A Novelist Speaks

Lee Child's TRIPWIRE

2012-02-02T16:28:00.000+13:00

I've just finished Lee Child's TRIPWIRE. Because I read his books in whatever order I can get hold of them (the bookstore, the library, a friend's bookshelf), I've devoured this, the 3rd Jack Reacher book, after number 16... and number 13... and number 10. It doesn't matter. The Reacher books can be enjoyed out of sequence. In a way, it's even more fun to discover the younger version of the

Does Yvonne Walus Like Brussel Sprouts?

2012-01-24T10:33:00.000+13:00

Yvonne Walus, author of the South African murder mysteries "Murder @ Work" and "Murder @ Play" has eaten mopane worms. Find out what she wouldn't eat here.

Murder @ Work: Another print run

2012-01-23T00:36:00.000+13:00

Murder @ Work Christine Chamberlain doesn't want much from life: a steady job, a baby and a Fields Medal. Her boss, however, wants money and he is willing to do anything to get his way, even if it means getting Christine involved in a project that not only jeopardises her dreams, but might also put her in danger. When Christine complains to her colleagues, they joke about killing the boss to

"Guilty Consciences" - awesome review!

2012-01-13T09:20:00.000+13:00

REVIEW Author: MARTIN EDWARDS Title: GUILTY CONSCIENCES Publication: PUBLISHERS WEEKLY Issue: 9TH JANUARY 2012 Guilty Consciences: A Crime Writers’ Association Anthology, Edited by Martin Edwards. Severn, $28.95, (240p) ISBN 978-0-7278-8024-6 Edwards follows 2011’s Original Sins with another solid

Buy 1 Get 1 Free

2012-01-06T23:36:00.000+13:00

Here is a New Year's offer for all my readers. Buy any Yvonne Walus book on Kindle, and email me on yve@xtra.co.nz - I'll send you any other Yvonne Walus Kindle book of your choice - absolutely free!

Book Review - Blind Traveler's Blues

2012-01-02T10:46:00.000+13:00

"Blind Traveler's Blues" by Robert P. Bennett (Echelon Press, 2011), is a timely novel. Set in the year 2021, it shows us a scarily believable world in which earthquakes rule our everyday lives and genetic engineering is reaping its sadly foreseeable consequences. That in itself makes it an important read for today's audiences. Fortunately, the plot and the characters make it an enjoyable read

Happy New Year... almost

2011-12-30T03:44:00.000+13:00

What I'm loving this Thursday....

2011-12-16T00:36:00.000+13:00

"To Kill A Mockingbird" - it's the third time I'm reading it, and the story's magic still manages to catch in my throat.

Not a thriller, not chick lit, yes a good read

2011-12-09T01:32:00.000+13:00

Before I Go To Sleep by S.J. Watson is one of those novels that agents find it difficult to pitch. Too slow-paced for a psychological thriller, too simple to be called literary, not a romance, kind of a non-murder mystery. I liked it a lot, and the second half I read in almost one sitting, though I do confess that I almost gave up about a third of the way in because of the thoroughly dreary

There is something about the Old South....

2011-12-01T13:06:00.000+13:00

Having absolutely loved "The Help", I turned to "The Secret Life Of Bees". It was a slow, uncomfortable read at the beginning: I couldn't connect to the heroine, and I positively abhorred her father and the things that happened to her in the past. What kept me reading was the beauty of the writing style and the clever parallels between the lives of bees and the story line. A few paragraphs were

BONES versus DEXTER

2011-11-25T01:20:00.000+13:00

Yes, another TV post. I used to feel guilty and self-derogatory about watching TV... until this morning. This morning, I read the advice of a Harlequin author, who said every writer should get immersed in stories, be they books or TV (see the article here). So immediately I stopped dealing with my email and watched the next episode of Bones. Sometimes I wonder what a squeamish person like me is

That Guernsey Pie

2011-11-18T11:46:00.000+13:00

I'd heard of the book before and I remembered it. Who wouldn't, with a title that's too long to fit on the spine? Ok, if truth be told, I forgot the title several times, though I did recognise it whenever somebody mentioned it. Oh, yeah, the Potato Peel Pie book. Any good? No thank you, not for me. It's about the war, right? I don't do war. I indeed don't do war, having been brought up on movies

Autographing books on Kindle

2011-11-10T14:30:00.000+13:00

As weird as science fiction, but true. I can now autograph your e-book with a personalised message. Simply go to Kindlegraph and look for Yvonne Walus books, then request an autograph. Or click here directly. How easy is that?

