Morton S. Gray's Blog
December 1, 2025
Amelia Berry’s Favourite Holiday
Amelia Berry joins me this week to talk about a favourite holiday and her new novel Cooking Up A Christmas Storm, book 2 in The Highland Cookery School Series published by Hera. Over to Amelia …
Hello. Thank you Morton for inviting me back to your blog to celebrate book 2 in The Highland Cookery School Series.
This time I’m thinking about travel and writing and I was going to tell you about my favourite holiday, but it’s so hard to pick out one trip. I love visiting new places, whether it’s on the other side of the world or a corner of the UK I’ve never made it to before. It’s rarer for me to revisit somewhere, but the Scottish Highlands are an exception to that rule.
I’ve been to Kingussie and the Cairngorms, to Skye, to Oban, and I’m already planning a trip further North – hopefully all the way to Orkney – for next year. But for now let me tell you about my most recent trip to Oban for Hogmanay 2024. This was the first time I’ve ever planned a trip specifically as research for a book. I’ve incorporated places I’ve visited or lived in into my novels lots of times, but I’ve never gone on holiday with a specific book in mind before.
This trip was absolutely explicitly intended as research for my newest Highland Cookery School novel, Cooking Up A Christmas Storm, that takes place across Christmas and Hogmanay and centres around the planning for a grand New Year’s Eve party. The only problem with this plan being that I’m a bit of a New Year’s Eve hater. I never go out on New Year’s Eve. It’s busy and overcrowded and overpriced and after a week of full on Christmas cheer I turn into a slightly belated grinch around the turn of the year.
To write about a grand Hogmanay extravaganza I clearly needed to take drastic measures to get in the right frame of mind, so with a slightly weeping credit card I booked my husband and I into a rather nice hotel in Oban for their three night Hogmanay package. I was – I admit – fully expecting to hate it. I don’t get on with organised fun. I much prefer spontaneous joys and games, but actually, we had a wonderful time.
Oban was, as you would expect in deepest December, grey and slightly foreboding but still fabulously beautiful. I am someone whose mood is always instantly improved by being near the coast and this trip was no different.
We whiled away our days taking bracing walks along the seafront, sitting in the hotel’s hot tub and drinking copious quantities of hot chocolate over board games in the hotel lounge.
Hogmanay itself started with a fantastic dinner. The food all weekend was incredible – that element definitely fed into the very food and cookery based books I’m writing. The later part of the evening was the ceilidh. I haven’t been to a ceilidh for at least fifteen years and I’d forgotten how much fun it can be. The caller, and other dancers, were sympathetic to our terrible English dancing – I hope that we balanced out our lack of competence with a surfeit of enthusiasm. At midnight we sang Auld Lang Syne and listened to a piper as the new year came in. And it felt warm, and friendly, and hopeful, exactly as the beginning of a new year should.
It’s not something I’d want to do every year, but it’s an experience I’m very glad to have had, and I’d definitely go back in the future. Did any of that trip actually feed into the Hogmanay story in Cooking Up A Christmas Storm? Well, the food of the Highlands is a huge part of all these books, but apart from that you’ll just have to read it and find out!
About Amelia Berry
Amelia Berry is a novelist, short story writer, editor and writing tutor, based in Worcester, where she lives with her husband. No kids. No pets. There were goldfish once. That ended badly.
She writes romantic comedies as Amelia, Ally Sinclair and Alison May. Her Highland Cookery School series is out now. https://www.herabooks.com/series/the-highland-cookery-school/
In her non-writing time Amelia is a tour guide for the National Trust. You can find out more about her at www.alison-may.co.uk, on Instagram @MsAlisonMay or on YouTube – www.youtube.com/@alallyalison
About Cooking Up A Christmas Storm
Can you find love if you can’t be yourself?
Jodie Simpson’s life is falling apart.
She’s been dumped by her girlfriend, Gemma, lost her job and is about to be kicked out of her flat. When she mistakenly opens a letter addressed to Gemma and finds a job offer to work at the Highland Cookery School, she makes a momentary decision that will change her life forever.
Jodie heads to the Scottish Highlands to begin her new job – as Gemma. But it all starts to work a little too well, and she finds herself loving her new life at the cookery school. As the snow starts to settle and the festive magic cast its spell, she finds herself falling for Pavel, the estate caretaker.
But Jodie cannot keep up her fake identity forever and a storm is brewing.
If she tells the truth, will she lose the new life she has built for herself, and the man who might just be The One?
An uplifting romcom that fans of Sarah Morgan, Heidi Swain and Katie Ginger will adore
Buying link: https://www.herabooks.com/books/cooking-up-a-christmas-storm-amelia-berry/
Explore the whole Highland Cookery School Series https://www.herabooks.com/series/the-highland-cookery-school/
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Christmas at the Little Beach Cafe
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Published by Choc Lit an imprint of Joffe Books
November 24, 2025
Embracing Change by Victoria Cornwall
This week Victoria Cornwall joins my blog to discuss change and her books. Over to Victoria …
Thank you for inviting me onto your blog, Morton. It’s always lovely to chat with you about writing and publishing as we had our debut books published around the same time, in 2017, and by the same publisher, Choc Lit. Neither of us knew that a major change was heading our way a few years later. In March 2023, Joffe Books acquired all of Choc Lit’s 250 titles (including ours). Change, by definition, is to make different or replace and when faced with any change in one’s life, it can be an unsettling experience until everything settles down. Big changes were ahead of us!
Joffe said at the time “We aim to build on the list’s exceptional quality and to find new opportunities to reach even more readers.” Joffe Books kept their promise by revamping their newly acquired list. Six novels in my Cornish Tales series received beautiful new covers which helped to extend their reach and find new readers.
Changing book covers is not a new practice in the book industry. In fact, first print additions of certain classics can be worth a lot of money. Only one book (from those originally acquired by Joffe) did not get a revamp at the time. However, I’m pleased to share the news that it has now had a makeover too! However, unlike the others, this book has undergone a bigger change than the others … a new cover and a new title!
Why change the title? The story is set during WW2 when the American G.I.s came to Cornwall to prepare for D Day. Jo and Anne’s love story was inspired by the intercultural relationships that blossomed in the country during the ‘friendly invasion’ of young American soldiers.
I made a great effort to accurately portray how the American soldiers spent their time in England, the cultural differences they faced and how these affected their relationships and outlook. It was also important to accurately portray what their hosts thought of having so many American young men in their community. The love story is at the centre of the plot, but I wanted the reader to feel and understand the conflicts, confusion and misunderstandings between cultures during that era.
