Pages

Thursday 31 December 2020

Reading Round-Up: November/December 2020

The Writing Greyhound Books

I think it's pretty safe to say that we will all be happy to finally see the end of 2020! What a year it's been - a global pandemic, lockdowns around the world, and plenty of worry and heartache for us all. So, let's try not to dwell on 2020 any longer than we have to - tomorrow is a brand new year! 

Join me as I wrap up the last few months of 2020, sharing all my bookish news from November and December and looking ahead to 2021.

Tuesday 29 December 2020

2020: My Year in Review

2021 2021

Somehow it's December, and there are only a few days left of the year. It's safe to say that 2020 hasn't turned out the way any of us planned this time last year, but it's certainly been memorable and it won't be forgotten in a hurry! 

In amongst all the talk of COVID-19, Brexit, and social distancing, it has been difficult to find some semblance of normality to remind us of brighter times. However, despite all the doom and gloom, that thin thread of hope is still there, shining in the darkness and making sure we keep doing our best and working towards a time - hopefully in the not-too-distant future - where all this is just a bad memory.

Until then, though, I'm back with my annual round-up of the past year. 2020 was always going to be a difficult one thanks to the pandemic and everything else happening around the world right now, but I've done my best to pick out the flowers among the weeds from what has been a challenging year for us all. 

2019 was a pretty good year, but what positives did 2020 hold for me? 

Wednesday 23 December 2020

My Top 5 Books of 2020

Top 5 books 2020

It's certainly been a strange year, yet at least lockdown has meant more time for reading! As the time for another annual reading round-up draws closer, I've put my thinking cap on to decide my top five books of 2020.

In early December, I smashed past my target goal of reading 50 books in 2020. This year has been a bumper one for my reading habits, where not only have I read more books than I've managed since 2016, but I've also read more pages across those books than I have since 2013! 

But with so many books under my belt, it's been even harder to narrow down my favourites this year. However, after a lot of deliberation, I've finally managed to come up with my top five books of 2020!

Wednesday 16 December 2020

Book Review: The Chosen Ones by Scarlett Thomas

The Chosen Ones by Scarlett Thomas book cover

AD* | Effie Truelove has just been expelled from magic class and now she can’t even get back to the Otherworld—the place she most loves and where she feels she belongs. If she can find a copy of The Chosen Ones by Laurel Wilde to give her father then she might be able to fix everything.

The only problem is that there are suddenly no copies of the book anywhere, because Albion Freake, the richest man in the world, is paying for them to be destroyed so that he can own the single-volume limited edition that publisher Skylurian Midzhar is making for him.

Raven Wilde’s witch’s intuition tells her there’s something suspicious about Skykurian’s plan, but she’s not sure what it is.

And Maximilian has somehow managed to go missing deep in Napoleonic Europe.

Will the five friends from Dragon’s Green - Effie, Raven, Maximilian, Lexy, and Wolf—be able to combine their skills again to save the world from the Diberi? And can they get away from Terrence Deer-Hart, the children’s author who seems a bit too interested in Effie’s life?

Thursday 10 December 2020

Book Review: The Open House by Sam Carrington

The Open House by Sam Carrington book cover

AD* | Everyone’s welcome. But not everyone leaves...

Nick and Amber Miller are splitting up and selling their Devon family home. But despite the desirable location, the house isn’t moving. Not a single viewing so far.

When their estate agent suggests an open house event, Amber agrees, even as she worries about their gossiping neighbours attending and snooping around their home.

But Amber has more to worry about than nosy neighbours. Because thirteen people enter her house that afternoon, and only twelve leave.

Someone doesn't want the house to sell, and is willing to do anything to stop it...

Wednesday 9 December 2020

Book Review: All About Us by Tom Ellen

All About Us by Tom Ellen book cover

AD* | If you could turn back the clock, would you choose a different life?

Ben’s always loved the month of December, but this year, with his relationship with Daphne on the rocks, it’s missing its usual magic. And then his old friend Alice gets back in touch. Ben’s always thought of Alice as the one that got away, and he can’t help but wonder: what if he’d done things differently all those years ago?

He never imagines he might get to find out… but when a stranger sells Ben a mysterious watch one freezing winter’s night, he’s astonished to wake up the next morning on 5th December 2005: the day he first kissed Daphne, leaving Alice behind.

Now Ben must make the biggest decision of his life, all over again. But this time around, will he finally find the courage to follow his heart?


Monday 7 December 2020

Book Review: Love in Lockdown by Chloe James

Love in Lockdown by Chloe James book cover

AD* | Sophia is afraid lockdown will put her life on pause – just as she was she was going to put herself out there and meet someone. When the first clap for the keyworkers rings out around her courtyard, she’s moved to tears for all kinds of reasons.

Jack is used to living life to the fullest and is going stir-crazy after just days of isolating. Until that night he hears a woman crying from the balcony beneath him. He strikes up a conversation with the stranger and puts a smile back on her face.

Soon their balcony meetings are the highlight of Jack and Sophia’s days. But even as they grow closer together, they’re always kept apart. 

