I’m delighted to be part of the launch celebrations for Books for Living: A Reader’s Guide to Life by Will Schwalbe.  Books for Living: A Reader’s Guide to Life was published in e-book and hardback by Two Roads Books, an imprint of John Murray, on 12th January 2017 and is available for purchase here. You can find out more about the book here too.

As well as my review of Books for Living, and sharing some of my own important books, I have a UK only giveaway at the bottom of this blog post where you can enter to win a hardbacked copy of this lovely book.

Books for Living: A Reader’s Guide to Life

‘I’m on a search and have been all my life: to find books to help me make sense of the world, to help me become a better person, to help me get my head around the big questions that I have, and figure out the answers to some of the small ones while I’m at it’ Will Schwalbe

Why is it that we read? Is it to pass time? To learn something new? To escape into another reality?
For Will Schwalbe, reading is a way to entertain himself but also to make sense of the world, to become a better person, and to find the answers to the big (and small) questions about how to live his life. In this delightful celebration of reading, Schwalbe invites us along on his quest for books that speak to the specific challenges of living in our modern world, with all its noise and distractions.
In each chapter, he discusses a particular book-what brought him to it (or vice versa), the people in his life he associates with it, and how it became a part of his understanding of himself in the world. These books span centuries and genres (from classic works of adult and children’s literature to contemporary thrillers and even a cookbook), and each one relates to the questions and concerns we all share. Throughout, Schwalbe focuses on the way certain books can help us honour those we’ve loved and lost, and also figure out how to live each day more fully.
Rich with stories and recommendations, Books for Living is a treasure for everyone who loves books and loves to hear the answer to the question: “What are you reading?”

Books covered include:
David Copperfield
Rebecca
Stuart Little
The Importance of Living
Giovanni’s Room
Bird by Bird
The Girl On The Train

‘I used to say that the greatest gift you could ever give anyone is a book. But I don’t say that anymore because I no longer think it’s true. I now say that a book is the second greatest gift. I’ve come to believe that the greatest gift you can give anyone is to take the time to talk with someone about a book you’ve shared. A book is a great gift; the gift of your interest and attention is even greater’ Will Schwalbe

My Review of Books for Living: A Reader’s Guide to Life

I wasn’t at all sure what to expect from Books for Living: A Reader’s Guide to Life but it is a real gem of a book. Yes, it’s a book about books that will appeal to readers, but it is so much more besides.

I didn’t read Books for Living: A Reader’s Guide to Life chronologically. I read the introduction which immediately had me hooked as I felt Will Schwalbe understood what it is that makes us human and then I read A Final Word, dipping in and out of the other chapters over several days as they appealed to me.

The writing is lively, intelligent and measured. I had the feeling reading this that were I able to discuss books with Will Schwalbe, and discussing books is what he advocates, he’d really listen and consider what I had to say. I thoroughly enjoyed the anecdotal elements the writer includes so that I felt I learnt something about the man as well as what he has enjoyed reading. In particular, the description of grief in the David Copperfield chapter really resonated with me. There is a deeply spiritual undercurrent to the book. As a complete atheist I didn’t feel the references to God or belief were intrusive or irrelevant. What I did find was a way of living that is an example to us all.

Books for Living: A Reader’s Guide to Life is really an exploration of humanity. It is filled with wise advice and great counsel (for example, the only people you should never, ever trust are the people who say, ‘Trust me.’). After a terrible year in 2016 I’m going to tackle 2017 as the book suggests – ‘bird by bird‘.

My Books for Living

I have a degree in English and European Literature. I’m an ex-English teacher. I inspected English and was an Educational consultant specialising in English and literacy. So, I’ve always been immersed in books haven’t I?

Well, no. I come from a background where, when I was a young child, money was so tight there was certainly not enough to spare for books. I lived in a tiny Northamptonshire village where the nearest library was a bus ride away on a bus that came once a week. I was a late reader partly because my much older sister read to me and partly because I had such poor sight that it wasn’t until I got glasses just before I was 8 that I could see there were words and not smudges on a page. And that was when the magical world of books opened up to me.

The first book I can ever remember reading by myself was The Ship of Adventure by Enid Blyton. I don’t know if that’s where my love of travel came from as the Famous Five sailed off to Greece but I remember the thrill of the plot as the villains chased along. I think that book was the moment when I realised reading was going to be a very important part of my life. From then on I almost never had my nose out of a book.

As soon as I had the reading bug I spent every penny from pocket money on books and the ones I adored the most were the Michael Bond Paddington ones. I still have the original copies I bought in the 1960s and my husband will read them to me, putting on a range of voices for Paddington, Mrs Bird and Mr Curry and so on such that they still remain one of the greatest pleasures I have. Paddington books are part of the very fabric of our relationship.

The third book that really resonates with me as an important part of my life is Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the D’Urbervilles.

I think Tess has genuinely shaped my life. I first read Tess of the D’Urbervilles in the summer of 1997 when I’d finished my O’Levels and was reading ahead for my A’Level English. It was my first independent ‘classic’ read and I was entranced. My English teachers were stunning (and although one has passed away I still see the other for coffee occasionally) and through Tess and other texts they instilled a love of words, a realisation that books could be life changing and a passion for reading.

Had it not been for Tess I doubt I’d have read English at university and the rest of my life would have been very different. I don’t think I’d have had the opportunity to work all over England, in Paris, the Channel Islands and New York. I’d have not met and taught literally hundreds of youngsters and I’d never have had the adventures I have experienced.

More recently, I have a special place for a few lines from Tuesday’s With Morrie by Mitch Albom. I was lent this book by a member of the U3A reading group to which I belong and found a few words I felt summed up how I feel about life. I am going to use them at my funeral (not that I intend using them any time soon) but recently, when my father died, I had them read at his service.

I think they are wonderful words to live by:

As long as we can love each other, and remember the feeling of love we had, we can die without ever really going away. All the love you created is still there. All the memories are still there.

Giveaway

Please click here for your chance to enter to win a hardback copy of Books for Living by Will Schwalbe. (UK only I’m afraid. Giveaway closes at UK midnight on Saturday 21st January 2017).

