All books by facebook friends and bought after they promoted them there!
Brief Encounters by Kate Harrison
Not really a book - just a short story included with the start of another novel, but it was free so who's complaining? Hope's on a train, on a surprise trip arranged by her sister, and is dreaming (or is she?) about the various men who've passed through her life, coming to terms with the end of each relationship.
Enjoyable, but as I said, very short. I would have preferred it to be included with other short stories - I never read the starts of novels included with other books.
The Blue Rinse Brigade by Douglas McPherson
A set of four stories, originally serials, about four elderly ladies who are helping the local police catch murderers. They're not your usual blue rinse ladies - one's ex MI5, one's ex-police chief, etc. They know what they're doing, and they do it better than the local constabulary.
I really enjoyed this. It raced along - the perfect light read that you don't have to think too hard about. Bit Scooby Doo in places but why not? Could have done with a better proof-read as I spotted quite a lot of mistakes but that unfortunately is pretty common in self-published ebooks.
Ten Weeks to Target by Della Galton
Janine has 10 weeks to fit into her outfit for her niece's no-expense-spared wedding so she starts going to slimming classes. There she meets gorgeous Pete who has a lot of weight to lose (as well as a wife, before Janine can get to grips with him...)
Lovely little book which I read in one train journey, and which is probably the perfect example of an ebook novella. Should we call them enovellas, I wonder?
Woman Walks Into a Bar by Rowan Coleman
Another perfect little novella. I really liked the structure of this one - single mum Sam is trying to find a new man through internet dating (set up by her daughter). Between the story of Sam's everyday life we get the stories of the dates. There's 'the one who lied about his age', 'the one who never showed up' etc. And Sam's backstory - her horrendous experiences at school and her later abusive relationship with her daughter's father - is very neatly dropped in. Really keeps you turning the pages.
Novel: Plan it, Write it, Sell it by Lynne Barrett-Lee
Great little how to book, which does what it says on the cover. Lynne's an advocate of the planning approach, building your novel from the inside out. I definitely work better with a plan, and am going to try to do more planning with my next novel.
Thursday, 26 September 2013
Wednesday, 4 September 2013
Read recently and failed to blog about
I'm behind with this blog. But I must keep it up otherwise I forget what I've read, or what I thought of what I've read. It's me age, you see.
The Burning of Bridget Cleary by Angela Bourke
A true story, about an horrific killing in Ireland at the end of the nineteenth century, when country people still very much believed in fairies. Not sure where I heard about this book but I'm interested in Ireland, fairies, magic etc so decided to give it a go. Poor Bridget was unwell, and for some reason her husband and other relatives got it into their heads she'd been taken away by the fairies and a changeling left in her place. To try to oust the fairy they dosed her with herbal medicines and then held her over a fire. When she eventually died they buried her in a shallow grave. Her husband still expected her to appear riding on a white horse out of the nearby fairy fort...
This book is a very detailed account of the events before and after Bridget's death, and an in depth discussion of the belief systems prevalent in Irish villages at the time. I did find it quite fascinating but I also found it too long. The author had clearly done a lot of research but had included it all in the final book - eg endless transcripts of what was said at the trial which I ended up skimming over.
Secrets and Rain by Cally Taylor
In total contrast, this book was far too short! It's an anthology of prize-winning and published stories by a wonderful writer. The stories all have a theme of hope after loss, and all were beautifully written.
Nowhere to Hide by Alex Walters
I hosted part of Alex Walters' blog tour for this book, so bought the book at that time. It's taken me a while to get round to it. I don't normally read thrillers but I'll read anything that's well written so was happy to give this a go. Very enjoyable, pacy book, but there was a lot of mentions of back story which I eventually worked out referred to Alex's earlier book, Trust No One, and indeed some Amazon reviewers recommend reading that one first.
