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Monthly Archives: April 2015

¡Hola, Olga! 1

29 Wednesday Apr 2015

Posted by Christoph Fischer in Uncategorized

≈ 6 Comments

Feature on a very talented writer and blogger, Olga Nunez Miret. Interesting interview and a great body of work to check out. 🙂

The Bingergread Cottage

You may remember that I had the most amazing good fortune to have coffee with an on-line friend in Barcelona recently. She is so interesting that I wanted her to come and chat with the rest of you, as she did with us. I have found my French doppelgänger in the UK but now my Catalan one too. Olga has lived in England as long as I have in France so we swapped stories of being “foreign”! 

Olga, darling – step off the magic carpet and give me a big hug. Lily remembers you and wants a fuss and I’m sure Badger will be in shortly with some drinks.

Tell us – you are a forensic psychiatrist. What is that? What do you do?Escaping Psychiatry final

First, thanks so much for having me at your cottage. I’ve enjoyed all the visitors you’ve had so far and I loved meeting you and your…

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“Historically enlightening, psychologically insightful and emotionally evocative” – Review of “In Search of a Revolution” by Christoph Fischer #Finland #History #asmsg

29 Wednesday Apr 2015

Posted by Christoph Fischer in Reviews, Uncategorized

≈ 10 Comments

5.0 out of 5 stars Historically enlightening, psychologically insightful and emotionally evocative, April 27, 2015
By
S. Rose
 screen-shot-2015-03-25-at-12-09-03-pm
Verified Purchase(What’s this?)
This review is from: In Search of A Revolution (Kindle Edition)
For me, In Search of a Revolution is about a young man’s need to define his existence; the ubiquitous quest to hone and develop the emerging adult identity as a being separate from one’s parents, and find meaning in life.The central component of any developmental stage is love in its many forms: love of a father-figure; brotherly love and the esteem of a peer group; ideological love; and finally, self-acceptance, or love of self, something most of us struggle all our lives to achieve. Christoph Fischer hints at this with his brilliant book cover, teasing out the word LOVE from the word REVOLUTION. copenhagen-237561_640What on earth possesses the protagonist, eighteen year old Zacharias Nielsen, to leave his comfortable, upper class home in Denmark and fight alongside the communists in a Finnish civil war? He is a gentle, rather frail student, unused to hardship or physical labor. As his father’s son, Zacharias is set for life, to graduate school and step into a refined profession suitable to his station; yet he alienates his powerful father by running away to join a 83942_kuvaforeign war, to suffer cold and injury and possible death. It appears that idealistic love for a male teacher with communist leanings is the catalyst for Zacharias to somehow prove himself worthy of respect in his own right. I suspect that his father’s abhorrence of communism has something to do with his newfound passion.

I am reminded of todays’ tragic headlines—young men and women from middleclass homes who are seduced via Internet by fanatical sects, groups given to murder and other barbarities. They are on fire with new ideals to join up and leave their old lives behind. To be swallowed by a movement brings the euphoria of belonging to something greater than oneself, along with a new adult identity; but while autonomy from the parents is gained, the images (3)individual may disintegrate. Many young people will gladly lay down their lives to be esteemed, or loved by the group, however brief it may be.

Having said that, the Finnish communists are not totally depraved brutes, as with ISIS. They do have some principals and conduct war within accepted boundaries. I know that now, because Christoph Fischer has taken us to the frontlines of the Finnish Revolution, where we meet soldiers and witness combat first hand. I was mightily impressed with the painstakingly researched historical facts, of a time and place (I’m embarrassed to say) I knew nothing about.

Equally impressive are the descriptions of scenes that bring us up close and personal. Fischer really drove home the harsh reality of fighting in Finland during winter—I could almost hear the snow crunching beneath the soldier’s feet, and the imagery of blood on snow is unforgettable. One scene in particular had me on the edge of my seat, as our friend Zacharias encounters the enemy face to face, along with a part of himself he didn’t know existed. images (5)

In any novel, all of these fine literary assets might be lost without fully fleshed characters, and on that score, the author more than delivers. Ansgar and Raisa, Zacharias’ main cohorts, become so real that you can almost detect a pulse. We hang in there with them during their twenty year journey, cheering them on as they grapple with the meaning of life and struggle to find love, each in search of his own revolution.

IN SEARCH OF A REVOLUTION suojeluskunta2

http://smarturl.it/SearchofRevolution

In 1918 young Zacharias Nielsen boards a ship in Copenhagen to join the Red Guards in the Finnish Civil War.Encouraged by an idolised teacher with communist leanings, he follows the call for help from his Nordic Comrades, despite his privileged background.