About Will Schwalbe

Will Schwalbe has worked in publishing for many years. He is the author of the international bestseller, The End of Your Life Book Club and co-author (with David Shipley) of Send: Why People Email So Badly and How to Do It Better. He has also worked in digital media, and was the founder of Cookstr.com. As a journalist he wrote for the New York Times and the South China Morning Post. He lives in New York City.

You can follow Will on Twitter, and visit his website. You’ll also find him on Facebook

There’s more with these other bloggers:

Previously, I was delighted to welcome Alison Brodie to Linda’s Book Bag to tell me all about the nightmare of second book syndrome, in a post that was enjoyed by so many blog readers. You can read that post here. I so enjoyed Alison’s lively writing style that I had to read her latest novel Brake Failure. Brake Failure is published today 9th January 2017 and is available for purchase in e-book here.

Brake Failure

“Is it too late to tell him you love him when you’re looking down the barrel of his gun?”

Ruby Mortimer-Smyth is an English debutante, destined for Lady’s Day at Ascot and taking tea at The Savoy. She knows the etiquette for every occasion and her soufflés NEVER collapse.

She is in control of her life, tightly in control … until fate dumps her down in Kansas.

Ruby believes that life is like a car; common-sense keeps it on the road, passion sends it into a ditch. What she doesn’t know is, she’s on a collision course with Sheriff Hank Gephart.

Sheriff Hank Gephart can judge a person. Miss Mortimer-Smyth might act like the Duchess of England but just under the surface there’s something bubbling, ready to explode. She’s reckless, and she’s heading for brake failure. And he’s not thinking about her car…

My Review of Brake Failure

Ruby is in constant competition with her step-sister Claire to behave like a lady. However, after Ruby’s wedding to the tedious Edward, a sibling rivalry will be the last of her worries.

I really enjoyed Brake Failure. It’s hugely entertaining. There’s a quirkiness to the writing that provides pace, humour and wit as well as underlying tensions and sensuality.

Initially it took me a while to get into the structure as it tracks back and forth from New Year’s Eve 1999 to five months before, when the events actually began, but once I got into the rhythm of the book, as the past and present converge, I thought it was incredibly well plotted. I did think the end was a little too readily resolved but made perfect sense. I could so easily imagine Brake Failure as a successful television series.

There’s great humour that emerges through the excellent, amusing and natural dialogue and I loved the depiction of small town America with its offbeat characters. Even Rowdy the dog is totally believable and appealing and I really wouldn’t mind meeting Hank in a darkened room. I thought Alison Brodie handled the way in which Ruby’s personality developed, and the background to who she is, so skilfully. I have to admit I was very disappointed when Brake Failure ended. I want to know more about Ruby.

Underpinning the events is an entertaining sexual attraction between Ruby and Hank, but more importantly, there are some weighty themes explored too. Alison Brodie fully understands how our past influences our present and future and there are several characters really struggling with their sense of identity that I found very satisfying to read about. The title is an inspired choice as there is a metaphorical (and literal) brake failure for Ruby as she spirals into another personality, as well as for several other characters, but it’s tricky to say more without revealing the plot. Family relationships are central to why events happen as they do, but Alison Brodie is so clever in keeping secrets from the reader as well as the characters, that I felt as if I was discovering information in tune with them. This is such fun, and sensitive, writing.

If you’re looking for a book that is slightly off-beat, funny and completely absorbing with themes to make you think, then Brake Failure is for you. I thought it was great.

About Alison Brodie

Alison Brodie is a Scot, with French Huguenot ancestors on her mother’s side.  Alison was a photographic model for a wide range of products, such as Ducatti motorbikes and 7Up.  She was also the vampire in the Schweppes commercial.

Alison lived in Kansas for two years.  She loved the people, their friendliness, the history and the BBQs!  Now, she lives in Biarritz, France with her rescue mutt, Bayley.

You can see what early readers think of Brake Failure on Goodreads.

Alison loves to hear from her readers.  Find out more by visiting her website or following her on Twitter. You’ll also find her on Facebook.

All of Alison’s books are available here.

I’m very pleased to welcome Sarah Healey, author of Having Fun to Linda’s Book Bag today. Having Fun was published by New Haven on 1st December 2016 and is available for purchase in paperback here.

Having set her first novel Red, Blue, Green in Lincolnshire where I live and her latest, Having Fun, in Cornwall, a place I love, I just had to ask Sarah a bit about her writing.

Having Fun

Four friends set off to Cornwall for a winter break, a “lost weekend” drinking cocktails and having fun in a remote clifftop cottage.

It turns out, though, that having fun isn’t so easy. By the end of the weekend, two of them will have illicitly fallen in love, one will be in hospital and who knows what will become of the fourth…

The story is told from the four different perspectives of the four different characters, revealing their private thoughts, their secrets and tragedies, and their misunderstandings about each other. The book explores the assumptions we make about other people and the masks we wear ourselves.

This is a book about seizing the day; about the impossibility of really knowing other people; and about the slipperiness of life itself.

An Interview with Sarah Healey

Hi Sarah. Thank you so much for agreeing to answer some questions on my blog about your writing. Firstly, please could you tell me a little about yourself?

Hi. Well, I’ve always loved writing and lived pretty much in my own little world of imagination, but I studied Law at university and worked for about ten years as a solicitor, specialising in criminal defence law. I gave up work when my son was born and since then I’ve been home educating him, and writing. My husband is a writer too and although we’re both Northerners we moved down to West Cornwall about twelve years ago, where we enjoy the quiet life.

And tell me a little about Having Fun (without spoiling the plot please).

Having Fun is set over one winter weekend: four students go away to a clifftop cottage hoping for a wild time, drinking cocktails and partying, but each of them has their own private problems and anxieties, and although the weekend is to change all of them, it doesn’t quite go to plan.The book has many  themes – friendship, family, mental illness, grief – and I try to capture the feel of life lived, from moment to moment.

What are your writing routines and where do you do most of your writing?

