Book Review: How Not to Disappear by Clare Furniss

Last Updated: 26 June 2021

AD* | Our memories are what make us who we are. Some are real. Some are made up. But they are the stories that tell us who we are. Without them we are nobody.

Hattie's summer isn't going as planned. Her two best friends have abandoned her: Reuben has run off to Europe to 'find himself" and Kat is in Edinburgh with her new girlfriend. Meanwhile, Hattie is stuck babysitting her twin siblings and dealing with endless drama around her mum's wedding. Oh, and she's also just discovered that she's pregnant with Reuben's baby.

Then Gloria, Hattie's great-aunt who no one even knew existed, comes crashing into her life. Gloria's fiercely independent, rather too fond of a gin sling and is in the early stages of dementia. Together the two of them set out on a road trip of self-discovery - Gloria to finally confront the secrets of her past before they are erased from her memory forever and Hattie to face the hard choices that will determine her future.

Guest Post: A Journey to Help Save Lives by Paul Spelzini

I wrote My Wonderful Fran originally as a legacy to record Francesca’s life and times for posterity.

It was not until 2012 that I felt capable of starting to write Francesca’s story, but it was slow progress at first. That can be a detailed process which takes time doing research, as with any book. In this case, it also involved a steep learning curve about ASF (Asperger’s Syndrome), psychosis, depression plus schizophrenia.

In writing this book, it became apparent through contact with the ASF and other charities and through adoption work with the community rail partnership; that the book could also be a vehicle for furthering awareness of mental health issues, especially amongst teens.

Since completing the original book in 2015; I have also written a second book called Artificial Nocturne, which is a self-published concept fictional story about a young aspiring ballerina who dances to contemporary music and eventually finds her niche.

I have also written some adult short stories to help develop characters in stories, which have been published by several websites, and had fairly positive feedback overall.

Each of my main books has included a discography. This is not only to facilitate conversion to a film at some stage, but music to me is critical to understanding mental health. It is also a treatment for it, as my brother Mike is an occupational therapist dealing with severely disturbed people in North London. He is also a qualified Grade 8 trained pianist.

If all goes to plan; I expect to release My Wonderful Fran, followed by perhaps Artificial Nocturne in 2017. I don’t plan to publish a compendium of short stories; but instead, build up to writing the ultimate mental health story which I feel really needs to be written - The Dark Side of the Moon. That would probably be followed by my autobiography.

When Pink Floyd released their album in 1973, it included issues concerning mental health at that time. These included themes such as ‘Us and Them’, and ‘Brain Damage’. The album went on to become an unprecedented success story but did not follow the traditional route of book-film-album. Instead, the book and film remain a great story yet to be told.

Obviously, writing any new mental health story would be a real challenge and require considerable research. Mental health issues affect 1 in 4 people worldwide.

Returning to My Wonderful Fran, I felt it was important to write the story in a positive way, to avoid being depressing to read and to also show the positive side of mental health. Unfortunately, mental health is the hardest illness to deal with as it comes and goes and is so easily hidden for long periods.

I sincerely hope that writing this book can ultimately help save lives; either by better education of mental health issues and more advanced and quicker treatments. If that is the case, then it will have achieved its purpose.

About Paul Spelzini 

Paul wrote his novel My Wonderful Fran originally as a biography and record of Fran's life but felt it could also help other families struggling with ASF, Schizophrenia, and other related mental illnesses. My Wonderful Fran was released on 31st October 2016 by Austin Macauley Publishers and can be purchased through Amazon.

Share your thoughts in the comments below! 

Interview: E.H. Nolan

Today the lovely author E.H. Nolan is stopping by to answer a few questions about her writing, inspiration, and her new book Like a Closed Fist.

Welcome to TWG! Tell us a little about yourself.

I grew up in California, and I graduated from Chapman University with a BA in Political Science and Film Studies. Reading has always been one of my greatest passions. There’s no greater day than curling up by the fire with my kitten next to me and a good book in my hands. I use the term “kitten” loosely; she just turned 18 this month!

How did you first become interested in writing?

In high school. I was introduced to The Great Gatsby and my entire world changed. To this day, my senior research paper on The Great Gatsby is one of the pieces I'm most proud of having written. I've always loved to read, but it never occurred to me to write any fiction until after college. One morning, an idea came to me, and in the afternoon, the characters came alive and asked me to write their story. So I did.

