Today I’m hosting a favorite author, Andrew Joyce to let you know his outstanding book,Mahoney is on sale today through September 30th for $0.99. That is 1/4 the cost of a Starbucks and way more rewarding.
In this compelling, richly researched novel, author Andrew Joyce tells a riveting story of adventure, endurance, and hope as the Mahoney clan fights to gain a foothold in America.
In the second year of a Gorta Mhór—the Great Famine—nineteen-year-old Devin Mahoney lies on the dirt floor of his small, dark cabin. He has not eaten in five days. His only hope of survival is to get to America, the land of milk and honey. After surviving disease and storms at sea that decimate crew and passengers alike, Devin’s ship limps into New York Harbor three days before Christmas, 1849. Thus starts an epic journey that will take him and his descendants through one hundred and fourteen years of American history, including the Civil War, the Wild West, and the Great Depression.
Here is my review of the book which I consider a must-read.
Mahoney by Andrew Joyce
Andrew Joyce has crafted a marvelous story that can best be described as exceptionally well written historical fiction. He has taken three generations of the Mahoney family from the dirt floor of their humble cabin in county Cork Ireland to grand adventures in the United States. Make no mistake, it is a long a perilous journey but filled with exceptional characterizations. The story takes in the time frame from the potato famine in Ireland to the Great Depression.
Mr. Joyce takes in a broad sweep of historical venue in his storytelling. A less talented author would get lost in the details or fail to keep the reader on the edge of their seat. Not so with this story. There are historical backdrops which serve to highlight the scenes developed with great care. The history does not overshadow the tale but adds a sense of relevance to what is being told. It is almost like the author intended us to tag along as he laid out what could only be described as world-building at the highest level.
The main characters have an authenticity not usually found in a novel that deals with generations of the family. It would be all too easy to plunk down some stereotypical generational shifts. Here is where Mr. Joyce excels. The three generations live extraordinary lives filled with adventure and a few twists that keep the story interesting. In the end, it is plain that the story of the family Mahoney is epic. There is enough adventure, excitement, and plot surprises to entertain any one reading this book.
If you would like a book that is filled with intriguing characters, fast-moving plot, and writing that sometimes takes your breath away, this one is for you.
“I can almost smell Friday, Lucy.” “Better nose than mine Little One.”
It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week we got yet another surprise in the form of a billionaire who kindly asked Andrew and Larry to go back to Boston. It looks like whoever is the top dog they are pretty influential in getting a billionaire in their hip pocket. Well, the offer has been made, and the billionaire is waiting for Larry’s response. Let’s hustle cause I think we all would like to know what Larry has to say.
“Do we have a deal, Mr. Nobel? I don’t think so.”
“Uh, Mr. Dunfee, I would think over my offer very carefully if I were you.”
“Excuse me Larry but can you and I have a moment?”
“Mr. Nobel is there a place Andrew and I can talk?”
“I’ll leave, and you can have this room.”
“No offense but we need to talk in private. How about the front porch?”
“By all means. Let me call Terrance to escort you there.”
“No need. We left breadcrumbs.”
“Huh? Oh, I get it a joke. Very well, I’ll wait for you here.”
“Come on, Andrew. Let’s go outside.”
“Right behind you, boss.”
“Okay, we are out of earshot, Andrew. What do you want to say?”
“I think the best course of action is for us to get back to Boston and conduct our investigation from there.”
“What the hell, Andrew. We have a search warrant burning a hole in our pocket, and we are only steps away from proving Rafferty’s wife lied to us and we can hopefully get some proof that she was in the hotel here in South Lake Tahoe when she said she was in Boston.”
“I know, I know. Is trying to prove someone lied worth getting your head shot off?”
“You really think those bozos would do that?”
“Did you look at them?”
“Well yeah, of course.”
“Then yes. I think they could do that.”
“Okay so we go back to Boston. How do we conduct the investigation?”
“I think we get the DA to issue a few warrants and get to the truth that way.”
“That does make some sense.”
“We are on our own here, Larry. You already got a hole in your shoulder, and for what?”
“Justice.”
“Fine we can still get Justice from Boston, and we will be in our own jurisdiction.”
“Okay Andrew. I’m going to take your advice, after all, I’m paying you too much to simply ignore it.”
“Spoken like a true boss, boss.”
“Let’s go back inside and let ole Jason Nobel know he has a deal.”
“Excellent.”
“If this goes south, I’m going to kick your butt.”
“I will happily receive such a kick, your lordship.”
“You know Andrew, sometimes you take the fun out of things.”
