Liza Pulman – The Heart Of It – show review by Paul Vates: “an intimate and fulfilling experience”

at Riverside Studios (Studio 3), Hammersmith, London

“an intimate and fulfilling experience”

There is something beautifully old-fashioned, traditional, yet timeless about this show.

A compact sextet of incredible musicians, playing sumptuous music live and unleashed – sometimes supporting, other times taking the lead and letting fly.

Out front is the singer. She sparkles like the stars of old – Garland, Bassey, Streisand (especially Streisand). Performing ballads and blockbusters, at times sitting on the stool and pulling the crowd into her inner emotions, then belting out blockbusters – a variety of songs, some so well known they’re a part of our DNA, others unknown but glorious all the same.

It’s like being transported to one of those clubs you see in films, where the singer sings and the band plays on no matter what is happening. A jazz club vibe fills the studio and it’s an intimate and fulfilling experience.

Liza Pulman is the inaugural solo artist to perform in Studio 3 and the show is like a tribute to the Riverside Studios sumptuous history in entertainment, continuing the venue’s legacy. The Heart Of It is a well-oiled machine, a show that is slick and, at times, ever-so-slightly cheesy … which makes it all the more lovable.

With nodding heads, jiggling feet and drumming fingers, this show affects the audience in different ways. For me the spellbinding rendition of the James Bond theme Nobody Does It Better and the slow and jazzy version of the classic Happy Days Are Here Again stand out.

Liza is currently touring again with Fascinating Aida as well as performing this show, which launches her new album. The classic singer, the classic songs, the classic band. What more could you want…?

Photography Dom White – taken at Lichfield Festival

Performances until Saturday 30th April at 7.30pm

Location Riverside Studios, 101 Queen Caroline Street, Hammersmith,

London W6 9BN

Tickets £30, available from https://www.riversidestudios.co.uk/

and 020 8237 1010

Running time 2 hours inc interval

Remaining Dates On Tour with The Heart Of It –

4th & 5th July at Wilton’s Music Hall, London

On Tour with Fascinating Aida –

Touring until 20th May 2022 – www.fascinatingaida.co.uk/tour-dates

Stream The Heart Of It – slinky.to/TheHeartofItLizaPulman

The Heart Of It tour dates & tickets www.lizapulman.com/tour-dates

Facebook @lizapulmanofficial

Twitter @liza_pulman

Instagram @pulmanliza

Website www.lizapulman.com

Joffe has cracking new books for us all, and the Book of the Week will have you biting your nails as you turn the pages.

Joffe’s  book of the week is DEAD ON DELIVERY,  a really gripping new thriller from bestselling author Steve Parker — out now for the special launch price of 99p | 99c.

Featuring the ambitious young Detective Superintendent Ray Paterson, and Britain’s most foul-mouthed and irreverent detective, DI Johnny Clocks, this action-packed crime thriller is not one to be missed.

Once you start, you won’t be able to put it down, so take it on a long  journey or you’ll get grumpy at being interrupted. Lord, so many twists and turns. It’s the sort of book that makes you want to read any others by this author.

CLICK HERE TO BUY DEAD ON DELIVERY BY STEVE PARKER FOR 99P | 99C.
                           

 

The Village Mysteries by Margaret Mayhew   1-4  OUT NOW — ONLY 99P | 99C

Get FOUR lovely cozy murder mysteries in one box set. Very good value it is too. 

Discover Frog End, a beautiful English village with some dark secrets, in this bestselling series of enchanting village mysteries starring your new favourite amateur detective, The Colonel.

 Blood Kin  by Matt Hilton only £1.99/$ 1.99

If you love Reacher, or books by Dean Koontz, David Baldacci or Lee Child, then you’ll devour this action-packed thriller from the bestselling author of the Joe Hunter series.

Murder at Abbey Head by Roy Lewis   only £1.99 / $1.99

Local history buff turned amateur sleuth Arnold Landon explores the murky depths of an ancient sea cave, uncovered by a violent storm.

Arnold stumbles on something impossible. A heap of human remains. Along with a tiny silver ID badge. Whoever killed the owner— twenty years ago — found the ultimate place to hide their crime. But how did they do it? Someone out there will stop at nothing to keep their secret.

