Marisa Calin is an actress, novelist, and Earphones Award-winning narrator born in England and educated in New York at the American Academy of the Dramatic Arts. An artist with a flair for everything literary, she has written a young adult novel, You & Me, which received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews.
The Bells of Westminster (2024) Leonora Nattrass "A cast of wonderfully unique characters, a beguiling mystery, a beautiful and atmospheric setting, historical accuracy and masterful storytelling... An intriguing and highly amusing read, which I highly recommend."
Circus of Mirrors (2024) Julie Owen Moylan "With hints of Atonement, this is an epic novel, spanning decades as it explores with compassion and humanity the relationship of two sisters torn between the love and obligation they feel towards one another, and their desire for freedom and a better life that will split them apart. It's about secrets and hidden truths and the deep and long-lasting consequences of both. Above all it's a story of missed opportunity, chance, guilt, love and forgiveness. I devoured this novel with its rich, vivid prose and its complex characters, tossed into conflict and dire circumstances through no fault of their own. A deeply thought-provoking and emotional story I will be thinking of long after I finished the final page. Utterly luminous."
Wartime on Sanctuary Lane (2024) (Sanctuary Lane, book 1) Kirsty Dougal "A big-hearted book which had me glued from beginning to end. With a sassy, brave and instantly loveable character in Ruby, I was with her through every step, high and low, in this wonderfullly engaging novel. Be prepared to have a few tissues to hand as this is both an emotional and heartwarming read! Impeccably researched, the author brings the East End of London during the first world war vividly to life. I recommend this book to animal and historical fiction lovers alike!"
The Day Shelley Woodhouse Woke Up (2024) Laura Pearson "Get your box of tissues ready when you read this book. Laura Pearson has written another beautiful story with a great emotional punch, and I loved every minute of it. A tough, eye-opening and important story told with compassion and sensitivity and characters who came alive on the page.An absolute must read."
Clickbait (2024) L C North "Clickbait is fiendishly clever and fast-paced, with so many twists and turns, it's impossible to predict where it is going next. It is also a fascinating take on online fame, the obsessive nature of it, and the lengths some people will go to satisfy their addiction. A terrifying reflection of the modern celebrity, brilliantly told. I absolutely loved it!"
The House on Rye Lane (2024) Susan Allott "A wonderfully atmospheric, darkly brooding novel which had me transfixed from the first page to the last... a novel to lose yourself in, to savour, and one which will linger, disturbing and magnificent in equal measure, long after it is finished."
The Life I Stole (2023) Nikola Scott "A fascinating novel packed with intrigue, heart and emotion. The author brought the realities and attitudes of post-war London to life through a complex and delightful character for whom I was rooting all the way. As with all her novels, Scott's historical detail from extensive research shines through on every page, transporting her reader through time and place. Most importantly, this is a story of innocent lives destroyed by harsh, prejudiced social norms, the power of love, and forgiveness. I loved it!"
Reasonable People (2023) Caroline Hulse "Reasonable People is a wonderfully clever, on point, humorous novel which had me glued from page one. Hulse is the queen of nuance. Her observation and ability to capture of the vicissitudes of human behaviour are sharp, witty and second to none. She has an uncanny ability to engage the reader's sympathy with every character, despite their sometimes questionable judgements. I've read and loved all of her books, and Reasonable People is one I shall be recommending to everyone I know."
A Beautiful Rival (2023) Gill Paul "This is an utterly compelling, astonishing tale of two extraordinary self-made women who, between them, and in part due to their visceral rivalry, invented the multi-billion beauty industry we so well recognize today. With her impeccable research and engaging storytelling, Gill Paul skillfully takes her reader on a spell-binding journey with Elizabeth and Helena, which only gets more remarkable with every turn of the page. I shall be recommending this book to everyone and it is, for sure, one of my favorite reads of the year!"
A Mother's War (2023) Helen Parusel "...both a poignant love story, and a fascinating exploration of the experience of being an occupied nation during a time of war... An accomplished and gripping debut!"
If I Let You Go (2023) Charlotte Levin "A deeply empathetic exploration of grief, loneliness, guilt, toxic relationships and forgiving oneself. At its heart, this is a poignantly sad story, but it is told with such humour and warmth that one cannot help but enjoy every nuance drawn through the perfectly written prose."
That Bonesetter Woman (2022) Frances Quinn "That Bonesetter Woman is a wonderfully uplifting, charming, addictive and unusual story. Quinn delivers astute and acutely observed aspects of human behaviour delivered with great humour and compassion. Replace the coffee houses and newspaper scribblers with Twitter and YouTube and I'd say, not so much has changed!"
The Soviet Sisters (2022) Anika Scott "This is a masterful, brilliantly plotted novel. I was gripped from the first pages, never knowing which of the sisters' first-person narratives to trust or what would happen next. Cleverly playing on concepts of truth, ideology, and loyalty, the characters in The Soviet Sisters are put to ultimate tests of morality. Immaculately researched and eloquently written, Scott's novel provides the reader a very clear sense of the tension and political complexity of a tumultuous time. I thoroughly enjoyed it."
The Light of Luna Park (2021) Addison Armstrong "At once a fascinating slice of history and a compelling story filled with relatable characters. Addison Armstrong has woven a beautiful tale around the sacrifices and hard choices made for love, and highlights the work of the extraordinary individuals who stood up against the widespread, harsh beliefs of the time. This is a wonderful debut. Congratulations to Ms. Armstrong!"
