Dead Drift~Dani Pettrey | Review

Title: Dead Drift (Chesapeake Valor #4)
Author: Dani Pettrey
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Length: 301 Pages
Release: July 2018

A copy of this novel was received through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Review

This is the last book in the Chesapeake Valor series and is the long-awaited story of Kate Maxwell and Luke Gallagher. Where has Luke been and what has he been doing for years? . . .I am not going to say and spoil it. But, oh, what a story he has to tell and the unbelievable dangerous situation he brings right to the door of the Valor-Team (as I call them), setting things into motion that escalate to a race against time.

I like that there is a duel story-line in this one as well. As much as I wanted to read Luke and Kate’s story, I hoped to read about the case Griffin and Finley are pursuing in this story. That case is one that is very special to Griffin and I wanted him to find a credible lead and a closure of sorts. I am glad it was included in this book. Not saying more as I don’t want to give anything away. What they uncover certainly was a surprise to them as well.

Dead Drift is a fast-paced, gripping story with mystery and dangerous situations. A plot and story-line with twists and turns, unexpected surprises along the way, unraveling twisting threads of secrets, lies and betrayal while on the brink of a biological disaster. . .whew! I will miss the characters in the Chesapeake Valor series. Well done Dani Pettrey!

The Forbidden Door~Dean Koontz | Review

Title: The Forbidden Door (Jane Hawk #4)
Author: Dean Koontz
Genre: Suspense/Thriller
Length: 434 Pages
Release: September 2018

I received a copy of this novel through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Review

In an effort to avoid spoilers for this and the previous three installments in the series, this review is going to be short and sweet. 

This latest installment in the Jane Hawk series picks up where the previous book The Crooked Staircase left off. Jane is, once again, under a time crunch to get somewhere fast. Some old favorites show up and others become favorites. Koontz knows how to write compelling characters and they shine in this series. 

A majority of this novel is told from the perspective of the bad guys, giving us insight into their mental state and the lengths they are willing to go to bring Jane down. At first this seemed odd and could be off putting to some readers, but it worked and was needed for this portion of the story. 

This series can be frightening because it often seems like it could be real. And while there are many many good people in the world, there are also many horrible people. It's not too far fetched to believe that something like this could happen. 

If you haven't started this series and are at all inclined to do so, I highly recommend it. 

Thirst of Steel~Ronie Kendig | Review

Title: Thirst of Steel (The Fox Files #3)
Author: Ronie Kendig
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Length: 459 Pages
Release: July 2018

A copy of this novel was received through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Review

Ronie Kendig has done it again! With Thirst of Steel, Kendig provides her readers with yet another engrossing story filled to the brim with heart-pounding action, and peppered with intrigue, romance, humor, and adventure.

In this final installment of the Tox Files, Ronie Kendig brings her thrilling series to a close with Tox, Ram, and the team fighting one last battle.This time, the stakes are higher than ever, as Tox faces mystery, heartache, and betrayal as he infiltrates the enemy’s inner circle. But appearances are deceiving, and one mistake—or failure to distinguish friend from foe—could cost him everything.

The relentless pace of action and intrigue make Thirst of Steel a compelling page-turner, and Kendig truly kept me guessing right up to the very end! And as befitting the finale of an incredible series with well-drawn and believable characters, this novel packs plenty of emotional punch, and the surprising ending left me hopeful and heartbroken all at once.
I have to say I’m sad to be seeing the last of Tox, Haven, and Wraith Team, but boy what a ride it’s been! I can’t wait to see what’s next from this author!

Called to Protect~Lynette Eason | Review

Title: Called to Protect (Blue Justice #2)
Author: Lynette Eason
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Length: 320 Pages
Release: July 2018

A copy of this novel was received through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Review

Called to Protect focuses on Chloe St. John, a K-9 cop, and Blake McCallum, a US Marshall. Both are personally invested in solving a human trafficking case since they have loved ones that are missing. Since Chloe and Blake grew up together they seem to work very well together as a team, but I especially enjoyed the scenes with Hank, Chloe's K-9 partner. I'm a dog lover, and I enjoyed reading about Chloe and Hank's work and their special bond.

As I was reading, I was excited, frustrated, and eager to see how everything turned out! I really wanted to see the criminals brought to justice! This story felt extremely relevant to our current society as human trafficking is a huge problem not just in foreign countries but in the United States as well. I appreciate Lynette Eason shedding light on such a complex issue. I can’t wait for the next book!

My Thoughts for Your Thursday

I've decided that Thursday will be the day that I post some form of a discussion each week. Tuesdays are typically the day that new books release, so I will save that for reviews. I will no longer be sharing all of my reviews here since I do a majority of my reviewing on goodreads now. I will continue posting reviews for books that I receive for review here on my blog (as well as a review on goodreads) and others that I feel like sharing. But I want this blog to be more about discussions than reviews. 

