faith – 2Shades Magazine

David Nailer’s Book Reviews Are Back, Darlings

Hello darlings, I’m back—with an interview with the divine darling of poetry, Joy Jewett, and some fabulous book reviews. Stand by for my own column, sweetie—it will be honest, a little wicked, and a full-on bitch fest that will have you laughing. Coming this April.

But first, a chat with Joy.

https://www.joyfjewett.com/about-joy

2Shades Magazine Exclusive
Beauty, Brains and a Poet’s Soul — A Supermodel in Her Own Words

In a world obsessed with image, she offers something far more enduring: depth. Model, author, and keen observer of human nature, she sits down with David to discuss the passions that shaped her, the poetry that moves her, and the moments that make her laugh.

David: What was your childhood passion?
Joy: My childhood passion was always reading. While others played with dolls, I found comfort and excitement in books. I could spend hours completely immersed in stories—it was my own little world.

David: How do you feel when you write?
Joy: Writing, for me, is almost an out-of-body, spiritual experience. I am deeply drawn to human emotion—I observe people, listen to their stories, and then transform those feelings into poetry. It’s incredibly personal, yet universal at the same time.

David: Who are your favourite authors?
Joy: In poetry, I greatly admire the Swedish poet Tomas Tranströmer and the incomparable Maya Angelou. When it comes to classic literature, I love Shelley, James Joyce, and, of course, the Brontë sisters. Their depth and timelessness continue to inspire me.

David: When did you last laugh?
Joy: Just this morning. A friend from Sweden said to me, “Why don’t you have a man in your life? Are you just too cold-hearted?” My response was, “Why do you assume I have a heart?” We both laughed—it was one of those wonderfully sharp, unexpected moments.

David: What is your idea of a dream day out?
Joy: A perfect day for me would be a long walk around historical sites with friends—places filled with ancient stories and atmosphere. We’d stop at a café for coffee or tea, imagining what life must have been like in those times. Then I’d return home inspired, writing poetry about the place, the people, and the echoes of history—ending the day with laughter and meaningful conversation with those I care about.

https://www.joyfjewett.com/about-joy

Book Reviews

Liza Minnelli — Kids, Wait Till You Hear This!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)

Kids, Wait Till You Hear This! is a dazzling, deeply personal memoir that captures the essence of a woman who has lived her life centre stage—both triumphantly and turbulently. Co-written with Michael Feinstein, the book pulls back the velvet curtain on Minnelli’s extraordinary upbringing as the daughter of Judy Garland and Vincente Minnelli. From the very first pages, readers are immersed in a world of Hollywood legend and Broadway brilliance, but what sets this memoir apart is its unmistakable honesty—Liza is not interested in myth-making; she is here to tell the truth.

What makes the memoir particularly compelling is its unflinching exploration of her personal struggles. Minnelli speaks candidly about her battles with addiction, offering a nuanced and often moving account of the pressures that come with fame, legacy, and expectation. Yet, the narrative never lingers too long in darkness. Instead, it balances vulnerability with resilience, weaving in vivid recollections of her career highs—from electrifying stage performances to iconic film roles. Her relationships, both romantic and professional, are painted with warmth, wit, and occasional heartbreak.

Ultimately, this is more than a celebrity memoir—it is a testament to survival, artistry, and reinvention. Minnelli’s voice is unmistakable: bold, theatrical, and laced with humour even in her most reflective moments. Fans will relish the behind-the-scenes stories, while newcomers will discover a richly layered narrative of fame, family, and identity. A truly star-studded triumph.

A Thorn in the Rose — A Haunting Tale of Secrets, Scandal and Survival
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Five Star

There is something irresistibly seductive about a crumbling estate and the ghosts it refuses to bury, and A Thorn in the Rose leans into that allure with confidence and style. Set in post-war Britain, Avonby Estate becomes a character in its own right—dripping with decay, privilege, and long-suppressed secrets. From the moment Lady Melinda “Mel” Greenway uncovers a body beneath the roses, the novel pulls you into a world where beauty and brutality exist side by side.

At the heart of the story is Mel—a refreshingly complex heroine whose grit as a former army mechanic sets her apart from the fragile aristocracy around her. Her dynamic with Inspector Derrin Bradley adds emotional tension that elevates the narrative beyond a traditional whodunnit. Their shared past crackles with unfinished business, while a richly drawn supporting cast ensures suspicion lingers around every corner.

What lingers long after the final page is the atmosphere—cinematic, brooding, and steeped in quiet menace. With its blend of suspense, romance, and class tension, this is a gripping and elegant mystery that keeps you guessing, even if it occasionally lingers a touch too long in its own shadows.

