We Won An Island by Charlotte Lo

I know it sounds like I'm repeating myself lately, but Nosy Crow are publishing some cracking books of late. We Won An Island is as mad cap and eccentric as it sounds. I pulled it out of my TBR pile because the title was too irresistible not to. 

Luna's family are desperate. With Dad no longer working and suffering from severe depression since the death of his mother,  there is little money coming in to the household to pay the bills.  The landlord decides to evict them for not paying the rent. Luna, Margot and Fabian are desperate and enter a competition to win an island. Thanks to some clever knitting and a heartfelt letter, they win! Yes, THEY WIN AN ISLAND!

Now everyone dreams of winning of an island, don't they? I'm not sure this one would be their dream island as it needs a lot of work. The kids come up with a mad cap idea to hold a festival to raise money to improve the island. 

This book is hilarious. I loved the conversations between the three kids and their desperate attempts to hide all their plans from their mother.  I loved that Fabian was the family knitter and Margot was desperate to rebuild a plane - I think this shows how hobbies are most certainly not gender specific and anyone can be anything they want. This book is increasingly side-splitting with each new chapter. 

The plot deals with bereavement, bankruptcy and depression but in a gentle manner, making it easier for kids to understand and hopefully hold faith that miracles do happen. 

I found this book utterly charming and completely uplifting. Anything is possible if you put your mind to it. A welcome addition to any primary school library. 

Hey Sherlock! Blog Tour - Q&A; with author, Simon Mason

As part of the Hey Sherlock! blog tour, I'm so pleased to welcome the author, Simon Mason, onto the blog, to talk about the third instalment in the Garvie Smith Mysteries, which came out at the beginning of this month. 

1) Thank you for your time today, Simon. How did you become a writer?

Very cautiously.  I hid in my bedroom typing out poems about the agonies of being sixteen on an antique Underwood typewriter.  I was a terrible typist (still am) but I loved the way the metal keys slapped the paper.  Becoming a storyteller is a slightly different thing.  That began earlier for me, in the playground, trying to make the other kids laugh.  ‘You’ll never guess what Miss Hepplethwaite found in her knickers?’  That sort of thing.

2) Can you tell our readers a little bit about Hey Sherlock?

A posh girl leaves home one night in the middle of a thunderstorm and disappears.  Her posh mother can’t believe it has anything to do with ex-soldier PJ, come back messed up from Iraq, or flaky boy Damon, who says he just wants to get his head together.  But Sikh police detective Raminder Singh fears otherwise.  And Garvie Smith, drop-out slacker of Marsh Academy, knows it to be true.

3) What made you write a crime series for young adults?

Ignorance. I’d never written crime before, and wanted to see if I could do it.  I have the highest respect for crime writers, practitioners of the ancient art of literary hypnosis.  Moreover, I see that as a species we are deeply interested in wrong-doing.  When I started Running Girl, the first Garvie Smith story, there wasn’t much contemporary crime on the market for young adults (there’s more now).  Many teenagers I know like Agatha Christie’s stories which are less sexualised and violent than most contemporary adult crime. They love the mystery.  Thinking of those teenagers, I wanted to write crime mystery without so much gore (there’s some) set in the contemporary world.

4)  How did you go about getting into the mind of Garvie?

I am a member of The Teenagers Survivors Club - I lived with two for many years. Of all the astonishing things in the world - the 2012 Olympics, say, or Triple Heart Bypass, the Chrysler Building or Trump - teenagers are the most astonishing, I think.  Human exploding devices bursting out into the world in great starbursts of attitude and inventiveness and fantasy and humour.  I was interested.  I kept notes.

5) Where do you draw your inspiration from?

I’m interested in the world I live in.  I’ve rarely written about the deep past.  I particularly like people.  What bizarre creatures we are - the things we say and do, the things we believe.  The English, for instance.  Utter fantasists.

6) Do you plan more adventures for Garvie?

I do in fact have another story in mind.  Readers will have noticed with the three books - Running Girl, Kid Got Shot, Hey, Sherlock!- that each new story takes place immediately after the preceding one.  At the end of Hey, Sherlock!Garvie has to decide what to do with his life.  He’s growing up.  Things have changed between him and his mother, and between him and Inspector Singh.  The future looks strangely positive.  Then calamity strikes. 

