Category Archives: Life Issues/ Motivational Posts

Spotlight On The Bristol Pound Legacy

It’s been budget week in the UK … and talk of money, finances and taxes leads me to the interesting story of The Bristol Pound. The Bristol Pound was a local currency that operated from 2012 to 2021. Among its aims was to build community wealth and to raise awareness of the importance of local trading. The Bristol Pound was the first local currency to have digital and paper money from the outset; and was the first local currency to be accepted for payment of local taxes. Working for The Bristol Pound, my guest this week, Diana Finch, wrote a book “Value Beyond Money”, outlining the story of The Bristol Pound …. I caught up with Diana to find out more…. Hi Diana 😊

Hello. My name is Diana. I live in Bristol, but I only moved here because I got the job at the Bristol Pound. Before that I lived in many different places – Bath, Wiltshire, Devon, Kent, London and Edinburgh. I’m a mother of two grown up girls. In my spare time I currently enjoy dancing and playing the piano badly. I’ve worked in accounts most of my life, and for the last 24 years, I’ve focused on leadership roles within the voluntary sector.

Who or what inspired you to write the interesting Bristol Pound story  “Value Beyond Money”?

When it became clear that the Bristol Pound would be wound up on my watch, I suggested to the board that when the time came, I’d like to write a book to leave a legacy for the organisation. At first it seemed like an easy thing to offer, but as the time got closer, I realised that writing a book would be more of a commitment than I’d thought! 

Your book highlighted the enthusiasm, hard work and encouragement; as well as the importance of the aims; and unfortunately, its eventual closure in 2023 encompassing the Bristol Pound/BristolPay. It really is a “warts ‘n’ all” tale. Although you were not involved at the beginning of the Bristol Pound set up; did you discover anything surprising during your research that you were perhaps unaware of? 

I was really completely unaware of the story as it unfolds in chapters two and three of the book – from when the founders first met, through the height of its success and fame, right through to when the organisation was really struggling (which led to the vacancy for managing director being advertised). The biggest surprise was that so much of our funding was to create a mutual credit scheme that we never actually got off the ground! Part of me wishes I’d known more when I joined. But then maybe I would have felt more constricted in what I could do. But the main thing is, I’m really pleased to have understood all that background to my work now, as it puts it into a fuller perspective.

The Bristol Pound/ Pay aims were to raise awareness of the importance of localisation of trade to help towards reducing food miles/co2 emissions and to build community wealth by trapping money in the local currency.  It was the first local currency to have digital & paper money from the outset; and the first local currency to enable the payment of local taxes in the local currency. Who was attracted to the ideals of the local currency and why, do you think the attraction wasn’t maintained or extended? 

The people who were attracted to our ideals initially were the people who already thought like us – who had a similar understanding of the economy and the importance of localisation. It’s no surprise, as our marketing messages very much focused on our purpose. We thought, I think, that once we’d got people who understood the cause on board, the use of the currency would just grow organically. But in reality, the only people who ever joined were people who thought like us. It didn’t really speak to people who hadn’t thought in these ways about the economy, so they didn’t join. And without that critical mass, we could never really grow to the point where we would either be viable as a business ourselves, or create real impact in the economy.

How much do you think people in Bristol would have benefited, in general, from having a local currency? 

It’s very hard to say. And it would have depended on other institutions really getting on board and viewing the currency as an infrastructure project, rather than a niche hobby. I think with some additional collaboration, the potential was enormous. For example, imagine if payments in the currency were made to people struggling with food poverty, instead of using that money to support food banks. We could then encourage local grocers and farmers to set up markets in parts of the city particularly affected by food poverty, which the people in receipt of the payments could spend their money at. This would be amazing. Instead of food banks undermining the local food economy, as they currently do, we could be underpinning the local food economy whilst alleviating food poverty.  And instead of people in food poverty having to put up with whatever happened to be available at the food bank, they would have choice and control over the food they buy. There are lots of ideas like that – the scope for experimenting with different ways of addressing our social, environmental and economic problems was (and is) huge.

Reflecting on other local currency schemes worldwide, is there any method or thought that could have, on hindsight, been adopted by Bristol to ensure it remained buoyant?

In South Korea, lots of local currencies have been set up in the last decade. They have been heavily supported by local governments, with social benefits being paid out in the local currencies. The reason the local authorities are keen on this is that the money they give out in benefits gets spent in the local economy. So, they achieve two positive impacts with the funding they provide – alleviating poverty and boosting local businesses. I think that kind of approach would have been really helpful, as it would have meant that the money was available to a much wider demographic, rather than only to those who align themselves with a particular economic way of thinking. At that scale, the impact would have been much greater.

I was particularly impressed to read about the artwork on the old Bristol pound notes and so I was pleased to see the souvenir notes on display on your website. They are so colourful.   Do you have a favourite or two that you are particularly drawn to? 

Perhaps it’s because they’re the notes that I know the best, but the 2018 series are my favourites. I would find it hard to choose between them. They all feel very iconic to Bristol, though I guess urban foxes (the beautiful £B10 note) are found in most towns and cities these days.

Growing up, did you always want a career in finance or did you have completely different career aspirations? 

I really had no idea what I wanted to do when I was younger. I fell into bookkeeping because I was good with numbers. And then I decided to work in the voluntary sector after I became a mother, as I started to become more aware of the numbers of families really struggling. It was only when I got the job at the Bristol Pound at the age of 53 that I really thought, ‘Now this is what I really want to do when I grow up!’

 Is “Value Beyond Money” available to purchase worldwide?

Yes – it should be available anywhere through Amazon, I think.

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

I have to say, I think I’m a bit of a mess! I try not to buy new clothes because of the impact on the environment. A lot of my clothes are from charity shops or are hand-me-downs. I also make some of my own clothes – that way I can buy organic cotton and make the styles I want. If you try to buy clothes made ethically, there is little choice, and the costs are astronomical! When I’m dancing, I wear a lot of skirts and dresses that flow or swing out (wearing shorts underneath, for modesty.) Otherwise, I’m generally in trousers or jeans with t-shirts and jumpers. In terms of shoes, they’re nearly all flat. Clumpy boots most of the winter, and sensible walking sandals in the summer.

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites?

All the charity shops down the high street are my favourite boutiques! I tend to use online shops for things like my face oil and toothpaste – I try to buy products that don’t come in plastic containers, and without any chemicals or artificial fragrances. I rarely wear any makeup, and don’t possess any perfume. I don’t wear jewellery either. 

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

I’ve got some fabric that I want to make into a skater style dress. I thought I would do it in time for this summer – but it will have to be next summer now!

Boots or Shoes?

Boots for walking – more support and I find them more flexible than shoes. I’m thinking of trying out barefoot-style footwear next time I need to replace my boots. Shoes for dancing – with leather bottoms for ease of spinning. 

For Pinning Later

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

My author website: https://www.dianafinch.info/

Bristol Pound legacy (with shop): https://www.bristolpoundlegacy.info/

Instagram: Diana Finch (@dadafinchy) • Instagram photos and videos

X: Diana Finch (@DianaJFinch) / X

LinkedIn: Diana Finch | LinkedIn

Thank you Diana for chatting to us today. Thanks also for the preview copy of “Value Beyond Money”.

Linda x


All photographs have been published with the kind permission of Diana Finch

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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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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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Queering The American Dream Book Tour

I’m so pleased to be part of Angela Yarber’s “Queering The American Dream” book tour. Families come in all shapes and sizes as the memoir/travelogue, “Queering The AmericanDream” by Rev Angela Yarber, shows. Travelling the length and breadth of the USA in a camper named Freya , the queer clergywoman, her wife and child, make up a family unit that defies the normal American definition of a family unit. Before I introduce Angela to the blog, here’s a mini summary of her book:

BOOK SUMMARY

Beginning the day the Supreme Court ruled her marriage legal, Angela Yarber’s queer little family traversed the American landscape for two years in a camper named Freya, following in the footsteps of revolutionary women from history and myth. Amid her wanderings, this queer clergywoman grapples with the loss of faith, addiction, death, parenting, and what it means to reimagine the so-called dream promised to so many. With unapologetic grief, humor, and radical imagination, she creates a new dream, not just for herself, but for all marginalized people living in America.

Publisher: Parson’s Porch

ISBN-10: 195558141X

ISBN-13: 978-1955581417

Print Length: 188 pages
Purchase a copy of the book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Bookshop.org. You can also add it to your list on Goodreads.

