The Growing Season by Helen Sedgwick

Description

Now we have equality. Now we’ve outgrown our biology. With FullLife’s baby pouch, women are liberated and men can share the joy of childbearing. Holly’s whole family knows the benefits, but Eva doesn’t believe society has changed for the better and Piotr has uncovered a secret behind FullLife’s glossy facade. What separates them may just bring them together, as they search for the truth about FullLife and each face a truth of their own.

Review.

I was sent a review copy of this book from the author and it’s a book that I knew was slightly out of my comfort zone, but had a feeling I’d enjoy.

I was not disappointed.

Helen Sedgwick backs up what could have been in other hands a simple black and white scientific discussion. Until you involve people who have real issues, feelings and emotions. The characters all have their reasons for believing their standpoint at the beginning. At the end some views are changed and others are softened or just more open to seeing what is going wrong around them.

It brings to mind echoes of Brave New World and serves as a warning to not only look before we dive into “better” futures but keep checking on what our world turns into and give open choices. Sometimes what appears dead and outdated is, though frequently it’s a stark reminder that although new things work not all older ideas should be thrown away.

Excellent read Helen Sedgwick

I make no apology for starting the blog with a book from a few years ago. I am always finding books new to me, and also read new release books. This book is one of those that sticks with me, haunting me with it’s possible ways for the world to go in the race for a more evolved future and like every future move has drawbacks and advantages. The more we hear from scientists and breakthroughs I’m brought back to this book and the insight of Helen and other scientists who look beyond the obvious.

If you haven’t yet read this book buy it as soon as you can. If you have, feel free to let me know your thoughts. I’m sure I don’t need to ask, but whatever your opinion now or in the future by all means be honest, but always be kind. 🙂

Helen can be found on Twitter at @HelenSedgwick

 

 

Broken Flowers by Kate McQuaile

The Blurb

The Author

Kate McQuaile is a graduate of the Faber novel-writing course. She lives in London and works as a journalist, but is originally from Drogheda in Ireland.

Kate’s mastery lies in writing flawed characters in an intricate way and weaving very in depth plots around them!

The Review

Where exactly can I start? This is a tale told over the span of 40 years. Explanations from then to now from both main characters.

Could I say I like either character? No. They are both hiding a lot from everyone. Both seem to remember events that shape them from that night forward in a very different way. If these people were stood up in a court of law (this isn’t a spoiler do read this!), I’d be unsure about who to believe.

A very talented psychological thriller that delves deep into people, memories, revenge and how love and hate can entertains, sometimes with disastrous results.

A twisty, twisted roller coaster of a ride which is deeply, darkly addictive.

Thanks to the author and to Quercus for supplying this ARC.

Make sure you read this one!

@KateMcQuaile @QuercusBooks @katyaellis_

The Women Writers Handbook Ed. Ann Sandham

A revised edition of the publisher’s inaugural publication in 1990 which won the Pandora Award from Women-in-Publishing. Inspirational in its original format, this new edition offers insight and motivation for budding writers from dozens of distinguished authors, celebrating the breadth of women’s writing in all its forms. Also includes the original writing workshops from the first edition plus quirky B/W illustrations as well as a foreword by Cheryl Robson, publisher and Managing Editor, who was a recent finalist in the ITV National Diversity Awards – Lifetime Achievement category. Aurora Metro Books was a finalist in the 2019 IPG Diversity in Publishing Awards and has a 30 year history of ground-breaking publishing, featuring both diverse and international authors.

 The complete list of contributors: 

A.S. Byatt, Saskia Calliste, April De Angelis, Kit de Waal, Carol Ann Duffy, Sian Evans, Philippa Gregory, Mary Hamer, Jackie Kay, Shuchi Kothari, Bryony Lavery, Annee Lawrence, Roseanne Liang, Suchen Christine Lim, Jackie McCarrick, Laura Miles, Raman Mundair, Magda Oldziejewska, Kaite O’Reilly, Jacqueline Pepall, Gabi Reigh, Djamila Ribeiro, Fiona Rintoul, Jasvinder Sanghera, Anne Sebba, Kalista Sy, Debbie Taylor, Madeleine Thien, Claire Tomalin, Ida Vitale, Sarah Waters, Emma Woolf

A wide-ranging collection of over 30 essays, poems and interviews from top, international women writers, poets, screen writers and journalists. 

