M.J. Webb's Blog, page 4
January 3, 2023
Great Review from Amazon
Hi,
Just had to share this one for 'A Child of Szabo';
'If I could have read this in just one sitting, I would have. It took two lol. Fabulous story line and kick ass heroine. Yes I wrote heroine. But if you think it’s going to be gentle and feminine, you’re in for a huge surprise. This agent is the primary character in a fast moving story line that, is inspired by a real life heroine, Violette Szabo. The reader is not bored to death with descriptive “grass of different hues of green” type of writing. Oh no, it’s more Jack Reacher with a female attitude and toughness. For those of you thinking this will be a “chick flick” kind of read, you couldn’t be more wrong. It’s brutal and bloody throughout.
There is obviously a great amount of research completed for this book, which is evident when you read it. I received an education while reading this book. I turned the last page hoping there will be another book and I honestly think it would make a marvellous film. I kid you not!
Yes the author is lesser known, but trust me when I say you will not be disappointed with this read. Go on, treat yourself to a fab read!'
Just had to share this one for 'A Child of Szabo';
'If I could have read this in just one sitting, I would have. It took two lol. Fabulous story line and kick ass heroine. Yes I wrote heroine. But if you think it’s going to be gentle and feminine, you’re in for a huge surprise. This agent is the primary character in a fast moving story line that, is inspired by a real life heroine, Violette Szabo. The reader is not bored to death with descriptive “grass of different hues of green” type of writing. Oh no, it’s more Jack Reacher with a female attitude and toughness. For those of you thinking this will be a “chick flick” kind of read, you couldn’t be more wrong. It’s brutal and bloody throughout.
There is obviously a great amount of research completed for this book, which is evident when you read it. I received an education while reading this book. I turned the last page hoping there will be another book and I honestly think it would make a marvellous film. I kid you not!
Yes the author is lesser known, but trust me when I say you will not be disappointed with this read. Go on, treat yourself to a fab read!'
December 31, 2022
Happy New Year
Everyone at mjwebbbooks.com (that's me) wishes you a glorious 2023 and many happy hours reading your favourite novels.
Sincere best wishes to you all.
Martin
Sincere best wishes to you all.
Martin
December 25, 2022
Christmas Review
Well, I didn't quite receive the present I wished for; namely a review on Goodreads. However, I DID receive one on my site which I'm grateful for.
"When I found out that this author had produced another book, I was keen to see what it was all about. I am not a massive reader of books at all, but found the Jake West trilogy that he wrote to be very good books which took you back to your childhood dreams and put you into a world of fantasy and magic. So, I was really intrigued by his shift into a different type of genre and a complete change from his previous works.
This book again takes you into another world, but this time it involves espionage, secret organisations and even some historic references - with this I found I learned some interesting facts along the way. The book slowly builds you into the life of a character and details out both their past and present story, thus giving you an insight into their life and what they have been through/how this has impacted on them as they grew into the person they would become.
Eventually, it comes to a point where the main character has to make some key decisions and act on instinct, to do what is right. The key thing here is that the book made me come back to it time and again. I was wanting more, to understand what had happened and where the characters life was taking them…
So, to conclude; a complete change from the previous books and I would say that is a bold move by the author who has shown how he can diversify and change to attract a different type of audience, yet still maintain his ability to keep the reader wanting more."
Hope you all had a lovely Christmas Day.
"When I found out that this author had produced another book, I was keen to see what it was all about. I am not a massive reader of books at all, but found the Jake West trilogy that he wrote to be very good books which took you back to your childhood dreams and put you into a world of fantasy and magic. So, I was really intrigued by his shift into a different type of genre and a complete change from his previous works.
This book again takes you into another world, but this time it involves espionage, secret organisations and even some historic references - with this I found I learned some interesting facts along the way. The book slowly builds you into the life of a character and details out both their past and present story, thus giving you an insight into their life and what they have been through/how this has impacted on them as they grew into the person they would become.
Eventually, it comes to a point where the main character has to make some key decisions and act on instinct, to do what is right. The key thing here is that the book made me come back to it time and again. I was wanting more, to understand what had happened and where the characters life was taking them…
So, to conclude; a complete change from the previous books and I would say that is a bold move by the author who has shown how he can diversify and change to attract a different type of audience, yet still maintain his ability to keep the reader wanting more."
Hope you all had a lovely Christmas Day.