A BOOK OF MURDER BY VICTORIA DOWD

Joffe are very excited to give  us an early look at A BOOK OF MURDER, the page-turning and as they say effortlessly entertaining new whodunnit by award-winning mystery novelist Victoria Dowd, available for pre-order now for 99p | 99c.

“I am over the moon to be publishing a new title in Victoria Dowd’s brilliant series. Victoria’s Smart Women are as clever as they are catty; and few authors are so adept at deploying such fiendish twists.

I absolutely love the set-up of this one: placing us right at the start of the court case following the murder, before diving into that murderous past is just fantastic.”

— Editorial Director Emma Grundy Haigh

CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER THE BOOK OF MURDER BY VICTORIA DOWD FOR 99P | 99C.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH AN EXCLUSIVE COVER REVEAL FOR THE BOOK OF MURDER BY VICTORIA DOWD.

And click here to see all that Joffe Books has to  offer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Sleepers by K M Kelly, a wow of a novel. Hang onto your hat, don’t read it just before bed, you’ll need the light left on …

Wow what a book. Couldn’t put it down.

A time bomb is ticking—but what if that time bomb is you? A chilling novel of intrigue, terror, and a man and woman in a race against the clock 

Sylvie is running , or is she being chased by the memories of a terror attack in London she experienced as a child, a catastrophic event in which her brother died? She is running, or is she similarly being chased by her abusive boyfriend? She IS absolutely running from a warning, given to her on a station platform in Nantes: someone is trying to kill her.

Corran is not what he seems. What is he then? He’s working deep undercover to infiltrate the political organisation that looks set to win the upcoming British election—a group that doesn’t appear to have existed a few years ago. Corran has been sent to find out who they are, who is ‘working’ them, and what on earth is their agenda?

All he has is a list of names, Sylvie’s included. Only with time does he begin to see the connections to the victims of the terror attack. But that was 10 years ago. So why does it seem they are being taken out, killed, cancelled?

As the field of living victims is steadily reduced, Corran and Sylvie work together, albeit reluctantly and head into the vortex, uncertain, scared, but hell bent on  not only exposing, but neutralising the threat, one which could explode at any minute ….

Sounds a great novel, but is it really?

Well, frankly, talk about clinging to the edge of your seat, or hanging onto your hat, it’s a hell of a ride, let me tell you. A Wowzer as we say in my family! Wow-zer, such a fab page turner.

The  plot is strong, intricately and empathetically planned, and it lives,  which is a great start because  thrillers, mysteries, and any sort of crime is dependent on a rip roaring plot, one with peaks and troughs, obstacles, successes, one step forward, perhaps two back …  If the author can include believable  characters, believable settings, a sense of being in the moment, then the reader is hooked. As you readers know, we have to believe that this is our problem, our battle, we are in the scene, taking each step the character takes. If all these are present,  then this is a grand novel.

But finally there is the need for a theme,  one that gives the novel depth, and a raison d’etre, and if this resonates with the reader, then the novel is a triumph. The theme of The Sleepers was, for me, the need to run towards, not away. In other words – take back control. Put all this together and mix it up with excellent writing you have, in The Sleepers, that rare thing, a triumph.

Read The Sleepers, it’s a wow of a novel. Thank heavens the author has dipped her toes in the adult pacey thriller world, leaving children’s writing for a moment. She knows her craft, her imagination is on fire. Bring on the next please, K M Kelly.

You can obtain e-book of The Sleepers by K M Kelly here

Switching genre, from children’s author to thriller writer by acclaimed author KM Kelly

 

Ten years ago I wrote the words ‘The End’ on my children’s novel, sent it off to my then agent and waited with excitement as she started submitting it to publishers. At the time I thought that this was the beginning of my journey as a children’s author. But it wasn’t to be. Instead, ten years on and my first adult thriller is about to be published.

The publishing industry, and children’s publishing in particular, is very much at the mercy of fashions and trends. I was fortunate that Red Rock, a science fiction thriller set in a world beset by climate change, caught the tail end of the popular wave of dystopian fiction. But that trend was coming to an end. Suddenly dystopias were out of favour. My publisher declined my second book. My agent let me go shortly after.

So there I was. Back where I started.

