ADVERTS THAT SHOCKED THE WORLD ...

Dear readers, I am participating in Alphabe-Thursday where ‘A’ IS FOR ADVERTS THAT SHOCKED THE WORLD!
Here they are:

1. Saatchi for Australian Red Cross promoting blood donation (above)
2. A South American beauty clinic’s campaign alleging how ‘wrinkled’ Angelina Jolie and Paris Hilton would be without skincare (below)

3.’Anti-smoking’ campaign by Les Droits des Non-Fumeurs 4. Family Violence Partnership, Milwaukee raising awareness about statutory rape

5.Spoof campaign for Prius portraying murder. Caption reads: “Well, at least he drives a Prius”
6. Benetton – Aids sufferer

7. Bizarre ad for Jetsetters Deutsch Magazine

8.Agent Provocateur – against illegal detention of Guantanamo Bay prisoners

9. Kenneth Cole - campaign highlighting Aids

WHICH ADVERT(S) DO YOU FIND THE STRANGEST/ MOST SHOCKING?
Do check out other Alphabe-Thursday posts @ Jenny Matlock!
And, finally, thank you to all my dear readers who have visited or commented. Have a great weekend!
Enjoy!
XOXO LOLA:)

YOUR LOLA LIFELINE - HALLOWE'EN SPECIAL!

YOUR VERY OWN LOLA LIFELINE – SPECIAL HALLOWE’EN EDITION!
THE COLUMN THAT GIVES YOU,DEAR READERS,LOLA POWER!
Dear readers, I am participating in Alphabe-Thursday where we’re celebrating HALLOWE’EN!
And my postbag is full to bursting with queries and dilemmas from so many of you! And, as usual, I’ve picked out the most urgent and pressing to share!

First up is another query from my puppy-nephew, Alfie (above).
Grrrhh! Grrrhh!

1. Dear Aunt Lola,

"My girlfriend, Tamara (below) wants me to attend a Hallowe’en party this weekend dressed as a zombie! Zombies, ghosts and all the stuff associated with Hallowe’en frighten the life out of me, Aunt Lola, but Tamara is very insistent. Should I be assertive with her or simply give in? What’s your advice, Aunt Lola?"
Dear Alfie,
Trying to be assertive with someone as assertive as Tamara will only end in tears! My advice is to say you’ve got an appointment at the groomer’s or you’ve pulled an Achilles tendon playing football (or whatever excuse you use these days!) and let her go on her own. One thing’s for sure: she won’t need a zombie costume!
Dear readers, that’s my advice for Alfie. Do you agree/disagree? Any other suggestions for him?

2. Next up are queries from two dear readers, ROGUE ARTISTS in the great USA and PONDSIDE in beautiful Canada who both write such wonderful blogs which everyone should visit! Do visit both their great sites NOW!
Firstly, the query from Lizzie @ Rogue Artists (pictured, and with her brother, Mulligan):

Dear Lola,
“Your answers are sheer genius! Now I have a question for you. My mom and dad had a birthday party for me on August 21 (you can see the video on mom's blog) and I got lots of great gifts. Here's my problem - my brother Mulligan thinks they are HIS TOYS and takes them away from me when I am playing. Mom says to share, but he just won't listen. Help!! Lizzie.”
And next the query from Pondside:
Dear Lola,
“Your advice is the best out there. My dog Rory barks at cats on TV. Is this normal? Does he want a cat-friend? Should I buy him one, and if so, should it be Siamese or Manx? Thanking you in advance, Pondside.”
Dear Lizzie @ Rogue Artists and Pondside,
Look, just threaten Mulligan and Rory I’ll send over Tamara (or her cat-friend, Rosebud, left) to sort them both out. Believe me, you won’t have any more problems from either of them! Mulligan will keep to his own toys and you won’t hear a squeak (let alone a bark) from Rory. However, should they still fail to be frightened into submission, just show them this. Guaranteed. CLICK HERE
Dear readers, that’s my advice to Rogue Artists and Pondside. Agree/disagree? Any other suggestions for them?

4. Finally, we have a query from Ms T Bag (below):
Dear Lola,
"I’ve been happily married for 33 years and yet my husband is still not perfect. Despite many years of nagging, he still forgets to wipe his feet when entering the house. Is this because he is in a rush to see me, or does he simply not listen?"
Dear Ms T Bag,
Ask him, and if he says, “What?”, you’ll know it’s the latter.
Dear readers, that’s my advice for Ms T Bag. Agree/disagree? Any other suggestions for her?
Well, dear readers, sadly that’s all we have time for today! But remember, if you have any problems or queries you’d like me to respond to - just like Rogue Artists and Pondside above - don’t hesitate to let me know (or my PA, Nora) in the COMMENTS BOX BELOW! However weird, outlandish, insoluble it may seem, I’ll have an answer to that Desperate Dilemma of yours! So why hesitate any longer? Go on! Write to me, Agony Aunt to the Stars, in the comments box NOW!

