Anita Loughrey's blog. This is my journal about my experiences and thoughts on writing. As well as news about me and my books, it includes writing tips, book reviews, author interviews and blog tours.
For more information about me and my books see my website: www.anitaloughrey.com. Follow me on Twitter @amloughrey, Facebook @anitaloughrey.author and on Instagram @anitaloughrey
For my spotlight today I will be introducing the hilarious Disaster Dad series by Irish rugby player Donncha O’Callaghan, written with Blue Peter Book Club author Karen Owen and illustrated by Jenny Taylor. This series is pubished by Eriu, an imprint of Bonnier Books and is released this week, on Thursday 24th October 2024.
A laugh-out-loud family story for readers aged 7+, perfect for fans of Dermot O’Leary and Pamela Butchart. Disaster Dad is a four-book series for developing readers who love mischief, disaster and embarrassing stories!
Blurb
When Dad decides to plan a special surprise for Mum’s birthday, the house turns to chaos! Mum is going to America to visit family for a week and has left a very clear master plan for Dad, Finn and Emma to follow.
But when the plan is destroyed, Dad goes rogue and starts organising a birthday surprise! From disastrous D-I-Y and cockadoodle-doo-ing cockerels to bonkers baking, this book is crammed full of chaos!
About the Author
Doncha O’Callaghan is one of Ireland’s most recognisable faces in the world of sport, TV and radio. The rugby legend, who played for Munster, Ireland and the Lions, has turned his attention to broadcasting in recent years and become a firm favourite with both listeners and viewers across RTÉ on the 2FM Breakfast Show, Ireland’s Fittest Family and The Full Irish Hidden Camera Show. Donncha is also a devoted husband and father-of-four. Disaster Dad: Chicken Chaos is his first book.
Karen Owen is the author of the Major and Mynah series, amongst others. She was brought up in Kent and currently lives in London. She has loved books from a young age and read every children’s title in the village library. She spends her days in a variety of imaginary worlds, either writing or reading. Her favourite story is always the one she is creating at the moment. She enjoys hiking and her ambition is to walk the coast of Great Britain (but not all in one go).
About the Illustrator
Jenny Taylor is a freelance illustrator, graphic designer and self-confessed biscuit lover specialising in fun and quirky children’s book illustration. Originally hailing from Falkirk, Scotland, well-known for its magical horse heads, she now lives in Preston where she works as a full-time illustrator.
It is my pleasure to be spotlighting Sue Klauber’s new historical novel Cobalt today. Cobalt by Sue Klauber was released September 12th 2024 and is published by Troika Books.
This is the follow-up story to Zinc about three Jewish siblings John, George and Eva who continue to play different roles to help the war effort in WW2.
As with Zinc, Cobalt would be ideal as a class text to support a study of on WWII. It provides an insightful reflection of what life was like for the Jews during WWII, which could be used to trigger discussions on the events and inspire empathy. Historical fiction at its best.
Blurb
George trains in Scotland for his SOE mission to Poland to help the fighters in the Secret Army.
After his work at Bletchley Park, John is now stationed in Cairo in Egypt working on plans to deceive Field Marshall Rommel about the location of the impending battle, while sister Eva in Hungary is finding life for anyone Jewish getting harder and harder as the Nazis harden their grip over the country. Will the siblings ever manage to get together? They share so many memories, but war keeps them apart.
Based on the extraordinary real-life experiences of Sue Klauber’s father (Coding at Bletchley Park), uncle (SOE in Europe) and aunt (Resistance), she wrote Zinc and now Cobalt to illustrate the courage of her Jewish family.
Extract
As part of my spotlight post I have been lucky enough to include an extract from the novel.
Sue is an experienced fundraiser and former media educator. She has produced films made by refugee children from Columbia, Kurdistan, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Eritrea, Iran, Armenia and Romania, worked as a fundraiser in arts and social care charities and is now the Trusts and Foundation Lead for a charity where she monitors grants across areas of residential care, community centres, physical disability and Holocaust survivors’ services.
Sue’s exciting middle-grade novels, set in the Second World War, are based on the extraordinary real-life experiences of her father, uncle and aunt.
They showcase the active and courageous participation of her North London Jewish family in the wartime struggle against tyranny.
