Devils With Wings : The Green Devils Assault of Fort Eben Emael by Harvey Black

The Blurb

A military thriller based around the adventures of two young Fallschirmjager paratroopers during the early part of World War II. It is a fictionalised adventure based on the famous assault on the impregnable Belgian Fortress, Eben Emael. Tall, gangly Paul Brand is supported by his junior sergeant, Unterfeldwebel Max Grun, as he experiences his first action as a platoon commander in Poland, September 1939. The mutual respect between the two comrades grows as they experience the sights and smells of battle at close quarters Following their success in Poland, Paul, Max and the platoon are sent to a clandestine camp in the foothills of the Harz Mountains to train for a secret mission. Confined to camp for six months they undergo intensive training for their next mission – the subjugation of the Eben Emael Fortress. Two German secret weapons will assist them to complete their task; the first is the glider, used for the first time to deposit troops directly onto a target, and the second secret weapon is a new Hollow Charge Weapon, capable of blasting through steel or concrete. On completion of their training, nine gliders containing seventy two Fallschirmjager land on top of the fortress, before the troops move in to the depths of the tunnels to finish the job. Over one thousand Belgian troops fail to stop them. This exciting fictionalised retelling of the assault on Eben Emael is written by an author with experience in army intelligence.

My Thoughts

Although I have tended to review gentler books on here, I do actually enjoy reading a good action/thriller type of novel, so when Devils With Wings came to my attention it was definitely one to go on my ‘to be read’ pile.

The novel starts off right in the thick of the action and introduces you to the main characters, Paul Brand and Max Grun. After reading the first chapter, I knew I was going to enjoy it.

I liked finding out about the characters’ back stories and how they came to become part of the elite Fallschirmjager. Likewise, it was really interesting seeing what they had to endure throughout their training and I enjoyed getting to know Paul and Max more as they embarked on their highly secretive and daring operation.  The bond between the two men really came through.

The assault of Fort Eben Emael followed each glider’s mission and then the final attack on the fortress. The battle scenes were sometimes graphic but in no way gratuitous and only added to the atmosphere of the book.

Prior to reading this book, I knew absolutely nothing about the Fallschirmjager paratroopers and now I’m quite fascinated by them.  Afterwards I spent time flicking around the web and YouTube looking at photos and documentaries about the real event.  It was good being able to see exactly what the Fallschirmajager were up against and how it had been translated onto paper by the author.

So in summary – fast paced with action and tension – obviously well researched and backed up by the author’s own personal knowledge.  I shall look forward to reading the next book in this series.

(P.S. I think I have a crush on Paul)

Links for Harvey Black

Blog - http://harveyblackauthor.wordpress.com/

Website -  http://www.harveyblackauthor.com/ 

Twitter – @Black_Author  http://twitter.com/#!/Black_Author

Facebook – Harvey Black  http://www.facebook.com/HarveyBlackAuthor

Harvey is also a member of the Author/Reader group

http://loveahappyending.com/

and

 http://famousfiveplus.blogspot.co.uk/

An Audience with an Author – Mandy Baggot talks about her latest novel Taking Charge

Mandy Baggot is with me today to talk about her latest novel, Taking Charge. My review of which can be found here. Although this is Mandy’s fifth novel to be released, it is her first with American publishers, Sapphire Star Publishing.   Today, I wanted to ask Mandy a bit about the American influence of Taking Charge.

Hi Mandy, first of all many congratulations on your publishing deal with Sapphire Star Publishing, it’s great news.  How do you feel, now you’ve had time to get used to the idea?

Taking Charge is set in Portage, Michigan – what made you choose that town?

Portage is the town where my Dad lives! He moved there in 2000 and we went to visit him for the first time in 2010. It was my first trip to America and I just fell in love with the area and the people that live there. We were supposed to stay for ten nights but when that volcano in Iceland erupted the day we were meant to return, it meant we couldn’t get home for another eleven nights. When we got back to England I spent a long time pining for Portage. I had the idea for Taking Charge about three days into the holiday and it started to grow from there.

Is the roadhouse in Taking charge based on a real one in Portage and do they have an ice hockey team?

Eddie’s Roadhouse in the book is very loosely based on a roadhouse I went to in Portage called Logan’s Roadhouse on Shaver Road, Portage. Mr Big and I went there and LOVED it! It was a traditional roadhouse like you see in the films with beer, food, sports on the TV and bands. We saw two great bands while we were there called Special Guest (who are featured in the book) and LTD (Living the Dream).

