Interview of Dionne Lister

Interview of Dionne Lister

Author of Shadows of the Realm

(The Circle of Talia)

Questions: R. Murry

Can you tell me a little about yourself? I was born in Australia to immigrant parents. My mum’s Italian, and my dad’s Greek. I live in Sydney with my husband and two children and enjoy playing competitive team sports.

Do you remember the first story you wrote? The first one I remember writing was a small book when I was about ten — The Silver Waters of Brumby Land. Brumbies are the wild horses in Australia. I still have it, and I illustrated it too. It’s funny to look back on because I always thought I got my horror streak from reading too much Stephen King as a teenager but in my first book, one of the horse characters slipped and fell and smashed his head on a rock. He died. Seems like it’s just my brain and I have no one else to blame lol.

Were you inspired by someone or something? No. I just wanted to be a writer because I loved writing and I enjoy the process so much.

What do you like about writing a story? Many things. I love the process of creating the story — putting the words on the page is incredibly fulfilling, and then I love reading it back and thinking “Where did that come from?” And of course, there is the joy of a stranger (or friend) reading your work and loving it.

Can you tell us about your book? I’ve written three books. The first one is Shadows of the Realm and the sequel A Time of Darkness, both in The Circle of Talia series. They’re young adult high fantasy and center around a group of realists — they draw and use power from the Second Realm. The two main characters, Bronwyn and Blayke, are learning as they go, having been forced to leave home. They’re eighteen and untried. Their daunting task is to learn as much about their Second Realm powers. As they can without getting killed and then band with the dragons, so they have a chance of defeating the gormons who are invading from the Third Realm (akin to hell) where they were banished from Talia (their world) over a thousand years ago. The gormons are angry and want blood; lots of blood.

The other book I have out is Dark Spaces, a book of suspenseful short stories set in the modern-day world.

What genre best fits for the book? Young adult epic or high fantasy is The Circle of Talia series, and Dark Spaces is thriller/suspense.

Are you working on something new at the moment? I’m working on a lot of things. I’m working on the final book in The Circle of Talia series, a standalone epic fantasy which is tentatively called Little Dove, a crime thriller. One which is comedy/women’s fiction which will be released under a pen name as it deals with things I’d rather not have associated with my young adult image.

Do you have any tips for aspiring writers? Write as much as you can, and if you can study writing, you will learn a few things a lot quicker than if you try to do it yourself (unless you are a freaky genius). Learn to take criticism — it can hurt to start with, but you get used to it, and if you listen to the people who are giving you good feedback, you will improve. No one’s work is perfect so be open to the fact that you need to keep working to get better.

Where can people go to read your work? I have a few short stories and the opening to Shadows of the Realm on my website www.dionnelisterwriter.com. You can also buy my books from all the usual places (where you can also read samples).

Do you have anything to add? If of your Australian readers are interested, I’m talking about self-publishing at The Sutherland Shire Writers Festival and the NSW Writers Centre in November and the Hunter Writers Centre at the end of October. For the US readers, I’m appearing at a book signing morning on 12^th October in Dallas (Texas). Twelve authors are getting together. We write in a wide range of genres, and we’ll be selling and signing paperbacks, so come down and see us at Half Price Books Dallas flagship store. And if you’re into speculative fiction, I co-host Club Fantasci — you can find us on Facebook and Goodreads or our website www.clubfantasci.wordpress.com. You can find me on Twitter @DionneLister if you’d like to say ‘Hi.'

Roy: Thanks so much for the interview! I’ve really enjoyed myself. Cheers, everyone J.

Review of Valentine's Surprise

Review of Valentine’s Surprise,

a short story, by Lawrence Wray

Reviewed by Roy Murry

As some of you may know, I subscribe to http://www.one-story.com/  and receive a short story a month, which I read religiously. I have been doing this for a couple of years. I’m telling you this to give you an idea of where I got my knowledge in reviewing short stories – I have read many, including most of Mark Twain’s and other popular authors.

Now to the present and Mr. Wray’s Valentine’s Surprise. I was thankfully surprised and read it twice. It was well constructed prose that kept me interested and made me laugh even though I had to think twice about some of the English converted into American English, which pleasantly slowed down my reading – rethinking what just happened.

