Guest Blog Post: Are Courageous Women in Stories More Interesting To Read About? by Linda Weaver Clark

 

Nayu: It is with great delight I present today's guest post, Linda Weaver Clarke, an author who writes a range of fiction including romance and cozy mysteries. My favourite series by her is the Amelia Moore detective series, I have links to the books I've reviewed in it in the 7th book, Amelia Moore #7 The Lighthouse Secret by Linda Weaver Clarke (Audiobook, Cozy Mystery, 9/10E) 

 You can find out about her romance books at the end of the guest post. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do, and check out her work! Be sure to check out Linda's website too. I've read but not yet reviewed Light At the End of the Tunnel.

Are Courageous Women in Stories More Interesting To Read About? by Linda Weaver Clarke

 Courageous women in stories seem to draw readers’ attention and grab their interest. The bravery and strength of character easily draws them into the story. It takes courage to stick up for one’s rights and defend one’s beliefs. During the 1840s, there were many brave women who fought against injustice and inequality. Many wanted to have a better education. These women made a difference and influenced others to make a better life for themselves.

A fairly new historical romance series was released that has received outstanding reviews on Amazon and Audible Audiobooks. It is called “Women of Courage.” In these novellas, the spunk and courage of these women seem to draw the readers into a world of adventure.

In The Light at the end of the Tunnel, Hannah is a young single mother who has had a few hardships since arriving in America. But the trials in her life only make her stronger. Hannah realizes she can make something of her life by opening a hot chocolate shop. She soon finds that starting her own business isn’t as easy as she thought. But she will not give up. When Thomas learns that she has spirit, he is intrigued with her.

“This romance wrapped around my heart as it took me into the struggles of Hannah, such a brave woman… The characters come to life on the page as Thomas falls for Hannah and adores her child. However, Hannah is caught up in her day-to-day trials and with her independent streak, she only thinks of making a life for her and her daughter. Can Thomas get her attention and change her mind?” ~ Author Gail Pallotta

Hannah isn’t the only one who shows her independent nature. Serenity has just as much courage. Chasing thieves off her property and entering a horse race are just a few things that describe this young Welshwoman’s spunk. In A Lady of Refinement, Serenity teaches an evening class for adults and helps them to read and write and have a better education. Reading is Serenity’s favorite pastime, where she can go on one adventure after another. She wonders if anyone can measure up to the heroes in her books. But the adventures soon become real after arriving in America. When Jonathan meets Serenity, a refined woman from Wales, he wonders how he can win her heart.

“How I enjoy finding a book that will not let me put it down until I'm done!  This was the case with A Lady of Refinement.  Linda Weaver Clarke used a true story of her ancestor’s as a base, and it rang familiar to me, as my ancestors also migrated to America during the same time period. The main character, Serenity, is the refined lady and it was such a delight when she bested a few arrogant males.  My favorite character, however, was Jonathan, who was very taken with Serenity.  Time will tell if he is successful at capturing her attention.” ~ Louise Pledge Reviews

There is one more independent woman in this series. The third novella is about a young woman who stands before an audience and fights against involuntary servitude and slavery. Frederick Douglass, an abolitionist, wrote: “When the true history of the antislavery cause shall be written, women will occupy a large space in its pages; for the cause of the slave has been peculiarly a woman’s cause.”

In A Mississippi Sunset, Laura McBride is a liberated and courageous young lady who is convinced that she can help others in her crusade for equality. She encourages women to fight for their beliefs and be heard. But she soon finds out that women who speak publicly are looked down upon. When Deputy William Davies meets Laura, he admires her spunk and determination to fight against slavery.

“I really enjoyed this sweet and clean historical fiction and romance. A Mississippi Sunset is part of a series of brave women who were not afraid to take a stand in what they believe needed to be changed and you will see some historical figures that appear in this book!  Loved that. This is a very enjoyable book and it is well worth a read!” ~ Sunnie Reviews

Taking true experiences from the author’s ancestors, this series of novellas was created. These young ladies were considered “women of courage.”

