Book Review Challenge Book Review from Bodicia

Here is out very first book review from the recent Book Review Challenge.

Bodicia read and reviewed “Please Call Me Derek” by Mac Black in lightening speed time

Please Call Me Derek – Mac Black

Here is her review:

Please…Call Me Derek by Mac Black

Mac Black’s character Derek is reminiscent of Mr Bean as he lands himself in various predicaments by being in the wrong place in this Tom Sharpe style adult comedy.

We meet Derek (or the aromatically named Sweaty to his friends) as a young lad who has a cunning plan to stop a local supermarket from building on his local playground. Then, as an adult, he spies the adorable and fragrant Sally and stumbles into her affections. Meanwhile the local constabulary are convinced they have their man when Derek keeps popping up in the wrong location at the right time and they are going to ‘ave ‘im, whatever it takes.

With a keen eye for the ridiculous in most situations, Mac Black made me chuckle and left me quietly pleased that this time it happened to someone else.

Find your own copy of the book here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Find out more about Bodicia and read more book reviews on her blog A Woman’s Wisdom

Saturday slot – Talking about the book review challenge

Saturdays – Glorious – Long lie-ins- late lazy breakfasts- the Weekend newspapers – and still time to sign up for my book review challenge.

So if you only get time to read my blog at the weekend, what have you missed?

This week I launched an idea to highlight the importance of book reviews and to encourage more people to write and post reviews.

Authors have rallied to my call and we have over 60 free copies of books for anyone to read and review. (3 e-copies per book)

All we ask is you read just one book during July and then write a review which I’ll post here.

Starting on Wednesday 25th June we’re starting a series on writing book reviews and their importance to authors, then we’ll be e-mailing e-copies of books to everyone who has signed up to read and review a book.

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More books for the Book Review Challenge

Good Morning, Good Morning, come and pull up a seat once again. So how are you feeling? Glad it’s Friday? Come and take the weight off your poor weary limbs and take a relaxing deep breath. In and out, that’s it release the stress. Pull up a pew or find a comfy seat, kick off your shoes, nobody minds here, we’re all friends.

So what have you missed since you last dropped by? We’ve got some more delicious books for you, just whispering to be read…

If this is your first visit or you’ve been too busy to call we have a little book review challenge planned. It’s SO easy to play just a tiny part. You wouldn’t be here if you didn’t like books, who doesn’t like a story? We’ve so many to tempt you.

What’s that I hear? It’s too much effort? Not at all. You haven’t got time? What a terrible shame. A whole month to read a book? Could you possible try? Just for me? Please? Pretty please?

I hear you sigh, what to you have to do? It’s JUST SO EASY. Skip on down the page and find a book to tickle your fancy, tweak your eyebrow, or nudge your curiosity.

LIFT your weary limbs and type a few words in the sign up form at the bottom of the page. Now relax and have a cup of tea.

Is that it, you ask? Is that all? W-e-l-l just one more tiny teeny weeny thing….when we send you the book, the one you’ll enjoy, you’ll fly through it in the month of July, I know you will, just one more teeny weeny ever so small….WRITE A REVIEW? WHAT?! I hear you gasp, not a REVIEW surely not? I can’t do that, I don’t know how, they take too long, what if I don’t like the book? Please not a review.

BUT, and my BUT is REALLY important please listen, how’s the tea? BUT when you read a book do you ever talk about it? Do you ever tell others about a good book you’ve read? I see you nod and purse you lips, is that a YES? So couldn’t you possibly, just for me, write down your thoughts on this lovely book, not much, I don’t need an essay, just a few lines. I pause, I see the cracks in your armour you’re beginning to agree, is that a smile and a twinkle in your eye? YIPPEE! I’d grab your hands and we’d dance a little jig but I don’t want you to think I’m more crazy than I am, QUICK, QUICK, QUICK pick a book now. And don’t worry next week we’re doing all sorts of posts about writing that teeny weeny book review that will mean SO MUCH to the authors and me. THANK YOU. Now GO, GO, GO CHOOSE A BOOK.

From July 1st 3 e-copies of the following books will be available FREE for you to choose to read. All we ask is for you to read just 1 and write a review which will then be posted here and other sites where possible. Starting next week on Wednesday 25th June we’ll be posting a series on book reviews to help and advise you.

