MR. GRUMPY LIZARD MEETS THE GIGGLING GIRLS

 Children's Picture Book for Ages 5-8  available at : http://tinyurl.com/l62u63g
First children's book I have published. My husband, Dennis, illustrated the book in watercolors.  The characters are based on our four granddaughters.

GRYFFON MASTER on Amazon!!

I am happy to announce that GRYFFON MASTER is now on Amazon at:  http://tinyurl.com/lh764tw.
You can find more information at:  http://gryffonmaster.com and also relate any information you'd like or talk with any of the authors.

GRYFFON MASTER is a fantasy full of action and suspense.  Check it out if you are a fantasy lover!
Amazon:  http://tinyurl.com/mmnn2842

NEW FANTASY NOVEL TO BE RELEASED SOON:

GRIFFIN MASTER, Curse of the Boneyard Lich

A story of a Norseman and an Arab who find themselves suddenly thrust into a world full of mystical beasts, dvergars, trolls, living skeletons, and dragons.  They soon realize that only through the fulfillment of a destiny which binds them together will they find their way home together.  The two men must work together aided by a group of misfits as they fight their way through demons at every turn.

This novel is a round robin book written by five authors.  We have worked well together to blend a cohesive and exciting story.  I have learned a lot from them and have found out that I love fantasies!

Authors:  Heather M. Schuldt, Christian Feed, Lynette White, Randall Lemon and Joyce Shaughnessy

Facebook Page:  Griffin Master

FICTION WRITERS AWARD

I'm excited to share with you, in July I won the "Fiction Writers Award" for short stories! I received a book by Nancy Ellen Dod, a professor of Creative Writing at Pepperdine University in Southern California. Writing shorts stories has been a new fun adventure for me.

ANTHOLOGY OF SHORT STORIES!

Hi!  I've been writing short stories all year since publishing my latest book, The Unsurrendered.  I've enjoyed the medium and have won an award for one of my latest stories.  The story is "The Blessing Way,"  and I hope to be included in an anthology which will be published later in the year.

I've completed my round robin novels, so I've decided to take a couple of months off, except for the occasional short story. Perhaps more reading of other new authors will be in my future.!

I'll let you know when the anthologies are published!  There are a lot of great authors in the groups, and I have discovered a fondness for the medium.  It takes a certain amount of determination, experience, and creativity to write a complete story in 750 words, but there are a lot of them!

INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR NINA SODEN

Please have a look at my interview with Nina Soden, author of three supernatural novels.  The first two books are in a series, and are Awaken & Beginnings. Nina is also the author of Private Words Unspoken.

Check out the interview under Interview With Authors!

THE LAST ISRAELIS by NOAH BECK

The Last Israelis by author Noah Beck is definitely a four star book!  If you are interested in discovering more about the politically unstable Middle East, then this is the book for you.  The novel is a contemporary look at what could possibly happen to the State of Israel if Iran is able to develop its nuclear capabilities.  Please read my review of the book under Interview of Authors.

Joyce Shaughnessy, author: A review of THE UNSURRENDERED by THE INDIE TRIBE ...

Joyce Shaughnessy, author: A review of THE UNSURRENDERED by THE INDIE TRIBE ...: THE UNSURRENDERED by Joyce Shaughnessy This is the last book in the trilogy,  Pearl of the Orient. Joyce Shaughnessy’s story focuses ... see complete review at:
http://jshaughnessyauthor.blogspot.com  &
http://the indietribe.com/charlie-brays-book-reviews-five-indie-books-to-enjoy

A review of THE UNSURRENDERED by THE INDIE TRIBE U.K.

THE UNSURRENDERED by Joyce Shaughnessy

This is the last book in the trilogy, Pearl of the Orient.

Joyce Shaughnessy’s story focuses on the Japanese invasion of the Phillipine Islands during the Second World War and reflects the amazing amount of accurate research that Joyce must have committed to. And yet committed is the wrong word to use as she very much regards it as a labour of love.

The research proved to be time well spent as this is an amazing piece of military history, where events are real and the characters are brought to life. Both the pain and the love are tangible as the main characters Carla,a Filipino and Jacob , an American weave there way through this remarkable story.

After the surrender to the Japanese they join forces with other Filipino-American guerrillas to wage a continued war against the occupying Japanese.

The author successfully blends a fictional love story into the quite horrific realities of this period of World War 2. Fact and fiction merge beautifully and make this a must read for followers of military history and romance.

