Month September 2017

#Blogtour : Cancer Free for 20 years by @CurlyMartin @BookPublicistUK #coffeemorning #cancersurvivors

yvonnembee

Blogger tour poster design Cancer Free.png

I am incredibly excited to be part of the blog tour for this very inspirational book and it’s author Curly Martin. I would like to thank Teresa at The Book Publicist for inviting me to be part of this tour. 

Synopsis:

Full of tips, tools, techniques, & the secrets Curly Martin used to overcome cancer. How she now lives a passionate, exciting, healthy, wealthy, happy life. Curly Martin was diagnosed with breast cancer, and an aggressive form of lymphatic cancer in 1992 and she was given nine months to live. At that time she became homeless and was unemployed. This book is all about her fascinating and funny 20 year journey from cancer to coaching. Since the terminal diagnosis, she has become an international bestselling author of, The Coaching Handbook Series of books. She is a highly sought-after international speaker, a pioneer of life coach training and the founder of a very successful training company, Achievement Specialists Limited. She intuitively combines her personal experiences with accepted methodologies and cutting edge innovations, to create exciting, very entertaining and effective approaches to living a healthy, happy and successful life.

My Thoughts:

Curly Martin was given 9 months to live after being diagnosed with cancer, this was in 1992, well they got that bit wrong.  This book tells how Curly has made her journey from when diagnosed to where she is today.  It is a glimpse into her life as she went through treatment and the various therapies, remedies and also the self-help techniques she has used, and still uses today. She has very candidly shared her feelings, experiences and thoughts as she dealt with what life has thrown at her physically, emotionally and mentally.

This is not a sad book at all, instead Curly has managed to inject her positive outlook of life into the pages of this book.  Her personality shines through and so does her sense of humour.  Cancer did not beat her, instead it seems to have momentarily paused her at the age of 39 years old, before she was up and embarking on a new path.  As she recovered from her treatments for cancer, she began to change things in her life, changed her habits and lifestyle also meant a change in her perspective. 

This book is broken down into manageable chapters, with a brief summary of what she has discussed at the end of each, these summaries are handy little pointers.  It is full of various tips that she has learnt along the way, from making notes at hospital appointments to asking questions during treatment.  Some of her pointers and positive advice are things anyone could use in their normal lives. All the way through she is telling of her journey, what did and didn’t work for her.  Also promoting what works for one, doesn’t necessarily work for others, as well as the fact that the treatment she received in the 90’s is different compared to today.

This is a very well laid out book that shows how one woman has taken cancer by the horns and used her experiences of it,she has turned it into a positive.  She was never going to let it beat her.  I do not think for one moment that this was an easy, but as i read this book I could feel her positive energy.  

I wish to send my thanks to Curly for sending me a copy of her book.  I would like to wish Curly all the very best in her health, happiness and future.

 

Book Details:

  • Paperback: 236 pages
  • Publisher: Achievement Specialists Ltd (3 July 2016)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0995485801
  • ISBN-13: 978-0995485808

Purchase from  Amazon UK

Author Bio:

DSC_0046 Curly final.jpg

I want every cancer sufferer to have hope and to know that there can be a future out there if you dare to make the changes and believe. My latest book Achievement: Cancer Free For 20 Years tells of my triumphant journey from diagnosis in 1992 through to becoming the pioneer of life coach training today.
I am also the author of the International seminal best-seller ‘The Life Coaching Handbook’ a World’s first life coaching book written specifically for life coaches on how to build a life coaching business. She established Achievement Specialists Ltd. in 1997, a Life Coach Training company, using her 25+ years experience as a business coach, mentor and trainer. Achievement Specialists Website I am the pioneer of life coach training and thousands of people have trained to become life coaches with me. The life coaching course is a full level 7 diploma accredited by the international institute of coaching and Mentoring. I have also written ‘The Business Coaching Handbook’ and ‘The Personal Success Handbook’ which complete the coaching handbook series. Also written or co-written by me some 30 books and articles on coaching. I am a Fellow of The International Institute of Coaching and Mentoring.

 

Many thanks for reading my post.

#BookReview : Lost for Words by Stephanie Butland : @under_blue_sky

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Synopsis:

THIS BOOKSHOP KEEPS MANY SECRETS . . .

