Today Jaffa and I delighted to be the guest of Carol over at Dizzy C's Little Book Blog
Thanks Carol !
Tuesday, 17 December 2013
Monday, 16 December 2013
My author spotlight falls on...John Sawney
| I am pleased to feature the work of John Sawney Author of  |
| Fireship Press March 2013 |
It is the fifth century AD, in the former Roman colony of Britannia, where civilization has all but disappeared. Some vestiges of the old infrastructure remain in the urban south, but the west and north are wild and lawless. Plague sweeps through the entire country, leaving thousands dead in its wake. Eiteol, a cloddish and apathetic nobleman, saves the dictator Vertigern from an assassination attempt. The two go on the run, and as time goes on Eiteol finds himself called upon to do things he finds more and more morally repugnant. Deep down he knows that Vertigern is a monster, and that he should walk away, but for reasons he does not understand he finds himself bound to the man whose life he has saved. Their flight takes them into the barbarous west-where money has no value, the law has no power and murder is a daily reality-and they are forced to look for shelter in a country that is falling apart around them.
*~Welcome John ~*
What can you tell us about The Ruin that will pique the reader’s interest?
Well, it’s set during the fall of the Roman Empire in the west, but really that’s just background. The story is about how people can tie themselves in knots out of a misplaced sense of duty, even when they know consciously that they’re in the wrong. There’s no heroics or grand ideas in there.
The main character is a lazy, apathetic aristocrat (nice enough, but not too smart) who rescues the local despot from an assassination attempt, almost by accident. He ends up going on the run with the man he’s rescued, and the two of them are chased across the country (post-Roman Britain in this case) by various warring factions. It doesn't end well.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of The Ruin?
Just under three years, I think. It was written very much in fits and bursts, whenever I could find the time.
The book world is very competitive – how do you get your book noticed?
If I knew that I’d be really onto something!
Yes, it’s pretty daunting, especially with all the changes in the industry lately. The internet is revolutionising everything, just like it did with the music industry. I suppose the flipside of that is that it’s becoming more democratic, and that there’s more power in the author’s hands if they’re willing to put the time in promoting the work. So I guess the finish line is no longer typing ‘THE END’. That’s really just the beginning, and all the real work is ahead of you.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
If I was in a position to give advice, it would only be the most basic practical stuff. By far the most important thing is to carry a notebook everywhere, I think, because no matter how good you think your ideas are, you will forget ninety per cent of them. Or you’ll forget the crucial details, or why it was a good idea in the first place. Other than that, I’d say just make sure you write as often as possible, and make sure you enjoy what you’re writing.
Which writers have inspired you?
The big ones are George Orwell, Albert Camus, JG Ballard, and Edgar Allan Poe. Those four don’t really have a lot in common beyond the fact that I love pretty much everything I’ve read by them.
As far as direct inspiration for The Ruin goes, I had a couple of specific books in mind when I was writing it—namely Perfume by Patrick Süskind and Grendel by John Gardner. I wanted to write something in an historical setting that could be enjoyed by people who don’t necessarily read historical novels. Whether or not I managed it, I don’t know, but those two books are pretty wonderful examples of that.
Thanks so much John for sharing your thoughts on the writing process.
Jaffa and I wish you much success in any future writing venture.
Jaffa and I wish you much success in any future writing venture.
***
My thoughts on The Ruin
In the fifth century AD, life was
all too often violent and ruinous, as ordinary citizens were beholden to the
whims and fancies of unprincipled men. When Eiteol, a rather slow-witted member
of the local nobility rescues, by chance, Vertigern a powerful tyrant, the
resulting drama of their combined lives, as they seek to make sense of the
barbaric world around them makes for an interesting read.
The story evolves rather slowly
and at first I found that it took a little time to get fully involved with the
characters. However, once I settled into the author’s style of writing, I
thought that he captured the darkness and unscrupulous nature of living in such
a barbarous time. The main characters take on their own momentum and as they
begin their epic journey to salvation they start to develop some quirky peculiarities
which are essential to the story.
The book is professionally finished to a high
standard. I thought that the cover art was particularly striking and the added
inclusion of a couple of maps at the start of the book helps to set the story
in its geographical context.
Overall, this was an interesting
and slightly different look at our dark and distant past.
My thanks to the author and Fireship Press for
my copy of this book.
~***~
Sunday, 15 December 2013
Review ~ The Agincourt Bride by Joanna Hickson
 |
| January 2013 Harper Collins |
This is an interesting and informative look at the supposed early life of Catherine de Valois. Much of the story is narrated by Guillaumette, who becomes the official wet nurse to Catherine when she is abandoned as a baby by her decadent and licentious mother, Isabeau. The story of 15th century life at the French court is beautifully depicted and the fragile and tenuous grip that the royal children had on their own destiny makes for fascinating reading.