Readers are treated to a whole spectrum of emotions and there will be times when you need a handkerchief to wipe your tears and times when you need it to hide behind.

Joyce Shaughnessy, author: IT'S ALL IN YOUR HEAD by Maria McCutchen - AN AMAZ...

Joyce Shaughnessy, author: IT'S ALL IN YOUR HEAD by Maria McCutchen - AN AMAZ...: This book is among the best written that I have ever had the privilege to read!  I highly recommend it to anyone. It's a courageous jour...

IT'S ALL IN YOUR HEAD by Maria McCutchen - AN AMAZING BOOK!

This book is among the best written that I have ever had the privilege to read!  I highly recommend it to anyone. It's a courageous journal of the painful and private world of the author's fight to receive medical attention for her brain disease.  I literally found it extremely difficult to put aside and read it in just two settings.

STOLEN IDENTITY by Peter Cacciolfi & Pattimari Sheets Cacciolfi

Stolen Identity by Peter and Pattimari Cacciolfi is the next featured book Interview of the Authors.  They are husband and wife team, creators of PNP Authors, a group of which I am now a member.  The group features authors who have at least one published book and/or poems.  It's great being in a group of authors because we can exchange ideas and hopefully grow as writers.  Part of our group has even recently finished a YA Time Travel Novel, Some Where, Some Time, Some Place.  Another group of us is now in the process of creating a Crime/Mystery Novel.

Exciting News! I have become a member of P&P Publishing!

I have become a member of a New York publishing firm - P&P Publishing.  I'm excited to have been accepted as a member of this group and am currently involved with another Round Robin Novel - a Young Adult Novel about time travel.  We hope to have it published soon!

I am also participating in their anthology of short stories - Writing Through Pain.  Each of the authors has experienced some sort of physical or emotional pain.  I am writing a short story about living with Fibromyalgia.

I will keep you posted about the release of both books and am excited to be a part of this group.  Each author brings different talents to the group and all, including Peter and Pattimari, are welcoming and very supportive!

Joyce Shaughnessy, author: KINDLE AMAZON.COM of THE UNSURRENDERED & Signing ...

Joyce Shaughnessy, author: KINDLE AMAZON.COM of THE UNSURRENDERED & Signing ...: Hi, everybody!  This morning brought some good news.  Amazon finally has the kindle version of The Unsurrendered for sale.  We have been wai...

KINDLE AMAZON.COM of THE UNSURRENDERED & Signing at HARVEST CAFE

Hi, everybody!  This morning brought some good news.  Amazon finally has the kindle version of The Unsurrendered for sale.  We have been waiting for this to happen for two months.  If you are interested in purchasing it,  the site is:

http://tinyurl.com/b99nkap

Thank you for being patient!

Ann Swann, the author of All for Love, whom I interviewed earlier, and I are signing our books at:

THE HARVEST CAFE, this coming Sat., April 20th from 8:00 am - 11:00 am.  Come by, enjoy a delicious breakfast, and say hello to both of us!

Joyce Shaughnessy, author: An Excerpt From Our Unfinished Round Robin Norse M...

Joyce Shaughnessy, author: An Excerpt From Our Unfinished Round Robin Norse M...: I am participating in a Round Robin Novel about Norse Mythology.  It means that I and four other authors each write a part in every chapter...

FOR THE LOVE OF IRELAND by Judy Leslie

I had the pleasure to experience Judy Leslie's book, For the Love of Ireland, and absolutely fell in love with it.  It is moving, skillfully written, and the subject matter is fascinating.  For the complete review and interview with this wonderful author, please visit this website under Interview of Authors.  It is a gem that you do not want to miss!

Joyce Shaughnessy, author: Reflections in a Mirror

Joyce Shaughnessy, author: Reflections in a Mirror: Look at her in the mirror. Has she aged that much? My heart says there is no way. Look at the stranger Who is that old woman there? ...

Reflections in a Mirror

Look at her in the mirror.

Has she aged that much?
My heart says there is no way.

Look at the stranger
Who is that old woman there?
It is you it says back.

When did I get old?
I must have not been looking.
Where are all the years?

Look at me in the mirror.
I see myself now.
I finally found myself.


This is my first humble attempt at haiku poetry.  It must:
magpietales.blogspot.com.au/be either 5-7-5 syllables each or 7-5-7.  This is an entry for a contest based on the picture above.

Xlibris kindle version of The Unsurrendered for sale!

Quite a few people have asked if The Unsurrendered will be out on kindle soon.  Amazon has delayed it by about 10 business days.  However, the kindle version is for sale now on Xlibris site at:
http://tinyurl.com/aowbn7x!

Click on this site, and you'll be able to order the kindle book!  The photo on the cover was taken by Life photographer during WWII of an actual female guerrilla on Luzon - there's my Carla!

Facebook Contest to win copy of The Unsurrendered

There is a contest on Facebook.com/joyce shaughnessy author page.  Please come by, "like" the page, and enter to win a free autographed copy of THE UNSURRENDERED.  I look forward to visiting with you!

COME BY FOR A VISIT ON 03/21 AT YOUR WAY YOGURT!

I will be singing books at YourWay Yogurt this coming Thursday, March 21st  at 6:30 p.m.  It is located at Garfield and Wadley in Midland.  I hope to see you there!  I will be signing all my books, including my latest, The Unsurrendered!

My Interview on Morgen Bailey's blog!

Hi, everyone.  I was interviewed on Friday 03/08 by Morgen Bailey from the U.K. on her blog.  It can be found at:
http://morgensauthorinterviews.wordpress.com

It was kind of her to interview me and I really enjoyed the opportunity!

Joyce Shaughnessy, author: DISCUSSION RE. MY TREATMENT OF JAPANESE

Joyce Shaughnessy, author: DISCUSSION RE. MY TREATMENT OF JAPANESE: I hope everyone will join this discussion!  It's a timely one since "The Emperor" with Tommy Lee Jones as MacArthur, opened th...

DISCUSSION RE. MY TREATMENT OF JAPANESE

I hope everyone will join this discussion!  It's a timely one since "The Emperor" with Tommy Lee Jones as MacArthur, opened this last weekend at the movies.

My newest book, The Unsurrendered was discussed and reviewed by the husband and wife moderators on the audio podcast:

http://streetwraith.net/baysideblogstories

The sites where the book can be bought are:

http://tinyurl.com/aowbn7x;   http://tinyurl.com/b99nkap;   http://tinyurl.com/b340014

The male moderator who read the novel had a strong negative response to my treatment of the Japanese in the book.  He loves everything Japanese and felt that I dealt to harshly with them.  He also stated that I did so without proper documentation or proof.  I won't bother listing my references here, which were many, but I would like to counter his opinion and defend my position.  I did list my references in the book.

I gave several instances in the book where the Japanese were very cruel in their treatment of innocent civilians in Northern China (Nanking, in particular) and in the Philippines, where most of my story takes place.

I will say that in addition to other non-fiction books listed in my references, I also listed Time-Life Books.  This is an almost irrefutable source.  There are a great deal of instances that are considered by historians to be absolutely factual and I did not list them to be inflammatory.  I listed them because they are factual.  Just to name a few:

1.  Nanking, China.  When the Japanese invaded it, it is a known fact that they killed almost every living civilian in this Northern China village.  They raped the women and burned the village to the ground.  They continued on this rampage among many parts of southern and northern China.

2.  Philippines:

   (a) The Death March.  This horrifying incident occurred before newsmen eyes after the Americans surrendered on Bataan.  The Japanese butchered over 10,500 men during this approximately 65 mile walk to Camp O'Donnell.  They did so by playing games with their swords, making a contest between Japanese soldiers to see how many POW heads could be chopped off with one huge swipe of a sword.  They also killed any POW who tried to drink water or take food or water from a civilian.

    (b)  Palawan.  They killed all of the POWs in this camp except for three who managed to escape.  They did so by the express order of the Imperial Headquarters of Emperor Hirohito.  He sent a telegram ordering all POW camp commanders to murder all of the prisoners in the Philippines so they couldn't testify against the Japanese.  The camp commanders herded them all into a building and set it on fire.  The telegram was sent to every POW camp, but the Americans managed to save the others from such a fate.  The telegram was intended for the civilians interred at Santo Tomas Internment camp also.

   (c)  Manila.  The Manila Massacre was one of the atrocities outlined in great detail in a Time-Life Series of Books published in the 1950's.  A naval garrison sent by the Imperial Headquarters set fire to Filipino homes surrounding the capital, which ultimately destroyed much of Manila. Before it was destroyed, however, the Japanese troops marched through the city, raping and murdering innocent women and children, killing babies even.  They murdered 100,000 innocent civilians.

