DAMNATION !!
Man United 1 - Arsenal a big fat zero
Doh :-{
14 Dec 2010
12 Dec 2010
COLIN THEAKSTON aka COLT
I have just heard the terrible news that my friend and writing colleague Colin Theakston has passed away.
He was a light and inspiration to all of the writers on Struggling Authors and Night Publishing. If we needed help or advice Colin was always on hand to help where he could.
As a writer of senior years I'm still amazed at his wonderful writing skills.
His wife Di has made a momentous decision to continue writing his unfinished novel BILLY. I'm sure he will be more than pleased with the end result.
In Colin's immortal words ................
It's never too late to be what you might have been.
Rest in Peace Colin .....
With all our love
Tee x
He was a light and inspiration to all of the writers on Struggling Authors and Night Publishing. If we needed help or advice Colin was always on hand to help where he could.
As a writer of senior years I'm still amazed at his wonderful writing skills.
His wife Di has made a momentous decision to continue writing his unfinished novel BILLY. I'm sure he will be more than pleased with the end result.
In Colin's immortal words ................
It's never too late to be what you might have been.
Rest in Peace Colin .....
With all our love
Tee x
1 Dec 2010
Booker Prize Contender
I have just finished reviewing Belfast Girls and I sincerely believe it has the potential to be shortlisted for the 2011 Booker Prize.
I do hope I've done it justice in this review.....
Belfast Girls is primarily about the lives of several friends, totally unaffected by different religious beliefs which is considered against all the rules.
As we move through the years, the writing expertise of Gerry McCullough, cleverly shows us how lives can be so deeply affected by religious and political issues of the Irish nation. Yet strength of friendship can still maintain and provide solidarity.
The story begins within the fashion world, and we learn that Sheila Doherty has survived the gangly carrot top teenage years and matured into a beautiful, green eyed, red haired super model walking the famous cat walk.
Nicknamed the Ice Maiden through indifferences in her personal life she contentedly lives up to the image.
Her friends pass through her life at various stages, including her original love interest John Branagh a reporter with BBC TV. Will they ever get together I kept asking myself?
We watch with bated breath, as drug gangs intent on holding their territory to the extent of murder are introduced into the story. Close friends from childhood, each following their own political viewpoint.
As we move on to the closing chapters, we observe Shelia Doherty now an international star walking the famous cat walk for Delmara Fashions. Suddenly hooded gunmen break in and in the mayhem Shelia is kidnapped due to mistaken identity …………..
BELFAST GIRLS for me has been an absolute pleasure to review. This is a story that held my interest from beginning to the unexpected ending.
Like many other readers of BELFAST GIRLS, I would certainly recommend it as a 5 star read.
A serious contender for the 2011 BOOKER PRIZE
TKGeering 30/11/2010
I do hope I've done it justice in this review.....
BELFAST GIRLS by
GERRY Mc CULLOUGH
Belfast Girls is primarily about the lives of several friends, totally unaffected by different religious beliefs which is considered against all the rules.
As we move through the years, the writing expertise of Gerry McCullough, cleverly shows us how lives can be so deeply affected by religious and political issues of the Irish nation. Yet strength of friendship can still maintain and provide solidarity.
The story begins within the fashion world, and we learn that Sheila Doherty has survived the gangly carrot top teenage years and matured into a beautiful, green eyed, red haired super model walking the famous cat walk.
Nicknamed the Ice Maiden through indifferences in her personal life she contentedly lives up to the image.
Her friends pass through her life at various stages, including her original love interest John Branagh a reporter with BBC TV. Will they ever get together I kept asking myself?
We watch with bated breath, as drug gangs intent on holding their territory to the extent of murder are introduced into the story. Close friends from childhood, each following their own political viewpoint.
As we move on to the closing chapters, we observe Shelia Doherty now an international star walking the famous cat walk for Delmara Fashions. Suddenly hooded gunmen break in and in the mayhem Shelia is kidnapped due to mistaken identity …………..
BELFAST GIRLS for me has been an absolute pleasure to review. This is a story that held my interest from beginning to the unexpected ending.
Like many other readers of BELFAST GIRLS, I would certainly recommend it as a 5 star read.
A serious contender for the 2011 BOOKER PRIZE
TKGeering 30/11/2010
22 Nov 2010
The New Kitchen
My kitchen is being gutted and refurbished, plus all the electrics in the house are being replaced. The kitchen contents are now spread over the dining room living room and workroom. If it takes so many rooms to contain it all how on earth do I get it all in the kitchen I pondered. I have at least three weeks of this plus the tiling and decorating to do, new coving etc.
I had nine tradesmen in on Friday morning, i'm sure they have a built in sensor that detects the kettle boiling.
Consequently I haven't had much internet because the electric keeps going off.
Normal service will be back I guess in about 3 weeks................
I had nine tradesmen in on Friday morning, i'm sure they have a built in sensor that detects the kettle boiling.
Consequently I haven't had much internet because the electric keeps going off.
Normal service will be back I guess in about 3 weeks................
DRAMA QUEENS WITH LOVE SCENES
I was very unsure about reviewing this book as I am not a fan of the theatre at all.
However it was not what I expected and I was pleasantly surprised.
Drama Queens with love scenes is a rather different type of story with a major twist.
It took me a while to get hooked into the story but the beginning was a good base for what was to come.
Allan and Warwick (friends and lovers) die unexpectedly before their time. Consequently they are given another chance in the afterlife to relive what should have been in their mortal life.
With the help of a gay angel called Guy and Samantha a throwback from the 1950’s they tread the boards in heavenly theatre land.
This is where most of the story is set, and as it moves on Allan still feels the same about Warwick, but he has moved on to a new love interest called Pedro.
The story takes many twists and turns until finally Allan has the chance to move on; but to where?
I was pleasantly surprised at the ending and if you loved the land of theatre and it’s trappings you will love Drama Queens with love scenes.
ã Teresa Geering 18/11/2010
However it was not what I expected and I was pleasantly surprised.
REVIEW OF DRAMA QUEENS WITH LOVE SCENES
Drama Queens with love scenes is a rather different type of story with a major twist.
It took me a while to get hooked into the story but the beginning was a good base for what was to come.
Allan and Warwick (friends and lovers) die unexpectedly before their time. Consequently they are given another chance in the afterlife to relive what should have been in their mortal life.
With the help of a gay angel called Guy and Samantha a throwback from the 1950’s they tread the boards in heavenly theatre land.
This is where most of the story is set, and as it moves on Allan still feels the same about Warwick, but he has moved on to a new love interest called Pedro.
The story takes many twists and turns until finally Allan has the chance to move on; but to where?
I was pleasantly surprised at the ending and if you loved the land of theatre and it’s trappings you will love Drama Queens with love scenes.
ã Teresa Geering 18/11/2010
8 Nov 2010
THE ISLAND OF WHISPERS
I courageously confronted my phobia of rodents and picked up The Island of Whispers and below is my review. Just shows you can't judge a book by the cover !!
REVIEW
THE ISLAND OF WHISPERS - BRENDAN GISBY
"With great trepidation, I began to read The Island of Whispers.
I hate rats with a passion, but under the influential, cunning writing of Brendan Gisby, I found myself reading this in one long sitting.....
Out of sight of prying eyes deep underground, live a colony of rats with imaginative names, such as Twisted Foot, his mate Grey Eyes and their offspring Soft Mover.
Their world is regimented and overseen by a King Rat, who ensures that only the strongest survive by having the weakest culled. These bodies are then in turn used for the feeding cycle.
As the Cold Cycle begins above ground so the breeding season begins below. All in their world is exactly as it should be....
Then the story takes a different turn. A group of the rats led by Twisted Foot and his mate Grey Eyes, who had been subjected to rape, decide to make a bid for freedom to the greener lands above, along with their offspring.
With unexpected help from the lower rat quarters, a bloody battle ensues and they are finally free but at what cost?
Keeping well hidden from four legs, (a nifty Jack Russell called Nipper) and the two legged variety of rat catcher, they set out to cross the sea to safety. Could they swim? They had no idea but were prepared to take that chance.
I found myself willing these little rats to overcome all of the obstacles put in their way (and there were many) to obtain safety on the other side.
Twisted Foot and his followers are pursued by the remaining rats in the colony that have orders to bring them back at the cost of their own lives.
I breathed a sigh of relief, as these intrepid adventurers finally make it to safety but again at what cost?
Do they set up a new colony and live happily ever after....
At times, the song ‘Bright Eyes’ from Watership Down popped into my head. Was I getting to like these disgusting little furry creatures?
Would I highly recommend it?
The answer is a resounding yes for all age groups, because The Island of Whispers is extremely well written and thought out, albeit highly gory in places."
You can buy the book at this link:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Island-Whispers-Brendan-Gisby/dp/1907407103
Also take a look at Brendans blog:
http://thefrustratedwriter.org.uk/cgi-bin/ebb/blog2/index.php
7 Nov 2010
HOOKING UP
So your fresh out of a relationship because you were dumped.
What next? Well you could go for a 'hook up' (one night stand) as did the character in this book.
Just look at the consequences though .....
Caitlin Page Edison a paediatric physical therapist was raised by her grandmother from a young age when her parents died in a plane crash.
Moving on but never achieving closure of their death, she eventually gets into a ten year relationship with her childhood sweetheart Michael.
Unexpectedly and very abruptly Michael calls a halt to the relationship making comparisons to ‘an old sweatshirt’. It fitted, it’s comfortable but it’s now full of holes and stains.
Her grandmother who is completely besotted by Michael blames Caitlin for the break up.
Thoroughly dejected Caitlin takes solace in her two closest girl friends, one a virgin and the other a topless dancer whose routine includes a rubber chicken. An unlikely prop but one which I had to admit made me smile.
The answer to her problems she is assured is to go for a ‘hook up’ (one night stand), recommended by the latest magazine. Caitlin however forgoes the advice and leaves it to fate to sort out.
While she is out drowning her sorrows with her friends Michael removes most of the furniture and leaves her with just an arm chair a single end table, and a bed.
Caitlin in these dire surroundings tries to reassess her life. Manoeuvring the furniture is not an option as there is virtually nothing to move. So with a complete change of bed linen and new throw to remark her territory she gets on with her life.
After a month or so of being on her own and Valentines Day had come and gone with no results. She makes the momentous decision to go for the ‘hook up’. After all what was there to lose. She had her karate training as a back up.
In a black thong and push up bra, worn under a black tank dress, she slips her feet into a pair of stiletto heels, and with her dark hair worn loose, she’s dressed to kill.
Getting into her car she begins to cruise the town.
Coming across a sophisticated bar called ‘The Wave’ she is tempted inside. Seated with a good view of the other occupants she checks out the action and hones in on a good looking fella who fits the bill perfectly. After the usual introductions and some seductive words she invites him back to her place.
After a night of unbridled passion she awakes the next morning with misgivings and regrets and tosses him out.
However this man is not going to be put off and so the unexpected presents etc are left on the door step. Finally she agrees to go on another date with him and inevitably they end up back at her place again.
Eventually she notices he’s left a calling card. Reading it Caitlin then realises that she has been bedded twice by none other than Officer Ryan Ashford of Pittston Police Dept.....
As we move through the story we discover that Officer Ryan Ashford is recently divorced with a young son Benji the light of his life.
As the relationship between Caitlin and Ryan gets on a more steady footing, his ex wife comes on the scene and the custody battle for Benji ensues with many blows being struck sometimes literally.
Whilst this battle is being fought in the courts Michael then makes a reappearance encouraged by an unexpected source and Caitlin finds herself in a compromising situation....
To tell any more would give away the secrets of this exciting, page turner.
I was truly gutted when I realised I had read the last page as I wanted more.
The Acknowledgement at the end was an unexpected surprise and I found myself on the verge of a tear.
Very Highly Recommended
T.K.Geering
04/11/10
What next? Well you could go for a 'hook up' (one night stand) as did the character in this book.
Just look at the consequences though .....
HOOKING UP - JESSICA L DEGARMO
**********
**********
Caitlin Page Edison a paediatric physical therapist was raised by her grandmother from a young age when her parents died in a plane crash.
Moving on but never achieving closure of their death, she eventually gets into a ten year relationship with her childhood sweetheart Michael.
Unexpectedly and very abruptly Michael calls a halt to the relationship making comparisons to ‘an old sweatshirt’. It fitted, it’s comfortable but it’s now full of holes and stains.
Her grandmother who is completely besotted by Michael blames Caitlin for the break up.
Thoroughly dejected Caitlin takes solace in her two closest girl friends, one a virgin and the other a topless dancer whose routine includes a rubber chicken. An unlikely prop but one which I had to admit made me smile.
The answer to her problems she is assured is to go for a ‘hook up’ (one night stand), recommended by the latest magazine. Caitlin however forgoes the advice and leaves it to fate to sort out.
While she is out drowning her sorrows with her friends Michael removes most of the furniture and leaves her with just an arm chair a single end table, and a bed.
Caitlin in these dire surroundings tries to reassess her life. Manoeuvring the furniture is not an option as there is virtually nothing to move. So with a complete change of bed linen and new throw to remark her territory she gets on with her life.
After a month or so of being on her own and Valentines Day had come and gone with no results. She makes the momentous decision to go for the ‘hook up’. After all what was there to lose. She had her karate training as a back up.
In a black thong and push up bra, worn under a black tank dress, she slips her feet into a pair of stiletto heels, and with her dark hair worn loose, she’s dressed to kill.
Getting into her car she begins to cruise the town.
Coming across a sophisticated bar called ‘The Wave’ she is tempted inside. Seated with a good view of the other occupants she checks out the action and hones in on a good looking fella who fits the bill perfectly. After the usual introductions and some seductive words she invites him back to her place.
After a night of unbridled passion she awakes the next morning with misgivings and regrets and tosses him out.
However this man is not going to be put off and so the unexpected presents etc are left on the door step. Finally she agrees to go on another date with him and inevitably they end up back at her place again.
Eventually she notices he’s left a calling card. Reading it Caitlin then realises that she has been bedded twice by none other than Officer Ryan Ashford of Pittston Police Dept.....
As we move through the story we discover that Officer Ryan Ashford is recently divorced with a young son Benji the light of his life.
As the relationship between Caitlin and Ryan gets on a more steady footing, his ex wife comes on the scene and the custody battle for Benji ensues with many blows being struck sometimes literally.
Whilst this battle is being fought in the courts Michael then makes a reappearance encouraged by an unexpected source and Caitlin finds herself in a compromising situation....
To tell any more would give away the secrets of this exciting, page turner.
