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Books, Interview

Author Interview: Tony McMahon

What is the link between Jack the Ripper and Abraham Lincoln? A strange question you might think. One is a notorious murderer whose killings terrorised women in the East End of London in 1888; the other was President of the USA who was assassinated in 1865. My guest this week, historian and author Tony McMahon, explores this link in his book, aptly named “Jack The Ripper and Abraham Lincoln”. This book is absolutely fascinating and I am so pleased to welcome Tony onto the blog to explain his investigations, and his book. But first, here’s a quick book summary:

BOOK SUMMARYi

A fraudulent doctor, Francis Tumblety, is implicated in both the 1865 assassination of President Abraham Lincoln in Washington DC and the 1888 Jack the Ripper killings in the East End of London. It seems incredible but the compelling evidence is revealed in this book.

We delve into the murderous trail left by Tumblety – one that stretches from America’s Gilded Age to the poverty-ridden slums of London’s Whitechapel district and explore the murky underworld which enabled his horrific crimes. He was a flamboyant huckster, well known in the newspaper gossip columns though his celebrity masked his homicidal tendencies. Arrested over clear links to the Lincoln assassination then released while others were hanged on the scaffold. Locked up by Scotland Yard as a prime Jack the Ripper suspect, but then made a daring escape. The proof is overwhelming that Tumblety, a man who possessed a grisly collection of uteruses in a cabinet of curiosities, was undoubtedly Jack the Ripper.

THE INTERVIEW

Hello Tony and welcome to the blog 😊

Hello, 😊I’m Tony McMahon – a book author and a regular contributor on TV history and science documentaries. My background is in TV and print news journalism going back to the 1990s and I love researching true crime and historical cases.

What gave you the initial idea to investigate Francis Tumblety and his links with both the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and the Jack The Ripper killing; and to write this very intriguing investigative book of your findings?

A couple of years ago, I appeared on an episode of History channel’s documentary series ‘William Shatner’s The UnXplained’ to talk about the larger-than-life American arrested as a Jack the  Ripper suspect in London in 1888. He was a rather eccentric chap called Francis Tumblety. Now, I knew the name of this suspect, but my research for this TV show left me astonished. There were so many layers to his story. Here was a man implicated in not just the Ripper case but also – twenty-five years before – the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln – as well as many other crimes. I had to investigate further and the stories that emerged were so compelling, I decided it needed a book.

I really enjoyed reading your book, “Jack The Ripper And Abraham Lincoln”. Researching the life of Francis Tumblety must have been quite interesting..…what nugget of information did you uncover that was totally unexpected?

I loved immersing myself in all the scandals of the American Civil War period, the Gilded Age, and the seedier side of Victorian London. The newspapers from that period were surprisingly candid and quite racy. Really demolishes the notion of buttoned-up, starchy Victorians. The nugget that excited me the most about Tumblety was discovering an interview from years after his death with a retired police captain in Buffalo, New York state, who had seen Tumblety with President Lincoln’s killer, John Wilkes Booth. Connecting those two men was really important. What also intrigued me writing the book was realising that Tumblety was being protected all the time by influential networks that meant he never served time behind bars or dangled from the hangman’s rope.

The thought that he had a collection of uteruses in a cabinet of curiosities is rather chilling… but could his celebrity status in the USA have given him a cloak of invisibility and were there any possibilities that he could have committed Jack The Ripper style killings prior to 1888 in the USA?

Even nineteenth century opinion was horrified by the reports of his collection of uteruses in glass jars that he used to display after his all-male dinner parties. Once Scotland Yard heard about that from their American police counterparts, they were convinced he was Jack the Ripper. Regarding his undoubted celebrity in America and Canada – I think you’re right that being so prominent was a form of protection. He was operating in plain sight, almost daring the authorities to come and get him. And of course they did on occasion but Tumblety always wriggled off the hook. Prior to the Ripper killings we know for certain he was implicated in two manslaughter cases and American sources speculated that Tumblety and one of his ‘valets’, referred to as Jack the Texan, could have been behind a series of gruesome murders in Texas known as the Servant Girl Annihilator killings. 

Why was Tumblety released when the rest of his fellow Lincoln assassination gang members were hanged?

Before Tumblety was arrested and imprisoned, Lincoln’s killer John Wilkes Booth had been shot dead. There is no doubt that Tumblety and Booth knew each other. We also know from contemporary newspaper accounts that he employed David Herold, one of the four plotters hanged over the Lincoln assassination and the interview with the retired police captain confirms that Tumblety also was connected to Mary Surratt, the only woman hanged in relation to the case. Tumblety was not only accused of being an assassination plotter but of being involved in a conspiracy to spread yellow fever among Union troops during the American Civil War. And yet he walked free from the Old Capitol Prison. This troubled me and the explanation that seems most plausible to me is his connections. This really was a “who you know” kind of world. And Tumblety, the inveterate networker, had tapped up the right people as a kind of insurance policy – and it paid off well.

Growing up, had you always wanted to be a historian or did your career aspirations lay elsewhere?

I always loved writing – and still do. My brain just flows through my fingertips on to the keyboard. When I was a kid, I thought I might like to be an archaeologist but never pursued that path. Maybe I prefer not to get my hands too dirty! Researching, writing, and public speaking are my true loves.

For pinning later. ©Linda Hobden

Is “Jack The Ripper And Abraham Lincoln” available to purchase worldwide? 

It is indeed. Inevitably, it’s on Amazon and can be bought in print and digital form. The audible version is not available yet. But you can find it on most top book retailer sites.

Are you a bookworm? If so, what genres (or authors) do you usually like to read? And are you a kindle or “proper book” fan?

I have a vast amount of books and old newspapers in shelves up to the ceiling. It’s a great backdrop for Zoom interviews but I really need to rein in my book buying. I’m still very much a “proper book” person as paper gives you that unique reading experience that’s hard to describe. Tend to read a lot of non-fiction history and politics stuff but when it comes to fiction, no surprise that the historical fiction champions like Hilary Mantel and Robert Harris are favourites. 

As  you are a historian, do you have a particular favourite period in history? 

I’ve been commissioned by the publishing house Pen & Sword to write a trilogy on the Knights Templar so I’m living in the Middle Ages right now. I’m fascinated by the Crusades and of course so much of the politics of that period has resonated down the centuries. But I’m equally a big fan of the nineteenth century and having grown up in the 1970s, I’ve always been fond of that much abused decade.

© Linda Hobden

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?

In the winter months, I love going all tweed and brogues. With my sweeping beard and twirly moustache, I can look very Edwardian. 

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites ?

I adore cheese and indulge that addiction at Paxton & Whitfield on Jermyn Street, every so often, which has an amazing selection of cheeses. They also do cheese tasting classes which I recommend.

Every three months, I go to the quarterly Bloomsbury Ephemera Fair in central London where you can get everything from early Victorian theatre posters to ancient medieval maps. 

What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish lists?

When it comes to clothes, Son of a Stag off Brick Lane has an amazing selection of heritage clothing including Japanese denim and American workwear if I want something butch and fashionable.

Boots or Shoes?

I love fashionable sneakers. I’ll pop down to Shoreditch and Brick Lane every so often to get some cool footwear. The only thing is, I wear my sneakers to death – until they fall apart. I’m not only of these people who keeps his footwear in pristine condition.

Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc

I run several blogs. 

My London history blog: https://london-ghosts.com/

Beardy History covers everything and anything: https://beardyhistory.com/

My obsession with the 1970s can be explored here: https://the70s80s90s.com/

Everything you ever wanted to know about the Knights Templar: https://thetemplarknight.com/

Great to chat to you Tony. I found the book absolutely fascinating – thank you for the review copy. My thanks also to Ben Cameron of Cameron Publicity & Marketing.

Linda x

Photographs have been published with kind permission of Tony McMahon as well as photographs by Linda Hobden.

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Books, Childrenswear/Child & Family Related Posts, Interview, Travel

An Interview With Leona Cobham

Like grandfather, like granddaughter … my guest this week is Leona Cobham, granddaughter of aviation pioneer, Sir Alan Cobham. Sir Alan Cobham was an aviation legend – he was a test pilot, an explorer and the inventor of air-to-air refuelling. Leona shares his passion of flying, travel and aviation engineering. Keen to spread the love of aviation, Leona has written a book series for children aged 7 -12 called, Aeroplane Adventures – a collection of fun stories combined with aeroplane facts and terminology. I caught up with Leona to find out more about her aeroplane passion, her books, her travels and her grandfather…. Welcome Leona 😊

Hello 😊 I’m Leona. I’m passionate about inspiring youngsters. We each learn differently but one thing that does inspire all of us is a sense of wonder. If we want to draw kids off their devices and into real life, they must get a thrill out of real life. So my books are packed with thrilling stuff. I’ve kept the stories fast-paced, easy to follow and full of adventure. I’ve recently become a STEM ambassador so I can go to schools and museums to do presentations around the themes in my books.

You’ve written a book series for children aged 7 – 12 called Aeroplane Adventures. The first book is Flying Circus Takes to the Skies and the second is Flying Circus Through Thick andThin. Who are the characters and what do they get up to? 

At the centre we have our fearless Flying Circus quartet: Woody the Tiger Moth, Spif the Spitfire, Vul, the Avro Vulcan, and Tom the F-14 Tomcat. Each talking plane has a life – and mind – of its own. Each plane has its own distinct purpose and personality. Together, they form a formidable team that’s up for any challenge, both on the ground and in the air.

Tom the F-14 Tomcat has this belief that he’s only valued for his speed. He’s determined to win a race to Australia to keep their air show alive but gets distracted by his nemesis, an F-15 Eagle, who challenges him to manoeuvres on an aircraft carrier. This is a great opportunity for me to share the excitement of landing and take-off from an aircraft carrier, engaging the arresting wire and then launching with the catapult. 

Woody meanwhile, the wooden biplane, has low self-esteem and feels the other aeroplanes are more capable than him. While he compares himself to Tom, the supersonic F-14 Tomcat, and fears that his relative lack of speed will hamper the team effort in a race to Australia, it’s actually his unique ability to land on a very short, unsurfaced runway which eventually saves the team because he collects the equipment Tom needs to refuel mid-air. Whereas he thought Woody, the little wooden biplane, would be the weak link in this race to Australia, in fact Tom is the one who runs out of fuel and jeopardises their chances. And it’s Woody who helps Tom out. But the friends don’t shame Tom in his moment of humility, so Tom is able to feel that friends go the extra mile for each other in times of need and friendship isn’t conditional on him always being at the top of his game. 

