#BlogBattle : Week 22: Time

Well it’s time for another Blog Battle, if you haven’t come across Rachael Ritchey’s  Blog Battles here’s your chance to join in this fun community of writers.

This link will take you to her blog battle page: http://rachaelritchey.com/blogbattle/

The rules are:

Week 22 Theme will be Time

Date to Post: Tuesday, August  11th 2015


Rules:

  1. 1000 words max
  2. fictional tale (or true if you really want)
  3. PG (no more than PG-13) Content – let’s keep this family friendly!
  4. Your story must contain the word(s) from the theme and/or be centered around the theme in a way that shows it is clearly related
  5. Go for the entertainment value!
  6. Post your story by Tuesday 11:59 PM PST
  7. Use the hashtag #BlogBattle when tweeting your story, put a link back to your #BlogBattle Short Story in the comments section of this page, and/or include a link to this page in your own blog post (it creates a “ping-back” which will alert me and our friends to your #BlogBattle post)
  8. Have fun!

Time is such a perfect subject for me, as it is one of the central theme’s in my writing.  This particular #BlogBattle is a continuation from the previous #BlogBattle post Eye. If you’d like to read Eye here’s the link: https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com/2015/08/04/blog-battle-week-21-writing-theme-eye/

It’s an idea for a New Adult novel, I have had to edit some of the content of this to make it more PG friendly! I don’t want to be banned from #BlogBattle but I reckon the final version (if I get round to it!) could be a bit more steamy – any thoughts?

Time’s A Slippery Devil

Time.

Such a slippery and transient devil, one minute it’s on your side the next it’s beyond you slipping past your reach, laughing at your precociousness. Ryder had been Time’s master, but no more. Now he was alone, with no one to control. No scratch that. He had a girl, a  willing conquest, one solitary soul was his. An easy task lay before him, and what better place to hide than the leafy parkland of the University of Falmer in Brighton? Here he could be a shadow without a name, a person without a recognisable face. No one would remember him unless he wanted them to, he could be as fluid as the breeze in the trees. A nowhere man.

His only current regret was his choice of course, he had fancied himself a philosopher but he saw no benefit in discussing the merits of a grain of sand. The only worthy purpose of a grain of sand was its place within a timepiece, capturing a precious minute so perfectly turning life’s longings upside down. Perhaps studying a touch of  poetry and prose would suit him better? He needed to find some new playmates, his current flatmates were a bore. His midnight wanderings had been purposely noisy but had fallen on deaf ears, his distinctive footsteps had cast him as an outsider in his own flat.

His eyes could read the sky, tell the time of day. He smiled, only minutes remained before he had agreed to meet Bethany. He had enjoyed their last encounter. The reminiscence of the feel of her silky skin against his body caused him to smile. She had smelled so meadow fresh, untouched by someone like him. He remembered the moment when she had surrendered, the bitter-sweet light in her eyes drifting to an inky murky black. It had been a fleeting second, one the ordinary eye would have missed but Ryder had flourished in that moment. Thereafter her eyes had lightened turning just a slightly harder, darker shade than they had been before, with a hint of a tiny crystal  caught in them for all eternity. The tiny crystal light within his own eyes smarted at the thought. He had upset its crystal sensibilities, as he often did. He cast aside that thought, willing the crystal to be within the palm of his hand, a powerful force to command rather than a controlling force imprisoned within his sight. The crystal reverberated, a sharp dagger of pain pierced his eyes and tiny crystal tears shed a pathway down his  sculpted cheekbones.

Blinking back strange tears he walked to the campus shop, his long limbs carrying him there within minutes. The crystal tears abated coming to a jagged halt. Bethany was already waiting. In amongst the throng of students, she seemed overlooked but Ryder found her more striking than she had been before. Her eyes gleamed at him like a cats, she dressed to entice, her short skirt making his eyes linger on the shapeliness of her legs. She carried herself with a new-found confidence and freedom. A dare suggested itself in the curve of her lips, a flicker of danger fluttered in her curved eye lashes, and a gleam of naughtiness escaped from her eyes. A buzz of energy circulated throughout Ryder’s body, making his heart pound with unleashed excitement. He longed to entice her into the privacy of his room, but now was not the time. He sighed. He had more pressing matters to attend to. He would introduce this former bookworm to the delights of his room before long that he was sure of.