Thank you so much, Simon, for joining us.

Make sure you pick up your copy today!

Let's #JoyntheRevolushun - Bearmouth Blog Tour

‘And theres that little word again. Echoin round my head. Why? I keep askin myself. Why? Why dint the Mayker stop this? Why ent Walsh struck down for being an evil barstard? Why? And I dare think it. I do. I dare think the unthinkaball, the unsayaball. What if.’

Down in Bearmouth mine, young Newt learns to read and write in between long hours shifting coal for little pay. The days are the same: work, eat, pray to the Mayker, sleep. No questions asked. Then one day, Devlin arrives, and asks that most dangerous of questions: why?

Liz Hyder’s Bearmouth is an ambitious new young adult novel straight from the depths of the dark mines. Touching on themes of religion, politics, friendship and control, Bearmouthis a challenging and deeply thought-provoking read, as well as a truly gripping adventure story. To tell us more about the creation of her first novel, Liz Hyder is here to answer some questions…

Hi Liz! First off, how do you feel now your book is out? 

It’s not like anything I’ve experienced before to be honest! Its very exciting that Bearmouthis out there in the world but it’s also a strange feeling to see a book that sprung entirely from your own imagination actually on shelves in bookshelves for the first time. Readers really seem to be taking Newt’s journey to heart too and I’ve been really moved by their reactions. I may have cried quite a bit of late! It really is a dream come true and I keep having to pinch myself…

‘Young Adult’ is the term we use to describe books for teenagers and young people: did you feel any constraints when writing the book to make it fit into this category?

None at all! I think teens today are some of the smartest, most engaged, empathetic and thoughtful people around. They don’t shy away from difficult topics and I don’t think books for them should either- look at the likes of Greta Thunberg plainly and simply telling older generations, ‘this is not good enough’! Look at what she’s achieved in terms of garnering support with the likes of school strikes and so on. One person really can make a difference…

Rebellion is often a driving force in young adult novels, why do you think this is?

I think your teenage years are where you really start to understand rebellion, it’s when you tend to push at the boundaries of what you’re told is acceptable, whether that’s through school or home. It’s when, for a lot of people - and certainly was for me - you start to figure out both who you really are and, perhaps, who and what you want to be too. Rebelling against the ‘norm’, whether that’s dyeing your hair, staying out late or dating someone deemed ‘not suitable’, they’re all acts of rebellion. I think rebellion can be extraordinarily empowering too and I think that’s why it’s often a driving force in fiction.

Why did you choose to write from Newt’s point of view, and not the original troublemaker, Devlin’s?

Newt was always the voice that whispered to me at night. From the start, Newt’s way of speaking was really strong and distinctive. I never thought about telling the story from anyone else’s point of view, Newt was always the heart and soul of the story from the earliest sparks of the idea really.

You cover some difficult topics in Bearmouth, such as abuse and religion. Why did you decide to tackle these topics in the book? How did you go about it?

I first had the idea for the book when I visited a slate mine on a rainy day whilst on holiday in North Wales. It’s an extraordinary place, atmospheric and fascinating and yet there were things about it that really disturbed me. Firstly, the idea that boys from the age of 12 had their nostril slit to prove they were ‘man enough’ to work down there and, secondly, that the workers used to doff their cap to a figure in the rocks as they entered and left the mine for the day. There’s something about both those elements that feel a little reminiscent of a cult, the superstition towards a rock figure, bodily mutilation to prove that you ‘belong.’ That’s where the initial idea first came from. I then realised I knew very little about mines so started to look into the history of child workers in British mines. It’s utterly horrifying and it’s a part of our history that I think we have conveniently forgotten. Up until 1842 when the law was changed, children as young as four worked down the mines 12 hour days, six days a week. They often worked mainly in the dark as they had to pay for their own candles. Children of all ages doing responsible, mind-numbingly-repetitive work in a deeply dangerous environment. What I found out made me both furious and deeply upset and so I channelled all of that into the book. 

Finally: we often see reading portrayed as an act of rebellion in young adult or dystopian novels - something we see in Newt learning to read and write. What power do you think reading has in creating social change, especially in young people?