   (d)  The Hell Ships.  These were ships where POWs were shipped from the Philippines to camps in Japan where they labored in factories and mines.  These were outlined by a historian, Linda Goetz Holmes.  Ms Holmes was paid by the U.S. government to research how the POWs were treated in these camps.  She likens them to the German concentration camps.  None were given warm clothing, they were given one blanket for every 5 prisoners, they even had a medical unit set up which did experiments on prisoners which could have competed in cruelty to Mengele.  The Hell ships carried men to Japan but only about a third of them even lived through the trip because of no food, no air, and no water.  I never even discussed the Hell Ships in this book.

   (e) Asian Democide.  Professor R. J. Rummel who was a well known author of books about atrocities during warfare and also studied The Holocaust, referred to the Asian Democide, where there were 3- 10 million civilians murdered by the Japanese before & during WWII.  The number is so wide varied because the Japanese destroyed as much evidence as possible before the American Occupation.

I could go on and on, listing more incidents, but these are some of the ones which are irrefutable.  I am not saying that every commander or emperor is responsible for every cruelty visited upon the enemy, but I am saying that Emperor Hirohito was personally responsible for many of them. I didn't even touch on the Hell Ships and barely touched on The Death March in this book.

It is a known fact that 9 out of 10 JAPANESE POWS died in captivity.  9 out of 10.  In comparison, only 2 out of 10 POWs died under German command.  The Nazies treated their POWs much more humanely than the Japanese.  Our area WWII POW Veteran's group who were held by the Germans said that they were very lucky to have been German rather than Japanese POWs.

I don't have any idea how MacArthur dealt with Hirohito in the movie.  I just know that in real life, he let the Emperor escape death.  However, he demanded that he not be treated as the "Son of God" any longer by his subjects.  He strongly suggested that he wear normal clothing and go about talking to his citizens as a normal human being.  This was probably a punishment worse than death to Hirohito. MacArthur found that the Japanese destroyed proof of many of these atrocities.

The moderator also claimed that I did not develop Carla's or Jacob's characters enough.  I spent chapter after chapter doing so.  I think I did a pretty good job, but that's my opinion and I would like my readers' opinions.  How will I ever grow as a reader without it?  I can tell all of my readers that I take constructive criticism very well, and my writers' group members would agree with me.

I would like some of my readers to participate in this discussion.  I don't, of course, think I portrayed the Japanese too harshly, but that is my opinion.  However, my viewpoint is based on months of tedious research from many sources.

Please tell me what you think!  Thank you.  

Joyce

Preview the Book

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Search for:  A Healing Place
                   Blessed Are the Merciful
Joyce Shaughnessy

EXCITING NEW THINGS HAPPENING!

All three of my books are now being listed in an Indie bookstore in England.  There will also be a blogroll featured and each of my books will be showcased in the coming few months.

The link to the bookstore is:  http://theindietribe.wordpress.com/indie-shop-usa-2/

The link to the blogroll is:  http://theindietribe.wordpress.com/funny-books/

I'm excited about the link to my blog not only for myself but for the people being interviewed!  It will be seen by more people!

I'll let everyone know when the books will be showcased and how you can find them!

MORGEN BAILEY BLOG IN UK!

I will be interviewed this coming Friday on March 8th on http://morgensauthorinterview.wordpress.com


STREETWRAITH.NET

I sent The Unsurrendered in to this group to be read by the staff in order for them to determine whether or not to feature the book on their podcast.  They decided it was a controversial subject that needed to be discussed.  I will write again when I know for certain when it will be featured.  It may be as early as this Thursday.  It will be a video broadcast and can be reached by a link to their site.
I am excited about Streetwraith featuring THE UNSURRENDERED because they only feature those manuscripts they consider to be worth discussing since they are a non-profit.

I hope these new developments will keep the peak of interest on my books.  I love having a way to share them with other people!

Kathleen Kelly Garlock Amazing Author!

Author Kathleen Kelly Garlock is a very talented Historical Fiction writer who has published two e-books, the first, Poverella,, and the latest is Gone for a Soldier. I learned that there were over four hundred women who fought on both sides of the Civil War.  Kathy's fictional character, Lucy, lived and fought with the soldiers of the Confederacy.  She is a fascinating writer, so please visit my interview!

Joyce Shaughnessy, author: Ann's Afterthoughts

Joyce Shaughnessy, author: Ann's Afterthoughts: I had the privilege of being interviewed on February 18, by Ann Swann, a fellow West Texas author.  She has a wonderful blog, as well as fac...

Ann's Afterthoughts

I had the privilege of being interviewed on February 18, by Ann Swann, a fellow West Texas author.  She has a wonderful blog, as well as facebook page.