Wednesday 2 December 2020

Book Review: Christmas at Conwenna Cove by Darcie Boleyn

Last Updated: 20 October 2021

Christmas at Conwenna Cove by Darcie Boleyn book cover

A heartwarming, romantic and Christmassy novel set in the gorgeous Cornish village of Conwenna Cove.

When Grace Phillips travels to Conwenna Cove to help her parents move there 30 years after their honeymoon in the village, she sees why they fell in love with the place. The festive decorations, carols in the air and constant supply of delicious mince pies certainly make it hard to leave. Grace soon meets local vet Oli Davenport and initially finds him rude, but learning about his passion for animals and how much he cares for his two kids helps Grace to see a softer side to Oli.

It’s been two years since Oli lost his wife to cancer. Though he loves eleven-year-old Amy and five-year-old Tom more than anything it’s hard to be mum and dad. He has no interest in romance until he crosses paths with beautiful and kind-hearted Grace. The sparks fly but both Oli and Grace are holding onto fear about letting someone into their heart.

As the snow falls and Christmas wishes come true can Conwenna Cove work its magic and help Grace and Oli find the happiness they both deserve?


Monday 30 November 2020

Book Review: The Butcher of Berner Street by Alex Reeve

The Butcher of Berner Street by Alex Reeve book cover

 AD* | An anonymous letter summons fledgling journalist Leo Stanhope to an East End club, only for the owner to be found murdered. 

The headlines scream warnings about the ‘Butcher of Berner Street!’ and the journalist behind them – Leo Stanhope – is secretly thrilled to see the effect his words are having.

Leo’s previous work has largely been concentrated on more mundane issues but when an anonymous letter summons him to a club in East London, only for the owner of the club to be found murdered shortly afterwards, Leo sees a story worth pursuing. Not to mention an opportunity to make a name for himself.

Yet the more Leo digs, the stranger the story becomes, taking him from the club to a nearby convent, and into the past of a very unusual woman. But he is not the only one hunting for a killer. And it seems Leo’s initial newspaper reports may have put someone else in grave danger...


Wednesday 25 November 2020

Book Review: Beartown by Fredrik Backman

Beartown by Fredrik Backman book cover

AD* | People say Beartown is finished. A tiny community nestled deep in the forest, it is slowly losing ground to the ever-encroaching trees. But down by the lake stands an old ice rink, built generations ago by the working men who founded this town. And in that ice rink is the reason people in Beartown believe tomorrow will be better than today. Their junior ice hockey team is about to compete in the national semi-finals, and they actually have a shot at winning. All the hopes and dreams of this place now rest on the shoulders of a handful of teenage boys.

Being responsible for the hopes of an entire town is a heavy burden, and the semi-final match is the catalyst for a violent act that will leave a young girl traumatized and a town in turmoil. Accusations are made and, like ripples on a pond, they travel through all of Beartown, leaving no resident unaffected.

Beartown explores the hopes that bring a small community together, the secrets that tear it apart, and the courage it takes for an individual to go against the grain. In this story of a small forest town, Fredrik Backman has found the entire world.

Thursday 19 November 2020

Book Review: Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell

Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell book cover

AD* | THEN

She was fifteen, her mother's golden girl. She had her whole life ahead of her. And then, in the blink of an eye, Ellie was gone.

NOW

It’s been ten years since Ellie disappeared, but Laurel has never given up hope of finding her daughter.

And then one day a charming and charismatic stranger called Floyd walks into a café and sweeps Laurel off her feet.

Before too long she’s staying the night at this house and being introduced to his nine-year-old daughter.

Poppy is precocious and pretty - and meeting her completely takes Laurel's breath away.

Because Poppy is the spitting image of Ellie when she was that age. And now all those unanswered questions that have haunted Laurel come flooding back.

What happened to Ellie? Where did she go?

Who still has secrets to hide?

Tuesday 17 November 2020

Book Review: My Heart Underwater by Laurel Flores Fantauzzo

My Heart Underwater by Laurel Flores Fantauzzo book cover

AD* | After Corazon's mother catches her kissing her older female teacher, Corazon is sent to the Philippines to live with a half brother she barely knows. There she learns more about loss and love than she could have ever imagined.

Corazon Tagubio is an outcast at her Catholic school. She’s attending on scholarship, she keeps to herself, and her crush on her teacher Ms Holden doesn’t help anything. At home, Cory’s less-than-perfect grades disappoint her mom and dad, who are already working overtime to support her distant half brother in the Philippines.

When an accident leaves her dad comatose, Cory feels like Ms Holden is the only person who really sees her. But when a crush turns into something more and the secret gets out, Cory is sent to her half brother. She’s not prepared to face a stranger in an unfamiliar place, but she begins to discover how the country that shaped her past might also change her future.

This #ownvoices story takes readers on a journey across the world as Cory comes to understand her family, her relationships, and, ultimately, herself.


Wednesday 11 November 2020

Book Review: If I Die Before I Wake by Emily Koch

If I Die Before I Wake by Emily Koch book cover

AD* | How Do You Solve Your Own Murder?

Everyone believes Alex is in a coma, unlikely to ever wake up. As his family debate withdrawing life support, and his friends talk about how his girlfriend Bea needs to move on, he can only listen.

