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Please give some love to the Sisters of The Fey. Such a wonderful idea of my dear friend Colleen Chesebro, a collaboration between the sisters, myself, Colleen, Debby Gies, Adele Marie Park, Annette Rochelle Aben, Tina Frisco, Belinda Miller, Wendy Anne Darling to share our love of magic.
Goddess of lovers,
Born from the tumultuous waves,
Intriguing legend,
Autograph of mystery,
Beautiful Aphrodite.
An excerpt from my book – The Curse of Time – Book 1 – Bloodstone:
We had arrived at the front of the restaurant by then, and I strained to recapture control of my drifting mind. Ryder held the door, and as I walked inside, I focused on the restaurant’s interior. Aphrodite’s proposed everything I’d expected and much more. The waiter seated us next to an exquisite painting of the waves crashing against the cliffs of Paphos Bay. We slid into our very own private booth.
A snow white Aphrodite statue stood in the centre of the restaurant as a focal point. Her exotic and mysterious image enthralled me. No wonder she deserved the title of the Goddess of Love. The realistic statue captured my attention. I almost expected her to step towards me and crush me with her stone arms in an over-enthusiastic embrace.
Large elaborate fish tanks lined the walls, housing exotic fish, including corals and ferns. I glanced around at the pictures of white doves which dotted the walls.
My eyes travelled to a painted likeness of the Golden Apple of Great Renown. I remembered the Goddess Eris had written ‘for the fairest’ on the side of an apple. Both Zeus’s wife Hera, and his daughter Athena, including Aphrodite claimed they were the fairest. But the Prince of Troy, Paris, couldn’t choose between them. The rest is history. Paris fell in love with Helen, which led to the Trojan War. I had been paying attention in history class after all. I reflected for a moment on what a bitter-sweet and ultimately destructive force love could be.
Ryder edged closer to me in the booth. He brushed a strand of hair away from my face. I could feel his breath on my face. A hot, sweet, intoxicating murmur that caressed. ‘You’re so lovely,’ he said, his voice coaxing me to come even closer.
I couldn’t resist his advances and snuggled closer to his side. He cupped my face in his hands, and leaned in towards me, planting a lingering kiss on my cheek. I closed my eyes and leaned back allowing his lips to brush my neck. My skin tingled with a strange heat where he’d left a trail of kisses. I longed for more. He ran a finger over the top of my lip. It was such a thrill, I trembled and my breath caught in my throat. I could hardly breathe. Catching my breath at long last, I inhaled him, my lungs filling with his heady aroma…
© M J Mallon 2018.
To join in the poetry challenge follow the link to Colleen’s blog:
My social media links:
Our new collaborative blog – The Sisters of the Fey is a blogging collaboration between authors D. G. Kaye, Wendy Anne Darling, Marjorie Mallon, Belinda Miller, Annette Rochelle Aben, Colleen Chesebro, Adele Marie Park, and Tina Frisco to share all things magical.
https://sistersofthefey.wordpress.com/
Our Author Blogger Rainbow Support Club on Facebook:
Authors/Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time
Goodreads Synopsis:
“I merely assisted you in doing what you desired all along.”
So says Lilith, the most exquisite of the angels. The two most important pledges an angel makes to God are those of obedience and celibacy, and dire consequences await any who break their oaths.
At first, the angels are happy in their celestial home, learning and exploring together. As they grow older, though, Lilith begins to question these pledges, which now seem arbitrary and stifling. Her challenge of the status quo leads to disagreement, jealousy, and strife among her peers. As the arguing and acrimony grow, lines are drawn and sides are chosen. Is war inevitable?
Filled with robust characters, incredible landscapes, and exciting action, The Fall of Lilith is an epic tale of seduction, betrayal, and revenge.
Free Will involves asking difficult questions and making hard choices, choices that require strength and sacrifice. These decisions can tear apart friendships and cause rifts between allies.
They can even threaten the foundations of Heaven.
My review:
I read this as part of the #ABRSC read and review.
Amazing, I absolutely loved this wonderful novel by Vashti Quiroz Vega. I rarely read long books but this kept my attention throughout both book 1 and book 2. In fact, it was such a quick read. I’d highly recommend reading The Fall of Lilith if you love high fantasy books with amazing descriptive prose, unique and highly imaginative writing and fabulous characters. The main protagonist Lilith isn’t at all keen on God’s decree that they should be celibate. She is a power crazed angel who plots and schemes, bringing a heck load of drama, horror and strife to the storyline!
Advisory: It’s not a YA book as there are passages of steamy scenes that take it beyond YA!
It ticks every single box. Splendid, a definite favourite. Highly recommended.
