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The northernmost part of Lake Maggiore is in Switzerland. We took the chance to cross the border to visit the Swiss town of Locarno, which was my first time in that country. A really beautiful spot to spend the day.

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Explored the Italian lakeside town of Maccagno this morning, including a nice little market. Blazing hot this afternoon, so we retreated back to the apartment where I plan to do some editing later.

As you’d expect we had an epic chat with the awesome @jannywurts . If you missed it then grab a snack as well as your beverage of choice and settle in for a discussion on her books, bagpipes and making sure you get the most out of life. Such an honour to chat with a legend

I haven't done a blog roundup since 1st Feb. So here's a delayed look back at what's been on the blog during Feb and March... Check below for all the links:

I'm loving Italy right now. Spent the day travelling around Lake Maggiore by ferry and visiting the town of Stresa. Also loving my Dex Legacy T-shirt from Emily Inkpen (she/her) after backing her Season 3 Kickstarter earlier this year 🚀

A book I'd been waiting a while to read was last in April and that book was Hall of Bones by Tim Hardie - Broken Brotherhood is out now! - an inventive Norse style fantasy that I really enjoyed spellsandspaceships.home.blog/2025/04/29/hal…

On my travels on planes, trains and boats over the last month or so I've had much more time to read. I'm thoroughly enjoying The Shadow Gate by L. L. MacRae, Residuum by DB Rook and thought Sofie Tholin did a brilliant job with Iron Truth. Full reviews to come, but check these out!

It's later than I would usually make it, but I'm back today with my reading wrap-up for May. Check it out here: youtu.be/-mLkzPo049g I'm having a really good reading year so far overall, how is yours going?

I wrote the comprehensive article for anyone who’s ever wondered whether coffee or hot chocolate is the best drink for writing. Would love for you to give it a read and let me know your thoughts 👇🏻

Many, many thanks to Mark Lawrence for all you do for self-published books. This wand (selfie stick?) marks By Blood, By Salt winning SPFBO X!

Will post some better pictures later, but following yesterday's trip here's some really creepy marionettes that once entertained the Italian nobility 😬 I should add there were rooms full of these things!

I started a Ko-fi Page! Ko-fi helps creators get support from fans of their work. Please support or follow my page! ko-fi.com/dbrook

Yesterday we explored the beautiful islands of Isola Madre and Isola Bella, getting there using the regular ferry service which runs between the islands and towns on Lake Maggiore. I took so many photos, but these are some of the best.

'Delivers on every level, making this another outstanding novel' - This week on spotlightindie.co.uk, Tim Hardie is reviewing Pawn's Gambit by the one and only Rob J Hayes. spotlightindie.co.uk/?p=1339 #indieauthor #indiebooks #indiebookreview #writingcommunity

I loved this one too - my book of the year in 2023 in fact!

There will come a time when I tire of coffee and croissants for breakfast, but today is not that day.

I taste my own medicine as I interview 'Tapedeck' from my upcoming novella, Residuum Ripped from the page (DB Rook) - DB Rook share.google/5QchDhjop6MKZ7…

This is on my list for later this year. I'm hearing nothing but good things about this book from humans and bots alike!

The Italian national strike means we're leaving Italy a day earlier than planned. We'll be staying in Switzerland and Germany before travelling through Belgium and France to reach the UK. I could easily have spent another week here. We had a great time.