Maria Savva's Blog - Posts Tagged "rock-n-roll-suicide"
Introducing Geoffrey D West, author of Rock 'n' Roll Suicide!
My guest today is Geoffrey David West, author of the gripping thriller Rock 'n' Roll Suicide.
After reading his book, I was keen to invite him here and introduce him to all of you. His book is a great murder mystery, and I would highly recommend it. As luck would have it, you have the chance to download your copy FREE from Amazon this week (between 14th and 18th January)!
The Kindle edition is readable not only on a Kindle e-reader, but also on your PC, Mac, iPad, or smartphone - you can get free apps from Amazon to read Kindle books if you don't own a Kindle. So, make sure you grab a copy of "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide" this week.
Here's the link you need (this clever link should take you to your local Amazon store): viewBook.at/B009XA5SQ4
Here's my interview with Geoffrey:
When did you start writing Rock 'n' Roll Suicide, and did you have a plan for the story when you started?
About a couple of years ago I think. Just had a hazy idea at first, began writing, put it away for a while, then started again in earnest. Had no plan at all when I started.
Did you do all your own editing?
Yes, and in retrospect it was a mistake. I didn’t want copy editing, as I’d already done that, but I thought I’d done the proofreading, having read it over several times. But on the kindle screen I saw more mistakes, and republished. And now I know there are still more mistakes, so I’m going to republish again. I’m really short of money, but rather than have the nightmare all over again I’m going to ask Julia, Terry Tyler’s sister, for help with my next book, as an amateurish manuscript with typos and missed words is awful and embarrassing.
Hmm... to make you feel better, I have just read a book published by Penguin that had no less that 6 typos... there may have been more that I didn't spot, of course. I do believe that it's not possible to get a completely typo-free book.
There is a lot of description in your novel about places and buildings. Did you visit all the places mentioned in the novel, during the course of writing it?
I already knew the places in Kent, because I write for a magazine called Kent Life, in which I described towns and places, so that was fine. And I know Paris slightly. But as for Hamburg, I’ve never been, did it all from books and on the net, so I hope there aren’t any mistakes.
I know that you also write non-fiction. After writing your first novel, which would you say you prefer, fiction or non-fiction writing?
Fiction, definitely. Nonfiction is a lot easier, and also rewarding, but essentially you’re just presenting facts, not creating anything.
Do you think your experience in non-fiction writing helped or hindered you when you came to writing fiction, and in what ways?
Helped definitely. I’ve written many articles about subjects I knew absolutely nothing at all about when I started, to the extent that if I phoned experts, for instance on a building-related subject, I wasn’t even sure which questions to ask. I realised that you just have to bundle into it, get something down, not wait around until it’s crystallised in your mind. Even if you put down rubbish, you can extract what’s any good from it, arrange it into a different order and so on. Many people talk about writing, but hardly any actually get down to doing it.
When you came up with the idea for your novel, did you plan to write a series or is that something that you decided on later?
Decided on later, when I found Jack Lockwood seemed to be an interesting person.
Jack Lockwood, your protagonist, is a psychologist. Do you have any psychology qualifications?
No, none at all I’m afraid, it’s all from what I’ve read and tried to understand, and I hope I’ve got away with it.
How many books do you plan to write in the Jack Lockwood series?
I’d like to write about six, I think, maybe more, but depends if they sell.
Part of your novel revolves around a conspiracy theory about John Lennon’s murder. Were you/are you a Beatles fan? If so, what do you think is their best album?
I was about 10 when they had their first breakthrough (I remember ‘I want to hold your hand’) and back then I was certainly a fan, and followed their careers until I was around 18 I suppose. I always remember the Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club album being played at a friend’s party when I’d just left school – that one I suppose is my favourite.
Much of your novel includes characters who are in some way linked to the music industry. Do you have a musical background?
No, I’m afraid not. But I have read a lot of pop star autobiographies.
What is your favourite type of music?
Country Music, and it’s sad because you hardly ever hear it in Britain. I love Randy Travis, Alan Jackson, the Dixie Chicks, Lyle Lovett. I also like the old rock bands, for instance Lynyrd Skynyrd. And I do like David Gray, Fleetwood Mac and Richard Thomson and the old folk bands, such as Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span.
Was Maggi O’Kane, or any of the band members in your novel, inspired/based on real musicians?
I suppose I loosely thought of Suzi Quattro, but only because she’s the closest to what I had in mind – Maggi is certainly not based on her. However the place, ‘The Mansh’, I think was based on someone (I think a Fleetwood Mac member) who owned a country mansion, and they called it ‘The Manor’ and used it as a recording studio. The lovely old building and the musicians in it, gave me the idea for the beginning of the book, and the ‘What if’ extension of the beginning turned it into a story.
How much research did you do for the book?
Quite a bit I suppose, but nothing too deep. For instance, I read a lot of pop star biographies, researched Hamburg for the travel details and so on, and also researched the ‘new’ career of being a Behavioural Investigative Adviser, and read books by leading criminal profilers about their careers and cases they worked on.
The book is written in the first person, and often when I read books written in the first person, I wonder whether the character is similar to the author. How much of you is there in Jack Lockwood, or is he based on someone else/purely fictional?
A lot of first person writing is, perhaps, wishful thinking – I would love to be a fearless righter of wrongs and intrepid in the face of danger. I would also like to be extremely clever! However the only real way Jack Lockwood I suppose is like me in that I love building, crafts and DIY and do a lot of that kind of work, and know plumbing, carpentry etc.
