My Tanka for Colleen’s Weekly Poetry Challenge which I have posted on our new blogging collaboration, The Sisters of The Fey.
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.
49 Days In 1988: Week 4: Too Many Broken Hearts
Hugh’s wonderfully entertaining music and story feature continues with guest Charli Mill’s song choice Betty Davis Eyes – version by Kim Carnes. I was so honoured to be Hugh’s first guest. Pop over to visit all the week’s guests you won’t be disappointed. Hugh is a wonderfully inventive storyteller and a fantastic host.
Share this:
The Magnificent Bloodstone Crystal
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.
Share this:
Colleen’s Weekly #Tanka Tuesday #Poetry Challenge No. 68, “Myth & Write,” #SynonymsOnly
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
Share this:
Looking To Increase Your Social Media Following?
A fantastic opportunity to increase your social media following via Hugh Roberts. Pop over to his blog to join the Social Media Link party!
Share this:
It is that time of year again – Smorgasbord Blog Sitters required – Part-time vacancy 15th – 20th February
Thrilled to be blog sitting Sally Cronin’s blog for a few days in February. Reblogged so that others can help Sally out whilst she is on holiday.
Share this:
#ABRSC review of The Fall of Lilith by Vashti Quiroz-Vega
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
Share this:
Tips for the New Goodreads Giveaways
Excellent advice from Chris McMullen about hosting a Goodreads giveaway.
GOODREADS GIVEAWAYS
As you may have heard, Goodreads Giveaways have changed.
- One change is that KDP authors can now give eBooks away.
- Another change is that it now costs money to create a Goodreads giveaway.
If you’d like to learn more about these recent changes to the Goodreads giveaway program, click here to read my recent article about it.
In my current post, I will offer some tips for making the most of it.
EXPLORING THE GIVEAWAYS
First off, there is the question of how readers will find your giveaway. It’s worth exploring the giveaways as a reader would before you proceed to create a giveaway as an author. This will give you some insight into the process.
Unfortunately, when I visit the homepage at www.goodreads.com, I don’t see any mention of the giveaways there. But that’s okay. Experience shows that thousands of readers already know where to find…
View original post 2,674 more words
Share this:
Prologues – with hindsight
A fascinating post about prologues, from Jessica Norrie. Particularly as there is one in my novel! Apparently some folks don’t like them. I recommend reading this thoughtful article to discover the do’s and don’ts of prologues.
Browsing my favourite fiction authors, what do Helen Dunmore, Elena Ferrante, Zadie Smith, Margaret Forster and Kazuo Ishiguro (sometimes) do, that Margaret Atwood, Ian McKewan, Rose Tremain and Kazuo Ishiguro (sometimes) don’t?
Clue: It was good enough for Chaucer and (sometimes) Shakespeare, but has a reputation as a turn-off in submissions to agents and publishers. At the Guardian Masterclass I attended, the invited agent said: “Never send me a submission with a prologue!” And here are two more, quoted on the Writer’s Digest:
“I’m not a fan of prologues, preferring to find myself in the midst of a moving plot on page one rather than being kept outside of it, or eased into it.”
“Damn the prologue, full speed ahead!”
In the Facebook group Book Connectors the thread “Do you read the prologue?” has given me a blog theme for the second week running. (Thanks!) It’s turned…
View original post 1,334 more words
Share this:
Colleen’s Weekly #Tanka Tuesday #Poetry Challenge No. 66: DESTINATION & GUIDE (#SynonymsOnly)
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
M J Mallon YA Author and Poet 