When we hear the characters’ thoughts, we feel close to them. The message to young readers is we all have gifts to bring to the table. We are all heroes on a journey.

Who or what inspired you to start your writing career? 

I believe it’s important to get children back into reading. Children are reading less than any previous generation; a third of children surveyed said they couldn’t find things to read that interested them. Yet research shows that strong reading skills are key to successful learning. So, I felt compelled to combine exciting fiction, which is enjoyable to read, with plenty of facts. Many children groan at the thought of learning, but I honestly believe it’s possible to enjoy the process. By combining feel-good adventures with facts about aviation, my readers see how aeroplanes pull off the feats they do. 

I am also passionate about giving children life skills within the books: how to come back from making mistakes, how to ask for help without losing face, how to feel enough; ultimately, how to develop an inner feeling of significance which doesn’t depend on the approval of others. I do this by creating a world of flawed, lovable characters. This concept that we’re lovable despite our flaws is key for child development. It’s ok not to be perfect, it’s ok to make mistakes. And we need not be ashamed of them. The characters find themselves in situations which generate relatable emotions like fear, embarrassment, and conflict. And through the characters’ point of view, we tackle these situations. We see how they can be resolved.

The two Aeroplane Adventures are collections of fun stories with messages about teamwork and friendship interwoven with lots of facts about aeroplanes. What do you enjoy most about writing for children?

I’m an impatient reader myself, and so are most children. When writing for children, you need to keep up the pace by maintaining suspense and having a pressing problem that must be solved. There needs to be an important ‘why?’ in the story. I enjoy this challenge. Also, Ilike to infuse my stories with humour, adventure, and a feel-good factor. I think these elements are important in children’s literature, particularly these days when there are so many dark stories on the market. I think we learn best when we’re having fun and when we feel safe. It’s comforting to laugh at life’s predicaments sometimes. We are not perfect, and my message to children is: ‘That’s ok!’. I create flawed, lovable characters because grasping the fact that we are lovable despite our flaws is fundamental to healthy child development.

I create scenarios where children can see how our individuality is a good thing. We each offer value in our own way. We don’t want a world where we are all good at the same thing and weak at the same thing! For example, Woody the little biplane, may be slow but he can land on unsurfaced runways which is a pretty handy little skill! It saves the team on a race to Australia in my first book. It also means he can fly slowly without stalling which enables him to guide the Chinook when the team are putting out a forest fire in the second book. All the characters are different, like we are. The message is to look at your unique characteristics and consider what value you can bring to any situation.

Your grandfather is aviation pioneer Sir Alan Cobham – does your love for all things aviation stem from your background?  

Aviation has always held positive associations for me. My grandfather was passionate about encouraging people to fly and enjoy flight. I grew up seeing aviation as thrilling and inspirational. I have adopted flight as a metaphor: inspiring young readers to get into the pilot’s seat in their own lives, to spread their wings, and fly.

What do you love most about flying/aeroplanes?

I remember being on flights with my dad as a child. When the aeroplane had taxied to the top of the runway and the captain was seeking clearance from air traffic control, he would always say “look out of the window, we’re about to take off”. And to this day, I get a burst of adrenaline when I’m sitting in an aeroplane at the top of the runway. The pilot opens up the throttles and you can feel the plane trembling; then he eases off the brakes and we go hurtling down the track. The air passing quicker under the wing than over it generates lift and we get airborne. It’s still the most thrilling thing for me. And I’m not even in the pilot’s seat. It’s those emotions I want to pass on to the next generation. 

An airshow is a great start for those of us who love ‘things-that-go’. The sound of a fighter jet epitomizes raw power; then there’s the sensation of the blast from the slipstream, the smell of the jet fuel, and as for the sight! Even an airport is pretty exciting. It’s simply awesome to see a 560-ton A380 lift into the sky. I mean… HOW?

You have spent some time working in a forest recuperation project in Brazil and did volunteer teaching in a shanty town.  What did those experiences teach you?  How hard was it to adapt to life in Brazil? 

My experiences in Brazil and working as a classroom reading assistant have given me anunderstanding of different learning styles which I keep in mind when I am writing. I try to cover the visual learners with a plethora of clear diagrams, the contextual learners with background stories where they can see the technology in operation. For example, when Nighthawk gets lost, the other planes struggle to find her because she is a stealth plane and she has a very small radar return. This gives my reader a visual on how radar works. For those who can’t get enough information and love to research stuff, there’s plenty of information in the glossary section. I’ve made it easier by emboldening words in the text that are referenced in the glossary.

I encountered cultural differences when I moved to Brazil, and I realised that accepting differences is a life skill. I write about this in my books. It’s never easy to gracefully accept alternate points of view if they seem to threaten ours, is it? In a story called Hats Off to Spifin Book 2, the Spitfire is challenged to tolerate an alternative take on an episode from history that’s close to his heart. Through his character arc in this story, my readers see how Spif’s flexibility doesn’t weaken him. In fact, his ability to keep calm and remain untriggered elevates him from fine leader to great leader.

Are you a bookworm? What is your favourite genre and/or authors? Kindle or actual book? 

I am a collector of books and I have had to adopt a rule: if a book comes in, then one has to go out and be donated to the local library. I read a lot of aviation books, mostly non-fiction. I choose physical books because I often underline good sentences. I like audiobooks but end up buying a copy of the physical book as well!

Are your “Aeroplane Adventures” books available to purchase worldwide?

Yes, they are available from to order from bookshops and also on Amazon. I have published US versions of the books for those who want American spelling. The word aeroplane/airplane is the first one that causes confusion!

Growing up had you always wanted to be an author, pilot or did you have other career aspirations?

I am a born researcher. I go down rabbit holes on a wide variety of subjects from aircraft carriers to eighteenth century French textiles! I love looking after living things; I wanted to work with plants and animals from a young age, and I did so, though my work in Brazil with forest recuperation. 

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?

I have discovered ‘history bounding’. I like floaty dresses that take me back to another time in history. I go for natural fabrics wherever possible: cotton, silk, and wool. When I walk my dog, I imagine myself in a Jane Austen novel! Once I am bored with an item of clothing, I get out my fabric scissors and cut it into a new item. 

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites?

I like unusual styles that go with my ‘history bounding’ so I shop from a very wide variety of sources. The clothes I like are verging on costume. But I just wear one element of the costume at a time. I saw a lovely blouse on Sezanne recently with a ruffle collar. That’s the sort of thing I like.

What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?

I’m not very good at wearing heels so I’m looking for some pretty suede lace-up flats which I can convert into ‘going out’ shoes with ribbons instead of shoelaces…

Boots or Shoes? 

I go back to wearing boots as soon as Autumn begins. I get on much better with heels if I’m wearing boots. And I think knee boots look great with a knee-length skirt. Timeless.

Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc

My website is:

www.cobhamwings.co.uk

The Amazon links to my books are as follows.

Book 1: Flying Circus Takes to the Skies

Book 2: Flying Circus Through Thick and Thin

Great to chat with you Leona! I hope your books will not only encourage budding young aviators to spread their wings and embrace the thrill of travel; but to also discover how to help each other, acknowledge our different strengths and to nurture long lasting friendships.

Linda x

All photographs have been published with the kind permission of Leona Cobham

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Books, Interview, Life Issues/ Motivational Posts, Reviews

Author Interview: David Griffiths

Every now and then you come across a novel intended for the YA market but actually the storyline is so riveting and the writing is so eloquent that it appeals to older adults too. “How To Hear Ghosts” by David Griffiths is one such book. I was hooked from page one! The storyline delves into such topics such as whether there is an afterlife, the reality of mental illness and the lure of psychic shows. The characters are totally believable, and the subtle twists and turns in the storyline certainly kept me entertained. How could I not interview the author, David Griffiths?! 😀 Before I introduce David to the blog, here’s a quick summary of his fabulous book:

BOOK SUMMARY

In the wake of his mother’s death, 16-year-old Ollie is thrust into the world of his uncle, Dominic Quinn, a renowned stage medium. Communing with the dead runs in Ollie’s family – or so he believes. But as he starts to hear voices in his head, he must confront the possibility that they are no more than a spiral into hereditary madness.

Haunted by the mysterious letter that plagued his mum’s final days, Ollie embarks on a quest for answers. With the help of one of his uncle’s mysterious books and the support of his classmate, Hannah, Ollie delves into the secrets surrounding his mother’s past.

But as he navigates the blurred line between reality and the paranormal, he must face a daunting question: will it make him famous like his uncle, or dead like his mother? In this gripping young adult novel, Ollie discovers that sometimes, the most terrifying ghosts are the ones we carry inside.

THE INTERVIEW

Hello. I’m David. I’m an ex-English teacher based in Liverpool who’s had a life-long obsession with all things Gothic – that’s something often frowned upon by other English teachers. I recently started teaching at Manchester Met University where things are more liberal, and since then I’ve gone from writing about ghosts to actually becoming one – I’m currently working as a professional ghostwriter, which is a fascinating experience … except I’m not allowed to tell anyone what I’m writing about! 

Who or what inspired you to write “How To Hear Ghosts”? 

My inspiration for writing about the uncanny dates back to childhood. My parents, bless them, had the idea that we’d save money if we booked a holiday abroad out of season. This turned out to be true. Unfortunately, when we arrived at the hotel the place was completely and utterly deserted. (N.B. Never underestimate the importance of other human beings when it comes to enjoying your overseas holidays.) I was bored and increasingly spooked by the enormity and silence of the empty hotel. I turned to literature for solace. Unfortunately, the only book I’d brought with me was Stephen King’s “The Shining”. Let’s say it intensified the experience. I still find myself glancing over my shoulder whenever I’m walking a hotel corridor and happen to pass by room 217.

How To Hear Ghosts ” is a YA story that delves into the reality of mental illness, theory of afterlife and the role of mediums.  The characters are a fabulous mix  – from the main character Ollie, his Uncle Dominic – a phoney medium, Ollie’s school friend Hannah , to Marsha – Dominic’s hard nosed agent. Did you base a lot of your characters on you and people you’ve met in life? Which character did you enjoy writing about the most?  Which character was the hardest?

