I chose to read this book as a member of Rosie Amber’s Book Review Team. I received a copy from the author but that does not alter my review in any way.
I do so love it when you open a book and within the first
few lines you know you are in for a treat. The
Silent Beauty is just such a read.
Colleeda has been bestowed with not only beauty but also a
wonderful voice yet she is a horribly, horribly vain and selfish woman with not
one redeeming feature. She treats everyone around her appallingly, her thoughts
and manners ugly and breath-takingly arrogant. However, her favourite pursuit of
luring men to her, then leave them heartbroken, proves her undoing when she
seeks to distract a good man, dismissive of the fact his fiancé is rumoured to
be a witch.
The Silent Beauty is book three in a series of fairy tales and contains all the magic of such tales with good and evil, heroes and heroines, and characters brought low by their own weaknesses. Does this one offer the possibility of redemption and send out a moral message? Well, you will have to read it yourself to find out and I highly recommend that you do. At only 80 pages long this is a gem. The writing is excellent, the descriptions rich and the storytelling wonderful.
Monty,
Cookie and the spangles are back at the beach for the fifth book in this series
of childrens books.
When
Cookie sees a splash in the water her newfoundland instinct to rescue takes
over and she immediately heads out to help. When she returns the dogs get a
huge surprise as they hear a desperate plea.
What
follows is an adventure that could turn out to be their biggest and most
difficult so far.
This
is a gentle introduction for children about the issues of plastic pollution in
our oceans and even features Sir David Attenborough.
My Review
As some of you may know I am due to become a grandmother this year and I have been asked, more than once, if I’m busy knitting. No, no, no, I reply. Knitting is not part of my skill set, however, building a library for my grandchild is. Let’s hope he/she is a reader 😀
As is the way nowadays I made this comment online and in
mere hours had been approached to take part in the blog tour for Monty and the Ocean Rescue: A Plastic
Disaster. I was absolutely delighted to receive a paperback copy of this
beautiful book and thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
As someone who has not looked at children’s books for many,
many years my first thought was that if this is an indication of what is out
there then I, I mean my grandchild, is in for plenty of treats. I thought the
illustrations were excellent and I’m sure children will love all the different
sea creatures as well as the main characters in this book.
I liked the overall story and the fact it rhymed but the
thing I liked most was that I thought the whole theme was timely and just what
is needed to help new generations be constantly educated about the dangers
plastics pose to our planet and in particular to our seas.
The book has been dedicated to Sir David Attenborough which
is a nice touch and there are details at the back of where to go online to find
out more about how to reduce plastic waste as well as help protect our sea
creatures.
An accidental career began after he took early retirement
and began writing stories on social media about his five dogs. Life according
to Monty Dogge soon attracted a huge following and led to invites to blog live
from Crufts and other high-profile events.
In 2017 and 2018 Vuelio placed it in the top ten UK pet
blogs and the still growing readership encouraged MT to write a book. I’m not a
Pandacow was the debut children’s book released in 2017 and this has been
quickly followed by four more to date.
MT and Monty spend the major part of their time touring
schools across the country bringing the tales to life as children get to meet
the star of the books.
The latest book is a real passion project for the author who
is a huge supporter of conservation projects and a champion for animal welfare.
It goes without saying that MT was delighted to receive a handwritten message
of good luck from no other than Sir David Attenborough who features in the
book.
I chose to read Let’s Be Legends as a member of Rosie’s Book Review Team. I received a copy from the author but this does not alter my review in any way.
I enjoyed reading this short story. Right from the beginning we know Kara Olecki is on trial over the death of her boyfriend. The storyline hops between the proceedings in the court and from two years previously when we get to see the build up of the relationship between Kara and Matt and what actually happened to land Kara in the court room.
We all have a side we show to the world and one we prefer to keep hidden but Kara takes this to another level having her Internal Kara and External Kara, and I’m not sure that helped her mental state because when things went bad Internal Kara took over, and was out of control.
I think what I liked most about the story was Kara’s voice. I don’t read a lot of young adult novels but I could completely ‘see’ Kara, and I enjoyed her life as a teenager venturing into her first romance and this was very well done.
Play
Nicely Theatre seek female voices to contribute to the
research of their first play. A new historical epic exploring the roles of
females in Britain during The English Civil War.
We are
looking for short monologues that provide perspective on living as a female in
Britain today.
Positive
or negative. Drama or comedy. Have there been moments in your life when being
female has put you at a disadvantage? What are your positive experiences of
being female in Britain today? Selected monologues will be dramatized as short
online films.
We’d
love to hear your stories.
This opportunity is open to any female
identifying writer aged 16+.
Monologues must be two hundred words or less.
Submissions close Friday 7th June at 5pm.
Please
send your submission along with your name, age and contact details including
address, phone number and email to henri@playnicelytheatre.com
This
development project is supported by The Keeper’s Daughter, Vivacity Key
Theatre, The Cromwell Museum, The Seagull Theatre and Arts Council England.
