Book Review: A Greater God by Brian Stoddart

Book Review

Basic Details:

Book Title: A Greater God

Subtitle: (Superintendent Le Fanu Mystery #4)

Author: Brian Stoddart

Genre: Crime

Part of a series? Yes

Order in series: 4

Best read after earlier books in series? Yes, but can be read as stand-alone

Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42234511-a-greater-god

Overall score:

I scored this book 5/5

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️

Short Summary of the book:

This book tells the story of Superintendent Chris Le Fanu and is the fourth book in the series. I have not read the other books in the series yet, but now I have a taste of the books, I’m keen to read the others and the next too.

Chris is forced to swing between his chaotic personal life and his professional life in this book and as a result misses some important clues in his close colleagues and friends. These are made up for in the end. I really enjoyed this book.

What I liked about the book:

I particularly liked the writing style. Although initially it seemed to be rather boring, after the first few pages, I was dragged into the story and found it difficult to put the book down. It was a lovely mixture of culture, history and mystery and ideal for me.

What I didn’t like about the book:

There wasn’t anything I didn’t like about the book.

My favourite bits in the book:

I loved where Chris went against convention and did what he felt was right. He refused to discriminate against any one section of the Indian community and for that he has my respect.

I also enjoyed when ‘The Jockey’ was brought down to size.

My least favourite bits in the book:

I didn’t like it when the book ended and am now desperate to read the other books in the series. Both to find out what happened earlier and to discover what will happen next.

Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?

This is the fourth book in the series and the story does not appear to be complete yet. I am now left wanting to find out what happens next. Will Ro and Chris rekindle their relationship or will Jenlin turn up after all? What will be his next adventure and will he stay here or take up any of the other job offers he received?

What books could this be compared to and why?

This book is a detective/mystery novel which stands on its own. The setting is lovely and also gives the reader an insight into a colonial past.

Recommendation:

In summary, I would recommend this book for the following readers:

Children	No
Young Adult	Possibly
Adult	Yes

If you like detective stories and mysteries this book might be the book for you.

I certainly look forward to reading more books by this author.

Book Description by Author:

Superintendent Chris Le Fanu returns to Madras from Penang where he leaves his new Straits Chinese love interest, Jenlin Koh, and a tempting new post in police intelligence there. He finds Hindu-Muslim tension on the rise in Madras, and his friends and subordinates Mohammad Habibullah and Jackson Caldicott at loggerheads as a result. A series of Muslim murders around the Presidency adds more tension. Le Fanu's arch enemy, Inspector-General Arthur "The Jockey" Jepson is reacting recklessly to the new conditions, then Le Fanu has to travel to Hyderabad where his former housekeeper and lover Roisin McPhedren is seriously ill. Le Fanu swings between his personal and professional challenges as a gang of revolutionaries and Hindu nationalists from North India travel south to aggravate the troubles. Le Fanu and Jepson clash head-on as the latter causes several policemen to be killed, and Le Fanu is losing support because his main civil service protectors are leaving Madras. Just as he seems close to overcoming all these problems, news arrives that Jenlin Koh is on board a ship reported missing near Ceylon. How will Le Fanu cope?Superintendent Chris Le Fanu returns to Madras from Penang where he leaves his new Straits Chinese love interest, Jenlin Koh, and a tempting new post in police intelligence there. He finds Hindu-Muslim tension on the rise in Madras, and his friends and subordinates Mohammad Habibullah and Jackson Caldicott at loggerheads as a result. A series of Muslim murders around the Presidency adds more tension. Le Fanu's arch enemy, Inspector-General Arthur "The Jockey" Jepson is reacting recklessly to the new conditions, then Le Fanu has to travel to Hyderabad where his former housekeeper and lover Roisin McPhedren is seriously ill. Le Fanu swings between his personal and professional challenges as a gang of revolutionaries and Hindu nationalists from North India travel south to aggravate the troubles. Le Fanu and Jepson clash head-on as the latter causes several policemen to be killed, and Le Fanu is losing support because his main civil service protectors are leaving Madras. Just as he seems close to overcoming all these problems, news arrives that Jenlin Koh is on board a ship reported missing near Ceylon. How will Le Fanu cope?Superintendent Chris Le Fanu returns to Madras from Penang where he leaves his new Straits Chinese love interest, Jenlin Koh, and a tempting new post in police intelligence there. He finds Hindu-Muslim tension on the rise in Madras, and his friends and subordinates Mohammad Habibullah and Jackson Caldicott at loggerheads as a result. A series of Muslim murders around the Presidency adds more tension. Le Fanu's arch enemy, Inspector-General Arthur "The Jockey" Jepson is reacting recklessly to the new conditions, then Le Fanu has to travel to Hyderabad where his former housekeeper and lover Roisin McPhedren is seriously ill. Le Fanu swings between his personal and professional challenges as a gang of revolutionaries and Hindu nationalists from North India travel south to aggravate the troubles. Le Fanu and Jepson clash head-on as the latter causes several policemen to be killed, and Le Fanu is losing support because his main civil service protectors are leaving Madras. Just as he seems close to overcoming all these problems, news arrives that Jenlin Koh is on board a ship reported missing near Ceylon. How will Le Fanu cope?Superintendent Chris Le Fanu returns to Madras from Penang where he leaves his new Straits Chinese love interest, Jenlin Koh, and a tempting new post in police intelligence there. He finds Hindu-Muslim tension on the rise in Madras, and his friends and subordinates Mohammad Habibullah and Jackson Caldicott at loggerheads as a result. A series of Muslim murders around the Presidency adds more tension. Le Fanu's arch enemy, Inspector-General Arthur "The Jockey" Jepson is reacting recklessly to the new conditions, then Le Fanu has to travel to Hyderabad where his former housekeeper and lover Roisin McPhedren is seriously ill. Le Fanu swings between his personal and professional challenges as a gang of revolutionaries and Hindu nationalists from North India travel south to aggravate the troubles. Le Fanu and Jepson clash head-on as the latter causes several policemen to be killed, and Le Fanu is losing support because his main civil service protectors are leaving Madras. Just as he seems close to overcoming all these problems, news arrives that Jenlin Koh is on board a ship reported missing near Ceylon. How will Le Fanu cope?

Received a new review for CAPTIVE LOVE

I just noticed a new review for my first book, CAPTIVE LOVE.

It was a great review by a fellow author, Elizabeth Noreen Newton. I'm so glad she also liked the book and plans to read the others in the series. For those of you who would like to try out CAPTIVE LOVE too, it is available free here: books2read.com/u/mYogEV

You can find her review here.

If you decide to grab Captive Love for yourself, please leave a review. Reviews make an author's day and help us to improve our work further. The time you take to do so is very much appreciated. Thanks, Elizabeth, your review means a lot.

Joni.

Book Review: Bloodline by Scott Woodley

Book Review

 

Basic Details:

Book Title: Bloodline

Subtitle:

Author: Scott Woodley

Genre: Fantasy

Part of a series? Yes

Order in series: 1st

Best read after earlier books in series? No

Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42220198-bloodline

Overall score:

I scored this book 4.5/5

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Short Summary of the book:

This book tells the story of a young Kingdom. Ben loses his mother at a young age, his dad soon to follow. He then needs to step into the role of King while only a teenager himself. His mother’s bloodline carries a special bond. Ben’s bond is with elephants and help him in some of the challenges he faces. When the Gar lay a siege on the castle and eventually take it, is that the end of the Kingdom? And what will happen to little Grace, his daughter?

What I liked about the book:

I particularly liked how both the young King and his little daughter shared one important trait: they were not happy to conform to normal expectance. Instead, they were stubborn and foolhardy and intent on doing what they felt was right.

