Book Review: Irish History and Mythology by History Brought Alive

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I received a free copy of this book from Booksirens.com.

The annals of history are deep and convoluted and I think that’s what I love most about them. Too often though, history is written by the well-intentioned scribe who fail to see the biases that their own experiences or view of the world infiltrate their work like a silent disease.

Many who write about the Emerald Isle can be found amongst them.  I mean, what’s not to love about the rich and storied past of Ireland? If you want battles and epic tales, there you shall find them. If you seek magic and mythology, the rolling hills and megalithic sites will enchant you. If you want to encounter the Otherworld or catch a glimpse of the Good Neighbors, proceed at your own risk. But if you want an accurate and true historical account, you will need to invent a time machine and travel back more than a thousand years to pre-Christian Ireland and listen to the tales told by word of mouth, and even then, something is probably missing.

I was very excited to read this brief introduction to Irish history and mythology. I am always looking for solid accurate information about the land of my ancestors, but sadly such is hard to find. Normally, I enjoy and appreciate the meticulous way that History Brought Alive researches the information in their books and highly recommend their books to anyone who loves history or wants a quick dose to learn more about it.

Unfortunately, this one didn’t impress me as much as some of the others. You see, for centuries, maybe longer, the people of Ireland didn’t write much down, instead recounted their history, stories, and folklore orally and relied on their minds to keep a record of the past. When Christian monks arrived and began writing things down, you can be sure that some of the written history we can find today is laced with their personal beliefs and the ideologies of the time.

One example, which can be read in more detail in this book, is that some of the Celtic and Irish deities were made into Christian Saints. Some of the rituals became incorporated into the Christian doctrine to no doubt persuade the pagan population to convert to Christianity.

As such, some of the details over the centuries have become fuzzy. One particular thing this book fails to mention accurately or completely is the lore regarding The Morrigan. This book refers to Her as a triple goddess, made up of three other deities. While some believe this, many more believe that An Morrigan was a Goddess in her own right and that while several other Goddesses have been referred to as Na Morrigna, she has appeared in the Tain Bo Cuailnge and the Tain Bo Regamna as an individual (for more on this see anything by Lora O’Brien or Morgan Daimler).

Overall, the book does a decent job covering some of the political history of Ireland but it let me down on the mythology and folklore side of things. It’s for that reason that I give it only 3 stars.

I do still recommend you read it if you are interested in the Emerald Isle, just keep in mind that it is incomplete, and like most recorded history, only one version of the story.

A Little Bit of Excitement…

Some of you who’ve been with me for a while might remember how I entered the first 10 pages of my unpublished novel, Magic in Her Blood, last year into the Page Turner Awards Competition for their Writing Mentorship Award. I had the pleasure of having those 10 pages Longlisted and even though I didn’t end up winning the award it gave me a confidence boost to get the rest of the book written and the hope that what I was writing would be worth reading.

Fast forward to this year and I decided since the book was done and ready to go to the editor, I would enter it into another of the Page Turner Awards categories, specifically the Writing Award for Unpublished Manuscript.  I am so thrilled that Magic in Her Blood has been selected as a Finalist for this year and I am anxiously awaiting the results from the next round. 

Another bit of excitement for me this summer is that I was accepted as one of Reedsy’s Judges for their weekly Short Story competitions. Hundreds of writers both experienced and brand new are given several prompts from which they can choose to write a short story no longer than 3000. I’ve not been a judge for long, but I thoroughly enjoy reading the weekly submissions. If you’ve ever thought about writing the Reedsy Short Story Challenge is a great way to get started and you get a chance to win the money prize too!  If this sounds like something you’d like to do, go sign up from the weekly prompts at https://blog.reedsy.com/creative-writing-prompts/

Thanks again for stopping by and sharing my excitement with me 😊

Mid-Summer Update & Short Story

Inverness Beach, NS Canada Photo taken by Me 😉

I can’t believe Summer 2023 is half over!

To say this last month has been crazy is the understatement of the year for me. Here’s what I’ve been up to:

I had the opportunity to snag a short contract working to support a youth summer camp, which has interrupted my writing life quite a bit. I have been involved with one of Canada’s best youth programs for 18 years: The Canadian Cadet Organization. It is a worthy and important use of my time.

