A Slice of Cake With... Laura Kehoe

This week I am delighted to have a slice of cake with Laura Kehoe.

Avid reader, writer, and coffee enthusiast. Laura love books in any shape or form and will gladly talk about them with anyone and everyone. Royal Thief is her first published novel.

In addition to her somewhat unhealthy obsession with books, she also loves spending time outside, snuggling with her cat, and eating her weight in cheese.

What kind of books do you write?

I write books about people who just want to mind their own business and maybe have a nice snack, but life has other plans for them. Sometimes magic and the occasional dragon are involved. 

Can you describe your writing why?

Ever since I can remember, I’ve loved stories. Reading them, writing them, watching them…I love it all. Stories have saved my life more times than I can count and I want to share that feeling with others. Plus, I love being able to create my own world and imagine what might happen!

Share with us your favourite passage from the book you enjoyed writing the most

Desini stepped back into the clearing, a pile of sticks in her arms. The fire was starting to fade, so she added more fuel. She didn’t say a word the entire time, but her frustration radiated off her like a bright, burning light.

From Royal Thief 

Tell us about your latest project

My latest project is about a woman who accidentally falls through a portal to a magical world and must find her way back home.

What is your favourite cake?

I’m a sucker for red velvet cake!  

Connect with Laura here:

Author Website: https://laurakehoe.wordpress.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16068177.Laura_Kehoe
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LauraKehoe2
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurakehoeauthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurathebookunicorn/

Join me next week when I will be having a slice of cake with Gina De Wink. 

If you would like to take part in A Slice of Cake With... please fill in the form found here. I'd be delighted to have you.

You can also support my writing endeavours and buy me tea & cake - it's what makes the world go round!

Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website clairebuss.co.uk. Join the discussion in her Facebook group Buss's Book Stop.

Tuesday Poem - Easter Magic

Where does the Easter bunny live Mummy?
Why on Easter Island of course. He’s guarded
there by the giant statues of Moai. Grim-faced
and determined not to share their secrets.
How does the Easter bunny make all the chocolate eggs, Mummy?
Careful now, tread on eggshells, consider the answer carefully.
This is cannon.
The bunny is magical my child, everything happens with magic.
You just have to believe and then the magic works.
Like the tooth fairy Mummy? And Father Christmas?
Yes! Relief floods as established lore can be used to cement reasons why.
Childhood innocence is too precious to ruin with
tired Mummy forgetfulness and failure that seems to dog every step.
Wonder must be cared for and guarded fiercely. The neighbour helps.
He is planning a secret Easter bunny doorstep drop.
The kindness of strangers a thousand-fold as he’ll buy chocolate eggs
and bunnies for my children, left in a basket with no note.
Magic confirmed. Wonder built. Innocence saved.
For one more year.
Next question. Mummy, how long was I a star before I was born.
Careful now…

Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website clairebuss.co.uk. Join the discussion in her Facebook group Buss's Book Stop.

A Slice of Cake With... Farzana Hakim

This week I am delighted to have a slice of cake with author Farzana Hakim.

What kind of books do you write?

I write all sorts of books. I’m a bit messed up like that because I’m not a one genre author! I’ve written contemporary fiction, literary fiction, and my latest projects are both historical. However, all my books have one thing in common which is the love element in them. I believe no story can be a complete story if it didn’t have a ‘love’ of some sort in it. 

Can you describe your writing why?

I guess I’ve always been writing. Writing stories kept me busy when I was little and when I was big, they kept me sane. The best stress buster is writing. And I’ll be an advocate of writing as a form of therapy forever. What motivates me most these days is the need to have my voice heard. I want to write about topics that women like me want to read about like women like them. (Does this make sense?). I want to bring diversity and colour in books and because my debut novel, Sweethearts of Ilford Lane, was appreciated for its bravery in tackling ‘taboo’ for women in my community, I am all the more determined to keep going with storylines that will cause gasps and emotional roller coasters. 

Share with us your favourite passage from the book you enjoyed writing the most

My favourite excerpt from Sweethearts of Ilford Lane:

The next few minutes the only sounds which could be heard in Hassan’s living room were the noises of transgression and dishonour being committed by none other than us two seventeen year old, clueless teenagers, who’d forgotten everything ever taught to them.

We had lost our way. Everything about that moment was wrong. The whole night was evil and corrupt. It was stupid and if I could take back time, believe me that night I would have stayed in my own room, fast asleep. Safe and chaste.

