humour – Page 3 – M J Mallon YA Author and Poet

Colleen’s 2019 Weekly #Tanka Tuesday #Poetry Challenge No. 138 #SynonymsOnly #Haiga

“Clear & Nature” are the synonyms but we can’t use them! Boo hoo… So for clear I chose (clean) and Nature: (character.)

The photo below is taken from my recent trip to Cromer, Norfolk Coast with my hubby.

Mr Seagull’s boat

Seagull’s character

To clean the ocean of boats

And bring them ashore

Haiga:

The haiku is the most important part and must stand alone.

In haiga, it must add something to the reader/viewer’s appreciation of the scene. I hope this works! The photo alone would make you think of a seagull dreaming or looking for his next meal, whereas the haiku makes the seagull do something unusual which he can’t do in reality!

The image can create for the reader/viewer an alternative reading to the one conveyed by a literal reading of the poem.

https://colleenchesebro.com/how-to-create-haiga-poetry/

https://colleenchesebro.com/2019/07/30/colleens-2019-weekly-tanka-tuesday-poetry-challenge-no-138-synonymsonly/

Buy Book: myBook.to/TheCurseofTime

Unique Selling Point: Unique, Imaginative, ‘Charming, enchanting and richly layered this is purely delightful.’

“This delightful book will appeal to teens and young adults who love stories filled with magical crystals, dark family curses, and mysteries waiting to be solved around every corner. Each chapter leads you on a journey of discovery where Amelina earns the right to use three wizard stones to reset the balance of time and finally break the curse that holds her family hostage. A captivating tale!” – Colleen M. Chesebro (Editor)

Social Media Links

Authors Website: https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com
Collaborative Blog: https://sistersofthefey.wordpress.com
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

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

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

COLLEEN’S 2019 WEEKLY #TANKA TUESDAY #POETRY CHALLENGE NO. 132 #SYNONYMSONLY

I’m looking for a Christmas venue for our staff party which is proving to be more difficult than I first anticipated. A colleague at work suggested I considered The Cock pub. Anyway, to cut a long story short I called The Cock and checked the size of the venue. We require a big capacity – over fifty guests – and I was informed that the venue was too small. Dead pan, I reported this back to my colleagues with the words: ‘the cock is too small!’

Cue much laughing… Oh my!

Thereafter, not content with the way things were going I googled other possible pubs and discovered a feisty possibility called The Wrestling Cocks. This wasn’t big enough but I was impressed by their passionate pride to their pub! They pointed us in the direction of another venue – the name escapes me – but sadly this didn’t meet my exalted expectations either…

So after much soul searching and a protracted period of titillating I’m now considering a more simple approach. Perhaps a venue with a numeral in the name such as The Three Buttes, or The Eight Ding-Dongs...

ALL PUBS NAMES IN ITALICS HAVE BEEN CHANGED TO PROTECT THEIR PRIVACY!

The pressure’s growing

To find a perfect venue

A decision soon

Be it big, or small in size

Carry on… up the pub dears!

Synonyms: For influence (I used pressure) and perception: (feeling)

To join in Colleen’s poetry challenge:

https://colleenchesebro.com/2019/06/18/colleens-2019-weekly-tanka-tuesday-poetry-challenge-no-132-synonymsonly/

Social Media Links

Authors Website: https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com
Collaborative Blog: https://sistersofthefey.wordpress.com
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

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

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

Buy Book: myBook.to/TheCurseofTime

Carrot Ranch May 9: Flash Fiction Challenge

Here’s my daft poem in response to Carrot Ranch’s prompt about aging…

AGE – One Letter Short of A Four Letter Word

AGE IS ONE LETTER SHORT OF A

FOUR LETTER WORD!

Desire’s three syllables entwined in kinky Karma Sutra positions,

Movement’s six hundred plus muscles belly aching to stop,

Career crises simplified, await twin oldies bus pass, plus pensions,

Adolescent giggles groan as multiple false teeth fracture,

Luscious locks lost greying in gazillions.

STOP!

Six pack? Remember that? Welcome new look naughty pot belly,

Two elastic boobs yonder yoga style yodeling the floor,

Face it fellows, we’re on

TRACK…

NUMBERED…

Until… endless sleep of blessed youth,

FORESHADOWS ETERNAL

SLEEP TO US ALL!!!

