I’m pleased to welcome fellow Apricot Plots author, Jane Cable to my blog today to share five things that you would never guess about her. I’m loving this feature as I’m finding out more depth about other authors. Over to Jane …

Jane Cable says …

Some of my great passions are easy to guess from my books; my fascination with people, my love of history and of the beauty of the British countryside. Readers may also work out that my girlfriends are hugely important to me – as is the wise council of the older generation. But when Morton asked me to write about what readers mightn’t guess I was left scratching my head so please excuse this rather eclectic mix!

1. Love at first sight

I believe fervently in love at first sight. A month before my twentieth birthday, it happened to me.

I was on a little road trip around Devon and Cornwall with my shag buddy (no, Generation Y, you didn’t invent them) when he suggested we drop by to see a friend of his. Miles of farm track later we pitched up in a muddy yard, somewhere between Dartmoor and Exmoor, and a bloke with a shock of dark hair and the most intense eyes you’ve ever seen bounced out of the house to meet us.

Reader, I married him. And divorced him three years later. Which is probably why love at first sight doesn’t feature in my books.

2. Consciousness beyond matter

My readers might guess at this one because my novels always have a slightly ghostly or time-slippy edge. But the actual phrase is borrowed from the aims of The College of Psychic Studies which was set up by Conan Doyle and others to explore just that.

The College was a client in my business life and as a result l had access to their extensive library for research. There I discovered that this is a subject people study very seriously and I learnt to accept there are many things we don’t know – maybe can’t know – and to assume our knowledge is complete seems to me to be rather arrogant.

3. Foreign travel

So far my books are all set in the UK, with no exotic landscapes. They are led by place – which my readers do expect – but all the places are in England.

And I love to travel. When I was working at full pelt I didn’t have enough time, but now my OH and I have kicked back a little we’re making up for it. Vietnam, Cambodia, the USA. And that’s just in the first year.

But I would struggle to put these places in my books because, as a tourist, you only ever skate the surface. To write about a location, to properly take my readers there, I need to be able to live and breathe it.

4. Music radio

This has been a love for most of my life. The first thing I remember wanting to be was a DJ and I spent my later teenage years volunteering at one local radio station and my first job after graduating was at another. I worked in the newsroom, at the sports’ desk, as a producer, presenting rock music specials and scheduling adverts. I felt I was in my element.

I would still rather listen to the radio than watch TV, although now it’s more likely to be a cricket commentary demanding my attention. Although I did cry buckets when Terry Wogan died. And I’m hoping Ken Bruce is immortal.

5. Wales

I am Welsh through and through and it’s one of the most important aspects of my identity, but as yet the country hasn’t featured in my novels.

I don’t know why, because there are many beautiful places I could write about, many fascinating historical themes. Perhaps it’s the intensity that scares me, or maybe it’s all just a little too close for comfort.

But one day, one day, it just might happen.

Wow, those were interesting, thank you. And now more about Jane’s books …

Jane Cable writes romance with a twist of mystery and has just signed a deal with Sapere Books for two contemporary novels slipping back to World War Two.

Her existing books were published independently. The Cheesemaker’s House reached the final of the Alan Titchmarsh Show’s People’s Novelist competition and tells the story of a divorcee who moves to Yorkshire and meets her neighbours from the present and the past. Jane’s second novel, The Faerie Tree is about a couple who meet again twenty years after their brief affair and discover their memories of it are completely different.

Both books are available in all ebook formats with paperbacks on Amazon or by ordering from all good bookstores.

Find out more on Jane’s website (www.janecable.com), her Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/romanticsuspensenovels/) or follow @JaneCable on Twitter.

As part of the Apricot Plots Kick Start Christmas giveaways look out for posts on Tuesday 11 December by Jane Cable as you can win a copy of The Faerie Tree. Also, there is a copy of The Cheesemaker’s House in the bundle of books whose winner will be announced on Friday 14 December – you can nominate someone to win this prize up until 14 December at 8pm GMT. Find out more by liking our Apricot Plots‘s page on Facebook and Twitter.

