This Lovely City by Louise Hare

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This Lovely City by Louise Hare

From the very beginning of her engaging debut novel, Louise Hare shows the reader that the West Indian protagonist, jazz musician Laurie Matthews, is going to have a rough time, making a new life for himself in London. It’s 1950, London has begun the long process of recovering from the destruction wreaked by WW2, and times are hard. ‘Austerity they called it, as if giving it a name made it more acceptable to those struggling to make ends meet.’ Laurie and his compatriots have answered England’s call for help in rebuilding the economy.

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Note to Boy by Sue Clark

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Note to Boy by Sue Clark

In her beautifully written debut novel, Sue Clark tells a story that will make you laugh a lot and cry a little. She has created two convincing, realistic characters, each of whom is on the point of succumbing to an impossible situation. By introducing Eloise and Bradley, and making them bounce hilariously off each other, she not only saves them both, but also gives them hope for the future. I recommend Note to Boy to book clubs, not only because of its high entertainment value, but also because it bridges the generation gap and presents decades of social history, in a style as light and digestible as a macaroon; or, as Eloise would call it, a ‘Cameroon’.

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When's Daddy Coming Home by Peter Margetts with John Cookson

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When's Daddy Coming Home by Peter Margetts with John Cookson

‘When’s Daddy Coming Home’ is a heartbreaking real life story that demands to be told. Anyone who is thinking of starting a business, in a country where they do not understand the legal system, must read this book. Also, in our current situation of emerging from a pandemic, it is timely to remember the ripple effect of the international financial crisis of 2008. Margetts’ experiences are narrated in first person, expressing the genuine feelings and emotions of an ordinary parent in an unbearable situation. This is not an easy read, and some of the phrases he uses may offend.

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Blackwatertown by Paul Waters

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Blackwatertown by Paul Waters

If you like quirky crime novels, you’ll love Blackwatertown. I relished every page, because I was born in Northern Ireland, where my ancestors were farmers and police officers, and my grandfather marched with the Orange Order. Rural Ulster communities, like the 1950s townland sensitively described by Paul Waters, are part of my family history. When I read the account of Catholic Constable Macken’s enforced attendance at a social event in the Orange Hall, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. I had many questions for Paul, and I’m delighted to present his thoughtful answers.

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From the Type Face #2

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From the Type Face #2

During my search for advice and ideas about self-publishing, I’ve interviewed two professional authors, Rose McClelland from Northern Ireland and Dave Sivers, whose books are set in Buckinghamshire’s Aylesbury Vale. At first sight, it appears that their novels have little in common, but they share a strong sense of place, and a sensitivity to issues of mental health. In ‘Under Your Skin’ Rose’s characters suffer psychological abuse, while Dave’s protagonist has trust issues. Both authors describe ordinary people struggling to maintain a sense of well-being under extreme stress.

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Murder on the Downs by Julie Wassmer

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Murder on the Downs by Julie Wassmer

‘A controversial new property development is planned in Whitstable, to the dismay of Whitstable residents who view it as a threat to local wildlife. A campaign is spearheaded by Martha Laker, a committed environmentalist and no stranger to controversy. The resulting tensions strain local restaurateur Pearl's close relationship with London-born police officer, DCI Mike McGuire. The protest goes ahead, and residents claim a moral victory. But the victory is short lived when Pearl discovers a dead body on the Downs.’

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Interview with Scott Innes on Galactic Keegan

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Interview with Scott Innes on Galactic Keegan

‘The near future. Earth has been invaded by the L’zuhl, an aggressive, imperialistic alien race who have laid waste to the galaxy for centuries. The few human survivors have been evacuated to the farthest reaches of space to rebuild and fight back against the L’zuhl onslaught. There, on the distant planet of Palangonia, in a large, walled compound that houses the new human colony, lives the former Newcastle United and England boss Kevin Keegan, now manager of Palangonia FC.