It’s hard to write a novel in first person and not include some element of your personality in your main character. At first, Ollie was a wittier, more entertaining (and more troubled) version of my teenage self. But it’s important to give your protagonists their own distinct identity, which emerged eventually, as all strong characters do. As for basing characters  on real people, Dominic Quinn is certainly a product of the strange climate we’ve all lived through during the last six or seven years, which have seen a bewildering rise in the number of populist politicians and chancers who have emerged to charm and seduce voters with comforting notions that a “black and white”, simple solution can solve their complex problems. Dominic is a similar type of snake-oil salesman.

It’s a huge cliche to say that the characters in a novel “talk” to the author and start writing the story themselves. It sounds phoney and pretentious but it’s true. Marsha virtually barged into the room and took charge of my pen, telling me I’d better buck up and organise things more efficiently. She’s awful and ultimately sinister, perhaps, but I absolutely adored her. She made things so easy because she’s so assertive.

With “How to Hear Ghosts” I tried to subvert the Young Adult Gothic tradition which, since Twilight, focusses on female protagonists. I wanted a young male hero but I wanted the book to appeal to male and female readers. I also wanted to avoid the usual cliches of helpless female and strong, silent, brooding male (who’s usually a vampire). I probably over-thought it initially. But that ended when Hannah came into the story. She’s stronger than Ollie and certainly no one’s idea of a side-kick or plot device. When she appeared it was natural and right.

What do you enjoy most about writing novels for young adults? 

Writing for young adults is something I’m drawn to because those teenage years are so dramatic. Everything you experience is so intense: if you fall in love, it’s HUGE. If you feel hurt or angry at someone, it’s an even bigger deal than when it happens later in life. All our feelings and experiences are so amplified, whether it’s by hormones or the newness of the situation. It’s not always pleasant, of course, and I’m particularly keen to avoid romanticising it. It’s the period where you find yourself wising up to life, hopefully.

If you could visit any country/place in the world, to base a future novel in, where would you go and why? 

It may seem boring or obvious, and I’ve already visited the United States. But I’m wondering whether the USA I visited and loved eight years ago will be the same USA I’d be visiting a year from now. The Ancient Chinese had a curious saying: “May you live in interesting times.” It was intended as a curse of sorts. America is going to be an awfully interesting place soon, (and always is, however often you’re used to seeing it on TV,) and who knows how current events might influence any story you might choose to set there?

Are you a bookworm? What is your favourite genre and/or authors? Kindle or actual book? 

I’m proud to be a bookworm. Most of the great ideas I’ve encountered in life have come from being a bookworm, whether it’s fact or fiction – which is honestly a bit of a false distinction. My all-time literary idol is Emily Bronte. (Still find it spooky how she shares her birthday with Kate Bush, by the way.) I also have to buy everything David Nicholls writes the day it comes out. Can’t recommend him highly enough. I used to regard Kindle as Satan’s plaything but started reading them recently. It’s OK. Just gimme an actual book please.

 Is “How To Hear Ghosts” available to purchase worldwide?

Yes! Proud to announce it’s available everywhere.

Photo by Linda Hobden

Growing up had you always wanted to be an author or did you have other career aspirations?

As a teenager, my literary ambitions were placed on hold for a few years while I mastered the guitar and played in local rock and indie bands. With the passing of time, it can be seen that Kurt Cobain’s status and reputation were never seriously threatened.

I must admit I have never been to see a medium or attend a show but I do appreciate that many people do feel comforted by getting a chance to have some sort of contact with their loved ones; and I am respectful of the role such mediums do play in certain circumstances. When researching for your book, did you discover anything unexpected? 

My research included visiting mediums for private readings and seances, as well as watching them perform on stage. I’m loathe to call myself a “believer” because there are so many obvious charlatans out there. I wouldn’t want to recommend them to anyone. But the second person I went to see was really quite unsettling. I still have a sound recording of the encounter I had with him, and it’s extraordinary to listen to it now and hear how accurate he was. In fact, it’s even more bizarre listening to it now because you can hear him basically predict things that did come to happen subsequently, which no one at the time could have foreseen, and which I didn’t take a great deal of notice of until later. I’d prefer not to go too deeply into it: suffice to say, I’d forgotten about some of the details on the recording and didn’t listen to it again until two years afterwards. But I think it ended up influencing the book’s rather ambiguous approach towards the paranormal.  

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?

It’s hard finding anything that will make you look cool once you’ve lost your hair (though some have managed it). Personally, I’m resigned to being unadventurous – shirt, black trousers, black shoes etc, unless I’m at home, them I’m all trainers and (urk) jeans.

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites ?

For clothes, it’s Next and M&S (- no real innovations to report).

What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?

We’re off for a week in the sun in two days, so a mad scramble for a decent pair of flip-flops is very much in order.

Boots or Shoes?

A new pair of shoes always instills confidence. Not sure why. I’m sure Freud would have something to say about that. The only time boots give me confidence is if I’m hiking in the Lakes.

Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc

Great to chat to you David! Thank you so much for a review copy of “How To Hear Ghosts” – I really rate it!

Linda x

All photographs have been published with the kind permission of David Griffiths .

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Author Interview: Jeremy Hullah

Who doesn’t love a magical story? As a child, I had a “Treasury “book of magical stories – stories that were better read curled up in a wingback chair in front of a roaring log fire, allowing the magical stories to take my imagination on a journey filled with awe and wonderment. Unbelievable tales of dragons, animals who talked, mystical lands, witches and princesses …. Oh, my imagination did run riot! Being an adult, you don’t often get a chance to read magical stories, so it was an absolute joy to read “Uncle Digit and the Truth About Magic” by Jeremy Hullah. Published in April 2024, this is an updated magical story in the same vain as stories of yesteryear – ideal for reading to younger children, a book for older readers …. And adults too!

BOOK SUMMARY

Confined to a wheelchair, 11-year-old Finn looks forward to the visits of his Uncle Henry and the unbelievable stories of his adventures. When Henry goes to the Arctic to look for his father’s lost ship, the stories become increasingly fantastical, straining even Finn’s desire to believe everything his uncle tells him, until he joins in the adventure himself!

Expect aliens, a wise-cracking fox, singing bears, the most powerful device in the universe and some very peculiar snow.

THE INTERVIEW

Hello Jeremy & welcome to the blog. Please introduce yourself 😀

Hello, I’m Jeremy. I’m a retired IT consultant who used to work in the City. I wrote my first two books on the train to and from East Sussex to London Bridge. I’d like to say that I’ve been able to concentrate more on writing since I retired in April, but that doesn’t seem to be the case, although I am hoping that I will settle into more of a routine as time goes on.

Who or what inspired you to write “Uncle Digit And The Truth About Magic”?

Having twin boys to keep entertained is good inspiration for stories, but when I started writing Uncle Digit And The Truth About Magic, I didn’t have much of a plot – just a few ideas inspired by Letters From A Lost Uncle by Mervyn Peake. 

Later, after hearing and reading about some of Ranulph Fiennes expeditions, I imagined some conversations between him and his younger cousins, the actors Joseph and Ralph Fiennes. They started along the lines of “Wow! How many fingers have you lost this time Ranulph?”, “Just the one this time, boys.” – eventually ending up with “You’ll never guess what happened on this expedition?” And Ranulph takes his head off and puts it on the table. 

It was such a stupid idea, but I started to wonder how I could make something so impossible sound feasible within the context of a fantasy / adventure tale.

The “Truth About Magic” part of the title was added after I wrote the fairytale chapter of the same name. This gave me an underlying focus for the book and sparked a lot of underlying elements, especially Finn’s memory of being taking to the healing waters. 

“Uncle Digit And The Truth About Magic ” is a YA book whose magic still enthralled myself and a few other adults I know who read the book.  I loved the fact that Finn wanted to believe the adventurous escapades of his uncle, and even if he felt that his uncle’s stories were far fetched, they offered him escapism from his day to day life and his reliance on his wheelchair.  And yet, the magic in the tales lures you in…Did you base the characters on you and people you’ve met in life? Which character was the hardest to portray?

No character is based on me or anyone I know, unless you count Uncle Digit as being a wish-fulfilment version of myself (I have always wanted to be a photojournalist)!

Finn was by far the hardest character to portray, as I am not disabled myself and didn’t want to come across as patronising, or using a disabled character lightly as nothing more than a vehicle for the plot (which he is), so I tried to make Finn as real as possible and hopefully have not offended anyone.

It’s important for Finn (and the reader) to wonder whether Uncle Henry is telling tall stories or not – right up to the moment he puts his head on the table. That’s when all doubt is removed and the magic begins. It’s meant to be like the moment in Wizard of Oz when everything turns Technicolor.

What do you enjoy most about writing for the YA/children’s genre? 

I like the escapism and the creation of other realities. Making the impossible seem real, if only for a moment, is (for me) highly challenging and creative.

As you have said, though, the appeal of Uncle Digit is not restricted to YA. I would like to think that people of all ages can read and enjoy the book, and I would direct anyone to Katherine Rundell’s lovely little volume “Why You Should Read Children’s Books, Even Though You Are So Very Old And Wise.”

I have always enjoyed fantasy adventure stories, starting with Alan Garner’s Weirdstone of Brisingamen, on to The Lord of the Rings, via an awful lot of Michael Moorcock, Jack Vance and the like. Even though I broadened my reading as I got older, I never lost the love for fantasy and all my ideas so far (except one) are fantasy related.

If you could visit any country/place in the world, to base a future story in, where would you go and why? 

The second Uncle Digit book, which I am writing at the moment, is set in Alexandria. Although the city has been high on my list of places to go since reading the Alexandria Quartet in my twenties, I have never been there, and so the story relies on the rather romanticised version of Alexandria in the Lawrence Durrell books and recollections of other North African cities that I have actually visited.

If I write a third Uncle Digit book, I think it will be set in Venezuela and South America. I have always wanted to visit the Tepuis and might have the big baddie meeting his end by falling off the Angel Falls – homage to Sherlock Holmes’ Moriarty, as Conan Doyle used to live in a house a hundred yards from where I live now.

Are you a bookworm? What is your favourite genre and/or authors? Kindle or actual book? 

I used to be a bookworm but stopped reading a lot of books sometime in my thirties. When I did read, I tended to like modern classics, and apart from children’s books, I would probably read those over anything else.’

