Reviews

 

If you click on the image above it will take you to the relevant Amazon page.

If you click on the name below it will take you to the relevant page in Books4Spain where it is the same price as on Amazon

 

 This has just had an excellent review posted on the Books4Spain website:

Coffee, Castanets and Don Quixote by Robert Noble Graham  

 

Review by Molly Sears-Piccavey June 2013

 

It is not very often I read a book in one sitting. This eBook about Spain had me hooked from the first few pages. Coffee, Castanets and Don Quixote covers four Spanish cities. Barcelona, Seville, Toledo & Madrid.

 

Having visited these locations myself I was particularly interested to read how the author would describe each city. I began to read wondering if I would agree or relate to the descriptions.  If you haven´t had the chance to visit Spain yet, you will appreciate the detail described in each situation. The explanations of the people, scenery and buildings will give you a sense of this magical and varied country. As you read the words will transport you to these places. If you are considering travelling to these areas it is a perfect starter to begin to plan your travel.

 

Having lived in Barcelona for over eight years I was surprised to learn some new information about the city previously unknown to me. The descriptions of the Gaudi buildings particularly stood out, allowing me to vividly imagine each building.

 

The writing manages to blend useful fact on the location, mix in several anecdotes and also includes detailed but not longwinded descriptions of these cities of Real Spain.

 

The four destinations are atno point over romanticized for the sake of the reader. This Scotsman really does tell it like it is. The steep hills of the old quarters In Toledo and the problems with pickpockets in Barcelona are outlined and explained. Instead of being played down to give a glossy brochure image of Spain.  The reader is invited during the chapters to enjoy the authenticity of Spain. We are encouraged to savour the local food, wine and delicacies.

 

We all make mistakes when travelling abroad, get lost in a cobbled alleyway or get flummoxed with the language. Robert Noble Graham is no exception despite being an experienced traveller. Through the book we are told of problems with Catalan language when he is trying his utmost to learn Spanish and practice when he came and of being irritated by noisy tourists trying to order non Spanish food. (Something I can relate with)

 

The majestic city of Seville is originally described as the author links the monuments and buildings into different Operas. This gives a slightly different and refreshing perspective on these famous Andalusian landmarks. When we reach Madrid the huge array of paintings and art that the capital city has on offer is explained in glorious detail. Although there is also a visit to the bustling Rastro street market held each Sunday morning in Madrid.

 

The writer´s passion for Spain is clear but this does not pollute the honesty shown in these tales of travel through these contrasting cities. At just under 70 pages this is a short but intense read for anyone interested in Spain.

 

Molly Sears-Piccavey has lived in Spain since 1998, initially in Barcelona, but now lives in Granada. Working in Communication and PR, she uses her spare time to read books, keep up with her blog and travel across Andalusia. Molly speaks fluent Spanish and English as well as some French and Catalan.


 

I wanted to write Coffee,Castanets and Don Quixote because Spain is a treasure house of  interest and pleasure. Take a mature guide who has spent decades travelling and now introduces you to four of Spain`s great cities. Each chapter lasts as long as a large, leisurely cup of rare coffee and has the same stimulating effect. I ramble into hills and into historic lanes to find memorable encounters, often by accident, but I try to find where they belong in the rich tapestry of Spain`s history.  Why not accompany me to the city of Carmen and Don Juan, sundrenched  Seville, to see the magnificent Islamic palaces and water gardens or have lunch by the great river, the Guadalquivir. Or go to Barcelona where, enjoying the panorama from Montjuic I encountered probably Europe`s most incompetent mugger. Then I explore the strange world of Catalan art from Picasso and Dali to Gaudi.  Then there is the majestic old capital, Toledo, where once Christian, Jew and Muslim lived together in harmony. You can  visit the house of the great El Greco who painted one masterpiece after another and sat out in the summer evenings in his wonderful courtyard. From the heights of Toledo you can see the arid plane of La Mancha from which set out the greatest of comic characters, Don Quixote de la Mancha. By contrast go to Madrid, the modern capital and one of the friendliest and most welcoming. Find its gigantic royal palace or go out in its dark streets at night to a performance of unforgettable gypsy flamenco. Sometimes in company, sometimes alone, I was interested in  how its turbulent past has moulded this unique country and has given it delights unmatched elsewhere. 

 

 

 

 

The Women from Crete

 

 The Women from Crete

"For his third book Mr Graham returns to his ace detective Inspector Rojas, hopefully not for the last time.A real page turner, well thought out, researched and presented, why it has not been taken up by a main stream publisher is a mystery greater than that contained within the plot of the novel. Many twists, turns and sub plots come together to produce a real spellbinder, Mr Graham has advanced far since publishing his first novel and the mysterious inspector leaves the reader eager to learn more. Up there with Rankin and all the other top flight Scottish crime writers."

 

JG (posted on Amazon.co.uk)

 

5.0 out of 5 stars A Murder Mystery that
Touches the Heart
 21 Oct 2012
By E
Graham
 - Published on
Amazon.com
Format:Kindle
Edition
|
Amazon Verified
Purchase
The characters in this book are varied and vivid. You can read
the description of the book from author, but suffice it to say as interesting as
the murder mystery is this is a character driven story and I fell in love with
Professor Quandling. Like all good books it spoke to a part of me. The part that
never wants to believe that all good things are behind me. I want to believe
that the thrill of life's surprises are for everyone, not just the young.
The
author writes all his characters with an insight into the human condition, but
this character was special and I smile when I think about him. What more could
you want from a book then to come away with kindred spirit.
 
 
4.0 out of 5 stars Good
overall
 26 Oct 2012
By M.
Byrne
 - Published on
Amazon.com
Format:Kindle
Edition
This is a very interesting book as stated by the previous
reviewer. There are some grammar issues, but I don't think it prevents you from
reading the story. I am only two chapters in, but enjoying it very much. It's
keeping me entertained.



Masks of Venice

 

"Two ladies about forty and retaining good looks set out to discover what they may have missed in life. They seek the so-called magic of Venice. Will it live up to its name? A masked ball sets things off. Here there are powerful lusty men, and women who admire power and wish to be seduced. It seems by focussing on certain paintings one may have a passionate affair set hundreds of years ago and interacting with history, evil cardinals, and so on.The author does not shrink from tasteful descriptions of the physical. If about to, say, die one can return to the present by locating the right painting. Somehow there is a corresponding man awaiting. "Stuart Hoggar

 

"If, like me, you enjoy reading about Venice, art and art history, all well woven into a tale of adventure and romance, then you`ll enjoy reading Robert Graham`s second novel. This is a compelling tale to add richness and spice to a Venetian holiday."
C.Bunker
Both posted on Amazon.co.uk

 

 

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