On treasuring print books
I find it hard to recall a time when I did not want to be a writer; it feels like it has always been part
Author: Hannah
Light in the darkness: Turning despair into hope in Concerto
‘A very small degree of hope is sufficient to cause the birth of love.’ So wrote one of my favourite writers, the 19th-century French novelist
Finding inspiration in literary tourism
On an ordinary street in Dumfries, Scotland, beside the River Nith, lies an extraordinary house. Moat Brae, which was built in 1823, is a quite
Moving beyond blind ambition in my new book, Concerto
In Concerto, when the hero and heroine first meet, they are young and full of dreams and a great deal of ambition. Catriona is a
Leaving a literary legacy with the Future Library
Have you heard of the Future Library project by Scottish artist Katie Paterson? The concept is simple, and very beautiful. In a Norwegian forest, 1,000
Publication day for Concerto in the UK
Today is the day! My new novel, Concerto, has been released in the UK. You can buy Concerto in print or as an ebook from Amazon.co.uk, Waterstones and
St Paul de Vence, where love and fantasy go hand in hand
In our life there is a single colour, as on an artist’s palette, which provides the meaning of life and art. It is the colour
An end to cinemas, and bookstores?
Cannes is just an hour away from my home in the south of France, and I always follow news of its film festival, held at
Guiding the blind: Taking inspiration from Jane Eyre
In my new book Concerto, music therapist Catriona comes to Lake Como to work with a new client. Umberto Monteverdi was once a famous pianist
On immersing yourself in reading
A recent article in the New York Times has attracted hundreds of comments from readers. It is entitled, ‘Why You Should Start Binge-Reading Right Now’.
A brief history of opera
‘Opera is complex for those who perform it, but also for those who listen to it. It takes more time, more patience and more spirit
On random acts of kindness – via books
‘A random act of kindness, no matter how small, can make a tremendous impact on someone else’s life.’ This quotation, from Roy T. Bennett’s book
The legendary roots of Lake Como’s mulberry trees
In England, children sing a nursery rhyme relating to the mulberry bush. The first verse is as follows: Here we go round the mulberry bush,
The Grand Tour of Europe: an influential tradition
Lake Como in Lombardy, Italy – the setting for my new novel, Concerto – draws visitors from far and wide for its stunning vistas: the
‘Save my child’: Writing of mothers in my novel Concerto
‘Motherhood: All love begins and ends there.’ So wrote the poet Robert Browning. In my new book, Concerto, the beautiful, all-encompassing love of the mother
‘Personal and yet universal’: Music to touch the deep recesses of the soul
I listened to a lot of classical music while writing my new novel Concerto, set on Lake Como, but one modern track featured regularly in
‘Seeing’ the story from the hero’s perspective in Concerto
I have always enjoyed fiction which offers multiple points of view on a story. It is traditional in the romance genre to tell a story
Spectacle, grandeur, beauty: a night at the opera
By far and away my favourite occasion as a child was a visit to the Alexandria Opera House to watch a ballet performed by a visiting
Rewarding readers – here, there, everywhere!
It is an indisputable fact that reading is good for us. Reading builds understanding and empathy – ‘We read to know we’re not alone’ (William
Lake Como: a ‘spot blessed by heaven’
At the heart of my latest novel, Concerto, is a great composer, Umberto Monteverdi. At least, Umberto was a great composer, until he lost his
Art inspiring art: why writers are drawn to art, and artists to literature
Here is my idea of a heavenly afternoon: spending time at an art gallery. I walk about and take in the body of works. I
Clara Schumann – a heroine for the modern woman
This year marks 200 years since the birth of one the greatest women of musical history, Clara Schumann. I write about Clara in my forthcoming
Villa Carlotta on Lake Como
Last week on my blog, I introduced you to Lake Como, the main setting for my new novel, Concerto. Part of the charm of Lake
A heartfelt ‘thank you’ to book reviewers
Advance copies of my new novel, Concerto, are now available for book reviewers, and can be downloaded via NetGalley: http://www.netgalley.com/catalog/book/161897. I’m excited to be sharing this book with
Why write? To tell the story that must be told
‘There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.’ So wrote the great American poet and author Maya Angelou. Her contemporary Toni Morrison
Welcome to Lake Como, bellisima setting for my new novel
My latest novel, Concerto, which will be published in August of this year, is set on Lake Como, in the Lombardy region of Italy. There,
The three Graces of Greek mythology
This marble statue is based on one sculpted by Antonio Canova for Empress Josephine between 1813 and 1816. Called The Three Graces, it depicted the
Proud to be published in beautiful Macedonia
Publishing my novels has been quite the adventure for me, and by far my favourite aspect has been connecting with readers. At first, my readers
Cover reveal for my NEW novel: Concerto
I am thrilled to be able to share with you today the cover and description for my seventh novel, Concerto, which will be published in
Writing about passion – and with passion
Readers of my fiction will easily notice a common theme in my writing: passion – between characters, of course, but I hope it is also