New Release: Wolfe Manor, Adele Marie Park @Binky567 #supernatural #newrelease

I’m absolutely delighted and excited to share with you Adele Marie Park’s latest book, Wolfe Manor. I received an ARC copy and will review soon.

All I can tell you for the moment is this is an atmospheric, intricate story demonstrating the writing talent of my dear friend and sis Adele.

https://youtu.be/H3qiVmREOTg    

Video Link for you tube trailer.

Excerpt from Wolfe Manor

“The King of Swords shows a righteous man. He will sacrifice himself for the good of his family. The last card is the Tower. This represents overcoming that in the past which holds you back, the breaking of chains and the crumbling of old ways.” She smoked and with her other hand she rubbed her temple.

Laurence opened his mouth to speak, but the door crashed inward with a determined push of energy. An invisible guest entered with a rush of wind. Fianna screamed.

Miriam got to her feet. “Get out of my house.” She ran towards the kitchen cupboard, opened it and took out a glass jar. Once opened she sprinkled the contents around the room. “Get out!”

“Laurence, what’s happening?” Fianna said, gripping his arm so hard, he winced in pain. The pain enabled him to focus on what attacked the cottage. A wind sprung up from nowhere. It battered the tree limbs against the window. A vase of flowers levitated in mid-air, remaining for a moment before they sped as fast as a bullet towards Miriam. They smashed against the cupboard, missing her by an inch. Cupboard doors banged opened and slammed shut as if they played a demented symphony.

Fianna gaped at what was happening around her. Laurence took her hand away from his arm. “Fianna, listen,” he shouted above the noise. “This thing is here because of you. Command it to leave.” She shook her head. “It’s attacking Miriam. You can stop it. Command it to leave,” he said. But, she couldn’t move, her whole body had become a wobble of shakes and fear. He gazed at her then kissed her forehead.

 “Okay. I’d only do this for you.” He left her side and stood in the middle of the room where plates executed a macabre dance above him. He flung his arms out to the side of his body. “Hey. Demon,” he shouted, and the chaos stopped for a second. “Yes. You know me. I remember and so do you. Leave or I’ll do what I did years ago.” A howl of anguish echoed around the small cottage. It ended in a deep throated-growl. The plates dropped and crashed. The door shut itself with a vicious slam that vibrated bones and teeth.

Miriam turned towards him, her hair as wild as the mess of objects, the jar still held in her hand. “Why did that thing do your bidding?” They stared at each other, frozen in the moment until the sound of sobbing fractured them. Fianna sat at the table with her head on her arms and sobbed, her body shaking, convulsing with the aftermath of terror.

“I’ll explain later. Cleanse the room,” Laurence said.

Meet the Author

     Fantasy and horror writer, Adele Marie Park originally hails from the Orkney islands. Rousay is a small, but archaeological important island, dubbed “The Egypt of The North.” The oral tradition of passing down stories fired the young Adele’s imagination with tales of trolls, faeries, sea monsters, witches, ghosts, and seals who could change into humans. The landscape of the island fascinated her as moorland hills swept down through green fields to the shores of secluded beaches, where black volcanic rocks might be a troll or a sleeping giant.

     Reading the Hobbit at an early age inspired her and in her teens she turned to Stephen King, James Herbert, Anne Rice and Storm Constantine to appease a mind hungry to delve into the paranormal. Throughout her life she never gave up writing but it was an ongoing medical condition which forced her to give up work that began her passion to publish her writing for others to read.

      Genres may come and go, but Adele’s writing encompasses a solidity which does not change; the overcoming of obstacles in one’s life, love, death, grief and pain all infused with those supernatural elements that one sees out the corner of the eye or feels when one is alone in the house at night and a floorboard creaks.

       To connect with Adele, and learn more about her work visit this sites:

www.firefly465@wordpress.com https://www.amazon.co.uk/AdelePark/e/B01G9VHA9W/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

Amazon link:

Wishing Adele much success with her new release.

Authors Website: https://mjmallon.com
Authors Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/M-J-Mallon/e/B074CGNK4L
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon

#ABRSC – Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1829166787333493/
Goodreads:: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/m-j-mallon 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/

Spiritual Sisters: https://www.facebook.com/5SpiritualSisters

Sharing Options:

M J Mallon. New book launch! | Lizzie Chantree

Thank you to Lizzie Chantree for this lovely book launch post for my new poetry Book, Lockdown Innit.

If you love poetry, then this is the book for you! I’m thrilled to be part of the launch of author M J Mallon‘s new poetry book, Lockdown Innit.  M J is a big supporter of other authors and it’s great to be able to give something back.

Grab your copy of this interesting and thought provoking book here: Universal link for kindle: https://mybook.to/Lockdowninnit

Source: M J Mallon. New book launch! | Lizzie Chantree

Sharing Options:

Book Review: Lockdown Innit: Poems About Absurdity by MJ Mallon – SC Skillman Author

Source: Book Review: Lockdown Innit: Poems About Absurdity by MJ Mallon – SC Skillman Author

In this collection of poems, MJ Mallon has given us a wry series of vignettes of our society during a very strange year in history; it reminded me in part of theatre of the absurd, and she carries it out with an admirable lightness of touch.  She conveys the folly, the irritability, the absurdity of people’s behaviour, along with a feeling of being lost and adrift.

Pop over to Sheila’s blog to read the review in its entirety.

Thank you so much to Sheila for reading and reviewing Lockdown Innit. A wonderfully detailed review, I appreciate it so much. <3

Sharing Options:

Book Review The Little Ice Cream Shop By The Sea by Lizzie Chantree @Lizzie_Chantree #book #review #romance

From the international bestselling author of If you love me, I’m yours, Ninja School Mum and Babe Driven.

Genie’s family is in crisis. Their seafront business is failing with the loss of Genie’s grandmother and her legendary ice cream flavours. Genie is determined to be the one to save her family’s heritage, but suddenly her mother wants to sell to developers and leave their shared history behind.

Buying the business and taking on a sixty-eight year old business partner, Ada, with a mysterious past and a gorgeous but distracting grandson, Genie sets out to prove her parents wrong.

Ada’s grandson, Cal, wants to protect his gran from ‘pensioner persuader’, Genie, but soon realises that living in a little seaside town and away from the paparazzi in Hollywood can actually give him time to heal. Hiding in a seafront business with its fiery owner and working as kitchen staff, is the only way he can think of to keep his ex-Hollywood glamour-puss, gran from harm. But his meddling might also ruin Ada’s second chance at love.

Hiring a private detective and learning about Genie’s parent’s past makes Cal regret his own impulsiveness. The information he has unearthed could destroy their blossoming romance and turn Genie’s world upside down.

Genie soon discovers that friends can become enemies and your closest family can have lied to you for your whole life. 

