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Monthly Archives: March 2016

Author News Christoph Fischer

31 Thursday Mar 2016

Posted by Christoph Fischer in Uncategorized

≈ 27 Comments

940923_428940550629830_8691308248706852149_nI’ve been somewhat quiet of late on here about my own books and projects, and I was so for a good reason. Organising The Llandeilo Book Fair has taken up a lot of my time and I shall be getting even busier in the next few weeks in the run up to the event, promoting it in the real and in the cyber world. For those of you living in Wales, I would love to see you there on April 30th! It’s a beautiful town and there’ll be over 20 great writers exhibiting their work.

images (22)In other news: I’ve just sent my latest project off to the beta readers: It is a silly murder mystery, set in the UK countryside download (9)during a heavy snow fall.
I’ve worked on this book since 2012 when I was snowed in and cut off from civilisation for several days. It’s taken many attempts and a lot of pep talk to finally finish it. Now I’m nervously awaiting the verdict as this is my first attempt at comedy and at “cosy”, and quite a big step out of my comfort zone. Fingers crossed that my test audience thinks this is good enough for me to keep working on it. I had a great time writing it, but humour is very personal and am not sure it is the right book for me to publish. Maybe I’ll do it under a pen name…

Also in the pipeline in a charity project inlogo-main aid of the Santa Paula No Kill Animal Shelter in California http://www.santapaulaarc.org/. You all know how much I love dogs and this shelter does such amazing work, that I decided to release my next book in aid of them.
My new novel “African August” will be part of a multi-author box set, which will include work by the amazing Nathan Squiers, DeAnn Townes, Gillian Joy and Robert Warr.
web-WARD_Trekking up BwindiMy novel is an adventure story, a part thriller, part drop-out fantasy and is also very close to my heart.
I wrote it in 2011 while still working for an airline, using a lot of my travel experiences in Africa.
It is about a British lawyer who packs in his job and goes to Africa to do some good and have some adventures.

The book is in the final stages of editing and we’re hoping to release it this spring.

 

Billy quote LAPunk_FullCVRI’ve also contributed two short stories about my youth to a sequel to LA Punk Rocker. That bok was one of my favourite reading pleasures last year and brought back a lot of rebel memories. I am thrilled to be published in the same volume as Brenda Perlin and Alan Wynzel. I hope the anthology will hit the shelves in May.

In August I will be attending an author event and book signing 12042713_10209575478331614_4234959106488990492_nin Manchester – where you have another opportunity to meet me https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1hKGVjhhJDCYHUUy38OUzdB8SiGyhXds3qCdVDCLZWfU/viewform?fbzx=5943412570039297000

In September I will be attending my first Writer’s Conference with the Historical Novel Societyt in Oxford.

A busy few months ahead…

So how have you been?

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Tales of Our Holiday Lets. Or … Is it Really Worth it? Or … Tales of the Unexpected!

30 Wednesday Mar 2016

Posted by Christoph Fischer in Uncategorized

≈ 4 Comments

Judith Barrow will be at the Llandeilo Book Fair 2016 https://www.facebook.com/Llandeilo-Book-Fair-2016-428923113964907/ – here is a charming blog post, showing her story telling talent

Judith Barrow

Well, yes it is worth it – we love it, despite the unexpected. Having a holiday apartment attached to our house has brought us many friends; visitors who return year after year in the summer to enjoy the lovely Pembrokeshire coastline and all the other attractions this part of West Wales offers. We love seeing them again. And we are fortunate to meet many new people as well. But there have been downsides. Or should I say, occasions that made us think again about sharing our home.

Such as the Hippies.

old hippie

One of the first lot of visitors in our first year (nearly our last!) I’d almost forgotten about them until Husband dug up a string of bells in one of the flower beds the other day. Here I must hasten to add that, no, we didn’t do away with one of them and bury  the body in the garden. In…

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Welsh Wednesdays Interview: Jason Chapman

30 Wednesday Mar 2016

Posted by Christoph Fischer in Uncategorized

≈ 15 Comments

goodreadsToday I have the pleasure of introducing conspiracy writer Jason Chapman ro you. Welcome Jason. First up, please tell us about your connection to Wales

I was born at the Cottage Hospital on the Hereford road, Abergavenny on May 20th 1970. In the late eighties and into the 90s I moved about. Hereford, Swansea and Bradford. I have been settled back in Abergavenny for the last 13 years where I live with my wife and daughter.

Tell us a little about yourself as writer and as person.

As a person, I never take life too seriously, unless I need to. I started to write in the early 90s. I wrote a few magazine articles and in 1994 I penned my first book, ‘Behind Closed doors’ It never saw the light of day, the publishing industry was totally different back then. I supposed the commercial publishing industry still hasn’t changed. It’s still almost impossible to secure a main stream publisher.

My spare time is spent with my family, I am a camper at heart, there’s nothing like the rugged outdoors to inspire the imagination. I am a huge science fiction geek. I love anything with Aliens in it.new-cover3

Why did you decide to write in your chosen genre?

