Olga Núñez Miret's Blog: Author Translator Olga, page 66

La vida tiene sorpresas pero no siempre buenas

Hola a todos:

Este no es post de los de siempre, pero quería aprovechar para explicar que puede que no hayan post regulares por una temporada.

Estoy en Barcelona ya que tuve que venir porque operaban a mi madre de cataratas. Aunque eso fue bien, sin problemas, las cosas se complicaron porque me di cuenta de que mi madre se cansaba mucho, y no podía andar como antes, y ha acabado ingresada en el hospital. Sufrió un infarto, le han encontrado una estenosis de la arteria coronaria izquierda en una zona muy peligrosa y donde el tratamiento es complicado. Van a incluirla en un estudio clínico pero ahora mismo no sé cuánto tiempo va a estar en el hospital ni cómo irán las cosas. Como recordaréis mi padre falleció hace poco más de un año y ahora no tenemos a nadie más en la familiar inmediata.

Me paso la mayor parte del tiempo en el hospital, así que nos os sorprenda si no me véis mucho por ahí.

Os tendré al corriente cuando pueda.

Gracias.

Gracias a Unsplash por sus fabulosas imágenes gratuitas

#RBRT The Dead Lands (A Post-Apocalyptic Thriller. The Dead Lands #1) by Dylan J. Morgan (@dylanjmorgan). A futuristic nightmare, where you can’t trust anybody. #TuesdayBookBlog

Hi all:

Yes, today I’m sharing a review, but I wanted to take a chance to explain what’s going on in my life at the moment, as you might find that the blog is not as regular as it was and the content might be more haphazard.

I am in Barcelona at the moment. I came towards the end of May because my mother was having a cataract operation (she has to have both eyes operated, but they started with the left). That went well, but unfortunately she wasn’t that well otherwise and she’s ended up in hospital with a heart problem (she had a myocardial infarction and now they’ve found a stenosis in her left coronary artery). It requires treatment as it’s in a dangerous place but it’s also quite difficult to treat. I’m spending most of my time in hospital with her and I don’t know exactly how things will evolve. I’m trying to use some of the time to read, so I expect I’ll carry on sharing reviews but all the rest of the content might not be happening.

I’ll keep you informed of how things evolve when I can. Be well. And now, the review.

The Dead Lands by Dylan J. Morgan

Description

Lane is a bounty hunter for Erebus’ corrupt government, his life a constant battle against past demons. Framed for murder, Lane is offered one option to avoid the death penalty: rejoin the army and partake in a covert operation to the apocalyptic world of Hemera, Erebus’ sister planet.

A century after the nuclear conflict that ended mankind’s third age, Hemera has now sent a distress signal to its sister: the president has awoken, and he’s calling for aid. Early intelligence reports indicate the mission will be straightforward, that Hemera is a vacant shell with all forms of life and hostility extinguished.

They are wrong.

Bandits control the dead lands, but there are things much worse waiting for Lane and his squadron once they enter the city walls. Having lived with the nightmares of his shattered past, Lane must now face the mutated horrors of mankind’s future in the toughest battle of his life.

My review

This review is written on behalf of Rosie’s Books Review Team. Thanks to Rosie Amber and to the author, Dylan J. Morgan for offering me a free copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

I recently read and reviewed another one of Dylan Morgan’s novels Flesh (see here), a horror novel, and I was impressed by the book. Another member of the review team (hi, Terry!) recommended The Dead Lands and I took note. The author is preparing the second book in the series The Dead City and kindly offered the reviewers a chance to catch up with the updated version of the first novel in the series. And I’m happy I followed the recommendation.

The Dead Lands is a post-apocalyptic vision of a world, or rather, a mission where a group of army officers from the planet Erebus are sent to rescue the president of a planet, Hemera who’s been in a cryogenic state for a hundred years following a nuclear debacle. What at first sight seems to be an elite group sent on an easy mission turns up to be anything but.

The book is told in the third person, and each chapter follows the point of view of a different character, and that includes the president of the planet, Lane, who is the only one of the members of the team we get to know before the mission (a disgraced ex-army officer turned bounty hunter and the one who perhaps it’s closest to a hero figure in the standard sense), a variety of the team members, people they meet at the new planet, and many more. It is difficult to say if any of the characters are the true protagonist or the hero (some are easier to empathise with than others, but all seem to have motives and reasons for their behaviours that are far from straight forward). From that perspective, the novel is very democratic and even characters (?) with no redeeming features, or possibly not human, are given a voice (or a consciousness). That makes for a very unique reading experience, one at times uncomfortable and surprising. Although I don’t play computer games, it feels as if one was living in one and in a mission with the characters, with the possibility of playing different parts (although not of your own choosing).

The book is dynamic and fast paced, with no lengthy descriptions (some can be more detailed like the characteristics of the weaponry), and there’s plenty of action, fights, and scary moments. There isn’t a lot of world building, and the reader is thrown straight into a world (or two worlds) that’s understandable if scary at times. The world of The Dead Lands is at the same time familiar (particularly the corruption and morals, or lack of them) but alien. What would our world be like after a nuclear war? I don’t want to give away the whole story, but let’s say that it’s not called The Dead Lands for nothing.

The novel is a great example of the genre. It has a gripping plot, characters that are complex and fallible (some with backstories we’d like to know more about), nothing and nobody is what s/he seems to be, there is betrayal, greed, corruption, cowardice, surprises galore, horror and a world that’s scarier because it’s uncannily easy to recognise. Ultimately, the question is, who is the real enemy? The one outside, or the fragmented loyalties and lies that are the quicksand on which the mission, and the whole world, is built?