Reading is an act of empowerment. If you can read, you can access knowledge, you can question things, and that’s why it’s seen as an act of rebellion. If you can read, you can teach yourself other languages, learn about pretty much anything and everything. Reading encourages you to use your imagination, to relish stories, to learn new things. You can disappear into other worlds, you can fall in love with fictional characters, you have the gift - through reading - to enrich your own life, to educate and inspire yourself and others, to make a difference. That’s an incredibly powerful thing. 

To find out more about Liz Hyder: 

Website 

Twitter

Star Friends - Hidden Charm by Linda Chapman

This book was gifted to me with no obligation to review from Stripes Publishing. 

Ah what a delight this book was!

Hidden Charm is the eighth chapter book in the Star Friends series by Linda Chapman and the first one that I've ever read. On finishing this book, it made me want to read the rest of the series. These are the kind of books I would have adored as a child, it would definitely have been a series that would have been cherished and re-read on many occasions. 

The Star Friends in the series all have their own Star Animals. When they meet their Star Animal, magic unfolds around them.  Each character is adorable in their own way. From Mary in the Copper Kettle to Mystic Maureen - each an utter delight. They all live in a quaint, picturesque  village that is sprinkled with magic. The plot made me crave cake! 

On the surface, this book is a fun read peppered with magic, underneath is subtly deals with the worries that the majority of children leaving primary school feel, especially when one of the group of friends goes off to another school. It demonstrates that change can actually be good for everyone. The book also looks at the pressures of SATs on children.  

Linda Chapman has definitely weaved a little magic through the pages of this book. An ideal series to buy for Christmas stockings. 

See All The Stars by Kit Frick

This book was sent to me  by Simon & Schuster for a honest review. 

This book is my new favourite!!! This is another one of those books I think would've made an excellent John Hughes film and I really hope that it is snapped up for a movie. 

I could not get enough of this story. Right from the beginning you are trying to work out what the hell has gone wrong in Ellory's life. Told from two different time lines, we switch back and forth between the past (a year before) and the present. In the past, Ellory's life was fantastic. Just what every teenager would want. An excellent tightly knitted group of friends, a promising future and an adorable boyfriend who seems to come from nowhere and dotes on her every word. But by the following year, Ellory no longer has any friends, or a boyfriend and had been suspended from school. As she embarks on a new school year, alone and hiding from the knowing glares and comments from other students, you are desperate to find out what happened. And the author, Kit Frick, is a real tease, because she keeps you guessing right until the end. What I thought might have happened, is so far from the truth, I was gobsmacked. I actually shouted 'No Way!' at the book. I did not see the ending coming at all. I was so close to tears, as the ending was so emotional. 

The novel is contemporary and very character driven and we see such changes in Ellory, especially as situations arise in the past year storyline, that are heartbreaking at times. Ellory has to grow up in the worst situations to hit a teenager. 

All the characters draw you in, especially Ret, who you can't help but secretly hate a little. You are desperate for Ellory to see what Ret is really like. I loved the relationship between Matthias and Ellory, extremely swoon worthy, but not insta love. 

Kit Frick is a new queen of mastering the art of suspense! I'm in awe of her talent. It's one of the best suspense stories I've read in ages. I couldn't put the book down. Everyone has got to read it. Teens will be whipping this book off the shelves when they hear how good it actually is. 

The Thunder Girls by Melanie Blake

This book had so much potential, which is sad, because unfortunately it fails to deliver. I would say on this occasion, don't believe the hype. I'm not normally one for giving bad reviews,  because I know how much time and effort goes into bringing this book to life, so I will try and be constructive as possible. For me, it felt like it needed another edit. 

I loved the idea behind this book. I could envisage the Spice Girls in this kind of situation. Four girls who were originally a group when they were young, come back together in their late forties to early fifties to perform again. This plot line had me hooked. I wanted to see them triumph and show the world that girl power really is strong. 

The conflict between the band members seemed very realistic. I would definitely be as miffed as Roxanne to be working with someone who literally ruined my life. The glamorous celebrity lifestyle was brought together so well too. I felt like I was mixing with pop royalty. 

However there were some plot issues that really bugged me. So please stop reading now, if you haven't read it and plan to as there will be spoiler alerts.

