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”

A Visit to Stourhead National Trust: a Perfect Vision of an Idyllic Landscape and Lake; an Infamous ‘Romantic’ Encounter in the Temple of Apollo

Before visiting the gardens at Stourhead, Wiltshire the other day I looked forward to seeing for myself this ‘living work of art’, for I had created a brightly coloured, stylised copy of a photo of that iconic view just last year, during the first UK lockdown of the Covid-19 pandemic. When we visited the garden,Continue reading “A Visit to Stourhead National Trust: a Perfect Vision of an Idyllic Landscape and Lake; an Infamous ‘Romantic’ Encounter in the Temple of Apollo”

Blog Tour for ‘Creativity Matters’, a new inspirational anthology compiled by Wendy H Jones

I’m pleased to be hosting a stop on the blog tour today for an exciting new anthology for writers, Creativity Matters, the third of a series published by Scott and Lawson, and compiled by Wendy H Jones. Wendy H Jones is a fellow author who has been a great encouragement to me and many otherContinue reading “Blog Tour for ‘Creativity Matters’, a new inspirational anthology compiled by Wendy H Jones”

Compton Verney, Warwickshire

Compton Verney is one of my favourite places in Warwickshire, and it features in my current WIP, Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire. A gracious Georgian mansion set in a Capability Brown landscape with a tranquil lake, it has a fascinating history. During the course of the twentieth century, this brought it through a variety of owners,Continue reading “Compton Verney, Warwickshire”

Out and About Collecting Photos for ‘Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire’ due out from Amberley Publishing 2022

A view of the River Avon at Bidford.

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”

Book Review: ‘Miss Graham’s War’ by Celia Rees

Today I share my review of ‘Miss Graham’s War‘, the latest novel by Celia Rees, which has been released in a new edition, having spent some time on sale as ‘Miss Graham’s Cold War Cookbook’. ‘Miss Graham’s War‘ is a very complex and gripping account of life in Germany in the immediate aftermath of theContinue reading “Book Review: ‘Miss Graham’s War’ by Celia Rees”

Book Blog Tour for ‘Beyond the Hills’ by Maressa Mortimer

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”

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”