M J Mallon YA Author and Poet

A bit of fun! Avatars of my characters

It’s been a bit serious on my blog of late so this is a welcome change!

I discovered the Avatar Maker via Alicia Coleman’s blog: https://aliciacoleman.wordpress.com/2018/05/04/3-tools-used-to-create-my-characters/

It was such fun. I had a go at picking different noses, eyes, hair, lips, hairstyles and even ears! The hardest ones to create were undoubtedly Amelina’s mum and dad as they’re meant to look really odd. I think I succeeded up to a point, the wide eyes and stubble added the finishing touches to her dad! Ryder was tricky too as he’s meant to have two different coloured eyes so I opted for a multi-coloured eye instead.

So let me introduce you to the avatars of:

Ryder – who I couldn’t make up my mind about – should he have short hair?

Or a longer style? Vote on the poll on twitter: https://twitter.com/Marjorie_Mallon/status/995242808565993472

Here he is with Amelina, my main protagonist.

Esme the mirror girl and Ilaria Miss Super Perfect.

Jade the rock chick and Joselyn the worry chick.

Amelina’s mum and dad who’ve had a rough time and it shows!

And Aunt Karissa and Kyle, because Karissa loves nothing better than the opportunity to flirt with young men! Poor Kyle, no wonder his hair is sticking up! But, he’s being polite – it’s only just a couple of protesting hairs!

There is a price promotion on my Amazon UK kindle copy at the moment more about that here: https://kyrosmagica.wordpress.com/2018/05/11/the-curse-of-time-ya-fantasy-offer-1-99-amazon-uk/

So before I go my question to you is this – which of Ryder’s avatars do you prefer?

Bye for now,

Buy Book: myBook.to/TheCurseofTime

Authors Website: https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com

Collaborative blog: https://sistersofthefey.wordpress.com

Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time

My Facebook Authors/Bloggers Support Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1829166787333493/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon

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

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

Tumblr: http://mjmallonauthor.tumblr.com/

The Curse of Time #YA #Fantasy #Offer 1.99 Amazon UK

xxx Take Two !!! I am reposting this to generate some more sales!!! So please share, reblog and the like. Thank you so much, my lovelies. xxx

I have some wonderful news, I have updated the kindle copy of The Curse of Time Book 1 Bloodstone with some new features – my logo, author photo, two amazing full colour images of Esme and The Creature plus a few minor changes and enhancements too.

xxx Yeah!!! I work hard to ensure that my readers are happy. xxx

The kindle is new and improved!

Below in the slideshow you can see my wonderful logo which is now a feature in the kindle copy. The logo was designed by Allie Potts: https://alliepottswrites.com/

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

It is a black dragon and a white unicorn doing a Kyrosmagica dance, twirling around. I absolutely love it. Allie very kindly created different colours for me and a black and white shadowed one too! Love them all.

The wonderful images of two of my characters – Esme and The Creature created by talented artist Carolina Russo https://yesterdayafter.com now feature in the kindle too.

Esme And The Mirror ©Carolina Russo - Online Use

Do pop over to Carolina’s awesome blog to read about our collaboration and to order a limited addition fine art print: https://yesterdayafter.com/2018/04/02/characters-illustration-a-collaboration-with-author-mj-mallon-1st-stop-blog-tour-abrsc/

To celebrate I’ve decided to lower the price of the kindle for a limited time period only.

You can buy a kindle copy of The Curse of Time Book 1 Bloodstone at a really amazing price – 1.99 pence on Amazon UK. What a bargain!

For less than the price of a coffee you can get a little piece of my soul! But rush, this soul offer is for a limited time period only!!!

All I ask in return is perhaps you might consider reviewing The Curse of Time for me on Amazon, Goodreads and the like. Currently I have nine reviews on Amazon, and eleven on Goodreads. So don’t be shy, I won’t say no to a few more!