I have always been fascinated by the UFO phenomenon, so it was a natural choice for me. In the early 90s, I ran a group called the UFI investigation Bureau. I published a newsletter and travelled all over attending the different conferences that were very popular thanks to Shows like The X Files and films like Independence Day and Men In Black. In 1995 I travelled to the USA where I visited the notorious Area 51.

Unfortunately, I have never seen a UFO so I cannot speak from experience, However there are plenty of people who have. Wales is a hotbed for UFO sightings. We even have our own UFO crash story that happened in the early 70s.

Tell us about the concept behind your book(s)

Codename Angel is set in the 1950s and is the first in a book series I am writing which spans the second half of the twentieth century and beyond. The story follows a Cambridge Professor who is put on a panel of government officials and scientists whose job it is to investigate UFO sightings which have been happening up and down the country.

How did you get the idea?

I first penned the novel back in 1997 under a different title, ‘The Angel Committee’ I have only recently changed the title to Codename Angel. After dozens of rejection letters I decided to give up on the book. In 2004, I read Dan Brown’s the Davinci Code. I loved the book and the controversy it was causing, especially in the church, suggesting that Jesus had a bloodline.conspiracy7

At the time I thought it would be good if I could write a similar book but with aliens. I set about reviving the manuscript I had locked away. After several more years and several rewrites I decided to quit the novel altogether. It seemed that nothing was working so I once again put it aside.

Then in early 2012 I came across a newspaper article about a memo that Sir Winston Churchill wrote in 1952 expressing an interest in flying saucers. I did a little research and downloaded the memo from the national archives. That is when I discovered that a top-secret group of men operated under the title The Flying Saucer working Party during the 1950s. Their job was to investigate flying saucer sightings in the UK and other parts of the Commonwealth.

‘Eureka!’ I thought.

I immediately started rewriting the book setting it in the 1950s. In December 2012 I published the first draft on Amazon kindle and produced a paperback copy. But I wasn’t finished there. What started as a one off novel had become a full-blown book series. I immediately set to work on the sequel The Angel Conspiracy, which I published in 2014.

Who is your favourite character?

I have many favourite characters in Codename Angel. The first is the lead character Professor Ralph Frederick. He starts as a stiff upper lipped Cambridge Professor who is a non believer in anything paranormal. UFOs are stuff and nonsense, until he has his first close encounter at an RAF base in the North of England. Dan Brown’s Robert Langdon is an inspiration for Frederick. I guess Frederick does have a little bit of me in him. I love science, especially science that pushes the boundaries. However, I also recognise that in regards to certain sciences we are trying to run before we can walk.

My second favourite character is Janus, an alien who has been stranded on our planet for hundreds of years influencing men of power. Believe it or not, Janus is actually based on someone who allegedly exited back in the 1950s. While researching Codename Angel I came across an autobiography by Sir Peter Horsley who was former head of the Royal Airforce. Back in the 1950s Horsley used to investigate UFO sightings on behalf of Prince Philip who had an interest in the UFO phenomenon. Horsley Claims that in November 1954 he met a mysterious stranger called Mr Janus. Horsley claims that this Mr Janus had the ability to read his mind. Many UFO researchers believe that Mr Janus is in fact an alien entity who has disguised himself as human to study us.

As for what I believe, well let’s just say Horsley’s claims make for interesting reading, nothing more. I thought that Mr Janus would make an amazing bad guy, due to the fact that he was supposed to have existed.

Who would you cast to play the characters in a movie?

I would love Codename Angel to be adapted as a TV series. I don’t think a film would do it justice. You cannot tell a story like this in just two hours. George R Martin’s Game of Thrones is a perfect example of how a popular book series can be adapted into a blockbuster TV series.

My first choice of actors to play Frederick would be Benedict Cumberbatch. He is perfect to play a Cambridge Professor. However, welsh actor Ioan Gruffudd, would also make an excellent choice.

Who is your favourite Welsh author?genesis3

I’m currently reading Roald Dahl books to my daughter. Many people see him simply as a children’s author. Is he though? Is Matilda a child’s version of Carrie? A young girl with telekinetic abilities. In addition, what about the BFG? A character that visits you in the dead of night and gives you dreams and nightmares. A little too close to Nightmare on Elm street for comfort. Who can forget Charlie and the Chocolate Factory a delightful story about a sadistic factory owner who enjoys seeing naughty children get their comeuppance. I think Dahl is very clever in the way he presents his books as children’s literature while having a dark centre.

What is the best thing about Wales?

Its myth and legend, and its great camping spots.

What are you working on now?

I am currently working on the third instalment to The Angel Chronicles, which will be available later in the year. I am also turning a short story series I have written into a paperback and kindle novel. Tales from Majestic is a spin off from Codename Angel and is set in America. It follows a top secret government team known as Majestic 12 who have to deal with aliens and Russian spies. I am also outlining a new time travelling book series based on one of the characters from Codename Angel and The Angel Conspiracy. All in all I’m very busy at the moment.

