Killing Widows

Killing Widows is a debut novel from Clive Birch.

It is inspired by real life events that took place during the tumultuous times of the Spanish Civil War.

French student Natascha is studying at the Salamanca University, and her grandmother ask as favour of her. Could she please try to learn the truth of what happened to her English friend Joan who had been happily married to a Spaniard before the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War.

At first Natascha is a little reluctant to get involved but as the investigation progresses she finds herself drawn deeper and deeper into uncovering the last tragic months of Joan's life in the beautiful village of Santo Domigo.

However, Natascha finds that her efforts are thwarted to some extent by the fact that the local populace seems unwilling to speak about the times of the Spanish Civil War.

But Natascha is determined to learn all she can, even at the risk of her own life.

The truth, however, was a dark stain on not only the village but on all of Spain. A time when Franco's African Army swept northwards with squads who raped and murdered without mercy, pity or reason.

It was no wonder some did not want to remember, or chose to forget.

It's an emotionally charge novel looking at the dreadful plight of ordinary people during a dreadful time period in Spanish history.

It is published by Matador at £9.99.

Of Crime and Humanity

Set against the backdrop of the Burmese revolution, Of Crime and Humanity by Ma'On Shan is a political thriller that you will be talking about for time to come.Her mother is killed by a landmine whilst she was fleeing from soldiers, a young Burmese woman joins a resistance group that is based on the border between Burma and Thailand.

However, the group follows the pragmatic teachings of Aung San Suu Kyi, know throughout Burma as the Lady.

Aung San Suu Kyi was praised round the world as the person who liberated Burma. But her fall from  grace has caused many people to question if she really was the Lady who rescued Burma.

Ma'O Shan uses Of Crime and Humanity to offer education and enlightenment as to the truth of what happened by telling the adventures of the Burmese girl.

The story is a story of how those apparently dedicated to protecting the people actually use violence, rape, intimidation and enslavement just because they can, how seemingly ordinary people attempt to fight back to regain their humanity.

It is published by Matador at £12.99.

Prohibited Portrait

In Prohibited Portrait, a thrilling novel form R W Kay, a body is washed up on the shore. After it had been battered by rocks it is unrecognisable.

But the postmortem reveals something concerning. Although the remains were found in salt water, the victim had been drowned, but in fresh water.

What is the victim's name? Was her murdered? Where was he murdered? And by whom?

Using an artist's reconstruction of his face the police officers investigating the case track down his address.

It's dos covered that he may well have been involved with multiple secret service outfits.

A mysterious artefact, a tablet, is discovered. It cannot be opened, adding to its mystery.

Subsequent investigations link the artefact to Abullah Quilliam, Britain's first and only 'Sheikh of Islam,' who once owned it.

The tablet had found its way to a house on the Isle of Man, that was in an isolated location. How? Why?

They discover that the artefact is so valuable as to be without price. But so potentially dangerous that it could cause a war between rival factions of Islam.

What can be done to make certain that such a war never happens and that the artefact is kept safe?

It's a well crafted story.

It's published by The Book Guild at £8.99.

The Bookshop of Panama

The Bookshop of Panama is a heartwarming book from Suzanne Hope.

Bookworm Kate Lewis has found herself living in the searingly hot temperatures of Panama. A country sadly bereft of bookshops.

Her live-in boyfriend, Marco, a pushy UN worker, really could not understand her fascination with books.

He was posted by the UN to work in Panama in Central America and so loyal, loving Kate upped sticks to accompany Marco to Panama.

Kate was a charity worker and Marco told her he was sure she would be able to get work with a local charity once they arrived in Panama.

Suddenly, in the midst of the move Marco announces that he must take a two week posting to the Sudan. And he expects Kate to deal with organising the move to Panama by herself.

He meets up with Kate in Panama and then, callously, dumps her. Because, as Kate so rightly assumes, he has met another woman.

At least, Candice, the other woman, a fellow UN worker,  has the residual decency to insist that Marco breaks up with Kate in person and not, as he had originally planned, over the phone.

Kate is now thousands of miles from her family and friends, unwilling owner of a broken heart.

