About Author Richard F Holmes

I was born in London in 1955 and have lived a very topsy turvey life. I left school at 15 with no qualifications, and had I not left voluntarily, I would have been asked to leave. I always felt that I didn't fit in anywhere, and as a result, by the time I reached the age of 17 I'd had 24 jobs. I joined the army in 1976 hoping that it would give me a purpose in life but instead I became even more disillusioned and turned to alcohol. I hated the army because I found it to be such a hypocritical organisation and as soon as I was eligible to do so, I bought myself out. Whilst in the military however, I did enjoy my experiences in Germany and in 1980 went back there to work, staying for six years. My heavy drinking continued during my time in Germany and by the time I returned to the UK in 1986 I was heading down into a deep depression. I managed to haul myself out of it in the mid-to-late 1990's but my life hit an all time low in 2000. In early 2001 I found my spiritual pathway and started to turn my life around. I now live in Gloucestershire in the UK and I'm a successful medium and healer. I'm also the author of ten spiritual publications and have produced five meditation and three chanting CDs. I'm a workshop facilitator in various spiritual topics and I also give profound interpretations of dreams. There are plans in 2014 for another book, provisionally entitled "An Idiots Guide To Spiritual Law" and a series of audio books in CD form. Connect with me on facebook https://www.facebook.com/authorrichardfholmes

Coming Very Soon – Wisdom Bytes

Posted on November 4, 2013 by Author Richard F Holmes

Well, I thought I was all “authored out” and had put my plans for another new book on hold until next year. My latest work was actually written, however, the segments needed to be put into chapters and the general layout and formatting of the text needed doing; not forgetting that I also needed to work on a cover. I thought I’d had enough for a while but just under a week ago I felt the tiniest spark of oomph within me;any writers who may be reading this will know exactly what I mean by feeling that oomph within! The result of that feeling is that I now have the completed files plus a cover submitted for review. I’m expecting to be able to go ahead and publish within the next 24 hours, then next week I can format an eVersion for kindle. My latest offering is called Wisdom Bytes and the cover and synopsis are awaiting your perusal below!

Wisdom Bytes is the second book in the Fragments Of Divinity series, and like all my other books, is for anyone and everyone from age very young to very old who is searching for a deeper spiritual understanding. The book itself is written in the style of a blog; the idea to create it in this way came from the works of Paramahansa Yogananda.

Yogananda was the first Indian yogi to take up residence in the West and he was the founder of The Self Realisation Fellowship in the US. He departed this Earth in 1952, but left an amazing legacy of profound spiritual insights totalling over 1,700 pages. In order to keep their guru’s work alive the fellowship released it in a series of smaller volumes. Having purchased a number of these truncated works myself I noted how helpful it was to have potentially very complicated texts condensed down into small volumes. One such book is only 28 pages long and can fit neatly into a breast pocket.

So, having read a number of these smaller volumes I came up with the idea for the Fragments Of Divinity series. In keeping with my previous work I have written it in a very reader friendly and easy-to-understand way; some of the first spiritual books I read when I was first discovering my own spiritual pathway were written in such a way that when I got to the end I still didn’t have a clue. As I tend to write about my own actual experiences my books are self-researching, which is a bonus, because it tends to reduce the writing time as well

Anyone who is searching for a deeper meaning to life or who is looking for answers to those seemingly unanswerable questions that tend to nag away at us will find Wisdom Bytes a very interesting and thought-provoking read.

Ricky’s Raw Recipes #7

Posted on November 4, 2013 by Author Richard F Holmes

This is another recipe that will really tantalize your taste buds, so have your blender ready! Add water to your jug followed by fine green beans, celery, an 85g bag of rocket leaves, good chunk of fresh root ginger, an apple AND a whole raw beetroot. Blitz as you go along and give the whole lot a good old blitz at the end, adding more water if required. Now, be a real caveman; raise the jug to your lips and savour the feeling as your raw juice just rolls down your throat. Luverly!!!!

Watch this space. There will be another post a little later with an announcement!

