Book Review: The Blended Lives Chronicles: Sides of the Order
Posted: June 14, 2024 Filed under: Book Review, Books, Fiction, Review, Speculative Fiction, Vampire Romance | Tags: Blended Lives Chronicles, Book Reveiw, Patty L. Fletcher, vampires, Writing to be Read 27 Comments
About the Book
Lady Laya MoonWalker is a well respected journalist and magazine owner and a high priestess in the magickal community. After a drawn-out battle with the forces of dark magik, she has come into her own. She lives and works on Planet Korponious, where she is the owner and creator of an Interplanetary Magazine called “Blended Lives Chronicles.” Her mission is to blend the lines of race, creed, and disability that separate so many and to elevate the recognition of the training and ability of Service Animals of all kinds to a new level. She has just been accepted into the Blended Lives Federation and now hopes to continue her work in a way like nothing known to her before.
Laya has created a lot of wreckage along the way through her dark journey into the light, and now she wishes to set this to right. She has just received her best break ever. Frank Prince, the CEO of The Blended Lives Learning Center, has invited her to the Celtic New Year Convention and Witches Ball as a reporter to write a story on the progress of The Blended Lives Planetary Federation. She will be their guest speaker at the opening ceremonies.
When Laya arrives at the Celtic Convention, she finds herself face to face with an old and dear friend, Blended Lives Learning Center Instructor and member of the Order of the Night, Derrick Gibbous. As they begin to connect, causing old sparks to reignite, they are tossed into a nasty battle from which not everyone will escape. People are not as they seem, and not everyone supports the side for which they appear to work.
As their love for one another grows, so does the battle. Despite everything, Laya and Derrick are determined to see their work to unite beings of all kinds succeed.
Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Blended-Lives-Chronicles-Sides-Order/dp/B0CPWDZHPZ/
My Review
I was blessed with a print copy of this story, which is like Dark Shadows meets V: The Final Battle, where nothing is as it seems – Blended Lives: The Sides of the Order, by Patty L. Fletcher. Fletcher has created a seemingly inclusive world where there is magik for everyone, or so it seems. But there is conflict behind closed doors. Not everyone in this society of secrets wants equality and all is not as it appears.
Magazine owner and high priestess, Laya Moonwalker, begins to uncover the truth and becomes a risk to the order, placing her at risk. There are some members of the order who will stop at nothing to keep their secret from being revealed. But who can she trust? She wants desperately to trust the one she loves, Derrick Gibbeous. She needs to believe that he is not involved with the treachery she finds herself caught up in, and that he will do everything within his considerable powers to keep her safe.
The book does have a few P.O.V. problems which can be confusing and pull the reader out of the story, so I give it four quills.
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Kaye Lynne Booth does honest book reviews on Writing to be Read in exchange for ARCs. Have a book you’d like reviewed? You can request a review on the Book Review tab above.
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This post sponsored by WordCrafter Quality Writing & Author Services.
Whether it’s editing, publishing, or promotion that you need, WordCrafter Quality Writing & Author Services can help at a price you can afford.
Stop by and see what we have to offer today: https://writingtoberead.com/readings-for-writers/wordcrafter-quality-writing-author-services/
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Book Review: Stowe Away
Posted: May 31, 2024 Filed under: Book Review, Books, Dark Humor, Fiction, Review, Speculative Fiction, Werewolf fiction, Werewolf Fiction | Tags: Book Review, Canadian Werewolf, Canadian Werewolf in New York, Mark Leslie, Stowe Away, Werewolf, Writing to be Read Leave a commentAbout the Book
HOW DO YOU KEEP AN INNOCENT CHILD SAFE FROM A PREDATOR WHEN YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE BEAST THAT ASSUMES CONTROL OF YOU?
A train bound for Vermont leaves Manhattan at 11:35 AM. It takes approximately 9 hours to arrive. Sunset at the arrival destination occurs at 8:20 PM. How does Michael Andrews, a man on that train who is afflicted with a werewolf curse, resolve the fact that the math just doesn’t work out in his favor? Or in favor of the young girl who is trapped, and cornered?
Michael’s unequivocal desire to help usually thrusts him into the middle of tight spots. And though he has never been good at math, he is consistently good at compounding the peril in his day. On an urgent and last minute trip to help a dear friend in need, he finds someone else to help along the way.
