Maria Savva's Blog - Posts Tagged "relationships"
Flash sale! Blink and you'll miss it...
My latest novel The Dream is available at Amazon on Kindle for just $0.99/£0.86 for the next day or so. This sale is really aimed at those of you who follow my blog, or my Facebook and Twitter page. Just a token of my appreciation for your continued support. So, if you've been wanting to buy it but were hoping for a lower price, here it is! Grab it at this exclusive price while you can!
Here are the links:
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/The-Dream-ebook...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Dream-ebo...
Enjoy!
Here are the links:
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/The-Dream-ebook...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Dream-ebo...
Enjoy!
A Guest Post by author Jess C. Scott - Teen Guide to Sex and Relationships
Today, author Jess C. Scott takes over my blog to tell us a bit about her new release (co-authored by Matt Posner).
I met Jess on Goodreads a couple of years ago and she is one of my favourite indie authors. I have read and enjoyed her books EyeLeash: A Blog Novel,Porcelain, and The Other Side of Life, and look forward to reading her other work when I have time. She is a prolific writer with many books to her name.
Her latest release is a non-fiction work. In this book, Jess and her co-author, seek to answer many of the important questions teenagers may have about sex and relationships. It's a very important subject, so without further ado, here is Jess's message:
Guest Post: Jess C Scott on Teen Guide
Thanks so much for having me today, Maria!
Teen Guide to Sex and Relationships is a non-fiction book I co-authored with Matt Posner. It's an advice book that answers the important and confusing questions young people have about their bodies and their hearts.
Matt is a teacher and he sees teens in emotional and sexual difficulty as part of his daily work. I write about sex and relationships and often hear from readers who relate to the themes in my stories.
Our goal with Teen Guide was to guide teens to a better understanding of their bodies and their feelings. Matt and I wanted to make a difference by cutting through media nonsense, cultural myths and the shrouds of mystery covering certain topics to give young people a mature view.
The emails I receive from readers motivate me to keep resisting 'sheeple programming' (i.e. accepting "the messages from the mainstream mass media" as The Truth).
An angry 16 year-old male recently sent me the following email:
i really f*cking hate faglight...dracula from the castlevania video gaming series. have you ever heard of it? it used to be soooo popular. now theres only like 70000 fans. meyer sucks at writing shes a slut no offense. only reason why twilight even makes money is because edward and jacob are so hot. girls dont care about who you are they just like your muscle. no offense if edward and jjacob werent soooo hot twilight wouldent make dirt i swear to f*cking god
wait this is a girl? are you gay or something? no offense.
im not trying to be rude or offensive or anything but what is the point of a love reltionship when all you basicly do is look at eachother and do eachother?
Apart from the spelling errors (he was texting, so I'll let that slide), there are many very important and "telling" facts embedded in the above email.
For example, the word "fag" is associated with a gay sexual orientation and "being stupid." From a young male's point of view, it's girls who "don't care about who you are [they just like your body or how hot you look]." I am a female that doesn't like Twilight, therefore I must be "gay" (as in "lesbian," which is why the phrase "no offense" was included because it was in reference to my assumed sexual orientation only, not my IQ level). From this young male's point of view, a "love relationship" is defined by a couple gazing at each other's beautiful faces or bodies, and doing each other (i.e. the "love relationship" is solely defined by "a hot shag").
It might seem hilarious until you realize that people everywhere are receiving mixed messages about what love, sex, and relationships are supposed to be all about.
To borrow a quote from another male reader/customer of mine:
"A lot has been lost to appease a tween generation or to generally confuse people of all ages on the expectations of romance..."
This is why Matt and I wrote Teen Guide: to provide an honest, insightful and informative sex education for teenagers, so that they're well-informed and able to make clear decisions when it comes to love and sex. We hope readers will enjoy the comprehensive yet concise text, and above all, find it useful and helpful.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you, Jess. I am sure this will be a very insightful and informative read.
About the Author:
Jess is an author/artist/non-conformist who’s dedicated to writing original stories that are both meaningful and entertaining. She writes in a variety of genres including erotic fiction, urban fantasy, young adult fiction, cyberpunk, and poetry.
In a Word Riot interview, Jess mentions that the basic message in her work is “always the same: to be unafraid to be one’s true self.”
Jess is also the founder of jessINK, an innovative publishing company that focuses on substance over short-term success with current fads and marketing hype.
