Author Genre: Crime, Suspense, Romance & Action
Website: Faith Mortimer-author of crime, suspense, romance & action
Twitter: @FaithMortimer
E-Mail: faith@vouni.sent
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Amazon Author Profile
Author Description:
Faith Mortimer is a wife & mother, dividing her time between Hampshire, UK & Cyprus. Since childhood, she dreamt of writing novels which readers would love, & spent many hours writing short stories which she read to her sisters.
Later her dreams were put on hold while she focused upon her family & careers as a Registered nurse & later overseeing a string of travel & sport related companies.
Born in Manchester & educated in Singapore, Malaya & Hampshire, England.
SPOTLIGHT Questions and Answers with the Author
Congratulations on your book: THE GREEN ROOM. What do you have on the drawing board next? Can you tell us the timeline for its release and give us a little tease?
Hello James. May I first thank you for inviting me onto your blog today – it is indeed an honour. My last book, The Green Room was well received, but it is now the turn to please my ‘women’s literature’ readers who like a change from psychological thrillers and mystery suspense, with the addition of a touch of edgy contemporary romance. A VERY DISTANT AFFAIR is the fifth novel in the ‘Very Affair’ series, and I’m delighted to let readers of this genre know it is set in London and Australia – hence the ‘distant’ part. This is my 17th full length novel and I am very excited about it. Publication date is the 30th JUNE – on all good book sites!
You have a good following on twitter. Since you started before the social media buzz, what impact has social media relationships had on your current success? How did you build your following in your niche? How much has it changed your book launch process?
Social media is important for me. As an independent author, I use sites such as Twitter, Google and Facebook. I have formed many lovely friendships this way over the years, and as a consequence my personal mail list has grown tremendously. My following built gradually and I let readers and fans know whenever I have something to shout about.
You have great covers. They carry a theme and your brand with them. How does your book cover creation process work? Do you hand over the basic theme or do you have more of a hands-on approach? Do you get your readers involved in its development?
Book covers can be an emotive subject. Some tell us nothing about the story inside, whereas the rest give us a hint or more of what to expect. I like mine to reflect something in line with the subject I’ve written about. I usually have an idea on what I’d like on the cover and either use a personal photograph or find one which fits the bill. I leave the artwork and graphics to my designer to play around with and he comes up with the finished product. Sometimes I do involve my readers over titles and whether they like the graphics/picture etc. usually in the form of a competition. The results can be surprising!
You have written several short stories. Can you tell us if they had an impact on the sales of your novels? Are shorty’s one of your styles of writing or are they created to give readers a sample of your work?
Short stories can be surprisingly difficult to write especially if the word count is kept within a certain number. Imagine; putting everything into 3500 words, complete with characters’ descriptions, start, middle and end of story and it has to be an all-round captivating tale! I’ve used shorty’s to compliment my full-length novels and sue different tenses and POV as teasers.
You have bundled several of your novels into sets including THE DIANA RIVERS MYSTERIES collection. What was the impact on your other sales? What was your main objective in bundling your novels?
Readers can become hooked on series, but I am aware that not everyone can afford to keep buying books. Placing a number of series books in a bundle means that it is a cheap attractive option, and a thank you to my readers. Book bundles can have enormous impact on sales, especially when offered in conjunction with an additional special offer.
What has been your experience in giving your books away free? Have you been involved in any other type of giveaways and how did that work out? What was your main goal in doing this? Did you run into any obstacles?
Free can be an excellent way of increasing readership and awareness – especially making the first one of a series free. I have the 1st Diana Rivers free at the moment – The Assassins’ Village – and it is boosting sales of other books in that series.
Living in the UK creates a unique selling and marketing situation. You have published your books in other languages (Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese). Where is your biggest audience? How is your audience abroad? Does marketing online help in this situation?
My biggest audience is in the UK, with the US and Cyprus next. I divide my time between the UK and Cyprus, so have many personal friends in both countries who readily support and buy my books. I market online with social media and occasional paid advertisements.
Author's Book List
The Green Room
- "Dark Minds" Psychological Thrillers Book 3Ella, a thirty-five year old nurse, believes she has a good life: no money worries, a job she enjoys, a gorgeous apartment and an undemanding boyfriend…until one fateful evening when everything changes.
A young woman is found raped and strangled near Ella’s home. The latest victim in a serial killer’s rampage across Surrey.
Ella’s boyfriend Michael, a police constable on the team conducting the investigations of the crime, pleads with Ella to be vigilant at all times…the killer is bound to strike again.
