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#RRBC #RWISA Review: Conflict by Eric Halpenny

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I chose “CONFLICT” by Eric Halpenny (RWISA Member) as my #RRBC June Book of The Month.

https://kyrosmagica.wordpress.com/2018/06/07/rrbc-june-books-of-the-month/

Goodreads Synopsis:

The Canadian army was widely viewed to be one of the finest fighting forces in WWI, acclaimed by friend and foe alike. However, historical figures and newspaper articles do little to illuminate the true nature of war. For that, one must see through the eyes of those that fought the war. One must stand in their shoes, sleep with their dreams, and shudder at their fears. This venture into the fictional lives of John and Greg attempts to offer that experience. Bound by friendship, these young warriors embark on a journey of trial and tragedy in Conflict, a 20th Century historical fiction. They face death, loss, and grief as compatriots fall in battle and hopes of glory die with them.

Review:

I don’t normally read war novels/short stories but I made an exception after I sneaked a peek in the look inside feature of Conflict on Amazon.

I loved how Eric Halpenny used quotes and/or poetry from Wilfred Owen, General Horace Smith-Dorrien, Major John McCrae, Sir Robert Borden, Kaiser Wilhelm II, memoirs of David Lloyd George, excerpts, war diary entries, military songs and letters from real and fictional soldiers in the novel, giving the narrative a very human feel.

This is a powerful WW1 short story about two fictional characters, Greg and John as they  ‘leave boyhood and childishness, naivety and innocence, behind,’  to join with the brotherhood of men in war. Chronicling their heroic journey through the living hell of  WW1.  There are many aspects of the novel that moved me, thoughts expressed about: the young soldier’s naivety, the building of trust, endless suffering, (even the weather became an enemy,) patriotism, and the futility of war.

Greg’s experience of being haunted by a German that he killed at close quarters provides a stark, disturbing reminder that the enemy is human, has a face, a life, friends and family .

Conflict is an exceptionally riveting read, evoking strong emotions. I read it in one setting, in one morning.

The ending is so sad and so true to life. You will have to read  Conflict to see what I mean!

Highly recommended for everyone! Even if you don’t normally read war novels/short stories.

My rating 4.5 stars.

Have you read Conflict? I’d love to hear your views on it if you have…

Link to Eric Halpenny’s blog: https://www.erichalpenny.com/books/

Link to: Eric Halpenny’s Amazon Page

I have written in excess of 100 book reviews on my blog of independent and traditionally published authors:

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

N – Z List https://kyrosmagica.wordpress.com/2016/11/27/my-kyrosmagica-reviews-n-z/
M J Mallon _ YA Author

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Buy Book: myBook.to/TheCurseofTime

Social Media:
Authors Website: https://kyrosmagica.wordpress.com
Collaborative blog: https://sistersofthefey.wordpress.com
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time
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20 Questions Book Tag

 

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I came across the 20 Questions Book Tag via Jenny’ s blog and thought I’d join in.

Here’s the link to her post: https://jennyinneverland.com/2018/06/04/20-questions-book-tag/

And here are the questions:

How many books is too many books in a series?

It amuses me to admit this but I’m really bad at reading books in a series. Shocking really as I am writing a series myself! I have to LOVE them a lot to do so!

How do you feel about cliffhangers?

I love a good cliffhanger. It gets the old pulse going so that’s got to be a wonderful thing!

Hard copy or paperback?

A paperback. It’s easier to store, more forgiving and lightweight for taking on the bus or reading by the beach! I so wish I was away on some exotic, foreign holiday… Sigh…

Favourite book?

I have fifty-eight books on my favourite list on Goodreads!

Here are some of my 4/5 star favs: Caraval by Stephanie Garber, Nevernight by Jay Kristoff,  I Let  You Go, I See You by Clare Macintosh, I Am Malala, Malala Yousafzai, (memoir,) In Order to Live A North Korean Girl’s Journey to Freedom by Yeonmi Park, Simon Vs. The Homosapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli, I’ll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson, The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller, The Gift of Rain by Tan Twan Eng, A Tale For The Time Being by Ruth Ozeki, The Book Thief by Markus Zuzak.

Least favourite book?

I like to focus on what I like and love rather than on what I don’t.

Love triangles, yes or no?

Yes, if the love triangle is well-written. I enjoy reading romance from time-to-time so I wouldn’t say no to an exciting love triangle!