To find out more about Jess and Matt's new book: Teen Guide follow this link: www.jessINK.com/teenguide.htm
I met Jess on Goodreads a couple of years ago and she is one of my favourite indie authors. I have read and enjoyed her books EyeLeash: A Blog Novel,Porcelain, and The Other Side of Life, and look forward to reading her other work when I have time. She is a prolific writer with many books to her name.
Her latest release is a non-fiction work. In this book, Jess and her co-author, seek to answer many of the important questions teenagers may have about sex and relationships. It's a very important subject, so without further ado, here is Jess's message:
Guest Post: Jess C Scott on Teen Guide
Thanks so much for having me today, Maria!
Teen Guide to Sex and Relationships is a non-fiction book I co-authored with Matt Posner. It's an advice book that answers the important and confusing questions young people have about their bodies and their hearts.
Matt is a teacher and he sees teens in emotional and sexual difficulty as part of his daily work. I write about sex and relationships and often hear from readers who relate to the themes in my stories.
Our goal with Teen Guide was to guide teens to a better understanding of their bodies and their feelings. Matt and I wanted to make a difference by cutting through media nonsense, cultural myths and the shrouds of mystery covering certain topics to give young people a mature view.
The emails I receive from readers motivate me to keep resisting 'sheeple programming' (i.e. accepting "the messages from the mainstream mass media" as The Truth).
An angry 16 year-old male recently sent me the following email:
i really f*cking hate faglight...dracula from the castlevania video gaming series. have you ever heard of it? it used to be soooo popular. now theres only like 70000 fans. meyer sucks at writing shes a slut no offense. only reason why twilight even makes money is because edward and jacob are so hot. girls dont care about who you are they just like your muscle. no offense if edward and jjacob werent soooo hot twilight wouldent make dirt i swear to f*cking god
wait this is a girl? are you gay or something? no offense.
im not trying to be rude or offensive or anything but what is the point of a love reltionship when all you basicly do is look at eachother and do eachother?
Apart from the spelling errors (he was texting, so I'll let that slide), there are many very important and "telling" facts embedded in the above email.
For example, the word "fag" is associated with a gay sexual orientation and "being stupid." From a young male's point of view, it's girls who "don't care about who you are [they just like your body or how hot you look]." I am a female that doesn't like Twilight, therefore I must be "gay" (as in "lesbian," which is why the phrase "no offense" was included because it was in reference to my assumed sexual orientation only, not my IQ level). From this young male's point of view, a "love relationship" is defined by a couple gazing at each other's beautiful faces or bodies, and doing each other (i.e. the "love relationship" is solely defined by "a hot shag").
It might seem hilarious until you realize that people everywhere are receiving mixed messages about what love, sex, and relationships are supposed to be all about.
To borrow a quote from another male reader/customer of mine:
"A lot has been lost to appease a tween generation or to generally confuse people of all ages on the expectations of romance..."
This is why Matt and I wrote Teen Guide: to provide an honest, insightful and informative sex education for teenagers, so that they're well-informed and able to make clear decisions when it comes to love and sex. We hope readers will enjoy the comprehensive yet concise text, and above all, find it useful and helpful.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you, Jess. I am sure this will be a very insightful and informative read.
About the Author:
Jess is an author/artist/non-conformist who’s dedicated to writing original stories that are both meaningful and entertaining. She writes in a variety of genres including erotic fiction, urban fantasy, young adult fiction, cyberpunk, and poetry.
In a Word Riot interview, Jess mentions that the basic message in her work is “always the same: to be unafraid to be one’s true self.”
Jess is also the founder of jessINK, an innovative publishing company that focuses on substance over short-term success with current fads and marketing hype.
To find out more about Jess and Matt's new book: Teen Guide follow this link: www.jessINK.com/teenguide.htm
Interview with Terry Tyler
I first came across author Terry Tyler online when I read her brilliant novel You Wish....
That's still one of my favourite books. I've read a few more of her books since then and love her writing style. She's a prolific writer and currently has twelve books on Amazon.
INTERVIEW WITH TERRY TYLER
Welcome, Terry. Thanks for visiting me here!
You've written lots of books! Where does your inspiration come from?
Now, this question is asked in virtually all author interviews; I have completed many of these over the past four or five years and I usually answer 'I don't know, it just appears'.
