New Signings Page

As we have so many authors coming to see us in September, we have set up a separate page for ***   SIGNINGS   ***   See Right ...

Signing - Settling the Score by Peter Gibbs

Here's the first of our exciting September Signings, now that I have an image for the book and it's one for every cricket lover.

On the morning of 8th September, Peter Gibbs will be with us to sign his first cricket novel, packed with excitement and yet as authentic as another gaffe by KP.

Our review is here on the blog and there are others praising this book on the site of that minor competitor of ours, Amazon.

I'm looking forward to meeting this ex-Derbyshire player and asking him on whom he's based his fictional players.

Play will start at the usual 10.30 and lunch will be taken at 1 pm.. Sandwiches and tea will be available from 11 am!

An event and a book, not to be missed.

Settling The Score

There may be some older cricket fans reading this who remember a little gem of a play on television called Arthur's Hallowed Ground. Written by ex-Derbyshire cricketer, Peter Gibbs, it starred Jimmy Jewell as Arthur, the groundsman whose life's work is spent maintaining the perfect pitch on which to play cricket and then hating it when cricketers turn up to play on it, ruining his creation.

In Settling the Score, Peter gives us a similar character though only in a minor role. Here it is the three day game between an imaginary Derbyshire team and the home team, Warwickshire, which takes centre stage on the placid Edgbaston ground. That and the rivalry between two brothers vying for a place in the England team. Not so placid however, are the antics of the members of the team after each day's play. Set in the late 60s, when an evening at a strip club or drinking to the early hours was more common for professional players than perhaps it is now, there are fights and disclosures that play a major part on the field of play.

Peter pours all his knowledge of the game into this rare work (for there are few pieces of fiction in the cricket world) and the result is an engrossing novel based on a nail biting cricket match, determined by the off field events and revelations as much as the action on the field itself. The plot seamlessly joins the events on field and off and those who have played the game will recognise the truth of it. Those who follow the game may also recognise many of the characters (despite the usual disclaimer). Both will enjoy the vivid description of the play, the comical banter and the sometimes bitter rivalry.

If there seem to be the odd cliche here, it is because Heaven's only sport is made up of them. Impossible catches follow farcical run-outs, bad balls take wickets, good ones clear the ropes and a three day match boils down to the last half hour, the last over, the last ball. That's what makes cricket such a wonderful game and what makes Settling the Score such a wonderful book.

With the tension of a great Test Match, this is a first class read which every cricket lover should own. I for one, cannot wait for the return match.

WATCH THIS BLOG FOR NEWS OF PETER'S VISIT TO SIGN COPIES OF HIS BOOK

Held Up by Christopher Radmann

Held Up by Christopher Radmann
Hardback at £12.99
This novel works superbly in so many ways. The plot is gripping, the subject matter rare and enlightening, the characters always believable and the writing fizzes with intelligence and leaping, unexpected connections. Even the title has several layers to it.
What’s it about? In South Africa, a recent recruit to an ad agency, Paul, drives out in his new BMW, only to be hijacked and dumped in the road as the car drives off. Only then, does he remember that his precious baby daughter is still in the car. That’s the first 10 pages and 1 minute of the tale. The next 11 years concerns his search for his child and perhaps for himself as he rapidly heads towards insanity. It is a thriller and a moving love story, of a man for his child and his country. Any more than that, you will have to read for yourself - I’m giving no more of this brilliant book away. However, the South African author might for he tells you about the book at
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWMGuzLVvAw

Not a dog - Unhooking the Moon

No, this isn't a photograph of a dog. Not at all.

I know you are all getting hacked off with our blog being dogs only and no books so I've deliberately included this pic which is not of a dog.

This is young Reece who helped in the shop for a while and wrote us a book review.

'Yer 'tis -


Unhooking the Moon by Gregory Hughes
Paperback at £6.99
Meet Marie-Claire, also known as The Rat: an infuriating, bizarre, gangster-wise prairie kid who, together with her brother, Bob, experiences a road trip of a lifetime. This is an adventurous story of a brother and sister, whose dad has recently died, as they go on an extraordinary road trip to New York to get away from the city of Winnipeg. Having nothing left for them at home, they decide to pack up and to visit their Uncle, encountering an hilarious con-man, a famous rap star and escaping numerous dangers along the way. But is their uncle all he seems to be? Will there be a happy ending for The Rat and Bob? This is a teen read involving many ups and downs, thrills and spills, that is genuinely different from any other.

By the way, that animal in his arms is Alfie.

Sweet dog

Yes, OK. OK. I know this is supposed to be a book blog but one more dog can't hurt, can it!

Especially when it's a lovely silky haired springer like this one.

She loved everybody and everybody loved her.

Trouble is, I didn't write her name down.

Something to do with sweets I think. It couldn't be Bullseye. Much to fierce and ugly. Buttons? I'm thinking Chocolate here. Candyfloss would suit but that's not it. Peppermint Cream? Getting warm. Caramel? Nearly there.

It''s Toffee!

Dogs on the Blog - Puddle and Gypsy

Always the way isn't it. You wait for ages and then three come along at once.

The pup, Puddle (we've had a puddle before, I think) is a trainee hearing dog and at only 7 months old, a beauty.

I can honestly claim to have been thoroughly washed by a Puddle.

And look at that tail go!






Then came Gypsy.

A collie, a little larger than average, as can be seen from this photo.

She's the one on the left.

No, sorry, right.

David's the other one.