Yay it’s finally here! I’ve been excited for this book since I first heard about it so I’m thrilled to finally have a copy! It sounds so good and I absolutely love the wonderful cover and beautiful spredges.
Have you read this book or is it on your radar?
Book Synopsis:
From NYT bestselling author comes a haunting, high-octane contemporary fantasy for fans of The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Winnie Wednesday fights to take the deadly Luminary hunter trials in Hemlock Falls’ nightmare-filled forest.
Hemlock Falls isn’t like other towns. You won’t find it on a map, your phone won’t work here, and the forest outside town might just kill you…
Winnie Wednesday wants nothing more than to join the Luminaries, the ancient order that protects Winnie’s town―and the rest of humanity―from the monsters and nightmares that rise in the forest of Hemlock Falls every night. Ever since her father was exposed as a witch and a traitor, Winnie and her family have been shunned. But on her sixteenth birthday, she can take the deadly Luminary hunter trials and prove herself true and loyal―and restore her family’s good name. Or die trying.
But in order to survive, Winnie must enlist the help of the one person who can help her train: Jay Friday, resident bad boy and Winnie’s ex-best friend. While Jay might be the most promising new hunter in Hemlock Falls, he also seems to know more about the nightmares of the forest than he should. Together, he and Winnie will discover a danger lurking in the forest no one in Hemlock Falls is prepared for.
Not all monsters can be slain, and not all nightmares are confined to the dark.
About The Author:
Susan Dennard is the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of the Witchlands series (now in development for TV from the Jim Henson Company). She also runs the popular newsletter for writers, the Misfits and Daydreamers. When not writing or teaching writing, she can be found rolling the dice as a Dungeon Master or mashing buttons on one of her many consoles. Tweets @stdennard
For a moment she closed her eyes and imagined she was perched on the diving board at the Piscine Molitor, the sun beating down on her bare shoulders and the sound of Parisians at play beneath her. All she had to do was jump.’
1941. Darkness descends over London as the sirens begin to howl and the bombs rain down. Devastation seeps from every crack of the city. In the midst of all the chaos is a woman gripping a window ledge on the first floor of a Baker Street hotel. She is perched, ready to jump. And as flames rise around her, she is forced to take her chances.
1997. Amy Novak has lost the two great loves in her life: her husband, Michael, and her first love, music. With the first anniversary of Michael’s death approaching, Amy buries herself in her job as an archivist. And when a newly declassified file lands on her desk, she is astonished to uncover proof that ‘Agent Colette’ existed – a name spoken only in whispers; an identity so secret that it has never been verified.
Her discovery leads her to MI6 ‘godmother’ Verity Cooper – a woman with secrets of her own – and on to the streets of Paris where she will uncover a story of unimaginable choices, extraordinary courage and a love that will defy even the darkest days of World War Two .
My Review:
Sarah Steele is one of my favourite historical fiction writers so you can imagine my excitement when I found out she had a new book coming out. Once again she has written a fascinating, gripping and emotional story that will stay with me for a long time.
The story is told from the point of view of Agent Colette in 1941 as we follow her brave exploits during the war and Amy in 1997, an archivist who wants to find out more about Colette. I really enjoyed following the two timelines and learning more about Agent Colette ‘s missions in Paris but also found it fascinating to follow Amy as she tries to unravel what happened to Colette. It was interesting to discover how similar in some respects the two women were both having experienced lost and having other interests in common. I’ve always loved how the author writes her characters so you feel like you are experiencing everything through their eyes, meaning you grow fond of them and want to keep reading to find out what happens to them.
I thought the story was quite fast paced and there always seemed to be something happening to keep my interest. Colette’s story always had an air of danger to it and, being set in occupied Paris, you never quite knew what was going to happen next. The two storylines complimented each other nicely and I liked how Colette’s secrets are gradually revealed in a realistic way. The author’s fabulous descriptions of Paris made the story come to life so the fear and desperation seemed almost palpable at times. My heart was definitely in my mouth in some bits and I was in awe at how brave ordinary people were during this time.
The ending was very emotional and I closed the book sad to have to leave the wonderful characters behind. This is definitely a story that will stay with me. If you’re a fan of history fiction or dual timeline books then I highly recommend this book.
Huge thanks to Rosie from Headline for my copy of this book and for inviting me onto the blog tour.