Book Review

Lizzie Chantree writes lovely romance novels and her latest is no exception. Her strengths lie in creating wonderful characters, beguiling settings and simple but effective story lines.

The main protagonist Genie has a lot of relatable qualities, such as her hardworking ethos, her strong sense of duty, and sadness at her family leaving to pursue a new life and business without her. Genie’s insecurities about her looks and the behaviour of her neglectful friends and family flame her vulnerabilities. Her uncertainties grow, making her fear that the people she loves will leave her, and this anxiety spills over into her private life.

Nevertheless, her confidence begins to grow as the novel unfolds. It’s a nice change to see a curvy girl feeling happy and sexy in her own body. It is also interesting to see Genie develop a friendship with an older woman, Ada – a grandmother like figure. That’s a nice touch, as is the references to older people and grandparents in general in this story.

As for the hot guys well they had me drooling… Bailey, Cal, Toby, all of which brightened my days, which is always good, as did Genie’s wrestling with her growing attraction towards Cal and Toby.

The revelations about Cal and Ada and the family add interest to the story too.

There are lovely touches of humour throughout.

And being that I am partial to the seaside and ice cream, (well food in general – yes I do love my grub,) this is pretty perfect. You can almost taste the ice cream, the writing is that flavoursome good!

My recommendation: Get a copy!

My rating 5 stars.

The Little Ice Cream Shop By The Sea – Lizzie Chantree – #New #Release #Romance

Authors Website: https://mjmallon.com
Authors Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/M-J-Mallon/e/B074CGNK4L
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon

#ABRSC – Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1829166787333493/
Goodreads:: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/m-j-mallon 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/

Sharing Options:

Book Review – Black Rose by Pete Adams @Peteadams8 #review #NextChapterPub #crimeseries

Book Description :

A continually bullied runt of a youngster, Chas Larkin discovers his chutzpah and decides to take on the London gangs.

In the sleazy and violent East End of 1966 London, he is unwittingly assisted by Scotland Yard and MI5, who use the boy to delay an IRA campaign in the city. Together with the mysterious DCI Casey, an enigma amongst the bomb-damaged slums, they stir the pot of fermenting disquiet.

But can Chas achieve his midsummer night’s dream of total revenge?

Black Rose is a story of matriarchal might, of superstition, of a lucky charm tainted with malevolent juju, and of a young man’s smoldering anger and thirst for retribution.

My review:

I received a free e-copy of Black Rose in exchange for an honest review, which I give freely without bias. Many thanks to the author for the copy.

This is my introduction to the writing talents of Pete Adams and I was not disappointed. Initial impression, this is different and in a good way. The build up to the story, with a preface, foreward and then the initial chapter sparked a great deal of interest. I loved the idea of the grotty crumpet, being a good luck charm for the gang members, best explained by this quote from the book: ‘Someone’s ‘arf inched the lucky crumpet and replaced it with a replica…’ she paused to think on ‘… and this one’s got bad juju.’

It’s a tale of the senseless enmity between two equally villainous gangs: the Saints and the Larkins who own two pubs in the east End of London. I loved the word play used to describe the pubs. The pub owned by the Saints is called the Dog and Duck Pub (Dad’s.) The Larkins own the Bottle and Glass pub, “Arries.” The various character names, are entertaining too: Roisin O’Neill, ‘most called her Rosie, or Ginger Nut,’ …

There are speculations, whispers and uncertainties about an up-and-coming rival group: the O’ Neils and Roisin, a young girl who comes to the aid of poor long-suffering Chas.

There’s a rich diversity in the characters, all of which are so blooming great, particularly the female characters and gangster molls which Pete Adams did a wonderful job in portraying. Equally, Chas, the unfortunate lad with the club foot, who is bullied, ridiculed and treated appallingly by everyone including his mum, has an enviable creative character arc to keep you enthralled.

I loved the engaging banter between and amongst various characters notably: Detective Inspector Padraig, (Paddy,) Casey. Detective sergeant Flora Wade, Wendy Richards the child psychiatrist, Wade’s girlfriend Wendy, Nadia and the gangland molls.

At its heart this is a witty tale, full of observations about the deep recesses of human nature. It packs some surprises including: gangland killings, pub bombings, the threat of the IRA, heads exploding and extraordinary revelations as the tale unfolds. And that’s not forgetting the fate of the crumpet (which had me in fits of laughter!)

My recommendation

Highly recommended, one not to be missed!

5 stars

Launch of Black Rose – Pete Adams #new #release
Black Rose – book 1 of the Larkin’s Barkin’ series:

Authors Website: https://mjmallon.com
Authors Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/M-J-Mallon/e/B074CGNK4L
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon

#ABRSC – Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1829166787333493/
Goodreads:: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/m-j-mallon 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/

Sharing Options:

Book Review – Lockdown Innit by Marjorie Mallon @Marjorie_Mallon #BookReview #BookBlogger #poetry – Shalini’s Books & Reviews

Thank you so much to Shalini for arranging an awesome book blitz for me and for this thoughtful review of my new poetry collection, Lockdown Innit Poems About Absurdity.

A cute collection of poems where some like a little library made me long for one. Danger to the pedestrians reminded me why I don’t go out. Some people are just rude and have no civic sense. Road rage is another one that is so relevant. I remembered being the brunt of one.

Author Marjorie Mallon’s keen sense of observation came to play in the way the poems were penned. Different emotions like fear, anger, longing, desire, humor were evoked while reading them. I am not a connoisseur of poems as I feel they are too personal to be judged or rated. But these were easy to understand.

The words also showed how people behaved during these tough times. It is the truth that some have still not learned after losing so many lives across the world. Many in the book were hard-hitting, some were humorous, and the best ones were, where the spoke of her love for her daughters through her words. Hope sailed through in them.

Then the author sneaked in a wispy one longing to be like the cat, dreaming peacefully of normal times. A perfect way to end the book.

All in all, at 35+ pages, the poems were eclectic and would touch everyone who has survived this pandemic.

Head over to read the review at Shalini’s blog:

Source: Book Review – Lockdown Innit by Marjorie Mallon @Marjorie_Mallon #BookReview #BookBlogger #poetry – Shalini’s Books & Reviews

Sharing Options:

#Review #5stars Lockdown Innit; Poems about Absurdity, by M. J. Mallon @Shalini_G26 @Marjorie_Mallon #newrelease

Via Didi Oviatt’s blog:

Congrats to M. J. Mallon on her new release of poetry!  I personally love poetry, but it has to be a certain way… I’m picky.  I’ve read a bit of her work in This is Lockdown so I knew going in that her style of writing is a great match to my poetry appreciation. 

MY REVIEW 5 stars:
I devoured this quick book of poetry in one sitting. It took me less than an hour and I enjoyed every page. Mallon has a way of capturing your attention, and every poem is relatable. It’s smooth easy reading offers a mix of thoughts, events, and a variety of happenings some of which are silly and some are a lot more edgy and serious. 