Left Handed

2011-11-04T00:11:00.000+13:00

I'm typing this left-handed: can you tell from the wobbly letter formation? ;-))) Following a minor injury (fighting a stray tomcat), I'm prohibited from using my right hand for a few days. Mousing left-handed is a breeze and typing not too bad. Placing a signature, putting away a heavy box, opening the bottle of antibiotics - almost impossible. Stacking the dishwasher is all right, cutting

Imperial Russian Ballet

2011-10-28T13:52:00.000+13:00

Ballet is a tricky art form: done adequately or even done well is simply not good enough. It has to be exquisite, seemingly effortless, with every movement like liquid silk and every step a freefall glide... or something to that effect. The Imperial Russian Ballet company achieved just that when performing their festival in Auckland last Wednesday. Exquisite. Effortless. Liquid silk. All that.

Twice and a 1/2 Upon A Time

2011-10-21T11:58:00.000+13:00

Yvonne Walus is proud to present "Twice and a 1/2 Upon A Time", published by Pipers Ash (UK). Now on Kindle!

Sex Lies And Here Be Dragons now on Kindle!

2011-10-14T00:25:00.000+13:00

Sex Lies And Here Be Dragons is now on Kindle!

The Help

2011-10-06T01:36:00.001+13:00

Last week I finished THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett (published by Amy Einhorn Books/Putnam). In a word: brilliant. Before I started reading, I worried it would be too political, too moralistic, too sweet, too upsetting, too patronising to the reader. Nothing of the sort. The voices are realistic, the characters worthy of knowing, the message poignant without resorting to saccharine or gall. Now

A New Release For Eve Summers

2011-09-29T11:53:00.000+13:00

A new Eve Summers romance, MR RIGHT ONLINE, is coming out tonight.

What Yvonne Walus is Reading Today

2011-09-22T19:47:00.000+12:00

I often read multiple books. The one that's foremost in my mind is "The Help" (the book, not the movie) by Kathryn Stockett. Brilliant. I'm also browsing through The Overscheduled Child and listening to Nick Hornby's About A Boy.

What I'm Reading At The Moment

2011-09-15T15:19:00.000+12:00

"Think Before You Swallow - The Art of Staying Healthy in a Health-Obsessed World", by Noel O'Hare. So far, what I got out of it is: we have to slow down. Take more time to savour food, enjoy our families, do what we're passionate about. Oh, and the best news for a couch potato like me: even though regular exercise lets you live longer, it only increases your life span by 2 years. Now I still

Room

2011-09-08T20:06:00.000+12:00

It's simple, it's complex.It's heart-wrenching, it's uplifting.It's beautiful. It makes you see the world differently.It made me want to be a better mother.It made me want to be a better writer. Read it.

A Convert to Medical Thrillers

2011-09-01T14:00:00.000+12:00

When I met Tess Gerritsen at the RWNZ conference last month, I fell in love with her author persona on the spot. When she speaks, she fills the room with tranquil energy (that's not an oxymoron), humour and a desire to read her books. Tess is an internationally bestselling author of medical thrillers and the creator of two popular characters: cop Jane Rizzoli and forensic pathologist Maura Isles

Literary Critics - Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid?

2011-08-25T21:30:00.002+12:00

The theme of today's post is "demystifying the scary book reviewer". Many novelists are petrified of those who can make or break our book on the pages of literary magazines. I'm no exception. And so it may come as a surprise to you to see with us in the virtual studio today, an acclaimed literary critic, Nicholas Reid. Q: Thank you for agreeing to this interview, Nicholas. You read for a living

Too Gutted To Speak Myself

2011-08-23T01:31:00.001+12:00

This guest post is by Jane Beckenham: It is my great sadness to advise our writers (particularly those in Auckland) who would have known her, that Norah Hansen-Hil, has passed away. Norah has suffered an illness for many years and has fought an extremely brave battle with courage and determination and a resilience and always a smile. I considered Norah an exteremely good friend, one I cherish

RWNZ Annual Conference - Love and Other Crimes

2011-08-18T23:29:00.000+12:00

The conference is upon us. This year, it's my privilege to help organise the raffles, and the prizes are fan-ta-bulous! I'm almost ready, too: cold reads, check money for the raffle tickets, check credit card for new books, check black V to keep me awake driving to the conference at 6.30AM, check pitches to editors... er... I guess I'll have to wing it Weekend of writing, here I come!

