Review: Dead Man Walking by Paul Finch
His worst nightmare is back… 
As a brutal winter takes hold of the Lake District, a prolific serial killer stalks the fells. ‘The Stranger’ has returned and for DS Mark ‘Heck’ Heckenburg, the signs are all too familiar. Last seen on Dartmoor ten years earlier, The Stranger murdered his victims in vicious, cold-blooded attacks – and when two young women go missing, Heck fears the worst. As The Stranger lays siege to a remote community, Heck watches helplessly as the killer plays his cruel game, picking off his victims one by one. And with no way to get word out of the valley, Heck must play ball…
When the review copy of this landed on my doormat and I read the blurb on the back I instantly decided that this would be the next book I would read. Although I have not read any of the other DS Heckenburg thrillers, I was not left in the dark as the book stands well on its own and the writer fills you in on any critical information from the other books in a very slick way that feels natural.
The story centres around a small village in the lake district and their two person police team including ex-big city police officer DS Mark ‘Heck’ Heckenburg who is looking for the quite life but ultimately fails to find it, as a serial killer starts picking off the villagers one by one. Continue reading
by 
A Moment With…Ali McNamara
Day twenty-seven of National Novel Writing Month and Ali McNamara joins us today to talk about returning to a character.
It’s lovely to write again about a bunch of characters you’ve got to know in a previous book. It’s like meeting up with old friends again, and that’s exactly how I feel when I return to Scarlett and her Notting Hill friends.
I’ve written about them three times now, and it becomes easier with every book. Both you and the reader already know so much about each character, that you know just how they’ll behave in every situation.
There aren’t many drawbacks – trying to keep a new reader who might not have read the other books in the series, up to date with what’s gone on in previous stories is probably the trickiest thing, as you don’t want to bore fans of the series with lots of information they already know. But hopefully I usually find a way to suit all!
I love writing the Notting Hill series, and I really hope to write more in the future.
Ali is the author of the Notting Hill series which include From Notting Hill with Love Actually, From Notting Hill to New York, Actually and her new novel, From Notting Hill with Four Weddings Actually which was released by Sphere in October.
To find out about Ali and the fantastic Notting Hill series, visit her website: www.alimcnamara.co.uk
You can also follow her on Twitter @AliMcNamara
by Review: A Girl Walks into a Blind Date by Helena S. Paige
Internet dating is a tricky game to play, but you’ve done your homework and narrowed down your list to three international men of mystery. All that’s left to do now is meet them . . .
* Will you head to Amsterdam to get hands-on with a bohemian sculptor?
* Or does the idea of adventure in New York City with a heroic fireman light your fire?
* There’s also the impossibly handsome Italian count who sends you poetic praise from his palazzo in Venice . . .
Whichever way you decide to go, each twist and turn will lead to an unforgettable encounter. Can you choose the ultimate sensual experience? Remember: if your first choice doesn’t hit the spot, then start over and try something (and someone) new. The power is entirely yours in this fully interactive, choose your own destiny novel.
I have not read many Erotica novels. In-fact, I have only read two (both Sylvia Day,) and I’m also on the list of people who has not read Fifty Shades of Grey so it’s safe to say that Erotica isn’t my novel of choice. I am not sure why. It never normally appeals. What did intrigue me with this novel though, is the chance to be able to pick where I went in the story.
by A Moment With…Tracy Buchanan
NaNoWriMo is almost over. Most of you will be almost at the end. Tracy Buchanan talks to us about plot twists.
The best plot twists are the most believable ones. Don’t you hate it in novels or films where a twist is thrown in for the drama, and while it might be a ‘wow, really?’ moment, it doesn’t feel true to the characters as it sinks in.
The actions that lead to that twist need to be completely convincing and not out of character. Subtle hints (foreshadowing, as we call it) need to be littered throughout the novel, so subtle that it’s only when you read those final pages that you realise how it all ties together.
A little technique I use (and this doesn’t just apply to plot twists, it can also apply to ‘reveals’ in general, so elements of information held from the reader until later on) is to list the reveals I want to unveil. Then beneath each one, list how I can hint at these reveals throughout the novel without giving anything away.
by Quick Spotlight: The Art of Getting Started by Lee Crutchley
http://leecrutchley.co.uk/
For fans of books like Wreck This Journal and The Pointless Book.
The Art of Getting Started is a little interactive journal. It’s great to kick-start creativity or if you’re like me, something to do when you need time away from a project that is giving you trouble and you want to distract your mind.
What drew me to this book is all the fantastic activities in it. There’s drawing and writing exercises (including list making. Perfect for me. I love lists.) This book had me at the first page as it asks you to fill it with positive words. It’s also filled with great quotes to inspire you too. A small thing but it’s also small enough to fit into your handbag so you can carry it with you if you wanted to.
I am enjoying making my way through this book and I wanted to share it with you.
About The Art of Getting Started:
The ideal companion for all creative minds – The Art of Getting Started is the long missing piece of the creative puzzle. As a self-professed procrastinator, illustrator Lee Crutchley knows the ‘first blank page’ all too well and has used his expertise to devise a unique variety of impulsive habits to kick start the brain. Through a series of hand-written tasks and challenges Lee leads the reader through a range of lively prompts to shift the perspective and get those creative juices flowing again in new and surprising ways.
by Book Club