Thank you for visiting my blog – Morton S. Gray – Author. I hope you enjoyed this post. You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Christmas at Borteen Bay is available now as both an eBook and audio download – Amazon Kindle, Audio, Apple iBooks, Kobo and Choc Lit for other buying options.

The Truth Lies Buried is available from all eBook platforms – Choc Lit, Amazon Kindle, Kobo, Apple iBooks

The Girl on the Beach published by Choc Lit is available as a paperback and from all eBook platforms – Amazon Kindle, Apple iBooks, Kobo, Barnes and Noble and Google Play.

I posted a little while back to say that I am now part of a wonderful group of supportive authors and we call ourselves Apricot Plots. If you are interested in finding out more then follow us by liking our page on Facebook and Twitter.

We are celebrating our friendship and new venture with a Kick Start your Christmas event running from 1-14 December. There are different giveaways and competitions each day – so get over to Facebook and Twitter and call back each day during the event for another chance to win.

I will be giving away a signed copy of my Search for a Star competition winning novel The Girl on the Beach published by Choc Lit on 4 December, so watch out for details on Facebook and Twitter.

I will also be giving away a signed copy of The Girl on the Beach as part of the final big book bundle. This giveaway is a little bit different as we are asking people to nominate someone special to receive the bundle of books during the period 1-14 December, so look up the details on the Apricot Plots pages and get nominating. What a lovely prize to receive.

Get nominating on Facebook and Twitter.

Watch out next week for a post from another Apricot Plotter, Jane Cable.

Thank you for visiting my blog – Morton S. Gray – Author. I hope you enjoyed this post. You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Christmas at Borteen Bay is available now as both an eBook and audio download – Amazon Kindle, Audio, Apple iBooks, Kobo and Choc Lit for other buying options.

The Truth Lies Buried is available from all eBook platforms – Choc Lit, Amazon Kindle, Kobo, Apple iBooks

The Girl on the Beach published by Choc Lit is available as a paperback and from all eBook platforms – Amazon Kindle, Apple iBooks, Kobo, Barnes and Noble and Google Play.

Something a little different for my blog this week. Victoria Cornwall and I have both had new Christmas novellas released in the last few weeks. We both signed with Choc Lit about the same time and since then we have become good friends and communicate most days. We decided to answer some questions about our friendship.

What does your internet friendship mean to you?

Morton– I always know that Vicki will be there if I need to ask for an opinion on something and she is good at noticing if I’ve missed something on social media that I should respond to. We have shared highs and lows, good times and bad about our writing, our families, pets and ourselves. Vicki is probably one of the first people I think about to tell when something happens and it somehow helps that she lives so far away from me and can be a little more detached. (I live in Worcestershire and she’s in Cornwall).

Victoria– Writing is a lonely job and, in my opinion, can only be fully understood by another writer who has experienced the same journey. It’s good to know that I can discuss, rant, confide, confess and share good times with someone who really understands. I can also message Morton at any time, from anywhere and within hours, if not minutes I will get a reply that understands, encourages or give me a firm kick up the virtual bottom.

What did you think when you first met in person?

Morton– It was lovely to meet Vicky for the first time in real life. I was nervous, as even if we were good friends on the internet it didn’t mean we would get on in real life – I needn’t have worried we’ve had a great time on the three occasions we have met, in Worcester, in London and in Oxford. The one thing I always forget is that she has a Cornish accent. Lol.

Victoria– I was a little worried. We were both finalists for a Romantic Novelists’ Association Award and we had arranged to attend the ceremony together. When she arrived at my hotel room door, she looked just like her photograph, which was great, but she was also so friendly, excited about the evening ahead and full of laughter that any worries I did have instantly evaporated.

How can you help each other if you write such different genres?

