‘Mother of Darkness is one intense piece of fiction, as Matty’s dreams evolve into the belief that he is the chosen vessel of a new god, Feracor. There are several strands of writing in the novel, including the psychotherapist’s reports; the life writing that she has suggested Matty attempt; and the ‘speeches’ of Feracor. Piece them all together, and the truth emerges eventually. The narrative pull of Welby’s novel in getting to that point is quite something.’

David Hebblethwaite reviews Mother of Darkness by Venetia Welby. You can read the full review here and get your copy of the book here today.

‘This was in December which was an unbearable time of year. Everyone else’s kids were coming home for Christmas and she was missing and forgotten about – at least that is how it felt. But in that split second I reacted in such an impulsive way. I felt upset and protective but most of all I felt an overwhelming sense of grief and anger. As soon as I’d posted the words, I sat there in the chair feeling sick – I was frozen.’

You can read Vanessa’s full interview with The Mirror here. The Truth Game by Vanessa Nicolson is out now and you can get your copy of the book here.

Vanessa Nicolson writes about her search for truth in the Sunday Times. You can read the article here and get your copy of The Truth Game here.

“I do share the recklessness that Rosa had. When I write, I need to say things that maybe I shouldn’t share. But at some level I don’t want to be sensible and careful – I want people to know how it feels.” Yes, I want to bring them up from the basement. Expose, remind, confront. It is risky.’

Read an extract from The Truth Game by Vanessa Nicolson publishing in Saturday’s Guardian. Read the extract here.

‘A moving, often unexpectedly funny, memoir with an interesting structure: each chapter is a pen portrait of someone who has played a pivotal role in the author’s life.’

Fantastic review of The Truth Game by Vanessa Nicolson on Just in Time. Read the full review here.

Local East London authors Venetia Welby and Anna Maconochie will be reading from and talking about their respective new books which share themes of transformation, identity, loss and delusion. For more information, see here.

The event is free, but please email info@bricklanebookshop.co.uk or call 0207 247 0216 to book your seat. You can get your copy of Mother of Darkness by Venetia Welby here.

Country Life gives a fantastic review of The Truth Game by Vanessa Nicolson. You can get your copy of The Truth Game by Vanessa Nicolson here today.

Val Hennessy has reviewed the spectacular Fire Child by Sally Emerson in her column for today’s Daily Mail. Read the extract below or find her full column at their website here.

Boy (pyromaniac) meets girl (nymphomaniac from age 12). Both hide guilty secrets and are lonely scribblers of hate-fuelled diaries. He burnt down the parental home, she caused deaths. Clearly theirs is a match made in hell.

They meet. Cold eyes gaze into cold eyes. Suddenly it’s all erotic thunder, lightning and lines such as: ‘My body ripples out in ecstasy’ etcetera. Phew!

But as this horribly compelling plot soars towards a cataclysmic climax, you do wonder how, with so much sex and skullduggery, the diabolical duo find time to write their gripping diaries?

Fire Child is the first of a series of six Sally Emerson novels reissued by Quartet over the coming year. Get your copy at our website.

Some photographs from the very successful launch of The City of Westminster, published by Quartet for the Sir Simon Milton Foundation, and held at the Halcyon Gallery, hosted by its CEO, Eran Akerman, on March 20.

Eran Akerman, Councillor Robert Davis (Deputy Leader, Westminster City Council) and Naim Attallah welcome the many guests

David Elliott (author),  Councillor Robert David, Naim Attallah and Maj. Gen. Matthew Sykes (Chief Executive, the Sir Simon Milton Foundation)

The book sells like hot potatoes

www.sirsimonmiltonfoundation.com

First stop of Sally Emerson’s Fire Child blog tour is a fantastic review by The Glasshouse Girls.

‘I have probably thought more about this book since finishing it than I have any other book I have ever read!’ – Casey Ravindran

‘This is a terrific thriller featuring two morally twisted but darkly fascinating protagonists’ The Mail on Sunday gives a brilliant review of Fire Child by Sally Emerson. Get your copy of the title here today.

‘It was rather apt that the launch of Fire Child and Heat by Sally Emerson, a new series of Rediscovered Classics from Quartet, was in candlelight. As a literary crowd, including Howard Jacobson, Simon Callow and Lord Saatchi, descended on 68 Dean Street, author Sally warned that Fire Child‘s dark heroine Tessa might be lurking in a corner. Yikes!’

Last week we celebrated the launch of Fire Child by Sally Emerson and Tatler Bystander Online covered the piece here. To get a copy of Fire Child go here now!