INTERVIEW

Hi Angela and welcome to the blog!

Hi, I’m Rev. Dr. Angela Yarber, but most people call my Dr. Ang. I’m an award-winning author of 8 books and founder of Tehom Center Publishing, a press publishing feminist and queer authors, with a commitment to elevate BIPOC writers. With a Ph.D. in Art and Religion, I’ve been a professor of women’s, gender, and sexuality studies for nearly two decades.

More than a formal bio or accolades, I’m a queer feminist mama of two foster kiddos with disabilities who my wife and I adopted. In addition to writing and publishing, I’m a working artist and all my work is grounded in teaching about revolutionary women. I’m an enneagram 1, INTJ, Leo sun and Cancer moon who loves the magical place between creativity and organization.

What inspired you to write Queering The American Dream?

I was inspired to write my book because I’m sick of seeing so many marginalized people bound to the so-called dreams that have been systematically designed to disenfranchise us. Heteronormativity. White supremacy. The 9-to-5 rat race. Broken education, medical, and criminal justice systems. We’ve been told to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps by a country that has stolen our boots. And that’s not ok.

Or, to quote my queer clergywomen coven, “Honey, it’s not you. It’s the system.”

I wrote and published this book so that readers can see examples of what it means to live and dream differently. Because, in the words of Toni Morrison, the only life “you can have is the one you can imagine.” My inspiration is an exercise is radical imagination, of dreaming what life and work and vocation and family could look like if we heed the wisdom of queer women of color who have been dreaming creative, alternative, dismantling dreams from the jump. It wasn’t easy, but my wife and I tried to follow this queer, intersectional wisdom.

Your book follows your travels across the USA in a camper named Freya, with your little family consisting of yourself, your wife and your child. I have a campervan too so I can appreciate the nomadic dream. Where did you feel most comfortable and accepted as a family unit? In your opinion, why do you think some people you encountered didn’t appreciate that families come in all shapes and sizes?

Well, the day we left on our journey was literally the day the Supreme Court ruled our marriage legal, so roughly half the country still didn’t believe our family deserved equal treatment under the law. And this discrimination still exists in myriad other ways, often fueled by exclusive religion and bully pulpits.

Likely the place where we felt most accepted was Hawai’i Island, though there remain pockets of exclusion there, as well.

What or who inspired you to become a clergywoman? 

Interestingly, many of the same revolutionary women whose stories fill my book also inspired my initial call to ministry. Because my beliefs have shifted over the 20 years since I became a clergywoman, I now say that I hold my ordination with an open hand, no longer serving or practicing within my faith tradition.

It’s oddly one of the same quotes that inspired my travels that also inspires my calling. Passionate nomad, Freya Stark, claims, “It’s the beckoning that counts, not the clicking latch behind you.” Whether it’s the call to activism, the call to write, the call travel, or the call to ministry, the power of the call can’t be denied.

 “Queering The American Dream ” is more than a memoir/travelogue – you introduced snippets of the inspirational power of  Frida Kahlo and Pauli Murray too as you wove your way across the US – did you find recollecting your experiences harder or easier to write down than you expected?

Probably easier. Knowing that I rest on the shoulders of so many revolutionary women—from Murray and Kahlo to Audre Lorde, Jarena Lee, Gloria Anzaldúa, and so many others—emboldened me to write, not simply for myself, but on behalf of others.

Making courageous changes to one’s life path is not easy to do – what do you feel prevents a lot of people from being brave and making that leap? 

That same “clicking latch” that Freya Stark spoke of earlier. The clicking latch of adulthood, propriety, societal expectations, parenthood, and career can sometimes stifle bravery and creativity. Simultaneously, many people—including myself in many instances—lack the privilege and resources to make such a leap. My white privilege and higher education, for example, made taking the leap much easier. At the same time, my queerness and low socio-economic background made it all the harder. Many people have the bravery, but lack the resources. I hope that my book helps readers see that resilience, creativity, and integrity can bolster courage to step into the unknown.

Can you tell us a bit more about your time on Hawaii – what were your highlights about living in Hawaii and the downside? 

Living in Hawai’i is complicated. For me, it is paradise defined and I am tremendously grateful to have called Hawai’i Island home for five years and to have adopted my daughter through the foster care system there. The beauty of the island—its history, culture, myth, and geography—was both liberatory and salvific for me during some very difficult times.

Simultaneously, my wife and I discerned we could no longer live in the islands for two primary reasons. The first was the lack of infrastructure in supporting our children’s disabilities and medical care. The second, and more overarching, was that as haoli, or white people, we realized that, no matter our intentions or support of Hawaiian sovereignty, our presence on the island as non-kanaka landowners was contributing to colonization. We now support Hawaiian sovereignty and the aloha aina movement from afar by elevating the work of kanaka maoli. 

Growing up, what were your initial career aspirations?  

As a child, I wanted to be a dancer. And I retired from a career in professional dance at 30.

Is your book, Queering The American Dream, available to purchase worldwide?

Yes!

Are you a bookworm?  If so, do you prefer “actual” books or kindle?  What genre(s) do you enjoy reading? 

I think I’d call myself a bookworm. I do run a publishing company, Tehom Center Publishing, a press publishing feminist and queer authors, with a commitment to elevate BIPOC readers, so reading is kinda my job! 

As an academic, a lot of my reading is research based in gender studies, queer theory, and spirituality. And for fun, I really love travel memoir. I like an actual book in hand.

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

I’m very casual. At home, I’m usually in a sarong or gym clothes. Out and about, I usually wear shorts and a t-shirt or a sundress. Slippahs (flip flops) or running shoes.

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites? 

I’m not really into shopping, but I try to support the Syracuse Cultural Worker.

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

I used to be a major “shoe slut,” at one point owning 3 pairs of pink stilettos alone, but when we traveled full-time and “went tiny,” I narrowed my shoes down to 8 pairs total. All practical.

Though I rarely wear heels any more, I have been dreaming about the perfect pair of rainbow heels to wear throughout my book tour.

Boots or Shoes?

I really prefer slippahs, but if I had to choose between boots and shoes, I’d say my vegan leather Frida Kahlo combat boots are my decision.

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

Purchase book: https://tinyurl.com/kkv5kvk9

My website: www.angelayarber.org

Publishing Company website: www.tehomcenter.org

Get connected to Book Tour: www.tehomcenter.org/booktour

BOOK DATES

Fabulous to chat to you, Angela! Thanks for inviting me onto your book tour and for the copy of your book to review.

Linda x

All photographs have been published with the kind permission of Rev Angela Yarber


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Analyzing The Prescotts Book Tour

This week I’m so pleased to be part of author Dawn Reno Langley’s “Analyzing The Prescotts” Book Tour. This is the first time I’ve encountered a book in the LGBTQ+ literary fiction genre and it was extremely impressive reading – the very dramatic storyline drew me in and as each member of the Prescotts unravelled their views to their therapist, my opinions changed and then I realised I was getting caught up in the private life of Cotton Barnes, the therapist too. It was definitely a hard book to put down …. And I couldn’t wait to chat to Dawn about her reasons for choosing this storyline in our interview, but first here’s a quick summary of “Analyzing The Prescotts”….

BOOK SUMMARY

Cotton Barnes, a Raleigh, NC, therapist, leveled by a client’s recent suicide, is struggling to resume her practice when she begins working with the Prescotts, a family fractured when the father comes out as transgender and begins transitioning. They relate their stories in their chosen voices, each family member’s narrative in a different format. Journals, social media, and other nontraditional narratives challenge Dr. Barnes’ therapeutic skills. While each member of the Prescotts dodge land mines behind the closed doors of her therapy office, the Raleigh, North Carolina area is rocked by a series of LGBTQ+ hate crimes. As Cotton finds herself stalking the family, worried that she might not be able to “save them,” her husband slips away, and Cotton is forced to make a decision that will determine whether she saves her own marriage or the Prescotts.

Publisher: Black Rose Publishing

Print length: 308 pages

MY INTERVIEW

Hi Dawn and a big warm welcome to the blog 😊 Please introduce yourself to the readers …I

Hello, I’m Dawn Reno Langley. I’m a writer who has worked in every genre except screenplays (because I just like writing about everything!). Though I’m originally from the Boston area, I live in North Carolina with my scientist husband and my twelve-year-old Schichon, Izzy. I love traveling and am about to go on a new adventure — to Chile! 

