#LlandeiloLitFest Review: “Siena” by Phil Rowlands

One of the events I’m most excited about this year’s Llandeilo Lit Fest is:
Crime And Cocoa

What do crime and chocolate have in common? Find out whilst nibbling on your favourite comfort food and discover whether you like your crime dark, milky or vanilla… With Huw Francis, Sally Spedding and Phil Rowland supplying the crime readings and Heavenly supplying the chocs.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/crime-and-cocoa-tickets-57332395739

I do like the chocolate supplier / sponsor’s fare so I had to delve into the work of the authors participating.

First up is Phil Rowlands and his impressive novel Siena.

Welsh artist Sara Llewellyn’s husband and young son are killed by chance during the shooting of a wealthy Italian in London. The killer disappears and Sara’s pain and grief drive her to the edge of madness. She hides away as her life spins out of control until she meets a Canadian academic researching his Welsh roots. He helps her find some balance and light and provokes a positive start to her recovery. She goes to Italy alone to find answers and is drawn into a world of art, culture, beauty and betrayal that leads to a shattering discovery at the explosive climax of the Palio in Siena.

This is a moody novel with a strong focus on the rather exceptional main character Sara. There’s an oddity to her grief and subsequent character development that keeps the reader fascinated. For chapters after the tragedy it isn’t quite clear whether she will become a detective of her own or a criminal. As the book progresses and her recovery, too, the plot heats and speeds up and what happens in Siena truly is gripping and addictive crime writing at its best. It’s rare that characters in crime fiction stays with me for as long as Sara did. An unexpected find and treat and somewhere in the region of caramel and praline for me. Enjoy!

You can buy the book on amazon with the link below and feel free to check out his website
http://www.philrowlandswriter.com/

 

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Llandeilo Lit Fest 2019 – Save the date April 25th – 28th and some highlights

Bore da folks,

After months of hard work behind the scene we can now reveal the current lineup of this years’ Llandeilo Lit Fest

Of course there may be updates and changes but for now, you can browse through these highlights. Until the programme booklet is printed and the website fully updated this is the inofficial preview:

All online tickets for this year’s festival are now live at  https://www.eventbrite.com/o/llandeilo-lit-fest-16877977571

and paper tickets can be purchased from March 1st at the Red Cross Book Shop in Llandeilo.

For regular updates please follow https://www.facebook.com/LlandeiloLitFest/
https://twitter.com/LlandeiloLitFst and https://llandeilolitfest.org/

Sian Northey, writer and writing teacher, lives and breathes books.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sian-northey-tickets-57212912361

Phil Steele in conversation.
Nerves of Steele reveals the remarkable story of the successful Welsh rugby international, Phil Steele. An uplifting story about the strength of the human spirit overcoming mental anguish and personal tragedy.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/phil-steele-in-conversation-tickets-57126992372

Hongian Mas yn yr Hangout.

Poetry Slam with Elinor Wyn Reynolds, Eurig Salisbury, Hywel Griffiths and Emyr Lewis.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/welsh-language-poetry-slam-tickets-57209536263

Carmarthen Suffragettes Renowned local historian Mary Thorley gives an insight into two Carmarthenshire women who took on the British Parliamentary system, Llandeilo’s Rachel Barrett and Llanddarog’s Alice Abadam.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/carmarthenshires-suffragettes-tickets-57126214044

Matthew G Rees, Carly Holmes and Sally Spedding will scare us out of our wits with horror writing.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/horla-new-horror-stories-tickets-57209127039

Mari George entertains children with Welsh lego stories.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lego-stories-in-welsh-for-children-tickets-57212376759

Queer Rural
Mike Parker and partner Peredur inherit a remote farmhouse – and he tells the story of members of this rural community who are very much overlooked.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/in-search-of-the-queer-rural-tickets-57212129018

Sally Spedding and Alan Martin talk about the role of history in their writing.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hankering-after-history-tickets-57211305555

Cooking demonstration based on the second book by the TV chef and local food campaigner, Lisa Fearn

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lisa-fearn-tickets-57208534266

Tir Hela’r Cof- Memory’s Hunting Ground

Bilingual photographic representation of Pembrokeshire, based on Emyr’s book.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/emyr-young-photographer-tickets-57210165144

BBC Wales newsreader Lucy Owen reads from her latest book, The Sea Horse. One night grieving nine-year-old Coral cries so much, she fills her house with tears and wakes to find a magical underwater world, right inside her own home! (For children 5+).

