Books, Interview

Author Interview: Stephen Oram

Something a bit different this week on my book list – “We Are Not Anonymous “ by Stephen Oram. This near-future science fiction novel was a totally absorbing read – tackling issues such as AI – run governments, climate change, personal rights , police militarisation and data ownership. There’s a touch of human emotion running through the novel too. Author Stephen Oram knows his sci fi stuff – his “main” job is in the field of science & technology and he has also 3 published novels, 3 collections of sci fi short stories and his stories have been published in many anthologies, including the Best Of British Science Fiction 2022 and Best Of British Science Fiction 2025 – published 17 April 2026 by Newcon Press.

Here’s a quick summary of “We Are Not Anonymous “ before I welcome Stephen onto the blog .

BOOK SUMMARY

In a near-future, climate-flooded England divided into three countries, Beth and Naomi fight against Kai, the leader of the tech-elite Narcissists.

As part of Resist and Regain, they confront his experiments on children to turbo boost evolution and his use of cutting-edge technology to control governments and their willing citizens.

Can they stop Kai and his vision for a de-humanised tech-fuelled world?

 And can Beth live with the suffering her activism will cause her family?

THE INTERVIEW

Hi Stephen! Welcome to the blog 👋

Hi. I’m Stephen Oram, a speculative fiction author of short stories and novels and an applied science fiction practitioner. I love exploring the intersection of messy humans and imperfect technology. I live in the heart of London and have been known to attribute much of the urban grittiness and the optimism about humanity in my writing to the noise, the bustle, and the diverse community of where I live.

Who or what inspired you to write “We Are Not Anonymous”?

The world we live in! I’ve been interested in the grey space between utopia and dystopia for a while. Often, people say that conflict and tension is only possible in a dystopia and not a utopia. However, I’d been thinking for a while that it actually sits inside the journey from one to the other. I had already written short stories about activists not simply opposing the dystopian use of technology, but using the momentum behind it and repurposing or realigning it for the common good. I wanted to explore that further and during the writing of “We Are Not Anonymous” I came across the sub-genre Thrutopia, which the novel seemed to neatly fit into.

I really enjoyed reading your book, “We Are Not Anonymous” and I particularly enjoyed how you portrayed the characters of Beth, Naomi, Kai & Tam. What character did you particularly enjoy writing about? What character was the hardest to portray?

Beth was the one I really enjoyed writing because in a lot of ways she’s the most complex. Although Naomi is complex too, her complexities are more implicit than explicit. Writing Beth as a flawed character who takes the biggest emotional journey was what made her rewarding. I think Kai was the hardest because he’s so extreme, but the tech-bros seemed to keep up with his extremes; deciding how far to push his narcissistic dysfunctionality became challenging. 

Researching for your novel must have been quite interesting..… did you discover anything that shocked you or uncover some nugget of information that was unexpected?

I am extremely fortunate in the applied science fiction work I do because I get to see behind the curtain of interesting emerging technologies and new thinking about political and social systems. Douglas Rushkoff’s book – Survival of the Richest – was also an inspiration. Did I discover anything that shocked me? Well, when researching and imagining the extremes that a narcissistic tech-bro could go to, it was certainly an eye-opener to discover ideologies such as those at the intersection of longtermism and effective altruism. There’s a lot of cool technology in there too which is extrapolated from existing research, but that was less shocking than the belief systems I came across.

You are known as an author of realistic, near future science fiction – with 3 published novels, 3 collections of sci -fi shorts and have been published with the same in many sci fi anthologies, including “Best Of British Science Fiction 2022 and Best Of British Science Fiction 2025 – published 17 April 2026 by Newcon Press. What do you enjoy most about writing near-future science fiction? Have you ever been tempted to write a novel/book  encompassing a different genre?

I really love thinking and writing about the moral issues associated with emerging technology and what that means for our possible futures. Setting these stories in the near-future means you can rely on the assumption that a fair amount of the world-building can be implied and be quickly understood by the reader. This leaves you more room for the human element. Also, it’s great to explore and research what’s actually happening now and then extrapolate that into the next few years.

Yes, I’m often tempted to write in another genre, but I’m conscious that it takes practice to master a genre so it wouldn’t be a one off. We can see from some of the failed attempts at near-future fiction from mainstream authors that hopping genre isn’t easy. That said, my last novella and the one I’m finishing now are ‘futuristic fables’ and I’m really enjoying writing those and the first – “Brain Fruit” – is getting great reviews, which is encouraging.

Growing up, did you envisage yourself as a writer or did you have other career aspirations?

I didn’t really envisage myself as anything, except to spread my wings and leave my home town. I’ve always approached life, especially work/career, as a journey of opportunities within a general direction. Recently, I came across some teenage writings which I’d forgotten about, so maybe there was a hint back then of what was to come.

Is “We Are Not Anonymous ” available to purchase worldwide?

Yes, it’s available everywhere. With the paperback, even if it’s not stocked in a physical bookshop, it can be ordered in. The ebook is also available on all platforms worldwide.

If you could visit any place in the world to inspire your next novel, where would you go and why?

That’s a difficult question. Once a year I take time out and rent a place by the sea to give myself time to think about new stories and Dungeness is a favourite. Increasingly I’m interested in where biotech might take us and I’ve been actively involved in the emerging sub-genre of Zoefuturism over the past year. So, I suppose either China or Japan would be interesting as they’re on the rise in this field and because spending time in their cultures would also give me a more Zoefuturist perspective than being in the UK, Europe, or the USA. 

Are you a bookworm yourself? If so, what genres (or authors) do you usually like to read? And are you a kindle or “proper book” fan?

Definitely a ‘proper book’ fan. I do read non-fiction on a kindle, but you can’t beat a physical paperback. I read all sorts of fiction and am less concerned with genre and more about story and character. I do love stuff that messes with your head though, for example Jeff Noon and Jeff Vandemeer.

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?

What an unexpected question. I’ll do my best to answer it, although it varies a lot. I’m a big fan of suits, both for their style and their practicality. But then I also really like clothes that are slightly off kilter. One of the things I do regularly is change the buttons to personalise everything from coats to shirts, a trick I spotted on some of the ‘edgy’ fashion brands. I also do a lot of clothes dying, randomly seeing what colour they become and how the stitching that doesn’t take the dye stands out against the new colour.

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites?

Not really. I’m lucky that I live in the centre of London so I can pop into shops and markets easily, just to see what’s on offer. Festivals are a good place to find interesting jewellery and I have a few favourite markets for that too – Brick Lane, Spitalfields and Camden. A couple of years ago I made my own ring with the help of a friend who is a jewellery maker, which was an interesting experience. As far as clothes go, I tend to drop into Psylo and Clime-It Brothers in Camden market whenever I’m passing and have thetime.

What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?

Well, I have far too many clothes and live with someone who is big into the repair movement so all my favourites are kept going, leaving no space for the new. Except when I see something I can’t resist.

Boots or Shoes?

Boots. Not sure why, they just feel a lot more comfortable.

Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc

website: https://stephenoram.net

Substack: https://substack.com/@nudgethefuture

Linktree for all other links: https://linktr.ee/stephen_oram

Thanks Stephen for an interesting chat, a fabulous book and for introducing me to a new genre – Thrutopia ! I love it ❤️

Linda x

All photographs have been published with the kind permission of Stephen Oram.

My thanks to Stephen Oram and Ben Cameron of Cameron Publicity & Marketing for the review copy of We Are Not Anonymous.

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Books, Interview, Reviews

Harriet Hates Lemonade Book Tour

Do you love stories with a subtle twist? Just when you thought you were clear about the storyline, the story somehow presents you with a different viewpoint …. well “Harriet Hates Lemonade” by Kim McCollum is that book. It made me smile and yet there were times of sadness; it made me think and encourage Harriet’s actions. And as for hating lemonade…. before I introduce the lovely Kim to you all, here’s a quick book summary…

BOOK SUMMARY

Harriet has life all figured out, and she doesn’t hesitate to inform others of their shortcomings. Though her attempts to become president of the homeowner’s association failed, that doesn’t stop her from berating “off-leash-dog-man” or reporting the neighbor who had the audacity to leave their Easter decorations up an entire week past the holiday. The problem is, unbeknownst to her, Harriet’s rigid rules an judgmental opinions are not her own.

Her ordered life plunges into chaos when a twelve-year-old neighbor knocks on Harriet’s door seeking help because the girl’s father is physically abusing her mother. Reluctantly, Harriet comes to her neighbor’s aid and, in the process, recognizes her own insidious abuse which has unwittingly shaped her isolated, rigid existence. To escape her crushing loneliness, she must learn to break free from the patterns of control and isolation that have defined her life and learn to connect with people she previously viewed as heathens.

THE INTERVIEW

Hi Kim 👋 Welcome to the blog… please tell us a little bit about yourself…

I’m Kim McCollum, an author living in the beautiful, rugged landscape of Bozeman, Montana. My author brand centers on “strong and quirky Montana women,” and I love exploring the grit and resilience that this landscape brings out in people.When I’m not at my desk writing, I love spending time with my family and our three pets – two dogs and a cat. I’m also an avid traveler and a fan of staying active, usually on the pickleball court or the golf course.

Who or what inspired you to write “Harriet Hates Lemonade”?

The inspiration was two-fold. Personally, it was my way of processing a very difficult chapter of my own life. I was the victim of mostly emotional abuse. I wanted to show how quiet and insidious that kind of control can be.

On a lighter note, Harriet’s neighborhood wars were inspired by a place I once lived in that looked like Mayberry but was surprisingly uptight. Between neighbors complaining about children taking shortcuts and actual suggestions to the HOA for dog-poop DNA testing, I knew I had the perfect setting for a woman like Harriet, who uses rules as a fortress to keep the world away.

