2nd Readers' Challenge

So I just completed Wizardry Dayz in Sandy, Utah.  Inspired by my interactions at the conference, I am relaunching challenge writes.

The first challenge writes that were completed are being made into an anthology.  I really have a love of interaction with my audience and the first set where a blast.  The original idea came from a good friend from the book -A Wizard of Dreams (Myrddin's Heir Book 1) -by Robin Chambers- Link: http://amzn.com/B00CKKHFCO . The idea is actually in the next book in his series, but you should read the first one... well first.

 Wahlah.... Readers's Challenge

Review of In the Nick of Time

In the Nick of Time by Robin Chambers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Timeless Message Which Man Continues to Forget

Robin's unique style of writing mirrors well with my preferred view points. The glossary at the end, enlightens and expands my understanding of small cultural phrases. Extremely helpful for those of us in a different country where the local idioms are unknown.

The perplexity of mankind is that constant need to be in control of things beyond our personal spheres of influence. Evil, for the sake of evil, has always been about the ability of those with power to exert that power as they choose without consequence. It doesn't matter the genre, when evil is taken up with a professional hand, the sordid truth of its indecency is universal.

Robin Chambers is such a professional hand. In the Nick of Time brings forward the evil in man which is rarely hidden nowadays. It challenges thought on what justice is within in a world of injustice. These very deep human perplexities are buried under a whimsical tale of magic and power, fairies and daemons, and wizards and witches.

If there is true justice in the land, then someone with the power to do great things in the world will publish this man's work for all the world to see. He excels in word-crafting, world building, and storytelling. A true man of honor and integrity, you can feel the desire for a better world emerging though the voice of his hero. The unyielding voice of justice in Gordon married with the hand of healing and mercy in Grace, echoes in the minds of all those who have suffered the hands of cruelty just for the sake of being cruel.

The only criticism I would dare to offer is that the author breaks the fourth wall a couple of times which stuttered the immersion of the world. Not enough to detract from my opinion, but enough to be noted.

Huzzah Mr. Chambers - truly Huzzah

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The Quality of Mercy

Myrddin's Heir: The Quality of Mercy by Robin Chambers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As a writer, you are encouraged to read. This series is one of three that I have been reading as I write. Mr. Chambers has a unique style that incorporates literature and history; so well embedded into the story that it does not detract but only adds to the tale. By reviewing the glossary when I hit a work or historical point with which I was unfamiliar, I found myself only further drawn into the world of Grace and Gordon. I must say I learned a thing or two.

However, it is the story for which a review is written. I found myself entranced by the insight and belief systems of the core characters. If we could raise more of our children with this strong of a belief system our world would be a much better place. I have been following the protagonist since he was a baby. Mr. Chambers weaves a magical tale of growing up in the real world with the fae and mystical. I loved the development and the interaction of the four friends. This is a tale that will entrance children of all ages, even those of us that our children at heart.

The only constructive point I have to make is that the protagonists seem to triumph just a little too easily for their age. I totally understand the concept that they are graced, but I would have liked to see it be a little harder. Hopefully this will be the case as they continue to grow up.

I wish more people would understand that sometimes the most merciful thing you can do is to allow someone to reap what they have sown.The Quality of Mercy

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Transitions of a Writer

When I started writing, I really just wanted to see if I could publish.  I wanted to see my name on a book.  I hadn't written much since I had graduated College some 20 years earlier.  It is horrible how such drilled in skills slowly deplete over time.  I didn't think I needed an editor.  I didn't think I needed a proof reader.  After all, I was an English Major.  The twenty years or the fact that once you have read a work over and over to the point your brain sees what should be there were totally lost on me.

I was happy with the two or three sales a day.  People were reading me.  Then suddenly, my book took off in the UK.  People willing to forgive the lack of a proof reader were giving it high ratings and even those pointing out the need of editing were still liking the story.  Amazon gave a stipend to quickly get it into audio.  Unfortunately, by the time that it sunk in and I had read enough other blogs from writers that I needed an editor, Amazon had whisper-synced the audio.   So over time I am finding errors that won't take it off whispersync like homophone errors.  

Cheryl Matthynssens - Author update!

Wow, so much has happened since I started this blog so let me see if I can catch you up!

Health wise:  I have my last dose of chemo on March 17th- 19th.  It looks like I am kicking it into remission.  I will be glad not to be sick every other week as this major impacts everything I do including writing and publicity.

Since starting chemo, I have still been able to put out two novels and one children book.  Magic Scorned (very adult), The Bloodmines and Once Upon a...Wait!  I can't wait to see what I can do full time when I am not having chemo.  Hopefully this thing will stay in remission.

A New Year - New Goals!

I have been at a loss as to what goals to set for this year.  I am still under 50 and currently have everything I ever dreamed of for my life.  Well, I don't own this property I am on, but I love it here.

So, I decided I would set my writing goals which seem much easier.

In 2015, I want to do the following:

Entrancing Tale for All Ages - Can stand alone, but I suggest you start with the first book!

The Quality of Mercy by Robin Chambers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I wish more people would understand that sometimes the most merciful thing you can do is to allow someone to reap what they have sown.