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lucy-owen-tickets-57328234292

WEIRD AND WONDERFUL HISTORY TOUR:
Join Nick Brunger for a guided walk through some specially selected parts of Llandeilo’s past.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nick-brunger-tour-tickets-57328866182

WALES: ENGLAND’S COLONY THE CONQUEST, ASSIMILATION AND REBIRTH OF WALES Martin Johnes is Professor of Modern History at Swansea University and explores the relationship that has been central to making and defining Wales as a nation.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/martin-johnes-tickets-57328967485

 

Meet Simon Buckley, Evans & Evans Brewery – 250 years and still standing. Meet the Brewer. @ White Horse Inn

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/simon-buckley-tickets-57328305505

 

Locating Lynette Roberts: “Always observant and slightly obscure” explores the life and work of the modernist poet and novelist. Roberts was born in Argentina and lived in Llanybri. However, in later life she slipped into obscurity as mental illness took its toll and eclipsed her talent.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/siriol-mcavoy-tickets-57328427871

WRITING NOVELLAS AND SHORT FICTION: Cath Barton was the winner of the New Welsh Writing Awards 2017: AmeriCymru Prize for a Novella, for The Plankton Collector.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cath-barton-tickets-57329083833

Bily A’r Minpinnau Story and activity in Welsh for children 5+.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bily-ar-minpinnau-tickets-57330315517

 

CYMRU MEWN 100 GWRTHYCH/ WALES IN 100 OBJECTS: A fabulously illustrated book published in Welsh and English by the former Librarian of Wales, Andrew Green. Simultaneous translation available.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/andrew-green-tickets-57330540189

PETE AKINWUNMI AND PHIL KNIGHT

Poetry performance from two of Wales’ finest performing poets make you laugh, think and cry.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pete-akinwunmi-and-phil-knight-tickets-57330441895

Eric Ngalle Charles LAST RITUAL

The playwright, actor and asylum seeker, Eric Ngalle Charles performs Last Ritual. His own story about a childhood in Cameroon, being a victim of human trafficking and settling in Cardiff.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/eric-ngalle-charles-tickets-57330660549

JONATHAN CRAYFORD AND JASPER FFORDE: Back to the Future, a new novelist meets an old hand in the futuristic genre Jonathan has had great success with his debut novel, The Legacy of the Sky Pendant. He will be in conversation with the renowned absurdist fiction author, Jasper Fforde.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jasper-fforde-and-jonathan-crayford-tickets-57331205178

Noel James And Neil Rosser

Noel James made it onto ITV’s BGT in 2018 but he’s been entertaining us with his surreal comedy for 25 years. Neil Rosser’s Band play danceable and witty tunes about life in Wales

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/noel-james-and-neil-rosser-tickets-57331746798

Crime And Cocoa

What do crime and chocolate have in common? Find out whilst nibbling on your favourite comfort food and discover whether you like your crime dark, milky or vanilla… With Huw Francis, Sally Spedding and Phil Rowland supplying the crime readings and Heavenly supplying the chocs.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/crime-and-cocoa-tickets-57332395739

Heavenly Exquisite Desserts Sally Spedding Phil Rowlands

WALES’ SPORTS GREATS Chair: Alun Wyn Bevan Welsh cricketer, Malcolm Nash has just written his biography and Alun Gibbard has authored numerous sports books. His latest, being Derek & Nigel Two Heads One Tale, is about two of the world’s greatest rugby refs

