Wishful Thinking

 

 

A collection of stories in which justice is not always done but leaves room for some wishful thinking.

Relationships break down and are sometimes saved by money. Snowdrops bring precious memories. Brothers in a religious order have to find a way through some difficult decisions.

RRP £7.00

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An amazing collection of short stories, with a novella called 'Glady's Time' thrown in too. In the collection there are tales to make you stop and think. 'Doubt' is one such tale tells the story of six friars. Derek has a wonderful way with words in this story. I look forward to reading more of his work. 

 

 

ISBN: 9781907335983

All three Schellberg Cycle books - £21.00

 

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I was unsure of how I would react to this book, as the holocaust is a very real story in our family. However, the social history starting before World War 1 and continuing to the present day, was extremely interesting and Clara herself had the attitude that where there’s hope there’s life. A well-written and thought-provoking book.  

 

This was a fascinating and thought-provoking read. Holocaust books that I've read in the past have been through the eyes of adults. In this book we experience it mainly through the round robin letters of a group of school girls who slowly become aware of some of what's going on but also, increasingly conscious of the police state they're in, trying to put a positive spin on their lives. The two main characters are a "Jewish" girl who didn't even know she was Jewish who is sent to England and a German girl who risks her life to help the special needs children in a secret school. There were a lot of characters and if I read it again, I'd keep a crib sheet so I could keep track but certainly worth a read. 

 

Girl in a Smart Uniform is the most fictional of the stories in the Schellberg Cycle to date, though some characters, familiar to those who have read the first two books, appear again here. Clara Lehrs, Karl Schubert and Dr Kühn really existed. We have a few, a very few, verifiable facts about them. The rest we have had to find out by repeating some of their experiences and by using the careful writer's imagination.  

The Demon Magician

 

We've all made a wish we've regretted, but what if you've asked an archdemon like Belphegor to grant it?

When Ella agrees to help fellow student Jonathan Trent with his audition into a mysterious magic circle, she never thought she'd fall in love with him. Nor did she ever conceived the three freakish judges named Hellmouth, Brimstone and Blackheart were actual demons, sent by Belphegor to recruit Jonathan.

Seduced by the lure of riches, his own Vegas show and not having to care for his aged grandparents, Jonathan enters into Belphegor's service, and despite her own reservations Ella goes with him, in return for Belphegor making her disabled sister walk.

Then when Jonathan starts to behave like the 'The Demon Magician' offstage and Ella learns the true price of his gruesome magic tricks, she knows she has to stop him, but what can she do? Jonathan, has the power of Hell on his side and all she has is Matthew, her mum's hunk of a gardener, who has no idea the demon world exists.

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The Demon Magician is a fabulous fast paced story that had me hooked right from the first chapter. It crosses between young adult romance to darker horror and mystery in an intriguing way that captured my interest and kept me wanting more.

Amazing first novel couldn't put it down - how you did this in such a short space of time is incredible. The story swept you along with it and kept you on your toes so you could not wait to find out what happened next. Some great twists and turns along the way and a little dark in places but also loved the romance blended in with the satanic. Can't wait for the next one.

Very impressive first novel by Alex Dunn! I had trouble putting it down as despite it starting off like a typical light teen romance novel, it moves into a darker theme of the occult and sucks you into its cleverly crafted story with its rich characters and suspenseful narrative. I loved the mix of romance, action, magic, and intrigue and I could see this story being adapted for TV or film. An adaption of this book could easily become the next Hunger Games style blockbuster.  

 

ISBN: 9781907335396

 

Spooking

 

Tom crashes his car and he wakes up in an unfamiliar place. He is unable to reach Amanda. They argued just before the crash. He meets cheeky but friendly Marcus, who, though younger than Tom, has more experience in the areas that now matter. But Marcus has his own concerns and eventually has to leave Tom to deal with his problems on his own. How can Tom let Amanda know how much he loves her? Does she feel the same way? Will they ever be able to move forward?

RRP £6.00

Kindle £3.20   

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Book club guide 

ISBN: 9781907335426 

This is an enjoyable paranormal YA novel with a simple, almost timeless, plot of being in that 'in-between' place after death. Although it's called `Spooking' there's nothing scary about it: in fact it's a very gentle transition and any paranormal activity and interaction with the living is positive. It's easy to identify with Tom and to feel for him as he struggles with his tasks- one of life's (if I can say that) genuinely nice guys. Amanda's situation is not one anyone wants to experience but it's a scenario that happens too often. There's an innocence about the story that makes it almost a story of yesteryear.

 

was intrigued by the premise of this novella, although fearful it would be similar to other YA Paranormal Romance novels I've read, but not at all! It was different and well worth the read. And I like the light nature of it, yes it is paranormal but it's an easy read with great characters with touches of darkness. What was most interesting and unique about this was the way the author really draws you into this story from the outset and sets up so many questions that carry you along. I cared about Tom the hero, he was real and I wanted to know what would happen. Would he succeed in letting Amanda know he loved her? And would she love him back?

