There’s a first time for everything

Some weeks back, I recall saying to a fellow author that I always had the title in mind before I began to write a story. I added – rather smugly, I fear – that I’d always stuck with that initial title.
Until now …
So, here I sit, confessing that I’ve changed my mind – or rather, I’ve found a better title 🙂

Courting Danger is no more.

In its place, we have

CASUALTY OF COURT

The reason for this is manifold.

The story has been revised and now sits better in the (mixed) category of women’s fiction / courtroom drama / mystery.

It focuses more on what the main characters want and how they deal with getting it, so their interaction becomes more vital to the overall theme while the trial runs alongside everything.

On top of that, the cover has had a facelift and will be revealed nearer launch time.

So, I’m eating humble pie at my earlier smugness – but, hopefully for all the right reasons.

 

Readers can make a difference

Yes, we can.

To prove it, I shall make a prediction.

By the end of this month (June 2017) The House on Candlewick Lane

by Amy Reade will be a bestseller.

And here’s an excerpt to show you why I have so much faith in this book:

I left the cathedral and was returning slowly to the flat through Princes Street Gardens when I got the feeling someone was watching me. Wheeling around, I was just in time to see movement behind a grouping of trees nearby. I was suddenly afraid. Looking around for other people, I noticed for the first time that I was quite alone in the gardens. Only a few tourists strolled the grounds in the distance. No busy corporate types were taking a shortcut through the gardens to their next meeting. No lovers, no students, no children.
Just the person behind the trees.
Trying to pick up my pace, I limped along through the gardens, looking ahead to the closest route back to the street. But I wasn’t fast enough. Someone grabbed my elbow and jerked me around.
I gasped. The man wore a plastic, tan-colored mask, but I could tell it was the person who had pushed me in the cathedral. His trench coat was still tied tightly around him. I felt my eyes widen and I knew instantly that he was no stranger to the fear staring back at him.
“What do you want?” I demanded, hoping he would mistake my loud tone for bravado.
“Where is he?” the man growled.
“Who?” I asked, bewildered.
“You know who. Where is he?”
I shook my head. “You’ve mistaken me for someone else,” I said, trying to ease my arm from his grip.
“Oh, no I haven’t. We know he’s here in Edinburgh. Tell me where he is or when we find him—and we will find him—we’ll make sure you never see your daughter again.”

Yikes! How exciting, scary, tense … was that?

Get your copy here and I’m sure you’ll join me in thinking this book needs bestseller status.

Let’s do it!

It’s on sale at only 99c right now, so there’s never been a better time to enjoy the delights of Scotland all wrapped up in a humdinger of a suspense story.

 

 

My first author interview

Yesterday, I was lucky enough to be interviewed by Amazeballs Book Addicts and they even posted all my books and buy links, etc, etc, etc.

I was truly impressed by the detail they went into with and for me 🙂

Thank you!

You can read the details here if you missed it – after all, posts have a habit of getting swallowed as time passes.

Interview With LS Fellows – Author

1. Can you tell us a little about your books?

So far, my books have little in common other than my authorship, all 3 being in different genres. My first, Lacey’s Law, sits on the Women’s Fiction shelf, but could easily get misplaced into the suspense or chick-lit categories. It’s a revenge novella – and something of an acquired taste as Lacey is not the most likeable of leading characters at first (although, I’m pleased to say that she is warming on people)

My second book, The Fifth Wheel, was written as part of an anthology – hence its short length. But I knew these characters had more to say. After all, when a girly holiday to Portugal goes awry, there’s always more than one side to the story. This has led to my forthcoming release – Courting Danger – which resolves the incident during that holiday in court.

Thirdly, my latest release, Magic o’Clock, is a more personal piece of fiction, dealing with the difficulties faced by families whose loved ones have dementia. It’s a short story, but hopefully one that gets across the hope that people need to see that you can still have good times.

2. When did you know you wanted to write a book?

I never did really. I’ve always loved reading, but writing wasn’t ever on my radar. Only when I moved to Spain and looked for new challenges (because moving abroad wasn’t challenging enough?? LOL). I came across NaNoWriMo and have never looked back.

3. Do you have a favorite food or drink you must have nearby when writing?

Depending on the season, this changes. Living in a hot climate, my summer needs are simple – ICE, ICE and more ICE- I had to buy a smoothie maker just to meet my own needs.