I was truly gutted when I realised I had read the last page as I wanted more.
The Acknowledgement at the end was an unexpected surprise and I found myself on the verge of a tear.
Very Highly Recommended
T.K.Geering
04/11/10
5 Nov 2010
YAY !!!
LIVERPOOL 3 - NAPOLI 1
bet yer footy boots Reg is celebrating somewhere :-)
http://divisionofthedamned.com/ short stories to freeze yer socks to yer feet. Take a butchers.
2 Nov 2010
FORGET JAWS - LOOK AT THIS
Here is a review of THE ARC by Paul A Rudd. This book convinces the reader that this could so easily happen.......
REVIEW
THE ARC
by PAUL A. RUDD
The Aquatic Research City (ARC) built by marine experts and subsidised by a billionaire, is home to a forty five foot shark which weighs in at over twenty tons. Due to a lack in security safety the Carcharadon Megaldon escapes into the open sea.
The build up in the first couple of chapters, sets a good background for the reader; however the story really takes off from the moment of the escape.
Reports suddenly begin coming in of unexplained occurrences at sea. Half of a female body is discovered. Strong ocean going boats are turned into matchwood. A helicopter pilot watches in amazement as a complete lifeboat and survivors are engorged by what......? Have her eyes deceived her?
Realisation that the Pacific Ocean is now the home of the King of the Sea, steps up the action.
The hero of the hour is a young palaeontologist Morgan Read, who saves the day. No I’m not going to tell you how.........
Paul Rudd in this debut novel takes us on a journey of carnage. Firstly through the eyes of the shark along with his insatiable appetite for anything that moves. Then in turn through his victims eyes as they get first view of this predator.
ARC is in my opinion extremely well researched. I could very easily compare it to the book/film ‘JAWS’ but I feel it holds its own superiority over JAWS and is worthy of standing in its own limelight.
It will be many a day before I dip my toes in the ocean again. There is no telling how fast the King of the Sea can travel or to where.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
T.K. Geering 31/10/10
REVIEW
THE ARC
by PAUL A. RUDD
The Aquatic Research City (ARC) built by marine experts and subsidised by a billionaire, is home to a forty five foot shark which weighs in at over twenty tons. Due to a lack in security safety the Carcharadon Megaldon escapes into the open sea.
The build up in the first couple of chapters, sets a good background for the reader; however the story really takes off from the moment of the escape.
Reports suddenly begin coming in of unexplained occurrences at sea. Half of a female body is discovered. Strong ocean going boats are turned into matchwood. A helicopter pilot watches in amazement as a complete lifeboat and survivors are engorged by what......? Have her eyes deceived her?
Realisation that the Pacific Ocean is now the home of the King of the Sea, steps up the action.
The hero of the hour is a young palaeontologist Morgan Read, who saves the day. No I’m not going to tell you how.........
Paul Rudd in this debut novel takes us on a journey of carnage. Firstly through the eyes of the shark along with his insatiable appetite for anything that moves. Then in turn through his victims eyes as they get first view of this predator.
ARC is in my opinion extremely well researched. I could very easily compare it to the book/film ‘JAWS’ but I feel it holds its own superiority over JAWS and is worthy of standing in its own limelight.
It will be many a day before I dip my toes in the ocean again. There is no telling how fast the King of the Sea can travel or to where.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
T.K. Geering 31/10/10
29 Oct 2010
MORE NICKABLES FROM POPPET
Holy Prostitutes
A man is driving down a deserted stretch of highway when he notices a sign out of the corner of his eye....It reads:
SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS
HOUSE OF PROSTITUTION
10 MILES
He thinks this is a figment of his imagination and drives on without a second thought....
Soon he sees another sign which reads:
SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS
HOUSE OF PROSTITUTION
5 MILES
Suddenly he begins to realize that these signs are for real and drives past a third sign saying:
SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS
HOUSE OF PROSTITUTION
NEXT RIGHT
His curiosity gets the best of him and he pulls into the drive. On the far side of the parking lot is a stone building with a small sign next to the door reading:
SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS
He climbs the steps and rings the bell. The door is answered by a nun in a long black habit who asks, 'What may we do for you ! my son? '
He answers, 'I saw your signs along the highway and was interested in possibly doing business....'
'Very well my son. Please follow me.' He is led through many winding passages and is soon quite disoriented. The nun stops at a closed door and tells the man, 'Please knock on this door.'
He does so and another nun in a long habit, holding a tin cup answers the door... This nun instructs, 'Please place $100 in the cup then go through the large wooden door at the end of the hallway.'
He puts $100 in the cup, eagerly trots down the hall and slips through the door pulling it shut behind him.
The door locks, and he finds himself back in the parking lot facing another sign:
GO IN PEACE. YOU HAVE JUST BEEN SCREWED BY THE SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS.
Well what were you expecting eh???
Do you know that when a woman wears a leather dress,
a man's heart beats faster,
his throat gets dry,
he goes weak in the knees,
and he begins to think irrationally?
Ever wonder why ..?
It's because she .................
SMELLS LIKE A NEW CAR!
I'm off to review a book about RATS - The furry kind!!!
Tat aa .....
26 Oct 2010
SHRIEK - AND OTHER HALLOWEEN SOUNDS
Well it will be if you check out these short story compilations by my good friend Reg Jones:
Vampires and Spooky with a little bit of "I wasn't expecting that!"
Here is the link:
http://divisionofthedamned.blogspot.com/p/short-stories.html
From one of my colleagues - VERY nickable :-)
>
> BRITISH NEWSPAPERS
>
> Commenting on a complaint from a Mr. Arthur Purdey about a large gas
> bill, a spokesman for North West Gas said, 'We agree it was rather
> high for the time of year. It's possible Mr. Purdey has been charged
> for the gas used up during the explosion that destroyed his house.'
> (The Daily Telegraph)
>
> Police reveal that a woman arrested for shoplifting had a whole
> salami in her underwear. When asked why, she said it was because she
> was missing her Italian boyfriend.
> (The Manchester Evening News)
>
> Irish police are being handicapped in a search for a stolen van,
> because they cannot issue a description. It's a Special Branch vehicle
> and they don't want the public to know what it looks like.
> (The Guardian)
>
> A young girl who was blown out to sea on a set of inflatable teeth
> was rescued by a man on an inflatable lobster. A coast guard
> spokesman commented, 'This sort of thing is all too common'.
> (The Times)
>
> At the height of the gale, the harbourmaster radioed a coast guard
> and asked him to estimate the wind speed. He replied he was sorry,
> but he didn't have a gauge. However, if it was any help, the wind had
> just blown his Land Rover off the cliff.
> ( Aberdeen Evening Express)
>
> Mrs. Irene Graham of Thorpe Avenue , Boscombe, delighted the audience
> with her reminiscence of the German prisoner of war who was sent each
> week to do her garden. He was repatriated at the end of 1945, she
> recalled -
> 'He'd always seemed a nice friendly chap, but when the crocuses came
> up in the middle of our lawn in February 1946, they spelt out 'Heil
> Hitler.''
> ( Bournemouth Evening Echo)
>
> HEARD ON THE LONDON UNDERGROUND (TUBE)
> A list of actual announcements that London Tube train drivers have
> made to their passengers...
>
> 1) 'Ladies and Gentlemen, I do apologize for the delay to your
> service. I know you're all dying to get home, unless, of course, you
> happen to be married to my ex-wife, in which case you'll want to cross
> over to the Westbound and go in the opposite direction.'
>
> 2) 'Your delay this evening is caused by the line controller
> suffering from E & B syndrome: not knowing his elbow from his
> backside. I'll let you know any further information as soon as I'm
> given any.'
>
> 3) 'Do you want the good news first or the bad news? The good news is
> that last Friday was my birthday and I hit the town and had a great
> time. The bad news is that there is a points failure somewhere
> between Stratford and East Ham, which means we probably won't reach
> our destination.'
>
> 4) 'Ladies and gentlemen, we apologize for the delay, but there is a
> security alert at Victoria station and we are therefore stuck here
> for the foreseeable future, so let's take our minds off it and pass
> some time together. All together now.... 'Ten green bottles, hanging
> on a wall.....'.'
>
> 5) 'We are now travelling through Baker Street ... As you can see,
> Baker Street is closed. It would have been nice if they had actually
> told me,
> so I could tell you earlier, but no, they don't think about things
> like that'.
>
> 6) 'Beggars are operating on this train. Please do NOT encourage
> these professional beggars. If you have any spare change, please give
> it to a registered charity. Failing that, give it to me.'
>
> 7) During an extremely hot rush hour on the Central Line, the driver
> announced in a West Indian drawl: 'Step right this way for the sauna,
> ladies and gentleman... unfortunately, towels are not provided.'
>
> 8) 'Let the passengers off the train FIRST!' (Pause ) 'Oh go on then,
> stuff yourselves in like sardines, see if I care - I'm going home....'
>
> 9) 'Please allow the doors to close. Try not to confuse this with
> 'Please hold the doors open.' The two are distinct and separate
> instructions.'
>
> 10) 'Please note that the beeping noise coming from the doors means
> that the doors are about to close. It does not mean throw yourself or
> your bags into the doors.'
>
> 11) 'We can't move off because some idiot has their hand stuck in the
> door.'
>
> 12) 'To the gentleman wearing the long grey coat trying to get on the
> second carriage -- what part of 'stand clear of the doors' don't you
> understand?'
>
> 13) 'Please move all baggage away from the doors.' (Pause..) 'Please
> move ALL belongings away from the doors.' (Pause...) 'This is a
> personal message to the man in the brown suit wearing glasses at the
> rear of the train: Put the pie down, Four-eyes, and move your bloody
> golf clubs away from the door before I come down there and shove them
> up your arse sideways!'
>
> 14) 'May I remind all passengers that there is strictly no smoking
> allowed on any part of the Underground. However, if you are smoking a
> joint, it's only fair that you pass it round the rest of the
> carriage.'
23 Oct 2010
New Editor on the Block - Genevieve Sawchyn
So your book is finally finished and those magic words 'The End' have now been written.
Now comes the hardest part going back over it endless times to edit the story to perfection.
Why go all through that trauma when there is a superb editor awaiting your pleasure.
Genevieve Satchwyn is an editor whose reputation goes before her.
Here are the links to her sites.
http://WritingWildly.com/
http://genevieve-thewritemove.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/writingwildly
Well ..... What are you waiting for?
Now comes the hardest part going back over it endless times to edit the story to perfection.
Why go all through that trauma when there is a superb editor awaiting your pleasure.
Genevieve Satchwyn is an editor whose reputation goes before her.
Here are the links to her sites.
http://WritingWildly.com/
http://genevieve-thewritemove.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/writingwildly
Well ..... What are you waiting for?
17 Oct 2010
UNDER A HARVEST MOON
One of my favourite authors and friends has just had a book published called UNDER A HARVEST MOON. It will be available in time for Halloween - the time of Shamhain when the veil between the two worlds of the living and the dead are at their thinnest !!
I haven't got the expertise to bring the cover of the book to this blog (I really tried!!) Poppet had a hand in designing it. However if you go to her blog http://authorpoppet/ you can see it. I defy you not to like it. It has just the right touch for Halloween and all we celebrate at this time.
So then this is it, savour and enjoy.
Said Poppet ...........
Under a Harvest Moon
A Pandora's Imagination Anthology
I am so happy to be a part of this Anthology. It is out in time for Samhain / Halloween 2010. The contributors include two of my friends, Andy Chester and Kerry A Morgan. I submitted two stories for the anthology, Ruthless and Spellbound.
Spellbound is an erotic Pagan short story of being spellbound under the Hunter's Moon. Ruthless is a ghost story about a man who cheats on his wife, and a ghost comes out of her grave to set things right.
I am so honoured to have designed this cover for Pandora's Imagination. A huge thank you to Kerry for being such a pleasure to work with.
Under A Harvest Moon
An Anthology
Pandora's Imagination (.com)
Open the pages, step inside, be sure you are safe, and not truly flesh bait. Rest assured you'll be entertained, by hunger's thirst, and demons play. Some are afflicted, with ruthless abandon, though presently, we search for gemstone magicks. Keep your eyes wide and free, glance not peripherally for we'll keep you spellbound, under the influences of erotics found. We'll be ever-grateful, for those who've survived, and read till the end of our harvest, this time.
AUTHORS!
Kerry A. Morgan • Poppet • Drew Cross •Andy Chester • A.J. Brown • E.F. Shraeder • Tala Bar • Dennis Thompson • Liz R. Newman •
Publication Date: Oct 16 2010
ISBN/EAN13: 1453884513 / 9781453884515
Page Count: 416
Binding Type: US Trade Paper
Trim Size: 6" x 9"
Language: English
Related Categories: Fiction / Horror
GO AND BUY IT IN TIME FOR HALLOWEEN/SHAMHAIN 2010
I haven't got the expertise to bring the cover of the book to this blog (I really tried!!) Poppet had a hand in designing it. However if you go to her blog http://authorpoppet/ you can see it. I defy you not to like it. It has just the right touch for Halloween and all we celebrate at this time.
So then this is it, savour and enjoy.
Said Poppet ...........
Under a Harvest Moon
A Pandora's Imagination Anthology
I am so happy to be a part of this Anthology. It is out in time for Samhain / Halloween 2010. The contributors include two of my friends, Andy Chester and Kerry A Morgan. I submitted two stories for the anthology, Ruthless and Spellbound.
Spellbound is an erotic Pagan short story of being spellbound under the Hunter's Moon. Ruthless is a ghost story about a man who cheats on his wife, and a ghost comes out of her grave to set things right.
I am so honoured to have designed this cover for Pandora's Imagination. A huge thank you to Kerry for being such a pleasure to work with.
Under A Harvest Moon
An Anthology
Pandora's Imagination (.com)
Open the pages, step inside, be sure you are safe, and not truly flesh bait. Rest assured you'll be entertained, by hunger's thirst, and demons play. Some are afflicted, with ruthless abandon, though presently, we search for gemstone magicks. Keep your eyes wide and free, glance not peripherally for we'll keep you spellbound, under the influences of erotics found. We'll be ever-grateful, for those who've survived, and read till the end of our harvest, this time.
AUTHORS!
Kerry A. Morgan • Poppet • Drew Cross •Andy Chester • A.J. Brown • E.F. Shraeder • Tala Bar • Dennis Thompson • Liz R. Newman •
Publication Date: Oct 16 2010
ISBN/EAN13: 1453884513 / 9781453884515
Page Count: 416
Binding Type: US Trade Paper
Trim Size: 6" x 9"
Language: English
Related Categories: Fiction / Horror
GO AND BUY IT IN TIME FOR HALLOWEEN/SHAMHAIN 2010
10 Oct 2010
BLACK SHADOWS
I have just finished reading this thrilling book by Simon Swift, and below is my review.