The canteen was buzzing with students, lunchtime beckoned and everyone seemed to be eating, chatting and drinking. He gestured towards a table in amongst the throng, it didn’t matter where they sat his privacy would always be assured. He didn’t bother to say hello and neither did she, instead he reached out. This reflexive reaction betrayed his desperate need to touch her. He grasped her hand in his, and turned it over as if he was reading her palm. He planted sweet kisses on it, her eyes flickered and she gasped.

“I see you enjoy my kisses, now that we are more acquainted,” he said breaking the silence.

“I do, it’s almost as if my hand can taste the honey-dew of your lips,” she replied. Ryder saw confusion resting in her eyes, her words had betrayed the veiled privacy of her emotions.

“I couldn’t have said it better myself. It’s an ability you will develop but it takes time.”

“Really? You tease me with such wicked promises.”

‘If it’s a tease then it’s a secret one. I’m afraid I can’t reveal my secrets but you will learn your own in your own sweet time.”

“What a delicious thought, I can’t wait.”

“Be patient Bethany, now’s not the time, you must let your power grow slowly, or else ……. in the meantime, I’d like you to make more friends,” Ryder’s eyes darkened, “We need more friends.”

Bethany shivered, “You make it sound so creepy, what do you mean?”

“There are only two of us, see how nobody notices us? Unless we draw attention to ourselves they overlook us, but if we become many, then imagine what we could do.”

A glint of darkness flickered across Bethany’s face, forming a temporary shadow. She shivered again.

Seeing her shivering Ryder pulled her towards him, lifting her off her seat, until she was sitting on his lap.

She smiled, a purring sound escaped from the back of her throat. He stroked her long brown hair.

“It’s fresher’s week, sweet kitten,” he said.

“No it’s not, we’ve already had fresher’s week,” she replied.

“I wasn’t in the mood for it then, but I am now.” His eyes darkened, “So now it’s time for fresher’s week.”

She nodded. “But why?”

“I want to make friends, don’t you?”

She purred.

© Marjorie Mallon 2015 – aka, Kyrosmagica. All Rights Reserved.

I hope you enjoyed my entry for this weeks #Blog Battle. Do leave a comment I’d love to hear your opinion on my latest piece of writing for the #Blog Battle.

kk

Thank you for stopping by.

Marje @ Kyrosmagica xx

 

Ronovan Writes Weekly Haiku Poetry Prompt Challenge # 57

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Ronovan Writes #Weekly #Haiku#PoetryPrompt# Challenge#57 Bust & Must

This week’s prompt words for Ron’s Ronovan Writes Weekly Haiku Poetry Prompt Challenge are bust and must.

There are several meanings for the word bust so I thought I’d explore them and have a bit of fun!

The two prompt words brought to mind my piano teacher, God rest her soul. I feel a bit mean about this one,  she was a lovely chatty lady with one very abundant distinguishing feature. But, she was a good sport and an excellent piano teacher so, I trust she wouldn’t mind if I start off with joke to make you smile.

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Piano Teacher

Must navigate around her

Ample bust on keys

Expressions with the word bust in them –

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He bust his sweet ass

To make a forever perch

Love must always last

Oh, and let’s not forget artists mannequins:

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Such a fine red hat

  A mannequin bust display

Must have gold necklace

or:

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Holiday must see

Clear blue skies sand sculpture bust

Amazing delight

Unfortunately the other day I broke my lovely tea caddy, I was a bit upset about this, but I suppose on the bright side it gives me an excuse to buy a new one! Or who knows maybe a magical tea cup?  I need one of these at the moment, my kitchen renovation is still going on, when will it ever end? Magic wand please come to my rescue!

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Bust my china cup

My only magical brew

Must get a new one.

© Marjorie Mallon 2015 – aka, Kyrosmagica. All Rights Reserved.