What draws you to writing women’s fiction?

Characters are like real people. A lot of people pick up a women's fiction novel and expect it to be light and fluffy. If a woman has a broken heart, she'll get over it in a paragraph and all is well. However, women's fiction is a broad genre, and while there are tons of books that are light and fluffy, there are also heavier dramas to round out the genre. Simply put, women's fiction is fiction that deals with women's issues, and a lot of those issues are serious. Real life is full of heartache, and it’s always really moving to read a book you can personally relate to.

Do you think it’s important to write about sensitive issues?

Absolutely. I believe there are lot of women who don't feel safe to express their anxieties and deeper feelings about heavy issues. When women read a book that not only discusses those issues but lets readers know it’s okay to feel the way they’re feeling, it’s enormously helpful. I find the most inspirational books to the most realistic books. It’s all well and good to read about a strong character who bounces back from every upset, but it’s more powerful, real, and moving to read about a character who has trouble moving forward and eventually finds peace.

Tell me about Like a Closed Fist.

If you look at the blurb on Amazon or Goodreads, it will tell you Like a Closed Fist is about a twenty-four-year-old girl involved in a love hexagon with six very different men. Although that is true, it’s much more than just a romance. It’s a cautionary tale of a wounded young woman who is anxious to grow up. Yes, she falls in love with a much older, very married man, and yes, she tries to perpetually rebound to distract herself from him, but at the heart of the story is a fragile, real girl who learns the hard way and gets into a little trouble.

How do you get inspiration?

My characters inspire me. They let me know when they’re ready, and they give me no choice but to write down what’s going on with them. Whenever I have writer’s block, I know it’s because a character isn’t fleshed out enough. If I don’t know everything about him or her, the story can’t go forward. So, I sit down and try to get to know my guy or girl a little better. Once I do, the writing can continue.

What’s your writing process?

I don’t really have a process, or a favourite chair or anything like that. Pretty much, whenever the mood strikes, I do whatever is necessary to record what’s in my brain. Once I was on a plane from Los Angeles to Nashville and came up with a song. There was no way for me to whip out my laptop and record it into my composer program, so I just sang it over and over for three hours until I got my luggage and was able to pencil it down.

What’s the hardest thing about writing?

Research. When I was writing my Mabel Crowley and Theodore Hartley novels, I did a ton of research into that time period, and into specific battles of WW1 and WW2. I wanted to be very careful to cross reference and make sure multiple sources gave me the same information so I wouldn't write a scene that seemed out of place.

What do you love most about writing?

The characters are the most important part of a story, because if you don't care about the characters, you'll care even less what happens to them. I love my characters. They're real and flawed and lovable. Also, what’s really fun is keeping the mystery from the readers. People only show us what they want us to see, so the majority of the time in real life, we’re not getting to know people as well as we think we are. Sometimes in my novels, I keep a character enshrouded in mystery. But as long as I know everything about them, I’m able to write them realistically, even if that realism means the reader doesn’t know them as well as I do.

Which authors inspire you?

F. Scott Fitzgerald, of course. John Irving blows my mind; I don’t know he comes up with half of what he writes, and I love his level of detail. And I love David Niven, both his fiction and his memoirs. He wrote with the perfect balance of sorrow and humour.

Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?

When you’re reading your work after it’s finished, checking for typos or just making sure you like everything, listen to the alarm bells in your head. I really can’t rattle off a single brilliant sentence I’ve written, but I’ll remember forever the icky sentences I wish I’d changed. If you’re reading to yourself and a word, phrase, sentence, or section sticks in your head, chances are it needs to be changed or cut. Sorry, but it’s your brain’s way of trying to help you.

Where’s your favourite place to write?

I don’t really have a favourite place. Usually my laptop is in my room, so I’ll do a lot of writing there. But I can’t count how many times I’ve been in the car when a song comes to me and I have to scramble around for some paper in the backseat to write it down.

What are your ambitions for your writing career?

Not sure if I’ll be able to do it, but I’d like to produce a book a year. I know a lot of writers do more than that, but one a year seems to be my speed. So far, I’m three for three, so here’s hoping next year brings a fourth.

If you weren’t a writer, what do you think you’d be doing?

Oh gosh, I have that conversation with myself constantly. Writing is a hobby. I’m a secretary right now, and I’ve been lucky enough to have the same steady job for five years. But I’m always trying to come up with about another profession that would be fun. So far, I haven’t come up with a winner yet, which is probably why I’ve stayed put.

