Hey, everyone. I’m delighted to welcome Mae Clair to my site today. Mae is not only a talented author but a good friend. She’s also a contributor at Story Empire. Mae is on my auto-buy list, so you can bet I’m over the moon excited about her latest release.
Please give her a warm welcome.
Hi, Joan. 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.
The first story, A Once and Future Life, plays off the legend of King Arthur. I was twelve when I read T. H. White’s A Once and Future King, and it’s stuck with me ever since. I still have my original battered paperback, along with numerous books on Arthur, castles, and Medieval England. The movie Excalibur? Watched that one countless times.
As a writer, I couldn’t allow all that passion to remain dormant. When I read about a print magazine looking for tales of magical realism, I wrote A Once and Future Life. The story was accepted, but as often happens with a smaller press, the publication folded before my tale could be printed.
As a result, I’ve given it a new home in Things Old and Forgotten. Below is a short excerpt. The setting is present day.
Excerpt:
Mark mumbled an apology before bolting from the kitchen. The soft drone of conversation continued behind him, commonplace, marked by easy intimacy. On impulse, he returned to his room, where he dragged the battered sword from beneath the bed. With the weapon secure, he slipped from the house then raced for the beach. The odor struck him immediately.
The dead thing.
Not even the wind—salted and warm—could bury the stench. Mark kicked through a clump of sea oats, looking for the source.
“You won’t find it.” The lightly-accented voice was familiar.
He spun to spy Taliesin standing at the ocean’s edge, dark hair whipping in streamers about his face. When Mark made no reply, the older man stepped closer.
“You smell the residue of something long abandoned. Something fallen by the wayside, left to rot.”
Mark dropped the sword, letting the rusted weapon thud among the sea oats. “I know you, don’t I?”
“Of a sort. We shared a lifetime once in a grand and glorious yesteryear. I’ve let you sleep too long, Hunter. These people—”
“They’re my family.”
“I granted your wish and gave them back to you. Long, productive lives lie ahead for each. Your brother Charlie will marry, and his three children will carry on your father’s name.”
“What of me?”
“You must awaken the dead thing.”
Arthur’s dream. Might for right. The strong protecting the weak. An antiquated order of chivalry. Memory returned in a rush. His dream. A noble vision that had been corrupted with the passage of time. Like the sword he’d dragged from the ocean, a relic from another age.
Blurb:
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, Joan. 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 31st.
Connect with Mae Clair at BOOKBUB and the following haunts:
Amazon| BookBub| Newsletter Sign-Up
Website | Blog| Twitter| Goodreads| All Social Media
79 Responses
Reblogged this on anitadawesauthor.com.
Thanks for the reblog, Jaye and Anita.
Thanks so much for the reblog, ladies. Much appreciated!
Fun excerpt. Congratulations to Mae on this wonderful, new release!
This was a fun book to read, Priscilla.
Thank you, Priscilla. It’s been lovely seeing you on the tour stops!
Another great excerpt! Thanks for hosting Mae, Joan. Congratulations, Mae!
Thanks for visiting, Jill.
Thank you, Jill. It’s been fun sharing excerpts from different stories. I’m so glad you’re enjoying them!
Wonderful spotlight, Joan. Congratulations, Mae! I loved Things Old and Forgotten and highly recommend it. ✨🎉✨
It was an enjoyable read. Thank for stopping by, Gwen.
Thank you for sharing your recommendation, Gwen. I really appreciate that!
The Arthur/Merlin legend is a favorite of mine. I loved your take on it, Mae. Wishing you the best with this wonderful collection.
Joan, thank you for hosting.
Thank so much, Staci. I really loved experimenting with the legend . I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I’ve been fascinated by Arthurian legend ever since reading A Once and Future King.
That is a good one. Thank for stopping by, Staci
I’m enjoying every tale in this book so far. I’m allowing one story per day so I can savor them.
That makes me smile, Craig. Thanks so much for letting me know you’re enjoying them!
I really am, and recommend everyone checks this book out.
She’s written a great collection of stories.
Joan, thank you so much for hosting me today during my blog tour. Thanks for the lovely intro as well. It’s great to be here sharing Things Old and Forgotten!
It’s always a pleasure to host you, Mae. Wishing you all the best with this release.
I enjoyed this take on Arthurian lore, but this isn’t the only story people will enjoy in Mae’s new book. What’s great about it is that there’s a lot of variety, yet they’re all very tastefully done. Congrats for the nth time, Mae, and thanks for hosting her, Joan! 😊
You’re so right, Marie. There are so many great stories in this collection. Thanks for stopping by today.
LOL! I’ll take that nth degree congrats, Marie, and add a big thank you!