But Alex soon begins to suspect that the accident that put him here wasn’t really an accident. Even worse, the perpetrator is still out there and Alex is not the only one in danger.

As he goes over a series of clues from his past, Alex must use his remaining senses to solve the mystery of who tried to kill him and try to protect those he loves, before they decide to let him go.

Wednesday 4 November 2020

Book Review: Genuine Fraud by E. Lockhart

Genuine Fraud by E. Lockhart Book Cover

AD* | Imogen is a runaway heiress, an orphan, a cook, and a cheat.

Jule is a fighter, a social chameleon, and an athlete.

An intense friendship. A disappearance. A murder, or maybe two.

A bad romance, or maybe three.

Blunt objects, disguises, blood, and chocolate. The American dream, superheroes, spies, and villains.

A girl who refuses to give people what they want from her.

A girl who refuses to be the person she once was.

Saturday 31 October 2020

Reading Round-Up: September/October 2020

The Writing Greyhound Books

Happy Autumn - and Happy Halloween! In my latest spooktacular reading round-up post, I'm sharing all the details of the books I've been reading, buying, and wishing for over the last two months. As the nights start to draw in and the weather turns colder, there's nothing better than curling up with a good book! 

Read on for all the bookish mischief and mayhem from September and October 2020.

Wednesday 28 October 2020

Book Review: Don't Let Go by Harlan Coben

Don't Let Go by Harlan Coben book cover

AD* | Suburban New Jersey Detective Napoleon “Nap” Dumas hasn't been the same since senior year of high school when his twin brother Leo and Leo’s girlfriend Diana were found dead on the railroad tracks - and Maura, the girl Nap considered the love of his life, broke up with him and disappeared without explanation. For fifteen years, Nap has been searching, both for Maura and for the real reason behind his brother's death. And now, it looks as though he may finally find what he's been looking for. 

When Maura's fingerprints turn up in the rental car of a suspected murderer, Nap embarks on a quest for answers that only leads to more questions - about the woman he loved, about the childhood friends he thought he knew, about the abandoned military base near where he grew up, and mostly about Leo and Diana - whose deaths are darker and far more sinister than Nap ever dared imagine.

Thursday 22 October 2020

9 Ways to Save Money When Buying Clothes for Your Family

Last Updated: 2 January 2023

AD* | If you’re looking for ways to save money when buying clothes for your family then don’t worry, you have definitely come to the right place. Whether you buy clothes regularly and you want to save money or you’re looking to replenish everyone’s wardrobes on a budget, it’s important that you are saving as much money as you can. Luckily, there are lots of ways in which you can do exactly that. From shopping in charity stores to looking at the different options you have online, you may be surprised at how easy it can be when it comes to saving money on clothes.
 
With that in mind, here are nine ways to save money when buying clothes for your family.

Wednesday 21 October 2020

Book Review: Bonfire by Krysten Ritter

Bonfire by Krysten Ritter book cover

AD* | Should you ever go back?

It has been ten years since Abby Williams left home and scrubbed away all visible evidence of her small-town roots. Now working as an environmental lawyer in Chicago, she has a thriving career, a modern apartment, and her pick of meaningless one-night stands.

But when a new case takes her back home to Barrens, Indiana, the life Abby painstakingly created begins to crack. Tasked with investigating Optimal Plastics, the town's most high-profile company and economic heart, Abby begins to find strange connections to Barrens’ biggest scandal from more than a decade ago involving the popular Kaycee Mitchell and her closest friends - just before Kaycee disappeared for good.

Abby knows the key to solving any case lies in the weak spots, the unanswered questions. But as Abby tries to find out what really happened to Kaycee, she unearths an even more disturbing secret - a ritual called “The Game,” which will threaten the reputations, and lives, of the community and risk exposing a darkness that may consume her.

Wednesday 14 October 2020

Book Review: The Queen's Rival by Anne O'Brien

The Queen's Rival by Anne O'Brien book cover

AD* | One family united by blood. Torn apart by war...

England, 1459: Cecily, Duchess of York, is embroiled in a plot to topple the weak-minded King Henry VI from the throne. But when the Yorkists are defeated at the Battle of Ludford Bridge, Cecily’s family flee and abandon her to face a marauding Lancastrian army on her own.

Cecily can only watch as her lands are torn apart and divided up by the ruthless Queen Marguerite. From the towers of her prison in Tonbridge Castle, the Duchess begins to spin a web of deceit – one that will eventually lead to treason, to the fall of King Henry VI, and to her eldest son being crowned King of England.

This is a story of heartbreak, ambition and treachery, of one woman’s quest to claim the throne during the violence and tragedy of the Wars of the Roses.

Wednesday 7 October 2020

Book Review: Our Story by Miranda Dickinson

Our Story by Miranda Dickinson book cover

AD* | Otty has just landed her dream job. She's about to join the writing team of one of the most respected showrunners in TV. And then the night before her first day, she's evicted from her flat.

Joe has been working with Russell for years. He's the best writer on his team, but lately, something has been off. He's trying to get his mojo back, but when his flatmate moves out without warning he has other things to worry about.

