Today, I’m sharing with you the mockup of the full cover of Acts of Faith. I am currently doing my last read through and will book the interior layout process tomorrow. I am still aiming to have the book go live around 26th March. It would be slightly sooner, but I have to be away all day today, so things have got knocked back – but keep an eye out, and there will be more news at the weekend.
As you can see from the cover, Baxter ends up in the Thames not far from where Tower Bridge is still under construction, and if you want to know where the climax of the book takes place more precisely, get a map and have a look for the River Neckinger. This was, apparently, the area in which Dickens set Oliver Twist, and Fagin’s lair in particular. Not that that has anything to do with my story or Baxter being in the river, it’s just something to mention.
So, not long to go now. Thank you, as always, for your continuing support.
Today, I can reveal the cover of the Delamere Files book seven, Acts of Faith.
There is a link at the bottom of the page that will open the full image. If you have signed up to my monthly newsletter, you might have already seen the cover, as this time, I released it to subscribers first. Today, though, everyone can see it. The MS is with the proofreader, the illustration is done, and I am just waiting to get the full cover from Andjela, and then the MS, and… Well, you shouldn’t have to wait too much longer.
As usual, I have added a few author’s notes to the end of the book, and this time, the subjects cover some of the locations I’ve placed the characters at, including some theatres that get a mention. Then there’s the Criterion Restaurant, Piccadilly, the Illustrated Police News headlines and stories (1888 and 1893), the London Fire Brigade, the law regarding breach of promise (of marriage), the Thames Torso Murders, and Tower Bridge.
Now then, that odd collection of topics might whet your appetite and have you wondering what on earth the story is about. I’ve left out one subject which is the villain’s modus operandi, because I don’t want to spoil the surprise for you. Talking of which… Here is the blurb and the front cover. I am aiming to have the book out before 26th March, so watch this space (and my Facebook page and Bluesky. Links at the bottom of the post).
Acts of Faith The Delamere Files Book Seven Jackson Marsh
When the Commissioner of Police assigns a personal case, failure is not an option. However, what begins as a simple mystery soon turns into something far more complicated. An opera singer dead in her bath, a Smithfield butcher skinned alive, a dentist locked inside a steam engine… What is the connection?
With Baxter’s help, the Clearwater detectives begin investigating the gruesome and seemingly unrelated murders, fully aware that failure could spell disaster for the agency.
As Baxter strives to prove his worth as a detective, he finds himself falling for a young police constable, but his search for love and success takes a chilling turn when he makes a horrifying discovery: the killer may be closer than he thought.
Click Ben Baxter to see the full cover Facebook page Bluesky
A slight change in tack today. I have an update for you and news about the cover reveal, but first, I wanted to draw your attention, and your click, to a collection of varied titles by authors such as Mary Crawford, and RD Kardon. These titles fall under the categories of women’s literary fiction and biographies.
Judging from the covers, many appear to be love stories, but there is also an element of time travel or adventure about them. (I love the tag line for ‘Head Lion’ by Neil Peter Christy, ‘Fasten your deceit belts.’) I can’t vouch for the quality of every single one, but those I have dipped into read well. The proof of the pudding is in the reading, so take a look, and if anything takes your fancy, you will find books are available on various platforms, including B&N and Kobo, depending on each title.
‘Acts of Faith’
Now, to return to my usual Wednesday update… The full MS of the next Delamere book is going off to my proofreader this weekend. All being well, it will be back by the following weekend, and out before the 26th March. Depending on how fast you read, you could start the story on, say, the 24th (as long as it’s ready), and finish on the 26th (Clearwater’s birthday) which happens to be the date of the climax of the story.
Is it a thrilling climax? Is it in the usual Jackson Marsh style of build to the unlocking of the mystery only to discover someone’s in trouble like, right now? You will have to read it and see. So far, it’s got a thumbs up from my husband in its Beta stage, but he may be biased.
As for the cover reveal, I will do this on Saturday. If you are on my newsletter mailing list, you should have already had the monthly newsletter and seen the full cover. The link is on the bottom of the newsletter. If you are not on the mailing list, sign up via the simple box at the top of the right-hand column here. You will ned to verify it’s you and you’re okay to join as it’s not an automatic sign-up thing.
So, why not read some of the titles from the above fiction list while you wait for ‘Acts of Faith’ and why not call back on Saturday to see Andjela’s cover which shows Benny Baxter doing something dramatic, but where…?
Hi. Today, I am taking a quick break from talking about the Delamere Files and my other Victorian MM Mystery series, because I want to highlight a book I published back in 2018.
Having read all four novels in author Jackson Marsh’s “mentor” series this, the third book on the surface seems to be the most straightforward m/m romance but believe me it’s not, the story has so much depth to it I am still thinking about it.
