Interview with Maree Ward - Russell

Interview with Maree Ward-russell

Author of The Soul Keeper –             

2^nd book in The Castle Trilogy

Questions by R. Murry

Can you tell me a little about yourself?

I’m a 47 year old mother to five teens, a registered nurse and I’ve been writing stories in one way of another since I was about 10 yrs. old. I was raised in New Plymouth – a coastal city on the west coast, North Island of New Zealand but have spent the last 10 years living here in Auckland city. I love to travel and have had many trips overseas.

Do you remember the first story you wrote?

Yes – although I do recall I also have never completed it! It was a story about a nation of elves living at the bottom of a girls’ garden who enlist her help to save them from a terrible fate. “The Saving of the Eledenforth Elves.” 

Were you inspired by someone or something?

I have loved C.S Lewis from a very young age. I used to seek old wardrobes wherever I saw them. Since then Tolkien and in later years J.K. Rowling – not only for her incredible writing skill but also her ability to draw readers, young and old in a highly computerised age.

What do you like about writing a story?

When I’m completely losing myself in the fantasy, I’m happy.  Becoming someone or being somewhere that in today’s reality simply wouldn’t be possible and then sharing that with those who love this like me.

Can you tell us about your book?

I have several on the go; a bad habit of mine. Firstly I released Roses at Dusk – a paranormal suspense for Young adults; the first in a series called the Demonic Series. Just recently however, I have released The Transient. This is the first in The Castle Trilogy that is a teen fantasy romance about a young girl who moves from Australia to New York State to take up residence in a rundown castle, turned bed and breakfast with her dad. It is dripping with atmosphere, ghosts and villains with just a tangible hint of romance. In a way The Castle series is a prequel to The Demonic series as Roses at Dusk only came about when I felt the villains from The Castle Series needed a story of their own.  

What genre best fits for the book?

Teen – Fantasy/Paranormal/Romance.

                                                                            

Are you working on something new at the moment?

Several! I am trying to get Snowdrops Wilt at Dawn – the second after Roses at Dusk, completed. On top of that I have three other quite different projects. Firstly, a collaborative work with English poet A.V. Barber called Lion Hearts. This is a medieval romance set back in the time of King Richard, which uses a combination of poetry and narrative back story to tell the tale of a Knight and his maiden. I also invest a lot of time in The Dragons of the Yew Maze – a teen adventure for all ages, set in Kent, which is an action packed story of two kids helping to protect a young prince’s kingdom and Dragon crop from an evil Governor called Tyrone.  Finally – when I need a complete change of pace I am slowly working my way through a classical, steam punk mystery – called the Mystery at Bancroft Hall. – Phew!

Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?

Don’t be put off by everyone else’s opinions or the system itself. You will never find a more fickle and subjective industry than literature; which is why there is very questionable material on occasions that find its way in to traditional high profile print while some extraordinary writers are struggling and passed over. Never give up, believe in what you do. Don’t read reviews and just keep WRITING… for the love above all else.

Where can people go to read your work?

Amazon, Smashwords – including all the usual additions like Kobo and Barnes and Noble. I also have three fan pages and a personal website along with Goodreads.com

www.mwrussellbooks.com

http://www.amazon.com/Roses-Dusk-Demonic-Series-ebook/dp/B0096A5QJ0

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/262001

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/228547

http://www.amazon.com/The-Transient-Castle-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B00AITK652/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1354738532&sr=1-4&keywords=the+transient

https://www.facebook.com/pages/MW-Russell/253137498083855

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lion-Hearts/115420775286302

https://www.facebook.com/RosesAtDusk

http://www.goodreads.com/author/dashboard

Review of Reality Is Broken

Jane McGonigal's

Reality Is Broken                  

Why Games Make Us Better and

How They Can Change The World

Reviewed by R. Murry

The world around us is changing at a fast pace.  Can you remember when a TV wasn’t a flat screen or a telephone wasn't a cell?  What did we do without the internet?  Now we can communicate with literally thousands, if not millions, of people in a flash.

