Mr Ripley's Enchanted Book - Tamsin Mori - Guardians of the Source: Gargoyles Book 1 - Book Review

Hello everybody. I'm delighted to be able to introduce the first book review of the year: "Tamsin Mori and the Guardians of the Source: Gargoyles". This is the first installment of a promising trilogy that delivers an enthralling adventure. It is scheduled to be released in April 2024 by UCLan Publishing with a brilliantly vibrant cover illustration by the talented David Dean. 

From the very first page, this captivating fantasy world springs to life by whisking readers away on a dream-like journey filled with magic, mystery, and excitement. The story kicks off with an irresistible narrative that is set in a decaying old mansion hiding a secret past. As Callen's family moves into his father's enigmatic childhood home, they are greeted by a sprawling, boarded-up mansion adorned with gargoyles, overgrown gardens, and the resurgence of long-forgotten magic. Magic, folklore, mythical creatures, and the wonder of animated gargoyles soon unfold.

Mori's storytelling prowess shines brightly in this enchanting tale as she skillfully weaves a world that is both familiar and extraordinary. The characters are endearing, effortlessly drawing readers into their world. The dilapidated mansion serves as a richly atmospheric backdrop, evoking a blend of nostalgia and mystery. When a disgruntled gargoyle awakens in Callen's presence, he must befriend Zariel and earn her trust before a looming dark threat takes hold. Only a Gargoyle Guardian and true friendship can fend off this encroaching peril.

The concept of living gargoyles adds an extra layer of excitement and mystique to the narrative, making it a real page-turner for young readers. The narrative is as enchanting as the magical elements woven throughout the story, ensuring a delightful and sometimes spooky read for both children and adults. 

"Guardians of the Source: Gargoyles" is a must-read for anyone who adores tales of magic, friendship, and adventure. Tamsin Mori has crafted a world that will capture the hearts and ignite the imaginations of all who delve into its pages. This book is a true gem that deserves a spot on every bookshelf, and I eagerly anticipate more from this talented author with the next chapter in this trilogy. BUY HERE! 

Danny Weston - Postcards From Valhalla - Blog Tour - UcLan Publishing - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books

 

Welcome to our blog tour for Danny Weston's highly anticipated new book, "Postcards From Valhalla," which has been published by UCLan Publishing. We are thrilled to be the very first STOP on this exciting journey. Here you can dive into the captivating world crafted by the talented author himself. In "Postcards From Valhalla," Danny Weston weaves a spellbinding tale that transports readers to a realm where reality and mythology collide. However, you can read more by looking at my review HERE. UCLan Publishing, renowned for their commitment to publishing engaging and thought-provoking literature, has once again brought us a literary gem. 

Throughout this tour, we will have the privilege of gaining exclusive insights from Danny Weston himself, as he shares a series of guest posts highlighting his thinking behind the book and his remarkable work. So, join us as we embark on this thrilling adventure through the pages of "Postcards From Valhalla. Stay tuned for the next post, visit the rest of the stops above AND ENJOY!

Why I wrote Postcards from Valhalla by Danny Weston

My latest book began life like so many others… 

I’d just finished writing Stand and Deliver (as Philip Caveney) so now, of course, it was time for a new Danny Weston novel, because the two of us alternate. So I began to cast around for ideas. The thought of not working on another book is somehow beyond the pale. I’ve published more than fifty titles now and it’s almost like an addiction. I have to be writing. It’s as simple as that.

The first thought in my mind is always to write about something I haven’t covered before and the second is to try to find a fresh approach to the idea, so it’s not going to be like something that somebody else has already written.

For some reason, Norse mythology came into my mind. As simple as that. ‘I’ve never done anything Norse.’ Of course I’m aware of the old stories in their various forms, those weird fables about gods and warriors and wizards, but I wanted to make them relevant to what’s happening now. I started thinking about more recent iterations - Thor and Loki for instance, as they’re covered in the Marvel films: those bizarre characters running around in spandex and attacking each other with mystical superweapons. I knew I didn’t want to do anything like that.

I asked myself, would it be possible to create a cast of contemporary characters - fairly ordinary people - who nonetheless somehow embodied all those mythical attributes?

Eventually, I settled on the theme of a quest. 

My lead character, Viggo, is fifteen years old, a Dungeons and Dragons fan, who has always lived in the shadow of his older brother, Magnus, who, like his father before him,  is obsessed with Norse mythology. When Magnus goes missing in Shetland, Viggo’s Mum Alison is understandably worried, and she impulsively books tickets for her and Viggo to go to Shetland to look for him.

OK, there’s my opening premise. 

And then I decided that, as the journey unfolds, the fine line that exists between dreams and reality should be increasingly eroded, the two elements bleeding into each other until the reader is unsure what’s fantasy and what’s reality. And some of the dreams would be decidedly creepy.

Early in their journey, Viggo and his mum, Alison, encounter a mysterious travelling musician called Leon, a man who seems to know an awful lot about them, more than any stranger possibly could. Indeed, he seems to know about every subject under the sun (he’s a regular walking Wikipedia) and he seems determined to tag along wherever Viggo and Alison go.

At first, they dislike Leon and do their very best to shake him off, but time and again, they find they are unable to do so. It’s as though he has some mysterious power over them, a way to thwart every plan they draw up to throw him off their tracks. 

