#NewBook: Things Old and Forgotten by Mae Clair @MaeClair1 and #BookReview
Hi everyone. Today, it gives me great pleasure to host fellow author, Story Empire contributor, and friend, Mae Clair, with her latest book: Things Old and Forgotten. I enjoyed this book immensely. Below Mae’s awesome post, you’ll find my 5 star review 🙂
Take it away, Mae!
Hi, Harmony. Thanks for hosting me today and allowing me to share my newest release with your readers. Things Old and Forgotten is a collection of short fiction that includes stories in several genres—magical realism, fantasy, speculative, even two that touch on mild horror.
I don’t write a lot of horror. You may find a few threads of it scattered here and there among my suspense fiction, usually in the form of a creature or murder, but even then, I prefer to ratchet up a reader’s nerves rather than go for gore. Guardian, one of the stories in my collection, is darker than the others, so I tend to think of it as mild horror. I’m sure hardcore readers of the genre will consider it tame.
Ingredients?
An old house, a mysterious storm, a crone, two brothers, and a cat. There are definitely elements of horror in the story, but what I enjoyed most was crafting the atmosphere. Below is a short excerpt which touches on the use of a commonplace object—yarn. In Guardian, it turns out to be much more.
EXCERPT:
A gust of frigid air blew past Dayr as he stood in the open doorway. The cold snaked around his ankles before slithering down the hall into the parlor. It was hard to imagine anyone out on a night like this, but he’d distinctly heard a knock, Pauline as well. Maybe a tree branch had been dislodged by the wind–except there was nothing on the porch. Uneasily, he closed the door.
“Who was there?” Pauline looked up from her knitting when he returned. The yarn between her needles flowed black as carrion. Earlier it was red. Or did I imagine that?
“Just the wind.” He claimed a chair near the hearth, then bent to stroke the sleeping cat. “You’ll idle your life away, Carousel.”
The feline stretched, contented. Like Pauline. Like Jared.
“What are you knitting?” Dayr asked.
Pauline’s smile was faint. “Something to warm me.”
“A shawl?”
“Perhaps.” The yarn in her lap was white, virgin as new fallen snow.
A man keeping King Arthur’s dream of Camelot alive.
A Robin Hood battling in a drastically different Sherwood.
A young man facing eternity in the desert.
A genteel southern lady besting a powerful order of genies.
A woman meeting her father decades after his death.
These are but a few of the intriguing tales waiting to be discovered in Things Old and Forgotten.
Prepare to be transported to realms of folklore and legend, where magic and wonder linger around every corner, and fantastic possibilities are limited only by imagination.
Thanks again for hosting me today, Harmony. In honor of my love for autumn—a fantastic time to curl up with a book—Things Old and Forgotten will be on sale for .99c through October 31 st .
It’s wonderful to have you visit today, Mae! Wishing you all the best with your latest book! 🙂
PURCHASE LINKS:
US
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09HP4Q6QC/r
UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09HP4Q6QC/
Connect with Mae Clair at BOOKBUB and the following haunts:
Amazon| BookBub| Newsletter Sign-Up
Website | Blog| Twitter| Goodreads| All Social Media
MY REVIEW
This book of short stories by Mae Clair captivates and entrances. Though the stories differ in nature, each and every one resonated with me, and I find it impossible to pick a favourite. Although, I will say that Miss Lilly and what she did with the genies had me chuckling away! With myth and magic wonderfully interwoven with the everyday world and common issues we all face, this book has something for everyone.
The author has a way with words, and I found myself highlighting so many lines, which made it difficult to choose just a few, but here are my efforts …
“Moonlight stained the waves by the time Hunter returned to the beach. Surf churned against the shore then fled into darkness …”
And …
“He often chose to overlook the glimmers of that other time, pushing them into the cluttered nook of memory.”
And …
“A few stars lingered, gray wraiths fading on the waxing dawn.”
And, finally … most difficult to leave it here! …
“The cold snaked around his ankles before slithering down the hall into the parlor.”
This book holds so much it’s a definite re-read for me. Things Old and Forgotten gets a resounding 5 stars, and I’d give it 10 if I could! Go and buy this book. This is one I may get in paperback to keep on my shelf, it’s that good. Not only for the great read but also for the lovely cover. Okay, I’ll stop gushing now.
***
NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.
5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.
Mae certainly does have a way with words, I agree, Harmony. She’s an auto buy author for me. Thanks for spreading the word about her new release.
That’s great. Thanks, Mark 🙂
Congrats to Mae on another wonderful stop along her tour, and a fabulous review. I know it was super hard to pick a favorite. Lovely post, Harmony.
Thanks, Diana 🙂
I’m currently reading this book and finding the writing to be superb. A great review.
That’s fantastic, Darlene 🙂
Great interview, excellent article by Mae. I love the list of ingredients–so useful for any genre, really.
For sure. Thanks, Jacqui 🙂
I’m a day late (and several dollars short, alas!) but I really enjoyed this post, Harmony & Mae, and I especially loved your review, Harmony! Boy do I ever agree with your thoughts on Mae’s wording and imagery! I think this book might be my favorite of all of her wonderful work, and I still have a few more stories to go, yet. Such good reading!
Mae, you’ve outdone yourself, and I’m wishing you HUGE success with this one. I dearly love anthologies and this is definitely among the best I’ve ever read! No exaggeration, my friend. It’s fantastic! 🤗💖
No worries on timing, my friend! Better late than never, as they say! Thanks for stopping by, and I’m delighted you’re enjoying this read too. Hugs and warmest wishes, ❤️🙂
Ooohhh – I’m really excited to read this one. I love that you included a furry friend. Wonderful review, Harmony – thanks for hosting, and congrats to Mae!
