Thank you to Sally for including me and one of my latest reviews in her cafe and bookstore line up with Stevie Turner, Terry Tyler and Phillip Stevens.
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.
#YA #Fantasy #Book #Review – Keepers by Sacha De Black
Goodreads Synopsis:
Saving the world is easy: all Eden has to do is die.
Seventeen-year-old Eden East’s life is perfect… until her soul is bound to her worst nightmare. Then her parents are brutally murdered, and everyone’s a suspect, including her best friend.
As her world spirals out of control, a charismatic Siren, from a past she can’t remember, returns offering help, hope, and a heap of distractions.
Eden must put aside her grief to solve the mystery of her parents’ murder. In a race against time, can she break the binding to her enemy before he destroys her and her world?
Three lives.
Two murdered parents.
One deadly choice.
My Review:
Keepers is the debut YA fantasy novel of Sacha de Black. I enjoyed the premise of the novel – a society that does its utmost to achieve a sense of balance – and found it to be an unusual and highly imaginative idea.
It’s a YA novel with stacks of opportunity to deliver emotional feelings, (the main protagonist Eden East is young and has to cope with a lot.) I won’t divulge too much here for fear of spoiling the novel.
One of Black’s great strengths is her ability to write physical attraction between two individuals so well! Wow, loved those parts! I’d say that Trey was one of my favourite characters in the book. I can imagine him as a very worthy candidate for the title ‘book boyfriend!’ And I really enjoyed Victor too! There is a love triangle of sorts as Eden is bound to Shifter Victor Dark and can’t bare to be, but Victor wants Eden like mad.
There were parts of the story where the author’s ability to write engaging prose, and dialogue took flight and her writing made me go wow, this is amazing. I see great potential in Black’s writing.
What I didn’t like:
A minor point (it may just be me!) There’s a glossary of terms in the front matter which took me out of the story a bit to begin with. I would have liked these terms added individually as short postscripts at the bottom of each relevant page.
My recommendation:
This is a confident debut, with interesting world building and potential for further conflict and interest in book two. Definitely a recommendation.
My rating: 4.5 stars.
To see all my reviews to date follow this link: https://mjmallon.com/category/a-z-book-reviews/
My Hitting The Books Pal wants to know – have you read Keepers? Do leave a comment below with your thoughts.
Happy reading!
Bye for now,
Read all my reviews here: https://mjmallon.com/category/a-z-book-reviews/
Link to Buy My Book on Amazon: myBook.to/TheCurseofTime
Authors Website: https://mjmallon.com
Collaborative blog: https://sistersofthefey.wordpress.com
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and
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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Colleen’s Weekly #Tanka Tuesday #Poetry Challenge No. 81, ENCHANT & SHAPE, #SynonymsOnly
I love visiting the art gallery on Belford Road in Edinburgh, and this tanka is dedicated to this sculpture I saw there in the gardens.
An enchanting face,
Sculpture that sees, smiles and lives,
Art’s favourite place,
Closed nostrils don’t breathe the grass,
Air spells curiosity.
I used hypnotise for enchant, and sculpture for shape.
Here’s the link to Colleen’s weekly challenge:
Hope you enjoyed my Tanka.
Happy writing!
Buy My Book on Amazon : myBook.to/TheCurseofTime
Authors Website: https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.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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How To Make Killer Promo Graphics In Canva
A great post from David Gaughran about making killer promo graphics with Canva.
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Do you know the difference in a prologue and epilogue?
Interesting post about prologues and epilogues via Jeans Writing
And…
How do you know when a story needs one or both?
My current work in progress (WIP) has a short introduction (prologue.) So, I thought doing a little research on the subject might be in order. After all, I do want the reader to read past the first couple of pages. Right?
Here’s what I learned about the two.
- A writer can use both to bookend a novel or use just one.
- A prologue is where you can introduce something important to the story.
- An epilogue is the cherry on top. The ending after the ending.
What I learned about a prologue.