What are you currently working on?

Right now, I'm working on a sequel called Like an Open Fist. Just kidding. I'm actually returning to my Mabel Crowley world and writing the third instalment, following my Amazon best-selling debt Mabel Crowley and the prequel Theodore Hartley. It was quite a jump from 20th century England to modern day America in Like a Closed Fist, and I hear my historical characters calling me back.

Do you prefer e-books or traditional books?

Traditional books, absolutely. I love everything about a paper book, from the smell of the pages to proudly displaying it on my bookshelf.

Do you prefer self-publishing or traditional publishing?

I like self-publishing because you have more freedom. Yes, you sacrifice publicity and sales, but for me, my writing is a hobby not a career, and I prefer to have my books and covers exactly as I imagined them when they’re sitting on the shelf.

What are you reading at the moment?

One of my favourite movies is The Best Years of Our Lives, and I found the book it was based on last Christmas: Glory for Me by MacKinlay Kantor. I’ve been waiting all year to read it, hoping it’s as good as the movie, and now that it’s approaching the holidays again, I just can’t wait any longer!

To find out more about the author, visit her website, Goodreads page, or Amazon author page. Like a Closed Fist is available to buy now.

Will you be reading the book? Let me know in the comments below! 

Book Review: Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult

Last Updated: 26 June 2021

AD* | Ruth Jefferson is a labour and delivery nurse at a Connecticut hospital with more than twenty years' experience. During her shift, Ruth begins a routine checkup on a newborn, only to be told a few minutes later that she's been reassigned to another patient. The parents are white supremacists and don't want Ruth, who is African American, to touch their child. The hospital complies with their request, but the next day, the baby goes into cardiac distress while Ruth is alone in the nursery. Does she obey orders or does she intervene?

Ruth hesitates before performing CPR and, as a result, is charged with a serious crime. Kennedy McQuarrie, a white public defender, takes her case but gives unexpected advice: Kennedy insists that mentioning race in the courtroom is not a winning strategy. Conflicted by Kennedy's counsel, Ruth tries to keep life as normal as possible for her family - especially her teenage son - as the case becomes a media sensation. As the trial moves forward, Ruth and Kennedy must gain each other's trust, and come to see that what they've been taught their whole lives about others - and themselves - might be wrong.

Guest Post: Writing Out of Your Comfort Zone by Marie Lavender

When I was a kid, I dreamed of becoming a novelist. I knew from a young age that storytelling was my thing. Scenes played out in my head, and it was my job to get them on the page. I was that girl, going around telling everyone, “I want to be a writer!”

As I grew up, I was influenced by romantic comedy films and romance novels. As I began to get interested in various subgenres of romance, I could feel the possibilities unfold. My writer’s mind was opening bit by bit. When I finally self-published my work starting in 2010, there was a good range of tales, from literary fiction and poetry, to contemporary romance or romantic suspense, even paranormal romance. There were even some romantic mysteries. In 2012, I was discovered by Solstice Publishing, and through them, I published historical romance, lighthearted romantic fantasy, even launched a paranormal romance/urban fantasy series, Blood at First Sight. My stories in progress? They’re all over the place as well, from romantic suspense to dystopian romance, more historical romance, time travel romance, erotic romance, even a six-book romantic comedy series. The list goes on.

Last year, I decided to reinvent myself as a writer. Why? Because out of nowhere, it seemed, my story ideas quickly took on a life of their own. Categorizing them had become difficult. I was crossing multiple genres. In July of 2015, I published a children’s fantasy novella, A Little Magick. Writing the story was a little daunting at first, but it was fun and so worth it! This was so far from my usual scope of storytelling that I knew I had to take a step back and reevaluate some of my priorities. I adore writing or reading about romance, and that will likely never change. But I knew I could no longer consider myself just a romance author. I took a look at my 117+ works in progress, and I knew something big had changed, whether or not I realized it right away. This writing journey was a constant evolution. I thought of the cocky writer who’d brushed off her professor’s advice in college, yet now it truly resonated with me.

“Don’t limit yourself to one genre.”

Truer words were never spoken. Suddenly I knew how to define myself in my writing career. I learned to open my mind further, to wherever the muse wanted to take me.