I recommend this novel to lovers of the genre, but also to those who love a fast paced story full of surprises, and are willing to push their reading experience beyond comfort and ease.

Ah, and after reading the tasters of the next novel in the series, I can hardly wait.

Links:

http://amzn.to/1U7w9ye

http://amzn.to/1U7wj8Q

Thanks to Rosie and her team for their great work and the opportunity to review such great books, thanks to all of you for reading and remember to like, share, comment and CLICK!

#Novedadliteraria El Duque del Altozano de Fernando Cotta (@Fcotta63) El Siglo de Oro resucita y nos roba el corazón

Hola a todos:

Como sabéis los viernes siempre os traigo novedades, y hoy es un escritor al que no conocía y que me descubrió (o nos descubrimos) en Twitter, Fernando Cotta. Coincidió que tenía su novela histórico-cómica en promoción gratuita y lo cierto es que cuando leí de qué iba el asunto, considerando lo que me encanta el Siglo de Oro, Quevedo (al que visito de vez en cuando), y hoy en día la serie de Televisión Española El Ministerio del Tiempo, y el hecho de que Frank Spoiler, que es un autor amigo que ha visitado mi blog en muchas ocasiones ha colaborado en el proyecto, no me pude resistir.

El Duque del Altozano de Fernando Cotta (invitado especial, Frank Spoiler)
El Duque del Altozano
de Fernando Cotta P. (Autor), Frank Spoiler (Autor), Gonzalo Moreno (Ilustrador)

Por divina orden voy redimiendo mi otra vida, antes humano e hidalgo soldado y ahora en cambio, en pájaro me han reencarnado.

Un hidalgo y apuesto soldado del siglo XVI resucita en 2.015. Una obra hilarante en la que el reencarnado está obligado a dar consejos para unir y donde tiene vetado utilizar sus dotes para uso y disfrute.

Historia, risas, carcajadas, ironía, y un soldado emplumado convertido en Duque que nos trae un peculiar lenguaje cargado de pasión.

El Duque del Altozano es en sí, una ironía de la vida y de la historia, una manera de relatar el carácter de los hidalgos soldados de los tercios del siglo de XVI al XVII, con humor y una paradoja; el amor por pasión o para la definitiva unión.

Una encrucijada donde nuestra notable figura, se enfrenta a un mundo que desconoce y en el que las venturas y desventuras son el pan nuestro de cada capítulo, donde los personajes de cada uno de los diez episodios, son tan reales como la vida misma, personas que se han prestado de forma voluntaria a ser parte de la obra.

Es en definitiva el retorno al siglo de oro de hilarantes formas y a más no poder, adaptado a nuestro castellano actual con soltura y desparpajo.

Un estilo muy personal y definido que hará las delicias del lector, de manera que ahí les dejo, dándoles las gracias por anticipado y sabiendo de antemano, que esta novela le hará pasar un gran rato.

En el capítulo X con la colaboración estelar de Frank Spoiler Sánchez y su “Gabriel, Soy un Asesino sin Serie” como personaje invitado.

Lo que opinan los lectores.

“La Princesa ya se ve” de Dolors López. Me rindo incondicionalmente a las andanzas de este personaje caballeresco, consigue mantener el interés en cada relato al estilo novelesco con gracia, humor y mucha ironía. Su lectura personalmente me recuerda mis tiempos de escuela, cuando Quevedo y Lope de Vega me iniciaron en la lectura. Su lectura resulta muy adictiva.

“Escritorio del Búho” de Thelma García. Vale la pena, conocer esta propuesta, que les aseguro es una manera muy divertida de pasar un buen rato, dado que este personaje es hilarante al contar sus penurias.

“Ciudad de Tinta”. Una obra digna del Siglo de Oro al más puro estilo de los folletines de Dumas, Quevedo, etc. donde folletín a folletín nos enamora. Obra indiscutible en nuestra cabecera. Muy divertida, graciosa y entretenida, no tiene desperdicio alguno las peripecias y aventuras del Duque que, en consejos del amor, se mete en cada entuerto… Rápida lectura, extremadamente divertida, adictiva, entretenida y sorprendente. Solo puedo recomendarla una y otra vez.

Enlaces:

http://amzn.to/1sCjVHF

http://amzn.to/1sCjq0j

http://amzn.to/1sCjugq

En su blog, Fernando comparte capítulos, reseñas, y en su momento aceptaba invitados especiales a tomar parte en el libro. No os lo perdáis.

Blog

https://fernandocottap.wordpress.com/

Tengo mucha reseñas pendientes, pero espero poder traeros la mía de este libro, aunque tarde un poco.

Muchas gracias a Francisco por el regalo y por su novela, gracias a todos por leer, y ya sabéis, dadle al me gusta, comentad, compartid y haced CLIC!

#Bookreview Let Me Tell You About a Man I Knew by Susan Fletcher. A beautiful, contemplative and touching novel that brings Provence and Van Gogh’s paintings to life.

Hi all:

I’ve been doing a fair amount of reading recently, and I was privileged to read this book before even it was officially out for sale. But now that is available, I felt I should tell you about it. I’m using my Friday spot as it is indeed a new book, and I didn’t know the author from before.