Sue is available for author events in a variety of contexts, such as schools, libraries and community groups. Find out more, including contact details to discuss an event, in this flyer: Zinc by Sue Klauber: author events.
You can buy copies of Cobalt by Sue Klauber from your local bookshop, or online at uk.bookshop.org which supports local, independent bookshops.
I will be kicking off an extra special spotlight tour with romance novelist Kate Kenzie to celebrate her novel, A Blend of Magic, which was a semi-finalist in the Book Bloggers Novel of the Year Award (BBNYA) 2024.
About BBNYA and the Spotlight Tours
The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award (BBNYA) is celebrating the books that made it to the semi-finals with a mini spotlight blitz tour for each title.
BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 16 finalists and one overall winner.
If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official. BBNYA is brought to you in association with the @Foliosociety (if you love beautiful books, you NEED to check out their website!) and the book blogger support group @The_WriteReads.
A Blend of Magic is a 388-page romance fantasy for adults that was publishedon the 31st October, 2023. Here is the blurb:
Blurb
A witch cannot exist on potions and tea alone.
Hiding in the shadows, staunch singleton Willow Anderson is content running her successful business, The Enchanted Emporium. With Christmas days away, she’s eager to exchange selling bespoke tea blends and spells for extended bubble baths and binge-watching festive movies snuggled next to her Maine Coon, Vincent.
Nate never usually runs away from his problems, but drunk and disorientated, he finds himself in a small fisherman’s cottage in the Yorkshire coastal town of Whitby. After discovering his girlfriend’s affair, he is in no rush to return to the City. His wish for time alone in a Christmas-free zone comes true until an uninvited feline guest arrives.
Neither Nate nor Willow want company, especially from each other, but they have little choice when concussion means they must spend at least twenty-four hours together. Sparks fly and not just the romantic kind. When darkness from Willow’s past returns and threatens to destroy all she has worked for, pursuing a love affair is the last thing she needs.
With meddling ghosts and a teenage apprentice with her own matchmaking agenda, love and change are in the air.
But can Willow face her fears, and the past, to capture the happiness she deserves?
My stop on this spotlight tour involves a author interview. So with no more distraactions here is what Kate Kenzie had to say about the writing of A Blend of Magic.
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Tell us a little about your novel A Blend of Magic.
A Blend of Magic is a paranormal romance with elements of Practical Magic, Netflix’s The Good Witch and Sabrina, The Teenage Witch. Set in Whitby, North Yorkshire, modern witch, Willow Anderson, discovers she needs more than making potions and blending tea for her customers but she is reluctant to face her dark past to have the life and love she deserves. Heartbroken Nate arrives in Whitby to escape the festive season and wants to be alone, until a ginger Maine Coon leads him to the door of an old apothecary, The Enchanted Emporium, and a grumpy Willow. With meddling ghosts and an interfering teenage apprentice, can love flourish or is it destined to fail?
What draws you to writing paranormal romance?
I adore magic and am drawn to anything paranormal. Whether it is witchcraft or hauntings, I am fascinated by how things fit in our everyday world, so I’m surrounded by books and boxsets on the subjects. It felt natural to eave this into my writing and it is a genre I also love to read. Paranormal romance is the ultimate escape without being full on high fantasy – I don’t think I have the skills for that yet – and at times, everyone needs the comfort of a happy ever after.
Talk us through your writing process.
I’m not sure I have a process and if I do, it isn’t efficient or recommended. I’m disorganised and my brain constantly hops from one thing to another. My writing process reflects this especially in the beginning. Usually, I start with a character and setting. Once these are fully formed, I can discover their story, who they are now, where they want to go and where they came from. Willow began as a side character in an unfinished WIP about her apprentice, Amber, but an exercise in my local writing group prompted her to demand a story of her own. As I loved The Enchanted Emporium, I was happy to accept the challenge. While I always know the beginning, middle and end, I struggle to write in chronological order, so I have a hotchpotch of scenes, dialogue and ideas smothering my desktop and hidden in notebooks which I then weave together to make a coherent plot and first draft.
Why Whitby? Talk us through the research you did to recreate this atmospheric setting.
