Book Review: A Very Merry Murder by Kate Wells
It’s a pleasure to be welcoming Kate Wells back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, A Very Merry Murder.
Mistletoe, mince pies… and murder
When Jude Gray inherited Malvern Farm, she never thought she’d become so used to farm life, let alone be good at it! But now a beloved national TV show is coming to film their Christmas special on her land, celebrating the charm of rural living and all Jude’s achieved so far.
At least, that’s the plan… until one of the crew is found dead in suspicious circumstances.
At first, it looks like a tragic accident, but when alibis start to crack, it seems like anything but. With a growing list of suspects and enough behind-the-scenes drama to rival anything the cameras are capturing, Jude must dig deep to uncover the truth.
Because someone on her farm is hiding a deadly secret – and this year, the season of goodwill may come with a killer twist…
*****
Jude Gray is looking forward to the festive season, mostly due to her sister’s upcoming wedding.
What she’s not looking forward to the presence of a TV crew taking over her farm.
When one of her visitors is found dead, Jude finds herself in the middle of another murder investigation. Will the murderer be found before someone else turns up dead?
by 
Book Extract: Wheels of Destruction: Death in Petra by Gina Cheyne
It’s a pleasure to be welcoming Gina Cheyne back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, Wheels of Destruction: Death in Petra.
Where do you hide an escaped prisoner? On a wheelchair holiday perhaps. Like a spoke in a wheel, the villain is seen but not seen.
Aspiring writer Sandy Blee is stuck in a dead-end receptionist job until she wins a working holiday to Jordan, pushing a wheelchair for Wheelchair Warriors Holidays. Even though she quickly realises she was the only entrant in the Blerglergle writing competition she is extremely excited about leaving England for the first time.
However, after arriving in the pink city of Petra she discovers her fellow travellers are not all they seem, and most are not who they claim to be. Moreover, the whole group is under investigation by the SeeMs Detective Agency who have been sent out to search for an escaped convict.
When members of the group are kidnapped and one mysteriously dies, Sandy finds herself pulled into the SeeMs detectives’ investigation. Is she, who so wants to write bestselling crime stories, ready to take on a real-life mystery – one that might just turn deadly?
This book will be enjoyed by readers who like travel crime, plus devotees of Agatha Christie, Grease the movie and MM Kaye.
Gina has shared an extract with us today. We hope you enjoy.
*****beginning of extract*****
Sandra Blee, an aspiring writer who works as a receptionist, has just been turned down by yet another publisher. She has entered innumerable writing competitions in the hope she might win won and be picked up by a literary agent.
Chapter Three: What is Coming is Better Than What Has Gone
Preparing for work the next day, Sandy thought she might do something different. Wear a tight-fitting jumper, perhaps? Stilettos? Straighten her wild curls? Tiny pink skirt? Trouble was, no one saw anything above the waist, rather like a news presenter in the old days. Come to think of it, she was a bit like a news presenter, only the news she gave was the arrival of the next client at Percy’s Bifold Doors.
When she got her job, she thought she’d been chosen from hundreds for her Svengali-like personality, a lure for every potential client who saw her sitting at the reception desk in her lacy shirt from Primark. Later, she found out she was the only candidate.
Staff and clients flew in throughout the morning, some saying, ‘Morning’, or ‘Hello, Shirley’.
by NK Chats To…Jane Harvey
Hello Jane. Happy Birthday to your book, The Landlord of Hummingbird House. Can you tell us a bit about it and what inspired it?
The Landlord of Hummingbird House is book one of a series, and it focuses on April, whose relationship has failed, and she is forced to start again. She moves into the house, where there are a number of tenants in her building from all walks of life – but who are also loyal friends. The book explores how easy it is to make inaccurate judgments about people. April’s first impressions (and the reader’s) are slowly unravelled, and a secret comes to light. It’s quite an easy-read book that touches on some dark themes, but ultimately focuses on the power of friendships.
If you could pick a new house and city to move to, where would you go and why?
I’m an island girl and I love sunny weather and sea-swimming – though the warmer and clearer the sea, the better!
If I could move without hassle and consequence, I think I’d go to a Greek island and live alone, with peace and quiet – but close enough to the beach for my swims and to a town for occasional sustenance and socialisation, on the rare occasions I might need these!
What’s your typical writing day like? Do you have any writing rituals? For example, do you need silence? Are you a morning, afternoon or evening writer? Need caffeine?