I have been taking part in a fair number of promotions recently and thought I’d share them here because they are a terrific opportunity for you to download eBooks for free. Please click on as many of those links as you like to go and see what’s on offer. You never know, you might just find your next favourite author. 😀
Audio books are the biggest growing sector in the book world I keep hearing but having produced my own I’ve found the market to be somewhat sluggish, at least so far. However, copies do keep being listened to so I assume traction has to grow like everywhere else.
I distributed my audio book via Findaway Voices so it is wide on all the platforms. It was while I was checking where I could find it that I thought it would be a great idea to try a free months subscription and listen to any I could find that are already on my to-be-read list. Enter Baby Dear…
Everything about having, or not having, babies can be so complicated and often emotionally all-consuming and this is reflected in this story. Caro and Jeff are devastated when they are told Jeff is infertile. While Sharon, a career woman, is equally devastated to be pregnant but has a husband, Craig, who shows zero interest in becoming a father.
There is a lot of introspection in this book, as expected really given the subject matter as well as plenty of self-absorption with several characters obsessing about their own needs rather than supporting their partners, which so easily happens in real life too. Misunderstandings and confusion being caused along the way.
I found Caro difficult to like, until much later on in the book when a moment of self-realisation makes her into a better person, although it was a shame she didn’t share her thoughts with Jeff. Sharon had, I thought, a character arc that probably many women would recognise, of being in a place she didn’t want to be but finding herself eventually welcoming the drastic changes in her life.
The person I liked the most though was Julie. She was at a different stage in her life, single and struggling in ways the other two weren’t. However she remained upbeat and supportive to all those around her and I loved the fact she found someone to call ‘family’ as well as a possible future with someone else – no spoilers here!
I listened to Baby Dear for free via Scribd here. I’m sure you can find it on many other audio platforms but I’ll put the links to Amazon below as it can be found on Audible via those.
It’s been ages since I’ve done one of these so it’s great to get back in the saddle, so to speak!
Some of my most creative thoughts happen when on a dog walk, as do my best conversations with my dog-walking buddy. So I thought I’d invite some of my author friends along to join me and my Ruby and see if I can find out a little more about them and the book they’ve released.
Ruby
The relative flatness of Cambridgeshire is going to be no challenge to my guest today who has come all the way from Austria for this chat. She tells me she writes ‘books with horses, dogs, romance and a touch of drama with contemporary themes’… hmmm, sounds familiar 😀
Anna Rashbrook
I was born in Winchester (UK) and grew up with
dogs and a passion for horses which was fulfilled when my family moved to the
countryside and I had my first pony, Emma. After school, I spent a year in
Switzerland, then came home met Dave in Marwell zoo, settled and raised a
family. I later took a degree with the Open University, graduating with a First
Class honours in English and History. I then found myself working in fine art
insurance and my boss kindly let me ride her cob. It was worse than being 13, I
didn’t have to get Mum’s permission (or cash) to ride. Then 9/11 came along and
I couldn’t work in an office creating useless sheets of paper. So, I worked for
seven years at the Fortune Centre in Hampshire as a Riding Therapist. I’ve been
married for 36 years and have two adult children who wouldn’t move to Austria
when we moved in 2007.
Life here has been with ups and downs. I worked teaching in several riding schools – the BHS would weep at some of them, but it’s a different culture and way of looking after horses. I also got involved with Equine assisted therapy, but it didn’t really take off in this small community. Since then I have worked cleaning a castle, teaching English and running the local library. But now is my time to write books!
It’s very good to meet you Anna. Now that you’ve got my undivided attention, this is your chance to tell me about Challenger and convince us all to buy it and move it up our to-be-read list.
Challenger is a story with many strands, but focuses on Joanna, who gave up riding after thrashing her showjumper, Challenger, in an all out effort to beat her best friend. A few years later, this friend, Diane returns shortly followed by the now aged Challenger. He seems to read Joanna’s inner turmoil and retaliates with anger. Joanna isn’t sure of Diane’s motives, especially when she wheedles her way to open a riding stable, literally on Joanna’s doorstep. All this turmoil breaks Joanna’s little bubble, and she starts to grow up, taking on two puppies in defiance of her father. Through this, she meets Guy who helps with their training. When Diane makes the ultimate betrayal, Joanna knows she must grow and change. They all get sent on a weekend of equine assisted therapy, will this be the answer? Will Challenger ever forgive Joanna? Will she finally find love?
Love this cover!
Set in the mythical parish of Hazeley, near to coast west of Southampton, I loved creating this place, along with Hazeley Manor, where Joanna lives. It is based on the house where I was born with a few extras. I think it’s a light read that will nevertheless make you think a bit about our relationship with horses, how they can help you heal, and indeed healing as spiritual concept as there is a gentle, Christian message within.
Challenger has been available for a few months now so how do you feel it has been received so far?
For a first book, I’m really pleased! It’s gaining reviews and with an Amazon ad, it’s picking up the Kindle Unlimited reads. It will be out as a paperback soon too.
I know you have other work in the pipeline, how are they going and do you want to tell us your plans for any future publications?
