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Saturday, 23 July 2016
"And Then It Rained" - Book Event
Just a heads to let you know that there will be an online book event for "And Then It Rained" on August 12th starting at 6:00 PM EDT. Bags of prizes and bags of fun! Leave a comment if you're interested, and we'll see what we can do about issuing you an invitation.
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Adventures Downunder - A Review - "Cracking Good....!"
If you haven't read "Adventures Downunder" yet, the title of this simply wonderful review (written by the gifted author, Alec Hawkes) might seem confusing, but the explanation is simplicity in itself. You see, to make the dialogue work through certain sections of the book, it was necessary to invent a new language, or pidgen. I thought it worked rather well. I gather Alec agrees.
Thank you, old friend, very much appreciated, sir.
Thank you, old friend, very much appreciated, sir.
on July 17, 2016
This
is yet another triumph for the fantastically talented Mr. Lovatt;
without any shadow of a doubt one of the finest writers of historical
adventures that there has ever been. Lovatt crams in an enormous amount
of research before he slips his clearly wonderfully well developed
imagination to work in creating quite marvellous tales. Whether one
calls this historical fiction, or the same though based on an awful lot
of fact, or at least what could very easily be fact, is surely pretty
well irrelevant. Much of what has actually been written down over the
centuries about various times and events in history is almost certainly
much the same; very often depending on the viewpoint of whoever wrote
and recorded whichever particular 'facts' as just that. As an example,
one could read many so called factual pieces on the colourful history
between England and Scotland, and the struggles for power and freedom.
The poor wee vanquished and downtrodden Angus McJock may well have
written a mightily different piece about his ragbag army's defeat at
Glen Wotsit compared with the version written by Sir Bastard De English.
In a similar way to history being written by the victor, many things
that are merely opinions or images that were seen by eyes which saw
something different to other eyes, so becomes historical fact. Over a
period of time some facts will be deemed to have been bunkum or
cobblers, other facts will have been added to the story, maybe because a
change of thinking from the powers that be may have occurred, or maybe
because the story itself needed jazzing up to suit the opinion of the
day.
Why, you may ask, am I saying all this as opposed to talking about the particular story in question? Well, that is because I read a line (just one line, not a review that merits being called a review) about this book as I was preparing my own thoughts on this splendid tale. The author of this one line had damned the book out of hand; something along the lines of "I read two chapters and became very bored". Well, Mr or Ms. Muppet, go and watch a soap opera or get yourself a copy of some mind numbing magazine spouting trivial cobblers and your tiny mind will likely be royally entertained. Swashbuckling adventures, written as fiction but with a very healthy dose of what could very easily be fact, or very close to fact, are just that, exactly that.
Now, to the matter in hand; the continuing adventures of our erstwhile hero, this time happening in the stinking hot frickin' desert we know as Australia. Charlie has been getting a little older and wiser, becoming a deeper thinker - much like, one would hope, all of us, as we limp our way through life's great trial. Charlie IS a deep thinker, has always been a deep thinker, in truth. Now, though, his thinking has become that bit deeper, more analytical. Our hero goes through many more adventures, faces several more near death experiences, falls in love (hey! no tale of a buckling swash on a world tour of adventures would be complete without the periodic falling in love with maidens fair!), or at least in lust.
I will tell very little of the story, just to say that it is quite brilliantly written, extremely gripping from the word go, and a marvellous extension to the life story that we already know of young Smithers, from following his earlier escapades in both Africa and India. As I briefly mentioned earlier, the research that this genial author does before penning these splendid adventures is exceptional. It is due partly to this research, and partly to Mr. Lovatt's brilliant imagination, that this historical adventure is so real, so utterly believable.
Very well done indeed sir, a truly memorable tale, written in such a way that the reader's journey is both gripping and highly enjoyable. Bravo, what!
Why, you may ask, am I saying all this as opposed to talking about the particular story in question? Well, that is because I read a line (just one line, not a review that merits being called a review) about this book as I was preparing my own thoughts on this splendid tale. The author of this one line had damned the book out of hand; something along the lines of "I read two chapters and became very bored". Well, Mr or Ms. Muppet, go and watch a soap opera or get yourself a copy of some mind numbing magazine spouting trivial cobblers and your tiny mind will likely be royally entertained. Swashbuckling adventures, written as fiction but with a very healthy dose of what could very easily be fact, or very close to fact, are just that, exactly that.
Now, to the matter in hand; the continuing adventures of our erstwhile hero, this time happening in the stinking hot frickin' desert we know as Australia. Charlie has been getting a little older and wiser, becoming a deeper thinker - much like, one would hope, all of us, as we limp our way through life's great trial. Charlie IS a deep thinker, has always been a deep thinker, in truth. Now, though, his thinking has become that bit deeper, more analytical. Our hero goes through many more adventures, faces several more near death experiences, falls in love (hey! no tale of a buckling swash on a world tour of adventures would be complete without the periodic falling in love with maidens fair!), or at least in lust.
