Tales of Tinfoil

This is an amazing set of stories about those conspiracies that refuse to lie down.

Tales of Tinfoil

Amazon.com Tales of Tinfoil

My review -

Sometimes you just fall in love with a title! This is an anthology of stories on the theme of conspiracy theories. They are not simply rehashes of the theories themselves but fictional extrapolations or possible explanations of the things that won’t lie down. We’ve all heard about the JFK theories, of how many people think Elvis didn’t die and the suspicion that the Apollo 11 moon landing was a fake. You’ll probably have heard of Roswell and Area 51 and you may have heard of the HAARP project. If you haven’t, each story is followed by a little piece on the current theories which abound on that topic.

This is a slightly off-the-wall collection in which each story is very well told and the historic setting explained but the whole idea is quirky and imaginative. The title comes from the idea that conspiracy theorists are middle-aged men who live in their mothers’ basements and wear tinfoil on their heads ‘so nobody will read their thoughts’. It’s tongue in cheek but the introduction is written by an academic who studies conspiracy theory – and there’s a lot of it out there. If you’re looking for a collection of well-crafted stories, many of which will make you smile and all of which will give you pause for thought, this is the book for you. It’s an extraordinarily good read and I enjoyed it immensely.

Various Authors Anthology

This is the third collection from the KU Forum and the first I've been able to review on Amazon, since I had stories in the first two. These are all great authors and really enjoyable stories - and exceptional value!

Off the Kuf Volume 3

Amazon.com Off the Kuf Volume 3

My review -

At the price this must be the Kindle Bargain of the Year! Six Indie authors, each with an excellent track record, have contributed a novella length story to this superb collection.

Cecilia Peartree, whose work is new to me, has the opening story which takes place on a train to Scotland. It’s what tends to be called a cosy mystery and I enjoyed it very much.

The second story is by Carl Ashmore, famous for his Time Travelling series for youngsters. This one, also aimed at a young audience, has a message for all.

Nigel Bird gives us one of his best novellas here with a slightly science fiction style story which touches upon the controversial technique of ‘fracking’ – some great characters here.

Maureen Banks is a lady of a certain age whose pretensions and clumsiness are legendary. She’s the author of her own downfall in most cases, but inspires affection in readers. Jonathan Hill’s three Maureen stories stand well by themselves but if you haven’t already, you’ll want to read the others.

The same applies to David Wailing’s story which is one of those included in his longer book Auto. These are great – gems in their own right – but when you string them on the necklace that is Auto they become more than the sum of their parts.

The final story is by Jennifer Hanning. It looks at how a sudden acquisition of wealth affects the members of an ordinary family. It’s the grandmother who comes into the money – a charming story with a real feel-good ending.

It you can’t find something in there to enjoy I’ll be very surprised!

Various Authors - Anthology

This is the second volume of the KuF Anthology.  I have a story in here but I have reviewed it on the strength of all the rest.  It's very good indeed!

Off the KUF Volume 2

Amazon.com Off the KUF Volume 2

My review - 

I really enjoyed the variety of stories in the first of these anthologies and this one is no different. Some of the authors are already favourites of mine and some are completely new to me. Some had stories in Volume 1, some, again, are new. What I found particularly good was that some authors gave me more of what I already knew and loved while some gave me a different slant, a new genre. The delight of the short story is that you can experiment and some people have – and I love it!

I believe the short story has come into its own with the advent of the ebook and I’m seeing and buying more and more. It’s so easy to dip in and out although I usually just start at the beginning and go right through. This is an excellent way to introduce yourself to new talent. A brilliant read.Disclaimer – I’m in it! 

Various Authors - Anthology

This anthology is produced by members of the Kindle Users Forum and is sold to raise funds to keep the forum going.  

Off the KUF

Amazon.com  Off the KUF

My review - 

If you are a one-genre reader then you won’t get much from a mixed anthology such as this but if you are a pick-and-mix person and enjoy several genres, even those stories that don’t fall neatly into one category, then this is your book!  Buy it now!

I am a member of the forum which produced this anthology and the variety of stories which were offered is tremendous.  Some are by favourite indie authors of mine so I knew I was in for a treat with at least part of the book.  I resisted the temptation to dip and go for those first and I have to say that the order of presentation has been carefully thought out.  It’s a real opportunity to savour those you know you will enjoy while trying out new flavours.  There are now authors whose work I had never encountered before who will have me lurking on their author pages to see what else they have published!

The book is of very high standard and I enjoyed almost all and was actually excited by some!  It’s a chunky read too – excellent value.  Don’t miss it – the world will be talking about it! 

Disclaimer – I’m in it!  ;)

A Splendid Salmagundi

I edited this book but it doesn't prevent me from having an opinion!

A Splendid Salmagundi

Amazon.com  A Splendid Salmagundi

This book has won the Indie Book Bargains award for best anthology for 2012

My review -

This is an exuberant sampler of the work of a number of Indie authors who are members of the Goodreads UK Amazon Kindle Forum (and one or two as yet unpublished readers from there). Some offer a story in their usual genre; some have taken a completely new style - they are a versatile lot. As editor of the book I can't choose favourite stories; it would be like choosing your favourite from among your children! I have enjoyed the work of some people new to me - it's a great way of finding new authors. I've also read work from those I already love and smiled in self congratulation - I was right about them!

There's a lot of humour in here; there is horror and disturbance; there's even a true story or two. A smattering of poems adds seasoning. I think this is altogether a great collection. I would say that wouldn't I but I didn't write it! Excellent value for the price.