BLACK SHADOWS REVIEW SIMON SWIFT
Black Shadows is not a book I would normally choose to read, but I’m so glad the opportunity was given to me.
We are introduced to the main character Errol Christopher Black, a rookie private detective as he tucks into a large bloody porterhouse steak. Detectives Terry Shadow and Dyke Spanner of the Shadow Man Detective Agency are helping him work his way through a now half empty bottle of claret.
The story unfolds in Newark New Jersey in 1935 where mobs rule, and we are witness to a typical shoot out of the time. As the table is upended to afford some form of protection from the flying bullets, they realise that they are not the intended targets but Terry Shadow meets his untimely end with two clean bullets to the head.
Ten years down the line we find Errol Christopher Black with a new partner, Hermeez Wentz and now based in Manhattan at the Black and Wentz Detective Agency along with his very obliging secretary Ava Jameson.
Errol seems happy to take on run of the mill cases and his new client Claudia seems to fit into that category. She tells of a straying fiancé George, along with the discovery of a lipstick and pair of lacy panties which don’t belong to her.
As he takes on what he considers to be a routine surveillance case, Errol is unexpectedly drawn back once more to the mobsters and gangs of that time.
His one time partner Dyke Spanner is shot to death and Errol finds himself on the trail of a blue diamond coveted by hoodlums and beautiful women alike.
The story unfolds with many twists and turns, whilst the reader is witness to the beautiful women that Errol chooses to bed, in his quest for the diamond and the elusive George. Murder is not a rare occurrence either. To state more would give away too much of the plot.
The strength of the writing led me to imagine that I was entering into a 1940’s movie with Humphrey Bogart in the wings.
I also firmly believe that with the right exposure, there is potential here for a film.
Many times during reading BLACK SHADOWS I was convinced that I had all the answers, only to be completely wrong footed by the superb, imaginative writing of Simon Swift.
T K Geering 10/10/2010
Here is a taster of the first chapter ....
Prologue
23 October 1935
Newark, New Jersey
When the shooting started, I was tucking into a nice, bloody porterhouse steak. A generous portion of mashed potatoes, string beans and turnip accompanied it, swimming in the tasty juices from the meat. A half empty bottle of claret stood in the middle of the table and a basket full of bread rolls sat at the edge. Three other men were eating; Terry Shadow was on my right, a small, wiry Irishman faced me, and Dyke Spanner was next to him.
The first few shots took us by surprise, but as they were not meant for us it did not really matter. A small man dressed in a brown suit was firing a pistol, but it was his partner, a larger, angrier, uglier man that was doing the damage, pumping the room full of shotgun blasts. Three of their intended targets were sitting in the far corner, and were all badly hurt in the opening exchange.
Dyke Spanner turned the table on its end, sending the plates of food crashing to the floor, before firing a volley of shots in the general direction of the mayhem. The wine survived, snatched by Terry Shadow seconds before, who was now drinking it straight from the bottle. We all cowered behind the table as it started to splinter before us, firing the odd shot back in the direction from where they came.
"Stop firing that fuckin' gun," shouted Terry in between gulps. "They're not here for us."
He was right. The intended hit was taking a piss in the bathroom. He was shot eight times; suffering mortal wounds to the abdomen, but amazingly didn't die for another 23 hours. The others all joined him in the death roll, as did Terry Shadow only moments after he scolded Dyke Spanner and myself. He died with a third of a bottle of claret in his hand and two clean gunshots to his head.
The moment Terry died I knew that it would change everything. There was no guarantee I would walk out of here alive. In fact, the chances were looking slimmer by the second, as all four of the killers’ targets were now approaching their end. But if I were to survive, my whole life as operative for The Shadow Man Detective Agency would be different.
Terry Shadow was the founder, owner and overall supremo of The Shadow Man Detective Agency. We averaged thirty cases a week, from debt collecting to missing persons. By far the most popular, however, was mob work. We did everything for the wise guys except pull the trigger. It didn’t matter if it was surveillance; tailing future hits, recovery; finding frisky treasurers that tended to go walkabout, or troubleshooting; which just about covered most things. If it paid, we did it. But most often it was security.
New York was full of would-be gangsters. There were regional mobs everywhere, all with their own tribal territories controlling protection rackets, narcotics, gambling and women. Everybody wanted a piece. It was these guys that we dealt with most. Transporting a name safely was a quick and well-rewarded job, even if the risks were supposedly high. Luckily the mobs tended to leave outsiders alone, which made my life a lot easier. We only lost one man in three years and didn't discriminate, working for anybody who paid well. New York wasn't short of those.
The bank balance swelled, but all our reputations suffered. Some weeks we pulled in twenty grand clear and all went home happy. It couldn't go on forever. Don't get me wrong, I didn’t particularly like what we were doing, but it wasn't my conscience that got the better of me. After all, I was only following orders. It had to end sometime. I would never spend all the money anyway, and although I had a reputation as a mob hanger-on I was hardly one of the boys. With Terry dead, the end was in sight. I decided right there and then, as bullets fizzed around my ears and blood splashed all over the carpet, that enough was enough.
It was the silence that broke my thoughts. A faint patter of footsteps, the slamming of a door, and then nothing. I checked myself over and to my surprise I was not hurt. The table was nothing more than firewood, there was broken glass and pints of blood splattered all over the floor, but I was in one piece. I looked over at Dyke Spanner and his smile told me that he too was unhurt. Our third dining acquaintance was gone.
The peace was broken by a stocky, heavy-set man, bleeding desperately from the middle, stumbling out of the bathroom. He had a smoking cigar between his teeth and a rather disheveled fedora in one hand. In the other shaking hand he held a gun, which he raised and pointed at every man in the room before lowering it and swearing resignedly to himself.
Of the other three targeted men, one was unconscious, one was absent and the other groaned aloud in a pool of his own blood. Dyke tapped me on the shoulder and said, "Errol, we should go. We don't want to be caught up in any of this. Let's get the boss to a hospital and scram."
I nodded watching in amazement as the man embraced his unconscious friend before leaping to his feet and pointing at me. "Kid come here."
I looked at Dyke and he shrugged.
"I said come here," repeated the dying man, more in hope than authority.
I holstered my weapon and walked through the debris to the man. The only other survivor had staggered his way through to the main tavern and could now be heard ringing for medical assistance. We all knew it would be too late. Dyke stayed nearby.
Up close he looked exactly the same as in all the news pictures. Although he was physically a small man, he still exuded an aura that a dying man should not be able to hold. His deep-set eyes were wild and darted around, even though he was talking to me and I was close enough to smell his breath. He was sucking a peppermint but he still smelled distinctly of death. His nose was crooked and had been broken many times, his chin square, his ears large but unobtrusive and his lips thin and colourless. He looked like a man I had seen many times and yet he was a man I had only just set my eyes upon.
"Come on Rolly," urged Dyke Spanner.
The last words of Arthur Flegenheimer have since been the subject of much myth and speculation. There are many pages of transcript from an official stenographer, which formed the basis of Bill Burroughs’s 1969 story. To me, most of it was the nonsense of a dying man, a proud, powerful and incredibly vicious, but nevertheless a dying man. The last words he uttered to me may or may not have been similar nonsense. When he finished talking about gloves, Hitler and the trouble with Jews he looked at me square in the eyes and said, "Think big, son, think big. And whatever you do steer clear of the wise guys, they’ll kill you!" and he patted me several times on the back.
Before I could reply, Dyke Spanner grabbed me by the shoulder and hauled me out of there. "The cops are here we gotta go," is all he said.
So I cleaned my hands of the mob, refused all offers, however handsome, and kept to the private stuff. With Terry gone it was now Errol Christopher Black who was the boss. It wasn't fear of dying, most mobsters died on the job that was a fact, but I had lost fear years ago. I simply decided that it wasn't for me anymore and took my low-life standards elsewhere.
Dyke Spanner refused to follow.................
BLACK SHADOWS REVIEW SIMON SWIFT
Black Shadows is not a book I would normally choose to read, but I’m so glad the opportunity was given to me.
We are introduced to the main character Errol Christopher Black, a rookie private detective as he tucks into a large bloody porterhouse steak. Detectives Terry Shadow and Dyke Spanner of the Shadow Man Detective Agency are helping him work his way through a now half empty bottle of claret.
The story unfolds in Newark New Jersey in 1935 where mobs rule, and we are witness to a typical shoot out of the time. As the table is upended to afford some form of protection from the flying bullets, they realise that they are not the intended targets but Terry Shadow meets his untimely end with two clean bullets to the head.
Ten years down the line we find Errol Christopher Black with a new partner, Hermeez Wentz and now based in Manhattan at the Black and Wentz Detective Agency along with his very obliging secretary Ava Jameson.
Errol seems happy to take on run of the mill cases and his new client Claudia seems to fit into that category. She tells of a straying fiancé George, along with the discovery of a lipstick and pair of lacy panties which don’t belong to her.
As he takes on what he considers to be a routine surveillance case, Errol is unexpectedly drawn back once more to the mobsters and gangs of that time.
His one time partner Dyke Spanner is shot to death and Errol finds himself on the trail of a blue diamond coveted by hoodlums and beautiful women alike.
The story unfolds with many twists and turns, whilst the reader is witness to the beautiful women that Errol chooses to bed, in his quest for the diamond and the elusive George. Murder is not a rare occurrence either. To state more would give away too much of the plot.
The strength of the writing led me to imagine that I was entering into a 1940’s movie with Humphrey Bogart in the wings.
I also firmly believe that with the right exposure, there is potential here for a film.
Many times during reading BLACK SHADOWS I was convinced that I had all the answers, only to be completely wrong footed by the superb, imaginative writing of Simon Swift.
T K Geering 10/10/2010
Here is a taster of the first chapter ....
Prologue
23 October 1935
Newark, New Jersey
When the shooting started, I was tucking into a nice, bloody porterhouse steak. A generous portion of mashed potatoes, string beans and turnip accompanied it, swimming in the tasty juices from the meat. A half empty bottle of claret stood in the middle of the table and a basket full of bread rolls sat at the edge. Three other men were eating; Terry Shadow was on my right, a small, wiry Irishman faced me, and Dyke Spanner was next to him.
The first few shots took us by surprise, but as they were not meant for us it did not really matter. A small man dressed in a brown suit was firing a pistol, but it was his partner, a larger, angrier, uglier man that was doing the damage, pumping the room full of shotgun blasts. Three of their intended targets were sitting in the far corner, and were all badly hurt in the opening exchange.
Dyke Spanner turned the table on its end, sending the plates of food crashing to the floor, before firing a volley of shots in the general direction of the mayhem. The wine survived, snatched by Terry Shadow seconds before, who was now drinking it straight from the bottle. We all cowered behind the table as it started to splinter before us, firing the odd shot back in the direction from where they came.
"Stop firing that fuckin' gun," shouted Terry in between gulps. "They're not here for us."
He was right. The intended hit was taking a piss in the bathroom. He was shot eight times; suffering mortal wounds to the abdomen, but amazingly didn't die for another 23 hours. The others all joined him in the death roll, as did Terry Shadow only moments after he scolded Dyke Spanner and myself. He died with a third of a bottle of claret in his hand and two clean gunshots to his head.
The moment Terry died I knew that it would change everything. There was no guarantee I would walk out of here alive. In fact, the chances were looking slimmer by the second, as all four of the killers’ targets were now approaching their end. But if I were to survive, my whole life as operative for The Shadow Man Detective Agency would be different.
Terry Shadow was the founder, owner and overall supremo of The Shadow Man Detective Agency. We averaged thirty cases a week, from debt collecting to missing persons. By far the most popular, however, was mob work. We did everything for the wise guys except pull the trigger. It didn’t matter if it was surveillance; tailing future hits, recovery; finding frisky treasurers that tended to go walkabout, or troubleshooting; which just about covered most things. If it paid, we did it. But most often it was security.
New York was full of would-be gangsters. There were regional mobs everywhere, all with their own tribal territories controlling protection rackets, narcotics, gambling and women. Everybody wanted a piece. It was these guys that we dealt with most. Transporting a name safely was a quick and well-rewarded job, even if the risks were supposedly high. Luckily the mobs tended to leave outsiders alone, which made my life a lot easier. We only lost one man in three years and didn't discriminate, working for anybody who paid well. New York wasn't short of those.
The bank balance swelled, but all our reputations suffered. Some weeks we pulled in twenty grand clear and all went home happy. It couldn't go on forever. Don't get me wrong, I didn’t particularly like what we were doing, but it wasn't my conscience that got the better of me. After all, I was only following orders. It had to end sometime. I would never spend all the money anyway, and although I had a reputation as a mob hanger-on I was hardly one of the boys. With Terry dead, the end was in sight. I decided right there and then, as bullets fizzed around my ears and blood splashed all over the carpet, that enough was enough.
It was the silence that broke my thoughts. A faint patter of footsteps, the slamming of a door, and then nothing. I checked myself over and to my surprise I was not hurt. The table was nothing more than firewood, there was broken glass and pints of blood splattered all over the floor, but I was in one piece. I looked over at Dyke Spanner and his smile told me that he too was unhurt. Our third dining acquaintance was gone.
The peace was broken by a stocky, heavy-set man, bleeding desperately from the middle, stumbling out of the bathroom. He had a smoking cigar between his teeth and a rather disheveled fedora in one hand. In the other shaking hand he held a gun, which he raised and pointed at every man in the room before lowering it and swearing resignedly to himself.
Of the other three targeted men, one was unconscious, one was absent and the other groaned aloud in a pool of his own blood. Dyke tapped me on the shoulder and said, "Errol, we should go. We don't want to be caught up in any of this. Let's get the boss to a hospital and scram."
I nodded watching in amazement as the man embraced his unconscious friend before leaping to his feet and pointing at me. "Kid come here."
I looked at Dyke and he shrugged.
"I said come here," repeated the dying man, more in hope than authority.
I holstered my weapon and walked through the debris to the man. The only other survivor had staggered his way through to the main tavern and could now be heard ringing for medical assistance. We all knew it would be too late. Dyke stayed nearby.
Up close he looked exactly the same as in all the news pictures. Although he was physically a small man, he still exuded an aura that a dying man should not be able to hold. His deep-set eyes were wild and darted around, even though he was talking to me and I was close enough to smell his breath. He was sucking a peppermint but he still smelled distinctly of death. His nose was crooked and had been broken many times, his chin square, his ears large but unobtrusive and his lips thin and colourless. He looked like a man I had seen many times and yet he was a man I had only just set my eyes upon.
