'Whittington Manor' by Claire Louise Voet is a finalist in 'The People's Book Prize' Spring 2013 Collection.

A big thank you to everyone who voted for 'Whittington Manor'.

The finalists will compete again. Further voting will take place between 21st to 29th May 2013 when the public will be asked to vote again for the 12 finalists in each category to determine the winner of that category’s People’s Book Prize 2012/13. The winners will then be announced at the 4th Award Ceremony on 29th May 2013.

Cast your vote for 'Whittington Manor'
TPBP Link for 'Whittington Manor'

The People's Book Prize is the unique democratic Book Prize voted exclusively by the public so it is the public who choose Britain's Next Bestsellers. Its goals are to discover new and unknown works, eradicate illiteracy and support reading uniting the community as a whole.

Supported by Patron Frederick Forsyth CBE the Award consists of prizes in three genres – fiction, non-fiction and children’s literature, The Beryl Bainbridge Award for First Time Author in honour of TPBP founding patron and as last year’s the Award for Best Achievement.

Claire Voet is the author of Whittington Manor. Claire's latest book - 'The Other Daddy - A World Away' is due out in Summer 2013.

 

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We wish Claire Voet the very best with this competition.

Historical saga that’s even stranger than fiction

Dudgeon’s Bridge

By Adrian L. Youseman

 

The 17th century Civil War split families and towns, killing by proportion more English men than WW1 and WW2 combined. The history we take for granted is littered with the prejudices of originating scholars and the editing of the victors from any given age. History has polished its account to let us believe that somehow it was the birth of our democratic nation, but this was no rite.
Dudgeon’s Bridge takes you through these times.
A boy is born into a town beset by the worst of these troubles and must struggle to make his mark, whilst trying to look after his family. This is the account that’s waiting to be told, for the monstrosity of war creates its children and just like so many of them, the truth is so often the first to be orphaned! ...Find out more

Book Savvy Spotlight on Natalie Mason

Bringing you exclusive interviews with authors featured in the Book Savvy Newsletter.

Our Guest is Natalie Mason*

Enjoy the interview.

Q1. Can you tell us a little about yourself and your book 'Poems and Rhymes for all Times?
I am 35 years old and live in Stockport with my husband and two children.
I have enjoyed a variety of jobs over the years including being a sports coach in schools. I currently work as a beauty therapist. I find this works well with my writing and I can enjoy them both.
My book is a collection of poems touching on various aspects of life. It is about life and its various stages in general - there are a wide range of poems that all can relate to.
 

Q2. What provided the inspiration for you to write this book?
I have written poems for my family from a young age; however it was never my intention to write a book at first. I got my inspiration for writing through daily life. Also I am quite sensitive to what others are going through and this inspires me to write.

Q3. At what times in your life have you had ideas for a poem or found yourself writing most frequently?
I found myself writing more after my grandparents passed away. Once I stared, I couldn't stop. It was then that I realised my poems were turning into a book of poems. I found myself writing most frequently at night, I would wake up quite often during the night with a string of words that I just had to write down - otherwise I couldn't get back to sleep.

Murder mystery on the Scottish Borders

The Laird of Castle Ballantine

By Harry Riley

...a strange and deadly mystery

It is 1964, Leonard McFadden - a brash, young cockney reporter for a national newspaper is dispatched by his editor to the Scottish Borders, to follow up on the strange case of Doctor James Parker. Along with a party of other journalists he attends a midnight vigil in a rain-sodden churchyard by the River Tweed.
Returning to the graveside in the early morning sunlight and suffering from a queasy stomach – the editor's golden boy, young reporter Leonard McFadden, staggers and grasps a tombstone for support, and plunges headlong into a strange and deadly mystery that fate has diabolically thrust across his path.

A breathtaking paranormal page-turner

The Other Daddy

By Claire Voet

A World Away

Two teenage girls have mysteriously disappeared from the small Scottish Orkney island of Eday. Eight years later in Cambridgeshire, seven year old Callum is trying to cope with his parents’ separation. He is behaving strangely – talking about his other daddy and a new friend - Jeremy. But who are they? and what is the link between Callum and Eday? Is this just a case of a little boy with emotional problems or is this something more sinister?
“…The Other Daddy – A World Away”…  FANTASTIC… it takes my breath away. This one, like the last one, will make an excellent film!
Review by Pat Jay, Heart FM Spain Radio

A refreshingly original idea! The back and forth movement between the past and present, Scotland and England, maintains the rhythm and tension. Great to read something different. Well recommended.Review by author Simon Hugh Wheeler