Tag: donkey

Beaufort's Landing, crime, Memoir, Novels, Series, Writing

Oh no I forgot to post this…A Brilliant Review

I have just received the following Editorial Review from Book Viral. The reviewer not only captured the essence of the story, but all its associated nuances and sub-plots as well.

Hiding out in North Qld brings new dangers…

“A gripping read that offers more than just a mystery to be solved,,,”

Here’s the short version, but I encourage you to read the full review, sites below:

“Escape to Danger” is a gripping read that offers more than just a mystery to be solved. It’s a story about self-discovery, resilience, and connection. Rose has crafted a novel that is thought-provoking and thrilling, making it a worthy addition to the mystery genre. Fans of character-driven stories with a touch of the supernatural will find much to enjoy in Xelma’s journey to uncover the truth and reclaim her life. It is highly recommended! 

Read theFULL and FULSOME review at these sites:

OR

http://bookviralreviews.com/ OR

https://www.facebook.com/groups/BookViral/https://www.facebook.com/groups/BookViral/ OR

https://www.facebook.com/Bookviral-208302829365066/

To any other author reading this, let me just say — this is a paid review (a pretty hefty cost), but from a highly credible source. The Services Manager, John is unfailingly polite and patient. Go and have a close read of their site. Sign up for a review if you like what you see. You’ll be asked for details of your book, they will go and have a look and decide if it is interesting enough for them to review. Can I just ask that you say Book Viral was recommended by me? Thanks. Oh, and there’s also a competition you can submit too.

I must away and get stuff done. Yours with a happy heart,

Beaufort's Landing, crime, Novels, Series, Writing

New Perspective on Rewriting — Overcome to Energised

Oops apparently I for got to post this…

Dang that seems like a long headline! But, I want to share with you a new mindset I have decided to develop. Having finished my latest book’s first draft, I’m setting out on the mammoth task of reviewing, revising, and rewriting. Now, it’s not that I absolutely hate this task, it’s just that it has felt tedious, time-consuming and tiresome. I have always felt, well, there that’s finished, brush hands together and get onto the next one. However, I know it will get better after the beta readers, editors etc., but before I send it to them I want it to be the best I can achieve without help. It’s my story, my responsibility.

I have, therefore, given myself a good talking to and am trying to look at my work with new eyes and attitude. If I slow down the narrative long enough for the reader to establish the character in his/her setting, if I make the reader feel the feels, sense the smell, touch the texture, hear the accent/music/forest sounds then they get a much more immersive experience.

I love it when I get lost in the world of whatever book I’m reading (which, at the moment is Boy Swallows Universe – what beautiful writing). Isn’t that what I want for my reader? Aren’t they supposed to say, as they close the book, ‘Man, that was good. I was right there!’

There is a lot of advice, out there in the media-verse, to just get on with relaying the story. don’t use too many adjectives, don’t take to long in the telling, action is everything, move, move, move…

Well, I beg to differ…I say balance all that action with explanation and explication. You can’t ‘show not tell’ without taking time out to trace the feelings, smell, noise, taste sights. Sometimes those things are so overpowering, so amazing, so awe-inspiring that they deserve an adjective or two. They deserve the deep breaths and appreciation.

Let’s stop dissing adjectives and adverbs, but using them wisely build our worlds, however small and seemingly insignificant, into places our readers can fully inhabit.

WHAT DO YOU THINK? How do you go about your re-writes. Do you toss out all those words and start again? Or, like me, go back and build little by little, more truth, strength and realness into what you have already accomplished? After all, I wrote a book! I mean, that’s no small task. Why would I bury it, when it can be re-vitalised, brought back to radiant new life?

Let me know how you’re doing,

crime, Novels, Writing

Book 4

Again, time got away. I promise to try to do better. The good news is that I have started Book 4, but it’s not the one I planned. I’ve still got that one in the pipeline and will be starting on it after I finish the first draft of this one. For the present I have no cover, but ideas are bubbling away in the background.

Xelma will be moving out of her comfort zone, and will end up in Charters Towers looking for a missing Ringer. Of course, Donkey puts in an appearance, as does Ryan. You will meet some new characters and learn to love, or hate, them. As for Ryan, WELL…

By the way, if you’ve never visited Charters Towers, an hour and a half S.W. of Townsville, you should do your self a favour. It is historically significant and the old centre is picturesque and charming. Old buildings abound and open-hearted people will welcome you.

