It's been a year since I posted the last extract from my 1993-1994 travel journal for the Travelling in the 90s series. I've been distracted. But there's only a couple of weeks of Italy to go on the entire trip, so I'm going to focus on getting to the end. Our last stop was Florence … Continue reading Travelling in the 90s: Venerable Rome
It's been a while (too long) since I've talked fantasy novels on this blog, but I'm excited to get back into it today to celebrate a new release from indie publisher, Turtleduck Press. I've featured a few Turtleduck Press novels over the past couple of years -- not only are the team friends of mine, … Continue reading Book Launch: City of Hope and Ruin
ZILLAH It's dark. That's the first thing I notice. And silent. The air is musty and damp. I seem to be sitting in a chair beside some sort of table, with Fleet's warm body curled over my feet. She stirs, draws up to rub her face on my hand, which is resting on my knee. … Continue reading D&D Chronicles: Guardian of the library
In commemoration of ANZAC Day, I'm posting the sixth and final installment of my grandfather's World War II memoir. This details the final leg of his escape and flight through Germany with a NZ sergeant called Smithy. To read all six installments in order, head to the first post Capture and the Cattle Truck, which … Continue reading Harry’s WWII memoir: Home on the wheels of a red Mercedes Benz
ZILLAH We’re not in good shape as we continue along this ancient road into the heart of the swamp. This morning’s battle took its toll — I don’t think Squirrel can have much magic left after throwing a couple of fireballs and Alix has expended a lot of healing energy. But we cannot linger here. … Continue reading D&D Chronicles: The Ziggurat
It turns out that April is World Autism Awareness Month (and World Autism Awareness Day was on 2 April) and it so happens that I've recently read some wonderful novels featuring main characters with autism. I know there are many important autobiographies and memoirs written by people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but I have … Continue reading Three romances featuring characters with autism
I bet you're all wondering how I'm going with getting stuff done? I mean, it's been over a month since my last post (sorry), so obviously I've been far too busy kicking goals. Right? Er, no. Not really... Well, actually, yes, I have kicked at least one goal. I have, for instance, revised almost half … Continue reading Journal: The quest for temperance and other things
Yes. Pride and Prejudice. With zombies. It's a thing. I first tried reading Seth Grahame-Smith's alternate version of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice a number of years ago. I hated it. With. A. Passion. Not because I'm a purist -- I thought the idea sounded cool -- but because I found it clunky. So much … Continue reading My thoughts on Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
ZILLAH We've been in Kelsen for two whole weeks now, but we're leaving tomorrow. Finally. It's been a bit over a week since we supposedly took over the thieves guild. In reality, Tippa and her cronies are going to run the guild -- which is a good thing because I refuse to have anything to … Continue reading D&D Chronicles: Journey into the swamp
To start with, I want to say the Captive Prince trilogy is now probably one of my top five fantasy series ever -- just for sheer emotional power. After finishing Kings Rising (the third book, just released) last night, I feel wrung-out and satiated all at once. I'm in a post-novel fug (it's over, I … Continue reading My thoughts on Kings Rising by C.S. Pacat
Ellen Gregory 