‘Downward Facing Death’
The first in a major new series for the US with St Martins Press (Macmillan), Downward Facing Death will be published in hardback on 19th January 2016, followed by the second in the series, Death in a Seated Twist, in February 2017.
Here’s the blurb and critical reviews…
After ten years away, Keeley Carpenter is excited to be back in Belfrey, the traditional English village hometown she fled as a shy teen, with a plan to reopen her father’s neglected butcher shop as a yoga café, where she will sell delicious vegetarian food by day and teach yoga classes at night. However the more traditional residents of Belfrey do not take kindly to this idea-or really anything they deem even remotely “New Age-y.” Within an hour of her arrival, Keeley comes face to face with Detective Constable Ben Taylor, who tells her that someone has just tried to burn down her shop. When officers arrived to stop the blaze, a body was found upstairs. Horrified by this news, Keeley is also startled to be reintroduced to Ben as DC Taylor, as he was her high school crush. In spite of her instant attraction to him, Keeley is determined to keep Ben at arm’s length.
As she settles back in to Belfrey and makes plans for her opening day, she soon finds herself embroiled in a murder investigation. When Keeley starts being threatened herself, she realizes someone may be out to kill more than her business prospects – but can she and Ben find the culprit before it’s too late? A warm, intriguing cozy debut that includes recipes from Keeley’s café, Downward Facing Death is perfect for fans of Laura Childs and Cleo Coyle.
Praise for Downward Facing Death
“Yoga instructor Keeley Carpenter moves back to her charming English village hometown and stretches her murder solving skills in this delightful new mystery series.” —Paige Shelton, national bestselling author of Bushel Full of Murder
“Michelle Kelly’s debut mystery is an appealing combination of colorful characters, clever plot twists, and a touch of romance, set against the backdrop of a charming English village. Downward Facing Death is sure to delight cozy mystery readers and yoga aficionados alike, as well as anyone who enjoys a good ugly duckling story. Highly enjoyable!” —Jennie Bentley, New York Times bestselling author of Home for the Homicide
“In this cozy debut Michelle Kelly has you on your toes and bending over backwards with suspense.” —B. B. Haywood, New York Times bestselling author of Town in a Sweet Pickle
Michelle Kelly’s first Number One – ‘When I Wasn’t Watching’
Number one bestselling crime thriller/suspense novel, published by Harlequin Carina 4th August 2014. ‘An absolutely brilliant read‘ ‘Incredibly gripping and powerful’ ‘Nice to see a British author doing Picoult better than Picoult does’ ‘A page turner’ ‘Michelle Kelly is one of the best crime drama writers I’ve read’
At the tender age of fourteen, Terry Prince is sent to prison for the horrific abduction and murder of toddler Jack Randall. The marriage of Jack’s parents, Lucy and Ethan, crumbles under the strain and Lucy is left with her grief and the struggle of raising her seven-year-old son Ricky alone.
Eight short years later, Terry Prince is released on parole. Lucy’s world is turned upside down and when another young boy, Ben, goes missing in similar circumstances, she fears Prince has struck again.
Ben’s case is assigned to newly single DI Matt Winston, the same officer who found Jack’s body all those years ago. A chance encounter renews his connection with Lucy but with the memories of Jack’s murder suddenly so fresh in their minds, the line between hard and circumstantial evidence starts to blur….
Eyes Wide Open
The critically acclaimed sequel to ‘When I Wasn’t Watching’ published 25th May 2015. ‘An excellent police procedural, strong plot depth and character development.’
Who can you ever really trust?
DI Matt Winston made his name in the force when he solved the terrible murder of toddler Jack Randall. But 5 years on, he is still dealing with the fallout from the case that made his career. Lucy, Jack’s mother, breaks off their relationship, and he finds himself battling with his old demons.
But determined to get his career back on track, the Chief puts him on the murder of Kitty Lewis, a local prostitute. Matt assumes it’s another sorry, but all too common, street dispute that has turned nasty. Another nameless girl with no-one to miss her. But as he probes deeper into the case, he starts to uncover potential connections to the paedophile ring that his colleagues thought they had disbanded the previous year. Suddenly his low-profile case has the potential to send shockwaves through a community already devastated by a system that failed to protect the city’s most vulnerable girls.
What really happened to Kitty the night she was murdered? There is only one person who was with her just before she died, and unknowingly, she holds the key to everything. But can Matt find her? And will Kitty’s haunting presence help her bring the killer to justice?
‘The Rake of Glendir‘ an erotic romance novella published June 2014 by Harlequin Historical as part of the ‘Undone!’ series.
Jasper, Laird of Glendir, notorious womanizer and spy, has reluctantly returned home for his current mission. The ghosts of the past surround him, although one “apparition” running through his estate at night proves to be very tempting—the half-naked Lady Amelia Hedburn. The rake in Jasper cannot resist his new neighbor’s obvious charms—until he discovers she’s a virgin.
After a lifetime spent being the perfect Society lady, Amelia is on the run from a forced marriage. But the wild Scotsman awakens a shocking passion this innocent is determined to explore….
