Author: gibbsdream

Books · Life · Self-publishing · Uncategorized

Round-up of the Week 17.03.2019

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World:

Flash floods in eastern Indonesian province of Papua have killed at least 58 people, rescue workers are still looking but are struggling to reach the remote areas as roads are blocked by landslides and fallen trees, so the number of dead may rise.

More than 4,000 people have had to leave their homes. Torrential rains began on Saturday evening and continued into the night, triggering mudslides and flash floods.

My thoughts:
What a horrible tragedy. My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families.

London:

A 29-year-old man was stabbed to death in a fight in Fulham in the early hours of Saturday on the junction of Gowan Avenue and Munster Road, dying at the scene.

My thoughts:
I used to work around the corner from where this took place. It’s so scary that these awful acts of violence are closing in all around us and becoming commonplace. My thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and family of the victim.

My World:

I’m not sure why I have this slot in my blog, lol, because I don’t do a hell of a lot on a weekly basis. Week 5 of the new job done, still great. Every day is different and interesting.
Went to see an old work colleague from when I worked at the motorbike training school on Thursday night after work, I haven’t seen Stacy in a few years. We’ve been doing the “we must meet soon dance” for ages and finally got around to pinning down a date.
Weekend was taken up with writing, housework and a visit to my family.

My Writing:
I finally hit “The End” on the first draft of book 5 from The Children on the Streets series. Now the edits begin. Fun times.




Books · Life · Self-publishing

My review of Feral Moon by Sherri A Wingler

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Feral Moon: Book 2 of The Dark Woods series by [Wingler, Sherri A.]
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07PDJ6VYM

I was given an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
Honestly, this series is mind-blowing. This author never ceases to amaze me with her skillful storytelling.
This is book two in The Dark Woods Series and it leads seamlessly from book one.
Greyson Wolf is drowning his sorrows, he can’t face life without Harlow (Red), she’s his mate, his and the Wolfs. The wolf doesn’t stay quiet though, he wants her back, and now.
When Harlow’s mum comes to beg Grey to rescue her daughter from her ruthless father, he can’t resist the pull but when he finds Red, her memory has been wiped…she can’t remember him or the wolf.
Any more than this I can’t say without giving away what is an exceptional plot with the usual skilled storytelling that has made this author one of my favourites.
The characters are so well-developed that you find yourself caring about what happens to them.
Twists, turns, perfect pacing, seeing the author get inside the head of the evil one….hmmm why wouldn’t you read it?
I can’t wait for the next book in this series and wonder where Ms. Wingler will take the story and characters next.
I will be buying a print copy of each of the books in this series and I only do that for my favourite books nowadays.

Books · Life · Self-publishing · Uncategorized

Round-up of the week 10 March 2019

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World:

An Ethiopian Airlines jet with 149 passengers and eight crew members onboard a flight from the Ethiopian capital and bound fro Nairobi in Kenya, has crashed shortly after take-off from Addis Ababa, killing all on board.


It is reported that 32 Kenyans, 18 Canadians, eight Americans and seven Brits were among the passengers. The crash happened six minutes after the Boeing 737 Max-8 took off.

An eyewitness at the scene reported an intense fire as the aircraft hit the ground. “The blast and the fire were so strong that we couldn’t get near it,” he said. “Everything is burnt down.”

The cause of the crash is not yet clear, however, the pilot had advised of difficulties and requested a return.

My thoughts:

What a terrible tragedy, my thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families.
We never know when our time is up and should make the most of what we have in the here and now.

London:
A woman jailed for four-and-a-half years for fraud after posing as a Grenfell Tower fire survivor lost a challenge against her conviction.
The 48 year old watched via a video link from prison as three Court of Appeal judges in London threw her case out.
The woman claimed to have escaped from the horrific fire in west London in 2017, where her husband and sister-in-law had died. But she was in fact, single and living miles away in Sutton, south London.
Msokeri claimed about £19,000 in cash donations, goods and hotel costs.

