Category Archives: Spotlight

Spotlight: Stories That Built Our World by Caroline Rowlands and Alette Straathof

Check out this extraordinary compilation released next month, the 23rd May 2024, written by Caroline Rowland, illustrated by Alette Straathof and published by Noodle Juice.

A tale for every week of the year.

A year full of stories from around the world.

Once upon a time… a long, long, time ago, a story was told. Then, over time, that story was shared with many, becoming a mythical, legendary tale. The building blocks of our cultural heritage, tales of adventure and wonder exist in every society around the globe.

For as long as humans have existed, we have entertained and educated each other with such tales. Ancient stories that are sometimes based on fact, but other times are pure fiction, have been shared from generation to generation by word of mouth, written text, through songs and dances and even in sculptures and paintings. Tales of adventure and wonder exist in every culture.

Celebrate these tales in this amazing hardback compilation of a year full of stories from around the world. From cautionary fairy tales such as Perrault’s, Hans Christian Anderson and the Bothers Grimm, Norse sagas, myths and legends, Scheherazade’s 1001 Arabian Nights, as well as Shakespeare’s comedies to North American, Inuit, Indian and African folk tales. The stories in this new collection from across the ages come together in a glorious collection of 52 retellings of the stories that build our world.

Illustrated in sumptuous watercolour by Alette Straathof, these are tales that deserve to be brought into the light and shared as they would have been around fires centuries ago.

Spotlight: The Pirates of Darksea Book Launch

Last month I was lucky enough to be invited to the book launch of The Pirates of Darksea by Catherine Doyle. I had previously been to the amazing proof launch in January and you can see my write up of this here: Spotlight – Pirates of Darksea by Catherine Doyle.

At the ‘proof launch’ we were presented with a bottle of stardust and a proof copy of The Pirates of Darksea. The official launch of the completed book with its brilliant cover, much needed map and additional chapter illustrations took place two months later on the 20^th March 2024 below deck at Mr Fogg’s City Tavern, which was decorated with a nautical theme ideally suited to a pirate adventure. Having already read the book made this launch seem all the more special to me.

Again I dressed up as a pirate and although my chosen outfit was not as elaborate as previously I was pleased I had dressed appropriately for the heat as it was a very warm evening. Here I am with my complimentary rum punch cocktail, which by the way was delicious.

There was also canopy nibbles being handed round whilst networking with other authors and publishing professionals. This is a photo of me with the author Catherine Doyle after getting my new copy of The Pirates of Darksea signed.

It was a fantastic event and I would like to thank Grace and the crew (Arrghhh!) from Bloomsbury for inviting me to take part. Thank you.

Spotlight: Dinosaur Pie by Jen Wallace and Alan O’Rourke

For Autism Acceptance Week on the 2nd – 8th April I am spotlighting this brilliant early reader book for children ages 6+, which is due for publication on the 18th April 2024 by Little Island Books.

Blurb

A hilarious and heart warming chapter book for readers aged 6+ about a boy with ADHD who is transformed into a dinosaur, with dynamic black-and-white illustrations throughout.

I’m Rory, sometimes Roary Rory, and this is the story of the weirdest week of my life. Well, the weirdest week so far. Probably. I mean the week I was born was probably quite weird for me. But, I don’t remember that. Thankfully. Anyway, SPOILER ALERT, this week’s weirdness starts on Monday, when I am accidentally turned into a dinosaur… Rory is having a weird week. A really weird week.

He has been turned into a ridiculous, small, feathered dinosaur. Pretty awkward.

Rory can’t use a human toilet. He can’t hold a video game controller in his little dino claws. His breath smells really bad. And his new carnivore body can’t stop craving sausages.

Rory finally gets his friends to take his embarrassing situation seriously, and together they embark on Operation Make Rory Human Again. But it’s not easy. Will Rory be stuck as a dinosaur forever?
Blurb for Dinosaur Pie by Jen Wallace and Alan O’Rourke

Heart-warming and funny, debut author Jen Wallace explores ADHD and celebrating difference in Dinosaur Pie. With illustrations by Alan O’Rourke, this is the perfect story for children moving on from picture books, ready to take the next step on their reading journey.

