Tag Archives: naturist

News, Opinion

A NEW Format!

A new Crooke and Loch story escaped into the rainforest …. the first time I have ever published in three formats, the e-book, the paperback and the new baby a hard cover format edition.

There are two problems with the hard cover version. One for me, the other is for you.

My problem is with the set up. All my paperbacks are in the 8 x 5 inch layout beloved of major publishers of paperbacks such as Penguin. The closest available from the ‘Zon for their hardback format is 8.5 x 5.5! That means a separate Word manuscript for each. Not hard to do but a pain.

The other issue that comes with the change of template size … is the need for a size new cover. To add to the pain there it has to have much wider safety margins. “No problem!” just resize the images.

Nope, you need them to fit in the guide lines.

No problem Amazon have templates!

Yes, but at the minute they are for the paperback formats and sizes and don’t fit, as you are told in an overnight e-mail. Ages spent creating, uploading and adjusting to get the right; dimensions, content in the right place and getting rid of the stuff on the standard templates.

So after hours of labour … here it is …

The downside for you the customer … the rather hefty price compared with the e-book. Three pints rather than some change from one.

Then again, it will take longer to ingest than the drinks … even after the bars, pubs and clubs are re-opened

Uncategorized

The Origins of L’Abeille Nue

Several people have asked about the setting for many of the Uncovered Policeman stories, L’Abeille Nue. It is entirely fictitious. The location as described in the book “Goodbye Blues.” The stream, the orchard, the buildings and the pool exist only in my imagination now that I have lost the sketch map I made when I started the story. I could take you there I know exactly where it is but you would be disappointed.

The spirit of L’Abeille Nue is based on fact. During the early years of the last decade, Mrs Bun and I managed the Quinta da Horta, a naturist place in the south of Portugal.

The fabric of the resort was on its very last knockings. Held together by the paint we lashed onto every surface. The water pipes burst with alarming regularity. The roofs leaked when it rained and the drains were a total mystery, the man who had dug them had died taking their secrets to the grave.

No matter when the sun shone the place had a beauty and an atmosphere of peace. The wonderful guests and the volunteers that stayed created a buzz about the place. They would paint murals and pictures. Translate jokes from one language to another and laugh at the retelling.

We would all dine together under the night skies several time a week. Then play guitars (and for two weeks the accordion) and sing songs late into the night.

You see now the spirit of L’Abeille Nue, all it needed was decent, solidly constructed buildings. In an arrangement that would work better than the random dotting of old farm buildings, converted to cottages. Oh’ and a good electrical and water supply, drainage and for the twenty-first century proper Wi-Fi coverage.

Rags and Bea were luckier than Mrs Bun and I were, they got the perfect set up! While we now have the small but perfectly form L’Olivette … Where Chas and Di entertained guests in “In and Out of the Blues” and in “When the Music Stops: DC al Fine.” So we are good.

News

I can be flash

A new short story, Flash Fiction.

I was responding to a Twitter post about characters leading a story away from the original plot line and set out a flash fiction outline by way of an example.

Example
3 people in a lift. They have never met before today. they arrived for a job interview that turned out to be a series of tests.
They have been competing all day for 1 job, working as a team.
The lift stops Trapped
One opens a case for his phone a magazine falls out
“Oh ..

So the holder of the case becomes a woman, the phone vanishes and in a flash, you have

A Job in the City

A Job in the City
Flash Fiction

From the first Tweet at 8:19 AM – 21 Apr 2019 to Posting to Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing  12 noon – 22 Apr 2019

Faster than a flash of lightning or what?

Out on Amazon for Kindle Friday 26th April 2019

£0.99 or Free with #KindleUnlimited

I hope you enjoy the read and if you like it, please, leave a review. If you think it could be better … contact me directly

ted.bun(at)sunnybuns.me .uk

 

News

Christmas Sale

Yes, A Christmas Sale in November …

but it does give you time to plan, order and gift wrap these fun books (or you could just tick the Gift Wrap option!)