"Come on Rolly," urged Dyke Spanner.
The last words of Arthur Flegenheimer have since been the subject of much myth and speculation. There are many pages of transcript from an official stenographer, which formed the basis of Bill Burroughs’s 1969 story. To me, most of it was the nonsense of a dying man, a proud, powerful and incredibly vicious, but nevertheless a dying man. The last words he uttered to me may or may not have been similar nonsense. When he finished talking about gloves, Hitler and the trouble with Jews he looked at me square in the eyes and said, "Think big, son, think big. And whatever you do steer clear of the wise guys, they’ll kill you!" and he patted me several times on the back.
Before I could reply, Dyke Spanner grabbed me by the shoulder and hauled me out of there. "The cops are here we gotta go," is all he said.
So I cleaned my hands of the mob, refused all offers, however handsome, and kept to the private stuff. With Terry gone it was now Errol Christopher Black who was the boss. It wasn't fear of dying, most mobsters died on the job that was a fact, but I had lost fear years ago. I simply decided that it wasn't for me anymore and took my low-life standards elsewhere.
Dyke Spanner refused to follow.................
I've nicked some more from Poppet.
Normal service will be resumed as soon as i've finished reading and reviewing a couple of books. The first book Dark Shadows, I have just finished and i'm about to write up a review. I feel it will do extremely well.
*************
A man and his ever-nagging wife went on vacation in Jerusalem. While they were there, the wife passed away. The undertaker told the husband, "You can have her buried here in the Holy Land for $150 or we can have her shipped back home for $5000.
The husband thought about it and told the undertaker he would have her shipped back home. The undertaker asked him, "why would you spend $5000 to have her shipped home when you could have a beautiful burial here, and it would only cost $150???
The husband replied, "Long ago, a man named Jesus died here, was buried here, and three days later, rose from the dead.
I Just can't take that chance!"
Questions that haunt
• How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?
• Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?
• Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat?
Brit humour
I was walking down the road when I saw an Afghan bloke standing on a fifth floor balcony shaking a carpet. I shouted up to him, "What's up Abdul, won't it start?"
The word UP
This two-letter word in English has more meanings than any other two-letter word, and that word is 'UP.' It is listed in the dictionary as an [adv], [prep], [adj], [n] or [v].
It's easy to understand UP, meaning toward the sky or at the top of the list, but when we awaken in the morning, why do we wake UP?
At a meeting, why does a topic come UP? Why do we speak UP, and why are the officers UP for election and why is it UP to the secretary to write UP a report? We call UP our friends, brighten UP a room, polish UP the silver, warm UP the leftovers and clean UP the kitchen. We lock UP the house and fix UP the old car.
At other times this little word has real special meaning. People stir UP trouble, line UP for tickets, work UP an appetite, and think UP excuses.
To be dressed is one thing but to be dressed UP is special. And this UP is confusing: A drain must be opened UP because it is stopped UP.
We open UP a store in the morning but we close it UP at night. We seem to be pretty mixed UP about UP !
To be knowledgeable about the proper uses of UP, look UP the word UP in the dictionary.. In a desk-sized dictionary, it takes UP almost 1/4 of the page and can add UP to about thirty definitions
If you are UP to it, you might try building UP a list of the many ways UP is used. It will take UP a lot of your time, but if you don't give UP, you may wind UP with a hundred or more.
When it threatens to rain, we say it is clouding UP . When the sun comes out we say it is clearing UP. When it rains, it soaks UP the earth. When it does not rain for awhile, things dry UP. One could go on & on, but I'll wrap it UP, for now ........my time is UP ! Oh....one more thing: What is the first thing you do in the morning & the last thing you do at night?
U
P !
Did that one crack you UP? Now - I'll shut UP
Grandma's don't know everything….
Little Tony was 9 years old and was staying with his Grandma for a few days. He'd been playing outside with the other kids for a while when he came into the house and asked her, “Grandma, what's that thing called when two people sleep in the same room and one is on top of the other?”
She was a little taken back, but she decided to tell him the truth. “It's called sexual intercourse, darling”
Little Tony said, “Oh, OK”, and went back outside to play with the other kids.
A few minutes later he came back in and said angrily, “Grandma, it isn't called sexual intercourse. It's called Bunk Beds, and Jimmy's mom wants to talk to you.”
Getting Even
One December day we found an old straggly cat at our door. She was a sorry sight. Starving, dirty, smelled terrible, skinny, and hair all matted down. We felt sorry for her so we put her in a carrier and took her to the vet.
We didn't know what to call her so we named her 'Pussycat.'
The vet decided to keep her for a day or so. He said he would let us know when we could come and get her.
My husband (the complainer) said, 'OK, but don't forget to wash her, she stinks.' He reminded the vet that it was his WIFE (me) that wanted the dirty cat, not him.
My husband and my Vet don't see eye to eye. The vet calls my husband 'El-Cheap-O', and my husband calls the vet 'El-Charge-O'. They love to hate each other and constantly 'snipe' at one another, with my husband getting in the last word on this particular occasion.
The next day my husband had an appointment with his doctor, who is located in the same building, next door to the vet.
The MD's waiting room and office was full of people waiting to see the doctor. A side door opened and the vet leaned in - he had obviously seen my husband arrive.
He looked straight at my husband and in a loud voice said, 'Your wife's pussy doesn't stink any more. We washed and shaved it, and now she smells like a rose. Oh, and, by the way, I think she's pregnant. God only knows who the father is!' Then he closed the door.
Now THAT, my friends, is getting even!
Keep this in mind the next time you are about to repeat a rumour or spread gossip.
In ancient Greece (469 - 399 BC), Socrates was widely lauded for his wisdom.
One day an acquaintance ran up to him excitedly and said, "Socrates, do you know what I just heard about Diogenes?"
"Wait a moment," Socrates replied, "Before you tell me I'd like you to pass a little test. It's called the Triple Filter Test."
'Triple filter?" asked the acquaintance.
"That's right," Socrates continued, "Before you talk to me about Diogenes let's take a moment to filter what you're going to say. The first filter is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?"
"No," the man said, "Actually I just heard about it."
"All right," said Socrates, "So you don't really know if it's true or not. Now let's try the second filter, the filter of Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about Diogenes something good?"
"No, on the contrary..."
"So," Socrates continued, "You want to tell me something about Diogenes that may be bad, even though you're not certain it's true?"
The man shrugged, a little embarrassed. Socrates continued, "You may still pass the test though, because there is a third filter, the filter of Usefulness. Is what you want to tell me about Diogenes going to be useful to me?"
"No, not really."
"Well," concluded Socrates, "If what you want to tell me is neither True nor Good nor even useful, why tell it to me or anyone at all?"
The man was bewildered and ashamed. This is an example of why Socrates was a great philosopher and held in such high esteem.
It also explains why Socrates never found out that Diogenes was shagging his wife.
Normal service will be resumed as soon as i've finished reading and reviewing a couple of books. The first book Dark Shadows, I have just finished and i'm about to write up a review. I feel it will do extremely well.
*************
A man and his ever-nagging wife went on vacation in Jerusalem. While they were there, the wife passed away. The undertaker told the husband, "You can have her buried here in the Holy Land for $150 or we can have her shipped back home for $5000.
The husband thought about it and told the undertaker he would have her shipped back home. The undertaker asked him, "why would you spend $5000 to have her shipped home when you could have a beautiful burial here, and it would only cost $150???
The husband replied, "Long ago, a man named Jesus died here, was buried here, and three days later, rose from the dead.
I Just can't take that chance!"
Questions that haunt
• How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?
• Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?
• Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat?
Brit humour
I was walking down the road when I saw an Afghan bloke standing on a fifth floor balcony shaking a carpet. I shouted up to him, "What's up Abdul, won't it start?"
The word UP
This two-letter word in English has more meanings than any other two-letter word, and that word is 'UP.' It is listed in the dictionary as an [adv], [prep], [adj], [n] or [v].
It's easy to understand UP, meaning toward the sky or at the top of the list, but when we awaken in the morning, why do we wake UP?
At a meeting, why does a topic come UP? Why do we speak UP, and why are the officers UP for election and why is it UP to the secretary to write UP a report? We call UP our friends, brighten UP a room, polish UP the silver, warm UP the leftovers and clean UP the kitchen. We lock UP the house and fix UP the old car.
At other times this little word has real special meaning. People stir UP trouble, line UP for tickets, work UP an appetite, and think UP excuses.
To be dressed is one thing but to be dressed UP is special. And this UP is confusing: A drain must be opened UP because it is stopped UP.
We open UP a store in the morning but we close it UP at night. We seem to be pretty mixed UP about UP !
To be knowledgeable about the proper uses of UP, look UP the word UP in the dictionary.. In a desk-sized dictionary, it takes UP almost 1/4 of the page and can add UP to about thirty definitions
If you are UP to it, you might try building UP a list of the many ways UP is used. It will take UP a lot of your time, but if you don't give UP, you may wind UP with a hundred or more.
When it threatens to rain, we say it is clouding UP . When the sun comes out we say it is clearing UP. When it rains, it soaks UP the earth. When it does not rain for awhile, things dry UP. One could go on & on, but I'll wrap it UP, for now ........my time is UP ! Oh....one more thing: What is the first thing you do in the morning & the last thing you do at night?
U
P !
Did that one crack you UP? Now - I'll shut UP
Grandma's don't know everything….
Little Tony was 9 years old and was staying with his Grandma for a few days. He'd been playing outside with the other kids for a while when he came into the house and asked her, “Grandma, what's that thing called when two people sleep in the same room and one is on top of the other?”
She was a little taken back, but she decided to tell him the truth. “It's called sexual intercourse, darling”
Little Tony said, “Oh, OK”, and went back outside to play with the other kids.
A few minutes later he came back in and said angrily, “Grandma, it isn't called sexual intercourse. It's called Bunk Beds, and Jimmy's mom wants to talk to you.”
Getting Even
One December day we found an old straggly cat at our door. She was a sorry sight. Starving, dirty, smelled terrible, skinny, and hair all matted down. We felt sorry for her so we put her in a carrier and took her to the vet.
We didn't know what to call her so we named her 'Pussycat.'
The vet decided to keep her for a day or so. He said he would let us know when we could come and get her.
My husband (the complainer) said, 'OK, but don't forget to wash her, she stinks.' He reminded the vet that it was his WIFE (me) that wanted the dirty cat, not him.
My husband and my Vet don't see eye to eye. The vet calls my husband 'El-Cheap-O', and my husband calls the vet 'El-Charge-O'. They love to hate each other and constantly 'snipe' at one another, with my husband getting in the last word on this particular occasion.
The next day my husband had an appointment with his doctor, who is located in the same building, next door to the vet.
The MD's waiting room and office was full of people waiting to see the doctor. A side door opened and the vet leaned in - he had obviously seen my husband arrive.
He looked straight at my husband and in a loud voice said, 'Your wife's pussy doesn't stink any more. We washed and shaved it, and now she smells like a rose. Oh, and, by the way, I think she's pregnant. God only knows who the father is!' Then he closed the door.
Now THAT, my friends, is getting even!
Keep this in mind the next time you are about to repeat a rumour or spread gossip.
In ancient Greece (469 - 399 BC), Socrates was widely lauded for his wisdom.
One day an acquaintance ran up to him excitedly and said, "Socrates, do you know what I just heard about Diogenes?"
"Wait a moment," Socrates replied, "Before you tell me I'd like you to pass a little test. It's called the Triple Filter Test."
'Triple filter?" asked the acquaintance.
"That's right," Socrates continued, "Before you talk to me about Diogenes let's take a moment to filter what you're going to say. The first filter is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?"
"No," the man said, "Actually I just heard about it."
"All right," said Socrates, "So you don't really know if it's true or not. Now let's try the second filter, the filter of Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about Diogenes something good?"
"No, on the contrary..."
"So," Socrates continued, "You want to tell me something about Diogenes that may be bad, even though you're not certain it's true?"
The man shrugged, a little embarrassed. Socrates continued, "You may still pass the test though, because there is a third filter, the filter of Usefulness. Is what you want to tell me about Diogenes going to be useful to me?"
"No, not really."
"Well," concluded Socrates, "If what you want to tell me is neither True nor Good nor even useful, why tell it to me or anyone at all?"
The man was bewildered and ashamed. This is an example of why Socrates was a great philosopher and held in such high esteem.
It also explains why Socrates never found out that Diogenes was shagging his wife.
19 Sept 2010
Sunday Smile from Poppet
I sooo had to nick these....
Reg you're gonna love the 'directory enquiries' for Cardiff. I actually went to this place in Wales oh so many hundreds of years ago. I'm surprised it hasn't been converted to an Irish Paddy joke!!
Customer: 'I've been ringing 0800 2100 for two days and can't get through to enquiries, can you help?'.
Operator: 'Where did you get that number from, sir?'.
Customer: 'It was on the door to the Travel Centre'.
Operator: 'Sir, they are our opening hours'.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Samsung Electronics
Caller: 'Can you give me the telephone number for Jack?'
Operator: 'I'm sorry, sir, I don't understand who you are talking about'.
Caller: 'On page 1, section 5, of the user guide it clearly states that I need to unplug the fax machine from the AC wall socket and telephone Jack before cleaning. Now, can you give me the number for Jack?'
Operator: 'I think you mean the telephone point on the wall'.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
RAC Motoring Services
Caller: 'Does your European Breakdown Policy cover me when I am travelling in Australia ?'
Operator: ' Doesn't the product name give you a clue?'
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Caller (enquiring about legal requirements while travelling in France ):
'If I register my car in France , do I have to change the steering wheel to the other side of the car?'
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Directory Enquiries
Caller: 'I'd like the number of the Argoed Fish Bar in Cardiff please'.
Operator: 'I'm sorry, there's no listing. Is the spelling correct?'
Caller: 'Well, it used to be called the Bargoed Fish Bar but the 'B' fell off'.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Then there was the caller who asked for a knitwear company in Woven.
Operator: 'Woven? Are you sure?'
Caller: 'Yes. That's what it says on the label; Woven in Scotland '.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
On another occasion, a man making heavy breathing sounds from a phone box told a worried operator:
'I haven't got a pen, so I'm steaming up the window to write the number on'.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Tech Support: 'I need you to right-click on the Open Desktop'.
Customer: 'OK'.
Tech Support: 'Did you get a pop-up menu?'.
Customer: 'No'.
Tech Support: 'OK. Right-Click again. Do you see a pop-up menu?'
