Embroidery in the Bower

Being a tart in the arts (see my very early postings way back when), I joined an Arts Agency that delivers project across the rural county to all sorts of people. Some of us are inspired, some of us not, and the rest, well they can be inspiring. My lovely friend, who wears fab shoes, has fab bags and now writes fab books, is a tour de force of energy and laughs so ,is one such person. I love books - she is Mrs Book! Everything you need to know in one brain. Fantastic. Her name is Sarah Bower.

Sarah has written a book - a historical novel all about, well, history, battles, blood and sex with a bit of needlepoint popped in. This book is called The Needle in the Blood and it is fab. I don't normally write stuff about other people but S listens to me witter on and anyway, the book is a romping good read (I'm on chapter two - if I review it later and it's not such a good read, I'll have to change my blog address). As is always the case, when you hear a voice that connects to a book you usually start reading in that voice - I was worried that I would hear my workplace zooming through the pages in which I imgained S talking to me and the clatter of computers in the background. This would detract from my overall enjoyment. I didn't hear a thing.

The book opens on a very bloody battle where Harold, the defender, loses an eye. Well that's what I was told in school but the book is far more graphic. Whilst the characters of Odo and his brother, the invaders develop on the page, I must admit I struggled. It was late, I was tired and there was history involved. Next night, I dove into the story of Gytha who was on the battlefield that day and has a job to do for her lady. I was captivated. Whilst I could occaisonally see Sarah shining through in the language, I fell into the story of what this woman has to do to survive and now I am hooked. Always the sign of a good read. Other people at work are reading it and they agree, and anyway, where else do I get to talk to the author and say 'Oh hang on, you know that bit.....did you mean...?'.

If anything else, the cover of the book is so beautiful, you just have to own it.It looks like embridery and has that lovely glossy finish that makes you want to touch it, like when you want to touch an embroidered sheet or pillow. I think the crew at Snow Books designed it and I have to say, it appeals to my girlie side.I have a little note in mine about me standing S up whilst I went to a cookery class - unavoidable but I ended up moving house. Which reminds me, I owe S a cake!

Sarah energetic and this shines through in the energy of the book (every page so far). She knows all these lovely people at Snow Books too who have lovely beginnings to their books, such as ..'proudly presents'.... which I enjoy finding. The devil is in the detail.

I am biased, I admit it, but Sarah's great, the book is great, and the cover is great. You can judge a book by it's cover after all (I am cliche girl today) Give it a go....Sarah is available fro chats at book groups etc.....

ps. did you notice how I managed to squeeze a food reference in? Till next time...