The story line was believable and timely. A man buying his wife a present for Valentine’s Day should be an easy thing to do. But when friends get involved a la Lucy and Desi Arnaz of TV comic fame, the results can be hilarious. The laugh meter needle went past the middle on this one.

Lawrence brings the story’s predicament across smoothly. There were no frills, just right to the point story telling. It’s worth the buck or pound for the laugh.

And, we should all laugh each day.

My Lawrence Wray’s links: 

Amazon Author Page  http://viewauthor.at/lawrencewray

Valentine’s Surprise    http://amzn.to/1m2nbJm

Twitter                           @lawrence_wray

Facebook                     www.facebook.com/lawrence.wray.33

Review of Turnabout Is Fatal Play

Review of

Turnabout Is Fatal Play

Written by Glenn Harris

Reviewed by R. Murry

Rick said at the end of Casablanca to the chief detective, “Louie, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship,” is an appropriate quote to describe the relationship between the main characters in Mr. Harris’ novel, McCall, and Malone, private detectives.  It is also true for the reader who loves detective stories because this series beginner endears you to its characters.

Clint McCall and Devon Malone combine to unravel some situations that range from funny to gruesome.  Even though their styles are clearly different, they mull over events, concluding where the circumstances may end.  Like any partnership, all doesn’t always end the way one may want.

Glenn Harris has put in place the start of a series that flows with some sparks flowing between the main protagonists up to and including the last scene where all seems well in their little part of skillfully defined Portland, Oregon.

Their relationships, future mishaps, and Portland’s landscape will be the base of upcoming episodes, which Mr. Harris has skillfully put in place.

With this background, the gamut of characters come alive, propelling events into action that our detectives fence against. Their duels are sometimes physical, mental, and cute. Whatever the situation, McCall and Malone find a way to deal with it, which is why I feel you’ll admire their accomplishments.

If you’re looking for a series that will keep you attentive, I recommend that you look into this one.

Glenn's books are currently available only in electronic form. There are links on my website, www.glennharris.us, to Amazon (for Kindle owners) and Barnes and Noble (for Nook owners). 

Review Passion, Power & Sin

Review of Mike Wells’

Passion, Power & Sin

Books 1 & 2 of

A Series

Reviewed by R. Murry

A simple act of receiving an E-mail, which most people would consider spam, is the catalyst of these thrilling introductions into this five book series written by Mr. Wells.  His main character, Heather, is a resourceful intelligent red head, who has a stressful money problem. 

Because of her family’s financial turmoil, she opens a second E-mail because the first message came true to her amazement and made her angry she didn’t take advantage of its fruition.  This is when her adventure into the world of international monetary affairs turns into nerve raking events for her and the reader.  However, there are some pleasant moments she encounters.

Mike pulls his readers in and keeps them glued to the page hoping Heather will reach her goals.  Each endeavor seems strange at first glance.  Heather overcomes obstacles by wit, fate and luck.  Mr. Wells writes each event in a way that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, wondering if Heather’s world wind will come to an end, solving her problems. 

There is a love affair in the background of this nail biting suspense story.  It’s kept there, because Heather is doing her thing globe hopping to resolve her problem first, keeping her lover in the dark of its existence. The affair culminated to her satisfaction.

We all want an underdog story to come to a happy ending.  This one may because of the lead character’s ability to go with the flow of events and not get bogged down in self-pity. She moves on, knowing she has the strength inside her to handle what is thrown at her even to the doubts of her friends.

Mike Wells has me hooked into finishing this series.  If you are not prone to heart attacks, this series should be on your “Series to read list.”

Check him out: http://
amzn.to/1hjPrhk

Review of Something Great

Review of Something Great

Written by M. Clarke

Reviewed by R. Murry

Romantic stories are now geared to the young, because they are the only ones who fall in love?!  The one difference I see in Contemporary Romance vs. any other Romance novel is gadgets used to upscale the plot.  In Mary’s novel Something Great, that gadget is a Smart Phone, with people using texts to convey information.  I’m old school and don’t text. 

Mary has done an excellent job using this communication media to enhance the story of her two lover’s journey.  Using this new way to snappily deliver one’s thoughts brings different emotions into play which a face to face directness diffuses.  The author uses wisely the differences of those exchanges to develop the storytelling.

In M. Clarke’s version of a love story, there is playfulness, teasing, giggling, winking, and the old standby of kissing one’s lover in the place that drives them crazy.  Effortlessly she leads the reader on through a story made in heaven and we all know that when that happens, there is always the pit falls.

