Location: Ireland
Member Since: July 17, 2014

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Ray McCarthy

Biography

Ray McCarthy has lived in the Mid West of Ireland since 1983. He has a life long interest in SF & F, electronics, computers, science and space. Writing since 1991.
His engineering and security systems background gives the SF and adventures a solid scientific background.

Where to find Ray McCarthy online

Website: https://www.corvidspress.com/authors/ray-mccarthy/
Blog: https://historians.social/@raymccarthy

Series

Celtic Otherworld by
The “Celtic Otherworld” stories are inspired by Celtic, Irish, Scandinavian and Norse legend and are set more or less contemporaneously usually with some connection to Irish or English places. Contemporary travel to Otherworlds mentioned in Celtic Myth and Legend. Meet the Tuath Dé, Sióg, Aés Sidhe, Elves and Faerie. Also set in Limerick, Ireland and Wychavon, England. Unlike Greek and Roman myth, there are many Celtic ‘Otherworlds’ that appear to be magical and often inhabited by the Fair Folk (Fay, Fairy, Sióg) or sometimes the Tuath Dé (later called Tuatha De Danann). They are not realms of the dead. Manannán Mac Lir led the Tuath Dé away to the Otherworld over 2,500 years ago. Except for them it’s been more like 600 due to the time-slip. Portals are often at Court Graves, Raths and other ancient Irish sites. Today Tuath Dé culture is a crazy mix of Mediaeval to 20th Century. Most of the stories involve Alice, also called Eilis, who lived in rural Co. Limerick till aged thirteen.
Under the Stone of Destiny
Price: $3.99 USD.
Carrying the Shining Sword
Price: $3.99 USD.
Seeking the Flaming Spear
Price: $3.99 USD.
Hero Genesis
Price: $3.99 USD.
No Silver Lining
Price: $3.99 USD.
Exiles and Rooks
Price: $3.99 USD.
Trader's Isle by
The Trader's Isle series is set in mediaeval like world without explosives for weapons (black powder etc) or ship's clocks. The massive world wars and loss of much technology a thousand years earlier was bad, but the rise of the Sorcerers called the Silver Wolf Heads using the Arinopean Barons as puppet leaders was a disaster for the Isle of Amrat and the people curiously called Traveller Folk, even though they are not nomadic. The painting is a detail from Le Jardin de Maubuisson by Camille Pissarro (1830-1903).
The Seven Talismans
Price: $3.99 USD.
Talents Universe by
Mostly involving the activities of the Caemorian Empire, a single planet 80,000 light years from Earth. They are about 5,000 years more advanced. Their culture dominates nearly a third of the Milky Way. Only one person from Earth has the special Talent gift, Maisie Kelly from Ireland. Anyone developing Talent must be trained in the Circle College on Caemoria. Many of the stories involve Maisie Kelly. There are seven novels in the "Talents Universe" setting. The time scale is contemporary and as we didn't notice any giant starship visiting it must be an alternate reality?
The Apprentice's Talent
Price: $3.99 USD.
The Journeyman's Talent
Price: $3.99 USD.
The Solar Alliance
Price: $3.99 USD.
Starship Chief
Price: $3.99 USD.
The Master's Talent
Price: $3.99 USD.
The Legal Talent
Price: $3.99 USD.

