A review

Once in a while a book really gets to you. Jim Webster’s book Sometimes I just Sits and Thinks has done just that to me. Jim is a farmer in the English county of Cumbria. His sense of humour shines throughout each episode. If you come from farming stock as I do, this is the book for you. In my mind’s eye I was out there with Jim and his faithful Border Collies Jess and Sal. Sal is still working. Jess passed on after seventeen years alongside Jim…

A review that never appeared on Amazon.

Why won’t it appear there? Because the person hadn’t spent a minimum of £50 on Amazon UK.

So, here it is anyway:

I really enjoyed the book. It was interesting to hear events unfold from a participant’s point of view. It inspired me to find out more about the events, and the different people who were involved.

Thank you,

C. Cousins.

PS – I gave him a paperback copy one day when he delivered my groceries. I started by asking him if he read books. He admitted that his eyes tend to glaze over with any normal length book. So Autumn 1066 was ideal for him, being so short (21 pages).

😉

Marjorie Mallon’s book…

Here’s my review…

What do you say about a book in a genre you normally steer clear of? In the case of Marjorie Mallon’s first book The Curse of Time, Book One – Bloodstone, the first thing to say is that it demonstrates just how the author’s mind works. It gives the impression of having been written at a frenetic pace. And yet the story takes an age to unfold before the reader. Right from the start I loved the heroine Amelina. Seeing the world through the eyes of a fifteen going on sixteen year old young woman was an education for this crusty old male writer.

If I had any form of criticism to make it would be… Sorry, but I can’t think of anything bad to say about the book. While YA is not my cup of tea, I take my metaphoric hat off to Marjorie.

~~~

Well done that lady,

😉 xx

A glowing revue…

…for what is after all nothing more or less than an extremely short book by anyone’s standards. Mine included…

~~~

4.0 out of 5 stars Autumn 1066 Be Taken There… An engaging novella.

15 April 2018

Format: Kindle Edition

I received a copy from the author in exchange for a fair, unbiased review. This is not my usual genre that I read but nevertheless I enjoyed this short novella and would recommend it to readers who enjoy historical fact/fiction and people like myself who appreciate a well written and researched story. I would say that its strengths lie in the accuracy of the historical terms used, the sense of brutality of the time period coupled with the human interest aspect of the story – an uncle, Aldred wishing to protect his young archer nephew Cynric from harm and possible death during battle. There is also a breathe of humour in the novella which gives a wonderful sense of the jibes of men, the tenderness and greenness of a young man going to battle and how the very young can surprise us too. On reflection Jack Eason has packed a heck of a lot into a very short novella and this demonstrates his ability to write a thoroughly engaging narrative. Highly recommended.

~~~

Guess who the review is from?

None other than the brilliant YA author Marjorie Mallon

Thanks Marje 😉 xx

Autumn 1066 gets another five star review…

Deborah A. Bowman, author

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Well Done!

March 4, 2018

Format: Kindle Edition

Eason’s authenticity and realism in the end of days for the Anglo-Saxons in what was to become England or Great Britain is a must-read for anyone who cares about the history of this developing country which ruled the world for centuries. The ancient spelling and punctuation of names long buried in antiquity, as well as the proper names of weapons, battle strategies, and language show much research, checked and rechecked, by Mr. Eason in a time when history has been all but forgotten. I highly recommend this novella to the historian, history buff, and the curious, concerned reader for this is all of our heritage in one way or another … all countries, all peoples, all evolutionary ethnicities. This turning point, “Autumn 1066” , shaped the world. The ending, the last line, captured my heart. (No spoilers here.)

~~~

It takes a writer to fully appreciate another’s work of literature, no matter the length or the subject.

Thank you Deborah

😉 x

The reviews still keep coming…

5 out of 5 stars Fantastic Adventure Tale

By Adele Park on 22 September 2016

Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase

This is a rollercoaster of a read. From the start, we know something is going to go horribly wrong and from then on we are hanging on to the coat-tails of the characters. It really is a race against time and I held my breath as they slipped past their adversiaries by the skin of their teeth.

The writing is fast paced and yet in a few sentences the author describes perfectly the country or area they are in. I cared about all the characters that we were introduced to and hated the evil ones. Fantasic read highly recommended. Don`t just take my word for it, buy a copy for yourselves you will not be disappointed.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fast paced easy read.

By Chris Graham on 18 November 2016

Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase

From the dawn of mankind until twenty-five thousand years ago an alien race still lived alongside our ancestors. Then, because humanity rebelled against them, they left. However, two of their race stayed, one cared about humanity and one hated humanity.
They also left behind a network of powerful artefacts which were counting down to the destruction of Earth and all it’s inhabitants.
Zero hour happened on 21st December 2012!
So why are we all still here?
Read and find out.
Note: This is an updated version of this author’s previously published book ‘The Seventh Age’

5.0 out of 5 stars Saving the World – Around the globe race against time itself. Action, love, treachery, heroism, ancient gods – Buy it

By kate mcclelland on 18 September 2016

Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase

If you like your action fast paced this is for you. A beautiful ancient mystical being, an English Archaeologist and an ever changing band of misfits and rogues working together to save the world from a count down to an apocalyptic end.
A secret society and an evil god trying to stop them from achieving their aim. Working against the clock to reactivate an ancient machine, it takes them across the globe. Will they make it? Love, treachery, heroism and around the world action – what’s no to like? This would make a great movie.

