M.J.Dermott Time Passages
Author
M.J.Dermott: Time Passages
... and now,
Time Lies
Genre: Fantasy and magical realism (Children's/Teenage)
ISBN: 9781912021680
Imprint: Nightingale Books
Publishers: Pegasus Elliot Mackenzie Publishers Ltd
Time Passages
Published January 25th, 2018
Young teenagers Archie and Gus can't believe their luck when they are cast as extras in a huge film production in the CathedraI.
But their dreams quickly take a sinister turn when they come face to face with infamous characters from the past, plunging them into a perilous hunt for King Edward II's royal jewels - and a dangerous game of fate and consequence. On the run from the enemy, the prospect of being burned at the stake suddenly becomes very real...
Time Passages is a tale of time travel with a twist! As the boys discover the secrets of the Cathedral in 1651, they unravel mysteries that are a lot closer to home than they thought.
Reviews for Time Passages
5.0 out of 5 stars: " A five star adventure."
16 February 2018 (Amazon review)
This book is ideal reading for youngsters ranging from top junior school pupils through the teenage years. At this stage of development it is necessary for youngsters to be entertained and excited to the point where they do not want to put the book down. It is also important that they are challenged in vocabulary and language. The author has achieved both aims. The book is beautifully written, with excellent use of the English language. As a retired headteacher, I have no hesitation in recommending this adventure. A must read.
5.0 out of 5 stars: "Gus and Archie's Excellent Adventure"
18 February 2018 (Amazon review)
Whilst I'm not in the target demographic for this book - it's aimed at older children/younger teenagers - it was an engaging story set around Gloucester Cathedral in the years 2002 and 1651.
Whilst away from filming, strange things happen when the boys meet a woman riding her horse alongside her man servant within the cathedral. The boys are given a mission but are then caught up in a chain of events when they inadvertently time travel, and are captured by Cromwell's guards. There are twists and unexpected turns in the story which keep the reader gripped and the story ends neatly tied up but open for a sequel.
It is well-written and I would definitely recommend it.
5.0 out of 5 stars: “An enjoyable journey ”
19th February 2018 (Waterstones review)
This book blends fantasy with the everyday.
It is a well written story aimed at older children and teenagers. It centres on Gloucester Cathedral in the past, present and future.
Archie and Gus are given a mission and travel in time to ensure its success. These characters are engaging with a good sense of humour and you warm to them as the plot develops with twists and turns along the way.
The story is exciting and the historical aspects well researched.
I would recommend this book.
Book Review
M. J. Dermott's debut novel is a fantasy, time-slip story, set, for the main part, in Gloucester Cathedral. The two main characters, Archie and Gus, are lively and engaging, as they battle their way through adventures which take them through a bewildering maze of different times - both historical and imagined. I think the book would be enjoyed by readers aged eight and upwards.
Mar 15, 2018 H. Egglestone, retired teacher.
News
Publishing 28th May 2020 - TIME LIES
Sequel to Time Passages
Set two years on from Time Passages, Time Lies is about spying and lies, and of the consequences of time travel. Gus is lured to London over the summer holiday, to play Hamlet in an international youth production of Shakespeare's tragedy of lies and deception. He is ecstatic
when he rekindles his friendship with time traveller Jaz, except that Jaz does not remember him. With time travel, events do not necessarily remain in the same order.
Important Events
But these are subject to Covid-19 Restrictions!
Regular craft fairs Tewkesbury, Ledbury, Upton upon Severn -
Cancelled until further notice
But you can still find my books and craft at Upton Emporium, reopening in June '20
Through March-December 2020
As an author, the easiest part is writing the book. The much harder part is marketing it! I sell a steady amount of books at craft fairs throughout the year. However, I couldn't just attend with a couple of books, so I started making bookfolded gifts and quirky journals/notebooks made from recycled books. Where I can, I also promote other struggling local authors' books - I have a permanent shelf space at Upton Emporium, Upton upon Severn.
I love attending these fairs - I acquire lots of ammunition about people and situations, ready to put into stories. But best of all, I get to talk about books and writing, meeting so many readers and many writers in their various stages.
Contact me if you wish to know specific times/dates of fairs.
Independent Bookshop Week -
Many bookshops are reopening in June hopefully
June 20-27th, 2020
Support your local independent bookshops! Unlike the large bookshop chains who can only stock approved, already known authors, independents have the freedom to provide a more creative collection of book titles and authors, especially helping to establish new authors, like myself. Here is a list of Gloucestershire independents who have kindly stocked Time Passages. Please support them if you can. They're all passionate about books!
PAST EVENTS
Wordfest
Gloucester Cathedral's first literary festival
July 6-8th 2018
I was joined by the public in the community tent, for a bit of writing fun and readings from Time Passages.
This event was an amazing weekend of talks, poetry, live music, comedy, storytelling, crafts, free workshops, pop-up performances and games for all the family.
Let's hope that this won't be the first and the last Gloucester Wordfest.
![IMG_2840[45] interview.JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e92ae3_0b1332bdfb784ef0800f8499d4b46f5d~mv2_d_4032_3024_s_4_2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_0,w_3024,h_3024/fill/w_60,h_60,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/IMG_2840%5B45%5D%20interview_JPG.jpg)
BBC Radio Gloucestershire Interview
23rd January, 2018
To celebrate the publication of my debut book, Time Passages, I was interviewed by Dominic Cotter of BBC Radio Glos. We were so lucky - as the interview in Gloucester Cathedral progressed, a school choir started singing, setting the scene for mystery and adventure within the cloisters - just as in Time Passages.
School visit to Tibberton
year 6
November 8th, 2018
This was my first school visit to promote creative writing and my debut book. I couldn't have asked for a nicer group of children, who made the session fun, enlightening and extremely worthwhile. The session reinforced my commitment to encouraging children to read, imagine, and to create.
School visit to Picklenash years 5 & 6
June 3rd,4th,5th, 2019
There were three visits to years 5 and 6, during which none of my powerpoint presentation worked! But this meant that I had a lot of discussion and feedback from the young students,on the subject of writing and how to find and use inspiration. As an author, it is invaluable to discuss what the students are reading, and especially the outside influences on their taste. Do they like what they are given, or are they given what they like?
About the Author
Storyteller at Heart
I was brought up on a diet of outdoor adventure, reading and extensive travel, changing address so frequently and in so many different countries that my friends were convinced that I was an international spy.
After nearly forty years in my real job in nursing and health visiting, I decided to retire in order to concentrate on a long-held ambition to write for older children, in the strong belief that one of the most important limitations to a child's personal growth is their capacity to read, and to imagine.
I have now settled in Gloucestershire with my husband and two grown-up children, but take every opportunity to sneak off in search of new adventures - after all, writing is all about research...
(Professional portrait above: chosenphotography@binternet.com)
Contact
Please get in touch with me for more information about my writing. You can also follow me on Twitter or Like my Facebook Page for more news. If you enjoyed reading Time Passages why not leave a review on www.goodreads.com or email me below. Happy Reading.
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