I actually do a lot of writing sitting in cafes! I like being alone in a busy place, and it can be difficult to write at home without interruptions from my lovely family. I also like to write with pen and paper first, and then when I finish each chapter I type it up into the computer, which allows me to edit as I go along. I’m not someone who writes lots of drafts; I like to try to get it right first time. I don’t have time to write every day but I fit it in whenever I can. I love writing, and even when it’s difficult it never feels like a chore, more like a puzzle.

Identity seem to be the pivotal focus for your writing, both in Having Fun and Red, Blue, Green . How far would you agree with that assessment?

Oh, definitely. A major theme of Having Fun is the impossibility of really understanding other people – we all wear masks – but the book also considers how we construct our own identities in response to the world around us. One character, for example, realises that she becomes almost a different person depending on who her friends are. In Red Blue Green, the young protagonist feels almost as if he isn’t real at all; he feels like an observer, drifting passively through other people’s lives.

How did you manage the plotting of Having Fun given that there are four character perspectives?

It was great fun. The story is told from the four separate viewpoints, on occasion revisiting the same incident through different eyes, and I enjoyed the misconceptions the characters had of each other, and the different ways of relating to events: Fran, for example, is relentlessly upbeat about everything, while Natalie is cynical and Daniel is lost in his own secrets…. it was great to explore different ways of looking at life.

With which of the characters in Having Fun do you feel most aligned personally?

This may sound strange, but although the characters are all different they are all part of me; I think when you write from a character’s perspective you get inside their skin and become them in the narrative. One of the wonderful things about writing is that you are able to live so many imaginary lives.

I know you have a background as a criminal defence lawyer. Have you any plans to write something in the crime genre too?

I’m not a big fan of crime fiction, but the new novel I have just started writing is actually about a man facing a trial, so I am using a lot of my experiences as a criminal lawyer. I’m exploring how frightening it is for an ordinary person to be arrested and scooped up by the criminal justice system.

You live in Cornwall. How important was it to you to set Having Fun there?

I love my novels to have a strong sense of place. Red Blue Green was set in Lincolnshire, where I lived for six years. The wide flat landscape there is enormously inspiring, and it was the perfect background for a character who felt lost and empty. In setting Having Fun in Cornwall, I wanted to capture the visitor’s experience of being in a remote, wild place, far from home.

When you’re not writing, what do you like to read?

I love reading classic twentieth century fiction: Vladimir Nabokov, Virginia Woolf, Ford Madox Ford, Saul Bellow, Milan Kundera. My favourite writer is Elizabeth Bowen. I am trying to read more contemporary fiction: recently I’ve enjoyed books by Ben Lerner and Don Delillo. I do read a lot – I have to make full use of my local library because I could never afford to own all the books I want!

(Hurrah for local libraries!)

Thank you so much, Sarah, for your time in answering my questions.         

About Sarah Healey

Sarah Healey was born in Sussex, but grew up in Yorkshire and graduated from Sheffield University with a First in Law. She worked for many years as a criminal defence lawyer in magistrates courts and police stations, but gave it up in 2003 to home educate her son. She now lives in Cornwall with her family.

She has always written stories, but only now has she had the time to concentrate on her writing. Her first novel is Red Blue Green, a coming-of-age story about family tragedy and teenage alienation.

You’ll find Sarah Healey on Facebook.

Today I’m welcoming David Carraturo, author of Cameron’s Quest to Linda’s Book Bag to tell me a little about his writing. Cameron’s Quest was published on 22nd December 2016 and is available for purchase here.

Cameron’s Quest

Tuckahoe’s “Golden Boy” Chris Cameron had his future all mapped out. He was the big fish in the small pond as a star athlete and academic standout. Off to the University of Texas to play football, he was on track to make his Italian-American mother and Irish father proud.
His two blood brothers chose different paths. Soon after high school, Sal Esposito and Tony Albanese were swept into the life of organized crime. Imposing figures, the pair assisted with strong-armed activities for their capo. Away from that life, Cameron periodically returned to his neighborhood roots to assist his blood brothers in retribution and risk his promising future to avenge violent threats to his lifelong bond.
Filled with suspense and character twists, Cameron’s Quest is set in the 1980s and relives a time when an Italian-American family’s Sunday dinner table was the only setting needed for therapy sessions, interrogations, judgment, and jury for any punishment. This novel reminisces about the Mets’ championship season, Reagonomics, John Gotti’s underworld reign, and the pop culture of the time

An Interview with David Carraturo

Hi David. Thank you so much for agreeing to answer some questions on my blog about your writing. Firstly, please could you tell me a little about yourself?

My pleasure Linda, I am so honored that you reached out to me for this interview. I would consider myself a fulltime dad/husband and a part-time writer. Writing is one of my passions, and I brand it to my wife Teresa as an expensive hobby. I live in the northern suburbs of NYC in the tiny village of Tuckahoe and have worked in Wall Street sales and research since 1986. I am married with three beautiful, growing daughters who are now 21-18 & 14. In addition to writing, I have a passion for exercise and at 52 years old, I label myself “Diesel Dad.” I compete regularly in the Wall Street Decathlon to raise money for pediatric cancer research at Sloan Kettering. In the few moments I have to myself, I am also an avid poker player and rabid New York Mets fan.

And tell me a little about your latest novel Cameron’s Quest (without spoiling the plot of course!)

Cameron’s Quest is the third instalment of the Columbus Avenue Boys trilogy. I wrote the first part, Cameron Nation in 2011 and followed this up with Columbus Avenue Boys in 2012. Cameron’s Quest delves into the formative years of my protagonist, Chris Cameron. I actually have three protagonists, the other two being Sal Esposito and Tony Albanese. Cameron’s Quest tells a vivid story of how three blood brothers deal with challenges in the ever-changing years after high school. Chris Cameron was the town golden boy. He ventured off to higher education and to play college football at the University of Texas while Sal and Tony earned their degree as enforcers and earners for a powerful and ruthless organized crime family in the NYC area. Chris, Sal and Tony – the Columbus Avenue Boys – galvanize as one to face life threatening challenges as they hang onto the crossbar of life’s rollercoaster. The story is in the 1983-1988 time period, so the setting is quite nostalgic and if you lived through this era, you will relive many of the marquee events that transpired.

When did you first realise you were going to be a writer?