Apart from the Jack Lockwood series, are you working on any other projects?
Yes, I’m lucky enough to get writing work for Kent Life magazine, also I’m trying to get back into writing articles about building and DIY, plus I’m planning to do a few building/DIY books on kindle. I tried to interest publishers on books on Kent, but with no success at all.
Your book is only available in e-book format at the moment, as far as I know. Do you have plans to make it available as a paperback?
Not at the moment because I cannot afford it. Although I suppose there’s the Print on Demand option, how do you sell books when you’re unknown? People might risk wasting 77p (99c), but would they risk £5 for a book they may not like?
Do you prefer reading e-books or print books?
I suppose print books, it’s nice to feel a book in your hands, but the convenience and cheapness of e-books is their advantage, being able to buy one within seconds.
Do you have any tips for someone who may be considering self-publishing a book?
Yes, get someone to read it to check for mistakes, or, better, pay a professional proofreader, because, for some reason, there are always more mistakes than you realise, and you can’t see your own mistakes. And don’t be put off by the technical side of formatting, because Kindle and Smashwords.com both offer very good free guide books that take your through the entire process. I was also lucky enough to hook up with some really nice people on Twitter who helped me in many ways: Terry Tyler , Maria Savva (of course!), Darcia Helle , Martin Johnson , Mary Metcalfe and a number of other kind folk. Going on Twitter is an excellent way to try to market your book and discover other tremendous authors to read.
Who designed your book cover?
Ian Scaife, of www.isgraphics.co.uk He
did a terrific job.
Yes, it's a great cover!
Who are your favourite authors?
Robert Goddard, Dick Francis, Douglas Kennedy, Tony Parsons, Sarah Waters, Barbara Vine.
There are lots of twists and turns in Rock’n’Roll Suicide, and lots of murders/deaths! As a crime fiction writer have you ever based a character on a particular person you dislike and then killed him or her off in the novel?
Great question, but actually no, I don’t think I hate anyone enough to want them dead. But who knows about the future?
Where can people buy your books?
Rock’n’Roll Suicide: viewBook.at/B009XA5SQ4 And I’ve got a page on Amazon for my others: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Geoffrey-West...
Where at the best places for people to connect with you online?
www.geoffreydavidwest.com and my blog at http://bit.ly/QoYXbv
Thank you, Geoff! I wish you continued success with "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide", and look forward to reading the rest of the series!
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Don't forget to download your free copy of "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide" between 14th & 18th January 2013: viewBook.at/B009XA5SQ4
Top Ten: Favourite books I read in 2013
This is a list of my favourite reads from this year. The books were not necessarily published this year, but I read them in 2013.
In no particular order:
The Other Side
My review:
Brilliant! This is an absolutely superb novel that completely surprised me. Just when I was beginning to think it was going to be another book about four different women and what their lives could have been like if they'd only done something differently when they were young (which is a nice idea for a novel, but not an awe-inspiring one) the author put a spin on it which totally changed everything.
Having read You Wish... by this author, I knew that she is a very talented writer, and was looking forward to reading more of her books. This book has left me wondering why Terry Tyler hasn't been snapped up by one of the major publishing companies.
'The Other Side' will entertain you, but more importantly, it will make you think. So much of our time is spent comparing ourselves with others and cursing our luck. This book drives home a very important point about life. I don't want to give too much away, so I will leave it at that. I think everyone would enjoy this book. It's full of believable characters, and everyone will be able to relate to at least one of the characters. This book isn't as funny as 'You Wish', but it is just as entertaining and thought-provoking. I'm looking forward to reading more of this author's work.
Killing Instinct: A Michael Sykora Novel
My review:
This is the third in Darcia Helle's Michael Sykora series. I hadn't read any of the other books in the series, but this book reads well as a stand alone novel. The author effectively gives details of the background of each character as we meet them, so anyone who is unfamiliar with them will be able to read the book and enjoy it.
This book delves into an obscure and scary world that exists just beneath the surface of society. A hidden Internet site that deals in the darker side of life; where people are no more than commodities to satisfy the needs of disturbed individuals. One such person is at the head of the organisation: Sandman. This elusive man must be found and stopped.
In this novel, Michael Sykora and his partner in crime, Sean Riley, go in search of this evil ringleader, and in their search they discover things that surprise them about him, but also about themselves.
For Sean Riley the search is personal, his girlfriend's life is at risk, and emotions fuel his need for justice.
This book looks at how there is always more to a person, or a situation than meets the eye.
It's a compulsive read that you won't want to put down, and like many of Darcia Helle's novels, it will have you biting your nails and worrying about the characters! A must read for fans of suspense/thrillers.
Joe Soap
My review:
Absolutely brilliant.
Andrew Peters is an absolute master at comedy writing (check out his Blues Detective series), and after reading Joe Soap, I believe he is also an extremely talented all-round writer. This is a dark thriller, with lots of lovely dry humour to stop it being absolutely terrifying!
Joe Soap is actually a fictional character; a character in a series of books by author Jed Higgins. Jed is the main character in this expertly crafted story.