Here it is:

Let Me Tell You About a Man I Knew by Susan Fletcher
Let Me Tell You About A Man I Knew by Susan Fletcher

Provence, May 1889. The hospital of Saint-Paul-de Mausole is home to the mentally ill. An old monastery, it sits at the foot of Les Alpilles mountains amongst wheat fields, herbs and olive groves. For years, the fragile have come here and lived quietly, found rest behind the shutters and high, sun-baked walls.

Tales of the new arrival – his savagery, his paintings, his copper-red hair – are quick to find the warden’s wife. From her small white cottage, Jeanne Trabuc watches him – how he sets his easel amongst the trees, the irises and the fields of wheat, and paints in the heat of the day.

Jeanne knows the rules; she knows not to approach the patients at Saint-Paul. But this man – paint-smelling, dirty, troubled and intense – is, she thinks, worth talking to. So ignoring her husband’s wishes, the dangers and despite the word mad, Jeanne climbs over the hospital wall. She will find that the painter will change all their lives.

Let Me Tell You About A Man I Knew is a beautiful novel about the repercussions of longing, of loneliness and of passion for life. But it’s also about love – and how it alters over time.

Links:

Kindle version: http://amzn.to/1TLjIfI

Paperback http://amzn.to/1TLjjKg

Hardcover: http://amzn.to/1TG0VBi

Here, my review:

A beautiful, contemplative and touching novel that brings Provence and Van Gogh’s paintings to life.

Thanks to Virago and to Net Galley for providing me with a free copy of this novel in exchange for an unbiased review.

There are historical (and artistic in this case) figures that set imaginations alight. When I read the description of the book I liked the premise. Rather than being a straight biography of Vincent Van Gogh this novel is built around one episode of Van Gogh’s life, his stay at Saint-Paul-de Mausole, an old-monastery converted into a home for the mentally ill. The story, a third person narrative, is not told from the point of view of the painter, but of Jeanne Trabuc, the wife of the warden, Major Charles Trabuc. She’s the mother of three boys and two girls, but her surviving sons (the girls died at birth) are now grown-ups and have left the family home. Her husband is busy most of the day trying to run the hospital that’s slowly decaying, and her life has become routine and tedious. There have been no new patients for years and she is intrigued by the painter since she first hears about him.

The novel isn’t full of action. Jeanne observes the world around her, and from her thoughts we know she’s always been curious and a woman whose life has spread outside of the boundaries of her everyday life thanks to her imagination. The arrival of the painter brings back memories of her childhood and her dreams of exploring and doing things that others might view as inappropriate or daring. She ignores her husband’s rules and the small town’s gossips and conventions in order to get to know this man. In the process, she learns not only about herself, but she also gains a new understanding of her husband and their marriage.

The Van Gogh we meet in this novel is a man consumed by his art, fond of his brother, seriously ill, but hopeful, at that point, that his illness will improve and he’ll be cured. He is eager to record not the important people and the pieces considered of historical or architectonic interest, but the landscape, the flowers, a moth, olive trees, and everyday people. He finds value and beauty in all things. He only offers Jeanne brief snippets of his life before. The odd mention of flat landscapes in Holland, streets in Arles, a woman he loved, and the incident that brought him there. He paints; he suffers several bouts of his illness and eventually leaves to be closer to his brother and his new-born nephew and under the care of a new doctor. He dies shortly after leaving the monastery of a self-inflicted wound.

The descriptions of the landscape, the seasons, the hospital, and the interactions between the characters are beautiful and poetical. You feel the heat, smell the lavender and the paint, caress the stones and the silk of the yellow dress, listen to the cicadas, and above all, understand this woman’s feelings and experience her emotions. Although I’ve never visited Saint-Paul-de Mausole, now a museum, I felt as if I had, and it is clear that the author is very familiar with the place and has lived and breathed the environment she describes.

I loved the lyrical writing, the feeling of being immersed both in the place and inside Jeanne’s brain and even her body. The characters are consistent, believable and complex human beings. My only doubt was how well Jeanne’s subjectivity, as described on the page, fits in with the background provided. She is a woman who left school at a young age and spent most of the time in the company of a servant with limited social graces and of her father. Her only other contact with the outside world was with the clients of her father’s shop and the people she might meet in her lone walks. She has little formal education (Van Gogh tells her off for leaving school at such a young age, as it was her own choice) although knows how to read and write. But the story, as mentioned before, is not written or told by her in the first person and the author is, in a manner similar to Van Gogh, highlighting that poetry, inspiration and beauty can grow and be found anywhere.

Fletcher acknowledges in a note that she did plenty of research on the subject and tried to be accurate with regards to Van Gogh’s illness and his work whilst at the monastery, but although Jeanne Trabuc and her husband existed (as do their portraits by Van Gogh), the rest of details about their lives are part of her creative (and indeed poetic) license.

Although this is not a book for lovers of action and plot, it is not a difficult or slow read. This is a beautiful, contemplative and touching novel, and a pleasure to read and savour.

Virago are organising some events with the author present, so you might want to check their website, just in case she’s coming somewhere near you.

Here is one of these events in Blackheath Library.

Thanks so much to Net Galley and to Virago (and to Susan Fletcher) for this wonderful book, thanks to all of you for reading, and if you’ve enjoyed it, like, share, comment and CLICK!

#Voluntariado y viajes solidarios. Viajes Tumaini (@ViajesTumaini) ¿A qué estáis esperando?

Hola a todos:

Los que me seguís habréis leído alguno de mis posts donde explico que empecé a hacer de voluntaria en una emisora de radio local, Penistone FM y después de varios meses de aprender cómo funciona todo, ahora tengo un programa una vez por semana, los jueves de 1 a 3 de la tarde (hora inglesa).