At first I was sad. I felt I had failed. But then I realised that I was free. I could now write whatever I wanted. I could write the story that I wanted to read. What at first seemed like a bad thing was in fact liberating.

I have always enjoyed thrillers. It’s probably my favourite genre, although I still love a decent bit of science fiction. As a result, it seemed natural that I would try my hand at writing in this genre. And it was such fun to do. My first effort was a mix of science fiction and thriller which I absolutely loved writing. I sent it out to agents and publishers and received a lot of positive replies. But they all said the same thing. It didn’t fit squarely into either genre. It was too speculative for a thriller but not enough Science Fiction for SF.

Once again I was at the mercy of market forces. Several publishers told me that if I wrote a straight thriller they would be interested in hearing from me again.

And I thought – why not. I sat down and wrote a new novel, another thriller, and this time I toned down the speculative aspects (although it’s still there, in the background if you look hard enough). I drew on my love of espionage and conspiracy theories and the result was The Sleepers. Since Bloodhound Books had responded positively to my earlier novel I decided to skip trying to find an agent and put them top of my list.

Needless to say they offered me a contract and The Sleepers will be out on April 26th 2022.

Thrillers are such fun to write, as well as being hugely popular at the moment. So for now I’ve found my niche. I’m halfway through penning another thriller.

I guess in a way I’ve let my writing be directed by the market, and I think all writers face this choice at some point. Do you write solely for yourself, in which case you can do whatever you like, or do you want a publishing deal. For me it is the latter.

It’s not uncommon for authors to switch genre. Many authors write in more than one, often using a pen name to do so. Writing under a pen name can be a good way of separating your writing identities. So I decided to change my name, ever so slightly and reinvent myself as KM Kelly, thriller writer.

I look forward to sharing The Sleepers with the world, and hopefully many more books to follow.

Obtain The Sleepers here

ESSENTIAL THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT A PARENTING COACH

Becoming a parent can be among the most priceless and rewarding things in life for most folks. Nurturing young ones, educating them, and teaching them critical life skills and moral values can be highly fulfilling. However, several people can quickly become intimidated by these tasks, struggling to look after their brood because they do not know how or where to begin.

Thankfully, parent coaching can help individuals focus on the critical aspects of being a nurturer to impressionable juveniles. They can be especially pivotal to those raising kids with special needs as these children often require a specific type of care.

The ensuing information elaborates on the crucial aspects of this unique training approach that can benefit new parents, those who wish to become better caregivers, and folks with babies on the way.

About the concept

Before you grasp the idea of a coach for effective parenting, understand who a parent truly is. In simple terms, it does not have to be someone who has children of their own; it can also be a caregiver such as an older sibling, an aunt, or an uncle who looks after young children day in and day out.

This special training can help any carer become abetter nurturer by dealing with straightforward and complex issues deftly. The experts use various care models, treatment plans, counseling sessions, and support strategies to help people cope with the challenges of caring for kids of all ages.

Moreover, they can help expectant couples understand the challenges of parenthood and better prepare for it. As research points out, parenting is key to child health and overall development, making this coaching especially valuable.

How it can help

Browse the following list to understand how helpful hiring these specialists can be in becoming the best guardian for your child.

It can help couples transition from a state of crisis into a healthier relationship dynamic with each other and their kids.
Counseling can boost communication between all family members regardless of their age and intrinsic personalities.
Dealing with practical issues such as education-related problems or health ailments becomes more manageable due to improved relations.
Stress levels will be much lower in new parents as they are already prepared to cope with the challenges of caring for infants and toddlers utterly dependent on them.
Excellent coaching can help address behavioral complications such as sibling rivalry, hostility, aggression, and disobedience. It can help every family member deal with one another calmly and civilly.
Over time, a targeted approach can help each family member grow side-by-side and become better individuals.

What to look for in a reliable coach

Parent Coaching is not as easy as it sounds since it involves a challenging process of consultation, problem diagnosis, and a customized approach. So, it is prudent to find a licensed and experienced trainer with exceptional skills to help you deal with personal issues. Additionally, it would help if they provide various other counseling services such as teenage anxiety and depression, couples therapy, DBT, and marriage counseling.

