead in the swimming pool of the couple’s villa, was initially thought to have died following an accident, but now police believe the American was killed intentionally. The villa is next door to where Lady Beatrice, the Countess of Rossex, is currently holidaying with family and friends at the villa of TV’s Sir Hewitt and his wife, Lady Grace.

Who can say no to Lady Grace? When the daughter of Lady Grace’s housekeeper is suspected of murder, her ladyship requests that Bea and her friends prove the maid’s innocence. But with time running out, can they navigate the tangled web of lies, betrayal, and hidden motives before an innocent woman is imprisoned for a crime she didn’t commit? Because even on holiday, the sleuthing never stops!

*****

 

Helen has kinky shared an extract from I Kill Always Love You with us today. We hope you enjoy. 

 

*****beginning of extract*****

 

Intro

Lady Beatrice, her cute dog Daisy, her son Sam, and best his friend, Archie, are joined by DS Richard Fitzwilliam, Bea’s best friends Perry and Simon, and Simon’s daughter Isla, for a relaxing holiday in the sun, and they can’t wait. They’ve all had a crazy year so far, and all they want to do is sit by the pool and chill. No mysteries. No murder. Just sunny weather, good food, and great company. Their villa, Villa Mer, is in a complex of three, but Bea hopes that they can keep their interaction with their neighbours to a minimum, especially when she finds out that one of them is famous American actress, Ella St Gerome, and her husband, hot-shot Hollywood film producer, JT Kenda. The couple have been splashed all over the newspapers recently with rumours that he wasn’t giving his wife the lead role in his next movie. Bea doesn’t want to be dragged into that drama. But it was never going to be that simple, was it?

While Bea and the others were having breakfast the day after their arrival, an invitation arrived from Ella and JT to a pool party. Perry has persuaded Bea to hand deliver their acceptance note and has dragged her over to the neighbouring villa. Once in the grounds they overhear a couple arguing. Bea wants to turn back, but it’s too late. They have been spotted, and Ella has waved them over. Bea has no choice but to go…

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Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: Choose a symbol

It’s Friday which means it’s time to start writing some fiction.

Fiction Friday is our weekly writing flash fiction prompt.

The aim is to write for a minimum of five minutes and then keep going for as long as you can.

Don’t edit, just write. Once you’re done, you’re welcome to share in the comments but there’s no obligation.

Today’s prompt: Choose a symbol. 

You wake up one morning and there is a tree in your garden that was not there before.

When you go out and inspect it, you realise that there is a door. There is a mark on it.

The mark is one of the following:

A four leaf clover

A love heart

A sword

Your character picks one door and walks through.

Write a story based on the symbol you picked. However, the symbol you’ve picked is representative of what is not present or needed in the world and you have to make it right.

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Book Review: The Lavender Bride by Alexandra Weston

It’s a pleasure to be welcoming Alexandra Weston back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, The Lavender Bride.

An English rose with American dreams

Audrey Wade longs to escape her domineering father and the bleak streets of post-war Yorkshire. Hollywood glitters with glamour, freedom, and the promise of a life with her best friend Freddie. But when Freddie abandons her, Audrey is left to chase her dreams alone.

A Heartthrob with secrets

Rex Trent is more than Hollywood’s leading man. Charismatic and dangerously handsome, he’s adored by millions and watched by powerful enemies in a paranoid 1950s America. One wrong move could destroy him.

A romance born of ambition and betrayal

When Rex proposes, Audrey is swept into Hollywood’s glamour and high-stakes secrets. But she soon discovers Rex’s dark side and faces a choice: cling to a man who may never love her, or risk everything to forge her own path?

A gripping new historical novel from a wonderful new voice. Perfect for fans of Taylor Jenkins-Reid, Wendy Holden and Allison Pataki.

*****

Audrey Wade has long held a dream to leave Sheffield for the promise of a great life in Hollywood, escaping post war Britain and her oppressive father forever.

After a few months of a new life in the US, Audrey catches the eye of film star, Rex Trent. Soon, she is caught up in a whirlwind of a life with him but is it what she really wanted?

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Book Review: The Viscount’s Pearl by Melissa Addey

I’m pleased to be welcoming Melissa Addey to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, The Viscount’s Pearl.

He’s a carefree rake who wants a marriage of convenience.

She’s an awkward spinster who doesn’t want to marry at all.

Fate has other plans in store for them both.

Laurence enjoys his dalliances with the married ladies of society, and thinks marriage is only a matter of convenience. He’s on the lookout for a practical woman accustomed to society. Frances is an odd and awkward young woman, more at home gathering shells on the beach than in the ballrooms of London, hoping to stay a spinster forever.

When the two meet in Margate, will their initial dislike of one another turn into something important?

While Laurence finds his life growing shallow, Frances wonders if love might be worth making a bold move for. Can she find her way into Laurence’s heart, and will he undertake to love her, just the way she is?

A warm-hearted Regency romance, full of historical detail and emotional discovery, as two opposites find they might just attract. The Season has begun, the ton is gathered… who knows what the tides will bring for Laurence and Frances.

