With the third book in the Gardner &
Chattaway cosy mystery series due to be published this summer, here is a short
video of Serendipity, book 1 in the series, in case you haven’t met
Craig Gardner and his young assistant Roo Chattaway.
Friday 26 July 2024
Serendipity - a short video
Saturday 15 June 2024
Sue Cook – Sweet romance and cosy mystery
Visiting PBHQ is the lovely, Sue Cook who has just published
Dear William. Please make yourself comfortable with a glass of bubbly
and meet my special guest.
Hi, my name is Sue Cook (no, not the one from Crime Watch)
and I write long and short stories for the women’s magazine fiction market. I
am a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and an avid crime reader, so
my novellas often include crime or suspense liberally sprinkled with sweet
romance.
I have just released Dear William, a historical romance set in the West Riding of Yorkshire as the industrial revolution is gathering pace. It tells the story of Amelia Boden, a talented apothecary, who battles a series of personal disasters that threaten her independence and may force her to join her brother in India.
For Amelia, business was booming until suddenly, it
wasn’t. With no home, no workshop and only meagre savings, she also faces
competition from a cut-throat chemist and a Scottish physician who have both
just arrived in town.
Dr Alistair Murray was forced from his hospital
practice in Edinburgh and longs for a fresh start far from home. He finds the
local apothecary highly intelligent, as well as attractive, and sets out to win
her friendship and perhaps, in time, her hand. To do that, he must master the
weakness that drove him out of Scotland. But he is unaware that Amelia is not
free to marry, and if she were, she would never trust her lot to a man again,
even one as attractive, skilled and caring as Dr Murray.
Just as things are looking up for Amelia, disaster strikes
again. Dr Murray represents her only alternative to giving up and asking her
brother William to arrange a passage to India. However, by now, both know each
other’s secrets. Can they find a way to be together, or will experience and
circumstance force Amelia to abroad forever?
Dear William in is available as an ebook at mybook.to/HOHZ
This is the sixth of my novellas. You can view my others at https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Sue-Cook/author/B0BG8X6L37
You may be particularly interested in my cosy crime, Murder at the Bakery, set in the fictional village of Wellihole, West Yorkshire, and featuring missing pies.
On Saturday 22nd of June, I and other crime
writers will be at Murder in the Rhubarb Triangle 2 – a free event at Wakefield
library. It would be lovely to see you there. I’m told it’s wise
to book in advance.
Thank you, Sue for popping in to tell us all about your
writing. Take care and catch up again soon.
Thank you too lovely friend and visitor for popping in, I hope you enjoyed meeting Sue. Until next time, look after yourself and each other and I
hope the sun is shining on your face and in your heart.
Hugs
Pauline
Monday 10 June 2024
Newsletter - June / Read or Watch!
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Hello and a warm welcome to my June newsletter.
A huge thank you to all of you who have agreed to receive notification when published. Also special thank you for popping along and catching up with what's going on in my world.
This month I am doing something a little different, or should I say, I'm experimenting!
I plan to write this newsletter as normal, but, I am also making it into a video which can be watched on the link below on my Youtube channel.
It's meant to be fun and I hope I've managed that. I promise, if I do it again, I will try to improve!
Here are a selection of photos taken this last month
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I know we do spend far too much time talking about the weather, and no change here! A couple of weeks ago we had a torrential storm, thunder, lightening and hail!
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At the beginning of June a replica Spanish Galleon sailed in to a local port and we took the time to visit it. It was very impressive
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As mentioned in my last newsletter, I was invited, along with Mark Anderson from Red Balloon, Norwich, to talk about Tormentors and what had inspired me to write it. Click on the link to to listen to our interview with Babs Michel
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I would like to say a very big thank you to all of you who have bought a copy of Tormentors, your support has already made a difference. If you haven't bought a copy yet, please consider doing so. Tormentors is fiction, based on a true story.
The idea to write the book was two fold, one to create further awareness of how crushing bullying is and also to give all royalties from the sales to the wonderful Red Balloon School in Norwich. Red Balloon, Drayton Rd, Norwich helps young people who have suffered incredible trauma at the hands of bullies.
Tormentors
is just 12,000 words, but what
happens in those words, will open
your eyes and break your heart to how crushing bullying is.
