Paul McKenna and Mentor Richard Bandler invite you To Get The Life You Want

Internationally recognised self-help guru and specialist in personal development, Paul McKenna will be joining his mentor Dr Richard Bandler on stage in London this autumn.The two-day event entitled Get The Life You Want takes place on 13th and 14th October and follows on from the success of Bandler and McKenna’s hugely popular 2011 seminar.

This year, Get The Life You Want will focus on their latest success strategies that will help you master your emotions, discover what you want in life, gain more confidence and feel really good about yourself.

Richard Bandler and Paul McKenna are masters of personal change who have written dozens of books and taught hundreds of thousands of people how to change their lives.

Commenting on the special chemistry that between himself and Paul McKenna, Richard Bandler says:

“When the two of us get together, the people in our audience change. If you want to be one of them or you’re looking for a new direction, a chance to really get started, really get motivated this is the perfect seminar for you.”

At Get The Life You Want, you will also learn how to make better decisions, become more motivated, learn the secrets to quick and lasting life change, discover the latest success strategies and begin to direct your life where you want it to go.

Every attendee will also receive free CDs by Bandler and McKenna to the value of £140.
“It’s fantastic value, and it’s going to be a magical two days,” says promoter Bernardo Moya, CEO of NLP Life Training.

For further information or to book now, go to: Get The Life You Want: http://www.nlplifetraining.com/events/richard-bandler-paul-mckenna/get-the-life-you-want or call 0845 260 7930.

Top 10 Summer Reads 2012: Take 3kg Off Your Luggage With Kobo.

Take 3kg Off Your Luggage Allowance With Kobo’s Top 10 Summer eReads

Want a summer holiday filled with fantasy, adventure and gripping thrillers?

To make sure thousands of Brits have a vacation to remember, Kobo, the digital eReading company, has hand-picked this summer’s top 10 must-eReads – to enlighten your holiday and take pounds off your luggage allowance!

The Kobo Touch also comes with a signature quilted back for comfort, in four great colours including lilac, silver, blue and black, with an anti-glare screen perfect for the sun, at just £79.99 at WHSmith.

Relax and take a journey of unrequited love; Greek tragedy, game playing, secrecy; and even murder! With these top ten summer eReads:

Top 10 Summer Reads 2012:

The Thread, by Victoria Hislop, RRP £4.99

Thessaloniki, 2007. A young Anglo-Greek hears the life story of his grandparents for the first time and realises he has a decision to make. For many decades, they have looked after the memories and treasures of people who have been forcibly driven from their beloved city. Should he become their new custodian?

Jubilee, by Shelley Harris, RRP £4.99

It is 1977, the Queen’s Silver Jubilee, and a photographer captures a moment forever: a street party with bunting and Union Jacks fluttering in the breeze. Right in the centre of the frame, a small Asian boy stares intently into the camera. The photograph becomes iconic, a symbol of everything that is great about Britain. But the harmonious image conceals a very different reality.

The Fear Index, by Robert Harris, RRP £3.49

Meet Alex Hoffman: among the secretive inner circle of the ultra-rich, he is something of a legend. Based in Geneva, he has destroyed a revolutionary system that has the power to manipulate financial markets. Generating billions of dollars, it is the system that thrives on panic – and feeds on fear. And then, in the early hours of one morning, while he lies asleep, a sinister intruder breaches the elaborate security of his lakeside home. So begins a waking nightmare…

The Night Circus, by Erin Morgenstern, RRP £3.49

The circus arrives without warning. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents, Le Cirque des Rêves is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazement. But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway—a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them, this is a game in which only one can be left standing.

The Secrets Between Us, by Louise Douglas, RRP £3.99

Deborah Monroe and her daughter, Grace, are driving home from a party when their car hits a man running in the dark. Grace was at the wheel, but Deborah sends her home before the police arrive, determined to shoulder the blame for the accident. Her decision then turns into a deception that takes on a life of its own and threatens the special bond between mother and daughter.

The Hypnotist, by Lars Kepler, RRP £3.99

The No 1 Scandinavian crime bestseller. Detective Inspector Joona Linna is faced with a boy who witnessed the gruesome murder of his family. He’s suffered more than one hundred knife wounds and is comatose with shock. Linna’s running out of time. The killer’s on the run and, seemingly, there are no clues. Desperate for information, Linna enlists disgraced hypnotist Dr Erik Maria Bark. As the hypnosis begins, a long and terrifying chain of events unfurls.