Although the original title, Waiting For Our Rainbow, was meant to reflect the sentiment of waiting for peace it soon became apparent that it could also be confusing as the rainbow can symbolise many things these days. In the past it was peace/hope however the more modern interpretation also includes diversity or, sadly, a child born after the loss of a previous child. If you have a stronger connection to the latter meanings, the title could be perceived as not accurately reflecting the story inside. With this in mind, I was pleased when my publisher, Choc Lit, made the difficult decision to change the title in addition to the cover! Hence, The Cornish Affair was born!
I love this new title as I think it reflects what the story is about and compliments the first book in the Love In War series, which is called The Paris Affair. Authors’ input into the covers and titles of their published work can be limited … and rightly so. It takes a team of experienced people to produce something that is commercially pleasing. The aim of authors and publishers is for readers to find their books and enjoy them. If they share the books that they have enjoyed with their friends… well that is the cherry on the cake! A change like this involves discussions and planning but always has the best intentions. Readers remain at the centre of any decision. With this in mind, I hope you like this change as much as I do.
However, as I said at the beginning of this post, change can be an unsettling experience. I don’t want a reader, who has previously enjoyed Waiting For Our Rainbow, to buy it again by mistake. So how do I try to stop this from happening? I can share the news of the change on blog posts just like this one!
Some people thrive on change; others prefer their routines. Of course, I am mindful change can be both traumatic and life altering, but regarding smaller changes I think that, ultimately, a little shake-up now and then can remind us to re-evaluate our behaviour and attitude, build confidence and breathe new life into situations or, in this case, a product. Change will happen in our lives. Change is inevitable. However, I have learnt that it is our choice whether we embrace it, challenge it or ignore it… and how we react might just leave a longer impression on those around us than the actual change itself.
The Cornish Affair and The Paris Affair will form the Love In War series which is a WW2 trilogy. The third book will be published by Choc Lit in early 2026!
About Victoria Cornwall
Following a career in nursing, a change in profession finally provided Victoria Cornwall the time to write. Her books have subsequently reached the finals of the NEW TALENT AWARD at the Festival of Romantic Fiction, the RNA’s JOAN HESSAYON AWARD, the 2021 RNA’s Goldsboro Books HISTORICAL ROMANTIC NOVEL AWARD and have also been nominated twice for the RONE Best Indie or Small Published Book Award by InD’tale magazine.
Victoria grew up on a farm in Cornwall and can trace her Cornish roots as far back as the 18th century. It is this background and heritage which is the inspiration for her Cornish based novels. She is married, has two grown up children and likes to read and write historical romance with a strong background story, but at its heart is the unmistakable emotion, even pain, of loving someone.
Social media and website links
Website https://victoriacornwall.com
X – @VickieCornwall https://x.com/VickieCornwall
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/victoriacornwall.author
Instagram @victoria_cornwallx https://www.instagram.com/victoria_cornwallx/
About The Cornish Affair
Would you give your heart away if you knew it could only end in goodbye?
It should have been a time of romance and excitement for Anne – but it’s 1941 and the war is raging. So instead, she spends her days repairing spitfire wings and reminding herself that the real sacrifice is going on far away from her Cornish village.
When the news breaks that America has entered the war, it brings cautious hope to Anne and her family. And as the Jeeps filled with GIs eventually roll in, it seems their little community is to play a pivotal role in the next stage of the fight.
But the Americans don’t just bring Hollywood glamour and optimism, they also bring something more tantalising – so when Anne meets handsome Joe Mallory, she has to remind herself of exactly why he’s there; that any relationship between them could only end in goodbye.
But is the inevitability of ‘goodbye’ powerful enough to stop what has already begun to blossom?
Book buying links
The Cornish Affair https://amzn.eu/d/duBGZwM
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Love In War Series photo https://amzn.eu/d/gW0YLu8
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Cornish Tales Series photo https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CRZ2YCXL?binding=kindle_edition&ref_=ast_author_bsi
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Cornish Tales Boxset photo https://amzn.eu/d/gvVTQQV
Thank you for visiting Morton S. Gray’s blog.
The Secrets of Borteen Bay boxset at the bargain price of 99p here.
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Christmas at the Little Beach Cafe
Tha nk you for visiting my blog – Morton S. Gray – Author. I hope you enjoyed this post.
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Published by Choc Lit an imprint of Joffe Books
November 17, 2025
Keep Writing by Helena Dixon
Welcome back to Helena Dixon this week. I have to say I admire Helena so much, as she manages to keep writing no matter what life throws at her. Murder most British and Murder at Midwinter Farm are both published in November 2025 and I wish Helena every success with them. Over to Helena …
Many thanks to Morton for inviting me back to her blog. This month is crazily busy for me since I have two new books releasing. The first one, Murder most British is the third in my World War 2 mystery series. The other book, Murder at Midwinter Farm is the next installment in my long running Miss Underhay series set in the 1930s. That comes out November 24th. All the books in both series can be read as standalones, but you may enjoy them more if you read in sequence.
The release of Murder most British was very special for me since it came out on the 7th anniversary of my becoming a fulltime author. Leaving my fulltime job where I worked fourteen-hour shifts as a nurse was scary. I had just enough money to last for the first three months and a small pension in case it all failed. A new genre, a new writing name, a new agent, new publisher, new editor. It took stepping out in faith to a new level. I took a level 2 marketing course to try and learn more about social media since I had no clue what I was doing. I thought a new qualification would also make me more employable if this didn’t work.
I had a hip replacement just as covid hit and the world shut down. Then my parents both became seriously ill and subsequently passed away. We moved from the Black Country to Devon taking my MIL with us as she could no longer live safely alone. We sold both houses and bought one that needed a lot of work to house three generations without us killing one another. Three months in and a series of storms caused 50k of damage to the gable end of the house. We were evacuated while it was rebuilt.
Time moved on and my middle daughter made me a grandmother twice. She got married, my eldest daughter got engaged and moved out. My youngest daughter reroofed her house and got a dog. I had more surgery for more precancerous and cancerous lesions that sneak up on me every now and then.
I wrote twenty-eight books which have seen translations into six languages. The books topped the best seller lists in the UK USA Canada, Australia and Germany. I’ve been invited to festivals, been on panels, taught workshops and done things that have scared me to death. We celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary. I couldn’t have done any of this without my family, my friends, my neighbours, team Kitty at Bookouture, my incredible agent, Kate Nash and my writing support friends, the Tuesday zoomers, the coffee crew and SW writers. A huge thank you to all of them. I really hope everyone enjoys Murder most British.
