Christmas -What does it mean to you?

No 1 Best seller.

What does Christmas mean to most people? If you are of a different faith then probably not a lot you will be celebrating,  you have your own festivals at different times of the year. However, for Christians it is not only a time to get together with family and exchange gifts and good wishes, but also a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and reflect on what his arrival in the world means to you.
For those without any faith, has it become just a commercial event, a time for overheating and overspending on items we will never use? I don't think so.
Many of my Facebook friends put up their trees before the beginning of December – they love the glitter and tinsel and feeling of anticipation and excitement that all of this brings.
I believe I could call myself a secular Christian – that is, I believe that Jesus Christ was the most important human who has ever lived on this Earth but do not believe in a supreme  being and all that entails. I wish I still did – I found my faith a comfort, but I have moved on from that position.
For me the meaning of Christmas is twofold – it's a time for generosity, for sharing and for enjoying the indulgences I avoid at other times. We get to see my two oldest grandchildren – now they are adults and I can no longer visit them this is the only time I see them, which makes it doubly precious.
Although commercialism has taken over many aspects of this celebration I still believe the magic of Christmas is very much alive and well.
As a writer I find myself stretched for time. There is so much involved in the preparations for that one day that I don't seem to be able to find the time to work for as long as I should. I hope you are all well ahead with your preparations do not find yourself scouring the empty shops at four o'clock on Christmas Eve for the last minute gifts you have forgotten.
I would like to thank all of you for making this year so special for me and putting six of my books in the bestseller lists. I write for my readers – but being paid for doing what I love is fantastic too.
Fenella J Miller

Being an Ethical Author

Barbara's War -The Trilogy
Available as paperbacks 30th November

The Alliance of Independent Authors, of which I am proud to be a member, have come up with an initiative to which a writer may agree to, outlining a variety of standards to which said writer agrees.
Here are the things we are agreeing to:

Ethical Author Code

Guiding principle: Putting the reader first

When I market my books, I put my readers first. This means that I don’t engage in any practices that have the effect of misleading the readers/buyers of my books. I behave professionally online and offline when it comes to the following practices in my writing life:

Courtesy

I behave with courtesy and respect toward readers, other authors, reviewers and industry professionals such as agents and publishers. If I find myself in disagreement, I focus on issues rather than airing grievances or complaints in the press or online, or engaging in personal attacks of any kind.

Aliases

I do not hide behind an alias to boost my own sales or damage the sales or reputation of another person. If I adopt a pen name for legitimate reasons, I use it consistently and carefully.

Reviewing and Rating books

I do not review or rate my own or another author’s books in any way that misleads or deceives the reader. I am transparent about my relationships with other authors when reviewing their books.

I am transparent about any reciprocal reviewing arrangements, and avoid any practices that result in the reader being deceived.

Reacting to reviews

I do not react to any book review by harassing the reviewer, getting a third party to harass the reviewer, or making any form of intrusive contact with the reviewer. If I’ve been the subject of a personal attack in a review, I respond in a way that is consistent with professional behaviour.

Book Promotions

I do not promote my books by making false statements about, for example, their position on bestseller lists, or consent to anyone else promoting them for me in a misleading manner.

Plagiarism

I know that plagiarism is a serious matter, and I don’t intentionally try to pass off another writer’s words as my own.

Financial ethics

In my business dealings as an author, I make every effort to be accurate and prompt with payments and financial calculations. If I make a financial error, I remedy it as soon as it’s brought to my notice.

Responsibility

I take responsibility for how my books are sold and marketed. If I realise anyone is acting against the spirit or letter of this Code on my behalf, I will refer them to this Code and ask them to modify their behaviour.

The Ghosts at Pemberley

£1.99 on Amazon

Jane Austen Variations

The Ghosts at Pemberley by Fenella J Miller

Jane Austen has been one of my favourite authors since I was very young – although I must admit I didn't fully understand the nuances of her language and her gentle irony until I was in my late teens.

Of the six completed books I, like most other readers, have Pride & Prejudice as my favourite, and the one I like least is Emma, that is because Emma is not a character you warm to.

There have been many TV and film adaptations of her books and again I enjoyed most of The Pride & Prejudice ones; however, I didn’t enjoy the Mansfield Park TV version with Billie Piper – I think she was wrongly cast.

There have also been Jane Austen variations such as Death Comes to Pemberley and Lost in Austen. The PD James version was not well received and although well-acted there were too many historical inaccuracies to make it enjoyable viewing. Lizzy, for instance, wears the same green dress every day. Lost in Austen, although a fantastic, has to be my favourite. I’ve watched the final scene many times as it is the most romantic ending ever.

I’ve also read dozens of sequels, prequels and mash ups over the past few years. It appears that the thousands of Janeite fans will read anything related to her work, although Pride & Prejudice linked books are still the favourites.

I have been looking at what is around at the moment and there is everything from appallingly written erotica to some excellent sequels. There are also books where the only things that are the same are the names - I don’t read books of that sort – I want my Jane Austen variations to be firmly linked to actual books.

I really enjoy Amanda Grange, Jane Odiwe and Monica Fairview’s books. There are also several authors producing contemporary Jane Austen linked books – such as Juliet Archer and Victoria Connolly. There are dozens of other good writers but I prefer British authors. Although traditional publishers decided the Jane Austen bubble had burst a few years ago, author-publishers are still producing them and they are still being devoured eagerly.