I adore Whitby and it has been my happy place ever since we moved to Yorkshire. If it wasn’t so hilly and I wasn’t so scared going down slopes in my wheelchair, I’d love to live there. The Abbey ruins and the quirky buildings and its links to gothic literature make it hum with the past. It has a magic of its own. Once there walking down its cobbled streets, it was easy to imagine the Enchanted Emporium nestled down one of the many snickets and yards. Research wise, it was mainly absorbing the atmosphere while visiting, photographs and imagination. I have several books on its history which I hope I’ll use more in other books I have planned for the Whitby Witches.
Do you have a favourite character in your book?
My favourite character is Mrs Marley, one of the emporium’s resident ghosts. A gossip, she is comfortable in herself and always speaks her mind. I can’t wait to explore her character more in the next book I’m writing.
Have you got any writing rituals?
I try to write in the morning before everyone wakes, with a strong cup of tea made in a teapot. The ritual of teamaking always helps me get into the creative zone. Each book has its own playlist, and each character has their own song which is either relevant to their story arc or personality. Listening to their music helps me connect to them and their story.
Is there a particular place you like to write?
I’d love to write in cafes but getting out alone is difficult so I mainly at home. I have created a writing space in the tiny spare room. My old desk is surrounded by books on witchcraft, ghosts, folklore and writing. With my cauldron, candles and crystals, it is my own little enchanted space.
What writing advice would you give to people wanting to write paranormal romance?
There is so much advice out there for would be romance authors. Apart from making sure you have the required happy ever after, I’d say have fun and try to enjoy the process. Excitement for your characters or book helps with motivation and determination to tackle any obstacles which there are many. As a genre, there are many threads you can follow – witchcraft, ghosts or other paranormal entities so you can experiment and allow your imagination to fly.
Only that I hope those who read it, enjoy visiting the emporium and meeting its residents as much as I did writing them. If you want more from the Whitby witches and Rosa, they have their own book blog, The Enchanted Emporium’s Bookshelf, where they share their love of reading, particularly fantasy, paranormal or magical books. Rosa also reviews any romance books that arrive in-store or on her Kindle. They also interview authors for their Monday Merry Meets slots.
Where is the best place for people to buy your book?
While A Blend of Magic is available at Amazon and on Kindle Unlimited, I am a huge an of indie bookshops and libraries so they can be ordered from them too. I am privileged have signed books stocked at The Whitby Bookshop. It is a lovely shop to pop into if you are ever in Whitby soaking up the sea air and atmosphere.
Signed copies are also available direct from me and through my ko-fi page if you’re in the UK.
Kate Kenzie may not be Yorkshire born and bred, but it’s where her heart is and why her fictional worlds are set in the Moors and her favourite haunt, Whitby. Creator of the Enchanted Emporium and its residents, she blogs book reviews and author interviews at The Enchanted Emporium Bookshelf.
Part-time writer, and full-time dreamer, if she’s not reading from her over flowing TBR pile, she is writing or drinking tea. Like many, she always dreamed of being an author but notebooks of half-finished novels and children’s stories were pushed aside in adulthood until a random Facebook conversation rekindled her passion for world building. By receiving a bursary for the RNA New Writer’s Scheme, she found her tribe.
Awarded the Katie Fforde bursary this year, she writes romantic and paranormal fiction, especially witch lit.
Her short story, The Ghost Writer, is available in an anthology, Byline Legacies by Cardigan Press.
You can find ouut more about Kate kenzie by subscribing to her newsletter: http://subscribepage.io/katekenzie and by following her on her social media:
I am happy to be involved with the cover reveal for an exciting new horror historical novel, A Dress to Kill For by Tessa Hatjarjanto.
A Dress to Kill For is a horror short story, perfect for those who love The Picture of Dorian Gray and Crimson Peak. It is released on Monday 30th September 2024.
Here is a little teaser:
Blurb
How much are you willing to sacrifice to gain everything you ever wanted?
Lady Claire Rosewood lives on the fringes of society, pitied by the people she used to call her friends, and her husband is no longer the suave businessman he once was. Frustrated with both her status and her marriage, she longs for more.
When an opportunity presents itself that allows her not only to be part of higher society, but to mingle with the elite, she needs to make a choice. Every rise to the top comes at a cost, but is she ready to pay with blood?
You can read reviews of A Dress to Kill For by Tessa Hatjarjanto on: Goodreads.