About Helena Dixon
Helena Dixon is a Black Country wench relocated to Devon. Married to the same man for over 40 years she has 3 daughters, 2 grandsons a cactus called Spike, and a crazy cockapoo. She is allergic to adhesives, apples, tinsel and housework. She won The Romance Prize in 2007 and Love Story of the Year 2010 in the UK as Nell Dixon. She now writes the internationally best-selling Miss Underhay mystery series set in 1930’s Torquay and The Secret Detectives Agency series set in WW2.
You can find Helena at https://www.nelldixon.com visit her blog at https://www.nelldixonrw.blogspot.com find her on X/Twitter @NellDixon and friend her on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nell-Dixon/228642037151856
About Murder Most British
Big Ben chiming in the distance, chilly walks along the river Thames, cocktails at the Ritz… and a government secretary dead? Only Jane Treen can solve the case!
London, 1941. Miss Jane Treen is faced with another mysterious disappearance within her Secret Detective Agency’s team. Tabitha Moore, a government typist, was on her way to meet Jane with vital information about some secret codes. But she didn’t turn up for work and has seemingly vanished without trace. Then Jane and her colleague, handsome codebreaker Arthur Cilento, receive a call: a body has been found, and it matches Tabitha’s description…
It quickly becomes clear that Tabitha’s death was not due to ongoing air raids on the city: the silk scarf tied tightly around her neck suggests otherwise. The prime suspect is Tabitha’s fiancé Leo Cavendish, a dashing government official, but there are plenty of others with a motive too. Jane and Arthur scrutinise those around Tabitha at work and at home, including a charming newsreader reporting on government affairs, a jealous pianist in love with Leo, and a known womaniser and gambler fond of causing trouble.
Together, Jane, Arthur and her fluffy ginger cat Marmaduke hole up in her London townhouse, with black coffee in plentiful supply and a roaring fire in the grate. But just as they begin to piece together the puzzle, someone else is found dead. It’s clear they need to step up and catch the killer on the loose in the big smoke, before it’s their turn next…
If you love twisty crime novels, top-secret intrigue and the very best of Golden Age mysteries, then you will adore Helena Dixon’s totally gripping cozy novel, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie
Buy link https://geni.us/B0F678D2F8author
Thank you for visiting Morton S. Gray’s blog.
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Christmas at the Little Beach Cafe
Tha nk you for visiting my blog – Morton S. Gray – Author. I hope you enjoyed this post.
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Published by Choc Lit an imprint of Joffe Books
November 10, 2025
Finding Calm In A Busy World by Susie Sharp
This week I welcome Susie Sharp to my blog. Her debut novel Time for Tuscany was published on 5 September 2025. When I send authors my standard guidelines to write a blog post for me I never quite know what I am going to get by return, but Susie has sent a delightful post and I found myself thinking a lot whilst reading her words and more determined to make time for myself by the end of the piece and wanting to read her book. See what you think …
A huge thank you, Morton, for inviting me onto your lovely blog. I’ll be honest, I’m not someone who finds it easy to put myself out there. I’m far more at home tucked away in my garden shed, writing, thinking, and letting the world slow down for a bit. But sometimes, sharing the quiet places in our lives reminds others to find their own — and that feels important.
Like many women, I juggle a lot. I work part-time, care for my ninety-four-year-old dad, keep up with my grown-up children and my gorgeous grandchildren, and somehow still squeeze in time to write the stories that have been sitting inside me for years. Life is full, noisy, and often a little overwhelming, so finding time for myself has become something I’ve learned to protect. After a turbulent decade, my family and my calm are what matter most — so apologies if I’m not wildly exciting these days. But what I am is content, and that feels like something worth celebrating.
The Place I Go to Relax
When I lived in Tuscany, my sanctuary was the chestnut groves around my house. I’d wander for hours, navigating dirt tracks with the sunlight slipping through the trees, the ground uneven beneath my boots. It was the best kind of quiet –peaceful, but full of life. There was always something stirring – a woodpecker tapping in the distance, a deer darting through the trees, or the sudden rustle of a wild boar. Every now and then, I’d spot a porcupine and feel like the luckiest person alive.
Those walks became my lifeline. After years of rushing and worrying, they taught me to stop and simply be. And far from the noise of everyday life, my characters began to speak. I didn’t go out there looking for them; they simply found me when the world went quiet.
Now that I’m back in South Wales, my places look different but give me the same sense of peace. Sometimes I stroll along the Brecon Canal, watching sunlight dance on the water while ducks bicker like old friends. Other times I head up into the Brecon Beacons, where the air is sharp and clean, and my thoughts start to untangle. Walking always helps me destress – both in life and in writing. When a plot refuses to behave, a good trek usually sorts it out.
And then there are the days I stay close to home. I pull on my gardening gloves, kneel on the damp grass, and plant bulbs, dreaming about the colours that will burst through come spring. My hands might be dirty, but my mind feels still.
If it involves fresh air, birdsong, and a bit of mud, I’m happy.
Nature has always been my healer. When I went through my divorce, walking became my way of coping. Some days I cried the whole way round, but I always came home lighter, as if the hills had taken a little of the weight. Even now, when life feels too loud, stepping outside helps me find perspective again. It reminds me that the world keeps turning, and most problems shrink once you’re standing under a wide, open sky.
Maybe that’s what my stories are really about – women learning to pause, to listen to themselves, and to take one small, brave step forward.
About Susie Sharp
Susie Sharp writes compelling women’s fiction that delves into real-life issues with a touch of drama, a dash of humour, and a whole lot of heart.
Her stories explore love, loss, second chances, and the messy, beautiful realities of life. Always with a strong, empowering focus on the quiet strength of women.
When she’s not writing, Susie loves travelling, curling up with a good book, baking something delicious, and listening to music that stirs the soul.
Website: www.susiesharp.co.uk
Facebook: https://facebook.com/susiesharpscribbles
Instagram: https://instagram.com/susiesharpwrites
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/44735298.Susie_Sharp
About Time For Tuscany
You can’t change the past… but you can choose your tomorrow.
Five years after the heartbreak of losing her young son, Sara Mortimer knows her marriage is hanging by a thread. In a last attempt to save it, she suggests a summer in Tuscany, hoping the rolling hills and golden light might bring her husband back.
But as Marcus drifts further away, Sara begins to wonder if she’s fighting for her marriage – or for herself.
Then she meets Eddie Hunt, a rugged ex-traffic cop carrying grief that mirrors her own. With him, she glimpses the woman she could be… if she’s brave enough to take the chance.
