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None of This is True by Lisa Jewell
It had been a long time since I had read a book by Lisa Jewell. So when I treated myself to a few books recently, I included None of This...
authorvalpenny
3 hours ago2 min read
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A Fighting Chance by Val Penny
A Fighting Chance is the second in my series of Jane Renwick Thrillers and readers have had to wait patiently for this novel to...
authorvalpenny
Aug 22 min read
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An Imposter in Shetland by Marsali Taylor
I am thrilled Marsali Taylor has agreed to come back to the blog and share an excerpt from her new novel, An Imposter in Shetland , on...
authorvalpenny
Jul 263 min read
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The Importance of Setting
In my novels that form The DI Hunter Wilson Crime Thrillers my stories are set in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. Setting is very...
authorvalpenny
Jul 192 min read
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Themes in Novels
I have a new police procedural, A Fighting Chance, to be published by SpellBound Books Ltd. next month. The themes of that novel include...
authorvalpenny
Jul 122 min read
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Jane Renwick’s Fighting Chance in Stirling
My new Jane Renwick Thriller , A Fighting Chance , will be published next month. I am excited about sharing it with you. However, unlike...
authorvalpenny
Jul 53 min read
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Finding the Souce by Joan Livingston
Every now and again you find an author whose work just sings to you. I found this in the books by Erin Kelly, Peter Robinson and Joan...
authorvalpenny
Jun 213 min read
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Writer's Block and How to Get Past It
The first time I voiced me fears about writer's block was when I asked my mentor, the late great Peter Robinson how he dealt with it....
authorvalpenny
May 104 min read
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An Author's Summer
Let me tell you about what this summer has in store for me. It promises to be an exciting time. I have just sent my next book in the...
authorvalpenny
May 32 min read
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How to Write a Good Blurb
Let's imagine you've finished writing your book, the editing is done and it's almost ready to go. Now is the time to write the blurb that...
authorvalpenny
Mar 292 min read
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Never Go Back by Lee Child
I am trying to work my way through the selection of Lee Child books on our shelves. I find them easy to read and, if I'm reading at...
authorvalpenny
Mar 153 min read
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Bad for Good by Graham Bartlett
I met up with Graham Bartlett again at Newcastle Noir, in December. The festival is run by the inimitable Jacky Gramozi Collins (aka Dr...
authorvalpenny
Feb 13 min read
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The Bruntsfield Book Group
It was a thrill to produce my first collection of short stories in time for Christmas. It includes stores about DI Hunter Wilson and his...
authorvalpenny
Dec 18, 20244 min read
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The Brotherhood by Jo Fenton
It is my great pleasure to welcome author Jo Fenton to the blog today. Her crime fiction novels are always an excellent read and I'm...
authorvalpenny
Dec 11, 20245 min read
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Hunter's Christmas
It was a thrill to produce my first collection of short stories in time for Christmas. If I do say so myself, it makes an ideal and cost...
authorvalpenny
Dec 4, 20244 min read
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The Queen of Cups Murders By GB Williams
It is a pleasure to take part in the tour for the new novel, The Queen of Cups Murders by GB Williams. The author has shared a gripping...
authorvalpenny
Nov 27, 20244 min read
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Auchterarder Book Festival
What a lovely day I had on Saturday! My husband acted as my lovely assistant by carrying books and driving me to the Auchterarder Book...
authorvalpenny
Nov 13, 20242 min read
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Tips for Writing a Novel with more than one Point of View
The novels I write are crime novels written from several points of view. My firat editor, the wonderful Sue Barnard, had a great deal to...
authorvalpenny
Nov 6, 20243 min read
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What Do I Write? by Elizabeth Ducie
It is a delight to welcome my friend and fellow author Elizabeth Ducie back to the blog to learn more about her writing and what she...
authorvalpenny
Nov 2, 20244 min read
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Whatever it Takes by Joy Wood
When an author makes a gift of a book, it is a generous gesture. Joy wood gave me a copy of her new novel, Whatever it Takes, without...
authorvalpenny
Oct 30, 20243 min read
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