Book Blitz : Lockdown Innit Poems About Absurdity #new#release #poetry #covid19 #lockdown

Thrilled to announce a Three day BOOK BLITZ beginning today with lovely blog tour host and book reviewer Shalini. https://digitalreadsblogtours.wordpress.com/
https://bookreviewsbyshalini.com/

BLURB

Lockdown Innit is a poetry collection of eighteen poems about life’s absurdities and frustrations during lockdown. Wherever you live in this world, this is for you. Expect humour, a dollop of banter and ridiculous rants here and there. Amongst other delights, witness the strange antics of a swan posing by a bin and two statuesque horses appearing like arc deco pieces in a field. Check out the violin player on a tightrope, or the cheeky unmentionables wafting in the lockdown breeze!

Lockdown Innit Releases February 26th

Kindle Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08VW81Q53/

Kindle Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VW81Q53/

 Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56949934-lockdown-innit

Universal link for kindle: https://mybook.to/Lockdowninnit

DIGITAL READS BLOG TOURS BOOK BLITZ:

Wonderful review by book blitz organiser, Shalini: https://bookreviewsbyshalini.com/2021/02/28/book-review-lockdown-innit-by-marjorie-mallon-marjorie_mallon-bookreview-bookblogger-poetry/

FEB 26

· Felicia Review and Blitz @MsFelicia: www.nesiesplace.wordpress.com

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· Kurian https://obsessed2015.com/2021/02/22/book-blitz-lockdown-innit-poems-about-absurdity-by-marjorie-mallon/

· Patty @moohnshine www.moohnshinescorner.blog

· Nina @ninad_silva www.thecozypages.wordpress.com

FEB 27

· Jessica @jessicaxbelmont www.jessicabelmont.wordpress.com

· Els @BookreviewB www.bforbookreview.wordpress.com

· Mani @manisbookcorner www.manisbookcornerblog.wordpress.com

· Mary @Sophril_Reads www.sophrilreads.com

· Amy @zanybibliophile www.zanybibliophile.wordpress.com

· Gina @GinaRaeMitchell www.GinaRaeMitchell.com

FEB 28

· Didi @Didi_Oviatt Review: www.didoviatt.wordpress.com

· Nishtha @FeelTheRead1 www.feeltheread.wordpress.com

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· Namrata @redpillows91 www.redpillows.wordpress.com

· Misty @mistymichelle30 www.mistysbookspace.wordpress.com

I will also be sharing forthcoming posts and links from authors and poets celebrating my book launch: Colleen Chesebro, Richard Dee, Debby Gies, Adele Marie Park.

Today, my dear friend Colleen shared this wonderful new feature – meet the poet in a beautifully present post with an excerpt. Do pop over to her blog to read this and comment. https://wordcraftpoetry.com/2021/02/26/word-craft-prose-poetry-meet-the-poet-featuring-marjorie_mallon/

A wonderful review post from Richard:

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Thank you to Adele Marie Park for this lovely release post: https://firefly465.wordpress.com/2021/03/04/lockdown-innit/

The lovely Ritu Bhathal shared this fantastic new release post too: https://butismileanyway.com/2021/02/25/new-release-lockdown-innit-poems-about-absurdity-by-marjorie_mallon/

And from this special lady – Lizzie Chantree: https://lizziechantree.com/2021/03/05/marjorie-mallon-new-book-launch/

Pre-release shares from these lovely blogging friends:

Willow: https://willowdot21.wordpress.com/2021/02/13/great-news-on-marjorie-mallons-new-book-lockdown-innit-poems-about-absurdity/

Sally: https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2021/02/11/smorgasbord-cafe-and-bookstore-new-book-on-the-shelves-poetry-lockdown-innit-poems-about-absurdity-by-m-j-mallon/

James: http://thisismytruthnow.com/2021/02/16/book-alert-lockdown-innit-poems-about-absurdity-by-mj-mallon/

Sheila (author S C Skillman) shares a wonderful review:https://scskillman.com/2021/03/02/book-review-lockdown-innit-poems-about-absurdity-by-mj-mallon/

And a thank you to Sarah Northwood and Lizzie Chantree for taking the time to write advanced reviewer comments out of their busy schedule. I appreciate you all so much.

Many thanks to the blogging community and to the book bloggers who work so hard on book tours and in reviewing our books.

Authors Website: https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com
Authors Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/M-J-Mallon/e/B074CGNK4L
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon

#ABRSC – Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1829166787333493/
Goodreads:: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/m-j-mallon 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/

New Release: Lockdown Innit – Poems about Absurdity by @Marjorie_Mallon | But I Smile Anyway…

Thank you to lovely Ritu for this wonderful blog post about my new release. One day to go!! Lockdown Innit is currently on preorder, releases tomorrow, 26th February.