We’re beginning the book review challenge on Wednesday 25th June with posts from guest book reviewers and authors. There will be book reviewing tips and advice each day in the build up to reading and writing a review.

When books are requested I will confirm by e-mail. Please check your SPAM folder if you think you haven’t heard from me. Similarly when books get sent out by authors they may go into SPAM please do check. I always try to reply within a reasonable time but super efficient spam folders do foil me sometimes.

First come first served.

  Do you fancy an adventure in the forests of Windemere with young warrior Luke Callindor sent to protect the heir of Duke Soloman? REQUEST A COPY OF BEGINNING OF A HERO BY CHARLES E. YALLOWITZ (Fantasy) (2 copies left)

  How about a modern twist on Tudor history? Relive the life of Henry VIII through the eyes of Harry Lanchester and his merry wives. REQUEST A COPY OF KINGS AND QUEENS BY TERRY TYLER (Contemporary) (1 copy left)

  Are you in a romantic mood? How about a romantic Highland fling? REQUEST A COPY OF TALL, DARK AND KILTED BY LIZZIE LAMB (Romance) (2 copies left)

  Or how about a romantic romp with journalists in Norfolk with wedding bells in the air? REQUEST A COPY OF BOOT CAMP BRIDE BY LIZZIE LAMB(Romance) (2 copies left)

  Want to escape your superpowers? Null City is they place to be in this New Adult paranormal fantasy. REQUEST A COPY OF ONE WAY FARE BY BARB AND HANNAH TAUB(Paranormal NA Fantasy) (2 Copies left)

  Perhaps you’ve read One Way Fare? Here’s a chance to read the second book in the series. REQUEST A COPY OF DON’T TOUCH BY BARB TAUB(Paranornal NA Fantasy)

  How about a bit of gruesome history? England 1647, civil war and Matthew Hopkins sweeps through the land as the Witchfinder. REQUEST A COPY OF THE BLACK HOURS BY ALISON WILLIAMS (Historical)

  Could you see yourself at a tournament of Gamesmen as they play a game of Comet? There’s a mystery man and a potion maker in this fantasy. REQUEST A COPY OF THE BIRR ELIXIR BY JO SPARKES (YA Fantasy)

  Love a thriller? Travel with John Cannon as his relaxing leave of absence turns into a nightmare when his boat is attacked by terrorists. REQUEST A COPY OF MY GRL BY JOHN W. HOWELL(Thriller) (1 copy left)

  Can we tempt you with a spiritual quest? Albion, is the oldest name for Britain. Wen and Don take you on a mystical journey through Myths and Legends of these blessed Isles. REQUEST A COPY OF THE HEART OF ALBION BY SUE VINCENT & STUART FRANCE ( A spiritual quest around England) (1 copy left)

  Crime? The first book in the Georgie Connelly crime series. Join feisty documentary film-maker Georgie as she dangerously plans to expose Gentleman’s Clubs. REQUEST A COPY OF BUSINESS AS USUAL BY E.L.LINDLEY(Crime) (2 copies left)

NON-FICTION here’s the chance to get some help promoting your work. REQUEST A COPY OF HOW TO PROMOTE AND MARKET YOUR BOOK BY MADI PREDA (Non-Fiction) (2 copies Left)

  There’s more romance on it’s way.  Marianne Coltrane’s writes an award winning scoop about the sale of babies. Destiny will take her to an island off the wild west coast of Ireland. Love a mix of Ireland and romance? REQUEST A COPY OF THE HOLLOW HEART BY ADREINNE VAUGHAN(Romance) (2 copies left)

  If you’ve read The Hollow Heart by Adrienne Vaughan, here’s your chance to loose yourself in more Irish themed romance with the second book in the series. REQUEST A COPY OF A CHANGE OF HEART BY ADREINNE VAUGHAN (Romance) (2 copies left)

  How about a murder mystery set in a coastal resort in Maine? REQUEST A COPY OF DEATH IN A RED CANVAS CHAIR BY N.A GRANGER (Murder Mystery) (2 copies left)

 Step back in time to Georgia and the deep south for this book, real people struggling to survive with segregation and inequality. This is a fictionalised real story. REQUEST A COPY OF RED CLAY AND ROSES BY S.K. NICHOLLS

 TJ Therien has his fantasy book for FREE on Smashwords and Barnes and Noble (Nook), so no limit on the number of copies but he’d still like reviews. (Fantasy) Only