Ricky’s Raw Recipes #6

Posted on October 30, 2013 by Author Richard F Holmes

Like my previous raw food recipe this one is really refreshing and most palatable and it works on the principle that less is more (only four ingredients this time). Today’s recipe, like all my others really, was driven by what I had in my fridge at the time and what was about to turn. The result was this delicious juice, which I know you will enjoy. As with the last recipe I will give you the exact proportions I used.

As usual I put a good measure of water into the blender followed by a medium-sized carrot and a good chunk of fresh root ginger and blitzed. I had one apple left that was just getting to the point where it was starting to look a bit sorry for itself, so that was the next thing to go in. Then I had about 150g of spinach left in a 200g bag that was one day past its “use-by” date, so the whole lot went in. I gave it a good old blitz, adding a bit more water, and glugged it down for my breakfast.

I’m so full of energy now that I’m actually stuck to the ceiling and typing by proxy. Happy blitzing my friends!

Ricky’s Raw Recipes #5

Posted on October 28, 2013 by Author Richard F Holmes

You will love this one. It is simple and just pure indulgence; in fact the word “delicious” falls way short of describing how lush this recipe actually is. Get ready for juice heaven!!!

I will give you this recipe in the exact proportions that I used. Add a small glass of water to your blender and throw in a good-sized chunk of fresh root ginger. Chop up one carrot and throw it in followed by a hand full of spinach. Finish off by adding two apples. Blitz as you go along and add more water as necessary. Finally, sit back, think of England and let it roll down your throat. Go on, admit it, you really are in juice heaven; aren’t you?

Ricky’s Raw Recipes #4

Posted on October 24, 2013 by Author Richard F Holmes

You will just love this one! Very palatable; in fact, I found this juice absolutely delicious (and I remembered to take a pic this time)!

Add water to your blender along with a 125g bag of rocket and baby leaf salad. Then add fennel, celery, apple, avocado, ginger and lemon juice. Blitz as you go along and when you’ve got the whole lot in the blender give it another good blitzing to remove any lumps (this goes for all recipes). Then just glug it down and enjoy!

If you are wondering why I’ve suddenly gone blitz-mad and started posting recipes on my blog, it’s just a way of keeping me and my blog active while things are a bit quiet in other departments. The out-of-body experiences seem to have dried up for the time being and there’s nothing else of note, spiritual-wise, to blog about at the moment, so the raw food thing seems like a good idea. I’m also considering doing features on various spiritual centres that I serve too. In the meantime, just keep blitzing!!

Ricky’s Raw Recipes #3

Posted on October 24, 2013 by Author Richard F Holmes

I have to confess that I glugged this one down so quickly I forgot to take a pic, so the pic on display is of another juice! So, here we go…

Water, courgette, fennel, apple, ginger, lemon juice and an 85g bag of peppery watercress. If you find that the watercress gives the juice a really overpowering taste you can add extra apple or a pear to counteract it. This one was interesting to say the least, but bear in mind that all my recipes are concoctions based on what I have in the fridge at the time.

The general rule is, if it’s green; blitz it, if it isn’t; blitz it! Happy blitzing!!!!

Wrong Place Wrong Time – Introducing David P. Perlmutter

Posted on October 22, 2013 by Author Richard F Holmes

It gives me great pleasure to welcome best-selling author, David P. Perlmutter to Tetbury today. While David helps himself to a cup of hot steaming tea and a chocolate digestive or two, here’s a little bit about him.

David P. Perlmutter is a full-time writer and living in the South West of England. His first book, a true story called WRONG PLACE WRONG TIME became a bestseller in certain categories on Amazon in the UK, America, Spain, France and Japan. David’s second book is now available also via Amazon and called, “My Way”. The book is intended as a mini-bible for struggling authors, it follows his journey from being an unknown author to topping the American Amazon charts.

So, where did it all start David? Where were you born and what is your background?

I was born in North West London into a large family with 4 brothers (I am a twin) and a sister. We had a fantastic and loving background, huge family in a 3 bed semi where everyone’s school friends loved to visit, we were very close-knit; and still are. The road we lived in till I moved on at 19 is where 50% of my school friends lived. My career background is mainly in property, advertising and marketing.

