Exclusive! Interview with Natasha Bache, author of The Magical Matcha Teashop

With so many cozy, small-town books on the market, you'd think they're all one and the same. But, if you're lucky enough, like I was, to find Natasha Bache's The Magical Matcha Teashop, you'll see that this genre has so much more to offer!

I got the chance to interview the author behind Lavender Hollow's incredible story, Natasha Bache.

Before we get into the Q&A, have a little look at the plot for The Magical Matcha Teashop!

After breaking off her engagement, Grace moves back to Lavender Hollow with her parents and, despite knowing she did the right thing, feels a little deflated. Desperate for a job and a routine, Grace lands a role at Matcha Made In Heaven, the town's coffee shop. Yuji, the owner, sees something in Grace she doesn't see in herself. She meets the bakery owner, Abigail, who happens to be his sister. Max Owens enters Grace's life and makes her question herself in the best way. Maybe matcha isn't the only thing brewing...

Simple one to start! What was your inspiration for Grace’s story?

The inspiration for Grace’s story began with the question, ‘What if you could influence people’s emotions through a cup of matcha?’ What would that look like, why and how did the matcha become magical, or is it actually the person making it who imbues it with magic?

That’s when the prologue came to me of Yuji’s wife, Mei, desperately preparing her last batch of matcha in order to ease his grief at her imminent passing. 

Could you tell me about Lavender Hollow? Why that name, and why include the shops/locations you did, such as the Psychic’s place?

The name Lavender Hollow came from the want to make the village sound cozy and familiar - Hollow is used for many fictional places that we know and love, like Stars Hollow in Gilmore Girls, and I thought that Lavender gave the sense of this place being spring-like, whilst also evoking that sense of a beautiful smelling and slightly rugged/rural place.

Funnily enough, the psychic shop that Sybil runs, is heavily based on one of my favourite characters I’ve written from my witchy series called The Arcane Tales of Tamsyn Pride. There is a character called Quincy who is a tarot reader and sort of oracle. I thought it might be a nice easter egg for anyone who goes on to read that series, in that they might be related in some way as they look and behave so similarly…

To you, what makes a great setting for a small-town romance?

For me small town is all about the characters who reside there. My favourite part of the writing process is exploring the cast. I love writing quirky, humorous as well as dark people who feel very real, so whether the small town is quintessentially English, or it’s a rugged coastal town, it’s all about the people within the community that really help to bring it to life.

Do you think Grace was somewhat saved by Max (or vice versa), or did they comply with an opposites attract type of thing, and help each other?

I think Max demonstrates to Grace that he can be strong and protective, even going to the lengths to want to provide for her without the domineering control she was subjected to in her previous relationship. He offers to help her in any way he can, especially with money, but ultimately she rejects that (nicely) by figuring out a way to take on the Teashop by herself. 

If anything, what do you want readers to think/feel while reading this book?

I wanted to evoke the sense of a truly cozy read with an emotional thread running through the heart of it all. Feelings of grief, anger and betrayal, that are healed in a plausible way despite the element of magic. I love creating characters based on very real people I’ve met in my life, as well as situations I’ve found myself in, and enhance the scene though the medium of magic realism… those scenes, for example when Grace’s ex Oliver confronts her in the Teashop and the teapots start clattering on the shelves, feel quite cathartic to write and I hope it has an emotional connection with anyone reading who can perhaps relate to that situation.

What made you think to make the matcha magical? It’s unique in a book like this to include that!

This is actually the first romance I’ve written, but as I have written a small-town magical series before, it felt natural to include a magical element. I love drinking matcha, and there’s such a grounding, comforting and ritualistic feeling when preparing it that it seemed like the perfect fit for the tone of the story I wanted to tell; about healing from the past and finding a brighter future.

Perhaps a cliché question now! What was your process for piecing this amazing book together?

I always have two or three scenes that are in my head before I start writing. With The Magical Matcha Teashop, those scenes were the stormy nights - first when Grace discovers the broken pots of matcha and the mysterious book in the store room, then later when she is standing on a plinth in her wedding dress and Max whisks away to the bookshop through the driving rain, and lastly Yuji seeing his wife through the sunlight and dust-motes.

I’m a very visual person, so I usually have these scenes in my head as if they were in a film or series. I then have to start writing to get to those scenes, and it’s pretty much all discovery writing. I love doing it this way as it feels unpredictable, but it can also be hard at times, because you feel like you can only see two steps ahead. I have tried plotting out my work, but as I’m writing I tend to let the character lead me (that sounds pompous, but I don’t like forcing them as it can feel a little inauthentic.)

Do you enjoy matcha in real life? What’s your typical order?

Yes, I genuinely love matcha! My favourite is  just making it at home, a regular ceremonial grade matcha, with a little bit of vanilla syrup and coconut milk, either steamed depending on the weather, over ice. I’d love to try out all of the amazing shops in London with the more adventurous flavours though!

Out of all of Abigail’s pastries mentioned in the book, what would you order from her bakery?

When Grace can’t resist taking a hot maple and pecan pastry from the side, that’s totally because it’s my favourite - even though Abigail bakes incredible cakes and makes beautiful intricate pastries, the maple and pecan plait can’t be beaten in my opinion!

What is your favourite part or line from the book?

There are too many to choose from! Three that come to mind are the first time Abigail meets Grace and says, ‘I’m a tired baker, I’ll drink anything as long as it’s a piping hot caffeinated beverage.’ I actually added this line in when an incredible person sadly passed away in December 2025. His name was David Adam Williams, known to many as Adam the Woo, a YouTuber who documented his life and adventures.

