Happy Halloween! I’m listening to Heena’s Webinar about decoding Horror.
Smorgasbord Cafe and Bookstore Author Updates New #Release – Fantasy C.S. Boyack, #Reviews – Poetry M.J. Mallon, Shortstories Elizabeth Merry | Smorgasbord Blog Magazine
Thanks so much to Sally for this wonderful author update. My poetry collection, Mr. Sagittarius with its latest review from Ruchira is shared along with great books from C. S. Boyack and Elizabeth Merry.
The Sincerest Form of Poetry by Geoff Le Pard #Book #Launch #Poetry #Review
I’m pleased to welcome Geoff to my blog today with his latest book: The Sincerest Form of Poetry which released on 24th September. I really enjoyed reading!
My review:
This is a cleverly done first collection of poetry which uses well-known poems as an inspiration point and then gives them the Geoff Le Pard Treatment! It begins with a short introduction about his ‘urge to write poetry,’ inspired by his father, Desmond Le Pard, who was also a poet.
The Sincerest Form of Poetry pays tribute to and jokingly rewrites the words of a wonderful array of poets and even the Bard, Shakespeare himself! If you have ever met Geoff, (either virtually or in person,) you’ll know that he can get away with this! He is entertaining, amusing and has a wonderful way with words, .
In The Sincerest Form of Poetry nothing is off limits, toilet humour included. The first poem The Relief of Waterloo (After The Listeners, Walter de la Mare,) praises the public toilet and an urgent need to use it! We’ve all been there and can relate to that!
Here are just some of my favourite poems in the collection:
Dog at Leisure (Leisure, William Henry Davies.)
How Do I Love You? (Sonnets From Elizabeth Barrett Browning.)
Contradicting The Curmudgeon (This be the verse, Philip Larkin)
Mrs Patterson (Allan Ahlberg: Please Mrs. Butler)
The Inner Musings of Clouds (Daffodils, William Wordsworth)
Plus these wonderful sonnets, some of which are on more serious, or heartfelt topics:
Hand me Down, Global Warming, and Trick or Treat.
And so many others… rather than list them all, save me a huge job and get yourself a copy!
My rating: 5 stars.
To date, Geoff has released a dozen books. He has been busy! No wonder he is drawing red spectacles and raised eyebrows and dots under noses! Put that red pen away Geoff!
Geoff Le Pard started writing to entertain in 2006. He hasn’t left his keyboard since. When he’s not churning out novels he writes some maudlin self-indulgent poetry, short fiction and blogs at geofflepard.com. He walks the dog for mutual inspiration and most of his best ideas come out of these strolls. He also cooks with passion if not precision.
My Father and Other Liars is a thriller set in the near future and takes its heroes, Maurice and Lori-Ann on a helter-skelter chase across continents.
Dead Flies and Sherry Trifle is a coming of age story. Set in 1976 the hero Harry Spittle is home from university for the holidays. He has three goals: to keep away from his family, earn money and hopefully have sex. Inevitably his summer turns out to be very different to that anticipated.
In this, the second book in the Harry Spittle Sagas, it’s 1981 and Harry is training to be a solicitor. His private life is a bit of a mess and he’s far from convinced the law is for him. Then an old acquaintance from his hotel days appears demanding Harry write his will. When he dies somewhat mysteriously a few days later and leaves Harry in charge of sorting out his affairs, Harry soon realises this will be no ordinary piece of work. After all, his now deceased client inherited a criminal empire and several people are very interested in what is to become of it.
The third instalment of the Harry Spittle Sagas moves on the 1987. Harry is now a senior lawyer with a well-regarded City of London firm, aspiring to a partnership. However, one evening Harry finds the head of the Private Client department dead over his desk, in a very compromising situation. The senior partner offers to sort things out, to avoid Harry embarrassment but soon matters take a sinister turn and Harry is fighting for his career, his freedom and eventually his life as he wrestles with dilemma on dilemma. Will Harry save the day? Will he save himself?