And as the three of them draw steadily nearer and nearer to Magnus, Viggo and Alison become increasingly dependent on Leon for help and advice. 

But who… or what, is he? And where exactly is he leading them?

Danny Weston - Postcards from Valhalla - Book Review - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books

A Gripping Journey into Myth and Intrigue is "Postcards from Valhalla" by the author of mystery, Danny Weston. It will be published by UCLan Publishing on 2nd November (2023) with a brilliantly illustrated book cover by Katie Daisy. The plot takes readers on a thrilling bizarre adventure filled with mystery, Norse mythology, and a touch of the supernatural. Set in the rugged and dramatic landscapes of Shetland, this novel introduces us to Viggo, a fifteen-year-old boy whose life takes an unexpected turn when his older brother (Magnus) goes missing on the island.

From the onset, the story immerses us in Viggo's world. It paints a vivid picture of his mundane existence in Edinburgh. However, as Viggo embarks on a journey to Shetland in search of his brother (with his mother), the narrative takes a dark and exhilarating twist. Strange visions plague Viggo, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. Armed warriors, mythical creatures, and Viking longships haunt his mind, leaving readers captivated and eager to unravel the secrets hidden within the story.

Weston masterfully weaves together elements of suspense, family dynamics, and ancient folklore, creating an artist's palette of emotions that will keep the reader on the edge of their comfortable armchair. The introduction of Leon, a smooth-talking mysterious musician who becomes entangled in Viggo's quest, adds an intriguing layer to the narrative. His presence raises questions about his true nature and purpose, further heightening the suspense.

As the search for Magnus intensifies, so does Viggo's connection to the supernatural realm. The author skillfully crafts a sense of foreboding and unease, ensuring that readers are fully invested in Viggo's and his mum's plight. With each turn of the page, the boundaries between the tangible and the mystical blur, as they lead to an explosive climax that will leave readers captivated. 

"Postcards from Valhalla" excels not only in its enthralling unique plot but also in its rich atmospheric descriptions. Weston's vivid prose brings the stunning landscapes of Shetland to life. He really paints a picture so vivid that readers can almost feel the cool breeze and hear the crashing waves. The author's meticulous attention to detail enhances the sense of immersion, allowing readers to experience the story alongside Viggo.

Overall, I loved every minute of this book. It's a gripping and thought-provoking novel that seamlessly blends contemporary fiction with ancient mythology. Danny Weston's masterful storytelling, combined with the compelling characters and atmospheric setting, will keep readers hooked from beginning to end. Prepare to be transported on a thrilling journey where reality and myth converge, and where the true meaning of bravery and familial bonds is put to the test.

Daniel Dockery - Wendington Jones and the Missing Tree - Book Review - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books

 

We have a big theme on the blog this year as we're shouting about all the fantastic debut children's authors that have books coming out in 2023. Daniel Dockery has written plenty of gripping TV scripts for some of our well-loved soaps e.g. Hollyoaks and Coronation Street but the question is can he deliver a hit with his first book? Wendington Jones and the Missing Tree is due to be published on the 6th April 2023 by UCLan Publishing. The book cover illustration has been fantastically produced by Marco Guadalupi and really reflects the story inside.  

The story starts off rather sad and very reflective as the main character, Wendington Jones, mourns her mother's death. Unfortunately, her adventuring mother dies in a car crash in the late 1920s. This tragic accident sets the scene for a very fast-paced start as Wendington receives a mystery parcel in the middle of the night. As a result, she finds herself undertaking a global adventure to find the legendary Tree of Life. Wendington is a remarkable character who has many roles: a daughter, friend, and traveller. She is clever, inquisitive, witty, and, multi-talented: twice Latin scholar, adequate horse rider, and the second-best fencer in three countries. However, she's going to need every ounce of these skills to solve her mother's mystery. 

After the fast-paced start, the story slows down a little which gives you time to settle into the story. The journey enables you to float along a fantastic and surreal plot that has a different feel from other books in this genre. You get to think about what is happening and allow all the actions and consequences to be absorbed. I really loved this as it enabled me to become fully immersed in the world.

Another strong point of the book was the ending - I really did not expect it. It felt unusual and really made me reflect on the adventure I'd just been on. So, if you are ready to flex your detective skills, fly into peril, stop a boat from exploding, and explore the theme of immortality then this might just be the read you're looking for. Expect drama, bloodshed, and sugar bombs as you meet a truly extraordinary character. She will certainly stay with me for some time. This story is a brilliant titanic read that does not sink.  

Lucy Ann Unwin - The Octopus, Dadu and Me - Author Interview (Q&A) - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books

Hello and welcome everybody. This week it's time to get acquainted with the debut book written by Lucy Ann Unwin called The Octopus, Dadu and Me. Firstly, what a great book title! The book was published in Jan 2023 by UCLan Publishing. This is the first in a series of interviews introducing a number of new fantastic children's authors and their debut books. Look out for the other interviews in this series and give the authors your support. In the meantime, let's get stuck into another fantastic read of the year. You can purchase a copy of the book HERE! 

