Author: cherylmahoney

I'm a book review blogger and writer. I have published four novels, The Wanderers; The Storyteller and Her Sisters; and The People the Fairies Forget; and The Lioness and the Spellspinners. All can be found on Amazon as an ebook and paperback. In my day job, I'm a Marketing Specialist. Find me on Twitter (@MarvelousTales) and GoodReads (MarvelousTales).

The Many Versions of the Phantom of the Opera (Part One)

On By cherylmahoneyIn Phantom Challenge2 Comments

I’ve shared (often!) about various versions of the Phantom of the Opera story, and I’m hosting a reading and viewing challenge this year that’s all about exploring those many different retellings and sequels.  I’ve also shared some videos visiting different portions of my bookshelves.  I recently made a video sharing and discussing my Phantom collection – or at least, part of it!

See below for Part One, because I have a big Phantom collection.  This video goes through the major versions from Gaston Leroux to Andrew Lloyd Webber, with a little about how my own version is similar or different from them.  I’ll post next week with another video on the many versions that came after Webber.  Enjoy!

Visit My Bookshelves: Star Trek Edition

On By cherylmahoneyIn Reviews, Science Fiction4 Comments

I recently gave a tour of my L. M. Montgomery collection, and today I thought I’d invite you to visit another shelf.  I don’t discuss Star Trek as often, but I do have almost as many books!  Check out the video below for some comments on my favorites.  For my Trek fan readers, I’d love to hear about your favorite books too!

Blog Hop: Books for Low Days

On By cherylmahoneyIn Blog Hop1 Comment

book-blogger-hop-final

Today’s Book Blogger Hop question is:  What is a book that has helped you get through your lowest point in life?

I don’t know that I can point to any one book at any one moment in life helping me…but I do know that Terry Pratchett books are especially good if life is blue or stressful.  I also like rereading L. M. Montgomery’s journals.  I find biographies in general are often good for perspective, because they remind me how long and variable life actually is.  Right now, during rather a strange and anxious time in the world, I’m on my second Star Trek novel, because I appreciate a hopeful book at the moment.

I was fortunate to read When Bad Things Happen to Good People by Harold Kushner when I wasn’t going through a particularly bad time, but I think it would be a very good book for that kind of crisis.

What books have helped you in bad days?  Do you have go-to authors for difficult times?

2020 Reading Challenges – First-Quarter Update

On By cherylmahoneyIn Phantom Challenge, Ruminations2 Comments

Already into April, it’s time to check-in about how 2020 reading goals are going!  I hope you are all enjoying nice weather, staying safe in a weird time, and reading as much as you’d like to.

My overarching goal this year was to read more, with a number goal of 125 books.  I read a lot in January, starting me off well for the year.  I’m at a total of 32 books for the first three months of the year, though it has been dropping off.  Now that I’ve been following “stay at home” orders for a few weeks, my audiobook listening has reduced (very little driving!) and I don’t seem to be doing a lot of extra print reading…but I’m still going through some books, and wondering how long my last-minute stock-up pile from the library will last!

Here’s my monthly totals:
January: 14 books
February: 11 books
March: 7 books

Now onto the specific challenges…

The Phantom of the Opera Reading & Viewing Challenge
Host: Tales of the Marvelous
Goal: Lon Chaney Level

I already posted the check-in post for the Phantom challenge I’m hosting.  So far, I’ve reread the Gaston Leroux Phantom.  I have a modest goal for this one, so I’m currently on track.  I’m hoping to re-watch the 25th Anniversary Webber play next.  We’ll see!

Continue reading “2020 Reading Challenges – First-Quarter Update” →

The Guardian of the Opera: Nocturne Cover Reveal

On By cherylmahoneyIn Writing1 Comment

I’ve been talking about my Guardian of the Opera trilogy for a long time, and am so pleased that the first book, Nocturne, will be out June 5th – just about two months away!  And today I’m very excited to finally reveal the cover.

First, a little about the story, from the back of the book…

Set against the backdrop of 1880s Paris and the stunning Opera Garnier, The Guardian of the Opera: Nocturne brings you the familiar tale from a different direction. Meg Giry met the Phantom once when she was twelve years old, a new ballet dancer lost in the Opera’s maze. Years later, when an Angel of Music offers singing lessons to her best friend Christine Daaé, Meg is sure she knows what’s actually happening. But as strange events unfold and the pieces stop adding up, Meg has to wonder if she truly understands the Phantom—or Christine.

Erik is a man of many talents and many masks, and the one covering his face may be the least concealing. The opera house is his kingdom and his refuge, where he stalks through the shadows as the Phantom of the Opera, watching over all that occurs. He never intended to fall in love; when he does, it launches him into a new symphony he’s certain can only end in heartbreak.

I think this description will rather explain the cover…which you can scroll down to see!

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I’m very pleased with how it looks!  I actually took the background picture of the Opera Garnier myself, so it’s especially cool to have it put together like this.  I hope you’ll get your own copy come June. 🙂