Why are penguins such a popular bird? I believe we associate them with being relaxed, happy, living in the present, taking life as it comes. Of course life isn’t really like that for penguins in the wild, but it certainly is for the King and Humboldt penguins living on Penguin Shore at Birdland, Bourton-on-the-Water inContinue reading “January 2026 – Happy Penguins”
Tag Archives: books
Christmas 2025 – Festive Decorations at Our Local Warwickshire National Trust Properties
As Christmas Day draws near we have been out to see the lavish and imaginative decorations currently transforming the rooms of our nearest National Trust properties, Charlecote House and Baddesley Clinton Manor, Warwickshire. Of all National Trust houses Baddesley Clinton is my favourite: it’s the one I can imagine living in – or the placeContinue reading “Christmas 2025 – Festive Decorations at Our Local Warwickshire National Trust Properties”
The ‘Salt Path’ Controversy – my original review from 2020
Currently the UK news and social media are focussing on Raynor Winn and the truthfulness or otherwise of certain accounts in her highly successful nonfiction book ‘The Salt Path’ (first published by Penguin 2019). Out of this has come a fascinating discussion about our expectations of truth and factual accuracy in memoirs and nonfiction books.Continue reading “The ‘Salt Path’ Controversy – my original review from 2020”
Book Review: Stoneyard Devotional by Charlotte Wood
Today I review a new Australian novel. This novel is set in a Catholic community in the Monaro Plains, south east of Sydney. The weary first person narrator, separated from her husband, moves there from Sydney, initially for a short-term retreat. Having left and returned home, she later returns permanently. The most fascinating thing aboutContinue reading “Book Review: Stoneyard Devotional by Charlotte Wood”
What’s On My Kindle Now
Most keen readers have ‘To Be Read’ piles. I have a physical pile of TBR books and many on my kindle. The popularity of ebooks is said to be almost taking over that of physical books, but many kindle readers will admit to downloading ebooks then forgetting they’re on the kindle, waiting to be read.Continue reading “What’s On My Kindle Now”
Book Reviews: The Newland Trilogy by E.M. Carter: YA Dystopian Trilogy
Today, I’m pleased to share my reviews of two outstanding young adult novels, books 1 and 2 of The Newland Trilogy published by Resolute Books in 2023 and 2024. I received ARCs of these two excellent novels, for my honest review. Here are my reviews of these first two books in the trilogy. Repression GroundContinue reading “Book Reviews: The Newland Trilogy by E.M. Carter: YA Dystopian Trilogy”
Author Research – Gems in Paranormal Gloucestershire
Author research in Gloucestershire for me means a photography trip as well, in order to gather the best images to go with my stories. This is for my forthcoming nonfiction book ‘Paranormal Gloucestershire‘ which is to be published by Amberley and which I will deliver to the publishers before October 2024, for publication in 2025.Continue reading “Author Research – Gems in Paranormal Gloucestershire”
Book Review: ‘Braver’ by Deborah Jenkins, published by Fairlight Books June 2022
Today I am delighted to share with you my review of a new novel, ‘Braver‘, prior to publication on 30th June 2022. I’ve met its author, Deborah Jenkins, during a recent writing conference and we are fellow members of the Association of Christian Writers, and often in touch via our Facebook group. Deborah is veryContinue reading “Book Review: ‘Braver’ by Deborah Jenkins, published by Fairlight Books June 2022”
Upcoming Events November 2021: Scotland and Kenilworth
Two fabulous book events will be happening in November and I’ll be at both of them. The first is the Brechin/Angus Bookfest in Scotland. The Brechin Angus Bookfest takes places over the weekend of 19th to 21st November 2021 in the Northern Hotel, Brechin, near Dundee in Scotland. Several authors of different genres will beContinue reading “Upcoming Events November 2021: Scotland and Kenilworth”
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”
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