I posted this before but deleted it both because I was embarrassed and because I was worried I'd severely fucked up Astarion's age for the nth time, originally referenced from This Post. But I've seen many more analyses and I think it's right. I think it is. Anyway!

EDIT: I DID GET HIS AGE WRONG because that is the post I meant to reference. But I'm not fixing it. 232.

I was tagged by @luinen-bluewater to complete this far simpler ship meme: otp, ot3/4.

Here is the template I actually used: ot3. Here's the otp version.

I'll tag a few people to complete any of the templates referenced: Luinen, @the-eldritch-it-gay, @vlwv, @tadpole-apocalypse, @boghermit, @lemonbronze, @littleplasticrat and YOU.

I'll put the above image chopped up below the cut so it's easier viewing for the curious. And I'll ramble a bit more (bg3 spoilers, discussion of vampirism and character deaths).

In my headcanons, Astarion neither remains a spawn nor becomes the Vampire Ascendant, he becomes a vampire, and some hundreds of years later he turns Étoile to a vampire as well (this post / these headcanons need reviewing after the epilogue changes with the Crown, but we'll see).

With this in mind, I was thinking of Halsin being the longest of their lovers and how Étoile could possibly handle his death:

Étoile and Astarion occupied on some adventure / business or other, and when they return, an unaffected or perhaps impatient messenger has come to deliver news of Halsin's death. And it is so long after the others of their relevant, initial, adventuring party has passed (or maybe not. Lae'zel is a wild card (no aging on the astral plane)). Still, i can imagine one of them snapping. I think it's more interesting if it's Étoile, saying aloud that the messenger is mistaken, that surely the message is that Halsin's ill and is calling to see them a final time — Astarion's near shouting in embarrassment and worry, telling the messenger to go, calling Étoile's name, grabbing their arm until Étoile says loudly that they heard them. They heard what they said. And also sends the poor messenger away.

But then I started considering an alternative which I felt was ooc for Halsin from the base game but which I think is more possible / within the scope of his character after the addition of the epilogue. Reminder that Étoile is a paladin of the neutral evil goddess Auril, started bg3 as neutral good but whom I consider neutral evil, and is an Oathbreaker by the end of their adventure:

Halsin at like 820 or older, life expectancy 700-1000, veering wildly between peace with the natural order of things and intense discomfort with things that feel unfinished, the way they always do. And sometime with Étoile leaned against his chest he speaks of Silvanus, the Oakfather, of children and elders in all families of creatures have come and gone, of how his druidic order has changed more slowly than a tree spreads its roots, and how never in all that time did Étoile ask him to abandon his god and his (god's) comfort for the sake of vampirism and eternity. Fondly, expecting Halsin to imagine it an irritation after his speech, Étoile recalls that Astarion did, three hundred or so years ago. Étoile points out that they know the comfort they found in their worship, and they would never have sought to steal that from him (Halsin). To be a vampire is unnatural, lost to his Oakfather. Halsin points out that he has felt that Étoile has wanted to ask before, even if it has always remained unsaid, in the emptiness in their chest (lack of heartbeat), in the slant of their mouth when his (Halsin's) movement is broken with age, in how they've (Étoile has) breathed in his silver hair the more it's overcome him, something that felt respectful once, but now he's past where his end should have been, and the temptation of rekindling old strengths, the hope of another thousand years, through vampirism, shames him (Halsin) greatly. The selfishness of an old mind. Why wouldn't it have felt like a possibility a hundred years ago, two hundred, more? How could he dare to think of continuing a protection of his forest, of caring for his kin, if he lost all connection to them, and even fears what makes them the same in their morality so much that he would dare forsake it. If he was going to lose his faith, why wouldn't he have done so when he was younger and different, except that he was stronger then, in body and in mind. And yet what difference would there be, feasting upon the wild in the woods? And Étoile would be blunt about the differences, and about how there are even laws now, that they helped put in place. "They" could punish them both greatly for this, but the transformation itself would be their shared shame. He could be their first spawn, and perhaps their only, but if he wanted this now — that it was no corruption of age, just a changed heart. And they would happily accept him into their home if all beasts and men turned from him as a decree from his Oakfather -- but he would have to be sure, because the fallout could be immeasurable. Étoile would try to do it permissably, but they would turn Halsin in secret, if need be. And what if "they" were like. fucking no???? and to ensure you don't do this thing we're going to keep you sealed, either in an area or in a fucking coffin until your druid has passed. (Astarion would lose his fucking mind.)

Abbreviated:

Halsin: what if i've lived long enough to see myself become the villain. Étoile: well my ship has sailed, and you know, if i meet you in hell then it's not hell

I think though that Halsin's village would have warm, clean shelters under the ground, just below the surface as if to shelter from storms, but well-used and familiar to vampires after years of shared knowledge and resources. They'd be glad to claim him.

OH! And Étoile's birthday is Oct 20th (their date of creation during early access was Oct 20 2020), I gave Astarion Sept 22nd (first day of autumn), and Halsin May 13th (he seems like a Taurus and I figured he'd be worn and irksome about having a birthday that often falls on a day associated with bad luck (Friday the 13th)).

6 of Cups. Morgan Greer Tarot

The Good Old Days Nostalgia. Innocence. Reviewing childhood memories. Revisiting scenes of childhood. Sharing. An honest talk. Rekindling love. Renewing old ties. Harmony restored. Thinking about old times. A lover from the past. An old fling. Old friends. Karmic ties. Happy memories. Anniversaries. Emotional renewal. Unearthing buried emotional treasures. Warm get-togethers. Celebrations. Gifts. Sentiment. Family values. Enjoyment of home and family. A trip to visit family. A job offer. A move. An inheritance. Dealings with children. Anthoney Louis.

✩🧁🐈‍⬛ Review:

The conclusion to the Dreamland Billionaires trilogy is bittersweet!

Cal and Alana’s relationship is everything! Their alternating viewpoints allow the reader to piece together their joint pasts, the moment their childhood friendship turned into something more, and the fallout that tore them apart. Asher makes it clear, however, that the two still have lingering feelings for each other in the present, no matter how bad their reunion was. I appreciated how Asher naturally intensified these feelings over the long summer period Cal spent in proximity to Alana at the family lake house as part of receiving his inheritance. Though agonizing, the slow rekindling of Cal and Alana’s romance is worth its weight in hundred dollar bills. 

“Final Offer” proves that it is much more than a romance novel by broaching topics like substance addiction. Asher takes great care in capturing Cal’s dependence on alcohol to overcome his grief and anxiety. Through his point-of-view, the reader is exposed to Cal’s internal battle with himself and the commitment he makes to stay dry. I appreciate Asher for not sugarcoating reality by taking her time detailing Cal’s road to recovery.

Like her other novels, “Final Offer” features diverse characters. Alana was born in Barranquilla, Colombia before moving to the United States with her mother and sister when she was seven. Asher showcases how Alana’s culture is an integral part of her identity by writing her dialogue in Spanish and familiarizing the reader with Columbian dishes she is fond of making. I enjoyed learning about this piece of Alana’s identity and region of the world I did not know much about prior to reading “Final Offer.”

Another piece of Alana’s identity is being a single parent. Cami, her adopted daughter, is her world. I loved how Asher uses Alana and Cami’s relationship to show that family isn’t always comprised of parents and their biological children, but can simply be the people we choose to be in our lives. Alana’s devotion to her daughter’s happiness over all else really moved me.

I’m sad to say goodbye to this series, but equally excited to dive into the spin-off, “Love Redesigned”!

➤ 4.5 stars

Cross-posted to: Instagram | Amazon | Goodreads | StoryGraph

Rating: 3/5

Book Blurb: A teen girl seeking retribution against her backstabbing former best friend finds her plans slightly derailed once she catches the eye of a familiar, handsome marquess. Bestselling author Amalie Howard delivers a delightful, anti-historical Regency-era romp that’s Bridgerton meets The Count of Monte Cristo! Lady Ela Dalvi knows the exact moment her life was forever changed—when her best friend, Poppy, betrayed her without qualm over a boy, the son of a duke. She was sent away in disgrace, her reputation ruined. Nearly three years later, eighteen-year-old Ela is consumed with bitterness and a desire for . . . revenge. Her enemy is quickly joining the crème de la crème of high society while she withers away in the English countryside. With an audacious plan to get even, Ela disguises herself as a mysterious heiress and infiltrates London’s elite. But when Ela reunites with the only boy she’s ever loved, she begins to question whether vengeance is still her greatest desire. In this complicated game of real-life chess, Ela must choose her next move: Finally bring down the queen or capture the king’s heart?

Review:

Bridgerton meets The Count of Monte Cristo in this story about a girl who was betrayed by her friend and now has come back with a new identity and a plan for revenge against her ex best friend and the boy who shunned her. Lady Ela Dalvi had it all: a wealthy life, a great best friend, and a boy who she loved... until her best friend Poppy betrayed her for said boy and then Ela’s life was completely ruined: she was sent away in disgrace and her reputation was left in tatters. Three years later, eighteen year old Ela has a desire for revenge and with the help of some amazing friends and a wealthy guardian she takes on a new identity and returns to infiltrate the inner circle of her ex best friend, destroy her, get her revenge, and break the heart of the boy who broke hers. Yet from the moment Ela runs into said boy she is smitten all over again, she can’t help but forget all the things he did to her, how he shunned her, believed lies about her, and left her to her ruination. She finds herself playing a dangerous game of emotions, toeing the line between what is real and what is fake, as she seeks revenge while rekindling the feelings for the boy she loved. Her lies will catch up to her and she’ll have to figure out if she’s willing to risk it all. This definitely had a similar feeling to the Count of Monte Cristo ( movie version) rather than the classic book, Ela and Kes ( the boy who is the romantic interest) just didn’t work for me. i was  rooting for her the entire time to move on and get over the guy. Seriously she was stewing in her anger and revenge for three years and just one look at the guy and suddenly she is smitten all over again and fixed on his lips the entire book, it was disheartening to say the least. I liked most of the book, I just did not like the second chance romance between Ela and Kes, it just didn’t feel like it worked, and I was really hoping for more for Ela. Overall, it was an okay read that definitely was fun at some moments but bogged down by the romance for me, but definitely give it a go if you like regency young adult stories with a dash of revenge and second chance romance.

*Thanks Netgalley and Random House Children's, Joy Revolution for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

If your doing a new one why can't you update your jokesaku or madasaku fics too?

Hi, anon. It's not quite that simple. I mean, I definitely should update/finish my older stories before starting new ones. There are eight of them sitting on the back burner... I never intended to be one of those writers that left fics unfinished or on hiatus, yet here we are. Now, I understand some of those writers a bit more since I actually began writing myself. It's not always that easy.

Here's the thing. I'm not the kind of person who can work on multiple projects at one time. God knows I've tried. I told myself and others I can do it. But I've concluded that all it does is stress me out and nothing gets done. I'm someone who can't sit still, is unorganized, can't focus for long periods of time, and is a mess at the end of the day. Yet I still try to write chapters that are between 5-11k because I'm a big dummy that can't reel it in. And dyslexia only makes it more difficult.

I work a full-time and part-time job. I have bills to pay and a place to take care of. A partner, demon children (my cats), family, and friends that need me. So when I do get a little free time, I want to spend it doing something I'm excited about. That tends to be my current fixation at the time. Which is also something I can't necessarily control. Believe me, I've tried. Being in the middle of a project and losing what was once an all-consuming fixation on a ship/piece of media is heartbreaking. I can try to rekindle the flame but unless it happens organically, I'm screwed.

That happened recently. My fixations can last months, even a year or more. The last one was MadaSaku again (HeisenSaku and JokeSaku before that). Then the passion for it whittled away, little by little, until I was left spending months just trying to finish one chapter. It's agonizing. Eventually, it comes back. It's just the time in between that's hard. I'd sit at my table for hours on days off, staring at a single chapter and drawing a blank. I couldn't get anything done. In return, I'd feel embarrassed to the point I didn't even want to go on Discord and talk to my online friends. It might sound silly, but that's how it is...

Right now, I'm sucked into the Eddissy ship for Stranger Things. Seeing the gifs and fanart of those two ignited the feeling I was missing. It motivated and inspired me to write again after another long dry spell. The same way the other ships I write for did previously. I don't know how long it'll last, but I want to ride the wave for as long as I can.

So with the limited free time I have available, I'd rather spend it working on something that I'm excited about and actually putting out content than forcing myself to stare at a blank screen for hours while slowly spiraling into a self-loathing mess. For free, might I add. The only reason I do any of this is because I enjoy writing garbage and love hearing from readers.

This wasn't meant to be so long, but I've been getting quite a few messages like this recently. Especially on FF.net. Like, I spent hours over multiple days working on and editing a 5k+ Eddissy chapter, then get a review/DM saying "Nice so when are you finally going to update your JokeSaku fic, huh?" and it's just so... disheartening. I get it. Some of you are here for JokeSaku, MadaSaku, etc. And it's not fair to leave you hanging on an incomplete fic. It just doesn't feel great to have someone basically say, "if you have time to work on this crap you like, then you should also have spare time to write the things I actually want to read." I don't know... This is just me explaining and rambling about what's going on from my end.

Because of Winn-Dixie Book Review

This is the first book review I have posted on Tumblr. I have a blog where I mainly write reviews for books, games, anime and manga.

Here is the link to my blog post if you want to read it.

Let me know what you think and I'll post more of my past writings on Tumblr.

If not, keep reading this post for the review on Tumblr.

I’m a huge dog lover, so any story that involves a dog is instantly good to me. I remembered reading Because of Winn-Dixie as a child, but I didn’t remember the contents. As an adult, I decided to traverse back into this story and see what it was that I had forgotten. What I got was a story about a lonely girl meeting a dog who changes her life for the better. It’s a boy-meets-girl story, but the boy is a dog.

The story is about India Opal Buloni who moves to Naomi, Florida with her preacher father. One day, while she was grocery shopping at a supermarket, she meets a stray dog wreaking havoc in the building. Intrigued by the dog, she claims him and names him Winn-Dixie. Before meeting Winn-Dixie, she had a lot of emotional baggage due to her mother leaving her family behind. The loneliness she felt soon goes away as she meets Winn-Dixie who becomes the light of her life.

The story is very wholesome. It’s a story that overcomes loneliness and sadness. Dicamillo did a wonderful job showing Opal’s rougher side before she mellows out towards the end where she’s having fun with her friends and neighbors. India did not want to do anything with another person before, but knowing that she warms up to them if they liked Winn-Dixie was nice to see.

I do think this story does give an insight on what having a pet, or a companion, does for someone. I can relate. While I had several pets in the past, they do ease the loneliness. I have two dogs right now and they keep me happy every day. I understand what Opal feels when Winn-Dixie heals her troubled young soul. He makes her understand that everything will be okay and that it’s okay to miss her mother even if she’s not coming back.

Opal’s main issues are her inability to make human friends and her missing her mother. Her inability to make friends causes her to act cold and blunt towards other kids. She’s nice to some kids like Sweetie Pie, but she’s a lot meaner to Amanda, Steven and Dunlap. She later sympathizes with them later on. She also gets along well with adults like Frannie Block, Gloria Dump and Otis. She even rekindles her distant relationship with her father. The fact that everyone comes together for a party at the end shows Opal has changed positively. Everything about this is because of Winn-Dixie.

What I really liked above all else is that Opal’s mother did not make an appearance in the story. Yes, Mrs. Buloni is mentioned throughout the story, but she never actually makes a physical appearance. I find that good. The story is about Opal overcoming the loneliness over her mother leaving her behind and it also helps her become closer to her father. If her mother had shown up, it would’ve ruined the flow of the entire story.

There’s nothing much I disliked about this story, honestly. It’s a wholesome story that is perfect for children. While I am an adult, the struggles that Opal deals with and how she overcomes them with Winn-Dixie warms my heart.

I want to try watching the movie. I heard it’s good. Also, it stars AnnaSophia Robb, who is an actress that I am familiar with. I’ve watched Bridge to Terabithia and the 2005 version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Would I read this story again? Maybe. I totally recommend this for any children wanting to read something eventful. What are your thoughts about this book? Please let me know.

Book Review: Tokyo Dreaming 

Title: Tokyo Dreaming (Tokyo Ever After #2)

Author: Emiko Jean

Genres:  Contemporary/Romance

Pages: 336

Publisher: Flat Iron Books

Review Copy: Purchased

Availability: Available now

Summary: When Japanese-American Izumi Tanaka learned her father was the Crown Prince of Japan, she became a princess overnight. Now, she’s overcome conniving cousins, salacious press, and an imperial scandal to finally find a place she belongs. She has a perfect bodyguard turned boyfriend. Her stinky dog, Tamagotchi, is living with her in Tokyo. Her parents have even rekindled their college romance and are engaged. A royal wedding is on the horizon! Izumi’s life is a Tokyo dream come true.

Only...

Her parents’ engagement hits a brick wall. The Imperial Household Council refuses to approve the marriage citing concerns about Izumi and her mother’s lack of pedigree. And on top of it all, her bodyguard turned boyfriend makes a shocking decision about their relationship. At the threat of everything falling apart, Izumi vows to do whatever it takes to help win over the council. Which means upping her newly acquired princess game.

But at what cost? Izumi will do anything to help her parents achieve their happily ever after, but what if playing the perfect princess means sacrificing her own? Will she find a way to forge her own path and follow her heart?

Review: Earlier in the year I read Emiko Jean’s Tokyo Ever After and fell in love with it. It was such a beautiful story of a teen on the brink of adulthood, trying to figure out what she wants for her life, with a huge complication thrown in - she learns that her father is the Crown Prince of Japan. Suddenly she has all these new, strict I might add, expectations thrown on her while she navigates an entirely new culture and a new relationship with her father. It was such a great coming of age story, mixed in with a romance, that felt very real with a main character you couldn’t help but love. When I realized the sequel was coming out, I was excited because I wanted to continue with Izumi’s story. I was not disappointed. 

Tokyo Dreaming begins just a few weeks after the end of Tokyo Ever After with Izumi and her mother living in Japan. For the first time in her life, Izumi has the feeling of family that she’s always wanted with her parents and is enjoying her summer, while expectations loom in the background. When her parents engagement hits a snag, Izumi takes on the responsibility to help her mother be accepted in the court, as her mother is now experiencing the same difficulties Izumi experienced in Tokyo Ever After. I love YA stories where parents are present and have a good relationship with their children, so Izumi deciding to “change” herself for her parents’ happiness touched me. Izumi finally got the sense of belonging, sense of family that she always wanted therefore she was willing to do anything to keep it. This included exploring college even though she didn’t want to, learning to understanding her cousins, and even participating in a fake dating scheme (Yes! One of my favorite tropes). Izumi feels that she is very immature and unfocused, but deciding to make sacrifices in order to save her family is a very mature decision and one of the reasons why I like her so much. Izumi may come off sometimes as self-serving but ultimately she wants happiness for her mother and when her mother breaks from the pressure of it all, Izumi drops everything and is the rock her mother needs. Izumi does have a wonderful heart as even when she is forced to spend time with her “bratty” cousins, she actually opens herself to learning about them and the three begin to forge a wonderful friendship.  In Tokyo Ever After Izumi learned and grew so much that Tokyo Dreaming shows the results of that growth, that leads her to make, mostly, very mature decisions and learn more about her inner strength along the way.  

While Izumi’s story “feels” complete at this time and while I don’t know if Emiko Jean plans to write another book, I hoping that she does because Izumi is a wonderful character and I would love to see what adventures she has next. 

Send Down The Rain by Charles Martin

CHARLES MARTIN SEND DOWN THE RAIN

I really enjoyed this novel and kept wanting to get back to it.

It starts with Joseph, known as JoJo, a 62 yr old war veteran who lives in a remote log cabin in the mountains in North Carolina.  He lives alone with his Rhodesion Ridgeback dog Rosco.  He doesn’t trust himself around people, he has recurring nightmares from his stints in the Vietnamese war and anger blackouts.

However when he hears a childs scream he goes out to help whoever is in trouble.  Illegal immigrants Catalina, a young Mexican woman and her two children are cold, lost and hungry and one child is in danger.  Jojo helps them & takes them to his cabin.  They are being pursued by her drug Lord partner.  The family are heading to Florida to the sanctuary of her brother and cousins.  Jojo can’t leave them to navigate the journey alone & penniless and so he drives them in his truck.  He knows the area well as it is near Cape Sans Blas where he and his mum & brother grew up.

As he heads back he sees the black smoke rising way off in the distance in the direction of his childhood home.  He has to investigate.  A truck has crashed, the driver declared dead at scene. The police are there and a Senator, his estranged brother..  The deceased was the husband of the owner of the now closed, beach side restaurant, the Blue Tornado. And so begins his contact again with his childhood sweetheart Allie as he tries to help her rebuild her business and her life. He never stopped loving her and a lot of water has passed under the bridge since they last saw each other.  He isn’t the person she last knew, he has done & seen some horrendous things but things start to go well and they start to rekindle what they had.

Then the demons begin.  The Mexican family are in trouble, secrets he has kept hidden from everyone become public.  Life is about to get a lot more interesting for Jojo.

We learn about all their back stories as the story progresses all of which are interesting.

I liked the characters and the storytelling.  It does have a romantic theme to it but it wasn’t mushy.  I shall defo be reading another by this author.

Review by Lindy

#FlashbackFriday featuring A Twisted Skein (Seaside Knitters Society) by Sally Goldenbaum #Review / #Giveaway @KensingtonBooks @sallygoldenbaum

On Flashback Fridays I will share with you the books I was not able to review when they were first released that have been screaming at me from my To-Be-Read bookshelf.   A Twisted Skein (Seaside Knitters Society) Cozy Mystery 6th in Series (with this publisher) Setting - Massachusetts Publisher ‏ : ‎ Kensington Cozies (November 28, 2023) Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 320 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1496729439 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496729439 Kindle ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BZB79B8B Like every coastal town, Sea Harbor needs tourists and their dollars. But there’s something special about that time of year when summer people return to their normal lives, and the wide sandy beaches welcome back locals with their dogs and strollers. And this year, even as the season cools down, Izzy Perry’s Sea Harbor Yarn Studio is heating up, thanks to an upcoming fashion benefit . . . The show will feature hand-knit garments, and enthusiastic knitters flock to the shop for supplies to create runway-worthy pieces. Yet Seaside Knitter Birdie is enjoying flocks of a different kind, thanks to a rekindled interest in birdwatching, a hobby she enjoyed with her late husband. Along with a small group of passionate birders, she often spends weekend mornings looking for warblers or keeping watch for gannets and grebes. The group members themselves are almost as fascinating as the birds. It’s a lovely, special time—until Birdie makes her way through a tangle of vines and stumbles upon a fellow birder’s body. At first, it appears to be an accidental fall, but an autopsy soon reveals that the victim died before hitting a granite boulder. When police discover a clue linking the victim to one of the Seaside Knitters, the web of suspicion grows. Before the woods are ablaze in autumn glory and the knitters have cast off the final rows on their runway projects, they’ll have to unravel secrets and ties strong enough to bind friends and neighbors together—and some that may press a killer to take another life. Dollycas's Thoughts We return to Sea Harbor when things should be calming down but Izzy has agreed to host a fashion benefit featuring hand-knit items made with yarn from her Sea Harbor Yarn Studio and she has enlisted her friends Willow, Lucky, and Rose to construct a runway for the event. Birdie is busy too. She has joined a local birdwatching group. She had enjoyed birdwatching with her late husband and wanted to take up the hobby again. She finds the eclectic group very interesting. Birdie is very excited about a birding trip to the local granite quarry but due to an earlier storm Birdie is warned to stay away from the rocks so she detours into the woods. It is there she discovers another member of the group dead. Birdie thinks the man has a terrible accident but she soon learns the victim died before his fall. The police also believe a friend of the Seaside Knitters may have had something to do with his death. It's time for the Seaside Knitters to untwist and untangle each and every clue and knit together who was really responsible for the body in the woods. Can they pull that off before all the knitters hit the runway? or will one of them be behind bars? _____ I love this series. I open the book and immediately feel like I am in the company of good friends. Birdie, Nell, Izzy, and Cass have grown so much since the first book, Death by Cashmere was released in 2008. Birdie is a wise octogenarian, Izzy is a young mom and owns the Sea Harbor Yarn Studio, Cass is co-owner of Halloran Lobster Company with a cute little baby boy, and Nell is Izzy's aunt and is retired.  They have their Thursday night ritual of meeting at Izzy's shop for a night of "friend therapy". A time to toast, eat, knit, and share what's happening with them and around town. Then on Friday nights, they gather with their husbands, children, and any other friends who drop in for a great meal at Nell's that usually includes something grilled out on the deck no matter the time of year. They all are always there for each other no matter what. They also try to help anyone in need throughout the community. Kind, caring, and smart, these characters are very well-developed but continue to grow and remain fresh even after 17 books.  Ms. Goldenbaum has written a very emotional story. The relationships are complex and carefully constructed. The victim's death deeply affected many people including Birdie. Two sisters are dealing with other issues including the man's death. In a mystery full of twists and turns Birdie, Nell, Cass, and Izzy try to find proof that someone they care about was not involved in the murder while trying to piece together clues to find who did it and why. They collected information from several different sources and passed it all on to the police.  Soon all the clues fell into place. I did have the right person near the top of my suspect list but was surprised at the deviousness and how dreadful the person really was. I did enjoy the subplot of the fashion show. While the author's descriptions of the garments and the runway, were good, I wish the book could have contained pictures. Izzy called the runway "magnificent" and a "panoramic scene" that came to life the closer she came to it. A Twisted Skein is wonderfully written. The characters and the friendships they have built are beyond measure. The mystery is complex and skillfully plotted. Sea Harbor and its residents grab ahold of me a little more with each book in this series and each visit ends too soon. Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent About Sally Goldenbaum Sally Goldenbaum is the author of over three-dozen novels, including the Queen Bees Quilt Shop Mysteries and the nationally bestselling Seaside Knitters Society Mystery Series, set in the fictional town of Sea Harbor, Massachusetts. Born in Manitowoc,  Wisconsin, Sally now lives in Gloucester, Massachusetts with her husband, Don. In addition to writing mysteries, Sally has taught philosophy, Latin, and creative writing, edited bioethics, and veterinary healthcare journals, and worked in public television at WQED Pittsburgh (then home to Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood). Follow Sally Webpage Twitter    Facebook  Find more books by Sally Golenbaum here. I am giving away an ARC review copy! The contest is open to anyone over 18 years old with a US or Canadian mailing address. Duplicate entries will be deleted. Void where prohibited. You do not have to be a follower to enter but I hope you will find something you like here and become a follower. Followers Will Receive 2 Bonus Entries For Each Way They Follow. Plus 2 Bonus Entries For Following My Facebook Fan Page. Add this book to your WANT TO READ shelf on GoodReads for 3 Bonus Entries. Follow Kensington Books on Twitter for 2 Bonus Entries! Follow Kensington Publishing on Facebook for 2 Bonus Entries!  Pin this giveaway to Pinterest for 3 Bonus Entries. If you share the giveaway on Threads, X, or Facebook or anywhere you will receive 5 Bonus Entries For Each Link. The  Contest Will End June 10, 2024, at 11:59 PM CST The Winner Will Be Chosen By Random.org The Winner Will Be Notified By Email and Will Be Posted Here In The Sidebar. Click Here For Entry Form Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”                                    Read the full article

Song Review: The Sam Grisman Project - “Ain’t No Bugs on Me” (Live 2023)

Reinforcing the notion children’s songs can be lyrically playful and musically quite serious, the Sam Grisman Project presents “Ain’t No Bugs on Me.”

As performed at FreshGrass 2023 with dual acoustic guitars, mandolin, fiddle, double bass, percussion and two-part harmony, the unplugged Project rekindled Jerry Garcia and David Grisman in Massachusetts while also establishing their own thing as they sing:

There ain’t no lobsters on me/there may be lobsters on some of ya mobsters/but there ain’t no lobsters on me

All but the drums take short solos and the audience responds lustily on this just-released professional video. It’s a cover, yes, but also original in its presentation.

Grade card: The Sam Grisman Project - “Ain’t No Bugs on Me” (Live 2023) - A-

1/23/24

2023 in Books, Part 2

(posting a day late, oops)

This was a pretty great literary year for me. Even the books at the end of this list I enjoyed reading. I left out an anthology I read for class (Peach Pit is ... interesting) and a book of poetry written by someone I know, just because I don't know anything about poetry and don't want my personal feelings about the poet (she's great) to muddle it even further. I also already posted a separate list ranking the six children's/YA books I read. That still leaves thirty-one books to rank, though.

As usual, this is based entirely on personal preference/enjoyment and not necessarily on quality of writing or story. I reserve the right to change my mind about this ranking as soon as I post it because I am fickle like that. (Although I don't think I'm going to change my mind about my number 1 choice.) Here ya go.

31. The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling Dates Read: Dec. 12-13 GoodReads Rating: Three stars Summary: A witch accidentally curses her ex-boyfriend, and by extension her small magical Georgia town. She and her ex have to lift the curse without falling in love (which of course they do anyway). One-sentence review: (directly from my GR review) Cute and witchy, just the thing to get you through finals week.

30. Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld Dates Read: April 28-May 7 GoodReads Rating: Three stars Summary: A musician and comedy writer seem to hit it off when the musician guest stars on the comedy writer’s late-night show, only for the writer to blow it by assuming the musician is a shallow womanizer. A few years later, they rekindle their connection during pandemic lockdowns. One-sentence review: I liked the characters, but as usual Sittenfeld is more interested in commenting on whatever she saw on Twitter while she was writing this then she was on, like, writing a dramatic plot.

29. The Murder of Mr. Wickham by Claudia Gray Dates Read: Aug. 19-27 GoodReads Rating: Three stars Summary: All of Jane Austen’s beloved couples (except the Tilneys), plus the Darcys’ son and the Tilneys’ daughter, attend a house party at the Knightleys’ where Mr. Wickham turns up and is immediately murdered. One-sentence review: This is what P.D. James’ Death Comes to Pemberley SHOULD have been.

28. Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus Dates Read: May 24-27 GoodReads Rating: Three stars Summary: It’s the 1960s, and chemist Elizabeth Zott was kicked out of her Ph.D. program for reporting her supervisor for rape, and then loses her job after she becomes pregnant outside wedlock, and ends up starting her own STEM cooking show and some other stuff happens, look, I know you already read the reviews of this one. One-sentence review: It was fine, I just thought it was overrated.

27. The Paris Deception by Bryn Turnbull Dates Read: Aug. 23-Sept. 7 GoodReads Rating: Three stars Summary: Two women immersed in the French art world in the 1930s and ‘40s defy their German occupiers by hiding, documenting, and sometimes copying “degenerate” art to keep it from the hands of high-ranking Nazi officials and sympathizers, or to keep it from being destroyed. One-sentence review:  The main characters were great and I really like the focus on protecting art and culture from extermination, but the constant time jumps drove me nuts.

26. Forever, Interrupted by Taylor Jenkins Reid Dates Read: April 3-5 GoodReads Rating: Three stars Summary: Less than two weeks into her marriage, a young woman is widowed and only meets her mother-in-law at the hospital. The two strangers find a way to navigate their grief together. One-sentence review: While the grief could be gut-wrenching due to Reid’s fantastic writing, the characters were nothing spectacular.

25. Hell’s Half-Acre: The Untold Story of the Benders, America’s First Serial Killer Family by Susan Jonusas Dates Read: Jan. 29-31 GoodReads Rating: Three stars Summary: The Benders were a creepy family in late 19th Century Kansas who murdered people who stayed at their boarding house and then disappeared before they could be arrested. One-sentence review: I’m not super into true crime—it has to be historical for me to even start it--but I did like the look at life in the Midwest.

24. Galatea by Madeline Miller Dates Read: Jan. 6 GoodReads Rating: Three stars Summary: Madeline Miller retells the Pygmalion myth in a way that doesn’t suck. One-sentence review: Miller smartly skips the gender misery by making this a short story and then delivers an extremely satisfying ending.

23. My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite Dates Read: July 26 GoodReads Rating: Three stars Summary: Korede and Ayoola are sisters who fall for the same man. Ayoola is hot and a serial killer, and Korede is getting pretty tired of covering for her. One-sentence review: Despite (or perhaps because) all the characters are awful, this book STAYS with you, and I feel like it would be a blast to talk about in a drunken book club. Note: I listened to the audiobook and want to give narrator Adepero Oduye a shout out.

22. The Weaver and the Witch Queen by Genevieve Gornichec Dates Read: July 24-Aug. 17 GoodReads Rating: Three stars Summary: Three friends in Medieval Scandinavia find themselves in the middle of a Game of Thrones-esque rivalry for the crown and a deadly battle between supernatural forces. One-sentence review: Good story and I liked the characters, but it moved too slowly sometimes.

21. The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle by Jennifer Ryan Dates Read: May 7-10 GoodReads Rating: Four stars (I was feeling more generous about Grace marrying Hugh than I am right now) Summary: A sewing circle in a small English village in the 1940s decide to pool their talents and resources to help English brides wear the perfect white gown to their weddings, clothing rations be damned. One-sentence review: Ryan excels at writing about women and civilians in wartime, and I would have ranked this so much higher if it hadn’t ended with the best character marrying the worst one.

20. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid Dates Read: Jan. 31-Feb. 8 GoodReads Rating: Four stars Summary: Aging actress Evelyn Hugo (who is not Elizabeth Taylor, by which I mean she absolutely is Elizabeth Taylor) invites a young journalist to write her life story. One-sentence review: The plot was engaging and thought-provoking, but I never could decide how I felt about Evelyn.

19. A House with Good Bones by T. Kingfisher Dates Read: Oct. 28-Nov. 1 GoodReads Rating: Three stars Summary: An archaeologist visits her mother at the family home in North Carolina only to find that her grandmother’s ghost is haunting it. But how do you banish a ghost once you learn it’s keeping something far worse at bay? One-sentence review: Of all the haunted house books I read this year, this one was the worst, and yet it was still great.

19. To Swoon and to Spar by Martha Waters (That’s right, I ranked a trashy Regency romance above both Romantic Comedy AND Lessons in Chemistry) Dates Read: May 17-24 GoodReads Rating: Four stars (Objectively, this was too many, but I also don’t care.) Summary: When Viscount Penvale’s uncle promises to sell him back the family estate for a steal if Penvale marries his uncle’s ward Jane, Penvale reluctantly agrees. He and Jane make an agreement to leave each other alone, but Penvale didn’t expect to fall in love with her. Nor did he expect his family house to be haunted. One-sentence review: The Regency Vows series just keeps getting better, honestly.

17. A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson Dates Read: Aug. 31-Oct. 13 GoodReads Rating: Four stars Summary: Humor writer Bill Bryson and his on-again-off-again friend Katz decide to hike the Appalachian Trail, and Bryson tells you all about its history and natural resources along the way. There are moose, but no (confirmed) bears. One-sentence review: This book got me really into nature and hiking again.

16. The Shining by Stephen King Dates Read: Dec. 1-4 GoodReads Rating: Four stars Summary: I know you know what this book’s about. One-sentence review: Super tense, riveting look into the mind of a toxic, self-absorbed abuser who doesn’t need to be anywhere near blizzards, haunted houses, or children.

15. Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid Dates Read: July 12-23 GoodReads Rating: Five stars (Objectively, this book probably deserves that. Subjectively, I like Regency romances and journalists better than sports stars.) Summary: A retired tennis star full of rage and ambition makes a comeback to keep a younger player from breaking her record. One-sentence review: An absorbing, balanced take on the pressures women athletes face, plus a heart-warming father-daughter story, with some romance and female friendships to round it out.

14. Swamp Story by Dave Barry Dates Read: Dec. 30 GoodReads Rating: Four stars Summary: There is actually too much going on to summarize this book, but suffice to say it involves a desperate single mom, her shirtless fame-hounding ex-boyfriend, a failed journalist with a drinking problem, and a lot of people in the Florida Everglades looking for a cryptid OR Confederate gold OR pythons. One-sentence review: Dave Barry writes about Florida like it’s a drunk, eccentric relative who everyone hangs around at the family reunion even though he smells bad, because he has the best stories.

13. Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas Dates Read: Oct. 15-28 GoodReads Rating: Four stars Summary: During the Mexican-American War, a Wuthering Heights-esque couple learn their homeland is being stalked by vampires. One-sentence review: You root for the couple, you root for the Mexicans, you even root for the vampires once or twice, but you never root for the Texas Rangers. Note: The couple is Wuthering Heights-esque in the sense that he is poor, she is rich, they were childhood sweethearts, and then they were separated—not in the toxic incest way.

12. A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall Dates Read: July 12-23 GoodReads Rating: Four stars Summary: A trans woman believed to be dead at the Battle of Waterloo reinvents herself and returns home to England, only to find that her best friend has been consumed by grief over her death. As she helps him heal—and he slowly falls for her—she battles with whether to tell him who she really is. One-sentence review: I'm a sucker for love stories in which the couple are torn asunder, believe they will never see each other again, and then are reunited unexpectedly. Note: This actually would have ranked a lot higher if all the main couple’s angst wasn’t basically resolved in the first half. The second half is fine but not as good.

11. The Lover by Silvia Moreno-Garcia Dates Read: Dec. 26 GoodReads Rating: Four stars Summary: A young woman must choose between two potential “lovers” who come from the woods in this dark fairy tale novella. One-sentence review: Finally, a good werewolf book.

10. The Dark Queens: The Bloody Rivalry That Forged the Medieval World by Shelley Puhak Dates Read: April 4-14 GoodReads Rating: Four stars Summary: Puhak writes about the feud between rival Merovingian queens Fredegund and Brunhild in sixth century western Europe. One-sentence review: It’s like Game of Thrones, but real, shorter, and with more women and less sexual assault.

9. Lafayette in the Somewhat United States by Sarah Vowell Dates Read: Dec. 14-25 GoodReads Rating: Four stars Summary: Vowell writes Lafayette’s biography, focusing on his and the larger French role in the American Revolution, all while musing on our country’s inability to agree on anything. One-sentence review: Vowell’s irreverent essay style is just the tone needed to tackle the oft-romanticized American Revolution.

8. The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas Dates Read: July 23-26 GoodReads Rating: Four stars Summary: In the aftermath of the Mexican War for Independence, a young bride moves to her landed husband’s country estate, only to find that the house is super haunted and her new in-laws super racist. One-sentence review: Your standard haunted house story, except the ghost is colonialism.

7. Under the Whispering Door by T.J. Klune Dates Read: Oct. 29-31 GoodReads Rating: Five stars (was probably generous, but the ending had just made me cry, so) Summary: When workaholic Wallace dies, his spirit is sent to a teashop for transition to the afterlife. But after a few weeks of hanging around teashop owner and “ferryman” Hugo, his reaper, and the ghosts of Hugo’s dog and grandfather, Wallace realizes he doesn’t want to leave what he’s coming to think of as his family. One-sentence review: A lovely mixture of funny and sad, this book is a nuanced look at death and found family.

6. Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia Dates Read: Nov. 1-6 GoodReads Rating: Four stars Summary: A debutante from Mexico City visits her cousin’s haunted house in the countryside where she’s pulled into a mystery surrounding her cousin’s eugenics-obsessed in-laws. One-sentence review: Noemi is a fantastic character, and the plot is engrossing, which is good because you will hate all the other characters.

5. Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer Dates Read: Aug. 9-29 GoodReads Rating: Four stars Summary: In 1996, Outside magazine sent Jon Krakauer to cover the burgeoning commercialization of Mount Everest. When Krakauer climbed the mountain himself, he and his team got caught in a freak snowstorm that resulted in what was then the worst disaster in the history of the mountain. One-sentence review: Apart from being a really tense and riveting account of a brutal natural disaster in an already brutal environment, Krakauer’s account of the 1996 storm on Everest raises questions about who should be on the world’s highest mountain and whether money and fame have blinded guides and climbers to the risks of tackling the summit.

4. The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty Dates Read: Nov. 20-30 GoodReads Rating: Four stars Summary: Amina al-Sirafi, a retired smuggler and single mom on the Arabian peninsula, has to get her old band crew back together for the promise of more money than they’ve ever dreamed of when wealthy grandmother hires Amina to rescue her kidnapped granddaughter. But things go awry when the crew learns the girl is with an evil crusader with plans to unleash dark magic and monsters on the world. Inspired by the rich mythology, religions, and history of the Middle East, East Africa, and the Indian Ocean. One-sentence review:  I have not had so much fun reading a fantasy novel since I was a kid reading Harry Potter and I can’t wait for the sequel.

3. Lone Women by Victor LaValle Dates Read: Oct. 5-12 GoodReads Rating: Four stars Summary: In the early 1900s, a woman burns her parents’ mangled bodies in their California farmhouse and flees to Montana with a secret locked in a heavy trunk. One-sentence review: Frankenstein meets Calamity Jane in this horror Western about race and female friendships.

2. We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian Dates Read: Oct. 28-Nov. 9 GoodReads Rating: Five stars Summary: Two men reporting for a progressive newspaper in 1950s New York fall in love. One-sentence review: I mean, it’s journalists in love in the 1950s, and one of them is investigating police corruption and the other covered a Civil Rights meeting in DC, so of course I loved this book.

1. The Correspondents: Six Women Writers on the Front Lines of World War II by Judith Mackrell Dates Read: Nov. 27-Dec. 26 (during finals and holidays with family—I don’t think I could have finished the book if it wasn’t so good) GoodReads Rating: Five stars Summary: Mackrell covers the WWII careers of six journalists—a correspondent in Berlin who ingratiated herself in the Nazi Party to tell America about Hitler’s plans for world domination; a photojournalist for Vogue who took pictures from the Blitz to Dachau; a young American whose coverage of both sides of the Spanish Civil War catapulted her to journalistic stardom; Martha Gellhorn whose fury at her husband (you’ve heard of him) compelled her to illegally stow away on board a hospital ship and cover the invasion of Normandy from Omaha Beach while helping wounded soldiers; a rogue freelancer who broke the story of the invasion of Poland and whose thrill-chasing career took her from there to Greece to North Africa and beyond; and Helen Kirkpatrick, who covered the liberation of Paris while Hemingway was getting plastered at the Ritz.

Review: There is too much to say about this book. Mackrell did an incredible job. These journalists’ triumphs and tragedies play out alongside the triumphs and tragedies of the world’s biggest conflict. Each woman had different motivations and goals, from thrill-seeking to career-making, from spite to idealism to simply a love of journalism and dogged search for the truth. While Sigrid Schultz’s Chicago editor applauded Hitler’s control of Germany, Sigrid warned his readers of Hitler’s ambition. When the world turned a blind eye to Hitler’s military build-up and annexation of half of Europe, Virginia Cowles and Helen Kirkpatrick wrote furiously against Chamberlain’s policy of appeasement. And while the rest of the world celebrated the end of the war in Europe, Lee Miller swept through Dachau taking pictures and refusing to ignore the human cost of fascism and war.

All of this was at great personal risk. The Nazis tapped Sigrid’s phone and searched her house until she was finally forced to flee to America in the early 1940s (where her editor promptly benched her for three and a half years). Virginia dodged bombs in Madrid, and Helen dodged bullets in Paris. And Lee Miller defiantly washed off the stink of Dachau in Hitler’s own bath, which was immortalized in a photo her equally defiant boyfriend took in the days after the Fuhrer’s death. Mackrell’s prose also gets into the nitty gritty of correspondent life, how the reporters all camped out in hotels and spent their days chasing stories and their nights drinking whiskey. She discusses the friendships and rivalries—Marth and Virginia became great friends in Spain and eventually wrote a play together satirizing the misogyny they faced during the war. And while the stars are the six I mentioned above, cameos include Mary Welch (Hemingway’s wife after Martha), Dorothy Thompson, Vogue editor Audrey Withers, and “Maggie the indestructible” who convinced an American commander to let her go on a bombing mission over North Africa, paving the way for other women correspondents on the front line after the US entered the war. Plus there are appearances from Picasso, both Randolph and Winston Churchill, Eleanor Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, David Lloyd George, the Duke of Windsor after he abdicated, Hemingway of course, and half the Nazi high command. Mackrell uses the women’s own words to describe the bombing of Madrid, the mass evacuation from Paris, the refugee crises in Eastern Europe, and the Night of Long Knives in Germany. Every moment is riveting as Mackrell and the women she writes about pull you into Europe of the 1940s.

Looking for a Great Podcast/ News Guest to Interview?

Joseph Woodley, an author of more than 16 books, will be publishing a new children’s rhyming picture book, “The Great Christmas Heist,” on November 13. Woodley said he was inspired to write his book by authors and books he read as a child, including Dr. Seuss, Roald Dahl, J.M. Barrie, Rudyard Kipling and L. Frank Baum. 

Can we arrange a time for you to speak with Joseph about “The Great Christmas Heist,” which is destined to become a timeless classic?

Our press release is below. Here are some highlights:

• In “The Great Christmas Heist,” illustrated by Syd Hutchison, the characters Thomas and Claire take a journey on Christmas eve that helps them see the beauty around them.

• In a review, Kidlio Magazine wrote, “Let’s celebrate Christmas all year round with this fascinating book that teaches children the real meaning of Christmas, introducing the joy of giving and focusing on the importance of being thankful for what you.”

• Parents and teachers looking for popular books for kids will adore this book. “The Great Christmas Heist” can stimulate children’s imagination and reinvigorate their love for reading as it becomes a timeless classic for the entire family.

With the end of summer here, Christmas won’t be far behind. Joseph would be pleased to speak with you about “The Great Christmas Heist” and the world of imagination it will open for children as it delivers a message about the joy of giving.

contact: [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New Children’s Picture Rhyming Book, “The Great Christmas Heist,” is Destined to Become a Timeless Classic

“The Great Christmas Heist” teaches children to celebrate Christmas as the joy of giving

SHADYSIDE, Ohio – September 20, 2023 – Accomplished author Joseph Woodley is thrilled to announce that his new children’s rhyming picture book, “The Great Christmas Heist,” is being published on November 13, 2023.

In “The Great Christmas Heist,” illustrated by Syd Hutchison, the characters Thomas and Claire take a journey on Christmas Eve that helps them see the beauty around them. This is a fun-filled, humorous story that will feel timeless for the whole family.

Woodley said about “The Great Christmas Heist,” “I wanted to write something that reminded me of the children’s books and movies that I read as a child. Books written by Dr. Seuss, Roald Dahl, J.M. Barrie, Rudyard Kipling, L. Frank Baum and many others took me on adventures that transported me to new worlds that stretched my imagination and expanded the promise of possibilities of the world I lived in. There were always great messages interwoven in these books that kids could carry with them in their own exploration of life and the world around them.”

In a review of Woodley’s new book, Kidlio Magazine wrote, “Let’s celebrate Christmas all year round with this fascinating book that teaches children the real meaning of Christmas, introducing the joy of giving and focusing on the importance of being thankful for what you have.

“This book teaches children to celebrate Christmas as the joy of giving, being kind and sharing resources with those who can’t afford gifts [and is] an all-new rhyming Christmas story that rekindles the true spirit of Christmas and teaches children to value people over things.”

Parents and teachers looking for popular books for kids will adore this book. “The Great Christmas Heist” can stimulate children’s imagination and reinvigorate their love for reading as it becomes a timeless classic for the entire family.

The book is written for children aged three and older. 

“The Great Christmas Heist” will be available at Barnes & Noble and at agreatchristmasbook.com.

Woodley is a published author of more than 16 books, a public speaker and leadership and team development coach. Woodley shares empowering stories in his books for children and adults that help support family, faith and character development. He is dedicated to utilizing his accumulated experience, skills and expertise to empower others to reach their God-given potential.

Released on January 3, 2023

Return to the opulent world of Elfhame, filled with intrigue, betrayal, and dangerous desires, with this first book of a captivating new duology from the #1 New York Times bestselling author Holly Black.  A runaway queen. A reluctant prince. And a quest that may destroy them both.   Eight years have passed since the Battle of the Serpent. But in the icy north, Lady Nore of the Court of Teeth has reclaimed the Ice Needle Citadel. There, she is using an ancient relic to create monsters of stick and snow who will do her bidding and exact her revenge.   Suren, child queen of the Court of Teeth, and the one person with power over her mother, fled to the human world. There, she lives feral in the woods. Lonely, and still haunted by the merciless torments she endured in the Court of Teeth, she bides her time by releasing mortals from foolish bargains. She believes herself forgotten until the storm hag, Bogdana chases her through the night streets. Suren is saved by none other than Prince Oak, heir to Elfhame, to whom she was once promised in marriage and who she has resented for years.    Now seventeen, Oak is charming, beautiful, and manipulative. He’s on a mission that will lead him into the north, and he wants Suren’s help. But if she agrees, it will mean guarding her heart against the boy she once knew and a prince she cannot trust, as well as confronting all the horrors she thought she left behind.

My Review

Posted on Goodreads January 7th, 2023.

★★★★★ — 5/5 stars in this return duology in the cruel prince universe, we are met with suren, a runaway queen, and oak, the hesitant prince of elfhame. this duology takes place eight years after the battle of the serpent. we are given the amazing but tragic backstory of suren, who is the child queen of the court of teeth, with her mother being lady nore. waiting for revenge has been all that lady nore has been planning over the time-jump between stories, but is inhibited by one thing — her daughter. suren, the only person who has power over her mother and the court, has fled to the human world, and lives a feral life in the woods. she often spends her time helping mortals be released from silly bargains struck up my the folk. on the other hand, we are presented with oak, as we remember from the cruel prince trilogy, but this time around he is seventeen years old, and has plans for himself. meeting suren when they were only children, they are both well aware with each other, and have no plans to rekindle relationships. oak is now a charming, handsome, and manipulative heir to elfhame, who is tasked with a mission heading up north. despite rumors of jude and cardans plans with elfhame, oak forges his own path, bringing along tiernan and suren to help bid his mission. but betrayal, deceit, and manipulation are among the hardest tasks. — i loved this book a lot more than i thought i would. i loved the pace of it, and that we were already familiar with the world, and some of the background characters that are present in this book. i'm super happy this is a duology, because the pace between characters was just phenomenal. as well as the action scenes that were present was detailed enough where it didn't keep me guessing what was going to happen next. i think that my favorite thing though about this book was all the deceit, since faerie folk cannot tell lies. it's very interesting to see how they riddle around parts of the book and dance around topics. i cannot wait until the next book comes out!

My Highlights and Annotations

Chapter 2

On page 41, I noted: we hate madoc club, protect oak at all costs club! "Madoc, the traitor who marched on Elfhame with the Court of Teeth. Before that, the Grand General who was responsible for the slaughter of most of the royal family. And Oak's foster father."

On page 43, I highlighted: "Then they marched me before the High Queen and suggested that I be united in marriage with her brother and heir, Prince Oak."

Chapter 3

On page 48, I noted: give me some judecardan crumbs is all i ask for "All Courts pledge fealty to their ruler and that ruler pledges fealty to the High Court. When High King Cardan came to power, because I was hidden, and Queen of the Court of Teeth, my failure to give him an oath of loyalty was the reason Lady Nore and Lord Jarel were able to betray him."

On page 51, I noted: i'm waiting for more.... "The sword's name is Nightfell," he whispered. "it belongs to Jude." His sister. The High Queen. It was such a different way to be royal, to have a family that you would consider by their relationship to you before their title. Whose weapon you wouldn't be afraid to steal."

On page 53, I noted: not oriana again, thought we left her in the dust "So lost in the joy of that moment, I didn't think of danger until the latch of the door turned. I was barely able to roll underneath Oak's bed, putting my sticky, stained fingers over my mouth, before Oriana came into the room. I tried to remain as still as possible. Madoc's wife had camped with us when we were in the north and would know me instantly if she saw me."

On page 54, I noted: i like this back talk version "You are not to go near her alone." "I am the prince," he said. "I can do whatever I like." Oriana looked momentarily surprised, then hurt. "I left Madoc's side for you." "So what?" He didn't appear at all sorry. "I don't have to listen to you or do what you say. And I don't have to tell you anything."

Chapter 4

On page 65, I highlighted: "There are rumors that Cardan never wanted the throne, that he will hand it over to Oak willingly at some vague future time. But when I think of High King Cardan with his black curls and cruel mouth, the way he behaves – silly and dangersome all at once – I don't believe he would relinquish power. He might, however trick Oak into going on a quest he wouldn't return from. Build him up with stories of honor and valiant deeds."

Dreams Meet Streaming Magic at Disney Hotstar

Once upon a time when world not so far away, there was an online service that combined two well-known icons, Disney and Hotstar, to provide a magical experience for viewers worldwide. Welcome to Disney Hotstar, where streaming magic and dreams collide.

Combining Iconic Brands

Disney and Hotstar are the two biggest names in the media industry. So joined up to develop a streaming service that would transform how we watch our favourite series & movies. Disney is an established streaming service known for its wide regional content and Hotstar a company known for its timeless classics and interesting storytelling, joined together to make a powerful combination. This collaboration gave viewers access to a wealth of Disney programming as well as a sizable selection of regional and international entertainment in a single venue.

Vast Enchantment Library

As soon as you join the world of Disney Hotstar you are greeted by an extensive archive of enchantment that spans decades. There is something for everyone from the famous cartoon shows that warmed our hearts as children to the most recent blockbusters that continue to inspire. Review the wonder of The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin or go on brand-new adventures with Marvel superheroes like Avengers Series, Caption Marvel and Black Panther.

But Disney Hotstar goes further than that. In addition, the wide range of unique programming is available, including one-of-a-kind events & movies. Both the young and the young-at-heart are thrilled by these interacting productions that cater to an array of audiences.

Nostalgia Rekindled

Disney is frequently linked to nostalgia for many of us. It brings back us of the wonderful worlds we were taken to as kids while snuggled up on the couch with our loved ones. The www.disneyplus.com/begin works as a time machine that lets us relive those precious recollections & pass them across to the following generation.

Features & Technology

Convenience is crucial in the digital age and Disney Hotstar succeeds in this area. With few clicks viewers can access their preferred content thanks to its user-friendly layout which guarantees easy to navigate. Additionally, they provide tailored recommendations depending on your viewing preferences, making sure you can always discover something interesting. Disney Hotstar offers offline downloading option for customers to access their preferred content even when there is no internet connection. For extended situations when finding a reliable internet connection is challenging, it makes the ideal travel companion.

Magic for Everyone

Disney Hotstar's diversity is one of its greatest strengths. It offers audiences from a variety of cultures by providing material in several languages as a platform with an established regional presence. Disney's magic has more fans because to this inclusivity, which additionally breaks down linguistic and cultural boundaries and makes it accessible to a global audience.

In conclusion, Disney Hotstar is more than just a streaming platform; it is a doorway to a world of magic and fantasies. It created a distinctive experience that excites audiences of all ages by merging the classic allure of Disney with the modern convenience of Hotstar. Disneyplus.com/begin offers something special to users, whether you enjoy sincere classics, superhero comics or compelling originals. So, grab some popcorn, immerse yourself in the magic and let Disney Hotstar give wings to what you want. 

Book Review: Never Ever Getting Back Together

A new review has just gone up on my blog - check it out here.

Title: Never Ever Getting Back Together Author: Sophie Gonzales Published: 2023 Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books Pages: 370 From Goodreads: When their now famous ex-boyfriend asks them to participate in a teen reality show, two eighteen year old girls—one bent on revenge, the other open to rekindling romance—get tangled up in an unexpected twist when they fall for each other instead…

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THE MISSING AMERICAN by Julie Highmore (Edie Fox Detective Agency #1)

New to the private investigator game, Edie Fox is delighted when a handsome American client with disconcertingly dazzling teeth asks her to find his missing cousin, Isabella. Especially when he leaves her a bundle of cash to get started

However, the case quickly gets complicated, and so does her life when a one-night stand from her Oxford university days gets in touch and asks if her 26-year-old daughter, Maeve, is also his child. Juggling a chaotic home, a brimming wine glass, a daughter besotted with her new-found daddy, and a rekindled old flame, Edie must try to focus on the job. But with unreliable witnesses, a less than trustworthy client, and an assistant with her mind on other things, Edie will be up against it and risks losing all.

THE MISSING AMERICAN is the first book in a series of hilarious cozy mysteries by bestselling author Julie Highmore. Look out for the next book in the series, THE RUNAWAY HUSBAND, coming soon!

Purchasing links: UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C23XYCKG/ US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C23XYCKG/ CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0C23XYCKG/ AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0C23XYCKG

My Review: Thanks goodness this is the first in series so I will be able to read more stories featuring Edie. Because this is a good start for a cozy series, an entertaining and solid mystery and I had a lot of fun. Edie is a likeable and fleshed character, quirky and complex. This is a cozy mystery but there’s more layer starting from the character, not the average heroine, to the mystery and the surprising twists. I can’t wait to read the Runaway Husband, this one is strongly recommended. Many thanks to the The Book Folks for this arc, all opinions are mine

The Author: The daughter of an RAF officer, Julie moved around a lot as a child, which meant many moves and many goodbyes, and fourteen schools to turn up to as a shy new girl. But eventually settled in Oxford in her twenties and, after having three children, studied first at Westminster College, then Oxford Brookes University, where she gained a first class degree in English. As part of the course, she studied creative writing with Philip Pullman, who encouraged her to continue with her writing after graduation. This she did, and her published work includes nine rom-com novels, and more recently, a crime fiction series for The Book Folks.

The first in the series – features the somewhat flawed, Oxford-based private investigator, Edie Fox; a single mother and very young grandmother who inadvertently gets her precious family caught up in her first big case. Although her recent novels have ventured into some dark places, Julie manages to inject humour into the stories without diminishing the seriousness of the situations Edie finds herself in. Oxford is a city Julie knows well, but she has chosen to leave the beautiful and atmospheric colleges and cloisters to other authors, and her protagonist is based in the more edgy and diverse east of the city, full of small Victorian houses, students, cafes, delis and retired

Author’s bio on website: https://thebookfolks.com/author/julie-highmore/ Julie’s Twitter: @JulieHighmore

Social Media links Website: https://thebookfolks.com Insta:@the_book_folks Twitter: @thebookfolks Facebook: http://facebook.com/thebookfolks Blog: https://thebookfolks.com/blog/