And when a long-buried secret comes to light, Sara must decide where her heart truly belongs. Because if she doesn’t choose herself now, she may regret it forever…
Time for Tuscany is my debut novel, and a story that means the world to me. Set against the golden beauty of Italy, it’s a story of healing, hope, and the courage it takes to choose yourself.
Where to Buy Time For Tuscany :-Signed Copies: Here
Kindle: Here
Amazon Uk: Here
Amazon US: Here
Thank you for sharing a few moments with me. Writing, like walking, always brings me back to what matters most – and I hope reading does the same for you.
Susie x
Thank you for visiting Morton S. Gray’s blog.
The Secrets of Borteen Bay boxset at the bargain price of 99p here.
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Christmas at the Little Beach Cafe
Tha nk you for visiting my blog – Morton S. Gray – Author. I hope you enjoyed this post.
You can also find me on Amazon, Facebook, X Twitter and Instagram.
Published by Choc Lit an imprint of Joffe Books
November 3, 2025
You Don’t Know What You’ve Got Till It’s Gone by Morton S. Gray
The beginning of October 2025 marked a significant change for my family when we lost our precious little white dog, Lily. Lily was nearly 11 years old, we had her in our family from when she was 8 weeks old and her death was totally unexpected. She suffered a severe stroke and the vet advised us to let her go. I knew the decision was for the best but even so …
I suppose I’ve been in shock since it happened as it was so totally unexpected. How can a tiny white Maltese weighing less than 5 kilograms leave such a big gap in a household? But for a small dog, she had a huge character.
Over the years she developed her own way of communicating, which of course we will continue to echo. Her loud huff when she didn’t like something, or you didn’t put out her food quickly enough, always made us laugh. The lightning speed the words squirrel or cat would produce in a dog that really didn’t like walks that much. The gallop into the lounge to get my husband if the cooker timer went off and she knew his tea was ready. The constant hope that we would drop some cheese or bacon. More than anything I miss her warmth when she sat next to me.
I can’t tell you how many tears I’ve cried, or how often I still expect her to be there, barking at the postman or lying by my desk. I think the worst time is coming down to the kitchen first thing in a morning and not being greeted by Lily. The house seems so quiet and depressingly cleaner but I know I was blessed to have her in my life. Sleep tight little Lily.
I have decided that my next book must be dedicated to Lily and somehow that has produced an increased impetus to get it finished. So, I’m doing a November challenge to write every day. The new Merrycot Sands series might just be gaining a little white dog!
Thank you for visiting Morton S. Gray’s blog.
The Secrets of Borteen Bay boxset at the bargain price of 99p here.
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Christmas at the Little Beach Cafe
Tha
nk you for visiting my blog – Morton S. Gray – Author. I hope you enjoyed this post.
You can also find me on Amazon, Facebook, X Twitter and Instagram.
Published by Choc Lit an imprint of Joffe Books
October 27, 2025
The Characters in Hope On Hope by Susan Gray
Another new face on my blog this week as Susan Gray joins me to talk about the characters in her novel Hope On Hope. Welcome Susan and over to you …
Thank you, Morton, for inviting me onto your blog. I would like to tell you about the two main characters in my latest book Hope On Hope. This is the second book in my Blossoming Of Truth series. Book number three is in process and will hopefully be published next Spring.
Hope On Hope features two strong women Chantal and Darcy – aunt and niece. Fourteen years separates them. They are bonded by blood but divided by conflicting opinions.
Chantal is French by birth and a midwife. She discovered the existence of her English sister when she was a young teenager – this mystery is unveiled in Blossoming Of Truth.
We meet Chantal at the start of WW2, when she receives a long-awaited letter from her Scottish boyfriend, Sam. They met during her midwifery training in northeast England. A page is missing from the letter – just as Sam was about to divulge something important – what was it? She is strong, brave and resilient and plays a role in the French Resistance. She possesses an unwavering hope.
Darcy is a headstrong, feisty sixteen-year-old. She lives in northeast England with her parents and brother. She was devoted to her aunt, Chantal, when she lived with them before the war. Although eight years have passed, when the pair reunite, they become close again, sharing secrets. Darcy’s ambition to become an investigative journalist sparks a desire to help her aunt find Sam, but her insensitivity and impulsiveness cause a rift in their friendship. How will this be reconciled? An unexpected discovery causes Darcy to refine her attitudes.
I loved developing these two diverse characters and creating the scenarios where they conflict and bond. It proved challenging as common ground between them seemed unlikely. Each woman has a romantic devotion in her life – can secrets from the past, love, and hope against the odds, bring reconciliation?
Hope On Hope is a heartwarming, engaging story, brimming with secrets, unexpected discoveries and family drama.
About Susan Gray
Susan Gray writes uplifting, character driven fiction, set in the twentieth century. She is intrigued by family secrets, mystery and romance so endeavours to entwine these genres in her writing. Her books are set in northeast England, where she lives with her husband.
She enjoys travelling, reading, puzzling and people watching. Her plots are inspired by ‘life issues’ and how her characters handle the twists and turns which ensue. Writing a novel was an unfulfilled dream, until celebrating a significant birthday five years ago.
To date she has penned eight books but only three are published. Spanish House Secrets was her debut novel and Hope On Hope is the sequel to Blossoming Of Truth.
To keep in touch with Susan you can use the following links:-
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/susangrayauthor
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/susangrayauthor
Goodreads : https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/42479586
X : https://twitter.com/susangray275384
About Hope On Hope
Can hope become…a lifeline…a defining attitude…a powerful reality?
In WW2 as her homeland France is occupied by enemy forces, Chantal receives a letter with a missing page – what wartime secret did her beloved Sam want to divulge? She is drawn into the French Resistance network and when the war ends, she embarks on her quest to trace her lost love.
On the cusp of womanhood, Darcy is headstrong, impulsive and outspoken. It’s 1946 and reuniting with her aunt, Chantal, the two strong women form a tight bond. But soon conflicting opinions force a wedge in their friendship. Can secrets from the past and life altering circumstances refine Darcy’s attitudes?
Sadness has bighted Henri’s young life, but a chance encounter heralds a brighter future. Moving to northeast England he begins a new career and finds romance – only for his hopes to be dashed with an unexpected discovery.
From war-torn France to northeast England Hope On Hope is a heartwarming 20th Century romance story of secrets and hope against the odds.
To buy Hope On Hope you can use the following links:
Amazon.co.uk – here
Amazon.com – here
Other books by Susan Gray
Spanish House Secrets was Susan’s debut novel. Blossoming Of Truth is Darcy’s parents intriguing love story, and Hope On Hope is its sequel.
