FAG by Jonathan Hill

FAG is the story of life in an 1930s English boys boarding school.  It is an unsettling read of bullying, intolerance and non-acceptance.

I sort of knew what was going to happen and it wasn't pleasant reading.  This was a very well written book.  The pain of the characters came through and it was heartbreaking at times.  In writing this review, all I can think of are clichés, but that's because they are true. 

In saying that this is a harrowing story, it is a page turner.  As things spiral downwards, I needed to know what was going to happen next, with the hope that things would turn out OK.

This author is known for his light-hearted Maureen series of books and this one is a lifetime away from them.  I will be thinking of this book for some time.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00KJ5XXOG/?tag=jookuf-21

Interrogating Katherine Roberts

Katherine Roberts is the author of children's fantasy stories.

How do you strike the balance between writing something you want to write and writing something that people want to read, in terms of the compromises you make, if any?

I always hope there will be at least some people who want to read what I want to write, because I’m not sure I could write fiction that didn’t excite me in some way. (Non-fiction, maybe, but then only if someone was paying me to do it, and that’s a different thing.) But I think publishing is always a bit of a compromise, especially if you write for younger readers – in my children’s books, for example, I take out adult material, use younger characters and simplify the prose. I try to end up with a book that might have excited me as a child.

What excites, attracts or appeals to you about the genre(s) you write in?

I love the world-building in fantasy, and I read/write to escape from the ‘real’ world so ancient history or science fiction works for me, too.

Do you have a box, drawer, folder etc where you keep thoughts and ideas for future stories? Such as names you have come across, bits of dialogue, ideas, characters - even if you have no idea when you might use them?

Oh yes! I have a notebook stuffed with ideas and clippings etc, also a box full of paper files containing research, ideas and character notes for books and series in various stages of completion. I have a few folders on my computer, too, where I’ve started writing actual chapters.

How do you manage plot bunnies (ideas that invade your mind that aren’t usually helpful to the story you’re writing but breed like...er...bunnies)?

They probably belong to another story, so I’ll banish them to one of the files mentioned above. I usually have a plot outline for the book I’m writing, so the bunnies tend to respect that but breed like wildfire when I’m between books… that’s when they become a problem! There are so many of them, I don’t know which book to write next and end up rushing around in circles tripping over the things.

How much of you is in your characters? Which of your characters is the you that you’d most like to be? Or be with ?

I think there was more of me in my earlier books – I’m a bit of a worrier and a wimp, so the girls came under fire (from American reviewers, particularly) for not being feisty enough. My latest series however has a sword-brandishing, flame-haired warrior princess who rides a white horse, has a fairy prince as a friend, and is heiress to the throne of England. Her name’s Rhianna Pendragon and she’s a bit younger than me, obviously, but that’s my fantasy character!

Do you become so wrapped up in your writing that your spouse wonders if they're married to you or one of your characters?

Er, yes. We divorced because of that – it actually says so on the Decree Nisi.

What type of book do you like reading? Is it the same genre as you write?

Same genre – fantasy/SF/historical fantasy – but for older readers. However, I do enjoy good YA (such as The Hunger Games), and I sometimes write that kind of thing too so there’s an overlap.

What lengths do you go to to convince us readers that your book has the X factor?

I am not sure an author (or publisher or PR team) can ever convince readers of that – the X Factor is something readers decide upon, and no amount of telling them is going to change what they think! I settle for gently reminding people my book exists, and after that hopefully readers will take over.

How do you feel when a reader points out the spelling mistake(s) you have made?

Nobody has ever done this… though there’s always a first time. As far as my backlist goes, I should hope that after the professional editing process and several proofreads at my publishers there aren’t any mistakes, but typos do occasionally creep through. I have heard of cases where a small error on the cover means an entire print run being recalled from the shops and pulped, so it can be an expensive mistake to make! With an ebook, though, any errors are easy to fix, so no excuses really. (And now I shall have to proofread this interview with a fine-toothed comb… how many did you spot?)

What do you like most about visiting KUF/GR/forums?

KUF is a really friendly place to visit, and I have it bookmarked on my computer. By GR, do you mean Goodreads? I just keep my book list and author page updated there, and occasionally review books I’ve read rather than take part in the forums. I see that as a place for readers, really, so when I go there I have my reader hat on.