Can Michael figure out how he’ll be able to protect his young, innocent traveling companion as she tries to make her own cross-country escape from the predator who relentlessly stalks her? And does this curious child hold her own answers that can, in turn, help Michael?
In a tale that has been described as Logan meets Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Mark Leslie has crafted a thrill-ride that explores Michael Andrews, Alpha Wolf and Beta Human as he embarks on a life-altering road trip that sends him hurtling towards his own psyche as it brings him miles away from his familiar home territory.
Audible: https://www.amazon.com/Stowe-Away-Canadian-Werewolf-Novella/dp/B08GH4Y4XJ
My Review
Anyone who follows my reviews here might know that I’m a big fan of Mark Leslie’s Canadian Werewolf series. Stowe Away is book 1.5 in the series. You can check out my reviews of the other books in this series at the links below.
I received a free audiobook copy of Stowe Away from responding to Mark Leslie’s newsletter. What a sweet deal. Stowe Away is a novella length story in the Canadian Werewolf series. It is narrated by Scott Overton, who narrates the other audiobooks in the series, as well. As per his usual, he does an excellent job with handling the voices of multiple characters, including the character of a thirteen-year-old girl for this one.
Obviously, I am a fan of this series. Stowe Away was no exception. Michael Andrews must get to Gail, to be the loving and supporting friend in her time of need. As luck would have it, the train is the mode of transportation that will get him there the quickest. But it’s the full moon and the train doesn’t arrive at the destination before it rises.
How to deal with this dilemma is on his mind when he comes across a young girl in trouble, stirring the superhero tendencies in him. She’s hiding from a man who is searching for her on the train, and if he finds her, he wants to silence her for good. Now Michael has to figure out how to help the girl and get off the train before the moon rises and he changes into his alter-ego wolf-self.
Stowe Away is a novella length Canadian Werewolf tale with a full story arc and all the hallmarks that make this series fun to read. I give it five quills.
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Kaye Lynne Booth does honest book reviews on Writing to be Read in exchange for ARCs. Have a book you’d like reviewed? You can request a review on the Book Review tab above.
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WordCrafter Books Are Discounted for the 2024 Smashwords Read an Ebook Week
Posted: March 3, 2024 Filed under: Book Sales, Books, Dark Fantasy, Dark fiction, Fairy Tales, Fantasy, Fiction, Ghost Stories, Historical Fiction, Humor, Mythology and Legend, Nonfiction, Paranormal, Poetry, Science Fiction, Short Fiction, Smashwords, Speculative Fiction, Stories, Western, Women in History, Women's Fiction, Women's Fiction and Poetry, WordCrafter Press, Writing Reference, Writing Resource, Writing Tips | Tags: 50% Off, Books, Smashwords 2024 Read an eBook Week, WordCrafter Press 2 Comments
When:
March 3 – 9, 2024
Where:
On Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/ebookweek
What:
All WordCrafter Press books
The Discount:
50% off!
Find all WordCrafter Press books on Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/Kaye_LynneBooth
Get all your favorite WordCrafter Press books today!
If there are WordCrafter Press books on your TBR list, now is the time to buy them. All WordCrafter Press Books are 50% off for the Smashwords 2024 Read an Ebook Week. That’s right. All titles in the WordCrafter Press catalog are on discounted 50% this week only on Smashwords.
Titles Included:
- Ask the Authors: Writing Reference Anthology, by Kaye Lynne Booth, et. al.
- Ask the Authors 2022: Writing Reference Anthology, by Kaye Lynne Booth, et. al.
- Behind Closed Doors: A Collection of Unusual Poems, by Robbie Cheadle
- Delilah: Book 1 of the Women in the West adventure series, by Kaye Lynne Booth
- Feral Tenderness: Poetry & Photography, by Arthur Rosch
- Hidden Secrets: Paranormal Mystery Novella, by Kaye Lynne Booth
- Last Call and Other Short Fiction: short story collection, by Kaye Lynne Booth
- Lingering Spirit Whispers: Paranormal Anthology bundle, by Kaye Lynne Booth, et. al.
- Midnight Roost: Weird and Creepy Stories, by Kaye Lynne Booth, et. al.
- Once Upon an Ever After: Modern Fairy Tales & Folklore, by Kaye Lynne Booth, et. al.
