A fantastic opportunity to increase your social media following via Hugh Roberts. Pop over to his blog to join the Social Media Link party!
It is that time of year again – Smorgasbord Blog Sitters required – Part-time vacancy 15th – 20th February
Thrilled to be blog sitting Sally Cronin’s blog for a few days in February. Reblogged so that others can help Sally out whilst she is on holiday.
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#ABRSC review of The Fall of Lilith by Vashti Quiroz-Vega
Goodreads Synopsis:
“I merely assisted you in doing what you desired all along.”
So says Lilith, the most exquisite of the angels. The two most important pledges an angel makes to God are those of obedience and celibacy, and dire consequences await any who break their oaths.
At first, the angels are happy in their celestial home, learning and exploring together. As they grow older, though, Lilith begins to question these pledges, which now seem arbitrary and stifling. Her challenge of the status quo leads to disagreement, jealousy, and strife among her peers. As the arguing and acrimony grow, lines are drawn and sides are chosen. Is war inevitable?
Filled with robust characters, incredible landscapes, and exciting action, The Fall of Lilith is an epic tale of seduction, betrayal, and revenge.
Free Will involves asking difficult questions and making hard choices, choices that require strength and sacrifice. These decisions can tear apart friendships and cause rifts between allies.
They can even threaten the foundations of Heaven.
My review:
I read this as part of the #ABRSC read and review.
Amazing, I absolutely loved this wonderful novel by Vashti Quiroz Vega. I rarely read long books but this kept my attention throughout both book 1 and book 2. In fact, it was such a quick read. I’d highly recommend reading The Fall of Lilith if you love high fantasy books with amazing descriptive prose, unique and highly imaginative writing and fabulous characters. The main protagonist Lilith isn’t at all keen on God’s decree that they should be celibate. She is a power crazed angel who plots and schemes, bringing a heck load of drama, horror and strife to the storyline!
Advisory: It’s not a YA book as there are passages of steamy scenes that take it beyond YA!
It ticks every single box. Splendid, a definite favourite. Highly recommended.
Amazon UK Kindle Buying Link: http://amzn.to/2mWoImC
Amazon UK Paperback Buying Link: http://amzn.to/2EX8ZuV
Connect with author Vashti Quiroz-Vega:
https://vashtiqvega.wordpress.com/
Twitter @VashtiQV
Congratulations to Vashti Quiroz-Vega for being a Rave Reviews Book Club – RRBC spotlight author: https://vashtiqvega.wordpress.com/2018/01/08/rave-reviews-book-club-spotlight-author/
Link to the excellent Kirkus review: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/vashti-quiroz-vega/fall-lilith/
Have you read The Fall of Lilith? Do comment below, I’d love to hear your opinion.
Happy reading!
If you’d like to join in the #ABRSC read and review please follow the link below… or leave a comment.
#ABRSC Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook
#ABRSC Read and Review group on Goodreads
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time
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Tips for the New Goodreads Giveaways
Excellent advice from Chris McMullen about hosting a Goodreads giveaway.
GOODREADS GIVEAWAYS
As you may have heard, Goodreads Giveaways have changed.
- One change is that KDP authors can now give eBooks away.
- Another change is that it now costs money to create a Goodreads giveaway.
If you’d like to learn more about these recent changes to the Goodreads giveaway program, click here to read my recent article about it.
In my current post, I will offer some tips for making the most of it.
EXPLORING THE GIVEAWAYS
First off, there is the question of how readers will find your giveaway. It’s worth exploring the giveaways as a reader would before you proceed to create a giveaway as an author. This will give you some insight into the process.
Unfortunately, when I visit the homepage at www.goodreads.com, I don’t see any mention of the giveaways there. But that’s okay. Experience shows that thousands of readers already know where to find…
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Prologues – with hindsight
A fascinating post about prologues, from Jessica Norrie. Particularly as there is one in my novel! Apparently some folks don’t like them. I recommend reading this thoughtful article to discover the do’s and don’ts of prologues.
Browsing my favourite fiction authors, what do Helen Dunmore, Elena Ferrante, Zadie Smith, Margaret Forster and Kazuo Ishiguro (sometimes) do, that Margaret Atwood, Ian McKewan, Rose Tremain and Kazuo Ishiguro (sometimes) don’t?
