Paul Cude: “Bentwhistle the Dragon in A Threat from the Past”

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Book review, Dragons, Fantasy, fiction, interview, writer

A Dragon Treat for Halloween – Meet BENTWHISTLE THE DRAGON by Paul Cude on my blog today

http://www.christophfischerbooks.com/paul-cude-bentwhistle-the-dragon-in-a-threat-from-the-past/

“Bentwhistle the Dragon in A Threat from the Past” by Paul Cude is using a highly original idea and makes it the centre of a very entertaining adventure story for young adults and those young at hearts. In times of “Eragon” and “The Hobbit” many of us older adults love a good dragon story just as well as the younger ones and I am sure most people who pick up this book will appreciate Cude’s excellent effort in that regard.

Most of the story however is surprisingly set in present day and not in the distant past. The dragons are not enemies of us humans but are actually here to protect us, a tradition that goes a long way back into their past. Using this inventive set up Cude tells us with much love for detail about the world and communities of dragons, their habitat, tunnels under the sea and much more which I found very enjoyable.
Myths and legends in the dragon world their good and bad members, their habits, their sports and their views on the human world add flesh to the action part of the story.

Cude has taken the simple idea and given it a lot of thought and imaginative detail, it is obvious what a labour of love writing this book must have been and it certainly has paid off.
Highly recommended, a great and fun-filled read.

Author Wednesday – Christoph Fischer

Another author interview about THE BLACK EAGLE INN – have I not said it all? Surprisingly not just yet!

P.C. ZICK

@PCZick

Welcome to Author Wednesday. I’m pleased to welcome back Christoph Fischer to my blog. Christoph writes historical fiction and recently published the third book in his Three Nations Trilogy, The Black Eagle Inn. The Luck of the Weissensteiners, Sebastian, and The Black Eagle Inn are set in Europe during either World War I, World War II, or the post-war period. They offer a unique view of wars that pulled apart countries, cultures, and religions. Christoph uses the individual stories to narrate his historical perspective.

Welcome to Author Wednesday, Christoph. It’s always a pleasure to have you drop by for a chat. You’ve written a trilogy so I wonder about the similar messages and themes you used in all three books. What message are you trying to convey to your readers?

I try to write about new historical aspects, but also the human factor and how people…

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Rhonda Patton: “African Safari with Ted and Raymond”

“African Safari with Ted and Raymond” by Rhonda Patton is an educational, entertaining and charming children’s book with beautiful illustrations by Chester McDaniel.
Two frogs go on an adventure somewhere in southern Africa where they meet local frogs and see safari animals. I can’t stress how cute and lovable the illustrations are, appealing and in a simplistic child-like style that instantly draws children and adults alike into the book.
The holiday and safari descriptions are pleasant, informative and written with much care and love. Instead of scaring us away with warning information about the animals Patton has chosen to point out specifics and facts about the animals that we see.
The safari with our frogs is not dramatic and scary but educational and seems to have been written with a view to bring nature and humans in harmony. I loved the fact that it is other animals posing as humans that go on safari, hinting at the idea that we are all part of the animal kingdom and part of the same nature and planet. In a modern world where humans drift away from a natural way of life this book stands out with its magic charm and its subtle and low key message.
Most importantly of all however, it is great fun to read. I definitely recommend this book to children and their parents.

For more follow this link

http://www.christophfischerbooks.com/interview-with-multi-talented-writer-rhonda-patton/

Review: ‘Sebastian’ – a light on history

Scott Stevens: “Every Silver Lining Has a Cloud”

For an excerpt and an interview with the author go to

http://www.christophfischerbooks.com/scott-stevens-every-silver-lining-has-a-cloud-relapse-and-the-symptoms-of-sobriety/

“Every Silver Lining Has a Cloud : Relapse and the Symptoms of Sobriety” by Scott Stevens is a remarkable book about alcoholism that has busted a few myths for me, taught me a few truths and filled in other gaps in what I thought was comprehensive knowledge on the subject of addiction and alcoholism.

With journalistic precision and competence Stevens informs his readers in excellent fashion about the correlation between alcoholism and cortisol, a chemical in the body related to stress and stressors. Stevens also brings in psychological aspects and data, statistics and the impact of spirituality and communication on recovery.
I found Stevens’ approach refreshing because unlike other self-help books there is no agenda or one simplifying message about the subject. This is an informed and personalised account of facts that can clarify patterns, help understanding them and shed new light on the subject without trying to force them into a one-trick-pony of a book.
The book includes many great quotes on the matter and should be helpful for alcoholics and those around them just for the inspirational impact of those alone but I also personally related particularly well to the rational journalistic approach interspersed with the personal.
I commend Stevens for his honesty when it comes to his own private experiences and for his talent to chose wisely where to bring the personal into the book in the first place. Here is not a sinner asking for forgiveness, or someone revealing to shock or to accuse. The ‘sobriety’ of his account is most rewarding and probably helps to increase the impact of what is being shared.
I have already passed the book details on to my friends in recovery.