1. As a bookseller, how would you describe your debut book to potential new readers?

Well, I have a lot to learn in the ways of bookselling as I’m only just starting out, but it’s about a girl who forms a special bond with an octopus. She becomes convinced she has to set him free from the aquarium so she enlists her lovely friends’ help in a heist mission to rescue him. In the background she’s dealing with a lot of confusion and grief as her beloved dadu — her grandparent — has dementia, and has stopped recognising her. I hope the fun and friendship of the octopus heist balances out her emotional journey with her dadu, which is inevitably a bit sad.

So, if I knew a kid who craved big emotions from their reading…maybe a little cry… I would definitely lead them to The Octopus Dadu and Me. Anyone who enjoyed The Night Animals, Sadé and Her Shadow Beasts, or The Storm Swimmer for example, or a Jaqueline Wilson fan maybe.

I also tried to make the writing quite simple and accessible, and Lucy Mulligan’s wonderful comic strips add space in the narrative. I think there are plenty of kids who are emotionally mature and want to engage with big feelings, but also want a pacy, accessible read.

2. Are octopuses really psychic? If so, what is the most exciting prediction they have made?

Ah, if only! I guess there’s still a lot we don’t know about octopuses, so I still hold out hope they have abilities that are, as yet, unproven — even if there’s no evidence at the moment that they're psychic.

That said… I was always utterly intrigued by Paul, potentially the world’s most famous octopus? At the time of the 2010 World Cup Paul was said to be able to predict the outcome of matches. His owners would give him boxes with food in, each labelled with the flag of a team in an upcoming match, and Paul would have to choose which box to eat from. He got 8 out of 8 match predictions right — so you can draw your own conclusions!!! Paul gets a namecheck in The Octopus, Dadu and Me, of course.

3. Apparently, octopuses have three hearts. What three important pieces of advice/support have you had that helped you to write this book?

Writing wise, I take most of my advice from the internet…Twitter can be a great teacher! (As well as the opposite, of course.) I had a couple of quotes from authors on Post-It notes attached to my monitor to see me through.

One is a classic Kurt Vonnegut: “Every character should want something, even if it is only a glass of water.”

The other is a quote from The Minaturist author Jessie Burton about first drafts: “If the layering and nuance isn’t there, why would it be? You’ve only written it once.”

The first really helped me bring every character to life, and the second kept me going through each edit.

And then another piece of advice that I continue to find incredibly helpful came from the brilliant children’s author Sally Nicholls. She was talking on Twitter about getting in the habit of “Filling Your Cup” creatively, suggesting that you have to go out and experience life and art as part of your creative process. This was so helpful, not just because it's a great idea, but also because it gave me permission to step away from the laptop and know it was helping my writing. I still find that hard, but I’m working on it.

4. How did you visualise your fantasy aquarium in the story?

The aquarium in the book is actually pretty closely modelled on my local Sea Life centre in Brighton, which is the world’s oldest aquarium! It has the most beautiful Victorian Arcade when you first walk in, with soaring arches all lit up in rainbow colours and the tanks set in the side of the walls. The opening scene of the book pretty much describes the moment in real life when the book was conceived. I was sat at the same little table my main character Sashi is sat at in Chapter 1, looking at the same octopus, when the idea for the story started to take hold. So, I didn’t have to draw very deeply on my visualisation skills!

A lot of details beyond that are different though. For one thing, the characters have to try and work out how to break in to the aquarium, as well as how to access the tanks, and I wasn’t particularly keen on giving ideas about how to break into a real building! So, the rest is all made up to fit what was needed for the plot.

5. One of the characters in the book has dementia, at what point did you decide to include this illness in the story and why?

I’ve thought a lot about this since The Octopus, Dadu and Me was published, and I genuinely don’t know the answer. Dadu had dementia all along, it wasn’t something I introduced. Although in the first draft his relationship with Sashi was much less developed. It was only when I started to edit during the Covid lockdown — when children being separated from their grandparents was on my mind — that I started adding in the flashbacks and really trying to deepen and share their bond a bit more. But as to why he had dementia, I don’t have a good answer. My own Nan, who I was very devoted to as a child, developed Alzheimers when I was in my teens, so I’m sure that must have subconsciously filtered into it somewhere along the line.

6. Having been a music journalist, does this book have a music playlist? If so, what would it feature?

I find it so hard to listen to music while I write! Certainly nothing with words. I have a Spotify playlist of lots of non-vocal tracks that powered me through the writing and editing process… some Bicep and The Comet is Coming and lots of old trip-hop and dubstep.

But when we had the book launch my family tried to put together a little playlist that represented the book. My daughter chose Head Up by The Score to represent Sashi’s emotional struggle, my husband went with the classic link and picked The Beatles' Octopus's Garden, I personally think Radiohead’s Weird Fishes is perfect. The lyrics really connect with Sashi and Ian’s relationship and eye-to-eye connection. (I’ll skip over the getting “picked over by the worms” bit!!)

Here are some of the lyrics:
In the deepest ocean
The bottom of the sea
Your eyes
They turn me
Why should I stay here?
Why should I stay?

I'd be crazy not to follow
Follow where you lead.
…
Everybody leaves
If they get the chance
And this is my chance

So if I had to sum up the book in a song, it would be that one. Also, it’s my favourite song so any excuse!

On a side note, I picked Harry Styles Music for a Sushi Restaurant for an “unboxing video” I made when my author copies arrived in the post — because it’s an EPIC song — but it only occurred to me writing this how dark that is!!! Eek.