What character did you particularly enjoy writing about? What character was the hardest to portray?

I absolutely loved writing Harriet. There is something so liberating about a protagonist who is unapologetically difficult and honest. Finding the humor in her rigidity, like her crusades against “off-leash man,” was a joy.

The hardest character to portray was definitely Les, Harriet’s late husband. It was incredibly difficult to have to revisit that painful part of my life, but as hard as it was emotionally, writing his dialogue was the easy part. Whenever I needed to know what Les would say, I thought of what my ex said to me. Believe it or not, a recent reviewer on Goodreads said they couldn’t finish the book because Les was too terrible, but the heartbreaking truth is that he was my reality for nearly twenty years. I had to capture the way Les (and my ex) used what appeared to be love and concern to systematically dismantle Harriet’s confidence. As emotionally draining as this was, it was necessary to tell the truth about how that kind of manipulation works.

Researching for your novel must have been quite interesting…did you discover anything that shocked you or uncover some nugget of information that was unexpected?

Unfortunately, I didn’t have to do any research about emotional abuse for this novel. It was simply my life. I didn’t need to look for nuggets of information because I had lived the reality of emotional abuse for two decades. The truly difficult part was recognizing the abuse and then finally speaking that truth out loud.

I worked with our local abuse shelter on a program called “End the Silence.” We had to get up on a stage in front of hundreds of people and tell our stories. That was hard. It was a terrifying, vulnerable experience, but it was also the catalyst that gave me the strength to write this book. It taught me that while the silence is where the abuse thrives, the telling is where the healing begins.

Hypothetically speaking, if Harriet Hates Lemonade was made into a film, who would you like to see playing the characters especially Harriet, Audrey, and “off the leash man”; and why?

For Harriet, I would love to see someone like Frances McDormand or Olivia Colman. They both have this incredible ability to be prickly and formidable on the outside while letting the audience see the deep vulnerability underneath.

For Audrey, I’d look for a young actress with a lot of raw energy. Maybe someone like Brooklynn Prince. And for “off-leash=dog-man” (Kevin), I’d want someone charming but persistent, maybe a Paul Rudd type, who can handle Harriet’s grumpiness with a smile.

Growing up, did you envisage yourself as a writer or did you have other career aspirations?

I always loved stories, but for a long time, I prioritized more practical endeavors. After my initial career on Wall Street, I spent many years staying home to raise my five children. It was a busy, rewarding life, but once they all finally headed off to school, I realized I wanted to do something just for me. Writing was that thing I had carried in my heart for as long as I could remember, but I never quite had the time or confidence to pursue it. To finally be doing it now, and to see my work resonating with readers, is an absolute thrill.

Is “Harriet Hates Lemonade” available to purchase worldwide?

Yes! Thanks to my publisher, Black Rose Writing, it’s available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and everywhere books are sold. If they don’t have it in stock, they can order it.

If you could visit any place in the world to inspire your next novel, where would you go and why?

Actually, all of my novels will be set in Montana because it is quite simply my favorite place in the world. I’ve lived in seven different states and studied abroad in Japan and Germany, so I feel very qualified to say that Montana is the absolute best. Currently, I am immersed in studying Montana’s gold rush for my next novel. I recently visited the ghost town of Bannack for research, which was a fascinating journey into the state’s gritty and resilient past. Seeing those preserved buildings in the silence of the mountains really brings that era to life.

The ruggedness of this landscape is exactly what inspires the strong characters I love to write. However, I believe that experiencing other cultures is vital to character developmentbecause the more we understand how people behave across the globe, the deeper we can go into the human psyche. While I’ve spent time in Japan and would love to go back, I’m also dying to go on a safari in Africa, stay in a hut over the water in Fiji, and eat amazing food from the noodle boats in Thailand. Those experiences help me build more complex, nuanced characters, even if my stories are set in Montana.

Are you a bookworm yourself? If so, what genres (or authors) do you usually like to read? And are you a kindle or “proper book” fan?

I am a huge bookworm! I love character-driven fiction from authors like Elizabeth Strout, Fredrik Backman, and Kristin Hannah. As for the format, I am a “proper book” fan through and through. I love the smell of the paper and the weight of the book in my hands. I do use a Kindle for travel or beta reading for other authors, but my home is overflowing with physical copies.

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?

I’m a Montana girl at heart! You’ll usually find me in a pair of well-worn jeans, a comfortable top, and a fluffy jacket (or shacket).

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites?

I’m honestly not much of a shopper, so I tend to rely on sites like Stitch Fix where they just curate and send me things they think I’ll like. It saves me so much time! That said, when I do want to visit a physical shop, I love our local Montana stores. Heyday in Bozeman is a favorite for finding unique gifts and home goods, and if I’m looking for clothes locally, I’m a fan of the style at Jonah and Sage. 

What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?

Right now, I’m looking for a great pair of furry boots that I can slip on easily. In Montana, especially when you’re dealing with snow and cold, something cozy and convenient is a must-have!

Boots or Shoes?

Boots, but they have to be the kind I can slip on in two seconds. I’m usually running late, so I don’t have time to mess with laces or complicated buckles. I need to be able to jump in them and go! Living in Montana, you need footwear that can handle snowand mud at a moment’s notice. 

Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc

I’d love to connect with readers! You can find me at:

• Website: https://kim-mccollum.com/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kimmccollumauthor

• Instagram: @author.kimmccollum

IBOOK TOUR DETAILS

Thanks to Kim for chatting to me, for the review copy of Harriet Hates Lemonade and for letting me me join her book tour! 😀

All photographs have been published with the kind permission of Kim McCollum

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Books, Interview, Life Issues/ Motivational Posts

Marie Conner, A Leading Lady Book Tour

Every now and again I like to read a non fiction book, and “Marie Conner, A Leading Lady” by author Elle Mott . It is a true story about a lady who showed true community spirit and dedication; it’s a story about how American society has evolved through the 20th century; and Marie lived in an era when women were expected to stay at home and not go out to work, for example, and yet Marie was a strong female character who was not one for staying at home, twiddling her thumbs. It gives me great pleasure to be part of Elle’s book tour, but before I chat to Elle about this incredible woman (who happened to be Elle’s maternal great-grandmother) , here’s a quick summary of “Marie Conner, A Leading Lady”:

BOOK SUMMARY

Marie was born a girl. That was only her first mistake, according to her father.
In an era when daughters and wives are not supposed to be concerned with matters outside the home, Marie is determined to prove him wrong. To do this, she must break down barriers placed on women in society, overcome difficulties that befall her, surpass hardships from the Great Depression, and then face an inevitable relocation.
Marie steps into her community and into the hearts of many people to give her time and help with their needs. She wants nothing in return other than her father’s acceptance as a worthy woman and yet, she gains much in return, even if it is not her father’s praise. This is Marie’s story—of a rise from her girlhood angsts to become a leading lady—and much more.

THE INTERVIEW

A big warm welcome to the blog, Elle .👋 Please tell us a bit about yourself. 😊

Hello, I’m Elle (three letters in my name are silent but I am anything but silent in bringing you this historical biography: Marie Conner, A Leading Lady). Some people call me the “bird-lady.” Not only do I feed the birds outside when on my breaks at work, but I have several pet birds (and two cats). Some people call me the “blue-haired lady.” My bangs are blue while the rest of my hair has gone gray. Some people call me “the writer” and some people call me “the author.”

Who or what inspired you to write the biography “Marie Conner: A Leading Lady”?

Inspiration for Marie Conner, A Leading Lady came from my memoir, Out of Chaos, in which my remembrance of her gave me strength to make peace with my mistakes and to overcome difficulties. I had been on the verge of adulthood, and she, much older, when she had imparted words of wisdom to me. With my memoir published, and she, long gone, I questioned why my strength had come from her. That answer involved research. Marie, who was once my matriarch, was next a great muse for me as I peeled back the layers of a woman, who, as I came to find out, had lived a truly remarkable life. As in awe as I was, I knew I had to share her story.

Your book highlighted the strong character of Marie, her dedication to her fellow citizens and her community spirit; when she lived in an era where women were expected to stay at home and concentrate on running her family. I was particularly impressed with her newspaper column and how through that she helped those community members who were in particular need. What did you particularly admire about Marie?

The spunkiness and can-do spirit in Marie is what I especially admire. If something needed to be done in her community, she did it—or in her rare moments of not shining with perfection, she surely tried rather than to sit still in doing nothing. Marie was an ordinary woman who did extraordinary things to change her community for the better and forevermore.

Researching for your book must have been quite interesting… did you discover anything that shocked you or uncover some nugget of information that was unexpected? 

I thought I had known my matriarch, Marie. She was the all-wise one and had shared so very much about herself with me. Yet, and when in the early stages of research where I perused documents in genealogy repositories, I turned pages if only out of curiosity only to discover something concerning her marriage—something she had never revealed to me, that I remember. That there is a spoiler though and one for you to read about in the conclusion of Chapter 2. This “something” that I discovered caused me to flesh out that part of her story, worthy of inclusion.   

Hypothetically speaking, if “Marie Conner, A Leading Lady” was made into a film, who would you love to see portraying Marie Conner? 

Thinking of Marie in her golden years, reflecting on all that is shared in her biography, Helen Mirren would be a fine choice to portray her.

Growing up, did you always want a career in writing, or did you have completely different career aspirations? 

