On the day that Isabel Ashdown’s third and latest novel launched, London enjoyed the first real heat of the year. For a lot of people at the event, it seemed as if the weather had been specially ordered. There we all were, sweltering away, while celebrating the launch of Summer of ’76, a book set in the summer of record…
As unusual book titles go, Tony Hogan bought me an Ice Cream Float before he stole my Ma is right up there. Team that with a distinctive cover showing the silhouette of a jumping girl holding a red balloon on a blue background and I knew I wanted to read this debut novel even before its author, Kerry Hudson, dropped by here…
One of the fun things about being a reader today is sometimes getting the opportunity to meet a favourite author at a book event or getting to chat to them on their blog or through social networking sites. But if they’ve been dead for almost 200 years, this is sadly – and clearly! – no longer an option. You can only…
Judith Kinghorn’s beautifully-written and evocative debut novel The Last Summer was one of my favourite reads of 2012. Which might help to explain why, on the eve of her second novel coming out, I’m only now getting around to trying to do it justice in a review. The Last Summer has been marketed as a book that viewers of Downton Abbey would…
I’m thrilled to be part of the blog tour for Kerry Hudson’s debut novel Tony Hogan Bought Me an Ice Cream Float Before He Stole My Ma. Kerry was one of my early follows on Twitter and, having enjoyed her updates on writing, life and the cake essential to both of those, it’s especially lovely to help her celebrate her first novel…
The Penny Bangle is the last in a trilogy of books following the lives and loves of various members of the Denham family. It’s a series I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading and a family who I’m sorry to have to leave behind, no matter how fitting an end The Penny Bangle is to the series. In The Penny Bangle, it’s the turn…
I must admit to having a bit of an aversion to pink. With the notable exception of the singer, P!NK, I try and avoid the colour, especially when it liberally covers a book. But I was only too happy to overcome this irrational dislike if it meant I could read another Kate Johnson novel. I read and thoroughly enjoyed Kate’s…
Today sees the online launch of writer pal Denyse Kirkby’s second novel, My Dream of You, and I’m very excited to be a part of the Online Launch Party. Having read and enjoyed Denyse’s debut novel Without Alice and her memoir From Zaftig to Aspie, I’m currently engrossed in reading My Dream of You. Here’s a taste of what it’s all about:…
Today sees the launch of lovely writer pal Rebecca Emin’s second book When Dreams Come True, which is for readers age 10+. Here’s what When Dreams Come True is all about: Charlie is happiest when biking with Max and Toby, or watching films with Allie. But when Charlie reaches year nine (age 13), everything begins to change. As her friends develop new…
I’m thrilled to be taking part in the Blogsplash for Housewife with a Half-Life today. It’s the debut novel from the extraordinarily talented A.B. Wells, who I know through Twitter and the #fridayflash community of writers. To celebrate the launch, she’s running activities on her Author Page on Facebook, on Twitter and on her main blog Head Above Water. There will be…