Here’s the link to Ronovan Writes Haiku Challenges:

https://ronovanwrites.wordpress.com/2015/08/10/ronovanwrites-weekly-haiku-poetry-prompt-challenge-57-bust-must/

Hope you liked this week’s dose of several haiku, I seem to have got a bit carried away, boy this haiku gets a bit addictive!

I’d love to hear from you please don’t be shy do leave a comment.

kk

Marje @ Kyrosmagica xx

Nick and co at the Para-Tri Triathlon

This is so amazing and heart warming, Sue Vincent’s son competed in the UK acquired brain injury forum Para Tri Triathlon. A must see reblog.

Sue Vincent's avatarSue Vincent's Daily Echo

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Where do I start? It has been the most amazing, incredible, glorious day. The road through Little Kimble had marked a turning point for my son and we drove through the sleepy village with a red kite watching from its perch in a tree beside the road. Any other day I would have stopped and grabbed the camera… today, though, even the kites would wait.

A red kire watches over the event A red kite watches over the event

We had left in good time, so we had taken a short detour via the route Nick had taken the first day he got the trike… and his first real taste of freedom in six years. A month later and we were on our way to the Paralympic venue of Dorney Lake, just outside Windsor.

Calm before the storm... Calm before the storm…

Once there we headed to the registration tent and I finally got to meet the rest of the team…

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The 777 Challenge: Morag’s Mischief and Mayhem

Thank you so much to Vashti Quiroz-Vega author of The Basement for nominating me to take part in the 777 challenge.

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Author Vashti Quiroz-Vega

What is the 777 Writer’s Challenge?

The author/writer must go to the 7th page of a work-in-progress, go to line 7 on that page and share the following 7 sentences. The writer must also invite 7 other writers to take the same challenge.

It seems simple enough but for a writer, sharing a random piece of work, still in progress, is daunting. However, I accept the challenge and I thank Vashti for thinking of me.

Here’s the link to Vashti’s  awesome blog, do check it out she is super friendly and well worth a follow:  https://vashtiqvega.wordpress.com/2015/08/01/777-writers-challenge-the-fall-of-lilith/

I’ve been nominated to do this before so this time I’ll introduce you to  a snippet from my current WIP, a children’s story about a naughty girl called Morag who likes to get into mischief and ruffles the scales of a toy shop dragon. As this is a fantasy the dragon ends up being much more than just a toy dragon! I have entitled the short snippet Morag’s Mischief and Mayhem, hope you like it!

Morag’s Mischief and Mayhem

Morag’s father looked at her in dismay, ‘Oh, that’s awfully naughty, you’ll be in for it!’

Eilidh smirked, “Mother and grandmother will be very angry.”

“Aye and that’s a fact,” said her father eyeing Morag critically.

Morag shrugged and tossed her hair back. The dragon’s eyes watched her angrily, in fact his eyes seemed to glow a deeper red as Morag walked towards the door. Morag could swear that she heard a muffled cry, and the words, ‘I’ll visit you later.’ Her eyes smarted as if the shop had filled with smoke. This time she sensed that she had gone too far. The spirits of her Chinese ancestors were flaming mad!

© Marjorie Mallon 2015 – aka, Kyrosmagica. All Rights Reserved.

My Nominees:

https://esthernewtonblog.wordpress.com/

https://thepaperbutterfly.wordpress.com/

https://princessofthelight.wordpress.com/

http://thewritingchimp.com/

https://butismileanyway.wordpress.com/

https://teagansbooks.wordpress.com/home/

http://julielawford.com/

 

 

Thanks for reading my 777 challenge, hope you enjoyed it.

Do comment I’d love to hear from you.

kk

Marje @ Kyrosmagica xx

 

 

 

How to Use Pinterest to Get Massive Amounts of New Readers (Guest Post)…

Reblogging this excellent article from Janice Wald guest posting on Chris The Story Reading Blog.

Chris The Story Reading Ape's avatarChris The Story Reading Ape's Blog

A reader was confused.

After reading a persuasive blog post about the value of Pinterest, he inquired of the writer, “Is it possible for authors to use Pinterest to get attention to their writing.