Life in a Grain of Sand is a 30 story anthology covering many genres: fantasy, romance, humour, thriller, espionage, conspiracy theories, MG and indeed something for everyone. All the stories were written during Nano 2015
Salisbury Square is a dark thriller set in present day London where a homeless woman and a Polish man, escaping the police at home, form an unlikely alliance to save themselves.
This is available here
Buster & Moo is about about two couples and the dog whose ownership passes from one to the other. When the couples meet, via the dog, the previously hidden cracks in their relationships surface and events begin to spiral out of control. If the relationships are to survive there is room for only one hero but who will that be?
Life in a Flash is a set of super short fiction, flash and micro fiction that should keep you engaged and amused for ages
Apprenticed To My Mother describes the period after my father died when I thought I was to play the role of dutiful son, while Mum wanted a new, improved version of her husband – a sort of Desmond 2.0. We both had a lot to learn in those five years, with a lot of laughs and a few tears as we went.
Life in a Conversation is an anthology of short and super short fiction that explores connections through humour, speech and everything besides. If you enjoy the funny, the weird and the heart-rending then you’ll be sure to find something here.
When Martin suggests to Pete and Chris that they spend a week walking, the Cotswolds Way, ostensibly it’s to help Chris overcome the loss of his wife, Diane. Each of them, though, has their own agenda and, as the week progresses, cracks in their friendship widen with unseen and horrifying consequences.
Famous poets reimagined, sonnets of all kinds, this poerty selection has something for all tastes, from the funny, to the poignant to the thought-provoking and always written with love and passion.
Geoff Le Pard’s Amazon Author Page
Wishing Geoff every success with his first poetry book. Poetry combined with laughter has to be a winning pairing that is bound to succeed.
Authors Website: https://mjmallon.com
Authors Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/M-J-Mallon/e/B074CGNK4L
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/
#ABRSC: Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/m-j-mallon Collaborative Group: https://www.facebook.com/pg/5SpiritualSisters/
#review #5stars This is Lockdown, by M.J. Mallon @Marjorie_Mallon – Didi Oviatt
Thank you so much to Didi for this wonderful review of This Is Lockdown. It really made my day and the image she’s created to go with it. Love it!
Source: #review #5stars This is Lockdown, by M.J. Mallon @Marjorie_Mallon – Didi Oviatt
Get “Spellbound!” Wednesday’s Bookmobile Has Terrific New Supernatural Halloween Horror! Classic Stephen King Too! – johnrieber
Thank you to John Rieber for featuring Spellbound on his blog.
I am thrilled to be a contributing author in this horror anthology with several friends including the multi-talented Robbie Cheadle.
Carrot Ranch Literary Community #flash #fiction #chores
Thank you to the lovely Charli Mills at Carrot Ranch for all she does for the literary community. <3
The flash fiction prompt this week made me think of my mother-in-law Mary who is holding on to being fiercely independent as long as she possibly can. She is now the ripe old age of ninety four! She always tidies everything up before the carer sets foot in the house and her favourite phrase is: That’s that job done!
Tea and Biscuits With The Carer
“That’s the blueberries washed!” she said with a smile.
I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Put the kettle on,” she said.
“Don’t you want to leave anything for the carer to do?”
She didn’t answer, instead she said, “Get the pavlova and cream. Mini ones in the cupboard over there.”
I opened the tin and arranged them on a large plate.
“What time’s she coming?”
“Now! Better wipe the table,” she said.
The carer bustled in.
New horror anthology Spellbound – Now available – Robbie Cheadle
Thrilled to be part of Spellbound, a horror anthology with so many of my writing friends, compiled by Dan Alatorre and edited by Donna Davis Walker and Robbie Cheadle.
Read this promotional posts from Robbie at source:
New horror anthology Spellbound – Now available – Robbie Cheadle
Networking for Writers by Lizzie Chantree #non-fiction #networking #book #writers #forthcoming #release
I’m thrilled to welcome Lizzie Chantree to my blog today with exciting news of her latest release: Networking For Writers which launches on October 29th.