Who or what inspired you to write “Analyzing The Prescotts”?

During the dissertation process for my PhD, I studied transgender authors and what they wrote both pre- and post-transition. Their works were fascinating to me for many different reasons, and the story about the Prescotts was inspired by their memoirs.

I really enjoyed reading your book, “Analyzing ThePrescotts ” and I particularly enjoyed the characters of Cotton, Hailey, & Janis.  I had sympathy for Gray too. What character did you particularly enjoy writing about? What character was the hardest to portray?

I’m so glad you enjoyed the story! That means a lot to me. I spend years with these characters, so when I release a book, it’s like sending my children into the world. 

I love all my characters, but I love Hailey and the kids most in this book. They are the ones who respond with love, while Gray is incredibly screwed up, and Cotton needs more time to recover from her breakdown before she takes on helping others. 

Cotton was the most difficult to portray, because she had to be professional yet skewed. She’s not a person really capable of helping the Prescotts, and she knows that her breaking points are affecting her ability to be an effective therapist. In essence, she’s not a bad therapist, but the Prescotts challenge her, and she probably shouldn’t be treating them. Ultimately, they teach her what it means to be a family, and I believe she is changed for the better, even though her own life falls apart.

Hypothetically speaking, if “Analyzing The Prescotts “ was made into a film, who would you consider to be great actors to play the roles of Cotton, Gray, Hailey, Janis, Marcus, Cherylynn & Cotton’s husband ? 

Wow, that’s a tough question. Hmm, I really think Meg Ryan would be a great choice for Cotton, because she has the ability to be both fragile and strong when portraying females caught in tough situations. For Gray, I think Lizzy Caplan might be a good choice. She has the ability to play a serious woman with a scary side. Hailey has to be Renee Zelwegger. She has proven to be a tour de force when taking on tough characters, and I think she’d be perfect for Hailey. As for Janis, Millie Bobby Brown can be tough and tortured, the way Janis is, and I think she’d bring an edge to the role that few others could manage.  Ella Anderson is perfect for Cherylynn. Ella has an innocent, happy face, as well as the depth to show the myriad emotions the middle child endures. Marcus could be played by Asher Morrissette, who has starred in soap operas and has a full range of facial emotions. Finally, I always imagined Thomas as Ethan Hawke–handsome, slim, and intense. That was a fun exercise!

The novel is based in North Carolina. What made you pick that location for the novel?

I live in North Carolina and know the area well. The place where Cotton lives is only minutes away from a house I used to own, the therapist’s office is based on one that I have visited, the Prescotts’ house is one I passed every day on my way to work, and the Raleigh/Durham area has experienced the type of gender bashing that I describe in the novel.

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

I’ve been a writer since the age of 9 when my first article was published, but I never really thought I could make a living at this profession. I always wanted to be a flight attendant so I could travel. (And even though I’m not a flight attendant, I have travelled extensively, so that dream has been fulfilled). It wasn’t until I was in college and became editor of the newspaper that I realized all I wanted to do was write–and I’ve done so ever since.

Is “Analyzing The Prescotts ” available to purchase worldwide?

By the way, whether the book is available worldwide, we just released the audio book, and the book is now available in the US,  Canada, the UK, and Australia.

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

I’d love to visit Uzbekistan, because it’s a mysterious, fascinating place that is not “over-touristed.” I’m not sure what kind of story I’d place there, but visiting the country would be inspiration enough for many stories, I believe.

I’d also like to revisit Kenya to get more information for a follow-up story to my novel, The Mourning Parade. I have an outline already started for a new book, but it’s waiting until I finish editing a trilogy that’s set here in the U.S.

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?

Oh, yes! I’ve spent my whole life with piles of books around me. When I was a child, I read every book in my little local library before graduating to the “big” library where I devoured biographies, books on traveling, and novels. Now, I read mostly literary novels (Barbara Kingsolver, Michael Cunningham, and Abraham Verghese are some of my favorite authors), but I also love fantasies, and I’d count books like Station Eleven, Night Circus, and The Ocean at the End of the Lane among my favorites. 

I love a physical book, but I have a Kindle because I do a lot of traveling and books are heavy!

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

I’m a writer, so sweats are my go-to. I also teach yoga, so I wear lots of leggings and sweatshirts. However, I do like to get dressed up and for the launch party for Analyzing the Prescotts, I wore a winter white outfit — crepe pants, turtleneck top, and below-the-knee duster coat. My favorite colors are black or white, so that’s what I usually wear. (I could use some fashion advice :-)).

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites?

Sundance clothing is one of my fav online shops. It’s owned by Robert Redford and features a lot of casual, funky clothing that I’d love to wear.

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

I’d love a pair of nice hiking shoes for the times when my husband and I are traveling. We walk/hike everywhere! 

Boots or Shoes?

I love boots in the winter, but usually wear Sperry’s in the summer.

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

www.dawnrenolangley.net

Facebook: @dawnrenolangley

TikTok: @proflangley    

Insta: @proflangley  

Pinterest: @proflangley   

BOOK TOUR DATES

Such a pleasure to have you on the blog, Dawn. Thank you for inviting me onto your book tour and thank you for a copy of your book “Analyzing The Prescotts “ for reviewing … a book I thoroughly enjoyed reading so 10/10 for me 😊

All photographs have been published with kind permission of Dawn Reno Langley, apart from the clock header photo which was taken by me.

Linda x

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Author Interview: Joan Lewis

In the 1970s in Britain, a disproportionate number of immigrant children were put into E.S.N (educationally subnormal) schools, considering them subnormal regardless of who they were or what they could achieve. This particularly affected the children of the Windrush generation who were from the Caribbean islands and had moved to England. “Because You Were There” is a powerful novel by author Joan Lewis is about the treatment of the Windrush immigrants. Although it is a work of fiction, the facts behind the story are very true. And Joan Lewis should know – in the early 1970s she was a young teacher at an E.S.N school in Bath. I caught up with Joan to find out more about her novel and her teaching career…. but first, here’s a quick book summary.

BOOK SUMMARY

A stirring and compelling novel about the scandalous treatment of Windrush immigrants. In the 1960s and ‘70s a disproportionate number of black children who came to Britain were sent to special schools for so called educationally subnormal (E.S.N.)  children whatever their talents, starting their life in Britain at a disadvantage because of their race. This introduction to racism would haunt them throughout their lives.

The failure to encourage one particularly talented child, Tina, is seen through the eyes of Felicity, her special needs teacher who would have liked to help but didn’t. Fifty years later Felicity returns to the same town and realises that Tina has suffered from discrimination throughout her life, and her family too. Is it possible to make amends, or even to say sorry?

A book about belonging. Tina left Jamaica, where she was loved and valued, for a country that treats her like dirt. In spite of all this, she feels a strong attachment to Britain. Felicity, who was born British, is alienated and feels that Britain no longer represents her values.

Tina, a bright and rebellious ten-year-old from Jamaica, leaves her homeland in 1968 to join her mother in Britain. But instead of receiving a warm welcome, Tina is forced to attend an ESN school, where she is treated as inferior due to her Jamaican heritage. Eventually, in desperation, she writes a cry for help in the form of a poem, giving it to the one teacher she trusts. But her teacher, Felicity, ignores her hidden plea, though as the years go by she remains haunted by the memory of the vulnerable teenager.

Fifty years later, Tina and Felicity cross paths again, and as Felicity grows closer to Tina’s family, she is drawn into a racist hate campaign conducted by her neighbours against Tina’s daughter. Can Felicity ever make amends for all that Tina and her family have suffered?

MY INTERVIEW

Hello Joan and welcome… please introduce yourself….

Hello. I’m Joan. I suppose my adult life can be divided into two parts: pre-France and post France. I was a teacher and primary school headteacher in the U.K. for thirty years. During that time we brought up two sons, first of all on our small holding in West Wales where we had a much loved Jersey cow called Mildred, as well as sheep, geese and chickens. We then moved to Marlborough, in Wiltshire. I loved teaching, but sadly, the job has been made overly stressful. I’m not sure I’d choose that career path again, although I very much miss the inspiration of young children. We now live in the middle of a national forest, in a stunning part of Southern France. We had to work hard to establish a living from two gîtes, but it has been enormous fun, and we have made some lasting friendships. We now have more leisure, and enjoy spending time on our boat. I have always loved to write, and at long last I now have time to do so. ‘Because You Were There ‘is my first published novel. There will be more!

