#Review of Kill Them With Kindness by Will Carver #KillThemWithKindness @WillCarver #RandomTTours #BlogTour @OrendaBooks

Kill Them With Kindness
By Will Carver

Will Carver is a master writer of societal issues and observations of what the hot topics are and fictionalises them in a way that makes you think and join the dots between the book and the reality. Today, I am on the Compulsive Readers/Orenda Books blog tour for his latest page-turning, pacy novel, Kill Them With Kindness.

Blurb

Compassion may be humanity’s deadliest weapon…

The threat of nuclear war is no longer scary. This is much worse. It’s invisible. It works quickly.

And it’s coming.

The scourge has already infected and killed half the population in China and it is heading towards the UK. There is no time to escape. The British government sees no way out other than to distribute ‘Dignity Pills’ to its citizens: One last night with family or loved ones before going to sleep forever … together. Because the contagion will kill you and the horrifying news footage shows that it will be better to go quietly.

Dr Haruto Ikeda, a Japanese scientist working at a Chinese research facility, wants to save the world. He has discovered a way to mutate a virus. Instead of making people sick, instead of causing death, it’s going to make them… nice. Instead of attacking the lungs, it will work into the brain and increase the host’s ability to feel and show compassion. It will make people kind.

Ikeda’s quest is thoughtful and noble, and it just might work. Maybe humanity can be saved. Maybe it doesn’t have to be the end.

But kindness may also be the biggest killer of all…

Review

There are two places to look at in this book, the UK, where ‘Dignity Pills’ are headed to and China which already has them. There are people queuing up for a painless death.

The thread of Dr Haruto Ikeda who wants to mutate the virus to make people kind is a fascinating concept, if not a little scary because on the face of it, it sounds all nice and lovely, but it really makes you think about how scientists could then make you into whatever they want you to be. It’s also interesting how doing kindness this way could have many consequences, some of them may even be deadly.

The concepts are compelling and incredibly thought-provoking. Will Carver’s writing just pulls you in further into his fictional world that is so close to the real world we live in with the topics hot on people’s lips and that have been newsworthy. There is a bit of humour through it.

It’s fascinating in the way the governments are working, that is a bit different from the scientists and the differences of opinions and how people want the populations to be. Could it end in conflict or kindness and compassion and how can it all conclude? You’ll have to read this absorbing book to find out.

So, watch out for the airborne virus and catch this book instead.

#Review by Lou of Happy Is The One by Katie Allen #MeetRobin @KTAllenWriting @OrendaBooks #HalleysComet #HappyIsTheOne

Happy Is The One
By Katie Allen

Review by Louise Cannon

Happy is the One is great for those who enjoy reading Rachel Joyce’s books. I also thought her debut, Everything Happens For A Reason to be a great read. Both are excellent for book clubs and for reading outwith them too. Today I am on the blog tour with a review. See below for more details about this book and my opinions on it as well as a bit about the author.

Blurb

hat if halfway through your life was just the beginning?

Robin Edmund Blake is halfway through his life.

Born in 1986, when Halley’s Comet crossed the sky, he is destined to go out with it, when it returns in 2061. Until that day, he can’t die. He has proof.

With his future mapped out in minute detail, a lucrative but increasingly dull job in the City of London, and Gemma to share his life with, Robin has a plan to be remembered forever.

But when Robin’s sick father has one accident too many, the plan starts to unravel. Robin must return home to the tiny seaside town of Eastgate, learn to care for the man who never really cared for him, and face the childhood ghosts he fled decades ago.

Desperate to get his life back on schedule, he connects with fellow outsider Astrid. Brutally direct, sharp-witted and a professor at a nearby university, she’s unlike anyone he’s ever met. But Astrid is hiding something and someone from Robin.

And he’s hiding even more from her…

For fans of Hazel Prior, Rachel Joyce and Jonas Jonasson

Review

Katie Allen poses a question that I am sure I am not the only other person who has thought of: What would you do if you knew the exact moment you were going to die and how would you then proceed to live your life? Deep and thought provoking for readers to ponder and for her main characters to navigate.