I’ve downloaded a copy and really looking forward to reading this and getting lots of networking tips!
I really appreciate you for inviting me onto your blog today, Marje.
Hello everyone. My name is Lizzie Chantree and I am a romance author who is about to publish my first non-fiction book. I ran my own award winning business for over fifteen years before I began writing books as a way to reduce stress and found a beautiful new career! My new book is called Networking for writers and I talk about how to help writers build a support network and hopefully find new readers for their work. I work as a business mentor and have included simple techniques that can be applied to author branding, book marketing, book signings, social media planning and more. I also talk through how I grew my social media platform from scratch and filled it with avid readers and creatives. I hope this book offers new and experienced writers a way to build on their current readership and for them to free up time to do the thing that they love, write incredible stories!
Are you swamped with book marketing and looking for a way to find new sales? Learn simple and effective networking techniques, to grow your readership and connect with other authors and book lovers, today!
Whether you are a new or experienced writer, self-published or traditionally published, this book will show you how to grow your readership and author network, through some of the most powerful of all marketing tools – word of mouth and recommendation.
This book will show you:
How networking can help you sell more books.
Why author branding is important.
How networking hours work.
Specific Facebook groups for writers
How to utilise social media to grow your readership.
How not to waste valuable writing time.
How to make our marketing more effective.
Throughout Networking for Writers, we will explore running or attending book signings, hosting seminars, finding a writing buddy or mentor, author networking groups, social media planning and so much more.
Book links: Lizzie Chantree.
Universal book buy link: Networking for writers:
viewbook.at/NetworkingForWriters
Universal book buy link: If you love me, I’m yours: viewbook.at/IfYouLoveMe-ImYours
Universal book buy link: Ninja School Mum: viewBook.at/NinjaSchoolMum
Universal book buy link: Babe Driven: viewbook.at/BabeDriven
Universal book buy link: Love’s Child: viewBook.at/Amazon-LovesChild
Universal book buy link: Finding Gina: viewbook.at/FindingGina
Social media links:
Website: www.lizziechantree.com
Author page: https://www.viewAuthor.at/LizzieChantree
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Lizzie_Chantree
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LizzieChantree/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizzie_chantree/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/LizzieChantree/pins/
FB Groups: https://www.facebook.com/groups/647115202160536/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/lizzie-chantree
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizzie-chantree-03006425/
So thrilled for Lizzie and looking forward to reading and getting some awesome tips!
Authors Website: https://mjmallon.com
Authors Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/M-J-Mallon/e/B074CGNK4L
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/
#ABRSC: Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/m-j-mallon Collaborative Group: https://www.facebook.com/pg/5SpiritualSisters/
Book Review: The Hitman and The Thief by Richard Dee #mystery #sci-fi #adventure #murder #fiction #book #5star #review
Synopsis:
Assassination can be a messy business, especially if you’re having a bad day.
Dan Jones is the ultimate problem solver, the hitman for crime boss Fliss Bauer.
Fliss has a rival, Kalindra Dallin. She runs a particularly unpleasant planet. Dan is told to arrange her demise. It’s just another job; until a random event means that it all goes horribly wrong.
To save his skin, Dan is forced to try again, only this time he has to work with a partner. He doesn’t want to but it’s the only chance he’s going to get; if he wants to put things right.
My review:
I really enjoyed The Hitman and the Thief. This novel has an interesting storyline which gripped me as the chapters sped by. This is a fast paced, easy read. The character of Dan and the thief Lydia are both engaging.
Dan is an ex-serviceman, now turned assassin for Fliss. His latest kill target is Kalindra, his boss’s rival.
But, who is Kalindra? And will Dan bungle it up?
Dan’s relationship with Hesta is under strain due to a certain temptation…
But, who can he trust? The revelations and twists leading up to the awesome ending – are subtle, (read carefully!) – but well done.