December 16, 2022
Merry Christmas
I wish all Goodreads members a very happy Christmas and New Year.
Have a wonderful time. Cherish those who are dearest to you and spare a little love for the rest.
Happy reading.
To quote Mariah; 'All I want for Christmas is a review.'
:-)
Have a wonderful time. Cherish those who are dearest to you and spare a little love for the rest.
Happy reading.
To quote Mariah; 'All I want for Christmas is a review.'
:-)
December 7, 2022
FREE Epic Trilogy
Hi - My ENTIRE fantasy trilogy is FREE now on Kindle from 7-11th December.
Book 1 Blurb
'Earth’s best-kept secret lies hidden in the attic of a concealed and aged hero.
A portal to other worlds. A priceless treasure. A powerful weapon...
When two unsuspecting fifteen-year-olds stumble upon it by chance, they unwittingly alert the forces of evil on another world to its survival. A war-torn place devoid of peace and hope.
Now, the boys will be hunted. Now, they will have to fight for the right to survive. For now, our world and countless others are in peril and life will never be the same again.
Some relics are buried for good reason. Some secrets too dangerous to share.'
Details and purchase links at www.mjwebbbooks.com
Book 1 Blurb
'Earth’s best-kept secret lies hidden in the attic of a concealed and aged hero.
A portal to other worlds. A priceless treasure. A powerful weapon...
When two unsuspecting fifteen-year-olds stumble upon it by chance, they unwittingly alert the forces of evil on another world to its survival. A war-torn place devoid of peace and hope.
Now, the boys will be hunted. Now, they will have to fight for the right to survive. For now, our world and countless others are in peril and life will never be the same again.
Some relics are buried for good reason. Some secrets too dangerous to share.'
Details and purchase links at www.mjwebbbooks.com
December 1, 2022
Greetings - update.
I have finally completed my 2022 edit of the Jake West Trilogy. This process has not gone smoothly at all, with publication and artwork issues which have now been resolved, so the Kindle version should be available on all sites from tomorrow. The paperbacks are out now.
This trilogy is a wonderful tale for anyone aged twelve and over. An action-packed adventure with strong themes of courage, honour, doing what is right etc. It was relatively successful some years ago but needed a better edit.
More details on my site at mjwebbbooks.com
A Child of Szabo is my latest novel. It is a fast-paced UK action thriller with a kick-ass female anti-hero who rivals Jack Reacher in all aspects.
It's slow going as marketing has proved difficult to be honest, but those who have read it, have been universally complimentary. I'm hoping for more reviews so I've made it free on certain sites and Kindle Unlimited.
It's been a busy winter but I can now relax and do some reading of my own.
I like action-packed thrillers, historical fiction and fast-flowing fantasy so feel free to say hi and throw me a rec or two.
Take care and festive tidings.
This trilogy is a wonderful tale for anyone aged twelve and over. An action-packed adventure with strong themes of courage, honour, doing what is right etc. It was relatively successful some years ago but needed a better edit.
More details on my site at mjwebbbooks.com
A Child of Szabo is my latest novel. It is a fast-paced UK action thriller with a kick-ass female anti-hero who rivals Jack Reacher in all aspects.
It's slow going as marketing has proved difficult to be honest, but those who have read it, have been universally complimentary. I'm hoping for more reviews so I've made it free on certain sites and Kindle Unlimited.
It's been a busy winter but I can now relax and do some reading of my own.
I like action-packed thrillers, historical fiction and fast-flowing fantasy so feel free to say hi and throw me a rec or two.
Take care and festive tidings.
November 14, 2022
US Review
Great 4 star review on amazon from the US today. Thank you !
'The child of Szabo was an abused orphan, toughened by years of being passed about in British foster homes. When she is about to be expelled from the last school that will have anything to do with her, a secret organization recruiter offers her a new life, one that turns her into a deadly assassin. She picks a new name, Erin, but through the course of her missions, adapts new names for each mission. Her last mission finds her in a form of witness protection, masquerading as a prison guard because an unidentified organization is trying to kill her. She teams with the prison warden to escape an attempt on her life and fights through several more attempts with him, only to find that the organization after her is Szabo. Erin seems to have lost all empathy and emotion in the number of killings she has performed and in action, is almost invincible as a fighter, marksman and strategist. It doesn't hurt that she is also extremely attractive. The story is a page turner which follows the time honored thriller formula of throwing the protagonist into impossible situations in every chapter, to see if and how they get out of it. I received a complimentary copy, asking for a review and I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It's hard to understand why it hasn't been picked up by more people; perhaps because it was written for a British audience? I recommend it.'
