Writing Review of 2016

As usual, I’m doing what everybody else does and jumping on the bandwagon to do a review of what’s happened in my writing year:

• One novel, ‘The Door Into War’ was published by Rebel ePublishers.  It’s a time travel science fiction piece about a conspiracy to send undesirables into the trenches of World War One.  Reviews so far have been flattering;
• An erotic Short, ‘Bank Manager’, was published by Cobblestone Press;
• Another erotic short, ‘Weekend Treat’, has been accepted for publication, also by Cobblestone Press.  It’s going through the editing process at the moment;
• A third erotic piece, ‘Eton Mess’, accepted in 2014 by Keith Publications, has been through the editing process and has a cover.  It just awaits publication;
• Another horror novel accepted by Wild Child Publishing back in 2013, ‘Dana’s Children’, has been edited.  I await a cover and publication date.  It’s a story set in Ireland, about a group of archaeologists who stumble upon some underground passages containing evil creatures from Irish Myth.

So, what is there to look forward to in 2017?

• Hopefully, ‘Eton Mess’, ‘Weekend Treat’ and ‘Dana’s Children’ will be published;
• Two or three novellas and short novels of variable quality which I may or may not persevere with;
• I’ve finished redrafting of a north Welsh tale about a man who married a fairy.  Like ‘The Footholder’s Tale’, which is also a retelling of a Welsh story, the original is a bit bare and one of the attractions is being able to make up any backstory I like.  It also has the advantage of being set up the road from the family’s usual holiday destination, so I know the setting well.  Sadly, the meadow where fairies danced in the story is now a less-than-picturesque industrial estate and caravan park.  The story is ready to submit;
• I’ve planned a handful of erotic shorts;
• I’m half way through a horror about something archaeologists find in a Welsh bog.  I was brought up on 1980’s style horror, and the genre has changed since I picked up my first James Herbert back in the late 1970s.  The story is a throwback to the period in both structure and style which may or may not make it saleable, but it’s been a fun change to write;
• Tentatively planning the next novel.  I’ve always wanted to write a slasher set in non-modern times, and for this one I’m looking at something set in north-west Ireland during the period (around the beginning of the first century AD) of Celtic myth’s Ulster Cycle, and using the legends as a background.

Finally, a big thank you to everyone who helped my writing in 2016, whether by critiquing my work on Critters or offline, or by providing encouragement, or by editing my work, or generally just being there when I’ve needed a shoulder or advice.  Particular mention, as usual, to Carole and Phil.

‘The Door Into War’ - Review

It’s always pleasing to receive a review from someone I don’t know, because it means someone likes the look of the book(!).  It’s even more pleasing when the review is four star which is the case with the first Amazon review for ‘The Door into War’.  The story is described as a ‘…rattling good yarn’.

The full review is here.

Cobblestone Press

So, contracts have been signed – nice and quickly in these days of e-signatures – so I can announce that the publisher of ‘Weekend Treat’ will be Cobblestone Press.

Cobblestone Press handled my previous erotic short, ‘Bank Manager’, brilliantly so I was hoping Cobblestone would want to take on ‘Weekend Treat’, too.

Acceptance – ‘Weekend Treat’

I’m delighted to announce that a publisher will take on one of my erotic shorts, ‘Weekend Treat’.  As usual, I’ll refrain from naming the publisher until contracts are signed just in case something goes wrong.  However, it’s a house I’ve enjoyed working with before, and I’m delighted to be back in the fold.

The story is about Rachel McKenzie, the main character in my recently-released time travel novel, ‘The Door into War’.  In ‘Door’ Rachel, at thirty-one and still single, is concerned she will be left on the shelf.  In ‘Weekend Treat’ she goes into work one weekend to finish writing a paper.  A couple of plumbers are in the office replacing a radiator, they flirt, and Rachel finds she’s still ‘got it’. 

It was a thread I never got to explore in detail in ‘Door’ so it’s good to be able to go into it in a bit more depth.

My usual erotic ‘stars’, Kerry-Jane and Amy, have minor parts in the story.

An acknowledgement to Phil, who commented on the first draft.

Review - the ‘Wrong Turn’ Series

I don’t generally watch slashers involving psycho killers, mainly because I’m uneasy about films which show mental illness or disability in a bad light.

Having got that out of the way, I bought a multi of the ‘Wrong Turn’ series because my local DVD retailer was selling them at a price I couldn’t refuse.  So, what did I think of the series (which didn’t include the sixth installment)?