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wales-sports-greats-tickets-57336121884

 

Rhys Milsom Poetry Workshop

One of the brightest young talents on the Welsh literary scene will be holding an interactive workshop. So sharpen your pencils and get those creative juices juicing.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rhys-milsom-poetry-workshop-tickets-57335823993

Folded Book With Pockets
FOLDED BOOK WITH POCKETS with Nina Vangerow Learn how to fold a single sheet of paper into a a little book with pockets to hold keep sakes, tickets or photographs. Cost includes materials and refreshments.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/folded-book-with-pockets-tickets-57336476946

Review: Two Eurovision Fiction books

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Three Minutes of Eternity: A Uniquely Staged Adventure, Based on Real Events of the Famous Song Contest – The Eurovision

by Alon Amir 

Three minutes to fame

Being a fan of Eurovision I had high hopes for this thriller but soon fell over plot holes and an unconvincing premise delivered in an uneven narrative. Some funny lines and ideas show that there is talent but an editor and a dedication to one particular target audience might help to straighten this out.

This is a pop-reality book that unveils the seedy high jinks and backstage shenanigans at the Eurovision Song Contest through the eyes of an active participant. It also glimpses into the political intrigue in Israel surrounding the competition, corruption, romance, and off-camera.

Yanai Tannenbaum, Head of Press for the Israeli delegation to the Eurovision song contest, is asked to work at a competition in Baku, Azerbaijan, a Muslim country having an open border with Iran. He and singer, Yarden Oz, undergo a long and winding journey to represent their country in the competition.

Once in Baku, they are, of course, drawn into romance and alcohol binging. They succeed, in their unique and vulgar way, to enchant those around them. What they did not count on – among the glamour, sequins, and gimmicks – is having to be guarded against kidnapping by 15 special agents and knowing that they could die at any moment!

A Man Called Eurovision Kindle Edition

by Garry Holland

Eurovision – a harsh, unforgiving environment where only the strongest survive; where farce and fiasco are just a short step from the enticing path to fame and fortune; and where the legendary Sigfrid ‘Siggi’ Stormisson stalks the tangled undergrowth as the undisputed apex predator… This is a man who’s taken part in the contest five times, written the winning song three times and composed a total of thirty-two entries for thirty-three different countries – a feat still unexplained from a mathematical perspective. But when accused of cheating his way to his most recent victory, Siggi finds himself hit with a humiliating life ban. Yet this only fires his determination to find a way of winning the next contest. The problem is, ghosts from his colourful and controversial fifty-year career are equally hell-bent on torpedoing his duplicitous scheme. Can Siggi do it? Will his enemies stop him? And why on earth are bubbles so important? Not so much a whodunnit as a who’ll-win-it, ‘A Man Called Eurovision’ delivers all the answers.

Discovering Diamonds Review: “Ike and Kay” by James MacManus

“Ike and Kay” by James MacManus is the fictionalised account of the war time affair between married General Dwight Eisenhower and his assistant-turned-driver Kay Summersby; an affair which started in 1942 and came to a final end after the war.
I didn’t know this detail about Eisenhower until I read the blurb for this book and found the story particularly interesting and well-told. The background story is immaculately researched and fascinating, too: from Eisenhower’s first arrival in Britain, his rise in rank to his war involvement in North Africa and Berlin, I learned a lot of minor and major detail about the military operation and about the person Eisenhower.
Like other readers, I didn’t feel the love between the main characters, though, maybe because I didn’t feel it myself; this as a caution to those reading it for the romance aspect. That caveat aside, it is worth reading as work of historical fiction and will please those who appreciate detailed and well-researched war stories.

REVIEWED FOR DISCOVERING DIAMONDS

Blurb:

In his latest historical novel Ike and Kay, acclaimed author James MacManus brings to life an unbelievably true and controversial romance and the poignant characters and personalities that shaped the course of world history.

