Thursday, 19 July 2012

The Palaver Tree (Berriwood Series)

The Palaver Tree (Berriwood Series) [Kindle Edition]

Wendy Unsworth


http://www.amazon.com/Palaver-Tree-Berriwood-Series-ebook/dp/B00719ODS8


http://www.amazon.co.uk/Palaver-Tree-Berriwood-Series-ebook/dp/B00719ODS8




Africa, beautiful, serene ...... and dangerous.
Lives and fortunes change in the blink of an eye.
Now that she is alone, volunteering at a school in the Central African Republic of Ducana seems like everything schoolteacher Ellie Hathaway needs. Here is the opportunity to get away from the sleepy Cornish village where recent tragedy still haunts her and to help the children's charity her friend has worked so tirelessly to promote.
But dark forces and ambitions are in play long before Ellie's arrival in the dusty town of Limba. Even as she begins to believe she can at last find true happiness, she realises that something at the school is very wrong.
Is this really the place of loving and giving she had first thought it to be, and is headmaster, Gabriel Cole, really their guardian angel?
With so many questions left unanswered Ellie struggles to decide what she must do, but then political chaos descends and suddenly Ellie finds herself more alone than she had ever imagined she could be....

Reviews


1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully written April 8, 2012
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a wonderful book. Ellie, the main character, seems at first to be a bit of a pushover, but like many unassuming women, she has great inner strength that her friends and family rely upon. Finding herself alone after a terrible tragedy, she decides to teach in Africa for a year, and finds that there is much more going on than she originally believed. Ellie's wonderful character is challenged in every way possible. A beautiful story.

By P. A. Barron
This was an excellent read for so many different reasons as the author has a great eye for detail and gets this across to the reader most effectively.


The contrast between a sleepy affluent Cornish village and the stifling heat of a poverty stricken African village was really well done.

All the characters were all well drawn but the strength of the story was the way in which the many different characters,sub plots and locations were weaved together.

The story cranked up the tension and conflict, had elements of mystery and finished off with an action packed ending.

I look forward to reading the next one.

Paul A.

Wednesday, 6 June 2012



The Bodhisattva of Carraigmore

An enchanting short story of 5,400 words.

Three people are converging on the rural Irish village of Carraigmore, an ancient village steeped in the traditions of Celtic folklore and mysticism.

Eddie Doyle has reached that time of life, going nowhere in his job, mounting debts an indolent wife and for Eddie time is running out.

Henry J. O' Farrell a successful but ruthless American businessman is coming to Carraigmore to finally settle a long standing family injustice.

And then there is Tara.




Customer Reviews

3 Reviews
5 star:
(1)
4 star:
(2)
3 star: (0)
2 star: (0)
1 star: (0)
Average Customer Review
4.3 out of 5 stars (3 customer reviews)
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars **** Great short story, I loved it ****, 30 Mar 2012
This review is from: The Bodhisattva of Carraigmore (Kindle Edition)
POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT

I have to be completely honest and admit I do not usually read a lot of short stories. So it is worth remembering when reading this review that I do not have a lot to compare to this story. What I can say is I enjoyed this story.
This book was a lovely read. I read it from start to finish in one go because it piqued my interest. The story was easy going and fun in parts.
I liked the fact that even though it was such a short story there was room for three different characters, you learned about their backgrounds and they all came together at the end of the book. The reason I think I liked it so much was because it made me think afterwards about how one person had so much responsibility and one foolish mistake could have ruined an entire community. I liked the characters and would like to learn more about their future so hopefully this book is just an introduction the lovely village of Carraigmore and the author will write a book where we learn about the future of the village and the characters. I am particularly interested in finding out what happens in Eddie's future.

I also liked Peggy O'Connor and would like to hear more about her as she added humour to the book and she was a character everyone would have met someone like her in their lifetime.

I enjoyed the stories that went back to the Grandfathers of the men and how they linked in to the present day story.
There was a nice twist at the end. A short story with lots packed in to it.I would recommend this book if you would like a nice light read.
I have been pondering whether to rate this 3 or 4 stars, I decided to go with 4 stars because it is a good read not just an ok read
So 4 stars from me and I hope I get to meet the people of Carraigmore again soon.

Becky Sherriff (The Kindle Book Review)
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful short story, 19 Mar 2012
Amazon Verified Purchase(What is this?)
This review is from: The Bodhisattva of Carraigmore (Kindle Edition)
Set in Ireland, an American seeks revenge for a perceived injustice to an ancestor who left the village under a cloud.

Well written with a magical twist. I loved this short story and would like to read more about the people of Carraigmore.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable read, 18 Mar 2012
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What is this?)
This review is from: The Bodhisattva of Carraigmore (Kindle Edition)
I do not usually read short stories but the cover and title caught my attention. Glad I did download this as a freebie, I really enjoyed it.
For me, it is a reminder and illustration of how our actions can effect others. In this story, Eddie's need of security for a loan could have changed the lives of a whole community on the other side of the world.
Henry's long held grudge could have had the same effect.
Tara's involvement - decide for yourself.

Tuesday, 5 June 2012


Render Unto Caesar

The weary poet watches Him as.

The pendulum swings.

Inside He sings the sirens song.

Unknowing. It calls for Him.

The preacher robes and reads.

And waits as candles burn.

The poet hears an angry voice.  

Another couldn’t care.

Inside He dreams of Mercury. As

Oblivious He eats His Last Supper.

