Book Review: White Lies and Wishes by Cathy Bramley

Last Updated: 20 May 2024

AD* | What happens when what you wish for is only half the story...?

Flirtatious, straight-talking Jo Gold says she’s got no time for love; she’s determined to save her family’s failing footwear business.

New mother Sarah Hudson has cut short her maternity leave to return to work. She says she’ll do whatever it takes to make partner at the accountancy firm.

Bored, over-eating housewife Carrie Radley says she just wants to shift the pounds – she’d love to finally wear a bikini in public.

The unlikely trio meets by chance one winter’s day, and in a moment of ‘Carpe Diem’ madness, embark on a mission to make their wishes come true by September.

Easy. At least it would be if they hadn’t been just the teensiest bit stingy with the truth…

With hidden issues, hidden talents, and hidden demons to overcome, new friends Jo, Carrie and Sarah must admit to what they really, really want, if they are ever to get their happy endings.

Ethnicity's Place in Pigeon-Blood Red by Ed Duncan

Last Updated: 20 May 2024

Pigeon-Blood Red is an interracial crime novel but it is, first and foremost, a crime novel. At its centre is the theft of a priceless pigeon-blood red ruby necklace. That theft sets in motion the novel's action and, together with the hunt to find the necklace, it pushes the action forward. The crime also brings together the novel's disparate characters, each of whom contributes something different to the story, but the ethnicity of the characters is incidental to the plot. In other words, with minor exceptions, a reader would not know whether a given character was white or black if the character weren't described as such. On this latter point, permit me a slight digression. 

Interview: Faye Hall

Last Updated: 20 May 2024

Today I am super pleased to be able to bring you an interview with historical romance author Faye Hall, ahead of the release of her latest novel, Deceit and Devotion.

Writing A Cause Driven Series by D.J. Williams

Last Updated: 20 May 2024

I stood on the shores of the Zambezi River as a spark for a story pierced my soul. After three weeks of travelling across the country, witnessing the reality of those forgotten by the world, and facing a major change in my career, I knew that one day I'd write about this place. Little did I know that it would be years before I found the courage to write my first novel, The Disillusioned. I was so afraid of failing to capture the story that I wrote the novel without telling anyone. When it was finished, I reached out to a friend in the TV industry and her response encouraged me to step out in faith and publish.

I share this with you because those days on the Zambezi defined my passion as a storyteller.

Interview: Jeffrey H. Konis

Last Updated: 20 May 2024

This morning, author Jeffrey H. Konis is stopping by the blog for a chat about his life, his writing, and the release of his new semi-biographical book.

Wing Jones Photo Tour

Last Updated: 20 May 2024

Wing Jones is the much-anticipated debut novel from Katherine Webber, publishing on 5th January 2017 in the UK. With a grandmother from China and another from Ghana, fifteen-year-old Wing is often caught between worlds. But when tragedy strikes, Wing discovers a talent for running she never knew she had. Wing's speed could bring her family everything it needs. It could also stop Wing from getting the one thing she wants...

Interview: John Murray and Abby Jones

Last Updated: 20 May 2024

I am very pleased to welcome John Murray and Abby Jones to the blog to talk about their new book Code Name: Papa, the thriller/biography of John's life. Read on to find out all about the pair and the extraordinary tale that inspired the book.

Interview: Tam May

Last Updated: 20 May 2024

Today I'm pleased to welcome the lovely Tam May back to the blog for a chat about her latest release, Gnarled Bones and Other Stories. 

Print is the Word: Literary Inspired Art

Last Updated: 20 May 2024

Like many book lovers out there, I love discovering new bookish products and designs to fill my home. I recently redecorated my room, which gave me the perfect opportunity to get creative and search for some gorgeous literary inspiration.

This research made me fall in love with some of the most stunning literary-inspired art and quote prints out there. As I have neither the money nor space to buy them all, I've picked out a few of my favourites to share with you!

The Secret Garden

Simple but striking, this super stylish quote print features the wise words of author Frances Hodgson Burnett - "If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden".

Ideal for those who love gardening as much as books, this print is the perfect addition to a minimalist design.

Alice in Wonderland

There are many Alice in Wonderland-inspired prints and pieces of artwork out there, but this is one of the best I've seen. It's eye-catching and bold, with a special kind of charm all of its own.

It's vintage and whimsical, printed directly onto an original page from the book. No two prints are exactly the same, meaning that each one is completely unique!

Peter Pan

I have a major crush on Bookishly products (so much so that I - unsuccessfully - applied to work there a while back) and this Peter Pan canvas is one of the best.

The print features the famous quote, "Second to the right, and straight on till morning," against a gorgeous backdrop of the starry night sky.

Edgar Allan Poe

This spooky Halloween-themed quote is taken from Edgar Allan Poe's The Raven and Other Poems.

It's quirky and original, offering a more modern option than some of my other picks. Its bold colours and comic graphics are sure to make it stand out, wherever you choose to put it.