Hace poco recibí información sobre Viajes Tumaini, una asociación que organiza viajes solidarios. Pedían ayuda para correr la voz de su proyecto, y como el tema me interesa y tienen unos proyectos muy interesantes, decidí compartir. Si os estáis planteando viajar de una forma distinta y os interesa formar parte de un proyecto voluntario, echadle un vistazo. Hay opciones en varios países y un poco de todo, de salud, educación, a medio ambiente y animales. Opciones para familias, para grupos y para individuales. Así que no seáis tímidos.

Gracias a  Unsplash por otra fantástica imagen sin copyright

Aquí están algunas de las cosas que nos cuentan en Viajes Tumaini (esta es su web):

¿Qué es Tumaini?

Tumaini es una plataforma para realizar viajes solidarios, voluntariado y prácticas internacionales.

La idea principal es que Tumaini sea un lugar de encuentro entre personas que quieran realizar un viaje solidario con proyectos pequeños por todo el mundo que necesitan recibir voluntarios y voluntarias como apoyo para el desarrollo de sus actividades.

Nuestro servicio se basa en encontrar y ofrecer el proyecto solidario adecuado para todo tipo de perfiles de personas, con o sin experiencia en voluntariado. Todas las personas participantes reciben información, asesoramiento, formación y ayuda en la gestión del viaje solidario de forma completamente individualizada para garantizar la elección del programa más adecuado para cada perfil.

¿Por qué nace  Tumaini?

Porque por nuestra experiencia sabemos que no es nada fácil ponerse en contacto con proyectos que acepten voluntarios sin invertir muchísimo tiempo y esfuerzo en ello.

Porque hay muchas organizaciones locales a las que les viene bien el trabajo voluntario pero no tienen un departamento que pueda dedicar recursos y tiempo necesarios para buscar voluntarios.

Porque hay muchas personas que se sienten más seguras estando respaldadas por una organización de su país. En Tumaini hemos visitado y evaluado todos los proyectos incorporados a la plataforma. Hemos hecho además voluntariado en ellos para ser capaces de comprender el trabajo diario, los objetivos y el perfil de voluntarios adecuado en cada caso.

Porque creemos que realizar un viaje de este tipo supone un cambio en muchos niveles y nos enriquece a nivel personal y profesional.

Porque queremos romper con la creencia de que hacer un voluntariado es una experiencia que no puede hacer cualquier persona, ¡Lo esencial es tener ganas! Nuestra aportación será importante pero probablemente el cambio principal va a ser en nuestro interior.

Porque una experiencia de este tipo no está reñida con el disfrute de un país, de sus paisajes, de sus gentes… ¡Al contrario! Creemos que es unaexperiencia más auténtica ya que vivirás el país de una forma más enriquecedora y real.

¿Qué ofrecemos?

Información y asesoramiento completamente individualizados para garantizar la elección del programa más adecuado a cada perfil.
Voluntariado profesional y no profesional con coordinadores de los propios proyectos locales.
Seguridad y confianza porque hemos visitado todos los proyectos y realizado una evaluación de cada uno de ellos.
Flexibilidad en fechas: Estancias a partir de una semana y durante todo el año.
Formación y asesoramiento en la preparación del viaje.
Seguro de responsabilidad civil y accidentes.
Alojamiento en los propios proyectos primando la seguridad y confianza por encima de todo.
Diccionarios básicos Tumaini para que puedas comunicarte en el idioma local.

Misión

Queremos convertir en viajeros responsables y solidarios a todas las personas que participen en nuestros programas ya que nuestro fin esviajar con conciencia. Queremos que conozcáis otra realidad, que os empapéis de la cultura del destino que visitéis, que aprendáis, que respetéis, que intercambiéis, que vayáis sin prejuicios…y sobre todo, que disfrutéis.

Valores

Independencia

Viajes Tumaini es una entidad sin ánimo de lucro aconfesional, independiente y totalmente apartidista.

Transparencia

Somos una organización comprometida firmemente con la transparencia en la captación, gestión y administración de sus fondos. Del importe que pagáis, una parte va destinada a cubrir los gastos de alojamiento y manutención, seguro de accidentes y traslados en destino, otra parte se destina apoyar económicamente a los proyectos, y la última parte se utiliza para financiar los gastos administrativos y de gestión en España.

Confianza

Conocemos todos los proyectos de la plataforma y de esta forma podemos ofrecer máxima confianza, garantía y seguridad.

Respeto

Respeto a las culturas y entornos locales promoviendo unos intercambios interpersonales con roles horizontales.

Justicia y equidad

Garantizando los derechos humanos de todas y cada una de las personas con las que trabajamos.

Solidaridad

Buscando en todo momento el bien común.

Para que os hagáis una mejor idea, os recomiendo que visitéis su blog, donde viajeros solidarios comparten sus experiencias.

http://viajestumaini.blogspot.co.uk/

 

Gracias, Unsplash

Muchas gracias a Tumaini por compartir su proyecto y por esta oportunidad, gracias a todos vosotros por leer, y no os olvidéis de darle al me gusta, conectar, compartir y hacer CLIC!

 

#Pre-release shoutout! Destiny’s Favor: Orlosian Warriors Bk. 2 by Dariel Raye (@Pendarielraye) Coming on 21st July. Don’t miss it!

