WHAT'S IT GOING TO BE?

What book should you read next? What words should you write next? Whether you're a reader, a writer, or both, you need look no further for ideas and pointers to help you make up your mind. You might even get your next book for free!

Sometimes I even give away my own novels. My Inspirational romances and devotionals are pictured below and are detailed on my Books page. You can always count on a trace of humor in my novels and nonfiction. Whether you're a teen or a woman mature in years, I think these stories will ring true.

Read on, and discover some of today's most appealing Inspirational novelists, their latest books, and their words of wisdom and imagination. Enjoy!

Monday, April 2, 2018

Veronica Heley and Free Books!

Bea is drawn into the hunt for a collection of family jewels which has gone missing along with an international art expert . . . and it’s not only his housekeeper who’s looking for him.

Before we focus on today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of  Breaking News by Susan Page Davis, is:

momrain@...

Congratulations! I'll email you for your snail mail address and, assuming you live in the U.S., we'll get your book right out to you. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to participate in future book give-aways! Subscribers are entered a second time when they comment.

And now let's revisit novelist Veronica Heley, author of the English cozy mystery, False Pride (Severn House, December 2017).

Veronica Heley celebrated the publication of this, her 80th book in December 2017, having been published traditionally for forty-one years. She is currently writing two gentle crime series set in different areas of London, and three short stories a year for the Methodist Recorder. She has also written children’s and resource books, a biography, and some historical fiction, along with many articles and reviews.

She’s involved with her local church and community affairs, likes to break for coffee with friends and does the garden when she has time.

Share with us one thing the reader might not know about you.

I play Patience with real cards to unwind.

I had to look up that game, Veronica! Here in the States we call that Solitaire. I haven't played it in ages, but I used to be addicted, also with real cards. I play Sudoku to unwind now, and it's actually more fun to play that game electronically. 

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of False Pride.

Bea Abbot is asked to help one of her clients to locate her employer, Lucas Rycroft, an international art expert who has disappeared along with the family jewels. She soon discovers that other members of the Rycroft family will go to any lengths to get their hands on the jewels, and on Lucas.

Caught up in the chaos is Bea’s ex-husband Piers, who finds a body in his hall . . . and that’s not the only corpse that comes to light over a tense weekend.

Booklist has given False Pride an excellent review, concluding: "there are enough bizarre twists and sparkly characters to make for an endearing, entertaining read."

Publishers Weekly says: "Those fond of darker English cozies will find much to savor."

Why should the reader care about Bea?

Bea cares about people and always tries to see the best in them, while acknowledging that bad things do happen even to the nicest people. She is willing to provide food and a bed for people who are genuinely in trouble, but threats stiffen her resolve to do the right thing.

What initially planned facet of a story of character developed or changed while you wrote?

Bea’s ex-husband Piers has been wandering in and out her life for some years, and at first I couldn’t understand the reason for his being so persistent but gradually I came to understand the reason why their early marriage broke down . . . and what he wants to do about it now.

That a fun tease.

What is the last novel you read that you would recommend?

The last book I read which is worth talking about is, Princes at War by Deborah Cadbury. It is more of a biography than a novel but an easy read, being the story of the four sons of George V before and during the Second World War. It is well researched, factual and convincing about the extraordinary lives of the man who gave up his kingdom for the love of the American Wallis Simpson, of the brother who feared he wasn’t up to the job of succeeding him, and of their playboy younger siblings, who both proved their worth in a crisis. There was a lot here that I didn’t know. I could even have done with another chapter or two to tell what happened to the brothers after the war was over.

The show called The Crown has generated a lot of interest here with regard to Elizabeth's reign. I'm a big fan. Princes sounds like a good read about the era before Elizabeth.

What are you working on now?

I’m now working on another Bea Abbot story, which will be published at the end of the year. This is called False Account and will also be about money and family relationships, but although there is at least one death, I am writing a good deal about loyalties in a family and how an elderly woman can be bullied into handing over her money – or can she?

Before that, I have another Ellie Quicke book to come out at the end of June this year, called Murder by Suggestion. A group of women joke about how to kill their spouses, only to find the jokes have been taken seriously, and they themselves thrown out onto the street . . . or rather, how they end up in Ellie’s house with all their belongings.

Where else can readers find you online?

My website is www.veronicaheley.com. There is also a blog. And, if you would like to receive my monthly newsletter containing news and views, then you can have it sent to you, free, through the contact on the home page.

The book can also be purchased online via the following Amazon button:



Finally, what question would you like to ask my readers?

Every year I personally get a little older, but Ellie and Bea remain the age at which I first wrote about them. I am now writing the nineteenth Ellie Quicke mystery, and the thirteenth Bea Abbot, and they have not aged at all. Does this matter, do you think?

Thank you, Veronica, for visiting and telling us about yourself and your book. Readers, Veronica has offered to give away a e-copy of her novel. To enter, leave a comment and your email below in answer to Veronica's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Remember that subscribers are entered an additional time in each drawing. The drawing is done by email, so leave your email address, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Many commenters are left out of the drawing because they forget to include a way for me to notify them of their win (their email).


Also readers, I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post title.

Remember, if you'd like information on additional new releases, check out Christian Book Heaven, a new email newsletter for Christian book deals in whatever genres you select. You can subscribe here: ChristianBookHeaven

Annoying legal disclaimer: drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer, as well as my Disclosure of Material Connection HERE


7 comments:

kim hansen said...

New author for me. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOtcom

Anonymous said...

No it does not matter. Enter me. Jane Squires jrs0350@yahoo.com

Pam K. said...

I personally prefer the characters in a series to age a bit so it's a little more realistic. Most books don't dwell too much on the age of the characters, leaving it a bit vague, so it really doesn't matter. I haven't read any of Veronica's books but I do love a good cozy mystery so will have to check out her books. Thanks for the chance to win False Pride.

pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

Gail H. said...

Age to me does not matter unless it’s a progressive book series.
tumcsec(at)gmail(dot)com

Trish Perry said...

Until your question, Veronica, I don't think I even considered it. Sherlock Holmes, Miss Marple, Hercule Poirot--I don't think they aged, did they? Maybe other readers never wonder at the age permanence, either. Especially if the protagonist is of a certain age, you'd almost certainly have to phase him or her out eventually, which would be a shame if they were still entertaining readers.

Library Lady said...

When you first read a book in a series you have an idea in your mind of how they look.
As you keep reading along the same person pops into your head.
For instance, Hercule Poirot, Miss Jane Marple, and Father Brown to name a few.
Looking forward to reading Veronica's books.
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

I don’t remember that the different characters in the series I read as a child such as Nan and Bert and Flossie and Freddie aged. I just loved to read about them and Nancy Drew and the mischief these children indirectly got into and yet sustained their innocence throughout. So I never thought about them getting older. The realism of each story was the point, not the age of the character. I never think of Nancy getting older and wiser. As for adults in a series, I think of the characters as maybe advancing in their storylines, but I don’t think of them having birthdays and “ aging” such as we do in life. I guess I read for the sake of living in a fantasy world that in no way parallels the facts in my life with all its ups and downs.

 

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