In 1942, Kay Summersby’s life is changed forever when she is conscripted to drive General Eisenhower on his fact-finding visit to wartime London. Despite Eisenhower’s marriage to Mamie, the pair takes an immediate liking to each other and he buys Kay a rare wartime luxury: a box of chocolates.

So begins a tumultuous relationship that, against all military regulation, sees Kay traveling with Eisenhower on missions to far-flung places before the final assault on Nazi Germany. The general does dangerously little to conceal his affair with the woman widely known as “Ike’s shadow,” and in letters Mamie bemoans his new obsession with “Ireland.” That does not stop him from using his influence to grant Kay citizenship and rank in the US army, drawing her closer still when he returns to America. When officials discover Eisenhower’s plans to divorce from his wife they threaten the fragile but passionate affair, and Kay is forced to take desperate measures to hold onto the man she loves . . .

Based on the scandalous true story of General Eisenhower’s secret World War II love affair, Ike and Kay is a compelling story of love, duty, sacrifice, and heartbreak, set against the backdrop of the most tumultuous period of the twentieth century.

ABOUT JAMES MACMANUS 

James MacManus has worked in the newspaper business for 46 years. He is currently the Managing Director of the Times Literary Supplement.

He is the author of On the Broken Shore (The Language of the Sea, UK edition), and Ocean Devil: The Life and Legend of George Hogg which was made into a film starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers

His latest book, Black Venus, is a vivid novel of Charles Baudelaire and his lover Jeanne Duval, the Haitian cabaret singer who inspired his most famous and controversial poems, set in nineteenth-century Paris. Duckworth will publish the UK edition of Black Venus on February 27th 2014.The UK edition follows the successful launch of the novel in the US by Thomas Dunne books of New York.

Shanghai Story: A WWII Drama Trilogy Book One by Alexa Kang

Shanghai Story: A WWII Drama Trilogy Book One by Alexa Kang

Set in Shanghai of 1936 this is as much an informative and well-researched historical novel as it is an intriguing murder mystery. We follow two characters mainly, Clark, who has just returned from studying in the US, and Eden who is a Jewish refugee from Berlin and stateless by law. Her father, a Doctor, successfully treated Clark’s father. Despite a mutual attraction between Clark and Eden, circumstances are complicated and stand in their way.
Eden starts works for a newspaper and when a friend is brutally murdered she takes on the police force to find out the truth, with help from Clark and his connections.
The novel took a while to get going for me with the setting up of the characters and their background .I enjoyed the urgency of the second half, once the murder mystery fully takes over and the other elements come together, too. I’ve learned a lot of details along the way and look forward to the next parts in the series.

About Alexa Kang

Alexa is the author of the WWII novel series “Rose of Anzio” and “Shanghai Story”. Her other works include the WWII/1980s time-travel love story “Eternal Flame” (a tribute to John Hughes), as well as short stories in the fiction anthologies “Pearl Harbor and More: Stories of December 1942”, “Christmas in Love”, and the upcoming WWII new release “The Darkest Hour”.

Alexa grew up in New York City and is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania. She has traveled to more than 150 cities, and she loves to explore new places and different cultures. When not at work, she lives a second life as a novelist writing larger-than-life love stories, 20th historical fiction, and coming-of-age stories. Her own favorite romantic tales are “Romeo and Juliet”, “Gone with the Wind”, “Anna Karenina”, “Titanic”, “Love in the Fallen City” (by Eileen Chang), “Say Anything,” and “The Lake House”. She also enjoys period historical fiction TV shows including “Downton Abbey” and “The Crown”.

 

Mystery Mondays Interview with Maureen Fisher

I’m delighted to introduce Maureen Fisher, a lovely fellow writer whose work I’ve been following for years now. As dog breeder the animal theme in her books of course speaks especially to me. What better way to present her new book “Horsing Around with Murder” than with my Mystery Mondays Interviews.

 

Welcome back to my blog, Maureen.Please explain to my readers what type of crime fiction do you write and why?