And here I am, just tackling the launch of the Code of Endhivar Series with Blue Vision, my first foray into science fiction (yeah, I never saw that coming!) with a strong element of romance. My mind is awake, open and ready to receive, to go in any direction, even if it’s a little scary to approach at first. Will I ever write horror or non-fiction novels? I’ve learned that life often has a way of both surprising and challenging us. So, maybe the muse will take me there someday.

In the meantime, I am comfortable with who I am. A sometimes weird, romantic visionary…I am a multi-genre author, and that’s all right with me.

About Marie Lavender

Bestselling multi-genre author of UPON YOUR RETURN and 21 other books. March 2016 Empress of the Universe title - winner of the "Broken Heart" themed contest and the "I Love You" themed contest on Poetry Universe. SECOND CHANCE HEART and A LITTLE MAGICK placed in the TOP 10 on the 2015 P&E Readers' Poll. Nominated in the TRR Readers' Choice Awards for Winter 2015. Poetry winner of the 2015 PnPAuthors Contest. The Versatile Blogger Award for 2015. Honorable Mention in the 2014 BTS Red Carpet Book Awards. Finalist and Runner-up in the 2014 MARSocial's Author of the Year Competition. Honorable mention in the January 2014 Reader's Choice Award. Liebster Blogger Award for 2013 and 2014. Top 10 Authors on AuthorsDB.com. Winner of the Great One Liners Contest on the Directory of Published Authors.

Marie Lavender lives in the Midwest with her family and three cats. She has been writing for over twenty years. She has more works in progress than she can count on two hands. Since 2010, Marie has published 22 books in the genres of historical romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, fantasy, mystery/thriller, literary fiction and poetry. She has also contributed to several anthologies. Her current series are The Heiresses in Love series, The Magick series, The Code of Endhivar series and The Blood at First Sight series.

To find out more about Marie, visit her website or her Amazon author page.

Brooke Sanders just wants to get away from her life for awhile. A remote cabin in Montana fits the bill. She doesn’t expect to encounter a mysterious stranger with unusual blue eyes, or events that cannot be explained…

Colin Fielding is on a mission – scout a planet and return home to Endhivar. Simple really. What he doesn’t anticipate is that fate has a pretty twisted sense of humor. Suddenly, this human calls to him, every part of him, like the call of a true mate, and he can’t deny the connection as he gets closer to her.

Little do they know, someone is out to do them harm, as well as the world Brooke holds so dear. Can they stop what’s coming before it’s too late? Or will the universe lose a perfect gem?

Blue Vision will be released on 15th November.

What do you think about multiple genre authors? Let me know in the comments below!

Interview: Russell Atkinson

Russ Atkinson, author of the Cliff Knowles Mysteries series, has stopped by The Writing Greyhound to answer a few questions ahead of the release of Behead Me, the sixth book in the series.

Firstly, tell me a little about yourself and your background.

I'm a retired FBI agent and lawyer living in California, the Silicon Valley area. My hobbies include finger-style guitar, geocaching, and cipher solving. I'm the past president of the American Cryptogram Association and I was the Head Cryptographer for the movie The Red Machine.

How did you first become interested in writing?

I've always enjoyed writing and my teachers and bosses always praised my writing style. When I practiced law after the FBI, the Chief Counsel would have me rewrite the briefs of the other attorneys. However, the idea of writing a novel only occurred to me when I was between jobs and had some time and a compelling true story about a particular kidnapping case that I thought was so interesting it should be told, showing what the real FBI is like, not the TV/movie version. I decided that it would not be marketable in a strict non-fiction narrative, though, so I decided to fictionalize it and turn it into a novel.

What draws you to writing mysteries and thrillers?

First of all, I like mysteries and the notion of righting wrongs. Solving crimes is what I did for a living for 25 years in the FBI. Perhaps more than that, though, is that I believe a writer, even of fiction, should write about what he or she knows. I enjoy other genres though, including science fiction and non-fiction.

Tell me about Behead Me.

Behead Me is the sixth novel in the Cliff Knowles Mysteries series. It combines some slightly disguised real FBI cases with geocaching, which is one of my hobbies. Cliff is now retired and working as a private investigator. He’s hired by a large high-tech firm to determine why sales of their spare parts are down. His investigation draws him to Utah where a young worker at a competing firm recently was killed by a hit-and-run driver, losing his head in the process. While there he decides to make a side trip to pick up a geocache in the desert and becomes the hunted himself.