I’ll admit that teachers noticed my creative approach to what was supposed to be facts-only-essays. But, no, a career in writing was not on my mind when growing up. My author life came as an adult and when people told me to write my story, and from that, my first book, my memoir was published. And as you know, my memoir inspired this book. That’s my writing journey—I write because people want me to write and out of that, I have a gained passion to keep writing.

Is “Marie Conner: A Leading Lady” available to purchase worldwide?

As of February 11, 2026, its paperback and ebook is available on Amazon worldwide. Shortly thereafter, readers can also find it on B&N.com, bookshop.org, Powell’s Books, and even online at Walmart.

If you’d like your local bookstore to carry it, then if you give them the ISBN, they can have your order fulfilled by Ingram. You can also ask your neighborhood library to get it—the copyright page has a cataloging-in-publication data block to ensure their smooth acquisition. 

Are you a bookworm yourself? If so, what genres (or authors) do you usually like to read? And are you a kindle or “proper book” fan?

I’m not so much of a bookworm, per se, but yes, I like to read. I find that historical books—both nonfiction and novels—are invaluable in that history shows we have the power to create a better tomorrow. One author I keep coming back to is Paulette Mahurin—she has many novels to choose from, and in each, with strong characters from the past. Recently, I read a book by another author, Dede Montgomery: A Map of Her Own is a dual-timeline novel—now that was both interesting and quite good.

At home, I have my kindle bookmarked on my computer for my ever-growing ebook shelf. Whereas, when out and about, such as on my breaks at work, I am, for sure, a “proper book” fan.

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?

When I was a little girl, my matriarch, Marie, made sure I was in a dress and often times, carrying a matching parasol. Today, being winter, it is J.Crew corduroy pants paired with a turtleneck t-shirt and boots. Summertime will bring knee length shorts and skirts. Between now and then, its Levi’s. No longer a little girl, cords and jeans are just fine so long as I pull the look together in a way that shows I care.

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites ?

Marie felt that we should give attention to our appearance, and that how we present ourselves shows who we are. With that in mind, I wear quality clothing and shoes. Marc Nolan is my go-to shoe store for both boots and Mary Janes: I need quality shoes to withstand my work week. Summertime finds me in colorful silk skirts or in casual Volcom shorts.

What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?

Maybe another pair of Mary Janes?

Boots or Shoes? ( & Why?)

Today, its winter boots that zip up. Come warmer weather, it will be Mary Janes that buckle. I don’t do shoelaces. I hate keeping up on shoelaces that are prone to coming untied, that, plus shoes with shoelaces give an outfit an unpolished look. If Marie could pull her look together to show her beauty, so can I.

Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc

https://ellemottauthor.com

BOOK TOUR DATES

My thanks to Elle for inviting me onto her book tour, for chatting to me, for the review copy of her fabulous book and for sharing an interest in delving into our past.

Linda x

All photographs have been published with the kind permission of Elle Mott.

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Murder, Tea & Crystals Book Tour

If you enjoy reading paranormal novels filled with witches, murder and unexpected twists – like I do – then you would enjoy the “Murder, Tea & Crystals “ trilogy by author Sherri Dodd. I am pleased to be part of her book tour promoting the first book in the trilogy, “ Murder Under Redwood Moon” and I am also pleased to welcome Sherri onto the blog for a natter! But first, here’s a quick book summary to whet your appetite….

Book Summary

At the age of eight, Arista Kelly was frantically swept up by her parents and whisked off to an isolated town in the California redwoods. Two days later, her parents were gone.

Now at the age of twenty-three, she has settled quite nicely into an eclectic lifestyle, much like her great aunt, and guardian since childhood, Bethie. She enjoys the use of herbs and crystals to help her commune with the energy and nature around her and finds pleasure in the company of her beloved pet, Royal. Usually quite satisfied with her mundane life high in the Santa Cruz Mountains, life becomes unsettling when a new recurring vision of an ominous tattoo as well as increased activity from the ghostly presence within her own cottage invade her once-harmonious existence.

But life in this mountain sanctuary takes an even darker turn when the body of Arista’s former classmate is found in the nearby river. As other young young women fall prey to a suspected serial killer, Arista realizes that the terror is coming to her.

Publisher: Independently Published(March 20, 2024)

AISN:  B0CTKPM863

ISBN: 1685133886

ISBN-13: 978-1685133887

Print length:  289 pages

About the Author, Sherri Dodd

Sherri was raised in southeast Texas. Walking barefoot most days and catching crawdads as they swam the creek beds, she had a love for all things free and natural. Her childhood ran rampant with talk of ghosts, demons, and backcountry folklore. This inspired her first short story for sale about a poisonous flower that shot toxins onto children as they smelled it. Her classmate bought it for all the change in his pocket. It was not long after that her mother packed the two of them up and headed to the central coast of California. She has ping-ponged throughout the area ever since.

Her first real step into writing was the non-fiction fitness book, Mom Looks Great – The Fitness Program for Moms published in 2005, and maintaining its accompanying blog. Now, transmuting the grief of her father’s passing, she has branched into Fiction, specifically the genre of Paranormal Thriller with generous dashes of Magick Realism! Her Murder, Tea & Crystals Trilogy released book one – Murder Under Redwood Moon – in March 2024. Book two – Moonset on Desert Sands – released in March 2025, and the final book in the series – Hummingbird Moonrise – became #1 New Release in Occult Supernatural on Amazon in October 2025!

The Interview

Hi Sherri and welcome to the blog 👋

“Murder Under Redwood Moon” is the 1st book in the series of 3 books of the Murder, Tea & Crystals Trilogy. The others are: (2) Moonset On Desert Sands and (3)Hummingbird Moonrise –   What inspired the book series?  Are they stand alone books or best read in numerical order?

I wrote this series as a movie I’d like to see. One I can watch in the dark and be spooked without feeling downright terrified. While I envisioned the amibance of Twin Peaks in the first book, Murder Under Redwood Moon, it turned more toward a Young Adult style of writing after my Editor got ahold of it, and I went with it! I believe to best experience the story, it is advisable to read them in order. You can watch the characters grow and celebrate or boo-and-hiss the end result! 

My favourite characters are Arista Kelly and the mysterious Yelena and Jason 😊Are your characters based on observations of people you’ve come across in the past and incidents you’ve experienced ? Who were the hardest characters to portray?

Many of the characters throughout the trilogy are based on my friends and family. However, I wrote Arista’s character and eventually envisioned her being played by Sadie Sink but added the bohemian flare of a Santa Cruz resident. For Yelena, I pictured a version of Fairuza Balk with that big smile of hers! However, I made her character a bit more sweet and charming than some of Fairuza’s roles. Jaxon was heavily inspired by one of the vampires in the original The Lost Boys since it was a huge hit in my era. I don’t remember hearing a name for him, but I just looked it up – Dwayne. Able to put myself in most of these characters minds, the most difficult was the serial killer and his sordid thoughts.

Were there any aspects of writing your book trilogy that surprised you, either by being harder or easier to write about than you expected? 

I’ve always been a very private person-no social media and not a lot of socializing. So, l really had to learn to put myself out there for public scrutiny. Also, I learned that reader/reviewers are actually quite kind and even with a three, you get highlights of the good along with what they did not like. Of course, you get some reviewers who obliterate your book, and that’s frustrating when it’s because they missed a detail that a hundred other reviewers completely understood. 

Have you always wanted to have a career in writing or did you have other aspirations? 

My love of writing started in school. I breezed the five-, ten-, and hundred-page essays that others lamented about, but I never believed I’d end up writing. My first book was a vanity project. I self-published a little fitness book after recovering my pre-pregnancy body. I’d heard so many negative stories that it couldn’t be done. At that time, I found one book on the subject, so I wrote one. Within a couple years, there were twenty, and they were written by much more reputable author than me! Fast forward fifteen years and with that notion to avoid empty nest syndrome, I had planned to re-enter the fitness industry. With my Personal Training certification current, I also certified in a few group classes. However, when all that did not work out due to an injury, I happened to enter a three-page writing contest, and while waiting for the result, decided that I quite liked the premise of my essay and, over the course of three years, elaborated to the point of nine hundred pages!

 Are you a bookworm? What is your favourite genre and/or authors? Kindle or actual book? 

People are shocked when I say I am NOT a bookworm! Admittedly, I probably have the attention span of a ten-year-old, suitable for a magazine. When it comes to reading, unless I am actively participating in some kind of self-help or philosophy book, I languish in detail. With that said, when a fiction book strikes me as interesting, I’ll read it. When my son was in college, he’d tell me about a book he was reading, and if I’d previously heard of a controversy surrounding it, I’d pick it up. An example was Thus Spoke Zarathustra. Thereafter, it’s thirty movies until my next serious read. NOW, that doesn’t mean I don’t buy books. I have so many lovely unread books lining my shelves, and I had every intention of reading when I bought them. However, it’s only when I buy a book on Kindle/iBooks that I actually end up reading it.

By Linda Hobden

 Are your Murder, Tea & Crystal series of books available to purchase worldwide?

The Murder, Tea, and Crystal Trilogy is available wherever you find an Amazon.Canada, Australia, Great Britain, and even India! If you can order an Amazon book, you can order Murder Under Redwood Moon, Moonset on Desert Sands, and Hummingbird Moonrise. These are the three titles in Murder, Tea, and Crystals Trilogy.

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?

Well now, this interview just got fun! I don’t know if it’s the root of Texas in me or the Gen-Xer thing, but I have and always will love denim! My jeans are either Lucky Brand or Johnny Was. Since I’m going through a Johnny Was phase for about three years now, I pair the jeans with a sweater or embroidered silk top from the boho chic store. Accessories include one of my many pairs of vintage Tabra chandelier earrings and possibly one or two of her rings as well! 

