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2021 – A Nonet to Hope
Let’s light a candle this New Years Eve
Close our eyes and imagine love
Sparkling kisses around us
As we dream, imagine
Making kind wishes
As our hearts dance
Candles shine
Bringing
Hope
Wishing you all a happy, covid free New Year.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me by reading, reviewing and encouraging me in this creative journey. x
Take care, keep safe, much love.
On the eve of this New Year I am donating to Emily Parson’s Just Giving Page, please share widely and donate. This is such a sad story but one that speaks volumes of Emily’s courage and kindness.
Emily’s plight was brought to my attention by an old friend of mine and by my youngest daughter who has also heard about Emily. I’m donating to Emily Parsons just giving page. Please share this and consider donating to her JustGiving page too, the details of which are below. What a beautiful, kind-hearted person. Her family must be so proud. She is raising money to fund research into her incurable spinal cord tumour to help other young people like herself. She is only 22, bless her. Sending love and hugs to her and her family. x
Emily’s Story in her own words
Just after my 22nd birthday, I was diagnosed with a rare, highly aggressive, malignant and currently incurable, spinal cord tumour (Diffuse Midline Glioma, H3 K27M Mutation). Within just 5 weeks following diagnosis, I was given the prognosis that I have limited time to live.
There are less than 100 people diagnosed with this type of tumour in the UK each year, all of them will be between the ages of 3 to 25 years old and sadly all of them will die. The tumour grows rapidly within the Central Nervous System and has a devastating impact either on the spinal cord or the brain.
There have been no advances in treatment for this type of tumour for over 40 years. This needs to change so that other people and their loved ones face a more positive future and my real hope is that a cure can be found one day. In view of the rarity of the disease, there is limited information available which myself and my family have found difficult.
With the help of those around me, I have decided to set up this page to raise money to support a research project currently taking place within the Cancer Research UK’s (CRUK) Children’s Brain Tumour Centre of Excellence at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge. This innovative research project has been jointly funded by CRUK, Great Ormond Street Hospital and Brain Research UK. The research is specifically studying tumours in the Central Nervous System in children and young adults with this rare mutation to identify targeted treatment options for the future. This particular research project is close to my heart because of its relevance to my specific type of tumour, it’s based at Addenbrookes where I have received treatment, and also with my love of children and my future aspirations to have been a primary school teacher it feels like a perfect fit.
In addition, I would like to share with you that whilst I knew there was something wrong, it took multiple GP appointments across several months before I was finally referred to a specialist. I know that for my cancer an early diagnosis would have been highly unlikely to make a difference to my prognosis, but for other cancers it could. We all know our own bodies, so no matter what your age, if something doesn’t feel right, don’t delay seeking professional advice, and don’t give up until someone listens to you.
I would really appreciate it if you could show your support by donating to and sharing
this page.
Thank you,
Emily x
Emily’s Crowdfunding Page: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/emily-parsons
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Here’s hoping for a brighter, covid free year. And what a year it has been for so many. Personally, I have had many worries about my elderly parents and my MIL who I haven’t seen for months…
My daughter Natasha and I had an interesting philosophical discussion this morning about whether 2020 is a wasted year? And whether we should all refuse to age this year. Her birthday is on Christmas day and she is turning 25 and would much rather remain 24. Of course, that idea does have its appeal! I’m all for staying young but in many ways, 2020 is not a wasted year as it has taught us many invaluable lessons.
A tragic lesson, sadly. One that has made us all reevaluate our lives and to consider what really matters… Family, friends, loved ones, walks in nature, the simple moments that make us smile, these are the aspects of life that we must treasure.
It has been a year in which the world has suffered.
But the human race is resilient. We do what we can to cheer our spirits up…
During this time, I have relied heavily on my writing community to keep me occupied, and distracted. So, with that in mind, I created my first anthology/compilation entitled This Is Lockdown.
It originally came out in a kindle version with my personal diaries – 20th July 2020.
I’ve just finished creating the paperback of This Is Lockdown... which is available to buy and review on Amazon. So, if you can, please do consider reading and leaving a review of the paperback which includes contributions from 28 wonderful international authors, and creatives.
PLEASE NOTE – The paperback does not include my personal COVID diaries originally published on the kindle. These are currently only available to read on the kindle version of This Is Lockdown.
Blurb:
An anthology and compilation of short stories, flash fiction, contributions from the ‘isolation writers,’ plus poetry written during the time of lockdown in the UK.