The blurb:
Burnt out from his life as a musician and record producer, 35-year-old Matt Barrow takes on Lonemarsh House, an isolated manor in the Kent marshes. When he meets 23-year-old Jason Hodge, a brilliant violinist, Matt knows this is the young man he wants to share his new life with. But Jason is closeted and at the mercy of his treacherous friends.
Jason is trapped by fear and Matt may be his escape, but should he jeopardise his safety for the love of an older man?
I’ve no special reason for mentioning this MM romance today except as a way of highlighting a promo that another of my romances is taking part in. This selection of titles is all Romance, and why I didn’t put Lonemarsh House into it, I cant remember. Maybe I will push that one next month. For this month, we’ve got ‘The Students’ highlighted over at the Friends-to-Lovers: Romances promo. There, you will also find roommates, boyfriends, firefighters, sportsmen, athletes, students and billionaires falling into friendships that lead to love, which is kind of what happens in Lonemarsh House.
Click the banner to find all the books on offer
My romances (and I admit, they are not full-on MM heat and humping ‘romances’ of the naked-chest-on-the-cover ilk) tend to be more about plot than simply boy meets boy etc. Lonemarsh house not only takes the older/younger theme, but also burn out, prejudice, and isolation. As that review says, there’s some depth to it and, to my mind, it’s my most romantic book to date, as in typical romance, rather than romance as a general style.
This week’s update is about the cover for Acts of Faith. Andjela has again come up with a brilliant cover for the story, and this time, it’s a scene from the climax of the tale. I will be revealing the full cover in due course, but looking at it made me wonder about previous covers and what they showed. It also made me ask the question, should a cover show a scene from the story, or a representation of it as a whole?
When I was looking for a cover for my mystery, The Saddling, the designer (not Andjela) came up with an image of a pagan festival wreath and that kind of summed up the story nicely. I, though, wanted someone walking into the action, and to feature a scene from the village where the story is set, and we ended up with a man, Tom Carey, innocently walking into the village through the mist and heading to the church where… You’ll have to read it to find out.
Then, looking at the Clearwater series I realised we have a mix of covers. Deviant Desire shows the two main characters with the threatening evil behind them, Twisted Tracks shows them running for a massive locomotive, the third book shows a mix of story moment and main character (Silas Hawkins), and the fourth cover, Fallen Splendour, has a grabbing image that also sums up the story. And so on through all books to the Clearwater Inheritance which shows us the Orient Express (kind of) charging through snow which is in fact music.
I often have a person on the cover as I think that helps link the reader to the characters, even though it’s only my image of what a character looks like. In the Larkspur series covers, we see (in order), Joe Tanner, Joe again (on horseback), the baddie for book three, the ghost for book four, Edward Hyde for book five, evil again for six, and finally, the Legacy, Clearwater’s ship.
The theme continues with the Delamere Files, where, so far, we have: Larkin Chase and Jack Merrit, Jack and the four old-school boys from the story (including Larkin when younger), Jack and his brother Will Merrit on book three, Will alone for ‘Where There’s a Will’, the villain and Ronny on book five, Jack and Baxter on ‘Grave Developments’, and, for ‘Acts of Faith, we have…
(Cropped from the cover)
You’ll have to wait for the full cover reveal in a week or so. Meanwhile, I can tell you that my target today is to finish the last chapter of the first draft. This one has taken a while to get down because of Christmas, a trip away, illness and my knackered shoulders, but we’re getting there.
Before I go, I know people are switching off from Amazon and KU because of the far right politics of the USA, but I must continue to use it because it is from where I get 75% of my income, and I couldn’t survive without it. So, if you’re still okay with supporting authors who have to rely on Amazon, you might like to look out for some new series starters from this list. Click the banner to take a look at all the titles.
Hello everyone, I am back from my travels and I have started back to work on ‘Acts of Faith’, the Delamere Files book seven.
We had a great time away, despite Neil going down with the flu and me having a dodgy allergic reaction to something I ate in London. We caught up with my old cabaret partner, had lunch in Garrick Street, went to see ‘The Book of Mormon,’ surprised my nephew on his 30th birthday, Neil’s sister too, and my brother, I called in on my mother and stepfamily, and we stayed overnight in a pod in Gatwick airport. Now, we’re back, and both have colds, but we’re battling on.
I have some photos of Clearwater-related places in London that I took while I was there, and I will share them with you in time.
Today though, as my Wednesday work-in-progress blog, I wanted to run by you the first draft of the blurb for the next book. This, like the 1st draft, is still a work in progress, but this should be enough to give you the gist of the story and whet your appetite to know more. As for the writing, I am at 75% and am coming up to the smoking gun realisation, crisis and climax. It’s all in my head. It’s just a case of getting it down. So, here’s the blurb – and I’ll be back on Saturday.
