This is what HARPERTRUE had to say about Uneasy Rider!

"Dear Allie

Sincere apologies for not reviewing your book for HarperTrue before Christmas – but unfortunately flu and seasonal varieties of illness left us rather decimated. But we’re very happy to be back in the saddle now, and raring to go.

And Uneasy Rider is such a great read at this time of year! It’s a wonderful combination of travel writing meets holiday diary meets nostalgia/whimsy. You have a very readable tone with a light touch of humour and wit and a very visual style of writing. You make it seem easy! And your tellings of adventures with the obligatory theft in Rome, continental camp sites, self-catering from a van and more feel very fresh and not the standard ‘a Brit abroad’. Plus I feel they appeal to all ages – both the child and adult in us all.

I’m glad that you make the recommendation to dip in and out of your chapters – a collection like this works so much better when allowed to be itself, rather than enclosed within a formal structure with a beginning, middle and end. I suspect though that a nod towards a more standard approach might be a good move commercially – it felt much easier to connect with you after Chapter 5 – Inauguration of the Innocents – and I think some early ‘van’ story helps explain and outline the characters plus ups the resonance for those coming to your writing from their own van experiences – leaving you more free to enjoy yourself with the action after that point. But this is just a comment.

Otherwise, I found your writing totally enjoyable. In terms of you being published, this isn’t something that HarperTrue would publish as it would generally fall more within the general nonfiction bracket. Another reason to consider adding more ‘van’ history and identity – to really make the usp more ‘van’ than travel writing, a very broad area. And worth pursuing through periodicals perhaps as well as in book form.

I hope that this has helped, and I hope that you keep writing. I look forward to dipping into your memoir "

What a marvelous compendium! I popped into #1 9 - Pompeii, then jumped around, enjoying every single trip, every observation. That naughty pup - abandoning you for Bratwurst.

Wonderful! Backed.

Diane
Finish Line/Riding Miss Daisy
Sculpting David

Marvelous! I have never been a good tourist, and after reading this, anytime I get an occasional urge to
"tour" , I will read a few chapters of your book and regain my perspective! Thank you for a wonderful treat!
I felt as if I was traveling along with you, for better or worse. Shelved! jedward

I read and loved chapter 3. I said in my biog. that Bill Bryson was a favourite author, well this chapter anyway was just as good, full of excitement, information and humour. This book is backed with pleasure.
BADD

Backed.

Natasha (Water Under the Bridge…rises)

Backed January 13.

Jesse - Savant

http://www.authonomy.com/ViewBook.aspx?bookid=14062

I enjoyed this despite a deep-rooted aversion to campervans. Several of my friends have them and now I see the point. Backed. Kop - The Lucky Bean Tree.

Nice one

Hey Allie,

You're definitely a good writer, there's no doubt about that. Non-fiction is definitely not my thing, but you do it well--good enough even I could imagine it was a regular story (that's a compliment, by the way). One thing, I didn't know what a 'Parador' was, but that's probably just me. Great work, consider it backed!

Warmest Regards,
Alexis A. Hunter
(The Five Staffs of Meledari)

Allie -

My husband is a confirmed van owner who keeps threatening to buy a camper van for us to retire in (NOT), I think I'll have him read your book as a reminder WHY that is such a bad idea. I have a suspicion that our trip down from the Parador would have resulted in a lot more than a few scrapes and a dent (we once tore the entire roof vent off at 55mph on a tight overhead clearance). I'm so glad you survived the ordeal so I could laugh along with your adventures. Shelved.