And remember, YOUR LOLA LIFELINE! - your lifeline to a saner, more harmonious world.
And now I’m going to creep back to my basket for my beauty sleep (yawn), but do help yourselves, my dear readers, to the Ladurée macarons on your way out!
Have a great Alphabe-Thursday! And check out other posts at Alphabe-Thursday posts @ Jenny Matlock!
XOXO LOLA:)

SOUL STEALER: A PICTORIAL AUTUMN JOURNEY ...

First of all, a brief – but important! - message:

Thank you all for helping to make my earlier novel, Soul Stealer, a psychological suspense thriller reach the top 30 psychological thriller category of Amazon UK’s eBooks!
Now, those readers who have already downloaded Soul Stealer will know that the protagonist, Alice, a London-based journalist, travels to various parts of Britain in her search for the truth in this story of the secretive, shadowy world of identity theft, betrayal and revenge.

This thriller tells the story of one person’s change of identity to escape “things” and the relentlessly chilling, life-changing consequences for those left behind, especially those searching for the truth behind subterfuge and ... murder. Does the character in SOUL STEALER escape justice too? Well, … but you really don’t want me to give away the ending, do you?!

But what I can reveal is the background – and inspiration - to the novel that is set in the season of autumn. And something about the main places that Alice visits: the Peak District, Derbyshire; Stonehenge in Wiltshire, SW England, and Lake Vernwy near the Welsh/Shropshire border. Here then are some images (if only these could have been included on Kindle!). So, follow Alice’s journey – as “seen” through her eyes!
1. Stonehenge - Autumn Equinox:
More images: Sarsen stone in the inner circle: 2. Lake Vyrnwy, near Welsh/Shropshire border:
Firstly, Lake Vyrnwy Hotel, which overlooks the lake and where Alice spends a night:
and the lake itself: And the jetty where Alice takes a contemplative walk:
3. The Peak District, Derbyshire:
Eastern Peak District Moors in heather, near Curbar (top of page):
Nearby Chatsworth House, Derbyshire, residence of Duke & Duchess of Devonshire (below): More Peak District autumnal scenes: Like its predecessor, THE DE CLERAMBAULT CODE, SOUL STEALER is available on Amazon both in paperback and as an eBook (at just 86p for UK readers – a steal!) with all profits to charity (see sidebar or click HERE for reviews and further shameless self-promotion!)

So, download now onto your Kindle, iPad or palm of your hand. I don’t mind!
Enjoy!
                              

NOVELS: DO THEY SEND YOU TO *ZZZZ* AT NIGHT OR WAKE YOU UP WITH A *Z*TART?

The end is here at Alphabe-Thursday: ''Z'. And my question to you, dear readers: DO YOU PREFER NOVELS THAT SEND YOU TO *ZZZZ* AT NIGHT OR WAKE YOU UP WITH A *Z*TART? If the latter, then listen up because, finally, my latest novel, SOUL STEALER, a psychological suspense novel has just been published!

But first a question for you, dear readers. Is the Recession – or maybe life in general - getting on top of you? Ever fancied doing a Reggie Perrin? (Translation for non-Brits: “doing a pseudocide” - faking one’s own death.)

Well, this thriller tells the story of one person’s change of identity to escape “things”. And the relentlessly chilling, life-changing consequences for those left behind, especially those searching for the truth behind subterfuge and ... murder.

SOUL STEALER not only delves deep into the secretive, shadowy world of identity theft, betrayal and revenge but also mirrors real-life events. Years ago, I knew an internationally successful businessman and, like many others, attended lavish parties on his private yacht – even ending up in Tatler! Then I lost touch and later learned he’d died in the Far East. I felt sad but, that was that – or, so I thought.

Next I read the UK Serious Fraud Office was investigating after reports of his ‘death’ may have been premature following ‘inconsistencies’ in the death certificate issued. It’s also claimed by creditors (he allegedly owes millions) he’s undergone radical cosmetic surgery to re-invent himself - a new identity in a new life wherever that may be. (And no, CrimeStoppers, I don’t know where he is either!)

Does the character in SOUL STEALER escape justice too? Well, … but you really don’t want me to give away the ending, do you?!

Like its predecessor, THE DE CLERAMBAULT CODE, SOUL STEALER is available on Amazon both in paperback and as an eBook (at just 86p for UK readers – a steal!) with all profits to charity (see sidebar or click HERE for amazing reviews & further shameless self-promotion!)

So, dear readers, download now onto your Kindle, iPad or palm of your hand. I don’t mind!

And finally, if “things” are getting on top of you, there’s this quote in the novel you may find helpful.

WHICH NOVELS DO YOU PREFER? THOSE THAT HELP YOU *ZZZZ* AT NIGHT OR KEEP YOU AWAKE (SO YOU DON’T DARE TURN OFF THE LIGHT)?

Do tell me! And do check out other Alphabe-Thursday posts @ Jenny Matlock!
And, finally, thank you to all my dear readers who have visited or commented. And to new followers too. Have a great weekend!

Enjoy!
XOXO LOLA:)PS The Amazon.com Kindle version of THE DE CLERAMBAULT CODE was faulty earlier! Loud complaints and representations (doubtless heard on both sides of the Pond!) were made to Amazon. Glad to report it's now perfect too!