I find him so inspiring, he lived his life to the absolute fullest and didn’t take a day for granted. I still watch him everyday, and one of his most common sayings was ‘a piping hot caffeinated beverage.’ The next is when Max says to Grace, ‘I want you to know that I see you, Grace. The real you. Not whatever version of yourself he tried to make you believe in.’ I’m sure a lot of people can relate to this - when someone in your life has perhaps given you a perception of yourself that is not accurate, but you almost start to believe them anyway.

Another line that always makes me laugh is when Grace and Yuji find Maow destroying his teapots and she says, ‘I think he’s trying to tell us something,’ and he replies ‘like what, “I enjoy destruction and your abject misery”?’ The whole scene always cracks me up! 

You can find The Magical Matcha Teashop in supermarkets and bookstores everywhere!

REVIEW: The Great Orme, Paul D Coombs - 4/5

A group of killers, a text that changes everything, a sea serpent, and a horde of ghosts.

Zac and his 6 closest friends are a bunch of sweet, thoughtful and fun-loving people, aside from the fact they're all murderers, of course. Six years after swearing to take their secrets to the grave in Zac's creaky old house, someone from the group begins to kill again and Zac realises the only way forward is to confess to their crimes and stop the one relapsing on the sin of killing. However, is Zac in the right, or is he as much to blame as the others?

Paul D Coombs is an author I admittedly had never heard of before, however, after Northodox Press sent me his latest title, The Great Orme, I was very much intrigued as to what kind of tale Coombs had spun.

When settling down with a coffee and picking the bookmark to match the title, I was impressed, to say the least, at what I was reading. The first page alone set a brilliantly dark and macabre tone, leading me into the story of Zac and his murderous friends. There was a very dark vibe given out by The Great Orme, and I loved it.

I usually give a book around 100 pages or so to really get a feel for it, and whether I was reviewing this title or not, I would have kept going. There was a fantastic sense of mystery and the unknown in this story, and the setting is something to be admired.

Set in Wales in January, the Great Orme is a rock formation which gets its name from Scandinavian Norse, a Sea Serpent. This little piece of historical information from Coombs helped shape the book into the dark, twisted and unbelievably interesting book The Great Orme became.

The Great Orme is referred to as a beastly Sea Serpent, hovering over Zac and seemingly affecting his choice to confess to his and his friend's sins over the years, as well as causing him discomfort and seven pain.

Having said all this, and while I would definitely recommend The Great Orme, there were some minor issues. While reading, I would sometimes feel as though I was being thrown from one scene to the next, even in the same sentence, which disturbed the flow of the book a little.

Furthermore, there were some small grammatical errors, such as misplaced punctuation; I also felt that, at times, the way the characters spoke to one another was somewhat out of touch, as if no one would really speak that way. This also took a little of the immersion out of it for me.

However, the positives do outweigh the negatives, and Coombs has done a brilliant job of fleshing out so many characters who clash, support one another, and have different personalities, thoughts and ideas.

Zac is the main character within the book, however, there are more than just his six friends to consider. While Zac sends a text message to his friends ordering them back to The Great Orme to tell them to confess to the murders each of them has committed, not only the invited show up.

Partners show up, as well as Rose, a seemingly not-so-sweet old lady who lives next door to Zac; there is also Helen, a local police officer who is investigating the murders in the area, but she too has more to tell than she lets on...

Throughout the book, I read how each member of the friendship group killed their victims; houses set on fire, heads held underwater, car 'accidents'; Coombs really has crafted a dark and twisted tale any crime/mystery reader would love. There was always a sense of mystery, wrongdoing, and of course, the hope that Smokey, Zac's Scottie dog, would live through the events in The Great Orme.

I absolutely loved how the Orme, or as I like to call it, the Sea Serpent, was its own character within the book. It was almost like the Grim Reaper, staring back at Zac from his seat in the study, giving the ghosts he lives with the power to stick around and let Zac become overridden with guilt.

The wonder of who out of Zac's six friends is the new killer was always on my mind just as it was his, as Smokey was attacked and his house vandalised. I was constantly reminded of Zac's wrongdoings, however, they weren't the same as his murderous friends, and the question loomed over me the whole time I was reading: is Zac just as guilty as his friends? And which one has begun killing once again to warn Zac against confessing?

As a crime and thriller lover, The Great Orme definitely hit the mark. Despite some grammatical errors and oddly-written dialogue, this book was a brilliant addition to the genre and Coombs should be very proud of this title.

The Great Orme is out now!

REVIEW: Under Her Roof, A.A. Chaudhuri - 5/5

When Sebastian finds the perfect room to rent in the beautiful area of Hampstead, London, he cannot believe his luck. The rent is beyond affordable, and his beautiful landlady already holds his attention. However, when Sebastian finds out the fate of Adriana's last tenant and that someone has their eyes on him at all times, his ideal life takes a dark turn.

A. A. Chaudhuri is without a doubt one of my favourite authors. Each title I receive from her is a stunning, thrilling, wild ride and I am always in awe by the end. Under Her Roof is no different.

I always adore the beginning of Chaudhuri's books; Under Her Roof begins at the end, with someone on trial for murder. This was the best way to start this title, as while I was reading my mind was often cast back to the start, keeping me well intrigued.

After the e are then introduced to Sebastian, a young writer looking to move out of his friend Jasper's house and focus on his writing. Already, Chaudhuri has created a brilliant character for her readers to follow as we soon find out that the seemingly innocent Sebastian is harbouring a secret that could upend his life.

As Sebastian views the room in Serenity House, he becomes somewhat cautious of the situation as Max, the agent showing him the property, mentions what happened to Adriana's last lodger...

