Julie Houston’s books include A Village Affair, A Village Vacancy, Coming Home to Holly Close Farm and Sing Me a Secret. Her latest novel, A Family Affair, was published by Aria Fiction on 3 June 2021. Julie kindly answered a few of my questions. 1. Tell us a little about A Family Affair. A Family…
Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award – the shortlist
Launched in 2005, the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award is the most prestigious crime novel prize in the country and is a much-coveted accolade recognising the very best crime writing of the year. The award forms part of the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, staged by Harrogate International Festivals in the Old…
The Road Trip by Beth O’Leary – review
Published by Quercus Publication date – 29 April 2021 Source – Review copy Addie and her sister are about to embark on an epic road trip to a friend’s wedding in rural Scotland. The playlist is all planned and the snacks are packed. But, not long after setting off, a car slams into the back…
Matt Cook – Q&A
Matt Cook is the author of Life on Other Planets is published by Lendal Press on 10 June 2021. Matt kindly answered a few of my questions. 1. Tell us a little about Life on Other Planets. Life on Other Planets is a black comedy about a family who have a collective nervous breakdown after…
The Heeding by Rob Cowen, illustrated by Nick Hayes – review
Published by Elliott & Thompson Publication date – 17 June 2021 Source – review copy The world changed in 2020. Gradually at first, then quickly and irreversibly, the patterns by which we once lived altered completely. The Heeding paints a picture of a year caught in the grip of history, yet filled with revelatory perspectives close…
Venetia by Georgette Heyer – review
Published by Arrow Publication date – 3 June 2004 Source – review copy In all her twenty-five years, Venetia Lanyon has never been further than Harrogate. Nor has she enjoyed the attentions of any man aside from her two wearisomely persistent suitors. Then, in one extraordinary encounter, she meets a neighbour she only knew by…
Josh Cohen – Q&A
Josh Cohen is the author of How to Live. What to Do published by Ebury on 11 February 2021. Josh kindly answered a few of my questions. 1. Tell us a little about How to Live. What to Do. How to Live. What to Do is an exploration through the lens of fiction of life’s…
Balancing the Books – May 2021
The year is gathering apace as we enter soon come to the half way point of 2021. They say that time flies when you are having fun. Whilst there have been times when the day seemed interminable, I have begun to think that time does speed up, the older I get. I still occasionally feel…
Good Evening Mrs Craven: The Wartime Stories of Mollie Panter-Downes by Mollie Panter-Downes – review
Published by Persephone Books Publication date – 24 April 2008 Source – own copy Mollie Panter-Downes was noted for her wit, perception and incisiveness thanks to her reflections on English domestic life during the war years. This collection of her short stories explores the common themes of the day, discussing fear, separation, evacuations and the…
Hannah Fielding – Q&A
Hannah Fielding’s latest novel, Song of the Nile, was published by London Wall Publishing on 27 May 2021. Hannah kindly answered a few of my questions. 1. Tell us a little about Song of the Nile. Song of the Nile is my latest novel – a story that is very close to my heart, for…
