An Important But Nonetheless Embarrassing Author Milestone | BTS Vlog #18
Watch this writing vlog to discover an embarrassing author-related moment for me, and I share exactly how much of a tech nerd, I really am.
A Very Chatty Thriller Novel Book Haul
So, way back at the end of April, I decided I wanted to start filming a regular thriller novel book haul on my YouTube Channel every month. I aimed to share them here on this blog, because I’m a bit of a bibliophile and a game nerd, as you can see by the wall of bookshelves behind me in the video. In my defence, the books and games aren’t all mine. My husband, Roland also has a bit of a book problem – he’s a book nerd and a game nerd. Actually, he came with the games and some of them are super cool, but I digress.
The Babylon Idol by Scott Mariani | A Spoiler Free Book Review
I’m back, and I’m doing another retrospective book review. Yes, classic me. At some point, I need to start taking notes as I read books. Because that’s the sensible thing to do. This new level of organisation would also mean that I don’t have to go back a re-read a book so I can write a review. However, my inner bibliophile doesn’t see an actual problem with this. In this blog post, I discuss why I loved The Babylon Idol by Scott Mariani and my biggest pet peeve in thriller novels.
The Cleaner by Mark Dawson | A Spoiler Free Book Review
This is another one of those classic cases where I’ve read a book and thought, I must review this book for my Thriller Novel Nerd Blog. Alas, several months later, I’m now getting around to writing the review for The Cleaner by Mark Dawson. The reason I wanted to write this review was twofold. First, I loved it. The book was unexpected deep, sad, and emotional. Second, the book was written by a successful self-published author. It’s my intention to review both sides of the publishing world, traditional and self-published or indie authors. Well, the best of both worlds.
The Atlantis Plague | A Spoiler Free Book Review
t seems that old habits just won’t die. I finished reading The Atlantis Plague by A. G. Riddle on 10 July 2017. And, I’m glad to announce that I’ve finally got around to writing a review for it. This time I did manage to write down a few notes before I went on to read the next book in my current reading list. As always, I’ve tried to keep this book as spoiler free as possible because, let’s face it, most people hate spoilers. I must confess I do love a good spoiler for several reasons; the first being, I hate surprises. And the second, it adds a little suspense for me. Enough of that, let’s get started with the review.
A Writer Reads: Top 8 Thriller Novels From My Summer Reading List
In this blog post, I will share with you a curated list of cross-genre thriller novels that I have purchased on one my many books hauls from my local bookshop. I plan to read these top 8 thriller novels over the summer season, that is already upon us.
Hello!
I’m Amelia. I write under the pen name A. D. Hay and I’m the author of Missing, the first book in James Lalonde Thriller series. I’m the host of the Book Nerd Podcast. Right now, I’m editing my soon to be published mystery novel which is tentatively titled, Book Two. When I’m not writing or hosting my podcast, I love to travel around Europe with my husband Roland, drink tea, and eat pizza.
My Books
A Body is on the Lawn, and a Killer is on the Loose
When Will Thatcher, doesn’t show up for work, James Lalonde is forced to attend an afternoon tea with Alistair Carmichael in his place. The lovely autumn afternoon tea comes to an abrupt end when a body turns up on the lawn of the Carmichael Estate with strange markings on his neck.
But, something is missing, a priceless painting is off the wall. However, it’s no ordinary painting, it’s a Van Gogh purchased in an auction a few months ago. After discovering fresh tracks, most likely left by the murderer James realises the murder is still in the estate.
Can James figure out who the thief and murderer are before he or Alistair is next?
A Murdered Judge. A Dark Secret Silenced.
Rookie reporter James Lalonde is bored. And, he isn’t a journalist. He’s an all-round dogs-body, to editor-in-chief, Rhys Kelly. But, his luck has finally changed. After eavesdropping in on the morning editorial meeting, James learns he has his first-ever story. There’s one catch. If the story gets too complicated, it will be taken away from him and given to another journalist with more experience. Sure it’s a boring interview with the soon to be sworn-in magistrate, Albert Harrington, but it finally gets him out of his six-month slump as an editorial research assistant.
The following day, James turns up to his interview with Albert to discover a trail of blood smeared through Albert’s house, an empty safe, the murder weapon on the floor, but no body. Detective Anwar Khan turns up to the crime scene, puts two and two together, and believes James murdered the controversial magistrate. Can James clear his name and write his first-ever story before his editor takes it away from him?
$2.99
What I’m Writing!
