More Books by ABCtales Authors
Two books from our very own fisher - whose real name, it transpires, is Roger Morris:
A Gentle Axe
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gentle-Axe-St-Petersburg-Mystery/dp/0571238572/r...
Synopsis:
An atmospheric mystery set in St Petersburg in the winter of 1867 sees detective Porfiry Petrovich taking his first murder case since Dostoevsky's "Crime and Punishment". When two frozen bodies are found in a park, he begins to suspect that the truth may be more complex than others wish him to believe, as his investigations lead him to a shocking discovery which reveals the city's darkest secrets. "A Gentle Axe" is utterly absorbing and tense from its dramatic opening through to its shocking climax.
Reviews:
"RN Morris has brilliantly appropriated (Petrovich) from Dostoevsky’s novel. … Morris’ recreation of the seamy side of 19th-century St Petersbury is vivid and convincing … As to who did it, Morris keeps the reader guessing until the end. …Morris even includes the statutory holy monk on his deathbed, and he has certain advantages over Dostoevsky: A Gentle Axe is much shorter than Crime and Punishment, and much easier to read." Virginia Rounding, Independent.
"Admirably, Morris doesn’t over-handle the language. Unlike, say, Caleb Carr in “The Alienist” or Iain Pears in “An Instance of the Fingerpost,” he doesn’t hit false notes in tone or affect baroque accents. He reins in his style, letting his meticulously painted characters — women of easy virtue, paupers, a wife abuser, pedophiles, publishers, the whole Dickensian crop of malefactors — do his emoting for him. He makes each credibly distinct, so that every interaction becomes a tussle of temperaments... “The Gentle Axe” in many ways feels less like a modern tribute to Dostoyevsky than a translation of an overlooked novel by one of his contemporary imitators, transported into the present. It’s a satisfyingly grisly yarn... “CSI: St. Petersburg.”" Liesl Schillinger, The New York Times Book Review.
"Morris has created an atmospheric St Petersburg, and a stylish set of intellectual problems, but what makes A Gentle Axe such an effective debut is its fascination with good and evil. It has earned its author the right to make use of the work of a greater writer." Roz Kaveney, Times Literary Supplement.
A Vengeful Longing
Shortlisted for the 2008 CWA Duncan Lawrie Dagger for best crime novel (formerly the Gold Dagger)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vengeful-Longing-R-N-Morris/dp/0571232523/ref=pd...
Synopsis:
It's the middle of a hot, dusty St Petersburg summer in the late 1860s. A doctor's wife and son die suddenly and the doctor is arrested, suspected of poisoning. As investigator Petrovich concedes, in such cases the obvious solution often turns out to be the correct solution. And in the city's stifling, stinking atmosphere, even he lacks the energy to look any deeper. But when further, apparently unconnected, murders occur, Porfiry is forced to reassess his assumptions. Delving into the hidden, squalid heart of the city, he is brought face to face with incomprehensible horror and cruelty, in this vivid rendering of a brutal and stifling nineteenth-century St Petersburg.
Reviews:
"A Vengeful Longing confirms what RN Morris’ previous novel, A Gentle Axe, suggested – that here is major talent in the increasingly overcrowded historical crime field. On the evidence here, Morris is writing novels that rival the very best in the genre in terms of atmosphere, plausible historical detail and exemplary plotting.” Barry Forshaw, official Amazon.co.uk review
"“… a book that satisfies on more than one level — as a story of investigation and also as a historical novel crammed with sharply individualised characters. Morris has clearly done his research, and he also has an unusual ability to enter imaginatively into another time and place. The novel is well written too, and constantly nudges against the genre envelope of crime fiction.” Andrew Taylor, The Spectator
"Morris captures this world with expert strokes, never content to merely peddle exotica, but making sure that his characters spring convincingly from their setting… this novel stands out from a number of fine czarist-era mysteries—by Russians and foreigners alike—like a Fabergé egg at a yard sale.” Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)
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Hadley's novel Dance on Fire is now available on lulu. Here's what it's about:
What do you do when sex and drugs and rock and roll are no longer enough? At one time, Transmission were probably the most famous rock band on the planet. Now, even as they approach their twenty-fifth anniversary they are still up there, one of the top ten bands of all time. However, each of the surviving members of the band feels something, somewhere, has gone wrong, and the rock and roll dream they used to believe in so much has become an empty and hollow routine. Dance On Fire is an exploration of the relationships between the remaining original members of Transmission, and their manager, as the band enters their 25th year together. The novel charts their growing realisation that rock music no longer has any meaning for them, and they are - at best - still going through force of habit - "We've become our own tribute band." Dance On Fire is a novel about the shallowness of everlasting adolescence and the vacuity at the heart of the rock and roll mythology.