His best friend, Ansgar, has opposing political ideals to Zacharias but, for his own personal reasons, finds himself soon stuck in the Scandinavian North with Zacharias and Raisa, a Finnish nurse who helps them in their new life.

Through the years that follow the brotherly war the trio see the political landscape in Finland and Europe change as Communists and Fascists try to make their mark and attempt to change the world order.

Our heroes must find their own personal and ideological place in these turbulent times as friendship, honour, idealism and love triangles bring out some personal truths.

The book spans almost thirty years of history and the various Finnish conflicts: Civil War, Winter War, Continuation War and the Lapland War. Watch the political and personal self discovery of characters in search of their own revolution.83942_kuva

http://smarturl.it/SearchofRevolution

https://www.facebook.com/InSearchOfaRevolution?ref=hl

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25113498-in-search-of-a-revolution

https://read.rifflebooks.com/books/416436

 

CHRISTOPH FISCHER christoph-fischer

Short Biography:

Christoph Fischer was born in Germany, near the Austrian border, as the son of a Sudeten-German father and a Bavarian mother. Not a full local in the eyes and ears of his peers he developed an ambiguous sense of belonging and home in Bavaria. He moved to Hamburg in pursuit of his studies and to lead a life of literary indulgence. After a few years he moved on to the UK where he now lives in a small hamlet, not far from Bath.  He and his partner have three Labradoodles to complete their family.

Christoph worked for the British Film Institute, in Libraries, Museums and for an airline. ‘The Luck of The Weissensteiners’ was published in November 2012; ‘Sebastian’ in May 2013 and The Black Eagle Inn in October 2013. “Time To Let Go” , his first contemporary work was published in May 2014, and “Conditions” in October 2014. His medical thriller “The Healer” was released in January 2015.

He has written several other novels which are in the later stages of editing and finalisation.

Website: http://www.christophfischerbooks.com/

Blog: https://writerchristophfischer.wordpress.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6590171.Christoph_Fischer

Amazon: http://ow.ly/BtveY

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CFFBooks

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/christophffisch/

Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/106213860775307052243

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=241333846

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WriterChristophFischer?ref=hl

The Sunday Show – Defining Moments with Christoph Fischer

26 Sunday Apr 2015

Posted by Christoph Fischer in Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

Thank you so much Sal<3

Christoph Fischer – Author Feature

26 Sunday Apr 2015

Posted by Christoph Fischer in Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

Thank you for the interview Jo xxxx

Feed My Reads South Africa

922159_10151345337037132_1303709604_o

This week I asked a favourite author of mine a couple of questions, which he kindly answered even while in the middle of moving house. Christoph Fischer was born in Germany, near the Austrian border, as the son of a Sudeten-German father and a Bavarian mother. Not a full local in the eyes and ears of his peers he developed an ambiguous sense of belonging and home in Bavaria. He moved to Hamburg in pursuit of his studies and to lead a life of literary indulgence. After a few years he moved on to the UK where he now lives in a small town in West Wales. He and his partner have three Labradoodles to complete their family.

Christoph worked for the British Film Institute, in Libraries, Museums and for an airline. ‘The Luck of The Weissensteiners’ was published in November 2012; ‘Sebastian’ in May 2013 and The Black Eagle…

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MOVING HOUSE

21 Tuesday Apr 2015

Posted by Christoph Fischer in Uncategorized

≈ 46 Comments

This blog will be quiet for the next few weeks as I’m moving house.

images (6) images (3)

Please bear with me and stay tuned while i re-position myself in wonderful wales. 

images (7) imagesimages (1)

 

I hope to be back online very soon!

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“Excellent read. Cracking pace.” – Vine Voice Review for IN SEARCH OF A REVOLUTION

20 Monday Apr 2015

Posted by Christoph Fischer in Uncategorized

≈ 7 Comments

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read. Cracking pace., 6 April 2015

By ISoaR Kindle Cover
Christina (London) –
(VINE VOICE)
Verified Purchase(What is this?)
This review is from: In Search of A Revolution (Kindle Edition)

Christoph Fischer is a skilled and accomplished story teller. He maintains a cracking pace. He has clearly researched his subject matter well. It is admirable how Fischer gets to grips with a complex set of political intrigues but yet keeps it simple and never descends into turgidity.

As a Finn myself with a keen interest in history, I waited for the author to trip up on fact. However, he never did. This is a feat, as many books have strange ideas about Finland.

