Welcome to Historical Crime Writer - Helena Dixon

I’m delighted to welcome Helena Dixon to my blog.

Hello Helena

It was lovely to connect with you through the Romantic Novelists’ Association.

The RNA is a wonderful group of authors and affiliates, all of whom are supportive of fellow members and their need to share and spread the word about anything bookish and romantic.

But before we learn more about your latest release, Murder at the Dolphin Hotel, here are a few questions which will hopefully give your readers an insight into some of the things that matter to you.

Arabella: Authors can release books, making them available to readers in various ways…via an agent, or working directly with a traditional publisher, or they can even go the self-publishing route. Which method of publishing do you prefer, and why?

Nell: To me books are great in all mediums. I read on my kindle, paperbacks, hardbacks, magazines, anything so any medium that helps readers discover the sheer joy of a story is good. Bookouture, are an E book first publisher but Murder at the Dolphin Hotel is also going to be available as audio and I believe, paperback too.

Arabella: Currently, what is your most favourite T.V. programme, and why?

Helena: Oh, this is hard as I don’t watch much TV. I do love Taskmaster though. 

Arabella: Who or what inspired you to write your latest release, Murder at the Dolphin Hotel?

Helena: I am a huge fan of Agatha Christie. I love Golden Age detective fiction. I enjoy cosy crime with a good puzzle to keep me reading. I’ve wanted to write in this genre for years and I love Devon as we spend a lot of time there so setting the series in Dartmouth with its beautiful setting and history was a perfect fit.

Arabella: If the person of your dreams, (husband/wife/partner/or superstar), were to take you out for the night, where would they take you and what would you do?

Helena: Well, my husband and I have been married for almost 35 years, so we know each other very well. We love concerts and meals out with our family so I think we would go to a concert, we like all kinds of music, and then meet our lovely daughters and their partners for a meal at one of our favourite pubs.

Arabella: A slice of Chocolate Cake, a piece of Fruit, or Burger and Fries?

Helena: I don’t really like chocolate much and I’m very allergic to apples. Burger and fries don’t do it for me either so can I be awkward and choose something naughty like a fresh cream cake?

  

Arabella: When writing a book or chapter, which do you concentrate on first: plot, character, or setting?

Helena: All of my stories are character driven. Kitty is a very determined young lady and she sparks with Captain Matt Bryant very well when it comes to solving murders.

Arabella: How do you research your novels and characters?

Helena: I spend a lot of time researching. I’ve been on a steam train that follows my heroine’s journey, walked from Dartmouth castle round Warfleet Bay to where my fictional hotel would have stood. I toured Churston Golf Club in a buggy to visit the site for the third book in the series, Murder on the eleventh tee and went to Newton St Cyres which features in book two, Murder at Brockencote Manor. I read a lot of historical research too and immerse myself in the period.

Arabella: What advice would you give to someone who is starting out on their writing journey?

Helena: My advice is to read. Read a lot, read everything you can. Get a feel for words and language, learn which writers capture you and then see how they’ve done it. Don’t be afraid to explore.

Thank you for joining me on Arabella’s Blog and Chit-Chat, Helena. It was great to learn about your latest release, Murder at the Dolphin Hotel. I’m sure your readers will be keen to find the clues, solve the crime, and uncover the murderer for themselves.

All the best, and lots of happy-ever-after writing…

Arabella Sheen

www.arabellasheen.co.uk 

About Helena Dixon

I write contemporary women’s fiction as Nell Dixon and now historical cosy crime set in 1930’s Dartmouth as Helena Dixon. You can find me on facebook as Nell Dixon, on my website www.nelldixon.com and also on Twitter as @NellDixon. An Instagram account is coming soon for Helena Dixon as I have some fab research pics to share. Murder at The Dolphin Hotel is available for preorder and will be released on December 11^th, although Net Galley reviewers will be able to get it sooner I think.

Blurb – Murder at the Dolphin Hotel

A room with a view… to murder

June 1933. Independent young Kitty Underhay has been left in charge of her family’s hotel, The Dolphin, on the tranquil English coast. She’s expecting her days at the bustling resort to be filled with comfortable chatter with chambermaids as they polish the mahogany desks and glittering candelabras of the elegant foyer. Everything must be perfect for the arrival of a glamourous jazz singer from Chicago and a masked ball that will be the cultural highlight of the season.

But when several rooms are broken into and searched, including Kitty’s own, she quickly realises that something out of the ordinary is afoot at the hotel. Soon rumours are flying in the cozy town that someone is on the hunt for a stolen ruby. A ruby that Kitty’s mother may well have possessed when she herself went missing during the Great War. And when the break-ins are followed by a series of attacks and murders, including of the town’s former mayoress, it seems the perpetrator will stop at nothing to find it.