“Because You Were There” is your powerful novel – a fictional story based on very true facts, about the treatment of Windrush immigrants in Britain.   What inspired you to write a novel in the first place? Why this particular subject?

When I taught in Bath, I was young and impressionable. I have so many memories from that time. It was exciting to live and work in a beautiful Georgian city. Also the children with their special needs made such a mark on me, and I  remember  every single pupil with affection.  They were all so much more than their ‘handicaps.’ One particular pupil did not have special needs. Like a lot of pupils from the Caribbean at that time, she was wrongly categorised, and removed from her neighbourhood friends. She wrote a poem for me…just imagine! It was a cry for help. But I did nothing about it. This has haunted me ever since. Recently, I was shocked to learn about the Windrush scandal, when bona fide British immigrants from the Caribbean were cruelly threatened with deportation. Could that have happened to my ex pupil? This inspired me to write a story, so that everyone could see how wrongfully we have treated this group of people throughout their lives.  It is pure fiction, but it is based on real events.

Who were the hardest characters to portray?

Perhaps the hardest character to portray was my arch villain ‘The Colonel.’  Although in real life, most of my fellow teachers at the special school were very kind, one teacher was particularly harsh towards these vulnerable children. He was also very misogynistic towards me. Obviously ‘The Colonel’ is purely fictional and much exaggerated, but I do think that I created this character in order to wreak my revenge.

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

I was surprised at how quickly my story was written. I think that my memories were so powerful, that they all came tumbling out. It was also as if the characters I invented took me over and said: ”Look, Joan. This is how we feel, and this is what happened.”

Hypothetically speaking, if “ Because You Were There” was made into a film, who would you love to see portraying the characters, especially Tina and Felicity?

Obviously Felicity, the teacher, is very loosely based on me. How about Penelope Cruz?(I joke!)  Letitia Wright is an exceedingly powerful and intelligent actress, who moved to Britain from Guyana when she was only seven. She would be amazing in the role of Tina as an adult,  although she would have to age quite a bit.

Have you always wanted to have a career in teaching or writing or did you have other career aspirations growing up?

I always wanted to be a teacher from the age of four, like my mum. 

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

I have periods when I love to read exhaustively, but the conditions have to be right. Kindle for me, though books are definitely more precious. I mainly read contemporary literary fiction, mostly by women such as Rachel Cusk, Claire Keegan, Zadie Smith, Maggie O’Farrell, Anne Enright , Ali Smith, and others. I recently met Natasha Brown, who is the author of a startling new book called ‘Assembly,’ and am keen to read any novels she may write in the future.

Is Because You We’re There available to purchase worldwide?

 ‘Because You were There is available through Amazon, Waterstones, and The Gurdian Bookshop.  

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

I got married in the seventies in a pair of jeans, and have never given up on them, though recently I have discreetly started to wear denim joggings. It’s always been casual for me: trousers rather than dresses, and boots and trainers, rather than heels: and maybe linen trousers, or a short denim skirt and sandals in the increasingly hot summers here.

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites?

I always shop on line: Uniqlo, M+S maybe. I find that clothes I bought from Boden years ago have aged well. I still have an ancient pair of Boden velvet trousers for special occasions that I adore.

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

My leather baseball type boots from Rieker which I wear non- stop in winter, are wearing out. If the soles can’t be replaced, I’ll have to find similar ones. I love the side zips and they are soooo warm.

Boots or Shoes?

Low boots or trainers definitely!  We take daily walks into the forest , so that’s a must. 

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

I love to blog. When I’m not writing something longer, it kind a’ scratches that itch. I can be found on: joansjottings.net

Thanks to Joan for the copy of her excellent book “Because You Were There” for reviewing. Also thanks to Cameron Publicity & Marketing.

All photographs have been published with kind permission of Joan Lewis

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An Interview With Stephen Jackley

In October 2023, former prisoner Stephen Jackley published his book “Just Time” , a revealing memoir and account of the reality of life behind bars in UK prisons. He was sentenced to 13 years for armed robbery and associated crimes, spending time in multiple prisons. Whilst in prison, he was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, as well as completed an Open University degree. I caught up with Stephen to find out more about his book, his experiences and his life after his release. Hi Stephen and welcome! Please introduce yourself..

I’m Stephen. A former prisoner and current editor, I continue to support initiatives that endeavour to have a social or environmental impact, including mentoring people in custody, helping publish books by those from disadvantaged backgrounds, tree planting and permaculture.

Who or what inspired you to write your memoir “Just Time”, a revealing account of the reality of life behind bars in UK prisons?

It arose from a vow when in custody to shed a light on certain aspects of life inside. I saw first-hand how the general public are often misled about prisons and prisoners, which has knock-on impacts on the effectiveness of the justice system. There is a need to showcase how it can be improved, for in doing so we can ultimately ensure that less people when released go on to reoffend.

Your book highlighted the problems facing UK prisons and the inconsistencies in our justice system.  Having spent over 6 years as a prisoner in multiple prisons, what do you feel are the biggest problems being encountered and how do you think they could be alleviated?

Prisons are part of the justice system, and even an aspect of the civil service, yet politics plays a very heavy part in how they are managed. Changes in policies have sweeping impact to tens of thousands of people’s lives, in a manner far deeper than other areas of society, yet these changes often arise from political ambition. The need to look ‘tough’ on the ‘reprobates of society’, and so forth. So removing politics from prison, making it adopt an impartial and scientifically proven criminological model, is the way forward. And likewise realising that even in the most perfect of scenarios, these are places where abuses of power are most likely to happen, so those inside need an accessible route of access to the courts – to hold the actions and decisions of prison authorities to fair account – as a last resort.

As you have been to different types of prisons in the UK, were there any major differences to prison life between them?  

The differences sometimes seemed as great as moving to an entirely different country, or even a previous century. In one prison you could have plentiful access to jobs, with regular unlock; in another you were in a Victorian-era cell for 23 hours a day or more. In one you could have access to a library and physical activity sessions; in another the closest parallel was hearing rat feet scutter along the concrete. 

Stephen also did a bricklaying course.

You were an university student when you went to prison and you managed to complete an open university degree whilst being in prison. What was you studying/studied originally in university and what was your Open University degree in?  How difficult was it to study in prison?

It was a Geography and Sociology degree that changed to an Open Degree with a focus on the environment when in prison. Studying in itself was fine when in custody, even easier due to the relative absence of distraction and plentiful time available, but there were certain obstacles like not being able to access the internet, or at times use computers for printing assignments.

While in prison you were diagnosed as having Asperger’s Syndrome.  What led to your eventual diagnosis? After being diagnosed, how was prison life for you?

The possibility of having Aspergers was raised before my sentencing, but not brought before the court’s consideration due to fears from my solicitor about the then ‘IPP’ sentence. It was raised again when clear difficulties arose in HMP Dovegate’s so-called ‘Therapeutic Community’. Finally, as I saw how others having committed similar offences were given lower sentences, and the fact I was sentenced at the very highest level of culpability (the explicit intention to cause harm), it seemed right to begin the formal process of appeal. But even after this, and before, the prison environment was one of constant noise, turbulence, unpredictable change and constraint that required medication to deal with.

Apart from writing your book, how has your experience in prison and your Asperger’s Syndrome helped in setting up your successful social enterprise since leaving prison? 

I would not say it has helped. There is widespread bias – rightly or wrongly – against ex-offenders. For many it is irrelevant what someone does after being in prison (or indeed before they even committed a crime): they are their crime. That stance has been cemented by media and culture. It’s possible to realise that ex-offenders are individuals, people who have gone astray or taken a step wrong, all with different circumstances, and that there’s no reason they can’t become positive, contributing members of society. I suppose in the process of setting up/running an organisation I have hoped people grasp that through the example I’ve set. But it’s often never that straightforward. 

Is “Just Time” available to purchase worldwide?

Yes. It is available through various outlets including the charity, Arkbound Foundation www.arkbound.com  – profits from the book go to the charity.

 What for you, was the worst thing(s) about prison life?  

The lack of contact with the natural world. 99.9% of the time you are surrounded by concrete, stone, metal. The few occasions on being escorted past an area of grass with sight of a tree were treasured.

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

Call it laziness if you wish, but I put comfort first. Unless it’s for some important meeting, I favour casual clothing and even sometimes push it too far with trainers and tracksuit bottoms for office based work.