Otty moving into Joe's house seems like the most obvious solution to both their problems, but neither is prepared for what happens next. Paired together in the writing room, their obvious chemistry sparks from the page and they are the writing duo to beat. But their relationship off the page is an entirely different story, and neither of them can figure out why.

And suddenly the question isn't, will they, or won't they? It's why won't they?

Monday 5 October 2020

Film Review: Enola Holmes

Sherlock Holmes postcards

The tale of the infamous fictional detective Sherlock Holmes is one that has captivated the world since Sir Arthur Conan Doyle first put pen to paper way back in the 1800s. Ever since countless adaptations and spin-offs have been released, covering books, films, TV shows, events, and much more. It seems we can't get enough of Sherlock! 

However, Enola Holmes, the latest release to feature the great super-sleuth, leaves Sherlock as a supporting character. Instead, this film focuses on the adventures and exploits of Enola Holmes - Sherlock's younger sister.

Wednesday 30 September 2020

Book Review: Queens of the Conquest by Alison Weir

Queens of the Conquest by Alison Weir book cover

AD* | The story of England’s medieval queens is vivid and stirring, packed with tragedy, high drama and even comedy. It is a chronicle of love, murder, war and betrayal, filled with passion, intrigue and sorrow, peopled by a cast of heroines, villains, stateswomen and lovers. In the first volume of this epic new series, Alison Weir strips away centuries of romantic mythology and prejudice to reveal the lives of England’s queens in the century after the Norman Conquest.

Beginning with Matilda of Flanders, who supported William the Conqueror in his invasion of England in 1066, and culminating in the turbulent life of the Empress Maud, who claimed to be the queen of England in her own right and fought a bitter war to that end, the five Norman queens emerge as hugely influential figures and fascinating characters.

Much more than a series of individual biographies, Queens of the Conquest is a seamless tale of interconnected lives and a rich portrait of English history in a time of flux. In Alison Weir’s hands, these five extraordinary women reclaim their rightful roles at the centre of English history.

Monday 14 September 2020

The Stay at Home Book Tag

Last Updated: 17 January 2022

Books

2020 has been a year of curveballs and uncertainty all around, but one positive to come out of the situation is that many more people have found the time to rediscover their love of books. Reading has always been one of my biggest passions, and I can wholeheartedly get behind this newfound love for literature.

When I came across the Stay at Home book tag on Rebecca's book blog, I couldn't wait to get involved and share my answers to the questions in the tag. So, what's the Stay at Home book tag all about?

Monday 31 August 2020

Reading Round-Up: July/August 2020

Too Many Books Sign with Bookshelves

I think it's safe to say that 2020 hasn't exactly happened how any of us planned, but at least there are plenty of great books to keep us company! I've been smashing my reading goals over the last few months and I can't quite believe that July and August have passed already. It will be Christmas before we know it!

So, take some time out, grab a cuppa, and sit down to check out all the books I've been reading, acquiring, and adding to my wishlist during July and August 2020!

If you missed the last reading round-up, you can catch up with that here

Sunday 30 August 2020

Review: Blue Tea Box

Blue Tea Box teas

AD* | With the cooler weather we've been having recently, it definitely feels as though there's a chill in the air and autumn is on its way. Once the nights start to draw in and we all dig out our cosy jumpers again, there's nothing better than snuggling up on the sofa with a blanket and a mug of tea. 

I am a big tea lover and I'm always up for the opportunity to try different blends and types of tea. So, when the lovely people at Blue Tea Box contacted me and offered me the chance to try one of their tea subscription boxes, there was only ever going to be one answer!

Wednesday 26 August 2020

Book Review: In a Cottage, In a Wood by Cass Green

In a Cottage In a Wood by Cass Green book cover

AD* | A strange encounter...

Neve comes across a troubled woman called Isabelle on Waterloo Bridge late one night. Isabelle forces a parcel into Neve’s hands and jumps to her death in the icy Thames below.

An unexpected gift...

Two weeks later, as Neve’s wreck of a life in London collapses, an unexpected lifeline falls into her lap – a charming cottage in Cornwall left to her by Isabelle, the woman on the bridge. The solution to all her problems.

A twisted secret...

But when Neve arrives, alone in the dark woods late one night, she finds a sinister-looking bungalow with bars across its windows. And her dream home quickly becomes her worst nightmare – a house hiding a twisted secret that will change her life forever...

Monday 24 August 2020

Review: The Umbrella Academy Season 2

Camden Market Umbrella Installation

The Umbrella Academy has swiftly become a cult hit since the first series landed on streaming giant Netflix in 2019. With millions of viewers around the world left wanting more - especially with the last episode of season one ending on such a cliffhanger - it was a long wait for many until season two was finally released on July 31st 2020.

So, nearly a month later, what was season two's reception? Many eager fans have already headed online to read up about the show and beg for a speedy release for series three, but just how good was season two? Did it manage to live up to the high standards set by the first series?

Wednesday 19 August 2020

Book Review: Writers & Lovers by Lily King

Writers & Lovers by Lily King book cover

AD* | Blindsided by her mother's sudden death, and wrecked by a recent love affair, Casey Peabody has arrived in Massachusetts in the summer of 1997 without a plan. Her mail consists of wedding invitations and final notices from debt collectors. 

