Hot off the press!

So there it was. One of the biggest Sunday newspapers in the entire country. And they were reviewing my book. What would they say?

It was the last thing I thought about last night when I went to bed. It was the first thing that entered my head this morning, as I opened gritty eyes at 6am, too excited and nervous to sleep any longer. What would they say?

Time seemed to drag by. I couldn’t buy the paper from anywhere until 10am, as it’s a Sunday. To pass time, I tried to read, but my eyes were drifting over the words, my brain refusing to take in a single sentence. I tried to work, but I just stared at the screen. I tried watching telly, but I’d no idea what was going on. In the end, I did the washing up, all the time thinking one thing: What would they say?

Finally, I nipped down to my local newsagent.

‘You’ve picked up two copies,’ the woman behind the till told me.

‘Oh, yes, well, the thing is…’ I blushed, suddenly feeling very hot. ‘My book’s being reviewed in the paper, and I’m a bit excited.’ When the confession came, it tumbled from my lips, suddenly eager to escape.

She beamed at me, giving me congratulations, and promising to check out my book. I thanked her, briefly feeling a bit like a celebrity. Grinning and hugging the papers to my chest, I scurried home and started rifling through the pages until I reached the book review section…

There it was, in glorious Technicolor. My book – and it had been made the Sunday Mirror’s Choice read of the week! I’d beaten bestselling authors Jane Shemilt and Lee Child. Oh my goodness!!!

By now, I was so excited I could barely see. It took me three goes before I could finally take in the words of the review properly. Little phrases kept jumping out at me.

Chillingly drawn serial killer…will have you looking over your shoulder and under your bed…original, gripping, and writing with a deep psychological impact…

Wow, they said that about my book!

To say I’m floating on cloud nine right now is an understatement. I’m peering down at cloud nine, it is a mere speck in the distance below me, because I feel like I am soaring.

I just hope that all of my readers enjoy FLOWERS FOR THE DEAD as much when it is published tomorrow. Thank you to all who have bought it so far, and to everyone who will buy it in the future. Your support means so much.

The Sunday Mirror have made Flowers For The Dead their Choice read of the week