I live in Whakatū/Nelson, Aotearoa/New Zealand, with my partner Tim.
I love to read and talk about books.
I travel a lot and base many trips on wildlife viewing opportunities. I have travelled to see wolves and other wild dogs, lions and leopards, and in 2017 spent some time in Uganda volunteering at Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary. Tim and I returned to Uganda in 2018, and we are travelling there again in 2023. This is my best girl, Medina.
I was diagnosed with ME in 2019 after having Viral Meningitis is 2018. I had to leave my work as a librarian. I completed an MA on on Immanuel Kant and chimpanzees in 2021. I am now researching for a PHD.
The country Tim and I have visited most often is Japan; 日本で私の心.にすんでいます.
I played the Shakuhachi for many years before living with ME made it too exhausting.
One of my favourite はいく:
としどしや year after year
さるにきせたる on the monkey’s face
さるのめん a monkey’s mask
―Basho
alysontheblog 
Hi, I’m writing because I’d love to have you read and review my novel How to Grow an Addict.
I can supply you with a kindle version or post you a paperback.
Thanks in advance for considering.
Kindest Jodi (JA) Wright
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Hi Jodi – I’d love to. I have a few books lined up but will review it soon. Kindle version would be fine 🙂 – Alyson
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Kia ora – I wonder if you’d be interested in reading and reviewing one of my three books. Details are on my website: https://antonymillen.com/
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Hi Antony – are they listed on All Books (http://www.allbooksnz.com/)?
If so I can get our Library to buy them – and then review them 🙂
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They are – an excellent idea!
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G’day Blog master, I want to thank you for the review on my book Whispers of the Past. Now up to 42 and most are in my favour.
My publisher Roger Lang of Wellington is looking for reviewers, so if you are interested at all this is what he said maybe you can pass it on if you have not got the time.
21 June · Wellington, New Zealand ·
If you are wanting some free books to review, I am willing to send you free books to leave feedback on Amazon for me. Win Win, right! Some of you have said yes, and I will do a mailing out very soon with your books too. PM me if you want to be on the list. He still at this time is looking email roger@langbookpublishing.co.nz
Cheers Roger Lang.
Thanks again Owen Clough Takapau.
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Hi Alyson
After reading your blog and enjoying many reviews of books I have read, I’d love you to review my crime novel The Death Ray Debacle, which I have put on AllBooksNZ just now after your recommendation. MY book is on Kindle and mebooks.co.nz and my website has lot about it, http://www.davidmcgill.co.nz
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Hi
Sure – I will get onto it once I have finished the book I am currently reading. Alyson
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Hi, Alyson found your blog via a search on top reviewers on-line.
Looking for a review on my debut novel SICANIA RISING can send over a gifted E-book version for Amazon review.
Would be honoured if you could review the book, Alyson.
Sample pages are available via http://www.bookbuzzr.com.
My website is https://thehistorywriter.net.
Regards
Daniel P Buckley
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Hi Danny
My blog is just reviews of NZ fiction – you are UK? Or are you an ex-pat? If the latter would be happy to review.
Alyson
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Helo Alyson,
How can I get my new book Catching the Last Tram into your pile of to-be-read-and-reviewed, please? It is currently listed on the Wheelers site.
Susan Holt
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Hi Susan – I’ll get a copy from Amazon and review 🙂
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Hi Alys, could you please add a Subscribe by Email widget to your menu? I love your reviews and rely on them to guide my purchases of NZ novels… but I’ve missed a few lately, and would like it if I could subscribe and not miss any more.
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Kia ora Alyson, A couple of years ago you did a review on my first book Whispers of the Past, the first book in the trilogy.I thought I should let you know that the second book is out Shadows of the Mind if you are interested in taking a look. The third book I’m hoping will be out at the end of the year Clearing of the Mist.
Cheers Owen Clough author http://www.owencloughbooks.com Book 1: Whispers of the Past Book 2: Shadows of the Mind
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Hi Owen, review done.
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Hi Lisa – if you click on my blog name in your Reader and click on the setting icon under Following you should be able to select Email me New Posts.
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Hi Alys, thanks, but I don’t want to follow it on any reader, I want new posts to land in my email inbox.
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Hiya – yep you will, you just need to go to the Reader once to set it up 🙂 I went in to see if I could change you to an e-mail follower but I (quite appropriately) can’t – but you can change your subscription.
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I’ll give it a go…
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All OK? I did it for your blog and am now getting e-mails when you post 🙂
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Hi Alys, I’m not sure. I haven’t had an email about your latest post (Feb 2, What You Wish For). I’ve just searched my inbox and deleted items, and it’s not there. I looked in my reader too (which I otherwise never use) and What You Wish For is There, but it doesn’t look as if it landed in my email….
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Darn – and you had selected the mail option under settings? If so I will look at the widget 🙂
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Yes, I did exactly what you said.
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Hi – will review soon – it’s on the pile 🙂
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Hi, is it possible to find out who published each book you’ve reviewed? Just looking for a suitable publisher for my own book and knowing this would be helpful.
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Hi Pauline, your local library can help with publication information – and also with your options for publishers. Your local branch of the NZSA can also help re the latter 🙂
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Hello Alyson,
I’m a UK indie publisher and on 27th June am publishing a short story collection by a NZ writer, Soul Etching by Sandra Arnold. I hoped you would like to review the collection on your blog.
I can ebooks (or paperbacks if you prefer but it will take a while to get them to you).
Best wishes,
Amanda
PS. I lived in Nelson for a while about 16 years ago – it is a very special place!
