Why it’s beneficial for writers to be bloggers

Why it’s beneficial for writers to blog via Ari Meghlan

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Neverlands Blog Tour plus #Giveaway and my #Review of Claire Ayres: Entrapped (Musicians Hope Book 1)

Entrapped BannerThank you to Jenny at Neverlands Blog Tour for this wonderful opportunity to host Claire Ayres and to the author for a copy in exchange for a fair, unbiased review.

Blurb:

Cellist, Luka, has moved to Bristol to start a new job and recover from the betrayal of finding his best friend and his girlfriend in bed together. He doesn’t plan on the emotional thunderstorm that meeting his next-door neighbour Jess causes.
Jess had everything, a man she loved, friends she adored and then the world crashed around her. Depression came from nowhere and slowly started ripping her life away. Now she lives a lonely, sad life but the music which she keeps hearing next door is waking her up and she doesn’t know why.
Join Luka and Jess as they discover life after heartache, how to forgive and how to live and love again.
*Entrapped is an 18+ Contemporary Romance with several graphic sex scenes*

Goodreads:Goodreads: Entrapped

Amazon: Amazon UK

Book Cover

My review:

Well this was a surprise. I agreed to join Netherlands Blog Tour for Entrapped and thought it was a contemporary romance, which it is, but I didn’t realise that it was an 18+ novel with several graphic sex scenes.

What I was looking for in this novel was plot, storyline, interesting characters as well as sizzling sexual chemistry and I have to say I wasn’t disappointed.

So if you like your contemporary romance on the sexy, graphic side THIS IS FOR YOU.

This novel wasn’t smutty, or lewd. It was utterly, deliciously sensuous and the message conveyed was very much about our human desire for physical, as well as companionable love.

My other observation is I absolutely  LOVED the musical aspect to it. It was so enticing – the cello – and the man! No wonder she was enthralled. Who could resist such a sexy combination?

I couldn’t help but ogle the cover art. Isn’t that cover wonderful?

The story follows Jess’s initial reluctance to get involved with another guy – Luka – after her previous boyfriend finishes with her because of her depression. Luka and Jess are insanely attracted to each other and readers will be glad to know that they can’t resist each other for long!

I liked how Claire Ayres touched on depression and how debilitating this can be. Entrapped didn’t dwell on this topic too much – I reckon that would have dragged the narrative down and would have made the tone of the novel too serious. So, Claire Ayres handled this well.

This is not a novel to read at bedtime if you want to fall sleep!

Overall, it was a sizzling debut read that I devoured very quickly. It certainly wasn’t boring!

Recommended for those who like their contemporary romance on the 18+ with graphic sex scenes, side.

My rating:   4 stars. 

Goodreads: Entrapped

 

 

Musical Hope – The Inspiration

Ask most authors what made them want to write and they will say they always wanted to write. For me that’s not true, I’ve always enjoyed writing and have always been good at it, but my creative passion originally lay elsewhere. I took inspiration from that dream when planning my musical hope series.

As a teenager I was determined to become a professional musician, I was being classically trained in several instruments starting with the cello which features in book one and two of this series, moving onto the clarinet which will feature in book three and finally I played the saxophone. In addition I wrote music and I sang.  My dream was to attend the Royal College of Music and train as a musician, ultimately, I wanted to be a composer. Still writing just a different type of writing.

My love affair with music came to an unfortunate end the combination of diagnosed bipolar and a pushy teacher colliding with my GCSE’s left me feeling the most anxious I have ever felt at the prospect of picking up an instrument or a pen to write music. To this day I have not played another piece of music or ever written anything else.

But I’ve never stopped loving music, I absorb  music like a sponge and have spent the majority of my life around music, albeit heavy metal. Working as a freelance music journalist for many years and writing about the music I love. I also attend classical concerts regularly, unable to let go of the music which had my heart from the beginning and that is where we pick up my story about this book series because it was at such a concert one evening that it all came together.