Hi all:

An author who’s featured in my old blog, Dariel Raye, is having a book release in July and the novel is now available in pre-order. She asked me to give her a hand letting people now, and I thought I’d use the new books post as I was sure you’d love to know. The book is available at a special promo price and you can also take part in a Rafflecopter competition at the end for a chance to win a free copy of the first book. And she’s promised to send us more information when the book is out. So here it comes…

 

Destiny’s Favor (Orlosian Warriors Bk. 2)

Destiny’s Favor synopsis

His world shifted the moment she was born. Now, nothing can stop him from making her his.

Imagine meeting a man who looks like an angel, wings and all? What would you do if this man told you he existed with only one purpose – to claim you and only you?

Destiny Carter is a feisty, take charge, Rubinesque beauty with a tough façade, who finds herself in that age old quandary, “always a bridesmaid, never a bride.” A string of lackluster relationships leave her hopeless and ready to settle…Until she meets Japheth, the man her fiancé claims is his best friend! Japheth’s arrival is heralded by an attack on Destiny’s life, and instinctively, she knows this is just the beginning.

Born more than 200 years ago, Japheth looks like an angel but he’s far from it. In his world, the ratio of men to women is 500 to 1, and although he’s a superior being, he’s willing to break the most sacred law of his brothers, even drink human blood, to have one meant for him alone.

When he meets Destiny, he knows she’s the one he’s been searching for. To claim her, he will have to betray a friend, risk his life, and hardest of all, humble himself enough to win her love.

Available for Pre-order

Only $0.99 for a limited time

Get a FREE review copy of “Calm Assurance (Orlosian Warriors Bk. 1) to catch up on the series now! Enter the Rafflecopter below to find out how to get your free copy + win other prizes!

Calm Assurance (Orlosian Warriors Bk. 1)

Calm Assurance synopsis

Two hearts, two different worlds, uncompromising love.

A straight-laced Nephilim-descendant and a human trouble-magnet?

When Asriel – Orlosian Warrior, descendant of Nephilim, law enforcer – is sent to guard Malina, a human with a penchant for drawing trouble like a tornado, she becomes his obsession.

With no hope of finding love in his dimension, he breaks the cardinal rule, leaving his home to protect her, but she has also drawn the attention of his enemies, and he is forced to face demons from his past. If Asriel chooses to stay with Malina, not only does he risk forfeiting his right to ever return to his dimension, but he will need her blood to survive.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Dariel Raye

Dariel is an animal lover who writes IR/MC (interracial/multi-cultural) paranormal and dark urban fantasy romance. She is presently writing a shifter series, “Dark Sentinels,” a reluctant hell-dweller series, “Kushiel’s Keep,” two Nephilim series with vampire-like heroes, “Orlosian Warriors” and “Cain’s Progeny,” “Lifegivers,” a paranormal romance series with a variety of beings, a crossover paranormal thriller shifter trilogy with romantic elements, “Gateway,” and an erotic fantasy newsletter serial. To learn more about Dariel and her books, visit her blog, join her newsletter, and follow her on Amazon.

 

Dariel on the Web

Dariel’s Blog Dariel’s Website

Dariel’s Newsletter Dariel on Twitter

Facebook Page Dariel’s Amazon Author Page

Dariel on Goodreads Dariel on Tumblr Dariel on Tsu

Rafflecopter link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/204547f642/ ?

Thanks so much to Dariel for bringing us her news, thanks to all of you for reading, and if you’ve enjoyed, share, comment, like and CLICK!

#Novedadliteraria Conspiración vírica de Juan Martín García (@jmclaux) Un thriller farmacológico que os dejará sin respiración

Hola a todos.

Hoy es viernes y normalmente os traigo algún libro  que he descubierto o me ha llamado la atención. Hace poco descubrí en Twitter (o mejor dicho, me descubrió él a mí) a un autor al que no conocía, Juan Martín García.  Como suelo, le eché un vistazo a su libro, y no solo me pareció una trama muy interesante (igual en parte porque soy médico, pero), sino que también es un libro que ha recibido varios premios y tiene muy buenas críticas. Además, estaba de promoción (no sé si lo estará aún para cuando leáis el post) y me pareció que debía compartirlo, por si vosotros lo encontráis tan interesante como yo.

Primero un poco de información sobre el escritor.

Autor Juan Martín García

Juan Martín García (Madrid, 1979). Ha estudiado Ciencias Empresariales, siendo segundo de su promoción. La mayor parte de su vida académica y laboral ha estado vinculada a las ciencias y a los números. En los últimos años ha virado hacia el apasionante mundo de las letras. Sus comienzos fueron escribiendo guiones cinematográficos, acabó centrándose en la narrativa. El ansia que muestra por conocer nuevos lugares y civilizaciones, le ha llevado a visitar más de 25 países, de los cuales ha sacado abundantes ideas para sus libros.

Esa imaginación desbordante que siempre tuvo le permite plasmar en papel historias de diversa índole. Empezó con el libro Conspiración Vírica y su apasionante trama de suspense; Después, escribió tres obras de ciencia ficción: Triglidio, La Nación Next Human 1 y 2. También se ha atrevido con el género épico, en 9 Facciones. Por último, en literatura infantil, ha creado dos obras más: por un lado, Mila Vampira, y por otro, Sunny y el Dragón. Su próximo proyecto es una novela histórica, sobre un acontecimiento desconocido para la mayoría, pero sumamente interesante.

Con su obra Conspiración Vírica ha ganado el Premio Escriduende a la mejor novela de suspense en la Feria del Libro de Madrid 2015 y el Premio Infinito a la mejor novela thriller 2015.

