FF- Your community Magazine
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Female Focus
This month we are reviewing two more books from local authors which are great reads and would also make lovely presents for someone’s birthday or Christmas.
The Geisha With the Green Eyes
Costa Blanca resident India Millar is delighted to have her historical romance novel “The Geisha With the Green Eyes” published by USA publishing group Red Empress Publishing.
She began writing around two years ago initially as a means of keeping her brain active. Very quickly, what started as a hobby turned into what is now virtually a second career, with hours spent at the keyboard every day. India currently has seven novels published on Amazon, but decided to go for every independent author’s dream and approached Red Empress with “The Geisha With the Green Eyes” and was amazed when it was accepted immediately. India says, “I was thrilled, of course, but instead of taking the summer off from writing this year, as I had intended, instead I spent an intensive three months editing, re-writing, agreeing copy and covers, a process which was far more intensive and difficult than writing the novel in the first place!” But it was well worth it, three days after launch, “Geisha” was already ranked in the Top Hundred in its category on Amazon.
“The Geisha With the Green Eyes” has been compared by reviewers to “Memoirs of a Geisha”, and to quote one 5* review, “The author does a wonderful job of painting her characters with just the right amount of resignation and fierce pride that ruled the days -- and nights -- of these remarkable women.” One reviewer has already asked for a sequel; maybe, but not until it gets a bit cooler! “Geisha” is available as an e-book from all the major e-book retailers, including Amazon, or is available in paperback format direct from Red Empress Publishing on
www.redempresspublishing.com. If you would like to see more about India’s books, they are all detailed on her website at
www.indiamillar.co.uk.
It’s ‘All In The Mix’ with Costa Blanca Writers
When you’re done with your copy of Female Focus, or rather when your other half has squirrelled it away, how often do you wish you had something quickly entertaining to read with your morning coffee or that you can pick up and put down when you only have a few minutes to spare? This little book of short stories and poetry called ‘All in the Mix’ just fits the bill.
It’s written by Costa Blanca based British writers from Jalon Valley Writing Group & U3A Vall del Pop and it’s the latest volume of short stories and poems from UP Publications. In this lively selection there is something for everyone in this intriguing mix of the mysterious, the comical, the acutely observed and the lyrical. A compelling bonus is that royalties will be donated to charity, with local sales benefiting Jalon Valley HELP, an essential charity which supports the community during difficult times. Nine very different writers have contributed to this eclectic collection: Agnes Hall and Avner Kornblum are authors of several published works. Vivien Johnson has won international competitions with her poetry, while Sheila Skinner and Gail Tucker return from the earlier
volume “Picked & Mixed” with more of their engaging work. Also back is Colin Hall, a.k.a. ‘Colin Campsite’, noted for his humorous articles for the Costa Blanca News. Fresh pens on the scene are wielded by retired marketer Deborah Grant; active guiding force in the U3A Jean Watson; and ex-hotelier, Paul Walmsley. Gaile Griffin Peers, Chief Executive of UP Publications said: “Following the success of ‘Picked & Mixed’ in which Bay radio listeners featured, we wanted to publish another anthology from locally based talented amateur writers. These works reflect the diversity of the authors and I’m confident ‘All in the Mix’ will be enjoyed by anyone who likes a good read.” Here’s a taster from ‘Sacrifice’ by Sheila Skinner: “We’ve had this conversation before, I know what’s coming and take a deep breath.” Avner Kornblum imagined his story ‘The Lie’ some time ago but it now looks spookily topical: “Andrew Bigliar was a nobody who suddenly became president of his parliamentary party then Prime Minister within 6 months. Remarkable enough, but what mischief did he have to create and with whom could he collaborate safely in order to stay in power?” Group leader Agnes Hall said “I hope this book encourages other aspiring scribes out there to join a creative writing group and see what they can achieve.” You can buy “All in the Mix” for £11.95/€14 online direct from
uppbooks.com, direct from a link on ‘All in the Mix’ Facebook page, major UK bookshops, major e-book retailers. Local outlets include Jalon Valley HELP Shop, which will receive a generous donation of a third of the price. If you would like more information, please contact Deborah Grant at
allinthemix@gmail.com. Charity website:
http://jalonvalleyhelp.com.
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