I come from a family of creatives. Several are writers. Several are artists. Not everyone wishes to be published. Not everyone wants to be a novelist. But everyone has probably had dreams. And I’m here to support them.
My mom’s cousin is a writer of spicy dark mafia romance. She’s doing amazing things and I wanted to give a shout out.
You can buy M.K.’s book on Amazon.
So if spicy, dark mafia romance is a genre you enjoy, do check these highly rated books out.
Upcoming Events for MK Manson are:
Synopsis:
Set in ancient China, in a world where kung fu is magic, kingdoms vie for power and the battle to become the ultimate kung fu master unfolds, an unlikely hero is born… in the first book in the epic Legends of the Condor Heroes by the critically acclaimed master of the genre, Jin Yong.
After his father—a devoted Song patriot—is murdered by the Jin empire, Guo Jing and his mother flee to the plains of Ghengis Khan and his people for refuge. For one day he must face his mortal enemy in battle in the Garden of the Drunken Immortals. Under the tutelage of Genghis Khan and The Seven Heroes of the South, Guo Jing hones his kung fu skills. Humble, loyal and perhaps not always wise, Guo Jing faces a destiny both great and terrible.
However, in a land divided—and a future largely unknown—Guo Jing must navigate love and war, honor and betrayal before he can face his own fate and become the hero he’s meant to be.
Legends of the Condor Heroes
A Hero Born
A Bond Undone
A Snake Lies Waiting
A Heart Divided
My Review:
I really let the ball drop with this gem. This is a must read type of book. I received an ARC from the publisher before the pandemic, and this one sort of got buried in my to be read pile. I wish I had read it sooner, but, maybe one reason it got buried was the timing wasn’t right for me to read it. So, add this too your TBR lists. Buy a copy. Read it now. Read it later. Either way works. It’s great.
This is a sweeping epic. Upon finishing it, I had to go and see to the next one. The translator did an excellent job. What was really great about this book was, it was almost like watching it. I liked the third person omniscient story telling. I enjoyed the way it talked about kung fu and how it was magic. I wish I had read it sooner!
Synopsis:
Deadly storms have ravaged Mina’s homeland for generations. Floods sweep away entire villages, while bloody wars are waged over the few remaining resources. Her people believe the Sea God, once their protector, now curses them with death and despair. In an attempt to appease him, each year a beautiful maiden is thrown into the sea to serve as the Sea God’s bride, in the hopes that one day the “true bride” will be chosen and end the suffering.
Many believe that Shim Cheong, the most beautiful girl in the village—and the beloved of Mina’s older brother Joon—may be the legendary true bride. But on the night Cheong is to be sacrificed, Joon follows Cheong out to sea, even knowing that to interfere is a death sentence. To save her brother, Mina throws herself into the water in Cheong’s stead.
Swept away to the Spirit Realm, a magical city of lesser gods and mythical beasts, Mina seeks out the Sea God, only to find him caught in an enchanted sleep. With the help of a mysterious young man named Shin—as well as a motley crew of demons, gods and spirits—Mina sets out to wake the Sea God and bring an end to the killer storms once and for all.
But she doesn’t have much time: A human cannot live long in the land of the spirits. And there are those who would do anything to keep the Sea God from waking…
My Review:
I have been waiting for this book since I first heard about in. In part, because I like the folktale Sim Chung and the River Dragon, and have written my own retelling of it.
And I really enjoyed this retelling of it. I loved the lore and the myths. I loved the different takes on imugis. I loved the twists. I love the theme of family and love, and family ties that last beyond death.
I can’t wait to see what author Axie Oh writes next. (And seriously, this book will look great next to mine on the shelf.)
Have you read The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea? What did you think?
What are some of your other favorite retellings?