Robin whole-heartedly believes he knows when he’s going to die. It’s all linked to a theory he’s been told since he was a child to do with Halley’s Comet and that he won’t die until it orbits earth again. He’s now 37.

The book explores humanity and emotions of grief. Robin lost his mother when he was young and as if that isn’t enough to contend with, his father is also very unwell. . It also explores the impact on this very well and believably through Robin then wanting to design and plan the perfect life to the point of obsession. You can totally empathise with him as he’s far from being present and enjoying things, he’s always working on steps ahead. You can really see why he’s focusing on certain things and doing more existing than truly living life as it’s a lot to deal with.

There is a corner that gets turned when the more relaxed Astrid appears on the scene. This doesn’t come without its challenges as there are revelations that appear.

Danny also comes to the scene and he has dreams to live out and this captures Robin into living life. The pair are like chalk and cheese and yet they work together, especially where Robin is concerned in showing a more present life rather than always looking towards the future and worrying about what may or may not occur.

Happy Is The One is ultimately a heart-warming story that will get you pondering what direction to lead your own life in, will it be always looking ahead, but forgetting about the present, or will it be more enjoying the moment whilst it lasts?

I highly recommend Happy is the One as one not to miss. It just might feed something you didn’t know you needed into your life in a positive way.

About the Author

Katie Allen was a journalist and columnist at Guardian and Observer, starting her career as a Reuters correspondent in Berlin and London. Her warmly funny, immensely moving literary debut novel, Everything Happens for a Reason, was based on her own devastating experience of stillbirth and was a number-one digital bestseller, with wide critical acclaim. Katie grew up in Warwickshire and now lives in South London with her family.

#Interview hosted by Lou with Catherine Yardley about her book, Where the Light is Hottest and more… @Balavage @rararesources #ReadingCommunity #WritingCommunity #ActingCommunity #Books #Theatre

Interview by Lou with Author, Catherine Yardley

Welcome to Bookmarks and Stages, Catherine. Thank you very much for the opportunity to interview you about your book, The Light is Hottest, hopes and dreams, the creative industry and more for my slot on the Rachel’s Random Resources blog tour.

“Thank you! I am honoured to be included.”

Catherine Yardley is the author of Ember and Where The Light is Hottest. She’s also the editor-in-chief of Frost Magazine and a freelance writer who’s featured in The Bookseller, Mslexia, Metro, Huffpost, Writing Magazine and Writers’ and Artists’ amongst others.

Where The Light is Hottest

Natasha Jones has everything – a successful acting career, an Oscar, a wonderful husband and beautiful kids. But what does she have to go through to get there? From humble beginnings in a small town, Natasha’s path to stardom is paved with setbacks, heartaches and moments of doubt.

In the glittering world of fame and fortune, where dreams are spun from starlight and ambition fuels the relentless pursuit of success, one woman’s journey stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Beneath the facade of glamour lies a story of unwavering determination and unyielding courage.

Where the Light is the Hottest is a gripping tale of ambition, perseverance and the enduring power of hope. Through Natasha’s journey, we are reminded that the road to success is rarely smooth, but for those who dare to chase their dreams, the rewards are beyond measure.

Without further ado, let’s begin with the first question…

Who or what inspired you to write books?

My main inspiration to write books was all of the amazing books I read growing up. Enid Blyton and Beatrix Potter. Then Stephen King and Dean Koontz. I never thought I would be talented enough to write a book. I am glad I decided to be stubborn and go for it! Lots of things inspire me. Real life, my real life experiences and things I read about. I am interested in people and I love telling stories.

Your novel, ‘Where the Light is Hottest’, is set in the acting world. You were/are an actor yourself. Many actors write within all sorts of genres.
What made you choose to use your knowledge and experience to write a novel for readers to gain that insider’s perspective in fictional form?

I previously wrote a non fiction book, How To Become a Successful Actor: Your Essential Guide to Becoming an Actorpreneur. I wanted to write a novel and the easiest way was to use my own experiences. Writing fiction is a beautiful thing because you can take things that happened, and then write about them in a fictional way. Pablo Picasso said that art is the lie that helps us understand the truth. I can create a true-to-life experience of the acting world better through fiction than real life, which might not be quite so interesting!

