Check Out Our Author Pages and Books - Stirling@MidnightGardenPress.com
Check Out Our Author Pages and Books - Stirling@MidnightGardenPress.com
Being somewhat nomadic, Linda has had several careers ranging from Catering Director to Foreign Service Officer (Diplomat) for the U.S. Department of State and has lived in different locations across the United States and around the World. She has three children, four grandchildren, and an insufficient number of pets.
One look is all he needs to see your triumphs, your tragedies, your deepest secrets. And then, whatever Simon Says must come to pass...
As the world's last Druid, Simon carries the combined powers of all his people. In exchange for this gift, he has made a Promise to fulfill their Sacred Trust to act as Guardian for the good in humankind. Elusive and discrete, he lives through the centuries and uses his mystical powers to change people's lives for the better simply by telling a story.
His gift allows him to truly see people, their joys and tragedies, all the tiny threads and knots that make up the fabric of their lives. And if he so wishes, he can tie a knot here or move a thread there, and a life changes forever. Whatever Simon says, comes to be...for everyone except himself. His path and future remain unknown and unchangeable by his powers.
Simon longs for love but knows that letting anyone become close to him only ends in loss and pain. Unable to die and being bound by his Promise forces him into a constant battle with his demons,...loneliness, self-doubt, and guilt, and he struggles to keep moving forward. A day comes when in great despair, he makes a terrible mistake that nearly destroys him.
As he works towards redemption, Simon hopes to find a way to release himself from his long-ago Promise so he can finally die and return to his People. Ironically, as he seeks a path to death, he finds a chance for the love he has always desired and long been denied.
Now Simon must choose the ending to his own story.
A genre-blending bittersweet, yet hopeful, tale of a love that spans centuries, of magical second chances that can change lives, and of the belief that faith is always rewarded.
Now Available Wherever Books Are Sold!
Above is a review of my novel Simon Says by the trade site BookLife, separate from the contest entry review BookLife Prize.
This review, written by a Publishers Weekly Reviewer, will be published in Publishers Weekly on September 18, 2023, the day before my book release!
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Amazon Reviewers Are Saying:
"Simon...is a wordsmith, weaving stories that tug at the heartstrings of humanity, influencing pivotal moments in the lives of those he touches and leaving behind ripples of kindness and resilience. He's a compassionate storyteller, using his gift to subtly alter lives and nudge humanity towards a better path; his stories shaping history's fabric without ever truly belonging to it himself.
But Simon's journey isn't just about history. It's a deeply personal story of loneliness and longing...his yearning for connection...and adds a poignant layer to the narrative, exploring themes of life, death, and the bittersweet beauty of fleeting moments.
Stirling's prose is rich and evocative, bringing to life the diverse settings...she immerses you in the sights, sounds, and textures. Her descriptions draw you into the heart of each scene. Her characters... are complex and relatable, their struggles and triumphs resonating deeply.
"Simon Says" transcends historical fantasy; it's a meditation on humanity's capacity for good, the enduring power of storytelling, and the enduring pursuit of love across time. It's a testament to the human spirit, reminding us that even in the face of tragedy and change, kindness, connection, and hope can prevail. Read this if you're seeking a story that will transport you through time and across continents, touch your heart with its poignant themes, and leave you with a lingering sense of wonder." ~Amazon Review
Make sure you pick up a copy and see what the buzz is all about! And don't forget to leave your own review for Simon Says!
Available wherever books are sold.
Plot/Idea: Stirling offers readers a creative, twisty plot to keep them engaged. The premise—a powerful Druid capable of transforming others' lives while struggling to procure his own happiness—is thought-provoking and unusual; readers will root for Simon's happy ending.
Prose: The complex plot is delivered through a detailed, concise narrative that will immediately grab readers' attention—and entertain them until the end. Stirling is clearly a talented storyteller.
Originality: Simon Says features a striking main character whose conflict is immersive and memorable. Stirling achieves the perfect balance between character-driven scenes and compelling action.
Character/Execution: Stirling excels at characterization, particularly for Simon, whose heartache is glaring despite all the good he extends in the world.
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I'm very excited to have received these wonderful comments from The BookLife Prize!! The BookLife Prize is an annual writing competition in two Contests (Fiction and Nonfiction) sponsored by BookLife and Publishers Weekly.
Each entrant is provided a Critic’s Report, a brief critical assessment of their novel written by a Publishers Weekly reviewer.
Quarter-finalists were announced on October 23, 2023, and I am one of them!!
Make sure you get your copy of Simon Says! Now available everywhere books are sold!
"We have recently partnered with Lyrasis and the Indie Author Project to create a curated BookLife Elite collection featuring top indie-published books from our community to be sold on OverDrive and other public library eBook platforms.
Because Simon Says received a score of 9.0 or higher in the BookLife Prize, you are eligible for our BookLife Elite commercial collection. By becoming a part of this collection, we’re also helping to increase discovery for your eBooks to all libraries.
We are aiming to launch this collection in early November, so your quick response is appreciated. In this model, the BookLife Elite eBooks will be sold as a subscription collection with other top indie books.
In partnership with public libraries, Lyrasis, and the Indie Author Project, we are very excited about continuing to expand the ways in which indie-published books like yours can be discovered, and we thank you so much for being a part of this journey!
Simon Says Is Available Wherever Books Are Sold!
Be sure to pick up your copy!
Read, enjoy, and please leave a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads. Amazon requires at least 50 reviews before it includes a book in their newsletter and other promotions. So, every review helps an author out!
You don't need to have purchased your book from Amazon to leave a review on Amazon, Leaving a Star ratings counts, as does a review as simple as "I liked the book."
Thank you so much!