What is on your near horizon?

I am trying to decide which book to write next, so all those plot bunnies are still racing around… and still breeding, help!… but I do have a finished YA about Genghis Khan that I am thinking of self-publishing this summer. I’m also going to be a Royal Literary Fund Fellow this autumn, which will be interesting.

Where can we find you for more information?

My website: www.katherineroberts.co.uk

Twitter: @AuthorKatherine

FREE ebook: Horse of Mist - a short prequel to the Pendragon Legacy series for young readers, introducing Rhianna Pendragon.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Horse-Pendragon-Legacy-Katherine-Roberts-ebook/dp/B00JDLQF7Y

Angel of Rosetown by Jennifer Hanning

This is a story of many parts.  It starts off with Molly and Abel finding themselves to be true soul mates, but life for Molly is short.  Except life for Molly is actually many lifetimes as she ascends to Harmonia and has to wait for Abel to join her.  Abel takes a bit longer than Molly would like and this book tells their many tales.

This is promoted as a spiritual story, but I just found it a very well told tale.  Yes, Molly is a spirit for most of the story and it's a bit about good and evil, however it's not in your face and is basically just a love story albeit where they are not together very much.  

This story is a very light, easy to read one and I enjoyed reading different tales of life through the ages across the world.  It was quite a long story, but because it flitted across different lives, it didn't drag.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0072Z5FGK/?tag=jookuf-21

The Time Hunters and The Sword of Ages by Carl Ashmore

The Sword of Ages is the fourth instalment in The Time Hunters series.  This time Becky, Joe and Uncle Percy are on the trail of a sword in medieval England.

The best thing about the whole series of stories is that young readers are never spoken down to or the story dumbed down, and older readers can pick up on references younger ones might not.

As the young characters get older, the stories get a little more "grown up".  This one is quite dark and scary at times.  The evil characters are more evil and the youngsters have to deal with more.  None of this takes away from the fact that this is a romping great tale.  We find out more about the other characters, especially Will's back story.

I do think that this is the best of the lot so far.  I also think it could be read on its own, but it is far far better to have followed the stories.  I really like Becky and Joe's relationship where they are always calling each other names, but are always fiercely protective of each other.

The only negative thing about this book is that it finishes.  I'm always left wanting more.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00JNU0WGA/?tag=jookuf-21

Interrogating Katie Stewart

Katie Stewart not only writes imaginative books, but also designs magical covers

How do you strike the balance between writing something you want to write and writing something that people want to read, in terms of the compromises you make, if any?

I don’t know whether I should admit it, but I don’t really think about what other people might want to read when I’m writing. I get an idea in my head for a story and I just write it – the way I would like to read it. I think if I was constantly concentrating on what others might think of what I’m writing, then it would become stilted, not really my story at all. I don’t think I could ever write a book simply because I think it’s what other people would like to read.

What excites, attracts or appeals to you about the genre(s) you write in.

In a word – imagination. I know that authors who write in any genre have to use their imaginations, but fantasy goes beyond any other sort of writing. You get to take what is, twist it around and make what may be. You can create whole new worlds with whole new social systems, customs and religions and still say something about this world that we’re in now. I always loved the idea of magic, too, the idea that things around us can produce a power to do something.  Music, for instance. Listen to music, shut your eyes and you’re transported to somewhere else. It can change your emotions, your outlook. If you let it happen. What’s that if it’s not magic?

Do you have a box, drawer, folder etc where you keep thoughts and ideas for future stories? Such as names you have come across, bits of dialogue, ideas, characters - even if you have no idea when you might use them?

No, I’m afraid not. I keep my ideas in a sieve called my brain. I probably should keep a notebook. Heaven knows I have enough notebooks around the house, but generally I don’t, though since I got an iPad, I have been known to tap in the odd note or two. There are also a few slips of paper around the place with rough maps on that I’ve used to help me get a new world into my head, but nothing organised. I’m a terribly disorganised person really.

How do you manage plot bunnies (ideas that invade your mind that aren’t usually helpful to the story you’re writing but breed like...er...bunnies)?

