Veronica Heley and Free Books!

Ellie investigates when her retired minister husband receives not one but five bequests from people, some of whom he didn’t know at all . . . which leads her into danger.

Before we talk with today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the free copy of DiAnn Mills' romantic suspense novel, Fatal Strike, is:

rochelle017@...

Congratulations! I'll email you for your snail mail address, and 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 learn about new releases! U.S. subscribers are entered in the drawings a second time when they comment.

And now let's talk with novelist Veronica Heley, author of the gentle crime novel, Murder for Good (Severn House Publishers, August 2019 UK, October USA).

Veronica Heley celebrated the publication of her 83rd book in August, having been in the business for over 40 years. She is currently writing two gentle crime series set in different areas of London and some short stories 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.

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

Please tell us one random thing we might not know about you.

My favourite holiday place is the beautiful city of Bruges in Belgium, where I can spend time with friends, buy well-made clothes, and stock up on the best chocolate in the world.

That looks like such a charming city.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Murder for Good.

Ellie’s husband Thomas, a retired minister, is perturbed when he receives not one but five letters advising him that he has been left money by different people in their wills. He barely knew three of his benefactors and what could possibly connect him to the other strangers?

What is it about Ellie that will make your readers care about her?

Ellie is a widow who was always put down by her first husband and scheming, ambitious daughter. She has inherited money, which she has learned to administer through a trust, but she has never learned to drive a car. Now happily remarried, she likes people and is good with them, though not easily taken in by liars. A spot of gentle humour helps her through the day.

Author Robin Jones Gunn once said all inspirational authors eventually get a sense of an overall theme God has given them for their stories. What do you think your overall theme is?

That by keeping in touch with God you can tackle the difficult problems that life throws at you – and even manage a smile.

So true. I remember a friend of mine who handled a very intense conversation with a supervisor once, and afterward she mentioned feeling God's calming presence and guidance through the entire experience. She said she was so used to constantly listening for God's guidance that she didn't even have to work at it anymore--it had become a part of her every-day behavior. Keeping in touch with God makes more sense than so many other uses of our time and energy.

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

A Man Called Ove, by a Swedish writer called Fredrik Backman. A curmudgeonly old man, at odds with everyone around him, tries unavailingly to commit suicide when his wife dies . . . and is rescued by the community and a stray cat who need him to help them. I laughed and I cried. It’s a wonderful book.

That's absolutely one of my favorite books. I recommend it all the time, too.

What are you working on now?

I have am working on another Bea Abbot story, called False Conclusion. Bea’s fourteen-year old ward Bernice is brought back from boarding school by the elegant, acid-tongued April Trescott, whose niece has been rooming with Bernice. The niece is a monosyllabic Fatso and Bernice can’t wait to get rid of her . . . only the girl is then dumped on Bea in the wake of a Trescott family tragedy.

It turns out Evelina Trescott is in deep trouble. She embroils Bea and Bernice in a spider’s web of lies in which it is not clear whether she is the spider or the fly. And Bea’s long-divorced ex-husband arrives to help – or perhaps to hinder? – Bea’s attempts to find out the horrifying truth.

Where else can readers find you online?

My website is at www.veronicaheley.co. I send out a monthly newsletter with lots of news and views on it. A shortened version of this is later posted as a blog on my website, blog.veronicaheley.com Both can be accessed through the home page of my website, and if you would like to hear a sample from one of my audio books, you can also access that through the website.

The book can be purchased online via the following button:



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

Most of my readers like the fact that Ellie Quicke is now happily remarried. Now my other heroine, Bea Abbot, has had various men showing an interest in her over the years but has always drawn back from commitment. Now her ex-husband wants her to think about it seriously. I think this marriage will work second time round but I’m aware that some of my readers may have reservations about this. What do you think?

Thanks, Veronica, for visiting and telling us about yourself and your novel. Readers, Veronica has offered to give away a free copy of her book. To enter, leave a comment and your email below in answer to her question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Remember that U.S. 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. 

Only United States residents are eligible for the drawing, but anyone can subscribe to the blog posts via the GDPA-compliant Feedblitz box above my list of books, at right.

Remember that Winged Publications is having a sale on its Christmas-themed novellas, novels, and collections. See the details HERE.

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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, GDPA notice, and my Disclosure of Material Connection HERE