Ghost-hosting Nicholas Reid

2011-08-11T16:51:00.000+12:00

I haven't interviewed Nicholas Reid yet. For the time being, I'm circling around him. Not a vulture. More like a cat gauging the safety levels of the encounter. His columns in The (prestigious) Listener impress. His blog amuses. But who is he, really? Writer, reviewer, poet, historian. A connoisseur of literature and wine. Somebody who can see the value of reading a Perry Mason novel sandwiched

Arranged Marriages - an interview with novelist Shobhan Bantwal

2011-08-04T12:22:00.000+12:00

Award-winning author Shobhan Bantwal calls her writing “Bollywood in a Book”—romantic, colorful, action-packed tales, rich with elements of Indian culture—stories that entertain and educate. Her latest novel, "The Full Moon Bride", is a compelling story that explores the fascinating subject of arranged marriage, as young Indian-American attorney Soorya Giri navigates the gulf between desire and

Without revealing a deep dark secret (unless you want to), what one thing would people be surprised to learn about you?

2011-08-01T23:47:00.001+12:00

1. Who is Yvonne Eve Walus and what makes you the most fascinating person in your city? 2. Without revealing a deep dark secret (unless you want to), what one thing would people be surprised to learn about you? 8. I saw an amusing T-shirt the other day which read ‘Every great idea I have gets me in trouble.” What is your philosophy of life? To read this interview with Yvonne Walus, do the deed.

Vodka Martinis with Jeffery Deaver

2011-07-28T17:00:00.000+12:00

A week ago, I did a spur-of-the-moment thing: I booked a ticket to attend a talk with Jeffery Deaver that very night. Usually I um and er about outings, particularly if they're to happen the same day. I consider the price. I consider the traffic. I consider, very considerately, my family abandoned to cook dinner for themselves as I swan out to hobnob with bestselling authors. But abandon and

Review of Dead Red Heart

2011-07-21T16:24:00.000+12:00

(Dead Red Heart is an anthology of vampire tales in Australia, which features one of my short stories, "Just a Matter Of Economics") Excerpt from the review by She Never Slept: "I have been fortunate in this volume not only to be entertained but to actually learn something as well. I recommend Dead Red Heart for readers without a fixed notion of what monsters should be like (or at least the

Write A Review And Get...

2011-07-14T14:04:00.000+12:00

Please post a review of MURDER @ PLAY on Amazon and let me know. I will send you an Yvonne Walus e-book of your choice.

Y is for Murder @ Play....

2011-07-05T13:27:00.000+12:00

An excellent post here on Crime Watch New Zealand.

Dexter

2011-06-30T14:10:00.000+12:00

I'm an impatient viewer: sometimes it takes me less than 5 minutes to make up my mind that I don't want to watch a particular movie or TV series. Most of the time, I'm right. With Dexter, I was wrong. My tolerance for violence and disturbing topics (be it on the screen, in newspapers or in books) is rather low, so as soon as I saw flashbacks of teenage victims, I made up my mind it's not a

If you like Harlan Coben and Terry Pratchett....

2011-06-23T14:31:00.000+12:00

I have a problem: a tall to-read pile and nothing to read. Perhaps it's the mood I'm in (and have been in for the last year or so). Perhaps I've grown tired of fiction. Perhaps as a novelist I now know the craft so well I read over-critically. Whatever the cause, the result is: I'm desparate for something to read. Google is no help. All the "if you like Terry Pratchett books, you will also

Calling All Lee Child Fans! Who should play Jack Reacher?

