Happy Christmas and all best wishes for a Wonderful New Year

I would just like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Year.

My year has been filled with tears of happiness and of sadness, but at the end of the day - that is life.

Have a great time over the Holiday Season. But take care. Don't do anything rash. Look after yourselves and your families and your friends.


Cheers!

It's Been a While...

Yes, I know it has been a while sine my last post, but there has been a complication over the last couple of months.

My husband had a stroke at the beginning of October and was rushed to hospital. I can't believe how suddenly it happened. Earlier that day, we had been poring over a crossword puzzle in the newspaper and all had been well. But later, when I went to speak to him, his speech was slurred and his mouth was drooping. When he couldn't raise his arms, I called for an ambulance.Thankfully, they arrived about ten minutes later and confirmed what I told them. A few minutes later, they were on their way to the hospital. I followed in our car.

As it turned out, because of picking up the signs quickly, he was given the right medication early enough to stop the bleeding in the brain. Phil was discharged from the General Hospital after two weeks to out local hospital, where he spent a further week. He is home now, but though he doesn't have any paralysis, the stroke had slowed him down quite a lot.

Now we are both taking things very quietly - not that we rushed around anywhere before Phil's stroke. You will recall how most of my posts tell you that everything is much the same and I don't have any news.  I think I prefer it that way than what happened recently...

Christmas is coming closer and I am trying to be prepared this year. Cards are written and I have also included the little round-robin letter I usually write. I have even managed to get most of the Christmas presents sorted - that is a plus. Now I need to wrap them.

I will give you all a heads up while I am here - Murder on Tyneside, (Agnes Lockwood Mysteries Book 1) will be free to download on 21st November for a short time. If you haven't read this novel, then now would be a good time to download a copy.  You might also like to consider downloading Death on Tyneside (Book 2)  either at the same time - or in advance. They are both stand alone reads. That way, you will getting two books for the price of one! Now that is a real bargain.


I think that is all for the moment!

Hope you all have a great day, wherever you are!

Cheers !!

Chink! Chink!

Hello Again!!

Hello again!

It has been so long since I last posted a blog, I bet you were beginning to wonder what had happened.
Well the simple answer to that is - nothing has happened. Nothing has been going on in my rather quiet world.  We have had a couple of storms, where we all had to batten down the hatches and hope we weren't blown away. Thankfully nothing drastic happened in the village where I live. However, I gather that people living in some other areas in Scotland, weren't so lucky. At the moment the sun is shining and it is a little windy, but nothing drastic.

This morning, the men appeared to resurface the road outside our house. We had been warned about it, so we all knew exactly what was going to happen and when it would be happening. Everything went according to plan. Three enormous vehicles plus a roller turned up, together with about eight men and the job was done in no to time at all. However, now they have gone and the excitement is over, the street has reverted back into its usual very quiet mode.

Murder on Tyneside

This morning, I had rather a nice surprise when I checked the ratings for Murder on Tyneside on Amazon US. I found not one, not two, but three new 5 star reviews. You have no idea how delighted I was when I saw them. It is so very difficult getting reviews of any kind, but three 5 star reviews over three days is wonderful.

If anyone reading this has read and enjoyed Murder on Tyneside or Death on Tyneside, the second book in the Agnes Lockwood Series, I would much appreciate a review.



Our nephew started primary school at the beginning of September and I understand he is enjoying it. I can't believe he is five already. The years are passing so quickly - too quickly for me!

Well I think that is all for the moment. Like I said, I don't have any news, but I thought I had better write something otherwise you would think I had dropped off the map. 

However, before I leave, I would like to mention a book I have just finished reading -
Father Figure by James J Cudney. I really enjoyed the read and recommend you take a look.

Take care all and enjoy your day.

Cheers!!

Does anyone recognize this wonderful restaurant/cafe?

Just a Couple of Things...

Hello everyone,

Yes, it's me again. I bet you were all wondering what had happened to me as I haven't been around very much of late. Well the truth is, I haven't been around anywhere, which means that I don't have anything to pass on to you.

Nothing exciting has happened since I sent out my last blog. By that, I mean nothing exciting has happened in my own little world. But I am ever hopeful that one day I will come on here and tell you about something wonderful. Nevertheless, until  happens, I am here with the same old... same old.

At the moment I am sitting here in my writing room with a cup of tea (waiting for wine o'clock 😉) trying to make some progress with my latest novel. Once again, it is about Agnes Lockwood and what she gets up to on Tyneside once she gets her teeth into a police investigation. This will be book three in the series. However, it is going slowing; my brain seems to have switched off. Maybe it's due to the recent heatwave! Hopefully I will be able to pick up the shreds again very soon.