- Poetry Treasures: Poetry Anthology, by Kaye Lynne Booth and Robbie Cheadle, et. al.
- Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships: Poetry Anthology, by Kaye Lynne Booth and Robbie Cheadle, et. al.
- Poetry Treasures 3: Passions: Poetry Anthology, by Kaye Lynne Booth and Robbie Cheadle, et. al.
- Raise the Tide: Daily Devotional, by James Richards
- Refracted Reflections: Twisted Tales of Duality & Deception, by Kaye Lynne Booth, et. al.
- Small Wonders: Reflective Poems, by Kaye Lynne Booth
- Spirits of the West: Western Paranormal Anthology, by Kaye Lynne Booth, et. al.
- The Rock Star & The Outlaw: Time Travel Adventure, by Kaye Lynne Booth
- Visions: Multi-genre Anthology, by Kaye Lynne Booth, et. al.
- Where Spirits Linger: Paranormal Anthology, by Kaye Lynne Booth, et. al.
- Whispers of the Past: Paranormal Anthology, by Kaye Lynne Booth, et. al.
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Book Review: “Bats in the Belfry” & “Heart of Clay”
Posted: December 29, 2023 Filed under: Book Review, Books, Dark Humor, Fiction, Review, Speculative Fiction | Tags: Bats in the Belfry, Book Review, Dan Shamble Zombie P.I., Heart of Clay, Kevin J. Anderson, Writing to be Read 2 Comments
About Bats in the Belfry
Ace Ventura meets the Addams Family!
A shambling horde of new cases hits Dan Shamble, Zombie P.I. in the Unnatural Quarter. Dan and his gang—including his ghost girlfriend, feisty lawyer partner, cop best friend, and little vampire half-daughter Alvina—are out to seek justice, solve mysteries, and keep their heads on straight … or at least attached.Alvina’s singing lessons for the Banshee Tabernacle Choir end on a sour note when the troll choir director plunges to her death from a high belfry, and the only witness is a deaf-as-a-post gargoyle who sits too close to the loud bells.A frustrated imp, woefully unsuccessful in betting on the nightmare races, is dead certain that his bookie BatGN (GN for “gender neutral” to avoid copyright issues) is cheating him.Francine, the salty bartender at the Goblin Tavern, is worried when One Fang the vampire—her on-again, off-again suitor—disappears without a trace.A shady vendor discovers a market for living shrunken heads that are conversational as well as decorative, but the demand by far exceeds the supply.A heartless therapist has ulterior motives when she counsels zombies, distracting them from their woes to concentrate not just on brains, but on self-improvement as well.There is much at stake in the Unnatural Quarter, and it’s up to Dan Shamble to keep the streets dark and safe for monsters and humans alike. After all, the cases don’t solve themselves!This zombie detective puts the P.I. back in R.I.P.
My Review of Bats in the Belfry
I received a digital copy of Bats in the Belfry through author Kevin J. Anderson’s Bats in the Belfry Kickstarter campaign back in March. I love Anderson’s Dan Shamble, Zombie P.I. series, so I jumped right in and backed this Kickstarter campaign. I knew right off that I wanted to read this book. In fact, I kept checking back to see if it was finished and my early digital copy ready, even though I had received other rewards already and had plenty to read.
I was not disappointed. Bats in the Belfry was one of Dan Shamble’s most intriguing cases yet. Dan Shamble is on the scene when the troll choir director plummets to her unnatural death from the church bell tower, and the only witness is a deaf gargoyle in the belfry, who claims to not have seen a thing. He’s also looking into a crooked betting claim at the Nightmare Races.
For tickle in your tummy and a giggle in your heart, Dan Shamble is always sure to please. He may have Bats in the Belfry, but he gets five quills from me.
About Heart of Clay
Heart of Clay was a short story in the Dan Shamble P.I. series which was offered soley as a Kickstarter reward, so it isn’t available through distributors. I’m including my review here to demonstrate the value I got from backing the Bats in the Belfry Kickstarter campaign at the $5 tier level.
My Review of Heart of Clay
Heart of Clay is a short story by Kevin J. Anderson, from his Dan Shamble, Zombie P.I. series, which I received as a stretch goal reward in digital format. In the past, I have reviewed many books and stories from this series, because I truly enjoy the characters in the absurd world Anderson has created, post Big Uneasy. Perhaps because this is a short story, rather than a novel, I didn’t feel that it had the same depth as the other stories in the series. But there was plenty of the undead and unnatural humor which the Dan Shamble, Zombie P.I. books are known for.