What I didn’t like about the book:

I liked the entire book.

My favourite bits in the book:

I loved where Grace first became aware of her special bond and how she was able to soon use this to her advantage and that of the kingdom.

My least favourite bits in the book:

I didn’t like it when important characters in the book were tricked and fell to their death. And what has become of the baby?

Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?

I understand this is the first in the series and look forward to finding out what will happen next.

What books could this be compared to and why?

This book reminded me of a few other paranormal books I have read where the main character was not aware of his or her abilities until later in the book.

Recommendation:

In summary, I would recommend this book for the following readers:

Children	No
Young Adult	Yes
Adult	Yes

If you like paranormal subjects this book might be the book for you.

I look forward to reading more books by this author.

Book Description by Author:

The Blood chooses its own.
A bond for life.
A bond unknown.

"The open sky above had been replaced by spinning columns and twisting rivers, black shapes rising and falling, converging and collapsing above the edge of the Vale. They surrounded it, thousands of small fluttering wings, fading along their length to become translucent beneath the sunlight.
Starlings. A world of them. Hers"

The House of Tullia is under siege, for the blood carried by its king. Carried too by the queen come before him, and the children born to his line.
Now, the Gar have come for all of it.
Perhaps, if a young girl should rise into the mystical, dangerous blood of her ancestors, she too will one day become queen. If not, it’s likely that none will live to see the morning.

Perfect for readers of Patrick Rothfuss and Sarah J. Maas, Jeff Wheeler and Terry Brooks, this first book in a sweeping series spanning four generations will captivate your imagination and thrill your senses. Get your copy of the epic fantasy Bloodline today, and discover its enchanting world for yourself.

FREED LOVE, free for a limited time only!

Get FREED LOVE for free 10-14 March!

The sequel to CAPTIVE LOVE is always free with Kindle Unlimited, but is now totally free for a limited time.

Why not grab it while you can and leave a review?

#IndieAuthors rely on your reviews to promote and improve their work.

Choose whether to go with explicit or gentle for this love story. It's totally up to you as both will be free over this period.

books2read.com/u/mYo6rM (18+)

books2read.com/u/brG1YA

If you don't know if this is for you, below is a short excerpt of the book. And remember, CAPTIVE LOVE is #Permafree!
books2read.com/u/mYogEV

"I had to get out of here. I quickly opened my car door and got inside. While I was trying to close the door, Sam held on to it and pulled it open again. No! It was impossible to close the door and lock it.

He grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the car and into his arms. He hugged me close to him and kept saying ‘I’m so glad I’ve got you again. I’ve missed you so much’.

Why was he here, how could he be here? He should still be under observation, shouldn’t he? I had been told that he was still under psychiatric observation, where were they now when I needed them?"

Joni

Book Review: When Angels Fly by S Jackson and A Raymond

Book Review

 

Basic Details:

Book Title: When Angels Fly

Subtitle:

Author: S Jackson and A Raymond

Genre: memoir

Part of a series? No

Order in series: N/A

Best read after earlier books in series? N/A

Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39721092-when-angels-fly

Overall score:

I scored this book 5/5

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️

Short Summary of the book:

This book tells the story of the life of Sarah, a young woman. Physically and mentally abused by her mother in childhood, the mental abuse from her mother continued during her adult life.

Hoping to escape the abusive home life and dreaming of a loving husband and children, she falls into a loveless marriage with a violent and alcoholic husband.

Life appears to take a turn to the better when Sarah finds herself pregnant with their first child, a son she desperately longs for but is stillborn.

The abuse from her mother and husband continues, and after giving birth to two more sons and being forced to undergo a sterilisation, she finally gathers the strength and courage to leave her husband when he turns his violence towards the boys.

Now life really seems to look more positive. At least, until her youngest son falls ill and another harrowing time starts within her life. With only help from close friends and the difficult situation seen as an opportunity to take away all she loves from her by her husband and family, she struggles and fights to ensure the best lives possible for her sons.