*****

Frances wants a quiet life. She doesn’t even want to marry, content to live a spinster life. However, as her forth season beckons without a hint of a marriage proposal, her parents are putting pressure on their daughter. After all, the Ton has expectations for its unmarried ladies. 

I love a novel based in the regency period. I am excited to be part of the blog tour for The Viscount’s Pearl. I have also not read anything from Melissa Addey before so it was a chance to discover a new author in the process. 

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Novel Kicks Writing Room: Choose Your Own Adventure Story

Welcome back to the Novel Kicks Writing Room.

Today, I thought we’d have a go at doing an interactive story where you can choose your own adventure.

Here is a link to writing.com to give you an idea of what you’re aiming for in terms of mechanics. Have a go at one or two of the stories. It can be very enjoyable. I loved the choose your own adventures as a child.

Next, find a story of your own. I found an idea by googling ‘interactive story generator AI’.

Once you’ve picked a story, write story threads for at least two characters with two endings.

This is a task that may take a while but it’s an interesting way to create a plot.

I hope you have fun.

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Novel Kicks Book Club: Us Three by Ruth Jones

Hello April. 

We are a 1/4 of the way through 2025. The clocks have gone forward and we finally have the longer evenings in front of us.

Dare we even think about dusting off the garden furniture or planning trips to our favourite park so we can read in the fresh air? Or are you like me and plan to make some reading time in your comfy space at home?

Wherever you decide to take your books, I hope you’ll join me in reading this month’s pick. I am excited for it as it’s one I have been wanting to read for a while.

Us Three by Ruth Jones. 

Despite being a fan of Gavin & Stacey, I am yet to read one of Ruth’s novels. I am very eager to get started.

So, how does our book club work? Anyone can take part, whether you’ve read the book or will be reading along with me. The best part, you don’t have to leave your house to take part. It can all be done from the sofa, armchair or bed. You can also join in at any point in the month.

I have posted a question below to get the conversation going.

I am really looking forward to discussing this book in the comments with you.

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Book Review: Kindred Spirits at Harling Hall by Sharon Booth

I’m so delighted to be welcoming Sharon Booth to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, Kindred Spirits at Harling Hall.

The first in a delightfully warm, cosy and romantic new series with a fantasy twist, for fans of the BBC series ‘Ghosts’.

Can Callie give some needy ghosts their happy-ever-afterlife, while making Rowan Vale her own forever home?

When cash-strapped single mum Callie visits the beautiful Cotswold village of Rowan Vale on a school trip with her daughter, she is enchanted. It’s run as a living museum, with a steam railway, vintage teashop, Elizabethan manor house and old water mill allowing tourists to see history in action.

But there’s more to Rowan Vale than meets the eye…

To Callie’s surprise, the owner of the village, elderly Sir Lawrence Davenport, requests a meeting with her. It appears Callie has been observed talking to several villagers she shouldn’t be able to see – as they’re ghosts.

Sir Lawrence then makes an astonishing offer: to sell Callie the whole estate for a tiny sum, if she agrees to protect the village’s present tenants and make sure the headstrong ghosts are represented too.

With a spectral lord of the manor and his imperious wife, a naughty 1940s schoolgirl and the man who once taught William Shakespeare among them, it seems Callie’s role as owner wouldn’t be easy.

And that’s without the added complication of Lawrie’s disinherited grandson, the gorgeous Brodie.

Rowan Vale and Callie may need each other. But is this a match made in heaven or hell?

Fans of the BBC’s Ghosts, or books by Lucy Jane Wood, Laurie Gilmore and Heidi Swain will love this heart-warming and magical novel.

*****

As a child, Callie could see and communicate with ghosts but the ability disappears when her family are not supportive. However, when her visit to the village of Rowan Vale re-awakens her gift, her life quickly changes forever.

The premise of this book caught my attention and so I leaped at the chance to be part of the blog tour for Kindred Spirits at Harling Hall, This was also the first book I’ve read by Sharon Booth.

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Book Review: The Last Mrs Sinclair by T.J. Emerson

Please join me in welcoming T.J. Emerson to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest novel, The Last Mrs Sinclair.

What would you give for the perfect life?

Leah Williams knows exactly what she wants from life – comfort, luxury and security. All the things she would have had if her childhood hadn’t been derailed by her father’s bad decisions. And then she meets Miles Sinclair. After the death of his wife last year, Miles is ready to start living his life again, and Leah knows just how to help him… what could be so wrong with that?

When Miles takes Leah to his chateau in the South of France, she’s excited to get a taste of the life she deserves, even if it means enduring the presence of Miles’ cousin Vivienne, who seems determined to insert the memory of his dead wife into every conversation.

But the Chateau Clairvallon has a history, not least as the place where the last Mrs Sinclair died. And as Leah discovers more about the accident that took her predecessor’s life, she begins to realise that the family she’s set her sights on isn’t quite what it seems.

What happened that summer?

Was it really an accident?

And is Leah in danger?