Loveday Cardew prefers books to people. If you look carefully, you might glimpse the first lines of the novels she loves most tattooed on her skin. But there are some things Loveday will never show you.

Into her refuge – the York book emporium where she works – come a poet, a lover, a friend, and three mysterious deliveries, each of which stirs unsettling memories.

Everything is about to change for Loveday. Someone knows about her past and she can’t hide any longer. She must decide who around her she can trust. Can she find the courage to right a heartbreaking wrong? And will she ever find the words to tell her own story?

It’s time to turn the pages of her past . . .

My thoughts: 

I would like to say a big thank you to Kelly Lacey and Joanne Baird of A LOVE OF BOOKS Facebook Group, they chose this as their September Book Club Pick, discussion night is on Thursday 28th September at 8 pm.  What a wonderful decision they made.

This book is set in York, in a book emporium.  Loveday Cardew is an employee with a secret.  She works with the flamboyant and larger than life Archie, who a couple of secrets of his own.  Loveday is a book person rather than a people person, but people are a means to an end regarding having a job.  She is a quiet, shy, reserved person who has been on a long journey in her life experiences.  It has been heartbreaking and has left her very vulnerable, with a slightly different outlook on life.  Over the course of the story we discover why this young lady tries to shun society, but finds a courage she never believed existed.  It will involve standing up to her memories and accepting them.

So the setting is a readers dream, the description of the shop is one a second-hand book shop lover will recognise very well.  Loveday is a wonderful character, it would be easy to think of her as a weak wishy-washy person, but actually the author has given her a very good uncompromising and strong character, it’s one that Loveday wouldn’t see in herself.  The shop is her refuge, her sanctuary against the outside population.  Books have been her armour and never let her down, well until she first met Archie, but that chink in her armour allowed something special in, a friendship.  A lost book also allows her to meet a rather confident poet.

I really want to say so much about this book, but do not want to spoil it for readers.  I hope that readers who come across this book will enjoy it to the same extent as I did.  The synopsis for it does not really give anything away, but what is contained within the cover is a very addictive story.  So addictive that I almost burnt the evening meal and  drank several forgotten about cold cups of coffee, this was my commitment to reading this book.

I would highly recommend this book to people who like a heartbreaking and heartwarming contemporary fiction read.  It is a book that would be great for discussion for reading groups, and included at the end of the book are a few questions to get you started.

 

Book Details:

  • Paperback: 368 pages
  • Publisher: Zaffre (20 April 2017)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1785762591
  • ISBN-13: 978-1785762598
  • Amazon Link

Author Bio:

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I’m a writer, and I’m thriving after breast cancer. (I used to say I was a survivor, but that was a bit lacking in joie de vivre.)
Although I’d never have chosen it, my dance with cancer has changed my life in many positive ways. Now I am happier, healthier, and more careful with my precious life and the precious people and things in it.

My writing career began with my dance with cancer, and now I’m  a novelist.

Aside from writing, I work as a speaker and trainer, and I work with charities to help raise awareness and money in the hope that cancer will soon be about as scary as a wart.

Links:

Author Website

Author Twitter

Author Facebook

 

Many thanks for reading my post.

#BookReview : Seven Suspects by Renee James : @ReneeJAuthor @oceanviewpub

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7suspects

My Thoughts:

This story is set in Chicago and involves Bobbi Logan, a successful business woman and owner of Salon L’Elegance.  Originally born a man, but went through gender transition to become the woman she is now.  The story is told through Bobbi, she has a tough life as a woman, having to deal with bullying, bigotry and people’s ignorance as well as having t deal with the process of being a rape victim.  When Bobbi realises she is being stalked, her paranoia and insecurities are evident.  But with assistance from her ex-wife Betsey, her best friend Cecelia and the help of her ex boyfriend Phil a policeman, they start work out who it could be.  They come up with a list of six names between them that could have a possible grudge.  Bobbi has an ability to annoy people, it’s a trait that she cannot seem to control.