You can buy it here:
http://www.lulu.com/content/2421038
Go and buy it now!
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New member Richard Bardsley has a book out. You can read one of the stories on ABCtales here:
http://www.abctales.com/story/richardbardsley/i-love-everything-about-you
His book is described by his publishers, Salt, here:
'Human anatomy and affairs of the heart take on a whole new dimension in this book. Body Parts: The Anatomy of Love is a collection of stories, each one dedicated to a part of the human body and all on the theme of love. From head to feet via freckles and fingers, every part of the body is explored through stories that are dark, humorous, inspiring and surprising. By the end of Richard Bardsley's unforgettable, at times disturbing and never predictable journey, we have explored love in all of its aspects, from forlorn singledom to wayward fornication. The human body will never be seen in quite the same light again...'
For more information (including links to publisher) please visit:
Body Parts is available from Amazon, Borders, Foyles, Blackwell and SaltWeb but i guess most people would prefer to buy it from the former, so here's the link for that:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Body-Parts-Anatomy-Modern-Fiction/dp/1844714322/...
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Member Lorraine Mace informs us that her co-authored book (along with Maureen Vincent-Northam), The ABC Checklist for New Writers, has been published.
Lorraine says, “Back when we were novice writers, Maureen and I searched for a book that would teach us all the presentation tips and tricks of established writers, only to discover that no such book existed. After we’d been writing for several years, learning all we needed to know the hard way, we decided to write the book we wish had been available when we first started out.
There is something extremely daunting about putting together a submission. Whether it is an idea for an article, a short story for a magazine, a humorous anecdote, a novel or a non-fiction book, it is essential to present the work in such a way that the editor or publisher will feel they are being approached by a professional.
Our book tells you how to find out what is required. How manuscripts should be laid out, what goes in a synopsis (both non-fiction and fiction), what should be in a covering letter, how to produce a title page and lots of other information essential to writers. The book will not teach you how to write (there are several excellent books on the market for that purpose), our aim is to take your manuscript presentation up into the realms of the professional writer – to give you the best possible chance of seeing your writing published.”
Get your copy and more information from:
http://www.lorrainemace.com/
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Halleswell Hall by Lisa Fuller (QueenElf) and David Povah is a Historical family saga. One of the first chapters can be found here on ABC: http://www.abctales.com/story/queenelf/halleswell-hall-0. Its about a fictional Holy well and a character called Brannon (based on a 5th century Saint called Brannock), who settled in Devon.
The historical house is built in late Tudor times on the foundations of an old hill fort. From the late 1500s to the year 1997, the family line is unbroken, with the usual stories of piracy, plague, love, sex, adventure etc.
Then on the night when Halley's comet streaks the skies (1910), theres a ritual murder and a curse placed on the family. Lisa says: "From that point on we suddenly found that our book was getting serious. We started with WW1 and the decimation of the family. Only a few family members survived and as we researched the war the book took a dark turn. We were both amazed to find out that a pandemic, similar to the current bird flu, had wiped out ten times the people killed in WW1. That took my heroine to India, where she nursed the sick."
The book ends in the year 1997 when some vital journals are found and replaced at Halleswell Hall, along with St Brannon's Holy Cup that is replaced in a well.
As co-authors they have never met. All the research was done online, with Wikepedia being our best source.
The book is published by Troubador but they are selling it under their own banner of www.museandviewspublications.co.uk
It is available at:
http://www.whsmith.co.uk/whs/go.asp
Then put 'Halleswell Hall' into the search box.
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Followers of the Dead Man by G. Haritharan (haritharan on ABCtales) is either:
1) a masterpiece of irony, tragedy and comedy. Beautiful scripted, into a not only scenic route of pleasure but also a spellbinding plot of intrigue. At one moment it will have you uncontrollably hysterical, at others, in awe of the authors grip on a new vision of literature.
2) a mass of words akin to no cohesion. Poor in delivery; no laughter, nothing profound… no point. As absurd in idea as is in execution. A reading to tell the world exactly what literature, and in particular the modern day writer, can get so very wrong.
“Non Soul” entities. Prophecy. Tamil Patriotism…. It’s readable (almost).
Followers of the Dead Man is available as a paperback from Foyles.co.uk and Amazon.co.uk at £6.99 (type in the title or “Haritharan” into their
book search engine and it will come up).
Alternatively, send an email to shop@s4mT.com with “FOTDM02” in the subject line for a FREE electronic
(pdf) copy of it… no catches!