With three romantic suspense novels under my belt (I refer to them as romantic crime mysteries with heat, heart and humor), I decided it was time to bounce into another genre (a no-no for an author, but I’m not in this for the money). Since I love mysteries, I thought it would be fun to write some cozy mysteries while incorporating lots of crime, animals, and a hit of romance. Horsing Around with Murder is the first in a funny and furry Senior Sleuth Mystery series.

I chose to write about three sixtyish sisters because, hey, been there, done that, and have the wrinkles and body to prove it. I know a little something about how aging looks and feels, and have used my experience to incorporate some boomer humor into my book. It’s my attempt to fight ageism by spreading the word that growing older doesn’t make seniors invisible, boring, or less worthy of respect.

What is a cozy mystery?

As far as I can determine, there are some basic rules cozies must adhere to. First and foremost, sex and violence are downplayed or treated humorously. Also, the crime and detection must take place in a small, socially intimate community. Although a killing is not mandatory, if there is a murder, the victim is typically detestable. Thus, the crime, if not justifiable, is often understandable. Finally—and I admit this set of rules gave me some trouble—there should be no blood, no cursing, and no explicit sex.

Okay, so maybe I stretched these final rules a tad here, but I did NOT cross a cozy line. No siree. To start with, the action takes place in a contained little community—Grizzly Gulch Guest Ranch, a dude ranch owned by my protagonists. The victim, far from being an upstanding member of society, has a history of horse drugging, preying on women, and general sleaziness. Finally, my corpse doesn’t drip blood, my protagonists invented replacements for their favorite naughty words, and by the end of the book, no one has managed to engage in sex. Yet.

Are you like any of the characters (and how so)?

I confess to having an inappropriate sense of humor. Try as I might, I seem incapable of preventing this trait from migrating into my main protagonists. Here’s an example from Horsing around with Murder:

Bending over to scrutinize the cookies, Dodie presented me with a disturbing view. She’d encased her plump legs in black leggings, a feat as miraculous as stuffing a bucking heifer down a drainpipe. Her queen-sized butt-cheeks bulged, straining the wafer-thin fabric in an alarming manner.

Or

“Whatcha reading?” my sister yelled. “Financial Planning for Dummies?”

“Nope. Hard, Hung, and Horny: A Tender Love Story. You can borrow it.”

“Groovy.” She sucked in an audible breath and kept on walking with an odd stiff-legged gait, flared nostrils, and fixed expression.

“You look like you’re passing a kidney stone,” I observed.

“You have a … remarkable way with … words,” she said, staggering the last few steps. Once behind the counter, she flung herself into her chair with a grunt.

“That was a geezer-grunt,” I said. “What’s wrong?”

After a lengthy pause, she said, “Turns out cramming this year’s booty into last year’s jeans is the mistake that keeps on punishing.”

Tell us a little about Horsing Around with Murder.

With horses, and goats, and a llama, oh, my!

There’s secrets, and intrigue, and someone must die.

Abby, Dodie, and Clara Foster, three 60-something sisters, are astonished to learn they’ve inherited Grizzly Gulch, a dude ranch in the Alberta Foothills. Facing financial ruin, they host a week-long horse breeding symposium to attract more guests.

Hours into the symposium, a cowboy’s sudden death appears accidental. When the Mounties dismiss Abby’s notion of murder, she convinces Dodie and Zeke, their hot barn manager, to conduct a covert investigation without alerting their guests. Problem is, the quirky guests are their main suspects.

Chaos ensues when the senior sleuths tangle with one seriously amorous gelding (yes, it happens), a runaway stud, dwarf goats and their guard llama, a cranky stallion, drug abuse, deceit, and more danger. It doesn’t help that late-life romance ups the ante.

Warning: This book may contain inappropriate boomer humor.

“Great fun to read! I love it! Laughed out loud and enjoyed all the characters.”

“The physical comedy infused throughout gave me several actual laugh-out-loud moments – the mark for me of a great read.”

” I LOVED IT!!! What a fun cozy mystery.”