Buddy Reading

Today I want to discuss buddy reading. If you don't know what buddy reading is, it's basically when you and another person decide to read a book together and discuss it as you go. There are many ways of doing buddy reads and a lot of groups on goodreads have a bunch of these going on at a time. 

Sometimes the buddy reads within a group can get little big, which can kind of defeat the purpose of a buddy read for me. Everyone will kind of read at their own pace in these reads and then comment as they go. The discussions can be a lot of fun, but I find myself being drawn to these reads less and less these days. 

My favorite kind of buddy read is with one or two individuals where we decide a set number of pages or chapters to read within a given amount of time and then come back to discuss that section before moving on. These reads tend to be a little deeper in discussion since everyone is at the same point and you don't have to worry as much about accidentally spoiling someone. 

Do you buddy read? If so, what type of buddy reading do you prefer?

 

Blind Betrayal~Nancy Mehl | Review

Title: Blind Betrayal (Defenders of Justice #3)
Author: Nancy Mehl
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Length: 320 Pages
Release: April 2018

A copy of this novel was received through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Review

Blind Betrayal by Nancy Mehl is a very suspense-filled book, third in her Defenders of Justice series. Nancy Mehl grabs her reader’s attention from the first page, not giving them a reprieve, until the final page. Blind Betrayal by Nancy Mehl is a very good intense book, filled with loads of suspense, danger, and surprising plot twists. This third installment in Nancy Mehl’s series was very good in my opinion. I really enjoyed Nancy Mehl’s characters, as she wove relatable traits into each character as well as building a deep and mysterious personal history for each character.

The plot in Nancy Mehl’s book follows a strong, independent, fierce woman, Casey Sloane, a US Marshal in St. Louis, as she and her partner undertake the assignment of getting a witness safely from St. Louis to Washington D. C. Needless to say, the task sounds much easier than it actually is and Casey, her partner, and other members of the U.S. Marshals have to deal with a bombing, attempted murder, wounded and dead colleagues, powerful cartels and terrorist groups, undercover agents, and so many more intriguing and layered plots that make the book so good. Casey and her partner take their assignment seriously, and as they encounter many obstacles, they must risk their lives to transport this reporter to Washington D.C. to give evidence at a hearing.

Overall, I enjoyed Nancy Mehl’s writing in this book, as she not only intrigued and entertained with this story, but also gave a reminder of how we ought to forgive. This was a page-turner and I would highly recommend it. I hope you have a chance to enjoy this exceptional story!

Lone Witness~Rachel Dylan | Review

Title: Lone Witness (Atlanta Justice #2)
Author: Rachel Dylan
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Length: 320 Pages
Release: May 2018

A copy of this novel was received through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Review

Lone Witness by Rachel Dylan, is book 2 in the Atlanta Justice Series. This legal thriller is full of multiple plot lines to keep the reader engaged and guessing about which danger is going to be faced next. Sophie Dawson has been promoted to a senior assistant district attorney in the White Collar Crimes Unit of Fulton County. She is busy working on her first case in her new division, a local bank employee is accused of cheating customers, and she is determined to get justice for those people who lost their savings. Working late, she decides that she has to stop to get some snacks for her drive home, so she stops at a familiar convenience store. She is a witness to a double homicide and she is the only person that can make a positive ID on the person who committed the crime.

Sophie is now in great danger because she is the lone witness that can identify the killer. Sophie’s father is concerned about her safety and hires a bodyguard, Cooper Knight, a co-owner for a private security firm and someone who Sophie has met in the past. At first Cooper keeps a very low profile, but as the danger rises for Sophie, he must make his presence known and some hard decisions need to be made about how to handle her day-to-day activities and even where she is going to have to live for an extended period of time in order to stay safe and sound.

As new threats on Sophie’s life come to light, it is no longer clear who is involved and the security firm has to consider if her role as a witness, or her job as a senior assistant DA is the ultimate danger. The character development for the main characters, as well as the secondary characters is fascinating. The reader gets an in-depth view into the different roles in the legal world and what it takes to play the politics and the dangers of decisions on how a case is going to play out. Lone Witness is a legal thriller that will keep you reading, and constantly re-thinking who is behind the various plot lines and who can be trusted. A great read!

May 2018 Reading and Life Recap

Favorite Read of May (excluding rereads)

Dark Life by Kat Falls was a random pick for me. I was participating in a reading challenge that needed a book that was set under water and found the audiobook on my library Overdrive account so decided to give it a listen. And I ended up really enjoying it.

It's a post-apocalyptic story that involves the colonization of the ocean, which in itself is a really interesting concept. It was also well written, attention grabbing, and had a cast of fun characters. I'm definitely planning to pick up the sequel in the not too distant future.