Winnie the Pooh

Last but not least, we come to Winnie the Pooh. This classic and much-loved children's character is the perfect addition to the home, and this stunning print is one of my favourites. Printed directly onto a vintage page from a Pooh book, this quote reads, "I knew when I met you an adventure was going to happen". It's sweet and touching and would make the ideal gift.

If you love this Winnie the Pooh quote print as much as I do, you're in luck, as I have one to give away to one lucky reader. Simply enter via the Rafflecopter widget below for your chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Terms and conditions:
1. Giveaway closes on 22nd January 2017 at 11.59pm (GMT)
2. The prize consists of one Winnie the Pooh print as seen above
3. This giveaway is open to residents of the UK aged 18 and over
4. The winner will be randomly generated once the giveaway has ended
5. The winner will be informed by email once the giveaway has ended
6. The winner will have 72 hours to claim their prize. If the winner has not responded by this time, another winner will be announced

Which of my picks is your favourite? Let me know in the comments below!

Interview: Piers Anthony

Last Updated: 20 May 2024

Author Piers Anthony is stopping by the blog today for a chat about his writing world. Enjoy!

Spotlight: Into the Americas by Lance & James Morcan

Last Updated: 19 May 2024

Regular readers of the blog may remember that I recently collaborated with father-son writing duo Lance and James Morcan to promote their novel White Spirit. As that post proved to be such a success, today we're teaming up again to tell you about another of their novels - Into the Americas.

Interview: Erin A. Jensen

Last Updated: 19 May 2024

This morning, I have an interview with fantasy author Erin A. Jensen to share with you. Find out all about her writing process and the inspiration behind her books!

Book Review: Ladybird Books for Grown-Ups

Last Updated: 19 May 2024

Lighthearted humour and modern takes on classic stories are all over the bestseller lists at the moment - just look at my review of the Enid Blyton for Grown-Ups series!

The Ladybird Books for Grown-Ups series, by Jason Hazeley and Joel Morris, has been around for a while but seems to be getting increasingly popular. Thanks to Christmas presents, I've now read four of the books, which I'll briefly talk about individually below. Of course, there are plenty more books in the series, so get browsing and find one which suits you!

Interview: Rick Moss

Last Updated: 19 May 2024

Today it is my pleasure to host the author Rick Moss on The Writing Greyhound, talking about his life, his writing, and his latest novel Tellers.

Book Review: Enid Blyton for Grown-Ups

Last Updated: 19 May 2024

I'm a big fan of the original Famous Five books, so when I heard there was going to be a spoof Enid Blyton for adults series, naturally I was horrified. However, I've since read three of the 'Enid Blyton for Grown-Ups' series, and I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised. The author Bruno Vincent has done a fantastic job of updating the stories for a modern audience while preserving the charm of the originals. These Famous Five books for grown-ups are entertaining, funny, and enjoyable, making them the perfect quick reads to brighten up a dull January day.

Spotlight: Rock, Scissors, Paper by Richard Stevenson

Last Updated: 19 May 2024

In the early 1980s, serial killer Clifford Olson rampaged through the lower mainland of British Columbia, raping and murdering eleven victims. His heinous cash-for-bodies deal foreshortened his trial and resulted in the law currently on Canadian books that forbids criminals from benefiting financially from their crimes.

Interview: Elaine Johns

Last Updated: 19 May 2024

The lovely author Elaine Johns is stopping by the blog today for a cup of tea, a slice of cake, and a nice chat about her writing and her books!

Book Review: The Shattered Crown by J.W. Webb

Last Updated: 19 May 2024

AD* | Corin an Fol, Longswordsman and ex-mercenary has but one objective: retire early and settle down. Unfortunately, the gods have other ideas. When Corin arrives home after many years of fighting foreign wars, he finds bad news waiting for him. The High King has been murdered and his crystal crown, the Tekara, destroyed. 

The Tekara is no ordinary crown. Wrought of solid crystal it contains a charm of strength that has protected the Four Kingdoms for millennia. But the Tekara is vulnerable to one thing: treachery. So when Caswallon the schemer secretly places the crown on Prince Tarin's head he knows it will shatter, causing the realms to fall apart. He stands to gain as soon as it breaks.

 
Though many suspect Caswallon, who is known as a sorcerer, only one dares stand against him: Queen Ariane of Kelwyn. She is visited by her goddess in a dream who warns that Prince Tarin has fled with the shards of the Shattered Crown, and only by finding both Prince and Crown can the Four Kingdoms be saved. 

After being promised gold, Corin an Fol reluctantly joins the queen's desperate quest to salvage the missing shards. But Caswallon is on to them and already watching their every move.

5 Books I want to Read in 2017

Last Updated: 19 May 2024

If you're a long-term follower of my blog, you may well remember that about this time last year, I did a post of five books I wanted to read in 2016. Now that 2016 has been and gone, I've looked back on that post and realised that I only managed to read one of those five books all year... oops! And that's despite the fact that I read over 50 books in 2016!