This afternoon’s special guest is M. J. Mallon, and Marje is sharing a review of her book, The Curse of Time Book One – Bloodstone. I know you’ll enjoy this one, and you’ll make Marge (and me) very happy if you pass it along on all your social media hangouts. Thanks so much!

REVIEW:
By Gemma at An Ocean of Glimmer

The Curse of Time? Let me tell you a little bit about it;

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.

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.

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.  

Author M. J. Mallon

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: https://mjmallon.com/2015/09/28/a-z-of-my-book-reviews/

My alter ego is MJ – 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.

Buy The Curse of Time Book One – Bloodstone HERE

Find Marje on Social Media Here:
Authors Website: https://mjmallon.com
Collaborative Blog: https://sistersofthefey.wordpress.com
Media Kit: https://mjmallon.com/2018/02/13/media-kit/
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time
Founder of #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/
Tumblr: http://mjmallonauthor.tumblr.com/