Bucket List Item 
Maybe that is a bit of an extreme discription for this, but I have been wanting to go to a Drive-In movie for a long time. And I finally did in May. The first weekend in May I saw Avengers: Infinity War at a drive-in and it was really fun. I wish that I lived even closer to one than I do so I could go regularly. It has great prices, the staff is fun, and it's a laid back venue. I will definitely be going back again. I shared a picture on instagram that incorporates some bookish fun into the movie experience: Books & Movies

Being Bold
For the past nine or so months I have worked full time doing something that I was not really enjoying. Yes, it was a job, but I want something that will give me more satisfaction than just getting a pay check. In May I decided to take a risk and give some of my other plans a try. I'm at the point in my life where it's kind of a now or never type of thing. It's scary, I'm not always great at it, and I don't know how it will pan out yet, but I'm taking a shot at following some of my dreams and I'm excited to do so.

Writing
I have been working on a fantasy novel for several months now and finally decided to push myself. I moved up my first draft goal from January 2019 to September 2018. If I don't quite meet this goal that's fine, but I think that I can make it work. If I don't push myself to grow then I will never be able to develop as a writer and share all of my work with the world. Fingers crossed that I have big news in regards to this project next year. That's the goal at this point.

These are just a few of the highlights of my month. I'm trying to motivate myself to reach farther and try harder. Some days I feel like an utter failure and others I'm on top of the world. I'm hoping that means I can fall somewhere in the middle most of the time and keep a steady pace that moves me forward.

I would love to hear about some of your weekly/monthly/yearly highlights. Let me know what things are making you happy or challenging you to be the best you you can be.

Kathryn Bywaters | Interview

Kathryn Bywaters is the author of The Past is Rising, which you can buy now. The sequel will be hitting shelves later this year, so now is the perfect time to give book one a try. You can read the first chapter on Kathryn's blog.

Before we get into the interview, here is a little more about the book:

The Past Is Rising is a compelling fantasy epic that revolves around the uprising of dark forces bent on wresting a kingdom from its rightful rulers. Several warriors will discover that their true destinies are to salvage their kingdom and defeat the rising evil.

At fourteen, Erik dreams of past glories. He was not alive when the False Kings marched against their nephew and laid siege to the city of Meraview. Now, perched on the outer wall, Erik imagines the two great armies battling on the plains outside the city. His excitement mounts as he spies a horse and rider racing to reach Meraview.

This lone messenger is Eve, cousin to the High King—and she brings troubling news. The False Kings, once again, are gaining power. When Eve leaves to spy on the False Kings, Erik and his friend Hobble follow her. Along the way, they will learn about lost regal bloodlines, battle against ancient magical forces, and make new allies in the fight against evil.

Sinister forces closely watch Erik and his new companions. Are these young people ready to face the return of the False Kings? Or will they simply be anonymous casualties in the coming war?

Interview

When did you first know you wanted to write a book?

One night when I was 10 years old, trying to sleep but being kept awake by a storm, I started to compose a poem in my head. When I finally had it right I jumped out of bed because I had to share it with my father. I loved the way it felt, making something that was mine. After that I wrote other poems and short stories. Then I started writing my first book, the prequel to The Past Is Rising, at age 12; I finished it at 17. My family had moved to Saint Petersburg, Russia and I think being exposed to a very foreign environment helped push my imagination to dream of new worlds.

Are you a plotter or a pantser?

I’m a pantser for sure! I have no idea where the story is going until my fingers are typing the words. However, in life I would have to say I’m a little of both. I love lists and planning but would also never let a spur of the moment opportunity go to waste. I believe the Yiddish have it right with their adage, “Man plans, and God laughs.”

Have any of your characters been inspired by people that you know?

Aspects of some of the characters most definitely have been inspired by people I know. For example, the fiery strength of my sister can be seen in Ann. Situations and places in my life have also inspired moments throughout the book.

Do you have any favorite books you would recommend to other readers?

Lord of the Rings, I think, will always be my favorite. Umberto Eco’s Baudolino, Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre and William Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night's Dream are all masterpieces. If you are looking for a fun, easy read: Hunger Games, Harry Potter and lately I’ve really been liking Sarah Maas.

What is one piece of writing advice you would give to aspiring authors?

If it is what you truly love doing, do it. It’s hard work and very time consuming but so are most things worth doing in life. So, do what you love and it will all seem worth it.

Do you listen to music while you write? If so, what kind?

I’m more of a go to the park and lie on the grass or turn off the lights and light candles type of writer. As I write it’s like a movie starts playing in my head and sometimes I can’t write fast enough to keep up. Even if I had music on, once I started writing I don’t think I’d even hear it.