Morton– We don’t really critique each other’s work, unless it is a short piece on which we need an opinion. We more often offer moral support, a listening ear and help in sharing tweets and Facebook posts. It’s nice to know that someone understands when you are struggling with writing or editing. I have read and enjoyed all of Vicki’s novels.

Victoria– Morton is right. Perhaps that is the key to our successful online friendship, to not make a habit of critiquing each other’s work, but provide much needed support in other ways. We have different writing styles which we both respect and enjoy. It also makes reading the final published version so much more exciting as we are unaware of the plot or the twists to come.

You wrote your Christmas novellas at the same time. Was this an advantage or a disadvantage?

Morton– I found it helpful, as I knew someone else was going through the same ups and downs as I was. Sometimes all you need to help on the journey is a good listening ear and encouragement, especially when you are trying to be Christmassy out of season!

Victoria– It was advantageous for me. We wrote the novellas the same time, worked with our editors to prepare them for publication around the same time, even saw our covers within the same month or so. There was no competition between us regarding who had written more words, but it kept me focused so my novella was finished in plenty of time. A common phrase we would often message to each other would be “I need to add more Christmas!” Those words were a bonding session in their own right!

Which character did you like best in each other’s Christmas novella?

Morton– When asked that question, I felt I should say Nicholas, the hero of A Daughter’s Christmas Wish, but actually my favourite character was Rose, the heroine. She has been through a lot with both her mother, brother and her fiancé, but still she gets up every day and carries on running her tea shop. She is strong and resourceful, despite her trials and tribulations and I admire that.

Victoria– As soon as I read Christmas at Borteen Bay I messaged Morton to tell her I’d fallen in love with the hero, Ethan. He’s stable, supportive, understanding and totally believable. He is ‘a keeper’ who has never really got over the love of his life. What’s not to like?

We hope you enjoyed our celebration of our friendship.

Our books

Morton – Christmas at Borteen Bay

Christmas has a way of bringing family secrets to the surface …

Christmas is a bittersweet time for Pippa Freeman. There are good memories, of course – but some painful ones too.

Then her mother is implicated in a mysterious occurrence in their home town of Borteen, and Pippa wonders if she’ll ever experience a happy Christmas again – especially when a family secret is revealed.

But when police officer and old school friend Ethan Gibson offers his support, Pippa begins to realise that even though her life has been turned upside down, a happy and hopeful Christmas isn’t impossible …

Buying Links for Christmas at Borteen Bay

Ebook     Amazon Kindle      Kobo      Choc Lit

Audiobook    Audible

Victoria – A Daughter’s Christmas Wish

A Cornish Christmas wish sent across the ocean …

Christmas, Cornwall 1919

A promise to a fellow soldier leads Nicholas to Cornwall for Christmas, and to the teashop managed by Rose; the youngest daughter of a family whose festive spirit has been blighted by their wartime experiences. But as Nicholas strives to give Rose the best Christmas she could wish for, he begins to question whether his efforts are to honour his friend, or whether there is another reason …

Buying links for A Daughter’s Christmas Wish

Ebook: https://books2read.com/u/bppJPg

Audiobook: https://goo.gl/cYCXxs

Thank you for visiting my blog – Morton S. Gray – Author. I hope you enjoyed this post. You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Christmas at Borteen Bay is available now as both an eBook and audio download – Amazon Kindle, Audio, Apple iBooks, Kobo and Choc Lit for other buying options.

The Truth Lies Buried is available from all eBook platforms – Choc Lit, Amazon Kindle, Kobo, Apple iBooks

The Girl on the Beach published by Choc Lit is available as a paperback and from all eBook platforms – Amazon Kindle, Apple iBooks, Kobo, Barnes and Noble and Google Play.

This week I’m joined by Carol Thomas, author of The Perfect Pet Sitter published by Ruby Fiction.

I asked Carol some questions:-

What inspired you to write The Purrfect Pet Sitter?

