Richard Lambert - The Wolf Word (Everything with Words) - Book Review - Mr. Ripley's Enchanted Book Review

The Wolf Road has been written by poet, Richard Lambert, and is soon to be published by Everything With Words this October (2020). I've thought long and hard about this book as it is so different from my usual reading material. In my opinion, you will either love or hate it depending on your own outlook and connection with the unique style and writing of this book. Some readers may just not connect with it or the issues that the book tackles such as coping and denial. However, if you do connect with it (like I did) then it will be one of the best books that you will read this year.

When you start on the road of this narrative the path is very tragic and hard-hitting. There really appears to be no light at the end of the tunnel. Lucas is the main character of the book and the story is told from his viewpoint. Unfortunately, he is involved in a car accident that kills both of his parents. Some books would play down this situation, but not this book. It faces the loss and grief head-on placing it at the epicentre of the plot. However, there is a little sense of mystery and a little glimmer of fantasy magic as Lucas has only one memory from the car accident. He remembers that it was a wolf that caused the crash but how? and what actually happened?

The book really resonates with me when he has to leave his family home to go and live with his nan in the Lake District. This is an area I can relate to very well. The story for me really comes alive as the setting of the book takes a vital hold on the plot. It's told in a poetic way that grips the reader. The detail and description of the wild and beautiful landscape cut through the hard and relentless element of grief, loss, loneliness, and bullying which have a huge stronghold on the story. This really is one of the many strengths of this story. At certain points, the climactic story leaves you clinging on for dear life.

There are so many great things to mention about this book such as the situations the characters face. They feel very real to me as they have been particularly well narrated. Another strong point is that it's not predictable in any way, you have absolutely no idea where the author is going to take you. However, this makes it particularly engaging and keeps you guessing throughout.

I loved this book so much - it really made me reflect on life, especially at a time like this. It's a powerful book about coping and dealing with grief, having the courage, determination, and understanding to find out who we are as a person. The book helps us in showing us the way. A wolf that comes in the dark and leaves in the light showering the reader and the characters with a beam of sunshine. We are not in charge of our own destiny just like Lucas, however, we can poke it in the right direction with the choice of stories and memoirs we keep in our heart. This is a story that will stay with me for a very long time. It's an incredible debut book from a fantastic new literary voice.  Many thanks Mikka for the opportunity to read and breathe this book.

Plan Your Own Arthur Ransome Swallows & Amazons Litreature Adventure in the Lake District Cumbria

Both children and adults alike have been enraptured with Arthur Ransome’s classic tale of adventure and friendship, Swallows & Amazons, since its release all the way back in 1930.

With a thrilling narrative that combines treasure hunting, swashbuckling and the carefree exploits of childhood – the story has undoubtedly stood the test of time, even receiving a film adaptation as recently as 2016.

One of the main draws of his writing are the vividly beautiful environments he describes. The best part about this? You can visit them!

Check out our infographic to find out how you can cast off into your very own Swallows & Amazons adventure.

Thank you, Francesca and Craig Manor Hotel for this Infographic.  

Check out the website: https://www.craigmanor.co.uk

Swallows & Amazons by Craig Manor.

The Literary Lakes - A Place For Inspiration and Writers Infographic

The Lake District is well-known for its amazing scenery. It’s no surprise the region has formed an inspiration and backdrop to some of our most famous wordsmiths, with the likes of William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge writing about the beauty of the area. Their legacy remains today, with countless visitors to the district looking to follow in their footsteps.

The region remains a huge inspiration for all visitors who put pen to paper. Enjoy our literary guide to the all-time greats and here’s to the next generation of Lakeland scribes and poets.

The Literary Lakes by Craig Manor.

This post is shared in conjunction with:- https://www.craigmanor.co.uk/the-literary-lakes/ thank's Daisy. 

Guest Post by Sofia Croft - Finding Inspiration, and Dragons, in the Lake District - Indigo's Dragon Blog Tour

Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books is very proud to be starting Indigo's Dragon blog tour. Sofi will be calling at some great blogs in the next ten days, so why not check them all out. See the tour banner at the end of this post for more details. This is the first book in the series, which is soon to be published on the 23 June 2016 by Accent Press Ltd.  It is a great dragon adventure story full of mystery; a legendary trip where the main character encounters a monster or two . Check out my book review HERE to find out more. 

We also have a cracking #bookgiveaway pack to win on twitter via @Enchantedbooks. Check it out -it ends midnight on Sunday 19th June 2016. UK only. Give it a RT and mention!  

Here is the post. I hope you enjoy it.....

Finding Inspiration, and Dragons, in the Lake District by Sofi Croft

I didn’t want to be a writer. My mother is a writer and when I was young I remember her spending hours of every day in front of her typewriter lost in an imaginary world. This didn’t appeal to me at all. I was far more interested in living in the real world. I studied science and became an exploration geologist, travelling around the UK, digging big holes to look at the soil and rocks. 