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites ?

Independent ones with an ethical or ecological stance. There’s one in Glasgow: Locavore.

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

I need to get a proper raincoat. One that actually resists heavy rain. ‘Waterproof’ these days doesn’t really mean much, especially if – like me – you’re in Scotland!

Boots or Shoes? 

Shoes if in the city; boots if in the country. As I spend more time in the latter, it would be boots.

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

Find out more about Arkbound Foundation here: https://arkbound.com/about/  

or follow Arkbound Publishing on social media:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/arkbound

X (Twitter):  www.twitter.com/arkbounduk

Instagram: www.instagram.com/arkbounduk

Just Time: A Journey Through Britain’s Fractured Justice System by Stephen Jackley is published by Arkbound Publishing (paperback, £12.99) and available through booksellers and Arkbound: https://arkbound.com/featured-books/

Thanks Stephen for the chat. Thank you also for the review copy of your book. All photos have been published with kind permission from Stephen Jackley.

Linda x

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The Unshakeable Road To Love BookTour

I’m pleased to be part of author Brenda Shoshanna’s “The Unshakeable Road To Love” Book Tour. Brenda is a long term zen practitioner as well as an author, and she integrates teachings of both East and West in all her work, including her latest book “The Unshakeable Road To Love” where she explores the differences between real and counterfeit love. Before I interview Brenda, here’s a quick summary of her book…

BOOK SUMMARY

The Unshakeable Road to Love (Value Centered Relationships) is based upon Eternal Principles from all world scriptures, including Zen. These tried and true Eternal Principles, the Pillars of Love, show how to build foundations for relationships where happiness and well-being are inevitable. And where pain and conflict can dissolve on the spot. 

A radically different approach to love and psychology, the book offers a completely new perspective on fulfillment and what is truly needed to thrive. For example, one of the Pillars of Love upon which the book is based is:

To Be Happy, You Do Not Have To Be Loved, You Have to Learn What It Means to Be Loving.  

The book explores the difference between Real and Counterfeit Love. We discover how all suffering in relationships is due to being caught in the trap of Counterfeit Love. And how easy it is to break free from bondage and leave that trap behind.

This is a book of practice, filled with Turning Points, Pillars of Love, Interventions, and many enjoyable exercises so the reader can practice these principles in all their relationships and in their everyday lives.

Written by a psychologist, Interfaith Counselor, and long-term Zen practitioner, the book combines the practices and principles of both East and West, helping us to discover and celebrate the best in ourselves and others.

Publisher: Brenda Shoshanna (October 2022)

ISBN-10: 1094378046

ISBN-13: 978-1094378046

Print length: 208 pag

MY INTERVIEW

A warm welcome to the blog Brenda …

Hello! I am Brenda Shoshanna, Ph.d. author of The Unshakeable Road to Love (Value Centered Relationships. A psychologist, author, playwright, speaker, long term Zen practitioner, and Interfaith Counselor.  Overall, my work has focused on integrating the teachings and practices of East and West and showing how to make them real in our everyday life. I’ve offered talks, workshops, and meditation sessions for many years. My workshops are focused on both personal and spiritual development, and living an authentic life. My favorite teachers are my children and  grandchildren. They constantly remind me to be playful, expect the unexpected and join them in all their different journeys, with an open mind. I’ve just started a blog called Turn The Page, where I hope to integrate what I have discovered in the many different streams of life.

Your book, “The Unshakeable Road To Love”, is truly inspirational – an integration of both East and West teaching. What made you decide to write your book in the first place?

I have been working with these principles for many years, have always been fascinated by the power of relationships and love in our lives. The idea to write the book came during Covid.  I was inspired to write thebook as, along with Covid, the epidemic of loneliness, anxiety and isolation was at its peak. I had come by then to realize that isolation, loneliness and anxiety could be easily dissolved through the experience of Real love. And often upset and conflict dissolved on the spot.

You are a long term Zen practitioner and you have a weekly podcast called “Zen Wisdom For Everyday Life” … but when did you first realize this empowerment that practicing Zen can make a difference in love and life in general? 

I actually started reading about Zen practice when I was fifteen years old, was give a small book on Zen by a teacher in school and could never put the book down. I read it again and again. About fifteen years later I actually met my Zen Master here in NY. After the first night at the zendo (place where Zen is practiced, place for Zen meditation), I could not stay away. It called to me immediately. Then, sitting by sitting, month by month, year by year, the power and strength of practice became more and more evident in my life. It became my life. In fact there is no difference between true practice and one’s life. They interfuse one another.

Your book is jammed pack with hints, projects and situations to help on that road to love. Were there any aspects of writing “The Unshakeable Road To Love” that surprised you, either by being harder or easier to write about than you expected? 

It surprised and fascinated me, to realize again and again, how all encompassing and powerful the practice of love is, how important it was to keep mindful of it, and to keep practicing it myself. 

You have authored over 20 books, including self help titles, books on Zen, mindfulness and meditation- very impressive 😊 However, are you a reader too?  What genre of books do you read to relax?  

Believe it or not, I still love to relax with books on Zen, and also on the practice of releasing, love, and truths from all scriptures.

You are also the Playwright in residence at The Jewish Repertory Theater and the Ensemble Studio Theatre, both in New York.  When writing your plays,  do you use the same preparation as you would writing your books?  Would you (or have you) written a play based on the advice given in “The Unshakeable Road To Love”? 

I “was” playwright in residence at both of those theaters. I still write plays and actually, just received honorable mention from Tennesse Williams/New Orleans Literary Contest, for a play called “Searching For The Ox,” on Zen! The Master is the hero, it takes place at the zendo, and in Central Park among the homeless. 

When writing plays I approach them the same way I would fiction. I just allow the characters to arrive and to reveal themselves. I let things happen, unfold as they do. I don’t usually plot things out, but enter into a dialogue with my characters. And yes, yes, I use the tools I talk about in The Unshakeable Road to Love.

I welcome every character, grant them the right to be who they are and allow them to speak their truths. No rejecting them or trying to control them. In a sense it is a divine encounter I mention in the book. A true meeting.

Growing up, what career aspirations did you have?

I wanted to be an actress for many years. That morphed into being a playwright. Then I wanted to be a philosophy professor and also have a large family.

Is “The Unshakeable Road To Love”  available to purchase worldwide?

The Unshakeable Road to Love is available on amazon.com, bn.com, and other online platforms. Not sure about worldwide?

For pinning later

What are you working on now?

Just finished an Inspirational Memoir, called A Flash of Lightning. Working on finding the right agent and publisher for this work.

I’d love for you all to subscribe to my blog. There’s a place there to interact, and share your thoughts and feelings – The Forum. The blog will offer all kinds of articles on personal and spiritual growth, opportunities for dialogue, and a new upcoming podcast.

Also working on making the five and half years of my podcast Zen Wisdom for Your Everyday Life, into a series of books and also offering many articles based upon it on my new blog – TURN THE PAGE  (www.turnthepage.live)

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

I love colorful, simple, lively outfits, dresses, slacks and beautiful, printed top

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites ?

I like Coldwater Creek, Orvis, Bloomingdales.

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

I love long, knit dresses as the weather gets cooler, slacks and beautiful sweaters.

Boots or Shoes?

I like boots outdoors and shoes inside. Shoes are usually easier to get around in, and to get into at home.

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

I am on Facebook: Facebook.com/brenda.shoshanna

 Instagram  Zenlife7

Goodreads  https://www.goodreads.com/sunflower777

 Linkedin.com   Dr Brenda Shoshanna

BLOGhttp://www.turnthepage.live

BOOK TOUR DATES

All photographs have been published with the kind permission of Brenda Shoshanna. My thanks to Brenda for the review copy of “The Unshakeable Road To Love “.

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Journey Of The Twin Flame

I first interviewed author Richard Barnard nearly a decade ago ( see post HERE) in August 2014. His new deeply spiritual novel, “Religion’s Hidden Dark Secret – Journey Of The Twin Flame “ was an idea hinted at during my first interview with Richard , an idea he was toying with for a new book that looks into reincarnation and spirituality. And lo and behold, this book has now been published and I am so pleased to welcome Richard back on the blog to tell us more about his new book.