To read Didi Oviatt’s review in its entirety: https://wp.me/p83x16-5qk

Thank you so much to Didi Oviatt for being a part of Shalini’s awesome book blitz and for her wonderful 5 star review for my new release, Lockdown Innit.

Sharing Options:

#TANKA TUESDAY WEEKLY #POETRY CHALLENGE NO. 214, #THEMEPROMPT #Dreams

#TANKA TUESDAY Weekly #POETRY CHALLENGE NO. 214, #THEMEPROMPT

The prompt this week is dreams…. I’m reading a romance at the moment, it’s getting steamy…. Lol.

Lips still tingling

Mouth kissed by sweet dreaming lies

I awake alone

Embracing the pillow’s curves

Longing for your tender touch

Hope you enjoy the tanka!

My new poetry collection is out!!

BLURB

Lockdown Innit is a poetry collection of eighteen poems about life’s absurdities and frustrations during lockdown. Wherever you live in this world, this is for you. Expect humour, a dollop of banter and ridiculous rants here and there. Amongst other delights, witness the strange antics of a swan posing by a bin and two statuesque horses appearing like arc deco pieces in a field. Check out the violin player on a tightrope, or the cheeky unmentionables wafting in the lockdown breeze!

Buying Links Lockdown Innit Released February 26th

Kindle Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08VW81Q53/

Kindle Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VW81Q53/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56949934-lockdown-innit

Universal link for kindle: https://mybook.to/Lockdowninnit

Thank you so much to Colleen for featuring me in this first new poet feature on her wonderful poetry blog: https://wordcraftpoetry.com/2021/02/26/word-craft-prose-poetry-meet-the-poet-featuring-marjorie_mallon/

Authors Website: https://mjmallon.com
Authors Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/M-J-Mallon/e/B074CGNK4L
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon

#ABRSC – Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1829166787333493/
Goodreads:: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/m-j-mallon 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/

Sharing Options:

A new release from M.J.Mallon Lockdown Innit Poems About Absurdity #new #release #poetry #lockdown #5star #review

Thank you so much to author Richard Dee for this release post and 5 star review for my new poetry collection, Lockdown Innit Poems About Absurdity:

Source: A new release from M.J.Mallon

I loved the poems, they captured the spirit of the times, the vagaries of human behaviour, the poignant signs of a society in change. There are some beautiful observations of what has become the new normal. Review quote from author Richard Dee @RichardDockett1 https://bit.ly/3uCs5B2\

Sharing Options:

Word craft ~ Prose & poetry “MEET THE POET,” Featuring @Marjorie_Mallon – Word Craft ~ Prose & Poetry

Thank you so much to Colleen Chesebro, author, poet and dear friend for featuring me in her new interview, “Meet The Poet,” specifically intended for poets. I was invited by Colleen to chat about my new release Lockdown Innit Poems About Absurdity, and my love of writing poetry. Do check out the interview via the source link below.

Source: Word craft ~ Prose & poetry “MEET THE POET,” Featuring @Marjorie_Mallon – Word Craft ~ Prose & Poetry

Sharing Options:

Book Blitz : Lockdown Innit Poems About Absurdity #new#release #poetry #covid19 #lockdown

Thrilled to announce a Three day BOOK BLITZ beginning today with lovely blog tour host and book reviewer Shalini. https://digitalreadsblogtours.wordpress.com/
https://bookreviewsbyshalini.com/

BLURB

Lockdown Innit is a poetry collection of eighteen poems about life’s absurdities and frustrations during lockdown. Wherever you live in this world, this is for you. Expect humour, a dollop of banter and ridiculous rants here and there. Amongst other delights, witness the strange antics of a swan posing by a bin and two statuesque horses appearing like arc deco pieces in a field. Check out the violin player on a tightrope, or the cheeky unmentionables wafting in the lockdown breeze!

Lockdown Innit Releases February 26th

Kindle Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08VW81Q53/

Kindle Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VW81Q53/

 Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56949934-lockdown-innit

Universal link for kindle: https://mybook.to/Lockdowninnit

DIGITAL READS BLOG TOURS BOOK BLITZ:

Wonderful review by book blitz organiser, Shalini: https://bookreviewsbyshalini.com/2021/02/28/book-review-lockdown-innit-by-marjorie-mallon-marjorie_mallon-bookreview-bookblogger-poetry/

FEB 26

· Felicia Review and Blitz @MsFelicia: www.nesiesplace.wordpress.com

· Kurian https://obsessed2015.com/2021/02/22/book-blitz-lockdown-innit-poems-about-absurdity-by-marjorie-mallon/

· Patty @moohnshine www.moohnshinescorner.blog

· Nina @ninad_silva www.thecozypages.wordpress.com

FEB 27

· Jessica @jessicaxbelmont www.jessicabelmont.wordpress.com

· Els @BookreviewB www.bforbookreview.wordpress.com

· Mani @manisbookcorner www.manisbookcornerblog.wordpress.com

· Mary @Sophril_Reads www.sophrilreads.com

· Amy @zanybibliophile www.zanybibliophile.wordpress.com

· Gina @GinaRaeMitchell www.GinaRaeMitchell.com

FEB 28

· Didi @Didi_Oviatt Review: www.didoviatt.wordpress.com

· Nishtha @FeelTheRead1 www.feeltheread.wordpress.com

· Namrata @redpillows91 www.redpillows.wordpress.com

· Misty @mistymichelle30 www.mistysbookspace.wordpress.com

I will also be sharing forthcoming posts and links from authors and poets celebrating my book launch: Colleen Chesebro, Richard Dee, Debby Gies, Adele Marie Park.

Today, my dear friend Colleen shared this wonderful new feature – meet the poet in a beautifully present post with an excerpt. Do pop over to her blog to read this and comment. https://wordcraftpoetry.com/2021/02/26/word-craft-prose-poetry-meet-the-poet-featuring-marjorie_mallon/

A wonderful review post from Richard:

Thank you to Adele Marie Park for this lovely release post: https://firefly465.wordpress.com/2021/03/04/lockdown-innit/

The lovely Ritu Bhathal shared this fantastic new release post too: https://butismileanyway.com/2021/02/25/new-release-lockdown-innit-poems-about-absurdity-by-marjorie_mallon/

And from this special lady – Lizzie Chantree: https://lizziechantree.com/2021/03/05/marjorie-mallon-new-book-launch/

Pre-release shares from these lovely blogging friends:

Willow: https://willowdot21.wordpress.com/2021/02/13/great-news-on-marjorie-mallons-new-book-lockdown-innit-poems-about-absurdity/

Sally: https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2021/02/11/smorgasbord-cafe-and-bookstore-new-book-on-the-shelves-poetry-lockdown-innit-poems-about-absurdity-by-m-j-mallon/

James: http://thisismytruthnow.com/2021/02/16/book-alert-lockdown-innit-poems-about-absurdity-by-mj-mallon/

Sheila (author S C Skillman) shares a wonderful review:https://scskillman.com/2021/03/02/book-review-lockdown-innit-poems-about-absurdity-by-mj-mallon/

And a thank you to Sarah Northwood and Lizzie Chantree for taking the time to write advanced reviewer comments out of their busy schedule. I appreciate you all so much.

