The Tree on the banks

I found this photo today, of me in 1978, aged 7, posing proudly in my first long dress, ready to go to my first proper party. The background invoked mixed emotions; such happy times playing as a kid, now tarnished by the heart-sinking cliché, 'I remember when all this was fields'. Seeing it reminded me …

The Scribe by AA Chaudhuri #BlogTour #BookReview #TheScribe @AAChaudhuri @Endeavour_Media

THIS REVIEW IS SPOILER-FREE The Scribe is the first title in AA Chaudhuri’s Kramer & Carver series - and what a series it promises to be. Massive thanks to Hannah Groves at Endeavour Media for the ARC and for inviting me on the blog tour. Synopsis A killer is targeting former students of The Bloomsbury …

Attend by West Camel #BlogTour #BookReview #RandomThingsTours #Attend #TeamOrenda @west_camel @AnneCater @Orendabooks

THIS REVIEW IS SPOILER-FREE Attend is the highly anticipated debut novel from editor and journalist West Camel. Many thanks to @AnneCater at Random Things for inviting me on the #BlogTour and to #TeamOrenda for the review copy. Synopsis When Sam falls in love with Deptford thug Derek, and Anne’s best friend Kathleen takes her own life, …

Trap by Lilja Sigurðardóttir #BlogTour #BookReview #RandomThingsTours #Trap @lilja1972 @AnneCater @Orendabooks

Trap is part two of the Reykjavik Noir Trilogy from Lilja Sigurðardóttir and is published in paperback by @OrendaBooks on 18 October. Many thanks to @AnneCater at Random Things for inviting me on the #BlogTour and to the wonderful #TeamOrenda for the review copy. I'm co-hosting with Susan (@walescrazy) at Books Are My Cwtches, so pop over …

The Night She Died by Jenny Blackhurst #BlogTour #BookReview #RandomThingsTours #NightSheDied @JennyBlackhurst @AnneCater @Headlinepg

THIS REVIEW IS SPOILER-FREE Thanks for joining me on my very first #BlogTour! I'm really excited to be reviewing #NightSheDied by @JennyBlackhurst - massive thanks to Anne at #RandomThingsTours for managing to squeeze me in and to Headline Books for the review copy. I'm sharing my stop with Karen (@karendennise) at My Reading Corner, so …

#BOOKREVIEW – SNARE by Lilja Sigurðardóttir @lilja1972 @orendabooks #ReykjavikNoir

THIS REVIEW IS SPOILER-FREE On Saturday 13th October, I shall be hosting the #BlogTour for Trap, the second in the Reykjavik Trilogy from Lilja Sigurdardottir. So, to whet your whistle and get you in the mood for some Icelandic intrigue, here is my review of the first instalment, Snare. Synopsis After a messy divorce, attractive …

#BOOKREVIEW – OVERKILL BY VANDA SYMON @vandasymon @orendabooks

THIS REVIEW IS SPOILER FREE To some compulsive readers, 32 novels in 18 months might not seem like much of a feat, but since I rediscovered a love for books early in 2017; after not reading a single book in about 20 years; for me it’s been something of an unexpected achievement. But it’s only …

Thinking of (or struggling with) working from home?

9-to-5-ers fall into two groups. First is the group that either enjoys or needs the routine of doing the same thing at the same time every day. The alarm, the fight for the bathroom, the hideous journey in, the desk, the colleagues, the boss. They find it a trudge and they find it frustrating; they …

In touch with my masculine side

My circle of genuine female friends has always been small, but very perfectly formed. Because it’s probably fair to say that a lot of women struggle with me a bit. In my teens and twenties being ‘a bit different’ bothered me. I was surrounded by girls who were constantly shopping, experimenting with make-up, talking weddings, …

It’s a strange relationship, the one I have with writing

For twenty years writing has paid my bills. For twenty years I have written for a living; about drainage, about walls, about roofs. The writing that has paid my bills has also won awards and has helped win huge contracts for my clients. But the same writing also creates conflict. Conflict so significant that I …

NEW BLOG COMING SOON

Welcome to my website - slightly revamped in preparation for a lot more blog writing over future weeks. My head is full, my opinion gene fully developed and the rant-ometer close to exploding. Last year, following a 15 year hiatus (life gets in the way right?), I re-discovered the glory of regular reading and whizzed …