Tag: Glynis Astie

10 Bookish (& Not-Bookish Thoughts) No.1: from the BBC to @ChocLitUK to Indie #SFF & a dash of #HistFic; this #bookblogger is celebrating quite a heap! Including a special note of gratitude to her #library in regards to the #SRC2015!

Posted Thursday, 14 May, 2015 by jorielov , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 2 Comments

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Week of Thursday, 30th of April thru 7th 14th of May, 2015 | Hostess List

I’ve honestly wanted to start participating in this weekly meme in 2014, however, I would always seem to get distracted during the hours leading up to Thursdays OR completely forget to compose my thoughts for this meme until into the weekend; at which point, the time had come and gone. I like the fact we can exchange thoughts percolating in our minds that run the gambit of the bookish world, creative outlets, or thoughts we want to share that might show a bit more about who we are behind the bookish blog we maintain. I am going to attempt to thread the journal of my 10 Bookish / Not Bookish Thoughts by order of the entries arrival into my life rather than a preference of 1-10.

NOTE: This list was originally meant to publish on the 7th of May, however, due to unforeseen reasons which delayed it’s posting, I had intended to share it on the 14th of May when I came down with a migraine, thus taking me away from finishing the edits as I found out a few things earlier in that second week I had not known originally on the 7th. I am back-posting this on the 14th (today) on the 19th of May, as that is the day it belongs hereafter to be seen. A new list will be generated for this upcoming Thursday, the 21st!

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No. 1 | Borrowing the BBC through my local library

One of my favourite joys of being a regular library patron is the access to the BBC through either direct  purchases made by my local library OR the ability to ILL serial dvd collections for mini-series, tv serials, or motion pictures! For the past two to three weeks, I’ve had the incredible joy of being able to catch up with one of my favourite BBC serials: Foyle’s War! I have a soft spot for war dramas and for mystery series because I truly grew up on murder mysteries on tv!

Michael Kitchen plays the title lead as Foyle, and it is such a convicting narrative of stories pulled out of research by the series creator and writer Anthony Horowitz. I knew of his works previously through Alex Rider, as I watched the motion picture hoping there would be more installments; however, this was a bit like hoping the latest Nancy Drew film would have sequels starring Emma Roberts. I cannot even express how much I celebrated there is a Series 7 and a Series 8, except to say, it equaled the joy I had in realising there is a Series 3 for Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries!

You’re taking back to the world wars of the early 20th Century going straight through to the start of the Cold War; the transition in Series 6 to 7 is impressive because Horowitz has amazing continuity by giving his audience the pleasure of staying with characters they are attached too and seeing them move forward with their lives. The only characters I regretted not seeing come forward were Foyle’s partner Paul Milner and of course, Foyle’s son Andrew. Andrew was portrayed by singer Julian Ovenden and his exit I believe was nearly predicted by the fact his career took off. I was thankful I could participate in a live chat with him via PBS last year, and he even answered one of my questions! This was not in reference of Foyle’s War but for his guest starring role on Downton Abbey.

To see Honeysuckle Weeks return as Sam and Foyle to be back as the moral backbone of MI5 is such a true delight of authenticity, I can only hope others are seeking out Foyle as much as I am! He has become such a delight to watch, my family hopes like I do that we have much more Foyle yet to come! It is definitely a series where fans are helping guide the series forward, as it was cancelled and revived!

After Foyle, I wanted to keep the joy of selecting to see new BBC serials, (either newly released or past releases still unknown) which is why I selected to watch Last Tango in Halifax. A drama about two families that are on the verge of coming together due to the fact their Mum and Dad have fallen in love with each other after reuniting after living 60 years apart! It’s such a tragic opening to the story, where a lost letter does not get delivered and they each went their separate ways!

They find each other on social media and as they meet-up for the first time after all these decades, learnt that they are still very much as important to each other as they were then. However, the drama of what ensues is both honest and representative of a families in transition and shifting in/out of difficulties that arise whilst life continues to carry on. The last episode of the 1st Series nearly put me under, because of what happens to Alan, but thankfully, we read up a bit about the series finding that as this is based on a real-life couple who found each other and wedded after a 60 year absence, the series is thriving on fans in the UK who love the show! Already in it’s 3rd Series and moving towards it’s 4th, I can say we devourted the 1st and are about to embark on the 2nd! Read More

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Posted Thursday, 14 May, 2015 by jorielov in #SRC2015 | BookSparks, 10 Bookish (& Not-So-Bookish Thoughts), Blogosphere Events & Happenings, CSI: Cyber, Foyle's War, Last Tango in Halifax, Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, NCIS, When Calls the Heart

Indie Writer Month (#IndieWriterMonth)| a special focus on Jorie Loves A Story during November & December 2014!