Acts of Faith
The Delamere Files Book Seven
Jackson Marsh
When the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police assigns a personal case, failure is not an option. However, what starts out as a simple mystery soon turns into something far more complicated. An opera singer dead in her bath, a Smithfield butcher skinned alive, an unknown man found locked inside a steam locomotive… What is the connection?
With Benny Baxter’s help, the Clearwater detectives begin investigating the gruesome and seemingly unrelated murders, fully aware that failure could spell disaster for the agency.
Bringing in a handsome young constable seems to do little to aid the investigation, but Baxter recognizes in PC Inning a man trapped in a loveless marriage, with desires that lie elsewhere. As Baxter strives to prove his worth both in the case and in winning Inning’s affection, his search for a better life and love takes a chilling turn. He makes a horrifying discovery: the killer may be far closer than he ever imagined.
I have to take a week off to rest my arm again, but before I do, I wanted to update you on what’s what and where I am, and remind you of the MM Romance, thriller and mystery promos I am taking part in (links below).
Currently, as you might know, I am writing the seventh instalment of the Delamere Files, ‘Acts of Faith.’ This will be the 26th book set in the Clearwater world, and I think lord Clearwater may very well make an appearance if only for half a scene. The book is coming along gradually because I’m unable to type as much, but also because it’s taking a fair amount of research. I can’t tell you all the details of that without giving things away, but I can tell you this:
Yesterday, I was at the Criterion Restaurant, Piccadilly. Except I wasn’t. Baxter and another character were, and the date was March 1893.
‘Acts of Faith’ centres around Baxter and his desire to move up from being a groom to a detective. It will also see him maturing in certain ways, and shaving his privates in the bath.
What? Yes, well… It’s Baxter ain’t it? Jack also appears a fair amount, because Baxter is his assistant, and Will and Ned are around in the background. There’s a new character who gets involved in the mystery, but more about him at a later date, and I reckon you’re going to have great fun working out a) what’s going on, b) what went on in the past, c) What’s going to happen, and d) to whom, by whom, how and when. I will be commissioning a cover and an illustration later this month.
The Criterion Restaurant (Wiki)
All will be revealed in time.
I’ll be back with you in a week or so.
Meanwhile, here’s the reminder of the various promos if you want to click over to any and have a free browse.
Discover New Crime Series
Here, you can find 34 titles, some of which are mine: Deviant Desire, Guardians of the poor etc. Also, though, you will see The Saddling, The Witchling and The Easting, three in a series of books also by me. The main character of these three goes on a journey of self-discovery in a place that hasn’t changed for hundreds of years and yet exists in the 20th century… I don’t want to give too much away, but think ‘The Wicker Man’ meets ‘Witness’ but gay…
I’m not 100% sure about this one, tbh. The header tells us you can find free books and ARCs at this promo, but mine aren’t being given away for free. Maybe I’m in the wrong group for this one, but take a look and see what you can come up with. There are 47 titles, including Banyak & Fecks and the Mentor of Barrenmoor Ridge.
Find some series starters in the crime genre with this promo where there are over 60 titles to explore, each with blurbs and links to where you can download or order them. Again, my usual suspects are in there, but this is one of the promos that does me well, so I’m staying right there.
This is where I find most of my new readers these days, I’m sure of it. I work with Book Mojo from time to time and they do me well, so I like to support them back. In this case, they have 35 titles on offer. https://books.bookfunnel.com/crimeseriespagefeb2025/hl4zk6n3nl
I have some new promos to share with you, plus some news on what I am up to. Let’s start with me. I am now over halfway through writing the first draft of ‘Acts of Faith’ the next book in the Delamere Files series (book number seven). I am aiming to finish the first draft by the end of this month, so, all being well, you might expect the book out in March. Maybe on Clearwater’s (and my) birthday on the 26th, we will see.
I am pleased to report that my three 19th century mystery series have been doing well, with some rising up and down various charts and reaching lofty heights (usually after a new release). My other books are doing okay too, but don’t get as much publicity as the Clearwater, Larkspur and Delamere collection, and that’s why I have some others in a promo this month, and they are ones you may not have heard of.
Here are the details of what you can find after February 1st (and, in the case of one, after February 8th, but I’ll remind you about that later too).
Discover New Crime Series
Here, you can find 34 titles, some of which are mine: Deviant Desire, Guardians of the poor etc. Also, though, you will see The Saddling, The Witchling and The Easting, three in a series of books also by me. The main character of these three goes on a journey of self-discovery in a place that hasn’t changed for hundreds of years and yet exists in the 20th century… I don’t want to give too much away, but think ‘The Wicker Man’ meets ‘Witness’ but gay…
I’m not 100% sure about this one, tbh. The header tells us you can find free books and ARCs at this promo, but mine aren’t being given away for free. Maybe I’m in the wrong group for this one, but take a look and see what you can come up with. There are 47 titles, including Banyak & Fecks and the Mentor of Barrenmoor Ridge.
