'Bodies In The Bookshop' 14th July 2012

I'm delighted to have been accepted as one of the listed authors at the annual crime fiction event in Cambridge: 'Bodies In The Bookshop'. Pop along to Cambridge Union, 9a Bridge Street, Cambridge CB2 1UB from 10am onwards on Saturday 14th July2012 to meet me and many other crime writers. The event is run by Heffers Bookshop in Cambridge (Blackwells) every year. I've personally been to a previous event as a member of the public and can therefore recommend the event highly!

It's a must for every crime fiction fan!

Lovely New Review 'Beneath The Daisies'

http://www.amazon.com/Beneath-Daisies-Jayne-Marie-Barker/product-reviews/1849630739/ref=la_B007EDJ7SW_1_1_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

Lovely new review for 'Beneath The Daisies'

'Distant Shadows' - coming soon...

The second Inspector Allen mystery will be hitting the shelves this summer, approximately July/August....  'Distant Shadows' promises readers a mystery they'll never forget!

"One shot in the dark and everything changes.  When Richard Burkett shoots his victim in 1935, and gets away with it, he doesn’t expect to be caught over seventy years later.  The death of one man can affect so many lives…

Zoe Peterson is shocked to find two police detectives – one being the captivating DC James Clark –interviewing her grandparents about an unsolved murder.

Simultaneously Cathy and Stephen endure emotional turmoil in 1957.  The revelation of her father’s identity frightens Cathy.

Zoe is concerned about her father’s health and her ex won’t accept her ditching him; until James plants his size twelve’s firmly into her life.  Will finding the dying gunman and earning her grandparents’ gratitude be enough for James to win Zoe’s heart?

In 1957 someone is stalking Cathy, the shadows following her, the darkness choking her, until breaking point finds her in Stephen’s arms and the awful secret is revealed.  Wedded bliss could so easily be snatched away by terminal heartbreak.

A chance comment reminds James that the identity of the victim is more important than that of the murderer…"

Copyright: Jayne-Marie Barker

For further updates keep an eye on my website: http://www.jaynemariebarker.com/, this blog, my facebook page or twitter.

Best wishes

Jayne-Marie Barker

Author

Thank you!

http://tryingnewproducts.blogspot.com/2012/06/personal-thank-you-to-those-who-entered.html  Personal thank you to those who entered the giveaway....

Captivating The Reader

Everybody knows that the first line of any new story needs to hook the reader in an instant. If you're writing a story, whether it's a short piece, a full scale novel or even a non-fiction book, the opening paragraph is key. If you can't win your reader over on page one than you've double the effort to keep them turning to page two and beyond!

The first page, paragraph... let's get down to reality, it's the very first sentance that really counts.  Think about your opening word carefully and choose well!  It's just my humble opinion but the first piece a reader absorbs from your work should captivate them into reading on, and on, and on...  you get the picture!

It's not as tricky as it sounds, just pay a little extra attention and you'll find yourself set off on the right foot.

Jayne-Marie Barker
Author
http://www.jaynemariebarker.com/

Giveaway ' Beneath The Daisies'

BRAND NEW GIVEAWAY!!  WIN A FREE COPY OF 'BENEATH TEH DAISIES' BY ENTERING THIS GIVEAWAY COMPETITION, INTERVIEW/REVIEW ALSO AVAILABLE  http://tryingnewproducts.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/beneath-daisies-book-review-giveaway.html

A fresh glance...

A quick note to bring your attention to this fabulous blogspot managed by Crystal Allen - http://tryingnewproducts.blogspot.com/
Take a look...

Jayne-Marie Barker
Author

Reading Between The Lines

It's not an easy job to proof read a document... this I know from experience. It can be easier to spot errors in a document written by somebody else, or even when you look at a prined page as opposed to a PC screen.  Checking your own words, now, that's another matter entirely.

Top tips:

1. Read and read again - the first read through will never bring up everything.
2. Underline - unless you're following specific proofing instructions then underline the word, phrase, spelling and write the amendments in the margin. It's much clear to spot then trying to write tiny letters above the text.
3. Use a real dictionary - sounds obviousl but it's necessary. A dictionary will show you the correct spelling in the correct context and, most importantly, has been put together by people as opposed to the computerised brain your computer dictionary uses!
4. Put aside and return later - once you think you've finished, put it aside and re-read it later on. Give yourself at least half an hour and then re-read.  You may just spot something you overlooked before.
5. Most importantly - learn to read between the lines. Read what is there, not what you think is there.

Good luck!
Jayne-Marie Barker
Author

Virtual Danger

With our entire lives online it's always a worry if your PC if affected by a 'virus'. As a person a virus can knock us sideways and the same can be said for the laptop, ipad, iphone, personal computer or whatever latest gadget has been invented in the last five minutes!  Whatever do you do when disaster strikes? IT experts are everywhere but they're also in high demand... next time it happens to you just take the time out and enjoy the world through fresh eyes; you know the moment your technical life is back up and running you'll be glued to the screen again!
Seriously though, it can be a nightmare. Passwords to access the various platforms and online accounts can easily be forgotten, profile names confused and website addresses mysteriously vanish. What is the answer; we're advised not to list our passwords anywhere for security sake, but what happens when they're so secure that even you cannot remember them!
I'm afraid I don't have the answer - if you do please do share! In the meantime we'll stumble along as before I imagine.

Technical Friends!

Remember that old fashioned method of communication - talking, yes I mean seeing somebody in person and actually speaking to them...  I'm a bit old fashioned I'm afraid, but tt's funny to think that in this day and age we have 'technical friends'. I'm referring, of course, to people we are friends with online, but perhaps are never fortunate enough to meet in person. As I see it the world operates on two levels, the real person and the one we only know as a profile name or facebook photo...  Can a 'technical friend' ever bridge the gap into reality do you think...? I'd like to think so, and recently the proof came to light that they can - hurray!
A lovely lady has offered to help me this week and we only met on twitter a few days ago. I'm always very pleased to find the private communication routes available on most media platforms. They offer the online friend the opportunity to speak more freely, and thank goodness for that, perhaps a 'technical friend' can walk the line into reality... what do you think?  I sincerely hope my theory proves accurate since there are so many people out there, and it seems a shame to confine ourselves to the laptop screen!
Jayne-Marie Barker
Author