Category Archives: Culture

The Seven Imperfect Rules of Elvira Carr By Frances Maynard Book Review

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The Seven Imperfect Rules of Elvira Carr

I really loved this book. It has a lead character with Asperger’s- which I think is a great thing- we need more stories told from different perspectives, and it is just funny and well written, but also sad. It is original and, sometimes, even a bit of a difficult read. Some people take advantage of Elvira and her differences. Even though the book can be sad sometimes it also is uplifting and draws you in. The characters are all brought vividly to life and the story goes along at a good pace. This book won a book competition I entered and I am not even slightly bitter that it won, it was well deserved. A must read.

Funny, heart-warming and ultimately triumphant, The Seven Imperfect Rules of Elvira Carr by Frances Maynard is the perfect story for anyone who doesn’t quite fit in – and for everyone who chooses not to.

Elvira Carr is twenty-seven and neuro-atypical. Her father – who she suspects was in the secret service – has passed away and, after several Unfortunate Incidents growing up, she now spends most of her time at home with her overbearing mother. But when her mother has a stroke and is taken into care, Elvira is suddenly forced to look after herself or risk ending up in Sheltered Accommodation. Armed with her Seven Rules, which she puts together after online research, Elvira hopes to learn how to navigate a world that’s full of people she doesn’t understand. Not even the Seven Rules can help her, however, when she discovers that everything she thought she knew about her father was a lie, and is faced with solving a mystery she didn’t even know existed . . .

The Seven Imperfect Rules of Elvira Carr is available here.

 

Selina Siak Chin Yoke On Becoming a Writer

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I began writing out of desperation and a cherished dream. While recovering from breast cancer, I went into a chemo-induced depression without realising it. I had no idea what was wrong, only that the ground beneath me seemed to have collapsed. Months passed. When I still found no equilibrium, I went to see a counsellor at the cancer charity, MacMillan, who suggested a bout of creative writing.

Not long afterward, I recalled a dream I’d once had – of writing a novel loosely inspired by my great-grandmother who I had never met. Stories were re-hashed endlessly in my family about this formidable woman who, despite being uneducated, started a business at a time when few women in Malaya did so. She always seemed larger than life – a true role model in a profoundly patriarchal culture.

I began my writing project by doing research. I knew that what I wanted to write was a novel based on real historical events, possibly even on events which my own family had experienced.

Armed with the detailed outline of a story, I planned a trip to Malaysia. I pored through newspapers in the National Archives and interviewed anyone who would talk to me about the old days. Some who gave their time were family members: aunts, uncles and cousins, but a few were people I barely knew. Amazingly, I came across people who had actually met my great-grandmother. Their anecdotes provided a wonderful tapestry which fuelled my imagination further.

Spurred on by Malaysia’s heat and its panoply of aromas, sounds and colour, I began writing the first draft of The Woman Who Breathed Two Worlds, my first novel. The story follows the life of a mixed-race woman during a time of rapid change in Malaya. It is a complex and rich story about cultural identity, set in my hometown, Ipoh. As I described the modernisation of the town and how the protagonist tries to retain her cultural traditions in her rapidly Westernising world, I realised I was telling not only her story but the story of her country, Malaya.

In this way, the Malayan Series was born. My new novel, When the Future Comes Too Soon, follows on from the first book, but the two can be read independently and are very different. In this second novel Malaya is at war. There is a new protagonist, Mei Foong (the daughter-in-law of the heroine in the first book), who is thrown into a world gone mad. Somehow, she must find ways to keep her family alive. How she goes about this and what happens to her and her family lie at the emotional heart of the novel.

Their story is as much about betrayal, in its many forms, as it is about survival and love and what courage means. Sometimes, it takes extreme circumstances for people to discover what they’re made of. This is the case for Mei Foong, who finds her inner steel through war and suffering.

Selina Siak Chin Yoke’s When the Future Comes Too Soon is published byhen the Future Comes Too Soon and out now

 

 

Justice League Film To Bring Different Caped Crusader Says Ben Affleck

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Source: TNT America Latina via Facebook

While many people quite liked the dark, out-for-blood Batman that squared off against Superman in the Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice film, Batman actor Ben Affleck has said the superhero won’t quite be the same in the new Justice League film. This comes a month after Affleck had to deny media rumors regarding his departure from the series. The Chasing Amy star told the press that not only would he be staying on as Bats, but he would be changing his demeanor to fit with the mood of the upcoming Justice League film.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, he said “BvS departed a little bit from the traditional Batman. He started out with all this rage directed at Superman…” However, it seems Batman is turning over a new leaf with the Justice League as he struggles to assemble a team of heroes and make them a cohesive unit. Affleck then goes on to say fans should expect to see a Batman more familiar for people who read the comics – one that’s a bit more heroic and less focused on revenge.