A question is posed: Are games, using the internet, leading us to reinventing civilization as we know it?  Ms. McGonial in her intelligent hypothesis would say yes.  She is not writing about those games that the gamer goes around killing everyone and wasting precious time.  What she proposes are games that are geared to resolving global problems such as famine, power, communications, social differences, etc. and making people feel happy about doing it. 

In her well detailed explanations, Jane reveals how these games full fill one’s need for happiness.  She does this by defining numerous ways a gamer is satisfied in reaching their particular goals albeit not reaching a final conclusion while a level of completing a personal accomplishment is felt - an achievement that the gamer is happy with.

Ms. McGonial introduces us to games that will or have made an effect on social norms.  I’ll just mention a few: CHORE WARS is a game where you win by doing work around the house and receive rewards for your due diligence.  THE COMFORT OF STRANGERS is one where you learn more about your community and smile a lot.  EVOKE is a game network for social innovation.  There are many others, some using the internet to change our world concept of each other.

The book is lengthy.  But if you can bear with some of the detail, you’ll be amazed at what Jane McGonial has written.  I watched her introduction the way games and gamers can make a difference in the world on http://www.ted.com/   I was impressed and purchased Reality Is Broken.

Here is Jane’s link: http://janemcgonigal.com/

   

5 Star Reviews of The Audubon Caper

5 Star Reviews of The Audubon Caper

by Authors


Carol Marrs Phipps, author of Good Sister, Bad Sister

The Audubon Caper is a hair-raising, eye-opening story that you simply won't want to miss, particularly if you desire an inside glimpse into how one of our intelligence agencies conducts some of its covert operations.

Danny Kemp, author of The Desolate Garden wrote: 

I have read this book and can happily recommend it. A thoroughly enjoyable story told with conviction and expertise.

Rags Daniels, the author of  Lallapaloosa, wrote:

'The Audubon Caper' is… utterly compelling, riveting, factual roller coaster ride.

If it doesn't make it to the big screen, I will devour my hat.

PS; I guarantee you will hate reaching the end.             

Faith Helen Mortimer, author of many mystery novels wrote:

R. Murry has written a good book here with plenty to excite and interest the reader and adding reality to the story. The fluency and pace kept me on edge until the end. This was a most enjoyable read and if you like thrillers then this one could be for you.

Seumas Gallacher, author of SAVAGE PAYBACK others an says:

I've seldom been seduced by a storyline right from the first page as I was with The Audubon Caper...

The fluency and pace keep the reader on edge until the final page. It’s a most enjoyable read...

Kathryn Kimball Johnson, author of many romance novels/professor says on 

the back cover of the book:

“The Audubon Caper is a page-turner.”

Vonda Norwood, author of many Erotic novels wrote:

This TRUE story is filled with SEX and LIES.  I LOVED IT.  I believe all the accounts in this exciting mystery are true and that the facts are all there... but am I right? I DON'T KNOW!!!

Theresa Brau, author of Groom and Doom and English teacher wrote:

R. Murry's The Audubon Caper is a fast-paced story. There are so many things going on in this creative non-fiction tale.  One of the greatest things about this book is that it's based on a true story…

Zoe Saadia, author of HIGHLANDER and many historical novels wrote: 

I was meaning to pick "Audubon Caper" for some time, but the moment I peeked into the sample chapter I knew I have to read this book. It gripped me from the very beginning, the author's way to address the reader in the friendly conversational way of someone telling you his story…

Cynthia J Smith, poet, and author of Voices in my Head wrote: 

Mr. Murry writes so smoothly that the story flows from past to present without a ripple. His scenes of sex and drugs are reminiscent of the activities of that era but are written in such a way as to add to the story instead of becoming a major piece of it.

