Welcome, everyone! I’m very excited, because today I’m going to introduce a very talented writer and genuinely kind person: Author, Lizzie Chantree
I’m taking part in the book launch tour of her fun new book, Ninja School Mum.
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Click to purchase on Amazon
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Blurb:
Obsessive-compulsive school mum, Skye, is a lonely elite spy, who is running from her past whilst trying to protect the future of her child. She tries hard to fit in with the other parents at her son’s new school, but the only person who accepts her unconventional way of life is new mother, Thea.
Thea is feeling harassed by her sister and bored with her life, but she suspects that there is something strange about the new school mum, Skye. Thea has secrets of her own and, although the two become unlikely friends, she hesitates to tell Skye about the father of her own child.
Zack’s new business is growing faster than he could have dreamed but, suddenly, he finds himself the owner of a crumbling estate on the edge of a pretty village, and a single parent to a very demanding child. Could he make a go of things and give his daughter the life she deserved?
When three lives collide, it appears that only one of them is who they seem to be, and you never know who the person next to you in the school playground really is.
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Author Bio:
Lizzie is an award winning author, inventor and businesswoman. She founded her first company at the age of 17 and has been creating products and driving her family mad ever since.
Lizzie appeared on Sky News, ITV Lunchtime News, This Morning, The Big Breakfast, BBC’s Worldwide Radio Service, amongst others for becoming one of Fair Play London’s Female Innovators. She was also asked to be a Judge on Shell LiveWire’s Grand Ideas Award for new innovations.
Lizzie lives with her gorgeous family and a very unusual dog. In between the school run and baking cakes (or burning them!), she sits in her rooftop studio daydreaming about new characters for her novels. All of Lizzie’s books weave stories around the romantic lives of eccentric entrepreneurs and the unusual businesses they run. She is the author of: Sizzling beach read, Babe Driven: Glamorous chauffeurs with performance cars. Medical romance novel, Love’s Child: A warehouse centre for troubled children. Mystical romance, Finding Gina: A country estate and fledgling events business. Modern romance, Ninja school Mum: A tree climbing and self defence business.
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Q & A with author Lizzie Chantree
1- Tell us about your process of writing. Are you a plotter or a pantser?
I’m a pantser. I have a basic idea of the story and work out chapter ideas and then I make it up as I go along! The story unfolds to me as I write it. It makes the process so exciting, as I feel like I’m reading the story while I’m writing it and I can’t wait to see what will happen next in the story.
2- What’s the best way to market your book?
Networking. Making contacts and actually interacting with them. Don’t just bombard people with marketing, get to know them and tell them about yourself and your writing.
3- Do you Google yourself?
No. Ha ha! J Why would I want to do that? I’ve never thought of Googling myself. Is that a thing? I’m so out of touch! It worries me how much information is available out there, so It’s best not to look.
Ha,ha! I have googled myself on several occasions curious to see what’s out there about me. I usually find some old interview or spotlight and I read to see how much I’ve changed since. I’ve also googled my blog and book titles to get an idea where I rank on the google page. Called me weird, but it works for me.
4- What one thing would you give up to become a better writer?
Coffee. I’d find it hard because I drink so much of it while I’m writing and it makes me smile.
I find that water keeps me focused.
5- Does writing energize or exhaust you?
It energizes and excites me. I love writing, as it’s so much fun and you are able to jump into the lives of your characters and experience new things. My books are all about eccentric entrepreneurs who have unusual businesses, so I am able to see what it might be like to run them.
That great! I’m very intrigued.
6- How do you celebrate when you launch a new book?
I jump up and down a lot! J I don’t usually do too much as my family are all a bit bewildered by the whole process. It’s hard to explain the emotional attachment you have to the stories that have taken so much time and energy to write. Launching them into the world for others to read is pretty scary!
Hello everyone! I have a very special guest today, authorTeagan Ríordáin Geneviene. She’s been a guest here before and I love having her. Teagan is here to announce the launch of her new book. I’ll let her take it from here.
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Announcing the Launch of
Murder at the Bijou — Three Ingredients I
Introducing the second “three things” serial, in novel form — Murder at the Bijou — ThreeIngredients I.
Yes, that’s the cover. (I love making covers!) I kept it similar to the one for the first serial,The Three Things Serial Story, but with different 1920s photos.
For those of you who are not familiar with my blog serials…
Ages ago I developed a writing exercise. I asked friends to give me three completely random things. Then I would write until I had mentioned all the things. I brought that exercise to my blog (Teagan’s Books), but I had the readers send me their things. I let the random things drive every detail of a serial story, setting, plot, and characters. That resulted in The Three Things Serial Story, which gave birth to this culinary mystery. However, this time the “things” are food related — or ingredients.
