Julia Hughes's Blog, page 17
March 20, 2013
We have a winner!
"The Griffin Cryer" will be free to download from Amazon, from the 26th March - 30th March so everyone's a winner! However ...the winner of our recent St Patrick's Day giveaway of a personalised signed paperback copy is (drum roll!):
Mr. B H, of Canada with second prize going to Miss J D from the US.
To celebrate the release of "The Griffin Cryer" in paperback, we're having a kindle ebook free promotional run. You'll be able to download "The Griffin Cryer" free from the 26th March.
There's a facebook event going on right now - and swag to be had! So come along, invite your friends and join in the fun! Here's the address:
The Griffin Cryer facebook event.
"The Griffin Cryer": A young adult adventure for the young at heart, and everyone who has ever dreamed of riding on the back of a griffin.
FREE! 26 - 30 March
Download from Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk
Amazon.de
Amazon.fr
Amazon.es
Amazon.ca
Mr. B H, of Canada with second prize going to Miss J D from the US.
To celebrate the release of "The Griffin Cryer" in paperback, we're having a kindle ebook free promotional run. You'll be able to download "The Griffin Cryer" free from the 26th March.
There's a facebook event going on right now - and swag to be had! So come along, invite your friends and join in the fun! Here's the address:
The Griffin Cryer facebook event.
"The Griffin Cryer": A young adult adventure for the young at heart, and everyone who has ever dreamed of riding on the back of a griffin. FREE! 26 - 30 March
Download from Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk
Amazon.de
Amazon.fr
Amazon.es
Amazon.ca
March 17, 2013
Happy St Patrick's Day!
Although St Patrick hasn't been formerly canonised by the Roman Catholic Church – yet – that doesn't stop him being one of the most popular saints in the world today. Neither is St Patrick Irish; his birthplace is generally believed to be somewhere near Glasgow, Scotland. Sometime in the year 405 AD, Patrick was captured by Irish raiders at the tender age of sixteen. According to hagiography, he spent the following six years in captivity, until, inspired by a dream, he escaped. There's obviously a lesson there for all dreamers! Almost two decades later, Patrick returned to the Emerald Isle, and as we all know, cast out all the snakes in Ireland, and converted the chieftains and their followers to Christianity.
According to legend, St Patrick even met with the two old Fenian warriors, Cailte and Oisin. At this time, the pagan warlords were around 900 years old, with St Patrick a mere 700 years old. Together the three elders embarked on a tour of Ireland. As they pass specific sites, Cailte narrates the myths and legends associated with each place name, and over two hundred anecdotes of the past are shared. This collection of heroic lore has become known in modern Irish as Agallamh na Seanorach. In the words of St Patrick's guardian angels, these memories of ancient Ireland "will delight noblemen of later times who might listen, and should be written on poets' staves, and in learned men's libraries."
St Patrick is neither Irish, nor officially a saint. But as a young man, he followed his dreams, charmed everyone he met, and made a lasting contribution to literature. It's easy to see why he's the patron saint of Ireland!
St Patrick's Day Giveaway
"The Griffin Cryer" is the story of an ordinary girl who dared to dream, and you can win a personalised signed copy. The ebook format has 38 customer reviews, with an average of 4.7/5 stars. "The Griffin Cryer" is being released in paperback form on the 20th March, and there will be lots of opportunities to enter and win your very own personalised signed copy - this special St Patrick's Day contest ends tomorrow - so be sure and enter today! a Rafflecopter giveaway
March 15, 2013
Taking off in paperback!
"The Griffin Cryer" formatted and ready for paperback is now in the hands of proof readers, and the presses should roll on 20th March - always a special day in our house! To complement the paperback release, we're giving away a personalised signed copy of The Griffin Cryer, with some great runner up prizes!
Free entry for this fun competition!
a Rafflecopter giveaway Latest review on "The Griffin Cryer:
All readers' feedback is cherished, but in my view, this latest review of "The Griffin Cryer" is especially sweet:
" There is a unique sense of place in "The Griffin Cryer." Frankie is very clearly English and speaks in an appropriate slang for her region. Her specific dialect may throw readers off for a moment but in this global age, a reader will not take long to adjust.