My interest was driven by the Finnish Civil War of circa 1917. I was impressed the novel also covers the Winter War, the Continuation War and touches on the interests of Denmark and Estonia viz a vis Stalinist Russia and Nazi Germany.

The political intrigues and the characters different ideological viewpoints are well-handled.

Not quite Booker Winner material, but nonetheless Fischer does an excellent job in distilling the macro into the micro. This talent could be compared to Kazuo Ishiguro’s gift of “writing in the miniature”. It does need to be developed, though as some parts of the plot are thin.

I am not a great fan of “love interest” situations and the character Raisa almost fell into the danger of being somewhat two-dimensional, slightly redeemed as the book went on.

The relationship between main protagonists Zacharias and Ansgar is portrayed beautifully. Ansgar’s tale is a particular horror story all the more for it being one true of Nazi occupied Denmark and its collaborators.

The depiction of the ideologist Holgar Beck is also poignant.

Excellent read, cracking pace.

 

IN SEARCH OF A REVOLUTION suojeluskunta2

http://smarturl.it/SearchofRevolution

In 1918 young Zacharias Nielsen boards a ship in Copenhagen to join the Red Guards in the Finnish Civil War.Encouraged by an idolised teacher with communist leanings, he follows the call for help from his Nordic Comrades, despite his privileged background.

His best friend, Ansgar, has opposing political ideals to Zacharias but, for his own personal reasons, finds himself soon stuck in the Scandinavian North with Zacharias and Raisa, a Finnish nurse who helps them in their new life.

Through the years that follow the brotherly war the trio see the political landscape in Finland and Europe change as Communists and Fascists try to make their mark and attempt to change the world order.

Our heroes must find their own personal and ideological place in these turbulent times as friendship, honour, idealism and love triangles bring out some personal truths.

The book spans almost thirty years of history and the various Finnish conflicts: Civil War, Winter War, Continuation War and the Lapland War. Watch the political and personal self discovery of characters in search of their own revolution.

http://smarturl.it/SearchofRevolution

https://www.facebook.com/InSearchOfaRevolution?ref=hl

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25113498-in-search-of-a-revolution

https://read.rifflebooks.com/books/416436

 

CHRISTOPH FISCHER christoph-fischer

Short Biography:

Christoph Fischer was born in Germany, near the Austrian border, as the son of a Sudeten-German father and a Bavarian mother. Not a full local in the eyes and ears of his peers he developed an ambiguous sense of belonging and home in Bavaria. He moved to Hamburg in pursuit of his studies and to lead a life of literary indulgence. After a few years he moved on to the UK where he now lives in a small hamlet, not far from Bath.  He and his partner have three Labradoodles to complete their family.

Christoph worked for the British Film Institute, in Libraries, Museums and for an airline. ‘The Luck of The Weissensteiners’ was published in November 2012; ‘Sebastian’ in May 2013 and The Black Eagle Inn in October 2013. “Time To Let Go” , his first contemporary work was published in May 2014, and “Conditions” in October 2014. His medical thriller “The Healer” was released in January 2015.

He has written several other novels which are in the later stages of editing and finalisation.

Website: http://www.christophfischerbooks.com/

Blog: https://writerchristophfischer.wordpress.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6590171.Christoph_Fischer

Amazon: http://ow.ly/BtveY

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CFFBooks

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/christophffisch/

Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/106213860775307052243

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=241333846

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WriterChristophFischer?ref=hl

Interview with Christoph Fischer

20 Monday Apr 2015

Posted by Christoph Fischer in Uncategorized

≈ 15 Comments

Thanks to David Cook for this interview on his blog 

https://www.tumblr.com/blog/thewolfshead images (6)

How long have you been writing? And what inspired you to?

I began writing in 2010. I was inspired by a real life event, a funeral that still haunted me years later.  I tried to explore the possible reasons behind the hostile atmosphere there. With my fantasy and speculation both in full swing I then turned to an old unresolved family mystery that got me to research Czechoslovakia between 1933 and 1946. This inspired more or less my next three books.

Tell us about your latest story? Where did the idea come from? ISoaR Kindle Cover

“In Search of a Revolution” is a historical novel set in Finland between 1918 and 1950. I became interested in the era when I read a Wikipedia article that showed me how little I knew about Finland during the early 1900s. The descriptions of the Civil War reminded me of an old friend of mine whose political leanings were so decidedly different from my own, yet, we managed to maintain an amazing friendship.

Were the plot and subplots completely planned from the start or did they change during the process, and if so, how?