 

Horsing Around with Murder is available at:

Amazon:

US: https://amzn.to/2BqMqzd

CA: https://amzn.to/2Shyq5a

UK: https://amzn.to/2Gqwm3X

AU: https://amzn.to/2RLzqJY

Kobo:  https://bit.ly/2DslJdU

B&N:   https://bit.ly/2BsyO6G

Apple and More

 

What are you working on now?

I’m currently working on Book 2 of the Senior Sleuth Series, tentatively entitled Dodging the Bullet. Octogenarian Mildred Cox, a cagey card shark whose major poker win enraged the losers, lands unannounced with her pet ferret at Grizzly Gulch in a bid to escape pursuit. Luckily, a local retirement home’s annual seniors’ getaway coincides with her visit, providing plenty of cover. Attempted murder, ornery animals, mistaken identities, and vengeful geriatrics add excitement.

About Maureen Fisher

After eons in the I.T. consulting world, I live with my husband in Ottawa, Canada’s beautiful capital city, where I write fresh and funny novels featuring romance, mystery, suspense, and always an animal or two. I’m also a besotted grandma, a voracious reader, the Gardening & Landscaping Coordinator for our community, an avid bridge player, yoga enthusiast, seeker of personal and spiritual growth, pickleball player, and infrequent but avid gourmet cook. My husband and I love to hike, bicycle, and travel. I swam with sharks in the Galapagos, walked with Bushmen in the Serengeti, sampled lamb criadillas (don’t ask!!!) in Iguazu Falls, snorkeled on the Great Barrier Reef, rode an elephant in Thailand, watched the sun rise over Machu Picchu, and bounced from Johannesburg to Cape Town on a bus named Marula.

 

Other Books by Maureen Fisher

Cold Feet Fever (The Fever Series, Book 2) myBook.to/CFF

 

‘One for the Money’ with steamy romance meets ‘The Sopranos’. A bad boy gambler and a mortician-turned-event-planner find romance while overcoming obstacles such as a goofy dog, ruthless thugs, exploding trucks, an eccentric granddaddy, disappearing corpses, an unfortunate synchronized swimming episode, and the threat of live cremation.

 

“An exciting novel that left me doubled over in laughter”

“a wonderful hilarious comedy … a warm and enjoyable read”

Fur Ball Fever (The Fever Series, Book 1) myBook.to/FBF

 

This romantic crime mystery features romance (sizzling hot), a second chance at love (hope and heart), crime (dastardly), an aging aunt (bawdy), dogs with personality (many), and humor (may cause mascara to run).

 

“It entertains, it heals, it delivers a message.”

“… hilarious, moving, and sexy.”

 

The Jaguar Legacy MyBook.to/TJL

Romance, suspense, and adventure explode in the steamy Mexican jungle. A secretive archaeologist guards his discovery, the ruins of a hidden Olmec city, while a journalist on the trail of an ancient Olmec curse experiences flashbacks to her past life where shapeshifting is a reality.

 

“…magnificent characters and scenarios.”

“An intricately woven tale of mystery, romance and occult. Definitely a keeper.”

 

Social Media Links

 

Please feel free to keep in touch with me using the following links:

 

Website: http://booksbymaureen.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorMaureen

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaureenFisherAuthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/845094.Maureen_Fisher

 

 

#amreading : Preview copies from abroad (2)

As I said on my blog yesterday, one of the biggest privileges of my writing life has been encountering some humble yet incredibly talented authors and becoming friends with the people behind truly inspiring books.

Murielle Syr, whose wonderful tale of a turtle ( https://www.amazon.co.uk/TURTLE-WISH-Murielle-Cyr-ebook/dp/B00DV1FA9G) caught my heart a few years ago,
has become a writer and a woman whom I simply adore.

