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MJ Allaire's Interests
General
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Besides writing and meeting other authors, I'd have to say reading, playing volleyball, wildlife and anything outdoors in the fresh air and sunshine!
Music
I love country music, especially Diamond Rio, Chris Cagle, Trace Adkins and Phil Vassar ... Any chance I get to see them in concert, I'll be there in a heartbeat (if I don't have any author engagements)!!!!
I also enjoy classic rock (yeah, I grew up in the '70's...)
Below is a video from one of my favorite country artists, Phil Vassar!! Enjoy!!
Phil Vassar: "Last Day of My Life"
Movies
Mystic River, Dances with Wolves, Coyote Ugly, the American Pie movies, Final Destination II
Television
Any of the CSI shows, Animal Planet, shows on Discovery Channel like Cold Case Files, etc
Books
My favorite series is Stephen King's "The Dark Tower" series... I also grew up with Harriet Weaver's book "Frosty: A Raccoon to Remember" and oodles of Nancy Drew books...
Heroes
My children for putting up with me as I travel down the exhausting but rewarding literary path; my friends and family who have supported me since day one; and Ryan, my absolute better half...
About me: I began writing young adult fantasy in 2005 with the intent of writing a book about dragons for my oldest son, now 18. As I began writing "Dragon's Blood", I had only a vague idea of where I was going with the story, and after a time I realized I had ventured from my intentional literary path of delving into a fantastical world of dragons instead into an adventure about four children who found themselves lost in a cave literally fighting for their lives. I just finished book 3 in the Denicalis Dragon Chronicle series (it was released on April 20, 2008), of which there will be at least 5 books, maybe more, depending on how sidetracked I get between here and the grand finale!
I've learned a lot during my personal writing journey, along with one very important fact. Initially I wrote for my son, in hopes of publishing a book he would be interested in reading. Now, although I still write for my children to show them that you can do anything you put your mind to, I've found that I write for all young adults. Having one of my three children barely interested in reading, I decided I want to make a difference.
So, in a nutshell, I'm writing in hopes of providing children with interesting reading material, something that will possibly lead them down the wonderful and enlightening path to a lifetime of reading...
I'm writing for children like (then) 11-year old Emily, who came to one of my book signings at Borders in Simsbury, carrying a ragged and tattered copy of Dragon's Blood, dancing with excitement because she got to meet me, especially when I signed the book she so loved that day. When I told her I had the newly released Book Two "The Prisoner" with me, she danced even more in a poor attempt to control her happiness.
To Mikayla, a young reader and fan in Wallingford, CT, who, in her grandfather's words, "loved Dragon's Blood moreso than Harry Potter". Mikayla, I hope you're enjoying The Prisoner even moreso than Dragon's Blood!
Examples like this are why I'm writing.
As adults, we understand we will learn many lessons as we journey from childhood to adulthood, and reading by far should be one of the most important ones. If one can't read, one struggles to find a job, understand a menu, follow directions to a party, or enjoy a book which could open up doorways to otherwise unimaginable places.
You're never too young to start reading, and never too old to KEEP reading, just as we are never too old to learn (no matter what they say about teaching an old dog new tricks!)
Reading IS the doorway to the future!
If you'd like to purchase any of my books directly from me, please email me at mjallaire@sbcglobal.net. If you're a teacher or a librarian or would like to order a bulk shipment, I'll be MORE than happy to work something out with you!!! If you'd rather purchase a copy online, you can do so from any of the following links:
** PLEASE NOTE: I have uploaded all three books to Amazon.com as KINDLE books, so if you have a kindle and are looking for a good, clean, adventuresome read, search for MJ Allaire on Amazon and have a go at the kindle version of the Denicalis Dragon Chronicles!!! **
NEWS!!! NEWS!!!! NEWS!!!!
Remember back in March, 2008 when I mentioned I was going to be interviewed LIVE on a Cable TV show called Planet Access? Well, I just found out today that the video is FINALLY up on YouTube!!! If you're interested, watch it now!! It's about an 8 1/2 minute clip ...
My Interview on Planet Access March, 2008
Wooooooooooooooohoooooooooooooooooo!!!!
Happy reading and YouTubing!!!
MJ Allaire
www.mjallaire.com
Who I'd like to meet: I finally got to meet Chris Cagle for the 2nd time in about 8 months, and not only did I get my picture taken with him with a functional camera THIS time (last time my camera battery was dead! I had a lady who was in the meet & greet line take my picture[on a napkin, no less.... this was a DISASTER waiting to happen!] but I never received the picture.) Well, this 2nd time I was in the meet & greet line when someone got my attention and there she was, waving something in her hand and saying "I have your picture!" And there, IN HER HANDS, was the picture from last summer (6 months prior) that I never got via email! (She said she tried to email it to me but there was some typo and it kept getting kicked back to her.) Soooooo, now I have two, can you say TWO, pictures with Mr. Chris Cagle! (Go to my pics to see the picture from last night .. it's in the photo album "close to my heart")...
Wooooooooohooooooooooooooo!!!!
Ok ... calm down.... who else?
Stephen King, so I can thank him for having such an influence on my reading and writing... ditto with JK Rowling. Even though I've never read any of the Harry Potter books, the effect she's had on getting readers of ALL ages reading is just absolutely amazing!
My parents one more time, so I can talk to them about how my life has become so very full since they left this place ...
Below you will find a link to pre-order my good friend's DEBUT novel! This chick is rocking MySpace! To go along with her marketing tactics (along with her publisher, TRIAD Publishing), she has a GREAT personality and a heart of gold! Add her to your friend's list and get to know her if you haven't already - Trust me, you won't regret it! Her book can be pre-ordered starting July 1st and I highly recommend getting it. I will be among the many preorders, and YOU can order it here by clicking on the banner below.
C.L FREIRE~~~ Don't forget the name.
My special friend, Book Reviewer and fellow author, Geri Ahearn...
Thanks MJ. And yes, I will always be here for you, my dear friend:)
Book 4? I'm still dealing with my first one, which is apparently selling like hot cakes and at record breaking speeds! OMG! My little, "DAVID THORNE: The Golithian Orbs!"
im sending all the best thoughts i possibly can. the drive for me is horrendous and its about 75 round trip. i've been trying to get work from home days as often as possible but with the furnace on its last legs, i maybe driving in EVERY day! *hugs*
Have a Happy n Safe 4th I hope you have some wonderful time over the next 2 months and believe it would go quicker than you think. Makes you think how computers and phones are gr8
Hey MJ, hope you have a great weekend and that whatever has you pessimistic right now will go away! Just remember that if something doesn't work or go the way we want, then something better always comes along in its place. :)
OMG! MJ! My dear friend. I can't thank you enough for being such a tremendous friend. You know, I always knew I had the BEST FRIENDS EVER, but this past year has truly shown me a new side of the profound luck and love I have in having the friends that I have.
Thank you so much for being such a dear and amazing friend. It truly means more to me than you can ever know:)
