“Mansfield Park” is not my favourite book by Jane Austen. It doesn’t stop me, though, from rereading it from time to time as I do with all this author’s books. For a long time, “Northanger Abbey” remained my least favourite Austen novel. But after the last rereading a few years ago, it moved up my... Continue Reading →
Birthday & book sale
It is my birthday today, and the weather allowed me to celebrate it just the way I like it. It isn't particularly warm, but not too cold either, so I took a long walk along the seaside, the river, and also in our highly therapeutic pine forest. There is no better gift for an author... Continue Reading →
“A Dread of Blight and Ruin” by Laura Maybrooke
Winning one battle doesn’t necessarily bring you a victory in a war. Garth must embrace this truth, no matter how unmotivating, quickly. Even though he emerged victorious, with the help of a powerful ally, having defeated one enemy, a much greater fight looms on the horizon. The one where Garth must protect the peace and freedom... Continue Reading →
“Sorcery’s Dark Embrace” by Jupiter Rose
Claire is young, unprotected, and alone. The world she lives in is hostile, joyless, and dark. It seems that Claire’s best chance is focusing on survival. And even then, she might not be lucky. Like those hanging on the wall, demonstrating the power of the nobles and the futility of anyone wishing to fight against... Continue Reading →
“Innocent Again” by Steven Decker
Becky is rich and beautiful. She doesn’t have to struggle with mortgage or student loan payments. She doesn’t even have to make a career, enjoying the benefits of well-off parents and a successful husband. Becky would have been blissfully happy had an unsavoury discovery about her husband having an affair not spoiled her charmed existence.... Continue Reading →
“The Siren’s Cursed Kiss” by Kat Kinney
I am a huge fan of Kat Kinney and her fantasy series. I’ve read them all, and I always pre-order the next book so I don’t miss out on a new release. “The Siren's Cursed Kiss”, the third book in the Everwood Falls series, wasn’t an exception. I pre-ordered it months ago and was eagerly... Continue Reading →
“Somebody’s Nobody” by Helen Aitchison
It is a bad thing to kill people. No one has a right to decide when someone’s life should end, even if the life this someone leads turns the existence of others into a nightmare. This is a rule everyone raised in a civilised society accepts as an axiom and never doubts. Unless one grows... Continue Reading →
“Black Sheep” by Donna Scuvotti
Luke could have been that sorry person most people pass quickly on the street, guiltily averting their eyes from the sight of someone else’s misfortune. Luke could have been that bitter person who makes everyone he comes in contact with feel uneasy and bad about themselves. Luke could have been a failure. And in a... Continue Reading →
Sometimes, by doing the ‘right thing’ you do more harm than good
I don’t have time for reading and even less for watching the news or analytical videos produced by various bloggers in abundance on YouTube and other platforms. But thanks to social media I do get glimpses of the main trends and hottest topics. So, it was through the Writing Community on X/Twitter that I found... Continue Reading →
“No Happier State” by Will Tinkham
In no way would it be an exaggeration to say that Will Tinkham is one of my all-time favourite authors. Once I open his book, I can’t stop reading. His skill to weave ordinary people’s lives into the canvas of big history is unparalleled. By doing this, Will Tinkham highlights what we often forget. Every... Continue Reading →