And what a brave little boy Eli was. Even at the age of five he already tried to protect his mother and hung up the phone on his dad when he became abusive. An astounding maturity for a five-year-old, which unfortunately is too often seen by children who suffer with serious illnesses.

What I liked about the book:

I particularly liked how Sarah managed to keep positive throughout the many trials sent her way. She kept going and never gave in. Where many people would be crippled and paralysed by what was thrown in her path, she kept fighting for her sons and her own future.

Even when Eli was terminally ill she did all in her power to give him as normal a life as possible under the circumstances.

The book also made me realise how lucky I have been in life and how much of a doddle it has been in comparison. The trials and tribulations taking place in my own life paled in comparison and it made me realise I should count my blessings rather than complain about some, in comparison minor, things that happened to me.

What I didn’t like about the book:

I enjoyed reading the book, if that is the correct term, and felt pride in this courageous woman. Her pain was palpable, not only in the words, but also in the way she had distanced herself somewhat from the story while writing. It was obvious the scars are still very raw and fresh and the only way she was able to put pen to paper was to approach the book in a near clinical way. This also showed in the many technical/medical terms she used throughout the book. Sarah kept her real emotions closely under wrap and I am certain it would have overpowered her if she hadn’t.

There was nothing I did not like about the book.

My favourite bits in the book:

I loved where Sarah was able to see the happiness in all the little things she could do for her son and how she even found happiness in the darkest of times. The way she was able to show that adversity does not equal never finding happiness will be an inspiration to many others. It was obvious her love for her sons gave her the strength to never give up and keep fighting for their happiness and safety, and to do the very best she could in a nearly impossible situation.

My least favourite bits in the book:

It was impossible to have any good feelings towards the abusive mother, husband and brother. The obviously dysfunctional family Sarah had originated from continued to put hurdles in her way and feelings of ‘get a life’ and ‘do you have no common sense/decency?’ frequently surfaced while reading what they put Sarah and her children through. Hat off to Sarah to keep fighting and in gaining a happy life for her kids in as far as she was able to under extremely difficult circumstances.

Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?

I understand this author has written several other books with her author husband. This, however, was a memoir, relating real life trials and tribulations.

What books could this be compared to and why?

This book reminded me of other memoirs, although it is in a league of its own. It is easy to see why it has won several awards.

Recommendation:

In summary, I would recommend this book for the following readers:

Children	No
Young Adult	Maybe
Adult	Yes

If you like memoirs this book could be the book for you. It is a book which will pull on your heartstrings, but is well worth the read. Although it contains many medical terms, these are all explained well and I expect they will not form any problem for readers without medical knowledge.

If you are looking to read a book where the lead character faces many hardships and still comes out a strong individual, this is definitely the place to go.

Well done to the author. It is obvious from how she distanced herself from her emotions her scars still run very deep, are very raw and fresh. And that is only to be expected. No one should have to lose a child. Even when you know they will now be in a better place, you still miss them and it will feel like a part of you was ripped out and a massive, gaping hole has been left behind. Life goes on, but it will never be the same.

I look forward to reading more books by this author.

 

The joy of receiving reviews.

This week I got a rather nice boost of my self-confidence. Self-confidence has always been a rather sore point for me and any boost is welcome.

Earlier this week I decided to have a look at reviews I had received for my books and found there were a few new ones there. Even the harsher reviews, if you can call them that, were great reviews in that they confirmed what I had felt myself and also gave some great pointers on how to improve my work. All reviews were very much appreciated.

To my surprise I even found a few 5 star reviews. Something I always hoped, but never thought would happen. Perhaps I am better at writing than I thought I was. Perhaps not just someone trying to play the game, but actually having the potential to be a good writer/author.

With the full-time job I started in November, there has been little to no time to write or edit my books. Reading the reviews has made me more motivated to find the time, where ever I can. There must be some time, surely.