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites ?

In addition to the outrageously priced JW, I balance the budget with cute finds at our local TJMaxx. We’ve got a very fashion-oriented buyer! However, most of the time, I’m in Alo Yoga and my tan or white leopard-print Brooks runners – ha! There’s a lot of gym activity in my schedule.

What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list? 

I just bought the Starlight jeans from JW, but I’m all set on treads!

Boots or Shoes?

Dark brown leather or black suede, sometimes faux snake-print, ankle boots! I wear Kors, Vionic and, sometimes, Coach. I even have a beautiful pair of Ariats for when we’re cruising the showgrounds at Scottsdale for the Arabian Horse Show! I like a solid 1½- to 2½-inch wooden heel, so I feel the strength in my stride. Since I’m in crazy Cali, I don’t tiptoe around. I want people to know I’m coming and hopefully my heavy stride makes a strong statement toward protection. Also, while I hope to never have to put my martial arts training to task, I’m thinking that wooden heel would be pretty effective – hah!

Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc

Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Under-Redwood-Moon-Paranormal/dp/1685133886

Barnes & Noble:  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/murder-under-redwood-moon-sherri-l-dodd/

Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/p/books/murder-under-redwood-moon-a-thrilling-paranormal-murder-mystery-sherri-l-dodd/21145506

Website: www.sherridodd.comInstagram: @Sherri.Dodd.Author https://www.instagram.com/sherri.dodd.author/

Book Tour

My thanks to Sherri for the review copy of Murder Under Redwood Moon, and for chatting with me about your book.
Photographs have been published with the kind permission of Sherri Dodds, and Linda Hobden (where marked)

Linda x

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Books, Interview

Captive Heart At Brantmar Castle Book Tour

If you love mystery romances then you’ll love the “Mysteries Of A Heart” series, which Captive Heart at Brantmar Castle, the book I read, is book 2. The series is written by author Celeste Fenton, and I’m so pleased to be part of her latest book tour and welcome Celeste onto the blog. But first, here’s a brief summary of Captive Heart At Brantmar Castle…

BOOK SUMMARY

Two mysteries. One fight for survival. And danger closing in from both sides of the sea.

Gabby Heart travels to a remote Scottish castle with her best friend, Abe—a bestselling children’s author—expecting misty views, historic charm, and quiet time to plan their next book series. But Brantmar Castle holds more than ghosts of the past. When the women are taken hostage, Gabby must rely on her instincts, her resilience, and the help of men who may not deserve her trust to survive.

Meanwhile, on Dost Island, young residents are vanishing without a trace. As those left behind scramble for answers, unsettling clues emerge—leading to a dark motive no one could have predicted.

From the storm-swept highlands of Scotland to the rocky shores of New England, Captive Heart at Brantmar Castle blends mystery, emotional grit, simmering romance, and humor, in a story where secrets run deep… and time is running out.

Publisher: Independently Published (September 22, 2025)

ISBN: 979-8292238829

ASIN: B0FNLY4WXK

Print length:  389 pages (also available as ebook)

THE INTERVIEW

Hi Celeste and a big warm welcome to the blog 👋

Thank you, Linda for inviting me to Boots, Shoes, and Fashion! I’m Celeste Fenton, retired professor turned mystery author, and proud creator of The Mysteries of a Heart series — where danger comes with a dash of desire. I live in sunny Florida with my spoiled Cavalier spaniel, Gemma, who insists she’s my muse (and she’s not wrong – she’s the inspiration for Darcy in Captive Heart). When I’m not writing or reading, I love spending time with my kids and grandkids and traveling to small towns to people-watch, and cook up romance and plot crimes (on my laptop of course!).

Who or what inspired you to write “The Mysteries Of A Heart” series?

The idea of writing a mystery had been chirping in my head for years — like a persistent parrot reminding me I wasn’t getting any younger. When my husband passed away in 2021, I realized there’s never a “right time” to start pursuing a dream.  I  took a deep breath, gave myself a strong pep-talk, ditched my fear of failure (mostly), sat down at my computer, and let my stories take flight. 

I really enjoyed reading your book, “Captive Heart in Brantmar Castle ”, which is book 2 in the Mysteries of The Heart series, and I particularly enjoyed the characters of Gabby, Abigail, Jay & Rick. What character did you particularly enjoy writing about? What character was the hardest to portray?

Thank you, Linda! That means so much — it makes the long hours worth it. Gabby is definitely my favorite; she’s so messy, layered, and wonderfully human. Sometimes I have to wrestle her off the page just to let the others speak! Jay, Lola, and Gail are a blast — they practically write their own dialogue. Rick is a bit of a challenge since he keeps his cards close to his chest…back story there! The hardest? Abe. Her quiet strength and past trauma hit a bit close to home and writing her feels like revealing a little too much of myself.

Researching for your novel must have been quite interesting… did you discover anything that shocked you or uncover some nugget of information that was unexpected? 

I’m glad you noticed the level of research involved in Captive Heart. I spent much more time, four or five months, delving into the settings and topics in book2 than I did for Lost Heart. Along the way, I fell down a lot of rabbit holes. While Lost Heart was a more contained plot, Captive Heart, moves readers back and forth from the U.S. to Scotland. I dove into everything from aviation to Scottish weather patterns. I consulted a pilot, who taught me that planes can’t simply “fly straight” across the Atlantic — they follow great-circle routes because of the curvature of the Earth. Geometry class came back to haunt me! I had to rein myself in… showing off my new knowledge about aerodynamics at luncheons and dinners. I also read about survivor’s guilt and gunshot trauma, which was sobering but essential to get right.

Captive Heart in Brantmar Castle is based in New England and Scotland, yet you live in Florida. What made you pick those locations for this story?  

I’ve been lucky enough to visit all 50 states, and New England stole my heart early on. I knew Gabby had to come from a small island off the Massachusetts coast — think Nantucket with secrets. As for Scotland, well… let’s just say my husband had to limit the number of castles I could drag him to. Just think what those ancient stone walls have seen everything — love affairs, betrayals, ghosts — what mystery writer could resist?

Although you made your debut as an author at the age of 69,  growing up, did you envisage yourself as a writer or did you have other career aspirations?

You know…I’ve been asked that question a lot over the last year and it has lead me to do some real reflection. For more than ten years, I worked as a career counselor in both a high school and a community college, and one thing I learned—about people and about myself—is that while some individuals know their path from an early age, most of us are pulled in certain directions through opportunity or necessity. Looking back, I can see that the impulse to write was always there, even if it never appeared on a formal career plan. I even won a short-story contest in college, which kept my ego floating happily for quite a while.

The urge to write was a little bird that chirped at me, but life led me in other directions—into academia, family, and a long career I loved. After my husband passed away, I found myself at a crossroads, unsure who I was, what I wanted. Grief has a way of sharpening your understanding that time waits for no one. I chose to give myself permission to try, to let go of the fear of failure, and let the little bird out of the cage to write.  

Is “Captive Heart at Brantmar Castle” available worldwide?

Yes! It’s available on Amazon, Ingramspark, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million…worldwide in both ebook , paperback, and hardcover — perfect for readers who enjoy a little danger with their desire. (And no passport required!)

If you could visit any place in the world to inspire a new novel, where would you go and why? 

Tasmania, hands down. It’s the setting for Book Four — where Gabby and her friends investigate the mysterious death of Anna’s half-brother. I’ve already started researching the wild landscape, remote cliffs, and culture. It’s part mystery, part adventure, romance — and maybe a little heartbreak. 

Are you a bookworm yourself? If so, what genres (or authors) do you usually like to read? And are you a kindle or “proper book” fan?

I’ve been devouring stories since I was four, and I have a blue ribbon from the New Port Richey summer reading program of 1960 to prove it! My reading taste is eclectic — Elizabeth Berg, Karen White, and Heather Hummel Gallagher for women’s fiction; Agatha Christie and M.C. Beaton for cozy mysteries; Nora Roberts and Lisa Kleypas when I’m in the mood for romance; and Game of Thrones when I want dragons with my drama. While I have a Kindle, I love the feel and smell of a ‘proper book’. I love to browse and buy in a real physical bookstore. 

Celeste at her local theatre production of Grease in her Pink Lady outfit

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?

Most days, you’ll find me in jeans or leggings and a comfy tee — the official uniform of dog-moms everywhere. When I venture into civilization, I’ll throw on a stylish dress or pants and top (Thank you, Chicos!). As for shoes, I’ve surrendered to flats (gracefully, I might add). But— they’re still cute with glitz and bows. And yes, I do own too many pairs. (Looking at you, Gabby Heart.)

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites ?

Chico’s, hands down — I love their mix of comfort and class. Amazon, of course, because what can’t you get there? Chewy’s for Gemma’s royal treats, and Etsy for all the clever, crafty people who make things I could never dream of making myself.

What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?

There’s a sparkly tee at Chico’s calling my name, but I’m trying to be sensible and hold out until it goes on sale. And…I was asked to be a model in a fashion show last week…my credit card bloated a bit when I bought the outfits I modeled. I’ll definitely be visiting the boutique the for the cute little dress with the fishnet sleeves another woman got to show off.

Boots or shoes — and why?

I adore boots, but Florida’s climate gives me about three days a year to wear them. So, shoes win by default. That said, there’s a pair of tan suede boots at DSW whispering, “You deserve us.” And honestly, who am I to argue with good footwear?

Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc

Website

https://celestefenton.com

YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/@CelesteFentonWrites

@CelesteFentonWrites

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/celeste.fenton.9

celeste.fenton.9

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/celestefentonwrites

@celestefentonwrites

BOOK TOUR DETAILS

Fantastic to have you on the blog, Celeste! Thank you also for the review copy of Captive Heart At Brantmar Castle …. I’m looking forward to the next books ….

Linda x

All photographs have been published with the kind permission of Celeste Fenton

Header photo is by Linda Hobden – Warwick Castle, England .

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Books, Interview, Life Issues/ Motivational Posts, Photographers/Models

An Interview With Anika Pavel

I’m so excited to welcome onto the blog this week ex Bond Girl Anika Pavel. Anika came to England from her native Czechoslovakia (Trnava, now part of Slovakia) in the 1960s to be an au pair for a year, based in the town of Ipswich, Suffolk. Unfortunately in 1968 the Soviet Union invaded Czechoslovakia and she was unable to return home. Her good looks and poise helped her gain financial independence and she became a fashion model, gracing pages of women’s magazines…. a Playboy Bunny… a Bond Girl … an actress … and a writer. Her memoir, “Encounter With The Future”, is interesting to read as she navigates the different stages of her life from Czechoslovakia (Slovakia) to England; to Asia and settling now in the USA. Such a fascinating insight into those heady days of the late 60s /early 70s….. Hi Anika 👋

Hello readers. My name is Anika Pavel. I live on Cape Cod Massachusetts. Pretty poetic given my ties to the Bee Gees music as you will find out below. 

 “Encounter With The Future” is your memoir from when you left your home country of Czechoslovakia in the 1960s  for a year’s experience as a au pair in England at the tender age of 18; your life as a fashion model, as an actress, and as a Bond girl,  eventually settling down in the USA; what made you decide to write down your story? 

I arrived in England wide eyed and eager to learn. The plan was to be an au pair for one year, then go home. I was soaking up the English experience when in August 1968 the Soviet Union invaded my homeland and nobody could be sure if it would be safe for me to go back. I became a model by chance, although fashion was in my DNA. My father was a tailor and I made my first outfit on his old PFFAF foot-powered sewing machine at the age of seven. Supervised by dad of course. 

My parents always said I was never short of words. I remain a story teller with an elephant memory. So when my children asked me to write down the stories I was telling them, I decided to go to school and learn how to write properly. To my surprise my essays began to get published. I was asked to put the essays into a book and as a result, Encounter with the Future was born. 

What helped you through your toughest moments when you first left your family in Czechoslovakia; and when the Soviet Union invaded your homeland?

Being alone in London and knowing my family was in a country full of tanks and soldiers, was hard. Getting through the difficult moments was rough. I can’t sugar coat it. But when you have no choice, you just go on till it gets better. The Bee Gees song about the mining disaster made me feel lucky that I could feel hunger and I could feel cold, because I was alive. I never complain to people around me. I did not want to be labeled; “wet” do you remember that expression? Is it still used? 

Oh yes, Anika, that expression is still used!

I loved your writing style and the honesty that shone through. Did you find writing your story therapeutic? 

I find writing the essays therapeutic. I laughed and I cried. Let me rephrase it, I laughed a lot and I bawled my eyes out and it helped me.

For me, writing is therapy. It is not like talking. Once you say it, you cannot un-say it but you can always delete your writing. So I can just let it rip. 

How difficult was it to adjust to living in a different country? How did you get to grips with learning English?

Adjusting to living in different countries was not hard for me. After all, I grew up on “Travel is the University of Life!” Learning English was harder. Actually, learning English was not hard. I could read books in less than four months. Understanding English however was a whole different matter. Thanks again to the BEE GEES song; Smile, an everlasting smile, a smile can bring you near to me… that song broke my ear barrier.  After I was able to understand that song my ears had adjusted. I shall be forever thankful. 

Becoming a Bond Girl must have been very glamorous  … of course, I love Bond films especially The Spy Who Loved Me 😊 Was it nerve racking being on the film set? What was your favourite modelling/acting experience ?

Being on the set of The Spy Who Loved Me was exhilarating. I inhaled every last drop of air in the Pinewood studios. It’s a miracle Roger Moore found any oxygen left to survive!  Haha!

My favorite modelling experience was to appear on three covers of a WOMAN magazine and the Close up toothpaste tv commercial. Working on James Bond was a unique experience I could never forget. I met Roger Moore in NYC when he was promoting the 50 years of James Bond. He treated me like a long lost friend. As for acting, working with Benny Hill in Raid on the Waterloo Station was very unique. Benny became a friend beyond cameras. He was kind, funny and very perceptive. 

Since your foray to England at the age of 18 from Czechoslovakia, you have travelled quite extensively across Europe, Asia and USA – Any favourite destinations?  What’s top of your bucket list?

I loved living and learning about different parts of the world but London will always be deepest in my heart. I will always be Slovak but being British is an honor I treasure. My children are now in New York so my heart tags toward the city that never sleeps as well. I have only one place on my bucket list. Australia. I have so many wonderful friends who live there, some I met in Hong Kong but some were pivotal in my life in England. I have to go and see them all.

Is “Encounter With The Future” available to purchase worldwide?

Encounter with the Future is available worldwide. You can get it on Amazon. Barnes and Noble, though you have to order it on B&N and you can also order it from my website too.

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?

Personal yeh! I love suits, vests and ties, what can I say, my father was a tailor. I like to switch it around too. So certain trousers may find themselves dancing with a different jacket and totally funky blouse. But I love ties! Not scarves, I love ties and vests. I would wear a tie and vest with a soft silk frilly blouse! Pants are secondary as long as they are comfortable. I do love the occasional funky skirt with tie and vest. Hmm I have a need to stick my nose into my closet.  

Shoes – When I was younger, I loved very high heels. I still do but now I carry flats in my handbag. I always felt high heels give women great posture. You can’t slouch in high heels.

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites ?

I like the whole experience of shopping. Or as my friend Carolyn in London calls it RETAIL THERAPY. I used to love going to Harrods in the 1970’s and Peter Jones in Sloane Square, Selfridges in West End.  But my absolute favorite was Liberty of London! I own a whole collection of their ties and mentioned my passion for the store and their ties in one of my essays in the book. 

On line, I hit Etsy for something funky. J. Crew for something practical. I also love going to one of the little shops nobody ever heard of. I don’t shop much online. My daughter does, I think it is generational.

Oh my, Liberty’s in London was my haunt in the 1980s! Love that store! What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?

What outfits am I looking for now? Something comfortable yet structured. Suit but not suit. I want to stay true to myself but I don’t want to see myself coming 40 years ago. I am also sensitive not to look like my daughter wannabe. Although we raid each other’s closets frequently… 

Boots or Shoes?

Shoes or boots. Shoes mostly because I have a very high instep and it’s a pain to take my boots off. Just ask my husband how many times he ended up on the floor pooling my boots off. 

Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc

www.anikapavel.com  

Instagram@anika.pavel

Facebook@anika.pavel

Such a pleasure to have you on my blog, Anika! I loved reading your memoir and I am so glad to chat about your life experiences with you. And share a love of Liberty’s too! 😍

Linda x

All photographs have been published with the kind permission of Anika Pavel.

My thanks to Anika Pavel for the interview and Ben Cameron of Cameron Publicity & Marketing for a review copy of Encounter With The Future.

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Books, Interview, Travel

Interview: Robert Edwards, The Fontainebleau, Nerja

This week’s blog guest is Robert Edwards who has co written a book, “The Fontainebleau “ , with Paul Bradley, an author I interviewed way back in 2021 – https://bootsshoesandfashion.com/spotlight-on-the-andalusian-mystery-series. “The Fontainebleau” is a true story based on the Edwards family move in the 1970s from London to Nerja, Spain to open Hostel Fontainebleau. Robert initially ran the Fontainebleau Bar & Restaurant and took overall management when his parents retired. Before I welcome Robert onto the blog, here’s a quick summary of “The Fontainebleau” :

BOOK SUMMARY

A nostalgic journey back to the 1970s when the love affair with Nerja, Spain, began. Based on the true story of the Edwards family.
In 1972, smooth-talking London bookie Jimmy Edwards was horrified by the daunting prospect of a tax-grabbing Socialist Government. With a pioneering British spirit, he sold up and voted with his feet. Seduced by the balmy climate and low costs, he crammed the family into the Rolls Royce and headed for Spain, still under the iron fist of a Fascist regime. Blissfully ignorant of the politics, linguistically inept, and without relevant experience, they purchased a half-finished hostel from a dodgy developer in the quaint fishing village of Nerja on the eastern Costa del Sol.
The bureaucracy was a nightmare, and rip-off builders were laboriously slow. But Jimmy was smart. He appointed a Spanish lawyer in Málaga who spoke English. What could go wrong?
Unsurprisingly, the project was delayed and then delayed. In 1974, well over a year behind schedule, the Fontainebleau opened and was immediately at loggerheads with oddball ex-pats, eccentric guests, demanding tour operators, and the dreaded Guardia Civil. With family harmony falling apart and bankruptcy looming, their only hope was luck and a gritty determination to succeed.