The most recent book you just couldn’t finish?

I always finish books and sometimes I am surprised when I realise just how much I enjoyed them when I might have started off uncertain.

A book you’re currently reading?

I’m reading two at the moment!  Charli Mills – The Congress of Rough Writers: Flash Fiction Anthology Vol. 1 (Congress of the Rough Writers Flash Fiction Anthology) and Matt Haig’s How To Stop Time.

Last book you recommended to someone?

A book of poetry by Annette Rochelle Aben – A Haiku Perspective. Here’s the link to my review: https://mjmallon.com/2018/05/24/book-review-a-haiku-perspective-2018-annette-rochelle-aben/

Oldest book you’ve read?

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde 1890 closely followed by Dracula, published 1897.

The newest book you’ve read?

I’ve just finished reading an ARC of Lizzie Chantree’s If You Love Me I’m Yours which I will be reviewing as part of her blog tour. So that fits the newest book category! It’s a very sweet romance and the characters are fantastic. Really enjoying it!

Favourite author?

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Oh difficult. I read Nevernight by Jay Kristoff recently and was blown away. Here’s the link to my review: https://mjmallon.com/2018/03/03/review-of-nevernight-by-jay-kristoff/

Buying books or borrowing books?

Both! I love to buy books when I can afford to but the library is a great option. Or, pinching YA off my eldest daughter’s overflowing book shelf when I’m short of cash.

A book you dislike that everyone seems to like?

Don’t know. Can’t think of one.

Bookmarks or dogears?

I tend to use bookmarks, or whatever I can get my hands on to mark where I’ve read to. A receipt, a piece of paper, anything!

A book you can always re-read

Poetry books are great to re-read, or memoirs because you can pick up something extra on that second, or third reading.

Can you read whilst hearing music?

If the music is on low that would be okay. But, in our house my hubby blasts loud rock music most of the time so probably not in that case!

One POV or multiple POV’s?

I don’t mind either as long as it is done well.

Do you read a book in one sitting or over multiple days?

Over multiple days as I am a slow reader and also find it difficult to find the time. I would love more opportunities to read. I have been known to peek at a book whilst ironing or cooking! Luckily, I haven’t burnt the clothes or the food yet…

One book you read because of the cover

I love a beautiful cover but the book itself has to be great for me to want to read it. I loved The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton and the cover persuaded me to buy the book!

To see more about my enthusiasm for books do pop over to my Goodreads account: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon

If you’d like to join in the Book Tag please do. It’s been fun. I haven’t done one of these for ages.

I’d like to invite some of the Bloggers Bash guests that I met this year, (some albeit briefly, plus some old pals who I have met many times before,) who I think may enjoy doing a book tag.

Don’t feel obliged to join in. It’s up to you!

Ritu: https://butismileanyway.com/ Zoe: zooloobookblog.co.uk/, Willow: https://willowdot21.wordpress.com/

Barb: www.barbtaub.com,  Jo and Isla: http://www.joandisalovebooks.blog/,

Linda: https://lindasbookbag.com/,  Jemima: http://jemimapett.com/,

Sam: http://lovingthefiftysomething.com/,    Sheila: www.scskillman.com/,

Deborah:  https://deborahjayauthor.com

And anyone one else – who’d like to join in, please do! Sisters of The Fey?

Perhaps, Annika might like to? https://annikaperry.com/

Please note: When you leave a comment on this blog WordPress will automatically store your gravatar name, IP Address, comment, and email address. Therefore, leaving a comment is considered a definite intention, as defined by the GDPR giving me consent to store this information, and permission to contact you in the future.

 

If for whatever reason you do not consent to the above, please don’t leave a comment on my blog. Full GDPR Privacy and Compliance details: https://mjmallon.com/2018/05/20/privacy-and-gdpr-compliance/

 

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Buy Book: myBook.to/TheCurseofTime

Authors Website: https://mjmallon.com
Collaborative blog: https://sistersofthefey.wordpress.com
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time

 

 

 

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Facebook Authors/Bloggers Support Group #ABRSC:
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Meet The Bloggers Who Attended The 2018 Bloggers Bash

Hugh’s done a fantastic job of the video of The Bloggers Bash in London. Sit back, relax and enjoy.