The novel has lots of twists that kept me interested, and there's a lot of thought-provoking stuff here. What would you do if faced with no option but to kill a stranger? After Jed is threatened by a criminal gang, that is exactly the position he finds himself in. One day he is an ordinary man, trying to make a living with his writing, the next he is involved in all sorts of criminal activity. In the past, the only crimes that happened in Jed's life were the fictional kind that he made up in his novels, now all of that was becoming a frightening reality. How will he cope? You'll have to read this book to find out.
I enjoyed the humour in this book, and also the way the story was constructed to keep you guessing until the end. Grab a copy now, you won't regret it.
Rock'n'Roll Suicide
My review:
A 30 year old mystery about the death of a rock band; a conspiracy theory about the death of John Lennon; a string of recent murders that may be linked to those deaths. This book is a wonderful suspense novel that kept me turning the pages to find out what happened.
John Lockwood used to work for the police as a psychologist but after a spell in a mental institution when he suffered a nervous breakdown, he finds himself unable to get back into the work he once enjoyed. When we meet him, he is working on a book Crash and Burn about the untimely deaths of rock stars. His friend, Ken, helped him to pick himself up after his breakdown, and with his contacts in publishing, helped him to get the contract for the book. Matters take a sinister turn when Jack begins to investigate the death of Maggi O'Kane, a member of the rock band, Border Crossing, who allegedly killed the rest of her band and then committed suicide in 1980. It appears that there might be a link with the John Lennon murder, and perhaps a cover up; were Maggi and her band murdered? As he tries to get to the bottom of the 30 year old mystery, Jack finds himself dropped by his publisher, and almost killed a few times... To make matters worse, he is sure he is being followed by a serial killer, Edward Van Leer, the man who almost killed him years ago. But how can that be when Van Leer is locked up for murder? This book is full of twists and turns, and action packed scenes that will induce nail biting.
The story is told in the first person, from Jack Lockwood's perspective. It is not only a great crime thriller, but also very insightful about the human psyche, betrayal, friendship, loneliness, relationships, and other such matters. The descriptive quality of the narrative is such that the reader can easily imagine the sights and sounds, which makes the nail biting scenes even more thrilling! This is part one of a series of books. Chapter One of the second book is included at the end.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good suspense thriller.
Nocturnal Embers
My review:
After reading her debut collection of poetry, Silent Dreams, I was keen to read more from this writer. In this collection, as well as poetry, Helle Gade is also showcasing some of her photography. Just like her first book, this is a passionate collection of poetry. These are words from her soul. Many of the poems focus on pain, loneliness, and isolation, as seen through the eyes of someone who has a chronic illness. Her poem, 'Excruciating Pain' gives us some idea of how someone suffering Fibromyalgia feels. It's a touching and heartfelt collection of poetry. I think the photographs really fit with the poems and added a little extra. A nice touch. Some of my favourites are 'Dust', 'The Sting', and 'Hush Hush'. The title for the collection is great because there is a real dreamlike feel to much of the poetry and you really get the sense of the silence and darkness of the night when reading it. At the end, there is even a poem which was written while the author was asleep! I enjoyed this collection as much as Silent Dreams, and look forward to reading more from this talented artist in the future.
The Blues Detective
My review:
This book is hilarious. I think there is at least one laugh out loud moment on every page. It's a collection of short mysteries where a private detective, Otis King, tries to solve a few cases for random clients. Every client has a link to the Blues in some way. The stories are mostly set in Memphis. Otis is originally from Wales in the UK, and tries his best to fit in to the US lifestyle. His comments about the language differences are very funny. Unable to completely give up his Welsh roots, he still has traditional Welsh food packages sent to him by his mum and aunts. He has an interesting way of looking at life, has a love for blondes, alcohol, and of course the Blues, and an aversion to jazz musicians. You must read this book. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of Andrew Peter's books; he is a comedy genius.
A Virtual Love
My review:
I had great expectations when I started reading this novel, because Andrew Blackman's debut novel, On The Holloway Road is one of my all time favourite books. A Virtual Love is just as absorbing, and just as thought-provoking as his first book. I love this writer's style. It takes no effort to read and understand what he is saying, and that is a mark of quality literature. It's no surprise he has won awards for his writing.
In this novel, Blackman has taken the topic of today's obsession with the Internet and has created a carefully structured story examining one man's manipulation of the web that is scarily realistic, and makes you wonder whether this is already happening all around us. How many people are pretending to be someone else when they are online? The book shows how easy it is for people to create multiple identities on the Internet, and it touches on the subject of how the anonymity of hiding behind a computer can be misused by the untrustworthy as a way to manipulate others. The fragility of truth is exposed in this story.
The main character is Jeff Brennan, but we never hear the story from his point of view; each chapter is narrated by different characters, in the first person as if they are talking to Jeff. I thought this was a very interesting way of telling the story, and it works well.
Towards the end I wondered whether the story might seem unfinished if we don't hear from Jeff at least once, and was expecting the last chapter to be from his viewpoint, but the ending surprised me and is extremely well done leaving the reader with a lot to think about.
All the characters are believable and seem like real people, and the Jeff Brennan character is well-developed as we see his life change throughout the book as seen through other people's eyes.
This book is all about secrets, lies, and how the world wide web has changed the way we live, and the way some people view reality.
