03 February
12-c: From Pneuma Springs with love! - Unveiling our Valentine's selection on Publishedbestsellers.com
- spice up your love life with some romantic novels.
Forbidden
Set in the life and times of Regency
England, a stirring tale of love, dark secrets, manipulation and the
determined human spirit.
A summer evening’s chance encounter throws
together two people of opposite social class who, despite a natural mutual
attraction, should never have met.
A heart-tugging bitter-sweet love
story, in which love, devotion and determination brings good out of the most
tragic life circumstances.
Set in Ventnor, a quaint seaside town on the
Isle of Wight off the south coast of England, this is a heart-tugging
bitter-sweet story, in which love, devotion and determination brings good
out of the most tragic life circumstances. A sweeping story of true love,
devotion and pain.
A romantic action packed mystery
thriller fiction set in Glasgow inner city and the Swiss Alps
The deputy head teacher of a Glasgow inner
city school has been murdered! Kate Farnham, a colleague, discovers his body
– he had been shot dead. Suspect or target? That is the question the Chief
Inspector has to answer as he goes to the Swiss Alps in his search for
answers. Romance and mystery seamlessly intertwined!
03 February
12-b:
Book launch and the first book signing session for 'Me and My Shadow' will be held
on the 28th of February 2012.
Time: Ray Matthews will be
available
throughout the day.
Address:
Energie Gym, Parkgate Rotherham
For the book launch, an evening at Zafran restaurant in Maltby Rotherham will consist of a three
course buffet. Ray Matthews will
read passages and answer
questions.
Ticket
- £10 (Please contact
Ray Matthews
for further
details at
ultrarunner@live.com)
02 February 12:
Wartime drama ‘Whittington Manor’ to be made into TV drama. Read the
review, author's interview and watch book trailer.
Wartime drama ‘Whittington Manor’ to be made into TV drama
With the success
of Downton Abbey still causing shock-waves both sides of the pond, the path
has been set for a new generation of period dramas, and the next one to
watch out for is Whittington Manor.
Written and
adapted to screenplay by Claire Voet, Whittington Manor tells the beautiful
story of love and heartbreak during the Second World War. The heartwarming
yet dramatic story, tells of class division, corruption, deceit and
betrayal, as it follows the life of 16 year old Sarah Whittington.
The only daughter
of Lord and Lady Whittington, and residing at the famous Whittington Manor,
this story is set in one of Britain’s most historic, yet somewhat forgotten
cities, Portsmouth.
Sarah finds love
at the top of Portsmouth landmark, Portsdown Hill, with an unlikely suitor,
Joe Lambert. Divided by social class, and knowing their relationship could
never be accepted, the pair meet in secret until war breaks out and Joe is
sent to fight.
01 February 12:
Harry Riley's review of Julius Falconer Series: ‘The Spider’s Banquet’ and ‘A Death
Twice Avenged’
Review - ‘The Spider’s Banquet’
For me, one of
the main attractions of the: Who done it; is to pit my wits against
the criminal investigators and attempt to anticipate who the perpetrator is,
before they do.
Author Julius
Falconer allows Police Inspector Stan Wickfield to tell the story in his own
way, warts and all, even to the point of interacting directly with the
reader, right through the story. I find this very appealing, especially as
the inspector is not some soulless, over-promoted wonder-boy, but a
conscientious thief-taker who expresses his own self-doubts and is not
frightened or ashamed to seek advice from his sergeant.
As we proceed
through the book, I get the impression we are all in it together, almost as
if we were trying to interpret the clues to a complicated crossword puzzle.
We understand the policeman’s frustrations, as he encounters each dead end
and has to rethink his strategy.
Some crime,
novelists work on a totally different level, with convoluted sentences and
padded chapters, which bear no relation to the plot, causing me to cast down
their books in disgust. Not so with this author. His writing is crisp and
sharp and the story moves on at a fast pace. At no time does he telegraph
the ending.
We are treated to
an insight into the closed, meditative life of an abbey, and you wonder, why
do monks want to shut themselves off from the world? What drives them to do
it? I’ve visited one of the genuine monasteries the author refers to and
watched the brothers toiling in the fields, so this story possessed an
additional interest for me.