I wanted to write a story that explored the idea of second chances in friendship and love. Add to that, my daughter is a pet sitter, it’s a great job for meeting people, and pets who, like children, add a certain amount of unpredictability – giving rise to great opportunities when writing romantic comedy. As the creative cogs began to churn Lisa Blake and her return to her hometown as The Purrfect Pet Sitter was born.

Tell me about the settings in The Purrfect Pet Sitter.

Time wise the novel is set between September and New Year’s Eve, so ideal for reading at this time of year 😉

Much of the action takes place on the south coast of England, in and around the seaside town of Littlehampton, where I live. This setting enables Lisa to have access to the beach and local countryside, ideal for dog walking.

However, one of my favourite scenes (in terms of researching and writing) sees Lisa visiting her parents in the French Alps, where she spends a very special, snowy Christmas in the village of Samoëns.

Discover more about the sites and scenes that inspired The Purrfect Pet Sitter by visiting my Pinterest Board: https://pin.it/pfjyalfoccvhyb

A recent review of your novel said, “the sex is well written”, how do you feel about sex scenes in romance novels and at what point do you close the bedroom door?

That review surprised me because I didn’t think there was an awful lot of sex in The Purrfect Pet Sitter. To me, the review illustrated that different readers have different levels of expectation. I like to write sensual scenes, not too graphic but enough to give (a taste or flavour, hmm maybe not in this context) an idea of the level of intimacy between the couple, but I close the bedroom door before anything too graphic happens, leaving the rest to the reader’s imagination.

You are currently writing a sequel to The Purrfect Pet Sitter what can we expect from the story?

Yes, I felt I wasn’t yet ready to let go of my main characters. The sequel is a novella that has given me the opportunity to expand their story a little more. Of course, there will be appearances from the loveable supporting cast of characters from The Purrfect Pet Sitter too, along with some new additions, which I can’t wait for my readers to meet.

About The Purrfect Pet Sitter

The blurb:

Introducing Lisa Blake, the purrfect pet sitter!

When Lisa Blake’s life in London falls apart, she returns to her hometown rebranding herself as ‘the purrfect pet sitter’ – which may or may not be false advertising!

But being back where she grew up, Lisa can’t escape her past. There’s her estranged best friend Flick who she bumps into in an embarrassing encounter in a local supermarket. And her first love, Nathan Baker, who, considering their history, is sure to be even more surprised by her drunken Facebook friend request than Lisa is.

As she becomes involved in the lives of her old friends Lisa must confront the hurt she has caused, discover the truth about her mysterious leather-clad admirer, and learn how to move forward when the things she wants most are affected by the decisions of her past.

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Publisher: Ruby Fiction

If you would like to read Carol’s book The Purrfect Pet Sitter, you can use the following links to buy it.

Buying Links

Amazon:http://tinyurl.com/TPPS-AmazonUk

Kobo:https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/the-purrfect-pet-sitter

Ruby Fiction:http://www.rubyfiction.com/dd-product/the-purrfect-pet-sitter/

Carol has produced a book trailer, which is well worth a watch.

View the book trailer: http://tinyurl.com/TPPS-booktrailer

About the author:

Carol Thomas lives on the south coast of England with her husband, four children and lively young Labrador. She has been a playgroup supervisor and taught in primary schools for over fifteen years, before dedicating more of her time to writing. Carol is a regular volunteer at her local Cancer Research UK shop. She has a passion for reading, writing and people watching and can often be found loitering in local cafes working on her next book.

Carol writes contemporary romance novels, with relatable heroines whose stories are layered with emotion, sprinkled with laughter and topped with irresistible male leads.

To keep in touch with Carol follow her on her website or social media links below.

Website and Social Media Links:

Website – http://carol-thomas.co.uk

Facebook – http://facebook.com/carolthomasauthor

Twitter – @carol_thomas2

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/carol_thomas2/

Blog – http://carol-thomas.co.uk/blog

Thank you for joining me on my blog, Carol.

