Ascension by Jeannie van Rompaey Reviewed by Frances Colville

Posted on May 24, 2016 by Margaret Graham

Planet Earth is depleted and rendered unlivable by its inhabitants. New satellite stations are built to house those with the money or good connections to get themselves there and the rest of the (now mutant) population of ‘humanoids’ is condemned to a restricted and closely monitored life in compounds built on Earth and surrounded by ‘the wilderness’. Can this be a happy-ever-after situation? What happens when the status quo is questioned and challenged? Jeannie Van Rompaey in her new book Ascension, the first in the Oasis trilogy, follows the lives of both mutant and ‘complete’ humanoids and explores what happens when they begin to connect.

Not the most original storyline perhaps and not at first glance a book which appealed to me – not being an avid fan of sci-fi. But it turned out to be worth persevering. Ascension has its roots firmly set in 21st century environmental concerns and failed political systems, and it asks questions about what we are doing to our planet, what the consequences are likely to be, and how people will cope if/when we do end up destroying Earth as we know it. I found it intriguing and more than a little worrying.

A few niggles. I was annoyed by the use of words such as bunku instead of bunk, compu instead of computer, even humanoid instead of human. What was the point, I wondered. Then there are too many things which seem implausible and which therefore need further explanation. The lack of originality continued to be an issue throughout the book. Even as an infrequent reader of science fiction and dystopias I felt that this had all been done before. And yet Ascension has something very compelling about it – and perhaps that is at least in part the knowledge that this type of scenario could indeed happen. And probably will if we don’t pay more attention to the lives we lead.

By the end of the book we are left with many unanswered questions. But that of course is the way it always is with a first book in a planned trilogy. And I can honestly (and rather to my own surprise) say that I am looking forward to books 2 and 3. Who knew??

The Oasis Series:Ascension is published by Clink Street Publishing and available in paperback (£8.99) and as an e-book.

A Day in the Life of bestselling Author Margaret Graham

Posted on May 20, 2016 by Catherine Balavage

We have a new puppy, Polly. I’m up with the sun, because she is. So out she goes, into the garden led by me, because she is reluctant. The neighbors must think their worst nightmares have come true as this disheveled apparition stands in the dew come rain or come shine, hair askew, pleading with a four legged creature to ‘get on with it.’

In due course, I take both Polly, and the long suffering ‘older sister’ Rosie out for their walk. We head round the corner to the village pond where there are ducklings.

I say village and Downley really is one. A mere 25 minutes by train from London it has the heart of any Dorset village. There is a great community spirit, and we are fast building a reputation as a centre for the arts.

After ‘walkies’ it’s down to work – of some description. I could be sorting out next year’s LitFest for Words for the Wounded which is a charity I run with two other grannies to raise money for the wounded. The annual LitFest is our big event.

This year we had Elizabeth Buchan, Jemima Hunt, Tracy Baines and Frost’s Catherine Balavage as speakers. It was wildly successful, which is great. All the money goes to the wounded, as the grannies absorb all expenses.

My kids and grandkids are the catering team, and have a great time. Seems that not much wine survives – could there be a link?

Otherwise, as contributing editor for Frost, I could be reviewing books, or exhibitions or similar. Frost is a great springboard for aspiring writers. It gives them a cv and gets them noticed.

Otherwise, my main thrust is as an author. I write two books a year for Arrow, which is a bit of a stretch and requires a modicum of organisation. When I’m researching I spend a fair bit of time at Starbucks in High Wycombe, reading through material which could be useful, or having lunch at the Wellington on the Strand for no other reason than I love it there and can catch up with Inacky, Esther, Maria, Thomas, and Ruth, who make sure everyone has a great time. As a special treat, the grandkids can sometimes spare the time to come with me. So young, they are, but so busy. So that’s the extent of the ‘organization’.

All the time though, whatever I’m doing, I’m thinking of the novels, trying to sort out a plan, iron out structural blips, and getting to know the characters. Then, for two months, I get my head down and write the darned thing. I can’t bear being interrupted, because for that time I am living in a different world, being a different person, well, many different people, and I just want to get it all down before it escapes me.

To finish is a relief, but also a loss because the characters, their struggles, their triumphs have become yours. But then, for me, it is onto the next one, or the next WforW event, or onto yet another playtime, or something for Frost. Heigh ho, I’m very lucky.

www.margaret-graham.com
www.wordsforthewounded.co.uk
www.wordsforthewounded.blogspot.co.uk

A House Divided An Easterleigh Hall Novel By Margaret Graham Review

Posted on May 19, 2016 by Catherine Balavage

I have read a lot of books by Margaret Graham and anyone who reads Frost regularly will know that I am a fan. They will also know that she is the contributing editor of this here magazine. In fact, it says so in the book. Which made me scream in joy when I saw it.

