The Golden Age of Roman Britain, by Guy de la Bédoyère: #BookReview.

Much more archaeology has been done since this book was published in 1999, and that will inevitably render some of the observations here less certain, but the bulk of the text is clearly based on sound academic research. One thing I must question, however, is the title. It’s either favouring the wealthy landowners or perhaps …

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The Fabled Coast, by Sophia Kingshill & Jennifer Westwood: #BookReview.

Subtitled ‘Legends & Traditions from Around the Shores of Britain and Ireland’ the 510 pages of this weighty tome reveal the origins of many a dark tale and some amusing stories.The place of superstition in forming and embellishing folk tales and traditions is illustrated in this well researched book. It is fascinating how many tales …

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How Goes the WIP?

On Sunday, 17th March, I reported that the WIP had reached 20,293 words and I was working on Chapter 8. I’d intended to report back yesterday, but got rather engaged by Natalie Bennet’s excellent and hope-inspiring ‘Change Everything’ and rather lost track of the time. You’ll find my review of this timely book about the …

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Change Everything, by Natalie Bennett: #BookReview.

Subtitled ‘How we can rethink, repair and rebuild society’ this book deals comprehensively with issues and problems of our current political systems. It is essentially written about the situation in the UK but has a pretty universal application.I’d like to have all our current, and potential, politicians made to sit down and read this manual …

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Now the Real Work Begins.

I’ve spent the best part of the last 12 months engaged in research for the new novel I’m now writing. I’ve ended up with three documents totalling 83 pages and 54,468 words, many including links to some of the research sites used for the information. Add to that the 604 pages from the Chronicle of …

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The Owl Service, by Alan Garner: #BookReview.

I have no memory of acquiring this book, which is considered a children’s classic. I wonder if the mystery of its origin in my home was a factor in keeping me reading it since I found it hard work.Generally, I need to empathise with at least one character in a book to give it any …

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Spirits of the Ghan, by Judy Nunn: #BookReview.

I love it when a new book comes my way by a serendipitous route. This one was a present from my daughter’s mother-in-law, with us for a short while over the Xmas period. She’d finished it so handed it to me rather than take it back on that long flight to Tasmania. It’s an absorbing …

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Epitaphs, by Anthological Poets: #BookReview.

For some reason, lost in the dark clouds of obfuscating age-related memory, although I reviewed this book on Goodreads way back in the mists of time, I seem to have failed to have placed that review here. I now correct that missed opportunity. # As just one of the seventy-two poets featured in this remarkable …

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Debt of Bones, by Terry Goodkind: #BookReview.

I’m finally managing to read some neglected books I’ve had on my shelves for years. Having had so many books either recommended by reading and writing friends, or attracting my attention by different types of promotional material over the years, it’s a pleasure to get to those hardbacks and softbacks that have patiently waited on …

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The Sea and Little Fishes, by Terry Pratchett: #BookReview.

I’m sure I once read a Terry Pratchett book, but judging by my records it must have been many years ago. I read this book largely because of his reputation; I could do with some laughter in this awful world we currently inhabit. Fortunately, I found the humour I needed. But it’s an intelligent humour, …

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Kaleidoscope, a Charity Flash Fiction Anthology published by Fantastic Books Publishing: #BookReview.

This anthology of flash fiction stories contains the winners of the competition set up by the publisher to raise funds for two charities, Special Effect and Stack Up. Entrants had to make a donation (amount left to the individual) to one of these charities in place of an entry fee. Each story had to be …

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The Little Sisters of Eluria, by Stephen King: #BookReview.

Generally speaking, I’ve found that if it’s by Stephen King, it’s worth reading. I’ve yet to be disappointed. This is one of the books in the Dark Tower series. I’ve read a couple of others but hadn’t come across this one. It’s prefaced by a comment that it can be read as a stand-alone, and …

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My Socks Have Gone Bonkers, by Dale Neal, Illustrated by Mark Millicent #BookReview.

This charming and funny book of rhyming verse will appeal to children of all ages as well as to the childlike part of most adults. The illustrations are clever and fun, too. It’s a book your children will delight in whether reading it themselves or being read to by their favourite aunt or uncle. The …

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Fancy Some Fantastic New Books, Free?

The imaginative and generous independent publisher, Fantastic Books Publishing, is launching 9 new titles during the period 14th October to 4th November. There are books for all tastes here. But the point of this post is the competition accompanying the launches. You can win copies of all these books quite simply. You merely have to …

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Lady Hartley’s Husbands, by Andrea Emblin #BookReview.

A real saga of a novel in which we travel through the life of the female protagonist, Irene, known to her friends as Reene, from her 16th birthday life-changing event to…well that would be spoiling the story. Let’s just say we leave her in her more mature years. There is, as the title suggests, more …

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