Best Cover Award for Dreamland!

I was delighted to discover yesterday that Dreamland has won yet another award – that makes 4 now! This time, it was Our Author Gang’s choice for Best Children’s Book Cover. You can see all the winners here.

Blurb:

Daniel Green is a typical ten-year-old boy with just one difference – when he goes to sleep at night, he travels to Dreamland, a magical place where he can create amazing adventures using only his imagination.
But he is not alone. An evil being follows him into his enchanted world and joins forces with Stregona, the powerful witch who reigns over the Dark Forest. Together they are determined to destroy Dreamland.
Who is this dark entity, and what does he want with Danny?

A magical story for children age 9-12.

Dreamland is now available at all online retailers, in both digital and paperback format at this link: books2read.com/Dreamlands

Here is what some readers are saying about it:

“Dreamland is a riveting fairytale for children, with their parents reading it to them, or for preteens who enjoying reading for themselves. This story is full of giants, dragons, witches, and unicorns, and even more, who live in a land where children can go only in their dreams. The author cleverly leads the reader to a satisfying conclusion and it would be a great book for a child with a problem to solve or a loss to come to grips with.”

“The story is great entertaining and very well written. What I found such a big ‘plus’ is how the author unfolded an important message in the book for children and adults. Sometimes we need to stand still and look at our guilt feelings, forgive ourselves as Danny did with the help of his friends.”

“What an enchanting series of delightful stories. Danny’s adventures in Dreamland are sure to delight young readers. The tales are full of imaginations that are certain to enthrall young minds. Very entertaining.”

Here’s a photo of the paperback version, both front and back. The talented Francesco Valla at vallcovers.info designed the cover.

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#bookreview The Future of London (Books 1-3) by Mark Gillespie

My review for The Future of London (Books 1-3) by Mark Gillespie, 4/5 stars.

I like to read books that take me out of my comfort zone, and I’ll try most genres. The idea of this story appealed to me and I decided to give it a go. I was pleasantly surprised.

The story started off a bit slowly and it took me a while to get into it. But when it started to pick up, I found myself getting more and more involved in the story and the characters. I liked the way the point of view went from news presenters sitting in their cosy studios to the characters out on the streets, experiencing the harsh reality of London under siege.

From the second half of L-2011 up to Ghosts of London, the story really drew me in and I couldn’t put it down. It becomes a frightening look into a not so uncertain future, where reality and entertainment blur into each other with a terrible outcome. I look forward to reading the other books in the series.

Amazon US
Amazon UK

‘Dreamland’ by Julia E. Clements

A wonderful review, and another fabulous award for Dreamland!

Book Squirrel

Filled with magic, unicorns, fairies and other fantastic stories, ‘Dreamland’ is a delightful children’s chapter book. Each chapter is a new adventure in which Danny learns to work with his strengths and face his fears.

The author has very effectively portrayed Danny as a regular kid, with a great imagination and sense of humour as well as his fears and flaws, so kids will easily relate to him and his responses to the things that happen in his stories.

This would be a great book for families to read together, or for individual reading for kids in MY and older. As an adult reader, I still found it engaging and entertaining.

‘Dreamland’ has been awarded a Gold Acorn for excellence.

Find your copy here.

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HER DEMONIC ANGEL is FREE on Amazon from 5th-6th June

I have this on my kindle – it’s free today and tomorrow!

Wordywoman world

The Kindle of HER DEMONIC ANGEL AND OTHER SHORT STORIES is FREE on Amazon from 5th-6th June.

Some of my fourteen short stories in HER DEMONIC ANGEL are stranger than others, but most are different shades of dark. I wrote them in a variety of genres, so there should be something for everyone to enjoy. To whet your appetite, here are the titles of some of the short stories in the collection: Mirror, Mirror; The Boy They Called Dragon; The Day Nobody Gave A Damn; An Email From Jane; Stuff; Getting Rid Of The Enemy; Skin; Too Beautiful; Philately Will Get You Nowhere; In Memoriam.

“If you haven’t read any of this author’s other books, this is a great one to give readers a peek into a wonderful writer’s vivid mind.”

http://amzn.to/295kGjn for the U.K. Kindle edition. FREE 5th-6th June
http://amzn.to/29dSEpd for the U.S.A. Kindle edition. FREE 5th-6th June
http://amzn.to/295uZbl…

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#book review: Time for True Love by Mette Barfelt

My review for Time for True Love by Mette Barfelt, 5/5 stars.

Having read the first Solvik book, I was looking forward to reading the sequel, and I wasn’t disappointed. These cozy romances, set in a fictional town in Norway, are a great read, with characters you can relate to. It’s also lovely to read about a different culture, a way of living that many of us are no longer used to, where the shops are closed on Sundays!

Sara wants to follow her ambition of setting up a bakery in Solvik, but doesn’t want to ruin the livelihood of the town’s only other bakery. Add in an interfering health freak, a possible future boyfriend, and an Italian ex-boyfriend, and the story gets very interesting! The characters all have their own personality, most likable, some less so, and you find yourself drawn into their lives.