Catherine and Guillaumette's relationship is portrayed as one of mother and daughter, and yet the cord which binds them together never loses sight of the fact that Catherine is of royal birth, and as such her fate is very much dictated by whoever happens to be in political power. The scheming court of the Valois, from the debauched world of Isabeau , and her haphazard methods of motherhood, through to the sad and sorry sight of Catherine's father King Charles VI, who is mad to the point of insanity, is portrayed as hot bed of political intrigue. The emotional bond between Catherine and Guillaumette is nicely done and leads the story from Catherine's babyhood, through to her early adolescence when she is on the cusp of her relationship with the English King, Henry V.
The book comes in at a hefty 578 pages, which I think could have been condensed a little, but having said that, the story kept my attention throughout and I am intrigued by the ending of the book which lends itself very nicely to a continuation of Catherine's story in the follow-on book, The Tudor Bride which is due to be published sometime in 2014.
My thanks to Harper Collins for my copy of this book.
Friday, 13 December 2013
Book Beginnings on Fridays...
Hosted by Gilion at Rose City Reader
Book Beginnings on Fridays as stated by the host was started:
"to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires."
You can share on Google + and social media , please post using the hash tag #BookBeginnings and there's also a Mr Linky on the host's blog.
Book Beginnings: The Orphan Choir by Sophie Hannah
Blurb from Goodreads
Louise is bereft.
Her seven-year-old son Joseph has been sent away to boarding school against her wishes, and she misses him desperately.
And the neighbour from hell is keeping her awake at night by playing loud, intrusive music.
So when the chance comes to move to the country, she jumps at it as a way of saving her sanity.
Only it doesn't.
Because the music seems to have followed her. Except this time it's choral music, sung by a choir of children that only she can see and hear...
"It's a quarter to midnight. I'm standing in the rain outside my neighbour's house, gripping his rusted railings with cold wet hands,staring down through them at the misshapen and perilously narrow stone steps leading to his converted basement, from which noise is blaring. It's my least favourite song in the world: Queen's'Don't Stop Me Now'.....
***
It's been a while since I read a Sophie Hannah story and this one intrigues me as I don't readily associate her books with horror, but this one has been written under the aegis of of Hammer Arrow. Hammer's literary legacy is being revived through its partnerships with Arrow Books. The series features original works as well as classic stories from nearly a century of publication.
***
Wednesday, 11 December 2013
Review ~ The One Plus One by Jojo Moyes
 |
| Penguin UK Expected Publication February 2014 |
Jessica Thomas is a single mother
who is stoically trying to bring up her young daughter Tanzie, and also Nicky her ex- husband’s teenage son. She relies on two jobs to make ends meet, but knowing
where her next pound is coming from is a constant source of worry. Tanzie is gifted
in mathematics, so when she is offered the chance of a scholarship to a prestigious
public school, Jessica knows that she will do whatever it takes in order to
make this dream a reality.
Ed Nicholls’ professional life is
in complete disarray; he is facing severe corporate punishment for a misdemeanour
which has had disastrous consequences on the business he cherished. Alone and
lonely, Ed gets drawn into the tangled web of Jessica’s life and before he
knows it, he has agreed to help with something which could help Tanzie realise her
dreams.
On the surface Jessica and Ed’s
world should never have collided but what follows is a finely crafted story of
friendship which emphasises the need we all have to believe that true goodness will
overshadow all the bad things that life constantly throws our way.
One plus One is a truly delicious story about the bonds which bind
us all together. It has a bit of everything; there’s some real laugh out loud
funny moments and some equally poignant sad times which make your heart flutter
and your soul stay sad. But, the overwhelming glory of this story is the incredible
beauty of its writing. Jojo Moyes has got the balance just right and captures
the incredible need we all have to be loved and accepted.
To say more about this story
would be to do the book, and its author, a complete disservice as it needs to
be read in glorious abandon with no preconceptions. Just get a cuppa and
big packet of chocolate hobnobs and immerse yourself in this wonderful story.
***
Monday, 9 December 2013
My author spotlight falls on ....J F Penn
I am delighted to welcome
Author of
J.F.Penn is the bestselling author of Desecration, as well as the ARKANE series of thrillers. Pentecost, ARKANE Book 1 is currently available for free if you want to try it. Joanna’s site for writers, TheCreativePenn.com has been voted one of the Top 10 sites for writers three years running. Connect with Joanna on twitter @thecreativepenn
*~WELCOME J F Penn~*
Writing is the way I process the world. It’s how I understand the way things work, and how I learn, grow and change, as well as heal. So writing is integral to who I am, and when I don’t write, I start to get crotchety. I always carry a notebook with me, either a Moleskine or Leuchtturm, and there’s a whole stack of them by my desk that (hopefully) nobody else will ever read!
