Desert Islands and Castles of Dreams…

November 16, 2017

I first met Sharon Bennett Connolly through The Review on Facebook – just quiet interactions that always left a positive mark behind. But most lately – she has been trailblazing! Her book, Heroines of the Medieval World, is acquiring rave reviews and fully endorses her blog which she entitles ‘History – the Interesting Bits.’

And that’s the thing, isn’t it? History ‘can’ be boring, overdone and heavy but Sharon takes the truly interesting facts and runs with them, injecting light and life into what ‘could’ be a crusty subject. It’s therefore with interest that I see she has become castaway on Bodiam Castle! And yes, it is surrounded by water, therefore an island, so why not? Sharon, you book list intrigues.

An Irish Castaway…

October 31, 2017

Catherine Kullman’s opening description of Ireland caught my attention when I realised that Tasmania, the tiny island on which I live, a state of Australia and to the south of the mainland continent, is actually larger than her whole country. Like Catherine, I live on the fragrance of the sea and its many moods. It was with interest that I read her choices of books for her castaway time. Even more intrigued when at the end, she eschewed Ireland for somewhere quite remote…

Speculative times in the Scillies – Desert Island Books…

October 22, 2017

I met speculative fiction and historical fiction writer Richard Abbott through Facebook. Both of us belong to an excellent writers’ (and readers’) group called The Review.

The desert island that Richard chose charmed me straight away. He says: ‘The “desert island” is actually the north end of Bryher, one of the Scilly Isles. Since these are only 28 miles off the coast of Cornwall, calling it a desert island is perhaps stretching a point, but I would happily be stranded there! Some of the Scilly Isles are inhabited, others not, but they’re all within an easy row of each other. Each is a little different in character, but they all have splendid views of sky and sea.’

Over to you, Richard…

Desert Island Books with a wise woman…

October 7, 2017

Author Louise Wise and I began our indie life at a similar time back in the early 2000’s and belonged to a mutual group of writers who supported each other through the unfamiliar universe at that time. It’s a pleasure to hear Louise’s desert island story. Louise didn’t provide a choice of island on which to be castaway, so I’m doing it for her.

This is the almost inaccessible and mind-blowing island called Maatsuyker Island, south west of Tasmania. I suspect that in the lighthouse, she will sit and write the most chilling time-travel stories. Louise, the floor is yours, albeit windblown!!!!!

Marooned with wit and a book on sandcastles!

June 27, 2017

I was honestly wondering how long it would take any of my Desert Island castaways to include a book on building sandcastles and/or boats amongst their lists. Naturally, it took an Australian to do it!

Colin Falconer is a writer of the most excellent and fast-paced historical fiction which is how I met him. And I just had to invite him to join the Castaways Club. Apart from anything else, I wondered if his response would be as sharp and witty as his blog.

The beach is yours, Colin!

Desert Island Books rides the range…

June 9, 2017

I would like to have opened this segment with a review of Matthew Harffy’s latest book in The Bernicia Chronicles – Killer of Kings. But it sits waiting on my Kindle for me to finish my current reading. I have no doubt it will maintain Matthew’s reputation as a compelling writer of Seventh Century Britain. Matthew’s hero, Beobrand, has quite taken over from Cornwell’s Uhtred of Bebbanburg for me. Beobrand has such dimension and depth and wondering what influences Matthew may have had in the creation of such a well-rounded character, it’s intriguing to see where Matthew’s interests lie as he is marooned far from home on a Desert Island. I heard that westerns may make an appearance. Westerns? Matthew?

Desert Island Books goes Gallic…and Roman…

May 21, 2017

As any who like hist.fict know, Alison Morton is something of an icon. As well as being a vociferous supporter of both indie and mainstream writers, she has rather succinctly re-written the genre with her Roma Nova series. I managed to pin her down (and that’s no easy task, I can tell you) as she flies around marketing her latest release in the above series, Retalio, to ask her what books she would take with her from her home in France, if she were a castaway!

A dog-loving castaway!

May 6, 2017

I’ve always been a fan of Michael Jecks. His writing is the kind we all crave to publish – writing that flows from one page to the next (and in all the best timeframes). But his Youtube writing videos are excellent also and most recently, I have lusted after his country rambles with the dogs, the kind of country walking that makes bells ring in my soul. Which makes me wonder where will be his ‘desert island’ and what will he choose to read?

Birthday celebrations on a desert island…

April 9, 2017

To those who know Roman fiction writer, SJA Turney,

you will know that this is his birthday weekend. What better way to celebrate than to find out what he would cart to a desert island?

Desert Island Books – with Alex Martin!

March 26, 2017

UK writer, Alex Martin and I became acquainted a couple of years ago – I discovered her wonderful WWI novel, Daffodils, and from that moment, became an ardent fan. This book and its sequels are the kinds of novels from which TV series are made. It was only natural that I include Alex on my Desert Island guest list – we share a lot in common – coasts, dogs, herbs, French countryside, and of course, we are both indie writers.

Welcome, Alex…

Category: Desert Island Books