2011

Happy Christmas everyone, and lots of good fortune with the pen in the coming year.

Good News!

Just heard exciting news about the ebooks! Why don't I receive a Hale
newsletter, I wonder?

My good news to share with you is that I have had another memoir accepted
by Magna/Dales - entitled Dancing in the Street - which we did on VE night!
The story covers the decade from 1940-50.

Will have another go at attaching pic of cover of The Poplar Penny Whistlers -
to be published by Hale next Feb. but available for pre-order now...


Sheila Newberry

Robert Hale have joined the ebook generation!

This announcement appears in the December Newsletter from Hale Books:

I am delighted to announce that Hale have joined the Faber Factory and will be publishing their first ebooks on the 1st of January 2011.
The titles are:
•
No Less Than the Journey by E.V Thompson
•
The Rybinsk Deception by Colin D. Peel
•
Sherlock Holmes in Russia by Alex Auswaks
•
The Chronicles of Sherlock Holmes by Paul D. Gilbert
•
Darcy’s Diary by Amanda Grange
•
Black Horse Westerns, Collection 1

Passage To Redemption

Some of you know that I have been involved in a world-wide book writing project that has finally borne fruit. You can see what I've been up to, apart from my own venture into POD by checking out the following: http://thebooknews.blogspot.com/2010/11/mexico-climate-change-summit-approaches.html
Why not have a look?

Mick

More reviews for FLOATING GOLD

Below are brief excerpts taken from some additional reviews for FLOATING GOLD. Previous reviews posted on 29 June.

I read FLOATING GOLD in a couple of sessions and my attention was clearly caught by the storyline and the detailed description of life aboard Elusive. Most engaging of all was the search for the treasure which had me rapt.
Margaret Muir has woven a tale worthy of a Hornblower epic.
John Livermore – Maritime Times of Tasmania

Muir crafts a spellbinding nautical tale that captures the reader’s attention and never releases it until the final page is turned. Her research and attention to detail are impeccable and her experience as a mariner enhances the adventure. FLOATING GOLD whisks readers back to the heyday of the British navy and readers find themselves living the life of a sailor and witnessing the awesome beauty and dangers of Deception Island and sailing the seas on a wooden ship in days of yore.
Cindy Vallar – Ed. Pirates and Privateers (www.cindyvallar.com/pirates.html)

There can be no doubting the calibre of the author’s writing. I found the book hard to put down and was kept interested throughout. There is a richness and sharpness to the prose that made FLOATING GOLD so enjoyable. I would certainly not hesitate in recommending it.
John Harding – www.thebookbag.co.uk

As sea-stories go, FLOATING GOLD ticks all the boxes. Ms Muir is adept at characterization, plotting and descriptions as well as showing that she knows one end of a ship from another. We are promised on the flyleaf “unknown dangers and unspeakable horrors” and I can promise some of these. Highly recommended and I do hope the first in a new series.
Rachel A Hyde – www.myshelf.com

FLOATING GOLD is an intriguing mystery featuring murder, spies and skulduggery. The plotting and pace are well maintained throughout and the penultimate chapter is page-turning historical fiction at its best. A book to be enjoyed by anyone who likes historical mysteries or cracking adventure yards about ships and the sea.
Marina Maxwell – Historical Novel Society

FLOATING GOLD - a well-crafted story full of interesting places with carefully and accurately detailed descriptions of now nearly-lost seamanship skills: I recommend this book to both the casual reader of a good story and to readers with an interest in sailing ships and seamanship.
Rob Thomas – T’gallant Lookout, Tasmania

The way that the author captured the language of the times, the mannerisms of the characters and sea terms was remarkable…giving the reader a real sense of what it was like during those years. An excellent novel. A great read, expertly crafted.
David Laing – Australian author

FLOATING GOLD is a historical seafaring adventure/mystery which will be a special treat for those who have salt in their veins, or those who enjoy a quest for an unusual treasure at a time when it was valued far beyond anyone’s dreams.
Rose Frankcombe - Stylus Magazine (ed)

I read FLOATING GOLD and found it to be an enthralling read which kept me wondering what the ‘treasure’ would be.
Bob Petrass – Maritime Times of Tasmania (editor)

Finally: Jon Stephenson – geologist, vulcanologist, member of the Fuchs/Hilary Antarctic expedition in 1958 wrote: ‘I enjoyed the story immensely and kept saying to myself, “this must be Deception Island”’. Jon was correct though the island was never identified by name in the story.
Jon Stephenson – Antarctic explorer and author – CREVASSE ROULETTE (2009)


‘Hundreds of billowing sails, resembling patches of morning cloud, were suddenly seen scudding around the rim of the world while, in the east, great golden spokes fanned across the sky like the helm of an ethereal ship rising from the seabed.’