What are the best and the worst aspects of writing?

The best aspects are definitely the creation process. When you are immersed in the world you have created. You get to step into the shoes of your character and follow them on their journey. You get to see things you never thought possible. Often, the more I write the more likely new ideas push their way through enabling me to create more thrilling storylines.

I suppose the worst aspect is time management. Like so many indie authors, I have a full time day job. This means I get up at 4am so that I can write for two hours before working a ten hour shift. It is hard but it’s rewarding. In a perfect world, I would be writing full time, which means I could write ten times the volume.

How do you balance marketing one book and writing the next?

If you spend more time marketing than writing, then you are doing it wrong. There is a writer’s myth that states writers have to spend a good deal of time marketing their book(s) This is not true. There are plenty of book promotion sites out there who will do the marketing for you. Sites like Bookbub can have huge returns. However, it isn’t easy to get on. They have thousands of submissions because they are the biggest book promotion sites. I have yet to be successful with Bookbub however; there are other sites to choose from, including Booksends, Freebooksy, Bargainbooksy, e-reader news today, The Fussy Librarian and many more. However, you must choose wisely.

It is a bit hit and miss. You have to evaluate your success on each site before resubmitting you book. If you come up with a strategy that works then your book will sell itself. I recommend running promotions every now and then just to keep the reading public sweet and keep the sales rolling.

Who are your editors and how do you quality control your books?

I have just secured an editor in the United States, its early days yet but I think this maybe my chance to gain a serious readership. Quality control is simply about reading your work over and over. Use MS Word’s search program to look for words you are likely to get wrong. Hear and here, you and your, we’re and were. If you can identify your weaknesses then it will cut the time an editor needs on your manuscript.

If you cannot get an editor then simply read your work out loud, you are more likely to catch any mistakes. Ok you may not be William Shakespeare, but there are many professional writers who still make mistakes that their editors miss.’

How have you found the experience of self-publishing? What were your highs and lows?

Overall I have found the current self publishing process very easy to grasp. It’s also been a learning curve. If you want to get on then you have to be a quick study. Always have a backup plan. Self publishing has not always been a joy. Back in 1997 before the likes of Amazon came along, I was like every other aspiring writer writing to main stream publishers and getting a steady stream of rejection letters. In the end, I decided to take a leap of faith and take a chance with a vanity publisher. It turned out to be more of a leap into hell. I handed over £1500 and to cut a very long story short, that was the last I saw of that.

I tried to get my money back but the man who conned me used every loophole in the law to hang on to my hard earned cash. He even had the audacity to threaten to counter sue me because I had said some very nasty things to him.

I confess I did call him some very colourful words. But I was angry, he took my dream and turned it into a nightmare, laughed at me and all the way to the bank in the process. I will never hire anyone to do anything again. I love the idea of being in control and being able to change things at a moment’s notice.

What is your advice to new writers?

Here’s a list

  1. Avoid Vanity publishers. Self publishing can seem daunting but it’s not rocket science. Anyone can do it. If in doubt, seek help from other indie authors. I will be happy to answer any questions you have.
  2. You will have a lot of people who will tell you to stop dreaming and get a real job. Writing is a real job. Its all about selling enough books to get by. Never lose faith in yourself.
  3. Stay away from social networking. I’m only saying this because of personal experience. Facebook and Twitter are great for sharing cat videos, but little else. There are thousands of book promotion pages, but you will achieve nothing by uploading a link to your book. Get on those book promotion sites and someone will notice you. By software such as kindle spy which will help you keep an eye on your competitors. Learn how Amazon works, there are some excellent books out there which will teach you about the self publishing process.
  4. Be realistic. We would all love to be the next JK Rowling or Dan Brown. There are examples of self published authors making huge profits. One such author is Andy Weir, who reached the stratosphere with his self published book The Martian.

It’s a sad fact that many self published authors fall by the wayside because they get disillusioned very quickly due to dismal book sales. At the of the day you have to ask yourself what you want from your writing. Do you want to be a multi millionaire? Or do you want to be someone who earns a couple of thousand pounds a month. It is far easier to succeed at the latter, than the former.

  1. Write about something you know about. I know nothing about knitting, which is why I have not written a book on it. Your chosen subject should be something you know about. It could be world war two, or you could have read dozens of vampire novels and decided to write one yourself. Knowing your chosen subject well will give you an edge over those who are writing a similar novel but get stuck at the end of every sentence.

If like me you are writing partial history make sure you do your research. There’s nothing more embarrassing than a reviewer pointing out discrepancies, if you set your story in the real world.

  1. Enjoy yourself, let yourself sink into the world you’ve created.

 What is your favourite book?

The Davinci code

What book are you currently reading and in what format (e-book/paperback/hardcover)?

