Being Bookish

If you're a fan of the crime genre then Mari Hannah is for you. Her first novel came out in 2012, about detective Kate Daniels, and since then she has released 12 more novels. Her 14th, the 4th book in her newer Stone and Oliver series, is released this coming Thursday, the 22nd of June, and it's a doozy. This week I am speaking with Mari about her books, her creations and how she came up with the latest intricate plot. Black Fell is set in both Northumberland and Iceland and the contrast and similarities between these two settings give the book added depth and mystery. So join me and find out more about why you should give Black Fell a read.

Mari's Links

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Mari's Website

Black Fell: Waterstones | Amazon | Local Bookshops

This week I am joined by Jordanne from the fun bookish podcast Books to Last, where guests talk about the 5 books they'd take with them to a deserted island. And we're talking about a book that has been on both of our TBRs for quite a while, Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid. As always the talk is spoiler-free, but we're not shy when it comes to our opinions. So what did we think of this book that is not only a TV show on Amazon, but is also a full-on legitimate album recorded by the actors in their character roles? Yes, we know we're a little late to the game with this one, but sometimes it takes a while to reach a book that is not at the top of a TBR that you just keep on adding to! We also talk a bit about other books we've enjoyed and what we're planning on picking up next.

Featured episodes

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

Jordanne's Links

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Books to Last Podcast

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros is a hit. With a massively positive score on sites like Goodreads, Amazon and Waterstones, if you're a fan of fantasy then it's likely you'll have heard of it. It's been hugely hyped up everywhere, but if you're not sure whether it's your thing but you don't want to read all the spoiler-filled reviews across the platforms, you've come to the right place.

You will not often find I fall for a hyped-up book. In fact, this one could have easily passed me by, despite the fact that I am always on Bookstagram and frequently visit Booktok. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros is one of those books that really exploded on the scene. Released on the 2nd of May it came out of nowhere with a marketing campaign that many authors would probably love, pushing the book to the front when readers were looking for the next big thing. A fantasy novel with an attractive male protagonist, dragons, war, and the knowledge that no character is safe from the author's chopping block.

So, does this New Adult book about dragons actually deserve the adulation? Find out what I thought in my spoiler-free review...did I fall for the hype or was it a case of 'too much' for this reader?

Featured Episodes

Lore

You know I am always a fan of reading new cosy mysteries, so when I saw this one and then it just kept on popping up on all my social feeds I knew I had to give it a go. What we have here is a murder most gruesome that takes place in a church...Canon Daniel Clement has already got a lot to contend with, what with the resistance to having a toilet fitted, so the last thing he needs is for a body to be discovered in the very last pew. Of course, in the tradition of all cosy crime novels everywhere, he simply must investigate, but will he solve the crime before the bodies start to pile up? Find out what I thought of the debut crime offering from Reverend Richard Coles before the next book in the series is released in June.

Featured episodes

Cosy crime playlist

My socials

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Being Bookish

If there is one genre I will admit to loving more than any other it's mythology. This week you will truly get to hear me geek out as I talk with author Luna McNamara about her debut novel, a retelling of the myth of Psyche and Eros. A fantastic tale and it was wonderful to have the opportunity to talk with someone as passionate about the subject as she is. If you love Greek myths and love stories and strong women this is definitely the book for you. Released on the 25th of May in the UK by Orion Books.

Featured Episodes

The Mythology Playlist

Luna's Links

Instagram

Twitter

The website

Buy the book - UK | US

I love mythology, pretty much any culture has a wealth of colourful stories whether about creation or existence and in the UK we have tales of King Arthur and his round table, of Magic and Merlin, the Lady of the Lake and the legend that Arthur is a once and future King of England who will rise when he is needed. This latest book by author Alexandra Bracken tells a tale of Avalon in the modern day but it is not the Avalon we have heard about...at least not when Hollower Tamsin Lark arrives on a mission to locate a missing powerful ring... Find out what I thought about this book, released on the 4th of April 2023, but you won't hear any spoilers here!

Featured episodes

Lore

An Interview with Author Cathy Bramley

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Donate to Livestream for the Cure

Watch me on Livestream for the Cure - 18th May 2023 @10pm BST

Cathy Bramley is the Sunday Times Top Ten best-selling author of The Lemon Tree Cafe and Ivy Lane, to name but two.

On the 11th of May her 16th novel, The Sunrise Sisterhood, is due for release and this week I had the chance to talk with her about the book. It's a story of friendship, family and the strong bonds of sisterhood between three women, Liz, Skye and Clare. Give this episode a listen and then go and order yourself a copy of the book.

Cathy's Links

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Cathy's Website

The Sunrise Sisterhood Amazon | Waterstones

Mel was first released in the UK in 1988, the story of a 17-year-old girl who hasn't had life easy and just wants to make a future for herself. Of course, nothing is ever straight forward, and when she meets rockstar Mitch Hamilton, who is on a break between gigs and hanging out at his grandfather's junk shop, she has no idea what upheaval his arrival is going to have. This book is one that I read over and over as a teenager, so I thought it would be interesting, now it's back in print, to talk about this book, as well as the social commentary it includes. It's something of an obscure read, especially if you weren't a teenage girl in the 1980s, but it's good to be introduced to something new, right?

Featured episodes

An Interview with Paige Toon

Easy Connections and Easy Freedom

Links

Buy Mel by Liz Berry UK | US

Read about Easy Connections and Easy Freedom

If you've been listening to this show for any length of time you'll know that I love contemporary romance, especially the books by Paige Toon. This week I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to talk with her about her new book, Only Love Can Hurt Like This, which is released on the 25th of April in the US, Australia and Canada, on the 26th of April in Germany, and on the 27th of April in the UK (order your copy now, if you haven't already). So, get the lowdown on the book, and find out more about the characters, the inspiration behind it and more...

Paige's links

Website

Twitter

Instagram

Amazon UK / US / AUS / CAN / DE

Isaac and the Egg is the 2022 debut from author Bobby Palmer. A story of grief, pain and acceptance it has fantasy elements that can pull you in. This is what I would refer to as a cry-book. The novel makes you question a lot, is the Egg real? What is Isaac hiding from? Why has he shut himself off from the world. But ultimately, whether it's a cry-book or not, what did I truly think of it? Find out in my latest spoiler-free review. And don't forget to listen to my special announcement at the end (there really is one!)...

Featured episodes

The House in the Cerulean Sea

Circe

Delicacy: A memoir of cake and death

To the Moon and Back

If you could go anywhere