This is a lovely story that will have you reaching for the cinnamon buns while you read, with mouth-watering recipes at the end of some of the cakes mentioned in the book. Who cares about the calories?!

Amazon US
Amazon UK

Happy Publication Day! The Secret by Katharine Johnson

June 1^st is Publication Day for The Secret by Katharine Johnson

I recently read The Silence by Katharine Johnson, and pre-ordered The Secret as soon as it was available. Today I finally get to read it! I’m really pleased to present Katharine’s second novel, and highly recommend you read the first one as well! I love the Ape on the cover (pronounced Ah-pay) – an iconic Italian car that has been causing tailbacks on the roads for decades!

This is the second book set at Villa Leonida, the house at the centre of The Silence which was published last year but it’s a standalone story.

In The Silence some bodies were discovered at Villa Leonida, an idyllic holiday home, during a children’s game of hide-and-seek during a family holiday. They’re found to relate back to the summer of 1992.

A year on, in The Secret, the villa has been put up for sale. Which for elderly resident Sonia can only mean one thing – that the renewed interest and gossip will lead to the discovery of her own secret which relates to that same evening at the villa in 1992.

But while she’s desperate to keep the past hidden another resident, Carlo, can’t leave it alone. He’s determined to discover the truth about a wartime atrocity in which Sonia’s mother and his own played a part.

Here’s the blurb:

Love, lies and betrayal in wartime Italy. Two girls growing up in Mussolini’s Italy share a secret that has devastating consequences. Against a backdrop of fear, poverty and confusion during the Second World War friendship is tested and loyalties divided. But a chance encounter changes everything. The girls’ lives diverge when beautiful, daring Martina marries and moves into Villa Leonida, the most prestigious house I their Tuscan village while plain, studious Irena trains to be a teacher.

But neither marriage, nor life at Villa Leonida are as Martina imagined. And as other people’s lives take on a new purpose, Irena finds herself left behind.

Decades later a tragedy at the villa coincides with the discovery of an abandoned baby whose identity threatens to re-open old wounds. While Irena’s son is determined to get to the truth, Martina’s daughter is desperate to keep the past hidden.

The Secret is published by Crooked Cat Books and is available in paperback £6.99 and kindle £1.99 here: http://thesecretjohnson

Find out more at the Online launch on 1-2  June  https://www.facebook.com/events/111942169663863/

About the author

Katharine Johnson likes writing about ordinary people in extraordinary situations. She’s passionate about old houses and the stories they have to tell. She grew up in Bristol and has lived in Italy. She currently lives in Berkshire but spends as much time as she can in the Lucca area of Tuscany. When not writing you’ll find her exploring cities, drinking coffee, playing netball badly and walking her madcap spaniel

Links

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

Twitter https://twitter.com/@kjohnsonwrites

Website/blog https://katyjohnsonblog.wordpress.com

 

#AbuseTalk Forum is NOW OPEN!!!

Today I’m hosting a special post about a brand new forum that will help anyone who has been or is still in an abusive situation. Jennifer Gilmour, author of Isolation Junction and Clipped Wings, has been working hard on setting this forum up, and today is launch day!

I’m also pleased to announce that I’m one of the sponsors for the forum. I believe in the work Jennifer is doing, and that it will help many people in abusive situations find a secure environment where they can talk, let off steam, and interact with others who know what it’s like. I wish this forum had been around when I was going through my separation – knowing you’re not alone is so important.

#AbuseTalk Forum is NOW OPEN!!!

Up to date information on the day on virtual opening event: https://www.facebook.com/events/227612351343912/

Hi, I am Jennifer Gilmour and I am an advocate for women in abusive relationships, I am an author and a mum of three. I have personally experienced domestic abuse and wanted to bring awareness to what happens behind closed doors.

A bit about my journey:

My debut novel, ‘Isolation Junction’ was published in 2016 which follows the story of Rose who is trying to flee her abusive partner. The book is based on true events of my own and has been fictionalised.

Since this publication I have continued to be an advocate for those in abusive relationships through my blog posts, radio interviews and Twitter feed.

My second publication was released in October 2017; I put together stories told to me by survivors of domestic abuse. In this way, I hope to give a voice to their experiences and to raise awareness of the types of unacceptable behaviour which fall into the category of domestic abuse. Thankfully the law has changed to incorporate this kind of insidious behaviour but still far too many people are trapped, isolated and afraid or unaware of how to escape. I hope that this anthology will give them the courage to take that first step and will raise awareness for those who can help them.

I opened #AbuseTalk in October in 2017 and haven’t looked back, its opened many doors, its connected many people, its supported lots of individuals and it has created an community.

I was a finalist for Inspirational Mum Award in the BizMums Awards 2017.

I started writing for Coercive Control Chat Magazine (CCChat Magazine) in October 2017, I have my own column for #AbuseTalk and an Online Book Club with a difference.

In May 2018 I won Most Informative Blog 2018 in the Blogger Bash Awards, something I am most thrilled about.

Why have I opened a forum?

I have always felt a forum was needed but couldn’t find its place and so I decided a Twitter Chat was the direction to go. After a few months of hosting #AbuseTalk I realised that tweeting was great but it wasn’t for those who don’t want to publicly discuss domestic abuse. It is also restrictive with the character limitations. Thats when I realised that a forum can work alongside the Twitter Chat and offering a register only forum.

