Category Archives: Paws and Prose

Paws and Prose with Eva Glyn.

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Today, I am very happy to welcome Eva Glyn to my blog. Eva and I have known each other for almost a decade. She is a dear writing friend and author of many wonderful books, the latest of which, The Dubrovnik Book Club, is a moving story with a feline character who will steal your heart as much as the lead characters.

Please welcome Eva as she shares more about how that cat found its way into The Dubrovnik Book Club …

The first time I saw the draft cover for The Dubrovnik Book Club, the chair next to the table was empty. The next time there was a really cute little ginger and white cat on it.

“I hope you don’t mind,” my editor (a dyed-in-the-wool dog lover) told me, “but I asked the art department to pop one in.”

Not any cat, though; I recognised it straight away from one of the many pictures of Dubrovnik’s cats I’d shared on Instagram. This one was particularly gorgeous, photographed at ground level outside Sveti Vlaho church and taking more than a passing interest in the camera.

Dubrovnik’s cats are famous. The old town is full of them, many of no fixed abode, but others no doubt simply availing themselves of an extra meal from the various feeding stations which dot the narrow streets. Tourists who know about the cats arrive with bags of treats in their luggage, and I have no doubt at all that Dubrovnik is one of the best places in the world to be a cat about town.

There was a small problem with the cat on the cover of The Dubrovnik Book Club though – there was no cat in the story. Now, authors are (in)famous for taking their covers too literally, but I wouldn’t want to disappoint a reader who hoped to meet one, and I suppose I always knew that one of my main characters, Claire, was definitely a fan.

      The Orthodox church was set back a little from the street, allowing the pale sunlight to bathe its creamy frontage. Behind the elaborate railings that protected its terrace were half a dozen or so of the old town’s stray cats. A huge ginger beast wrapped around the terracotta support of a potted palm, watched from a safe distance by an equally impressive white one with black and tan splodges. Several more stretched out on the paving, making the most of what little warmth there was in the rays of the sun.

      Claire adored cats. They’d always had one at home when she was growing up; ever since a stray tortoiseshell had turned up at the back door, just as they were settling into their house in Chiswick. A movement behind the palm caught her eye, and two kittens emerged, eyes wide and tiny tails upright, before starting to tumble together, a mass of ginger and white fur.

      Their innocent play was infectiously joyful and Claire could not help but laugh. She had to recapture that joy in life for herself and the only way to do it was by losing her fear.

So, of course, when one of the strays, a ‘wobbly kitten’ incapable of looking after herself properly, turns up in the courtyard behind the bookshop Claire and Luna take her in and christen her Mis, which is Croatian for mouse, because she squeaks rather than mews. Little do any of them realise that their kindness could actually put Mis’s future well-being in jeopardy…

Aw, thank you for sharing how Mis came to find her way into The Dubrovnik Book Club. I loved meeting her in the story, too. xx

About the book:

In a tiny bookshop in Dubrovnik’s historic Old Town, a book club begins…

Newly arrived on the sun-drenched shores of Croatia, Claire Thomson’s life is about to change forever when she starts working at a local bookshop. With her cousin Vedran, employee Luna and Karmela, a professor, they form an unlikely book club.

But when their first book club pick – an engrossing cosy crime – inspires them to embark upon an investigation that is close to the group’s heart, they quickly learn the value of keeping their new-found friends close as lives and stories begin to entwine…

Buy links for all formats and retailers can be found here.

My review: 

I enjoy Eva Glyn’s writing, and the setting of The Dubrovnik Book Club comes to life brilliantly through her detailed depiction of the ancient city in which it is located. I greatly enjoyed seeing the city through the eyes of Karmela (perhaps my favourite character), a history professor with a passion for her subject and tenacity to uncover those hidden from history.

When I read a book by this author, I expect some characters to bring with them a dose of realism. The cast of The Dubrovnik Book Club are all such characters. They each carry their own battle scars – some from the literal battles they have fought defending their country and others born from their life experiences.

The main characters, the supporting cast, and even the stray cat they befriend have a personal struggle that forms part of their story. It draws them together and ultimately makes them the ideal support for each other. As they work together to save the book shop (and related book club), mysteries are solved, friendships are formed, and personal growth and freedoms are found. To that extent, despite the scars of war, fear of Covid, homophobia, abuse and Cancer (all of which are sensitively raised within the pages of the novel), there is a good balance of warmth, hope, love and friendship.