To purchase a copy go to Universal Book Link to choose your prefered format. Or if you subscribe to Tessa’s newsletter you will be able to receive a free copy of A Dress to Kill For by Tessa Hatjarjanto sent straight to your inbox on September 28th 2024. To sign up for this fantastic free offer go to Tessa’s website: www.tessahastjarjanto.com.
So the moment you have all been waiting for here is the cover for A Dress to Kill For by Tessa Hatjarjanto:
A Dress to Kill For by Tessa Hatjarjanto
The cover was designed by Tessa Hastjarjanto and created using Feastock / Depositphoto.
About the author
Tessa Hastjarjanto is a Dutch/Indonesian writer from the Netherlands. She writes speculative fiction, and blogs at narratess.com about books, fountain pens, and writing.
From a young age, she imitated popular stories and games in creating her own worlds. This love eventually led to a master’s degree in media and game studies at the University of Utrecht.
However a mundane desk job was enough to inspire her to follow her creative passion. The first fanfics were written in lunch breaks and soon original fiction followed.
With the support of her husband, she now focuses on her writing career while battling chronic pain. Swiss white shepherd, Shiro, acts as a therapy dog to keep her healthy and reduce stress through extensive cuddle sessions.
My spotlight today is for The Carousel Horse written by Tony Mitton and iIllustrated by Penny Neville-Lee.
This beautiful picture book is a timeless, magical tale of a carousel pony who comes to life and goes on an adventure by moonlight. it is publsihed by Bloomsbury and will be released later this week on Thursday 12th September.
Blurb
The Carousel Horse spends his days giving children rides at the fair. But secretly he dreams of something more . . .
When a beautiful, sparkling princess appears and helps him to break free from his carousel, the two of them soar into the sky on a grand journey that takes them to the moon and back.
But where is home for the Carousel Horse? Discovering that might just be the greatest adventure of all.
With a lyrical rhyming text by the much-missed Tony Mitton, acclaimed poet, and stunning, luminous illustrations by rising star Penny Neville-Lee, The Carousel Horse is a magical story about following your dreams and finding out where you belong – perfect for sharing at bedtime.
About the Author
Tony Mitton was born in North Africa, and grew up in Africa, Germany, Hong Kong, and England. He was a much-loved poet, teacher and writer of children’s books, and lived for many years in Cambridge, England.
About the Illustrator
Penny Neville-Lee is a painter and illustrator specialising in children’s books. With an MA in Painting from The Royal College of Art, she is happiest when surrounded by pencils and coming up with ideas for beautiful books.
My spotlight today is for The Seamaiden’s Odyssey, written by Berlie Doherty and illustrated by Tamsin Rosewell. This middle fantasy is due for publication on the 5th September 2024 by UClan Publishing.
Blurb
From twice Carnegie Medal-winning author, Berlie Doherty, comes a stunning new fable, drawing on the folklore of ocean and landscape to create a magical coming-of-age novella for the modern era, brought to life by Tamsin Rosewell.
A strange and beautiful sea-creature is brought into the marine sanctuary where Sasha works. The sea-girl is kept as an exhibit and for scientific research. But Sasha wants to know more about her – are there more of her kind? What sort of community does she come from? Does she have a family?
There is a story to be told, in exchange for a promise. It is a story of cruelty and grief, of love and longing and pride; the story of Merryn, who makes a traumatic journey from sea and to land, from defiance to finding her true self and the power of sisterhood.
About the Author
Berlie Doherty is the author of the best-selling novel, Street Child, and over 60 more books for children, teenagers and adults, and has written many plays for radio, theatre and television.
She has been translated into over twenty languages and has won many awards, including the Carnegie medal for both Granny Was a Buffer Girl and Dear Nobody, and the Writers’ Guild Award for both Daughter of the Sea and the theatre version of Dear Nobody. She has three children and seven grandchildren, and lives in the Derbyshire Peak District.
About the Illustrator
Tamsin Rosewell is an artist, historian and broadcaster with a background in politics. She was a bookseller for 15 years, with a specialist knowledge in children’s and picture books before moving to illustration.