The main character armed with a family of three friends, who have a group text site to speed up communications between them, falls heads over heals for the perfect man, albeit some say he is a women magnet and has slept with many of them.  He, on the other hand, has emotions that he never had before, which impedes his directness.

Their affair is sometimes torrid but mostly cute and moves along smoothly.  He uses his position to show his affection and she uses her friends for advice to understand it.  M. Clarke does a fine job of writing an uncomplicated story that becomes complicated because of her intended character’s communication skill and style.

This novel is for the young and old romantics.  It resonates on all levels.  An enjoyable summer afternoon read

Review of Soul Destruction: Unforgivable

Review of

Soul Destruction:

         Unforgivable

Written by Ruth Jacobs

Reviewed by R. Murry

Forgiveness is a hard concept for many to grasp. There are many quotes on forgiving oneself and others that could fill a book.  I won’t give you one.  All I’ll say is that the world would be better off if people would forgive and forget, including one’s own stupid actions.

Ruth Jacobs’ novel is a crime against forgiveness.  There isn’t a character in this tale of sex, drugs, and crime that has the capacity to forgive, because each of the main characters is wrapped up in their own self-pity.  This,

Ms. Jacobs has well developed.  The three prostitutes, Shelly (Main Character,) Nicole, and Tara, have all not forgiven or forgotten their pasts and have used their individual pasts as a reasons for being where they are in the present.

This character driven story delves into the minds of intelligent individuals whose minds are altered by drugs and the life style they have chosen. Their decision making has been so impaired that they go over the edge, committing an unforgivable crime stemmed from the fact that no one in the group of three can forgive, forget, and move on, which might have stopped the crime.

Ruth’s writing moves the reader to peaks of disbelief that can only be described as horrific.  You feel the compassion in what she has portrayed as the life of a prostitute in the UK and feel the distress in how her characters come to their conclusions.

If you’re looking for a book that will keep you on the edge of your reading chair, this is a crime novel that will keep your attention.

Ms. Jacobs’s links are There’s the Soul Destruction website at www.soul-destruction.com and my author website www.ruthjacobs.co.uk.

First Chapter of Three X Wives of Don Quixote Smith

              

             

Part One, An Encounter – First Wife

The Year: 1977

    

     My name is Maria, Maria Dominguez, born in a little village north of the city of Santiago, Dominican Republic.  Please excuse my English – my native tongue is Spanish.    I’m using an interrupter.  My Don Quixote Smith story is this:

     Many said when I was young I could dance better than any of my family and friends.  So I started to take lessons when I was fourteen.  I could dance the meringue, our national folkloric dance, far superior to anyone in my class.  My instructor would always say to friends, “Come to my class and see this girl move. She is seductively good.”  He was proud to have me as his student.

     At seventeen, I was picked to go to the capital Santo Domingo as a finalist in the National Meringue Contest.  To my amazement, I won the second prize with my partner Jose.  “Maria and Jose didn’t win because the winner was a general’s daughter,” was the cry from the professionals and friends alike.

     A man, who owned a dance studio and company, saw us perform and hired Jose and me for his touring group.  We played in many of our country’s hotels until we got a permanent one – what do you say in English? – The gig at the Hotel Lina in Santo Domingo.  Jose and I had sex many times.  I became pregnant, and then the time came when I could not dance for fear of hurting my baby.

     The group became famous and got a contract to go on an international tour.  Jose left me behind when they went on tour to foreign lands – Mexico, Spain, Italy, America, and others.  I went to my mother’s home in Santiago to have my baby and never saw Jose again until many years later.  At that time in my life, I detested Dominican men and was leery of their intentions.

     Eventually, Jose fell in love and married a Dominican-American in the U.S.A., and he became a green card resident of their country.  I wish I had his luck.  He did send money for our son and wrote me saying he was sorry, but he had to do what he had to do, whatever that means?  He also wrote that he would bring his son to the United States when he became a citizen – how fortunate for my son.  “But…What about me?” I would cry loudly in my depression, “Dominican men suck!”

     When I regained my slim body, with its admiringly round breast and tight rear end, I looked for another dancing position.  My firm, slender legs and my newly found confidence after my experience of being left on my own by Jose, gave me the strength to dance my way into another dance group.  I had the smile, personality, and seductive moves.  Also, I slept with the director, Juan Sanchez.  We used each other.  I was making my luck.