I had the political and historical facts as the rigid framework for my story and I had basic ideas where my characters and plot should go. I am, however, not very good at sticking to plans. A big scene between the main characters that I had planned from the very beginning suddenly seemed lifeless painting by numbers and my characters and my sense of credibility rebelled against it. Characters and sub-plots changed continuously and the ending was a surprise for me, too.

Tell us about your characters images (5)

Zacharias is a somewhat naïve Communist, fallen under the seductive spell of a fancy teacher in Denmark. Ansgar is his best friend, a convinced Monarchist, who joins him in Finland for his own personal reasons. They find support from a selfless nurse, named Raisa. A difficult love triangle complicates their living arrangement. They all feel strongly about politics and making the world a better place, but have all very different ideas and reasons for their actions.

How do you research your stories?

I buy a lot of books and maps and then I write down the facts on various sheets for each subject, year and character. During the writing I keep checking against these notes, with Wikipedia and other sources nearby to make sure I am still on the right track.

What do you do when you don’t write? marketing4

I walk the dogs, run, go to the gym, watch mindless TV and play Candy Crush.

If you could turn one of your books into a film which one would it be and why?

That’s a tough decision. I would like all of them to be made into films, because it’s a medium that reaches so many more people these days than books. I wrote my books because I wanted people to know the stories, so ideally I would at least like three or four films…..
I’ll go with “The Healer” because it is the most accessible of my work and has probably the right length for a film.

What do you think are the pros and cons of being a writer?

Having a creative outlet is a huge enrichment in my life that I would hate to miss.
On the other hand, it involves a lot of time away from people and from nature.

How do you balance marketing one book and writing the next one? How do you market your books – what platforms?

I wrote most of my books before I published the first one, so I had a bit of a head start. It’s a tough balancing act that I often get wrong. I use twitter, Facebook, book blogs and my own blogging, triberr, Pinterest, Google +, LinkedIn and a few more. There are so many platforms these days and they all require a learning curve and initial investment of time and attention. I believe it is better to focus on a few select platforms and make a huge splash there than spreading yourself too thinly.

Do you do your own marketing?

Yes, sadly, it’s just me. I have a great cover designer who helps me with my blog, though.

Who are your favourite authors? 

Richard Yates, Paulette Mahurin, Khaled Hosseini, Murielle Cyr, Simon Mawer, Christos Tsiolkas, Melodie Ramone, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Amalie Jahn….

What is your favourite book?

Shantaram

How do you handle (any) criticism of your work? Do you check reader reviews on say Goodreads/Amazon?

Much better these days. I do read the reviews to find out how I’m doing. Some of them are quite useful and help me identify and work on my weaknesses. Some are opinions that I can’t really argue with and a few have not much to do with me and my books but are an expression of anger with something else. The first few bad reviews were upsetting but I have learned to see each one of them for what they are.

What is your advice to new independent writers?51rL-Li8urL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-v3-big,TopRight,0,-55_SX278_SY278_PIkin4,BottomRight,1,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_

Keep writing, keep developing and don’t be discouraged.
Thanks David for interviewing me and best of luck with your own great books!

Here is a link to me interviewing David 

 

 

 

CHRISTOPH FISCHER

Short Biography:922159_10151345337037132_1303709604_o

Christoph Fischer was born in Germany, near the Austrian border, as the son of a Sudeten-German father and a Bavarian mother. Not a full local in the eyes and ears of his peers he developed an ambiguous sense of belonging and home in Bavaria. He moved to Hamburg in pursuit of his studies and to lead a life of literary indulgence. After a few years he moved on to the UK where he now lives in a small hamlet, not far from Bath.  He and his partner have three Labradoodles to complete their family.

Christoph worked for the British Film Institute, in Libraries, Museums and for an airline. ‘The Luck of The Weissensteiners’ was published in November 2012; ‘Sebastian’ in May 2013 and The Black Eagle Inn in October 2013. “Time To Let Go” , his first contemporary work was published in May 2014, and “Conditions” in October 2014. His medical thriller “The Healer” was released in January 2015.

He has written several other novels which are in the later stages of editing and finalisation.