Many thanks to the blogging community and to the book bloggers who work so hard on book tours and in reviewing our books.

https://www.amazon.com/Lockdown-Innit-Poems-About-Absurdity-ebook/dp/B08VW81Q53/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=lockdown+innit&qid=1615045898&sr=8-1

Authors Website: https://mjmallon.com
Authors Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/M-J-Mallon/e/B074CGNK4L
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon

#ABRSC – Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1829166787333493/
Goodreads:: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/m-j-mallon 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/

Sharing Options:

New Release: Lockdown Innit – Poems about Absurdity by @Marjorie_Mallon | But I Smile Anyway…

Thank you to lovely Ritu for this wonderful blog post about my new release. One day to go!! Lockdown Innit is currently on preorder, releases tomorrow, 26th February.

To download a copy:

Universal link for kindle: https://mybook.to/Lockdowninnit

Source: New Release: Lockdown Innit – Poems about Absurdity by @Marjorie_Mallon | But I Smile Anyway…

Sharing Options:

Lockdown Innit – New Release!!! Coming soon #preorder #new #release #pandemic #poetry #lockdown #perspectives

BLURB

Lockdown Innit is a poetry collection of eighteen poems about life’s absurdities and frustrations during lockdown. Wherever you live in this world, this is for you. Expect humour, a dollop of banter and ridiculous rants here and there. Amongst other delights, witness the strange antics of a swan posing by a bin and two statuesque horses appearing like arc deco pieces in a field. Check out the violin player on a tightrope, or the cheeky unmentionables wafting in the lockdown breeze!

Preorder Buying Links Lockdown Innit Releases February 26th

Kindle Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08VW81Q53/

Kindle Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VW81Q53/

 Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56949934-lockdown-innit

Universal link for kindle: https://mybook.to/Lockdowninnit

Advanced readers comments:

‘Lockdown Innit is a wonderful collection of predominantly free verse poetry on all kinds of themes experienced during the author’s third lockdown. I am sure many of the pieces will resonate with readers who have also experienced humanities frustrating behaviours during this pandemic. The discarded masks rolling down the roads and the impact of this on wildlife in the future when landfills are filled, and oceans invariably get full of them is certainly something that has crossed my mind. (Simply cutting off the side strings from the masks before throwing disposable ones away could make a big difference so they don’t get tangled on wildlife!) I’ve also had my fair share of dealing with drivers filled with road rage, presumably from the stress! The varied mood and tone of the pieces is equally matched with the lovely presentation and wonderful splashes of humour. Emotive and descriptive language is employed to engage our senses and of course my favourite piece is probably ‘The Face.’ Making this a highly enjoyable collection and one I have no doubt in recommending.’

Sarah Northwood, Author and Poet.

‘An intricate mix of observations from the author about how the pandemic has brought change. Some welcome, some not so much. A thought provoking read.’

Lizzie Chantree. (Full review to come soon.)

To preorder:

A thank you to my lovely friends for sharing these posts:

Smorgasbord Cafe and Bookstore – New Book on the Shelves – #Poetry Lockdown Innit: Poems About Absurdity by M.J. Mallon
Great News on Marjorie Mallons New Book : Lockdown Innit: Poems About Absurdity

Lockdown Innit is the second book that I have released during this time period

The first, This Is Lockdown released in kindle in July 2020.

This Is Lockdown is a compilation and anthology of my diaries, poetry, flash fiction and 28 wonderful contributions from international authors, bloggers and creatives sharing their thoughts, poetry, and flash fiction during covid19. Many old friends contributed to the anthology and I discovered many new authors, and creatives via compiling this anthology.

This Is Lockdown is available in a shorter paperback version with poetry, flash fiction and contributions  (the diaries are only in the kindle version.)

Kindle: mybook.to/Thisislockdown

Paperback: mybook.to/Thisislockdownpb

Related posts:

A Q and A on Indie Book Butler about my recent writing projects This Is Lockdown and Lockdown Innit. http://indiebookbutler.com/marjorie-mallon-interview/

Latest Reviews: This Is Lockdown:

I hope you will enjoy! I’m getting excited, not long now!

https://www.amazon.com/Lockdown-Innit-Poems-About-Absurdity-ebook/dp/B08VW81Q53/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=lockdown+innit&qid=1615045898&sr=8-1

Authors Website: https://mjmallon.com
Authors Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/M-J-Mallon/e/B074CGNK4L
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon

#ABRSC – Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1829166787333493/
Goodreads:: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/m-j-mallon 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/

Sharing Options:

New Release Wolfe Manor – Adele Marie Park

So looking forward to Adele’s new release, Wolfe Manor which is coming soon. Currently reading an ARC and really enjoying.

To find out more, follow the link:

https://firefly465.wordpress.com/2021/02/22/a-new-release/

Sharing Options:

February 18: Flash Fiction Challenge #carrotranch #literarycommunity #flash #dad #birthday

It’s my dad’s ninety second birthday today! So, this is with him in mind. He has so much character and is such an inspiration. He’s always loved telling stories perhaps that’s where I get my storytelling genes from!

Happy Birthday Dad. x

The right place at the right time, at ninety-one, that’s a feat. My dad’s ninety-two today. At his birthday celebration last year he astonished us all by serenading the pretty waitress in Russian!

Dad’s a Scotsman with one known fear: the snow! He’s always preferred sunny climates. It’s no wonder that he escaped to Malaysia and married my mum, who’s from Kuching, a place that stole his heart too. He always has a tale to tell, or a song to sing and still dreads the snow! Bless him.

February 18: Flash Fiction Challenge
https://www.amazon.com/Lockdown-Innit-Poems-About-Absurdity-ebook/dp/B08VW81Q53/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=lockdown+innit&qid=1615045898&sr=8-1

Authors Website: https://mjmallon.com
Authors Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/M-J-Mallon/e/B074CGNK4L
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon

#ABRSC – Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1829166787333493/
Goodreads:: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/m-j-mallon 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/

Sharing Options:

Book Review – Versions of The Self: Christy Birmingham #ireadcanadian @christybis @ireadcanadian #nowmorethanever #poetry #review

Book Synopsis:

Imagine a shift to the way you see the world that arises through poetic narration.