Contemplations: An Anthology of Short Fiction & Poetry
My review:
There are writers who stand out from the crowd. L.M. Stull is one of those writers. I read a lot of books, but not many of them are able to keep me interested and make me feel compelled to read in this way. Not only that, but I was totally engrossed in the stories and really sensing the characters' emotions, and understanding them. L.M. Stull takes the reader to some dark places with this collection of short stories and poems. Reading the collection was almost like reading someone's private diary. The characters' feelings seem real, the characters could be real people. Themes include: abuse, secrets, revenge, betrayal, and regret. At the end of the collection, there is a short story told in about 9 chapters, so it's almost a mini-novella. In this story we follow two different characters, in what is, in essence, a love story.
One of my favourites in the collection, only because it totally surprised me at the end, is, 'The Things You Keep To Yourself'.
'The Bus' is another stand-out story; very poignant.
I enjoyed all the stories, and poems. There is a realism, sometimes quite dark, that pervades the writing.
Having read this collection, I am looking forward to reading more from this talented author. If you're looking for a new writer to try, you must pick up a book by L.M. Stull. Her literary skills are exemplary. Definitely an author to look out for.
Rise of the Shadow
My review:
This is the third book in J. Michael Radcliffe's Beyond The Veil Trilogy. It's sad to see the end of such a wonderful fantasy tale. Before reading the first book in the series, The Guardian's Apprentice, I didn't read these types of fantasy books, but it is such an engrossing story and so imaginative, it made me more interested in this type of fiction.
The second book, Bloodstone - The Guardian's Curse, is just as enthralling as the first and I was very much looking forward to reading this final instalment. I was lucky enough to receive a pre-publication copy of this book.
I think, Rise of the Shadow is a very well written conclusion to the story. The author has done well to write this as the third book in the series as well as making it readable as a stand alone book. Each of the characters is reintroduced in the book; this worked well for me as it had been a while since I read the second book and it was nice to be reminded who everyone was. I found that remembering the characters also brought a nostalgic feel to the story as they are all well drawn characters who seem larger than life and I found myself almost getting to know them all again.
In this story Keegan, newly crowned Guardian of the Veil begins his life as Guardian without a Veil to protect, as of course it had been destroyed in book two. Keegan's task in this final story in the trilogy is to stop the wraith of his enemy committing murder five thousand years in the past. Will he be successful? We follow him as he travels back in time, risking his life and that of everyone dear to him. Some new and interesting characters are introduced in this final part of the trilogy. The author is a gifted storyteller, in my opinion, and I think his writing style has progressed in leaps and bounds throughout the course of this series; he started off as a fabulous and enchanting storyteller and is now a master. The ending of Rise of the Shadow is a testament to his skill. Read it and find out why.
No Justice: A Michael Sykora Novel
My review:
I'm already a big fan of Darcia Helle's writing. I've read most of her stand alone novels, and short stories. I've been wanting to read this series of books for ages. I finally found a bit of time and am so glad I did! This is a fast-paced action packed thriller that is so well written you feel as if you know all the characters and that they're real people. I actually read the fourth book in the series before this one as I was lucky enough to receive a pre-publication copy, and I have to say, this character, Michael Sykora, is larger than life. He is a likeable man even though he kills for a living. He's a hitman with a conscience: he only kills bad people.
In this book he's on a mission to protect an old friend, Nicki, whose life is in danger after she becomes involved with the wrong people. Will he be able to eliminate them all before it's too late?
This book introduces the character, Michael Sykora, and we learn the reason he became a hitman. We meet his best friend, a policeman, and learn of the reason they have such a tight bond. We see what could be a developing relationship between Michael and Nicki, we find out about his history and see learn of his less than perfect childhood. His father is dying and he's forced to face demons from his past as he reconnects with him. Towards the end of the novel there is also mention of him trying to find a long-lost sister, one of the things I'm looking forward to finding out more about in book two.
There is so much to like about this book. I'd recommend it to anyone who likes good suspenseful crime fiction.
Darcia Helle's books are a joy to read, and though the subject matter is often quite dark, there is a wonderful sense of humour throughout that always brings a smile.
In no particular order:
The Other Side
My review:
Brilliant! This is an absolutely superb novel that completely surprised me. Just when I was beginning to think it was going to be another book about four different women and what their lives could have been like if they'd only done something differently when they were young (which is a nice idea for a novel, but not an awe-inspiring one) the author put a spin on it which totally changed everything.
Having read You Wish... by this author, I knew that she is a very talented writer, and was looking forward to reading more of her books. This book has left me wondering why Terry Tyler hasn't been snapped up by one of the major publishing companies.
'The Other Side' will entertain you, but more importantly, it will make you think. So much of our time is spent comparing ourselves with others and cursing our luck. This book drives home a very important point about life. I don't want to give too much away, so I will leave it at that. I think everyone would enjoy this book. It's full of believable characters, and everyone will be able to relate to at least one of the characters. This book isn't as funny as 'You Wish', but it is just as entertaining and thought-provoking. I'm looking forward to reading more of this author's work.
Killing Instinct: A Michael Sykora Novel
My review:
This is the third in Darcia Helle's Michael Sykora series. I hadn't read any of the other books in the series, but this book reads well as a stand alone novel. The author effectively gives details of the background of each character as we meet them, so anyone who is unfamiliar with them will be able to read the book and enjoy it.
This book delves into an obscure and scary world that exists just beneath the surface of society. A hidden Internet site that deals in the darker side of life; where people are no more than commodities to satisfy the needs of disturbed individuals. One such person is at the head of the organisation: Sandman. This elusive man must be found and stopped.