For the last few years though, I have mostly been reading children’s literature and have really enjoyed discovering all the amazing new talents that have emerged in the last ten years, such as Jessica Townsend, Struan Murray, Catherine Doyle and of course Katherine Rundell.

I like reading from a kindle at night, as it is more comfortable and the lighting is so good, but I do prefer to read physical books at other times.

Is “Uncle Digit And The Truth About Magic” available to purchase worldwide?

The eBook is available worldwide, but the print version is only available via Amazon UK.

Growing up had you always wanted to be a writer or did you have other career aspirations?

I had dreams of being a writer when I was young, but never wrote anything worthwhile and gave up when it was time to get a proper job. 

It wasn’t until I had children and a long train journey that ideas started to come again, and I had the time to concentrate on developing them over a long period of time.

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?

I’m mostly happy with jeans and rugby top. I like nice jumpers though and have recently branched out into patterned shirts.

I have a few Crockett and Jones shoes still going strong, from the time when I was a single IT contractor, but now I only wander in their shops from time to time, wondering when I will be able to spend £500 on a pair of shoes.

At the moment I mostly wear an old pair of sturdy half boots or a pair of Vans.

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites?

I used to buy my jumpers and tops from Banana Republic, before they disappeared. Most of my clothes now come from All Saints, White Stuff or Seasalt.

What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?

Nothing on clothes or shoes for the moment, expect maybe another pairs of Vans.

Boots or Shoes?

Shoes and half boots.

Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc

I’m a luddite when it comes to Social Media and Online Trends, so I’ll have to pass on this one. 😀 My website is : www.digitpublications.com

Great to chat with you Jeremy! Thanks to Jeremy Hullah (& Ben Cameron of Cameron Publicity & Marketing) for a review copy of “Uncle Digit & The Truth About Magic”.

Linda x

Photographs have been published with the kind permission of Jeremy Hullah & by Linda Hobden, where marked.

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Books, Interview

All Money Ain’t Good Money Book Tour

I’m thrilled to be part of the All Money Ain’t Good Money book tour celebrating author Tracey Lampley’s first book in her Jinx Curry mystery series. This is a tale of a female private investigator (Jinx Curry) with a very complicated life… and after reading her exploits in this first book of the series, I , for one, am looking forward to reading more in the books to come. Before I introduce author Tracey Lampley onto the blog, here’s a quick summary of the book and characters…

BOOK SUMMARY

Jinx Curry is a private investigator and single mom who spends her days spying on cheating wives and husbands, but she aches for more importance.

When her boss, Capricorn Hayes, finally assigns Jinx a missing persons case involving a congressman’s missing granddaughter, Jinx jumps at the chance. Not only to solve it, but to earn the fifty-thousand-dollar bonus that would pay her bills, and get a menacing creditor off her back.

But the investigation proves more dangerous and costly than Jinx believes. After an unknown individual in a black Corvette nearly runs Jinx down and begins stalking her, Jinx has to sacrifice her relationship with her daughter by sending Arielle to live with her father. Can Jinx find the congressman’s granddaughter while surviving her stalker? Or will this job be her last?

The Players

Deebo: He’s the scintillating rapper who may be secretly married to the missing teen. A marriage revelation infringes on the rapper’s rising-star status. Did Deebo off his wife to preserve record sales?

Bam: He’s Jinx’s childhood friend who loaned the sleuth a boatload of money. With Jinx unable to repay the loan, has Bam decided to make an example out of Jinx for lack of repayment?

Elena: She’s the missing person. Perhaps Elena doesn’t want to be found. Will she kill Jinx to prevent the sleuth from exposing her location?

Young Calloway: He’s the Georgetown Law School dropout and only grandson of Congressman Calloway. After Jinx discovers the rivalry between Elena and Young Calloway, Jinx also uncovers Young Calloway’s dark past. Has Young Calloway decided to eliminate Jinx to cover up his crimes?

Congressman Calloway: Up for re-election, the congressman cannot afford a family scandal. Did he hire Jinx to find Elena to coverup the young teen’s possible murder? If so, has he decided to eliminate Jinx to clean up the family mess?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

When she is not writing, Tracey Lampley loves attending and watching sporting events such as WNBA, NBA, college football and NFL football. Currently Tracey is completing her MA in Creative Writing at Southern New Hampshire University. She already holds an MS in Publishing from Pace University and a BA in English/Technical & Scientific Communication from Miami University of Ohio. She resides in the metro Atlanta, Georgia area with her pooch Neo and near her daughter Asia.

THE INTERVIEW

Hello Tracey 😊 I really enjoyed reading your book, “All Money Ain’t Good Money ” and I particularly enjoyed the characters of the female private investigator Jinx Curry, her sexy boss  Capricorn Hayes, rapper Deebo , Jinx’s girlfriends and  teenage daughter Arielle.  Which character did you particularly enjoy writing about? Which character was the hardest to portray?

Hello 😊. I really enjoyed writing about Jinx because she represents a strong black woman with flaws and vulnerabilities that I hope readers will find endearing. The character hardest to portray was Deebo. Look, I’m a square. Always have been. Always will be, probably. I’ve never smoked weed or engaged in any recreational drugs, and I’m proud of it. I can count on one hand how many times I’ve had wine, and I’d still have fingers remaining. So, I had to research by asking people questions. At first, I had Kristen smoking a cigarette, and I was told a person that young would probably vape! So, Deebo was definitely the most difficult to write about because I didn’t have a clue.

Hypothetically speaking, if “All Money Ain’t Good Money” was made into a film, who would you envisage playing the major characters – Jinx, Capricorn, Deebo, Arielle, Elena, Bam, Young Calloway, Congressman Calloway, Jinx’s girlfriends ….?

I’d pick Ella Balinska or Sonequa Martin-Green to play Jinx. I’d pick Kiki Layne or Cush Jumbo to play Shalonda. I’d pick Laura Harrier to play Poochie. However, Rihanna would be on my wish list to play either Poochie or Jinx. I decided that either Omari Hardwick or Michael B. Jordan could play Capricorn Hayes—although neither are that tall.

Growing up, did you envisage yourself as a writer or did you have other career aspirations?

I’ve always envisioned myself as a writer—even as a kindergartner. However, in the seventh grade, I wrote short stories inside my spiral notebooks. By my senior year in high school, I was writing semi-erotic short stories. I always knew I wanted to be a writer. I just took the scenic route to arrive at my destination.

Is “All Money Ain’t Good Money ” available to purchase worldwide?

Yes, I’ve made my books available worldwide. Purchase a copy of All Money Ain’t Good Money on

Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/All-Money-Aint-Good-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0CW1DW3SX

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/all-money-aint-good-money-tracey-lampley/1145537634?ean=2940179752004

You can also add this to your GoodReads reading list 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/212406184-all-money-ain-t-good-money

The paperback format of All Money Ain’t Good Money is available exclusively on my website. To order your paperback visit https://www.traceylampley.com/category/all-products

If you could visit any place in the world to inspire your next novel, where would you go and why?

If I could visit any place in the world to inspire my next novel, it would be Paris because of the city of romance working against the backdrop of the underworld. My protagonist would pull her hair out navigating the language and the protocol.

Are you a bookworm yourself? If so, what genres (or authors) do you usually like to read? And are you a kindle or “proper book” fan?

Yes, you could call me a bookworm. Whether I’m reading textbooks for my MA in Creative Writing program or reading mysteries and thrillers, I usually have a book I always carry with me because I’m always in a state of waiting, like in the doctor’s office. As for my preference of physical books or reading on my Kindle, I now prefer reading on my Kindle because I travel more and lugging multiple books isn’t practical any longer—even with a nice book bag. 

You can follow the author at:

Website: https://traceylampley.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tracey.lampley.12

X/Twitter: @bookmistress1

Instagram: tralam4156

BOOK TOUR DATES

Thanks for the chat Tracey & thank you for the preview copy of “All Money Ain’t Good Money” for reviewing.

All photographs have been published with the kind permission of Tracey Lampley.

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Books, Interview

Author Interview: Stephen Ford

As I was roaming around the Rhône Alps this Summer, my book of the moment was “Walking Out Of This World” by Stephen Ford. It seemed an appropriate setting in which to read this book: Stephen is a walker and has walked in many wild mountainous places including the Alps, Pyrenees and Carpathians. His writing is inspired by wild places, mountains, rivers and forests. A good holiday read, this book was a thriller with an out of this world twist…. here’s a quick book summary before I chat to the author, Stephen Ford:

BOOK SUMMARY

Emerging from the mid-October drizzle, Miles joins keen members of the Far and Fast Walkers Society in the Surrey Hills. An unnerving presence, he soon usurps the authority of the walk leader, enticing the party to Miteby, a mysterious village not on any map, where the walkers encounter long lost loved ones. Entranced, the group are compelled to return to this idyllic, nostalgic place, there re-living their past in better ways. But Miles has a nemesis, Lucifix, who intervenes, luring people to the Underside, where life’s fears, regrets, guilty secrets, obsessions, hatred and betrayal haunt those there. A place of hellish eternal torment. Walking out of this World is an epic duel between two spirits, Miles and Lucifix, that will determine the fate of the walkers.

THE INTERVIEW

Hello Stephen – welcome to the blog 👋

Hello! I am Stephen. I am the son of a geologist, with a varied and nomadic childhood in Africa and the Middle East. I have always been inspired by wild places, mountains, rivers and forests, places where nature reigns, not people, which is reflected in what I write about.

I took up writing seriously after retiring from a forty year career in Information Technology. I thought perhaps this is something I could do because in my work I often used to have to write technical documents, reports, specifications, user manuals and so forth. I used to spice these up a bit to make them a more inspiring read than they would normally be and it would give my colleagues a bit of enjoyment and a giggle.

These days I am Walks Secretary for the Surrey branch of the Long Distance Walkers Association, whose membership relishes longer distance treks at a brisk pace over challenging terrain.

Who or what inspired you to write “Walking Out Of This World”? 

In my walks with the LDWA I always enjoy suddenly encountering a place or village that I had never been to before, or even knew it existed. It made me fantasise about these being a magic place apart from the real world and not on any map, so I thought I would write about it.

“Walking Out Of This World ” is a humorous/fantasy/thriller story set within the Surrey Hills & the fantasy village of Miteby.  The characters are very believable  – the walk leader Eddie, mysterious new member Miles, competitive Larry, Lycra clad Karen, friends Liz and Jenny – I loved them all!