"The Griffin Cryer" was a good book. Frankie is a fun character who grows exponentially within the scope of the story-line. There are certain elements that the reader can anticipate the end result from introduction but the journey is the point and Hughes gives us a compelling progression. Frankie has a good parent and step-parent that are willing to stand beside her though they have their own worries and problems. She has friends that she never realized she had ... and a boy she never thought she could have.
The baddies are a bit brutal in this novel though no more so than in the Harry Potter series (though in a vastly different way). If I were to give this novel to my 11-year-old to read (and we have talked about her reading it), I'd want to discuss the baddies with her. I think the level of violence is suitably appropriate for someone 13+ when children understand that this is just a novel and that sometimes people are just horrible jerks but this is fiction so rarely to the extent we see in the work. That said the baddies, though exceptionally well-written, are not the point of the story. The point seems to be a beautiful progression within Frankie herself. (T Dewhirst Avid Reader).
As always, many thanks to everyone who takes the time to comment, on Amazon it really does help other readers find good books!
Free entry for this fun competition!
a Rafflecopter giveaway Latest review on "The Griffin Cryer:
All readers' feedback is cherished, but in my view, this latest review of "The Griffin Cryer" is especially sweet:
" There is a unique sense of place in "The Griffin Cryer." Frankie is very clearly English and speaks in an appropriate slang for her region. Her specific dialect may throw readers off for a moment but in this global age, a reader will not take long to adjust.
"The Griffin Cryer" was a good book. Frankie is a fun character who grows exponentially within the scope of the story-line. There are certain elements that the reader can anticipate the end result from introduction but the journey is the point and Hughes gives us a compelling progression. Frankie has a good parent and step-parent that are willing to stand beside her though they have their own worries and problems. She has friends that she never realized she had ... and a boy she never thought she could have.
The baddies are a bit brutal in this novel though no more so than in the Harry Potter series (though in a vastly different way). If I were to give this novel to my 11-year-old to read (and we have talked about her reading it), I'd want to discuss the baddies with her. I think the level of violence is suitably appropriate for someone 13+ when children understand that this is just a novel and that sometimes people are just horrible jerks but this is fiction so rarely to the extent we see in the work. That said the baddies, though exceptionally well-written, are not the point of the story. The point seems to be a beautiful progression within Frankie herself. (T Dewhirst Avid Reader).
As always, many thanks to everyone who takes the time to comment, on Amazon it really does help other readers find good books!
March 14, 2013
Wormhole Day - blog hop!
Wormhole day: Today is Einstein's birthday; he would have been 134. In his honor, Stephen Tremp, Laura Eno, and Luanne Smith are hosting a National Wormhole Day bloghop, and asked what you would do, or where would you go if you could slip through a wormhole in space or time. Well, I've already booked my ticket on the new Titanic, and fingers crossed, we won't bang into any icebergs this time around. I'd really love to discover just what really happened to naughty old King John's treasure, but I'll leave that to my more adventurous Celtic Cousins.
I've recently been reading " The Magical World of the Inklings " and my mind's made up!
If I could slip through any worm hole, and go back to any moment in time, I'd travel back three or four thousand years. Ever since learning of Owen Barfield's theory that the ancient tales of gods walking among mortals as 'myths' and 'legends', should be taken more seriously, my imagination has been working overtime.
Owen Barfield was of course, one fourth of the nucleus known as "The Inklings", the other three being Lewis, Tolkien, and Williams. Barfield suggests that because our ancestors were more in tune with nature, they were more perceptible to supernatural and preternatural forces, and so able to commune more easily with the spiritual world. A world that we as cynical sophisticates are too quick to dismiss. We call the old stories "exaggerations" or legends, and tell ourselves it is impossible for anyone to have the strength of Hercules, or predict the future as Cassandra did.
