Launch Day for Susan Clayton-Goldner

 Tell us about your book, Susan? 

 A River of Silence is about a hearing-impaired man, Caleb Bryce, who is falsely accused and imprisoned for the murder of a 19-month old child. This is the 3rd book in my Detective Radhauser series. Because of pressure from both the small community of Ashland and his boss, Captain Murphy, Radhauser makes the arrest, but remains convinced Caleb Bryce is innocent. With the help of a young public defender, who wants to prove herself to her father, a world-renown criminal defense attorney,  they set out to find the real killer and free Bryce. 

The novel deals with issues of abandonment and the effects it has on the child even after he reaches adulthood. It also deals with alcoholism and its aftermath which can cling to the lives it affected for decades. Mental illness and disabilities is also a theme. And the book shows us that sometimes a person who is mentally challenged sees life in a more beautiful way than those of us who are “normal.”  

Describe your latest book in 4 words.

Mysterious, heart-wrenching and human.  

Can you share a little bit about your current work or what is in the future for your writing?

I have just completed the edits and handed off a stand-alone novel to Tirgearr Publishing. It is entitled The Good Shepherd and is the story of a priest who falls in love with one of his parishioners and she ends up being murdered. I suspect it will release sometime in the summer of 2018.

I’m also working on the 4th book in the Detective Winston Radhauser series. It is entitled, A River of Shame and it is about the murders of two high school students in what appears to be hate crimes. 

And what about Susan herself?

I was born in New Castle, Delaware and grew up with four brothers along the banks of the Delaware River. I've been writing poems and short stories since I could hold a pencil and was so in love with writing that I became a creative writing major in college.

Prior to an early retirement which enabled me to write full time, I worked as the Director of Corporate Relations for University Medical Center in Tucson, Arizona. It was there I met my husband, Andreas. 

Through the writing process, I've learned that I must be obsessed with the reinvention of self, of finding a way back to something lost, and the process of forgiveness and redemption. These are the recurrent themes in my work.

Andy and I, now share a quiet life in Grants Pass, Oregon, with my growing list of fictional characters, and more books than one person could count. 

When I'm not writing, I enjoy making quilts and stained-glass windows. I think it's a lot like writing--- telling stories with fabric and glass. 

To find out more about Susan's other books in the series and read her author page, check out the folowing link 

http://tirgearrpublishing.com/authors/ClaytonGoldner_Susan/index.htm   

I wish, Susan great success with A River of Silence and thank her for being my guest. 

Remember, Resolutions Are A Business

A new year begins, a clean slate, a new chapter, all the usual clichés and as you look about you, the shelves are full of magazines telling us what to do. Radio and television have shows dedicated to getting you off the couch and get moving, and yes, I see nothing whatsoever wrong with being told exercise is good for us.

BUT, but why are you doing it? A lot of what we do is because of outside influences. 

Do you stop to think these new resolutions you will carry out with great fervour for a month or two are actually suited to you?
An example, you pay for a gym, buy new gear and after a few weeks, the novelty wears off (the weather is too bad to go out). Dieting? 50 different ways with lettuce is not very appetising, is it? Pressure makes us act in ways that if we stop to think about what we are doing, we might act differently. Why not go for a walk each day? Cheaper and you are still getting your exercise.
What I'm trying to say is, look in to yourself. See what is important to your life. Is there a change needed in it? If there is, approach it with an open mind.
What you read and see around you are companies that need to make a profit. New Year resolutions are a business for them.
So tread with caution, make small changes, ones that can be achieved. Nowhere is it said or written, that resolutions must be made in January, you can start anytime. If you do go for making a change in January to better your life, then wait until February to make the next change. By then the first one will be part of your daily routine and will not be a challenge to continue as you introduce the next.
This can be applied to all aspects of life, even your writing. You like to enter short story competitions? It can be costly, so set a budget for the year, even search for free ones online. Can't write each day but would love to? Why not make it 15 minutes a day? We can all squeeze in 15 minutes but not maybe two hours. Consider less television viewing and write instead, maybe two or three evenings a week. You still get your fix of TV but you also get your writing mojo up and active.
Whatever you decide, I wish you a happy and healthy 2018 and remember don't rush in, think about you and not what the advertisements are telling us we need.
Lecture over for now 😍

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.