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Clifford Thurlow is an excellent writer on ABCtales and his book, From Script to Screen, the Complete Guide to Making Short Films is a gem.
Here is one of several reviews:
'Thurlow brings his personable style to Making Short Films and turns what is effectively a step by step text book into an easily assimilated, fact packed tutorial with all the dynamism and panache of a contemporary novel¦an essential tool of the trade and indispensable for the embryonic auteur.'
Mike Von Joel, State of Art
You can see it on http://www.booktribes.com here:
http://www.booktribes.com/node/899239
and from there you can buy it on Amazon or through Blackwells.
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2Lou is one of our Editors and a keen, active and much appreciated member of ABCtales. Her latest book 'Nappygate' - the Antenatal Callss Conspiracy by Louise Gallagher with illustrations by Anne-Marie Sonneveld is out now.
It's a very funny 'advice' book for new mothers that will have anyone who's ever brought a child into the world nodding in agreement, reading out bits to their partners and chuckling in corners. For anyone who hasn't had a child - they won't do so after reading this. At a ridiculously cheap £5.99 you can buy it from http://www.fabulousmother.com
The website is an absolute hoot too. Have a good look around!
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Ivoryfishbone is one of our longest serving and most respected (and loved) members. Her poetry has been an inspiration to many on ABCtales and now she is able to offer her chapbook, april's fish.
Better known to the outside world as Alison Dunne, she presently awaits the sale of her novel Eco Pops. Her work has been published and broadcast on Radio 4 and she has read her work at many venues including the Bloomsbury Theatre and the Edinburgh Fringe. april's fish is her first chapbook.
Buy it here:
http://www.koopress.co.uk/aprilsfish.htm
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Ken Shapley's latest book "When We All Dream Together" is a spellbinding wondertale, set in that subtle texture of reality where we are dreaming and know that we are dreaming.
What if we were in the throws of a psychic revolution? It has happened before. When the first transatlantic phone lines were laid, there was a massive surge in world interest in mediumship. What is happening to our collective consciousness with the internet?
This story follows the adventures of 13 lucid dreamers around the globe. One by one they are guided in their dreams to a sacred dreaming temple, an anchor point in dreamtime. Here with the assistance of dream wizards Marlo Timpani and Wee Min they share their soul wisdom with each other and are set the challenge to find each other in waking life.
As the Earth prepairs for massive climactic changes it is up to our dreamers to revision our world anew and sow seed dreams for the leaders of humanity. Will they do it, find out how in "When We All Dream Together."
It can be bought and previewed here:
http://www.lulu.com/browse/preview.php?fCID=377166
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Nurtured Evil, Insanity Never Sleeps and The Culling are three books from Anthony Hulse (hulsey).
If you click on the link for Nurtured Evil you can view his other books. The link is;
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1904502253/qid=1143825750/sr=1-...
Reviews:
EVIL it certainly is!!, December 18, 2003
Reviewer: Jon Wright from Middlesbrough
A really creepy tale set in London ,well written, plenty of twists and turns
in this first novel published by Mr Hulse. It kept me on the edge of my chair and
to be honest I couldn't put it down. Chapter after chapter, different characters
emerging, all of whom the author presents to you in detail. It was as if you
could relate to them and best of all kept me panging for more right up until
the last page. A really good read.
Evil is as evil does and Nurtured Evil rocks, March 1, 2003
Reviewer: sooz006 from Dalton-in-Furness, Cumbria.
Fast and pacey. This one gets to the action without any long pre-amble. A
facinating romp round London with a killing on every corner and a serial killer
to find. Some lovely characters. My favourite is Marcus the mincer. He's a bad
lad but you can't help but have a soft spot for him. I read a review on
another authors work that said "Like King when he was raw and hungry for acclaim". I'd like to pass that compliment on to Mr. Hulse. This book is well worth a
read, and I think there's more to come from Tony Hulse.
Another cracker from Anthony!!, September 10, 2004
Reviewer: eddiesolo from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire.
This is the second novel by author Anthony Hulse. I read his first, Nurtured Evil and I found that deliciously disturbing. This is no exception. A full bodied book just packed with wondrous characters and murder. Anthony is a master at the more sinister side of life and this book will definitely not disapoint.
Simon Murphy (Author of The Valentine Rose & The Murders Of Mutchrose Village)
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Robert Anthony Montesino is better known here as monte. He has published a short story collection entitled "Mind Monsters Collection."
