England is in limited lockdown as I write, and non-essential shops are closed until 2 December. This means local booksellers will miss out on several of their busiest weeks of the year. The big online retailers will be fine, but our nearest bookshop is owned and run almost single-handedly by one man. Like many others, … Continue reading #SignForOurBookshops
Kindle bargains for UK readers, and a free book draw for everyone else
UPDATE - WE HAVE A WINNER! Thanks so much to everyone who entered the "Win a signed copy" draw. It was great fun reading your messages and especially the entertaining offers of bribery (which of course I resisted)! Congratulations to G Goldschmeid, whose name was first out of the hat - please check your … Continue reading Kindle bargains for UK readers, and a free book draw for everyone else
Saturday, final stop on the Blog Tour – For Winter Nights
Many thanks to For Winter Nights, the final host on the Blog Tour! If you haven't yet discovered this excellent book blog, now is a good time to nip across there - not only for the chance to win a copy of Vita Brevis, but also to browse a splendid collection of reviews and articles, … Continue reading Saturday, final stop on the Blog Tour – For Winter Nights
Tuesday on the Blog Tour – Parmenion Books
Many thanks to the excellent Robin Carter over at Parmenion Books for hosting today - a VITA BREVIS giveaway and some medical remedies you very probably haven't tried before. Or even considered.
Monday on the blog tour – A Fantastical Librarian
Today I'm honoured to join Mieneke van der Salm, the award-nominated Fantastical Librarian. Check out her web pages for a wide selection of reviews and author interviews, and this link for a chance to win a copy of VITA BREVIS wherever you live. If I'd realised Mieneke was also a real librarian, I'd have tidied … Continue reading Monday on the blog tour – A Fantastical Librarian
On tour in my slippers
I'll be travelling around some splendid blogs run by other people this week, dropping by for a virtual chat or stepping back while other people review "Vita Brevis" or post excerpts. Some will be offering giveaways, too. The schedule's below, and there might be an additional stop along the way - I'll post that link … Continue reading On tour in my slippers
Caption Competition winner!
Many thanks to everyone who's kept Downie Towers chuckling over the last couple of weeks with captions for the mosaic, both here and on Facebook. Special mentions go to: Paul Bennett for, "Honey, I shrunk the Emperor." Ian Hobbs for, "I don't care how proud you are, you cannot send a picture of that over … Continue reading Caption Competition winner!
Competition fever!
There's competition fever here at Downie Towers, with the caption competition running till the end of July, plus two more chances to win goodies. Apologies to those who've heard this all before, but in case you haven't... First, a chance to stock up your summer reading bag with books of your choice, or to win … Continue reading Competition fever!
VITA BREVIS, published today – and a caption competition.
I'm delighted to announce that Ruso and Tilla's seventh adventure, set in the great city of Rome itself, is now available on an e-reader near you! Find out more about it here. If you live in the USA, Canada or Cambridge*, VITA BREVIS should also be available in a bookshop. (*The fine folk at Heffers … Continue reading VITA BREVIS, published today – and a caption competition.
Eboracum Roman Festival – counting down to 1 June!
I know... no blog posts for ages, and then two in a row. But just in case anyone's missed the publicity so far... Eboracum Roman Festival is coming very soon, and it's going to be spectacular. There's a splendid programme of events for all ages, and much of the festival is freely open to the … Continue reading Eboracum Roman Festival – counting down to 1 June!
Ruth Downie 