Category: Uncategorized (Page 1 of 2)

My third novel, THE RETURN POLICY is on its way. It is another romantic mystery with a supernatural twist, and I’m sixty thousand words in. I can’t wait to publish and hope to have it ready around the end of the year. I’ve been working on the cover, blurb and tag line – see below. In the meantime, why not take a look at one of my other novels OUT OF HUMANITY or THE IRONSTONE BIBLE.

Frank is devastated when he learns of the death of a long-lost friend, Morna. So, when she returns as a spirit who only he can hear, he is quietly overjoyed.

As they rekindle their friendship, memories surface – revealing bitter truths and lingering regrets. When they realise how much they have in common, they wish they could rewrite the past and claim the romance they never had.

But rewriting history is impossible…or can death bend the rules?

I am well on the way with my new novel, The Return Policy which could be best described as Magical Realism with an unusual romance. The story line is complete and I have started writing in earnest, 26,000 words so far. The story will change a bit with the writing as new ideas come to mind. One of the locations is Whitby, particularly the area around the churchyard of St Mary’s on the East Cliff. As part of my research, I read Bram Stoker’s ‘Dracula’ knowing that Whitby played a vital role in his influential novel and was excited to find he had used some of the same locations, and folklore, I had already put into my novel’s storyline.

I’m also developing the imagery. Next time I’m in Whitby, I’ll take more more photos and replace some of the stock images I’ve used.

Here is a quick extract to give you a flavor of what’s to come.

‘Funerals are dreadful affairs, but this one was a little different. The deceased had not died. Of course, only I knew that. For everyone else, it was real. After all, everything was as it should be; there was a death certificate, a body which was undoubtedly Callie’s and now a church full of mourners.‘

I estimate I’ll publish in November with my current progress. As with my previous novels, Out of Humanity and The Ironstone Bible I am aiming to make the story addictive reading whatever genre you usually read. I was very pleased when one of the Amazon reviews described The Ironstone Bible as ‘Unputdownable!’

A big thank you to Toton Library for hosting my Author Talk on Friday 14 March. There was a great turn out and it was lovely to meet everyone.

I spoke about my journey to becoming a novelist, my inspiration, my methods, my route to publication and my latest novel The Ironstone Bible.

I hope to be invited to talk in other libraries across the Broxtowe (Nottingham) region. Watch this space.

A reminder both my novels The Ironstone Bible and Out of Humanity are available from Amazon.co.uk. Both are available in paperback and eBook formats.

In conjunction with Nottingham Inspire Libraries, I will be giving an author talk about my writing exploits and my latest novel ‘The Ironstone Bible’ at Toton Library, Toton, Nottingham on Friday 14 March at 2.30-3.30pm

I’d be delighted if you could join me. Book your free place: eventbrite.co.uk/localauthortalkwithmartintuffs

I’ll share insights into my writing journey, the creative process, my influences & inspirations, and the path I took to publication. I hope this will make for a most enjoyable afternoon. Please pass on to anyone you think may be interested.

I’ll bring along copies of ‘The Ironstone Bible‘ which will be available at a discounted rate 😊

This week, I journeyed back in time 150 years at the Land of Iron attraction in Skinningrove. The amazing tour of parts of the old mine system took about ninety minutes and highlighted, as I already knew, how appallingly dangerous ironstone mining was in the nineteenth century. After the tour, I headed straight to the in-house museum to find an example of an ironstone bible. I was not disappointed. On display were six of these wonderful small artefacts, pictured below, which gave me inspiration for the plot in my latest novel, The Ironstone Bible. The bible in my novel was based on the ironstone bible first on the left with the floral design.

Why the miners carved these small objects is not entirely clear. Theories include they were made as presents for loved ones or good luck charms to ward off evil spirits. I took a different line in my novel. Instead of repelling spirits, the bibles……read The Ironstone Bible to find out more.😊

My new novel The Ironstone Bible, a Romantic Mystery with a touch of the unknown, is now available from amazon.co.uk in Paperback and Kindle formats.

The Ironstone Bible – The Discovery of a Good Luck Charm Brings More Than Luck.