Dan Brown’s Inferno, hardcover. I’ve read it before, but I love the story.

How do you handle criticism of your work?

I have learnt that there are three types of reviewers. Those who download your book and take it at face value, they’ll either love it or hate it. There are troll reviewers who just write nasty things just for fun. And then there are the nit-pickers, who will scrutinise every sentence, question mark and comma.

I have just received a couple of two star reviews. At first I didn’t want to read them. I eventually plucked up the courage to look at them and was pleasantly surprised. They weren’t bad reviews. They were simply people pointing out that I needed an editor. One reader actually listed a number of errors that I was able to correct.

Use every review you get as a learning curve. If you get someone who is particularly nasty, then you can report them. Hey, even JK Rowling has had her fair share of bad reviews.

Links:
Amazon pagegoodreads
http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B00ACO7SRC/ref=dp_byline_sr_ebooks_1?ie=UTF8&text=Jason+Chapman&search-alias=digital-text&field-author=Jason+Chapman&sort=relevancerank
Codename Angel Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/The.Angel.Committee/?ref=hl
Jason Chapman Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/Jason-Chapman-1583846958497676/?ref=hl
Codename Angel Blog
http://angelcommittee.blogspot.co.uk/

Ludwika reaches over 150 reviews

29 Tuesday Mar 2016

Posted by Christoph Fischer in Uncategorized

≈ 27 Comments

Thanks to all the kind-hearted readers who took the time to leave a review for Ludwika. Since writing this blog post yesterday another nine new reviews came in. I’m thrilled to bits.
Reviews are so important on Amazon to be visible; they are also great feedback for the author and guidance for other readers. I appreciate all of them!
5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST READ
B yJoJo on March 28, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
12360399_10153067444957132_5703419004838921262_n
This book just gets better with every page. Just when you think you have figured out the next plot, you turn the page and find out that you are wrong.
4.0 out of 5 stars Takes one into the times that we need to remember …
By jimbo on March 28, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
Takes one into the times that we need to remember so we do not repeat history. A very compelling read.
5.0 out of 5 starsWhat a terrible time in history
By DespondantDespot on March 28, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
Well-written, emotionally complex – and based on a true story. What a terrible time in history, when a young polish woman must make difficult decisions in order to survive. This is an intricate portrait of a woman who impersonates an SS officer in order to stay afloat in the Nazi regime. This story has the over-arching driving question and problem that keeps the action going. Highly recommended.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thoughtful and Worthwhile Halina's children at Kensington Book Fair
By Diogenes on March 26, 2016
Format: Paperback
Christoph Fischer’s “Ludwika” lends itself very well to the author’s journalistic style which was so much in evidence in his “Three Nations” trilogy. The novel is a (partly) fictionalised account of a real person, Ludwika Gierz, who suffered terribly during WWII. Fischer has cleverly ‘filled in the gaps’ in her story to create a compelling tale of suffering and survival. His prose never sinks to the level of sentimentality but rather, as in his earlier books, invites the reader to examine Ludwika’s journey with empathy, yet with a degree of objectivity: men may not be monsters, yet they hold within them the potential for monstrous acts. A thoughtful and very worthwhile read.
4.0 out of 5 stars Cheryl
By Cheryl on March 25, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
I did not give this book a 5 because the wording was awkward at times making for frustrating reading. But I liked the premise of the book: take a real European person who lived through WWII of whom hardly any details are known and write a historical fiction about that person. I feel the author follows through with an intriguing story. His attention to research comes through when he is able to detail day-to-day experiences in the camps. I also liked his descriptions of the various countrysides and cities in Poland and Germany. He did a good job of making one feel that they were right there witnessing the action.
ludwika book concept
5.0 out of 5 stars Worth a read.
By O. on March 25, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase

Christoph Fisher has written a compelling read.

Ludwika, is one of millions of forced slave laborers during and shortly after WW11.

Ludwika did what many other women did at that time, survive. A beautiful woman who had to leave her daughter, sister and mother behind in terrible times, not knowing what their fate would be. Hope that her family was okay was her only comfort. She made the best of her situation with an SS officer in a war where suffering and oppression by Germans who supported Hitler was the norm.

Fisher’s research of the events during this war gives the story authenticity and an attempt to help today’s person to understand in some small way what it was like to live in those times.