Not only the religious rules, we bypassed our culture, the values and norms which we had grown up learning and following. We crossed all the barriers set by family, set by etiquette and set by God.

We broke them all.

By letting Hassan near me, I was breaking my promise to Habib and Uncle and Aunty. I was committing the worst sin of all.

I was dishonouring my family.

But I swear I wouldn’t have let anybody blame Hassan for any of this because it was me who went to him. It was me who allowed him to suck all the morals out of me. I allowed him to strip all the layers of dignity and modesty which I’d proudly worn until then.

That night I was allowing Hassan to rip each bit of cloth away from my guarded self, revealing only my shame, my nudity, and my obsession for him.

I regret that night. It wasn’t meant to happen.

But it did. 

Tell us about your latest project

I’m currently working on Chief of The Atlantic, a historical fiction novel about slavery. My protagonist is an African Chief who is tricked and sold into slavery. But the Chief’s ego is huge and he can’t accept this fate. Instead, he jumps overboard into the Atlantic believing he has outwitted the slavers and that the Ocean will welcome him with open arms.

The novel revolves around his past story and his relationship with the Ocean. Lots of adventure, fantasy, romance and heartbreak in this one.

What is your favourite cake?

It’s got to be coffee and walnut cake, the kick, the crunch and the crumbs… nothing can beat a slice of this cake! 

Connect with Farzana here:

Twitter @farzanahakim
Instagram @farzanahakimauthor
Facebook @farzanahakimauthor

Join me next week when I will be having a slice of cake with Laura Kehoe. 

If you would like to take part in A Slice of Cake With... please fill in the form found here. I'd be delighted to have you.

You can also support my writing endeavours and buy me tea & cake - it's what makes the world go round!

Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website clairebuss.co.uk. Join the discussion in her Facebook group Buss's Book Stop.

Tuesday Poem - Late Night TV

Sitting on the sofa at the end of the day
Hardly moving, lidded eyes
Too tired to press the remote
Netflix plays on and on and on and on
There's no need to move
Thought about getting an early night
Four hours ago
Should really have been working or ironing
Or reading one of the many, many books
On my nightstand waiting to be explored
But my body is sunk into the couch
And I'm just melted in place
Hardly breathing, slurping hot tea
Made by my beloved husband
Whenever I ask him to
I recoup for a few hours, gathering some energy
To gather myself and turn off the TV
Just another five minutes until the end of the show
It's a gripping cliffhanger and
Netflix plays on and on and on and on
A season a night, new shows, old reruns
Just filling up time for no reason

Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website clairebuss.co.uk. Join the discussion in her Facebook group Buss's Book Stop.

When The Words Won't Flow

Sitting down to write is such an agonising process. 

I am not one of those people who can just sit down and write. I am also not a planner. So when I sit down to write it's always empty page syndrome. Most of the time I am able to pick up the thread from the day before and carry on but when the day before was three days ago, I struggle.

I admire those writers who can force themselves to sit down and type no matter what. 

I am only slightly jealous of those writers who can write at any time of day, who don't have any other demands to deal with. An entire day in front of them with no distractions. Imagine the possibilities. 

Not being able to write fills me with such guilt and that in itself is a huge block to creativity.

It adds fuel to the self-doubt fire that I'm not good enough. I'll never earn a living selling books. No-one cares about what I'm doing. I can't write good. 

That's when I know I've hit word bottom. For me, it means taking a break. Which doesn't help the guilt machine but it is what it is. I've learnt that I'm a fits and starts writer and I guess I just have to accept that.

So what exactly is my writing advice? Find what works for you and don't worry if it's not what 'they' say you should be doing. Forcing yourself to conform to whatever the expected norm is never works and will just make you miserable. Sadly that doesn't stop you from feeling rubbish when others seem to be getting stuff done and you seem to be going nowhere BUT your journey is yours and yours alone. It may go straight from A to B, it may meander a lot, it may get a flat tyre or be diverted. I think you get the metaphor. 

At the end of the day if you're doing one thing towards your creative project every day then progress is being made. Just one thing a day soon adds up and when you take a moment to pause and look how far you've come, you'll be impressed.

Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website clairebuss.co.uk. Join the discussion in her Facebook group Buss's Book Stop.

A Slice of Cake With... Kim Kimber

This week I am delighted to have a slice of cake with Kim Kimber, co-founder of Light Bulb Quizzes.

Light Bulb Quizzes are a group of Supernatural fans who publish a series of quiz books. 

