Sunday War Poets....

Walter  John de la Mare

1873 - 1958

Happy England

Now each man's mind all Europe is;

Courage and fear in dread array

Daze each true heart; O grave and wise,

Abide in hope the judgement day.

This war of millions in arms

In myriad replica we wage;

Unmoved, then, soul by earth's alarms

The dangers of the dark engage.

Remember happy England: keep

For her bright cause thy latest breath.

Her peace that long hath lulled to sleep

May now exact the sleep of death

Her woods and wilds, her loveliness

With harvest now are richly at rest;

Safe in her isled securities

Thy children's heaven is her breast;

O what a deep, contented night

The sun from out her eastern seas

Would bring the dust which in her sight

Had given its all for these!

First published in The Times Literary Supplement

27 August 1914

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Sir Walter de la Mare was born in Charlton, Kent, in the south of England, of well-to-do parents. His father, James Edward Delamare, was an official of the Bank of England. His mother, Lucy Sophia (Browning) Delamare, was related to the poet Robert Browning. Walter de la Mare is best remembered for his works for children and for his poem The Listeners.

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Review ~ Dream of the Dead by M G Scarsbrook

November 2013

CreateSpace

West End Murders #1

A wealthy theatre producer is found dead

A rare corrosive poison has burned through his stomach.

No-one knows why....

D I Jack Ravenshaw is the main character in this fast action thriller which focuses on events which are happening in London’s theatre district. The story gets off to a promising start and the introduction of the main character is done with certain panache and more than a hint of mystery. There is much to discover about this enigmatic young man and as the story progresses we are treated to hints about his past which help to move the story along.

The mystery at the heart of the story is well handled and there are more than enough twists and turns between the pages to keep you guessing. The theatre district really comes alive and the characters seem believable without being overzealous. As this is the start of a proposed series, there is a certain amount of scene setting, but overall it’s done in a lively and entertaining way.

I enjoyed Dream of the Dead and look forward to seeing how the series progresses in future books.

My thanks to the author for my copy of this book.

About the author

M. G. Scarsbrook is the author of three novels and the editor of four literary collections. Since 2011 his books have sold more than 20,000 copies worldwide and been translated into five languages. English editions of his work are sold in paperback, eBook, and audiobook formats at all major online bookstores. A member of the prestigious Crime Writers' Association and the Society of Authors, he lives in the UK and is working on the next book in the West End Murders series

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The author in my spotlight is .....Jane Bidder

I am delighted to welcome

Jane Bidder

Author 

of

Accent Press
15 January 2014

~* Jane ~ welcome to jaffareadstoo~*

Where did you get the first flash of inspiration for 'Guilty'?

I worked for three years as a writer in residence of a high security male prison. Although I didn't base my characters on any of the people I met, I got a flavour of another world which I hadn't come across before.

What can you tell us about the story which will pique the reader's interest?

It's about Simon, a newly-married solicitor who goes to prison for two years for a driving offence - only to find he is haunted by the voice of the beautiful woman who died in the crash. She acts as a humorous commentator to his life in prison. Guilty is also told from the point of view of Simon's new wife and her teenage son.

In your research for Guilty did you discover anything which surprised you?

Yes. When someone goes to prison, his or her family goes too - from an emotional point of view. Meanwhile, the victim's family may never recover. Yet in some cases, there is amazing forgiveness. I was also surprised by all the rules and regulations about released prisoners. For instance, they often can't get house insurance and if they are staying in someone’s home, their host's insurance might be invalid.

When do you find the time to write, and do you have a favourite place to do your writing?

I like to write in the morning after breakfast and after running my dog along the beach. My study is in the top floor, overlooking the sea. I need complete peace!

Can you tell us if you have another crime novel planned?

Yes. It's called The Witness and is out later this year. It's about a woman who sees a couple committing a crime. As a result, her secret past is revealed and her own world is turned upside down.

Jane Bidder also publishes books under the pen name of Sophie King and Janey Fraser

More here

Jane ~ thank you so much for spending time on Jaffareadstoo. Jaffa and I wish you continued success with your writing and look forward very much to reading and reviewing The Witness.

My review of GUILTY can be found here.

My thanks to the author and Alison at Accent Press for my ecopy of this book to review.

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Review ~ The Templar Prophecy by Mario Reading

Published 6 February 2014
Corvus
Atlantic Books

This fast action story starts in 1190 with an explanation of how the Holy Lance, a revered Christian symbol was entrusted to a Knight Templar, Johannes von Hartelius and subsequently into his family's safekeeping in perpetuity. Moving swiftly to 1945 and the last days of the Reich in Germany, Adolph Hitler entrusts a special package to two of his most trusted supporters, a package they must protect to the death.  In the present day, intrepid photo journalist, John Hart finds himself caught up in a series of violent and catastrophic events which shatter his belief in everything he once felt was true.

The Templar Prophecy gets off to a good start; the historical opening of the story is credible although I would have liked to know a little more about the Holy Lance in this initial phase of its journey and of the Knight Templar who to some extent forms the basis of the story. As time moves forward to 1945 and the present day, the malevolent aspect of the narrative really starts to come alive and the action becomes fast , furious and not without moments of extreme violence. The historical strands start to coalesce and it soon becomes obvious that modern day protagonist, John Hart, has some link with the past, and the violent death of a member of his family is just the catalyst he needs to fulfil his destiny.

Overall, I really enjoyed this story, and found it to be a real page turner. The writer has a great sense of time and place. His ability to control the narrative whilst maintaining the integrity of the story and the rapid pace of the action is commendable. As with all fast action thrillers, there are times when you have to suspend belief, but then,  isn't that what good fiction is all about?