The running punch line I tell anyone who asks of this perennial B- student is that “people barely knew I could read, let alone write.” Looking back though, I had always loved to put pen to paper. I eagerly took a creative writing course my junior year of high school. I kept a notebook of my high school football season and even wrote made-up news articles prior to our championship 1981 season (I was quarterback). After college, on the train commute to NYC, I began to read and read and read. I became passionate about World War Two, politics, organized crime, the early 1900s and even time-period sagas. I read all of John Jakes. Twenty years ago, I even outlined a potential story about geriatric brothers playing poker and reminiscing about how they had lived unscathed through a life in organized crime. The point I am trying to make is that I could have never been a writer in my 20s or 30s as the core of my stories is certainly not literary prose, but the ability to bring characters, settings and events to live because of my life experiences – which continue to drive me to spur ideas, to this day.

What techniques did you use to create your 1980’s setting and why did you choose that era for Cameron’s Quest?

After Cameron Nation and Columbus Avenue Boys, the air pocket of time where I had the flexibility to develop a coherent and believable story was the 1983-1988 period. Questions remained after the first two works – Why did Chris Cameron leave his blood brothers and friendly confines of Tuckahoe behind and how did Sal and Tony’s fearsome reputations come about? I had much of the groundwork already laid out for me via the background stories and character development already written on. After that it was fun. I lived through the 1980s and graduated high school in 1982. God Bless the Internet to remind me of the music, clothes sports events, etc. I knew I had to interweave the Mets World Series championship 1986 season in some way. A little of this (Billy Joel, Cheers, Ronald Reagan, my favorite beer), a little of that (the memory of my grandfather, sporting events results, my glory days on the gridiron) and it all came together in a way I found was believable and made sense.

I know you’re really interested in World War 2. Do you have plans to write about that era too?

I wrote about this time period in Columbus Avenue Boys. I have read close to fifty books – fiction and non-fiction on the World War Two era. The Columbus Avenue Boys story is a “Godfatheresque” flashback story. Chris Cameron, Sal Esposito and Tony Albanese are not just blood brothers – they are also cousins and Tony’s grandfather is the last of the older generation and his early life is told via the flashbacks – beginning when all of their relatives emigrated from Italy in the 1880s through prohibition and tragic interactions with Bugsy Siegel and eventually to the war in the Pacific. My father served in the navy on the aircraft carrier. Intrepid and I had always wanted to honor him with a storyline. While he served in the late 1950s, through my research, I found out the Intrepid was in many battles in the Pacific theatre.  I had Vincent Scala (Tony’s grandfather) be a marine who fought in Guadalcanal, Tarawa and Saipan and then returned to the states via a ride on the Intrepid. To be more authentic, I would research the Medal of Honor website of the era to find real-life hero stories as well.

How do you go about researching detail and ensuring your books are realistic?

I am a stickler to detail – down to the weather of the day. I could never have written without the Internet. As an example, say I was writing about June 1984, I would Google the month and in front of me would be a potpourri of events and details of the snapshot in time. I’d pull one or two that peeked my interest (Born to Run was number one on the charts, Diane said yes to Sam Malone on Cheers) and extrapolate from there. This is also the reason I only write about what I know very well. If you read Cameron’s Quest, Columbus Avenue Boys or Cameron Nation one thing I am certain about is that you will believe the story and characters are authentic (or even think they are non-fiction) and that you will be learning along the way – poker, history, economics, sports betting, politics, organized crime, Italian-American family life. I will never write about drinking tea with your pinkie out at a cotillion. My stories are about the salt of the earth and everyday life that many people can relate to.

Which aspects of your writing do you find easiest and most difficult? 

Starting with the most difficult – I would say development of female characters and dialogue of are the hardest – because I am a dude. While writing Cameron Nation, my editor pointed this out in my early draft and it struck me as a major stumbling block. Therefore, my core female character, Sabina Cameron (Chris sister) was developed to be his opposite (liberal, do-gooder) and that helped a lot. In addition, I would say if I try and expound on areas where I have little to no knowledge, I tend to get sloppy and canned. While I am proud to say “I am a mile wide and an inch deep on many topics” there are areas in life that simply do not interest me. As an example, in real life, my father worked for GM and was passionate about cars – while I have zero interest (my wife knows exponentially more than me). Therefore, I give very little detail to cars and driving in my stories.

The easiest for me to write about is dialogue, settings and character development simply because I usually write about what I have experienced or passionate about. I am proud to say my dialogue is witty, authentic and educational. I pull from all areas of my life. Two quick examples are – 1. I have a cousin who is an imposing figure, yet has a tendency to cry at will – very emotional – so I used this trait for Tony Albanese. 2. Back in 1995, my wife and I went to Las Vegas for our one year anniversary. While playing poker, I sat next to an elderly, hunched over man who won a pot against a drunken twentysomething. The inebriated guy said “Old man, you’re kicking my ass.” Without missing a beat, the old man responded “I haven’t even started kicking your ass yet!” Fast forward seventeen years later and I used the exact line to come out of an elderly Vincent Scala’s mouth in Columbus Avenue Boys.

What are your writing routines and where do you do most of your writing? 

I never say, “today I am going to write the third part of my trilogy!” I can go days-weeks-months-years without writing, then I get an epiphany and I lock in. As a general rule, I never write more than a chapter a week. I get the draft down and then backfill and edit all past chapters. I write at all times of the day and night. When I am locked in, the story and characters takeover my life.

When you’re not writing, what do you like to read? 

I read an eclectic mix of books, both fiction and non-fiction. My passion is World War Two and organized crime from 1920-2000s. I also read to get educated on topics like politics. However, I have even picked up chick-romance book from time to time. Most of my reading is done on the roundtrip 30 minute train ride from Westchester to NYC. John Jakes, Robert Ludlum, Tom Clancy were my early read-all’s from the 1980s.

I know you like to keep fit. How important do you think fitness is for writers? 

Fitness is a passion of mine and through the years I have always had the most business and writing success during times of intense physical activity. Exercise clears stress from the body and gives the mind time to think – in a solitary setting. There are twenty-four hours in a day for a reason, and exercise should be incorporated in everyone’s routine.

You’ve lived in the same area all your life. How has this fact impacted on your writing?