A former child golf prodigy, she now waits tables in Harvard Square and rents a tiny, mouldy room at the side of a garage where she works on the novel she's been writing for six years. At thirty-one, Casey is still clutching onto something nearly all her old friends have let go of: the determination to live a creative life. 

When she falls for two very different men at the same time, her world fractures even more. Casey's fight to fulfil her creative ambitions and balance the conflicting demands of art and life is challenged in ways that push her to the brink.

Monday 17 August 2020

Film Review: The Kissing Booth 2

Kiss

The Kissing Booth 2 is a fun teen rom-com movie and the sequel to 2018's The Kissing Booth. This film is the perfect antidote to counteract the washout that is summer 2020. It has plenty of humour, excitement - and, kissing, of course - in-store and ready to offer you a fun-filled escape from reality.

So, if you're in the mood for a little romance, buckle up! The Kissing Booth 2 is the film for you this summer!

Wednesday 12 August 2020

Book Review: The Animals at Lockwood Manor by Jane Healey

The Animals at Lockwood Manor by Jane Healey book cover

AD* | Some secrets are unspoken. Others are unspeakable...

August 1939.

Thirty-year-old Hetty Cartwright is tasked with the evacuation and safekeeping of the natural history museum’s collection of mammals. Once she and her exhibits arrive at Lockwood Manor, however, where they are to stay for the duration of the war, Hetty soon realizes that she’s taken on more than she’d bargained for.

Protecting her charges from the irascible Lord Lockwood and resentful servants is work enough, but when some of the animals go missing, and worse, Hetty begins to suspect someone – or something – is stalking her through the darkened corridors of the house.

As the disasters mount, Hetty finds herself falling under the spell of Lucy, Lord Lockwood’s beautiful but clearly haunted daughter. But why is Lucy so traumatized? Does she know something she’s not telling? And is there any truth to local rumours of ghosts and curses?

Part love story, part mystery, The Animals at Lockwood Manor by Jane Healey is a gripping and atmospheric tale of family madness, long-buried secrets and hidden desires.

Wednesday 5 August 2020

Book Review: The Jam Factory Girls by Mary Wood

The Jam Factory Girls by Mary Wood Book Cover

AD* | The Jam Factory Girls is an uplifting and emotional novel of friendship set in the heart of pre-WWI London from bestselling author, Mary Wood.

Life for Elsie is difficult as she struggles to cope with her alcoholic mother. Caring for her siblings and working long hours at Swift's Jam Factory in London’s Bermondsey is exhausting. Thankfully her lifelong friendship with Dot helps to smooth over life’s rough edges.

When Elsie and Dot meet Millie Swift, they are nervous to be in the presence of the bosses’ daughter. Over time, they are surprised to feel so drawn to her, but should two East End girls be socializing in such circles?

When disaster strikes, it binds the women in ways they could never imagine. Long-held secrets are revealed that could change all their lives...

Monday 3 August 2020

Film Review: Eurovision The Story of Fire Saga

Eurovision Lightbox

Sadly, this year's Eurovision Song Contest had to be cancelled due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. However, all is not lost for Eurovision fans as a brand new movie is here to fill the gaping hole left by the absence of Eurovision 2020!

With an explosion of fun and crazy antics, enter Eurovision Song Content: The Story of Fire Saga

Wednesday 29 July 2020

Book Review: Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan

Last Updated: 20 October 2021

Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan Book Cover

AD* | Anna Kerrigan, nearly twelve years old, accompanies her father to visit Dexter Styles, a man who, she gleans, is crucial to the survival of her father and her family. She is mesmerized by the sea beyond the house and by some charged mystery between the two men.

‎Years later, her father has disappeared and the country is at war. Anna works at the Brooklyn Naval Yard, where women are allowed to hold jobs that once belonged to men, now soldiers abroad. She becomes the first female diver, the most dangerous and exclusive of occupations, repairing the ships that will help America win the war. One evening at a nightclub, she meets Dexter Styles again and begins to understand the complexity of her father’s life, the reasons he might have vanished.

With the atmosphere of a noir thriller, Egan’s first historical novel follows Anna and Styles into a world populated by gangsters, sailors, divers, bankers, and union men. Manhattan Beach is a deft, dazzling, propulsive exploration of a transformative moment in the lives and identities of women and men, of America and the world.

Wednesday 22 July 2020

Book Review: The Wizards of Once by Cressida Cowell

Last Updated: 20 October 2021

The Wizards of Once by Cressida Cowell book cover

AD* | This is the story of a young boy Wizard and a young girl Warrior who have been taught to hate each other like poison; and the thrilling tale of what happens when their two worlds collide.

Once there was Magic, and the Magic lived in the dark forests.

Wizard boy, Xar, should have come into his magic by now, but he hasn't, so he wants to find a witch and steal its magic for himself. But if he's got any chance of finding one, he will have to travel into the forbidden Badwoods.

Xar doesn't realise he is about to capture an entirely different kind of enemy. A Warrior girl called Wish.