Find some series starters in the crime genre with this promo where there are over 60 titles to explore, each with blurbs and links to where you can download or order them. Again, my usual suspects are in there, but this is one of the promos that does me well, so I’m staying right there.
This is where I find most of my new readers these days, I’m sure of it. I work with Book Mojo from time to time and they do me well, so I like to support them back. In this case, they have 35 titles on offer.
There, that’s what’s happening with my self-promo this month. Feel free to throw those links around to all and sundry and do your bit to support indie authors.
It was market morning. The ground was covered nearly ankle deep with filth and mire; and a thick steam perpetually rising from the reeking bodies of the cattle, and mingling with the fog, which seemed to rest upon the chimney tops, hung heavily above…
Not my writing, I’m afraid, but Dickens (Oliver Twist, 1838). I am currently researching Smithfield Market because two of my investigators will be going there later today, and I want to give an accurate picture of what one of London’s most famous markets was like in 1893. However, so far, I have only found accounts from earlier in the century and passages from authors such as Dickens. Having said that, I have not yet read everything on my go-to website, the Dictionary of Victorian London.
One of my challenges is to describe the same thing again and use accurate facts without sounding like a lecture. This is where Will Merrit comes in. I have fallen on this handy tool of using him to provide Jack and Baxter with background information about destinations they visit. It’s happened in previous novels, and there’s a little bit of it happening in the next one, ‘Acts of Faith,’ which is ticking along nicely in first draft form (see Wednesday’s blog for updates). So, to let readers know the facts of a place, I might slip in a snippet like this:
In form, the Meat Market is a parallelogram. It is 631 feet long, and 246 feet wide. It covers 3½ acres of ground. The architectural style of the building is Italian. The external walls of the market are 32 feet high, and for the purposes for which it was erected it is both in appearance and arrangements a model market.
That’s actually from John Fletcher Porter, London Pictorially Described, [1890], and thanks again to the Dictionary and its compiler, Dr Lee Jackson. Click that link and you will find all his books about Victorian London. I have a few of them and have read others. They are fascinating, though not necessarily my period of late 19th century.
So, my workload today includes writing chapter 18 and making sure there is a PoC (Point of Chapter) so that the story moves or the characters develop and we don’t end up with a shoe leather chapter where you get fab description but no story movement.
I also have to put out the month’s newsletter which will contain this month’s promotions for new books from many authors. (Sign up for the monthly newsletter from the link at the top of this page.)
I’d also like to get to the bottom of why, in my new PC, my autocorrect options sometimes use ‘straight quotes’ and other times use ‘curly quotes,’ there seems to be no rhyme or reason for it. The problem is the straight ones in words like don’t, come out as reversed curly quotes in the final printing of the book and look odd. (A minor niggle, but a niggle all the same.)
I also have some other bits and pieces to take care of so this Saturday looks to be already filled up with work and typing, just as I like it.
At least, Delamare seven has a title, ‘Acts of Faith.’ There are many other books out there with that title or a variation of it, but none of them that I can see are gay historical fiction set in March 1893, so hopefully, I won’t cause confusion when this one is released. When will that be? I can’t yet say. I am up to 51,000 words, so halfway through, and someone’s about to make a link which will start the ball rolling downhill towards the crisis.
I am having a mild crisis of my own as I bought a new laptop last week, and I am still in the process of transferring things over. Setting Outlook for emails was a nightmare but it’s done now, and most of my most-used programs are installed. What I am now finding are the niggly little things that I added and changed over time are suddenly not there. For example, my file explorer used to save the four most recently used folders in the side menu and that was very handy. Now it doesn’t and even though I have set the box to do so, the programme doesn’t. I also have a thing where the autocorrect options I created (and there are many) are no longer there so I have to start that process again and add them one at a time when I see them. Strangely, though, when I do this, the resultant changes use ‘straight’ quotes and not the curly ones I want. Again, I have changed the auto-correct boxes so this shouldn’t happen and yet it still does. It’s not a great issue but I notice that when there’s a – for example – I don’t know, printed in the bokos the ’ comes out the wrong way around.
Anyway… The good news is, I am typing away and creating another complicated mystery throughline set against a growing friendship/love story, and it’s all going rather well. Oh – and I might have the face of a new character whose first name I want to change, but otherwise… Meet PC Charles Inning:
You can also meet a heap of novels and authors on the last promo push of this month, simply by clicking the banner below. I will be involved in more of these next month, and there will be a newsletter soon to give you more details.
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