The most famous of ancient Greek battles, the Trojan wars, were until 1865 dismissed as legend. Then in the nineteenth century, English archaeologist Frank Calvert joined forces with the wealthy German Heinrich Schliemann. Together they uncovered evidence that suggested Homer's Iliad was based on fact. As more and more pieces of this puzzle begin to emerge, it seems likely that Homeric figures such as Hercules and Achilles may have been involved in this epic episode. Scholars now accept that Troy did exist, yet less than two hundred years ago, this great civilisation was thought to be as fantastical as Atlantis. Barfield argues that improbable shouldn't mean impossible. We take for granted the ability to flick a switch and have light. For our ancestors, talking and walking with gods was taken for granted. I'd love the opportunity to slip through a wormhole, and witness first hand these mystical times. With luck, I might even get to ride on Pegasus!
March 12, 2013
Learning to Fly
"Write what you know" – and that's pretty good advice – but …
If C S Lewis or J K Rowling had taken this to heart – there'd be no Narnia and as for a world without Harry Potter and Hogwarts – imagine! But that's exactly what our favourite authors do – they put their imagination to work. What is it like to ride through Narnia on the back of a lion? – C S Lewis knows and explains all in the wonderful "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe".
Since Mr Lewis is one of my favourite authors, I've read many biographies on the great man, and I don't believe Lewis has ever even ridden a horse, let alone a lion. Yet effortlessly, he allows us to ride with Lucy and Susan on Aslan's back through Narnia.
J K Rowling's Harry Potter books are packed with magic – naturally! For many readers, what makes Potterworld and Hogwarts especially realistic are the many imaginative touches – the portraits of past headmasters hanging in Dumbledore's office, moving staircases, and of course the marvellous and now internationally renown game of "Quidditch".
Hands up all those who dream of grabbing the "Snitch" and winning the cup for Gryffindor! Had Miss Rowling only written what she knew, Harry and friends might be playing cricket. Apparently, JK has explained that she knows this world so well because Harry has been a constant companion since her school days, which weren't by the way spent at any boarding school!
My imagination is nothing compared to those two fantastic authors, so I'm sticking to the advice above, and writing only what I know. That's why I've enrolled in Griffin Master Romulus's next intake of Griffin Rider recruits, and I plan to become an expert in griffins. Learning to fly – how hard can it be? If Frankie Shaunessy can do it, anyone can!
If C S Lewis or J K Rowling had taken this to heart – there'd be no Narnia and as for a world without Harry Potter and Hogwarts – imagine! But that's exactly what our favourite authors do – they put their imagination to work. What is it like to ride through Narnia on the back of a lion? – C S Lewis knows and explains all in the wonderful "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe".
Since Mr Lewis is one of my favourite authors, I've read many biographies on the great man, and I don't believe Lewis has ever even ridden a horse, let alone a lion. Yet effortlessly, he allows us to ride with Lucy and Susan on Aslan's back through Narnia.
J K Rowling's Harry Potter books are packed with magic – naturally! For many readers, what makes Potterworld and Hogwarts especially realistic are the many imaginative touches – the portraits of past headmasters hanging in Dumbledore's office, moving staircases, and of course the marvellous and now internationally renown game of "Quidditch". Hands up all those who dream of grabbing the "Snitch" and winning the cup for Gryffindor! Had Miss Rowling only written what she knew, Harry and friends might be playing cricket. Apparently, JK has explained that she knows this world so well because Harry has been a constant companion since her school days, which weren't by the way spent at any boarding school! My imagination is nothing compared to those two fantastic authors, so I'm sticking to the advice above, and writing only what I know. That's why I've enrolled in Griffin Master Romulus's next intake of Griffin Rider recruits, and I plan to become an expert in griffins. Learning to fly – how hard can it be? If Frankie Shaunessy can do it, anyone can!
March 10, 2013
It had to happen!
