I Have Moved

Hello, Friends and Readers, 

I am sorry I have not posted this sooner but I have been busy creating a new website that I hope you will visit and check it out. 
I love this blog site but I needed to do more to engage with you all, to help push my books and give it a new face. 
I also have a new feature over on the other website called, Letters From Lacey, where Lacey Taylor reveals a little more about life with the Taylor family. This is snippets of her life not revealed in her two books, My Husband's Sin and Don't Call Me Mum. In fact there will be another and final book in her life that I will be writing in the spring of 2019. 

So please don't abandon me, hop on over to the new website, 

 https://marytbradford.com/

Thanks again for all your support in the past and I know in the future you won't let me down, and when you do visit the new website, please leave a comment with what you think or any suggestions you may have to help me. 

Happy Reading!!

See you over there, 
Mary

A Rare Sighting is Being Enjoyed Right Now

Weather 

Where would we Irish be without it? The best ice-breaker in all social occasions. This year in Ireland, Spring didn't turn up! As far as I'm concerned, it was just one long winter since Nov 2017. Admittedly we got one glorious day in April, and many thought that may have been our summer, but thankfully that rare sighting of the sun has made another appearance this May weekend.
This got me thinking (dangerous thing having me thinking) how does the weather play a part in your writing? Does it make an appearance at all? How effective is it in writing?
In my first novel, My Husband's Sin, I used the weather to tell the passing of seasons/time. Describing the days using clothing, school holidays etc.
'The biting wind whipped her scarf off as she grabbed it to cover her mouth and nose from the Arctic cold while she raced for home...'
'Rain pelted down now for five days, fields filling with water, animals stranded on island like patches dotted throughout the countryside...'

I've noticed too that my characters moods are reflected in the weather of the time, sunny bright days = upbeat mood, joyful, contented.
How do you use the weather in your writing? Have you paragraphs describing the elements or just a passing mention? How much is too much? Or do you believe its essential when creating mood, atmosphere or scene setting?
Weather , whatever we think of it or how we feel, one thing's for certain, it has a big part to play in life.


Happy writing, x

Falling in Love again

💗 
Last week I received a mock-up of the cover for my sequel that is due out this year. The book, Don't Call Me Mum, continues on with Lacey Taylor as the main character from My Husband's Sin.

Having a book of mine published was a dream for me and when I saw the cover for my debut novel, I was so excited and happy. I thought nothing will top this, but I've been proved incorrect. 💖
Seeing the new cover, I got goosebumps and chills, the thrill of the first was there, the excitement and the love.

Writing a book is not easy, there are so many ups and downs during the journey from start to finish. So many questions that plague the author, am I mad? Will I ever see the end of this? Why did I start it? Of course, self-doubt is in all jobs. 💝

I cannot wait to share with you this gorgeous cover, for me the designer has got it spot on, Elle, is amazing and thank you to my publishers, Tirgearr for employing the best there is. 💕

Yes, I've fallen in love all over again with all there is to bringing a book to fruition. So much so, I've plotted the next in the series and the outline is waiting for me to get cracking on it. This will finish up the trilogy of what is the Taylor family saga. 💞

Looking back over my shoulder 2017

Kanturk Arts Festival. 

Another year is drawing to a close and I wonder was it worth it all in my writing life as I sit and think about the edits of my sequel that await me. 

Well, the answer is yes, it sure was. In fact I intend to celebrate. Some of the events attended during the year have been shared on here in earlier posts. 

My debut novel, My Husband’s Sin, is continuing to do well and as asked for by my readers, I've completed a sequel, Don’t Call Me Mum. I signed the contract for the second novel, in September of this year with Tirgearr Publishing and I'm looking forward to its launch in late spring of 2018. 

The Holly Bough

Earlier this year, I was long-listed in the prestigious literary, Fish Short Story Competition for my story, titled, Knickers, and was also honoured for another story, The Handbag, to be translated and published into German, for the anthology, Kleinkrieg und Frieden. Through the year my memory articles appeared in the Ireland’s Own and also a Christmas story was published in The Holly Bough. 

Working on Flash Fiction in Cloghroe.

I also got to read my work at both, The West Cork Literary Festival in Bantry and also at the Cork County Library. Both initiatives were through the Cork County Library & Arts Services, led by well-known author Denyse Woods. 

I was invited to judge the inaugural Flash Fiction Competition in the Kanturk Arts Festival in March, which I thoroughly enjoyed. 

Farmleigh House, Phoenix Park.

Throughout the year I attended various events. One was a wonderful evening in Farmleigh House, in Dublin, where I was gifted the tickets to attend, a programme of reading and music that invoved writers, Nuala O'Connor and John Boyne. 

But it is you my dear readers who make it all the more wonderful through your continued support and encouragement, for this I thank you all so very much.  

HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A HEALTHY, HAPPY NEW YEAR  

A New Release for Christy in January 2018

It is always nice to host a fellow writer but when that author is also a fellow author of the same publishing house, then it's a real pleasure. Please take time to check out this new release coming on January 10th 2018, from Christy Nicholas. All the information you need is right below. Enjoy.

