WATTYS WINNER 2020 Two interconnected murders, 64 years apart. One woman's search for truth and identity. Readers' comments: 'a masterpiece', 'impeccably written', 'amazing', 'superbly crafted page-turner', 'hauntingly beautiful', 'tremendous plot and character development', 'one of a kind', 'fantastic story telling', 'loved this book', 'a wonderful read", 'absolutely beautiful', 'brought tears to my eyes' and many more Wattys judging panel: 'This is VERY good. We were HOOKED from the beginning, and the writing and plot hold up throughout. This is a very unique, polished, well-written and well-researched piece.' Plot Set partly in rural England, partly on the sun-kissed coast of southerm Italy, The Painted Altar is a murder mystery mixed with romantic and historical elements (World War Two). Given away at two days old, Mary Rice has spent her life in the shadows. When discovering the suspicious circumstances surrounding her biological mother's death, she embarks on a journey which will shine a light not only on the truth but also on her own identity. Brief extract Suddenly, the door had inched open, half a wrinkled face visible behind the tautened chain. "Hello. Who is it?" The words I was going to say had of course been well-rehearsed, repeated over and over in my mind like a mantra, but now that the moment had arrived I found myself struggling to remember them. "Mrs Harvey... I think that you might... well, that you might be..." The door closed, then slowly opened once more, the chain this time unlatched. And there she was before me - half a metre away, within arm's reach. Thin lips gradually crooking upwards at each corner like the slow beatific kindling of a summer's dawn. "Oh yes love, I know who you are." Length: 70,000 words About the author: Originally from England but for the last 16 years I've been living in Italy. I hope therefore that the Italian aspects of the novel will have a certain gloss of authenticity.

The story of your sexual capitulation told by the bloodthirsty supervillain who discovered your secret identity, ruined every chance of you maintaining a normal functioning relationship, and is kinda-sorta (without a doubt, definitely) obsessed with you. ***** Your name is Hector Jean-Baptiste. By day you're an upstanding college student: rugby star, stellar Haitian son, autism activist. By night you're Makeshift, an electrokinetic powerhouse hailed as the greatest superhero of our generation. Keeping your beloved alter ego a secret shouldn't be an issue, but recently your sadistic archnemesis, Vortex, can't seem to grasp the importance of personal space... Basically, the deadliest villain in the world disguises himself as a charming barista intending to seduce, corrupt, and destroy America's favorite poster boy (AKA You) only to fall dangerously in love with the kind-hearted man (Also You) behind the mask instead. Whoops? ★ Featured during #CelebrateBlackStories, #BlackPride2021, and #WrittenwithPride2021 ★ Wattpad Certified Fresh Read CONTENT WARNING: This story contains strong language, mild violence, sensual themes, and mentions of racism and homophobia.