Your book Wrong Place Wrong Time is a world-wide best-seller and it is a true account of your actual experience of wrongful arrest. So, what was the first thing that went through your head David when you realised you were not on Candid Camera and that your worst nightmare had become an actual experience?

Thank you for saying that Richard, it has amazed me and to see that in writing above, it’s mad! Yes back to the story, it was a moment in my life that I will of course never forget and still have nightmares over. First thing that went through my head was how was I going to explain this to mum and dad.

How did you cope with what ensued, knowing that the authorities had got the wrong man?

With difficulty. It was like the authorities didn’t want to listen to me at all. They saw a homeless beaten English man and I guess they thought I was guilty. Also as I mentioned in the book, when I was behind bars, I prayed to God. I am not a religions man, proud in being Jewish of course but I prayed and spoke out loud looking above.

How did the truth eventually come to light?

That is a question I can’t answer as the truth has never come to light. Since the events in Spain happened I have never returned.

It’s probably true to say that your nightmare experience became the springboard for your successful writing career. With this in mind would you change having that experience if you could, or do you now see it as a blessing and welcome it?

I wouldn’t wish what happened to me on anyone, but as for writing purposes it was a blessing and yes, without the events, I wouldn’t have been able to put pen to paper.

Obviously your book entails much more than your experience of wrongful arrest, so tell us what your book is about apart from that scenario?

It covers my rise and fall; of a successful real estate agent in London, to losing everything in one stupid reckless night, all self-inflicted. Then I travel to Marbella in Spain. After meeting people, partying and again being in the wrong place, I came across a hotel fire and after doing what anyone else would do, saving lives, I was wrongly arrested for arson and manslaughter. What follows is my journey involving the papers, strangers, police, jail and being strong.

Who should buy your book?

As it is a true story, anyone who is interested in real life. It should be of interest to anyone and everyone.

Ok, to change the mood a little; what is your favourite song of all time and your favourite album, and why?

This is tough Richard, so many to choose from. I am as stated in the book, a bit of an 80’s man when it comes to music. ABC – Lexicon of Love was a great album, Picture Box, first album by Simply Red, also George Michael. Far too many songs to say that one is the best. Hotel California?

Who is your favourite band/singer of all time and why?

Probably George Michael as he used to live down the road to me when growing up and his father had a restaurant in the High Street. Funny story here, when I was younger I used to wash the car of the chairman of the local football club. He told me that apparently before George Michael became huge, George went to him and asked for a 3k loan to make a demo tape. He refused. The rest is history.

Away from writing what do you do to amuse yourself?

I love being with my kids, I also love football, Spurs (We can’t all be perfect David; COME ON CHELSEA!!! Ed.)but in my heart LEYTON ORIENT, enjoy watching films, reading and writing of course. Try to have much fun as possible as life is no rehearsal.

Well once again time has beaten us. I’d just like to thank David again for being with us today. Finally, I always ask my guests to leave us with a pearl of wisdom that may give inspiration and encouragement in our daily lives, so can you leave us with some inspired words please David?

Blimey. “To fail in life is just giving you another chance to succeed”

Brilliant! That is a great piece of wisdom David; thanks!

To find out more about David P. Perlmutter check out the links below to where you can find him and his books online.

David’s Blog: http://thewrongplaceatthewrongtime.blogspot.co.uk/

David’s Amazon Author Page: http://ow.ly/q1xph

David On Goodreads: http://ow.ly/q1xVF

Connect With David On Facebook: http://ow.ly/q1yl9

Ricky’s Raw Recipes #2

Posted on October 21, 2013 by Author Richard F Holmes

I will forgive you for thinking that Raw Recipe #2 looks exactly the same as Raw Recipe #1, however I can assure you that they are very different. Read on and be astounded!

As ever we start with water, and you can add more as required whilst you merrily go about your blitzing. Feel free to use as much or as little of the following as you wish.

Ginger, Fennel, Carrot, Spinach, Avocado, Celery, Apple and Lime.