Website: http://www.christophfischerbooks.com/

Blog: https://writerchristophfischer.wordpress.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6590171.Christoph_Fischer

Amazon: http://ow.ly/BtveY

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CFFBooks

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/christophffisch/

Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/106213860775307052243

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=241333846

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WriterChristophFischer?ref=hl

Sebastian Review: “I quickly identified with the fragile Sebastian. His fear and suspicion of doctors resonated deeply”

19 Sunday Apr 2015

Posted by Christoph Fischer in Uncategorized

≈ 8 Comments

5.0 out of 5 starsGreat! Splitting of Europe told in the personal, March 4, 2015
By
S. Munnion17834808
This review is from: Sebastian (The Three Nations Trilogy) (Paperback)
I was a sickly child and I could have lost my leg through gangrene, aged 10-11, so I quickly identified with the fragile Sebastian. His fear and suspicion of doctors resonated deeply, as did his love of books and his self-imposed reclusiveness. Full marks to the author for penning such an engaging character but he doesn’t stop there.The cast is big and the story sweeping. It reminds me of War and Peace and many other 70s serials like The Sullivans and The Pallisers for its subtle thread, twisting back and forth, up and down, though the disparate lives that are thrust together by poverty, hardship and war.
Hospital 1.2
If you want a really engaging picture of Europe breaking apart at the turn of the Century, you could read a dry history book but you could read Christopher Fischer’s lovely tale, which is just shy of an epic. If you love people, I would recommend the latter choice because Fischer understands the subtle tapestry of family relationships like few other writers.I wondered how the story of the hapless Margit would end and was delighted by the weird conclusion, which oh-so-subtly mirrors the loose-end aspects of war.I haven’t read the first book in this series but I didn’t need to; this book is very complete in itself. I have lent it to others, who were itching to have a go.
images (7)
I thoroughly recommend this book, whether you are interested in the demise of the Habsburgs or just want a darned good yarn about people.

5.0 out of 5 stars Another masterpiece!, February 4, 2015
By
Amazon Customer “DeKalb Mommy”
This review is from: Sebastian (The Three Nations Trilogy Book 2) (Kindle Edition)
I cannot believe it, but this book was better than the first. What an amazing story…. with amazing characters, even if they are frustrating at times. This book was an absolute joy to read, and if I had the time, I never would have put it down. I am actually sad that I am done with it now. images (9)
4.0 out of 5 stars … second book in the Three Nations Trilogy was much better than the first, April 4, 2015
By
Nancy Osberg “Hungry to Read”
Verified Purchase(What’s this?)
This review is from: Sebastian (The Three Nations Trilogy Book 2) (Kindle Edition)
This second book in the Three Nations Trilogy was much better than the first, however, it still steered toward never ending. Sometimes I felt, as in the first book in the series, it could have ended much sooner, or moved a bit more quickly. Some of the not so exciting twists and turns could have been honed down much better. The characters in this second book were much more likeable and credible than in the first. The good part of these books is what it shows the reader about the culture, lifestyles, and concerns of people during this era. To say they suffered hardship and came through in good shape is an understatement. The fortitude of the characters I think is probably very realistic to the era and the place. images (9)

 

 

 

Sebastian (Three Nations Trilogy Book 2)

Sebastian is the story of a young man who has his leg amputated before World War I. When his father is drafted to the war it falls on to him to run the family grocery store in Vienna, to grow into his responsibilities, bear loss and uncertainty and hopefully find love.
Sebastian Schreiber, his extended family, their friends and the store employees experience the ‘golden days’ of pre-war Vienna and the timed of the war and the end of the Monarchy while trying to make a living and to preserve what they hold dear.
Fischer convincingly describes life in Vienna during the war, how it affected the people in an otherwise safe and prosperous location, the beginning of the end for the Monarchy, the arrival of modern thoughts and trends, the Viennese class system and the end of an era.
As in the first part of the trilogy, “The Luck of The Weissensteiners” we are confronted again with themes of identity, Nationality and borders. The step back in time made from Book 1 and the change of location from Slovakia to Austria enables the reader to see the parallels and the differences deliberately out of the sequential order. This helps to see one not as the consequence of the other, but to experience them as the momentary reality as it must have felt for the people at the time.

On Amazon: http://smarturl.it/TNTSeb

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/528300
On Goodreads: http://ow.ly/pthHZ

On Facebook: http://ow.ly/pthNy

Trailer: http://studio.stupeflix.com/v/95jvSpHf5a/

B&N http://ow.ly/Btvbw


“Gripping Personal Breakdown”: Reviews for mental health drama “Conditions”

19 Sunday Apr 2015

Posted by Christoph Fischer in Uncategorized

≈ 9 Comments

Showing 1-10 of 87 reviews : 4.3 average star rating 1
5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping personal breakdown, March 22, 2015
By
S. Munnion
This review is from: Conditions (Kindle Edition)

Conditions is a very classy piece of work. A funeral brings together warring factions of a family and gradually reveals the soft underbelly of their seemingly privileged lives.Charles is a talented gardener; openly gay but with some kind of mental condition, which obscures his intentions and clouds the complex relationships which swirl around him. When his mother dies, his hetero brother and his wife close in for the kill on the vulnerable man but get more than they bargained for.Conditions examines people’s lives in minutiae and delicately lifts away the layers, beneath which we conceal our true natures. Christopher is the master of this revealing process and proved it with the broad sweep of Sebastian, but here it is much more personal and intimate. FunPhotoBox1142911044zyytrv

If you love stories about people rather less than places, ideas and things, then this is for you. I loved it and the twist only added to the joy of reading it! Highly Recommended!