My thanks to Alison Davies at Atlantic Books for my copy of this book.

About the Author

Mario Reading is a multi-talented writer of both fiction and non-fiction. His varied life has included selling rare books,teaching riding in Africa, studying dressage in Vienna,running a polo stable in Gloucestershire and maintaining a coffee plantation in Mexico. An acknowledged expert on the prophecies of Nostradamus, Reading is the author of eight non-fiction titles and five novels published in the UK and around the world.

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Review ~ Last Bus to Coffeeville by J Paul Henderson

To be published

24 April 2014

Oldcastle Books

Last Bus to Coffeeville is a road story with a difference and with a group of characters who step right out of every dysfunctional self help guide that you have ever read. Eugene Chaney III is a seventy-two year old retired doctor, living a quiet existence, alone with his thoughts and drowning in a sea of what might have been. When he is contacted by his lost love, and reminded of the promise he once made to her, ostensibly to end her life should that life become unbearable, all it takes is just one phone call and the whole vista of his life changes once and for all. For you see, Nancy Skidmore has Alzheimer’s and she has no wish to see her life degenerate into insensibility and counts on Eugene to take her to Coffeeville, where she hopes he will help her to end her life.

This is an interesting debut novel, which has a strong beginning and a poignant ending, however, for me, the story lost some of its focus somewhere in the middle and became a bit untidy. There is no doubt that the author’s unshakable love for all things American shines through; however, because the pace of the story is so frenetic, there are times when it almost feels like he needed to throw absolutely everything he knew about America into each little piece of the narrative. As the book progressed, I was constantly reminded of the 1967 song by The Monkees  - ‘The Last Train to Clarkesville’ and couldn’t for a time get this chirpy melody out of my head, although somehow it seemed to sit well with the concept of the book.

The ride to Coffeeville is filled with colourful characters, some Eugene and Nancy meet on their journey whilst others are old friends but together they form the basis of a rich and varied story about the power of love, the true value of friendship and the notion that family are not always those born closest to us.

My thanks to Real Readers and Oldcastle Books for my advance reading copy of this book.

About the Author

J PAUL HENDERSON was born and grew up in Bradford, West Yorkshire, gained a Master's degree in American Studies and travelled to Afghanistan. He worked in a foundry, as a bus conductor, trained as an accountant and then, when the opportunity to return to academia arose, left for Mississippi, returning four years later with a doctorate in 20thC US History. He currently lives in England. 

Last Bus to Coffeeville is his debut novel.

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Review ~ The Amber Fury by Natalie Haynes

 

Corvus

6 February 2014

Following a devastating personal tragedy, Alex Morris returns to Edinburgh to take up a teaching post in a unit for troubled teenagers. The work is as challenging as it is difficult, and at first Alex despairs of ever making a connection with a particularly demanding group of five young people who seem intent on making her life even more miserable. By using a series of Greek tragedies, which mimic events in their own lives, Alex starts to build a connection. However, the stories of spiteful fate and malicious revenge soon start to have a profound effect on the dynamics of the group.

What then follows is a deeply disturbing psychological drama which builds imperceptibly and which soon becomes all consuming. There is a real rapport with Alex who is vulnerable and delicate, and whose tenacity in dealing with her personal emotional pain quickly becomes the driving force of the novel. However, the teenagers are a force to be reckoned with, they are all deeply offensive in many ways, and yet each demonstrates a susceptibility which is heartbreaking. The story doesn’t pull any punches and some strong profanities litter the dialogue between the students and Alex, however, these are integral to the plot and add necessary vibrancy and realism.

The gradual layering of the narrative is skilfully achieved, the tension is expertly managed and the dénouement is cleverly crafted. Overall, this is a commendable and exciting debut novel, and I am sure that reading groups are going to be clamouring to read it.

My thanks to Guy and Mel at Newbooks for my copy of this book.

This review can be found in March/April NB issue 80 - out now!

newbooks

Find more about the author

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Review ~ Harry's War by Harry Drinkwater

Random House UK, Ebury Publishing
October 31 2014

Harold Drinkwater was not supposed to go to war. He was told he was half an inch too short. But, determined to fight for king and country, he found a battalion that would take him and was soon on his way to the trenches of the Somme

This poignant First World War diary really brings home the squalor and deprivation encountered by those brave soldiers who found themselves wallowing knee deep in mud and water whilst at the same time trying to defend the trenches from enemy bombardment. Harry Drinkwater managed to snatch stolen opportunities to write up his thoughts and he shares his feelings so eloquently that the horror and the sheer repetitive drudgery of life in the Somme trenches really comes alive with a poignancy which lingers long in the memory. The diary certainly doesn’t pull any punches, and whilst Harry lives his life surrounded by foul mud, disgusting stench, and the ever present threat of lice and vermin, he also describes the utter joy of having the luxury of a clean shirt, the blissfulness of hot water to wash in and the sheer exasperation of never having a warm drink.  

As first-hand knowledge of this dreadful war fades from personal memory, it is far too easy to dismiss the events of 1914-1918 as something merely confined to the annals of history. What this book reiterates is that these were just ordinary young men caught up in extraordinary times, and who through their unrelenting bravery and gallant determination were able to command the respect of their countrymen and their king.

In this centenary year of the start of the First World War, Harry’s Diary is a fitting testament to those brave young men of WW1 who died in their millions and whose short, sweet lives must never be forgotten.

Highly Recommended.

My thanks to Random House UK, Ebury Publishing for my ecopy of this book.

Harry Drinkwater received the Military Cross for bravery

He died in 1978

More here

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