I’m glad you enjoyed the story and the characters.

As you are Walks Secretary for the Surrey branch of the Long Distance Walkers Association (LDWA), did you base a lot of your characters on you and people you’ve met in life?

My fellow LDWA walkers who have read my book keep speculating about which of their fellows inspired the characters and I invariably refuse to comment lest I get myself into trouble.

Actually none of the characters are exact representations of anyone I know, and I am not just saying that to protect myself from being sued!

I have observed most of the behaviours and quirks I describe in people who I have met at various times over the years but I am not going to say who they are.

Which character did you enjoy writing about the most?

Lucifix, the she devil who entices people over to the hellish Underside and torments her victims mercilessly.

Which character was the hardest?

Tim, the socially awkward man who is difficult to talk to.

The fictional village of Miteby – where did the inspiration for that place come from?

The idea of Miteby, a mysterious magic place not on any map, was the main inspiration for the book as a whole. The name came from the idea that this could be a place where people could re-visit their lives to explore what might have been, had they taken a different path, especially with respect to relationships that ended in the real world, but could have been something different and special in slightly different circumstances.

And the same question for “Underside”? 

The Underside represents Hell, but not a Hell of fire and brimstone and demons with pitchforks, rather a hellscape made by humans themselves. 

If you could visit any country/place in the world, to base your next novel in, where would you go and why?

I think it would probably have to be the deep dark forests and mountains of Germany or Austria. As a child I was always fascinated by Grimms fairy tales and the like, woodcutters, wolves, imps and so forth. There is layer upon layer of myth and legend, pre-Christian beliefs, vampires and all sorts to draw upon as well as magnificent landscapes and scary forests. 

Are you a bookworm? What is your favourite genre and/or authors? Kindle or actual book?

For a fiction writer I tend not to read a lot of fiction these days. I read a lot of non-fiction, delving into many topics especially historical events and futuristic technologies. In the realm of fiction I have been inspired by HG Wells (e.g. The Time Machine), George Orwell (e.g. 1984, Animal Farm), Huxley (e.g. Brave New World), CS Lewis (Narnia books, Space Trilogy and Screwtape Letters), PG Wodehouse (for the fun of it). I prefer reading actual books.

Is “Walking Out Of This World” available to purchase worldwide?

Yes, although the spelling and idiom is British. It hasn’t been specifically Americanised nor translated as yet.

Growing up had you always wanted to be an author or did you have other career aspirations?

No, when I was young I never imagined myself as an author, although I have always enjoyed expressing ideas and playing with words. I have only taken up writing seriously since I retired from my forty year career in Information Technology.

Being a keen walker, you have walked in many wild mountainous places including the Alps, Pyrenees & the Carpathians.  I am a fan of the Pyrenees area myself – so where has been your personal favourite walking destination?

I keep going back to the Alps. I love the combination of breathtaking mountain scenery, woods, meadows and quirky little villages.

What’s no 1 on your current walking destination bucket list?

The wilds of Alaska, Canada and the Rocky mountains. I’ve never been there, but it looks awesome.

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?

For going out and about in the wilds, depending upon the weather, it’ll be shorts and T shirt for warm weather, rugged water resistant trousers and jacket and wet and cold and well made trainers by way of footwear.

For more civilised conditions when I need to be reasonably well turned out I wear smart trousers and informal check shirts, slip on black leather shoes, jeans and trainers if it more casual.

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites?

Amazon seem to offer just about everything these days, so I use them a lot. Other than that I just browse to see what’s available.

What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?

I don’t have any really good jackets at the moment, so I am on the lookout for something that is simultaneously stylish, practical, warm and rainproof.

Boots or Shoes?

Generally I prefer shoes, being more comfortable than boots. Boots are sometimes better in outdoor wintry conditions, but I wear them out of necessity not preference.

Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc.

My facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/stephen.ford.1481

Great to catch up with you, Stephen. Thank you for a pre copy of Walking Out Of This World for reviewing. special mention to Ben Cameron Publicity & Marketing too.

Linda x

All photographs have been published with the kind permission of Stephen Ford.

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Books, Interview, Music/Entertainment, Photographers/Models, Vintage

Merchant Of Venus Book Tour

I’m so pleased to be part of the Merchant of Venus book tour and so pleased to be able to introduce to you this wonderful investigative memoir, The Merchant Of Venus : The Life Of Walter Thornton, by two of Walter’s daughters : Nancy Thornton Navarro and Adriana Thornton-Cornejo. What is amazing is that they had no idea how famous their father was until after he died, and this book is really about their journey of discovery as they uncovered the fascinating life of their father, Walter Thornton. Here’s a summary of their book:

BOOK SUMMARY

Imagine losing a parent and discovering he had a secret life you’d never known about. You and your siblings embark on a quest to uncover what it all meant, becoming enmeshed in a series of images and anecdotes found in newspapers, magazines, books, and documents. Ultimately, you realize your parent was not just famous, but VERY famous! Walter Thornton was famous during a time when it was easy to be forgotten (1920s to the 1950s), making the discoveries about his life all the more engaging due to the involved process of uncovering them.

Through alternating perspectives presented by two sisters, the Thornton saga unfolds in a whirlwind of surprising revelations, thrilling with unexpected drama, adventure, and glamour. Just imagine beautiful models, pin-up girls, Hollywood royalty—Thornton was a true trendsetter. This book unveils the captivating story of Thornton’s rise from an orphan to a charismatic male model to a visionary who transformed advertising by founding the first-ever agency for advertising models. But hold onto your hats because there’s more! Get ready for dramatic twists, encounters with models who transformed into Hollywood legends such as Lauren Bacall, Susan Hayward, and Grace Kelly, and a hint of McCarthy-era intrigue—it’s a gripping tale worthy of the silver screen itself!

Publisher: ‎ Tile House Publishing, LLC 

ASIN: B0CZF5WH15

ISBN-13: 979-8989273553

Print Length: 240 pages

THE INTERVIEW

I am so excited to welcome onto the blog, Nancy and Adriana . Hello ladies, please introduce yourselves.

Hello! I’m Nancy Thornton Navarro,(L) a former trademark and copyright attorney who has also served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Irving, Texas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. I currently live near Dallas with my husband and I’m a proud mother of three.
Hello! I’m Adriana Thornton-Cornejo (R) . I’m a Full time Programmer, 2D Artist, and CAD Drafter at Focus 360, a company serving the Home Building Industry. I’m hoping that, with renewed public interest in my father’s life and career, I can one day open a Walter Thornton Museum. I live near Los Angeles with my husband and our two sons.

Who came up with the initial idea to collate your findings about your father and to write this very intriguing investigative memoir?

The initial idea to collate findings about our father and write this investigative memoir was a joint effort between my sister, Adriana, and myself. We both recognized the historical significance of our family’s story and felt compelled to share it with the world. Through our individual research efforts, we gathered information and collaborated by sharing our findings on Google, which was a fascinating experience as we uncovered new pieces of information together.

I really enjoyed reading your book, “Merchant of Venus: The Life Of Walter Thornton” and I particularly enjoyed how you wrote the chapters …uncovering each new piece of information a bit at a time, taking me, the reader, on the discovery journey with you. Researching your father’s earlier life must have been quite interesting…..what nugget of information truly was unexpected?

In regards to researching our father’s earlier life, every nugget of information we discovered was unexpected. While we knew him as a retired businessman, we were surprised to learn about his pioneering role in the modeling, beauty, and advertising industry for over two decades. The revelation of Grace Kelly’s presence in his model roster, as well as his involvement in the Stock Market Crash photo of 1929, were particularly astonishing to us. Grace Kelly had been a beloved movie star from our childhood, and seeing her name associated with our father’s work was truly unexpected.

The surprising and some times shocking findings of important documents and photos such as this and many other ones:
1940 Origin of the PIN UP GIRL photos and documents.
New York Post, Thursday, December 19 1940 Walter Thornton offered to brighten the lives of conscripts at Fort Dix by donating 5,000 photographs of beautiful models to decorate barracks. This is the letter he received from the army accepting his offer and was published in the NEW YORK POST. Walter Thornton as a Jude 1933:

Growing up in Mexico, were there any similarities with how your father lived and worked in Mexico compared with what you have since discovered about his life in the USA?

Regarding the comparison between our father’s life in Mexico and the USA, there were notable differences in his lifestyle. In Mexico, he led a quiet, family-oriented life, taking care of his loved ones and enjoying a tranquil existence. However, in the USA, he lived a more glamorous and fast-paced life as a celebrity, surrounded by beauty and media attention. The contrast between his two lifestyles was striking, reflecting the different chapters of his life in each country.

I was very impressed with the pin up girls of WW2 story – I had heard of them and the role the girls played during the war ; but it was great to discover the origins and why they were called pinups. Your father certainly had an eye for business and knew exactly what was required when picking the models.Having been a model himself, did he still maintain that smart look in his later years? Being his daughters, did he ever try to give you fashion/poise advice?

In Mexico he was a simple man so he dressed in simple clothing (given the good weather in Ajijic, Mexico, he mainly wore shorts, t-shirts and tennis shoes) but always maintained his shape. He never gave us advice on poise or fashion but he did buy some of the clothing we wore.

Growing up, did either of you have dreams of becoming models/ actresses or did you have other career aspirations?

Growing up, neither of us harbored aspirations of becoming models or actresses. Such career paths were not part of our world, so they never crossed our minds.

Is “Merchant of Venus: The Life Of Walter Thornton” available to purchase worldwide?

“Merchant of Venus: The Life Of Walter Thornton” is indeed available for purchase worldwide. Additionally, it will soon be translated into Spanish, and an audio book version will be released.

Knowing what you know now about your father’s earlier life, what question(s)would you have loved to have asked him if he was still alive today?

We have so many questions we wish we could ask. One would be to tell us what happened to the original manuscript of The Merchant of Venus book. According to the newspapers, it was going to get published in the mid 1950’s. What happened to his extensive collection of photography from his model agency. We know that we don’t have it all.

Are you bookworms? If so, what genres (or authors) do you usually like to read? And are you a kindle or “proper book” fan?

While we may not be avid bookworms, my sister and I enjoy reading paperback memoirs, particularly those of intriguing individuals, including the stars our father represented. Our interest in these memoirs stemmed from watching old movies with our dad, who often shared insights about the actors’ journeys to stardom.

