Welcome to the secret Members Page. Here is where I will post special extras just for you!
(Things come and go, so remember to check back regularly!)
August 2021
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Have you claimed your free copy of Murder Most Pumpkin?
Private July 2021 Update only for my Reader Group
- The Holiday from Hell
Hi Readers. Will 2021 ever get any better? Are you struggling as much as I am? It feels as though the world is burning, or flooding, and each of us are dealing with our own smaller crosses to bear as well.
Our month started with the school shutting early due to a Covid outbreak, and a return to home-schooling, ugh. Followed by a funeral, and finally by what should have been a well needed getaway with the kids. Obviously, being current times, this was not to be!
Our plan was a week camping in Cornwall. (Yes, very close to where my Cornish Witch Mysteries are set, hopefully enabling me some research and photo taking opportunities). The were several smashes on the M5 Southbound and so the journey took five hours. We then swore like sailors as we attempted to put up our new tent, and even after three hours it still looked like it was drunk, leaning oddly to one side.
Our month started with the school shutting early due to a Covid outbreak, and a return to home-schooling, ugh. Followed by a funeral, and finally by what should have been a well needed getaway with the kids. Obviously, being current times, this was not to be!
Our plan was a week camping in Cornwall. (Yes, very close to where my Cornish Witch Mysteries are set, hopefully enabling me some research and photo taking opportunities). The were several smashes on the M5 Southbound and so the journey took five hours. We then swore like sailors as we attempted to put up our new tent, and even after three hours it still looked like it was drunk, leaning oddly to one side.
We did managed to eat one lovely meal out in the gorgeous harbour.
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But then, shortly after we woke up on the first real day of our holiday, disaster struck. My daughter fell off the monkey bars in the play area of the campsite and we had to rush straight to the nearest hospital with a suspected broken arm! In face, she'd broken it in three places and required an immediate operation. Either in Cornwall, or back home. Recovering from an operation is not really ideal when you're sleeping in a tent, so a sweaty couple of hours followed taking the damn thing down again, and we drove back to Bristol after only one night! The following week was spent in and out of hospital for x-rays, and the operation, and a new cast fitting, etc etc. All vacation activities have had to be cancelled now and the weeks until school starts again stretch away in front of me. But she's okay, and that's all that really matters in the end I suppose.
How is your summer going?
How is your summer going?
Murder at the Mansion Crossword Competition!
As Morgana loves crosswords, I have created one just for you. The solution to the clues can all be found in the book. Send me your completed crosswords and each month I will pick one entry who will receive a signed paperback. I'm happy to post to anywhere in the world but you must be willing to share your address with me if you win.
Competition! Design a logo for Pixie's Place
Another competition! This one is for the more artistic among you. Design a logo for Pixie's Place (you'll see in the books that it's described as a Cornish Pixie with it's hand in a jam jar. Winning entries will be displayed here, but you retain copyright. Winner receives a signed paperback of your choice from the Cornish Witch Mystery Series.
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April 2020
Hey Reader Group! Like most of us, this last year has been a killer for productivity. The UK went straight into another lockdown after Christmas which meant no work got done as I was back to homeschooling every day. Thank goodness they are back at school now! Which means I'm back to working on the next book (Book Four in the Cornish Witch Mysteries) and I'll be doing a cover reveal right here just for you lot as soon as I get it back from the designer. It shouldn't be long now, yay. The book is coming along nicely too. It's called Buried at the Bookshop, and has a couple of new characters, including a ghost. Morgana is slowly getting back into dating with the dashing Lord Oliver Latheborne, who thankfully won't turn out to be a murderer this time. And, of course, she has another mysterious death to solve. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I'm enjoying writing it. More updates soon, Stella.
Pumpkin Chutney Recipe
Have you read Murder Most Pumpkin? In the book Morgana scoops out the inners of a pumpkin to make a pumpkin head (a Jack o'Lantern). But what did she do with the insides, did she waste it? Of course not. She made pumpkin chutney (with plenty of other ingredients abundant during the season). Here is her recipe:
1.5 KG Pumpkin Flesh, chopped
1.5 KG Apples, peeled, cored and chopped
1 KG Onions, peeled and diced
1 KG Granulated Sugar
1 Litre Distilled White Vinegar
500g Raisins
8 Garlic Cloves, peeled and crushed
1 Tbsp each of Mustard Seeds, Coriander Seeds, Ground Cloves, Ground Cinnamon, Turmeric, Ground Ginger
1/2 Tbsp Chilli Flakes
(Makes about 15 jars)
1. Put all the ingredients in a large preserving pan, mix to combine and slowly bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally.
2. Simmer for 3-4 hours until the chutney has reduced in volume and the consistency is thick - draw a spoon across the base of the pan and it should leave a clean channel for a few seconds. Keep an eye on it throughout cooking to check that the chutney doesn't burn or catch on the bottom of the pan.
3. Pot in hot sterilized jars, then label when cold. Store in a cool, dark place for a couple of months to mature the flavors before using.
1.5 KG Apples, peeled, cored and chopped
1 KG Onions, peeled and diced
1 KG Granulated Sugar
1 Litre Distilled White Vinegar
500g Raisins
8 Garlic Cloves, peeled and crushed
1 Tbsp each of Mustard Seeds, Coriander Seeds, Ground Cloves, Ground Cinnamon, Turmeric, Ground Ginger
1/2 Tbsp Chilli Flakes
(Makes about 15 jars)
1. Put all the ingredients in a large preserving pan, mix to combine and slowly bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally.
2. Simmer for 3-4 hours until the chutney has reduced in volume and the consistency is thick - draw a spoon across the base of the pan and it should leave a clean channel for a few seconds. Keep an eye on it throughout cooking to check that the chutney doesn't burn or catch on the bottom of the pan.
3. Pot in hot sterilized jars, then label when cold. Store in a cool, dark place for a couple of months to mature the flavors before using.
