I don’t normally like to discuss or reveal aspects of my Work In Progress until it’s at least half-formed. However, as it’s just the two of us, and as long as you promise not to tell anyone else…
Hello again my fans (or anyone else just passing by).
It’s been a long time since my last update. I’ve had a tricky few years for various reasons, and it’s been hard finding the motivation and time to write. I’ve had some difficulty finding a Historical Fiction theme that interests me; perhaps there’s only so many times you can write stories of how unpleasant the National Socialist regime in Germany was.
So at the moment the Ray Kingfisher WW2 Historical books are taking a back seat.
I do have a new novel out, though; it’s a Ray Backley thriller – a contemporary story set on a desolate snowy road in Colorado. It’s called The Ice Line after the fictional stretch of road where the main action takes place, and tells what happens to a motley bunch of people who get stranded there (which is that most of them get killed).
The Amazon page is *here*
I’ve also posted the cover and the first few chapters of the story on the top menu above. The book is due to be released on July 30.
24 Comments
Susan
Just finished The Sugar Men. Won me over, so now onto Rosa’s Gold. Hoping the Cell of Secrets is a reality. Going to check on Amazon right now.
Ray
Hi Susan. Really pleased you enjoyed The Sugar Men, and hope Rosa’s Gold lives up to expectations.
Cell of Secrets is definitely a reality and will be released either later this year or, more probably sometime next.
lynne
Hi, I read Rosa’s gold first and have just finished the Sugar Men. Both books have touched my heart. I love the way you write. I am looking forward to Cell of Secrets too. Will it be out for Christmas do you think . I have started your short stories, and will search for the books you have written under a different name. Thank You
Lynne
Ray
Hi Lynne. Many thanks for those kind comments on The Sugar Men and Rosa’s Gold.
I can confirm that Cell of Secrets will not be released for quite some time. I can’t say any more but I’ll post more information on it when I can.
I hope you enjoy the short stories – they’re a very varied a collection of early works. Also feel free to browse my books written as Ray Backley and Ray Fripp – you’ll find them very different in tone and content though.
lynne
Hi Ray, I have just finished your short stories, and I cannot compliment you enough on your style of writing, you can write absolutely anything and do it so well. I have just downloaded Matchbox Memories and will read it after E T, which I agree is a bit strange but I’m still enjoying it lol. One phrase that stands out for me in Easy Money, in fact there where two, that had me rolling up. One was being as busy as a one legged cat in a sandbox, and the other was when he is being called by a man who was shouting out Windsor, and of course he was Warwick, so funny.
Keep up the good work. Wish I could read slower or you could write faster.
Ray
Hello again Lynne. I’m so pleased you enjoyed my ‘other stories’ – there’s always the chance the stories might be too different from the Holocaust ones for your tastes, especially with comedies, where people’s sense of humour can be so different. I have to give you extra praise for persevering with ET.
And yes, I’d like nothing more than to able to write books as quickly as people can read them, but unfortunately that won’t happen until I can learn how to break the laws of physics. Having said that, I hope to release three very different books this year (well, two and a half as one is co-authored). More news of this later. But many thanks for your continued support, Lynne.
lynne
Love your varied stories, and Matchbox Memories, wonderful. Well that’s it for me, have read all you have written thus far, under all your names. I will wait for the next three instalments
best regards
Lynne
Ray
Thanks, Lynne. Really pleased you enjoyed Matchbox Memories, it’s a story that means a lot to me.
Watch this space for news, but the next three instalments could well all come in 2017.
lynne
I have just realised why you have such a wicked sense of humour, you are from the Black Country. I have relatives from there and they crack me up
Ray
That could be it, Lynne.
Perhaps it’s something in the water there (or the mushy peas).
lynne
In Matchbox Memories, I relate fully with the problems surrounding mental illness, and found myself relating to some of the conversations with Ruth. I looked after my step father until he died last year and I continue to look after my mother , and I must say I have had many similar conversations with them.
Ray
Thanks yet again, Lynne.
Bless you for looking after your mother and step-father. It’s a thankless task, one you have to do for the love of the person involved. I like to think there’s a little humour in even the saddest of situations, which can only make things slightly easier.
lynne
Hi Ray, Just checking in again, to see if there is any release date for Cell of Secrets
Ray
Hello again Lynne. I’m afraid Cell of Secrets is some way off because it’s taking much longer than I thought to get it just right. I hope to say more in a newsletter very soon. But thank you for asking, it will spur me on just that bit more.
lynne
Hi Ray,
Glad to hear you are working on another book. Looking forward to the release of Cell of Secrets
Pleeeease don’t ever give up writing, I really enjoy your style
Ray
Thanks Lynne. No, I have no intention of giving up writing any time soon.
Annmarie
Started sugar men on Saturday and finished the last 20 pages on monday. I couldn’t put it down. Your writing is so amazing i blocked out everything and could practically smell the pine and feel the cold. Will be following you for more. Keep writing…many a famous author took years till a movie was made of one of his writings and he became wellknown…I have such an author in my family
Ray
Thank you very much for your kind comments Annmarie. I’ve already been writing for quite a few years, and I’ll carry on doing it for quite a few yet, so fingers crossed for that movie deal!
Annmarie
I read Rosa’s Gold today! I have no words. It was spellbinding.
Ray
Thanks again Annmarie. I’m pleased it lived up to your expectations.
LINDA FERGUSON
Thank you for the updates Ray
Ray
Thanks Linda. And I should have some more news her on new releases in a week or so.
Carol
Just finished “An Ocean Between Us”. Just loved it… Especially the twists at the end!
Ray
Thank you so much Carol. It’s always a little unnerving when a new book comes out after so much hard work, especially when it’s a different genre and pen name to my usual, so I love your generous praise just as much as you love the novel!