The Songweaver’s Vow is a fantasy-style retelling of Norse legends mixed in with some Greek ones. Thank you, storybundle, for including this one by Laura van Arendonk Baugh. Yes, you have heard of her: I’ve raved about her short stories
A New Forest flash | not a #writephoto
This is an unseasonal piece of New Forest flash non-fiction, just under 900 words. I decided I ought to write more about the Forest, which is an ancient hunting ground set aside by William the Conqueror, although I’d always thought
Book Review | 1066: The Year of the Conquest
1066: the Year of the Conquest by David Howarth takes the slot for Y in my Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge. In desperation, I gave up on alphabetical book lists and searched my tbr for specific words,like you and year. I’m
What makes a writer? #IWSG
I wondered whether I could still call myself a writer when I was booking next year’s craft fair spaces. Do I still write? I am an author — look, here are my books. But does that make me a writer?
Book Reviews | Big Sigma books 1 and 2
The Big Sigma series by Joseph R Lallo looked interesting, and indeed it is. You’ll remember my recent reviews of the Free-Wrench series, which is more steampunk in style. (Why does anything with airships get slotted into steampunk?). As with
Humphrey Goes East | Flashback fiction
Humphrey seems to have been going East forever. I wrote this story before The Talent Seekers, which was Humphrey’s starring role after his escape from the vile ladies of the Lost City. I thought it might make a prologue for
Book Review | Happy Bloody Christmas
Happy Bloody Christmas by Jo Middleton, published for the rush that starts on 26 September this year, is a great seasonal read for crime fans. Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for the ARC. Buy two copies, one for
Book Review | The Three Hares #MMGM
The Three Hares: Bloodline was gifted by the author via the Great Middle Grade Reads group. I apologise for the delay in reading it – it is first class! This is another post joining in Marvellous Middle Grade Mondays, run
Book Review | Just Add Trouble (Hetta Coffey #3)
Just Add Trouble is my second venture into the world of Hetta Coffey. Ten years after I first encountered her, in Just Add Salt, which is book two in the series. I’ve now added 1 through 5 to my TBR,
Snicket #writephoto Flash Fiction
Snicket was the #writephoto prompt at the end of August 2023. Thanks to KL Caley at New2Writing for the prompt. I thought it was time for Lars and Pete to show their faces again. The trouble is, this post-dates Zanzibar’s
Book Review | Ichor Well / Calderan Problem
Ichor Well is book 3, and the Calderan Problem book 4, of the highly enjoyable steampunkish Free-Wrench series by Joseph R Lallo. So enjoyable, I started reading some of his other series. Ichor Well (Free-Wrench #3) Ever since Nita Graus
So many ideas, so little time #IWSG
You know the problem; so many ideas, so little time. In my case the time constraint is how much time I can spend at the keyboard without wrecking my hands for several days. And damp weather makes them worse. But
Book Review | How To Read Water
I’m not sure where I bought my copy of How to Read Water, but suspect it was while I was living next to a river. And not far from the sea. It made me nostalgic for both. How to Read
The Scream | Flashback Fiction #WEPFF
This month’s flashback, The Scream was a work continuing WEP’s art theme for 2021’s flash fiction prompts. Regrettably the WEP hung up its pen this year, I think the admin had become burdensome. This is one of the characters I
Book Review | One Summer In Tuscany
One Summer in Tuscany is excellent holiday reading with a light touch of romance. It’s by Domenica de Rosa, who I’ve met, and is one of my favourite authors. I reviewed Villa Serena a few years back and enjoyed that