Reading for FREE! What is the Catch?

 

There is no catch! Most of you know, six years ago, I set up and run Chill Awards for independent authors. The Awards are designed to help shine a light on good books written by Indie authors.

How do I read for free?

Everyday, authors, from all over the world submit their books to Chill Awards. These books include almost every genre with the exception of erotica.

Each book accepted in the Award Programme is read by THREE readers.

Anyone can become a Chill Reader, but you will need to be able to read free books on your Kindle or e-reader. Readers receive an EPUB file which they read on their device.

Readers choose from a list of books in the Award Programme.

Readers are asked to answer 5 questions and add their comments once they have finished the book.

Readers are asked to read a book within 4 weeks.

Readers are anonymous to authors and other readers.

You can listen to my podcast about being a reader, https://paulinebarclay.podbean.com/e/readers-the-corner-stone-of-chill-awards/

or take a peek at Chill’s web site for more information. https://www.chillwithabook.com

I hope this has given you an appetite to find out more.

You can message me via the contact form, found on the right hand side, to be a reader or ask questions.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Until we talk again, I hope the sun is shining on your face and in your heart.

Take care

Pauline

My Latest Newsletter

  

View in browser       Hello! A HUGE thank you for signing up to receive my newsletter and I will try not to bore you too much! July saw many parts of the UK  close to melting. Temperatures of around 40c / 104f were being recorded. I don't know about the rest of you, but I certainly felt like I was melting. Despite this,  it is wonderful to have such a fabulous summer. I am not complaining!           Both books available in Kindle and paperback more details on my web site Pauline Barclay         POSTPONED - Norwich 10km run ........ If you would like to read more from my latest newsletter, please sign up to receive this copy and future ones so not to miss anything! Thank you. Click HERE and you can unsubscribe at any time. Pauline x

Podcast - Michael Reidy

 

Michael was brought up in New England, USA and has spent many decades living in England. His career has been varied and extremely interesting, from serving in the USA marines, to teaching English in the USA and UK before moving into the PR & marketing sector. To add to this impressive list, Michael is also an award-winning author with 18 books published. Please sit back and welcome my wonderful guest.

http://www.pmichaelreidy.com/

You can listen to ALL podcast at

https://paulinebarclay.podbean.com

Podcast Catchup!

 

In case you have missed the following podcasts, you can catch up by clicking

 HERE and listening.

 Thank you.

 Phill Featherstone - an award-winning fiction author. Along with his wife, Sally, he formed a successful publishing company that was later purchased by one of the top international publishers.

 Tom Cosens, Director of Lettings at Woodlands, Redhill, talks about the changing market of property lettings.

 Readers – The cornerstone of international, Chill Awards, for Independent Authors.

 How Characters can influence book titles!

 

Podcast - Talking to Phill Featherstone

 

Phill is an award winning fiction author and also, with his wife, Sally, formed a successful publishing company that was later purchased by one of the top international publishing companies.

www.phillfeatherstone.net

You can listen to all podcasts at

https://paulinebarclay.podbean.com

High Temperatures & Running!

 
As the temperatures continue to climb, today we are just 27c (80.6F) and it is to get hotter as the week progresses. *Phew*

Normally I wouldn’t think anything about these temperatures, but on Sunday 17^th I am running the Norwich, Norfolk, UK 10km. Like all of the 8,500 runners taking part, we have been out running in preparation for the big day.

I have just taken a look at the forecast for Saturday 16^th and at the moment it is going to be 31c (87.8f) I don’t want to wish this fabulous weather away, but if it could be a little cooler for Sunday that would be great. *Fingers crossed*

 I decided if I was to do this, I would do it for charity, I am running for, Norwich City Community Sports Foundation (CSF) the official charity partner of Norwich City Football Club.  

 So far, I have massed an amazing £285.

I am so very honoured that people have supported me.

A BIG big thank you to the following who have generously donated to my chosen charity.

 

Jayne & Keith

Pat B

Norfolk Property Management, Norwich

Steve & Suzy from the Butterfly café, Norwich

Karen from the Butterfly café, Norwich

Author – Giulia Skye

Sandra & John

Anonymous

Eve & Derek

Author – Peter Lane

Hayley

Author – Madalyn Morgan

 L. White

Pauline?