At the moment I get up at around 4 am on workdays to deal with the housework, do some marketing and if possible get some writing done. I have done this for the last two weeks but so far I have only managed to edit one scene. Not a lot, but it is a beginning.

I'm adamant I will do some further work on my works in progress tomorrow. I know, however, I have more work to do than work on my writing. I will need to do the ironing and other housework, I need to arrange some things for CRAFT Challenge and do some marketing for my books and the co-promoting group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1963020040577375/). At least I have scheduled all the posts for next week and I can concentrate on other things.

So, what is the plan?

• Get up at a reasonable time tomorrow.
• Change the beds
• Do the laundry
• Do the ironing and tidy it away
• Send out reminders for sponsorship of CRAFT Challenge and order images for the DT Team
• Schedule posts for the challenge blog
• Post some tweets/marketing posts
• Edit some further chapters of 'Diary of a Female GP'

Why do the days pass so quickly? I need more time in the day to be able to do everything I want to do. Maybe 4 am on a weekday is still too late.

One thing is certain: I will make this work! The reviews received have made sure of that.

Joni.

Book Review: The Lost Angel by Adam C. Mitchell

Book Review

 

Basic Details:

Book Title: The Lost Angel

Subtitle:

Author: Adam C. Mitchell

Genre: Crime fiction

Part of a series? Yes

Order in series: 1^st?

Best read after earlier books in series? N/A

Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29748885-the-lost-angel

Overall score:

I scored this book 4/5

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Short Summary of the book:

This book tells the story of a small time criminal, Eddy Kovakx, who apparently hits the big time with the robbery of the ‘Lost Angel’. His comrade is killed and Eddy gets in trouble too. Kimmie patches him up and together they go on the run. Some close encounters and narrow escapes are followed by an encounter with Jack Malone, private investigator.

What I liked about the book:

I particularly liked how the author succeeded in putting one character in the seemingly lead role. Only towards the middle and end of the book it became clear the actual lead character was Jack Malone and not Eddy Kovakx.

What I didn’t like about the book:

There was little to none I didn’t like about the book.

My favourite bits in the book:

I loved where Eddy appeared to genuinely fall in love with Kim and wanted to turn his life around and turn his back on crime.

My least favourite bits in the book:

I didn’t like it when Eddy got his due, I felt he had it in him to become a good guy and turn his life around.

Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?

I understand this is one of several books following Private Investigator Jack Malone.

What books could this be compared to and why?

This book reminded me of some other crime and gangster novels I have read and this definitely was a good read.

Recommendation:

In summary, I would recommend this book for the following readers:

Children	No
Young Adult	Yes
Adult	Yes

If you like Crime and fiction this book is the book for you. The book is definitely worth a read.

I look forward to reading more books by this author.

Book Description by Author:

Eddy Kovakx robs the Lost Angel, central city's newest night club, owned by Victor Renetti. Pulling off the job was the easy part. Now on the run with his partner's broad, the sultry Kimmie Saint Clair, he also has an unstoppable PI on his case. Jack Malone is in hot pursuit thanks to the sadistic mobster Victor, putting a price on his head. Can Eddy and Kimmie get away with the money and their life. Or will Jack Malone get his mark. Danger, mystery, and adventure in the noir thriller. 

About the Author:

Adam is the writer of The Lost Angel, Central City Tales & Chloe’s Justice. He is also a contributor to several Independent Anthologies, all of which are available on Amazon Adam has been a fan of golden age Pulp and crime from the 1930’s and 1940’s era. It's because of his love of this genre, his novels follow the exploits of Jack Malone Private Investigator.

In 2015 Adam overcame a crippling case of Dyslexia as he was writing his first novel. He now uses it as a platform to bring awareness about this learning disability. His aim is to deliver the message that it can be overcome, and it doesn't have to become an obstacle. He has proven that if you set yourself a goal, and you want it bad enough, you can overcome and succeed. 