It is an enjoyable and engaging read that will undoubtedly leave you wanting to visit Dubrovnik.

About the Author:

Eva Glyn writes escapist relationship-driven fiction with a kernel of truth at its heart. She loves to travel and finds inspiration in beautiful places and the stories they hide.

Her love affair with Croatia began in 2019, and since then the country’s haunting histories and gorgeous scenery have proved fertile ground for her books, driven by her friendship with a tour guide she met there. His wartime story provided the inspiration for The Olive Grove and his help in creating a realistic portrayal of Croatian life has proved invaluable. Her second novel set in the country, An Island of Secrets is a dual timeline looking back to World War 2, and although her third is a contemporary romance featuring mature main characters, The Collaborator’s Daughter, has its roots in that conflict too.

Inspired by authors she loves such as Libby Page and Faith Hogan, Eva has wanted to write books about unlikely friendships for a long time. March 2024 saw her dream realised, when The Dubrovnik Book Club was published.

Eva lives in Cornwall, although she considers herself Welsh, and is lucky enough to be married to the love of her life, who she’s been with for almost thirty years. She also writes as Jane Cable.

Discover more about Eva Glyn: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Newsletter sign up | Book Bub

Paws and Prose with Anni Rose.

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Today, I am very happy to welcome fellow Choc Lit (Joffe Books) author Anni Rose to my blog – especially as she is here to talk about her adorable dogs. Over to you, Anni …

Thank you for inviting me on to your blog today to talk about my pets and my writing. I know we both have a soft spot for Labradors. I had a yellow Lab, Henry, from the age of about eight and was delighted, more recently, when work commitments finally meant I could have another dog.

These days my constant writing companions are Brian, a Labrador with absolutely no brains at all. He sleeps on his back and usually with his tongue out! And likes to carry two balls or two sticks around. He hasn’t really got the idea of fetch or drop but will sit and stare at you happily with two balls in his mouth. Then we also have Rockstar, a Romanian street dog, who came to us after a major operation to put pins in both back legs. He’d been hit by a car and left on the side of the road for dead and was the inspiration behind Miss Phyllis in my fourth book, Recipe for Mr Ideal.

We’d never homed a rescue dog before and it was a very daunting prospect, we knew nothing of his history, only that he would need patience, time and a huge amount of love. I can still remember the day when this terrified creature turned up. Three years on, he has settled in beautifully, he still has a very odd gait – the pins are still in his leg, but these days he will happily jump in and out of the car or to catch treats. In fact, there is little he won’t do for cheese or bacon – a dog after my own heart!

He is, however, very much the boss in this house. A fascination with shoelaces, he can untie the trickiest knot and has his favourite chairs in the house – don’t try and sit one of them! If it ever comes down to a battle of wills, it’s best to give in gracefully, Rocky can be very stubborn, but he is immensely protective of Brian, and he has stripped the squeaker out of all Brian’s balls (for which we are very grateful!)

All my books have at least one animal; I feel they add more depth to the story. They are as important to me as my hero and heroine and always fun to write.

I like to be able to picture all my characters before I start writing a book, and the dogs, cats or horses are no exception. But, when I say that none of my human characters bear any relation to somebody, living or dead, the animals always do.

Charlie Brown in Recipe for Mr Super was really a Shetland Pony with a thing about Wellington boots and who upended me more times than I care to remember. Dragon was a beautiful horse with asymmetrical hips who needed constant vocal reassurance when faced with a jump. Elvis from Recipe for Mr Banksy was a tribute to our two previous black Labradors, who we lost during Covid before Rocky and Brian came along. Up and coming books have a Lurcher-Weimaraner cross called Fergus, who I met on a walk one day, and a Harlequin Great Dane called Colin. Then there’s also a book in the pipeline with more to come from Miss Phyllis.

I love having animals around me. They get me out for walks in the morning without complaining, whatever the weather, and are both great cuddlers. What’s more, they never complain when I read chapters to them over and over again. Who could ask for more?