But in winter, I’m a cappuccino addict – just the regular type, lots of froth and maybe a chunk (or bar) of chocolate.

4. Do you have a favorite spot to write?

Again, weather permitting – I have a writing desk in the solarium, with views to the sea. But it can get too hot up there, so then I’ll settle anywhere with aircon or whirring fans.

5. What is a usual writing day like for you? How is it structured?

I don’t have a fixed structure. It all depends on what free time I have and making the most of it.

6. For a reader who hasn’t read your books yet, which book do you suggest they start with?

As my books are so different, then it really is down to the reader’s preferred genre. They’re all short or novella-length, so not too demanding of time.

7. What’s one random fact about yourself that you can share?

It’s widely known I’m a chocoholic and am currently working my way through a series of recipes to replicate my favourite treats from home – and can now make my own Fudge, Bounty, Crunchie and Creme Eggs

8. What is your favorite comfort food?

This might surprise people, especially after my previous answer … but bacon is my go-to food, possibly because it smells as good as it tastes 🙂Bacon and fried tomatoes on a sandwich – YUM! (This was also the last thing I remember my dad making for me)

9. What are writing projects are you currently working on?

I’m editing one story – Courting Danger – which is the courtroom sequel to The Fifth Wheel. I’m also writing another story with these characters (Heirlooms & Heiresses) as well as a conspiracy thriller (The Untruth Hunters) and a Fantasy series (The Nasrid Charm series)

As you can see, I’m still finding my feet – or should that be fingers?? 🙂

(I’ll steer clear of comedy after that though … )

Feel free to drop by my Facebook page, or that of Amazeballs – we’d all love to see you 🙂

Featured Author – Nicole Fitton

Here at Mystery Authors International we always have a great story to tell.

This month is no exception, since our featured author is none other than Nicole Fitton, and we’re going to be looking at her book, Forbidden Colours. 

Before we delve into the details, let me just add that Nicole is having an awesome spell as an author.

Not only has she been nominated for an author of the year award, but the cover of her novel was a front-runner in Cover Wars too.

As this is such a wonderfully imaginative cover, I feel the need to display it in full resolution – as a piece of artwork it merits its own spot of glory.

So, well done, Nicole. This is just the start of a successful writing career and we’re supporting you all the way.

You’re no doubt wanting to know what the novel is all about, so without further ado, Nicole tells me how the story came to be.

Forbidden Colours was the evolution of a question that had been rattling around in my brain. You know, those annoying questions that wake you at 4am and won’t let you rest until you’ve written something. Well, that’s how it was for me. I had read a newspaper article about the complexity of the human brain and well, it all started from there. Forbidden Colours is a gripping love story which contains elements of psychological suspense. It has enough adrenaline fuelled drama to power the national grid! Once I had the protagonist Midori Yates firmly fixed in my mind’s eye she took charge and dictated the direction of travel. I have a passion for science and being able to incorporate that into a book is very exciting. The story centres around a new drug being brought to market that does not quite do what it is supposed to…. I shall leave it at that. As I said earlier I started Forbidden Colours with a question and everything flowed from there. So, I know you want to know, what was the question? It’s a question I often ask myself but seldom has it led me in such an unusual direction…… ‘ What if?’

A thriller that offers suspense and romance must be bound for great things – next stop, Hollywood, Nicole?

Check out the blurb for greater insight into the plot:

What if your memories were not your memories? What if the drug hailed as a cure becomes your curse and ultimately your destruction?

Forbidden Colours is a gripping tale where nothing is quite as it seems. Neurologist Nick Campbell is all set to believe in new drug Centoria, but when his patients start turning up dead he starts to wonder whether his faith has been blind.

Determined to uncover the truth, pharmaceutical employee Midori Yates and Dr Nick Campbell find a conspiracy that is to have devastating consequences for both of them. Forbidden Colours is a clever contemporary thriller that has numerous twists and turns that will make your head spin! A book for bedtime? Maybe but don’t expect to get any sleep!