A couple of shots from a recent visit. The Community has recently opened a Mike Carney Creative Industries Centrewith a Gallery and my books and some of Rosa’s art work are on display there. No. 2 is Rosa in front of one of the many, huge mosaics.

What’s that? You want a little taste? I don’t know…I don’t like to give too much away. Oh all right, just a little from the opening page.

Xelma sat atop Donkey’s bare back, in a side-saddle position, as they made their lazy way up from The Park Hotel/Motel at the beginning of Mossman Street towards Charters Towers’ town centre. She was dressed, as usual, in a flamboyantly coloured caftan with a matching turban-style head-dress covering her bald pate. Two different size gold hoops hung from each ear, and in the top of each ear a small diamond stud glinted in the morning sun. On her feet a pair of sandals of quality, brown leather completed the ensemble. Donkey had only a rope around her neck, which Xelma held loosely in her hands resting on the animals’ back. 

Locals and tourists alike, slowed and gawked at the pair. Some of the cheekier ones leaned out and took photos. A couple gave her a thumbs up.‘Looks like you’re a hit in The Towers,’ Xelma murmured to Donkey, who nodded her head. 

What do you think? No mysteries yet, but a quick re-introduction to Xelma and Donkey. would you read on?

I have get on with the rest of my life, so see you next time.

Novels, Writing

Book 2 Paperback Now Live!

Since then, I received my proof for Tidal Secrets, edited it – again and the print version is now live. You lucky things!

https://www.amazon.com.au/Percy-Rose/e/B089ND1WRF/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1

I can’t believe that it’s been a month. How on earth did that happen? The reason I’ve not got to blogging is that I’ve been busy editing and u loading new covers etc. I find it a bit discouraging when all this external business takes me away from writing which is what I love to do. Still, needs must. If I am honest a lot of it is that I’m so stubborn and that I rather enjoy the challenges inherent in these other efforts. How about you?

I am about half way into the prequel for the mystery series, Beaufort’s Landing, and have decided on the Title Coming Home since It starts with Xelma returning to Australia from Paris, having parted from her long-time lover there. She meets, Al. Remember him? Yes, that’s right — the crime boss ex-husband. Very gooood. It will only be a short novella, and available free, in the first instance, only to my newsletter subscribers. So, sign up below.

I still haven’t got to printing Ruth in Pieces but this week for sure.

So saying I must get on with it

P.S. My other me has been busy too and you can read all about it here….

P.P.S. I am going away for a couple of weeks on the 19th and since I no longer have a working laptop, I’ll probs not get back here until next month. Though, that is probably more than enough for you. See ya later alligata!

Novels, Writing

Ta Daa!


So, I’ve done it. Book 2 in the Beaufort’s Landing Series is now available as an ebook on Amazon. It was fun visiting Xelma again for the final read through. Hope I caught all the errors. Let me know if you find any.

Speaking of which, I went into my author page on Amazon and I have a big beautiful 5 star review on Escape to Danger Book 1 of Beaufort’s Landing Series.

“I really enjoyed this book. The characters were very vivid and I got a real sense of what life is like in the tropics! The lead character wasn’t your classic heroine. She didn’t need saving! But it was thrilling and nail-biting all the same when she found herself in dangerous situations. I also enjoyed the fact that she had psychic skills. A very absorbing and page turning read!”

Whoo hoo!

I have determined that I really need to learn the marketing side of this biz. but it all feels so big and so much to learn it’s overwhelming. Still I must make a start. So, presently am trying to find reviewers and start a newsletter for followers of my writing. Trouble is of course that everything costs, not necessarily a lot but each little bit adds to the other and before I know it I”m even more skint. Ah the woes, eh?

What this means for my blog post is that personal guff will now appear in my newsletters and the blog will be more aimed at the writing process and those authors that I love and their stories etc etc. God knows when this will happen but there will eventually be a button for you to subscribe to my newsletter. Watch this space.

Having said that, I’d better get stuck into it. Cheers, Percy.