I wrote a Pride & Prejudice version telling the story from Jane and Bingley’s viewpoints, Miss Bennet & Mr Bingley, some years ago which still sounds a handful of copies a week. However, I have now written the first in a four book series entitled, Pemberley, (I know, I could have come up with a more original series title – but it is what it says on the tin.) The Ghosts at Pemberley is Kitty Bennet’s story and is, I hope, a genuinely scary ghost story as well as a romance. This is now available on Amazon Kindle and there will be a paperback, perfect for Christmas presents, out in November.

I am writing the second in the series, A Scandal at Pemberley, which is Georgiana Darcy’s story and this will be published next March as an e-book and the paperback will follow in the summer.

http://amzn.to/1vmxlnH  (Amazon.com)

http://amzn.to/1mx3lVA  (Amazon.uk)

Christmas at Hartford Hall

I decided to republish this novella, that I have just got back from Musa, with a brand-new cover done by the wonderful Jane Dixon-Smith. It is a book that was written on commission for DC Thomson several years ago and is based on the Cinderella story.
I am thrilled that it is already a bestseller in the US and hopefully will also be popular over here.
Here are links if you would like to buy it – it is also available free to anyone who has joined the Kindle owners library.
http://amzn.to/1snSuOD (.com)
http://amzn.to/1C4sSYe  (.uk)
Fenella J Miller

The Ghosts at Pemberley

Available for pre-order on Amazon
http://amzn.to/1vmxlnH (com)
http://amzn.to/1mx3lVA (uk)

The first of my Pemberley series, The Ghosts at Pemberley is now available to pre-order on Amazon. This book will be released on 30th October 2014.
I love the cover and would like to thank Jane Dixon-Smith for designing it and Amanda Grange for finding me the image of the girl who is exactly how I imagined Kitty Bennet to be.
I am going to write a series of at least four books all set in and around Pemberley. Each one will feature a different hero or heroine and the main thrust of the story will be their romance. However, Darcy and Elizabeth will also be an essential part of each book, as well as a variety of other well-known characters from Pride & Prejudice.
The Ghosts at Pemberley is Kitty Bennet's story. The second one in this series of Jane Austen variations, A Scandal at Pemberley, will feature Georgiana Darcy and the third one will be Mary Bennet's story. A Scandal at Pemberley will be published in the spring of 2015 and the third book will be released in November 2 015.

The Ghosts at Pemberley - a Jane Austen Variation. 
Miss Kitty Bennet is travelling to Pemberley in order to become a companion and friend to Miss Georgiana Darcy when disaster strikes. Adam Denney, the Rector of Bakewell comes to her aid and is much taken with her. Bingley is hurt in the accident and he and Jane are obliged to remain at The Rectory, whilst Kitty continues her journey. 
The coach accident is just the first of many terrifying incidents that occur once Kitty is established at Pemberley. Somehow her arrival has woken the spirits that occupy the East wing and these ghosts are determined to get their revenge on those who trapped them in the spirit world. Elizabeth is in danger and Darcy is determined to keep her safe. Can the power of God defeat the evil or will Pemberley and its occupants be destroyed?

Fenella J Miller

Barbara's War - The Resolution

http://amzn.to/1vDvNbv    (uk)
http://amzn.to/1tnNxGU    (com)

Barbara's War -The Resolution is the final part of a three book series. The books can be read as stand alone -but would be better read in order. 

If Barbara's secret is discovered it will destroy her family, but no one can keep a secret forever. Her husband Alex, a Spitfire pilot, would reject her and her marriage will be over. A tragedy almosts rips the family apart and then Alex is posted abroad. Barbara has to learn to live without him. A series of domestic catastrophes, bad news and the unexpected appearance of her childhood friend, John Thorogood, cause her further heartache. Can she find a happy resolution to her problems? 


I am thrilled that my final book in this series is already 22 in the Kindle Historical Fiction and it isn't out until 26th September. This is possible because Amazon - bless them -have made pre-ordering available to indie writers.

Barbara's War -The Resolution

http://amzn.to/1vDvNbv
Available for pre-order at Amazon now.

The final book in my Barbara's War series, Barbara's War -The Resolution is now available for pre-order on Amazon now and will be released on 26 September.

If Barbara's secret is discovered it will destroy her family, but no one can keep a secret forever. Her husband Alex, a Spitfire pilot, would reject her and her marriage will be over. A tragedy almosts rips the family apart and then Alex is posted abroad. Barbara has to learn to live without him. A series of domestic catastrophes, bad news and the unexpected appearance of her childhood friend, John Thorogood, cause her further heartache. Can she find a happy resolution to her problems? 

I am going to miss this cast of characters after being so closely involved in their lives for three years. The first of the series, Barbara's War, will be coming out as a large print in October and so should be in libraries some time after that.

I would like to thank Jane Dixon Smith for providing me with such fantastic covers – I'm sure her designs have played a big part in the success of these books.

I would also like to thank my beta readers, Fay Cunningham, Kim Sheffield, Thorunn Bacon and Susan Rhodes for their valuable input in the series.

The books would not be so well produced without the help of my editor/proofreader Rachel Bevan.

I am now writing a three books series of Jane Austen variations and the first one is finished and should be published in October some time. I have already got the outline in my head for the second two books and will be writing one in 2015 and one in 2016. 

I am about to start on the final edit for my next two book, World War II series, entitled, Victoria's War. The first part will come out in spring and the second in the autumn of next year.

Fenella J Miller