Extract

Jen says:

“This book started out as a cunning ploy to get my kids to eat their dinner (Is it really dinosaur pie, Mum?) Then it became a poem for a few years. It enjoyed that but then it began to dream of being a book. So it pestered me and pestered me and eventually I helped it become this book.”
Jen Wallace

My Thoughts:

Written from the point of view of Rory who has ADHD and a very limited attention span. I found I could relate to this book and Rory’s stream of thought. I enjoyed his interesting insights of his school, home life, friends and You Tube videos. I also liked the way Jen Wallace built in coping strategies into the narrative.

An ideal book for every child who has ever felt different from everyone else.

Jen Wallace writes stories and poetry, for both children and grown-ups. After being diagnosed with both ADHD and autism late in life, she loves to write neurodivergent characters so people like her can see themselves in books. She lives by the sea with her family and their cats, goats, chickens and rabbit. Jen has wanted to be a writer since she was very small, although she also wanted to be a superhero, a firefighter and the President of Ireland.

Alan O’Rourke Alan is tall. Very tall. He writes and illustrates children’s books. But that is a work in progress. The tallness is permanent. Hopefully. Alan lives with his family beside the sea in the northeast of Ireland. Find out more and subscribe at www.spoiltchild.com

Cover Reveal – Pierced by Silver by Anca Antoci

I have been invited today to take part in the cover reveal for Anca Antoci’s latest cosy paranormal mystery, Pierced by Silver.

But first let me tell you a little about the book.

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Title: Pierced by Silver

Series: Paranormal Misadventures #2

Genre: Cosy Paranormal Mystery

Release date: March 21st 2024

Pre-order: Yes

Kindle Unlimited: Yes

Here is the blurb:

“Where the boundaries blur between the living and the dead, the line between hero and monster is thin Deep in the heart of Transylvania, nestled amidst ancient forests and shrouded in centuries-old superstitions, lies the village of Vânători.

A string of gruesome murders has left the villagers terrified, and the authorities baffled. Joining forces are Ella Martin, a witch with a hidden past, Felix Goia, a brilliant but haunted police inspector, and Radu Lupu, a mysterious police captain whose supernatural nature has the potential to unravel everything.

As the bodies pile up and the villagers’ fear turns to rage, Ella, Felix, and Radu find themselves caught in a race against time. The locals suspect one of their own to be a strigoi – a relentless force that hungers for blood. They must uncover the truth behind the killings, whether it’s a human monster or a strigoi, before the village is consumed by darkness. However, their investigation takes a perilous twist when Radu, as a vârcolac, becomes the target of an unrelenting predator armed with silver tipped arrows.

With their strongest ally out of commission, Ella and Felix must hurry to save him and stop the killings before Vânători becomes a ghost town.”
Blurb for Pierced by Silver by Anca Antoci

And the moment you’ve all been waiting for… here is the cover for Anca Antoci’s latest novel in the Paranormal Misadventures series:

Based on Romanian folklore and mythology, the story follows the events of Midsummer Night’s Curse, but can also be read as a standalone.

Each book in this series features a new mystery that will be solved by the end of the story, but the dynamics between the characters may change and evolve, so I recommend that you read the books in order.

Amazon: https://amazon.com/gp/product/B0CT94BJ1Y…

Goodreads: https://goodreads.com/book/show/205957560-pierced-by-silver…

Fun fact: The wolf head on the cover is called Draco and was a religious and military symbol for the Dacians, an ancient people who inhabited what is now Romania and parts of surrounding countries (before we were conquered by the Romans 2000 years ago). It was a standard, typically made of bronze, that depicted a wolf head with an open mouth and a snake-like body.

The Draco held significant meaning for the Dacians in two ways: military and religious. It was mounted on a pole, carried by a standard bearer, and often displayed proudly during battles and religious ceremonies. The Draco played a crucial role in uniting Dacian warriors and intimidating enemies during battle. The wolf head contained metal tongues that vibrated in the wind, creating a howling sound resembling wolves or dragons. Its wind-borne howl served as a psychological weapon against the enemy, striking fear into their hearts.

