Book Review: Fortune’s Well Project Pandora #supernatural #series

Evil doesn’t stay buried forever…

A few weeks have passed since that nightmarish summer, and for JJ Carson the future is uncertain.

Thrown into care and banned from seeing his uncle, the strange mist that follows him around has become his one and only companion.
Each day it grows stronger and more powerful, but that only draws the attention of a strange doctor with an even darker plan.

As for Darcie Duffield, life is back to normal, as she returns to school and desperately tries to forget the boy she met at the river, and the mysterious power he possessed.

But when her friend goes missing, and a ghost from the past returns, Darcie realises she’s barely scratched the surface of Fortune’s Well’s hidden secrets, and the sinister truth that lies beneath

My review

Highly entertaining novel from two authors I really admire. What a page turner! Loved it. One word sums it up perfectly: exciting!

This is full of supernatural excitement, teen emotion, (loved the relationship vibes between J J and Darcie,) and magical powers!

There is a fair amount of dialogue in this book but the speech is written enviably well that it manages to carry the story seamessly.

You would not guess this is written by two authors, it flows so naturally.

The plot is well devised carrying on with ease from the 1st book in the series, Fortune’s Well Book 1 Hangman’s Revenge, which I read and enjoyed very much.

There is a curious and explosive episode about the mirror girl that leaves me wondering hey how did that happen! The ending brings exciting elements that will encourage the reader into the next book, Fortune’s Well, Book 3, Days End.

There is an awesome teaser snippet at the end.

Look forward to reading more in this enticing supernatural series! Highly recommended.

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Sally Cronin: Variety Is The Spice of Life – @sgc58 #Book #Review #poetry #shortstories #flashfiction

Blurb

Variety is the Spice of Life is a collection of poetry and short stories about relationships with others, including pets and animals inhabiting the world around us. The connection with others brings love and friendship, excitement and sometimes surprises, danger, mystery and sometimes the unexpected.

The poetry explores human nature, the fears, desires, expectations and achievements. Nature offers a wonderful opportunity to observe animals both domesticated and wild. Even in a back garden you can observe a wide variety of creatures and the daily challenges to survive a harsh environment.

The short stories introduces you to a healer whose gift comes with danger, a neighbour determined to protect a friend, a woman on the run, an old couple whose love has endured, an elderly retired teacher who faces a life changing accident, a secret that has been carried for over 70 years and a village who must unite as they face devastating news.

My review

Variety is the Spice of Life by Sally Cronin

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This is a beautiful collection of poetry, flash fiction and short stories about life, love, getting older, experiencing as well as cherishing the world and all its magnificent inhabitants: birds, cats, bees, and much more! It certainly lives up to its lovely title: Variety is The Spice of Life and its fantastic cover.

The collection starts with three lovely poems, two to take us with the author on a journey and one to celebrate friendship, love and family: Pilgrimage, Expedition, and Kinship.

There are many relatable pieces including these favourite flash and poetry combos: Bear Witness and Face In The Mirror. Loved the last line: “I’ve morphed into my mother.”

Ha, this is me too! Not that I’m complaining. My mother is a wonderful human being, so if I have morphed into her I have nothing to worry about.

The Waltz is so cute, and my other favourite poems in the collection are:
The Moonlight Concerto,
Dress Rehearsal, Dolphins
Origins ( sad and poignant )
Strawberries ( the words are written so well that you can taste them – the strawberries I mean… not the words!)

Flash and poetry favourites include:

Useful… to be so, with a smile, is a wonderfully good thing to be!

The Robin’s Size Doesn’t Matter and Starlings, Neighbourhood Cats, all were delightful as were all the other garden gems.

The collection ends with a bunch of fantastic short stories.

The Neighbourhood Watch, is one for cat lovers, with a marmalade cat. In The Green Hill we are treated to a poignant long lasting love story. Sadly, there are more serious tales with mentioned abuse in On The Run. There is a touching family tale in The Secret, and a positive and light-hearted tale about getting older in The Home Help, and more besides!

Something for everyone in this lovely collection!

Highly recommended. 5 stars from me. Thoroughly enjoyed.



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Author Interview: MJ Mallon | The Glorious Outsiders @chanatkins #authorinterview #review

Thank you so much to fabulous author Chantelle Atkins for inviting me to her blog for an author interview about my latest release Do What You Love. We talk about my inspirations, favourite types of poetry, and what I am working on next.

In the blog she also shares her review. Here is a short review quote from that:

“As other reviewers have said, this is an overwhelmingly sweet and positive collection that will not fail to make you smile during these tough times.”

Chantelle

Do pop over to her blog to read at source and while you are there find out more about Chantelle and her range of books too.

Source: Author Interview: MJ Mallon | The Glorious Outsiders

Book Review. Do what you Love, by Marjorie Mallon. #bookreview #newrelease #dowhatyoulove #booktwt #writingcommunity #readingcommunity via @RichardDockett1

Thank you so much to Richard for his review of my latest poetry, prose and photography book Do What You Love.

