Interview: Isabella Louise Anderson

Last Updated: 23 September 2024

It's my stop on the blog tour for Cards from Khloe's Flower Shop and I'm here to share a fun Q&A with the author, Isabella Louise Anderson, with you all. Enjoy!

Reading Round-Up: Jan/Feb 2018

Last Updated: 23 September 2024

The last two months have flashed by - I don't know about you, but I still feel like it's 2017!

I'm determined to meet my 50 books in 2018 challenge this year, so I've been doing my best to read as much as possible and squeeze a few pages in whenever I have a spare minute. I'm always busy and life has been even more hectic than normal recently, but things seem to be going in the right direction so far!

The Magic of Magic by Helen T. Norwood

Last Updated: 23 September 2024

When I was in the first year of primary school I remember myself and a group of friends spending our break-times trying to fly. We stood at the top of some concrete steps that lead on to the playground and then we jumped off and flapped our arms. Sometimes we got a little frustrated that it didn’t seem to be working. We decided that we weren’t flapping our arms hard enough or jumping high enough. As the bell rang to signal the end of break we would head for the classroom feeling slightly baffled that we hadn’t sussed it yet and vowing to try again at next break. I don’t remember it occurring to us that maybe it wasn’t working because it wasn’t possible. We assumed it was our own error and that we were doing something wrong.

Book Review: Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch

Last Updated: 23 September 2024

AD* | “I made the wrong choice.”

Lina is spending the summer in Tuscany, but she isn’t in the mood for Italy’s famous sunshine and fairy-tale landscape. She’s only there because it was her mother’s dying wish that she get to know her father. But what kind of father isn’t around for sixteen years? All Lina wants to do is get back home.

But then she is given a journal that her mom had kept when she lived in Italy. Suddenly Lina’s uncovering a magical world of secret romances, art, and hidden bakeries. A world that inspires Lina, along with the ever-so-charming Ren, to follow in her mother’s footsteps and unearth a secret that has been kept for far too long. It’s a secret that will change everything she knew about her mother, her father - and even herself.

People come to Italy for love and gelato, someone tells her, but sometimes they discover much more.

Interview: Rob Campbell

Last Updated: 23 September 2024

This morning, I'm pleased to welcome author Rob Campbell to The Writing Greyhound for a chat. From life and writing to his latest Young Adult mystery novel Monkey Arkwright, there's plenty to discover in my latest author interview!

A Sound, A Memory, A Place, A Time

Last Updated: 22 September 2024

What does the sound of a seagull mean to you?

To me, this is the sound of many different things. From pain and sadness to nostalgia and childhood memories, it's undeniable that this one simple sound carries a plethora of emotions and personal memories.

Creative Reading: How We Find Meaning in the Stories We Love by Jack Messenger

Last Updated: 22 September 2024

 

So many books, so little time.

Book Review: The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

Last Updated: 22 September 2024

Rachel catches the same commuter train every morning. She knows it will wait at the same signal each time, overlooking a row of back gardens. She's even started to feel like she knows the people who live in one of the houses. 'Jess and Jason', she calls them. Their life - as she sees it - is perfect. If only Rachel could be that happy. And then she sees something shocking. It's only a minute until the train moves on, but it's enough. Now everything's changed. Now Rachel has a chance to become a part of the lives she's only watched from afar. Now they'll see; she's much more than just the girl on the train...

Interview: Gregg Kuehn

Last Updated: 22 September 2024

Today I am thrilled to be welcoming author Gregg Kuehn to The Writing Greyhound for a chat about his life, his work, writing, and, of course, his novel The Seven Sorrows. Welcome to the blog, Gregg!

Interview: Sarah Bennett

Last Updated: 22 September 2024

It's my stop on the blog tour for Spring at Lavender Bay by Sarah Bennett, and to celebrate the occasion, I sat down for a chat and caught up with the author herself.

How to Find the Perfect Prom Dress

Last Updated: 22 September 2024

AD* | Prom - it's such an American event, but it's undoubtedly one that's gained a firm foothold here in the UK.

Bloggers such as myself are often asked to write about dressing for special occasions like weddings, but how often do you see bloggers posting about prom? It may not be a particularly big event in the grand scheme of things, but when you're a teenager about to finish school and head off into the big wide world, your school prom is a way of saying goodbye and finishing that chapter of your life before moving onto the next one. It's easy to forget just how scary leaving school can be, but it's something that we have all been through and everyone experiences at some point in their lives.

Book Review: Beck by Mal Peet

Last Updated: 22 September 2024

AD* | Both harrowing and life-affirming, the final novel from Carnegie Medal-winning author Mal Peet is the sweeping coming-of-age adventure of a mixed-race boy transported to North America.

Born from a street liaison between a poor young woman and an African soldier in the 1900s, Beck is soon orphaned and sent to the Catholic Brothers in Canada. Shipped to work on a farm, his escape takes him across the continent in a search for belonging. Enduring abuse and many hardships, Beck has times of comfort and encouragement, eventually finding Grace, the woman with whom he can finally forge his life and shape his destiny as a young man. A picaresque novel set during the Depression as experienced by a young black man, it depicts great pain but has an uplifting and inspiring conclusion.

Interview: Rebecca Rosenberg

Last Updated: 22 September 2024

This morning, I'm happy to be welcoming author Rebecca Rosenburg to The Writing Greyhound ahead of the release of her latest novel The Secret Life of Mrs London. Read on to find out all about her writing process, inspiration, research and, of course, the book itself!

Magic and Mob Mentality by Jeffrey Bardwell

Last Updated: 22 September 2024

Sorcery, wizardry, magic... call it what you will, but such powers are rarely subtle in the realm of fiction, unlike the realm of reality where almost everything is hidden and obscured by misdirection. A powerful wizard with bristling beard and tall staff will rain fire from the sky. A street performer in a top hat will conjure flames from his fingertips. These are the polar ends of a gradient of effects, of course. Nothing prevents a stage act from being bombastic or a wizard’s staff emitting a quiet glow in lieu of crackling flames. The result is the same among the gathered mob: awe and the persistent question, what just happened?

Unique Valentine's Day Gifts for the Person You Love

Last Updated: 22 September 2024

Valentine's Day is fast approaching, and with under two weeks left until the big day, it's time to start thinking about what you want to buy for your loved one this year. Whether it's your first Valentine's Day together or you're hoping to inject some romance into a long-lasting relationship, there's no need to panic - The Writing Greyhound has got you covered!

So, no matter your partner's interests and personal preferences, I've put together a handy gift guide featuring some of my favourite gifts out there this year. With budget-friendly choices and some quirkier options, there's bound to be something to suit everyone!

Interview: Rachel Lynch

Last Updated: 20 September 2024

Today, I'm thrilled to be taking part in the blog tour for Dark Game by Rachel Lynch, published by Canelo. Read on for my exclusive Q&A with the author herself!