My latest five-star review on Goodreads by Gemma Bray, Neverland Blog Tour Host:

I am truly addicted to this book! Marjorie is such a talented author and really does reel you into the book and the life of Amelina. At first, I was a little unsure about the book with it being different from my normal genres and a little slow. After a while though, you do get addicted and just can not put it down! Amelina is a really good character, super lovable and you want to keep reading to see where things take her.

You are quickly whisked off into a world filled with supernatural happenings, people in mirrors and crystals. Lots of crystals! There is an element of change evident in Amelina as the book progresses, showing her development as a person who is capable of having a huge effect on those around her, as she learns of the powers she has had bestowed upon her. On the other end of the spectrum, Ryder is a really dislikeable character.

I suppose he needed to be like this, as you’re really not meant to like him! He definitely influences Amelina negatively, her friends and family also question him, making him for a well-written character within the story. The last couple of chapters were crazy and left me on the edge of my seat wanting more from them. This book does focus on things from the norm, the whole secret and wanting to know about these crystals.

Normally I hate finishing books, as the impressive story is over, but I have the luxury of Book 2 for this series, which I hope I can get my hands on it soon! Overall, this is a book brimming with supernatural happenings, a mysterious cottage and a family problem that needs solving. I definitely recommend this to anyone who loves a good mystery as it will reel you in.

Link to Gemma’s blog: https://anoceanglimmer.wordpress.com/2018/04/19/book-review-the-curse-of-time/

To see details about my #ABRSC and Neverland Blog Tour which happened in April with reviews, q and a’s, and author spotlights, etc, please follow this link: https://mjmallon.com/2018/04/17/blogtour-giveaway-the-curse-of-time-1-bloodstone-abrsc/

If you bought the original copy and would like to update it don’t fret – follow this link to see how: https://www.howtogeek.com/tips/how-to-get-the-latest-version-of-your-kindle-books-including-ours/

I’d be so grateful if you could share this post widely on social media, reblog and the like.

Many thanks,

Much love,

Buy Book: myBook.to/TheCurseofTime

Authors Website: https://mjmallon.com

Collaborative blog: https://sistersofthefey.wordpress.com

Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time

My Facebook Authors/Bloggers Support Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1829166787333493/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon

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

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

Tumblr: http://mjmallonauthor.tumblr.com/

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…

Barb 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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The Curse of Time #YA #Fantasy #Special #Offer 1.99p #Kindle Copy !!!!

xxx Yeah!!! I work hard to ensure that my readers are happy. xxx

The kindle is new and improved!

Below in the slideshow you can see my wonderful logo which is now a feature in the kindle copy. The logo was designed by Allie Potts: https://alliepottswrites.com/

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The wonderful images of two of my characters – The Creature, and Esme created by talented artist Carolina Russo https://yesterdayafter.com now feature in the kindle too.

To celebrate I’ve decided to lower the price of the kindle for a limited time period only.

You can buy a kindle copy of The Curse of Time Book 1 Bloodstone at a really amazing price – 1.99 pence on Amazon UK. What a bargain!

For less than the price of a coffee you can get a little piece of my soul! But rush, this soul offer is for a limited time period only!!!

All I ask in return is perhaps you might consider reviewing The Curse of Time for me on Amazon, Goodreads and the like. Currently I have nine reviews on Amazon, and eleven on Goodreads. So don’t be shy, I won’t say no to a few more!

My latest five-star review on Goodreads by Gemma Bray, Neverland Blog Tour Host:

Link to Gemma’s blog: https://anoceanglimmer.wordpress.com/2018/04/19/book-review-the-curse-of-time/

I’d be so grateful if you could share this post widely on social media, reblog and the like.

Many thanks,

Much love,

Buy Book: myBook.to/TheCurseofTime

Social Media:

Authors Website: https://mjmallon.com

Collaborative blog: https://sistersofthefey.wordpress.com

Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time

Facebook Authors/Bloggers Support Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1829166787333493/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon

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

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

Tumblr: http://mjmallonauthor.tumblr.com/

A Magic Gate In The City of Cambridge

My latest post on our collaborative blog The Sisters of The Fey. A Magical Gate in The City of Cambridge.

Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction Challenge – She Fought So Hard

I’ve been meaning to join in the Carrot Ranch challenge for some time but it’s been so busy here chez Marje that I’ve not managed to. So without further ado I’m having a go.

She Fought So Hard

For a wee woman, you certainly pull in the big boys,’ joked keen fisherman Robin.

Melinda smiled; it had been a memorable day, she’d caught the biggest fish going. For a moment she’d forgotten her punishing chemotherapy struggle.

She never complained even when her hair fell out and grew back curly. Instead, she laughed; but it sounded hollow. I doubt she recognised herself.

Soft-hearted Melinda died within days of her fiftieth birthday. At the funeral I picked up her old school photo; I wept, I never knew she’d been a gymnast. Cancer the guilt bringer, I should have known.

The above piece of flash is dedicated to a work colleague and dear friend of my husband’s who died of ovarian cancer this year. It is partially based on a true story. She really did reel in a big catch and showed her partner up! She had such a competitive spirit and loved to play tennis in the Californian sun.

I didn’t know she’d been a gymnast.

During her illness we became friends. I regret that I didn’t have more time to get to know her better but cancer stole away that possibility too. She fought hard, loved life and it’s hard to believe she’s gone. Sometimes it seems to me that the loveliest people die before their time. Life can be incomprehensibly cruel. Everything was looking up for her, she had just started a new life in California with the love of her life. She had so much to live for.

Cancer sucks. 😦

Do feel free to comment below… sadly… yours.

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Here’s the link to the Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction Challenge:

https://carrotranch.com/2018/04/26/april-26-flash-fiction-challenge/

Sally’s Cafe and Bookstore – Author Update – Stevie Turner, M.J. Mallon, Terry Tyler and Phillip T. Stephens

Thank you to Sally for including me and one of my latest reviews in her cafe and bookstore line up with Stevie Turner, Terry Tyler and Phillip Stevens.

#YA #Fantasy #Book #Review – Keepers by Sacha De Black

Goodreads Synopsis:

Saving the world is easy: all Eden has to do is die.

Seventeen-year-old Eden East’s life is perfect… until her soul is bound to her worst nightmare. Then her parents are brutally murdered, and everyone’s a suspect, including her best friend.

As her world spirals out of control, a charismatic Siren, from a past she can’t remember, returns offering help, hope, and a heap of distractions.

Eden must put aside her grief to solve the mystery of her parents’ murder. In a race against time, can she break the binding to her enemy before he destroys her and her world?

Three lives.
Two murdered parents.
One deadly choice.

My Review:

Keepers is the debut YA fantasy novel of Sacha de Black. I enjoyed the premise of the novel – a society that does its utmost to achieve a sense of balance – and found it to be an unusual and highly imaginative idea.

It’s a YA novel with stacks of opportunity to deliver emotional feelings, (the main protagonist Eden East is young and has to cope with a lot.) I won’t divulge too much here for fear of spoiling the novel.

One of Black’s great strengths is her ability to write physical attraction between two individuals so well! Wow, loved those parts! I’d say that Trey was one of my favourite characters in the book. I can imagine him as a very worthy candidate for the title ‘book boyfriend!’ And I really enjoyed Victor too! There is a love triangle of sorts as Eden is bound to Shifter Victor Dark and can’t bare to be, but Victor wants Eden like mad.

There were parts of the story where the author’s ability to write engaging prose, and dialogue took flight and her writing made me go wow, this is amazing. I see great potential in Black’s writing.

What I didn’t like:

A minor point (it may just be me!) There’s a glossary of terms in the front matter which took me out of the story a bit to begin with. I would have liked these terms added individually as short postscripts at the bottom of each relevant page.

My recommendation:

This is a confident debut, with interesting world building and potential for further conflict and interest in book two. Definitely a recommendation.

My rating: 4.5 stars.

To see all my reviews to date follow this link: https://mjmallon.com/category/a-z-book-reviews/

My Hitting The Books Pal wants to know – have you read Keepers? Do leave a comment below with your thoughts.

Happy reading!

Bye for now,