Copies can be obtained from:
http://www.lulu.com/ram , it is also available through
http://www.amazon.com & http://www.projectpulp.com
Review by David Gardiner, Author of Sirat & Rainbow Man & Other Stories:
"Mr. Montesino has a unique story-telling style and writes in a genre that
is almost entirely his own creation. These are parables with a dream-like
quality, designed to spark-off trains of thought in the reader. They are
open-ended and sketchy, not literal or over-written but whimsical and surreal
pointers towards things we already know and half remember at some level. The title
story tells us not to be too smug in our beliefs and assumptions, the world
might turn out to be very different to how we think it is. This is followed by
an account of a petty criminal discovering that there is a moral order in the
universe and retribution cannot be evaded for ever. The third story deals
with a voluntary act giving meaning to a meaningless life. Number five is an
account of a meeting between a street preacher and one of his congregation
where again we glimpse a deeper and darker reality. The sixth story is another
straight parable, this time about what it is that we are running from in the
rat race of modern urban life. The rest you can read for yourselves. These
stories are quirky and individual and if Mr. Montesino's work connects with you
you will find them haunting and thought-provoking, as well as totally unique.
Mr. Montesino, in the words of the old Mad Magazine slogan, is number one in
a field of one."
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Petals of Joy by Joyce Warden was published on March 13th 2006 by Pen Press Publishers Ltd.The ISBN number is 1905203241, the price is £5.99,and it is a paperback of 70 pages.
This book can be ordered from Penpress on:Tel: 0845 108 0530 Email info@penpress.co.uk
Review:
Joyce Warden's first collection of poems is threaded throughout with her Christian faith. Not one is without some refrence to God, the life of faith, or the help that is available to all if we call.
The poems cover a range of topics and are easy for people to relate to them; this is because they deal mainly with the human situations of everyday life, situations with which we feel a strong kinship.
Most of the poetry is simple and easy to read but leaves a message, which Joyce wants us to hear.
Revd. Clifford Taylor, B.D
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Taking Comfort by Roger Morris (fisher).
Hardback, 224pages, published by Macmillan New Writing.
The amazon page is:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0230001378/qid%3D1136658797/202...
What can you do to feel safe in a dangerous world? When Rob Saunders witnesses
a young Japanese student commit suicide, he impulsively takesthe folder she dropped
as she threw herself under a tube train. He finds himself taking souvenirs from a
series of tragic or threatening events, at the same time initiating an edgy affair
with a work colleague. His behaviour becomes increasingly obsessive. The lines blur
between witnessing, seeking out and initiating tragedy. Things spiral out of control
when he makes a frightening discovery while he's jogging in thewoods. Stylistically
bold, technically accomplished, this fast-paced page-turner explores the anxieties and survival strategies of a post-9/11 world.
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Julian Simpson's first book, The Morning After, is available here:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1413707971/qid%3D1144249968/203...
Review by Paul K from Lancashire, England:
The Morning After, by first-time author Julian Simpson, is a must-read for anyone who has ever been a teenager, anyone who has ever drunk too much beer in a
nightclub, anyone who has ever cast his eye around the scene for a ten-to-two pull, anyone who's ever walked out of a club with a girl and felt a million dollars for that one moment in time, in short everyone. Well, nearly everyone.
Admittedly the vast majority of us have never become embroiled in the resulting tale of drugs, kidnap and murder, but Simpson's refreshing, almost painstaking, attention to real-life detail (similar, in many ways, to Peter Kay's approach to comedy - basing his success on sticking to what he knows about and relying on his audience to recognise varying degrees of themselves in his material) keeps you reading and keeps you believing - because you can totally picture yourself in the shoes, and the mind, of our hero, Jackson Quill.
We've all been there in clubs as the night draws to a close, the dancefloor starts to clear, the music starts to slow down, and the desperados make their move, stepping forward, with the confidence of that extra few pints, to try their hand with any "lucky" member of the opposite sex. What happens next is often the result of chance and fortune (or misfortune). For Jackson, his initial great fortune in meeting the apparent girl of his dreams (Niamh) soon degenerates into misfortune as he becomes entangled in the kind of danger you would be long odds-against surviving to tell the tale of.
But Jackson's love and lust for his girl means he is in it for the long haul, and the relationship between the two leads is so well-written and so well-played out that, again, you are swept up and taken along, very glad indeed of the ride.
In short, The Morning After works because it's real. It may not appeal to all - as parts of the material are graphic to say the least - but the realism of the story and the characters is the great strength of the book and should be admired as such.
His second book will be available here:
http://ukapress.com/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=26
and there is some info about it here:
http://ukapress.com/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=57
while there is some info about the autor here:
http://ukapress.com/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=47
Julian's abc content is here:
http://www.abctales.com/user/39135
where the first two chapters of The Morning After and the short story version of Wigan is Wonderful can be found.
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