It had to be done

I recently did a list of my fav travel adventure books, including my review of “How to avoid getting mugged in Rio de Janeiro by singing songs by the police and other lesser known travel tips” by Simon Yeats. If you read that blog, you’ll recall I accidentally started to read “How to survive making yourself look silly while dancing with the German mafia at a Bavarian Nightclub and other lesser known travel tips” first. Well with such ridiculously long titles, it’s easy to get confused.

Anyway, back over to Bavaria (and other places). As I said, there is absolutely no need to read the books in order as they are completely standalone. And as it turns out, there is no need to even read them in chapter order as I hopped back and forth happily!

This is a bit like reviewing a second Bill Bryson book. You know exactly what you’re getting: short snappy scenes, funny encounters, and a faintly self-depreciating sense of humour. It worked for “Rio” and it works for “Bavaria” (if you think I’m typing those titles in full again, think again.)

Oh and I think I have a new motto for life: what do I want to be able to say if asked if I would rather a) sit on a bar stool, or b) dance (badly) with the mafia? Show me the dance floor every time.

Enjoy the adventure. I did.

Blurb

Australian author Simon Yeats, who from an early age learned that the best way to approach the misfortunes of this world is to laugh about it.

Simon shares his comedic insights into the unusual and uproarious elements of living life as an Aussie ex-pat and having a sense of Wanderlust as pervasive as the Bubonic Plague in the 1300s.

From what to do when several people converge to rob you after midnight on a deserted Copacabana Beach, to how to save the Sierra Mountain Range from a wildfire outbreak due to a lack of quality toilet paper, to where not to go in Tijuana when trying to locate the origins to stories of the city’s mythical adult entertainment, to how to save yourself from drowning when caught in a storm while sailing off the California coast.

Simon Yeats has gone into the world and experienced all the out of the ordinary moments for you to sit back and enjoy the experience without the need to lose an eye or damage your liver.

About the Author

Simon Yeats has lived nine lives, and by all estimations, is fast running out of the number he has left. His life of globetrotting the globe was not the one he expected to lead. He grew up a quiet, shy boy teased by other kids on the playgrounds for his red hair. But he developed a keen wit and sense of humor to always see the funnier side of life.

With an overwhelming love of travel, a propensity to find trouble where there was none, and being a passionate advocate of mental health, Simon’s stories will leave a reader either rolling on the floor in tears of laughter, or breathing deeply that the adventures he has led were survived.

No author has laughed longer or cried with less restraint at the travails of life.

Top ten travel adventure books

If I could only read one genre for the rest of my life, it would be travel-adventure. I just devour these. It doesn’t matter where or how, I’ll read it. My favourite recent reads have been “Coffee first, then the world” by Jenny Graham – a record breaking solo lap of the planet by bike (and I don’t even cycle), “Ignore the Fear: one woman’s paddle boarding adventure” by Fiona Quinn – a LEJOG (Lands End to John O’Groats) paddle, “Retirement Rebel” by Siobhan Daniels – moving to van life, “From East to West by saddle is best” by Claire Aldritt – a journey across the Scottish Highlands by Horseback, and “Coasting” by Elise Downing. In fact the only one I did not enjoy was the best-selling “Salt Path” by Gaynor Winn – I cannot approve of anyone who thinks it is acceptable to steal from small campsites and small shops, or who thinks living in a council estate would kill her. That makes my blood boil.

Anyway, back to the travel books. In my book group, someone recently asked about funny travel-adventure, and I could only think of “Around Ireland with a Fridge” by Tony Hawkes, so when I was invited to join the book tour for “How to avoid getting mugged in Rio de Janeiro by singing songs by the police and other lesser known travel tips” and “How to survive making yourself look silly while dancing with the German mafia at a Bavarian Nightclub and other lesser known travel tips” by Simon Yeats, I was keen.

I started with “Rio” (seriously I am not typing that long title again!) and the entire first chapter was admonishing me for not reading book 1 first. Ahaha I thought, setting it aside and picking up “Bavarian nightclub” (ditto). This did not lecture me on reading the books in order so I plunged in. Turns out this is Book 3 in the series. I think. I’m still confused. Perhaps the author doesn’t like typing the titles in full which is why he calls then just Book 1 and Book 2 and Book 3.

