Book Review: Breastfeeding Older Children by Ann Sinnott

Here is my review of the book Breastfeeding Older Children by Ann Sinnott:

I borrowed this book from a friend when we talked about my continued breastfeeding of my now 2 year-old daughter. When she was born I had no specific plan for continued breastfeeding, although I realised it was not something that is encouraged in Western society. Reading this book gave me an insight into aspects of breastfeeding that I hadn’t really considered, and I liked the positive and thorough representation throughout. There were lots of quotes from parents about their own experiences of sustained breastfeeding, although I sometimes felt there were a few too many within a chapter or section. Overall I really liked this book, and I recommend it to all parents that are either currently breastfeeding or wondering whether to breastfeed their children. It is easy to read, it gives lots of information and further reading suggestions, but it does not seek to coerce parents towards breastfeeding as opposed to bottle feeding.

Review: Trails of Love I Crawl, Part 2 by Ciaran Dwynvil

I recently read Trails of Love I Crawl, part 2 by Ciaran Dwynvil. Here is my review.

I have mixed feelings after reading this book. In the beginning I really enjoyed the prose, the use of language, and the classic romanticism of the whole story. I knew it was a gay erotic novel, and truthfully it is the first of its kind that I have read. Perhaps that is where my mixed feelings came from. I enjoyed the romance and the love story, although I feel that there could have been more emphasis on the passion between Victor and his lover. I certainly felt Amadee’s pain and torment, and I was intrigued with Belial. I recommend this novel if you like something that pushes the boundaries of convention, but be warned, there are some explicitly unpleasant physical scenes that made for very uncomfortable reading.

Aside from the book review, I would just like to recommend Ciaran Dwynvil’s blog website. Ciaran has a wonderful aptitude for prose, and every blog post is a delight for those who appreciate reading in the ‘old fashioned’ sense. Take a look, and you will see what I mean… 

Book Review: Wytchfae Runes by Flossie Benton Rogers

I have recently read the debut paranormal romance novel from Flossie Benton Rogers. Here is my review of Wytchfae Runes:

I have been following this author on her blog for a while now, and so I began reading the novel with excited anticipation, after reading several tantalising snippets online. I wasn’t disappointed! The story moved quickly in a practical manner. The heroine, Kelly, is totally down-to-earth while still displaying her magical abilities. And as for the Viking ghost, Ingvar… Wow! Let’s just say, he will stir some excitement from an appreciative reader!

It isn’t all about sex and magic, however. The novel very smartly introduces some ancient folklore and characters based on traditional myths, which I really liked. I can see the author developing a very successful series after reading this book, and I recommend Wytchfae Runes to all fans of popular Urban Fantasy and contemporary dark romance.

Book Review: Signs of Destiny by C. Michael Bennis

Today I have the pleasure of sharing a book review for the very intriguing Signs of Destiny by C. Michael Bennis.

Signs of Destiny is a passionate story of love, survival and the incredible power of the human spirit.

When I first opened this book I was quite excited to see that the prologue was set in Liverpool, UK in 1967. Anyone from the UK will understand the importance of this time period and this particular location, even those like myself who were not born until a few decades later! I was, however, a little confused in the beginning. I’m not sure if it was intentional, but I struggled to connect with the characters we were introduced to, and I felt very hostile towards Alison after I read a little of her story (don’t worry, I won’t spoil it for you!). Anyway the confusion continued probably for the first three chapters, but then something clicked.

I began to feel an emotional connection with the protagonist, Rafael Valverde, and I was left wondering just how the prologue fitted into the rest of the story, which was set mainly in Madrid. It kept me hooked and needing to know more. The story is written based on true-life experiences from the author, and he pours his passion into the words. The novel is both poetic and dramatic, while still believably human.  It touches on issues that we as a culture are uncomfortable with, such as sickness, infidelity, and the human ego. This novel is both romantic and rough, and for that reason I highly recommend it.

Book Review: Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness

Here is my book review of Shadow of Night, the sequel to A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness.