I will tell very little of the story, just to say that it is quite brilliantly written, extremely gripping from the word go, and a marvellous extension to the life story that we already know of young Smithers, from following his earlier escapades in both Africa and India. As I briefly mentioned earlier, the research that this genial author does before penning these splendid adventures is exceptional. It is due partly to this research, and partly to Mr. Lovatt's brilliant imagination, that this historical adventure is so real, so utterly believable.
Very well done indeed sir, a truly memorable tale, written in such a way that the reader's journey is both gripping and highly enjoyable. Bravo, what!
Friday, 8 July 2016
Josiah Stubb - A Review - "His Best Work"
Although I should point out that the quality of a work is subjective to the individual reader, I'm happy to report that I'm getting very close to finishing the rough draft for the second book of the Josiah Stubb trilogy.
Thank you, Shannon. While I suppose it's inevitable that he has become temporarily overshadowed by the Charlie Smithers Collection, it makes me happy whenever I see that Josiah gets to share some of the attention, too.
Thank you, Shannon. While I suppose it's inevitable that he has become temporarily overshadowed by the Charlie Smithers Collection, it makes me happy whenever I see that Josiah gets to share some of the attention, too.
on July 5, 2016
This
is the fourth book I have read of Mr. Lovatt's and can say with
confidence, his best work of the bunch. Better than the Charlie
Smithers works and hopefully the first in a series.
Wednesday, 22 June 2016
Reading in Hartney, Manitoba - As Pleasant as It Gets
Yesterday's reading in Hartney was about as pleasant an experience as it gets. It was quite well attended - far more than I would have expected in such a small town. They went out of their way to get the word out, too. This is what I saw when I drove into town. Needless to say my ego and I were tickled pink!
The following is a pictorial run through the evening.
I was able to harangue some of my family to attend. This is me (Chuck) and my brother-in-law (also Chuck)
There were quotes like this all over the library. I'm referring, of course to this one by Stephen King, not the Exit sign.
The actual reading (which I thought went very well) lasted for about forty-five minutes, long enough for a good-sized sample from three different books.
Of course after the reading, there was time to mingle, and sign books.
This is Linda Philips, chair of the library committee, and the lady responsible for organizing the event. Great job, Linda, many thanks!
This soft-spoken man was really quite interesting. He used to work in the Hudson Bay Company's museum in Winnipeg, but he wanted somewhere quiet to work on his art. Boy, I can relate! He also bought four of my books, so that almost elevates him to best friend status!
This is my sister, Barb. When signing books for my family, I have to remember to write 'Charlie' instead of my pen name.
Signing the guest book. About two dozen had signed before me.
Still signing books when I got home. These ones were for my brother, Joel. He likes to get copies for himself and his kids, Sarah, Laura, and Michael, shortly after one of my novels is released.
So that's it. I had a blast, but I was also pretty tired once the adrenaline wore away. Think I'll turn in early tonight. Later, folks...
The following is a pictorial run through the evening.
I was able to harangue some of my family to attend. This is me (Chuck) and my brother-in-law (also Chuck)
There were quotes like this all over the library. I'm referring, of course to this one by Stephen King, not the Exit sign.
Of course after the reading, there was time to mingle, and sign books.
This is Linda Philips, chair of the library committee, and the lady responsible for organizing the event. Great job, Linda, many thanks!
This is my sister, Barb. When signing books for my family, I have to remember to write 'Charlie' instead of my pen name.
Signing the guest book. About two dozen had signed before me.
Still signing books when I got home. These ones were for my brother, Joel. He likes to get copies for himself and his kids, Sarah, Laura, and Michael, shortly after one of my novels is released.
So that's it. I had a blast, but I was also pretty tired once the adrenaline wore away. Think I'll turn in early tonight. Later, folks...
Monday, 20 June 2016
Reading and Book Signing Tomorrow
For those of you within...oh, I don't know, let's say a 10,000 mile
radius, this is a heads up that I'll be giving a series of readings, a
book signing, and otherwise shamelessly promoting my work, at the
Hartney Public Library tomorrow, June 21st, from 5:00 - 7:00PM. In lieu of flowers, bring
money (Ha! Ha! Just joking about the money...sort of.....)
Sunday, 19 June 2016
The Charlie Smithers Collection....So Far
Click on the links below to purchase your own copies!
The Adventures of Charlie Smithers
Charlie Smithers: Adventures in India
Charlie Smithers: Adventures Downunder
And Then It Rained - A Review - "Touching, Funny, and Thoughtful"
Thanks Deborah, I hope your rain comes soon!
By
Deborah Wall McGraw
on June 17, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition
Verified Purchase
Living as I do in drought stricken California, even the title excited
me. These stories are touching, funny, thoughtful. I carry my Kindle
around with me to read whenever I have to wait, such as in doctor's
offices, and these stories are just what I need: interesting,
thoughtful, escape.
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