FLOATING GOLD by Margaret Muir – published by Robert Hale Ltd (2010)
To order a copy WORLD WIDE POSTAGE FREE go to The Book Depository
Sunrise image from Google free images

New Chuck Tyrell Black Horse Western

The latest Chuck Tyrell novel, Hell Fire in Paradise, hits the stands in November. If anything, it shows the pure pluck of the pioneer woman. When I was a youngster, we often sat on Aunt Sarah Mills's front porch and listened to her tell of the days back then. When she was eight, Geronimo, according to her, appeared at her home in Forestdale, Arizona, with four horses in tow. He wanted to trade the horses to Aunt Sarah's father for her.

The town of Ponderosa, just a few miles from Paradise Valley, is modeled on the real life town of McNary, which was home to Southwest Forest Industries' largest sawmill for several decades.


The sawmill at McNary/Ponderosa

The heroine of my novel, Laurel Baker, loses her sons and her husband on the same day. Then a well-dressed man shows up wanting to buy her ranch in Paradise Valley. Laurel won't sell, and things go from bad to worse. But neighbors watch over neighbors, and good people band together.

I promise. Hell Fire in Paradise is a good read.



Paradise Valley looked like this.



The cover of Hell Fire in Paradise looks like this. Available from Hale or most online booksellers such as Amazon and the Book Depository.

NORTH SLOPE

I promised to keep those of you who were interested updated on my foray into self publishing and e-books having parted company with Hale. My first paperback is now available on-line at Amazon. I am with a group of writers who have teamed up to promote each others novels. The group is registered as Acclaimed Book Ltd., and can be seen on www.acclaimedbooks.com. Because my novel is set in Alaska in 1968, based on the discovery of oil in that country (State), I have begun my promotion campaign there. To date I have arranged for advertising in the Juneau Empire for a seven day run prior to Christmas. A book reviewer has agreed to read the book and a book shop has kindly agreed too, hopefully the shop will buy a few copies. I'm working on the old adage about big oak trees from little acorns grow, and hope that my efforts in Alaska will drive up sales in that country and light the fires for me. I will continue to harass bookshops over there as well as other States in USA. I have also begun a smaller campaign in UK. You can see more about my book, which was first published in 1980, but never went into paperback, on my website: www.michaeljparker.com Wish me luck!

KEITH SOUTER JOINS THE LIST

Hi there,

A quick self-introduction. I am a part time doctor, medical journalist and novelist in three genres. Since 2003 I have written twelve books for Robert Hale (one non-fiction, entitled  DOCTOR'S LATIN) and eleven novels.

I write westerns under the name of Clay More, crime novels as Keith Moray and historical crime as Keith Souter.

My forthcoming crime novel, due out in december 2010 is called FLOTSAM and JETSAM. It is the fourth in the Inspector Torquil McKinnon series set on the Outer hebridean island of West Uist.

Keith Souter

BHW author wins international award

Charles Whipple, who writes Black Horse Westerns as Chuck Tyrell, won AGAVE AWARD FOR LITERATURE in the THE 2010 OAXACA INTERNATIONAL LITERATURE COMPETITION, for his short story A Matter of Tea.

The competition is held in conjunction with the Oaxaca International Film and Video Festival because cinema and literature have always been closely intertwined. This competition provides a forum for writers from around the world to display their talents.

Whipple's story was selected as the winner from a thousand entries. He will fly to Oaxaca, Mexico, to receive the award. The top ten stories in the competition will be published in a special commemorative edition.

Passage To Redemption

Another project in which I've been involved. This novel, a topical, eco novel was written by twelve writers from around the globe. It is now available on Amazon.com, and will eventually be available in UK. We are planning to put it on Kindle too. The link for the curious ones among you is: http://www.amazon.com/Passage-Redemption-Crew/dp/1453804889/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_1

Mick

New Chuck Tyrell Black Horse Western

Mr John Hale informed me of the company's decision to purchase my latest manuscript -- A Man Called Breed -- a tale of the hardships a Medal of Honor winner must go through because of his Cheyenne mother. I have not yet received word of when the book will be published.