Customer: 'No'.
Tech Support: 'OK, sir. Can you tell me what you have done up until this point?'.
Customer: 'Sure. You told me to write 'click' and I wrote 'click''.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Tech Support: 'OK. In the bottom left hand side of the screen, can you see the 'OK' button displayed?'
Customer: 'Wow. How can you see my screen from there?'
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Caller: 'I deleted a file from my PC last week and I have just realised that I need it. If I turn my system clock back two weeks will I have my file back again?'.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Operator: 'Ridge Hall, computer assistance; may I help you?'
Caller: 'Yes, well, I'm having trouble with WordPerfect.'
Operator: 'What sort of trouble??'
Caller: 'Well, I was just typing along, and all of a sudden the words went away.'
Operator: 'Went away?'
Caller: 'They disappeared.'
Operator: 'Hmm So what does your screen look like now?'
Caller: 'Nothing.'
Operator: 'Nothing??'
Caller: 'It's blank; it won't accept anything when I type.'
Operator: 'Are you still in WordPerfect, or did you get out??'
Caller: 'How do I tell?'
Operator: 'Can you see the C: prompt on the screen??'
Caller: 'What's a sea-prompt?'
Operator: 'Never mind, can you move your cursor around the screen?'
Caller: 'There isn't any cursor: I told you, it won't accept anything I type.'
Operator: 'Does your monitor have a power indicator??'
Caller: 'What's a monitor?'
Operator: 'It's the thing with the screen on it that looks like a TV. Does it have a little light that tells you when it's on??'
Caller: 'I don't know.'
Operator: 'Well, then look on the back of the monitor and find where the power cord goes into it. Can you see that??'
Caller: 'Yes, I think so.'
Operator: 'Great. Follow the cord to the plug, and tell me if it's plugged into the wall.
Caller: 'Yes, it is.'
Operator: 'When you were behind the monitor, did you notice that there were two cables plugged into the back of it, not just one??'
Caller: 'No.'
Operator: 'Well, there are. I need you to look back there again and find the other cable.'
Caller: 'Okay, here it is.'
Operator: 'Follow it for me, and tell me if it's plugged securely into the back of your computer.'
Caller: 'I can't reach.'
Operator: 'Uh huh. Well, can you see if it is??'
Caller: 'No.'
Operator: 'Even if you maybe put your knee on something and lean way over??'
Caller: 'Oh, it's not because I don't have the right angle - it's because it's dark.'
Operator: 'Dark??'
Caller: 'Yes - the office light is off, and the only light I have is coming in from the window.
' Operator: 'Well, turn on the office light then.'
Caller: 'I can't.'
Operator: 'No? Why not??'
Caller: 'Because there's a power failure.'
Operator: 'A power......... A power failure? Aha, Okay, we've got it licked now.
Do you still have the boxes and manuals and packing stuff your computer came in??'
Caller: 'Well, yes, I keep them in the closet.'
Operator: 'Good. Go get them, and unplug your system and pack it up just like it was when you got it. Then take it back to the store you bought it from.'
Caller: 'Really? Is it that bad?'
Operator: 'Yes, I'm afraid it is.'
Caller: 'Well, all right then, I suppose. What do I tell them??'
Operator: 'Tell them you're too f---ing stupid to own a computer!!!!!'
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On to the super scary!
A 3 year old was examining his testicles while taking a bath. "Mom", he asked, "are these my brains?"
"Not yet", she repied.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What a great way to start a Sunday off. Hope you enjoyed them. Bring them on Poppet.
This one is from me it makes me smile every time I read it ............
YOUR DUCK IS DEAD
A woman brought a very limp duck into a veterinary
surgeon. As she laid her pet on the table, the vet
pulled out his stethoscope and listened to the bird's
chest.
After a moment or two, the vet shook his head and
sadly said, "I'm sorry, your duck, Cuddles, has
passed away."
The distressed woman wailed, "Are you sure?"
"Yes, I am sure. Your duck is dead," replied the
vet..
"How can you be so sure?" she protested. "I mean
you haven't done any testing on him or anything.
He might just be in a coma or something."
The vet rolled his eyes, turned around and left the
room. He returned a few minutes later with a black
Labrador Retriever. As the duck's owner looked on
in amazement, the dog stood on his hind legs, put his
front paws on the examination table and sniffed the
duck from top to bottom. He then looked up at the
vet with sad eyes and shook his head.
The vet patted the dog on the head and took it out
of the room. A few minutes later he returned with
a cat. The cat jumped on the table and also delicately
sniffed the bird from head to foot. The cat sat back
on its haunches, shook its head, meowed softly and
strolled out of the room.
The vet looked at the woman and said, "I'm sorry,
but as I said, this is most definitely, 100% certifiably, a dead duck."
The vet turned to his computer terminal, hit a few keys and produced a bill, which he handed to the woman..
The duck's owner, still in shock, took the bill. "£150!"
she cried, "£150 just to tell me my duck is dead!" The
vet shrugged, "I'm sorry. If you had just taken my
word for it, the bill would have been £20, but with the Lab Report and the Cat Scan, it's now £150."
------------------------------------------------------
You know the drill ... if you're smiling, you must pass it
on, give someone else a smile too! Share the laughter
Reg you're gonna love the 'directory enquiries' for Cardiff. I actually went to this place in Wales oh so many hundreds of years ago. I'm surprised it hasn't been converted to an Irish Paddy joke!!
Customer: 'I've been ringing 0800 2100 for two days and can't get through to enquiries, can you help?'.
Operator: 'Where did you get that number from, sir?'.
Customer: 'It was on the door to the Travel Centre'.
Operator: 'Sir, they are our opening hours'.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Samsung Electronics
Caller: 'Can you give me the telephone number for Jack?'
Operator: 'I'm sorry, sir, I don't understand who you are talking about'.
Caller: 'On page 1, section 5, of the user guide it clearly states that I need to unplug the fax machine from the AC wall socket and telephone Jack before cleaning. Now, can you give me the number for Jack?'
Operator: 'I think you mean the telephone point on the wall'.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
RAC Motoring Services
Caller: 'Does your European Breakdown Policy cover me when I am travelling in Australia ?'
Operator: ' Doesn't the product name give you a clue?'
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Caller (enquiring about legal requirements while travelling in France ):
'If I register my car in France , do I have to change the steering wheel to the other side of the car?'
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Directory Enquiries
Caller: 'I'd like the number of the Argoed Fish Bar in Cardiff please'.
Operator: 'I'm sorry, there's no listing. Is the spelling correct?'
Caller: 'Well, it used to be called the Bargoed Fish Bar but the 'B' fell off'.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Then there was the caller who asked for a knitwear company in Woven.
Operator: 'Woven? Are you sure?'
Caller: 'Yes. That's what it says on the label; Woven in Scotland '.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
On another occasion, a man making heavy breathing sounds from a phone box told a worried operator:
'I haven't got a pen, so I'm steaming up the window to write the number on'.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Tech Support: 'I need you to right-click on the Open Desktop'.
Customer: 'OK'.
Tech Support: 'Did you get a pop-up menu?'.
Customer: 'No'.
Tech Support: 'OK. Right-Click again. Do you see a pop-up menu?'
Customer: 'No'.
Tech Support: 'OK, sir. Can you tell me what you have done up until this point?'.
Customer: 'Sure. You told me to write 'click' and I wrote 'click''.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Tech Support: 'OK. In the bottom left hand side of the screen, can you see the 'OK' button displayed?'
Customer: 'Wow. How can you see my screen from there?'
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Caller: 'I deleted a file from my PC last week and I have just realised that I need it. If I turn my system clock back two weeks will I have my file back again?'.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Operator: 'Ridge Hall, computer assistance; may I help you?'
Caller: 'Yes, well, I'm having trouble with WordPerfect.'
Operator: 'What sort of trouble??'
Caller: 'Well, I was just typing along, and all of a sudden the words went away.'
Operator: 'Went away?'
Caller: 'They disappeared.'
Operator: 'Hmm So what does your screen look like now?'
Caller: 'Nothing.'
Operator: 'Nothing??'
Caller: 'It's blank; it won't accept anything when I type.'
Operator: 'Are you still in WordPerfect, or did you get out??'
Caller: 'How do I tell?'
Operator: 'Can you see the C: prompt on the screen??'
Caller: 'What's a sea-prompt?'
Operator: 'Never mind, can you move your cursor around the screen?'
Caller: 'There isn't any cursor: I told you, it won't accept anything I type.'
Operator: 'Does your monitor have a power indicator??'
Caller: 'What's a monitor?'
Operator: 'It's the thing with the screen on it that looks like a TV. Does it have a little light that tells you when it's on??'
Caller: 'I don't know.'
Operator: 'Well, then look on the back of the monitor and find where the power cord goes into it. Can you see that??'
Caller: 'Yes, I think so.'
Operator: 'Great. Follow the cord to the plug, and tell me if it's plugged into the wall.
Caller: 'Yes, it is.'
Operator: 'When you were behind the monitor, did you notice that there were two cables plugged into the back of it, not just one??'
Caller: 'No.'
Operator: 'Well, there are. I need you to look back there again and find the other cable.'
Caller: 'Okay, here it is.'
Operator: 'Follow it for me, and tell me if it's plugged securely into the back of your computer.'
Caller: 'I can't reach.'
Operator: 'Uh huh. Well, can you see if it is??'
Caller: 'No.'
Operator: 'Even if you maybe put your knee on something and lean way over??'
Caller: 'Oh, it's not because I don't have the right angle - it's because it's dark.'
Operator: 'Dark??'
Caller: 'Yes - the office light is off, and the only light I have is coming in from the window.
' Operator: 'Well, turn on the office light then.'
Caller: 'I can't.'
Operator: 'No? Why not??'
Caller: 'Because there's a power failure.'
Operator: 'A power......... A power failure? Aha, Okay, we've got it licked now.
Do you still have the boxes and manuals and packing stuff your computer came in??'
Caller: 'Well, yes, I keep them in the closet.'
Operator: 'Good. Go get them, and unplug your system and pack it up just like it was when you got it. Then take it back to the store you bought it from.'
Caller: 'Really? Is it that bad?'
Operator: 'Yes, I'm afraid it is.'
Caller: 'Well, all right then, I suppose. What do I tell them??'
Operator: 'Tell them you're too f---ing stupid to own a computer!!!!!'
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On to the super scary!
A 3 year old was examining his testicles while taking a bath. "Mom", he asked, "are these my brains?"
"Not yet", she repied.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What a great way to start a Sunday off. Hope you enjoyed them. Bring them on Poppet.
This one is from me it makes me smile every time I read it ............
YOUR DUCK IS DEAD
A woman brought a very limp duck into a veterinary
surgeon. As she laid her pet on the table, the vet
pulled out his stethoscope and listened to the bird's
chest.
After a moment or two, the vet shook his head and
sadly said, "I'm sorry, your duck, Cuddles, has
passed away."
The distressed woman wailed, "Are you sure?"
"Yes, I am sure. Your duck is dead," replied the
vet..
"How can you be so sure?" she protested. "I mean
you haven't done any testing on him or anything.
He might just be in a coma or something."
The vet rolled his eyes, turned around and left the
room. He returned a few minutes later with a black
Labrador Retriever. As the duck's owner looked on
in amazement, the dog stood on his hind legs, put his
front paws on the examination table and sniffed the
duck from top to bottom. He then looked up at the
vet with sad eyes and shook his head.
The vet patted the dog on the head and took it out
of the room. A few minutes later he returned with
a cat. The cat jumped on the table and also delicately
sniffed the bird from head to foot. The cat sat back
on its haunches, shook its head, meowed softly and
strolled out of the room.
The vet looked at the woman and said, "I'm sorry,
but as I said, this is most definitely, 100% certifiably, a dead duck."
The vet turned to his computer terminal, hit a few keys and produced a bill, which he handed to the woman..
The duck's owner, still in shock, took the bill. "£150!"
she cried, "£150 just to tell me my duck is dead!" The
vet shrugged, "I'm sorry. If you had just taken my
word for it, the bill would have been £20, but with the Lab Report and the Cat Scan, it's now £150."
------------------------------------------------------
You know the drill ... if you're smiling, you must pass it
on, give someone else a smile too! Share the laughter
16 Sept 2010
COLT - A Time For Living
COLT aka Colin Theakston came to my notice through the Struggling Authors web site. Recently a review of his book A Time For Living was undertaken by this now well known reviewing site http://all-review.co.uk/
They are also affiliated to http://pushbooks.co.uk/ As the name suggests they review and push !!!
Below is what Neil Kirby at all-review said about Colin's book................
A Time For Living
By
Colt (Colin Theakston).
Genre. Thriller.
Colin Theakston aka Colt has merged many qualities into this gem of a read. Thrilling, mysterious, romantic and factual are some of the traits that could be used to describe it.
The novel is centred around British Writer, Laurence Hardy who lives in a small English town in Oxfordshire. He is a quiet albeit well respected member of his community and seemingly nice chap with what would normally be described as a fairly regular life. To his few friends and neighbours he is a normal man with a normal life, he is fortunate to travel the world in order to carry out research for his writing, but to everyone who knows him, Hardy is just a man who has found success in his work, a bit of a loner but well liked by the few who know him. In truth, Hardy was not all that he seemed; he has an alter ego known within worldwide intelligence factions as Geoffrey Summers.
As Summers, he is an independent agent who we first meet out-doing the American FBI when finding a young kidnap victim; returning her safely to her US Senator father and mother. Very little is known about Summers within the intelligence agencies. He is a wanted man but it has not been decided whether he is on the side of wrong or right, what they do know is that he has helped international governments on more than one occasion.
Summers is made aware of an impending terror strike by Al Qaeda and their intention to utilise his skills in the major terrorist threat. Summers is forced to take the assignment to avoid having his true identity revealed by the one high ranking official who knows it.
After very tense and interesting meetings with an Al Qaeda leader in Paris, who Colt portrays as a vicious
and dangerous man, Summers enters an agreement with the terrorists to deliver weapons intended for a terrorist strike within the United Kingdom, for a substantial amount of money.
At this point, the story takes a turn and Colt introduces Josh Wilson. Josh is a man of leisure living in the UK on his recently acquired canal-barge. He travels around the picturesque countryside along the canals of England sometimes making cargo deliveries between depots at different towns alongside the canals. Josh, through a very good friend and business partner Alec, meets Samantha, who as well as being seriously ill has other secrets that could damage her newly found friendship with Josh.
