Kalmann and the Sleeping Mountain

Kalmann and the Sleeping Mountain

By Joachim B. Schmidt

Translated By:-Jamie Lee Searle

Genre:-Crime Fiction/Nordic Crime/Translated Fiction

Pages:-288

Publisher:-Bitter Lemon Press

Blurb:-A Nordic crime thriller with a difference. No gratuitous violence, no revenge porn, but a lightly plotted thriller that is chock full of humour. It is set in Washington DC and northern Iceland, both highly exotic locations.

An Endearing Protagonist: Our mentally challenges hero, described with empathy and psychological tact, is faced with two murders and the threat of more to come.

 A Prize-Winner. Joachim B. Schmidt received the Crime Cologne Award for the first Kalmann and the novel is shortlisted for the 2023 SpecSavers Debut Crime Award. As the jury in Cologne put it: "With Kalmann, the award goes to a classic picaresque novel cloaked in crime with an oddball protagonist at its heart. Schmidt succeeds brilliantly with the childlike, naive narrative technique of his protagonist.

 Kalmann is back! But he's already in trouble; in an interrogation room at the FBI headquarters in Washington, no less. All he wanted to do was visit his American father, but the loveable sheriff of Raufarhofn got himself mixed up in the January 2021 Capitol riots.

 Thanks to sympathetic FBI agent Dakota Leen, he's soon on a plane home, But not before she informs him that his grandfather was on a blacklist, suspected of spying for the Russians during the Cold War. Back in Iceland, there's a murder and one heck of a mystery to unravel. And what role does a mysterious mountain play in all this? Somehow Kalmann never loses heart. There's no need to worry; he has everything under control

Thank you #AD #Gifted #FreeHonestReview @randomthingstours

Instagram:-@joachimb.schmidt @bitterlemonpress @randomthingstours @paulalearmouth

X(Twitter):-@JoachimB5chmidt @bitterlemonpub @RandomTTours @mamof9

My Review:-Kalmann's father has invited him to America for a visit. Even though he enjoyed his time in America, things didn't go to plan and didn't end the way he thought it would. Kalmannends up getting mixed up in the storming of the Capitol on 6th January 2021 and ends up in trouble with the FBI. With the help from a FBI agent, Dakota Leen, he's deported from the USA back to Iceland. But there's one thing he's told from Dakota before he leaves.. his grandfather was on the blacklist, they thought he was spying for Russians during the Cold War. Back home Kalmann wonders if his grandfather dying, was really a murder. It's up to Kalmann to dig deeper into his grandfather dying, but in the meantime there has been another murder...

 Kalmann is a loveable character, you can't help but like him. The book has many interesting characters that will you meet along the way. This book has a bit of everything mystery, crime, murder, humour and a few twists. Even though I didn't read the first book, I didn't feel like I missed anything.

A Couple's Guide To Menopause

A Couples Guide To Menopause: Navigating the change together

By Kate & Neil Usher

Genre:-Non Fiction

Pages:-256

Publisher:-Hero

Blurb:-The menopause can challenge even the most stable, loving and supportive relationships: here's how to make sure yours  can survive-and thrive.

 As a woman, are you:

In a relationship?

Know you are -or think you may be-menopausal?

Fearful of the possible impact of the menopause on your relationship-and don't know what to do?

Expecting (or hoping) your partner will support you through the menopause?

As a man, are you:

In a relationship?

Know-or think your partner may be-menopausal?

Fearful of the possible impact of the menopause on your partner manage her menopause?

Then this book is for you. And for you both.

 Written by leading gender equity and menopause coach Kate Usher and her husband, Neil, a highly experienced workplace and change leader, this unique book looks at the menopause from a female and male perspective.

 In a refreshing, candid, positive and accessible guide drawn from their personal experience in learning about and managing Kate's traumatic menopause, it helps couples to successfully manage the experience together and emerge stronger

Thank you #AD #Gifted #freeHonestReview @randomthingstours

Instagram:-@kateushermenopause @menoinbusiness @workessence @randomthingstours @paulalearmouth

X(Twitter):-@menopause_and_us @workessence @menoinbusiness @RandomTTours@mamof9

My Review:-I think this book would be a great help and understanding to the menopause for anyone. The book is set out into chapters, from explaining What Is the Menopause? Perceptions, Talking, Expectations, Lifestyle, Moods, Night and Day, Intimacy and Second Phase.