BUT!

I have some writing updates that I am excited to share.  Magic in Her Blood, the first novel in my series, is in the hands of my editor and I couldn’t be more thrilled. So far, Magic in Her Blood has received excellent feedback from Advanced Readers (thank you, I am so grateful to each of you). While in this editing phase, I have also entered the novel in the Page Turner Awards under the Unpublished Manuscript Writing Award Category. Fingers crossed that I will find Magic in Her Blood Longlisted on August 15th!

I am also very excited to say that the first draft of book 2 in the series (currently without a title) currently sits at 39,603 words!  I haven’t written as much in July as I hoped, but August is looking better for me on the writing front.

Lastly, as a thank you for taking the time to read this blog and check in from time to time, I want to share my most recent 100-word microfiction short story that I wrote for another NYC Midnight Competition. The story didn’t place but I am still quite proud of it. Please enjoy!

Ten Million

Grace held the painful truth in her perfectly manicured fingers, her reality now the opposite of her dreams. Peter’s heartbreaking words “When I die…” echoed louder than the teller’s questions in her ears.

“Ma’am, to which account?” He waved the piece of paper like it wasn’t all she had left.

“Mine, please,” Grace whispered.

How could Peter think a one and seven zeros would make this okay?

“Have you thought about getting life insurance?” the too-helpful teller asked. “With this much money—”

Grace couldn’t help but laugh at the irony of it all as she stood and walked away.

Book Review: Dragon Springs & Other Things by Raven Oak

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I received an email from the author asking if I would read and review this fun collection of short stories. I’m really glad I did.


Although not all the stories appealed to my usual tastes, there were several that I absolutely loved.


The title story for the collection, Dragon Springs & Other Things was a cute story about a child who loves to create. This story resonated with me, both as a creator myself, but also as a mom of four boys. Children are, by their nature, brilliant creators. All children start out with nearly limitless potential and one of the hardest parts, I think, about raising them is not stifling that creativity. We must nurture it, encourage it, and celebrate it like it’s the most precious gift in the world because it is. This story helped remind me of that fact.

Two of the short stories gave a glimpse into the deadly and mysterious world of Sadai, where rigorously trained assassins, called Amaskans, fulfill a holy calling to enact justice in the name of their gods. These snapshots into a bigger, richer story left me wanting more from this intriguing world.


Peace Be With You, Friend, was probably my favorite in this collection. With lyrical prose and vivid imagery, this end-times tale was as captivating as it was bleak.


Overall, I really enjoyed this collection. If you are looking for something a bit different, this is a great choice.

Book Review: Her Latent Charm by Dana C. Brentson

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Fantasy is my favorite genre to read.


That seems like such a simple statement, right? But with the multitude of sub-genres under the fantasy umbrella, sometimes I come across a book that just isn’t my jam.
I wanted to like this book so badly. The premise of the story is awesome, and that is probably what kept me turning pages to finish the story without putting it down.
I have a very proficient mind’s eye (read vivid inner movies) when I read, so evocative writing, fine details, and lyrical prose are a must for me to love a book.


But…
Prose for the sake of itself can miss the mark. A wise author (Mark Twain, love him or hate him) once said, “Don’t use a 5-dollar word when a 50-cent word will do.” Sometimes there are too many words trying to paint the picture and instead of a masterpiece, my mind becomes a mess.


Having said all that, my initial impression of Her Latent Charm was complicated. Our POV character, Lila, has a gift that she doesn’t understand and cannot seem to control. This is a challenge for the crew and ship she calls home because they are always trying to keep her safe.


The set-up grabbed my attention, but then several characters are introduced rapid fire (which I don’t mind) but we barely learn their name before another is introduced. I found this hard to follow.


It is easy to see that Brentson has worked hard to create a rich world for this story and as the story goes on we do seem to go deeper into the key character’s back stories within this world. As a reader, feeling like I am immersed in the world from the start is critical to holding my interest.


The pacing of this book is what I struggled with most, as is the reason for my 3-star rating. If you love a story that has a slower pace, then this might be a great book for you. For me, however, I found the middle slow and didn’t get to a point where I needed to keep reading until about the last quarter of the book.