My thoughts:

I still remember the cold that seeped into my body as I watched the horror of Grenfell Tower unfold, the horrendous loss of life, a community scarred for life and to think that an unscrupulous individual would try to take advantage of this tragedy for personal gains is beyond comprehension. Personally, I think her sentence was too light. If she can be so heartless as to wish to benefit from the loss of others what else is she capable of?

My World:

I can’t believe that I’ve now been in my new job for a month, each day is different, interesting and with scope for many challenges. I’m loving it!
This weekend has been another one where I’ve had quality family time, a meal at the local Nepalese restaurant with my sister, nineteen-year-old niece and long-term friend on Saturday night.
Sunday we took Mum and Dad out for a meal to celebrate their 54th wedding anniversary.

My Writing:
This weekend I’ve seriously hit the writing as I’ve realised that I have so much to write and so little time as it’s booked in with the editor for April 15th and I’m still on the first draft. The plot thickens as the story takes another twist that I hadn’t expected. I’m really loving getting into the head of this narcissistic character.

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Round-up of the week 3 March 2019

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World:

Following the collapse of a dam which killed 186 people in the town of Brumadinho, Brazil, the head of the mining company has resigned. Several other executives also stepped down after prosecutors recommended their dismissal.

More than a month after the accident, at least 122 people are still missing after the accident, which collected waste from an iron ore mine. This was the second disaster in the region since 2015 when a nearby dam collapsed.

Brazilian authorities have been criticised for their handling of the situation.

My thoughts:  People’s lives have been lost in a tragic accident and when this happens everything should be done to stop similar tragedies from happening again. Life is precious and yet it seems to be a concept that is seriously lacking for many authorities.

London:

Camper van gets major transformation when Roger Reeves saw it by the side of the road he decided to rescue the “heap of wreckage”. The 78-year-old from Croydon, south London with the helo of his daughter transformed the van with 7,000 coloured bulbs.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-london-47421636/dragon-bus-the-camper-van-with-7000-lights

My thoughts:
At a time when so many people are doing less as old age stalks them, this man is an inspiration as he finds something that gives him and other people pleasure.

My World:

Books · Life · Self-publishing

My review of Sugar & Spice by R E Hargrave

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*****Five Stars*****
Lacey is a single mum who makes a success of her life running a small bakery business and is the hub of the small town she lives in. She has a teenage daughter, Candy, and the mother/daughter bond is strong. She has a busy and fulfilling life but there’s something missing, or that is until Trent comes into her life. This is a lovely story with great characterisation. The author guides you through the book making you want to turn the next page. It has the feel-good factor which warms the heart and curls the toes.
This isn’t the first book I’ve read by R E Hargrave and it won’t be the last.

Books · Life · Self-publishing

Round-up of the week 24/2/2019

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Round up of the week

World

A forty-seven-year-old woman who was told her tissue was too similar to her husband’s had to be made allergic to his sperm in order to have a successful pregnancy.

Kathryn, a laboratory manager from Derbyshire who’d had four miscarriages turned to the help of her colleagues when normal channels came up blank. The couple was found to be tissue type matched which meant her body wasn’t seeing the sperm part of the embryo as foreign so as a result the pregnancies weren’t being nurtured.

After injecting her with her partner’s white blood cells, her body was able to recognise it as a foreign body. The couple now have a beautiful baby girl

My thoughts: After looking at many depressing news stories this week, I found this and thought I would spread this beautiful story of hope.

London

There was chaos on the streets of Hounslow on Thursday 21 February after a what is described as a severe accident closed off the A4 westbound road from Sutton Lane to Vicarage farm road.

My thoughts: I was told about this by a friend who’d sat in this traffic and said that everyone was executing crazy and dangerous manoeuvres in an attempt to access other routes. This kind of thing can be very frustrating for us having to deal with in our daily lives but I tried to consider how much worse it could be, there but for the grace of God and all that.

