Thursday, March 29, 2018
Tuesday, March 27, 2018
Teaser Tuesday: Flagon of Piss
The tavern owner is a scrawny individual with
failing eyesight.
He peers at them
from narrowed eyes. He seems somehow misplaced. More correctly, it is as if he
is mismatched in personality and choice of vocation. How he keeps control in a
tavern of rowdy drinking men is anybody’s guess.
Until one meets
his wife. She wears the big breeches, so to speak. Clearly even the tavern cat
is petrified of her. The feline, until the moment of her entry reposing
peacefully upon the bar counter, swiftly slinks away.
“What do you
want?” she demands brusquely of Kell and Rhodry. Massive jowls quiver with the
action. You do not want to get on the wrong side of this one.
It is gloomy
inside the rough place – just as well, given the suspicious glaring from the
other side of the counter – and it stinks of sour ale and old vomit.
“We seek a
tarot…” begins Kell, only to be interrupted.
“I told you! I told you!” the scrawny man screeches,
his voice scratchy, no doubt from too much rough tobacco. “Folk want cards! Did
I not tell you, Martha?”
She glares him
into submission. “Not your cards, dog. You can barely see the table, never mind
the rest.” She glares at the two men next. “Whatever this one claims, his cards
are poorly worked. Not worth even a handshake. If it’s cards you seek, go to
Hilda.” She slaps the scarred bar counter. “What you drinking?”
No doubt she will
hogtie them if they do not buy something. Barely containing a spurt of
laughter, Kell orders a flagon of sweet wine to take with them.
Mighty Martha
eyes him up and down, and then bellows into the back. “Bring a flagon of that
foreign piss!”
Monday, March 26, 2018
Friday, March 23, 2018
Thursday, March 22, 2018
Wednesday, March 21, 2018
Tuesday, March 20, 2018
Teaser Tuesday: Shattered Glass
The glass shattered
first and then the roof shook resoundingly.
One
would think it should be the other way around. First the roof shake and then
the glass breaking. Warnings came first. One would expect the warning to come
first, a herald to danger. But no; the glass shattered first and then the roof
shook resoundingly.
But
this wasn’t real.
He
was in an aeroplane.
Snorting, he
snatched the first breath of sudden awakening and stared around him. Right. The
flight from London to Glasgow.
When the
hostess leaned over him, he requested a double brandy. Damn, his nerves were
shot. It was probably due to the coming meeting. His entire livelihood depended
on a positive result.
He clutched
the plastic tumbler when it was handed to him, staring into the amber depths.
Dear God, let it work out all right or he would lose everything.
There were
shadows in the liquid and he grimaced, thinking a fly or, worse, a cockroach
had somehow got in. He snatched another sharp breath when he realised he saw an
explosion inside the small vessel he held in his hands, as if a tiny plane had
went up in a fireball in mid … liquid.
What was the
matter with him?
Monday, March 19, 2018
Sunday, March 18, 2018
Review: Supernormal by Stuart Kenyon
Supernormal by Stuart KenyonMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
I read many genres, but this kind of dystopian tale ranks among my favourites, and I wasn’t disappointed. In fact, this is downright frightening, for the events in Supernormal could happen, and some of this has happened in other guises. An eye-opening read, scary, a hugely ‘what-if-this-was-real’ scenario.
From a story point of view, it’s edge-of-your-seat stuff! Cleverly plotted and well delivered indeed. Mr Kenyon has a remarkable ability to scare the daylights out of you, while keeping you utterly fascinated. The characters become people you know and every situation is clear before your mind’s eye – as reader you become involved, and that is proof of a great storyteller, in my book.
If you like action, read this. If you like dystopian, read this. If you like characters you can identify with, read this.
I will be reading the next book!
View all my reviews
Saturday, March 17, 2018
Friday, March 16, 2018
Thursday, March 15, 2018
"... the fantastical meets the mundane."
A magical short story of a Fey boy, a human girl, and a love that transcends time.
The tale is beautifully told, without undue romantic mushiness or being focused on the perfect Happily Ever After. It has echoes of European folklore where the gentle storytelling lets events unfold at their own pace, slowly giving us details of a time and place where the fantastical meets the mundane. Occasionally mentioned aspects of the Fey's existence and how they interact with humans can be glossed over, but that's no big deal for a short story.
Overall it's a short and sweet fairytale with just a hint of high romance.
Minstrel of the water Willow - Reviewed on Smashwords
Thank you for a wonderful review!
Wednesday, March 14, 2018
Tuesday, March 13, 2018
Teaser Tuesday: Minstrel
After his journey over the
mountains to the east, at age ten, where he met and saw trolls, goblins,
fairies and faeries - the former tiny, the latter man size - elves, dryads,
gnomes, centaurs and many others, even the ever wary sidhe, he understood the
warnings from his parents. He had grown in the years since Erin’s arrival, and
heard the elders more readily.
He listened to the tales of war,
of dying, of being pushed north and east into the inhospitable regions where it
was hoped the races would succumb, flourishing instead. He heard of the raiding
parties also and once saw such a party in the distance. Humans came to pillage
… and murder.
He understood their swift years
were their greatest disadvantage.
During their sojourn over the mountains,
he was tested. At age ten all boys and girls of the long-lived races were
tested to discover their inherent talent, the factor that would earn them their
keep in the march of years.
Until his testing, he had not
given it thought, but clearly his father had, for he brought forth the musical
instruments from home.
Ever when it got dark or the days
too cold for the outdoors, Kell would sit and strum something quietly in a
corner, softly singing. Already he knew most of the old songs. He loved reading
also, but when searching for tranquillity, he found it in music.
Monday, March 12, 2018
Friday, March 9, 2018
Thursday, March 8, 2018
TBT: Gathering of Rain
Recently I looked through old folders on my computer and came across these. When my publishing journey started, these were the self-made covers on writing sites (such as Authonomy) and Smashwords. How much I have learned since then!
Gathering of Rain was the original title for what became The Infinity Mantle. Admittedly, I love the rain title and may one day soon write a new story more suited to it.
Gathering of Rain was the original title for what became The Infinity Mantle. Admittedly, I love the rain title and may one day soon write a new story more suited to it.
THEN
NOW
Final 5 Quirks!
Here's the final 5 from Jack Mulligan's brilliant infographic. Pop on over to his original POST to view the entire ensemble :)
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