Now, if you are the type of person that hates cliffhangers, you will like this book. Each chapter has a tidy end and a clear beginning. For me, I crave the cliffhanger at the end of each chapter. I don’t want the character to just go to sleep at the end of each chapter and wake up each morning. I want to hold my breath from chapter to chapter. I want the story to give me no other choice but to start another chapter.


Overall, this is a great story with likable characters set in an interesting world. It just wasn’t my jam. But it could be yours, so you should totally read it.

Book Review: Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody

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The magic of storytelling has existed since time immemorial. What makes it magic is the universality of it all. Storytelling can teach, entertain, or even act as a record of events, and indeed has for millennia.


Another interesting thing about all the best stories is how they share certain characteristics that we all look for, or expect, even if we aren’t aware of it. Jessica Brody has spent an enormous amount of time analyzing some of the best and most popular movies and books in an attempt to isolate those characteristics, explain them and provide a nearly foolproof framework for aspiring authors to use when creating their own unique stories.


If you’re like me, you may wonder, “What does saving a cat have to do with storytelling?” If you read Brody’s book, as I have, you will answer that question, but more importantly, you will have a blueprint for writing a great story.


This book contains detailed, easy-to-understand steps (which she calls ‘beats’) for creating any story. Brody doesn’t just give the reader the steps, but also demonstrates them using well-known films or books, breaking a familiar story into beats so you can see this framework in action. Brody does this with multiple story types, highlighting the slight differences that occasionally come up.


What I love about this book, especially as a writer who has read MANY books about improving my craft, is how easily the concepts can be put into practice. You don’t need a Master of Fine Arts degree to understand and apply these “15-beats.” You just need to love telling stories.


So, if you are a new writer, an experienced writer, or even someone who likes to know how things work or what makes a great story, reading this book is a must. Even if you have an already established writing routine, read this book. You won’t regret it.

Book Review: Chain of Thorns by Cassandra Clare

Book Three of The Last Hours Trilogy

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Chain of Thorns is the third and final book in the Last Hours Trilogy in which we’ve accompanied James, Cordelia, and The Merry Thieves throughout late 19th and early 20th century London. The London Enclave has been desperately tracking a potential serial killer, hell-bent on killing Shadowhunters and when they discover the truth, it is nigh unfathomable, despite all the legends being true.


Chain of Thorns picks up after an excruciating cliffhanger at the end of Chain of Iron, so I feel grateful that I didn’t start this series until I had all three books. I love a great cliffhanger but that love has a short fuse and if I can’t immediately (or very close to it) resolve that cliffhanger, I inevitably end up surfing for spoilers. It’s my fatal flaw (ask my husband, it drives him crazy 😜)


I found book three focused a lot on the individual growth of each character. Perhaps even the most out of all three books. Those personal journeys eventually culminate in a universal dark night of the soul with The Merry Thieves facing a heartbreaking loss.

However, as all good finales should, Chain of Thorns takes everything the characters have been through, and everything they’ve learned, and forces them into what appears to be a true “all is lost” moment. Help doesn’t seem to be coming, or even possible. The main antagonist appears to have succeeded and the odds of a good outcome are slim.

But like each Shadowhunter tale, the bonds we form with others, the love and friendship, and the trust therein, never fail.

Chain of Thorns gives the Last Hours Trilogy a tidy and satisfying end to the emotional rollercoaster ride that the Merry Thieves, their families, and even the poor mundanes of London, have endured throughout this series.

For the reader this series illustrates, as Cassandra Clare is wont to do, that often what appears to be a curse may actually be a source of great strength and that family isn’t only determined by blood but by the bonds we create with others.

If you love rich world-building, characters who jump off the page and embed themselves into your heart, complicated and messy relationships, all set in a magical world that is often on the brink of annihilation, then this series, The Last Hours, is a must-read.

Advanced Reader Opportunity for Magic in Her Blood

For nearly four centuries, immortal Freydis has lived several lifetimes in the human realm where she desperately wants to belong.

When her human companion dies, she is forced to continue her journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance.