Murder on Tyneside

This brings me to another point: Murder on Tyneside, the first book in the series, is free to download today. The offer will continue until 25th August. Therefore if you haven't yet read this novel, then now is a good time to add it to your reading list.

If you enjoy the read, I would be grateful if you would leave a review on Amazon. Leaving a review really helps authors to get their books noticed.

However, if you don't like it, then please just contact me.



Another thing, please spare a moment and follow the link to All Author and add your vote for the cover of Death on Tyneside. I am not sure why I entered this competition in the first place. I didn't realise that I had to keep pestering people to vote over and over again during the different stages of the contest. Hopefully this is the last stage and, now I have got this far, I would love to be in the 24 finalists.  After that you can breathe a sigh of relief 😅 and so can I!

Well that's all for the moment,

Have a great day wherever you are

Cheers!!

Chink! Chink!

Hello Again!

I know I have been a way for a while, but the truth is, I haven't had anything to tell you. Everything has been so quiet in this neck of the woods. I must admit, it is usually quiet, but over the last few weeks, it has been - silent. I haven't had anything to pass on to you.

Even today, I haven't much news - except we are having a new boiler fitted tomorrow, so I am expecting some sort of upheaval - even if it is only in the little utility room. Actually, one of the worst things about it, is that we will have to get up early - well earlier than usual, and that is not good 😊 

But it needs to be done, so tomorrow we will have a sparkling new boiler.

How have you all been coping with the heat?  It has been a little too hot for us, I'm afraid. I know we shouldn't complain. After all we don't usually get such a warm sunny summer here in the UK, especially in the Scottish Borders. But this year has been the exception and temperatures have risen beyond all expectations. People often have to travel abroad to find the sun. 

Death on Tyneside

I think that is all I have to say at the moment. However, I can't go without asking for your vote. The cover of my novel, Death on Tyneside is in a competition. Therefore I would be grateful if you would spare a moment and add your vote. Simply follow the link and it will take you straight to the appropriate page on All Author  where the competition is being held.

Thanking you in advance for your support.

Hope you are all having a fabulous day.

Cheers!!

Chink! Chink!

Too hot to Handle!

So very sorry this alert is coming a little late.

A Surprise for Christine

I think the heat must have got to me as I forgot all about the FREE offer for A Surprise for Christine - 12 light-hearted short stories. These stories are what you would call, 'an any time read,' as each story is no more than 2,200 words. This means you can fit a story in, yes, you've guessed it - anytime.

However, as I said, I forgot this freebie was on, so you will need to be very quick as the offer ends tomorrow 29th June 2018



Check out my interview with American author, Diane Rapp at QuickSilver Novels


I am going to make that do for today. I am sure you are all too hot to sit and listen to me rabbit on.

Have a great day whatever you are doing.

Cheers!!

Chink! Chink!

(Or is it too hot?)

A Sunny Day

Hello again on this lovely sunny Saturday.

I hope this finds you all as chirpy as I am today. To the best of my knowledge, the competition ended June 8th (I can almost hear you all sighing with relief at the news 😂) But then come to think of it, so am I.

However that said, I notice that it is still featured on their website, so if anyone feels in the mood to add their vote for Murder on Tyneside, then please follow this link: Read Freely scroll down past the book covers to the list of titles at the bottom.  If you have already voted, then I thank you all very much indeed for your wonderful support.

Divorcees .Biz

I don't know whether you have read Divorcees. Biz. It's a novel of fun and romance about four friends, all divorced, who decide to open their own dating agency. It would the ideal holiday read: light-hearted and frothy. 

But the big thing is, it is on special offer today only 99c/99p. Therefore, if you haven't read it, now is time to download a copy.

The offer only lasts 3 days, so best be quick.




I am planning on spending a few days at Newcastle. We just haven't go around to deciding when to go. I really want the weather to be nice and warm as I want to go down to the quayside and stop off at that wonderful place, The Pitcher and Piano, for a glass of wine - or two. If it is a sunny day, it is wonderful to sit outside and watch people walking across the Millennium Bridge to the Baltic Art Gallery and the Sage.

Ah well, on that wonderfully, happy note, I will say cheerio, but as Schwarzenegger always says - "I'll be back!"

Cheers!!

Guess where!!

Another Freebie!

Yes, I am here to tell you about another freebie.

To tell you the truth, I don't know whether I am on my head or my heels at the moment.

