Tag Archives: Adventure

Download Uncle Flynn FREE – for five days only!

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For five days only, my debut novel Uncle Flynn is available to download FREE from Amazon Kindle.

Uncle Flynn was received very positively. On the surface it is a properly old-fashioned treasure hunt adventure, but it contains underlying themes about overcoming fear and the dangers of mollycoddling. The book is dedicated to my eldest son, and was largely inspired by our many excursions over Dartmoor, as well as a bit of local history.

Here is the blurb from the back of Uncle Flynn:

When timid eleven year old Max Bradley embarks on a hunt for buried treasure on Dartmoor with his mysterious Uncle Flynn, he discovers he is braver than he thought.

Together they decipher clues, find a hidden map and explore secret tunnels in their search. But with both police and rival treasure hunters on their tail, Max begins to wonder if his uncle is all he seems…

Here are a few reviews from various readers:

“Harking back to the wonderful adventure stories of Arthur Ransome, Uncle Flynn is a welcome return to the excitement of outdoor exploits in wild surroundings. Excitement, tension and peril combine in a well-written tale where The Goonies meets Swallows and Amazons. The evocative descriptions of treasure seeking on Dartmoor will have you longing to visit and explore for yourselves. Action-packed puzzle-solving pleasure for children and adults alike, with a neat twist in the tale to keep you guessing.”

Mrs Alice R Brewer, Amazon.co.uk

“A treasure for all ages. Kids and teenagers would love this fast-paced adventure story. Most adults would also find it a light and enjoyable read.”

B Fraley, Amazon.com

“Don’t pass this one by. I have been burning through the free NOOKbooks and this is the absolute BEST. Doesn’t matter what type of fiction you like to read, I can imagine this would capture just about anyone’s attention – and heart.”

willreadanything, Barnes and Noble.

“Could not put the book down, so enjoyed the journey. Recommended it to my 12 year old grandson who now wants me to be his book reading adviser. Loved by three generations.”

Brinney, Barnes and Noble.

“What a wonderful book for young readers and anyone else who loves a book with a great twist on an amazing story of courage over fear.”

Beansie47, Barnes and Noble.

“I’m an 83 year old woman. Your book was a joy to me. I felt I was having all the adventures myself at this ripe old age. Your book was like a cold drink of water on a hot day. Thank you.”

Joan McLaughlin, commenting on the Uncle Flynn blog.

“I downloaded the book for my boys to read, and thought I’d just read the first few lines… Needless to say I read to the end! Well written and most enjoyable – great adventure with life lessons woven into the story.”

Cecile Weyers, commenting on the Uncle Flynn blog.

Uncle Flynn is available to download FREE here. Print copies are also available (not free) here.

Download the entire George Hughes trilogy FREE – for five days only!

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The George Hughes trilogy is a thrilling, action-packed space tale set just over a hundred years in the future. Each story is a stand-alone adventure, but I recommend reading the novels in order nonetheless, as they do follow on from one another.

All three can be downloaded FREE from Amazon Kindle during the next five days.

Also, I must emphasise, these books are not just for children. Adult readers have found plenty to enjoy too (especially those who have picked up on some of the subtexts).

Here is the blurb from the back of George goes to Mars:

When George Hughes discovers he has inherited the planet Mars, he goes from poverty to becoming the richest boy on Earth overnight.

Accompanied by his new guardian, a mysterious secret agent and a crew of astronauts, George voyages to Mars to sell land to celebrities wanting to build interplanetary holiday homes. But sabotage, assassination attempts and the possibility of an alien threat plunge him into a deadly adventure…

Here is the blurb from the back of George goes to Titan:

The thrilling sequel to George goes to Mars…

A year on from his adventures on Mars, George Hughes faces an even deadlier peril as he travels to Titan on an urgent rescue mission. The mysterious Giles returns to help him, but assassins are once again on his tail, and a new, far greater alien menace lurks in the shadows waiting to strike.

Here is the blurb from the back of George goes to Neptune:

In this spectacular sequel to George goes to Mars and George goes to Titan, George Hughes faces his most dangerous adventure yet.