Ha residido la mayor parte de su vida en Chinchón, pero también en Madrid, Valdemoro, León, Villanueva de la Cañada o Leganés. El ansia que muestra por conocer nuevos lugares y civilizaciones, le ha llevado a visitar más de 20 países, de los cuales ha sacado abundantes ideas para sus libros.

Página web:

http://www.juanmartingarcia.com/#!inicio/mainPage

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/jmclaux

Twitter:

@jmclaux

Y el libro:

Conspiración vírica de Juan Martín García
Conspiración vírica de Juan Martín García

La trama urdida para evitar que el fármaco capaz de erradicar el VIH sea suministrado a todos los enfermos a precios asequibles es de una gran complejidad y sin embargo no obstaculiza la comprensión del relato, que es manejado con evidente habilidad. Resalta en la historia novelada la sangre fría del propietario del laboratorio, señor Spencer, para eliminar al investigador que ha realizado el hallazgo y seguir enriqueciéndose con la venta de los costosos tratamientos crónicos de esta enfermedad, para lo cual ordena poner en marcha el Plan de Contingencia.

La Corporación Ámbar Negro pone en juego todos sus medios contra el científico, cuya honestidad puede dar al traste con el próspero negocio sanitario. Esta actitud obliga al autor a indagar con sagacidad en los enigmas en que se mueven los grandes laboratorios.

El nudo de la narración es la pugna entre el altruismo del investigador honesto que desea que el fármaco elaborado pueda beneficiar a todos los enfermos víctimas de la cruel dolencia y, de contrario, la avaricia y sordidez de la empresa, que para enriquecerse a costa de los sufrimientos ajenos quiere mantener unos precios prohibitivos, que, por su elevada cuantía, harán crecer su feroz capitalismo.

PREMIO ESCRIDUENDE A LA MEJOR NOVELA DE INTRIGA, EN LA FERIA DEL LIBRO DE 2015.

PREMIO INFINITO A LA MEJOR NOVELA THRILLER 2016.

• “La novela del joven Juan Martín García revela una maestría narrativa que no es frecuente a la edad del autor.” José Menéndez – ex Magistrado del Tribunal Supremo.

• “Tiene una trama muy elaborada, vertiginosa, con continuos giros argumentales y un final totalmente inesperado. En cuanto menos te lo esperas, todo lo que creías que iba a suceder, salta por los aires. Nada ni nadie es lo que parece. Hay asesinatos, conspiraciones, historias de amor, suspense, traiciones, sexo, etc.” Gabriel Neila -Profesor de Literatura Universidad de Alcalá.

• “Conspiración Vírica es una aventura dinámica, divertida y escrita con un estilo desenfadado.” Vicente Baratas – escritor.

http://amzn.to/1rYkATQ

http://bit.ly/1rYkwn8

http://amzn.to/1rYkStO

Muchas gracias a Juan Martín García por su novela, gracias a todos vosotros por leer, y si os ha interesado, dadle al me gusta, comentad, compartid y haced CLIC!

#Bookreview (sort of) and new author. The Quiet Island by Mo de la Fuente (@ModelaFuente) An island, a Mystery and Unforgettable Characters

Hi all:

First of all it’s Friday and as you know I usually bring you new authors and books. I have featured this writer, Mo de la Fuente, in my blog before, and shared some of her novels in Spanish. I was lucky enough that she decided to have one of them translated to English (she took advantage of my special offer in March, 50% discount… I might do it again, but there’s always a deal to be had for my author friends and fellow bloggers). I recently shared my review of her novel in Spanish (that has nothing to do with me), and what I decided to do today, was share that review (translated to English) with you.

The review is not reflection of my own work (the author has very kindly said that she prefers my version to hers) but I enjoyed the original, as you’ll see from my review. I also share the author’s page in Amazon, that is available in bilingual version.

The Quiet Island by Mo de la Fuente. Translation: Olga Núñez Miret
The Quiet Island by Mo de la Fuente

As dawn breaks, the usual calm of a tiny quiet Mediterranean island is shattered by the news. A teenage girl has gone missing. Inspector Villanueva, temporarily transferred to the island, and sub-inspector Esteller must fight against the elements, the lack of resources, and their own demons to solve the mystery of what happened in a place where nothing ever does.

Here my review, of the original (no reflection of my own work):

I don’t read exclusively a single genre, although I freely admit that I like thrillers and mystery books and I read quite a few of them. In part because they are like a puzzle we try to solve thanks to the clues the text gives us, in part because I like to see how the writer manages to bring something new to the genre. And for me, no matter what type of story I’m reading, finding interesting characters I can connect with it’s the most important thing.

This novel takes place in the small island of Tabarca, in the Mediterranean, off the shore of Alicante. As several of the reviews of the book point out, reading the novel makes one want to visit it, because of the wonderful descriptions of the peace and quiet, the thought of a place with no cars, without pollution, and calm. In such a small place, where everybody knows everybody else (apart from the tourists, of course) and where nothing ever happens, a girl’s disappearance is an event that upsets everyone. And when Clara turns up dead, things only take a turn for the worse. The combination of the place and the setting with the investigators: Hernán, an inspector sent there god knows why, Mónica, who had been sub-inspector in Barcelona but decided to quit due to personal reasons, and Raúl, the only one not hiding from something and who is totally happy there, works beautifully.

