This week on the blog
Cover Reveal: Undeath and Taxes by Drew Hayes
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ – 5 Stars
★ ★ ★ – 3 Stars
Weekly Wrap Up
07 Jun 2015 Leave a comment
in Weekly Wrap Up Tags: weekly wrap up
Witchlight by J. S. Watts
03 Jun 2015 Leave a comment
in 3 Stars, Fantasy Tags: fantasy, j. s. watts, magic, three stars, women's fiction
Published:3rd March 2015
Publisher: Vagabondage Press
Pages: 200
Format: Ebook
Genre: Women’s Fiction/Fantasy
★ ★ ★ – 3 Stars
Holly has been mortal all her life. Now at thirty-eight, her fairy godfather arrives to tell her she’s a witch, and suddenly she’s having to come to terms with the uncertainties of an alarmingly magic-fuelled world. Magic is not like it is in the books and films, and Holly starts to doubt whether her fairy godfather, Partridge Mayflower, is the fey, avuncular charmer he appears.
When appearances are magically deceptive, Holly cannot afford to trust those closest to her, including herself. Accidents start to happen, people die, Old Magic is on the hunt, but in the age-old game of cat and mouse, just who is the feline and who is the rodent?
Note: I was provided with a copy of this book from the publisher for review.
I quite liked this story, it was different yet familiar, and had characters who were quirky and likeable, as well as a story that was filled with magic and a touch of danger, suspense, and mystery.
Holly is a good main character, she is likeable and tells her story well, and Watts makes her stand out without having her take over the story. Holly is strong minded and determined, and though she accepts her new life, she is still learning, and seeing her gradual improvements and various lessons and tests is a nice introduction to the magical world for the reader as well.
Having an older protagonist allows a different set of events to occur and Watts does well not to make it a key factor or a hindrance. She isn’t so much a Chosen One, as much as a breed of a special few which was a clever decision. Being different, even in the magical world, also makes Holly stand out, but this helps boost the story and makes the progression smoother and faster, allowing a greater focus on the story itself.
Watts balances Holly’s introduction to the magical world creatively and believably and snippets of information and character development helps aid this revelation and makes the narrative maintain its flow. The narrative isn’t too detailed, but it is deep enough to be complex and interesting, as well as provide all the necessary information. Watts provides us with enough information to understand the story without offering extensive and additional detail on characters or details about the magical world. This can mean a few characters are a tad flat, but enough can be picked up on their personality with brief appearances and their interaction with Holly. The magical element itself is explained clearly and woven into the story nicely, making it seem natural, but again there could have been room for a deeper explanation.
Even with brief detail, Watts has great descriptions that make scenes vivid and come to life. With only a few words the action on the page is easily visualised and it is easy to immerse yourself in the world that has been created. I think this world could be expanded into something bigger, deeper, and more explained, but the level in which Watts has explained is satisfactory and brings the focus to Holly’s narrative rather than the entire magical world.
The narrative maintains a solid pace from start to finish, with the ending wrapped up aptly, nothing rushed and with suspense, magical fanfare, and contentment. There are secrets to uncover and puzzle pieces to put together and Watts mixes these together wonderfully with a great narrative, intriguing concept, and a touch of magic. Clue and hints and placed without being obvious and as it all comes together in an enchanting conclusion it is clear just how clever Watts has been, not just in idea but in execution.
You can purchase Witchlight via the following
Upcoming celebration!
03 Jun 2015 Leave a comment
in His Dark Materials Tags: 20th anniversary his dark materials, His Dark Materials, northern lights, philip pullman
Inspired by Garth Nix’s recent celebration of Sabriel’s 20th year since publication, when I discovered July marked the 20th anniversary of the publication of Northern Lights by Philip Pullman (also known as The Golden Compass in the USA and other places) I just had to do something. Northern Lights and the entire His Dark Materials series mean the world to me and I could think of no better way to celebrate than dedicating an entire month to it in all its glory. As far as I am aware Philip Pullman isn’t doing anything to commemorate, which is fine, but I could not let this celebration pass without acknowledging what an impact this book, and the series, has had on me.
From 1st July through to the 31st I am going to be posting a range of things relating to Northern Lights as well as the other books, including the two additional books outside the trilogy. I have reviews, thoughts on rereading and the characters, rambles about what an amazing set of books these are, plus a range of other things all planned. I expect by the end of July you are either going to be overloaded and need a long break from hearing about these books or you’ll be converted into loving them and reminded why they are so brilliant!
During this time I am not going to be posting any other reviews which means I need to get the remainder of my list finished by 30th June and won’t be reading any more until August, but aside from that I am extremely excited and eagerly wait for July!
And if at any time in July you guys have any Northern Lights or His Dark Materials opinions or thoughts I’d love to discuss them with you as well! I can gush about scenes and weep about characters, and discuss intensely on the unfairness of our own daemon lacking world for days, so I look forward to hearing from you!
Cover Reveal: Undeath and Taxes by Drew Hayes
02 Jun 2015 Leave a comment
in Cover Reveal Tags: cover reveal, drew hayes
Today I am proud to participate in a cover reveal for Drew Hayes’ Undeath & Taxes, the continuing paranormal urban fantasy adventures about Fred the vampire accountant. I reviewed the first book last year which you can check out here.
After discovering just how filled with magic, intrigue, and adventure the parahuman world of being an Undead American can be, Fredrick Frankford Fletcher did exactly what was expected–he became a certified parahuman accountant. Myths and legends, as it turns out, are not so great at taking appropriate deductions and keeping their receipts, and Fred is more than happy to return to a life others view as woefully dull, expanding his accounting business to cater to various monsters and their respective financial needs.
Said monsters are, unfortunately, still spectacular at pulling Fred into trouble, though. And despite merely wanting to stick with simple paperwork, Fred once again finds he is going to have to deal with enchanted weaponry, government agents, possessed houses, and one enigmatic dragon’s interest. In the parahuman world, any business can turn deadly, even one as mundane as accounting.
Author Bio:
Drew Hayes is an aspiring author from Texas who has written several books and found the gumption to publish a few (so far). He graduated from Texas Tech with a B.A. in English, because evidently he’s not familiar with what the term “employable” means. Drew has been called one of the most profound, prolific, and talented authors of his generation, but a table full of drunks will say almost anything when offered a round of free shots. Drew feels kind of like a D-bag writing about himself in the third person like this. He does appreciate that you’re still reading, though.
Drew would like to sit down and have a beer with you. Or a cocktail. He’s not here to judge your preferences. Drew is terrible at being serious, and has no real idea what a snippet biography is meant to convey anyway. Drew thinks you are awesome just the way you are. That part, he meant. Drew is off to go high-five random people, because who doesn’t love a good high-five? No one, that’s who.
See Drew told about himself in first person on his website and twitter.
The Pitch (City Love #2) by Belinda Williams
28 May 2015 2 Comments
in 5 Stars, City Love, Romance Tags: belinda williams, city love, contemporary romance, five stars, romance
Published: 28th May 2015
Publisher: Momentum
Pages: 306
Format: Ebook
Genre: Contemporary Romance
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ – 5 Stars
She’s in a long-term, committed relationship. With her business.
In three years Madeline Spencer has single-handedly grown her marketing agency, Grounded Marketing, into one of the country’s fastest growing companies. But her success has been at the expense of her social life, and her girlfriends have had enough. They’ll do whatever it takes, from speed dating to blind dates, to show her there’s more to life than work.
Only Maddy is having a hard time forgetting about her business. She’s about to pitch for her biggest client ever and the mysterious media mogul, Paul Neilsen, has volunteered to mentor her. Maddy might just be in with a shot of landing the account – if she can keep her mind on the job. Working with Paul is not at all what she’d imagined, and Maddy finds herself torn between her ever increasing workload and her feelings for Paul. She’s discovering playing in the big league means making sacrifices … and Maddy must decide what she can’t live without.
Note: I was provided with a copy of this book from the publisher for review.
I truly and honestly can say I never was, nor ever thought I would be, a romance lover or someone who got excited and invested in a couple in a book but this book has momentarily changed that. What Belinda Williams has created her is a wonderful balance of clever writing, sweet but not sappy story, and real characters that feel like genuine people rather than stuck simply on a page.
Every aspect of this story feels so real, whether that is because I recognise the places and can picture it playing out, or just because Williams’ writing brings the story to life so incredibly well. There are surprises and bumps along the way and while you think you know how it will end, there are still surprises in store that make it an enthralling read and just the right kind of bumpy.
The characters are diverse, not just in their personality but with everything. Each revelation of character is a joy and Williams skilfully makes the characters complicated and deep yet simple on the page. Being the second in the series there are brief mentions about the events in the previous book but no more than passing references compared to a full recap.
With a new storyline and a new point of view there is a mixture of new faces to become acquainted with but also familiar characters that were introduced in the first novel. Williams makes you become involved with her characters and with each book focusing on a different friend there is a wonderful chance to get to know each of them and after reading about one it will certainly make you curious to learn about the others.
The friendship between the four women is divine and through dialogue and actions the writing captures and expresses the intense and loving relationship between the friends, but also the brutal honesty and tough love as well, sympathising and highly supportive while not enabling or mollycoddling.
Maddy is a wonderful character and a great narrative voice, she is strong and focused, but at the same time a bit unsure of herself at times and can be oblivious to what’s in front of her. Her determination makes her amazing, and whether it is work or her personal life, her confidence doesn’t overshadow her occasional doubt which what makes her so genuine.
I loved the complications in this story, and I loved how rooted in reality they were. It was nothing grand or overblown but different and unique, and the everyday nature of the story while still being climactic and dramatic made it intriguing.
This is a slow-burn romance, and while it seems like it is going to be a fast, wild, love story Williams paces it remarkably well. The romance is natural with understandable barriers, and without a love at first sight passion but still enough to start something. There is also restraint with things like sex scenes but Williams doesn’t make it plain either, nor does she skip over it like it isn’t important to the story or character relationship.
The story is clever, classy, and adult with real issues, but has the romance in it with style and heartfelt sincerity. With great characters and clever writing Williams has added to the City Love series a wonderful narrative that brings the realities of life with the dreams of romance together with resounding success. I look forward to continuing the rest of the series because I know it is only going to get better.
You can purchase The Pitch via the following