I wrote an interview of Ann's book, All for Love.  I loved this book and am certain you will, too.  Ann has also published short stories and is in the process of writing another book.  She's a funny and smart lady to be around.  Visit her at her blog, and I promise you'll enjoy it.  It is titled Ann's Afterthoughts,  and it's at:

http://annswannblog.blogspot.com

Thank you, Ann!

BOOK LAUNCH PARTY!!

Hi, everybody!
I just ordered invitations new book launch party for The Unsurrendered for March 3, 2013!

Hope that all of our friends will be able to attend!  I'm excited to be able to share this book with all of you!

AUTHOR & SINGER!

THE UNSURRENDERED IS FINALLY OUT!

I'm so exited to announce that The Unsurrendered is finally for sale at Xlibris.com and Amazon.com.  I'm in possession of my first two copies, but that is all for now.  

Jeanne Jones, who is the owner/creator of Techknow Jones and helps me with my computer woes (many) as well as the person who created this blog, has put links to the books on the sides of the pages and with the book descriptions.  Should you ever need a computer expert, think of Jeanne!  She's a great professional as well as a good friend.  Her number is: 432-599-1420.  She won't disappoint you!

I'm hoping to get my copies of the book so I can have a book party to present it to our friends.

I have a new interview on the site of Kathy Golden.  She really is special because she is also a singer and a songwriter. Please catch the interview.

The new site is also out:   joyceshaughnessy.com

New Review of Ann Swann about ALL FOR LOVE!

Hi, everybody!

I hope you will take a look at my interview with Ann Swann for her book, All For Love!  Her book is a romance novel, but certainly doesn't fit in the normal context of one.  Her protagonist faces many difficult and contemporary issues, such as suicide, alcoholism, abortion, forgiveness.  I think that you will find Ann and her book to be as interesting as I did.

While you're there, please be sure to check out Glenn Aaron and Charles "Joe" Fickey.  Thanks for reading!

Joyce

Joyce Shaughnessy, author: NEW SITES & INTERVIEWS

NEW SITES & INTERVIEWS

Hi, guys!

I am happy to present new sites for you to discover, where new authors are interviewed, too.  I've been enjoying LinkedIn and have come to "know" many authors, old and new, on the sites for authors.  Many of the authors also present interviews and blogs like mine.

I know that you would enjoy many of them, and I'm going to give you links where you can join them in their blogs and /or presentation of their own books.  Some write short stories, some paranormal romance, and some historical fiction like my three published books.

I decided, after being urged to do so by one of the writers in my writers' group, Writing Well, to participate in a short story contest about something different than historical fiction.  The short story is sci-fi, something entirely strange and scary for me at first.  But then I started really enjoying it and in the beginning, I wrote it from the first person perspective.  The story came from my heart this time, not even partly in my head.  I still have a little tweaking to do, and I'm going to present it in this blog next month.  The title is "Primal Fear."

I am about to read Ann Swann's book, All for Love and hope to interview her.  It is a romance, and after reading other works by her, I know we all would enjoy the book.  I will present her interview in about two weeks.

Thanks for tuning in and be sure to check out: Kimberly Shursen's site and Kathy Golden's site, which are listed above!  I know you'll enjoy them as much as I have!   

Joyce Shaughnessy

AUTHOR INTERVIEWS & NEW BOOK!

I'm so happy to be able to present my new blog.  The very talented Jeanne Jones designed it for me, and I hope to enjoy it for a long time to come.  It is also my earnest hope that you will visit it from time to time.

I have two author interviews presented, and I know that you wouldn't go wrong in ordering either or both.  They can both be ordered at Amazon.com.  The next author interview I present will be with an exciting author that I have had the privilege of meeting and working with at our local writer's meeting, Writing Well.  She is an amazing romance novelist.  Her name is Ann Swann.  That interview will be out in about two weeks!

My new novel, The Unsurrendered, is due out in about two weeks also.  It is the last book in my trilogy about WWII in the Philippines, The Pearl of the Orient.  The main characters are an American secret agent, Jacob, and Carla, a Filipina, who loves him.  They are ordered by General MacArthur to go behind Japanese enemy lines with a codebreaking machine and to set up a guerrilla unit on Mindanao.  It's exciting, and different for me.  I hope you'll enjoy reading it.  My new website is at http://joyceshaughnessy.com

Glen Aaron was kind enough to interview me about my books, and that interview can be found at
http://glenaaron.com