I loved this book! It is an epic tome, but well worth taking the time to read. After A Discovery of Witches, I couldn’t wait to get hold of the sequel. I have to admit it seemed a bit slow to take off.  I almost got bored of it, but not so badly that I gave up reading. Once I was able to dedicate some proper time to immerse myself in it, I became lost in the world traversed by witch Diana Bishop and her vampire husband Matthew, a man of many secrets and as many alter egos. I loved the description of Elizabethan England and the intrigue of international politics and religion at the time. The book finished at the beginning of a new journey, and now I look forward to the next instalment. If you want to know more about real witches, you have to read this!

Book Review: Tapping the Power Within by Iyanla Vanzant

Here is my review of the spiritual non-fiction book, Tapping the Power Within: A Path to Self Empowerment for Women.

This book was written by Iyanla Vanzant, who is a Yoruba priestess and an ordained minister in Christian New Thought. I found the book very easy to read, and her tone was informal and inspirational. She is basically a human just like the rest of us, who has had unique experiences throughout her life that have shaped her spiritual beliefs and general attitude. The book was helpful in making me realize that my own spiritual journey runs alongside my daily life, and on many occasions interconnects with it. I came away with renewed determination and vigour, and I admire Vanzant for her frank accounts of life in describing how other people can learn to help themselves to be happier and more fulfilled.

You can see my article A Book that Brought my Spiritual Life into Perspective over on my personal blog.

Review: Bounty Hunter - Kate Lynd

Here is a review for the sci-fi novel Bounty Hunter by Kate Lynd:

Tough, gruff and passionate!

It has been a while since I read sci-fi, and so I was pleasantly surprised when I enjoyed this story. There is no messing in this narrative. We are thrown straight into the depths of adventure, meeting both the heroes and villains almost immediately. I liked the fast pace of this novel, and the story is well described. You really feel the passion with the characters, and I feel a personal connection to Logan Mitchell, in that I really wanted to offer him some comfort! That said, I think this book could have benefited from some fleshing out towards the end. It felt a bit rushed, as though the author was desperate to give us the conclusion and forgot that the reader might not be so familiar with the futuristic setting and character traits. All in all, I recommend this novel to anybody who enjoys a bit of rough and ready romance. It is very adult, and it is mostly a believable plot.  

Halloween Book Review - Whitby Vampyrrhic by Simon Clark

This book is a good old fashioned British horror story, and a brilliant Halloween read!

I cannot believe I didn’t know about this book before. I came across it by chance in my local library, and I really enjoyed it. The story is set during World War 2, and I love the contrast between the horrific vampire creatures that terrorize Whitby, and the armies who fight in the skies above. It is an interesting version of social commentary, and has echoes of classic vampire stories from the late 19th century. There is no romance in this book, and the creatures are gruesome, but I recommend it to everyone.

Review - The Mark of a Druid by Rhonda Carpenter

I recently read The Mark of a Druid by Rhonda Carpenter after downloading the free Kindle version that is currently available. Here is my review:

I really enjoyed this book! At the beginning I struggled to get involved. There are lots of characters, and I became very confused trying to decipher their connections and relationships. This isn’t helped by the fact that the story revolves around past lives, regression, and people remembering themselves in different eras. My advice is to stick with it, because once you get half way through, you will be hooked! I loved the historical references, because it resonated with me personally, as it will to anybody who feels drawn to Celtic heritage and ancient folklore. It is different to anything I have read before, and I am very impressed with the author and the way she wove a very difficult story into something entertaining and absorbing. Try it for yourself!

Book Review - Grimm's Fairies by Nukiuk

Here is my review of a non-fiction book about the mythology of the fairies popularized in European folk tales:

I enjoyed the theme of this non-fiction book, and its content was interesting and carefully researched. I can tell that the author is passionate about fairies and fairy stories, and this was evident in the text. The only problem I found was that when I read notes at the end of each chapter taken from the original Grimm stories, I struggled to understand the language. In many cases it seemed to have been directly quoted, with no explanation from this author and no attempt to translate it into contemporary English language. As a result I began to lose interest in some parts of the book, but overall I enjoyed it and I could look beyond these slight imperfections. For an individual who has an interest in fairies, fairy tales, folklore and mythology, this is a must-read book.