Imagine the world, at its base level, is a collection of selves. These selves collide, disperse, intermingle, and share themselves in lines of free verse. Such is the premise of Versions of the Self, poetry that assumes multiple types of selves exist and relate in ways that alter them. Each of the eight chapters looks at a different type of self, including the singular “I” and romantic interactions. These unique 80 poems definitely color themselves outside of the lines. 

Book Review:

This is a wonderful collection of personal poetry which gives a fascinating insight into the concept of self and how our selves are affected by and change due to outside factors such as our loves, vulnerability, family, friendships, and relationships.

It doesn’t shy away or hide from difficult themes, the words are there for the reader to see and interpret in free verse which flows like a river.

I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of poetry. It’s a little different, quite deep and intense in parts and fascinating throughout.

Would highly recommend.

My rating: 4.5 stars.

Authors Links:

Blog: https://whenwomeninspire.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/christybis

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whenwomeninspire

This is the last in my group of three authors I read for @ireadcanadian. The other posts are:

Book Review: Darlene Foster #ireadcanadian @ireadcanadian #nowmorethanever
D G Kaye Book Review: Have Bags, Will Travel #ireadcanadian @ireadcanadian #travel #book #review #nowmorethanever
https://www.amazon.com/Lockdown-Innit-Poems-About-Absurdity-ebook/dp/B08VW81Q53/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=lockdown+innit&qid=1615045898&sr=8-1

Authors Website: https://mjmallon.com
Authors Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/M-J-Mallon/e/B074CGNK4L
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon

#ABRSC – Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1829166787333493/
Goodreads:: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/m-j-mallon 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/

Sharing Options:

D G Kaye Book Review: Have Bags, Will Travel #ireadcanadian @ireadcanadian #travel #book #review #nowmorethanever

Goodreads Synopsis

D.G. Kaye is back, and as she reflects on some of her more memorable vacations and travel snags, she finds herself constantly struggling to keep one step ahead of the ever-changing guidelines of the airlines—with her overweight luggage in tow. Her stories alert us to some of the pitfalls of being an obsessive shopper, especially when it comes time for D.G. to bring her treasures home, and remind us of the simpler days when traveling was a breeze.
In her quest to keep from tipping the scales, D.G. strives to devise new tricks to fit everything in her suitcases on each trip. Why is she consistently a target for Canada customs on her return journeys?
D.G.’s witty tales take us from airports, to travel escapades with best friends, to reflections on how time can change the places we hold dear in our hearts. Her memories will entertain and have you reminiscing about some of your own most treasured journeys—and perhaps make you contemplate revamping your packing strategies.

My review:

I read this as part of #ireadcanadian., @ireadcanadian #nowmorethanever.

This is such a hoot, what a laugh!

Have Bags Will Travel is such an entertaining read which gives you an insight into D G Kaye’s character, her shopping obsession, packing troubles, germaphobia, and brushes with airport security. Enjoy her recollections on the glamour and glitz, her love to travel and a nostalgic aspect to it all.

Her friend Zan shares her shopaholic tendencies too. The two of them together… can you imagine? A red head, blonde explosion of zaniness! I love the part when they end up at Buckingham Palace and chat to a Beefeater, the royal guard and after which… it gets funnier by the moment.

Have Bags Will Travel gives a historical account of how much easier it used to be to take overstuffed baggage through airports in the good old days. Now, it seems that D G Kaye will resort to anything to get her shopping home.

Zan and D G Kaye also travel to Paris and end up shopping for shoes!

There are manmade toboggan rides in Muskoka, Canada.

Trips to Venezuela: Margarita Island and Caracas with cousin Eileen.

Las Vegas, Then and Now – gambling/casinos, fond memories of the author’s love of the desert.

Have Bags Will Travel is just what we need right now, a good giggle! There is also a section at the back of the book with Helpful Travel tips.

A short, entertaining read. Highly recommended, especially for the shopoholics and travel enthusiasts in your life!

My rating: 5 stars

Authors Website:  https://mjmallon.com
Authors Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/M-J-Mallon/e/B074CGNK4L
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon

#ABRSC – Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1829166787333493/
Goodreads:: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/m-j-mallon 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/

Sharing Options:

Book Review: Darlene Foster #ireadcanadian @ireadcanadian #nowmorethanever

Goodreads Synopsis:

Amanda Ross is an average twelve year old Canadian girl. So what is she doing thousands of kilometres from home in the United Arab Emirates? It’s her own fault really, she wished for adventure and travel when she blew out those candles on her last birthday cake. Little did she know that a whole different world awaited her on the other side of the globe, one full of intrigue, mystery and folklore. A world with a beautiful princess, a dangerous desert and wonderful friends. Join Amanda on her first adventure as she discovers the secrets behind The Perfume Flask.

My review

Such a cute middle grade book about Amanda venturing to the United Arab Emirates. It is educational too, various aspects of living in the desert and the culture and customs of the people are explained in an interesting way throughout the book. It is descriptive, fun, and amusing too. I particularly loved the sections with camels and how the author explained different types of camels and how wonderful the camel is especially in a sand storm!

What a great way to educate youngsters about the diversity of cultures in this world.

It transported me away for a while, and made me smile, which I’m grateful for particularly at the moment when we can’t go anywhere.

Four stars from me.

https://www.amazon.com/Lockdown-Innit-Poems-About-Absurdity-ebook/dp/B08VW81Q53/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=lockdown+innit&qid=1615045898&sr=8-1

Authors Website: https://mjmallon.com
Authors Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/M-J-Mallon/e/B074CGNK4L
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon

#ABRSC – Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1829166787333493/
Goodreads:: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/m-j-mallon 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/

Sharing Options:

WEEKLY #TANKA TUESDAY #POETRY CHALLENGE NO. 213 #EKPHRASTIC #PHOTOPROMPT #Badgerhexastich

I tried a new form – a badger hexastich poem in response to this stunning photo

Image by Michael Bußmann from Pixabay

From Colleen’s blog – BADGER HEXASTICH: The Badger Hexastich is syllabic and written in six lines with a 2/4/6/6/4/2 structure. It is unrhymed with optional rising and falling end-words, which I think is an interesting twist.

The Waterfall Weeps Its Cares 
'brella
Rainbow Coloured 
Waterfall weeps its cares
I hear, see, smell and feel
I taste the might
Falling
***
© M J Mallon

To join in with colleen’s poetry prompt follow the link: https://wordcraftpoetry.com/2021/02/16/weekly-tanka-tuesday-poetry-challenge-no-213-ekphrastic-photoprompt/

My latest book a collection of poetry, is due out on February 26th.

BLURB

Lockdown Innit is a poetry collection of eighteen poems about life’s absurdities and frustrations during lockdown. Wherever you live in this world, this is for you. Expect humour, a dollop of banter and ridiculous rants here and there. Amongst other delights, witness the strange antics of a swan posing by a bin and two statuesque horses appearing like arc deco pieces in a field. Check out the violin player on a tightrope, or the cheeky unmentionables wafting in the lockdown breeze!