Watch 2 book trailers below to peak your interest.

Women of Courage trailer 1

Women of Courage trailer 2

 

About Author: Author Linda Weaver Clarke is the author of 35 books. All her books are family friendly. Linda works at the FamilySearch Center where she helps people find their ancestors. She also teaches a free class at FamilySearch about writing biographies and publishing it.

The Light at the End of the Tunnel is available on Amazon and on Audible narrated by BreAnne Okoren.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/product/B09JHRQYF1

https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Light-at-the-End-of-the-Tunnel-Audiobook/B0B4F65DGY

A Lady of Refinement is available on Amazon and on Audible narrated by BreAnne Okoren.

https://www.amazon.com/Lady-Refinement-Women-Courage-ebook/dp/B09PHZK76M

https://www.audible.com/pd/A-Lady-of-Refinement-Audiobook/B0BFJW9KJX

A Mississippi Sunset is available on Amazon and on Audible narrated by Elizabeth Schmidt.

https://www.amazon.com/Mississippi-Sunset-Women-Courage-ebook/dp/B09SRDBHNX

https://www.audible.com/pd/A-Mississippi-Sunset-Audiobook/B0BMDFDVQJ

Guest Blog Post from Mark Jones author of Rita Wong and The Jade Mask

  September 2021, Everything With Words, 304 pages, Paperback, Review copy 

Book Summary from Everything With Words

Rita Wong leads an ordinary existence sipping hot chocolate in Morecambe. That is until a dragon called Lester Thyme crosses her path. He leads her to a place known as Neon City where the streets are dark with magic. Between the two of them, Lester and Rita become detectives for hire. Their case involves stolen goods, and will see them meet femme fatales, crime bosses and a whole host of monsters. Although amateurs in the crime detection business, Rita and Lester will need to learn fast if they want to survive the week. 

Nayu's thoughts

The review is coming up tomorrow but today check out some background history behind events and people in Rita Wong and the Jade Mask by Mark Jones

 

Untapped Potential: Lester Thyme and Morecambe by Mark Jones

 

Mark

During the summer of twenty seventeen, I embarked on a railway tour of the UK. Most of the places were old family favourites which I had not seen in quite a while. One stood out in my mind before I even arrived there.

            Morecambe, on the northwest coast of England, endlessly fascinates me. It has an incredible collection of Art Deco buildings, the Midland Hotel being the most striking. Morecambe Bay also has a fabulous view of the Lakeland Fells. As a spectacle, the bay is both ethereal and rich. Even on a misty day, the scenery can cast a hypnotic spell.

            The sad thing is that Morecambe is not well known. As a small seaside town, it has yet to see its golden age. Today, it looks slightly run down. As a result, the property market is cheap. I am happy to say the situation is changing. Particularly as I never understood how such a little diamond had been missed.

            When I sat down to rewrite Rita Wong and the Jade Mask, I realised I needed a location that could be a metaphor for Lester Thyme. As one of the heroes of the story, Lester has never had the break he deserved. He’s worked a series of dead-end jobs for very little money. The bank account he has is drying up, and there’s no pension scheme coming to save him.

            On a whim, Lester decides to visit an old childhood holiday spot. Hoping to regain his youth, he gazes at the bay. Looking into the waters, he watches a narrow current of water that moves directly away from the shore, slicing through the breaking waves. To Lester, the powerful riptides symbolise time running out.

            Just like Morecambe, Lester Thyme has untapped potential. But he’s been overlooked. The clothes on his back are cheap and his accommodation is run down. Even with all the belt-tightening, Lester’s still struggling to pay his rent and move forward. In a depression, he’s decided the music has stopped and his friends have left the party.

            Lester, nearing the end of his losing streak, has forgotten that he’s clever, friendly, handsome, and reliable. But all is not lost. All it takes for Lester’s luck to change is one person who can see the dormant talents within him. Perhaps for Lester Thyme and Morecambe, their untapped potential will soon be discovered?

