Blurb: Frank Derrick is eighty-two. And apparently that makes him old. But he just doesn't feel old. Sure, his limbs ache, he can't sleep more than a few hours a night and it takes him a while to get going in the morning. But he's still Frank. A dad, a granddad, a friend to Bill the cat.

So when he receives a phone call from Los Angeles with news that his grown-up daughter's life is falling apart, his natural instinct is to drop everything to be with her. Unfortunately for Frank, that means using his life savings and putting himself in danger of losing his home. But then, Frank's never been one for long-term plans. He can sort out where he and Bill the cat will live when he's back.

And so Frank gets on a plane for the first time in his life. He was never much good at helping his daughter through crises when she was growing up. He left all that to his wife Sheila, who died nearly ten years ago. Now it's time to step up to his role of father to Beth. Joining forces with his determined granddaughter Laura, they begin The Reunion Project in an attempt to bring some happiness back into Beth's life and to bring the family back together again for one happy family holiday.

First of all I would like to thank the publishers for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

Review: Last year I had the pleasure of reading The Extraordinary Life of Frank Derrick, Age 81, which I absolutely loved. Imagine my excitement when it was announced that there was going to be a sequel! And what a sequel! I absolutely loved Frank's new adventure in Los Angeles. Within the first couple of pages I was already laughing with Frank's antics. It felt like catching up with an old and dear friend. 

Frank's preparation for his big journey are hilarious. From when he goes to get his photo taken for the passport to his shopping the best garments to blend in in Los Angeles (you wouldn't even find those colourful and loud shirts in Hawaii), all of it had me giggling non-stop. But the best part is when he lands in LA (with Bill the cat on tow) and we meet his family, his daughter who is recovering from cancer and his grand-daughter, a lively girl who instantly connects with his cool grand-father. 

Put Frank Derrick in a such a crazy place like LA and you get the most fun, entertaining but also moving story. It was really interesting to discover the city through Frank's eyes. He is like a child with a new pair of shoes, excited about everything. He really fits in this environment and sees himself leaving behind good old England for sunny America. 

But the story is not all laughs and giggles. As with the first book, J.B. Morrison reminds us that life is fragile and we need to appreciate the little things. Frank, even with the spirit of a younger man, is now 82 and not as fit as he would like. During the book, there are some really moving moments that make you connect with this character even more. I really hope Frank touches as many lives as possible as he is such a unique and special character.

Definitely a story to enjoy this summer, Frank Derrick's Holiday of a lifetime will leave no one indifferent. A highly recommended read!

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Last year I had the pleasure of reading The Extraordinary Life of Frank Derrick, Age 81, which I absolutely loved. Imagine my excitement when it was announced that there was going to be a sequel! 

Frank Derrick's Holiday of a Lifetime was published yesterday and to celebrate it, I have J.B. Morrison on the blog, answering my bookish questions:

Thank you. I'm currently J.B. Morrison but I'm also known as Jim Bob and even Jim Bob from Carter. The funny thing is, my middle name is actually Neil. It can be very confusing. At the moment I'd probably say I was an author but I do feel a little uncomfortable saying that. It still feels like a big headed claim to make. Since 'retiring' my band last year though I'm doing nothing else but write or more often, think about writing. 

2. How does your writing process go? Do you plan everything first or you just start writing and let your characters talk to you?

I would dearly love to say there was a process. It's too chaotic to ever be described as a process. About 90% of my writing is thinking and worrying. I go swimming and walking and make tons of notes. Mostly illegible. I rewrite and start again and again and change from third to first person and back again. Hopefully at some point there are enough words to not give up or turn back and then it becomes more recognisable as writing. 

3. Did you find writing the sequel for Frank Derrick harder than the first book?

I actually found it easier. Because the characters and writing style were already established and because there was a certain amount of back story that I had to be true to. The lack of freedom was actually liberating. I didn't get bogged down wondering if it would work better in first person instead of third or if it was set in the future or on Mars.

4. Talking about Frank Derrick, he is such a charismatic character. In this second book, he is reunited with his daughter and granddaughter. Are we going to discover a new version of him?

He's probably the same Frank as he was in the first book. It's too late for any major change in his life. But the time he spends with his family and in particular his granddaughter, who he has a surprising amount in common with, brings something good out in him. He still makes the same poorly thought through decisions and mistakes. 

5. The first book, The Extra Ordinary Life of Frank Derrick, Age 81, has been translated to many languages. How does it make you feel having your words translated? Do you have a favourite international cover, they are all so different!

When the translation offers started coming in it was one of the greatest things to ever happen to me. Because all my work was already done the translations felt like prizes. I love the different covers and titles. They remind me a bit of the Japanese versions of my albums that were released with unusual titles. For example our album '101 Damnations' in Japan was called 'Exploding London Diary'. I really love the Italian covers. 