Once again, Chaudhuri has written her characters perfectly, as Sebastian is not the only point of view (POV) we hear from; we also have the POV of Adriana, the landlady. Both characters have their own secrets, worries and issues, but they could not be more different.

Not only are there two characters giving the readers different information and different points of interest to think about, there is also a third character.

This mystery character is the one watching both Sebastian, who of course takes the unbelievable offer on the room at Serenity House, and Adriana, who knows she's under observation.

Chaudhuri has a brilliant way of giving the reader just enough to work with while also hiding so much. Once again, her incredible writing kept me turning page after page, racing to the end of this title.

The mystery character holds a lot over both characters and as they try to keep their anxieties in check, Sebastian and Adriana are contacted separately by whoever blackmails them.

It is also through this unknown character that Sebastian's appearance is revealed; not only this, but Chaudhuri uses this character to delve into Adriana's past which was both traumatic and concerning.

Under Her Roof utilises showing not telling, as Chaudhuri revealed more and more throughout the plot but in such a way that both answered questions I had and created more; the perfect way to write a thriller.

Thanks to Chaudhuri's ability to write characters that are so well fleshed-out and are rich in intrigue and personality, the thoughts and actions they speak about add to the ongoing feelings of danger, dread and genuine fear.

The longer Sebastian stays under Adriana's roof, the more threats he gets from whoever is watching him and his landlady. Sebastian often thinks of the rules his landlady set, including banning him from speaking to the next-door neighbour, Stella. 

Delving into the past is something that can be hit-and-miss within books; chapters that focus on what happened previously in characters' lives can be too drawn out or don't have the fulfilling effect readers hope for - not in this book.

Each 'before' section in this book was unbelievably riveting and filled with information, revelations about both Sebastian and Adriana, and stories about what led each character to where they are now.

Chaudhuri is, and no doubt will always be an author I look forward to reading. Her skills in creating a thrilling plot, and characters you either root for or hope they get their come-uppance.

Under Her Roof is a danger-thrilled ride that does not let up, even for one page. Chaudhuri really has created an environment that scares her characters and forces them to reveal things that they wished to take to the grave.

Some thrillers wait till the end to showcase how incredible the plot is, but this title builds and builds the tension until one of the most incredible and unbelievable endings is revealed.

I absolutely adored this title, and already cannot wait for what Chaudhuri comes out with next.

Under Her Roof is out now!

Bookish Things

 Hello everyone! Happy Sunday 💜

What bookish items do you have in your home? I'm wanting to re-decorate, and thought book-obsessed people were the best to ask!

Any tips on reading nooks, items or even books themselves can be commented below 📚🕮

REVIEW: The Edge of Empire, Stephanie Amey - 3/5

 Historical fiction seems to be a niche genre these days, but after picking up Stephanie Amey's newest read I'm inclined to believe it still has a place in the bookish world.

The Edge of Empire is, admittedly, a book I wouldn't usually pick for myself to read; however, when the title was sent to me by the wonderful people at Northodox Press, I knew it was going to be worth the read.

Stephanie Amey's newest book takes place in 170 AD and sees Aurelius Petrus, Optio (second in command) of Fort Bana, take on the investigation of two murdered soldiers. However, once he begins looking into the deaths of two of the Fort's own, Petrus realises something strange...

The men were seemingly killed by Druids, a cult that was wiped out by Romans 100 years ago; but Petrus refuses to let sleeping dogs lie as the Optio is convinced Druids are not the cause of his men's deaths.

When beginning The Edge of Empire, I wasn't completely sure what to expect as historical fiction isn't a genre I dabble in often. However, the plot sounded amazing, almost like a historical Sherlock Holmes, so I was eager to begin.

The first thing I noticed while reading this book, was the simplicity of the writing. That is not to say this is a bad thing, but the way in which it was written set the tone for the rest of the book.

I immediately liked our main character, Petrus. As a Roman soldier he of course has a harsh side to him, hissing and shouting orders at his men. He also has a softer, more lenient side; I really enjoyed how Amey portrayed his character as he made for a brilliantly inquisitive and interesting man to lead the story.

As I read more and more, my opinion of this book being written simply was set in stone; while I somewhat liked that about this title as it allowed the main character and his comrades to shine a little brighter, it felt almost a shame as the plot and environment suffered ever so slightly.

When the environment was described, it was done well and there was no doubt about that, but I did notice the repeat of certain phrases (such as smells 'filling the air') which felt a little repetitive.

Having said this, the book progressed at a very decent pace. I enjoyed Petrus' travels from the Fort to the Vicus (the settlement around the Fort) as he interviewed men whom he suspected were involved with the murders of the two soldiers.

Petrus was indeed a brilliant main character, as the way he was written definitely made him human as he grew tired often, worked hard and showed love for his wife and son.

About halfway into The Edge of Empire, it seems as though Petrus' superior, Julius Maximus, as found those responsible for the killings of his men... but Petrus isn't so sure. Just as one problem seems to be solved, two more bodies are found, which sets off a series of events that I'm sure no reader could predict.

Despite the somewhat simple writing, lack of environmental description and even the seemingly skipped-over scenes within the book, Amey has written a brilliant ending to this title that I genuinely really loved.

Petrus' suspicions are conformed, a battle breaks out, and true motives are revealed in a matter of moments; the ending of this book is most definitely the best part and I was sat with my jaw agape; even if this scene felt a little rushed, I was intreagued to find out what really happened to the two dead soldiers, and who else was involved...

The Edge of Empire is a slow-burning yet highly-interesting read. It takes the reader back to 170 AD and highlights Petrus, the main character, in brilliant ways and makes him a man worth rooting for. A good, simple read with a somewhat complex twist and a satisfying ending - worth the read for sure.