Carrot Ranch’s May 9, 2019, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about growing older. It can be humorous, dark or poignant. It can be true or total fiction. It can be fine wine or an old fossil. Go where the prompt leads!

Respond by May 14, 2019.

https://carrotranch.com/2019/05/10/may-9-flash-fiction-challenge/

That was fun! Lol.

Buy Book: myBook.to/TheCurseofTime

Unique Selling Point: Unique, Imaginative, ‘Charming, enchanting and richly layered this is purely delightful.’

“This delightful book will appeal to teens and young adults who love stories filled with magical crystals, dark family curses, and mysteries waiting to be solved around every corner. Each chapter leads you on a journey of discovery where Amelina earns the right to use three wizard stones to reset the balance of time and finally break the curse that holds her family hostage. A captivating tale!” – Colleen M. Chesebro (Editor)

Social Media Links

Authors Website: https://kyrosmagica.wordpress.com
Collaborative Blog: https://sistersofthefey.wordpress.com
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

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

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

#BookReview Andorra Pett and The Oort Cloud Cafe #mystery #scifi

Goodreads Synopsis:

Meet Andorra Pett; with her trusty sidekick, she’s taken over a derelict cafe. On a mining station. It just happens to be orbiting Saturn! She’s hoping for a fresh start, away from all the drama of her old life. It’s a chance to relax and start again in a place where nobody knows anything about her or her past.
But the cafe holds a secret, and secrets have a habit of coming out; whether you want them to or not. And being accident prone doesn’t help. The more you try to pretend that you know what’s going on, the worse it gets.
Andorra’s plans for peace and quiet get lost amid the revelations and skulduggery and she soon realises that the fate of the whole station lies in her hapless hands.
In space, you can still trip over your feet; the question is, will you land upright?

My review:

This is about as different as it gets in terms of sci/fi murder mystery sleuthing. For a start it is set on Saturn in a café frequented by miners, with lots of gossip and dodgy goings on and a body hidden in a freezer. It is imaginative and I like imaginative!The author himself has described it as an ‘Agatha Raisin in space.’

Who killed the previous owner of the ‘Ucky Strike Cafe’ which has lost its L?

It seems that Andorra might be the one to find out. There is a light-hearted feel to this novel and plenty of moments that made me laugh right from the start:

Also there are some interesting, (exclamation, exclamation,) revelations LOL… that I didn’t see coming at all and who would have guessed the culprit? Not me…

Andorra comes across as a likeable character who is looking for love and (sometimes tries too hard to find it .) Can she find love now she has escaped the hurts of her past? The supporting characters are believable and the story is well-written and engaging.

Even though it is Sc-fi it is a cozy Sci-fi, so don’t let that put you off if that might.

Do check out Richard’s website. He has written an enviable collection of books and is a fantastic supporter of independent authors with his Indie Showcases.

My recommendation: Read it! 5 stars. Enjoyable read.

Richard’s website:

https://richarddeescifi.co.uk/

Buy Book: myBook.to/TheCurseofTime

Social Media Links

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

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

Forgive Me I am A Writer’s Muse: #BloggersBash #BlogPostCompetition

Who am I?

A curious cat muse. Each day is a discovery. I am five again, and my nine lives are creeping away…

Time is ticking and I yowl to tell stories, so dear MJ grasps her keyboard and pounds the keys, stealing seconds, minutes and moments.

No wonder MJ writes about time: time is precious, each day offers vast adventures. Writing has taught her to embrace and explore every moment.

So on her way to work she prowls, stalking victims. We imagine stories, we marvel, or rage at the inequality in our society. Memories invade our consciousness: a homeless person standing up, swaying in his sleeping bag like a ghost in motion, a lady in a red hat glaring at us.

MJ is an addict: a nosy parker, an eavesdropper. People notice and give her evil looks. What they don’t know is that evil look is her’s. It just became a character in her new story.

MJ spent her teenage years in 5 Craigcrook Park, Scotland. Such a strange sounding address. No wonder she possesses a cat-like curiosity, a criminal intention to steal words.