I am also delighted to have the forum sponsored by a solicitor which will be announced in the grand opening, our solicitor has agreed to answer questions within the forum on their own thread ‘Ask a solicitor’. This is priceless, to have the opportunity to ask a solicitor when perhaps someone may not have had the ability to do so.

How do I access the new forum?

You can head there right now… www.jennifergilmour.com/community

PLEASE NOTE: You will only see the news and updates forum until you are registered, once you are registered you will see the main Abuse Talk Forum appear with all the topics and discussions.

Who is the forum for?

Anyone! Anyone with an interest or passion surrounding domestic abuse.

It can also be for those in the sector like charities, organisations, advocates, bloggers, businesses and more.

Or it can be individuals that want to help, offer guidance, who have gone through abuse or are going through it now.

How much does it cost to be a member?

Its FREE! All you have to do is register at: https://jennifergilmour.com/AbuseTalkForum/?wpforo=signup

There will be a VIP Membership area but that is opening later on, updates will be given and this will be just £10 a year with a bag full of offers, discounts and more. This is you really need that extra security and community.

Sign up for notification of this service here: http://eepurl.com/dor93f

I would like to sponsor the forum, how do I do this?

The forum is open for sponsorship to cover the maintenance and time it takes to moderate the posts.

Anyone can be a silent sponsor for £1 or £3, scroll to the bottom of this page: https://jennifergilmour.com/abuse-talk-twitter/

For businesses/charities/organisations/advocates etc please contact me for availability – contact@jennifergilmour.com

Sponsors will receive a unique badge to place on their website and social media to show that they support the forum.

 Tell me more about #AbuseTalk…

#AbuseTalk is a Twitter Chat that runs every Wednesday evening 8-9pm GMT. It is open to anyone who wants to discuss domestic abuse.

Each week we have a theme which is there to help the conversation flow through the one hour. You can at any point ask your own questions, reply to others and join in.

Not in the UK? Thats not a problem either, we have people joining in around the world and have adapted the cover photo to display the times in the timezones most used.

Find out more here:

https://jennifergilmour.com/abuse-talk-twitter/

Need to know more?

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or are interested in becoming a sponsor at contact@jennifergilmour.com

Thank you for your time and if the forum isn’t for you – it may be for one of your friends. 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men experience domestic abuse in their lifetime.

Video on how to register and see how the visibility of the forum is altered with the registration- https://youtu.be/YtImyAHffDE

Jennifer Gilmour

 

My little moment of calm

The last few weeks have been pretty stressing for me, pushing me to the limits and making me wonder when the bad times would stop. Pressure from other people to make things happen in an impossible situation led to me breaking down in front of my GP in pure desperation.

But sometimes our blackest moments are a turning point, it would seem. On Monday, just when I was despairing of being able to resolve the situation, things turned around and, as if by a miracle, there was a glimmer of hope.

I apologise for being so vague, but I can’t go into details for various reasons. I’m sharing this with you to show that, no matter how impossible it can seem at times, solutions can be found or simply happen, and it’s important to never give up.

During this stressing time, a book I’d ordered arrived. Little Moments of Calm. Never has a book delivery been so timely! With beautiful pictures and mindfulness prose on every page, it is a book you can dip into when the mood takes you, and you’ll always find something to take away from it.

As a break from all the madness around me, I decided to make a short video, using my own photos and some images from the book, which the author kindly allowed me to do. I couldn’t do any writing, so this seemed as good a way as any to put all the stress behind me for a couple of hours and create my own moment of calm.

The video is on my Facebook author page, you can click here to see it. While it’s true that a book can’t solve your problems, it can help you put things into perspective, realise that others have been through what you’re going through, and fill you with positive thoughts that give you the strength to carry on.

You can find Sarah’s book on Amazon:

Amazon US
Amazon UK

What do you do when you need to take a break from everything and find your own moments of calm? Let me know in the comments.

 

Abel’s Revenge by Ross Greenwood

My review for Abel’s Revenge by Ross Greenwood, 4/5 stars. It also earns a Pink Quill Book Pick badge (click here for more information).

I have read a couple of books by this author, and he is very good at taking the reader into the minds of his protagonists and showing them the dark side of human nature. This book is no different – he introduces us to Abel, a man with a difficult childhood, who now wants to bring a city to its knees through terrible acts of crime.

We then follow the story of Dan and Olivia, whose marriage is breaking down, and see things from each character’s point of view. Add a strange postman, an over-friendly milkman, and an obsessed next door neighbour, and there are enough twists to keep you on your toes.

The story is well written and well edited. Dan and Olivia have their flaws and their endearing points, the thoughts in Abel’s head are enough to make your blood run cold, and the twist at the end is very clever.

I gave it 4 stars, however, as I expected more from the ‘thriller’ side of things, based on the beautiful cover and the tag lines. Apart from that, I highly recommend this book. Greenwood has created a masterpiece that delves into the human psyche and shows how easy it is to cross the line that divides us from good and evil.

Amazon US
Amazon UK