Besides, even if things seem to be perfect at the moment, an excellent coach can help improve family dynamics to a vast extent. Therefore, consider the amount of experience a professional has, what their clients say about them, and their manner of communication to determine if they suit your needs. You can also consider professionals who offer online counseling and flexible payment options. 

Furthermore, you can ask about confidentiality agreements, treatment plans, counseling effectiveness, number of sessions, and other vital information to ensure you make the right choice for your children’s present and future.

Summary 

Remember that seeking professional guidance or help to rear strong, independent, and emotionally stable children is among the noblest things you can do as a parent. It can enable them to grow into mature adults and lead fulfilled lives. So, find a dependable coach as soon as possible to enjoy healthy and happy family life.

What Are The Key Features You’ll Find In a Classy RC Chevy C10?

What do you usually look for in an RC truck? If you’relooking for something that has a classic style or design with all the modern features, then the Classy Chevy C10 is the best choice.

This truck comes equipped with an all-wheel-drive system, making it easy to take on any terrain. This article will explain the key features you can check in an RC Chevy C10.

1) Type Of Batteries

Electric motors or rechargeable batteries usually power remote control toys. Two types of batteries can be used in RC toys: alkaline and lithium. Alkaline batteries are cheaper but have shorter life spans, while lithium batteries are more expensive but last longer.  In hobby-grade RC trucks, you’ll usually find NiMH batteries or LiPo batteries.  LiPo batteries require more care and experience, so if you’re just getting started, stick with the NiMH.

2) Performance

The RC Chevy C-10 has a powerful brushed motor that provides plenty of torque and speed for off-road driving. The truck also includes an all-wheel-drive system that helps it maintain traction on slippery or uneven surfaces.

The truck’s suspension system absorbs shocks and provides a smooth, comfortable ride even on rough terrain. The tires offer good traction and stability, even on slippery surfaces. An RC C-10 is an excellent choice for anyone looking for an RC truck to handle off-road driving conditions. Its powerful motor and all-wheel-drive system provide plenty of torque and speed.

The V100 chassis is a challenging and durable platform that can handle the rigors of off-road driving. The all-wheel-drive system helps maintain traction on slippery or uneven surfaces, while the suspension system absorbs shocks for a smooth ride.

3) Radio System For Remote Control

The classy Chevy C-10 comes with a radio system to control it remotely. It is an excellent feature for those who want to be able to drive their car without having to worry about being in the way. It also has a 2.4 GHz Radio System included. The remote control ranges up to 100 feet (30 meters). One can drive the car forward or in reverse.

4) Waterproof Components

The RC C-10 is built with waterproof components so that you can take your truck out in all kinds of weather conditions. Plus, it comes with a water-resistant ESC and receiver box to keep your electronics safe.

5) Drivetrain

The V100-S comes with a powerful brushed motor capable of reaching speeds of up to 30mph. It also features an all-wheel drivetrain that provides incredible traction and handling on any terrain.

The advanced All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) powertrain delivers excellent traction, while the V100 chassis offers a smooth, neutral handling vehicle that is enjoyable to drive.

6) Replacement Parts

Replacement parts for the RC Chevy C10 are widely available and relatively inexpensive. Whether you need to replace a broken component or upgrade to something better, you won’t have any trouble finding what you need.

7) Warranty

Warranty is the crucial part of any product you buy. If the product has a warranty, the company trusts its quality. The classy C10 comes with a 90-day limited warranty.

The warranty is applicable on:

-Parts

-Workmanship

-Manufacturing defects

8) Licensed Body and Graphics

The vehicle’s body looks like the classic Chevy trucks from the 1970s. With officially licensed graphics and branding, this truck is sure to turn heads both on and off the road.

So, if you’re searching for an authentic and realistic RC experience, this is the truck for you.

Conclusion

The RC Chevy C10 is one of the most impressive remote control cars. It’s an excellent choice for anyone looking for an RC car with a classic look with molded grill, bucket lights, bumper lights, AWD shaft-driven drive terrain, and plenty of other features with remarkable performance.

How about an acclaimed Karrie Barron personalised wedding card – a miniature world, one to keep until the Ruby wedding anniversary

   

I daresay some of you already know I am a devotee of karriebarron.com  which was founded in 1994. One of my Milly Adams books had just come out, and there we were, a group of us having a celebratory lunch at The Wellington on the Strand, and one of my Frost team handed me a gift.