The Draco also represented the Dacian pantheon, particularly the sky god Zalmoxis (serpent) and Gebeleizis (wolf). Both gods embodied power, protection, and connection to nature. Now, you may be wondering why I’m telling you all that. Since this is the second book in Paranormal Misadventures, I’ll assume you have already met police captain Radu Lupu (by the way, lupu means “the wolf” in Romanian and it’s a pretty common surname).

Just in case you haven’t finished Midsummer Night’s Curse, I’ll avoid spoilers. Let’s just say it’s relevant to the story. There’s actually a Dacian legend of the Great White Wolf I drew inspiration from. I hope you’ll enjoy the pieces of my culture and heritage I included in this story.

Like all Anca’s covers, this one too was designed by her husband, Florin.

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To see the cover reveal for Midsummer Night Curse the first book in the Paranormal Misadventures series take a look at: Cover Reveal – Midsummer Night Curse: Paranormal Misadventures.

Blog Tour: The Rat King by Emma Miles

I am shining a spotlight on The Rat King: The Rats of Letniv Volume One by Emma Miles as part of her blog tour.

The Rats of Letniv is a prequel to the Fire-Walker saga and Land Beneath the Sky companion books. This young adult, fantasy was published on 31st October 2023.

Blurb

Being the son of a Coven Lord is a far and desperate cry from luxury and safety. Every day Rothfel must prove he is worth the food his father puts on the table, and avoid the notice of Lord Atise’s brutal bodyguard, Bicken. When his only friend, a lowly slave, is cruelly taken from him, Rothfel finds himself alone in the sprawling, chaotic city of Letniv.

Yearning for friendship, love, and approval, he is offered a hand from the unlikeliest of places…

But who is really worth his loyalty?

Akimas Atise, his distant, cold, and terrifying father?

Golghen, the mysterious chameleon of Letniv city; king of liars, king of thieves?

Gentle, brave Leida; slave, concubine, descendant of the free women of the north?

Or Zephyr? Ghost, murderer, and devoted follower of the King of Rats.

Rothfel is only ten, but his choices, his love, his loyalty… will change the Land Beneath the Sky.
Blurb from The Rat King by Emma Miles

A Word from the Author

I often get asked when I knew I was a writer; the answer is always. A writer is what I am, it’s in my soul. There have been times in my life when I couldn’t write, and times when my writing has been the only thing that kept me going. I think I always longed for something deeper from life, something more meaningful, and I found it in my imagination and in the music of words.

It was poetry which first caught my attention, and whilst my younger cousins called for ghost stories it was animals I first wrote of. I think I gravitated toward fantasy because of the freedom it gives, I could create my own worlds and decide my own rules. My Wind’s Children trilogy was born from an image that came to me whilst daydreaming, of a young man sitting alone below a bridge. I didn’t know who he was; it turns out neither did he, but we found out together.

I’m now working on my seventh book and love writing more than ever, it’s an addiction, an obsession, but one I now share with my wonderful writing family. My beta readers, my editor, and you, my readers, having you with me on my journey means the world to me.

I write as much as I can around work, but I also try to squeeze in a ridiculous amount of hobbies! I’m a wildlife photographer and do a little archery. I paint, sculpt with clay, withies and driftwood, preferring to be outdoors if I can. I still have a love for the theatre, having started out in life studying backstage crafts, and a great love for language. I speak a little French, Romanian and Italian, ma non molto bene!

Thanks for reading this. If you read any of my books and love them, please come say hello and tell me, you’d be surprised at how much that means to an author.

Take care of yourself.

Em x

You can read reviews on Goodreads and Amazon.

I would like to thank Dave from The Write Reads for inviting me on tour to Noly for designing and creating the banner.

Spotlight – Granny was a Buffer Girl by Berlie Doherty

Granny was a Buffer Girl is set in industrial Sheffield from the 1930s to the 1980s. Three generations of Jess’s family tell her the heart-breaking and funny family stories and romances that bind them together. 11+ Carnegie medal, Boston Globe-Horn Honor.

A new edition of Granny Was a Buffer Girl will be published by UCLan in 2024. This book was the winner of the Carnegie Medal in 1986 and has been refreshed with an eye-catching new cover by Tamsin Rosewell.

