David Roy's Blog, page 5
August 16, 2022
Review for Absent Victim
CHECK OUT MY #BOOKREVIEW FOR THE #ABSENTVICTIM #BOOKTOUR @DAVIDRO02674885 @ZOOLOOSBT
MY RSTING ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Firstly before we get into the review can we just sit and appreciate the cover. I absolutely love the cover of this book, I think it’s extremely eye catching.
Now… let’s get to what I thought.
First off, I loved the writing style of this author and his main character, I absolutely loved that the PI spoke to us the reader, directly. He was a man on his own and I don’t actually think we ever caught his name.
The story was based on the thick of the pandemic and the PI was very much happy to adhere to all the rules bestowed upon the world, he didn’t want to catch the virus like many of us didn’t – so from that point of view the story was incredibly relatable and although it’s a time we would all love to forget it was written in a fantastic way that didn’t draw you back to those memories it is just, well life.
The story follows the PI trying to investigate a murder with no Victim, no MO, nothing but the feelings of Stephanie Kuler who believes she has killed and can no longer live with the guilt. The police have already stated that they are not interested and although this is a wacko case for our PI – it is a paid job.
I found the book to be of a steady place, although it did slow down in places but it was very compelling, especially when it came to wanting to know how it all concluded. The PI was definitely a favourite character for me, although my favourite parts of the book had to be the ‘Billy-isms’ I could have read about them all day long.
This was a great little book of mystery that I will recommend to anyone.
MY RSTING ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Firstly before we get into the review can we just sit and appreciate the cover. I absolutely love the cover of this book, I think it’s extremely eye catching.
Now… let’s get to what I thought.
First off, I loved the writing style of this author and his main character, I absolutely loved that the PI spoke to us the reader, directly. He was a man on his own and I don’t actually think we ever caught his name.
The story was based on the thick of the pandemic and the PI was very much happy to adhere to all the rules bestowed upon the world, he didn’t want to catch the virus like many of us didn’t – so from that point of view the story was incredibly relatable and although it’s a time we would all love to forget it was written in a fantastic way that didn’t draw you back to those memories it is just, well life.
The story follows the PI trying to investigate a murder with no Victim, no MO, nothing but the feelings of Stephanie Kuler who believes she has killed and can no longer live with the guilt. The police have already stated that they are not interested and although this is a wacko case for our PI – it is a paid job.
I found the book to be of a steady place, although it did slow down in places but it was very compelling, especially when it came to wanting to know how it all concluded. The PI was definitely a favourite character for me, although my favourite parts of the book had to be the ‘Billy-isms’ I could have read about them all day long.
This was a great little book of mystery that I will recommend to anyone.
August 12, 2022
Rejection
My wife unearthed my rejection letters' folder yesterday and I immediately made the decision to put it in the re-cycling. After all what possible use could it be?
However, upon leafing through it today I rescinded that decision for what I discovered was an interesting 'document' which catalogued not only my own career as a writer but also the enormous changes in the publishing industry.
My first rejection letter concerned 'Sun, Sand and the Sergeant-Major' an account of my time in the Gulf War. The earliest rejection letters are dated 1995. Back then a writer could submit their books directly to a publisher and the publisher would respond in person and possibly with a bit of useful feedback.
This was my first book and I knew it was a sure fire hit... just as the publishing industry knew it wasn't.
That particular book re-surfaced over the years as, 'The Tideless Beach', 'Oil Wells That End Well' and 'Gas, Gas, Gas!' Eventually a small section of it was published in a book called 'The Groundcrew Boys', published by Grub Street, one of many publishers who had rejected the original manuscript. In that respect it was not a total waste of time.
The same cannot be said for my next three books, all of which were garbage. 'On The Side Of The Enemy', 'The Innocent Accomplice' and 'Neil Barrie Still Eats Pies', will never see the light of day.
As time moved on and the widespread use of the PC encouraged more and more people to write, so things changed in publishing to the extent that only a manuscript presented by and agent would be considered. This reflected in a huge swathe of fresh rejection letters from literary agents. I was still being rejected and was even further removed from the actual publishers than I had ever been.