2011-06-16T12:54:00.000+12:00

Unbelievable as it may seem at first to those who know Lee Child's work, Tom Cruise is in talks to play the six-foot-five protagonist, Jack Reacher. And yet, The Guardian reports that Child himself has expressed eagerness for Cruise to take the part. "Reacher's size in the books is a metaphor for an unstoppable force, which Cruise portrays in his own way," said Child, in answer to fans who felt

An ace up your sleeve

2011-06-09T13:42:00.000+12:00

I've just read the article "The Unfair Advantage" by Graham McGregor (not to be confused with Ewan). Graham is a marketing consultant and his advice is good solid lateral thinking stuff. It's about going the extra mile for your customer, and in doing so, exploring niches that your competitors failed to spot. To his list of ideas, I'd like to add a few of my own. Turning "fail" into "sale" The

Books we love

2011-06-03T00:30:00.000+12:00

Of course, there can be no consensus. Not ever. My father had a saying to illustrate the fact that people's taste vary: "Some men," he'd say, "prefer blondes; others prefer whisky." With that in mind, I almost hesitate to write a post about books we love. We did a quick poll in my book club group, and we discovered that, no matter which book we mentioned, for every two members who enjoyed it,

And now it feels official....

2011-05-31T23:55:00.000+12:00

Chapter Short Story Competition

2011-05-27T10:56:00.000+12:00

I'm delighted... nay... try jumpring up and down screaming EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! ... to have won the RWNZ short story competition sponsored by Chapter Book Store.

Yvonne Eve Walus...

2011-05-27T01:45:00.000+12:00

... is reading Malcolm Gladwell's BLINK (The Power Of Thinking Without Thinking). Perhaps not as gripping a read as OUTLIERS, the concepts are fascinating nonetheless. Watch this space for more details. (now how's that for a blog Facebook-style?)

My guest blog on writing

2011-05-19T00:23:00.000+12:00

I'm blogging at Savvy Authors today. Come check me out! "If I were to tell you that you should write with both sides of your brain, you’d get offended, right? Of course, we all use our brain, both sides of the brain, all the time, whether we’re driving or cooking or writing. Still, most people will have a tendency to favour one hemisphere over the other." more

Ten Digital Diet Rules to Live By

2011-05-12T12:01:00.000+12:00

Today we're hosting Daniel Sieberg, the author of THE DIGITAL DIET: The 4 Step Plan to Break Your Tech Addiction and Regain Balance in Your Life. This book is for anyone who is finding that technology is taking over their life – cell phones, computers, social media, and so many other items. Are you finding that you can’t communicate with your friends without sending a text message? Do you

Reddit!

2011-05-05T00:08:00.001+12:00

I liked "Live Wire" well enough, though I'm not sure I like where the story's gone or - indeed - going. SPOILERS AHEAD, so please click here if you haven't read the book yet. SPOILERS: Yummy Win with reading glasses is still every bit as f***able as ever, though I confess I worried about his chances of winning a fight for the first time ever. While his devotion to Mee is charming, why can't he

Mrs. Perfect

2011-04-27T16:09:00.000+12:00

I like Jane Porter books. They are more complex than romances and less depressing than literary novels. Somehow, they manage to strike the balance between being issues-driven and character-driven. Perhaps it's because they discuss issues so close to the heart of women married with children, but I find myself reaching for Jane Porter books the way one reaches for a box of finest Swiss chocolates.

Eve Summers Strikes Again!

2011-04-20T13:57:00.000+12:00

Red Rose Publishing is about to release the second book in the Cruise Ship Adventures Series by Eve Summers. Following on the hot sales of "Dance Like Everyone Is Watching", "Elevator With A View" offers a unique (if spicy) view of cruising.

Intensive care unit in the sky

2011-04-15T23:27:00.000+12:00

Creative Learning is a proud sponsor of the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust, a New Zealand accident and emergency rescue and transport service operated. They provide a dedicated 24-hour, seven day a week service. This service often makes a life or death difference for thousands of New Zealanders. A Rescue Helicopter is necessary when: a patient is very sick or badly injured medics think

The Power Of Words

2011-04-10T20:38:00.000+12:00

A 2-minute video.

Stieg Larsson and I

2011-04-07T14:22:00.000+12:00

Way back before the world had heard about "The girl with the dragon tattoo", I read about Stieg Larsson in Crime Writers' Asssociation newsletter. The article mentioned his death and the three unpublished manuscripts, together with a fourth one, 75% completed. I found the image poignant. Since then, I learned that his partner wants to finish writing the fourth book, and that his translator is

Contests for Writers - the BNZ Literary Awards

2011-03-31T14:06:00.000+13:00

The BNZ Literary Awards are for both aspiring and established New Zealand writers. more impression by Anne Estelle Rice

The Future - Books in 2015???