5.0 out of 5 stars An adventure story that also is instructive

By Bob Van Laerhoven – Belgian noveliston 7 February 2018

Format: Kindle Edition

“Race against time” is an outstanding example of how an author can turn extensive archaeological knowledge into a superb adventure story, chock-full high-caliber entertainment. With the abrupt ending of the Mayan Calendar in 2012, and the prediction that the Solar System will be annihilated in that very year, as a starting point, Jack Eason tells a gripping tale that spans the world, that is often funny but at the same time suspenseful, and that is populated by characters we love to love or to hate. At the end, when the reader thinks that everything will collapse, Eason provides an ingenious, surprising end. An adventure story that also is instructive, a mix of genres that also is a fast-paced and highly entertaining yarn….Eason succeeded in forging all these elements seamlessly together.

4.0 out of 5 stars A good story.

By Allan Hudson on 21 February 2018

Format: Kindle Edition

If you like Sci-Fi and a fast paced, international novel, this one is for you. I enjoyed this tale.

😉

Race Against Time’s Reviews

Not one dissenting voice among them!

5 of 5 stars An adventure story that also is instructive

By Bob Van Laerhoven – Belgian novelist on February 7, 2018

Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase

“Race against time” is an outstanding example of how an author can turn extensive archaeological knowledge into a superb adventure story, chock-full high-caliber entertainment. With the abrupt ending of the Mayan Calendar in 2012, and the prediction that the Solar System will be annihilated in that very year, as a starting point, Jack Eason tells a gripping tale that spans the world, that is often funny but at the same time suspenseful, and that is populated by characters we love to love or to hate. At the end, when the reader thinks that everything will collapse, Eason provides an ingenious, surprising end. An adventure story that also is instructive, a mix of genres that also is a fast-paced and highly entertaining yarn….Eason succeeded in forging all these elements seamlessly together.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Race Against Time by Jack Eason

By Adele Park on September 23, 2016

Format: Kindle Edition

A Race Against Time by Jack Eason is a fast paced adventure story which grips you from the first paragraph and doesn`t let go until the end sentence. A race to activate an ancient shield takes our characters all over the world. They are chased by adversaries which are as ancient as the device and have an underground group which are hell bent on killing our characters. They gain allies from unusual quarters and then ensues a wonderful adventure which kept me captivated. I couldn`t put this book down. See for yourself buy a copy, I promise it is an adventure you won`t regret.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fast paced easy read.

By Chris Graham on November 18, 2016

Format: Kindle Edition

From the dawn of mankind until twenty-five thousand years ago an alien race still lived alongside our ancestors. Then, because humanity rebelled against them, they left. However, two of their race stayed, one cared about humanity and one hated humanity.
They also left behind a network of powerful artefacts which were counting down to the destruction of Earth and all it’s inhabitants.
Zero hour happened on 21st December 2012!
So why are we all still here?
Read and find out.
Note: This is an updated version of this author’s previously published book ‘The Seventh Age’.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Ripping Yarn

By Vivo on October 4, 2016

Format: Kindle Edition

If you like geography, archeology, science fiction and you can handle a cat called Dragon that is an incorrigible hunter, then you will like this book. Two familiar characters from The Seventh Age, Nick and Ithis return in Race Against Time as the clock ticks down to the end of 2012, and according to the Mayan calendar, it will be the end of time for the Solar System. Will Nick, Ithis and Dragon get to see 2013?
A fast paced read for sci-fi and archeology buffs.

4.0 out of 5 stars Great read

ByAmazon Customer on September 13, 2016

Format: Kindle Edition

Highly recommended

😉

Proof that a good story never dies

Who though my best selling book written six years ago would get a brand new review?

Bob Van Laerhoven – Belgian novelist

5.0 out of 5 stars An adventure story that also is instructive

7 February 2018

Format: Kindle Edition

“Race against time” is an outstanding example of how an author can turn extensive archaeological knowledge into a superb adventure story, chock-full high-caliber entertainment. With the abrupt ending of the Mayan Calendar in 2012, and the prediction that the Solar System will be annihilated in that very year, as a starting point, Jack Eason tells a gripping tale that spans the world, that is often funny but at the same time suspenseful, and that is populated by characters we love to love or to hate. At the end, when the reader thinks that everything will collapse, Eason provides an ingenious, surprising end. An adventure story that also is instructive, a mix of genres that also is a fast-paced and highly entertaining yarn….Eason succeeded in forging all these elements seamlessly together.

 

😉

 

My interpretation of the pivotal period in English history…

…gets another five star review

 

Andrew French

5.0 out of 5 stars… Although not the genre I would normally read I must say I enjoyed this book

February 3, 2018

Format: Kindle Edition

Although not the genre I would normally read I must say I enjoyed this book. If you can imagine a documentary with a powerful and authoratative narration of one of the bloodiest events in Britain’s history, that’s what the author has achieved. His historical knowledge blended with a diverse mixture of characters means this is a gripping work of fiction.

😉

New Book!!!

My good friend the award winning Flemish writer Bob Van Laerhoven has a new book out. It is a collection of five dark short stories. Here is my review and one other:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping Tales

28 January 2018

Format: Kindle Edition

Whether or not you are aware of it, whenever you take the time to read a book or in this case a series of short stories, you are entering its author’s psyche. Heart Fever is a collection of five dark tales by the award winning Flemish writer Bob Van Laerhoven. From beginning to end each story gripped me. I hope they also grip you…

5.0 out of 5 stars As deep in a heart of darkness as anything Joseph Conrad ever dreamt of in a nightmare

20 January 2018

Format: Kindle Edition

No one writes quite like Bob Van Laerhoven. Though his novels stories often find themselves as deep in a heart of darkness as anything Joseph Conrad ever dreamt of in a nightmare, there is still something noble in them. For Van Laerhoven knows that all any of us do is fight for survival and momentary glimpses of peace and/or desire amidst the madness and rot of this world. And sometimes, you just have to laugh at us. This is an extremely important literary voice and Heart Fever is a fine place to start your discovery of the author’s meticulously structured talent.

Click on the cover to go to the Amazon.co.uk site…