The Celtic Cousins learned that Frankie and friends from "The Griffin Cryer" have their own site at Griffin Riders, and immediately campaigned for their own site. I've never been able to resist Rhyllann's charm, and Wren can be very persuasive. So from being a simple teller of tales, it seems I'm now a web master. Or mistress. For those who don't know, I also co-admin Words Unlimited, a site devoted to all things bookish. It's a way of saying "Thank you" to all the great people I've met on line, fellow indie authors, book reviewers, and anyone who supports the indie publishing community. In the words of my friend Dody it's a great place for indie authors to play. But it isn't just for writers - any and all services - proof reading - beta reading - editing - book cover images - well you get the idea! If you have a story or know of a service you'd like to share, come on over! As always there's a warm welcome waiting.
CelticCousins.co.uk
should be up and running within the week - watch this space!
Happy Mother's Day to mums everywhere in the UK! The first time mums, and the grandmothers, and the great grandmothers, the aunties, godmothers and especially to those who like my own sister, have selflessly taken on the role of second mum.
Every day should be Mother's Day!
Finally, last but never least! Thank you so much to all who helped "A Raucous Time" rocket to the number one spot in free downloads Action and Adventure. An especial big THANK YOU to all my indie author friends and book bloggers who helped get the word out, I'm in your debt, and by now you should know where to come to redeem favours! As always, it's a massive thrill to know there are now thousands of readers who are about to join in the Celtic Cousins' Adventures - let's do it all again very soon!
Happy Mother's Day to mums everywhere in the UK! The first time mums, and the grandmothers, and the great grandmothers, the aunties, godmothers and especially to those who like my own sister, have selflessly taken on the role of second mum.
Every day should be Mother's Day!
Finally, last but never least! Thank you so much to all who helped "A Raucous Time" rocket to the number one spot in free downloads Action and Adventure. An especial big THANK YOU to all my indie author friends and book bloggers who helped get the word out, I'm in your debt, and by now you should know where to come to redeem favours! As always, it's a massive thrill to know there are now thousands of readers who are about to join in the Celtic Cousins' Adventures - let's do it all again very soon!
March 5, 2013
Still Free - but not for much longer!
As though four days in on the front page of free Action & Adventure on both sides on the Atlantic – wasn't thrilling enough, A Raucous Time climbed to the #1 spot in Germany: Free Action and Adventure in Amazon.de. It's a good feeling to know this first title in the Celtic Cousins' series is on so many kindles! A Raucous Time remains free until 9am tomorrow, GMT – that's around midnight EST, so if you haven't already – go ahead and download a copy to your kindle. If you don't have a kindle, you can get an ap to read ebooks from smartphones, or computers. This site here has the details! AMAZON free ap to read ebooks.
Rhyllann wrestles alligators, Wren disappears elephants – together they've uncovered a king's ransom in treasure, sunk the Titanic (again) and rocked the capital of England.
The Celtic Cousins are just getting started!
Come and join in the fun – A Raucous Time is free for the next twelve hours!
(posted 9pm GMT, 5th March 2013)
March 2, 2013
Top Twenty Free Action & Adventure eBook in three countries!
A Raucous Time hit Amazon's top twenty free downloads in Action and Adventure charts in the US, the UK and Germany - a massive thank you to everyone who took the opportunity to download this story.
Making his first appearance with the Celtic Cousins is Detective Crombie, who returns for a starring role in "An Explosive Time"
Crombie only manages a few mentions in "A Ripple in Time", the second title in the Celtic Cousins' Adventures: It emerges both Rhyllann and Wren are huge fans of "Life on Mars" and admire Gene Hunt as the "the only copper to make Crombie seem politically correct"! Wren enthuses over Crombie's "Great Elephant Stampede" but when pressed for details both the Celtic Cousins, and Crombie himself refuse to comment. Rumour has it that once upon a time Crombie was sweet on Rhyllann's mum, and of course, the Celtic Cousins and Crombie were on a mission to rescue this wayward woman. Africa is full of dark secrets and mysteries, and one day I mean to get to the bottom of this particular story!
Right now though, A Raucous Time is free until 5 March – download a copy to your kindle and if you enjoy the read, please take the time to post a line or two as a customer review – you'll be helping other readers find good books.