To download a copy:

Universal link for kindle: https://mybook.to/Lockdowninnit

Source: New Release: Lockdown Innit – Poems about Absurdity by @Marjorie_Mallon | But I Smile Anyway…

Lockdown Innit – New Release!!! Coming soon #preorder #new #release #pandemic #poetry #lockdown #perspectives

BLURB

Lockdown Innit is a poetry collection of eighteen poems about life’s absurdities and frustrations during lockdown. Wherever you live in this world, this is for you. Expect humour, a dollop of banter and ridiculous rants here and there. Amongst other delights, witness the strange antics of a swan posing by a bin and two statuesque horses appearing like arc deco pieces in a field. Check out the violin player on a tightrope, or the cheeky unmentionables wafting in the lockdown breeze!

Preorder Buying Links Lockdown Innit Releases February 26th

Kindle Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08VW81Q53/

Kindle Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VW81Q53/

 Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56949934-lockdown-innit

Universal link for kindle: https://mybook.to/Lockdowninnit

Advanced readers comments:

‘Lockdown Innit is a wonderful collection of predominantly free verse poetry on all kinds of themes experienced during the author’s third lockdown. I am sure many of the pieces will resonate with readers who have also experienced humanities frustrating behaviours during this pandemic. The discarded masks rolling down the roads and the impact of this on wildlife in the future when landfills are filled, and oceans invariably get full of them is certainly something that has crossed my mind. (Simply cutting off the side strings from the masks before throwing disposable ones away could make a big difference so they don’t get tangled on wildlife!) I’ve also had my fair share of dealing with drivers filled with road rage, presumably from the stress! The varied mood and tone of the pieces is equally matched with the lovely presentation and wonderful splashes of humour. Emotive and descriptive language is employed to engage our senses and of course my favourite piece is probably ‘The Face.’ Making this a highly enjoyable collection and one I have no doubt in recommending.’

Sarah Northwood, Author and Poet.

‘An intricate mix of observations from the author about how the pandemic has brought change. Some welcome, some not so much. A thought provoking read.’

Lizzie Chantree. (Full review to come soon.)
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To preorder:

A thank you to my lovely friends for sharing these posts:

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2021/02/11/smorgasbord-cafe-and-bookstore-new-book-on-the-shelves-poetry-lockdown-innit-poems-about-absurdity-by-m-j-mallon/
Great News on Marjorie Mallons New Book : Lockdown Innit: Poems About Absurdity
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Lockdown Innit is the second book that I have released during this time period

The first, This Is Lockdown released in kindle in July 2020.

This Is Lockdown is a compilation and anthology of my diaries, poetry, flash fiction and 28 wonderful contributions from international authors, bloggers and creatives sharing their thoughts, poetry, and flash fiction during covid19. Many old friends contributed to the anthology and I discovered many new authors, and creatives via compiling this anthology.

This Is Lockdown is available in a shorter paperback version with poetry, flash fiction and contributions  (the diaries are only in the kindle version.)

Kindle: mybook.to/Thisislockdown

Paperback: mybook.to/Thisislockdownpb

Related posts:

A Q and A on Indie Book Butler about my recent writing projects This Is Lockdown and Lockdown Innit. http://indiebookbutler.com/marjorie-mallon-interview/

Latest Reviews: This Is Lockdown:

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I hope you will enjoy! I’m getting excited, not long now!

Authors Website: https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com
Authors Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/M-J-Mallon/e/B074CGNK4L
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon

#ABRSC – Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1829166787333493/
Goodreads:: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/m-j-mallon 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/

New Release Wolfe Manor – Adele Marie Park

So looking forward to Adele’s new release, Wolfe Manor which is coming soon. Currently reading an ARC and really enjoying.

To find out more, follow the link:

https://firefly465.wordpress.com/2021/02/22/a-new-release/

February 18: Flash Fiction Challenge #carrotranch #literarycommunity #flash #dad #birthday

It’s my dad’s ninety second birthday today! So, this is with him in mind. He has so much character and is such an inspiration. He’s always loved telling stories perhaps that’s where I get my storytelling genes from!

Happy Birthday Dad. x

The right place at the right time, at ninety-one, that’s a feat. My dad’s ninety-two today. At his birthday celebration last year he astonished us all by serenading the pretty waitress in Russian!

Dad’s a Scotsman with one known fear: the snow! He’s always preferred sunny climates. It’s no wonder that he escaped to Malaysia and married my mum, who’s from Kuching, a place that stole his heart too. He always has a tale to tell, or a song to sing and still dreads the snow! Bless him.