Aided by ex-army captain Matthew Bryant, the Dolphin’s new security officer, Kitty is determined to decipher this mystery and preserve not only the reputation of her hotel, but also the lives of her guests. Is there a cold-blooded killer under her own roof? And what connects the missing jewel to the mystery from Kitty’s own past?

A classic page-turning murder mystery! Fans of Agatha Christie, Elizabeth Edmondson and T.E. Kinsey will love this unputdownable whodunnit.

PRE-ORDER BUY LINK:  https://geni.us/B07XLM3SM6Cover

Murder at The Dolphin Hotel is available for preorder and will be released on December 11^th

Welcome to Crime Writer - Wendy Clarke

I’m delighted to welcome Crime Writer Wendy Clarke to my blog

Hello Wendy, I was so pleased when you said you were able to join me on Arabella’s Blog and Chit-Chat this week as I know how busy you must be writing and promoting your books.

But ... before we get to know about your latest release, What She Saw, here are a few questions which will hopefully give your readers an insight into some of the things that matter to you.

Arabella: Are there any organisations, writing, or reader groups, you belong to? And, how do they support or help you in creating such wonderful, inspirational novels?

Wendy: I belong to the Crime Writers’ Association and the Romantic Novelists’ Association. My debut psychological thriller, What She Saw, went through the RNA’s New Writers’ Scheme and the suggestions and encouragement I had from my critique reader gave me the confidence to go forward and find a publisher.

Arabella: Where do you read? Sofa or bed or ____?

Wendy: I read anywhere and everywhere. My favourite place to read is in bed with a cup of tea with the swing chair in the garden coming a close second!

Arabella: In your latest release, What She Saw, who is your favourite character and why? Wendy: I think it has to be Beth, Leona’s teenage daughter. She struggles to find her place in the world and her individuality makes her a target for school bullies. I like her because she is creative and has a sensitivity that makes the reader root for her.

Arabella: When writing a novel, how do you work? Are you a plotter or pantser?

Wendy: That’s an interesting one. If you had asked me this question a few years ago, when I was writing stories for magazines, I would definitely have said a pantser. Now I’ve moved on to novels, I’ve found that having a basic plan helps me stay on track. Also, my publisher asks to see a synopsis of my novels before I write them, so I’ve had to force myself to edge into the planning camp. I have a mind map App on my iPad which I use to brainstorm ideas before linking them to make a story. Then it’s all systems go!

Arabella: Which would you prefer to do: 1) spend a morning vigorously working out at the gym, 2) be pampered from head to toe at the spa and beauty salon, 3) indulge and pile on the pounds with a romantic dinner for two?

Wendy: Absolutely not number one – I’ve never been to a gym in my life and don’t intend to. I get my exercise in other ways: dancing, pilates, badminton and dog walking. A spa day is nice for an occasional treat, but you can’t beat a lovely meal with your husband… so number 3.

Arabella: Which do you prefer to wear: beach shorts and top, a long evening skirt and blouse, pyjamas and slippers?

Wendy: Not the second (unless I’m ballroom dancing), not the third as I don’t wear pjs and don’t possess slippers, so it will have to be beach shorts and a top… unless it’s winter of course. If I could add a fourth choice, it would be jeans and boots.

Arabella: We all have a long list of books we keep meaning to read but never have the time for --- which book is a must read for you this summer?

Wendy: This would have to be ‘The Family Upstairs’ by my favourite suspense writer, Lisa Jewell, which, by coincidence, is coming out the same day as my second psychological thriller, We Were Sisters!

Arabella: What about your future plans? Any books or series in the making?

Wendy: My second psychological thriller, We Were Sisters, will be published in August and I’m about to start my third. Can’t wait!

Thank you for joining me on Arabella’s Blog and Chit-Chat, Wendy. I’m certainly going to have to check out the Mind Map App you mentioned. I’ve never heard of such a thing (I’m not terribly computer/app savvy) and this app sounds fascinating – especially if it helps an author to plan and plot a novel.

Best wishes and happy writing, Arabella Sheen

www.arabellasheen.co.uk

About Wendy Clarke

Wendy Clarke is a full time writer of women’s fiction. She started writing when the primary school she taught in closed down and after completing two creative writing courses, began writing short fiction for magazines.

Since then, she has sold over two hundred short stories and her work regularly appears in national women’s magazines such as The People’s Friend, Take a Break Fiction Feast and Woman’s Weekly. She has also written serials and a number of non-fiction magazine articles.