For my money I got a succession of films about a family of inbred hillbillies living in a remote area who live by slaughtering and eating wayward travelers – usually sex-crazed college kids, I suppose showing the films’ target audience.

The gore is laid on thick, but in a more tongue in cheek way than in a lot of slashers, a sign that the films take themselves less than seriously.  After watching the first two the formula became predictable but enjoyable, although by the last film I was ready for the series to finish.  It became a bit like listening to an AC/DC or Status Quo album for the first time, you know what you’re going to get which is generally young people being cut up and eaten (in the films, not the albums!), although each of the films had a clever twist at the end.

The series’ strong points are:

• Not having to indulge in backstory, which is straightforward;
• Simple, easy to follow plots;
• Fun twists at the end;
• Not taking itself seriously which allows for some black humour.

The weak points are:

• Little variety in the characters;
• Little imagination in the plotting;
• Some highly implausible deaths.

My favourite in the series was the second, which was genuinely a fun watch.  It had a good mix of characters and tongue in cheek, over the top gore, while maintaining tension.

The weakest in my opinion was three, which involved escaped prisoners and a list of obnoxious characters whose fate I was largely ambivalent to.

Overall this is an entertaining if not groundbreaking series and I’d give it 3/5.

‘The Door into War’– Release

I’ve been told by Rebel ePublishers that ‘The Door into War’ will be published on 11 November 2016.  As it deals with World War One, publication on 11 November – Armistice Day – seems appropriate.

The kindle version is already up for pre-order on Amazon – here’s the buy link.

The story is a science fiction tale of time travel, about how modern politicians arrange for social undesirables to be sent back in time to the First World War to help resolve the allies’ manpower crisis.

Here’s the blurb:

Archaeologist Rachel McKenzie expects the excavation of a World War One bunker to yield routine results – until she uncovers modern artefacts among a handful of skeletons in British uniforms. DNA testing provides evidence of a government scheme to address Britain’s shortage of soldiers in 1918 by abducting 21st century citizens and sending them back in time to fight the Germans. The authorities from both eras are desperate to keep ‘Operation Trench’ secret, and ruthlessly stamp down on anyone who might expose them.

Despite her scepticism about time travel, Rachel needs to persuade the public that ‘Operation Trench’ is much more than a conspiracy theory dreamed up by cranks. Battling against ever increasing odds to expose the plot, Rachel endangers herself and her colleagues as the government ruthlessly culls those they suspect are privy to their plan.

Can Rachel make the truth public before she and her colleagues become victims of the very scheme they are trying to stop? Or will those in power take brutal revenge against her?

As always, a big thank you to everyone who made the book happen: too many to list here, but I must mention Jayne for both taking the book on and for a thorough editing job.

‘The Shee’ - Review

(Contains spoilers)

I read ‘The Shee’ by Joe Donnelly because it was recommended and sent to me by a friend (thanks Phil!). In terms of premise, it’s the sort of story I’d write, and indeed my first novel, Andraste’s Blade, isn’t a million miles away in terms of broad theme.

The story is about an evil ancient Irish goddess (The Morrigan) who was imprisoned during the Celtic period. She is freed by archaeologists and the force of nature to do her evil and spread chaos in the modern day.

The novel has a 1980’s ‘feel’ to it, which isn’t surprising as it was published in 1992. There are a lot of viewpoint characters each having their own mini-story which was common thirty years ago, while now the trend is to focus more deeply on a very small number of individuals. The date made it seem almost historical fiction, without internet or mobile phones and with outdated archaeological techniques. Rather than detract from the story, that made it a refreshing read. From an author’s viewpoint, it was good to read about an isolated group of characters where the writer didn’t have to come up with convoluted ideas for everyone losing access to mobile phones – because there weren’t any.

I liked the characterisation. Considering there were so many people to keep track of, Donnelly managed to make each strong, memorable and individual, and I had no problem remembering who was who. The characterisation was a highlight.

Another highlight was the setting. I don’t know western Ireland, but Donnelly convinced me he does and I was able to imagine myself in the picturesque coastal village of Kilgallan. Combined together, the exquisite characterisation and setting made the story one that was easy to slip into.

There were, though, a couple of things that didn’t work for me. Firstly, in a book of over five hundred pages it took a long time for the story to reach a climax. That’s not a massive problem because the build-up, getting to know the characters, sub-plots and growing inter-relationships, were enjoyable.  Despite that it could have been paced a little quicker, especially as the climax was relatively short.