2011-03-23T00:46:00.000+13:00

First, bookworms were able to buy digital books on electronic readers; now a New Zealand company will print out a single copy of that book and mail it to your front gate.... more

An interview with Yvonne Walus

2011-03-21T12:47:00.000+13:00

I'm on Omni Mystery News. Check me out!

Adding my post on the Japan Catastrophy...

2011-03-17T13:14:00.000+13:00

Quality without Marketing....

2011-03-15T22:44:00.000+13:00

.... Oh, look, here's another pig flying past the window! Seriously though. I found this post quite poignant, particularly the bit about quality being recognised without the need for marketing...

Who reads books nowadays?

2011-03-15T11:18:00.000+13:00

I'm blogging today at Happy Endings about this topic. Stop by and leave a comment....

Adding my post on the Christchurch Earthquake topic...

2011-03-10T13:41:00.000+13:00

Since 22 February 2011, the media have served us images of destruction, hope and despair. We've heard moving stories of heroism and disturbing stories of opportunistic crimes and desperate cries of help from the survivors. We're read opinions on what to do with the ruined cathedral, unsafe suburbs, the OCR, the taxes and the portable toilets. The noise made me reluctant to comment. Still, this

Judith Orloff's Emotional Freedom

2011-03-03T16:28:00.000+13:00

“Emotional Freedom is a must-read for anyone who's tired of feeling frustrated, lonely, or stopped by fear." -Deepak Chopra Judith Orloff MD is a UCLA psychiatrist and a pioneer who bridges mainstream medicine with intuition, energy medicine, and spirituality. She invites you on a remarkable journey where you can embrace more happiness and mastery over negativity than you may have ever known.

Books That Are Out There - Romantic Suspense

2011-02-25T00:09:00.001+13:00

When Love Won't Die by Jacqueline McMahon This is Jacqueline's first romantic suspense novel. Surprisingly enough, it does not have a hero. "The heroine ends up defeating the villain," says the author. "She learns to trust people and she realizes that lies only make things worse." The book is set 45 minutes out of Thunder Bay, a city of 110,000 located on the shores of Lake Superior, with

Jane Porter books

2011-02-17T22:51:00.000+13:00

What I like about Jane Porter books: they are love stories about thinking women for thinking women the heroines want more from life than a rich husband the themes make you think - how much would you be willing to sacrifice for a younger lover? how far would you go to fit in with other moms? would you go against all your beliefs to keep your dream job? I love the first person present tense style

LIVE WIRE - jumping the gun

2011-02-10T13:54:00.000+13:00

OK, OK, so I know it's not March yet. But you know, the way time whooshes by me, it's bound to be March about two days after I post this, LOL. Or at least it'll feel like only two days. It was Christmas last week, wasn't it? My point exactly.... I'm not sure why shops are displaying Valentine Cards! So, Harlan Coben and LIVE WIRE. I can't wait because I have a huge crush on Win and Mr Coben

Eve Summers: Chat this weekend

2011-02-03T10:22:00.000+13:00

Eve Summers: Chat this weekend: "Come join me at Love Romance Cafe this weekend, hear me chat about my books and win a give-away or three.... In the USA, the time of the cha..."

Cyclone Yasi

2011-02-03T09:09:00.000+13:00

I'm not usually one for watching the news. Too depressing. Too time consuming. But I have friends in Townsville, and I've holidayed off the coast of Cairns as well as in Townsville, so Cyclone Yasi is of personal interest to me. My heart goes out to the communities affected. It must be hard to leave your home carrying only the valuables and emergency supplies. It must be harder still to hanker

Murder @ Play - excerpt

2011-01-27T16:14:00.000+13:00

Prelude - Pretoria, October 1994 Chapter 1 Anonymous letters are always a cliché. In South Africa, they can also be deadly.This one would contain no explosives or wires. Just a plain envelope and a photocopy of words cut out from newspapers.How many copies?Five. One for every guy at the Election Day after-party.Or perhaps only four?Yes, that would be truly brilliant. Only four. Chapter 2

New Zealand Crime Writing Pays At Last

2011-01-20T12:21:00.003+13:00

Two Kiwi writers recognised with awards. Read here.

Murder @ Work, a murder mystery novel: Murder @ Work - ebook sale

2011-01-18T23:09:00.000+13:00

Murder @ Work, a murder mystery novel: Murder @ Work - ebook sale: "For the rest of January 2011, the Kindle version of 'Murder @ Work' will be available at a 50% discount. That's only $1.99! Check it out!"

