Tag Archives: reviews

Goodbye 2018

31 Monday Dec 2018

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Can you believe we say goodbye to 2018 tonight? I’m not always sure where the year has gone, how it’s already going to be January again, a new start, a fresh year with millions of possibilities.

I think part of my problem right now is that it doesn’t FEEL like it’s the end of the year outside. I live in the Midwest, where we normally have snow from December to March. But this winter has been so weird, very off because we’ve had a lot of rain and almost no snow. I keep waiting for it to feel like it should be winter, like it’s ready to be a new year or the Holidays, but it just hasn’t happened.

Overall, I still feel like I’m not ready for the year to be over. There are a few things I’d wanted to have finished before 2018 ended and a new year had taken its place, but sometimes life just happens that way, right?

This year has seen my health and Mom’s health get a little better. I’ve been part of a writer’s group for a little over a year and I’m loving the connection it’s given me. I published three shorts this year as well, and have finished writing two others that need to be edited. I’ve also made some headway on editing a finished manuscript, and editing one that still needs the last couple chapters added to it to be considered finished.

I’m hoping I can keep the momentum up for 2019, keep the writing up, and keep up the editing. I’d love to be finished editing the manuscript by the end of next year.

I also read 50 books this year. My original goal for 2018 was 24 books. So 2019’s goal will be 75, I think. It takes into account how much I have read, and pushes me to read a little more. I didn’t always keep to my reading TBRs that were set for the month, and there were some months I didn’t read at all which is why I’m looking to add to my goal for 2019 as well. Because I know where I can improve already.  I do think I’ll keep my monthly TBR lists to three books a month, and that way I leave some space for some non-list books that fall my way as well.

I did better this year with my blog as well, posting more than I did in 2017, but again there’s still some room for improvement. I mean, I can just look at this month to see that. I missed the Mondays between the first and last of the month. I don’t spend a lot of time on the computer when I’m not at work, but because I’m pushing to work more on my writing that’s changing and it’s a good thing overall. Leads me to be more productive when I’m at home, or on vacation from work.

So yes, lots of hopeful plans this year. If you’re interested in the shorts I published, please check out the My Books section here.

I hope you have a Safe New Year’s Eve, and that 2019 brings great things for all of us!

Hello December – When Did You Arrive?

05 Wednesday Dec 2018

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So November is over. We saw it off with a fond farewell, a glass of Strongbow (my drink of choice), and a yippe!

Why?

Because National Novel Writing Month is over! And whether you achieved 50 words or 50,000 words, pat yourself on the back. Because you wrote, or you plotted and planned and honed your craft or business another way. There are many reasons for you to pat yourself on the back for what you did in November I’m sure.

I had good intentions of posting my stats throughout November as I went, weekly check-ins, but that kind of went down the tube.

With the year wrapping up, and finals arriving, a Holiday Party to plan, decorate and orchestrate mostly on my own for my department, things tend to ramp up here at work. Not only that, but applications for Fall are in full incoming mode as well, and I work closely with the DGS for ensuring materials are in, applications are reviewed, and questions are answered during this season – something that won’t officially end until February.

For me, my NaNo was kind of all over the place. I went through slumps, I wrote on several different stories to get my words, but I did achieve my word count.

And now December is here! With ice, snow, and darker mornings that make it difficult to want to get up for work. And I have two weeks before I am off for the Christmas Holiday. I get a little under two weeks of paid vacation off between Christmas and New Years – in which I’m hoping to both get a lot of writing done, reading done, and cleaning done.

Mom and I are hoping to move in a couple years. Somewhere maybe a little smaller, with a smaller yard that won’t take too much to manage. Ideally, I’m hoping for a three bedroom, two bath house. So we can have a guest room/library/office room, which we don’t really have now. We have a studio/office now but I guess part of the problem is it’s where everything from the living room goes when we have company – and the stuff from their last visit is still sitting in there being piled upon. So one of the goals this break is to get the living room and office cleaned out.

