#Suzy Aspley

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The Glencairn Glass launches ‘The Last Dram’ crime fiction anthology to raise money for charity @BloodyScotland @Brownlee_Donald @MaggiesCentres #Scottishbookfestival #Readers #Stirling

X Facebook Pinterest Threads WhatsApp Print The Glencairn Glass – the world’s favourite whisky glass made by Scottish company Glencairn Crystal – has launched a collection of gripping crime fiction short stories by up-and-coming crime authors. The anthology features tales from 16 different authors, all of whom have previously entered the Glencairn Glass Crime Short Story competition over…

[jenmedsbookreviews]

Crow Moon by Suzy Aspley

Today I'm sharing my review of Crow Moon, the debut thriller from Suzy Aspley @suzyaspleybooks @orendabooks @randomthingstours #books #bookreview #crowmoon #bookstagram #booksofinstagram #marthastrangeways

Today I am delighted to share my review of the debut novel from Suzy Aspley, Crow Moon. This is book one in the Martha Strangeways series and I can tell this is going to be a series to follow, especially if you love creepy, tension filled stories. My thanks to publisher, Orenda Books, for the advance copy, and to Anne Cater for the Tour invite. Here’s what it’s all about: Source: Advance Reader…

[malcolmreeds]

books i read in 2024!

so i got back into reading in 2023 after almost a decade of not doing it (thanks uni for killing the passion lol) and so last year i decided to make a list of all the books i read! here they all are in order followed with my thoughts (*=reread)

Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen Rebecca - Daphne du Maurier The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks Fight Club* - Chuck Palahniuk Lullaby - Chuck Palahniuk The Harpy - Megan Hunter A Voyage for Madmen - Peter Nichols Moby Dick - Herman Malville The Little Prince - Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Flatland - Edwin A Abbott The Left Hand of Darkness - Ursula K Le Guin Frozen in Time - Owen Beattie & John Geiger Superheavy - Kit Chapman This Is How You Lose The Time War - Amal El-Mohtar & Max Gladstone Affinity* - Sarah Waters A Room With a View - E.M Forster The House at Riverton - Kate Morton The Perfect Storm - Sebastian Junger Tell Me I'm Worthless - Alison Rumfitt Crow Moon - Suzy Aspley South: The Endurance Expedition - Ernest Shackleton The Hunger - Alma Katsu

as you can see i read some Absolute Bangers this year. there were only two books that werent for me and that was 'tell me im worthless' and 'this is how you lose the time war'. while it sounded interesting and there were some parts i really liked, the writing style of the former just really wasn't for me and the amount of sexual violence was not something i was expecting so that threw me off as well (there was a tw at the beginning so obvi no fault to the author there! i just personally wasnt expecting it to be the main plot of the book). the main qualm i had with it though is that there were no likeable characters, which is just not something for me as i like someone to root for when reading. i like a bit of escapism when reading but i dont mind heavy subject matter but oof the whole thing was a proper downer lol, just not for me personally!

for the latter it was So Hyped Up for ages so i decided to read it but all the way through the book i couldn't help but think that the two characters had fallen in love without ever meeting each other and in fact had only glanced at each other once across a battlefield. i know its probably not the point but i just couldnt help thinking about that and it just made the whole romance seem a bit silly to me? idk maybe that just the aro in me lol

2024 also marked the first time in my life id ever read non-fiction and besties i am absolutely HOOKED. read some really interesting true stories and have some more lined up for next year. i always thought it wasnt something i was interested in but i couldnt be more wrong, and being real life stories i think the perils and heartbreak hit me harder than fiction bc i Know that this really happened to someone.

anyway, choosing book of the year was Difficult but in the end i knew i could really only come to one conclusion. honourable mentions to 'pride and prejudice' and 'rebecca' - both completely changed me as a person, with the ending to 'rebecca' coming like a punch to the gut which i Still think about to this day.

however - i must give book of the year 2024 to 'a voyage for madmen' by peter nichols. as well as it being the first non-fiction book i had ever read, this book got me into boats and maritime expeditions and its now my number one interest! im not an emotional girlie but i cried my gd eyes out toward the end at the fate of one of the men, just absolutely harrowing to find out one of the men you followed through the entire book and rooted for through thick and thin ended his life not long after, hurts even more bc he was a real life person with real thoughts and feelings and desires and all that. got to thank this book to being my gateway to start reading about other boat journeys and now im Obsessed with doomed polar expeditions, particularly the franklin expedition of 1885, thanks peter nichols! 10/10 recommend!

there will definitely be more boat books in 2025 - i got apsley cherry-garrards biography of the terra nova expedition for christmas and am hoping to read that next! im also really interested in reading about the crew of the belgica in 'madhouse at the end of the earth'. im hoping to read 'house of leaves' this year as ive wanted to read it ever since i heard about it way back in the late 2000s but it was out of print, then a few years ago my sis+sil got me it for christmas! hope i find some absolute bangers this year!