Ha, ha! That's usually the correct answer ;)
However, I'm delighted to say that, this time and with regard to my current work in progress, I can answer it properly! A few months ago I was undecided about what to start work on next. I had three ideas in note form: a post apocalyptic novella, a contemporary drama based on a historical period (as I've done before), and psychological thriller for which I couldn't think of a decent end. Then, one afternoon, I was having an Amazon browse and saw a title: The Serial Killer's Wife. And that was it. Those four words gave me the basic idea for my next novel....which leads me to your next question, Maria :)
Tell us about your latest book
It's a dark psychological drama. There's a serial killer on the loose, and five people suspect that the monster might be someone close to them. It's not a crime drama as such, as I don't particularly enjoy reading detective/crime stories and certainly don't want to write them, but obviously I've had to do a fair bit of research; I've kept police procedure bit to a minimum, though, and the police themselves are only minor characters. I've always been interested in serial killers, so know a fair bit about the psychology, but main characters are the five who fear they might know the killer. Plenty of opportunity for the red herrings and plot twists I love! It's called The Devil You Know; the title popped into my head along with the idea for the plot. I hope it will be ready for publication in October, but I'm still on the first draft; early days.
That sounds very interesting! A bit like Agatha Christie!
How long did it take you to write your last book?
My last book was Best Seller, a novella of 40K words, and it took about three and a half months. Two months for the first draft, six weeks for the rewrites. For a full length novel I usually reckon on three/four months for the first draft, and two or three months for the rewrites.
You're a fast writer! I wish I could keep up with reading them as you publish them... love your books! :)
Do you do your own editing or use a professional? Anyone you’d recommend?
I do my own editing. I don't want anyone telling me what I can and can't have in my own book, and think I have a fairly good handle on how to trim a novel down and make sure every word matters, although obviously my first books are not as tight as my more recent ones; your technique improves all the time. I have two reliable test readers, too. If you're not confident about going it alone, I'd recommend Alison Williams, @AlisonW_Editor on Twitter. She's as picky a reader as me, and we usually mirror each other's opinions when reviewing the same books!
Proofreading, however, is a different matter. Every writer needs a proofreader, because you can't spot your own typos/missing words, etc, and most people make errors like the odd misplaced hyphen. There are masses of cowboys out there these days, though, or just amateurs who don't know what a semicolon is for, let alone how to amend a wrongly assigned dependent clause, for instance. Recommendations: Julia Gibbs @ProofreadJulia, or Wendy Janes @WendyProof. Alison, Julia and Wendy come highly recommended by many, not just me!
Have you ever published something and wished you hadn’t?
Not in its entirety, but like most writers I sometimes read back my older books and go 'ouch' at certain bits, or am about to tweet an old blog post, then decide to give it a quick once-over just in time! Since Kindle publishing, it is all too easy to rush to get that first novel out; not all first novels are worthy of publication. Mine certainly wasn't! It was a multiple point of view drama of the type I write now, written in 1993; I've considered looking it out and rehashing, but I've probably re-used any decent ideas in it, anyway.
What are some of the pros/cons of being an indie author?
Cons:
It's all down to you. I hear paperbacks are a pain in the neck to produce, too; I wouldn't know, I've never bothered with them.
It's not too bad but can be a bit expensive. I use Lulu.com I've heard CreateSpace is good too.
Pros:
Creative freedom.
DIY means that you are forced to learn about the market and the publishing industry as a whole, which can only be a good thing.
Pricing, timescale and promotional freedom.
Being able to choose who edits and proofreads your book.
Keeping all the royalties.
Looks like the pros win! :)
What’s your favourite genre to read?
Historical fiction. At its best, I can't get enough! I like the quite serious and meticulously researched end of this genre that immerses the reader in the period. I am not keen on historical romance. I prefer stories that educate me about the period, as well as being entertaining. My favourite eras to read about are the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries, and my favourite authors are Deborah Swift, Ann Swinfen, and Gemma Lawrence . I've also enjoyed Tony Riches, and some novels set in the 18th century by William Savage. For Victorian, I recommend Carol Hedges and Tom Williams.
My other favourite genre is post apocalyptic (may or may not include zombies), but it has to be really well written; there is a lot of junk around. I recommend Kate L. Mary, Frank Tayell, and John Privilege.
What genre do you write in?
A sort of mixed up non/multiple genre. Several regular readers have said that I have created my own....
That's cool!
I write contemporary (1970s to present day) fiction set in England, orientated towards relationships, but not romance; always character-driven, but with a certain amount of mystery and twistery; I like to keep the reader guessing about what will happen/who is behind what.