I’ve actually just read and enjoyed The Purrfect Pet Sitter – my review is below:-

5 stars

I found this story delightful. The book took me on a journey from laughter to tears and made me think about life too. My favourite scenes were those about involving the wetsuit and Titanic. Lisa the heroine had very relatable insecurities and concerns and I was rooting for her from the outset. I loved the secondary characters of Dom, Mr Chung and Winnie. I can’t wait for the sequel!

Thank you for visiting my blog – Morton S. Gray – Author. I hope you enjoyed this post. You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Christmas at Borteen Bay is available now as both an eBook and audio download – Amazon Kindle, Audio, Apple iBooks, Kobo and Choc Lit for other options.

The Truth Lies Buried is available from all eBook platforms – Choc Lit, Amazon Kindle, Kobo, Apple iBooks

The Girl on the Beach published by Choc Lit is available as a paperback and from all eBook platforms – Amazon Kindle, Apple iBooks, Kobo, Barnes and Noble and Google Play.

Today Christmas at Borteen Bay is launched into the world. Thank you to all those who have pre-ordered it. This Christmas novella is set in my fictional seaside town of Borteen and is available as an eBook or Audio Download from 13 November 2018.

It always seems such a simple statement – my new book is published today – but the work in the  background to get to that point is tremendous. I originally wrote the book in November 2017 and since then it has been through the Choc Lit Reader Panel, been worked on by my editor many times, I have read and amended it countless times, the cover designer produced the cover and that’s not counting the background work at my publisher Choc Lit to format it, load it to retail sites and market the title. For the first time for me this book is available as an audio download and is narrated by Penelope Freeman. Bloggers have read advanced copies and taken time to write reviews and I’m sure I must have forgotten something. Thank you to everyone who has had a hand in getting my third book to market. I do hope that readers enjoy it.

So what is Christmas in Borteen Bay about?

Christmas has a way of bringing family secrets to the surface …

Christmas is a bittersweet time for Pippa Freeman. There are good memories, of course – but some painful ones too.

Then her mother is implicated in a mysterious occurrence in their home town of Borteen, and Pippa wonders if she’ll ever experience a happy Christmas again – especially when a family secret is revealed.

But when police officer and old school friend Ethan Gibson offers his support, Pippa begins to realise that even though her life has been turned upside down, a happy and hopeful Christmas isn’t impossible …

The novella is available from all ebook retailers and also (in a first for me) as an audio download narrated by Penelope Freeman.

To tempt you, I’m posting a taster below.

Chapter One

2 December

Ethan Gibson didn’t mind early morning shifts. In fact he relished the silence in the streets of the seaside town of Borteen. Somehow pre-dawn had a different energy about it. The majority of the population and visiting tourists, admittedly few in December, were mostly still in bed. His boots sounded loudly on the pavement.

He looked up to catch a few snowflakes that drifted from the overcast sky. Thankfully, his police hat was securely strapped to his head, otherwise it would surely have fallen off with that amount of head tilt.

Could it actually be a white Christmas this year? The bookies would be wary of having to pay out large sums to those hopefuls who gambled on the possibility. If these flurries continued there would be a lot of bets placed soon. Ethan didn’t think he’d bother to waste any cash.

Relaxed, content and rather distracted by the sound of the sea, combined with the orange glow of the dawn sky, he began to count his steps. The tide was almost completely out in the bay and the flat, as yet undisturbed beach lay beyond the sea wall. Ethan would have loved nothing better than to strip off his boots and socks, to run over the sand. He laughed to himself at how funny a policeman in full uniform running in circles barefoot on the beach would look to anyone watching, like something out of an old black and white movie. He’d no doubt get himself put on a disciplinary charge too, but the temptation was so great, especially as it didn’t appear as if anyone in the town was awake to see him.

