Cathie Dunn writes...

Release Day went so well for The Shadows of Versailles.  A big Thank You to everyone who downloaded a copy.  It was #1 in various UK, US and Germany genre charts, and it still holds a #1 New Release spot, three days later. I’m so thrilled to bring the infamous Affair of the Poisons to readers’ attention. It’s such a fascinating event that stretched well over a decade, although the actual trials can be condensed into a few years.  It was in the late 1660s, that the Marquise de Brinvilliers had begun to poison her father and brothers, with the help of a valet, yet it only came to light after her associate and lover, Sainte-Croix, died in 1672 – ironically of natural causes. He’d locked letters from her into a casket, together with vials of poisonous substances. And her desperate attempts to get hold of the box raised suspicions. When an arrest warrant was issued, she fled to the Netherlands, then in Spanish hands, but was eventually caught in Belgium in spring 1676 and exe...

...in the sizzling Crooked Cat Summer Sale !  For this long weekend only (until Sunday, 10th July), my two historical romantic adventures, Highland Arms and Dark Deceit are on sale across all Amazon outlets, at 99p/99c!  Plus, readers will find many other brilliant reads by those talented Crooked Cat authors on offer. Don't miss their fabulous FB event where you can meet them and discover new books!  Now, let me take you back to the Scottish Highlands with Highland Arms ! Picture a Highland rogue plotting rebellion, a Lowland lass with a curious nature that gets her into trouble all the time – and the undeniable beauty of the Scottish Highlands around Glencoe, Ballachulish and the shores of mysterious Loch Ness! Add a murder, a missing load of muskets, and a scheming brother... Betrayed by her brother’s lies, Catriona MacKenzie is banished from her home to her godmother’s manor in the remote Scottish Highlands. While her family ponders her fate, Catriona’s ins...

Crooked Cat is having a summer sale – and my two novels, Highland Arms and Dark Deceit are on offer for 99c/p for one week only! Well, until Saturday, 15th August... ;-)  But there are also many other fabulous reads on offer. Discover new authors today! ~~~ Highland Arms Betrayed by her brother’s lies, Catriona MacKenzie is banished from her home to her godmother’s manor in the remote Scottish Highlands. While her family ponders her fate, Catriona’s insatiable curiosity leads her straight into trouble–and into the arms of a notorious Highlander.  Five years after an ill-fated Jacobite rebellion, Rory Cameron works as a smuggler to raise money for the cause–until Catriona uncovers a plot against him and exposes his activities. Now, Rory is faced with a decision that could either save their lives or destroy both of them.  But he’s running out of time…  Highland Arms is the first in The Highland Chronicles series of historical romance novels set in the Sc...

Are you a fan of ebooks? I am (as you may have noticed...)! I find the wider range of outlets, and with it potential readers, very appealing. I don't share many other blog posts through here, but thought this might interest my writer friends. Author David Robinson has been in the trade for decades. I fully agree with him, being a relative 'newbie' compared to him. ;-) Take a look at his blog today: http://www.dwrob.com/2015/04/in-praise-of-the-e-book-revolution/ Cheers!

Well, hello! :-)  Nice to see you again. I've finally emerged from family emergencies, dog re-homing and about to complete a couple of exams (but nearly there!)... So, in order to celebrate my return to humankind, I've set the price of my historical romantic novella, Silent Deception , to nil, zero, null! It's a light adventure, with a touch of paranormal. Blurb : Can a ghost scare off a young heiress determined to make her new manor her home? Having inherited a family estate she’d never heard of, Minerva Goodridge travels to Cornwall to take charge of her new home. But fatal memories lurk in the shadows of Trekellis Manor. As the locals keep away from the house, Minnie accepts the help of a stranger. Can she trust him? Gideon Drake, 8th Earl of Rothdale, is on a mission to uncover a family secret linked to Trekellis Manor. But the arrival of Minerva, the new owner, disrupts his investigation. Attracted to the headstrong heiress, he decides to take action – and ends...

The Cats at Crooked Cat Publishing are holding a brief Valentine's Day (or should I say, weekend) sale! All their Kindle ebooks, including the latest releases, will be at 99p / 99c !  But only until Sunday night! Browse the fabulous range of books from my fellow Cats: Amazon UK Amazon com Of course, my very own Dark Deceit 's in there, too! Find it here: UK or worldwide !  Blurb: On his return from battle at Lincoln, Geoffrey de Mortagne, under-sheriff of Gloucester and spy for the Empress Matilda, assists a dying knight caught in an ambush. Promising to look after the welfare of the knight's only daughter, Geoffrey stays at her manor, investigating the murder. Keen to join the Empress on her progress through England, he is torn between his oath and his duty. Left to defend her manor following her father's death, Alleyne de Bellac reluctantly accepts Geoffrey's support. As she doesn't trust the taciturn stranger, she asks Will d'Arqu...