All in all, I would highly recommend this for readers who like mysteries, and who might enjoy the Sci fi environment of planets and ships (great world-building,) without it being too Sci fi heavy if you know what I mean.
I’m enjoying Richard Dee’s books more and more. I’d say this is my favourite to date. There is a unique aspect to his writing which I really appreciate. So, deserves the 5 stars.
Buy Link:
And some of my reviews of his other books:
Authors Website: http://www.richarddeescifi.co.uk
Have you read The Hitman and The Thief? Let me know in the comments below.
Authors Website: https://mjmallon.com
Authors Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/M-J-Mallon/e/B074CGNK4L
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/
#ABRSC: Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/m-j-mallon Collaborative Group: https://www.facebook.com/pg/5SpiritualSisters/
Hiding Cracked Glass Blog Tour – Digital Reads – James Cudney #Blog #Tour #Giveaway #Release @jamescudney4 @Shalini_G26
HIDING CRACKED GLASS BY JAMES J. CUDNEY
Series Name: Perceptions of Glass
Book #1 Name: Watching Glass Shatter
Book #2 Name: Hiding Cracked Glass
Publication for Book #2:
Next Chapter, October 8th, 2020
Amazon Link:
https://www.amazon.com/Hiding-Cracked-Glass-Perceptions-Book-ebook/dp/B08F3YWTYX
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hiding-Cracked-Glass-Perceptions-Book-ebook/dp/B08F3YWTYX
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54399989-hiding-cracked-glass
About the Book
An ominous blackmail letter appears at an inopportune moment. The recipient’s name is accidentally blurred out upon arrival. Which member of the Glass family is the ruthless missive meant for?
In the powerful sequel to Watching Glass Shatter, Olivia is the first to read the nasty threat and assumes it’s meant for her. When the mysterious letter falls into the wrong hands and is read aloud, it throws the entire Glass family into an inescapable trajectory of self-question. Across the span of eight hours, Olivia and her sons contemplate whether to confess their hidden secrets or find a way
to bury them forever. Some failed to learn an important lesson last time. Will they determine how to save themselves before it’s too late?
Each chapter’s focus alternates between the various family members and introduces several new and familiar faces with a vested interest in the outcome. As each hour ticks by, the remaining siblings and their mother gradually reveal what’s happened to them in the preceding months, and when the blackmailer makes an appearance at Olivia’s birthday party, the truth brilliantly comes to light.
Although everyone seemed to embrace the healing process at the end of Watching Glass Shatter, there were hidden cracks in the Glass family that couldn’t be mended. Their lives are about to shatter into pieces once again, but this time, the stakes are even higher. Someone wants to teach them a permanent lesson and refuses to stop until success is achieved.
My review
This is a brilliant sequel to the first in this series: Watching Glass Shatter. Both books can be read as standalone novels but I would recommend reading Watching Glass Shatter first before Hiding Cracked Glass. It is clear from reading the second book how confident a writer James Cudney is. He introduces the characters and the storyline from book one in an effortless way – I was really impressed. Particularly, as I know how difficult it is to write a series (I am currently in the process of doing this myself and finding it mighty hard!)
The second book has a different feel to the first. The emotion I experienced when I read about the death of the father in book one was intense. Here, the tone is slightly lighter to begin with and more focused on the threat of a blackmail note, secrets, and the possible parties who may be involved. Various possible scenarios are eked out about who the blackmailer might be and with all the secrets in the Glass family it’s not surprising that many are feeling vulnerable and worried.
As with the first book in the series, the strength of the writing lies in James Cudney’s ability to create great characters complete with flaws and weaknesses.
This is why these two books truly do grip you. The characters are so believable, engaging and authentic. I love character driven stories and the mystery aspect completes the story in such an engaging way.
My rating 5 stars. Highly recommended.
GIVEAWAY!!!
Rafflecopter Giveaway for Hiding Cracked Glass eBook (2 winners): https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e5ee1a9220/?
