“Love is not a diamond, destined for a single hand.”
Inspired by French fairy tales of the 17th century, Mark McClelland’s new novella brings emotional realism to a universal story of love, trust, and jealousy, in a fantasy kingdom where curses are all too real.
The narrative revolves around two people in love: Malvinia, a vivacious woman with a knack for opening hearts; and Modeste, a man of quieter virtues. Their relationship, however, is the story’s true protagonist, as its resiliency is tested by the capacity of each to grow and to sacrifice in response to forces neither of them anticipated — a conflict familiar to anyone who has struggled to be one’s true, uncompromised self while at the same time honoring the needs of another in a loving long-term relationship.
McClelland masterfully weaves a tale that demonstrates his understanding of people and how they are at their best and at their worst… This is not escapist fiction but rather a wholesome warning, much as the tales of the Grimm brothers or Aesop. With the cadence and whirling style of a fairy tale, Curse of the Healing Kiss is a story that is worth a read for anyone who has ever left something unsaid, not told the whole truth, or simply has cared for another human.
Joshua Ryan Bligh, Independent Book Review
Amazing and suspenseful read for lovers of fantasy, allegory and human psychology. Filled with breathtaking turns of phrase that echo the poetry that plays such a major role in the plot.
Jennifer Boeder, Writer & Editor
Where to Buy
Curse of the Healing Kiss is available for Kindle, NOOK, and Kobo e-readers. You can also buy the ebook on Apple Books and Google Play Books. The EPUB format can be purchased directly from Lulu. You can also give the ebook as a gift.
Print editions are available from most online booksellers, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Lulu. Or you can special-order it from an independent bookseller near you. If you’re not sure which edition to buy, here’s more information on print editions to help you choose.
Where to Review
If you enjoyed Curse of the Healing Kiss, check out my page on where to rate & review the book. Ratings are hugely influential in searches, and can bring visibility that an independent author otherwise doesn’t have. And a good review often makes the difference for someone who’s on the verge of buying a book but wants to make sure it’s worth their time.
Book Details
Author: Mark McClelland
Cover Art: Angela Rizza
Country: United States
Language: English
Length: ~100 pages
Genre: Fantasy/Fairy Tale; Romance/Fantasy
Publisher: Mark McClelland
Publication Date: December, 2019
Ebook (ISBN: 978-1-79478-667-7 / ASIN: B082FR6ZWF)
Paperback (ISBN: 978-1-79479-887-8)
Hardcover (ISBN: 978-1-79479-149-7)