M.T. Magee's Blog

Readers' Favorite Review of Child of the Kindred
https://readersfavorite.com/book-revi...
Reviewed by Ray Simmons for Readers' Favorite

Child of the Kindred Book 2 of The Rienfield Chronicles by M.T. McGee is every bit an epic fantasy of ambitious proportions. It is over 600 pages long, and closer to 700 pages than 600. I haven’t read book 1 yet, though I plan to when I have a lot of free time on my hands. I like a book where a lot of research has been done, and a lot of detail has been added. This kind of book is much more likely to become a beloved classic in its genre. There is simply just a lot more to love and the quality is usually a match for the quantity. Size matters. You can fit in more details, more memories, more everything in a bigger, longer series. But the author must make it worth the reader’s while if he or she is going to write a big book or a long series. I can’t speak for others, but I certainly felt I got my money’s worth.

There are some books that you can immerse yourself in and, when you come up for air, it is as if you have visited another world or at least another time and place. That is how I felt after finishing Child of the Kindred. M.T. McGee took me to another world, a world of the author’s imagination, created for a reader like me. The plot is long, detailed, and convoluted. A lot like life. The characters are larger than life. You can love them, you can hate them, you can be very frustrated with them, but you can’t ignore them, and it will be hard to forget them. This kind of book is not for everyone, but I loved it.

Very happy to announce that I have just established a channel on You Tube. I have two slideshow videos as well as videos and artists I subscribe to, that I find inspiring. Please check it out and look for my You Tube interview that my artist Jamie Nobel Fraiser will be having wih me in May!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU6s...

I have been asked on a several occasions did I actually research for my book and the next books in the series, as this is a work of fantasy? The answer is a resounding YES! I wanted to have as much real history and real names of places from Scotland and Ireland as I could place in a mystical realm called Rienfield an the two kingdoms of Gwenlais and Heathwin. I felt by adding these "real" elements it would give the stories an authentic feel, and a unique and memorable journey for the readers. By researching real villages and towns from both Scotland and Ireland and what they were known for in the 12th to the 15th centuries and incorporating that into the stories and the characters' lives, it gave the the world a much richer feel and vibrancy I feel would be absent if I hadn't used this. I also did extensive research on the family and social dynamics of the people of these regions at the time. What I discovered was both fascinating and eye opening. Not everyone in these time periods lived in filth and yes people did indeed bathe. Fragrant herbs and spices were used in soaps for not only their rich scents but their healing properties as well. Especially the use of lavender and rosemary. Soap making most often became a town or village project, and done around the time livestock such as swine or cattle were butchered, so that the rich fat of the animals could be utilized. Family ties were most important, so socializing with relatives and neighbors was done often and encouraged. Often accompanied by feasting on seasonal produce as well as dancing and game playing.
Yes, the parents in those days were often strict but the brutality of children and women was still not something that was encouraged or even looked upon favorably. Though this did happen at times, sadly to this day it still does. The men of Scotland and Ireland at that time were known as "lovers and romantics". And well they should have been called thus, as some of the most beautiful and romantic love poems and wedding vows come from these regions and are still used today in traditional Scottish and Irish wedding ceremonies. Here is a beautiful example of such a tradition. In a old Irish custom which dates back to the 12th century, the couple after reciting their vows to each other while hands being bound together, (hand fasting) would face the families and guest and recite The "Vow of Unity" together. It went this way,
“We swear by peace and love to stand, heart to heart and hand in hand. Mark O’ LORD, and hear us now, confirming this our sacred vow,” truly lovely. Many couples are bring this back to their traditional wedding ceremonies. I also loved researching the beautiful Gaelic language which I used and continue to use throughout my stories. So mo chairde daor, yes I do indeed do research.

I just received this amazing review from a blogger review called Pages of Sunshine. It took my breath away.
The Treasure of Gwenlais The Rienfield Chronicles Book 1
Debbie reviewer Pages of Sunshine
As an avid reader who has read many books, this one is beyond words. It is perfection from start to finish and so gripping I was instantly captivated. The magical world that has been created takes you on an amazing journey and stays with you. It is fantasy made very real, using real places and the details are incredibly vivid and had me standing side by side with the characters. Each one so well developed and defined. It is an enchanting tale that covers everything from romance, mystery, betrayal, strong bonds and the struggle between good and evil. The Gaelic dialogue is amazing and I was spell bound and left wanting more. I am in awe of this author; this being her first novel impressed me beyond my imagination. M.T. Magee is definitely on her way to becoming one of the top writers we are blessed to enjoy. Her words, imagination, compassion are completely brilliant. I recommend this book and this amazing author to everyone, you will love it and you will be hooked. Outstanding job M.T. Give us MORE!

Everyone loves the strong dashing alpha male hero, and I am no exception. I do find however that sometimes the hero of a story can be lacking a bit in the intellectual department. Or if he is intelligent can be so condescending and mocking in his behavior, he just becomes too irritating to emotionally connect with. I have endeavored to create a character with Prince Caleb that is the classic dashing strong hero, but with intelligence and substance. He loves to read, in fact that is one way he expresses his affection for those he is close to by reading to them while relaxing or during times of despair. Caleb is extremely proud of his people's history and his own lineage and enjoys reading about this. If this type of hero is something you find appealing please check out my book both on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015...
and Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...

I am now on Twitter and enjoy tweeting inspirations I used for my book The Treasure of Gwenlais as well as lovely photos from the UK and Ireland and interesting tweets from interesting people.
I am also happy to announce I am now on Smashwords.
https://twitter.com/Mtmagee1013M
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/vi...
Smashwords has a great interview I invite you to come and take a look at my profile and my interview.

I started work on Book 2 of my series. Very happy to now have eight 5 star reviews on Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015...
I will have the second book of my series The Rienfield Chronicles out in the Spring. I invite you all to come and visit my book page on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/therienfield...
and my Treasure of Gwenlais board on Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/frumpyfarme...

I am most happy and most grateful to say I now have six 5 stare reviews!! Come and see them on Amazon!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015...

I wanted to start by posting my link to my Pinterest board The Treasure of Gwenlais.
On it you will find my visual inspirations and interpretations of the many characters and settings in the vast realm of Rinefield. I introduce the two main kingdoms, Gwenlais, where my heroine Laurel comes from. Then Heathwin, where my hero Caleb hails from. It is filled with quite a bit of detail just to give you an idea of some of my concepts and views on the characters and the many settings.
Please come and take a look. If you are already reading it it, will help you visualize even more. If your are not reading it yet, it will inspire you to do so. https://www.pinterest.com/frumpyfarme...