About The Author
Background
James is my given name, but most folks call me Jay. I live in New York City, grew up on Long Island, and graduated from Moravian College, an historic but small liberal arts school in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, with a degree in English literature and minors in Education, Business and Spanish. After college, I accepted a technical writing position for a telecommunications company during Y2K and spent the last ~20 years building a career in technology & business operations in the retail, sports, media and entertainment industries. Throughout those years, I wrote some short stories, poems and various beginnings to the “Great American Novel,” but I was so focused on my career in technology and business that writing became a hobby. In 2016, I refocused some of my energies toward reinvigorating a second career in reading, writing and publishing.
Author
Writing has been a part of my life as much as my heart, my mind and my body. At some points, it was just a few poems or short stories; at others, it was full length novels and stories. My current focus is family drama fiction, cozy mystery novels and suspense thrillers. I think of characters and plots that I feel must be unwound. I think of situations people find themselves in and feel compelled to tell the story. It’s usually a convoluted plot with many surprise twists and turns. I feel it necessary to take that ride all over the course. My character is easily pictured in my head. I know what he is going to encounter or what she will feel. But I need to use the right words to make it clear.
Reader & Reviewer
Reading has also never left my side. Whether it was children’s books, young adult novels, college textbooks, biographies or my ultimate love, fiction, it’s ever present in my day. I read 2 books per week and I’m on a quest to update every book I’ve ever read on Goodreads, write up a review and post it on all my sites and platforms.
Blogger & Thinker
I have combined my passions into a single platform where I share reviews, write a blog and publish tons of content: TRUTH. I started my 365 Daily Challenge, where I post about a word that has some meaning to me and converse with everyone about life. There is humor, tears, love, friendship, advice and bloopers. Lots of bloopers where I poke fun at myself all the time. Even my dogs have had weekly segments called “Ryder’s Rants” or “Baxter’s Barks” where they complain about me. All these things make up who I am; none of them are very fancy or magnanimous, but they are real. And that’s why they are me.
Genealogist & Researcher
I love history and research, finding myself often reaching back into the past to understand why someone made the choice he or she did and what were the subsequent consequences. I enjoy studying the activities and culture from hundreds of years ago to trace the roots and find the puzzle of my own history. I wish I could watch my ancestors from a secret place to learn how they interacted with others; and maybe I’ll comprehend why I do things the way I do.
Websites & Blog
Website: https://jamesjcudney.com/
Blog: https://thisismytruthnow.com
Amazon: http://bit.ly/JJCIVBooks
Next Chapter Pub: https://www.nextchapter.pub/authors/james-j-cudney
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/james-j-cudney
Social Media
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jamescudney4
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesJCudneyIVAuthor/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BraxtonCampusMysteries/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThisIsMyTruthNow/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jamescudney4/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamescudney4/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/jamescudney4
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamescudney4
Genres, Formats & Languages
I write in the family drama and mystery genres. My first two books are Watching Glass Shatter (2017) and Father Figure (2018). Both are contemporary fiction and focus on the dynamics between parents and children and between siblings.
I’m currently writing the sequel to Watching Glass Shatter. I also have a light mystery series called the Braxton Campus Mysteries with six books available.
All my books come in multiple formats (Kindle, physical print, large print paperback, and audiobook)and some are also translated into foreign languages such as Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and German.
Goodreads Book Links
Watching Glass Shatter (October 2017)
Father Figure (April 2018)
Braxton Campus Mysteries
· Academic Curveball – #1 (October 2018)
· Broken Heart Attack – #2 (November 2018)
· Flower Power Trip – #3 (March 2019)
· Mistaken Identity Crisis – #4 (June 2019)
· Haunted House Ghost – #5 (October 2019)
· Frozen Stiff Drink – #6 (March 2020)
Wishing Jay much success with his latest book.
Authors Website: https://mjmallon.com
Authors Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/M-J-Mallon/e/B074CGNK4L
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/
#ABRSC: Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/m-j-mallon Collaborative Group: https://www.facebook.com/pg/5SpiritualSisters/