February 18: Flash Fiction Challenge

Authors Website: https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com
Authors Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/M-J-Mallon/e/B074CGNK4L
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon

#ABRSC – Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1829166787333493/
Goodreads:: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/m-j-mallon 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/

Book Review – Versions of The Self: Christy Birmingham #ireadcanadian @christybis @ireadcanadian #nowmorethanever #poetry #review

Book Synopsis:

Imagine a shift to the way you see the world that arises through poetic narration.

Imagine the world, at its base level, is a collection of selves. These selves collide, disperse, intermingle, and share themselves in lines of free verse. Such is the premise of Versions of the Self, poetry that assumes multiple types of selves exist and relate in ways that alter them. Each of the eight chapters looks at a different type of self, including the singular “I” and romantic interactions. These unique 80 poems definitely color themselves outside of the lines. 

Book Review:

This is a wonderful collection of personal poetry which gives a fascinating insight into the concept of self and how our selves are affected by and change due to outside factors such as our loves, vulnerability, family, friendships, and relationships.

It doesn’t shy away or hide from difficult themes, the words are there for the reader to see and interpret in free verse which flows like a river.

I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of poetry. It’s a little different, quite deep and intense in parts and fascinating throughout.

Would highly recommend.

My rating: 4.5 stars.

Authors Links:

Blog: https://whenwomeninspire.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/christybis

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whenwomeninspire

This is the last in my group of three authors I read for @ireadcanadian. The other posts are:

https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com/2021/02/20/book-review-darlene-foster-ireadcanadian-ireadcanadian-nowmorethanever/
https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com/2021/02/21/d-g-kaye-book-review-have-bags-will-travel-ireadcanadian-ireadcanadian-travel-book-review-nowmorethanever/

Authors Website: https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com
Authors Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/M-J-Mallon/e/B074CGNK4L
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon

#ABRSC – Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1829166787333493/
Goodreads:: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/m-j-mallon 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/

D G Kaye Book Review: Have Bags, Will Travel #ireadcanadian @ireadcanadian #travel #book #review #nowmorethanever

Goodreads Synopsis

D.G. Kaye is back, and as she reflects on some of her more memorable vacations and travel snags, she finds herself constantly struggling to keep one step ahead of the ever-changing guidelines of the airlines—with her overweight luggage in tow. Her stories alert us to some of the pitfalls of being an obsessive shopper, especially when it comes time for D.G. to bring her treasures home, and remind us of the simpler days when traveling was a breeze.
In her quest to keep from tipping the scales, D.G. strives to devise new tricks to fit everything in her suitcases on each trip. Why is she consistently a target for Canada customs on her return journeys?
D.G.’s witty tales take us from airports, to travel escapades with best friends, to reflections on how time can change the places we hold dear in our hearts. Her memories will entertain and have you reminiscing about some of your own most treasured journeys—and perhaps make you contemplate revamping your packing strategies.

My review:

I read this as part of #ireadcanadian., @ireadcanadian #nowmorethanever.

This is such a hoot, what a laugh!

Have Bags Will Travel is such an entertaining read which gives you an insight into D G Kaye’s character, her shopping obsession, packing troubles, germaphobia, and brushes with airport security. Enjoy her recollections on the glamour and glitz, her love to travel and a nostalgic aspect to it all.

Her friend Zan shares her shopaholic tendencies too. The two of them together… can you imagine? A red head, blonde explosion of zaniness! I love the part when they end up at Buckingham Palace and chat to a Beefeater, the royal guard and after which… it gets funnier by the moment.

Have Bags Will Travel gives a historical account of how much easier it used to be to take overstuffed baggage through airports in the good old days. Now, it seems that D G Kaye will resort to anything to get her shopping home.

Zan and D G Kaye also travel to Paris and end up shopping for shoes!

There are manmade toboggan rides in Muskoka, Canada.

Trips to Venezuela: Margarita Island and Caracas with cousin Eileen.

Las Vegas, Then and Now – gambling/casinos, fond memories of the author’s love of the desert.

Have Bags Will Travel is just what we need right now, a good giggle! There is also a section at the back of the book with Helpful Travel tips.

A short, entertaining read. Highly recommended, especially for the shopoholics and travel enthusiasts in your life!

My rating: 5 stars

Authors Website:  https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com
Authors Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/M-J-Mallon/e/B074CGNK4L
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon

#ABRSC – Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1829166787333493/
Goodreads:: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/m-j-mallon 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/

Book Review: Darlene Foster #ireadcanadian @ireadcanadian #nowmorethanever

Goodreads Synopsis:

Amanda Ross is an average twelve year old Canadian girl. So what is she doing thousands of kilometres from home in the United Arab Emirates? It’s her own fault really, she wished for adventure and travel when she blew out those candles on her last birthday cake. Little did she know that a whole different world awaited her on the other side of the globe, one full of intrigue, mystery and folklore. A world with a beautiful princess, a dangerous desert and wonderful friends. Join Amanda on her first adventure as she discovers the secrets behind The Perfume Flask.

