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When I write, I like to create my novels from a place of abundance. That means I let the characters lead me down the paths they feel best serve their individual story. As the novel unfolds, I hone the narrative, re-order the clues of the mystery and adjust the pacing. The result is that some scenes get left behind. Not everything can ultimately serve the story being told. So today, as promised, is a short excerpt from Hoodoo House that didn’t make the novel … well at least not in this form. It deals with a character named Marjorie Ellis. I won’t say more. You’ll have to read the book to find out. The character is still a part of the book, but the below scene was excised.
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“While you were taking your time getting up, then having your endless shower this morning—I won’t ask what you were doing in there—I had another look online to see what I could find about Marjorie Ellis.”
“And?”
“Nothing. And I don’t just mean amateur blog postings or things like that. She has no internet footprint. There she is, supposedly alone in Portugal, still getting royalties on her original books and, undoubtedly some sort of kickback from the ghostwriters books that use her characters. She must be communicating with her publisher and, I don’t know, her lawyer or agent. I find it hard to believe that she’s been doing that all by telephone, fax or mail.”
“She is old, you know.”
“So are you, but you still send emails.”
Declan gave him a playful smack.
Charlie continued, “So why is there no trace of her? Anywhere. I was thinking, she may be using another name. There’s been a lot of speculation on chat rooms. Some blogs say that Marjorie Ellis is just a pen name—that’s not a surprise. Others speculate that she died years ago but the publisher didn’t want that to get out because readers are often rabidly faithful to an author. I know my mother loves Marjorie Ellis to the point that it’s like Ellis has become a close friend, someone who she shared her intimate fantasies with.”
“Why does that sound so weird?” Declan asked.
“Most people need someone to share their dreams and fears with. Some just aren’t lucky enough to have someone they can be open with, so they make up friendships.”
They drove on for a bit in silence when Declan asked, “Do you have someone who you tell all your problems to?”
Be careful where you’re going with this. You may not like what you find.
“Carrie’s always there when I need to talk about things.”
“What kind of things?”
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Hoodoo House comes out on June 25th and you can pre-order your copy now by clicking here.
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Things are getting exciting as I count down to the Northern Rainbow Romance Retreat in Toronto in October. Tickets are limited for the event, and as of today’s date there are only 72 Full Weekend VIP packages for readers, 20 Saturday VIP packages and 98 tickets left for the public signing. For all the information on how to attend, click here.
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If you need more time to plan, then why not join me at the Love & Romance in Toronto event in 2025. Limited tickets just went on sale and are likely to sell out in a short time. For information on this conference and how to get tickets, click here.
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In a digital world, with one publisher in England, and the other with head offices in Halifax, Nova Scotia it is sometimes hard to connect directly with the people involved in creating my novels. So it was a great delight to meet copy editor Morgan Wright who is working on my youth novel Not Not Normal. Morgan is passionate, articulate and FUN! The book is still a ways off with a release date in early September, but you can find out more about the book at the Lorimer website by clicking here.
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Okay, the number above is actually already out of date, but I wanted to share that I have updated my website. It now includes all of my books, lots of reviews and accolades, and a count-down to the launch. If you haven’t been to the site recently, check it out by clicking here.
I’ll be posting a link to the OFFICIAL invitation to the book launch soon, and newsletter subscribers will get EXCLUSIVE first access. Attendance on the night of June 25th is limited to 50 people, so watch for the OFFICIAL invitation with an RSVP in an upcoming newsletter. In the meantime, if you’re going to be in Toronto on June 25th in the evening, save the date.
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Mann Hunt has gone international! The book is doing very well in the U.K and so this month, as part of London (England) Pride celebrations, I am sponsoring Great Egg Theatre‘s production of the new LGBTQ+ play When Atlas Met Tantalus. The show will be playing at the Lion and Unicorn Theatre in London from June 4-8 and the Bridge House Theatre in London from June 11-15. If you know of folks near London, England, please give this fantastic company your support and spread the word to buy tickets now. More information about the show can be found by clicking here.
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A final shout out about a book that I think EVERYONE should read. Deborah Kimmett’s newest novel called Window Shopping For God is a personal memoir about dealing with personal demons, looking for salvation in too many places, and discovering hard-won truths through continuing to search for answers. Deb’s book is beautifully written, funny, intelligent, and thought-provoking. Do yourself a favour and pick up this book. You may be familiar with Deb’s work on CBC’s The Debaters. She is fierce, funny, and truly fantastic. To find out more about the book, click here.
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Next week, early reviews for Hoodoo House, more information on the launch of the book, and maybe even a little video teaser. Until then, thanks for reading.
Warmest Regards,
Need to reach Peter E. Fenton?
Email at peterefenton@gmail.com
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PO BOX 99900 ZH 136 634
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TORONTO ON M4K 0A2
Peter E. Fenton 