When a handsome, enigmatic stranger rents the empty apartment above Ella, the brutal death toll rises…but against her better judgement, Ella doesn’t listen to her boyfriend’s warnings about strangers until it is far too late…
She is convinced that there must be a connection between the murdered women, and for some reason it is all linked to the Green Room…
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Behind A Twisted Smile
- Dark Minds Psychological Thriller Book 2What do you do when an ex-lover won’t take “no” for an answer? Moya thinks Martyn will eventually take the hint – but the rejected lover has no such intention.
Three weeks later, Moya meets her older sister Evie at a picnic, and learns that she has recently met the man of her dreams. Only problem is – He’s Moya’s spurned ex.
Almost at once, Moya finds herself in a long and terrifying ordeal; she has to deal with an adversary who loves playing sinister mind games, all under the guise of his twisted smile.
As the months slip away, the mental battles with Martyn move insidiously towards physical conflict. A conflict where only one person will step away…. Alive!…
Author note. Based on a true life scenario back in the 70's. Forensics were simpler then so the up to date version had to be modified.
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ON DEVIL'S BRAE
- A Dark Minds Psychological Thriller Book 1Cassandra Potter; is hiding from the memories of two recent and traumatic deaths. But one day she makes the mistake of walking alone on Devil’s Brae. A mountain in the stark wild of the Scottish Highlands.
The beautiful country seems empty, stretching for miles in every direction, but it is then she sees him. A dark brooding figure, standing motionless, watching as Cassandra climbs the brae.
That first time Cassandra ignores the watcher, until the next time and it is then she first realizes her mistake. Someone wishes her gone from the village – at all costs.
No one believes her story—not the police, not the neighbours, and especially not her friends. When she suspects someone is lying to her, Cassandra is forced to retrace her past, following in her own footsteps to find the truth and stay alive. But who is following Cassandra? Is murder in their uppermost thoughts?
On Devil's Brae…You never know who's out there.
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Not Just For Christmas
- Affair Series Book 4Chloe Prendergast, shares an exciting secret with Benedict Endsleigh, her charming fiancé. But Ben isn’t as thrilled as he might be, especially when ex-wife Annabelle drops her bombshell.
Within days, Chloe’s life is turned upside down and she runs to her brother Cameron for help. Staying in the stunning Cotswold Hills of England, things are going well until Chloe runs into brusque, rude hotel and landowner, Scott Tilney.
When Chloe falls ill, it is the handsome Lord Tilney who comes to her aid. Against her better judgement she finds she is attracted to this puzzling man who seems wedded to the past, as she is to hers.
As everyone prepares for the Christmas holiday extravaganza, Chloe dreams of becoming a Christmas bride. But which path will true love take? She knows that love is - Not Just for Christmas.
A beautiful Christmas novel about the magic of Christmas memories, the strength of family and falling in love when you least expect it.
After all, Christmas holidays are the season for love and second chances.
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On Christmas Hill
- Affair Series Book 2Catherine is a single mum, struggling to bring up her five year old daughter, she has little time for romance, and when she learns she has lost her job and her flat is deemed inhabitable, she wonders just what else life is about to fling at her.
Where or to whom can she turn to for help? Kismet in the shape of handsome, bachelor, Jack Darcy aka Father Christmas is at hand. But can she trust the handsome stranger who seems to know a lot about her private life, and why does he introduce her to his favourite place up on Christmas Hill?
When Catherine finds a forty year old letter hidden in a village post office and seeks to reunite the letter with the addressee, little does she know what part she will play in the affair or how circumstances change her very existence. Her own ideas of weddings and being a bride seem remote. When will she find that perfect love which so far has eluded her?
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A Very English Affair
Danielle Collingdale is moderately successful in business but hapless in love. Danielle’s world takes an unexpected upturn when handsome and wealthy Christian Douglas enters her ordinary life and sweeps her off her feet into a passionate affair. Within days, their involvement develops from an ardent romance into genuine love. But the lovers seem fated…because while planning their new life together, a catastrophe threatens their devotion, putting their relationship to the ultimate test.
Will this shocking and tearful discovery tear them apart or can they find the strength to overcome their ordeal and live a joyful life?
NB. A box of Kleenex is essential when reading this novel.
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A Very French Affair
- Affair Series Book 1We've all seen those three little words...je t'aime ...but will this be the case for Margaret?