7. Who and what are the key influences of this story?

I think, like all writers, I’m influenced by everything! The weather, an article in the paper, a snatch of overheard conversation, a million subconscious currents…. I mentioned earlier that the Covid lockdown was a big influence, and it really was. It was heartbreaking to see close, tactile grandparent relationships being moved online or worse. There’s a lot of my mum in there. And, writing-wise, I think I’m influenced by every book I’ve ever read, but also by movies. I went through a phase of re-watching a lot of the films of my childhood, so there’s more than a little Free Willy in there!

8. What do you think the different illustrations bring to the book and story? 

Ah, I love the illustrations so much! The last one makes me cry every time I see it. Lucy Mulligan really did an excellent job. And they’re so crucial to the story! I was very nervous before I saw them, because they don’t just illustrate what is described in the narrative, the comic strips contain key plot points. Without the illustrations, the story wouldn’t make any sense.

The comic panels were always in the book from the first draft. Sashi is a comic artist, and she processes all her emotions through drawing, so when she’s convinced she’s communicating with the octopus Ian, it’s through her drawing that the communications happen.

I also really hope they provide a light touch. There are some big emotions in The Octopus Dadu and Me and I think the graphic sections give the reader a chance to slow down a bit as they take in all the visual information. Hopefully that change of pace allows them a little breather to process their own emotions too.

9. What would Ian say about you (as the writer) and did he predict any part of the story?

Well, Ian always knew the ending, but that’s his own little secret and to share that would be a bit of a spoiler! I love Lucy Mulligan’s first comic strip in the book where Sashi tries to imagine what’s going on in Ian’s head and the final panel says “You have NO IDEA what I’m thinking!” So I’m just going to project, and say Ian would be very happy that we’ve shared so many fascinating facts about this amazing species!

10. What is your favourite place you have visited recently?

I don’t leave my dark little writing room very frequently, but we went camping for a few days in Norfolk last summer and spent some time stomping along the tidal flats… the landscape was so fascinating. They’d apparently had a very high tide recently and the footpaths were encrusted with thousands of tiny crabs. There were swallows darting everywhere and you could see for miles. I absolutely loved it, it felt like the perfect setting for a story… and then I recently read Wilder by Penny Chrimes set on marshland and it brought it all to life perfectly!

Philip Caveney - STAND AND DELIVER - Blog Tour (Top Five Adventure Books Post)

Mr. Ripley's Enchanted Books has been running for over fourteen years now and from the very start, Philip Caveney has been a big influence on this website. We have read and loved every book both he and his alter ego have written and published. Every story is different, unexpected, and thrilling, and Stand and Deliver is just another example of how great a writer he is. 

It's a wonderful privilege to be on this blog tour celebrating the publication of Philip's new book. This post covers his top 5 adventure books which are all classics that have shaped the landscape for future writers. Just like Philip's books will also do in the future. What would be your choice?

I should perhaps apologise for the fact that my choices are not recent releases. Like so many writers, I have been an avid reader since early childhood and I genuinely believe that it’s the books you read as a youngster that stay with you forever. Of course I still read. All writers begin as readers and it’s important to keep doing it, but these days I’m reading a lot of different kinds of fiction  And the focus here is on ‘adventure,’ so… here goes.

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson. 

This is pretty much the book that set the template for the public perception of what a pirate says, does and thinks. It features pretty much all the qualities we identify with such men - and yet, only a little research will confirm that they tended to be more complex than this gives them credit for. No matter, it’s a classic tale of scurvy dogs and buried treasure from Scotland’s greatest writer. What’s not to like?

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne. 

Verne’s brilliant undersea adventure, written in 1871, is one of the first adventure stories I ever read, along with A Journey to the Centre of the Earth and Around the World in 80 Days.  20,000 Leagues is both thrilling and prophetic. Captain Nemo’s famous submarine, The Nautilus is powered by sodium/mercury batteries, something that wouldn’t widely be used until the 1940s! It also features incredible underwater battles with terrifying creatures of the deep.

War of the Worlds by HG Wells. 

People will argue that it's actually an early sci-fi novel, but this account of a martian invasion, first published in 1897, soon develops into a fast-paced adventure story. The main protagonist (known only as ‘the narrator’) struggles to survive in a transformed world where the squid-like Martians and their giant fighting machines lay waste to everything they encounter. Its scenes of the disintegration of society have rarely been equalled.

Lord of the Flies by William Golding.

Published in 1954, this is the dark and troubling tale of a group of schoolboys whose plane crashlands on a remote desert island. They are compelled to organise themselves and find ways to survive, but they soon break into two separate factions, who consequently find themselves at war with each other. It may be a comment about the nature of mankind, but it’s also a thrilling tale of adventure, brilliantly written.

Brazilian Adventure by Peter Fleming

Not fiction this time, but a fascinating account of a real life adventure deep into the heart of the unexplored Amazon. In 1932, the author, Peter, Fleming joined an expedition to look for the lost explorer, Colonel Fawcett who, with his son Jack, had disappeared on a similar trip seven years earlier. Reading this book inspired me to write my third novel, The Tarantula Stone.

Book published by UCLan Publishing 03.11.2022. Book Cover Illustration by Jill Tytherleigh. 