I had gone to see the London Philharmonic play The Planets in full (very good I recommend it) and while I was sat there absorbed in the music and watching the musicians I became caught up wondering what their personal lives are like and what my life would have been like if I had succeeded in achieving my dream. Just like that Musicians Hope was born and Luka my first character in Entrapped started to take shape, a cellist who moves from London to Bristol to escape a bad break up we see him juggle his life in the orchestra and as a passionate musician, with his personal life which is far from simple.

In each book we will spend time with a different musician from the Bristol Symphony Orchestra, and while each story is standalone, they will interweave so that you can see the world growing, characters you know and love coming and going from later books and development of characters you’ve met in earlier books into main characters in the later books.

I may not have become the musician I planned but I am passionate about writing and to put my love of music into fiction in this way has been one of the most inspirational things I’ve ever done. I have so much more planned for the musicians in this orchestra and I can’t wait to continue sharing their story with you.

 

Author Photo

About Claire Ayres:

Claire lives in Bristol, UK and has taken her inspiration from the people and the places she has seen over the years. She always has a book close at hand and devours Fantasy and Romance like some devour chocolate! Claire loves a happily ever after followed by lots of bloody sword-fighting and dangerous dragons! But when writing her debut novel Entrapped drew on her childhood ambition to be a musician and one of the instruments she played and still loves as a centre-point.

Claire is also a passionate mental health advocate who lives with bipolar disorder and has done regular radio interviews and even some TV. She is also a huge heavy metal fan and can regularly be found banging her head at a concert or festival.

Website: https://brizzlelassbooks.com/

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/BrizzleLass

Giveaway

International

1st Prize: Signed copy of Entrapped and a copy of 7th Symphony by Apocalyptica
2nd Prize: eCopy of Entrapped

WordPress users: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/bf633057182/?

Blogger Users: a Rafflecopter giveaway“>a Rafflecopter giveaway
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

Buying Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Entrapped-Musicians-Hope-Book-1-ebook/dp/B07DD6ZJHR/

Have you read Entrapped or intend to grab a copy? I’d recommend that you do!

Feel free to comment below.

Bye for now,

 

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The Curse of Time Book One Bloodstone:

Buy Paperback Book link: http://mybook.to/TheCurseofTime
Unique Selling Point: Unique, Imaginative, ‘Charming, enchanting and richly layered this is purely delightful.’
“This delightful book will appeal to teens and young adults who love stories filled with magical crystals, dark family curses, and mysteries waiting to be solved around every corner. Each chapter leads you on a journey of discovery where Amelina earns the right to use three wizard stones to reset the balance of time and finally break the curse that holds her family hostage. A captivating tale!” – Colleen M. Chesebro (Editor)

My Social Media:
Authors Website: https://mjmallon.com
Collaborative blog: https://sistersofthefey.wordpress.com
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time
Facebook Authors/Bloggers Support Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1829166787333493/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mjmallonauthor/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/
Tumblr: http://mjmallonauthor.tumblr.com/

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#NEWS – Summoning My Superpowers – Writing/Editing The Curse of Time Book Two – Golden Healer.

Hi all,

Some of my more regular blog visitors might have noticed that I haven’t been posting, commentating, engaging in social media, etc, as much recently. This pains me a lot. Sigh. But, sadly this will continue indefinitely while I am writing/editing the second book in the series The Curse of Time. I can’t write, blog, and work  in a demanding full-time job – it is just not possible.

I know that I profess to have magical powers but I am feeling the pinch. My superpowers aren’t holding up well. I am in desperate need of a magic wand to give me energy. Quite by chance I found this in the Botanic Gardens in Cambridge. It’s a bit small but I like the snake-like look to it. The top pic shows its eye well and the bottom one its mouth!

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Abracadabara!!!

So bear with me. Don’t desert me!

I am very excited about the progress of the second book in the series. All I can divulge for now is: expect a cruel rollercoaster ride, a crazy grasshopper who natters incessantly and some seriously odd shadow demons.