So I’ve been asked to review “Rio” first. Which might be Book 2. Thankfully, it turns out there is absolutely no need to read them in order, they are perfectly standalone. And funny. I think travel humour can tread a fine line between being rude/ stereotyping, and this stays on the right side. There’s a super balance of people stories and location insights, perfect for lazy travelling, and after reading so many challenge based travel books recently, I’m definitely in the mood for something a bit lazy!

Blurb

About the Author

No author has laughed longer or cried with less restraint at the travails of life.

A final thought from me

Oh, and I just remembered laughing at “Twitchhiker” by Paul Smith – a challenge to travel to the other side of the world for free using only the power of Twitter. That makes ten.

What happens when Oliver Twist meets Harry Potter?

I’ve always loved the boarding school scenario from my first adventures at Mallory Towers to Hogwarts so I was excited to visit Crookhaven – a secret school for crooks. Given the plethora of boarding school books out there, I know it’s not easy to create a unique world and the tropes can be overdone, but this series totally nails it.

Secret boarding school ✔️
Quirky lessons ✔️
Fun challenges ✔️
Loveable rogues ✔️
Robin Hood ethics ✔️

This series had me reading under the covers in the middle of the night. I haven’t done that since I was ten! I literally couldn’t put it down. When is book 3 coming out? I need it now!

It does lean on some scenes from Hogwarts – e.g. there is a river crossing with the first years (“crooklings”) to get to the school and a sorting ceremony into houses – but it is really well done. Good messages on teamwork and kindness, as well as the importance of practising skills (in fact it was nice to see this applied to lessons as I always tell students that writing is a skill and you can get better at it if you practice, just like you can get better at football if you practice).

My only complaint about the books is that there are a few references to playing/ walking on railway lines and this is NOT OK. I really don’t see why this is included – it’s not critical to the plot, and certainly not something we should in any way encourage.

Blurb: Crookhaven series

Book 1: The school for thieves

The first book in the ‘criminally good’ Crookhaven series, the secret school where students are taught to do wrong, so that one day, they can put the world to rights.

“So this is really a school for criminals.” It was meant as a question, though it came out more as an accusation.

“We are so much more than that,” Caspian said, sitting in a plush leather chair and gesturing for Gabriel to sit in a similar one across the table. “We are a home for the forgotten, a sanctuary for the lost and … yes, a training ground for the greatest crooks of the future.”

13-year-old Gabriel is a brilliant pickpocket, a skill which he uses to keep his often empty belly not quite so empty. And then one day, he’s caught.

But instead of being arrested, he is invited by the mysterious Caspian Crook to attend Crookhaven – a school for thieves. At Crookhaven, students are trained in lock-picking, forgery and ‘crim-nastics’, all with the intention of doing good out in the world, by conning the bad and giving back to the innocent.

But … can you ever really trust a thief?

With a school wide competition to be crowned Top Crook and many mysteries to uncover, Gabriel’s first year at Crookhaven will be one to remember…

Book 2: The forgotten maze

It’s Gabriel’s second year at Crookhaven School for Thieves. And with a tricky Break-In challenge to the teacher’s section of the library to attempt, plus a new class called Reclamation, his Miscreant year is already off to a busy start.

Then Gabriel and his friends learn about Maravel’s Maze. Hidden deep beneath the lake, forgotten about by the school, it’s a labyrinth of obstacles. Each tests a crook-related skill – and all are nearly impossible.

But the impossible has never stopped Gabriel’s crew before, especially not when there’s something at the heart of the maze that they all desperately want…

#crookhavenschoolforthieves #netgalley

Racoon and the Hot Air Balloon

Jill Atkins is in my writing group so I was thrilled to be invited by her publisher to take part in the blog tour for her new book, Racoon and the Hot Air Balloon. Unfortunately a hiking holiday in the hills meant I missed the actual tour, but I was lucky enough to be sent a copy to review anyway.

I absolutely loved the Racoon character – everything you could want in a role model – kind, compassionate, brave, and adventurous. And always getting into mischief – something that should appeal to young readers!

And the Eagle mum character is also very strongly written. She allows Raccoon to explore, but there in the background to prevent disaster. What a lovely way to include the “grown-up” in the story. I remember hearing Katherine Rundell say in a speech “there is nothing so endangered in children’s literature as a mother” and it’s true – as writers we’re encouraged to write them out so the children can solve their problems, but I like them to be there in the background.

And as if that wasn’t enough, there is the underlying message of good deeds repaying themselves.