Thank you for visiting Morton S. Gray’s blog.
The Secrets of Borteen Bay boxset at the bargain price of 99p here.
Sign up to my blog to receive weekly updates below:
Christmas at the Little Beach Cafe
Tha nk you for visiting my blog – Morton S. Gray – Author. I hope you enjoyed this post.
You can also find me on Amazon, Facebook, X Twitter and Instagram.
Published by Choc Lit an imprint of Joffe Books
October 20, 2025
What Made Me A Writer by Ella Matthews
This week author Ella Matthews joins my blog to tell readers what made her into a writer. This month sees the release of two of Ella’s books, The Governess’ Unlikely Suitor independently published on 10 October 2025 and The Disgraced Knight’s Redemption published by Harlequin Historical Mills & Boon on 23 October 2025, which takes Ella to over twenty published books. (Wow!) Over to Ella …
Thank you, Morton, for having me on your blog post and for asking the question what made me a writer. Like most authors, I loved reading as a child, but I never realised someone like me could become a writer. That was for mystical beings with fabulous names such as Roald Dahl, Aesop and Judy Blume and not a girl from Wales who struggled with spelling. I didn’t know then that Roald Dahl was from Llandaff, maybe I would have been a bit more confident, but probably not.
It wasn’t just losing myself within the pages of a novel which I enjoyed, I also love physical books: the smell of a brand new one or the creases of one well-read. I knew I wanted to work with them in some way, so after university I went to London and got work in an academic publishing house. Working with authors to develop their books, seeing an idea from the initial spark to the end was always a joy. I never got tired of new books arriving on my desk after months or sometimes years of working on a concept.
On one occasion an author was late delivering their book and when I got it, it wasn’t ready for publication. There was a huge pressure to get the book out on time, so I took it home and worked on it, shaping it into something with which both the author and I were pleased. When the book became one of our bestsellers, I thought that writing books was something I could do after all. I started writing during my long commutes (it took over an hour and a half to get to work and then the same back). I scribbled ideas in a notebook and typed them up at home. I thought it would be easy because, by this point, I had seen lots of writers do it. I was very, very wrong. After a long slog, I managed about 9000 words, which was great but I still didn’t feel like a writer and it was only about three chapters worth of story.
No matter, I was about to go off on maternity leave and so I believed I would have plenty of time to write, while my baby slept beside me in my beautifully clean, tidy house. Sixteen years later, I still love this fantasy, which at no point came true. A few times, I managed to breastfeed and type with one hand, but for the most part I stared in an exhausted daze or played with my little girl. This was probably the part of my life that made me feel the least like a writer. However, I was still very fixed on becoming one, even if I had very little energy to make it happen.
For the first five years of my writing career, I did not finish writing a book or even make it to the end of a short story. I did buy and read lots of writing magazines though, and through that, I discovered that My Weekly were looking for authors and this news seemed auspicious. The brief was to write a romantic story full of adventure, which is right up my street. I sent my first three chapters to the lovely editor and I was beside myself with joy when she requested the rest of the manuscript. I was so excited, I almost forgot that I hadn’t written the rest of the novel. I wrote it as quickly as I could and sent it off. It was a disaster. The rejection was inevitable, but cutting nevertheless. Two manuscripts later, and, perhaps a lot wiser on the level of plotting I had to do to write a decent story, I was finally accepted by My Weekly. Seeing my book on the shelf was a real thrill and I took hundreds of photographs.
Afterwards, I was left feeling that I still wasn’t a writer. I don’t know why that is, but I have seen many authors say something similar. Even though one book is out there, it still feels like this is a hobby you need permission to spend time on. Nobody has ever said this to me, so it must be in my head, but I still can’t shake it.
In the end, I wrote four novellas for My Weekly, which I loved doing and I was thrilled to be getting paid for something that brought so much happiness into my life. When I saw a call from Mills and Boon for authors to who were interesting in writing medieval romances, I jumped at the change to submit to them. I was very lucky that I got to do this at a Romantic Novelists’ Association conference. That one-on-one connection was invaluable and my manuscript was accepted. I’ve been writing two books a year for them ever since, which has been a real privilege.
This month sees the release of two of my books, The Governess’ Unlikely Suitor (an indie project) and The Disgraced Knight’s Redemption (Mills & Boon), which takes me to over twenty published books. I’ve also got a deadline for my next indie book on 22nd October 2025. Does this finally make me a writer? Oddly, I still feel like an amateur, even after over 100,000 sales. I don’t know what will make me feel like a writer: 30 books published? Winning a prize? Making a living from it? (I have to have another job alongside)
What I do know is that I couldn’t give it up, that writing every day is as intrinsic as taking a shower and that every spark of a new idea and every book release is still as exciting as the first one.
About Ella Matthews
Ella Matthews lives and works in beautiful South Wales. When not thinking about handsome heroes she can be found walking along the coast with her husband and their two children (probably still thinking about heroes but at least pretending to be interested in everyone else).
To connect with Ella you can use the following links:-
Website : www.ella-matthews.com
TikTok : @ella.matthews004
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/ellamatthewsauthor
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/ellamatthewsauthor
More about The Governess’ Unlikely Suitor
Katherine Hornel has carved out a life she loves. Being a governess might put her in the way of arrogant aristocratic families, but the children are always a delight. When a controlling employer makes life in his house impossible, she flees. But this is only the beginning of her problems. Bent on revenge, her ex-employer sets out to destroy not only her life, but also that of her brother’s. Penniless, she must find a different way to make ends meet, all while trying to stay true to herself.
Desperate to find out how his older brother died while living in America, Edward Dashworth hires investigator Simon Hornel. In exchange for Simon journeying so far from home, Edward promises to provide for his penniless sister, Katherine. It cannot matter that she is the most beautiful woman Edward has ever met. Not only has he sworn an oath to protect her, their difference in station makes a relationship impossible and, with the truth getting ever closer, he cannot afford to disrupt Simon’s search.
But when fate pushes Edward and Katherine together, temptation might be too hard for them to resist. And, if they give in, can they live with the consequences?
Buying Links For Ella Matthews Titles
The Governess’ Unlikely Suitor sales link here
The Disgraced Knight’s Redemption sales link here
The Earl’s Unlikely Bride sales link here
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Published by Choc Lit an imprint of Joffe Books
October 13, 2025
A Busy Year Being An Adaptable Writer by Georgia Hill
An interesting post by blog regular Georgia Hill as she explains to readers why she has been busy being adaptable as a writer this year …
Hi everyone. A very grateful thank you to Morton for allowing me to guest on her blog again!