 Throughout the book we are told Kate's Perceptions and Action Plan, also Neil's Perceptions and Action Plan. I found the book interesting to read, some of the symptoms I didn't even know were linked...Problems with Eyesight and Tinnitus. I did think the part about talking to your partner, after all they are going through it as well, just in a different way. As Kate has been through the menopause she could share her experiences with us, as well as Neil's experiences.

I've been lucky as I'm now 58 years old and never went through anything.

Underground

Cover Reveal

Underground

By Linda Nelson

Genre:-Hard Hitting Teen/YA

Blurb:-Danny wants his art scholarship, but Meggsie wants the money Danny's sick mum owes him. Who does he look to for repayment? Danny, who thankfully manages to escape Meggsie's clutches, meeting Mike as he takes flight.

 Mike's a good guy. He stops Meggsie in his tracks, takes Danny under his wing. Thinking Mike is something to do with social services and protection, Danny agrees to go with Mike to 'The Warren,' under the impression that it is a refuge for 'kids like him.'

 But is Mike all he seems? And when teenage Danny is forced to make a choice between right or wrong, what's he going to do?

 Find out in Linda Nelson's debut YA adventure, a hard hitting and gritty look at what happens when children don't have anyone to turn to. All net royalties are being donated by the author to Barnardo's Children's Charity.

Thank you #AD #Gifted

@hyggebooktours 

Selection

Selection

By H.C. Kingsmill Moore

Genre:-Crime/Thriller/Mystery

Pages:-320

Publisher:-Nine Elm

Blurb:-A rocky cliff face, the tragic death of his father, a spell in a harsh young offenders' institution and a promising military career cut short all leave Seb Faber's prospects looking bleak. However, an unexpected and lucrative job offer in the City seems to point to a more secure future. Seb turns out to be a natural on the equities trading floor of the City's oldest bank, and this success leads to his selection for a special project.

 To add to his change of fortune he falls in love, and deeply. But Seb's personal antennae are picking up anomalies. Perhaps everything is not quite as it seems. As his suspicions grow, he becomes increasingly unsure about who he can trust. Then his whole world is turned upside down. Torn in all directions, Seb fights through the mists of despair to regain his self-control and sense of purpose.

Thank you #AD #Gifted #FreeHonestReview @lovebookstours

Instagram:-@nineelmsbooks @lovebookstours @paulalearmouth #LBTCrew #Bookstagram

X(Twitter):-@KellyALacey @lovebookstours @mamof9 #LBTCrew #BookTwitter

My Review:-Seb Faber hasn't had it easy over the years, his father dying, your offenders' institution, and dismissal from the elite SAS because of injury. Yet he still manages to get a job offer from one of the oldest and most respected finance house, Blounts. But not everything is what it seems as Seb starts to find out. Not even his love life goes the way we might think. The book has a bit of everything...romance, heartache, tears, humour, laughter and some twists and turns when your not expecting them. It was full with emotions, along with a great storyline. Can't wait to see what Seb's next journey in life is going to be.

Unstuck

Unstuck

By Helen Hanison

Genre:-Non Fiction/Careers/Industry

Pages:-164

Publisher:-Game Changer Publishing

Blurb:-Embark on a transformative journey with Helen Hanison in "Unstuck," as she guides us through her 3 A.C.T. formula for Purposeful Career Redesign.

She packs every chapter with the exact resources her clients use, allowing us to apply the learnings to solve our own career problems.

In Act 1, she coaches us to create a personal career compass before shifting focus to making concrete plans in Act 2, which we will be excited to act on.

 Moving into the final Act, Hanison unravels the truth about transformation, equipping us with tools for mindset mastery to ensure that we finish the bok not only knowing how to act on redesign plans but also how to sustain the momentum neede to achieve them.

 Say goodbye to the relentless cycle of trying to solve your career problems alone. It's time to get unstuck and make a well-aligned career transformation your reality!

Thank you #AD #Gifted #FreeHonestReview 

Instagram:-@helenhanison @palamedespr @paulalearmouth

X(Twitter):-@palamedespr @mamof9

My Review:-Unstuck is set out in 3 ACTS...

ACT 1- Alignment-strengths, Valves and Purpose

ACT 2- Career Redesign- Purposeful Career redesign and Agile Career

ACT 3- Transformation-Truth about Transformation and Don't get stuck

Followed by Conclusion, a note from the Author, and Continue Your Purposeful Career.