20% of profits to go to the Virginia Woolf statue campaign.

The Virginia Woolf statue campaign: The proposed statue will be located in Richmond on Thames where Virginia and Leonard Woolf lived from 1914-1924 and set up the Hogarth Press. A public consultation by the local council was 83% in favour of the statue and planning permission has been granted to site the first life-size statue in bronze of the famous author on Richmond riverside where the author walked her dog daily. Over 20% of the £50,000 target has been raised so far. 

See more at: https://www.aurorametro.org/virginia-woolf-statue

To donate to the project go here: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/charityweb/charity/displayCharityCampaignPage.action?charityCampaignUrl=VirginiaWoolfStatue

Buy Link 

https://amzn.to/3djPWvD

Review

What a fantastic wee book! It’s got so many views from different female authors, and their experiences in the world of writing. It gives us an idea of the inequality in the writing world that still persists today.

This is not a book full of doom and gloom. It’s help, tips and advice from female authors and even talks about writing workshops.

It’ll be popular with those who are published and wanting to be published alike. Personally, I can see myself returning to this book for hints and tips on writing. I’d say anyone starting out in writing would benefit from this as it could give valuable information for not only a beginner, but those already breaking into writing.

Daughters of Cornwall by Fern Britton

The Blurb The new book from the Sunday Times bestselling author. 1918 The Great War is over, and Clara Carter has boarded a train bound for Cornwall …

Daughters of Cornwall by Fern Britton

Curse The Day by Judith O’Reilly

The Blurb At a global tech gala hosted at the British Museum, scientist Tobias Hawke is due to unveil an astonishing breakthrough. His AI system …

Curse The Day by Judith O’Reilly

Older and Wider by Jenny Eclair

The Blurb

Ladies, just remember, you’re not alone. There’s millions of us and we’re all in this leaky old boat together.

The Author (in her own words)

Jenny Eclair, has been a stand up comic for Donkeys’ years, she was the first woman to win the coveted Perrier Award and hasn’t stopped banging on about it ever since. She still gigs regularly and is on tour around the UK with her new show How To be A Middle Aged Woman (Without Going Insane).

Some of you might recognize her from tv, small screen highlights include, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here, the ‘Grumpy Old Women’ series, plus the ‘Grumpy Guides’, ‘Grumpy Holidays’ and ‘It’s Grim up North’. She also occasionally crops up on day time telly and gets very excited about doing things like This Morning and Loose Women.

Other West End theatre credits include ‘Steaming’, ‘Mum’s the Word’ and ‘The Vagina Monologues’. Most recently she appeared in the title role of ‘The Killing of Sister George’ for the Derby Playhouse, unfortunately she spent the entire time she was on stage looking like a fat Margaret Thatcher.

The review

I laughed so much reading this. Not only at the sheer comedy, but it’s true. All of it. There’s so many books on how to sail through menopause and emerge like you’re 30 years younger. I’ve never had the urge to go back in time and be a pretend version of myself.

Jenny hits the nail on the head. For a start, menopause was like a dirty word with my mum, who still thinks gritting my teeth and mentioning it is shocking. And the thought that I say it in front of any man…the scandal. I should be quiet and keep it to myself and suffer in silence.

The first (female) doctor I mentioned things to was fairly newly qualified, patted me on the hand with a “we have to put up with it, dear” I wanted to deck her. I walked out angry, in tears before I got home, a snivelling angry mess.

Second (male) doctor was a gem. He talked me through options and HRT was prescribed. He also pointed me to some helpful sites.

I bought books which I found patronising in their “we are joy and strength ” attitudes and nobody seemed angry, tearful, or vaguely bloody normal. Nobody wanted to discuss it. At all.

This is the single most refreshing, honest, brutal but hopeful look at menopause. Written with typical frank, funny language. It mentions things the airy fairy books forget. Like you may want to try more than one remedy/HRT. Your skin might feel like old sandpaper.

I can only say to Jenny Eclair, a huge fat menopausal thank you. For your honesty and humour. This should be on every woman’s bookshelf. If you aren’t menopausal you’re likely to know a woman who is and she could probably do with understanding.

Thanks to Jenny Eclair, Hannah Robertson and Quercus Books for the ARC.

The Eliza Doll by Tracey Scott-Townsend

COVER REVEAL!!

Finally it’s here the cover reveal for the Eliza Doll. Isn’t it ethereal and lovely?