Tideline, by Penny Hancock, RRP £4.99

One winter’s afternoon, voice coach Sonia opens the door of her beautiful riverside home to fifteen-year-old Jez, the nephew of a family friend. He’s come to borrow some music. Sonia invites him in and soon decides that she isn’t going to let him leave.

The Book of Summers, by Emylia Hall, RRP 4.99

Inside is a letter informing her that her long-estranged mother has died, and a scrapbook Beth has never seen before. Entitled The Book of Summers, it’s stuffed with photographs and mementos complied by her mother to record the seven glorious childhood summers Beth spent in rural Hungary. And it was a time that came to the most brutal of ends the year Beth turned sixteen.

A Perfectly Good Man, by Patrick Gale, RRP £4.99

When 20-year-old Lenny Barnes, paralysed in a rugby accident, commits suicide in the presence of Barnaby Johnson, the much-loved priest of a West Cornwall parish, the tragedy’s reverberations open up the fault-lines between Barnaby and his nearest and dearest. The personal stories of his wife, children and lover illuminate Barnaby’s ostensibly happy life, and the gulfs of unspoken sadness that separate them all. Across this web of relations scuttles Barnaby’s repellent nemesis – a man as wicked as his prey is virtuous.

Alice Bliss, by Laura Harrington, RRP £3.70

Alice Bliss is a profoundly moving coming-of-age novel about love and its many variations–the support of a small town looking after its own; love between an absent father and his daughter; the complicated love between an adolescent girl and her mother; and an exploration of new love with the boy-next-door.

KIDWELL-E FESTIVAL UNVEILS FAMILY-FRIENDLY AUTHOR LINE-UP

~ Tickets now on sale for the UK’s first literary festival to unashamedly celebrate the ebook, new writing talent and popular fiction ~
~ Confirmed guest at the two-day event (July 28/9) in Wales include authors Dougie Brimson, Polly Courtney, Martin Edwards, Tim Heald, Nicholas Allan and Mary Hooper ~

Bestselling authors including “Yob Laureate” Dougie Brimson, crime writer Martin Edwards and the controversial Polly Courtney will be appearing at the UK’s first ebook literary festival next month.

Taking place in the “picture postcard” coastal village of Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire, West Wales, on the last weekend of July, the inaugural Kidwell-e Festival promises a packed line-up of guest authors, readings, workshops and family-friendly entertainment suitable for all ages.

Unashamedly popularist in its focus and willing to give exposure to fresh writing talent as well as established authors, the festival will celebrate the “digital publishing revolution” and cover all popular genres such as crime, romance, historical adventure and comedy.

For the kids, there will also be a Children’s Festival with the BBC’s Nicholas Allan, Pippa Goodhart, Mary Hooper and many more taking part.

Among the authors taking part are Dougie Brimson — dubbed the “Yob Laureate” for his bestselling books on football hooliganism and lad culture such as The Crew and Top Dog. Brimson has also moved into comedy, with his most recent book, 2011’s The Art of Fart, becoming his first ebook exclusive.

Polly Courtney, meanwhile, is famous for breaking free from publisher HarperCollins in protest at the “fluffy” chick-lit titles and cover designs assigned to her novels, such as It’s a Man’s World.

At Kidwell-e, she will be discussing how to “go it alone” in the publishing world, while award-winning crime writer Martin Edwards (The Hanging Wood, The Coffin Trail) will be laying down the law on how to write compelling crime fiction.

They will be joined at the festival by the likes of royal biographer Tim Heald (Princess Margaret — a Life Unravelled), award-winning publisher Hazel Cushion (founder of Accent Press), Guardian journalist Wendy Berliner, acclaimed naval historical fiction writer David Davies (The Journals of Matthew Quinton), Amazon best-selling novelist Andrew Kirby, and rising comedy writer Alex Thomas (War & Piste).

For younger readers there is a host of popular children’s authors scheduled for the Kidwell-e Children’s Festival, including acclaimed author/illustrator Nicholas Allan (The Queen’s Knickers, Hilltop Hospital), Adèle Geras (Dido, the Tutu Tilly series), Pippa Goodhart (You Choose — winner of Mumsnet’s Book of the Year for 3-4 Year Olds Award 2011), Carnegie Medal nominee Mary Hooper (At The House of the Magician, At The Sign Of The Sugared Plum) and Anne Rooney (Vampire Dawn series).