Inspector Morse might be dead and gone but Inspector Stan Wickfield lives
on. It was a pleasure to read and I look forward to getting my teeth into
the next one.
Review - ‘A Death Twice Avenged’
This is a fascinating Inspector Wickfield
murder mystery. By this time the
police detective has much more experience
under his belt. He is called upon to use his undoubted skills and thus
provide the answer to another Worcestershire riddle.
His co-partner in this tale is Sergeant
Spooner and together they set about the enormous task of bringing the
perpetrator/s to justice.
This case would be tricky enough, if it
wasn’t for the fact that, as their work progresses, it becomes abundantly
clear, a recent murder has definite links to a very cold crime, of some
twenty years earlier.
It seems shocking to me, that amongst the
glories of Worcestershire apples and pears, there could be some very odd
fruit, lurking under the stairs!
However this tale soon gets under your own
skin, so to speak, and the book becomes another un-put-down-able, labour of
love.
Personally I think ‘Wickfield’s wife: Beth,
deserves more of a mention too, because, to give credit where it’s due, she
is obviously a very astute lady, who knows a thing or two about puzzle
solving and is someone her husband seems to rely upon quite heavily,
especially when he’s stuck for answers.
If a reader is allowed to put his four-pen’orth
in, I think the author should ignore Beth at his peril-a woman scorned and
all that!
But to get back to the plot, a young girl has
the tantalising memory of hearing her father’s killer speaking, moments
before he commits the dastardly crime. Many years later, the girl is still
haunted by this voice and then, quite by chance she hears it again. Thus
sparking off a chain of dark events and dirty deeds, that leads to the
full-time involvement of our indomitable Worcestershire sleuth.
Written in a very stylish, British way,
I’m sure both Wickfield and his creator will be vying for honours and by now
have bucket-loads of dedicated fans.
The latest addition to the series, 'The Waif', is due to
be released in Spring 2012.
Falconer is a
mystery writer from Warwickshire, who is a former translator and a retired
teacher. He now divides his time between a cottage in central France and the
house in Yorkshire which he shares with his daughter and her husband. As
well as some booklets and several dozen papers in professional journals,
Falconer is the author of the following murder mysteries featuring the
diffident and cultured Inspector Wickfield.
Express FM is a
pioneering venture based in the heart of Portsmouth, broadcasting programmes
that celebrate life in Portsmouth and South-East Hampshire.
Express FM puts
experienced professional broadcasters at the service of the people of South
East Hampshire. Frequency 93.7 FM
Neal James was on
Erewash Sound with Tris Walker and Laura Smith at 7pm on Saturday 21st
January to record the first of what may become a series of his short
stories.
For those who
were unable to tune in to Erewash Sound here is a link to an audio file of
the transmitted story, ‘Marks on the Wall’, which was recorded at the
station's Ilkeston studios.
Neal James would
be returning to the Erewash Sound studios soon for an interview with Tris
Walker – If you have something you want to ask Neal James about his work
then please use
the comment box on the 'Erewash and beyond' website or email tris.walker@erewashsound.com.
About
Erewash Sound
Erewash Sound was
launched in late 2004 by a team of experienced volunteers. Broadcasting on
96.8FM, Erewash Sound serves the Erewash Valley area of Derbyshire with
music and local news features. Erewash Sound is a genuinely local radio
station, run by local people for local people.
Neal James will
attempt to cover all of his published books to date, future writing and the
factors which have inspired his writing since its inception in 2007.
About Blog Talk Radio
BlogTalkRadio
operates out of New York and allows anyone, anywhere the ability to host a
live talk radio show online, simply by using a telephone and a computer.
BlogTalkRadio’s unique platform, powered by Cinchcast, empowers citizen
broadcasters to create and share their original content, their voices and
their opinions in a worldwide public forum.
24 January 12: Watch out for
a new short film ‘Broken Promises’ based on a short story by author, Avril
Dalziel Saunders
Paul Burton
Films are currently in pre-production with a new short drama film which
is being made in association with Avril Dalziel Saunders.
