PICA IS NEARLY HERE

PICA is a novel set in the modern day, that explores ancient magic and our relationship with the natural world.

“One of the most charming fantasy novels I’ve read in years. Real characters you will come to love and hate and a story you can’t stop reading. An engrossing and original story, beautifully told. Wonderful!”                                                                                Michael Moorcock

“It’s one of those ‘one of a kind, never read that before’ books …  it’s a great read and will change your perceptions of the world and make you think twice about what humanity really is.”                                                                                                                                         Confessions of a Book Lover

 

AVAILABLE  ON 25th FEBRUARY 2016

Published by Accent Press
Amazon UK                   Amazon US

 

Luke hates nature, preferring the excitement of computer games to dull walks in the countryside, but his view of the world around him drastically begins to change when enigmatic loner, Guy, shows him some of the secrets that the very planet itself appears to be hiding from modern society.

Hidden behind the everyday screen of school and family life, Luke tumbles into a fascinating world of magic and fantasy, where transformations and shifting identities become second nature. 

 

 

Treading On Dreams – What do the Reviews Say?

• “The journey is intriguing and Jeff Gardiner depicts it with adept skill … an engaging, fast-paced story that defies prediction and yet has enough intrigue and romance to totally thrill every reader.”

• “delicious characters and surprising twists”

 

• “a myriad of emotions going on …This was a wonderful book and I was sad to see it end.”

 

• “From page one, readers will be pulled into Donny’s story, and follow him down a deep hole of emotional despair and longing for a woman he loves…”

 

• “delightful book”

 

• “An excellent story and difficult to put down.”

AMAZON LINK

 

 

 

Blurb

Donny is obsessed with his housemate, Selena – but his love is unrequited. He enthusiastically accepts her willing friendship, which only fuels his deepening fantasies.

Jaz is their crazy landlord who likes sleeping with women – lots of them. He takes pleasure in educating the once innocent Donny in the hedonistic pleasures of sex, drugs and rock’n’roll. It blows Donny’s mind.

Selena is engaged to Melvin – the perfect man – but is also keen to befriend the ever-demanding Donny … until she falls pregnant and her wedding looms.

Donny expresses his true feelings at the wedding, causing mayhem and anger. But there remains a chink of hope: perhaps Selena’s marriage to Melvin is not quite as perfect as it seems.

 

Tagged on a Blog Hop

Thanks to fellow Crooked Cat writer, Carol Hedges, author of Victorian crime novel, ‘Diamonds and Dust’, for tagging me on this Blog Hop. At the end of this interview I will be tagging another brilliant author, Catriona King, whose DCI Craig detective thrillers are a must-read.

What am I working on?

Following on from ‘Myopia’, I am currently working on two more YA novels. One contains fantasy elements, although it’s set in the real world; slipstream fiction is the best description. This novel explores universal issues and themes. The other novel that I’ve finished uses football as a subject to examine themes such as bullying and family. It has a grandfather/grandson relationship, and involves some pathos but is ultimately uplifting. The message is something along the lines of: ‘Never give up. Stay focussed and determined if you hope to realise your potential’.

How does my work differ from others of its genre?

My YA novels involve a good deal of realism. As a teacher for over twenty years, I feel I can write about school and teenagers with a great deal of realism. My other novels are more adult-orientated. ‘Treading On Dreams’ is a coming of age tale about obsession and unrequited love; ‘Igboland’ is the story of Lydia, an English woman living in West Africa during the Biafran War. Her own marriage and faith are beginning to crumble when she meets Igbo doctor, Kwemto, and learns a great deal about herself.

My fiction stretches across genre boundaries, breaks a few rules and expectations. I tend to believe in good writing whatever the genre, rather than sticking to one type of narrative or setting. My short story collection, ‘A Glimpse of the Numinous’, is a booksellers’ nightmare as it contains horror, humour and romance.

Why do I write what I do?

I write because my head is full of stories and images that need an outlet, other than through me losing my marbles. Sometimes writing is a cathartic experience. ‘Igboland’ came out of my sentimental attachment to the country of my birth: Nigeria. ‘Myopia’ was a response to seeing the effects of bullying on sensitive students. ‘Treading On Dreams’ began as a narrative about a man who is overly sensitive and naive: traits not usually associated with being masculine. I write horror, humour and romance because people are not just one thing, but are complex beings full of hope, anger, light and shade.

How does your writing process work?

In practical terms I write two days a week, around my part-time job, and when I can find time. I also have kids, so it’s hard balancing all three aspects of my life.

Once I have a project on the go I am very focussed, and on a good day with few distractions, I can write 2000 words. Being a writer does not just involve writing, though. Marketing and publicity is an important aspect that takes up a huge amount of time – something non-writers might not fully appreciate.

I love the creativity of writing, but I also enjoy the discipline of editing and improving my work. That’s a skill which goes hand-in-hand with the creative process.

Now I’d like to tag Catriona King. The 6th book in her DCI Craig series, ‘The Slowest Cut’ is just out.

Article in Writers’ News

Click here to buy my books

IGBOLAND : The Diary of Janet Gardiner

IGBOLAND is a romantic novel of passion, conflict and adventure. While it is a work of fiction, it is inspired by the diary, photos and stories of my parents who lived out in Nigeria for six years.

My Mum’s diary is full of intriguing details and incidents, although it is important to note that IGBOLAND is a work of fiction with characters very different to my parents, Janet and Gerald Gardiner. Below is an extract from my Janet’s diary. The Igbo girl, Rachel, became the inspiration for the character Grace in IGBOLAND. Although Grace’s character experiences different challenges – the tone and the mood made a big impression on me, and I hoped to capture that same sense of suffering and hardship. Read the novel to see how I went from this, to the story of Grace.