THE INTERVIEW

Hi Robert, thanks for joining us on the blog 👋

Left to Right: Robert Edwards, Paul Bradley

Hello. My name is Robert Edwards. I live in Spain, near Nerja on the eastern Costa del Sol. And I have done so since 1974 when I came here with my parents who decided to retire from the UK.  I have involved myself with many different business activities during my life in Spain. Firstly, the opening of the Hostal Fontainebleau in 1974, the subject of my recently published book. During this period I met and married my Spanish wife and we had our first child, Syreeta. In 1980 my parents sold the hostal at my request (as mentioned in the book), and I went into real estate. This continued very successfully through until the early nineties when I sold the business, during which time we had two more children. I then created the first private long term covered car parking facility at Malaga International airport. This went well until disagreements with my Spanish partner made it impossible to run it as I had envisaged. So, I sold out of this one too. Then, the Internet started to appear, and I could see its potential, so I started a design and advertising company to create the very first websites here in Spain. This should and would have been very much more successful had I had the IT and financial backing that was necessary at the time. After three or four years I moved on again, and moved back into real estate with a friend. This continued into the 21st century where I also joined forces with another, local Spanish company who were building property in Morocco. So, lots of trips to Tangier and Chefchaouen. This continued for a few years until, yet again, I jumped ship and went with other local real estate outfits. This continued through to my final retirement about five years ago, when I then decided to use my life long hobby of photography and started a photo business providing photo shoots for local real estate agents. I still continue to do this on a part time basis.

What inspired you to tell the story of your family’s move from London to Nerja in the 1970s? 

Five years ago during Covid, I was walking across Plaza Cavana, a square in the centre of Nerja, with my mask on when I heard a familiar voice call my name. I turned around, and it was Paul (Bradley), who I recognised despite him wearing a mask also. We said hello and changed pleasantries, and then I had a light bulb moment. At the back of my mind for over forty years I had thought about writing a book to reflect the early days in Spain and the Fontainebleau. One of my favourite all time comedy series was Fawlty Towers, and I had often compared some of its episodes to the calamities that we had endured in the early days of the hostal. The problem was that I didn’t consider myself up to the task of writing a book, but in that moment I knew that Paul had. In fact he had written several books in a crime mystery series set in Andalucian cities. “Fancy a coffee?”, I said. We sat down, and two later hours later and after much coffee, I had explained and convinced him of my idea and he agreed to co-write the book for me.

Prior to the family move, had the family or your father been to Spain? What were your first impressions of Nerja?

Yes, my parents came to the Costa del Sol on various occasions for holidays in the sixties. We found Nerja completely by accident, which is explained in the book. Our first impressions were that we all loved it. (If I say any more, I’ll be providing snippets about the book!)

A lot of people dream of moving abroad and owning hotels/ bars/ restaurants in Spain … although your family move was in the 1970s , do you think your family’s encounters & struggles with construction, bureaucracy and eccentric guests  still exist today for people hoping to make the jump abroad?

There will always be difficulties and challenges for anyone moving to another country, especially if they are considering a business start up. The language, the culture, the climate, and many other things will all add to their experience, whether they are successful or not. The difference today, as opposed to the early seventies, is that many, many people have now done it, so there a lots of people online and in books who can provide help and advice. That was not the case when we came to Spain. It was an adventure punctuated by our daily endeavour to succeed and overcome a barrage of new obstacles and hurdles

What were your highlights from your move to Spain and your time running The Fontainebleau Bar & Restaurant ?

Best to read the book! It’s all summarised from the early seventies when my parents were first pondering with the idea of a move to Spain and early retirement, but they needed an income as well, so my fellow two sisters and brother were all invited to come I (if we were successful in finding something to invest in), but only my brother, his wife and two children, and myself decided to join them. Prior to the eventual decision to purchase the hostal, we did some recky trips from 1970 through to 1973 looking at potential businesses. This was fun and we naturally combined these trips with a holiday as we explored options. Running the Fontainebleau was a great experience. I learnt Spanish, met my wife, had three children, 2 girls and a boy, and grew up in a country that at the time was a very different place to what I had experienced during my childhood at home in England. I was young, adventurous and considered myself privileged to experience this new challenge.

Robert Edwards’ father’s Rolls Royce ….

If I was visiting Nerja, what 5 things do you recommend I put on my itinerary?

Certainly, the Caves of Nerja, discovered by accident in 1959, and opened to the public in 1960. The ‘Balcon de Europa’, a beautiful promenade in the centre of Nerja that butts out into sea. The adjacent village of Maro, which forms part of the Nerja municipality, that has almost stood still in time when compared to the huge construction boom that has taken place over the last 60 years along the entire Costa del Sol, and of course the rest of Spain. Maro in probably the most unspoilt village along the entire coast. The nearby village of Frigiliana, also one of the most authentic and unspoilt villages in Andalucia. Visit ‘Ayo’s? for a paella! Ayo has been making paella on the Burriana beach in Nerja for some fifty odd years. He’s probably the most photographed chef ever.

 Are you a bookworm? What is your favourite genre and/or authors? Kindle or actual book? 

I’m not a bookworm. But in the past I loved reading books by John Grisham, and similar. I still love a court room drama, whether in a book or a film.

 Is “The Fontainebleau” available to purchase worldwide?

Yes, the book is available on all Amazon platforms, including Kindle. It’s available locally in Smiffs and Europa bookshops in Nerja.

L to R : Robert & Paul at Smiffs Bookshop in Nerja

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?

Well, I’m not a flip-flops sort of person! Given the climate, I prefer to wear smart but light summer shoes most of the year round, leather shoes in winter, and boots for trekking in the ‘campo’.

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites?

Well, like so many people, I do use Amazon a lot. However, it is nice to browse actual shops and stores as we all did once upon a time. I still enjoy visiting El Corte Ingles, a private chain of stores to be found in all major cities across Spain. Commercial shopping centres in Spain, whilst convenient, are also a bit boring insofar as they all have the same commercial names and shops. This of course varies a little from one autonomous community to another but essentially has the same problem. It’s much more fun to explore the individual shops. My daughter lives near Madrid, so I enjoy trips into the city to do this.

What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?

  Anything that keeps me cool in summer!

Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc

                     Official Fontainebleau Fan Page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565730580167        

                    By far the most books sold on Amazon have been on Amazon UK: https://amzn.eu/d/etID2px

                    Amazon com: https://a.co/d/gPC9O2L

                  Amazon Spain: https://amzn.eu/d/ehxcL3J

                    The FONTAINEBLEAU surges to BEST SELLER in 3 Categories on Amazon UK! (This happened earlier this year several months after the launch).

                    No. 1 in Beach Holidays

                    No. 1 in Spanish Historical Biographies

                    No. 1 in Resorts & Spas for Travelers

                   Google Books: https://books.google.es/books/about/The_Fontainebleau.html?id=bUXl0AEACAAJ&redir_esc=y

                   Article published last year in Sur en Ingles (Sur in English), the leading English speaking newspaper on the Costa del sol since 1984: https://www.surinenglish.com/lifestyle/people/the-tale-the-british-family-who-ran-20241031144043-nt.html

                   The book is printed and distributed by Gardners and Ingram’s in the UK:

                   ISBN-10: ‎8409642425
                   ISBN-13: ‎978-8409642427

Thank you Robert for the kind words about my blog – truly appreciated 😊 and thank you for sharing a bit about your love affair with Spain 😊

Linda x

All photographs have been published with the kind permission of Robert Edwards. Palm tree photo – Linda Hobden

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Let Birds Fly Book Tour

It’s Hallowe’en and what better time to review a collection of magical short stories than this weekend? I’m pleased to be part of the Let Birds Fly book tour, a magical collection of short stories by debut author Rhea Thomas. The stories have an interconnecting link but are all separate riveting tales with themes such as hallucinating coffee, a mysterious gloop and psalm shoes … Before I welcome Rhea onto the blog to find out more about her imaginative stories, here’s a quick book summary ….

BOOK SUMMARY

Let Birds Fly by Rhea Thomas is a magical realism short story collection where the extraordinary sparks everyday lives toward transformation. Connected by Ripple Media, each of the fifteen characters navigates personal struggles, such as an impossible itch, a mercurial third eye, and hallucinating coffee. They discover hidden truths, purpose, or power. With whimsy and emotional depth, these stories explore identity, passion, and self-discovery through moments of enchantment that crack open ordinary reality. Let these tales remind you: sometimes, the most magical thing is becoming who you were always meant to be.

Publisher: Main Street Rag Publishing Company

ISBN-10: 978-1-964277-49-3

Print Length: 232 pages

 THE INTERVIEW

Lovely to have you on the blog Rhea 😊 Please tell us a bit about yourself…

Hi 👋 My name is Rhea (pronounced “Ray”), and I live in Austin, TX. I work in digital marketing as a program manager and spend my free time writing. I have two grown sons and a stubborn labrador retriever. I spend a lot of time in my head and have to remind myself to occasionally leave my hermit cave. 

Who or what inspired you to write your collection of short stories of “Let Birds Fly”?

I love to write and use it as a stress release and creative outlet. After writing a handful of stories about the digital marketing world, my writing coach suggested that these stories could be compiled into a themed collection, and I loved that idea, so I went with it. So, ultimately, my day job inspired this collection, but of course, I exaggerated everything about work and threw in magical realism twists. 

“Let Birds Fly ” is a collection of magical realism short stories! My favourite stories were about the Hallucinating coffee, the mercurial third eye, and the Psalm Shoes (of course) but I really enjoyed them all. Which short story did you enjoy writing about the most?  Which story was the hardest to portray?

The story that was the most fun to write was probably “To The Fairest”, because having Greek goddesses show up in the real world unexpectedly was just rife with crazy opportunities. The hardest story to write was the final one, “The Screaming Kettle,” because I knew I needed it to tie everything together, and I wasn’t sure how to do that.

This is your first book collection of short stories. Were there any aspects of writing the stories that surprised you, pleasantly or otherwise?

I love the short story form, all the different directions stories can take, and how they can convey so much in so few words. Looking back on what I’ve written, I didn’t expect so many of the story themes to be so similar (i.e., finding your voice, speaking up, figuring out your purpose in life, etc.)