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BOOK SUMMARY

An alien from the future dies and the soul reincarnates, reborn back 10,000 years ago to a small African village beginning human life as what would become earth’s secretly hidden genuine Messiah and angels. The soul reincarnates a further five consecutive lives to the same village psychic soul tribe and throughout each incarnation visually multi-shares futuristic astral travel experiences with them. This practice enables them to see the future horrific atrocities of Africa and the Black race. 

The fifth incarnation the Messiah soul is born male named Koolah and in view of what’s ahead it’s decided this unique soul tribe perform a powerful ritual.  The spell insures they recognise each other and come together during each incarnation to carry out their joint humanitarian sole purpose, ultimately current day spiritually assisting Mother Africa to receive her reparation compensation for mass crimes inflicted by other sections of humanity. 

Welcome back Richard. It has been almost a decade ago since I last interviewed you in August 2014, when you hinted about an idea for a book that looks into reincarnation and spirituality and here we are with your latest deeply spiritual novel “Religion’s Hidden Dark Secret – Journey Of The Twin Flame”.   What inspired you to write a novel of this nature?

Thank you, it’s great to be back for this interview Linda and goodness ten years, that’s flown. Yes, I hinted the reincarnation vibe in my ‘Danny’s Boys’ novel and it got so many curious positive reactions from readers. The inspiration for ‘Religion’s Hidden Dark Secret, Journey Of The Twin Flame’ came whilst serving a 23-year jail term I received for being the principle organiser behind a massive cocaine shipment.  I felt getting caught and the harsh sentence a curse at the beginning but later realised it was part of a huge blessing.  Prior to that I’d lived an unhealthy life style: late night restaurant meals, endlessly smoking cigarettes day and night, constant partying, consuming and using excessive amounts of alcohol and cocaine, and to an increasing degree, smoking crack. The prison sentence saved my life and gave me a new lease of life, revealing who I am and what I’m born to do in this life.  It was during that prison sentence I gave up cigarettes, became a fitness fanatic and realised the universe, God had taken me to jail to get cleaned up, awakened and show me my calling and soul purpose of this life.  My life purpose is to use my writing talent helping Mother Africa receive her reparations and human equality.  The Arab & Transatlantic Slave Trade still has an effect on the Black race today.  Invaded, sadistically enslaved and forced into the slave master’s religious beliefs. Made to forget nature’s spirituality we’d practiced from the beginning of creation.  For sixteen hundred years forbidden to read or be educated in the religious slavers systems up until just over a hundred years ago.  This is one of the reasons the Black race is behind in society.  It hasn’t helped the colonist still has Africa divided and they’re bleeding the wealth not giving the starving people of the land anything. Western media in the west making us hate and kill one another and even hate our own appearance.  We’re demanding compensation in line with British and US law courts, a figure of £25 Trillion.  Reparation for 500 years of everything under the umbrella of European slavery, murder, rape, forced to work for lifetimes, forcing us away from Gods spirituality, compensated for the wealth obtained from stolen land, the list is endless.  Compensated for stopping one Black Africa developing into the wealthiest nation today.  The colonists are to leave all business interest in Africa and with our compensation and natural recourses we will build ourselves, carry on where we were before the intrusion. Further inspirations came from finding that I’m both spiritually and biologically part of the Jamaican Maroon tribe.  The inspirational magic runs ever deeper; three to four years ago the universe revealed my Twin Flame connection and what I’m here to do on earth.  I’m now in contact with my ancestors receiving spiritual downloads, novel material and amazing ideas for when Africa receives her reparations as are other Twin Flames helping the Native Indians, Aborigines and so forth.  I always felt odd as a child, my deep thinking about spirituality and the way my views on life never fitted with others.  Even Black children’s views for instance the Caribbean born Blacks teasing the Africans for the way the spoke and also the African’s reaction by saying, “we’re not diluted” Up until recently I’ve kept my spirituality secret from the people that don’t get it. But so many of us are waking up, thank God.  Yes Linda, if all that’s not an inspiration to write this novel, what is?

When was you first aware of your ancestral spirits and your purpose in life?

My first deeply spiritual encounter happened at around the age of twelve.  A young Romany gypsy lady Rosella assisted my first spiritual past life regression. Our joint regression reading reawakened our minds; conscious in ancient Africa to find in that life we hadn’t been forced into any man invented religious beliefs, instead deeply spiritual humans and part of a unique soul tribe. During the reading I knew after that life we’d continuously reincarnate meeting the same souls born into different bodies.  Throughout my life growing up I’ve always known this and had guidance from these souls, my deeply spiritual ancestors I’d met again during my childhood past life regression. To answer the question, looking back now that childhood regression reading was when I was firstly aware of my ancestral soul tribe and life purpose for this incarnation.  Since then after experiencing much spiritual phenomenon I’m now thinking the first and only time I met the Romany gypsy Rosella she may have appeared as a so-called phantom of if you like a ghost. 

I loved the intertwining of the characters (souls) – so are your characters based on observations of people you’ve come across in the past and incidents you’ve experienced? Who were the hardest characters to portray?

Linda, coincidently I met another elderly psychic medium and she told me I’m a writer in many past and future lives and often use the entwining method.  The style is part of my own unique style;a characteristic of the soul. The story features Rosella, it had to. Although she’s someone I’ve met just the once; Rosella and my first past life regression has impacted my life so much that I’ve entwined the experience, her name and character into the story.  Among others Rosella actually inspired part of the story.  Incidentally I’ve been reminded there’s no such a thing as a coincidence or a coincidental meeting or coincidental anything in the entire universe.  The character Koolah the Messiah was at first the hardest, but at the same time easiest to portray.   The reason for this is my mother forced us into Sunday school as children where the preacher indoctrinated a to be feared White God and Jesus into the minds of everyone in the church; many of whom were Black children; myself included so therefore at first I found it difficult to create a Black Messiah.

Were there any aspects of writing this novel that surprised you, either by being harder or easier to write about than you expected? 

Yes, the surprising part was how my ancestors with the material contacted me.  I also based one of the characters, Yanson Bailey off some circumstances that surrounded my young life. Yanson Bailey was hard to write because a lot of his struggles are based on my unique childhood.  The uniqueness comes from being the middle Black child growing up in a household with four lighter skinned mix-race siblings in the nineteen sixties and seventies. I had to go back in time and finally face my own childhood emotional struggles, which has in a way been an amazing therapy.  Which reminds me when I was a young man around fourteen and the lighter skinned people were more favoured, my White soul mate girlfriend was totally aware of my circumstances and she labelled me the ugly duckling.  At first, I felt why would she say such a thing but remembering the kids’ story book tale I knew she was one of many Angels put on my path, another member of my soul tribe. 

Hypothetically speaking, if “ Religion’s Hidden Dark Secret – Journey of the Twin Flame” was made into a film, who would you love to see portraying the characters? 

When I began creating the novel, on the advice ofthe actor and friend Ray Winstone I visualised it as a TV series to be aimed at Netflix, Tyler Perry or one of the other huge TV producers. Back then I could only see Idris Elba playing Daniel Cottle and Ray Winstone playing the older Charlie Baker.  I’m in contact with Ray and Idris and it would be a dream to bring those guys together in a major production.   As it stands now ten years on Idris could still play the maturing Daniel Cottle in later seasons and Ray the dual role of Charlie Baker and the eighteenth Century Jim Morgan who reincarnates physically exactly identical to modern day Charlie Baker. There’s a sorrowful scene showing the elder legendary pirate captain Jim Morgan having previously been arrested on the island of Jamaica now in his London prison cell waiting to be taken to the Newgate Prison gallows. There’s only one actress I’ve ever visualised playing the dainty mix-race, quarter Black Haitian witch, Claudette and that is no other than Jan Anderson.  This particular acting talent would do it justice, exploding on screen with her natural psychic personality.  I love nothing more than rags to riches success stories and there’s so much talent around the world waiting to be discovered.  Linda, wouldn’t it be nice to find gems introducing unknown, upcoming British, American performers; giving underprivileged Haitian, Jamaican, African and Romanian acting talent this unique opportunity in what would be a massive online TV production.  My parents country of birth Jamaica produces so much talent in all areas of life and I’d also love to see a Jamaican descent male actor play the flamboyant sixties – seventies pretty boy gangster Nathaniel “Cutty” Robinson.  

I loved the fact that I knew the locations featured in the book from East London, where I also grew up, through to Jamaica, Ibiza and West Africa where I have visited; it somehow immersed me fully into the book. So, if you could visit any location in the world for inspiration for your next book, where would you go and why?

