writer
We Go Again – Michael Cargill
While strolling through the blog posts for authors, I came across Michael Cargill’s post, where he announced that his new book was available, free, and he would appreciate a review in return. Just my thing, right? And, it takes place during WWII, and I am a huge history buff, so double bonus.
Triple bonus? This story was amazing! The writing was brilliant, the characters were well developed, and the scenery was written so vividly that I could see everything as if I was watching it happen.
It is a short story, and I wished it went on for twice as many chapters. I definitely do not want to give away any spoilers, but you get to meet James, and David, and Piper. Along with their Captain who is pretty useless, and a cast of other characters that round out this story. It is graphic, but how could something about WWII not be? So just be prepared if you are overly-squeamish. There were parts of this story where I was literally holding my breath while I was reading it, waiting to see what was going to happen next.
Do you want to give this story a read? You definitely should! You can find the links for it on Michael’s WordPress page, here: https://michaelcargill.wordpress.com/2015/01/24/we-go-again-my-new-book-is-now-available-free-for-reviewers-and-subscribers/
I would also like to ask that anyone who gets the free copy to be so kind as to leave a review for Michael on Amazon and Goodreads. If you pick up this story, I would love to hear what you thought about it!
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What’s Keeping Me Busy Right Now
I am currently reading, for my own pleasure, “An Irish Country Wedding” by Patrick Taylor, M.D. This is one of several books in his Irish series, and the 5th one I am reading, out of 10 currently in the series. Patrick Taylor is a licensed Medical Doctor, retired, as well as a former Professor.
These are great stories about 2 Doctors who live and work in the Irish town of Ballybucklebo. They are set in the 1950’s and further on, depending on the story you are reading. There is a lot of back story information about the political issues that have happened in Ireland since the 1930’s, and it lends a good deal to the story without being overwhelming.
It does not take long into the first story of this series to fall in love with the Doctors, their housekeeper Kinky Kincaid, and all the various characters throughout the quaint village of Ballybucklebo. If you are a fan of all things Irish, the political history of Ireland, or like stories that accurately reference medical terms and issues, while teaching you something at the same time, I would highly recommend you give Patrick Taylor’s books a try!
I am also in the process of editing one book that I am nearly finished with, and should be starting on another book editing job tomorrow. I am really loving getting to be on this side of the literary world, while helping authors publish the best possible story they can!
Are you reading anything at the moment that you can’t put down?
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The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe – The Chronicles of Narnia – C.S. Lewis
Since I reviewed my favorite Narnia book, I thought I may as well just work right through the series. Probably not consecutively though. I will keep this review light and simple, since so many are familiar with this story.
This is the story where we meet Digory Kirke again, except now he is Professor Kirke, and he is who the Pevensie’s go to stay with while the war is happening. The wardrobe that Lucy steps through to find Narnia? That wardrobe is made from the first tree that was planted in Narnia in book one, “The Magician’s Nephew“.
Lucy has a hard time convincing her siblings of this wonderful world she found, and even Edmund lies to Peter and Susan about it after he went there himself. Older brothers, right?
While trying to hide from the housekeeper, all 4 of the Pevensie’s climb into the wardrobe, and step in Narnia. Edmund gets an earful for lying, Susan wants to return to the professor’s home, and Peter and Lucy want to explore. They meet the Beaver’s, who are one of my favorite parts of this story!
Edmund decides to go find the White Witch, because she promised to make him a King. Since he is tired of being bossed around by Peter and Susan, this is just the ticket for him. But of course, it’s not. He manages to get all four of them in a heap of trouble, and it takes Aslan to get them out of it.
This is the first story that was made into a movie, although I used to watch this as a cartoon when I was growing up. It must have been in the late 70’s, and it was shown once a year, kind of like The Wizard of Oz was shown. It was always on a weekend, and it was a big deal to watch this cartoon movie. Maybe that is why I never read the books when I was growing up!
If you would like more information about this series of books, be sure to visit the Narnia website here: https://www.narnia.com/us
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Tuesday’s Thought For The Day!
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Books I Wish Were Made Into a Series
You have read a book so wonderful that you just could not wait to read the next one, right? Me too. Then I search and ask, only to find out that there is not another book to follow up the one I just read.
What?
How could this book not have had a follow-up story? You want to know what happened to the characters beyond the last page of the last chapter, but it was never written.
I would have loved for Harper Lee to have written a follow-up book for “To Kill a Mockingbird“. What did Scout do when she grew up? How was her life changed by what she experienced from that court trial? What happened to Boo Radley? What about Jem and Dill? I am still amazed that this is the only novel Harper Lee ever wrote.
“Wuthering Heights” by Emily Bronte is another story. Catherine, Edgar, and Heathcliff had a rough go of it, but what happened to Mr. Lockwood?
“The Catcher in the Rye“, “The Bell Jar“, “The Perks of Being a Wallflower“, and I could go on all day long!
Did you have a story that when you closed the book at the end, you wondered what happened to the characters with whom you had just invested so much of your time and feelings?
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Editing For Dialect
My biggest concern when editing a story that uses a specific dialect, is that not everyone may understand that is what is going on, and think I am a terrible, hack-job editor.