If that’s not enough, there will also be fire breathers, magicians, writing and circus skills workshops, stilt walking, Medieval minstrels and face painting to keep the kids busy. Entry to the festival is free for children under 14.

Festival founder and best-selling Welsh author Julian Ruck (The Ragged Cliffs Trilogy) said: “The Kidwell-e Festival is the first event of its kind within the UK to officially recognise, and celebrate, the ebook — the most innovative, exciting and empowering medium to hit the publishing world since Caxton and Gutenberg.

“The festival’s motto is “INclusive, Not EXclusive” and we have a wealth of fascinating talks and readings on all aspects of popular writing taking place in the stunning countryside of the Gower Peninsula, as well as family-friendly entertainment.”

He added: “Kidwell-e is about promoting literature and literacy to all in the digital age, giving new writing talent a chance, and most of all, having lots of fun.”

*

The Kidwell-e Festival takes place on Saturday, July 28, and Sunday, July 29. Tickets are priced £15 for one day or £25 for two days when booked in advance. Entrance on the day is £18. Children under 14 go free. For more information visit www.kidwellyefestival.com.

beActive LAUNCHES NEW TRANSMEDIA SERIES BEAT GIRL

Multi-award-winning transmedia production company beActive has today announced the launch of Beat Girl, a live action music drama which will shoot in Dublin and London over the next four weeks.

Beat Girl follows 21-year-old Heather’s journey through music. Following the death of her pianist mother, Heather’s only option is to move in with her estranged father and half-brother. She turns to music and DJing to help her make some sense out of life. Heather is determined to continue her mother’s legacy and decides to audition for a place at a prestigious music school. But finding a balance between her music and career as a DJ leaves her divided; struggling to commit to her dreams and friendships against the backdrop of a turbulent home life. Heather soon discovers that music is inseparable from feelings and without the emotions, the dreams and the people we love, life, just like music, would not make sense.

Targeted at 18-35 year old women, Beat Girl will feature on several platforms, including online and social media, TV, books, magazines and iPhone/iPad applications. A Beat Girl novel and interactive eBook will go on sale in June at the same time as the Beat Girl mobile game.

Content Television and Digital holds the international online and broadcast distribution rights to the series, which it will debut at MIPTV as a 12×2’, 6×22’ and 1×90’ feature. Content Television and Digital will be at Stand RB.44 at MIPTV.

beActive’s co-founder and CEO Nuno Bernardo said: “It’s a great time for us to begin shooting Beat Girl. The series follows in the footsteps of the hugely successful Sofia’s Diary and demonstrates our continued commitment to engaging with audiences across multiple platforms, and really showcases us as being one of the leading producers of multiplatform content. We hope fans around the world will love Beat Girl just as much as Sofia”.

Adele Parks Whatever it Takes | Book Review

I got through Adele Parks new book Whatever it Takes as quickly as my schedule allowed. It is a wonderfully paced book, full of flawed characters and brilliant observations. Some of the characters are not likable, and become less so further on, I like that. The book captivates.

As a Londoner the story of Elosie Hamilton, who moves to Dartmouth for her husband after living her whole life in London is interesting to me, and the book even made me long for the seaside and a large country house. Well, for a while anyway.

Whatever it Takes is a story of family, friendship and marriage. It is also a story of fertility. Sara is almost driven mad for her longing for a child. She becomes bitter and difficult to be around. While Sara is childless, Eloise has three children. Eloise is nice, far too nice. She tries to be perfect and have a perfect life as one thing after another nearly makes her world, and her families implode.

Spoiler Alert

Another thing about the book is that I also found it painful to read. The reason being is how well Parks writes about the character, Margaret descending into dementia. My grandfather had Alzheimer’s and the the book is so well written that I knew this was happening to the character before it was revealed. I recognised my own grandfather in the character of Margaret, all of the little things she does and that happen to her; painful to read but it does not make the book less enjoyable to read.

The characters sometimes make you want to shake them or slap them, love them or hug them. This book is a triumph for Adele Parks. She should be very proud.

You can buy Whatever It Takes here

TRANSWORLD TO PUBLISH McFLY MEMOIR

Some music news now…

Transworld Publishers have announced the acquisition of world rights for the first official book by McFly, to be published in autumn this year.

In what promises to be a frank, funny and original insight into the lives of one of the UK’s best-loved bands, readers will get to know the men behind McFly in a way they never thought they would.