Wendy lives with her husband, cat and step-dog in Sussex and when not writing is usually dancing, singing or watching any programme that involves food!

Apart from three collections of her short stories, she has now been contracted by Bookouture for her first two full-length novels.

Website: http://www.wendyclarke.uk/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WendyClarkeAuthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/wendyclarke99

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendyclarke99/

Blurb: What She Saw

How far would you go to keep your daughter safe?

Everyone knows Leona would do anything for her daughter, Beth: she moved to Church Langdon to send Beth to the best school, built a business to support them and found the perfect little cottage to call home. They hike together, shop together, share their hopes and fears. It’s the relationship every mother dreams of.

But Leona never talks about why they moved to the Lake District.

She’s never told Beth anything about her father.

She says Beth should never speak to strangers. She says Beth doesn’t need friends.

She’s only trying to protect her daughter.

But sometimes the person closest to you is the person you shouldn’t trust.

Buy link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/What-She-Saw-psychological-heart-pounding-ebook/dp/B07N8YGN5B

Blurb: We Were Sisters

I turn to where I left my baby in his pushchair and pull up short. With a racing heart, I look around wildly, fear gripping my stomach. I only looked away for a moment. The pushchair and my baby are gone.

Kelly is taking her twin daughters to their first day of school, ushering them into the classroom, her heart breaking to think they might not need her any more, when she turns around and sees her newborn baby is gone.

As a desperate search ensues, baby Noah is quickly found – parked in front of a different classroom But when Kelly reaches forward to comfort him, she finds something tucked in the side of his blanket. A locket that belonged to her sister Freya. A locket Kelly hasn’t seen since the day Freya died.

And then Kelly’s perfectly-ordered life begins to unravel…

Buy Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/We-Were-Sisters-absolutely-psychological-ebook/dp/B07RSB413T

Welcome to Crime Writer - Paula Williams

I’m delighted to welcome Paula Williams to my blog.

Hello Paula. It was great to connect with you through the Romantic Novelists’ Association. Over the years, I’ve found the RNA to be a wonderful group in which to meet lots of fellow authors and affiliate members, all of whom are eager to share exciting news about books.

Here are a few questions which will hopefully give your readers an insight into some of the things that matter to you.

Arabella: Are there any organisations, writing, or reader groups, you belong to? And, how do they support or help you in creating such wonderful, inspirational novels?

Paula: I belong to the Crime Writers' Association and The Romantic Novelists Association, both of which are a great source of inspiration and information.  I came through the amazing New Writers' Scheme of the RNA and am forever grateful to them for this wonderful resource.

Arabella: Where do you read? Sofa or bed or ____?

Paula: Everywhere!  I have always got several books on the go at any one time, so I read wherever I happen to be. I now have a phone that is waterproof (or so they say) which means I can - and do - read in the bath.  I read in the car (when I'm the passenger, obviously!), when my husband is watching sport on TV - and sometimes, if the book I'm reading is compelling, I even read when I should be writing!

Arabella: In your latest release, Rough and Deadly, who is your favourite character and why?

Paula: Rough and Deadly and is the second in my Much Winchmoor Series of Murder Mysteries and my favourite character (apart from Kat, the main character, of course) is a feisty old lady called Elsie Flintlock and her sidekick, Prescott.  (Sorry, that's two!).   As I say in book 3 (which I'm currently writing): "If ever a pair deserve each other, it's Elsie and Prescott.  She's a cantankerous old lady with scarecrow hair, a liking for Homer Simpson slippers and a tongue sharp enough to slice shoe leather. He's a cantankerous dog with hair like an over-used toothbrush and a liking for ankles, trousers, anything within range of his snapping jaws."

Elsie and Prescott made a brief appearance in Murder Served Cold, the first in the series and, since then,  have refused to go away.

  

 Arabella: When writing a novel, how do you work? Are you a plotter or pantser?

Paula: I'm a bit of both.  Every time I start a book, I vow that, this time,  I'm going to be all grown up and sensible and plot everything out before hand.  But it never works out like that.  In fact, when I started writing Murder Served Cold, I didn't even know who the murderer was until I was about two thirds of the way through the first draft and beginning to panic!  With Rough and Deadly, I had a vague idea - and with the third, Burying Bad News, I knew right from the start who the murderer was – but I have no idea how I'm going to tie up all the loose ends and red herrings.

Arabella: Which do you prefer to wear: Slippers, stilettos, pumps, or boots?

Paula: Boots.  Walking boots.  18 months ago, we have adopted a seven year old rescue dog, a Dalmatian called Duke, who gets us out walking every day, whatever the weather.  Hence the boots.  

