BOOK SYNOPSIS
Broken Wand is a story of families, friendships, treachery and bravery. Mike and Angelique meet by chance and form an unlikely friendship that others struggle to understand and strive to destroy. They persevere with their plans despite the obstacles but have they staked everything on an illusion of success
The chapters of this captivating story alternative between the perspectives of Mike, a man who has just celebrated his fortieth birthday and aspires to be a famous magician like his hero Paul Daniel's and Angelique who is in her late twenties and has a condition that had caused her to work harder to achieve her goals in life. The two characters were like chalk and cheese and from completely different backgrounds but after Angelique saw one of Mike's magic shows and managed to convince him that she could make him famous, a unlikely bond began to develop between the couple.
The people in both of their lives were not very happy about their partnership for various reasons and tried everything in their power to derail their friendship. Then Angelique is violently assaulted on a train and after she makes a spontaneous speech at the trial, she becomes a media sensation in her own right.
While Angelique's star was on the rise, Mike's was in freefall,his life was swiftly unravelling and he finds himself plunged into a world of paranoia and depression. Had he staked everything on a illusion? Had Angelique only been using him as a fun side project that she could work with and drop when she got bored or when something better came along? She the curtain came down on the final act, would they be planning their lives together or going their separate ways?
I felt quite a lot of empathy for poor Mike as the story unfolded, he had my kind of luck in life as in, none whatsoever, his mum was constantly on at him about wasting his time in magic and why hasn't he got married and given her grandchildren yet. He worked in a coffee shop where he was expected to just smile and not react to the abuse that he received from the obnoxious customers. The only not that he had in his life was performing his magic tricks but he was even contemplating giving that up before Angelique walked into his life. He was a man who was driven by his emotions and it appeared to me that he never fully knew what he really wanted out of life. Even after he and Angelique started to attract media attention, he still wasn't completely happy and had doubts about the situation. I had mixed feelings about Mike,I really liked his dad and spent most of the book not liking his mum very much although I did find myself altering my opinion a little towards the end of the story.
Angelique was a feisty, strong willed character who had probably had to have built up some kind of wall of protection due to the disadvantages that she had had to deal with throughout her life. Despite the fact that we now live in the 21st century and in so called enlightened times, people can still be judgemental and make cruel comments about people they view differently. After the trial, Angelique had been given the impression that being thrust into the spotlight would give he the opportunity to enlighten people About the condition that she lived with but she would swiftly learn that people couldn't be trusted. Both she and Mike had been lied to and manipulated by different people for different reasons and would both learn that the grass isn't always greener on the other side.
This is a very well written, mesmerising read that zips along due to the short ,snappy chapters. The plot covers a wide range of relatable issues, keeps the reader guessing and wondering how the story is going to end. The small cast of characters were vivid and realistic, a couple of whom were not very likeable. I thought this was a very enjoyable, enthralling, entertaining read. Very very highly recommended.
AUTHOR BIO
Brighton based Denise Tyler is a journalist, award winning Public Relations expert and author of debut novel ‘Broken Wand.’ She was also commissioned to write ‘Working Mothers: The Essential Guide’ on the basis of editing website Mother@Work for ten years. Having enjoyed a 25 year international career in PR and journalism attending major events around the world, Denise has gathered much experience and insight which she is now bringing to her writing.
A creative writer all her life, Denise studied English Literature with Public Media at Leeds University where she enjoyed tutorials with Booker Prize shortlisted Anita Mason as well as taking a Masters in Text and Performance Studies at King’s College, London and RADA.
When she doesn’t have her nose in a book, Denise enjoys attending literary events, spending time with family and friends and striding purposefully across the Sussex Downs with her dog, Bob, in search of a pub lunch.
PURCHASE LINK...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Broken-Wand-Denise-Tyler-ebook/dp/B08WZ1QX8F/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=Broken+wand&qid=1631632824&s=books&sr=1-7
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