It all started as an evening of fun, testing one another on their knowledge of Supernatural, which led to the idea of publishing a book that the SPN family worldwide could enjoy. The Supernatural Quiz Book Season 1 was the result and the positive response by fans encouraged them to keep going and produce books on all of the series.

Each cover comprises original artwork by a Supernatural fan and every book contains 500 questions on the actors, writers, cast, characters, production team, monsters and spirits, soundtrack, quotes and general trivia, as well as every episode of that series.

Light Bulb Quizzes aims to celebrate all the talent that has gone into making Supernatural so popular and enduring and provide a recap of the road so far...

Kim is also an experienced UK copy-editor, proofreader and writer who is passionate about the written word in all its forms and a stickler for getting it right, from a single blog post to a lengthy manuscript.

What kind of books do you write?

At Light Bulb Quizzes, we generate quiz content and our current focus is on the cult American TV series, Supernatural (not to be confused with the paranormal in general). Each of our books concentrates on one season of the show and contains 500 questions and answers. So far we have published 13 titles in the series and 3 bumper books (each containing 3 seasons).

Can you describe your writing why?

I have always written, in one form or another, alongside working as an editor. A few years ago, I was invited by a publisher to compile questions for quiz books on musical artists and local history, amongst other topics. That led to my researching and writing questions for the QuizUp app and creating content for various quiz-based games sold by well-known retailers. My daughters are fans of Supernatural and suggested we start our own imprint, compiling questions about the show. The first, and subsequent books, were so well received by fans, we’ve just kept going. We never imagined the series would run to so many seasons (Season 15 is the last). 

Share with us your favourite passage from the book you enjoyed writing the most

That is hard to do for quiz books. Our first book is, perhaps, the one we enjoyed working on the most as that is where all started, although compiling each book is a pleasure and a new challenge.  

During the pandemic, we’ve missed going to conventions and meeting fans, as they are always supportive and provide valuable feedback. Here’s a little taster from that first book. It’s a question about actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan (John Winchester) one of the stars from the first series I had the pleasure of meeting and talking to about our books.

Q) In which 2005 film noir thriller did Jeffrey play the role of Detective Cole Davies?

A) Chasing Ghosts

Tell us about your latest project

We are currently combining earlier books in the series into Bumper books, the latest being The Bumper Supernatural Quiz Book Seasons 7, 8 & 9. We are also busy writing questions for Seasons 14 and 15. Now that the series has ended, we hope our books will be a lasting legacy to Supernatural.  

What is your favourite cake?

Everyone at Light Bulb Quizzes loves cake (who doesn’t?). Personally speaking, a few years ago, I had chocolate orange cake at a café in Westcliff (sadly, now closed) and it was the best thing I ever tasted, so that has to be among my favourites. My own version always falls short. I wish I had their recipe.  

You can connect with Kim at her website: kimkimber.co.uk, on Twitter @LightBulbQuiz and on Facebook. 

Join me next week when I will be having a slice of cake with Farzana Hakim. 

If you would like to take part in A Slice of Cake With... please fill in the form found here. I'd be delighted to have you.

You can also support my writing endeavours and buy me tea & cake - it's what makes the world go round!

Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website clairebuss.co.uk. Join the discussion in her Facebook group Buss's Book Stop.

When It All Goes Wrong

Life seems to enjoy going wrong. Whenever you think you've got your ducks in a row, do not get complacent! Things will start cocking up. It's almost best to not think about things going well to be honest. You don't want to jinx it. Let me give you an example.

If you've been following my author news and wotnot, you'll know that I'm currently recording - or at least attempting to record - my very first audiobook. 

First I paid for a course and took notes on what mic to buy. I got the wrong one. And an unnecessary mixing deck. I also got the wrong mic stand - twice. Fast forward a couple of months and I have rectified my costly mistake with the purchasing of an even more expensive mic. And constructed a semi-sound booth in my bedroom. All seems well at this point.

However, my laptop wouldn't recognise the mic. Then my recording program wouldn't recognise my mic. Then the recording program wouldn't work with my mic. Then there were weird knocking noises in the background. And the nine chapters I'd recorded were no good. Turns out I hadn't quite bought all the equipment I needed. Another fifty quid in the hole and I've got a fancy shock mount and am about ready to throw the whole lot in the bin. 

Recording can finally begin. Frustration levels are high. No double-glazing means external noises are a problem, hence my little recording nook in the bedroom. But noisy children means recording has to happen in the evening, pausing for supermarket vans, fast food and Amazon deliveries, cars parking and emergency sirens. 