As a writer, you are encouraged to read. This series is one of three that I have been reading as I write. Mr. Chambers has a unique style that incorporates literature and history; so well embedded into the story that it does not detract but only adds to the tale. By reviewing the glossary when I hit a work or historical point with which I was unfamiliar, I found myself only further drawn into the world of Grace and Gordon. I must say I learned a thing or two.

However, it is the story for which a review is written. I found myself entranced by the insight and belief systems of the core characters. If we could raise more of our children with this strong of a belief system our world would be a much better place. I have been following the protagonist since he was a baby. Mr. Chambers weaves a magical tale of growing up in the real world with the fae and mystical. I loved the development and the interaction of the four friends. This is a tale that will entrance children of all ages, even those of us that are children at heart.

The only constructive point I have to make is that the protagonists seem to triumph just a little too easily for their age. I totally understand the concept that they are graced, but I would have liked to see it be a little harder. Hopefully this will be the case as they continue to grow up.



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My Review of Robin Chamber's Book: Amazing Grace

If you think this is a book just for children, you would be wrong!

Robin Chambers weaves together a magical tale in Amazing Grace: bridging reality, a soft tough of religious question, and the world of the Fae.  On the surface, it is a delightful tale guaranteed to catch the attention of any reader that enjoys the aspects of magic and growing up in a story.  Watching Gordon and Grace come together then following their adventures held my attention for five straight hours.

But there is a deeper level to this wonderful tale and series.  Robin skillfully embeds history and clear mastery of respected literature and poetry.  Even more subtle is a level of social commentary and the desire to spread three philosophical points of wisdom. If you are paying attention, these subtle, positive messages are discernible even in the more obnoxious knockers.  There is a clear understanding about the social impact of bullying.   His ability to interpret and share a child's fears and experiences growing up without preaching was a welcomed relief.

I think this author's work is worth far more than .99 cents.  However, I will continue to buy and read every one of these novels as they make me smile and they are well written.

Interview With Fantasy Author - Robin Chambers

  

Today's interview is with Robin Chambers, author of the Myrddin's Heir series.  So Robin, when did you first realize that you wanted to be a writer?

When I was Head of English at Hackney Downs Boys School in East London (1971-6) I heard myself say one day to a class of year 9 pupils: “Some of you can write better stories than I ever could.”  An inner voice asked me how I knew that was true, when I hadn’t tried since I was at school.  It also told me I shouldn’t be asking pupils to do anything that I didn’t know I could do myself.

So during school holidays I started writing short stories for children.  In 1974/5 I sent a batch to Penguin, and they published them in 1976.  That encouraged me to think that maybe one day I could write something really good.  It would have to be after I retired from teaching, because I was on the way to becoming a headteacher of a large comprehensive school in one of the most stressful social services areas in the UK – and that was more than a full time job.

An Imaginary Friend with a Twist!

A Wizard of Dreams by Robin Chambers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This tale is told with a perspective I would have never considered. At first I was a little surprised to find the tale told when Gordon was just a small baby, but as the time passed, an exquisite tale began to unfold that has the power to capture both the young and adult reader. Gordon's unique view of the world is one that many of us could learn from.

Who can not find a smile when a bully has his comeuppance? Who would not wish for an imaginary friend who could really stand between you and the harm a world full of inadequacies a child may experience. By his pre-school year, I was hooked. The plot matures with the protagonist, sucking you into a well built world with subtle plots and well-developed characters.

The writing is superb and makes for an easy afternoon of reading. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a fantasy tale that is outside the canned fiction that many authors are putting out these days. Mr. Chambers' unique style of writing, his imaginative twist of a world where fairies, ghosts and wizards are real, and his use of time snapshots leads to a spectacular novel for any fantasy genre fan.


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An Amazing Review for Outcast!

I received this amazing review for Outcast.  Robin Chambers is the author of A Wizard of Dreams .  After such an amazing review, I picked up his kindle version for only .99 cents.  I really encourage everyone to pick this tale up.  I will be posting a review as well when I am done but I am only in Chapter twelve and I am totally entranced.  It is a tale of growing up just a bit differently from the rest of us.  A magical journey from birth...

Robin's Review of Outcast: You can read the full review on the Amazon site for Outcast or Robin's Goodread's page. 

Outcast

"Cheryl Matthynssens is a master of her craft. She suspends her readers’ disbelief early on with exquisite detail in her opening four chapters about the Daezun, from the structure of their village through the appearance and habits of the korpen (their beasts of burden) to the distinct advantages of Ketchen’s lucrative invention of a more efficient plowhead. The way the Daezun control the lives of everyone in their community reminded me of Lois Lowry’s “The Giver” (one of my favourite children’s books). You see and hear and taste and touch and feel this place and everyone in it.

The characterisation is assured. The main character has the classic elements of the legendary hero: an outsider in childhood, apparently clumsy – less adroit than the practical, efficient, ‘pure-bred Daezun’ (his father was Lerdenian, a race skilled in magic). Alador has hidden strengths...." (click above for full review)