Author Spotlight; Marjorie Mallon

Amelina, age 15 and wanting a functional home life. A best friend locked inside a mirror, a Crystal Cottage holding answer by invite only and something changing people into shadows of their former selves…

“The Curse of Time” is Marjorie’s debut YA novel. Book one in an upcoming series. Set in Cambridge with ties to local culture. Enigmatic friendships, and the power of crystals soon find their way into her Amelina’s world.

What happened to her father? Why is Esmé trapped inside her mirrors? How to find the Crystal Cottage? Who is Ryder? All questions that need answers.

Then there’s the curse that’s ruined her family.

Book one kicks off with a fast start, introducing us to key elements and characters and taking us into a supernatural world sitting behind the normality of Cambridge.

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Author Bio

I am a debut author who has been blogging for three years at my lovely blog home Kyrosmagica: https://mjmallon.com. My interests include writing, photography, poetry, and alternative therapies. I write Fantasy YA, middle grade fiction and micro poetry – haiku and Tanka.

I love to read and have written over 100 reviews which can be found here

My alter ego is M.J. – Mary Jane from Spiderman. I love superheroes! I was born on the 17th of November in Lion City: Singapore, (a passionate Scorpio, with the Chinese Zodiac sign a lucky rabbit) second child and only daughter to my proud parents Paula and Ronald. I grew up in a mountainous court in the Peak District in Hong Kong with my elder brother Donald. My parents dragged me away from my exotic childhood and my much-loved dog Topsy to the frozen wastelands of Scotland. In bonnie Edinburgh I mastered Scottish country dancing, and a whole new Och Aye lingo.

As a teenager I travelled to many far-flung destinations to visit my abacus wielding wayfarer dad. It’s rumoured that I now live in the Venice of Cambridge, with my six-foot hunk of a Rock God husband, and my two enchanted daughters. After such an upbringing my author’s mind has taken total leave of its senses!

When I’m not writing, I eat exotic delicacies while belly dancing, or surf to the far reaches of the moon. To chill out, I practise Tai Chi. If the mood takes me I snorkel with mermaids, or sign up for idyllic holidays with the Chinese Unicorn, whose magnificent voice sings like a thousand wind chimes.

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The Curse of Time – Book 1 – Bloodstone

Book Blurb

Fifteen-year-old Amelina Scott lives in Cambridge with her dysfunctional family, a mysterious black cat, and an unusual girl who’s imprisoned within the mirrors located in her house. When an unexpected message arrives inviting her to visit the Crystal Cottage, she sets off on a forbidden pathway where she encounters Ryder, a charismatic, but perplexing stranger.

With the help of a magical paint set, and some crystal wizard stones she discovers the truth about a shocking curse that has destroyed her family’s happiness.

 

 

Kindle Publication date: 27th August 2017
​​​​Genre: YA/Paranormal Fantasy
​​​​Pages: 237
​​​​ASIN: B074CDJPY9

Buy the e-book Curse of Time UK

Buy the e-book Curse of Time US

​​Paperback Release date – April 2018
​​​​Genre: YA/Paranormal Fantasy
​​​​Pages: 240
​​​​ISBN: 9781999822439

Buy the paperback Curse of Time UK

Buy the paperback Curse of Time US

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Book Extract – supplied by the author.

Ryder, the mysterious stranger. Alluring to Amelina and her friends. Invoking jealousy, concern and danger. Personally, I don’t trust him. Not from my reading of the book so far. Sequels may change that, but at present too many questions, unknown motives and a wandering eye.

Come now and meet him…

 

It’s a certainty,
Guys like Ryder don’t appear,
Every single day,
Weep as you will, but it’s true,
‘Cause he’s lush and forbidden.

 

I stepped back and stifled my scream. The trembling of the earth continued beneath my feet. I glanced down in horror as I watched the crack grow, spreading tendrils of darkness in an eerie shadow.

