Flaming Nora: Putting the fun into funiculars

Friday, May 27, 2022

Putting the fun into funiculars - my writing week

This week has been a whirlwind of a week. I've done some writing on my third cosy crime set in Scarborough... and some research too. Yes, I went to Scarborough for two days for R&R&R (rest and relaxation and research) and what a joy it was. It's my happy place and it did me a lot of good.

While researching a plot point on the Central Tramway funicular, the lovely people who ran it were so interested in what I was doing, that they actually STOPPED the funicular mid-way in order for me to write notes. They checked with the two other passengers in the car with me first, they said they didn't mind (indeed, they were over the moon when they knew what I was up to!). I still can't believe this happened. How incredible was that?!

While there I had a meeting with the lovely people at Scarborough Waterstones who had both my cosy crimes in their window! Woohoo! They told me the books are constantly in their top 5 bestsellers in the shop.

I also had a meeting with the amazing powerhouse that is Gemma from Scarborough's South Cliff Gardens project to talk about the book launch on August 6 that is being held in the gardens. Would you like to come? You're invited, all details here.

I visited Scarborough library too, so while it was a break away from home and writing, it was still very much a working break.

My cosy crime Curtain Call at the Seaview Hotel went on a "blog tour" and more wonderful, 5* reviews were received

Saturday 21st May was by The Book Magnet - read her review here

Sunday 22nd May was Dark Raven Reviews - read their review here

Thank you to all of the bloggers for such fantastic feedback, it really makes my heart happy.

Last week, in case you missed it, the reviews were as follows:
Monday was BooksByBindu - read her review here.

Monday was also Sue Wallace - read her review here.

Wednesday was Ginger Book Geek - read her review here.

Thursday was Lollyball91 - read her review here.

My Scarborough cosy crime Murder at the Seaview Hotel was given a massive shout out by Steve Lamacq on BBC6Music as part of their Book Week 2022.

Reached a milestone 100 reviews with 4.5* average for my 2nd Scarborough cosy crime novel, Curtain Call at the Seaview Hotel. I'd call that a happy launch!

Well, would you just look at that! The guys from online magazine The Recs UK are on holiday somewhere lovely with my brand new cosy crime book!

My Scarborough cosy crime, Murder at the Seaview Hotel is not only book of the month but was spotted in the window display at Waterstones Sunderland!

While inside the shop, they have a special table just for my books, which is always wonderful to see! They are SO supportive of local authors.

And my books - cosy crime and sagas, were spotted in Waterstones in the Metrocentre, Gateshead. What a treat!

Plus, the big event this week was attending Sunderland History Fair, where I'd been invited to give the opening, welcome speech. What an honour it was and what an incredible day. I've written about the event here and I do hope you read it as it was a fantastic event.

Plus, this week I was featured in The Chronicle northeast regional newspaper, where I chatted to about writing my historical sagas and my cosy crimes! You can read it all here.

And Curtain Call at the Seaview Hotel was reviewed by Crime Fiction lover website where it was given a fantastic 5* review. Read it here.

The book was also given a mention in New Writing North's May 2022 newsletter.

And included in The Bookseller paperback preview for August releases!

I crafted another episode of my weekly soap opera Riverside for The People's Friend magazine. I've been writing Riverside weekly since 2016 and you can find out all about it here.