Books

Dwarves and Rooks by
Series: Celtic Otherworld, Book 11. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 50,980. Language: English. Published: May 6, 2021 . Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » General, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Women Sleuths
Marion is hired by the Fay to investigate. Obviously the Empress Megra has been told, but generally it must be secret. Alice wasn’t expecting Marion to bring her staff. Extensive use is made of older sources rather than more modern ones. The cover is based on ‘Freyja and the Dwarves’ an illustration by Patten Wilson.
The Seven Talismans by
Series: Trader's Isle, Book 1. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 58,050. Language: English. Published: December 25, 2019 . Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » General, Fiction » Adventure » Action
Jorath is hardly adult but hopes to find the Talismans of the High Lords. They must do something to fight the people that want to eradicate their tribe. The story is set in a mediaeval style fantasy world with no ship's clocks or black powder. About 55,240 words.
Artists and Rooks by
Series: Celtic Otherworld, Book 10. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 47,650. Language: English. Published: September 19, 2019 . Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » General, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Women Sleuths
Marion’s Detective Agency has had some clients, but why does the visitor wait till Detective Nossie has gone home? It’s nearly a year since the Fay and the Empress foisted the Irish twins on her. The cover is based on ‘Artists Sketching in the White Mountains’ by Homer Winslow. About 46,550 words.
The Fay Child by
Series: Celtic Otherworld, Book 9. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 60,310. Language: English. Published: August 8, 2019 . Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » General, Fiction » Adventure » General
It’s a year since Daniel, Kevin and Órlaith’s child, was born. So now the Fay Godmothers must return, but they too now have children. The cover is a detail edited from ‘The Kiss’ by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema. About 59,250 words.
The Legal Talent by
Series: Talents Universe, Book 6. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 54,850. Language: English. Published: August 1, 2019 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Hard sci-fi, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Women Sleuths
Sixth novel in the Talent Universe series. Maisie finally has to do the Legal training suggested some years earlier. Why is there a sudden urgency? Is it because someone shot at a delegation from Morglun? About 53,550 words.
Conspiracies and Rooks by
Series: Celtic Otherworld, Book 8. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 90,060. Language: English. Published: September 14, 2018 . Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » General, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Women Sleuths
Marion is now a Student Guard. Tony and Sorcha settle into the town house and make friends. Why does the shopkeeper not want the Guards to catch the thieves? The cover is based on the portrait of May Sartoris by Frederic Leighton. About 88,800 words.
Fairy Godmothers by
Series: Celtic Otherworld, Book 7. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 54,200. Language: English. Published: September 2, 2018 . Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » General, Fiction » Fairy tales
Alice (Eilis) had previously agreed to be a godmother for Órlaith. Now the baby has quickened and a geas is triggered. You can’t invoke a fay blessing for a baby without invoking a fay curse first! Everything you wanted to know about the Fairy Godmother, the Wicked Witch, Flower Fairies and Fairy doors. The cover is based on ‘Lady of Shalott’ by John William Waterhouse. About 53,120 words.
Exiles and Rooks by
Series: Celtic Otherworld, Book 6. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 75,750. Language: English. Published: August 2, 2018 . Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » General, Fiction » Romance » Action/adventure
Action is parallel to “Hero Genesis” and “No Silver Lining” in the partially Steam Punk world where the Tuatha Dé live. Alice’s half sister’s two children (met briefly in “Carrying the Shining Sword”) are exiled from Ireland because they too have magic. The Cover is from ‘On the Threshold’ by Edmund Blair Leighton. About 74,600 words.
No Silver Lining by
Series: Celtic Otherworld, Book 5. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 66,470. Language: English. Published: June 23, 2017 . Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » General, Fiction » Visionary & metaphysical
Urban fantasy mostly in Limerick. Alice (Eilis) joins the four English teenagers going to the University of Limerick, but senses a Horseman of the Apocalypse. Kate finds that Eilis is a strange friend with many surprises. Sequel to Hero Genesis and #5 in the "Celtic Otherworld" series, though the books can be read as pair or even on their own.
Hero Genesis by
Series: Celtic Otherworld, Book 4. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 81,770. Language: English. Published: May 19, 2017 . Categories: Fiction » Adventure » Action, Fiction » Fantasy » General
Urban fantasy mostly in Worcestershire / Wychavon area. Four teenagers doing A Levels get sucked into a strange situation with Superheroes and Aliens. They are rescued by the High Queen of the Aés Sidhe.
Seeking the Flaming Spear by
