I’m very pleased to tell you that the new editions of the Netta Wilde Series – books 1-5 and Meeting Annette Grey will all be out on 12th September.

That means the books will be available to buy in eBook, paperback and large print format. It will also be back in Kindle Unlimited.

If you’re an eBook reader and you want to get your copies the minute they go live, you can pre-order them now.

This is just a quick reminder that tomorrow is the last day you’ll be able to buy the Netta Wilde books for a short while as they’ll be unpublished to facilitate the move to my new publisher.

The new editions should be available from 12th September. You should be able to pre-order the eBook versions from mid-July.

So if you’re still making your way through the series and were planning on stocking up for your summer reads, get clicking. There’s no time to lose.

More on moving the Netta Wilde series to my new publisher, Ackroyd Publishing. You’ll be able to buy the books through their imprint from mid-September.

Before that happens, there are some phased changes to be aware of, particularly if you’re still making your way through the series:

The existing editions of books 1-5, and the Meeting Annette Grey novella will be removed from publication on 10th July.

The existing box set of books 1-3, which also includes Meeting Annette Grey, will be removed from publication on 17th July.

After then, you won’t be able to buy the books until the 2nd editions are published in September. Nor will you be able to download them from Kindle Unlimited during this time. However, you should be able to pre-order the eBook versions from mid-July.

I’ll post updates and reminders as necessary during the changeover period. But if you haven’t finished the series yet and you can’t wait until September for your next Netta fix, be sure to get them before 10th July.

I’m delighted to announce that I’ve signed a contract with Ackroyd Publishing to take over production of the Netta Wilde series.

In the next few months, the existing books will transition over to the Ackroyd imprint. The next book, and for now the final book, in the series will also be published by Ackroyd.

If the name Ackroyd is new to you, it’s the publisher behind best-selling crime writer Rachel McLean. Rachel started the company to publish her own books and has since brought other crime writers under Ackroyd’s wing. It’s now looking to broaden its horizons beyond crime.

It’s going to be a bit of a journey into the unknown for both of us and I have no idea where this collaboration is going to take me, but I’m very excited about it.

I’ll be posting more details on the transition to Ackroyd later this week so keep an eye out.

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.