That aside, I did enjoy this book and it kept me turning the virtual pages. Marie has been sent undercover to work for someone who is connected with a criminal gang, though she can't quite see why this particular person needs so much attention. She's got some suspicions about her own boss, too - is he straight or is he in the pay of the gangland boss? There have been lots of murders of people on the periphery of the underworld, and Marie needs to find out whether they're all connected or not. When smooth, handsome Jack Brennan joins the team she thinks she's got an ally against her boss, or has she? At home, Marie has a different set of problems in the form of her increasingly disabled partner, Liam. The book was full of twists and turns and although I suspected that some of the goodies would be baddies, I didn't guess all the final chapter twists. If you like thrillers, you'd enjoy this one a lot.
Attention All Shipping by Charlie Connolly
And now for something completely different. A friend recommended this, and I bought it along with 2 others by this author. I loved And Did Those Feet which I read first. This one, in which the author visits all the shipping forecast areas around Britain in one year, was just as quirky and amusing but not as interesting historically.
The Burning of Bridget Cleary by Angela Bourke
A true story, about an horrific killing in Ireland at the end of the nineteenth century, when country people still very much believed in fairies. Not sure where I heard about this book but I'm interested in Ireland, fairies, magic etc so decided to give it a go. Poor Bridget was unwell, and for some reason her husband and other relatives got it into their heads she'd been taken away by the fairies and a changeling left in her place. To try to oust the fairy they dosed her with herbal medicines and then held her over a fire. When she eventually died they buried her in a shallow grave. Her husband still expected her to appear riding on a white horse out of the nearby fairy fort...
This book is a very detailed account of the events before and after Bridget's death, and an in depth discussion of the belief systems prevalent in Irish villages at the time. I did find it quite fascinating but I also found it too long. The author had clearly done a lot of research but had included it all in the final book - eg endless transcripts of what was said at the trial which I ended up skimming over.
Secrets and Rain by Cally Taylor
In total contrast, this book was far too short! It's an anthology of prize-winning and published stories by a wonderful writer. The stories all have a theme of hope after loss, and all were beautifully written.
Nowhere to Hide by Alex Walters
I hosted part of Alex Walters' blog tour for this book, so bought the book at that time. It's taken me a while to get round to it. I don't normally read thrillers but I'll read anything that's well written so was happy to give this a go. Very enjoyable, pacy book, but there was a lot of mentions of back story which I eventually worked out referred to Alex's earlier book, Trust No One, and indeed some Amazon reviewers recommend reading that one first.
That aside, I did enjoy this book and it kept me turning the virtual pages. Marie has been sent undercover to work for someone who is connected with a criminal gang, though she can't quite see why this particular person needs so much attention. She's got some suspicions about her own boss, too - is he straight or is he in the pay of the gangland boss? There have been lots of murders of people on the periphery of the underworld, and Marie needs to find out whether they're all connected or not. When smooth, handsome Jack Brennan joins the team she thinks she's got an ally against her boss, or has she? At home, Marie has a different set of problems in the form of her increasingly disabled partner, Liam. The book was full of twists and turns and although I suspected that some of the goodies would be baddies, I didn't guess all the final chapter twists. If you like thrillers, you'd enjoy this one a lot.
Attention All Shipping by Charlie Connolly
And now for something completely different. A friend recommended this, and I bought it along with 2 others by this author. I loved And Did Those Feet which I read first. This one, in which the author visits all the shipping forecast areas around Britain in one year, was just as quirky and amusing but not as interesting historically.
Tuesday, 20 August 2013
Read on holiday
Take My Breath Away by Sally Quilford
I had a signed paper copy of this, kindly sent by Sally. Actress Patty is playing Cleopatra, and her ex-husband is murdered while on set. Two other people connected with the film are also murdered, in ways resembling the ways their characters died in the film. Patty becomes prime suspect, but ends up helping insurance investigator Tony Marcus in working out who did it - and falling in love along the way.
As with every Sally Q novel this one twists and turns and keeps you guessing in a very entertaining way. I don't know the classic Cleopatra film, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment of this pocket novel.
Foxden Acres by Madalyn Morgan
A Kindle read. Set during the second world war, this book follows Bess Dudley as she completes her teacher training but then returns to the country estate where her father works, to be part of the Land Army. She's fallen in love with James, the heir to the estate, but events conspire to keep them apart.
