We recently visited Charlestown, a beautiful little Cornish seaport, which opened up several stories for me. Not only did we explore the moving and compelling tales of numerous historical shipwrecks and recovered artefacts in the Shipwreck Treasure Museum: but also I learned the poignant story of the man who created, designed and built Charlestown: CharlesContinue reading “A Poignant Story from Charlestown, St Austell Cornwall”
Category Archives: life
Book Blog Tour for ‘The Migrant’: action thriller novel by Paul Alkazraji
I’m pleased to be hosting a stop today on the blog tour for Paul Alkazraji’s powerful novel of Albanian and Greek aspirations, politics and social tension, The Migrant. In view of the current world situation, the themes of this novel are acute: “Crossing borders does not always lead you further from home.” The action ofContinue reading “Book Blog Tour for ‘The Migrant’: action thriller novel by Paul Alkazraji”
Book Review: ‘Urban Angel’ by A J Chamberlain
Today I review a recently published Christian Fantasy novel, Book 1 of the Masters series. Urban Angel by A J Chamberlain was published by Nielsen both as paperback and ebook on 23 May 2021. This is a fascinating story: for the young main protagonist, Alex Masters, the journey to faith has been marked by griefContinue reading “Book Review: ‘Urban Angel’ by A J Chamberlain”
Fiction Genre: What is it Exactly?
As a writer, I believe we should be willing to explore new areas, and to step outside our comfort zone. And that applies very closely to our lives as readers too. I read a wide variety of books, both non-fiction, and fiction of all genres. I admit I do like psychological insight but I believeContinue reading “Fiction Genre: What is it Exactly?”
Fun on the Author Stand at the UK Games Expo 2021
This year we were delighted that the UK Games Expo went ahead ‘in real life’ at the Birmingham NEC. Three authors displayed their books on the Author Stand; Philip S Davies, Richard Denning and myself. Covid passes were required for all who attended, and everything was much more spaced out than usual. The atmosphere wasContinue reading “Fun on the Author Stand at the UK Games Expo 2021”
Book Review: When This is All Over 2020 -2021: an anthology of writings about the Covid-19 Pandemic
I found this an immensely varied collection of pieces, both prose and poetry. It was very moving to reflect upon how differently people react to the onslaught of Covid-19 upon the world. The range of moods and outlooks among the 220 writers is fascinating: funny, sharply satirical, melancholy, fearful, heartbreaking, hopeful. Some of the livelyContinue reading “Book Review: When This is All Over 2020 -2021: an anthology of writings about the Covid-19 Pandemic”
Thoughts on ‘Witch Child’ by Celia Rees
Today I share my review of ‘Witch Child‘ by Celia Rees, now out in a special 20th Anniversary edition. This is a compelling historical novel of the arrival of a group of Puritans in New England in 1650, of their encounters with the Native Indians, and a tale not only of religious intolerance but ofContinue reading “Thoughts on ‘Witch Child’ by Celia Rees”
Thoughts on the Tudors and ‘The Taming of the Queen’ by Philippa Gregory
The Tudors have been popular for the last few years, in books and films and TV programmes. And whatever we think of Henry VIII as a man, he was certainly a gift to history. For he must be one of the most memorable of all characters in the story of Britain. Never mind that heContinue reading “Thoughts on the Tudors and ‘The Taming of the Queen’ by Philippa Gregory”
Book Review: ‘All the Light We Cannot See’ by Anthony Doerr
Today I share with you my review of this immersive vision of life among the French Resistance in the 2nd World War. Review The story of All the Light We Cannot See tells of Marie Laure, a blind girl living in Paris in the 1930s with her father, a museum locksmith and miniaturist. Marie Laure’sContinue reading “Book Review: ‘All the Light We Cannot See’ by Anthony Doerr”
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”
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