On their waterways trip together, Josh and Sam become very close and Sam, who up until this point had been diagnosed as terminally ill, feels that her time on the water with Josh had changed her life in a much better way. She knew it was not to last, Josh was to drop her off with her sister where she intended living out her final days. But since their meeting, everything had changed; she felt healthier, happier and was falling for her new companion. The only regret she felt was a past indiscretion that haunted her and would almost definitely end her affiliation with Josh.
Summers has made sure that Josh and Sam are involved in the terrorists plot. Unknowingly, Josh has taken cargo onto his barge to deliver further along his journey. It is the same cargo that Summers had agreed to take for a substantial amount of money.
Colt has painted a contrasting picture of Summers; he is a clever man who appears to be on the right side of the law, but as the story progresses, you ask yourself what his intentions are. He appears to be a renegade driven by greed. Will he redeem himself?
A Time For Living is numerous stories in one. A lot of time is spent becoming acquainted with Hardy and his other self, Geoffrey Summers. Then you are introduced to Josh Wilson and his new companion Samantha, who met through friends living in a public house near to the canal network. In time, the stories merge making for exciting and enthralling reading, With the well researched content including the factual towns, villages and public houses mentioned during Josh and Sam`s trip along their canal route.
You are kept on the edge of anticipation waiting for the next turn of events. The passages describing how Josh and Sam become closer are really well written and delicately done. As the reader you will find yourself hoping that everything works out well for them but doubting the possibility of it. As for Summers you are not so sure. Colt has created a very clever and elusive character who you commend at the start of the book for single-handedly saving the life of a young child. But your suspicions are alerted when he takes on a contract with the terrorist group; something that he would never normally do. But financial gain, in the region of millions seemingly plays a big part in his decision to work with the organisation.
This book is an excellent and well written story, with thrilling action, cleverly thought out plots and endearing tale. A must read which; I hope leads on to the next.
And the next - A Time For Crying - will be available by Christmas 2010 I understand. fingers crossed.
They are also affiliated to http://pushbooks.co.uk/ As the name suggests they review and push !!!
Below is what Neil Kirby at all-review said about Colin's book................
A Time For Living
By
Colt (Colin Theakston).
Genre. Thriller.
Colin Theakston aka Colt has merged many qualities into this gem of a read. Thrilling, mysterious, romantic and factual are some of the traits that could be used to describe it.
The novel is centred around British Writer, Laurence Hardy who lives in a small English town in Oxfordshire. He is a quiet albeit well respected member of his community and seemingly nice chap with what would normally be described as a fairly regular life. To his few friends and neighbours he is a normal man with a normal life, he is fortunate to travel the world in order to carry out research for his writing, but to everyone who knows him, Hardy is just a man who has found success in his work, a bit of a loner but well liked by the few who know him. In truth, Hardy was not all that he seemed; he has an alter ego known within worldwide intelligence factions as Geoffrey Summers.
As Summers, he is an independent agent who we first meet out-doing the American FBI when finding a young kidnap victim; returning her safely to her US Senator father and mother. Very little is known about Summers within the intelligence agencies. He is a wanted man but it has not been decided whether he is on the side of wrong or right, what they do know is that he has helped international governments on more than one occasion.
Summers is made aware of an impending terror strike by Al Qaeda and their intention to utilise his skills in the major terrorist threat. Summers is forced to take the assignment to avoid having his true identity revealed by the one high ranking official who knows it.
After very tense and interesting meetings with an Al Qaeda leader in Paris, who Colt portrays as a vicious
and dangerous man, Summers enters an agreement with the terrorists to deliver weapons intended for a terrorist strike within the United Kingdom, for a substantial amount of money.
At this point, the story takes a turn and Colt introduces Josh Wilson. Josh is a man of leisure living in the UK on his recently acquired canal-barge. He travels around the picturesque countryside along the canals of England sometimes making cargo deliveries between depots at different towns alongside the canals. Josh, through a very good friend and business partner Alec, meets Samantha, who as well as being seriously ill has other secrets that could damage her newly found friendship with Josh.
On their waterways trip together, Josh and Sam become very close and Sam, who up until this point had been diagnosed as terminally ill, feels that her time on the water with Josh had changed her life in a much better way. She knew it was not to last, Josh was to drop her off with her sister where she intended living out her final days. But since their meeting, everything had changed; she felt healthier, happier and was falling for her new companion. The only regret she felt was a past indiscretion that haunted her and would almost definitely end her affiliation with Josh.
Summers has made sure that Josh and Sam are involved in the terrorists plot. Unknowingly, Josh has taken cargo onto his barge to deliver further along his journey. It is the same cargo that Summers had agreed to take for a substantial amount of money.
Colt has painted a contrasting picture of Summers; he is a clever man who appears to be on the right side of the law, but as the story progresses, you ask yourself what his intentions are. He appears to be a renegade driven by greed. Will he redeem himself?
A Time For Living is numerous stories in one. A lot of time is spent becoming acquainted with Hardy and his other self, Geoffrey Summers. Then you are introduced to Josh Wilson and his new companion Samantha, who met through friends living in a public house near to the canal network. In time, the stories merge making for exciting and enthralling reading, With the well researched content including the factual towns, villages and public houses mentioned during Josh and Sam`s trip along their canal route.
You are kept on the edge of anticipation waiting for the next turn of events. The passages describing how Josh and Sam become closer are really well written and delicately done. As the reader you will find yourself hoping that everything works out well for them but doubting the possibility of it. As for Summers you are not so sure. Colt has created a very clever and elusive character who you commend at the start of the book for single-handedly saving the life of a young child. But your suspicions are alerted when he takes on a contract with the terrorist group; something that he would never normally do. But financial gain, in the region of millions seemingly plays a big part in his decision to work with the organisation.
This book is an excellent and well written story, with thrilling action, cleverly thought out plots and endearing tale. A must read which; I hope leads on to the next.
And the next - A Time For Crying - will be available by Christmas 2010 I understand. fingers crossed.
12 Sept 2010
I've snitched this from Poppet's blog
Hope she doesn't mind.
I'm tring to write the fourth book in the Shasta series and these are so funny.
BLESSED ARE THE CRACKED, FOR THEY LET IN THE LIGHT!
My husband and I divorced over religious differences. He thought he was God and I didn't.
I don't suffer from insanity; I enjoy every minute of it.
Some people are alive only because it's illegal to kill them.
I used to have a handle on life, but it broke.
Don't take life too seriously; No one gets out alive.
You're just jealous because the voices only talk to me
Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.
Earth is the insane asylum for the universe.
I'm not a complete idiot -- Some parts are just missing.
Out of my mind. Back in five minutes.
NyQuil, the stuffy, sneezy, why-the-heck-is-the-room-spinning medicine.
God must love stupid people; He made so many.
The gene pool could use a little chlorine.
Consciousness: That annoying time between naps.
Ever stop to think, and forget to start again?
Being 'over the hill' is much better than being under it!
Wrinkled Was Not One of the Things I Wanted to Be When I Grew up.
Procrastinate Now!
I Have a Degree in Liberal Arts; Do You Want Fries With That?
A hangover is the wrath of grapes.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a cash advance.
Stupidity is not a handicap. Park elsewhere!
They call it PMS because Mad Cow Disease was already taken.
He who dies with the most toys is nonetheless DEAD.
A picture is worth a thousand words, but it uses up three thousand times the memory.
The trouble with life is there's no background music.
The original point and click interface was a Smith & Wesson.
I smile because I don't know what the hell is going on.
I'm tring to write the fourth book in the Shasta series and these are so funny.
BLESSED ARE THE CRACKED, FOR THEY LET IN THE LIGHT!
My husband and I divorced over religious differences. He thought he was God and I didn't.
I don't suffer from insanity; I enjoy every minute of it.
Some people are alive only because it's illegal to kill them.
I used to have a handle on life, but it broke.
Don't take life too seriously; No one gets out alive.
You're just jealous because the voices only talk to me
Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.
Earth is the insane asylum for the universe.
I'm not a complete idiot -- Some parts are just missing.
Out of my mind. Back in five minutes.
NyQuil, the stuffy, sneezy, why-the-heck-is-the-room-spinning medicine.
God must love stupid people; He made so many.
The gene pool could use a little chlorine.
Consciousness: That annoying time between naps.
Ever stop to think, and forget to start again?
Being 'over the hill' is much better than being under it!
Wrinkled Was Not One of the Things I Wanted to Be When I Grew up.
Procrastinate Now!
I Have a Degree in Liberal Arts; Do You Want Fries With That?
A hangover is the wrath of grapes.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a cash advance.
Stupidity is not a handicap. Park elsewhere!
They call it PMS because Mad Cow Disease was already taken.
He who dies with the most toys is nonetheless DEAD.
A picture is worth a thousand words, but it uses up three thousand times the memory.
The trouble with life is there's no background music.
The original point and click interface was a Smith & Wesson.
I smile because I don't know what the hell is going on.
2 Sept 2010
The Paranormal - Goosebumps or Not
I was over sneaky beaking a look at another website "Authors on Show".
I don't get the chance to get over there much, but I noticed that at the moment, Lorraine Holloway-White who is a medium and also administrator of the site is looking for any kinds of stories regarding the paranormal.
Here is a passage from Lorraine's blog............
...................Recently, I asked if anyone would like to share their paranormal experiences with me for my latest book. This is to be a book with a difference. Instead of just your stories, I shall add explanation using my mediumistic skills.
The idea came about as so many people all over the world, have sent queries to me, which they wanted me to explain. It occurred to me that this could make an interesting book.
As with books of this kind, there is to be no payment made to individuals who wish to see their experiences in print. Those selected will, however, receive a free explanation by return of e-mail about their experience, and what it may have meant, in advance of it being used.
They have been flooding in, but I need many more from all over the world. If you have an experience you would like to share, please contact me at:
paranormal@authorsonshow.com
You can read more about spiritual matters, or read some of my books at http://askamedium.wordpress.com/ ................
So there you have it folks. If you have any unexplained paranormal stories tucked away in those dark recesses, get to it and email Lorraine with the details at the address above. It may well be featured in her next book AND she may be able to help you out with an explanation.
At the moment I'm trying to collate details of books to promote on here ... Watch this space because once I start there will be some magnificent reading to be had. I only pick what in my opinion is the best of the crop and it isn't easy when they is so many good books to choose from.
I don't get the chance to get over there much, but I noticed that at the moment, Lorraine Holloway-White who is a medium and also administrator of the site is looking for any kinds of stories regarding the paranormal.
Here is a passage from Lorraine's blog............
...................Recently, I asked if anyone would like to share their paranormal experiences with me for my latest book. This is to be a book with a difference. Instead of just your stories, I shall add explanation using my mediumistic skills.
The idea came about as so many people all over the world, have sent queries to me, which they wanted me to explain. It occurred to me that this could make an interesting book.
As with books of this kind, there is to be no payment made to individuals who wish to see their experiences in print. Those selected will, however, receive a free explanation by return of e-mail about their experience, and what it may have meant, in advance of it being used.
They have been flooding in, but I need many more from all over the world. If you have an experience you would like to share, please contact me at:
paranormal@authorsonshow.com
You can read more about spiritual matters, or read some of my books at http://askamedium.wordpress.com/ ................
So there you have it folks. If you have any unexplained paranormal stories tucked away in those dark recesses, get to it and email Lorraine with the details at the address above. It may well be featured in her next book AND she may be able to help you out with an explanation.
At the moment I'm trying to collate details of books to promote on here ... Watch this space because once I start there will be some magnificent reading to be had. I only pick what in my opinion is the best of the crop and it isn't easy when they is so many good books to choose from.
22 Aug 2010
Just for a change I thought I would write about me and what I've been up to. Well apart from the new haircut, botox, boob job, liposuction and general body shrink with the gastric band, nuffin much. Or I could be lying about all of the above of course.Who in a sane mind would go through all of the above just to preserve the "I'm in denial of my age look".
Get over it - we are what we are and if others don't like it - tough.
My haircut came about because I had a hissy fit whilst drying my long flowing tresses.
I'm thinking about adding a bit of pink/purple/green/copper just for fun though.
21 Aug 2010
Gerry McCullough author of Belfast Girls
Gerry McCullough and I have been following each other for a while now around the writing circuits.
Gerry hails from Ireland my most favourite place in the world after my beloved Cornwall.
It's so great to hear that her book Belfast Girls is to be published in October by my publisher http://nightpublishing.com/.
In the interim Don Booker of The Writing Life and Other Absurdities caught up with her and grabbed the opportunity to talk to her about her book.
Below is the interview.....
Friday, August 20, 2010 Author In The Zone ~ Gerry McCullough.
Gerry McCullough, born and brought up in North Belfast, has been writing since childhood. Belfast Girls, which will be brought out by Night Publishing in September or October, will be her first full length novel to be actually published. Gerry has had over forty short stories published to date, both in magazines and in anthologies, as well as two broadcast on Radio Ulster, including several prize winners. Gerry is married to singer/songwriter and Media Producer Raymond McCullough, and has four children, so when she’s not writing she loves spending time with her family and friends.
Hi Gerry. Is Belfast Girl your first book?
Belfast Girls is not the first book I’ve written, but it’s the first to be accepted by a publisher, and I’m really thrilled about it.
How long did you spend writing it?
How long is a piece of string? The book was written over a period of about six months, but then it was edited, revised, and, after a break, completely rewritten. I’ve continued to edit it until quite recently. So the answer is six months, or several years, depending on how you look at it.
Can you tell us a little about the book?
Belfast Girls is the story of the lives and loves of three girls from different religious backgrounds, who become friends as children, and remain so. They experience the last years of the troubles as children, and then, as adults, the new, emerging Belfast of money, drugs, and gang warfare. The plot contains a kidnapping, a drug overdose, a prison sentence, a shooting, the life of one of the girls as a fashion model, and much more. It’s not just a romance, by any means.
Tell us about your route to publication?
About nine months ago I put my book up on the Harper Collins site, Authonomy.com. I wasn’t offered a publishing deal by Harper Collins, but several other publishers saw the book on site, liked it, and offered to publish it. I thought Night Publishing was the best of these, and am very happy to have signed a contract with them.
Have you an agent or tried to secure the services of one?
I have had an agent for several years, Bill Jeffrey of the Wordsmith’s Forge. It was on Bill’s advice that I put Belfast Girls on Authonomy.com, so I owe my present success to him, and I’m very grateful for that. Bill is an enthusiastic and supportive agent, and has encouraged me consistently.
Who else, if anyone, has helped you along the way?