Cliff’s FBI agent wife Ellen Kennedy is assigned to investigate the background of a woman applying for a presidential pardon. She’s shocked to learn that the woman had been convicted of drug dealing decades earlier and had attacked Cliff when he was the FBI agent arresting her.

Despite its grisly sound, the title actually refers to a type of word puzzle that was popular in the 19th Century. The book’s overall feel is light, almost a cozy mystery. It recently received an award from ReadFree.ly as one of the 50 Self-Published Books worth reading for 2016, and in fact was the top mystery and second overall, coming in behind a romance which took top spot.

How much of your writing is fictional and how much is based on real events?

It varies. Some of my novels, like Held for Ransom and Behead Me, follow real cases quite closely. Others, like Cached Out and Death Row, are almost entirely fiction, but even those have real cases mixed in here and there. The murders, however, are all fictional, and of course I’ve had to create totally fictional characters, both for privacy reasons and for dramatic purpose. The FBI has to approve all my novels on privacy grounds (not for their literary merit, thank heavens). I was once asked by an interviewer if I was Cliff Knowles. The answer is definitely no. I’ve given him some of my background because it makes it possible for me to write about what I know, but his physical appearance, personality, and family situation are totally different from mine. Some of my FBI agent friends think they recognize characters in some of my books as real persons, but they’re mistaken, too. All the characters are complete fiction.

What’s your writing process?

Once I have the basic story line in my head, I just sit down and start typing and keep going for days at a time. There are times when it becomes a bit of a chore and I take a break, but I don’t really get writer’s block. I can usually get a novel’s first draft out in anywhere from six to twelve weeks.

What’s the hardest thing about writing?

Fixing the first draft. It’s grueling to read and reread the story multiple times, but it’s totally necessary. I find mistakes every time, everything from typos to inconsistencies to badly written sections. Of course I use friends and fans as beta readers or proofreaders, too, and they find mistakes or just things that don’t work. Rewriting is an author’s curse, but it must be done.

What do you love most about writing?

The total freedom I have as a self-published author to craft the story. I often don’t know exactly how the story is going to go and I love the anticipation and surprise I get when I suddenly figure out how to get from point A to point B or when I come up with a clever turn of phrase.

Which authors inspire you?

I really enjoy many mystery writers, including Michael Connelly and Sue Grafton, among others, but I wouldn’t say they inspire me. I am perhaps more inspired, even awestruck, by many authors recognized for their classic works, from Shakespeare, Conan Doyle, and Jane Austen to Edgar Allen Poe, Herman Wouk, and C.S. Forester.

Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?

Decide why you want to write and stay true to that goal. If your goal is to make a living at it, find an occupation that has writing as part of it. I enjoyed writing legal briefs, for example. I also recommend starting a blog to give yourself a creative outlet. But if you want to write books, you may have to choose between writing that great novel in you or producing a cookie cutter romance that a publisher wants.

Where’s your favourite place to write?

Last year my house was remodeled and I now have a cozy office overlooking my back yard. I love it.

What are your ambitions for your writing career?

I’ve never wanted or expected to hit it big, although like all writers, I’d love to see more people read my books. I really enjoy fan mail and other expressions of appreciation I get on social media. I hope I can continue to come up with ideas for more novels, but I enjoy writing my blog, too.

If you weren’t a writer, what do you think you’d be doing?

Writing is a passion for me, but not an occupation. If I couldn’t write, I would need to find other creative outlets. I recently got a gig creating crossword puzzles for The Grapevine, the magazine for the Society of Former FBI agents, for example, and I upload guitar videos to YouTube. I write programs to solve ciphers and might even try to learn a new computer language. I just wrote a program to play Poker Solitaire. Of course, I’m also a big reader and I have many other hobbies like geocaching and running.

What are you currently working on?

My seventh Cliff Knowles novel. It is set in San Diego and the murder victim is Cliff’s sister. That’s about all I can reveal right now.

Do you prefer e-books or traditional books?

I read both but I still have a preference for the dead tree version.

Do you prefer self-publishing or traditional publishing?

I had a literary agent for my first book, Held for Ransom, but no publisher picked it up. I hated the long drawn-out process and infuriatingly contradictory feedback I got from various sources in the business. I much prefer self-publishing, but that route is frustrating in how limiting it can be in terms of sales. I’m no salesman and I hate the necessity of marketing. Thank you for the opportunity to get some exposure here.