She is also known for her painted window displays. Tamsin is a regular panel speaker and Festival event chair, as well as being a judge of the Stratford Salariya Picture Book Prize. She is based at 55-year-old independent bookshop, Kenilworth Books, but divides her time between London, Oxford and Warwickshire
To discover more about The Seamaiden’s Odyssey, Berlie’s inspiration and view some of Tamsin’s artwork take a look at Belie Doherty’s website: www.berliedoherty.com.
You can see my other spotlights of Berlie Doherty’s books on my blog here:
Skye McKenna’s Hedgewitch middle grade series continues in this bewitching third book Seawitch, published by Hachette Children’s Books and due for release on Thursday 26th September 2024.
Blurb
Cassie Morgan needs to earn her Sapling pin to get one step closer to passing her Witch’s Licence. To do this, she’s set the challenge of training a beginner witch by the Hedgewitch – but the newest member of her coven is not what she expected…
Meanwhile, the wicked Erl King is luring witches up and down the country to his side, with promises of unimaginable power. While those who stand against him are running a deadly risk.
When a letter arrives from Cassie’s cousin, Sebastian, desperate for help to solve an intriguing mystery, she travels to his home of Porthmorven with her friends, both old and new, to help work out what’s going on. But Porthmorven is no ordinary place – it’s a Faerie border town, like Hedgely, and it has its own protector: the elusive Seawitch. But she is nowhere to be found and Cassie is determined to help the people of Porthmorven however she can. Can Cassie use all of her training – along with help from her friends – to solve the secrets of the sea and foil the Erl King’s plans once and for all?
About the Author
Skye McKenna grew up in a mining town in the Australian outback. Surrounded by the red dust of the Pilbara, she developed a healthy respect for wild things and wild places at a young age.
She now lives in Scotland where she enjoys exploring the woods, hills and castles of her new home. She works in heritage, supporting rural communities to tell their own stories about the history of their land.
Her first book, Hedgewitch, was nominated for the YOTO Carnegie Medal for Writing and was a CBCA Notable.
Following the success of The King’s Coronation and the Kohinoor Diamond, the first in the Underneath the Underground series, sisters Anthea Turner and Wendy Turner have penned the much anticipated second adventure, set among the communities of mice living busily below London’s bustling tube stops.
Their second book is called, Raining Strawberries at Wimbledon.
Blurb
It’s Wimbledon tennis fortnight and there’s much excitement as King Charles and Queen Camilla receive a special invite from Princess Kate – to watch her and Prince William play a charity match against Sir Andy Murray and Heather Watson on Centre Court. What a treat!
Off go Charles and Camilla to brush up on their own tennis skills with their faithful aide, Jenkins, on hand to whip up some royal tennis whites. Meanwhile, beneath Marble Arch Station, daring mouse Elly Archer also has her sights set on a visit to Wimbledon and is soon hatching a plan to sneak over there with her friends Billy and Bunty Bell to watch the Ladies’ Final – without the grown-ups! What could possibly go wrong?
And Harry the Hero Rat has a secret plan too… he’s heard that juicy red strawberries are eaten there by the tonne, a perfect opportunity to gather up the leftovers and make strawberry jam for all the mice on the London Underground! But things go messily wrong when Kate and William discover Harry’s stash of strawberries… and somehow, Charles and Camilla find themselves serving for the match on Centre Court. Thank heavens they practiced! The question is, will they win…?!
In Book 1, readers were introduced to a host of loveable furry characters who reside Underneath the Underground including Hounslow Mice, Shoba and Lo Mow, Harry the Hero Rat who adores strawberries and Sir Roger Russell, the Mouse Minister for Transport. Fans will be delighted to learn they return in Raining Strawberries at Wimbledon along with some new faces, all set for a brand new adventure set in…you’ve guessed it, Wimbledon.
Raining Strawberries at Wimbledon begins as King Charles and Queen Camilla are full of excitement after receiving a surprise invitation from Princess Kate; to watch her and William take on Sir Andy Murray and Heather Watson at a charity tennis match on Wimbledon’s famous Centre Court. What a treat!
Meanwhile, beneath Marble Arch Station, daring mouse Elly Archer also has her sights set on a visit to Wimbledon and is soon hatching a plan to sneak over there with her friends Billy and Bunty Bell to watch the Ladies’ Final – without the grown-ups!