Sessha

Hi,
The narration is good, love to read it completely.
All the best.
Backed with wishes.
S. vinay kumar

Hi Allie. As I promised, so here I am. This is a wonderfully rendered account of vacation highs and lows. I noticed that, along with several small tips for travellers, that a few myths were busted along the way. Case in point: The Barbary Apes. I didn't realize they were so viscious either. The thing I liked most, though, was that you didn't try and force this, a story of your own trials and tribulations of travelling, owning a van you just couldn't get rid of, and taking advice from strangers, into a lengthy "don't do what I did" story. You reported the good with the bad, and wrote this how you saw it. Nice job.
Gerry

Allie, this is a delightful read. I enjoyed every word of chapters 1, 2 and 5. I am sure you must have learned in your travels to be a tad more flexible as to your expectations of routine and more capable of finding comfort and focusing on the local thrills even without your own socks and underclothes properly in place. I learned a lot from these three chapters and I know you could add a lot more helpful info for travelers intending to make similar sojourn. If ever I go to Spain, I'll drive a small van with fantastic air conditioning and a short wheel base. I'll also pack ear plugs. I suggest you add more location specific helpful information and I am sure you could sell this work as a travel guide for those undertaking a tour of the Mediterranian by bus or recreational vehicle. This is a great read and your candor and humor offer welcome relief for the reader just as they did for yourselves. Your work serves up cryptic lessons from life: Keep laughing! Love someone who seems completely unworthy of it and the same will come your own way when you're the one in the pinch. Callaghan

Allie, the first chapter is a delight. I really enjoy your humor and candor. Your unfailing optimism is inspiring. I really think that you could sell this as a travel guide of sorts. Obviously I have larned that, if ever I visit Parador, I shall drive a very small car and pack ear plugs. I'm on to chapter 2 and then skipping to 5 since HC thought it an essential. I am loving taking this journey along with you and I wonder if you might consider a career as a travel guide?!

Love, CG

Ahhh I love your writing! It trips along, carrying you on this journey where you're just desperate for you to get there!!! I would read this book and I'd definitely buy it if it were published - to take me back to similar situations and to generally make me smile. This is a feel-good book of which I'm not sure there are too many about so for the sake of the nation(s) get this published and cheer us all up!
Best of luck Allie.
Jackie
Glass Houses

Hullo Allie. what a fascinating trip around Europe. Have never been there but hope to go someday soon. Thank you for your interesting insights. Oh, my 'Other Half' is a Harry too. Made the story even more interesting. Please consider my book.
Linda Lou Long
Southern dis-Comfort
http://www.authonomy.com/ViewBook.aspx?bookid=11421

A highly enjoyable read! I've put it up on my shelf!

John Pearson
Learn Me Good

This is what HARPERTRUE had to say about Uneasy Rider!

"Dear Allie

Sincere apologies for not reviewing your book for HarperTrue before Christmas – but unfortunately flu and seasonal varieties of illness left us rather decimated. But we’re very happy to be back in the saddle now, and raring to go.

And Uneasy Rider is such a great read at this time of year! It’s a wonderful combination of travel writing meets holiday diary meets nostalgia/whimsy. You have a very readable tone with a light touch of humour and wit and a very visual style of writing. You make it seem easy! And your tellings of adventures with the obligatory theft in Rome, continental camp sites, self-catering from a van and more feel very fresh and not the standard ‘a Brit abroad’. Plus I feel they appeal to all ages – both the child and adult in us all.

I’m glad that you make the recommendation to dip in and out of your chapters – a collection like this works so much better when allowed to be itself, rather than enclosed within a formal structure with a beginning, middle and end. I suspect though that a nod towards a more standard approach might be a good move commercially – it felt much easier to connect with you after Chapter 5 – Inauguration of the Innocents – and I think some early ‘van’ story helps explain and outline the characters plus ups the resonance for those coming to your writing from their own van experiences – leaving you more free to enjoy yourself with the action after that point. But this is just a comment.

Otherwise, I found your writing totally enjoyable. In terms of you being published, this isn’t something that HarperTrue would publish as it would generally fall more within the general nonfiction bracket. Another reason to consider adding more ‘van’ history and identity – to really make the usp more ‘van’ than travel writing, a very broad area. And worth pursuing through periodicals perhaps as well as in book form.

I hope that this has helped, and I hope that you keep writing. I look forward to dipping into your memoir "

Duck tape - surely duct tape.

Did you really sing YMCA in Spain?

I've dipped in and out and enjoyed what I read, so going for a whirl on my shelf!

There I was, in the early sixties, travelling through Europe in a second hand Volkswagon camper. Of course I was only seven years old, but now ai know what it would have been like if I'd been a little older.

