Welcome to another Weekend Reads blog. My featured book this week is Binding the Cuckoo by Gabriela Houston. Gabriela has dropped by to tell us about her book and her writing life so grab a cuppa, get cosy and let’s get chatting to Gabriela. ☺️

Blurb

In the late 19th century, a scientific marvel allows scientists to open rifts into the realms of myth. Powerful creatures, weakened and stripped of their memories, are brought to serve the whims of the wealthy elite…

In 1899 New York, Hare, a young woman with a mythical secret, finds herself trapped into servitude to the wealthy elite. When an equally desperate schoolmistress, Miss Anne Bonningham offers Hare a chance at freedom, they embark on a daring plan. Disguised as “Miss Edwina Walker,” Hare navigates the treacherous waters of London high society, solely focused on securing a marriage and escaping her past.

However, amidst the glittering balls and intricate social games, Hare finds herself drawn to Ernest, a charming solicitor torn between duty to his friend and his undeniable attraction to her. As hidden agendas surface and a vengeful figure from her past threatens to expose her true identity, Hare must make a choice: embrace a life of comfort and security or choose freedom and a love that could shatter the very foundation of her world. Binding the Cuckoo is a story of love, deception, and the fight for self-determination in a world where appearances can be deceiving, and the line between freedom and captivity is blurred.

Buy Link: Amazon

Welcome to my blog, Gabriela. Have you always wanted to be a writer?

I have, though I’m not sure I would have articulated it as such when I was younger. But I have always been a passionate reader, and since I could hold a pencil, I would write down poems, stories, comics scripts.

Has any author inspired you?

Oh, so many, in so many different ways. I grew up reading James Curwood and Jack London, whose nature descriptions hugely influenced my writing. I loved Lucy Maud Montgomery’s books (The Blue Castle is a firm favourite), with her tender understanding of the loneliness of those who are different. I also have to mention the comics series Elfquest and Thorgal, for the gentleness and the power of their characters’ integrity. There are so many more. Every book I read leaves something of itself behind.

What do you like writing most?

I love putting my characters in situations where morality becomes relative, and their sets of beliefs are challenged. In The Second Bell, I wrote about what decisions people make when everyone around them believes their babies are evil. In The Bone Roots, I wrote about the decisions one might make to protect their loved ones, and how far might be too far.

Do you have a special place for writing?

I’m writing this on top of a coffee table. So not really. But I’m working on making myself a little office so hopefully soon!

Are you a pantster or a plotter?

A combination of both, like most my writer friends. I write character-led books, so I pants it for about 30% of the book, as I see which direction they want to take me. Then the rest of the book tends to reveal itself to me all at once.

Is your writing ever inspired by your family or real life incidents?

Sometimes. I won’t tell.

What are you writing at the moment?

I’m writing a contemporary psychological horror novel, as well as the sequel to my romance, Binding the Cuckoo. It’s strange writing two very different books at the same time, but it keeps things interesting.

What inspired you to write this book?

As usual I’m drawn to moral relativity. I was thinking about the hypothetical question someone asked me “if you could have a magical object to kill anyone in the world at a distance, would you use it?”, and the vastly different answers I got from different friends.

What time of the day do you write best?

I’m a mum, so whenever I have a free moment. I don’t have the luxury of being picky.

What are your hobbies?

Arts and crafts in all their forms. I paint, sculpt, fabric-craft, resin-craft. Recently I started working with wax-cast jewellery. Anything artistic that catches my eye, basically.

What advice would you give to other writers?

It’s advice in two parts: Read extensively, and show up for work. Without the latter, nothing will be done. Without the former, it won’t be any good.

Good advice, Gabriela. Thank you for dropping by to talk to us today. Wishing you lots of luck with your book and future writing.

Meet Gabriela

Author bio

https://gabrielahouston.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips

Instagram: @gabrielahouston1

More of Gabriela’s books