Parkway Casino in Tuckaho

I am 52 and have moved four times yet never out of the Tuckahoe, NY 10707 zipcode. My family has roots to Tuckahoe since the 1910’s. On top of this, Tuckahoe has a rich history of interesting events (the marble capital of the world, a 1903 prize fight, many Italian immigrants, and colourful characters). I am proud of my heritage and that many of the town folk are intertwined (many six degrees of separation stories).

Cameron’s Quest‘s cover makes me think of brotherhood and striving. How did that image come about and what were you hoping to convey (without spoiling the plot please!)? 

The image for Cameron’s Quest was “borrowed” from my writing partners (first fruits Entertainment, Maria and Kevin O’Bryan) and their short film, King’s Heart. The second I saw their image, I knew it would be perfect to have the Cameron’s Quest cover extrapolated. Their cover had one teen, while my cover has the three Columbus Avenue Boys.

If you could choose to be a character from Cameron’s Quest, who would you be and why? 

I do love all my characters but in my heart, I wish I were Chris Cameron. Many of his fictional storylines were derived from my experiences as well as what I wanted to be in life. He has some issues, but is who all men should want to be in life – IMHO.

If Cameron’s Quest became a film, who would you like to play Chris Cameron and why would you choose them?

Since I have been through this exercise already with my screenplay writing partners, Kevin & Maria O’Bryan, for Columbus Avenue Boys (which had been optioned for screenplay in 2013 by EUE Sokolow – but unfortunately went nowhere!) we have kicked around some big-time Hollywood names. Chris Cameron is half-Italian and half-Irish, so he does not have the same features of the stereotypical look of Italian tough guys Sal and Tony. I would say the leading candidate to play Chris Cameron (in his 30s) is Ryan Reynolds. Zac Efron may be able to pull it off for Quest. Tall, athletic and smart- any suggestions from your followers?

If you had 15 words to persuade a reader that Cameron’s Quest should be their next read, what would you say?

The Columbus Avenue Boy’s trilogy is a well-rounded saga of three blood brothers facing life challenges and persevering. Cameron’s Quest is the genesis of their journey.  More than 15 words, but it is a trilogy!

Thank you so much for your time in answering my questions.

Linda, you are more than welcome. I am so honored you have given me this chance for fifteen minutes of fame.

About David Carraturo

David Carraturo is a life-long resident of Tuckahoe, a predominately Italian-Irish American community in Westchester County, New York. He has spent over thirty years working on Wall Street and is married and the father of three daughters. An avid poker player and organized crime/World War Two buff, he spends his free time with his family and exercising the mind and body to sustain happiness and success.

He loves to read a multitude of topics, both fiction and non-fiction but his true passion is anything related to World War Two as well as economics and politics. If you would like a novel reviewed, he is more than happy to review your work. War stories, Mafia reads, poker, economics and general American history would be his sweet spots for an educated review.

You can follow David on Twitter and find out more on Goodreads.

I have been lucky enough to meet lovely Faith Mortimer in person, interview her here for Linda’s Book Bag and read one of her engaging romances, A Very Distant Affair, reviewed here. Consequently, I’m delighted to have had the chance to read the latest in Faith’s stand alone Dark Minds psychological thrillers series, Paradise Prison.

Paradise Prison is released today, 7th January 2017 and is available for purchase here.

Paradise Prison

During a huge row, Gillian stands up to her abusive boyfriend. The consequences are horrendous and far-reaching.

Terrified, she flees her home, seeking anonymity abroad while coming to terms with the outcome of her actions.

In Portugal, Gillian meets Harry, a yachtsman, needing crew for his Atlantic Ocean-crossing. She applies for the job. Half-way into the journey, after confessing to her crime, Harry offers her refuge on an uninhabited island in the Caribbean which he says he owns.
Confused and depressed, Gillian imagines this is the answer to her problems. She needs time to lie low and consider her options; confront the authorities or live in obscurity? Harry is offering the perfect hiding place…or is he?

When things start going horribly wrong, she asks herself if she is alone on the island. But maybe the biggest question of all is why she gets the gut feeling Harry wants to keep her there at all costs?

What happens when she says … no.

My Review of Paradise Prison

When Gill escapes an abusive relationship in dramatic circumstances, this is only the start of her worries.

Although I found the subject matter of Paradise Prison outside my comfort zone, I have to say Faith Mortimer handles contentious issues with aplomb. She gives just enough detail to ensure the reader has a full understanding of events and situations without adding gratuitous detail merely to shock. I think this is very skilled writing.

The focus is on the two characters of Gill and Harry so that there is a claustrophobic feeling underpinning the narrative from the very beginning. That said, the occasional minor characters are vivid and lifelike so that they contribute well to the story when they do appear. The story is also enhanced by the detail of sailing as Harry and Gill sail from Portugal to the Caribbean. It’s obvious Faith Mortimer knows her way around a boat.

I wasn’t entirely convinced by the situation Gill finds herself in after Portugal but that didn’t spoil my enjoyment of the story because the plot is incredibly fast past with an explosive start and a rapid series of events throughout. The short chapters really add to this feeling of pace. I found them quite ensnaring too, thinking I’d just read one more and before I knew where I was I’d read the whole book. I don’t want to spoil the plot so I’ll just say I found the ending very satisfying.

Reading Paradise Prison was hugely entertaining but it also made me wonder just how much general emotional baggage the ordinary population is carrying around. I think that, having read Paradise Prison, I might look at people differently now and wonder just what is happening inside their heads!

About Faith Mortimer

Faith Mortimer was born in Manchester and educated in Singapore, Malaya and Hampshire, England. A Registered nurse, she then changed careers to oversee a number of travel and sport related companies. Faith is happily married and has two children. Dividing her time between the south of England and Cyprus, she has written three series of books which are all standalone novels.

You can find Faith on Facebook, Twitter, her website/blog, on Goodreads and on Amazon US and Amazon UK Author Pages.

