AN AUTHOR who writes her books in city coffee shops is celebrating the release of her debut paperback novel.

Morton S. Gray, is celebrating the paperback release of her debut novel The Girl on the Beach and the eBook release of her second novel in the Borteen series, The Truth Lies Buried next month.

Gray, the pen name of Bewdley-based author Jayne Hall, revealed she writes most of her work in longhand with pen and notebook at coffee shops in Worcester and Kidderminster, particularly The Chocolate Deli in New Street and the Bevere Gallery café.

She said: “It's been a phenomenal couple of years.

“To win the competition and to see The Girl on the Beach out there as an eBook was wonderful.

“To see it do so well and to then actually get to hold it in my hands as a paperback is a dream come true.

“I will definitely be celebrating with a skinny flat white as I work on my next novel.”

The release of her second novel follows success for The Girl on the Beach in the Choc Lit ‘Search for a Star’ competition in 2016.

The book, which follows a woman with a troubled past as she tries to unravel the mystery surrounding her son’s headteacher, saw off entries from across the UK.

Lyn Vernham, Choc Lit's managing director said: “Morton's success is down to the simple fact that she is an excellent writer and can create great suspense stories with strong compelling characters.

“We could see her potential when she entered the competition.

“We are delighted but not at all surprised by the success of The Girl on the Beach.

“With The Truth Lies Buried, Morton goes from strength to strength. Her fans are in for a treat.”

The Girl on the Beach is available in paperback now.

The Truth Lies Buried, another romantic suspense novel which tells the story of Jenny Simpson and Carver Rodgers as they uncover secrets from their past, will be available as an eBook from May 1 and can be pre ordered from all eBook platforms.