Me

Week 2 successfully completed in my new job and still really enjoying it. To complement the fantastic training I went to the office I’ll be mainly based at and was able to start helping my new manager. The team is so supportive and I feel like—fingers crossed, touch wood and all that—I have found the place I want to be.

I woke up Saturday morning with a stinking cold/sinus infection like I didn’t have enough of those last year to last a lifetime!!!!

Every year my friend Jules and I make each other Christmas presents which could be something simple which hasn’t taken long or a long and complicated craft project—this year I’ve plumped for the complicated one and this is going to take me a long time. The supplies I needed arrived this week so I will be starting today. Unfortunately, I can’t say anything about it as she might read this blog!

I got up early (ish) Sunday morning so that I could take my slot in the online book event “Our books are not free” which is the second of its kind. It’s a great event aimed at promoting the value of paying for books which as an author is something I am very passionate about. Check it out. A whole bunch of awesome authors who are not giving away the products that they’ve laboured hard on and paid much for.

https://www.facebook.com/events/565616523906689/

https://www.facebook.com/events/565616523906689/577292512739090/?notif_t=admin_plan_mall_activity&notif_id=1551019190416927

Writing

I have to admit I haven’t reached my writing targets this week. Need to crack on my April deadline is fast approaching to get this book to the editor.

Books · Life · Self-publishing · Uncategorized

Round-up of the week

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Chuckles-3

 

World

Gary Martin, 45 from Illinois who was being fired from his job of 15 years, shot dead five people and injured several others at his workplace. He was then killed during an exchange of fire with police officers. Five officers were shot and wounded.

My thoughts: “How sad that someone who has worked all those years for a company is pushed to such terrible and tragic actions. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of his victims and his own. We can never know what hell a person is going through, even someone we know well. Be kind to each other. ” Maria

London

The police were called to Tesco’s in Osterley, West London on Sunday at midnight after reports of forced entry into the store. Brazen thieves carried out a ram raid on the store, making off with the safe from the bureau de change. Police are still looking for the culprits who left disarray in their wake.

My thoughts: “This is a little close to home for me, being less than four miles from my home and the place where my parents shop each week.” Maria

My week

I started a new job this week after being out of work for 6 weeks. It’s early days yet but my first impressions are favourable. The training schedule is better than any other role I’ve been in and the team has been warm and welcoming, making me feel as though I’ve been there for ages as I’m so comfortable. The role is varied and will take a lot to learn but it has captured my imagination and I’m excited at the prospect.

Watch this space!

Saturday was spent riding about on my motorbike and catching up on chores & Sunday writing and family meal.

I’ve also been extremely fortunate to be allowed to beta read for one of my favourite authors Sherri A Wingler for her new book which will be released soon.

My writing

So, I’m working on book 5 of a 6 book series. Children from the Streets has tugged at many a heart string for both books 1 & 2 which have been published and the feedback on books 3 & 4 from editor and beta reader is that they will cause the same reaction. However, for book 5 I’ve had to take a detour and get my evil on, which I’ve found myself enjoying immensely.

I’ve set myself some tight deadlines so I have held books 3 & 4 back and will finish the edits on them at a later stage to enable me to do a rapid release on the rest of the series.

Gallery: Live at the UK Indie Lit Fest 2018
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Gallery: Live at the UK Indie Lit Fest 2018

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Mark Cantrell's avatarMark Cantrell, Author

Beer and books make for a memorable occasion

THE third UK Indie Lit Fest took place at the Kala Sangam in Bradford on 28 July 2018.

With authors from across West Yorkshire, the wider UK, and even an international contingent, the event celebrates the great writing and the diversoty of the indie publishing scene.