But she swiftly discovers that there is a lively and vibrant ex-pat community in Panama and she has an interesting encounter with a man in New York and learns of a cocktail that is called Electric Lemonade.

Could she go back to her old life in London? Or could she, aided and abetted by her new very interesting friends in Panama, decide to make a new life for herself in Panama City?

There's no bookshop there. But what if there could be? Could Kate open a bookshop in Panama?

As I say, this is a heartwarming book and shows exactly how, after being dumped on, you can not only bounce back but really go places. And find love.

You'll also find the recipe for Electric Lemonade too, in this book.

Looking for something for your holiday romance collection? This is it.

It's published by The Book Guild at £9.99.

Yoga in the Gospels?

Yoga in the Gospels? is an interesting question and also the title of a new book from A. Nicholas Cowan.

There are many books that describe the practice of Yoga, how to do it guides, one might put it, but there are not very many books that examine the philosophical basis of Yoga ot the spiritual aspects of Yoga.

And books that look at the common ground between the teachings of Christianity and thje spiritual side of yoga are even more scare.

In Yoga in the Gospels? the author discusses parallels between ancient yogic texts and the Christian Gospels.

The book takes the reader through the main aspects of yoga, including yoga through worship, yoga practice through work, what the author describes as "Yoga through non-dualism, the unity of the Individual Spirit and the Infinite Spirit of God."

The author is able to support his central thesis with the use of sacred text from the Yogic tradition and the Christian tradition and it is a well-written and well researched book which will be of great benefit to everyone who wants to better understand Yoga and Christianity.

The book is published by The Book Guild at £8.99.

Monkeying Around at Sea

Monkeying Around at Sea is an amazing travelogue written by Angela Coe, which records her two-year voyage from Singapore all the way to Spain in a ferro cement boat (yes, they make boats out of cement) called Sandpiper.

Angela her husband Bob, Pixie (a monkey) and Bob-tail, Angela's cat, embarked on an amazing journey. They had no sailing experience at all, it must be acknowledged. Even though Bob was a master mariner.

Things were not fated to go particularly well from the very beginning. Pixie was lost overboard and the captain (her husband Bob) managed to require hospitalisation with a dislocated shoulder. However, Pixie was returned to the ship, a disaster that was averted, thankfully, as they had thought they'd lost her.

When the captain was fit enough to return they, eventually, set sail. And ran into a sand bank.

They aimed to sail all the way back to England, plans to sail round the Cape somehow became a rather dangerous quest to brave the Red Sea.

Life on the Sandpiper was never dull and often involved a little bit of peril. Although the fear of a potentially exploding pressure cooker proved to be groundless, ensuring the safety of the pets and human crew took up a good deal of time and tricky matters such as a leaking chemical toilet, how to dispose of waste whilst at sea and a variety of heath issues and the like really kept them on their toes.

The book is copiously illustrated with a number of gorgeous colour photographs from the journey and their ports of call, plus some line drawing maps, too.

The action described in the book took place between 1977 to 1980.

Did they ever make it to England? Purchase the book for £11.99 and find out!

The book is published by The Book Guild.

The Two Faces of Cancer

The Two Faces of Cancer is a very important self help book written bu Rebecca Brazier.

In it Rebecca chronicles her own experiences with cancer and thye emotional trauma that resulted.

She was first diagnosed with cancer when she was 37 and 30 weeks pregnant with her second daughter.

She wrote this book because she found that cancer was, for her, a lonely and isolating experience and so she was keen to do something to help other people who experiences similar emotions.
She took training as a counsellor and then proceeded to write the book The Two Faces of Cancer which combined her personal experiences with her expert training and professional knowledge. 

The book traces her own journey through all of the stages: Diagnosis, treatment and recovery.

It is a very well researched and exceptionally well written book. It is greatly enhanced by the fact that Rebecca does not write from theory only. She has gone through the trauma of cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery so when she writes something it is because it has happened to her and she feels the need to share it with all other cancer patients and their families and friends.

Every oncologist and every nurse in the oncology department should have a copy of this book as should every cancer patient and every family of a person who has cancer.

It's published by Matador at £9.99.

Profits from book sales will be donated to Mummy's Star. www.mummysstar.org, a charity dedicated to supporting pregnancy through cancer and beyond.