Anyway, back to the review. This novel is the third in the popular Easterleigh Hall series. I have loved all of them but I have to say that this one is my favourite. Margaret is a historian and her novels are always as education as they are entertaining. She weaves history and prose together in such a way it leaves you slightly breathless. I found it hard to put this fantastic book down and only did so when motherhood called. It has the great pacing that all good novels have. You can’t help but want to race to the end to find out what is going to happen next. Yes it is well written, but that is the least of it. This book is fascinating. I feel the cover lets it down as the interior is riveting and fun. You feel that you know the characters not just because you have read about them before, but because they are so brilliantly brought to life by Margaret’s words.

With no bias at all I can tell you that this is one of Margaret’s best books. High praise indeed considering her back catalogue. Watch out for our interview and day in the life with Margaret soon. Meanwhile buy this book.

19 May 2016| Arrow| Paperback| £5.99

1937

Evie and her family have struggle to keep Easterleigh Hall, now a hotel, running during the depression, and with war looming, she worries for the children, who have to find their way in a changing world.

Bridie is learning her trade at her mother Evie’s side, and is becoming a talented chef. Her cousin James has run away to fight in Spain, leaving the family devastated.

And Tim, the boy Bridie has always loved, shocks everyone by joining the Black Shirts and going to Germany, discovering too late that he’s playing a dangerous game.

Heartbroken at Tim’s defection, Bridie isn’t sure she can ever forgive him. But somehow these three must find a way to reconcile, because if war does come, they will need each other more than ever.

Margaret Graham has been writing for thirty years. Her first novel was published in 1986 and she is now working on her sixteenth. As a bestselling author her novels have been published in UK, Europe and the USA.

Margaret has written two plays, co-researched a television documentary – which grew out of Canopy of Silence, and has written numerous short stories and features. She is a writing tutor and speaker and has written regularly for Writers’ Forum. She also created and runs the Yeovil Literary Prize to raise funds for the creative arts of the Yeovil area. Now living near High Wycombe she is about to launch a flash fiction writing prize to raise funds for the rehabilitation of wounded troops.

For more information about Margaret Graham visit her website at www.margaret-graham.com

From Both Ends of the Stethoscope By Dr Kathleen Thompson Book Review

Posted on May 16, 2016 by Catherine Balavage

I have to admit that I thought From Both Ends of the Stethoscope would be good. I also knew that it would educate me, but what I didn’t realise was that Dr Kathleen Thompson would make her book so entertaining and readable. The book is outstanding, an essential for anyone with breast cancer and their family. Dr Kathleen Thompson writes about her own experience in a graceful and poignant way while also giving you the inside track. You would only get this type of information from an insider and Dr Kathleen Thompson is an insider twice over; as a doctor and cancer survivor. I was incredibly impressed by her book. Her writing is so good she could write a novel.

Far from a fuddy medical book this guide takes you by the hand and tells you everything you need to know. It takes the process step-by-step, giving invaluable information at every point, all intertwined with Dr Kathleen Thompson’s fine prose on her own experience. I loved this book. Well done Dr Kathleen Thompson. Well done indeed.

Dr Kathleen Thompson is Frost’s medical expert but I promise you this has caused no bias for this review. This book is stunning and I am proud to have Dr Kathleen as one of our writers. The woman is an inspiration. You can send us any questions for her about any medical problem to frostmagazine@gmail.com or tweet us @Frostmag

Whilst dealing with her own breast cancer, Dr Kathleen Thompson recognised the desperate need for a ‘going through breast cancer’ guide. Her experiences make a fascinating story in themselves, and Kathleen uses them to guide the reader through diagnostic tests and treatment options, what to do when things go wrong, and when mistakes are made. All the while she explains what is happening and why.
Recognising that anyone encountering cancer is in a state of shock, she delivers factual information intermingled with her own story, in an easily-digestible, and often amusing format. Each chapter ends with further information sources and a summary.
Kathleen looks back on her cancer journey with honesty, humour and compassion, and with the benefit of her medical understanding and knowledge of the system.
Later in the book she also explains medical research and how to assess the credibility of the numerous cancer treatment claims, and what we can all do to protect ourselves from cancer.

Read an excerpt from From Both Ends of the Stethoscope here.

Both Ends of the Stethoscope by Dr Kathleen Thompson

Paperback ISBN: 978-0-9935083-0-1

E book ISBN: 978-0-9935083-1-8

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q

Under Italian Skies By Nicky Pellegrino Reviewed By Frances Colville

Posted on May 14, 2016 by Margaret Graham

Frost writer Jan Speedie reviewed Under Italian Skies, now Frances Colville giver her opinion.