In this novel, Michael Sykora and his partner in crime, Sean Riley, go in search of this evil ringleader, and in their search they discover things that surprise them about him, but also about themselves.
For Sean Riley the search is personal, his girlfriend's life is at risk, and emotions fuel his need for justice.
This book looks at how there is always more to a person, or a situation than meets the eye.
It's a compulsive read that you won't want to put down, and like many of Darcia Helle's novels, it will have you biting your nails and worrying about the characters! A must read for fans of suspense/thrillers.
Joe Soap
My review:
Absolutely brilliant.
Andrew Peters is an absolute master at comedy writing (check out his Blues Detective series), and after reading Joe Soap, I believe he is also an extremely talented all-round writer. This is a dark thriller, with lots of lovely dry humour to stop it being absolutely terrifying!
Joe Soap is actually a fictional character; a character in a series of books by author Jed Higgins. Jed is the main character in this expertly crafted story.
The novel has lots of twists that kept me interested, and there's a lot of thought-provoking stuff here. What would you do if faced with no option but to kill a stranger? After Jed is threatened by a criminal gang, that is exactly the position he finds himself in. One day he is an ordinary man, trying to make a living with his writing, the next he is involved in all sorts of criminal activity. In the past, the only crimes that happened in Jed's life were the fictional kind that he made up in his novels, now all of that was becoming a frightening reality. How will he cope? You'll have to read this book to find out.
I enjoyed the humour in this book, and also the way the story was constructed to keep you guessing until the end. Grab a copy now, you won't regret it.
Rock'n'Roll Suicide
My review:
A 30 year old mystery about the death of a rock band; a conspiracy theory about the death of John Lennon; a string of recent murders that may be linked to those deaths. This book is a wonderful suspense novel that kept me turning the pages to find out what happened.
John Lockwood used to work for the police as a psychologist but after a spell in a mental institution when he suffered a nervous breakdown, he finds himself unable to get back into the work he once enjoyed. When we meet him, he is working on a book Crash and Burn about the untimely deaths of rock stars. His friend, Ken, helped him to pick himself up after his breakdown, and with his contacts in publishing, helped him to get the contract for the book. Matters take a sinister turn when Jack begins to investigate the death of Maggi O'Kane, a member of the rock band, Border Crossing, who allegedly killed the rest of her band and then committed suicide in 1980. It appears that there might be a link with the John Lennon murder, and perhaps a cover up; were Maggi and her band murdered? As he tries to get to the bottom of the 30 year old mystery, Jack finds himself dropped by his publisher, and almost killed a few times... To make matters worse, he is sure he is being followed by a serial killer, Edward Van Leer, the man who almost killed him years ago. But how can that be when Van Leer is locked up for murder? This book is full of twists and turns, and action packed scenes that will induce nail biting.
The story is told in the first person, from Jack Lockwood's perspective. It is not only a great crime thriller, but also very insightful about the human psyche, betrayal, friendship, loneliness, relationships, and other such matters. The descriptive quality of the narrative is such that the reader can easily imagine the sights and sounds, which makes the nail biting scenes even more thrilling! This is part one of a series of books. Chapter One of the second book is included at the end.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good suspense thriller.
Nocturnal Embers
My review:
After reading her debut collection of poetry, Silent Dreams, I was keen to read more from this writer. In this collection, as well as poetry, Helle Gade is also showcasing some of her photography. Just like her first book, this is a passionate collection of poetry. These are words from her soul. Many of the poems focus on pain, loneliness, and isolation, as seen through the eyes of someone who has a chronic illness. Her poem, 'Excruciating Pain' gives us some idea of how someone suffering Fibromyalgia feels. It's a touching and heartfelt collection of poetry. I think the photographs really fit with the poems and added a little extra. A nice touch. Some of my favourites are 'Dust', 'The Sting', and 'Hush Hush'. The title for the collection is great because there is a real dreamlike feel to much of the poetry and you really get the sense of the silence and darkness of the night when reading it. At the end, there is even a poem which was written while the author was asleep! I enjoyed this collection as much as Silent Dreams, and look forward to reading more from this talented artist in the future.
The Blues Detective
My review:
This book is hilarious. I think there is at least one laugh out loud moment on every page. It's a collection of short mysteries where a private detective, Otis King, tries to solve a few cases for random clients. Every client has a link to the Blues in some way. The stories are mostly set in Memphis. Otis is originally from Wales in the UK, and tries his best to fit in to the US lifestyle. His comments about the language differences are very funny. Unable to completely give up his Welsh roots, he still has traditional Welsh food packages sent to him by his mum and aunts. He has an interesting way of looking at life, has a love for blondes, alcohol, and of course the Blues, and an aversion to jazz musicians. You must read this book. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of Andrew Peter's books; he is a comedy genius.
A Virtual Love
My review:
I had great expectations when I started reading this novel, because Andrew Blackman's debut novel, On The Holloway Road is one of my all time favourite books. A Virtual Love is just as absorbing, and just as thought-provoking as his first book. I love this writer's style. It takes no effort to read and understand what he is saying, and that is a mark of quality literature. It's no surprise he has won awards for his writing.