If you are interested, you can purchase it on Amazon.

Advice for New Writers

I would like to recommend a website for writers who are looking for a community that will offer feedback and support for their work. Write and Share is a UK based website that has grown at an incredible rate during the last twelve months. I have been with them from the start, and I can't actually remember how it was that I connected with the owner, Naomi Chance. All I know is that she is a wonderfully supportive and enthusiastic writer who shares her passion with others.

I have become very closely affiliated with Write and Share, and now offer my own writers' advice corner. Here is the link: http://www.writeandshare.co.uk/category/author-catherine-greens-advice-corner/ Under my personal account I have posted some short stories and extracts of my novels, which you can read and review as you wish. This is the same for all members of the site. I encourage you to look at my writers' advice articles, especially if you are an amateur who is seeking guidance, or an Indie author simply learning more about your craft. I write from personal experience, and am confident in what I share.

Free Kindle Horror Novel - Highway to Hell

Today I would like to recommend an excellent new horror story written by my author friend Alex Laybourne. Highway to Hell is a contemporary horror which follows the adventures of a group of people during the last hours of their lives, and their subsequent descent into Hell as they are tested, tortured and turned out into the afterlife.

I found it a very disturbing read but very gripping, and it will be free to purchase from Tuesday 7th February until Thursday 9th February. Get a copy, and I am sure you will love it! The sequel is due out later this year, which is good news because Highway to Hell ends on a massive cliffhanger and I cannot wait to see the outcome.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005H93KEM#reader_B005H93KEM

Love Hurts Book Review

I am very excited to share with you my latest review of Love Hurts on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R2HRB8H472W20P/ref=cm_cr_dp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B005AXVDZS&nodeID=341677031&tag=&linkCode=

The Open Mike at Coffee Time Romance

Today I will be co-hosting a live webchat on Coffee Time Romance with fellow independent author  Borislava Borissova. We will chat about our new books, our experiences as authors, our love of romance (no pun intended!) and whatever else our audience requests.

Join us at 4:00pm BST / 11:00am EST

This is a great place for fellow authors, readers and reviewers of romance to interact. It covers all aspects of the genre, not just the 'soft stuff.' We enjoy discussions about paranormal romance,  historical, fantasy, even some of the erotic persuasion.

My First Booksigning Event is Imminent

It is a very exciting time for me. I will be visiting the Waterstones book store in Crewe, Cheshire this coming Saturday (17th September) to do a book signing event for my debut novel. I have no idea what to expect. The manager says that I will be given a table in the fantasy section, and from there I can greet my visitors (and hopefully I will receive direct visitors), and I can talk to new customers and try to sell them my book.

I am still struggling to decide what to wear. I know, I am such a girl! But it is very important. No matter how much we would like to believe differently, humans will always judge on first appearances. I want to appear professional, friendly, but I want to stand out from the crowd at the same time. I wondered whether to wear my favourite blue velvet tie-dyed dress, but decided against it since I might come across as a 'bit of a hippy.' I don't want to wear formal office wear because that just isn't natural to me. I do want to enjoy the opportunity to dress in something other than jeans and t-shirts for once. Oh well, I will ransack my wardrobe and see what there is.

Vanity aside, this will be a very interesting day. I have featured in several local newspapers recently, so hopefully people will show some support and come see me. I would like to find someone who has read my book (besides my close friends and family), and get a review from them. Which reminds me, I must assemble my personal file. I have decided to take a folder with me, displaying newspaper cuttings, book reviews, and relevant information about me as an author. Sort of like a portfolio of my work I suppose. Better check the ink levels on my printer.

I will report back next week, once the event is over. Hopefully I will be full of beans, bouncing with delight, and looking forward eagerly to my second book signing event in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent on 1st October. If the day proves to be quiet and uneventfull, it will at least be a permanent milestone on my journey as an author.