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Christoph Fischer book that I enjoyed., April 1, 2015
By
Susan Tarr
Verified Purchase(What’s this?)
This review is from: Conditions (Kindle Edition)
Another Christoph Fischer book that I enjoyed. From the beginning it was easy to find myself immersed in these seemingly mundane lives. I learned how to correctly breathe when walking for exercise. I had thought walking and breathing were second nature to me. Apparently not. And I felt as if I already knew some of the characters in the story, especially Charles and his mother, Rose.
mental-health-13594173
I also relate to the bad relationship between the various family members. Relationships are so complex, and wrought with ‘conditions’, and the author has blended them so easily. The story unfolds steadily and I appreciated how it panned out for those characters involved, nicely tying up all the ends. It’s written devoid of bad language and erotica, and that makes for a refreshing change when purchasing a book to read these days. So if it’s high adventure or titillation you are seeking, this book is not for you. I give it 5 stars!

Conditions 

When Charles and Tony’s mother dies the estranged brothers must struggle to pick up the pieces, particularly so given that one of them is mentally challenged and the other bitter about his place within the family. 
The conflict is drawn out over materialistic issues, but there are ot her underlying problems which go to the heart of what it means to be part of a family which, in one way or another. has cast one aside.
Prejudice, misconceptions and the human condition in all forms feature in this contemporary drama revolving around a group of people who attend the subsequent funeral at the British South Coast. 
Meet flamboyant gardener Charles, loner Simon, selfless psychic Elaine, images (1)narcissistic body-builder Edgar, Martha and her version of unconditional love and many others as they try to deal with the event and its aftermath.

On Facebook: http://ow.ly/C0ZqX

On Amazon: http://smarturl.it/CONDITIONSCFF

On Goodreads: http://ow.ly/C0Ziw

 

CHRISTOPH FISCHER

Short Biography:922159_10151345337037132_1303709604_o

Christoph Fischer was born in Germany, near the Austrian border, as the son of a Sudeten-German father and a Bavarian mother. Not a full local in the eyes and ears of his peers he developed an ambiguous sense of belonging and home in Bavaria. He moved to Hamburg in pursuit of his studies and to lead a life of literary indulgence. After a few years he moved on to the UK where he now lives in a small hamlet, not far from Bath.  He and his partner have three Labradoodles to complete their family.

Christoph worked for the British Film Institute, in Libraries, Museums and for an airline. ‘The Luck of The Weissensteiners’ was published in November 2012; ‘Sebastian’ in May 2013 and The Black Eagle Inn in October 2013. “Time To Let Go” , his first contemporary work was published in May 2014, and “Conditions” in October 2014. His medical thriller “The Healer” was released in January 2015.

He has written several other novels which are in the later stages of editing and finalisation.

Website: http://www.christophfischerbooks.com/

Blog: https://writerchristophfischer.wordpress.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6590171.Christoph_Fischer

Amazon: http://ow.ly/BtveY

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CFFBooks

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/christophffisch/

Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/106213860775307052243

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=241333846

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WriterChristophFischer?ref=hl

Author Profile Lesley Hayes and her novel “Round Robin”

18 Saturday Apr 2015

Posted by Christoph Fischer in Uncategorized

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24619818Today I am going to introduce a very talented writer with a large body of work and a wide range of genres: Welcome Lesley Hayes. I sent Lesley a set of questions and below you can find what she wrote in response to them.

Here is the blurb and my review of Round Robin, my favourite of her books – but then, I have not read all of them, yet. On a deceptively peaceful morning in rural Oxfordshire a bolt from the blue splinters the surface of Robin’s familiar world and pitches him into uncertainty. By the end of the summer holidays he will be eleven, and until now has been looking forward to starting secondary school in September. But a much greater change than he could have imagined is on the horizon. It isn’t just Robin’s world that undergoes a radical transformation. No one in this novel remains untouched by the turbulent events that take place during the following six weeks. Love is questioned, lost and rediscovered as the characters find their way towards the novel’s ultimate denouement. Patrick, the surly bully of a headmaster, and Iris, his long-suffering wife, both face unforeseen life-altering challenges. Maddy and David are forced to review their relationship with one another and, more importantly, with themselves. Laura’s steadfast heart stands to be broken all over again. And Robin is the fulcrum around which each of them constellates. In one way or another he affects everyone. His own future hangs in the balance, and is largely dependent on other people’s choices on his behalf. Wise, poignant, thought-provoking and at times even mordantly funny, ‘Round Robin’ will move you and stay with you long after the final chapters have been read.

