Sunday 23 February 2014

Barnaby likes to be fooled

Barnaby has always liked magicians, conjurors, sleight of hand merchants, call them what you will. Whether it's a simple card trick, sawing a lady in half, walking through a solid wall, or levitation, he has always enjoyed the knowledge that he's being fooled and the fun of trying to puzzle out exactly how. Recently he has enjoyed watching young British magician Steven Frayne, better known to millions as Dynamo.

Steven performs both big magic, walking on water, or strolling down the vertical face of buildings for example, and small magic, performing what appear to be ad hoc tricks of magic on people in the street.

Barnaby truly has no idea how the tricks are performed, but, of course, he knows he is being fooled. The real joy of the magic is not knowing how the trick is done, but observing the reactions of the people on whom the tricks are performed; astonishment, wonder, incredulity, but, best of all, sheer delight.

In a small way, all authors are frustrated magicians, who wish to transport their readers to new places, or experiences, without them being aware of the techniques or process involved. If they can create astonishment, wonder, incredulity, or, best of all, sheer delight, then they can be content that they've performed their own little bit of magic.

Barnaby hopes you'll sample some of his e-books and paperbacks and enjoy some of the magic that he's tried to create, whether it's quirky poetry, short stories, detective fiction or humorous novels. For more details visit www.barnaby-wilde.co.uk

Of course, if all you want to see is a man walking on water, you'll have to google Dynamo.

Saturday 15 February 2014

Smile for the Camera


The Fourth volume in The Mercedes Drew Mysteries series, 'Smile for the Camera', is now available in e-book and paperback form.

Unlike volumes 1 to 3, which contained three shorter stories in each, volume 4, 'Smile for the Camera', contains one full length mystery for Mercedes Drew and Inspector Flowers, featuring an Art theft from a country house, a rock festival, a missing teenage girl, a photographer and a dead body.

When a young girl goes missing at the Wemrock music festival, Inspector Flowers has to drop all his other cases to lead the search. Mercedes Drew, Bentley, her brother, and Dogtooth, her biker friend, are unwilling to stand idly by and watch.

You can download the e-book in the format of your choice from here or, if you prefer to feel the weight of the words in your hands, in paperback form here

Of course, the previous volumes, 'Flowers for Mercedes', 'Free Running' and 'Flandra' are still available.

Flowers for Mercedes – "… Excellent entertainment! Well, written and edited. …"  Suzy Dubot, 5* Review, Smashwords, Dec 2012   (currently available as a FREE download for e-book in any format).

FreeRunning – "… I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes mysteries with a side-order of laughs. …" David Keith, 5* Review, Smashwords, Jan 2013

Flandra – "… Once again I have enjoyed reading the latest adventures of Mercedes and look forward to reading the next book in the series. …"  MGM, 5* Review, Amazon, May 2013

Details of these and all other published titles at the author's website www.barnaby-wilde.co.uk

 

Wednesday 12 February 2014

Get your hands on something big!

For many people, e-books are the ideal reading solution. A whole library in a device small enough to put in your pocket or handbag. Some folk, though, are only happy when they can feel the weight and smell the pages of a real, physical book.

Happily there are authors who are happy to cater for both markets. Top Writer's Block, a loose consortium of Indie Authors from around the world, have been releasing collections of short stories in just about any genre you can imagine in e-book form for over a year. The first five volumes of stories by TWB have now been collated into a single volume for those people who are only satisfied when they've got something big in their hands.

TWB volume One contains over 300 pages, 16 authors and 41 stories. A satisfying handful for even the most discerning reader.
Inside, you will find mystery, romance, adventure, humour, horror and fantasy.

Profits from sales of the book will go to the environmental charity, Sea Shepherd.

You can get your hands on the book at the following locations.

USA  http://tinyurl.com/ndjr7c7 
UK   http://tinyurl.com/qeofl8w
France  http://tinyurl.com/p53o5lp

Saturday 1 February 2014

Make Some New Friends

Top Writers Block is a group of Indie writers from around the world who have decided to write stories together - just for the fun of it! Seven writers have now released their latest collaboration - The Man on the Corner - a collection of  ten short stories with each author's interpretation of that theme.
 
Whether you like mystery, romance, pathos, or are simply amused by the absurd, there is something for everyone in this collection. Who is that Man on the Corner, who seems to be waiting?
 
For a short time the book is available on FREE download here in the e-book format of your choice. After this, the book will remain available for a small charge, the whole profit from this going to support the Sea Shepherd charity.

This is a great way to sample the work of new authors to add to your favourites. When you have found the story that touches you in some way, why not visit that author's other books? Who knows? This could be the start of a beautiful new friendship.
 
(Of course, you will still find all Barnaby's books at www.barnaby-wilde.co.uk ) Happy reading.