Mystery and twistery! I love that :)
When writing a novel or story, do you think word count is important? If so, what is the ideal length?
The ideal length is the the right length for that particular story, whatever that may be.
Agreed :)
If a book needs to be 125K words long to be told properly, then it does. Three of my books (Kings And Queens, Last Child, and The House Of York) are over 120K words long; happily, a couple of reviewers said they didn't feel that long; they weren't aware of 'wading through' them! Similarly, Best Seller is only 40K words long, because I decided the story was best told in novella form, with concise detail rather than a deeper exploration of the characters. Several reviews say it read as satisfyingly as a full length novel, which I was pleased about; however, one felt it should have been longer, with more background about the characters. You will never please everyone; you just have to write the book you need to write. Consider whether all the words are necessary, or if you've added superfluous detail or been self-indulgent. 'Padding' always shows. On the other hand, I've read books that are too short for a long and complex story, so I've failed to become involved in it. If you're not sure, get a couple of test readers upon whom you can rely to be honest.
Do you have any advice for writers as to how to deal with bad reviews?
Accept them as inevitable. I know they knock your confidence, and we all go through it, but, alas, not everyone will love everything you do.
Look up your all-time favourite books on Amazon. They will have some 1 and 2*, too. If Phillipa Gregory/Elizabeth Jane Howard/William Boyd, etc, can get bad reviews, so can you.
Don't challenge them; if you've made your book available on a site that allows readers to review, they have a right to express their opinion.
Learn from them; if more than one reader says the book has, for instance, unrealistic dialogue, they might be expressing the opinion of many; the majority of readers don't review, but will simply not buy another book from you.
A few mediocre reviews makes the book look more credible, as if it's been more widely read. Few things look more naff than just eight reviews, all 5*, written by people who've never reviewed anything else.
Don't consider 3* a bad review ~ 3* means 'it's okay' on Amazon and 'I like it' on Goodreads.
Don't complain to or about book bloggers who do not review your book favourably. You submitted the book; presumably you read the terms first.
Understand the difference between a bad review from a genuine reader who wasn't that keen on your book, and a troll who is out to get you personally. Most are the former, and shouting 'troll' every time you get a bad review can make you look a bit petulant!
Great advice
Many thanks, Maria, for inviting me to feature on your blog, and I do hope some of this has been of interest/help to your readers.
I'm sure it will be. Thanks so much for being a guest, Terry!
****************************
Author links
Blog: http://terrytyler59.blogspot.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Terry-Tyler-...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TerryTyler4
Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Terry-Tyler/e...
That's still one of my favourite books. I've read a few more of her books since then and love her writing style. She's a prolific writer and currently has twelve books on Amazon.
INTERVIEW WITH TERRY TYLER
Welcome, Terry. Thanks for visiting me here!
You've written lots of books! Where does your inspiration come from?
Now, this question is asked in virtually all author interviews; I have completed many of these over the past four or five years and I usually answer 'I don't know, it just appears'.
Ha, ha! That's usually the correct answer ;)
However, I'm delighted to say that, this time and with regard to my current work in progress, I can answer it properly! A few months ago I was undecided about what to start work on next. I had three ideas in note form: a post apocalyptic novella, a contemporary drama based on a historical period (as I've done before), and psychological thriller for which I couldn't think of a decent end. Then, one afternoon, I was having an Amazon browse and saw a title: The Serial Killer's Wife. And that was it. Those four words gave me the basic idea for my next novel....which leads me to your next question, Maria :)
Tell us about your latest book
It's a dark psychological drama. There's a serial killer on the loose, and five people suspect that the monster might be someone close to them. It's not a crime drama as such, as I don't particularly enjoy reading detective/crime stories and certainly don't want to write them, but obviously I've had to do a fair bit of research; I've kept police procedure bit to a minimum, though, and the police themselves are only minor characters. I've always been interested in serial killers, so know a fair bit about the psychology, but main characters are the five who fear they might know the killer. Plenty of opportunity for the red herrings and plot twists I love! It's called The Devil You Know; the title popped into my head along with the idea for the plot. I hope it will be ready for publication in October, but I'm still on the first draft; early days.
That sounds very interesting! A bit like Agatha Christie!
How long did it take you to write your last book?
