Get a Sneak Peek at a Chapter from James Lalonde, Book 2
In this blog post, I share the title and cover for James Lalonde Book 2 as well as an exclusive preview of the first two scenes of the story. For the sake of clarity, the events of this novel occur a few months after, the first book, Missing. However, you don’t need to read Missing to enjoy this new story.
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.
My Writing Plans for Book Two and Cute Bookish Purchases | BTS Vlog #17
I’m excited to announce that I’ve published the first book in my James Lalonde Crime Thriller series, Missing. But, there’s no rest for wicked because this author has already started the final revisions on book two. Or, so I thought. In amongst all the work, I managed to squeeze in a bit of fun with two bookish related unboxings.
A Dental Implant Update and A Chat with My Editor | BTS Writing Vlog #16
Watch this writing vlog to discover how the call went and what I’ve learned about working with a professional editor, plus the update about my dental implant experience.
Revision Vlog: Did I Finish My Fourth Draft? | BTS Writing Vlog #15
Some writers love a tight deadline. Maybe, love is too strong of a word. But, tight deadlines have known to be highly motivational. And, that’s where I found myself in this fifteenth behind-the-scenes writing vlog. So, did I finish my fourth draft?
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 killer is on the loose, Excalibur is missing, and his career is on the line…
James, the chief editor of a small newspaper, returns home to discover that his girlfriend, Valentine has unexpectedly left. Later that morning, he fails to reallocate her story. To avoid blank space in the paper, James decides to write the story on the local museum’s latest acquisition, Excalibur. But, there’s one thing he didn’t count on… Excalibur is Missing, and his girlfriend has been kidnapped.
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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
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 May 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 late 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.
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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.
3 weeks 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.
3 weeks ago
I'm currently blaming Waterstones for breaking my physical book buying ban. 🤷🏻♀️
4 weeks 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.
4 weeks 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.
4 weeks 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.
4 weeks 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.
4 weeks 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.
4 weeks ago
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