In this novel, Blackman has taken the topic of today's obsession with the Internet and has created a carefully structured story examining one man's manipulation of the web that is scarily realistic, and makes you wonder whether this is already happening all around us. How many people are pretending to be someone else when they are online? The book shows how easy it is for people to create multiple identities on the Internet, and it touches on the subject of how the anonymity of hiding behind a computer can be misused by the untrustworthy as a way to manipulate others. The fragility of truth is exposed in this story.
The main character is Jeff Brennan, but we never hear the story from his point of view; each chapter is narrated by different characters, in the first person as if they are talking to Jeff. I thought this was a very interesting way of telling the story, and it works well.
Towards the end I wondered whether the story might seem unfinished if we don't hear from Jeff at least once, and was expecting the last chapter to be from his viewpoint, but the ending surprised me and is extremely well done leaving the reader with a lot to think about.
All the characters are believable and seem like real people, and the Jeff Brennan character is well-developed as we see his life change throughout the book as seen through other people's eyes.
This book is all about secrets, lies, and how the world wide web has changed the way we live, and the way some people view reality.
Contemplations: An Anthology of Short Fiction & Poetry
My review:
There are writers who stand out from the crowd. L.M. Stull is one of those writers. I read a lot of books, but not many of them are able to keep me interested and make me feel compelled to read in this way. Not only that, but I was totally engrossed in the stories and really sensing the characters' emotions, and understanding them. L.M. Stull takes the reader to some dark places with this collection of short stories and poems. Reading the collection was almost like reading someone's private diary. The characters' feelings seem real, the characters could be real people. Themes include: abuse, secrets, revenge, betrayal, and regret. At the end of the collection, there is a short story told in about 9 chapters, so it's almost a mini-novella. In this story we follow two different characters, in what is, in essence, a love story.
One of my favourites in the collection, only because it totally surprised me at the end, is, 'The Things You Keep To Yourself'.
'The Bus' is another stand-out story; very poignant.
I enjoyed all the stories, and poems. There is a realism, sometimes quite dark, that pervades the writing.
Having read this collection, I am looking forward to reading more from this talented author. If you're looking for a new writer to try, you must pick up a book by L.M. Stull. Her literary skills are exemplary. Definitely an author to look out for.
Rise of the Shadow
My review:
This is the third book in J. Michael Radcliffe's Beyond The Veil Trilogy. It's sad to see the end of such a wonderful fantasy tale. Before reading the first book in the series, The Guardian's Apprentice, I didn't read these types of fantasy books, but it is such an engrossing story and so imaginative, it made me more interested in this type of fiction.
The second book, Bloodstone - The Guardian's Curse, is just as enthralling as the first and I was very much looking forward to reading this final instalment. I was lucky enough to receive a pre-publication copy of this book.
I think, Rise of the Shadow is a very well written conclusion to the story. The author has done well to write this as the third book in the series as well as making it readable as a stand alone book. Each of the characters is reintroduced in the book; this worked well for me as it had been a while since I read the second book and it was nice to be reminded who everyone was. I found that remembering the characters also brought a nostalgic feel to the story as they are all well drawn characters who seem larger than life and I found myself almost getting to know them all again.
In this story Keegan, newly crowned Guardian of the Veil begins his life as Guardian without a Veil to protect, as of course it had been destroyed in book two. Keegan's task in this final story in the trilogy is to stop the wraith of his enemy committing murder five thousand years in the past. Will he be successful? We follow him as he travels back in time, risking his life and that of everyone dear to him. Some new and interesting characters are introduced in this final part of the trilogy. The author is a gifted storyteller, in my opinion, and I think his writing style has progressed in leaps and bounds throughout the course of this series; he started off as a fabulous and enchanting storyteller and is now a master. The ending of Rise of the Shadow is a testament to his skill. Read it and find out why.
No Justice: A Michael Sykora Novel
My review:
I'm already a big fan of Darcia Helle's writing. I've read most of her stand alone novels, and short stories. I've been wanting to read this series of books for ages. I finally found a bit of time and am so glad I did! This is a fast-paced action packed thriller that is so well written you feel as if you know all the characters and that they're real people. I actually read the fourth book in the series before this one as I was lucky enough to receive a pre-publication copy, and I have to say, this character, Michael Sykora, is larger than life. He is a likeable man even though he kills for a living. He's a hitman with a conscience: he only kills bad people.
In this book he's on a mission to protect an old friend, Nicki, whose life is in danger after she becomes involved with the wrong people. Will he be able to eliminate them all before it's too late?
This book introduces the character, Michael Sykora, and we learn the reason he became a hitman. We meet his best friend, a policeman, and learn of the reason they have such a tight bond. We see what could be a developing relationship between Michael and Nicki, we find out about his history and see learn of his less than perfect childhood. His father is dying and he's forced to face demons from his past as he reconnects with him. Towards the end of the novel there is also mention of him trying to find a long-lost sister, one of the things I'm looking forward to finding out more about in book two.
There is so much to like about this book. I'd recommend it to anyone who likes good suspenseful crime fiction.
Darcia Helle's books are a joy to read, and though the subject matter is often quite dark, there is a wonderful sense of humour throughout that always brings a smile.
New Release: Sheer Fear, by Geoffrey David West
I've just found out about this new release. Sheer Fear by Geoffrey David West, is the third book in the Jack Lockwood mystery series.
About the book:
What happens when your brother is framed for murder, then dies himself?