I keep them in the sieve I just mentioned. Usually though, I feed them for a while until they’re solid enough not to fall through the holes. Then they just sit there until I have time to do something with them. I have been known to have two or three stories on the go at the same time, though. That means that some of the bunnies have grown very big and are stomping their big feet demanding attention all at once.

How much of you is in your characters? Which of your characters is the you that you’d most like to be? Or be with ?

When I first read this question, my first response was, ‘well of course not, most of my main characters are men’, but although I don’t consciously put myself into my characters, I don’t think you can write without putting something of yourself into it. So yes, there must be some of me in my characters. However, I don’t think there’s any one character that’s even close to ‘me’. They’re a hotchpotch of lots of different people.

As for a character I’d most like to be, I don’t think I’d want to be any of them. I do terrible things to my characters all the time. I’d hate it if anyone did those things to me.

Do you become so wrapped up in your writing that your spouse wonders if they're married to you or one of your characters?

I have a part-time job as well as doing book cover design, so I don’t have the luxury of getting wrapped up in my writing. It’s a do-it-when-you-can sort of thing. I also have a family who cannot seem to get the idea that writing is a job and I’m not to be disturbed. So unless I ‘chuck a wobbly’, I will get a head popping around the door every five minutes wanting to know when tea will be ready or if I know where something is. When I’m doing the final draft of a book, I am likely to chuck a wobbly and lay down the law more often, but the rest of the time, I’ve learned to switch in and out of writerly mode at will.

What type of book do you like reading? Is it the same genre as you write?

I like reading any type of book as long as it’s a good one, but I prefer books that are character driven, rather than plot driven. I firmly believe that an author should read a wide variety of genres to give them a better idea of writing in general. As a fantasy author it’s easy to pick up ideas from a book that’s not fantasy and turn it around to be fantasy. One of my books first popped into my head when I was reading Les Miserables (my favourite book, by the way – full of fantastic characterisation). I think if you stick to only one genre, you’re likely to get stuck in the tropes of that genre and find it hard to be original.

What lengths do you go to to convince us readers that your book has the X factor?

Ah, now, that’s something I’m not particularly good at. Not because I don’t think my books have the X factor, but because I was brought up to stand back and not be boastful. So standing up (so to speak) on the internet and singing the praises of my own books is something that feels really strange and wrong somehow. I do all the social networking like they suggest, but I still tend to be a bit of a wallflower.

How do you feel when a reader points out the spelling mistake(s) you have made?

I’m very grateful. I’ve read a few books (traditional and self-published) where the editing has been atrocious. I take pride in my work and I want it to be as good as it can be. So if someone wants to point out a mistake, I appreciate it and go and fix it.

What do you like most about visiting KUF/GR/forums?

The people I talk to KUF and GR are wonderful people – friendly, helpful, caring and funny. They’re a great way to let off steam when things are getting me down or to share good news with. There’s none of the arguing and posturing that you find on some forums. Furthermore, I suspect a lot of my book sales have come from/through them.

What is on your near horizon?

A lot of clean washing that needs ironing. Oh, you mean as a writer? At the moment, I’m working on a new book – another YA fantasy – but at the speed I’m writing, publication is not on the near horizon. I’m also trying to get some illustrations done so that I can send ‘The Dragon Box’ to print. I also want to send ‘Song of the Jikhoshi’ into print, too.

Where can we find you for more information?

I have a website – http://www.katiewstewart.com  , a blog at http://kates-scribbles.blogspot.com.au/ or I can be found on Facebook at  www.facebook.com/Treespeaker

Death I've Found Your Sting by Richard Martinus

This is a silly story about the ludicrousness of office life.  Kind of.

Clive and Sam are mates, who met when they started working together.  But when they realise they don't remember much about life before the job, they come to the conclusion that they think they are dead in hell as hell is their working life.

If you work in an office you will feel their pain in dealing with bureaucracy.   I enjoyed this story and Clive and Sam's attempts to escape.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00BATXB6A/r?tag=jookuf-21

Look Behind You by Sibel Hodge

Look Behind You is a departure from the normal Sibel Hodge fare of sassy chick-lit.  This one is a psychological thriller that is much deeper and darker.  Chloe believes she's just escaped from being kidnapped, but everyone else thinks it's all in her mind.