As an experiment I didn’t just use the lime juice, I used all of a half lime. The rind gives the end product a bit of a bitter taste, so you can counteract it by adding extra apple or a pear if you want. I had the good fortune to pick up 6 avocados for £1 the other day and added 2 to this recipe. I found it gave the “brew” an interesting texture. It made the juice seem quite slimy, so with the added bitterness today’s juice was interesting to say the least. It was still rather palatable, and as I type, I’m glugging down the last remnants.

Happy blitzing!

Ricky’s Raw Recipes #1

Posted on October 20, 2013 by Author Richard F Holmes

Having heard so much about the benefits of eating raw food I finally got around to investing in a blender. It took me months to spark into life, but about four weeks ago I finally took the plunge. Before I go into the first of my recipes I will give you a bit of information with regard to choosing your blender.

Strictly speaking you can use any blender, but you will be better off being just a little bit selective. Most blenders have three blades, but there are some that have five or six; and there are also various speed settings. Prices range from very cheap (less than a tenner) to very expensive, but it really depends on what you want it for. As I will very rarely want to use mine for anything other than raw juicing, I went for the Tefal Blendforce at £29.99 from Argos. It only has two-speed settings plus a pulse setting, but it has six blades that really get to grips with your ingredients. There is also a Philips five blade blender for a similar price that I have heard very good reports about. So here is the first raw food recipe of this new series.

Your first ingredient is always water and there are no specific amounts when adding your fruit and vegetables; simply throw in whatever you want.

Broccoli, Courgette, celery, and Spinach

If you are thinking, that judging by the photo, the juice probably tastes as disgusting as it looks, you would be exactly right. However, there are a couple of “secret” ingredients that I add to all my juices that don’t only make them more palatable, they make them taste delicious. Added to the above recipe is a good-sized chunk of fresh root ginger, an apple and a squeeze of lemon juice. You can also add a pear or two if you want. It makes the finished product sweet, spicy and very palatable.

There is nothing complicated about the process either, you just throw the ingredients in the blender with water (adjust the amount as you go along), whiz them to death and enjoy the experience of drinking raw food juice!

Watch out for my next raw food recipe!

Introducing The Wonderful Jacqueline Rainey – Author And Survivor

Posted on October 9, 2013 by Author Richard F Holmes

Well, the kettle is on and the chocolate digestives are on the table; all I need now is my guest. Wait a minute, there’s a knock at the door; this must be her. Yes, all the way from Augusta, Georgia to my living room here in Tetbury, it’s inspirational author Jacqueline Rainey. Thank God for the bus service!! Whilst Jacqueline is helping herself to tea and digestives here is a bit about her…

Jacqueline Rainey’s life has been filled with adversity and battles to survive. After overcoming child abuse, sexual assault, being a foster child, domestic violence, and drug addiction, she became in her own words “a walking miracle of God” who is joyful, medication free, and spending her time writing and speaking to others to provide inspiration and healing. She regularly shares her stories with women’s and church groups, veteran’s hospitals, and anyone who feels lost and in need of a little guidance.

Rainey is not your typical author. She has stated that book sales are important to her “for a different reason; the more books sold the more opportunities to change lives.” She writes to help those in situations like hers to experience the same freedom and healing she has known. In “I Used to Be,” she writes closely of her own difficulties with addiction. She has stated about this story, “Addiction has a way of stripping us not only of our self-respect, but of our families and faith. Being a spiritual person and a woman of faith is what I believe intensified the battle and my struggle to break free not only from the substance, but also from the people whom I saw as destructive to me and to themselves. These stories are reflections of my personal struggles and my victories.”

Good morning Jacqueline and welcome to my humble abode. Thanks so much for coming to talk to us today.

Ok I need music “Flaws and All” Beyoncé. Now I’m ready. Hello Richard thank you for inviting me to lovely Tetbury, England; is the Monastery still nearby? (Yes, it’s about four miles away in Malmesbury. Ed.) If so I’m in the right place because being an inspirational writer I’m sure to find lots of inspiration there.(smile) By the way I couldn’t help but notice the Snooty Fox Hotel which sounds like the perfect place for me, lol. (From experience I wouldn’t wish The Snooty Fox on anyone Jacqueline! Ed.)