Sale! Sale! Sale! Wow, what's going on? First, The Wild Rose Press are having a sale, meaning my romantic Scottish 5* historical, Highland Arms , is reduced in price. Yes, I know! Imagine highlands, lochs, adventures, and of course a gorgeous Highlander. Yes, I'm a little in love with Rory... Are you ready to fall in love? Find out in  Highland Arms , right  here ! ~~~~~ And now, Crooked Cat Publishing are holding a 24 hour Flash Ebook Sale! My, that's posh, isn't it? All their ebooks are 99c/77p on Amazon, including my historical adventure, Dark Deceit . ~eek~ Only on Cyber Monday! Dark Deceit on Amazon UK ! Dark Deceit on Amazon com !  ~~~~~ All other fabulous Crooked Cat books will be on sale for 99c/77p, too. What a choice! Check them out in the UK or the US !  Happy Reading!

Remember, remember... the 5th of November! The Crooked Cats are celebrating another sale event!  Today only, all Crooked Cat Publishing ebooks are 99c/77p! And yes, my very own  Dark Deceit 's for sale, too! Head over to Amazon now. Find mine, plus a fantastic range of mysteries, historicals, thrillers, contemporary fiction, chick lit, and much more... Amazon UK Amazon US/Overseas

Happy 1st Anniversary to the  English Historical Fiction Authors blog!  Yes, exciting stuff! And to celebrate, readers can (re-)discover some of the authors' best and most popular blog posts of the past year. Go on – delve into the past! Plus, there are many fantastic historical books and ebooks up for grabs. Don't miss it! Head over now to the English Historical Fiction Authors blog and make sure to check out the Book Giveaway   from popular historical fiction authors such as Sherry Jones, Debbie Brown, Lucinda Brant and Deborah Swift! Ssshhhh!  Dark Deceit 's on the list, too...

Today, I welcome author Sue Perkins who chats about her new release, The Sixth Key, as part of her blog tour. Handing over to Sue... Thank you Cathie for inviting me to your blog.  My latest  release is ' The Sixth Key ' a fantasy romance suitable for anyone over the age of sixteen. Although I write novels for middle grade, young adult and contemporary romance, fantasy is my favorite genre.  The world of Sacral is my own creation with magic, castles, horses and magical beasts. The ruling  people are telepaths but my sympathies are with the Mutes. These people have been outcast by the rulers simply because they have no psychic powers. The banishment has been going on for a long time and the Mutes now have many psychics in their midst. Sometimes the powers skip a generation, but also loved ones are not prepared to let their husbands, siblings, parents or children go into exile on their own. The aim of the Mutes is to combine the two peoples to become one...

Silent Deception , my Victorian romantic novella, is * FREE*  on Amazon for two days only: 2nd & 3rd August 2012! A romantic, slightly paranormal story with a dash of mystery, set in remote Cornwall in the 19th century, Silent Deception tells of a young heiress who uncovers a dark family secret with the help of a visiting earl. But making this secret public might cost her dearly. Download your free e-copy of an "enjoyable" historical read now: Blurb: Having inherited a family estate she’d never heard of, Minerva Goodridge travels to Cornwall to take charge of her new home. But fatal memories lurk in the shadows of Trekellis Manor. As the locals keep away from the house, Minnie accepts the help of a stranger. Can she trust him? Gideon Drake, 8th Earl of Rothdale, is on a mission to uncover a family secret linked to Trekellis Manor. But the arrival of Minerva, the new owner, disrupts his investigation. Attracted to the headstrong heiress, he decide...

After climbing the 'Gothic Romance' charts at Amazon earlier this week, Silent Deception , my romantic historical novella, needs some TLC. So here's another snippet... Blurb: Having inherited a family estate she’d never heard of, Minerva Goodridge travels to Cornwall to take charge of her new home. But fatal memories lurk in the shadows of Trekellis Manor. As the locals keep away from the house, Minnie accepts the help of a stranger. Can she trust him? Gideon Drake, 8th Earl of Rothdale, is on a mission to uncover a family secret linked to Trekellis Manor. But the arrival of Minerva, the new owner, disrupts his investigation. Attracted to the headstrong heiress, he decides to take action - and ends up uncovering more than he expected. Gideon must weigh up his family’s reputation against Minnie’s, but will the revelations tear them apart? Excerpt: I think you should leave now.   Minnie remembered her words to Gideon Drake as she pummeled the pillow ...