I’m pleased to be hosting a stop today on the blog tour for Maressa Mortimer’s new Young Adult novel Beyond the Hills. Beyond the Hills is book 2 in the Elabi Chronicles series, and it was published on 18th June 2021. I read the opening book in the series on 8th February this year, andContinue reading “Book Blog Tour for ‘Beyond the Hills’ by Maressa Mortimer”
Category Archives: creative writing
Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire, and Director’s Cut: Works in Progress
Hello! On today’s blog I share what I’m up to at the moment – writing, researching, editing, promoting. I have two books on the go, which makes life interesting! Firstly, I’m working on my new non-fiction book for Amberley Publishing, Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire. The fully completed manuscript has to be delivered by the endContinue reading “Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire, and Director’s Cut: Works in Progress”
Book Review: ‘Where the Crawdads Sing’ by Delia Owens
Today I share my review of this enchanting novel by nature writer Delia Owens. ‘Where the Crawdads Sing‘ by Delia Owens is set in the swampland of the North Carolina coast. Kya, the main protagonist, is abandoned by her family members one by one until, at the age of seven in the year 1952, sheContinue reading “Book Review: ‘Where the Crawdads Sing’ by Delia Owens”
Book Review: Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Today I share a review of this historical gothic fantasy set in1950s Mexico. Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a rich feast for lovers of gothic sinister-mansion stories. Creepy, disturbing, sensuous, all the tropes are here. The story takes our main protagonist, Noemi Taboada, a lively socialite, into a truly menacing setting in a mountainContinue reading “Book Review: Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia”
Book Review: The Thorn of Truth by S.L. Russell
Today I am pleased to be reviewing an Advance Review copy of the latest novel by author S.L. Russell: The Thorn of Truth. Having read three of this author’s previous novels I see her as a writer who opens up major ethical issues in our contemporary society, in such a way that they present aContinue reading “Book Review: The Thorn of Truth by S.L. Russell”
Book Review: ‘Hamnet’ by Maggie O’Farrell
I waited quite a long time for Waterstones to send me this book; and having received it, I spent the next few hours devouring this story of William Shakespeare’s family and the tragic death of his 11 year old son Hamnet. Living as I do near Stratford-upon-Avon I have visited all the Shakespeare properties aContinue reading “Book Review: ‘Hamnet’ by Maggie O’Farrell”
Blog Tour and Book Review: The Healing by Joy Margetts
It is my pleasure today to be part of the blog tour for a beautiful new book from the publisher Instant Apostle, a book which is a debut novel for its author, Joy Margetts. During the Covid19 pandemic many have spoken about the experience of lockdown, and some have felt it has been a timeContinue reading “Blog Tour and Book Review: The Healing by Joy Margetts”
Book Reviews: The Poetry of Phil Hill
Today, I’m pleased to be able to bring you my reviews of a collection of poetry books written by local Leamington Spa poet Phil Hill, which will be of interest not only to all those who love cutting edge contemporary poetry, but also to those who wish to gain a deeper insight into mental healthContinue reading “Book Reviews: The Poetry of Phil Hill”
Book Review: Lockdown Innit: Poems About Absurdity by MJ Mallon
During the Covid-19 pandemic I have, like many others, have been writing a Covid Diary. Early on, I knew we were entering into such an extraordinary period of history that I felt compelled to record this journey. My own Covid diary since February 2019, perhaps, should be turned into a long narrative poem like TheContinue reading “Book Review: Lockdown Innit: Poems About Absurdity by MJ Mallon”
Spring 2021 Writing News
Spring is almost with us and new hope is rising. What’s new here in Warwick, during what we hope will be the final months of the final lockdown? I’m following lots of online courses – Pilates classes; online song rehearsals with community choir Songlines; a writing course with the amazing sitcom scriptwriter Paul Kerensa, which I do with my comedy blogger son Jamie;Continue reading “Spring 2021 Writing News”
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