This book is one of several books I read while on holiday in Australia. I actually read most of it on the long flight home to Scotland – which was slightly weird but very fitting considering where the book is set. And not only is one of the best books I read on holiday, it’s… Continue reading Isobel’s Promise by Maggie Christensen @MaggieChriste33 #bookreview #MondayBlogs #amreading
This was a most enjoyable read. The Homecoming is a first-class example of intelligent, contemporary and credible romantic fiction. From the Back Cover: Maddy fled the idyllic market town of Havenbury Magna three years ago, the scene of a traumatic incident she revisits most clearly in her dreams. Even so, when she is called back… Continue reading The Homecoming by Rosie Howard @RosieHowardBook #BookReview #MondayBlogs #amreading
This novel is contemporary literary fiction at its best. It has humanity, emotion and a great story at its heart. From the back cover: It has taken conviction to right the wrongs. It will take courage to learn how to live again. For the families of the victims of the St Botolph and Old… Continue reading Smash All the Windows by Jane Davis @janedavisauthor #bookreview #MondayBlogs #amreading
My neighbour came to the door last Sunday afternoon. Said she had a favour to ask. I thought she was going to ask me to look after her cat for a few days. But no, that wasn’t it. She is president of the local branch of the Scottish Women’s Institute (SWI) and the speaker lined… Continue reading Speech: The Joy of Giving an Author Talk – At Short Notice #amwriting
When I was looking for a literary agent and publisher for my first novel, Change of Life, nearly ten years ago, one of the rejection reasons I was given was the age of my main characters. I was told nobody wanted to read a romance where the prospective couple were in their late forties and… Continue reading The Genre Conundrum Part 3: Age and other issues in Romantic Fiction #amwriting
As I said in my last post I find the genre thing for novel classification rather tricky. As a writer, I don’t want to mislead prospective readers by getting the labelling wrong. But I also want to make sure my books appeal to and reach my target readership when they’re browsing the shelves in… Continue reading The Genre Conundrum Part 2: Romantic Expectations #amwriting
Part 1 of 3 As the publication date for my next novel draws ever closer, my thoughts are now turning to how to ensure it catches the eye of prospective readers both online and in book shops. An attractive cover and an engaging back-cover summary will of course be essential – and by working with… Continue reading The Genre Conundrum in Fiction: Categories and Keywords
What a great story! This is one of my favourite reads of the year so far. It was one of those books where you want to get to the end to see how it all plays out, but you also don’t want it to end because you know you’re going to miss it. From the… Continue reading An Englishwoman’s Guide to the Cowboy by June Kearns @june_kearns #bookreview #MondayBlogs #amreading
I spent last weekend at the annual Scottish Association of Writers (SAW) Conference, and, as always it was an enjoyable couple of days. It was held, as it has been for the last few years, in the lovely Westerwood Hotel in Cumbernauld near Glasgow. And the hotel staff along with the amazingly hard-working, volunteer members… Continue reading Reflections on a Writing Conference
It’s some writing news of my own for this week’s post. Bring on the rewrites My next book is now with my editor and I’m braced and ready for the rewrites that will inevitably be required. I always think I’ve polished my writing until it cannot be improved before I send it off, but then… Continue reading Read All About It: Writing News