 British Adult comedy comes in the form of the Derek series, we have the first book available as a kindle download for UK reader/ challengers only. REQUEST A COPY OF PLEASE CALL ME DEREK BY MAC BLACK (British Adult Humour)

 1867, the American Wild West. British raised girl Annie meets wild man Colt McCall after a stagecoach crash. Fantastic cowboy romance. (UK readers + we’re working on a plan for the rest of the world.) REQUEST A COPY OF AN ENGLISHWOMAN’S GUIDE TO THE COWBOY BY JUNE KEARNS (Historical romance) (1 copy left)

 1924, the English Shires. Jazzing flappers and a half share in a million acre ranch in Texas. (UK readers + we’re working on a plan for the rest of the world.) REQUEST A COPY OF THE 20’S GIRL, THE GHOST AND ALL THAT JAZZ BY JUNE KEARNS (Historical Romance) (2 copies left)

 16 year old Jade discovers her Grandmother was murdered. She sets out to find the mystery commune killer. REQUEST A COPY OF JADED BY KRISTY FELTENBERGER-GILLESPI.(YA Thriller) (2 copies left)

Books for the Book Review Challenge

REQUEST A BOOK TODAY AND GET YOUR NAME ON THE LIST – BOOKS WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM THE START OF JULY FROM AUTHORS

ANYONE CAN REQUEST A BOOK, ALL WE ASK IS A REVIEW IN RETURN BY THE END OF JULY 2014

Books are rolling in for this book review challenge. It’s open to anyone and everyone, not just readers. Are you an author? What can you give back to others who read your books? Ever heard of “What you give out you get back ten-fold?” Take action today.

From July 1st 3 e-copies of the following books will be available FREE for you to choose to read. All we ask is for you to read just 1 and write a review which will then be posted here and other sites where possible. Starting next week on Wednesday 25th June we’ll be posting a series on book reviews to help and advise you.

We’re beginning the book review challenge on Wednesday 25th June with posts from guest book reviewers and authors. There will be book reviewing tips and advice each day in the build up to reading and writing a book review from one of the many books authors have kindly donated for the challenge.

Why not choose your book today? First come first served.

 Beginning of a Hero by Charles E Yallowitz (Fantasy) (2 copies left)

 Kings and Queens by Terry Tyler (Contemporary) (1 copy left)

 Tall Dark and Kilted by Lizzie Lamb (Romance) (2 copies left)

 Boot Camp Bride by Lizzie Lamb (Romance) (2 copies left)

 One Way Fare by Barb and Hannah Taub (Paranormal NA Fantasy) (2 copies left)

 Don’t Touch by Barb Taub (Paranornal NA Fantasy)

 The Black Hours by Alison Williams (Historical)

 The Birr Elixir by Jo Sparkes (YA Fantasy)

 My Grl by Hohn W. Howell (Thriller) (1 copy left)

 The Heart of Albion by Sue Vincent & Stuart France ( A spiritual quest around England) (1 copy left)

 Business As Usual by E.L. Lindley (Crime) (2 copies left)

How to Promote and Market Your Book by Madi Preda (Non-Fiction) (2 copies left)

 The Hollow Heart by Adrienne Vaughan (Romance) (2 copies left)

 A Change of Heart by Adrienne Vaughan (Romance)

 Death In A Red Canvas Chair by N.A Granger (Murder Mystery) (2 copies left)

 Red Clay and Roses by S.K. Nicholls (Fictionalised real story of the deep south)

 Scrolls Of Scion by T.J. Therien (Fantasy) Only Available as a free download from Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/434284 Or Free from Barnes and Noble (Nook)

 Please Call me Derek by Mac Black (British Adult Humour) only in Kindle download for Uk readers/ challengers

 An English Woman’s Guide to the Cowboy by June Kearns (Historical romance) (Uk readers. – all others please enquire, we’re working on a plan) (1 copy left)

 The 20’s Girl, The Ghost and All that Jazz by June Kearns (Historical Romance) (Uk readers. – all others please enquire, we’re working on a plan)

 Jaded by Kristy Feltenberger-Gillespi (YA Thriller)

Good Deeds Week March 30th – April 5th

Welcome to my weekly roundup of my year long challenge to do one Good deed a day for a year. This challenge began back in April 2013 and is still going strong, I’m now entering my final few weeks. My inspiration came from reading “A Year of Doing Good” by Judith O’Reilly. Here is what I’ve been up to this week.