I’m trying to hand make some of my Christmas stuff this year. Though, that’s partially dependant on the stores shipping me the items I need make them. I’m just sitting here watching the order tracking information, waiting for them to be out for delivery. After I’m sure people have opened their presents, I’ll see about posting a picture of the final products on here. Not before.

I only have three books on my TBR this month, partially because I’m still working on writing things and with the Holidays, I’m crafting Holiday presents, and the last week of December is pretty much all Family stuff.

What books would those be?

Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco
The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

The Cruel Prince is a serious need for me to read with The Wicked King coming out in January. I have the Owl Crate covered edition of The Cruel Prince, and last month they released the sales for a special edition box for the release of The Wicked King – with a special cover to make their The Cruel Prince cover. So I’m kind of super excited to see what the cover will look like when I get the box. So that’s a hard must read before the month is over.

What are you planning to read this Month? Did you reach your reading goal for 2018? Let me know down in the comments!

Book Review: Twisted Gift by Jessi Elliott

19 Wednesday Sep 2018

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Author: Jessi Elliott 
Publisher: Jessi Elliott
Series: Twisted #2
Genre: Urban Fantasy (New Adult Romance)
Release Date: September 21, 2018
Rating: 5 Stars

Find Twisted Gift on GoodReads

WARNING – There may be Spoilers for Twisted Fate (Book 1). Pick up a copy here before you continue with this review of book 2!

Let me start out with the fact that I have been pining for this book since I finished Twisted Fate. The way Aurora and Tristan ended up leaving things kind of broke my heart. So to say that I needed to know what had happened to them, so the anticipation of this book was nothing short of zomg where is it excitement.

Becoming Fae was never something that Aurora planned for, and hadn’t expected. But life didn’t leave much in the way of arguing for Aurora after she killed the leader of the light fae and took on his powers, becoming that leader herself. Suddenly she’s forced to figure out how to feed, how to use her powers, and how to manage the emotions of those around her when she can barely hold onto and manage her own as her world shifts upside down.

Not to mention that while she’s adjusting, the world continues to turn and the war between the light and dark fae rages on.

Wanting to help the fae find peace, Aurora swallows her pain and agrees to work with Tristan despite all the emotions and memories doing so brings up. But when they come together to end the war and bring their people together, they find that there are twisted creatures lurking in the dark.

Everything I loved about Twisted Fate is present in Twisted Gift. Realistic characters with heart-wrenching pain and smiling inducing happiness, captivating plot, and addictive prose. I devoured this book, never wanting to put it down for fear of taking too long to find out what happens next.

The story picked up effortlessly from book one, while still carving its own path of enjoyment. The plot was well wrapped up by the end of the book, as was the overarching storyline for the characters between the two books. I recommend picking up a copy if you love a good romance story, good urban fantasy, and a bit of magic.

I can’t wait to see what Jessi will publish next!

Disclaimer: I did receive an arc of the book in exchange for my honest, unbiased opinion. All thoughts are my own, and were not colored for receiving the arc.

Remember to find Twisted Gift on GoodReads

Synopsis

Being the new leader of the light fae really puts a dent in your post-grad plans.

Aurora, once a snarky business major, struggles to adjust to fae life—and the diet of human energy that comes with it. A change made worse by the overwhelming ability to feel the emotions of everyone around her, especially when she can barely manage her own.

Agreeing to work with her dark fae counterpart, Tristan, in an attempt to bring peace between their people is a painful reminder of how strong they are together. Even still, Aurora fights the urge to keep her distance. She needs to be sure what she feels for him is real, and not a result of the former light fae leader’s manipulation as a part of his plan to eliminate Tristan.

Aurora thought she’d encountered the worst thing since early morning lectures when she stumbled into the world of the fae. She’s about to find out that they may not be the most twisted creatures out there.

Available September 21st

Amazon | iBooks | KOBO | Signed Paperback

TWISTED FATE (Book 1) IS ON SALE FOR 0.99c!