Book Review: The Charmed Life of Matt Draper: From Riverboat Gambler to Frontier Banker by John Rayburn.

Book Review

Basic Details:

Book Title: The Charmed Life of Matt Draper

Subtitle: From Riverboat Gambler to Frontier Banker

Author: John Rayburn

Genre: Western

Part of a series? Unknown

Order in series:

Best read after earlier books in series? No

Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42094289-matt-draper

Overall score:

I scored this book 3/5 reluctantly, it felt more like a 2.5 stars to me.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Short Summary of the book:

This book tells the story of Matt Draper, a young man who gathered money as a gambler on a riverboat. Through luck and determination Matt gathers more money, learns the trade of a banker and moves to an area to start his own bank. Scenes of fighting, luck and love are added to the book.

What I liked about the book:

I liked a few of the scenes and the fact he came out on top.

What I didn’t like about the book:

I wasn’t impressed by the pace set in the book, the fluidity of the narration was stilting at times and I at times was tempted to give up on the attempt to read the book. To be honest, I was glad when I had finished reading the book.

My favourite bits in the book:

I loved where Matt finally owned up to the fact he had fallen in love.

My least favourite bits in the book:

I didn’t like it when at several points the flow of the narration was poor and it felt more like a book for children starting to read. The subject, however, did not fit with a childrens’ book.

Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?

I am not aware this is part of a series. He has, however, written several other books.

What books could this be compared to and why?

This book reminded me of children’s books in the lack of fluidity of the narration.

Recommendation:

In summary, I would (hesitantly) recommend this book for the following readers:

Children	No
Young Adult	Yes
Adult	Yes

If you like Westerns this book might the book for you but be warned the flow of narration is halting at times.

I don’t think I’ll be reading more books by this author.

Book Description by Author:

Settling The West Post Civil War Took Guts … And Luck!

In 1866 Matt Draper is full of ambition but without money or family to help him succeed. On the western frontier of an ever-expanding America, toiling as a riverboat gambler seems like the best option to raise enough capital to realize his dream of opening a small-town bank. Though gambling is lucrative for Matt, it is also an unsavory enterprise fraught with danger. Fortuitously, before any harm befalls him, Matt and his friend Charlie discover an abandoned Confederate gold cache in a fake grave, which gives him the stake he needs to leave the treacherous gambling world behind. From then onward his life’s purpose becomes evident as all roads lead to Neosho, Missouri, where he opens The Bank and becomes a major influence on its growth and prosperity. Matt’s exciting and uplifting saga captures the day-to-day reality of life in the tumultuous post-Civil War era, including the hardships, relative lawlessness, and indomitable spirit of settlers bent on creating a good life for themselves and their neighbors.

Book Review: Miao shan, The Awakening by G.A.M. Morris

Book Review

Basic Details: 

Book Title: Miao Shan

Subtitle: The Awakening

Author: G.A.M. Morris

Genre: Fantasy/Mythology

Part of a series? Yes

Order in series: 1st

Best read after earlier books in series? N/A

Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18528892-the-awakening

Overall score:

 I scored this book 5/5 

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️

Short Summary of book:

This book tells the story of a ten-year-old girl who witnesses the murder of her parents from a washing basket she has been placed in by her mother for safe-keeping. She is found and raised by her grandmother and struggles with anger issues, wishing to bring those who killed her parents to justice. She is educated in Kung Fu at her insistence and later enrolled in a school to become a nun. Eventually she finds out what her destiny is but she encounters several trials before she does.

A great book to read.

What I liked about the book:

I particularly liked the love she shared with her grandma and with her friends. It was heart-warming to read. The pace of the book was good after the initial few chapters.

What I didn’t like about the book:

I liked the entire book. Although the pace in the first one or two chapters was a bit slow, it picked up after that and it was difficult to put the book down. I just wanted to know what was going to happen next.