March 30th – Last night we changed our clocks in line with British Summertime, so I’m a bit late this morning. It’s also Mother’s Day, so I’ve been giving and receiving gifts as all Mothers should.

March 31st – A really busy day today. I’ve just done my morning at school. Now the April Issue of Fleet Life has just dropped through my door, so I’ve written a draft ready to coincide with the online version. http://www.fleetlife.org.uk click on the online directory and fins me on page 18. This months books are;

Please Call Me Derek by Mac Black

The Medea Complex by Rachel Florence Roberts

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

Calculated by R.S. Novelle

Spirit Warriors by D.E.L Connor

It’s also my first month writing book reviews for Fleet Life’s sister magazine The Elvetham Heath Directory. http://www.ehd.org.uk, again click on the online directory and find me on page. This months featured books are different to Fleet Life although I will mix and match on occasions.

The Dating Game by Susan Buchanan

Greening of a Heart by Stepheny Houghtlin

Red Clay and Roses by S.K. Nicholls

The Griffin’s Boy by Julia Hughes

The Black Hours by Alison Williams.

With my A to Z Challenge starting tomorrow too, I’m sending out reminders to authors whose books are featuring in the first week. I want it to be a good give and take, I promote their books and they promote me.

April 1st – It’s here the first Day of the April A to Z blogging challenge with well over 1900 bloggers signed up this year it’s going to be huge. I’ve been all over the place visiting blogs and writing comments. My own challenge started with A World Apart by Camelia Miron Skiba. Catch up with posts in my Challenge round-up post, or from the A to Z page at the top of this blog.  The sun has finally burnt off the morning fog so now I’m off out in to the garden for a bit of one on one with nature after all my computing.

April 2nd – Online versions of both local magazines made it up on the internet today, so posted my pieces about them and let all the authors know. Having an absolute blast with the A to Z challenge, I can’t believe how many people are coming to my blog it is fantastic. Today’s book was Boot Camp Bride by Lizzie Lamb, Lizzie helped promote the post with her Facebook group of friends which I really appreciated. My slideshow on the sidebar is getting plenty of attention and good comments which is great to hear, have been helping a couple of people out with setting up their own gallery.

April 3rd – Met a friend for coffee in town and caught up with all her news. Went out this evening with more friends and took a birthday present with me for one of them whose birthday is in the next few days. Today’s book on the A to Z Challenge was Coronado’s Treasure by Randy Mixter. I’m thrilled to see lots of re-tweeting going on from other authors who will be taking part in my challenge and from followers of my blog, thanks everyone it means a lot.

April 4th – It’s a Derek Day today on the A to Z with Derek’s Revenge by Mac Black and a plug for the whole series. Went to the local market this morning, met a friend who has offered to pick us up in a few weeks time to attend a party. My Good deeds are mainly internet bound this week, visiting lots of blogs and leaving comments, tweeting and sharing posts. Finished reading Chill Factor by Rachel Caine and left a review on Goodreads.

April 5th – Everlasting by Candace Knoebel is the book for letter E in the A to Z today. Went for a quick walk this afternoon and picked up some litter. Am reading the second book in the Wardstone Chronicles, The Spook’s Curse, by Joseph Delaney, finished it late last evening and posted my review on Goodreads.

Letter D on the A to Z April Challenge

Today is letter D on the A to Z Challenge. My book today is “Derek’s Revenge” by Mac Black, Third book in the Derek Series. Genre: Adult Humour

Let’s meet Derek, he currently works as a newspaper reporter, but his life’s ambition is to write a best selling book.

Name: Derek Toozlethwaite.

Objective: To write a factual best seller.

At long last a great idea for the book – about a rock band that made the big-time in the USA.

RABID REVENGE – and they came from Newingsworth UK – his town!

In the USA they made their name,

Top gee-tar-ists in the ‘Hall of Fame’

Wow, they’re celebs – from Derek’s town.

Trust TOOZLETHWAITE

He’ll track them down.

They’ve had their glory

Their time at the top

They’re older now,

They’ve had to stop.

Rabid Revenge – rockers, acting tough

But they’ve made their money,

They’ve had enough.

Will he let them settle? He will not!

There’s a book to be written!

And DEREK’S …hot!