Powerful stuff, I think you’ll agree, and most definitely unique in its concept and intriguing to boot! Who needs sleep, anyway? 🙂

Fancy a snippet? (Of course you do, and what the reader wants, the reader gets …)

Katzuko Yates eyed her daughter thoughtfully. A sense of apprehension gripped her. Those years in Japan were long ago; she wondered if she could be clear with her explanation. Even though buried, her memories continued to breathe under the mountain of life she’d lived. Dare she even speak of them? Could she speak of them? Their place of residence had become an unmarked grave in her history. Her family had a right to know, after everything that had happened. His world was dark and full of shadows; where would she begin? For over 25 years she had told no one. Now she was being drawn back into his world. It was a time she wanted to forget. The tie that had been bound to her so tightly was about to be broken.

Wow! You must be tempted to one-click this now – so here’s the all-important link you need.

Pardon me, where are my manners? Let me introduce you to Nicole and provide all the links so you may stalk – I mean follow – her 🙂

Author Bio:

Nicole Fitton is an author and freelance writer who has lived in such glamorous locations as London, New York and Croydon! She currently reside in Devon, UK with her family. Forbidden Colours is her second novel. Her career has spanned over 3 decades working in PR and marketing within the music industry. She currently works within healthcare in the UK.

Alongside her novels Nicole has a passion for writing short stories. This year has seen her short ‘Soaring’ featured in an anthology by the Black Pear Press. Her stories always have a happy ending, but, the way in which they get there will keep you guessing right up until the last page! She admits she gets bored easily and can often be found enjoying new adventures!

Links:

Website 

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Amazon Author Page

Before I go, let me share another tidbit – Forbidden Colours is on Kindle Countdown until May 4th – so time to grab your own copy and enjoy the bargain!

Z is for … Zilch

Today’s the last day of the AtoZChallenge, and I’m all blogged out – I’ve got zilch left to add.

Other than to say, if you’ve read / liked / shared any of these posts, left a comment, joined my mailing list or even bought a book of mine, then from the bottom of my heart, I send you my greatest

Courting Danger has been well and truly exposed, in readiness for its cover reveal in the summer and book launch soon after.

If you have any space on your bookshelf or reading device, then you can always check out my other books

 Lacey’s Law, The Fifth Wheel or Magic O’Clock

Lacey’s Law

The Fifth Wheel

Magic o’Clock

Thank you for joining me during this month of blogging – it’s been fun, exhausting, thought-provoking, tiring and wonderful to be engaging and interacting with you all.

See you soon 🙂 x

 

Y is for … YouTube trailers

I’ve been dabbling in creating book trailers for a while now, but not with any great success.

In fact, I’m rubbish at the whole thing. There’s so much to consider.

From picking out the juicy bits of the story to entice readers, to finding the right images and then picking some appropriate music, it’s a whole new world.

The first one I made was for my very first story – my NaNo novel from 2012 – The Nasrid Charm. I was so engrossed in the story, and wasn’t trying to write fifty other books at that time, so it was easier to focus. I had all the time in the world then. But it all came to nothing when I found the exact song to accompany the video, only for it to be unavailable due to copyright. With my dreams dashed I gave up.

Although, as I said at the start, I have dabbled since, but not with the same dedication. I’ll probably seek out someone more creative should I ever feel the need for a trailer in the future.

If you fancy a laugh, check these out and be grateful that I’m not any kind of threat to other creatives 🙂

The Fifth Wheel trailer

Lacey’s Law trailer

X is for … X-roads

Dilemma, dilemma, dilemma – when will my book be done?

I’m at the crossroads, trying to get my book in shape and ready for release, but there always seems to be ‘one more edit’ or ‘one last glitch to check’ or ‘one final proofread needed.’

I’ve got to the point where I know more about the plot and story line of my fictional characters than real life family and colleagues.

It’s a sure sign that it’s time to move on.

Just looking at the last few edits I made begs the question: Did I improve it, or did I just change it? If I’m not adding value at this point, or making it more interesting or richer or even more readable, then surely it’s time to stop. Am I simply delaying the inevitable? Quite possibly.

It’s time to put Courting Danger to the test, let the betas to have their say. I can put it aside for a while and come back to it in a couple of weeks. Armed with their feedback – good and bad – I can read it again with fresh(er) eyes.

The last thing I’ll do is to read it backwards. Yeah, that’s right – not word for word, but a chapter at a time.

Then I can do no more: Time’s up. There’s a deadline to be met.

Courting Danger will be ready in time. It will be. I made that promise to myself.

Farewell crossroads – I have a real path to follow.