Someone is killing golems, the legendary Excaliber is missing, and Dan Shamble vows to find it. Dragons, ogres, werewolves, ghouls, vampires, mummies, trolls, and more. A walk through the unnatural quarter offers more than a few chuckles as Dan Shamble looks for clues to solve the case.
Short, but funny. Heart of Clay fun quick read with some of my favorite unnatural characters. I give it four quills.
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Kaye Lynne Booth does honest book reviews on Writing to be Read in exchange for ARCs. Have a book you’d like reviewed? You can request a review here.
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WordCrafter News: Special Christmas Edition – Looking Forward to 2024 & Early Call For Submissions
Posted: December 25, 2023 Filed under: Anthology, Books, Call for submissions, Children's Books, Dark Fantasy, Dark fiction, Dark Humor, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Holidays, Horror, Kickstarter, Paranormal, Science Fiction, Short Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Stories, Uncategorized, Western, Women's Fiction, WordCrafter, WordCrafter News, WordCrafter Press, Writing, Writing to be Read | Tags: 2024, Anthology, Call for submissions, Charlie Chickadee Finds a NEw Home, D.I.Y. Author, Dark fiction, Heather Hummingbird Makes a NEw Friend, My Backyard Friends series, Poetry Treassures 4: Natural World, Sarah, Tales from the Hanging Tree, Timothy Turtle Discovers JEllybeans, Women in the West adventure series, WordCrafter Press, WordCrafter Quality Writing & Author Services, Write it Right Quality Editing Services, Writing Reference, Writing to be Read 16 Comments
Looking Forward to 2024
WordCrafter Press
2024 promises to be exciting at WordCrafter Press and I am thrilled to tell you about it.
In January, book 2 of the Women in the West series, Sarah launches on Kickstarter and its going to be a good one. Rewards will include not only early digital and signed print copies of Sarah, but Special Edition Illustrated copies of both Sarah and Delilah, never before offered.
In March, Sarah will be released through distributors, and will be available at your favorite online retailers. I’ll be launching with a book blog tour and giveaway, so be sure and watch for that.
In April, Poetry Treasures 4: Natural World will be released through distributors. (The cover pictured above is just a fill in.) Featuring poetry written by guests of the 2023 “Treasuring Poetry” blog series with Robbie Cheadle. There will be a book blog tour for this book, with audio/video readings by the poets.
In May, my nonfiction writing reference book, D.I.Y. Author will be released through distributors, and will be available at your favorite online retailers. If you’re an author on a shoestring budget determined to find ways to write and sell books, this book is for you. Naturally, a book blog tour and giveaway will accompany this release.
In July, we have a Kickstarter campaign planned for my children’s book series. I’ll be releasing the first three books in the My Backyard Friends series, Heather Hummingbird Makes a New Friend, Timothy Turtle Discovers Jellybeans, and Charlie Chickadee Finds a New Home. After a first illustrator experience which turned sour, these books have been awaiting an illustrator for eight years. But I finally found one, whose illustrations I am proud to have featured in my books, Robbie Cheadle. If you know her, you might be familiar with the wonderful illustrations she’s begun to do recently, and you’ll understand why I am so thrilled to have her as an illustrator. These stories feature animal and bird characters in tales that each teach a social lesson. With Robbie’s beautiful illustrations, they are not to be missed.
In August, the first three books in the My Backyard Friends series will be released through distributors, and will be available at all your favorite distributors. I’ll be launching with a book blog tour and giveaway.
In September, a by invitation only themed anthology, Tales From The Hanging Tree, will be released through distributors and launched with a book blog tour and giveaway, with audio/video readings by the authors.
In October, the 2024 WordCrafter anthology will be released. Each year I release the annual anthology in October, which is just a scary month. Halloween is my favorite holiday, and I love scary stories, and other scary stuff, so releasing in October is condusive to dark fiction. In 2023, we had a great line-up of dark and scary stories in Midnight Roost, so we’re going with a dark fiction theme again this year. It will include both by invitation submissions and contest submissions that are worthy, and feature the winning story from the contest. (See Call for Submissions below.)