Tormentors is available in in Kindle and paperback
Or use the QR code
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With regard to my newsletter, if you do agree to allow me to send a link to your email address to let you know it is out, I want to reassure you that you can unsubscribe at any time, just email me and say remove me. Also I will NEVER use your email other than if I need to email you. I will never share with anyone else.
As to the content, it is designed to be fun with me sharing: my photos, snippets of information, offers or free books from award winning authors, a design or two I have created using my Photoshop and anything else that I think might interest you. It is not about my opinion on any matter. I want my newsletter to make you smile and leave you with a warm feeling.
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Celebrating Success – My Podcasts
If you have missed any of the many podcasts,
you can catch up at https://paulinebarclay.podbean.com
You can also listen to ALL my podcast on SPOTIFY!
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Gulp!!!
Book 3 in my cosy mystery series is happening! I promise!
The book is written, but needs fine tunning.
Though I am almost certain the title will be Dare!
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Storm Clouds Gathering
Storm clouds are gathering, silently and slowly, too far away to worry about. Or so it seems. But ignoring what is brewing will have dire consequences for the people caught up in the maelstrom.
Shirley Burton is too busy cheating on her husband, having a laugh and looking for fun to alleviate the boredom of her childless marriage. Kathleen Mitchell is too wrapped up in running around after her beautiful family to worry about her health. Anne Simpson has two things on her mind: her forthcoming marriage to Paul Betham, who seems to want to control her, and her career, which she does not want to give up.
Can Shirley really expect to deceive her husband and get away with it? Can Kathleen hold it all together, and is Anne able to have the best of everything?
Storm Clouds Gathering is a story of human emotion, passion and heart-rending grief. Set against the backdrop of the mid-sixties, these three families will be tested to the limit as betrayal, loss and love threaten to change their lives forever.
Available in Kindle and paperback
Code below will take you to all my books including Storm Clouds Gathering
This Month's books worth checking out!
Spirit of the North by Ian Thomson
Spirit of the North is the third novel in the award-winning series, 'A Blackburn Trilogy’.
Set in Lancashire, the province of 'superstition and rain', the realm of witches and bogarts, mediums and spirit guides, Tom Catlow and William Melling's latest adventure leads them to investigate a Victorian cold case.
Shimmering with séances and ethereal manifestations, Ian Thomson's latest page-turner takes the childhood friends beyond the veil and into the spirit world in a novel rich and evocative of time and place.
A Memory of Murder by Helen Hollick
There’s a missing girl, annoying decorators, circus performers, and a wanna-be rock star to deal with.
But who remembers the brutal, cold case murder of a policeman?
Easter 1973.
The North London library where Jan Christopher works is in upheaval because the decorators are in to spruce the place up, but there is more for her policeman uncle, DCI Toby Christopher and her fiancé, DS Laurie Walker, to worry about than a few inconvenient pots of paint.
An eleven-year-old girl has not returned home after school, and strange ‘gifts’ are being surreptitiously left for the detective chief inspector’s family to find. Could these items have anything to do with the unsolved murder, fifteen years ago, of Jan’s policeman father?
But who remembers the brutal, cold case murder of a policeman?
Easter 1973.
The North London library where Jan Christopher works is in upheaval because the decorators are in to spruce the place up, but there is more for her policeman uncle, DCI Toby Christopher and her fiancé, DS Laurie Walker, to worry about than a few inconvenient pots of paint.
An eleven-year-old girl has not returned home after school, and strange ‘gifts’ are being surreptitiously left for the detective chief inspector’s family to find. Could these items have anything to do with the unsolved murder, fifteen years ago, of Jan’s policeman father?
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That's it for this newsletter. It's another bumper one and I hope you enjoyed it.
Once again, thank you for taking the time to read it.
Please share with your friends and I hope you will take a look at Tormentors... thank you!
Don't forget you can watch on Youtube too!
If you would like me to email you with the a link to the next newsletter, please email me using the contact form in the right hand column.
Until next time, I hope the sun is shining on your face
and in your heart.
Take care. Look after yourself and each other.
Hugs
Pauline
Friday 31 May 2024
New Cover for The Stove - Free to Download
The Stove - a warm, feel-good story set in 1913 in
Suffolk and London.
Will Eddie and Maud ever see each other again or have they taken paths that will keep them apart forever?