And inside this book, at this very moment, two worlds collide and the fate of the land is changed forever.

Xar and Wish must visit the dungeons at Warrior fort, and face the evil Queen.

But something that has been sleeping for hundreds of years is stirring...

Tuesday 21 July 2020

How To Embrace Your Wild Side as an Adult

Last Updated: 07 May 2021

The Writing Greyhound Waterfall

AD* | There comes a point in everyone’s life where they question the path that they are pursuing. Getting caught up in work, school, and regular life activities can lead to an uneasy existence where you’re not truly satisfied in life. Often, this is due to the natural phenomenon where you are left wondering whether the grass really is greener on the other side. However, sometimes it’s because you are not embracing certain aspects of life that you’re yearning for, deep down.

In many cases, overcoming this dissatisfaction is an easy fix. Small lifestyle changes can transform how you live, and in turn, perceive your life. For many people, this involves embracing their 'wild side'.

However, tuning into the wilder section of your personality doesn’t have to involve danger. Embracing your wild side involves getting to know yourself better, and opening yourself up to new and exciting adventures.

With this in mind, here are five ways to embrace your wild side as an adult.

Wednesday 15 July 2020

Book Review: The Loneliest Girl in the Universe by Lauren James

Last Updated: 20 October 2021

The Loneliest Girl in the Universe by Lauren James book cover

AD* | Can you fall in love with someone you’ve never met, never even spoken to – someone who is light years away?

Romy Silvers is the only surviving crew-member of a spaceship travelling to a new planet, on a mission to establish a second home for humanity amongst the stars. Alone in space, she is the loneliest girl in the universe until she hears about a new ship which has launched from Earth – with a single passenger on board. A boy called J.

Their only communication with each other is via email – and due to the distance between them, their messages take months to transmit across space. And yet Romy finds herself falling in love.

But what does Romy really know about J? And what do the mysterious messages which have started arriving from Earth really mean?

Sometimes, there’s something worse than being alone...

Wednesday 8 July 2020

Book Review: There's Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins

Last Updated: 18 October 2021

There's Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins book cover

AD* | Love hurts...

Makani Young thought she'd left her dark past behind her in Hawaii, settling in with her grandmother in landlocked Nebraska. She's found new friends and has even started to fall for mysterious outsider Ollie Larsson. But her past isn't far behind.

Then, one by one, the students of Osborne Hugh begin to die in a series of gruesome murders, each with increasingly grotesque flair. As the terror grows closer and her feelings for Ollie intensify, Makani is forced to confront her own dark secrets.

Wednesday 1 July 2020

Book Review: The Linebacker by Gregory S.T. Charlton

Last Updated: 18 October 2021

The Linebacker by Gregory S.T. Charlton book cover

AD* | The Linebacker is an action-packed modern-day thriller with real heroes and even more real villains. As a star NFL linebacker, Mike Johnson seems to have it all: money, fame, friends, and great teammates. But when he gets a concussion and is forced to sit out the last few games of the season, his life begins to change in ways he never would have expected. His doctor, a beautiful neurologist specializing in head and neck trauma, becomes not only his doctor but a new love in his life. 

The romance is interrupted, however, when Mike’s team is bombed on their way to the final game of the season in London, England. The authorities are seemingly locked in red tape, and the hunt for the “perps” drags on. The linebacker flies to London and decides to pursue the criminals and terrorists behind the tragedy. He soon discovers that there is a lot more evil in the world than he ever realized. 

Is he in over his head? Will he be able to find the people who did this? Will he even make it back home to Kate? Mike is determined evil will not win this one. They will be brought to justice if it’s the last thing he does.

Tuesday 30 June 2020

Reading Round-Up: May/June 2020

The Writing Greyhound books

I've got a fresh batch of summery reading ready and waiting to share with you - May and June have definitely been bumper bookish months for me this year! Sit yourself down and take a look through all the books that I've been reading, acquiring, and wishing for over the last two months.

If you missed my last Reading Round-Up post, you can find that here.

Wednesday 24 June 2020

Book Review: Holding by Graham Norton

Last Updated: 18 October 2021

Holding by Graham Norton book cover

AD* | The remote Irish village of Duneen has known little drama, and yet its inhabitants are troubled: Sergeant P.J. Collins hasn’t always been this overweight; Brid Riordan, a mother of two, hasn’t always been an alcoholic; and elegant Evelyn Ross hasn’t always felt that her life was a total waste.

So when human remains - suspected to be those of Tommy Burke, a former lover of both Brid and Evelyn - are discovered on an old farm, the village’s dark past begins to unravel. As a frustrated P.J. struggles to solve a genuine case for the first time in his professional life, he unearths a community’s worth of anger and resentments, secrets and regrets.

Wednesday 17 June 2020

Book Review: Revenge of the Malakim by Paul Harrison

Last Updated: 18 October 2021

Revenge of the Malakim by Paul Harrison book cover

AD* | It's high summer and the streets of Bridlington East Yorkshire are awash with tourists. A serial killer is on the loose. DCI Will Scott and his team embark upon a fast-paced investigation to catch a killer with a unique agenda. As the body count rises the killer randomly moves location and the police are unwittingly drawn into a dark and sinister world where cover-ups and corruption reigns. A place where no one can truly be trusted and nothing is ever what it seems.