Source: Weiss Auctions via Facebook

But as any fan of the comics knows, that could suggest quite a lot. Are we talking about the Batman that spouts off righteous one-liners before he finishes a fight, or is this the softer spoken Bats that disappears having the last word? Often times, Batman can act many different ways. He is, after all, so cherished because he’s complex in ways that many superheroes are not *cough* Superman *cough*, so what’s the formula Affleck is looking to use? It’s clear that Batman was emotional and a bit more rough with his foes when compared to Christoper Nolan’s take on the hero, but dialling back the drama a bit seems to be a route Affleck is looking to explore.

If we look at some of the Justice League source material, Batman is around for the formation of the group but starts out as an “on-call” member. Elsewhere, such as in the Justice League slot machine, Superman is portrayed as the central figure in the video game art. Oddschecker even has sign-up bonuses available for multiple sites housing the game so it’s a title viewed and played by many. Despite not being seen as the head honcho, Bruce puts his life on the line all the time. While some might argue that Superman is the face of the Justice League, Batman often commands the group in the heat of the moment or when a clever plan must be devised. However, it looks like Batman is going to need to do it all with Superman, at the very least, incapacitated at the end of Batman vs. Superman. In the more recent New 52 comics that relaunched the DC universe, Batman seems to be more or less the leader of the group. In this, we might expect to see some of Affleck’s claims come to fruition as the senior superhero has to pull together a team of younger recruits such as Cyborg and the Flash.

Affleck goes on to say this very position of power mixed with the task of team leader is where much of the film’s excitement will come from. “He’s put in this position of having to reach out, find other people, convincing them to do something. The actor goes on to say the movie will be more about multilateralism and the focus of the movie is on the formation of the team and whether or not they have what it takes to work together.

Source: Taran Adarsh via Facebook

A promo picture and website for the Justice League film put that thought on full display as it shows members of the group standing front to back with Batman in the center. Words read “Unite The League,” and the picture fails to show the Son of Krypton, Superman. So, perhaps in the Kryptonian’s absence, Batman will step up and lead with a cool head. It would certainly seem so if we’re to take Affleck at his word but it’s all conjecture until the movie finally comes out November 17, 2017.

What do you think Affleck is bringing to the table and what would you like to see? Let us know in the comments below!

 

 

The Business of Books: Jane Cable talks to Choclit author and Romaniac Laura E James

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THE BUSINESS OF BOOKS: Connect, engage – and write!

Jane Cable talks to Choclit author and Romaniac Laura E James

1: How much of your working life does the business of books take up?

I like to start the day by clearing my emails and writing my guest posts, updating the accounts, attending to social media – connecting with readers and writers, sharing book-related news, creating adverts – before settling into working on the manuscript, be that research, writing or editing. Quite often time will run away from me, so I’m attempting to stick to a plan of sorting out on what I loosely term admin, until 11:00, leaving the rest of the day for writing, which is anything from one to seven hours. It’s not an exact answer to the question because my working day depends on my health. I have autoimmune conditions, which can dictate my hours.

2: What’s your business model to earn a living from writing?

It’s only recently I’ve converted my way of thinking to writing as a business, so I’m learning and in the process of developing the business model. I write character and issue driven relationship novels, I engage on social media, run workshops and present talks to groups interested in writing and/or my books, take part in interviews, and network when possible. In its simplest form: keep writing, keep engaging, and keep building my readership.

3: What do you write and what do you consider to be your major successes?

I write commercial fiction, often centred on family relationships, with issues and moral dilemmas sending my characters down dark paths. There are strong elements of romance, so I will always guide my characters and my readers towards a happy or hopeful ending. I’m a Jodi Picoult fan and reading her books has had a major influence on what and possibly, how I write.

My first major success was being shortlisted for a short story competition run by Choc Lit (publisher), which resulted in my entry achieving the runner-up position. I repeated this with their second short story competition, and went on to have my debut, TRUTH OR DARE?, published with them.

FOLLOW ME FOLLOW YOU, my second book, was my first to go into paperback, large print, and audio, and the moment I received my author copies is one I cherish. In January 2017, the book was chosen by Apple to be the free iBook of the Week, and it hit the number one spot – my first number one. I was on a writing retreat with friends at the time. Celebrations were had.

My latest novel, WHAT DOESN’T KILL YOU, spearheaded a new imprint – Dark Choc Lit. I feel privileged to have had that opportunity and love that an imprint is in place for darker, harder hitting novels. This is the first of my novels to be sold through WH Smith, in the Travel shops, which is a dream come true.