Having helped reveal the cover to Secrets and Fries at the Starlight Diner by Helen Cox and featured her with a smashing guest post all about where to eat in New York to go with her book Milkshakes and Heartbreaks at the Starlight Diner that you can read here, I’m delighted to be starting off the New Year Celebrations for Secrets and Fries at the Starlight Diner. As well as my review I have a great guest post from Helen casting the film versions of the Secrets and Fries series.

Secrets and Fries at the Starlight Diner was published on 16th December 2016 is available for purchase here.

 Secrets and Fries at the Starlight Diner

What brings Bonnie Brooks to The Starlight Diner? And why is she on the run?

As the front-woman in a band, Bonnie is used to being in the spotlight, but now she must hide in the shadows.

Bonnie only has one person who she can turn to: her friend Esther Knight, who waitresses at the Fifties-themed diner. There, retro songs play on the jukebox as fries and sundaes are served to satisfied customers. But where has Esther gone?

Alone in New York City, Bonnie breaks down in front of arrogant news reporter, and diner regular, Jimmy Boyle. Jimmy offers to help her. Can she trust him?

When the kindly owner of the Starlight Diner offers Bonnie work, and she meets charming security officer Nick Moloney, she dares to hope that her luck has changed. Is there a blossoming romance on the cards? And can Bonnie rebuild her life with the help of her Starlight Diner friends?

Casting The Secrets and Fries Series

A Guest Post by Helen Cox

As well as being an author and a cake addict, I’m something of a movie buff. I actually started out my writing career as a film reviewer. Consequently, I’m probably even more likely than most authors to dream of my books hitting the big screen in film format. I haven’t had any calls from Hollywood yet but you never know…

My dream director for a Starlight Diner movie would be Denis Villeneuve. Villeneuve has an impressive understanding of just how long to linger on a shot, showing more boldness than most other directors who are often too quick to cut away, and I was really impressed with how he sensitively explored the journeys of the female protagonists in Sicario and Arrival. His pictures have a moodiness to them that would complement the underlying grit of the Starlight Diner stories.

When it comes to casting, Rosamund Pike would be perfect to play Esther. Her work in Gone Girl astounded me. Amy Elliott Dunne is a deeply complex and transgressive character and the temptation would’ve been to make that a big performance. Pike’s understated and wry approach to the character was much more chilling, and ultimately more compelling. Her recent performance in A United Kingdom also had a subtlety and grace to it not everyone could have conjured. She is one highly watchable woman.

Daniel Brühl would be my pick to play Jack Faber. Most people will have seen him in Captain America: Civil War last year when he played villain Helmut Zemo. A casting choice that to my mind elevated the tone of the entire film. But I first saw Brühl in the film Goodbye Lenin! A black comedy about the fall of the Berlin Wall. He’s definitely got charm enough to convincingly play the somewhat over-confident Jack.

In terms of the newest addition to the Starlight Diner fold: Bonnie Brooks, I think Anna Kendrick has everything this role demands. Into the Woods and Pitch Perfect showcased her impressive singing voice and in Up in the Air, though it was a bit part, she perfectly portrayed the unease and uncertainty of ambitious young upstart Natalie Keener.

Finding an actor who can embody the conundrum that is lawyer-turned-reporter Jimmy Boyle, is no easy task but I’d be hoping Dan Stevens would at least give the script a look. Between his brooding performance in The Guest as the mysteriously edgy David Collins and his softer, gentlemanly offering in Summer in February (not to mention his time on Downton Abbey) he’d be the perfect fit for the tempestuous Jimmy.

Due to the fact she is widely known for her roles in nineties teen movies, thus linking with the nineties setting of the Starlight Diner books, I’d love to see Gabrielle Union cast as Mona. Judd Hirsch’s dry delivery would make him the perfect Bernie and Frank Langella would be an adorable Walt (see Robot & Frank for empirical evidence).

My Review of Secrets and Fries at the Starlight Diner

On the run from trouble, Bonnie might find that the Starlight Diner leads her out of the frying pan and into the fire.

A confession: I thought, based on the cover design, that Secrets and Fries at the Starlight Diner would be a frothy chick-lit that was an easy read but without any real merit or substance. I completely mis-judged the book and found it to be so much better than I had anticipated.

Helen Cox has written a great mystery with a lovely romantic element. I thought the fast paced plot was highly entertaining and thoroughly plausible. I enjoyed returning to New York through its pages and could easily see this story as a film as the descriptions are quite visual without being overbearing. I thought Helen Cox created setting very effectively, especially through the food and music she weaves into the narrative and her style is quick -witted and sassy. The naturalistic dialogue also contributes to a very authentic read. I thought there was a genuine American-ness to the story.

I enjoyed meeting the characters and not having read the first of these books Milkshakes and Heartbreaks at the Starlight Diner did not affect my pleasure at all. Secrets and Fries at the Starlight Diner can easily be read as a stand alone book. The characters seemed vivid and real and both Bonnie and Jimmy have a depth to them that I wasn’t expecting. I liked the way the author explored how family and past impacted on how characters respond in the present and I’d certainly like to read more about them in the future.

Secrets and Fries at the Starlight Diner is an effortless read because it is well written, not because it lacks substance as I originally feared. There are themes of belonging and family that many of us will recognise and empathise with as readers so that as well as enjoying a highly entertaining read, we have something to think about too. I highly recommend Secrets and Fries at the Starlight Diner as a smashing read.

About Helen Cox

Helen Cox is a book-devouring, photo-taking, film-obsessed novelist. If forced to choose one, Helen’s Mastermind specialism would be Grease 2. To this day, she still adheres to the Pink Lady pledge and when somebody asks her if she is a god she says ‘yes.’

After completing her MA in creative writing at the University of York St. John Helen found work writing for a range of magazines, websites and blogs as well as writing news and features for TV and radio. She has written three non-fiction books and founded independent film publication: New Empress Magazine. She currently lives in York and writes novels.

You can find Helen on Facebook, follow her on Twitter and visit her website. There’s more with these other bloggers too:

My grateful thanks to Charlotte Ledger at Harper Impulse for a copy of The Legacy of Lucy Harte by Emma Heatherington in return for an honest review. The Legacy of Lucy Harte is published by Harper Impulse in e-book today 6th January and paperback on 12th January 2017 and is available for purchase here or through the publisher links here.