The follow up to ‘Religion’s Hidden Secret’ ‘The Truth’ is again set in Jamaica, Ibiza, Romania, Africa and additional countries.  I’ll be away from the UK touring, spending time in those locations when creating the later drafts of the novel to get a feel for the environment and spiritually. To also connect with my ancestral souls in those locations for inspirational purposes.

Looking through your face book social media platform I’ve noticed you’re associated with many famous celebrities, Idris, other fantastic novelists; Conservative Party politician Jonathan Aitkin among them, actors, footballers, Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Kieran Richardson, Olympic Gold medallist Greg Rutherford, major producers like Nick Love and many more. Richard, you know some fascinating people!

Many others say exactly that.  The universe has presented each and every person and spirit to me in this life, including you Linda for friendship and this interview.  I was introduced to Idris and after reading some early drafts of this novel he said I was a great writer, which I took as a huge compliment because he gets screenplays thrown at him regularly by seasoned professional, renowned Hollywood writers. I spoke to him quite regularly whilst he was filming a season of Luther and people around him explained I had an effect on him because he never usually spoke to anyone whilst filming. Ray Winstone’s another one, we constantly spoke when he was on set in South Africa, these guys just find my journey and soul purpose of interest.  You mentioned Nick Love; he showed up at my book launch event in Notting Hill on the 25th August just last month and I’ve always known in him I’ve found a soul mate; always on hand to help with advice. 


Past or present if you could sit and have a conversation with anyone, singling out one who would it be?

 That’s easy, my Twin Flame; other half of me of course.  Linda, imagine meeting the other half of you, other half of your soul in this lifetime. Ok, other than my Twin Flame another person who is alive today : the greatest that has ever graced the sport of boxing, Floyd Mayweather Jr.  I’m a huge boxing fan and firstly,  I have to say Cassius Clay/Muhammad Ali is the greatest and I feel that Floyd would totally agree because not only what he did for boxing and other sports but influence he will always have on the entire planet. His stance on a Black man fighting in the Vietnam war and by the way I can’t remember word for word but this was his explanation for not going to Vietnam :“You want me to travel thousands of miles to kill a man that’s never enslaved , hated or racial abused me, has no problem with my colour or African heritage.  I’m to kill him for America where I’m just a nigger.  If I’m not shot dead or tortured to death in Vietnam; when I return to America I’m still a nigger, my wife and children not allowed in white schools, restaurants, segregated toilets and parts of buses. Legalised KKK terrorist doing what they wish.   Going to Vietnam would make me a coward in the eyes of my race and wife and I wouldn’t feel I deserve to share our bed.  Am I afraid of going to jail for a few years?  As a Black man in America I am already in jail.  So a few years in one of its jails is nothing. My ancestors went through lifetimes of horrific slavery, men  women and children so that I could be here today and protest for freedom and equality” . Most famous man in the world, if he’s not the greatest, who is?  Brazil are the greatest soccer nation in the world because they’ve won the most FIFA world cups.  Floyd is the greatest boxer because he has the best boxing record. Yes, for many reasons, I’d love to sit with Floyd, it would be a honour to be in his company, speak to him about his career and invite him to invest in our African project and also the TV series based on this novel.

Whose work is your favourite?

 Firstly film.  In my top thirty there’s many Black movies, Samuel L Jackson, in ‘Time To Kill’ Spike Lee’s ‘Malcolm X’, Denzil Washington in ‘Glory’ growing up as a bit of a lad I love all the gangster movies, Scarface, Goodfellas, Casino but it shocks people to say my favourite movie of all time has to be the Steven Spielberg masterpiece ‘Empire Of The Sun’ – it fascinates people when I say this because there is no Black characters but what got me was I aspire to be a great author such as the one who wrote the story J G Ballard and I watched the film during a difficult time in this life where I was on a deep survival mode.  The novel is based on the writer James’s life story where as a spoilt; well to do child in Japan in a split second his life was turned upside down and he had to survive.  I actually watched the movie before reading the novel and the novel was great but when reading back this novel Religion’s Dark Hidden Secret’ it sends shivers through me.  I read back parts of it thinking where did all this come from?  Then realise it was put into my mind by me ancestral soul tribe.  To answer the question the material my ancestors gave me is my favourite.  Also when this is made into a movie followed by an on-line series ‘Religion’s Hidden Dark Secret’ will push ‘Empire Of The Sun’ into my second place.

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

Whilst serving time and after release I’ve read some fantastic novels, Alexandre Dumas’s ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’ Nelson Mandela’s ‘Long Walk To Freedom’ JG Ballard’s ‘Empire Of The Sun’ and other all time greats although I’m not actually a book worm as such, I’m usually too engrossed into creating my own material. I don’t mind a kindle or actual book.  Just to add, I spoke to an old flame a few years back and she reminded me I once explained the kindle idea to her way before it was invented.  That must be the psychic power within me. 

Is “Religion’s Hidden Dark Secret  – Journey Of The Twin Flame” available to purchase worldwide?

Yes Linda! The hardback, paperback and kindle can be purchased on Amazon and later the audio copy will follow.  We’re in the process of promoting it all around the world, beginning in the Caribbean and moving to the US. This story is designed to help eradicate racism bring equality to humanity and end world hunger.  Among the many points it makes, our bodies die and we as souls reincarnate.  As a woman of any nation conceives birth we souls begin life, Black White or any nation in any era.  I’ve known for a long time that there is no such a thing as individual races.  We were all Black at some stage but some nations have evolved to appear differently to deal with climates. There is only one race and that’s the human race. By the way Linda, I strongly feel you personally have lived some enjoyable Black lives and you’ve actually felt a familiarity when holidaying in Black homelands. The story goes deeper explaining Black Africa is the cradle of civilisation; the entire human race began Black.  When you look at those two points alone it just shows how pointless, vile and sickening racism really is. 

Ok Richard, the goal? You speak of your soul purpose, bringing prosperity to Africa and so forth. How do you plan to do this?

When this novel is a success,  I’ll have a voice.  I’ll begin by bringing together everyone with influence and empathy for to the long horrific destruction of the Motherland and today still oppressing the Black race. Invite them to join me in a project that continuously comes to me by way of beautiful dreams. The Rapper Akon, Roger Federer, Sadio Mané, Idris, Tyler Perry, Floyd Mayweather, Nick Love, Oprah and hundreds of others are to be invited to invest in this project where the west will teach African indigenous people to be self sufficient.  Anybody will be able to by shares in this fruitful and at the same time meaningful investment.  We’re to approach an underdeveloped country government to talk about investing in a Black financed and Black built West coast African town to rival Dubai.  Education, tourism, export businesses, airstrip and an international airport, training and employing local labour, wouldn’t that be amazing? We won’t stop there, put another tourist attraction town further down the coastline and train track right around the coast adding hotels building the tourism industry. Tourist trips to the slave forts, etc showing the world Black and White, even Arab tourists where they came from; slaves and slave masters.  Linda, this is where it goes deep.  The human body I have at present will eventually die but I’ll reincarnate in around two hundred years to witness all the colonists that are still today bleeding Africa dry, they’ll be gone, all greedy sell-out, corrupt Black politicians, gone.   Instead Mother Africa smiling again, a booming Black African economy. No man invented religion, instead nature’s spirituality, one leader, one country, one currency. You ever listened to the John Lennon track, Imagine? For me among the simplest and most positive lyric ever written. It’s my responsibility to help make this happen.  With the help of spirit we’ll be unstoppable.

Personal now and on a much lighter note – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?

Sounds strange but even when going out partying, I like to dress casual in jeans, tee shirts, jumpers, especially makes like Hugo Boss, Replay. I’ve begun doing radio and televised events, which will lead to national TV talks surrounding this project and I suppose now I’ll have to treat myself to a new swanky suit or two.  Maybe Armani, Hugo Boss or another cool brand.  

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites?

All the shops I’ve just mentioned, Linda.  I’m also forever ordering a Nike training shoe from JD Sports.

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

With a little luck many swanky suits, which would tell me I’m headed the right direction with this amazing project.

Boots or Shoes?

I’m a boots type of guy, Linda. The reason being I find nothing more annoying than when the backs of your jeans or trousers keep getting caught inside the heel part of the shoe.  With boots you’ve no need to worry about this.

Links:

Thanks for the chat, Richard. I found your novel riveting and I really enjoyed the entwining journeys of souls connecting and reconnecting across time. Many thanks for the copy of the book to experience the journey myself .