A prologue should include one or all the three elements.
- Setting/fictional world and how the character came to be there.
- Set the stage with a frame of reference for the reader.
- An event key to the story and a character’s response.
- Describe with action and suspense, not just adjectives.
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Colleen’s Weekly #Tanka Tuesday #Poetry Challenge No. 80, GATHER & SOFT, #SynonymsOnly
I received a lovely gift from my dear blogging friend, Samantha Murdoch
It was a lovely letter, a bunch of crystals (amethyst, rose quartz, red jasper, obsidian, carnelian, jade and of course a Bloodstone, as Sam said in her letter, ‘ the piece as featured on the spine of your novel,’ plus two cute cat napkins! Such a wonderful gift.
So, of course what better way to thank her than to write a Tanka!
For gather I shall use collect, and kind for soft.
Couldn’t ask for a better friend, Samantha is such a diamond. 🙂
To join in with Colleen’s weekly Tanka Tuesday do follow the link:
Bye for now, a very happy Saturday to you.
Much love, feeling very blessed to have such lovely friends.
Buy Book: myBook.to/TheCurseofTime
Authors Website: https://kyrosmagica.wordpress.com
Collaborative blog: https://sistersofthefey.wordpress.com
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time
My 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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The Curse of Time Book Blitz: Q&A+Review
A lovely blog tour feature and four star review from The Hufflepuff Nerdette for The Curse of Time. Yeah! @@! Yeah
Hello my little munchkins. Sorry I haven’t been that active. I have been super busy this week and this is literally the only free time I have had all week to do this so I hope you enjoy it and don’t forget to read the interview and enter the giveaway.
I hope you are all doing well.
About Marjorie Mallon:
I am a debut author who has been blogging for three years at my lovely blog home Kyrosmagica: https://mjmallon.com. My interests include writing, photography, poetry, and alternative therapies. I write Fantasy YA, middle grade fiction and micro poetry – haiku and Tanka. I love to read and have written over 100 reviews: https://mjmallon.com/2015/09/28/a-z-of-my-book-reviews/
My alter ego is MJ – Mary Jane from Spiderman. I love superheroes! I was born on the 17th of November in Lion City: Singapore, (a passionate Scorpio, with the Chinese Zodiac sign a lucky rabbit,) second…
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#BlogTour #Giveaway The Curse of Time #1 Bloodstone #ABRSC
My paperback release blog tour continues this week with a fabulous tour organised by Jennifer Marston. Please do support the tour and enter the Rafflecopter giveaway to win a cash prize by visiting the blogs mentioned above in the Tour Schedule. Today, Sunday 22nd April is the last day to enter!!!!
Here are the links to the first two posts:
http://www.jerasjamboree.co.uk/2018/04/ya-fantasy-qa-m-j-mallon-the-curse-of-time.html
https://whatsbetterthanbooks.com/guestpost-curse-of-time-mj-mallon/
and a 4 star review: https://powisamy.blogspot.co.uk/2018/04/blog-tour-curse-of-time-by-marjorie.html
Another excellent review: http://thisnortherngal.co.uk/books-2/review-the-curse-of-time/
Guest author post: https://lynseyjames.wordpress.com/2018/04/18/the-curse-of-time-by-m-j-mallon-guest-post/
Yeah another Book Review: https://anoceanglimmer.wordpress.com/2018/04/19/book-review-the-curse-of-time/
Author interview on Whispering Stories: https://whisperingstories.com/writing-life-marjorie-mallon/
Review: https://wrongsideoffortyuk.wordpress.com/2018/04/20/the-curse-of-time-by-majorie-mallon/
A Q and A and review: https://thehufflepuffnerdette.wordpress.com/2018/04/20/the-curse-of-time-book-blitz-qareview/
An excerpt https://jenniely.com/curse-time-excerpt-blog-tour/
An excerpt: https://libreriabeppe.blogspot.co.uk/2018/04/blog-tour-giveaway-curse-of-time-mj-mallon.html
A wonderful 4 star review from Sarah Louise Blogspot: https://sarahlouisewrites.blogspot.co.uk/2018/04/the-curse-of-time-review.html
https://twitter.com/sljmcgrath/status/988115270446338048
A Q and A post: http://www.littlenovelist.com/blog/blogtour-mjmallon
You can follow the tour via twitter: @NeverlandBT and @Marjorie_Mallon.