*Spoiler Alerts*

The character, Jack. I just didn't get him. His change of character literally came from nowhere and I didn't feel as though we had been prepared for it. I also didn't feel that if his motive against Chrissie was that strong, why on earth did he spend the majority of his career, helping to build her profile and make her millions? It didn't ring true. And this was where I found myself losing interest. 

I felt this book was missing the implementation of Chekov's gun. Certain elements that should have been set up in the beginning of the story were missing, making situations feel unrealistic by the end. Elements of each character's story seemed to be missing. 

There were too many characters, with quite a few adding no purpose to the story. Personally I would have got rid of Pete and Dave, as they didn't add anything to the story. 

I felt the ending was rushed. The big climatic scene could have been bigger and I would have loved to see more of the aftermath, instead of moving on so quickly. 

This book has been described as a Jackie Collins / Jilly Cooper novel of today. To a certain extent I can see why it has been referenced, but it is lacking the pace and the sexual tension of either of these writers. And believe me, I read a lot of their books growing up! 

I honestly feel that this book could have been mega, with a stronger plot and another thorough edit. However, this is just my opinion and I would recommend others trying it for themselves. 

Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams

What a heartbreaking delight this was to read! It isn't the usual type of book I would pick up, but firstly I was drawn to the cover, followed by the media coverage on Twitter. If anyone ever says social media doesn't sell books, they are talking out of the backsides. 

Queenie comes across as a bit of a train wreck. She has extreme difficulty with relationships all round. At times I found myself wanting to shake Queenie and tell her to pull herself together as to begin with I was convinced it was probably all Queenie's fault, but as the story unravels I was shocked at the abuse she suffered early on in her life. Her childhood affected her adult behaviour more than she realised and it's only on the break up of the relationship she felt would end in marriage, that everything begins to unravel. 

If you are looking for a happy ending, I'm not quite sure this book gives it, but what it does provide is a stronger, more resilient and self assured Queenie. She starts to take control of her life, making sure no one treats her like a door mat again. I loved Queenie, even if no one around her really did. She is real and her actions are simple reactions to the tornado that encompasses her life at that moment.

Her grandparents and aunt are hilarious. The monitoring of the hot water, the best room for guests and the constant need for cleaning, reminded me of my childhood. They are from a different generation and can't get their heads around the way society lives now.  

This book has so many hilarious moments in it, which makes you feel guilty for laughing, because of how broken Queenie becomes. You feel like you are laughing mercilessly at a homeless person. No one seems to mention the darker side of this book and if I wasn't completely committed to it by that point, I might not have picked the book up. This book is in no way Bridget Jones! More like Eleanor Olephant Is Completely Fine - a tragic-comedy of sorts.  

This book isn't lighthearted at all, as it deals with some heavy issues. Black Lives Matter is prominent throughout the book and if black girls are treated in the same way that Queenie is, I am stunned by the mindsets of a percentage of the white male UK population. To say I had no idea, would be an understatement. No wonder Queenie has self loathing instead of self love to begin with. Mental health plays a huge role in this book too and it shows how easily someone can succumb to panic attacks and self loathing. It also shows that it isn't a quick fix situation. Mental health takes a slow winding road, with many traffic jams and wrong directions before you reach your destination. 

The book gives a very realistic view of dating apps and it has only confirmed my suspicions that it is mainly full of married men looking for a forbidden quickie or ones with fetishes. Queenie is treated like a sexual conquest to be knocked off someone's list. Just so they can brag in a bar, that they have slept with a fuller figured black person. 

What do I take from this book? That even though life can sometimes be miserable and difficult, they are just moments in time. We rebuild our lives brick by brick, only each time the wall falls, we use stronger cement to put it back together with. Love the people that support you and let the haters hate. 

Even though on the outside, people may appear to be happy and loving life, they are much more complex than that. It's what's going on on the inside that matters. 

Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan

This book is as amazing as everyone is saying it is!

I was lucky enough to be chosen as part of the blog tour for this book and received a gifted copy for a review. 

Inspired by Natasha Ngan's Malaysian background, this book is brimming with different cultures represented by different caste systems.  There are three castes - Moon (full demons representing different animals) Steel (half human and half animal demons) and Paper (humans). The fantasy world is ruled by the Moon caste, with the Demon King at the forefront. The Paper caste is the lowest of the low, left to do all the menial work and treated like slaves. The Demon King is feared by all and rules this kingdom with ferocity and evil. Every year, the Demon King is presented with eight Paper girls who are his concubines, whether they want to be or not. Lei, the girl with the golden eyes, finds herself ripped from her family and made to be part of this group. 