Logan’s doesn’t have an ice hockey team connected with it but Kalamazoo (the county Portage is in) does have an ice hockey team. They are called the Kalamazoo Wings (K Wings).

Did you ever go to any ice hockey games when you were over in the States?

Of course! It would have been rude not to! Lots of hot men, going really fast on skates, smashing into each other and scoring goals – it’s Lady Baggot’s idea of Heaven! We went to watch the K Wings as the stadium was just down the road from my dad’s house. The atmosphere there was amazing! I loved it – the thrill of the game, the music they play (a mix of strange fairground style organ and Van Halen), the fights and the fluorescent green duck called Slappy who is the mascot! I think he’s a duck!

Was it difficult for you to give your characters an American voice?

I thought I’d done an excellent job with that until Sapphire Star Publishing took me on. Then I realised how little I knew about American terminology. I had some of it down but it’s those little UK expressions we take for granted that kept sneaking in there! There must have been something realistic about the setting and my writing to make them take me on though!

Have you got any plans to write more novels set in America?

Ooo that’s a toughy. I don’t know and in a way I guess it depends on the success of Taking Charge. I have a few books at the beginnings of their lives at the moment and I’m just weighing up my options to decide which one to concentrate my efforts on. One is set predominately in the UK with flashbacks to France, the other is set in the UK and then moves to Cyprus and the third one is set in Spain so, who knows? Maybe I should have another America based novel on the backburner!

Do you think you’ll do a book signing in Portage?

I would love to do a book signing in Portage. There is a big Barnes & Noble store just down the road from my dad’s house. How cool would it be to sign there? HELLO! Barnes & Noble? Want to host Lady Baggot?

Thanks for dropping by Mandy, as always, it’s a pleasure chatting to you.  Very best of luck with Taking Charge.

Mandy has her own website and blog at http://mandybaggot.webs.com/

Mandy is on Twitter @MandyBaggot and Facebook

Taking Charge – Mandy Baggot

The Blurb : Is going back Robyn’s only way forward?

American-born Robyn Matthers is going home. With her dad in hospital, his roadhouse in ruins and the ice hockey team slipping down the league, she needs to take charge. But does she have the strength to do it? 

Cole Ryan is a hockey player on a personal mission. He’s tall, dark, hot and Robyn’s noticed! But can she trust her feelings – or his? And what will Cole do when he finds out the truth about her?

Robyn returns to Michigan and things aren’t quite the same. Her best friend has grown up and is thinking about marriage and babies, the ice hockey team is no longer the life blood of the community and her father is engaged!

When Robyn’s twin cousins drag up past events that hold painful memories for her, she and Cole are forced together. But are either of them ready to start something new?

With an ill father, a trailer trash almost step-mom and ex-boyfriend Brad desperate for another chance, does Robyn have time to contemplate a relationship? Does she really want one? And is it physically possible for two people to fall in love in just three days?

My Thoughts

Taking Charge storms along from the word go – the characters are up and at you from page one and stay there right until the final word.

There are some really fun and eccentric characters that make you smile and the author has captured the lively banter and spirit of an all male team, in this case an ice hockey team. My favourite team mate was Mickey – he made me laugh a lot.

The key characters, Robyn and Cole have a sparkly relationship although both have issues from the past that they haven’t yet resolved.  The exact nature of these problems are gradually revealed as the story progresses and you can’t but help try to guess and re-guess what these demons are.  The book touches on some more serious issues and there are a couple of emotional scenes but these are handled in an easy to read way, with a light touch that is in keeping with the genre.

It’s a dynamic, pocket rocket of a book so hold on to your hats and enjoy the ride!

Links for author Mandy Baggot

Website:http://www.mandybaggot.webs.com
Blog:http://www.mandybaggot.webs.com/apps/blog
Twitter @mandybaggot: http://bit.ly/lTo8Xa

Sapphire Star Publishing:http://sapphirestarpublishing.com/ssp/

The Wind Weeps – Anneli Purchase

Description

Andrea leaves big-city boredom in Ontario to search for love and adventure on B.C.’s rugged coast. The love of two men and a woman leads her into the world of commercial fishing. She is drawn into a rough life alternating between savage beauty and serenity.

But when adventure turns to terror, and Andrea’s survival is threatened, will her newly acquired wilderness skills be enough to save her life?

The Wind Weeps is a pure Canadian tale of love, betrayal, and triumph, told with gusto, humour, and bold insight.