I only have one word for this reader and anyone else wondering.

Absolutely!

Pinterest has great value for writers and anyone looking to grow their readership due to the vast amount of people using Pinterest.

More than 60% of all consumers get information visually, by looking at pictures. Pinterest is comprised of these graphics, or pins, displayed on virtual bulletin boards.

The answer for writers looking to use Pinterest to grow their audiences is simple—use Pinterest bulletin boards to get interest in snippets of your writing.

How to Use Pinterest Boards to Create Interest in Your Writing

The diagram below shows a basic plot structure. If you make a Pinterest board for each element of your…

View original post 890 more words

Ronovan Writes #Weekly Haiku Poetry Prompt Challenge # 56 Luck And Hope

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RonovanWrites #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge #56 Luck&Hope

 

This week’s prompt words from Ron are Luck and Hope. Wow what positive and inspiring words, I have a feeling I’m going to enjoy writing this week’s haiku. Luck and hope sound pretty good from my perspective as I have just heard that my friend’s daughter is doing well in hospital, I wrote my previous haiku, no. #55 when I was still very worried about her so it’s good to know that she will soon be at home. Bless her, she’s such a fighter, such a lovely lass, I have so much admiration for her.

So Luck and Hope, this haiku started off on a serious note, as my friend’s daughter has been in a lot of pain so here’s my first Get Well haiku to hope that her pain will soon be a distant memory:

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Get Well Soon

Luck will have its day

Hope’s sweetest hug will triumph

 And pain will depart

 

Now let’s rouse this Get Well message with a bit of  Hakuna Matataing.

My mind works in mysterious ways!

I reckon The Lion King was on my mind after chatting online with Erika at BookVentureland https://errka220.wordpress.com/ about our fondness for this great Disney movie.

If you’ve forgotten the lyrics, shame on you!

Here’s a link to remind you: http://www.metrolyrics.com/hakuna-matata-lyrics-lion-king.html

So here goes, LET’S HAKUNA MATATA,  adding a touch of cheeky haiku luck and hope to the awesomeness of this song.

 

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Let’s Hakuna Matata

A blessing of hope

Let’s Hakuna Matata

 Lucky Worry Free !

 

I’m ending on another humorous note, it was bound to happen after all that Hakuna Matataing.

This one could be humorous if you win at gambling I suppose, but it might be serious if you lose…… So don’t try this Haiku at home folks, not unless you’re willing to part with your hard earned money!

 

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Lucky Dice

Hope’s a Gambler’s friend

Pink champagne and caviar

Roll my lucky dice!

 

© Marjorie Mallon 2015 – aka, Kyrosmagica. All Rights Reserved.

Here’s the link to Ronovan Writes Haiku Challenges: https://ronovanwrites.wordpress.com/category/haiku-prompt-challenge/

Hope you liked this week’s triple dose of haiku. Oh I’m buzzing with all that Hakuna Matataing….

I’d love to hear from you please don’t be shy do leave a comment.

kk

Marje @ Kyrosmagica xx

Meet The Bloggers Who Attended The First Annual #BloggersBash Held In London on August 1st, 2015

Reblog of The Bloggers Bash videos, courtesy of our very own huggable Hugh at Hughs Views and News. A bunch of bloggers talking on video. I sound about ten, well I write for kids so that’s okay I suppose!

Writer’s Quote Wednesday: Twan Eng Tan

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“To have memories, happy or sorrowful, is a blessing, for it shows we have lived our lives without reservation.”
Twan Eng Tan, The Gift of Rain 

 

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This is a fabulous quote from Twan Eng Tan.  I loved The Gift of Rain and would definitely like to read more of Twan Eng Tan’s novels.

Here’s a link to my review of The Gift of Rain: https://kyrosmagica.wordpress.com/2015/04/13/my-kyrosmagica-review-of-the-gift-of-rain-by-tan-twan-eng/

Do I agree with Twan Eng Tan’s quote?

Yes I believe I do, life isn’t a steady uneventful path, there are many difficult and painful things that happen to us along the way that perhaps we would have preferred not to have experienced but these difficulties, and setbacks make us who we are today. Equally those happy, trouble free times are there to remind us that life is truly worth living.