The Watercress Girls

Amazon are offering The Watercress Girls, my latest novel for Hale, at a good price -
I'd love to share this family saga with you! Experience pioneer life with my
characters in Moose Jaw, Canada, and later North Dakota; the bitter cold, the
lakes, the long journeys by train to the unknown... And follow a mystery throughout the story which is resolved back in the Old Country.

The synopsis is as follows: On a blazing hot day in late August 1914, twelve year
old Mattie dances in the stream, spraying her little sister Evie with silvery
showers of water. They have come here to cool off and to pick watercress for tea. They are unaware that their idyllic childhood in Suffolk is almost at an end, for as their mother says, "all the world's gone mad."
the girls will grow up to lead very different lives. Mattie is destined to travel far from home and to found a dynasty of strong-minded women like herself. Evie, in the role of family carer, still achieves a satisfying career.
But will the two disters be reunited and a secret resolved?

I researched this book with the five Mackley girls, born in Moose Jaw during the early days of the last century, when they grew up in a log cabin built by their
father, learned to sew their own clothes from flour sacks and cut up Sears catalogues for use in the privy!

Life was hard, but they all thrived, and were an inspiration to me.

See my books listed on Amazon and Fantastic Fiction.

Readers have provided good feedback on my recent memoir, Who Stirs the Porridge in the Pot? (Dales paperback)

Wishing you all happy reading - and writing! Sheila Newberry

Further Progress

I received the proof copy of NORTH SLOPE paperback today. I am really delighted with it. I have no complaints and look forward to seeing it available on Amazon.com in the very near future. There shouldn't be too long a delay before it is available on Amazon in UK. This is the beginning of the 'new direction' I spoke of after parting with Hale. Judging by several web blogs I have read recently, many of them written by people in publishing and reviewing etc., I seem to be taking on a huge task. But I'm quite happy to do this. My target, initially would be to promote the book sufficiently well to get above the 350 mark that I associate with Hale Books. 400 would be good, but I'll have to wait and see. I have attached a copy of the book jacket, desgined by my son, for you all to have a look. You can also see it on my web page.

Looking ahead

I was invited to send the usual synopsis plus first three chapters of my latest MS to a literary agent. I've been going down this road for a good many years now, but still can't help thinking....'if only'... Perhaps I should know better; I've failed to interest literary agents for the last twenty years or so, but at least John Hale saved my bacon and published six of my books, so I've a lot to thank him for. We've parted company now, and my next book will be a paperback imprint of my very first novel, NORTH SLOPE. I have already had an invitation from an Alaskan magazine to send them a copy of the book when it's released (it's set in Alaska). The reason I'm telling you all this is because I was asked to let you know how I got on having severed my connection with Hale. We'll see.

Back from the Pirate Coast

I haven't taken any part in this blog for a while because I was in a remote village in southern Turkey, just north of Cyprus. Swimming in the quiet little bay sometimes became quite exciting when a pirate boat went past, flags flying and drums beating a fierce rhythm. It did feel quite scary, especially when two or more appeared in a line. While these boats run tourist trips at weekends, I do wonder what else they do during the week...

The whole of that coast has always been a haven for pirates - the Lycian Devils, who reached America very early on, tangled with English pirates and no doubt many others. Maybe there's a story in there. 

No message...

Apologies - I tried to attach JPEG of the cover of Who Stirs the Porridge in the Pot?
but it didn't work...Advice appreciated! Sheila Newberry

I've taken the plunge!

I've taken the plunge and one blog leads to another...
I've joined Author Central, Amazon, and you can now
find me on the Author Pages...

Now looking forward to receiving shortly Who Stirs The Porridge in the Pot? (Dales paperback/Magna) - Diane Allen sent me the JPEG of the cover! Just like my dresser at home - apart from the wedding photo -
keep mine in a safer place! We also have little fairies and elves peeping round our cups and plates - the family seem to think they suit me!!