The Stove is a short story of 12,000 words
Book Funnel https://dl.bookfunnel.com/w1aifejtcz
Pauline
Thursday 23 May 2024
Midlife Adventures with Suzy Turner
Embracing Midlife Adventures: My YouTube Journey
A wonderful, warm welcome to the amazing,
Suzy Turner. Suzy has a truly exciting You Tube Channel, so please sit back, with
a glass of bubbly and enjoy meeting my fab guest.
Hello, lovely readers! I'm thrilled to be
here on Pauline’s blog today, and I’m excited to share the evolution of my YouTube channel, a space where I
dive into the whimsical, curious, and daring aspects of life. While I created
my channel years ago, it was only late last year that I decided to get serious
about it, transforming it into a platform for exploring new adventures and
stepping out of my comfort zone.
Diving Into New Adventures
A few months ago, I decided that one of the
themes of my channel should be challenging myself to try new things. Whether
it's conquering fears like surfing and motorbike riding or picking up new
skills like filmmaking, pottery and acro yoga, I'm committed to embracing the
thrill of midlife. Each video is an invitation to join me on these adventures,
sharing the highs, the lows, and everything in between. While I haven’t yet dived headfirst into any of the more
‘scary’ things, they’re on my list to start this summer! I have,
however, attempted drumming and had a lesson recently and I’m learning more
about filmmaking every chance I get!
A Love for Shopping and Vegan Cooking
Who doesn't love a good shopping spree? On
my channel, we dive into the world of shopping together, exploring everything
from fashion finds to fun and useful gadgets I'm obsessed with. And because I
love whipping up delicious vegan recipes, you'll also find some cooking
content. Whether you're looking for new vegan recipe ideas or just enjoy
watching a good cooking video, there’ll something for everyone.
Storytelling and Creativity
With 13 books under my belt, storytelling
is a huge part of who I am. My channel allows me to share my love for
storytelling in new ways, transporting you to magical worlds through my words
and creativity. From discussing my writing process to sharing behind-the-scenes
looks at my latest projects, I'm excited to bring my stories to life on YouTube. Additionally, I love learning new things, and I'm
currently diving into Da Vinci Resolve, which is an exciting tool to enhance my
videos. As a keen amateur photographer, I also enjoy capturing beautiful
moments and incorporating them into my content.
Life in Portugal
While my roots are British, my heart lies
in Portugal. Living here has been a magical experience, and I love sharing
snippets of my life in this beautiful country. My videos feature my everyday
experiences and adventures, offering a genuine look at what life is like here.
Of course, life wouldn't be complete without my three quirky cats, my loyal
dog, and the love of my life, my husband Michael.
Recent Adventures on My Channel
To give you a taste of what you can expect,
here are some of my recent videos:
•
Graveyards:
History, quirky and why I love them! https://youtu.be/4mGOg3UlL5Q
•
Morticia
Addams Skit: A fun and quirky skit where I transform into Morticia Addams. https://youtu.be/4vk_1SZnVpk
•
Infertility
Journey: Sharing my personal journey and experiences with infertility. https://youtu.be/QiAO6EGm65U
•
What
Having a YouTube Channel Means to Me: Reflecting on the impact and significance
of my YouTube journey. https://youtu.be/UMJJVTr9x8k
•
Dyeing
My Hair Pink: An adventurous attempt at dyeing my hair pink, with all the fun
and mishaps included. https://youtu.be/iKiu7jAP00A
Join the Journey
Creating content for my YouTube channel has been a thrilling and rewarding
experience. It's a place where I can be myself, share my passions, and connect
with an amazing community of viewers. Whether you're interested in new
adventures, love a good shopping spree, or want to explore the magic of
storytelling, there's something for everyone on my channel.
So, if you're ready to dive into the
whimsical, curious, and daring world with me, head over to my YouTube channel
and hit that subscribe button. Let's embrace the magic of midlife together and
make every moment an adventure! Thank
you so much for having me on your fabulous blog, Pauline!
Find me online:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SuzyTurner
Blog: https://www.suzyturner.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suzyturner
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@suzyturnercreates
A huge thank you, Suzy for taking time out to visit PBHQ, what a terrific journey you are on, please come back in a few months and update us with all your amazing activities.
Thank you all for visiting and I hope you enjoy watching these wonderful and sometimes emotional videos from Suzy.