It is available to preorder now:

Some advanced readers quotes:

Hope you enjoyed the poem about the waterfall. I have a fondness for waterfalls and all things water!

https://www.amazon.com/Lockdown-Innit-Poems-About-Absurdity-ebook/dp/B08VW81Q53/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=lockdown+innit&qid=1615045898&sr=8-1

Authors Website: https://mjmallon.com
Authors Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/M-J-Mallon/e/B074CGNK4L
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon

#ABRSC – Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1829166787333493/
Goodreads:: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/m-j-mallon 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/

Sharing Options:

The Little Ice Cream Shop By The Sea – Lizzie Chantree – #New #Release #Romance

It is my great pleasure to welcome the lovely Lizzie Chantree to my blog today with her new book.

The little ice cream shop by the sea, by Lizzie Chantree
Book link: viewbook.at/IceCreamShopByTheSea

Book blurb:
From the international bestselling author of If you love me, I’m yours, Ninja School
Mum and Babe Driven.


Genie’s family is in crisis. Their seafront business is failing with the loss of Genie’s grandmother and her legendary ice cream flavours. Genie is determined to be the one to save her family’s heritage, but suddenly her mother wants to sell to developers and leave their shared history behind.


Buying the business and taking on a sixty-eight year old business partner, Ada, with a mysterious past and a gorgeous but distracting grandson, Genie sets out to prove her parents wrong.


Ada’s grandson, Cal, wants to protect his gran from ‘pensioner persuader’, Genie, but soon realises that living in a little seaside town and away from the paparazzi in Hollywood can actually give him time to heal. Hiding in a seafront business with its fiery owner and working as kitchen staff, is the only way he can think of to keep his ex-Hollywood glamour-puss, gran from harm.


But his meddling might also ruin Ada’s second chance at love. 

Hiring a private detective and learning about Genie’s parent’s past makes Cal regret his own impulsiveness. The information he has unearthed could destroy their blossoming romance and turn Genie’s world upside down.


Genie soon discovers that friends can become enemies and your closest family can have lied to you for your whole life.

Author Bio

International bestselling author and award-winning inventor, Lizzie Chantree, started her own business at the age of 18 and became one of Fair Play London and The Patent Office’s British Female Inventors of the Year in 2000. She discovered her love of writing fiction when her children were little and now works as a business mentor and runs a popular networking hour on social media, where creatives can support to each other. She writes books full of friendship and laughter, that are about women with unusual and adventurous businesses, who are far stronger than they realise. She lives with her family on the coast in Essex. Visit her website at www.lizziechantree.com or follow her on Twitter
@Lizzie_Chantree https://twitter.com/Lizzie_Chantree.

Book links: Lizzie Chantree.

Universal book buy link for The little ice cream shop: viewbook.at/IceCreamShopByTheSea

Universal book buy link: Networking for writers: viewbook.at/NetworkingForWriters

Universal book buy link: If you love me, I’m yours: viewbook.at/IfYouLoveMe-ImYours

Universal book buy link: Ninja School Mum: viewBook.at/NinjaSchoolMum

Universal book buy link: Babe Driven: viewbook.at/BabeDriven

Universal book buy link: Love’s Child: viewBook.at/Amazon-LovesChild

Universal book buy link: Finding Gina: viewbook.at/FindingGina

Social media links:
Website: www.lizziechantree.com
https://lizziechantree.com
Author page: https://www.viewAuthor.at/LizzieChantree
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Lizzie_Chantree
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LizzieChantree/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7391757.Lizzie_Chantree
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizzie_chantree/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/LizzieChantree/pins/
FB Groups: https://www.facebook.com/groups/647115202160536/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/lizzie-chantree
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizzie-chantree-03006425/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnCop-RlAcGqggZG3JfE-Mw

The Little Ice Cream Shop By the Sea really appeals to me. What’s not to love, ice cream, the sea and romance? Sounds like a perfect book to enjoy. Looking forward to reading and reviewing.

Sharing Options:

Book Review: Helen Pryke – The Lost Girls #psychological #thriller #book #review

Goodreads Synopsis:

Now he wants them back.

Four years ago, two teenage girls were abducted.

Four years ago, a ten-year-old boy was murdered.

Both cases remain unsolved.

Desperate to find their missing sisters, Michael and Chloe ask investigative journalist Maggie Turner to help them. And what starts as a simple investigation, soon turns into a frantic race against time.

The kidnapper took the girls to replace his sisters; sisters who died seventeen years earlier.

Forced to face traumatic events from the past, Maggie finds herself in the middle of a nightmare that can only get worse…

Tense, fast-paced, and gritty, The Lost Girls is the first novel in the Maggie Turner series. It’s the perfect read for fans of authors like Angela Marsons, Carol Wyer and Helen Fields. 

My review

This is the first book I’ve read from Helen Pryke and I am impressed. A confident, engaging psychological thriller that kept me turning the pages wanting to discover what happens next.

The strengths of the story lie in its excellent characters: particularly Maggie the investigative journalist who seeks to discover who abducted the two young girls.

What surprised me most in The Lost Girls was an unexpected feeling of sympathy for the deranged person who abducted these two young girls. As the story progresses I became more aware that this thriller should be praised for its handling of mental health issues. It’s superb in that respect. The ending was fantastic, and makes me keen to read more. This is the first in this series.

This novel is for you if you enjoy psychological thrillers with a dark edge to them. Please be aware that there are distressing themes in this novel: abduction, sexual assault of a minor, and scenes of violence. These are written in such a way as not to prolong, or be too graphic. So, considerable praise to the author for handling these difficult passages in such a sensitive way.

A difficult one to rate, I’ve been mulling over the rating for a few days.

Overall, an excellent psychological thriller: 4.5 stars, highly recommended.

Looking forward to reading more from Helen Pryke.

I am really enjoying reading thrillers at the moment!

AUTHOR SOCIAL MEDIA DETAILS

Authors Website:: https://mjmallon.com
Authors Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/M-J-Mallon/e/B074CGNK4L
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon

#ABRSC – Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook:
Goodreads:: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/m-j-mallon 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/

Sharing Options:

Special Feature – I Read Canadian Darlene Foster, D G Kaye, & Christy Birmingham #nowmorethanever #ireadcanadian @ireadcanadian

I discovered about #ireadcanadian from Darlene Foster’s instagram page:

Today, I am featuring three wonderful ladies from Canada, Debby Gies (D G Kaye,) Darlene Foster and Christy Birmingham. You might remember that in 2019 I travelled to Canada with my two daughters, Natasha and Georgina for a special girls’ trip! We visited Montreal and I absolutely loved it. Would love to go back one day.