Misfortune of Vision is book #4 of the Druid's Brooch Series for Christy Nicholas. A historical fantasy set in 12th century Ireland and is available for Pre-Order NOW  

Amazon Celtic Fairies, Fables, and Folklore! Bestselling author (top #100 Amazon Canada, #1 in Paranormal Fantasy, Canada) 

Christy Nicholas, also known as Green Dragon, is an author, artist and accountant. After she failed to become an airline pilot, she quit her ceaseless pursuit of careers that begin with 'A', and decided to concentrate on her writing. Since she has Project Completion Disorder, she is one of the few authors with NO unfinished novels. 

Christy has her hands in many crafts, including digital art, beaded jewelry, writing, and photography. In real life, she's a CPA, but having grown up with art all around her (her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother are/were all artists), it sort of infected her, as it were.

She wants to expose the incredible beauty in this world, hidden beneath the everyday grime of familiarity and habit, and share it with others. She uses characters out of time and places infused with magic and myth.                                                                                 

Blurb for Misfortune of Vision

Prophecy Can Be Dangerous 

In 12th century Ireland, Orlagh has been Seer to her king for forty years. He doesn’t want to hear her prophecies of war and destruction, and dismisses her efforts to warn him. Therefore, she is determined to fulfill her own quest: to find a worthy heir for her magical brooch. 

In the course of events, she must pass judgement on a thief, escape a Norman war camp, and battle wits with a Fae lord. She receives some prophecy of her own and enlists the help of a grizzled old warrior, who happens to be a long-time friend.

To connect with Christy and to pre-order your copy, check out the following links.

https://twitter.com/greendragon9

https://www.facebook.com/greendragonauthor

https://greendragonartist.net/

https://www.amazon.com/Misfortune-Vision-Druids-Brooch-4-ebook/dp/B077DC2FKW

http://www.tirgearrpublishing.com/authors/Nicholas_Christy/misfortune-of-vision.htm 

I wish Christy wonderful success in her writing and looking forward to reading more from her in the future. 

Reading at West Cork Literary Festival

Next Friday, July 21st, along with others, I will be reading at the West Cork Literary Festival. Held in Bantry each year, the festival is a packed week of readings and workshops. Friday's event, starting at 5pm, promises to be a busy and entertaining occasion, held in the local library. This is a wonderful opportunity and I'm so looking forward to it. It is through the Writer-in-Residence programme, (offered by Cork County Council Library & Arts Services) that this opening to perform at one of Ireland's top literary festivals has come about. Representing Charleville with me on the day is talented writer, Kerri FitzGerald. Kerri will be reading one of her many entertaining poems and I shall be reading one of my short stories.

Denyse Woods - Photo by  Mirte Slob 

Denyse Woods, author of five novels with her sixth, Into Tempation, due out in March 2018, is the Cork County Libraries Writer-in-Residence for 2017. Denyse also writes under the name Denyse Devlin. To find out more about this talented lady please click on the link below.
Readers from four other libraries, Bantry, Clonakilty, Macroom and Cobh, which are also involved with Denyse's Writer-in-Residence project, shall be contributing also on the day.



http://www.westcorkmusic.ie/literaryfestival/programme/detail/denyse-woods-cork-county-council-writer-in-residence

Ireland's Own Again.

I am once more delighted to say that the great magazine, Ireland's Own has published another memory piece of mine. This time, the piece centres around my mother-in-law and her connection to the well known Easter Rising of 1916.  It is always a pleasure to be featured in the magazine, and I never stop being pleased to see my name in print in it. Now to get my thinking cap on and to get writing more memory pieces for you all to enjoy.

COMPETITION TIME, DON'T MISS IT.

Inspired by my last post, All the way from Florida, I've decided to host a competition. I am giving away to two lucky people a signed copy, in paperback, of My Husband's Sin PLUS a writing set each. So you can write and share a letter with a loved one.
Nothing beats receiving a letter in the post, knowing someone took time out of their day to share their news with you.
In my novel, Lacey Taylor's life is changed by a letter she receives and her world crashes down. Later, she has to put pen to paper and realises the power of the pen is indeed mightier than the sword. In fact there are four letters in all that change the shape of Lacey's future path.
If the novel is not your preferred reading genre, why not enter anyway and gift it to some who will love receiving it and you gain favour too with them. Everyone wins with this competition!!

 SO HOW TO ENTER :

Answer the simple question that follows about my beautiful Ireland and its forty shades of green.

Ireland is also known as

The "                      " Isle 

    A : Ruby        B: Emerald      C: Diamond  

Send your answer by email to:  marytbrad@gmail.com 

Subject line titled Novel Competition. 

Closing date : SEPTEMBER 23RD 2016 MIDNIGHT.

BEST OF LUCK AND THANK YOU FOR ENTERING 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/My-Husbands-Sin-Mary-Bradford-ebook/dp/B00MX5TJZ2

https://www.amazon.com/My-Husbands-Sin-Mary-Bradford-ebook/dp/B00MX5TJZ2/