Larry B. Gray, author and blogger wrote: 

Do you want to read a book that you can't put down? Do you want a book that will grab you by the seat of the pants and will not let you go? The Audubon Caper by R. Murry is just the book for you. In this true-crime tale, Roy Murry has pulled it all together into a fast past adventure tale.

Debbie McEwan author of fiction says:

Debbie wrote: "I've just finished this book and its brill! Will keep you guessing until the end and the author's notes are also intriguing."

The Audubon Caper can only be found on Amazon Kindle E-books  US https://amzn.to/2ShFH40

Review: Sorry, We can't use funny.

  

Written by Barry Parham    

   

Reviewed by R. Murry



I laughed.  I thought and laughed.  And I laughed, thought, and laughed with each sentence I read of Mr. Parham’s many off the cuff jesting and jiving.  I’m just joking.  I think he put much thought into each of his stories, shorts, and ponderings.  He writes some intelligent quibbling too, but not to a fault.

I’m glad he put all these interludes with the world in a book.  I would get frustrated if I had to wait for a newspaper column to come out each week to enjoy his type of entertainment.

Enjoyed most by me, are his Dear Abby Redux replies to correspondents who propose situations and quibble about the world around them.  Mr. Parham answers with appropriate funny words. 

In his writing, I get the feeling that he enjoys poking at the current world affairs especially at the leaders of the free world, as we all do.  However, Mr. Parham does not insult, but gets right to the point which is funnier in a sad way, because of the truth in his words.

I’m not going to give details, but will say that if you want to have a good time laughing, buy this funny expose of the world and the people in it.

Barry’s links are below: The weekly columns are available online, via a yearly subscription, at

http://www.barryparham.com.

Alternatively, Kindle owners can subscribe and have the columns automatically downloaded each week, from this address:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AY6Z8S4

Interview of Barry Parham

                                    Interview of Barry Parham        

Author of Sorry,

We Can’t Use Funny

Questions: R. Murry

Can you tell me a little about yourself?

Well, let's see. I'm a moderately pleasant single guy. I'm a music lover, a lucky Uncle, a proud graduate of the University of Georgia, and a recovering software developer. I'm middle-aged, assuming I live to be 112. And I'm fiscally conservative, except for music CDs.

Do you remember the first story you wrote?

The first humor column I ever published was called "Things I've Learned from Television." It was basically a list of misconceptions that somebody from another planet might make, if their only source of information was a few hours watching TV. For example:

If you live in a trailer park, and have a 200 lb. pet chimp, and then feed the chimp Xanax, and then invite the neighbors over, you may shortly appear on the TV news in what is known as a "Breaking Story."

Were you inspired by someone or something?

Absolutely - two of the best: Mark Twain and Dave Barry.

What do you like about writing a story?

What's most fun for me is finding an odd angle; an unexpected connection; a pairing between things that, at first glance, might seem to have nothing in common.

Can you tell us about your book?

Sorry, We Can't Use Funny is my second (of five) collections of humor columns and other short pieces. The book's title is actually a quote I received in a rejection letter from a newspaper editor. He's dead now, but let's not get into all that.

What genre best fits for the book?

Observational humor, I suppose, is a good fit. I was once told that what I write is not fiction, which was a silly thing to say. After all, I know perfectly well its fiction - I made all of it up myself.

Are you working on something new at the moment?

Other than the weekly columns, I'm thinking...slowly...about a new book. I've enough material for another book, but this time I might skip the physical venue altogether, and just stick with an eBook version.

Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?

My self-inflicted discipline is to write a minimum of 625 words, about something, every week. But I understand not everyone can do that - it takes a firm commitment to be that lazy.

Where can people go to read your work?

The weekly columns are available online, via a yearly subscription, at

http://www.barryparham.com.

Alternatively, Kindle owners can subscribe and have the columns automatically downloaded each week, from this address:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AY6Z8S4

Do you have anything to add?