Stella, in her 40s, divorced, no children, loses a friend and a job she loved, and decides to embark on an adult gap year beginning with a house swap from her London flat to a beautiful old villa in southern Italy. As she settles into her new life, makes new friends, explores new ideas and falls in love with Italy, she maintains an email exchange with the owner of the Italian villa, builds an idea in her mind of what he is like and wonders if she will ever meet him in person. And of course if she does, will the reality live up to the image she has created of him in her head?

That Nicky Pellegrino knows Italy well and is passionate about the country and the people who live there is obvious on every page of this book. The story flows, the characters are easy to identify with and the descriptions of lifestyle and food just make the reader want to be there, living the dream. The sort of book that you can read purely for pleasure, Under Italian Skies is perfect for taking on a summer holiday – or for that matter enjoying with a glass of wine and a box of chocolates on a cold winter’s evening. Either way you won’t be able to help feeling warm and happy

Under Italian Skies is published by Orion Books and is now available in paperback £12.99 and as an Ebook at £6.99

A Day In The Life of CJ Carver

Posted on May 13, 2016 by Margaret Graham

Being an author, people think I get up around midday, go for a long lunch and return home to bang out a few pages before pouring myself a glass of wine and finishing for the day.

Hmmm. Nice thought. If only it didn’t take me quite so long to bang out those pages . . .

Today I’m woken by the bin men at seven-thirty. Eyes closed, I’m lying in bed listening to them crashing and banging down the road when, seemingly out of nowhere, an idea begins to form about the next book. I let it drift. I don’t try and pin it down. Gradually it takes a firmer shape and I study it carefully before letting it drift again.

It is this state between waking and sleeping that I find the most valuable for creative thought. It’s almost like meditation, but not quite, because instead of being clear of thought my mind is occupied with the story I’m trying to tell. By the time I’m fully awake, I’ve made a handful of notes and am ready to leap into the day.

After a shower, breakfast and a brisk walk, I get stuck in to emails, wanting to clear my mental desk before I start writing. I’m working on the sequel to Spare Me The Truth, or at least I was until my postie arrives and hands me three parcels, each containing a brand-spanking new hardcover book. They all look fantastic and although I know I have to read them – I’m on several panels at CrimeFest in Bristol this year with the authors – I really shouldn’t start now. Or should I? I flick one open and am immediately captivated by the first page. This sort of temptation is ever present being self-employed, and I have to force the books away and out of sight.

Credit: Steve Ayres

Soon, I’m completely absorbed in my work and don’t notice the time passing until my email pings. It’s from a psychologist who is helping me research the psychopathology behind serial killers. Another arrives, this one from a detective inspector in Manchester. I know it drives the police crazy when writers get things wrong, so I do my utmost to get my facts right, but I have to be careful with research as it can be so riveting, I never get any writing done.

I work on my manuscript until early evening when I have a quick look at Twitter (another terrible distraction) before deciding whether it’s cold enough to light the wood burner. Or shall I go to the pub? Writing is a solitary occupation and aside from the postie, I haven’t spoken to anyone all day. I’d better go to the pub, I decide, and talk to someone or I might go quite mad.

True: Lee’s scrumptious! Vicky Edwards talks to Lee Mead

Posted on May 10, 2016 by Vicky Edwards

Starring in one of the most famous musicals of all time, Lee Mead tells Vicky Edwards why he’s so happy to be in the driving seat…

Pictures: Alastair Muir

At the wheel of the most fantasmagorical car in history, Lee Mead freely admits that when the offer to play Caractacus Potts in the stage musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was made, he didn’t have to think twice. It is debatable, however, who was more excited: Lee, or five-year-old daughter Betsy.

“I took her to see the show in Southampton and watching her get so involved was really special. She knows all the songs and sings them all the time,” grinned Lee, who is clearly both a proud and hands-on dad.
Having grown up watching the film version, Lee was already familiar with the Chitty story and score, but he also has another link to our fine four-fendered friend; a connection that dates back to the early days of his career.

“When I was just starting out, the show was opening in the West End and I went to an open audition to be Michael Ball’s second cover. Now, I can move really well, but I’m not a trained dancer and you needed to be part of the dance ensemble to be second cover for the role”.
Game over. Footwork not quite up to scratch, Lee lost the gig.