About The Author:
Sarah Steele trained as a classical pianist and violinist before joining the world of publishing as an editorial assistant at Hodder and Stoughton. She was for many years a freelance editor, and now lives in the vibrant Gloucestershire town of Stroud. Her debut novel The Missing Pieces of Nancy Moon was published by Headline.
In my bid to try and not buy too many books I visited my local library this week. I’ve always been a huge fan of the library but it’s been more difficult to visit it with kids in tow and I’ve sadly got a few fines as I forget to renew them or take them back.
I only actually meant to get one book and somehow managed to come out with five as I kept seeing great books on the shelves. All of these are books I’ve heard lots of great things about though I might have just picked up Fingersmith because one of my favourite authors, Jack Jordan, said it was one of his favourite books.
Do you use your local library?
The Left- Handed Booksellers Of London by Garth Nix
A girl’s quest to find her father leads her to an extended family of magical fighting booksellers who police the mythical Old World of England when it intrudes on the modern world. From the bestselling master of fantasy, Garth Nix.
In a slightly alternate London in 1983, Susan Arkshaw is looking for her father, a man she has never met. Crime boss Frank Thringley might be able to help her, but Susan doesn’t get time to ask Frank any questions before he is turned to dust by the prick of a silver hatpin in the hands of the outrageously attractive Merlin.
Merlin is a young left-handed bookseller (one of the fighting ones), who with the right-handed booksellers (the intellectual ones), are an extended family of magical beings who police the mythic and legendary Old World when it intrudes on the modern world, in addition to running several bookshops.
Susan’s search for her father begins with her mother’s possibly misremembered or misspelt surnames, a reading room ticket, and a silver cigarette case engraved with something that might be a coat of arms.
Merlin has a quest of his own, to find the Old World entity who used ordinary criminals to kill his mother. As he and his sister, the right-handed bookseller Vivien, tread in the path of a botched or covered-up police investigation from years past, they find this quest strangely overlaps with Susan’s. Who or what was her father? Susan, Merlin, and Vivien must find out, as the Old World erupts dangerously into the New.
The Dictator’s Wife by Freya Berry
ONE WOMAN KNOWS THE TRUTH. CAN YOU TRUST HER TO TELL IT?
Laura flies to her parents’ homeland for the defence case of her life. Facing trial is Marija Popa, ‘the Black Widow’; a constant at her husband’s side until the day his people rose up and executed him. Beautiful and beguiling, Marija insists she knew nothing of her husband’s dark affairs.
For Laura, the case has a personal meaning. Her mother has never spoken of the horrors she witnessed under the old regime, and remains a shadow of the woman she used to be. As Laura prepares for the trial, she realises that to find the truth, she must enter the web of the dictator’s wife. But what secrets lie within?
The Marriage Season by Jane Dunn
In Regency England, marriage is everything. For young widow Sybella Lovatt, the time has come to find a suitable husband for her sister and ward Lucie. Male suitors are scarce near their Wiltshire estate, so the sisters resolve to head to London in time for the Season to begin.
Once ensconced at the Mayfair home of Lady Godley, Lucie’s godmother, the whirl of balls, parties and promenades can begin. But the job of finding a husband is fraught with rules and tradition. Jostling for attention are the two lords – the charming and irresistible Freddie Lynwood and the preternaturally handsome Valentine Ravenell, their enigmatic neighbour from Shotten Hall, Mr Brabazon, and the dangerous libertine Lord Rockliffe, with whom the brooding Brabazon is locked in deadly rivalry.
Against the backdrop of glamorous Regency England, Sybella must settle Lucie’s future, protect her own reputation, and resist the disreputable rakes determined to seduce the beautiful widow. As the Season ends, will the sisters have found the rarest of things – a suitable marriage with a love story to match?
The Locked Attic by B. P. Walter
There’s something in my neighbour’s attic.
Something steeped in shadows. A secret to everyone. Seen by no one…
He stands sometimes at the window. Hidden in the corner of my eye.
I know he’s there. I know he’s watching.
Now my son is dead. My neighbour is not.
And I’m going to find out why.
From the author of the Sunday Times bestseller, The Dinner Guest, comes THE up-all-night thriller of 2022. For fans of Ruth Ware, Lisa Jewell and T.M. Logan.