The Romaniacs, an online blogging group of eight writers, formed in 2011, has to be one of my favourite successes, but it’s not my success, it’s our success. The support and friendship is phenomenal, as is the output – seven out of eight are published/to be published, and/or with agents. In 2015, we won the inaugural RNA Industry Media Stars Award for our work in promoting the romance writing industry. But the real success is how eight people, who met through the Festival of Romance and the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s New Writers’ Scheme, have formed solid friendships for life.

4: Tell me about your latest project.

I’m working on two projects – a mother-daughter relationship story, which has been planned, researched and mapped out on one of my white boards, but is hovering in the background, maturing, and a novel about rebuilding one’s life from the ground floor up, following an emotionally abusive relationship.

Laura E James writes romance without the soft edges.
For further information, go to: www.lauraejames.co.uk or www.theromaniacs.co.uk

 

 

The People At Number 9 By Felicity Everett Now Out In Paperback

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One of Frosts favourite books of the year is now out in paperback. You can read our review of The People At Number 9 here. We recommend you get your hands on a copy.

Meet the new neighbours. Whose side are you on?

Have you met the People at Number 9?

Sara and Neil have new neighbours in their street. Glamorous and chaotic, Gav and Lou make Sara’s life seem dull. As the two couples become friends, sharing suppers, red wine and childcare, it seems a perfect couples-match. But the more Sara sees of Gav and Lou, the more she longs to change her own life. But those changes will come at a price.

 

Felicity Everett grew up in Manchester and studied English Literature at Sussex University. She worked in children’s publishing in London, whilst raising a family and is the author of more than twenty works of children’s fiction and non-fiction. After a short career break, Felicity returned to writing full-time and in 2011 published her debut novel, The Story of Us, a funny and touching account of the friendships forged between five women at University in the 1980s. Her second novel, The People at Number 9, published in April 2017, is a dark satire on sex, envy and betrayal in the suburbs. Felicity has recently returned from a few years living in Melbourne, with her husband and now lives in Gloucestershire. Her new work in progress is a gothic tale of marriage and mental instability set in the dark heart of the countryside. You can follow Felicity @ittymay and on Facebook, Felicity Everett – Author.

The People at Number 9 is available here.

 

Family London: Fun Days Out With Children From Tots To Teens By Jimi Famurewa

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Family London: Fun Days Out With Children From Tots To Teens By Jimi FamurewaFamily London: Fun Days Out With Children From Tots To Teens By Jimi Famurewa

This brilliant little book has over 100 great things to do in London with children. From little ones to teens, there is something for everyone. Great when you are stuck or want to try something new. It is not too heavy or big so can fit easily in a bag. Charming, well-written, and thorough. This book is a life saver for parents. It is broken down into sections and will give you the opportunity to find something fun to do with the family whether it is raining, or you just want to go to a child-friendly restaurant or café. I will be working my way through this to experience all London has to offer. Highly recommended. 

From the best museums and galleries to the perfect playgrounds and cafes, Family London handpicks the very best things to do in London with tots, teens and everything in between. Come rain or shine, this complete insider’s guide to one of the best cities in the world will help you plan a day out to remember – and there’s something for everyone, from toddlers and teenagers to adults who are just big kids at heart. Whether you are a born and bred Londoner, or planning your first trip to the nation’s capital, this is the go-to guidebook to help you and your family uncover all the hidden gems the Big Smoke has to offer, and ensure you make the most of the city.

Family London is available here.

 

What To Read in August

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A romance novel that you can really get your teeth into. Engaging characters and a brilliant story. 

Any Dream Will Do By Debbie Macomber

It’s never too late to start again. Two unlikely friends find the strength in each other to overcome their painful pasts.

Shay Benson adored her younger brother. She did all she could to keep Caden on the straight and narrow. But one day her best intentions got Shay into the worst trouble of her life. By protecting Caden, Shay sacrificed herself.

Drew Douglas adored his wife. But since losing Katie, all he could do was focus on their two beautiful children; everything else came a distant second.

Shay and Drew are each in need a fresh start, and when they meet by chance it’s an unexpected blessing for them both. Drew helps Shay to get back on her feet, and she reignites his sense of purpose.

But when a devastating secret is uncovered, Shay and Drew’s new lives are threatened. It will take all of their strength, faith and trust to protect the bright future they dream of.

Any Dream Will Do is available here.

Another brilliant children’s book from the powerhouse that is Isla Fisher. 