Ha ha… my mind works in some crazy ways…

There will be the same cast of characters from book one:  Amelina, Ryder, Esme, The Mirror Girl, The Creature Eruterac, Kyle, Amelina’s friends: Jade, Ilaria and Joselyn plus Shadow the cat, Toby the dog, The Spirit, and of course Amelina’s mum and dad and her dear aunt Karissa…

Yes quite a cast!

Recently I was tagged by Vashti Vega on twitter @VashtiQV who I’d cast as the leads in my book… I chose Tyler Posey, Dakota Fanning, Amanda Seyfried, and Colton Haynes.

 

5 Star Review News

I now have several reviews for The Curse of Time Book One Bloodstone on Goodreads and Amazon. My last two reviews were both five stars which made me do a double happy dance. This has really encouraged me to press on with this series.

Thank you to Galit for this awesome 5 star review: https://coffeennotes.wordpress.com/2018/08/12/book-review-the-curse-of-time-bloodstone1-by-m-j-mallon/
And to Karen for her fantastic 5 star review too: https://mytrainofthoughtson.wordpress.com/2018/07/29/the-curse-of-time-bloodstone-1-by-m-j-mallon-bookreview/

Here’s the link to my goodreads account with all my reviews: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35850797-the-curse-of-time

 

I’ve been featured recently on:

https://lindasbookbag.com/2018/08/14/staying-in-with-m-j-mallon/

https://richarddeescifi.co.uk/the-indie-showcase-presents-marjorie-mallon/

Thank you so much to Linda and Richard for featuring me. Really appreciate it. 🙂 x

What are my other plans?

I will be focussing on writing my reviews on books I am reading – which I love to do! It makes me very happy to read and to share my thoughts with other readers/reviewers. I have several review requests which I have to catch up on and I will be reblogging book-related posts and anything which might be of interest to my readers.

Oh and recently I’ve been on a bit of a winning streak.

I’ve won:

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You can find out more about Awen Thornbur on Lizzie Chantree’s blog here: https://lizziechantree.com/2018/08/23/introducing-awen-thornbur/

And I won:

And I’m the giveaway winner of Carolina’s mystery prize. More news about that to follow. Here is the giveaway winner announcement post: https://yesterdayafter.com/2018/08/22/and-the-giveaway-winner-is/

Yeah, I love that when that happens…

Authors/Bloggers Rainbow Support Club News

Don’t forget to visit our amazing Authors/Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook. This FB club is growing and becoming a thriving community of writers, authors, creatives and book reviewers. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1829166787333493/

Do come and join us. I’ve been sharing our hashtag: #ABRSC on twitter so if you see it doing its rounds I would be thrilled if you could retweet and spread the word.

 

So happy weekend dearest readers. Time to get back to summoning my inner powers…

Where has that wretched wand snaked off to?

Bye

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Buying Link: http://mybook.to/TheCurseofTime

Social Media:
Authors Media Kit: https://mjmallon.com/2018/02/13/media-kit/
Collaborative blog: https://sistersofthefey.wordpress.com
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time
Facebook Author page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1829166787333493/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mjmallonauthor/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/
Tumblr: http://mjmallonauthor.tumblr.com/

 

 

 

 

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#Bookreview Godsgrave (The Nevernight Chronicle #2) – Jay Kristoff

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Goodreads Synopsis
A ruthless young assassin continues her journey for revenge in this new epic fantasy from New York Times bestselling author Jay Kristoff.

Assassin Mia Corvere has found her place among the Blades of Our Lady of Blessed Murder, but many in the Red Church ministry think she’s far from earned it. Plying her bloody trade in a backwater of the Republic, she’s no closer to ending Consul Scaeva and Cardinal Duomo, or avenging her familia. And after a deadly confrontation with an old enemy, Mia begins to suspect the motives of the Red Church itself.