Synopsis:
Rhyllann Jones's geeky cousin Wren is convinced an ancient diary can lead them to the mythical treasure of Bad King John, last seen 900 years ago. Trouble is, "The Brotherhood" will stop at nothing to get to it first. Even more dangerous in Rhyllann's eyes is Detective Inspector Crombie. This father of four daughters knows Rhyllann is lying, and is certain Wren is a master manipulator. Crombie is determined to keep the boys safe at any costs. This leads "The Brotherhood" to take desperate action to learn the secrets Wren keeps, plunging Crombie and Rhyllann into a race against time across the wild Cornish moors.
“But the treasure is guarded. He who wishes to enter the secret chamber must first ensure he knows of the Celtic rites and mysteries. No other hand is permitted to touch Caliburn, sacred sword of the Celtic Nations.”
Ten five star customer reviews on Amazon.com, six five star reviews from the UK.
"Story telling at its best".
Making his first appearance with the Celtic Cousins is Detective Crombie, who returns for a starring role in "An Explosive Time"
Crombie only manages a few mentions in "A Ripple in Time", the second title in the Celtic Cousins' Adventures: It emerges both Rhyllann and Wren are huge fans of "Life on Mars" and admire Gene Hunt as the "the only copper to make Crombie seem politically correct"! Wren enthuses over Crombie's "Great Elephant Stampede" but when pressed for details both the Celtic Cousins, and Crombie himself refuse to comment. Rumour has it that once upon a time Crombie was sweet on Rhyllann's mum, and of course, the Celtic Cousins and Crombie were on a mission to rescue this wayward woman. Africa is full of dark secrets and mysteries, and one day I mean to get to the bottom of this particular story!
Right now though, A Raucous Time is free until 5 March – download a copy to your kindle and if you enjoy the read, please take the time to post a line or two as a customer review – you'll be helping other readers find good books. Synopsis:
Rhyllann Jones's geeky cousin Wren is convinced an ancient diary can lead them to the mythical treasure of Bad King John, last seen 900 years ago. Trouble is, "The Brotherhood" will stop at nothing to get to it first. Even more dangerous in Rhyllann's eyes is Detective Inspector Crombie. This father of four daughters knows Rhyllann is lying, and is certain Wren is a master manipulator. Crombie is determined to keep the boys safe at any costs. This leads "The Brotherhood" to take desperate action to learn the secrets Wren keeps, plunging Crombie and Rhyllann into a race against time across the wild Cornish moors.
“But the treasure is guarded. He who wishes to enter the secret chamber must first ensure he knows of the Celtic rites and mysteries. No other hand is permitted to touch Caliburn, sacred sword of the Celtic Nations.”
Ten five star customer reviews on Amazon.com, six five star reviews from the UK.
"Story telling at its best".
February 28, 2013
Fancy A Raucous Time - Free?
A RAUCOUS TIME is Free - lst March - 5th MarchThe first of the Celtic Cousins' Adventures goes FREE tomorrow until March 5th!
Synopsis:
Rhyllann Jones's geeky cousin Wren is convinced an ancient diary can lead them to the mythical treasure of Bad King John, last seen 900 years ago. Trouble is, "The Brotherhood" will stop at nothing to get to it first. Even more dangerous in Rhyllann's eyes is Detective Inspector Crombie. This father of four daughters knows Rhyllann is lying, and is certain Wren is a master manipulator. Crombie is determined to keep the boys safe at any costs. This leads "The Brotherhood" to take desperate action to learn the secrets Wren keeps, plunging Crombie and Rhyllann into a race against time across the wild Cornish moors.
“But the treasure is guarded. He who wishes to enter the secret chamber must first ensure he knows of the Celtic rites and mysteries. No other hand is permitted to touch Caliburn, sacred sword of the Celtic Nations.”
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FOR FREE! (If you're feeling generous click like too)!
