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Book rant ahead
I've just finished a historical murder mystery by a well known novelist/screenwriter/playwright. I have to say it was extremely disappointing. Obvious murderer, predictable denouement, characterisation that was at times unconvincing but - worst of all - a tendency to preach. If there was an issue prevalent in 1917, the reader got a lecture about it ( Read more... ) -
Charlie's latest newsletter
Greetings from the house of Cochrane, as we await the arrival of yet another storm. And wait to see whether we will be going to Rome to see the rugby, or just visiting as tourists or not at all. Ah well, they say Bognor is lovely at this time of year…
NewsThe big news is that the next Cambridge Fellows novella. Lessons in Following a Poisonous ( Read more... ) -
More misused phrases - caring less
When you can't be bothered about something, or it's beneath your notice or interest, you say, "I couldn't care less." That n't is really important. It means there is no level of caring below the level you feel for X: your interest in the matter is at absolute zero ( Read more... ) -
Charlie's latest newsletter
Welcome from stormy England. It blew a hoolie last weekend and this weekend looks just the same - had to cancel an author/reader lunch today because we’re all cleaving to our settees and battening down the hatches.
NewsThe most exciting development at the moment has been listening to audio samples for narrators for the Lindenshaw books. It’s a ( Read more... ) -
Don't forget to tweet today!
The RNA is an inclusive and diverse organisation and recently opened an online Rainbow Chapter for members of the LGBQTIA+ community. On the 9th February (today!) during Romance Reading month it would like to provide an opportunity for readers to share their favourite LGBQTIA+ novels to @RNAtweets using the following hashtags. #DiamondRainbowReads ( Read more... ) -
Using "the exception proves the rule"
I get very cross about misuse of English and certain phrases in particular. "The exception proves the rule" is one such. Prove has two meanings: 1. To demonstrate something is correct and 2. To test something, like when you prove a cake. The people who get it wrong clearly don't understand that it's meaning 2 we're talking about here - using ( Read more... ) -
The excitement about a bridge
About a mile from where we live they've been replacing a bridge over the motorway. It's taken a couple of years and has been a fascinating process. On three occasions they've had to shut the motorway entirely for a whole weekend: once to demolish half the old bridge, once to put the new bridge in and once to get rid of the other half of the old ( Read more... ) -
Charlie's latest newsletter
I guess it’s too late in the day (in the UK anyway) to catch you all with “Pinch, punch, first of the month,” although I managed to inflict it on my family members this morning. Needless to say they weren’t impressed. Great local excitement today, though.
News
I had a wonderful surprise to be one of Padme’s reviewed audiobooks of choice for ( Read more... ) -
Read it, write it, love it, tweet it
Put February 9th in your diaries, please. During Romance Reading month the RNA encouraging readers to share their favourite LGBQTIA+ novels on that particular day. Tweet to @RNAtweets using the following hashtags. #DiamondRainbowReads #RNA60. The UK Meet team have been blogging about how the RNA diamond celebration links to our own tenth ( Read more... ) -
Charlie's latest newsletter
I can’t believe we’re half way through January. Doesn’t tempus blooming half fugit?
It’ll be Easter before we know it - and the shops are certainly starting to stock small chocolate eggs, which is really depressing.
News
The programme for Portsmouth Book Fest is live, as are ticket sales. I’m doing the romance panel on March 5th - trying to prove ( Read more... )