Readers fell in love with ginger Harry the Hero Rat in Book 1 and will be delighted to discover he’s not lost his passion for juicy strawberries, so much so that he’s devised his very own jam-making business, the strawberry variety of course.
Naturally, as this is an adventure story, nothing goes quite to plan. Discover what happens to Elly, Billy and Bunty as they make their secret journey to Wimbledon, how Princess Kate stumbles upon Harry’s strawberry stash and why King Charles and Queen Camilla end up serving for the match…but will they win?!
“We’re so excited by this story and have loved every minute of reuniting the characters whom we’ve become so fond of,” says Wendy.
Anthea says:
“Wimbledon is such a special sporting occasion and we know young readers will love this hilarious version of what ends up happening on Centre Court. Our mice characters are endearing and full of surprises – I’m sure this adventure will leave fans wanting to know what they will get up to next!”
Today, I am shining a spotlight on Marley’s Pride by Joëlle Retener and DeAnn Wiley, which was published by Barefoot Books on 2nd April 2024.
Blurb
Marley is a little nonbinary kid with big anxieties. Crowds? Pass. Loud noises? No, thanks. When their Zaza is up for an award at Pride, they want to go to the parade for the first time with their beloved grandparent. But can Marley overcome their fears?
Featuring the joyful experiences of a queer Black family finding community through identity at Pride, this story also explores how to cope with social anxiety.
Created by a queer Black author and illustrator team, central to the story is Zaza, a transgender elder who receives an award for their work helping the trans community.
Additional endnotes include the history of Pride and its origins, a glossary of LGBTQ+ terms and a list of resources.
Praise for Marley’s Pride
“This sensitive work will be a valuable teaching tool to support children with questions concerning themselves or their friends” – School Library Journal
“From its bright and colourful cover, Marley’s Pride is a whirlwind of cheer and a celebration of being trans, Black and neurodivergent” – Inis magazine
About the Author
Spelman College graduate Joëlle Retener (they/them) is a Kreyol American children’s author with a passion for sharing stories that celebrate Black pride and Queer joy.
Joelle lives in Baltimore, USA.
About the illustrator
DeAnn Wiley (she/her) is a self-taught illustrator with a Master’s degree in counselling psychology. She illustrated Sarah Rising, the Sunday Adventures series, and her author-illustrator debut, Homegrown.
She advocates for social justice from the intersection of multiple identities – Black, Woman, Queer, and disabled. DeAnn lives in Detroit, USA.
About the Publisher
Barefoot Books is an award-winning, independent, women-owned and run, children’s book publisher based in Concord, MA. Founded by two mothers in England in 1992, we are committed to creating visually captivating books that celebrate global awareness and diversity, spark curiosity and capture imaginations.
Today, our unwavering commitment to opening children’s hearts, minds and worlds feels more important than ever. Barefoot Books has been shortlisted for the Alison Morrison Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award in 2024’s IPG Awards.
It is with great pleasure I join The Write Reads blog tour for another fabulous middle grade adventure published by Neem Tree Press.
Terra Electrica: The Guardians of the North by Antonia Maxwell, is an exciting new dystopian series released on Thursday July 4th 2024 .
My stop on the tour takes the form of a spotlight of the book.
About the Book:
Blurb
Book 1 in an action-packed dystopian adventure series set in the near-future post-melt Arctic.
The last ice cap has melted, and the world is on the brink of collapse. A deadly force—Terra Electrica—has been unleashed. It feeds on electricity. It is infecting civilization.
In this chaotic, rapidly changing reality, 12-year-old Mani has lost her family and community to the Terra Electrica. Armed only with some ancestral wisdom and a powerful, ancient wooden mask she was never meant to inherit so soon, she suddenly finds herself responsible for the fate of the world.
Can Mani piece everything together and harness her newfound powers in time to save humanity?
You can read reviews of Terra Electrica: The Guardians of the North here:
Antonia Maxwell is a writer and editor based in North Essex and Cambridge, UK.
With a degree in Modern Languages and a long-standing career as a book editor, she has a lifelong curiosity for language and words, and a growing fascination in the power of story – the way it shapes our lives and frames our experience.
I would like to thank The Write Reads for inviting me to take part in this tour. Thank you.
To follow the rest of the tour please see the schedule below:
Much To Do About Writing 