He continued his steady walk along the promenade, checking the buildings as he always did, looking for anything out of place as he passed by. He paid particular attention to Rose Court guesthouse, but only because he hoped to catch a glimpse of Pippa Freeman, who ran the guesthouse with her mother.

Ethan had had a “thing” about Pippa, ever since he’d shared a table with the girl at Borteen Infants’ School. They’d not spoken to each other properly since a disastrous school Christmas party over ten years ago, but despite that and two failed relationships since, his secret adoration had never really gone away. He shook himself to remove the brief fragment of bad Christmas past memory invading his calm state.

The newly installed Christmas lights outside of The Ship Inn blinked into life as he neared the pub. Ethan checked his watch. They must be programmed to light up at six-thirty each morning. He unconsciously began to hum ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’ in his deep baritone.

He continued along the promenade, lamenting the fact that the chip shop wouldn’t be open today. He was a big fan of the occasional battered cod and chips with lashings of salt and vinegar from The Borteen Cod. He would even have missed out on his promised beef and Yorkshire pudding Sunday lunch at his mother’s if the shop had been open.

Making sure the doors and windows were secure at Owl Corner Crafts, he skirted the churchyard to check on the church, stopping to straighten the crowns on the three wise men in the nativity scene outside the main door. Pressing against the church doors to ensure they were locked and satisfied that nothing was amiss, he turned back to walk along the promenade again.

That was when it felt like all hell broke loose and it seemed spookily as if he’d somehow conjured it all from his earlier thoughts about the beach.

As he marched along, noticing the change in the light as the sun came up, the shadowy figure of a woman ran from Rose Court guesthouse, across the road and straight over to him. It took him a few seconds to register that it was Pippa. He hadn’t recognised her normally slim outline wrapped in the voluminous Winnie the Pooh dressing gown and Eeyore slippers.

‘Officer, quick! Oh, it’s you, Ethan.’

Momentarily stunned by the fact Pippa had recognised him, Ethan stared at her blankly for a minute before responding. ‘What’s the matter?’ It must be something serious for her to be out on the promenade looking as if she’d just got out of bed. Her dark curls tumbled around her face and he felt a dart of familiar attraction.

‘I was just looking out of my bedroom window.’ She waved her arms around, gesturing at the guesthouse and the beach. She was out of breath and her voice was high-pitched with emotion. ‘My room’s up on the third floor nearly up by the roof and – and I’m sure there’s someone lying on the sand down by the waterline. It doesn’t look as if they’re moving and the tide’s on the turn. Quick.’

Ethan rushed over to the sea wall and looked across the expanse of sand. He could see a dark shape way down by the edge of the waves. A seal perhaps?

‘I’ll go take a look, just in case. It’s probably a seal.’ He smiled across at her, feeling regret that he couldn’t prolong their conversation. Sprinting to the steps which led down onto the beach, he began to run on the pristine sand, just as he’d been imagining such a short while before – although the dream had been minus his boots. If he wasn’t so concerned with getting to the shape on the sand, he would have laughed to think Pippa had spoken to him again at last, and more than that, she’d recognised him and remembered his name. He’d also got his wish to run the length of the beach. He only hoped he didn’t look as stupid as he’d been thinking he would earlier. He didn’t dare turn to see if Pippa was watching him, for fear of falling over his feet and looking even more of an idiot.

As he got closer, he could clearly see that the shape on the sand was not a seal, but a person, as Pippa had feared.

If you would like to order it please use the following links – Amazon Kindle, Audio, Apple iBooks, Kobo and Choc Lit for other options.

Happy Publication Day to me, Happy Publication Day to me …

Thank you for visiting my blog – Morton S. Gray – Author. I hope you enjoyed this post. You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Christmas at Borteen Bay is available now as both an eBook and audio download – Amazon Kindle, Audio, Apple iBooks, Kobo and Choc Lit for other options.

The Truth Lies Buried is available from all eBook platforms – Choc Lit, Amazon Kindle, Kobo, Apple iBooks

The Girl on the Beach published by Choc Lit is available as a paperback and from all eBook platforms – Amazon Kindle, Apple iBooks, Kobo, Barnes and Noble and Google Play.