REVIEW: Disaster Dates and Lucky Escapes, Tess Smith-Roberts - 5/5

 Ever been on a less-than-exceptional date? Well, Olive has been on one too many and has a myriad of dating disasters to share!

When I received this book to review, I was pleasantly surprised to find a comic book-style story with a hilarious main character and stunning images to go alongside.

Disaster Dates and Lucky Escapes follows the unlucky Olive, a woman who hopes for a normal, fun date, but ends up with the weirdest of both men and women. The book follows her blunders as she almost loses her mind in the world of online dating.

I absolutely loved this book. It was a short, sweet look into the world of online dating and how difficult and, even how uncomfortable it can be.

The comic book style of the book went so well with the story; the brilliant illustrations matched perfectly with the conversations Olive had with her friends.

Not only were the images so well-done and pretty, the way the characters spoke to one another was fantastic. It felt so real and grounded, which was brilliant to see given the somewhat humorous nature and appearance of the book.

The situations Olive gets herself into are downright hilarious, and some are even very questionable. At one point, she finds herself at a speed-dating even, to where one man states that he doesn't think 'incest is that bad'... Poor Olive.

Despite the book being rather short, it is a genuinely beautiful and hilarious read and I thoroughly enjoyed it! It was fun, different, and a clever way to lay out that, while online dating can be a little odd sometimes, there is someone out there for us all, even if that someone is ourselves!

Disaster Dates and Lucky Escapes is a great mini-read, definitely worth the time for a quick laugh!

REVIEW: The Final Party, A.A Chaudhuri - 5/5

Mystery books can sometimes be hit-and-miss, with the final twist not quite hitting home. However, A.A Chaudhuri's newest thriller, The Final Party, ticks all the right boxes - and then some.

The Final Party is a title I've been excited to read for quite some time, mainly due to Chaudhuri's two previous books, She's Mine and The Loyal Friend, being absolutely fantastic.

This title sees six friends take a trip to a stunning villa in Sorrento, Italy, to celebrate one of the group's 40th birthday. However, by the end of it all one of them will be dead, and the secrets they all hold may not be as secure as they thought...

What happened that fateful night in 2001? Did anyone ever find out? Will the truth come out?

Chaudhuri is by far one of my favourite authors, with She's Mine being one of my favourite crime/thriller books of all time. However, The Final Party may have just edged itself into the top spot.

The book begins at the end, with a body in the water and only five out of the six friends who arrived in Italy remaining. While some books do begin like this, no one does intrigue on this scale like Chaudhuri does.

I was immediately invested in the story and raced on through the pages to learn about the group and what their hidden truths may be.

The group consisted of three couples: Padma and Nick, Vanessa and Marcus, and Johnny and Lana. One of the best things about this title is the genius way Chaudhuri introduces each character, and with each introduction, comes a whole new wave of suspicion, lies, and mystery.

I was delighted that, after reading the first chapter that was dictated by Padma, Vanessa would then take over in the next. Having the book narrated by the entire group was absolutely brilliant, and worked miraculously well in creating a shroud of intrigue around the characters and their sordid pasts.

Chaudhuri is a genius to say the least, with each and every chapter having a distinct point to make, a significant bit of information to tell me, no matter how subtle. For the most part, the facts were told in such an elusive way, that it allowed for the story to flow so beautifully; even with the chapters that took place in the past.

I always feel it is a difficult thing for an author to get right, swapping from past to present. However, Chaudhuri's masterful way of slightly changing the language of whoever is narrating the chapter, to the way the environment changes with her skilful descriptions, makes it easy to follow and as intriguing as ever.

With each page came the addition of tension, and each character having their own version of events made for genuinely thrilling reading, as while Padma may believe one circumstance to be true, Johnny, or even Marcus may know the answers to her questions...

The plot is one of absolute brilliance, as Chaudhuri creates a web of lies, hatred and perhaps in a way, evil. The reunion of friends hides beneath the illusion of a celebration of Vanessa's 40th birthday, but the genuine joy of reading this book is knowing that every member knows something different, and as a reader, you know everything they know (for the most part).

I adored the story within The Final Party, as I read through six different people's lives, I was told shocking truths and horrible secrets, I found out who committed atrocious acts that were covered up, and I was privy to secrets unlike no others...

The Final Party is clever, intriguing, well-written, and has a plot like nothing else I've read. The twists and turns within these pages are a triumph, and I loved every single minute of it.

Each character had their own unique personality and looks (wonderfully described of course), as well as the surroundings for the group being in stunning Italy, a place Chaudhuri herself has visited.

Once again, Chaudhuri has delivered a phenomenal story for us all. I am honoured to not only get an ARC of this title, but to also be in the acknowledgements of one of Chaudhuri's novels for a second time.

This book made me sit up in my seat, verbally wonder what in the hell is going on, and read way into the night; it is definitely a must-read.

Well done Chaudhuri on creating another genuinely fantastic book; I cannot wait to see what else you come up with.

The Final Party is available now!

Question!

Hello everyone!

I have a question for you...

If your favourite book had a soundtrack, what would it be? 🕮

I think mine would have to be The Witch's Heart, with the soundtrack being Soldier, Poet, King (by The Oh Hellos). While the book had quite a dark vibe, and the song is rather upbeat, it just feels right to put the two together 🎔

Second Chances

Hello everyone!

I realise that I haven't been as attentive to my book blog as I'd like to be, so hopefully, that ends today!

To get back into the flow, I decided to list five books I wish I could read again for the first time, simply because of how stunningly beautiful they were.