“Journey to Jazzland” by Gia Volterra de Saulnier

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authors on tour, children's authors, children's books, children's picture books, children's picture storybook, children's writer, Gia Volterra De Saulnier, Journey To Jazzland, virtual book tour café

“Journey to Jazzland” by Gia Volterra de Saulnier with its beautiful illustrations by Emily Zieroth is a magnificent piece of art.
The story follows Windy Flute on her quest from overly regulated orchestra music to Jazzland, the place where there is freedom to play in a group but according to your heart. On her journey she is joined by other instruments who also don’t want to play to someone else’s tune.
The book is a great tool to teach some basic music theory to children as the characters include several Jazz instruments but of course it also works as a metaphor and tribute to freedom of expression in all walks of life.
With delightful characters and a wonderful message this is a great read for any age group that left me feeling warm, inspired and upbeat.
Excellent.

For more about Gia and her book follow this link

New Release by Duncan McGonall!

New Release by Duncan McGonall!
Oct
22
Duncan McGonall’s new release, The Breach Between (The Spiral Dance, #2) is now available!

To celebrate, he is giving away a $15 Amazon GC!r thoughts here… (optional)

NEW RELEASE: DIANNE HARMAN “COYOTE IN PROVENCE”

I was lucky enough to get an advance copy of “Coyote in Provence” by Dianne Harman, the long awaited sequel to her excellent novel “Blue Coyote Motel” and I am pleased to have found it just as remarkable and enjoyable as the first one.
Maria, the ageing Mexican beauty and widow of an American scientist, is hiding in France under a new identity. Harman did a splendid job at tying everything up at the end of the last book but manages to unravel the story again easily. Maria is still ambitious and somewhat of a loose agent who won’t be satisfied with a boring and secluded life and therefore attracts people and problems. Of all people she falls for a detective from Southern California on a field trip to locate stolen art.
A separate narrative introduces a filthily rich Afghan business woman with a big heart. I don’t want to give away much more of the plot to avoid spoilers. All I will say is that said woman is an amazing character and a great and intriguing addition to the already well composed and wonderful cast. Harman really knows how to write entertaining and thoughtful stories with characters caught in the grey areas of morality and legality. With clever juxtaposition and sharp dialogue Harman makes several important points about those (too often contradictory) concepts.
I was impressed how the narratives then come together and how the themes from book one returned so naturally and organically into this story. As far as sequels go this is masterfully crafted and particularly pleasing as the plot is not predictable and the book contains a lot of new elements, yet retains the original character of the series / trilogy (Maybe we can persuade Harman to go beyond the third book?).
I found this a gripping and compulsive read and – although I really hate to use this worn out phrase in reviews – I cannot wait for the next book to find out more about how the remaining issues will be resolved.
A great equal to book one and a real treat.

For an interview and more reviews follow this link

http://www.christophfischerbooks.com/dianne-harman-blue-coyote-hotel-tea-party-teddy-and-coyote-in-provence/

NEW RELEASE: STEALING ASIA by David Clarkson

“Stealing Asia” by David Clarkson is another great travel adventure story by this talented author.
The first part of this book is told by Ben, a traveller in South East Asia, somewhat inexperienced but brave enough to save a girl from a mugging. The two become lovers and have a great time together until odd occurrences no longer can be seen as coincidental and Ben and his girl, also named Asia, need to get away.
But all is not as it seems, as we learn in the subsequent parts, told by different characters of the book.
The unfolding and unravelling of the plot and the change from holiday romance and harmless adventure story to action packed thriller is done very well, I did not see the twists and deceits in the story coming. The change of voice in the different parts is something often frowned upon in reviews but I personally find the benefit of added perspectives always intriguing and in this story particularly useful and enjoyable.
There is a lot of thought and plotting in this novel and we are casually confronted with the ins and outs of travelling in Asia as tourist, the author seems to have sound knowledge of the area he is writing about and feeds us information in a low key journalistic style. The narrative voices are also often understated and do feel very realistic rather than sensationalist or over the top.
I may have a thing for travel writing ever since I read “Backpack” in the 90ies but few have impressed me as much as this novel has.
If beautiful, atmospheric and descriptive writing about a holiday adventure gone wrong is your thing and you like fast paced thrillers this is definitely for you.
Highly recommended.

http://www.christophfischerbooks.com/new-release-stealing-asia-by-david-clarkson/

I had to be a broad for this interview with Christof

A fun interview at Lorna’s Voice about THE BLACK EAGLE INN and my own Germanic brand of ‘being fun’