Natasha, the main character, is ambitious, has setbacks and accomplishments and builds resilience. How much of Natasha’s life reflect your own experiences and in what way?

Natasha is more ambitious than me. I paused my acting career after sustaining a really bad injury on a film set. Natasha would have kept on going. Natasha comes from Scotland like me, and studied acting. A lot of the stuff in the book happened to me in a way or was things I saw or heard. I never did nudity because I am a bit of a prude, but Natasha ends up doing that on her own terms. She is stronger than me in many ways. She is incredibly resilient. I love that about her. Natasha is also loyal and a good friend. I am too. Friendship is everything.

Where the Light is Hottest is about going after your dreams. Natasha has real resilience and determination to do this. Have you got dreams you pursue, if so, what are they and how do you go about chasing them?

That’s a good question. I do have dreams and I go after them relentlessly. Natasha and I have that in common. My dreams are more writing based these days. Based around book deals and things I want my books to achieve. I recently wrote for The Sunday Times which was always on my list of dream publications. I would still love to write, produce and act. It’s just hard to fit it all in.

How important do you think it is to promote such strong, positive yet emotive stories set around the acting world and what do you hope readers will take away from this?

I think a lot of people think that books set in the acting world are not relatable, but it is a job like any other. It can be tedious and boring. The actual work is not glamorous at all. I think people will get whisked away into a different world, but it is more of a realistic look. It is not Jackie Collins, which I love. It’s glamorous but Natasha is just a normal person trying to make her way in the world. Most people are too scared to go after their dreams. They are more scared to be successful than they are to fail. I think it is important to promote these strong, positive stories that resonate with people to show that you can be terrified and brave at the same time.

Do you, as an actor and an author feel the challenges within the creative industry affects you in any way and how do you overcome them?

Definitely. They are two incredibly hard professions. Maybe even the hardest. There is no clear path and no guarantees. The challenges are vast but the highs are like nothing else. The privilege of telling stories is huge. I love it. These professions are more of a calling. You have to be like Natasha and relentlessly go after your dreams and take failure well.

Do you feel there is any sort of bridge between acting and writing novels where one helps to do the other?

I think all writers should take acting lessons. Being an actor is a fantastic skill. You learn that everything about a person tells you something about them. From how they hold themselves, how they speak, and how they dress. There are a lot of actors who write, and it is obvious that the skills can cross well. Writing as an actor is also a brilliant idea. Making your own projects will help you stand out.

How do you feel when there are unfavourable comments about actors who also happen to choose to write books and how do you overcome the negativity and keep going?

I am lucky that I have not had much negativity. I brush most things off to be honest. I am happy with myself and my life. My dad would always joke when we were growing up that if we were making fun of him then at least we were leaving someone else alone. I think of that a lot now. How there are a lot of people who want to be negative and take their pain out on other people. It is rarely personal, and at least they are leaving someone else alone!

Have you any plans for writing more books or are there any acting jobs you can tell us about that are on the horizon?

There are a lot more books coming. I am very excited about it. There are some other projects coming too. Not much I can talk about, but I am feeling very privileged and happy at the moment. Hard work pays off eventually. In the creative industries it just takes a lot longer!

You can follow Catherine Yardley on these links for social media and her website:

https://x.com/Balavage

@catherineby.bsky.social

https://www.instagram.com/frostmag

https://www.threads.net/@frostmag

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063463605581

https://www.tiktok.com/@balavage

Website: https://catherinebalavageyardley.com/

#Review By Lou of The Intrepid Steps of John Ruffam By Robert Ferguson #RobertFerguson @leamingtonbooks #TheIntrepidStepsOfJohnRuffam along with info about #SpiritAid #Charity founded by #DavidHayman #Bookish #BooksWorthReading

The Intrepid Steps of John Ruffam
By Robert Ferguson

Cover pic showing Scott’s Monument, Edinburgh

Walk up the steps to Sir Water Scott’s Monument and immerse yourself in the intrepid steps of John Ruffam, along the way, discover just how powerful art is. Life an culture and more… are linked together in this novella that packs a punch. It’s great for if you like Life-stories, Edinburgh, Art, Triumph Over Adversity and perfect for Reading Groups.