What are you reading at the moment?

I just finished The Lightless Sky by Gulwali Passarlay and today I started A Midsummer’s Equation by Keigo Higashino. It’s a mystery originally written in Japanese and an Edgar Award finalist.

To find out more about Russ, visit his blog. Behead Me is available to buy now.

Will you be reading the book? Let me know in the comments below! 

Book Review: The Other Alice by Michelle Harrison

Last Updated: 22 June 2021

AD* | What happens when a tale with real magic, that was supposed to be finished, never was? This is a story about one of those stories...

Midge loves riddles, his cat, Twitch, and ‒ most of all ‒ stories. Especially because he’s grown up being read to by his sister Alice, a brilliant writer.

When Alice goes missing and a talking cat turns up in her bedroom, Midge searches Alice’s stories for a clue. Soon he discovers that her secret book, The Museum of Unfinished Stories, is much more than just a story. In fact, he finds two of its characters wandering around town.

But every tale has its villains ‒ and with them leaping off the page, Midge, Gypsy and Piper must use all their wits and cunning to work out how the story ends and find Alice. If they fail, a more sinister finale threatens them all...

A rich and twisting tale of magic, riddles and talking cats, from a classic author.

Guest Post: The Key to a Fabulous Life by Amanda Akalonu

Hey Fabulous,

People's definition of a fabulous woman vary. Some define her as the woman with the most expensive piece of jewellery or designer shoes, who walks like the world is her runway. Others say she is the lady who rocks social media with her picture-perfect face. While there is nothing wrong with the above women, I would hate to limit them to the definition of a fabulous woman.

So, who is a fabulous woman?

A fabulous woman is that lady who unquestioningly believes that she is amazing. She looks herself in the mirror and sees the most beautiful creature in the universe. This woman is not afraid to be herself and own her story because she knows that's where her strength lies. A fabulous woman loves herself unconditionally and is willing to be a blessing to others. Whether she shops at Versace or the thrift store, whether she rocks Louboutins or 'nameless' flip-flops, this woman walks like the world...no, the universe, belongs to her - fearlessly, gracefully and authentically.

Most women go through life feeling 'good-for-nothing'. Some have even been told (directly or indirectly) that the only value she can offer is her vagina (and, by the way, she is not the only human who owns one!) Over the years, I have watched with a sickened stomach at how much women look for validation in all the wrong places and forget the only place that truly matters: deep within yourself.

I cannot begin to tell you how amazing you are. I cannot begin to tell you the wonders that will unveil before you once you start to see yourself with new eyes. Girl, you are a one-of-a-kind creature for which there s no comparison...see yourself as such!

I truly believe every woman can be fabulous. As a matter of fact, I dare say that 'fabulous' lies inside every woman just waiting to be unleashed. 

The question is: HOW CAN YOU UNLEASH YOUR FABULOUS? 

My answer: BE YOURSELF! 

'What? Really, Amanda? Be myself? Not walk sexy or dress sexy?' This is usually the response I get when sharing this with a woman for the first time, to which I always reply, 'yes, girl, be yourself!' I know it sounds boring, but it is one of the most exciting and fulfilling things you could ever do. Today we live in a world where authenticity is rare. Everyone is trying to be like someone else and we have totally forgotten who we really are.

Authenticity, which is being the totality of who you are unapologetically, is your visa to a more fabulous life. It is the daring adventure of living your life from the 'inside out', not the other way round. This is fulfilling. It is liberating and it is magical. Trust me, I know. I used to hate my life. I constantly compared myself to others and tried to be someone else and it sucked the very life out of me. One day I realised: I AM ENOUGH! I am magnificent and fabulous and will NEVER apologise for being who I am. I learnt to embrace this girl called Amanda Akalonu and made the radical decision to be the totality of who I am. The journey has been an exciting adventure and I have risen to heights I never thought possible and, girl, the view from here is amazing. 

Today I ask you this question: Who are you? The real you, and not the you that you want others to see. If you don't know her, don't be afraid to look for her, and when you find her, become all of her... unapologetically.