“A Piece of Living History!”
This anthology and compilation is for everyone, wherever you live in the world. We are all experiencing the impact of COVID19 and lockdown. As writers, bloggers and creatives we express our thoughts and opinions in writing: in heartfelt poetry, pieces on isolation and the impact of COVID19 and the ‘new normal.’ There are twenty eight talented contributors, including the creative NHS Mask Making Fundraising Team of Jane Horwood and Melissa Santiago Val. The contributors come from as far afield as Australia, Canada, USA and Zimbabwe, or closer to my current home in England – in Ireland, Scotland and Italy.
It is as Willow Willers, a contributor said, ‘A piece of living history.’
This extraordinary and unexpected time period will be shared with future generations one day. Compiling and editing this anthology has given me a purpose over the period of Lockdown and for that I am grateful. The book showcases several authors and their thoughts on what it is like to experience ‘isolation’ as a writer.
In the final part of the book I include my latest short story idea: a YA romance and various short pieces of poetry, and flash fiction inspired by the pandemic.
The list of contributors, bloggers and authors are:
Richard Dee, (Sci Fi , Steampunk, Amateur Detective author,) Catherine Fearns, (Amazon Bestselling Author of Police Procedural/Mysteries and Music Journalist,) Lynn Fraser, (Author,) Jackie Carreira, (Writer, musician, designer and aspiring philosopher,) Willow Willers, (Poet and writer,) Sharon Marchisello, (Murder Mystery, Financial non-fiction,) Fi Phillips , (Author, Copy Writer) Jeannie Wycherley, (dark stories, suspense, horror,) Chantelle Atkins, (urban fiction, teen/YA,) Tracie Barton-Barrett, (Speaker/author,) Peter Taylor- Gooby, (Crime, Love Stories, Political Fiction,) Ritu Bhathal, (Chick Lit romance, poet,) Alice May , (Author, Artist and Speaker,) Miriam Owen, (Blogger and Doctoral Researcher,) Drew Neary and Ceri Williams (Ghost Horror, Supernatural,) Katherine Mezzacappa, (author name: Katie Hutton,) (Historical Fiction/Romance,) Sally Cronin, (huge supporter of indie community/blogger/author) Debby Gies (D G Kaye), (Memoirist/NonFiction,) Adele Marie Park, (Fantasy, horror, urban fantasy,) Marian Wood, (blogger, poet and writer.) Samantha Murdoch, (Writer, Blogger,) Beaton Mabaso (Blogger, African Storyteller,) Frank Prem (Poet, Author,) Anne Goodwin (Author, Book Blogger) Sherri Matthews (Writer, Photographer, Blogger,) and two contributors Jane Horwood and Melissa Santiago-Val who raised £40,000 for the NHS with their mask making enterprise which became a new charity: Sew Positive.
More about the mental health charity Sew Positive here: https://www.birketts.co.uk/insights/latest-news/birketts-supports-sewing-charity-tailored-to-boost/
Before I go, in case you might have missed these recent book reviews.
I received this lovely review for my poetry, prose and photography book Mr. Sagittarius from fellow fantasy author Diana Peach:
I didn’t know what to expect when I opened this book, and must have been in just the right mood, because it was charming and poignant and very sweet. The book offers a glimpse of three elderly siblings -William, Harold, and Annette – one already passed on at the books opening. The intermittent visits with these characters, a paragraph or two here and there, form the thread that holds the book’s narrative together. The memories and grief are touching, and it isn’t long before Annette is on her own.
Between the story’s visits with the siblings are loosely related sections of prose and syllabic poetry. Some pieces touch on the seasons. Others are fantastical tales about bubble monsters and snow snakes. Most of them are about nature and flowers which are tied to the garden bench where the siblings enjoyed their days. I especially enjoyed a chain cinquain titled That Twinkle in her Eye is Magic. This book is less than an hour’s read, and I recommend it to readers who enjoy a fanciful and touching foray into poetry and short prose selections.
Here are four of the recent reviews I’ve written for books that I’ve read under my new review moniker – MJ Reviews… for Natalie Ducey, Ruchira Khanna, Didi Oviatt and Jacquie Biggar. All of which are recommended reading and in a range of genres.
So, stay safe and well. Happy reading and writing! And…
Synopsis:
He doesn’t believe in love, so why can’t he forget her?