Thanks, Teri 🙂
Yes I have already started reading, great for this time of year as the nights draw in…
It sure is. Thanks, Janet 🙂
Hi Harmony, it’s lovely to see Mae here with her new book. I am currently in Spain under General Franco but I will be in Mae’s world of imagination next.
Lol, sounds like some fun reading! Thanks, Robbie 🙂
This gave me chills! Perfect reading for this time of year. Everyone go get your copy now. This author is awesome.
Thanks for your added recommendation, Flossie 🙂
I’m looking forward to reading these stories. I’ve already downloaded it on my kindle. Great post, Harmony and Mae! 😊
Fantastic, Yvi. I’m sure you’ll love this collection 🙂
Excellent post, Harmony. The excerpt sounds spooky, but it could be something else. The review is superb. I love the first line you quoted and I underlined that also. I’ll reread this book for sure. 🙂
A definite re-reader! Thanks so much, Miriam 🙂
I’ve been reading one or two short stories a night from this anthology and love the descriptive scenes Mae creates. She’s one talented writer!
Wonderful review, Harmony.
That’s great. Thanks, Jacquie 🙂
Guardian kept me guessing, which was only part of the fun. The language was beautiful, too. The entire collection was a treasure. Thanks for hosting today, Harmony!
It sure was. Thanks, Judi 🙂
What a lovely comment, Judi. Thank you so much! Language is something I concentrate on in my writing, so I’m glad it made an impression.
Ah, Guardian, one of my favorites! Thank you for hosting Mae, Harmony, and to everyone else who hasn’t yet, please do give this lovely book a read 🥰
Hi, Marie! Great to see you here.Thank you for following along on my tour and offering those wonderful words of support. I’m so glad you enjoyed Guardian and Things Old and Forgotten!
Thanks for your lovely support for Mae, Marie! 💕🙂
Harmony, I’m delighted to be on your blog today. Thank you so much for hosting me. And most of all—WOW!—thank you for that amazing review. It blew me away and has me positively giddy! You made my day!
So thrilled to have made your day! Such a well deserved review and an absolute pleasure to have you over to visit, Mae 💕🙂
It’s so hard to pick a favorite line or a favorite story. They’re all wonderful. Guardian was deliciously twisted. All the best to Mae.
Harmony, thanks for hosting.
Thanks, Staci 🙂
Thanks so much, Staci. I’m glad you enjoyed all the stories. I so appreciate the support!
I love the lines you picked out, Harmony. Congratulations to Mae on an awesome collection!
Thanks, Priscilla 🙂
Thank you, Priscilla. I’m so happy the book has been so well received.
Thank you, too, for your awesome review. I saw it the other day was doing a happy dance 🙂
Wonderful interview, Harmony! Thanks so much for sharing with us today. A huge congratulations to Mae!
Thanks, Jill 🙂
Thanks for the congrats,Jill, and for following along on the tour. Wow, Harmony’s review left me stunned—and deliriously happy, LOL. I’m so glad she shared it here today.
I have always preferred being scared over the gore in horror stories too, Mae. And this book is bathed in an atmosphere which drew me into each story.
What a wonderful review to add to the post! Thanks, for hosting, Harmony 🙂
Thanks, Denise 🙂
I love hearing that, Denise. Atmosphere is exactly what I was striving for. I like chills, shivers, and goosebumps, but get turned off by gore. I’m so glad that came through in the stories. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts!
That’s a great review. Congratulations to Mae.
Thanks, Craig 🙂
I’m so happy with Harmony’s review, Craig. It’s the kind that writers strive to achieve and that make all of our efforts worthwhile! Thanks for the congrats. 🙂
Wow, what a great review, Harmony. Like you, I loved the book and I also remember the lines you chose to feature. Beautiful descriptive writing. Congratulations, Mae, you’ve touched our souls. 💗
That’s lovely, Gwen. Thanks so much 🙂
What a sweet comment, Gwen! I am so delighted to hear that. As a novel writer, I wasn’t certain how my short stories would be received, but I am so thankful for the reception the book has gotten. Many thanks for all your support!
There isn’t an author on Earth wouldn’t kill for a fantastic review like this one. And no bigger temptation to a reader.
Ginormous Hugs
This is a book for all. Thanks, David, and ginormous hugs your way 🙂
Hi, David. I completely agree with you about Harmony’s review. It utterly blew me away and has me cloud dancing! Many thanks for visiting to check out the post Harmony’s review. If you pick up the book, I hope you enjoy all of the stories!
I love the lines you highlighted, Harmony. They are great examples of Mae’s beautiful prose. Great excerpt, too. I enjoyed this book immensely! Thank you for hosting today and a huge congrats to Mae!
Thanks, Jan 🙂
Hi, Jan. Many thanks for the lovely comment. It’s always interesting to see what lines and stories resonate with different readers. I so enjoy painting pictures with words, so seeing those lines referenced here by Harmony was a treat.
Thanks for the congrats!
I love the lines you’ve shared here, Harmony. Description is an art that Mae has mastered. Wonderful review for beautiful words.
Mae sure has mastered the art of description. Thanks, Beem 🙂
You are so kind, Beem. What an awesome comment! I was so delighted by Harmony’s review, and your comment has added to that. Many thanks!
Another exciting excerpt, Mae. I really enjoyed this book.
Thanks for hosting today, Harmony. Excellent review!
Thanks, Joan 🙂
Thanks, Joan. I couldn’t be happier with the support this book has received. I love hearing how much others enjoyed the stories!
Super review, Harmony. Congratulations to Mae.
Thanks, John. This was a great read 🙂
Harmony’s review has me breaking into my happy Snoopy dance, John.
Many thanks for the congrats! 🙂