Linda x

All photographs (apart from the fire eater photo – by Linda Hobden) have been published with the full permission of Richard Barnard.

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Hope Always Rises Book Tour

I’m so pleased to be part of author Kathie Giorgio’s “Hope Always Rises” Book Tour. Author Kathie Giorgio’s novel is on an emotional subject that few people tackle – suicide. “Hope Always Rises” is rich with empathy, with a sprinkling of humour and tons of imagination. I found the book very intriguing – although the subject matter is a very emotional one, Kathie’s imagination made me giggle in parts and thoughtful in others. I just couldn’t wait to interview Kathie …. but first here’s a book summary and an excerpt…..

BOOK SUMMARY

In Heaven, there is a gated community for those who end their lives by choice. This is a complete surprise to Hope, who ends her life one morning on the banks of the Fox River in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

Hope has always dealt with deep sadness. From childhood on, she visited therapists, doctors, alternative medicine practitioners, Reiki artists, etc., to no avail. In Heaven, God reassures her that he knows what caused the sadness, but he won’t reveal it yet.

All community residents are required to attend weekly group therapy. Hope’s first group is led by Virginia Woolf. Several of the book’s chapters tell the stories of other members of this group.

Filled with many moments of striking humor, uplifting realizations, and difficult challenges, Hope finds her way in Heaven. She meets many people like herself, who help her restore her forgotten artistic talent and passion, and God himself, who is amazingly human in the most inhuman of ways. Hope finds understanding and forgiveness, and most importantly, friends.

Publisher: Black Rose Writing

ISBN-10: 1685132421

ISBN-13: 978-1685132422

ASIN: B0BV36PQKL

Print length: 342 pages

AN EXERPT

I never knew God slept. I certainly never expected him to wear pyjamas or have rumpled hair. But if he looked like the God I always imagined, the God with long white hair and a beard and a moustache and a serious, serious face, I never would have been able to rest my head on his shoulder, like I was able to do now.

I was very glad he wore blue flannel pyjamas.

“You knew you couldn’t expect them to be happy, right, Hope? You knew that,” he said, and wrapped his arm around me. “It was part of your choice to end your life.”

I turned my face into his chest and wept.

It had been my choice. I didn’t expect them to be happy.

But I never thought I would witness their sadness.

For the first time, I regretted Heaven. I wished for the black void that I thought death might be, that day that I swallowed each pill with a gulp of wine.

“It’ll be okay, Hope,” God said. Not a booming voice from a burning bush or a dark cloud. A soft voice that soothed me as I cried.

THE INTERVIEW

Hello. I’m the writer Kathie Giorgio, the instructor Kathie Giorgio, the business owner Kathie Giorgio, the wife and mom Kathie Giorgio…and a few other roles too. But the writer is who I am at my purest form. I knew I was a writer by the time I was eleven years old. All the others came afterwards. 

Who or what inspired you to write “Hope Always Rises”? 

As a creative, and someone who teaches creatives, I’ve known many people who have chosen to end their own lives. The incidence of suicide among creatives is higher than that of the average person on the street. For me, the decision to write this book came when I overheard a conversation between two women who were talking about a “friend” who’d recently chosen to end her life. They talked about how selfish she was, how awful, a monster, what a terrible thing to leave her husband and family behind. I was in a coffee shop, and before I left, I turned to them and said, “Did it ever occur to you to think about what kind of pain your friend must have been in to make this decision? To make it seem viable and the only way out?” And then I left. 

I went home and began to write this book.

It is always difficult tackling non conventional/emotional topics in novels but I think with “Hope Always Rises” you have tackled the topic with empathy, a dose of reality, a touch of humour and, as for the gated communities of Heaven – imagination!  In fact, the Heaven imagination is quite comforting, and makes the thought of death less “scary” (when it comes to the fear of the unknown). I’m not sure whether I can forget the vision I had when I read about God in his pyjamas! The characters in your novel are quite a believable  bunch – the main character Hope, her mentor Faith, her friend Joy, the coffee barista Joe, Virginia Woolf …. to name a few.    I had a fondness  for Hope but I also liked Joy!  She made me giggle. Did you base a lot of your characters on people you’ve met in life? Which character did you enjoy writing about the most?  Which character was the hardest?

My characters always come purely from me; I don’t base them on anyone I know. I am probably the most fond of Hope. She tried so hard in life, and she hasn’t given up in death. Her desire to know and understand is so strong. 

I think I probably enjoyed writing the character of God the most. There were a couple of times when I made myself gasp, such as when God admitted that he has made mistakes. But in my head, a human-like God would be the most empathetic of all beings. Nonjudgmental, totally filled with unconditional love, and someone you can talk to about all things. I have no idea if God is real, but if he is, I hope he’s like mine.

I would say, though, that while God was the most enjoyable to write, the most poignant moment for me was Sarah, who was the main character in Chapter 16: The Fat Girl Takes The Long Way. That story originally appeared, in slightly different form, in my collection, Enlarged Hearts. All of the stories in that collection are set in a large women’s clothing boutique in a mall, and all the main characters are only known as the Fat Girl; no one has a name. But in this book, I was able to give her a name. Sarah. She so earned it. Because in Heaven, you just aren’t part of a group. You are yourself. 

The most difficult character? Probably Buddy, from Chapter 20: All Better?. His actions cost his little boy his young life. Trying to force myself into that head was so, so hard.

Your vision of Heaven –  I liked the idea of the numerous coffee shops and poodling around in golf carts!  What aspect of your Heaven appealed to you the most? 

Being able to eat and drink anything I want, and it won’t cause me any harm! Butter rum muffins for everyone! And the best coffee ever.

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

London. I have a very strong desire to see Big Ben. He was recently re-opened (yes, I refer to the big clock as a “he”) and now you can even go up inside of him, all 300+ steps. I would love to write a book about something that happened on the long trip up and the long trip down. There’s just something about that clock that is timeless.

For Pinning Later

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

Absolutely I’m a bookworm. I don’t think you can be a writer without being an avid reader. I prefer literary fiction. I love Anne Tyler, Ellen Gilchrist, John Irving, and so, so many. And it must be a real book. No e-book, please. When I travel, I always make sure I have a washing machine available, so I can fill my suitcase with books and not clothes. 

Is “Hope Always Rises” available to purchase worldwide?

Yes, it is.

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

I was writing before I knew I was writing. I told stories before I could hold a pencil. Eventually, I traced pictures out of my storybooks and rewrote the story the way I felt they should be written. And in the fifth grade, I read a story in front of my class, and from the back of the room, my teacher, Mrs. Fatticci, said, “Ohmygod, Kathie. You’re a writer!” And I knew that I was.

Apart from being an author of 7 novels, 2 story collections and an essay collection;  you have also written 4 poetry collections.  Do you have a particular preference ?

For what I prefer to write? Definitely fiction, though I love all forms. But if I was told I could only write in one genre for the rest of my life, I would choose the short story. Even my novels contain short stories. I just can’t help myself.

Personal now – what outfits and shoes wouldn’t you normally be found wearing?

During the fall and winter, you’ll find me typically in leggings and warm sweaters and boots, either ankle boots, or boots to the knee. During spring and summer, I’m in leggings or capris with polo-type shirts if I’m teaching, or t-shirts if I’m not. Oh, and sneakers. I have a pair of Skechers that are very subtly a rainbow. I keep buying one more pair so I’ll have it when the older pair wears out. 

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites?

Love ThredUp online, and I love scrounging at Goodwill and St. Vinnie’s. I also hit the sales at Lane Bryant and Torrid.

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

I was shopping this last weekend for something to wear at the launch for Hope Always Rises on April 27th. Thus far, I have 4 outfits, with two more on the side. And I’m still not happy. So I’d like something that looks classy, not frilly, intelligent…and makes me looks like I fit in a size 10. 

Boots or Shoes?

I would change shoes to sneakers, and then I’d ask if I could have both boots and sneakers. 

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

www.kathiegiorgio.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathie.giorgio.5/

Facebook fan page: https://www.facebook.com/kathiegiorgioauthor/

Instagram: @kathiegio1

Twitter: @KathieGiorgio

BOOK TOUR DATES

My thanks to Kathie Giorgio for a copy of “Hope Always Rises” for review purposes. All photos have been published with kind permission of Kathie Giorgio.

Linda x

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