Reading Round-Up: May/June 2018

Last Updated: 07 October 2024

I don't know about you, but I can't believe we're halfway through 2018 already! After a good start to the year, my reading hit a dramatic slump around March and April when we were moving house. But did things pick up again in May and June? Read on to find out!

My First Experience Watching Anime

Last Updated: 07 October 2024

Confession time - up until very recently, I didn't know the difference between manga and anime.

(For anyone else reading this who is unsure of the difference, anime is an animation whereas manga is usually a comic or graphic novel).

My tastes are usually pretty varied when it comes to entertainment (for instance, just look at the sheer variety of books I read and genres of music I enjoy) but when it comes to film and TV, there are certain genres that I know I enjoy and therefore don't often stray from.

Inspiration for Writing the Haunting of Mount Cod by Nicky Stratton

Last Updated: 07 October 2024

I found my grandmother’s Women’s Voluntary Service badge in an old oriental box she left me. When I told my mother about it, she said, ‘Meals on Wheels’ and showed me her own badge – by then it was the WRVS. I joined my local branch, now plain RVS, and delivered meals for over 10 years until it was taken over by the local authority and so now I have a collection of 3 badges.

During my time volunteering, I met a huge range of mostly elderly and always incredibly grateful recipients and the thing I noticed was that while the food was disgusting, they were always delighted to see me. They were all stoic, delightful, humorous but lonely.

Book Review: Dead... If Only by Heather Haven

Last Updated: 07 October 2024

AD* | A man who should be dead isn’t and Lee Alvarez’s very pregnant sister-in-law, Vicki, is about to be charged with a murder he recently committed in the Big Easy. Aided by the rest of the Alvarez Family, Palo Alto’s favourite P.I. kicks the Voodoo in the Who Do throughout New Orleans. With only three days to clear Vicki’s name, a child is kidnapped, two more people wind up dead, a hurricane hits, and the clock never stops ticking...

Interview: Jennifer L. Cahill

Last Updated: 07 October 2024

It's my stop on the One? blog tour today and I'm welcoming author Jennifer L. Cahill to The Writing Greyhound!

Gig Review: Ed Sheeran at Wembley Stadium 2018

Last Updated: 04 October 2024

With three chart-topping albums under his belt and an MBE to his name, Ed Sheeran is arguably one of the biggest musicians in the world right now. Coming to his Divide tour straight off the back of the album of the same name, Suffolk-raised Sheeran has every right to be pleased about his musical success - something which is certainly not showing any signs of slowing down any time soon!

Meet Sandra: A Hero Behind the Scenes of Disco Sour by Giuseppe Porcaro

Last Updated: 04 October 2024

Disco Sour is a novel that explores how technology is changing why we vote, who we love and how we live. Set in a parallel timeline where Europe is hit by a civil war, it revolves around the story of Bastian, a dating app-addicted politician, who embarks on an existential odyssey to save democracy.

Interview: Jeff Dawson

Last Updated: 04 October 2024

It's my stop on the blog tour for No Ordinary Killing by Jeff Dawson and I'm super excited to be sharing an exclusive interview! Keep on reading to discover more.

Interview: Dawn Barker

Last Updated: 04 October 2024

It's my stop on the More Than Us blog tour and I'm stoked to be welcoming author Dawn Barker to The Writing Greyhound!

First of all, thank you for having me on your blog today! 

Living with Glandular Fever

Last Updated: 04 October 2024

Last summer, I got glandular fever.

Now, almost a year later, I've decided to share my experience of the illness in the hope of raising awareness and helping out anyone else reading this who may also be suffering from it.

Before I get into the post, I should first point out that I am not a doctor or qualified medical professional - all I can do is share my own thoughts and experiences. If you are worried about your health or think that you could have glandular fever, I'd urge you to book an appointment with your GP as soon as possible.

An Open Letter from Fantasy Author Mark Morrison

Last Updated: 04 October 2024

Hello readers,

I'm Mark Morrison, first-time author of a young adult fantasy action adventure. It's titled TwoSpells, a fantastically magical tale involving teenage twins, Sarah and Jon. They find out that they're heirs to an ancient magical realm built around an enchanted library created for their special kind, Irregulars. All the books on its shelves can transport a reader to anywhere or anytime the author has written into that particular story. The children quickly learn that travelling the uncharted inner-sanctums of multidimensional worlds may not be the safest nor wisest of choices.

Book Review: Generation One by Pittacus Lore

Last Updated: 04 October 2024

It has been over a year since the invasion of Earth was thwarted in Pittacus Lore's United as One. But in order to win, our alien allies known as the Garde unleashed their Loric energy that spread throughout the globe. Now human teenagers have begun to develop incredible powers of their own, known as Legacies.

To help these incredible and potentially dangerous individuals - and put the world at ease - the Garde have created an academy where they can train this new generation to control their powers and hopefully one day help mankind. But not everyone thinks that's the best use of their talents. And the teens may need to use their Legacies sooner than they ever imagined.

Interview: Cy Young

Last Updated: 04 October 2024

For this week's author interview, I am pleased to welcome Young Adult author Cy Young to The Writing Greyhound. Keep reading to learn more about Cy and Onions, his novel.

Chocolate Puns in the Post with Morse Toad

Last Updated: 04 October 2024

AD* | Chocolate, puns and gifts - a winning combination guaranteed to put a smile on that special someone's face!

Whether it's a friend, family member, colleague or loved one, sometimes we all need to express that all-important sentiment in an extra special way. Luckily, that's where Morse Toad comes in.

Interview: Rachel Burton

Last Updated: 04 October 2024

It's my stop on The Things We Need to Say blog tour and I'm thrilled to be welcoming author Rachel Burton to The Writing Greyhound! Keep reading to learn more about Rachel, her writing, and the book.

Getting to Grips with Blogger Outreach

Last Updated: 27 September 2024

AD* | Blogger outreach is a means of linking brands, bloggers, and consumers to create content that is relevant, insightful and meaningful for all three parties. Although it may initially sound complicated, the truth is that more and more brands and businesses are beginning to recognise the importance of blogger outreach and the essential role that influencers can play when it comes to the online success of businesses and organisations in the digital age.

Interview: Justin Enos

Last Updated: 27 September 2024

Will you join me in welcoming fantasy author Justin Enos to The Writing Greyhound? Here to chat about his writing, his inspiration, and his novel From Wrath to Ruin, Justin has plenty to share with you all!

What Summer Means to Me

Last Updated: 27 September 2024

How has it been three months since I last did a seasonal update? Spring has come and gone and before we know it, we'll be halfway through the year. Maybe it's just because I've been so busy, but 2018 seems to be absolutely flying by!

So, now that summer is here at last (or as much of a summer as the great British weather will allow us this year) it's time for another of these updates. Each changing season will mean different things to everyone, but just what exactly does summer mean to The Writing Greyhound?

The Reality of Becoming a Homeowner at 23

Last Updated: 27 September 2024

I have been a homeowner for two and a half months and have lived in the house I own for almost two of those months.

Although it's a big sense of achievement to me personally, that statement is unlikely to be anything particularly special to those who don't know me. However, when you consider my age, things seem to change.

Yes, that's right, I became a legal homeowner at the age of just 23.