'The King's Deception' by Steve Berry

Release date: 21st November 2013

Published by: Hodder Paperbacks

ISBN No: 978 1444740844

There is a secret from our history - 500 years old - startling in its revelations and devastating in its political impact. A secret that has, thankfully, stayed hidden. 
Until now.

Former Justice Department agent, Cotton Malone, travels to England and finds himself caught in a dark conspiracy born long ago, in the time of the Tudors.

Now both the CIA and MI6 seem to be competing to uncover the mystery and, for Malone, supposedly on holiday with his son, Gary, it's not just the action which comes thick and fast. When Gary disappears, Malone is forced into a race against time, as he battles to decipher a puzzle that leads him from the Middle Temple to the chapel at Windsor Castle, from an Oxford college to the sewers beneath Hampton Court.

With assassins, traitors, spies, and dangerous disciples of a secret society closing in, Malone discovers that the solution to the mystery will not only draw him into a lethal trap, but force him closer to his own troubling past. And a shocking revelation.

Amazon Synopsis

'Omens' by Kelley Armstrong

Release date: 20th August 2013

Published by: Sphere

ISBN No: 978 1847445117

A life shattered in one shocking moment

Olivia Jones has lived a life of privilege and good fortune. But on the eve of her wedding she discovers two shocking facts. One - she was adopted. Two - her biological parents are notorious serial killers. And now the secret's out, she's in immediate danger.

A young woman forced on the run

Running for her life, Liv must face reality in the most brutal and terrifying way. But then she is confronted with a tantalising hope - is it possible that her parents weren't guilty of the murders after all? And if so, who did commit them?

And the mysterious town that gave her sanctuary. At a price.

Arriving at the remote town of Cainsville, Liv believes she has found the perfect place to hide while she uncovers the truth. But Cainsville is no ordinary town - and Liv's arrival was no accident.

Kelley Armstrong's brilliant new novel is a gripping and atmospheric thriller about a town where secrets are soaked into every stone - and omens should never be ignored . . .

Copyright: Amazon Synopsis

'The Wednesday Daughters' by Meg Waite Clayton

Release date: 16th July 2013

Published by: Ballantine Books

ISBN No: 978 0345530288

In the tradition of Kristin Hannah and Karen Joy Folwer, Meg Waite Clayton, bestselling author of The Wednesday Sisters, returns with an enthralling new novel of mothers, daughters, and the secrets and dreams passed down through generations.
 
It is early evening when Hope Tantry arrives at the small cottage in England’s pastoral Lake District where her mother, Ally, spent the last years of her life. Ally—one of a close-knit group of women who called themselves the Wednesday Sisters—had used the cottage as a writer’s retreat while she worked on her unpublished biography of Beatrix Potter, yet Hope knows little about her mother’s time there. Traveling with Hope are friends Anna Page and Julie, first introduced as little girls in The Wednesday Sisters, now grown women grappling with issues of a different era. They’ve come to help Hope sort through her mother’s personal effects, yet what they find is a tangled family history—one steeped in Lake District lore.
 
Hope finds a stack of Ally’s old notebooks tucked away in a hidden drawer, all written in a mysterious code. As she, Julie, and Anna Page try to decipher Ally’s writings—the reason for their encryption, their possible connection to the Potter manuscript—they are forced to confront their own personal struggles: Hope’s doubts about her marriage, Julie’s grief over losing her twin sister, Anna Page’s fear of commitment in relationships. And as the real reason for Ally’s stay in England comes to light, Hope, Julie, and Anna Page reach a new understanding about the enduring bonds of family, the unwavering strength of love, and the inescapable pull of the past.

Copyright: Amazon Synopsis

Winner of my 'Love in Bloom' Giveaway Draw!

The Secret Writer Blog has now well over over three thousand 'GFC Followers' and is quickly heading towards the two hundred and fifty thousand page view mark!! I would like to say a great big thank-you to everyone who joined my blog as a new follower or were already a follower of my blog, entered this draw and to those who left wonderful comments on the post . It really is appreciated   :-)

As usual I wish that I could send everyone who entered this draw a prize, but within the rules of the draw, there was to be only one lucky winner!

For those of you who have not won this time, there are plenty more giveaway draws to come. Please keep visiting this blog and entering the giveaways. You never know your luck, you could be one of our next winners!  If you are a 'GFC' follower of this blog, do not forget to enter my monthly 'GFC Followers' book draw. Just click on the relevant tab at the top of the page!

I visited random.org earlier today and the winner of this particular draw for the Amazon Gift Voucher/Certificate is, drum roll!!!

  
Katy - $25 (US) or £20 (sterling) Amazon Gift Voucher/Certificate

Congratulations!

I will contact the winner to let them know and to arrange delivery of their prize. If I have not been able to make contact with the winner within 48 hours of this post, another winner will then be drawn. Thank-you again to everyone who entered this draw and who follow my blog. Happy reading!

'The Valley of Amazement' by Amy Tan

Release date: 24th October 2013

Published by: Fourth Estate

ISBN No:  978 0007456277 

A new novel from the internationally bestselling author of ‘The Joy Luck Club’.

In fin de siècle Shanghai, Violet Minturn grows up at Hidden Jade Path, the city’s most exclusive courtesan house. But when revolution comes, she is separated from her mother and forced to become a “virgin courtesan.” Both Chinese and American, Violet moves between these cultural worlds, becoming a shrewd businesswoman who deals in seduction and illusion. But her successes belie her private turmoil. Violet’s need for answers propels her on a quest of discovery: a journey to make sense of her life, to right the wrongs of the past – to find love requited.

Spanning fifty years and two continents, ‘The Valley of Amazement’ dramatises the collapse of China’s imperial dynasty, the influx of foreigners that became the lifeblood of Shanghai and the inner workings of the courtesan house. Unfolding old family secrets, this novel returns readers to the compelling territory Amy Tan so expertly mapped in ‘The Joy Luck Club’. With her characteristic wisdom, grace and humour, she conjures a story of the inheritance of love, its mysteries and senses, and its illusions and truths.

Copyright: Harper Collins Synopsis

'The Tudor Bride' by Joanna Hickson

Release date: 24th October 2013

Published by: Harper

ISBN No: 978 0007446995 

he thrilling sequel to The Agincourt Bride, and the story of Catherine de Valois - the French princess who became an English queen.

King Henry V’s new French Queen, Catherine, dazzles the crowds in England, blithely unaware of court undercurrents building against her. Her loyal companion, Guillamette, suspects conspiracies against her queen. But her warnings are ignored, for Catherine believes herself invincible as she gives birth to an heir.

Tragedy strikes when King Henry is struck down by fever back in France and Catherine rushes to his deathbed. A weak and weeping dowager queen follows the slow funeral cortège through France and the King’s Harper, Owen Tudor, plays to comfort her.

Back in England, the regency council removes the new young king from her care, and a defeated Catherine retires to her dower estates, taking Owen with her as Steward. At the secluded manor of Hadham, a smouldering ember bursts into flame as Catherine and Owen Tudor become lovers.

But their love cannot remain a secret forever, and when a grab for power is made by the Duke of Gloucester, Catherine – and those dearest to her – will once again face mortal danger….

Copyright: Harper Collins Synopsis

'The Fallen Queen' by Emily Purdy

Release date: 12th September 2013

Published by: Avon

ISBN No: 978 1847563453 

Uncovering the secrets of Lady Jane Grey – who ruled England for nine days before her execution – and her two sisters Katherine and Mary – who both served Elizabeth I.

An unforgettable story of ambition, lust and jealousy.

Led by love into the jaws of fate….

Lady Jane Grey is crowned Queen at the behest of Edward VI. Her reign lasts only nine days before she is executed for treason and Elizabeth takes the throne.

Lady Jane’s two sisters, Katherine and Mary, live on into Elizabeth’s reign but in family misfortune they are bound, inspiring the Queen’s wrath against them.