My Thoughts

An enjoyable and gripping read which gives a fascinating insight into something I knew nothing about before – fishing off the coast of British Columbia.

The author has an impressive knowledge of the fishing scene and the workings of a boat which is clearly revealed throughout the novel. However,  this knowledge is slipped easily into the writing and blends in effortlessly with the plot.

Initially, I was a bit irritated with the heroine for rushing into a life changing decision, but I forgave her for that and, for a time, I even wondered whether she had made the right choice.  However, the more I read, the more I began to worry for her.

The tension built up slowly, bit by bit, and almost crept up on you, kind of like the danger that crept up on Andrea.  At times I was on the edge of my seat, almost willing things to happen, or not.  I found myself sympathising with all four main characters for various reasons and, surprisingly, even the real villain at times who clearly had psychological problems.

I found the style of writing easy to read and quickly became engrossed in the story line.

As I said before, an enjoyable and gripping read.

Links for Anneli

Blog - http://wordsfromanneli.wordpress.com/

Website - http://www.anneli-purchase.com/

Twitter – @anneli33

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000521578640#!/profile.php?id=100002204857671

I took the challenge …

Well, I couldn’t let Harvey Black, http://www.harveyblackauthor.com/#/author/4549541074,  get away with writing romance and not have my turn at writing a bit of war.  He can’t have all the fun!

Harvey had taken the challenge up from author Paul Anthony  http://paulanthonys.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/harvey-black-accepts-challenge_20.html to write in another genre and I have to say, he made a pretty good job at it.

Here’s my stab at writing a bit of war.

A Bird’s Eye View by Sue Fortin

One minute he’s walking in front of me, the next there’s the crack of gunfire and the force of the bullet propels Wilko round, his knees buckle and he hits the ground.

‘Man down!’ I yell. ‘Medic!’  I belly crawl over the stony, yellow dust of the Afghan terrain. Wilko is groaning. That’s good. He’s alive. I roll him over, looking for the blood. The top of his arm took the hit. ‘Medic!’ I shout again as I quickly pull the plastic bag containing the sterile dressing from his pocket. ‘Alright, Wilko, let’s stop that bleeding.’ I peel his fingers from his upper arm and push hard with the compress, my fingers turn red from his blood.

‘You’re a regular Florence Nightingale,’ grimaces Wilko in between muttering obscenities directed at the sniper.

‘Aren’t I just.’ I laugh along, although I don’t find the reference funny at all. Even after taking a bullet he still finds time to take the piss.

Chapman, the medic, has managed to get to us by now. ‘I’ve got it now Birdy,’ he says taking over.

I scan the terrain through the sight of my sharp shooter, trying to channel the adrenalin that is coursing through me. I can feel the sweat beading on my forehead. I sweep the gun from left to right across the area. I don’t like it, we’re too close to the crop field on our left. There’s a compound on the other side of the field, about one hundred metres away.  Something catches my eye on top of the building.

‘Sniper on the roof,’ I shout to our Section Commander.  I make another visual sweep of the compound, but this time I don’t see anything.

More crackling of bullets pierce the air. They’re firing short and the dust scuffs up just metres in front of us. I can see muzzle flashes from the trees ahead. They’ve been waiting for us. Picking their moment.  We return fire. The bullets rattle off as Smithy calls in our position.

‘We need to take the sniper out,’ shouts Lance Corporal Carter. ‘We’ll use the Javelin.’

The shoulder mounted rocket launcher was Wilko’s bit of kit. Without thinking I unstrap the weapon from his day pack.

I don’t miss the look that Wilko and Chapman exchange. They don’t think I’m up to it, that much is obvious. I ignore them and look directly at Carter, our Section Commander. After a moment’s pause, he nods. Yes! I’m given the go ahead.

‘Prepare for rapid fire, fifteen seconds,’ he orders, then turning to me. ‘Ready?’

I nod. I hope my face doesn’t betray the fear I’m feeling but nothing is going to get in my way. This is my chance to prove myself. To finally be accepted.  As I load the Javelin, a movement to the left catches my eye. The crops sway in the breeze. Just my imagination. I turn away back to the task in hand and in a heartbeat I realise my oversight.  Apart from that small section, none of the other crops are moving. There’s no breeze. I drop the Javelin and grab my rifle. Rolling over in the dirt I aim at the field and fire at the exact moment an insurgent erupts from the crops. He didn’t stand a chance. He’s dead before he even hits the ground.