I admit to being intrigued by this book when I requested it via Netgalley, the synopsis seemed a little bit different from most stories I normally read.  But by the end I felt a little deflated, the characters were reasonably well described and the setting descriptions were okay.  I think however the pacing of the story just didn’t quite feel quite right for me, it felt like it had a more laid back ambling feel to it when I was expecting something a little faster given the subject matter. I would also like to point out , that towards the end of the book that there is some violence that does not make very nice reading, and I did skim through those parts.  I am not going into detail about what this was about, but if I had been aware of the inclusion of this I would not have requested the book. This is a book that describes how life as a transgender woman has to deal with living a normal life.  It gives some examples of how dealing with humiliation, ignorance and bullying on a regular basis for being different is like.  In some ways this aspect of the story stood out more that the main plot itself.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank Netgalley and Oceanview Publishing for my copy of this book.  My thoughts are my own and are honest and unbiased.

Description:

About the Author:
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Renee James is the pen name of a Chicago-area transgender writer. She is a Vietnam veteran, licensed hairdresser, and wilderness adven­turer. Before becoming an award-winning novelist, she was a decorated magazine editor and writer, and a successful entrepreneur. Her first novel, Coming Out Can Be Murder (republished as Transition to Murder) was the 2012 Chicago Writers Association Indie Book of the Year and a bronze medalist in ForeWord Book Reviews, LGBT category.
Many thanks for reading my post.

#BookReview : A Proposal To Die For by Vivian Conroy : @VivWrites @HQDigitalUK

yvonnembee 6 Comments

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Synopsis:

The first book in the new Lady Alkmene Callender Mystery series

A murderous beginning

With her father away in India, Lady Alkmene Callender finds being left to her own devices in London intolerably dull, until the glamorous Broadway star Evelyn Steinbeck arrives in town! Gossip abounds about the New York socialite, but when Ms Steinbeck’s wealthy uncle, Silas Norwhich, is found dead Lady Alkmene finds her interest is piqued. Because this death sounds a lot to her like murder…

Desperate to uncover the truth, Lady Alkmene begins to look into Ms Steinbeck’s past – only to be hampered by the arrival of journalist, Jake Dubois – who believes she is merely an amateur lady-detective meddling in matters she knows nothing about!

But Lady Alkmene refuses to be deterred from the case and together they dig deeper, only to discover that some secrets should never come to light…

The twenties have never been so dangerous

Don’t miss the next Lady Alkmene Mystery

1. A Proposal to Die For
2. Diamonds of Death
3. Deadly Treasures

 

My thoughts:

A Proposal To Die For is set in 1920’s London and is the first in a series of books known as “The Lady Alkmene Callender Mysteries”.

Whilst out at the theatre Lady Alkemene overhears a conversation that adds a little spice to her boring life, the American actress Evelyn Steinbeck is in town.  News is heard of the death of wealthy Silas Norwhich, to Lady Alkmene, the death sounds suspicious.  Her mind starts working overtime and decides to see if there is anything she can discover for herself.  Whilst doing this she makes the acquaintance of Mr Dubois, a consulting detective and journalist.  When Lady Alkmene discovers he is also looking into this mystery she believes she has found an ally of sorts, and so an unusual and workable relationship is formed.

The partnership of Alkmene and Dubois as I have said is unusual, she from a very privileged and wealthy background, he a streetwise,working man.  He is very resentful of her social class and vociferously mentions this through the story, she is naive but determined that she is not what he thinks she is.  They work together well because of this social difference, she has access to people who would not even look never mind answer Dubois’ questions.  Where as Dubois has the access to the working class, servants, valets doormen and the such like.

This is a cosy mystery that has several story lines running through it pages.  It is a very refreshing read, it is not reliant on blood and gore, instead it is a deductive style of story.  As the duo progress through their case and discuss their thoughts and opinions, so then is the reader shown their reasonings.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it has a similar deductive style as you would find in Agatha Christie’s books.  If you like Poirot and Marple, then I think you will really enjoy The Lady Alkmene series of books.  This is a gently paced book with some wonderful and memorable characters who all have their parts to play.  Little details mentioned earlier in the book suddenly becomes a bigger clue.  I read this snuggled up in a blanket on a foggy autumn afternoon on of my “lazy-days”.  I would definitely recommend this book to readers who like a gentle more classic style of mystery who like good characters, plots and is well written.

I read this book as a pre-cursor my stop on blog tour for Viv’s upcoming new book Fatal Masquerade,  due for publication on October 4th 2017.  My stop on the tour is 11th October.  My thanks to Vivian Conroy who authorised a copy of this book via Netgalley.  My thoughts expressed here are honest, unbiased and are my own.