Lava Lamps that turn into Volcanos

2011-01-13T15:26:00.001+13:00

This is why my new year's resolution is to never buy cheap goods from cheap sources again: Gifts Go Off With A Bang!

Megamind 3D

2011-01-06T15:08:00.003+13:00

Imagine a movie in which the bad guy makes you feel sorry for him within the first five minutes. Imagine a movie in which the good guy irritates the living daylights out of you.As a writer, you can't help wondering how the movie makers will paint themselves out of that particular corner. And they do. Beautifully.It's a bonus that the movie is in 3D and that it's totally suitable to kids while

2010 was the year I...

2010-12-30T14:17:00.003+13:00

2010 was the year I...Realised that my family is more important than my writingDecided what kind of novels I want to writeMade a firm resolution NEVER to buy cheap lead-laden junk from a $2-shop EVER again

I do believe in Santa, I do, I do, I do believe in Santa, how about you?

2010-12-23T10:27:00.005+13:00

Dear Santa, this Christmas I would like:joy laughtersoft voicesmagic and wonder.Dear Santa, all year long:more time for writing would be goodmore patience with the childrenmore tenderness and understandingfinancial peace.

Stranger Than Fiction

2010-12-15T11:03:00.002+13:00

2010 was a strange year. If - ten years ago - I'd written a futuristic novel set in 2010, what editor would swallow that in 2010:the heroine's royalties from writing e-books exceed tenfold her royalties from print books;an octopus in Germany correctly predicted almost every game in the FIFA World Cup;Russia and an unknown country starting with a Q (who can even name a country that starts with a Q

When "The Nile" Is Not A River

2010-12-09T10:29:00.003+13:00

The Nile is New Zealand's coolest online bookstore. I love it because they sell my books... and the good news for you is that you can get them cheaper there than directly from me. How is that for crazy?

It's December already...

2010-12-02T11:44:00.002+13:00

... where did the first 11 months of 2010 go?I can guess where. A large portion was spent on making school lunches, being mom-taxi, supervising homework, playing the same old boring Snakes&Ladders, watching school sports, making beds, tidying up toys, hanging tiny t-shirts out to dry in the sun. Those hours, I don't regret, even if they blend in my mind into a stream of mind-numbing beige-ness.

Pike River Mine Disaster

2010-11-25T12:10:00.004+13:00

Flags are flying at half mast in New Zealand today as the nation reels from the tragedy in the Pike River Coal Mine, which claimed the lives of 29 men.

Yvonne Walus on Crime Watch!

2010-11-15T20:04:00.000+13:00

...What is one thing that visitors to your hometown should do, that isn't in the tourist brochures, or perhaps they wouldn’t initially consider?Define my hometown. If it's where I live, and it's North Shore City (not Super City), they should sit on a bench at the Tui Park beach in Beach Haven, look at the water and listen to the silence. My original hometown is Warsaw, Poland, and there I would

Despicable Me

2010-11-11T10:32:00.006+13:00

What is it about animated children's movies that makes them so accessible to parents? I mean, if you look at my favourite movies of the year, you'll notice a pattern:2001, Shrek2002, Ice Age2004, Shrek 22005, a tie between Madagascar and Hoodwinked2006, Ice Age 22008, Kung Fu Panda2009, Up (with Avatar a close second)2010, a tie between How To Train Your Dragon and Inception and I'm really hoping

Heroines We Like To Read

2010-11-04T11:36:00.004+13:00

Who is your favourite heroine? Scarlett O'Hara, Stephanie Plum, Bridget Jones? Do you admire the feisty and the sassy, or the girl next door with a scratch card addiction?In my search for a heroine I love to read (and write!), I turned to Jane Porter books, who allegedly writes intelligent heroines with a great sense of humour. I didn't get past the Amazon reviews. For every 20 or so 5-star

A plea to Lee Child

2010-10-28T11:15:00.003+13:00

Dear Lee ChildYou're an awesome writer. From a wannabe potentially envious colleague that should count for something, so let me repeat it: you're an awesome writer. Your main character is quirky and fun, your plots rock, your style rolls.For those who don't know your work, let me give an example.Blurb for Lee Child's "Gone Tomorrow":When Jack Reacher witnesses a suicide on a Manhattan subway, he

A collection of stories for children

2010-10-25T22:33:00.000+13:00

Yvonne Walus is...

