Coming in November: MORE IRISH TALES

2013's A Trio of Irish Tales is by far my best selling collection, ever. Finally, the much promised second volume of stories is heading for completion and will be released in plenty of time for the holidays.

A Trio of Irish Tales II features two stories that rejoin characters introduced in volume 1, and the third story introduces an entirely new cast of characters in a situation inspired by real places found in Ireland.

In "Two Houses" a young American couple on their honeymoon find their ties to Irish heritage are far more insistent than just a simple perusal of genealogies.  As the past disturbs their future, Mark and Cate must unravel the mystery of two houses that suffered very different fates, but that are somehow connected.

"The Fairy Tree" reunites us with young Liam Killough of "The Shadow by the Gate."  He and his family have settled into life in rural County Wicklow, but Liam is at continual odds with farm manager Rose McLane. The tension has been mounting and explodes with unexpected results, leaving young Liam desperate to set things to rights again.

"Patrick's Path" features Pat Flynn from "In the Mists." Pat is 24 now and he's tired of always walking in everyone's wake - following along behind.  He wants to find something that he is passionate about; something that he can claim as his very own. He also wouldn't mind catching the eye of Daimhin Finnegan.

More stories, more adventure, history, romance and mythology.  Three modern tales steeped in the lore of an ancient land.  A Trio of Irish Tales II will call to your Celtic soul, even if you never thought you had one.

Coming to Amazon for Kindle and in Paperback.

Join my new Stories by Judith Cullen mailing list to get special email pre-release updates and news of events!

***

Come to Ireland

By Judith Cullen

© 2015

It happens again and again,

Whispered on the conscience

Subtly suggested coincidence

Inviting, voices entreating

replying, repeating

“Come to Ireland.”

Calling in books, in poems,

A dozen chance implications.

“We’ve been to Ireland,

We just got back in”

Jealously ecstatic

“Come to Ireland.”

Land of past mothers and fathers

Bosom of soul-filled heritage

Yearning past tense, for welcome

On someone else’s native soil

immigrant, heart of toil

“Come to Ireland.”

“One day, child of the scattered,

your heart and your heartland

will reunite once more.”

Murmuring promises sent

Wafting on a green wind

“Come to Ireland.”

##

'TIS THE SEASON TO STREAM!

With one book in review and one about to release, it is time to share previews of the newest story collections! I will be streaming live not once, not twice, but FOUR times in the next week.

On Wednesday, March 12th at 7pm Pacific, I will be sharing selections from A YEAR IN TULFARRIS by friend Caitlin Walsh with excellent photos by her husband, Alfred Hellstern.  Cait and her family celebrate Saint Patrick's Day in Ireland, enjoying the delights of March on the Emerald Isle.

I will be streaming selections from  A TRIO OF IRISH TALES II, at two different times this week Check out the Judy's Stories Live! tab for dates, times, and how to access the stream from YOUR computer.

What adventures await in A TRIO OF IRISH TALES II ?

Two Houses - a newlywed couple on their honeymoon in Ireland discover a mystery: two houses incredibly alike but one thrives while the other is in ruins.  They are drawn to and connected with this very Irish puzzle in a way they could not have foreseen.

The Fairy Tree - Young Liam is back! (from The Shadow by the Gate) Armed with a new sense of belief in the unseen, he confidently goes back into the Wicklow countryside and discovers the power and the danger of getting what you wished for.

A Rock Beyond - Patrick is always left behind, or so it seems.  Eager to prove himself, he vows to spend the night at Teach Duinn, the gathering place of the dead on the most western crag of Irish soil.  What will Pat find beneath the rocks, among the waves, and beneath the cliffs?  Will he find himself?  Or perhaps he'll discover more than he bargained for!

Tune in and check out these emerging adventures!

PESKY POOKA NIGHT!

"Two great tastes that taste great together" applies to more than Reese's Peanut Butter Cups!

Tonight I'll combine two great tastes: The essay "Russborough and Rathbally" from Cailtilin Walsh & Alfred Hellstern's A YEAR IN TULFARRIS with my own "The Shadow by the Gate" from  A TRIO OF IRISH TALES.  Both relate to County Wicklow, Ireland around the Poulaphouca Reservoire.

"Poulaphouca" translates as "The Pookas's Hole."

I'll be sharing these, and possibly others, live in Second Life (c) at the Seanchai Library at 7pm Pacific Time http://slurl.com/secondlife/Imagination%20Island/46/211/28 

And also live in streaming on the web . . . CLICK HERE to be connected to the Shoutcast stream, which will go live 10 minutes before start time.

IMPORTANT NOTE . . . In order to be able to listen on your computer or device, you may need to use one of the following applications. Don't wait till show time!:

• iTunes - here's some help with how
• Quick Time Player - here's some help with how
• Windows Media Player - here's some help with Media Player 11 for Windows XP (NOT all versions do this, so check yours out, don't assume!)

MORE SAMPLES! from A TRIO OF IRISH TALES

Terrific Reader Reviews for A Trio of Irish Tales, including one suggesting that it be released in audio form.  That is part of the plan.  No question but to answer that desire with two more audio snippets for you to enjoy... Thank you everyone for the kind words!

"The Shadow by the Gate" from A Trio of Irish Tales by Judith Cullen (Sample)

"The Oak" from A Trio of Irish Tales by Judith Cullen (Sample)

Production (c) 2013 by Judith Cullen

And if you are in the Puget Sound area, you can hear the author read live from this book, and from her up-coming Reflections from The Golden Wheel.

Saturday, March 23rd at 2pm (60-90 minutes)
Mason United Methodist Church
2710 North Madison Street in the Proctor District

The event is free to the public, and you are always welcome to leave a tip here on the blog via the widget in the right hand margin. Check back on Saint Patrick's Day for a free audio download of Irish Poems by some great Irish poets to celebrate the day.