Just before he dies, David Hart tells his half brother Jack about the conspiracy to protect a famous public figure from allegations of historic child abuse by killing the accusers and framing him for the murders.
How can Jack find justice for his brother and avoid being killed himself? Simultaneously Jack has an unknown enemy who is playing vicious tricks on him, each one deadlier than the last.
Having read the first two books in this series, I'm very excited about this one and have started reading it today!
You can get your copy on Amazon worldwide:
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Sheer-Fear-Jack...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sheer-Fear-Ja...
If you're a fan of crime fiction/mysteries, you should definitely check out this series. The author has a talent for suspense and creating realistic characters. His books are compulsive reads. I am very glad to have discovered his writing.
The first book in the series is Rock 'n' Roll Suicide.
Action packed thriller/mystery filled with murders and twists. Whilst researching the suicide of rock queen Maggi O’Kane in 1980, ex-criminal profiler Dr Jack Lockwood discovers evidence suggesting that she and her band were murdered to suppress facts she found out about John Lennon’s assassination. First of a series of Jack Lockwood mysteries.
Buy the book:
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/RocknRoll-Suici...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/RocknRoll-Sui...
The second book is Doppelganger.
What happens if you fall in love with a killer? Jack Lockwood, psychologist/criminal profiler and writer falls in love with Lucy Green, whom he later has reason to believe may be the child-killer, Megan Foster. Megan was held in custody aged eight, in 1982, and released ten years later with a new identity. Simultaneously, Jack is being targeted by a gangster who does not want him to write his (unauthorised) biography. What’s more there’s a serial killer on the loose in historic Canterbury, someone christened called ‘the Bible Killer’, who targets women and kills them in a particularly gruesome manner. Is Lucy the Bible Killer? Jack has to find out, but the answers are far from simple...
Buy the book:
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Doppelganger-Ja...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Doppelganger-...
So, if you're wondering what book to read next, why not try one of Geoffrey West books? You won't be disappointed.
Keep up with Geoffrey's news at the following links:
Website: http://www.geoffreydavidwest.com/
Blog: http://geoffreywestdotcom.wordpress.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GeoffreyDWest
Christmas gift recommendations - Books make the best presents!
I know it's only November, but it's the time of year when we think about buying gifts for friends and family.
I thought it would be nice to make a list of some books I recommend. Hopefully it'll help and save you hours of browsing and getting a headache because there are so many choices out there!!
I've read and enjoyed all the books in this list. They're my favourites.
Books make wonderful gifts. They entertain and last a lifetime.
Julie Elizabeth Powell, has written lots of books and they're all excellent, in my opinion. If you know someone who likes fantasy books, you could buy any one of Julie's books for them. Take a look at her author page on Amazon. She has written something for all tastes. http://www.amazon.com/Julie-Elizabeth...
Her books range from Children's books to Horror. Julie is one of the most imaginative writers I know. I'd recommend any one of her books as a great gift, but I've chosen Gone because it's the first one of her books I read and was one of the books that made me start reading fantasy again.
J. Michael Radcliffe, like Julie Elizabeth Powell, is also one of my favourite authors and I've read all his books and would recommend them all as great gifts. He writes fantasy, too, but the difference is that his books usually contain dragons! I love his Beyond the Veil series. You can buy it as an omnibus edition, which I think is nice as a gift, or you can buy each book in the series individually. http://www.amazon.com/J.-Michael-Radc...
Darcia Helle is a very talented author, another one of my favourites, and I have read most of her books. Every one of them is fabulous, so it's hard to choose only one as a recommendation. I'm highlighting her Michael Sykora series because it comes in a box set, which is perfect for a Christmas gift, but I could have recommended many others, especially, Into The Light and The Cutting Edge
http://www.amazon.com/Darcia-Helle/e/...
Helle Gade is a talented poet and photographer, and her books combine the two with stunning photo art and passionate poems. I must admit that before reading Helle's poems I never liked reading poetry. Helle Gade has changed the way I view poetry. Her verse expresses feelings in a way that really touches the heart. All her books are excellent. With Northern Whispers she has collected together all three of her poetry/art books. It would make a lovely Christmas gift.
http://www.amazon.com/Helle-Gade/e/B0...
I'm going to recommend a book series that I have contributed stories to, as well. I think The Mind's Eye Series is a wonderful project, and because it contains photography and stories/poems would make a great Christmas gift. It's also available in paperback and the paperbacks look great. I love them. There are two books available at the moment, which contain stories by Darcia Helle. J. Michael Radcliffe, Jason McIntyre, and myself. Book 2 also contains poetry from Helle Gade and Ben Ditmars. The photography for the series is by Martin David Porter and Helle Gade.
Perspectives: http://www.amazon.com/Perspectives-Mi...
Reflections: http://www.amazon.com/Reflections-Min...
Geoffrey David West's Jack Lockwood Mystery series is compulsive reading. I've read the first two books, Rock 'n' Roll Suicide and Doppelganger - I'd recommend them both. I'm currently reading and enjoying the third book in the series, Sheer Fear. An excellent choice for a Christmas gift for the Crime Fiction fan in your life.
http://www.amazon.com/Geoffrey-West/e...
Mark Rice's Metallic Dreams is the perfect present for the rock/metal fan in your life. It contains humour, fantasy, and romance. I think it's fantastic. (over 18s only).
http://www.amazon.com/Mark-Rice/e/B00...