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?

On a typical day, I prefer a simple ensemble of jeans and tennis shoes. However, for special events, I opt for elegant knee-high dresses, high heels, and stylish jewelry.

Adriana: I don’t own any jeans. I love dressing up for work every morning. I like to play with colors and patterns. Love black and white. Also love to mix formal pieces with vibrant colors. I love wearing hats, jewelry and purses (I have collections of these items). I like to be comfortable so I don’t leave the house without my sneakers.

Do you have any favorite shops or online sites?

I frequent a small, trendy shop called Versona near my house for its affordable yet fashionable clothing and jewelry selections.
Adriana: One of my favorite clothing stores is Chico’s. I also love to shop when I visit Mexico where I find unique handmade pieces.

What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish lists?

I don’t maintain a specific clothes or shoe wish list as I prefer to explore new trends and make purchases as needed. Given my status as a stay home mom, shopping for new items isn’t a frequent occurrence.
Adriana: I don’t have a wish list, but I’m always on a hunt for good quality pieces.

Boots or Shoes?

I appreciate both boots and shoes for their unique qualities. Boots are my go-to choice during winter for their warmth and style, while shoes are preferred during the rest of the year for their versatility.
Adriana: shoes and sneakers for me.

Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMerchantofVenus

Webpage: https://themerchantofvenus.com

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Clarence_Thornton

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thorntoncornejo

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@themerchantofvenus/

BOOK TOUR DATES

All photographs have been published with the kind permission of Nancy Thornton Navarro and Adriana Thornton-Cornejo. Many thanks also for the review copy of Merchant of Venus: The Life Of Walter Thornton

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Books, Childrenswear/Child & Family Related Posts, Interview, Reviews

Author Interview: Maria De Fatima Santos

In the UK schools are out for Summer and if you are looking for a new children’s book for their summer reading programme then look no further than “Serendipity” by Maria De Fatima Santos. Published on Monday 22nd July 2024, this beautifully illustrated fantasy tale is inspired by nature, Celtic mythology and picturesque Scottish locations.

BOOK SUMMARY

When the Guardian Angel of Nature’s Secrets appears disguised as an elderly musician, a magical adventure unfolds for a little girl called Gaia. Every long journey begins with one small step …
This exciting novel for children takes the form of a tale told by a grandmother to her granddaughter. Set in the Traveller Community and against the backdrop of spectacular and mystical locations in Scotland, the book explores the age-old art of storytelling, Celtic mythology, the cultural value of traditional languages, the power of nature and the bond between generations.

THE INTERVIEW

Hi Maria and welcome to the blog!

Hello. I am Maria de Fátima, Portuguese and original born in Angola, a country in southern Africa.

Although Portuguese is my first language, and without devaluing this rich and ancient language, I also fell in love with the English language. When I moved to Scotland for the first time in July 2007, I had the possibility to study Academic English in Stevenson College in Edinburgh for which I am very grateful for the excellent teachers I had that contributed to a huge improvement in my spoken and written English. Just as a side note, I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the teachers, Ruth and George – if my memory still recalls their names right.

I felt adopted by the English language that offered me a wonderful medium to find and express my creative voice without social and internal censorships.

Once in Scotland, I naturally felt drawn to the Celtic culture and the natural landscape of the country.  I felt “adopted” by Scotland and by the English language… And like Nat King Cole’s song says: “When I fall in love, I will love forever.”

To tell you who I am, I would also like to share what I’ve done. I received training and developed experience in the UK as a carer providing care to different groups of people. It’s appropriate to acknowledge the human richness and valuable professional experience providing care to people with learning disabilities in London. And the second valuable professional experience was providing living in care which allowed me to travel to different locations in England and meet a diversity of realities and lives’ stories. I can transfer all these experiences of care work to my writing too.

Who or what inspired you to write “Serendipity”?

Scotland in the first place. Three real places in Scotland are the scenes of this story, namely: Helge’s Hole in Forres, the Hermitage Forest in Dunkeld and Glen Lyon in Perth. I visited and photographed these places and the illustrations in the book are inspired by the photos.

Love was also a source of inspiration. It is a story of a grandmother’s greater love for a granddaughter, a mother for a daughter and the boundless bounty of the natural realm for each one of us.

In “Serendipity” the grandmother, Julia, telling a story to her granddaughter was inspired by the memory of my own grandmother, – it’s a tribute to her as she was also named Julia.

I was also inspired by a book I read many years ago about the way of life of the Scottish Traveller Community. I still recall the title: “Red Rowans and Wild Honey” by Betsy Whyte. It’s an account of her life as a child born into a traveller family. In this book, I learned also about the Cant vocabulary, the language of the Scottish Travellers that it’s also integrated into the dialogues in my story. What fascinated me, was the strong tradition of oral storytelling, their connection with the natural world and their courage and freedom.

In addition, I was also inspired to write about a little girl of pure heart with a love for nature, like our little traveller girl in the story, that has the gift to save the land of the People of Peace, having in my mind the large picture of the increasing challenges that the natural world is facing everywhere, like for example, the loss of biodiversity and the more extreme patterns of climate change. In this perspective, I do hold a strong faith on the children of this generation to influence their parents to love the natural world and make changes, as they can, to safeguard life in all its forms.

“Serendipity” is a beautifully illustrated fantasy tale inspired by nature, Celtic mythology & 3 picturesque Scottish locations. “Serendipity” reminded me of the fantasy fairytale books I read as a child and read as a mother to my own children. I liked how Gaiaʼs adventures introduce children also to some traditional celtic language spoken by the Scottish Traveller Community. Which character, mythological or otherwise was your favourite to write about? Which was the hardest?

My favourite character to create was the heroine of this tale: the little traveller girl. To build her psychological profile, I was inspired by the universal characteristics of curiosity, wonder, ingenuous and the gifts that children have of believing and trusting that we associate to what is to be a child. 

Looking back to my writing process, I feel that the way I conceived the antagonist characters of this story that are the Giants of the Underworld was not hard for me, because I played with the power of the elements to create the needed obstacles to our heroine to overcome them with the help of the elderly musician that is the Guardian Angel of the Secrets of Nature.

In this story, the Giants of the Underworld turned against the People of Peace that are ruled by Queen Titania in the Land of the Young. They displaced the Truth, Beauty and Goodness, the children of the Sun God Lugh and the Cailleach, the Goddess of Creation. 

What do you enjoy most about writing stories for children?

Writing stories for children is a privilege and responsibility because allows us to re-create ourselves and the reality of others that read the story. In a children’s book, we have space to create a parallel world with invented personages that can teach us so many things about real life and even become our friends. A children’s story is a gateway that offers us the possibility to be teleported to another realm, escape, sometimes, from our own harsh reality – and coming back to it, inspired and encouraged by what we read.  I believe that we can find in real life all the characters we may have in a fairy tale. It comes to my mind a quote of Hans Christian Andersen that I absolutely love: “Life itself is the most wonderful fairy tale.”

So to sum up, I would say that to write stories for children also allows adults reunite and, sometimes, rescue their inner child. Like the music of Abba, “I have a dream” that goes like this: “To help me cope with anything. If you see the wonder of a fairy tale. You can take the future, even if you fail.”

As you were born in Angola & brought up in Portugal – although living now in Scotland – what are the things you love about Scotland? What are the things you miss from Angola and Portugal? 

Well, to reply to this question I am going to start by the beginning. I was born in Luanda, the capital city of Angola. I returned to Portugal when I was 6 months old with my mother, when a political and military upheaval of the Independence Movement took place in the ex-Portuguese colonies in Africa. For this reason, I do not have memories of my life in Angola. However, I did discover Angola when I was growing up in Portugal by reading books, seeing photographs of Angola, listening to life stories and meeting African people in Portugal.  I do admire the resilience of the African people and I can relate to the force of nature in Africa – I would love to see in loco the sunrise and sunset in the natural reserves in Angola. I recall a conversation I had in Portugal many years ago with a storyteller that was also born in Angola but he came from there as a teenager boy. I remember I asked him a similar question about how it was to leave Angola and to adapt to a life in a country like Portugal. He replied that what he most missed was there were no walls in Angola separating the back gardens of the houses and also his African friends.  Although I did not have that experience because I was a baby when I left Angola, I could understand what he meant about the absence of walls and the freedom of space that the landscape of Africa gives us. In Portugal there are many walls!

Scotland gave me the sacred space of nature to discover and dwell on it. I fell in love with the glens, the mountains and the lochs. This love brought back the wonder of my inner child and that sense of sacredness that my words may not be enough to describe. The nature of Scotland nourishes my well being and my imagination – and I am aware that there is a major call to bring back biodiversity and conservation to the forests, glens and the rivers in Scotland. 

Surprisingly enough, I have adapted very well to the rain. I’ve found it very interesting to have rain and sun in the same day with rainbows in the middle – maybe because I came from a country like Portugal where the lack of rain and dangerous very warm summers cause serious consequences to both forests and human beings.

The other interesting affinity I discovered is the fascination for the Celtic culture and the druids that were philosophers and theologians in the Celtic world. I absolutely love how they elevated places in nature as sanctuaries. I did some research about Celts. I learned that they also lived in Portugal and Spain, called Iberia in that time. In Portuguese history books, they are called the People of the Iron Age. The name, Celts, I found only in the books in the UK. Actually, it is still possible to identify traces of the Celtic Culture in North Portugal and in Galicia, a province in Spain that has a border with Portugal in the North. I learned that the Celts went from Iberia to parts of the British Isles and Ireland and not the other way around. I am fascinated by History.

Are you a bookworm? What is your favourite genre and/or authors? Kindle or actual book?

I am a long time lover of books and I do prefer to hold the physical book in my hands. I like to underline and sometimes to write quotes and ideas in the margins. I feel we can develop an affectional bond easier with an actual book. However, having said that, I don’t discard the Kindle, because in many situations, it’s also very good to read a book in a Kindle format. I am open to reading books that came to my way. When I visit charity shops in the UK looking for affordable books, I used to say that the books were the ones that chose me and not me to them. I am open to reading any book that motivates my interest and curiosity. I clearly like children’s books, the mid grade ones, and youth literature as well. There are so many authors that I admire, but in a nutshell I can mention two: C.S. Lewis and Kiran Millwood Hargrave.