I kept writing.
I kept being rejected.
The next change, which happened more slowly than you might imagine, was that submissions were made via the internet rather than by post. This meant that my rejection letters gradually stopped coming and a new era of disappointment was ushered in via my email.
It was a massive change and no change at all. Rejection is rejection, regardless of the means of delivery.
It's been years since I received any form of rejection simply because, with the advent of Kindle, I stopped bothering with publishers. It's all academic now anyway. Hobart Books is my publisher - literally - if you'll forgive the pun.
However, upon leafing through it today I rescinded that decision for what I discovered was an interesting 'document' which catalogued not only my own career as a writer but also the enormous changes in the publishing industry.
My first rejection letter concerned 'Sun, Sand and the Sergeant-Major' an account of my time in the Gulf War. The earliest rejection letters are dated 1995. Back then a writer could submit their books directly to a publisher and the publisher would respond in person and possibly with a bit of useful feedback.
This was my first book and I knew it was a sure fire hit... just as the publishing industry knew it wasn't.
That particular book re-surfaced over the years as, 'The Tideless Beach', 'Oil Wells That End Well' and 'Gas, Gas, Gas!' Eventually a small section of it was published in a book called 'The Groundcrew Boys', published by Grub Street, one of many publishers who had rejected the original manuscript. In that respect it was not a total waste of time.
The same cannot be said for my next three books, all of which were garbage. 'On The Side Of The Enemy', 'The Innocent Accomplice' and 'Neil Barrie Still Eats Pies', will never see the light of day.
As time moved on and the widespread use of the PC encouraged more and more people to write, so things changed in publishing to the extent that only a manuscript presented by and agent would be considered. This reflected in a huge swathe of fresh rejection letters from literary agents. I was still being rejected and was even further removed from the actual publishers than I had ever been.
I kept writing.
I kept being rejected.
The next change, which happened more slowly than you might imagine, was that submissions were made via the internet rather than by post. This meant that my rejection letters gradually stopped coming and a new era of disappointment was ushered in via my email.
It was a massive change and no change at all. Rejection is rejection, regardless of the means of delivery.
It's been years since I received any form of rejection simply because, with the advent of Kindle, I stopped bothering with publishers. It's all academic now anyway. Hobart Books is my publisher - literally - if you'll forgive the pun.
August 6, 2022
Four star review
Here is a nice review for The Lost Man - The first of twelve books. More than simply an out-and-out war story, the 'Lost Man' is not just a tale of a man (Ted Dexter) physically 'lost' in the countryside, but I assume relates more to the introspective nature of his reflective self-doubts that he is 'lost' in his mind as to what his purpose should be and what more (or different) direction he could take with his life. Don't let that detract and put you off though, it helps to understand the character more. So yes, there are scenes of battle, and the end of the story wraps up quite quickly when eventually reached and I assume we may find his two new companions joining Ted in future adventures. The only nit-picking thing for me was the continued use of the word 'kraut' by the British characters (meaning 'German') throughout the whole book, to the point it became distracting. Certainly based on the majority of other fiction, film and periodicals from the 1940's, I have usually found that 'Jerry' is more commonly used, or if the character was old enough to have been involved in the previous Great War, then a token 'Hun' would be thrown in. Not what I initially expected but I enjoyed it nevertheless. I still plan on reading the second book, 'The Avenger's Apprentice' as soon as I can get a copy.
July 17, 2022
I Want You To Be Free
This post is just to pass on a review written for the above book. I'll let the reviewer tell you more...
I Want You To Be Free
✍️ S. Nadja Zajdman
@hobartbooks
Genre: non-fiction, memoir, WWII
I’ve been sharing this one quite a bit in my stories and I’m almost done reading it. But I just couldn’t wait to post about it!!
I’ve read several books about WWII and Holocaust survivors, but nothing quite like this!
Most stories I’ve read were wholly focused on time in the concentration camps, but Renata Zajdman’s story gave me a different perspective.
Renata’s story, told beautifully by her daughter Sharon Nadja Zajdman shows what it was like for those trying to survive on the outside - the brutality on the streets, the slave labor taking place, the abhorrent conditions in the Warsaw ghetto and what it took to survive on the Aryan side. And she went through all of this as a child and as a teenager.