With help from her oldest friend, and the only other immortal she knows, Freydis must learn the truth about her lineage, her magic, and the otherworldly forces that have influenced her life since the day she was born.

Hey Everyone,

I will be sending off the manuscript for my first book to my editor in July, but I wanted to give people the opportunity to access an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) and give me feedback and leave a review on http://www.goodreads.com!

The cover you see above is only a temporary one. I wanted to create something to hold the space until my actual cover is revealed. And when that time comes I will do a cover reveal post 😉

If you have been reading this blog for a while or if you found your way here via BookLuvers or just happened to stumble upon us, and would be interested in checking out the ARC and leaving a review on Goodreads you can request a copy via email:

atldoyleauthor@wordhaven.ca

I’m very excited and grateful to anyone who wants to come on this journey with me.

***I just want to point out, in case I wasn’t clear, this book is not currently published but is in the process. It still has only been edited by me and is likely to have various errors in spelling, syntax, grammar, et al. I will gratefully accept all feedback, but I am most interested in your thoughts about the characters, storyline, etc. Thanks in advance!***

Book Review: Chain of Iron by Cassandra Clare

Book 2 of the Last Hours Trilogy

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In book one of the Last Hours trilogy, Cordelia, James and the rest of the Merry Thieves have been on the trail of a killer who seems to be targeting Shadowhunters. Like all the books in this incredible world, death always seems to wait around the corner. For the chosen of an angelic being, the Shadowhunters barely catch a break.


In book 2 they continue trying to determine who is behind the murders of several Shadowhunters, and James and Lucie Herondale can’t seem to avoid their meddlesome grandfather.

As usual, Clare’s characters leap off the page and endear themselves to readers. With a vast cast of personalities, I always find at least one (but usually more) of the characters relatable, drawing me even deeper into the story and this world.


I could not put this book down and finished it in about 6 hours of reading time. On the odd occasion that real life demanded my attention, my thoughts continually drifted to the book and I couldn’t wait to get back between the pages.


The thing I love most about Clare’s books, more than the magic and excitement of the fantasy world she has built, is the relationships between the characters. I love the concept of Parabatai, but who wouldn’t want someone to always have their back, even unto death?
The friendships in these stories are also well written and explore and test the concept of friendship thoroughly and time and again Clare shows us how friends truly are the family we choose for ourselves.


Now, if you are a hopeless romantic, enjoy love triangles, or even enjoy slow-burn relationships, Clare’s stories have it all, with couples you can’t help but root for.
I feel like this book in the series really met all the requirements for me to give it a 5-star review so that’s what I’ve done. Now you should definitely read it and see what you think!

Book Review: Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare

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Jumping back into the world of Shadowhunters is very cathartic for me. I love this world and these characters as if they were more than words on a page and in many ways, it feels like a sort of reunion even though she introduces new characters. The stories of their predecessors or their progeny (depending on which series/trilogy, et al. you start with) echo in my mind as I read.
I love Clare’s writing style and the way she weaves words into feelings that take my breath away or make my heart ache. That is the magic of writing. That is what I want to create as an author, a world with characters so real it’s as if you met them face to face.
The first book of this, The Last Hours trilogy, Chain of Gold introduces us to the generation of Shadowhunters that followed Will, Jem, and Tessa for the Dark Artifices.
Secrets abound as James Herondale and the Merry Thieves navigate love, longing, and the darkness that festers within the characters as their various ancestral connections or complicated pasts make the present a challenge.
What I love about the world of the Shadowhunters is how even though it is full of magic, monsters, and fantastical mayhem, the relationships between the characters are relatable, even when the circumstances they find themselves in are not.
Also, Magnus Bane. Who doesn’t love him? He is in this book too and I think if he weren’t, the story just wouldn’t be the same. He is the constant for me that connects Clare’s books and makes me all the more invested. Like the steadfastness his character seems to portray, he keeps me calm whenever I know he is nearby.
With vivid imagery and well-researched history, this first book in The Last Hours Trilogy takes us through London at the end of the 19th century with characters who will steal your heart. It would be a mistake not to read these books, both for long-time Shadowhunter fans and newcomers alike.