So, I’ve chosen to go with a travel theme for the first two books I’m reading for #ireadcanadian

Debby, Darlene and Christy are all wonderfully inspiring, fantastic supporters of the writing and blogging community. As they say in Scotland, lovely lassies too!

I’ve been meaning to read Darlene and Christy’s books, so I thought here’s an opportunity to do so and have a mini readathan!

Darlene Foster is a Children’s author, traveller, dreamer of dreams, teller of tales. Darlene writes middle grade tales about a young girl, Amanda travelling abroad to exotic destinations. The travel appealed to me especially right now as we are unable to go anywhere! So, I fancied being whisked away to the Middle East, (my dad worked in Abu Dhabhi and Dubai and often reminisces about his time there,) so I chose to read Amanda in Arabia, The Perfume Flask.

She has a whole lot more books too!

https://darlenefoster.wordpress.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/supermegawoman

http://www.darlenefoster.ca/

https://www.instagram.com/darlene6490/

D G Kaye is a nonfiction/memoir #author who writes about women’s issues, life & overcoming adversity. I’ve read D G Kaye before, I loved her writing in her memoir, P.S. I Forgive You, a personal account of the author’s experiences of coping and coming to terms with the emotions experienced after the death of a narcissistic mother. This time, I’m taking a look at a different kind of book from D. G. Kaye, I’m reading Have Bags Will Travel which I think will be an absolute scream! I’ve already started it and find it so witty!

Debby has lots of books to read… check these out…

https://dgkayewriter.com/

https://www.facebook.com/dgkaye

https://twitter.com/pokercubster

https://www.instagram.com/dgkaye/

https://www.amazon.com/D.G.-Kaye/e/B00HE028FO

The lovely, Christy Birmingham… she has the most informative, inspiring and interesting blog: https://whenwomeninspire.com/

Poetry is a particularly appropriate choice as I am releasing a new poetry book soon. With that in mind, I chose Christy Birmingham’s Versions of The Self, which sounds so interesting, personal and unusual.

Christy’s debut collection is Pathways to Illumination which is available exclusively at Redmund Productions: http://redmundpro.com/book-store/pi/  

The book follows one woman’s journey following the end of an abusive relationship. Read how she struggles to rise from darkness, a soul reaching for light, with words that weave hope and despair through the pages.

Christy Birmingham, Owner of When Women Inspire. Taking empowerment and motivation to the next level. Author | Blogger | Copywriter

https://whenwomeninspire.com/

https://twitter.com/christybis

https://www.facebook.com/whenwomeninspire

My blog posts about my trip to Montreal, Canada in 2019:

Grafitti Murals – Montreal Canada
Notre-Dame Basilica #Montreal #Canada #travel #holiday
Scrummy Food, Tulips and Cocktails #Food #Montreal #Canada #Holiday #Tulips

Looking forward to reviewing these wonderful books soon.

I may not be Canadian but I do love the international feel this kind of promo brings.

Happy #ireadcanadianday!

https://www.amazon.com/Lockdown-Innit-Poems-About-Absurdity-ebook/dp/B08VW81Q53/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=lockdown+innit&qid=1615045898&sr=8-1

AUTHOR SOCIAL MEDIA DETAILS

Authors Website:: https://mjmallon.com
Authors Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/M-J-Mallon/e/B074CGNK4L
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon

#ABRSC – Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1829166787333493/
Goodreads:: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/m-j-mallon 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/

Sharing Options:

Book Alert: Lockdown Innit (Poems About Absurdity) by MJ Mallon – This Is My Truth Now

Thank you so much to James Cudney for this beautifully presented book alert for my forthcoming poetry release. Lockdown Innit which releases February 26th, it is available to preorder via this link: https://mybook.to/Lockdowninnit

Source: Book Alert: Lockdown Innit (Poems About Absurdity) by MJ Mallon – This Is My Truth Now

Sharing Options:

#Bookreview – This is Lockdown by M.J. Mallon – Robbie’s inspiration

Thank you to Robbie Cheadle for this thoughtful review of This Is Lockdown for Rosie’s Book Review Team. I truly appreciate her taking the time to read and review.

Source: #Bookreview – This is Lockdown by M.J. Mallon – Robbie’s inspiration

Sharing Options:

#TANKA TUESDAY #POETRY CHALLENGE NO. 212 #SYNONYMSONLY #Diningin #Spicy #Food #Celebrations #Fun #Nonet

#TANKA TUESDAY #POETRY CHALLENGE NO. 212 #SYNONYMSONLY

The synonyms this week are loose and tough. Sound tricky, thinking, thinking… what to write?

NONET: A nonet is stanzaic and written in any number of 9-line stanzas with the following syllable count per line: 9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 syllables per line

Bless all manner of ingredients

Making something unique and free

Hard to decide what to use

But chili is a must

As is some red beans

By now you’ll guess

What I am

Grab a

Drink!

I’ve been having fun creating new recipes at home with my eldest daughter, Natasha.

The other day I had an urge to make some scones and we did. We weren’t sure what to use, one recipe said eggs, the other one omitted them, so in the end we decided upon adding the eggs (a Mary Berry’s recipe,) and the scones turned out really well.

Recently, we did our own take on the traditional Chilli Con Carne recipe. I’m planning to share this later in the year around Halloween… More about that to come!

We also had great fun making a Chinese Banquet for Lunar New Year, we made Roast Duck and Singapore noodles plus I bought a lot of dim sum. It was so tasty!

Such a fun thing to do. I’m really enjoying trying out new ideas with food at the moment.

Hope you enjoyed the nonet. Happy Valentines, I’m looking forward to my dinner tonight, hubby is making me his signature dish – steak!

I have a new book coming out soon… Lockdown Innit, Poems About Absurdity. It is available to preorder. Make this author really happy by ordering your copy on kindle today!

Universal link for kindle: https://mybook.to/Lockdowninnit

Authors Website: https://mjmallon.com
Authors Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/M-J-Mallon/e/B074CGNK4L
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon

#ABRSC – Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1829166787333493/
Goodreads:: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/m-j-mallon 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/

Collaborative Group: https://www.facebook.com/pg/5SpiritualSisters/

Sharing Options:

Great News on Marjorie Mallons New Book : Lockdown Innit: Poems About Absurdity | willowdot21

Thank you so much to my lovely friend Willow for sharing about my new book coming out on 26th February.

Source: Great News on Marjorie Mallons New Book : Lockdown Innit: Poems About Absurdity | willowdot21

Sharing Options:

Marjorie Mallon (@mjmallonauthor) • Instagram photos and videos #fashion #sustainable #swimwear #survey

I’m sharing this for my daughter Georgina, who is a final year fashion business student.