Thank you for inviting me onto your blog Carol, and I look forward to reading more about Luna in your books to come. Anni x

You are very welcome, Anni. It was lovely to hear about your dogs. They are both gorgeous; Brian is, of course, Labradorable! Thank you for the great post. x

Anni Rose’s books are all available via Amazon.

About the author:

Born and raised in Berkshire, Anni Rose emigrated to Wiltshire six years ago, where she lives with her husband, sister, two dogs, a cat and Midge, the grey, speckled hen.

As a child, she could usually be found either reading or writing fiction, producing reams of stories over the years.

On leaving school, the need to earn a living sort of got in the way, and her writing was limited to financial reports or employees’ handbooks, but a local writing course and an encouraging group of writing friends re-ignited the fiction flame many years later, and Anni went on to have several short stories published in various magazines.

Anni would describe her writing these days as mainly modern romantic stories with a healthy dollop of humour thrown in. Away from writing, Anni can usually be found behind a camera, walking the dogs, enjoying one of her husband’s curries or one of her sister’s bakery treats.

Discover more about Anni Rose and her work here:  Website | X (Twitter) | Facebook

Paws and Prose with Carol Thomas.

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As someone with a soft spot for Labradors, I am thrilled to be sharing a little about the special dogs in my life who have inspired the dogs in my novels.

Benson, my chocolate Labrador, was my constant companion and best (furry) friend for almost sixteen years. I could rely on him for a cuddle no matter what the ups and downs of life. He was the most loveable and loyal of dogs. When writing my first novel, Crazy Over You, I knew I wanted to weave him into the story.

After discovering her husband has had an affair, my protagonist, Abby, is at a crisis point in her relationship. She feels betrayed, confused and isolated. While her world is falling apart, her chocolate Labrador, Bramble (who shares many qualities with Benson), remains her constant support. He epitomizes the themes of love and loyalty and is the perfect companion for Abby.

Three years after getting Benson, we found him a friend, Milo. Milo was a slightly wonky-eyed boy with an independent spirit, a variety of quirks and a lot of love to give. He and Benson quickly became very close.

Milo inspired Jack, in my second novel, The Purrfect Pet Sitter. Jack is a similarly wonky-eyed black Lab, the beloved pet of Winnie, the first client to put their faith in Lisa Blake as she embarks on her new career.

One of my favourite scenes involving him is the opening chapter in which he has slipped his collar. In Lisa’s search for Jack, she has a chance encounter with a mysterious man in leather; Lisa finds him frustrating, whereas Jack seems to have him on side.

Another of my favourite scenes comes when Lisa and Winnie take Jack to church for a service in honour of St Francis of Assisi (patron saint of animals). Writing the scene in the church was a lot of fun. I don’t want to give anything away, but I will say that what Jack does to a Yorkshire terrier actually happened. Albeit, Benson was the one guilty of this misdemeanour in one of his early training classes, in which he, being a Labrador, was much larger than his smaller breed puppy pals.

Jack gets up to a few cheeky antics in the book. Some were inspired by my second black Lab, Hubble, who sadly passed away at a far too young age.

He was a bundle of energy and stars in adverts and the book trailer for The Purrfect Pet Sitter!

In my most recent novel, A Summer of Second Chances, Granger, the chocolate Labrador of the Bramlington family, comes from a long line of esteemed pedigree dogs. However, like his owner Henry (Lord Bramlington of Dapplebury), who finds living up to familial expectations difficult, Granger knows where his affections lie and forges a new path.

I love incorporating dogs into my stories; they add warmth and, being good judges of character, offer another perspective to the story.

After the sadness of losing Hubble, I was sure I wouldn’t have another dog. I had been blessed with three wonderful boys and knew I was lucky to have them. … that was until I saw Luna, a rescue dog needing a loving home. Luna had spent the first two years of her life in a barn, being used for breeding. She is our first female dog, our first rescue and our first yellow Labrador. She’s come a long way in the short time we have had her. She has learned to play with toys, accept treats, be walked, have cuddles, relax, trust, and snuggle up on the sofa. She is adorable, and it is a privilege to see her increasingly realise that life is full of love and fun. And the reason I am introducing her now? Well, I am sure she will appear in one of my books in the future.

Thank you for reading about my dogs. And if you enjoyed this post look out for others coming over future weeks as other writers share the animals that have inspired the paws in their prose.

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