When it’s announced that Scaeva and Duomo will be making a rare public appearance at the conclusion of the grand games in Godsgrave, Mia defies the Church and sells herself to a gladiatorial collegium for a chance to finally end them. Upon the sands of the arena, Mia finds new allies, bitter rivals, and more questions about her strange affinity for the shadows. But as conspiracies unfold within the collegium walls, and the body count rises, Mia will be forced to choose between loyalty and revenge, and uncover a secret that could change the very face of her world.

Set in the world of Nevernight, which Publishers Weekly called “absorbing in its complexity and bold in its bloodiness,” Godsgrave will continue to thrill and satisfy fantasy fans everywhere.

My review

Wow. What an amazing read. How did Jay Kristoff manage to write such an incredible sequel to the first book in the series: Nevernight? He must be a demon. I spent most of it swearing about how amazing Jay Kristoff’s writing is and wishing I could crawl into his writer’s brain and feast on his mind for a day. Oh, one can dream. Fantastic characters, amazing plot, pulse racing excitement, entrancing sexy bits – murder plus sex, and did a certain someone give into the raging urges of her bisexual side?

Godsgrave has it all.

Passion, bravery, dark quips of humour, fantastic usage of unique phrases like: ‘byss and blood,’  and merciless death – what a combination. The twists at the end were crazy and I’m still reeling from them. Jay Kristoff had so many unexpected tricks up his sleeve. My poor wee brain couldn’t keep up.

It’s strange how much I love this blood-thirsty assassin story so much. It surprises me – perhaps it’s the Scorpio in me. The passionate sting in my tail is hidden but it’s there!

This series has captured my heart and soul because:

I adore character driven stories. Mia is such a well-crafted heroine. The reader can’t help but adore her even though she is a merciless killer. The violence is vindicated because she has been through hell. This isn’t just about a raging psychopath killing for the sake of it. She has a purpose – to avenge her family –  and the reader longs for her to find love,  and happiness and to succeed.

The subsidiary characters are beyond awesome and the shadow cat and dog are hysterical. I love their back and forth banter.

In the second book I particularly enjoyed Mia’s character arc – how she became more thoughtful, questioning her actions and the friendships she made whilst holding on to, and keeping sight of her ultimate goal.

My recommendation – read this series. It’s a must if you are a YA author. It’s a must for wannabe authors too.  But it should carry a health warning for writers. You will swear.  Loudly. And be very jealous. 

Beware – if you’re squeamish about blood and gore this might not be for you – think arenas of death and Gladiator. And I’d suggest this is not for the tender eyes of younger readers due to the graphic sexual content and violence.  

Conclusion: Welcome to my writer’s bible!

Jay Kristoff is undoubtedly my favourite author, no question. If I could give him six stars I would.

Love ya Jay!

Have you read The Nevernight Chronicle? And if not, why not?

Author’s website: https://jaykristoff.com/

My review link to Nevernighthttps://mjmallon.com/2018/03/03/review-of-nevernight-by-jay-kristoff/

Till the next time droogs … Don’t let my quiet persona fool you…

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M J Mallon _ YA Author

Buy Paperback Book link: http://mybook.to/TheCurseofTime
Unique Selling Point: Unique, Imaginative, ‘Charming, enchanting and richly layered this is purely delightful.’
“This delightful book will appeal to teens and young adults who love stories filled with magical crystals, dark family curses, and mysteries waiting to be solved around every corner. Each chapter leads you on a journey of discovery where Amelina earns the right to use three wizard stones to reset the balance of time and finally break the curse that holds her family hostage. A captivating tale!” – Colleen M. Chesebro (Editor)

Social Media:
Authors Media Kit: https://mjmallon.com/2018/02/13/media-kit/
Collaborative blog: https://sistersofthefey.wordpress.com
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time
Facebook Authors/Bloggers Support Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1829166787333493/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mjmallonauthor/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/
Tumblr: http://mjmallonauthor.tumblr.com/

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