Richard is a talented author – I’ve read many of his books and I can attest to that! So, I value his opinion very much.

Do pop over to read this lovely 5 star review at source … and to check out his  awesome blog.

Source: Book Review. Do what you Love, by Marjorie Mallon.

REVIEW

This is a wonderful, uplifting collection of poems, short fiction pieces and pictures.

The three fates of Greek myth and their imagined interaction with the author is a great way to hold this selection of musings together.  

The overriding message is joy, hope and love. And the celebration of a life well lived.

There are some beautiful descriptions, from the Hibiscus flower to the loss of a sock, the memories of life and the poems span the globe.

I particularly liked the set of poems about the trees and the reminiscences of times spent by the sea.

Recommended for anyone who likes to be taken on a journey through the eyes of another.

Highly recommended.

Robbie’s Inspiration – Poetry book tour: Do What You Love by M.J. Mallon #review #poetry #bookreview #readingcommunity

Thank you so much to Robbie for this blog tour post and review of my latest poetry, flash fiction collection Do What You Love.

Robbie is a huge supporter of the indie community, a wonderful author and poet who reviews extensively. I appreciate her valued opinion so much.

Do read at source and connect with Robbie: https://wp.me/p7Uxin-57v

Robbie’s Review

This is a beautiful and personal account through poetry, prose and photographs, of the emotional highs and lows of the poet’s life. The poet is accompanied on her walk down memory lane by the three sisters of fate, the Morai: Clotho, Lachesis and Atropos with whom she engages in conversation about the particular moments in time highlighted by the poems.

While the poems are personal, their themes are universal which makes them relatable to the reader and facilitates emotional engagement with the particular set of circumstances detailed in the various syllabic poems. The poems are accompanied by beautiful photographs, many of which are nature orientated. I particularly liked the Botanical Gardens Cambridge UK.

One of my favourite poems in the collection is My Daughters. Perhaps this one appeals so much to me because my own sons are standing on the cusp of adulthood and will soon be flying the nest. This is a short extract:

“Now the drama’s nearly over. I tremble.
Expecting the next crisis to come
rippling around the lake.
The waters swaying. It’s stiller now.
They’re wiser.”

This is a book that is best savoured slowly over a glass of wine. 

New book release, by M J Mallon. | Lizzie Chantree @Lizzie_chantree

Thank you so much to Lizzie Chantree for this lovely post on her awesome blog celebrating my book launch of Do What You Love which is a little book of poetry, photography and flash fiction.

Lizzie is a wonderful author, and kindness itself. She does much for the writing community. Do follow her blog and facebook group.

https://m.facebook.com/groups/647115202160536/

And check out this post:

Free and bargain romance reads.

In the celebratory release blog from Lizzie I share a poetic excerpt about a little fellow, Zog, who I looked after one day. He was the cutest dog. Pop over to Lizzie’s to read the blog at source.

https://lizziechantree.com/2022/11/25/mjmallon/

Launch Day Celebrating With Two Friends! Book and a Brew with Ritu – Do What You Love by @Marjorie_Mallon by #NewRelease #BookReview | But I Smile Anyway… @RituBhathal – Favourite Poem and Review from Adele… @Binky567

It’s launch day for Do What You Love and today I am featured by two lovely blogging author friends, Ritu and Adele!

This is from Ritu… who is chatting to me over a book and brew… and sharing her review of Do What You Love.

Ritu: I’m back with a second edition! Today, I am thrilled to welcome an old blogging and writing friend who I have met in person. None other than the lovely Marjorie Mallon, one of my blogging sis…

Pop over to Ritu’s blog to read at source: Book and a Brew with Ritu – Do What You Love by @Marjorie_Mallon by #NewRelease #BookReview | But I Smile Anyway…

Review Quotes:

Oh what a lovely book, filled with poetic gems and beautiful prose!

I felt a keen connection to the poems about her daughters and the autumn trees. Autumn is one of my favourite seasons.
A lovely book with a personal touch.

Ritu Bhathal

And from Adele, a fellow Scottish lass, a lovely celebratory post and a review of Do What You Love. https://firefly465.wordpress.com/2022/11/25/dowhatyoulove/

I’ve known Adele a long time and Adele and I have collaborated in anthologies together, and Ritu and Adele both contributed to my lockdown project, This Is Lockdown. Even though I have not met Adele in person, I feel as if I know her. I recommend you connect with both of these wonderful authors.

Review Quotes:

The mix of poetry, flash fiction and photography is something M J Mallon does very well. She combines them as part of the journey and the adventure she leads us on. She is a very skilled author and this newest release is a joy to traverse.