Find out more below in the blurb and then my full review below. The Intrepid Steps of John Ruffam by Robert Ferguson is a book you won’t want to miss nor underestimate in its storytelling nor in just how far-reaching it is.

Before I move on, I’d like to make you aware of something amazing happening.
This book is raising money is supporting Spirit Aid. A charity founded by famous actor David Hayman, currently starring in Death of A Salesman in UK theatres and has been most recently on tv in The Paradise and Taboo. Spirit Aid reaches out to vulnerable children in need across Scotland and abroad to provide vital resources. You can check out more after my review more about the charity. I also have a link for how you can buy The Intrepid Steps of John Ruffam by Robert Ferguson.

Blurb

The Intrepid Steps of John Ruffam is a deeply introspective novella that follows the extraordinary life of John Ruffam.

From a young age, John’s passion for art and his connection to the past shaped his journey of self-discovery and resistance, growing up in foster homes, enduring physical and mental abuse, and finding solace in his artistic pursuit.

The narrative weaves together historical connections, karmic balancing, and a unique bond with painted figures from the past.

John’s encounters with Edinburgh’s gothic Scott Monument become symbolic of his search for identity and meaning.

When John is injured in a war, losing his legs, his resilience shines through as he learns to walk again with prosthetic limbs. His near-death experience reveals a vision of his loved ones, urging him to take the steps towards his destiny.

The Intrepid Steps of John Ruffam is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged novella that explores themes of strength, self-discovery, and the power of art.

Review

From the very beginning, The Intrepid Steps of John Ruffam is intriguingly thought-provoking and starts to become an immersive read, before becoming increasingly deeply immersive as the story goes on.

It is said there are seven stages in the art process:
Inspiration, establishing, Uncertainty, Gauge, Sophistication, Achievement, Judgement.

These are all cleverly broken down into chapter headings and weave in and out of the story, linking all to the main character, John Ruffam’s life. It’s ingenious how the threads all intermingle and weave together making a fascinating and intriguing plot.

Each chapter begins with an insightful sentence about the process of art, indicating the book is well-researched and a lot of thought put into it to then have it link to the rest of the plot.

It starts with a young woman’s waters breaking at the National Art Gallery in Edinburgh and becomes emotional from there, with certain events happening.
The author shows something good can happen from something sad. The Scott Monument becomes quite the focus for John Ruffam, so much so that he goes to Princes Street Gardens and draws it and his work gets noticed at the age of 10 years old. Just when all is having a warm feeling of positivity, tragedy strikes again, creating an immense twist, this time to John Ruffam not long after he’s joined the army in his teenage years. What happens to him next is life changing. This period is written with respect, sensitivity and skill. It gives the reader increasing hope for his life through immense struggle and small wins and a whole lot of determination to keep living, keep going and do life to reach your goals.
The end of the book is equally thought-provoking and heartfelt, showing just how influential and inspirational art is. Whether its Rembrandt, like in the story who you admire or someone else, there’s no getting away from the power of it.

The Intrepid Steps of John Ruffam mixes what’s real and what’s fictional into a compelling story that may well stay with you.

Buy Link and About the Author Link

You can get your copy of The Intrepid Steps of John Ruffam here: Amazon
You can find out more about the author here: Alloa Advertiser Interview

More About The Charity – Spirit Aid

You can find out more about Spirit Aid, headed up by David Hayman in the link below. He runs operations in Scotland (it’s heart), Palestine, Afghanistan and Malawi. The charity works to make a difference to those people’s lives affected by poverty, neglect, abuse, lack of opportunity, humanitarian crisis, war by clicking into the official website: Spirit Aid
Feel free to donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/SpiritAidLimited

My Top 16 Fiction Books of various genres of 2024 By Lou #BookReviews #ReadingCommunity #BookTwitter #Thrillers #RomanticFiction #LiteraryFiction

First of all, I, Louise Cannon wish you all a good New Year! Thank you so much for reading my blog and sharing my posts onto your social media. It’s much appreciated!

