Book Review: Draakensky

Posted: March 14, 2025 | Author: kayelynnebooth | Filed under: Book Review, Books, Dark fiction, Ghost Stories, Gothic, Horror, Review | Tags: Book Review, Draakensky, Gothic Horror, Paula Cappa, Writing to be Read | 4 Comments

About Draakensky

**Readers’ Choice Book Awards Finalist

Jon R. Meyers at The Horror Zine writes “Draakensky is a powerful, timeless piece of dark fiction . . . beautifully haunting. A book that is unique and stands out loudly from the rest. Highly recommended.”

A murder. A wind sorcerer. A dark spirit. In the shrouded realm of Draakensky Windmill Estate—where magic dictates destiny—reality and the supernatural blur.

THE MURDER: Heida Mead is found dead in the thrashing Mianus River in Bedford, New York.

THE WIND SORCERER: Jaa Morland is the reclusive spinster of Draakensky estate, a commanding wind-witch and deeply attuned to ghosts—and, she knows the meaning of owl sorcery.

THE DARK SPIRIT: A ghost hurls whispers into the fabric of Draakensky, stirring up secrets of river magic and untold horrors.

Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Draakensky-Supernatural-Tale-Magick-Romance-ebook/dp/B0DCKBVQTV

My Review of Draakensky

I received a digital copy of Draakensky, by Paula Cappa in exchange for an honest review. All opinions stated here are my own.

This story has ghosts and witches and everything a gothic fantasy story needs, but the thing that captivated me the most about Draakensky is the owl imagery and lore. Cappa does an excellent job of weaving owl symbolism into the story, adding meaning and driving the story forward.

When Heida Mead is murdered under mysterious circumstances, Charlotte Knight is commissioned to complete the illustrations on the book of Rilke’s poetry that she had been working on under the direction of Heida’s sister, Jaa Moorland. She accepts and comes to the Draakensky windmill, in Bedford Village, New York, in hopes of launching a new path in her career, away from the hustle and bustle of Chicago and a cheating boyfriend.

But Jaa is difficult to deal with, at times seeming deranged and unreasonable, with Charlotte’s career hanging in the balance. With nothing left to go back to, Charlotte is determined to stick it out, even as strange events begin to occur which could be downright dangerous. Voices in the cottage, a foreboding groundskeeper, a strange white wolf, menacing owl attacks, and speculations about the murder around every corner. There is magick in the wind, and in the river, and in the very soil of Draakensky, and it controls the animals and the elements, even from beyond the grave.

An outstanding gothic horror mystery. I give Draakensky 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.

Everyone is a Critic: “Tale of Tales”

Posted: March 10, 2025 | Author: kayelynnebooth | Filed under: Dark Fantasy, Everyone is a Critic, Fantasy, Film Review, Horror, Movie Review, Movies | Tags: Everyone is a Critic, Fairytales, Movie Review, Tale of Tales, Writing to be Read | Leave a comment

Three kingdoms. Three horrific tales, braided into one tragically horrendous fairytale in the classic tradition, Tale of Tales is a skillfully crafted triple fairytale. Fairytales were used to frighten children into behaving themselves in days of past. They are supposed to strike fear in readers, or in this case, viewers, so the element of horror is no surprise here. Everyone knows fairytales are tales of tragedy and don’t always have a happy ending. Even when they do have a HEA, the characters must face gruesomely frightening trials to reach that point.

A King (John C. Riley) and Queen (Selma Hayak) of the kingdom of Longtrellis are barren and will stop at nothing to have a son. The Queen summons a necromancer to make her wish come true. Upon his instruction, the King slays the sea monster, but loses his life. None-the-less, she eats the sea monster’s heart and bears a son, Elias Christian Lees, with alabaster skin and hair. At the same time as the cook bears a son, Jonah (Jonah Lees), who looks enough like Elias to be his identical twin, and the two boys grow up to become fast friends who are inseparable. Enraged after the boys fool her, the Queen sends the cook and her son away, but the boys’ bond is stronger, and when her son, Elias, fears his friend is in trouble, he runs away to go to his aid. Desperate for the return of Elias, the Queen summons the necromancer once more. She will have her son back, but at what price?

The King of the kingdom of Strongcliff (Vincent Cassell) becomes lustful when he hears a beautiful voice and must have the singer as his wife. But the singer is one of two sisters, aged spinsters, Imma (Shirley Henderson) and Dora (Haley Carmichael), who fool the King and he unwittingly takes Dora to his bed under her insistence that it be in complete darkness. Enraged upon waking and discovering her true appearance, the King has his guards throw her from the cliffside castle window, but Dora survives and is found by a witch who suckles her, giving her back her youth. The King and his hunting party found the beautiful young woman (Stacy Martin) laying on the forest floor and he falls in love and makes Dora his Queen. But Imma is lonely and longs to have her sister back with her, threatening to reveal Dora’s secret. Dora turns Imma away, leaving her alone to suffer a tragic end.

The King of the kingdom of Highhills (Toby Jones) becomes fascinated with a flea and makes it a pet that grows to gargantuan proportions. When his daughter, Violet (Bebe Cave), wishes to be married, he develops a plan to make her happy without risking losing her by placing the fleas hide on his wall and promising her hand to any suiter who can guess the creature that it came from. But it leads to the loss of his daughter when an ogre (Guillaume Delaunay) guesses correctly by smell, and he is forced to give Violet to the ogre, who takes her to his cave in the side of a high cliff. She’s recued by a family of acrobats, but the ogre slays them all and Violet fools the ogre and slits his throat. She returns to the kingdom, to find her father ill, and presents him with the head of the husband that he chose for her.

Official Clip: https://images.app.goo.gl/pAFnUmGSwCHFgcXo6

The three kingdoms and their tales are brought together at Violet’s coronation, where representing Longtrellis, Elias is in attendance, as well as the King of Strongcliff and his new Queen. But the witch’s magic wears off and Dora loses her youthful appearance and sneaks away unnoticed.

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For Kaye Lynne Booth, writing is a passion. Kaye Lynne is an author with published short fiction and poetry, both online and in print, including her short story collection, Last Call and Other Short Fiction; and her paranormal mystery novella, Hidden Secrets; Books 1 & 2 of her Women in the West adventure series, Delilah and Sarah, and her Time-Travel Adventure novel, The Rock Star & The Outlaw, her the first three books in her kid’s book series, My Backyard Friends, her poetry collection, Small Wonders, and her writer’s resource, The D.I.Y. Author. Kaye holds a dual M.F.A. degree in Creative Writing with emphasis in genre fiction and screenwriting, and an M.A. in publishing. Kaye Lynne is the founder of WordCrafter Quality Writing & Author Services and WordCrafter Press. She also maintains an authors’ blog and website, Writing to be Read, where she publishes content of interest in the literary world.

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Did you know you can sponsor your favorite blog series or even a single post with an advertisement for your book? Stop by the WtbR Sponsor Page and let me advertise your book, or you can make a donation to Writing to be Read for as little as a cup of coffee, If you’d like to show your support for this author and WordCrafter Press.

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This segment of “Everyone is a Critic” is sponsored by the Midnight Anthology Series and WordCrafter Press.

Midnight Roost: Weird and Creepy Stories: 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. https://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Roost-Kaye-Lynne-Booth-ebook/dp/B0CL6FPLVJ

Midnight Garden: Where Dark Tales Grow: 17 authors bring you 21 magnificent dark tales. Stories of magic, monsters and mayhem. Tales of murder and madness which will make your skin crawl. These are the tales that explore your darkest fears. Read them in the Midnight Garden… if you dare. https://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Garden-Where-Tales-Anthology-ebook/dp/B0DJNDQJD3

Writer’s Corner: Listening to Your Characters

Posted: March 3, 2025 | Author: kayelynnebooth | Filed under: Books, Character Development, Dialogue, Fiction, WordCrafter Press, Writer's Corner, Writing, Writing Process | Tags: characters, Kaye Lynne Booth, Writer's Corner, Writing Process, Writing to be Read | 11 Comments

Caracature of a woman typing on a keyboard at a very messy desk. Text: Writer's Corner with Kaye Lynne Booth

Do your characters talk to you? I’ve met authors who say, “How could they? They aren’t real. They are fictional characters which I made up.” But if you are in touch with the characters which you created, I don’t see how they could not talk to you. I believe these authors who claim to not hear their characters maybe just aren’t listening.

My characters talk to me and help guide my stories. My characters refuse to stay silent. I don’t actually hear or see them, of course, but they do talk to me in my head. I hear the dialog as it goes on the page, and they are sure to tell me if I get it wrong.

I recall when this first happened while writing my first novel, Delilah. There was a scene in the story which I recognized wasn’t working, but I couldn’t figure out why. I sat in front of my computer re-reading the chapter, which was the dialog of a conversation between Delilah and another character. I said to myself, “Something isn’t right here, but what is it?” And a voice in my head replied, “I wouldn’t react that way.” Re-reading it once more, I realized that the voice of Delilah was right. I had my character reacting in a certain way because it was necessary in order for events in the future to occur, but it wasn’t a reaction that would come naturally from the character I had created. I rewrote the conversation, changing Delilah’s reaction to be true to her character, and it changed the direction of the story, completely. It required extensive revisions throughout the story, including total rewrites of the chapters which came after that scene, but it made it a much better tale than the one I had planned to write, so it was better for the story in the long run.

While writing Sarah, my character hijacked a conversation between her, Big Nose Kate, and a high-society woman, and her opinions on corsets set off an unexpected suffrage movement in Glenwood Springs, complete with a protest and corset burning. When I began writing the story, I had no idea that this would happen in the book, but when I placed the words upon the page, it all just clicked, and I said, “Oh, yeah”.

With both books in my Time Travel Adventure series every chapter is paired with a song. All of Amaryllis’ music was done by The Pretty Reckless, which first inspired her character. But for LeRoy and the other characters who were given P.O.V. in the second book, the music from various artists were used. As I perused the radio stations, searching for just the right song for each chapter. I can think of several times when a song I wasn’t familiar with would come on and LeRoy would give my mind a nudge that said, “Listen to this song.” Paying attention to what he had to say, I focused on the music, listening to the lyrics, and found that the song was perfect for a specific chapter, and the song ended up in the book and on LeRoy’s play list.

Of course, I’m aware that my character’s voices are really voices from my own subconscious, because every one of the characters I create are a part of me. But being in touch with them enough to them to hear their voices in my head makes them feel more like old friends and helps me bring the story to life.

We all have the ability to hear our characters if we’ll only listen to what they have to say. I’ve found that their observations are right on the money. My stories turn out better for listening to them. So, tell me. Do you listen to your characters?

About Kaye Lynne Booth

For Kaye Lynne Booth, writing is a passion. Kaye Lynne is an author with published short fiction and poetry, both online and in print, including her short story collection, Last Call and Other Short Fiction; and her paranormal mystery novella, Hidden Secrets; Books 1 & 2 of her Women in the West adventure series, Delilah and Sarah, and her Time-Travel Adventure novel, The Rock Star & The Outlaw,as well as her poetry collection, Small Wonders and The D.I.Y. Author writing resource. Kaye holds a dual M.F.A. degree in Creative Writing with emphasis in genre fiction and screenwriting, and an M.A. in publishing. Kaye Lynne is the founder of WordCrafter Quality Writing & Author Services and WordCrafter Press. She also maintains an authors’ blog and website, Writing to be Read, where she publishes content of interest in the literary world.

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This segment of “Writer’s Corner” is sponsored by the My Backyard Friends Kid’s Book Series and WordCrafter Press.

The My Backyard Friends kid’s book series is inspired by the birds and animals that visit the author Kaye Lynne Booth’s mountain home. Beautiful illustrations by children’s author, poet, and illustrator, Robbie Cheadle, bring the unique voices of the animal characters to life.

Get Your Copy Now.