Book Details:

  • Format: Kindle Edition
  • File Size: 1287 KB
  • Print Length: 162 pages
  • Publisher: Carina; 1 edition (19 Sept. 2016)
  • Available from Amazon

More about Vivian and Carina UK

Many thanks for reading my post.

#Book Review : Interpretation by Dylan Callens @TheNitzsch

yvonnembee

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Synopsis:

Carl Winston awakens to find his son, Liam, screaming with fear. Trying to understand why, Carl tries to soothe him. Neighbors gather in front of Carl’s apartment to help – until they see him. The crowd cowers back, afraid of this monster. 

Carl runs. His life of luxury is ripped away. Forced beyond the city limits, Carl sees a land bereft of life. Traveling in search of answers, his quest comes to a sudden halt when he collapses. As darkness shrouds him, a figure hovers from above. 

Traveling along the same route, Eva Thomspon finds Carl and nurtures him back to life. Together, they continue the journey, finding out that their lives have too much in common to be a coincidence. As their affection for each other deepens, an unknown nemesis attempts to remove their only source of happiness – their love for each other.

Interpretation is a dystopian fiction that explores hope and happiness in the bleakest of conditions and what happens when it’s torn away.

My Thoughts:

This is a dystopian novel set in America.  All is good for Carl and Liam, living the “American Dream” with all the mod cons and living in essence the perfect life.  “Too Good To Be True” is a phrase that jumps to mind.  When Carl starts experiencing random memories, he knows something is wrong, especially after one such episode causes a blackout.  When he awakens he realises things are not as he thought, his first thoughts are for his son, Liam.  But Liam is scared of his dad and will not come anywhere near him. Carl needs answers, why has this happened and what is going on?  His only clue is to travel north for answers.  It is on this journey he meets and befriends Eva, she is also in the same situation as Carl. Together they will find out the truth.

Technology and advancement of it are the basic premise of this plot, how we are so reliant on technology.  It is similar to plots that have been played out in many books and films over the years.  It has a feel of H.G. Wells and George Orwell but with an almost cinema-graphic feel to it, like Westworld or the Matrix.

The one thing I really liked was the way the book was laid out, chapters between Carl and his journey alternated with that of a computer system running protocols, bios and updates.  I don’t want to say too much about this for fear of spoilers.  It is set at a very good pace, and I found it a very addictive page turner.

This is a psychological dystopian novel.  It does a very good job of playing on technological fears for the future, as well as discussing human perceptions, ir their Interpretation of what they believe.  This is something that has been discussed for decades, and I am sure for more decades to come, as our advancement in a computer based systems increases then so does our reliance on it.  The story of Carl, Liam and Eva has been very well intertwined into the story, and the fact that the reader learns what is going on, often before the characters.

I think this is a book for people who like dystopian genres.  This for me has the feel of a modern story but with classic science fiction roots.  It was a very enjoyable read.  I would like to thank the author for bringing this book to my attention. My thoughts expressed here are honest, unbiased and my own.

 

Dylan Callens’ Bio:

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Dylan Callens lands cleanly. That would be the headline of a newspaper built with an anagram generator. And although Dylan is a Welsh name meaning god or hero of the sea, he is not particularly fond of large bodies of water. His last name, Callens, might be Gaelic. If it is, his last name means rock. Rocks sink in the sea. Interestingly, he is neither Welsh nor Gaelic, but rather, French and German. The inherent contradictions and internal conflict in his life are obvious.

Purchase Links:

Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073V7LSRV

B&N:  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/interpretation-dylan-callens/1126732112?ean=2940154727843

Kobo:  https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/interpretation-7

iBooks:  https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/book/interpretation/id1258997726?mt=11

 

Author Links:

Website:  www.cosmicteapot.net

FB:  https://www.facebook.com/heaveninctheseries/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/TheNitzsch

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14739202.Dylan_Callens

Amazon Author:  https://www.amazon.com/Dylan-Callens/e/B01C6KR8P6/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

Many thanks for reading my post.

 

#BlogTour : A Justifiable Madness by @AliMorgan2304

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Many thanks to Sarah Hardy and Bloodhound Books for allowing me a spot on the blog tour for this unusual and very thought provoking book.

Synopsis:

Can you really tell the difference between madness and sanity?

Mark Randall goes to great lengths to get himself admitted to an acute psychiatric ward and, despite being mute, convinces professionals that he is psychotic. But who is he and why is he so keen to spend time in a psychiatric hospital?

When Mark is admitted, silent and naked, the staff are suspicious about his motives.

Dealing with this, as well as the patients on the ward, Mark’s troubles really begin once he is Sectioned under the Mental Health Act. When decisions about his future are handed to Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr Giles Sharman, Mark’s life is about to go from bad to worse.

Drugged, abused and in danger, Mark looks for a way out of this nightmare. But he’s about to learn, proving that you are sane might not be easy as it seems…

My Thoughts:

It is 1994, a man resembling Jesus has just stepped off a train, he is naked, apart from a pair of sandals! Hours later he is admitted to a psychiatric ward and will not speak.  He has achieved the first part of his plan and is exactly where he wants to be.  From here on in the story weaves it,s way around the ward, the other patients and the staff.

The story is told from the viewpoint of Staff Nurse Monica and the man referred to as Jesus Trainman (he looks like Jesus, he is a man, he came off a train, it makes perfect sense). It is not until you start to get mid-way through this story that you are told the reason for his incarceration, up until this point the scene is being set, other characters are introduced and the dynamis within the ward is described.  But do not for a moment think that this is a slow burner just ambling along, it isn’t, there are various things afoot in the hospital and the plot has more than warmed up by the time you start to realise what the point of the story from Jesus’s perspective is.  When he is sectioned his time on the ward takes a very severe turn, and to make matters worse those in charge will not or are unable to listen to or help him, they have already made up their minds about him.

There are quite a few characters in this book, and for a little while it took me a moment to remember who was who, but it didn’t take too long for them to sink in.  The characters tell of their experiences in hospital as well as how differrent members of staff are perceived by patients and other staff.  Not all staff are liked.

This book seems to play on some of our worst fears,  While under the care of professionals the vulnerable are supposed to be safe, in this story that is not the case, to make matters worse, some members of staff are completely powerless to have their concerns listened to. As I said at the beginning, this book is thought-provoking, and makes for a great discussion, as I found when talking to a colleague at work about the story.  I had to keep reminding myself that it is set in the 1990’s and the Mental Health Act has changed a lot since then.  But I am also aware that not all institutions follow protocols set as the media inform us, this adds to the a chilling aspect to the story

This is definitely a book that will appeal to readers who like Institutionalised Psychological Thriller/ Crime genres. I think it would be a great book for Reading Groups to discuss as there are various interesting concepts and themes.

 

Author Bio: 

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A B Morgan: (The tartan is Welsh: Morgan)

Married to an overgrown child with a beard and too many motorbikes, Alison Morgan lives in a corner of a field in North Bedfordshire and is making the most of a mid-life crisis. The Morgans are determined not to grow old gracefully or to be seen wearing beige and can be found exploring life through a love of live music, anything with an engine, the sea, mountains, rugby, proper pubs and fascinating people.

Alison has worked for the NHS for nearly thirty years, twenty of those within mental health services, at the front line, where she eventually became the manager of a countywide community service for people experiencing their first episode of psychosis. Much to her frustration, her heart decided to develop an electrical fault, which forced her to sit down for more than five minutes, and her career temporarily juddered to a halt. Not one for thumb twiddling, she took up position in front of a computer with a plan to write a set of clinical guidelines for assessment of psychosis, but instead a story, which had been lurking in her mind for several years, came tumbling out.

With her health steadily improving thanks to the staff at Papworth Hospital, Alison hopes to return to nursing part-time, but is determined to keep writing fiction. Her debut novel A Justifiable Madness is inspired by her life and career as a psychiatric nurse, and her fascination with the extremes of human behaviour. Her second novel, Divine Poison, also published by Bloodhound books is due for release in January 2018.

Author Links: Twitter |Website

Buy on Amazon UK

Many thanks for reading my post.

 

#BlogBlitz : Degrees of Darkness by @TonyJForder published by@BloodhoundBook

yvonnembee


I would like to say a huge thank you to Sarah Hardy and Bloodhound Books for this opportunity to take part in the blog blitz for this amazing book. “Degrees of Darkness” by Tony J Forder.