*****

Leah Williams is looking for a life of comfort and security. What’s wrong with that? With Miles Sinclair, she thinks she may have found that, despite the age gap. When he takes her to his family estate in France and proposes, the life she is seeking is in her reach.

The only obstacles… Mile’s cousin, Vivienne and the ghost of the last Mrs Sinclair.

This was the first chance I’ve had to read any of T.J. Emerson’s novels. The premise sounded so good and I’m delighted to have been invited onto the blog tour for this book and couldn’t wait to get started. I am going to try and review this as spoiler free as I can.

Leah Williams wants secrurity and comfort. She wants to marry for that rather than for love. Not my idea of a happy life but it’s not sometihng I am going to judge the character for. Throughtout the book, the voice of her mother appears in her head, motivating her in her quest for a comfortable life. The ghosts of parents like that can and does have an influence on our main character.

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Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: Into A Magical World

It’s Friday which means it’s time to start writing some fiction.

Fiction Friday is our weekly writing flash fiction prompt.

The aim is to write for a minimum of five minutes and then keep going for as long as you can.

Don’t edit, just write. Once you’re done, you’re welcome to share in the comments but there’s no obligation.

Today’s prompt: Into a magical world. 

Whilst working in the garden, your character turns around to see that a big white door with a blue frame has just suddenly appeared in front of them.

On the door handle, there is a sign instructing them to ‘open me’.

Your character walks up to the door and steps through.

Continue the story.

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Cover Reveal: First Contact, Second Chances by Fay Abernethy

I’m very excited as I help to reveal the cover for First Contact, Second Chances, the upcoming book by Fay Abernethy. 

Everyone deserves a second chance. Even humanity.

Ex-British Army officer Joe Llewellyn is captain of the Shantivira, the alien space station secretly protecting the Earth from invasion. After Joe reveals the Shantivira’s existence to the UN, everyone wants a piece of him. Except his mother. They’re no longer speaking.

But it’s not only Joe’s relationship with his mam which is in jeopardy. His alien bosses have given him an ultimatum: either he persuades Earth’s authorities to completely restructure the global economic system – to distribute resources fairly without exceeding ecological boundaries – or the space station will be reallocated to another, more deserving planet.

With vicious, cannibalistic space pirates prowling the galaxy, brutally stripping and enslaving entire worlds for profit, Joe can’t afford to fail.

This third instalment of The Shantivira fantasy solarpunk series is a must-read for fans of Becky Chambers, Ben Aaronovitch, Ursula Le Guin, Doctor Who and anyone who enjoys supernatural sci-fi.

OK, so now we know a bit about the book, let’s reveal the cover. Ready? Drumroll…3…2…1…

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Novel Kicks Writing Room: A Prompt Every Hundred Words

Welcome back to the Novel Kicks Writing Room. 

I hope you’re having a great week so far and excited to get going on this week’s writing exercise.

I am personally looking forward to giving this a go.

There are five lines below. Start your work with the first line and write one hundred words. Then, once you’ve reached that word goal, add the second line. Write one hundred words, then use the third prompt. Repeat until you’ve used all the lines.

The lines to include are –

  1. It happened the day after my tenth birthday
  2. The elephant was walking down the road
  3. My Grandmother knocked on the door
  4. We drove for a few hours
  5. You’ve always had a determination I’ve admired.

How did you find that exercise? Did you enjoy it? Did you find it hard? I’d love to hear from you in the comments.

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Book Extract & Giveaway: Bamboo Heart: A Daughter’s Quest by Ann Bennett

I’m pleased to be welcoming Ann Bennett to Novel Kicks and the book birthday blitz for her book, Bamboo Heart: A Daughter’s Quest.

From award-winning author Ann Bennett comes a captivating WW2 novel of love and survival – a daughter’s journey of discovery and a soldier’s strength in the bleakest of times.

When Laura Ellis, a successful city lawyer, arrives home to see her dying father Tom, a mysterious stranger is watching the house. This leads her to embark on a journey to discover their connection.

To do so, she has to retrace her father’s steps; to the Bridge on the River Kwai: where as a prisoner of war of the Japanese, Tom endured disease, torture and endless days of slavery; and to the beautiful island of Penang, to uncover his secrets from the 1930s.

For Tom made himself a promise: to return home. Not to the grey streets of London, where he once lived, but to Penang, where he found paradise and love.

As Laura searches for the truths Tom refused to tell her, in the places where he once suffered, lived and loved, she will finally find out the story behind his survival, and discover her own path to love and happiness..

This book has previously been published both as Bamboo Heart and as A Daughter’s Quest. It won the won the award for fiction published in Asia, Asian Books Blog, 2015 and was shortlisted for “Best Fiction Title” in the Singapore Book Awards 2016.

 

There is a chance to win a paperback copy of The Lotus House but first, Ann has shared an extract from Bamboo Heart: A Daughter’s Quest with us today. We hope you enjoy it. 

 

*****beginning of extract*****

 

Laura Ellis is an only child, her mother died with she was small. Now, her elderly father, Tom has collapsed with a heart attack. As she travels in the ambulance with him to hospital, she realises how little she knows about her father’s past life…

Laura balanced herself precariously on the pull-down seat of the ambulance. She clung with slippery hands to a metal bar, lurching from side to side as they raced through the dark streets. She could hear the wail of the siren. It sounded as if it came from a long way away.

