49 Days In 1988. Week 1: Dinner With Death

Thank you to Hugh for featuring me in the first of his new series of stories, music and features on his blog.

#ABRSC Review of Ninja School Mum

20171210_092729

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.

unnamed

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://kyrosmagica.wordpress.com/2017/03/18/author-spotlight-lizzie-chantree/

Happy reading,

 

I review lots!!! For more reviews follow the links below:

https://kyrosmagica.wordpress.com/2015/09/28/a-m-of-my-book-reviews/

https://kyrosmagica.wordpress.com/2016/11/27/my-kyrosmagica-reviews-n-z/

untitled

Bye for now,

http___signatures.mylivesignature.com_54494_373_07053E7D9657CC81851243011100E58F

 

 

 

My social media links:

25437149_1520191521434349_1574510664_n

Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club/

Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time

Instagram

Goodreads

Facebook

Tumblr

 

 

 

 

 

Colleen’s Weekly #Tanka Tuesday #Poetry Challenge No. 65: AMBITION & CHANGE (#SynonymsOnly)

untitled

This week’s prompt words from Colleen – ambition and change really attracted me. My youngest is going through quite a lot of impending changes at the moment. She plans to go to University in September to study Fashion Management,  and I am so excited for her. Also my husband and I are considering plans in the not too distant future to move abroad, not definite yet, but we are talking about it! Change is exciting but it is also scary too. But, you’ll never know how new challenges will develop unless you give them a try. So that is going to be my motto for 2018. Try new things, be adventurous!

To join in with Colleen’s poetry challenge follow the link:

https://colleenchesebro.com/2018/01/02/colleens-weekly-tanka-tuesday-poetry-challenge-no-65-ambition-change-synonymsonly/

So here is my Tanka using the synonyms, aspiration for ambition, and transform for change.

An aspiration,To study, seek adventure, A huge opportunity, Scary too, fashionista's!Transform, my little d

I am including the following short extract from The Curse of Time – Bloodstone – Book 1 in which the main character Amelina considers how someone you’ve just met – Ryder – can seem to change at an alarming rate. And yet, that person captivates you into wanting more of that dark, dangerous charisma!

Every nerve ending in my body flooded with a multitude of emotions until I felt like a quivering mound of nervous, trembling jelly. Taking deep soothing breaths, I reached for my headphones to shut out this horrible, senseless world. I craved ear-piercing rock, a vault of high adrenalin noise. That would be sure to do the trick.
I turned up the sound and relaxed, lying in my bed. My thoughts returned to Ryder. What did I know about him? He had appeared as a stranger and then surprised me by coming to my rescue. He had scared those creepy boys off. I had to admit that I didn’t understand him or them either. His personality had switched. One moment he’d been all smiles and then boom, he’d changed, a scary intensity erupting out of those incredible eyes. I imagined his face staring at me again. He had a mysterious power in him that much I could see, so much so, that even the ground beneath his feet responded to him.
I remembered that Ryder had introduced himself to me but hadn’t bothered to ask my name. I scratched my head in puzzlement. Yet he knew who I was. Somehow, he knew those boys’ names too. It struck me as strange and unsettling. But one thing I knew for sure I experienced a trickle of life flowing in my veins. This sensation had long been missing from my life. It heralded an awakening, and I shivered in delight. I felt excited, confused, and more than a little scared. But I felt alive.
I experienced this magnetic pull of some hidden power that drew me towards him. With little difficulty, I realised he was a secret I would be wise to keep to myself. Mum and Dad would go mad if I mentioned that I’d met him down the river pathway. Hero or Prince, they wouldn’t understand. Besides, the possibility of keeping dark and mysterious secrets appealed to me. They were the best, most wicked kind.

 

Hope you enjoyed the extract. Feel free to comment below I love receiving feedback from you all.

Hope your 2018 started off better than mine did! I’ve been a bit poorly so apologies for the late message to wish you a very Happy, and Healthy New Year! xx

bitmoji377305635

http___signatures.mylivesignature.com_54494_373_07053E7D9657CC81851243011100E58F

 

My Social Media Links:
Fellow Administrators of our Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club #ABRSC on Facebook, myself, my good friends, Colleen Chesebro, and Debby Gies.

25437149_1520191521434349_1574510664_n

Authors/Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook

Goodreads #ABRSC Read and Review

Goodreads

Facebook

Tumblr

All-Around Best of Show

Congratulations to Diana Peach for being awarded All Around Best of Show in the #FFRodeo at Charli Mill’s Carrot Ranch Literary Community.

The Diverse Verse 3 poetry anthology is now open for submissions

There is still time to enter your poem in the Diverse Verse 3 poetry collection. Closing date: 31st December.