Mystery writer, Joel Carpenter, has no time for romance. He has a deadline to meet, and too many skeletons in his closet to trust the slightly spinny artist renting his house.
Christy Taylor has her hands full dealing with an ailing business and a diabetic daughter, she doesn’t need the temptation that is her landlord, Joel Carpenter.
Can a Christmas wish bring two stubborn souls together and give a little girl the gift she wants most?
A family of her own.
My review:
A quick and enjoyable novella to read at Christmas time. It’s my introduction to Jacquie Biggar being the first I’ve read of her collection. I’m sure I will read more. A nice warm-hearted tale with mention of a single mother’s worries about her young daughter’s diabetes giving the tale a deeper aspect to it. The romance between writer Joel and artist Christy is swift – perhaps a little quick for my taste – but this may just be the short format of a novella pushing the story to a quicker resolution. Lots of enticing descriptions and delectably kissable moments to make up for any slight shortcomings.
A lovely read which I can recommend.
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Have you read Silver Bells?
View all my reviews
Goodreads Synopsis:
The Heart’s Lullaby is a candid portrayal of love in all its splendor and pain. Love, in its purest form, is tranquil and soothes the soul. But love, as is life, can sometimes be cruel and unjust with its paths of uncertainty and forced goodbyes. In essence, it is a journey of self-discovery. A continuous journey of becoming. Often, it becomes a delicate dance of holding on and letting go.
We linger in memories of ill-fated love; our minds can easily soil them, and our hearts can effortlessly polish them to perfection, altering their resemblance entirely. We can anchor ourselves to yesterday by zealous choice or solemn grief. So easily, we can become obsessed with what “might have been” and miss the beauty that lies before us. Our minds craft spectacular moments that will never be realized. Why? Is it self-indulgence, or are they necessary companions for our soul’s survival?
Love, its force so formidable, transcends time, distance, and even death. Eternal love is the epitome of its grandeur.
To feel the exquisite, majestic splendor of love is the greatest gift we can give or receive. To have another see the unique beauty in our imperfections, that will protect us and elevate us without greed or envy, a soul willing and proud to walk this journey of life with us and share in its joys and sorrows … this is love, a gift unmeasurable and unmatched by earthly possessions.
But two souls must be willing. Therein lies the intricate complexities of the heart. And in the end, we must never forget … love, as is life, is a continuous journey of becoming.
My review
A lovely collection of poetry principally about love, love lost and the heartbreak of being no longer loved. There is also a wonderful poem about time, plus poems about particular topics related to the puzzles that Natalie Ducey also creates. “Still Me,” is a touching poem about Alzheimer’s. And there are poems about those who serve in the military.
It is a personal, and touching poetry collection about the ups and downs and fragility of life and love that you can easily return to again, perhaps gaining more on each visit.
My rating: 5 stars
I enjoyed all the collection but my personal favourites are:
Into the Light (about those suffering from PTSD in the military, police, paramedics, firefighters and first responders.)
Still Me
A Father’s Love
A Mother’s Love
To My Sister
Mighty Heart
and The Heart’s Lullaby.
Natalie’s blog: https://natalieducey.com
Have you read The Heart’s Lullaby? I’d love to hear your thoughts on the collection.
Thank you so much to Sally for this wonderful feature with brilliant fellow authors, and friends – Mr. Sagittarius is smiling!
Welcome to the Christmas Book Fair where I will be featuring all the authors currently on the shelves of the Cafe and Bookstore. The first author today is Linda Bradley with the romantic first book…
Amazon Synopsis:
What’s a girl to do when she wants to hit boundaries but life throws her beamers?
Saru expected her life to turn for the better when she found love and married. Instead, she kept getting deliberate yorkers from her mother-in-law. She hit a sixer when a baby arrived, but things got worse soon after. Her appeal to the umpire fell on deaf ears. Finally, she walked out of the stadium, and let go of the first love of her life.
Then she flew off to New York for her Masters.
Will Saru get a second chance at love and marriage and get to hit a century? Will her daughter ever form a relationship with her biological father?
Bowled, but Not Out is an entertaining family drama full of heart and thoughtful life lessons and will resonate with anyone fond of cricket.
My review:
An entertaining read pertinent to women in Indian culture and also relevant to those of us who find ourselves at the mercy of the interfering mother-in-law and frustrated by the “mummies boy.”
