It is always a sincere pleasure to welcome a fellow author to Interview an Author on Jemsbooks.blog. Today, please help me welcome talented author, Marjorie Mallon.

Thank you, Marjorie, for stopping by today to share a little bit about yourself and your books. I am excited to have you here! The floor is yours!

Thank you so much Janice for hosting me on your lovely blog. 

Jjspina: My pleasure, Marjorie. Love the photo!

How do you come up with ideas for your stories?

I’d say that I am a visually inspired author whose ideas largely come from intriguing places and striking creations I’ve seen, or unusual creatures both human and of the furry kind! I love taking photos of the natural world and these often inspire my writing. This is particularly the case in my poetry, prose and photography book, Mr. Sagittarius which features many photos of trees, flowers and creatures! What projects are you currently working on? My current focus is on Book 2 in my YA paranormal adventure – The Curse of Time series, Golden Healer, which is currently with my publisher Next Chapter. After the final editing process, it will need approval of edits before it is published. Also, I will be listening to chapters of the audio-book production of the first book, Bloodstone. I’m so excited about these developments. The Curse of Time series is a true labour of love, a story that I spent considerable time perfecting. I am so proud that Book 2 is finished, it has been the hardest project I’ve attempted to date. Recently, I received an award for Bloodstone from Amazon Reviewer/Influencer N. N. Light – finalist in her International Author, and Fantasy award for books awarded 5 stars and 5 stars ++ which really boosted my confidence. Furthermore, I have a poetry collection waiting to be finished. It is entitled, Do What You Love. It is a celebration of all my loves: writing, family, friends, and special places I adore. 

Jjspina: You certainly have been busy, Marjorie, with all your projects. They sound wonderful!

What hobbies do you have when you are not writing?

When I’m not writing I like to spend time with family and friends, eating out, or going for a coffee, or a tea. I’m quite sociable and like to organise get togethers for a good old natter! I enjoy walks in nature, and particularly have a fondness for trees, the sea, seashells and I collect crystals! I’d say that I like all things alternative: aromatherapy, reflexology, tai chi and yoga.

Jjspina: Lovely hobbies, Marjorie. They all sound so relaxing.

What is your target audience for your book?

The target audience for my YA Fantasy series is teenagers but many older people have been surprised by how much they have enjoyed the book. All my other books, including This Is Lockdown, (a covid anthology,) are for adults who enjoy personal human interest experiences, photography, poetry, short stories and flash fiction. 

Jjspina: I think it is a lovely book. I read it and enjoyed it as an adult but I do think it will be well received and enjoyed by teenagers especially.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? 

I’d love to go back to Portugal. I recently spent two months in Portugal, in a beautiful Algarvean town called Tavira. One day, we hope to settle there. At the moment, with the pandemic it is difficult to make plans or predict but… it is most definitely on our bucket list!

Jjspina: Portugal is a beautiful place to visit. I have been there twice. I would imagine it would be a perfect place to settle. I hope you realize your dream to do just that one day.

Please share your books with us and a synopsis of each.

Bloodstone, Book 1 The Curse of Time: A paranormal fantasy adventure 

Released 22 June 2021 by Next Chapter Publishing

I didn’t think my life could get weirder, but I was wrong…

Fifteen-year-old Amelina Scott lives in Cambridge with her dysfunctional family, a mysterious black cat, and an unusual girl who is 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 path where she encounters Ryder: a charismatic, perplexing stranger.

With the help of a magical paint set and some crystal wizard stones, can Amelina discover the truth about her family?

A unique, imaginative mystery full of magic-wielding and dark elements, Bloodstone is a riveting adventure for anyone interested in fantasy, mythology or the world of the paranormal.

TRIGGER WARNING: this book contains mention of self-harm, mental health issues and alludes to the potential dangers of sexual attraction, which may trigger younger/sensitive readers.

Jjspina: Bloodstone is the book I am showcasing for you today, Marjorie.

Mr Sagittarius Poetry, Prose and Photography

Released by Kyrosmagica Publishing 16^th February 2020

Twin brothers Harold and William love the magic of the natural world.

When Harold dies he leaves a simple memorial request.

Will his brother William and his sister Annette honour it?

Or, will the garden work its magic to ensure that they do.

A magical story expressed via an original compilation of poetry and prose with photographic images.

#Poetry #Prose #Photography #NaturalWorld #Trees #Magic #Spirit #Animals #CircleofLife #Humour #Halloween #Cats #Buddha

This Is Lockdown

Released by Kyrosmagica Publishing in kindle in July 2020, during the first lockdown. 

An anthology and compilation of diaries, short stories, poetry and flash fiction set during extraordinary times. This Is Lockdown is written from many perspectives, including a writer’s perspective highlighting the day-to-day life and struggles experienced during such an uncertain and frightening time. It also gives a glimpse into the blogging, writing world. The book showcases several international authors and their thoughts on what it is like to experience ‘isolation’ as a writer. I discuss the handling of the pandemic and my opinion about what might happen next. In the final part of the book I share my latest short story: a YA romance set post lockdown along with poetry, and flash fiction inspired by the pandemic.

It is as Willow Willers, a contributor said, ‘A piece of living history.’

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

Lockdown Innit Poems About Absurdity 

Released 26^th February 2021 by Kyrosmagica Publishing.

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!  Please share your links and where to purchase your books. 

YA Fantasy: Bloodstone, The Curse of Time Book 1.