My last book was Best Seller, a novella of 40K words, and it took about three and a half months. Two months for the first draft, six weeks for the rewrites. For a full length novel I usually reckon on three/four months for the first draft, and two or three months for the rewrites.
You're a fast writer! I wish I could keep up with reading them as you publish them... love your books! :)
Do you do your own editing or use a professional? Anyone you’d recommend?
I do my own editing. I don't want anyone telling me what I can and can't have in my own book, and think I have a fairly good handle on how to trim a novel down and make sure every word matters, although obviously my first books are not as tight as my more recent ones; your technique improves all the time. I have two reliable test readers, too. If you're not confident about going it alone, I'd recommend Alison Williams, @AlisonW_Editor on Twitter. She's as picky a reader as me, and we usually mirror each other's opinions when reviewing the same books!
Proofreading, however, is a different matter. Every writer needs a proofreader, because you can't spot your own typos/missing words, etc, and most people make errors like the odd misplaced hyphen. There are masses of cowboys out there these days, though, or just amateurs who don't know what a semicolon is for, let alone how to amend a wrongly assigned dependent clause, for instance. Recommendations: Julia Gibbs @ProofreadJulia, or Wendy Janes @WendyProof. Alison, Julia and Wendy come highly recommended by many, not just me!
Have you ever published something and wished you hadn’t?
Not in its entirety, but like most writers I sometimes read back my older books and go 'ouch' at certain bits, or am about to tweet an old blog post, then decide to give it a quick once-over just in time! Since Kindle publishing, it is all too easy to rush to get that first novel out; not all first novels are worthy of publication. Mine certainly wasn't! It was a multiple point of view drama of the type I write now, written in 1993; I've considered looking it out and rehashing, but I've probably re-used any decent ideas in it, anyway.
What are some of the pros/cons of being an indie author?
Cons:
It's all down to you. I hear paperbacks are a pain in the neck to produce, too; I wouldn't know, I've never bothered with them.
It's not too bad but can be a bit expensive. I use Lulu.com I've heard CreateSpace is good too.
Pros:
Creative freedom.
DIY means that you are forced to learn about the market and the publishing industry as a whole, which can only be a good thing.
Pricing, timescale and promotional freedom.
Being able to choose who edits and proofreads your book.
Keeping all the royalties.
Looks like the pros win! :)
What’s your favourite genre to read?
Historical fiction. At its best, I can't get enough! I like the quite serious and meticulously researched end of this genre that immerses the reader in the period. I am not keen on historical romance. I prefer stories that educate me about the period, as well as being entertaining. My favourite eras to read about are the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries, and my favourite authors are Deborah Swift, Ann Swinfen, and Gemma Lawrence . I've also enjoyed Tony Riches, and some novels set in the 18th century by William Savage. For Victorian, I recommend Carol Hedges and Tom Williams.
My other favourite genre is post apocalyptic (may or may not include zombies), but it has to be really well written; there is a lot of junk around. I recommend Kate L. Mary, Frank Tayell, and John Privilege.
What genre do you write in?
A sort of mixed up non/multiple genre. Several regular readers have said that I have created my own....
That's cool!
I write contemporary (1970s to present day) fiction set in England, orientated towards relationships, but not romance; always character-driven, but with a certain amount of mystery and twistery; I like to keep the reader guessing about what will happen/who is behind what.
Mystery and twistery! I love that :)
When writing a novel or story, do you think word count is important? If so, what is the ideal length?
The ideal length is the the right length for that particular story, whatever that may be.
Agreed :)
If a book needs to be 125K words long to be told properly, then it does. Three of my books (Kings And Queens, Last Child, and The House Of York) are over 120K words long; happily, a couple of reviewers said they didn't feel that long; they weren't aware of 'wading through' them! Similarly, Best Seller is only 40K words long, because I decided the story was best told in novella form, with concise detail rather than a deeper exploration of the characters. Several reviews say it read as satisfyingly as a full length novel, which I was pleased about; however, one felt it should have been longer, with more background about the characters. You will never please everyone; you just have to write the book you need to write. Consider whether all the words are necessary, or if you've added superfluous detail or been self-indulgent. 'Padding' always shows. On the other hand, I've read books that are too short for a long and complex story, so I've failed to become involved in it. If you're not sure, get a couple of test readers upon whom you can rely to be honest.
Do you have any advice for writers as to how to deal with bad reviews?
Accept them as inevitable. I know they knock your confidence, and we all go through it, but, alas, not everyone will love everything you do.
