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”

Inspiration from Fantasy Novelist Philip Pullman, President of the Society of Authors

During the Covid19 lockdown, the Society of Authors are presenting a number of webinars with notable authors, and the other day I attended “Afternoon Tea with Philip Pullman”. I was keen to hear from the author of a fantasy trilogy that captivated me, “His Dark Materials“. 500 of us attended, all waiting with drinks andContinue reading “Inspiration from Fantasy Novelist Philip Pullman, President of the Society of Authors”

Book Review: ‘Reparation’ by Gaby Koppel

I first heard of this book via my local independent bookshop Warwick Books, and planned to go to an evening with Gaby Koppel, to hear her talking about ‘Reparation‘. The subject of the book – a young Jewish woman’s research into her mother’s past as a survivor of Nazi persecution during World War II –Continue reading “Book Review: ‘Reparation’ by Gaby Koppel”