And a love of trees. Trees have oodles of energy and some have grumpy faces!

And… a zest for the beauty of the natural world: rocks and crystals.

Creep into our crystal grotto in Juniper Artland, Scotland.

Or explore five crystal beauties in The Curse of Time Book 1 Bloodstone: Merlinite, Red Jade, Quartz, Black Obsidian, Bloodstone.

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Witness a grasshopper sculptural clock in Cambridge, England, The Corpus Christi Chronophage Clock.

http://johnctaylor.com

It became….

MJ is no Mathematician. She isn’t obsessed with the number five. She is much older than that but a writer has an advantage many don’t. MJ has the power to create worlds, perhaps long into old age.

We have everything to live for, writing fantasy is our life. We are blessed.

PURRR…

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Hope you enjoyed my strange entry!

The above is my entry to the #BloggersBash Blog Post competition which you can enter here:

https://annualbloggersbash.com/2019/02/11/the-2019-bloggers-bash-blog-post-competition/

Image of the Corpus Christi Chronophage clock is courtesy of Dr J C Taylor – inventor. http://www.johnctaylor.com/

Images of Lily the cat (modelling as my character Shadow in The Curse of Time Book 1 Bloodstone via https://samanthamurdochblog.wordpress.com/

Tree image is my own.

Colleen’s 2019 Weekly #Tanka Tuesday #Poetry Challenge No. 123 #SynonymsOnly

I could have gone Valentine’s with the prompt words: meaning and passion but instead I went love of trees! Lol. I am a funny one!

An expressive face

Full of such feeling

Carved in wood. I pause.

Mr Frowning Tree,

Stops me on my way to work,

With his cheeky frown,

Little devil what a tease,

I doubt he’s really that sad!

To join in Colleen’s poetry challenge: https://colleenchesebro.com/2019/02/12/colleens-2019-weekly-tanka-tuesday-poetry-challenge-no-123-synonymsonly/

Hope you enjoyed! I love this tree!

Buy Book: myBook.to/TheCurseofTime

Unique Selling Point: Unique, Imaginative, ‘Charming, enchanting and richly layered this is purely delightful.’

Rodeo #4: Fractured Fairy Tales: Goldilocks Hates Chocolate

Well done to the winners. The winning entries here – https://carrotranch.com/2018/12/07/rodeo-4-fractured-fairy-tales-winners/

Including second prize to my friend Hugh, an honourable mention to Debby Gies – (my friend, and Sister of the Fey.) and this highly entertaining lovely chap – Geoff Le Pard also had an honourable mention.

I didn’t win but this is my entry:

Goldilocks Hates Chocolate

Goldilocks was due to arrive at any moment. Little bear kept a look-out for papa bear and mama bear hoping that they wouldn’t return too early from their leisurely morning walk.
Goldilocks sauntered in and handed little bear a huge chocolate croissant which he ate down greedily.
Goldie sat on the floor and tucked in to little bear’s bowl of steaming porridge.
‘Ugh, how can you eat that muck, Goldie?’
‘It’s yummy. I hate chocolate and sweet things.’
‘With a name like Goldilocks it’s no wonder you’re weird. Porridge reminds me of sticky snot.’
‘Rubbish, it’s mighty gold-i-delicious gunk!’

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Buy Book: myBook.to/TheCurseofTime

Social Media Links

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

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

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

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I’m a contributing author in the Plaisted Publishing House Ghostly Writes Anthology 2018 with my story Ghostly Goodbye.

Ghostly Goodbye by M J Mallon

Ghostly Goodbye is a paranormal love story about a young woman called Iris who can’t get over her husband’s death. She is mourning him so much that she feels dead inside. Her husband Ed sends her a ghostly message from beyond the grave via an old forgotten garment in her wardrobe. She responds by dragging herself from her tomb-like bed and he draws back the curtain of death to visit her in a most unusual way.

Available on Amazon, Apple, Nook, Kobo, Scribd, 24S, Playster, Indigo, Angus & Robertson, Mondadori Store: Universal Buying Link

Colleens Weekly Tanka Tuesday Poetry Challenge No 112 – #Travel #Lisbon #Photography #HardRockCafe #Music #Accident #Trip #Fall

My hubby and I went for a long weekend to Lisbon. Unfortunately I had a fall on holiday and hurt my foot. I’d been out the night before at the Hard Rock Cafe, (indulging in cocktails and behaving like I’m one of the youngsters.)