“Round Robin” by Lesley Hayes is a wonderful read about a ten year old boy, somewhat anxious and fearful when we meet him first and a boy whom you can’t help feel for from page one. Secrets are revealed, truths need to be confronted, changes are being made and values are being challenged. It’s a tough world sometimes but not everything that changes needs to be bad. Skilfully plotted and written with great literary quality this is an amazing story that grabs you from the beginning. The characters and their stories stayed with me for a long time and I found a lot of fantastic quotes at the end of the book that I want to remember. A thoughtful and entertaining read with some beautiful messages and values and such great feel to it – even when the going gets tough. Excellent.

Lesley Hayes Lesley-Author

I began writing almost as soon as I could talk. When I was 13 I submitted one of my many short stories to a National Newspaper competition and won it. At 14 I wrote my first novel, which was damned with faint praise by my English teacher who said it was good, but not quite as good as Elizabeth Bowen’s ‘Death of the Heart’. At 17 I abandoned a trajectory that would have taken me to Oxford, and left my Girls’ Public Day School with my headmistress’s words ringing in my ears: “I wonder what will become of you, Lesley?” I’ve never gone back to tell her. I got a job on Honey Magazine, where my first short story was published. I was head-hunted by an agent at Laurence Pollinger who remained with me for the next very successful twenty years. Typical of my Gemini personality, one career wasn’t enough (I’d had two children by then on the same basis) and I decided to train as a psychotherapist.

Well, that was the start, I often think, of my ‘real’ life, the life that took me deeper than I would have believed possible. It was a career that fitted me like a glove and brought out the best in me. There is nothing like sitting in a room for many hours a day with other people’s suffering to humble the heart. My youthful arrogance and my pretensions to being anything other than an authentic, empathic human being dwindled away, an unnecessary disguise I was happy to shed. Another twenty years passed, and I emerged a wiser person into a new dawn and a decision to reinvent myself as a writer. One identity can sit as comfortably as any other when identity is not so important any more. I don’t like labels and avoided using them as far as possible in my work as a therapist. Lesley Hayes

I have resisted labelling myself, therefore. As a writer, I don’t fit into any genre any more than I can be categorized as a person. That’s been true of my personal life. I think my somewhat unconventional life (in conventional terms) has informed the depth and breadth of my writing. I was fascinated by human psychology, long before it occurred to me to train as a psychotherapist. I am always studying people’s behaviour, their interactions with one another, the incredibly powerful dynamics that guide us, and the emotional and energetic undercurrents that flow between us. I suppose it’s there that I’ve found the inspiration for all my books. 22852531

In my short stories I’ve often picked up the nuances and shone a light on them, sometimes humorously, sometimes depicting the darkness beneath. In my novels I can be lighthearted in the style in which I write – as in ‘The Drowned Phoenician Sailor’ – or more serious, as I have been in ‘A Field Beyond Time’ and ‘Round Robin’. Serious, but never ‘heavy’, as I believe we can put even painful truths across in a way that falls on the heart and mind gently, even profoundly, without shouting at the reader. At the moment I’m working on a book called ‘Dangerous People’, which again is written with a lighter touch and tone, although there is darkness tiptoeing between the pages. As in life, there is no avoiding it. Our shadow falls behind and before us, whether we acknowledge it or not. 22852513

My earliest writing influences were T.S Eliot, James Joyce, D.H. Lawrence, Aldous Huxley, C.S. Lewis, Arthur C. Clarke… They all set the bar high for me when it came to my own writing. I think I have a poet’s eye for the lyrical cadences of language. Whether I’m writing or reading, it’s the beauty of the language that influences whether I feel really satisfied. I also have the DNA of ancient Celtic blood whispering in my veins, which demands the telling of a darn good story. Without drawing on both our old and present day myths, where would we be as writers?