Outside His audience waits.

And cries 'Render unto Caesar'.

With silver buckles and leather binds.

He lies. Attendants at his side.

Through pierced skin three streams flow.

Thiopental. Bromide. Potassium Chloride

The Poet writes. The Preacher prays. The

Crowd cheer. The Woman weeps. As.

The pendulum stops. 

Monday, 4 June 2012

Free Promotion Thurs 7th June  - Friday 8th June


The Bodhisattva of Carraigmore


An enchanting short story of 5,400 words.

Three people are converging on the rural Irish village of Carraigmore, an ancient village steeped in the traditions of Celtic folklore and mysticism.

Eddie Doyle has reached that time of life, going nowhere in his job, mounting debts an indolent wife and for Eddie time is running out.

Henry J. O' Farrell a successful but ruthless American businessman is coming to Carraigmore to finally settle a long standing family injustice.

And then there is Tara.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/B007KB0CAA/ref=sib_dp_kd#reader-link

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Bodhisattva-of-Carraigmore-ebook/dp/B007KB0CAA



Some Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars **** Great short story, I loved it ****, 30 Mar 2012
This review is from: The Bodhisattva of Carraigmore (Kindle Edition)
POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT

I have to be completely honest and admit I do not usually read a lot of short stories. So it is worth remembering when reading this review that I do not have a lot to compare to this story. What I can say is I enjoyed this story.
This book was a lovely read. I read it from start to finish in one go because it piqued my interest. The story was easy going and fun in parts.
I liked the fact that even though it was such a short story there was room for three different characters, you learned about their backgrounds and they all came together at the end of the book. The reason I think I liked it so much was because it made me think afterwards about how one person had so much responsibility and one foolish mistake could have ruined an entire community. I liked the characters and would like to learn more about their future so hopefully this book is just an introduction the lovely village of Carraigmore and the author will write a book where we learn about the future of the village and the characters. I am particularly interested in finding out what happens in Eddie's future.

I also liked Peggy O'Connor and would like to hear more about her as she added humour to the book and she was a character everyone would have met someone like her in their lifetime.

I enjoyed the stories that went back to the Grandfathers of the men and how they linked in to the present day story.
There was a nice twist at the end. A short story with lots packed in to it.I would recommend this book if you would like a nice light read.
I have been pondering whether to rate this 3 or 4 stars, I decided to go with 4 stars because it is a good read not just an ok read
So 4 stars from me and I hope I get to meet the people of Carraigmore again soon.

Becky Sherriff (The Kindle Book Review)
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful short story, 19 Mar 2012
Amazon Verified Purchase(What is this?)
This review is from: The Bodhisattva of Carraigmore (Kindle Edition)
Set in Ireland, an American seeks revenge for a perceived injustice to an ancestor who left the village under a cloud.

Well written with a magical twist. I loved this short story and would like to read more about the people of Carraigmore.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable read, 18 Mar 2012
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What is this?)
This review is from: The Bodhisattva of Carraigmore (Kindle Edition)
I do not usually read short stories but the cover and title caught my attention. Glad I did download this as a freebie, I really enjoyed it.
For me, it is a reminder and illustration of how our actions can effect others. In this story, Eddie's need of security for a loan could have changed the lives of a whole community on the other side of the world.
Henry's long held grudge could have had the same effect.
Tara's involvement - decide for yourself.

Friday, 20 April 2012

Kindle Short Stories


Render Unto Caesar - Award Winning Short Story


A poignant observation of all those involved in carrying out the ultimate penalty.
               
A short story 1500 words, 2nd Prize Winner in the Writers Village Award 2011.

Gerry a journalist sent on assignment to the deep south is world weary, he's seen it all before but is forced to question his own beliefs and values.

Pastor Josef Hoff puts on his tie, the same tie he has worn on fifty six other occasions.

Twenty to thirty five seconds to strap a man down, they'd got it down to a fine art.







The Bodhisattva of Carraigmore - Modernising the Myth



Three people are converging on the rural Irish village of Carraigmore, an ancient village steeped in the traditions of Celtic folklore and mysticism.

Eddie Doyle has reached that time of life, going nowhere in his job, mounting debts an indolent wife and for Eddie time is running out.

Henry J. O' Farrell a successful but ruthless American businessman is coming to Carraigmore to finally settle a long standing family injustice.

And then there is Tara.






Nocturne Number Eight Opus, Twenty Seven - A Haunting, Psychological Tale



Captain James Fletcher is gradually re-building his shattered life.

The trauma of his experience on the Western Front is still very raw and his mental afflictions far worse than any physical injuries.

He meets the enigmatic Celia Hammond under tragic circumstances, and begins to think that life might take on some form of normality.

But how did Celia's brother die? What really happened the night he first heard the strains of Chopin, Nocturne Number Eight, Opus Twenty Seven?









Saturday, 14 April 2012

Free This Week End

Nocturne Number Eight, Opus Twenty Seven.

 

Free This Week End
Click on Link


Back from the Western Front James is slowly trying to re-build his shattered life.

The trauma of his experience is still very raw and his mental afflictions far worse than any physical injuries.

He meets Celia Hammond under tragic circumstances, and begins to think that life might take on some form of normality.

But how did Celia's brother die? What really happened the night he first heard the strains of Chopin, Nocturne Number Eight, Opus Twenty Seven?
Nocturne Number Eight, Opus Twenty Seven