Clue: It was good enough for Chaucer and (sometimes) Shakespeare, but has a reputation as a turn-off in submissions to agents and publishers. At the Guardian Masterclass I attended, the invited agent said: “Never send me a submission with a prologue!” And here are two more, quoted on the Writer’s Digest:
“I’m not a fan of prologues, preferring to find myself in the midst of a moving plot on page one rather than being kept outside of it, or eased into it.”
“Damn the prologue, full speed ahead!”
In the Facebook group Book Connectors the thread “Do you read the prologue?” has given me a blog theme for the second week running. (Thanks!) It’s turned…
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Colleen’s Weekly #Tanka Tuesday #Poetry Challenge No. 66: DESTINATION & GUIDE (#SynonymsOnly)
The prompt words this week are destination, and guide. I chose to use the synonyms haven and guiding spirit. I created the above Tanka which leads to a short, but oh so relevant excerpt…
An excerpt from my YA/Paranormal Fantasy the Curse of Time – Book 1 – Bloodstone.
A hazy image materialised into a multitude of glistening sparks which transformed into a vibrantly glowing object. I heard the pounding hearts from each of us becoming louder and more distinct as we gazed at the object. The sparks coalesced, no longer separate entities they’d joined to form a spirit or a ghostly apparition. The specter sparkled like a million candle lights, speaking to each of us, in a wisp of a voice that drifted like the wind.
The spirit addressed me, knowing I possessed the gift to understand the crystals. ‘You have called me forth to open your heart to the truth. You must accept who you are and not be afraid. Embrace your true self. Encourage others to do the same. Then you will be a truly magical person, able to rekindle your family’s happiness. Beware those who want what you possess.’
The spirit turned and pointed at Joselyn. ‘Joselyn, you must move on from your past and accept the challenges of the future. Don’t be fearful. Your confidence will grow the more you follow your dreams.’
The phantom floated above us on invisible currents and pointed at Ilaria. ‘Ilaria, you have no more to fear from the children who taunted you. Your laughter protects you from their wickedness. Heed my words and use your skill wisely.’
Jade was last, and the spirit hovered near her face. ‘Jade, you possess the skill and craft of working with animals. You must cherish and nurture it. Be faithful to your friends, and most of all, beware of those who may lead you astray.’
When the spirit finished speaking, the ghostly form drifted toward the candles and hovered above them. Slowly, the flames were extinguished one after the other, and we found ourselves sitting in total darkness. The phantom had vanished. No one spoke. We were shocked into a stunned silence. Ilaria switched on the light, and with one glance, we all knew things between us would never be the same again. That night signalled the beginning of our own personal voyages toward self-discovery.
© M J Mallon 2017/2018
Hope you enjoyed the Tanka and excerpt.
Bye for now,
My social media links:
Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook
Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club Read and Review on Goodreads
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time
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49 Days In 1988. Week 1: Dinner With Death
Thank you to Hugh for featuring me in the first of his new series of stories, music and features on his blog.
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#ABRSC Review of Ninja School Mum
Goodreads Synopsis:
Obsessive-compulsive school mum, Skye, is a lonely elite spy, who is running from her past whilst trying to protect the future of her child. She tries hard to fit in with the other parents at her son’s new school, but the only person who accepts her unconventional way of life is new mother, Thea.
Thea is feeling harassed by her sister and bored with her life, but she suspects that there is something strange about the new school mum, Skye. Thea has secrets of her own and, although the two become unlikely friends, she hesitates to tell Skye about the father of her own child.
Zack’s new business is growing faster than he could have dreamed but, suddenly, he finds himself the owner of a crumbling estate on the edge of a pretty village, and a single parent to a very demanding child. Could he make a go of things and give his daughter the life she deserved?
When three lives collide, it appears that only one of them is who they seem to be, and you never know who the person next to you in the school playground really is.
My review:
Thank you to the author Lizzie Chantree for an ARC copy for a honest review. All opinions are my own.
An enjoyable chick lit romance with an unexpected twist towards the end. Light-hearted, amusing and fun. The characters are well rounded, and engaging – my favourites are Skye, Thea and Zack.
