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16/10/2026

The Book Dragon Review of the Week

This week's featured review is Don't Forget to Breathe by Steven David Wood.

Blending supernatural horror with mystery and suspense, Don't Forget to Breathe follows three childhood friends whose lives are forever changed by a traumatic event during a summer spent together.

Years later, Andrew, Russell and Anne are unexpectedly reunited when they receive mysterious invitations to attend a will reading, alongside six strangers.

But what begins as an unusual reunion soon takes a sinister turn, forcing the friends to confront the shadows of their past and uncover secrets that have remained buried for years.

With an atmospheric setting, unexpected twists and a growing sense of unease, this is a supernatural mystery to add to your October reading list!

Read the full review here:
https://thebookdragon.co.uk/book-reviews/dont-forget-to-breathe-by-author-steven-david-wood/

Copies are available from our website:
https://thebookdragon.co.uk/product/dont-forget-to-breathe-by-author-steven-david-wood/

Copies are also available from Chapters & Chai, our book-themed tearoom on Stockton-on-Tees High Street.

Have you read this book? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

15/10/2026

What Makes a Great Horror Story?

Is it the creeping sense of dread? The suspense that keeps you turning the pages? A terrifying villain, an unsettling atmosphere, or something lurking in the shadows that you can't quite explain?

Perhaps it's not what you see that frightens you most, but what your imagination conjures up!

With Halloween approaching, we'd love to hear from our readers. What do you think makes a truly unforgettable horror story?

And is there one book you've read that still haunts you to this day? A story that got under your skin and has never quite let go?

Tell us in the comments. We're looking forward to hearing about the books that have kept you awake at night!

13/10/2026

This week's Book of the Week is How I Changed My Life! A Journey From Engineering to Shamanism by Trevor Cowan.

From engineering to shamanism… a journey of self-discovery.

In this deeply personal account, Trevor shares the experiences that led him from a career in engineering to a life exploring spirituality and shamanism.

Through signs and synchronicities, tragedy and joy, and profound personal encounters, Trevor reflects on a lifetime of searching for answers to some of life's deepest questions.

How I Changed My Life! is also our online Book Tour this week!

Follow the tour and discover more about Trevor's remarkable journey here:

https://thebookdragon.co.uk/book-tours/how-i-changed-my-life-a-journey-from-engineering-to-shamanism-by-author-trevor-cowan/

SPECIAL TWO-BOOK OFFER – £20

Discover more of Trevor's work with our special bundle featuring Change Your Life! and How I Changed My Life!

Together, these two books offer an introduction to contemporary shamanism alongside Trevor's personal journey of spiritual discovery and transformation.

Explore the bundle here:

https://thebookdragon.co.uk/product/book-bundle-change-your-life-how-i-changed-my-life-by-author-trevor-cowan/

MEET THE AUTHOR

Trevor will also be joining us at Chapters & Chai on Saturday 28th November, between 11am and 2pm, for a book signing!

Come along to meet Trevor, discover his books and get your copies signed.

Chapters & Chai
24 High Street
Stockton-on-Tees
TS18 1SB

12/10/2026

Calling all authors and book lovers!

We're delighted to share details of Authors in The Assembly Rooms, an upcoming event taking place in the beautiful, historic Assembly Rooms in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne.

The event is organised by Helen Kelly Books and takes place on Saturday 22nd May 2027. It aims to bring independent authors and book lovers together for a celebration of books and storytelling.

Event Details

Saturday 22nd May 2027

The Assembly Rooms, Fenkle Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 5XU

Are you an author interested in taking part?

Applications are now open for authors who would like to participate. You can register your interest using the following form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe-nk1H0dhFH0twcfHFFaGxk3dx4wXPTCtdoW6X6U8kdqqBdg/viewform

And for readers, why not pop the date in your diary? It's a wonderful opportunity to discover new authors and celebrate independent literature in a stunning historic setting.

11/10/2026

It's Sunday, which means it's time for another Author Confessions!

Looking back at the beginning of your writing journey, there are probably things you know now that would have made those early days very different.

This week's confession:

What's something you wish you'd known before you started writing?

It could be something about the writing process, publishing, finding readers, or simply a lesson you've learned about yourself along the way.

Share your confession in the comments!

10/10/2026

This Saturday for our Author Spotlight, we’re delighted to introduce the newest author to join The Book Dragon – Phil Holmes.