Ellie lives in a campervan with her dog, Jack, selling her handmade dolls at craft fairs. There is one doll that she can’t bear to finish until she comes to terms with the truth of what has happened.

The Eliza Doll is an uncompromising family drama about upheaval, off-grid living and living on the dole in 1980s England.

Set in East Yorkshire and Iceland from the eighties to the present.

About the Author

Tracey-Scott-Townsend is the author of six novels — the most recent The Vagabond Mother (January 2020) and Sea Babies (May 2019) — all published by Wild Pressed Books and Inspired Quill Publishing. Reviews often describe her novels as poetic or painterly.

She is also a poet and a visual artist. She has a Fine Art MA and a BA (Hons) Visual Studies. She has exhibited paintings throughout the UK (as Tracey Scott). She has a long career as a workshop facilitator with community groups and in schools.

Tracey is co-director of an up-and-coming small independent publisher, Wild Pressed Books, which has a growing roster of authors and poets.

Mother of four grown-up children, Tracey spends as much time as possible travelling the UK and Europe in a camper van with her husband and two dogs, writing and editing while on the road. 

Twitter/Blog Header Tags

The Eliza Doll by Tracey Scott – Townsend @Wildpressed @lovebooksgroup #lovebookstours 

Instagram Tags

The Eliza Doll by Tracey Scott – Townsend @authortrace@Wildpressedbooks  @lovebookstours 

Buy Link 

http://www.wildpressedbooks.com/the-eliza-doll.html

The Eliza Doll by Tracey Scott – Townsend

Twitter/Blog Header Tags

The Eliza Doll by Tracey Scott – Townsend @Wildpressed @lovebooksgroup #lovebookstours 

Instagram Tags

The Eliza Doll by Tracey Scott – Townsend @authortrace@Wildpressedbooks  @lovebookstours 

Before I die by Jackie Morrissey

Description

Her smile is the last thing you’ll ever see.

Maureen might be getting on in years but she’s fiercely independent and smart as a whip. 

But when she falls and injures her ankle, her daughter Alva is convinced Maureen can no longer take care of herself and is determined to get her some help – which comes in the shape of local caregiver, Dolores. 

Maureen tries to say no, she’s fine on her own, but it’s not so easy to get rid of Dolores. She seems to be everywhere, poking her nose into every corner of Maureen’s life, implying to Alva that her mother is getting senile and will soon need constant care. 

Maureen feels as if she’s under siege 24/7. And she knows in her heart that there’s something not right about Dolores… But no-one will listen. 

Then one of Dolores’s other charges dies in mysterious circumstances and Maureen realises she may be fighting for a lot more than her independence. 

Because once Dolores has you in her care, death may seem like a sweet release.

The stunning psychological thriller , perfect for fans of K. L. Slater, Teresa Driscoll, and Andrew Hart.

About the Author

The Review

The story begins a little slowly for me. However, the characters are all multi faceted and believable.

I can’t say I liked Dolores and I found her overbearing from the off. The fact that I wanted to warn the elderly folk about this woman’s intentions was to the authors credit. Her skill at portraying the antagonist as a person who people don’t like but people can’t seem to put their finger on why, is to her credit.

I’ve read a few stories in this genre of angel of death/mercy etc. While it was enjoyable enough, and is a good story with a decent plot, it’s not my favourite either.

Daughters of Cornwall by Fern Britton

The Blurb

The new book from the Sunday Times bestselling author.

1918

The Great War is over, and Clara Carter has boarded a train bound for Cornwall – to meet a family that would once have been hers. But they must never discover her secret….

2020.

Caroline has spent years trying to uncover the lies buried in her family history. And once she arrives in Cornwall, the truth finally seems to be in reach. Except with storm clouds gathering on the horizon, Caroline soon learns that some secrets are best left hidden…

The Author

Fern’s warmth, humour, empathy and compassion have made her incredibly popular and she has become a much sought after presenter.

In 2008 Fern released her autobiography Fern: My Story, which was a huge bestseller.

Fern is deeply committed to a number of charities, in particular those working with and for women, children and childbirth.

Review

What a beautiful novel. A story about people, love, hope , trust and the lies that divide and bind them. Things that don’t only affect the here and now, but have effects on future lives of the people around them. It’s written from multiple viewpoints which draws you in deeply from the beginning. This is a fantastic read. Sensitive, honest and this story will stay with me for a long time. Possibly because it shines a light on the frequently unspoken topic of babies born in wartime and their fates. This delved deep and I’d recommend it to anyone for an interesting, emotional and informative read.