She watched in anguish as the paramedics worked on her father.

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NK Chats To…Stephanie Wood

Hello Stephanie. Thank you so much for joining me today and inviting Novel Kicks onto your blog tour. Can you tell us about your new book, Adorable April Afternoons and what inspired it?

Hello, and thanks for inviting me!

I have already written a series of holiday reads set in Greece, but that focuses more on the usual beach and party atmosphere of the popular resorts and I wanted to show what the smaller, less undeveloped islands also have to offer.

Adorable April Afternoons is the first in the GREEK RETREAT trilogy following Jessica, as she attempts to discover the kind of happy ever after which she hopes will create a successful future. She believes she needs the seclusion to make it happen, but the Greek hospitality and rich cultural heritage play a huge part in her search.

 

What were the challenges in writing this book considering it’s the first in a new series?

The main challenge in creating a new series is to be able to describe the location with some detail, without dumping all the information on the reader at once. In order to explain what the characters are doing and why they behave in certain ways, it’s helpful to have a good understanding of their current neighbourhood, but it can be tempting to reveal too much too quickly.

 

What’s your typical writing day like, do you have a favourite writing spot and any writing rituals?

When I first started writing more than twenty years ago, I had a PC on a desk overlooking my back garden and would always write in the afternoon. More recently, I frequently suffer from episodes of chronic fatigue syndrome, so I now have a laptop and just write in whatever space I feel comfortable at whatever time my body allows.

 

If you were creating a playlist for Adorable April Afternoons, which songs would you include?

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Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: A Story From Lyrics

It’s Friday which means it’s time to start writing some fiction.

Fiction Friday is our weekly writing flash fiction prompt.

The aim is to write for a minimum of five minutes and then keep going for as long as you can.

Don’t edit, just write. Once you’re done, you’re welcome to share in the comments but there’s no obligation.

Today’s prompt – A story from lyrics. 

Today’s inspiration is going to come from a song.

Head to your favourite playlist or an available playlist on wherever you stream your music. Hit shuffle. Then write a story inspired by whatever song plays.

If you don’t use streaming and are more about vinyl and CD’s, just pick a random one and hit shuffle/place the needle in a random spot.

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Book Extract: Where The Light is Hottest by Catherine Yardley

It’s a pleasure to be welcoming  Catherine Yardley to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, Where The Light is Hottest.

Natasha Jones has everything – a successful acting career, an Oscar, a wonderful husband and beautiful kids. But what does she have to go through to get there? From humble beginnings in a small town, Natasha’s path to stardom is paved with setbacks, heartaches and moments of doubt.

In the glittering world of fame and fortune, where dreams are spun from starlight and ambition fuels the relentless pursuit of success, one woman’s journey stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Beneath the facade of glamour lies a story of unwavering determination and unyielding courage.

Where the Light is the Hottest is a gripping tale of ambition, perseverance and the enduring power of hope. Through Natasha’s journey, we are reminded that the road to success is rarely smooth, but for those who dare to chase their dreams, the rewards are beyond measure.

 

There’s a chance below to win a copy of Where The Light is Hottest but first, Catherine has kindly shared an extract with us today. We hope you all enjoy. 

 

*****beginning of extract*****

 

Where The Light is Hottest follows Natasha from small town Scotland to big time Hollywood. The scene below has her at an audition. I did so may of these when I was an actor. A lot of the time you are in and out in minutes. Other times you audition multiple times and either get the part, or fall at the last hurdle. It is a tough industry but the highs are like nothing else. I worked in the film industry as an actor, producer, casting director and director for years so I know my stuff. I hope you all enjoy following Natasha on her journey.

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Novel Kicks Writing Room: Creating a Crime

Welcome back to the Novel Kicks Writing Room.

Crime podcasts and novels have become really popular in recent years. I can date my interest back to the time I listened to the first Serial series. There was something about how the story was told that really got my interest. I was trying to work out what happened. What evidence did they have for and against?

So, today, I thought it would be interesting to plot out a similar situation.

You have someone who has been accused of a crime and someone who has been the victim of one.

The perpetrator – who are they? How old are they? What was their relationship to the victim? Interests? Hobbies? Personality.

Who was the victim? How old were they? Hobbies? Interests? Personality? What put them in harms way?

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Cover Reveal: The Matchmaker’s Mare by Hywela Lyn

I’m so delighted to be helping to reveal the cover for The Matchmaker’s Mare, the upcoming novel by Hywela Lyn. 

When Megan Johnson inherits an old cottage in the Welsh countryside, she seizes the opportunity to cut ties with her past life, after a broken romance. Her nearest neighbour, a horse trainer, is also something of an enigma.

Single dad Glyn Phillips does his best to balance his love of horses and hard work, with his devotion to his son. When he meets his new neighbour, he knows he should resist any attraction.

