The Latest in my Life
This summer break was one of the busiest I can remember! The last week of July was packed with events including the school prom, a colleague’s graduation party, a kid’s birthday party and my own birthday meal. Then we went on holiday to Hunstanton in Norfolk for a week. We had a lovely time staying in a caravan close to the beach and enjoyed trips to the Hunstanton Sealife Centre, Norfolk Lavender and Castle Rising. My daughter had the time of her life dancing at the disco.
When we got back, we got our cat neutered (poor boy) and I got my 2nd Covid-19 vaccination (thankfully with no side effects). I then delivered a few days of creative writing workshops for my academy’s summer school, which was great fun. My brother and sister-in-law came over and it was so nice to spend time with them after a year of only video calls. I also dusted off my tap shoes after a seven-year break to start practising for a routine I’ll be performing on stage in October.
The next week was more relaxed and I even managed to play The Sims 4, which I’ve been dying to do for ages. I attended a leather book-binding workshop with a friend, which was a very unique experience, and also had a lovely tea party at her house.
I then snapped into “obsessive cleaning mode” in which I spent a whole week decluttering the house from top to bottom and boxing up seldom-used items for charity. It was an exhausting week but it feels so much better to have clear surfaces and tidy cupboards everywhere! We also met up with our close friends for a much-needed craft and coffee morning with the kids.
My youngest sister came to stay with us for the last week of the holidays and we had a brilliant time. We had a lot to catch up on as, due to the pandemic, we hadn’t seen her since December 2019! We took her for a few meals out, had our hair done, went on a boat ride down the river, had a barbecue at my Dad’s and climbed the tower of “Boston Stump” (one of the largest parish churches in England which also has one of the tallest Medieval towers). We also had a lot of late nights!
I’ve been back at work since 2nd September and so far it has been exhausting but going well. I’m hoping for a “normal” school year this time (fingers crossed).
Writing: My First Author Event!
I will be hosting a stall at Boston Book Fest on Sunday 19th September from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at Boston Guildhall (Lincolnshire, PE21 6HT).
I’ll be taking copies of my first two anthologies (Masquerade: Oddly Suited and Fairytale Dragons), and sharing my newest publication (Fall Into Fantasy 2021).
Whether you’re a book-lover or an aspiring author, I would love to meet you and answer your questions about short story writing, world-building and book blogging. You will have the opportunity to meet many other authors, illustrators and publishers at this free event.
If you’re local, please drop in for a chat! You can find out more about the event at https://www.bostonbookfest.co.uk/.
Book Bloggers and Reviewers Wanted!
Help us celebrate the release Fall Into Fantasy 2021 by joining us for a virtual book tour from 16th September-16th October (hosted by Silver Dagger Book Tours). If you would like to host a spot on the tour, please sign up HERE.
If you would like an ARC (advanced reader copy) to review on Amazon, Goodreads or elsewhere, please contact Cloaked Press, LLC. and let them know your preferred format.
Reading
I didn’t read nearly as much as I wanted to over the holidays. I did finish They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera (good but heartbreaking) and since then I’ve been reading one or two stories a night from The Complete Brothers Grimm Fairytales.
I’m currently reading I Am Change by Suzy Zail, which I need to read and review for work. It’s very emotional so far.
Watching
I was hooked by the psychological thriller Cruel Summer on Amazon Prime. It had quite a few twists and turns that kept me guessing and made me nostalgic for the ’90s.
I loved Marvel’s Loki on the whole as Loki is one of my favourite characters (I even have a cat named after him). I found the last episode a little disappointing as it was mainly exposition to set up future films, but I am looking forward to what happens next. I’ve really been enjoying the What If? series as well, as it’s fun to explore what might have happened in alternate realities.
We’re also on series 2 of Ghosts on BBC iPlayer, which stars the cast of Horrible Histories. It’s good old-fashioned silly nonsense.
While my sister was here we watched Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves on the TV, which is a family favourite. We’ve seen it so many times but it never gets old.
Quote of the Week
The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer.
It’s a chance to share news. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog. This is your news post, so personalize it! Include as much as you want or as little. Be creative, it can be a vlog or just a showcase of your goodies. Link up once a week or once a month, you decide. Book haul can include library books, yard sale finds, arcs and bought books..share them!
~Kimberly
Did you have a good summer? Have you read or watched anything interesting lately? Do you have any news to share? Let me know in the comments!
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