Radio Gorgeous

The Beekeeper of Aleppo, an ordinary couple’s extraordinary tale of horror, healing and hope out of war torn Syria Christy Lefteri’s moving story of a couple tested to the limits of their love and sanity as casualties of the war in Syria was born of her experiences as the daughter of Cypriot refugees as well…

Kate Hamer, Crushed with Donna Freed Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air. The opening lines of Macbeth could also set the scene in Bath for three adolescent girls bound or intent? on: “double toil and trouble!” Each of Kate Hamer’s books (The Girl in the Red Coat…

    THE LAST, One Hotel, Twenty Survivors by Hanna Jameson, Author with Josephine Pembroke    Nuclear bombs have been dropped globally and Jon is on a conference in Switzerland, the world has ended. Then the internet goes down, what to do? 20 people are left in the hotel, a dead body is found. Novelist…

Edible Pleasures – A Textbook of Aphrodisiacs by Lana Citron with Josephine Pembroke Did you know that kiss means smell in other countries and that even everyday food like milk and bread are aphrodisiacs? Author Lana explains our sensual relationship between food and sex and how smell, taste and lust are all intertwined. #RadioGorgeous #Sex…

  The Eleventh Trade by Alyssa Hollingsworth with Hester Wolton Alyssa Hollingsworth’s debut novel, ‘The Eleventh Trade’ is a young adult’s book following the story of Sami, a young Afghan refugee, living in Boston with his grandfather as they attempt to build a new life there together. When his grandfather’s treasured instrument, a rebab, is…

Caroline’s Bikini by Kirsty Gunn AUTHOR of THE WEEK with Donna Freed Kirsty Gunn rips it up and starts again with each of her books, wrenching original novels out of her imagination. Her latest, a comedy about the impossible perfection of unrequited love, leaves as much out as in… much like a bikini! www.kirsty-gunn.com #RadioGorgeous…

Lindsey Fitzharris The Butchering Art with Donna Freed – AUTHOR OF THE WEEK  Shortlisted for the Wellcome Book Prize, Lindsey’s The Butchering Art is a propulsive dramatisation of Joseph Lister’s quest to transform the grisly world of Victorian Medicine. www.drlindseyfitzharris.com @DrLindseyFitz                            …

S. K. Perry, Let Me Be Like Water with Donna Freed AUTHOR OF THE WEEK on Radio Gorgeous   Poet and author, Sarah Perry has written a poetic novel about grief and growing up. Set in the achingly painful and chaotic year after Holly’s partner of 5 years dies, the novel explores what it is for…

GUILT by Amanda Robson – Your sister. Her secret. The Betrayal. THRILLER with Josephine Pembroke  There is no stronger bond than blood. Guilt is unputdownable, this thriller is edgy, exciting and plausible. Listen to Amanda tell Josephine how and why. Author of the week on Radio Gorgeous. Guilt is published by Avon Books and available now…

Holly Black, The Cruel Prince – with Donna Freed    Holly Black is the prolific writer of young adult fantasy fiction: she is best known for The Spiderwick Chronicles (with Tony DiTerlizzi), The Modern Faerie Tale series and the Magesterium series (with Cassandra Clare). The Cruel Prince is the propulsive first book in another series:…

Alex Hourston, Love After Love with Donna Freed AUTHOR OF THE WEEK on Radio Gorgeous  Alex’s latest trixy heroine is a mother, therapist, wife, sister, daughter and now lover. Despite what she thinks, she cannot have it all when her various roles collide. Alex Hourston excels at propulsive and emotional explorations of the internal lives of…

Katie Fforde, A Country Escape with Donna Freed, AUTHOR OF THE WEEK on Radio Gorgeous Katie’s latest heroine, Fran, moves to the country to run a dairy farm, only problem: petrified of cows! As per usual, there are some other obstacles but both Fran and Katie, show their love of the countryside and its unique…

Graeme Macrae Burnet, The Accident on the A35, Author of the Week on MAN WEEK with Donna Freed Returning to Radio Gorgeous’ Man Week is Man Booker Prize Shortlisted author Graeme Macrae Burnet. In his third novel, he himself returns to the scene of the crime (or lack there of) in the drear town of…

Nicola Upson, Nine Lessons GORGEOUS READS, with Donna Freed   Nicola Upson weaves fact and fiction throughout her Josephine Tey mysteries; she incorporates what is known of the real life Golden Age crime writer and casts her in the role of detective. Upson’s triumph is to not only resurrect historical crimes cleverly and enjoyably but…

Alive or Dead, Donna Leon escapes the Wildebeests of Venice EARTHLY REMAINS Gorgeous Reads with Donna Freed Donna Leon’s Earthly Remains  Her rebel Inspector Brunetti stalks the canals of Venice and the seemingly tranquil surrounding islands but in his wake, the murky lagoon gives up its lethal secrets. After living in Venice for over 30 years,…

Melanie Whipman Short Stories AUTHOR OF THE WEEK with Donna Freed on Radio Gorgeous Melanie Whipman’s Llama Sutra has been long-listed for the UK’s only short story collection prize: the Edge Hill Prize. The characters are vivid, the stories playful and cover a number of genres. Melanie also offers a range of writing services from…

The Mother of Darkness Venetia Welby with Donna Freed  AUTHOR OF THE WEEK on Radio Gorgeous The Mother of Darkness : How a messiah is born in the last of the seedy Soho streets Venetia Welby with Donna Freed on Radio Gorgeous A Radio Gorgeous exclusive: the first interview with explosive debut author Venetia Welby,…

Terms & Conditions Life in Girls’ Boarding Schools 1939-1979 by Ysenda Maxtone Graham Lashings of jolly japes, inedible food, schoolgirl crushes… but no education! A captivating book reveals what really used to happen at girls’ boarding schools. Author Ysenda Maxtone Graham tells us about her bestselling book; Terms & Conditions Life in Girls’ Boarding Schools…

Sophie Kinsella My Not So Perfect Life AUTHOR OF THE WEEK with Donna Freed on Radio Gorgeous Appearances, especially on social media, are frequently deceiving. Sophie’s protagonist, Katie, comes to embrace her imperfect life through some bumbling mishaps. Sophie discusses finding her own voice and her evolution as a writer.  http://www.sophiekinsella.co.uk/ Follow: https://www.facebook.com/SophieKinsellaOfficial Twitter: @KinsellaSophie  Sign up…

Sheena Kamal Eyes Like Mine Author of the Week with Donna Freed on Radio Gorgeous For fans of dark, female led thrillers like The Girl With The Dragon Tatoo, Sheena Kamal’s debut Eyes Like Mine is deliciously dark. Set in Canada – currently seen as an example of liberal democracy – Kamal invites a conversation…