Afterwards by K M Kendrick

 

Girl is dead.

She knows she is dead because she remembers dying. The afterlife is not what she had expected – she has awoken into a nightmare, in which everything seems hell-bent on killing her all over again. She is the only one who remembers what life was like before death and she has no idea why.

Also, Girl has a secret. A secret which could end this strange world she has found herself in, if she manages to survive for long enough. As she begins to learn the horrifying truth about Afterwards, she is propelled into a journey which will change everything she thinks she knows about herself.

Grim in places, Karen Kendrick’s Afterwards is also fast-paced and emotionally challenging.

The only way to beat the game is to keep moving forwards, even if it means the end of the world.

 

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The Post Box Topper Chronicles

 

A boring post box. Five knitters. Can one woman convert a post box into a work of artistic genius?

Vera Twinge is a natural leader. As chairperson of the newly formed Creaping Bottom Post Box Topper Society, she’s determined to make a splash in the village’s High Road with a stunning new post box topper for each month. But she’s constantly obstructed by an unscrupulous journalist, an insulted hairdresser and a possible mass murderer. Urging her society members on to create more ingenious toppers, Vera refuses to be defeated. But with negative reports in the local newspaper, a revenge haircut and the threat of alien invasion, Vera wonders if she is up to the task.

Will Vera and her post box topper society expose the strange happenings in Creaping Bottom and keep their beloved post box an object of beauty?

 

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Reviewed by Mimie Odigwe for Readers' Favorite 

The newly formed Creaping Bottom Post Box Topper Society is determined to knit stunning post box toppers each month. Despite their January topper being labeled a disgrace and an eyesore by an anonymous email, the team continues knitting creatively themed toppers every month: hearts for February, daffodils and books for March, eggs for April, and a coronation topper for May. They begin to garner local and national sensation. With mysterious attempts to sabotage their toppers and more anonymous emails from the elusive A. Godbin, a vindictive hairstylist, and a peeved local journalist, the Society faces challenges beyond dropped stitches and thinking up creative toppers monthly. The Post Box Topper Chronicles by Dawn Knox is a lighthearted and endearing story that readers will relish. If the book cover did not give it away, The Post Box Topper Chronicles is a humorous, laugh-out-loud read filled with quirky and hilarious characters. Beryl constantly schemes to promote her coffee and cake shop, while Sally pines for the oblivious Levi. Stuart, the tight-fisted accountant, has a unique talent for lopsided knitting, and Vera, the group’s beleaguered Chairperson, keeps everything from unraveling. The book delights with its comedic elements, including alien sightings, a vengeful hairstylist, and the Creaping Bottom Post Box Topper Society's relentless planning for the next month’s post box topper, all amidst plenty of cake. Dawn Knox weaves together a tale of camaraderie, creativity, and the occasional chaos of community projects. This is a warm, humorous read that offers laughs and heartwarming moments, perfect for anyone needing a good chuckle and a cozy story.

Another wonderful and imaginative LOL book from Dawn - she is such a creative and able writer being able to put her hand to many different genres.
I was immediately drawn into the gentle yet up to date antics of the members of the Creaping Bottom Post Box Topper Society and was curious to see what each amazing monthly display would be.
I enjoyed participating in their meetings at Bonzer Buns with Beryl and her many "enterprising" cakes on offer. Also, loved her assistant Tilly and the cleaning obsessed friend Effie and her golf buggy cleaning trolley.
Dawn's imagination seems to work overtime with her ever-so-clever naming of the various members of the society and their very different characteristics - some quirky, some innocent and some completely mad ! This imagination also extends to the wider community of the village and the various enterprises they are involved in.
If you want a very amusing read - then don't hesitate to buy this book - would certainly recommend it as one of Dawn's best !!

 

The Post Box Topper Chronicles by Dawn Knox is a truly delightful read. It's packed with light-hearted humour. There were many laugh out loud moments and one or two tense bits when I really felt for Vera - the chairperson of The Post Box Topper Society.

As I read this story, which is full of visual images, I couldn't help wonder who I'd cast if it was made into a film - I know Dawn French isn't Australian, but I felt she'd make a good Beryl. I think the young forensic scientist from Silent Witness would make a good Liam and 'Mr Moseley' from Downton Abbey would be my Stuart. Maureen Lipman as Effie...I'm working on the rest.

You'll have to read it and make your own cast. This is a warm and funny farce with a cast of eccentric characters all clearly defined, each with their own idiosyncrasies.

We need stories like this to help us 'switch off' from the real world, if only for a little while.  

And I Said by Linda Morse

 And what she said is paramount. These accounts from one person’s point of view each contain at least as much story as a long novel or a feature film.

The monologues, and one experimental play, have already been performed. Here is your opportunity to revisit them if you have seen them and/or have had a go at preforming them yourself. Which will you choose? The story of the young woman who struggles with juggling home schooling and remote working during Lockdown? Or the one about the bride who never does manage to own her wedding dress? Perhaps the strange conversation that happened on a train that was held up? There are so many intriguing pieces to consider.

And I Said… is a thought-provoking collection by gifted playwright Linda Morse.

