RA Williams | Books Reviews: 86 – 156

Author of THE GIFT. A trilogy for readers of Gothic and Historical Military fiction who don’t mind a good fright now and again.

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rawilliams_author

Sep 24

This place. It's where we live. It's where I write. It's where I draw inspiration. I almost don't want to share this special place for fear it'll become like other touristic destinations. This is the Costa Brava. This is home. #costabrava #Llafranch #llafranc #authorsofinstagram #thegiftbook2 #thegiftbook1 #rawilliams #rawilliams_author

rawilliams_author

Sep 11

We’re so deeply saddened in my household by the death of Her Majesty for she was the heart of the nation. Until her final days she served her country faithfully and with dignity and grace. Surely she would have known how loved she is. Our thoughts are with our Royal Family these days which must be so difficult for them.

rawilliams_author

Sep 10

A budding author asked me what qualities are best suited for a writer? An imagination is from my perspective the most important ingredient in writing. Everything else can be learnt. But imagination - deep, and expansive and endlessly evolving is a necessity. In 1972 I first saw this playset for sale in the Thunderbird Toy Shop and it set a seven year old's imagination alight. I never did get it as a child. It was ever so dear. Imagining is often more satisfying than acquiring. It wasn't to be until 2022 - 50 years later I located a Navarone Playset. I can just imagine Gregory Peck and David Nivin setting the charges that would blow the guns to bits. I still have that child's imagination. #authorsofinstagram #GunsOfNavarone #gunsofnavaroneplayset #thegiftbook2 #nostalgia

rawilliams_author

Aug 21

The tradition continues. First morning in London with the first hint of Autumn in the waning August trees. Green Park canvas chair with a slight addition. #GreenPark #authorsofinstagram #London #family

rawilliams_author

Jul 23

Honoured to announce the paperback launch of THE GIFT Book 1 will hit on 24 November during Folkestone's Book Festival. We have been fortunate enough to land Rocksalt's famous - perhaps even infamous - upstairs lounge with open terrace serving up an inspired menu by celebrity chef Mark Sargeant and legendary cocktails to invitees. With views of Folkestone Harbour with an entrance off of the harbour's viaduct where once the Orient Express and Night Train from Paris travelled I can't think of a better locale for the paperback to drop, especially considering much of the trilogy is set in Folkestone. If you're on for delicious nibbles, lush cocktails and a dash of historical adventure this is the place to be. #folkestone #thegiftbook1 #rawilliamsauthor #rocksaltfolkestone #folkestonekent #authorsofinstagram #CreativeFolkestone #folkestonebookfestival

rawilliams_author

Jul 3

4 hour security check point line at Eindhoven airport. Organized chaos. #eindhoven #eindhovenairport #travel #travelchaos

rawilliams_author

May 31

Bonfire of the Vanities. Soho, NYC 1987. When it was still artists and Bohemians. Breakfast over coffee and juice. Fancying myself some sort of Steve Winwood poseur, with long hair and Persols sunglasses. #Soho #authorsofinstagram #80’s #Persols

rawilliams_author

May 30

On Tuesday May 17th 2022 the modelling world learnt of the passing of Bob Letterman. If you built, painted or bought a kit, figurine or accessory in the 90’s and 2000’s you’re all too familiar with Bob. He — along with François Verlinden and Jos Stok — established the largest manufacturer and distributor of hobby related items in the US. Perhaps the world.

But Bob’s story goes further back than that. If you’re a regular reader of the diorama miniatures magazine “Dioramag” then you’re well familiar with Bob’s article in Issue 5. “In Quest of the Quantum” sums up everything about Bob. A veteran of the US Army stationed in Europe in the 1950’s. A decorated police officer and detective in St Louis, he was a great man. A giant. And not just in the hobby. Dare I say he is the stuff of legend, his name synonymous with Shep Paine, Lewis Pruneau and François Verlinden. All of whom were his close friends and with the exception of Verlinden, have shuffled off this mortal coil.

His loss fills me with melancholy and reminds me of my own mortality. For the moment, we are left with his legacy.

The loss of Bob Letterman is a loss for the all of us.

#Mastercon #Verlinden #VerlindenProductions #VLS #BobLetterman #MilitaryModelling #DragonModels #Tamiya

rawilliams_author

May 11

In Memoriam Florian Schneider (at left) of Kraftwerk who shuffled off this mortal coil in the midst of the Covid pandemic. Their anthem 'Tour de France' ever will be my 80's coming of age anthem. From Bowie to Human League and OMD to Pet Shop Boys, this German electronic/new wave band influenced them all. He joins a panoply of 80's talent including Bowie, George Michael, Mark Hollis and Pete Burns off world. They all are missed.

The bells of the St. Martin's Cathedral, Utrecht rang out with the tones of the song Das Model after his death. Florian Schneider 7 April 1947-6 May 2020. Gone. Not forgotten.

rawilliams_author

Apr 21

When some great lumbering git does a piss take — as is known to happen on occasion as there are loads of great lumbering gits about — I ask of them but five questions. Have they summited Mt. Timpanogos and descended by sliding down its glacier? Walked across the length of Moscow’s Red Square? Watched the sun set from the roof of the Soho House in Meatpacking District whilst floating in the pool on a scorching hot New York summer night? Walked through the Place Vendôme at two in the morning as a pouring April rain soaks you through whilst listening to Moz singing ‘There Is A Light That Never Goes Out.’ Have they tabbed nine miles along the White Cliffs of Dover and a balmy September afternoon looking out across the English Chanel to the lights of France. If they’ve not had any of those five marvellous experiences, then we aren’t on a level pitch and I’ve got nil interest in their opinions. After all, a life well lived cancels out all shots a piss taker makes. #lifewelllived #authorsofinstagram #SohoHouseNYC #SohoHouseMeatpacking #MountTimpanogos #NorthDownsWay #KentEngland #

rawilliams_author

Apr 15

Children amusing themselves in 1930’s England by playing ‘Off With His Head’. Before iPhones, tablets, gaming consoles and lockdowns children’s imagination reigned supreme and they fashioned homemade guillotines from cardboard, bits of wood and Mum’s feather duster. At least I hope it’s cardboard, bits of wood and Mum’s feather duster. Future horror writers there. Or at the least Morrissey. #Britain #goodolddays #horrorfiction #horror #authorsofinstagrm #rawilliamsauthor #thegiftbook2

rawilliams_author

Apr 14

Tomorrow is the 110th anniversary of Titanic foundering after striking an iceberg on its maiden voyage. The resulting loss of life of so many passengers and crew is a tragedy those of us who study the ship of dreams never quite get our heads around. In many ways, Titanic served as an end to innocence. The world rapidly changed after 1912.

THE GIFT Book 1 begins on Titanic minutes before striking the iceberg and although only two chapters in the first book are set on the ship — both before and during the sinking —it could be said Titanic is the point of confluence for the entire trilogy, of such importance are the events which transpire in those fateful last hours on that night to remember.

We shall never forget.

#titanic #titanichistory #titanicfiction #titanicbooks #titanicauthos #authorsofinstagram #titanic110 #titanicmemorialmonth #thegiftbook1 #rawilliamsauthor

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