Before leaving Sheffield for a year’s adventure in France, 18 year-old Jess joins a family gathering. They share stories that have bound them together through generations. Stories of heartbreak, humour and romance. She listens to the tale of her grandparents, whose love kept them together in spite of family conflicts; of her other granny Dorothy’s daily toil from the dirt and grime of the buffing wheel; and of her parents’ first meeting. And, of course, there’s Jess’s own story too.
Blurb for Granny was a Buffer Girl by Berlie Doherty

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.

To find out more about Berlie Doherty and her books take a look at her website: https://berliedoherty.com/

Spotlight – Children of Winter by Berlie Doherty

Children of Winter is a historical time-slip novel set in the Derbyshire village of Eyam. Three siblings have to survive alone in a barn during the Great Plague of 1666. They long to know what is happening down in their village.

Previously published by Catnip, November 2019 and originally published by Methuen, 1985 (HarperCollins paperback) a new edition of the much loved classic was published by UCLan on 2 November 2023. It was also available as a BBC Jackanory cassette, read by Sylvestra le Touzel, a video: Channel 4 schools Bookbox dramatisation and a BBC4 schools abridged reading.

Catherine and her family set out for her grandmother’s house deep in the Derbyshire hills. Sheltering from a storm in an old cruck barn with her younger sister and brother, it becomes strangely familiar to her, and she is drawn back to a time when three children sheltered all winter away from a terrible plague that was devastating their village. Written by a master storyteller, Children of Winter recreates the time when the tiny village of Eyam in Derbyshire cut itself off from the rest of England in 1666.
Blurb for Children of Winter by Berlie Doherty

Cover Art by Tamsin Rosewell.

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.

To find out more about Berlie Doherty and her books take a look at her website: https://berliedoherty.com

Spotlight – The Wild Robot Protects by Peter Brown

The enchanting new addition to the New York Times bestselling The Wild Robot series from award-winning author-illustrator Peter Brown, packed full of glorious illustrations. This heart warming and action-packed third book in the series, explores what happens when nature and technology collide.

This touching story of friendship and family is a modern day classic in the making.

Roz the robot has made an unlikely home for herself on an idyllic island dense with forests, wildflowers and friendly animal inhabitants – including her own young son Brightbill the gosling. Life on the island is perfect, until a dying seal washes ashore and warns of dangerous, cloudy waters that are flowing towards the island, bringing new dangers for the animals.

Forced inland they will have to fight over fewer resources – and Roz realises that she must march into the waves and undertake an incredible undersea adventure to find a way to protect her beloved island and all who live on it …
Blurb for The Wild Robot Protects by Peter Brown

Peter Brown is an author and illustrator of children’s books. His titles include New York Times bestsellers like The Wild Robot, The Curious Garden, Children Make Terrible Pets, and Mr. Tiger Goes Wild. Peter received a Caldecott Honor for his illustrations in the picture book Creepy Carrots!

Peter has always loved telling stories. Growing up in New Jersey, he told stories by drawing whimsical characters and scenes from his imagination. As a teenager, he fell in love with writing and began telling his tales with words. While studying illustration at Art Center College of Design, Peter’s love of both words and pictures led him to take several courses on children’s books, and before long he knew he’d found his calling.

After graduating from Art Center Peter moved to New York City to be closer to the publishing industry. He was working on animated TV shows when he signed a book deal to write and illustrate his first picture book, Flight of the Dodo. Peter quickly signed up his second and third books, and his career as an author and illustrator of children’s books was under way.

Since then Peter has written and illustrated many books for children and earned numerous honors, including a Caldecott Honor, a Horn Book Award, two E.B. White Awards, two E.B. White Honors, a Children’s Choice Award for Illustrator of the Year, two Irma Black Honors, a Golden Kite Award, a New York Times Best Illustrated Book Award and multiple New York Times bestsellers.

Blog Tour: The Haunting Scent of Poppies by Victoria Williamson

Today I am on the The Haunting Scent of Poppies by Victoria Williamson blog tour. My stop on the tour is a spotlight.

This short historical YA novella was published on the 1^st of December 2023 by Silver Thistle Press.

Blurb

A spine-chilling winter ghost story set in the months after the Great War. Perfect for lovers of MR James and Susan Hill

The War is over, but for petty criminal Charlie his darkest days are only just beginning.