Read about his escapades, if you dare, and become a ‘Derek’ fan…

Derek Toozlethwaite’ series:

Please…Call me Derek. Derek travels from child to confused adult, from reporter for the local paper to any job available, doing everything he thinks he should, but doing it his way. Pursuing life and employment leads Derek to fling himself into the sort of sticky situations he won’t want to have to explain to his friends or his family. With determination, gritting his teeth, doing everything for the best, how could anything go wrong.

Derek’s in Trouble.  As funny as ever and as unlucky as always, Derek is going through another unexpected crisis in his life. A local reporter with the partner of his dreams, his life is all set to be perfect. So, how will he explain his foray out in his wife’s dress? Then, there’s the leggy lady intent on making a lasting impression …on top of that, there are everyone else’s problems to sort. Is his Gran, the secret Radio agony aunt, capable of helping anyone?

Derek’s Revenge. Derek has not had much success getting his first great novel started – in fact, the research it requires has nearly cost him his marriage and ruined several pairs of his wife’s tights. All he needs is a better topic, maybe he should be writing non-fiction, he is a journalist, after all… As is normal for Derek, things go pretty rapidly and hilariously downhill from there!

Derek’s Good Relations. Relations and Relationships – poor Derek has far too many of both – he has a book to write – a mother he has only just met – a wife about to give birth and a poodle who hates him. Life had been so different a year and a half ago. Back then it had been a life before ET and Mom and a heap of other people interfering with his good intentions.

Derek’s Secrets (out soon)

Available from:

Amazon.co.uk (paperback/kindle);

Amazon.com (paperback/kindle);

Waterstones (paperback)

Barnes and Noble (paperback);

Mac Black contacts:

Email: macblack.author

Facebook: facebook.com

Goodreads

Back in January, I reviewed the first book “Please Call Me Derek” http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-4nZ and Mac was also my guest author for the day. http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-4oJ You can also read my review of “Derek’s in Trouble” here. http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-4Y1

Here are some randomly chosen links to blog from others taking up the challenge, please find a few moments to visit their sites too.

http://kmdlifeisgood.blogspot.co.uk/

http://rhymetime24.blogspot.ca/

http://multicoloreddiary.blogspot.co.uk/

http://gigglingtruckerswife.blogspot.co.uk/

http://asoutherngypsy.com/#sthash.ql9BPF5C.dpbs

During the challenge we are asking visitors to leave comments on as many blogs as possible, all supportive comments are much appreciated, thank you.

April Edition of Fleet Life

This month I’ve books reviews in 2 local magazine, here is my page from Fleet Life.

 

To visit the online version go to http://www.fleetlife.org.uk. Click on the online directory and turn to page 18.

The following authors and books have their work in the magazine;

Please Call Me Derek by Mac Black

The Medea Complex by Rachel Florence Roberts

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

Calculated by R.S. Novelle

Spirit Warriors by D.E.L Connor

Rosie Recommends – Spring Reading

Here are a selection of my Rosie Recommends books for some Spring reading.

 Ever feel like you aren’t getting everything you want out of life? A man on a bus smiles or a stranger exudes happiness and you wonder, why isn’t that me? A child runs giggling across your path and reminds you what pure joy looks like, causing you to stop and ask… where is your joy? Ever sit in your office or home and feel life is passing you by, or that there is more out there, but you just can’t reach it? Saving Our Pennys, by Roy Dimond and Jeff Leitch tell the story of a teacher, who facing a crisis, searches for answers to some of life’s most difficult questions. Goodreads, Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

 Derek travels from child to confused adult, from reporter for the local paper to any job available, doing everything he thinks he should, but doing it his way. Pursuing life and employment leads Derek to fling himself into the sort of sticky situations he won’t want to have to explain to his friends or his family. With determination, gritting his teeth, doing everything for the best, how could anything go wrong? Goodreads, Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

 An international sensation, this hilarious, feel-good novel is narrated by an oddly charming and socially challenged genetics professor on an unusual quest: to find out if he is capable of true love. Goodreads, Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

 1885. Anne Stanbury – Committed to a lunatic asylum, having been deemed insane and therefore unfit to stand trial for the crime of which she is indicted. But is all as it seems? A chilling mystery fast becoming one of this years MUST READS. Goodreads, Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