Posted Saturday, 1 November, 2014 by jorielov , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 0 Comments

#IndieWriterMonth badge created by Jorie in Canva

I have always had a strong passion for the world of Indies (book shoppes & authors), yet despite all my best efforts to seek out stories published through alternative publishing platforms such as: Independent Publishers & Presses, Self-Published routes (such as POD or otherwise) or even Hybrid Publishing Platforms I found the availability of where they are adverted and spoken about to be a bit limiting prior to becoming a book blogger who became active in the book blogosphere, the book culture in the twitterverse, and a hostess for blog book tours via blog book touring firms and companies.

I had the the pleasure of seeing other bookish bloggers and writers take up the quest to host book spotlights and author features on their blogs leading up to Autumn 2014. I was partially inspired to host my own event as much as shine a light on the fact I read an incredible amount of Indie fiction on a regular basis now! I am always humbled and blessed to have my path cross with authors whose stories not only enchant my mind but they endear my soul. I love the diversity of the stories themselves as much as the love of the craft knitted into their pages.

I cannot wait to share all the lovely posts I am writing which will highlight all the lovely books on my Riffle List which compliments this event! Be sure to watch my Twitter Feeds for announcements & reading tweets whilst I walk through November with a thankfulness of Indie Fiction!

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JLAS Features in Conjunction to #IndieWriterMonth:
  • #IndieWriterMonth Bingo Card Challenge for an Indie Reader
  • This ChocLit Girl has a ChocLit Next Reads List | Why I love Reading ChocLitUK novels
  • Upcoming 2015 Indie New Releases Wicked Happy About
  • Top Indie Children’s Lit: the stories for young readers & young adults
  • Top Indie Speculative Fiction: stories within science fiction, fantasy, & horror
  • Top 10 Favourite Indie Sci-Fi & Fantasy Novels & Writers
  • Top Indie Historical Fiction: stories brought forward out of time itself
  • Top 20 Under-appreciated Indie Novelists
  • Top Favourite Indie Publishers & Presses
  • Next Indie Books to Read on my Bookshelf
  • Next Indie Books to Read via my local library
  • Indie Novels I am Reviewing in December
  • Stories Seeking Love from Readers: the Indie novels spotlight
  • Surprises still to come! :)

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| Calendar of Book Reviews & Author Guest Features |

THIS SCHEDULE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION : PLEASE READ NOTE!

{ titles in purple are cross-referenced/promoted via Sci Fi November }

Mondays:

(3 Nov) LIVE Author Q&A Piercing the Veil series by C.A. Gray (YA Sci-Fantasy)

(10 Nov) Book Review “Invincible” by C.A. Gray (YA Sci-Fantasy)

(17 Nov) Book Review “The Spoils of Avalon” by Mary F. Burns
(Cosy Historical Mystery : HFVBT)

(TBA Nov) Author Interview with Mary F. Burns

(24 Nov) #ChocLitSaturdays Book Review “Dance Until Dawn” by Berni Stevens
(Paranormal (Vampire) Romance)

(24 Nov) Book Review “Impossibe” by C.A. Gray (YA Sci-Fantasy)

(29 Nov) Series Showcase Spotlight “Piercing the Veil” by C.A. Gray (YA Sci-Fantasy)

Tuesdays:

(4 Nov) Author Interview Marcia DeSanctis “100 Places in France Every Woman Should Go” (#FranceBT)

(18 Nov) Series Spotlight w/ Cover Reveal & Author Q&A of Coming Home Series
by Brenda S. Anderson (Realistic Fiction | Inspirational Romance)

Wednesdays:

(5 Nov) Book Review “King of the Mutants” by Samantha Vérant (#Month9Books : MG Fantasy)

(12 Nov) Book Review “The Vineyard” by Michael Hurley (TLCBookTours)

(19 Nov) Book Review “French Twist” by Glynis Astie (French Romance)

(19 Nov) Audiobook Novella Review of “Dragons of Unrest” by Anthony Russo (Dragon Fiction)

(19 Nov) Author Q&A with Anthony Russo

(26 Nov) Book Review “Seldom Come By” by Sherryl Caulfield (Historical Fiction : HFVBT)