Thanks for sharing your recommendation of the book. Writing so many different stories in so many different genres really appealed to me. 🙂
Terrific excerpt Mae and looking forward to reading in the near future.. thanks Joan for hosting…hugsx
Thanks for stopping by, Sally. It’s a great book and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.
I am sure I will Joan…hugsx
Many thanks, Sally! I’m glad the excerpt intrigued you. I hope you enjoy all the stories!
I am sure I will Mae..hugsx
Another terrific excerpt, Mae! Thanks for hosting her, Joan. Congrats, Mae! This sounds like a winner.
It’s a fun book to read. Thank for stopping by, Sue.
Thanks, Sue. I really enjoyed writing short stories for a change.
I always enjoyed the Arthur legend. This was a great take on it. I feel sorry for Mark, though. He has his work cut out for him:)
I’m glad you enjoyed this one, Judi–and felt that sympathy for Mark.
I’ve always said three of my favorite literary characters are King Arthur, Robin Hood, and—Huckleberry Finn, LOL!
I enjoyed reading this story. Thanks for stopping by, Judi.
Every time I read one of these promo posts for your book, I wish Wilbur Smith wrote shorter books (he’s what I have to finish before starting yours!). I can’t wait!
LOL! Well, I’m glad the excerpts are keeping you intrigued, Jacqui.
Enjoy Wilbur. I’m honored to be on your reading list!
You’re in for a treat, Jacqui!
Great excerpt, Mae. Best wishes on the new book. Thanks to Joan for hosting today.
You’re welcome, John. Thanks for visiting.
Thank you, John! I appreciate all the well wishes!
😊
This was another story I enjoyed greatly! It’s so hard to pick a favorite from this collection. Congrats to Mae on another win!! And thank you for hosting, Joan!
It is hard to pick a favorite, Jan. They’re all good!
I’m so glad you enjoyed them, Jan. It was fun being able to mix up genres and plots, stretching a bit from my normal realm. Thank you for following my tour!
Started this last night and I’m already hooked! Your writing is so emotive, Mae- love it <3
I enjoyed all the stories, Jacquie. You’re in for a treat.
Ooooh! I love hearing that, Jacquie. Thank you for the lovely comment. I hope you enjoy all of the stories. Happy reading!
[…] Head over to read an excerpt from Things Old and Forgotten: Joan Hall with guest author Mae Clair […]
Thank you for sharing, Sally!
Another great excerpt in a book I couldn’t put down! Thanks for hosting, Joan 🙂
It is addicting, Denise. Lots of good stories included.
What a wonderful compliment, Denise. Thank you! 🙂
This excerpt is a perfect teaser! I loved this book. Thank you girls.
I enjoyed the stories as well. Thanks for stopping by, Balroop.
Thank YOU, Balroop! I loved your review of the book. I’m still doing mental cartwheels (haven’t been able to do the real thing for decades, LOL), that you enjoyed it so much!
Ha ha! I hope the cartwheels are imaginary 😀🤗
The only kind I can do anymore, LOL!
Anything King Arthur/Camelot-related has always grabbed my attention. Your teasers toss out a great hook, Mae – thanks for hosting, Joan!
I’m glad to hear that, Teri. It’s always challenging narrowing things down to the right excerpt!
Mae chose some great ones, didn’t she? Thanks for stopping by, Teri.
A great selection of the excerpt, Mae. I love this story and the other stories in the look. Thank you for hosting, Joan!
Thanks for visiting, Miriam. It’s hard to pick a favorite story. They’re all good. Thanks for stopping by!
I love Mae’s writing, Joan. She takes me right in the midst of her scenes! I also love her word choice, everyone is needed! Thank you again for hosting.
Reblogged this on OPENED HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
Thanks for the reblog!
Thanks for sharing the news, Joan! Congrats to Mae! I will got closer to the interesting stories, soon. Have a beautiful weekend! xx Michael
Hope you have a great weekend as well, Michael. Thanks for stopping by.
This certainly is a captivating introduction, Mae. Thanks for hosting Mae with her new book, Joan.
Thanks for stopping by, Robbie. I think Mae has a winner on her hands with this one.
Yes, I think so too. It’s my next read.
Wonderful introduction to Mae’s latest! She’s one of my favorite authors.
Mine too, Bette! Thanks for stopping by.
This collection made such a great read. I enjoyed all of the stories. It was fun learning a little about how “A Once and Future Life” came to be. It was a mesmerizing tale with wonderful atmosphere. Great share, Joan. Congrats to Mae!
I enjoyed this collection as well. Mae is a talented writer and I’m always excited when she releases a new book.
I love Mae’s creativity and how she can weave magical stories from seemingly out of nowhere!
She does have that talent, Flossie. Thanks for stopping by.
Looking forward to this read! Thanks for sharing, Joan.
It’s a great one, Mark!