A feisty pony mare which mysteriously appears on his land adds to his problems, but another, larger problem lies ahead. Two matchmaking spirits find their carefully laid plans may not go as smoothly as they hope.

Now we know about the novel, it’s time to reveal the cover. Ready. Drumroll…3…2…1…

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Book Extract: The Crime Writer by Diane Jeffery

I’m so delighted to be welcoming Diane Jeffery to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, The Crime Writer.

2019. Leona Walsh, a 34-year-old wife and mother vanishes on a bitterly cold afternoon while out jogging on the edge of Exmoor. It’s a mystery which captures public interest and ignites wild speculation. The police have a prime suspect: Leona’s husband, Matthew, a renowned crime writer. He can plot the perfect crime. But is he capable of committing the perfect murder?

Despite extensive searches, the police find no trace of Leona and her disappearance remains shrouded in mystery. As public interest dwindles, Matthew returns to raising their two daughters, aware the cloud of suspicion is never far away.

2024. Some human bones are discovered in a garden. Could they be Leona’s remains? And if so, is there enough evidence to find out what really happened five years ago?

Journalist Gabriela Conti covered the news story back in 2019. The police may have stopped watching Matthew, but Gabriella hasn’t forgotten him. And she is determined this case will define her career… even if that means getting close to a murderer.

 

There is a chance to win a copy of a previous paperback by Diane Jeffery below but first, she has kindly shared an extract with us today. We hope you enjoy. 

 

*****beginning of extract*****

 

The following extract is taken from Chapter 6.

Leona Walsh, a local counsellor and mother of two, has gone missing. Volunteers are helping police to search for her around Wistlandpound Reservoir, where she was last seen. Journalist Gabriela Conti approaches Matthew, Leona’s husband, a renowned crime writer, in the hope of getting an interview.

I have chosen this extract because it is the moment where the two main characters in my book meet for the first time.

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NK Chats To… David Anderson

Hi David. Thank you so much for joining me today. Can you tell me about your book, The Drowners and what inspired it?

It’s my pleasure, Laura. Thank you for having me. The book is about that mezzanine between childhood and adulthood. Sixteen. When you are allowed to drive but can’t afford a car. When you are classified as a young adult, yet older people still treat you as a kid. Forget about pubs and nightclubs, you aren’t old enough to watch Basic Instinct in the cinema. It feels like you are walking through an aquarium, separated from this exotic wonderful world by a thick, impenetrable glass. Everyone else is having sex, except you. You’ll lose your marbles quicker than your virginity. And above all else, you want to fit in. You need to fit in. Your life depends on it.

Sixteen. It’s a scary time. It’s also a thrilling time. You discover books and music that speak to you. Go to your first concert. Get high. Fall in love. Every week brings fresh adventures. Everything is new and exciting. Your small circle of friends are your life. But behind the knock-off Aviators and smiley face tee-shirts lie dark secrets. Are any of you ready to take that next step? To leave the past behind, and become the people you want to be.

The Drowners is semi-autobiographical. It’s the one period of my life I thought I’d never write about, which appealed to the challenge seeker in me. I have conflicting emotions about that whole time which helped keep me honest; Who wants to read some guy’s rose-tinted vision of his youth? I wanted The Drowners to tell the good, the bad, and the mortifyingly awkward.

 

From idea to finished draft, how long does the writing process usually take you?

Years. Typically, I get an idea that won’t quit. It buzzes inside my brain like a hungry mosquito, periodically biting me. This could go on for months, even years. Finally, after I have a vague storyline mapped out, I’ll jot down 15-20 one-line ‘scenes.’ Once I have that framework in place, I’m ready to begin the first draft. Eight months later, I’ve got something that resembles a novel. Usually, it requires three more drafts before I am anywhere near satisfied.

 

What advice do you have when approaching the research and editing processes?

If you have ever listened to a demo version of a song, you’ll know the importance of  editing. It’s not simply about polishing and fixing, it’s about amplifying and enhancing. It’s adding those fine details that make your story sparkle. That elevate your novel from an enjoyable experience to an unforgettable one.

Research is key. Everything needs to add up or you will lose your reader. Stories are illusions, and for illusions to work they must appear real. The moment the reader spots a glitch in the matrix is the moment the spell is broken.

 

What’s your typical writing day like? Any writing rituals?

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Book Review: The Shadow on the Bridge by Clare Marchant

I’m so excited to be welcoming Clare Marchant back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, The Shadow on the Bridge.

‘You must forever watch your back,’ I spoke the words clearly, though he could not hear me. ‘Come what may, I shall avenge my brother’s death.’’

Now: When Sarah’s summoned by her godmother to remote Norfolk, she doesn’t want to go. Crossing the bridges where the two rivers meet, said to be haunted by the ghost of a little boy, a large Tudor house looms in front of her. And Sarah’s instantly reminded her of the summer when she last visited. The summer she would like to forget. Which left her unable to ever move forward… Can a person ever recover from the loss of a sibling?