Read Freely

I am still desperately seeking votes for Murder on Tyneside, which is in the Read Freely competition and runs for another week. If you haven't voted, then please add your vote today. I would much appreciate it. 💓 

Simply follow the link and scroll down past the book covers to the list of book titles in the competition: READ FREELY  Murder on Tyneside is near the bottom. 💓

The Trojan Project 

The Trojan Project is still  free to download, so I am promoting that. If you haven't got your copy of this suspense thriller, then best head over there and get your copy. I am not sure whether the offer ends today or tomorrow. There was a problem somewhere down the line. So it was pushed back one day. So, will it last one more day or end today as originally planned.... Your guess is as good as mine.

Only Twelve Days

And now Only Twelve Days is free to download until 5th June. Therefore I am trying to spread the word about that. I have to say that this charming romance/love story, would make a great holiday read. So, if you are heading off for your holidays, don't forget to take this book with you.


They do say everything happens at once and they, whoever 'they' are, are right.




In between trying to promote the above and my other books, I am working on my new novel. But, I hasten to add, I haven't got very far with it. No doubt I will get there in the end - or I hope I will.

Anyway, that is all for the moment

Happy Reading and Happy Voting!!

Cheers!! 

Chink! Chink!

Free to Download!

Hello again,

Yes I am back and I have another freebie on offer.

The Trojan Project

This time, the freebie is The Trojan Project a spine chilling thriller set in the Cheviot Hills in Northumberland here in the UK. The story tells of how death and destruction come to the community due to one man's jealousy, However, the really frightening this is that a catastrophe such as this could happen one day.

Anyway, if you haven't already read this novel, then now is the time to download a copy in time for the weekend!

Murder on Tyneside

Now, just a quick reminder to vote for my novel, Murder on Tyneside. The competition is still open, so I really need your support. The competition is being run by Read Freely Simply follow the link, then scroll down past the book covers to the list of books, to add your vote.

I would really appreciate your support.







Well I think that is all for the moment,

Have a great day one and all.

Cheers!!

Chink! Chink!

Help - Please add your Vote

Hello again,

Yes, I am still banging on about votes for Murder on Tyneside.  But I really do need your help.

Read Freely

I have heard from some people who have added their vote, but it seems to have slacked off lately. Therefore, if you haven't voted already, please spare a moment to follow the link Read Freely and add your  vote for Murder on Tyneside. Once at the site, simply scroll down past the book covers to the list at the bottom; that is where you place your vote.

However, if the link decides to throw a wobbly and takes you to the home page, there is a link at the top which will take you there.

I am sure you will all agree that, though it is exciting being in a competition, it can also be rather nerve wracking while waiting for the results. I certainly don't want to come last!  At the moment, I am trying hard not to start chewing my fingernails. I used to do that as a child, but managed to break the habit.

A Big Thank You to all who have already voted and another Big Thank You in advance to those who about to head over there now. Here is the link again - Read Freely

Wishing you all a wonderful day.

Cheers!!

Chink! Chink!

Voting Season!

Hello again on this lovely sunny afternoon in the Scottish Borders.

I must confess that this is just a quick stop by to ask you all very nicely if you would kindly add your vote for my novel, Murder on Tyneside. Actually, I only heard at the weekend that it had been nominated by Read Freely for their test competition, so it is all a bit sudden for me, too.

Anyway, as I said the competition is being run by Read Freely   Simply follow the link and scroll down past the covers to the list of books at the bottom of the page.

However, if by any chance the link throws a wobbly and takes you to their main page, it has a habit of doing that, sometimes, at the top of the page there is information on where to find the ongoing competition.

Thank you all in advance for your votes, it would be so exciting to win. However coming second or third would be really great.

Have a great day wherever you are. But don't forget to vote.  Read Freely

Cheers!!

Chink! Chink! 

  

Quick Reminder about FREEBIE!

Hi again!

This is just a quick reminder that Murder on Tyneside  is FREE to download today. The offer lasts until Saturday 12th May.

Take this opportunity to get your copy of the Agnes Lockwood Mysteries Book 1 

Murder on Tyneside, was awarded five stars by Readers Favorite and was voted sixth in the 50 best indie books of 2017.

Murder on Tyneside

Happy Reading!

Cheers!!

Chink! Chink!

   

Special Request!!

Hi again everyone,

Yes, I am back again updating information about my recent releases. I know you will be fed with me for going on about Agnes Lockwood and how she continues to drive DCI Alan Johnson mad with her constant interfering in his police investigation. However, I do need to get the word out there and you are all in the firing line... well not literally, but you know what I mean.