I loved how her favourite poem from the collection is about my home from home Edinburgh…

Adele Marie Park

It calls me

this Scottish City

beautiful

lights twinkle

Edinburgh’s dark shadows

perfect time and place

Jungle Green (The Balcom Dynasty Book 2) @richarddockett1 #scifi #mystery #organisedcrime #drugtheme #bookreview #recommendation

Synopsis

“This one’s a nail biter.” Vine Voice reviewer.
One tablet a day, it’s supposed to keep you alive. But it might just kill you.
TC is the wonder drug. Manufactured in secrecy, on a remote planet at the edge of the galaxy. It makes worlds inhabitable; and Balcom Industrial lots of money. Suddenly, the people who need to take it to stay alive start to die!

For Layla Balcom, the news is devastating. She’s just resumed her rightful place as head of Balcom. This problem threatens to spoil her moment of triumph. Can the drug be flawed? Or is something else going on?

The answer needs to be found, quickly.

Whether Layla or Balcom will survive is not guaranteed.

“One of those books that you can’t put down until finished.”

“Fascinating lead character and intricately plotted”

Phew busy o’ time… time for a quick review before my book launch tomorrow. This is for a favourite author of mine Richard Dee. If you haven’t read any of Richard’s work you are missing out!

Jungle Green by Richard Dee

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I really enjoyed the continuation of The Balcom Dynasty. This is book 2 following on from the first book in the series, Ribbonworld which I read and enjoyed too.

Jungle Green has much to recommend it with its mystery, sci fi appeal, planets and also a drug theme – the wonder drug TC for swamp fever and its counterfeit, in this second book… creating opportunities for nasty thugs to get onboard and cause threat, fear and some serious issues.

I thought the concept for this story was brilliant, imaginative, and alarming too!

The pace is a little slow to begin with but really hots up as the story continues. It’s well plotted and the characters and descriptions are fab. I particularly enjoyed Miles Goram, Layla Balcom, and Marissa, and how Layla encouraged Marissa to carry on and be brave, (won’t say anymore for fear of spoilers.)

I listened to this tale on audiobook. The narration from Stephen Bungay was good. He had quite a host of voices to narrate and overall he did a great job.

Highly recommended for sci fi, mystery, organised crime with drug theme, readers,



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Authors Blog: http://www.richarddeescifi.co.uk

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#TANKATUESDAY Weekly #POETRY CHALLENGE NO. 199, #Seville #Travels, #birthday #scarf 11/22/22, #THEMEPROMPT

Happy thanksgiving to all my friends in the US. No turkey here but perhaps I can offer you a freshly brewed coffee from Seville.

This week’s prompt seemed particularly apt as I just bought myself a treat with my birthday money. It was my birthday on the 17th November… I tend to keep this much to myself nowadays. We went away to Seville for a few days holiday and I absolutely loved it. What a wonderful city.

I didn’t buy the new scarf there. Hubby isn’t a big fan of shopping… But I did manage to get him to spend a little bit of time shopping – he bought me some lovely new clothes for my birthday.

Now… the new scarf, is from Tavira in Portugal and it is very colourful! But, this prompt asked for a story to be told in poetry about a grey scarf so I thought why not! Give it a go…

Anyway, the poem isn’t true to life as I have no intention of casting my new scarf aside but a little artistic licence is allowed…

On a whim I bought a colourful scarf
Like Joseph’s technicolor dreamcoat
It brings me nightmares and trouble!
My siblings are so jealous
So, I cast it aside
I buy a grey scarf
No one sees me
I sleep well
It brings
Joy

Me and my grey scarf have such adventures
Settling around my neck with ease
We paint the world in brilliance
Nothing is ever drab now
There is colour in dark
Fountains of rainbows
And no more sighs
Light in shade
Sunshine
Songs

Tomorrow is the launch day for my new poetry, flash fiction and photograph collection. Excited for that! If you’d like to wish me a belated happy birthday I’d love it if you bought a copy of my new book.

Colleen’s Coffee Klatch: MJ Mallon, “Do What You Love,” #NewRelease – Colleen M. Chesebro

Thank you so much to Colleen for this lovely Coffee Klatch post and review celebrating the launch of my new poetry, short fiction release Do What You Love.

Colleen’s Review Recommendation:

Do What You Love is a fantastical journey between the author and the three sisters of fate told in poetry and prose. Many of the reminiscences are autobiographical, sharing memories and photographs accompanied by poetry and short prose pieces.

In this gentle journey from her past, present, and future, Mallon weaves together the poetic threads of her life influenced by the three sisters of fate: Atropos, Clotho, and Lachesis. She shares with them many conversations about meeting her husband, what it was like living in Scotland, and later her life in Cambridge, featuring stories about her children and her own sentimental stories of growing up.

It’s Mallon’s nature photos and poetry that always send me to far-off lands filled with the beauty of Autumn. Watch for one of my favorites, the flash fiction piece called, “A New Harvest.”

A lovely read that leaves you reminiscing about your own past, present, and future.

Source: Colleen’s Coffee Klatch: MJ Mallon, “Do What You Love,” #NewRelease – Colleen M. Chesebro