Chapters – Entitled or just a number?

Is it better to put a title at the beginning of each chapter in your book or should you merely put a simple number? I’ve never used chapter titles when writing my own books although I’ve absorbed them when reading other books.

What do chapter titles do?

They can act as promises of what’s […]

Books enjoyed in 2025

Selection of books read 2025

As in previous years, reading books has given me enormous pleasure. Let’s be honest, I’ve been a voracious reader since I was five. This year, I published a new thriller, Double Stakes, the sequel to Double Identity and Double Pursuit plus participated in a number of events and sat down to draft the next […]

Catherine Kullman: Writing a spin-off in a series

I am truly delighted to welcome writing friend Catherine Kullmann to my blog to celebrate the publication of her latest book, Lord Frederick’s Return. Catherine was born and educated in Dublin. Following a three-year courtship conducted mostly by letter, she married and moved to Germany where she lived for twenty-five years before returning to Ireland. […]

A Mischief of Murder – Helen Hollick

Today, I am delighted to welcome Helen Hollick back on my blog, this time to spotlight her latest release, A Mischief of Murder, the sixth in her cosy mystery series featuring Jan Christopher. Tea, flowers, scones, Devon cream, village intrigue – and a touch of murder.

Known for her captivating storytelling and rich attention to […]

A Shape on the Air – Julia Ibbotson

I’m delighted to welcome Julia Ibbotson to the blog to highlight her excellent time-slip novel A Shape on the Air. (Here in Roma Nova, time twisting is always attractive.)

Fascinated by the medieval world and the concept of time, Julia has written historical mysteries with a frisson of romance. Her books are evocative […]