WordCrafter Quality Writing & Author Services
I’m happy to announce that in 2024, WordCrafter will be adding Book Trailers to our list of quality author services. We will have three different trailer designers available to choose from: myself, Robbie Cheadle and DL Mullan, and they will be offered at affordable prices.
Other services offered include editing and publishing services and WordCrafter Book Blog Tours. I still have time slots available for editing services into 2024. Learn more at Write it Right Quality Editing Services.
Writing to be Read
On Writing to be Read, 2024 promises more of the new monthly blog series, “POP with Jeff Bowles”, which has been well recepted. A blog series about all things POP, the first Wednesday of every month.
We also have a new addition to the WtbR team. Starting in January, DL Mullan will be bringing us another new blog series the first Friday of each month, “Undawntech: Technology and the Creative Arts”. Be sure to check it out and give Dawn a big welcome.
Call for Submissions – 2024 WordCrafter Anthology
It’s time for the Call for Submissions for the 2024 WordCrafter Anthology, which we’re calling “Dark Fiction” for now. Dark fiction is the theme: horror, paranormal, dark fantasy, science fiction, speculative fiction. Any genre as long as it is dark or scary will do. I’m leaving it wide in the hopes of bringing in a diverse selection of stories that will keep readers awake at night.
Submission Guidelines
Genres: Paranormal, Dark Fantasy, Horror, Science Fiction, Dark Humor, Speculative Fiction any combination there of.
Length: up to 5000 words
Submission Deadline: April 30, 2023
Submissions open January 1 and close on April 30. Watch for the January 1 post for full submission guidelines and contest entry.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to All!
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Join Kaye Lynne Booth & WordCrafter Press Readers’ Group for WordCrafter Press book & event news, including the awesome releases of author Kaye Lynne Booth. Get a free digital copy of her short story collection, Last Call and Other Short Fiction, as a sampling of her works just for joining
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WordCrafter Holiday Extravaganza Sale
Posted: December 12, 2023 Filed under: Anthology, Book Sales, Books, Collection, Dark Fantasy, Dark fiction, Fairy Tales, Fantasy, Fiction, Ghost Stories, Horror, Nonfiction, Paranormal, Photography, Poetry, Science Fiction, Short Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Stories, Western Paranormal, WordCrafter Press | Tags: 2023 Holiday Extravaganza, Book Sale, Books, Fantasy, Fiction, horror, Paranormal, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Western Paranormal, WordCrafter Press Leave a comment
The WordCrafter Sale of the Year
Did you know that WordCrafter is having a Holiday Extravaganza Sale that includes every book in the entire WordCrafter Press backlist?
That’s right.
And books make great holiday gifts. Treat someone you know or treat yourself this holiday season.
December 1 – 22 every book in the WordCrafter Press back list is at a discounted price. Check it out.
Writing References
Ask The Authors – Only .99 cents
Ask The Authors 2022 – Only $2.99
Fantasy/Science Fiction/Paranormal/Horror Anthologies
Refracted Reflections:
Twisted Tales of Duality & Deception
Only $2.50
Visions – Only $2.99
Poetry Anthologies & Collections
Poetry Treasures – Only $2.99
Behind Closed Doors:
a collection of unusual poems
by Robbie Cheadle
Only $2.99
Books By Kaye Lynne Booth
Last Call
And Other Short Fiction
by Kaye Lynne Booth
Only .99 cents
Hidden Secrets
Paranormal Mystery Novella
by Kaye Lynne Booth
Only $1.99
Daily Devotionals
Paranormal Anthologies
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Book Review: Terror in the Shadows
Posted: December 5, 2023 Filed under: Book Review, Books, Dark Fantasy, Dark fiction, Fiction, Horror, Review, Speculative Fiction | Tags: Book Review, Dark arts, Dark Fantasy, Dark fiction, Jupiter Rose, Speculative Fiction, Terror in the Shadows, witches, Writing to be Read 2 CommentsAbout the Book
Prepare to be captivated by “Terror in the Shadows,” a gripping paranormal, mystery, suspense novel that plunges into a world of hidden secrets and uncertain destinies. Kelsey, a tenacious young reporter known for chasing stories, suddenly vanishes, paralleling the puzzling disappearance of her mother three months ago. As time ticks away, the race to find Kelsey becomes a desperate pursuit for Detective Silverton.
Haunted by the mysterious photo of Kelsey, Lucy, a mysterious man with an intriguing connection to the supernatural, feels an unwavering urge to aid in the search. With his enigmatic powers, he reveals the missing pieces as they rush into the shadows to unearth long-hidden truths.
In a realm where secrets and lies intertwine, ancient powers stir from their slumber, ready to shape the fate of all involved. Within this realm, where the boundaries between light and dark blur, Kelsey’s fate hangs in the balance.
As Detective Silverton uncovers the truth behind Kelsey and her mother’s disappearance, he walks a treacherous tightrope between saving the young woman and losing everyone he loves. The stakes have never been higher as the clock relentlessly counts down.
With each page turned, “Terror in the Shadows” will immerse you in a world where gripping suspense and unexpected twists reign supreme. As the story unfolds, you’ll be held enthralled from the very first page to the heart-stopping climax. Will the truth set Kelsey free, or will she become another headline shadowed by darkness?
Prepare yourself for an exhilarating journey that will keep you on the edge of your seat, yearning for answers until the last word. “Terror in the Shadows” will leave you craving more, long after you’ve turned the last page.”
My Review
I requested a copy of this book from the author, Jupiter Rose, in exchange for an honest review, because the cover caught my eye. (Yes, I often consciously choose books by their covers.) The flaming pentagram with the figure of a man in it intrigued me and the title, Terror in the Shadows, promised a tale of dark fiction or horror to keep one awake at night. While this story has a lot of potential to be an excellent dark fantasy thriller, it failed to deliver on its promise.
It has an excellent premise, with witches and witch hunters, and even an appearance from the Dark Lord, himself, going by the name of Lucy. The mysterious disappearance of Kelsey’s mother starts things off, but we only get to learn about it through Kelsey’s thoughts before Kelsey herself disappears and it’s up to her two best friends Frank and Jennifer to find her before it’s too late. There are mysterious men stalking her, and a mysterious man who appears out of nowhere to help find her who has more information than he should, all building up to a climatic confrontation between the hunters and the hunted. I loved the tale enough to finish the book despite the problems that I found with it which included:
- Massive head hopping. This story changes P.O.V. so often it’s difficult to know whose head your in – sometimes as often as every other paragraph.
- Numerous typos, sometimes changing gender identifiers within a single sentence.
- The characters were likeable enough, but they lacked depth, which could have easily been remedied by staying in P.O.V. so we could get more of their inner feelings and resonate with the reasons for their actions. There are too many extraordinary events that are reacted to by the characters as if they were every day occurrences, and no understanding as to why that would be.
- Needed to be more realistic, and plot holes that need patched. The character of Frank, in particular, was hard to figure out. He is portrayed as a policeman, but his behavior is very un-cop-like. They all have massive time off of work to delve into mysteries, and after her abduction, they bring Kelsey home and report nothing to the police or the media, after her photo has been plastered all over to the public. Then her boss calls to demand her to come back to work before he has any way to know she’s no longer missing. These moments make the reader pause from the story to say, “What? When did that happen?” And there a many of them.
- Too much telling and not enough showing. Told in past tense, it was too easy to fill us in later and just tell us something happened while we were out.
I never like to give less than positive reviews, but since I requested the book, I felt obligated to give an honest review as promised. The storyline was good enough to keep me reading despite the problems with craft and grammar. What makes it sad is that all of them could have been corrected by running it by a decent editor and giving it a good proofread. While I am a D.I.Y. author and publisher, I believe in putting out the best book possible, and I know how important it is to have a second, or even a third set of eyes go over the books that I publish. A book like this one just drives that message home.
A good storyline and characters, but hard to get through due to typos and problems with craft. I give Terror in the Shadows three quills.
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Kaye Lynne Booth does honest book reviews on Writing to be Read in exchange for ARCs. Have a book you’d like reviewed? You can request a review here.
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Book Review: Ink Witch
Posted: November 17, 2023 Filed under: Book Review, Books, Fantasy, Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Urban fantasy | Tags: Audiobook, Book Review, Ink Witch, Julia Whelan, Linsay Farleigh, Urban fantasy, Writing to be Read 6 CommentsAbout the Book
A whole new series from the world of the Echo Trilogy.
Three years ago, the gods abandoned us. We’ve been alone ever since.
Kat Dubois is immortal, and she’s retired. She’s long since hung up her sword and left assassinating immortals to someone else…anyone else. She’s now a hard drinking, sass-flinging Seattle tattoo artist with the innate ability to read people’s fortunes using her charmed deck of tarot cards. Her days of bloodshed are over, and she has nothing but time – an eternity, in fact – to hide from her past.
Until someone from her past shows up on her doorstep with news that her beloved older brother and mentor, Dominic, has gone missing. Kat may be the only person with the right skills – and access to the right magic – to track him down. She must confront her past if she’s to have any chance of finding and saving her brother. She must fight her demons. She must embrace the power within her.
She must become the Ink Witch.
Purchase Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Ink-Witch-Lindsey-Fairleigh-audiobook/dp/B06XWLRT8R/
My Review
I listened to the audiobook, Ink Witch, by Linsey Farleigh. Julia Whelan does a smashing job of narrating this urban fantasy novel about an immortal tattoo artist, Kate Dubois, whose magic is in her ink. Well, not really. The magic is inside of her, but when Kate inks up, watch out. Kate plays the reluctant heroine, coming out of retirement to find and save her brother, who has gone missing, along with others, both magical and mortal. But there’s more to it than at first meets the eye, and the danger ratchets up as Kate uncovers the pieces that will uncover an evil and diabolical plot to take unchallenged control of the magical realm. Her inky magic is just what’s called for to battle the forces of evil, but can she stop her adversaries before their plan can be carried out?
Original and entertaining to the utmost. A fun urban fantasy adventure. I give Ink Witch five quills.
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Kaye Lynne Booth does honest book reviews on Writing to be Read in exchange for ARCs. Have a book you’d like reviewed? You can request a review here.
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Book Review: The Shaman
Posted: November 11, 2023 Filed under: Book Review, Books, Fantasy, Fiction, Magical Realism, Review, Self-Discovery, Speculative Fiction | Tags: Book Review, Joseph Carrabis, Magical Realism, The Shaman, Writing to be Read 3 CommentsAbout the Book
Gio Fortuna, a boy spurned by his parents for being “slow,” is raised by his grandfather in the ways of the Practice, a rich esoteric discipline drawing upon mystic traditions passed down over thousands of years from a multitude of cultures. Written in five parts chronicling Gio’s life, The Shaman sees Fortuna embark on a journey from initiate to adept, young boy to old man, as he navigates a network of teachers, each with their own unique lessons and challenges. Steeped in wisdom applicable to all, The Shaman is an inspiring story that proposes a unique path to self-discovery and growth unlike anything written before.
Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Shaman-Joseph-Carrabis/dp/B0CJ43GCDH/
My Review
I received an ARC copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
The Shaman, by Joseph Carrabis is an adventure into the human coondition and beyond. I’ve learned more about myself from this book than I ever have from any work of fiction. A journey into the magical worlds of world cultures, this tale uses magical realism to guide us through an amazing adventure. As always, Carrabis is a master at lining his fiction with valuable lessons for all of us.
The magic of shamans lies within Gio Fortuna and Shaman is the story of his journey to discover the magic within himself, learn to use it, and teach others who are eagar to learn. But as he learns, others don’t understand, and they fear him for what he does. Feeling outcast and trying to find his place in life, Gio is on an amazing life-long journey of self-discovery. He learns something new with every interaction, whether they be teacher or student. For Gio, the incredible is ordinary, although most everyone else is left in awe.
Carrabis skillfully crafts his tale into life lessons learned by his character, Gio. As Gio ventures through life on a soul searching journey, each lesson is portrayed in a way which leaves them open to interpretation, for the reader to attach their own meanings. If you read this book, you will, too, without even realizinng that you’re doing it. I read chapters over repeatedly in order to grasp the meanings that were waiting there for me, although sometimes differing from their meanings for Gio.
I have always been interested in the mystical, but it hasn’t come naturally to me. I’ve never truly been able to meditate, and often fallen asleep during my attempts at it. Gio shows me what I need to do, but I need to learn to do it: lower – center – relax -breathe. The lessons which Gio learns and teaches are within the grasp of us all, and the author kindly lists them at the back of the book, where they can be referred to easily. As for the rest, we must each seek out our own path in our own way.
A spiritual oddesy in human nature, with so many lessons inside. I give The Shaman five quills.
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Kaye Lynne Booth does honest book reviews on Writing to be Read in exchange for ARCs. Have a book you’d like reviewed? You can request a review here.
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WordCrafter News: Giveaway Winners, A Halloween Book Event, NaNoWriMo and a New Blog Series
Posted: October 30, 2023 Filed under: Anthology, Blog Tour, Book Event, Books, Dark Fantasy, Dark Humor, Fiction, Ghost Stories, Giveaways, Horror, NaNoWriMo, Paranormal, Science Fiction, Short Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Stories, WordCrafter Book Blog Tours, WordCrafter News, WordCrafter Press | Tags: Black Cauldron Book Event, Giveaway Winners, Midnight Roost, NaNoWriMo, Sarah, WordCrafter Book Blog Tours, WordCrafter News, WordCrafter Press 8 Comments
Wrapping up the WordCrafter Midnight Roost Book Blog Tour
We had a great tour for Midnight Roost and many of you visited one or more tour stops and commented, for a chance to win a free digital copy of Midnight Roost. We were giving away three copies for this tour, and all that’s left to do now is to give you the winners. So, without further ado…
(Drumroll please.)
And the winners are…
- BeetleyPete
- Vera Day
- Lauren Scott
If your name appears on the above list, please contact me at KLBWordCrafter@gmail.com to claim your free digital copy of Midnight Roost: Weird and Creepy Stories.
In Case You Missed the Tour
Midnight Roost is a truly creepy anthology from 20 talented authors that you won’t want to miss. But, if you missed the tour, you can still get a copy here: https://books2read.com/u/318L0l
About Midnight Roost
20 authors bring your nightmares to life in 23 stories of ghosts, paranormal phenomenon, and the horror from the dark crevasses of their minds. Stories of stalkers, both human and supernatural, possession and occult rituals, alien visitations of the strange kind, and ghostly tales that will give you goosebumps. These are the tales that will make you fear the dark. Read them at the Midnight Roost… if you dare.
Halloween Book Event
Tomorrow is Halloween. My favorite holiday. To celebrate, WordCrafter is cohosting the author takeover during Sonoran Dawn’s Black Cauldron All Hallow’s Eve Book Event all Halloween day. Join us for promos, games, and giveaways, Halloween music and a whole lot more. Sign up and join in at the link below.
https://www.facebook.com/events/876710947358939/
Author takeover spots are available. If interested in promoting your books, artwork, or other creative projects, contact me at KLBWordCrafter@gmail.com and put Author Takeover in the subject line.
November NaNoWriMo
I’m so excited about participating in National Novel Writing Month this year because I’m itching to delve into Sarah. I’m still not prolific enough to think I’ll write the whole novel in a month, but I know from last year, with The Rock Star & The Outlaw, that participating in NaNoWriMo can offer one heck of a start.
For those who don’t know, Sarah is book 2 in the Women in the West Adventure series. Last January I ran a Kickstarter campaign for book 1, Delilah. I plan to run another Kickstarter campaign for Sarah this coming January, so it is time to write the book. In preparation, I’ve done my research and have a working outline ready. I’ve already had a lot of fun fleshing out the two supporting characters that backers got to name from Delilah’s campaign, Lillian Alura Bennett, and Owoz Crebo. One historical female character which will make an appearance in Sarah, which is a trademark of the series, is Kate Elder, a.k.a. Big Nose Kate, Doc Holiday’s infamous companion. So, I have everything I need at the starting gate, and I’m just waiting for the starting gate to open on November 1st.
New Blog Series Starting in November
I’m so pleased to be able to make this particular announcement. The first Wednesday in November, Jeff Bowles will be returning to the blog with a new blog series about pop culture, “Pop with Jeff Bowles”. He’ll be talking about the many areas of pop culture: comics and comic hero movies, video games, television, music, and more. Drop by Writing to be Read the first Wednesday of each month and check it out.
Note: Also in November and December, you may notice some extra reviews coming out on Saturdays as I try and get in all of my 2023 reads, so I can start fresh in 2024. For requested reviews, I like to post in a timely manner, and I don’t want to wait into the new year to post, as I’ve probably already passed their release date due to my back log. So, if you have requested a review and sent me an ARC copy this year, be watching, because they all should be coming up.
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