1. The Witch's Heart re-tells the story of Angerboda in a dark and captivating way as she falls for the Trickster Loki, and details her life as her children come into the world, and her life changes in a way she never knew.

2. She's Mine sees a mother at a loss after her child has gone missing; but who is really to blame? Is it the fault of a seemingly inattentive mother, or has something much, much more sinister been surrounding a mother and her lost child?

3. The Last Thing to Burn gives an insight into the horrible life of a woman who, in search of a better life, has found herself trapped in the hands of a man who wants a mother within a wife. She is miles from home and family, but can she save herself from getting burnt?

4. The Puppet Show begins the series of Detective Poe and Tilly Bradshaw, perhaps the greatest crime-fighting duo in literature. Poe is faced with men on fire, but can he figure out who's behind the crimes before his world is engulfed in flames?

5. The Thusrday Murder Club is another beginning to a series that centres around the charming foursome of Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron; four senior citizens who gather each week to solve old cases. However, when a real murder happens near them, can they crack the case?

Interview with Chandler Morrison, Author of Dead Inside

When reading an impactful title, such as Chandler Morrison's Dead Inside, one may have many questions for the author who crafted such a tale.
I find myself lucky to be able to share an interview with Mr Morrison about one of the most interesting and awe-inspiring books I've ever read.

First, a bit about Dead Inside...

A security guard goes about his day-to-day life, trying his best to stay under everyone's radar; and that's not just because he has one very peculiar, and many would argue sickening interest...

See, this guard prefers the company of dead girls over living ones. However, one night he meets Helen, and realises that he's not the only one with nasty habits.

I'm so pleased to have gotten the chance to interview the author of this devastatingly well-written and incredible title - enjoy!

First of all - what inspired you to write this title? A lot of people assume I wrote it for shock value, which wasn’t the case at all. I never think about people’s potential reactions when writing a book; the reader doesn’t even cross my mind during the writing process, and even when it’s done, I’m not particularly invested in how it’s received.

The creation of each book is an intensely personal experience. I’m always working through something, and Dead Inside was no different. I had just gotten out of a very bad relationship that led to a period of extreme darkness in my life, and I was trying to write my way out of that darkness while sort of figuring out what made me get so wrapped up in such an unhealthy pairing in the first place.

All of that is obviously submerged beneath several layers of obfuscation in the form of social commentary and genre parody, but the emotional truth of what I was going through is there at its core.

Was there any significance in not giving the main character a name? I guess I wanted to give him an anonymity that suggested he could be anyone. There are so many people with whom we cross paths in the course of a day, and we never know what they’re thinking or what sorts of things they do when no one else is around. Anyone could be a monster. Everyone could be.

 

Did you write any alternate endings, or would the story always have ended the same? No, no alternate endings. It was always going to be exactly what it is. I never feel like I’m guiding the direction of the story or deciding what actions the characters take. It’s like there’s this separate universe that exists in my imagination, and I simply go there and write down what I see.

In that vein, the story itself is always the least interesting aspect to me. I don’t really care about plot, even as a reader. I’m much more interested in style, mood, atmosphere. Vibes. Plot is just a way to move the characters from one scene to the next.

 

What contributed to the somewhat gory & vivid scenes within the book? It’s endlessly baffling to me that the gore is so often what people get out of the book. I’m especially surprised by the readers who see it as shock value, because I just don’t know how you can take any of it seriously enough to be offended by it. It’s all deliberately over the top and absurd to the point that none of it is realistic.

The abortion clinic scene, for instance, about which so many people love to draw ire, isn’t even logistically or scientifically feasible. I was trying to parody the “extreme horror” genre, because so much of extreme horror is kind of silly. The excessive gore in Dead Inside is supposed to bring a comedic levity to offset the grim bleakness of the rest of the book.

It’s interesting that so many people miss that and just classify it among the same books it’s making fun of, because I never have and never will consider myself an extreme horror author, or even a horror author. I’ve always identified primarily as a satirist, but I think the internet has made it difficult for people to recognize satire in a lot of cases.

 

Were there any parts in the book that you found difficult to write? There’s a page or two near the end where the narrator can’t sleep, and he starts experiencing symptoms of sleep deprivation. I wanted that to be authentic, so before writing that sequence, I made myself stay awake for something like five straight days.

Sleep is something I quite enjoy, so I guess that was pretty tough. I’m older now and I don’t think I could do something like that again.

Dead Inside can be found on Amazon, as well as the Kindle store!

 

REVIEW: Enlightened as Hell, Dr. Tony Ortega - 5/5

 Self-help books can sometimes be hit-or-miss, giving advice that sometimes doesn't make much sense, or doesn't come from a place of experience. Well, this is one self-help book that was written with both understanding and love.

Enlightened as Hell: How to be spiritual and not be a d*ck by Dr. Tony Ortega has to be one of the most wonderful self-help books I've read.

This is a book which was come from a place of hurt, only to be crafted with love and genuine care; the result being a short yet stunning account of how to not be a better person, but how to be a better you.

Ortega has written books similar to Enlightened as Hell in the past, but within the pages, it seems as though this may be his magnum opus.

I simply adored this book. I felt as though Ortega was speaking to me and me only, giving me advice that he believed in so strongly to help me not be a d*ck.

The writing style was simply beautiful; it flowed expertly well, and made me feel as though I was listening to a friend, rather than simply reading a book.

The whole experience felt very personal, largely due to Ortega dropping in pieces of his past and bits of experience. This was in no way intended to preach, but given to the reader in order to learn from and accept that yes, bad things will happen, but tomorrow is another chance to live and love your life.