 

It’s going to be a tough week getting out on my runs with the high temperatures, but much tougher on Sunday if the heat doesn’t abate.

 Normally I wouldn’t want the weather to change, but maybe just for Sunday it could be a little cooler. *Fingers crossed*

Once again, a huge thank you to all of you have sponsored me.

 You can read my story on my Just Giving Page.

 Thank you as always for stopping by, I love to see you here and I hope the sun is shining on your face and in your heart.

Hugs

Pauline x

QR Codes

 For a few years now, QR codes have been used in many areas, travel, retail, hospitality and more. However, for me, I have just learnt how easy they are to create and use.

In these days when so much is driven from our mobile phones, I can see the benefit of using QR codes. Though I have yet to work out the best place to add them to make them useful.

One area I can see a benefit of a QR code is on my cards. Handing out a card to a potential reader means, if they want to, they can access my web site and books by pointing their phone camera at my QR code, tap on the screen and they are there!

I can see other opportunities too. On my newsletter I know a number of my subscribers read it on their phone, so adding a QR code to a site I want them look at, makes it so much easier for them to visit.

Of course, there is always the link to click on, but as we continue to move forward with technology, I feel it is important to try and embrace something new that will help take my visitors to sites that are of interest.

 For fun I have added two QR codes to this post

One to my podcasts

And

One to my Amazon page

I am interested to see if you give it a go.

Remember, you just need to point your phone camera at the QR code, make sure the QR is in the square shown on your phone, then tap the screen and whoosh… you are in the web site.

 Podcast QR

Amazon my Books

 

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your support and kindness.

 Until next time, have a fabulous day and I hope the sun is shining on your face and in your heart.

 

 Hugs

 Pauline x

 

At the Top End of the Genre.

 I apologise in advance as I am once again sharing a review for Past Secrets and Lies.

 

“Cosy mysteries” have become a new genre in a very short time. The transition from “classic murder mysteries” to something more distinctive has been a reaction to the gritty, brutal and gory murder mysteries. There are no semi-automatic weapons, mass killings or chainsaws, and the forensic detail is kept palatable and, well, comfortable.

These genteel murder mysteries still make the basic demands on their writers: interesting characters, tight plotting, playing fair with clues, and, most of all, a satisfactory resolution. Indeed, this last point may be a key identifier of a “cosy mystery” in that, as in classical drama, order is restored, and the reader can sleep peacefully.

In this second of her Gardner & Chattaway novels, Barclay further develops her likeable main detecting characters, Craig Gardner and Roo Chattaway, and their quiet town.

The duo follows a simple request to investigate the disappearance of a local factory’s Christmas Club funds and that is one end of the thread that leads them into danger and the ultimate solving of two deaths, one recent and the other decades old.

The book is divided in short chapters, each one with a cliff-hanger that leads the reader further on and creates a good sense of pace even when the detectives aren’t having much success.

Everything is plausible; all the characters are credible – and here is another cosy characteristic: characters are recognisable. In spite of this, Barclay’s are not stereotypes but individuals within the outline of the type. Such characters have inevitable appearances in novels, but, again, it is the skill of the author that raises them above the obvious and makes them memorable.

Past Secrets and Lies is an enjoyable read and is at the top end of the genre. I look forward to the next one.

Past Secrets and Lies is available in Kindle and paperback

 Amazon co uk

Amazon com

Much more than meets the eye....

 

A five star review from Amazon for

Past Secrets and lies

“… excellent holiday reading and the sort of book you want to spend some time with sitting in the sunshine with a glass (or two) of something cool. Highly recommended.”

 

This is a truly lovely book - nice, in the very best sense of that overused word. Why?