I owe a lot to my husband, Raymond. Raymond set up and maintains my website, put me on Facebook and set up a group page for me there, reads and edits almost everything I write, and has been a constant support and help; all this, while living his own very busy life, producing, among other things, Celtic Roots Radio. I don’t know where I’d be without him!
How will you market your book?
My book will be marketed by my publishers, although I’ll do everything I can to help. Night Publishing is one of the new ‘indie’ - independent - publishing houses, and they sell online, and market online. As I’m sure you know, more books have been sold through the Internet than over the counter in conventional bookshops, during the last decade, so this is certainly the way of the future. Just as iTunes gave an enormous boost to ‘indie’ musicians, so online sales are creating a great move forward for 'indie' publishers, allowing them to operate outside the major publishing houses. Night Publishing will be producing an actual paperback book, not just an ebook, but it will be sold on Amazon.com, etc.
Do you write everyday?
I aim to write every day, when it’s feasible. When my daughter got married last week, I certainly didn’t write on that particular day! My strategy is to reread and edit the work done on the previous day. This is an easy way in and works against ‘writer’s block.’ Then I move on from where I left off, feeling close to the book again by now, and write about another thousand words.
What's the last book you read?
I’m currently rereading Agatha Christie, one of my favourite authors. I read a lot of detective stories, although not the blood and guts type usually. I also love Barbara Pym, P.G. Wodehouse, Jane Austin, C.S. Lewis, Tolkien - the list is endless, but perhaps that gives you some idea.
When is the book released?
The book will be released and available for purchase by sometime in October. I don’t have an actual date yet. I’d be happy to let you know at the time! As I said above, it’ll be on Amazon.com, and probably on other outlets.
Where do you see your writing career in ten years?
I hope in ten years to have published lots more books, but who knows? And to be known worldwide would be nice. Selling through the Internet means that I can reach people in America as easily as here. I know from the comments left on my book by American readers on Authonomy.com that Belfast Girls, and indeed anything about Ireland, is likely to be popular in America.
What advice have you for new writers?
My advice to new writers is, ‘Keep writing! And don’t let people put you down. Every writer gets hundreds of rejections to one acceptance. It’s important not to give up. You’ll get there in the end.
Thanks Gerry. That was very insightful, especially the little twist of fate that got you found on Authonomy. It must have been a great feeling. Hopefully you'll speak with us again in the future and let us know how Belfast Girls is going.
Thanks, and all the best.
Posted by Don Booker
Gerry hails from Ireland my most favourite place in the world after my beloved Cornwall.
It's so great to hear that her book Belfast Girls is to be published in October by my publisher http://nightpublishing.com/.
In the interim Don Booker of The Writing Life and Other Absurdities caught up with her and grabbed the opportunity to talk to her about her book.
Below is the interview.....
Friday, August 20, 2010 Author In The Zone ~ Gerry McCullough.
Gerry McCullough, born and brought up in North Belfast, has been writing since childhood. Belfast Girls, which will be brought out by Night Publishing in September or October, will be her first full length novel to be actually published. Gerry has had over forty short stories published to date, both in magazines and in anthologies, as well as two broadcast on Radio Ulster, including several prize winners. Gerry is married to singer/songwriter and Media Producer Raymond McCullough, and has four children, so when she’s not writing she loves spending time with her family and friends.
Hi Gerry. Is Belfast Girl your first book?
Belfast Girls is not the first book I’ve written, but it’s the first to be accepted by a publisher, and I’m really thrilled about it.
How long did you spend writing it?
How long is a piece of string? The book was written over a period of about six months, but then it was edited, revised, and, after a break, completely rewritten. I’ve continued to edit it until quite recently. So the answer is six months, or several years, depending on how you look at it.
Can you tell us a little about the book?
Belfast Girls is the story of the lives and loves of three girls from different religious backgrounds, who become friends as children, and remain so. They experience the last years of the troubles as children, and then, as adults, the new, emerging Belfast of money, drugs, and gang warfare. The plot contains a kidnapping, a drug overdose, a prison sentence, a shooting, the life of one of the girls as a fashion model, and much more. It’s not just a romance, by any means.
Tell us about your route to publication?
About nine months ago I put my book up on the Harper Collins site, Authonomy.com. I wasn’t offered a publishing deal by Harper Collins, but several other publishers saw the book on site, liked it, and offered to publish it. I thought Night Publishing was the best of these, and am very happy to have signed a contract with them.
Have you an agent or tried to secure the services of one?
I have had an agent for several years, Bill Jeffrey of the Wordsmith’s Forge. It was on Bill’s advice that I put Belfast Girls on Authonomy.com, so I owe my present success to him, and I’m very grateful for that. Bill is an enthusiastic and supportive agent, and has encouraged me consistently.
Who else, if anyone, has helped you along the way?
I owe a lot to my husband, Raymond. Raymond set up and maintains my website, put me on Facebook and set up a group page for me there, reads and edits almost everything I write, and has been a constant support and help; all this, while living his own very busy life, producing, among other things, Celtic Roots Radio. I don’t know where I’d be without him!
How will you market your book?
My book will be marketed by my publishers, although I’ll do everything I can to help. Night Publishing is one of the new ‘indie’ - independent - publishing houses, and they sell online, and market online. As I’m sure you know, more books have been sold through the Internet than over the counter in conventional bookshops, during the last decade, so this is certainly the way of the future. Just as iTunes gave an enormous boost to ‘indie’ musicians, so online sales are creating a great move forward for 'indie' publishers, allowing them to operate outside the major publishing houses. Night Publishing will be producing an actual paperback book, not just an ebook, but it will be sold on Amazon.com, etc.
Do you write everyday?
I aim to write every day, when it’s feasible. When my daughter got married last week, I certainly didn’t write on that particular day! My strategy is to reread and edit the work done on the previous day. This is an easy way in and works against ‘writer’s block.’ Then I move on from where I left off, feeling close to the book again by now, and write about another thousand words.
What's the last book you read?
I’m currently rereading Agatha Christie, one of my favourite authors. I read a lot of detective stories, although not the blood and guts type usually. I also love Barbara Pym, P.G. Wodehouse, Jane Austin, C.S. Lewis, Tolkien - the list is endless, but perhaps that gives you some idea.
When is the book released?
The book will be released and available for purchase by sometime in October. I don’t have an actual date yet. I’d be happy to let you know at the time! As I said above, it’ll be on Amazon.com, and probably on other outlets.
Where do you see your writing career in ten years?
I hope in ten years to have published lots more books, but who knows? And to be known worldwide would be nice. Selling through the Internet means that I can reach people in America as easily as here. I know from the comments left on my book by American readers on Authonomy.com that Belfast Girls, and indeed anything about Ireland, is likely to be popular in America.
What advice have you for new writers?
My advice to new writers is, ‘Keep writing! And don’t let people put you down. Every writer gets hundreds of rejections to one acceptance. It’s important not to give up. You’ll get there in the end.
Thanks Gerry. That was very insightful, especially the little twist of fate that got you found on Authonomy. It must have been a great feeling. Hopefully you'll speak with us again in the future and let us know how Belfast Girls is going.
Thanks, and all the best.
Posted by Don Booker
17 Aug 2010
So on a different note i've been on the radio.
My local radio station KMFM on Sundays do a 'tell us about yourself ' programme. This is a brand new 'slot' and by coincidence I happened to be the very first to ring in. (I also got to know the DJ quite well).
They were very interested in the Eye of Erasmus and have been reading passages out on air from a copy of the book I left in the studio. They are also promoting my publishers at every opportunity.
I have also now been featured on the infamous Adam Dowling KMFM blog.
This link is Emma the producer reading an excerpt. (The death of Agastines' sister Drendell the witch.) Unfortunately Adam the DJ - a notorious giggler - played Fleetwood Macs' Albatross as a background to it. He completely lost it and cracked up when Emma hesitated before continuing with the fatal words, but she bravely carried on.
I have listened to it twice now and I must admit I also cracked up.
When you click on the link it will take you to Adams' blog. Scroll down to the 'previous/next' button and click on previous. This will take you to 1st August blog. Where you see "Emma on the box" click the left button and it will play for you.
http://www.kmfm.co.uk/goto.php?sess=+A5B5346555957+F1D421317445C511D1D58+E+C57+9+95C55415F4B571B1254511D1758&id=229&blogcount=26&blogno=10#blogs
I gave them a signed copy each. No money for me but publicity all over Kent makes up for it. AND of course NP.
Strike two .... Kathleen McKenna gave me a wonderful review on Amazon stating she read the book in one sitting and compared me to Jean Auel the American author !!
I have also seen another pr-e-tt-y fair review which is coming up soon, along with an interview, from a new online reviewing site. As I understand it they also have a PR company that has joined forces with them. Once they are off the ground and they post it I will put the links in place.
OK so you twisted my arm. This is the sneak preview of the review then.
The review is by http://www.all-review.co.uk/ on my book The Eye of Erasmus
I will post the interview they did with me later.
.............. Eye of Erasmus by Teresa Geering. Genre - Fantasy.
The author cleverly tells the story of Erasmus and follows his enchanted life. His birth had been foretold and his fate had been predetermined. Erasmus would develop through this tale into a handsome, clever, powerful, man, who could choose any woman he desired. In turn he was arrogant and saw others as beneath him. From a young age Erasmus had been gifted. He studied the stars forming his own charts, becoming an expert in his field and from early on his mother Agastine knew that he was a special child. He was her long awaited son after six daughters and she knew that he was destined to meet a woman of similar abilities.
His destiny was set and although he possessed magical powers, there were things he could not control. When Shasta came to him in a vision, he realises his future and using his powers, leaves his own time to be with her. In his new time Erasmus ` life completely changes. He finds love, something he has never felt before. His fate was being realised and life could not be better for him.
Shasta was the woman that Erasmus was predestined to meet. A kind hearted young, beautiful woman, who prior to meeting Erasmus, had taken in Hesperus, a young orphan boy who was crippled in an accident which had led to the demise of his parents. The child seems troubled but had made an instant rapport with Merlin, Shasta`s recently adopted kitten.
Now Erasmus has found love, he becomes loyal to Shasta and even treats Hesperus as his own son. But the relationship with him, does not seem so harmonious and Hesperus never seems to take to the new man in Shasta`s life.
The story, set in a time long ago; unfolds with imaginative turns. It quickly moves onto the next topic and does not dwell on the current subject keeping the reader enthralled.
The Eye of Erasmus is the first of a quartet and after reading this instalment, the reader will immediately want to follow on with the second.
In summary, Teresa Geering has written an enthralling story with incentive to continue reading the series. The Eye of Erasmus will appeal to all ages alike. It is a book that you will read on more than one occasion and I would recommend this book to all readers.
~~~~~~~*********************~~~~~~~~
My local radio station KMFM on Sundays do a 'tell us about yourself ' programme. This is a brand new 'slot' and by coincidence I happened to be the very first to ring in. (I also got to know the DJ quite well).
They were very interested in the Eye of Erasmus and have been reading passages out on air from a copy of the book I left in the studio. They are also promoting my publishers at every opportunity.
I have also now been featured on the infamous Adam Dowling KMFM blog.
This link is Emma the producer reading an excerpt. (The death of Agastines' sister Drendell the witch.) Unfortunately Adam the DJ - a notorious giggler - played Fleetwood Macs' Albatross as a background to it. He completely lost it and cracked up when Emma hesitated before continuing with the fatal words, but she bravely carried on.
I have listened to it twice now and I must admit I also cracked up.
When you click on the link it will take you to Adams' blog. Scroll down to the 'previous/next' button and click on previous. This will take you to 1st August blog. Where you see "Emma on the box" click the left button and it will play for you.
http://www.kmfm.co.uk/goto.php?sess=+A5B5346555957+F1D421317445C511D1D58+E+C57+9+95C55415F4B571B1254511D1758&id=229&blogcount=26&blogno=10#blogs
I gave them a signed copy each. No money for me but publicity all over Kent makes up for it. AND of course NP.
Strike two .... Kathleen McKenna gave me a wonderful review on Amazon stating she read the book in one sitting and compared me to Jean Auel the American author !!
I have also seen another pr-e-tt-y fair review which is coming up soon, along with an interview, from a new online reviewing site. As I understand it they also have a PR company that has joined forces with them. Once they are off the ground and they post it I will put the links in place.
OK so you twisted my arm. This is the sneak preview of the review then.
The review is by http://www.all-review.co.uk/ on my book The Eye of Erasmus
I will post the interview they did with me later.
.............. Eye of Erasmus by Teresa Geering. Genre - Fantasy.
The author cleverly tells the story of Erasmus and follows his enchanted life. His birth had been foretold and his fate had been predetermined. Erasmus would develop through this tale into a handsome, clever, powerful, man, who could choose any woman he desired. In turn he was arrogant and saw others as beneath him. From a young age Erasmus had been gifted. He studied the stars forming his own charts, becoming an expert in his field and from early on his mother Agastine knew that he was a special child. He was her long awaited son after six daughters and she knew that he was destined to meet a woman of similar abilities.
His destiny was set and although he possessed magical powers, there were things he could not control. When Shasta came to him in a vision, he realises his future and using his powers, leaves his own time to be with her. In his new time Erasmus ` life completely changes. He finds love, something he has never felt before. His fate was being realised and life could not be better for him.
Shasta was the woman that Erasmus was predestined to meet. A kind hearted young, beautiful woman, who prior to meeting Erasmus, had taken in Hesperus, a young orphan boy who was crippled in an accident which had led to the demise of his parents. The child seems troubled but had made an instant rapport with Merlin, Shasta`s recently adopted kitten.
Now Erasmus has found love, he becomes loyal to Shasta and even treats Hesperus as his own son. But the relationship with him, does not seem so harmonious and Hesperus never seems to take to the new man in Shasta`s life.
The story, set in a time long ago; unfolds with imaginative turns. It quickly moves onto the next topic and does not dwell on the current subject keeping the reader enthralled.
The Eye of Erasmus is the first of a quartet and after reading this instalment, the reader will immediately want to follow on with the second.
In summary, Teresa Geering has written an enthralling story with incentive to continue reading the series. The Eye of Erasmus will appeal to all ages alike. It is a book that you will read on more than one occasion and I would recommend this book to all readers.