 

RITA WONG AND THE JADE MASK by Mark Woods is out now in paperback (£7.99, Everything with Words)

Find out more at everythingwithwords.com and follow on Twitter @EveryWithWords

Guest Blog Post: Children of the Periapt: Escape from Elmsmere by Cimone O'Byrne (Children's, 9 years +)

 

May 2021, Jotty Press, 207 pages, Paperback and Ebook

Book summary

Vinnie Shadowsmith arrives at Elmsmere Academy. A tranquil paradise for some, Vinnie see's it for what it is; a prison for gifted children and a fortress of despair. He meets the enchanting Lilana Flowerdew and the defiant Kitty Midnight, and together they plot their daring escape.

Follow our heroes as they discover the truth about the world around them, harness their super human gifts, and learn how to conquer the magic of their Periapt charms.
 

Nayu's thoughts

I wasn't in the mood to read this book but it sounded like other books I've reviewed so I wanted to feature it here on my blog. I asked Cimone if she would like to write a post and she kindly said yes! Check out her  path to publication below. 

Path to Publication by Cimone O'Byrne

Children of the Periapt: Escape from Elmsmere is the first in a series of books I started to write 10 years ago. It really has been a labour of love, and I finally finished the first book at the beginning of 2021. 

If you had asked a 7-year-old me, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" I would have said, "An authoress". The outdated nature of the terms I used tells you a bit about my age, but the fact that I'm writing books thirty-five years later tells you how much it means to me. I am passionate about writing, particularly for children, and I hope this comes across in the words I write.

The book itself is set in a fantasy world. It's based on three main characters, Lilana, Kitty and Vinnie. They have been snatched from their families by seekers, and left at Elmsmere Academy for the Gifted. The book follows their attempts at escape, and the adventures that follow. It is crammed with magic, fantastical creatures, and loveable characters. My main aim was to write characters that children could see themselves in, and to draw them in to feel part of the story. I hope I have achieved that.

I published the book on 1st June 2021 and joined a lot of indie author groups online to get advice and support. The message that immediately came across is that self-publishing is hard, and getting books into bookshops or libraries is even harder. The best advice I got was to hire a good editor and find a strong book cover designer.

Having designed my own cover, I soon realised that I needed a professional. My talents definitely do not fall within the realms of design. I looked online and found the amazing Eleanor Loseby at Brush and Brew illustrations. She did a brilliant job at portraying my vision and producing a cover I loved.

Next, I e-mailed every local library in the UK. At night, I would sit in bed, laptop at the ready, while my husband reeled off the names of football teams, which I used as a list of UK cities and towns. A novel way to find libraries, I guess! I also e-mailed every local shop I could think of that may stock a children's book.

By publication day I had 11 libraries across the UK lending the book and 7 local shops holding stock. I was thrilled. 

When sharing this triumph with some online author groups, I was inundated with support and congratulations. There were also a few negative nellies. The online keyboard warriors whose aim it is to suck the joy out of any positive moment or experience. One sticks in my mind. He said, 'You won't make much money from a library. What is the benefit to you, may I ask?' 

I didn't reply. Not because he had a point, or because he worried me, but because he clearly had a different view of success. Some authors write books in the hope of a big sale (and I can't pretend that I don't dream of that too), but many of us are doing it because we love it; because it's our passion; because we love to write. Success is individual, and we measure it against our own criteria. Success to me is people reading my book, people sharing my book, people liking my book, libraries lending my book, shops stocking my book and me knowing that I did what I set out to do at 7 years old. 

One of my greatest achievements is being approached by a woman from the US who wanted a copy of my book to take part in a community library project. The book will be put in a mini library in New York, and a child 3250 miles from me will read my book.  

7-year-old me would be jumping up and down on her bed and whooping with joy.

Children of the Periapt: Escape from Elmsmere is available on Amazon UK in paperback and on Kindle, and Amazon US in paperback and on KIndle too.  It is also available free on Kindle Unlimited.

Find out more on Cimone's website.