6. Do you remember the first story you ever wrote and what it was about?

I remember writing a story in an English exam about a rock band. I can't remember what happened but I imagine it was the traditional struggle, success, failure, rebirth and heroic success again type of thing. 

7. If you could have a party with your favourite authors, dead or alive, who would you invite?

Kurt Vonnegut, Harper Lee, Harry Crews, Alan Sillitoe, Dave Eggers, Brady Udall, Donna Tartt, JD Salinger and Ali Smith. 

8. And finally, what can we expect next from you?

Hopefully another novel. I've started something. It's currently in the swimming and walking stage. The first person, third person, first person, third person phase. I need to pull my finger out.

Thank you so much J.B. Morrison for stopping by. I can't wait to read all about Frank Derrick's new adventure. 

If you haven't met Frank yet, you are missing out. I highly recommend it!

Frank Derrick is eighty-two. And apparently that makes him old. But he just doesn't feel old. Sure, his limbs ache, he can't sleep more than a few hours a night and it takes him a while to get going in the morning. But he's still Frank. A dad, a granddad, a friend to Bill the cat.

So when he receives a phone call from Los Angeles with news that his grown-up daughter's life is falling apart, his natural instinct is to drop everything to be with her. Unfortunately for Frank, that means using his life savings and putting himself in danger of losing his home. But then, Frank's never been one for long-term plans. He can sort out where he and Bill the cat will live when he's back.

And so Frank gets on a plane for the first time in his life. He was never much good at helping his daughter through crises when she was growing up. He left all that to his wife Sheila, who died nearly ten years ago. Now it's time to step up to his role of father to Beth. Joining forces with his determined granddaughter Laura, they begin The Reunion Project in an attempt to bring some happiness back into Beth's life and to bring the family back together again for one happy family holiday.

Filled with moments of great sadness, joy and humour Frank Derrick's Holiday of A Lifetime reminds us all to make the most of every day and to appreciate those closest to us.

Get it on Amazon | Get in on Amazon UK

Author: J.B. Morrison.
Publisher: Pan Macmillan.
Release Date: June 5, 2014.

Frank Derrick is eighty-one. And he’s just been run over by a milk float. It was tough enough to fill the hours of the day when he was active. But now he’s broken his arm and fractured his foot, it looks set to be a very long few weeks ahead. Frank lives with his cat Bill (which made more sense before Ben died) in the typically British town of Fullwind-on-Sea. The Villages in Bloom competition is the topic of conversation amongst his neighbours but Frank has no interest in that. He watches DVDs, spends his money frivolously at the local charity shop and desperately tries to avoid the cold callers continuously knocking on his door. Emailing his daughter in America on the library computer and visiting his friend Smelly John used to be the highlights of his week. Now he can’t even do that. Then a breath of fresh air comes into his life in the form of Kelly Christmas, home help. With her little blue car and appalling parking, her cheerful resilience and ability to laugh at his jokes, Kelly changes Frank’s life. She reminds him that there is a big wide-world beyond the four walls of his flat and that adventures, however small, come to people of all ages. Frank and Kelly’s story is sad and funny, moving, familiar, uplifting. It is a small and perfect look at a life neither remarkable nor disastrous, but completely extraordinary nonetheless. For fans of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry this is a quirky, life affirming story that has enormous appeal. And it’s guaranteed to make you laugh.

First of all I would like to thank Natasha Harding, at Pac Macmillan for sending me this lovely book in exchange of a honest review.

Review: Frank, aged 81, is a lovely and moving character. He was quite lonely, and after the accident he didn't want anyone to come and take care of him. But then, when Kelly arrives at his home, he starts to see there's life outside his four walls. From that moment, his highlight of the week is Kelly's visit and all his life starts orbitating around her. I loved their relationship, how she was so kind but bossy with him and how he couldn't bear to think about the other old men in Kelly's life. And the lenghts he went to, to try to get more visits, it was hilarious.

This is a tale of loneliness, sadness, getting old, accepting the death of your loved one but also of hapiness, finding the strenght to fight and enjoying life, no matter of how old you are. And it is written with tact and the perfect sense of humour. All the characters are special, even Bill the cat. So I totally recommend this book to everybody, actually the first thing I did after finishing is get my boyfriend to read it. He read the first the first page and was hooked. 

Finally, I just want to add a personal note, Frank kind of reminded me of my grandad, aged 89, who spends the day watching tv and sometimes visits his mates in the nursing home. His highlights are when his granchildren and great-granddaughter visit him, although he sometimes ignores us completly and keeps watching the tv, I know he appreciates the company. Sometimes we forget about our beloved old people because they can manage by themselves, but they really appreciate a visit, or even a phonecall or an email (maybe not all are so skilled with the computer as Frank, and cannot read an email, but you get what I mean). So thanks to this book I'll try to be a better granddaughter. Isn't it beautiful when a book touches you so much? 

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