Synopsis: Ned is awkward, a little shy, and just trying to find his place in the world. He also happens to be the assistant to the nation’s most feared highwayman, The Shadow . . .

In a time when highwaymen ruled the roads, Ned is reluctantly swept up into a whirlwind of adventure. Whilst escaping the grasps of the thief-takers, Ned soon finds himself stepping into his Master’s shoes and an unwanted life of crime. The pressure is building with new friends and enemies galore when Ned stumbles upon a long-infamous gem, The Bloodstone, which forces him to make an important choice. Can he ultimately escape this new threat and finally free himself from the grips of The Shadow?

Emma Finlayson-Palmer - Dance Magic (Autumn Moonbeam) - Author Interview (Q&A) - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books #30

 

We are celebrating the publication of Dance Magic (Autumn Moonbeam) which is the debut book of Emma Finlayson-Palmer. It is due to be published on the 7th July 2022 by UCLan Publishing  (Preston University). The book is illustrated by Heidi Cannon and is part of a series of stories following the main character Autumn Moonbean. Younger readers can follow her adventures and life experiences. In this interview, we find out more about the book and the author. It is a chance to celebrate together the publication with a sparkle, a dance, and a flourish of magic. We hope you enjoy it and thanks for visiting. 

 

• Your first book is for 5-8-year-old readers, Autumn Moonbeam: Dance Magic and is due to be published in July 2022 (UCLan); what magical fantasy world have you created for the story?

Autumn lives in an area called Sparkledale in a country called Cauldronia, where creatures live and do similar things to me or you but with a magical twist. There are spell-a-visions and talking doorbells that will shout at you to answer the door, and a main character who dreams of one day joining a dance club, and going to the Aaarghlympics.

• Autumn Moonbeam is the main character of the book; how do you think younger readers will be able to identify with the character?

  Whilst it's not mentioned as such in the book, Autumn is autistic, and I hope some of her neurodivergent traits will feel familiar to younger readers. And certainly the anxious fluttering moths in her tummy, shyness, and sometimes being a little clumsy will be relatable to many readers. She's a worrier, but she's also kind and loyal and is determined to follow her dreams.

• As an adult writer, what process(es) do you undertake to write for this age group, and do you think you have got all of the aspects you wanted to include in the book right?

  I'm a mom to five children, worked as a childminder for over 13 years, been a helper in playgroups, and I'm also working as a lunchtime supervisor in a primary and have done for over seven years, so I've had a lot of experience around children who are the same age as Autumn and her friends. In truth, I never left that more playful stage myself, it was around the age of 8 or 9 that I knew I wanted to be a writer. I hope I've got all the aspects in that I wanted, and feel like I've created authentic characters (albeit witches and fairies and other magical beings), that children will be able to identify with or get excited by.

• The book is illustrated by Heidi Cannon; what can you tell us about the illustrations and how do they contribute to the storyline? 

  Heidi has done such an amazing job at bringing Autumn's world to life. Despite being an artist myself, I couldn't have imagined all the intricate details that Heidi has created. The illustrations are so much fun, and often there are small details to spot in the background. Heidi's images bring the words alive.

• What hurdles did you have to overcome to get your book published? Do you have any good tips for writers who are looking to get published?

  I have been writing for many years, and started off writing letters and short stories to magazines in the hope of getting into print. Once I discovered I especially loved children's fiction I tried writing for all different ages groups over the years and have discovered that I have a special love for the magic of chapter books. I would highly recommended reading as much as you can when you are a writer. It's one of the key things to being a good writer, I think. Read new releases, see what sort of stories are popular, and what trends there are, don't follow a trend, just learn from it. Most importantly, write something that excites you, because if that book gets an agent or publisher's interest you're going to be working on edits and talking about the same story a lot, and also your passion will shine through in your writing.

• You have a big passion for reading children's books; which book has recently caught your attention?

  I read a lot so it's hard to pin down just the one but I've recently read Three Girls by Katie Clapham, such a heart warming tale of friendship and a passion for running. I've also recently read the second Rainbow Grey book, Laura Ellen Anderson's books are an absolute joy to read and to see her stunning illustrations.

• What are your favourite blogs or websites for writers? 

  Write Mentor has been a wonderful and supportive community to be part of and I can highly recommend getting involved. The same with Write MAGIC too, such wonderful supportive writers with fun groups to take part in sprints and other writing activities. 

• Is there a dream you have yet to follow and could it make it into any future books?

  Ooh this is both a hard but really interesting question. One dream I've always had is to see the aurora borealis, that could definitely feature in a future story. I've also got my more unrealistic dream of being able to turn into a bird and fly, so that will definitely have to be lives through my writing!

DAN WALKER - THE LAST MONSTER - EXCLUSIVE BOOK COVER REVEAL - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books

 

Today we are really excited to REVEAL the stunning new book cover for Dan Walker's latest novel. We will be sharing it here and on social media. We are also doing a fantastic giveaway on our Twitter account @Enchantedbooks to win a great prize (see pinned Tweet for more details). 

This August, UCLan will be publishing the amazing MG adventure story, The Last Monster, by Dan Walker who is also the author of the Sky Thieves series. Anyway, this is the sequel to last year's book, The Light Hunters, which was also absolutely brilliant. With this new adventure, you can expect another fun and thrilling time - it's sure to be a hit with young readers looking for some much-needed escapism. The book cover has been created by the talented George Ermos who is one of my favourite book illustrators. He's produced so many great book covers - we absolutely LOVE this cover! 