My hubby and I were listening to a very good cover band. The next day I was feeling pretty good – no hangover! But it was raining heavily and the cobbled pavements were very slippery.

We arrived at this spot – we’d been there the evening before. This was taken when it was sunny…

The next day the band were there again. They were about to set up. Imagine those wet cobble stones, see that foot. It’s probably mine. Yes, you get the picture.

I felt a sharp pain

Hubby rushed to help me up

Good nothing broken

A hard rock holiday fall

A low-risk trip, groan get up!

So the band and my hubby rushed towards me to help. I felt like a celebrity!

It was my birthday but it was not quite what I had in mind for a birthday present. Lol.

Still the Altis hotel made up for it with this unexpected surprise.

Luckily no major harm done but I am still hobbling about a bit.

… Ouch.. I should have caught this instead…

If I had I would have admired this awesome graffiti… Which I did on another occasion.

I should have hugged a tree instead to stay safe. This one reminded me of an enormous, hairy gorilla with big caring arms!

Luckily the first two days were very sunny. Blue shades weather. I pinched my hubby’s sunglasses. He said they suited me!

We saw some wild life – this charming fellow caught my eye… He looks astonished doesn’t he? Camera shy perhaps? Or perhaps he heard about my fall.

All in all I had a lovely birthday break away in Lisbon. It’s a beautiful city, I’d really recommend a visit.

I LOVE PORTUGAL.

But watch out for those cobbled streets in the rain. I wish I hadn’t had that fall. But, it could have been much worse.

I’m grateful I didn’t get whisked away in an ambulance – this has happened to me and various other family members before…

We are very accident prone. Check out this post:

https://kyrosmagica.wordpress.com/2015/02/15/an-unusual-valentines-adventure/

If you’d like to join in Colleen’s weekly poetry challenge you better get your skates on!

https://colleenchesebro.com/2018/11/27/colleens-weekly-tanka-tuesday-poetry-challenge-no-112-cold-safe-synonymsonly/

Have you been to Lisbon? Do let me know in the comments. x

Stay safe and out of the rain.

Bye for now,

I’m a contributing author in the Plaisted Publishing House Ghostly Writes Anthology 2018 with my story Ghostly Goodbye.

Ghostly Goodbye by M J Mallon

Available on Amazon, Apple, Nook, Kobo, Scribd, 24S, Playster, Indigo, Angus & Robertson, Mondadori Store: Universal Buying Link

And in paperback on Lulu.com.

Social Media Links

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

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

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

Carrot Ranch November 8 Flash Fiction Challenge #Flash #Fiction #Superpower

Here’s my entry for Charli Mills Carrot Ranch November 8th Flash Fiction challenge:

Mo’s Superpower Mash Disaster

Mo had always wanted to know what people really thought about her so she developed a special mash infused with a truth serum. What a disaster! Mo’s cafe was now closed until further notice. No one wanted Mo’s magic mash infused with such a bizarre superpower. Who would want to be on the receiving end of that kind of damaging ability? Finding out what people really think about you isn’t great – unfiltered thoughts and comments hurt. Mo’s Mash cafe reopens tomorrow with a new menu topped by:

Tell a bunch of lies mash to keep the regular punter’s happy.

To enter: https://carrotranch.com/2018/11/09/november-8-flash-fiction-challenge/

Hope you enjoyed!

Buy Kindle/Paperback Book link: http://mybook.to/TheCurseofTime

I’m a contributing author in the Plaisted Publishing House Ghostly Writes Anthology 2018 with my story Ghostly Goodbye.

Reviews needed! Please support us.

Available on Amazon, Apple, Nook, Kobo, Scribd, 24S, Playster, Indigo, Angus &Robertson, Mondadori Store: Universal Buying Link

#NEWS – Summoning My Superpowers – Writing/Editing The Curse of Time Book Two – Golden Healer.