About the Book
As with the first serial,Murder at the Bijou — Three Ingredients Iis a spontaneously written, pantser story. I wrote by the seat of my pants and let the “ingredients” readers sent each week drive a new serial story. This is the “bookized” version of that serial.
This time the Jazz Age setting is Savannah, Georgia where our flapper, Pip, is “sentenced” to live with her grandmother and learn to cook. Pip gets caught up in a layered mystery that includes bootleggers, G-men, and the varied challenges of being a young woman in changing times. She meets new friends, including some animal characters.
If you have not read The Three Things Serial Story, be warned. This adventure contains a bit of a spoiler, but does not go into detail about it.
Murder at the Bijou — Three Ingredients I is available through and Amazon and Create Space. If you don’t have a Kindle, Amazon also offers a free app that will let you read Kindle books on your computer or other device. The purchase links are below. But first, here’s a snippet.
In my imagination, a young Lucille Ball would play Pip.
Excerpt
Rutabaga Limbo
Either I woke up feeling horribly nauseated, or the queasiness woke me. I’m not sure which. I opened my eyes to complete darkness. There was no light, no sound. The way my stomach tossed reminded me of a small boat on the ocean. It was as if I sailed in a lightless limbo.
Oh… that was a bad train of thought to have with an unsettled belly.
Think of something else! Anything else, I told myself.
I stood unsteadily. The sound of a cricket came to me. Good. The utter silence had been very disturbing. I became aware of the cool moist earth beneath my palms.
Where the Sam Hill was I?
I sat back on my heels, focusing all my senses. My eyes might as well have been closed — it was that dark. Bare ground was beneath me. The air had a musty odor. A sickly sweet scent clung to my bobbed hair.
The cricket’s chirping was the only sound. Still sitting, I turned. My eyes widened and strained, trying to see in that heavy darkness. When I looked up I was rewarded with the sight of a thin line of pink light.
The faint glow allowed me to see vague outlines a few feet away. I stumbled over something and stooped down to let my hands figure out what it was. I felt a burlap bag and round lumps. Rutabagas? I felt around and found another bag. That one felt like potatoes. I moved closer to the wall and a tall shape. Yes, a ladder, my questing hands confirmed for my still foggy brain.
Gazing up at the line of pinkish light I realized I was in a root cellar.
Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene, a southerner by birth, was “enchanted” by the desert southwest of the USA when she moved there. Now a resident of a major east coast city, she longs to return to those enchanting lands.
Teagan had always devoured fantasy novels of every type. Then one day there was no new book readily at hand for reading — so she decided to write one. And she hasn’t stopped writing since.
Her work is colored by her experiences in both the southern states and the southwest. Teagan most often writes in the fantasy genre, but she also writes 1920s stories and Steampunk. Her blog “Teagan’s Books” contains serial stories written according to “things” from viewers.
It is rare today for a classical musician to have mainstream appeal and simultaneously garner critical acclaim. Mihran ‘Mino’ Kalaydjian sells out symphony halls with his talent and star quality. So needless to say, I am ecstatic to have him on my blog today.
“The piano keys are black and white but they sound like a million colors in your mind.”
~Maria Cristina Mena
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Award-winning Solo pianist and composer, Mihran Kalaydjian delivers heartfelt piano melodies with a rare level of artistry and emotion.
In his words . . .
On a personal note, I love the outdoors, comedy, bbq, reading and traveling. I worked in the beer industry in college, so I love talking about good beer. I used to be a competitive runner so (like all runners) if you make the mistake of asking me, I’ll tell you about my entire career and PRs. I also spent my youth working in restaurants, so if you’ve done the same, we can swap stories.
Music is more than just notes on a page or a series of different pitches. Music is an art, and through art we are able to discover who we are in ways that we never would through anything else. Music is the desire to draw inspiration from everything we see and hear, to truly be aware of ourselves and our surroundings, and to translate atmosphere into sound.
Mihran composed the following musical piece for my poem, ‘FATHER’
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Father
by Vashti Q
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His brown eyes deepened into polished onyx, and upon them came a mist of tears.
He watched with the facade of a brave man as his baby boy entered the world.
As if his mind and body were not consumed by overwhelming fears.
What are my duties? There are no guidelines. Where do I start?
The babe in his arms felt so natural, yet so alien. A fire blazed in his chest.
“You are a father now.” The words were jolting, yet pleasing to his heart.
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His brown eyes deepened into polished onyx, and upon them came a mist of tears.
He watched with the façade of a calm man as his son toddled, taking his first steps.
As if his mind and body were not consumed by overwhelming fears.
What if he falls? What if he hurts himself? Then I would have failed as a father.