The Legacy of Lucy Harte

‘Sometimes time is all we have with the people we love. I ask you to slow down in life. To take your time, but don’t waste it….’

Maggie O’Hara knows better than most that life can change in a heartbeat. Eighteen years ago she was given the most precious gift- a second-hand heart, and a second chance at life.

Always thankful, Maggie has never forgotten Lucy Harte – the little girl who saved her life. But as Maggie’s own life begins to fall apart, and her heart is broken in love, she loses sight of everything she has to live for…

Until an unexpected letter changes Maggie’s life.

It seems Lucy’s final gift to Maggie is much more than the heart that beats inside her. It’s a legacy that Maggie must learn to live by, a promise to live, laugh, fall in love and heal her broken heart for good.

Because as the keeper of a borrowed heart, Maggie’s time is more precious than most. She must make every cherished second count…

My Review of The Legacy of Lucy Harte

Maggie O’Hara lives thanks to a heart donated by Lucy Harte. But Maggie isn’t living life to the full.

The Legacy of Lucy Harte is a lovely book. Well written and with naturalistic dialogue I found it sucked me in to Maggie’s life. I didn’t much like Maggie to begin with and I think this is a strength of the book. Emma Heatherington creates a character in free fall following the break up of Maggie’s marriage.  Maggie is drowning in self-pity metaphorically and in alcohol literally and she’s not a pleasant individual to begin with. However, as the story progressed I grew to like Maggie more and more so that it was as if I was on the journey with her as she realises she needs to make the most of her life.

I thought the storyline might be too sentimental for some readers, myself included, but the author skilfully ensnared me so that I believed completely in the events and the emotions portrayed such that I read the final section in tears. The Legacy of Lucy Harte certainly pulls at the heart strings and I was very moved by it.

I thought The Legacy of Lucy Harte would be a simple chick-lit read and it does have those elements of thwarted love, romance and attraction, but it has so much more besides. There’s a thought provoking consideration of how our actions and misconceptions can impact on so many other lives. For those wondering whether registering as a potential organ donor is a good idea, I think The Legacy of Lucy Harte would definitely persuade them.

I sometimes feel the publicity straplines on books are overblown, but that on The Legacy of Lucy Harte  – ‘A poignant, life affirming novel that will make you laugh and make you cry’ is a perfect definition. The book made me reassess what I have to be grateful for in life and to redouble my efforts to make the most of every moment in life.

About Emma Heatherington

Emma Heatherington is from Donaghmore, Co Tyrone. She has penned more than fifty short educational films, plays and musicals as well as seven novels for Poolbeg Press, two of which were written under the pseudonym Emma Louise Jordan.

She loves spending time with her partner (the talented artist and singer/songwriter Jim McKee) all things Nashville, romantic comedy movies, singalong nights with friends and family, red wine, musical theatre, new pyjamas, fresh clean bedclothes, long bubble baths and cosy nights in by the fire.

You can follow Emma on Twitter and find her on Facebook.

My grateful thanks to Stephanie Naulls at Ebury Press for an advanced reader copy of The One by John Marrs in return for an honest review. Previously titled A Thousand Small Explosions, The One is published by Del Rey, an imprint of Ebury, in e-book on 26th January 2017 and in paperback on 4th May 2017 and is available for pre-order here.

Having really enjoyed reading The One, I’m delighted to say I will be interviewing John on 25th January 2017 so do come back then.

The One

How far would you go to find THE ONE?

One simple mouth swab is all it takes.

One tiny DNA test to find your perfect partner – the one you’re genetically made for.

A decade after scientists discover everyone has a gene they share with just one person, millions have taken the test, desperate to find true love.

Now, five more people take the test. But even soul mates have secrets. And some are more shocking – and deadlier – than others…

My Review of The One

When DNA is used to find your perfect love match in life, nothing can go wrong – can it?

For the first five chapters or twenty pages I didn’t think I was going to enjoy The One. I needed to attune myself to switching between characters and holding the different threads of the plot together. However, it didn’t take me long to find myself thinking I’d just read another chapter, and another, and another until I was so enthralled by the twisty, clever plot that I couldn’t tear myself away. The brevity of each chapter and the mini cliff hangers meant that there was an almost breathless pace at times that I loved.

And the plot is twisty. I did work out some elements and for others I had that ‘Oh. I wasn’t expecting that!’ moment, making for a highly entertaining read. I’d quite like to go back and read each of the different characters’ narratives altogether in one go to see if the experience is different as I think there’s a great quality to John Marrs’ writing that would stand up to several reads. I could also see The One as a brilliant television series.

The characterisation was entirely plausible and convincing – even for the more minor characters, so that there were several layers to the different strands. I warmed to some characters more than others which for me reflected what happens in real life, but I certainly wanted to know what happened to them all, especially Christopher, Ellie and Nick.

I also really appreciated the way in which John Marrs incorporated a range of themes. Whilst it’s possible to read The One simply as a highly entertaining thriller, it deserves more consideration than that too. Themes of relationships (obviously), nature versus nurture, sexuality, family, truth and honesty all ripple throughout the text so that there’s plenty for the reader to contemplate too. Reading The One really made me question the benefits and disadvantages of the internet and social media.

The One is my first John Marrs read and it certainly won’t be my last. I thoroughly enjoyed this cleverly conceived novel and highly recommend it.

Oh, and would I take a DNA test to find my perfect love match after reading The One? Not on your life!

About John Marrs

John Marrs is a freelance journalist based in London, England, who has spent the last 20 years interviewing celebrities from the world of television, film and music for national newspapers and magazines. He has written for publications including The Guardian’s Guide and Guardian Online; OK! Magazine; Total Film; Empire; Q; GT; The Independent; Star; Reveal; Company; Daily Star and News of the World’s Sunday Magazine.

His debut novel The Wronged Sons, was released in 2013 and in May 2015, he released his second book, Welcome To Wherever You Are.

You can follow John on Twitter and find him on Facebook.

My enormous thanks to Ruby Mitchell at Hodder for a copy of The Words in My Hand by Guinevere Glasfurd in return for an honest review. The Words in My Hand is published by Two Roads Books, an imprint of John Murray Press, in e-book now and hardback on 14th January 2017 with the paperback available on 9th February.

