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These are just a few excerpts from the wonderful reviews that have come in so far for Calling Frank O’Hare. Huge sigh of relief from this author.

★★★★★ ‘Once again, Hazel Ward has surpassed herself in her subtle, tender study on love, hope and ultimately, forgiveness.’

★★★★★ ‘Beautifully written as always and a total joy to read, I absolutely adored it and would give 10 stars if I could.’

★★★★★ ‘Wonderful, relatable and complex characters who knit together seamlessly into a series of marvellous storylines taking the reader on an emotional journey with them but leaving them with a wonderful feel good album of memories.’

Massive thanks to those who got in quick with their early reviews. It’s a great help for convincing potential readers that my book is right for them.

It’s here at last. Today’s the day.

🎺🥁Sound the trumpets. Roll the drums. 🎺🥁

Calling Frank O’Hare is out now. 🥳

If you pre-ordered it, be sure to check it’s arrived on your Kindle.

Only one more day to go. Here’s the final peek into Calling Frank O’Hare before launch day.

This one’s from Chapter 2. Frank is walking those dogs in the park and has just bumped into an old pupil and her friend. He overhears their parting conversation and his ego is all too briefly inflated:

‘Ooh you were my favourite teacher,’ said his former pupil’s friend in a namby-pamby voice, obviously not realising it was carrying now the barking had stopped.

‘Well he was. All the girls fancied him. He was actually quite hot,’ said the ex-pupil.

Quite hot eh? He had no idea. Foolish, vain and entirely inappropriate as it was, he couldn’t help being a tiny bit impressed with himself.

‘Not that you’d know it now,’ she said.

And with that, Frank’s bubble felt a little pin prick and burst. So that was him then. The man who used to be quite hot. Not even fully hot. Not then, and certainly not now.

He veered off the path before the last vestiges of his pride were shattered to smithereens. ‘C’mon dogs. Fish and Chips. And drink. I need a drink.’

Like what you’ve seen? The book is officially out tomorrow but you can buy the paperback now.

You can also pre-order the eBook now and it will be with you tomorrow.

If you’re a Kindle Unlimited reader, look out for it tomorrow.

However you read it, I hope you enjoy Frank’s story.

Calling Frank O’Hare: Only two days and two more snippets to go

Frank experiences an abrupt end:

‘It’s just–’

Too late. She left Frank hanging in mid-air, wondering what he would have said if he’d had the chance to finish. It’s just that Netta’s away. It’s just that I’m about to start work on something that means a lot to me. It’s just that I really don’t want to see my brother if I can help it. All of those statements were true, but he probably wouldn’t have admitted that last one to anyone, especially Siobhan.

He stared at the phone, wondering if he should call her back and explain further. No point. She’d only ridicule him. Best to get on and pretend nothing had happened.

He shifted his gaze to the blank canvas. Suddenly it didn’t seem so appealing.

Join me tomorrow for the final instalment before the big day

Only three more days to publication of Calling Frank O’Hare. Here’s the next snippet. Launch Day minus three. Frank has responsibilities:  

‘Responsibilities? And what would they be now?’

As usual, Siobhan said it in a way that implied he was a complete numpty. He could tell she was waiting for an answer to pour scorn on and he knew before he opened his mouth, he was about to give her one. ‘Dogs. I have dogs to look after.’

‘Dogs?’ An incredulous laugh told Frank exactly what she thought of his responsibilities. ‘And they’re more important than your brother, are they?’

Yes they were, but he knew better than to say so. It would cause an awful fuss. ‘I’m home alone, in charge of three dogs.’

‘Three dogs? Well aren’t you the big man, so? I’ll tell Ma. She’ll be over the moon.’

Want more? Tune in tomorrow.

Frank’s sister, Siobhan, had just asked him to go to Glasgow to find their brother, Martin:  

Frank looked longingly at the tube of paint he’d abandoned moments earlier. ‘I’m sure he’ll be fine.’

Perhaps he’d said it too quietly or perhaps his sister wasn’t listening. Either way, she carried on as if he hadn’t spoken. ‘You know what Martin’s like. He needs minding sometimes.’

‘Only sometimes? Did Finn get his address?’

‘Of course not. Finn’s almost as useless as Martin.’

‘What are the odds of me finding him without an address? Besides, I can’t go. I have responsibilities.’

What are Frank’s responsibilities and what does Siobhan think of them? Look in again tomorrow to find out.

Here’s the next instalment of that conversation between Frank and his sister.  

‘It’s Martin.’ Of course it was. Wasn’t it always Martin? ‘He’s gone missing. Well not completely missing. There’s been sightings.’ She stopped, her last word left dangling over a cliff edge waiting to be rescued.

Frank let a few more seconds pass but since no further words were forthcoming, he embarked on the rescue mission. ‘Sightings?’

‘Scotland.’

‘Scotland’s a big country, Siobhan. Any particular part?’

‘Glasgow. Cousin Finn bumped into him. He was half-cut.’

‘Finn, or Martin?’

‘Martin I think, but it could have been either. Or both. Anyway that’s where we think he is. Would you go and get him?’

Want to know what Frank does next? Check in again tomorrow.

Calling Frank O’Hare will be landing on 1st April.

The countdown to the big day starts here. Are you ready to have your whistle whetted?

I thought I’d give you a few snippets from Calling Frank O’Hare this week.

Snippet no: 1 starts on the first page:

Satisfied with his stretch and his life, he selected the first tube of paint. It was a new one, as yet unopened. Frank loved a brand new tube of paint. There was so much potential in them, so many possibilities. He unscrewed the top and broke the seal. Time to get started.

Then the phone rang.

He checked the caller ID. It was his sister. Frank tutted and screwed the top back onto the paint. He was going to have to take this, whether he wanted to or not.

‘Frank, it’s Siobhan, your sister.’

‘I know who you are, Siobhan. What’s up? Is it the parents?’

‘Now why would you ask me that?’

‘You don’t usually call.’

‘I could say the same for you, Francis. They’re grand. There’s nothing wrong with them.’

‘What is it then?’

‘Who is it, you mean.’

‘Ah.’ There was no need to say more. He knew what was coming next.

Eager to know more? Tune in tomorrow to find out what was coming next…

I’m delighted to announce that the The Netta Wilde series has had a makeover. That’s six new covers all in one go, if you include the soon to be released Calling Frank O’Hare.

How exciting is that?

At long last I can reveal the cover for my next book, Calling Frank O’Hare.

Frank will be released into the world on 1st April but you can pre-order it here.

What do you think?