Kathy Martin's Blog - Posts Tagged "the-beaulieu-vanishing"

Picture me, if you will, sitting here at my PC hanging my head in shame. Not literally, since that would make it difficult to type, but figuratively. Why? Because I have just realised that a whole year has passed since my last blog post. Of course, I'm not so arrogant as to imagine that my silence has caused anyone to lose sleep; in fact, I rather suspect that nobody has even noticed. But that doesn't stop me from feeling a bit ashamed. That’s because I know writers need discipline. Ideally, we should write for a few hours every day but we should also find some time for social media activities, if only to remind people of our existence. Well, during the last few months I've been writing up a storm while working on my new novel, The Beaulieu Vanishing. Unfortunately, in my enthusiasm for the project I have let things slip with regard to blogging, tweeting and general social interaction. Now that the book is being readied for publication, I’ve had a chance to review my working practices and have resolved to do better from now on. After all, I can’t expect the world to be interested in me if I don’t make an effort to engage with the world.

Now that The Beaulieu Vanishing, my second historical novel featuring Francis Cranley, is being readied for publication, I have had time to begin work on a new non-fiction title for Pen & Sword Books. Called Famous Brand Names & Their Origins, the book will explore how some of today’s best known brands started out. Expect a trip down memory lane combined with interesting, little known facts about our favourite household items.

While I'm enjoying dipping a toe back into non-fiction after a break of several years, I have no intention of abandoning the novels. In fact, I'm a third of the way through a YA story set in 17th century and present day Cornwall, and am already thinking about the next Francis Cranley. So, busy times all round!

Famous Brand Names & Their Origins is due for publication in November 2016. The Beaulieu Vanishing will be published in early summer 2015.

I'm delighted to announce that The Beaulieu Vanishing, my second Francis Cranley adventure, is now available on Kindle.

Beginning in May 1473, the story sees Richard of Gloucester's close friend Francis Cranley travelling with Sir James Tyrell to Beaulieu. Their mission is to escort the Countess of Warwick, Richard's mother-in-law, back to Middleham. The Countess has been living in sanctuary at Beaulieu since 1471 but now, at last, Richard has persuaded the King to grant her a measure of freedom.

At Beaulieu, Cranley finds himself drawn to Eleanor Vernon, the Countess's attractive young attendant, and is shocked when the girl goes missing. Has she been murdered or has she eloped with someone? The distraught Countess begs him to find out the truth.

Thus Cranley embarks on an investigation that puts him and his companions in mortal danger as they struggle to unearth the truth about Eleanor Vernon.

The Beaulieu Vanishing will be published in paperback very soon so watch this space. In the meantime, visit Amazon for a free Kindle sample of The Beaulieu Vanishing.