Marge And The Great Train Rescue By Isla Fisher

Have you met Marge? She has rainbow hair, tells wild stories and she’s the best babysitter in the whole world.

Things do SOMETIMES go off the rails when Marge is around but Jakey and Jemima don’t mind that. After all, no one else could rescue a train, help Jakey’s wobbly tooth or cause chaos at the zoo!

The third fun family story in the MARGE IN CHARGE series, written by actor & comedian Isla Fisher and illustrated throughout by Eglantine Ceulemans.

Marge And The Great Train Rescue is available here.

Am immensely satisfying and entertaining historical novel. 

The Waiting Hours By Ellie Dean

Slapton Sands, 1943

War has not been kind to Carol Porter. It took her husband and baby, and with them her heart. At last she’s found some peace, working as a land girl at Coombe Farm. But Carol’s sanctuary, the whole local area in fact, is about to be disrupted.

When Pauline Reilly hears Carol’s news she’s worried for her little sister. But as rumours about Slapton Sands reach Cliffehaven, Pauline can’t help be more concerned for her only surviving son. And despite her sister-in-law Peggy’s best efforts, nothing soothes Pauline’s fears.

As Carol prepares to face the impending upheaval alone her beloved mother, Dolly, swoops in to Slapton, and packing up Carol’s life presents unexpected opportunities for them both: Carol looks to her future while Dolly confronts a ghost from her past, and they both have a chance to mend their broken hearts.

The THIRTEENTH fabulous, heart-warming Second World War novel in Ellie Dean’s bestselling Cliffehaven series (previously called the Beach View Boarding House series).

The Waiting Hours is available here. 

 

 

 

Business of Books: So Much to Give – Part 1

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Jane Cable on how authors get together to support charities

It’s that time of year again. The time when Chindi Authors stand outside the Cancer Research UK shop in Arundel for ten whole days during the town’s festival trying to sell books. Not an easy task when the second hand offerings inside are so much cheaper, but we stick at it because we can add to the coffers of this excellent cause, promote our own books and meet readers.

We know we’ll be well supported by our members and local people, but organiser romantic novelist and kidlit writer Carol Thomas was asked by author contacts up and down the country if they could donate too. While she did the charitable thing and set up a donation page – http://www.carol-thomas.co.uk/Chindi-cruk/ – her generosity simply got me thinking about how much writers achieve when they band together for good causes.

The most high profile recent example of this was the Authors for Grenfell online auction which attracted pledges of more than £150,000, over £30,000 of which was for Philip Pullman to name a character after one of the young victims of the fire. Quirky lots did well too, with conductor and writer Lev Parikian putting together a package which bridged both his worlds: “I offered signed books and (more importantly on this occasion, I think) conducting lessons. A bidding war between three people meant we raised £1,700.”

 

CLIC Sargent runs an annual ‘Get in Character’ eBay auction where authors such as crime writer E V Seymour and novelist and poet Claire Dyer have offered bidders a range of lots including – you guessed it – having a character in a book named after them. Critiques prove equally popular and previous Business of Books guest Karen King (https://www.frostmagazine.com/2017/04/how-to-have-more-than-100-titles-published/) offered one in the Authors for Refugees auction last year, an initiative which raised £22,000.

 

Another way of writers getting together to raise money is by giving their time to contribute to and to edit anthologies for causes as diverse as cancer and heart charities, earthquake appeals, women’s rescues and hospices. Some have very personal links to the cause, including saga writer Elaine Everest (also a previous Business of Books guest): “I organised and edited the anthology ‘Diamonds and Pearls’ (Accent Press) to celebrate my 30th anniversary of surviving breast cancer (7 years ago) with funds going to Against Breast Cancer.”

 

Crime & thriller writer Jane Risdon is a serial contributor to anthologies, supporting amongst others Women for Women, Breakthrough, Women’s Aid, The Norfolk Hospice, The Princess Alice Hospice and Save The Children. She was slightly upset when there was no thanks from certain charities, but would still do it again. Other authors say that smaller charities are more responsive than the larger ones so they prefer to work with these.

 

Some writers go the whole nine yards and get together to form charities of their own. A prime example of this is saga writer and Frost contributing editor, Margaret Graham, who together with Jan Speedie and Penny Deacon set up Words for the Wounded which exists to raise funds for injured service personnel through writing prizes and events. It’s a wonderful organisation and every penny goes directly to the people who need it. Authors can help in a variety of ways – Chindi raised almost a thousand pounds by organising a litfest, others give their time to speak at events or in my case I donate £1 for every Amazon review of my book Another You. Find out more about W4W here: http://www.wordsforthewounded.co.uk/.