You have had such an eventful life that it’s difficult knowing where to kick this interview off. But I suppose the burning question for me is this. Having experienced in your life, and overcome, child abuse, sexual assault, being a foster child, domestic violence, and drug addiction, when did you first realise that none of these things were bigger than Jacqueline Rainey? When did you first realise that there is a power within you that can literally move mountains?

The truth is that all of them are bigger than me, but they are no match for God. I was fortunate enough to be in a veteran’s hospital rehab program and I know you must be thinking what is so fortunate about being in rehab. Well keeping with being honest I was in a drug rehab and once a week a veteran’s Chaplin would come by to give a class and one day I asked him if I could speak with him. Long story short he gave me the name and phone number of a Pastor that he was close to and once I was out of that program I called her and she took me under her wings and so did the rest of the church. That was the beginning of the life changing events, but I have to admit that things did not get easier after that, they got even harder and I had to fight.

Everyone I have ever met who has an understanding of spirituality realised at some point that the key to overcoming life’s demons is forgiveness, and to take that a step further, being able to forgive and love ourselves. Was it the same for you?

I wish that you could see the look on my face right now, but yes that is true, but it is not easy to forgive because when you have been so hurt and repeatedly it takes work; sometimes daily. I also had to realize that I would never forget the things that were done to me, but over time the pain and power that those things have over you dissipates; the stronger I became spiritually the weaker they became. I had to learn to self-love because of the things that I have experienced and been through they made me feel like something was wrong with me. I love me today and can also love others and I realize that there are many different types of love and that you can love someone, but not like them.

So many people who experience and overcome great trials and tribulations in their lives realise that they can turn adversity into advantage and use their experiences to help others. Was it the same for you? Is this what inspired you to become an author?

I have been writing poetry since I was elven years old. My first two books are all about helping others as a matter of fact I did not expect to profit from my first book “Through Whose Eyes: Rise, Child of God” because I believe that if I could get it into the hands of as many women as possible and in turn make a personal appearance it would change their lives. The places I am referring to are where women are incarcerated, domestic violence organizations, drug rehabilitation centres and Psychiatric wards; yes I have been there too. But I did struggle with the fear of knowing that everyone would know so much about me, so many personal things. There are people in this world who like to use your past against you and try to break you. I have since walked through that fear and took control of it by putting as much as possible about me out there in public to take their power away.

Onto your work now Jacqueline; tell us about your book Through Whose Eyes: Rise Child of God. What is the book about?

“Through Whose Eyes: Rise, Child of God” is my first published book and “Toni’s Blues” is my second work of love and hope. “Through Whose Eyes: Rise, Child of God” is a book of short-stories and poems. The opening poems set the tone for the story to come. I didn’t really use any character names in the stories because I felt it was a way for the readers to insert the names of those who they felt the stories related to, including themselves. The most important thing to know about these two current books is that all the short-stories in “Through Whose Eyes: Rise, Child of God” contain actual pieces of me and my life experiences in them as a writer I embellished but the realism comes through loud and clear and it is the same with “Toni’s Blues”. Yes I write about things like Child Abuse, Rape and Addiction to name just a few, but the emotions are all real; as a matter of fact I acknowledge and give thanks to my Psychiatrist and my Therapist in “Through Whose Eyes: Rise, Child of God” they were very proud of me and one of them has known me for many years. My Psychiatrist has seen all of me and I can only imagine the fear she must have felt for my life during those times of utter despair.

Moving on to Toni’s Blues; what is the book about?

In “Toni’s Blues” there’s a whole lot of me in there, more than I really care to admit, but I did dress it up and romanticised it a bit, I think I did that for me, even those who have been victimised like to somehow try and protect themselves. I’m sure that all of us would like to rewrite some part of our lives and Toni literally writes Bible passages on her living room wall in the hopes of wiping out all the horrific memories of her bad choices in men. I worried before it came out about how men would feel about my story, but the truth is that men are also victims of domestic violence and they share the same shame as women. Who should read it? If I had to choose it would be to start with teenage girls because we tend to think it is so cute that he is so jealous “Oh he must really care about me, he really loves me if he is acting so jealous”. Sometimes those are warning signs, but not always.

Changing the mood slightly Jacqueline, I know music plays a big part in your life. Do you play any instruments and to what level?