Following the Titanian invasion, a deadly and very personal threat forces George to undertake a voyage to a top secret Martian research base on Neptune.

On this remote outpost, he uncovers a diabolical plot. But George is too late to prevent the catastrophe.

A catastrophe that will change his life forever…

Here are a couple of reviews from adults:

“A thoroughly enjoyable read” – Mark, Amazon.

“Reading like a cross between one of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ pulpy Mars adventures and a Robert Heinlein ‘juvenile’, this improbable yarn (just how many “saved in the nick of time” coincidences can one novel contain?) about a rags-to-riches-to-hero boy named George was nonetheless page-turningly entertaining. Perfect rainy day/sick day reading.” – Elizabeth Olson, Goodreads.

And here some thoughts from the target audience (at least I assume so, given the tone of their reviews):

“This was totally amazing! Involves space ships, aliens and more! A totally exciting adventure you’ll love!” – Anonymous, Barnes and Noble.

“Pure awesomeness! Packed with suspense and adventure, as well as LOTS of action!” – Anonymous, Barnes and Noble.

“Best book ever!” – Anonymous, Barnes and Noble.

The George Hughes trilogy can be downloaded FREE here

Print copies (not free, alas) can be ordered here (book 1), here (book 2) and here (book 3).

 

Download Dr Gribbles and the Beast of Blackthorn Lodge – for five days only!

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My novel Dr Gribbles and the Beast of Blackthorn Lodge is available to download FREE from Amazon Kindle for five days only.

Of all the novels I have published, Dr Gribbles and the Beast of Blackthorn Lodge remains the one that seems to have singularly failed to find a readership or generate reviews. Besides the obvious possibility that people simply don’t want to read it, I suspect there are a number of factors as to why:

It’s primarily a children’s book. 

I am amazed how many readers are put off for that reason alone, especially as my children’s novels are designed for all readers, not just children. Like all the best children’s books I try to appeal to all ages, and take the CS Lewis view that a great story for children isn’t a great story for children unless it can also be appreciated by adults.

Children’s books (at least mine) don’t seem to find an audience on Kindle in the same way as grown-up books.

This is speculation on my part, but I suspect it is a factor.

I haven’t marketed the novel properly.

This is a given, as I am no businessman or marketing expert. However, I think it is perhaps true that, given how protective I am of the twists and turns in this story, I have perhaps been more reticent to discuss the plot than was wise. I shall therefore attempt to remedy this situation a little in this article.

The plot of Dr Gribbles and the Beast of Blackthorn Lodge begins with a haunted house, a monster, and a mad scientist – and that’s just chapter one! Our hero, the intelligent Tim Rawlings, is then drawn into a thrilling, scary adventure involving spies towards the end of the Cold War.

Tim’s path crosses with the eccentric but mysterious Dr Gribbles. Together they are forced to undertake a dangerous hunt on Dartmoor. Along the way spies British, Russian and American help and hinder, or sometimes both. One such spy is Dr Gribbles’s feisty daughter Emily, who plays an absolutely pivotal role in the story.

Thrills galore ensue, including helicopter chases, monstrous encounters and all manner of narrow escapes, including a nightmarish encounter with a room filled with wasps and a nuclear detonation. Secrets are revealed, characters are double crossed, and ultimately spies of all nationalities prove untrustworthy.

The nail-biting final act includes a homage to one of my favourite fairy tales. I cannot say which, although it might be guessable. At any rate, the overall tone is one of fun and adventure, with some scares (particularly in the first act), and plenty of humour.

In short, I think it is a shame Dr Gribbles and the Beast of Blackthorn Lodge hasn’t had more readers as I think it is a rattling good adventure yarn. The book also features my favourite cover of any of my novels and is even dedicated to my youngest son Thomas, since it was primarily inspired by a very imaginative nightmare he had when he was three.

In short, why not give it a go? Download your FREE copy of Dr Gribbles and the Beast of Blackthorn Lodge here.