A big thank you to all the Author Blogger Rainbow Support Club #ABRSC tour hosts that helped me with the fabulous pre-release and release tour –
Beginning with – keen crystal and cat enthusiast – the lovely Samantha Murdoch who started off the tour with this wonderful review post: https://samanthamurdochblog.wordpress.com/2018/03/30/review-the-curse-of-time-book-one-bloodstone-by-m-j-mallon/
Do pop over to these wonderful blogs to see the posts and to support and acknowledge the work of these wonderful authors, artists, and bloggers.
Carolina Russo: https://yesterdayafter.com/2018/04/02/characters-illustration-a-collaboration-with-author-mj-mallon-1st-stop-blog-tour-abrsc/
Adele Marie Park: https://firefly465.wordpress.com/2018/04/03/blog-tour-the-curse-of-time-book-one-the-bloodstone-by-marjorie-mallon/
Ritu: https://butismileanyway.com/2018/04/04/m-j-mallon-the-curse-of-time-paperback-book-release-blogtour/
Craig Boyack at Lisa Burton Radio: https://coldhandboyack.wordpress.com/2018/04/05/the-curse-of-time-on-lisaburtonradio-2/
Debby Gies: https://dgkayewriter.com/blogtour-marjorie-mallon-celebrating-paperback-release-curse-time/
Sacha Black: https://sachablack.co.uk/2018/04/08/prologues/
Gary Jefferies: https://fictionisfood.com/2018/04/10/author-spotlight-marjorie-mallon/
Colleen Chesebro: https://colleenchesebro.com/2018/04/11/abrsc-blog-tour-the-curse-of-time-bloodstone-book-one-by-m-j-mallon/
Christy Birmingham: https://whenwomeninspire.com/2018/04/12/marjorie-mallon-paperback-the-curse-of-time/
Rachael Ritchey: https://rachaelritchey.com/2018/04/13/mjmallon-interview/
Special thanks to Vashti Vega for hosting me on her blog after having surgery! I had no idea she was about to have a procedure. I do hope she is fighting fit now. Here is the link to her lovely post: https://vashtiqvega.wordpress.com/2018/04/14/blog-tour-the-curse-of-time-by-m-j-mallon/
Thanks for all your kindness supporting a debut author.
Much love,
Logo design by Allie Potts: https://alliepottswrites.com/
Buy Book link: myBook.to/TheCurseofTime
Do come and see our fabulous group on Facebook…
Authors Website: https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com
Collaborative blog: https://sistersofthefey.wordpress.com
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time
My 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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Author Spotlight; Marjorie Mallon
Thank you so much to Gary for the wonderful spotlight as part of my #ABRSC blog tour to celebrate the release of my paperback. Yay!
Amelina, age 15 and wanting a functional home life. A best friend locked inside a mirror, a Crystal Cottage holding answer by invite only and something changing people into shadows of their former selves…
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To prologue or not to prologue that is the question… with @Marjorie_Mallon #Sundayblogshare
Thank you so much to Sacha Black for hosting me on Sunday as part of my on-going Blog Tour for the paperback release of my debut novel – The Curse of Time, Book 1 Bloodstone.
Today I have a wonderful guest on the blog, Marjorie Mallon. I met Marje at the very first ever Bloggers Bash – have you got your ticket yet? Marje has attended every single bash and I am abs…
Source: To prologue or not to prologue that is the question… with @Marjorie_Mallon #Sundayblogshare
M J Mallon YA Author and Poet 