Don’t we all love a bargain? As The Truth Lies Buried is on offer at 99p at the moment, I thought I’d share a couple of my favourite extracts to maybe tempt you to buy it. Remember that you can read extracts of the book on both Kindle and a huge chunk of the book on Kobo before you buy too.

This is the second book in my Borteen Secrets Series but is stand-alone. Let’s start with the information on the back of the book …

Two children in a police waiting room, two distressed mothers, a memory only half remembered…

When Jenny Simpson returns to the seaside town of Borteen, her childhood home, it’s for a less than happy reason. But it’s also a chance for her to start again.

A new job leads to her working for Carver Rodgers, a man who lives alone in a house that looks like it comes from the pages of a fairy tale – until you see the disaster zone inside …

As Jenny gets to know Carver she begins to unravel the sadness that has led to his chaotic existence. Gradually they realise they have something in common that is impossible to ignore – and it all links back to a meeting at a police station many years before.

Could the truth lie just beneath their feet?

And then I’ll give you two short extracts:-

Suddenly, a huge grey dog leapt out of the undergrowth. The animal was as tall as Jenny when it jumped up, close enough for her to see flashes in his eyes. She backed against a tree, her heart in her mouth, stifling a scream. The dog circled around her, barking and snarling. Climbing out of harm’s way was impossible in her tight skirt, even if she could climb a tree. Enormous teeth came close to her face and saliva dripped from the animal’s jaws. Jenny clutched her handbag in front of her and stood as still as she could, given that she was shaking so violently. Scared of passing out, she closed her eyes and prayed for a miracle.

After what seemed a lifetime, during which she’d had plenty of time to imagine being eaten by the baying dog, the chainsaw silenced.

‘Wilf, away. Come here, you mangy beast.’

Jenny chanced opening her eyes. The dog retreated instantly in response to the man’s words. She sank down to the ground, her terror taking away all care for her suit.

The chainsaw man came towards her, removing his ear defenders as he walked. He took off his goggles, revealing slate grey eyes that showed concern, but maybe a hint of amusement too. Wood shavings coated his long curly hair.

‘Are you all right? I wasn’t expecting visitors.’

Jenny stuttered when she finally found her voice. ‘You w-weren’t ex-expecting me?’

And

An hour and a half later, the kitchen was transformed and she couldn’t help a glow of pride. Maybe she could do this job after all.

‘Blimey!’ Carver’s exclamation from behind her made her jump what felt like two feet in the air.

When she turned, he was staring around the room with wide eyes. ‘Is this my kitchen or did you get a new one fitted while I was out?’

‘It’s yours.’ She smiled. ‘It was just … hidden.’

There was something child-like about this tall man gazing around his own kitchen as if he had never seen it before. He ran a finger along the work surface, then examined it and his expression suggested amazement when it came away clean. He moved over to trace a man’s face in a photograph framed on the wall. She’d wondered about it as she’d polished the glass at the front of it earlier.

‘I don’t know why, but that man looks very familiar. May I ask who he is?’

Carver turned and stared at her. He paused before replying, totally unaware of his effect on her insides, which felt jelly-like all of a sudden.

‘My father, Michael Rodgers.’

‘Does he live near here? Is that why I recognise him?’

‘No … well, he did once, but he … disappeared twenty-five years ago, when I was eight.’

Jenny sank heavily onto the stool in the corner. She felt the colour drain from her face. Her heart had begun to beat erratically and faintness threatened to overwhelm her. She hoped she wasn’t going to be sick on the floor she’d recently cleaned.

‘Are you okay? Are you ill?’ Carver’s face and voice held panic and concern, his eyes wide open.

‘I don’t believe it! So … so … did my dad. Twenty-five years ago, almost to the day. I was seven. Wait a minute … you must be that Damien Rodgers.’