1571: Anne Howard, newly-made countess of Arundel, has also lost a sibling. And been dragged from the relative safety of her home in remote Norfolk to London, by her overbearing, manipulative, new father-in-law Thomas Howard; the very person she suspects of killing her beloved only brother. The Howards have greater secrets than this though. Secrets that will lead Anne to a tragedy that will echo down the ages…

When Sarah finds a mysterious book of poems in a hidden chamber of her godmother’s house, she is drawn into Anne’s story. Perhaps the mystery will take her mind off her own loss? But – as the flood waters begin to rise under the bridges – is Sarah laying ghosts to rest, or bringing truths to the surface that should stay beneath?

A completely haunting, gripping historical novel, perfect for fans of Philippa Gregory, Alison Weir, and Diane Setterfield’s Once Upon a River.

*****

It’s 1571. The 4th Duke of Norfolk has ordered Anne to marry his eldest son in order to gain land and fortune. Anne however, is focused on revenge and her new father-in-law is in the firing line.

2025, Sarah has been invited to Norfolk by her godmother. She’s not been there since a family tragedy made her estranged from her parents.

Sarah soon finds a book hidden in a secret chamber. She is also feeling a presence. Is this a connection to Anne or something else?

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NK Chats To… Philip McDonald

Hi Philip. Thank you so much for joining me today. Can you tell me about your audiobook series, Caitlin and what inspired it?

Caitlin celebrates contentment in solitude. The tone is meditative and philosophical with hypnotic ambient music and soundscape. Told in snapshots of normality, the everyday poignant observations become epic, revelling in specific human details, celebrating the life of a serene and detached woman with a mindful focus on her life.

Caitlin is narrated by me in the third person as free indirect discourse but the social observations of the people around her will be very familiar to all. Caitlin is late 30s, living alone, but never lonely. Her contentment is lived and breathed, not uploaded. Frozen pizzas and cross-stitch for company. Saturday evenings become a Wham sing-along before falling asleep smelling of Tiger Balm. She’s a completely self-sufficient ecosystem, but her isolation is unusual. People say “Oh poor Caitlin…it’s so sad…” But it’s far from it.

 

What are the challenges when writing for this format alone rather than in novel form? What made you choose audio over written prose?

I was inspired by the idea of an introspective character living at peace with a Zen mindset becoming intimate and attached to an audience through audio. The pace and tone in which she experiences the world lends itself to audio in particular. People can enjoy it on a dog walk, drifting off to sleep or escaping the stress of a commute. I began producing this idea as a writing experiment with a new character but have been overwhelmed at the positive reaction. It’s reached quite a cult following now. The solitary life of such a modern hermit seems perfect for the intimate experience audio provides. It requires the right conditions to experience it however. I loved the idea of it being an episodic journey into the everyday minute occurrences but also an existential overview into humanity as a whole.

 

When you began, did you have a plan for many episodes, or do you approach each one as you go along? From idea to final draft, how long does the process take you?

Every week a new episode comes to me almost as soon as I have uploaded that week’s one. It’s like a new plant emerges to replace the old. It is almost always inspired by something I have done or seen that week, or a piece of music or aspect of the news or culture I want to weave into Caitlin’s life. I don’t have an overall plan for more than a week at a time. I have always written very quickly so I tend to write a first draft of an episode (usually 1000 words) in a couple of hours and then I refine it throughout the week until I record it on a Monday morning.

 

What’s your typical writing day like? Do you have any writing rituals?

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Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: Immersed

It’s Friday which means it’s time to start writing some fiction.

Fiction Friday is our weekly writing flash fiction prompt.

The aim is to write for a minimum of five minutes and then keep going for as long as you can.

Don’t edit, just write. Once you’re done, you’re welcome to share in the comments but there’s no obligation.

Today’s prompt: Immersed. 

Your character falls and suddenly finds themselves in a video game. This world they find themselves in has its dangers. They have allies and enemies.

Think Dreamlight Valley, Animal Crossing or Hogwarts Legacy – that kind of game.

Write an adventure in a world you create.

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NK Chats To… Abbey Hicks 

Hi Abbey, thank you so much for joining me and for inviting Novel Kicks onto your blog tour. Can you tell me a little about your latest book, Candlelight Dreams in Cosy Cove and what inspired it?

Candlelight Dreams in Cosy Cove is a heartwarming novella, book 1 in the Cosy Cove series, set in the enchanting seaside town of Cosy Cove and its charming residents. The story centres around Beth Williams, a lively and kind-hearted local who runs an artisan candle shop, ‘Harbour Lights,’ and Jacob Lawson, a charismatic and adventurous travel journalist visiting the town to write a feature for a popular travel magazine.

The inspiration for Cosy Cove came from the beautiful coastal towns and beaches near where I live on the south coast of England. I wanted to create a ‘perfect’ seaside retreat—somewhere I’d love to visit (or even live!)—so I took little details from my favourite places and wove them together to create this idyllic, fictional town. The result? A picturesque setting filled with golden sands, a cosy café, quaint shops, and a welcoming community that I hope readers will fall in love with as much as I have.

 

From first draft to final, how long does the process of writing a novel take you. Also, how do you approach the research and editing processes and how do you know when you’ve done enough?

