Author: Marje @ Kyrosmagica

Hi. Welcome to my blog: M J Mallon - Kyrosmagica Publishing. A blog about magic, books, writing, laughter, and much more! I'm a YA fantasy author, poet and reviewer. My first YA fantasy novel The Curse of Time - Book 1 - Bloodstone is set in Cambridge and Book 2 - Golden Healer is now out too. As well as this, I have contributed to several anthologies, created my own with some amazing international writers, bloggers and creatives during the pandemic: This Is Lockdown and written two poetry collections: Lockdown Innit Poems About Absurdity & Mr. Sagittarius Poetry and Prose. I write book reviews on my blog and on Goodreads, book bub and on my bookstagram. I have a penchant for travel and have relatives in far flung places, Australia, Malaysia, and Singapore, (my birthplace.) I grew up in in Bonnie Scotland, in Edinburgh, and now live in Cambridge. I love sunny, hot places, particularly Rome, Venice, Portugal, Barcelona, and I forgot to mention the sun drenched beaches of the Caribbean, how could I? I am lucky to have been blessed with two lovely daughters and a husband who I fondly refer to in this blog as my black sheep. Family joke! With my passion for travel, culture, beautiful beaches, good food, books, theatre, writing, and humour, I hope to keep you entertained. I'm loving every minute of this creative journey, please join me.

Book Review: #RRBC Son of The Serpent by Vashti Quiroz-Vega

Goodreads Synopsis:

In Son of the Serpent, award-winning author Vashti Quiroz-Vega crafts another fascinating glimpse into the dark, compelling world of fallen angels and demons, revealing more about their untold stories. 

The war in heaven might be over, but the ambitions of the fallen angel Lilith reach far across the roots of history. Will there be a being powerful enough to stop her evil influence before the destruction of mankind? 

Dracúl knows he is the son of Satan, but the rest of his memory has been taken from him. Alone and frightened, he awakens in a forest, beginning a quest to piece together who he is. The world he encounters is cruel, but he yearns to belong and find companionship. With each step he takes, another missing piece of his memory falls into place, revealing a truth that is ever more troubling . . . 

A truth that will turn his quest for meaning into one fueled by the hot-blooded thirst for revenge. A truth that leads him to Lilith, the most wicked and ruthless of fallen angels and one he soon will have every reason to hate. His quest will consume him, perhaps ruin his life, but somehow Dracúl is determined to find both belonging and vengeance—to be good, in spite of his evil nature and the dark secrets that haunt him every step of the way. 

 

My review:

I’m reading this as part of the RRBC (Rave Reviews Book Club) group – an organisation to promote fellow RRBC members by sharing reviews etc. The founder of the group is Nonnie Jones – find more about the group here: https://ravereviewsbynonniejules.wordpress.com

I received my one year membership badge in June but have been so busy that I haven’t had a chance to share it yet! Oh my!

I’m a big fan of Vashti Quiroz-Vega’s dark fantasy angels series. This is the second book and I loved every minute of it, though some dark scenes had me squirming and groaning!

I read Book 1, The Fall of Lilith some time ago and reviewed that too. Here is the link to that review:

https://mjmallon.com/2018/01/20/abrsc-review-of-the-fall-of-lilith-by-vashti-quiroz-vega/

Son of The Serpent can be read as a standalone novel but I would recommend that you read book one and two to follow the story through its many wonderful moments. It is well worth it.

This is for you if you if you are a mature reader who likes dark fantasy with a biblical slant and aren’t put off by shocking aspects such as: Dracul’s mother Lilith inflicting horrible payments to cure loved ones of ailments, plus some vivid and disturbing sexual scenes too.

Highly recommended for the fluency of Vashti Quiroz-Vega’s captivating writing, the breadth of her imagination and engrossing characters.

My rating: 5+ stars plus I am marking as a favourite on Goodreads.

Vashti Quiroz-Vega’s blog: https://vashtiqvega.wordpress.com/

What have you been reading? Have you read Son of the Serpent? Please comment below I’d love your opinion.

 

 

Buy Book: 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 Links

Authors Website: https://mjmallon.com
Collaborative Blog: https://sistersofthefey.wordpress.com
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time
#ABRSC: Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon

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

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

 

 

Another fantasy short story

A lovely gentle tale that I thoroughly enjoyed from Jack Eason. 🙂

Jack Eason's avatarHave We Had Help?

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Gorin’s Last Summer

Since Gemlik the last of the mountain ogres had sacrificed his single eye to save the ancient world from the disease of humanity, peace and harmony among all living things had returned once more.

Gorin, the much loved and respected elder and arbitrator of the dwarf clan, had journeyed north with Tallow the giant eagle and the crystal tool fashioned by Troth, to return it to Gemlik to create the replacement for Troth’s Eye.