Here is the blurb for the book to get you even more excited for the publication. 

The Light Hunters have fought Monsters for centuries and Squad Juno are the very best at it. From cities to villages, the young group’s abilities are on show for all to see now that their powers don’t have to be used in secret. Every victory they have prevents a Monster from taking more victims, preventing more loss.

Lux Dowd, Squad Juno’s healer, has had more than enough loss... But a more immediate loss is that of his powers. Lux can’t – or won’t – heal his teammates. Whenever he tries, a terrible energy comes from within and hurts the people around him. Lux can’t afford to lose anymore of those he cares about.

Sent on a mission that could end their war against the Monsters, the Light Hunters soon find themselves making new allies in their quest to unearth an ancient secret that may be able to stop the attacks. Could this really be the last monster they fight?

Amy McCaw - Mina and the Undead - Interview (Q&A) - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books #10

WELCOME to the Mansion of the Macabre. In the spirit of Halloween, we have a fantastic interview with Amy McCaw the author of the brilliant book Mina and the Undead. This is a fantastic YA read that has found many a fan since it was published in April 2021 by UCLan Publishing. If you like a good old scare and an intelligent read this is definitely the book for your Halloween treat. We hope this interview will inspire you to purchase a copy so check it out below and try to visit the author's website HERE. 

Readers of your book (Mina and the Undead) can expect a paranormal thriller. What else can they expect to find in the book?

Mina and the Undead definitely draws influences from different genres. At its heart, it’s a story about two estranged sisters who rebuild their relationship in unsettling circumstances. The book is set in New Orleans, so there are plenty of local myths and creepy settings. There’s also quite a bit of murder…

How would 17-year-old Mina (the main character in the book) describe herself?

That’s an interesting question! She’d probably describe herself as a lover of all things spooky, from serial killer stories and horror movies to graveyards and haunted locations. Mina has a difficult relationship with her family, and at the beginning she doesn’t feel like she belongs anywhere. She’s insatiably curious and can’t let something go if she thinks a wrong has been committed.

How do you process and use the ideas you have in the development and writing of this book?

I got most of my initial ideas from visiting New Orleans in 2012. I knew I wanted to include the local myths and amazing locations that I learned about during my visit. It was then a case of figuring out my plot, characters and the time period I would set it in. The story really came together when I figured out that the book would be set in the 90s. That gave me a whole decade of pop culture to draw on and set into motion a lot of plot points that have a 90s feel.

I tend to record ideas on a mind map initially. At first, it’s just a messy sprawl of thoughts. I then start organising the ideas that fit together into groups. Once I have enough elements of the story, I start plotting using bullet points. As soon as I’m too excited to put off writing any longer, I know it’s time to plunge into drafting.

Did any of the characters take you on a journey that you were not expecting?

Definitely! From very early on, I had an idea of the basic plot and I knew who all of the characters were. As I started writing, I realised that some characters had the potential to be red herrings, some would be wrapped up in the murder mystery, some would help Mina and some would get in her way. Some of those characters definitely surprised me and felt like they were taking on a life of their own.

How did you decide on the setting for the book?

From the moment I visited New Orleans, I knew I’d set a book there. This book was always set in New Orleans because it is so steeped in the city’s myths and locations. Mina is a Yorkshire girl (like me) who is fascinated with the city.

Is there anything that didn't make the final cut in the book? What was this and how did you work through the edits?

The main plot and structure of the book is quite similar to my early drafts. I had a clear sense of where it was going and future edits were about tightening and shaping the plot. The main scenes I’ve lost along the way weren’t particularly noteworthy, and that’s why I cut them. If they didn’t develop characters or move the plot on, they had to go. Sometimes, I need to write my way through a scene that I know will get cut, but I need it at the time to help me figure something out.

I tend to keep notes of future edits I want to make as I write. I do this in the comments on a Word document and I start lists of ideas and things I need to improve. On each round of edits, I work through these lists quite methodically, tackling one big thing at a time.

I understand that you love travelling. What is the most inspiring place you have visited and why?

I love visiting places with a rich history – that’s one of the things that drew me to New Orleans. Some of my favourite locations are castles, movie filming locations, catacombs and bookshops, so I enjoy places that have these features. Cities I would visit over and over again include New Orleans, Paris, Orlando, Los Angeles, Edinburgh and Lisbon.

I love reading books that scare me. What does your reading diet consist of?

I read mostly YA books, often with elements of horror, thrillers or mysteries. I also enjoy contemporary and historical YA when I’m in the right mood. I read some adult books (mostly horror and thrillers), Middle Grade, Manga and graphic novels too. I have very varied reading tastes, but I tend to gravitate towards spooky subjects.

What do you think is the most important element to get right when writing a YA horror book?

There are so many elements of YA horror, and my favourite books do different things really well.

I think atmosphere is really important. If you read books by authors like Kat Ellis and Dawn Kurtagich, their books simmer with a creepy atmosphere that builds to chilling scares.

I also think characters shouldn’t be neglected in horror. My favourite horror titles, like IT by Stephen King, have characters that you will cheer for and weep over.

Do you think films or books have particularly shaped your writing and the ideas within this book?

