Hi Friend
Hi there, I hope you are well.
I'm contacting you today because you recently downloaded my gripping crime novel The Killer Shadow Thieves for free, from my website or through a Bookfunnel promotion. Huge thanks for taking the time to do that. As a writer engaging with readers is my number one priority.
If you've had a chance to read the book I’d love to hear from you. I reply personally to every one who contacts me. You can get in touch here: info@jfburgess.co.uk
You can read some of the 5 STAR reviews the book got here on Amazon, or…
But equally as important, I wanted to make sure I'm sharing content that interests you?
After all, everyone gets tons of e-mail, some we do want and plenty we don't want; it can become a chore trying to distinguish between the two, and everyone hates spam!
By now you will have received three emails from me, a welcome, what to expect from me, and links pointing towards my author website. So you’ll know I’m just a regular family guy with asthma, who loves to write engaging, character driven crime with twisting dark secrets. If you missed any of these emails simply clink the links in this paragraph.
My books are set in gritty, industrial Stoke, which is known as the ceramic capital of the world because of its history for producing some of the finest pottery available any were. The city was forged during the industrial age of mass coal mining.
Maybe you’ve heard of global pottery brands; Royal Doulton and Wedgewood?
Both companies have produced ware for over 200 years. But despite their success, there’s been a tragic decline in the pottery industry over the last fifty-years, meaning the place now has unemployment, crime, tons of old derelict mines, potteries, and bone mills from the past.
Its a unique place for a crime writer to draw inspiration from, and the people are very friendly and welcoming despite their economic troubles.
My plot-lines also take some of the most rugged and beautiful landscapes in England The Staffordshire Peak District, just to the north of Stoke, has everything from rocky outcrops to rolling hills, luscious valleys, and spooky forests, and it’s known for legends and dark murders.
Moving on…
I'd like to know more about you and what types of book you love to read?
There are so many genres and sub genres on Amazon these days; it’s confusing to know what to read next.
Are fast-paced thrillers your thing? Do you like to curl up in front of the fire with a cosy mystery? Is your poison detective fiction, historical mysteries, women sleuths or psychological thrillers?
Do you find yourself following an author’s book series religiously, or do you give the new guys on the block a try? I know I do both.
Ultimately, it doesn't matter, just as long as you enjoy the escapism; which is an author’s job to provide.
A recent survey in the Boston Globe summed up why we love to read fiction
Our survey respondents reacted to the characters as though they were real people: They admired the protagonists, disliked the antagonists, felt happy when the good guys succeeded, and felt sad or angry when they were threatened.
By simulating a world where antisocial behaviour is strongly condemned and punished, these novels were promoting ancient human values. And from these books, and from fiction more broadly, readers learn by association that if they are more like the protagonists, they’ll be more likely to live happily ever after.
By enhancing empathy, fiction reduces social friction. At the same time, story exerts a kind of magnetic force, drawing us together around common values. In other words, most fiction, even the trashy stuff, appears to be in the public interest after all.
The psychology and science behind why we love a great story so much is fascinating. Wouldn't you agree?
Finally, I wanted to let you know about my new book A Place of Reckoning, which is coming out in late March 2020 (I will let you know the exact date once I know.) I'll be doing a cover and chapter reveal in the next few weeks, and I would love to get your feedback?
I really enjoyed writing the book as it reminded me how people’s behaviour can impact on others lives; some good, some indifferent, and some extremely evil.
They say the best books reflect how society is at any given point in time. A Place of reckoning is set in Stoke; one of the UK cities hit very hard by the global crash of 2008, and a victim of cruel government cuts to public services ever since global austerity kicked in.
The story follows Irish travellers, criminals and people who’ve hit rock bottom, as they collide with a rich and powerful pottery family. And as we all know, where there are riches: corruption, greed, and dark secrets are usually present.
Here's what it's about:
A damaged marriage. A Deadly secret. A dark obsession. A terrifying killer.
When seemingly unconnected links, between a gruesome murder and the kidnap of a rich, powerful pottery owners wife, Annabelle Lancaster emerge; it’s up to Detective Tom Blake, assisted by FBI profiler, Lucy Stryker, to follow the trail – no matter how deadly!
Together they must uncover a clandestine sex-cult’s web of deceit that stretches back 200 years. A place where secrets and lies are currency and no obstacle is insurmountable.
But it seems everyone involved with the case is hiding something.
None more so than Annabelle’s husband, Charles Lancaster, with his connections to the corridors of power.
With their every move under scrutiny, will Blake and Stryker handle the pressure, and be in time to save Annabelle?
The only man who knows where the evil trail may lead - is the KILLER!
Discover the gripping investigation that sees DI Tom Blake pushed to the point of no return!
A beta-reader described A Place of Reckoning as...
Silence of the Lambs meets The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
'An engrossing whodunit, with powerful scenes, and devious characters, that delivers an emotional punch to the dark and twisted end. Stunning plotting!
Beta-reader Geoffrey Harwood
So, keep an eye out for my emails over the coming weeks, as I'll be doing a cover and chapter reveal.
Please feel free to drop me an email and let me know what you think. I'd love to hear from you?
In the meantime, have a great week and enjoy your reading?
J.F.Burgess
Contact: info@jfburgess.co.uk
This is a spam-free zone, so I'll only ever email you to let you know about a new book release, or if I'm running a discount or promotion that I think you'll like, or if I'm giving away any cool stuff like signed copies of my books, free Kindle e-readers, tablets, book vouchers or other top-notch goodies.
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