Heated Rivalry — Love, Lust and the Politics of the Ice
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Heated-Rivalry-2-Game-Changers/dp/1335534636/ref=asc_df_1335534636?mcid=c426025b2f9f356a95723f7317f34a75&th=1&psc=1&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=710472506588&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5560434510716372681&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045885&hvtargid=pla-2334017057185&psc=1&hvocijid=5560434510716372681-1335534636-&hvexpln=0&gad_source=1

Rachel Reid’s Heated Rivalry is not just a sports romance—it’s a cultural moment wrapped in sharp writing, raw chemistry, and emotional intelligence. Set in the brutal, high-pressure world of professional ice hockey, this bestseller delivers far more than locker-room tension. It’s slick, seductive, and surprisingly soulful.

Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov are electric—two rival captains locked in a dangerous game both on and off the ice. Public enemies, private lovers, their connection is explosive and deeply human. Reid explores masculinity, identity, and the suffocating expectations placed on elite athletes with refreshing honesty.

What sets this apart is its fearlessness. It challenges perceptions, breaks boundaries, and delivers a love story that feels both modern and necessary.

Steven’s Viewz: Sexy, smart, and unapologetically bold. If you think you know sports romance—think again. This one doesn’t just play the game… it rewrites the rules.

David Nailer’s Final Word: Darlings, whether it’s scandal in a crumbling estate, passion on the ice, or survival under the brightest of spotlights, one thing is certain—great storytelling always leaves a mark. And trust me… I’ve only just warmed up. See you in April—bring a thick skin and a sense of humour.

The Outpouring Over Charlie Kirk RIP.

We’ve all witnessed the sudden outpouring of grief, tributes, and public mourning for Charlie Kirk. Before I get the inevitable backlash, let me be clear: the loss of any human life is a tragedy. Death, no matter the circumstances, is not something to celebrate. But that doesn’t mean we must ignore the uncomfortable truth about who a person was and the impact they had on the world around them.

Anyone who dies while promoting hatred—whether it be racism, homophobia, misogyny, or transphobia—has left behind a legacy of division. And while it’s wrong to revel in someone’s death, it’s equally wrong to pretend that their life was lived in service of goodness, compassion, or truth when the opposite is much closer to reality.

There’s an old saying: “Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.” I am one hundred percent against cancel culture. Silencing voices and driving them underground only makes them more dangerous; it allows toxic ideologies to fester where they cannot be challenged or confronted. We need to keep our eyes on the people who preach hate, not push them into the shadows.

But here’s my question: where is the same level of public mourning for the innocent children killed in American school shootings? Where are the candlelit vigils, the elaborate civil ceremonies, the hours of televised tributes for those whose only “crime” was going to class in a nation that has normalised mass shootings? Where is the nationwide grief for the everyday victims of America’s gun obsession?

The outpouring for Charlie Kirk feels performative—dramatic, over the top, and completely misplaced. I scrolled through social media and was struck by the sheer number of posts about him. Yet for the children lost in Uvalde, in Sandy Hook, in countless other tragedies, there was silence after the first wave of news coverage. No weeks-long grief, no cultural pause for reflection. The contrast is staggering.

Let’s get something straight: Charlie Kirk did not save lives. He didn’t cure HIV, discover a vaccine for the common cold, or dedicate his life to lifting people out of poverty. He built a platform by spreading fear, misinformation, and divisiveness. To canonise him now as if he were some kind of saint is not just dishonest, it is deeply disrespectful to those he harmed with his rhetoric.

And what exactly was “Christian” about his teachings? Jesus—let’s remember, a brown-skinned, Arabic-speaking man from the Middle East—preached love, compassion, and radical inclusion. He spent his time with outcasts, outsiders, and the marginalised: fishermen, tax collectors, a prostitute, and a ragtag group of twelve unmarried men. The essence of his teaching was simple: love thy neighbour as thyself.

Religion, like a gun, can be used for protection and peace when in the right hands. But in the wrong hands, it becomes a weapon of hate and fear. Charlie Kirk chose the latter. He wielded scripture selectively, twisting it into a justification for exclusion rather than inclusion, for condemnation rather than compassion. That is not godly—it is a betrayal of the very faith he claimed to represent.

What baffles me most is why so many people queued up to debate him, as though he were some kind of great theological authority. He wasn’t. He was poorly informed, cherry-picking passages of scripture to suit his agenda, ignoring centuries of scholarship, and offering nothing more than the shallowest of arguments. This was not a man who should be celebrated as a thinker, let alone a prophet.

I do feel for his family. Losing a loved one is painful, no matter who they were. I wish he had used his influence for good—to inspire, to uplift, to build bridges instead of walls. Instead, he chose narcissism, self-promotion, and hate. That is the legacy he leaves behind.

The most ungodly thing of all is an ill-informed Christian who believes their interpretation of the Bible gives them licence to judge others. Freedom of speech must exist for both sides, but so too must accountability. Words matter. Influence matters. And when someone spends their life spreading division, we cannot in good conscience rewrite history just because they are no longer here.

Yes, love thy neighbour. Yes, treat others with compassion. But let us also extend that compassion to the innocent children gunned down in schools, to the victims of bigotry, to those whose lives were cut short by violence. If Charlie Kirk is to receive public mourning, then surely those who lived with love in their hearts, rather than hate, deserve at least as much.