I’m definitely influenced by things I’ve read and watched. A lot of people describe Mina and the Undead as a love story to horror, and that’s definitely what I was going for. I found it really useful to know the tropes of YA mysteries and horror, so I could have fun leaning into them or turning them on their heads. I’ve been particularly influenced by 90s slasher movies, vampire movies and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Danny Weston - A Hunter's Moon - Book Review - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books

Are you looking for a Halloween read? Well, we recommend the latest installment by the cheeky author and man of mystery, Danny Weston. A Hunter's Moon was published by UCLan Publishing on 2 Sept. 2021. The reason for recommending this book is that it has none of the classical cliché monsters such as ghosts and vampires or monsters lurking under the bed. The author has something a little different to offer the reader; a nostalgic supernatural mystery that will make your toes curl. 

The book is set in Scotland; deep in the Forest of Tay. There are no modern distractions in the story as it has been set in simple times when folklore, myths, and word of mouth ruled the day. Instead, all the cinematic action happens under the cover of darkness. We walk and run the gauntlet of fear and mystery as the locals are attacked and begin to disappear. Farmers' sheep are ravaged by a beast summoned by the mysterious people called 'Walkers in the Woods'. 

The villain is a wealthy landowner, who chopped down large parts of the forest to build a hunting lodge. Whilst the two main protagonists (Callum and his master Fraser) hopefully come to save the day. Although, this does not quite go to plan! 

The story is brilliantly fine-tuned with distractions, mayhem, and a slightly romantic involvement that pulls the story together. It's a great earthy story with a moral in the tale and a read that comes with a warning; Don't go into the FOREST. Enter at your PERIL. Do you DARE? What more can you want from a great Halloween read? So don't hesitate, buy yourself a copy and get stuck in. Maybe read it in a forest near you. 

Bryony Pearce - Raising Hell - Book Review - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books

This is the latest book by Bryony Pearce which was published just this month (June 2021) by Indie publisher UCLan Publishing based in Preston. Raising Hell is a great genre-busting plot that will have you completely engrossed as you romp through this highly entertaining all-out action YA Horror. 

What did you do last summer?  Well, Ivy and her friends did a very stupid thing and now there’s a rift letting dark matter into the world. In walks one of the more colourful characters you are likely to meet this summer, Ivy Elisabeth Mann. 

Ivy and her Matchette (MATILDA) need to save the world from a zombie apocalypse and, even more so, from OURSELVES! As every teenager appears to be raising the dead with badly gone wrong black magic. The HELLHOUNDS are coming but Ivy's gran is trapped inside a cat! This is a very imaginative idea that makes the plot so chaotic and crazy that YOU will have to read it. You'll find yourself fully immersed in this dark fantasy twisted plot that has great depth. I liked the fact that all the main protagonists were generally females. 

Another aspect I really loved was feeding off the emotions of all the different characters involved in the book. Drama, tension, angst, and bags of personality are all skilfully weaved into this story web that tackles the dark forces of nature. Even though it's not meant to be funny, it did leave me chuckling in a few places. However, it might be just my sense of humour in the face of death and facing things from the darkest reaches of HELL! 

I hope you have been able to follow this fast-paced adventure that starts in a school and ends in the cemetery. The book is what I would call teenage COOL - it's very relatable and off the wall. You'll journey between London and HELL in the blink of an eye. It's a gothic rampage set in an urban fantasy slipstream. It's time for action so pick up this book and give it a read. GO on, I can guarantee you will LOVE it. 

Interview with Children's Author Tamsin Mori - The Weather Weaver (Mr. Ripley's Enchanted Books)

Hello Everybody. We hope you are all feeling more positive about the future. Reading is certainly a good way to help raise the spirits.  One of our children's book picks for March 2021 is The Weather Weaver by Tamsin Mori. The book will be published by UCLan Publishing on the 4th March 2021. We thought this was a cracking opportunity to contact the author and ask some questions to find out more about this wonderful book and the amazing cover you can see above. 

We really hope you enjoy reading this post as much as we did asking the questions. If you would like to know more about the author of the book you can drop us both a tweet on Twitter: @Enchantedbooks or @MoriTamsin Thanks for reading and have a nice day.

Can you reveal a bit more about the book than what the synopsis tells us? That's very tricky without spoilers, but hopefully, the answers to the rest of these questions will give you some clues.

When did you get the first idea about writing this book?

The seeds of the story were sown when I was very small. Whenever we went back to Shetland to visit family, I didn't want to leave. I realised that if the fog came in, the planes couldn't leave, and we'd get to stay a little longer, so I used all my powers of persuasion to call in the fog. I wrote poems, spells, secret recipes... And sometimes, it worked! Once, we got a whole extra week in Shetland. The fog had heard me. At that point, I became convinced that I had secret weather powers of my own. 

Stella, who is the main character in the book, discovers she is a Weather Weaver. What is a Weather Weaver and how important is this to the plot?

A weather weaver is someone who can choose the weather - usually with the help of a cloud who's taken a liking to them. 

Weather Weaving is fairly central to the plot - early in the book, Stella catches a small but very feisty cloud. Their early attempts at weather weaving are erratic, verging on dangerous. It takes a close relationship, an amount of self-awareness, and great deal of trust, to be able to conjure different weathers at will. Stella and her cloud find almost every aspect of that quite challenging! But with Tamar as her mentor, Stella is in good hands.