Synopsis:

Pre-teen girls are being abducted from their homes and their families murdered. When Frank Rogers, once a DI with the Met and now running his own debt collection agency, is told that his own daughter is missing, his son murdered, he naturally wants to become involved with the case.

Soon Frank’s face is all over the news. In an unexpected turn of events, the killer contacts the police and says he is willing to talk, but only to Frank.

When the body of the first abducted girl is discovered, Frank realises it is a race against time to save his daughter.

In order to solve the case, Frank must work out how the killer is picking his victims.

But how do you catch a murderer who is hiding in plain sight? And can Frank solve the mystery, when he has so much to lose?

My thoughts:

I was hooked on this book pretty quickly, literally a few pages and there I was, Hooked! It was as I read about a killer being in the house of the victim. What unfolds after that is a brutal psychological game of cat and mouse between an ex-cop and the killer.

Frank is the ex-cop and it is his own daughter that is the latest missing victim, his son is one of the murdered victims, along Frank’s ex-wife.  This killer is very clever at leaving no evidence for the police to go on,  due to this he is able to taunt Frank and the police, feeding titbits of information on his own terms.  The media have taken up the story and this just adds to fuel the game the killer plays.

This book is simply brilliant from start to finish.  I loved everything about it, from the memorable, unique and identifiable characters to the wonderfully deep, twisted and well thought-out plot. The characters I could almost imagine off the pages, some I loathed some I really liked.  The pacing fits this story perfectly, keeping the pressure on the reader to read and not pause, at times the pace slows at the more descriptive sections, it was almost as if these were breathing stops and I was given a chance to arrange my thoughts.

Yes this is a psychological thriller and it fits perfectly into this genre.  The plot is very well laid out and leads you through the story to a satisfactory ending.  There was no point in the story that I had any idea of identities until the author allowed me to know, there were a couple of red herrings, that made my heart sink when I came across them, I was so glad I was wrong.  Also added into this murder and abduction story, is the story of the killer and his history, experiences, ideologies and outlook on life, it gives the reader a glimpse into a the mind of the killer.

I would highly recommend this book to readers who like their psychological thrillers to be dark and sinister, with layers of plots.  If this is you …..Get this book, you will not be disappointed.

My thoughts here are my own and are unbiased.

Author Bio:

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On 1st February 2017, Tony signed to Bloodhound Books, who published his edgy crime thriller Bad to the Bone in spring. It is the first in a series.

Later this year, Tony’s second novel for Bloodhound Books, Degrees of Darkness, featuring ex-detective Frank Rogers, will be published.

Tony has been writing stories since childhood, but it was only when he won a short story competition judged by an editor from Pan Books, that he realised he might actually be half decent at this writing business.

The story, Gino’s Bar and Grille, went on to be published in Dark Voices 2, part of the celebrated Pan Book of Horror series. Three further short story sales followed: Book End, published in Dark Voices 4, Character Role, in FEAR magazine, and finally A Grim Story, which featured in A Rattler’s Tale.

During a book singing for Dark Voices 2, Tony was seated next to author Brian Lumley. At one point, Tony revealed to Brian that he felt out of place alongside all the proper writers. Brian then told Tony something he has never forgotten: “The moment you sat down and pulled a story out of your imagination and put it to paper, you became a proper writer.”

Subsequently, Tony began to focus on novel writing. He admits that his initial attempts were exploratory and somewhat derivative, although there was some interest from an agent – who oddly enough turned out to be Brian Lumley’s wife, Dorothy.

Tony wrote Degrees of Darkness, which he was happy with. He wasn’t so happy with a follow-up, so that never saw the light of day.

As a part-time writer with a full-time job, plus some ill-health, life got in the way and, although Tony continued writing, it took a back seat to making a living.

This year, however, Tony has been inspired by new ideas, and has been working hard on two new books, both of which should be completed in 2017.

Author Links:   Facebook  | Twitter |

Buy on Amazon UK

 

Many thanks for reading my post.

#BookReview | The Weight of Shadows by @KarlHolton | Q&A by @Lindahill50hill

yvonnembee 3 Comments
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Synopsis:

A gripping crime thriller mystery with twists from the beginning to end.

When you have spent your life in the shadows, what would you do at the dying of the light?