Secondly, the outcome hung on one of the characters being the same as a Celtic Irish Celtic hero, and this wasn’t explained or justified anywhere. As part of a plot it was fine and worked, but I felt I needed to be told how and why. For me, that was too big a problem for the novel to carry, and at the end it did take my enjoyment and made it a good read rather than a great one.

So, this is a book with some drawbacks.  Despite that, it’s a fun romp through horror and well worth authors reading it for the lessons in characterisation and maintaining interest.

The Door into War

After a flurry of emails, ‘Operation Trench’ (my forthcoming Rebel ePublishers World War One time travel novel) has both a cover and a change of title.

Rebel ePublishers wanted something more descriptive than my working title, so ‘Operation Trench’ is now ‘The Door into War’.  The catchy title, together with the stunning cover, capture the book’s theme and tone wonderfully and I’m delighted with both.  And, as with ‘The Footholder’s Tale’, the quality of Jayne’s editing is more than brilliant enough to make my prose readable!

A publication date is to be confirmed.

An Update

I’ve realised it’s a while since I’ve posted anything on my blog.  So, here’s where I am and what I’m working on.

A couple of books accepted for publication but not yet published:

• ‘Eton Mess’, an erotic novelette starring Kerry-Jane - my favourite PhD student who made her debut in ‘Art Class’ - has been edited and proofed.  I’m awaiting a release date from Keith Publications.  Kerry-Jane also appears in my Cobblestone Press novelette, ‘Bank Manager’;
• ‘Operation Trench’ is a time travel novel with horror elements set around Flanders’ trenches in World War One.  It’ll be published by Rebel ePublishers (who published ‘The Footholder’s Tale’), tentatively this year.  Jayne at Rebel hopes to start editing about now.  Kerry-Jane features and is becoming a regular in my stories.

I’m working on a handful other pieces which are in various stages of progress:

• A retelling of a traditional Welsh story about a fairy maiden called Penni who marries a mortal.  I see this as a companion story to ‘The Footholder’s Tale’ – it’s set in the next valley over - and I’m rather pleased with it.  Penni’s story is in the last stages of redrafting;
• An erotic horror novella about a trio whose plans for the evening are interrupted with terrifying results…;
• A couple of horror novellas – ‘The Balloon Game’ and ‘The Clootie Tree’ have started looking for publishers.  ‘Balloon’ is a stereotype ‘B Movie’ slasher-type story but I hope fun, while ‘Clootie’ has a bit more uniqueness.  I hope publishers agree!;
• ‘Curse’ is another story set in historic north Wales.  It combines several local tales of witchcraft to form a single novella.  It’s inspired by the life of Huw Llwyd of Cynfael, but as I’ve had to add other elements to flesh it out and I’ve set it in a different period, it’s certainly not a retelling.  It’s my current work in progress.
• A story in a 1970’s epic style about archaeologists who uncover an ancient sacrificed body with horrific consequences for the local population.  This is in the early planning stage so may or may not come to anything.
• I don’t do anthologies – I prefer to write what I want, when I want - but I’m toying for answering a call for submissions for an erotic anthology which is looking for the type of stories I write.  I’ve got until September to decide whether to inflict some more fun on Kerry-Jane!

What if You Got a Second Chance?

‘Breakwater Beach’ - part one of the ‘Unfinished Business’ series by Carole Ann Moleti.

Liz Levine is convinced her recently deceased husband is engineering the sequence of events that propels her into a new life. But it’s sea captain Edward Barrett, the husband that died over a century ago, who has returned to complete their unfinished business. Edward’s lingering presence complicates all her plans and jeopardizes a new relationship that reawakens her passion for life and love. What are Captain Barrett’s plans for his wife, and for the man who is the new object of her affections?

That’s the premise behind this new book by Carole Ann Moleti, a prequel to ‘The Widow’s Walk,’ the second in the series. Having read ‘The Widow’s Walk,’ I was delighted to be asked to preview ‘Breakwater Beach’. This prequel gives the main characters’ earlier story, and I was looking forward to finding more about people who left a mark on me in ‘The Widow’s Walk’.

The premise is an interesting one, with Liz Levine haunted by Edward, a ghost who married her in a previous life. She meets neighbours who also have previous lives that were entwined with those of Liz and Edward.