The thing is, despite a large number of books having been sold, I really could do with some more reviews on Amazon. My publisher keeps telling me how important reviews are. Therefore, if you are one of the people who downloaded a copy of Murder on Tyneside  (Book 1) or Death on Tyneside (Book 2) and enjoyed Agnes's antics, then I would be very grateful if you would leave a review.

However, I hasten to add, if you didn't enjoy the novels, then please just l leave a message for me on here. You can explain to me what it was you didn't like or where I went wrong so that I can try to make the third in the series better.  Thank you!

Murder on Tyneside

Death on Tyneside

                     





















I would also like to take this opportunity to let you know that if you don't already have a copy of Murder on Tyneside, then it will be free to download from Tuesday 8th May until Saturday 12th May. What could be better than a freebie?  Make a note in your diary, though I will probably drop by on Tuesday to give you a quick reminder 😉

Now, I think I will go off and continue with the book I am reading at the moment. It is called A Mersey Mariner By Brian L Porter and I am really enjoying it. This is the fourth novel in the series about Detective Inspector Andy Ross and is set in Liverpool here in the UK.

That's all until Tuesday.  Have a great weekend,

Cheers!!

Chink! Chink!

A Few New Bits & Pieces!

How are you all today?

We have spent the last few days fiddling around with my husband's new laptop trying to make it work! He bought it at the beginning of the month as his old one suddenly decided that it had had enough. However, the new one started to play up from the first day.

Nevertheless, he carried on, hoping that once the countless updates etc., had been installed all would be well. But it was not to be. Every time an update was installed, something else was lost. So we took it back and, after the guy very patiently tried to sort out the problem with the manufacturer, it was decided that the laptop was broken. Therefore, we came away with a new one, but a different model!

Now, hopefully, all will be well ---- fingers are tightly crossed, which makes it difficult to type this 😅

I am now dreading the day that mine decides to give up the ghost. I think I will have to buy one with everything installed and working!!

Death on Tyneside

Has anyone else out there had this problem?




Meanwhile Death on Tyneside is still doing well. It seems that readers like the character Agnes Lockwood - especially all the tricks she gets up to while insisting on helping the police with their murder inquiries.  I have to say that I got a kick out of writing about her antics. Maybe I should have been so forceful in my youth, as I am beginning to think that I might have made a bigger mark in the world.





I would also like to take this opportunity to introduce you to a book being released in July. I understand it can be pre-ordered on various sites.

There are twelve stories written by various writers One of them is a friend) and, quite honestly, they all sound like fun.

Below is the blurb and various links to where to you can pre -order.

Summer Snoops and Cozy Crimes

"Howlingly good reads for the dog days of summer-from bestselling authors. Solve the mystery as our snoops leash the criminals. Fetch it now for $.99 All proceeds go to help NO-KILL Animal shelters. Pre-order now, release July 24th."

Amazon.com:  https://www.amazon.com/Summer-Snoops-Cozy-Crimes-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B07CN7YXJ1/


Universal Bitly Links!

Apple: http://smarturl.it/SummerSnoopsApple

Kobo: http://smarturl.it/SummerSnoopsKobo

Nook: http://smarturl.it/SummerSnoopsNook

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/summer-snoops-cozy-crimes-12-mysteries-for-dog-days/id1354155966

That's all for today. Have a great day!

Cheers & Happy Reading!

Chink! Chink!

Happy Easter

 🌷Happy Easter to You All 🌷

I do hope you have all enjoyed the Easter Weekend, despite the weather! We had snow flurries up here in the Scottish Borders on Good Frieday and I understand there is more to come today

We didn't do anything special, though we did enjoy lunch at a local hotel. It was very nice and very filling.  I am going to have to cut down on some of the things I enjoy the most. Very difficult to decide!  However, after some thought, well a moment's thought actually, I have chosen not to give up my wine. I will have to cut back on something else.

I bet you knew I was going to say that! I could almost hear you holding your breath waiting to hear the inevitable 🍷



Death on Tyneside, my latest novel, has done very well since it was launched on 7th March. It was picked up, read and reviewed by Readers Favourite. They awarded the novel five stars and a badge. I have copied and pasted part of the review below.

Death on Tyneside

Death on Tyneside (Agnes Lockwood Mysteries Book 2) by Eileen Thornton is an irresistible sleuth murder mystery set on the banks of the River Tyne in Newcastle, England. With memorable characters and an intriguing plot, the story is composed in a competent and entertaining style, which captures and maintains the reader's interest from start to finish. The protagonist, Agnes Lockwood, is a fan of Agatha Christie, and as such, does a superb job following in the footsteps of the great writer's famous character, Miss Marple. Like her heroine, Agnes uses her keen sense of awareness and observations to answer the age-old question of "whodunit?" This a delightful murder mystery and if you are a fan of Ms. Christie, you will not be able to resist this riveting novel!