To find out more about the event and the team behind it, visit the UK Indie Lit Fest website. But first, enjoy this small selection of photos…

Festival ale at the Exchange Ale House

Welcome to the Kala Sangam

Spread the words

And breathe…

Relaxing with a well-earned drink after a successful Indie Lit Fest…

Exchange Ale House Some of the cast and crew of the UK Indie Lit Fest relax in the Exchange Ale House after a tiring, but rewarding day at the Kala Sangam. Left to right: Peter Singh, Rose English, Chris A Turnbull, Joshua Sutton…

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Seal Mother New Release

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11b Kissing Day Teaser

Seal Mother ~ A Selkie Tale in Verse by Rose English

~~♥♥~~#NewRelease & #Giveaway~~♥♥~~

#StoriesInVerse #Folklore #Selkie #Seals

One lonely seal
in the midst of the ocean
rolls on the waves
to the rhythmical motion.
The seal watches over
the child on the sand.
Her lovely young daughter
born of the land.

On Midsummer’s Eve seals swim up onto the sand, shed their skin and transform into beautiful young women to give thanks to the mysterious Moon Goddess.

Lost in dance, no one notices a shimmering sealskin being stolen; leaving one beautiful Selkie trapped on the land forever.
Can an unlikely friend help her reclaim her skin, or is she destined to remain forever in human form?

‘Seal Mother’ – a magical Selkie tale of love, loss and deceit, told in verse. (Click image to enlarge)

10 Kissing Day Teaser

~~♥~~~~♥~~~~♥~~~~♥~~

Buy Links

Amazon: http://viewbook.at/SealMother

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40745694-seal-mother—a-selkie-tale-in-verse

~~♥~~~~♥~~~~♥~~~~♥~~

YouTube Teaser:

~~♥~~~~♥~~~~♥~~~~♥~~

About Rose English:

Rose English, author

Living on ‘England’s Green & Pleasant Land’, among the gentle rolling hills of the Herefordshire Countryside, Rose’s house is wall to wall books. She even has a ‘Leaning Tower of Paperbacks’.

Rose is a dreamer, preferring a simple & quiet life. Often spending time alone, although never lonely, being ever surrounded by great characters when lost in a good book. She loves theatre and the arts, adoring live performances on stage. Rose has very eclectic tastes.

Working as a school librarian, and sharing her love of books with children, was the best job she ever had. However, life moves on and another chapter was only a page turn away.

Author Links

Website: https://roseenglishukauthor.wordpress.com/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/RoseEnglish.UK.Author/

Twitter: @RoseEnglishUK

~~♥~~~~♥~~~~♥~~~~♥~~

Rafflecopter Giveaway

Chance to win either a signed copy of ‘Seal Mother ~ A Selkie Tale in Verse’ or an eBook version.

Seal Mother Kiss

Click HERE to enter the Giveaway

~~♥~~~~♥~~~~♥~~~~♥~~

Thank You for visiting good luck in the Giveaway

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Books · Life · Self-publishing · Uncategorized

New Release: Sins of the Father: Children of the Streets book two

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17th May 2018

Children of the Streets series.png

Sins of the Father

by

Maria Gibbs

Genre: Literary Fiction

Buy your copy of Sins of the Father here

Sins-of-the-Father-Kindle

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Having seen first-hand the results of starvation, abuse, and murder, Carlos Suarez knows all too well that the streets of Rio are no place for a child to grow up.

Because of his own history and subsequent rescue from that poverty at the age of fifteen, he makes it his life’s work to ensure opportunities are available to the future generations of Brasil’s homeless children—but no matter how many kids Carlos saves, it’s never enough for him.

Almost to the point of obsession.

Dedicated to his work, and haunted by his past, Carlos has never considered an intimate relationship with anyone, let alone another man, especially after that night. But when Fate throws him a curve ball, and his past comes screaming back threatening to destroy his future, Carlos will discover that redemption can be found in the most unexpected of places.

Guaranteed to tug at your heartstrings, Sins of the Father is a story you won’t be able to put down.

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I write in many genres, my mind is alive with thoughts and ideas so I allow them free release on paper. Inspiration comes in many forms and I grab it with greedy hands. Writing has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. My most popular book so far is A Boy from the Streets which is centred on twin babies orphaned at birth in Brazil, one baby is adopted into a life of luxury and the other abandoned into the poverty of the streets.

When I’m not writing, I like reading, listening to music or riding my motorbike.

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