Being Bookish

Welcome back to another episode of Being Bookish. I felt like I wanted to balance out all the incredible fantasy I've been reviewing with another cosy mystery, so I did a quick search of my shelves and came up with Suk Pannu's first Mrs Sidhu novel, Dead and Scone.
For me, this cosy mystery has everything you could want: a cold case, an intriguing present-day murder (or three), a curious and determined amateur sleuth, family conflict, a potential desire for revenge and aubergine bhajis prepared and cooked in a bathroom (you read that right).
So, how did this novel compare to others I've read in the genre? Is it one you'll want to pick up? That's for you to decide. But as always, I dive into what others thought before sharing my personal view.
Grab a coffee, pick up your favourite snacks...or perhaps plug in those headphones and listen on the train!
Cosy Mystery Playlist

In another bonus episode, I am joined by author Sloane Brooks to talk about what happens when sci-fi, fantasy, and romance collide in her latest novel, Written in Starlight, a bold genre mashup that follows Della, Ansel, and a layered mystery stretching between the world of Lumeria and a mysterious library that may hold the key to everything.
Sloane talks about how she wove three distinct storylines into one propulsive narrative, how Ansel's unforgettable found-family crew came together, and what it really takes to structure a complex, multi-threaded novel without losing the reader (or herself) along the way.
We talk about everything from her revision process, publishing timelines, the themes of identity, belonging, and love that beat at the heart of the book, and the relationship choices she agonised over. We also go into how she blended what would have been two books into one!
Sloane also shares where Written in Starlight fits into today's booming sci-fi and fantasy landscape, which beloved scenes landed on the cutting-room floor, and what readers can expect next in the series.
Whether you love fantasy, science fiction, or romance, this book could be the perfect one for you. So grab a coffee, put in those headphones and give this bonus interview a listen before picking up the book!

Sloane's Links
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In this week's bonus episode, I'm joined by author Charlotte B. Plumb to talk about her debut, Reap and Sow, a gothic fantasy duology about Eda, a young girl whose father placed her and her two older brothers in an untenable position, bargaining with a demon! In order to rescue her brothers from death, she strikes a dangerous pact despite knowing such bargains always end badly.
We dig into the inherited debt that shapes Ida and her siblings, the life-trading magic system at the story's heart, and what really makes someone monstrous: appearance, or the things they put into the world.
Charlotte shares the origins of Kit and the enigmatic Mr Night, why Kit and Eda work so well as foils, and the side characters (including Robin) who bring heart and humour to the darkness.
And because it wouldn't be an author episode without it, we also talk about the craft of writing! Why her debut became a duology, Charlotte's pantser-or-planner process, and the advice she'd give to any writer still chasing their first book deal.
So, grab a drink, light a few candles, and join me for this gothic fantasy exploration.

Charlotte's Links
Instagram
Website
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In the second episode of this week, I am joined by author Martha Waters to talk about her brand-new novel, Spellstruck.
The story is set in a magical 1920s Britain where spellcasting is outlawed and the class lines cut just as deep as the magic.
We talk about the interwar history Martha wove into the world-building, the opposites-attract chemistry between Vesper and Max, and the family drama and mystery threads that keep the romance from ever feeling small.
Martha also opens up on the craft: whether she drafts in order or jumps around, how she paces herself to avoid burnout, and what finally pushed her to pursue publication. It's a conversation about why romantasy is quietly reshaping publishing, what the interwar years still have to teach us, and how the best romances earn their happy endings by making the world around them feel real.

Martha's Links
Website
Instagram
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This week, in the first of two episodes (a rarity since my early Not Before Coffee Days), I am joined by bestselling author J.R. Ward to talk about the latest instalment in her massive Black Dagger Brotherhood series, Lover Enthroned. Why she jumped the timeline, how the series became a TV adaptation, and what it's like building a fictional universe fans have lived in for two decades.
We talked about everything from dark romance, vampires, and paranormal fantasy, and she makes an unflinching case for romance readers and writers in a publishing world that still seems to have a less-than-positive view of the genre. She shares what she admires about today's author business, how she approaches fandom and collectable editions, and how she keeps a long-running series accessible to new readers while planning connected arcs.
Along the way: what makes a darker romantic hero believable, why representation matters in romance, the leap from lawyer to author, and how Ward defines success across books, adaptations, and sheer persistence.
So grab a coffee, get your headphones ready and give this one a listen...it's an interesting and exciting ride!

JR Ward's Links
Website
Instagram
Buy the Book