I have since started another novel with Agnes Lockwood as the female sleuth. Though, as I tend to make up my stories as I go along, I am not sure when it will be finished. Nevertheless, I will plod on and I am sure that Agnes Lockwood will keep me at it until she has caught her man/woman again.

Well I think that is all for the moment,

I do hope you enjoy the rest of the Easter weekend.

Cheers!!

Chink! Chink!

Hello Again!

Sorry I had to rush off yesterday, but there were a couple off appointments I had to keep.

My husband had an appointment at the surgery for an injection and then, drum roll, I had the most wonderful neck, shoulders and back massage. I have to say that was absolutely wonderful.

I tend to get terrible headaches due the stiffness of the area arould my neck and shoulders. It's all probably down to the amount of time I spend at the keyboard. Anyway, my doctor suggested a massage, so I go to the Roxburghe Hotel Beauty Parlour two or three miles up the road from our home. The large grounds of the hotel are so well kept, I begin to feel relaxed the moment I drive through the gates. However, it is the massage from the lovely lady in the beauty parlour that really loosens the tension in my neck.

Death on Tyneside

Yesterday I told you about the release of my latest novel Death on Tyneside Agnes Lockwood Mysteries - Book 2.

The story begins when Agnes returns to Tyneside after spending a few months with her sons in Australia. But it isn't long before she starts snooping around when a case of fraud and murder comes to light.

Murder on Tyneside

However, I forgot to mention that Murder on Tyneside, the 1st book in the series now has a new cover.

My publisher thought it would be a good idea to change the cover to mark the continuity of the character Agnes Lockwood.



Have a great weekend!


Cheers!!

Chink! Chink!

New Release!

Such exciting news this morning!



My latest novel, Death on Tyneside, published by Creativia Publishing was released on Amazon this morning.
This is the second Agnes Lockwood Mysteries Books and I hope you all enjoy the read.

Agnes Lockwood returns to Tyneside after spending a few months abroad. On her first visit, she gained quite the reputation as an amateur sleuth, as she helped the police solve a murder. Now, she is simply looking forward to meeting again with Alan Johnson, a DCI with the Newcastle police force. Having missed him while she was away, she is hoping their relationship will continue to blossom. But on her first day back in the city, she gets caught up in another murder. This time, her intrusion into the police investigation pushes Alan Johnson’s patience to the very limit.

I do hope you have all recovered from the snow we had recently. Here, in the village, we had no post, bus or newspapers for several days. But all is well again now. The sun is shining and the daffodils are rearing their heads.

That's all for the moment

Back soon

Cheers!!

Chink! Chink!

Hello Again!

Hello Again!

I'm so sorry I haven't been posting since the New Year, but I have been so carried away finishing a novel I started last year, I haven't had time to stop by.

Anyway, I finished it last night and now it is in the hands of an editor. I'm hoping she doesn't find too many errors. However, I tend to write as I think and as my thinking is always muddled these days, that's how my writing turns out.

Body in the Park is the title, unless I have second thoughts. The story is set on Tyneside once again and revolves around Agnes Lockwood and DCI Alan Johnson.. If it does as well as my last book, then I will be very happy.

Certificate and medal for Murder on Tyneside

Talking of my last book, Murder on Tyneside, I am delighted to be able to tell you that it was voted 6th in the top 50 books for 2017, which were written by indie authors and/or published by indie publishers.

I was so pleased to receive a certificate and a medal from the competition organizers.


We had snow here a few weeks ago and, though it has now disappeared, it seems to be trying to come back again. There have been snow flurries on and off all day today. It is also very cold. I had hoped that, as the days were getting longer, spring was on its way. Perhaps I am expecting too much; after all it is still only February.

I really need to make an appointment for another back and neck massage. I had to cancel the last one because of the snow and I haven't got around to making another. But I have to say I have missed lying there while the lovely lady relieves all the stress and tension from the muscles around my shoulders. Highly recommended. Anyone living near the Roxburgh Hotel in the Scottish Borders should give their beauty parlour a whirl. It is situated alongside the hotel, which is surrounded by wonderfully well kept grounds.

I would also like to take this opportunity to mention a novel by Lorna Read. The title is: The Earl's Captive and I have to say I really enjoyed it.
If you would like to take a look for yourselves, it can be found on an amazon near you.

I think that is all for today, but hopefully I'll be back soon.

Cheers!!

Chink! Chink!