In Keith’s words, “Using this photo (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before 6pm next Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here.
Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next Monday.”
This week marks the 245th anniversary of Ethan Allen’s capture by the British during his ill-fated attempt to capture Montreal. You may recall Ethan Allen was the American revolution’s first hero by capturing Fort Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain. The Fort gave the Revolutionary army almost 100 state-of-the-art captured cannons and artillery pieces. These were later used to significant effect in defeating the British army.
Unfortunately, after his Canadian invasion failure, Allen spent the next 30 months in prison in England and Ireland. He was finally released in trade for a British officer. He returned to Valley Forge where Washington gave him a hero’s welcome. I’m sure you all would like to take a time trip back there and join Ethan in what was an exciting adventure. Sure it didn’t end well for Ethan but was a moment in history well remembered. Also, take this list and stay out of trouble.
Top Ten Things Not to Do While Ivading Canada with Ethan Allen in 1775.
10 If you are invading Canada, do not think the 130 men with you are going to overpower the British. If you do, at best the British powder got wet in the rain. At worst, facing an overwhelming force all but 32 of the men ran away. ( So here you are, Jaiden left with Colonial Allen and 31 other idiots. Those red coat muskets look pretty worrisome. Maybe surrender is the best course here. After all, you always liked a proper English breakfast.)
9 If you are invading Canada, do not get in the way of Tiny the WWF champ as he is making a fast exit to the rear. If you do, at best he might run around you, At worst, having just tossed his musket at the British he may use you as his next withdrawal device. (Don’t worry, Jarvis. Tiny is only going to throw you at those advancing troops. Best to hope you don’t land on the bayonets though.)
8 If you are invading Canada, do not mess with your French Canadian fellow invader’s poutine. If you do, at best they’ll just throw it away. At worst, you’ll hear the expression “sacrebleu” before being slapped in the face with a glove. (Nice going, Jakob. You messed with the man’s cheese curds, and now you are fifty paces from a lead ball.)
7 If you are invading Canada, do not be tempted to join the boys in a Molson ale or two. If you do, at best, you’ll run out. At worst, someone will turn up another barrel. (Okay, so the invasion is a bust, Jett. A few more ales and the British could take your head for all you care.)
6 If you are invading Canada, do not try to sing “Alouette,” to relieve tension. If you do, at best, you’ll be told to be quiet. At worst, your Canadian French will be so awful you’ll help un off a few of the men. (The song is about plucking the feathers off a lark, Joss. Just how much tension did you think that would help relieve? )
5 If you are invading Canada, do not call your fellow French Canadian warriors hoser. If you do, at best they hadn’t heard the term. At worse, they have played hockey and know it is Canadian hockey slang for a loser. (Since losing teams had to hose down the ice after games I think you might be in trouble, Jere. These guys look like they want another game with you as the puck.)
4 If you are invading Canada, If you should shoot a British soldier, do not say, “sorry.” If you do, at best the soldier won’t hear you. At worst, you will give him a reason to overcome his wound and chase you down. (That’s right, Jimmie. Keep on running. You may get to Poughkeepsie before he catches you.)
3 If you are invading Canada, do not ask your British captors for a Cuban cigar. If you do, at best they’ll think you are joking. At worst, they will want to know what a Cuban cigar is and how you came to know about them. ( Yeah, You’ve opened a can of worms, Jerrett. Wait until you get to the part where Cuban cigars are banned in the US. You’ll have em stumped for sure. “That firing squad is here for what reason?” You ask)
2 If you are invading Canada, don’t ask your Canadian compatriots what “eh” means. If you do, at best, you’ll get a cold French Canadian stare. At worst, the definition will be followed by use in a sentence. (The sentence is “I suppose you think you know it all, eh?” Now is the time to grab your musket and head south, Jean.)
1 If you are invading Canada, do not make jokes on the word “about.” If you do, at best, you’ll get no laughs. At worst, the biggest guy in the French Canadian group swore the next American who says “a boot” for “about” will die. (I hate to tell you, Jaafan but the last one who said “a boot” just left.)
On Friday I indicated I was going on a Lakeway heritage tour. Well, I did it and discovered that I have already shared most of the stops with you. The bus tour did not allow getting off the bus but did start at the Liebelt Cabin. So I have devoted this blog to it.
Here is a map of the tour. There are 22 points of interest.
Here is the Liebelt Cabin built-in 1868 by August Liebelt. It was initially located on 80 acres in what has become a commercial tract. In 2011 it was moved to its present location near City Hall.
Here is a pictorial of the move.
The cabin was positioned on its current site in the same orientation as it was originally built.
