Being Bookish

This week I am really happy to have had the opportunity to chat with author Heidi Swain who is the Queen of Seasonal Romances. Her latest novel, All Wrapped Up, takes us to autumn in the town of Wynbridge, where love may (or may not) be in the air for the latest residents. We're talking all things bookish, including inspiration for her novels, love of all things seasonal, and the fact that All...

This week I’m diving into the brand new romantasy Warrior Princess Assassin by Brigid Kemmerer, a sweeping fantasy full of danger, betrayal, and uneasy alliances. The story starts off as the tale of two people marrying for political gain, to merge their two kingdoms, both of which are in danger. Slowly, the story develops: a perilous journey, assassination attempts, political intrigue, palace...

This week I’m travelling to Lancashire to join a witch and her found family in the cosy fantasy A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna. This one is equal parts heart and magic, as we follow Sera Swan while she discovers what is most important to her after being exiled from the Sorcerer's Guild following a huge rule infraction! Since then, she's built a new life running an inn...

Somehow it happened, we've passed the halfway mark for 2025 (where did the time go)! That means it's time to take a look at my reading journey so far (yes, I know it's a bit late). So, in this episode, I’m reflecting on the books that have shaped the last six months, the highs, the lows and everything in between. Well, not quite everything, that would take a little bit too long! I’ll be talking...

This week I’m taking a deep look at the brand new romantasy Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry. This is a rich, emotionally layered fantasy looking at a blend of light-hearted and deep topics, including duty and survival as well as the quiet rebellion of a heroine who’s been overlooked all her life. With a backdrop of dangerous creatures, political tension, and a marriage forged through ancient...

Now, for those of you who don't know, I'm an 80s kid. By that, I mean I turned 16 at the end of that decade. I grew up with posters of Ralph Macchio and Michael J Fox on my wall, I went to see New Kids on the Block in concert, and when I read about The Brat Pack in newspapers and magazines (social media was not a thing), I wanted to be a member of that group. From media released long after that...

This week, I’m diving into The Games Gods Play by Abigail Owen, a mythology-inspired fantasy romance filled with deadly challenges, divine politics, and a reluctant heroine caught in the middle of it all. With a premise rooted in ancient rivalries and a high-stakes tournament hosted by the gods themselves, it’s a story that promises danger, drama, and a healthy dose of romantic tension. As...

This week, I’m diving into Silver Elite, a dystopian romance that’s been making waves in the book community. A debut novel by author Dani Francis, it is set in a high-stakes world, with slow-burning tension, and a heroine hiding more than just her powers. Silver Elite is a release that has caught the attention of a lot of readers across socials, and I was so curious that I just had to pick it...

When you reach a certain age, you can feel as though you're forgotten, whether that's because you've suddenly reached the age of grandmothers in books who sit and knit while adoring their grandchildren, or because you are no longer seen as anything but the extension of the family unit. Aged to Perfection, the debut novel by author Niloufar Lamakan, is one of a recent batch of romantic comedy...

This week, I’m joined by bestselling author Mandy Robotham to talk about her latest novel, Mrs Spy, a gripping and atmospheric story of secrets, betrayal, and the high personal cost of espionage. The book is released on Thursday, the 15th of May and published by Head of Zeus.Set against the tense backdrop of 1960s Britain at the height of the Cold War,we follow widowed single mother, Maggie...