Until next time, I hope the sun is shining on your face and in your heart.
Hugs
Pauline
Saturday 18 May 2024
THE JAN CHRISTOPHER MYSTERIES by Helen Hollick
A Memory of Murder – a new cosy murder mystery to solve – along with library assistant Jan Christopher, her fiancé, Detective Sergeant Laurie Walker and her uncle, Detective Chief Inspector Toby Christopher.
Set in the 1970s this easy-read cosy mystery series is based around the years when Helen was a north-east London library assistant, using many of her remembered anecdotes, some hilarious – like the boy who wanted a book on Copper Knickers. (You’ll have to read the first book, A Mirror Murder to find our more!)
The mysteries alternate between Jan’s home town, and where Laurie’s parents live – North Devon, (where Helen now lives.)
In this fifth episode, there’s a missing girl, annoying decorators, circus performers, and a wanna-be rock star to deal with. But who remembers the brutal, cold case murder of a policeman?
Easter 1973.
The North London library where Jan Christopher works is in upheaval
because the decorators are in to spruce the place up, but there is more for her
policeman uncle, DCI Toby Christopher and her fiancé, DS Laurie Walker, to
worry about than a few inconvenient pots of paint.
An eleven-year-old girl has not returned home after school, and strange ‘gifts’ are being surreptitiously left for the detective chief inspector’s family to find. Could these items have anything to do with the unsolved murder, fifteen years ago, of Jan’s policeman father?
Buy Link:
Amazon universal: https://mybook.to/AMemoryOfMurder
(e-book available for pre-order: published on 18th May - paperback release to follow)
Or order from any bookstore (cheaper on Amazon)
Reader’s comments:
"Can I say this is the best one (of the series) yet? YES! For the
depth of the writing, the maturity of the main character, and the complexity of
the premise. It's cosy...with a few chills for good measure!" Elizabeth
St John, author
"Jan is a charming heroine. You feel you get to know her and her love of books and her interest in the people in the library where she works. She's also funny, and her Aunt Madge bursts with character - the sort of aunt I would love to have had. I remember the 70s very well and Ms Hollick certainly gives a good flavour of the period." Denise Barnes (bestselling romance author Molly Green)
“A delightful read about an unexpected murder in North East London. Told from the viewpoint of a young library assistant, the author draws on her own experience to weave an intriguing tale” Richard Ashen (South Chingford Community Library)
"Every sentence pulls you back into the early 1970s... The Darling Buds of May, but Devon not Kent. The countryside itself is a character and Hollick imbues it with plenty of emotion" Alison Morton, author
“An enjoyable novella with a twist in who done it. I spent the entire read trying to decide what was a clue and what wasn’t ... Kept me thinking the entire time. I call that a success.” Reader's Review
ABOUT HELEN
First accepted for
traditional publication in 1993, Helen became a USA Today Bestseller
with her historical novel, The Forever
Queen (titled A Hollow Crown in the UK) with the
sequel, Harold the King (US: I Am The Chosen King) being novels that
explore the events that led to the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Her Pendragon’s Banner Trilogy is a
fifth-century version of the Arthurian legend, and she writes a nautical
adventure/supernatural series, The Sea
Witch Voyages. She has also branched out into the quick read novella, 'Cosy
Mystery' genre with her Jan Christopher Mysteries, set in the 1970s.
Her non-fiction books
are Pirates: Truth and Tales and
Life of A Smuggler. She is
currently writing about the ghosts of North Devon for Amberley Press, and
another, Jamaica Gold for her Sea Witch Voyages.
She lives with her family in an eighteenth-century farmhouse in North Devon with their dogs and cats, while on the farm there are showjumper horses, fat Exmoor ponies, an elderly Welsh pony, geese, ducks and hens. And several resident ghosts.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/helen.hollick
Blog: promoting good authors & good reads
https://ofhistoryandkings.blogspot.com/
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Today, I am over at Famous Five Plus looking at reviews: are they a blessing or a curse and how do we deal with them? Do pop over and leave ... -
Today I'm with Joanna Lambert at Sally Lunn's for tea and a chat. Come on over and join us. http://jolambertwriter.wordpress.co...
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With the third book in the Gardner & Chattaway cosy mystery series due to be published this summer, here is a short video of Serendipi...