All the recording gods seemed to have aligned and progress can be made. Then my new neighbours moved in. They're not as quiet as the old ones. We've had one or two noisy nights, a blip not a natural state I hope but it certainly felt like it had all gone wrong again. 

I push forward with caution. There's still plenty of time for calamity. 

Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website clairebuss.co.uk. Join the discussion in her Facebook group Buss's Book Stop.

A Slice of Cake With... Sherry Perkins

This week I am delighted to have a slice of cake with Sherry Perkins.

Indie author Sherry Perkins has a natural curiosity and love for life-long learning. When not on the beach collecting shells or sea glass, she can be found in her garden avoiding the snakes or following the Dave Matthews Band to snake-free venues on the East Coast. During a once in a lifetime visit to Northern Ireland, she was inspired to write the beginning lines to what would become the Will-o’-the-Wisp Stories. The Wisp Stories are serialized tales of well-known folklore, reimagined in a contemporary form with small-town sensibility and scientific inquiry added. Books in the Wisp Stories have previously been short-listed for “best in genre” at the Paranormal Romance Guild Reviewers Choice Awards. In addition to the Wisp Stories, she has written blended genre sci-fi thriller and romance, or cozy murder mysteries. Her books invite the reader to imagine what they might do in tough situations and challenge beliefs—because as she learned in Northern Ireland, nothing is what it seems and you really should leave a saucer of milk with a slice of cake at the back gate every night if you want to keep in the good graces of the wee folk (and maybe banish the garden snakes).

What kind of stories do you write?

Once upon a time…the bulk of the stories I write are about real places, in contemporary settings with characters who have very human needs—except all of the characters are not quite human, some are killers, plus there is a sprinkling of enchantment or otherwise magical happenings and romance.

Can you describe your writing why?

I have stories to tell. They will not be quiet or stay hidden in my imagination for want of being told, shared with those who want to believe in something more than what they know or expect.

Share with us your favourite passage from the book you enjoyed writing the most

From These Are for Tears:

“Boy, I tell you this, if it were not for your mother, you would be dead and long gone for running that gobhole of yours. Every-fecking-thing you do concerns me. You would do best not to forget that.” 

“Because I am your loyal subject, d’ya mean?” Connor asked. 

“You watch your mouth!” The Erl leaned back in his chair. “It is more because I cared for your mother and less because you are a loyal subject.” He paused to consider his words. “And it is because of Morgan. She’s something in mind for you lads. To be sure, I truthfully can’t suss what it might be. That disturbs me a bit, it does.”

Connor snorted. “Well, that would make at least two of us.”

The Erl frowned. “Boy, you understand she continues to feel love for Tiernan, even as she is married to you. I don’t know if I like the dynamic of it. There’s more to it than what is on the surface. That is what’s of primary concern here. Morgan’s feelings for Tiernan might be what vexes me. It might be that I know you are keeping something from her. Or she is keeping something from you. Or that slowly and quite deliberately, she is teasing you away from Em—you and Tiernan, both. It creates an imbalance of power. I won’t have it. Do you hear me, boy?”

“You should have thought about that before you put the crazy twit on the throne, if you were so worried about the balance of power!” 

With a tolerant smile, the Erl pushed away from the table and stood. He leaned close to Connor. “Your wife, she is not to be trusted.”

“Not to worry,” Connor said. “Neither am I.” 

Tell us about your latest project

What started as notes I’d collected on a trip to Portrush in Northern Ireland quickly found itself a serialized telling of the adventures of an American student abroad, soon to graduate from the University of Ulster, who discovers—quite by accident—fairies do exist, and they are not the gossamer-winged, pixie-dust sprinkling beings she’d been told about as a child. No, faeries are complex beings with emotionally driven behaviour, a long memory, and an unforgiving code of conduction and behavioural expectations.

These Are for Tears is the newest release in the Will-o’-the-Wisp Stories, the third in the serialized tales about Morgan Patterson and the man of her dreams, Sgt. Tiernan Doherty. But he’s neither a man nor your typical sergeant in the PSNI; he’s a card-carrying faerie lord with a past that is catching up with him and Morgan.

And Morgan? Well, she’s not the innocent by-stander she seems to be…

What is your favourite cake?

I suppose my favourite is a Lady Baltimore cake or a good red velvet cake with pistachio cream cheese icing. 

