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Killer first paragraph – you tell us?

17th August 2015 by Memphis muso Leave a Comment

1.    Chapter One: Leeds

Through the half – open window, Alex stared down at the stone fountain in the driveway. Gabby had gone downstairs over an hour ago, but the room still smelt of her cigarette smoke. Again, Alex hadn’t told Gabby of her plan to leave, but all week something had stopped her. She tugged at the grubby strap that tied the window to its frame and pulled it shut. Outside, at the entrance to the Home, a stray dog padded up to the wrought iron gates and pushed its muzzle through bars. Its body was streaked with dirt, looking up, it watched her for a while and then moved on. I wonder if anyone’s looking for you, Alex thought. She picked at her right thumb and watched as it began to bleed, tonight, she thought, I’m going tonight.

On her bedside table, the gift nestled in fuchsia tissue paper; a set of three garish lipsticks that Alex wouldn’t use and so would end up back with Gabby. Everyone had signed a house card, and some of the younger kids had made their own. Drawn in wax crayon she looked like a boy; with short black hair and jeans with trainers. Maybe I should dye my hair blonde like Pink, she thought, maybe that would be better. Her full name, Alexander, was also something she didn’t like, what sort of parents give a boy’s name to a girl? As the light outside melted into the dusk, she made her decision. I need to get a long way from here, she thought, and suddenly her mind felt as clear as fresh water.

Filed Under: News & views

We’re loving this review by a gorgeous teen blogger

8th July 2015 by Memphis muso Leave a Comment

Magic to Memphis follows 17 year old Jessie and her dog Bear as they navigate through life. Jessie runs away from home on a search to find her dad and jump start her music career. She lives in a run down trailer. But there is a music contest coming up in Memphis that can change her life. Her mom sends her a box of her dad things. Jessie realizes she’s following in her dad footsteps as he has taken the same journey to music stardom. In the box is a ring that a ruthless killer is after. Jessie must now navigate through life while staying alive.

I admired Jesse strength. To only be 17, she is a strong girl. I love reading stories about people following their dreams. Even after a series of terrible events, she still kept going. I loved reading and watching her growth. There are so many message delivered in this story. This book forces you to take a deeper look at yourself. Reading this will inspire you to look at yourself and start your own self-discovery journey. I loved this book. I was a little hesitant  because of the magic element but the author did a good job of incorporating it. Its a longer read, so take your time but read it. It’s great for those.

Get your copy!

*A copy was given in exchange for this review, however all opinions are my own

 

Actual review:

http://collegegirldai.com/2015/06/28/book-review-magic-to-memphis-by-julie-starr/

 

Filed Under: News & views

The Confused Crow

17th April 2015 by Memphis muso Leave a Comment

Did you ever walk among trees filled with noisy crows calling and crying out? You did? Great! (here’s an explanation for that).

A crow’s life is a living protest; their claim that nothing is fair makes crows caw and shriek in birdy outrage. Sited high in trees, (above your reproach) these neglected infants, cry out in frustration and despair. They DEMAND world order, insisting that everyone is made to go back to the beginning, so that the rules can be reinstated. Of course no one grasps their message (crow calling is a language understood only by crows themselves).
[Read more…] about The Confused Crow

Filed Under: Random scribblings

The everything in nothing

6th January 2015 by Memphis muso Leave a Comment

Truth surfaces like a bubble from a pool. In the stillness and silence that prevail, Hope and Joy rise together, like the ancient friends that they are. Across a lake of forever, all waited and none moved.
By midnight, Truth stood like a sentinel, watching over the lake, and waited for Expectancy to arrive. When at last it did, the pair joined in a union of great possibility. [Read more…] about The everything in nothing

Filed Under: Random scribblings

A different story – a similar ending

2nd January 2015 by Memphis muso Leave a Comment

Here’s a prologue from an earlier/much-changed version of the story; one day we may publish this version, until now, here’s a taster of what might have been [warning – not quite the Kabos we know and don’t like!]

The High Priest Kabos flattened the tall grass around him into a circle and dropped the leather knapsack down by his side. He took off his sandals and under his feet the dusty dryness felt coarse. Across the desert, the tangerine sun dropped behind the horizon as behind him, the pharaoh’s encampment faded in the gloom. The only sound from the tents was the yapping of a young dog. The animal knew it was alone and sensed death laid in its heavy silence over the camp. [Read more…] about A different story – a similar ending

Filed Under: Random scribblings

A shocking start – how would you finish this one?

18th December 2014 by Memphis muso Leave a Comment

Shaken, an incomplete short story…

The grass was crisp with frost against Laura’s cheek as she blinked her eyes open and tried to focus. Against the slope of the embankment, her body felt heavy and numb. Ahead of her, the dissused railway tracks stretched into the mouth of the tunnel like a pathway to hell. Lifting her head sent shards of pain up her neck so she closed her eyes again and tried to still the panic back down. She took a breath, pushed herself up a little with her free hand and winced as her grazed palm connected with rough, frozen ground. Beside her, Anna’s lifeless eyes seemed to mock her efforts to move. Laura met her sister’s dull gaze with all the contempt she could muster.

“You…stupid…stupid…bitch.” [Read more…] about A shocking start – how would you finish this one?

Filed Under: Random scribblings

You can judge our book by its cover!

4th December 2014 by Memphis muso 2 Comments

We love our cover for M2M, designed by the wonderful Mayapriya Long at Bookwrights.  Here is another cover we also considered – what do you think? [Read more…] about You can judge our book by its cover!

Filed Under: News & views

A compelling first paragraph?

25th November 2014 by Memphis muso Leave a Comment

Apparently, any novel’s first paragraph is really important in its ability to engage and interest the reader, e.g. by setting tone, context, etc. OK so here’s ours – all feedback welcome!
[Read more…] about A compelling first paragraph?

Filed Under: News & views

Ideas to ponder

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