‘That Damien Rodgers?’

So if you’d like to find out the mystery behind the disappearance of Carver and Jenny’s fathers you can get The Truth Lies Buried for 99p for a short while on the following links:-

Kindle        Kobo

Also at just 99p is the pre-order of my Christmas book Christmas at Borteen Bay which is again stand alone. It follows the story of Pippa Freeman who manages the Rose Court guesthouse in Borteen. She features in The Truth Lies Buried too.

Christmas at Borteen Bay will be published on 13 November 2018 as both an eBook and audio download. Pre-order now at Amazon Kindle, Apple iBooks, and Choc Lit

Thank you for visiting my blog – Morton S. Gray – Author. I hope you enjoyed this post. You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Christmas at Borteen Bay will be published on 13 November 2018 as both an eBook and audio book. Pre-order now at Amazon Kindle, Apple iBooks, and Choc Lit

The Truth Lies Buried is available from all eBook platforms – Choc Lit, Amazon Kindle, Kobo, Apple iBooks

The Girl on the Beach published by Choc Lit is available as a paperback and from all eBook platforms – Amazon Kindle, Apple iBooks, Kobo, Barnes and Noble and Google Play.

‘Tis the season of the Christmas book!

I thought I’d use my blog this week to celebrate the Christmas books being published by my publisher Choc Lit this year. Lots have been announced already and there are more to come!

Shameless plug for my own first – Christmas at Borteen Bay is now available for pre-order and is published on 13 November 2018.

About Christmas at Borteen Bay

Christmas has a way of bringing family secrets to the surface …

Christmas is a bittersweet time for Pippa Freeman. There are good memories, of course – but some painful ones too.

Then her mother is implicated in a mysterious occurrence in their home town of Borteen, and Pippa wonders if she’ll ever experience a happy Christmas again – especially when a family secret is revealed.

But when police officer and old school friend Ethan Gibson offers his support, Pippa begins to realise that even though her life has been turned upside down, a happy and hopeful Christmas isn’t impossible …

Pre- order on these links Amazon Kindle, Choc Lit only 99p

Good friend and fellow Choc Lit author, Victoria Cornwall‘s Christmas novella cover was revealed today. Can’t wait to read this one. A Daughter’s Christmas Wish is out on 20 November 2018 again at 99p.

About A Daughter’s Christmas Wish

A Cornish Christmas wish sent across the ocean …

Christmas, Cornwall 1919

A promise to a fellow soldier leads Nicholas to Cornwall for Christmas, and to the teashop managed by Rose; the youngest daughter of a family whose festive spirit has been blighted by their wartime experiences. But as Nicholas strives to give Rose the best Christmas she could wish for, he begins to question whether his efforts are to honour his friend, or whether there is another reason …

To pre-order use the following link Amazon Kindle

I’ve included below some of the other lovely Christmas covers from Choc Lit this year, click on the titles to see more detail and order.

Kathryn Freeman has two titles A Little Christmas Faith and A Little Christmas Charm.

Kirsty Ferry has Watch for me at Christmas and A Christmas Secret.

Berni Stevens – One Magical Christmas

Lynda Stacey – House of Christmas Secrets

Evonne Wareham – What Happens at Christmas

I’ve come over all Christmassy now! I’m sure there are a few more left to reveal – keep an eye on the Choc Lit website here

Thank you for visiting my blog – Morton S. Gray – Author. I hope you enjoyed this post. You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Christmas at Borteen Bay will be published on 13 November 2018 as both an eBook and audio book. Pre-order now at Amazon Kindle, Apple iBooks, and Choc Lit

The Truth Lies Buried is available from all eBook platforms – Choc Lit, Amazon Kindle, Kobo, Apple iBooks

The Girl on the Beach published by Choc Lit is available as a paperback and from all eBook platforms – Amazon Kindle, Apple iBooks, Kobo, Barnes and Noble and Google Play.