My favourite bits in the book:

I loved where Miao Shan discovered who she was and where she found friendship and love.

My least favourite bits in the book:

There were some upsetting scenes in the book. But whenever Miao Shan was put in the face of adversity, she came out stronger.

Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?

I believe this author plans any further books to follow on where he left off. I could see the opening for a next in a series and I understand he plans several more.

What books could this be compared to and why?

This book reminded me of some other books about mythology, although this work of fiction did bring the mythology to live in a living person.

Recommendation:

In summary, I would recommend this book for the following readers:

Children	NO
Young Adult	Maybe
Adult	Yes

If you like fantasy with a bit of mythology, this book is the book for you.

I look forward to reading more books by this author.

Book Description by Author:

When ten year old Chow lei witnessed her parent’s brutal murder at the hands of Hong Kong Triad members she was emotionally scarred for life. Follow her journey to justice!

When ten year old Chow Lei witnessed her parent’s brutal murder at the hands of Hong Kong Triad members she was emotionally scarred for life. Her grandmother adopted her and attempted to help the child heal emotionally, but only when Chow Lei joined a Shaolin Kung Fu school did any emotional healing occur.

After a year of training her grandmother reticently agreed to sent her to the Shaolin Temple. Lei had continued to do prove at the Temple an aptitude for martial arts and a lack of compassion. At the Temple she was renamed Miao-Shan, from a legend about the Chinese Buddhist Goddess of compassion, Guan Yin.

Once she had reached enlightenment she returned home to her grandmother, only to discover that she too had been brutally murdered by the Triads.

In her search for Justice against the Triads she discovered that her soul was made of a shard of Guan Yin’s soul and a shard of Guan Yu’s, and that she was a new Bodhisattva (Living Godess), of Justice!

About the Author:

Born in London, The United Kingdom

Website http://gary-a-m-morris.tumblr.com/

Genre Fantasy, Science Fiction, Thriller

Influences Lord of The Ring, Star Wars, Neil Gaiman, Eric Van Lustbader, Dr. Who

If only...

Most of us will find times where we think "If only.."
Sometimes this will be because we wished we had done things differently. Sometimes we wish people who have passed on were still here to discuss things with.
At the moment I'm in a situation where I think "If only there were more hours in the day, or more left-over time"
The trouble is, at the moment I have a full-time job to content with. This seriously impacts on the time I can spend on my writing and most days since the start of December I have had little or no time at all to write. I'm talking serious withdrawal symptoms here.
So, what can I do about it? Lose the job? An option I guess, but I don't think my boss and husband would thank me for it (they are one and the same).
No, I think there is only one option. I need to reorganise my life in such a way to leave time for writing as well.
How? I'm not quite sure yet. Perhaps all that is needed is to get up a little earlier. I have been lying in a little lately. Only getting up at six am to get my husband's lunch ready before he leaves for work and to do some of the necessary housework. Occasionally it leaves me some time to sort out marketing (read tweeting and re-tweeting etc) but there is no time left to write.
Today I got up at half past four. After the ironing was done I finally had a chance to take the Christmas tree and decorations down. Yes, I know, it's a disgrace it was still up. When the family is in the living room it's not so easy to get that sorted.
With that job out of the way the only time left was to check any messages/tweets/emails and write a quick blog post. I will need to leave for work in fifteen minutes again. Another busy day will likely lay ahead and we'll see what it will bring. Our youngest son also needs to be picked up from school and this means I certainly won't get home until half past five.
Then it will be time to prepare tea, eat, do the housework and put the bins out. If I'm lucky, I might be able to check emails before it's bedtime again.
Tomorrow I'll get up at 4.30 am again. Hopefully, now that the big housework jobs are out of the way, I'll have a little time to write tomorrow. We can only hope.

And what will I be writing? Tomorrow it'll be time to work on editing my sixth book. Remember to get in touch if you would like to become a beta reader. I would love to have you on board.

Joni