The strength of the story lies in the characters and familial relationships which are well detailed, with Saru, struggling at first with the overbearing nature of her mother-in-law and her hubby’s weakness and inability to take her side. Saru is all the more admirable as she turns the situation around for herself and her daughter Simrn with the help of her family.
A lovely tale which will appeal to those who like cultural, family, and romance stories.
There are many references to cricket showing Saru’s need to raise her game to overcome her difficult circumstances. I am not a cricket fan, those who are may take away more from the story if they are.
Some of the phraseology was a little unusual which took me out of the narrative a few times but other than that I enjoyed the tale, finding it to be amusing, and charming.
The ending was well played out!
Many thanks to Ruchira Khanna for sending me a copy.
My rating: 4 stars. A recommended, enjoyable read. I particularly enjoyed the cultural and family references.
Have you read Bowled But Not Out? Please do comment below, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Goodreads Synopsis:
Since Maylee was abducted from her high school the very month of graduation, her Aunt Autumn has never lost hope in finding her.
It’s been three years. Autumn has finally reached inside herself and found the courage to track down an old lead, and travels across the country to find more clues about Maylee’s disappearance.
But will she be able to pry Maylee’s case back open, and what will she uncover in the process of searching for Maylee?
It’s a cold, dark world we live in, and Autumn is about to find out just how cruel it can be. But strength and determination are on her side, and she will do whatever it takes to deliver justice.
My review
This is an impressive debut novel. It’s strengths lie in great characterisation, fantastic detailing and descriptions which enhance the reader’s experience.
Search For Maylee has much to commend it: sadness, anger, grief, fear, anxiety, the list goes on and on.
I won’t lie to you, it’s pretty grim and gut wrenchingly sad in places, and parts of it made me want to cry with the sheer terror and torment suffered by the young women, as you would expect in such abductions.
Autumn sets out to find her niece and uncovers a group of predatory and evil men. She puts herself in dangerous situations and doesn’t give up. She is one strong-willed, determined lady and I loved her for that. I particularly loved the part where she went undercover. That alone sent chills down my spine.
No spoilers, but kudos to the author for adding a touch of lightness with the developing love story between Autumn and Chance to soften the edge off some of the trauma.
The ending was bitter sweet. Personally, I don’t think it would have been right to end the narrative any other way. I can’t say anymore for fear of spoiling the story for you.
A fantastic tale, well done Didi Oviatt. I am sure I will be reading more from this author. I listened to Search For Maylee on audio and loved the Author’s About The Author page which was wonderfully recounted, so personal, giving the listener an added bonus – Didi Oviatt explains her love of writing and how she is an “unexpected novelist.”
I related to that sentiment a lot.
Rating: 5 stars. Highly recommended for readers of crime, suspense, and thriller fiction.
Amazon US link:
Author’s blog: https://didioviatt.wordpress.com/
The paperback for This Is Lockdown is now available to buy on Amazon at the super duper introductory offer price of £6.99/$9.31!
What a bargain.
It is a shorter version (without the diaries,) with black and white photography to include Covid19 Flash Fiction, contributions from the ‘isolation writers,’ poets and creatives.
Book Description – This Is Lockdown – Paperback verison
An anthology and compilation of short stories, flash fiction, contributions from the ‘isolation writers,’ plus poetry written during the time of lockdown in the UK.
This anthology and compilation is for everyone, wherever you live in the world. We are all experiencing the impact of COVID19 and lockdown. As writers, bloggers and creatives we express our thoughts and opinions in writing: in heartfelt poetry, pieces on isolation and the impact of COVID19 and the ‘new normal.’ There are twenty eight talented contributors, including the creative NHS Mask Making Fundraising Team of Jane Horwood and Melissa Santiago Val. The contributors come from as far afield as Australia, Canada, USA and Zimbabwe, or closer to my current home in England – in Ireland, Scotland and Italy.
It is as Willow Willers, a contributor said, ‘A piece of living history.’
This extraordinary and unexpected time period will be shared with future generations one day.
Compiling and editing this anthology has given me a purpose over the period of Lockdown and for that I am grateful. The book showcases several authors and their thoughts on what it is like to experience ‘isolation’ as a writer. In the final part of the book I include my latest short story idea: a YA romance and various short pieces of poetry, and flash fiction inspired by the pandemic.
The wonderful contributing authors and creatives are many in number!