The toddler tottered to him embracing him with dulcet giggles.
As he held his son, it did not feel alien. His heart gave way for love to conquer.
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His brown eyes deepened into polished onyx, and upon them came a mist of tears.
He watched with the façade of a cool man as his son introduced him to his first girl.
As if his mind and body were not consumed by overwhelming fears.
What if he falls in love? What if she breaks his heart?
He embraced his son and slipped extra cash in his pocket.
As he held his son, it felt like love, and he rested assured his son was smart.
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His brown eyes deepened into polished onyx, and upon them came a mist of tears.
He watched with the façade of a brave man as his son grew and had sons of his own.
As if his mind and body were not consumed by overwhelming fears.
Did I raise him right? Did I teach him to be a good husband and father?
He embraced his son, and they were swathed by the love they both felt.
As he held his son, his questions were answered, and he grew calmer.
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His son’s brown eyes deepened into polished onyx, and upon them came a mist of tears.
He watched his father wear the façade of a spent man as he lay on a hospital bed.
His son’s mind and body were consumed by overwhelming fears.
Am I doing the right thing? Who am I to decide when his time has come?
His face dampened with sorrow as he embraced his father.
As he held his father’s weary body and gazed into his dimming eyes, his questions were answered, and he grew calmer.
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His brown eyes deepen into polished onyx, and upon them comes a mist of tears.
He watches with the façade of a pitiful man as his son reaches for that plug.
He is ready to leave this world and grateful his son has let go of his fears.
As his son holds his ruined body, and he feels the lifeblood drain from his eyes, he knows he has raised him right.
His mind and body are consumed with overwhelming love.
His son has given him the gift of peace, and his happy spirit travels toward the light.
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Q & A with Mihran Kalaydjian
When and why did you start playing?
I grew up in a family of musicians. My mother is a piano teacher and my father was a conductor in Jerusalem, Israel. My mother had a large influence on my musical development; she was the one who introduced me to music. Thanks to her, I was surrounded by music from the very beginning. Since childhood, I remember listening Berlioz’s “Fantastic Symphony”, Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto, Chopin Etudes and many other beautiful music compositions. It was one little song that inspired me to start playing piano. I loved the song so much that I would sing it over and over. I was only Four years old, and of course I didn’t know how to read notes, so I tried to pick up the music by ear. When I sat down to play the song, it came easily. It was joy for me to be able to “perform” my favorite song and share it with my family and friends.
I started playing on my own aged around 7 or 8. At 11 I had a handful of lessons by a teacher who struggled to sight-read my Grade 2 pieces.
Actually, although most people find this difficult to believe, there was never a time where I decided I wanted to become a pianist. Instead, my early passion for composing was the driving force in my decision to be a professional musician, and the pianist part just came naturally with that. Inherently, I have great angst when I compose, for I “hear” so much more than what can be created on the piano as it exists now or any other singular instruments for that matter. Having said that, the piano is truly unique and unparalleled.
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What was the first tune(s) you learned?
The Saint-Saëns Piano Concerto 2. This was a piece that I’ve always wanted to play, since high school, and I never had the opportunity to. I think it’s one of the most dramatic pieces out there, and I really wanted the opportunity to play it with an orchestra
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Is your family musical?
I grew up in a family of musicians. My mother is a piano teacher and my father was a conductor in Jerusalem, Israel. My mother had a large influence on my musical development; she was the one who introduced me to music. Thanks to her, I was surrounded by music from the very beginning. Since childhood, I remember listening Berlioz’s “Fantastic Symphony”, Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto, Chopin Etudes and many other beautiful music compositions. It was one little song that inspired me to start playing piano. I loved the song so much that I would sing it over and over. I was only Four years old, and of course I didn’t know how to read notes, so I tried to pick up the music by ear. When I sat down to play the song, it came easily. It was joy for me to be able to “perform” my favorite song and share it with my family and friends.
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Which famous musicians do you admire? Why?
Mahler at first. A unique harmonious invention and a capacity to be granted no limits in language, nor at the same time to give nothing up.
Then, the composers-pianists Liszt, Scriabin and Chopin, to whom I dedicated several recordings (Complete Chopin Nocturnes, Complete Poems by Scriabin…)
Mine are Andras Schiff (I love his Hammerklavier sonata interpretation in particular, & his lyrical tone) & Wolf Harden for his Busoni Fantasia Contrappuntistica interpretation. But Busoni actually indicated breathing places in certain of his works.
So many it is difficult to pick! I love Pierre-Laurent Aimard, he is an inspiration. Argerich as well. I cannot live without her Prokofiev.
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Who was your first teacher? Other teachers?
