Jennifer's Blog

Finally got my orange banner!

Fri, 12 Jan 2018 22:50:00 GMT

Bohermore became an Amazon bestseller! Readers in Canada and Australia are boosting its reach and I'm so grateful for these new fans. Also... Rockfleet, prequel to Bohermore, is releasing on ebook mid-January, so the adventure will continue. And...

Ballycroy, final book in Pirate Queen series, will release this summer. Woot Woot! It's a fun time.

An Interview With The Author

Fri, 06 Oct 2017 22:51:00 GMT

Author: Jennifer Rose McMahon

The Pirate Queen Series. Fantasy/historical/time-travel/PNR

Book 0 (prequel): ROCKFLEET

Book 1 BOHERMORE

Book 2: INISH CLARE

Book 3: BALLYCROY (coming early 2018)

1. What inspired you to come up with your book series?

I have been planning the Pirate Queen Series for over twenty years, since my college days abroad in Ireland. While studying abroad in Galway, I travelled throughout the country absorbing the history as well as myths and legends. I also traced my roots to find where my grandparents came from, Country Mayo and County Leitrim. While exploring my O’Malley heritage, I discovered Grace O’Malley, chieftain of the O’Malley clan from the 1500’s and Ireland’s notorious pirate queen. Once I learned about Grace O’Malley, my Pirate Queen Series was born.

2. What is my favorite scene?

In ROCKFLEET, my favorite scene is when the main character, Maeve, discovers the source of her terrifying visions. Once she begins to understand the hauntings, she is able to piece together her true purpose and identity. Her shift from an insecure young girl to a powerful warrior is the best!

3. What do you love most about writing?

My favorite part of writing the Pirate Queen Series has been the ability to bring Grace O’Malley, the only female chieftain of Ireland’s medieval history, back to the forefront and into mainstream conversation. Her powerful rule and loyal army made incredible shifts in Ireland’s history, including a significant meeting with Queen Elizabeth 1 which influenced the future of Gaelic Ireland. I think Grace O’Malley is a role model who brings empowerment to women everywhere.

4. What is my writing routine?

I steal my writing time from any available crevice. As a full-time high school guidance counselor and mother of four, I find myself writing in the car during soccer practice or in my bed on the weekends before the house wakes up. But I find my writing time to also be my happy space where I can travel off in my imagination and hang out with the characters I’ve created. It’s a magical place.

5. What’s on your bucket list?

My bucket list includes another trip to Ireland where I have full access to enter the castles of Grace O’Malley and explore them to my hearts content. I’d also love to see the original documents of her meeting with Queen Elizabeth and of her other holdings and activities. I also hear there is a ring of Grace O’Malley that has been passed down through the O’Malley clan. Oh, I would looooove to hold that ring in my hand, and maybe even slip it onto my finger.

First Reviews Are In!

Sat, 25 Mar 2017 21:58:00 GMT

PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY Starred Review

"Excellent debut. Teen and adult readers alike will be clamoring for the sequel."

Goodreads:

"This is a six star read! I loved everything about this book. It is beyond well written the characters are relatable, the story is interesting and well paced. It manages to enthrall, without the flash of fight or sex scenes. The budding and established relationship between the characters and their ancestors is epic. I eagerly await the next book."

"Apparently authors want me to be fascinated by history. Ms. McMahon definitely had me googling female Irish pirates. It was awesome, and a little sad."

"The main Character travels through several old sites looking for clues to her dreams that get more real as she goes. There is also romance blooming through the pages, but it doesn't take over. I read this in one sitting. I could not put it down."

"You'll NEED to read this book. Ms. McMahon writes with a wonderfully vivid hand. Her characters are so full of life, and the story feels as though you are living it as well through her written words. I can't wait to read the next book."

New Cover Reveal!

Tue, 27 Dec 2016 21:10:00 GMT

After signing with City Owl Press, the cover for BOHERMORE has undergone some amazing renovations! Adding a character to the cover was a big motivation for City Owl and after seeing their mock-up, I agreed whole-heartedly. So here it is, the official cover reveal!

BOHERMORE is scheduled to be released on April 4, 2017. Be sure to sign up for my mailing list to receive the first three chapters free! Also, there will be a Giveaway contest on Goodreads beginning March 1, 2017.

Bohermore, Galway, Ireland

Sat, 03 Jan 2015 10:57:00 GMT

Bohermore - literal definition: big road (Irish).

Bohermore is located in Galway City, Ireland, near the city center, and is known for its historical cemetery adorned with its garden of celtic crosses. Bohermore is central to the novel as it leads Maeve on the adventure of a life time while offering her safe haven and a sense of home.

The intrigue of this book lies within the main character's journey of self discovery but also in the accuracy of the Irish setting and historical connections. An unexpected character in the book comes from both fact and legend in Irish history and her reawakening in this novel brings awareness back to her existence, her power as a female leader and a reminder of the feminine archetype often lost in history books.

Bohermore

Thu, 01 Jan 2015 14:42:00 GMT

After twelve weeks of shredding the Bohermore manuscript, the focus group has completed its task. I have poured through the comments, suggestions and criticisms, bravely, and have made my final adjustments.

I am grateful to the committed students at my school who helped edit my final draft. Thank you so much. I will credit all of you in the Acknowledgements once Bohermore becomes a reality. I look forward to seeing your names in print!

The final draft of Bohermore is done!! Now on to the editor...

Black Rock

Thu, 01 Jan 2015 14:37:00 GMT

Black Rock, Salthill, Galway.

Bohermore Focus Group

Thu, 09 Oct 2014 09:58:00 GMT

Lovers vs Shredders

Twenty amazing high school students have come together to form a focus group of manuscript beta-readers for the first book in the Bohermore series. The students are reading the manuscript, one hour at a time, followed by fifteen minutes of discussion and feedback. Behind names like Voldemort, Groot and Starlord, they have enough anonymity with their drafts to be brutally honest in their critiques...and they are not holding back!

The focus group has taken on a life of its own. I think the red pens are their favorite part. Their free and liberal use of the pens on their manuscripts must be their revenge for all the red strokes against them throughout their educations.

The energy of the group is incredible! Fueled by bags of powdered donuts and the opportunity to be involved in the book writing process, the students read for the hour in anticipation for the lively discussion that follows. Without the adept moderator skills of 'Eugene', the conch shell, voices would blend into pure chaos and anarchy.

"Is the wind the antagonist?" "Why does she make such quick, rash decisions?" "Wait, who laughs that hard?" "She needs to make up her mind!" "Where'd his accent go?" "Why is it always gray and raining?"

These are some of the many conversation starters from the Bohermore beta-readers as they quickly become familiar with Irish slang, landscape/settings and 'acceptable behaviors'.

The battle between the Lovers and the Shredders rages on!