Now available in wide Distribution : Kobo, Scribl, Smashwords, Nook, etc and in paperback & hardback in Barnes & Noble, Amazon, etc: https://books2read.com/u/bOyrgW

Poetry, Prose and Photography: Mr. Sagittarius

http://mybook.to/MrSagittarius

An anthology: This Is Lockdown  

Kindle: mybook.to/Thisislockdown

Paperback: mybook.to/Thisislockdown

Curse of Time series Golden Healer is out. Link below:

Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/mgjY67

And the audiobook for book 1 Bloodstone is out! I have a limited number of free UK and US audiobook codes for reviewers who might want to review on audiobook.

UK:   https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Bloodstone-Audiobook/B09SK9GFB1/

US: https://www.audible.com/pd/Bloodstone-Audiobook/B09SJWBJDM

If you could have one wish, what would it be?

For covid to end. It has been so devastating, so many people have suffered and our lives have been impacted so detrimentally. I particularly feel sad for the youngsters and the elderly and all those with underlying health conditions who must feel imprisoned by this virus. It’s my greatest wish that the Omnicron variant will be mild and bring with it the end of this terrible time.

Jjspina: I hope your wish comes true soon, Marjorie! I agree with you about the whole Pandemic. We are ready to be free of masks and get on with our lives. Prayers to all who have suffered from it and lost loved ones. So tragic!

AUTHOR BIO

My alter ego is MJ – Mary Jane from Spiderman. I love superheros!

M J Mallon was born in Lion city Singapore, a passionate Scorpio with the Chinese Zodiac sign of a lucky rabbit. She spent her early childhood in Hong Kong. During her teen years, she returned to her father’s childhood home, Edinburgh where she spent many happy years, entertained and enthralled by her parents’ vivid stories of living and working abroad. Perhaps it was during these formative years that her love of storytelling began bolstered by these vivid raconteurs. She counts herself lucky to have travelled to many far-flung destinations and this early wanderlust has fuelled her present desire to emigrate abroad.  Until that wondrous moment, it’s rumoured that she lives in the UK, in the Venice of Cambridge  with her six-foot hunk of a rock god husband. Her two enchanting daughters have flown the nest but often return with a cheery smile.

Her motto is to Do what Your Heart Desires.

And her favourite genre to write is fantasy/magical realism because life should be sprinkled with a liberal dash of extraordinarily imaginative magic!

Her writing credits include a multi-genre approach: paranormal, best-selling horror, supernatural short stories, flash fiction, and poetry.  She has worked with some amazing authors and bloggers compiling an anthology/compilation set during the early stages of COVID-19 entitled This Is Lockdown and a spin off poetry collection, Lockdown Innit. 

She’s been blogging for many moons at her blog home Kyrosmagica, (which means Crystal Magic.) where she continues to celebrate the spiritual realm,her love of nature, crystals and all things magical, mystical, and mysterious. 

Her eclectic blog shares her love of reading, reviewing books, writing, and photography: https://mjmallon.com/

AUTHOR SOCIAL MEDIA DETAILS

Authors Website: https://mjmallon.com
Authors Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/M-J-Mallon/e/B074CGNK4L

Next Chapter Publishing Author Page: https://www.nextchapter.pub/authors/mj-mallon
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon https://twitter.com/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/

Bookstagram (New): https://www.instagram.com/mjm_reviews/

Spiritual Sisters: https://www.facebook.com/5SpiritualSisters

Here is my review of Marjorie Mallon’s book, Bloodstone:

Bloodstone is Book 1 of a creative fantasy series for middle-graders and preteens with short chapters and poetry at the beginning of each chapter making it a quick and fun read.

This story is based on the life of a teenager, Amelina Scott. It’s through her eyes that we see what is wrong with her life.

Her father is tormented by something that has cursed him. Her mother is unable to accept her husband’s fate. Their house is cursed also by what had transpired in the past to her father. Amelina is stuck in the middle of this dysfunctional family.

She is summoned by a strange woman in a Cottage with crystals that may change her life and be able to free her father from the curse. She is pulled into a darkness with a new friend who is dangerous and untrustworthy but she feels strangely attracted to a teen she just met, Ryder. She has a friend who is trapped in the mirrors in her home, Esme. She has an odd cat who wandered into her life one day, Shadow, who stays by her side as if he needs to protect her. She has friends who are intrigued by her quirkiness and magical abilities. What else can happen in her life?

There is romance, mystery, and paranormal activity in this story. This is only the beginning. What will happen next?

This is a perfect series for young teens to enjoy. I found it entertaining with unusual occurrences at every turn.

I was gifted this book and chose to review without it compensation.

Thank you so much, Marjorie, for coming today. It was lovely to learn more about you and your wonderful books. I wish you much success with all your books. Please feel free to come back again when you have another project to share.

Thank you, readers, for stopping by to read this post. I appreciate your kind support of my fellow authors and me. Please check out Marjorie Mallon’s link above for some enjoyable reading. Please remember to review books wherever you purchase them. We authors will love you for your efforts to share our work. Thank you!

If you are an author and would like to have your work showcased on my blog, please contact me here on my contact page or by email at jjspina@comcast.net. I will only be showcasing 2 authors a month so I can read and review their books if possible.

Blessings & Hugs! Stay Safe, Stay Well and God Bless!

READING GIVES YOU WINGS TO FLY! SOAR WITH JEMSBOOKS ALL YEAR THROUGH! HAPPY READING!

Janice Spina aka J.E. Spina

Award-Winning Author

Jemsbooks for All Ages!

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