'The child of Szabo was an abused orphan, toughened by years of being passed about in British foster homes. When she is about to be expelled from the last school that will have anything to do with her, a secret organization recruiter offers her a new life, one that turns her into a deadly assassin. She picks a new name, Erin, but through the course of her missions, adapts new names for each mission. Her last mission finds her in a form of witness protection, masquerading as a prison guard because an unidentified organization is trying to kill her. She teams with the prison warden to escape an attempt on her life and fights through several more attempts with him, only to find that the organization after her is Szabo. Erin seems to have lost all empathy and emotion in the number of killings she has performed and in action, is almost invincible as a fighter, marksman and strategist. It doesn't hurt that she is also extremely attractive. The story is a page turner which follows the time honored thriller formula of throwing the protagonist into impossible situations in every chapter, to see if and how they get out of it. I received a complimentary copy, asking for a review and I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It's hard to understand why it hasn't been picked up by more people; perhaps because it was written for a British audience? I recommend it.'
November 8, 2022
A Child of Szabo
Penning a modern thriller which was in part inspired by the brave ladies and gents of the Special Operations Executive during WW2, I never dreamt that I would be contacted by the daughter of an SOE legend who was shot by the Nazi's. I feel so humbled and grateful that she took the time to reach out and have sent her a copy. Such a lovely lady.
Lest we forget.
mjwebbbooks.com
Lest we forget.
mjwebbbooks.com
November 2, 2022
The Launch Prize Draw
I recently ran a Prize Draw on another social media site. I also opened it up to my personal friends. The entry terms were simple. All they had to do was 'Like' and 'Share' my post about the competition, thereby granting me some much needed publicity following the launch of 'A Child of Szabo.' The winners were drawn at random on the closing date, which was 31/10/2022.
I have contacted both of the lucky souls and posted a signed copy today.
Thank you to everyone who entered.
I have contacted both of the lucky souls and posted a signed copy today.
Thank you to everyone who entered.
October 30, 2022
The Blurb
For all you would be authors out there, certain elements of the publishing process are vital if you are to attract readers. Obviously, the cover and exterior of your novel are the things that initially sell it. There is little point having a kick-ass story inside, if it is visually bland or off-putting. You need to dazzle the person viewing it on the packed bookshelf, so the more striking the better.
And don't forget the blurb. If someone picks up your book and shows initial interest, those few paragraphs on the rear will make or break the deal. Hook them with the pitch. Reel them in with an exciting summary of the action or story.
I have just realised my blurb was not strong enough. Being self published, I have changed this on sites but will have to live with the one on the book itself. That is my error but the whole process is a learning curve. If you stop learning, you fail to grow.
Here is the new blurb;
'A teenage rebel with a tragic past finds herself on the edge of the abyss. Offered one final chance of redemption by an enigmatic stranger, she is recruited into a secret society of assassins formed by Winston Churchill after the Second World War. It has been operating clandestinely for years. Protecting. Hunting. Killing.
But for who?
With only a career civil servant as back-up, she unleashes hell and discovers the enemy is inside the wire. The stakes are larger than she could ever imagine but now she must battle for survival against known and unseen enemies in a do or die existence to become the best. For only then can she take out those who killed her family.
Those who are now determined to kill her.'
I think it reads much better. What do you think?
And don't forget the blurb. If someone picks up your book and shows initial interest, those few paragraphs on the rear will make or break the deal. Hook them with the pitch. Reel them in with an exciting summary of the action or story.
I have just realised my blurb was not strong enough. Being self published, I have changed this on sites but will have to live with the one on the book itself. That is my error but the whole process is a learning curve. If you stop learning, you fail to grow.
Here is the new blurb;
'A teenage rebel with a tragic past finds herself on the edge of the abyss. Offered one final chance of redemption by an enigmatic stranger, she is recruited into a secret society of assassins formed by Winston Churchill after the Second World War. It has been operating clandestinely for years. Protecting. Hunting. Killing.
But for who?
With only a career civil servant as back-up, she unleashes hell and discovers the enemy is inside the wire. The stakes are larger than she could ever imagine but now she must battle for survival against known and unseen enemies in a do or die existence to become the best. For only then can she take out those who killed her family.
Those who are now determined to kill her.'
I think it reads much better. What do you think?