An enjoyable read, very evocative of its era and I particularly liked the focus on the land girls, which I've not read about before. I believe the author is going to write a series of these, about each of Bess's sisters, and I imagine they'll do very well.
I had a signed paper copy of this, kindly sent by Sally. Actress Patty is playing Cleopatra, and her ex-husband is murdered while on set. Two other people connected with the film are also murdered, in ways resembling the ways their characters died in the film. Patty becomes prime suspect, but ends up helping insurance investigator Tony Marcus in working out who did it - and falling in love along the way.
As with every Sally Q novel this one twists and turns and keeps you guessing in a very entertaining way. I don't know the classic Cleopatra film, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment of this pocket novel.
Foxden Acres by Madalyn Morgan
A Kindle read. Set during the second world war, this book follows Bess Dudley as she completes her teacher training but then returns to the country estate where her father works, to be part of the Land Army. She's fallen in love with James, the heir to the estate, but events conspire to keep them apart.
An enjoyable read, very evocative of its era and I particularly liked the focus on the land girls, which I've not read about before. I believe the author is going to write a series of these, about each of Bess's sisters, and I imagine they'll do very well.
Sunday, 14 July 2013
Elijah's Mermaid
Elijah's Mermaid by Essie Fox
This is the author's second novel, and like the first I bought the hardback because of the beautiful cover. It's dark, Victorian, gothic, melodramatic and probably not everyone's cup of tea but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
There are three central characters, all orphans with unusual upbringings and uncertain parentage. Elijah and Lily are twins, rescued from the Foundling hospital and raised by their grandfather. Pearl was rescued from the Thames when her prostitute mother drowned herself, and raised in a brothel by the veiled madam. Their lives clash when Pearl is sold to a violent and deranged artist as his muse, and Elijah goes to work for the artist as a photographer.
This book took me a while to get into, but I am glad I persevered. All sorts of terrors befall the young people, and in the last few chapters secret after secret is unveiled. No one, it seems, is quite what they seem. The author paints a terrifying but believable Victorian underworld.
This is the author's second novel, and like the first I bought the hardback because of the beautiful cover. It's dark, Victorian, gothic, melodramatic and probably not everyone's cup of tea but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
There are three central characters, all orphans with unusual upbringings and uncertain parentage. Elijah and Lily are twins, rescued from the Foundling hospital and raised by their grandfather. Pearl was rescued from the Thames when her prostitute mother drowned herself, and raised in a brothel by the veiled madam. Their lives clash when Pearl is sold to a violent and deranged artist as his muse, and Elijah goes to work for the artist as a photographer.
This book took me a while to get into, but I am glad I persevered. All sorts of terrors befall the young people, and in the last few chapters secret after secret is unveiled. No one, it seems, is quite what they seem. The author paints a terrifying but believable Victorian underworld.
Thursday, 11 July 2013
One Step Too Far
One Step Too Far by Tina Seskis
I read this self-published novel on my Kindle. Came across it after hearing the author speak at the Winchester Writers' Conference. She was there along with representatives from Amazon's KDP, as an example of a self-publishing success story.
I'm not surprised this book has been successful - it's a damn good read. Like many SP novels it could do with a better copy-edit but the mistakes aren't too distracting. The book keeps you turning the pages and wanting to know everyone's secrets.
One day, Emily leaves her family and gets on a train. Along the way she changes her identity completely and becomes Cat, and she never goes back, creating a new and very different life for herself. What triggered her to do this - that's the central question and the one which isn't answered until very near the end. You know it must be big, very big, but like many readers (judging by the reviews) I did not guess at all and when the twist/reveal came it was a shock. Cleverly done, and very satisfying.
I read this self-published novel on my Kindle. Came across it after hearing the author speak at the Winchester Writers' Conference. She was there along with representatives from Amazon's KDP, as an example of a self-publishing success story.