There is a book that intrigued me and I absolutely loved the story and the original lifestory of the author: “The House Without Windows” by Barbara Newhall Follen. It’s a classic of nature writing written by a twelve-year-old child.

I also love poetry very much. Mary Oliver comes in first place, because it was her book “Wild Geese” that introduced me to her poetry focusing on the natural world. I also love very much David Whyte that I discovered with this poem  “True Love” and his book “The Bell and the Blackbird”.

I like historical fiction. In this field, we also have brilliant writers in the Portuguese language, for example José Saramago with the book “Convent Memorial” and João Aguiar, “The Voices of the Gods”, a historical novel about the Lusitanian War.

I like to read real life stories as well, for example “Miracles of the Heart” by Karen Henson Jones. And I like cooking books and garden photography too.

Is “Serendipity” available to purchase worldwide?

Yes, it is. Serendipity is available on the webpage of Palavro Publishing (an imprint of the Arkbound Foundation) on www.palavro.org, available through bookshops and internet booksellers and on Amazon on Kindle format and paperpback.

Growing up had you always wanted to be an author or did you have other career aspirations? 

In school I was a very good student in History and Literature. This natural interest to learn about History and the written word is still present within me. To be an author was not a professional goal for me while I was growing up in Portugal. Firstly I was drawn to writing about the history of facts, but along the way I realised that there are stories. The magic of telling a story wrapped by the imagination, that can take us further and touch the hearts and minds of people. I became an author because I had this story to be told.

As a child, what stories filled your imagination? When did you first encounter Celtic mythology? 

As a child I was very impressed with Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tales. There is one in particularly that still speaks to me very profoundly – “The Little Mermaid” . I also read “The Famous Five Collection” by Enid Blyton.

Regarding Celtic mythology, the first book I read was offered by my mother when I was already an adult, maybe I was in my twenties, and she bought me a small book about “The Druids”. She was right with her intuition to offer me this book. Of course, in Scotland, I learned much more about the Celtic mythology.

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?

I prefer to wear comfortable and flat shoes. I have the same principle for clothes. I like to wear clothes that are comfortable and made of natural materials and from sustainable sources, for example, linen for the summer.I like linen trousers, long skirts and tunics for the summer.


Do you have any favourite shops or online sites ?

When I moved to the UK, I discovered the wonders of second hand clothes in charity shops. It’s great and sustainable. Regarding a favourite online shop, I have one that I like very much: nomadsclothing.com. Their motto is “slow fashion that doesn’t cost the earth”. I absolutely love the colours, the design and the material of their clothes with the plus that it’s fairtrade made by women in India. And they do great sales online too.

What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list? 

Next on my list is to get a pair of Saguaro’s trainers barefoot shoes for walking a pilgrimage.

Boots or Shoes?

Shoes, because they are much more comfy and light.

Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc 

https://www.serendipityfantasynovel.co.uk

Oh Maria, I used to read the Famous Five Adventures by Enid Blyton as a child ! Pure escapism indeed. Thank you also for my preview copy of Serendipity.

Linda x

All photographs have been published with the kind permission of Maria de Fatima Santos, apart from the header tree picture which was taken by me in deepest, darkest Suffolk! 😊

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Books, Interview, Life Issues/ Motivational Posts

Raising Jess: A Tale Of Hope Book Tour

I’m so pleased to be part of author Vickie Rubin’s “Raising Jess: A Tale Of Hope” book tour. Raising Jess is one of the most heart warming, uplifting and honest written memoirs I’ve come across in a long time. Before I welcome Vickie onto the blog, here’s a quick book summary:

BOOK SUMMARY

Raising Jess: A Story of Hope is the powerful story of one family’s survival when faced with adversity. Written with compassion, honesty, and humor, it tells of a family changed forever by the birth of a child with a rare chromosome deletion and their courageous decision to choose hope. Facing the challenges of caring for her daughter, marriage struggles, and the question of having more children, Vickie Rubin gives a glimpse in the world of her family and transformation while raising Jess. This beautiful, gripping memoir will delight and leave you wanting more.

Publisher: Page Publishing

Print length: 250 pages

INTERVIEW

Hello Vickie and welcome to the blog 😊

Hello! My name is Vickie Rubin, and I am the author of the award-winning memoir “Raising Jess: A Story of Hope.” This heartwarming story describes the joy and challenges of caring for our daughter, who was born with a rare chromosome deletion. I am a blogger and started my blog in March 2020, about the same time we were all told, “Don’t Leave the House!”  I am a mom to three adult children and Nana to three grandchildren. And Fur-Mom to two dogs (an Italian Greyhound, a therapy dog, and a Hungarian Vizsla). My husband Mitch and I plan to celebrate our 45th (YIKES, that’s a big number!) Anniversary in December.  

 “Raising Jess: A Tale of Hope” is definitely an uplifting and thought provoking memoir – what made you decide to write down your story? 

My Mom always said I should write a book. My adult children encouraged me to start writing after I retired from my career. Perhaps it wasn’t an official retirement since I became an author almost immediately—Hmm, failed retirement?   I felt an inspiration to share our story.  My original thought was that if “Raising Jess” didn’t get published, the narrative would still be a legacy for our family. The book was also written to demonstrate to readers that it is possible to be a thriving, active family, have more children if you wish to, and be involved in everyone’s life, “even though” you are faced with many challenges. Things WILL get better, “even though” it is hard to see that when you are in the thick of it. Additionally, the memoir raises awareness of what it is like behind closed doors for a family raising a child with severe intellectual and physical disabilities, demonstrating survival and hope with humor. It’s vital for professionals working with families of individuals with disabilities to read about the parents’ perspective. Raising Jess is our story of hope.  We believe hopecan be found in family, friends, and groups of people with similar experiences. Hope is all around if you keep looking. 

Your book highlighted for me how hard raising a child with a disability can be, how the need for a supportive network is vital; managing family dynamics as well as  the other various emotions and dilemmas faced ; combined with  moments of pure joy.  What helped you get through your toughest moments when Jess was first diagnosed?

When Jess was first diagnosed, I felt a sense of relief. I know that is not what you expect to hear. We knew she was delayed, yet the pediatrician continued to dismiss my concerns.  At one point, the doctor told me I needed counseling because Jess was fine. Well, perhaps I needed counseling, BUT Jess was not okay.  When my husband and I finally received confirmation from another physician that Jess was delayed in all her milestones, we were heartbroken, yet I felt a sense of relief. Now I can do something to help our daughter! Learning as much as I could from other families, attending therapies, and, at one point, trying alternative exercises for Jess kept my days active.  What helped me was finding friends who empathized with us without feeling sorry for us.  And having more children. Our three children and now our grandchildren are the joys of our life.  

Jess has the rare 1q43-44 chromosome micro deletion syndrome … what’s that exactly? 

1q43-44 microdeletion syndrome is a rare genetic diagnosis in which a portion of the long arm (Q) of chromosome one goes missing. This leads to a mix of symptoms, including developmental delays, intellectual challenges, speech issues, motor difficulties, unusual physical and cerebral traits, seizures, and distinct behaviors. Often, this syndrome arises due to a spontaneous gene deletion, but sometimes, it’s passed down in families.  Managing this isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. It involves tailored therapies, medical help for seizures, specialized education, community services, and support. Given its rarity (fewer than 1000 cases in the USA), consulting with genetic experts and medical professionals is crucial for up-to-date information and support.

 OK, now the definition in mom-speak is that Jessica is missing a piece of her first chromosome.  It happened suddenly at conception, as confirmed by my husband and my genetic testing.  We are not carriers, so it was not passed down from us. This means that Jessica’s siblings are not likely to have children with the same genetic diagnosis.  Finding the correct diagnosis took 21 years because the technology had to catch up to our daughter, Jessica! 

Were there any aspects of writing your book that surprised you, either by being harder or easier to relate than you expected? 

Writing the chapter on the grandparent and sibling experience was difficult. First, did I really want to hear what Jessica’s brother and sister had to say about their childhood? The answer was yes, and the resulting interview is an activity I would recommend for all families. One example was when I asked Jessica’s brother, “How would you describe Jess today to somebody you just met?” He did not describe her disability, loud noises, wheelchair, or hardships. It was simple: “She’s mysister”

Exploring the grandparent experience was more complicated than expected, especially interviewing my parents. I wanted to open a dialogue about Jessica’s grandparents’ perspective, so I sent my initial email to Dad. I informed him that I was interviewing everyone about their relationship with Jess and emailed the questions, hoping it would be easier for him to ponder at his own pace. 

Dad’s reply was the following:

“These are tough questions. I am thinking about them and realize I came up short as a grandfather. The questions have made me go back and think…I know I would do anything to make her life easier, but the interaction was different. It opened up a lot of questions. I am afraid Icame up short.”

I was daunted after I received Dad’s answer to my interview. “I think I came up short” resonated with me. I did not expect that response. My answer to him was:

“The questions were not intended to hurt you—your help made the difference between us making it and not, so if you think you came up short in one area, you exceeded in others.”

I truly appreciated his honesty and tried to make sense of his words. My dad was born in  1930 and raised in a highly different era where individuals withdisabilities were rarely cared for at home. Considering the time period in which my father was brought up, it was important to understand the norms for parents of that period. Back in the day, it would have been unusual for a child with adisability to be visible; most spent their childhood in institutions and were seldom seen in public.

I recognized that my parents’ experience with individuals with disabilitieswas limited, and their views were shaped by society’s attitudes in the decades they were raised. There are no hard feelings about my parents not knowing howto get involved. Perhaps I should have made suggestions or encouraged moreinteraction, but I also didn’t know how. It is a gift that this conversation with my parents was possible; it was enlightening for each of us.

I loved your writing style and the honesty that shone through.  I particularly liked the chapters written by Jess’s siblings about their feelings growing up – it’s so important for them to have their viewpoints heard, too. Did you find writing your story about raising Jess therapeutic? 

Thank you! And yes, writing was therapeutic for me. Writing each day about raising Jess and our family helped me to remember, evaluate, reminisce, and appreciate those years. My husband and children were my first editors, and that process opened up many new conversations and “Ah-Ha” moments.  The humorous instances came back with a roar and still keep me laughing.  

Talking about therapeutic, I was so busy writing, editing, publishing, and promoting during the Covid years 2020-2021 that it kept me sane; writing balanced and helped me look forward to something during those “groundhog” days.  