“It makes it all the more special playing the role now,” he told me, eyes twinkling with both amusement and delight.
Talking of things being special, I asked Lee what he thinks makes Chitty such a well-loved show and why audiences of all ages are still so enchanted by Ian Fleming’s story of a magical car and a single dad.
“I think what makes it one of the most iconic shows in the world is that it has such a heart,” he answered, thoughtfully, adding:
“The relationship between Potts and the children, Grandpa and Truly are really important, but you have to hit those beats or it becomes just a show about a flying car; you need those truths. The scenes going into songs are quite tiny so you have to really work to get those transitions right and to mark those moments.
“It’s also a great story. Even as an adult you are taken on that journey; you can’t help but allow yourself to do that. It’s a very clever show with brilliant characters and brilliant songs.”
Ah yes, the songs. Wonderful they are indeed, and thanks to an ace 12-piece orchestra the impact of the music in this particular production is nothing short of spellbinding.
“It’s unusual for a touring production to have such a big orchestra and they are incredible,” agreed Lee, who shot to fame when he won the BBC talent show Any Dream Will Do, and with it the title role in the West End revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
Leading West End roles in Wicked and Legally Blonde followed, along with the release of several solo albums, and also being cast in TV’s Casualty as Ben ‘Lofty’ Chiltern, for which he earned a Best Newcomer at the National Television Awards 2015.

Not bad going for a lad whose first job was singing on a booze cruise ferry where the clientele was often so well lubricated that Lee sang from a cage in case any of them, worse for drink, took exception to his dulcet tones.
“But actually I loved it and looking back I realise that not being able to afford to go to drama school in London was no bad thing. A lot of young actors now aren’t prepared to go on tour; they just want to walk into the West End, but that’s not where you learn your craft.”
From schlepping around the country on low-budget tours to playing gigs on car ferries and doing cabaret with seasoned old-timers like Ken Dodd, Lee soaked up experience and learnt as much as he could.
“Apart from being great fun I think you have a far greater appreciation of success when it comes than if you had just walked into the West End,” he nodded, explaining that the ratio of actors out of work at any time far and away exceeds those with jobs.
“I do talks in colleges and I always advise kids to go and learn on the touring circuit.”
Starring in a major musical, being a devoted dad, talking to college kids – nobody can accuse Lee of being a slacker.
Laughing, he said: “I’ve also released a new album called Some Enchanted Evening. I wanted to do an album of songs from the 40s and 50s film era, giving them a modern twist.”
A huge hit with fans, the album smashed into the top 20 in the Independent Charts. Typically modest, Lee is quick to credit his band, but is nevertheless thrilled.

“The response has been brilliant and I’ll be touring the album in October when I finish on Chitty.”
Actors are often slightly rigid about their pre-show routines, so while I put my coat on I asked Lee if he had any such rituals.
“I like the five minutes before the show to be silent and focussed; to have that still moment before you go out on stage and it is like an express train,” he says, unnecessarily apologetically.
Wanting a bit of peace and quiet before a musical marathon hardly counts as diva behaviour, I countered.
“And I’m a bit OCD about my desk area,” he joked, in mock hopefulness of sounding like a highly strung artiste.
Sorry, fella. You’re just too much of a sweetheart to qualify as a foot-stamping prima donna. And, after an hour in his company, and later watching him in rehearsal, I can confirm that this triple threat performer and gentlest of gentlemen is also absolutely perfect as Potts.
Vicky Edwards

For more information, visit www.chittythemusical.co.uk
Facebook: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang The Musical
Twitter: @ChittyMusical / #chittymusical

The Passenger by Lisa Lutz Reviewed by Margaret Graham

Posted on May 10, 2016 by Margaret Graham

This is the road trip to beat all road trips…

Lisa Lutz, the New York Times bestselling author of the Spellman Files, has written, in The Passenger, a thriller about murder, secrets and increasing desperation as Tanya flees the scene of her dead husband’s accident.

But is she Tanya, and is his death an accident? Such are the questions that slowly, and irrevocably are answered as the novel proceeds and the miles unfold. Tanya, or is it Debra, and what about Sonia, drives from danger, but is it to safety? Nah, nothing so easy. She reaches a temporary sanctuary each time, and huddles beneath its roof, and the umbrella of another new identity but that’s as far as it goes.

The miles seem to put no distance between her and the past, but instead, through numerous encounters carefully managed by Lutz, she edges towards home, and a startling denouement, for her, and for us.

The Passenger shows the loneliness of the ‘long distance driver’, someone who has left a life, and all ties behind, who does not even own her own name. It reveals the depths of fear, pain and desperation of someone wanting, or needing, to disappear.

Written with verve, plot twists, and cleanly etched characters, but does it work?

On the whole, yes though I found I was hoping about halfway through that things would start coming together more quickly than they actually were. But this could have been me. I’m getting picky in my old age.

The layer upon layer of revelation, and consequences built the tension as I left the slight sag behind and soon I was hanging on for grim death as we roared, with a g force I admired, round hair pin bends of revelation towards the finishing line.

Should you read it? Yep, and prove me wrong about the sag and anyway, I really enjoyed it. It was thought provoking.

The Passenger Liza Lutz Titan Books. Paperback and ebook

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