#SundayBlogShare A Christmas Thought – Hoping for Ordinary Kindness and Love This Year

 

Untitled design

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and all the best for a Happy New year.

I’d like to spare a thought this Christmas for all those who are lonely, or devastated by terrible news. Not everyone is surrounded by family and friends at Christmas. Perhaps someone you know will be at home eating baked beans alone. I know someone who is. His partner works shifts as a hospice carer, she will be working Christmas day, so he will be alone. Fortunately, they are having their celebration the day after on Boxing Day with a big family get together.

My heart goes out to my daughter’s friend this Christmas. Her mum is terminally ill with cancer and will not live much longer. I feel for her and her brother who are overwhelmed with much responsibility and sadness at such a young age. To add to their plight their parents are separated and they are young adults living alone.

Reflecting upon these overwhelming emotions are perhaps one of the reasons why I became a writer – to express those emotions that are not always easy to understand or to live with. Life can be cruel, but it can also be wonderful.  So, I am going to spare a kind thought for her family this Christmas, and hope she finds the strength to deal with the ordeal that will surely follow. From what my daughter has told me she is a resourceful, admirable young woman, and I am sure her mother would be so proud of all she is doing.

2017 hasn’t been the best of years, has it?

There has been much senseless violence, sadness and loss of life, but I discovered a wonderful tweet from one of my writing hero’s: Stephen King which lifted my spirits …

Let’s hope that 2018 is a better year and that ordinary kindness and love will prevail.

Do enjoy the festivities, smile a lot, drink and be merry for life is short, but make it sweet.

I will be taking a bit of blogging break for a few days but I’ll be back in the New Year.

Much love, xxxx

 

bitmoji555953912

http___signatures.mylivesignature.com_54494_373_07053E7D9657CC81851243011100E58F

#SundayBlogShare Writespiration #146 52 Weeks in 52 Words Week 51

untitled

I haven’t had much chance recently to have time for writing. Oh, that makes me so sad!  So I thought it would be nice to have a go at Sacha Black’s Writespiration  by writing a story in just 52 words.

The prompt – Write about the night you spent in a cemetery really got me thinking…

This is my entry… Be prepared … this ended up being definitely in the horror/dark humour genre!

Marti and I didn’t want to appear chicken, so we accepted a dare  – A night in a cemetery, alone, partying with the dead. Nothing creepy happened or so we thought, until I awoke with a freshly dug grave next to me with the inscription: Dig Marti out quick, if you dare, Chicken.

© M J Mallon 2017. All Rights Reserved

To join in Sacha’s Writespiration follow the link below:

https://sachablack.co.uk/2017/12/20/writespiration-146-52-weeks-in-52-words-week-51/

Sorry that wasn’t very Christmassy! Lol… I did get my writing analysed ages ago and it said I wrote like Stephen King  (I wish! So this is just my tribute to him!)

Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and Joyful New Year. No walking late at night in cemeteries folks!

Oh, by the way my YA Novel is currently on special offer … on Amazon Kindle.

Christmas Promotion

 

Bye for now,

bitmoji708432289

 

http___signatures.mylivesignature.com_54494_373_07053E7D9657CC81851243011100E58F

My Social Media Links:
Fellow Administrators of our Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club #ABRSC on Facebook, myself, my good friends – Colleen Chesebro and Debby Gies

Author/Blogger Rainbow Support Club on Facebook

Author/Blogger Rainbow Support Club #ABRSC Read and Review – Goodreads

 

25437149_1520191521434349_1574510664_n

Goodreads

Instagram

Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time

Facebook

Tumblr

 

Colleen’s Tanka Tuesday Poetry Challenge no. 63

 

This weeks prompt words from Colleen are cover  and precipitation and the challenge is to use only synonyms. I’ve chosen cloud-burst for precipitation and masquerade for cover.

A cloud burst erupts, Momentary rain shadows,Light illuminates,Ryder's narcissistic eyes,An evident masquerade.

 

This weeks prompt words from Colleen are cover and precipitation and the challenge is to use only synonyms. I’ve chosen cloud-burst for precipitation and masquerade for cover.

And the following is an extract of Puzzle Piece 28: Leanne’s Warning from my YA fantasy novel – The Curse of Time Book 1 – Bloodstone which is currently on special offer price, so grab a copy!!