In secret, Katherine and Mary risk everything and disobey the royal order by marrying the men they love. Will their treachery be discovered? And must they face imprisonment in the Tower of London, just as their sister did before them?

A stunning tale of treachery and treason, perfect for fans of The Tudors.

Copyright: Harper Collins Synopsis

'The Prodigal Son' by Colleen McCullough

Release date: 29th August 2013

Published by: Harper

ISBN No: 978 0007419319 

Potent poisons and deadly rivalries in this glamorous thriller.

Jim and Millie Hunter have it all: good looks, brilliant minds, and a meteoric rise to fame.

Dr Jim Hunter is a genius biochemist, and author of a smash-hit science book that is propelling him to the top. His wife Millie, is a blonde bombshell and fellow scientist, researching rare poisons derived from puffer fish.

They seem to have it all, but others in their academic circle have got the knives out, jealous of their success – and their inter-racial relationship arouses prejudice.

So when a double murder is perpetrated, using poison stolen from Millie’s research lab, Captain Carmine Delmonico of Holloman Police must race to find the killer before they can claim their next victim.

The pool of suspects is small, but nobody is talking. Have two men died to safeguard the publication of Jim’s book – or do rivalries and betrayals run deeper than that?

Copyright: Harper and Collins Synopsis

'Pack Up Your Troubles' by Pam Weaver

Release date: 20th June 2013

Published by: Avon

ISBN No: 978 1847563620 

Connie and Eva are best friends but their families are the worst of enemies…

During the VE Day celebrations, two women meet completely by chance. As Connie and Eva talk they discover they are from feuding families, the Maxwells and the Dixons. But when they both begin nurses’ training, they can’t deny their natural bond of friendship and become more like sisters.

Their lives intertwine as Connie starts courting Eva’s brother, Roger, a bomb disposal expert. In her heart, Connie holds a torch for local artist and freespirit Eugene, but a dark memory from her past makes her wary of trusting any man.

The two women are determined to uncover the secrets that have plagued them and kept the two families at war for so long. But can their friendship survive the shocking truth?

Copyright: Harper and Collins Synopsis

'Plague in the Mirror' by Deborah Noyes

Release Date: 11th June 2013

Published by: Candlewick Press

ISBN No: 978 0763659806

In a sensual paranormal romance, a teen girl’s doppelgänger from 1348 Florence lures her into the past in hopes of exacting a deadly trade.

It was meant to be a diversion — a summer in Florence with her best friend, Liam, and his travel-writer mom, doing historical research between breaks for gelato. A chance to forget that back in Vermont, May’s parents, and all semblance of safety, were breaking up. But when May wakes one night sensing someone in her room, only to find her ghostly twin staring back at her, normalcy becomes a distant memory. And when later she follows the menacing Cristofana through a portale to fourteenth-century Florence, May never expects to find safety in the eyes of Marco, a soulful painter who awakens in her a burning desire and makes her feel truly seen. The wily Cristofana wants nothing less of May than to inhabit each other’s lives, but with the Black Death ravaging Old Florence, can May’s longing for Marco’s touch be anything but madness? Lush with atmosphere both passionate and eerie, this evocative tale follows a girl on the brink of womanhood as she dares to transcend the familiar — and discovers her sensual power.

Copyright: Amazon Synopsis

'The Bookman's Tale' by Charlie Lovett

Release date: 28th May 2013

Published by: Viking Books

ISBN No: 978 0670026470

After the death of his wife, Peter Byerly, a young antiquarian bookseller, relocates from the States to the English countryside, where he hopes to rediscover the joys of life through his passion for collecting and restoring rare books. But when he opens an eighteenth-century study on Shakespeare forgeries, he is shocked to find a Victorian portrait strikingly similar to his wife tumble out of its pages, and becomes obsessed with tracking down its origins. As he follows the trail back to the nineteenth century and then to Shakespeare's time, Peter learns the truth about his own past and unearths a book that might prove that Shakespeare was indeed the author of all his plays.

Copyright: Amazon Synopsis