Love Hurts - Booksigning Event - Waterstones Bookseller

The Authors that shaped my Writing

A question that has popped up lately is that of the writers that have influenced me in my work. Love Hurts (A Redcliffe Novel) is a paranormal romance novel. Immediately I imagine many people will associate it with the recent Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer. I don’t mind this association because I expect the readers of this series to move on and read my own Redcliffe novels series.

My own personal influences came from other writers, and many of them not even in the paranormal genre. When I was a young child I read Enid Blyton and Roald Dahl. Any serious child reader has to experience the joys of these authors. They are amazing! I was a huge fan of the Mallory Towers series and The Famous Five. I also read a few Secret Seven books but these were never quite as magical. But they all fired up my imagination.

And then there was Matilda, The BFG and the Witches. These were my favourite Roald Dahl books, closely followed by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and James and the Giant Peach. My husband has recently started reading Matilda to our daughter for her bedtime story, and once again I sit transfixed by the story. I adore the use of language, and Quentin Blake’s illustrations just finish the book brilliantly.

As I grew older I did find my way to the paranormal genre. It started with some Penguin classic ghost stories, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and a couple of anthologies of vampire short stories. Then I discovered LJ Smith. I read the Nightworld series, and I was hooked. The books described pretty much exactly what was happening inside my head, but from an American perspective.

It was Nightworld that really fired up my imagination and put the first stirrings of Love Hurts (A Redcliffe Novel) in my head. Back then I would invent the story of a man who was a vampire, and a human woman who discovered his secret. Sometimes the heroine was the vampire. Eventually I discovered the Mason brothers and Jessica Stone, and the rest is history. In fact, I am very surprised at the way my story evolved over the years. It is as though the characters wrote it themselves and I translated.

Finally I discovered Anne Rice and her Vampire Chronicles. These books showed me that I could be controversial, and that it was acceptable to write about what was really important to me. I didn’t have to disguise my vampires behind senseless violence just so they would be accepted. And now, during the last decade, I have been reading the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series by Laurell K Hamilton. 

All of these amazing authors leave me with a lot to be desired. But hey, eventually they must retire, and maybe by that time I will be experienced and decent enough to take the reins in the paranormal world. A girl can dream …

Join my tribe today, and I will send you a fabulous FREE book to get you started… (be warned, my vampires do not sparkle, and my wolves will bite!) 

Love Hurts Surprise Book Reviews

I have been speaking to various people about my novel Love Hurts. Being a paranormal romance, it was more than likely going to fall into the category of Young Adult for audience appeal, but that was not my original intention. Indeed, the story content is very adult and I would not recommend it for anyone under the age of 18. I had intended the book for an adult market aged roughly between 18-35, although of course I would not begrudge anyone reading it.

I was greatly surprised to find that several older people have read and thoroughly enjoyed my book. Here is a classic example of my cultural and social conditioning rearing its face. I automatically assumed that any people over the age of 50 that read my book would think it far-fetched and probably ridiculous. This was not the case according to some recent word of mouth reviews I have received.

Two people in particular stand out. The first is my paternal grandfather. I have never known him to read a book that didn’t include photographs of classic cars and engines. He reads newspapers but that’s about it, and my grandmother agreed that she too had never seen him read a novel before. But he read mine, I thought just because I was his granddaughter. Actually he told me that it was really interesting, very descriptive, and he thoroughly enjoyed it, so much so that he read it within about two days!

The second surprise positive review came from the grandmother of my brother’s girlfriend. This was a review from someone who doesn’t know me, and I was really happy to be told that this lady thought my novel was really exciting. Apparently she enjoyed it, and is keen to see the sequel when I finally complete it.

After these, and several other positive word of mouth reviews, I am filled with renewed vigour for my writing. Now I have established that there is actually a whole new older audience, I cannot wait for them to read some more of my work. And my lesson for the week is to never underestimate what people are prepared to read.