Blog Blitz: House of Thieves by Rachel Walkley
Today is the blog blitz for House of Thieves by Rachel Walkley and I am sharing a Guest Post! Rachel answers the question that can be asked: “Are you a pantser or a plotter?” **If you don’t even know what a ‘pantser’ is, then be sure to read what her answer is. House of Thieves was released yesterday!
Book Description:
At Terrington Hall, objects are treasured while people are forgotten.
Chief conservator Amy is restoring the Hurly family’s guilt-stained hoard when a theft forces her to hire Harrison, a security adviser on a personal quest to uncover his own history.
Unknown to anyone, an invisible presence woven into the fabric of the house watches their every move.
When Harrison uncovers a room sealed for decades, the investigation shifts from simple theft to the resurrection of murderous secrets. In a house where the past is too heavy to escape, the dead don’t need bodies to tell their stories — they just need someone to listen.
One house. Two mysteries. Two centuries apart.
Buy Your Copy Here:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Books2Read
Rachel Answers the Question:
Are You a Pantser or Plotter?
Am I a pantser or a plotter? This is a question that writers often ask each other.
A pantser flies by the seat of the pants and just writes, rather than plan every stage, and in some cases, they’ll have no clue where they might be going with the story. A plotter is the opposite style. A plotter might use software to help craft a detailed story or stick post-its on a board, fill folders with world building notes or research the perfect realistic backdrop for their tale.
Where am I? I think I’m in the middle somewhere, because it seems regardless of what I plan at the beginning, I end up flying by the seat of my pants.
With my new book, House of Thieves, the initial idea, call it a seed, was the house. My first book, The Women of Heachley Hall, was also built around a semi-abandoned house, mostly empty and barely habitable, and it became a key part of the story. Terrington Hall is crucial to the story, although it’s filled to the brim with precious objects, a long family history, and not so pleasant secrets.
Originally there was no ghost. I had created a rough outline some years ago, before I took a break from writing. There was a supernatural aspect to the plotline, but it was nothing like the story that eventually evolved because, unfortunately, it had flaws. When I returned last year to the original concept, I realised my seed had to be completed resown with a new plot, but what?
I went back to the house “seed”, and planted a different set of roots, my first few chapters grew into something more promising, a substantial looking sapling. However, I hit a wall, and once again, I was in danger of grinding to a halt. Then I had an eureka moment that transformed my plan. The ghost may be invisible to those in the house, but a reader is in a privileged position. Their advantage is to read a book narrated by an unseen ghost and “watch” through their eyes as other characters in the story solve a mystery.
My freshly grown branches, those opening chapters, were rewritten. So far my plan, a detailed outline, was undergoing a constant stream of edits.
Another important aspect of writing this book was ensuring the backstory, the historical aspect, was locked in early on in the process. There’s nothing worse than creating a rod for your back by not aligning two timelines correctly. I had to create family trees going back centuries, character profiles and floor plans. The plotter was back in the game. Until… yep, I realised the end of the book, no spoilers here, wouldn’t work if I didn’t introduce additional reveals into earlier chapters. Again, the pantser had to fly and make corrections and the outline was relegated to the wastepaper bin.
(Thank goodness for writing tools. I use Scrivener, which makes it easy to navigate a manuscript and keep track of where the changes are happening.)
Then, after the first draft was completed, my editor stepped in with suggestions and once again it was time for a revision, although fortunately nothing too major. But this is what writing is all about; a seemingly never-ending ebb and flow of revisions, overcoming obstacles and fine-tuning the manuscript. Crucially, writing is about taking something that was a simple concept and turning it into a novel that has structure and pace. It’s not easy, and I learn new techniques with every book I write. It’s an ongoing educational experience, which is what I love best about writing as a skill.
Now my seed is full grown tree and will hopefully bear fruit with happy readers.
Publishing a book is primarily a goal that encourages me to push on to a complete a novel, what really motivates me is starting a new project with a fresh seed and watching it grow into something that I may or may not have planned. I’ve already started a new outline – let’s see how much of it survives in the coming months.
About the Author:
Rachel Walkley is a former librarian and scientist who lives in the North West of England, where she spends her spare time making music and writing. Her debut novel, The Women of Heachley Hall, was a bestseller in the UK and Australia. Known for weaving together family secrets, magical mysteries, old houses and inspirational women, Rachel also writes gripping female-led crime novels under the pen name Rae Shaw.
Contact Rachel:
Website
Linktree to everywhere she is online!
Blog Tour: Promo: Finding Forever in Pelican Crossing by Maggie Christensen
Today I am taking part in the blog tour for Finding Forever in Pelican Crossing by Maggie Christensen. It is book 9 of 10 in the Pelican Crossing series. This is a book for fans of small-town romances and heartwarming stories of unexpected love. It releases on this Thursday, August 6th!
Book Description:
When Paige Harper arrives in Pelican Crossing to visit her ailing grandmother, she plans a short trip—just enough time to make sure her grandmother recovers before heading back to her busy city life. But when her grandmother unexpectedly passes away, Paige is hesitant to leave the small coastal town, unable to shake the pull of its quiet charm.
Bob Reed, the laid-back local vet, has settled back into his life in Pelican Crossing after spending a year at Colorado University. He is surprised when he receives an offer to apply for a permanent position at the university—a tempting opportunity to embrace a very different path. Torn between his love for the peaceful coastal life and the draw of a more structured, academic future, Bob faces a tough choice.
When Paige and Bob cross paths, they’re worlds apart—she, the city professional, and he, the easy-going surfer. But a series of unexpected encounters brings them closer, and what begins as an unlikely friendship turns into something much more.
With Bob facing a career-defining decision and Paige bound to her life in the city, they must determine if their newfound connection is strong enough to overcome the obstacles in their way. Can they find a way to be together, or will the demands of their separate lives keep them apart?
Pre-order Your Copy here!
About the Author:
After a career in education, Maggie Christensen began writing contemporary women’s fiction portraying mature women facing life-changing situations, and historical fiction set in her native Scotland. Her travels inspire her writing, be it her trips to visit family in Scotland, in Oregon, USA or her home on Queensland’s beautiful Sunshine Coast. Maggie writes of mature heroines coming to terms with changes in their lives and the heroes worthy of them. Maggie has been called the queen of mature age fiction and her writing has been described by one reviewer as like a nice warm cup of tea. It is warm, nourishing, comforting and embracing.
From the small town in Scotland where she grew up, Maggie was lured to Australia by the call to ‘Come and teach in the sun’. Once there, she worked as a primary school teacher, university lecturer and in educational management. Now living with her husband of over thirty years on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, she loves walking on the deserted beach in the early mornings and having coffee by the river on weekends. Her days are spent surrounded by books, either reading or writing them – her idea of heaven!
Contact Maggie:
Website
X @MaggieChriste33
Goodreads
Instagram @maggiechriste33
BookBub
Bluesky
See the entire blog tour here:
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:
