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~ A Writer's Thoughts and Reviews

Tag Archives: reviews

Book Review: Paper Princess & Broken Prince by Erin Watt

14 Wednesday Feb 2018

Posted by MBenson in Reviews

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Broken Prince, Contemporary, Erin Watt, Paper Princess, review, reviews, Royals, The Royals, thoughts, update

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

Ella Harper spent her whole life moving from town to town with her mother, struggling to make ends meet. After her mother dies, it leaves Ella alone, striving to finish high school as she does what she can to support herself and not get found by social services and put in foster care. Her goals involve finishing High School, going to College, and finding a way to give herself a normal life.

Everything changes when Callum Royal appears in her life claiming to be her legal Guardian. He turns Ella’s life upside down when he brings her home to his posh mansion on the ocean, one shared with his five sons who all automatically hate her appearance in their lives and at their Prep School.

The story caught my attention right out of the gate. I was instantly hooked and wanting to find out what would happen, why these five guys automatically hated her, and if she’d stay or find a way to run and go back to her old life at some point. The world is filled with complex characters, some that make you care for them and others that make you want to knock their teeth in.

I finished Paper Princess within 24 hours of starting it. And the cliffhanger it ends on had me picking up book two, Broken Prince, immediately. And less than 12 hours later I had devoured Broken Prince.

I’m trying not to give too much away, which is why there’s not a LOT of saying what’s up in book two. But I will say it was a fantastic read, and there’s not a lot that has me finish a book in less than 12 hours – and it’s not because it was a short book but rather because it truly was that interesting.

I love the Royal family, and have to say that I love seeing them stand together for family. I’m already itching to pick up book three and continue my journey in this posh and luxury filled world.

If you like mystery, intrigue, and don’t mind a little bit of sex – this is definitely a book for you. The plot has you hanging, wondering what will unfold next, who’s behind it, and what in the world is going on.

Book two did end on a cliffhanger as well, which may be why I’m itching to read it. So be aware, these do tend to end with a ‘WHAT?!’ moment.

Book Review: Twisted Fate by Jessi Elliott

07 Wednesday Feb 2018

Posted by MBenson in Reviews

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

amreading, creativity, discoveries, enjoy, fantasy, goals, inspiration, Jessi Elliott, musings, New Adult, published work, review, reviews, Twisted Fate, update, Urban Fantasy

 

Author: Jessi Elliott 
Publisher: Jessi Elliott
Series: Twisted #1
Genre: Urban Fantasy (New Adult)
Release Date: February 13, 2018
Rating: 5 Stars

Everything in Aurora Marshall’s life is going smoothly. She’s in her final year of her business degree, she’s on track to graduate, and she has plans for her own business after she graduates. It looks like everything will happen the way she’s planned it to.

One night changes everything when she meets Tristan Westbrook. Dragged into the Fae world, Aurora’s carefully planned out life tilts sideways and she struggles to keep her life as normal as possible while handling the dangers that come with being of interest to the dark fae’s leader and plunged deeper and deeper into all things fae.

I have to say, honestly, I loved this book. The characters were engaging, the world was built beautifully, and while time did pass quickly the author did it in a very organic way. I found myself rooting for Aurora as she faced obstacles, wanting her to come out the other side unscathed. Caring about Aurora and what was going on with her life, and with her family, became second nature and at one point in the book I felt as deeply sad as she was.

Now, lets be clear, I’ve read books where sad things happen before. But I will say, it takes a special kind of talent to get your readers so involved with the characters that they cry with them. Jessi has a beautiful way with words and how she weaves this tale.

The story of the fae, and their world and everything about them interests me with how Jessi made it her own and weaved her own mythos for them. I feel for the fae, for everything they’ve been through even as Aurora gets the raw end of a deal with having to deal with them and move in their world.

The completion of the book left me both satisfied with the ending of the plot within its covers, but also craving the next installment of the series.

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.

Synopsis

Being kidnapped by the leader of the fae really puts a dent in your senior year.

Aurora Marshall is sharp, witty, and always has a plan. Ready to finish her business degree and graduate, her life is going smoothly—until the night she meets Tristan Westbrook.

Tristan, the overbearing, gorgeous fae leader, and an admired businessman in the human world, is all kinds of dangerous. While he finds Aurora intriguing, her refusal to bend to his will keeps them locked in a constant power struggle.

Entering into a deal is the only way to escape Tristan’s clutches, which only plunges Aurora deeper into the fae world. With her future at stake, she is forced to handle his arrogance and extraordinary fae abilities as she fights to stay grounded in her mundane life.

Not to mention her struggle to ignore the growing attraction she knows she shouldn’t feel for the man who kidnapped her.

When people said college would be the most exciting time of her life, Aurora never thought this is what they meant.

 

Available February 13th

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon AU | Amazon CA | IBooks | Signed Paperback

 

 

About The Author

 

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | YouTube
Jessi Elliott is a newly graduated law clerk and debut 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 Living Within Fiction.She lives in Southwestern Ontario with her family and two adorable cats.
​
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 to stay up to date on book news and upcoming releases.

 

Twisted Fate by Jessi Elliott Cover Reveal & Giveaway!

09 Tuesday Jan 2018

Posted by MBenson in Cover Reveal, Personal Thoughts, Reviews, Writing

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amreading, amwriting, Cover Reveal, Giveaway, goals, inspiration, Jessi Elliott, online presence, review, reviews, thoughts, time, Twisted Fate, update, Urban Fantasy

Title: Twisted Fate
Series: Twisted #1
Author: Jessi Elliott
Genre: Urban Fantasy (New Adult)
Release Date: February 13, 2018
Cover Design: Okay Creations
Pre order your copy today!
Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon AU | Amazon CA | IBooks | Signed Paperback
Synopsis

Being kidnapped by the leader of the fae really puts a dent in your senior year.

Aurora Marshall is sharp, witty, and always has a plan. Ready to finish her business degree and graduate, her life is going smoothly—until the night she meets Tristan Westbrook.

Tristan, the overbearing, gorgeous fae leader, and an admired businessman in the human world, is all kinds of dangerous. While he finds Aurora intriguing, her refusal to bend to his will keeps them locked in a constant power struggle.

Entering into a deal is the only way to escape Tristan’s clutches, which only plunges Aurora deeper into the fae world. With her future at stake, she is forced to handle his arrogance and extraordinary fae abilities as she fights to stay grounded in her mundane life.

Not to mention her struggle to ignore the growing attraction she knows she shouldn’t feel for the man who kidnapped her.

When people said college would be the most exciting time of her life, Aurora never thought this is what they meant.

 

About The Author
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | YouTube

Jessi Elliott is a newly graduated law clerk and debut 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 Living Within Fiction.

She lives in Southwestern Ontario with her family and two adorable cats.
​
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 to stay up to date on book news and upcoming releases.

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

 

 

 

I think the cover is absolutely Stunning! Let me know what you think of the cover in the comments below! Will you pre-order the book? Enter the giveaway?

Starting Right – January TBR

08 Monday Jan 2018

Posted by MBenson in Personal Thoughts, reading, Writing

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

amreading, balancing, creativity, discoveries, enjoy, fantasy, goals, inspiration, January, january tbr, life, musings, online presence, ramblings, real life, review, reviews, TBR, thoughts, time, To Be Read, update

So I wasn’t kidding when I said that I wanted to read more, and make sure to keep the reviews coming on my blog. I said in my resolutions that I wanted to read a minimum of two books a month, for a grand total of 24 for the year. That’s my minimum.

Last year I started the year late with the Good Reads Reading Challenge, so I set myself up for 15 books. Jumping it to 24 isn’t a large increase, in the grand scheme of things. But, I think it’s a good building block. And in 2019, we’ll see how well I did this year and adjust from there again. But I have started a good momentum for reading again and I want to grow it slowly, so I don’t lose sight of the other tasks on my list, or get overwhelmed with one thing on its own.

That being said, my January TBR (To Be Read) list is pretty hefty.

What am I hoping to read this month?

I’m looking to finish a couple books I started in 2017, to start with:

  • Message of the Crow by Ellen Dugan
  • Shattered Circle by Cassandra Larsen

I’m fairly early on in Message of the Crow, but I’m almost 80% done with Shattered Circle, so I think that finishing both will be doable.

I’m also looking to read the following:

  • Twisted Fate by Jessi Elliott (ARC – Watch for the Review in early Feb! And Cover Release tomorrow!)
  • Resurrection by Tucker Malarkey
  • Paper Princess by Erin Watt
  • The Selection by Kiera Cass

Now, if you’re keeping up, that’s 5 books to finish in January. That’s a ton considering I was only originally thinking of doing 2 a month. I had been hoping to finish Shattered Circle before the new year, but life, ya know. But I will finish it soon. Very soon.

Over all, I’m pretty excited for my January TBR.

Do you have a TBR for January? Is it one book or multiple? Let me know down below!

Book Review: Esme Novella Trilogy by Lizzy Ford

03 Wednesday Jan 2018

Posted by MBenson in Reviews

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amreading, Christmas, Christmas Esme, creativity, discoveries, enjoy, Esme Trilogy, fantasy, Halloween, Halloween Esme, HEA, inspiration, lizzy ford, musings, published work, review, reviews, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Esme, thoughts, update, Urban Fantasy, YA, YA Urban Fantasy

Author: Lizzy Ford 
Publisher: Lizzy Ford
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Rating: 3 Stars

Esme is a half angel living in a tiny town with her full angel mother and a zoo. Her home life is warm, loving, and she loves it. However, she’s bullied and alone at school. Everything shifts for her when two strangers come to town and start renting a couple rooms from her mother in their house.

This review is for all three Novellas as a whole, because honestly while the author calls them novellas, they read more like a serial trilogy than three separate novellas. The plot doesn’t resolve itself at any point during the first two, Halloween and Thanksgiving, instead everything builds and builds until the final installment, Christmas. As well, both Halloween and Thanksgiving both end in serious cliffhanger reveals, which push you to pick up the next one. While not a bad way to lead someone to buy and read the next installment, is a little frustrating when called a Novella. I expect some resolution at the end of a novella, even if it’s part of a trilogy for an over arching storyline.

Over all, it did take me a little bit to get into Halloween but I was curious enough that I persisted. About half way in, Halloween hooked me and I consumed the rest of it, and the other two, in record time. The three are fairly quick reads at only roughly 100 pages a piece, so it is easy to pick them up and finish them in a short sitting. The plot is interesting, and I was very curious how it would wrap itself up.

You’re probably asking, but Meri if you liked the plot and enjoyed the books as a whole, why is it only three stars? Well, unfortunately, there were some grammatical errors littered throughout the first two that for me (maybe because I’m a writer myself) pulled me out of the story as my brain paused to fix the error before continuing the story. And while the auto-fixes for my brain were fairly quick it happened enough times that it made it noticeable to me. It’s something that a little more time editing them would have fixed.

As well, there were times that I was incredibly frustrated at the lack of details given. An example, in Thanksgiving Esme wears a dress to the Thanksgiving event at the Community Center of their small town. We’re told that this is something she never does. We’re told that she’s going to wear her boots with it anyway. And we’re told her mother bought the dress for her. But we are never told what the dress looks like, on a hanger or on her. Not the color, not the cut. Is it floor length or tea length? Is it blue or pink? is the neckline sweetheart cut or scoop neck? Does it have a pattern on it?

This may sound like something trivial in the grand scheme, but it wasn’t just the dress that wasn’t described. After reading all three, I still honestly can’t tell you exactly what Esme looks like. I know she mentioned she doesn’t look like her mother, the blonde angel, but that still doesn’t tell me what Esme looks like. And when I’m trying to envision this story playing out in my mind, these details that were missed or skipped over leave shadowed patches in my head and it disconnects me from the book some. Which does make it less enjoyable as a whole.

Would I recommend these books as a read? If you’re looking for a quick, cute, HEA ending read? Completely. They are a good read, and the plot is engaging enough to be worth it.

New Year, New Adventures

02 Tuesday Jan 2018

Posted by MBenson in Personal Thoughts, Writing

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amreading, amwriting, balancing, books, creativity, discoveries, enjoy, fantasy, goals, inspiration, life, musings, new year, online presence, original fiction, original work, plans, possible wip, ramblings, real life, resolutions, review, reviews, thoughts, time, time management, update, what do, WIP, word count, writing

So the above phone is from my phone. That’s the weather right now when I get up. It wasn’t terrible to get up at that coldness when I could roll over, burrow into my blankets and do planning from bed or catch up on some of my shows. But now that it’s back to work in the am, it’s really hard to want to leave my bed.

I had hoped to get this post up on Monday, but, well. Family came first. My family always gets together New Years Day to be together, and kind of ring in the new year together. So that’s where I was most of yesterday. It was a good day over all too. I enjoy spending the time together. Unfortunately, it meant that I didn’t get much of anything else done yesterday.

I’ve been keeping a fairly decent momentum here on this blog, which I’m looking to keep going with for 2018. I want to keep posting once a week, on Mondays. (Holidays may cause posting day to be set back a day like this post) But I’m also hoping to potentially draft and schedule my posts for Monday in the future so even Holidays will have the post. =) Goals, ya’ll.

A lot of people make New Year Resolutions at the beginning of the year. I did too. Posting every Monday is one of them. What are the rest? Well.

  • Finish Editing Into the Faerietale
  • Finish Summer Starlight Festival
  • Write/plot 3 times a week
  • Read more
  • Post a Book Review on blog twice a month

Over all, I think it’s a doable list. It’s just planning out time, and making sure I sit down at work. Something that too is doable.

Do you have any resolutions? What is the one you’re planning to work really hard at? Leave it below in the comments!

Book Review: Silent Circle by Cassandra Larsen

20 Wednesday Dec 2017

Posted by MBenson in Reviews

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amreading, Cassandra Larsen, creativity, discoveries, enjoy, fantasy, inspiration, musings, review, reviews, Silent Circle, thoughts, update, Urban Fantasy, YA, YA Urban Fantasy

Author: Cassandra Larsen 
Publisher: Cassandra Larsen
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Rating:  5 Stars

Waking up on her seventeenth birthday, Emerson wakes up to discover that her life is changing more than she expected. Her not so simple, but fairly normal life is being turned on its head and she suddenly finds her self in a world where magic exists and being alone in it can be life threatening and dangerous. Luckily for her, Caiden, a boy from her school comes forward to help her navigate this new world and helps her to learn her powers and the fact that she’s not as alone as she thinks she is, and that there are witches everywhere and she never knew it.

To say I liked the book is probably an understatement. I couldn’t put the book down – and that’s not a cliched embellishment on my part. I started reading this book at like 1pm, and didn’t stop reading until 11:30pm when I finished it. The pacing is good, the characters and their relationships are believable. And the witch aspect is so deeply rooted in actual Wicca that it’s a refreshing change from other witch books where it’s all fantasy spells and waving a magic wand. Not to say that there’s anything wrong with those books either, I have more than a couple on my shelves. But having it based in Wicca is a nice change.

This may be a shorter review than normal, but that’s mostly because I am looking to dive into the next book in the series. A definite suggestion if you’re interested in a witchy YA urban fantasy!

Book Review: Book of Lies by Teri Terry

13 Wednesday Dec 2017

Posted by MBenson in Personal Thoughts, Reviews

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amreading, Book of Lies, books, creativity, discoveries, musings, Mystery, review, reviews, Teri Terry, thoughts, Thriller, update

Author: Teri Terry 
Publisher: Clarion Books
Genre: Thriller Suspense
Rating:  4 Stars

Book of Lies is a first person narrated book that switches points of view every chapter between two twin sisters, who had been separated at birth and find each other seventeen years later. Piper is a practiced liar, and a girl used to getting what she wants. Quinn has been taught to never lie, and punished if she ever did. The death of their mother brings them together and sets them on a quest to find out just why their mother separated them and never told the other they had a sister.

I have to say, the first thing that drew me to this book was the cover and title. It was sitting on a shelf at Barnes and Noble, facing out so you saw this stark firey red hair to catch your attention. And Book of Lies. Who wouldn’t be interested in what that might contain.