The cabin had three doors One in front, one at the side and one in back. This allowed for ventilation in the summer.
August Liebelt sold the 80 acres and all his possessions except for a mare for 500 dollars. He then went to Grayson County, Texas and died in 1911 at the age of 79. This marker is a replica of his gravestone.
Gwen and Joe Wunneburger occupied the land and raised goats and other wool-bearing animals. This object was used to place the wool that had been sheared for transport to market.
The person on the left is Gwen Wunneburger who briefly lived in the cabin until their home was built.
The marker near the cabin
A horse-drawn seed planter used on the land
A horse-drawn hay cutter also used on the land.
Interior view – The bed
Chair and shelves. Don’t know how the fan got there. There is no electricity in the cabin.
It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday, and this weeks prompt is “wrap/rap.” Here is Linda Hill to explain the prompt. “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “wrap/rap.” Use one, use both (for bonus points), use ’em any way you’d like. Enjoy!”
So you know I’m going for the bonus points. If you would like to join the fun visit Linda’s blog and read how. Here is the link.
Thanks for hosting me for my novel launch and book fair.
Hi everyone. I’m Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene, and I’ve brought a bunch of friends for this shindig on a magical 1920s trolley. First let me tell you a little about my new novel.
When my character, Paisley Idelle Peabody (better known as Pip) came along, I started writing a type of fiction that I never expected. Pip is a flapper. Her stories took me to Savannah, Georgia of the 1920s.
It’s only natural that some ghosts got in on the act. After all, many people say that Savannah is the most haunted city in the USA! Here’s the blurb for this novel.
A Ghost in the Kitchen, Three Ingredients-2 continues the flapper adventures of Paisley Idelle Peabody, aka Pip. It’s a 1920s “pantser” story and a culinary mystery. This time Pip’s pal Andy (from The Three Things Serial Story) returns. Granny Phanny is there too. She’s still trying to teach Pip to cook. Granny is in a lather because of the supernatural goings-on in her kitchen. There’s also one pos-i–lutely potent poltergeist!
New adventures abound as Pip and Andy unravel an old mystery. It’s all spontaneously driven by “ingredients” sent by readers of the blog, Teagan’s Books.
A Ghost in the Kitchen by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene
Did you hear the bell clang? Our magic trolley is here!
There are links galore, so limber up your clicking finger and jump on the trolley. Here’s a map showing some locations. Friends who promised to participate in my launch will be at some of these haunted places. They’ll get on the magical blog party trolley as we tour haunted Savannah!
I just wish this 1920s trolley could move faster… Oh! A brass lamp just clattered to the ground. There’s purple smoke coming out.
“Your wish is my command!”
Aladin Fazel– my favorite magician! Now the trolley can go anywhere.
At the top of the map is the Moon River Brewing Company. That’s a good place to start incase anyone needs some liquid courage for this ghostly adventure!
Blue Moon Brewing Co Savannah, GA
There’s Christoph Fischer. Duck! A rowdy, spifflicated ghost just threw a beer bottle. Olga NúñezMiret is helping him Christoph get away from the spirited spirit and onto our trolley. Welcome aboard, Olga and Christoph. You two look darb in your 1920s glad rags.
Magician, those ghosts are going to follow Olga and Christoph all the way to the trolley. Can you please get us to the next stop?
We’ve traveled east, closer to the river. Our trolley is on a bluff above the River Walk. Now we’re at Factor’s Walk. The foundations of some of these buildings date back to the late 1700s. D. L. Finnand Valentina Cirasola should be waiting for us there. Ah, there they are, beside one of the sealed-off tunnel entrances. Love those hats, ladies! Applesauce, hurry to the trolley. There are shadow figures all around us!
Factors Walk, Savannah, GA
Tunnels that originate in this area have been known to send ghastly moans into the still night air. Look out, DyannaWyndesong! A tall shadow was sneaking up behind you. Get back on the trolley, quick!
Yes, that’s one of the many tunnels. They make a labyrinth beneath Savannah. Wow, we’re going into the haunted tunnel.
A hidden tunnel in Savannah, GA
Magician, why are you slowing the trolley? You must see something ahead in this creepy tunnel… Oh! It’s a poster for Teri Polen’s yearly October event, Bad Moon Rising!
I’ll be there on October, 18th, chatting with Teri about all sorts of Halloween-ish things, as well as my novella, Brother Love — a Crossroad. I hope everyone will join us for the fun.