Lei is a brilliant character, who fuelled by the loss of her mother is determined to make a change. She will not become what the Demon King wants her to be. Bolstered by her new found friends, she fights back at the system. I loved the growing relationship between Wren and Lei, in fact I'd say Wren was my favourite character in the whole book. 

The story is action packed from the very first chapter. There were times when I couldn't breathe as I rooted for Lei to overcome the horrors she was subjected to. At times, this book is difficult to read. The abuse suffered is intense but luckily not to graphic, which would make this book suitable for the Young Adult community. There are so many unexpected twists and turns that you don't see coming. The last page has opened up the possibility of a second book, which I am delighted about. I desperately want to know what happens next. A war has begun and cannot be left without some form of future victory. 

The world building is actually phenomenal and truly believable. The detailed descriptions really bring the story to life. The research alone, must have taken a long time. I love the intricate details about the palace, the grounds, the clothes as well as the delicacies they ate. The book reminded me of  Memoirs of a Geisha, but with the added fantasy flavour. 

This book is an LGBT/POC  masterpiece as it doesn't make a point of it. It's all extremely natural and blended so well into the story.  I am amazed at how well Natasha has taken topical and relevant issues from our present day and blended them into a high fantasy novel. 

From reading the preface and acknowledgements, it's very clear that this wasn't an easy book to write. By the sounds of it, the author suffered for her triumph. I previously read Natasha's first book and I have to say, this is the best book she has ever written. It's like she has finally found her own unique fantasy world and now stands shoulder to shoulder with authors such as Sarah J. Maas, Laini Taylor and my personal favourite, Leigh Bardugo. This book has movie deal stamped all over it. I really think this book will take Natasha to new heights within her writing journey. 

This book is a keeper. One for the personal collection that will be read and reread and loved all over again every single time. 

This review is part of the Girls of Paper and Fire blog tour. If you don't believe my review, catch up with all the other stops on the tour. If you want to win a copy, head over to @Shadowkitteh123 on Instagram to win one. Tomorrow the blog tour stop with Once Upon a Bookcase, so make sure you visit. 

Alex in Wonderland by Simon James Green

Oh my goodness! Where do I start on how blooming wonderful this book is! It has so many amazing qualities. If anyone thought Simon James Green might find it difficult to create a character as awesome as Noah, this book most certainly smashes that idea out of the water. 

Alex is a warm hearted, romantic, yet terribly clumsy and awkward sixteen year old, who is struggling with the new relationship between his two best friends. Feeling left out, he envisages an empty summer without anything to do. All that changes when he accidentally lands a job at Wonderland, an extremely run down amusement arcade. With the job, comes a new set of friends and the possibility of a romance. However, it isn't all summer loving, as someone wants to see the end of Wonderland for good. Alex sets out with his new buddies to become a super sleuth and find out who is behind all the trouble. 

I loved Alex! Alex has a unique voice, which makes him even outshine Noah. He's really confused about his feelings for Ben, his new work colleague, who just so happens to have a girlfriend. His clumsiness is the stuff of legends. The scene where he nearly knocks himself out and lands in pee, making it look like he wet himself is priceless. It was so lovely to see the realistic uncertainty that teenagers always have along with the cringe worthy antics, we all try to pretend never happened when we were teens. There is no insta love in this book, just real slow progressing two steps forward and one step back romance. Just how it should be written. LGBT readers will love this book just as much as everyone else, because there is no negativity surrounding the growing feelings between Ben and Alex. It's just a heartwarming romance book, which is want the teenagers want. 

The book is hilarious. And I mean, aching ribs and unable to breathe hilarious! I was reading a seriously funny scene during a quiet library lesson and I had to bite my hand to stop myself from bursting out with laughter. It's the funniest book I've read in years. 

Wonderland is a character in itself. A wistful one, that will have you yearning for you childhood days of traditional British seaside days out. The Mirror Maze, the slot machines and corny exhibitions will bring back fond memories. I strolled back in time and lost myself in the story. 

