Books Read: The Hidden Wife by Amanda Reynolds

WHAT HAPPENED TO JULIA BLAKE?

She was young and beautiful, married to a famous author. They were celebrating their anniversary at their stunning country estate. So why did Julia Blake walk out of her perfect life, apparently leaving no trace?

Seren, a junior reporter for the local paper, can't believe her luck when she lands an exclusive with Julia's husband, Max. But as Seren spends more time at the couple's remote mansion, probing ever deeper into the case, dark questions await.

What was Julia really like, behind closed doors? Was her marriage to this brooding, secretive man as perfect as it seemed? And did she really mean to disappear that night - or was she murdered?

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Books Read: Lying to You by Amanda Reynolds

You think you know the truth about that night, but what if your husband is LYING TO YOU?

When Jess Tidy was Mark Winter's student, she made a shocking accusation. Mark maintained his innocence, but the damage was done.

Karen Winter stood by her husband through everything, determined to protect her family.

Now, ten years later, Jess is back. And the truth about that night is finally going to come out...

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Crime Fiction Month: The Write Stuff with... Amanda Reynolds

Today it's my pleasure to welcome author Amanda Reynolds back to the blog as part of this feature month with a guest post talking about settings.

I didn’t set out to write a crime novel, only realising I had when I was invited to a Crime Writers’ party at my publisher’s! Perhaps that’s why I didn’t choose a traditional setting for the genre, but that’s the beauty of crime novels, they can be set anywhere.

My inspiration is the place I live, a small village surrounded by the dramatic landscape of the Cotswold Hills. It’s not gritty, or urban, quite the opposite, but the fascination for me is the contrast between the ascetics of a location and the lives of the inhabitants; the side we don’t see, led in private, and so different perhaps than we might perceive. 

The popularity of psychological suspense feeds on our collective absorption with the private lives of others, and as an author I am presenting you with a glimpse behind the closed door of a marriage. The protagonist is someone like you, or reminds you of someone you know. It’s this proximity to ourselves that draws us in, the thought we could so easily be in that situation, and if we were, what might we do? 

Debut Spotlight: Amanda Reynolds

I'm delighted to have been asked to help celebrate eBook publication day for Amanda Reynolds' debut novel Close To Me by hosting today's stop on her blog tour.  I recently met Amanda at a blogger evening at her publishers and had the privilege of my proof copy being the first copy of Close to Me that she had signed (which will be treasured with my growing collection of signed books) but sadly too many books and not enough time has meant that I've not had the chance to read it yet but I will be soon.  

Amanda Reynolds teaches Creative Writing in Cheltenham, where she lives with her family. Her past jobs have included selling clothes online and writing murder mystery games. 

Close To Me is her debut novel. 

Follow Amanda on Twitter: @amandareynoldsj

As part of the spotlight feature Amanda has written 5 things about herself to enable us to get to know her better 😉

1. I think every writer should have a dog. I have two, sometimes three as I also look after my daughter’s Cavapoo a couple of times a week. If I’m honest, three is probably a bit too much, and the pup is a constant gorgeous distraction, but when it’s just me in the house, sitting at my desk typing away, I need at least one dog at my feet. Writing can be solitary, often intense, immensely rewarding, but it’s just you and the page. If you can reach down and find a furry head to pat, it definitely helps. They never interrupt, or ask you how it’s going, they’re just there with unconditional affection. They also need regular walks, which is often when a knotty bit of plot will unravel in my head; something about being under the sky, breathing in the fresh country air. 


2. I am addicted to Twitter. I love it. I could spend all day on it. I mainly follow other writers, bloggers, and people I know from the publishing world. My Twitter feed is very much about me as a writer, although I do post a lot of dog photos too! I love seeing other writers’ posts, book bloggers’ reviews, cover reveals. I get excited by the images of book post, and love seeing the supportive threads of conversation which crop up. I’ve found the book world to be a very generous community and for me Twitter embodies that. I know there’s an unpleasant side to Twitter, but I keep away from anything like that and find it a social place to hang out.