Off the Hook

This book contains reflections of how life was as a fishing widow/mum, and how it is now. There are tales of the unexpected, alongside the more mundane daily tasks necessary to keep a fishing household ticking along nicely. "Off the Hook" is mostly about seeing the funny side of life from a fishing widow's point of view and the format follows that of an almanac so that there anecdotes for every month of the year. It is hoped that fishing widows everywhere will gain comfort from the fact that they are not alone in trying to understand the sometimes bizarre behaviour of their loved ones. Anglers also may find some insight into their own actions, since most of them seem to be blissfully unaware that their mindset is in any way unusual.

Table of Contents:
April Showers, Darling Buds of May, Flaming June, July-kit Hot? August Occasions, September in the Rain, October - Stranger Things Have Happened, November - Apples and Wet Leaves, December - Yule Be Sorry! Epilogue, The French Connection, Last Word, Appendix - or The Bits That Don't Fit In Anywhere Else

About the Author :
Rosie Barham is a piano teacher, author, and freelance writer/editor. She began to write professionally in 1989 and since then, has written extensively for popular magazines and for two provincial newspapers at home and abroad. She has recently co-edited books by John Wilson, Martin Bowler and Gareth Fareham, written articles for various publications and sub-edited Carp and Coarse Angler magazine. Rosie Barham lives happily alone in Essex, near the sea. She is comfortable to admit she was born in a prefab on a bombsite, passed the 11 Plus and was educated to GCSE standard at grammar school, then instead of uni, spent three years in Oz with her parents. (Went to school with Helen Mirren - same class from infants until 16, though Rosie concedes she seems to be about five years younger than me and I want to know how she manages to turn back time.A") Rosie's writing experience hasn't been listed; as I am told it'd take forever!.A"

Review :
Rosie Barham takes an affectionate, sideways look at the idiosyncrasies of anglers of all disciplines, shows us the lighter side of fishing widowhood and how the experience of living alongside fishing-obsessed family and friends eventually worked in her favour. Her other works, such as The Fishing Widow's GuideA" are also entertaining but she has surpassed herself with this one. Since writing 'Off the Hook', Rosie has caught fish of her own, so this book offers hope for fishing widows/mums, providing they keep a sense of humour and go with the flow. As Rosie says, 'Living with anglers can be fun, if you let it'. Elton Murphy, editor Anglers Net