I love to write books, specifically, as a way to learn new things about the world - I’m a research junkie! I want to share with others within a story that engages, entertains and makes people think. I also like to measure my life by what I produce, and a book is a tangible product of time, effort and love. It’s also magic, as people can read those words even many years later and it’s as if they are in my head, so that connection is a critical part too.
Do you write stories for yourself, or other people?
I don’t think I would write novels if I was the only one who read them. I would certainly write something for me as I’ve always written journals with thoughts, poems, musings on the world. But in terms of crafting a story, with all of its complexities and then taking that forward through editing to become a book, that’s something I enjoy doing in order for others to take pleasure in, or to discover something new.
Why do you choose to write in your particular genre?
I write across several genres, like most authors, and yes, they are based on what I love to read. I love kick-ass action-adventure, and the ARKANE series has been described as ‘Dan Brown meets Lara Croft’. Desecration has shades of crime and mystery, with a hint of darker supernatural, in the vein of John Connolly. My short story series, A Thousand Fiendish Angels, is based on Dante’s Inferno and was influenced by H.P. Lovecraft.
My own voice comes through strongly, but of course, we’re all shaped by what we read and seek out for our own pleasure.
When do you find the time to write, and do you have a favourite place to do your writing?
When I had a day job, I would get up very early to write before work, and now I always try to work on creative things in the morning. I’m definitely a morning person!
When I became a full-time author-entrepreneur, I started trying to work from home all the time, but it drove me crazy, so now I work in the London Library several times a week. It has a fantastic literary pedigree with Agatha Christie, T.S. Eliot, Charles Dickens and many more as alumni. It’s also in St James’ Square in central London, so I often do research trips in the afternoons, as sense of place is so important to my work.
Which writers have inspired you?
Oh goodness, so many! I’m a voracious reader, and I don’t have a TV, so I get through a lot of books every week. On my desk, I have Ben Okri’s poetry collection, Mental Fight, and also Steven Pressfield’s War of Art, a must-read for any creative. Umberto Eco’s The Name of the Rose was the book that made me want to be a writer, but for genre fiction, I love Lee Child’s Jack Reacher series and James Rollins’ action-adventure books, as well as Lisa Gardner, John Connolly and Stephen King for the darker side.
Can you tell us what you are writing next?
I’ve only just published Desecration, a crime novel that opens with a murder in the Royal College of Surgeons and delves into grave robbery, body modification and the genetic engineering of monsters. That’s the first in a new, darker series, and I have just started the next one, Delirium, with a murder in the old premises of Bedlam Hospital. I’ve also started researching the next ARKANE book which will be set in Spain around the themes of Kabbalah
mysticism.
Chance to win an ecopy of One Day in Budapest in this fabulous giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway
My Thoughts on One day in Budapest
My Thoughts on One day in Budapest
This was the first of the ARKANE thriller books that I had read and , of course, I worried that I wouldn't be able to pick up the story so far into an established series. I was wrong. One Day in Budapest had me hooked from the very beginning and I soon became immersed, not just in the pace of the story, but also in the depth of characterisation and the vivacity of the lead players.
The story opens at the Basilica of St Stephen in Budapest with an audacious theft of a venerated relic, when a call goes out for retribution; the entire city is plunged into a state of violent unrest. Dr Morgan Sierra, psychologist and ARKANE agent, joins forces with Zoltan Fischer, a Hungarian Jewish security advisor, and together they run the gauntlet of violent unrest in order to discover the whereabouts of the Holy Relic.
At just about 79 pages, this is rather more than just a short story, throughout the narrative the pace reads more like a novel as so much action is contained within its pages. At the end of the novella I felt like the story was complete and yet I was also aware that there is so much more to explore with the ARKANE series.
As with all established series it is probably better to start at the beginning but it's by no means essential as I enjoyed this as a stand alone story.
A highly recommended read if you like fast paced thrillers.
***
Sunday, 8 December 2013
Review ~ The Forgotten Seamstress by Liz Trenow
 |
| December 2013 Harper Collins, Avon |
This beautifully layered story is
as finely crafted as the quilt on which the story is based. In the present day when Caroline Meadows discovers the forgotten quilt in the attic of her mother’s
house, she is entranced by the craftsmanship, but it is the history of the
quilt which gradually reveals a story of heart break and forgotten love.
Gradually,
and as the history of the quilt is revealed, we are introduced to Maria Romano,
a talented seamstress who, following an ill-fated love affair, has been incarcerated
in a mental institution. Using a series of recorded interviews with Maria as an
old woman, we are given a glimpse into a forgotten world and as Maria’s tragic
story is exposed, Caroline begins to take stock of her own life.
Overall, this is a finely crafted
story, with well rounded characters and a real sense of time and place. Both
past and present fuse together in rich detail and the story really evokes a
sense of memory and an awakening of possibilities.
Well worth reading.
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