My Interview With Author MJ Mallon

Thank you to Carolina Russo, the amazing artist who created portraits of my characters Esme and The Creature for this beautifully presented author interview on her blog. Pop over to read my answers to her lovely questions.

Carolina Russo | Sa’Reyah's avatarCarolina Russo |Sa'Reyah

The Curse Of Time One Bloodstone ©MJ Mallon – Illustrations ©CarolinaRusso


My Interview With Author MJ MALLON

Author MJ Mallon

Today post is my interview to British Author MJ Mallon, a nice way to get to know her and  discover her latest work, the new released book  “The Curse of Time #1 Bloodstone”  I am very happy to introduce you with MJ Mallon,  she is a debut author and blogger, her interests include writing, photography, poetry, and alternative therapies. MJ write Fantasy YA, and middle grade fiction as well as micropoetry – haiku and tanka.
Some of you that follows my Blog remember one of my latest posts:   “Characters Illustration – A Collaboration with Author MJ Mallon”  where I was announcing my artistic collaboration with Marje Mallon.  We had a wonderful collaboration together .

Today post is my interview to MJ, a nice way to get to know her…

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Winners Of The 2018 Bloggers Bash Blog Post Competition

Thanks to Hugh for putting together this post about the winners of The Bloggers Bash Writing Competition. Well done to us all, and special thanks to the judges and committee members for making The Bash such a wonderful annual event. 🙂 x

Privacy and GDPR Compliance

This is a short post regarding GDPR which came into effect on May 25, 2018.

Any cookies on my website are used to ensure normal website functions. These cookies cannot be switched off because the website wouldn’t function properly without them. However, it is my understanding that these identifiers do not store any personal data.

When you leave a comment on this blog WordPress will automatically store your gravatar name, IP Address, comment, and email address. Therefore, leaving a comment is considered a definite intention, as defined by the GDPR giving me consent to store this information, and permission to contact you in the future.

But please rest assured that your personal information will not be sold or shared with any third parties under any circumstances. If you wish me to remove your data for any reason please get in touch.

If for whatever reason you do not consent to the above, please don’t leave a comment on my blog, or join my newsletter or sign up via google tours for blog tours.

If necessary I might amend this policy in the future. Therefore don’t forget to pop back and check this page from time to time to see any changes that might have occurred.

I am no longer an Amazon Affiliate but if I do decide to do this again I will clearly state so on this privacy page.

I will be adding helpful links re – GDPR below to assist people:

https://dgkayewriter.com/important-notice-gdpr-effect-25-2018-blog-ready/
GDPR – How it Affects Authors in 2018 – With FREE Privacy Policy Template

http://nicholasrossis.me/2018/05/15/gdpr-and-authors-what-you-need-to-know/

https://www.codeinwp.com/blog/complete-wordpress-gdpr-guide/

A humorous take on GDPR via Charli Mills: https://carrotranch.com/2018/05/23/raw-literature-cake-cookies/

Meeting Your Online Blogging Friend In Real Life – The Key Stages #BlogBash @BloggersBash #Bloggers

It’s nearly time for the bloggers bash! What’s it like to meet your blogging pals in person? Lucy with her take on it all including squeals!

Don’t throw out the baby! Why #Amazon doesn’t want your #BookReviews

Please share widely. Reviewers aren’t able to review on Amazon unless they’ve spent 40 pounds! This is outrageous. I for one have lost reviews because of it. Not all reviewers have the funds to spend so much on Amazon and often they are unlikely to spend that amount as they tend to be given free books in exchange for a review! UGH…

barbtaub's avatarBarb Taub

An open letter to Amazon:

Dear Amazon,

I should be your Holy Grail. I’m the real deal, an actual reader who goes through books carefully, thinks about what they mean and how they’re written, and then writes a considered, thoughtful, and hopefully helpful analysis—in other words, I’m a book reviewer.

Writers, potential customers, publishers, and oh yes—you, Amazon—should be jumping for joy and giving thanks that I’ve taken hours to read and yet more hours to craft reviews for hundreds of books. Instead, Amazon, you’ve decided to punish reviewers like me.

In the name of discouraging “fake” reviews, your new policy requires reviewers like me to spend $50 on Amazon’s US site and even more, £40 on Amazon UK before I can share my review. Have you thought about other solutions, or the effect this will have on legitimate reviewers?

Amazon has figured out how to conduct millions of legitimate…

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