Murielle has written in many different genres and has now found a publisher for her historical novel series. Needless to say. I cannot wait for it. To receive her advance preview copy from said publishers in Canada has made my day.

https://muriellerites.wordpress.com/2018/12/21/the-daughters-story/

Available May 1, 2019 Pre-order now

https://www.barakabooks.com/catalogue/the-daughters-story

Nadine is banished to a home for unwed mothers in 1950. She’s 15. Her baby daughter, whose father is shrouded in secrecy, is put up for adoption without her permission. Vowing to reunite one day with her daughter, she cuts all ties with her dysfunctional Irish and French-Canadian Catholic family whose past is cluttered with secrets, betrayals, incest and violence.

It’s now October 1970 in Montreal. Following two FLQ kidnappings, Ottawa proclaims the War Measures Act and sends the army into Quebec. These staggering events indirectly bring about a reunion between Nadine and her daughter Lisette, now 20 years old and embittered after being bounced from one foster home to another. Eight months pregnant, Lisette and her partner Serge, who is close to the FLQ, need money and see Nadine as a possible source.

A family saga with World Wars I and II, the Great Depression and the October crisis as backdrop, The Daughters’ Story tells the unsung, yet intensely passionate, tale of women whose unquenchable need to belong drives them to survive and thrive despite cruel conditions.

 

#amreading : Preview copies from abroad (1)

One of the biggest privileges of my writing life has been encountering humble yet incredibly talented authors and becoming friends with the people behind truly inspiring books.

I came across Richard Zimler‘s hit “The Last Kabbalist of Lisbon” by chance via a google search and have devoured his work ever since. Few people write with such delicate humanity and sensitivity, always think of others and enchant with prose as he does. I have read all of his work and am a huge fan.

I had the honour of meeting him on social media and in Lisbon last year and now am over the moon to see his latest work “The Gospel According to Lazarus” finally published in English. I received the honour of a preview copy from the publishers and am over the moon. I’m already far into the novel and can’t wait to post my review.
Such a great idea to pick Lazarus as narrator is all I can say for now. Thanks Richard and team!

 

 

Hidebound Hump Day — Cornelis Drebbel 30

Back in 2015 Teagan asked me to provide three things for her serial. Check out her blog – her writing and stories are exquisite and the images always great fun. You’ll see why I may be biased lol xxx

Teagan's Books

Wednesday, February 13, 2019

Saturday Evening Post, 1937

Happy Valentine’s Day, my chuckaboos!

I know this image is not from the right era, but the dashing man looking all afternoonified, made me think of something Cornelis might do.  I think Valentine’s Day around him would be positively naty narking.

Back in 2015, Christoph Fischer sent the “things” for this chapter.  Christoph is a blogger, reviewer, and the author of many compelling novels.   I’m currently reading “The Body in the Snow,” and I’m having a great time.  If you asked Christoph to let you see a photo of his Valentine, he might show you something like this…

Christoph’s Labradoodle Puppies

It’s time for Hidebound Hump Day!  If there are Valentines where our heroes are, then they are surely in shades of violet and lavender.  

Previously with Copper, the Alchemist, and the Woman in Trousers

Chapter 28

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STOP PRESS – BLOGGING APE NOMINATED FOR 2019 BLOGGERS BASH AWARD…

A huge resource for authors and readers – not surprised thestoryreadingapeblog is nominated again – please VOTE fror the adorable ape in the Bloggers Bash Awards

Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog

This old Blogging Ape is greatly honoured and humbled to have been nominated for a 2019 Bloggers Bash Award – see the email below for details:

Dear Chris,

Congratulations! You have been nominated for Best Blogging/Writing Blog at the Annual Bloggers Bash Awards 2019! 

The Annual Bloggers Bash is a yearly blogging event which takes place on Saturday 15^th June 2019 at the Grange Wellington Hotel in London.

We’re now in our 5^th year and have had attendees from all over the UK, Europe, the US, Canada and even Australia!

To find out more about this year’s event,click HEREto be taken to our website.

What do I do now?

Attached is your nominations badge. You can use this on your blog, across your social media and emails and it is an excellent way of gaining promotion for when voting opens in April. 

One…

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