When I first came back to writing, I had a strict structure and routine, but now writing is so embedded into my life that it has slithered into all the nooks and crannies and gaps in my life, and I don’t have a routine – except at times of impending deadlines!
I do, however, have high expectations of work count and what I can achieve. I create a calendar for the year and work to deadlines and personal expectations for what I will publish. So I don’t allow myself the luxury of only writing when I feel inspired. If I did, I’d be far less productive. I have to grab ideas and hold onto them, or even chase them, when they do appear. Stories often come to me when I have a moment to let my mind drift. Driving a regular route, doing the dishes, etc. Sometimes it’s the setting, sometimes the twist, but often the character that comes first.
From first draft to final publication, how long does it take you to complete a novel? Also, do you have advice when approaching research and editing? When do you know you’ve done enough of both?
by Book Review: A Billionaire for Christmas by Jo Lyons
I’m so pleased to be welcoming Jo Lyons to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest novel, A Billionaire for Christmas.
When talented chef Molly’s best friend and business partner, Ava, passes away, she leaves Molly their beloved restaurant – and a wild, impossible bucket list to complete. But thanks to a legal mix-up, Molly’s inheritance is at risk unless she ticks off every outrageous item before the Christmas Eve deadline: just twelve days away.
Determined to honour Ava’s wishes and desperate to save her dream, Molly searches for a billionaire willing to share Champagne with her in a hot tub – one of the more extravagant challenges on the bucket list. She’s in a luxurious ski resort in the French Alps so it might just be doable. But then she meets Levi. A devastatingly handsome billionaire, yes, but infuriatingly resistant to getting involved!
As the snow falls and sparks fly, Molly is entangled in a series of increasingly embarrassing escapades. With time running out, can she pull off the impossible – and maybe even find love along the way?
Hot enough to melt the Alpine snow, this romantic comedy is perfect for fans of Portia MacIntosh, Olivia Spring and Sophie Kinsella.
*****
Molly has been a ghost of herself since she lost her business partner and best friend, Ava. With the ownership of their restaurant tied up in Ava’s will, Molly finds herself needing to finish Ava’s bucket list before Christmas Eve. Not sure how to do this, especially the one including Champagne, A billionaire and a hot tub, Molly meets Levi. Maybe this list won’t be as hard to finish after all…or will it?
Having a chance to be on the blog tour for this novel was exciting for me as it would be the first chance to discover author, Jo Lyons. Plus, it’s a novel based at Christmas. I know, it’s not even the end of August but I don’t care. Haha.
by A Moment With…Susan A. King
It’s so exciting to be welcoming Susan A. King to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for Toffee Apple Strudel.
A NEW BEATTIE BRAMSHAW MYSTERY – It’s the summer of 2001, and for WI Secretary and practised busybody Beattie Bramshaw, it’s a time of new beginnings.
Her much-anticipated wedding to vegetable grower extraordinaire Doug Sparrow is now just months away. However, in the throes of setting up their marital home and new market garden business, she receives a surprise request to care for a distant relative.
Likewise, a number of her fellow Elmesbury residents also find their lives on the cusp of change, and not all for the good. Is it pure chance that the arrival of Beattie’s young ward coincides with yet another murder in the village? Or were plans already afoot?
Once again, Beattie picks up the gauntlet, but can she solve the case and uncover the murderer’s identity before it casts a shadow over her wedding to Doug?
Toffee Apple Strudel is a comedy crime caper in the style of Agatha Raisin and sees the conclusion of the ‘Beattie Bramshaw Mysteries series’. Make a brew, grab a chair, and prepare for a fun-filled finale.
Here to talk about Procrastination vs. Circumstance, over to you, Susan. Tbank you us joining us today.
Thank you, Laura, for inviting me to write a Guest Post for Novel Kicks.
Having given much thought to what I could or should write about, I did wonder if discussing the time gap between the publication of my second and third book, and the angst that accompanied it, would make for an interesting topic.
As is well known, an author is often prone to bouts of procrastination and, dare I say, can become rather proficient at it. I have amazed myself at the keenness I have shown towards seeking out cobwebs in the back of a cupboard or tending a flower bed that shows no evidence of plant material, let alone weeds! Indeed, the lengths authors will go to, to seek out an activity with which to postpone the completion of the manuscript waiting patiently on their PC, should probably be re-classified as an art form or, at the very least, a new Olympic sport.
by Book Club