I love this author's books and will read anything she writes without paying much attention to what it is.  So I started reading this one without knowing anything about it.  I didn't like the first chapter.  It was way too creepy for me, but it had me gripped.  I honestly couldn't put it down.

We found out things as Chloe did as she'd lost her memory, so we were piecing things together as the story unfolded.

This was a great story and I really enjoyed this new direction Sibel Hodge has taken and hope there's more like this.  

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00JPFB11S/?tag=jookuf-21

A Darker Shade of Black by Ken Magee

Madrick, Tung and Michael, two wizards and one computer wizard, are back for the third part of the trilogy.

As soon as I settled down to read this story, I was engrossed with the story again.  These are great, funny characters.

As the characters were split up at the start, each person's story was told separately.  Some books would have swapped back and fore, a bit at a time, but this one was told in nice big chunks, which was satisfying to read.

I've really enjoyed the other stories in this trilogy and this one doesn't disappoint.  There are some wonderful new characters, some shocking moments and lots of laughs.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00J6CBQCE/?tag=jookuf-21

Pigeonwings by Heide Goody and Iain Grant

This is the sequel to the fantastic Clovenhoof, but this time Jeremy aka Clovenhoof, aka Satan is joined by the Archangel Michael.  Michael, being Mr Goody Two Shoes is easily led astray by Clovenhoof as he tries to adapt to living in Birmingham.

I thoroughly enjoyed the first book and, after a slowish start, this book develops into a great successor to it.  Again, the characters get into trouble with the fingers pointed firmly at Clovenhoof's door.  This was truly a laugh out loud book for me.  Looking at the desctiption, the book is over 400 pages.  I could have read 400 more about Clovenhoof.  He is a character that could run and run, and get into trouble wherever he goes.  There is great characterisation in all the main characters.

A thoroughly fun read.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00EGP9UNS/?tag=jookuf-21

Bittersweet by Matthew Drzymala

Venetia comes across a photo of her grandfather and recalls his tales of the shop in the village of Bumpkinton he worked in when he was a young man.  She gets the idea that she wants to run the long forgotten shop and sets off to find it and get it.

This was a short but sweet tale.  We are introduced to characters of Bumpkinton and understand why Venetia wants to live there.  The story is very well written and I'm sure I could read more stories from this village.  

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00HFRRJ50/?tag=jookuf-21

Interrogating Tony James Slater

Here's a guy I don't think I'd like to hang out with.  I don't fancy rock climbing, 1,000km strolls,  or sleeping in a campervan.

How do you strike the balance between writing something you want to write and writing something that people want to read, in terms of the compromises you make, if any?

Well, I don’t have much choice at the moment – being a memoirist can be tough on the creativity! Luckily, there are people out there who want to read about the crazy sh*t I get up to, so I’m writing about that. I have to admit though, I’m yearning to write a bit of fiction – something where I don’t have to tell the truth all the time! And of course, writing fiction probably won’t require me to injure myself quite as much…

What excites, attracts or appeals to you about the genre(s) you write in.

I love that I’m writing the stories of my life – people reading my books aren’t discovering new worlds I’ve visualised, they’re reading directly about me! That can be a little nerve-wracking, as any negative impressions they get are also directed at me – and I have to admit to every short-coming, every embarrassing action or habit… Sometimes my readers know more about me than my closest family and friends. And more than they’d ever want to know… This is the only genre that legitimately allows me write about my testicles. I’m told I take advantage of this fact way too much.

Do you have a box, drawer, folder etc where you keep thoughts and ideas for future stories? Such as names you have come across, bits of dialogue, ideas, characters - even if you have no idea when you might use them?

Because I’m always traveling, I have drawers full of notebooks on both sides of the world. Sod’s Law works well here; the ones I need most always tend to be the furthest away…

I quite often get a flash of inspiration while I’m out and about, so I make urgent notes on whatever comes to hand. I never transfer them, and often completely forget about them, which leads to me discovering bus tickets with cryptic messages and snatches of dialogue on them in jackets I haven’t worn since last winter… Yeah. I should probably get a better system!