Compromise, the follow up is with an editor. It’s also set in Hazeley, but features new characters beside Joanna and her family. It also has a slightly dippy Welsh cob stallion, Keith, who causes all sorts of problems. It features the very contemporary theme of gender identity. I hope to get this out by July. The next, and final one is a third written! I hope to have a fictionalised account of my time with horses in Austria out for Christmas this year.
Which part of the writing process do you find the most satisfying? Getting that first draft completed, editing or finally getting to hold your published book in your hand?
None of
these actually! Building the plot in my head as I dog walk, yet the origin of
the plot often comes in a dream!
A few quick fire ones.
India or Iceland?
Iceland
Red or white?
Red -or can I have
both for the Austrian flag?
Which superpower would you like to have? And Why?
I’d love to fly. I could see the mountains from above and think what it would save on petrol!
What piece of advice would you like to give your 16-year-old self – if you were given the opportunity to use a time machine!?
DON’T DO IT!
I believe that perfect days are unplanned, BUT if you were to plan your perfect day what would it look like?
Rise
when I feel like it. Breakfast with fruit, coffee, smoked salmon and rolls. Someone
else walk the dog, just for one day! Shopping in the UK (Primark calls!). Lunch
with a good friend. Spa afternoon and massages. Dinner with my husband. Film
with wine and chocolates. Early night!
Sounds like an excellent day to me, Anna.
Some of my favourite things!
Thanks for joining me Anna and I wish you every success for the continued sales of Challenger!
I am also on the
editorial team of, Mom’s favorite Reads’ a new emagazine, not only for authors
but stories, features, interviews and competitions. Its currently No 1 in the
market! This month features amongst many great articles, the first short story
I wrote, Ducks!
My blog about life in
Austria, which is now featuring guest posts, ‘So where’s the Snow?’
I have had Flowers for the Dead waiting for me on my kindle for the longest time (it even has a different cover on there!) but I’ve booked my ticket to go and see Barbara Copperthwaite at The Deepings Literary Festival and, wanting to read it before that event, I bumped it up the to-be-read pile. Here is my review.
Laura is the sole survivor of a car crash that wiped out her entire family. Adam the only child of a horrifically abusive mother and uninvolved father. He was however loved by his gran who read him fairy stories and taught him all about the language of flowers.
Despite several false starts in his love life when Adam spots Laura he falls desperately in love with her knowing her to be ‘the one’ and in so many ways he is the perfect boyfriend. He cooks, cleans and looks after her. Making sure she has money in her purse and food in the fridge. Unfortunately, Laura is completely unaware he even exists and as she starts to release herself from the grief that has enveloped her she thinks she’s going mad when she notices the things Adam has done for her. The police don’t take her concerns seriously. Why should they when her flat hasn’t even been broken into?
I enjoyed reading this book. The characterisations are excellent. Laura’s grief and attempts to move on with her life, Adam’s obsessional existence and gradual unravelling and Mike, the policeman’s, struggles to come to terms with being widowed and a single father to his little girl are all completely believable. And then there is all the flower stuff which I found to be fascinating.
The creepiest part for me was Adam’s intrusion into Laura’s flat, the fact he was there while she slept and planted cameras to watch her when he was away is the stuff of nightmares. Shudder. Though I did enjoy his reaction when Laura started to turn the tables on him and he thought she was being flirtatious.
I also enjoyed the way it was written in that we saw the present day story but also the background to Adam’s life so we could see the escalation in his behaviour. I’m sure all those who enjoy psychological thrillers would love this.
I chose to read More
Glimpses as a member of Rosie Amber’s Book Review Team and received a copy
of the book from the author. This does not alter my review in any way.
More Glimpses is
Hugh W Robert’s second collection of short stories and what a varied assortment
they are. Some are long, some short and they are in a variety of genres
covering drama, fantasy, horror, science fiction, action/adventure, comedy,
murder/mystery, paranormal and rom com – seriously, something for everyone.
There were moving longer length pieces like The Whistle to mini-sagas such as the
grisly Honeymoon.
My favourites were; the beautiful Floral Hall, The Right Choice
(just how extreme can gameshows get!), I loved the horrifying ending in the time
travelling tale, Fast Forward and the
dangers of being nosy in The Door.
This collection is well work further investigation if you are a lover of short stories.
I have set up a new giveaway on this site for all those who prefer paperbacks to ebooks!
No purchase necessary. International entry.
Please note that when you have entered you will get an email with a link in it to confirm the entry. Also you will get another link in that email to take you back to the giveaway so you get the opportunity to share it and gain yourself extra entries in the draw. The sharing needs to be done in the actual giveaway box itself.
In the past there have been a couple of occasions when for unfathomable reasons the email address entered has not been accepted – I don’t know why and I’m unable to add your address in manually. I’m really sorry about that but I will be running my BIG giveaway later this year using a different program and there will be no problem with addresses on that one.
Check out all the rules by clicking on that link in green below the entry box as that will take you to the full giveaway page.
Please note that there are affiliate links attached to this website and blog, which means if you click on a link, it may take you to a shopping platform and if you purchase something, although it won’t cost you anything extra, I may earn a small commission. This goes towards running this website and the production of my books. Thank you.
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