What made you write a book set in the Shetland Islands?

Shetland is my heart's home. Though I've never lived there, half my family are Shetlanders - my mum grew up in Scalloway. All the stories I loved when I was small originated in Shetland - both island myths and family legends - and they took root in my imagination. Most of the traditional myths belong to the land, or the sea - I wanted to write one that celebrated the wide, expressive Shetland skies.

What are the top things to do when visiting the Shetland Islands? (We'd really like to visit the Shetland Islands)

That could fill several books and besides, it depends what time of year you go there! 

In winter, there's the northern lights (the mirrie dancers), and the viking festival, Up Helly Ah! 

The Weather Weaver is set in summer, which is perfect for puffin spotting - the RSPB sanctuary at Sumburgh lighthouse is a great location for that. If you want to visit the broch which features in the book, the boat trip to Mousa is a must. You can see a multitude of amazing seabirds there - bonxies, guillemots, arctic terns, and storm petrels - and climb to the top of the broch for yourself! Though, fair warning, it's a long way up. In Lerwick, the Shetland Times Bookshop is a favourite haunt of mine (surprise!). The Shetland Museum and Mareel are both definitely worth a visit and the Peerie Shop makes outstanding Cullen Skink. There's also whale watching, the otter sanctuary, Shetland Wool Week, awesome food, incredible unspoilt landscape and empty beaches... sigh. I can't wait to get back there.

What emotions do you want the reader to experience when reading this book?

All of them! One of the key themes in the book is that there aren't any 'bad' emotions - every single one has its place and its purpose. Different weathers reflect and respond to our different moods - emotions as wide as the sky. Stella discovers that, though perhaps a little too late...

What would be your favourite type of weather day?

Bright and blustery, perhaps with a few showers and rainbows to liven things up a bit. Though having said that, I do love a good thunderstorm!

You went to eight different schools in your childhood. Do you think you have gained any skills/attributes by going to so many? 

I think it taught me self-reliance, and perhaps gave me an insight into the similarities and subtle differences between how people think and behave in different places. I wouldn't recommend it, but it was useful in the story. Stella experiences some of that sense of displacement and a deep longing to belong. 

What do you think of the book cover illustration and did you have any input into it?

I adore the cover illustration. David Dean has captured the full spectrum of weather magic, with Stella standing small and brave in the centre. I was bowled over when I first saw it: "It's like David read my mind!". My husband pointed out that it was more likely he'd read my book.

I was delighted that UCLAN publishing asked for my input, though to be honest, David created an illustration that immediately felt right for the book. The only thing I was picky about was Grandpa's but'n'ben (a type of small, simple building) on the back cover - it was a grand two-storey house in the first iteration. 

What books do you read for pleasure? Is there anything that stands out for you recently? 

I read a real mixture of books - middle-grade, YA, adult fiction, and non-fiction too. Some middle-grade books that I've adored recently are: Vi Spy, by the brilliant Maz Evans, The Castle of Tangled Magic by Sophie Anderson, and Gargantis by Thomas Taylor. I'm waiting impatiently to jump into A Tangle of Spells by Michelle Harrison, but my daughter has first dibs.

Philip Caveney - The Book of Secrets - Book Review - Mr. Ripley's Enchanted Books

It's always a real pleasure to read a new book by Philip Caveney. This is his latest offering, a thumping rip-roaring theatrical comedy that has been published by an independent publisher (UCLan Preston, England). The book was published in April 2020 and is another fantastic stand-alone Middle-Grade novel. It's very reminiscent of the author's previous epic book series SEBASTIAN DARKE which are all fantastic and very much worth seeking out if you're not familiar with them. 

The book starts with Boy riding across the desert with fantastic plans for the future. No sooner does he start his adventure when things begin to go badly wrong for him. Whilst on his way to the great city of Cherabim armed with the BOOK OF SECRETS, which contains his late father's brilliant inventions, he is cheated, robbed, and left for dead in the desert. One of the brilliant reasons I love reading books by Philip Caveney is that he always comes up with something different and exciting to read. He has a fantastic imagination and leads the reader to amazing places and unimaginable situations. 

As you follow BOY throughout this epic adventure you will encounter a brilliant group of eccentric travelling actors. Lexi, Pompio, and Grud (all fantastic characters) will charm you both on and off the stage.
The only problem is that their latest star is no longer part of the troop and they are looking for a new leading man - I wonder who might end up with this role? Events start to take on a medieval fantasy that is brilliantly captivating and highly addictive. The book is told with witty dialogue, funny banter and comical incidents that will leave you walking a tightrope of action on a stormy day.

Can Boy track down the all-important Book of Secrets? Can he lead the troop to theatrical success? These are all questions you will be asking yourself and ones that you will not be able to resist finding out the answer to. I can highly recommend that you raise the curtains and take the final bow in reading this magical escapade that has been written by one of the best authors around. It's full of surprises, mysteries, thrills, and more importantly tales of friendship with a hint of romance. Buy it and escape into a fantasy bubble for a few hours - leave these troubled times temporarily. With this book you'll find yourself clapping wholeheartedly for an encore.

If this review has not piqued your interest then why not read this one which has been written by a very harsh critic. Please follow me this WAY to find out even more.