I've never heard of that one before, looks good though. You can connect with Sherry here:

Webpage: www.whatyouwishedfor.net

Amazon author page: www.amazon.com/author/perkinssherry  

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sherryaperkins  

Twitter: www.twitter.com/SherryP37399883  

Instagram: www.instagram.com/sherry19950

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/17950062.Sherry_Perkins 

Or write to her at G-mail: perkins.sherry.SP@gmail.com 

Join me next week when I will be having a slice of cake with Kim Kimber. 

If you would like to take part in A Slice of Cake With... please fill in the form found here. I'd be delighted to have you.

You can also support my writing endeavours and buy me tea & cake - it's what makes the world go round!

Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website clairebuss.co.uk. Join the discussion in her Facebook group Buss's Book Stop.

Tuesday Poem - Nursery Girl

My little girl is a big girl now
With no frown across her brow
As she strode confidently up the ramp
Not so little feet going stamp stamp stamp
She had her coat and backpack too
Spare clothes in case she missed the loo
Ready to play and have lots of fun
Outside too regardless of no sun
Making new friends with other girls and boys
Sharing smiles, snacks and sometimes toys
Mum's the only nervous wreck
Pacing footsteps worn out the deck
Got there early to pick her up with glee
She was, of course, super pleased to see me
Had a good time, did really well
Already ready for tomorrow's bell
Think she'll be tired later I'm sure
Rest now before we're back out the door
Got to pick up big brother at three
Then drag 'em all home for some tea
It feels like it's gone in a sparkly whirl
Day one done for my nursery girl

Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website clairebuss.co.uk. Join the discussion in her Facebook group Buss's Book Stop.

And... they've gone

Monday 8th March - the day the schools in the UK reopened. Whether this is a good thing or not with regards to the R-number, it cannot be denied that this is a good mental health day.

I woke up in a good mood. I did my yoga, had a shower, got me and two children breakfasted, dressed and groomed and I didn't lose my cool once. That's amazing. 

Both my kids were in such a good mood. They've been great through lockdown, but they've had some grotty days when all they've wanted to do is bicker. They are both so excited to return to school. It's my little one's first day of nursery and she was so brave. She practically ran straight in, no bother. I hope she has a wonderful time.

And my boy. My crazy, wonderful, autistic boy who won't let us give him a haircut... he was buzzing at being back in school with his teacher and his friends. Less enthused about doing school work but I reminded him it was Science Week and that seemed to do the job.

I came home and for the first time in forever, I smashed my daily word count on my work-in-progress before 10am. I feel amazing. I'm also freezing cold but I've managed two hot cups of tea. An also amazing feat. Today is the kind of day when great things get done. 

Shame I've got a huge pile of ironing to tackle lol. Still getting that done later will be another load off my mind. And I will have the time and the mental energy to be a super cool mum when they get home. All I have to do now is figure out what to cook for dinner. 

Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website clairebuss.co.uk. Join the discussion in her Facebook group Buss's Book Stop.

A Slice of Cake With... Rachel Ford

This week I am delighted to have a slice of cake with Rachel Ford.

Award-winning author Rachel Ford is a software engineer by day, and a writer most of the rest of the time. She is a Trekkie, a video-gamer, and a dog parent, owned by a Great Pyrenees named Elim Garak and a mutt of many kinds named Fox (for the inspired reason that he looks like a fox).

What kind of stories do you write?

I love creating complex worlds with deep mythologies and lots of fantasy races. I enjoy writing about worlds where jötnar, elves, dwarves, mortals and dragons co-exist – though not always well, of course. And my fantasy novels have to include a dash of magic, a bit of mischief, a sprinkling of mayhem and a touch of mystery. 

Can you describe your writing why?

I’ve dreamt up stories ever since I was a kid, and I’ve always loved telling them. Writing allows me to tell them to people all over the world. Which is basically a dream come true.

Share with us your favourite passage from the book you enjoyed writing the most

In a way, it looked like a typical day for the season. The area lay under a heavy blanket that, at a glance, could have been fog. Sleet beat down on the earth, and the wind howled and raged. It could have just been the first real storm of the season rolling in.

It wasn’t. It was part first storm, and part murder and mayhem. Which was a first, alright – a first for me as knight of the shire. But not the first time our shire had seen this, or even the Callaghan keep. There was a reason my ancestors had built elven magic into these walls. They’d fought dragons. They’d seen fields covered in dragon smoke so thick it looked like fog.

But I hadn’t. South and North had been at peace longer than I’d been alive. Except now we weren’t. Now, as of a few hours ago, we were at war.

Excerpt from High Protector, book three of my Knight Protector series.