Quentin R. Bufogle is a talented writer and this is a laugh out loud book that also has a deeper story that many will relate to. It would make be perfect gift for those who appreciate comedy and great fiction.
http://www.amazon.com/Horse-Latitudes...
Terry Tyler is a prolific writer of contemporary fiction. I've read You Wish, Round and Round, and The Other Side, as well as her collection of short stories, Nine Lives, and they're all brilliant. They are the kind of books that contain realistic characters and true-to-life situations. You Wish stands out as my favourite of hers so far; I love the humour. She has a list of books that the fiction fan in your life will love. Check out her Amazon page: http://www.amazon.com/Terry-Tyler/e/B...
Lisette Brodey produces great books consistently. I have read all of her books and love them all for different reasons. I'm highlighting Crooked Moon as it's my favourite, but any one of her books would make a lovely gift for someone who likes fiction with depth and meaning. Her books are also very entertaining and well written.
http://www.amazon.com/Lisette-Brodey/...
I'm going to stop there, even though there are probably loads more books I could recommend!
I hope I've given you a few ideas for Christmas gifts :)
I thought it would be nice to make a list of some books I recommend. Hopefully it'll help and save you hours of browsing and getting a headache because there are so many choices out there!!
I've read and enjoyed all the books in this list. They're my favourites.
Books make wonderful gifts. They entertain and last a lifetime.
Julie Elizabeth Powell, has written lots of books and they're all excellent, in my opinion. If you know someone who likes fantasy books, you could buy any one of Julie's books for them. Take a look at her author page on Amazon. She has written something for all tastes. http://www.amazon.com/Julie-Elizabeth...
Her books range from Children's books to Horror. Julie is one of the most imaginative writers I know. I'd recommend any one of her books as a great gift, but I've chosen Gone because it's the first one of her books I read and was one of the books that made me start reading fantasy again.
J. Michael Radcliffe, like Julie Elizabeth Powell, is also one of my favourite authors and I've read all his books and would recommend them all as great gifts. He writes fantasy, too, but the difference is that his books usually contain dragons! I love his Beyond the Veil series. You can buy it as an omnibus edition, which I think is nice as a gift, or you can buy each book in the series individually. http://www.amazon.com/J.-Michael-Radc...
Darcia Helle is a very talented author, another one of my favourites, and I have read most of her books. Every one of them is fabulous, so it's hard to choose only one as a recommendation. I'm highlighting her Michael Sykora series because it comes in a box set, which is perfect for a Christmas gift, but I could have recommended many others, especially, Into The Light and The Cutting Edge
http://www.amazon.com/Darcia-Helle/e/...
Helle Gade is a talented poet and photographer, and her books combine the two with stunning photo art and passionate poems. I must admit that before reading Helle's poems I never liked reading poetry. Helle Gade has changed the way I view poetry. Her verse expresses feelings in a way that really touches the heart. All her books are excellent. With Northern Whispers she has collected together all three of her poetry/art books. It would make a lovely Christmas gift.
http://www.amazon.com/Helle-Gade/e/B0...
I'm going to recommend a book series that I have contributed stories to, as well. I think The Mind's Eye Series is a wonderful project, and because it contains photography and stories/poems would make a great Christmas gift. It's also available in paperback and the paperbacks look great. I love them. There are two books available at the moment, which contain stories by Darcia Helle. J. Michael Radcliffe, Jason McIntyre, and myself. Book 2 also contains poetry from Helle Gade and Ben Ditmars. The photography for the series is by Martin David Porter and Helle Gade.
Perspectives: http://www.amazon.com/Perspectives-Mi...
Reflections: http://www.amazon.com/Reflections-Min...
Geoffrey David West's Jack Lockwood Mystery series is compulsive reading. I've read the first two books, Rock 'n' Roll Suicide and Doppelganger - I'd recommend them both. I'm currently reading and enjoying the third book in the series, Sheer Fear. An excellent choice for a Christmas gift for the Crime Fiction fan in your life.
http://www.amazon.com/Geoffrey-West/e...
Mark Rice's Metallic Dreams is the perfect present for the rock/metal fan in your life. It contains humour, fantasy, and romance. I think it's fantastic. (over 18s only).
http://www.amazon.com/Mark-Rice/e/B00...
Quentin R. Bufogle is a talented writer and this is a laugh out loud book that also has a deeper story that many will relate to. It would make be perfect gift for those who appreciate comedy and great fiction.
http://www.amazon.com/Horse-Latitudes...
Terry Tyler is a prolific writer of contemporary fiction. I've read You Wish, Round and Round, and The Other Side, as well as her collection of short stories, Nine Lives, and they're all brilliant. They are the kind of books that contain realistic characters and true-to-life situations. You Wish stands out as my favourite of hers so far; I love the humour. She has a list of books that the fiction fan in your life will love. Check out her Amazon page: http://www.amazon.com/Terry-Tyler/e/B...
Lisette Brodey produces great books consistently. I have read all of her books and love them all for different reasons. I'm highlighting Crooked Moon as it's my favourite, but any one of her books would make a lovely gift for someone who likes fiction with depth and meaning. Her books are also very entertaining and well written.
http://www.amazon.com/Lisette-Brodey/...
I'm going to stop there, even though there are probably loads more books I could recommend!
I hope I've given you a few ideas for Christmas gifts :)