Blurb

Raccoon is in search of adventure! A hot air balloon looks like the perfect way for her to experience flying…but how do you get down?

Author Bio

Jill Atkins is a self-proclaimed ‘escaped teacher’ who is now writing for children with 46 books published so far, ranging from early reading material to teenage novels. She is married with two grown-up children and five grandchildren, and loves to read both adult and children’s books.

Argentina, polo and a dash of romance

This series is like catnip to me: travel, adventure, horses and a dash of romance. It’s literally my dream combo. I recently reviewed the Sweetbriars pony series for kids, so this time it’s a grown up horsey treat, but I must stress, you do not need to know anything about horses or polo to enjoy this series.

The series is based on the author’s own experiences and as it’s written in the first person and reads like a travel journal, I had to keep reminding myself that it was fiction.

The Polo Diaries starts with a list. I love a list, and this one is particularly funny, especially the order of priorities.

I connected with the narrator from the opening lines. She’s very Bridget Jones (it’s always a relief when a big claim in the blurb turns out to be 100% accurate) and I’m pleased she is older (at a mere 41) than the stereotypical mid-thirties romcom character. She’s a typical horsewoman – despite repeated broken bones, she can barely wait to get back in the saddle. Given I’ve skied with my arm in plaster cast, and yesterday was debating with a 9yo who has fractured her shoulder from a fall and is banned by the doctor from riding for a month, how long she really had to take off, I can totally relate to this. NOTE – this should not be considered medical advice – you must always listen to your doctor!!

The second book follows on so I would suggest reading them in order. The feeling of “home” when she lands back in Argentina is so strongly described, I’m practically packed and on the next plane to Buenos Aires.

Now I’m looking forward to reading more books by this author. You know when people ask you which author you’d like to invite to a dinner party, I’m definitely putting Roxana Valea on my wish list. Or perhaps we could just meet for a Campari and orange …

Single in Buenos Aires, The Polo Diaries Book 1

Roxy plays polo… but dreams of love.  Forty-one-year-old polo player Roxy arrives in Argentina with a to-do list that includes healing from a polo injury and falling in love with a handsome Argentine. From polo boots to tango shoes, the adrenaline of riding horses to glamorous after-game parties, Roxy learns to navigate this unfamiliar landscape with the help of new friends who teach her to take life as it comes. But will she find true love? Over three months in Buenos Aires, nothing goes according to plan, and yet, all the items on her list mysteriously get ticked off in the end. Just not the way she had imagined.

Fans of the Bridget Jones series will love the blend of humor, travel, and romantic comedy at the heart of Single in Buenos Aires, all topped off with the unforgettable flavor of life in one of the most sensual and passionate cities in the world.

A Horse Called Bicycle, The Polo Diaries Book 2

Roxy found love . . . but is it enough?  In the second instalment of the Polo Diaries series, polo player Roxy goes back to Argentina a year after the events in Single in Buenos Aires, filled with dreams of settling down with the man she loves. This time, once again, Argentina is full of surprises and things are not what they appear to be. Or maybe they’re exactly what they’re meant to be, as a fortune-teller informs her.

Roxy takes a leap of faith and follows her dreams once again. She spends time at glamorous party venues of Buenos Aires and travels to the rough and wild pampas. Along the way, Roxy’s friends support and champion her quest for love, but when things get out of hand, Roxy realizes she needs to listen to her own inner voice and must make a hard choice. Two paths open in front of her, each one with far-reaching consequences. Which will she choose?

Author bio

Roxana Valea was born in Romania and lived in Italy, Switzerland, England and Argentina before settling in Spain. She has a BA in journalism and an MBA degree. She spent more than twenty years in the business world as an entrepreneur, manager and management consultant working for top companies like Apple, eBay, and Sony. She is also a Reiki Master and shamanic energy medicine practitioner.

As an author, Roxana writes books inspired by real events. Her memoir Through Dust and Dreams is a faithful account of a trip she took at the age of twenty-eight across Africa by car in the company of two strangers she met over the internet. Her following book, Personal Power: Mindfulness Techniques for the Corporate World is a nonfiction book filled with personal anecdotes from her consulting years. The Polo Diaries series is inspired by her experiences as a female polo player–traveling to Argentina, falling in love, and surviving the highs and lows of this dangerous sport.

Roxana lives with her husband in Mallorca, Spain, where she writes, coaches, and does energy therapies, but her first passion remains writing.