I'm not surprised this book has been successful - it's a damn good read. Like many SP novels it could do with a better copy-edit but the mistakes aren't too distracting. The book keeps you turning the pages and wanting to know everyone's secrets.
One day, Emily leaves her family and gets on a train. Along the way she changes her identity completely and becomes Cat, and she never goes back, creating a new and very different life for herself. What triggered her to do this - that's the central question and the one which isn't answered until very near the end. You know it must be big, very big, but like many readers (judging by the reviews) I did not guess at all and when the twist/reveal came it was a shock. Cleverly done, and very satisfying.
Sunday, 23 June 2013
Trust In Me
Trust In Me by Suzanna Ross
Bought for my Kindle, was it on free promotion that day? Possibly, not sure! Anyway, I'd read some of Suzanna's short stories from her collection The Baby of the Family, and found I really enjoyed her style, so I wanted to read something longer from the same author. Plus she's a blogging and facebook friend anyway.
Rosie Farnham has been struggling to keep her father's old estate going since his death, while also looking after her much younger sister, and trying to keep her brother's hands off the finances. Then she finds her brother has sold the estate out from under her, to pay off gambling debts. The new owner, dishy Theo, turns up wanting her to move out. But she won't go, so he moves in, finding her not unattractive when it comes down to it...
This is a lovely, easy to read, sweet romance. It ends predictably but satisfyingly, and there are enough twists and turns along the way to keep you turning the pages. Lovely little book.
Bought for my Kindle, was it on free promotion that day? Possibly, not sure! Anyway, I'd read some of Suzanna's short stories from her collection The Baby of the Family, and found I really enjoyed her style, so I wanted to read something longer from the same author. Plus she's a blogging and facebook friend anyway.
Rosie Farnham has been struggling to keep her father's old estate going since his death, while also looking after her much younger sister, and trying to keep her brother's hands off the finances. Then she finds her brother has sold the estate out from under her, to pay off gambling debts. The new owner, dishy Theo, turns up wanting her to move out. But she won't go, so he moves in, finding her not unattractive when it comes down to it...
This is a lovely, easy to read, sweet romance. It ends predictably but satisfyingly, and there are enough twists and turns along the way to keep you turning the pages. Lovely little book.
And Did Those Feet
And Did Those Feet by Charlie Connollly
The sub-title is, Walking through 2000 years of British and Irish history, but you'd guess what it's about from the title and the automatic next line that jumps into your head, 'in ancient times'.
I bought this because a friend recommended another of Connolly's books, and when I went searching for it there was an offer where you could get three of his books at a discount, and they all sounded marvellous. I love a bit of narrative non-fiction, especially if it's history based. And I love walking too, so this one was first off the pile when it arrived.
The author has retraced the footsteps of some of the great historical journeys made in Britain and Ireland. Boudicca's walk from Norfolk to London to try to chase out the Romans. King Harold's march from the battle of Stamford Bridge where he'd seen off the Vikings, down to Hastings where he was defeated by the Normans. Bonnie Prince Charlie's flight across the western isles, dressed as a maid. The book is informative, amusing and extremely well written. I lapped up every word of it and am very glad I have two more by this author still to savour.
The sub-title is, Walking through 2000 years of British and Irish history, but you'd guess what it's about from the title and the automatic next line that jumps into your head, 'in ancient times'.
I bought this because a friend recommended another of Connolly's books, and when I went searching for it there was an offer where you could get three of his books at a discount, and they all sounded marvellous. I love a bit of narrative non-fiction, especially if it's history based. And I love walking too, so this one was first off the pile when it arrived.
The author has retraced the footsteps of some of the great historical journeys made in Britain and Ireland. Boudicca's walk from Norfolk to London to try to chase out the Romans. King Harold's march from the battle of Stamford Bridge where he'd seen off the Vikings, down to Hastings where he was defeated by the Normans. Bonnie Prince Charlie's flight across the western isles, dressed as a maid. The book is informative, amusing and extremely well written. I lapped up every word of it and am very glad I have two more by this author still to savour.
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