Published by Harlequin Historical Undone October 2013
Penniless and homeless, beautiful Juliana Hearnshaw’s virginity is her most bankable asset, and now the gently-bred young woman must sell herself to a wealthy, elderly patron who will pay handsomely for her company. But on her way to her first assignation, Juliana falls into the hands of a mysterious highwayman – who makes no secret of his desire for her! Juliana should be afraid – only somehow she finds herself trusting this dark-eyed rogue. Dare she take a chance and, for one night, experience real passion in his arms?
Published by Harlequin Historical Undone March 2014
Summoned to Rome for her skills as an apothecary, Bella has already had more than enough of the wickedly decadent papal court. Though protected—for now—by the powerful Borgia family, she knows her very life depends on accomplishing the task she has been set. But perhaps the greatest danger Bella faces is her own desire for the darkly seductive Marco Corelli, better known as the Rogue Assassin. And when she is implicated in a deadly plot, can she trust her lover with her secrets—or her heart?
An unexpected reunion has Giovanni leScala playing the game of his life for the woman he thought lost to him forever. Danger, intrigue, and passion … Michelle Kelly brings the glittering court of the Borgia Pope to life in her new historical romance, Borgia Heat.
Italy 1503. When Giovanni leScala, bodyguard to the notorious Borgia clan, is ordered to oversee at the hotly gossiped about Summer Ball, he’s expecting trouble. He gets more than he bargained for when he finds himself attracted to a beautiful young courtesan, only to realize she is none other than Katerina Cecchi, the first love he thought long dead. His attempts to deter Katerina from her decadent plans backfire when, to spite him, she offers herself as a prize in a game of cards, and when her beauty catches the eye of some very dangerous men, Gio finds himself playing to win. Katerina’s body is the prize, but it’s Gio who finds himself in danger of losing his cool…
The ‘Paranormal Investigations Agency’ Kelly’s paranormal romantic suspense novella series is published by Xcite Books ‘beginning with ‘The Lady is a Vamp’ published August 2014 and ‘Vamp About Town’ published October 2014.
Writing as ‘Kelly Lawrence’
Published August 2014 by Compass Books
A lively and comprehensive guide on the importance of structuring your plot with in-depth looks at different techniques and lots of practical advice. Including at least one writing exercise in each chapter on topics such as building tension, staging drama, identifying and rectifying structural issues and internal and external plot journeys. Written by an established author and creative writing tutor for the Writers Bureau.
Published 28th March 2014 by Compass Books
New and emerging writers, existing writers looking to expand their skills and readers of erotic literature interested in writing their own stories will find this book a lively and informative ‘how to’ on writing erotica. Written by a published author, Passionate Plots focuses upon plot and crafting integral erotic scenes, with practical exercises for the reader.
KD Grace, Bestselling author of ‘The Initiation of Ms Holly’
Kelly Lawrence’s Passionate Plots is a clear and concise teaching tool for anyone learning to write erotica or anyone just wanting to write a better sex scene. A must have for every writer’s reference shelf.
Published 28th February 2014 by Lodestone Books (writing as Kelly Lawrence)
A boy like Joe, fresh out of prison and ‘from the wrong side of town’, is out of bounds…especially for straight ‘A’ grade college student Ashley, but she can’t seem to keep away. He’s the one that she wants, and she wants him to be her ‘first’…but at what cost? With her family acting mysteriously and her friends turning against her, Joe seems to be the only person she can turn to, but can she really rely on him…or herself?
‘A sweet, yet sizzling hot YA romance that had me feeling like I was seventeen and experiencing first love all over again.’ Kirsty Moseley, bestselling YA author of Free Falling
Here’s where it all began….
Published July 2013 by Random House UK, bestselling erotic memoir dubbed ‘a real-life Fifty Shades.’ Writing as Kelly Lawrence.
“Had me hooked from the beginning … a wonderful book taking a look into the BDSM world … true and very real. If you are looking to read a story about dominance, submission, the lifestyle and ordinary people, put this one on your TBR list.” (Paige Matthews, erotica blogger)
“A hot new erotic book. This is a sexy and romantic tale written with a disciplined attention to detail. Very arousing.
An intriguing and believable journey from resistance and judgement to total abandonment … satisfying … compelling.”(Peaches magazine)
“Electrifying … well worth a read.” (Best Chick Lit Book Reviews)
“I think this is a wonderful book for anyone who has been reading erotic novels and, like me, has found themselves wondering how realistic they actually are. This book does prove that the line between fact and fiction – like the one between pain and pleasure – is indeed a very fine one.
This book reads as easily as a good work of fiction does. The story is as gripping as any work of fiction should be and the characters are fascinating. In fact, it is because this book isn’t fiction that the story is so intriguing.4.5 stars”
(More Than a Reading Journal blog)
“Wicked Games is truly an amazing story, with some seriously hot sex scenes that will make you take a cold, freezing shower. It’s hard to not want your own alpha male Alex and it’s easy to love Kelly. It brings you into the life of a first-time submissive and shows you that BDSM is so much more than just kinky sex. Read it and loved it. It’s a saucy and great read. I cannot wait to read more from Kelly Lawrence.” (Ohh Tee Blog)
A red-hot account of how an everyday woman is seduced into a thrilling sub/dom relationship. This is true-life erotic romance at its best.
Michelle Kelly 