Amazon | iBooks | KOBO

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | GoodReads | YouTube

Jessi Elliott is a law clerk and author of both young adult and new adult romantic fiction. Her love of writing was born after many years of reading and reviewing books on her blog.

She lives in Southwestern Ontario with her adorable cat, Phoebe. Yes, named after the Friends character.

When she’s not plotting her next writing project, she likes to spend her time hanging with friends and family, getting lost in a steamy romance novel, watching Friends, and drinking coffee.

You can find Jessi at www.jessielliott.com, on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can join her newsletter to stay up to date on book news and upcoming releases.

Join her Facebook reader group, Jessi Elliott’s Twisted Sweethearts, for exclusive news, promos, review opportunities, and giveaways!

Feelin’ Accomplished

18 Tuesday Sep 2018

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I just updated my little bookshelf with the books I’ve read this year and realized that to last the rest of the year I’m going to have to extend the little drawn bookshelf to the next page. It’s lucky that I left it blank just in case. I had enough books on the shelf for my GoodRead’s challenge of 24 books, but I’ve surpassed that this month. And I have high hopes and goals for the remaining months of the year to get through lots more books.

My writing has been slow the last month or so. I’ve been feeling under the weather, so I’ve been focusing on reading and resting versus plotting and writing. Though lots of plotting needs to start because I fully intend to participate in NaNoWriMo this year.

I have started some of my planning for NaNo. As I mentioned before, I’m going to be a rebel and do a collection of shorts instead of one Novel. I finally figured out the overall theme of each of the shorts in the collection. Now I just need to work out the plot for each of the individual shorts. I’m getting there and I should be done in plenty of time to settle into November and my massive word demands. =)

I know this has been a short update, but I don’t have too much to report past plotting for NaNo and my reading. I was under the weather, but I’m getting better and so there’s not too much to report there. Work has been super stressful as well, which hasn’t helped me to keep up on everything. I have a backlog of reviews I want to get up and out, so I’m hoping to work on those this week and see if I can get them scheduled.

I have a review coming out tomorrow, super excited for it. So definitely be sure to come back for that!

Cover Reveal: Twisted Gift by Jessi Elliott & Giveaway!

21 Tuesday Aug 2018

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TITLE: Twisted Gift
SERIES: Twisted #2
GENRE: Urban Fantasy (New Adult Romance)
RELEASE DATE: September 21, 2018

 

 

SYNOPSIS
Being the new leader of the light fae really puts a dent in your post-grad plans.
Aurora, once a snarky business major, struggles to adjust to fae life—and the diet of human energy that comes with it. A change made worse by the overwhelming ability to feel the emotions of everyone around her, especially when she can barely manage her own.
Agreeing to work with her dark fae counterpart, Tristan, in an attempt to bring peace between their people is a painful reminder of how strong they are together. Even still, Aurora fights the urge to keep her distance. She needs to be sure what she feels for him is real, and not a result of the former light fae leader’s manipulation as a part of his plan to eliminate Tristan.
Aurora thought she’d encountered the worst thing since early morning lectures when she stumbled into the world of the fae. She’s about to find out that they may not be the most twisted creatures out there.

 

 PRE-ORDER

 


 TWISTED FATE IS ON SALE FOR 99c!

AMAZON | iBOOKS | KOBO

GIVEAWAY
Prize: Kindle Copies of Twisted Fate + Twisted Gift

Rafflecopter Link
 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jessi Elliott is a law clerk and author of both young adult and new adult romantic fiction. Her love of writing was born after many years of reading and reviewing books on her blog.She lives in Southwestern Ontario with her adorable cat, Phoebe. Yes, named after the Friends character.

When she’s not plotting her next writing project, she likes to spend her time hanging with friends and family, getting lost in a steamy romance novel, watching Friends, and drinking coffee.

You can find Jessi at www.jessielliott.com, on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can join her newsletter to stay up to date on book news and upcoming releases.