Revised Draft
41,722 of 39,000 Words
I know this is going to sound alarming, but I’ve not been happy with the first book in the James Lalonde Amateur Sleuth series, Missing. My unhappiness has led me to create a third edition with new scenes, improvements to the old ones, and a more satisfying ending. This week, I sent the third edition, which is titled “Suspicion”, off to my editor. I’m so excited because I’m very close to publishing this new first-in-series novella. And, I plan to make this novella available for free to my James Lalonde Insiders reader club. You can become an insider here.
Revised Draft
83,827 of 85,000 Words
Right now, I’m preparing Book Two in the James Lalonde series for a final round of revisions. The next step is to send the story off to my editor. I aim to have this eBook published on all major ebook retailers by the end of September 2022. And, I will be making this novel available for free to my James Lalonde Insiders reader club. You can become an insider here.
Publishing Updates
First Draft
0 of 60,000 Words
I’ve decided to add an extra book between the second book and the start of the byline series, where James arrives in New York. Book Three will be set in a 24 hour period in London. This novel will be available in ebook on all major ebook retailers by the end of mid 2022. And, the paperback editions soon after. I will be making this novel available for free to my James Lalonde Insiders reader club. You can become an insider here.
Revised Draft
112,960 of 99,000 Words
Book Four the James Lalonde series needs one final round of revisions before I can hand it off to my editor. This longer novel will be published on all major ebook retailers in early 2023. And, the paperback editions soon after. I will be making this novel available for free to my James Lalonde Insiders reader club. You can become an insider here.
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
The Lost Soul of the City was a great start to season 2. As you can expect, Nameless has amnesia about his identity and past while ensuring evil doesn’t go unpunished. Overall, season two was better than the first.
2 months ago
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
In October Man, we see the world of Magical Policing is not limited to London. One of the interesting things about the book is discovering more about the history and scope of Aaronovitch's magical enforcement universe. To avoid rehashing the book description or spoiling the plot, I will say that the story follows Tobias Winter, who investigates an unusual death. He aims to get in and out, solve the crime then move. That's his policing dream. But, naturally, obstacles get in the way. Even though the story doesn't feature the loveable Peter Grant, it's still a great read.
2 months ago
I'm currently blaming Waterstones for breaking my physical book buying ban. 🤷🏻♀️
2 months ago
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
I sped through Lies Sleeping in a matter of days. Just like a lot of the other book I’ve read, I listened to the audiobook while reading the hardback edition. The one thing I love more than anything else is Peter Grant's narrative voice. I love his wit and perspective. On top of that, the audiobook is narrated by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, a Ghanaian-British actor, and he does an excellent job not just with this book but the entire series. I highly recommend this series if you love urban fantasy and police procedurals. One last thing, this is one of those series that needs to be read in order. The books are not stand-alone books with a series. The plot arc spans the entire series, so the faceless man who now has a name and Lesley May feature in this novel, as well as Nightingale and Peter, and the other cast.
2 months ago
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
This second instalment in the Thursday Murder Club Series is full of twists and turns, and at times is a bit of a tear jerker. Also, you get to know a little more about the characters and their rich histories. Much like the first, it has lots of laugh out load moments but instead the story is a slow-burn instead of being action packed. I usually don't like to talk about endings but it was a bit far-fetched and over the top. But it was still enjoyable nonetheless. One more thing, I listened to the audiobook as I read the hardback, the audio is beautifully narrated by Lesley Manville.
2 months ago
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
A bunch of loveable and quirky characters meet up every Thursday at a retirement village to solve crimes that occurred long ago. After discovering that a murder has taken place within the border community, they decide to investigate the crimes and solve the whodunnit. The story is filled with British humour and an understated charm. The story’s world is filled with numerous characters, but the team of amateur sleuths are the ones that stand out the most. However, it was the characters that ultimately had me turning the page.
2 months ago
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
A humorous cozy mystery that had me laughing out loud on several occasions. A moment in the novel reminded me of a storyline from the Benidorm TV series, but I still enjoyed the book. It's super funny, but you need to be prepared to suspend disbelief.
2 months ago
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
The opening to the twenty-second instalment of the Jack Reacher series was smart and funny but it evolved into something better. What grabbed my attention was the three strong and intelligent female characters. Tragically this isn’t something you always see in this genre. But back to the story. It opens in true Reacher style, Jack strolling through a small town. He stops after spotting a small West Point ring in a shop window and then sets out to reunite it with its owner. In the way of his mission are a series of twists and turns, which kept me turning the pages. The ending came as a surprise, but that's to be expected.
2 months ago
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