RRP £7.00

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Linda Morse 's collection of monologues like a work of poetry has some that are more memorable than others. It is a diverse collection spanning many themes and topics and is greatly influenced by the Covid 19 pandemic.
These monologues can be performed by males or females but I would say most of them suit a female actor.
A collection worth reading.

Saint Ettie's Music School by Martin Varny

 

Can musical instruments talk?

Thirteen children aged between nine and sixteen, each denied the love and care of a family, are brought together to live at Saint Etheldreda’s Foundation. Exploring the building, they stumble upon some old, damaged musical instruments in a storeroom. The children are amazed when they discover that they can hear the instruments talking.

Saint Etheldreda’s Foundation was previously Saint Etheldreda’s Music School, run by Elizabeth, a young, insecure woman who suffers from devastating mood swings. She had stood before the final curtain of despair more than once.

A chance encounter with the principal of the Foundation, Miss Stratton, results in the Elizabeth returning to Saint Etheldreda’s. Through the wonders of music, lives are changed and a loving family is born.

Saint Ettie’s Music School by Martin Varny is a charming coming of age story.

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An Interview with the Author 

The Best of CafeLit 13

 

This year contributors were asked to select stories they enjoyed the most. For each story they had published, they could select one. This produced quite a long list. There is real mixture of authors here: ones we’ve published several times and know really well, others we are just getting to know, and some who are published with us for the very first time.

Each story in this little volume is the right length and quality for enjoying as you sip the assigned drink in your favourite Creative Café. You need never feel alone again in a café. So what’s the mood today? Espresso? Earl Grey tea? Hot chocolate with marshmallows? You'll find most drinks in our drinks index.

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Contributors: 

Jim Bates, Amta Basu, Lynn  Clement, Dawn DeBraal, Tony Domaille, Jacki Donellan, Jenny Edgerley,  P. A. farrell, Maxine Flam, Lynda Flynn, Sam Hendley, Gill James, Leonie Jarrett, Dawn Knox, Bonita LeFlore, Logan Markko, Eamon O' Leary, Jenny Palmer, Mari Phillips, Paula R.C Readman, Hannah Retallick,  Penny Rogers, Judith Skilleter, Kathrin Spinnler, Jane Spirit, Alllison Symes, Philip Temples, June Webber, P. A. Westgate, Robin Wrigley,  S. Nadja Zajdman, Sally Zigmond, 

 

Some very short indeed and some much longer. Some serious and some light-hearted. My favourite was 'Tick Tick' by Jacki Donellan in which people were likened to musical time signatures - an intriguing idea.
All the stories have appeared initially on the CafeLit website. This is the latest in 'The Best of CafeLit' series, featuring regular CafeLit authors, such as Allison Symes, Jim Bates, Paula Readman and Hannah Retallick. A thoroughly good read.

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Offers on our Peace Child Series - while stocks last

 Buy signed copies from the author: all four £20.00, any three £18.00, any two £15.00, any one £10.00    

 

Kaleem Malkendy is different – and on Terrestra, different is no way to be.
Everything about Kaleem marks him out form the rest: the blond hair and dark skin, the uncomfortable cave where he lives and the fact that he doesn’t know his father. He’s used to unwelcome attention, but even so he’d feel better if some strange old man didn’t keep following him around.
That man introduces himself and begins to explain the Babel Prophecy – and everything in Kaleem’s life changes forever.

Babel is the second part of the Peace Child trilogy. Kaleem has found his father and soon finds the love of his life, Rozia Laurence, but he is still not comfortable with his role as Peace Child. He also has to face some of the less palatable truths about his home planet: it is blighted by the existence of the Z Zone, a place where poorer people live outside of society, and by switch-off, compulsory euthanasia for a healthy but aging population, including his mentor, Razjosh. The Babel Tower still haunts him, but it begins to make sense as he uncovers more of the truth about his past and how it is connected with the problems in the Z Zone. Kaleem knows he can and must make a difference, but at what personal cost?

Kaleem has given up the love of his life in order to protect her. He now lives and works on Zandra. A sudden landquake, not known on the planet for many years, destroys many of the forests his father has planted to bring life back to the planet. The new relationship Kaleem has helped to establish between the Terrestrans and the Zandrians is also under threat. A third party gets involved and Kaleem has to use all of his diplomatic skills to keep everything on track. Mistakes cost him dearly and he looks set to lose Rozia for a second time. The Babel Tower mystery, others mysteries and sadness plague him. Can he find a way through to fulfil his role as the Peace Child?

There is unease on Zandra. On far away Zenoto a young president appears to be turning his back on the innovative and hugely successful financial regime. The Peace Child again has much to do.

It becomes personal. Kaleem’s former girlfriend and her desperately ill step-daughter are attacked.

Some strange encounters partly answer some of Kaleem’s questions. But as he begins to understand what “snazzy” really means and what the brown tunics want, he is faced with yet more puzzles: who or what exactly is Meelak, what is the House of Clementine and how much control does it have, and what or who is really behind the unrest?

Will the Peace Child find his own peace? Find out in this fourth novel in the Peace Child series.

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The Prohecy Babel The Tower The House of Clementine

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