The investigation is hindered by circumstances (even with the arrival of the inspector, there are only three police officers in the island, there’s no lab, and no way to follow correct protocol) and the lack of resources (an excellent commentary on the budget cuts Spain is suffering), and little by little we discover more details about the island’s inhabitants and about the members of the police. I really enjoyed the ending (that I won’t talk about in detail as I don’t want to spoil the surprise) and it rounds up a novel that, although short, is long enough to intrigue and touch us.

I found Mónica’s personal story, closely related to the case, fascinating, and it would make a great novel (or more than one) on its own. Quite aside from the details, for me the author manages to portray complex psychological aspects and the reactions of the characters in a very accurate manner, by using several points of view, that help the reader get under the skin of the characters, sharing in their emotions and their life experiences. For me, Mónica, María (the victim’s mother) and the island of Tabarca stand out in the narration and I’m sure I won’t forget them in a hurry.

I recommend this book to readers who love mystery novels that go beyond the usual, psychological thrillers and extraordinary settings.

Link:

http://rxe.me/PBRFDS

 

And here, the author’s page:

Author Mo de La Fuente

Mo de la Fuente (Salamanca, Spain) studied Translation and Audiovisual Communication at the University of Salamanca and Westminster School of Languages (London). She is an official translator and “Ojalá Paula” is her first novel. Besides, she writes and produces short films.

If you want to learn more about the autor, her novel and her interests, visit her blog http://ojalapaula.blogspot.com.es/

http://amzn.to/1ZlLJKS

Thanks so much to Mo de la Fuente for this opportunity, thanks to all of you for reading, and if you’ve found it interesting, like, share, comment and of course, CLICK!

Queréis uniros al grupo Café Literario (@EstrellaCG) en Goodreads? #Regalo de libro para el mes de junio

Hola  todos:

Antes que nada una disculpa. Por cuestiones familiares (creo que ya os había comentado que iban a operar a mi madre de cataratas. Creíamos que sería en Julio pero lo han adelantado al día 25 de Mayo así que estaré de viaje y algo ocupada los próximos días) no voy a poder estar muy pendiente del blog ni de las redes sociales por unos días. Pero si tenéis nuevos libros o algo que compartir, cuando pueda me pongo a ello.

Sé que os había hablado de un grupo de Goodreads que se llama Café Literario. Estrella Cardona Gamio y su hermana Concha crearon el grupo con la intención de promocionar la lectura, y en particular los escritores independientes.

El grupo está abierto a todos y podéis compartir noticias sobre vuestras lecturas, libros, recomendaciones

También hay un club de lectura. Muchos de los escritores que participan ofrecen su obra gratuitamente, el libro se lee un mes, y al mes siguiente se comenta. De hecho podéis ofreceros como moderadores del club de lectura si queréis, por un mes o más, y si queréis proponer una lectura y moderarla, solo hace falta que os pongáis en contacto con Concha a través de los mensajes en Goodreads y ella os explicará como funciona.

Pues bien, la novela corta Una vez psiquiatra. Los inicios, que es la precuela a mi novela (serie, ya que estoy corrigiendo la siguiente novela en la serie) Una vez psiquiatra… es la lectura del mes de junio, y la discutiremos en Julio.

Una vez psiquiatra. Los inicios. Olga Núñez Miret. Portada de Ernesto Valdés

Es una historia que va de psiquiatras, abogados, escritores y…

La obra está disponible gratuitamente, y aquí os dejo el enlace al anuncio de la lectura por si os interesa apuntaros.  Y si alguien está interesado en la historia, siempre podemos seguir leyendo las aventuras de Mary en otro momento.

Por si acaso, os dejo la descripción.

Una vez psiquiatra… Los inicios Olga Núñez Miret

¿Hasta dónde llegaría un escritor por conseguir una historia única? Esa es la cuestión que le plantea a la psiquiatra Mary Miller el primer misterio/thriller de su carrera. Conoce a los personajes principales de esta serie de thrillers psicológicos GRATIS y pon a prueba tu intuición y tu ingenio con esta novela corta sobre el precio de la ambición.

La doctora Mary Miller es una joven psiquiatra que sufre una crisis de vocación. Su amigo Phil, abogado criminalista que trabaja en Nueva York, la invita a visitarle y a asesorar a su bufete en el caso de un escritor al que acusan de un grave asalto. Su víctima llevaba tiempo acosándolo y acusándolo de haberle robado la historia de su vida, que él había convertido en un best-seller. El autor lo niega y alega autodefensa. Cuando la víctima muere, las cosas se complican aún más. La frontera entre la verdad y la ficción se difumina y secretos y mentiras salen a la luz.

Una vez psiquiatra… Los inicios es la precuela de Una vez psiquiatra… un volumen que recoge tres historias en las que Mary, con su experiencia como psiquiatra, ayuda a solucionar una variedad de casos, desde asuntos de religión y raza, pasando por el asesinato de un policía, y en la última historia, Mary se enfrenta cara a cara con un asesino en serie.

Si os gusta esta novela corta, no os olvidéis de que podéis leer más aventuras de Mary. Y aún quedan muchas por contar.

AMAZON (e-book)   KOBO    NOOK     APPLE      SCRIBD

PAGE FOUNDRY 

Muchas gracias por leer. No os olvidéis de compartir si conocéis a alguien a quien le pueda interesar, y por supuesto, haced CLIC. Y espero veros a todos en Café Literario.