When Kali invites Leo to her remote cottage for some friendly company, she fails to mention one thing: the place is haunted.

After Leo senses the spirit for himself, Kali admits the omission and persuades him to help investigate the hauntings in the hope they can lay the ghost to rest.

But with Leo harbouring a secret of his own, what will be his fate when he finally realises what is at the heart of the strange affair?

SOCIAL MEDIA

I’ve been busy producing reels to promote The Ironstone Bible on Instagram and TikTok. Check them out at Martin Tuffs (@tuffsmartin) • Instagram photos and videos or tiktok.com/@martintuffsauthor. My favourite reel so far is the one with the slogan ‘A dark problem requires a darker solution’ written in blood red and to the soundtrack of Spellbound by Siouxsie and the Banshees.

IRONSTONE BIBLES – A REAL LIFE MYSTERY

The title ‘The Ironstone Bible’ comes from the artifact that is central to the story. Ironstone bibles are unique to the area of the North Yorkshire Moors where the highest grade of iron ore, magnetite, was mined. Why miners calved the jet black rock in the shape of a small book is not entirely clear. One theory is that the ‘bibles’ acted as good luck charms to ward off evil spirits and keep the miners safe. More information about these fascinating objects can be found at the Land of Iron Museum in Skinningrove.

I took a different view for my novel. Instead of repelling spirits, the little black books…well, read The Ironstone Bible to find out more.

The Ironstone Bible is a romantic mystery set in the North Yorkshire Moors.

Paperback and Kindle formats will be available from amazon.co.uk on 31 October.

The Discovery of a Good Luck Charm Brings More Than Luck

‘When Kali invites Leo to her remote cottage for some friendly company, she omits to mention one thing: the place is haunted.

Leo soon finds out for himself when he feels a presence. Kali admits the omission and persuades Leo to help investigate the hauntings.

But with Leo harbouring a secret of his own, what will be his fate when he finally realises what’s at the heart of the strange affair?’

Diary Dates

I am looking forward with nervous anticipation to the release date of 31 October. If the feedback is as positive as it has been for my first novel, Out of Humanity, then I’ll be very pleased and relieved. I write to be read but I also write to move the reader in a positive way. I try to weave a bit of magic into my stories and an element of the unexpected. If you like romantic mysteries then I hope you’ll love The Ironstone Bible.

I will be attending more fairs in the coming months with copies of both my novels on sale. I’ll be at Stapleford Library Christmas Fayre on the 14 December. It would be great to see you their. I’ve had bookmarks printed up as giveaways – see image.

A reminder I’ll be at Belper Book Fair on Sunday 15 September. Copies of my first novel Out of Humanity will be available at a discounted price.

My father Don Tuffs was also an Engineer turned writer and produced a number of non-fiction books. He published a definitive history of the village he grew up in entitled ‘There was a Green Hill: The History of Stillington from its Beginnings until 1950,’ available from amazon.co.uk. He also produced a follow-on ‘Stillington Sport 1909 to 2004’ and a memoir ‘Memories of my National Service.’ The latter two books will also be on sale.

It would be great to see you in Belper. In the meantime, here’s my bio I’ve prepared for the Fair.

I will be a stall holder at Belper Book Festival hosted by Dormouse Books on Sunday 15 September, 11-3 pm. My first novel Out of Humanity will be available at a discounted price.

Also on sale will be original watercolours by my daughter Abigail. @abigailtuffs An example of her work is shown below.

Wells-next-the-sea Quay, Norfolk.

If your looking for a catchy upbeat read for the summer holidays why not try my debut novel Out of Humanity at a great new price of £7.99.

Don’t sap you energy with tragedies. Zap your energy with Out Of Humanity – an adventure that will keep you guessing until the last page.

Amazon Books rating 4.8 out of 5

‘Absolutely terrific…’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘…so brilliant. Totally engrossing.’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘A fantastic read…’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Paperback and eBook versions available from Amazon.

Kindle Edition: £0.00 with kindleunlimited or £2.99 to buy – WILL BE ON KINDLE COUNTDOWN DEAL FROM 28 July for 7 days – DEAL PRICE £0.99 .