In a weird twist of fate I’ve had three books out this year. Magpie, my witchy dual narrative was planned well in advance from last year. Then I had the good fortune to finally place The Sea Glass Necklace, a book I’ve been trying to get out for years and which is its companion novel.
My new Christmas contemporary romance, New Beginnings at the Little Christmas Inn, came about in an odd way. It’s become the third in my Lullbury Bay series, set in west Dorset in a town which is based on a combination of Lyme Regis, West Bay and Bridport.
Livvy’s boyfriend and business partner bails on her at the very last minute forcing her to go it alone with a project to turn a rundown cliffside inn into the gastropub of her dreams. It’s brim-full of Christmas cheer and features one of my favourite heroes. I love an understated, beta-male and Mark is the perfect example. (I think most of my heroes owe a huge debt to Gabriel Oak from Hardy’s Far From the Madding Crowd. Men who are quietly there, supportive but unobtrusive. Appropriate for a book set in Dorset!)
But I digress. I said the book came about in an odd way. Back in March I was approached by Bloodhound Books, for whom I write the Lullbury Bay series, asking if I had anything Christmassy to offer. I didn’t think I had but I love writing for them and it seemed a fantastic opportunity so had a hunt through long neglected files on the pc. Here’s a tip aspiring writers: never throw anything away! The only thing I had even vaguely suitable was 50,000 words of a dual narrative about a woman taking over a rundown coaching inn in a seaside town, discovering it was haunted and finding out about the tragic lovers who once met there. It had begun its life when cockapoo Bella was a tiny, very demanding puppy and I got some words down, in between bursts of frenetic activity, while she slept. Bella is now 7! I’d given up on the book as I’d lost confidence in it. Was it a ghost story? A dual narrative, or a novel about a woman setting up a business? Now, I returned to it. Could I adapt it into a contemporary Christmas romance? And, more importantly, get it written to deadline?
It was an interesting challenge and not one I’d like to repeat too soon. I hadn’t a clue where to begin so started with the obvious – reading it. I picked out the main plot points, condensed the time line into the months leading up to Christmas and began adding to the 50,000 words but rearranging the main events. This is where my planning board came in handy. It’s just Post-Its on a cork notice board but I can see, at a glance, what’s happening where. I can also easily move scenes around to fit the standard 3 act novel structure. Here it is set up for the book I’m currently editing.
I was cruising to a healthy 65,000 or so words (my contemporary novels tend to be around 80,000 words long) when I had to take an almighty deep breath and jettison the secondary plot. All the ghost story had to go, as did the historical narrative. Gulp. I reduced the manuscript down to 45,000 words and I had to meet an end of May deadline!
Weirdly, it made the book better, or I think it did. I now knew what it was about: a woman setting up her own business and facing all the challenges that brings. Plus it now had a clear romance storyline. Readers seem to agree. It came out on the 7th October 2025 and topped the Christmas Romance Chart straightaway. I’m thrilled.
Wonder what else I’ve got lying around on the computer?!
Here’s a brief extract. Livvy is alone in the pub’s car park and senses something is amiss. It’s the first hint that not all of Lullbury Bay’s residents are supportive of her plans for the pub:
***
As she heard the Mercedes’s familiar growly engine start up, she wondered where Mark had been coming from. None of your business, Livvy, my girl, she reprimanded herself. The car’s lights swept the car park and left her in the dark. A gull keened mournfully overhead and far below her, the sea shushed and murmured. After the busyness of the skittles match it seemed very lonely. The car park yawned, empty, into the darkness and to the beer garden beyond. On the other side of the pub was attached a three storey Georgian town house but the car park faced onto the blank wall of the back of an office block. Its metal escape stairs rattled in a sudden blast of wind. Wishing she hadn’t been so hasty as to insist Mark go, she turned to lock the door of the skittles alley and then stiffened. Sensing rather than knowing, she knew someone was watching her. A prickle of fear traced down her spine. Keys shoved between her fingers, she braced herself and then turned back to face the car park. ‘Hello? Is there anyone there?’ The security lights flared on, temporarily blinding her. There might have been a shadow, maybe a figure flitting the far end, towards the road, but it had gone before she’d really registered. Unnerved, she ran to the pub’s side door, unlocked it and ran in before the security lights cut out again. Her hands shook as she locked the door and double checked it was secure. Her heart pounded into her throat. Ridiculous to be so spooked but she was convinced someone had been out there, watching. Probably bored teenagers. Leaning her forehead against the door and deliberately calming her breathing, she made a note to get the security lights fixed.
***
About Georgia Hill
Georgia Hill writes warm-hearted and up-lifting contemporary and dual narrative romances about love, the power and joy in being an eccentric oldie and finding yourself and your community. There’s always a dog. It’s usually a naughty spaniel of which, unfortunately, she has had much experience. She lives near the sea with her beloved dogs and husband (also beloved) and loves the books of Jane Austen, collecting elephants, and Strictly Come Dancing. She’s also a complete museum geek and finds inspiration for her books in the folklore and history of the many places in which she’s lived. She’s worked in the theatre, for a charity and as a teacher and educational consultant before finally acknowledging that making things up was what she really wanted to do. She’s been happily creating believable heroines, intriguing men, and page-turning stories ever since.
You can find her here:
Twitter/X @georgiawrites
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/georgiahillauthor
Website www.georgiahill.co.uk
Georgia’s lovely Christmas book New Beginnings at the Little Christmas Inn can be bought by clicking here
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Published by Choc Lit an imprint of Joffe Books
October 8, 2025
Food in The Lost Garden by Angela Petch
This week I’m joined by Angela Petch whose latest novel The Lost Garden was published by Bookouture on 11 September 2025. Angela is going to tell readers more about the food featured in the book and if you buy this novel there are recipes at the back of the book to enjoy too…
Most people say we eat to live but Italians say, ‘We live to eat…’
For Italians food is almost a religion. We listen in on so many discussions amongst our Italian friends over the best ways to prepare certain recipes. So, for me it is impossible to write a book set in Italy without including food.
My new book, The Lost Garden includes country recipes that Allegra, the cook and housekeeper, prepares in the castle kitchen where the heroine, Tina, feels most at home (except when working in her precious secret garden).
Originally, I dished these recipes up whenever Allegra made them but at structural edit stage we moved them to the back, as both my editor and I felt they distracted from the action. I hope readers will try them out.
We live high in the Apennines where the climate is not always meek and mild. Locals have always had to be resourceful and inventive and are excellent foragers. You cannot return from a walk without a basket of mushrooms (note: you need a licence to gather these).