Now he felt his remaining time and that of his life giving ancestor oak was fast growing short. Like all living things, the link between the pair meant they were born together, lived and died together as is the natural way of things in the world.

~~~

Gorin stirred from his long winter slumber beneath the warm down-filled covers of his bed, and lifted his weary head from his soft cobweb pillow. He…

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Have you written a novel? It could win Book of the Year

Great opportunity for self published authors

Timothy Pike's avatarWhat Inspires Your Writing?

Learn more about TimHave you self-published a novel? Or are you about to?

If so, I have some exciting news. Your book could win Book of the Year at ChapterBuzz!

This is your chance to get your name and writing in front of thousands of readers, get expert reviews for your book, and even take home the biggest award we’ve ever given: Book of the Year.

And of course, boost your book sales!

As our big winner, you’ll receive a prize package worth over $700:

  • Your smiling face on the cover of Books & Buzz Magazine
  • A feature magazine article about you
  • Promotion for your book in the #1 spot in our Holiday Book-Giving Guide
  • 5,000 ChapterBucks (credits that can be used to help publish your next book)
  • A free, Platinum-level membership to ChapterBuzz for an entire year

Get all the details here. It’s free to enter!

Be sure…

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Colleen’s 2019 Weekly #Tanka Tuesday #Poetry Challenge No. 138 #SynonymsOnly #Haiga

“Clear & Nature” are the synonyms but we can’t use them! Boo hoo… So for clear I chose (clean) and Nature: (character.)

The photo below is taken from my recent trip to Cromer, Norfolk Coast with my hubby.

Mr Seagull’s boat

Seagull’s character

To clean the ocean of boats

And bring them ashore

Haiga:

The haiku is the most important part and must stand alone.

In haiga, it must add something to the reader/viewer’s appreciation of the scene. I hope this works! The photo alone would make you think of a seagull dreaming or looking for his next meal, whereas the haiku makes the seagull do something unusual which he can’t do in reality!

The image can create for the reader/viewer an alternative reading to the one conveyed by a literal reading of the poem.

https://colleenchesebro.com/how-to-create-haiga-poetry/

 

https://colleenchesebro.com/2019/07/30/colleens-2019-weekly-tanka-tuesday-poetry-challenge-no-138-synonymsonly/

Buy Book: 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 Links

Authors Website: https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com
Collaborative Blog: https://sistersofthefey.wordpress.com
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time
#ABRSC: Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon

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

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

July 25: Flash Fiction Challenge

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My submission for Charlie Mill’s flash fiction challenge:

The Crumb’s Obituary

For one day I crave silence.
Your words crush my soul making me weep. Your tongue is bitter, cruel and relentless, it pokes fun at my crawling. I must do as you please, surrendering to your every whim.
‘Look at this,’ you say, scowling.
I move towards it, this lonely crumb which sits on the kitchen surface begging for forgiveness.
‘Oops,’ I respond, trembling.
‘Dear God. You’re multiplying ant – look at the state of this place.’
I step back waiting for him to strike.
Instead, his thumb bears down on the tiny crumb and crushes it to death.

 

To enter or find out more about the challenges follow the link:

https://carrotranch.com/2019/07/25/july-25-flash-fiction-challenge/

 

Buy Book: myBook.to/TheCurseofTime

Social Media Links

Authors Website: https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com
Collaborative Blog: https://sistersofthefey.wordpress.com
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time
#ABRSC: Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon

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

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

 

 

New Release Review: Oath of the Outcast by C. M. Banschbach

Glowing review by Rachael Ritchey of C. M Banschbach’s NA novel Oath of the Outcast #review #giveaway

Rachael Ritchey's avatarRachael Ritchey

It

is

HERE!!!!

I have been looking forward to this book ever since the first time I heard mention of this mysterious Mountain Baron with a rocky past.

Here’s the synopsis (it screams: READ ME!)

A lost brother.
An unwilling outlaw.
A rising enemy.
An unusual alliance.

Years ago, Rhys MacDuffy was brutally cut off from his clan, stripped of his name and inheritance, and banished to the remote Dragon Keep. Perched high above the Shang Pass in the land of Alsaya, he assumed the mantle of the Mountain Baron, serving out his sentence as the overseer of the worst outlaws and outcasts.

But one day he receives a desperate message from the clan who disowned him: MacDuffy’s Seer—his beloved brother—has been taken by their enemies.

With his band of Mountain Brigands and an unwelcome sidekick, Rhys leaves his mountain stronghold to find and rescue his brother. The tide of…

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Streets Ahead Book Promotion- Robbie Cheadle and Kim Blades

This is an awesome group #streetsaheadstreetteam for promotion of indie authors. Stevie Turner is currently doing a shout out to Robbie Cheadle and Kim Blade’s poetry book on her blog.

Stevie Turner's avatarStevie Turner

This week on Streets Ahead we’re promoting  Robbie Cheadle and Kim Blades’ new collection of poems ‘Open a New Door‘.  Anyone can join Streets ahead, just as long as they are prepared to share the current book promotion on at least one of their social media sites.  Anybody not sharing unfortunately will not get their own book promoted.

Open a New Door is a poetic peep into the lives of the poets, Kim Blades and Robbie Cheadle, both of whom live in South Africa.

The book is divided into four categories: God bless Africa, God bless my family and friends, God bless me and God bless corporates and work. Each part is sub-divided into the good, the bad and the ugly of the two poets’ experiences, presented in rhyming verse, free-style, haiku and tanka, in each of these categories and include colourful depictions of their thoughts and emotions.

5…

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