  The Uncovered Policeman

New House ... New Neighbours
New House … New Neighbours

The Christmas Offer

Between now and 15th December 2018 I have taken £1.00 off the price of all my paperbacks

  • The Uncovered Policeman   £4.99  NOW   £3.99
  • The Uncovered Policeman Abroad £4.99 NOW  £3.99
  • The Uncovered Policeman In and Out of the Blues £5.99 NOW  £4.99
  • The Uncovered Policeman Goodbye Blues  £6.99  NOW  5.99
  • The Uncovered Policeman Two Weddings  £4.49  NOW £3.49
  • The Uncovered Policeman Caribbean Blues  £5.99   NOW  £4.99
  • The Uncovered Policeman Family Album  £6.99  NOW £5.99
  • The Uncovered Policeman Spring Break £4.99   NOW  £3.99
  • The Uncovered Policeman Made for TV  £4.99  NOW   £3.99
  • While Bees Sleep  £5.99 NOW  £4.99
  • New House … New Neighbours  £5.99   NOW £4.99
  • New House … New Address   £5.99   NOW £4.99

Give someone the gift of naturist fiction,

An ideal Secret Santa present! Laugh when you see how the recipient reacts … or doesn’t!

Just click a link on the left to buy!!

The Uncovered Policeman: In and Out of the Blues

News

New Cover Art

Announcing the New Cover Art for the Rags to Riches Series

I have been fortunate to be given permission to use the images from Andrew Chambers to use as the cover art for the Rags to Riches (the Uncovered Policeman) books.

Andrew, who was the creative talent behind Chamber Cards and now runs Chambers Concrete, making concrete candle in Byfleet in the UK. Sounds whacky but take a look, I recommend them for that ‘awkward’ gift purchase. https://www.chambersconcrete.com/

So the New Covers

Starting with the original story ….

The Uncovered Policeman

We meet PC Adiscombe and he meets Beatrice Johnson

The Second Story

The Uncovered Policeman; Abroad

A holiday in the South of France … Hand luggage only?

The third story

The Uncovered Policeman: In and Out of the Blues

Back to some real police work

 

Did You like the new cover art?

Let me know … comment or tweet me Ted Bun @Mr_Ted_Bun

 

News

New House … New Address

New House … New Address

is out!!  My new book, New House … New Address was published 27th July 2018!

New house ... New Address

http://mybook.to/NewAddress

The follow up to my best selling book, New House … New Neighbours, continues the story of Fran and Jerry’s New Life in France, with their New Neighbours, in their New Community while enjoying skinny dipping!

Available in Paperback, and for Kindle – free with Kindle Unlimited.

Read, Enjoy, Review  …. pretty please!!

http://mybook.to/NewAddress

News, Opinion

Email from a reader

Email Subject; Made for TV

Ted ,great job, once again. Having read Andrew’s books recently made the story that much more enjoyable. I was also impressed with the Stonewall Jack storyline. I know Bea really pushed your patience in this one but it was well worth it. I also made sure to recommend Andrew’s trilogy in my review because without his good work this story wouldn’t have been possible

 Once again excellent addition. I’m sure you’re getting ready for the summer season. It won’t be long. It’s already pushing 90F here, so it shouldn’t be much longer now for you.  Scott

Email Subject; Re: Made for TV

Hey Scot

Thanks for the great review of the new book, I might have been able to do the story without Andrew’s book BUT having said in a review of one of them that it had the makings of a good TV drama … I asked Andrew for permission and we batted the idea around for a few messages which helped focus me on Rags to Riches story rather than Holding Briefs.

Bea wasn’t too bad really. Although she was a bit tangential at one stage and I had to chop quite a bit of the story out. It was Rags wanting to tell another story that was the problem! Then Fran and Jerry were on at me … and the ‘foundationers’ who you’ll get to meet one day soon.

It looks like the weather starts to change next week … so I’ll have to get busy on the pool and the garden (or get Jerry to do it!!)

 Be safe and take care in the sun

Ted Bun

The Uncovered Policeman; Made for TV
The Uncovered Policeman; Made for TV

News

NEW! The Uncovered Policeman; Made for TV

Made for TV

Announcing the publication of The Uncovered Policeman: Made for TV , Rags to Riches book 9!