Whittling down lots of books is a challenge, but here are 16 of my best fictional reads of many genres of 2024. Each link will open in a new tab so you can navigate back here as you please with ease. Below this list you will find a link to a previous blog post about my 5 top non-fiction/memoirs to read.

The Teacher By Tim

The Headmaster isn’t liked by many others. When a body is discovered, in comes DS Cross and his team to uncover what becomes a search for motive and there’s plenty of suspicion to get stuck into.
Tim Sullivan mixes mystery and humour very well.
If you liked Ludwig on tv, you’ll enjoy this.
This is part of a series that can be read as a standalone.
2025 will see the next book – The Bookseller.

Discover the blurb and full review here: The Teacher

An Ideal Husband By Erica James

Louisa’s needing to carve out a new life. An Ideal Husband shows that everything can seem just fine and could well last forever, but sometimes secrets can be concealed very well… There are compelling twists and turns to this refreshing romance that tackles a bit of a disaster in life that isn’t often talked about…

Discover the blurb and my review here: An Ideal Husband

The Wedding of the Year

Expect the unexpected with cracks, bumps and twists in the road. Is it the wedding it’s cracked up to be? The Wedding of the Year becomes quite the page-turner as characters, refreshingly tell of their not so easy-flowing romances.

Discover the blurb and review here: The Wedding of the Year

Beautiful People by Amanda Jennings

Beauty on the outside doesn’t always mean beauty on the inside. Riches don’t always buy the perfect life are perhaps the takeaways from this psychological thriller. Victoria escapes her broken home for university life where she meets people who can open new doors for her. The very people who she thought were “Beautiful People” aren’t all they first seem in this darkly twisted psychological thriller that takes you into moments where you may well be holding your breath…

Discover the blurb and full review here: Beautiful People

Edge of The Land by Malcolm Hollingdrake

Part of the Merseyside crime series, this particular book is darkly compelling, set around the docklands and the famous Liverbird building. It can also be read as a standalone. How did an 8 year old turn to being a petty criminal and later fall foul with a drugs gang? Why are homeless people suddenly being murdered? Detective Inspector April Decent and Detective Sergeant Skeeter Warlock have tricky puzzles to unravel to uncover the serial killer.

Discover the blurb and review here: Edge Of The Land

True Love By Paddy Crewe

Set in the 1980’s Finn and Keely are growing up in the north east of England and life is hard in this gritty book of tragedy, yet also shows edges of romantic, agape, unconditional love. With characters to root for, it’s an immersive read.

Discover the blurb and review here: True Love

The Beaver Theory By Antti Tuomainen

Antti Tuomainen writes Scandi Noir with humour. The last in the trilogy that began with The Rabbit Factor, Henri Koskinen, the quirky mathematician who is the last person you’d think would own the theme park “YouMeFun” notices an unscrupulous rival is at play. Things get rather messier when there’s a death and soon after, the body count increases. The series is one of the most entertaining Scandi Noir I’ve ever seen.

Discover the blurb and review here: The Beaver Theory

Home for Christmas By Heidi Swain

This is the most festive book ever, ever! Heidi Swain takes people back to her community in Wynbridge and she weaved everything that is heartwarming and festive into a book to cosy up with.

Discover the blurb and review here: Home For Christmas

The Night In Question By Susan Fletcher

Florence Butterfield, an octogenarian with a colourful past. She was quite the adventurer and now is an amputee in a care home. The thing is, there’s a lot more sinister things than just care that’s going on…

Discover the blurb and review here: The Night In Question

The Island of Dreams by Helen McGinn
Meet Martha, she’s won a holiday to Paxos and is daunted by going it alone. Along with challenges, she also meets a rather welcoming community. McGinn gives a great sense of place and draws you into everyone’s personalities.

Discover the blurb and my review here: Island of Dreams

One of Us Is Dead By Peter James

One of Us Is Dead is part of the successful Grace series that you may have also seen on TV. This is the latest book. It can be read as standalone too.