Well, start with the two protagonists, ex-cop Craig Gardner and his 19-year-old assistant Roo Chattaway, who work together as private investigators. And of course, Barney, the office dog, who to my mind gets far too many treats! They are very well described and developed, the nuances of their characters skilfully conveyed not only in descriptions but also (and this is more difficult for a writer) through the dialogue. They’re the sort of people you’d like to spend time with, and would have every confidence in engaging to work for you. They complement each other beautifully. Craig is wise, thoughtful, practical, and a bit old-fashioned. Roo is lively, energetic, bright, and a top class skater. She’s a typical NA, in awe of the local celebrity, au fait with social media and the internet, soft on Taylor, her skating partner and boyfriend.

Although this is a crime story the plot is very gentle. There are murders, but they were a long time ago. A body is found, but not in any way that might be thought disturbing. There is an unpleasant neighbour but he’s well controlled. There’s missing money, missing people, debt collectors harassing an elderly pair , and a former crime boss gone to seed - all in a day’s work for Gardner and Chattaway. Events follow on logically, and there are enough twists, turns and unexpected happenings to keep the reader engaged and curious.

To say it’s an easy read sounds as though it’s shallow, but it’s certainly not. There’s much more here than at first meets the eye. However, it is a good read, excellent holiday reading and the sort of book you want to spend some time with sitting in the sunshine with a glass (or two) of something cool. Highly recommended.

 

Thank you lovely reader not just for reading my book, but for taking the time to write a beautiful review.

You have help make my day.

 Past Secrets and Lies is available in Kindle and paperback

 Links to Amazon UK

 Kindle

Paperback

Podcast - Talking to Tom Cosens about the Letting Market

 

Tom Cosens, Director of Lettings at Woodlands, Redhill, talks about the changing market of property lettings.

Just One Month to Go!

Just back from an 8km run

It is just one month to go before 8,500 runners take to the streets for the Norwich 10km race and I am one of them!

 It has been a few years since I entered a 10km run due to the pandemic so I am finding myself excited and nervous. I know without doubt I will have an exam tummy on the day. Do we ever grow out of being nervous ? So far I haven’t!

 I’ll be running for Norwich City Community Sports Foundation (CSF) the official charity partner of Norwich City Football Club. They are amazing and even more so in in our difficult times.

  “We use the power of sport to support and inspire our community. Our charitable objectives are driving inclusion for people with disabilities, boosting mental health and wellbeing, and supporting disadvantaged people to raise their aspirations.”

  “Without vital fundraising, our work would not be possible, and many across Norfolk would be deprived of our support.”

 Through taking part in this wonderful city 10km run, I am hoping I can raise money to help a little with CSF’s wonderful work. I appreciate how difficult it is for everyone, but if you feel you could spare a little to sponsor me to help others, I would be more than grateful. A HUGE thank you in advance.

 If you can help here is my Just Giving Page

 A HUGE thank you to these super peeps who have already sponsored me...

Eve & Derek

Author – Peter Lane

Hayley

Author – Madalyn Morgan

 L. White

Pauline?

  

If you would like to  receive my new, newsy and fun  newsletter, please click on the link below… I hope you will!

Sign up for my newsletter

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your support and kindness.

Until next time, have a fabulous day and I hope the sun is shining on your face and in your heart.

 

Hugs

Pauline x 

Podcast - Readers, The Cornerstone of Chill Awards

On this week’s podcast I am talking about the importance of readers and how they are the cornerstone  of Chill Awards. 

Summer Vacation an Anthology

Today, I am giving a shout out for the wonderful Giulia Skye about the new summer anthology she has been involved in.

 

The SUMMER VACATION Anthology

Here's the blurb from Giulia’s short story contribution - Rocky Mountain Heat...

 Sports therapist Krista is in desperate need of rest and relaxation—and to finally capture Ryan’s heart. She’s been hankering after him for months, but when a group summer vacation to the Canadian Rockies doesn’t go according to plan, she heads off for some backcountry hiking with Shane McDermit—one of her gym’s star athletes. This would make Ryan jealous for sure! But soon Krista realizes that her glorious surroundings aren’t the only seductive thing in the wilderness, and her love life takes a very unexpected turn…

 Here are the purchasing links…

Summer Vacation

 

 

To receive my new newsletter, please click on the link below… I hope you will!

 Thank you.

Until next time, have a fabulous day and I hope the sun is shining on your face and in your heart.

 Hugs

Pauline x