In my opinion this quick read would appeal to mums and dads who have been excluded from playground cliques and friendship groups and who would like to have some ninja skills to deal with certain people! So very relatable, humorous and fun.
My recommendation – 4 stars – Particularly recommended for those who enjoy their romance with a sprinkling of humour, and a touch of sauciness but not too much!
Read as part of #ABRSC read and review group for independent authors.
I will be featuring Lizzie Chantree on my blog in February with more details about Ninja School Mum’s release…
Paperback, 1, 310 pages
Expected publication: January 30th 2018 by Crooked Cat Books
Author’s website: https://lizziechantree.com/
Twitter: @Lizzie_Chantree
My previous author spotlight post: https://kyrosmagica.wordpress.com/2017/03/18/author-spotlight-lizzie-chantree/
Happy reading,
I review lots!!! For more reviews follow the links below:
https://kyrosmagica.wordpress.com/2015/09/28/a-m-of-my-book-reviews/
https://kyrosmagica.wordpress.com/2016/11/27/my-kyrosmagica-reviews-n-z/
Bye for now,
My social media links:
Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club/
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time
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Colleen’s Weekly #Tanka Tuesday #Poetry Challenge No. 65: AMBITION & CHANGE (#SynonymsOnly)
This week’s prompt words from Colleen – ambition and change really attracted me. My youngest is going through quite a lot of impending changes at the moment. She plans to go to University in September to study Fashion Management, and I am so excited for her. Also my husband and I are considering plans in the not too distant future to move abroad, not definite yet, but we are talking about it! Change is exciting but it is also scary too. But, you’ll never know how new challenges will develop unless you give them a try. So that is going to be my motto for 2018. Try new things, be adventurous!
To join in with Colleen’s poetry challenge follow the link:
So here is my Tanka using the synonyms, aspiration for ambition, and transform for change.
I am including the following short extract from The Curse of Time – Bloodstone – Book 1 in which the main character Amelina considers how someone you’ve just met – Ryder – can seem to change at an alarming rate. And yet, that person captivates you into wanting more of that dark, dangerous charisma!
Every nerve ending in my body flooded with a multitude of emotions until I felt like a quivering mound of nervous, trembling jelly. Taking deep soothing breaths, I reached for my headphones to shut out this horrible, senseless world. I craved ear-piercing rock, a vault of high adrenalin noise. That would be sure to do the trick.
I turned up the sound and relaxed, lying in my bed. My thoughts returned to Ryder. What did I know about him? He had appeared as a stranger and then surprised me by coming to my rescue. He had scared those creepy boys off. I had to admit that I didn’t understand him or them either. His personality had switched. One moment he’d been all smiles and then boom, he’d changed, a scary intensity erupting out of those incredible eyes. I imagined his face staring at me again. He had a mysterious power in him that much I could see, so much so, that even the ground beneath his feet responded to him.
I remembered that Ryder had introduced himself to me but hadn’t bothered to ask my name. I scratched my head in puzzlement. Yet he knew who I was. Somehow, he knew those boys’ names too. It struck me as strange and unsettling. But one thing I knew for sure I experienced a trickle of life flowing in my veins. This sensation had long been missing from my life. It heralded an awakening, and I shivered in delight. I felt excited, confused, and more than a little scared. But I felt alive.
I experienced this magnetic pull of some hidden power that drew me towards him. With little difficulty, I realised he was a secret I would be wise to keep to myself. Mum and Dad would go mad if I mentioned that I’d met him down the river pathway. Hero or Prince, they wouldn’t understand. Besides, the possibility of keeping dark and mysterious secrets appealed to me. They were the best, most wicked kind.
Hope you enjoyed the extract. Feel free to comment below I love receiving feedback from you all.
Hope your 2018 started off better than mine did! I’ve been a bit poorly so apologies for the late message to wish you a very Happy, and Healthy New Year! xx
My Social Media Links:
Fellow Administrators of our Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club #ABRSC on Facebook, myself, my good friends, Colleen Chesebro, and Debby Gies.
Authors/Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook
Goodreads #ABRSC Read and Review
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All-Around Best of Show
Congratulations to Diana Peach for being awarded All Around Best of Show in the #FFRodeo at Charli Mill’s Carrot Ranch Literary Community.
M J Mallon YA Author and Poet 