From their early days sharing a house in Finchley to becoming the youngest band ever to have a debut album reach the number one spot, this book will give the inside track on their meteoric rise. It will include surprising tales of growing up in the limelight and the euphoric highs and desperate lows along the way. This book will be essential reading for McFly fans everywhere but, more than that, it will shine a light on what it takes to make it to the top and stay there for nine years, all told in their unique and inimitable style.

Think you know McFly? Think again.

Michelle Signore, Editorial Director at Transworld Publishers, says:

‘I am absolutely thrilled that Dougie, Harry, Danny and Tom have chosen to publish their book with Transworld this autumn. After nearly a decade together, the time feels right for McFly to tell their story and it promises to be candid, fun – and surprising!’

The Titan Prophecy. The New Harry Potter? {Book Reviews}

The Titan Prophecy: Rise of the Dark One is a blockbuster fantasy novel aimed at young adults, steeped in Greek Mythology and tales of Greek gods and dragons. I am not a young adult but I still loved it. It is Harry Potter meets Lord of the Rings. The book educates and entertains as it uses real Greek mythology and stories, it then entwined them with the story of Charlie, his sister Emily, and his friend Max. Two boys and a girl, sound familiar?

This is not just some Harry Potter rip-off. It is dazzling and original. It is hard to put down and actually a little bit scary. Not sure if I am supposed to admit that…The book includes current world issues like climate change into the fabric of the novel. It also has some killer lines like: ‘Thinking? Surely you can do better than that?”

It has a familiarity for anyone who is a fan of history due to the real mythical historical figures in it. It is a blockbusting action-adventure-fantasy-time-travelling- novel. A real triumph for A.M Crawford, a former political journalist. This book is the first in a series and I will be reading the other ones, even if I am not 11 and outside of the demographic.

This book received the ultimate stamp of approval from me; I got some of my friends to buy it so they could read it too.

A.M Crawford commented: I have tried to weave a tale that will engage the imagination of boys and girls from the age of 11 onwards so they will grow older with Charlie, Max and their friends and remain engaged throughout their teens. The combination of elements of Greek mythology with an adventure story set in a quintessential English village is a magical mix.”

Buy it here: The Titan Prophecy: Rise Of The Dark One

http://www.facebook.com/thetitanprophecy

Watermelons Book Review: Is Climate Change a Conspiracy?

James Delingpole is known for being controversial. He is right wing and speaks his mind. You may know of him not only because of climategate, but also due to the furore he created when he debated in Tatler magazine whether people were sending their daughters or sons to private school.

One sometimes feels he is saying things for effect, but if there is one word I would use for his new book, Watermelons, it’s “interesting”.

It takes courage to be apart from the general conscious, especially on something like climate change. A subject most people in power have stopped debating over. The environment is at the forefront of political agenda, newspapers, televisions and people’s minds. You can’t go to a supermarket without being asked if you really want a plastic bag. I try to never use them (after seeing the effect they have on animals and the ocean thanks to Greener-upon-Thames) but when you have lots of shopping and someone asks if you need a bag you just feel like asking them if you should just juggle it all home.

I don’t judge people on their political beliefs, but I feel that will stop some people reading Delingpole’s book. Some of my liberal friends were not amused I was even reviewing Delingpole’s book, but, really, who cares.

I found this book interesting. Even if you get to the end and don’t agree with Delingpole it is a fascinating read. The name ”watermelons” is Delingpole’s description of people who are red on the inside and green on the outside. In this book he is debunking the myth of anthropogenic global warming (CAGW). Delingpole has a chapter on the evidence behind his theme of the book, which is; politicians and scientists are using the myth of man-made climate change to raise our tax and control us. Delingpole is not just a crack pot conspiracy theorists. Alain De Botton is mentioned in the book, Delingpole asked him what he wanted to read in the book and he said the science, the evidence, of Delingpole’s claim. Delingpole took his friends advice and included this.

The chapter on the climategate emails is hilarious. Really funny. The scientists involved to not come across well. I will still recycle and be environmentally aware but the book has some good points. It expose hypocrisy in droves, and takes people to task.

This book is for anyone interested in the debate on climate change. Whether environmentalist or sceptic. Delingpole is educated and outspoken. Most people follow other people’s opinion rather than make up their own minds . Which is why I do think you should read this book, it is entertaining and political and sparks debate Then make up your own mind.

Watermelons: How the Environmentalists are Killing the Planet, Destroying the Economy and Stealing Your Children’s Future