Series: Celtic Otherworld, Book 3. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 89,690. Language: English. Published: April 27, 2017 . Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » General, Fiction » Romance » Fantasy
Megra must decide how to deal with Morien, who is Fay, so she contacts Queen Oonagh of the Aés Sidhe for help by throwing a 'Ball'. Alice (Eilis) decides it's time to do more matchmaking. Alice (Eilis) meets her adoptive grandmother (Queen Oonagh) and makes some friends in the Otherworld of the true Elves. The cover is based on ‘Morgan Le Fay’ by Frederick Sandys. About 88,150 words.
Carrying the Shining Sword by
Series: Celtic Otherworld, Book 2. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 55,740. Language: English. Published: April 2, 2017 . Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » General, Fiction » Fairy tales
Who has poisoned Megra and her father, the Emperor? Eilis (Alice) accepts she is different and reveals why to her four friends. They learn about Skandi culture and the forbidden Skand magic. They take ship to another continent in search of an antidote and answers.
The Master's Talent by
Series: Talents Universe, Book 5. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 115,890. Language: English. Published: March 12, 2017 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Adventure, Fiction » Romance » Sci-fi
Maisie has returned from her visit to Tellus (Earth). Maisie is reaping the results of her foolishness. How can she teach class and be the Emperor’s Emissary on a ‘First Contact’ Mission? How can she put off any public announcement about her relationship with Olef? About 114,850 words. Last part of the Maisie Trilogy and book 5 of the "Talent's Universe".
The Solar Alliance by
Series: Talents Universe, Book 3. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 138,320. Language: English. Published: January 23, 2017 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Hard sci-fi, Fiction » Science fiction » Adventure
Earth has cracked the problem of Fusion power and has the “Secret” of how a “Jump Drive” for a starship works. But what does the shadowy New World Order conspiracy want? About 138,850 words.
Under the Stone of Destiny by
Series: Celtic Otherworld, Book 1. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 79,780. Language: English. Published: September 4, 2016 . Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » General, Fiction » Adventure » General
Four teenagers are trying to end the ruinous war, a human, an elf princess, a dryad Mage and dwarf Wizard. Or at least that's what Kevin, the student magus thinks they are. Most of the action is on a legendary Celtic Otherworld, on the continent of Magh Meall. Out of food and close to despair in the mountains they are told to wait for another companion by the crow familiar of Dean David.
The Journeyman's Talent by
Series: Talents Universe, Book 2. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 134,580. Language: English. Published: June 5, 2016 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Adventure, Fiction » Science fiction » Hard sci-fi
Sequel to “The Apprentice’s Talent”. Maisie is now a Journeyman studying to be a Master, at the Circle College for Talent, 80,000 light years from Earth, on Caemoria. But on a visit to Laramos city to sign a contract for her full spectrum colour system she narrowly escapes being murdered. Meanwhile Earth has figured how to build starships (Valkyrie Class) without Talent. About 133,350 words.
Starship Chief by
Series: Talents Universe, Book 4. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 34,670. Language: English. Published: May 15, 2016 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Adventure, Fiction » Science fiction » Hard sci-fi
A prequel to the entire Talent Universe series best read before The Master’s Talent. Set many years before first contact with Earth, three Karnd teenagers are on the way station starship to retrieve a valuable hidden artefact on a planet that’s never been contacted. But how many of the crew are really criminals, the next generation from the people that stole the artefact? About 33,600 words.
The Apprentice's Talent by
Series: Talents Universe, Book 1. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 161,650. Language: English. Published: April 17, 2016 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Adventure, Fiction » Science fiction » Hard sci-fi
Mei Zhen "Maisie" Kelly is a twenty-three year old working in Dublin. People think she’ll go far, now that she’s had a second major promotion. Maisie didn't pay a huge amount of attention to the news of the alien starship appearing at the edge of the Solar system. Curiously the only thing of interest to the Aliens is to find Maisie and take her away. About 159,150 words.

Ray McCarthy's tag cloud

adventure    alien contact    alien culture    alien empire    aliens    artists    asgard    battle    boarding school    celtic    celtic myth    celtic otherworld    coming of age    computers    conspiracy    contemporary fantasy    contempory fantasy    dance    detective    dwarves    faerie    faires    fairy folk    familiars    fantasy    fantasy action    fay    first contact    galactic empire    hard sf    high school    ireland    irish adventure    liberation    magic    murder mystery    mystery    myth    new world order    norse    norse gods    otherworld    pirates adventure    portal    portal travel    portals    psychic powers    quest    romance    shakespeare    sidhe    skunkworks    social media    spies    spy    starship    steam punk    students    super hereos    teen adventure science fiction    threat of war    travel    tuath de    university