Look up your all-time favourite books on Amazon. They will have some 1 and 2*, too. If Phillipa Gregory/Elizabeth Jane Howard/William Boyd, etc, can get bad reviews, so can you.
Don't challenge them; if you've made your book available on a site that allows readers to review, they have a right to express their opinion.
Learn from them; if more than one reader says the book has, for instance, unrealistic dialogue, they might be expressing the opinion of many; the majority of readers don't review, but will simply not buy another book from you.
A few mediocre reviews makes the book look more credible, as if it's been more widely read. Few things look more naff than just eight reviews, all 5*, written by people who've never reviewed anything else.
Don't consider 3* a bad review ~ 3* means 'it's okay' on Amazon and 'I like it' on Goodreads.
Don't complain to or about book bloggers who do not review your book favourably. You submitted the book; presumably you read the terms first.
Understand the difference between a bad review from a genuine reader who wasn't that keen on your book, and a troll who is out to get you personally. Most are the former, and shouting 'troll' every time you get a bad review can make you look a bit petulant!
Great advice
Many thanks, Maria, for inviting me to feature on your blog, and I do hope some of this has been of interest/help to your readers.
I'm sure it will be. Thanks so much for being a guest, Terry!
****************************
Author links
Blog: http://terrytyler59.blogspot.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Terry-Tyler-...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TerryTyler4
Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Terry-Tyler/e...
Evil Never Dies - The Spider Book 2 - available for pre-order!
I started work on the sequel to my last novel "The Spider" a few years ago. I'd never written a sequel before, and when I wrote "The Spider" I'd never intended that to be part of a series, but as all authors know, books have a mind of their own sometimes... at least it seems that way.
When I finished "The Spider", I knew that Rex's story wasn't over. He became such a quirky character that I was intrigued by him and I suppose writing the sequel was a way to get to know him better, as well as the reasons behind his thirst for revenge on mankind. I'm sure other writers will understand that when we write characters, sometimes they take on a life of their own and it's almost as if they are telling the story, or dictating the way it progresses. Maybe not, maybe that's just me. Anyway, Rex's story had to be continued.
As many of you may know, I've been working on the sequel, on and off, around my day job for the past few years. I enjoyed writing it, even if the editing stage was a bit of a pain.
Sequels are very hard to write because you have to remember what you wrote in the original novel. Writing a sequel involves a lot of re-reading the original novel and cross-checking facts and content.
I'm pleased to have finished "Evil Never Dies". It took a bit longer than I expected, but I didn't want to release it before I made sure it was everything I wanted it to be.
The book is available for pre-order at the special discounted price of 99p. It is scheduled to be released on Kindle on 11th November 2020.
Book description:
In this sequel to “The Spider”, George finds himself back inside The Spider’s web, fighting to reclaim control of his life.
This dark, tangled mystery explores the known and the unknown, the real and the illusory.
Touching on a wealth of relatable subjects including divorce, death, the afterlife, homelessness, crime, and addiction, “Evil Never Dies” takes the reader on an intense and emotional journey.
Catch up with the other characters from book 1, “The Spider”, including Roisin, Glen, Hugh, and Abigail, as they face more life-changing challenges.
You can pre-order "Evil Never Dies" here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L71D9MC/*
*available on Amazon worldwide
I do also intend to make the book available as a paperback and hope to have more news about that soon.
The cover was designed by Kat of Evening Sky Publishing Services. She also designed the cover for "The Spider", as well as the covers for some of my other books, including "A Time To Tell (second edition)" and "Lost and Found": https://www.eveningskypublishingservi...
Ebook formatting for Kindle was done by Deena at E-bookbuilders: https://bookbuilders.design/index.html
Release day! Evil Never Dies - The Spider Book 2
My latest novel, "Evil Never Dies" is out on Kindle today! You can still get a copy at the special discount price of 99p/99c for a limited period.
Purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L71D9MC/
Add to your Goodreads shelf: Evil Never Dies
I hope you enjoy the story!
Book 1 - The Spider is also available at the 99p/99c price at the moment: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...
I'm currently working on a collection of short stories, titled "Out of Time", which I hope to release soon. I will post an update when I have more news.
I hope you're all coping well in these weird and uncertain times that we're living in. Stay safe.