All best, Sheila

Review of A most Rebellious Debutante

I had a lovely review of my hardback novel, 'A Most Rebellious Debutante' from much acclaimed historical saga-writer Freda Lightfoot. She wrote:

"Well, that was delicious fun. A perfectly relaxing Sunday by the pool with a good book. A spirited heroine and a courageous and honourable hero engaged in an adventure while they fall in love - and a delightfully disapproving family. I really enjoyed it. I hope it does well."

Another great review for Death is the Cure

This lovely review is from Mystery Women's Magazine: thank you to reviewer Jennifer S Palmer.

Death is the Cure : Review in Mystery Women magazine, July 2010

Charlotte Richmond made a very successful detective in her first adventure and this second outing confirms her skills. In 1858 she visits Bath with her friend, Elaine Knightley, who is to go a startling new medical treatment. The whole atmosphere of Victorian Bath is cleverly evoked – the stuffiness of polite manners, the centrality of illness and the apparently petty concerns of the town’s inhabitants.

The genteel behaviour that Charlotte had expected from the other guests at Waterloo House is not really what she finds. The atmosphere is one of unease with dark secrets hinted at behind elegant facades. The people staying at the guesthouse include a French family whose oldest member appreciates Charlotte’s depths of character, and an American who sees in Charlotte a fellow observer of the world. All the people at the table for each meal show signs of agitation as they receive various comments which seem innocent. These characters develop as we learn more and more about them.

Charlotte returns to the house one day and falls over a corpse on the cobbled mews outside. Shockingly, this is the stabbed body of one of her fellow guests and she feels impelled to ask questions about this even. She uncovers family secrets of both personal and political concern, imperilling her own safety in the process.

Again Nicola Slade has given us an exciting story peopled by memorable Victorians and involving a riveting mystery.

New Direction?

Yesterday I made the decision to split with John Hale. I have pondered long and hard about the success, or lack of it, of my thrillers because of the route they take; straight into the libraries. There was never any chance of my books going into paperback (John Hale told me that a few years ago), and despite all my efforts at trying to persuade agents and paperback publishers, it turned out John was right. He was willing to publish my latest MS, THE BOY FROM BERLIN, which he received last Monday, but because of my sales figures and the "deteriorating situation" (his words), he could only make me a very, poor offer. This was the push I needed, so I turned the offer down and asked him to release me from my final, contractual obligation, which he agreed to do. So now I'm a free agent. My next step is to have my first novel, NORTH SLOPE (1980) published by Acclaimed Books Ltd. It's a cooperative of which I'm a member, and the their books are POD and will also be available as e-books. It represents a new challenge (as they say), and the marketing and promotion will be my responsbility along with the cooperative. So, wish me luck; I'm going to need it!

Spanish Eye

My collection of crime short stories, Spanish Eye, was published as an e-book on 29 June by Solstice Publishing.

Its first review can be found on amazon.com: ‘First, I have to confess, I am totally biased. I had the opportunity to work with Nik Morton in an editorial capacity on this collection of private eye stories. The manuscript was a pleasure to read. His voice is so unique, and his stories are as thought provoking as they are entertaining. There are beautiful moments in the prose that never get purple or fluffy. He masters the art of taking an adventure and condensing it into short shots.

’If you enjoy short stories, you'll love this collection featuring the same character and exotic settings. I am a total Morton fan now and waiting anxiously for his next release!’ – D Thorne.

Available on Kindle for $6.89 at:
http://www.amazon.com/Spanish-Eye-ebook/dp/B003UNKYW8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=A317O7WZ1CN6AQ&s=books&qid=1278601323&sr=1-1

Available as a pdf file for €2.96/$3.99/£2.01 to read on your computer at:
http://solsticepublishing.com/spanish-eye-p-111.html

Blurb:

Leon Cazador holds back the encroaching night of unreason

Private Investigator Leon Cazador is half-English, half-Spanish and wholly against the ungodly. His connections run wide and deep, which is to be expected of a man who served in the Spanish Foreign Legion, liaised with Japanese police, and was a spy. Dive into his fascinating stories, based on real events. Glean insight into his past and the people with whom he rubbed shoulders. Cazador translated into English means hunter. He is indeed a man driven to hunt down felons of all kinds, to redress the balance of good against evil.