[fictionophile]

"Crow Moon" by Suzy Aspley - Book Review @OrendaBooks #CrowMoon @Writer_Suzy #BookReview #BlogTour #MarthaStrangewaysInvestigation @RandomTTours

“When the crow moon rises, the darkness is unleashed…” Martha Strangeways has endured many traumas in her life. She lost her family at a young age and was put into care. Most recently, she lost her three-year-old twin boys in a house fire. More loss than most people can imagine… Martha works worked as an award-winning investigative journalist. She was attending a press conference when her partner…

[marypicken]

Crow Moon (Martha Strangeways #1) by Suzy Aspley @writer_suzy @OrendaBooks @RandomTTours

Crow Moon is a disturbing, highly atmospheric novel with a strong gothic streak and this delivers tension and suspense in spades.

Source: Review copyPublication: 14 March 2024 from Orenda BooksPP: 272ISBN-13: 978-1914585500 My thanks to Orenda Books for an advance copy for review When the crow moon rises, the darkness is unleashed… Martha Strangeways is struggling to find purpose in her life, after giving up her career as an investigative reporter when her young twins died in a house fire. Overwhelmed by guilt and…

[calturnerreviews]

#BlogTour – #BookReview of #CrowMoon by Suzy Aspley @Writer_Suzy @OrendaBooks @RandomTTours #RandomThingsTours #MarthaStrangewaysInvestigation #Debut #Scotland

I’m delighted to welcome you today to my stop on the blog tour for spellbinding gothic thriller Crow Moon by Suzy Aspley. Thank you to Anne Cater and Orenda Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this fantastic debut novel. About the book: When the crow moon rises, the darkness is unleashed… Martha Strangeways is struggling to find purpose in her life, after giving up her…

[alittlebitofjessicah]

LIFE: A response to cuts in Government funding.

A Notts community interest company that helps adults with learning difficulties or disabilities will next year celebrate its 10th anniversary. Jessica Hay reports.

LIFE has helped many adults who have learning difficulties and or disabilities in all areas of Nottinghamshire since it launched in 2007. The company was set up as a direct result of changes in Government funding within further education (FE).

LIFE is a not-for-profit community interest company that caters for adults aged 19-plus.

Company director Suzie Wright, says the changes within further education required students to progress onto an Entry Level One qualification and this heavily affected those adults who could not progress onto this higher level.

The 41-year-old from Bulwell, says: “At that time I worked within an FE college with adults who had learning difficulties and disabilities.

“These students had been attending the college for many years and had built up a safe and secure community.

“When the Government made the FE changes it announced that if a student couldn’t progress onto a higher level then they could no longer attend college.”

These changes meant that all students would need to show signs of progression and this impacted heavily on adults with learning difficulties and disabilities, as many were unable to progress to a higher level.

Due to the nature of their disabilities, they still needed the educational contribution to enable them to maintain skills that have a vital input to their quality of life.

LIFE is made up of three volunteers and now has 10 members of staff who work hard to promote social inclusion and the opportunity for students to work on the essential skills for life, to continue current skills, and to learn new ones.

The students at LIFE are offered the opportunity to gain hands-on work experience in the student kitchen, where the lunches are prepared each day in a safe, fun and supported environment.

Suzie says: “The majority of students that I was working with fell into this category and also into a gap in services, they were more able than the majority of people with learning difficulties within the day centres but were not at the level required to go into the government-led work preparation programmes and there was nothing in between.

“This meant the students would be without provision, would become isolated and lose many of the skills they had taken a lifetime to learn and build up.”

Suzie told how this affected her.

“It was at this point that I decided I needed to help these individuals and offer them the opportunity to be socially included within their community and to build on their current skills while giving them the chance to learn in a happy and fun environment,” she says.

LIFE was first set up in 2007 and initially operated from the Youth Wing, Aspley Methodist Church, Melbourne Road, however due to the ongoing increase in the number of students, which is now 60, the space was no longer big enough to cater for everyone.

Gym Instructor and support worker, Nathan Thompson, 26 from Bilborough, said: “I really enjoy having a laugh with some of the students and some of them like that banter to get them engaged with a range of activities.

“The premises where we are in Bulwell has more separate rooms, so we can deliver individual activities which makes it better for us to do one-to-one work if possible and where needed.”

Nathan has been a part of LIFE since December 2008 when he first volunteered.

On Monday, December 7, at Bulwell Riverside, some of the students and staff from LIFE set up a stall selling some of the knitted work the students had made.

The stall was made up of all sorts of items, such as knitted hats, hot water bottle covers, Christmas tree decorations, bags and blankets.

The items were priced at a range of £1 to £10 depending on the size and detail of the work. Some of the blankets were even sold for £40.

Christine Ball is a volunteer at LIFE and helps teach some of the adults how to knit on a Tuesday.

The 67-year-old was at the stall selling the pieces that the students had knitted.

She said: “It’s a lovely thing what LIFE do and we are selling some of the things they have knitted to help raise money and also raise awareness of all the wonderful things LIFE do for the adults there.”

