Around the World in 80 Tales - Dave Tomlinson

Book Summary: 
80 Stories, 25 Countries, 5 Continents, One Heck of a Ride! A journey of captivating true travel stories from that will inspire, amuse and amaze. This fascinating kaleidoscope of people, places, food and culture brings to life the colourful experiences of travelling the world on a budget!

Review:

I've always wanted to travel, since I've been a child I was always thinking of where I should go, for how long and what I would do there and most importantly how I would get there. As I grew I begun to see the full picture, how much it was going to cost to go to places I craved to visit, I even made plans for a road trip through American once with a few friends, we planned the majority of and I still quite embarrassingly have the notepad document on my laptop that I typed  it all in. The plan of course fell through, distance grew between me and everyone involved yet the very need in me to visit America and everywhere else to see all of these beautiful things still lingered within me.

So when Dave contacted me and told me about his new travel book Around the World in 80 Tales I really couldn't say no. It is one of the greatest things I've gotten to read about the world, the people scattered around it and the wonderful views and experiences to be had outside of my home.  I'm beyond envious of Dave's journeys, incredibly in awe of the photo's he took, the experiences he had and those who gave him a glimpse into their life and were so generous on his travels through each place.

Each story is short and engaging, accompanied by beautiful photos. Reading each story at home tucked under a roof in between 4 walls I was in a constant state of seeing myself in each situation, even in those not so very 'glorious' ones Dave will know which ones I'm talking of! and a state of pure envy which would physically ache my chest. Each story is pure and true, in no way exaggerated or altered for our pleasure, they are real life moments, memories and breath taking moments. Dave made me envious but reading his tales, poured gasoline on the flame inside of me that wants to travel.

I am beyond thankful for Dave having shared with not only me but you, his stories, its been a great experience and a very much eye opening one. As you know before now I have wanted to travel, to experience cultures and peoples generosity whilst experiencing great things, now I don't 'want' to travel, I thrive to, I pray and hope to do so even if its only to a few places, it's still an adventure or several, all of which I would be thankful to have experienced.

Having bought me so much joy and laughs I can't reward this book anything less than a 5/5. I recommend it to anyone who wants to travel but haven't got the time or money or are going to be traveling and want some ideas on where to go and activities to do. Thank you to Dave who provided me with a copy for a review.

Tales Of Blood And Sulphur Apocalypse Minor - J.G.Clay

Synopsis:

Eleven Tales steeped in Blood and reeking of Sulphur

J.G Clay takes you on a journey through the voids of Reality and into dark places where demons, mutants and inter-dimensional creatures taunt, taint and corrupt Humanity. Survival is not guaranteed, sanity is not assured and death lurks in every corner. These are the Tales of Blood and Sulphur: Apocalypse Minor; eleven twisted tales of terror and mayhem.....

There are cracks in the skin of Reality. Some are microscopic, others are as wide as a four-lane motorway. As the fault lines increase and widen, the door to our world shines like a beacon in the darkness, a warm and inviting sight to others beyond our understanding. When They cross over into our realm, The Tales begin......


Review:

Full of twists and turns you're definitely gong to have a mind blowing experience reading these tales. I must say that Tales is a gory, dark and horrific read for a mature reader. The tales had me so hooked I am pretty sure I was lost in every tail that followed the last. There are moments that do feel ever so real but the tales are written with the creativity of sci-fi fantasy which when combined creates a marvellous dark horror.

With a suspect, Null, being interrogated in the epilogue it soon becomes clear that there is a rare, strange wisdom about the man that gives you the heebie-jeebies. The tales he tells will haunt whoever listens.

'Have you ever sneaked out for a fag, looked at a patch on the lawn, and found it to have grown with no explanation? Or, maybe you have walked home one evening after a few drinks, cutting across the  desolate park and heard noises – a voice ‘help me’? Then again, maybe you’d prefer to have a pint with the devil, listening to The Clash on the jukebox, and being encouraged to join his dark side whilst in an almost trance-like state? Perhaps you’re trapped in an apartment, with little or no food, caged in by zombies, and you need to leave for a few minutes to get some supplies? Or find yourself in a Dr Who-like scenario with creepily smiling cyborgs, with automated voices set, out to control and intimidate those who go against the new regime. If you don’t conform you won’t want to wait to see what will become of you!'

Tales is for sure a disgustingly gory read, with scenes full of more bodily fluids than you can count that have an important role in the horrific scenes. Brains are splattered, bones are cracked and blood runs ever so freely. Heads are taken off, skin is burned by flame and acid-like saliva, organs are shredded. I could go on and on, if you want to read this I'd invest in a little light when it comes to the night.

I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed the tales, they were ever so nicely woven together and the creativity within them blew me away. I also have to admit that hearing Birmingham, (which I live 30 minutes away from) so many times within a set of tales couldn't have made me any happier than it did here.
I have to give the tales an overall rating of 5 out of 5 I couldn't fault them at all, captivating, immersive, truly tales of horror.