Category Archives: Uncategorized

The local proverb, “Vedi Napoli e poi muori” (See Naples and then die), appears on the cover of The Alcoholic Mercenary. I use it as a running theme throughout the story. Both the protagonist and the antagonist touch on it. Rachel hears it at her leaving do, a joke in poor taste from one of herContinue reading “Vedi Napoli e Poi Muori”

I Got Lost in a Book It is said that once you have seen the city of Naples, you can die peacefully since nothing else can match its beauty. Well, that is not the case in this book! Yes, the characters face death head-on, but there is not a lot of beauty in the underworldContinue reading “TAM 5⭐️ Review”

Four Reviews, Four 5 ⭐️s Reviewer: I Got Lost in a Book “I thought this story was wonderfully narrated. At times it felt like I was watching a movie rather than reading a book.” “I think this book would certainly appeal to those who like historical crime fiction. It was certainly a good read andContinue reading “The Alcoholic Mercenary- What the Critics Have To Say”

*** They said, “See Naples and then die!” Rachel had thought it was to do with the natural beauty of the place. A misconception she soon lost after … The Alcoholic Mercenary by Phil Hughes / #Extract #BlogTour @maryanneyarde @Phil_Hughes_Nov

Oh Look, Another Book! Are you ready for a road trip back to the late 70s? Hold onto your hats as Phil Hughes turns back time and takes his readers to Naples, a place where crime lords rule the streets. Things are not much better at the Nato base where those in charge seem moreContinue reading “Another 5 ⭐️ Review for TAM”

In this post, I outline the process I follow when writing a novel. It is not intended as a writing lesson but could be used by new writers to decide how they will write. Not the dos and don’ts — there are already far too many of those books — but the process. Stephen KingContinue reading “That Writing Thing”

The Book Bandit’s Library The historical mystery genre is one that I always enjoy, so I was very much looking forward to reading The Alcoholic Mercenary by Phil Hughes. The blurb of this novel was very convincing and I suspected that as soon as I started to read I would soon become swept up inContinue reading “5 ⭐️ Review of TAM”

The Alcoholic Mercenary is live. Universal Amazon Link: https://books2read.com/u/mlAvpZ

It is self-evident that a novel needs a cast. It doesn’t matter if a book is a plot or character-driven story, there still needs to be those around whom the story revolves and evolves. Depth of character is paramount in the modern reader’s perspective. Having read hundreds of one-star reviews of books, a common themeContinue reading “Characters”

When I have finished my corkboard — not forgetting that I am already writing — I create a Scene-Plan spreadsheet. The document comprises the post-it notes that survived my first cull transcribed into a spreadsheet with a little more detail. I use the spreadsheet throughout the book’s pre-publication lifecycle. For instance, I rely on itContinue reading “Spreadsheet”