~~~~~~~*********************~~~~~~~~
Recently I attended the Goddess Festival in Canterbury. Very close 
by is the well known Canterbury Cathedral. It started off with a parade of dressed up look alike Gods and Goddess's. You name it and they were there. A friend and I ran a stall just for the day of fun, with bits and pieces that we make in our spare time. (When i'm not writing of course). I also took along a couple of my books - The Eye of Erasmus - and made a killing. I have been astounded by the fantastic feedback i'm receiving and several of the reviews are on Amazon with promises of others to come. So many likeminded people attended the parade and the stalls. It was great to see the spiritual side of people and bon hommie that we can generate if we just give ourselves the chance.
by is the well known Canterbury Cathedral. It started off with a parade of dressed up look alike Gods and Goddess's. You name it and they were there. A friend and I ran a stall just for the day of fun, with bits and pieces that we make in our spare time. (When i'm not writing of course). I also took along a couple of my books - The Eye of Erasmus - and made a killing. I have been astounded by the fantastic feedback i'm receiving and several of the reviews are on Amazon with promises of others to come. So many likeminded people attended the parade and the stalls. It was great to see the spiritual side of people and bon hommie that we can generate if we just give ourselves the chance.
These are just a couple of pics of the products we had on our stall.
The candles are all scented with oils of different kinds and the armoa was perfect.
7 Aug 2010
White Rabbits ...... Just Look At The Time !!!!!
So then I've been a bit remiss of late. I've had nearly three weeks off and it has just flown by.
So a couple of bits for you to look at and think about.
Staurt Aken has interviewed Kathleen McKenna about her book 'The Wedding Gift' I haven't got round to reading it yet but I understand it's well worth a lookee. So what are you waiting for? If you nip along to http://stuartaken.blogspot.com/ you can read all about it.
Catherine Chisnalls' novel Descending is also getting rave reviews. You can take a look at her blog http://www.catherinechisnall.co.uk/ which is well worth a visit or you can see her review at http://crazy-bookworm.blogspot.com/.
At the same blogspot you can also read a review of my book The Eye of Erasmus (Pretty damn good it is to if I do say so.) I also did a guest blog there for Mandy, under my name of course.
So Richard Grayling of Struggling Authors is now able to offer a service to anyone without a blog, who would like one. He has built many over a period of time for our writing community. The only thing he charges for is his time. At the moment, until the end of August he is charging a mere paultry £20 (roughly about $39 I think but don't quote me).
Mine is a typical example of his work along with my website http://www.teresageering.co.uk/
However a completely different style can be viewed at Reg Jones Blog go to http://divisionofthedamned.blogspot.com/ and see what you think.
..............Up and Coming ...............
I will be telling you about a brand spanking new state of the art website for writers shortly. Watch this space.
So a couple of bits for you to look at and think about.
Staurt Aken has interviewed Kathleen McKenna about her book 'The Wedding Gift' I haven't got round to reading it yet but I understand it's well worth a lookee. So what are you waiting for? If you nip along to http://stuartaken.blogspot.com/ you can read all about it.
Catherine Chisnalls' novel Descending is also getting rave reviews. You can take a look at her blog http://www.catherinechisnall.co.uk/ which is well worth a visit or you can see her review at http://crazy-bookworm.blogspot.com/.
At the same blogspot you can also read a review of my book The Eye of Erasmus (Pretty damn good it is to if I do say so.) I also did a guest blog there for Mandy, under my name of course.
So Richard Grayling of Struggling Authors is now able to offer a service to anyone without a blog, who would like one. He has built many over a period of time for our writing community. The only thing he charges for is his time. At the moment, until the end of August he is charging a mere paultry £20 (roughly about $39 I think but don't quote me).
Mine is a typical example of his work along with my website http://www.teresageering.co.uk/
However a completely different style can be viewed at Reg Jones Blog go to http://divisionofthedamned.blogspot.com/ and see what you think.
..............Up and Coming ...............
I will be telling you about a brand spanking new state of the art website for writers shortly. Watch this space.
31 Jul 2010
INSOMNIA? TAKE A LOOK
Whether you suffer from insomnia, or not! take a look at Night Publishings' new blog. I rave about many blogs, but this one is the business. Go to http://www.nightpublishing.blogspot.com/
Night publishings' Gen Sawchyn is in charge and there is imput from a larger than life well known publisher. Authors published or otherwise also get to voice their opinions..
Night Publishing are Struggling Authors partners of course. Their web site is:. http://www.strugglingauthors.co.uk/
Many times we have found prospective 'star' authors and directed them to Night Publishing, and most of them have had their books taken on for publication.
Just remember .... the next one published could be you !!!
There is also a competition running on Struggling Authors at the moment to win a signed copy of my book the Eye of Erasmus. He's a time travelling lover with attitude, but the love of his life lives in a different time span..... Will they meet up?
If you wish to purchase a copy at a bargain price go to the tab at the top of my blog showing 'buy the book'
and fill your boots.
Night publishings' Gen Sawchyn is in charge and there is imput from a larger than life well known publisher. Authors published or otherwise also get to voice their opinions..
Night Publishing are Struggling Authors partners of course. Their web site is:. http://www.strugglingauthors.co.uk/
Many times we have found prospective 'star' authors and directed them to Night Publishing, and most of them have had their books taken on for publication.
Just remember .... the next one published could be you !!!
There is also a competition running on Struggling Authors at the moment to win a signed copy of my book the Eye of Erasmus. He's a time travelling lover with attitude, but the love of his life lives in a different time span..... Will they meet up?
If you wish to purchase a copy at a bargain price go to the tab at the top of my blog showing 'buy the book'
and fill your boots.
29 Jul 2010
27 Jul 2010
WAHOO !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reg's story 'THE HOT GATES' now in print and has a link to it.
Go to http://filthycreations.yolasite.com/fc6.php
If you like anything to do with scary creatures of the night Go and fill your boots! I did and it's scary.
Another blog to follow shortly ... this time about my visit to the Goddess Festival in the Cathedral City of Canterbury. Fascinating place steeped in history.
Reg's story 'THE HOT GATES' now in print and has a link to it.
Go to http://filthycreations.yolasite.com/fc6.php
If you like anything to do with scary creatures of the night Go and fill your boots! I did and it's scary.
Another blog to follow shortly ... this time about my visit to the Goddess Festival in the Cathedral City of Canterbury. Fascinating place steeped in history.
22 Jul 2010
AN EXCEPTIONAL REVIEW FROM AMERICA
Recently I received a no punches pulled, straight from the heart, review from America. I'm still getting my head round it.
So first the email accompanying it,addressed to both myself and my publisher, and then the review.
Tim and Teresa,
I posted my review of Eye of Erasmus both on my blog and on Amazon. Here is the link:
http://tiffanysbookshelf.blogspot.com/2010/07/eye-of-erasmus-by-teresa-geering.html
Once again, I am blown away by the fantastic quality of writing in which that Night Publishing is involved. You and your authors truly set yourselves apart with high quality books that are obviously written with passion.
Teresa, I cannot wait to read more!
As always, feel free to use the credited review in link, excerpt, or full form any and everywhere you like. Every web page, blog, social networking outlet, and publicity outlet you choose. I, in turn, will continue singing the praises of the book and Night Publishing to any and everyone who will listen.
Please believe me when I tell you my reviews are all honest and genuine. As a matter of integrity and professionalism, I am as polite as possible when I do not enjoy a book, but I never sugar coat them. So trust me, the reviews in which I rave about a book are heartfelt.
Thank you again for the honor of reviewing for you.
Best regards,
Tiffany
THE REVIEW
Tiffany's Bookshelf
Tiffany Harkleroad
Kittanning, Pennsylvania, United States
Erasmus is a powerful man. Born during a storm, as he grows up he realizes he has extraordinary powers. He determines he can travel through time, and goes into the future to meet the love of his life, Shasta. Erasmus and Shasta were born on the same date, at the same time, many years apart. They fall deeply in love, and marry. But all the while, Hesper, the begger boy Shasta takes into her home, shows disdain for Erasmus. Who is Hesper, really, and who is he to challenge Erasmus the Omnipotent?
Reading this book was an unusual experience for me. The book is written unlike most modern fiction, where the goal is to create a personal bond between reader and character. Instead, The Eye of Erasmus reads like an ancient myth, slightly removed from the reader because it is sacred, scriptural almost. I loved that aspect of the book, it gave me a feeling of enlightenment and awe.
The book uses language that allows the reader to determine the place and time setting, which I think is fantastic. This allows every reader to paint their own version of Erasmus and Shasta, which in turn does allow the reader to have a personal investment in the story. This story has a quiet, solemn power about it, and I felt myself pushing through drowsiness to read on late into the evening. There was no way I was going to sleep without knowing what was to happen.
The book is written in such a way that I think it will appeal to a large variety of readers. There are some fantasy and supernatural elements to the story, so those fans will enjoy. There is romance, so those readers will love it as well. As because of the mythos involved in the story, I believe it will greatly appeal to classical literature fans, historical fans, mythology fans, and readers who enjoy classic storytelling elements in writing.
To me, this feels like the kind of story that can be passed on for many generations.
The fact that there are 2 future installments planned for Erasmus' story leaves me breathless with anticipation.
A review copy of this book was provided courtesy of the author and publisher.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And no I still can't get my head around all the fantastic reviews. I guess I probably never will.
So first the email accompanying it,addressed to both myself and my publisher, and then the review.
Tim and Teresa,
I posted my review of Eye of Erasmus both on my blog and on Amazon. Here is the link:
http://tiffanysbookshelf.blogspot.com/2010/07/eye-of-erasmus-by-teresa-geering.html
Once again, I am blown away by the fantastic quality of writing in which that Night Publishing is involved. You and your authors truly set yourselves apart with high quality books that are obviously written with passion.
Teresa, I cannot wait to read more!
As always, feel free to use the credited review in link, excerpt, or full form any and everywhere you like. Every web page, blog, social networking outlet, and publicity outlet you choose. I, in turn, will continue singing the praises of the book and Night Publishing to any and everyone who will listen.
Please believe me when I tell you my reviews are all honest and genuine. As a matter of integrity and professionalism, I am as polite as possible when I do not enjoy a book, but I never sugar coat them. So trust me, the reviews in which I rave about a book are heartfelt.
Thank you again for the honor of reviewing for you.
Best regards,
Tiffany
THE REVIEW
Tiffany's Bookshelf
Tiffany Harkleroad
Kittanning, Pennsylvania, United States
Erasmus is a powerful man. Born during a storm, as he grows up he realizes he has extraordinary powers. He determines he can travel through time, and goes into the future to meet the love of his life, Shasta. Erasmus and Shasta were born on the same date, at the same time, many years apart. They fall deeply in love, and marry. But all the while, Hesper, the begger boy Shasta takes into her home, shows disdain for Erasmus. Who is Hesper, really, and who is he to challenge Erasmus the Omnipotent?
Reading this book was an unusual experience for me. The book is written unlike most modern fiction, where the goal is to create a personal bond between reader and character. Instead, The Eye of Erasmus reads like an ancient myth, slightly removed from the reader because it is sacred, scriptural almost. I loved that aspect of the book, it gave me a feeling of enlightenment and awe.
The book uses language that allows the reader to determine the place and time setting, which I think is fantastic. This allows every reader to paint their own version of Erasmus and Shasta, which in turn does allow the reader to have a personal investment in the story. This story has a quiet, solemn power about it, and I felt myself pushing through drowsiness to read on late into the evening. There was no way I was going to sleep without knowing what was to happen.
The book is written in such a way that I think it will appeal to a large variety of readers. There are some fantasy and supernatural elements to the story, so those fans will enjoy. There is romance, so those readers will love it as well. As because of the mythos involved in the story, I believe it will greatly appeal to classical literature fans, historical fans, mythology fans, and readers who enjoy classic storytelling elements in writing.
To me, this feels like the kind of story that can be passed on for many generations.
The fact that there are 2 future installments planned for Erasmus' story leaves me breathless with anticipation.
A review copy of this book was provided courtesy of the author and publisher.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And no I still can't get my head around all the fantastic reviews. I guess I probably never will.
19 Jul 2010
Hooting Loud and Proud
Since being published by http://nightpublishing.com/ I am aware of many magnificent books going through their hands. NP are not concerned about which niche they fit into - only that good books should and must be published.
So can I bring your attention to the following? All published by NP of late.
Carolyn Allen ~ Knifing the Famous
K.J.Rigby ~ Little Guide to the Unhip (Funnee and a good read!!)
Catherine Chisnall - Descending
This is only a couple of many
Genevieve Sawchyn recently received a fantastic review of her book from - youwriteon
Also when you get the chance take a peek at her blog/web page Writing Wildly.
Others you should look at are Louise Wise of Wise Words.
New Blog first chapters up and coming on NP:
The Bringer
Cry From a Deep Place
Bump Up the Gamma
ASDA
Recently I came across an American guy Jon Renaud. His web site is http://www.jonrenaud.com/ and his novel is called Dereliction of Duty.
Jon Renaud is a retired Army Chief Warrant Officer and former CID Special Agent who earned two Bronze Stars for tours in Iraq in 2003 and 2005. During his tenure as a CID Agent, Jon led Counter Narcotics Teams, worked on high profile Homicide Cases, served as the Special Agent in Charge of a Detainee Abuse Task Force and had assignments on the protection details of the Secretary of Defense, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and the Commander of Forces in Iraq. After serving 20 years in the U.S. Army, Jon now lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado
Go check it out - fascinating stuff. I bet my blogging mate Reg takes a look. He is also ex services.
I got Jons' name wrong - it should read Jon Renaud . There is no 'L'
Apologies all round Jon.
So can I bring your attention to the following? All published by NP of late.
Carolyn Allen ~ Knifing the Famous
K.J.Rigby ~ Little Guide to the Unhip (Funnee and a good read!!)
Catherine Chisnall - Descending
This is only a couple of many
Genevieve Sawchyn recently received a fantastic review of her book from - youwriteon
Also when you get the chance take a peek at her blog/web page Writing Wildly.
Others you should look at are Louise Wise of Wise Words.
New Blog first chapters up and coming on NP:
The Bringer
Cry From a Deep Place
Bump Up the Gamma
ASDA
Recently I came across an American guy Jon Renaud. His web site is http://www.jonrenaud.com/ and his novel is called Dereliction of Duty.
Jon Renaud is a retired Army Chief Warrant Officer and former CID Special Agent who earned two Bronze Stars for tours in Iraq in 2003 and 2005. During his tenure as a CID Agent, Jon led Counter Narcotics Teams, worked on high profile Homicide Cases, served as the Special Agent in Charge of a Detainee Abuse Task Force and had assignments on the protection details of the Secretary of Defense, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and the Commander of Forces in Iraq. After serving 20 years in the U.S. Army, Jon now lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado
Go check it out - fascinating stuff. I bet my blogging mate Reg takes a look. He is also ex services.
I got Jons' name wrong - it should read Jon Renaud . There is no 'L'
Apologies all round Jon.
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