Nobody could accuse us of being stuck in the past here at Downie Towers. Well... not in the very distant past, anyway. Today we're venturing into the daringly modern times of the eighteenth century, where events turn out to have some even more up-to-date parallels. I'm delighted to welcome Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie, authors … Continue reading My Dear Hamilton
Songs of Blood and Gold – an Ancient World bargain bundle!
A while back I was honoured to be asked to join the H-Team, a group of writers who combine their skills to produce gripping and original versions of famous tales from the ancient world. The team's three books are usually sold separately, but for a short while they're on offer as an ebook bundle called SONGS OF … Continue reading Songs of Blood and Gold – an Ancient World bargain bundle!
The Trojans are back!
The new novel from seven talented members of the H-team is published today - and as ever, they've been weaving old stories together in new ways. I wasn't involved this time (deadlines!) and I can't wait to find out what the team have done with the story we all 'think' we know. Meanwhile, they've been … Continue reading The Trojans are back!
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
Thursday on the blog tour – Roma Nova
Blog tour day 6, and thanks to the splendid Alison Morton for the invitation to join her love-me*-love-my-character series for a chat about Ruso. (*this part, as an Italian driver once said to my husband when discussing traffic lights, is 'merely a suggestion'.) Alison is the creator not only of thrillers but of a whole … Continue reading Thursday on the blog tour – Roma Nova
Wednesday on the blog tour – A Literary Vacation
Many thanks to Colleen for hosting the first chapter of 'Vita Brevis' today, alongside a whole heap of other bookish goodies - if you're looking for something new to read, "A Literary Vacation" is a great place to explore.
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!
“What’s new & old & read all over?”
Judith Starkston takes a good look at the current state of fiction set in the ancient world for the latest edition of Historical Novels Review. This is technically a members-only publication but the many writers who chipped in with our opinions are allowed to leap the fence and go public! As writing is usually a … Continue reading “What’s new & old & read all over?”
Badly dressed for the Bard
Big thanks to Fiona and the staff at the lovely Walter Henry’s bookshop in Bideford, who marked the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death on Saturday with tea and cake and fine hospitality. The collective noun for a gathering of local readers, writers and historians should probably be ‘a gossip’ but we fell respectfully silent to … Continue reading Badly dressed for the Bard
An honour!
Thrilled to hear that TABULA RASA is included on Nancy Pearl's list of reads for 2015! You can see the full list of recommendations here. Also, warm congratulations to Mick Herron, another British crime writer who's doubly honoured by having TWO of his books on the list - a real achievement! All this is rather … Continue reading An honour!
Ruth Downie 