Three years ago the best murder detective in London is blamed for the death of his colleague and kicked out of the Met.
A man with secrets buried in the past and present returns to London, the city that started the mysterious career which made him a billionaire.
The two need each other.
But they have no idea how much.

 

I am also including a link to a blogger who posted a wonderful Q & A, please follow this link to read more, it is a really good post.   @Lindahill50hill 

My thoughts:
As you begin this book you soon realise it set at a fast pace, in fact it is perfect for this action packed crime thriller.
Danny Benedict is a police officer who does not mice his words and is part of an investigation into an international crime gang, with the main focus of the story being set in London.  D.I Wallace is soon to work alongside Benedict as a series of crimes take place and they find themselves working in their very unique styles, she has a very similar trait as Benedict himself.
Because this is an international crime ring they have to use the services of the very humorous, efficient and ruthless Pip.  She has access to various intelligence agencies, I will not divulge any more information about her at this time, as she may hurt me!   Needless to say she is an amazing asset to this team, as is the duo of Ray and Paddy, they have their own skill set and contacts into this very shady criminal world, and their involvment in the story is crucial.
If you want a book with action, adventure, crime and thrills, that is well written and executed, then this is the book for you.  There is a huge amount of detail and a vast array of characters.  It kept me on the edge of my seat from the very first paragraphs right through to its finale and conclusion.  The main focus is on the investigation, we learn a little about the characters and their past histories as this investigation unfolds.  There is just the right amount of information given about their past lives, but not too much that it detracts from the story.
The plots within the story have been worked together very well and at no point did I get confused.  Also with the large cast of characters there was no confusion, the main ones have been very well described and most of them I absolutely loved.   The dynamics between them are wonderful and they have been well developed. I really could go on and on about this book, but I really do not want to give anything away.
I can honestly say I loved this book from start to beginning.  My only problem is the fact that I have finished it and really want to read the next installment NOW!
I would highly recommend this book to people who like their crime and thriller books to be fast paced, action packed and well written.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Karl for bringing this book to my attention.  My thoughts expressed here are my own, they are honest and unbiased.
About the Author:
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Karl Holton is a brand new self publishing author. His first book, The Weight of Shadows, is available now as an ebook on Amazon. The paperback will be out soon. This is the first book in a crime thriller mystery series, with twists from beginning to end. Karl previously worked in financial markets for over thirty years, before deciding that he had to write. He couldn’t leave this dream any longer. He lives in Surrey with his wife and two children.
If you would like to contact or follow him then please use any of the following:
Twitter| Website and Blog  | Instagram | Facebook  |  Email
Book Details:
  • Paperback: 374 pages
  • Publisher: Thuja Publishing (26 July 2017)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0995785503
  • ISBN-13: 978-0995785502
This book is now available to buy from Amazon on Kindle or Paperback, and is also available on Kindle Unlimited.
Many thanks for reading my post.

#CoverReveal : The Fallen Agent by Oliver Tidy : @olivertidy

yvonnembee 1 Comment

The Fallen Agent - Oliver Tidy - Book Cover

 

I am very happy to be part of the cover reveal for this book, and also excited to be part of the blog tour.  “The Fallen Agent” is available on pre-order now, and is due to published on 10th October.

What the book is about:

Jess Albion has recently started a new life on the other side of the world with a new identity. She used to be MI5. Then a job went bad, someone died and she was made an example of in the British courts. But MI5 look after their own. Or they did until rumours of a planned Al Qaeda biological terror attack on London started circulating. Now someone in the British security services is giving agents up in return for information. No price, it seems, is too high to save London from the ultimate threat.

When Jess’s fresh start is compromised she has a choice to make: run and hide and spend the rest of her life looking over her shoulder or go looking for the threat and snuff it out. On her own, she’d run, but she has Nick on her side.

The Fallen Agent is a story of love and hate, of loyalty and betrayal, of revenge and all that goes with it.

Details:

Follow Oliver on Twitter | Facebook author page |Website

Links for pre-order :  Amazon UK |Amazon US

About the Author: 

Oliver Tidy Author Image.jpg

Crime writing author Oliver Tidy has had a life-long love affair with books. He dreams of one day writing something that he could find in a beautifully-jacketed hard-cover or paperback copy on a shelf in a book shop. He’d even be happy with something taking up space in the remainder bin, on a pavement, in the rain, outside The Works.