More firing into the crops by the rest of the lads. Everyone is unnerved by this suicidal attack.  Another flurry of fire from the compound and I’m back with the Javelin. The rapid fire clears the way for the rocket launch. I send it on its way.

A direct hit. A small rasp of ‘yes’ sounds out from a few of the lads. Job done.

The smoke screens we let off cover us so we can regroup. It seems the enemy have retreated – for now anyway. Two Section have won their battle today. But what of my personal battle for acceptance and validation?

As we prepare to move out, the lads one by one, pass me and pat me on the back, offering words  like ‘Nice work’ and ‘Well done, Birdy.’

With his good arm, Wilko gives me a gentle punch on the shoulder. ‘Good shot, Birdy. Not bad for a girl.’

I have my validation. I’m accepted.

Love in the Wrong Dimension – Anette Darbyshire

The Blurb

Do ghosts fall in love? Jemma Haley is about to find out…. Love In The Wrong Dimension is a modern romantic ghost story.

Jemma is a trendy young woman enjoying her twenties and partying hard in London’s fashionable Camden Town.

One hung-over morning, she makes a pact with her best friend Alice, setting off a train of events that will ultimately lead to her destiny.

After an untimely accident she wakes and realises her life has changed for ever – she is a ghost…

Terrified, she goes to find Alice in the hope that, using her psychic abilities, her friend can tell her what to do next. Instead of making contact with Alice though, Jemma meets Tom, an attractive but elusive ghost, who tells her that she’s trapped in a dimension for ghosts who weren’t meant to die.

She vows to find a way out, but is torn when she develops feelings for Tom, whose own reasons for being there are darker than she could ever have imagined.

The story is moving, mysterious and romantic and will keep you guessing until the last page.

Might eternal love be possible after all?

My Thoughts

What a lovely ghost story – I really enjoyed this book.

I think I liked it so much because it wasn’t just the story of one person/ghost, Jemma, but it was the story of other ghosts too, how they came to be where they were and what was holding them there – trapped in the wrong dimension.  It was also the story of the living too. The people that were left behind, how they came to terms with what had happened to their loved ones and how they found peace.

I enjoyed the love stories both of the living and the dead and really warmed to the characters.  The story has a good plot and I wasn’t entirely sure how it would end.  I found the writing rolled along in an easy to read style and pulled me effortlessly into the story.

Think I fell a bit in love with Tom but seeing as he’s a ghost I will have to settle for the equally lovely Jack.

Anette can be found on Twitter @AGDarbyshire and Facebook

Anette has her own website http://anettedarbyshire.com/about/

Highland Fling – Emily Harvale

Description as per Amazon

Sometimes a weekend can change your life.

Lizzie Marshall left London, and her husband Max, after his affair. But running a B&B in the Scottish Highlands is not as easy as she’d hoped – and using her maiden name doesn’t mean she’s over him.  Max Bedford can still twist her around his little finger – most of the time.

Jack Drake’s getting married in two weeks, but he’s having doubts about his fiancée, Kim Mentor. A weekend in Scotland with five of his friends will cure his pre-wedding nerves – won’t it?

Jane Munroe’s too busy sorting out her friend Lizzie’s love life to worry about her won. Besides, the man she’s fallen for, clearly isn’t interested. Perhaps she should look elsewhere for love?

Iain Hamilton vowed he’d never marry again after his wife’s death, and as a forty five year old farmer, a thirty two year old woman from London is the last person he should be interested in – so why can’t he stop thinking about her?

Highland Fling is a humorous tale of love, friendship and life’s little complications.

My Thoughts

This was a light hearted look at the complications that arise from a series of misunderstandings, not saying what you want to say, not saying what you should saying and not saying anything  at all.

The story is mostly from Lizzie and Jack’s points of view, although we do see if from the supporting characters, sometimes one person at a time and sometimes from a multitude.

The reader was always kept informed of what is going on, even if the characters didn’t necessarily know. This often added to the tension and at times made me want to knock their heads together and shout things like ‘Oh, why  didn’t you just listen to what was actually said?’ or ‘Just spit it out, say it!’ The plot twisted and turned its way over several weeks with a subtle rom com sort of feel to it.

I was glad that Lizzie found an inner strength to face up to certain things. Jane was a very good BBF and although Max was the villain, I quite liked him really. One of my favourties was Iain Hamilton – I found him quietly interesting and appealing.  Jack was a bit of a tortured soul who just wanted to do the right thing but found it wasn’t always what his heart wanted. I liked his mates, they were fun and supportive but in that blokey sort of way.