Charlie Briggs is never off-duty, even when a botched job means he’s forced to lay low in a sleepy Hampshire town for the holiday season. Always searching for his next unwitting victim, or a shiny trinket he can pilfer, he can’t believe his luck when he happens upon a rare book so valuable it will set him up for life. All he needs to do is sit tight until Boxing Day. But there’s a desperate story that bleeds beyond the pages; something far more dangerous than London’s mobsters is lurking in the shadows.

Could the book be cursed? Why is he haunted by the horrors of war? Can he put things right before he’s suffocated by his own greed?
Blurb for The Haunting Scent of Poppies by Victoria Williamson

About the Author

Victoria Williamson is an award-winning author who grew up in Scotland surrounded by hills, books, and an historical farm estate which inspired many of her early adventure stories and spooky tales. After studying Physics at the University of Glasgow, she set out on her own real-life adventures, which included teaching maths and science in Cameroon, training teachers in Malawi, teaching English in China and working with children with additional support needs in the UK. Victoria currently works part time writing KS2 books for the education company Twinkl and spends the rest of her time writing novels, and visiting schools, libraries and literary festivals to give author talks and run creative writing workshops.

Victoria’s previous novels include The Fox Girl and the White Gazelle, The Boy with the Butterfly Mind, Hag Storm, and War of the Wind. She has won the Bolton Children’s Fiction Award 2020/2021, The YA-aldi Glasgow Secondary School Libraries Book Award 2023, and has been shortlisted for the Week Junior Book Awards 2023, The Leeds Book Awards 2023, the Red Book Award 2023, the James Reckitt Hull Book Awards 2021, The Trinity School Book Awards 2021, and longlisted for the ABA South Coast Book Awards 2023, the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2020, and the Branford Boase Award 2019.

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To read reviews of The Haunting Scent of Poppies by Victoria Williamson see Goodreads and Amazon.

You can read my reviews of a few of Victoria Williamson’s books here:

You can read my interview with Victoria Williamson about the writing of Norah’s Ark here: The Write Reads Ultimate Blog Tour – Norah’s Ark by Victoria Williamson.

You can see my spotlight on The Whistlers in the Dark by Victoria Williamson published by Scotland Street Press here: Blog Tour – The Whistlers in the Dark by Victoria Williamson.

You can find out more about Victoria’s books, school visits and upcoming events on her website: www.strangelymagical.com and follow her on X (formly known as Twitter) @strangelymagic

I would like to thank The Write Reads for inviting me to take part in this ultimate tour. Thank you.

A special thank you must also go to Victoria Williamson for sending me the wonderful book package.

The Opium Incense smells absolutely lovely. Thank you.

Spotlight – The King’s Coronation and the Kohinoor Diamond

Sisters and TV presenters Anthea and Wendy Turner have revived their successful writing partnership after almost three decades, relaunching their endearing tales of Underneath the Underground – with a modern twist.

The King’s Coronation and the Kohinoor Diamond is the first title in a brand new series of children’s stories set among the communities of mice living busily below the capital’s bustling Tube stops. The whole world was caught up with the Coronation of King Charles III on May 6, 2023 but now they’ll be able to learn the real story of what happened that day…

The story begins two weeks before the Coronation to find the British Asian mice at Hounslow Underground Station planning a fabulous party to celebrate the royal occasion.

But disaster strikes when a huge glitter ball spins around in the ballroom and fails to shine! Soon, a daring plan is made – to take the Kohinoor Diamond from the Royal Crown and add it to the glitter ball, making it sparkle and giving the diamond back to the Indian community, where it belongs. The mice work hard to replace the diamond with a piece of glass… but will King Charles and Queen Camilla notice?

Wendy said:

“We’ve absolutely loved writing about the wonderful mice of the London Underground once again. It’s been like catching up with a group of old friends and finding that you still have so much to say after all these years!

The King’s Coronation and the Kohinoor Diamond is a particularly special story because it’s completely up to date and will hopefully engage a whole new generation of young readers.”
Wendy Turner

To discover the true story of the Kohinoor Diamond take a look at: Smithsonian Magazine – The True Story of the Kohinoor Diamond.