Every book I write is different. Some stories flow effortlessly, and I can plan, outline and write a 25k novella in two to three weeks, while others take many, many months to complete. It really depends on the story, the characters, and how cooperative they decide to be!

When it comes to research, my stories are completely fictitious. However, I do love adding authentic details to bring the world to life—whether that’s researching traditional seaside festivals, learning about different crafts like candle making or floristry, or even checking what flowers bloom in which season, which is surprisingly easy to get wrong! Or maybe that should be unsurprisingly since I am absolutely hopeless at gardening!

Editing is where the real magic happens, but I’ll be honest—I NEVER truly feel like I’m done! I could tweak and adjust forever, but at some point, I have to step back and trust the story.

 

What’s your typical writing day like? Do you have any writing rituals?

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Book Review: Murder at Mill Ponds House by Michelle Salter

I’m very pleased to be welcoming Michelle Salter back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, Murder at Mill Ponds House. 

When murder hits close to home, Iris must fight to clear her name…

Spring, 1924. Reporter Iris Woodmore plans to move to London to avoid a shocking hometown scandal. Longtime enemy Archie Powell has been threatening to reveal her darkest secret – and she’s desperate to flee before he does.

But when he’s found murdered after a violent argument with her, there’s no escape. Iris must stay and clear her name even though the truth could ruin her reputation.

With the police closing in, Iris has to find the real killer if she’s to keep her secret. Can she prove her innocence without revealing the identity of the one man who can provide her with an alibi?

A gripping new mystery for fans of Verity Bright, Clara McKenna, and Helena Dixon.

*****

It’s 1924 and the residents of Walden are gathering to see Mill Ponds House opening as a hostel for men. Iris Woodmore is fine with this concept. What she isn’t liking as much is her ememy, Archie Powell, being tasked with running it.

When there’s a murder in the town, Iris herself becomes a suspect. Can she figure out what happened in time?

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Novel Kicks Writing Room: Learning By Imitation

Hello all and welcome to another Novel Kicks Writing Room. 

Another Wednesday has come around so fast. Today, I wanted to do something a little different.

Some people say that the best way to learn how to write is to copy out an already published novel. So, that’s what we are going to do.

Now of course, we are not going to be plagiarising work as it’s not going further than this exercise. We are just going to be studying the composition of a story.

Pick a favourite book and turn to page 100.

Copy out that page. Copy it a few times. What do you notice about how it’s written? How are the paragraphs, style and story presented? If you have the time, pick another book and repeat the exercise. Were there similarities and differences?

Did you find this exercise useful?

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Book Review: When Stars Collide in the City by Krysten Lindsay Hager

I am so excited to be welcoming Krysten Lindsay Hager to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest novel, When Stars Collide in the City.

From the outside, Olivia Macomb looks like she leads a charmed life. She’s an up-and-coming influencer who is an heir to the Macomb family fortune, and about to start a lifestyle brand with her childhood sweetheart, Jeff. Then her world gets blown apart by her longtime boyfriend leaving her the morning of their website launch. Not only has he left, but the business she created is all in his name and she’s been left with nothing to show for all her hard work. Now she has to pick up the pieces and find out who she is on her own.

Enter Walker Vinton, the indie pop star who used to date Olivia’s close friend, Paige. When their school throws a big event, Paige asks Walker to be Olivia’s date to give to the gossip bloggers something else to talk about other than Olivia’s broken dreams.

Walker ends up coming to Olivia’s rescue in more ways than one at the party, and a twist of events leads to the two embarking on a fake relationship. Walker and Olivia wind up becoming best friends and she realizes he’s the boyfriend of her dreams.

He helps her build both her brand and her self-esteem back up. Walker even helps her start a new business. However, the lines begin to blur as Olivia’s feelings for Walker are very real. The two share intimate conversations and dreams, but what’s real and what’s fake in this starry world?

***** 

Olivia has always had to battle with the expectations her family name brings her. So when, on the day she’s about to launch her new venture, her boyfriend leaves taking the business with him, she’s even more heartbroken and under the microscope. 

Anyone who has followed my blog for a while will know I am a big fan of Krysten Lindsay Hager, so I jumped at the chance to be on the blog tour for her latest book in the Stars in the City series. 

When Stars Collide in the City is book three. If you’ve not read the previous novels fear not, this can be read as a standalone. 

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Book Review: Death at Horsey Mere by Ross Greenwood 

I’m pleased to be welcoming Ross Greenwood back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour of his latest novel, Death at Horsey Mere.

When a teenage couple go missing, the police aren’t too concerned. Young lovers often make bad choices.

Then a body is found near a Suffolk lighthouse, and shortly after, two girls seem to vanish into thin air. Freshly promoted DI Ashley Knight knows she has a battle on her hands to keep the public safe, and she’s going to need expert help.

Ashley turns to her old protégé, Hector Fade, seconded from The Met to analyse an avalanche of data. But neither Hector nor Ashley are prepared for the chilling connection his work uncovers to the body by the lighthouse.