Fingersmith by Sarah Waters
Shortlisted for the Orange Prize and the Booker Prize
London 1862. Sue Trinder, orphaned at birth, grows up among petty thieves – fingersmiths – under the rough but loving care of Mrs Sucksby and her ‘family’. But from the moment she draws breath, Sue’s fate is linked to that of another orphan growing up in a gloomy mansion not too many miles away.
The day Scarlett dies should have been one of the most important of her life. It doesn’t feel fair that she’ll never have the chance to fulfil her dreams. And now, she’s still … here – wherever here is – watching the ripple effect of her death on the lives of those she loved the most.
Evie cannot contemplate her life without Scarlett, and she certainly cannot forgive Nate, the man she blames for her best friend’s death. But Nate keeps popping up when she least expects him to, catapulting Evie’s life in directions she’d never let herself imagine possible. Ways, perhaps, even those closest to her had long since given up on.
If you could go back, knowing everything that happens after, everything that happens because of that one moment in time, would you change the course of history or would you do it all again?
My Review:
One Moment is a beautiful, emotional book with a wonderful meaning behind it.
The story is told from the point of view of both Evie and Scarlett, best friends whose lives are altered forever when Scarlett is sadly killed in a fatal accident. One timeline follows Evie as she tries to cope with life without Scarlett and tries to deal with a diagnosis of MS on her own, the other follows Scarlett as she watches Evie continue life without her. I liked the two storylines equally, especially how we slowly get to discover more about the characters through the perspective of the other. I thought the MS storyline was well done and felt very realistic. I really sympathised with her with all the feelings that consume her when she gets the news, made worse by not having her best friend to help her. I really wished I could reach into the book and give her a huge hug.
I thought this story was really beautiful with some very emotional, poignant moments that had me sobbing as I read. It has definitely made me appreciate all my friendships and want to make the most of them whilst I have them. It was interesting watching Evie getting closer to Nate , though I found it a bit nerve-wracking reading this part as I wasn’t sure how it would develop. The ending was beautiful and I closed the book very sad to leave the wonderful characters behind.
This unbelievably is the author’s debut novel and I can’t wait to read more from her in the future. Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and to the publisher for my copy of this book.
About The Author:
Becky Hunter lived and worked in London for several years before moving to Mozambique to volunteer with horses and try her hand at writing. A few years, a few destinations, and a few jobs later she had the idea that would become One Moment. Alongside writing, she now works as a freelance editor and publicist, splitting her time between Bristol and London, and constantly trying to plan the next adventure.
Tracy Whitwell’s second novel Gin Palace picks up with the main character, Tanz, from The Accidental Medium, as she grows accustomed to her rather unusual gift . . .
Tanz can talk to ghosts, although she’d prefer it if she couldn’t. Struggling to make ends meet as an actress and wholly unsuited to supply teaching, Tanz is only one bad day away from a meltdown. And the babbling ghosts aren’t helping.
So when Tanz is offered a paid acting gig in her hometown, things start to look up. But Newcastle’s dead won’t stay quiet for long, and soon Tanz becomes haunted with visions of a mysterious Gin Palace guarded by a sinister figure. As Tanz starts to piece together a terrible tragedy, it becomes clear there’s no limit to what the poltergeist will do to keep his secrets his own.
Unfortunately, he’s never met anyone quite like Tanz before . . .
My Review:
The Gin Palace was a funny, quirky mystery from a new author for me.
I absolutely loved Tanz who I’d happily be friends with in real life. She’s such a wonderful, larger than life character who was a joy to follow throughout the book. She had me laughing out loud with her observations one moment and then sobbing the next as she passed on messages from people who had passed. Her work as an actress also gives the reader an insider glimpse of the film industry too which I found very interesting.
The plot of this book is quite fast paced and very action packed as there always seemed to be something happening to keep my interest. I found it very heartwarming to see how her work touched the people she helped and think I went through every emotion whilst reading , even fear as some parts were a bit more scary then I anticipated. The mystery side of things was very intriguing so I enjoyed trying to solve it alongside Tanz and her fabulous friends.
The ending was brilliant, very exciting but poignant too. This is the second book in the series and I’d definitely recommend reading the books in order. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future and hope there is more to come in this series.
Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and to the publisher for my copy of this book.
About The Author:
Tracy Whitwell was born, brought up and educated in Gateshead in the north-east of England. She wrote plays and short stories from an early age, then had her head turned, and like the ungrateful wretch she’s always been, she ran off to London to be an actress. By 1993 she was wearing a wig and an old-fashioned dress and pretending to be impoverished on telly in a Catherine Cookson mini-series, whilst going to see every indie/rock band she could afford.