Sometimes, Cazador operates in disguise under several aliases, among them Carlos Ortiz Santos, a modern day Simon Templar. Join him as he combats drug-traffickers, grave robbers, al-Qaeda infiltrators and conmen. Be witness to the dodgy Spanish developers and shady expat Englishmen who face his wrath. Traders in human beings, stolen vehicles and endangered species meet their match. Kidnappers, crooked mayors and conniving Lotharios will come within his orbit of ire. Even the vengeful Chinese and indebted Japanese are his friends—and enemies.

In his adventurous life, he's witnessed many travesties of justice, so as a private investigator, he will use his considerable skills to right wrongs in the most clever and unexpected of ways. Leon Cazador fights injustice in all its forms and often metes out his own rough justice. It’s what he does.

(Ross Morton/Nik Morton)

Library Cuts

I had a thought about the government's intention to bring about cuts of up to 40% in all departments, and wondered how this might affect Public Library finances. I am about to submit my next MS, THE BOY FROM BERLIN to John Hale and hope that he ignores all government plans and agrees to publish (if he likes it!).

Reviews for FLOATING GOLD by Hale author Margaret Muir

FLOATING GOLD, published in hardback by Hale Books, has been well received by age-of-sail enthusiasts. To order a copy go to Hale Books (UK) or The Book Depository (world-wide postage free). Lending copies are also available from your local library.

Here are excerpts from some of the reviews:

FLOATING GOLD is a wonderful blend of classic Georgian naval fiction, a mystery/thriller and a grand treasure hunt. A rousing tale, well told. It's a well-paced and vividly drawn tale of adventure in the high latitudes and on the high seas. Highly recommended.
http://www.oldsaltblog.com

When you have read as many naval fiction novels as I have, the first challenge a new author and book has to meet is - do the story and characters seem fresh? This is a challenge Floating Gold achieves from cover to cover in a pacy narrative which held my attention.
Would I like to read more of Captain Quintrell, Lieutenant Parry, Acting Carpenter Will Ethridge and their adventures? I certainly would.
A book I recommend.
http://www.historicnavalfiction.com

FLOATING GOLD is a nautical thriller that involves a well-plotted treasure hunt. Other nautical heroes too have been chasing treasures on the high seas and in exotic locations, most often Spanish galleons loaded with gold, but none of them – to my knowledge – have ever been chasing a treasure like the one that is featured in this book.
It is an innovative and entertaining tale, rich on detail about England and life at sea, and a tale that is very well told.
FLOATING GOLD is an excellent nautical fiction debut by Margaret Muir. I hope she continues to write about Quintrell – a character that I feel has a lot of potential.
If you like historical fiction, salty sea tales or clever adventures, FLOATING GOLD is a book you should get hold of – it is very entertaining, well written and intelligently plotted! http://www.navyfiction.com

With this positive feedback, author, Margaret Muir, is planning to write a sequel to this maritime adventure.

The Poplar Penny Whistlers

Just received from Hale the 'rough' for the jacket of The Poplar Penny Whistlers. The artist's interpretation is just as I imagined the picture myself - I am thrilled to bits! The artist is Barbara Walton. I am told the book will be published next February - it seems a long time to wait, but par for the course, as they say... Meanwhile the latest work is gaining momentum! May be it the same for all of you. Sheila Newberry

THE CONDOR’S FEATHER – Large Print edition

There is something very special about Patagonia and the tall Tehuelche Indians who once roamed the Pampas. The magic of Patagonia was one thing which inspired me to write The Condor’s Feather.

Inspirations also came from the real-life adventure of a bold young English aristocrat, Lady Florence Dixie who, in 1878 at age 21, embarked on a ride across the largely unexplored Pampas with her brother. Based loosely on that concept, combined with the carnage of an actual prison mutiny, what better background for a story?

And how could I ignore the magnificent scenery, the snow capped Cordillera, the gorges and raging rivers, and the sunsets...

Thia and her brother clinked their imaginary glasses as the sun finally slid behind the mountain peaks and the night folded down like a concertina curtain - layer upon layer, pink on mauve, purple on blue, grey on navy. Dropping slowly. Pressing every ounce of pigment into the final few inches of sky in a fiery display of burnt orange. Polished mahogany. Burnished gold. The rich colour reflected in the skin of the Tehuelche Indians.

The large print edition of The Condor’s Feather by Margaret Muir was published 1 June by Ulverscroft and is available from The Book Depository post free.