He found the time and opportunity to finally indulge his writing ambition after moving abroad to teach English as a foreign language to young learners eight years ago.

Impatient for success and an income that would enable him to stay at home all day in his pyjamas he discovered self-publishing. He gave it go. By and large readers have been kind to him. Very kind. Kind enough that two years ago he was able to give up the day job and write full-time. Mostly in his pyjamas.

Oliver Tidy has fourteen books in three series, a couple of stand-alone novels and a couple of short story collections. All available through Amazon. Among his books are The Romney and Marsh Files (British police procedurals set in Dover) and the Booker & Cash novels, a series of private detective tales set in the south of England and published by Bloodhound Books.

Oliver is back living on Romney Marsh in the UK. His home. He still wakes in the night from time to time shouting about seeing his books on a shelf in Waterstones.

The Fallen Agent - Oliver Tidy - Blog Tour Poster 2.0 (4)

Many thanks fo reading my post.

 

#BlogBlitz : Little White Lies and Butterflies by @SuzieTullett : @bombshellpub @sarahhardy681 : #BookReview

yvonnembee

 

 

 

I am very pleased to be on the blog blitz for this book.

 “Little White Lies & Butterflies” by Suzie Tullett.

My thoughts:

This is not a genre I tend to read very often, it is a chick lit style romance, and I really enjoyed it.  I thought it was a light-hearted read and I do admit to guessing some of the scenarios, but I still did really enjoy it.

It is set on a Greek Island, with the main character Lydia, she is fed up with not finding her Mr. Perfect so she has decided to take herself off on holiday, alone. Things are not smooth sailing for her and after a series of unfortunate, or fortunate events, depending on your outlook, she forms a friendship with Sam. She seems to fit in well with the locals, but one little white lie soon escalates.  Rather than tell the truth, she tries to save face.  Help arrives from a surprising quater, to dig her out of trouble and also giving her much more to think about. Things are not all she thought they were, and people are so much more than she thinks they are.

As I said this is not my normal genre, but I found it made a really great change to the norm.  I found the characters very well-developed, Lydia especially.  She has been well described to the point that I found her very annoying in how judgemental and assuming she was at times, as well as wanting to tell her “to get over herself” with her annoying attitude at life and people around her.  Various different events cropping up through the story added several dimensions to her character, giving different view points and perspectives of her, again this I really liked. The setting of the story certainly was described very well, I have never been to Greece, but the way the author described the area jumped out at me.  I had no problem visualising her scene.

Overall a very enjoyable read, that would, I think, appeal to readers of Chick/Lit and Romance genres.  I would like to take the opportunity to thank Sarah Hardy, Bombshell Publishers and Suzie Tullett for giving me the opportunity to read Little White Lies & Butterflies.  My views expressed are my own, they are honest and unbiased.

Synopsis:

Lydia knows first-hand that ‘having it all’ isn’t everything it’s cracked up to be. As far as she’s concerned, when it comes to job versus family, it’s a case of one or the other. And whilst most women her age have spent years climbing the corporate ladder, she’s made a career out of bagging her perfect man. Now nearly thirty and still single, Lydia wonders if she’d made the right choice.

Realising the time has come to take stock, she goes against her family’s wishes and goes travelling in the hope of finding a new direction. At least that’s the plan.

So when Sam comes along, she decides to tell a little white lie, re-inventing herself as a professional chef – not exactly the best new identity for a woman who can’t cook. But the truth can’t stay hidden for long and when her family show up unexpectedly things go from bad to worse…

Can Lydia find love? Will she ever learn to cook?

Little White Lies and Butterflies is a heart-warming comedy about finding your place in the world.

About the Author:

me

Suzie Tullett is an author of contemporary humorous fiction and romantic comedy. She has a Masters Degree in Television & Radio Scriptwriting and worked as a scriptwriter before becoming a full-time novelist. Her motto is to ‘live, laugh, love’ and when she’s not busy creating her own literary masterpieces, she usually has her head in someone else’s.

Suzie lives in a tiny hamlet in the middle of the French countryside, along with her husband and two Greek rescue dogs.

 

Author Links | Facebook|Twitter | Instagram|Website

Many thanks for reading my post.