Hi all,

Some of my more regular blog visitors might have noticed that I haven’t been posting, commentating, engaging in social media, etc, as much recently. This pains me a lot. Sigh. But, sadly this will continue indefinitely while I am writing/editing the second book in the series The Curse of Time. I can’t write, blog, and work in a demanding full-time job – it is just not possible.

I know that I profess to have magical powers but I am feeling the pinch. My superpowers aren’t holding up well. I am in desperate need of a magic wand to give me energy. Quite by chance I found this in the Botanic Gardens in Cambridge. It’s a bit small but I like the snake-like look to it. The top pic shows its eye well and the bottom one its mouth!

Abracadabara!!!

So bear with me. Don’t desert me!

I am very excited about the progress of the second book in the series. All I can divulge for now is: expect a cruel rollercoaster ride, a crazy grasshopper who natters incessantly and some seriously odd shadow demons.

Ha ha… my mind works in some crazy ways…

There will be the same cast of characters from book one: Amelina, Ryder, Esme, The Mirror Girl, The Creature Eruterac, Kyle, Amelina’s friends: Jade, Ilaria and Joselyn plus Shadow the cat, Toby the dog, The Spirit, and of course Amelina’s mum and dad and her dear aunt Karissa…

Yes quite a cast!

Recently I was tagged by Vashti Vega on twitter @VashtiQV who I’d cast as the leads in my book… I chose Tyler Posey, Dakota Fanning, Amanda Seyfried, and Colton Haynes.

5 Star Review News

I now have several reviews for The Curse of Time Book One Bloodstone on Goodreads and Amazon. My last two reviews were both five stars which made me do a double happy dance. This has really encouraged me to press on with this series.

Thank you to Galit for this awesome 5 star review: https://coffeennotes.wordpress.com/2018/08/12/book-review-the-curse-of-time-bloodstone1-by-m-j-mallon/
And to Karen for her fantastic 5 star review too: https://mytrainofthoughtson.wordpress.com/2018/07/29/the-curse-of-time-bloodstone-1-by-m-j-mallon-bookreview/

Here’s the link to my goodreads account with all my reviews: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35850797-the-curse-of-time

I’ve been featured recently on:

https://lindasbookbag.com/2018/08/14/staying-in-with-m-j-mallon/

https://richarddeescifi.co.uk/the-indie-showcase-presents-marjorie-mallon/

Thank you so much to Linda and Richard for featuring me. Really appreciate it. 🙂 x

What are my other plans?

I will be focussing on writing my reviews on books I am reading – which I love to do! It makes me very happy to read and to share my thoughts with other readers/reviewers. I have several review requests which I have to catch up on and I will be reblogging book-related posts and anything which might be of interest to my readers.

Oh and recently I’ve been on a bit of a winning streak.

I’ve won:

You can find out more about Awen Thornbur on Lizzie Chantree’s blog here: https://lizziechantree.com/2018/08/23/introducing-awen-thornbur/

And I won:

Oh! I almost forgot! Happy Friday @Marjorie_Mallon #Rafflecopter chose you to #win a copy of #Eleanor's Secret by @CarolineBeecham Pleased DM postal address and happy #amreading #histfic pic.twitter.com/CzwvkaBByr

— Linda Hill (@Lindahill50Hill) August 17, 2018

And I’m the giveaway winner of Carolina’s mystery prize. More news about that to follow. Here is the giveaway winner announcement post: https://yesterdayafter.com/2018/08/22/and-the-giveaway-winner-is/

Yeah, I love that when that happens…

Authors/Bloggers Rainbow Support Club News

Don’t forget to visit our amazing Authors/Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook. This FB club is growing and becoming a thriving community of writers, authors, creatives and book reviewers. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1829166787333493/

Do come and join us. I’ve been sharing our hashtag: #ABRSC on twitter so if you see it doing its rounds I would be thrilled if you could retweet and spread the word.

So happy weekend dearest readers. Time to get back to summoning my inner powers…

Where has that wretched wand snaked off to?

Bye

Buying Link: http://mybook.to/TheCurseofTime

Social Media:
Authors Media Kit: https://kyrosmagica.wordpress.com/2018/02/13/media-kit/
Collaborative blog: https://sistersofthefey.wordpress.com
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time
Facebook Author page: 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/

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