Cheryl Burman's Blog: Blog posts for readers and writers, page 46

My review of The Visitor, C D’Angelo

My monthly newsletter book reviews can be found on my Reviews of what I’m Reading page. But as I read more than one book a month, I leave other reviews here on my blog. They also get posted to Amazon and Goodreads.

Here’s my review of The Visitor, C D’Angelo

Having enjoyed The Difference, I was more than happy to be an ‘ahead reviewer’ for C D’Angelo’s new book, The Visitor. And she’s presented us with another charming and highly readable tale. Her Italian heritage shines through once ...

Notebook Mysteries-Emma Kimberly Mullins

My monthly newsletter book reviews can be found on my Reviews of what I’m Reading page. But as I read more than one book a month, I leave other reviews here on my blog. They also get posted to Amazon and Goodreads.

Here’s my review of Notebook Mysteries – Emma by Kimberly Mullins

Book 1 of the series, released in March 2021, now with two more books out there and a fourth on its way. Ms Mullins doesn’t muck about!

Emma is a delightful romp with feisty sixteen-year-old Emma, who has learn...

Resist the urge to explain: four ‘explanations’

‘Resist the urge to explain’ is a mantra drummed into us writers. Okay, another rule – but what does it mean and why should we do our best to follow it?

‘I had no idea what was going on in that book’ is not a sentence any author wants to hear about their novel. We mustn’t confuse readers or have them not ‘get it’, whatever ‘it’ is – the dramatic ending, the motivation behind the villain’s villainous deeds or the hero’s dying words. So we make sure this never happens by explaining everything. But ...

My review of The Stars Will Guide Us Back, Rue Sparks

My monthly newsletter book reviews can be found on my Reviews of what I’m Reading page. But as I read more than one book a month, I leave other reviews here on my blog. They also get posted to Amazon and Goodreads.

Here’s my review of The Stars Will Guide Us Back, Rue Sparks

The imagination of Rue Sparks is matched only by the quality of their writing, which allows us poor readers to share the vividness of their creative brain. I can’t tell you all the details of these thirteen stories...

My review of Tropical Kiss by R S Jonesee

My monthly newsletter book reviews can be found on my Reviews of what I’m Reading page. But as I read more than one book a month, I leave other reviews here on my blog. They also get posted to Amazon and Goodreads.

Here’s my review of Tropical Kiss by R S Jonesee

The first in the Postscript Island series, Tropical Kiss sees the protagonist of the prequel Tropical Love much older, successful and full of wisdom – even if his pithy sayings are taken from the calendar his grown daughter and th...

My review of C D Angelo’s The Difference

My monthly newsletter book reviews can be found on my Reviews of what I’m Reading page. But as I read more than one book a month, I leave other reviews here on my blog. They also get posted to Amazon and Goodreads.

Here’s my review of The Difference by C D AngeloFinding family-and herself

This charming debut novel takes us along for the rollercoaster ride as Rachel discovers who she really is and what she really wants. On the surface, she knows she should be content. She shares her lov...

My review of Adam’s Witness by J C Paulson

My monthly newsletter book reviews can be found on my Reviews of what I’m Reading page. But as I read more than one book a month, I leave other reviews here on my blog. They also get posted to Amazon and Goodreads.

Here’s my review of Adam’s Witness by J C Paulson
Keeps you reading!

I was fortunate to interview Jo Paulson for my March 2022 newsletter. Now I’m finally posting the review of her first book, long-promised!

Dare they confess their feelings? Could they make it work?

Find ...

Characters readers love to spend time with

April 2022 newsletter writer’s corner

I’m thrilled when people let me know I’ve written characters readers love to spend time with. I’m very grateful for reviews like this –

‘the characters were hypnotically believable’ (Keepers)
‘brought the characters to life, and I found myself cheering for, yelling at, and commiserating with them along the way. (Keepers)
‘Burman’s capacity to describe her characters is remarkable. They are there warts and all! Yet the subtle nuances of their behaviour give g...

Tried for witchcraft in 1906

Yes, you read that right! It wasn’t a typo from 1609!

In May 1906, Cinderford ‘wise woman’ and herbal healer Ellen Hayward was tried for witchcraft at Littledean Magistrates Court in the Forest of Dean. I read her story when local historian Roger Deeks submitted an article to our Local History Society’s journal and asked me to edit it for him. Fascinated, I immediately thought of writing an historical biography but was quickly side-tracked into something more magical and mystical (and less r...

My Review of A Gift of Butterflies by David Toft

My monthly newsletter book reviews can be found on my Reviews of what I’m Reading page. But as I read more than one book a month, I leave other reviews here on my blog. They also get posted to Amazon and Goodreads.

Here’s my review of A Gift of Butterflies
Caught me out!

The author sent this to me because he pulled my name out of a twitter hat and/or decided I needed to expand my reading taste. Very happy that he did.

‘Be careful what you wish for.’

Find A Gift of Butterflies and a...