Author’s Bio (Courtesy of Goodreads)

Tan Twan Eng was born in 1972 in Penang, but lived in various places in Malaysia as a child. He studied law at the University of London and later worked as lawyer in one of Kuala Lumpur’s most reputable law firms. He also has a first-dan ranking in aikido and is a strong proponent for the conservation of heritage buildings.

Tan Twan Eng talked about his background, his second novel, and his writing process in a May 2012 interview live-tweeted by BooksLiveSA from a literary festival in Franschhoek, South Africa. His hometown is Penang, Malaysia, and he received a law degree there. He said being a lawyer helped him be organized, disciplined, and meticulous, and that lawyers have to craft stories. While he grew up with Malay, Hokkien, and English spoken at home, the author said he thinks and dreams in English. Currently he writes full time, splitting his time between Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Cape Town, South Africa. His first novel, The Gift of Rain, set in Penang during World War II was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 2007. His second novel, The Garden of Evening Mists (2012), which opens just after World War II, is written from the perspective of a female judge and involves three cultures: Malay, Japanese, and South African. The author says his third novel will be set in China.

Note: In traditional Chinese style, the family name precedes the given name(s). Tan is the author’s family name, Twan Eng his given names. Some authors choose to anglicize their names for the purposes of publishing in English, so that their family name appears on the book cover last not first, others such as Tan Twan Eng don’t.

If you’d like to join in Colleen’s Writer’s Quote Wednesday here’s the link: http://silverthreading.com/2015/07/29/writers-quote-wednesday-diana-galbadon/

Hope you liked this week’s quote for Writer’s Quote Wednesday.

Do leave a comment I’d love to hear from you.

 

kk

Marje @ Kyrosmagica xx

 

#Blog Battle – Week 21 – Writing Theme Eye

Well it’s time for another Blog Battle, if you haven’t come across Rachael Ritchey’s  Blog Battles here’s your chance to join in this fun community of writers.

This link will take you to her blog battle page: http://rachaelritchey.com/blogbattle/

The rules are:

Week 21 Theme will be Eye

Date to Post: Tuesday, August 4th 2015


Rules:

  1. 1000 words max
  2. fictional tale (or true if you really want)
  3. PG (no more than PG-13) Content – let’s keep this family friendly!
  4. Your story must contain the word(s) from the theme and/or be centered around the theme in a way that shows it is clearly related
  5. Go for the entertainment value!
  6. Post your story by Tuesday 11:59 PM PST
  7. Use the hashtag #BlogBattle when tweeting your story, put a link back to your #BlogBattle Short Story in the comments section of this page, and/or include a link to this page in your own blog post (it creates a “ping-back” which will alert me and our friends to your #BlogBattle post)
  8. Have fun!

This is a new piece of writing, it is a continuation idea from my first manuscript which is open ended and could become a series of books. If I wrote a second novel I would like the male character to develop his wicked side so this is a short unedited snippet from an idea I have. I hope you like it! This is probably more a YA plus or New Adult type of idea rather than a children’s book!

 

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The Eye of the Shadow

Bethany always came to the same spot to read her book, the quietest corner of the park near her University campus. Today she saw that this favourite spot had been invaded by  a strange person who she had never seen before. She considered moving elsewhere but Bethany couldn’t bring herself to move away.

The sunlight drifted over the young man, a warm caress lingered on his upper body, savouring him. He was stripped to the waist, his back lay like a half completed painting, a terrible deed still to be done. She imagined finishing his painting. Each exquisite brush stroke could become a wicked promise, or a sweet memory Bethany couldn’t begin to decide which of the two would be more likely.

At this moment Bethany spectacled eyes found no appeal in her chosen book, she did the unforgiveable, the unthinkable, this socially awkward book-worm pretended to read! She just couldn’t keep her eyes from the young man. It was too easy to stare at such a beautiful someone who lay face down in the grass. She felt a delicious sense of wickedness staring at his muscular but lean body. A flood of hesitant shadows drifted spreading their eerie pictures on the sunny grass.