I am currently editing a story that uses dialect different than you find in the majority of English written books. The dialect being used is not a heavy accent that portrays someone who lives in the Deep South, or New England, or the likes. It is not a play on the words so much, as it is that there are words missing.
Words are missing because the characters in the story use English as a second language. I am sure we have all had the pleasure of meeting an interesting person who did not use English as their main way of communicating. So you have a conversation that seems almost abbreviated, with the ‘extra’ words that are used in the English language not being used when someone is using English as their second language.
Have you heard that the English language is the hardest language to learn? It is true. More than any other language, the English language has so many “rules and regulations” concerning the use of it, that it can be difficult for pretty much anyone to use it correctly, even if it is the only language they know.
So for an example, what you might read is the following; “She found him at bus station.” If I were writing the story, I would say “She found him at the bus station.” I see nothing wrong with writing a story this way, when it is necessary to set the scene and make it authentic.
I am currently editing a story by a very talented author, and it took about 3 sentences into the second chapter where the characters were having a conversation for me to realize that what I thought were errors, were intentional. The main characters use English as their second language. I think if the author did not write it using this dialect, it would take away from the story.
Which brings me back to my main concern; will everyone who reads this story understand that it is supposed to be written in that style? I think I am pretty safe, as it is a very in-depth story and one that will interest a specific genre.
If you are a writer, do you use dialect in specific novels you write to lend authenticity to your story?
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Mr. Mercedes – Stephen King
I absolutely loved this book! I can honestly say this is one of my favorites by Stephen King. I have not read all of his stories, but I have read most of them. I still think my all-time favorite of his is “From a Buick 8”. Have you read it? If not, you need to go to your local library and check it out (pun intended)! From what I understand, this is not the only story we will be seeing involving Bill Hodges. That makes me a very happy reader!
Bill Hodges is a retired detective, not coping well with sitting at home. When the perp (perk if you’ve read the story) decides to send him a letter, it gives Bill a new sense of purpose. This is one that he cannot let go, nor turn over to his former partner.
He goes back over everything he did involving this case, and the things he ignored that he shouldn’t have. You get to see Bill come to terms with the mistakes he has made, both at work and in his personal life. He tries to right the wrongs, when he can.
Brady Hartsfield (the jacket sleeve said Brady Hartfield, the spelling error surprised me. On the sleeve? Really?) is a brilliant mind from a troubled childhood. Still living at home with his alcoholic mother, he works two jobs while planning his next big kill.
Bill has two unlikely people working with him, which makes this story even more interesting. It is full of suspense, mystery, and even a few laugh out loud moments. I was literally holding my breath more than once while reading this! There were a couple spots where Mr. King mentioned two of his previous books; it fit right in with the story and was a nice touch.
If you haven’t read this, I highly recommend it. If you have, I would love to hear what you thought about it!
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Friday Fun Facts!
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Library of the World’s Best Mystery and Detective Stories – Part 2
PIERRE MILLE
The Miracle of Zobéide – When a Christian and a Muslim cannot agree on the power of God, one offers a challenge to the other. Is it really God at work, first making the turtle called Zobeide larger, and then smaller until she disappears all together? Or is it a splendid trick and the Christian never catches on? This is a great short story that will stop and make you think; about the power of influence, and the strength of one determined to defend his beliefs, in a clever, non-criminal way.
VILLIERS DE L’ISLE ADAM
The Torture by Hope – A man condemned because he refuses to renounce his religion sees the opportunity to escape on the eve prior to his (and 43 others) scheduled execution. His escape does not go as planned, and one might even suspect the opportunity to escape was intentionally provided, just to torture one by hope.
EMILE ERCKMANN- ALEXANDRE CHATRAIN
The Owl’s Ear -A man, appearing to be a hobo, bum, vagabond, is arrested for no good reason other than he refused to tell the town constable what he was doing in that deep, dark cistern.
Full of despair in prison for only part of a night, the hobo hanged himself. Only later would the cousin of the constable discover the true meaning of what the hobo was doing. Out of anger at such a brilliant life and mind cut short, he refused to tell the constable the truth, or ever visit him again.
The Invisible Eye – What I would consider a bit long for a short story, this one was definitely a bit strange and disturbing. What appeared to be a haunted room at the local Inn was capable of driving each of its guests to hang themselves from the outside crossbeam before morning light. A painter who lived across the street seemed to be the only one to take notice of the local hag, called Fledermausse. Being convinced it was her driving these victims to suicide, the painter kept a close eye on her, until he saw the opportunity to even the score, and stop the curse. He was able to give the hag a taste of her own medicine, which was the last taste of anything she would ever have again.
The Waters of Death – a quick read about a cavern of mineral water that seems to have healing powers; yet after skeletons of various animals, and humans, are purged from the cavern, no one dares drink or swim there again. Except for one unlucky soul. I found this story okay enough, but more boring than what I had previously read.
There are a few more stories in this book, and I will share those that I find of interest. There are a couple I have read that are not worth mentioning, but all-in-all, I am pretty happy with this book!
booksandopinions.com 