Amazon UK Kindle Buying Link: http://amzn.to/2mWoImC
Amazon UK Paperback Buying Link: http://amzn.to/2EX8ZuV
Connect with author Vashti Quiroz-Vega:
https://vashtiqvega.wordpress.com/
Twitter @VashtiQV
Congratulations to Vashti Quiroz-Vega for being a Rave Reviews Book Club – RRBC spotlight author: https://vashtiqvega.wordpress.com/2018/01/08/rave-reviews-book-club-spotlight-author/
Link to the excellent Kirkus review: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/vashti-quiroz-vega/fall-lilith/
Have you read The Fall of Lilith? Do comment below, I’d love to hear your opinion.
Happy reading!
If you’d like to join in the #ABRSC read and review please follow the link below… or leave a comment.
#ABRSC Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook
#ABRSC Read and Review group on Goodreads
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time
The prompt words this week are destination, and guide. I chose to use the synonyms haven and guiding spirit. I created the above Tanka which leads to a short, but oh so relevant excerpt…
An excerpt from my YA/Paranormal Fantasy the Curse of Time – Book 1 – Bloodstone.
A hazy image materialised into a multitude of glistening sparks which transformed into a vibrantly glowing object. I heard the pounding hearts from each of us becoming louder and more distinct as we gazed at the object. The sparks coalesced, no longer separate entities they’d joined to form a spirit or a ghostly apparition. The specter sparkled like a million candle lights, speaking to each of us, in a wisp of a voice that drifted like the wind.
The spirit addressed me, knowing I possessed the gift to understand the crystals. ‘You have called me forth to open your heart to the truth. You must accept who you are and not be afraid. Embrace your true self. Encourage others to do the same. Then you will be a truly magical person, able to rekindle your family’s happiness. Beware those who want what you possess.’
The spirit turned and pointed at Joselyn. ‘Joselyn, you must move on from your past and accept the challenges of the future. Don’t be fearful. Your confidence will grow the more you follow your dreams.’
The phantom floated above us on invisible currents and pointed at Ilaria. ‘Ilaria, you have no more to fear from the children who taunted you. Your laughter protects you from their wickedness. Heed my words and use your skill wisely.’
Jade was last, and the spirit hovered near her face. ‘Jade, you possess the skill and craft of working with animals. You must cherish and nurture it. Be faithful to your friends, and most of all, beware of those who may lead you astray.’
When the spirit finished speaking, the ghostly form drifted toward the candles and hovered above them. Slowly, the flames were extinguished one after the other, and we found ourselves sitting in total darkness. The phantom had vanished. No one spoke. We were shocked into a stunned silence. Ilaria switched on the light, and with one glance, we all knew things between us would never be the same again. That night signalled the beginning of our own personal voyages toward self-discovery.
© M J Mallon 2017/2018
Hope you enjoyed the Tanka and excerpt.
Bye for now,
My social media links:
Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook
Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club Read and Review on Goodreads
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time
Goodreads Synopsis:
Obsessive-compulsive school mum, Skye, is a lonely elite spy, who is running from her past whilst trying to protect the future of her child. She tries hard to fit in with the other parents at her son’s new school, but the only person who accepts her unconventional way of life is new mother, Thea.
Thea is feeling harassed by her sister and bored with her life, but she suspects that there is something strange about the new school mum, Skye. Thea has secrets of her own and, although the two become unlikely friends, she hesitates to tell Skye about the father of her own child.
Zack’s new business is growing faster than he could have dreamed but, suddenly, he finds himself the owner of a crumbling estate on the edge of a pretty village, and a single parent to a very demanding child. Could he make a go of things and give his daughter the life she deserved?
When three lives collide, it appears that only one of them is who they seem to be, and you never know who the person next to you in the school playground really is.
My review:
Thank you to the author Lizzie Chantree for an ARC copy for a honest review. All opinions are my own.
An enjoyable chick lit romance with an unexpected twist towards the end. Light-hearted, amusing and fun. The characters are well rounded, and engaging – my favourites are Skye, Thea and Zack.
In my opinion this quick read would appeal to mums and dads who have been excluded from playground cliques and friendship groups and who would like to have some ninja skills to deal with certain people! So very relatable, humorous and fun.
My recommendation – 4 stars – Particularly recommended for those who enjoy their romance with a sprinkling of humour, and a touch of sauciness but not too much!
Read as part of #ABRSC read and review group for independent authors.
I will be featuring Lizzie Chantree on my blog in February with more details about Ninja School Mum’s release…
Paperback, 1, 310 pages
Expected publication: January 30th 2018 by Crooked Cat Books
Author’s website: https://lizziechantree.com/
Twitter: @Lizzie_Chantree
My previous author spotlight post: https://mjmallon.com/2017/03/18/author-spotlight-lizzie-chantree/
Happy reading,
I review lots!!! For more reviews follow the links below:
Bye for now,
My social media links:
Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club/
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time
