Author Archives: Mary

Angelina Jolie is right–Get your ovaries checked ladies! In Ireland ovarian cancer is ignored, yet it is the silent cancer, that’s been killing me softly.

Posted by Mary on Sunday 26 July 2015 in the Blog Category.

In Ireland ovarian cancer is ignored, yet it is the silent cancer, that’s been killing me softly. Any diagnosis is a relief if it comes after multiple visits to the doctor, in which you are increasingly dismissed as the unimportant…continue reading

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In Search of Wisdom

Posted by Mary on Friday 02 May 2014 in the Blog Category.

It was a thrill to for me to write a guest blog for ‘A Woman’s Wisdom’ site,  the blog equivalent of a pampering spa offering a little bit of harmless gossip, lots of mouth watering literary news and a fine…continue reading

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The Impact of Social Media on Love & Romance

Posted by Mary on Monday 10 February 2014 in the Blog Category.

Like a lot of writers, I like to delve into the heart of love & romance and offer readers some insights into what I believe does and doesn’t work in the dating and mating game. As a former teacher who…continue reading

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Self-Publishing – All You Need To Know

Posted by Mary on Thursday 12 September 2013 in the Blog Category.

I’m not stating anything new when I say that writing and completing a book is a huge undertaking. Yes, I’m sure you’ve all heard this a million times in author interviews. It takes dedication, daily practice and the ability to…continue reading

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The Triple Goddess Myth

Posted by Mary on Saturday 07 September 2013 in the Mythology Category.

The Triple goddess myth is one of the most enduring and fascinating of the Greek myths. Anyone wishing to understand female archetypes will be drawn to this story. It’s the reason I wanted to include references to it in my…continue reading

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Giveaway – great prizes – closing date 28th September 2013

Posted by Mary on Thursday 22 August 2013 in the Blog Category.

Closing date is 28th September. Due to several requests, I am postponing the closing date for this giveaway until 28th September. As an independent author, I don’t have the backing of a publisher with a publicity machine plugging my book…continue reading

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Introduction to Nutrition

Posted by Mary on Tuesday 20 August 2013 in the Nutrition Category.

Nutrition has always been a passion, ever since I was a spotty teenager prone to weight. Ecstatic to learn that I could help get rid of those zits and double muffin midriff bulge purely by eating healthily, I was eager…continue reading

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Meditation explained

Posted by Mary on Thursday 15 August 2013 in the Health Category.

  Meditation and especially mindfulness has become a buzzword of late. More and more doctors who originally shunned the notion of anything alternative are now recommending mediation to patients suffering from stress. But how do you do it and for…continue reading

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Author Profile in YOU Magazine, The Irish Mail

Posted by Mary on Monday 22 April 2013 in the Blog Category.

  I grew up in Athlone, on the left bank of the Shannon, close to the castle and the river itself, both an endless source of fascination for me. The eldest of a growing family, I lived in a sprawling,…continue reading

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GODDESS STYLE for SPRING 2013

Posted by Mary on Monday 18 March 2013 in the Style Category.

SHOP YOUR OWN CLOSET Fashion choices for Spring 2013 have never been more diverse. There’s a dizzying array of looks including Oriental, Ethnic South American, Digital, Floral, Sportswear influenced, Tropical, Stripes and clean cut Classic. Great variety on the one…continue reading

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Profile of Online Store donnaida.com

Posted by Mary on Sunday 03 March 2013 in the Style Category.

In this fashion feature I’m teaming up with an on- line clothing website to show you the key looks for Spring/ Summer 2013. Take ideas from their fabulous mood boards when putting together a look for Spring/summer 2013 1. DONNA’S…continue reading

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Oscar Style 2013

Posted by Mary on Monday 25 February 2013 in the Style Category.

First glance at the Oscar gowns this year and I thought BORING! We’ve seen it all before and in many ways I miss the frock horrors of old, before the days of celebrity stylists and designers tripping over each other…continue reading

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The Search for Love

Posted by Mary on Thursday 31 January 2013 in the Blog Category.

On-line dating and what’s in a username? My book Love & the Goddess deals with the search for love and the nature of love itself. My protagonist Kate who has an interest in Greek mythology, uses the names of three…continue reading

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Is God a Man or a Woman?

Posted by Mary on Saturday 29 December 2012 in the Blog Category.

    Jumping up on the windowsill, his dancing eyes scanned the room. After searching our faces one by one he smirked as he fired out a loaded question;- “Is God a man or a woman?” Silence fell, broken only…continue reading

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The Next Big Thing

Posted by Mary on Tuesday 04 December 2012 in the Blog Category.

  I’ve been tagged in The Next Big Thing by fellow writer Siobhan McKenna. I’m instructed to tell you all about my coming book by answering these questions and then to tag five other authors about their Next Big Thing.…continue reading

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August McLaughlin Guest Blogger

Posted by Mary on Tuesday 04 December 2012 in the Blog Category.

I am delighted to introduce  August McLaughlin as my guest blogger. Called ‘Cinderella Strong’, this was first posted in August’s blog, in April 2012. August McLaughlin is a Los Angeles-based health writer and journalist with articles featured regularly by LIVESTRONG.com,…continue reading

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Carré Otis interview

Posted by Mary on Friday 21 September 2012 in the Blog Category.