Tell us about your latest project

My latest project is a GameLit series, Beta Tester. Jack Owens, the protagonist, is trapped inside a fantasy RPG. I love this series because it combines all the excitement, the high stakes, and the adventure of epic fantasy with the endearing quirks and addictiveness of a videogame. Along with the angry dragons, wicked goblins, deceitful magicians, Jack must also contend with annoying NPC’s, untimely bugs, and useless companions. It’s been a pleasure to write. 

And, of course, my “research” (playing my favorite RPG’s…) is a nice perk, too.

What is your favourite cake?

Ohh, this is tough. I suppose I would have to say pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting (although a turtle cake – rich chocolate, sweet caramel, and roasted pecans – is a very close second). Hmm…now I want cake. 

They both sound lovely! You can connect with Rachel on Facebook: facebook.com/rachelfordauthor

and all her books are on Amazon.

Join me next week when I will be having a slice of cake with Sherry Perkins. 

If you would like to take part in A Slice of Cake With... please fill in the form found here. I'd be delighted to have you.

You can also support my writing endeavours and buy me tea & cake - it's what makes the world go round!

Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website clairebuss.co.uk. Join the discussion in her Facebook group Buss's Book Stop.

Tuesday Poem - Stayed The Same

The number has stayed the same again
This has caused me anguish and pain
I can't believe it hasn't dropped some
After all the hard work I've done

There were jelly babies and liquorice allsorts

Pringles and digestive biscuits

Chips and crisps and Haribo too

A cheeky Chinese and a Maccy D's

Several tubs of vegan Ben & Jerry's

I've worked out every day with good old Joe

Daily yoga with Adrienne too you know

I've walked more with the kids getting fresh air

And danced around the living room like I just don't care

I haven't drunk my water and I finished all the sherry

Too many cups of tea and slices of toast with butter

I can't eat dairy it's true but dark chocolate bars

Keep finding their way into my online shopping

Along with vegan goodies I must try

I've sweated and grunted and groaned

Resisted the urge to scroll on my phone

Done abs and weights and running around

Knackered my bad knee into the ground

I've ached and swapped rest days but never given in

Apart from last Sunday when enough was enough

I'm not sleeping, so tired

And grumpy too, snapping at everyone in my space

It's no surprise the scales haven't moved

I'm getting older, getting slower, taking longer to heal

But I've got to stop messing around as I feel

Unless I sort out my head and get going

I'll head into my 40th year knowing...

She could've done better. 

Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website clairebuss.co.uk. Join the discussion in her Facebook group Buss's Book Stop.

Silk Thief Sent To Betas

It is with great relief that I can say The Silk Thief has gone to beta readers. I'd love to be able to say that I won't think about the novel for the next month but we both know that's not going to be the case. I shall be wondering whether they like it or not, whether the plot worked or not, whether they got all the in jokes... or not. Hmm. Could be a long month.

The Silk Thief release on 4th June and you can pre-order your Kindle copy by clicking here.

In case you missed my earlier post revealing the blurb, here you go:

Fourteen, heir to the Empire of Roshaven, must find a new name before Theo, Lord of neighbouring Fidelia, brings his schemes to fruition.

Not only has he stolen Roshaven’s trade, but he plans to make Fourteen his own and take her empire in the bargain.

Her protector, Ned Spinks, is plagued with supernatural nightmares whilst his assistant, Jenni the sprite, has lost her magic. 

Can they figure out how to thwart Theo’s dastardly plan before it’s too late for his city and her empire? 

PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY

The Silk Thief is the second quirky magical mystery adventure set in the Roshaven series of humorous fantasy novels. If you like the wit and humour of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld, then you’ll love The Silk Thief.

"But I haven't read the first book!" I hear you cry. Not to worry. The Rose Thief is available in paperback and ebook everywhere - just click the book cover below to get your copy.

Someone is stealing the Emperor’s roses and if they take the magical red rose then love will be lost, to everyone, forever.

It’s up to Ned Spinks, Chief Thief Catcher, and his band of motley catchers to apprehend the thief and save the day.

But the thief isn’t exactly who they seem to be. Neither is the Emperor.

Ned and his team will have to go on a quest; defeating vampire mermaids, illusionists, estranged family members and an evil sorcerer in order to win the day. What could possibly go wrong?

The Rose Thief is the first quirky magical mystery adventure set in the Roshaven series of humorous fantasy novels. If you like the wit and humour of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld, then you’ll love The Rose Thief.

I'll update you in April with the beta reader feedback - cross your fingers!

Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website clairebuss.co.uk. Join the discussion in her Facebook group Buss's Book Stop.