My review

Such a cute middle grade book about Amanda venturing to the United Arab Emirates. It is educational too, various aspects of living in the desert and the culture and customs of the people are explained in an interesting way throughout the book. It is descriptive, fun, and amusing too. I particularly loved the sections with camels and how the author explained different types of camels and how wonderful the camel is especially in a sand storm!

What a great way to educate youngsters about the diversity of cultures in this world.

It transported me away for a while, and made me smile, which I’m grateful for particularly at the moment when we can’t go anywhere.

Four stars from me.

Authors Website: https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com
Authors Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/M-J-Mallon/e/B074CGNK4L
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon

#ABRSC – Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1829166787333493/
Goodreads:: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/m-j-mallon 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/

WEEKLY #TANKA TUESDAY #POETRY CHALLENGE NO. 213 #EKPHRASTIC #PHOTOPROMPT #Badgerhexastich

I tried a new form – a badger hexastich poem in response to this stunning photo

Image by Michael Bußmann from Pixabay

From Colleen’s blog – BADGER HEXASTICH: The Badger Hexastich is syllabic and written in six lines with a 2/4/6/6/4/2 structure. It is unrhymed with optional rising and falling end-words, which I think is an interesting twist.

The Waterfall Weeps Its Cares 
'brella
Rainbow Coloured 
Waterfall weeps its cares
I hear, see, smell and feel
I taste the might
Falling
***
© M J Mallon

To join in with colleen’s poetry prompt follow the link: https://wordcraftpoetry.com/2021/02/16/weekly-tanka-tuesday-poetry-challenge-no-213-ekphrastic-photoprompt/

My latest book a collection of poetry, is due out on February 26th.

BLURB

Lockdown Innit is a poetry collection of eighteen poems about life’s absurdities and frustrations during lockdown. Wherever you live in this world, this is for you. Expect humour, a dollop of banter and ridiculous rants here and there. Amongst other delights, witness the strange antics of a swan posing by a bin and two statuesque horses appearing like arc deco pieces in a field. Check out the violin player on a tightrope, or the cheeky unmentionables wafting in the lockdown breeze!

It is available to preorder now:

Some advanced readers quotes:

Hope you enjoyed the poem about the waterfall. I have a fondness for waterfalls and all things water!

Authors Website: https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com
Authors Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/M-J-Mallon/e/B074CGNK4L
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon

#ABRSC – Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1829166787333493/
Goodreads:: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/m-j-mallon 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/

Book Review: Helen Pryke – The Lost Girls #psychological #thriller #book #review

Goodreads Synopsis:

Now he wants them back.

Four years ago, two teenage girls were abducted.

Four years ago, a ten-year-old boy was murdered.

Both cases remain unsolved.

Desperate to find their missing sisters, Michael and Chloe ask investigative journalist Maggie Turner to help them. And what starts as a simple investigation, soon turns into a frantic race against time.

The kidnapper took the girls to replace his sisters; sisters who died seventeen years earlier.

Forced to face traumatic events from the past, Maggie finds herself in the middle of a nightmare that can only get worse…

Tense, fast-paced, and gritty, The Lost Girls is the first novel in the Maggie Turner series. It’s the perfect read for fans of authors like Angela Marsons, Carol Wyer and Helen Fields. 

My review

This is the first book I’ve read from Helen Pryke and I am impressed. A confident, engaging psychological thriller that kept me turning the pages wanting to discover what happens next.

The strengths of the story lie in its excellent characters: particularly Maggie the investigative journalist who seeks to discover who abducted the two young girls.

What surprised me most in The Lost Girls was an unexpected feeling of sympathy for the deranged person who abducted these two young girls. As the story progresses I became more aware that this thriller should be praised for its handling of mental health issues. It’s superb in that respect. The ending was fantastic, and makes me keen to read more. This is the first in this series.

This novel is for you if you enjoy psychological thrillers with a dark edge to them. Please be aware that there are distressing themes in this novel: abduction, sexual assault of a minor, and scenes of violence. These are written in such a way as not to prolong, or be too graphic. So, considerable praise to the author for handling these difficult passages in such a sensitive way.

A difficult one to rate, I’ve been mulling over the rating for a few days.

Overall, an excellent psychological thriller: 4.5 stars, highly recommended.

Looking forward to reading more from Helen Pryke.

I am really enjoying reading thrillers at the moment!

Authors Website: https://mjmallon.com
Authors Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/M-J-Mallon/e/B074CGNK4L
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time
#ABRSC: Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon

AUTHOR SOCIAL MEDIA DETAILS

Authors Website:: https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com
Authors Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/M-J-Mallon/e/B074CGNK4L
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon

#ABRSC – Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook:
Goodreads:: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/m-j-mallon 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/