Some of the language and sexual references would make me probably direct the book towards the older teenage market, rather than the younger ones, but it is one I'd definitely put on our LGBT display at school as I know it will be frequently taken out. 

I'm now eager to see what Simon James Green writes next. He has such a unique voice that will have the teenagers craving more. 

This book is a huge slice of summery nostalgic happiness!

A Day in the Life of a Writer by Liz Flanagan

To celebrate the publication of Dragon Daughter, I'm pleased to welcome author, Liz Flanagan, as part of the blog tour for the book. 

I think one of the most useful things a writer can do is work out what times of day are most productive for them personally - if they’re a lark or an owl. I’ve always been very clear that I’m not an evening person! My day starts quite early as my children have to leave for buses at a shockingly early hour, and then I walk the dog. 

I always say that all writers should try dog-owning or dog-borrowing at least, because whenever I get stuck with a story or a plotting idea, I take my dog for a walk, and by the time I get home an hour later, I always have a solution. There’s probably a technical neuro-scientific explanation for this, how the brain often comes up with ideas or solutions when you’re not looking directly at the problem, but keeping the body busy with chores or motion. Anyway, it definitely works for me, and some of my best ideas happen when dog-walking or washing-up! 

I try to get to my desk by 9am latest, earlier if I can, and there must be coffee! In an ideal world, I might have the whole morning to work on my writing or my edits, but in practice, I’ll be switching between tasks - emailing, scheduling, invoicing, booking travel, planning my teaching or marking - but even a clear hour or two for writing is great. 

I used to think I could only write if I was in a quiet room with a closed door, with childcare in place, and several hours stretching ahead of me. Last year I tried the #100DaysOfWriting challenge which I first noticed when Jenn Ashworth tracked her challenge two years ago, posting photos on social media. Her pictures were reassuringly normal - she was writing in a busy family house, at work, etc. 

This encouraged me to try it too. The point of the challenge is not to hit a certain word count, but simply to show up every day and to try to fall back in love with your project, posting images of your journey and encouraging others who might be doing the same. 

I have to say it was a revelation! I ended up writing for little snatches of time, from ten minutes to (occasionally!) a few hours. I wrote on trains, in cafes, in my office at work, in bed often, in hotel rooms, in the houses of friends and family. This showed me that I could actually make the most of the smallest slice of time available, but that showing up every day made a massive difference, kept the momentum going, and kept me engaged with the project. By the end of the hundred days, I had a really rough first draft. And it was rough - another effect of the challenge was to keep me focusing forwards, not editing very much as I went along. This year, I’m not writing every day, but the experience showed me something really valuable, about being flexible and trying to keep the momentum going. 

By midday in a typical week, I hope to have done some writing, and then my pace switches a bit. I have a child with special educational needs, who isn’t at school full-time, and afternoons often have appointments or childcare commitments, but on a good day, I might get another hour or two at some point before the working day is done. 

I’m trying to get better at leaving emails and admin tasks to the afternoon when my creative brain is more tired, but it’s a challenge for me. I’m such a Virgo - I like to meet deadlines and tick boxes and get things done. 

On a rare day, when I’m on a writing retreat perhaps, I might get to write in the 4-6pm time slot, which I’ve discovered is another one of my most creative times of day - though usually I’ve switched to parenting or cooking tasks by then! 

I’ve discovered there is little point trying to write in the evenings - my brain just doesn’t work that way. But I love reading widely - I seem to be having a glorious year of reading some of the superb middle-grade fiction out there just now - and I might curl up with a book when the children are in bed, if I’m not watching something on TV. I think reading counts as writerly work, even when it’s such a joy. 

How is your writing day? I always like to compare notes and hear suggestions - please do let me know what you think! I can be reached via Lizflanagan.co.uk or on Twitter: @lizziebooks

Dragon Daughter is published by David Fickling Books

ISBN: 978-1-78845-021-8

£6.99

Cover art by Angelo Rinaldi

Interior art by Paul Duffield

The Power of Words by Julie Pike

Today on the blog, I'm pleased to welcome Julie Pike, author of The 

Last Breather, as part of the blog tour to celebrate publication. 

Do you remember this old saying? 

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. 

Have you ever chanted it? I remember chanting it many times when 

I was growing up, particularly at my brother! (And he, of course, 

would say the same to me.)

