Crowvus Book Blog

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#HistFicThursdays - A Shape on the Air by Julia Ibbotson - Spotlight

This week for #HistFicThursdays, I'm delighted to be teaming up with The Coffee Pot Book Club to welcome back Julia Ibbotson and her fabulous writing! Here's a spotlight on her brilliant book, A Shape on the Air . So, let's meet the book... Can echoes of the past threaten the present? They are 1500 years apart, but can they reach out to each other across the centuries? One woman faces a traumatic truth in the present day. The other is forced to marry the man she hates as the 'dark ages' unfold. How can Dr Viv DuLac, medievalist and academic, unlock the secrets of the past? Traumatised by betrayal, she slips into 499 AD and into the body of Lady Vivianne, who is also battling treachery. Viv must uncover the mystery of the key that she unwittingly brings back with her to the present day, as echoes of the past resonate through time. But little does Viv realise just how much both their lives across the centuries will become so intertwined. And in th...

#HistFicThursday - Gothic Horror - The Clockmaker

One of the shortest stories included in my upcoming anthology was written for an Edgar Allan Poe competition in 2021, in which my work came Runner-Up, and is titled The Clockmaker . Edgar Allan Poe is most famous for his works of Gothic Horror, but it is easy to forget that he also dabbled in Science Fiction, as did many of his Gothic contemporaries. Indeed, a quick Google search has informed me that there are anthologies which solely contain his Science Fiction. The Clockmaker was designed to marry these Horror and SciFi elements to create the sort of story which Poe himself might have written. I won’t deny it: I was pleased with the outcome. At only 500 words, it tells the story of a man who pays a visit to an old schoolfriend (you will realise, if you read much of my Gothic Horror, that old school/university friends play vital roles!) who is an inventor, and spends some time admiring a clock which he has made. I won’t spoil by telling you the ending, but I will say that he does...

#HistFicThursdays - Caledon - Book Trailer

Today, I am so excited to share my new series trailer for Caledon . As many of you know, as well as Historical Fiction, I am also a massive fan of fantasy literature. Caledon combines the two. After launching the first book during lockdown, and the second only making it as far as an eBook, this summer will finally see the print version of The Stealth of Caledon . Next year, The Strength of Caledon (which was serialised on Smashwords last year) will be released, followed by The Wisdom of Caledon (2027), The Nobility of Caledon (2028), and The Zeal of Caledon (2029). It seems scary to be thinking so far ahead, but I'm eager to get the books finalised and shared with the world. So, enjoy the trailer and - hopefully - enjoy the books too!

#HistFicThursdays - A Significant Day For A Significant Age

I don't write many older characters. I suppose age - as with most things - is relative in fiction. When I began writing The Watcher's Heir (my will-be-finished-one-day high fantasy epic), I was still at school and my hero began the story aged 25, an age I could not imagine ever reaching but an age I thought would still be considered young by many. If I ever manage to finish and edit that story, I'll be extending his - and a few others' - age! Having grown older, I've realised the advantages and the benefits of age. Of course, it's a bit of a disappointment that I'm never asked for ID in the shop anymore, or that people assume I'm my younger sisters' mother(!). But, on the whole, the pros have far outweighed the cons. The biggest con in terms of writing, is that it's difficult not to put an old head on young shoulders. Looking through books - both my own and those written by other people - it is clear just how easy it is to slip into the "ol...

#HistFicThursdays - The Standing Stone on the Moor by Allie Cresswell - Guest Post

For today's #HistFicThursdays blog, I am delighted to be welcoming Allie Cresswell to the blog with a guest post about her brand new book The Standing Stone on the Moor , as part of her Coffee Pot Book Club tour! But first, let's meet the book... Blurb Yorkshire, 1845. Folklore whispers that they used to burn witches at the standing stone on the moor. When the wind is easterly, it wails a strange lament. History declares it was placed as a marker, visible for miles—a signpost for the lost, directing them towards home. Forced from their homeland by the potato famine, a group of itinerant Irish refugees sets up camp by the stone. They are met with suspicion by the locals, branded as ‘thieves and ne’er-do-wells.’ Only Beth Harlish takes pity on them, and finds herself instantly attracted to Ruairi, their charismatic leader. Beth is the steward of nearby manor Tall Chimneys—a thankless task as the owners never visit. An educated young woman, Beth feels r...

#MGMonday: What I've Learned From Blog Tours

June is a 5 Monday month, meaning there's an extra #MGMonday blog to write. This Author Life blog is all about blog tours, and whether they are really worth their while for middle grade books. What is a blog tour? In the past, authors would travel around the country, promoting their book at bookshops and festivals. IT was a logistical nightmare, not to mention prohibitively expensive for many authors. Then, there's the headache of making sure you actually have an audience at these events. Cue, the blog tour. An online version! One without the need for travel, or the headache of wondering if you'll be speaking to an empty bookshop! My First Blog Tour Experience For my debut novel, Taking Wing, the blog tour was a magical thing! I didn't really know what to expect and the fact that several blogs had written reviews was fantastic! I shared each post on my social media, and got lots of comments from people I knew. My first blog tour was organised by Goddess Fish Promotions ...