Richard I wish I could lol, I bought an Acoustic Guitar and now I need an instructor because I believe once I learn to play that guitar I can then start to write songs because I can sing. I was once signed with Maurice Starr’s brother Michael Johnson as part of a group known as the J-Girls and was in the studio with the New Edition back in Roxbury Massachusetts, yes I stood in the actual room with Bobby Brown and all of them, lol. Hey I said I have a very interesting life and I meant it, lol.

What is your favourite album/song of all time and why?

I am going to have to say the album “Thriller” by Michael Jackson. It’s hard to choose just one song but it’s got to be “Human Nature” because it reminds me of my last foster parent Ms. Helen Greene.

Who is you favourite singer/band of all time and why?

Man Richard you are really bringing on the flashbacks, lol lol, Minnie Ripperton, I swear to you I had never heard opera before, but her voice on “Loving You”(Minnie Ripperton was fantastic. I’ve still got the original 45 vinyl version of “Loving You” that I bought when it first came out, but unfortunately, I no longer have anything to play it on. Ed.) My so-called step-father at the time used to wake me up from sleep because he had made a bet with some of his friends that he brought home that I could hit those notes. And Richard if you are wondering if I could, the answer is YES, each and every time, back then my voice was perfection, but my talent was not nurtured.

Tell us about any projects you are currently working on?

My stories are a place where I can lay down the emotions within me in written word because I may not be able to find the right words to speak them out loud. Yes I’m an author telling stories in ways that no one else can because I add the broken pieces of me to all that I write; and that includes the books in my upcoming double release project.

“Dark Harmonie” a character who is special because the hand of God is on her, but she has become the object of desire by those using dark supernatural forces and black magic to steal what is within in her.

“30”, a little girl who was fascinated with boys, but curious wondering why they never noticed her, wanting to know what made her different from the other girls; she becomes a woman who loses herself to another part of herself that she names “The Dragonfly Catcher”.

“30” is the second book in my ambitious double-book release project to accompany “Dark Harmonie”. “Dark Harmonie”, which is in the editing phase, still carries the spiritual messages that I so love to incorporate in my stories that is evident in my first two published books. But I have taken it further and added a supernatural aspect as well as the evils of dark and black magic. Yes all my main characters are females and I love showing that women are both strong and survivors. Even in the piece I am working on now “30”, although the woman is struggling with some issues I have painted her as a multilayer seductress which called for the story line to border on soft erotica.

You are a very inspirational lady Jacqueline. So, as time has once again beaten us, can you leave us with a pearl of wisdom; a piece of inspiration that will help any of our readers who may be struggling at this moment in time?

I believe in gentle guidance I don’t believe in forcing my beliefs on anyone so I just ask them to try it for themselves and just ask God for something simple like peace of mind, patience or to cover all the bases; just ask to be blessed and then have faith. For all those who know that I love music and music loves me because it is what I do, I enjoyed every minute of this interview while listening to the true Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin: “I Never Loved a Man” Aint No Way”, Baby, Baby, Baby” and “Giving Him Something He Can Feel”. So now it’s time for me to return to my posh suite at “The Snooty Fox Hotel” (Don’t do it Jacqueline, you WILL be disappointed! Ed.), just kidding, I’m still in Arizona and it is HOT! (She’s not readers, she’s here in my living room drinking my tea and eating all my digestives!! Ed.)

Smooches.

Thanks for that wonderful wisdom Jacqueline and thanks once again for being my guest today; it’s been a pleasure.

To find out more about my lovely guest and her books please check out the links below.

Jacqueline’s website: http://sbpra.com/jacquelinerainey/

Connect with Jacqueline on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJacquelineRainey

Follow Jacqueline on twitter: https://twitter.com/BlueHarmonie

Buy Through Whose Eyes: Rise, Child Of God on Amazon US: http://ow.ly/pCUNK

Buy Toni’s Blues on Amazon US: http://ow.ly/pCVeR

Buy Through Whose Eyes: Rise, Child Of God on Amazon UK: http://ow.ly/pCVo3

Buy Toni’s Blues on Amazon UK: http://ow.ly/pCVEt