If you could visit any country/place in the world, to base a future collection of short stories in, where would you go and why?

If I had to choose one place for now, I think I’d like to go to Croatia. Their stunning coastlines and natural beauty, medieval cities and Roman ruins are so compelling. But there are just so many places I’d love to go to research stories and write about, anywhere in Europe, Greece, Africa, South America, India, South Asia. I love unique settings and foreign cultures. Reading opens your world to different places and people, making you more empathetic and knowledgeable. 

Are you a bookworm? What is your favourite genre and/or authors? Kindle or actual book?

I’m a book dragon! I’m constantly reading and usually have a couple of different books going at once. I read more than 100 books a year. I love reading on my Kindle, physical books and audiobooks. I’m not picky! I love most genres, but my favorites are mystery and historical fiction or a combination of those.  

Is “Let Birds Fly” available to purchase worldwide?

Yes, the book is available on my publisher’s website and can be shipped worldwide. https://mainstreetragbookstore.com/product/let-birds-fly-rhea-thomas/

Growing up had you always wanted to be a storyteller or did you have other career aspirations?

I have always been drawn to the idea of being a writer, thanks to my intense love of books and reading from a young age. But at different times, I thought I might be a lawyer or a doctor or specifically, Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman. 

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?

Austin is hot most of the year, so I live in oversized tank tops and black bike shorts with sneakers. I work from home, so I can dress casually. Occasionally, I throw on a sweatshirt, but that’s what I wear year-round. It’s really boring, but I really don’t have a strong sense of fashion or style. I know that’s disappointing! 

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites?

Any site where I can buy books! I spend a lot of time on Goodreads and the Austin Public Library’s site finding my next read. I love falling down research rabbit holes and learning things on the internet. 

What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?

I’m just not a clothes person. I could wear the same thing every day and be fine. That’s so boring, I know. 

Boots or Shoes?

I live in my sneakers, but I love boots. Boots make me feel like I can kick ass and conquer the world. Especially cowboy boots. 

Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc

https://rheathomasauthor.com

https://www.facebook.com/rheathomasauthor

https://www.instagram.com/rheatellstales

BOOK TOUR

Thank you for chatting with us today Rhea. I loved reading your short stories and thank you so much for allowing me to join you on your book tour.

Linda x

All photographs have been published with the kind permission of Rhea Thomas.

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An Agreement Of Souls Book Tour

Back in October 2022 I interviewed author Amy Sampson Cutler when she published her debut paranormal novel, “A Shadow Of Love” – you can read the post here :

A Shadow Of Love Book Tour

So I am delighted to welcome back Amy onto the blog for her latest book tour celebrating her latest spine tingling tale, “To Have And To Hold, To Love And To Kill: An Agreement of Souls”. This tale is a delicious mix exploring the theme of reincarnation, with hints of suspense and mystery, love and paranormal elements. I loved it! Here’s a brief book summary before we settle down and chat with the lovely Amy…

BOOK SUMMARY

In her past life, after causing the death of a little boy, Nikki was so devastated that her soul mate promised to murder her in their next life, to make her pay for what she had done. With no knowledge of this, Nikki lives for years as an addict, down on her luck, until she is rescued by Ken, who helps her with all aspects of her recovery. With the help of a few new friends and a cat named Destiny, Nikki turns her life around. What she doesn’t know is that someone out there is destined to kill her, and he is watching, his passion for killing her growing stronger each day.

The question is: Can an agreement made between two souls be broken, and how far will one soul go to keep a promise made in a desperate attempt to save the other?

Publisher: Black Rose Writing

ISBN-10: 1685133428

ISBN-13: 978-1685133429

Print length: 195 pages

THE INTERVIEW

Welcome back onto the blog! I last interviewed you in October 2022, in your book tour for “A Shadow Of Love”, which was your 1st paranormal novel. Who or what inspired you to write “To Have and To Hold, To Love and To Kill”?

Thank you! It feels like 2022 was about a week ago. 

I was inspired to write this novel after a conversation with a friend of mine, who is also an energist, or energy healer. I was going through a rough patch at the time, and she told me that perhaps my troubles weren’t a result of anything that I caused in this life. Maybe, she said, it was from a past life. She suggested that it is possible that I even had an agreement with someone from a past life, and that is the root of my current woes.

That really got my wheels spinning, and I just had to explore this! 

 I really enjoyed reading your book, “ To Have and To Hold, To Love and To Kill ” and I enjoyed the characters of Nikki, Ken, Melissa, Hadeon & Theresa. They were all strong characters! What character did you particularly enjoy writing about? What character was the hardest to portray?

Thank you so much! I really loved telling Nikki’s story, probably because I was so spellbound by the concept that a past life event could be affecting my current life. In general, she was also someone that I wanted to hug. The hard knocks in her life, all from something that she had no knowledge of, made me feel bad, even though I knew that she was the one that arranged those hard knocks. 

The hardest for me to portray was Hadeon. When writing a character, I can generally relate to them in some way. Most of us have experienced love, loss, heartbreak, happiness, fear, trauma, etc. But wanting to kill someone for absolutely no reason? I’m happy to say that I do not relate. I can imagine, however, that it’s quite conflicting.

I enjoyed the thriller aspect mixed in with psychic powers, nightmares and the soul mate reincarnation ; and the “relationship” between Nikki & Ken.  So, hypothetically speaking, if To Have and To Hold, To Love and To Kill was made into a film, who would you envisage to play these main characters? 

I would choose, without a doubt, Natasha Lyonne as Nikki. The raw emotion that she brings to her work would be beyondamazing. For Ken, I’d have to pick Michael C Hall, as he is an expert in playing characters with hidden depths and moral ambiguity. 

I love Destiny, the cat.  My cats are inquisitive and judgmental too at times.  Is Destiny based on any cats you know or have known?

We have two cats – Midnight and Cutie Pie. They are both black cats (unintentionally fitting my Halloween themed life) who have a little air of mysticism. Destiny is not based on them, per se, but I think they would be great friends.

As “A Shadow Of Love” was your first paranormal novel; how did To Have and To Hold, To Love and To Kill compare – was it easier or harder to write? What aspects of either novel didyou enjoy writing the most? 

I’d say that “A Shadow of Love” was easier because the story had been in my head for so long before I began. It bounced around in there for years before I went back to school for my MFA and began to write it. “To Have and to Hold, to Love and to Kill: An Agreement of Souls” was a bit more difficult because I really struggled with the decisions that the characters were making, and how it played out. In answer to my life’s problems, I wanted a different outcome, I guess. But the story took a different direction and while that was fun to write – who doesn’t like to be surprised by their own stories? – I had to battle my preconceived notions to where the story was going with the fact that I wasn’t completely in control of that. Talk about a life lesson!

Is “ To Have and To Hold, To Love and To Kill ” available to purchase worldwide? 

Yes! It is available internationally through major online retailers, such as: Amazon, Indigo for Canadian readers, and Bookshop.org for indie bookstore support.

Linked here:

Amazon.com: To Have and to Hold, to Love and to Kill: An Agreement of Souls: 9781685133429: Cutler, Amy S.: Books

To Have And To Hold, To Love And To Kill: An Agreement OfSouls Book By Amy S Cutler, (Paperback) | Indigo

To Have and to Hold, to Love and to Kill a book by Amy S Cutler – Bookshop.org US

You’ve written short stories, paranormal novels, etc … which genre would you like to try if you had to pick to write a different style novel? 

I am currently working on my first non-fiction piece. It is a true story of a great friend of mine, but me being who I am, I couldn’t help but include a mythological story to weave in between the chapters. I also love to write Speculative Fiction, which of course covers paranormal, but I very much enjoy Science Fiction as well. If I had to pick something totally different, I’d have to go with a good romance novel, although I would have a hard time not finding at least one ghost or other nefarious creature to throw in the mix. 

What book are you currently reading for pleasure?

I just finished reading Stephen King’s “Needful Things.” I remembered loving this book when I was much younger and decided to reread it, and I’m so glad I did. Before that, I read “Pride and Prejudice,” as a bit of a palate cleanser for my brain, because that, I choose “Off Season” by Jack Ketchum, which was beautifully savage and just a little disturbing. 

Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc. 

I definitely have to spend some time updating all of these sites now! 

www.amyshippiehut.com

(1) Facebook

(2) Amy Sampson-Cutler (@amyshippiehut) • Instagram photos and videos

BOOK TOUR DETAILS

Lovely to chat with you again ! Fabulous book so thank you very much for sending me a copy to read – I enjoyed it just as much as A Shadow Of Love… ❤️

All photographs have been published with kind permission of Amy Sampson-Cutler.

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The Witch’s Apprentice Book Tour

I’m so pleased to be invited onto The Witch’s Apprentice book tour celebrating the latest short story collection by author Ekta Garg. The Witch’s Apprentice & Other Stories is just the book to curl up and read as the nights draw in. This book cleverly explores the untold scenes of some of the most famous fairytales and nursery rhymes, with an adult twist…. Here’s a quick summary of the book to explain more…

BOOK SUMMARY

Have you ever wondered why Jack and Jill needed that pail of water in the first place? Or how Sleeping Beauty managed to prick her finger despite a royal order to destroy every spindle in the kingdom?

Fairy tales and nursery rhymes have given us some of the most iconic characters and images in storytelling; think Cinderella’s glass slipper or Jack’s oversized beanstalk. But what about the in-between moments? The ones that never made it to the page?

In this enchanting micro-collection of short stories, award-winning author Ekta R. Garg explores the untold scenes between the lines of some of our most loved tales. Find out what the Wicked Witch of the East was doing in the road before Dorothy’s house fell on her. Learn where Goldilocks came from. Meet the conmen who convinced the emperor he had new clothes and more.