You asked me about my experience of self-publishing. I wrote a blog about this last year called ‘The Conundrum of invisibility’.

http://blog.lesleyhayes.co.uk/blog/2014/06/05/511/

I leapt over the fence into kindle publishing in January 2014 and landed full of optimism, discovering it was a whole new ball-game beyond all ball-games I might have imagined. I floundered through the twittersphere and groped my way towards facebook, miraculously finding some like-minded souls (and excellent indie authors) along the sometimes tortuous path. I spent a couple of months desperately trying to find new and interesting ways of promoting my books, whilst also writing. I almost crashed and burned in the process.

And then I had one of those flashes of insight that reminded me I was primarily a writer and that was the joy… that was my bliss (as Joseph Campbell once put it) I needed to follow. Since then I’ve been happily engaged with reading and reviewing other authors as well as continuing to write. If people buy my books, that’s wonderful. It’s the icing on the cake. But I’m not going to put too much energy into making it happen. I trust in the interesting process of osmosis that means sooner or later readers will find my books, and my task is to keep writing them.

My advice to new writers is simple. Write. Develop a daily mindfulness practice of writing. It can be a kind of meditation. Keep a journal. Write about your feelings, not simply events. Whatever you write, polish it till it shines. Don’t be satisfied with your first draft. Be pragmatic about destroying it if necessary. Think of it as a sculpture that has its own intrinsic form that you are simply facilitating coming into being. Don’t even consider publishing it until you have honed it to perfection. You’ll know when that is. Five or six drafts will usually do it, but if it needs more, or if you suddenly realise it needs radical restructuring, then so be it. Pay attention to grammar, syntax and spelling. If you are no expert at these then learn – find a teacher if necessary. And every bit as important – read. Read well-written books by good authors. Join or create a book group where you can learn among other readers to understand just what makes a book better than simply a ‘good read’.

My favourite authors these days are various. I’ve always been a voracious reader. But there are some whose books I will buy even without reading the synopsis: Sarah Waters; Jeanette Winterson; Sebastian Faulkes; Lionel Shriver; Patrick Gale; Haruki Murakami; Alice Hoffman… these are the ones who immediately spring to mind. Since I became a convert to reading on kindle, I’ve become rather an evangelist. It’s like carrying a library around in your pocket. I love it. I’d hate to see the end of hardbacks and paperbacks, though. There is a whole tactile experience to be had when reading one, with which e-books can’t compete. On the other hand, they’re a lot less wieldy for propping up while you’re eating, or for shoving in your hand luggage on a long journey, when you might want at least a couple of books to keep you going. At the moment I’m working my way through a long list of indie authors whose books I’m reviewing. It’s a joy to review a book that really makes my heart sing, and I’ve found a number which have done that.

Situational humour is what makes me laugh most, and I suppose that comes across in my writing. I enjoy wit and wordplay, and anything that pricks the bubble of pomposity. The best jokes are often the ones we tell at our own expense, and I love watching and listening to comedians and writers who excel at that. Woody Allen is a good example. Mike Leigh is another. I can watch their films over and again and always find something new in them. When I’m not writing or reading, watching films is one of the things I enjoy most. They have to be intelligent, subtly clever and have some fundamental meaning or message, even if they’re comedies, in order to hold my interest. The same is true of the books I read.

One of my most enjoyable pastimes is simply hanging out with friends. I just love the ebb and flow of conversation and the warmth of companionship. I have some amazing friends who are like the sisters and brothers I never had. As an only child I was often lonely, and so as I grow older I more and more appreciate what friendships provide in the way of family. I value the honest and invariably meaningful connection I have with friends. I have had a number of relationships in my life, some of them deeper and lengthier than others. All of them have been learning grounds, and with a couple of exceptions, I haven’t regretted them. Even with the exceptions there were things not to regret – mainly my two amazing children, who are now adults with partners and children of their own. They also are family, of a different order from my friendships. Loving and being loved in our close knit circle is of primary importance to me.

I don’t write romances, but I do write about love. I know that this is the driving force behind the universe, and there are many faces of love and many lessons we learn in life about it. At every stage of our development there are new aspects of love to discover. And its opposite – fear – is the other driving force that motivates, rejects and often paralyses us as human beings. You will find in all my novels an exploration of these themes. Which is why, when you asked what song would go with my books, the one that came to mind is the Cranberries track ‘No need to argue’ – it’s so beautifully sung, and the lyrics somehow for me sum up the feelings of loss, regret, pain and redemption… “You’ll always be special to me…” Sooner or later in life we all carry those emotions in our heart.

https://youtu.be/MEaxoSMUgXI

Website: http://www.lesleyhayes.co.uk

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Lesley-Hayes/e/B00HR65DES

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/157854.Lesley_Hayes

Twitter: https://twitter.com/hayes_lesley

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lesley.hayes.author

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