Simon Maltman Blogs

Here are the first chapters of my new book to hopefully whet your appetite a little bit... You can get your copy   HERE £2.99 ebook £7.99 paperback Free with Kindle Unlimited (Copyright Simon Maltman,  Published by Close 2 The Bone Publishing 2020) The Mark Simon Maltman Prelude Pain – it was everywhere.  Searing, whole. I couldn’t separate the ache from one area of my body to another anymore. The pain swept across me in waves.  The burns, the bruises, the gashes. Breasts. Legs. Face. I was hot; the ground was hot beneath me too. I was sweating. My clothes were ragged and worn, and so were my protruding limbs.  Thirst. I longed for a cool drink of water pouring past my chapped lips. I’d shove a cigarette in between them after too – I’d take a long, rich drag if my battered lungs would allow it.  But I had none of those things, I had nothing. I wasn’t getting away from here. There was nowhere for me to go...

The first release on the new No Alibis Press and it's a cracker! I've just finished Gerard Brennan's new novel and it's a really great read. The rise and rise of NI Crime Fiction just keeps getting better and the start to this year with the likes of Disorder and Thirteen (Steve Cavanagh) is very exciting. Disorder uses so called recreational rioting in Belfast as a backdrop to interweaving story strands that are created and manoeuvred skilfully. There is a great set of characters, with no out and out main protagonist; including a damaged and amoral cop, a stoner student in the wrong place, a sleekid American investor and a conflicted journalist. The prose packs a punch with lots of humourous local lingo set alongside tightly written scenes and some pretty hardboiled violence. There is a mystery element also involved, along with the feeling of dread approaching. The plot is tied up in a satisfying and somewhat unexpected way, with plenty of thrills and an emot...

😎🏆🍸    Competition time!     😎🏆🍸      Win a free ebook copy of Bongo Fury 2! Every correct answer a winner! This is for any both music and crime fiction fans! Just PM me your answer.  What does the title of the book and all the new main characters (including Merritt, Timmons and Morgan) have in common?? http://amzn.to/2fm7iME 

Solo Parenting at the Park: A Noir (Based on a True Story) I swung the old Ford in beside a tree, as it wheezed its gratitude. It seemed pleased to have a rest out in the sun. My journey was only just beginning. I reluctantly switched off the engine and prepared myself. "Can I bring my bike?" asked the four year old from the backseat. "Gah," said the baby beside her, a warning-shot; I'd better get moving. What was I thinking? Taking both to a park... Alone! This, just after a trip to the doctor's, where the four year old had cunningly hidden polystyrene up her nose. Even the cops wouldn't have found it there. "Okay," I agreed, not thinking it through, not realising the torture that would soon follow. We made it to the park, the four year old running a few lights on her wheels, but nothing too serious. There were a couple of disagreements between my two associates on the way in as well- but only a slap or two exchanged. All was...

10 things I didn't know before Fatherhood! ...and nobody told me :) Being a Father is the best thing in the world and I'm lucky to be largely a stay home Dad at the moment. But ..here is a lighthearted look at some of the things you don't know beforehand!  1. Priorities Most people expect their priorities to change, but maybe don't expect how much their perspective will shift on things. I was watching The Vikings last night and I turned and said to my wife, "He's got a great plait." Everything looks different after kids. 2. Needing new skills There are many new skills you must develop. For example, poo in the bath is trickier to clean up than you might think. Where do you pour the water? Should you try to 'fish' first? Never mind what to do with the now wet and poo-stained baby in the first place! 3. 8.15am is a lie in This is self explanatory and my wife and I let each other have this haven once a week. And yes y...