In the early 90’s, Carré Otis’s exotic beauty had already graced the covers of international magazine such as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, and Marie Claire. By the time she was twenty she had appeared in the controversial film Wild Orchid…continue reading

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Prize Giveaway

Posted by Mary on Wednesday 19 September 2012 in the Competitions Category.

First Prize :-  a gorgeous calf leather bag and scarf Second Prize :-  cookery book ‘The French Laundry’. Third prize:- Lotus candle by Laura Ashley. Just complete these four steps for a chance to win. Subscribe to the blog by completing the quick subscribe…continue reading

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Goddess Style for Autumn/Winter 2012

Posted by Mary on Monday 17 September 2012 in the Style Category.

Since I’m re-cycling my wardrobe and trying very hard not to make any new clothing purchases unless absolutely essential, it seems anomalous that I’m writing a fashion column. The reason is I’ve had lots of requests from friends and subscribers…continue reading

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Travelling China

Posted by Mary on Friday 14 September 2012 in the Blog Category.

For someone who loves to travel, I have a strange dilemma; namely I hate being a TOURIST: – defined by me as a MODERN CONSUMER who examines everything as though it’s a museum exhibit or a creature in a zoo.…continue reading

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Books I’m Reading

Posted by Mary on Monday 30 July 2012 in the Blog Category.

I recently enjoyed the following five books and simply had to share them with you; – Beauty Interrupted by Carré Otis. (Memoir) Carré Otis biography is a very moving account of her life from troubled teen to international model and…continue reading

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Fibromyalgia and my Road to Recovery

Posted by Mary on Friday 06 July 2012 in the Blog Category.

Some illnesses arrive dramatically, others slowly, like stealthy Vampires gradually draining the life blood of their victims. Fibromyalgia quietly entered my life circa 1999, in the form of obscure aches and pains, sleepless nights and endless fatigue. I had my…continue reading

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Subscribe to Win More Prizes Galore

Posted by Mary on Friday 08 June 2012 in the Blog Category.

First Prize :-  a gorgeous calf leather bag by Reiss. Second Prize :-  cookery book ‘The Vintage Tea Party’. Third prize:- Silky scarf in ecru, aqua and indigo by Zara. Just complete these four steps for a chance to win.…continue reading

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The Goddess Quiz

Posted by Mary on Wednesday 11 April 2012 in the Mythology Category.

Having fun with mythology and archetypes:- For some of you who are unfamiliar with the different Goddesses, I hope you enjoy this introduction. There are many variations on the Greek myths and the fate of each Goddess, but essentially the…continue reading

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Goddesses in the Greek Pantheon

Posted by Mary on Monday 12 March 2012 in the Mythology Category.

Take the GODDESS QUIZ  on this website:- Find it to under the header of MYTHOLOGY at top of page, click on it and then scroll down. The Goddess quiz based on Carl Jung’s theory of Archetypes, has finally arrived. You…continue reading

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Books I Love

Posted by Mary on Friday 09 March 2012 in the Blog Category.

I love a wide range of books from Hans Christian Anderson’s fairy stories to cookery to women’s fiction and autobiography. Here are some of my favourites. Fiction Chocolat by Joanne Harris is one of my all time favourites, and the following…continue reading

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What Makes a Good Buy?

Posted by Mary on Friday 09 March 2012 in the Style Category.

Once upon a time, not so very long ago it was all about following trends. Now it’s more about buying wisely. So what makes an investment purchase? Usually something you will wear often and feel comfortable in. At present there…continue reading

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Get An Edgy Look on a Budget

Posted by Mary on Thursday 08 March 2012 in the Style Category.

It’s upmarket laid back chic at a fraction of the cost. These pieces will see you through several seasons and provide the basis for a capsule wardrobe. You can also read my other articles in this series From Designer to…continue reading

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From Designer to Where?

Posted by Mary on Thursday 08 March 2012 in the Style Category.

Having worked in fashion and been something of a fashion devotee for most of my life, I’ve seen the cyclical nature of trends repeating themselves over and over again. At this stage I’m bored mindless by the endless re-runs some…continue reading

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Quan Yin Myth

Posted by Mary on Thursday 08 March 2012 in the Mythology Category.

Have you noticed there seems to be a growing interest in mythology? There may be countless reasons, including a hankering for nostalgia as witnessed in the revival of old cookery recipes and vintage clothing. More of us may wish to…continue reading

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Subscribe to Win Prizes Galore

Posted by Mary on Thursday 08 March 2012 in the Blog Category.

For this months free draw there’s a choice of 3 fabulous prizes, though remember the first winner obviously has first choice. Prizes A Vintage Miu Miu bag A vintage Miu Miu bag with distinct Bauhaus design on back and front.…continue reading

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Downsizing – When Less Is More

Posted by Mary on Thursday 08 March 2012 in the Blog Category.

We’re living in a recession yet we’re constantly faced with an infinite choice of gadgets and products. Even if you’re seriously cutting back on expenditure, I’d happily wager that some of you can barely stuff an extra matchbox into your…continue reading

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Are You Clever like Sherlock Holmes?

Posted by Mary on Thursday 08 March 2012 in the Blog Category.

Having just watched BBC’s second series of Sherlock Holmes, I realise I’ve been totally besotted with Arthur Conan Doyle’s character since I was knee high to a grasshopper. I wanted to be just like him…stylish, brainy and not give a…continue reading

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