2010-10-21T23:56:00.002+13:00

... reading a Linda Howard, listening to a Lee Child and watching Salt. Not all at the same time.The Linda Howard book: A jungle rescue, a stolen microfilm, a super alpha hero and a competent heroine. Tick.The Lee Child Book: Starts with a suicide bomber, or is it just a suicide? A hook definitely worth its while.Salt: I love the Polish actor who played the Russian spy master. Go Daniel!

Juliet, Naked - a review for those who read the book

2010-10-14T13:21:00.005+13:00

In honour of Nick Hornby, I'm writing this review in point form. As a fan and self-appointed Hornbyologist, I'm convinced he's a list guy. (If you don't believe me, just read "High Fidelity", one of the greatest love novels ever written. Or let's start a website dedicated to all things Nick Hornby, analysing his work word for word and agonising over what made him stop writing novels for ten long

Juliet, Naked - a review for those who haven't read the book

2010-10-14T13:06:00.004+13:00

"Juliet, Naked" is Nick Hornby's much awaited latest novel. On the surface, its premise seems a little bland and confusing: a middle-aged protagonist is obsessed by an obscure reclusive musician, but it is the protagonist's girlfriend who starts an email relationship with the recluse. Certainly not the type of book I would pick up if it weren't for the author, whose "High Fidelity" put him firmly

I Shall Wear Midnight

2010-10-07T12:06:00.002+13:00

Terry Pratchett's 4th Tiffany Aching book, "I shall wear midnight" is really good. I loved reading it and I look forward to reading it again soon. My only quibble is with the target audience. I know Tiff is growing up, and perhaps the idea is that the readers grow up with her, but as she's sixteen, I expect 12-14 year-olds to want to read the book, particularly if they'd read the previous

Competition Results

2010-10-01T10:24:00.001+13:00

As we're coming out of winter in the hemisphere "down-under", I'm celebrating the results of the Nelson Romance Writers' Short Story Competition. The top three winners are announced here.And this is the lovely certificate, book by Emily May and hamper I won.

The Seventh Taboo - review

2010-09-22T14:29:00.003+12:00

A beautiful one compliments of "Long and Short Reviews":"... Clones are identical? Clones are the same sex? The future stretches the scientific boundaries until even the people of that time aren't sure what can be achieved.In a world of virtual reality, some workmates decide to play an illegal Face to Face game. This is when Jade and Lorri-Ann meet. They are immediately attracted to each other

"How I Met Your Mother"

2010-09-16T12:35:00.004+12:00

I have a brand-new vice lately, which is fabulous, because I was getting bored with the old ones. It's called "How I Met Your Mother". Yes, I mean the popular TV series now in its 845th season or so. And yes, when it comes to TV, I can be slow on the uptake sometimes (I still haven't seen Heroes or Survivor, and have only sampled House).What I love about "How I Met Your Mother" is the quirkiness.

Looking for good books....

2010-09-09T12:28:00.002+12:00

I found myself in a bit of a quandary lately. I've run out of books to read. Oh, my to-read pile is still as high as ever, and yet I find myself re-reading the old classics:Terry PratchettHarlan CobenNick HornbyJoshilyn Jackson Lionel ShriverMinette WaltersAgatha Christie....I'm looking for books in which:no bad things happen (particularly to children)are upliftingand fun to readand make me

Nick Hornby's Books

2010-09-02T12:17:00.003+12:00

I've read "About a boy" before, and I've seen the movie. Now I'm listening to the audio book (audio books are great for car journeys and household chores). Nick Hornby is a brilliant writer. Brilliant. Only yesterday, somebody asked what books I'd write if I could write anything I wanted without paying heed to the market. I mentioned Pratchett-like fantasy settings and satire, I mentioned Coben's

The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence for Evolution

2010-08-26T16:41:00.002+12:00

I'm currently listening to "The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence for Evolution" by none other than Richard Dawkins. It's a good book, an almost perfect balance of scientific and layman terminology. I particularly enjoyed the story about the flog with a bit of belly skin grafted onto its back... read the book if you want to find out about it. It was also fascinating to learn how quickly