After an interesting twelve years messing about in front of the camera and traveling the world, Tracy discovered she still loved writing and completed her first full length play KABOOM! A son, many stage plays, screenplays and a music video followed, until 2012 when she realized she was finally ready to do the one thing she’d longed to do since she was six. She wrote her first novel, The Accidental Medium – a crime/horror/comedy tale about an alcohol-soaked, gobby, thrill-seeking actress who talks to ghosts. (Who knows where the inspiration came from . . .)
Tracy now lives in north London, is working on screenplays and making her own short films, and has written more novels.
Imagine a world without trees. A world that is in many ways like our world, but where magnificent canopies, tree climbing and leaves rustling in the breeze are now only distant memories.
Until a young girl comes along, a girl who is brave and spirited and willing to follow where her imagination takes her. Through Olive’s adventures in the world of trees we are reminded of nature’s extraordinary power and beauty, and her actions ultimately sow the seeds of new life in her own world.
From the mind and pen of bestselling author Luke Adam Hawker, The Last Tree is a powerful evocation of the fragility of our natural world and a magnificent celebration of its beauty.
My Review:
The Last Tree is a beautiful, magical, thought provoking book that I’m sure will be loved by adults and children alike.
Olive’s story is an interesting one that my children and I enjoyed following. There aren’t many words in the book but the story is still able to pack a punch. There are a few different themes going through this book, though some aren’t obvious straight away. Judging by my kids reaction I think the book is going to impact children in different ways.
My children picked up on the magical adventure first, seeing it as her journey back to her father with the help of some magical friends which they loved. My daughter immediately wanting to go into the woods near us to see if she could find deer to befriend. The environmental theme was sadly lost to them until mentioned by me but led to some wonderful discussions about the environment and how we could help it. A theme that they took into their school with them after my youngest dramatically exclaimed that we were going to lose all our trees if we don’t do something now!
This book is beautifully illustrated with some stunning drawings that my daughter loved looking at. There is lots of beautiful details in the pictures which seemed very true to life, like you were looking at the actual scene rather than a picture. I loved the way the drawings are all so different and the way the author uses them to tell the story rather then relying on the text. It would be lovely to have prints of these illustrations to put on the kids walls.
Overall I thought this was a brilliant book and one I will be recommending or buying for others as presents. Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and to the publisher for my copy of this book.
About The Author:
Luke Adam Hawker worked as an architectural designer before becoming a full time artist in 2015. He sells his signed and limited edition prints to fans throughout the UK and the rest of the world. He has also been commissioned by brands such as the Soho House Hotel Group, and has an artwork hanging in the Parliamentary Art collection.
Luke’s first book, Together, was a Sunday Times bestseller. It has sold over 130,000 copies worldwide to date, and has been translated into nine languages.
Luke lives with his wife, son and dog Robin in Surrey, England.
Good morning everyone it’s been a while since I’ve done a reading update so I thought I’d show you what I m currently reading and hoping to read soon.
What are you currently reading?
Last: Things They Lost by Okwiri Oduor
I’ve just finished Things They Lost by Okwiri Oduor and posted my review on my blog yesterday.
Book Synopsis:
They had not lost anyone that year, or the ones they had lost were not worth remembering…
Set in the fictional Kenyan town of Mapeli, Things They Lost tells the story of four generations of women, each haunted by the mysterious curse that hangs over the Brown family. At the heart of the novel is Ayosa Ataraxis Brown, twelve years old and the loneliest girl in the world.
Okwiri Oduor’s stunningly original debut novel sings with Kenyan folklore and myth as it traces Ayosa’s fragile, toxic relationship with Nabumbo Promise, her mysterious and beguiling mother who comes and goes like tumbleweed: lost, but not quite gone.
Now: The Left-handed Booksellers Of London by Garth Nix
I’m currently reading and really enjoying this fabulous book. I’m hoping to finish it today while the kids are in school.
Book Synopsis:
A girl’s quest to find her father leads her to an extended family of magical fighting booksellers who police the mythical Old World of England when it intrudes on the modern world. From the bestselling master of fantasy, Garth Nix.
