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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
31 views
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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
27 views
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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
13 views
0 comments


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
15 views
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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
37 views
1 comment


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
72 views
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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
18 views
0 comments


Goat Beginnings: The Unexpected Start - An Interview with Tracey Holland
Today I am thrilled to share the recent chat I had with my friend and fellow author, Tracey Holland whose debut novel, Faith's Folly ,...
authorvalpenny
Oct 16, 20244 min read
48 views
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Loyalty and the Learner by Miriam Drori
It is a pleasure to be able to support the tour for Loyalty and the Learner , the new novel by Miriam Drori. The tour is run by Lynsey...
authorvalpenny
Oct 12, 20243 min read
16 views
1 comment


Keeping Characters Dynamic
I only started my writing career after I had been treated for breast cancer and took early retirement. Who would have thought that...
authorvalpenny
Sep 21, 20242 min read
23 views
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An Extract from The First Cut
The first novel in my Jane Renwick Thrillers series of novels is The First Cut . The second in the series, A Fighting Chance, will be...
authorvalpenny
Sep 14, 20243 min read
31 views
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The Themes of a Novel
In contemporary literary studies, a theme is a central topic, subject, or message within a narrative. Themes can be divided into two...
authorvalpenny
Sep 11, 20242 min read
38 views
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Creating Convincing Characters
A gripping plot can only carry an interesting story if it is carried by convincing characters. When I an creating a new character I start...
authorvalpenny
Aug 28, 20243 min read
25 views
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An Interview with John Pye
I am pleased to welcome fellow author John Pye to the blog today to discuss his books and writing in general. Thank you for your time...
authorvalpenny
Aug 17, 20246 min read
73 views
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Writing Hunter's Rules
I am delighted to have a chance to tell you about Hunter’s Rules , the new novel in my series of DI Hunter Wilson Crime Thrillers. I have...
authorvalpenny
Jul 24, 20242 min read
2 views
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An Extract from Hunter's Rules
Hunter’s Rules will launch at The Harrogate Crime Festival! Join me and SpellBound Books at 1pm Friday 19th July at the Alexandra in...
authorvalpenny
Jul 17, 20243 min read
10 views
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Writing The First Cut
I have been writing and telling stories all my life. When I was a child, I used to make up stories for my little sister after our Mum put...
authorvalpenny
Jun 8, 20242 min read
44 views
0 comments


Interview with Marsali Taylor
I am pleased to have an opportunity to chat with author Marsali Taylor about her new book, Death at a Shetland Festival, the most recent...
authorvalpenny
May 31, 20249 min read
41 views
0 comments


An Interview with Tracey Holland
It is a pleasure to introduce Tracey Holland to the blog. Tracey is a debut novelist whose first book Faith's Folly in her Willowbrooke...
authorvalpenny
May 22, 20247 min read
72 views
1 comment


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
26 views
1 comment
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