And then we see the aftermath, as Renata builds a new life from the ground up in a new country. Finds love, raises a family and discovers beautiful purpose.
This isn’t just a war survival story. This is the story of a woman who overcomes and thrives against all odds. Renata’s strength, wit and determination is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Her story is one of triumph and hope.
Some people are turned off by non-fiction, but this reads like fiction!
No matter who was around me while reading, I’d put my book down and say, “Omg did you know…” or “Listen you wouldn’t believe this…”
I’ll be posting a full review soon. But wow, I highly recommend this one.
Go to @hobartbooks for more information!
🔗Amazon: https://amzn.to/3PhO1uJ
I Want You To Be Free
✍️ S. Nadja Zajdman
@hobartbooks
Genre: non-fiction, memoir, WWII
I’ve been sharing this one quite a bit in my stories and I’m almost done reading it. But I just couldn’t wait to post about it!!
I’ve read several books about WWII and Holocaust survivors, but nothing quite like this!
Most stories I’ve read were wholly focused on time in the concentration camps, but Renata Zajdman’s story gave me a different perspective.
Renata’s story, told beautifully by her daughter Sharon Nadja Zajdman shows what it was like for those trying to survive on the outside - the brutality on the streets, the slave labor taking place, the abhorrent conditions in the Warsaw ghetto and what it took to survive on the Aryan side. And she went through all of this as a child and as a teenager.
And then we see the aftermath, as Renata builds a new life from the ground up in a new country. Finds love, raises a family and discovers beautiful purpose.
This isn’t just a war survival story. This is the story of a woman who overcomes and thrives against all odds. Renata’s strength, wit and determination is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Her story is one of triumph and hope.
Some people are turned off by non-fiction, but this reads like fiction!
No matter who was around me while reading, I’d put my book down and say, “Omg did you know…” or “Listen you wouldn’t believe this…”
I’ll be posting a full review soon. But wow, I highly recommend this one.
Go to @hobartbooks for more information!
🔗Amazon: https://amzn.to/3PhO1uJ
July 10, 2022
A week in publishing...
A week is a long time in... politics. I use social media to publicise Hobart Books but as I scroll through my Twitter account I am assailed by politics, political views and so-called punditry. Whilst I do have opinions and some political views - ones which can't easily be aligned with one party - I am not on Twitter to share these with my adoring public.
My emotions with regard to politics range from incensed to miffed, but since I long ago came to the conclusion that nothing much ever really changes, I keep my views to myself. Some people I like support Labour, some support the Conservatives. Some may even support the Liberals. The thing is, I don't want to fall out with them over something so unrewarding as politics.
The people I am prepared to fall out with are the alleged celebrities who lecture us on the law, science, health, race and everything else. Sadly, despite having the same number of votes as any of these people - one, obviously - no one cares what I think, least of all them.
The only solution is to start a celebrity helpline.
'Celebrity Helpline. Gary speaking. How can I make you more like Me?'
My emotions with regard to politics range from incensed to miffed, but since I long ago came to the conclusion that nothing much ever really changes, I keep my views to myself. Some people I like support Labour, some support the Conservatives. Some may even support the Liberals. The thing is, I don't want to fall out with them over something so unrewarding as politics.
The people I am prepared to fall out with are the alleged celebrities who lecture us on the law, science, health, race and everything else. Sadly, despite having the same number of votes as any of these people - one, obviously - no one cares what I think, least of all them.
The only solution is to start a celebrity helpline.
'Celebrity Helpline. Gary speaking. How can I make you more like Me?'
July 4, 2022
Monday, Monday
Just a hint of dread on a Monday morning for me these days. When I was a teacher I felt sick to the pit of my stomach on a Monday morning, whereas now, I wake up thinking about the things I have to do. It's all to do with sales for me at the moment, that and the preparation of our new books for publication.
Today, I am going to attempt to download a book to Smashwords, an eBook site. The style guide is filling me with dread but I shall prevail.
And that is that...
