Rhoda Baxter's Blog, page 54

Inheritance Books: Alan Hamilton

This week’s Inheritance Books come from Alan Hamilton. This part of a tour arranged by Brook Cottage Books.

Hi Alan, welcome to Inheritance Books. Please, tell us a bit about yourself.

I didn’t start writing fiction until I stopped working for large companies, though it could be argued that most of what gets written in business is fiction – the product of fevered imaginations and dressing up the truth to look better than it really is.

I was given the gift of writing clear English. Both at school...

Goodreads Book review: How I Wonder What You Are by Jane Lovering

How I Wonder What You Are by Jane Lovering

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’d heard about Phinn, the hero in this book and I was so looking forward to reading about him that I pre-ordered the book. When it arrived on my Kindle, I zoomed through it within 24 hours. It would have been quicker if I could read in the shower.

Anyhew – Phinn is a genius and, like a lot of geniuses (geniusi?) he has only a passing relationship with living in the real world. Phinn is more Leonard Hofstader than Sheldon Cooper...

Inheritance Books – Katy Haye

This week I’m thrilled (thrilled, I tell you!) to welcome Katy Haye to Inheritance Books. I’ve known Katy for a while through the RNA and I’m very excited to hear that her first book is The Last Gatekeeper is out now.

Hi Katy, welcome to Inheritance Books. Would you like a piece of flapjack? (I’m being healthy, see). So, tell us a bit about yourself.

I’ve wanted to write stories since the age of 4 when I was reading with my mum and I wondered aloud if you had to pay people to turn your stories...

Goodreads Book Review: The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz

The House of Silk: A Sherlock Holmes Novel by Anthony Horowitz

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I picked this book up after hearing Anthony Horowitz talking about it on the Radio. I already knew I like the Alex Rider stories by him and I loved Sherlock Holmes stories, so I suspected I’d like this too.

It was great. The style was perfectly in tune with Conan Doyle’s original style – the pace and flow felt the same. Within minutes I’d forgotten that this was a modern addition to the canon and was totally i...

Goodreads Book Review: Here’s Looking at You by Mhairi McFarlane

Here’s Looking at You by Mhairi McFarlane

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this book because Alison Maysuggested it as a good read for geek girls. I like Anna – her voice was suitably sharp and witty, her love of her subject was charming to see. It’s interesting that the hero was the boy who bullied her at school.

I didn’t like James as much. In some ways he still hadn’t grown out of that streak of cruelty that hurt Anna so much at school. On the other hand the gradual realisation that he wasn’t a...

Inheritance Books – Sandra Danby

This week’s Inheritance Books come from Sandra Danby.

Hi Sandra, welcome to Inheritance Books. Please, tell us a bit about yourself.

I have been reading books and writing stories forever, I actually cannot imagine a day going by without doing one or both. I think there’s something a bit OCD about me because I have a bit of a panic if I leave the house without a book to read, and a pen and notebook in my bag for scribbling down story ideas, and iPhone or camera for taking photos of something I c...

Goodreads Book review: The Last Gatekeeper by Katy Haye

The Last Gatekeeper by Katy Haye

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I got this book as a review copy from Katy Haye. I actually requested it from her because I’ve met Katy in real life and enjoyed talking to her, so I figured I’d like her book. Turns out I was right.

This is a very fast paced YA read. Zanzibar lives a very rural life because she has Electrical Hypersensitivity (it’s a real thing, I looked it up!) and generally feels like she’s a bit of a freak. On her 17th birthday everything changes. She...

Inheritance Books – Sue Barnard

I’m delighted to welcome Sue Barnard to Inheritance Books.

Hi Sue, welcome. Would you like a cuppa? Piece of fruit (pre-Christmas health kick, don’t you know)?Please, tell us a bit about yourself.

I was born in North Wales but have lived for most of my life in or around Manchester, apart from the three years which I spent studying French at Durham University. I’m married with two grown-up sons.

I’ve dabbled with writing, off and on, for many years, but it’s only during the past ten years or so,...

Writing – but does it make you happy (or Winter Tales)

Do you ever feel like you need a good whinge?It’s a Brit thing. The weather gets damp and horrible and we all feel the need for a good whinge followed by a cup of tea and a warm scone. I was indulging in just such a whinge about how little money writers make, when the Whingee said (patiently)“Yes, but does it make you happy?”

This made me shut up and think (I can’t multi-task). This week, not one, but two anthologies were released, each containing a story from me. One is Kisses and Cupcakes ,...

A whole new short story anthology – with cupcakes!

I’ve just got back from a week away (half-term with the kids) and found an email to tell me that the new Choc Lit anthology ‘Kisses and Cupcakes‘ will be out soon! Hooray!

Just like the first Choc Lit Love Match anthology, this book contains a collection of short stories from other Choc Lit writers (some of my favourite romance writers!) and each story contains a cupcake recipe that is in some way related to the story. At least one storyinvolves gin and tonic cakes…

It’s available to pre-order...