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful survival storyCWBY8Hx
By Robert Meyer on March 25, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
Warts and all story of war and post war survival. The lengths to which some people have to go to survive and one can’t help but admire them for it. And how some people can get their wires crossed and refuse to attempt unscrambling them. Hopefully there’ll be stories like this about Syria in time.
5.0 out of 5 stars sad,
By robert kreuz on March 23, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
Interesting…. sad,can 005
5.0 out of 5 stars The suspense was very well written into this International thriller.
By Rick on March 21, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase 
Was intrigued all the way thru. Loved the suspense, the timeline, the locale, the drama, the choices, the family, the sacrifice. Couldn’t put it down.
5.0 out of 5 stars This is a interesting story about the occupation of Poland …
By Amazon Customer on March 20, 2016
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
This is a interesting story about the occupation of Poland from a true tale of a women’s survival. History can repeat itself, as this story is similar to
atrocities happening today.
Ludwika kindle link http://bookShow.me/B018UTHX7A

“The Gamblers” #Giveaway – The Catastrophe of Sudden Wealth and Review of The Gamblers

28 Monday Mar 2016

Posted by Christoph Fischer in Uncategorized

≈ 18 Comments

Tags

Anna Cleleste Burke, Giveaway, Jessica Huntington, lottery, money, thriller, wealth, writer Christoph Fischer

The Catastrophe of Sudden Wealth & Review of The Gamblers
 The Gamblers by Christoph Fischer
The talented Anna Celeste Burke has been very generous this week and included my book THE GAMBLERS in a generous GIVEAWAY:
Anna is giving away a kindle copy along with a copy of the first book in her lovely Jessica Huntington series, A DEAD HUSBAND, and a $10 Amazon Gift Card. The Gamblers Giveaway runs March 24-April 15on Rafflecopter. To enter follow the link:  https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/cb93d3c210/?
Before her review of The Gamblers she dedicated this blog post about the topic of my thriller: The Catastrophe of Sudden Wealth.
Originally posted at http://www.desertcitiesmystery.com/#!The-Catastrophe-of-Sudden-Wealth-Review-of-The-Gamblers/c1g4i/56f2b81e0cf213d90db3ecdc
by Anna Celeste Burke, author of the Jessica Huntington mystery series
Thanks Anna for so much kindness and thoughtfulness!  

 

Money, Money, Money…a catastrophe? 

For those of us not born with black AMEX cards in hand, like my sleuth, Jessica Huntington, it may be hard to imagine what it means to be rich. That doesn’t keep us from trying. The fantasy that all our troubles will vanish if only a long, lost aunt or uncle leaves us a million bucks is commonplace. The size of Powerball and other lottery payouts around the country is a testament to the pervasive hope of winning big! Heck with the idea of waiting for that big gift from a distant relative—buy a lottery ticket or two or three instead. Never mind that lots of people have to buy lots of tickets to create enormous jackpots, making it harder for any single ticket holder to win. Despite the yearning to be rich, it turns out that wealth can be a burden. Sudden wealth has sometimes been described as “catastrophic” and for good reason.

Having met a real-life heiress while I was in college, I soon learned that wealth is no panacea for life’s challenges. That’s apparent in my Desert Cities Mystery series, as my protagonist, a 30-somethng daughter of privilege finds her well-planned life in the toilet.  As she hurtles toward mid-life and a full-blown existential crisis, she has to come to grips with the fact that money can’t buy happiness, despite her overdependence on retail therapy. Nor can it save your neck when face-to-face with ruthless bad guys willing to do just about anything to make money.

My friend in college was beset by worries that she was unworthy of the money that made her life comfortable. At times, she feared the resentment directed toward her by those less fortunate. Her solution was secrecy. That might work well enough with acquaintances and casual friendships, but could be an impediment when it comes to finding love rooted in openness and intimacy, not secrecy. Could she ever be sure she was loved for who she was as a person and not because of her fortune, even if the love of her life was another member of the one percent? Ah, the woes of being a poor little rich girl! Still, her fears make sense given the open animosity often expressed about wealthy people. Ironic, given the widespread aspirations to become one of them!

My well-to-do friend had one advantage over many who find themselves suddenly wealthy. She understood money. At twelve, she began to attend family meetings where they discussed the ins and outs of the family business and managing their wealth. Money wasn’t something we spoke about as openly in my family, in part because we didn’t have much. Like most of us, I grew up without much knowledge about money, not even understanding the basics of budgeting, saving and investment.

Is it any wonder that in those fantasies about inheriting a million dollars from a distant relative, we’re unlikely to grasp what a windfall like that means? As Thomas J. Stanley and William Danko point out in their book, The Millionaire Next Door, a million dollars doesn’t go very far at all. If we don’t blow through it, preserve the principle and take only the interest earned by investing that nest egg at 4 or 5% a year—that’s 40 or 50 thousand dollars in income. We don’t dare quit our day job if we want to maintain a comfortable middle-class lifestyle. Want to buy a big house or drive a fancy car? That imaginary relative better drop 10 million on us instead of one!

Even ten million’s not always enough to avoid disaster. Going broke is one of the most common catastrophes associated with sudden wealth. “Instead of finding themselves in the lap of luxury, 70 percent of people who come into sudden money are broke within a few years,” according to Ilana Polyak of CNBC reporting findings from a study by the National Endowment for Financial Education. Easy come, easy go, some might say. I bet it doesn’t feel that way to those who go from rags to riches to rags in the whirlwind created by a windfall. That’s true not just for lottery winners, but for celebrities and athletes who win big for a few years, live beyond their means, and fall into a hole once they’re no longer a hot item in Hollywood or healthy enough to play in the big leagues.