I tore my eyes from the trembling ground and glanced at the two boys on the other side of the fissure. Shock and fear registered in their eyes as they met my stare. My heart pounded in my chest, sending a shot of adrenalin through me. I moved as far away from the shadowy cleft as possible, my feet moving with no direction from my mind.

The lads took refuge in glancing at their feet, moving backward from the advancing crack as if they’d thought the strange shadow would swallow them up. I found it odd, but they didn’t run. Instead, Will and Mitch hardly dared to breathe. They stepped slowly, stealing away from the edge. Before long I watched as they became two indistinct shapes far off in the distance.

I felt my body relax. The quivering stopped, and the ground felt solid beneath my feet again. I took a deep breath and managed a faint smile. ‘Thank you, Ryder.’ I could feel the heat of a pink tint colour my cheeks.

‘No problem, it’s my pleasure,’ he replied. He turned to face me, and with an elaborate bow his face lit up with a confident smile as his eyes met mine.

I grinned back and chuckled when I realised Ryder reminded me of a princely actor. I thanked my lucky stars he had crossed my path. I shuddered to think what might have happened if he hadn’t come by when he did. I felt unsettled by that pathway where the shadows seemed to come alive. Those boys were weird. I shook my head trying to get the image of their blank eyes staring at me out of my head.

A residue of uncertainty remained. Those shadows lingered in my mind, resurrecting buried memories from my thirteenth birthday: an imprint on glass, a charades card and a young man’s beguiling voice bewitching me. I shivered, feeling the coolness of the air. Glimpsing up at the sky I noticed that grey rain clouds were gathering.

I looked over my shoulder at Ryder, ‘I better get back. It’s going to rain.’

Ryder glanced up at the gathering gloom, ‘I think you’re right. If it’s not rain, it’s darkness that follows me. You never know what’s lurking in the shadows. With that in mind, let me walk you home.’

What a strange thing to say, I thought as we turned to walk down the path toward my home. Ryder’s words sounded creepy, and I couldn’t shake my uneasiness. Perhaps, I should have run away, but instead, I allowed myself to walk with him. I do not understand what possessed me to do so. It must have been the irregular hiccupping of my heart.

Stealing a glance at Ryder, I drew in a sharp breath. I had been so absorbed in the drama back at the river that I hadn’t noticed the subtleties flickering like wraiths across his face. I took the time now to note that he had blue-black hair that gleamed in the gloominess of the day. As the rain began to fall, I found myself drawn to his unusual eyes. His inky black eye contrasted with his green eye and had to be his most stunning, and unique, feature. He had long lashes now slicked with raindrops that gleamed in the failing light. Unable to look away, I stared into those captivating eyes as if they were two dark, mysterious pools pulling me into their depths. I imagined myself sinking into oblivion. I felt light-headed as if I’d lost my grip at the top of a high cliff, free-falling, tumbling over and over again, but instead of fighting against this frightening sensation I welcomed it.

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A bit more about the author.

I always ask authors for three fun facts about themselves in addition to the usual information comprising the bulk of the post. Marje gave me fourteen! Out of them I have distilled just three.

1. My motto is to do what you love! Stay true to your heart’s desires, remain young at heart, and inspire others to do so, even if the odds are stacked against you like black-hearted shadows.
2. I have travelled to many foreign destinations, including: Papua New Guinea, Fiji, the Caribbean, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Rome, Venice, France, Germany, Spain, Belgium and Portugal. I would love the funds to travel some more!
3. I wish I could be Wonder Woman or MJ from Spiderman.

 

My own view on these is that Marje has written and published a book. Might be Wonder Woman is already in the house?

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Social Media link ups.

Marjorie can be found at the following social media sites. Follow her to keep up with updates and news on all things book related.

Author Website: https://mjmallon.com

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

Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time

Facebook: Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club

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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This is post is part of the paperback launch blog tour. Up coming dates are below. All the bloggers involved are worth a visit, not just for this, but because they are all fantastic people and actively support new authors from all genres.

 

 

 

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