     One day Juan called a troupe meeting, informing us he had signed a contract for a group of six males and six females to tour Haiti.  I paid a lot of money to get a passport fast, because I was one of the six women he’d chosen after twenty auditioned for the job, and we were leaving in two weeks. 

     I know why I got the dance position – it was my bedroom moves that Juan enjoyed the most, not my dancing.  Juan said at the close of auditions, “Maria.  I hired you to keep the other girls in line when we are in Haiti.  You still got the moves at twenty-one – you’re special.”  The other girls were all eighteen.  Juan liked young women so he could control them.

     I said to myself, “Don’t men always mean that you're special when they want to sleep with you?”  And Juan regularly got his way.  He was troupe leader and a super asshole.

     When we arrived in Haiti, the room assignments were made at the Hotel Royal Haitian, Puerto-Au- Prince.  I slept in a room with Lia and Dolores.  Juan had his room because he was the director/dancer, using it for sex with a different girl each night.  Sometimes two would be beckoned.  Lia and I reluctantly gave him what he wanted one night.  Anything to keep the boss happy was the unhappy attitude of the girl dancers.

     The man was a Puerco, pig.  What could we do?  We couldn't leave – any of us could – he held our passports and most of our money until the tour was over.  He did this to keep control.  But, he said he did it for safety reasons.

     We were his sex slaves on call.  The men in our group were all gay except Jaime.  He played around with local whores who came to see us perform.  He was told to stay away from the girls in our group by Juan.  I started enjoying the younger girls at Juan’s request.  What Juan wants; he takes.  “I want the young ones broken in.  That’s your job.  That’s why I hired you,” was his unvarying take-it-or-leave-it orders.

     The local and foreign tourists tried to have sex with us.  I declined no matter what the money offer was because Juan said he was going to send me home if I did.  He would force me into his bed instead.  The pig started to enjoy rough sex.  I would cry after each encounter and hope for the tour to end.  After our two-week engagement at the Cape Haitian's Hotel Royal Christophe on the north-east side of the country, the tour would end, and I would be free from Juan Sanchez.

     I remember the long bus ride to Cape Haitian.  I stayed alone in the back, not talking to anyone.  I had spent the last night in Port-au-Prince in Juan’s room.  He was more brutal than ever.  I just fell into a cocoon.  I didn’t want to talk to anyone. I was crying inside. Dominican men suck!

     My body did not feel so right from the bruises to my private parts.  I decided to bear with it for the next two weeks and report Juan to authorities when I got home, even though I knew it wouldn’t matter in my male-dominated country.

     We arrived in Cape Haitian at the hotel.  Getting off the bus, I bumped into a young man who was coming out of the hotel. “Sorry…Hi!” he said, looking into my eyes intensely and giving me a beautiful smile.

     “Hola,” was all that came out of my mouth.  I was shaking.  He spoke English and I couldn’t.  Comely and sharp looking at the same time, I just wanted to squeeze him.  I had – what do you say in English? – Goosebumps – all over my body. 

     “Lia, did you see that gorgeous man who just said hello to me and walked away?” I nudged my roommate.

     “Yes. I'd like to get that man into bed!  He looks like an American.  Let’s ask someone,” she replied, licking her lips.

     She asked the hotel worker, who took our bags, in Spanish, “Hi!  Is the man that just left here an American?  Does he stay here?”

     Answering in broken Spanish, he offered, “Si, Si, he is in room #13.  He is Don Quixote Smith.  He lives in the hotel for a month. He is a businessman.” He held his hand out for a tip.  I gave him an American dollar, and he continued smiling, “He goes to the show tonight.  I help – no?”

     I handed the Haitian another dollar and told him, “Find out all you can about him and tell me later. OK?”

     “Si, Si. I find out.”

     We arrived at our rooms and took a long needed rest from our three-hour bus trip.  After showering, I laid on my bed thinking about that good-looking man Don Quixote Smith and knowing that we would meet again.  “I’ll bed him,” I said in a sinister tone. “I don’t care what Juan will do to me.  I’ll take my chances and make my luck.”

Now you can purchase Three X Wives of Don Quixote Smith at Amazon: https://amzn.to/2tyVZaL