When Margaret discovers her fiancé is cheating on her, she leaves England in search of a new life and a new dream. Beautiful yet self-effacing, Margaret is determined to put romance out of her life and avoid forming personal ties. On the beautiful French south coast, Margaret lands herself with a plum job and is happy to forget her worthless old flame. Things are looking up, until a series of events draw her into meeting handsome Frenchman Jean-Paul. Despite her reservations, Margaret begins to let down her guard with inevitable consequence.
Margaret falls deeply in love, but struggles with her conscious after discovering Jean-Paul is married. Despite his declaration of a loveless marriage, should Margaret continue with her new affair? Her old life haunts and scares her…Should she choose a secure, safe life, immersed in her work, or one filled with passion and excitement with the sexy Frenchman? In her darkest hours, can she trust him with her heart?... Has she found a safe haven?
Or is she poised on the brink of the abyss…
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A Brutal Trade
- The Diana Rivers Mysteries Book 7Even on a small island the darkest secrets can’t stay buried forever…
It began like any normal day in Cyprus…except it wasn’t…the body of a woman brutally murdered and discovered in a shallow grave changes all that.
It is only days later when amateur sleuth, Diana Rivers and old flame, Chief Superintendent Adam Lovell discover a second female victim…only this time the discovery is even more chilling and shocks the island inhabitants.
Joining forces with local policeman, Sergeant Yiannis Loukiades, the three embark on a journey which takes them on the fringes of humanity. Disturbing secrets are unearthed. They are on the hunt for killers who will stop at nothing in their hunt for one vital woman.
As the bodies mount up, the detectives ask themselves one question. What is the reason for the women’s’ deaths and their horrific mutilations?
With the investigation quickly gathering momentum, Diana finds herself exposed to great danger…in the sights of a lethal individual who’ll put a stop to her meddling. Each move could be deadly… vicious in its outcome…can the team bring a halt to this brutal trade?
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A Deadly Learning
- The Diana Rivers Mysteries Book 6When author and private investigator, Diana Rivers travels to Portugal for a holiday, murder is the last thing on her mind.
On the first day of her visit, nothing bodes well at the International College of Portugal when a woman’s body is found interred behind a wall during renovation work. The striped plastic tape around the crime-scene portrays a sense of nail-biting unease. Diana sets out to discover who the victim is - and that's when a second woman's body is found…only this time it's a student from the college.
Diana upsets a whole hornets nest when she stumbles upon students practicing sexual rituals in the sand dunes, the makings of a drug factory and money laundering..and that's not including a rash of killings. Her plans for a quiet break go out of the window.
But as usual…Diana is in her element.
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CHILDHUNT
- The Diana Rivers Mysteries Book 5Two weeks before Christmas. The villagers of Agios Mamas, in Cyprus, are preparing for the season’s festivities with plenty of parties. Without warning terror strikes the heart of the village.
Over the past six years, many children have disappeared...without trace, leaving behind bemused and shocked parents. This winter two more small children disappear...abducted from their home...
Diana knows the family of four, and acting swiftly, puts together a party of local runners and walkers to comb the surrounding countryside for the missing youngsters. Additional help comes from old flame, Adam Lovell and his gypsy girl-friend, Clare. They know they have to act quickly...The first hour is called "The golden hour" and the longer a child is missing, the less chance there is of them being recovered unharmed.
As Diana becomes more involved in the desperate search, she puts both her life and Clare's in danger as the noose is drawn tighter around one house near their normally sleepy little village.
Has someone been stalking the family; waiting for the right moment to strike?
And why this family? Will local author and amateur sleuth, Diana Rivers, her posse of friends and CID Police Chief Inspector, Adam Lovell find the children before it's too late...?
Join Diana and her friends as they try to unravel the twists and turns in this horrific nightmare.
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Camera...Action...Murder!
- The Diana Rivers Mysteries Book 4Diana Rivers hadn’t intended to visit England that summer but the invitation to take part in a film-shoot seemed too exciting an opportunity to miss. She looked forward to renewing old friendships and meeting a handful of well-known film stars.
The only possible fly in the ointment, was the venue. Years before, Diana had suffered a terrifying experience in Cheltenham, England – an encounter which she thought she’d resolved. Reassuring her partner, Steve that all was well and the dreadful episode was behind them, they went ahead.
Little did Diana know that the filming was only a minor part of the show about to be enacted. Once again, Diana is drawn into events which threaten to spiral out of control. When a beautiful young actress is accidentally killed, Diana’s reaction is to turn to more sinister thoughts. Was it an accident or was it…murder?