Christine Alton, 68, is also a volunteer and helps with the kitting classes on a Tuesday.  

She says being a volunteer at LIFE is enjoyable and makes her feel happy to be part of something great.

LIFE runs regular evening sessions, which include a disco each Friday and every fourth Friday alcohol is made available.

At the back of the building they have a lovely outdoor space, which overlooks the river.

In this open space they grow a large variety of fruit including grapes, peaches, apples, plums oranges, nectarines and lemons as well as a variety of seasonal vegetables.

An interactive sensory room is now finished and ready to use.

LIFE’s main goal is to provide an ongoing and successful provision, which continues to enrich the lives of adults with learning difficulties to grow in size, possibly have an additional provision and expand on evening activities.

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It’s Festival Day! 🎉 Welcome to Bloody Scotland! #InfluencerTour @BloodyScotland @Brownlee_Donald #Scottishbookfestival #Readers #Stirling

X Facebook Pinterest Threads WhatsApp Print It’s Festival Day! 🎉 Welcome to Bloody Scotland! First, a massive thank you to Fiona Brownlee for inviting me to be part of the influencer tour, and a huge shoutout to the team at Bloody Scotland for my press pass! It’s an absolute honour to attend this fantastic festival and share my thoughts as I review the incredible events. Today, I’ll be…

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My Pick of the Panels: Secret Histories with Hugo Rifkind, Colin Walsh, and Ellie Keel @BloodyScotland @Brownlee_Donald #Scottishbookfestival #Readers #Stirling

X Facebook Pinterest Threads WhatsApp Print My Pick of the Panels: Secret Histories with Hugo Rifkind, Colin Walsh, and Ellie Keel My Pick of the Panels: Secret Histories with Hugo Rifkind, Colin Walsh, and Ellie Keel As we continue the countdown to Bloody Scotland, I’m thrilled to highlight the Secret Histories panel on Friday, 13th September, from 7-8 PM at Trinity Church. If you love…

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Facing My Fears at the Edinburgh Writer’s Forum- Book Promotion and Book Blogging with @portybelle and @kellyalacey @lovebookstours @forum_writers #bookpromotion #bookreviews #bookblogging

X Facebook Pinterest Threads WhatsApp Print Facing My Fears at the Edinburgh Writer’s Forum Last night was a milestone for me. Alongside the wonderful Joanne Baird from Portobello Book Blog, I was honoured to be a guest speaker at the Edinburgh Writer’s Forum. Joanne shared her invaluable experiences as a book blogger, while I wore my book promotion specialist hat to offer insights from…

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My Pick of the Panels: Debut Prize Panel @BloodyScotland @Brownlee_Donald #Scottishbookfestival #Readers #Stirling

X Facebook Pinterest Threads WhatsApp Print My Pick of the Panels: Debut Prize Panel My Pick of the Panels: Debut Prize Panel Continuing my highlights for this week, the Debut Prize Panel on Friday, 13th September, from 4:30-5:30 PM at the Central Library is one event I’m especially excited about. It’s a chance to discover fresh voices in Scottish crime fiction and hear directly from the…

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My Pick of the Panels: JD Kirk & Rachel Abbott @BloodyScotland @Brownlee_Donald #Scottishbookfestival #Readers #Stirling

X Facebook Pinterest Threads WhatsApp Print My Pick of the Panels: JD Kirk & Rachel Abbott In the lead-up to the Bloody Scotland festival, I’ll be sharing my picks of the panels that you won’t want to miss. With so many exciting authors and events, it’s hard to choose, but I have to kick things off with one that’s sure to be a festival highlight: JD Kirk and Rachel Abbott, taking place on…

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Why I Love the Bloody Scotland Festival@BloodyScotland @Brownlee_Donald #Scottishbookfestival #Readers #Stirling

X Facebook Pinterest Threads WhatsApp Print Why I Love the Bloody Scotland Festival Every September, Stirling becomes the ultimate destination for crime fiction lovers, and for me, Bloody Scotland is the highlight of the year. This festival goes beyond celebrating crime writing—it’s a chance to dive into fascinating stories, meet fellow readers, and connect with the authors who create the…

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#BookNews SHORTLIST REVEALED FOR THE BLOODY SCOTLAND DEBUT PRIZE 2024 @BloodyScotland @writer_suzy @OrendaBooks; @SpacemanDan13 @HarperNorthUK; @ResearchET(SA Press) @DougASinclair @Stormbooks_co; Martin Stewart @PolygonBooks

X Facebook Pinterest Threads WhatsApp Print SHORTLIST REVEALED FOR THE BLOODY SCOTLAND DEBUT PRIZE 2024 sponsored by The Glencairn Glass Winner to be presented onFriday 13 September 2024Launched in 2019, The Bloody Scotland Debut Prize celebrates its 5th Anniversary this year. Previous winners include Claire Askew (2019), Deborah Masson (2020), Robbie Morrison (2021), Tariq Ashkanani…