Thanks to @ThePigeonholeHQ @Fern_Britton and @HarperFiction

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fern-Britton-Untitled-Book-2/dp/0008225257/ref=nodl_

https://www.fern-britton.com/

@Fern_Britton

Bedlam by LJ Ross

The blurb

In a world gone mad, who can you trust?

Fresh from a high-profile case in the Paris fashion world, elite forensic psychologist and criminal profiler Dr Alexander Gregory receives a call from the FBI. The wife of a notorious criminal has been admitted to a private psychiatric hospital and can no longer testify in his upcoming trial. Without her, their case will collapse but, amidst reports that the staff are as unpredictable as their patients, who can the police trust?

In desperation, they turn to an outsider and now Gregory must find the courage to step inside the fortified walls of Buchanan Hospital to uncover the truth. The question is, will he ever be the same again?

Murder and mystery are peppered with dark humour in this fast-paced thriller set amidst the spectacular Catskill Forest.

About the author

LJ Ross is an international bestselling author, best known for creating atmospheric mystery and thriller novels, including the DCI Ryan series of Northumbrian murder mysteries which have sold over four million copies worldwide.

Her debut, Holy Island, was released in January 2015 and reached number one in the Amazon UK and Australian charts. Since then, she has released a further sixteen novels, all of which have been top three global bestsellers and fourteen of which have been UK #1 bestsellers. Louise has garnered an army of loyal readers through her storytelling and, thanks to them, several of her books reached the coveted spot whilst only available to pre-order ahead of release. Her eleventh novel, The Infirmary, is a prequel story and is also available as a major Audible Originals audio-drama starring Tom Bateman, Kevin Whately, Bertie Carvel, Hermione Norris and Alun Armstrong.

In addition to her DCI Ryan series, Louise has created a new series of thriller novels based around the central character of ‘Dr Alexander Gregory’, whose work as a psychological profiler takes him around the world. The first two books, Impostor and Hysteria, were both #1 bestsellers and were narrated in audio by the actor Hugh Dancy. She is also writing several standalone romantic suspense novels featuring strong female protagonists which will be available in 2020.

The Review

I love the new Alexander Gregory book. In a clever plot LJ Ross forces the psychological profiler to face some of his past demons, as we see Gregory put in an impossible position, where looking at his painful past and the possibility of a future, different from the own he has forged may become a reality.

Alexander Gregory is a complex creation, brought to life skilfully from the pen of LJ Ross.

I love that he’s being unwrapped layer by layer and he is a compelling character.

This book had me on the edge of my seat reading it. It was the type of book I love, in the I will not sleep until I know what happens and if everything works out, or doesn’t. As in life the appeal of the books of LJ Ross lies in her ability to have characters who have bad things happen and things aren’t always as they seem. Her writing just gets better and better.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1912310538/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1591552916&sr=8-2

Call for submissions!!

Do you have a novel or novella fitting the criteria below?

We are looking for most types of crime and thriller fiction, from the classic English whodunit through to police procedurals, or classic noir through to mind-bending psychological thrillers. Maybe you want to introduce us to a dystopian future. We want well-written, satisfying work – a good twist and convincing characters are the ways to our hearts. It may be cosy and comfortable or dark and disturbing… or something completely different.

If you have a completed novel or novella which you believe may fit, then send us:

1) The first fifty pages of your work.

2) A synopsis of your work (maximum two pages).

3) A covering letter with a brief overview – we do NOT need you to do a brilliant ‘pitch’ or the kind of blurb which would go on the back of the book. The basic story, main character(s) and the general themes is all we need.

These documents should be Word Documents, size 12 in a standard font, with a line spacing of 1.5.

Please email us at pmpress@hhousebooks.com and address them to the Editor Phaidra Robinson.

We are a Kindle-First imprint of Holland House Books that specialises in crime, thriller and dystopian fiction. Phaidra Robinson and Mia Skevington set up PM Press in April 2020 in order to pursue their respective loves of true crime and detective fiction. Our background of Literary Fiction at Holland House Books means that we bring an expectation of and experience in producing high quality books to these genres. An inaugural imprint, this is the time for authors to submit their work for the chance to be one of our founding book releases.

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