An Interview with Author Lissa Layland

I have been keeping this interview under my hat for literal months...I have wanted to share so many times, but now I can, as her latest novel, Isolde, is now out in the world for you to enjoy.This interview was recorded before the cover had been revealed and the fourth book had been started; I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to talk with author Phoenicia Rogerson about her novel Isolde, a fresh retelling of the Arthurian legend from an overlooked perspective. Isolde, released on the 12th of November, is her third mythological retelling, but her first looking at Arthurian/Celtic myth. In the episode, we chat about the direction she decided to take the story, and we discuss how she shaped a complicated Arthur, with his trust issues and his drive to end war, and how mythologies and historical kingdoms such as Cornwall, Ireland and Britain shape the world of the book. Phoenicia explains how she balances humour with tragedy through Isolde's sharp voice, and why flawed characters with difficult pasts matter. This led to a conversation about whether bad actions can ever be made up for, or whether the goal is to make a character understandable rather than forgivable. Join us for our journey into many mythological tales as we look at Arthur, Isolde, Tristan, Guinevere, and so much more... The research Phoenicia carried out for this novel was epic in its expanse. Phoenicia's Links Instagram Website Buy the Book

Welcome back to another episode of Being Bookish. Join me as I dive into the origins of one of Greek myth's most famous villains in a story that will have you possibly reconsidering her position as the 'bad guy'. This week, I'm talking about Ayana Gray's 2025 mythological retelling, I, Medusa.The story follows seventeen-year-old Medusa, the only mortal in a family of ancient sea deities, who dreams of escaping her isolated island home. When she catches the eye of the goddess Athena and earns an invitation to train as a temple acolyte, she leaps at the chance, unaware that a fateful night involving Prince Maheer and the sea god Poseidon will change her life forever.As always with reviews in Being Bookish, this one is 100% spoiler-free. I also take a few moments to explore what other readers thought of the novel, look at how the myth handles divine accountability, and share my regular public service announcement on why we should all ignore reading pressure and simply enjoy the books we love.Grab a cuppa, settle in, and let's chat Greek mythology!

One very early Wednesday morning, I got up to speak with an author on the other side of the world. And this is the result. In this episode of Being Bookish, I chat with author Lissa Layland about her debut novel Thunderstruck. It's a sweeping romantic fantasy that sets Norse mythology against the very modern fight for climate justice. Lissa explains what the book is about, how the MCU series Loki first sparked the idea, and how fan fiction also helped shape Thunderstruck's premise and unforgettable characters. At the centre of the story is Althea. Her sense of duty to her family, her bond with her siblings and her own longing to live for herself pull her in different directions. We explore the love triangle between Althea, Lukas (Loki) and Torben (Thor), and why it works so well. We also discuss how Lissa decided who Althea would finally choose, without giving the ending away, and why she realised there was only ever one authentic ending for her heroine. Together, Lissa and I dug into the novel's big questions. If gods live for millennia, are they really the same person from one age to the next? What do we owe to our families, our communities and the wider world? Lissa talks about where the eco-activism thread came from and how she wove romance, myth and protest into a single story. She also reflects on the role fandom and online communities have played in her writing life. If you love Mythology, fanfiction and the romance fantasy genre, then Thunderstruck could be the book for you. As always, zero spoilers, just honest, friendly chat about a book, the characters and the setting. Lissa's Links Instagram Website Buy the Book

Welcome back to another episode of Being Bookish. This week, I'm taking a step back into the world of Dark Fantasy with a tale of dark Fae, withered gods, and an inescapable labyrinth as I dive into Clare Sager's dark romantasy novel, King of Ravens, the first book in her Upon a Broken Throne duology. The story follows Rhiannon, a sickly mortal who has been isolated in her family home. After her brother gifts her a mirror and a series of events lead to him tearing down walls around their house, she is thrust into a twisted bargain when Drystan, an unseelie king of the dead, arrives to claim her as his bride to save her family. Whisked away to the Underworld fortress of Mordren, Rhiannon has to navigate a dangerous court of scheming courtiers and hungry nobles, eventually facing a treacherous six-tier labyrinth to win a chance at freedom. Along the way, long-held family secrets come to light regarding her supposed illness, leading to a gripping cliffhanger that leaves the door wide open for the sequel. As always, this review is 100% spoiler-free. I also explore the loose ties the book has to the Hades and Persephone myth, and share my regular public service announcement on why we should all ignore reading trends and simply enjoy the books we love. Grab a cuppa, settle in, and let's talk books!

In this latest episode of the Being Bookish spin-off, The Stephen King Thing, I am joined by Lorraine to take on Stephen King's Dreamcatcher, one of his most divisive novels. We talk about the book's dated language and the back-cover setup. We also cover how King wrote it while recovering from his accident, and why it reads like a fever dream. Bathroom horror and childish humour come up next. Then we get into the heart of the story: four friends, their bond with Duddits, and the compassion and equality that hold the group together. Along the way, we look at the book's many invasions (the stranger at the cabin, the aliens and the military), ask who the real monsters are, and discuss Mr Gray, Jonesy's possession and the film adaptation. Is Dreamcatcher a lesser King novel, or has it been judged too harshly? We finish by talking about how each of us reads, imagines, ranks and rereads books, push back on gatekeeping around audiobooks and different ways of learning, and look ahead to future Stephen King reads. Unlike other Being Bookish episodes, this one contains spoilers throughout and is definitely not family friendly.

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 Website Instagram Buy the book

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 Buy the Book

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 Buy Spellstruck

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 LinksWebsiteInstagramBuy the Book