FROM THE DIARY OF JANET GARDINER

3^rd December 1967

“Gerald took us up to Oturkpo hospital to visit an Igbo girl. She must have been brought up from the east for treatment (a caesarean operation). She was a pitiful sight, trembling and in a completely confused state; she must only be around 18. It must feel awful for her with a new baby (a tiny sweet little thing – pinkish brown) and in enemy territory, separated from home and family. People treat her kindly although the nurses don’t seem to do much for her – she is unkempt and looks a mess. There are flies everywhere in the ward. It tears your heart out to see her. She wants to go home, but the doctor won’t allow her to be moved as she is too ill and weak. She wept when Gerald read her some letters from her family.

10^th December 1967

“The war continues with heavy fighting still at Nsukka, Enugu and places along the border – casualties are heavy on both sides. The turnover of wounded soldiers in the hospital is very speedy. One soldier proudly showed us the ‘Biafran’ bullet which was removed from his shoulder – a souvenir. The Igbo girl, whose name is Rachel, is making little progress. Hospital patients out here are fed by their relatives, so the only food this girl gets is what we take. Her hair had to be shaved off it was such a mess, so we gave her material to make a head square. Her husband has been killed and no-one knows whether her father is okay or not.”

3^rd January 1968

“General Gowon announced a new and large campaign to be launched against Biafra unless they accept a settlement on federal terms.”

13^th January 1968

“Rachel has been transferred to Ikache to be looked after by the Dutch nurses. She is worried about her family and her father, whom she believes has been killed. Poor, sad girl, she seems to have no will to live even though her baby is getting stronger.”

14^th January 1968

“Rachel, the Igbo girl, has died. Her operation wound never healed. Someone is going to try to get the baby to her family in Biafra. We are going to spend the money we got from mum and dad on the baby.”

Jeff’s Website: http://jeffgardiner.com/

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Igboland-Jeff-Gardiner-ebook/dp/B00IGQPG1S/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1392887194&sr=1-1

Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Igboland-Jeff-Gardiner-ebook/dp/B00IGQPG1S/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1395168674&sr=1-1&keywords=igboland

Crooked Cat Books: http://www.crookedcatbooks.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=126

 

MYOPIA into the People’s Book Prize Final!

My novel MYOPIA has made it to the final of The People’s Book Prize.

Thanks to everyone who has voted, read it and supported me, so far.

Here is the link to show the finalists for 2013/14:  http://www.peoplesbookprize.com/finalists_2013.htm

MYOPIA is a gritty YA/Adult crossover novel exploring the effects of bullying and prejudice.

A selction of comments from voters:

“Thoughtful, intelligent and imaginative”

“the story is dynamic”

“involving and deeply satisfying”

“full of insight and humour”

“poignant, beautiful and heart-wrenching”

“a fantastic read for all ages”

“the bullying theme was so sensitively handled”

 

For more details visit my website: http://jeffgardiner.com/

To puchase a copy (paperback or ebook) please click on the cover below.

IGBOLAND: published on 19th February.

 

IGBOLAND is a novel set in Nigeria during the Biafran War.

Published by Crooked Cat Books on Wednesday 19th February 2014.

Click here to purchase/order your copy.

Surreal Grotesque – H.P Lovecraft Issue

http://www.scribd.com/doc/177518514/Issue-13-Lovecraft

Interview with Christopher Rice. Horror fiction by W.H. Pugmire, Joseph Patchen, Jason Wayne Allen, Jeff Gardiner and more! The Ultimate Halloween Issue!

Review Comments for MYOPIA

Here is a new selection of recent comments reviewers have made about MYOPIA.

• “one of the best books I have ever read … touching, amusing and poignant”.
• “I recommend this book to anyone affected by bullying … or anyone who enjoys a can’t-put-it-down YA novel”.
• “engaging and compelling”.
• “a great book with a strong message”.
• “I’d recommend this book to teachers and grown-ups who have to deal with the issue of bullying”.

Click here to buy MYOPIA on Amazon.

MYOPIA by Jeff Gardiner

“Oi! You four-eyed freak!”

Jerry is bullied for wearing glasses. When he realises his short-sightedness is not a disability, but a different way of perceiving and understanding the world around him, he begins to see things from a new, unique perspective.

He even starts to believe he might have super-powers, but soon learns a great deal about himself and about the boy who is making his life such a misery.

As he becomes alienated from his girlfriend and best mate, both victims of racism, Jerry realises he needs to think hard and put his plan into action.

Has Jerry discovered a new way of dealing with prejudice?

Myopia is a novel about bullying, friendship and learning the hard way.

 

“An intelligent, skillful and well-written treatment of a serious subject”

(L.H. Healy of The Little Reader Libarary – Amazon top 500 reviewer and Vine Voice.)

 

“Myopia is a poignant, beautiful and heart-wrenching story that resonates with truth, hope and above all, the immeasurable power of human compassion. Thoroughly recommended.”                                                      (T. J. Reids)

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MYOPIA by Jeff Gardiner is available from

www.amazon.co.uk

Or http://www.smashwords.com as a paperback and e-book

               ISBN – 978-1-908910-53-0

              www.jeffgardiner.com

  Crooked Cat Books

Jeff Gardiner’s Blog:  https://jeffgardiner.wordpress.com/