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A Good Way to Start a Novel
I thought for the new year I would start at the beginning so let's look at how to start your book in a way that will grab the readers'...
authorvalpenny
Jan 84 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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Death at a Shetland Festival by Marsali Taylor
I am delighted to be part of the tour for the gripping new book, Death at a Shetland Festival by Marsali Taylor. Thanks to Marsali Taylor...
authorvalpenny
May 18, 202410 min read
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An Interview with Jacquie Rogers
It is a delight to welcome back to the blog one of my favourite historical novelists, Jacquie Rogers. Thank you for your time today...
authorvalpenny
May 8, 20245 min read
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An Interview with Mark Eklid
It is a pleasure to welcome fellow crime fiction author and SpellBound Books stablemate, Mark Eklid to the blog today to chat about his...
authorvalpenny
Oct 6, 20235 min read
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Hunter's Secret - An Extract
My next novel in the DI Hunter Wilson Crime Thrillers was published by SpellBound Books Ltd on 15th September 2023. I hope readers will...
authorvalpenny
Sep 16, 20233 min read
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Let me Introduce DI Hunter Wilson from Hunter's Secret
The first novel ever I wrote was Hunter’s Chase. The main character is a police detective inspector, Hunter Wilson. Let me tell you about...
authorvalpenny
Sep 9, 20233 min read
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The Hollow by Agatha Christie
My mother gave me a series of Agatha Christie books as a gift. Some of them I had read before, but The Hollow was new to me. I really...
authorvalpenny
Apr 29, 20232 min read
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The Omega Chronicles by Mark Carnelly
I had read The Time Detective by author Mark Carnelly previously and enjoyed it so much that I bought a second copy for my nephew, so...
authorvalpenny
Apr 1, 20232 min read
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An Extract from Hunter's Force
Hunter's Force (DI Hunter Wilson Crime Thriller #3) was published by SpellBound Books Ltd. on 25 January 2023. It is a police procedural...
authorvalpenny
Feb 4, 20234 min read
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The Dinner Guest by B.P. Walter
I chose The Dinner Guest by B.P. Walter to take on vacation with me. It is always fun to explore the work of an author new to me in sunny...
authorvalpenny
Oct 29, 20222 min read
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The Guilty One by Lisa Ballantine
The most recent read for my village book group was The Guilty One by Lisa Ballantine. I had never read anything by this author before,...
authorvalpenny
Oct 12, 20222 min read
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In The Dark by Mark Billingham
I have always enjoyed detective novels, mysteries and crime thrillers. Mark Billingham is an English crime novelist and stand up...
authorvalpenny
Sep 21, 20222 min read
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There is no Going Home by Madalyn Morgan
I had heard a lot of good things about the novels by Madalyn Morgan and recently I had the opportunity to purchase one. I chose There is...
authorvalpenny
Sep 3, 20223 min read
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The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
Mark Haddon is a British novelist and poet, although his best known novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time was published...
authorvalpenny
Jan 22, 20223 min read
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Style and the Solitary by Miriam Drori
It is a great treat for me to take part in the tour for Style and the Solitary, one of my favourite books of this year. Novels by Miriam...
authorvalpenny
Jul 31, 20213 min read
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The Split by Sharon Bolton
I hadn't read a book by Sharon Bolton for a while, so I treated myself to The Split. I am extremely glad I did. What a clever story. The...
authorvalpenny
Jul 27, 20212 min read
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An Interview with Natalie Cammaratta
Firstly, thank you very much for agreeing to an Author Interview with me, Natalie. It is a delight to have time to chat with you. Please...
authorvalpenny
Jul 7, 20214 min read
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Why I Write Mysteries by David W. Robinson
I am thrilled that I have at last secured a fine article by the prolific best selling English author, David W. Robinson to the blog to...
authorvalpenny
Jun 16, 20213 min read
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A Visit to Mende by Angela Wren
Hi, Val. Thanks for inviting me onto your blog today. It is always a pleasure to host you, Angela. Thank you for your time. Now over to...
authorvalpenny
Jan 6, 20214 min read
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