It was a Karrie Barron  personalised card. It has moved with me, under its dome, and once it is in place, all is well with the world.

                                                  

So with spring upon us and drifting towards early summer it is the time for a wedding or two. So how about a Karrie Barron wedding card, which is really a memento, one to keep, as a gift for the bride and groom.

But how did this wonderfully artistic and innovative  family concern begin?

Tilly tells us that her mother,  Karrie’s, concept was to make 3-Dimensional cards depicting miniature worlds. She began designing and making from a back bedroom in their  family home in Fulham,  and would sell them through her Apple Market stall (Covent Garden) once a week. Of course, as it was a family concern, Tilly helped Karri and over the years  she devoloped, not only the skill and imagination, but the patience to take the business forward when Karrie retired. Patience, indeed yes,  Frost can imagine the need  as these little worlds are tiny, fiddly, personalised and just quite perfect.

If you add to the mix the internet, along with the stall at Covent Garden  and also tra – la, a shop and studio in lovely Glastonbury, Somerset,  which is where  Karrie Barron Cards now has its operating base,  the cards are  thankfully easy to obtain.

Somehow, when a ‘little world’ is received, there is no semblance of the usual mass production one has come to expect. Cards can be personalised, and because they are made by hand, each is just a little different, (no two the same)  and the care or the artist shines from them. As I said, the first thing I did was to buy a dome, because mine is a work of art.

Just think, one day the bridal pair will be celebrating their Ruby Wedding. So how about a Karrie Barron card for just this occasion.

All cards are made to order, so best to allow at least 2 weeks from when the order is placed until dispath. I use them often, for that special occasion. It is always well received. Just go to the Karrie Barron website for their full range, and there are gifts too. Lucky Glastonbury to have the shop and studio on the doorstep!

More information  at: https://www.karriebarron.com

The Folio Society Publish a Limited Edition of Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings with Exclusive Artwork and Introduction by Academy Award Winner Alan Lee

 

The Lord of the Rings   by J. R. R. Tolkien.   Illustrated by Alan Lee .  With a new preface by the artist

The Folio Society – www.foliosociety.com – publishers of beautiful books, is publishing another spectacular Limited Edition today – a three volume The Lord of the Rings set with illustrations by Academy Award Oscar winner Alan Lee, the art director behind Peter Jackson’s film series of Tolkien’s epic trilogy.  Recent show-stoppers have included The Complete Short Stories of Philip K. Dick and Dune – both sold out in a matter of days.

This 3-volume set with map and print is limited to 1,000 copies signed by the artist.

‘Him indoors’ is a devotee or J R Tolkein’s wonderful 3 volume The Lord of the Rings. I am too, so much so that I will pass a tree in a wood, and am sure it is an Ent.  But back to the business in hand. Let me tell you that this Limited Edition is quite frankly a masterpiece. The illustrations could be framed and arranged on the wall of your sitting room, study or whatever.

 

Available exclusively from The Folio Society – www.foliosociety.com   This limited edition is quite exquisite. I do feel I want to say priceless, but actually one of the 1000 sets can be bought for £1,000 / US $1.500.

Each of the 1,000 sets is numbered and signed by Alan Lee. Quarter – bound in leather with cloth sides blocked in silver and inset with illustration labels, with circular limitation tip printed letterpress on Tintoretto paper hand tipped within a gold border.

There are 1,504 pages in total over three volumes, set in Dante with Testament as display and is printed in black and burgundy on Munken Pure paper.

There are 53 colour illustrations and I can vouch that they are all of exceptional quality, printed on Veltique paper tipped within printed borders with 57 illustrated chapter openers. There are printed illustrated endpapers with burgundy satin ribbon markers. Two maps are printed together in black and red and enclosed in a case covered in blocked cloth …

Hand-made cloth-covered slipcase blocked in silver and gunmetal with printed illustration inside. There is a separate print presented in a folder of Pergamenata paper. Lastly, the book size is 12″ x  7¾”

All for the neat and tidy price:  UK £1,000 | US $1,500 But this is as nothing for a masterpiece.

For more information:  www.foliosociety.com