An enjoyable and easy read about a group of people who found their lives closely entwined, in ways they didn’t think possible, with surprising outcomes.

Emily is on Facebook and Twitter @emilyharvale

She has her own website and blog www.emilyharvale.com

 

Where I am today

Today I’m blogging over at The Romaniacs, talking about Wonderbras, Spanx, support, reassurance and WIPs!

Click here to hop over – Thank you!

Three Steps to Heaven – Pam Howes

Description

It’s 1961 and Eddie Mellor and Jane Wilson are in love. Eddie’s group, The Raiders, is about to make it big. They have the world at their feet and an exciting future to look forward to. Then in walks Angie Turner… The first novel in a series about The Raiders, spanning 50 years.

Pam Howes is the author of ‘Til I kissed You; Always On My Mind; a series of rock’n'roll romances. Fast Movin’ Train – a stand alone true-life love story.

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed this novel. It starts in July 1961, spanning five years, finishing in April 1966 and follows the life of Eddie Mellor, Jane Wilson and The Raiders, together with other supporting characters.

There is plenty going on throughout the story that keeps you hooked and I found myself really involved with the lives of the characters in this novel.  You could see them all grow and develop as the story evolved. There were some twists and turns, the pace picking up quite a bit about three quarters of the way through with an outcome that I wasn’t expecting.

It was easy to read and I enjoyed the dialogue, it was realistic and seemed to capture the era the book was set in.  It had a very ‘British’ feel to it all round.

I shall look forward to reading the following two books in the series.

Pam has her own author’s site here and is on Facebook & Twitter PamHowes1

Author Janice Horton Celebrates

I’m delighted to have author Janice Horton blogging today to celebrate her first blogiversary – over to you, Janice!

Hi,

Just before last Christmas, I was here on Sue’s Love Reading Love Books talking about book promotion and sharing marketing tips with you. At the time, I had just launched my latest ebook ‘Reaching for the Stars’ and was fresh from hosting what had turned out to be a very successful online launch party from my own blog. I do love a party – and it being a virtual one makes it no less fun for me!

Today, Sue has very kindly invited me back to tell you about my latest celebration, which is for my first blogiversary. Yes, it’s exactly one year ago this weekend since I made those first tentative steps into the social networking scene. One whole year since I first blogged, tweeted, and published to Amazon Kindle. That’s a lot to celebrate!

So, I’m announcing an open invitation for you to pop over to my blog at janicehortonwriter.blogspot.com to join in the fun today and over this entire weekend. Being a romantic soul, for those who leave a comment or tweet or share the news about my latest novel being COMPLETELY FREE on Amazon for Kindle today and over this weekend, I’m giving away heart shaped chocolates and candy in a prize draw. It’s my blogiversary gift to you!

So please download your free copy of ‘Reaching for the Stars’ – a novel about a media stalked and disillusioned celebrity chef – and if you already have it on your Kindle then why not recommend it to a friend? But don’t forget to leave a comment on my blog, share and tag me on Facebook, or retweet one of my tweets @JaniceHorton to be in the draw for the yummy heart shaped gifts!

I’ll leave you with Sue’s Love Reading Love Books review for Reaching for the Stars.

Thanks Sue!

“This was the first novel I had read by Janice Horton and having seen rave reviews of her previous novel ‘Bagpipes & Bullshot’ I was very much looking forward to reading ‘Reaching for the Stars‘.

I was drawn into the story from the first paragraph, no pussy footing around, Finn McDuff was brought to life immediately.  I loved the fact that he wasn’t perfect, that he had a bit of a bad boy reputation but at the same time underneath it all there was a different person to the one the press and public knew.  He had issues, past and present, that he had to overcome and/or resolve.  Not being the perfect hero really made Finn come to life and gave him that extra dimension.

Journalist Raine and her adversary Ross made for a great sparring team and even though Ross was working for a newspaper with few morals, you couldn’t help like him in a pitying sort of way.  Raine was great, sticking to her beliefs of fair representation and believing in McDuff when others doubted him.

Janice has a lovely style of writing, which flows along smoothly and makes for an easy, yet totally satisfying read.”

Janice’s Blogiversary Blog: www.janicehortonwriter.blogspot.com

The Link to Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com for you FREE copy of ‘Reaching for the Stars’

Find Janice Horton’s books on Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com

Janice’s Facebook Page

Follow on Twitter: @JaniceHorton

And on:  http://www.loveahappyending.com