Writer's Life: Why Should I Leave A Review? (Vanessa)

     Hello all! I hope the weather is deliciously cool and wonderful where you are! I’ve already decorated my entire house for fall and have my “fall-scented” candles burning. I love the coziness of fall, especially because I can light a candle, grab a blanket, and snuggle up with a book. But, once I finish the book I immediately (or as immediate as I can!) write a review while the story and my thoughts about it are fresh in my mind.

Before I dove into the writing world of querying, authors, and reviews, I NEVER reviewed a book. I have always been an avid reader, but when I was younger there were never any places to “review” a book other than word of mouth. It wasn’t until I attended my first writing conference that I heard about the importance of book reviews and recommendations.

“Why write a review?” You may ask and I’m glad you did because I’m here to give you a few reasons why!

1)      You thoroughly enjoyed the book

When I fall in love with a new story, I can’t wait to tell someone about it. By leaving a review for the book, I not only find others who feel the same way, but it’s a way I can tell the author “I love your work!”

2)      You want to warn others about the content of the book

Like I mentioned earlier, I never left book reviews until a few years ago. Now that I know about them, I read through a few before picking out a new book to read. Many readers leave details about explicit content in books and what to be wary of. Just make sure to look out for spoilers!

3)      You want to support the author

Reviews are extremely important to an author’s advertising and sales. If you love an author’s story, but don’t know how else to get the word out, leave a review! As an author, I always love hearing my reader’s thoughts about who their favorite character is and how angry they were at the villain. You may just be the words of encouragement that keeps the author going!

I could share many  more, but these are the main reasons why I make a point to leave reviews for the books I read. I hope you can do the same!

Weekend Reads with Caione (Vanessa)

 Happy Friday! I hope your week has gone well and the weather is (hopefully!) starting to get a bit cooler! Who else is ready for fall? I know I am!

Well, if it is still hot where you're at, let's just pretend it's cold and snuggle up with a nice blanket and a fun book!

I've recently had the pleasure of reading Keen by Laura L. Zimmerman. Here's what it's about:

Half-faerie Caoine has no control over the banshee lament she sings each night, predicting the death of others. A senior in a brand new high school, she expects the same response she's received at every other school: judgment from fellow students over her unusual eyes and unnaturally white skin and hair. However, when Caoine arrives at West Lincoln High, for the first time in her life she finds friends. Real friends.

But being a teenager is never easy, especially when the star soccer player, Oliver, sets his sights on her. Allowing him to get close means revealing her curse to the human world. She can't let that happen.

Life spins further out of control when her lament comes out during the day, those whose death she predicts die right in front of her, and a dark faerie known only as the Unseelie prince blames Caoine by leaving her the creepiest notes ever. Her curse is notsupposed to work like that.

In a race against time, Caoine must uncover the Unseelie prince's identity and stop a spell before it unleashes hell on earth, all while trying to control her banshee song and finding a place among her peers.

Senior year just got real.

Before I read Keen, I couldn't remember the last time I had read a book in a high school setting. I was so glad I picked this one up because it was such a fun read! There were faeries, friends, drama, love, humor, and excitement all bundled together. 

Zimmerman does a great job of making characters relatable for the teen genre and others who are older than teens, but still love Young Adult books (me :-D). I enjoyed the healthy relationships included in Keen from Caione and her father to Caione and Oliver. 

Overall, this is an enjoyable and fun read to add to your TBR pile!

Weekend Reads: The King's Oracle (Vanessa)

Happy Friday! I am so excited to share an exciting book with you for Weekend Reads this week. I recently was given an advanced reader copy of The King’s Oracle by Sherry Torgent and loved it! Before I begin my gushing about it, here’s what it’s about:

The Great Destruction has left the Kingdom of Ferran devastated and divided.

The people of the eagle—the Alrenians—have sought safety in the trees, while the people of the wolf—the Uluns—struggle to survive on the toxic ground. But as resources grow scarcer, both factions must face their impending ruin.

When Wynter, a lowly Alrenian transporter, becomes entangled in a kidnapping scheme, she lands right in the hands of the enemy—the heir to the Ulun crown, Gideon. Driven by an obscure oracle of a past king, Gideon is desperate to save his people, and Wynter is just the pawn he needs in his quest to find Isidor, the land prophesied to be untouched by the Great Destruction.

As their worlds collide, Gideon and Wynter must decide whether they will continue on the destructive paths of their predecessors or embrace a destiny of unity. What follows is a quest more dangerous than either of them could imagine.

Let’s start with the setting. The world building in The King’s Oracle is fantastic. I was sucked right into the Kingdom of Ferran and the dueling nations of Alrenia and Ulun. I loved the conflict and the reason behind it.

Next, the characters. Right away the reader loves Wynter and her determination. She’s not willing to let people run over her or control her. She is strong and able to handle deep sorrow and heartbreak, even though she believes she can’t. Gideon is hard to love at first because you don’t know much about him. But, as the story progresses, you see his tender side and begin rooting for him.

Finally, the plot. I thoroughly enjoyed the engaging plot of The King’s Oracle. It was a quest within a quest! I love stories within stories that also have a deeper meaning beyond the surface.

The writing of this story was absolutely beautiful, and the action, adventure, and romance were perfectly balanced. 5 stars from me!

To purchase The King’s Oracle, click here.

Amazing New Releases! (Vanessa)

Happy Friday! I hope everyone is doing well with the new normal and that spring has sprung where you live!

I have three amazing new releases to share with you all today! 

The first is Winter Spell by Claire M. Banschbach. This delightful read is book three in The Faeries of Myrinus series. Though it is the third in the series, it can be read as a standalone. I had the pleasure of reading an Advanced Reader Copy of Winter Spell and I loved it! It had the perfect blend of friendship, adventure, and magic.

Here's what it's about: A half-breed faery. A war-weary princess. A quest to free three kingdoms from the deadly winter spell.Constantly doubted by her ocean faery kindred, Tonya Freyr-dottir only wants to untangle the dormant ice and water magic within her. Then a strange attack makes her unleash a fierce winter on the land and sea. And she has no idea how to stop it.Princess Diane serves faithfully at her brother’s side, trying to restore their kingdom of Myrnius after the devastating Dark War. Now with brutal winter wreaking havoc, everything they have worked for might be lost to famine and destruction.Desperate to help, Tonya travels to the far north to unlock her magic, aided by Diane, as well as two land faeries: Dorian, a reckless healer and August, a mischievous warrior. But the north brings fresh dangers, unearths old wounds, and offers more questions than answers.With doom threatening human and faery alike, Tonya must find a way to trust her new friends and release her magic before all fall to the fury of winter’s spell.Buy now and enjoy a fairy tale adventure with friendship, danger, overcoming adversity, and even a hint of romance.

Winter Spell was released on April 23. Click here to buy it on Amazon!



The next awesome new release is Legend of the Storm Sneezer (The Stormwatch Diaries Book 1) by Kristiana Sfirlea. LotSS is so much fun to read! I fell in love with Rose and Marek the instant I read about them! This middle grade story is packed with goofiness, great stories, and funny quips you'll enjoy! 

Here's what it's about: Legend Seeker. Part-time Ghost Hunter. Time Traveler.

Thirteen-year-old Rose Skylar sneezed a magical storm cloud at birth, and it’s followed her around ever since. But when Stormy causes one too many public disasters, Rose is taken to Heartstone, an asylum for unstable magic. Its location? The heart of a haunted forest whose trees have mysteriously turned to stone.

They say the ghosts are bound to the woods … then why does Rose see them drifting outside the windows at night? And why is there a graveyard on the grounds filled with empty graves? Guided by her future selves via time traveling letters, Rose and Marek—best friend and potential figment of her imagination—must solve the mystery of the specters and the stone trees before the ghosts unleash a legendary enemy that will make their own spooks look like a couple of holey bed sheets and destroy Heartstone Asylum.

Letters from the future are piling up. Rose can’t save Heartstone herself. However, five of herselves, a magical storm cloud, and a guardian angel who might very well be imaginary? Now that’s a silver lining.

But will they find what killed the ghosts before what killed the ghosts finds them?

Legend of the Storm Sneezer releases on May 5! Preorder it here!



The final new release is Prince of Shadow and Ash (The Mercenary and Mage Book 1) by Selina R. Gonzalez. This book stole my heart! Regulus and Adelaide are absolutely adorable and my new favorite book couple. If you love A Knight's Tale, Pride & Prejudice, and The Hobbit, definitely check out this book!

Here's what it's about: She could be his light... If his darkness doesn’t destroy them both.

Bastard and former mercenary Lord Regulus Hargreaves just wants to earn his freedom from the sorcerer who enslaved him. When Lady Adelaide sees past his scar and his shadowed past, Regulus’ dying hope rekindles. But will loving Adelaide while serving the Prince of Shadow and Ash put her in danger?

Adelaide Belanger longs to use the magical energy within her, but revealing her power could get her killed. When she meets kind and rugged Regulus, she wonders if she has finally found someone to trust with her secret—and her heart.

Regulus and Adelaide struggle to build a relationship and keep their secrets from those who would harm them. By the time their secrets are revealed, it may be too late for them both...

Prince of Shadow and Ash releases on May 13! Preorder it here!

I hope you have a chance to enjoy some of these awesome books! :)