The Words in My Hand is available for purchase and pre-order here and from all good booksellers including Waterstones and W H Smith.

Today I have my review of The Words in My Hand, but I loved it so much I asked Guinevere if she’d be interviewed about it so do please come back on paperback publication day 9th February 2017, to find out more.

The Words in My Hand

The Words in My Hand is the re-imagined true story of Helena Jans, a Dutch maid in 17th-century Amsterdam, who works for Mr Sergeant, the English bookseller. When a mysterious and reclusive lodger arrives – the Monsieur – Mr Sergeant insists everything must be just so. It transpires that the Monsieur is René Descartes.

Helena’s life, like that of so many women in history in history, is scarcely recorded. In The Words in My Hand she is a young woman who yearns for knowledge, who wants to write so badly she makes ink from beetroot and writes in secret on her skin – only to be held back by her position in society as a servant, and as a woman.

Weaving together the story of Descartes’ quest for reason with Helena’s struggle for literacy, their worlds overlap as their feelings deepen; yet remain sharply divided. For all Descartes’ learning, Helena has much to teach him about emotion and love.

When reputation is everything and with so much to lose, some truths must remain hidden. Helena and Descartes face a terrible tragedy and ultimately have to decide if their love is possible at all.

My Review of The Words in My Hand

When housemaid Helena encounters the infamous René Descartes, two totally disparate world collide with surprising effects.

My goodness The Words in My Hand is a wonderful, wonderful book. Shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award 2016 it represents the kind of novel that epitomises perfect literary fiction for me.

Unique in style, Guinevere Glasfurd has an authorial voice that is almost mystical and draws in the reader so that the more of Helena’s story was revealed, the more hypnotised by the writing I became. At the risk of sounding pretentious, the writing reminded me of a stained glass window lit by the sun. The variety of sentence length and structure in the first person narrative approach was so beautiful to read. So many things came into exquisite focus for me reading The Words in My Hand. The quality of the descriptions is such that I was there with Helena in Amsterdam and Sandpoort in particular. Also, I had studied Descartes at university but had never really got an impression of the man and had certainly not thought about the women of the time. However, Guinevere Glasfurd’s meticulous research and fabulous writing was both thought provoking – how might women have fared –  and enlightening. I felt I really knew and understood the two main characters, Helena and Descartes perfectly. This really is history brought to vivid life.

Whilst there is a great plot as the relationship between Helena and Descartes develops, along with wonderful characterisation, what really made The Words in My Hand such an enthralling read for me was the exploration of language and the way in which it defines, constrains and liberates us as individuals. Helena’s desire for education and literacy underpin her entire being, and I felt there was a really intellignet feminist message without it being clumsy and inelegant. I found myself savouring the single word chapter titles, thinking back over the chapter and reflecting on how apt they were. The Words in My Hand is not a book to be rushed, but to be appreciated almost syllable by syllable. It is very special indeed and I adored it.

About Guinevere Glasfurd

Guinevere Glasfurd’s lives on the edge of the Fens near Cambridge. Her short fiction has appeared in Mslexia, the Scotsman and in a collection from The National Galleries of Scotland. The Words In My Hand, her first novel, was written with the support of a grant from Arts Council England. Guinevere Glasfurd manages the Words and Women Twitter feed, a voluntary organisation representing women writers in the East of England. You can find out more on her website.

My extremely grateful thanks to Ella Bowman at Little Brown for an advanced reader copy of Painkiller by N.J. Fountain in return for an honest review. Painkiller was published by Sphere in paperback on 29th December 2016 and is available for purchase from all good booksellers and directly from the publisher here.

Painkiller

I cannot go on like this. I feel such a burden to you. You are young and can start again. You deserve that chance. By the time you read this I will be dead. Do not grieve for me, for I am now without pain.

Yours truly for ever,
Monica

Monica suffers from chronic neuropathic pain. Every second of her life is spent in agony, and she is coping with it the best she can. However, there are whole years of her life which are a blur to her.

But when she finds a suicide note, written in her handwriting, she begins to question everything. She has no memory of writing it – so who did? And if someone tried to kill her once, what’s to say they won’t try again . . .

My Review of Painkiller

Monica is in terrible pain and the medication she takes has affected her memory, but that might be the least of her worries.

Crikey Painkiller is brilliant. I was enthralled by every word of it and found it to be a fabulous thriller. I must say something about the structure because it feels perfect for the novel. The character ‘titles’ serve to break up the text physically in the same way Monica’s memory is fractured, adding to the enjoyment in the read. I liked the use of the emboldened text and italics to add layers of meaning and challenge the voracity of assertions still further so that there are many layers to the story. There’s also quite a bit of white space on the pages that seemed to me to represent the gaps in Monica’s memory so well.

Monica is such a completely convincing character and finding that she was inspired, however loosely, by a real person made the narrative even more affecting. I loved the way the cover shows a fractured and distorted person, reflecting the character we meet in the story. There’s an unreliability to all the characters; Monica, Dominic and Niall especially, and things are never quite what they seem so that I had to keep changing my perspective and shifting my position. Painkiller is incredibly entertaining because of this.

The plot is extremely well constructed leading to a satisfying ending that is unpredictable and exciting. I kept thinking of a pit of writhing snakes as I read because the story line twisted and coiled, with interesting and dramatic scenes leading me to false assumptions that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Alongside the sheer entertainment of Painkiller is a poignant and relevant theme of what happens to those suffering huge pain on a daily basis and how it affects those around them. And it’s this that helps make Painkiller such a wonderful read for me. I always look for an emotional hook and alongside the cracking pace, the exhilarating story and the credible characters there’s that added extra layer of interest that pulls in the reader and doesn’t let them go. I thought Painkiller was a cracking thriller and I can’t recommend it highly enough.

About N.J. Fountain

NJ Fountain is an award-winning comedy writer, chiefly known for his work on the radio and television show Dead Ringers. He has also contributed to programmes such as Have I Got News For You, 2DTV and the children’s sitcom Scoop. He also writes for Private Eye.

You can follow N.J. Fountain on Twitter.