Originally from Hampshire, Phil has lived for many years in the North Yorkshire spa town of Harrogate. His working life has been wonderfully varied, taking him from painting and decorating and double glazing sales to becoming the Managing Director of a manufacturing company and later running his own office supplies business.

These days, Phil works in the accountancy and bookkeeping business he owns with his wife, while finding plenty of time for writing – and as much time as he dares for his other great passion, golf! He also loves music and watching sport, dislikes injustice and bad weather on golf days, and has a lifelong hatred of cheese.

A few years ago, Phil began developing an idea for a series of crime stories featuring DCI Rosie Marks. Rosie leads a team of officers tackling County Lines and related crime across North Yorkshire as part of Operation Caterpillar.

The Rosie Marks series launched in 2025 with the introductory novella County Lines, beginning a series that combines Phil's fictional detective team with crimes affecting communities across the region.

Phil lives in Harrogate with his wife and has three children and four grandchildren.

We're delighted to welcome Phil to The Book Dragon and look forward to introducing our readers to DCI Rosie Marks.

09/10/2026

The Book Dragon Review of the Week

This week's featured review is Tally and the Angel (Canada) by Eleanor Dixon, the second book in the Tally and the Angel series.

Tally's adventures continue as she leaves India behind and travels with her surgeon dad to the frozen landscape of northwest Canada, accompanied once again by Jophiel, the angel who lives within the pendant left to her by her mother.

Against this dramatic new backdrop, Tally discovers the history, people and wildlife of the region while embarking on another action-filled adventure. With danger at every turn, she must find a way to break a curse that has bound the native people, with Jophiel by her side to protect and guide her.

Read the full review here:
https://thebookdragon.co.uk/book-reviews/tally-and-the-angel-canada-book-two-by-author-eleanor-dixon-2/

Copies are available from Chapters & Chai and our website:
https://thebookdragon.co.uk/product/tally-and-the-angel-canada/

Have you read this book? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

08/10/2026

Summer Student Spotlight: Marnie Baker

We're continuing our Summer Student Spotlights by sharing some of the work created by Marnie Baker during her four-week placement with The Book Dragon.
Marnie was paired with Book Dragon author L. Philipp Naughton and his novel Sorrowsmile Meadows. Her project began with a Zoom meeting with Laurence, where she had the chance to learn more about him, his writing and the book she would be working with.

In her second week, Marnie used what she'd learned to create promotional content for Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. One of the pieces she produced was this tropes post, highlighting elements of Sorrowsmile Meadows including folk horror, dark family secrets, mystery and suspense, witchcraft and devilry, and the intertwining of past and present.

But her work with the book didn't stop with marketing.
In week three, Marnie was given a sample from Laurence's original manuscript to edit before comparing her work with the editing in the finished book. In her final week, she experienced another side of working with books by reading and reviewing Sorrowsmile Meadows herself.

From meeting the author to marketing, editing and reviewing his work, Marnie had the opportunity to explore several different aspects of the journey between author and reader.

We're delighted to share this example of what she created.

A huge thank you to Laurence for working with Marnie throughout the project, and to Marnie for all her hard work during her Summer Student placement.

07/10/2026

Summer Student Spotlight: Liliana Foy

Over the summer, we welcomed Liliana Foy to The Book Dragon for a four-week placement, giving her the opportunity to experience several different sides of working with books and authors.

Liliana was paired with Book Dragon author Kevin Fowers and his novel Rising Moon. During her first week, she met Kevin over Zoom to learn more about him, his writing and the book she would be working with.

In week two, she put what she'd learned into practice by creating promotional content for Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. The Rising Moon trope graphic we've shared today is just one example of the work she produced.

Her third week gave her an insight into another part of the publishing process. Liliana was given a sample from Kevin's original manuscript to edit before comparing her work with the editing in the finished book.

Finally, after spending several weeks getting to know Rising Moon from different perspectives, Liliana read and reviewed the novel herself.

It was a project that took her from her first conversation with the author through marketing, editing and reviewing – giving her the chance to explore several of the different skills involved in bringing a book to its readers.

A huge thank you to Kevin for working with Liliana throughout the project, and to Liliana for everything she created on his behalf.

Address

42 High Street
Stockton-on-Tees
TS181SB

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 2pm
Tuesday	9am - 2pm
Wednesday	10am - 5pm
Thursday	10am - 5pm
Friday	10am - 5pm
Saturday	10am - 5pm

Telephone

+441642670906

Website

http://www.thebookdragon.co.uk/

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