I'm thankful to my God, I'm grateful for my parents, and I'm honored to now be able to count myself among the authors reviewed on these pages. Thanks, Roy, to you and your readers!

Seducing the Princess

Review of Seducing the Princess     

Written by Mary Hart Perry

Reviewed by R. Murry

Being the Baby, the youngest in the family of many, has its advantages and disadvantages.  Since I have never been in that position, I have no real understanding of how one copes being the youngest of nine.  Ms. Perry’s character Baby explains, in well-constructed prose, how one felt from a Victorian prospective.  It was heart breaking being the youngest daughter of Queen Victoria.

Beatrice, Bea or Baby for short, finds herself in a deserving position that she never thought would happen to her even though she is at the ripe old age of twenty seven.  She has a male suitor.  Most women of that era by eighteen knew about the birds and bees.  You know what I mean.  Bea was oblivious of the differences.

Here is where the fun in this romantic thriller begins – the seduction game a la Victorian Era. You must follow royal protocol or the Queen will chop off your head literally and or fugitively if you screw with her needs.  The queen is in control of her realm and her family.

Mary Hart Perry has done her research.  The era comes alive to the point that when Bea got so excited about her suitor Henry coming she accomplished her toilette in record time. Which is a nice way of saying it; you get the point.

Bea and Henry’s romance has many hurdles to traverse: her mother’s objections, of course, and another suitor of dubious background with an important family backer, who wants to conquer the world.  These interludes are well written and plausible given the historical events of the time.

You’ll have to read this enjoyable novel to see how this love affair comes to literally a cliff ending event that kept the interest of a non-Victorian like me.

LINKS: on.fb.me/Kj7hzU  
https://twitter.com/Mary_Hart_Perry

https://ganxy.com/i/76010

Interview: Mary Hart Perry

Interview with

Author Mary Hart Perry 

Questions by R. Murry

      

Can you tell me a little about yourself?

Hi, Mary Hart Perry here. Well, I live in the Washington, DC area and teach at The Writer's Center when I'm not working on my own novels. My husband and I love to sail, travel, garden...and we have two cats who are my writing partners.

Do you remember the first story you wrote?

The first story I wrote was for young readers, about a little boy who lost his lunchbox on his way to school. It was a simple mystery with a happy ending--he uses his head to figure out what happened to it. Highlights for Children bought it for $35.00 and I was thrilled. LOL!

Were you inspired by someone or something?

Absolutely, I loved Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories, and picked up the mystery writing bug from him. I also read a lot of historical adventures; Kenneth Roberts was my favorite.

What do you like about writing a story?

I love the idea of being able to escape to another time and place. That's what happens when you read. But it's even truer when you write your own stories.

Can you tell us about your book?

SEDUCING THE PRINCESS is set mostly in England during the 19th century. The heroine is Princess Beatrice, Queen Victoria's youngest daughter, who is being wooed by two very different men - one with the best intentions, the other with the very worst. There is lots of atmosphere and historical details, but fast-paced too.

What genre best fits for the book?

The novel is a romantic historical thriller.

Are you working on something new at the moment?

Yes. Seducing is the second book of a series. So I'm working on the third, which will feature the Crown Princess who confronts one of the most famous serial killers in history.

Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?

Write every day. Seriously, that's the one thing that will help your stable of skills strengthen. If you only write when you feel like it or occasionally, it's hard to make progress.

Where can people go to read your work?

My books are available from all of the major online booksellers include Barnes & Noble and Amazon, and for all reading devices. The Wild Princess is also in paperback, and soon Seducing will also be in print.

Do you have anything to add?

Thanks for the chat! I enjoy getting a chance to talk with readers as well as other writers. Feel free to follow me on any social network. Best wishes, Mary Hart Perry

FB:  on.fb.me/Kj7hzU  
https://twitter.com/Mary_Hart_Perry

https://ganxy.com/i/76010