How do you manage plot bunnies (ideas that invade your mind that aren’t usually helpful to the story you’re writing but breed like...er...bunnies)?

Rather than plot bunnies, I get story bunnies – ideas for fiction stories I’d love to write, but can’t until I’m done with my memoirs. I haven’t the time to devote to them, but I have a sneaky habit – I indulge them at night, when I’m laying awake, my mind racing. I’m an insomniac, and often get only three or four hours sleep, but my wife hates it if I don’t come to bed – so I lay there, staring at the ceiling, constructing plots for epic sci-fi novels – most of which vanish with the first light of morning. I still feel a bit guilty though, about wasting all that precious writing time! But I draw the line at bringing the laptop into the bedroom. Well, my wife does…

How much of you is in your characters? Which of your characters is the you that you’d most like to be? Or be with ?

My characters ARE me! Well, except the ones that aren’t. I wouldn’t want to be anyone else… because then, someone else would have to be me. And that’s not fair on anyone!

Do you become so wrapped up in your writing that your spouse wonders if they're married to you or one of your characters?

I DO get wrapped up in my writing – to the point where my wife often has to send me text messages reminding me to eat! She does this roughly three times a day – otherwise, I wouldn’t. As for being married to my characters… conveniently enough, I am! The downside of this is, after I reveal a particularly intimate or embarrassing part of our journey together, I have to a) let her proofread the offending chapter, and b) live with the fall-out…

I still suffer daily for writing that she ‘gave a snotty burble’ – according to her, this is completely untrue and was ‘accidentally’ deleted from my manuscript several times before I managed to publish it…

What type of book do you like reading? Is it the same genre as you write?

No, not at all. I love reading sci-fi and fantasy, something with lots of ass-kicking and noble sacrifices! I DO read a lot of memoirs, however, mostly out of loyalty to other authors in a similar position to me – and I also read them for, ah, comparison purposes… Of course, if someone else’s new book is better than mine, I have to know about it! I’m only human J

What lengths do you go to to convince us readers that your book has the X factor?

Normally, I try to let people discover that for themselves. I’m a terrible publicist – I hate pushing my work on other people and trying to convince them to read it. More often than not, I direct people to the free samples on Amazon, in the hope they’ll read those, and suddenly become addicted – and so far, that seems to work quite well. I think it’s the ‘idiot factor’, rather than the x-factor, that appeals to people – everyone loves to laugh at other people, whether they admit it or not!

How do you feel when a reader points out the spelling mistake(s) you have made?

I decapitate them. No! Joke! I love that readers pay enough attention to my work that they spot mistakes. I thank them profusely, and correct the mistake right away, often uploading a new version within the hour. I want my work to look as professional as possible, and readers are helping me to do that – it’s invaluable, really. Several of my keenest readers are now my beta-readers, as well as becoming close friends.

What do you like most about visiting KUF/GR/forums?

It’s weird, really – I never have any idea what to say on forums! I don’t want to plug my book, because that’s rude, and I don’t feel like I’ve earned the right to give people critique. So, I mostly just read what everyone else writes, and try to pick up tips for marketing and promotion. What I love most though, is when people get in touch with me through the messages, to let me know they’ve enjoyed my books. It gives me a nice warm glow, and it’s cheaper than buying wine…

What is on your near horizon?

A big-assed metal fence! I’m house-sitting in Perth, Australia, looking after three gigantic dogs. So I’m kind of glad of that fence, or neighbourhood children would start going missing… After this, I’m planning another epic adventure – this time to the States! I have a Secret Plan about what I’ll be doing when I get there… but suffice to say, there’ll be a book about it! In the meantime, I’m writing about my six-month trip around Asia – where I got kidnapped by a mafia taxi-driver, received death-threats from a tour company boss, and nearly blew up a hotel in Mongolia. NOT MY FAULT!

Where can we find you for more information?

You can find me in all the usual places – often with a glass of wine in my hand! I hang out on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/TonyJamesSlater) and Twitter (www.Twitter.com/TonyJamesSlater) most of all.