(26 Nov) Author Interview with Sherryl Caulfield

(26 Nov) Book Review “Portals, Passages, and Pathways” by B.R. Maul (YA Fantasy)

Thursdays:

(6 Nov) Book Review “100 Places in France Every Woman Should Go” by Marcia DeSanctis  (#FranceBT)

(13 Nov) Book Review “Fade to Back” by Sue Duff (YA Sci-Fantasy)

(20 Nov) Book Review “Sinking Down” by E. Chris Garrison (Urban/Paranormal Fantasy)

(20 Nov) “Softly Falling” by Carla Kelly (Historical Fiction)

(27 Nov) Book Review “A Home for Christmas” Novella Anthology by MK McKintock
(Historical Fiction : HFVBT)

(27 Nov) Author Interview with MK McKintock

(27 Nov) Book Review: “Crown of Dust” by Mary Volmer (Historical Fiction)

Fridays:

(14 Nov) Book Review & Author Interview “Like There’s No Tomorrow” by Camille Eide
(Sweet Romance)

(21 Nov) Book Review “French Toast” by Glynis Astie (French Romance)

(28 Nov) “Lila’s Choice” by Laura Brown (Equality in Lit / Contemporary Romance)

Saturdays:

(1 Nov) #ChocLitSaturdays Chat Fairy-Tales in Fiction | After Canons/Re-tellings

(15 Nov) #ChocLitSaturdays Book Review “A Stitch in Time” by Amanda James  (Time Travel)

(18 Nov) Book Review “Time and Again” by Deborah Heal (Time Travel)

(22 Nov) #ChocLitSaturdays Book Review “Somewhere Beyond the Sea” by Amanda James (Romantic Suspense)

(22 Nov) Book Review “I, Walter” by Mike Hartner (Historical Fiction)

(22 Nov) Author Interview with Mike Hartner

(22 Nov) Book Review “Unclaimed Legacy” by Deborah Heal (Time Travel)

(29 Nov) #ChocLitSaturdays Book Review “Up Close” by Henriette Gyland (Romantic Suspense)

(25 Nov) Book Review “Every Hill and Mountain by Deborah Heal (Time Travel)

(29 Nov) SPECIAL SHOWCASE: History Mystery Serial Overview w/ Author Interview

Sundays:

(9 Nov) Book Review “Becoming Beauty” by Sarah E. Boucher (Fairy-tale Re-Telling)

(16 Nov) Book Review “A Holiday Miracle in Apple Blossom” by June McCrary Jacobs
(Sweet Romance)

(16 Nov) Author Interview with June McCrary Jacobs

(16 Nov) Book Review “Category 5” by Paul Mark Tag (Science Fiction based on Science Fact Thriller)

(23 Nov) Book Review “Prophecy” by Paul Mark Tag  (Science Fiction based on Science Fact Thriller)

(30 Nov) Book Review “White Thaw: The Helheim Conspiracy” by Paul Mark Tag
(Science Fiction based on Science Fact Thriller)

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In recognition of my participation in the reading challenge:

Go Indie 2014 Reading Challenge

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This post kicks off my event on behalf of:

#IndieWriterMonth Blog Feature of Jorie Loves A Story, badge created by Jorie in Canva#IndieWriterMonth Take 2 (December) badge created by Jorie in Canva

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Reader Interactive Question:

Share your thoughts on Indie Pub | Press; Self Pub and Hybrid published authors of whom you’ve felt such a strong connection to you wish you could find more readers to share in the joy of the stories which captured your imagination & your heart.

{SOURCES: Poster for #IndieWriterMonth on Jorie Loves A Story created by Jorie in Canva. Badge for #IndieWriterMonth (November & December) on Jorie Loves A Story created by Jorie in Canva. Post dividers badge by Fun Stuff for Your Blog via Pure Imagination. Riffle List embedded due to codes provided by Riffle.}

Copyright © Jorie Loves A Story, 2014.

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Posted Saturday, 1 November, 2014 by jorielov in #IndieWriterMonth, Jorie Loves A Story

+Readathon+ Bout of Books, 11.0 – I seriously am addicted to the #BoutOfBooks experience!