I had always loved music and I sang ever since I can remember. My mother tells me that I started singing, quite in tune, even before I talked.
My first piano teacher’s name was Augustine Lama & Colin Stone. Because I was only four years old, Augustine Lama at 65 was older than my grandparents, and looked so old to me as to be very intimidating. On top of that, when he asked how old I was and realized I was four, he told me that I was too young to start piano lessons, and then maybe I should wait another year. I started crying so much that he said, “Okay, I will put you to the test.” He started beating very complicated rhythms that I should imitate, then he went to the piano and played a few notes, then chords, while I was turned around, looking in the other direction. I was able to go back to the piano and play exactly what he had played. When he realized I had perfect pitch, and after seeing how I had a good sense of rhythm, to my delight, he changed his mind and said, “You can start Monday.”
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How do you enjoy performing lesser known contemporary music? Is this more of a challenge as far as selling the audience of the performance?
Learning contemporary music can be a challenge because our starting point of reference is not the same. However, I think any good piece will eventually show itself to be worthwhile and of real value. I think most of us love what feels familiar, even if we don’t think we do, so communicating the unknown to any audience, takes belief, commitment and perhaps some explanation to set the scene. Let’s not forget that all music has been contemporary at some stage or another!
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Describe your first instrument.
In the beginning, like many people, there was a gradual attraction to music and playing through the years of my very early childhood.
My interest in music and playing an instrument was the result of a gradual process of experimenting and playing around with pots, pans and toy drums, dancing and writing little songs. I remember really liking the tactile aspect of playing percussion instruments. By the time I was in primary school, I became very interested in writing songs. It was strongly suggested I learn piano as a means of developing this interest, but for me, I somehow had a very strong feeling I needed to play drums. I did however, start playing guitar a little bit and wrote songs on that instrument but not with the seriousness with which I studied and practiced drums.
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What is the most unusual aspect of traveling as a concert artist?
When I travel to a distant city for a concert, sometimes I’ll stay in a hotel, but very often I’ll stay with a “host family”—a local family that is usually the patron of the concert hall I’ll be playing in or the orchestra I’ll be playing with. Living in their homes, I have developed very close relationships with these families who are like substitute parents for me when I travel. My host families have become some of my closest friends in the world.
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Do you play any other types of music other than solo?
I love playing chamber music. Chamber music encourages interactive collaboration as a value that every musician should learn to have. Being a pianist can be a solitary pursuit; chamber music is broadening the ways in which one thinks about and expresses oneself as a musician. It also opens the door to more performance opportunities, rather than pursuing a career purely as a soloist. A chamber performance uniquely offers the musicians the opportunity to cooperate with each other while simultaneously communicating intimately with an audience in a manner that would not be possible in larger performance situations. As a solo pianist, you spend most of your time practicing alone in a room with just your instrument for company. But with a trio, you have to be in tune—literally and figuratively—with two other musicians. The three of you have to find a common interpretation of the music, or you’re not really a trio—you’re just three people who happen to be playing at the same time.
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What are you working on at the moment? Tell us a little about your current projects.
Composing is, for me, an inner necessity: music is a fruit of the spirit that can sometimes lead us to the Absolute. When you compose, it becomes possible to fulfill the desire to create a world of your own, a personal microcosm where you set the rules and also make their exceptions.
Make music that I love and be happy.
My current projects are moving me in two directions, which sometimes overlap. First, I am recording the words of Granados, whose works, including the complete version of “Goyescas,” are not really as well-known as they should be.
I have fallen in love with his works’ distinct Spanish flavor, color, and rhythm. In preparing the music, I immersed myself not just in Spanish music but also in Spanish art and literature; the music is very dramatic.
I will keep enjoying my collaboration as soloist, Composer recording for the music publication ‘Pianist Millennium Production’; a tour in Chicago, Boston, San Francisco, New York for Christmas Melody, Texas, at the end of the year with other concert activities as usual; and learn more Rachmaninov pieces!
In the opera version, two men meet a woman, flatter her, and fall in love with her. But eventually love turns into a duel to the death between the suitors, and the woman’s true love dies in her arms.
The second direction is finding ways to bring classical music to more listeners though the connections I have established with several world-renowned brands.
Dolce & Gabbana has supplied my concert gowns, and I have performed for Breguet, the distinguished Switzerland’s watchmaker, at the Frick Collection in New York. Right now, I am touring the showrooms of Roche Bobois, the leading French retailer of modern furniture.
While my music can be used to help these brands, I see these relationships as a great opportunity to bring classical music to new audiences.
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What advice would you give to anyone serious about being a classical musician?
Everyone in every business talks about the need to network and socialize. I realize that’s true, even in the arts; I see frequently that aspiring artists are overwhelmed by the business side of things and neglect their artistic developments.
But you can never let these roles take too much time away from the time you spend on your art itself. You should never lose sight of your dream!
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Tell us about your website/blog. What will readers find there?
A favorite movie? Lawrence of Arabia A musical instrument? Piano A composer? Magnus Lindberg A book? The Black Swan of Nassim Nicholas Taleb A city? London A song? Bohemian Raphsody by Queen A TV Series? Juncal
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“I’m an interpreter of stories. When I perform it’s like sitting down at my piano and telling fairy stories.”
#CreativityFound is one of my favorite hashtags, but I use it sparingly, and only when the person or subject matter is truly deserving.Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene is clearly worthy because she is the epitome of creativity and imagination.
“Tell me the facts and I’ll learn. Tell me the truth and I’ll believe. But tell me a story and it will live in my heart forever.”
~Native American Proverb
Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene, is a true storyteller with a vivid imagination. She enjoys interacting with the readers on her blog and her readers take part in the creation of her serial stories. A southerner by birth, she was “enchanted” by the desert southwest of the USA when she moved there. She had always devoured fantasy novels of every type. Then one day there was no new book readily at hand for reading — so she decided to write one. And she hasn’t stopped writing since.
Her work is colored by her experiences in both the southern states and the southwest. Teagan writes many types of fantasy, from what she likes to call “quest type” fantasy, to urban fantasy, to fantasies with a dash of mystery. Her blog, Teagan’s Books contains serial stories written according to contributions from viewers.
Teagan’s major influences include Terry Brooks, David Eddings, Robert Jordan, and Charlaine Harris.
The novella version of the serial that helped establish her blog is now available.
The Three Things Serial Story is a spontaneously written (“pantser”) story. Everything in it — characters, setting, plot, was driven by “things” left by readers of the blog Teagan’s Books, episode by episode. Each week readers left three more things. The story evolved according to what those random things inspired. The serial began with oscillating fan, which brought me the vision of the 1920s setting. The era and narrator continued in two more serials that followed. While it was not great literature, it sure was a fun ride! Here’s a trailer to put you in a Roaring Twenties mood.
Happy Friday everyone and a warm welcome to my blog!
I joined a wonderful book club called Rave Reviews Book Club (RBBC). The RRBC is a virtual book club made up of many authors and readers. One of the club’s main objectives is to Profile, Promote and Propel their members. They do this many different ways and Pay It Forward day is one of those ways. So instead of doing my usual Haiku Friday post today I’m paying it forward.
What is Pay It Forward day?
On this day, members agree to give up ALL self-promotion and instead, promote one fellow member/author on their blog and social media forums. It is agreed that the MAJORITY of promotional tweets, Facebook shares and blog posts, etc., will be for the member/authors who has been assigned to the “promoting” member.
My assigned author for Pay It Forward is Diane Munier. As a new member of the Raves Review Book Club I’m just getting to know Diane and the other members of the club. I spent a good while looking through her blog and social media platforms yesterday and I liked what I saw. So here it goes.
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“There is no greater honor than to hear someone’s story. If you feel that way about the tales I tell, I would love to hear from you to keep you informed about upcoming work. Thanks for reading!”
~ Diane Munier
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“I write love!”
~ Diane Munier
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Diane Munier broke into writing as a feature writer for a local newspaper. She spent the majority of her working life as a marriage and family counselor. These pursuits have done much to fuel her imagination and her passion/obsession for writing fiction. She grew up in a four-family-flat in the city of St. Louis but has lived rurally for most of her adult life with her husband on their beloved flat land in a small, fascinating farming community. This locale and a large, active family fuel her writing.
Diane Munier has written many books and you can see all her available work on her Amazon Profile Page.
1946. The boys are home from the war. Jules is looking for a way into polite society, but it seems like the moogs that didn’t go overseas have moved so far ahead he’ll never catch up. His luck seems to change when he goes to the movies with his buddies Bobby and Audie, the other two monkeys. They had marched across Europe together, and now they were picking up dames, drinking too much, and generally letting off steam, which translates into trouble. Jules meets Isbe at the movies. Close dancing in a smoky club leads to love. The same night, Jules hooks up with the Irish mob. Love is thawing his hard heart, the one needed for survival in his new and violent world. Isbe vows to stand by, but Jules likes it on the edge. That’s a good thing, because Isbe’s father is chief of police and it’s a tangled gray web he’s soon caught up in.
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Review Excerpts:
~ Few people can tell a story like Diane. The way she describes people, places, dialogue, and events, is nothing short of transcendent.
~ Diane Munier is one of the most gifted writers I have ever encountered. Her first-person narratives are fascinating…
~ This author’s writing is so very rich. Lots of details that really demonstrate a level of research that is often not present in love stories.