He turned around. She didn’t have time to look away, his motion had been lightning quick, as if he hoped to catch her staring at him basking in the sun. He caught her guilt straight in the eye, and sent it back to her in an unexpected ricochet. He didn’t look down or away, no attempt was made by him to play such a game, his eyes bore into her soul, and rested there imprisoned in her cluttered thoughts. His gaze was so arresting that she was certain that she had forgotten how to breathe. She gasped. A second or two passed by but she could swear that he still held her soul in his dark green eyes, resting like a tiny glimmer of crystal light, a blink and she was sure that it would be gone.

She had no idea what his face looked like, all she could see were his eyes, his beautiful eyes, cruel and gentle, dark and bright.

He stood up in one quick fluid movement, his agility reminiscent of a sleek panther, and then he smiled. Bethany saw the smile. The eyes told her to. She wasn’t sure if his mouth was forming a nice smile but somehow it didn’t matter. She wanted to capture that smile and plant it in her memory for later.

“Hello,” he said, delivering each syllable like a warning.

Bethany swallowed. She tried to return his uncertain gift of a smile but the smile that she would give appeared to have been swallowed, along with her words. She coughed and said nothing. A dry sensation lodged in her throat.

He walked over and stood directly in front of her. Now his eyes implored her to see his jet black hair, shining like a panther’s, willing her to touch it.

She trembled, the forgotten book slipped from her grasp, she reached out and stroked his hair. There was an expression of fear trapped in her eyes, but a desperate need in her shaking hands.

He picked up her book and glanced at it, turning the pages absent-mindedly as if he was searching for an answer to a question that he had posed. After a short while he grew restless and began clawing at the pages of her book until he threw it away in irritation. His temper lashed out, a cruel, forgotten wind that subsided before it began.

Bethany couldn’t believe it. Now her precious book meant nothing to her, yet a moment ago it had been her heart. He sat next to her, this book mauler, this uninvited marauder who dared to touch a loose strand of her hair and place it behind her ear. She did nothing to stop him, instead she stared into his eyes and plunged into their delightful but horrifying depths.

She could feel a tumbling sensation, as if she was falling down a long corridor. The corridor was narrow, wide, long, short, straight, and bending. The next thing she knew the tumbling sensation slammed to a complete and endless halt. She stood up, but her legs didn’t remember how to. She meant to run away but he kissed her, his lips hard and soft, apologetic and unrelenting. Her knees betrayed her giving way, buckling under, an independent component of her body.

The corner of his mouth twitched, an almost imperceptible motion but his eyes gave her a sensuous message before she had even imagined the possibility. She swore that she could hear a tiny purring sound, a throaty tender note that slipped into the heady air. He claimed her from the summer breeze as if she was a precious prize and laid her on the warm grass planting tiny kisses on her. The flood of hesitant shadows stretched their eerie long limbs reaching further into the untamed wilderness of grass.

“Who are you?” she breathed whimpering.

“I’m the Shadow you’ve been hiding from,” he replied.

She looked up at the sky, the sun was still out yet shadows danced and played all around them. She felt a strange sensation invade her body, a coldness swept deep within her soul, plunging her into a strange but welcome melancholy.

“It’s alright,” he said, his voice sounding regretful, but certain, “You and I are bonded by our shadows. Don’t be afraid. There’s no need to fight, that moment is forever gone.”

The richness of his voice inflamed her cold body, this purring black demon’s tongue struck a chord in her pounding heart.

He kissed her one last time. A tender kiss. Then it was complete.

Now he smiled, and frowned. “Welcome.”

 

© Marjorie Mallon 2015 – aka, Kyrosmagica. All Rights Reserved.

I hope you enjoyed my entry for #Blog Battle. Do leave a comment I’d love to hear your opinion on my latest piece of writing for the #Blog Battle.

kk

Marje @ Kyrosmagica xx

 

When inspiration hits me!

Another reblog this time from R.V. Ocampo’s blog – Remember An Inspiring Ocean – this was just so beautiful that I couldn’t resist it.