Oh, and I blog occasionally, about the crazy stuff that keeps happening to me – that’s over at www.AdventureWithoutEnd.com

My Granny Writes Erotica 2 by Rosen Trevithick

This is the sequel to My Granny Writes Erotica, where granny, Betty Berry, writes an extremely successful erotica novel.  Betty is a middle class housewife who had to write the book as she's down on money, having kicked her errant husband out.

In this installment, Betty has to face up to being famous and also being kicked out of the country club, her "friends" having rejected her new-found notoriety. 

As with the first story, whatever Betty does innocently, bites her in the bum (pun intended).  Now Betty's back on the market, she dabbles with a bit of romance, rather than rumpy pumpy, but her reputation precedes her.

I re-read the first story and went straight into this and I think it is better to have read the first story.  Certainly if you smiled at the first one, you'll enjoy this one.  I finished it with my mouth aching from smiling so much.  Yes, the story can get a bit juvenile at times and some things you can see coming a mile off and that is part of the fun.  My eyebrows even got a workout in these bits as my eyes got wider and wider, waiting for Betty to realise what she's got into.

Another great book by Rosen Trevithick.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00HNAYJZW/?tag=jookuf-21

http://mygrannywriteserotica.co.uk/

Off The KUF Volume 3

Off the KUF 3 is a collection of 6 novellas by some of my favourite authors

Adventure on the Scotch Express by Cecilia Peartree
This was a nice mystery set on the Scotch Express set amongst the suffrage movement and involving a little bit of cross dressing.
I enjoyed the gentleness of this story.  Even the ruffians weren't too rough.

Bernard and the Bibble by Carl Ashmore
This is a children's story about Bernard meeting a Bibble and going into his world.  It was a little young for me, but an enjoyable story, nonetheless.

The Rocks Below by Nigel Bird
I'd not read any Nigel Bird stories previously and was very impressed with this one.  It seems to start as a collection of short stories, then I noticed they were set in the same area and then I realised they were all part of the same story as the people met up.  It was very well written and very enjoyable.  I think this might have been my favourite of the collection.

Maureen and the Big One by Jonathan Hill
This is the third of the Maureen "adventures".  Maureen has a bit more heart in this one compared to her previous outings.  I enjoyed it knowing her past, but I believe the story is good as a stand-alone and you don't really need to have any past story to enjoy it.

Copy by David Wailing
I've read all the stories in the Auto series by David Wailing, and this is one of my favourites.  It is quite an intense thriller and as all the Auto stories, the story just ramps up and up and up.  

The Devine Legacy by Jennifer Hanning
This is quite a sweet tale of an older lady getting an unexpected inheritance and setting out to retrace the steps of her first romance.

So a mixture of stories, with nothing in common except I enjoyed them all.  

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00ILC9XAW/?tag=jookuf-21

The Undertaker's Cabinet by David Haynes

This story is a little different to the author's recently released books in that it is mostly set in the present.  Bobby Moreton's family undertaker business is going down the pan and he's fed up and wants out.  But there's history and it wants to rear its ugly head.

Part of the story is set where the first Moreton is setting up the business.  The chapters switch back and fore giving hints of what happened and why the new undertaker is in town and wants Moreton for himself.

The story starts off not too creepy.  There are quite a few descriptions of what undertakers do behind closed doors and it probably wasn't a good idea for me to read those over lunch.  The story ramps up and up and since you know you are reading a David Haynes horror book, you certainly aren't disappointed. 

This author has a way with words and the language of the time and is a delight to read in a dastardly way.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00IIT1FDG/?tag=jookuf-21

A Tasteful Crime by Cecilia Peartree

This is the seventh episode of the wonderful Pitkirtly series.  I can't believe it's up to number 7 and Cecilia's stories are still fresh.  By now most of the core characters are just so familiar, you know what they are thinking and feeling.

This episode's murder mystery happens when a TV cookery show comes to town.  And we find out Christopher has an ex-wife!!!!  I don't know if I'm like Amaryllis and a little bit jealous. 

Again, as with all the other stories, this is a most delightful and delicious read. 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00IGZL48S/?tag=jookuf-21

Kamikaze Kangaroos! by Tony James Slater

Tony's back and this time he has kangaroos to contend with.  And falling in luuuurrve.  I'm not sure what's more scary for him.