When the Bishop insists that Martin Winchester take a sabbatical from his parish to restore his depleted energy and regain his spiritual focus, his wife Hannah is left on her own for the first time in years. Her new found freedom gives her an opportunity to reflect on her life. Retreating into the newly-renovated vicarage garden in the Cotswold’s village of Burford, Hannah not only wants to escape the demands of her role as the vicar’s wife, but to reinvent herself.  A heart-warming English Village tale.Goodreads, Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

 

Toad thought it’d be easy to steal from Mr. Edward P. Owl. Unfortunately for Toad, he isn’t the best of thieves. Caught in the act, he’s in more trouble than ever before. Now to save his hide, Toad must track down five rare potion ingredients for Mr. Owl. Or else. A delightful YA book easily readable for adults too. Goodreads, Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

I was immediately drawn to this book by it’s title. After checking out the book description, it still appealed to me. The idea of a Hitman getting stranded in Iceland, a land that has no army, no guns and a homicide rate of 1 maybe 2 a year struck me as very funny. Our Hitman goes by many names and occupations during the tale, I won’t spoil it for the reader by revealing these. Iceland a land of fresh bleak beauty, freezing temperatures, days of light or dark and very few people. Goodreads, Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Let me know if you go ahead and read any of these, and tell me what you thought of them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guest Author Mac Black

Today our guest is author Mac Black. Yesterday I reviewed his first book in the “Derek” series, “Please call me Derek” here is a link to the review. http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-4nZ

Now let’s find out more about Mac and his writing.

MAC BLACK

 

Where is your hometown?

If a home is just an address then I have had a few, but, of course, home is much more than that. There are three places that stand out for me, and all in Scotland. Glasgow was where I was born and brought up – a long time ago! That was in days when ships were built in large numbers on the River Clyde. Back then I worked as a ship draughtsman. A dramatic reduction in the demand for Clyde-built ships, not caused by me I hasten to add, meant a change of employer and of home. I moved to a new job in Dundee, quite a transition, and my family went from living in the big city of Glasgow to the small town of Carnoustie. We were settled there for a long time. It was a great town for two young daughters to grow up in, being not too large and on the coast, and with plenty of local activities. I became a small-town person from then. One further move has occurred, to another small town, to our most recent home in Cupar, a country town in the north of Fife. My wife and I have no plans to move again – at least, I have no plans …but who knows! I await further instructions…

 

How long have you been writing?

Although I enjoyed creating amusing poems when I was younger, it was only when I retired from ‘real work’ that I tried ‘real writing’, and Autumn, 2009, was when I first put pen to paper as a writer of prose. (Umm, no… not strictly true as I have always had the luxury of writing with the aid of a computer, though, when I pay bills, my pen does still function – very reluctantly – to sign cheques.)  My first book was mainly factual, based on our family tree. That first attempt was lovingly created by hand – all my own work, writing, printing and binding, three copies only, a learning experience. Finding a publisher was never contemplated back then, it was a novelty and fun. Fiction was not attempted until the next year, in 2010. Another year later, and, after a very short search, I was lucky enough to find a publisher with a sense of humour who was interested in my work.

Where did the idea for “Please… Call me Derek” come from?

After a few false starts, I concluded that serious writing was not hitting the mark. As an amateur-dramatics performer many years ago I preferred comedy roles, so, attempting to write something light-hearted became the thought. My inspiration was to create a special character, one with a fairly unusual name who would gain sympathy through self-inflicted mishaps in simple everyday situations. To be honest, the plot just developed page by page, and, to my own amazement, eventually, I had created a ‘Derek’ story. I tried it out on a few friends, and was delighted to have some good feedback.

Apart from Derek my favourite character was Grandad Smith, which was yours?

As the creator of what is becoming a large fictional family, I really shouldn’t admit to having favourites. That would only cause jealousy and friction amongst them all and that would not be a good idea, now, would it? However, if you read each story you will find that the different characters take turns at playing centre stage in the various tales. Of course, Derek is the pivotal character always. He has to be my shining example of a hapless hero!

“Thelma” adds to the complications in the book, can you tell the readers why Sally’s Aunt Thelma was estranged from the family?

She was a naughty girl, and we all know what happens to naughty girls, don’t we? Continually falling-out with her father and her twin brother, when she was young, led to her leaving home as soon as she could. She has remained an outcast for most of her life, but, it shouldn’t have to continue forever like that. Perhaps she could become part of the family again? Would that be a good turn of events – maybe for her to become reconciled with them, now that she is older? Do you think that she could control her temper, and make peace with her brother, if she were promised a starring role in a ‘Derek’ book? What a brilliant idea! Yes, I might try that!