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Hi – eBook is fine – what is your email?
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Hi Alyson, would you be interested in reading and reviewing my quirky crime noir novel Shooting Messengers? It’s set in an alternative post-earthquake Christchurch. Alternatively, I have written several other books in different genres, from middle grade interactive fiction to contemporary NA (social issues) to dystopian. My website is kevinberrybooks.com. I’m happy to send you a paperback or gift you an Amazon kindle version if you wish. Please email me at kevin.berry.author@gmail.com if you’re interested. Thanks.
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Hi Alyson,
Do you love poetry? Would you be willing to read and give your honest review of my poetry collections?
You can find those here:
I can email you soft copies if want me to.
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Hi Mahesh, thanks for your enquiry, but I only review Aotearoa authors on my fiction blog. Best wishes, Alyson
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Hi Alyson
I would like to introduce you to a couple of relevant forthcoming titles that might be of interest to you and your readers. We are a UK publishing house distributed in NZ by Woodslane. Please could you email me at sales@monsoonbooks.co.uk.
Thank you and stay safe.
Phil
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Hello Alyson,
I am an author who has just relocated (with my kiwi husband) to the Otago Peninsula. I have two novels that are now being printed in New Zealand (and have been registered with All Books New Zealand). I am doing all I can to get them in the hands of readers here.
I am hoping you will be willing to read and review one of them. One was published in the last year and is called ‘Kealaula’; it’s a book geared toward young adult readers, but it’s a good crossover title. The other was published some time ago but recently got a new cover; it’s called ‘Inertia’. Please let me know if you would be willing to give one of them a read (and which you would prefer), and I can send one out to you straight away. Thank you for considering!
Kind Regards,
Kim Cope Tait
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Hi Kim – sounds great – I am sending you an e-mail to make arrangements.
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Awesome! Thanks Alyson! Best, Kim
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Only a suggestion, there is a book called.
Sands of Time a collection of thought provoking stories.
By Beatrice C Snipp
If you do not read it try to read the reviews on Amazon .
It may interest you a little
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Hi Larry, I only review books by NZ authors or set in Aotearoa – thanks for the ref. though
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Understand.
If you get on Amazon, look at the reviews ! Interesting.
Stay safe in these worrying times
Larry
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Hi Alyson, I have written a new novel called Answering to the Caul.
It is about a boy who was born inside a caul and is told that as a result he has been
selected for a special destiny.
It has been published under my own imprint Mangakino University Press and
was released in September.
Since then the book has gathered very little media attention and despite
my efforts seems to have slipped under every radar. I have managed to have
it reviewed in two places (Kete books and Magpies) but there has been no
dice with the corporate print media.
Would you be prepared to read and review it? If so send me your address and
I will slip a copy in the mail for you.
Regards,
Ted Dawe
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Hi – absolutely, you can send a copy c/o Tim Leyland, MSD, 22 Bridge St. Nelson.
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Hi Alyson, I have written a new novel called Answering to the Caul.
It is about a boy who was born inside a caul and is told that as a result he has been
selected for a special destiny.
It has been published under my own imprint Mangakino University Press and
was released in September.
Since then the book has gathered very little media attention and despite
my efforts seems to have slipped under every radar. I have managed to have
it reviewed in two places (Kete books and Magpies) but there has been no
dice with the corporate print media.
Would you be prepared to read and review it? If so send me your address and
I will slip a copy in the mail for you.
Regards,
Ted Dawe
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Thanks Alyson, I will put one in the mail for tomorrow. Ted
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Hi Alyson,
I’ve just published a novel, The Only Living Lady Parachutist, based on the life of a remarkable but little-known aerial stunt performer who risks her life by jumping from a hot air balloon in 1890s Australia and New Zealand. Would you be interested in reviewing it please? It’s available from Wheelers and Nationwide Book Distributors or I’m happy to send you a copy.
Regards
Catherine Clarke
Wellington
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Hi Catherine – I have responded via e-mail 🙂
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Hi Alyson,
my email address is parthwayes@xtra.co.nz. Sorry it took me so long to get back to you about my book CODE ME MISSING by PMA Hayes, but I wasn’t aware there was a reply awaiting my response. I am happy to send you a copy for your review if it’s not too late. The book was published in 2019
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Hi Genesis – sorry, it is too late. Thanks, Alyson
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That’s okay, I thought it would be.
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Hi Alyson, I’m a New Zealand author and have written another crime book called For Murder Press 3 and am requesting a review please. The release date is 13 December 2022. If you can let me know, I will send you a copy when I receive them. Thanks in advance. (The publisher is Cranthorpe-Millner, in London.) Author name PMA Hayes. (Genesis Cotterell is a nom-de-plume I used to use)
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Hi Alyson, wondered if I could please send you a book for consideration of review? My email address is hello@mahdigital.nz – the book is Two Truths by Dana C Carver. Thank you! Chris.
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Hi – sure – I’ll e-mail you 🙂
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Hi Alyson, wondered if I could please send you a book for consideration of review? My email address is abel@culturalhubb.com – . Thank you! Abel.
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Hi – I’ll e-mail you …
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Hi Alyson, I wondered if I can also send you a book for you to review. My email address is parthwayes@xtra.co.nz Thank you, Pauline.
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I will e-mail you …
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Hi Alyson,
I really loved your review of Dice and would love to share it to my instagram and facebook and my website – wonder if you would mind if I quoted a couple of bits to entice people to go to your blog and read it?
Thanks for taking the time to read and review it,
Claire Baylis
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Of course – so glad you like the review.
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