Join her Facebook reader group, Jessi Elliott’s Twisted Sweethearts, for exclusive news, promos, review opportunities, and giveaways!

Book Review: Cocky Dragon Slayer – an Indie Author Adventure

15 Wednesday Aug 2018

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So there will be three shorts reviewed in this post. With everything going on with trademarks and things, a small group of us got together and wrote Cocky Dragon Slayer stories. Yes, I wrote one too, and you can find that one here. But this review is about the other authors that wrote their own story.

Going into this project, we wanted to show that not only could we work together and share titles – but that the title wouldn’t define the story inside that book so much as the author writing it would. Meaning, just because something shares a title, doesn’t mean it’s the same book or it was copied or stolen. That it can be unique and able to stand on its own. Because this is how you Indie.

 

Author: Maddie Blake 
Publisher: Maddie Blake
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 5 Stars

Before the dragon arrived, Kiera thought that the town of Cresent’s Cove was known for the vast library the late king had bequeathed them.  But after a renowned dragon slayer arrives, Kiera realizes that some things might be worse than a potentially fire-breathing creature that flies overhead of her home.

Loved the take on dragons, dragon slayers, and how important a library can truly be! Kiera is fierce in both her quest for knowledge against the dragon that has taken up residence near her town and the protection of the library that she works at. This is a sweet, enjoyable read that I completely recommend.

 

Author: Alicia Chumney 
Publisher: Alicia Chumney
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 5 Stars

Ander the dragon has one major goal in her life – protect Princess Lilianna at all costs. When Arnold arrives to fill the shoes of his older brother – a renowned and feared dragon slayer – can Ander help him to see that dragons aren’t bad or a threat to their princesses?

Ander and the Cocky Dragon Slayer is a wonderful and fun read. It takes a fresh, interesting spin on dragons and why they’re always with princesses at castles, and a surprise twist will leave you scratching your head – in all the good ways.

 

 

Author: J’nae Rae Spano 
Publisher: J’nae Rae Spano
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 4 Stars

Sephra has a choice. She can accept her fate to bare a War Dragon and become the concubine of his rider, or she can take a stand and battle to become the new Queen Dragon – letting her choose her own fate and live how she wants.

This was a beautiful take on both dragons and dragon slayers. The world building was stunning, the take on where dragons originated from, how they worked in this word was fresh and interesting, and Sephra was stunning as our main character.

Book Review: Twisted Palace by Erin Watt

01 Wednesday Aug 2018

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Author: Erin Watt 
Publisher: Erin Watt
Genre: Contemporary (Coming of Age)
Rating: 4 Stars

The compelling conclusion to Ella and Reed’s story! When book 2, Broken Prince, concluded Ella’s father had arrived at the Royal’s house and Reed had been taken into custody for murder of his father’s fiance!

Like the two books that came before it, I devoured this book – not because it’s a quick read but because I just couldn’t put it down. The pace moved quickly, and before I knew it hours had passed in my real life and the book just continued to suck me in until the very end.

The plot and drama, what would happen to Reed, how Ella’s father survived, why it took him so long to come home, and who the real murderer was kept the story flowing at a fast but not too fast paced. While it gripped me and continued to push me to read it didn’t feel like the story itself moved too fast. Just fast enough, with just enough suspense that I wanted to find out all the answers before I put the book down.

That’s not the only reason I liked this book though, I also liked how everything was brought together at the end. I felt satisfied and happy with the ending as I set the book down, though that also makes sense as it’s the end of this plot and was originally planned for the end of the series. Though, if the author ever happens to decide to publish a new Ella and Reed book, I’ll happily devour them as well.

And while this brings a close on the Ella and Reed trilogy, they did publish a duology that follows Reed’s brother East that I can’t wait to get into!

Book Review: Mated on Hades by Golden Angel

26 Thursday Jul 2018

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Author: Golden Angel 
Publisher: Golden Angel
Genre: Science Fiction Romance
Rating: 4 Stars

Tarrik, a Hadesian, and Juliette, a human, sign up for Celestial Mates for reasons that do not include hoping to actually find a mate. But Celestial Mates is the best agency in the galaxy for a reason.