Rediscover the wit, heart, and magic of the classics, and see them as you’ve never seen them before in The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories.

THE INTERVIEW

Hi Ekta 👋 and a big warm welcome to the blog….

Hello! My name is Ekta Garg, and I’m a Reviewer, Editor, Author, and Dreamer of stories and books. I write about grief and magic and hope and how these three intersect in my characters’ lives. I’ve been reading and writing my whole life; have worked in niche publishing since 2005; and was first published in 2021 with my holiday novella for grownups, The Truth About Elves. I’m a book podcaster and a writing contest judge, and one of my life philosophies is, “Drink tea, read books, be happy.”

Who or what inspired you to write your collection of short stories, “The Witch’s Apprentice & Other Stories”?

I came across a writing prompt a few years ago that inspired the first draft of the title story, “The Witch’s Apprentice,” which basically looks into the opening of The Wizard of Oz. We all know that Dorothy’s house came from Kansas and landed on top of the Wicked Witch of the East. My question, that I included in the book at the start of the story, was, What was the witch doing in the middle of the road in the first place?

I had so much fun posing this kind of question to an existing story that generations of readers have known and loved that I did it again for the nursery rhyme, “Jack and Jill” (Question: Why did they need that pail of water in the first place?), and for “The Pied Piper of Hamelin” (Question: What happened to the parents who were left behind after the piper spirited their children away?). When it came time to start thinking about writing my third book, I realized this method of interrogating classic stories and nursery rhymes might make a fun collection. I wrote two more stories — one based on “The Emperor’s New Clothes” and the other that addresses “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” and “Sleeping Beauty” — and sent the manuscript to my publisher, Nick Courtwright, at Atmosphere Press. He really liked the concept of looking into these unexplored facets of classic stories, and here we are!

“The Witch’s Apprentice & Other Stories” ” is a collection of short stories that explores the untold scenes between the lines of some favourite fairy tales and nursery rhymes. My favourite stories were the nursery rhyme, Jack and Jill –  I found the untold scene was totally unexpected ! – and I liked Goldilocks too! Which short story did you enjoy writing about the most?  Which “untold scene” was the hardest to portray?

I’ll always have a soft spot for the title story, “The Witch’s Apprentice,” because that’s the one that kicked off the entire collection. And since you’ve read the book, you know about the ending. It still makes me grin, even all this time after first writing it. 

I also have a deep love for “Denying Hamelin.” As a parent myself, I know how hard it is to get up every day and send my kids off into the world. There’s always a low level of anxiety that they’ll be okay, that people will treat them with love and respect and dignity, that they’ll come home safe and sound. In some ways, I think this story was almost like an acknowledgment to those worst fears realized. Also, the story is quite different from the others in the collection as well as from the kind of thing I normally write, so I’m really proud of the lyrical cadence, almost poetic in form, that came together in this one.

The hardest story to write was undoubtedly “The Beauty Before She Sleeps,” only because it took me a really long time to figure out the entry point of the story. I kept writing and rewriting different ways to start it, and nothing seemed right. I also had to figure out where I was going to end it; in some ways, the story could have been its own novella, but that’s not what I was going for. I found it challenging to keep it down to a somewhat reasonable length. It’s funny, because I always knew the main points of the story that I wanted to hit, but getting through the more mechanical elements made it a challenge to write.

Do you find writing a collection of short stories easier or harder than a novella? 

In some ways, it’s easier. You don’t have to spend as much time working on character/plot development, and sometimes as a writer you yourself don’t even know everything that’s going on behind the scenes with a story. You might have more insight than the reader, because it’s your creation, but you’re not sure and that’s okay. Short stories are more compact in form, so you know you’re going to get in and out and you’re done. And the length of short stories really forces a writer to focus on what’s important. 

That’s also exactly what makes it harder too. With short stories, there’s only so much space and time to devote to what you’re trying to say. The word count limit also forces a writer to confront the actual point, which can sometimes be hard to go through because stories don’t always do what you’d planned for them to do. Sometimes you sit down to write a story thinking it’s going to be about X, and then it takes a complete left turn when you least expect it and turns out to be about Q. 

Some of the best short stories also feel like they race by you, and that 80-mile-an-hour rush, that nearly causes whiplash, can leave you breathless, whereas a novella or novel starts slow and revs up bit by bit until you’re speeding along and the world is blurring by and don’t want to get off until you hit that final point.

Actually, I think they’re both easy and hard all at the same time. 😁 And short story collections have the added challenge of making sure all the stories within a single collection sit next to each other in a way that makes sense. So, yes, easy and hard all at once.

If you could visit any country/place in the world, to base a future collection of short stories in, where would you go and why? 

Oh, wow, such a fun question! I’ve never thought about this before, but at the start of the summer our family had the incredible opportunity to visit Italy for the first time. I’d love to go back and, yes, set a series of short stories there!

A quiet spot to do a spot of reading? This was taken in Umbria, Italy ©️ Linda Hobden

As you are a professional book reviewer too, I already know that you’re a bookworm! What is your favourite genre and/or authors? Kindle or actual book? 

I actually read pretty widely — sci-fi/fantasy; historical fiction; women’s and mainstream fiction; thrillers (domestic, legal, murder mysteries) — and across different ages — MG, YA, new adult, and adult books — so it’s hard to pinpoint a specific genre that I love more than any other. It’s kind of like asking a professional chef whether they love their ladles or their skillets more. Each has such a different purpose and utility that comparing them is hard.

For favorite authors, I’ll read absolutely anything by Fredrik Backman and T.M. Logan. I also adore Emily Jane’s work as well as Lindsay Currie. More than anything — age, genre, or author — I love books that surprise me. 

As for book format, I used to be one of those hardcore “only hard copy books for me!”…until my parents bought me my first Kindle in 2012. It’s kind of funny too, because they’d asked me if I wanted one, and I said, “No, I’ll never use a device to read a book!” (goofy purist that I was at that time,) and they turned around and bought it for me anyway. So I figured since they spent the money, I should be a good daughter and not let their money go to waste.

I haven’t looked back since. I even replaced that original Kindle with a newer one last year when the old one’s pixels started gasping on the screen.

However, I’m still a huge proponent of hard copy books. My nightstand currently holds about 20…well, maybe more. Thirty, I think? I haven’t counted. 😆 My husband just shakes his head and mutters that he’s glad he doesn’t have to share the nightstand with me. Many of these are from the library, but others are books I’ve bought that are on my TBR.

Last year, I also finally got into audiobooks and have started enjoying those as well. I can finally say I’m an omnivore when it comes to books!

And, really, that’s one of the best things about technology. It allows us to experience books — stories — in all forms and formats.

 Is “The Witch’s Apprentice & Other Stories” available to purchase worldwide?

If you have access to Amazon, you should be able to purchase it anywhere. Here in the States, you can order it from my author website and I’ll send you an autographed copy and a personalized note to say thank you. You  can also go to your local library or indie bookstore and ask them to get the book for you. Yay for libraries and indie bookstores!

 Growing up, had you always wanted to be a writer/editor/book reviewer or did you have other career aspirations?

I always knew I wanted to be an author. I stated it outright when I was 14, but I’ve been reading and absorbed in books since preschool. I was also one of those “nerdy” spelling bee kids 😄, so I’ve been surrounded by words and stories for my entire life. I think becoming an author was inevitable!

The editing and book reviewer roles came much later, but because both are so intricately connected to books it doesn’t surprise me. In addition to just really enjoying the editing process, I truly believe editing and reviewing books have both made me a better writer. So it all comes back to storytelling for me, and I’m so grateful that I get to do this.

Copyright ©️ Linda Hobden . A library in Sal Rei, Boa Vista, Cape Verde

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?

If I’m at home and not going anywhere, you’ll find me with my hair in a ponytail, no makeup, no jewelry, and in a pair of comfy PJs or an old t-shirt and soft shorts/capris. If I’m going out to lunch with a friend, I’ll probably wear a fun dress (in the summer) or a nice pair of pants and a pretty sweater (in the fall/winter) with some small, every-day jewelry. I also enjoy getting really dressed up for a big evening out. So it all depends on where I’m going and what I’m doing that day.

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites ?

Hmm. When it comes to books, I love supporting my local indie bookstore, The Literary (https://www.literarybookbar.com/). I do shop on Amazon, but that’s mostly when I can’t find an item in a bricks-and-mortar store in town (and, sadly, that’s becoming more and more the case as even chain stores reduce inventory.) 

For clothes, in the last few years I discovered that Talbot’s has a lot of things that are my style and also that fit me. Our local Talbot’s is a little smaller, so I’ll check out their website from time to time to find things.

What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?

We’re at the start of the school year, which means a lot of fall clothes have made their way into the stores and all the spring/summer stuff is on sale. I want to hit our local stores to find a few nice, fun, frilly things to replace some of my older summer things!

Boots or Shoes?

I love the way boots look and feel, but I don’t have the model, mile-long legs that my 19-year-old does to really rock a pair like a superstar. So it’s shoes (most of the time!) for me. 

Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc

Thanks so much for the opportunity to be featured! Here’s where people can find me:

Author website: https://ektargarg.com

Instagram/X: @EktaRGarg 

Facebook: https://facebook.comReviewerEditorAuthorDreamer

BOOK TOUR DATES

All photographs have been published with the kind permission of Ekta R Garg. Some photos are by Linda Hobden. Many thanks to Ekta too for the review copy of The Witch’s Apprentice & Other Stories. All opinions are 100% my own

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