My Review for Fear of Falling.

We take our modern comfortable lives so much for granted, that I can’t imagine what it would be like—or how I would cope if I found myself in the frightening situation faced by Sarah, Matt and their ten year old son John.

One minute they arrive in Ireland from America looking forward to some peace and quiet away from technology. The next they find themselves caught up in a terrifying apocalyptic scenario. To make matters worse Sarah suffers badly from anxiety, and yet as the story unfolds she manages to rise above her fears and finds the strength not only to cope in a world flung back hundreds of years, she also finds the courage and strength to fight for her family and survive in this harsh and dangerous new world.

I really enjoyed Fear of Falling. The author Susan Kiernan-Lewis has written in such a way that the book is a real page turner. I found it exciting, frightening and profoundly disturbing. Possibly, because sadly, I’m quite sure if such a thing should happen now, in actuality—the fragile civilization we all enjoy would very soon disappear, and the scenarios put forth in this book could become a reality.

As I read the book, it was plain to me it was written from a Christian perspective. So why the profanity? Okay, it wasn’t a lot, but it was there. If there’s one word I hate it’s the f…. word! A good author like Kiernan-Lewis blessed with such an imagination shouldn’t need to use such words.

I would have given the book five stars but for that. Had there been more, I would have stopped reading the book.

Nevertheless, for those who enjoy a book that is exciting and a fast read…which at times has you on the edge of your seat. Then Fear of Falling is it!

A good Read.

Fear of Falling.


http://www.amazon.com/review/R1QDKLTZAP48G

Book Reading in School.

I was invited to read to the children at a local school. I read a couple of chapters from the book and then we had questions and comments. The children listened attentively and made some interesting comments. It was  a positive experience for me, especially as the book  A Rat and A Ransom was written for their age group, 8/9 yr olds.
It was a most enjoyable afternoon and I hope to repeat the experience in other schools around the area.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/A-Rat-Ransom-ebook/dp/B0077E3P0Y/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1337269200&sr=1-1

My review of The Weeping Empress

http://www.amazon.com/review/R3E1RQQMLJD01W

Chiyo is a happily married woman with a young daughter. Somehow or other she finds herself plucked from her secure happy life and thrust into a world of violence and death—in her pyjamas! Well it is a fantasy!

 In this strange new world indicative of Japan…a country that I find fascinating; Chiyo struggles to survive with the help of two powerful men Muhjah and Senka.

I have to say I struggled to relate to Chiyo. To me her change from a vulnerable, frightened and confused woman was rather rapid. At first she’s lying on the grass wondering what’s happened to her. The next, she’s slashing and killing the soldiers who are trying to capture her, along with the people of the village that she finds herself in. As the story progresses it’s a feast of blood and gore, all of which quickly awakens Chiyo’s hidden beast. Which to me didn’t seem that well hidden; in fact it was pretty close to the surface. Maybe that’s why I struggled to relate to her. I would have liked to see a little more of her feminine side.

I suppose I should ask myself, how would I react if I found myself in Chiyo’s terrifying situation? In all honesty, I don’t know, I probably wouldn’t have survived.

My feelings towards Chiyo were ambivalent. However, I found her two warrior friends Senka and Muhjah fascinating, especially Senka. As I continued to read the book I grew to like him more and more!!

I would have liked the emperor to have had a bigger role in the story. His cruelty didn’t really come across, not until he had Chiyo tortured. Even then I didn’t hate him as much as I would have liked, considering he was the driving force for the trio’s hatred and violence.

Nevertheless, I have to say; I found the book intriguing and couldn’t wait to pick it up and read more, which is a credit to the authors writing prowess. Some of the language in the book is quite beautiful.  

If there is a sequel I will certainly buy it.

The Shadowed Valley trailer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GZBTxGQJlY&feature=share

This is the trailer for my book The Shadowed Valley. We spent all afternoon putting it together and enjoyed every minute, even the frustrating bits.
It's the first one I've ever done and I'm pleased with it. :)