(Paula, Duke looks adorable and I'm sure he gives you hours of pleasure.)

Arabella: We all have a long list of books we keep meaning to read but never have the time for --- which book is a must read for you this summer?

Paula: I have such a long list of books in my TBR pile that it's just as well most of them are in ebook form, otherwise I'd be in danger of being crushed beneath them.  Since being published by Crooked Cat Books I've found some wonderful (new to me) authors.  But my most recent read, which I loved and read within days of its release was Where the Dead Fall by M.J. Lee,  the second in a police procedural series featuring DI Ridpath.  Next on my list is "What She Saw" by Wendy Clarke.  Wendy, like me, started her writing career as a short story writer and I've always enjoyed her work, so am really looking forward to reading this, particularly as she's published by Bookouture, as I always enjoy their books.

Arabella: Which do you prefer to wear: beach shorts and top, a long evening skirt and blouse, pyjamas and slippers?

Paula: Hmm.  I would opt for jeans and T-shirt if that was an option!  I don't wear shorts or long evening skirts so I guess I'm going to have to opt for pyjamas and slippers.

(Paula, after one of your long invigorating walks, I'm now imagining you and Duke (and hubby of course), curled up before a roaring fire of an evening, with you wearing a pair of these comfy, cosy Dalmatian slippers... J)

Arabella: What about your future plans? Any books or series in the making?

Paula: I'm currently working on my third Much Winchmoor novel and am hoping to independently publish some stand alone books later this year.  It's a huge learning curve, but something I am really looking forward to, although I am really going to have to work on my marketing skills.

Thank you for joining me on Arabella’s Blog and Chit-Chat, Paula.

Your latest murder mystery sounds full of adventure and suspense, and I’m sure your readers can’t wait to discover if there’s to be true romance amid the pages of your murderous plot.

Best wishes and lots of happy-ever-after writing.

Arabella Sheen

www.arabellasheen.co.uk

About Paula Williams

Paula Williams is living her dream.  She has written all her life – her earliest efforts involved blackmailing her unfortunate younger brothers into appearing in her plays and pageants. But it is only in recent years, when she turned her attention to writing short stories and serials for women's magazines that she discovered, to her surprise, that people with better judgement than her brothers actually liked what she wrote and were prepared to pay her for it.

Now, she writes every day in a lovely, book-lined study in her home in Somerset, where she lives with her husband and a handsome but not always obedient rescue Dalmatian called Duke.  She still writes for magazines but also now writes novels.  A member of both the Romantic Novelists' Association and the Crime Writers' Association, her novels often feature a murder or two, and are always sprinkled with humour and spiced with a touch of romance.

She also writes a monthly column, Ideas Store, for the writers' magazines, Writers' Forum.  And has a blog at paulawilliamswriter.wordpress.com.  Her facebook author page is https://www.facebook.com/paula.williams.author. And she tweets at @paulawilliams44.

Not only that, but when she's not writing, she's either tutoring, leading writing workshops or giving talks on writing at writing festivals and conferences and to organised groups.  She's appeared several times on local radio - in fact, she'll talk about writing to anyone who'll stand still long enough to listen.

But, as with the best of dreams, she worries that one day she's going to wake up and find she still has to bully her brothers into reading 'the play what she wrote'.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Blog. at paulawilliamswriter.wordpress.com. 

Her facebook author page is https://www.facebook.com/paula.williams.author.

Twitter.  @paulawilliams44.

Website.  paulawilliamswriter.co.uk

ROUGH AND DEADLY.

Everyone knows Abe Compton’s Headbender cider is as rough as a cider can get. But is it deadly?

When self-styled ‘lady of the manor’, Margot Duckett-Trimble, announces she wouldn’t be seen dead drinking the stuff, who could have foreseen that, only a few days later, she’d be found, face down, in a vat of it?

Kat Latcham’s no stranger to murder. Indeed, the once ‘sleepy’ Somerset village of Much Winchmoor is fast gaining a reputation as the murder capital of the West Country and is ‘as sleepy as a kid on Christmas Eve’ when it’s discovered there’s a murderer running loose in the community again.

Kat has known Abe all her life, and she is sure that, although he had motive, he didn’t kill Margot. But as she investigates, the murderer strikes again. And the closer Kat gets to finding out who the real killer is, the closer to danger she becomes.

This second Much Winchmoor mystery is once again spiked with humour and sprinkled with romance – plus a cast of colourful characters, including a manic little dog called Prescott whose bite is definitely worse than his bark.

BUY LINK

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rough-Deadly-Much-Winchmoor-Mystery-ebook/dp/B07PBWSSSS/