~ Again I am mesmerized by this author and another awesome story. Great twists and turns…
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In her words . . .
Living comfortably in the heart of America with the people I love. I live an extroverted life, but I’m a genuine introvert. An urban kid, I spent much of my youth running in various neighborhood establishments. There I met many colorful characters and I learned to love them and be fascinated by them. My love of story comes from them. I learned to sit on a bar stool or a kitchen chair or in a pew and hear story. Hear the voices telling story. See the mouths move and the hands clutching glasses or cigarettes. See and hear the laughter. There is no greater honor than to hear someone’s story. If you feel that way about the tales I tell…what more could I ask.
Hello everyone! A warm welcome to The Writer Next Door! I’m excited to spotlight today the lovely and talented, Marjorie Mallon.
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Marje is a writer, poet, photographer, blogger, wife, mother––let’s just say she wears many hats. She keeps busy on her blog, M J Mallon Author, doing Author Interviews, Spotlights, and Book Reviews . She is a very supportive member of the writing/blogging communities. In fact, she founded an organization on Facebook called, Authors/Bloggers Rainbow Support Club to do just that.
It’s a friendly community of authors/bloggers/book reviewers working together to support each other in a multitude of ways – e.g. by writing or sharing reviews, highlighting author spotlights/book launches/interviews, and posting writing/poetry/blogging tips, or… tips about writing reviews, or discussing general topics of interest.
I am proud to say that I am a member of the club. Colleen Chesebro and Debby Gies have joined the club as administrators.
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“If you do not breathe through writing, if you do not cry out in writing, or sing in writing, then don’t write, because our culture has no use for it.”
~ Anaïs Nin
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M J Mallon wrote her first middle grade/YA fantasy novel, The Curse of Time, which is currently in the final editing stage. She will soon be a published author and is already at work on a second novel.
The quotes on this post are some of Marje’s favorite quotes. You can read more of them here.
In her words . . .
What can I tell you? Well before we start I’d like to suggest that you might want to pull up a comfy chair, sit back and enjoy my blog, Kyrosmagica, which is all about the magic of writing, my love of books, crystals, laughter, and much, much, more! I’m writing a second novel, and blogging, of course, writing book reviews here, and on Goodreads, and Amazon, and in fact anywhere else that will have me! Being an open minded type of gal, I like to review a wide a range of genres as possible, including YA, Contemporary, Romance, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Asian Literature, Detective, LBGTQ, and from time to time when I’m feeling brave I read dark thriller, or perhaps a horror story..
I have a penchant for travel and have relatives in far flung places, Australia, Malaysia, and Singapore, (my birthplace.) I grew up in Bonnie Scotland, in Edinburgh, and now live in Cambridge. I love sunny, hot places, particularly Rome, Venice, Portugal, Barcelona, and I forgot to mention the sun drenched beaches of the Caribbean, how could I? I am lucky to have been blessed with two lovely daughters and a six foot hunk of a husband, who I met at the tender age of eighteen, who I fondly refer to in this blog as my black sheep. Considering how long we’ve been together I could call him my swan, but I think black sheep kind of suits him, a charming black sheep! His title Black Sheep originated from a family joke, which you can read about in my post Mother in Laws and Black Sheep! With my passion for travel, culture, beautiful beaches, good food, books, theatre, writing, art, photography and humour, I hope to keep you entertained.
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“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”
~ Maya Angelou
UPDATE:
Author M J Mallon has launched her novel, The Curse of Time and it is now available on Amazon.
I introduce to you today Hurricane Olga Nuñez Miret. Author, Psychiatrist, translator, blogger––these titles do not begin to describe the woman. It is difficult to keep tract of all of Olga’s accomplishments, believe me, there are a plethora of deeds. I am certain that you will take pleasure in getting to know Olga Nuñez Miret as much as I have because apart from being a talented author and fascinating woman, she’s also a lovely human being.
Olga is a great supporter of fellow authors, writers and bloggers. On her blog you’ll find many book reviews and author spotlights, so please be sure to check it out.
**Click on the picture below to read about a book event she and her mom helped organize in Madrid, Spain.
LITERANIA 2017 | A Book Fair and Much, Much More . . .
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Author Olga Nuñez Miret
In her words . . .
I was born in Barcelona and moved to the UK many years ago. I’ve worked as a psychiatrist, have a degree and PhD in American Literature and a Masters in Criminology. Yes, I like to study. I love books, and I’ve been writing since I was a child. Started self-publishing in 2012 and I’ve published a family saga, a YA story, a romantic book with three endings and a psychological thriller (collecting three stories with a psychiatrist/writer as main character). I publish all my works in English and Spanish. After working in the NHS for nearly 8 years I’ve decided to try other things. I’ll keep on writing stories and will offer my services as translator to other authors. Stories make the world go round. Apart from reading and writing I love to meet new people and learn about them, I also enjoy keeping fit. I’m trying meditation and I hope to stick with it. I love the cinema and going to the theatre. I crochet but don’t have much time for it these days. I don’t eat meat and love fruit and vegetables. I write a blog sharing the work of other writers, random thoughts, reviews (of books, movies, plays…) and anything else….Come along to meet me.
Olga speaks, reads and writes both English and Spanish fluently, so if you are interested in translating your English books to Spanish follow this link (details are at the bottom of the page).
“Friends are like bras: close to your heart and there for support.”
~Donna Roberts
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It is my pleasure to introduce today a woman who I greatly admire for her strength, positive attitude, and writing talent: Debby Gies (D. G. Kaye). She is also a very supportive friend. An author of nonfiction memoir she writes about life, matters of the heart and women’s issues. Debby inspires others by sharing stories about events she has encountered and lessons that come along with them.
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Growing up as an emotionally neglected child, she struggled, tormented with guilt, with whether or not she should remain obligated to being a faithful daughter, feeling in debt to her narcissistic mother for giving birth to her. Her first book, Conflicted Hearts is a memoir, written about her journey to seek solace from living with guilt.
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In keeping up with sharing her experiences in life, Debby thought about her turbulent voyage through menopause. No, it wasn’t fun. But in retrospect, she had to laugh when comparing symptoms with friends over some of the craziness of the side effects, so she decided to write Meno-What? A Memoir. The book is a short, humorous accounting of her passage through the hormonal injustice. In that book, she shared some of the many symptoms she encountered, hoping to shed some light and humor on what women may expect or experience at that unpredictable time. She also offers up some helpful hints she found useful for relief.
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Have Bags, Will Travel is a travel memoir of tales and reminiscings from some of Debby’s more memorable trips, which all factor in the same ongoing issues for her – too much luggage! 😀
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Debby’s newest book, P.S. I Forgive Youis Book II to Conflicted Hearts, a journey of seeking forgiveness for her narcissistic mother. As her death was approaching, she was forced by conflicting thoughts to reconcile her feelings about her mother and find a way to make peace within herself for her decision to remain estranged, yet find forgiveness for her to send her off with compassion.
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Words We Carry focuses around women’s self-esteem issues. She talks about how and why we develop a low sense of self by using her own life experiences as examples. She shares stories about how she recognized her own shortcomings, and overcame her insecurities, hoping to empower others.
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D. G. Kaye’s writing is raw and honest. She hopes that through her writing others would relate and find that there is always a choice to move from a negative space, and look for the positive.
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In her words . . .
Hi, I’m Debby Gies. I’m a Canadian author, and I write my books under the pen name of D.G. Kaye.
I love to laugh, and self-medicate with a daily dose of humor. When I’m not writing intimate memoirs, you’ll find me writing with humor in some of my other works and blog posts.
When I was a child, I was very observant about my surroundings. Growing up in a tumultuous family life; otherwise known as a broken home, kept me on guard about the on-and-off-going status of my parents’ relationship. I often wrote notes, and journaled about the dysfunction that I grew up in. By age seven I was certain I was going to grow up to be a reporter.
Well life has a funny way of taking detours. Instead, I moved away from home at eighteen with a few meager belongings and a curiosity for life. I finished university and changed careers a few times always striving to work my way up to managerial positions. My drive to succeed at anything I put my mind to led me to having a very colorful and eventful life.
Ever the optimist, that is me. I’ve conquered quite a few battles in life; health and otherwise, and my refusal to accept the word ‘No’, or to use the words ‘I can’t’, keeps me on a positive path in life.
I love to tell stories that have lessons in them, and hope to empower others by sharing my own experiences.
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D.G. Kaye (Debby Gies) writes to inspire others. Her writing encompasses stories taken from events she encountered in her own life, and the lessons she learned from them. Her sunny outlook on life developed from learning to overcome some of the many obstacles that challenged her.
Welcome to my blog, everyone! It is a happy Monday indeed because I have a wonderful guest today, Author Hugh W. Roberts.
Hugh is one of the sweetest and friendliest people you’ll ever meet and he is also a talented writer. He writes about all kinds of everyday life. Nothing too serious, mostly about the little things in life and how important they can be to all of us. Some of his posts are humorous while others may bring a tear to your eye.
Hugh spends his days writing, reading, walking, cycling and likes to relax in front of the television with a glass of red wine. He’s always been a morning person and does most of his writing during the day.
Hugh’s first book ‘Glimpses‘ is a collection of 28 short stories that allows the reader a peek into the lives of everyday people who are about to have life lead them on an unpredicted path. From a mysterious deadly iPad app, to a hole in the fence that is not all it seems, to a strange lipstick that appears to have a life of its own, you will encounter terror, laughter, sadness, shock and many other emotions on journeys which promise a thrilling and gripping climax. If you are a lover of shows such as ‘The Twilight Zone’ and ‘Tales Of The Unexpected’, then you’re in for a real treat with this first collection of short stories.
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In his words . . .
My name is Hugh, and I live in both the town of Abergavenny and the city of Swansea, South Wales, in the United Kingdom.
I have always enjoyed writing and the fact I suffer from a mild form of dyslexia has not stopped me. Yes, I get things wrong with my reading and writing but I now always find those mistakes humorous and always laugh about it. I no longer allow dyslexia get in my way. Now in my fifties, I thought it about time I let my writing become public. Becoming a blogger seemed to be the perfect way for me to do this. I lead a very happy life and always try to stay positive. I share my life with my wonderful Civil Partner, John, and our Cardigan Welsh Corgi, Toby, who I both cherish with all my heart.
I write about life because I find it so fascinating. I have many stories to tell, some of which I have started to put into a book. I think my life has been incredible and I want to share it with anyone that wants to listen. I am also a wonderful listener and I love to be interactive with other people. I guess you could say I am a ‘people person.’
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Hugh’s book Glimpses has gotten many wonderful reviews and it’s available on Amazon as a beautiful paperback or eBook.
Check out Hugh’s blog at: Hugh’s Views & News – A man with dyslexia writing about this and that and everything else!
Spotlight: Michael C. Hayes (My Book Cover Artist)
It is my privilege to introduce today a creative and just plain gifted artist, Michael C. Hayes.
His amazing artistry will inspire you. I have always said, art and writing go hand in hand just like poetry and music. I am honored to have one of Michael C. Hayes’ works grace the cover of my upcoming novel, The Fall of Lilith. I will do a cover reveal later on but for now I want to showcase this artist and his magnificent works of art.
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In Michael’s words . . .
If you had told me I would end up painting for a living when I was 17, I would have assumed you meant houses or cars. The idea of creating a representational image out of pigments suspended in linseed oil was so far removed from what I thought I was meant to do in life.
Most other artists I know tell stories of ceaselessly drawing as children and never stopping. Drawing was something I was dragged into against my will. Once I stopped grumbling about it and tried to make the best of the situation, I discovered an unrealized passion. It is funny how a seemingly insignificant high school elective can change your life for the better.
At that point in my life I was set on making the big bucks in the glamorous field of software engineering, so when I learned in order to graduate I had to take an art elective instead of a programming course, I was not happy. I chose animation as the elective; over the course of that semester, I found that I enjoyed drawing. I was also introduced to a few 3d animation programs, for which I developed an affinity. I eventually decided that animation would be a lot more fun than writing code.
In the 5 years that followed, I studied at a local community college and later at Cogswell Polytechnical College, earning a degree with honors in Digital Arts and Animation. Throughout the years it became evermore apparent that 3D animation was not quite what I wanted to devote my career to. I was slowly spending more and more time and effort on my traditional drawing, painting, and sculpting courses and less time building wire frames on the computer. By the time I was ready to graduate my goals had once again changed. All the years of required art courses and a few influential and supportive professors had made their mark: I was undeniably hooked.
I moved back to San Diego after graduating in 2005 and enrolled at Watts Atelier of the Arts. Free from the constraints of term papers and physics tests, and in a wonderful artistic environment, I began spending almost every waking moment I could spare on a drawing bench or in front of an easel. I often tell people the crammed 20 years worth of study into my short time at the atelier. As a result of this effort, and a few extraordinary teachers, my artistic skills began to develop to professional level.
About halfway through 2008 I got my first professional gig working freelance on a game called “Legends of Norrath”. In the years that followed I began to receive more and more work and took fewer and fewer classes, slowly transitioning from student to full time professional. Since then I have had the good fortune to work for clients such as: Wizards of the Coast, Blizzard Entertainment, Sony Online Entertainment, LucasArts Entertainment, Night Shade Books, Palladium Books and others. In the past few years I have received several ARC awards, a Chesley award and a nomination for a Spectrum award.
In late 2013 I decided to make some changes and pull away from the freelance world for awhile. Although I will still take those projects that are too good to pass up I plan to spend a few years focusing on my personal work.
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There is so much more art to see. Check out more of Michael’s work and connect with him at the sites bellow:
The Writer Next Door | Vashti Q 
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