Actually, I am very jealous! If I could find someway to do it, I would travel the entire world. Your stories were very entertaining and I often found myself chuckling along. I have never been anywhere in Europe but you brought it to life! Thank you and good luck, this is a wonderful book

Missy

Wow! This was great fun to read!

My only negative comment is that you didn't post the whole thing so that I could read more!

Shelved with pleasure... and a chuckle.

Best wishes,
Douglas Braverman
A TASTE OF VOODOO

Lots of fun, very entertaining!
Backed.

What a marvelous compendium! I popped into #1 9 - Pompeii, then jumped around, enjoying every single trip, every observation. That naughty pup - abandoning you for Bratwurst.

Wonderful! Backed.

Diane
Finish Line/Riding Miss Daisy
Sculpting David

Having spent many holidays driving round Europe in a Ford Fiesta, tent in the boot, keeping a holiday diary religiously, this is definitely my cup of tea/glass of red. I love the way you organise it - not chronologically, but thematically. It is delightful, and familiar. I have read chapters 9, 4 and 13 so far, and have nodded in recognition at all. What you really need to try, though, is camping in Germany. Now that can be really irritating. Definitely on my shelf.

I read three chapters and laughed at them all. Great stuff! Barry (Little Krisna and the Bihar Boys)

Chapter 7. We have a caravan and often go a-wandering, not anywhere as exotic as some of these places - Birmingham, Coventry, Castle Donington...but its not the places which are so interesting, rather the people you meet. Always fancied Michael Palin's job myself. Great fun, Jim D Serpent's Blood

An absolute joy to read, a genuine pleasure. Great fun and really refreshing. :)

This was a very enjoyable read. Narrow roads and moans about long wheel bases is something I remember really well. Ha-ha! And church bells... Don't get me started on those. The problem is that locals are so used to the sound, they don't notice it.

Your writing is smooth and full of wit.
Backed,
Ana G Ram (Snowflake)

Hi Allie, I chose ch19, Pompeii, basically because I've been there too, and yes I can guess what you were looking at too. I also followed a raised umbrella around the ruins, before clambering back onto a bus. It was quite funny, I was, obviously, in a group of English speakers, mainly British a few Irish thrown in to make up the numbers. The tour guide clearly very proud of his hertitage was extolling the virtues of the Ancient Romans, telling us there were slaves from all over the world, Astrologers from the East, Philosophers from Greece, Egyptian healers and from the North, he said with a glint in his eye, they had slaves good at lifting things.
Anyway, I really enjoyed the Chapter, you managed to give a great feel for the place as well as your own predicament. It was very funny, not sure I'll be going down the camper van route soon though.
Paul.

As a read, this is great fun. It's the kind of book you can come back to when you want to experience some adventure and have a good laugh. And it's well written in this troubled travelogue style that leaves the reader wondering what could possibly happen next. Definitely shelved.

I've had this on my watchlist for awhile - and as I pack and prepare to drive my husband and two kids on our christmas vacation now seemed the time to read and get a few pointers. You made me smile.

I spent most of my time with chapter 10 and 11 - overall well written and I can't even think of a crit for you. Just know that I read and enjoyed. Happy holidays and many journeys to come.

A lovely book, full of fun and interest. The drive up to the Parador reminds me so much of other narrow village streets high up in Corfu and similar places. This is a book which is fun to read, and which also gives us beautiful pictures of the places you and Harry went to. It makes us feel as if we are there, too, and stirs up a desire to travel, usually dormant at this time of year. A book to enjoy. Backed.
Gerry McCullough,
Belfast Girls.

It's raining here, again! So for awhile I wandered into your holiday tales and forgot the rain. I'm glad I'm not alone in my fear of being raped and pillaged whilst abroad! In Malta we took a private taxi as other-half decided it was a good way to see, as you do. I clung to the door handle and my bag convinced we would be taken into the hills never to be seen again!
I digress but it put me in mind. This was a light entertaining read, I picked at random and had to smile at your well written adventures. Each was a little jewel brightening a grey day. Great fun and must be backed. Margaret.

