Time is just running away from me. It feels like only yesterday I handed in one of my monthly articles and already it’s nearly time to hand in the next. Likewise, I’ve had a note to blog about a friend’s book launch I attended, and I now realise it was a couple of weeks ago. Where has the time gone?
I’ve known Laura Lam for about 18 months. We met at a Fantasycon that feels like years ago. We were both aspiring authors, full of ideas and working hard on books that would eventually become our debuts. “And now,” as she said to me at her launch event at Forbidden Planet, “we’re both published authors.” Yep, mission accomplished.

Her novel, Pantomime, is one of the latest offerings from Strange Chemistry, Angry Robot’s YA offshoot. It’s described thus:

R.H. Ragona’s Circus of Magic is the greatest circus of Ellada. Nestled among the glowing blue Penglass – remnants of a mysterious civilisation long gone – are wonders beyond the wildest imagination. It’s a place where anything seems possible, where if you close your eyes you can believe that the magic and knowledge of the vanished Chimeras is still there. It’s a place where anyone can hide.
Iphigenia Laurus, or Gene, the daughter of a noble family, is uncomfortable in corsets and crinoline, and prefers climbing trees to debutante balls. Micah Grey, a runaway living on the streets, joins the circus as an aerialist’s apprentice and soon becomes the circus’s rising star. But Gene and Micah have balancing acts of their own to perform, and a secret in their blood that could unlock the mysteries of Ellada.

 
Laura’s book launch was well attended, and she treated everyone to a reading wearing a radio mic that felt like it belonged to Madonna or Lady Gaga. With that complete she signed books for people (mine was #35) before retiring to the Phoenix club round the corner for celebratory drinks.
The book appears to be getting some great reviews, which is great as Laura is a good person (hence the blog post pimping her book). It’s available as a print edition as well as an ebook from Amazon or the Robot Reader.
Be sure to check it out!