Posted Monday, 18 August, 2014 by jorielov , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 4 Comments

Bout of Books badge created by Jorie in CanvaMy participation in the Bout this time around simply made sense due to the fact that I have a booked schedule between now & the start of September! I’d love to share journalling bits of where I am on my reading adventures, as much as interact with other Bout’ers when I could use a break between page turns! I am keeping in place the lovely paragraph I spoke on behalf of my participation in Bout 9.0 as it simply echoes my sentiments right now! :) Of course, I *love!* to push myself to read a bit more than I normally can during a Bout, but this time around, I seriously do have 8 books being read for review! On the flipside, I’m a late Austen in August reader who wants to *catch!* up a bit by soaking into her first picks for the challenge which celebrates her admiration and love of all things Jane Austen! I have a heap in store for my blog this next week, both for the readathon, for blog tours, and a few surprises outside of those too!
{Official Blurb}:
The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 18th and runs through Sunday, August 24th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 11.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog – From the Bout of Books team

I, Jorie of Jorie Loves A Story is not only a seriously addicted reader of books which wrap me inside stories which enchant my mind and murmur reflections in my heart after I put the books down, but I am a girl who is positively happy whilst caught up in the book blogosphere events which unite readers with books, and stories with readers who love to chatter about why they love to read what they read! I am going to sit back and enjoy this Bout, as I’ll be reading up a wicked storm of fiction whilst hosting wicked awesome blog tours & reviews! I will be spending equal time on Twitter & in the blogosphere visiting other bloggers who are participating. Here’s to being spontaneous and seeing where the Bout takes me next!

Whose going to join me!?

Bout of Books badge created by Jorie in Canva

One year ago I participated in my *first!* Bout of Books!

I am #851 (signups) + #378 (goals)! Rock on, dear hearts!

A celebration of my life as a book blogger who celebrated her 1st Blog’s Birthday starts this week as well! Stay tuned for the start of 12 posts which journal back through my adventures!

Converse with Bout’ers:#boutofbooks | @BoutofBooks

Hostesses:@ + @

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Book badge provided by Squeesome Designs and used with permission.Book badge provided by Squeesome Designs and used with permission.Book badge provided by Squeesome Designs and used with permission.

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Personal Goals & Motivations of Bout 11.0!

Books to Absorb during Bout of Books 9.0:

Books for Review:

  • Sense & Sensibility: A Latter-Day Tale by Rebecca H. Jamison (a Jane Austen re-telling)
  • The Story Hour by Thrity Umrigar (a soul-stirring Literary fiction)
  • French Twist by Glynis Astie (a Contemporary Romance) Re-scheduled due to exhaustion
  • The Gin Thief by S.C. Barrus (as a beta reader)
  • Blade of the Samurai by Susan Spann (a sequel to a Cosy Historical Mystery)
  • Maggie’s Wars by Phil Pisani (a war drama Historical Fiction) Re-scheduled/Self-Hosting blog!
  • Romancing the Soul by Sarah Tranter (a parapsychological Romance)
  • Willow Springs by Carolyn Steele (an Inspirational Romance)

Author Interviews this week:

Books Aiming to Read in Addition:

  • Claws of the Cat by Susan Spann (the first Shinobi mystery)
  • Aunty Lee’s Delights by Ovidia Yu (the first Singaporean mystery)
  • Mortal Arts by Anna Lee Huber (sequel to the Lady Darby mystery series)*
  • {to be revealed} by Jane Austen (for Austen in August)*updating Austen in August MP
  • The first 25 pages of War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy (a RAL w/ @LitChat & my tCC List)

*my review of “The Anatomist’s Wife” (the first Lady Darby mystery) will post during the Bout!

Bookish Posts Forthcoming:

  • Jorie’s Box of Joy : Inbound Books for Review
  • Austen in August : an modified reading list & proper update
  • Top Ten Tuesday : ?
  • WWW Wednesday : An update on last week & this week’s readings
  • 10 Bookish & Not So Bookish Thoughts : my 1st contribution!
  • Jorie Loves A Story 1st Birthday Celebration Post
  • August 2013 to August 2014 : First Month Retrospective
  • Read A Romance Month : Participation & why I adore reading Romance novels!

Bout 11.0 Events I will be joining in on the fun:

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Seven days,
168 hours,
with the prospect of devouring itching to read books and savouring the joy of discovering the ones which I am reading for a blog book tour!
Ooh, let the readathon be underway!

