Whenever I’m reading a book, I have this silent conversation with the author in my head. This is particularly true for indie authors I’m reviewing, but most authors are ‘targeted’. Sometimes, there are more people in my head. So if you’re feeling like someone is walking on your grave, it might be me, reading your […]
News / Blog
Book Review: The Society of Two Houses, by William C. Tracy
Good things lie off the beaten path, and this book is one of them. It’s a short, twisty mystery set in a fantastical, unique world. What to expect This is a standalone novella in an ongoing series. Tracy does an amazing job of creating a unique world, with different alien species, a rich psychic-like magic […]
History, Fantasy, and Food
Take one of the greatest empires the world has ever seen. At its peak it controlled vast swathes of land and many different cultures – including their associated cuisines. But what happens when you add a fantastical element to the mix? As anyone who read my short stories or novels knows, though they’re set in […]
Secrets of Ancient Egypt
In a twist of my ancient history section of the blog, some news from ancient Egypt rather than Rome. I came across a few articles recently, which just make me itch to send Felix on a long road-trip… I think you’d agree they’re just delicious 😉
Book Review: Reasons to Kill God, by I.V. Olokita
Having grown up in Israel, I was drawn to this book by the subject matter of Nazi war criminals, especially considering the author and unique point-of-view used. What to expect The story is told by a Nazi war criminal, Klaus Holland, hiding in Brazil post WW2. When he’s found out and sent to trial, he’s […]
How to Murder. (Your darlings.) (In prose.)
We’ve all heard the advice to writers to “murder your darlings”. While I’ve been killing characters in entertainingly gruesome ways, the advice relates to prose. I’ve recently went through an extensive exercise of tightening my prose (for a particular submission), and thought I’d share my experience and lessons I’ve learned — both good and bad, […]
Book Review: Ovid, by David Wishart
You who are reading these lines will be shocked to know that I am, in fact, a Romanophile. (Well, shocked if you haven’t read my reviews of Lindsey Davis, Ruth Downie, Steven Saylor, and my constant blogging on Roman trivia…) Anyway. This book has been on my TBR for a long while, and my only […]
Screenwriting
In my continual quest to improve my writing, I’ve taken a look at screenwriting. (It has nothing to do with a possible deal for a movie adaptation of Murder In Absentia, about which I’m legally not allowed to talk just yet). Screenwriting is an interesting medium of storytelling, one with both similarities and differences to […]
Book Series Review: Gordianus the Finder (Roma Sub Rosa), by Steven Saylor
I came across Steven Saylor’s work when my Kindle suggested Roman Blood (I just finished Lindsey Davis’ Falco at the time). I delved right in, and loved it! I’ve just finished the latest installment (Throne of Caesar). I’ve mentioned this series a lot in the past but never reviewed it, so I’m now rectifying this […]
Bricks and Mortar
Some exciting news about real life, as well as reflections (because February). First, another bookstore in Sydney is now carrying my books. Berkelouw Hornsby, part of the Berkelouw chain that has been around since 1812. There is no denying the importance of brick-and-mortar bookshops. The ebooks share fluctuates and people are quick to cry the […]