Even before they go broke, many who win big come to regard their winnings as a “curse.” Sudden wealth changes everything. No one escapes those worries my heiress friend had about her wealth just because they win it, or earn it, for that matter. Apparently, the suddenly wealthy all too often find themselves awash in solicitations from the suddenly desperate. Friends and family members, charities and pitch artists all rush in looking to score a bonanza from an off-kilter, newly-minted millionaire. Imagine finding yourself recast in the role of the rich relative now inhabiting your family members’ fantasies of being rescued by money?

Jack Whittaker isn’t the only lottery winner to say “I wish I’d torn that ticket up,” or something like that, once the honeymoon ended following the arrival of sudden wealth. In his case, he was robbed, sued, and lost his granddaughter to a drug overdose. Lottery winners frequently become estranged from family and friends, and incur a greater incidence of depression, drug and alcohol abuse, divorce, and suicide than the average American. Not all that surprising since sudden wealth introduces new pressures and increases access to a host of temptations made more affordable by all that money.

The Gamblers by Christoph Fischer

If you’d like to read a well-crafted, award-winning fictional account of what it’s like to become suddenly wealthy, Christoph Fischer’s novel, The Gamblersdoes just that. The book provides a glimpse into the world of one lottery winner, a reclusive accountant, Ben Andrews. Rather obsessive, he’s fascinated with numbers, and not just in his profession. Ben is a gambler—believing his love of numbers can help him beat the odds. When a lottery ticket pays off big, almost overnight he’s a millionaire many times over. He keeps news of his winnings to himself, and unlike most of the suddenly rich, doesn’t go on a spending spree. At least not until he’s befriended by Mirco. A worldly-wise Russian gambler, Mirco has a taste for flashy suits, sexy women, and hot cars, and possesses a murky background. Soon after, Ben falls for a lovely woman, Wendy, a flight attendant he meets on an overseas jaunt.

Let the games begin as Ben’s windfall sucks him into a head-spinning, life-changing world of jet-setters willing to indulge themselves in all the things that money can buy—good and bad. What does all this mean for Ben Andrews? Will all that money change him? Can he trust Mirco or Wendy? I won’t say, but I will tell you that the story keeps you guessing until the very end.

What’s the moral of the story? To be honest, when it comes to money, it’s complicated. There is, in fact, some evidence that money increases happiness—to a point. More money seems to be associated with greater happiness [or less distress] for people until they report earning about $70-75,000. After that, the impact of earning even more increases happiness only slightly, or disappears altogether, depending on which study you read. In one study, researchers found that wealthy people spent more time worrying about money than those with less.

The happiness that money buys varies, too, depending on what you do with it. My flawed heroine, Jessica Huntington, loves playing fairy-godmother, wielding that black AMEX card of hers like a magic wand! As it turns out, investing in others can make you happier than splurging on yourself. Using your money to buy experiences also brings more happiness than buying stuff! Putting money in perspective helps too—learning enough about it to use it wisely, but not becoming overly preoccupied with it. After all, it’s the love of money, not money per se, that’s the root of all evil, according to that old proverb, right?

The Gamblers Giveaway

If you prefer mystery/thrillers with adult themes to the cozy mysteries I often feature on my blog, then I hope you’ll enter to win a copy of Christoph Fischer’s book, THE GAMBLERS. I’m giving away a kindle copy along with a copy of the first book in the Jessica Huntington series, A DEAD HUSBAND, and a $10 Amazon Gift Card. The Gamblers Giveaway runs March 24-April 15on Rafflecopter. To enter follow the link:  https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/cb93d3c210/?

 

Christoph Fischer has a selection of fine books if you’d like to read more by this author. A talented storyteller, history comes alive in his works of historical fiction that feature deeply personal accounts of individuals caught up in epic historical events. To find out more about him and his books visit one of his sites!

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE: http://www.amazon.com/Christoph-Fischer/e/B00CLO9VMQ

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

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/CFFBooks

WEBSITE: http://www.christophfischerbooks.com/

Want to read more about money and happiness

The Only 3 Things You Need to Know About Money and Happiness

http://time.com/money/3680465/happiness-and-money-study/

Can Money Buy Happiness?

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/can-money-buy-happiness/

Why so many lottery winners go broke

http://fortune.com/2016/01/15/powerball-lottery-winners/

Why Lottery Winners Crash after a Big Win

http://www.forbes.com/sites/robertpagliarini/2013/09/27/why-lottery-winners-crash-after-a-big-win/#77430c1d74ae

Sudden Wealth Can Leave You Broke

http://www.cnbc.com/2014/10/01/sudden-wealth-can-leave-you-broke.html

The Suddenly Wealthy Just as Quickly Broke:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/suddenly-wealthy-just-as-quickly-broke-be-careful-with-that-windfall/2014/10/02/a7a5b3d2-49a2-11e4-b72e-d60a9229cc10_story.html

AUTHOR WEDNESDAY – GLEN CRANEY

28 Monday Mar 2016

Posted by Christoph Fischer in Uncategorized

≈ 4 Comments

P.C. Zick presents another gifted historical novelist, Glen Craney –
highly recommended!