Before she was
married, Jenny Curtis nursed her widowed mother for several years after she
was left paralysed and speechless from a stroke. In Broken Promises, Chloe
Richards recalls the twists and turns of fate that Jenny faced in the year
following the death of her mother; and how her attempts to rebuild her life
were thwarted when she met her then future husband, Harry Curtis.
With a screenplay
by Paul Burton - who is also set to produce and direct the film -
Broken Promises is based on a short story by author, Avril Dalziel
Saunders. The film is set to be made at Elstree Studios in north London
and on location nearby in February 2012.
The completed
film will then be broadcast later this year as part of a short film strand
on the following TV channels: Information TV (Sky 231), Information TV + 1
(Sky 189) and Showcase TV 2 (Sky 203).
DVD’s of ‘Broken
Promises’ can be ordered direct from
Paul Burton Films
Profits
from the sales of the DVD’s from ‘Broken Promises’ will be donated to
‘Breast Cancer Care’ and ‘McMillan Nurses’
15 January 12: Candid reviews of
'From Coconuts to Condors' by Valerie Astill.
Book reviews
"David
and Valerie Astill clearly have a gift for making friends... and were
privileged to attend a number of local ceremonies and events such as the
candomble in Salvador de Bahia, an important religious ceremony in honour of
the gods, which very few tourists have experienced…Valerie Astill’s
descriptions of adventures, landscapes, costumes and local customs are
detailed and picturesque. Her book also includes many photographs, sadly
only in black and white."
Joan Stephens, Leicester Mercury
"A
nice travelogue, honest and lightly written. It’s warts and all, “The entrance
and archway dating back to the 16th century had obviously been used more
recently as a public convenience. It smelt dreadful…” If you want an insight
into travel through Brazil, Peru and Bolivia, this will give you what you’re
after."
Paul Bondsfield, Explore Worldwide Ltd
"As
a fellow traveller to the Andes, I have much enjoyed 'From Coconuts to
Condors'. I don't actually mind the photos being in black and white, as I
can visualise the locations from Valerie's excellent descriptive writing. I
have also enjoyed the fact that the book is well written, in the correct
tense, and with proper punctuation! Having only been to Peru, I now want to
visit both Brazil and Bolivia! Thank you Valerie."
Gill Twissel, author of ‘Rest Upon The Wind'
"We
enjoyed this book because it conveys the reality of travel in these
countries and the everyday issues facing the traveller. Too many travel
books tend to present a 'tourist board' image of a location which is very
different from the practical experience of the average visitor. Problems,
hiccups and the unexpected help one to understand and appreciate a country
much more. This is why the lack of colour photos doesn't matter. This book
is a real journal of an exciting and challenging venture and not just a
'puff' for the South American tourism industry. Well worth reading."
"Julius
Falconer has managed to write a character, that is so real that the reader
can see him in their minds, Falconer has made his characters so realistic it
really feels like you are part of the book and involved in solving the
mysteries. All of the inspector Wickfield books are intriguing murder
mysteries with a fallible detective that doesn’t solve the crime in an
afternoon, each one bringing a different mystery to solve. Think Miss Marple
or Moorse and your on the right track, although these books are not as light
as the TV programs, they are not like modern day gore. Each book gives the
reader a job to do and clues along the way. These are excellent novels that
are not in sequence and can be read in any order. Each book set in another
area means that the reader doesn’t get bored with so many mysteries in one
place and with an realistic-ness that ensures Inspector does not cover the
same mysteries."
The latest addition to the series, 'The Waif', is due to
be released in Spring 2012.
Falconer is a
mystery writer from Warwickshire, who is a former translator and a retired
teacher. He now divides his time between a cottage in central France and the
house in Yorkshire which he shares with his daughter and her husband. As
well as some booklets and several dozen papers in professional journals,
Falconer is the author of the following murder mysteries featuring the
diffident and cultured Inspector Wickfield.
08 January 12:
Pneuma Springs is delighted to announce the release of published titles on
the Google eBookstores and multiple Lightning Source distribution channels.