I won't spoil the ending, but I do encourage you download it. 

One of the reasons why I liked this book so much, is because the author doesn't give us unnecessary descriptions or something like that. You're able to read the story without boring passages. It's also very easy to connect with the characters and to understand their feelings/motives.
 

The Best of CafeLit 5

 

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.

RRP £6.50

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I really enjoyed this collection of flash fiction and short stories and was sorry when I finished it. I may read it again! Each story was different - some quirky, some sad, some funny. I recommend this book, especially to those who have little time to read - it's true you can read one of the stories over your morning coffee or afternoon tea.  

 Find a book club guide for this book here 

Contributors 

Mary Bevan, Janet Bunce, Alan Cadman, Neil Campbell, Sue Cross,David Deanshaw, Susan A Eames, Linda Flynn, Debz Hobbs-Wyatt, Vanessa Horn, Gill James, Vicky Jacobson, Dawn Knox, Helen Laycock, B. Lieve, Roger Noons, Mike Olley, Jenny Palmer, Eleanor Patrick, James Phillips, Paula R C Readman, Penny Rogers, Tania Sharman, Allison Symes, Laura van Weegen, Paul Westgate.

ISBN: 9781910542040

'I’m an Anglophile, I love tea, the Beatles, and London.  When asked to review The Best of Cafe Lit Volume 5, I jumped right in.  One aspect of Cafe Lit is the assignment of a drink to each story.  Drinks are also featured in several of them.  This is a collection of entertaining, sometimes quirky, mostly flash fiction-length stories.

I love flash fiction and have written over 100 myself, so I reviewed these with interest.  You will love some of the stories, be baffled by some and find a few to be too long for this collection.  The authors bring their background, life experiences and especially their travel to your attention.  Whether it’s a gloomy English countryside or shark diving in Fiji, the reader will find images worth exploring.  I intend to look up other works by some of the authors, thankfully listed after each story.  

This collection is best read in short stints with your favorite cup of tea or glass of wine.  Don’t overdue it.  Like wine, they are best savored in limited quantities.  

Jerry Guarino is an author and screenwriter.  He has contributed several stories to Cafe Lit and was a former editor for Flash Fiction Magazine.  You can read hundreds of his stories for free at cafestories.net'

The Best of CafeLit 10

 

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.

RRP £9.00 

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As always Gill James' collection of short stories selected from her on line webpage CafeLit is ideal for those readers who do not have time to sit down and read a whole book or, who lose the thread on the ones they are reading.  

 

Excellent Read Defy anyone not to find something in this anthology particularly liked Tony Domaille's piece  

 

s with all the ‘Best of’ books in the Cafe Lit series, this one is jam packed full of variety. The different authors bring an eclectic mix of styles, genres, moods, and story lengths. The only constant is the quality of the writing. Thoroughly recommended for taking on your holidays or just to pick up and read a couple of stories now and then.  

 

Contributors  

Jim Bates, Alison Bomford, Harman Burgess, Mason Bushell, Maxine Churchman, Dawn DeBraal, Tony Domaille, Greg Duncan, Margaret Drummond, Jenny Edgerley, Alyson Faye, Linda Flynn, Anne Forrest, Sheila Fox, Gene Goldfarb, David Gower, Janet Howson, Christine Howe, Gill James, Amanda Jones, Dawn Knox, Eamon O’Leary,  Henry Lewi, James McMillan, Sandra Nguyen, Colin Payn, Wendy Pike, Priti  J., Paula R C Readman, Ella Etienne-Richards, Louie Richmond, Hannah Retallick, Yashar Seyedbagheri, Allison Symes, Lisa Williams, Susan Willis, Mark Winson, Robin Wrigley.

ISBN: 9781910542767

The Business of Writing Workshop

 

So, now you're published and you're working towards calling yourself a full-time writer. This course can help you to

• Develop  an effective submissions  strategy
  
• Find out which organisations can help you
• Market your work 
• Make the most of networking events 
• Stay legal 
• Control finances    

How the course works

The course is broken down into small sections which you might complete:

• one a day
• one a week
• one a month 

Most of the activities can be adapted as routines that will continue to give. 

At the end of each section you are encouraged to share your work with me and I will give you feedback.      

There are 52 "To Do" prompts on which you are offered feedback!  

Suitability

This is ideal for new writers but also of benefit to more experienced writers. If you engage with the "To Do" prompts and send your response for feedback you are making a commitment to that work.  

 

Cost 

This is a pay what you can afford course.  Suggested amount: £20.00. But £1.00 is also fine and anything up to or over £20.00.     

 

 

Once your  donation is received you should be directed to where you can download the course. Any problems, use to contact form to get in touch.