I felt as though, while I was reading, that any problems I had, big or small, were understood. I felt validated somehow reading Enlightened as Hell, which was something genuinely beautiful.

Another thing I loved about this book, was the #ElevateNOW quotes scattered throughout. These acted like little nuggets of advice that related to the chapter I was reading.

They were a summary of sorts, while providing small quotes that you could write down and keep somewhere, if you felt they related to you.

All in all, while Enlightened as Hell: How to be spiritual and not be a d*ck was a short read, it was a wonderful one.

I felt genuine joy while reading, and I know anyone else who picks up this book will too. It is a legitimately helpful and, as the title suggests, enlightening experience that is sure to not only help those who read it, but will motivate anyone to realise that bad exists, yes, but we can rise like Phoenix out of the ashes and make a better day for ourselves, one step at a time.

Question!

Hello everyone! 💜

I wanted to ask if you read self-help books? I myself read them every now and again, usually alongside a regular read.

Do you find that they help you? I love them, and think that each one offers something different. 😇

If you'd like recommendations, or want to recommend me a self-help book, comment below! 👇

Question!

What are you reading at the moment?

I've been reading 'Salem's Lot by Stephen King for a little while now; it's a long read, but I've also not been reading every single day, so that's probably why it's taking me so long 😄

Let me know what your current read is below! 🤎

REVIEW: Together We Burn, Isabel Ibanez - 5/5

Santivilla is home to one of the most respected dragon fighting rings in the world; a place where man and dragon battle it out in front of huge, expectant crowds. However, one show goes terribly wrong, and changes Zarela's life forever. Now, a year later, tragedy strikes at her own family's arena, meaning she must fight with all she has to save her family name; but she needs help to do it, which is a lot easier said than done...

When I heard about Together We Burn, I was immediately intrigued. I don't read a lot of fantasy, but the idea of this story really stood out and, once I'd finished the book, I was in complete awe.

One of the first things I noticed about this book, was Isabel Ibanez's truly beautiful writing. This is a world like no other, and Ibanez made it come to life in such a fantastic way; it felt so real, which blew me away.

Each character, especially Zarela, was crafted with such elegance, thought and love, which made the story all that more beautiful.

Zarela is a wonderful main character. She is feisty when she needs to be, and as stubborn as anything. She embodies grace and determination, and it was a genuine pleasure to read about her journey.

The other characters, such as Zarela's father, Santiago, her best friend Lola (who is also a maid in her household), and Arturo, the dragon tamer whose assistance should make the difference between the loss of Zarela's arena and its continuation, were as bold as the sun.

Arturo and Zarela are a brilliant duo, to say the least. She doesn't back down when it comes to saving her arena and her family legacy, and he is just as stubborn as she is, if not more so.

They dance together, but with words; they know how to annoy one another, and it was hilarious to read. They also have so much heart, and care deeply about many things, although Arturo won't let anyone see that...

Every character was great, and I loved their personalities and the way a sense of family and humour was created.

In regard to the story, I'm not sure I can praise it highly enough. The idea of a flamenco dancer (Zarela) deciding to become a Dragonador (dragon fighter) in order to save her arena and those within it, was genuinely amazing.

Dragons and flamenco dancing - who'd have thought this idea would result in such a perfect plot? One that kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time.

I am in love with Zarela and her world. A dancer goes on stage to warm up the crowd before a dragon fighter takes the dancer's place and faces a mighty beast; it's something I've never heard before, and may not again.

Ibanez's writing is exceptional, as I felt every emotion on every page; Zarela's anger, hurt and hope, as well as her joy when things seem to be going her way.

The plot is simply sensational, and I adore the world the author has created here, full of danger, love, food and wine; a firey yet perfect combination.

The first few chapters of the book were a great set-up for the rest of the story, and I found myself thinking 'one more chapter', before realising that the sun had gone down while I read.

This book is something special. It has everything you'd want from an action genre, with some love, drama and thrills mixed in.

Every twist (especially the final one!) had an impact on the story in a brilliant way, and Zarela's ability to push through any pain or grief at such a young age (18) was rather inspiring; she took everything head-on out of love for her family.

Together We Burn is a book I will be recommending at every opportunity, and its story will no doubt stick with me for a very long time.

Together We Burn is out now!

Any book suggestions?

Hello everyone! I wanted to ask you to comment below a book that stuck with you a while after reading; my book would be The Witch's Heart, as its story really stood out! ❤📚

INTERVIEW - Author A. A. Chaudhuri

 I'm so excited to share this with you all! Author of She's Mine and this year's The Loyal Friend, A. A. Chaudhuri, has kindly offered to do a Q&A with me!

I asked her about her newest book, her favourite Italian dish, and what her all-time favourite book is - read the interview below! 😇💕

How does it feel to be releasing another book into the world?

EXCITING! It’s always such an amazing, rewarding feeling releasing a new book. It’s the culmination of months of hard work, including painstaking editing (!) and so to see it out there in the world gives me a great sense of joy and satisfaction.

It’s also a little scary! As an author you try your utmost to make your book as compelling and error-free as possible, but writing is such a subjective industry and there’ll inevitably be critics. But it’s all part and parcel of the job, and I’m pleased to say I’ve been thrilled by the positive response and fabulous reviews I’ve received so far from advance readers.

I recently received my author paperback copies and I have to say holding my book for the first time and seeing my name on the cover, never gets old! I also adore the graphics for The Loyal Friend, Hera and the design team have done the most incredible job and the feedback has been amazing!

What was your inspiration for The Loyal Friend, and how did you come up with the story?