Richard Dee, (Sci Fi , Steampunk, Amateur Detective author,) Catherine Fearns, (Amazon Bestselling Author of Police Procedural/Mysteries and Music Journalist,) Lynn Fraser, (Author,) Jackie Carreira, (Writer, musician, designer and aspiring philosopher,) Willow Willers, (Poet and writer,) Sharon Marchisello, (Murder Mystery, Financial non-fiction,) Fi Phillips , (Author, Copy Writer) Jeannie Wycherley, (dark stories, suspense, horror,) Chantelle Atkins, (urban fiction, teen/YA,) Tracie Barton-Barrett, (Speaker/author,) Peter Taylor- Gooby, (Crime, Love Stories, Political Fiction,) Ritu Bhathal, (Chick Lit romance, poet,) Alice May , (Author, Artist and Speaker,) Miriam Owen, (Blogger and Doctoral Researcher,) Drew Neary and Ceri Williams (Ghost Horror, Supernatural,) Katherine Mezzacappa, (author name: Katie Hutton,) (Historical Fiction/Romance,) Sally Cronin, (huge supporter of indie community/blogger/author) Debby Gies (D G Kaye), (Memoirist/NonFiction,) Adele Marie Park, (Fantasy, horror, urban fantasy,) Marian Wood, (blogger, poet and writer.) Samantha Murdoch, (Writer, Blogger,) Beaton Mabaso (Blogger, African Storyteller,) Frank Prem (Poet, Author,) Anne Goodwin (Author, Book Blogger) Sherri Matthews (Writer, Photographer, Blogger,) andJane Horwood and Melissa Santiago-Val – Community Masks 4 NHS
Thank you so much to each one of them for being a part of this project.
Please do visit their websites and buy their books to discover the huge variety of writing and creative talent amongst them ranging from talented short story and poetry writers to horror, fantasy, supernatural thriller, romance and memoir writing. And more!!! Plus the wonderful fundraising Community Masks 4 NHS initiative from Jane Horwood and Melissa Santiago-Val which has become Sew Positive.
There truly is something for everyone amongst this international group of writers and creatives who are based in the UK, Ireland, Canada, Italy, America and Zimbabwe.
This is a tough time for writers as it is for everyone. The arts and creative industry is under threat as are businesses worldwide.
PLEASE NOTE – The paperback does not include my personal COVID diaries originally published on the kindle. These are available to read on the kindle version of This Is Lockdown.
Buying Links Paperback:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/This-Lockdown-COVID19-isolation-creatives/dp/1999822455/
The Christmas Countdown sale continues for This Is Lockdown in kindle and Mr. Sagittarius in kindle and paperback. Price is going up soon so check Amazon for the latest price!!!
Kindle Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/This-Lockdown-COVID19-Diaries-Fiction-ebook/dp/B08CD1MCFB/
Kindle Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/This-Lockdown-COVID19-Diaries-Fiction-ebook/dp/B08CD1MCFB/
Same with Mr. Sagittarius, check Amazon for latest sale price!!!
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Sagittarius-Poetry-Prose-Mallon-ebook/dp/B084DQV3HW/
And the paperback is currently reduced to £6.99/$9.29
Universal link: http://mybook.to/MrSagittarius
Also check out the low price offer on my YA fantasy The Curse of Time too, which is being kept on special low price until the release of the second in the series.
The Curse of Time is available in kindle and in paperback:
Buy Book: myBook.to/TheCurseofTime
So, now that the paperback of This Is Lockdown is done what’s next?
Lots of projects for 2021. But, first will be the edits of my YA Fantasy The Curse of Time Book 2 Golden Healer which I have neglected – there is still much to do!
All the best for a happy and restful festive break.
Much love,
Thank you so much to Diana for featuring my poetry, prose and photography book Mr. Sagittarius amongst so many wonderful book reviews.
Makes me feel very happy!
From Diana: My 60-book Autumn Reading Challenge speeds toward the finish line. I’ve read and reviewed 54 books!!
Ten days to read 6 more. Piece of Cake!
December’s Part I book reviews include my 4 and 5 star reads of fantasy, sci-fi, paranormal fiction, thrillers, a memoir written by a dog, poetry, and a children’s book! I hope you enjoy the browse.
There are such a great variety from authors Cathleen Townsend, Terry Tyler, Luanne G. Smith, Mara Rutherford, Toni Pike, Sally Cronin, Teagan Geneviene, Celestine Nudanu, Cynthia Reyes and yours truly!
To see all the fantastic book reviews click on the link:
https://mythsofthemirror.com/2020/12/11/december-book-reviews-part-i/