I must say the idea of renting a caravan never appealed. It's the same as camping and I don't see the point of leaving your house with plumbing to go and stay somewhere less pleasant and call it a holiday. I must admit this got my attention because i wanted to hear just how horrific it could be. I skipped straight to chapter 20 as I lived for sometime in Venice. I chose winter to avoid those june tourists which you were one;) but you seemed to be pleasantly surprised by it. Glad you had some good kiwi neighbours albeit briefly. Over all an enjoyable light read.

I read chapter 6 and I was not surprised they were up so early. They were probably going swimming and needed to get their towels down early to get the best places. Your campsite probably wasn’t close enough to the beach. I enjoyed reading about your adventures and if I ever go camping I will look for your book in the store before I go. I am happy to back your book, well done.

Tony
Life Bringer

A few years ago we visited Gibraltar for a day from Spain, so I decided to read your account. We really enjoyed the caves and I agree with your comments. I was surprised to see the apes were so unfriendly; you must have got them on a bad or cool day. It was very hot on the day we were there and they were too tired to do anything but hold out their hands for food. We were in a coach and had to walk across the border but no one even bother to look at our passports, things have changed a lot since you were there.
For anyone going to one of these places, your book of recollections would help save a lot of wasted time. I wish you luck with it and I will back as I think it is well written and extremely useful.

Adrian
Jack and Boots

HI,

Here for the returned read, read a couple of chapters and your tips, this was a perfect antedote to a rubbish day, Thankyou for making me smile and brightening uo my day...no where did I put that camper van brouchure....

backed with pleasure ;o) x

Love Bev

I have a mate who writes books on scotland....
and so, well, understand this travel stuff a bit...
anyway, upon reading this it is definately not my thing.
However, because i know my friend, i know he would love it, so there is a market.
So as long as your writing works, then i can see no reason not to back it.....

now, before you go to dream diamond, it is fantasy, so might not be your thing....
be warned... the word penis is used.

This, like the same author's 'To set my feet a'Dancing' is very readable; but it is probably best to follow her hint and to read the chapters in random order. I suspect that if we began at the beginning and went straight through to the end, there might be a sameness of tone and humour. It is, as it says on the pitch - an antidote to travel book - an anthology of misadventures and comic mishaps which will be recognized by just about anyone. We are inveigled into complicity with heroine's follies and misdirection. The book masquerades as naivety abroad, but it is actually quite subtle and craft-like in the way it carries the reader along. It is, in fact, not as easy to write a book like this as it may seem. Congratulations. Well worth backing DB

This is a great read. I've passed it on to my wife who is dead set on taking a touring holiday to the USA in the near future. A fabulous conversational style of writing makes it easy to forget that you are reading and slip into a world of narrow roads in unreliable mobile accommodation.
Harclubs

Allie, your chapters read like the menu of a box of chocolates. I dipped in and decided to indulge in Rome. I warmed to your candid, conversational tone. This is somehow very British observation. It’s smirkable, friendly stuff, and I know lots of people who would enjoy this on paper.

I think that I recommended Tim Moore to you before? He excels at the getting-into-scrapes-in-foreign-climes genre. You must read him, if you haven’t already.

Now feeling rather jealous of your adventures, I am loath to back you, but I shall because you deserve a shelf spin for your clean, comical and likeable writing.

This is a great read and a brilliant idea, (being a former caravan owner).

Good luck with it

Shelved
Melxx
Impeding Justice

Great stuff! This is a winner. Further comment would only be redundant.

Shelved.
William Holt
Faust's Butterfly

This is great. Something I would always have wanted to do and never got around to. Now at this age, it's definitely not going to happen but I can enjoy it vicariously through your book. Good--and for the most part very funny--stuff. Even the chapter headings make good readfing. Shelved today.

Betty K "The Huguenot's Destiny"

This is wonderful! I've only skim read so far, but will be sitting down to it in more detail soon.
Kirsten
('Happy Mother Happy Family' and 'Snapshots')

Brilliant, encompasses the style I hope my own book projects.
Well written and good luck with it !!