The above photo is of a friend gathering chanterelles and one of the most perfect gifts for me is to receive a freshly-picked porcino mushroom from the forest. They can be eaten sliced raw or made into any number of wonderful sauces for homemade pasta dishes.
The other day I picked wild Cornelian cherries to make into jam whilst my friend gathered wild chicory leaves for salad.
I’d written about such foraging in my second book, A Tuscan Memory where women and children were left alone in the mountains for five long winter months whilst their menfolk travelled to the coast with livestock. But in The Lost Garden, we are living through WW2 with widespread food shortages and rationing. Countryfolk had an advantage over city folk with their knowledge of the wild. My local friends know too: recipes are passed down through generations and there is a restaurant a stone’s throw from us specialising in these humble but delicious dishes.
(L’erbhosteria del Castello: www.erbhosteria.it)
I like to fill my Italian-based stories with as much local culture as possible. The research is not hard, especially when you need to visit Rome for your book and savour local dishes. One of my favourite characters in my new book is Silvia, (based on a Roman friend). She and her lovely husband took us round their city and we tried local dishes. I sunk my teeth into a cream-filled maritozzo bun but also tried the Jewish dish of deep-fried artichokes.
I also tried “puntarelle”: a salad made from the thinly-sliced inner core of a special chicory vegetable, soaked in ice-cold water for a while to help the leaves curl and then marinaded in a garlic, anchovy and olive oil dressing. Wonderful!
It’s a hard life but someone has to live it for literature…
Buon appetito, everyone, and I hope you enjoy trying some of the dishes in The Lost Garden.
More About Angela Petch
Angela Petch is an award-winning and bestselling writer of fiction – plus the occasional poem.
Every summer she moves to Tuscany for six months where she and her husband own a renovated watermill which they let out. When not exploring their unspoilt corner of the Apennines, she disappears to her writing desk at the top of a converted stable. In her Italian handbag or hiking rucksack she always makes sure to store notebook and pen to jot down ideas.
The winter months are spent in Sussex where most of her family live. When Angela’s not helping out with grandchildren, she catches up with writer friends.
To keep in touch with Angela you can use the following links:-
Blog: https://angelapetchsblogsite.wordpress.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AngelaJaneClarePetch
Instagram: @angela_maurice
More About The Lost Garden by Angela Petch
Italy, 1942. Moonlight pools around my feet as I cross the silent garden, and my heart stops when I see a familiar figure, crumpled on the flagstone floor of the greenhouse. Dropping to my knees, I gather him into my arms, tears filling my eyes. ‘Olivio! What have they done to you?!’
When flamed-haired Tina stumbles upon a secret, overgrown space within in the sprawling grounds of the castle where she has lived her whole life, she knows she’s found her mother’s lost garden. Defying her strict father, who has forbidden her to even speak of the woman who died giving birth to her, Tina vows to bring it back to life with the help of Olivio, a shy, handsome young man from the village.
But as war clouds looming on the horizon and enemy planes in the sky, Tina is horrified to learn that father supports the Nazis. She promises to help Olivio and his friends in the Italian Resistance in any way she can. And when she finds her mother’s long-lost leather-bound journal tucked away in the castle library, she begins to realise that the garden – with its hidden passages and life-giving herbs – could make it a vital place of healing and safety…
Then Tina discovers a man seeking shelter in the garden one night, injured and in terrible pain. She hurries to help, and her heart is gripped with fear when she sees it’s Olivio. Tina knows the risks – helping him could cost her everything. But still she vows to fight – for his life, for their future together, and for freedom.
With more than one life depending on her and danger at every turn, can Tina save the man she loves and keep the secrets of the lost garden safe?
An absolutely breathtaking and stunning historical novel about the incredible risks people took in wartime, family secrets, loss and love. Perfect for fans of Fiona Valpy and Santa Montefiore.
Read what everyone’s saying about The Lost Garden:
‘Absolutely stunning… I was swept away… Absolutely amazing… I have ended it with tears in my eyes… Absolutely packed with emotion… Heart-warming… Unforgettable… A devastating, beautiful, heartbreaking, compelling and riveting page-turner… DO NOT PICK THIS UP UNTIL YOU HAVE CLEARED YOUR SCHEDULES AS YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PUT IT DOWN!’ Bookworm86, 
‘Oh blimey, absolutely stunning… Spellbinding and beautiful… A favourite, top tier, stick-with-me forever book… Gave me a day full of joy… A definite must-read.’ Goodreads reviewer,
‘Had me at secret garden!… Stunning… Gorgeous… Absolutely wonderful… A completely captivating and emotional novel that I will never forget!’Goodreads reviewer,
‘Something spell-like about this book… I found myself unexpectedly teary more than once… A novel that sneaks up on you… it gets under your skin. Five stars.’ bookscoffeebrews,
‘Absolutely stunning… Transported me to 1930s Italy and refused to let me go… Powerful and unforgettable… Deeply emotional, and full of hope… Truly breathtaking… I was swept away.’ Goodreads reviewer,
‘My heart raced and my eyes filled with tears many times as I flew through the pages… More than a brilliant book; it’s an experience.’ Gia Scribes,
‘Beautiful… I was swept away… it felt like stepping into another world… I found myself eager to return to the book every chance I got… Full of heart… Immersive and moving.’ Goodreads reviewer,
‘I was completely wrapped up in this… So devastating and heartbreaking.’ Goodreads reviewer,
To buy The Lost Garden you can use the following links:-
Buying Link for The Lost Garden – here
Audio:
Other Books by Angela Petch include:-
Thank you for visiting Morton S. Gray’s blog.
The Secrets of Borteen Bay boxset at the bargain price of 99p here.
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Christmas at the Little Beach Cafe
Tha nk you for visiting my blog – Morton S. Gray – Author. I hope you enjoyed this post.
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Published by Choc Lit an imprint of Joffe Books
September 29, 2025
The Unconscious Theme While Writing The Approval Of Sheep by Karen Storey
Another new face on my blog this week. Karen Storey’s debut novel The Approval of Sheep is published on 10 October 2025. Karen is also in the Birmingham chapter of the Romantic Novelist’s Association, so we see each other at meetings. I wish Karen well with her intriguing debut and hope her post encourages you to pre-order her book. Over to Karen …
Thank you so much, Morton, for welcoming me to your blog. This is a special invitation for me as it’s my first guest blog as a debut novelist! Today, I would like to explore the idea of unexpected themes in our books. It’s a question I remember writing mentors asking me when I first started out. ‘What theme do you find comes up in your work repeatedly?’ I’d sit there perplexed, thinking I don’t have just one theme. I’m an eclectic writer, and my short stories and novel manuscripts range from dark women’s fiction to uplifting, humorous book club stories.