One thing I did feel was how strange it must have been for you to go from having Jess at home to having her at the stage of life where she wanted to be “independent”and have her own home . How difficult could you adjust to Jess living in a different place?  How well did Jess adapt? 

Choosing a group home for your loved one is monumental. Selecting a residential option outside of our home felt like giving up. We are her loving parents! Were we no longer willing or able to provide the daily physical care for our daughter? Were we making the right decision? Jessica was approaching age 25. As mom and dad, it was unreasonable but understandable to think we would always be around to provide the intense care that Jessica required. The hard reality hit us as she and we aged.  Mitch and I needed to make this decision when we were clearheaded. We knew that moving Jessica into a home in our community, with the proper support, was vital to her future and ours. We wanted Jessica to continue living a happy life surrounded by friends and family.  She deserves the privilege to live with her peers as independently as possible.  It took a while for me to find myself after Jess moved. My identity was my mom, who had a 24/7 responsibility.  Who was I now? Who were Mitch and I as a couple? It took a while to find ourselves, but we did. Even though Jess is in a group home, she is still our daughter and still needs intense family involvement.

Jess adapted remarkably well. Familiar items from home surrounded her, and we visited often. I think she was ready to leave her parents’ house!

What advice would you give to other young families finding themselves in a similar position to you?

●       When I discovered that Jess was delayed, I was so focused on fixing Jess that I didn’t stop to be momma and baby.  I was too focused on the therapy, not the fun (but this didn’t last long). Remember to have fun.

●       Accept support and help from others

●       If you have a spouse or partner, plan twosome time each week. Whether you are going out or on a date at home when your child is asleep.  

●       When you get on an airplane, the flight attendant reminds you to put on your mask first and then help others. The same applies to caretakers. Remember to take care of yourself so you remain strong to care for your child.

●       I found a Facebook group with families who have similar concerns helpful – but you need to be careful that it is a supportive, positive group and not a complaining group that can bring you down

●       Stay positive -Jessica changed our life for the better and has taught me more than I will ever teach her.           

Vickie’s current favourite shoes – Cole Haan Platform Wingtip Oxfords

You have a blog called “Vickie’s Views”  – What do you enjoy most about blogging?  

“Vickie’s Views” offers a blend of heartfelt wisdom, humor, and warmth, combining personal anecdotes and professional insights on disability, travel, and everyday life. I love writing a blog that touches others and receiving comments. Knowing that readers relate to or find comfort and humor in my words gives me joy.  I feel a huge connection with my readers.

Is “Raising Jess: A Tale Of Hope” available to purchase worldwide? Amazon UK Amazon BE

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing? 

I spend a lot of time exercising and playing with my grandchildren. So, as much as I like clothes, shoes, and bags, I typically wear leggings, tees, and sneakers! My four-year-old granddaughter is very into princess wear and gowns. She complained that I was not fancy enough for a day of hanging out at home. Below is a photo of formal wear with Noa on a random Tuesday. 

Do you have any favorite shops or online sites?

 I try to shop locally, but when I am unable to do so, I most frequently go to Bloomingdale’s. I admit I buy a lot of Amazon, which is the opposite of shopping locally. 

What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?

I have a pair of Armani wide-pleated trousers and a skirt. They look like pants from the front, but the back is a long skirt. Weird, right? They were my mom’s, and I tried them on and loved the fit, style, and, yes, the weirdness of the look. I am invited to a wedding in August and am looking for the perfect top to go with the pants/skirt. Please help! 

Boots or Shoes?

I live in Buffalo, NY, so I guess I should say boots, but I want to say shoes.  I wrote a blog about my first pair of fancy shoes. Finding the right shoe to go with an outfit always feels good!  I try to go for a pop of color like red or pink, more recently, light blue.  But my current favorite shoes are my Cole Haan silvery-gold Platform Wingtip Oxfords.  My husband and I traveled to Texas, and I bought my first pair of cowboy boots. I absolutely love them for their looks but not the comfort!

My real obsession is designer purses. I know, I know—what a waste—but if you divide the cost by the years of wear and tear, it’s not so bad! I own my mother-in-law’s Gucci handbag, which is over 50 years old, but if you look at it, it looks new—and it didn’t even need handbag Botox!

Below are the first pair of fancy shoes– Ferragamo

Links you would like to share:

·        Raising Jess (Amazon)  amzn.to/3DDSQt5  

·        Shop page on website https://bit.ly/RaisingJess

·        Barnes and Noble

·        Vickie’s Views- https://vickierubin.com/  

·        Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/RaisingJessStory

·        Instagram 1- https://www.instagram.com/raisingjessstory.vickierubin/?hl=en

·        2-minute PBS video – Vickie Rubin

BOOK TOUR DATES

GIVEAWAY LINK

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/4221b3a8357/?

Fantastic to chat with you, Vickie – and for that wedding to go with those delightful sounding trouser/skirt combo, how about a brightly coloured patterned or floral camisole/floaty top to contrast with your black bottoms ? Fuchsia pinks/oranges with splashes of black ? 😊

Linda x

All photographs have been published with the kind permission of Vickie Rubin

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Accessories/Jewellery/Bags, Fashion, Interview, Pets/Animal Life

An Interview With Dobbelaere Fashion

Love dogs ✔️ Love fashion ✔️ Then you are going to love Dobbelaere Fashion …. my guest this week is Ekaterina Dobbelaere and she is the founder of Dobbelaere Fashion Ltd. From her sewing studio in Hebden Bridge, Ekaterina makes stunning ladies wear AND dog carrier fashions. Yes, you heard right – chic dog carriers and stylish clothing for pet parents! I caught up with Ekaterina recently to find out more. Hi Ekaterina & welcome!

Hello! My name is Ekaterina Dobbelaere, and I make garments and accessories for petite ladies and their pooches. At Dobbelaere Fashion, I blend my passion for fashion with my love for pets, creating stylish and high-quality pieces for both women and their furry friends.

Who or what inspired you to start your fashion brand concentrating mainly on chic dog carriers and stylish ladies fashions? 

I have always been into fashion, and always had a thing for anything fashion-related. But my dog carriers are a different story. My husband got me into it). He comes from a family that used to manufacture pet accessories. 

So, long story short, less than a year ago I decided to start making dog carriers as an addition to my ladies’ dresses, tote bags, and style services. 

Have you always had an interest in fashion design or did you have other career plans whilst growing up? 

I have always been into fashion but didn’t plan to be in fashion. I wanted to be a singer or an actress, so, I wanted to be on a stage and perform, but I think fashion and stage always go together. 

All your designs originate from your sewing studio in Hebden Bridge – when and where did you learn to sew? 

Yes, that’s right, all my designs are made in my sewing workshop in Hebden Bridge. I learned how to sew when I was little, I used to make outfits for my dolls and design outfits for myself, but outfits for myself I didn’t sew, my mother did. So, we can say that I was a couturier and she was my seamstress). Later in life, I believe it was in 2016, I took dressmaking and pattern-making lessons. 

I love the dog carriers  -especially the Jute dog carrier – and for ladies, the Athens loose fit linen dress is rather divine. What dog carriers/ fashion designs/colours are most popular at the moment? Have you got favourite designs/items from your collections?

Thank you! I love the Jute one too. The most popular and best-selling one in the UK is the Panthera Dog Carrier. This carrier is waterproof (which is important for UK clients), windproof (also important if you live in the UK), dirt repellent, and very warm and cozy, plus, machine-washable! 

I think I like most of my creations because most of the dresses I also have in my wardrobe and wear regularly. 

So, when you are designing your dog carriers and fashions to add to your collection, do you go for popular trends, customer requests, personal favourites or a mixture of all 3?  

I would say a mixture of everything. Trends, tendencies, requests, market research, favourites etc. But, most importantly I follow my vision, my concept, my standards, my beliefs, my heart, and my ideas. 

As you are based in the UK, are your items available to purchase overseas?

Yes, of course, I ship worldwide. Some of my carriers and dresses can be seen in the USA, France, Belgium, and other countries. 

As a sideline, in a way, you also offer Dobbelaere Fashion Private label services and Fashion Business Consulting. What do these services entail?

Yes, 2 years ago fashion business consulting was my main part of the business and only a bit later, when I bought my sewing equipment I added dresses and dog carriers. 

I offer Private Label services. I specialise in creating custom dog carrier collections tailored to the brand’s unique vision and identity. From design conceptualisation to production and branding, I handle every aspect of the process to ensure high-quality, personalised garments that reflect the brand’s style and ethos.

Tote bags and dresses can also be done as a part of private label services. 

The most important thing is that there is no MOQ, which is crucial for young brands. 

Fashion Business Consulting. I provide tailored solutions to help fashion businesses to succeed in the competitive fashion industry. From market analysis and trend forecasting to brand development and marketing strategies, procurement services,  I offer comprehensive consulting services to guide on every step of the way.

Hypothetically speaking, if you could pick any woman ( dead or alive) to represent the “Face” of your brand, who would you pick and why?

I think the first one who comes to mind is Audrey Hepburn. Why? Elegance, chic simplicity, and pearls, of course, I love pearls. 

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?

I normally wear dresses and skirts. Almost 10 years ago I stopped wearing trousers, jeans, shorts etc and I try to inspire other ladies to wear more dresses. 

Shoes. Usually, I wear slingbacks, mules, court shoes, pumps, and loafers. 

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites?

Oliver Goldsmith Sunglasses. I love their sunglasses and actually, Audrey Hepburn and Princess Diana were wearing their sunglasses too. 

What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?

Interesting question. Custom-made pair of shoes perhaps? 

Boots or Shoes?

I think shoes. But, a lot depends on climate, mood, outfit, event, etc. But, yes, I would say shoes, unless I have to go horseback riding, in this case definitely boots) or walk my dog in the rain, you need a great pair of rubber boots. 

For pinning later

Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook/twitter etc so that readers can find out more about Dobbelaere Fashion Ltd.

Please take a look at my website www.dobbelaere.fashion, Also I have Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Pinterest accounts. I am always happy to see new followers. 

My Instagram

https://instagram.com/dobbelaerefashion

My linkedin

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ekaterina-dobbelaere

My Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/dobbelaerefashion

My TikTok 

@dobbelaere.fashion

Fabulous to chat with you Ekaterina! 😀

Linda x

All photographs have been published with the kind permission of Ekaterina Dobbelaere.

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