JanB
Table for One

Allie,
Your “Uneasy Rider” title must be a rif on the old film classic “Easy Rider” which ended badly indeed. Hopefully, your more whimsical take offers a better view of Europe than Peter Fonda’s experience in the US.
Anyway, to your book.

My Lord! I had no idea the Brits and Europeans in general had so many campervans!

Happy to see that chapters are self-contained and can be read out of order, so I’m picking 17 – “Shouting in the Sistine” – which appeals to my interest in art.

What a hoot! “Julie Andrews” singing about those living hills – the Corleone family guards who reject her letter of introduction to see no doubt the Man himself. Of course the Vatican Museum is closed. It’s a Holy Day (There’s a million of them – so when are they ever open?) Not being Catholic, you have an excuse, but the throngs are embarrassed – We should have known! Next day, girls with spaghetti straps are turned away for indecency despite all that naked flesh on the ceiling. Rules derived from religion rarely make sense. (Oh, you should like my “Liminality” as nearly every religion gets a knock or two.) The saintly artwork is mawkish, so Raphael’s “School of Athens” is a relief. Finally, you get to the bottleneck that is the Sistine Chapel. Announcements in multiply languages alert visitors to be quiet and respect the sanctity of the Chapel – even as you’re IN the Chapel. Ditto the rule remark. Next day, somehow you make it through the bare-arm screen with your (Gasp!) sleeveless top, only to run amuck with a map that bears no resemblance to reality. Walking down a road with shifty looking characters, you’re certain the Botanical Garden must be on the other side of an impenetrable wall. A young priest appears, you ask for help and he gladly obliges, by escorting you and hubby through the Seminary grounds. Lesson learned: Ask a local and you’ll be surprised at how pleased they are to help.

A delightful little story with a unique perspective. I’ll be sure to check the calendar for holy days if I ever plan a trip to Rome. I’ll move this to my bookshelf.
Mary

Allie
Can't wait to read this! Yes you've guessed it! Me too! Except I ended up in the Dominican Republic, been here two years now after running away from being bullied at work because my boss made my life hell on earth because her husband fancied me!
Virginia Owen
It Never Rains In Paradise

What a fun enlightning entertaining read! This is a book you can breeze through and have a grand time doing it.

Well worth my shelf space.

Laurie - Into The Master's Lair

I have been having problems with the web site all day. I wrote up 2 comments and each time its coming back with errors and i'm losing the comments, so here to third time lucky. Firstly, great cover theres a whole, 'carry on' vibe going on with it, brillient. I read the first 3 chapters, your work is funny and witty. I kept calling my husband over to read some parts that were so similar to encounters we had, it had us giggling and taking a walk down memory lane. I backed this, the very best of luck.
Leigh Fallon
The Carrier of the Mark

Hi, this caught my eye because you were robbed in Rome. We were too! I'll message you and tell you what happened.
Back to your book. Nicely written in a suitably chatty diaristic tone to attract the reader. Informative, as a travel book should be, full of little amusing comments, as a diary should be. And with the promise of a European guide into the mix.
Liked it a lot.
Backed.
Flicka

Okay, Allie, I'm SO jealous of your well-traveled life. Good or bad, you've had so many adventures. I believe that we come to this earth with certain themes that we play out. You are the traveler/adventurer, you also have a creative secondary theme in your life--your writing. Somehow, you've managed to fuse the two themes into this creative piece of writing--brilliant, original and genius to say the least. You bring the reader along for the ride, but also allow the reader to view the trip from your perspective. What a gift.

My themes in life have been quite the opposite. Due to my husband's aversion to flying, we don't travel much. I do most of my traveling with my sisters or friends. Thank you for giving me a vacation from my own life. I will visit your book again whenever I feel the need to flee my dull life.

Hey, any adventure is an adventure. I'd take a ride in your broken-down RV any day.

Backed,
Janine
MY KIND OF CRAZY

This reminds me of my own travails - er, I mean, travels. Montserrat -- the monks chose wisely when they picked the top of a mountain. Guatemala - public transportation is NOT the way to go. East Germany - CARRY YOUR PAPERS!

I enjoyed the chapters I read.
Stuart Phillips
High Cotton