My debut novel falls into the latter. The Approval of Sheep has been described as whimsical, touching, and funny by early reviewers. It’s the story of a man down on his luck, about to lose his job at a posh London hotel, until he discovers a historic covenant that allows sheep to run through the premises. He sets out to find the Welsh Right descendants in order to get his boss to believe the hotel is in danger. With a bit of planning, he could then be the man to save the day. Except the elderly Welsh farmer and his aging hippy brother, along with their sassy American shepherdess, might have other ideas.
What does this humorous tale have in common with my darker short stories and a domestic noir manuscript I’m working on? There is definitely a common thread quietly running through everything I write, and it’s something that has happened organically. The unconscious theme for me is family bonds.
When I look closely at the characters in all of my stories, I can see the subtle threads that whisper how people grow up and who they grow up with affects their decisions and actions. For example, with the psychological thriller I’m polishing up, my main character is desperate not to repeat the disastrous relationship patterns of her mother, and that fear drives her own poor choices.
In my fun, uplifting debut, The Approval of Sheep, Gordon is forty-two-years-old, has a small rented flat in London, and until now a decent job. Yet, he’s still trying to escape the shadow of his high-achieving siblings. In his determination to match his family, he makes some reckless decisions.
This sibling theme follows Gordon to Wales, where he meets the descendants of the sheep Right. The two elderly brothers are comically opposite in character. Well, it may be comical for the reader, but Gordon finds the two farmers’ differing views about the sheep covenant frustrating. Yet, despite the petty bickering between the brothers, there is an undeniable bond. When I worked through the edits on this manuscript, I realised I hadn’t just written about mischievous sheep, a posh hotel, and historic covenants. I unintentionally created a story exploring unconditional love between family members, no matter how often they drive each other crazy!
It’s not just sibling bonds that appear in this book. I found another family theme had worked its way in while my mind thought it was writing about ruthless bosses and a city guy herding sheep. There’s a gentle thread touching on that special connection with grandparents.
Gordon as a child had a close bond with his grandfather, a successful London hotelier, and he strove to emulate him. Gordon’s boss, in the rare moments he shows a softer side at work, keeps a photo of his much adored granddaughter on his desk.
The fact that this grandparent theme found its way into my book should be no surprise to me. My own grandmother had a huge impact on my life. She was a strong, vibrant personality. During the 1960s, she worked her way up from a secretary to the chairwoman of the Board of Education of the City of New York. These were the days when high-flying career women barely existed. When she retired at the age of seventy, she went straight into politics, running for New York State Assemblywoman. To this day, whenever I face a complex decision, or a tricky situation, I find myself pondering how my fiercely wise grandmother would act.
Back to the novel. Little did I know while I was editing and noticing this grandparent theme, that I would soon learn I was about to become a grandmother myself. My lovely daughter lives with her wife five doors down from me and is currently expecting twins! For those of you who kindly purchase The Approval of Sheep (please do, you won’t regret it!) you’ll see a little dedication in the early pages to The Rockcliffe Twins. The babies are due in early November, but friends are taking bets on them arriving the night of my book launch party, which is 14th October!
I’m hoping the babies will choose to behave for Grandma on launch night and stay put until closer to their due date. Or at least wait until my guests have finished their Prosecco!
But coming back to themes, where I will now leave you, here’s a question. The next time you’re engrossed in a story, can you detect any quiet thread outside of the main plotline that the author may have woven in unintentionally, then decided to keep?
More about Karen Storey:
Karen Storey is an award-winning fiction writer, featured on the acclaimed book podcast The Bestseller Experiment. Her stories have been placed in several international competitions, and her memoir pieces published within The New York Times bestselling Chicken Soup for the Soul series.
Originally from New York, Karen lives in Warwickshire and has written articles for American in Britain magazine. She lives with her husband, whose surname Storey was the perfect wedding gift. They share their home with a snarky cat who writes Karen’s monthly author newsletters and a crazy dog who barks at the wind.
The Approval of Sheep is Karen’s first novel.
To visit Karen’s website and subscribe to her cat’s snarky newsletter you can use the link below. Newsletter subscribers can opt in to win an amazing sheep herding experience from the shepherdess who taught Karen about herding for her book! The experience is for four people, to take place on a farm in Wiltshire any time during 2026. Free newsletter subscription via her website.
Website: www.karenstoreyauthor.com
You can also connect with Karen on various social media links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenstoreyauthor/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karen.okeefe.773
X: https://x.com/StoreytellerK
More about The Approval of Sheep
Gordon Slee fears he was never meant to be born. Anxious since childhood after hearing he was an accident, the forty-two-year-old is still struggling to escape the shadow of his high-achieving family.
But a glimmer of hope is on the horizon – a huge promotion within his hotel group is up for grabs, and he is sure that his time has come to make a mark on the world.
However, within his own department, redundancies are afoot. He may lose his job before he gets the chance. Until he learns of a historic covenant that preserves the right for sheep to run through the company’s top London hotel. Could he convince his boss that he’s the man to save the hotel from catastrophe?
Up in Bryn Nefyn, North Wales, live the descendants of the covenant owner. The elderly sheep farmer and his aging hippy brother could use the money the hotel might offer. But along with their strong-willed American shepherdess, they laugh at Gordon’s attempts to negotiate a deal. Surely, they couldn’t use a covenant that’s been forgotten about for over a hundred years.
Or could they?
For lovers of upmarket commercial fiction with a touch of romance and comedy, The Approval of Sheep is an uplifting story about family and love, overcoming adversity and discovering our reason for our place in this world.
Praise for The Approval of Sheep
“This idea is brilliant. I can see it as a movie.” Sophie Hannah, Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author.
“Accomplished, funny, touching and clever’ – bestselling author Stephanie Butland
“Parts of it made me laugh out loud.” Mark Stay, bestselling author and presenter of the Bestseller Experiment podcasts.
‘This book is sooo amazing. I can’t put it down!’ – bestselling author Helga Jensen
Book Buying Link – Here
Out 10th October 2025. Available for pre-order now. The Approval of Sheep
Thank you for visiting Morton S. Gray’s blog.
The Secrets of Borteen Bay boxset at the bargain price of 99p here.
Sign up to my blog to receive weekly updates below:
Christmas at the Little Beach Cafe
Tha nk you for visiting my blog – Morton S. Gray – Author. I hope you enjoyed this post.
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Published by Choc Lit an imprint of Joffe Books