Things changed when, in my thirties, I started a family and moved to the Lake District so we could live amidst the beautiful scenery. I spent a huge amount of time outdoors with my children, wandering the valleys, climbing the fells and splashing in the becks. 

I began to see dragons everywhere. They hide in caves, smoke circling from their nostrils as they sleep. They lurk in plunge pools and dart through the deep dark waters of the lakes. They sit eyeing sheep from the edge of woodland, camouflaged among rocks and mossy mounds. They balance in the tops of the tallest trees and fly through the sunsets and clear starry nights. 

My children asked about the dragons so I told them stories, and once you start telling stories it can be very difficult to stop. Ideas for stories are everywhere in the Lake District; in the landscape, the weather, the wildlife, and the local history and legends. I started carrying a notebook when we went exploring, so I could record some of the things we saw and the stories we told. Very slowly, over the first few years I lived in the Lake District, the thoughts, ideas, pictures and words in my notebooks came together to create Indigo’s Dragon.

One day I realised that, without ever really planning to, I might have written a book. I had an overwhelming urge to move it from my scribbly notebooks to the computer to see if it really was a book, so I pulled out my dilapidated laptop and spent my evenings typing it up. Dragons gathered outside my window, watching from behind the sycamore trees and circling the skies above, wondering why I was spending hours sat at the computer lost in an imaginary world like my mother. 

By the time Indigo’s Dragon was finished I had discovered that I loved writing, with all its ups and downs. I sent Indigo off to a few publishers, out of curiosity more than anything else, and set about writing another book. Six books later and my head is still full of stories I want to write, and each time I venture outside to explore the Lake District I see more dragons, and find more stories. 

Indigo’s Dragon (Indigo’s Dragon #1) by Sofi Croft is a children’s fantasy novel full of adventure, mystery, monsters and dragons.

It is published by AccentYA on 23^rd June

You can find out more about Sofi and her books on her website www.soficroft.com and follow her on twitter: @croftdragon 

Dragon photography by seenicksphotography

SaveSave

Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books: Sofi Croft - Indigo's Dragon ( Bk1) - Book Review

Indigo lives in the Lake District, and spends his time exploring the mountains he loves. An unexpected parcel arrives containing a first aid kit inside his grandfather’s satchel. Indigo’s curiosity is raised as he looks through his grandfather’s notebook to discover drawings of mythical creatures. 

Strange things begin to happen and Indigo finds himself treating an injured magpie-cat, curing a cockatrice of its death-darting gaze, and defending a dragon. Indigo realises he must uncover the secrets his family have kept hidden, and travels alone to the Polish mountains to search for his grandfather and the truth. 

Danger looms as events spiral out of control, and Indigo needs to make choices that change him, his world, and his future forever…

Summer is around the corner and this is the best time, in my opinion, to get your fantasy socks on and read a good book involving a legendary mythical dragon. Fortunately you don't need to look any further with the book Indigo's Dragon, which is set in the beautiful landscape of the Lake District. It invites you to walk the tight rope of magical adventures which will captivate the wild imagination and the spirit of being young. This is the first pocket size instalment to land on the bookshelves with two further books planned to follow. Indigo's Demons will be the follow up and will be published early December 2016. Whilst the third book, Indigo's Deep will be published at some point in June 2017. 

Indigo's Dragon is a fast paced and free flowing fantasy book for young readers around the age of 8 years old and upwards. The book features a young boy Indigo who is 13 years old and loves roaming the crags and fells of the Lake District. However, one day he gets an unusual parcel from his mysterious Grandfather Opi. It contains a book of tales of mythical beasts and a strange first aid kit, but unfortunately it is quickly stolen by a strange hybrid creature that has been conjured up in the inventive land of fantasy. 

The search for Indigo's grandfather, Opi, is a dark and dangerous path. All of which leads to the uncovering of secrets, answers to some vital questions and some really breathtaking moments. The story features lots of amazing creatures that have their roots firmly planted in folklore and tradition. It will certainly make children want to explore more original folktales and the great outdoor settings featured in the plot. The story also zips to the atmospheric Polish mountains and soon the mysteries unravel in a dream-like quality with a timely twist that will keep readers on their hooked claws.

The book is a great family adventure that will transport the reader to a magical place. It is an action packed adventure set in the great outdoors where you can breath in the magical air. The more that you read, the more you can inhale the strangeness that unfolds through the original plot. It will certainly help you to escape to a place and world far from what you know. 

This is a great debut story that really reflects the author's love and passion for reading and storytelling. It helps the story to blossom into an engaging read which is slightly different from mainstream books at the moment. This is a book that all children will identify with, especially with Indigo's character as he faces family loyalty, friendship and hidden family secrets. So much energy, emotion and feelings, with some highs and lows along the way, are delivered through this story. It is a really enjoyable tale focusing on finding out the truth about who and what you really are. 

The only possible downside about this book involves the very short page count. However, don't be disappointed fas there is more to come dear readers through the publication of a further two books in the future. The world will stop when you turn the first page, so pick up a copy, read it and enjoy .....

Published by Accent Press Ltd (23 Jun. 2016)