Thursday 11 June 2020

5 Fabulous Upgrades You Can Make to Your Wardrobe

Clothes in Wardrobe

AD* | Everyone deserves a little treat once in a while, and what better way to treat yourself than by investing in a fresh piece for your wardrobe? Even if you aren't a big fashion lover, an item that you feel confident and look fabulous in could be a purchase that you will love for many years to come. 

So, what are some statement pieces that you could invest in? To give you some inspiration, here are five great wardrobe upgrades you can easily make!

Wednesday 10 June 2020

Book Review: Winston Churchill by Dr Christopher Catherwood

Last Updated: 18 October 2021

Winston Churchill by Dr Christopher Catherwood book cover

AD* | This brief and fascinating biography examines every facet of Churchill’s life, from his birth at Blenheim Palace, his tumultuous early political career at Westminster, his inspirational wartime leadership, to his final years as the grand old man of world politics.

Renowned for guiding Britain through the tumultuous Second World War, Churchill was a master orator whose speeches echo through history. But there is more to the man than his official words and photos. Winston Churchill reveals that hidden life, tracking his nine decades from early childhood to his last days. Churchill’s personal letters, documents, and speeches combine to create a unique illustrated portrait of this remarkable man - including his failings, such as the disastrous Gallipoli campaign, the creation of Iraq in 1921, and his blind spot over India. This exciting, colourful exploration of a political titan’s life is a definite must-read.

Friday 5 June 2020

4 Reasons to Consider the Green Home Trend

Last Updated: 15 April 2021
 
AD* | Transport, agriculture, and industry are the traditional bugbears of the sustainability movement. But as individuals, there isn't a great deal we can do about the resource use in any of these sectors. Real breakthroughs will probably only happen as technology improves. Otherwise, the industry will continue cranking out the same byproducts and using resources, just as it always has, until prices start to rise.

However, the green home trend is different. We already have the technology to make it happen. Plus, it is under our control. Our homes are our spaces, where we make the decisions. Already, sustainable architects are cashing in on the trend. Cash-rich homeowners can pretty much design a bespoke eco-paradise from scratch, including all kinds of features ranging from solar panels to living walls.

Keep on reading to discover four reasons why you should consider the green home trend!

Wednesday 27 May 2020

Book Review: Felicity at the Cross Hotel by Helena Fairfax

Last Updated: 16 October 2021

Felicity at the Cross Hotel by Helena Fairfax book cover

AD* | A quaint hotel in the Lake District. The Cross Hotel is the perfect getaway. Or is it?

Felicity Everdene needs a break from the family business. Driving through the Lake District to the Cross Hotel, past the shining lake and the mountains, everything seems perfect. But Felicity soon discovers all is not well at the Cross Hotel...

Patrick Cross left the village of Emmside years ago never intending to return, but his father has left him the family’s hotel in his will, and now he's forced to come back. With a missing barmaid, a grumpy chef, and the hotel losing money, the arrival of Felicity Everdene from the notorious Everdene family only adds to Patrick’s troubles.

With so much to overcome, can Felicity and Patrick bring happiness to the Cross Hotel... and find happiness for themselves?

Wednesday 20 May 2020

Book Review: The Cold War by Dr Norman Friedman

Last Updated: 16 October 2021

The Cold War by Dr Norman Friedman book cover

AD* | Twenty years ago, the Berlin Wall fell and Communism in Europe began to collapse. The Cold War celebrates that anniversary with a graphic account of the long-running global drama that played from the end of World War II until the era of Gorbachev and glasnost. During that time, such high-tension events as the Cuban Missile Crisis brought us to the brink of Armageddon but both sides always drew back. Follow the development of each important stage in the long, chilly conflict that divided the world into two spheres of influence. 

Tuesday 19 May 2020

5 Travel Books to Inspire Your Future Adventures

AD* | Lockdown and the current situation may have left your immediate travel plans a bit up in the air, but there’s nothing stopping you from daydreaming about the places you might visit in the future! Plus, what better way to satisfy your wanderlust than by getting lost in some inspiring travel books from the safety of your home? Try these five books to get you started.

Wednesday 13 May 2020

Book Review: Let the Dead Speak by Jane Casey

Last Updated: 16 October 2021

Let the Dead Speak by Jane Casey book cover

AD* | When eighteen-year-old Chloe Emery returns to her West London home she finds her mother missing, the house covered in blood. Everything points to murder, except for one thing: there’s no sign of the body.

London detective Maeve Kerrigan and the homicide team turn their attention to the neighbours. The ultra-religious Norrises are acting suspiciously; their teenage daughter and Chloe Emery definitely have something to hide. Then there’s William Turner, once accused of stabbing a schoolmate and the neighbourhood’s favourite criminal. Is he merely a scapegoat, or is there more behind the charismatic façade?

As a body fails to materialise, Maeve must piece together a patchwork of testimonies and accusations. Who is lying, and who is not? And soon Maeve starts to realize that not only will the answer lead to Kate Emery, but more lives may hang in the balance.