P.C. ZICK

typewriterIt’s Wednesday, and it must be time for another edition of Author Wednesday. Today we’ll take a step back to the 14th century with author Glen Craney as Kind Edward I attempts to steal Scotland. The Spider and the Stone: A Novel of Scotland’s Black Douglas chronicles the story of James Douglas as he attempts to thwart the king and keep Scotland safe from the intruders. The historical novel has been described as “A thrilling historical epic of star-crossed love and heroic sacrifice set during the Scottish Wars of Independence.” The book has received several awards, including first place Chaucer Award for Historical Fiction. It is a great honor to have Glen join me today to talk about The Spider and the Stone.SpiderEpubCover02

Hello, Glen! Welcome to Author Wednesday. Let’s start with your life as a writer. I’m always curious about the moment when writers first discover they have a…

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Easter Discount for Manchester Author Event August 13th

27 Sunday Mar 2016

Posted by Christoph Fischer in Uncategorized

≈ 15 Comments

I’ll be participating in this multi-author book signing event in Manchester on August 13th. If you are thinking of going, please take advantage of today’s Easter Discount.

Event Description https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/manchester-author-event-gig-2016-tickets-19745695908?discount=EasterTreat2016

12042713_10209575478331614_4234959106488990492_nOFFICIAL ManchesterAuthorEvent2016 & Gig TICKET SALES PAGE #MAE2016

This will be the first event of it’s kind hosted by Scarlett Enterprises, and is going to be an annual event on this site. I am certain this event will go from strength to strength.

The signing and gig will take place in a large marquee measuring 21 x 15 metres, with a smaller marquee accomodating the beer tent & refreshments. In the evening there will be a BBQ and other food available. Afternoon tea of sandwiches and cakes will be available to purchase, through the day. An icecream van is also going to be onsite.

The signing will take place on Saturday the 13th of August 2016, at the Red Rose Steam Society Ltd. Mining Museum in Astley Green, Manchester, M29 7JB.

Through the day an author book signing will take place, with morning and afternoon sessions available.

Morning session will run 11 am – 1.30 pm, afternoon 2.30 pm – 5 pm, or an option for an all day ticket.12341325_10153067415682132_1513409393298449700_n

There will be a break between 1.30 – 2.30 pm for dinner, to enable attendees, helpers and authors alike to have a break.

LUNCH BREAK  1.30 – 2.30 pm (All readers will be requested to leave the signing marquee and return after)

ALL TICKETS WILL BE SCANNED FOR ENTRY AND YOU WILL BE GIVEN A COLOUR CODES WRIST BAND. DUPLICATES/PHOTOCOPIES OF TICKETS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AND ANYONE TRYING TO ENTER WITH A PHOTOCOPIED TICKET WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE EVENT.

The Saturday evening event is in the form of a gig, which will begin at 7 pm and run through to 11.30 pm. Alongside the music we will have spoken word artists reading to the audience.

On site there will be food and drink available. More details on the Facebook page & website.

We are also going to be hosting a raffle on the day of the signing, and all winners will be announced at the evening. Raffle prizes will include signed paperbacks and more prizes will be announced closer to the event.The monies raised from the raffle will be donated to the local Scout & Guide Troop.

Two charities will benefit from a percentage of the profits for this event. Part to the Mining Museum itself, and the other to MIND.

FAQ’s

Is there an age limit to the event12360399_10153067444957132_5703419004838921262_n

Under 16’s must be accompanied by an adult to the day event.  Strictly over 16’s to the evening event. Parents please be aware there will be male models attending that will be topless at points during the day. There is a licensed bar on the premises

Where can I contact the organiser with any questions or concerns?

Organisers available through email and the facebook page. Please contact- scarlett.enterprises@outlook.com or visit the Facebook page.

Is my registration/ticket transferrable?

You may “sell” your ticket on for face value but no refunds will be offered to anyone. Tickets do not need to be in your own name, as we understand PayPal accounts are under alternative names sometimes, but please be aware that ALL tickets will be scanned on sign up and any counterfeit or photocopied tickets will be destroyed and you will be asked to leave the event.

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

Tickets via the Eventbrite app will be accepted but we advise all attendees to bring a printed copy in case of technical difficulties.

What is the refund policy?

Non refundable.

Is there venue Parking, if not, where can I park?

Yes, there is free parking on site.  Buses access the village, and train stations are located as per information on the website

IF YOU HAVE ANY MORE CONCERNS PLEASE DON’T HESITATE TO CONTACT THE MAE2016 TEAM ON THE EMAIL OR FACEBOOK PAGE.

