Category Archives: Books

Fellow Author’s Book Launch in “The Greatest Bookshop in the World”…

This weekend I attended the book launch of a fellow author: Philip Davies who has published the first in a series of young adult fantasy books called “Destiny’s Rebel.” Philip is a member of a writers group I attend, and we were all delighted when he was at last able to announce he’d signed aContinue reading “Fellow Author’s Book Launch in “The Greatest Bookshop in the World”…”

A Trail of Discovery Through Small Independent Bookshops in the Cotswolds

Over the past couple of months, at the suggestion of my publisher Matador, I’ve visited a number of small independent bookshops throughout the Cotswolds (where my new novel A Passionate Spirit is set). I’ve introduced myself and my novel, offered each bookshop manager a copy of my advance information sheet and asked if they wouldContinue reading “A Trail of Discovery Through Small Independent Bookshops in the Cotswolds”

People of Inspiration: JK Rowling

I’ve long admired JK Rowling, and not simply because she’s one of the world’s most successful contemporary authors. Although it’s true I love all the Harry Potter novels, and followed the stories as each was published, and saw every film as it was released, I have special reasons for finding JK Rowling a source of inspiration.Continue reading “People of Inspiration: JK Rowling”

A Fresh Sense of Perspective From the Sea

Here are a few views from our recent visit to Eastbourne. Living as I do in the Midlands, I cannot help missing the seaside!  There’s nothing like water – be it river, lake or sea – to make us feel open and free and to give us a fresh sense of perspective. Now I’m back inContinue reading “A Fresh Sense of Perspective From the Sea”

Progress on Marketing of A Passionate Spirit

I’ve just heard from Matador that my front cover for my new novel A Passionate Spirit is now approved, and I’ve just seen the final drafts of my marketing material for the novel. My “Advance Information” sheet will shortly be mailed out to retailers, library suppliers and local bookshops.   My Press Release marketing will begin once copies ofContinue reading “Progress on Marketing of A Passionate Spirit”

People of Inspiration: Russ Parker, Poet, Priest, Author, and Champion of Celtic Spirituality and Healing Dreams

My upcoming novel A Passionate Spirit tells the story of a young woman who defies a sinister spiritual healer. The novel is about a conflict between good and evil, and I am fascinated by the idea of great beauty used to mask malevolent spiritual power. But the story also deals with the subject of healing, and whatContinue reading “People of Inspiration: Russ Parker, Poet, Priest, Author, and Champion of Celtic Spirituality and Healing Dreams”

A Passionate Spirit – My New Thriller / Suspense Novel

I’m excited to present the cover design for my new novel A Passionate Spirit, due to be published by Matador on  28 November 2015. Do let me know in your comments what you think of the design! Here is the Advance Information provided by Matador: Zoe ran through the wood in gathering dusk, her heart racing. SheContinue reading “A Passionate Spirit – My New Thriller / Suspense Novel”

Action Adventure Tropes and Powerful Archetypes in Stories

I love to see how tropes specific to certain genres of story telling can cross boundaries into different genres. One example came to my mind recently whilst watching our DVD of Tintin and the Adventure of the Unicorn again. This story centres around “an old Sea Captain’s estate”; we learn from the villain (an unreliableContinue reading “Action Adventure Tropes and Powerful Archetypes in Stories”

Exotic Lands and Mysterious Cultures: Ancient China

Recently I finished reading a book about “The Forbidden City” and this coincided with a BBC Radio 4 programme presented by Melvyn Bragg about the first western missionary to China, the Jesuit priest Matteo Ricci. I heard that Matteo Ricci set out from Portugal to convert China to Christianity in 1584, and published a bookContinue reading “Exotic Lands and Mysterious Cultures: Ancient China”