Book Review: Panenka, by Rónán Hession
"Panenka" is one of those novels that I think everyone will be able to relate to in some way; the characters are ordinary people with the same everyday concerns as everyone else. This novel is centered around the life of the main character, Joseph, an ex-footballer, who has become known as Panenka after an event that happened years before but which has followed him and taunted him ever since. When we meet Panenka we find out that he has a secret that he has kept from his family, and as the novel progresses it becomes harder for him to keep it. We learn all about his life and meet his friends, his daughter and grandson, as well as his new romantic interest. The story is told well, in an introspective way that enables the reader to understand what each of the characters is thinking and feeling. All the players in this story are expertly crafted and could be real people. This author understands human nature and can bring characters to life in such a way that you begin to believe in them and sympathise with them. It contains many snippets of wisdom that make you stop and think; the hallmark of a classic book. "Panenka" delves into the lives of the characters offering insightful commentary about grief, regret, relationships, love, loss, and more. I found myself feeling sad that the book was coming to an end.
This is the second book I have enjoyed by this talented author. His debut, Leonard and Hungry Paul is brilliant. I am looking forward to reading more of his books in the future.
Release Day! Masquerade is now available on Kindle!
My latest short story, "Masquerade" is available to download on Kindle for just $1/£1.
It's one of my longer short stories, at around 7500 words.
Masquerade is a tale of everyday deception.
We are all hiding secrets behind the masks we wear.
Get your copy:
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B2M162GC/r
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B2M162GC/r
It's one of my longer short stories, at around 7500 words.
Masquerade is a tale of everyday deception.
We are all hiding secrets behind the masks we wear.
Get your copy:
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B2M162GC/r
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B2M162GC/r
Release day! Turned to Stone
My latest short story, Turned to Stone , is now available to purchase on Amazon Kindle worldwide, for less than a cup of coffee. I hope you'll give it a try, and if you enjoy it, I'd love to read your review.
Turned to Stone is not only a story about a statue in a garden, it's also a story about long lost love, and in particular it's about how one woman's whole life was affected by an experience in her youth.
It's a mystery, a tragedy, and a love story.
Get your copy:
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Turned-Stone...
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Turned-Stone-M...
Turned to Stone is the latest in a series of short stories I have released this year.
You can also try, Masquerade: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B2M162GC/r and The Gift: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gift-Maria-S... Both are also available for just £1/$1.
Thank you to everyone who has already purchased one of the stories. I will hopefully be releasing more stories soon.
Turned to Stone is not only a story about a statue in a garden, it's also a story about long lost love, and in particular it's about how one woman's whole life was affected by an experience in her youth.
It's a mystery, a tragedy, and a love story.
Get your copy:
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Turned-Stone...
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Turned-Stone-M...
Turned to Stone is the latest in a series of short stories I have released this year.
You can also try, Masquerade: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B2M162GC/r and The Gift: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gift-Maria-S... Both are also available for just £1/$1.
Thank you to everyone who has already purchased one of the stories. I will hopefully be releasing more stories soon.
Pre-order "The Man in the Photograph", my new short story
My latest short story, "The Man in the Photograph", is now available to pre-order on Kindle for just $1/£1. At almost 9,000 words, it's one of the longest short stories I've ever written.
Blurb:
Can a box of court documents help Evie piece together her past, or is it too late?
A tragic tale of regret, loss, love, and secrets.
Order your copy now:
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BKN57413/
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BKN57413/
(Available on Amazon worldwide).
"The Man in the Photograph" will be released on 23 November 2022.
Blurb:
Can a box of court documents help Evie piece together her past, or is it too late?
A tragic tale of regret, loss, love, and secrets.
Order your copy now:
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BKN57413/
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BKN57413/
(Available on Amazon worldwide).
"The Man in the Photograph" will be released on 23 November 2022.
Out now: FIRE - my latest short story
If you enjoy reading short stories, I have a new one out this month. FIRE originally appeared in my collection "Pieces of a Rainbow", which was the first short story collection I released, back in 2009.
I recently decided to rewrite the stories and republish the collection. I've always liked these stories and it felt like the right time to republish them as the collection has been out of print for a while. I am currently working through the rewrites one story at a time and releasing them individually on Kindle.
The first story, "Seeing Red" was released last month: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BQ7F83XN/
"Fire" is now available on Kindle at Amazon worldwide. You don't need to own a Kindle eReader to enjoy Kindle books, just download the app from Amazon and read the stories on your PC, laptop, smartphone, etc.
Get your copy of "Fire" https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BSS5FYMN