"If you are not a reader, you soon will be after reading this very good book
from Yomi Akinpelu. Yomi has the knack in being able to inspire and
encourage reading of books. In fact, she brings a whole new meaning to why
we should read and what we can receive from spending time within pages of
well written books, whether fiction or non-fiction. For myself, I like to
‘get lost’ in a good fictional read and perhaps become the hero. I also have
received much knowledge from studying good texts in order to gain
qualifications. All of this has been reinforced by reading Yomi’s title.
This is a book that will bring you insight into why we read and what we can
get from this. It will also bring encouragement to dust that book off and
make time to read it. It will bring you immense pleasure as you just
allow Yomi to show you the way to enjoy reading."
02
January 12:'Me and my shadow', based on
an incredible story of a desert runner Ray Matthews. Read the
pre-release reviews.
Book
reviews
"It has been a real pleasure to read “Me and My Shadow”. It is an
inspirational book where the author has bravely shared so much of himself
and his journey. I am intrigued by extraordinary stories of determination,
and achievement, whereby adversity is overcome and goals are reached. This
book is a perfect example of this. The author takes you on a journey and
leaves you wanting more, always the mark of a great book."
Marina
Tune
Child
and Adolescent Psychotherapist
——————————
"I am so glad that I took the time to read “Me and My Shadow”. Once I began
reading I did not want to put the book down, neither did I want it to end.
The author Ray Matthews takes you on a journey throughout his life, and as a
reader, you feel that you are part of that journey.
I felt like I was the “shadow” referred to in the title. The descriptive
writing and storytelling painted such an imaginative picture that I felt I
was right there besides him, like I was Ray’s shadow. I felt the physical
and emotional pain Ray had experienced, and I felt the overwhelming joy of
knowing that he had just taken part in something truly amazing.
The book is such an inspirational read and anyone who is seeking a dream and
wanting to take on the impossible should read this book. I would like to
thank Ray for sharing his journey and letting me be part of it through his
beautiful writing."
Helen
Woodburn-Moran
——————————
"Ray writes with a passion that reflects his fervor for life. His heartfelt
desire is to be all he can be, to collect and soak in every experience, and
to grow as a human being and as an athlete. As you read you would almost
feel you are there with Ray as a young lad, as he takes steps that help him
discover his most important mentors who lead him to make the hardest
decisions that made the biggest differences in his life as an athlete,
family man, and business man. If you have the burning desire to live your
life on your terms, then Ray’s book is a must read. Ray is living the ideal
life; to be content with what he has achieved, and be ambitious for more.
Don’t wait too long to write your next book Ray."
David
Greenfield
Gym buddy and
Life Coach
——————————
"Throughout a lifetime, everyone has the opportunity to meet truly
exceptional people. I have. But only very few times have I met someone who
inspires, the way Ray does. He turns concepts around, demonstrating the
relativity of the “biological clock” and what can and cannot be achieved by
having the right mindset.
Who decides what the right age is to achieve your dreams.
How many times does society impose the things we should or should not do,
and what is seen as “reasonable”, and what is expected of us. There is
timing for everything. Ray demonstrates that destiny is in your hands, and
not in the hands of what society expects of us.
Even today, practicing for sport, or in my work, or family environment, I
still think back to the phrases, or moments I was able to share with this
incredible man, and friend.
Ray truly is, an inspirational story himself."
Patrick
De Jong
Desert
runner and Friend
——————————
"There are many words to describe how I feel after reading Me and My Shadow,
intrigued, shocked, emotional, inspired, but most of all proud. I am proud
that I know Ray, and honoured that he turns up week in week out to my
fitness classes. For the advice, his knowledge, and the time he has given me
over the past few years.
His enthusiasm to his sport is mind blowing, and whatever Ray puts his mind
to, he achieves it with flying colours. From being this cocky ginger haired,
Yorkshire lad who just wanted to “have a go at boxing”, to his recent 100km
Sahara Desert race, Ray has, and always gives 110%. He is an absolute credit
to anyone who knows him.
This book gives a great insight into the “down to earth” Ray (we thought we
knew)! Some of the stories are very funny, as well as inspirational. An
immensely gripping read, a must buy. Thanks for everything Ray."