Ten five star reviews on Amazon.com, many thanks to Teen Witch, who was the last to comment :
"I loved A Ripple in Time, so I went back for more. "A Raucous Time" is a first book in a series and I would recommend reading it before the two? that follow. You get more background information. Julia Hughes is an outstanding author and she entertains you with her wit and keen eye for observation. You'll learn all about Wren, his cousin Rhyllan and a tough acting, but actually loveable cop named Crombie. The story is about of all things, the search for lost gold - King John's missing treasure. Do they find it? You'll have to read this wild book to find out. I'm reading An Explosive Time next." A lovely review, and thank you so much!
February 25, 2013
Cloud Atlas
A friend called to tell me he was taking me to the cinema – apparently there was film showing that was right up my street – "It's crazy weird and beautiful: you're going to love it."
He was so wrong. Cloud Atlas is not crazy, it makes perfect sense, and for weird – substitute the word innovative. Beautiful is too small a word to describe the poetry of the screenplay and I didn't merely 'love' it – I fell in love with Cloud Atlas and all the many layered stories contained within.
The underlying theme is that we are all connected, actions we take now impact on future generations in ways we cannot imagine. Not only do our deeds continue to reverberate down through time, but art can capture the imaginations and even provide the inspiration for a revolution.
Oppression, slavery and falling were constant themes too – however zipping in and out of each story at the speed of light, there were moments of high comic relief provided by Jim Broadbent as an egoistical publisher, who became the prisoner of Hugo Weaving playing the indomitable Nurse Noakes.
Each story in itself is a masterpiece – the actors, the photography, the music – Cloud Atlas could easily have been shown as three separate films. These stories are combined and interwoven, zapping from one place and time to another – the film takes no prisoners – keep up, or be left behind – but even to be trailing along in the wake of brilliance is an experience not to be missed. Countless little jolts of pleasure as you spot a reference to a previous or yet to be story provide a multitude of "Aha – so that's why …" moments, although some are more subtle than others, and so tonight, I'm going to watch Cloud Atlas for the third time in four days, simply because I'm in love with this amazing, innovative, beautiful, brilliant masterpiece.
It's unlikely any of the people connected with this film will ever read this review, but if by the slightest chance they do, I want to say thank you for making this film one of the greatest experiences ever. Especial thanks to David Mitchell for daring to be different, and allowing others to be inspired by your imagination.
For a more in-depth review, I recommend "A Soul's Odyssey" by Connor of Canada at this site.
He was so wrong. Cloud Atlas is not crazy, it makes perfect sense, and for weird – substitute the word innovative. Beautiful is too small a word to describe the poetry of the screenplay and I didn't merely 'love' it – I fell in love with Cloud Atlas and all the many layered stories contained within.
The underlying theme is that we are all connected, actions we take now impact on future generations in ways we cannot imagine. Not only do our deeds continue to reverberate down through time, but art can capture the imaginations and even provide the inspiration for a revolution.
Oppression, slavery and falling were constant themes too – however zipping in and out of each story at the speed of light, there were moments of high comic relief provided by Jim Broadbent as an egoistical publisher, who became the prisoner of Hugo Weaving playing the indomitable Nurse Noakes.
Each story in itself is a masterpiece – the actors, the photography, the music – Cloud Atlas could easily have been shown as three separate films. These stories are combined and interwoven, zapping from one place and time to another – the film takes no prisoners – keep up, or be left behind – but even to be trailing along in the wake of brilliance is an experience not to be missed. Countless little jolts of pleasure as you spot a reference to a previous or yet to be story provide a multitude of "Aha – so that's why …" moments, although some are more subtle than others, and so tonight, I'm going to watch Cloud Atlas for the third time in four days, simply because I'm in love with this amazing, innovative, beautiful, brilliant masterpiece.
It's unlikely any of the people connected with this film will ever read this review, but if by the slightest chance they do, I want to say thank you for making this film one of the greatest experiences ever. Especial thanks to David Mitchell for daring to be different, and allowing others to be inspired by your imagination.
For a more in-depth review, I recommend "A Soul's Odyssey" by Connor of Canada at this site.
