Bookreview: The Dream Factory

Written by John Simes 

"What a page turner"

Summary

After the violent abduction of his parents by the criminal 'Golden Hand', the
16 year-old Peter Young and his brilliant friend, Navinda Eman, flee to the 
Dream Factory - a stone hunt on a deserted beach. Peter has a precious secret
that he must protect, but someone in the village is determined to find them 
and destroy the Dream Factory.

My Review

While reading, I always make some short notes, but this time I absolutely

wanted to know the end. So, be aware, this is a real page turner! I even 
couldn't stop reading. 

I liked the lay-out, the clear chapters and the fantastic characters of the
story. It was a mix of adventure, fantasy and humour.

Later I learned that this is the author's first book. This is very hard to
believe!

My conclusion: don't hesitate to read this book, if you like adventure
and fantasy. I give with lots of pleasure a 5* rating. 

The Author

John Simes was born in Lambeth, London. He is an experienced teacher
of English Literature in state secondary schools and has served as a
Principal and Head Teacher in two of the UK's largest comprehensive 
schools. John founded 'Collingwood Learning' in 2004 to advise on
school improvement and he is assisting government programmes in the UK
and Africa to set up new schools. 

In 2013, John set up Collingwood Publishing and Media Ltd. He now writes
fiction and supports programmes in the UK and Africa to set up new schools. 

He lives with his family in south Devon where he grapples with his addictions
to cricket, poetry and the stunning local landscape. 

 

Booktasters

I received a free copy via Booktasters and the author. Thank you very much for this 
fantastic reading chance!

Bookreview: Summer of 77

What a wonderful memoir!

Summary

A holiday can change everything ...

... it did for Fred.

He went on a two-week break with three friends to the Spanish island of Ibiza in 
July 1976. It was so enjoyable they all vowed to come back for the following
season.

In April 1977, Fred returned to Ibiza, alone, in pursuit of his dream.

Behind him, he left his family, his girlfriend, and a promising career in banking.

Challenges lay ahead.

He needed a place to stay and to find work that would sustain him through the
next six months. 

This true to life memoir follows the 21-year-old Fred's adventures as he acclimatises
to living abroad. In a time before instant communication, he keeps in touch with his
family and friends by letter. They are his lifeline to home. 

My review

Spain and Portugal always are my two favourite holiday countries, so any memoirs
about them always attracts me very much. The 'Summer of 77' written by Robert
'Fred' Fear absolutely didn't let me down.

I loved the short, clear and chronological chapters and the lovely old pictures as 
well. It was written very fluently and I read it easily because the story could interest
me from the beginning until the end. It was so wonderful to learn about his 
adventures in Ibiza.

Of course, I want to give this amazing book a 5 * rating. I highly recommend
'Summer of 77' to all readers who like memoirs about Spain and especially about
Ibiza!

The author

I think every reader of this blog knows already Robert 'Fred' Fear who was the
author in the picture in the blogpost of 3 March 2021 on this link. 

He really is an amazing author and person! 

We love Memoirs

I received a free copy via the We Love Memoirs group, which really is the most
friendliest and interesting group on Facebook! 

Bookreview : The Nomadic Art of Budget Travel

Slow down, Spend less, See More

Travel Deep for Cheap

Summary

If you've ever dreamed of traveling the world, visiting the Acropolis in Greece, 
the cityscapes of Tokyo, or the jungles of Peru - this is the book for you. 

Kayla Kurin guides readers through the art of travel without draining your
bank account. 

Flipping to a travel magazine, it would be easy to assume that travel takes a
lot of money. That luxury resorts and expensive tours are the only way to see
the world. But those publications are missing out on the joys of cheap travel.

My Review

If you want to know more tips and tricks about traveling for a long
period, then you should read this fantastic book. It personally interested
me very much.

It was written in clear, short, chapters and explained well. It also read

very fluently. However I was a bit disappointed that it was too generally.
I'd like to read something more specific. However I really liked the
anecdotes of the author. 

However it is a nice book to read for travel lovers (just as me). I want
to give a 4 * rating.

The Author

Kayla Kurin is a health, travel and fiction writer from Toronto. She has
traveled, lived, and worked in over 50 countries and loves writing about
her adventures in real and made-up worlds. Kayla will attempt to swim in
any body of water she sees and has never met a 1-euro bottle of wine she
didn't like. 

BookSirens

I received a free copy via Booksirens in return of my honest review.

Thank you for this reading chance!