As with all old sayings, it has a message to tell us. It says, ignore 

the barbs and taunts of bullies. It says, words are only thoughts or 

made of breath, they don’t have physical substance, they can’t hurt

 you.

The thing is … it’s not true and never has been. Words do have the

 power to hurt and they can be relentless. And unlike wounds from 

sticks and stones, if we believe them, the scars from words

 sometimes never heal.

When I came to write The Last Spell Breather, I wanted to create a

 magical page turning adventure. I wanted the story to have the 

most powerful magic I could think of. So I wondered, ‘what if…?’.

 What if there was a world where words have REAL power and 

their magic can be seen?  And from there I went on to imagine the

 world of Spell Breathers.

I’ve been fortunate to have some lovely early reviews for The Last

 Spell Breather.I’m delighted when reviewers remark on the 

uniqueness of the magic system. But I’ll let you into a secret, I 

didn’t really invent the magic. The thing about words is, they really

 are magic.

Over the years I’ve felt their power. I know words can hurt. And I 

also know words can heal. The most powerful magic lies in the 

words we tell ourselves, because those are the words we believe the

 most.

If you’ve met me, you’ll probably be surprised to learn that I have a 

phobia when it comes to speaking in public. (Ah careful with the 

word-magic there, Julie. You don’t havea phobia. You had a 

phobia.)

My subconscious used to whisper the Spell of Unworthiness in my

 ear. It used to say ‘no-one’s interested in my opinion. What I have

 to say doesn’t matter. I’m rubbish at this, I may as well stop 

talking.’ Those words hurt. 

Because I believed them, speaking in public (for my job) led to 

panic attacks. After a while I became so anxious I had problems 

speaking at all, never mind speaking in public. 

I couldn’t go on like that. Things had to change. I forced myself to 

face my fears about speaking, instead of running away from them.

 (Which took a lot longer than that short sentence would suggest). 

I’m so glad I did, because in doing so I learned that words can be 

wonderful healers. I’m not talking about ‘fake it to make it’ (though

 that can be useful sometimes). I’m talking about opening myself 

up to the possibilities of new truths. I’m talking about finding new

 words to think about myself. New words I actually believe. 

These days, when the old phobia starts to stir, my subconscious 

whispers the Spell of You Can Do Thisin my ear. It says ‘this will 

be interesting. My opinions will add to the collective. I’m great at 

this, so get in there and start talking.’ These words drown out my 

old thoughts and heal the scars they left behind.

Good job really because this author malarkey comes with a boat

 load of public speaking. I absolutely don’t want to miss the chance

 to meet brilliant readers because I’m running in the other direction!

There’s another old saying, ‘write what you know.’ When I came to 

invent the magic system for my story, I knew words can hurt, and 

words can heal. And that’s why you’ll find both types of word-

magic in The Last Spell Breather. 

But I don’t want to give away plot spoilers! Suffice to say …

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words … 

that’s a whole different story. 

P.S. If you’re ever in the audience at one of my author events, my

 old public speaking phobic self would greatly appreciate plenty of

 enthusiastic clapping, and if you’re in the mood, a few whoops and 

cheers!  I’ve learned from experience, that’s absolutely guaranteed 

to keep me talking 😊

 Synopsis

Enter the unique world of the Spell Breathers! Spell Breathing does

 not come naturally to Rayne - she loathes the hours of practice, the

 stacks of scrolls, and the snapping mud grotesques that cover her 

mother’s precious spell book. When she holds the spell book over a

 fire, it is only meant as an empty threat - until she feels the

 grotesque’s tiny teeth biting into her finger and lets go. In one 

clumsy move, her moth’s spells are broken, her village is plunged

 into danger, and an incredible adventure begins . . .

Biography

Julie grew up on a council estate, nestled between the forests and 

foothills of the Welsh Valleys. She is passionate about adventure 

stories, and volunteers in local schools and libraries in Dorset, 

helping children find stories that excite them. She is passionate 

about real-life adventures too, and has crawled inside the great 

pyramid of Giza, travelled to the peak of Kilimanjaro, and camped 

on the Great Wall of China in a lightning storm.

Twitter: @juliepike

To find out more about the book, check out the other stops on the blog tour listed below.