Veronica’s #WritersDiary, Springtime #CozyMystery Style!

Hampton Court Palace has become my favorite springtime palatial ground hangout. Pictured is the privy garden on the shores of the River Thames. I’ve been spending a lot of time here mentally as I write the 4th book in my series. Gemma and Kyle are having a royal luncheon at the palace with the queen and her prince consort. This is their hypothetical garden view as they sip their gin and St. Germain martinis before lunch.

I won’t give away any spoilers, but this luncheon scene is one of my favorites in the #WIP so far. Hubby and I will be going back for a return visit in May, and I can’t wait to walk the gardens again, thinking of the conversations my characters had looking at this very spot! It’s Wednesday, time for #DearDiary:

#amwriting #ammarketing

Featuring: British Review of The Crown for Castlewood Manor from Jessie Cahalin’s Books in My Handbag Blog: Be still my almost royal heart! I’m so pleased to share the latest review from Jessie’s blog. reading it warms my heart every single time. Enjoy, and check out her blog, #writers and #readers, #Justsayin ! Gemma would approve 🙂 http://jessiecahalin.com/british-review-of-the-crown-for-castlewood-manor/#respond

Another week and I’m pleased to debut the #BookTrailer for Deadly Receptions; the Debut of Castlewood Manor. Author Aimee’Marie Bejarano (@books_hooks) has worked her design magic again and again. I love how the #booktrailers are turning out and am excited to use them in marketing and promoting my books. Remember, “Every novel needs one”. Aimee’s sale continues now until the end of April, $75 for a book trailer, $15 for a teaser. You can reach her on FB: Facebook.com/bookswithhookstrailers or email : Bookswithhookstrailers@aol.com . Pssst, she’s a delight to work with too!

LATimes FOB–I’m doing a book signing!

For those of you in the southern California area, this #bookfest is one of the best! It’s a huge venue on the USC campus in downtown LA, filled with books of every genre, and their #writers in many cases. I will be in the Sisters In Crime (SinC LA Chapter) booth this year again for my signing. I’m giving away a #crown for some lucky #reader who buys my books! Hope to see you there! Check it out!:

https://events.latimes.com/festivalofbooks/

#amreading #amreviewing

A wonderful mystery and a book of love and hope written from the heart–great reads from the #writers of Twitter this week!

Author Val Penny, Hunter’s Force (The Edinburgh Crime Mysteries #3), 5 STARS

Murder and revenge are making the streets of Edinburgh a very unsafe place to be. Author Val Penny takes us on a thrill filled story of crime and deceit with Detective Inspector Hunter Wilson. A panicked call in the early morning hours leads him to a horrible scene. A young woman has been murdered, disfigured beyond recognition. The unimaginable has happened–his son Cameron is a key suspect, and the dead woman shares his apartment. No one knows her background, or how she came to be Cameron’s roommate.

A complex web of dark intrigue and seedy business transactions are revealed as Hunter and his team work around the clock to see who and what is behind this grisly murder. Suspects are plentiful as the secrets are uncovered, and revenge is running rampant, including a deviant few who want Hunter silenced, permanently.

I truly enjoyed this suspense filled read. As a lover of mystery series, I am so looking forward to reading the first two books in the series; Hunter’s Chase #1, and Hunter’s Revenge #2. A great mystery with engaging characters, highly recommended!

Author Martha Perez, My Beloved Son, 5 STARS

A mother’s love for her children is one of the strongest bonds there is. Author Martha Perez takes us on her heartbreaking journey through a parent’s worst nightmare, the loss of a child. Through her eyes, she shares with us her journey as a young parent, struggling to make a good life for her son. With her reminiscing,we get to know her son Rudy as he comes of age, a loving soul with the heart of gold who does everything he can for his family and friends. Author Perez takes us through good times and bad, year after year of memories, to the day that changes her family’s future forever. We hear from both mother and father on their heartbreak and grief, and their struggle to get through each day and honor their son’s memory.

This is a heart-rending story to read and to write, no doubt, dealing with a subject of unimaginable grief. I admire Author Perez so much for sharing her family’s biggest heartbreak, and inspiring all of us with the healing power of love. This is an emotional read, ending with messages of strength, hope, and promise. Thank you, Martha, thank you, Perez family, for sharing your journey with us.

Next up in the reading queue:

Pictures from Hampton Court Palace, can’t get enough!

Truly a lovely palace, enjoy!