The Uncovered Policeman; Made for TV
The Uncovered Policeman; Made for TV

The 9th book in Rags to Riches series is to be released on the 13th April.
Yes, Friday the 13th! A very inauspicious day for launching a new book or is it? To compensate for all the bad luck associated with the Friday 13th, a chance to read this happy story at a great price.
Available NOW  for pre-order at a special price of

£1.99 

(The normal price, £2.99 will apply after publication!)

An email from an old friend piques the interest of Rags the Uncovered Policeman (retired).

Hi Rags,
I have had a visit from an old neighbour of mine and Gill’s, from back in the day. A guy called Ian Francis. He works in the TV industry, something to do with making light entertainment programmes. He is looking for a venue to make a drama programme. He visited us but after we had talked it through we decided that we couldn’t offer consistent enough weather for making a drama over several weeks.
Consequently, I suggested your place in early spring might be better. He said he would get in touch. It all seems really genuine, unlike some of the documentary programs we get asked to participate in. Give him a listen.

Rags’ place?
The popular holiday destination, L’Abeille Nue. A naturist resort in the French countryside between the historic cities of Carcassonne and Narbonne.
Who is making the show?
What is it all about?
What help is needed?
Who else involved?
How will it help their business?
Will Rags and Bea do it?

http://getbook.at/MadeforTV

Uncategorized

Best Seller

New House …New Neighbours

A new runaway best seller in my collection New house …New Neighbours. Out selling everything else I have published by a country mile!

New House ... New Neighbours
New House … New Neighbours

http://getbook.at/NewHouse

Number 609 best seller on the Amazon UK > Kindle Store > Books > Literature & Fiction > Humour & Satire > Literary Humour Chart!!!

It is a dream …
You’re going to retire from work and buy a house in the south of France.
You search the French countryside
Eventually, you find the right house, in the right location, at the right price!
You put in an offer.
The vendor says yes.
The legal process grinds through all the necessary steps.
The place is yours!
Suddenly, you own the right house, in the right location
What you have forgotten is, that with a new house, you get new neighbours!
Will they be good neighbours? As Jerry and Fran move into their new house in the village of Las Lilas, they are about to find out!!

Reviewer author Jim Gault wrote;

New House New Neighbours by Ted Bun

Ted’s latest is a slight departure from his usual, both in subject matter and in style. This is not another episode of his successful Rags to Riches series; instead we are introduced to a completely new set of characters. Sunshine, wine and naturism feature as you would expect, but there are new and different themes. As the newcomers to the South of France battle to get themselves up and running in their local community, we are treated to some amusing insights into husband-wife relationships, local customs, and the problems of battling with overgrown gardens using inadequate tools.

There are a couple of interesting stylistic developments in this novel. Ted has chosen to write this one in the first person, but alternating the narration between Jerry, the husband, and Fran, the wife. This device allows the author to exploit, in a good natured way, the comedy of the differences between their own view of themselves and that of their spouse. The author’s wry humour defines this book, whether he’s poking gentle fun at French rural life or the vagaries of technology.

As always, the story is bathed in happiness and optimism. There is no dark side here, just good fun.

 

http://getbook.at/NewHouse

 

Books read

Christmas Holiday Reading

Christmas Holiday Reading

Yes, I managed to do quite a bit over the Christmas Holiday period, and through into early January.

The Silent Shield (The Kingfountain Series Book 5)

Jeff Wheeler


 

http://getbook.at/SilentShield

The Kingdom of Kingsfountain which was plunged into confusion after the mysterious loss of the great wizr (Wizard of sorts) Myriden and the disappearance of the King’s Champion is further weakened by loss of Sina the Kingdom’s other trained wizr. This leaves just the young Trynne and her force of Oath Maidens and the Daughter of the deposed king as wielders of magic to defend the nation. There are doubts about the loyalty of people close to King Andrew. Time is ticking as Gahalatine is due to restart his war against Kingsfountain after the one year truce declared to enable King Andrew to select a new champion.

 Confused …. You should read the first four books in the series then it all makes sense.