 As you move through out the book you will find QR Codes for you to scan. If you are unhappy with your work or unsure if it for you, this book will help guide you through step by step, making you look at the important things. Helen Hanison has took her own experiences and knowing it has worked for herself, Helen as took all that skill and information and put it into a book that you can have on hand when you need it to become unstuck. Helen makes you see your own strengths to help you with a more fulfilling career. I would recommend reading the full book  first before making any changes.

This Motherless Land

This Motherless Land

By Nikki May

Genre:-Contemporary Literary Fiction

Pages:352

Publisher:-Doubleday

Blurb:-When Funke's mother dies in an accident in Lagos, she's sent to live with her  maternal family in England. Against a backdrop of condescension and mild neglect, sensible Funke strives to fit in, determined to become one of them.

 Free-spirited Liv has always wanted to break free of her joyless family, to be nothing like them. Fiercely protective of Funke, she at last has an ally... The two cousins give each other what they need most: love.

 But the past casts long shadows and the choices made by their mothers haunt them, shaping the trajectory of their adult lives. Can they escape their legacy?

 Witty, warm, hugely entertaining, The Motherless Land bridges three decades and two continents, delving into the thorny territories of race and culture and belonging. At its heart is a story about love and how it can make the difference between surviving and thriving.

 the prize-winning author of WAHALA, a powerful de-colonial retelling of MANSFIELD PARK, exploring identity, culture, race and love.

'A spirited exploration of culture and kidnap' BONNIE GARMUS

'Deeply emotional and entertaining' EMMA STONEX. author of The Lamplighters

'Tugs at the heartstrings' DAMILARE KUKU, author of Nearly all the Men in Lagos are Mad

Thank you #AD #Gifted #FreeHonestReview @randomthingstours

Instagram:-@NikkiMayWriter @randomthingstours @paulalearmouth

X(Twitter):-@NikkiOMay @RandomTTours @mamof9

My Review:-When Funke's mother dies she is sent to England from Nigeria. Nigeria is a place she loves and her life is or she thought. Being sent to England is a big culture change. There is nothing she likes, apart from her cousin Liv. Liv is a free-spirit and has always wanted to break free from the family, who are both cold and distant. Liv takes Funke under her wing and it's not long before they become best friends. But not everything can always stay the same. Just as Funke was going to go to medical school, there is word that her father is ill and she must return back to Nigeria to care for him. But it's not what Funke expects when she arrives back in Nigeria. This has been an enjoyable read, that I read in two sittings

Felix's Favourite Day

Felix's Favourite Day

By Fiona Lowry

Illustrated By:-Johanna Bruyer

Genre:-Children's Fiction

Pages:-27

Ages:-3-7 years

Publisher:-Three Geese

Blurb:-Winner of The Golden Wizard Book Prize 2022

and American Writing Awards-Children's Book International 2023.

 When Felix desperately wishes for his own pet, what is there to do/

Imagine: Believe: Receive

Felix's Favourite Day is a gentle rhyming picture book encouraging positive thinking. Perfect for children ages 3-5 years.

 Felix loves animals and dreams of being a vet when he is older. The only problem is, he doesn't have his own pet to look after yet.

 After begging, badgering, and bothering his parents, Felix is finally taken to the local animal shelter for what his parents hope will be a sensibly chosen cat or dog... Felix may have other ideas!

Thank you #AD #Gifted #FreeHonestReview @randomthingstours

Instagram:-@fionalowryauthor @randomthingstours @paulalearmouth

X(Twitter):-@FionaLowry9 @RandomTTours @mamof9

My Review:-We have a few books wrote by Fiona and we enjoy reading them, so when we saw this one we just had to read it. My granddaughter Emily read this book to myself and her younger cousin.

 Felix is a boy that has a dream of one day being a vet, he just loves animals. After asking for a dragon and then a dinosaur he would name Joe, his parents decide to take him to the animal shelter to find a pet. What do you think Felix will pick for a pet, a cat, a dog or maybe something else? Sorry but you will have to read it yourself to find out what Felix picks.

The illustrations are big and colourful that will appeal to young children. We loved how it is a rhyming book as well as a picture book. There is so much throughout the book that you can talk about with your child. Fiona has shown that even at a young age children still have dreams and this is a great way to talk about them. Emily and her younger cousin loved the book and trying to guess what Felix was going to pick as a pet. 5***** from the girls