#Bookreview Down Solo by Earl Javorsky #RBRT Death is no excuse to give up on a case #TuesdayBookBlog

Hi all:

Today I’m sharing a review I did as part of the wonderful group of reviewers Rosie’s Books Review Team. Check here if you think you might be interested in joining or just want to explore. There are so many reviews and great recommendation by Rosie and her team that I don’t miss a single post.

Today I’m reviewing a book that got me from moment I read the description. You’ll see what I mean.

Down Solo by Earl Javorsky

Down Solo by Earl Javorsky

“Earl Javorsky’s bold and unusual DOWN SOLO blends the mysterious and the supernatural boldly and successfully. The novel is strong and haunting, a wonderful debut.”

– T. Jefferson Parker, New York Times bestselling author of FULL MEASURE and THE FAMOUS AND THE DEAD

“Awesome.”

– James Frey, New York Times bestselling author

“Don’t miss Earl Javorsky’s DOWN SOLO. It’s kick-ass, man. Excellent writing. This guy is the real deal.”

– Dan Fante, author of the memoir FANTE and the novel POINT DOOM

“Javorsky’s dark and gritty prose is leavened with just enough humor to make DOWN SOLO a compelling story that will take readers to the outer limits of noir.”

– San Diego City Beat

Things haven’t been going well for Charlie Miner. His work as a private investigator involves him with an endless roster of shady characters. His ex-wife is borderline crazy. And he hasn’t been getting to spend anywhere near enough time with his teenage daughter Mindy, the one person in his life who truly matters to him.

When he wakes up on a slab in the morgue with a hole in his head, though, things get even worse.

Just before the shooting, Charlie was investigating a case involving fraud, gold, religious zealots, and a gorgeous woman who seemed to be at the center of everything. Even with a fatal bullet wound, Charlie can connect the dots from the case to his attack. And when his daughter is abducted by someone involved, the stakes get exponentially higher. Charlie needs to find Mindy before the criminals do the same thing to her that they did to him.

After that, maybe he’ll try to figure out how he’s walking around dead.

Irreverent, circuitous, and surprisingly touching, DOWN SOLO introduces a crisp new voice to suspense fiction.

 

My review: Death is no excuse to give up on a case

I am reviewing this novel as part of Rosie’s Book Review Team. Thanks to Rosie Amber for organising this amazing team and to the author for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an unbiased review.

Dead narrators are not unique. In some cases we know from the beginning (like in the film Sunset Boulevard, that I recommend if you haven’t watched it yet), in others we don’t find out until the very end (The Fifth Element. Sorry, it’s a big spoiler, but I imagine everybody has watched it by now). I have just read a book where the main characters were dead, or in an in-between state. But still, Charlie Miner, the protagonist of this novel, is no ghost and he does not live in a separate reality. No, he wakes up at the morgue with a bullet in his head and picks himself up, finds another body still wearing some clothes that he borrows (as luck would have it, a skinhead), and, as a good (well, let’s say professional) PI he sets off finding out what has happened to him.

I really like unreliable narrators. They are good to keep readers on their toes and bring very interesting perspectives to the narrative. The story doesn’t stray from Charlie’s first person point of view, but he has a few problems. He’s dead, and it’s difficult to know if his memory problems stem from being dead or from the damage the bullet has caused to his brain; he also had a serious drug habit (developed due to back pain following an accident that would not respond to run of the mill painkillers) and what effect that has had on his memory is open to question. Charlie realises, when trying to piece things together, that he has big gaps in his memory and, what’s even worse, some of the memories he recalls seem to be incorrect. On the plus side, he soon discovers that death cures drug addiction. Readers share his puzzlement and his attempts at trying to work out what really happened, having to rely on partial information that might be misleading or incomplete.

Charlie is a great narrator, despite (or because of) all those problems. Notwithstanding his situation, he wastes no time in feeling sorry for himself. He’s off to find out what happened. He’s sharp, witty, has a fabulous (if rather dark) sense of humour, and although he has his own sense of morality and of what’s right and wrong, he does not hesitate in using whatever means necessary to get to the truth, especially when his daughter is at risk. He is a friend of his friends, loves his daughter, has a keen sense of justice and, despite his flaws, he’s one of the good guys.

The case is a complex one, involving gold mines (that might or might not have gold in them), shady investment firms, preachers trying to save the world, experts killed for their troubles, hot wives prepared to do anything to get their hands on the money, trustworthy and friendly drug dealers, Mexican gangs, crazed adoptive sons and other complex family relationships, amphetamine labs… There are a number of deaths, explosions, crashes, arson attacks, kidnappings, road trips, visits to prison, and everything in between. There’s also an interesting taxi-driver, Daniel, who seems to have information about the biggest mystery in the book (how come Charlie is a completely unique model of the walking dead) but he keeps his cards very close to his chest. Despite the supernatural elements, once the readers move past the main premise of the book and accept it as Charlie does, they get swept by the adventures, complications, and dangers that pile up. You’re in for the ride and you enjoy it for all it’s worth. The ending… well, it’s open to interpretation.

The dynamic writing, and the quick pace suit the novel’s theme and characters perfectly, and turn it into a must read for people who love unusual thrillers and witty/quirky characters, with plenty of black humour thrown in. A word of warning, there’s swearing, violence, drug use and a bit of sex, so it’s not for the faint hearted. A fantastic read.

Links:

http://amzn.to/1VYx8qR

http://amzn.to/1VYx3mV

Thanks so much to Rosie and the author for providing me with such a fun read, thanks to all of you for reading, and please, like, share, comment and CLICK!