In a slightly alternate London in 1983, Susan Arkshaw is looking for her father, a man she has never met. Crime boss Frank Thringley might be able to help her, but Susan doesn’t get time to ask Frank any questions before he is turned to dust by the prick of a silver hatpin in the hands of the outrageously attractive Merlin.
Merlin is a young left-handed bookseller (one of the fighting ones), who with the right-handed booksellers (the intellectual ones), are an extended family of magical beings who police the mythic and legendary Old World when it intrudes on the modern world, in addition to running several bookshops.
Susan’s search for her father begins with her mother’s possibly misremembered or misspelt surnames, a reading room ticket, and a silver cigarette case engraved with something that might be a coat of arms.
Merlin has a quest of his own, to find the Old World entity who used ordinary criminals to kill his mother. As he and his sister, the right-handed bookseller Vivien, tread in the path of a botched or covered-up police investigation from years past, they find this quest strangely overlaps with Susan’s. Who or what was her father? Susan, Merlin, and Vivien must find out, as the Old World erupts dangerously into the New.
Now: Frederica by Georgette Heyer
This is my first Georgette Heyer book and I’m really enjoying it so far. I’m reading it as part of a bookclub and have a few more pages to read before our half way chat tomorrow.
Book Synopsis:
Vernon Alverstoke sees no reason to put himself out for anyone.
But when a distant connection asks for help, he is quickly plunged into one drama after another by the disorderly Merriville family.
Surprisingly, he finds himself far from bored – especially when he encounters their strong-minded daughter, Frederica. However, she seems far more concerned with her family’s welfare than his romantic advances…
Next: The Last Song by Sarah Steele
I can’t wait to read this book! I’m a huge fan of this author and dual timeline books set in WW2 so this book is completely up my street!
Book Synopsis:
‘For a moment she closed her eyes and imagined she was perched on the diving board at the Piscine Molitor, the sun beating down on her bare shoulders and the sound of Parisians at play beneath her. All she had to do was jump.’
1941. Darkness descends over London as the sirens begin to howl and the bombs rain down. Devastation seeps from every crack of the city. In the midst of all the chaos is a woman gripping a window ledge on the first floor of a Baker Street hotel. She is perched, ready to jump. And as flames rise around her, she is forced to take her chances.
1997. Amy Novak has lost the two great loves in her life: her husband, Michael, and her first love, music. With the first anniversary of Michael’s death approaching, Amy buries herself in her job as an archivist. And when a newly declassified file lands on her desk, she is astonished to uncover proof that ‘Agent Colette’ existed – a name spoken only in whispers; an identity so secret that it has never been verified.
Her discovery leads her to MI6 ‘godmother’ Verity Cooper – a woman with secrets of her own – and on to the streets of Paris where she will uncover a story of unimaginable choices, extraordinary courage and a love that will defy even the darkest days of World War Two . . .
They had not lost anyone that year, or the ones they had lost were not worth remembering…
Set in the fictional Kenyan town of Mapeli, Things They Lost tells the story of four generations of women, each haunted by the mysterious curse that hangs over the Brown family. At the heart of the novel is Ayosa Ataraxis Brown, twelve years old and the loneliest girl in the world.
Okwiri Oduor’s stunningly original debut novel sings with Kenyan folklore and myth as it traces Ayosa’s fragile, toxic relationship with Nabumbo Promise, her mysterious and beguiling mother who comes and goes like tumbleweed: lost, but not quite gone.
My Review:
Things They Lost is a beautifully written, lyrical novel that has been longlisted for the Dylan Thomas prize.
Ayosa was an interesting main character and one that it took me a while to warm to. She’s obviously been deeply affected by her mum leaving her for huge stretches of time for work but doesn’t seem to want people to know this. I went between feeling very sorry for her as it was heartbreaking to see her trying to be so brave and feeling frustrated with her as her emotions often came out spitefully which wasn’t nice to see. Abyosa’s relationship with Mbiu was wonderful to read about and I loved watching it develop throughout the book as they grow closer. It was great to see her get the support she obviously needed.
The writing style in this book is a bit different to what I’m used to and it took me a little while to get used to it. It has a lyrical almost poetic quality to it at times which I think helped bring the magical side of the story to life. I liked the way the author uses Kenyan myths and folk lore as a world that Ayosa can escape into away from her loneliness. The chapters are fairly short which makes the book quick to read and I soon found myself very invested in the character’s lives, wanting to keep reading to find out what happens to them. My only slight niggle about the book is I feel it ended a bit abruptly and I’d have liked to find out more about how things are resolved.