Tarrik enjoys his life, flying from planet to planet with his crew as he carts cargo to and from for his parent’s company. It’s a free life and one that lets him see the galaxy. But when his parents decide that he’s more than old enough to start considering settling down, spawned by their own want to be able to travel the galaxy while he stays planetside to run the business, he finds himself agreeing to sign up for Celestial Mates to appease them even if it’s not something he wants.

Juliette runs the wrong side of a very powerful organization as a hacker and needs an escape from Earth as quick as possible, which leads her to sign up for Celestial Mates in a way to get off world and into hiding faster than she had hoped to.

Neither are interested in making it work, but in the mix of everything going on will they find love anyway?

I loved the take on the different aliens that inhabited this galaxy, the author was creative in not just the kinds but also how they inter-mixed and their offspring gained the traits of both parents. I also loved being able to see some of it through Juliette’s eyes since she’d never been off Earth before. It was fun being able to explore that way.

The book passes between Tarrik’s point of view and Juliette’s point of view, and it’s helpful to be able to see where both of them are coming from as they go back and forth in this pairing that’s put them together. Switching between both views gives a good view of Juliette as she slowly integrates into Tarrik’s life and with his crew, how he feels about it and how she slowly starts to see if she can really live this way or not.

I enjoyed the writing and the characters a lot, and I’m definitely interested in reading more from this author in the future.

Book Review: The Quirky Hitman by Joelee Mayes

06 Wednesday Jun 2018

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Author: Joelee Mayes 
Publisher: Joelee Mayes
Genre: Satire
Rating: 5 Stars

Dylan Greene is a hitman, one with a special kind of skill set. But no one has ever questioned if Dylan got the job done.

What happens when Travis Baker, Dylan’s old childhood friend, is next on the hit list?

The Quirky Hitman is a cute Satire book based on popular tropes. It’s a short. It’s a cute, quick read that will have you tapping your foot and waiting for more.

I loved Dylan’s snarky humor and creative wit. As well as Dylan’s ability to do the job in a way that is satisfactory to both her morals and the client.

I’m already excited for the next one.

If you’re looking for a fun read, definitely make sure to check this book out!

Book Review: Null and Void by Susan Copperfield

09 Wednesday May 2018

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Author: Susan Copperfield 
Publisher: Pen & Page Publishing
Genre: Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
Rating: 4 Stars

Born without magic, Mackenzie Little has few prospects in her null caste, but when her mother pushes her into participating in a charity auction everything changes. Bought by ex-boss, Dylan Mason – an elite magic wielder, she gets to live the fantasy life for a day. Nine months later, despite all precautions, Mackenzie gives birth to a little miracle of her own. Having someone other than herself to fight for, she strives to give her little miracle the best life offered, even if that means having to change a few rules to do it.

The Royal States of America presents as an interesting world to read and learn about. The world itself has territories ruled by kings and queens, the highest of the caste system that has been set into place by those with magic. Mackenzie falls to the bottom of that caste system, born a Null – someone who doesn’t have any magic of her own. Limited by her caste, she is forced into limited office work or manual labor in New York.

But when opportunities present themselves, she jumps from New York to Texas in order to fight for Null rights and push to help make her caste more equal in the eyes of the laws within the Kingdom of Texas. And she’s not only armed with her tough skin growing up a Null, but also with the ferociousness that comes from being a new mother, one who wants to be able to give her little miracle the world and opportunities she had.

This book had many ups and downs, and I felt incredibly lucky to be able to come along for the ride with Mackenzie. I enjoyed every page, and I can’t wait to continue in this world. The next book does not continue Machenzie’s story, but I can’t say that it discourages me one bit, quite the contrary, it has me more excited because I’ll be able to see more of this world through the eyes of someone new, with a different outlook on life and potentially within a different caste.