The chapters switching between the twins I thought might be a little jarring, I don’t normally read books with switching points of view. Not because I don’t like them, but I just don’t come across many books that use that technique over all. It wasn’t as jarring as I thought it would be. Truthfully, I liked being in the head of both girl, to see how they thought, what they weren’t actually saying. It worked and flowed extremely well between the two.

The book kept me guessing on what was going on through most of it, until the big reveal at the end, though based on personalities and how the girls worked I had some suspicions as I read. What those suspicions were, and if they were right or not, well, you’ll have to read it and form your own.

I would definitely recommend this book as a read if you like mystery and suspense. It will leave you not wanting to put it down.

Words, Books, Life

11 Monday Dec 2017

Posted by MBenson in Personal Thoughts, Writing

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amreading, amwriting, balancing, creativity, discoveries, enjoy, fantasy, goals, inspiration, life, musings, online presence, original fiction, original work, ramblings, real life, reviews, thoughts, update, what do, WIP, word count, writing

So, I still haven’t done much writing since NaNo ended. I’d say not for lack of wanting, because I do want to write it and I want to get words on paper. But truthfully if I wanted it THAT much, I’d carve out some time for it, right?

The truth of the matter is, life this time of year gets super busy. Working picks up this time of year because of application season for next Fall, and we have people that are coming in to interview and that requires travel prep that I take care of, and I am the one that plans, orders, sets up, and cleans up all of my Department’s Holiday party stuff. Personal has finalizing Christmas presents, getting all the stuff done for family, cleaning so family can visit, etc.

It’s pretty much a whirlwind until I get my Holiday break, a.k.a. the week of Christmas/New Years.

My goal this week is to try and get words on paper, before my actual break. Because if I’m writing before my break I can hopefully write through my break. That’s the goal. *crosses fingers*

Last week was absolutely amazing, despite no words written. I read two books. TWO! (Watch for the coming book reviews to a blog near you soon ^_~ )

I treated Mom to Wicked for her Christmas present. It was her first time seeing it, and she loved it. It was my second time seeing it, and I still loved it. It’s an amazing show.

Thursday I also had my writers group. =) First time I submitted a piece for feedback. I gave them a horror short. General consensus was, super creepy, would read something like this from me again. Which, makes me feel good. I’m glad it did its job.

I was considering writing something Holiday-ish if I completed NaNo, but I never worked out what, and I still need to finish NaNo. So that is the goal for the time being! Finish my NaNo WIP. My completion goal is Dec. 31st. So I start the new year with it complete, and I can dig into editing one of the novels I have drafted. I’d love to fully get it finished.

How was your week? Do you have a hectic schedule for the Holiday season? Let me know in the comments below!

Book Review: Girl’s Guide to Witchcraft by Mindy Klasky

29 Wednesday Nov 2017

Posted by MBenson in Reviews

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amreading, books, discoveries, enjoy, girl's guide to witchcraft, inspiration, mindy klasky, paranormal romance, review, reviews, thoughts

Author: Mindy Klasky 
Publisher: Res Ipsa Press
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Rating:  4 Stars

Jane Madison’s life has flipped upside down. Working as a librarian, the board has seen fit to have the staff wear period clothing and she serves lattes at the main desk so the library can stay in the black. Top it off with her grandmother who is determined reconnect her with her estranged mother, a pay cut that has left her living in the cottage behind the library she works for, and a strange library on witchcraft in the cottages well locked basement and right now she’s not sure where life will take her next.

Girl’s Guide to Witchcraft is a cute paranormal romance that keeps you hoping and wishing things would turn up Jane instead of pavement and bad luck. The story is both well written and well planned out for all its Shakespeare references – something that I found incredibly fun to have sprinkled throughout the book. The Shakespeare references weren’t awkward too many, but just right and done in such a way that you felt natural for the character making them.

I enjoyed learning about Jane’s best friend Melissa and all her delicious bakery sweets, as well as quirky dates. And it was entertaining and fun to watch Jane try to pursue her Imaginary Boyfriend – the professor that always camped out at the table in front of her desk as he buried himself in his research.

I will definitely be picking up the second book in the series to see where Jane’s life, and her witchcraft, take her next!

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