Huge thanks to Emily from Midas for my copy of this book and for inviting me onto the blog tour.
About The Author:
Okwiri Oduor was born in Nairobi, Kenya. At the age of 25, she won the Caine Prize for African Writing 2014 for her story ‘My Father’s Head’. Later that year, she was named on the Hay Festival’s Africa39 list of 39 African writers under 40 who would define trends in African literature. She has been a MacDowell Colony fellow, and she received her MFA from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. She has a story forthcoming in Granta, and Things They Lost is her debut novel. She lives in Germany.
It’s been a bit of a rubbish week here so I thought I’d share a jolly yellow book stack to match my lovely daffodils. To me daffodils are always a sign spring is coming and with it, hopefully, new beginnings. I’ve only read My (Extra) Ordinary Life out if this pile but hoping to get to the rest soon.
⭐ Whisper Of The Seals by Roxanne Bouchard
⭐My (Extra) Ordinary Life by Rebecca Ryan
⭐We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman
⭐Bad Fruit by Ella King
⭐ I’m Glad My Mum Died by Jennette McCurdy
⭐What July Knew by Emily Koch
⭐One Good Thing by Alexander Potter
We’ve got a quiet weekend planned apart from one of the kids having a birthday party tomorrow. We recently had new carpets so will be putting all our furniture back after that. I’m looking forward to having all my books back on my bookshelves again!
One hidden painting. Two women born centuries apart. A secret uncovered.
In 2019, Rachel is stuck in a rut when she discovers what appears to be a Canaletto painting in her grandmother’s loft along with a note addressed to Philippa in 1782. With help from Jake at the local art gallery, Rachel endeavours to find out if the painting is an original and uncovers a secret from the past.
In 1780, governess at Chipford Hall, Philippa is offered the role of mistress by Earl Rupert. She escapes to Venice as companion to bluestocking, Lady Cordelia who reveals a secret that changes both their lives. They do their best to keep the secret from Lady Cordelia’s social circle, but their nemesis is determined to reveal all and ruin them.
My Review:
The Venice Secret is a beautifully written, intriguing dual timeline story that is hard to believe is a debut novel.
The story is told from the point of view of Rachel in the present day and Philippa in the 18th Century. I really liked Philippa and enjoyed following her as she tries no negotiate her new life after the death of her father. It was interesting learning more about the governess role which must have been quite a lonely job at times. I loved the support network she has to help her and the wonderful housekeeper who takes her under her wing. I wasn’t so sure about Rachel though and it took me a while to warm to her. She’s obviously been through a rough time and I had a lot of sympathy for her as it was heartbreaking to see her doubt herself. However she frustrated me with some of the decisions she made which only seemed to make life harder for her.
The author does a fantastic job of describing Venice so that I felt like I was actually there, experiencing everything alongside the characters. I especially loved the fabulous details about the grand tour and what happened on one as I’d heard it mentioned in other books but not in great detail. Venice is a place I’d love to go visit one day and this book has made me even more determined to get there.
I felt immediately drawn into the story and into the lives of the characters. The two timelines were easy to differentiate between and I loved the subtle ways they complimented each other, gradually drawing out the answers to the painting mystery to the very satisfying ending. This is the author’s debut novel and I look forward to reading more from her in the future.
Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book.
About The Author:
Anita Chapman enjoyed writing stories from a young age, and won a local writing competition when she was nine years old. Encouraged by this, she typed up a series of stories about a mouse on her mum’s typewriter and sent them to Ladybird. She received a polite rejection letter, her first.
Many of Anita’s summers growing up were spent with her family driving to Italy, and she went on to study French and Italian at university. As part of her degree, Anita lived in Siena for several months where she studied and au paired, and she spent a lot of time travelling around Italy in her twenties.
Anita likes to read journals and diaries from the past, and one of her favourite pastimes is visiting art galleries and country houses. Her first published novel, The Venice Secret is inspired by her mother taking her to see the Canalettos at The National Gallery in London as a child.
Since 2015, Anita has worked as a social media manager, training authors on social media, and helping to promote their books. She’s run several courses in London and York, and has worked as a tutor at Richmond and Hillcroft Adult Community College.
Over The Rainbow Blog 