Tuesday 12 May 2020

Personal and Professional Benefits of Audiobooks

AD* | Travelling can not only be stressful but it can also be incredibly tiring. Long airport waits, short-haul flights with no in-flight entertainment, train journeys that seem to last a lifetime, bus or coach rides that get stuck in traffic every fifteen minutes, or those car journeys where you're perpetually longing for the next coffee stop. Having a travel companion is always important if you're in need of a little 'me' time for those non-stop travels when you need a little break but still want to pass the time productively.

Even during quarantine, sitting on your own reading a book outdoors could be a welcome break for you. Similarly, on those restless evenings when nothing will get you to sleep, a little bit of relaxation is key.

Wednesday 6 May 2020

Book Review: Queen Elizabeth II by Rod Green

Last Updated: 16 October 2021

Queen Elizabeth II by Rod Green book cover

AD* | She has reigned for more than a half-century: this is the story of Queen Elizabeth II, the dramatic world events she’s witnessed, and the people she’s encountered.

Throughout her 66-year reign - the longest of any British monarch, and the longest of any current monarch in the world - Queen Elizabeth II has become a symbol of stability in a rapidly changing world. Her life has borne witness to the fluctuating fortunes of the Windsors, from the dramatic abdication of her uncle, Edward VIII, when she was just 10 years old, to the scandal surrounding Princess Margaret’s doomed love affair and the tumultuous relationship between Prince Charles and Princess Diana. 

Rod Green explores the personal and political intrigues that have dogged the House of Windsor, including the Queen’s fascinating relationships with prime ministers from Winston Churchill and Anthony Eden to Margaret Thatcher. Set against the colourful backdrop of key events - such as the Great Smog that brought London to a halt in 1952, the IRA murder of Lord Mountbatten during the Northern Ireland Troubles, the crisis triggered by the death of Princess Diana, the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, the recent marriage of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle, and the changing face of world politics - this is the story not only of the head of a dynasty but also a history of our times.

Thursday 30 April 2020

Reading Round-Up: March/April 2020

The Writing Greyhound, bookish postcards, shelfie

It's spring, the sun is shining, the birds are singing, and I've got a fresh batch of bookish updates to share with you once again! So, whether you're looking for your next favourite book or simply interested in the literary happenings from my world, grab yourself a cup of tea and sit down to find out everything I've been reading, acquiring, and wishing for during March and April 2020!

Wednesday 29 April 2020

Book Review: The Magician's Workshop Volume One by Christopher Hansen and J.R. Fehr

Last Updated: 16 October 2021

The Magician's Workshop by Christopher Hansen and J.R. Fehr book cover

AD* | Everyone in the islands of O’Ceea has a magical ability: whatever they imagine can be brought into existence. Whoever becomes a master over these powers is awarded the title of magician and given fame, power, riches, and glory. Journey with a group of kids as they strive to rise to the top and become members of the Magician’s Workshop.

Layauna desperately wants to create beautiful things with her magical powers, but all she can seem to do is make horrible savage monsters. For years she has tried to hide her creations, but when her power is at last discovered by a great magician, she realizes that what she’s tried to hide might actually be of tremendous value.

Kai just wants to use his powers to have fun and play with his friends. Unfortunately, nearly everyone on his island sees him as a bad influence, so he’s forced to meet them in secret. When one of the creatures they create gets out of control and starts flinging fireballs at their town, Kai is tempted to believe that he is as nefarious as people say. However, his prospects change when two mysterious visitors arrive, praising his ability and making extraordinary promises about his future.

Follow the adventures of Kai, Layauna, and a boatload of other characters as they struggle to grow up well in this fantastical world.


Wednesday 22 April 2020

Book Review: The Napoleonic Wars by Richard Holmes

Last Updated: 14 October 2021

The Napoleonic Wars by Richard Holmes book cover

AD* | Written by one of Britain’s best known and most respected military historians, this is the essential account of the Napoleonic campaigns.

This is popular history at its most engrossing, providing a vivid introduction to Napoleon's astonishing career and his effect on world history. A charismatic and astute military leader, Napoleon built an empire in a series of astounding campaigns from 1796 to 1812, winning many of the most famous battles of all time. At the height of his powers, most of Europe was under his control, from Portugal to Moscow. Bestselling author Richard Holmes brings the era's great battles to life while he recounts in detail how Napoleon transformed France’s administrative, educational, and legal systems, and forged a pattern that shapes modern governments to this day.

Wednesday 15 April 2020

Book Review: Dreaming of Florence by T.A. Williams

Last Updated: 14 October 2021

Dreaming of Florence by T.A. Williams book cover

AD* | Fresh pasta, red wine, fine art… and love? Find enchantment this year in the magical city of Florence.

When Debbie Waterson’s bicycle crashes into handsome doctor Pierluigi, she wonders if her luck has changed. Determinedly single after ending a long relationship, at last, a man worth bumping into!

Inspired to visit Florence, she soon runs headlong into that old foe: reality. But is Pierluigi the man of her dreams? Then there’s her booze obsessed boss, his forbidding secretary and her noisy inconsiderate neighbours. But could her luck be about to change? Will she find love after all?