Witch Hunts on the Internet

2010-08-19T10:32:00.002+12:00

If you enjoyed Harlan Coben's "Caught", you might like "Witch Hunts on the Internet". See book trailer here or read the blurb:Danger!!! Internet chat are immediate and intimate, but sometimes they only create the impression of a relationship. Sometimes they break hearts. Sometimes they claim lives. Danger!!! The Internet makes many things look ok even though they are not: porn, sex parties,

Harlan Coben - "Caught" - Review

2010-08-12T10:48:00.004+12:00

I've just finished reading "Caught", and a good thing it is too, because I've been neglecting my long-and-getting-longer list of urgent tasks in favour of curling up in the winter sunshine with this latest Harlan Coben.Overall, this stand-alone novel deserves a 5 out of 5. It contains the usual magic ingredients: a protagonist you want to root for (and if you're a man from Down Under, you

Let's go to the movies - Inception

2010-08-05T10:07:00.002+12:00

Inception is simply brilliant and brilliantly not simple. In fact, it is so not simple that I spent the first ten minutes wondering what the hey is going on... and not in a good intrigued way, but in a completely lost way.It probably would have helped to have read the movie's blurb. Had I known it was about entering people's dreams, I would have been ok. But when I sat down in the Gold Class

On Dragons

2010-07-29T10:25:00.000+12:00

Do you like dragons? Please let me know here.

Up to date with the Twilight movies

2010-07-24T01:17:00.003+12:00

I'm probably the only novelist in the Western world who hasn't read the Twilight series. Because vampires are not my thing.Because werewolves are not my thing.Because I'm wary of runaway bestsellers based on a dream.However, I've recently sat through all three movies, and I was pleasantly surprised. Definitely watchable and without the cheesy dialogue I was led to expect. Vampires that shine are

Based on my latest murder mystery novel....

2010-07-15T09:31:00.003+12:00

I write likeJames JoyceI Write Like by Mémoires, Mac journal software. Analyze your writing!James Joyce. That's the angst-ridden chap whose books I've never been able to start, let alone finish. The one whose sentences run over pages and pages, streaming his bleak consciousness into bleak reality. Yay. So flattered. Not.PS Depending

"The bride will keep her name"

2010-07-08T10:04:00.000+12:00

"The bride will keep her name" by Jan Goldstein (that's a male version of "Jan") is an interesting book, and I don't mean "interesting" in a euphemistically negative sense.From a reader's perspective, it's a romantic suspense with more emphasis on the suspense bit, which is refreshing. While the romantic bits are almost too sugary in their perfection, you can almost forgive them in view of the

Entertaining, short, interesting read about South Africa in the late 90s

2010-07-01T10:28:00.004+12:00

My thanks go to Ursula Pieper for a wonderful review of "Murder @ Work". Read more.Incidentally, I'm looking for 2 reviewers to write up something about "Murder @ Play". Hands up?Don't want to review? Then read on: if you buy a copy of "Murder @ Play" (on Kindle, but you don't need Kindle to read it, any PC will do) and contact me before the end of July 2010, I'll send you an e-copy of "Murder @

The Seventh Taboo - SF e-book

2010-06-25T12:41:00.001+12:00

"A brilliant story! I want more!Nalini Singh,New York Times Bestselling Author of Hostage to PleasureRead the first chapter.

FIFA 2010 - venting

2010-06-24T10:07:00.004+12:00

WARNING to my regular readers: This post is only about soccer. If you haven't caught the bug yet, read Nick Hornby's Fever Pitch.Now, to FIFA 2010, and in no particular order:Despite all the glam expectations and promises of foreign money pouring into the country, fewer that 8,000 tourists entered South Africa on a FIFA visa. If the number seems reasonable enough to you, here's some perspective:

Chapter and Woman's Day

2010-06-17T13:41:00.003+12:00

My thanks go to Chapter Book Store and Woman's Day magazine for sponsoring our RWNZ short story competition. I'm thrilled for one of my stories to have placed 3rd.

Interview with Carlton Scott

2010-06-10T13:42:00.002+12:00

Q: What technique did the author use for his illustrations: Pencils? Oil Pastels? Textured Paper? Layered Images? A: In the early 1990’s, when I did my first book, Grin’s Message I used crayons and colored pencils. I tried to make the characters very cartoon like and full of expression. After losing my sight in my left eye from glaucoma in 1996, I was very frustrated with my lack of depth