With authenticity and fabulousness,

Amanda

About Amanda Akalonu 

Amanda Akalonu is an author, women's lifestyle entrepreneur, teacher and speaker. She is passionate about women’s personal development and has dedicated her life’s work to it. Beginning at the tender age of 14 in 2006, Amanda has helped hundreds of women to break the bars in their lives and rise up to their higher selves. Her mission is simple: To Inspire a Woman to Unleash her Fabulous.

Her latest book: LIVE YOUR MOST FABULOUS LIFE, 30 simple steps to increase your confidence, is available now.

Are you ready to unleash your fabulous? Let me know in the comments below! 

Jewellery Loves: Hungry Unicorn and Emma Kirkham Glass

Recently I've noticed that when I've been shopping, I've found myself trying to buy from small businesses and independent retailers wherever possible. I like to show my support for smaller outlets and I think it's important to try and keep independent shops afloat - just look at the state of our high streets if you don't think independents are necessary!

Supporting small businesses doesn't just have to happen in person on the high street, however. You can also fight against the increasing dominance of the big chains online, and still choose independents over conglomerates from the comfort of your own home.

To that end, I was thrilled when I happened to come across the two outlets I'm featuring today. Both sell jewellery (which I should really stop buying because I already have far too much!) and both are run by people I know personally - one professionally and one through a mutual Facebook friend. I always think that having a personal connection to a business is a nice touch, and I don't know about you, but it usually encourages me to spend more money with them!

Hungry Unicorn

Hungry Unicorn sells a range of jewellery, including rings, earrings, belly bars, and other assorted body jewellery. Their designs are varied yet all are unique, giving a quirky, edgy approach to your style.

So in love with my beautiful midi rings from @hungryunicornuk 😍 . #jewellery #bodyjewellery #rings #ring #midiring #midirings #silver #cute #quirky #hungryunicorn #fblogger

A photo posted by Lorna Holland (@themaxdog) on Nov 12, 2016 at 4:23am PST

Pictured: Fox Midi Ring (£4), Bow Midi Ring (£3.50), Love Midi Ring (£3).

The best part? Everything on the site is more than affordable, meaning you can stock up your jewellery box and stick to your budget at the same time.

Emma Kirkham Glass

Ever since she first experienced glassmaking whilst studying 3D design at university, Emma Kirkham has been hooked on the medium of glass. She works from a little blue shed in her back garden, using molten glass and the technique of glass blowing to create her trademark pieces. As well as gorgeous earrings, Emma also sells bespoke necklaces, bracelets, and rings.

What's special about Emma's creations is that every piece is completely unique. You can buy a hand-crafted, individual piece for a fraction of the price you would pay if you bought a similar item from a designer.

Will you be buying from either of these retailers? Let me know your favourite pieces in the comments below! 

Book Review: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling

Last Updated: 22 June 2021

Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, a new play by Jack Thorne, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage. The play received its world premiere in London’s West End on July 30, 2016.

It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband and father of three school-age children.

While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places.

How to Write Fantasy and Have Fun While Doing It by Amie Irene Winters

Last Updated: 05 May 2024

It wasn’t until I stopped writing for the market and started writing what I really wanted to write did I realize that I was writing fantasy. And the more I wrote, the more I loved writing about magic, other worlds, and supernatural creatures. Simply put, I was completely in love with the limitless possibilities for imagination. But how does one write a fantasy book exactly? Here are some tips and tricks I’ve learned on my publishing journey.

Spotlight: First Taken, Last Released by Howard Fields

Last Updated: 05 May 2024

Donald Trump's calls for interning Muslims and the upcoming 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor that prompted the time when America did intern an entire class of people make First Taken, Last Released: Overlooked WWII Internment a timely read.

Poetry Block: The Golden Despair by Shubhi Raghav

Welcome to the first-ever edition of my brand new blog feature, Poetry Block! 

The aim of Poetry Block is to banish the preconceived ideas a lot of people have about poetry and to introduce a fresh wave of exciting and innovative poets, and their work, to you, my lovely readers.

Kicking us off is 16-year-old poet Shubhi Raghav, sharing one of the poems from her debut anthology, The Golden Despair.

Introducing the Locations Behind the Books by Jeff Widmer

In fiction, when does setting become character? When does location move from background to foreground?

In the Darkest Hour, Can Time and Love Truly Heal All Wounds? by Leslie Bowes

In the darkest hour, can time and love truly heal all wounds? That is the question that Catherine, the main character of my novella, Heart Healer, has to ask herself a few times.