I knocked and waited to enter. The door creaked open. I took that as my invitation to slip through the opening and breezed inside. As before, my eyes searched out the sparkling crystals, and for a moment I almost forgot why I’d come. I stood motionless, in awe of the surrounding beauty.
In the corner, I spotted Leanne, unpacking new stones that must have recently arrived. As I watched Leanne at work, the crystals freed themselves from her protective hands. They flew across the room, whizzing, creating a trailing rainbow of spectacular light, and sound. In no time at all they found their allotted places, embedding themselves with ease in the walls.
At last, I drew my eyes away from this amazing sight. I turned to face Leanne. ‘I need to speak to you.’
‘What can I help you with?’ replied Leanne, in a dream-like voice.
‘Recently things have been happening that are beyond my usual level of acceptable peculiarity. I wondered if you could help.’
Leanne’s eyes widened, and she nodded her head. I explained about how my new paint set seemed to have a mind and purpose all of its own. I described the strange events that had happened since I used my aunt’s gift. She listened but made no comment.
I stomped my foot and thought I would burst with frustration at her lack of response. ‘Leanne, what shall I do?’
‘Embrace these events.’ Cupping her hands together, fingertips touching, Leanne rocked on her heels. She turned back to her unpacking duties.
‘Whatever do you mean?’ I wailed, shocked at her response.
‘This is happening for a reason. You must not be fearful, Amelina. Welcome, all that’s happening, and the truth of who you are will dawn on you.’
The room was quiet except for the rustling of paper as Leanne unwrapped the remaining crystals. I listened but was unsure what to do next. I walked over to the wall of gems, ensnared once again in the magical beauty they exuded. Three crystals twinkled more brightly than the rest and caught my eye. I carefully removed the Black Obsidian, the Bloodstone, and the Merlinite and weighed each gem in the palm of my hand. An aura of light burst from the stones and encircled me. Each crystal’s field of energy exploded in a kaleidoscope of colour and joined together forming a solid beam of brilliant intensity. I felt an invisible energy force rush through me shooting all the way into my fingers. I glanced down, and my fingertips were glowing, the brightest pink I had ever seen.
I had never felt such raw power. I could tell something beyond my comprehension was taking place. I staggered back, filled with wonder, and my mouth dropped open. The experience made me feel complete as if something elemental had been missing from my life all this time, until now. I had no doubt these crystals were the perfect choice to give me the answers I was seeking.
I stumbled over to Leanne who winced from the brightness of my aura. I gently handed her the gems. She inclined her head and pondered over my selection. ‘Interesting… such a choice of crystals, Amelina. I’m sure these gems will set you on the right path towards discovery.’
The sound of rain falling outside, followed by rumbles of thunder, interrupted my thoughts. The cottage darkened, highlighted only by flashes of lightning. The crystals lining the cottage walls shrank into their protective spaces, their colours dull, seeming to hide from the sudden approaching storm.
Leanne’s face darkened, mirroring the impending storm. Thunder boomed above causing her to pause for a moment before she continued. ‘You must take extra care with these stones, for all three hold immense power. Guard the Wizard Stones, the Black Obsidian, and the Merlinite. Keep them safe, and remember, the power they may unleash could overwhelm you.’
The luminosity surrounding me swirled and intensified. I swallowed and asked my question carefully. ‘How?’
Leanne peered at me from the darkness. ‘These are Wizard stones. She pointed to the gems still cupped in my hand. Used without care they can drive you mad, make you hallucinate, or even provoke seizures.’ Her forehead creased and her eyes blinked as the lightning flashed through the windows. ‘You must protect them from damage, taking particular care to avoid scratches, blows, harsh chemicals and extreme temperature. Cleanse the Bloodstone Crystal if it comes in contact with anyone else.’
‘What happens if I don’t follow your instructions?’
Leanne leaned in close to my face and whispered, ‘The crystals will become impure, open to evil manipulations, wielded by darkness and used by black-hearted, devious souls.’
I whispered back a scared, ‘I promise.’

© M J Mallon 2017. All Rights Reserved

Continue reading Colleen’s Tanka Tuesday Poetry Challenge no. 63

#ABRSC Read and Review – Marcia Meara, K Morris and Bette A. Stevens

Thank you to Robbie for joining in the #ABRSC read and review and reading not one but three great books by authors Bette A Stevens, Marcia Meara, and introducing me to K Morris.

robbiesinspiration's avatarRobbie's inspiration

I don’t know how I have managed to do so much reading lately. I think listening to audio books definitely helps me make good use of my time. I have three more reviews of great books to share before Christmas just in case you are looking for last minute presents.

Swamp Ghosts: Riverbend Book 1 by Marcia Meara

I listened to the audio book of Swamp Ghosts and I really enjoyed both the book and the narrator. The narrator’s voice perfectly complimented the story and really added to my enjoyment of this book.

Maggie Devlin is a beautiful but conflicted woman with a past. She has lived alone, providing for herself by running ecotours from her boat, for a long time. She is independent and she doesn’t get involved with men, particularly men who either work for her or who she works for. That is until Gunnar Wolfe comes into…

View original post 556 more words