I wanted to base it in a setting I didn’t feel had been done before in the psychological thriller genre, and with the health and fitness industry having become a key part of so many people’s lifestyles - largely owing to the stress we encounter on a daily basis, along with the push given by lockdown to keep ourselves fit and healthy - I also felt the setting would be widely relatable.

Also because I know from my own experiences that unlike the gym, fitness classes attract a huge variety of attendees of varying ages and fitness levels, not to mention different genders.

Having said all that, although the backdrop for the novel is a health club, the story centres on so much more than that, chiefly the interplay between three very different women and past and present events that are prompting them to act and live out their lives in the way they do. Natalie, Grace, and Susan are ostensibly three normal women tackling everyday issues so many women around the world face these days.

Body hang-ups, the advent of menopause, juggling work, family and elderly parents all feature in some way, along with other more delicate issues of child abuse and infidelity, all of which I feel are themes readers are able to empathise with. Female friendships, especially toxic ones, always make for highly addictive reads, and the friendships in my book can definitely be labelled as this, but I also wanted to write a book that shows how taking a wrong path and/or doing something unforgiveable can have a domino effect on the lives of so many people and in the most dreadful way.

Like Grace, I have struggled with my own mental health owing to the stress of caring for my elderly parents, while managing a career and young family, while I have also come across women like Susan who appear to have the perfect life but really are concealing a feeling of disenchantment and emptiness behind the glamourous, happy veneer.

The pressures on women to perform and ‘have it all’ can be intense these days, and that’s something I also hope comes through in the book and resonates with people, especially female readers. Before Covid, I used to work out with a lovely group of girls at a local gym and this experience helped to inspire me and create authenticity around the novel, in terms of the set-up of group classes and diverse groups of characters who inhabit them.

I am pleased to say, however, that nothing so scandalous happened at my fitness classes, and none of the women featured bear any resemblance to them.

Is there anything you can tell us about the book, without giving anything away?

Like She’s Mine, The Loyal Friend is a dark, twisty, perhaps somewhat twisted (!) read, in which I take my readers on a complex journey through the minds of my key characters where not everything is as straightforward as it perhaps at first seems.

My book centres on the disappearance of young, beautiful, vivacious fitness instructor, Jade Pascal, who goes missing in mysterious circumstances and the ensuing police investigation to find out what happened to her.

It’s told mainly through the perspectives of three very different women – Natalie, Susan and Grace - who attend her classes, all with dark, complicated pasts and secrets they’ll do anything to keep buried, and all of whom could have reason to wish Jade ill.

How did you decide on the type of women Susan, Grace and Natalie would be?

Life is full of diverse characters and a writer is never off duty observing the people in their own lives or those they might see on television/the press, or even in the street! Be warned, ha-ha!

So, inevitably I will be influenced by these factors, but when deciding on the type of women Susan, Grace and Natalie would be, I wanted to make them as distinct as possible from each other, each having their own unique idiosyncrasies, but all having dark secrets in common that consume them.

I’d like to think that they also exemplify the different types of women we all might come across in our everyday lives. This is so important in the psychological thriller genre – making characters and the situations they face relatable to the reader – thereby enabling readers to connect with them and be drawn into their narratives.

Grace, for example, is a working mum struggling to cope with managing her job on top of a young family and caring for sick, elderly parents - a stressful situation so many women around the world, including myself, may find themselves in.

Natalie, on the other hand, is a young, single woman who’s had a horrendous childhood; she suffers from OCD and a lack of confidence, and therefore finds it hard enough managing her own life, let alone caring for others.

Susan, in contrast, is rich, confident and highly materialistic; someone who always puts herself first, but deep down suffers an emptiness she’s desperate to conceal.

Through each of my characters, important and universal issues like child abuse/neglect, family dysfunction, grief, infidelity and feeling unfulfilled in mid-life are explored, thereby differentiating them from one another but also showing how three very different women could be brought together by an exercise class designed to offer an outlet from their everyday hang-ups and sufferings.

Since you’re a lover of all things Italian, what’s your favourite meal from Italy?

That’s a hard one! I love all the delicious fish dishes they do so brilliantly in the south of Italy, including grilled calamari which is one of my all-time favourites.

But you can’t beat a plate of Spaghetti Vongole following a starter of Buffalo mozzarella and rounded off with some amazing Italian gelato which I rate as second to none!

What made you retire from working in law and become an author?

Although I enjoyed some aspects of being a lawyer, made some wonderful friends (including my husband!) and I certainly wouldn’t have been able to write my legal thrillers authentically without the experience I gained from law, it was never the perfect fit for me, not the way being an author is.

I found the work too dull and lacking in creativity. I am happiest writing, letting my imagination run wild with no boundaries or rules curtailing me, meaning it never feels like a chore, which sadly law, which as I said, can be rather dry and formulaic, often did!

Law requires a thick skin and certain ruthlessness to survive, and it got to the point where I wasn’t enjoying it. The City is an especially tough place to work, and I came across quite a few hard-nosed characters who made my life miserable and who I didn’t much want to be around.

It wasn’t for me as I said, but I’m grateful for the inspiration it gave me to write my books as well as teaching me attention to detail and the importance of disciplined meticulous planning, both of which are essential in thriller writing.

It also made me a stronger person – able to withstand the writing rejections over the years although I won’t lie, there have been tears (!) - and I’m happy to say that career-wise, it’s the best move I could have made. There’s nothing better than getting lost in my characters and the worlds they inhabit.

Finally, what is your all-time favourite book?

That’s an impossible question!! Simply because I love so many books of different genres, thriller, romantic, historical and so on! So I am going to have to cheat and say my all-time favourite thriller would have to be A Time to Kill.