Heather Hummingbird Makes a New Friend (Ages 3-5): https://books2read.com/MBF-HeatherHummingbird

Timothy Turtle Discovers Jellybeans (Ages 3-5): https://books2read.com/MBF-TimothyTurtle

Charlie Chickadee Gets a New Home (Ages 6-8): https://books2read.com/MBF-CharlieChickadee

Book Review: “Dying Time”

Posted: February 21, 2025 | Author: kayelynnebooth | Filed under: Book Review, Books, Fiction, Review, Speculative Fiction, Supernatural, weird western | 2 Comments

About Dying Time

How many Agents of Death does it take to save the world?

If it’s Ginny Sutton, just one.

After barely surviving her confrontation with the Sinful Six, Ginny spends the winter hiding out, adjusting to her new job as an Agent, and honing the powerful gifts bestowed by the station.

Spring brings her to Dodge City where she finds her new boss Death waiting with an urgent assignment spurred by a foretelling of his brother War. The Vampire Council has an agenda for world domination that includes turning Ginny into one of their kind to harness her Agent powers for their evil plans. Worse yet, they’re targeting other beings of power and magic for the same purpose: to turn them and use their gifts to create a vicious army of super vampires. Ginny must become the hunter before ending up as prey, or the entire world will descend into darkness.

The vampire threat is personal, but bigger than one woman’s life. Ginny’s only hope is to abandon working alone and recruit a team—steadfast friends both old and new, along with her trusty mount Horse—to defeat the Council before their dark forces are unleashed upon humanity. It will take luck, skill, and determination to win the day, but as Ginny learned long before becoming an Agent:

HOPE IS NOT A STRATEGY.

Book Cover: A woman in western garb towering over an old mansion with pistol and wooden stake in hand. A man dressed in balck and red with vampire fangs strolls in front ogf the mansion, and bats fly across the dark and stormy sky.
Text: Dying Time: The LEgend of Ginny Sutton, Julie Jones.

From the author of Blood Follows Blood comes the second book in this supernatural western series where legends walk among us, and the line between hunter and prey is never clear.

Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Dying-Time-Legend-Ginny-Sutton-ebook/dp/B0DVSM2VKJ

My Review of Dying Time

I requested a digital copy of Dying Time, by Julie Jones in exchange for an honest review. All opinions stated here are my own.

Dying Time is book 2 of The Legend of Ginny Sutton series, by author Julie Jones. Last year, I enjoyed the first book in this series so much that I had to ask to review the second as soon as I learned she was writing it. You can see my review of the first book and interview with the author in this segment of “Chatting with New Blood”. Ms. Jones did not disappoint.

In book 1, Ginny Sutton was called upon to be an agent of Death. In Dying Time, Death calls upon her once again, this time to rid the west of a vampire army which threatens to destroy all humanity and other creatures, both natural and supernatural, in their path. Bestowed with supernatural powers of her own, Ginny is commissioned to enlist some of her friends, which were introduced in the first book and are just as likable in this tale. Poker Alice, her Native American friend, Maggie, and Sheriff Ed Hayes join forces with Ginny to rid the west of a terrible evil which could mean the end of humanity.

You never know what will happen next in this world where supernatural beings walk the American western frontier, but Ginny Sutton is ready to face whatever life, or Death, throws her way. I give Dying Time 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.

Review in Practice: Booking the Library

Posted: February 17, 2025 | Author: kayelynnebooth | Filed under: Book Promotion, Review in Practice, Story Telling Methods, Writing | Tags: Booking the Library, Jessica Brawner, Nonfiction, Review in Practice, Writing to be Read | 10 Comments

I was fortunate to receive a digital copy of Booking the Library, by Jessica Brawner in the 2024 Novel Writing Story Bundle, curated by Kevin J. Anderson, in which my book. The D.I.Y. Author was featured. All opinions stated here are my own.

Many of the old school authors swear that in person promotion is the way to go to sell books, and it is certainly the way to get your book on library shelves. In 2022, I wrote a “Review in Practice” about Mark Leslie Lefebvre’s An Author’s Guide to Working with Libraries and Bookstores, which covers how to build relationships with librarians as a way to help get your books on the shelves of local libraries and brick and mortar bookstores. Part of his advice included volunteering to do readings or presentations as a way to get your foot in the door and create a mutually beneficial relationship with librarians. Libraries do buy books, so it’s good advice, but for me, it has been something I’m still striving for.

Booking the Library takes us beyond that relationship by pointing readers toward actually getting paid to do readings and performances in libraries, which I had never really thought about doing before. It contains a lot of great tips and pointers for getting you, or perhaps your story telling group, bookings in libraries and other venues. Although this type of in person event is far beyond my means at the moment, there were many tidbits that I stowed away for a time when I am able to do so, because the idea of doing this type of appearance sounds like a lot of fun. I can only imagine being able to read my stories in front of an audience.

Although Booking the Library is aimed at performers from all walks of life, much of what is suggested applies to authors and storytellers as well. Jessica Brawner shares the basics, how to find libraries and how to pitch them, booking and planning tours, mailing lists, documents and tools needed, promoting events, getting paid and financial tips, and more. Since I’d never thought of booking for pay, this book was very enlightening.

About Booking the Library

Explore the world of library touring and program booking with “Booking the Library (Second Edition).” Tailored for musicians, storytellers, puppeteers, authors, speakers, and all ‘living wage’ entertainers, this guide is your key to unlocking fresh markets, cultivating a dedicated fan base, and revolutionizing your livelihood.

Dive into a treasure trove of practical tools to elevate your booking game, including sample phone scripts, contracts, and emails. Uncover the secrets of swiftly accessing library contact information, discover best practices that set you apart, and explore creating your ideal program description. “Booking the Library” isn’t just a guide; it’s your compass for navigating the complex world of library programs, filled with invaluable tips and practical advice to ensure your journey is not only successful but also leaves you happy, healthy, and sane as you passionately pursue your craft. Elevate your entertainment business with the wisdom within these pages and let your talent shine on new stages.

Book Cover: Booking the Library, 2nd edition: A Comprensive Guide to Scheduling Performances and Programs for Authors, Speakers, Musicians, and Entertainers, Jessica Brawner

Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Booking-Library-Comprehensive-Performances-Entertainers/dp/0999062956/

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About Kaye Lynne Booth

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This post is sponsored by The D.I.Y. Author and WordCrafter Press.

Being an author today is more than just writing the book. Authors in this digital age have more opportunities than ever before. Whether you pursue independent or traditional publishing models, or a combination of the two, being an author involves not only writing, but often, the publishing and marketing of the book.

In this writer’s reference guide, multi-genre author and independent publisher, Kaye Lynne Booth shares her knowledge and experiences and the tools, books, references and sites to help you learn the business of being an author.

Topics Include:

Becoming Prolific

Writing Tools

Outlining

Making Quality a Priority

Publishing Models & Trends

Marketing Your Book

Book Covers & Blurbs

Book Events—In Person & Virtual

And More…

Purchase your copy today: https://books2read.com/The-DIY-Author

Chatting with the Pros: Children’s Author, Darlene Foster

Posted: February 15, 2025 | Author: kayelynnebooth | Filed under: Book Review, Books, Chatting with the Pros, Children's Books, Fiction, Interview, Writing | Tags: Amanda in Scotland, Author Interview, Book Reveiw, Chatting with the Pros, Children's Books, Darlene Foster, Kaye Lynne Booth, Writing to be Read | 77 Comments

Two women sitting and talking with fantasy background. Dialog bubbles with 'Q &A' above their heads. Text: Chatting with the Pros with Kaye Lynne Booth

I first met Darlene when she sent me a pitch for this interview in response to a call for pitches I put out. I’m always thrilled to meet other children’s authors and I have to say, I really liked her attitude and her approach. I believe children’s authors have the gift of viewingthe world through a child’s eyes, or maybe they just retain more of their own inner child than others do. When I saw her author photo (below), I saw this in her wonderful smile and the sparkle in her eye.

Join me here, in learning more about her and her lovely children’s books, the Amanda Travels Series, (ten books and still more to come). She also writes short fiction, which has been featured in several anthologies, and has a short fiction collection, .

About Darlene Foster

Darlene Foster grew up on a ranch in Alberta, Canada, where her love of reading inspired her to see the world and write stories. She is the author of the exciting Amanda Travels series featuring spunky Amanda Ross, a twelve-year-old girl who loves to travel. All ages enjoy following Amanda as she unravels one mystery after another in unique destinations. When not travelling, meeting interesting people, and collecting ideas for her books, Darlene enjoys spending time with her family in Canada and her house in Spain with her husband and entertaining rescue dogs, Dot and Lia.

My Interview with Darlene

Kaye: Please tell us a little about your author’s journey.

Darlene: Since I was a little girl on the farm, I enjoyed telling stories, often making them up in my head as I daydreamed. My wonderful grade-three teacher suggested I write my stories down. I had a short story published in the local newspaper when I was twelve but didn’t do much serious writing until I was a grandmother. I visited a friend in the United Arab Emirates and had such a great time that I planned to write a story about it. After several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to try writing the story from a twelve-year-old’s point of view. Amanda in Arabia: The Perfume Flask was born. It took me three years to write the book and another five years to find a publisher, but I persisted. In the meantime, I wrote Amanda in Spain: The Girl in The Painting and had ideas for Amanda in England: The Missing Novel. I now have ten books in the series and am working on the eleventh.

Kaye: You are a member of the Children’s Writer’s Guild. Can you tell us how authors benefit from being a member of such organizations?

Darlene: I belong to CWILL BC (Children’s Writers and Illustrators of BC) I love being part of an organization like this as it is important to mix with other authors. One of the many benefits is the sharing of knowledge. It is the best way to keep up to date on the writing/publishing industry which is an ever-changing world. It’s imperative to keep on top of trends etc. These organizations put together workshops and special events, in person or online, and provide marketing opportunities. Because of my membership, I have done in-class presentations all over the world via Zoom. I used to belong to more similar organizations, but there is only so much time to commit.

Kaye: You have a children’s series, the Amanda Travels series. Tell us about the books and the series.

Darlene: Here is the Reader’s Digest version. Spunky Amanda Jane Ross loves travelling to interesting places, meeting cool people and learning fascinating new things. Her curiosity and eagerness to help people often gets her into trouble wherever she goes. Her adventures have taken her to the deserts of Arabia, castles in England, Spain’s sunny beaches, historic cities along the Danube, spooky buildings in New Mexico, the tulip fields of Holland, and mysterious standing stones in Scotland. Life is never dull for this tween.

Kaye: Amanda in Scotland makes ten books in the Amanda Travels books, and in each one she travels to a different country. Would I be wrong in assuming that you have visited all the places Amanda has traveled?

Darlene: You would not be wrong. In fact, I have made it a policy that Amanda can not go anywhere I haven’t been!

Kaye: Which country is your favorite? Why?

Darlene: That’s difficult to answer as I like all of them for different reasons. Perhaps the United Arab Emirates as it was so very different from anything I had ever experienced, and it got me started writing the series.

Kaye: Which country is Amanda’s favorite? Why?

Darlene: Amanda doesn’t have a favourite country. She loves them all and always has a great time wherever she goes. As long as she is making friends,learning new things, and solving a mystery, she is happy.

Kaye: If Amanda goes to a different country each year, how old was she when the series began? How many countries does Amanda go to each year?

Darlene: Amanda turned twelve when she wished for travel and adventure before blowing out the candles on her birthday cake. She stays twelve years old throughout the series. Nancy Drew is the same age in all 34 books. I believe Trixie Belden stays around the same age too. The books are stand-alone and don’t have to be read in any particular order. I prefer writing for tweens instead of teenagers.

Kaye: Where does Amanda plan to travel next?

Darlene: Amanda will be off to Ireland to attend her cousin’s wedding. She will have a fabulous adventure in the Emerald Isle; the land of leprechauns, fairies and dangerous bogs. The working title is, Amanda in Ireland: The Body in the Bog.

Kaye: You are a traditionally published author and the Amanda Travels series is signed with Simon & Schuster. (Congratulations, by the way.) How much of the marketing and promotion for your books are you required to do?

Darlene: The first nine books were published by Central Avenue Publishing, a small independent press in Canada. CAP has recently become an imprint of Simon & Schuster, which is wonderful. I self-published, through Draft2Digital, Amanda in Scotland: The Standing Stones. As for marketing and promotion, I have always done most of my own. I set up book signings and visits to bookstores, schools and libraries, as well as blog tours and social media marketing. I do some marketing every day as it is part of the job. It is great to have a distribution company like Simon & Schuster for bookstores, libraries, and schools to order from.

Kaye: After being traditionally published for nine books, why the switch to independent publishing through D2D?

Darlene: My publisher has decided not to publish kids’ books anymore. We are still on good terms, and I am leaving the first nine books with her. The publishing world is very changeable and as writers, we need to be adaptable.

Kaye: According to your bio, you are an award-winning author. Would you tell us about the awards you’ve won for your books? Which are you most proud of?

Darlene: I have won awards for my short stories, which can be found in a number of anthologies. I’m very proud of my story, The Day Dief Came to Town. It’s based on an hilarious event from my childhood. It was the first prize I got for my writing and gave me the confidence to carry on. I included it in my short-story collection, You Can Take The Girl From The Prairie

Kaye: Your books are available in both digital and print editions. What differences do you see in digital and print sales for children’s books?

Darlene: Initially (15 years ago), I sold 50% e-books and 50% print books. Now it is more like 25% e-books and 75% print books. Kids still enjoy holding a book in their hands, and adults prefer buying print books for them. School libraries like to stock print books, and teachers use the print books as part of their curriculum.

Kaye: What advice do you have for new authors trying to break into the children’s market?

Darlene: Never give up and never stop learning. Search out other writers who can serve as mentors or become part of your street team.

Kaye: Where can readers find out more about you and the Amanda Travels series?

Darlene:

My website https://www.darlenefoster.ca/

My blog https://darlenefoster.wordpress.com/

My Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.ca/stores/Darlene-Foster/author/B003XGQPHA

My goodreads page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3156908.Darlene_Foster

Thank you so much for inviting me to your blog!

Kaye: You’ve been a wonderful guest. Thank you so much for your candid responses.

About Amanda in Scotland: The Standing Stones

What could possibly go wrong on the magical Scottish Isle of Arran? It’s such a peaceful, charming place with castles, mountains, old graves and ancient standing stones.

Amanda Ross and Leah Anderson are visiting Aunt Jenny who owns an old house on the island. But something is not right. A mysterious woman, who seems to have stepped out of the past, keeps appearing, Leah’s father hasn’t contacted the family for some time, and Aunt Jenny’s house may have an uninvited guest.

Amanda is intrigued by this picturesque island, often called Little Scotland. She watches exciting sheepdog trials, attends a lively ceilidh, makes friends with the locals, and visits the mystical Holy Island. Join Amanda as she tries to solve the mystery of the strange woman and the disappearance of Leah’s father. Will the past catch up with the present?

Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Amanda-Scotland-Standing-Stones-Travels-ebook/dp/B0D5TMLSLC

My Review of Amanda in Scotland

I received a digital copy of Amanda in Scotland: The Standing Stones from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions stated here are my own.

Amanda in Scotland: The Standing Stones, by Darlene Foster is a delightful middle-grade mystery reminescent of the Nancy Drew mysteries, with the element of travel thrown in. In the Amanda Travels Series, Amanda is a curious and bright twelve year old, who discover and solve myteries through her travels. Readers are introduced to the various countries she travels to through Amanda’s eyes as she learns about the history and culture of each destination.

This story takes us to the Arran in Scotland, where Amanda visits her travel friend, Leah, and her Aunt Jenny. As the girls explore Arran and the surrounding islands, they meet a mysterious woman, recieve puzzling messages from Leah’s father, and they experience other odd occurances which don’t add up. On an island where many places are reported to be haunted, Amanda determines to follow the clues and unravel the mystery. Like any good mystery, all is revealed by the end of the story.

Foster manages to give vivid descriptions, allowing readers to picture the castles, ruins and landscapes of Scotland in stunning detail, while delighting in the thrill of solving a mystery. I’ve no doubt the other books in the series are just as delightful. A great way for young readers to learn about the world around us. I give Amanda in Scotland five quills.

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About Kaye Lynne Booth

For Kaye Lynne Booth, writing is a passion. Kaye Lynne is an author with published short fiction and poetry, both online and in print, including her short story collection, Last Call and Other Short Fiction; and her paranormal mystery novella, Hidden Secrets; Books 1 & 2 of her Women in the West adventure series, Delilah and Sarah, and her Time-Travel Adventure novel, The Rock Star & The Outlaw,as well as her poetry collection, Small Wonders and The D.I.Y. Author writing resource. Kaye holds a dual M.F.A. degree in Creative Writing with emphasis in genre fiction and screenwriting, and an M.A. in publishing. Kaye Lynne is the founder of WordCrafter Quality Writing & Author Services and WordCrafter Press. She also maintains an authors’ blog and website, Writing to be Read, where she publishes content of interest in the literary world.

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This segment of “Chatting with the Pros” is sponsored by the My Backyard Friends Kid’s Book Series and WordCrafter Press.

Get Your Copy Now.

Heather Hummingbird Makes a New Friend (Ages 3-5): https://books2read.com/MBF-HeatherHummingbird

Timothy Turtle Discovers Jellybeans (Ages 3-5): https://books2read.com/MBF-TimothyTurtle

Charlie Chickadee Gets a New Home (Ages 6-8): https://books2read.com/MBF-CharlieChickadee

Read and Cook with Robbie Cheadle – Ghost Train by Natalie Anna Jacobsen and a Japanese cooking class #Japan #bookreview

Posted: February 12, 2025 | Author: robbiesinspiration | Filed under: Book Review, Books, Fiction, Read and Cook, Recipes, Review, Supernatural | Tags: Book Reviews, Read and Cook, Recipes, Robbie Cheadle, Writing to be Read | 59 Comments

Ghost Train by Natalie Anna Jacobsen

What Amazon says

“A haunting and immersive read.” – Eva Wong Nava, author of The House of Little Sisters. “With lyrical prose that evokes the mystique of 19th-century Kyoto, this meticulously researched narrative weaves together historical authenticity with the ethereal allure of ‘yokai’ folklore.” – Jake Adelstein, journalist and author of Tokyo Vice and The Last Yakuza

Set in 1877 Kyoto during the early years of the Meiji “Restoration” Era, Ghost Train tells the story of Maru Hosokawa, a samurai daughter who is thrust into a life opposite how she grew up. Her father has surrendered his sword with other samurai, assimilating into a role as a civilian merchant. As his work takes him further and further from home, she is left to find work of her own to help rebuild the family wealth — and protect herself, “just in case,” her father says. But during the summer festivals, ghosts begin appearing before Maru. Unsure of where to turn or who to trust, Maru fends for herself, facing an abusive employer, unreliable friends, and insecurity at home. In the search for answers, a kitsune offers to help in exchange for Maru’s aid in confronting a demon rampaging Kyoto at night. As summer passes on, more ghosts appear, plagues sweep through the city, and a stench of blood in the streets, and rumors of a samurai rebellion obscure reality, driving Maru to make a choice against all instincts, to save herself, her father — and Kyoto. Inspired by true historical events and based on myths of yokai, this story began taking shape first in 2010. With guidance by historians both in Japan and the US, subject matter experts in geisha, kimono, and samurai life, and countless beta readers and supporters, Natalie Jacobsen has carefully crafted this historical fantasy to reflect 19th century life during the tumultuous, society-altering leadership of Emperor Meiji… just with a few more ghosts.

My review

Having recently visited Tokyo, Japan, and being exposed for the first time to the concepts of Japanese Yokai and other supernatural beings, this book immediately caught my attention. During my short time in Japan, I also learned a little bit about the coming of the Black Ships to Japan in 1853, which marked the beginning of the end for the Tokugawa shogunate, and the last Shogun. This book, set in Kyoto in 1877 during the Meiji Restoration Era, addresses both of these fascinating aspects of Japanese history and culture.

The story revolves around a young girl, Maru, the daughter of a former-samurai, and her journey to understanding and acceptance of the end of the reign of the samurai and transitioning of her city (and country) into a new era of progress under the ‘young’ emperor.

Maru’s father has gone away, theoretically on ‘business’ and left her in the care of the geiko of an okiya – a traditional geisha house, in the role of shikomi, a junior position to the geiko and maiko of the house. Maru clearly dislikes her new role and is struggling to make the adjustment from the daughter of a former-samurai to her new life having to survive as a woman in a misogynistic, male dominated society where women were either wives, geiko/meiko (entertainer of men) or oiran (prostitute). The fate of women, in the new society under the Emperor, was worst than before and many girls had no option but to resort to prostitution in order to survive. Maru clings to the thin hope that her father will soon come for her and her life will return to how it was in the past.

Maru is traumatised by scenes of death and destruction from the past during the period of the demise of the samurai and daimyo, and has blocked out memories relating to her father and his decisions in order to adapt to her new situation. She is also surrounded by anxiety in the general population as people, especially women, struggled to integrate their superstitions and beliefs of the past with a new society including technology like trains. Maru hears stories about yokai and disappearing girls, and is conflicted about strange metallic smells caused by rain on the new electrical wires and which are reminiscent of blood. Many people believe the train and electrical wires are killing girls and feeding on their blood as well as causing general illness. All of this anguish and mental strain ultimately manifests as visions by Maru of various yokai and also kitsune, foxes that possess paranormal abilities that increase as they get older and wiser. Maru meets a kitsune which has the ability to shapeshift into various forms but which is ‘damaged’ by the new technology and needs her help to survive.

Maru must walk her path alongside her kitsune manifestation to find acceptance of her father’s decisions, her own rejection by her former friends and acceptance of her new life and progress in general.

This is an exciting tale with an abundance of amazing historical information and Japanese folklore woven throughout. There are exciting scenes of conflict and a grand finale which, the way I understood this story, are effectively all part of Maru’s spiritual and mental healing, in other words, in her imagination.

This is a clever and well research story, the history is fascinating, and the folklore mesmerising. It is a complex tale that requires attention throughout and the understanding of Maru’s mental state and internal conflicts for the story to pull together effectively.

An excellent book for people who are interested in Japanese history and folklore. It helps to have some knowledge and understanding of this era of transition and cultural shock in order to best appreciate the historical nuances and information presented.

I wrote this review as a member of Rosie Amber’s book review team. You can find out more about Rosie’s reviews and review team here: https://rosieamber.wordpress.com/.

Purchase Ghost Train from Amazon US here: https://www.amazon.com/Ghost-Train-Natalie-Jacobsen-ebook/dp/B0DHSXH8FM

Cooking Sun Tokyo

During my recent trip to Japan, TC and I attended a 10-course Japanese cooking class. It was great fun and the food was delicious.

The basis of Japanese cooking is dashi stock made with water and 1 – 2 kombu strips (dried kelp seaweed). The cold method for making good dashi stock is simple. Put water into a bottle with the kombu and let it steep overnight.

The dashi is used in all the recipes of which I am sharing two here.

Dashimaki Tamago (rolled egg)

Ingredients: 1 egg, 1 TBsp dashi, 1/2 tsp light soy sauce

Method:

In a small bowl, whisk the egg, dashi and light soy sauce.

Heat the prepared Japanese rectangular egg pan after drizzling the pan with a little cooking oil. When its hot, pour half the egg mixture into the pan ensuring the egg covers the full surface. Once the egg is starting to set, use cooking chopsticks to roll the egg to the far end of the pan. Pour the rest of the egg mixture into the pan. Allow it to go under the rolled egg by lifting the roll using the cooking chopsticks. Once the fresh egg mixture sets, roll it up over the previous rolled egg to make a bigger role. Remove from the pan and place on a bamboo mat. Shape the egg roll into a rectangular shape with patterns.

Picture caption: My egg roll is finished and on the wooden board. TC is cooking his.

Picture caption: Both our egg rolls presented with two other dishes.

Grilled stuffed lotus roots with chicken

Ingredients: 30 gram portion of lotus root, 30 grams of minced chicken, finally diced Japanese leek, finally diced carrot, a little fresh ginger, 1 tsp sake, sprinkle of salt, 1/2 tsp potato starch, 1 TBsp dashi

Method:

Dice Japanese leek and carrot and mix into chicken mince. Add the grated ginger, sake, salt and potato starch.
Powder one side of the lotus root with additional potato starch. Stuff the meat mixture into the lotus root holes and layer the rest of the meat on top of the lotus root.
Heat the frying pan and place the lotus root into the pan, meat side down. Cook for approximately 3 minutes. Turn the lotus root over, pour on the dashi and steam in the pan with the lid on for about 5 minutes until cooked.

Picture caption: lotus root turned over and dashi added, just before putting the lid on the frying pan.

Picture caption: Fully cooked stuffed lotus flowers

Picture caption: TC and I with our final meals.

About Robbie Cheadle

Photo of Robbie Cheadle standing in front of trees.

South African author and illustrator, Robbie Cheadle, has written and illustrated seventeen children’s books, illustrated a further three children’s books, and written and illustrated three poetry books. Her work has also appeared in poetry and short story anthologies.

Robbie also has two novels and a collection of short stories published under the name of Roberta Eaton Cheadle and has horror, paranormal, and fantasy short stories featured in several anthologies under this name.

You can find Robbie Cheadle’s artwork, fondant and cake artwork, and all her books on her website here: https://www.robbiecheadle.co.za/

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This post is sponsored by the My Backyard Friends Kid’s Book Series and WordCrafter Press.

Feild of colorful flowers and butterflies in background. Digital copies of "Heather Hummingbird Makes a New Friend, Timothy Turtle Discovers Jellybeans, and Charlie Chickadee Gets a New Home in foreground. Text: My Backyard Friends Kid's Book Series

Get Your Copy Now.

Heather Hummingbird Makes a New Friend (Ages 3-5): https://books2read.com/MBF-HeatherHummingbird

Timothy Turtle Discovers Jellybeans (Ages 3-5): https://books2read.com/MBF-TimothyTurtle

Charlie Chickadee Gets a New Home (Ages 6-8): https://books2read.com/MBF-CharlieChickadee

Everyone is a Critic: “Yellowjackets”: Seasons 1 & 2

Posted: February 10, 2025 | Author: kayelynnebooth | Filed under: Everyone is a Critic, Horror, Television review | Tags: Everyone is a Critic, horror, Writing to be Read, Yellowjackets | 1 Comment

A person with horns covered in netting, standing in a snowy forest
Text: Yellowjackets, a Showtime Original

I hesitated watching Yellowjackets because the weird cover image, so I passed it by several times . I thought it must be a pretty dumb horror movie where everyone gets attacked by killer wasps or something, and I had no idea what the weird image of a person with horns and netting over their head could have to do with it. But for a lack of anything better to watch which I hadn’t seen, and an urge to sooth my hankering for horror, I decided to give it a try. And boy, am I glad I did. I’m usually not a binge-watcher, but with the recent cold weather in Colorado keeping me inside, I found myself watching four to five episodes per day. I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next. I must declare this series totally binge-worthy.

The Yellowjackets are a girls soccer team bound for Nationals when their plane crashes deep in the Canadian mountains. In addition to the team members, Coach Ben Scott (Steven Kruegar), Coach Martinez(Carlos Sanz) and his two sons, Travis (Kevin Alves), and Javi (Luciano Leroux), and the student team manager, Misty (Samantha Hanratty). For a year and a half no rescue comes, and something terrible happened in those woods during that time, but the survivors aren’t talking. The Yellowjackets are winners, each determined to achieve their goals, but at what cost?

25 years later, the survivors are still haunted by the experience. Whatever happened, they have vowed silence about it, and no one is talking. But there’s a freelancer poking around and stirring things up, and the survivors are being blackmailed with a threat to expose all of their secrets. They band together to find and eliminate the threat, but they still harbor secrets, both old and new, and some have hidden agendas, as the story of what really happened out there in the wilderness is intermixed, and slowly revealed to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

Everybody has secrets, both then, and now, 25 years later. And strange things are happening which stir memories of thier time in the woods for the survivors, drawing them together once more. Or maybe, it’s something deeper…, darker that is calling them. How far will they go to keep their secrets buried?

This series keeps you guessing. And just when you think you have it figured out, they throw in yet, another twist. Something happened out there in the woods, something horrific, and those who return to civilization are not unscathed. What happened back then affects each of the survivors in their present day life, no matter how hard they try to forget, and each is messed up in their own way.

This is a powerful series, featuring a vast cast of characters, with both teen and adult versions of several team members, as well as intrinsic storylines for each. Although a majority of the main characters are teenagers, the series deals with many adult issues and situations, as well as adult language. There are graphic scenes with blood, but it’s not slasher bloody. And I would not recommend for young children. It is a horror flick, after all.

I kept wondering how they were going to drag this story out over two or three seasons, but they did a great job of it, weaving the past in with the present, so that both storylines unfold simultaneously. The adult and teen actors are matched well and portray their complex characters consistantly to the characters’ experience. Season 2 ends on a cliff hanger, so I’m glad I chose to watch this series now. I don’t have long to wait for the new season. Season 3 premieres on February 14, 2025 on Showtime.

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This segment of “Everyone is a Critic” is sponsored by The Rock Star & The Outlaw and WordCrafter Press.

A time-traveler oversteps his boundaries in 1887. Things get out of hand quickly, and he is hanged, setting in motion a series of events from which there’s no turning back.

In 1887, LeRoy McAllister is a reluctant outlaw running from a posse with nowhere to go except to the future.

In 2025, Amaryllis Sanchez is a thrill-seeking rock star on the fast track, who killed her dealing boyfriend to save herself. Now, she’s running from the law and his drug stealing flunkies, and nowhere is safe.

LeRoy falls hard for the rock star, thinking he can save her by taking her back with him. But when they arrive in 1887, things turn crazy fast, and soon they’re running from both the outlaws and the posse, in peril once more.

They can’t go back to the future, so it looks like they’re stuck in the past. But either when, they must face forces that would either lock them up or see them dead.

Purchase Link: https://books2read.com/RockStarOutlaw

Writer’s Corner: My Self-Editing Processes

Posted: February 3, 2025 | Author: kayelynnebooth | Filed under: Editing, Writer's Corner, Writing, Writing Tips | Tags: Editing, Kaye Lynne Booth, Writer's Corner, Writing to be Read | 6 Comments

Editors can be expensive. WordCrafter offers editing services at low prices, but even then, the words add up and I wouldn’t say it’s cheap. As an independent author, it’s not always easy to come up with the money to hire an editor, but it is imperative to have another set of eyes go over every word of my manuscript, so I can publish a quality product. As The D.I.Y. Author, I’ve come up with a few methods of accomplishing this without straining my pocketbook too much.

Novel Length Works

For novel length works, once I finish the first draft, I do one pass over of self-editing when the manuscript has sat for a day or two. I’ve heard that it’s important to let it sit for a while, so I do, but I limit the time it sits, keeping the story fresh in my mind. This is where I find the weak spots which need enhancing, embellishing my descriptions and extending or cutting dialog. In The Rock Star & The Outlaw 2: Seeing Doubles, I also used this opportunity to plant little easter eggs which connect back to the first book, for those who have read it.

When that is done, and the necessary edits have been made, I do another run through, reading it aloud. When you read aloud, you catch errors that a silent reader might skim over. Sometimes I can find a beta-listener to help me with this. This is where I do my developmental edit, looking at things like if the storyline flows smoothly, and if my characters are staying true to who they are. My beta-listener doesn’t have to be versed in the craft of writing, because their job is to offer an opinion from the listener’s, or reader’s, perspective.

Only when this is completed is the manuscript ready for a second set of eyes. Editing is a difficult job, and I think it’s important to send your editor or beta-reader as clean a manuscriptas possible. It saves making major changes at the end, too. If I can’t afford to pay an editor, I seek out a beta-reader to do the job. I have a few other authors who I exchange services with who can be called upon for this task.

To finalize, I do a final proof read before I publish, making sure all the ‘t’s are crossed and ‘i’s dotted. During this part of the process I use the editing tool which come with MS Word and ProWriting Aid Everywhere, which are both free and help me spot places which could be worded better and possible misspellings. Both of editing programs are AI powered, but they don’t always agree on corrections, or agree on things which should be changed. And they don’t have the final say. I still reserve the privilage of acceptance or rejection of all AI suggestions.

This system is not fullproof, and I use a professional editor whenever I can. When writing The Rock Star & The Outlaw 2: Seeing Doubles, I referred back to the first book a lot, and found many errors that all of these processes had missed. I’m now in the process of revising and correcting those errors, so I can republish the first book, before releasing the second.

Short Fiction

For short fiction, I follow the same basic processes as novel length works, but because they are collaborative works, it is much easier to get a second, and sometimes even a third set of eyes on each story. When putting together an anthology, I read story individually and request the desired edits from the authors. For my own stories, I recruit a beta-reader to go over it while I’m editing everyone elses. (This is after I’ve read it through twice; once aloud.)

After I receive the revised stories, I put the manuscript together, and give it yet, another read through, checking for any errors which may have been missed. Once it is formatted and ready to publish, I send the entire manuscript out to each of the authors, requesting that they proof read their story and one or two others, so that each story has at least two or three sets of eyes, other than my own, scrutinizing it. This collaborative form of editing ensures a quality product and it doesn’t cost me or any of the contributors anything but our time and keen eyes.

Author’s Note: You can find these editing tips and more writing tips for writing and publishing yourself in The D.I.Y. Author.

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This segment of “Writer’s Corner” is sponsored by The D.I.Y. Author and WordCrafter Press.

Topics Include:

Becoming Prolific

Writing Tools

Outlining

Making Quality a Priority

Publishing Models & Trends

Marketing Your Book

Book Covers & Blurbs

Book Events—In Person & Virtual

And more…

Purchase your copy today: https://books2read.com/The-DIY-Author

Book Review: The Silent Children

Posted: January 31, 2025 | Author: kayelynnebooth | Filed under: Book Review, Books, Suspense, Thriller | Tags: Book Review, Kaye Lynne Booth, Marie Wilkens, mystery, Suspence, The Silent Children, Thriller, Writing to be Read | Leave a comment

About the Silent Children

A gripping journey of a mother’s relentless pursuit through danger and deceit to reclaim her missing son.

In a gripping tale of courage and desperation, Annabelle’s world spirals when her son Fergus is abducted. Teaming up with her husband Benny and best friend Barb, she embarks on a relentless quest for clues. Facing uncooperative local police, they turn to the FBI, uncovering chilling ties to Annabelle’s past and a kidnapper driven by vengeance. With time against them, Annabelle forms an unlikely alliance with a mob boss, both united in a single mission. This intense story captures the fierce determination of a mother fighting against all odds to bring her child home.

My Review of The Silent Children

I purchased a digital copy of The Silent Children, by Marie Wilkens from Freebooksie. All opinions stated here are my own.

I was confused when looking for an image for this book. All I could find is the above image for the box set of 3 books, and the book I read was definitely just a single story about a single child who was kidnapped and his mother’s relentless search to find him.

My first thoughts when reading The Silent Children, was that this was this author’s first book, as there were many typos and logic inconsistencies throughout the story, which had more tell than show. But again, when looking up the book’s information, I was surprised to see that Marie Wilkens has many books under her belt. I just hope they are of better quality than this one.

While there is a good story here, the title alludes to a story of several children in peril, which is what I expected as I picked it up, so the author didn’t really deliver on the promise of the premise. I had trouble with the buy-in because the events portrayed as the distressed mother desperately searches for her son would never actually happen in real life. She would be charged with impeding an active investigation by the FBI, regardless of who her friends were. Of course, it had to unfold that way in order to allow the mother to be the hero, but it is not very realistic to what would happen in real life.

The telling of the story is just that, with a bit of dialog and action thrown in here and there. It doesn’t put the reader in the scene, but is more like a tale told around a campfire. Because of this, I was unable to relate to the character and feel her desperation. As a mother who lost a son to suicide, I should have been able to empathize with this character, and I couldn’t do so, even when I tried. Her feelings and actions just didn’t ring true.

It is a story worth reading, but not what you think from marketing materials. Because there is a good story here, in spite of the misleading title, and the inconsistencies in both writing and promotions, I give The Silent Children 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 on the Book Review tab above.