Bad Moon Rising, hosted by Teri Polen
Since this is a magical trolley the tunnel will take us directly the Sorrel Weed House where we’ll pick up two more guests. Just beware the lady in black! I hope John W. Howell and Dan Antion know about her. Oh-oh! John and Dan, that’s no damsel in distress, it’s a mean ghost. Hurry over here to the trolley, guys!
The Sorrel Weed House, Savannah, GA
If you’ll keep the trolley heading south, Magician, we can pick up Michael (from OIKOS Publishing) at the Andrew Low House. I see that Jan Sikesis meeting us there too. Jan don’t go in that room! Through the window I see Juilette Gordon Low lying on the bed – but she died in 1927! Michael, watch out for that butler at the top of the stairs too. His clothes went out of style 150 years ago. Those are ghosts. You two better get on the trolley fast!
Aladin, this is great! You found a magic tunnel to take us north east. Sally Croninand Jacquie Biggar are waiting for us at the Colonial Park Cemetery. Ladies, I realize that handsome young man invited you to follow him. Don’t bother. He’ll just disappear once he goes inside the gate. He died a long, long time ago.
Colonial Park Cemetery, Savannah, GA, Wikipedia
Applesauce! All these spooky apparitions have given me an appetite. Shall we find a haunted restaurant? Ah, the 17Hundred90 Inn & Restaurant is on our way. Robbie Cheadle and Marje Mallonare already there. Robbie, take care. That little boy is really a ghost. Marje, I know you feel sorry for Anna, but she’s been waiting for her lost love since before any of us were born. She’s a specter too.
That ghostly cook, does not seem nearly as friendly as Maestro Martino, the cursed chef in A Ghost in the Kitchen. She’s banging her pots and pans and making a quite ruckus. What’s our next stop, Magician?
17Hundred90 Inn, Savannah, GA
Now we’re at The Marshall House. It’s a haunted hotel where we’re picking up Chris Graham, the Story Reading Ape. What’s that dear Ape? You say your “naughty chimp” nephews are in a game of “tag,” chasing the ghosts of children who run up and down the halls there? They’re all having a great time!
Hey, there’s Traci Kenworthtoo, down at the other end of the building. Come on to the trolley, Traci. Those little ghosts are starting to raise a ruckus.
The Marshall House, Savannah, GA
Thanks to Aladin and our magical trolley, we’ve taken another of those hidden tunnels. Now, we’re almost back where we started, between River Street and Factors Walk. We have one more stop. We need to pick up ResaMcConaghy and Jacqui Murrayat the Olde Harbour Inn.
Oh! They’re already running to the trolley. I expect the spirit known as Hank tried to crawl into bed with at least one of them. I also smell his cigar smoke. I think I’d run too!
The Olde Harbour Inn, Savannah, GA
Alright everyone. Pip and Granny Phanny are waiting for us at the cottage. Granny is eager to start her book fair. She’s a real bearcat, and she won’t like it if we’re late. So let’s get a wiggle on!
***
Granny Phanny’s Book Fair
Welcome to the book fair. All these authors volunteered to help me by sharing this magic trolley tour of haunted Savannah. Their books are all swell. So I put them in pos-i-lutely random order. Hopefully that will lead you to look at some things you might not typically read. You’ll find purchase links below the cover images.
Sheiks and Shebas, thanks so very much for getting on the magical trolley for this tour. Ya’ll are pos-i-lutely the berries!
***
This is a work of fiction. Characters, names, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, locales, or events is entirely coincidental.
No part of this work may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.
All images are either the property of the author or provided by free sources, unless stated otherwise.
Another Friday in the hopper. I’m looking forward to the weekend. There is college football on Saturday, and unfortunately, I don’t get the Pittsburgh Steelers games regularly. (Yes I’m too cheap to pay for an NFL package) There is plenty of Texas football on Sunday, but my problem is I don’t follow the teams. So a quiet Sunday it will be. For the views of the neighborhood feature this week I’m going on a Heritage Tour on Friday. I hope to get some lovely photos of some of the heritage of Lakeway. I have to hope also that I haven’t already photoed a lot of the stops.
My WIP is coming along. Last week I was at 74,500 words and this week I finished 82,000. This means two weeks from now the first draft will be in the can, so to speak. Shows to go ya that a steady pace can produce results.
I have seen a declining trend in the number of views for my posts. Although the quantity is respectable, it is still off from the early part of the year. This always concerns me because I like to continue to put out good content. I have been wondering about my formula posts and think maybe it might be time for a change. Since I value your readership, I would love to get your opinion. Maybe a poll on what to keep and what to let go. I’ll think about it and let you know.
Today’s JohnKu talks about change. I hope you have a great weekend.