Today, I am going to attempt to download a book to Smashwords, an eBook site. The style guide is filling me with dread but I shall prevail.
And that is that...
June 20, 2022
Joyride Review
Looking for a great book??? Check out Joyride by Olivia Reynolds’s @bigdaveroy
4.5 STARS
Anyone who’s been in a relationship with an addict, knows that the road is often an unpredictable and bumpy ride.
Joyride takes you on a journey of emotions as Sophie deals with her husband John’s abuse.
With the inheritance of a car Sophie's life opens up to more possibilities. John’s Irrational jealousy towards an inanimate object, frees Sophie from a life of self imposed imprisonment giving her the strength to finally break free.
The twists and turns of life, increases the impact of the ride itself and not knowing what delights await you around the next bend could very well be the best off of the ride. You just have to let yourself go to experience it.
#bookstagram #bookrecommendations #bookreview #readingcommunity #readers
4.5 STARS
Anyone who’s been in a relationship with an addict, knows that the road is often an unpredictable and bumpy ride.
Joyride takes you on a journey of emotions as Sophie deals with her husband John’s abuse.
With the inheritance of a car Sophie's life opens up to more possibilities. John’s Irrational jealousy towards an inanimate object, frees Sophie from a life of self imposed imprisonment giving her the strength to finally break free.
The twists and turns of life, increases the impact of the ride itself and not knowing what delights await you around the next bend could very well be the best off of the ride. You just have to let yourself go to experience it.
#bookstagram #bookrecommendations #bookreview #readingcommunity #readers
June 19, 2022
Father's Day
It's been a while since I made a fuss over anyone for Father's Day but now that I have my own children... I'm trying to avoid any involvement in it once again. When you have something to sell - in my case books, of course - Father's Day takes on a new significance but on a personal level my children make such a hash of this wonderful day, that it has been banned this year. It's easier that way.
However, we have a new book out - The Avenger's Apprentice - which is the second in the Lost Man series. The Lost Man itself is FREE as an eBook if you buy the follow-up.
https://www.hobartbooks.com/product-p...
Just a little something for Father's Day.
Have a good one.
However, we have a new book out - The Avenger's Apprentice - which is the second in the Lost Man series. The Lost Man itself is FREE as an eBook if you buy the follow-up.
https://www.hobartbooks.com/product-p...
Just a little something for Father's Day.
Have a good one.
June 9, 2022
Joyride
I'm currently pushing the book Joyride by Olivia Reynolds. It's a lovely book belonging to the genre known as 'overlooked'. Which is a shame.
Now that I am giving it a bit of a push, I find it tricky to define what type of book it is. It is written for a female audience (although I think anyone would enjoy it) but in these modern times is it enough to describe anything in that way? Is there such a thing as 'a female audience' and who says so?
Is it chicklit? That could be deemed sexist, perhaps trivialising femininity...
I just don't know. It's really just a good book with a happy ending and who doesn't like one of those? If you like to buy a copy you can do so here;
https://www.hobartbooks.com/product-p...
Happy Thursday, everyone
Now that I am giving it a bit of a push, I find it tricky to define what type of book it is. It is written for a female audience (although I think anyone would enjoy it) but in these modern times is it enough to describe anything in that way? Is there such a thing as 'a female audience' and who says so?
Is it chicklit? That could be deemed sexist, perhaps trivialising femininity...
I just don't know. It's really just a good book with a happy ending and who doesn't like one of those? If you like to buy a copy you can do so here;
https://www.hobartbooks.com/product-p...
Happy Thursday, everyone
May 29, 2022
Not here
So, this is day two of Hobart Books' World Tour of Italy - or, as my wife calls it - our holiday. This post is being sent to you from Cumbria. Not Umbria, Cumbria. You see we hit a snag. A series of snags in fact, the snaggiest of which was the fact that the plane belonging to a company whose name rhymes with Brian Hair, was so late that we could never have made it to our accommodation on the other side.
So my dreams of taking Hobart Books to the World... well, Europe... okay just Italy, were dashed.
The end.
So my dreams of taking Hobart Books to the World... well, Europe... okay just Italy, were dashed.
The end.