This story is a more fulfilling read than other paranormal romances I’ve read because it is more rounded than a simple romance. The characters have convincing backstories and current trials and tribulations which all play an important part in the novel rather than being ‘bolted on’. That kept me reading; until the end the story could take Liz more than one way, so it maintained my interest until the last page.

However, as so often with Moleti’s work, the real standout is in the characters. The author has a clear picture of what makes people tick, and a knack for characterisation that many authors will envy. The people in this story are largely ordinary, everyday folk on the surface, but each have depths and uniqueness – like most ‘ordinary’ folk – that the writing brings out. This depth of characterisation is a real highlight of the story and had me rooting for Liz.

‘Breakwater Beach’ will be available on 13 April. Details are at: http://www.caroleannmoleti.com/the-unfinished-business-series/

The pre-order link for Breakwater Beach is Live at:  http://www.amazon.com/Breakwater-Beach-Carole-Ann-Moleti-ebook/dp/B01DS59GA8

If you pre-order and send Carole a copy of your receipt via her website contact page, Carole will send you a free ebook gift. You can choose from The Widow’s Walk, Bites: Ten Tales of Vampires, Seers: Ten Tales of Clairvoyance, or Beltane: Ten Tales of Witchcraft.


Carole Ann Moleti lives and works as a nurse-midwife in New York City, thus explaining her fascination with all things paranormal, urban fantasy, and space opera. Her nonfiction focuses on health care, politics, and women's issues. But her first love is writing science fiction and fantasy because walking through walls is less painful than running into them.

The first book in Carole's Cape Cod paranormal romance novel series, The Widow's Walk, was published by Soulmate and is now out as an e book and in print. The prequel, Breakwater Beach, will be released in April 2016.

Urban fantasies set in the world of Carole's novels have been featured in Haunted: Ten Tales of Ghosts, Seers: Ten Tales of Clairvoyance, Beltane: Ten Tales of Witchcraft, and Bites: Ten Tales of Vampires.

Carole also writes non fiction that ranges from sweet and sentimental in This Path and Thanksgiving to Christmas to edgy and irreverent in the Not Your Mother's Books: On Being a Mother and On Being a Parent.

Carole is at:

http://amazon.com/author/carolemoleti

http://Twitter.com/Cmoleti

http://caroleannmoleti.blogspot.com

https://www.facebook.com/caroleannmoleti

plus.google.com/103609323247390103301

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/goodreadscomCmoleti

http://www.pinterest.com/caroleannmoleti/

Inspiration

A couple of nights ago I watched a television programme about England’s stunning Lake District.  The programme explained how the region inspires writers, artists and poets.  That’s led me to ask myself – possibly for the first time - what inspires me to write?  I’ve come up with the following:

• Snowdonia in North Wales.  It’s an area I love, with its peaks and valleys and natural beauty.  I also have a soft spot for the Scottish Highlands, but because Snowdonia’s towns and villages are closer together and the place has a unique culture I’ve always thought it has an intimacy and atmosphere lacking elsewhere.
• Ancient stories.  I’ve always loved myths and legends, particularly Celtic stories which I think are more gentle and subtle than the more ‘in yer face’ tales from elsewhere.  Given my taste for both Wales and ancient stories, I suppose it’s not a surprise that I’ve rewritten some stories based on Welsh tales – ‘The Footholder’s Tale’ and ‘The Doe and the Dragon’ are a couple that made it into print, and there are a few more in the pipeline.
• Richard Laymon.  My all time favourite writer.  His subject matter isn’t always to my taste but his tight style and brilliant characterisation are the best I’ve ever come across and are a lesson to any aspiring writer.  It’s a shame his talent was taken from us before his time.

Release: 'Bank Manager'

I’m delighted to announce that ‘Bank Manager’ is released today. 

Many thanks to all at Cobbletone Press for making it happen, especially Kate for accepting the story, Courtney for a quality editing job and for being fun to work with, and Melody for a stunning cover which was exactly what I asked for.  Thank you also to Phil, who as usual read and commented on an early draft.

‘Bank Manager’ is an f/f erotic short featuring Kerry-Jane, a PhD student who goes to the bank to ask for a loan.

Here’s the blurb:

‘Kerry-Jane needs a car, but her nerves are on edge as she waits to meet the bank manager for a loan.  She is put at ease when she meets the pretty blonde manager named Dawn.  Both women are eager to flirt, but how far will Kerry-Jane go to lower her interest rate?’