An exciting Young Adult read,

The Forsaken Throne (The Kingfountain Series Book 6)

Jeff Wheeler

http://getbook.at/ForsakenThrone

This appears to be the final instalment of both the Kingsfountain and Muirwood (no you don’t need to read these too but you could do worse!) stories, bring together the storylines. Written in Jeff Wheelers normal softly spoken manner there is less civil stie between the kingdoms as Trynne takes on the darker forces that have been manipulating history. An enjoyable conclusion to a very absorbing series of what are essentially sword and sorcery stories. 

 

Christmas at The Grange: A Lady Hardcastle Mystery (Kindle Single

T E Kinsey

A Good Christmas Holiday Read

http://getbook.at/ChristmasattheGrange

A short story. A Christmas special featuring the cast of the three previously reviewed Lady Hardcastle Mysteries follows the traditional stolen jewelry in a country house formula or does it? Another amusingly written story, with a great twist!

 The Lost Plot (The Invisible Library series Book 4

Genevieve Cogman

A Good YA Read

http://getbook.at/LostPlot

A return to form for Ms Cogman after a slightly weak book 3. This the fourth Invisible library story is a fabulous read. Set against a background of a power struggle in the world dragons, one of the three groups spanning many parallel universes along with the fae and the librarians. Librarian Irene and her assistant are sent to sort a mess caused by a single book in a world that resembles prohibition era America, complete with the wide lapels and gangsters. While avoiding getting the Invisible Library tangled up in the politics of the Dragons. An entanglement that might be seen to upset the delicate neutrality of the Library in the greater power struggle between the forces of Chaos (the Fae) and the forces of Stability (the Dragons).

 

Runaway Nudist (Nudist Series Book 1

Byron McAllister

http://getbook.at/RunawayNudist

Barbara is a thief working Salt Lake City, until she hears a tale about huge wealth readily available to a professional in Motherlode, Montana. With the cops suddenly close she heads off in search of the promised riches.

Suddenly caught up in a murder investigation she finds shelter in the Oak Grove Physical Culture Centre where she is befriended by Ned Nackero and Carola Szegy, two of the residents and advisors to the Sheriff. Then Barbara becomes a crime fighter … well of sorts.

A clever plot is off set stilted dialogue and bad formatting, Given an edit it would be so much better

Undercover Nudist (Nudist Series Book 2

Byron McAllister

http://getbook.at/UndercoverNudist

Featuring Ned Nackero and Carola Szegy from book 1, Ned’s nephew, Tim, is brought into Motherlode to help solve a historic crime, a five-year-old murder that is about to be reopened on appeal.

A very complicated plot. Lot’s of twist and turns, maybe too many. Tim is an eighteen year old and even in the early 1960’s should have been a little more worldly-wise about his landlady’s wants.

Quite funny in places and rather stiff in others.

Murder in the Raw (Rex Graves Mystery)

C.S. Challinor

http://getbook.at/MurderInTheRaw

A three-star pot-boiler of a country house murder with a couple of twists …
Actress disappears, no body found, police not interested. The rich guests, some of them very rich want resolution so they send for Scottish Legal Eagle Rex Graves to find the killer.
Then the twists
The first of which is the location a naturist resort on the island of St Martin.
Number 2 Rex does not …. that would spoil the tale.
Marks lost because Ms Challinor failed to research the setting for her story or naturism particularly carefully.

Ghost

Di Roma

Rubbish … Listen to the Janice Ian song “At Seventeen” same story told better.

The Longest Walk: My epic trek from tip to tip of the Americas (1977-1983)

George Meegan

A Good Read!

 http://getbook.at/LongestWalk

A well written account of the longest recorded continuous walk by one man. An almost solo walk from the tip of South America to Alaska. It took a year him to year to walk the length of Argentina!

I knew George while we both members of the Sea Scouts in Rainham, Kent (I was briefly in his patrol.) As I read this I could hear the George I knew, returning to tell one of his tales of his travels in the merchant navy to the younger members of the troop gathered around a camp fire. (If you read this George … the Whitbread Hop Farm in 1972 or so!)

 

I hope you enjoyed your Christmas holiday reading as much as I did!