A Dopple-ganger, a strange figure at a funeral of someone who’s supposed to be dead, all woven into a gripping case.

Discover the blurb and review here: One of Us Is Dead

The Guests By Nikki Smith

Sink into the luxury of the Maldives, feel the sand and sun on your skin. All isn’t all it seems in one of the resorts where secrets lie and the psyche of human nature truly comes through.

Discover more in the blurb and review here:
The Guests

This Motherless Land by Nikki May

A retelling of Mansfield Park, set between 1986 and 1992, retellings aren’t normally my thing, but this book was one piqued my interest by the author of WAHALA.

Eavesdrop on conversations and have fun with pop culture as well as having a feel of the original book by Jane Austen, it’s cleverly written with humour.
Discover more in the blurb and review here This Motherless Land

Gone To Pieces by Rachel Cosyns

A spider spinning a web like a labyrinth is cleverly how Gone To Pieces begins. It’s thought-provoking as it sets the story up to show human life, the web of connections and home as well as demonstrating the fragility of life.
Follow Rebecca into places people don’t always get to see…
Check out the blurb and review here: Gone To Pieces

Geneva By Richard Armitage

It’s easy to feel trapped and desire a good facility such as the carehome in Geneva.
The emotions and tensions build as does something rather sinister.
I’ve also included a link within the full review to a write-up of a talk Richard Armitage gave in the autumn of 2024.

Discover blurb, review, talk here: Geneva

Her Deadly Friend By Rachel Sargeant

It’s a thought-provoking thriller that makes you wonder how you’d feel if you suspected someone you knew of murder and may also destroy your life!

Discover the blurb and review here: Her Deadly Friend

See here for my top 5 Memoirs/Autobiographies:
Memoirs

#Review of There Are Rivers In The Sky By Elif Shafak @Elif_Safak @VikingBooksUK #ThereAreRiversInTheSky

There Are Rivers In The Sky
By Elif Shafak

There are Rivers in the Sky is evocative. Feel the emotions and the twists and turns of the river with its water sometimes meandering, sometimes quickening the pace… Be transported to different cultures and different places. Allow the rivers to take you there.
There Are Rivers In the Sky has featured on two tv bookish shows, Between the Covers and The Scottish Book Club. There would be plenty to discuss for book clubs. Here’s the blurb and then my review of this book, thanks to Viking Books UK, imprint to Penguin.

Blurb

THE TOP FIVE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

This is the story of one lost poem, two great rivers, and three remarkable lives – all connected by a single drop of water.

*****

In the ruins of Nineveh, that ancient city of Mesopotamia, there lies hidden in the sand fragments of a long-forgotten poem, the Epic of Gilgamesh.

In Victorian London, an extraordinary child is born at the edge of the dirt-black Thames. When his brilliant memory earns him a spot as an apprentice at a printing press, the world opens up far beyond the slums and across the seas.

In 2014 Turkey, Narin, a Yazidi girl living by the River Tigris, waits to be baptised. The ceremony is cruelly interrupted, and soon she and her grandmother must journey across war-torn lands in the hope of reaching the sacred valley of their people.

In 2018 London, broken-hearted Zaleekhah, a hydrologist, moves to a houseboat on the Thames to escape the wreckage of her marriage – until an unexpected connection to her homeland changes everything.

A dazzling feat of storytelling from one of the greatest writers of our time that spans centuries, continents and cultures, entwined by rivers, rains, and waterdrops.

Review

Follow the river as you go deep into the populations it runs past, twisting and turning, entwining itself with the people’s lives of the past and the present. The book weaves together historical facts and storytelling like a tapestry of words that feed the mind.

The book is evocative, full of emotion on one man’s journey to discover the meaning of a tablet. There’s the question of antiquities that presents itself along with religion and different cultures. This is what the man sees and the river flows through. People’s lives aren’t all they appear and some are rather messy through relationships, wars, travel. The river is in contrast to human life. The river is the constant and giver of life in all that it runs past and its importance is apparent throughout this sweeping, scenic literary read.