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Ash Mountain by Helen Fitzgerald

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Ash Mountain by Helen Fitzgerald

Helen Fitzgerald’s third novel, ‘Ash Mountain’, blends powerful action with deep and painful emotion. The book tracks the poisonous effects of hidden corruption, invisible but deadly, over thirty years. To tell Fran’s story, Fitzgerald expertly juggles three time periods; the day of a cataclysmic natural disaster, the days leading up to it and Fran’s fifteenth year.

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One Year of Ugly by Caroline MacKenzie

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One Year of Ugly by Caroline MacKenzie

No-one is a mystery to their beautician. Working in the glamour industry will teach you more about personality and motivation than any academic study. I’d love to tell the story of Troy from the point of view of the slave girl who threaded Helen’s eyebrows, describe the Napoleonic wars in the voice of Josephine’s maid or describe the challenges facing Lady Macbeth’s manicurist. ‘Out, out, damned liver spot!’

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Separation Anxiety by Laura Zigman

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Separation Anxiety by Laura Zigman

I enjoyed Separation Anxiety throughout, but it was only when I arrived at the book’s finale that I came to appreciate its true quality. While reading the first few chapters, I found Judy, the main character, a trifle annoying. An author suffering from writer’s block, she is warm, funny and open-hearted, but if, like me, you suffer from stiff-upper-lip syndrome, also a tad irritating until you allow yourself to get on her wavelength.

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Happy Family by James Ellis

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Happy Family by James Ellis

Germaine Kiecke, an art critic and broadcaster, is the lead character in this well-crafted and thought-provoking novel. Or, is she? Several characters reflect different facets of the story, so reading it feels like walking in a portrait gallery, or flicking through a graphic novel. Because Germaine’s childhood was destroyed by vindictive abusers, she learned early in life how to escape from reality into fantasy. She has difficulty in sustaining relationships, and fails to ‘articulate the images in her mind’. Her live-in lover has moved out, and she leads a solitary but contented existence, finding comfort in playing ‘Happy Family’, an augmented reality game, because ‘inside the bubble was better than outside’.

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From the Type Face #1

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From the Type Face #1

I hope 2020 is bringing you good health, terrific books to read and brilliant writing opportunities. I’ve chosen to focus my time and energy on the areas where I already have a toe-hold, humorous writing and book blogging, so I don’t enter writing competitions. However, I know many of my contacts like to take part in short story, flash fiction and novel events, and some of them have won prestigious prizes. Here’s a link to a great free source of competition opportunities.

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Death Deserved by Thomas Enger and Jorn Lier Horst, translated by Anne Bruce

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Death Deserved by Thomas Enger and Jorn Lier Horst, translated by Anne Bruce

Created by two Scandinavian crime writers working in tandem for the first time, translated in Scotland and edited in London, ‘Death Deserved’ was always going to be an exciting cultural mash-up. However, the finished novel is so much more than that. The genre of Nordic Noir may raise expectations of body parts scattered randomly across bleak landscapes, but the intricate plot of ‘Death Deserved’ is set in locations that are varied and vividly described. Brilliant plotting and superbly controlled language make this book as mentally challenging as it is thrilling…

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The Introvert and The Introvert Confounds Innocence by Michael Paul Michaud

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The Introvert and The Introvert Confounds Innocence by Michael Paul Michaud

I read both of these novellas within twenty-four hours. Although I enjoy reading fast for recreation, when I set out to review a book, I always take it slowly and make copious notes as I go along. This time, that’s how I began, until I realised that my method didn’t match the stories. Going with the flow is the best way to appreciate Michaud’s brilliant use of first-person narration, including a repetition of key phrases, which create humour in what would otherwise be a dark tale.

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You Beneath Your Skin by Damyanti Biswas

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You Beneath Your Skin by Damyanti Biswas

This is my very first blog tour with Anne Cater, whose team I’m very proud to join, and I’m delighted to begin with a story that touched my heart - You Beneath Your Skin by Damyanti Biswas.

Lies, ambition, family are the words used on the cover to define this book. All three are accurate, but there is much more to the story Damyanti Biswas tells so movingly. On the very first page, the reader is catapulted into a distressing situation, when the protagonist’s young son, who has special needs, goes missing, and she is forced to call on her diverse extended family to help her locate him.

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