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{My Bout’er Updates:}

  • Monday 18th: I was quite literally consumed inside the world of “Sense & Sensibility” through the dramatic re-telling of Rebecca H. Jamison! She not only proved that she could write a believable story, but for me, she added in so many realistic elements of what can happen that at times I felt emotionally blindsided! One particular event held my breath in my throat as what I hadn’t disclosed in my review is there is a motorcycle crash in the latter chapters that puts your heart out of your chest! My family has always been cognisant of cycles on the road & want to find one of those bumper stickers to reflect awareness for everyone else too. I am not sure how much of the story follows in line with Jane Austen, but for me, I could not read the story fast enough as I was completely tied and invested inside the lives of the characters in this modern re-telling! I lost all sense of time, and I can only hope my thoughts I left behind can convey how much I enjoyed reading the story! I might have found a few wrinkles (my ‘fly in the ointment’) but that did not stop my pleasure of the novel overall! I find that even the most celebrated works I discover at times have a few things I might have found rubbed me the wrong way, but it is presence of where the writer took me in the text that gives all stories the ability to have me transcend directly into the world they gave to us as they penned the story! I was hoping other Janeites & Austenites would leave comments about cross-referencing the original canon to what I disclosed on this re-telling as that is one element I could not give this year. This was also the day I did the most tweeting for Bout’ers and slightly missed the chance to ‘talk’ during the live chat!
  • Tuesday 19th: Whilst I edited my Author Interview for Thrity Umrigar, I started to read her novel “The Story Hour”, only to find that despite the allure of the synopsis, I was having a bit of trouble shifting into the story, as the characters were being presented in a way that felt a bit disconjointed for me. I thoroughly enjoyed the Questions I had composed for the Interview, as it was one of the few times where an author has such a breadth of media posted online and in different mediums like: podcast, YouTube interview, print media, and other blogger Interviews! The day dissolved before my eyes and turnt into Wednesday,…
  • Wednesday 20th: I was attempting to accomplish so very much today, as I sort of had a late start, as I found I had overslept and that completely threw off *everything!* I not only wanted to blog about (as I wanted to work on the *Bookish Posts* section of this challenge, but it threw off my focus to dig into “Claws of the Cat” before the day I was meant to post my review of “Blade of the Samurai!” I did accomplish one wicked sweet thing: I not only read, edited, and commented on “The Gin Thief” — I actually learnt a few new tricks on how to use added features of Word! I was most delighted as I had not sorted out the ‘insert comment’ & the ‘track changes’ features prior to my project and work with S.C. Barrus as one of his Beta Readers work a work-in-progress! I appreciated the work immensely especially being that his writing style is so far outside my own that it felt like a joyful adventure! I can see why writers talk about being a Beta for stories not only outside your comfort zone but outside what you were  normally read, as it heightens your eyes to seeing what might not be working and/or to give a different intensity of feedback. As the night was folding into midnight, I was still working on my double showcase for Ms. Spann. The Interview Questions arrived whilst I was firming together how I wanted the Interview to look and feel inside the post, and then, I rather happily staid posed at my keyboard until nearly 3am sorting out how I wanted to add replies! It was a special Interview to host, as it always is when I have previously known a writer I feature on my blog! The hours I was spending working on everything overlapped with the hours I wanted to tweet & thus, I missed the second chat for the Bout! I also wanted to soak into the French Twist series by Glynis Astie, as I was striving to post my book review for “French Twist” — there are some days the hours dissolve faster than we’re able to grab them!
  • Thursday 21st:
  • Friday 22nd: Oh, my dear goodness – I never thought it would be possible to self-host my blog within 24 hours, but necessity was the  (work in progress)
  • Saturday 23rd:
  • Sunday 24th:
  • Monday 25th:

{SOURCE: Bout of Books Badge created by Jorie in Canva to give readers & visitors who come to her blog a way to know of its existence and therefore increasing the mystery & lore surrounding it!! Badges for Proud Book Nerd, Read All Day, & Coffee are given to bloggers to add personality to their blogs by Squeesome Designs.Post dividers badge by Fun Stuff for Your Blog via Pure Imagination. Tweets embedded due to codes provided by Twitter. Book Covers: “Sense & Sensibility: A Latter-Day Tale by Rebecca H. Jamison provided by the author; “The Story Hour” by Thrity Umrigar provided by TLC Book Tours; “French Twist” by Glynis Astie provided by the author; “Blade of the Samurai” by Susan Spann provided by the author; “Maggie’s Wars” by Phil Pisani provided by Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours; “Romancing the Soul” by Sarah Tranter provided by ChocLitUK; Willow Springs tour banner provided by Cedar Fort Publishing & Media; “The Gin Thief” by S.C. Barrus provided by the author; all Press Materials are used with permission for both review and promotion on my blog.}

Copyright © Jorie Loves A Story, 2014.

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Posted Monday, 18 August, 2014 by jorielov in Bout of Books, RALs | Thons via Blogs