It’s a powerful, moving story, flawlessly plotted with diverse, compelling, believable characters, and a plot that moves along at breakneck speed, but which also addresses some poignant issues that touch the heart in a way that will stay with you forever. It’s Grisham’s best, in my opinion.

The Loyal Friend releases tomorrow (June 23rd, 2022)!

REVIEW: The Setup, Lizzy Dent - 3/5

What do you do when fate comes knocking? Do you follow what the stars tell you, or do you trust yourself and focus on what's in front of you? That is the choice Mara must make.

Mara is a 30-something recluse who has never really lived. That is, until she heads to Budapest on a trip, alone, after her best friend Charlie had to cancel. There, a fortune-teller tells her that she will find the one - immediately.

Within the next 10 minutes, he walks in. Mara is head over heels, and decides to set up her own destiny; but will this mystery man be her forever, or is there someone else that could fit the bill?

I never used to like romance books so much, but after reading a couple, and checking out the plot for The Setup, I knew I had to read more.

The Setup is a book for those who enjoy whimsical stories, a roller-coaster of 'will they won't they', and a main character who is something of a hot mess.

Upon starting this book, I was quickly invested in seeing how it would end. Mara is conflicted between the man the fortune-teller said she would meet, and her new flatmate, Ash, who enjoys movie nights almost as much as she does.

Lizzy Dent (also the author of The Summer Job) really knows how to write a character. Mara was a great focus for the book; she looks to constellations for help when no one else can assist her, and has trouble trusting who she really is.

The way this book is written is so fun, humorous, and made me laugh more than once. Reading about Mara coming slowly out of her shell was wonderful, even if it was in aid of some guy she met once, and then became obsessed with...

Despite the narrative focusing on things such as Mara aiming to better herself and her work life taking an exciting yet worrying turn, I did think that her obsession with this mystery man (by the name of Josef) was a little much.

As much as I enjoyed The Setup, it felt at times like Mara was a little childish in the sense that she revolved her whole life around Jose, even falling out with people because of it. I understand that she wanted to see if he was the one, but it was a little over the top at times.

Having said this, I definitely did love Mara's journey. She made herself over, made new friends, and pushed herself out of her comfort zone (aka her bedroom or the sofa), and Dent really showed how adult life can be so stressful.

Mara and her best friend Charlie floated apart a little, which sadly does happen, but she also learned that she can trust herself, and that she is capable of anything.

While I do think that Mara's character was a tad overwhelming at times, in the sense that she put so much effort into Josef, who she has met once and knows next to nothing about, she was still a lovely character.

I definitely enjoyed The Setup, and characters such as Ash, Ryan and Samira definitely made a great selection of personalities to tie the book together.

There were a couple events in the book which I think could have lasted longer, however, but I cannot divulge due to spoilers. However, what I did read about these events I loved.

Overall, The Setup was a fun read; I was always eager to find out what Mara would do about her meeting with Josef and her complex feelings for Ash, and I adored the ending, which was clear, satisfying and joyful.

The Setup is available now!

Question!

What is your current favourite book series? I'm definitely torn between M. W. Craven's Poe & Tilly series and, well, nothing else 😄💛

REVIEW: The Loyal Friend, A. A. Chaudhuri - 5/5

We all have secrets, don't we? Well, Natalie, Susan and Grace definitely do. When the three women join the same fitness club, run by the seemingly perfect Jade, it seems things are going smoothly. However, Jade's disappearance threatens to release the demons from all three women's closets...

After reading A. A. Chaudhuri's previous book, She's Mine, last year, I was more than excited to see what else she had in store; and I was utterly blown away.

I struggled writing this review a little, not because I didn't know what to say, but because I had too much to say.

The first thing I felt while reading The Loyal Friend was that it felt like Chaudhuri. She has kept her incredible author voice, and transferred it to yet another phenomenal tale.

Her voice is one of the best I've ever read, in both thriller and otherwise. This book is immensely clever, genuinely shocking, and simply incredible.

The plot was something unlike anything else I've read. I loved getting to know each character, and speculating what their secrets might be (I could never have guessed!), and Chaudhuri always made sure to make every character a suspect.

The way in which the story was set up was so clever; I would read a sentence thinking little of it, then a few chapters later, that sentence has become something significant to the narrative; I loved this as it allowed me to try to connect the dots for myself.

Within less than 30 pages I was obsessed; Chaudhuri has an incredible talent to create gripping characters with complex backstories, as well as linking everything together in an understandable yet truly thrilling manner.

Each conversation flowed perfectly, each chapter held its own secrets, and the way Chaudhuri planted a sinister sentence in the midst of what seemed a regular paragraph, genuinely impressed me.

The first twist I came across genuinely had me shook; I won't spoil it, of course! It was shocking, thrilling, and has me glued to the book until I had no idea how late it was.

Chaudhuri writes from a few different perspectives in The Loyal Friend, and each had such a clear voice and personality; I was honestly so excited to keep reading as every character was different, but each had their past to face up to.

The way the story's dots are joined was nothing less than magical. The characters' secrets are revealed, skeletons come out of closets, and those we thought were innocent have confessions to make.

I could never have guessed the ending, and that is solely due to Chaudhuri's ability to write the unexpected, which is an incredible talent of hers.

The narrative was sensational, the characters were perfect, the intrigue, thrill and genuine awe never let up, and I cannot praise this book enough.

Chaudhuri has, yet again, crafted something utterly incredible, and I was definitely honoured to have gotten a limited proof copy.

The Loyal Friend is out on June 23rd, 2022!

Happy Saturday!

 It's finally Saturday! What is everyone reading this weekend? 📚💞