Ashley, Hector and the team must break down a fiendishly complicated network of people smugglers, but another victim is found at Horsey Mere and their worst suspicions are realised. A member of the gang has gone rogue and is taking lives for fun. When Hector uncovers a pattern in the choice of victim, time is against the detectives to stop the murderer killing again.

Ross Greenwood is back with a brand new, heart-pounding case for DI Ashley Knight, perfect for fans of Mark Billingham, Ian Rankin and Peter James.

*****

This is the first book I have read from this author and I must confess it has made a fan out of me. It’s the fourth book in the series but you definelty don’t lose anything by starting here. Within the first couple of pages I was hooked. I grabbed the audiobook and before I knew what was happening I was 12 hours in and all the housework was done!

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Book Review: Woden’s Spear by Donovan Cook

I’m so delighted to be welcoming Donovan Cook back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for his latest book, Woden’s Spear. 

Banished by those he loved; how far would he go for redemption?

449AD Old Saxony

Octa, the son of a mighty Saxon warlord, stands in the shield wall for the first time, eager to make a name for himself. But instead of the promised battle glory, fear overpowers him and he flees the battle, causing the death of his cousin and bringing shame to his family.

Disowned by his father, and hunted by his own people, Octa is spurred on by his mother’s vision for his future, a promise of greatness to come.

A chance encounter with a wiry traveller offers Octa a chance of redemption with a quest to retrieve a sacred weapon. To do this, Octa must travel to Britannia, a nation abandoned by the Roman Empire and unable to defend itself from its many enemies who smell weakness and riches.

Joining the famous warlords, Hengist and Horsa, Octa travels west to forge his future and redeem his past. He must succeed where others have failed. He must find the lost spear of Woden.

An epic adventure of turmoil, coming of age and survival set against a time when Britannia was on its knees and fighting for its very existence.
Perfect for the fans of Bernard Cornwell and Matthew Harffy.

*****

Woden’s Spear introduces Octa, the son of a prominent Saxon warlord whose cowardice in battle leads to him being disowned by his family and forced to flee for his life. His flight takes him North from his home land, through the land of the Angles and into Jutland, where he hears tell that Woden’s Spear is hidden in a cave in far off Britannia. He embarks on a quest that will take all his courage, skill and endurance.

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Book Review: The Bookseller by Valerie Keogh

It’s my pleasure to be welcoming Valerie Keogh back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest thriller, The Bookseller.

A woman with a dark past…

Helen Appleby just wants a quiet life. Recently released from prison for the manslaughter of her partner, she’s trying to forget her past mistakes – all of them – to rebuild her life and move on.

When she decides to open a bookshop, she’s certain this is the perfect new start. Here, amongst the quiet shelves of her shop and between the covers of her books, she can hide away from the real world and begin again. The world of books the perfect place to find happiness – even if it is all lies.

But the past can never stay hidden…

As she settles into life as an apparently timid bookseller, it seems that someone is determined to sabotage Helen’s new life and ruin everything she’s built.

But Helen has killed once before. And to protect her future, she could be willing to kill again…

Don’t miss another page-turning, nail-biting read from the queen of psychological thrillers, Valerie Keogh! Perfect for fans of J.A. Baker, Keri Beevis and Nina Manning.

*****

Having just been released from prison, Helen wants to move on. With money left by her mother, she feels it’s finally time to realise her dream of owning a bookshop. 

However, when someone breaks in, Helen begins to wonder whether her plan to get on with her life doesn’t quite sit well with someone else.  Continue reading

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NK Chats To…Jacqueline Bacci

Hello Jacqueline, thank you so much for joining me today and inviting me onto your blog tour. Can you tell us about After Paris and what inspired it? 

Hi. Thank you for inviting me. ‘After Paris’ is my debut novel. It is the first in a series of three. After Paris is Alyssa and Xavier’s story. The novel is set between Paris and London, but they meet in Paris outside a cafe and an instant connection forms between them as they chat. But journalist and writer Alyssa is recovering from a broken relationship and banker Xavier is an obvious player and the last person she needs at this time in her life. She walks away.

However, fate plays a hand in the relationship when they meet again under a cloak of mystery in a place that neither of them should have ever been. Back in London, Alyssa is asked to do a story for the magazine where she is a freelancer, and the story is about none other than Xavier Montgomery, who has returned to his London office.

I would say that the story then unfolds as a romantic, steamy journey as both attempt to let go of their past lives to be together. I have always been inspired by the alpha male who is adamant that no woman can ever change their lives, and the women who just by being themselves, do just that.

They are the men that profess to have no time for love in their lives but somehow find they cannot get a certain woman out of their mind. The inspiration behind this story (and the two others that follow) is love always conquers all. The steamy scenes and the glamorous settings are just the icing on the cake.

 

What’s your favourite word and why? 

Serendipity. I just love that word and all of the connotations it can conjure up.  Dictionary definition: the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way.  I think lots of romance stories are based on this concept which makes them entertaining and dreamy. Also, I have always been a firm believer that fate has a hand in what happens to us, especially in love.

 

What’s your typical writing day? Do you have any writing rituals? 

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