This book does exactly what it says on the cover.  It's the tale of Tony, his sister Gill and Gill's best friend, Roo.  Roo is Australian, so Gill goes to stay with her and Tony tags along.  Problem is, Tony is 3 months late, so there's a bit of a rush for them to get some agricultural work done so they can extend their visas.  

Rusty the van is the 4th character in this book and I'm sure he'll be a popular one. I manged to track down some photos of him on facebook and he was even brighter than I imagined.

I think Tony's books should be read in the right order as I feel this one was more "for the fans".  There's less madcap animal antics, and a whole lot more of Tony "the man".  I did think at times the book was a bit long, although there was nothing I'd not want to read, nor did I want it to end.  The good thing about Tony is that he always has a story and so you know it won't end.

This book is Tony's time in Australia, from picking fruit, to laying paving slabs via setting up exhibition halls.  From living in and by the side of Rusty, to dorms to bedsits.  From walking the Bibbulmun trail (100km!!!) to just travelling because they wanted to. Armed with just a few clothes, unsuitable boots and trail mix, this is the life you think you might want to live if you just up sticks and go. At times I felt jealous of them, most of the time I was happy with my warm soft bed and large choice of food.

I feel I know Tony and Gill and Roo more than I should.  As I said, this is much more personal story of the trio.  Tony has a magic way of writing that is very readable and he is not afraid of telling the truth.  This was another very very enjoyable read.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00IF8QFRG/?tag=jookuf-21

The Cabinetmaker by Alan Jones

This starts off as what seems to be a run of the mill 70s Glasgow police procedural.  It is John's first week in CID, where the other officers make Gene Hunt look like a by the book type of policeman.  A lad has been murdered on the street by a gang of yobs and the cops think it's an easy case.

Whilst the language in the scenes at the police station is the worst you can read, this story moves away from there.  The basis of the story is a boy's death, but the heart of the story is John's developing relationship with the boy's father, Francis.  In fact the story spans decades and becomes gentler as it goes on and John's career develops.

When I first looked at this book I wasn't sure I fancied it, but I was recommended it and as I read more and more, I didn't want to put it down.  The relationship between John and Francis as Francis teaches John to be an expert craftsman was very heartwarming.  I really enjoyed this story, it had heart in a cruel world and was well told.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00F0WWVYQ/?tag=jookuf-21

Infested by Mark Faulkner

I started reading this without paying attention to the blurb as I like this author and will read whatever he writes.  The title is Infested and he writes horror.  That was all the information I had.

The story starts off quite slow and meandering as the storyteller relates his canoe trip.  I did think this went on a bit, but that just lulled me into a false sense of security as when the action started, bam, there was no stopping it.  I was practically reading this behind a cushion.  If it was a film, I'd be peeking through my fingers.

I thought this was a great little story, set in an idyllic English countryside that you just don't want to visit any more.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00I82YGPW/?tag=jookuf-21

Erasmus Hobart and the Golden Arrow by Andrew Fish

Erasmus, a physics and history teacher, has designed himself a time machine.  He goes back in time to meet Robin Hood just because he can. But history back then is not the same as the stories nowadays.

This is a crackingly good romp.  Robin Hood is a bit of a twonk and it is Maid Marian who wears the trousers.  Erasmus keeps getting into trouble as he tries to find out the truth about Robin and undo the changes he's probably made to history.

This book has some gentle humour to it and is a nice easy entertaining read.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00A61ZTWW/?tag=jookuf-21

Beyond Belief by Helen Smith

Beyond belief is the second outing for Emily Castles.  This time she is invited to attend a conference of psychics and the like and report on it in a scientific matter.

This is a cosy mystery with some over the top characters and unlikely murders.  

I enjoyed this story but it wasn't unputdownable as I put it down and read a few books in between, although I did get back into it and then didn't put it back down until I finished it.

I like this type of story, gently comedic, with murders that aren't bloody or full of gore.  I didn't quite get why Emily was there or what she was doing or even what was in her report, but that wasn't important, she was the voice bringing things together.

This was an enjoyable gentle read.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00DWIGB50/?tag=jookuf-21