A second body leaves everyone reeling and this time there is no doubt. A callous and vicious murderer is at large. Diana is fast embroiled in discovering the hard facts, not knowing that she is placing herself in great danger. Watch out Diana! You could be next…
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The Surgeon's Blade
- The Diana Rivers Mysteries Book 3Nursing sister, Libby Hunter wakes up in hospital with amnesia after a traumatic sailing accident. The stranger she finds sitting by her bedside claims to be her fiancé. The trouble is... she cannot remember him...
Returning home, Libby finds herself in great danger when her house is broken into. Who is the intruder and what does he want? Is this connected to a series of attacks on nurses in London and Southampton? Is Libby the latest targeted victim?
Distressed, Libby turns to helicopter pilot, Robert for help and understanding...but is he as respectable and kind as he appears to be? Is her so-called fiancé, Nigel trustworthy?
The night time intrusion into Libby's house sets in motion a downwards spiral of cataclysmic and terrifying events, culminating in sleuth, Diana Rivers stepping in to help solve the case in this chilling mystery.
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Children of the Plantation
- The Diana Rivers Mysteries Book 2After discovering the truth surrounding the bloody murders in, "The Assassins' Village" feisty sleuth and heroine, Diana Rivers and her partner Steve, decide they deserve a holiday.
Relaxing at their luxurious palm fringed plantation hotel in lush, tropical Malaysia; things don't quite work out as they imagined. Diana is approached by the hotel owner, the enigmatic Miss Chalcot, well-bred, imperious and secretive, to take a look through some old family documents.
Miss Chalcot possesses a burning ambition to put right a dreadful wrong that occurred over sixty years ago - and Diana is given free rein to pursue the mysterious past of the family and discover what lies behind the dark stories.
Diana enters into a world of the 1950's and 1960's, where lies, deceit, illicit love, jealousies and...perhaps murder all feature. What really happened all those years ago? Who were Paul, Hermione and the beautiful but selfish Lady Eleanor? Who was responsible for events that shocked the whole family and plunged it into despair? And what is the real story behind the façade?
As Diana gets closer to the answer she realises she is herself in danger…
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The Assassins' Village
- #1 The Diana Rivers SeriesBestselling, The Assassins' Village introduces, Diana Rivers, writer, sometime actor and amateur sleuth.
When a theatrical group gather to rehearse their next play they never dream there will be murder. A blackmailer stalks their picturesque Cypriot village.
In secret, they all attempt to find solutions to their problems - even... murder! Can they find the blackmailer? And can they find that all important 'little black book' - the chronicle of their misdeeds.
The group is riven with jealousies, rivalry, sexual tension and illicit affairs. A body is discovered and Diana turns detective to draw up a suspects list. After the police get involved one of the suspects is found hanged - is this another murder or suicide? A visit to a villager's home uncovers an ancient assassin's device. Could this be the murder weapon? Is it possible that an assassin lives at the heart of this formerly peaceful and idyllic mountain village?
Love, hate, murder and high drama all feature in this classic detective story. With a long list of suspects, some dramatic twists and the odd red herring, the reader - and actors - are left guessing until the final curtain. (93,000 words)
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Harvest
- The Crossing Book 2HARVEST - continues Richard and Billy's stories which begun in The Seeds of Time. Billy returns home and marries his love, while Richard has to make a decision between the two beautiful women in his life. Richard discovers he is torn between love and duty.
In Sorrel he finds what he believes is his soul-mate, whereas sexy Miranda keeps Richard guessing. When Richard discovers an old war-torn photograph of a woman and two children he is shaken to the core. What was it his father did & never divulged to his wife and family? Harvest is a world where tragedy rests alongside joy. Harvest deals with harsh, cruel, and often despicable conditions – at the same time describing the indestructibility of love in past and present lives. This is a story of deep romance, bravery, survival, heartbreak and happiness, all poignantly and convincingly conveyed. Richard's compelling desire to finally lay his father’s dark secrets to rest brings warmth and understanding into the two intertwined stories. All perfectly blended with non-stop action, intriguing locations, and appealing characters.
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The Seeds of Time
- The Crossing Book 1Englishman, Richard Barker, has everything he needs - a beautiful yacht, plenty of money and an exciting occupation.
When disaster strikes he is shattered, and struggles to come to terms with his feelings of guilt and grief.
At his darkest hour, help arrives from two unexpected and completely opposite sources. Into his life walk beautiful, serene Sorrel and the tempestuous and wilful Miranda.
While Richard is battling with his raw and confused emotional state, he discovers secrets about his dead father’s past life during the Second World War. It is this intriguing news which helps bring Richard to his senses.
But is it enough for Richard to find inner peace and love?
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