‘Sweaty’ and ‘Spider’ are great nicknames which you handle really well in the book, how much fun did you have thinking up these nicknames?

Being called ‘Blackie’ by my young pals is one of my own happy memories. We all had them, nicknames. As youngsters, using actual first names felt too proper, and using a surname was reserved for persons in authority, such as the hated schoolteacher, the minister – and the probation officer. A nickname back then was comforting, binding you to your pals – unless it was one you disliked, of course! Anyway, for Derek’s pals in his pre-school gang days, Toozlethwaite was a mouthful; with their childhood lisps it became ‘Thwaity’, and later progressed to ‘Sweaty’. As for Spider, well, that is a generational thing: his dad was called that – and his Grandad too, and, with him being tall and lanky, what other name could he possibly have?

The kidnappers only get £3000; do you think the absurdity of it is classic British comedy?

I’d like to think so. Having the bad guys win never seems morally correct for me, but then again when I write, unfortunately, the good guys tend to lose out too. Is it just me…?

Derek’s story continues in the next three books, can you give the readers a little hint as to what to expect?

One thing for certain is that Derek will inadvertently land himself in more trouble. If he gets married would you expect his life to become perfect? No, of course not! If he delves into his family history, will he find a few surprises? Yes, of course he will! Will he eventually find a subject for his longed-for book? Maybe, but you’ll have to read the stories to find the real answers to the questions, won’t you? Oh, and will he ever be rid of his nickname…?

Are you planning more Derek books?

To date, four books exist in the series, on the shelves as Paperbacks, and also accessible as Kindle versions. ‘Please…Call me Derek’, ‘Derek’s in Trouble’, ‘Derek’s Revenge’, they all came out during 2012; the fourth, ‘Derek’s Good Relations’, has only just been released in December 2013. The stories are in chronological order related to Derek’s adult life, and it is worth while reading them in sequence – if you dare to become hooked!

Do you have the publication date of your next book ready to whet the appetite of fans?

The fifth book is still a ‘work in progress’. It is called ‘Derek’s Secrets’ and is due for publication during 2014. Now, I need a favour, would somebody be good enough to tell me what this fifth story is supposed to be about? …Please!

“Please Call Me Derek! and other books in the series available from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com

Thank you Mac, I look forward to reading more of the Derek stories.

Please Call Me Derek by Mac Black

Please… Call Me Derek by Mac Black

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Please Call me Derek is a grown up comedy following the events in Derek’s life. It begins with a little introduction to Derek as a child and explains some of the history behind the large Supermarket called Bisko’s which was built on an old piece of derelict ground which young Derek and his friends used to play on.

We next meet Derek aged 29 years old and leaving his current job with the wild idea of becoming an author. Circumstances and unfortunate events find Derek struggling to write and in need of finding a new job.

The book is full of some great characters, I loved Derek’s full name, Derek Toozlethwaite. There is Rob the newspaper editor with a gambling debt to pay, a banker with a hidden secret, his wife Muriel, the victim of a kidnapping and many more. Derek lives with his Grandparents, his Grandad has a paper-round which he does on his bike, while his Gran is doing a study on the benefits of keeping the aging mind active.

There is an unusual element in the book in that many of the characters don’t drive cars and they rely on cycling which adds to the comedy. Grandad’s bike has it’s own starring role in the proceedings more than once, and hopefully someone will give it some loving oil soon.

Throughout the story the local police force are half a step behind most of the goings on, and it seems to be the intent of the characters to outwit the police any way they can, from the very beginning chapter when Derek arrives home with a very large security dog on his trail, to the end when the detective known as Andy Pandy finally throws in the towel.

The plot revolves around a complicated kidnapping, with several twists and turns, leave no stone unturned whilst reading this and beat the detective to the bottom of this crime if you can. Yet despite all that happens to Derek, by the end he finds inspiration for his new book, we leave Derek deeply involved in character fieldwork and look forward to reading more in the next book entitled “Derek in Trouble”.

This book is pure entertainment.

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Author Mac Black will be our guest on the blog tomorrow, do come back and find out more about him.

View all my reviews on Goodreads.