Book Review

Fast paced, complex plot that will keep your mind racing to the final chapter. Set in the form of a Three Act Theatrical Play, the cast enter and exit exquisitely, leaving the audience (reader) breathless. From a low-ceiling crowded parlour to the courts of the Queen Elizabeth 1, Doyle takes the reader on a rumbustious ride in his latest Y. A novel, Tudor Rose. Set in fictional Gordonsrod and London, UK 1565 - 1566. One year of mystery, intriguing symbols and signs along with mystery men keep Rose on her toes. Surrounded by fascinating characters such as the effervescent Aunt Clarence, with a personality as large as her figure. Then there is best friend, Sybille. Together they determine to move upwards on the style and money ladder, preferably in London, where their goal is aimed. Everybody knows the rules of culture and everybody breaks them as plans ebb and flow towards the ultimate goal - (no spoilers) The story is filled with beautifully crafted expressions, some hilarious, …”Avis rolled over to find her breakfast tray too far away on the bedside table… (p 33) Original: “…It was the support a cold brick might give another in holding up a wall.” (p54) Speaking pictures: “…but their eyes ere constantly flicking to the queen like moths trying to reach the sun.” (p66) Context: Rose is fast becoming a friend of the fashionable as she reaches for her ultimate goal…to reach royalty and their palace. Mingling with maids and attendants, her cute smile, kind words and generosity (of stolen goods) and Sybille’s close encounters yield much excitement and even their priceless goals! Filled with intrigue, dancing, royal masques, monasteries and mysterious creatures, this story will take you to another time and place when life was more of a stage and all the creatures merely players.

Reedsy for Marie? Italic dilemma

I have been a member of Reedsy for a while. In fact I have some books half-written there in the marketing hub. But, I recently found a branch of Reedsy called Discovery and am finding it very interesting. To date I have encountered about 20 new "friends" who are also authors, readers and reviewers. I feel a good vibe here and will post a bit more when I work through their offerings. I could not choose 5 people, so I clicked "all" and am now following 501 people! (A novice at work) I have uploaded my latest book, Quest & Crown but found I got confused when the first chapter did not load properly and it ended up with over 4,000 words, which alerted me because I purposely designed my chapters to be 2,000 words only, or thereabouts. I still have not worked that one out. Another problem I encountered was uploading my full interior or story. It had to be a PDF file, which is fine. Immediately their checker wanted to change my opening lines to italics, which is a possibility for this book, but I had not chosen it. Now I am in a quandry about many sections of this book as it has a good deal of internal dialogue because of its nature, a lone horseman who has a mission. Having read up on this subject, I find that it is the author's choice whether or not to inform the reader that these words are internal or spoken. It was a rather interesting lesson I picked up and I agreed with it. If I use italics the reader may be distracted somewhat from the story, but to clarify its intent, it needs to be clear to the reader. So, back to basics, I am taking the advice of the tutorial and changing certain internal dialogue or thought patterns to italics. Now that I am on this track, I find it is not a simple: he though, he mused, he cogitated, or wondered, because much of the dialogue does not contain the words listed, so I need to read right through the story 61,000 words or 430 pages, which makes it a bigger job. I shall do so, as of course I wish the reader to enjoy her experience and not feel confused. Already my proofreader (darling hubby) read through and picked up one section he was not sure about. I took this advice and changed the wording a little to ensure clarity. Wish me luck with this project. I am as usual going it alone, by prayer and song, and of course, inspiration from above. It is not a Christian book per se, but has good morals entwined in it. After all, people have good and bad things inside and it is more interesting to read about a person who mirrors reality. So far, I spent about one and a half hours yesterday, but was interrupted by a long telephone call, which I did enjoy. Also, I had to a quick shop for something, so that took about two hours. I got to page 105 by nightfall when I was tired. I find editing the most tiring of all jobs in writing and have to fight writer's fatigue the whole way. I put this down to age, but I know it is also boring to read something over and over again, detecting errors. But, it is necessary. If I had a bucket of money I could, perhaps, ask someone to run through the text, but they would need to be a thinker, even a writer as well. I have paid for editing previously, and I was disappointed. I just don't have money to throw here and there into mist. Unfortunately it may be my pride or determination, or doggedness. I have written this story in past tense and present tense, also present perfect tense, so is tricky. Be back soon. Love M

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