Here’s the buy link: http://www.cobblestone-press.com/catalog/books/bankmanager.htm

It’ll also be up at Goodreads, Amazon etc in due course.

Rewriting Myths and Legends

I've written a piece for Rebel ePublishers' web site, about why I enjoy rewriting ancient stories.  I focus on my retelling of a traditional Welsh story, 'The Footholder's Tale,' which Rebel ePublishers released last year.

Carl Alves - 'Conjesero'

Having read and reviewed on Amazon Carl Alves' 'Two for Eternity' and 'Reconquest: Mother Earth' (and with 'Blood Street' waiting to be read), I'm delighted Carl has a new book out.  His fourth novel is called 'Conjesero', and is about a supernatural serial killer.

Here's the blurb:

San Francisco homicide detective Kevin Russell has arrested serial rapists, murderers, and more sadistic thugs than he could remember. Nothing he has ever accomplished can prepare him for Conjesero, a supernatural serial killer who has been terrorizing the Americas for centuries.  Conjesero—a creature with extraordinary intelligence and a vicious nature that has created a trail of bodies from Mexico to San Francisco—has always made law enforcement cower in fear and pretend that he doesn't exist. Only Kevin is willing to stand in its path. His desperation takes him on a journey inside the killer’s twisted world.  There is nothing that he is unwilling to do, even if it means making a deal with the devil to stop Conjesero or die trying.

Conjesero is available from:

• Amazon
• Barnes and Noble
• Kobo

Carl Alves is at:  http://www.carlalves.com/

Cobblestone Press

Contracts have been signed and exchanged quickly so I can confirm that Cobblestone Press will publish ‘Bank Manager’, my erotic short.  The press has a good reputation and I’m delighted Cobblestone wanted to take the book on.

The story follows my favourite PhD student, Kerry-Jane, when she visits her bank manager, who turns out to be a pretty blonde called Dawn.  Dawn clearly finds Kerry-Jane attractive…

Acceptance - 'Bank Manager'

I’m delighted to announce another acceptance.  This one is an f/f erotic short featuring my favourite PhD student, Kerry-Jane.

Kerry-Jane wants to buy a car so goes to ask her bank manager for a loan.  The manager turns out to be a gorgeous blonde called Dawn who clearly finds Kerry-Jane attractive. . .

I’ll announce the publisher as soon as contracts have been exchanged just in case anything goes wrong.

Thank you to Phil, who as usual read the manuscript before I submitted it.

Writing Review of 2015

Everybody seems to do as review of the year, and as at the end of previous Decembers I’m jumping on the bandwagon.  Here’s what happened in my writing world in 2015:

• Two novels, ‘The Footholder’s Tale’ (historical fantasy) and ‘Snuff’ (violent horror) were both published.  ‘Footy’ has received pleasing reviews on Amazon;
• Another novel, ‘Operation Trench’ (time travel) has been accepted for publication which is tentatively scheduled for 2016;
• Another horror novel accepted back in 2013, ‘Dana’s Children’, has been edited.  I await a cover and publication date;
• An erotic novelette, ‘Eton Mess’, accepted in 2014, has a cover and now awaits editing.

So, what is there to look forward to in 2016?

• Hopefully, ‘Operation Trench’, ‘Dana’s Children’, and ‘Eton Mess’ will be published;
• I’ve planned a couple of sequels to ‘Art Class’ and ‘Eton Mess’.  Well, not quite sequels, but stories with the same characters and similar erotic themes;
• Two or three novellas and short novels of variable quality which I may or may not persevere with;
• I’ve finished a first draft of a retelling of a north Welsh tale about a man who married a fairy.  Like ‘Footy’, which is also a retelling of a Welsh story, the original is a bit bare and one of the attractions is being able to make up any backstory I like.  It also has the advantage of being set up the road from the family’s usual holiday destination so I know the setting well.  Sadly, the meadow where fairies danced is now an industrial estate and caravan park;
• In rural Ireland until relatively recent times, supernatural beings were believed to travel in straight lines between mystical sites – burial mounds, stone circles and the like.  Woe betide anyone who builds a house on such a ‘fairy path’.  My next work is likely to be a horror about a house builder who ignored the advice…

Finally, a big thank you to everyone who helped my writing in 2015, whether by critiquing my work on Critters or offline, or by providing encouragement, or by editing my work, or generally just being there when I’ve needed a shoulder or advice.  Particular mention, as usual, to Carole and Phil.