Could you spare a few moments to fill out her short survey on sustainable fashion. This is for her final project at University:

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/georgina-mallon-b76146195_sustainable-swimwear-activity-6765654730166423552-Bk7t?fbclid=IwAR1R_dwx5rWNigQpKOIhA5ExQOhvLHLsoIeURE3LpBUXBGVVmsdeOKH3g-Y

Many thanks, I appreciate it so much.

Her instagram is: https://www.instagram.com/georgina_mallon/

Sharing Options:

Smorgasbord Cafe and Bookstore – New Book on the Shelves – #Poetry Lockdown Innit: Poems About Absurdity by M.J. Mallon | Smorgasbord Blog Magazine

Thank you so much to Sally Cronin for this wonderful feature on her blog for my new release Lockdown Innit Poems About Absurdity (which is currently on pre-order on Amazon.) Releases February 26th.

Preorder Buying Links Lockdown Innit Releases February 26th

Universal link for kindle: https://mybook.to/Lockdowninnit

Source: Smorgasbord Cafe and Bookstore – New Book on the Shelves – #Poetry Lockdown Innit: Poems About Absurdity by M.J. Mallon | Smorgasbord Blog Magazine

Sharing Options:

Special Collection Flash Fiction Challenge #carrotranch #literary #community

There is a special schedule at Carrot Ranch to support Sue Vincent who has been diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. I’ve written about this in a previous post: https://mjmallon.com/2021/02/01/the-sue-vincent-rodeo-classic-has-begun-carrotranch-literary-community-rodeo-classic/

Here’s a schedule for you so you know what to expect:

  • January 28 Special Collection Challenge to Honor the work of Sue Vincent
  • February 1-19: Sue Vincent Classic Rodeo Contest and Parade of Reblogs (announced Monday, February 1 at CarrotRanch.com/blog)
  • February 3 No Collection
  • February 4 Special Host: D. Avery
  • February 10 Special Host Collection
  • February 11 Sue Vincent Reblog Parade (no challenge)
  • February 17 Special Sue V Collection posted
  • February 18 Regular Flash Fiction Challenges return
  • February 19 Contest ends
  • March 22 Winner and Runners Up Announced

January 28, 2021, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about life as a river of consciousness. Think about the possibilities of the prompt. Go where the prompt leads!

Respond by February 11, 2021. 

This is my special flash fiction piece for Sue Vincent.

Life As A River of Consciousness

Do What You Love

What makes us human extends beyond the care we give our young. Perhaps it is our creativity which marks us as distinctive from other species.

Life is akin to a river of consciousness, we may drift along, or choose who we truly desire to be. Whatever we decide, we must live life to the full, expressing ourselves in music, words, performance, or art. Troubling obstacles will come and go, pebbles of uncertainty, meandering moments, thunderstorms and floods of tears, unsure and uncertain times. To accomplish our hearts’ desires we must stay focused, determined and resolute on life’s turbulent river.

To enter the Sue Vincent Rodeo Classic competition: https://carrotranch.com/2021/02/01/the-sue-vincent-rodeo-classic/

Link to the : Special Collection Flash Fiction Challenge

Sharing Options:

Book Review: Sinners & Saints by Shaunna Rodriguez #anthology #review #romance

Goodreads Synopsis:

There’s something for everyone in this collection of 15+ romance stories from today’s USA Today bestselling, award-winning, and rising star authors. From reluctant billionaires to displaced gods, century old vampires to young lovers just about to graduate high-school, love strikes where it will, and who’s to say a Sinner is any less deserving of happiness than a Saint?

Let us tempt you to take a walk on the wild side, unleash a little bit of the sinner inside you to find that romance you’ve always been waiting for.

These original stories are packed with unforgettable characters, amazing romances, and intense emotion that will leave you on the edge of your seat waiting for more. From sweet to sultry, these stories will have you reading long into the night.

Fans of Mary Higgins Clark, Stephanie Meyer, Danielle Steel and Suzanne Collins won’t wait to misbehave for Sinners & Saints.

Don’t miss your chance to get this set before it’s gone! The sins will stack up and the saints won’t stay forever, so make sure to grab your copy of these 15+ titillatingly delightful stories when you scroll up and one-click today!

With stories from: Shaunna Rodriguez (AW), MA Abraham, Hannah Earl, AnnaMarie Gardner, Deborah Garland, Madison Granger, BK Harrell, Angelina Kerner, CA King (USAT), Darlene Kuncytes (AW), Megan Kuykendall, Andi Lawrencovna, Didi Oviatt, Crystal StClair, SE Winters,Tricia Daniels  and  Payne Craven 

My review

I was intrigued to pick this anthology up as I enjoy reading romances from time-to- time. I thought the cover was fabulous. Also, I’ve read one of the contributing authors before – Didi Oviatt – and was impressed by her writing style in Search For Maylee which I reviewed: https://mjmallon.com/2020/12/17/search-for-maylee-by-didi-oviatt-review-5stars-crime-suspense-thriller-fiction/

There’s a great variety in this collection and it was a nice surprise to see lots of fantasy, witchy and magical stories which is not something I was expecting. So, that was a nice surprise! This girl loves fantasy!

The stories were on the long side – some novella in length.

Overall, an entertaining collection of stories. Didi Oviatt did not disappoint. I enjoyed her tale Skinny Dippin‘ – what a title – it certainly had enough raciness to keep me reading! I particularly liked the banter between her and her twin children which I thought was written very well. I enjoyed her struggling with her emotions uncertain whether she should get involved with a mysterious younger man! The ending was a massive twist, returning to the hint of something unexplained which was mentioned at the beginning of the story. Cleverly done. In fact, I had the feeling that perhaps this story could be developed into a longer piece of fiction, but I’m not sure if that’s what Didi intends…

Anthologies are a great way to introduce readers to new authors. I’d also like to mention that I particularly enjoyed a contribution from a new author to me: Megan Kuykendall. Her story, A solstice to remember about a shape shifting wolf, a journalist and a siren, was ace too.

A recommended read from me.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3797706594

My rating 4.5 stars.

https://www.amazon.com/Lockdown-Innit-Poems-About-Absurdity-ebook/dp/B08VW81Q53/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=lockdown+innit&qid=1615045898&sr=8-1
Sharing Options:

February Book Reviews Part 1! @VashtiQV @ChuckWesJ @stacitroilo @Marjorie_Mallon #IARTG #ASMSG #WritingCommunity #bookreviews #mustread #indieauthors – Author D.L. Finn

Thank you so much to D. L. Finn for this wonderful review post supporting so many indie authors : Vashti Vega, Charles W Jones, D. L. Cross (Staci Troilo,) and including yours truly and Mr. Sagittarius is so thrilled!

Source: February Book Reviews Part 1! @VashtiQV @ChuckWesJ @stacitroilo @Marjorie_Mallon #IARTG #ASMSG #WritingCommunity #bookreviews #mustread #indieauthors – Author D.L. Finn

Sharing Options: