Crowvus Book Blog

 Today, I am pleased to be sharing another book review. Read on to find out what I thought of Stephanie Barron's Jane and the Madness of Lord Byron . But first, let's meet the book... Blurb The restorative power of the ocean brings Jane Austen and her beloved brother Henry, to Brighton after Henry's wife is lost to a long illness. But the crowded, glittering resort is far from peaceful, especially when the lifeless body of a beautiful young society miss is discovered in the bedchamber of none other than George Gordon--otherwise known as Lord Byron. As a poet and a seducer of women, Byron has carved out a shocking reputation for himself--but no one would ever accuse him of being capable of murder. Now it falls to Jane to pursue this puzzling investigation and discover just how "mad, bad, and dangerous to know" Byron truly is. And she must do so without falling victim to the charming versifier's legendary charisma, lest she, too, become a cautionary example for ...

 Last week, we shared a blog about our Children's and Young Adult books , with a promise to share some bookish ideas for adults the following week. And here we are! We don't really go in for the "books for him/her/it" thing, and a number of our books don't fit snuggly in with market genres, so instead we're going to give you a brief introduction to our books as individuals. Why? Because our books are as unique as our readers: we do not like to pigeon-hole. Proudly introducing our books... Filled with nature, memories, and ecological warning, Child of the Earth  is a companion book to Susan's monthly blogs . Child of the Earth  takes the reader through a wildlife year in rural Lincolnshire and very rural Northern Scotland. Interspersed with short fiction, poetry, and pictures, it truly is a gem of a book. But you don't need to take our word for it - this book was a Wishing Shelf Book Award Finalist .   The beginnings of a family saga, Day's Dying Gl...

One from my #Wordsworth250 celebrations  Next Thursday (1st October) is National Poetry Day. Many years ago, I offered to illustrate favourite poems for anyone who wanted me to. I had a few people who took me up on this. I'm not sure how I managed to do it in the space of a week, but I was young then! This one was a fun commission! Poetry comes in all shapes and sizes. From tiny lines to grand epics. I have heard so many people telling me that they don't like poetry, but what they mean is that they don't like all  poetry. There is always a poem which resonates with everyone whether because it carries nostalgia, inspiration, or wonder . It is fine not to like all poetry, in fact: it is right not to. We would never expect people to like all music, all films, all novels, or all artwork. You can appreciate the artistry within them without wanting to hear/see/read them!! It will come as no surprise to anyone that I love Romantic poetry. In both Day's Dying Glory and Beneath...

 September has been (and still is being!) our blogging month. October will be our reading month. Then, most of the Crowvus team will settle into writing in November. Our reading is, of course, ghost stories - the stories you have submitted to us for consideration in our competition. We love this! It is a highlight of our year, and it is always difficult to make that final decision on those which will appear in the book, and those which will win the big prizes. Enter the Crowvus Christmas Ghost Story Competition ! Crowvus HQ last Hallowe'en Night What we're looking for is not always the same thing. This is why there are a number of judges, so that different styles and plots can be accommodated. Over the years, there have been stories which have stuck with me which never even made the book. By the nature of the judging system, I have no idea who wrote them, but there are some stories out there that I hope managed to find their home, as they have left a haunting impact on me. Give...

 Today, I'm very excited to share my thoughts on Dylan Madeley 's book, The Last Gift-Knight . Dylan sent me a copy of his book after reaching out to ask for a review and I'm really glad he did. Keep reading to find out what I thought to The Last Gift-Knight , and decide whether this will be your next great read... But first, let's meet the book! Two lives, the legacies of grand stories, are at the forefront of this tale. Frustrated with living in the shadow of a long-dead hero, Derek flees to infamous ruins and begs his ancestors for a sign. The next day, he is summoned to serve as the personal guard of his family's greatest enemy. The ensuing journey leads him through storied places, the depths of loneliness, and a growing dread over what awaits at his destination. A reserved and bookish princess unexpectedly finds herself on the throne yet under suspicion. Chandra hardly has time to prepare or to grieve before facing her duties. Aided by a trustworthy few, she mu...

   Today, I'm delighted to welcome RJ Verity  to the #HistFicThursdays blog as part her  Coffee Pot Book Club 's book tour. Today, meet her brand new book Poole of Honour , and discover your next great read! Read on to enjoy an excerpt from this fabulous book! First of all, let's meet the book... London, 1965. The city is swinging, the world is shifting, and Daniel Poole is a rising criminal barrister with everything to prove – to the courts, to his father, to his wife and to himself. But Daniel is carrying a secret that could shatter the life he has so carefully built. As society begins to question the rules it once held sacred, he is forced to decide what he stands for — and what he is willing to risk in order to belong. Set against a backdrop of cultural upheaval and political change, Poole of Honour is a tense, character-driven historical novel exploring ambition, identity, and the cost of silence, as the next generation of the Poole family confronts a world on ...