Blog Tour: Guest Post: Avalon Sky by Jill Todd
Today I am helping to start the blog tour for Avalon Sky by Jill Todd. And Jill will be interviewing one of her characters from the novel: This should be fun! Avalon Sky is available now! AND… If you are lucky enough to live in the UK, there is a giveaway going on! And it’s a good one to win!
Book Description:
Some secrets should never be told.
Some crimes should never be forgiven.
Following a private tragedy, TV historian Kit Pevensey and his wife Lissa seek respite in the quiet of rural Somerset to compile a village history for a friend.
But when their friend vanishes without a trace, the Pevenseys’ research stirs memories of dangerous secrets. Amid the deceptive peace of the Somerset Levels and Lundy Island, a killer plans the perfect murder – and Kit must face his own demons, whilst battling to prevent the crimes of the past from tearing a family apart.
Buy Your Copy Here:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
JILL TODD INTERVIEWS KESTER PEVENSEY (Recorded in March 2023)
Thank you for inviting me into your home today, Kester!
You’re very welcome. [He raises his coffee mug in a toast.]
Viewers will know you as the presenter of Enigmas, the BBC’s latest series on unsolved crimes. I believe family and friends call you Kit. Do you prefer that?
Sure. I mainly use Kester for TV. Or when I’m arrested.
Ah, I know that’s never happened. Has it? Anyway, for those who might be unfamiliar with the show, Kit is in his mid-thirties, with fairish hair, and eyes that smile easily. You don’t mind me saying that, Kit?
As long as no one thinks we play Enigmas for laughs. We aim to throw new light on cold cases, and give the victims’ families some kind of closure.
And bring offenders to justice?
It’s been known. We work closely with the police, and I hope we make a difference now and then.
You’re too modest. The first season of Enigmas certainly achieved results, as well as scoring highly with viewers and critics – although one reviewer described you as looking, and I quote, ‘startlingly dangerous in the face of villainy, like a man about to channel his inner Jack Reacher’. What’s your response to that?
Not sure whether to feel flattered or insulted. Seriously, though, if I was a loose cannon, the BBC would have fired me.
But you’re saying that with a kind of glint.
No glints intended. I don’t get into physical confrontations.
Never?
Almost never. [His eyebrows twitch upward.] Life can surprise you, right?
Are you referring to a specific incident?
You’ll see it in the first episode of Series Two, which airs at 8pm next Wednesday. I can’t give too much away, but –
Actually, I’d rather you told me about your stay in the Somerset village of Netherzoy a few years ago, in the autumn of 2019.
Really? That’s old news. [He is smiling, but looks wary.] I thought we were here to chat about Enigmas.
It’s just a few questions. Do you mind?
Depends what you ask.
Of course. So, you and your wife were staying in a holiday let, helping a friend research the history of Netherzoy?
That was the plan. David had inherited the project from his late dad, but he was struggling to find the time. He approached Lissa and me.
Lissa being your wife, and one of Enigmas’ researchers. So David thought of you two because you had the right skills?
Mostly, although my sister nudged him into it. She thought we needed a break, and Yew Tree Cottage seemed ideal. Old, quaint, full of character. [He grins ruefully.] Yeah, it had plenty of that.
Are you being ironic?
I don’t believe in ghosts, but once or twice … Whatever, we were looking forward to some time to ourselves, to relax.
But things didn’t turn out that way?
Not exactly. David went to meet some guy at a local airfield, and never came back. His brother and I drove out there. It was dark by then, with thick fog. Creepy as hell. All we could hear were the owls. And then … I guess you know what we found.
Yes. That must have been really upsetting. But afterwards – perhaps as a result? – you were caught up in the drama on Lundy Island. Can you tell me about that night, Kit?
The facts were reported at the time.
Not all the facts, surely? I’m just wondering whether –
OK, look, I can say this much. What happened that November changed us all. Some of us for the better, maybe. Others, not so much. One day I might even write the story – after taking legal advice.
How exciting! I can’t wait, and I’m sure I speak for everyone who tunes into your show. So what’s next for you, Kit?
Professionally? Enigmas has gone down well, as you say. We’ve already started work on Series Three.
That’s great news! And how about you and Lissa personally? Do you have any plans?
It’s been an eventful year for us. We’re taking things one day at a time.
Well, I wish you both all the very best. Thank you again for meeting me today, Kit. I must say, you don’t seem very dangerous to me.
That’s because you’re not a villain.
Ah, this time I know you’re joking.
Absolutely.
AUTHOR’S NOTE:
Avalon Sky, the story of Kit and Lissa’s fateful working holiday in Netherzoy, is available from Amazon in Kindle, Kindle Unlimited and paperback editions.
The sequel, Sunken Ground, is due for release later this year and will see the return of an old adversary, as well as featuring a cold case investigation for the [fictional] TV show, Enigmas with Kester Pevensey.
About the Author:
Jill Todd was born in Eastleigh, Hampshire. Her parents taught her to read and write at an early age, to occupy her during a long illness, and she has been writing stories ever since.
After completing a historical novel, published in 1988, she rediscovered a social life, married and had a family. Whilst working as an Admin Assistant at a local secondary school, she continued to write as a hobby.
Her romance thriller, Echo of Bells, was published in 2016 and became the origin story for Avalon Sky. Since retiring in 2023, she has been able to write full-time, and plans to make Avalon Sky the first in a series of crime thrillers featuring Kit and Lissa Pevensey.
In 2001, Jill’s husband and four fellow pilots won a microlight aircraft kit in a magazine competition. The build took three years, and the little plane (or a fifth share of it) became part of the family, which inspired one aspect of the plot of Avalon Sky. Holidays in Somerset and on Lundy Island supplied more material, and the island is one of Jill’s favourite places.
Contact Jill:
Instagram @jilltoddauthor
**UK GIVEAWAY!!**
Giveaway to Win an Avalon Sky prize bundle including clotted cream fudge and shortbread (Open to UK Only).
Prize includes:
Avalon Sky, paperback
Echo of Bells, paperback (my romance thriller, which became the origin story for Kit and Lissa’s relationship)
2 double-sided bookmarks – i.e. one for each book
1 box of clotted cream fudge
1 box of clotted cream shortbread selection
1 Lundy Island keyring
Win an Avalon Sky prize bundle including clotted cream fudge and shortbread (Open to UK Only).
*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome. Please enter using the Gleam box above. The winner will be selected at random via Gleam from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.
The Entire Blog Tour:
