The following is Sacha Black’s post and my attempt at a reblog:
THE BASH, REBRANDED! #MONDAYBLOGS
I can’t quite believe it, but the bash is nearly three years old. *Weeps with pride*
Each year it continues to grow in size which means what we do needs to grow in size too.
Sure, it’s a big blog social, but that doesn’t mean we don’t take it seriously. What started out as one nosy blogger more desperate to meet the friends she’d made online than stay safe and introverted behind the screen, is slowly turning a beast.
One day, I hope, the BASH will be a huge blogging festival. I can dream, right? Besides, I brainwashed the minions into obedience before they knew what they were signing up to and I have plans to recruit more. SHHH, they’ll never know.
So this year, we decided to overhaul the Bash, logos and all. The lovely George Grey, used by both Geoff and Hugh for their cover designs, has upped the BASH anti and given us a much slicker look.
Ladies and gents, the new bash logo…
If you haven’t bought your ticket for the biggest blog social of the year, WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH YOUR LIFE? Go, buy it, now… (from here).
We’re running a blog competition too if you want to win a tonne of prizes, like a critique, beta read and book trailer, then check it out here, the competition closes on the 1st of March.
Stay tuned, because we will be releasing the new BASH awards for 2017 next month, we will then be open for nominations in April and then folks… voting will open in May. CAN YOU FREAKING BELIEVE IT? We’re only two and a half months from voting! *gulp*
Great news from Sacha Black about the Bash… can’t wait to join in the fun.
To pop over to Sacha’s blog and see the original post follow this link:
Welcome to my new book love group for authors and dedicated book bloggers who wish to support authors by writing reviews, or featuring authors on their blogs. Initially, I intended to write one long list and then I thought better of it. Small and personal works better – featuring a few bloggers/writers and then following it up with further lists on a fairly regular basis.
If you’d like to join in the next list please get in touch via my email: marjma2014@gmail.com, or leaving a comment at the end of the post. Thanks.
Of course Kyrosmagica blog continues to support authors in whatever way I can by writing reviews, author/blogger spotlights and interviews, so please don’t be shy, do get in touch if you’d like to be featured on Kyrosmagica.
Here’s my first list:
Shelley Wilson: First up Shelley went all hunger games on me, dashing to the front of the queue to feature on my post! So, many thanks to Shelley for kicking this off with a flourish! Author/Reviewer Blog is http://www.shelleywilsonauthor.com. She is pretty clear in her interests: ‘I write, I read, I review,’ she prefers YA fantasy, but also reads some historical fiction, non-fiction, horror, dystopian, sci-fi, and will take a look at book blurbs for most genres to see if she’d be interested but she doesn’t do romantic fiction.
Elouise De Sousa: ‘Books, Poems, Stories…and a cup of coffee, or two!’ She has a Book Tuesday feature reviewing books from fellow authors and books she’s read. She covers most genres, depending on what has been sent to her. Her site is http://eloisedesousa.wordpress.com
Debby Gies: ACanadian author who I have had the pleasure of following for some time. She is a very friendly and supportive lady whoruns a series on authors with new books https://dgkayewriter.com/guest-authors-at-d-g-kayes-blog/ and also does her Sunday reviews on books she’s read and reviewed. Because of time constraints, she is unable to have an open invitation, rather she promotes authors she knows and invites them as her schedule permits.
Loretta Milan: Literary Lightbox supports authors from all backgrounds and most genres. ‘Literary Lightbox, founded by Loretta Milan, publishes inspiring articles featuring New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling authors as well as emerging and indie authors.’
It’s our special space of the Internet where we writers can inspire each other, lend support and encouragement.
Sally G. Cronin: ‘Blog with a view – on books, music, humour and health.’ Sally is a massive supporter of authors hosting so many on her blog that at times it makes me dizzy just seeing what she is up to. At the moment Sally is on a well deserved holiday! Sally also writes excellent and informative articles about nutrition and health, has published several books and has an on-line bookstore: Sallys Cafe and Bookstore and offers free author and blogger promotion: Sally’s Author and Blogger Promotion 2017
Jenny Marston: Blogs at www.jennyinneverland.com and enjoys reading Thriller, Mystery, Crime, YA, and Fiction. She is a busy lady with diverse interests: blogging about anxiety, books, blogging tips and advice, days out, lifestyle, travel, Disney, etc, and has a monthly meet my sponsor slot, which I had the pleasure of being part of. As well as this she manages a ‘privately run online book touring service for authors.’ In which she covers, ‘Thriller, Mystery, Horror, Romance, Chick-Lit, Young Adult and many sub-genres of those and offer a range of different length tours and services for you to choose from to get the best possible publicity for your book.’ Neverland Blog Tours
Heena Rathore Pardeshi: Has a book review blog but has stopped reviewing for another 6-7 months. No doubt as she’s snowed under with her debut mystery and thriller novel, Deceived which she will be releasing soon – www.thereadingbud.com. But do keep an eye out for Heena and support her book release. She reviews all fiction genre except erotica. She doesn’t do non-fiction.
Anita Dawes & Jaye Marie: Like to review books and invite guest posts on their website. But be prepared sister writing team Anita & Jay are: ‘two determined authors, bulletproof and dangerous…’ Eek, that sounds scary… dare if you will! Anita Dawes and Jaye Marie
Contributors Who Prefer to Host Guest Blogs:
Seumas Gallacher: Fellow Scot doesn’t actively do ‘cold’ reviews other than books he’s downloaded on his Kindle, but he does have an open blog policy on Guest Blogs from anyone, but particularly from fellow writers who can include anything they wish, except gratuitously offensive material… book buying links, bio, cover pages, any wee back story or element to their writing… the page for promo is theirs… all at their choice… cheeeeeeers ..https://seumasgallacher.com/ 🙂
Tina Frisco: Happy to feature authors/artists/photographers/ musicians/etc. as time permits. <3 https://tinafrisco.com/ ‘Nature is my go-to tonic. Aside from music and animals, I love dancing and getting lost in working crossword puzzles.’ She blogs under the categories: inspiration, spiritual, guests, quotes, books, chronic illness and self-acceptance.
Thanks for dropping by. Don’t forget if you would like join my next list do get in touch by leaving a comment below or contacting me via my email: marjma2014@gmail.com
A collection of pulse-pounding tales featuring forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan—including the untold story of her first case!
The #1 New York Times bestselling author behind the hit Fox series Bones, Kathy Reichs is renowned for chilling suspense and fascinating forensic detail. The Bone Collection presents her trademark artistry in this collection of thrilling short fiction.
In First Bones, a prequel to Reichs’s first novel, Déjà Dead, she at last reveals the tale of how Tempe became a forensic anthropologist. In this never-before-published story, Tempe recalls the case that lured her from a promising career in academia into the grim but addictive world of criminal investigation. (It all began with a visit from a pair of detectives—and a John Doe recovered from an arson scene in a trailer.) The collection is rounded out with three more stories that take Tempe from the low country of the Florida Everglades, where she makes a grisly discovery in the stomach of an eighteen-foot Burmese python, to the heights of Mount Everest, where a frozen corpse is unearthed. No matter where she goes, Tempe’s cases make for the most gripping reading.
I won a copy of The Sunday Times No. 1 Bestseller Kathy Reich’s The Bone Collection via Linda Hill who blogs at: Linda’s Book Bag
So a big thank you for my winning copy! Of course, my opinions are my own and are not influenced in anyway by me receiving a free copy.
My review:
This isn’t my usual kind of read and at first, I was a little bit skeptical whether or not it would appeal to me. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The excellence of Kathy Reich’s writing and her detailed and knowledgeable observations about forensic anthropology kept me entertained throughout all four of these novellas, based on her successful Temperance Brennan series. This is a special treat for Kathy Reich enthusiasts as all four pieces: Bones In her Pocket, Swamp Bones, Bones on Ice, and First Bones are presented in a single collection in this novel. Bones both animal, and human do figure a lot in this novel, it’s to be expected! So be prepared for some gruesome moments. If I were, to sum up this novel I’d say: punchy, gripping, wincing, chilling, compelling, detailed, gut turning sleuthing mysteries to be solved, sliced with unexpected twists and turns, and served with a fulsome dollop of humour.
Highly recommended. My rating 4.5 stars.
Have you read Kathy Reich? Do comment and let me know.
My Tanka this week is inspired by a quick pick book I found in my local library – The Lemon Grove by Helen Walsh. It’s a real page turner! I can’t wait to find out what happens in the end….
Here’s the Goodreads Synopsis:
Set on the rugged, mountainous west coast of Mallorca, this taut, sultry, brilliantly paced novel is an urgent meditation on female desire, the vicissitudes of marriage and the allure of youth.
Taking place over the course of one week, The Lemon Grove lands in the heat of Deia, a village on an island off the southeast coast of Spain. Jenn and Greg are on their annual holiday to enjoy languorous, close afternoons by the pool, and relaxed dinners overlooking the rocks. But the equilibrium is upset by the arrival of their teenage daughter, Emma, and her boyfriend, Nathan. Jenn, in her early forties, loves her (older) husband and her (step)daughter and is content with her life, she thinks. But when this beautiful, reckless young man comes into her world, she is caught by a sexual compulsion that she’s seldom felt before. As the lines hotly blur between attraction, desire and obsession, Jenn’s world is thrown into tumult–by Nathan’s side, she could be young and carefree once again, and at this stage in her life, the promise of youth is every bit as seductive as the promise of passion. Jenn struggles between the conflicting pulls of resistance and release, and the events of the next few days have the potential to put lives in jeopardy as the players carry out their roles in this unstoppably sexy and unputdownable novel from a brilliant observer of the human condition.
I cheated a bit this week instead of friend, I opted for lover!!! The door became a gateway…
I believe it all began when I moved to Cambridge from Scotland.
Shortly after our marriage, my husband and I made the rash decision to live out in ‘the sticks,’ in a sleepy Cambridgeshire village called Chatteris. What an enormous culture shock for an Edinburgh city girl like me – I felt isolated and pretty miserable.
Perhaps I would never have started writing if it wasn’t for this and later sadness’s in my life. In time we moved to the suburbs of Cambridge, within easy reach of the city centre. I made new friends but missed the loving support of my extended family. My husband worked long hours, but I knew that he longed to Do What He Loved – ski on a mountain or be in a rock band! Financial responsibilities meant that his personal dreams languished. Inadvertently, this sacrifice triggered my idea for The Curse of Time – The Bloodstone, my WIP – which is currently being edited by my lovely friend – Colleen Chesebro – Author of The Heart Stone Chronicles – The Swamp Fairy/
As my daughters grew older I developed an interest in alternative therapies and worked as an Aromatherapist/Reflexologist. During this time I discovered an interest in crystals. This beautiful Malachite captured my attention, demanding to be my first crystal purchase.
The Malachite definitely sparked my creativity, and helped alleviate my shyness! My urge to write developed in a whirlwind of reading, and imagination. I woke up with ideas and jotted them in a notebook. This manic phase coincided with the arrival of a strange black cat who demanded my attention. He became my muse. Was he a stray? Or perhaps a witch’s cat? Sadly, he disappeared without a trace. I had an odd idea (to find a black cat model,) and my blogging friend Gary Jefferies: Fiction Is Food introduced me to Samantha Murdoch – the proud owner of Lily.
Astonishingly Lily bears a remarkable resemblance to the black cat in my book, Shadow.
Guess what? Samantha loves crystals too! Bloodstone, (photographed below by her son,) plays a central part in my book – another extraordinary coincidence!
Photo credit for above three photos: Alex Marlowe, Samantha Murdoch’s son.
All these incredible connections have fuelled my desire to write. I am so lucky to have many inspiring writers, bloggers, and creative individuals who I call friends. Astounded by their support and encouragement my confidence has soared. I’ve participated in short stories prompts, poetry, photography challenges, and weekend coffee shares… In August 2015 I did the unthinkable – I shrugged off my shy persona and attendedMy First Bloggers Bash.
In part, this is thanks to the power of my Malachite crystal! I can’t wait to attend the next bash in June, and see some of my blogging friends, (unfortunately not all can attend,) and new ‘faces,’ too.
Life is devoid of meaning without ‘real’ positive relationships, connections that matter. I believe that if you give of your best, you will receive the best back. I have a passion for the arts, and I will continue to promote bloggers, writers, and creative individuals who I count as my dear friends. I love supporting authors by writing book reviews: My Wise Old Owl A – Z Book Reviews, and offer Blogger/Author Spotlights. One recent example is:Sue Vincent and Stuart France
I’m in the mood for poetry today! Started off writing two Tanka poems for Colleen’s Tanka Tuesday and then realised I hadn’t done anything for Valentine’s. To remedy this faux pas I decided to take a gander at Ronovan’s prompt words this week hoping they were a little valentine related and sure enough Eye and Fade were perfect, so I wrote this haiku…
The prompt words this week are fog and change. This morning I wrote two Tanka as soon as I woke up – one sad and the other light-hearted. I didn’t want to torment you by writing one solitary Tanka ending on a sad note!
The first one is a reminder to drive carefully in fog. Take care… We’ve all been there, driving in fog is so scary, and dangerous.
Oh, that fog… just hate driving in it. So, to lighten the mood, let me enlighten you about my next Tanka. This one started off in a maze, (as I have a fear of getting lost and have absolutely NO sense of direction,) but I couldn’t find a photo that I liked on Canva to go with the words so my Tanka ended up being conceived in a field with a football goal post instead. It’s strange how photos can suggest different words to you!
Yes, that skinny goalie is going to be invisible in all that fog, hope he has a very vibrant, colourful strip!
Today it is my pleasure to introduce you to not one but two guests!
A hearty welcome to Sue Vincent and Stuart France. I originally contacted Sue regarding a Spotlight on my blog, a while ago. She pondered a while, as I would in her place – this lady writes haikus, has guest author spots on her wonderfully entertaining blog, and has not one, not two, but several novels under her belt. Which of these novels to focus on? Sue elected for Lands of Exile – But ‘N Ben which she’d co-written with Stuart France. In her words Lands of Exile – But ‘N Ben is: ‘the first in the Lands of Exile series that combines the tales of ‘our’ travels through the ancient landscape as ‘Don and Wen’ with a rather odd police chase. And a fair bit of humour.’
Sounds promising – I love humour, have a brother called Donald, and an aunt Wendy, (God Bless Her Soul,) perhaps this is meant to be? I do believe in fate…
How to reflect the general quirkiness of this novel? A dog came to mind as Sue is a dog lover, and perhaps Stuart is too? Too obvious. Next, I considered a country scene and ended up seeing green and red in everything, blending beautifully with Sue’s red hair. Then, I came across the above photo of six birds. Bingo! This was the perfect social media banner! Quirky but simple, and astonishingly the divergent bird and his less adventurous feathered friends are free, gratis thanks to Terri: Second Wind Leisure – Free Photos For Your Blog! who I featured recently: Author/Blogger Spotlight Terri Webster Schrand
Success, it’s always nice to shout out about freebies!
Right, I better get to it, enough of this waffle or my chosen birds might fall off their perch, or fly away.
So… chirp, chirp… It’s time to find out more about my guests Stuart France and Sue Vincent.
Bios
The writing partnership of France and Vincent has a peculiar alchemy of humour, scholarship and vision that has given birth to several books, including the six volumes of The Triad of Albion and the Doomsday series.
Stuart France – writer and mystic; author of ‘The Living One’ and ‘Crucible of the Sun’. Stuart has a deep and practical knowledge of the Western Mystery Tradition, having followed a Path that has taken him hopping through the branches of the Trees of Knowledge and Delight. His astonishing work with symbolism and the interpretation of myth comes from a profound understanding and love of life and humanity. After gaining his BA in Philosophy and Literature, and his MA in Writing, this Child of Light studied with OBOD, AMORC, and the Servants of the Light and is a Director of The Silent Eye School of Consciousness. He declines all responsibility for this introduction. “I blame Wen…..”
Sue Vincent is a Yorkshire born writer and Director of The Silent Eye. She has been immersed in the Mysteries all her life. Sue maintains a popular blog and is co-author of ‘The Mystical Hexagram’ with Dr G. Michael Vasey and a number of other books. Sue lives in Buckinghamshire, having been stranded there some years ago due to an accident with a blindfold, a pin and a map. She has a lasting love-affair with the landscape of Albion, the hidden country of the heart. She is currently owned by a small dog who also blogs.
But ‘n’ Ben
The first volume in the Lands of Exile series
For once, Don was right… it was all Wen’s fault. If only Ben had not insisted in going back for the gun… Don and Wen should hand themselves in and share the fate of their co-conspirator. It would be the noble thing to do.
Does this course of action appeal to our errant duo? Not on your Nelly!
As Ben languishes in the dank cells of Bakewell Gaol, Don and Wen hit the road. Their headlong dash for freedom takes them north, where they are beset by a host of ‘Orphan Stones’ clamouring to be led back home. But they are not alone… and the sinister Black Shade is not the only thing dogging their heels as they blaze their customary trail through the signs, seals and sacred sites of old Albion.
The unofficial re-siting of an ancient stone is viewed in a rather negative manner by the authorities. Ben has been arrested and the other two birds have flown. Heading north, Don and Wen follow the whisperings of ancient stones carved with enigmatic symbols, unaware that they are being followed. Their journey takes them through Cumbria and into Scotland, visiting ancient and historical sites, whilst piecing together fragments of the secret and magical history of Albion. Illustrated in colour.
Extract from Lands of Exile: But ‘n’ Ben
Stuart France and Sue Vincent
Gauche…
Gangly…
Currently scrofulous…
Bark Jaw-Dark contemplated the pork pie he had recently fished from the depths of the jacket pocket of his un-pressed suit and placed it whole in his mouth.
“Hey, Jordache!”
“Jaw-Dark,” spluttered Bark through the pork and pastry.
“Is this a joke?” snarled Bark’s mentor, Tom Patrick, picking up the newly positioned desk tag and scrutinising it distastefully.
Bark swallowed and gulped, “Real name’s Mark… first day at school… had a cold… never been able to shake it.”
“The cold or the name?” smiled Patrick, briefly impressed with his own wit, and then continued more seriously, “You don’t get these unless you’re important… and you’re not.”
The desk tag flew through the air and plummeted into the depths of the tall blue recycling bin with a dull thud.
“No sir!”
“And you can drop the sir. It’s Tom. In this day and age we treat you like shit but informally. It’s called progress…Got it?”
“Yes…Tom.”
“Good lad,” growled Patrick turning to leave.
“Did you want me?”
“Ah yes…” said Patrick turning back, “the stone hugger!”
…Bark looked blank.
“Wealthy business man… moved a stone… went back for the gun… mad as a frog…”
“…In a box full of other frogs?”
“…In the clink.”
“I’d gathered that, but what about him…?”
“He wasn’t alone. Prime suspects… fellow directors of his school of conscience, or some such, have disappeared. Supposed to be on holiday but no one’s sure quite where. They’ve done a runner if you ask me. That’s where you come in.”
“Ah!” said Bark Jaw-Dark rising to his feet and pulling down his suit. “They are wanted in order to help the police in their enquiries.”
“Attaboy,” said Patrick. “You’ve got the weekend.”
A business card landed on Bark’s desk bearing the Egyptian Eye of Horus and a moniker, ‘The Silent Eye, a school of consciousness.’
“I don’t work week…” But Patrick had gone.
Bark Jaw-Dark fished his name tag out of the recycle bin and placed it back on his desk. He pulled down his suit again, sat down, picked up the business card and turned on his computer…
What magical ingredients made me become a blogger/writer? I think if I was doing a sum it would be a strange black cat, plus a book: (Dorian Gray,) add some thoughts about art and lots and lots of reading. No minus equations allowed, creativity always involves a stack of pluses and no negativity!
Recently my eldest daughter asked me for some old photos of her when she was little for a project she is currently doing for University. So I opened my large oriental camphor wood chest and we had a lovely time searching through many photos. I came across a really cute photo of my cat Chester when he was a tiny, adorable kitten, and I was a mere slip of a girl. I realised that my very first post on this blog is missing a very important ingredient. What could that be? An easy answer – some delightful old photos of my much-loved cat Chester. He was such a magnificent fellow, and I loved him very much, so let me share them with you….
Me with Chester, looking all energetic!!!
Here he is exploring interesting little hiding places:
And he had an inquisitive nature:
This is how magnificent he was when he grew up! This photo doesn’t quite do him justice, he really was a handsome fellow, with striking markings and a character to match.
If you’d like to join in with my bloggers monthly link up, please draw attention to your old posts by writing a short blog post as I have done and then add your links to the comment field of this post. If you wish you may use the photo at the top of this post as your blog post header. All link up posts will go up on the second Thursday of the month, and join in whenever you want. No pressure!
Also if you wish you can link your posts to a popular hastag #Throwback Thursday#THT or if you’re posting on a Friday #FBF #FlashbackFriday. These are great link ups for old photos, or memorabilia…
I can’t quite believe it, but the bash is nearly three years old. *Weeps with pride*
