Everything Is Better With Dragons
Book blogger, Autistic, Probably a Dragon, Owned by Hell Hounds
I’ll be taking part in the blog tour for ‘The Cheesemaker’s House’, by Jane Cable. August marks the 5th anniversary of the publication of Jane’s first novel, and I’m happy to help her celebrate. The book is lovely to hold, by the way. I’m one of the last bloggers to review so take a look at the others on the poster if romantic suspense novels are your thing.
This week I’m going to write about stimming. The calendar asks the questions what is stimming and how is it related to masking.
Stimming is autie slang for those things we do to self-sooth when anxious, among other things.
I have a variety of stims. I flap my arms, like a confused penguin, usually when I’m in the chemists and waiting for my medication. It works particularly well when I’m wearing my waterproof jacket, because it makes a rustling sound that I like. I rub my hands on my thighs especially when I’m wearing jeans. The texture and movement is soothing. Texture seems to be important for me, rough textures work well. I also like physical actions, like throwing a ball at the wall and catching it. Crafting is possibly a stim too. It’s a socially acceptable stim to crochet or sew in public.
Why do I stim? Because I get anxious and I need to send the energy somewhere, I suppose.
What has stimming to do with masking?
If I can redirect the anxiety to an activity I can hold up until I get home. It helps me maintain the facade of calm and attention, except when I can’t and then I stim because I need to. That’s when the mask drops in public and I get funny looks. That’s not fun. Especially as I think some of my behaviours that might have been stimming as a teenager were the reason some people bullied me at school. It was twenty years ago but the worry is still there that someone will attack me for doing what I need to do to be comfortable.
So that’s my take on stimming and masking.
Anyway, I’ve discovered this evening that Monday evening after 8 pm is a good time to go shopping. There was only two other people in the shop when I went to get my food shopping. It was great. No queue at the tills, no children getting too close, hardly any staff getting in the way with containers. It was great. Plus I had an audio book on my tablet, with the volume quite high. I’m going to end up deafening myself.
Publication Day: 19th July 2018
Publisher: Urbane Publications
ISBN: 9781911583813
Price: £8.99
Blurb
The laughter continues to flow in Gina Kirkham’s brilliant sequel to the wonderful Handcuffs, Truncheon and a Polyester Thong.
Our hapless heroine Constable Mavis Upton is preparing to step down the aisle with her fiancé Joe, but has to deal with her temperamental teen daughter, as well as investigate a serial flasher on a push bike. Throw a diva drag queen into the mix and readers can expect the usual hilarious Mavis mishaps that made the first book such a hit.
Revel in Gina Kirkham’s humorous, poignant and moving stories of an everyday girl who one day followed a dream.
Continue reading “Review: ‘Whiskey Tango Foxtrot’, by Gina Kirkham #LoveBooksGroupTours”
So, the delightful ladies and gent on this poster are doing a thing under the tag TakeTheMaskOff. I recommend following them on social media, they’re very interesting people.
Anyway, I thought I’d contribute in my own small way, with a blog post. I don’t know whether I’ll be doing one every week, it depends on what else I’ve got on.
Coming up, I will be taking part in a blog tour for WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot, by Gina Kirkham.
Buy Link:Â https://www.amazon.co.uk/Whiskey-Tango-Foxtrot-Adventures-Constable/dp/1911583816/ref=sr_1_cc_4?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1528645901&sr=1-4-catcorr&keywords=whiskey+foxtrot+tango
Synopsis
The laughter continues to flow in Gina Kirkham’s brilliant sequel to the wonderful Handcuffs, Truncheon and a Polyester Thong.
Our hapless heroine Constable Mavis Upton is preparing to step down the aisle with her fiancé Joe, but has to deal with her temperamental teen daughter, as well as investigate a serial flasher on a push bike. Throw a diva drag queen into the mix and readers can expect the usual hilarious Mavis mishaps that made the first book such a hit.
Revel in Gina Kirkham’s humorous, poignant and moving stories of an everyday girl who one day followed a dream.
Now that I have a diagnosis, a support worker and I’m seeing a clinical psychologist every couple of months, I might make some progress this time.
Moon Books sent me this book in return for an honest review. They’re probably going to wish they hadn’t.
Published by: Moon Books
Publication Date: 30th Marc 2018
Format: Paperback
I.S.B.N.:Â 9781785357190
Price: £13.99
Blurb
Faerie Stones explores the Faerielore and Folklore associated with different stones and various crystal formations, from the ancient Neolithic arrows known as Elfshot to magical Faerie dusted geodes known as Fairy Cavern Quartz. It deals with the metaphysical aspects of the stones, their traditional uses and healing qualities, and discusses which types of Faerie and which Deities/Faerie Monarchs are associated with each stone. It also offers practical tips and two meditations for working with Faeries and stones for spiritual development. Aimed at all those who love Faeries and Crystals, it is ideal for the beginner or the more experienced practitioner.
Published by: HQ
Publication Date: 12th July 2018
Format: Hardback
Price: £12.99
IS.B.N.: 9780008274511
Blurb
‘With echoes of Du Maurier, this compelling Cornish drama weaves a tangled web of fallen faiths, of sins, seductions and deceits.’ Essie Fox
A powerful debut exploring the dark side of Cornwall – the wrecking and the drowned sailors – where poverty drove villagers to dark deeds…
Shipwrecks are part of life in the remote village of Porthmorvoren, Cornwall. And as the sea washes the bodies of the drowned onto the beach, it also brings treasures: barrels of liquor, exotic fruit, the chance to lift a fine pair of boots from a corpse, maybe even a jewel or two.
When, after a fierce storm, Mary Blight rescues a man half-dead from the sea, she ignores the whispers of her neighbours and carries him home to nurse better. Gideon Stone is a Methodist minister from Newlyn, a married man. Touched by Mary’s sacrifice and horrified by the superstitions and pagan beliefs the villagers cling to, Gideon sets out to bring light and salvation to Porthmorvoren by building a chapel on the hill.
But the village has many secrets and not everyone wants to be saved. As Mary and Gideon find themselves increasingly drawn together, jealousy, rumour and suspicion is rife. Gideon has demons of his own to face, and soon Mary’s enemies are plotting against her
Gripping, beautifully written and utterly beguiling, Noel O’Reilly’s debut WRECKER is a story of love, injustice, superstition and salvation, set against Cornwall’s dark past
Published by: Clink Street
Publication Date: 28th June 2018
Format: Paperback
I.S.B.N.: 9781912562138
Price: £9.99
Blurb
Lady Laura Boxford lives with her pug, Parker in the retirement complex of Wellworth Lawns, formerly her family home. One day she and her friend Venetia see the ancient actor, Sir Repton Willowby arriving. He’s Venetia’s cousin by marriage and Venetia says he murdered his wife. He lives at the Edwardian pile, Mount Cod and he says he’s being haunted by the ghost of an eighteenth century serving wench called Rosalind.
Laura is convinced he’s a charlatan using the ghost as a ruse for finding a new wife. She determines to get to the bottom of the mystery on account of Venetia’s daughter who stands to inherit Mount Cod. But did Sir Repton murder his wife and is the house haunted?
Continue reading “Review: ‘The Haunting of Mount Cod’, by Nicky Stratton”
Today I’m reviewing both Girl in the Gallery and Death in Dulwich, by Alice Castle. Thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for sending me the ebook files and arranging this blog tour. It’s a long post because there are two books, plus the author’s information and, if you like what you hear, at the end there’s a chance to win copies of the books.
Everything Is Better With Dragons 