This is the list of the 43 confirmed attending authors for the 2016 event

Alice RaineHalina's children at Kensington Book Fair
Bella Sattorri
C.L. Bentham
Christoph Fischer
Claire C. Riley
D H Sidebotham
D.A Lascelles
D.M. Midgley
D.M. Wolfenden
Dawn A Keane
Douglas Vaughn aka Darkscribe
Elena Matthews
Elisabeth Marrion
Emma L. Adams
Hayley Oakes
Helen Bright
H J Daly
Holly J Gill
Iain Parke
Ian Jackson
Isobelle Cate
J F Holland
J.L. Ostle
John Lynch
Julia Ibbotson
K L Shandwick
Karen Frances
Kitty Mulholland
Laura Morgan / L.C Morgan
Lavinia Urban
Lisa J Hobman
Lynn Gerrard / The Grumbling Gargoyle
Martin Tracey
Mina Carter
Morton Morelli
Olga Núñez Miret
Raven Anxo
Samantha Harrington
S.E.Marley-Walton
Scarlett Flame
Simon Parker
Victoria Blisse
Victoria Howard
Victoria L. James

More authors to be added

An eclectic mix of genre will be at this event.

Artists confirmed to play are Mog Stanley, Officer, Joe Symes And The Loving Kind, The Reveurs, Vicki Wood and Girls Without Gum Disease.
Models attending are Scott King, Matt Stobbs, Alex Jordan Devenport, Erin Urban, Jay Woolaway, Stefan Northfield and Martin Nelson.
Gig tickets will be available individually closer to the event
Follow the blog and groups for further updates
WHEN
Saturday, 13 August 2016 from 11:00 to 23:30 (BST) – Add to Calendar
WHERE
The Red Rose Steam Society Ltd. Mining Museum, Astley Green, Manchester, M29 7JB – Astley Green, Astley,, Manchester, M29 7JB, United Kingdom – View Map
TAGS12042713_10209575478331614_4234959106488990492_n
Manchester,, United Kingdom Events Appearance Music

SHARE WITH FRIENDS

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SEE WHO’S GOING

CONNECT TO FACEBOOK

 

Organiser Image

Scarlett Enterprises

Organiser of Manchester Author Event & Gig 2016

  • Organiser Facebook Profile ManchesterAuthorEvent2016
  • Organiser Twitter Profile ManAutEve2016

Newly established events organiser based in Manchester in the North of England.

PROFILE CONTACT

The Red Rose Steam Society Ltd. Mining Museum, Astley Green, Manchester, M29 7JB

Astley Green, Astley,, Manchester, M29 7JB, United Kingdom

Eden’s Exchange talks to author @MariaHaskins

27 Sunday Mar 2016

Posted by Christoph Fischer in Uncategorized

≈ 4 Comments

Maria Haskins comes with high recommendations. Here is an interview with her at Eden Baylee’s blog. Worth checking out. It’s going on my tbr pile.

I don’t recall the exact moment I connected with poet and author, Maria Haskins. All I know is she has been extremely supportive of my work, and when I dug a bit deeper, I was not surprised to learn how talented she is.

For the past couple of months, we have both read for The Word Count Podcast, and it’s made me appreciate Maria’s stories and writing style.

I’m very happy to offer Maria a forum to share of herself and her books on Eden’s Exchange.

* * * *

Welcome Maria! Let’s start with a personal question. Tell readers about your greatest extravagance.

Probably books and food. I buy books all the time, though luckily these days a lot of them are ebooks so they’re not as expensive as they once were. Plus, I enter any and all sweepstakes and giveaways for book that I like to fuel…

View original post 2,061 more words

#Writer Wednesday: P.C. Zick

27 Sunday Mar 2016

Posted by Christoph Fischer in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Get a dose of sunshine this #WriterWednesday with Indie Author P.C. Zick!

Source: #Writer Wednesday: P.C. Zick

Easter 1916

25 Friday Mar 2016

Posted by Christoph Fischer in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Pam Lecky Books

Video still 1916 Demolition of 27 North Earl Street

“An elderly man stands utterly bewildered. Before him, his business and home are smouldering, black smoke billows from the skeletal remains and an acrid smell pervades the April air. Beside him, his wife and daughters stand, staring in horror. They have lost everything. All that remains of their home is a gable wall with fireplaces hanging grotesquely in mid-air. All is dust. Black and twisted remnants of their lives are the only signs that they had ever lived there. Too traumatised to even cry, they stand, silent and uncomprehending.”

nmi-gallery-north-earl-street North Earl Street, April 1916

The family referred to above is mine, the gentleman my great grandfather. Easter week 1916 claimed his business and home. His once thriving tobacconists at 27 North Earl Street (close to the corner, across from the GPO) and his cigar stall in Westland Row station, were looted and wrecked. When…

View original post 322 more words

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