What inspired you to write fantasy?

Lord of the Rings and visiting palaces in Russia and castles in the South of France. The idea of kings and queens became real to me. I started imagining what it would be like if that was how the world was still governed. In the South of France there are legends of the Knights Templar and each castle has its own story. I think hearing about the tales of the Knights Templar and the Albigensian Crusade illuminated the good versus evil dichotomy – the struggle is real!

What type of research is involved in your writing?

At this point none, just imagination and inspiration but I do have some ideas for historical fiction that I would like to write.

If your book was being adapted for the screen, who would you want to play the leading role(s)?

Oh that’s a hard one! I’m not really an actor buff and don’t follow what’s going on in Hollywoord but I’ll give this a try…

Keira Knightley - Eve

Kristin Kreuk – Sarah

Emma Watson– Ann

Christopher Hemsworth – Aeron

Jesse Williams – Reddoc

A young Josh Hutcherson - Erik

Kill Shot~Susan Sleeman | Review

Title: Kill Shot (White Knights #2)
Author: Susan Sleeman
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Length: 336 Pages
Release: February 2018

A copy of this novel was received through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Review

When you begin a Susan Sleeman book, get ready for a thrilling ride! She hits the ground running with pulse-pounding excitement and continues throughout the book without giving you a chance to get off this powerful roller coaster ride of suspense.

Sleeman has created a great cast of characters for this book, her second in the White Knights series. These men and women are FBI agents who have all served in the military, and now they work to bring down criminals of the worst sort. The author keeps the reader invested in her characters from the first page, even the secondary ones.

There are two main characters, Olivia and Rick. Dr. Olivia Dobbs is a Christian therapist who counsels mainly ex or current military who suffer from PTSD. When her last patient is murdered nearly right in front of her eyes, the FBI team, White Knights, are called in. There is something indeed very ominous about this case or the regular police would have handled it. A serious threat to national security is in play here and the agents are in a race against time to track down the culprits before there are unimaginable consequences. Agent Rick Cannon, fighting demons of his own, is assigned to guard Dr. Dobbs because she is in the line of fire as well. He doesn't trust her and believes she is involved in this case.

Storm Front~Susan May Warren | Review

Title: Storm Front (Montana Rescue #5)
Author: Susan May Warren
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Length: 336 Pages
Release: May 2018

A copy of this novel was received through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Review

Susan May Warren continues the story of Montana’s PEAK Rescue team members in “Storm Front,” which focuses on former chopper pilot Ty Remington and journalist Brette Arnold.

Ty is still struggling to find his role in life. He feels like he’s just the muscle and go-getter for PEAK, feeling deeply inadequate and inefficient. And he still struggles with the fact that the woman he fell madly in love with, Brette, has walked out of his life without one single look back.

But what he doesn’t realize is that Brette, who is currently working with a storm chasing group as a photographer and blogger, has had struggles of her own — devastating struggles that she feels she must face on her own.

When the two are brought together after a devastating tornado in Minnesota, can they put aside their fears and doubts to help friends — new and old — find missing loved ones? And can they come together in truth and honesty to build a relationship?

“Storm Front” is an action-packed, heart-thumping novel that quite simply is difficult to put down. With devastatingly powerful storms, missing people and search parties, it also includes toe-curling romance.
Once again Susan May Warren develops incredibly real and relatable characters — filled with doubts, fears, insecurities, hopes and lack of hope, and just about every other imaginable flaw. It deals with overcoming great loss, and she also does a brilliant job of not only providing an incredible story, but also teaching amazing lessons.

The main theme, as the title hints at, deals with weathering the storms of life, and how each of us chooses to weather those storms. She reminds us to “accept the storm and ride it out without a whimper”. “Storm Front” reminds us that we must look past the storm and find the sunshine, or the hope, in each situation.

And through Brette’s personal battles, this novel also hits on the topic of beauty, both inner and outer, and the difficulty in finding the beauty in ourselves.

This is the fifth book in a series, but could be read as a standalone, although I would highly recommend reading the rest of the books. However, I do feel Warren offers enough background if this is your first experience with the Montana Rescue series.

The Crooked Staircase~Dean Koontz | Review

Title: The Crooked Staircase (Jane Hawk #3)
Author: Dean Koontz
Genre: Thriller
Length: 462 Pages
Release: May 2018

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Review

This third installment in the Jane Hawk series keeps the action amped up as Jane continues to hunt down members of the secret organization that is slowly overtaking the world with its control mechanism that turns even the most willful individuals into slaves. All it takes is a round of three injections and your mind is no longer yours. 

These books are frightening because they are realistic. It does not seem that far fetched to imagine a world where corrupt people with a little power have developed a way to control the population. This adds an eerie quality to the story, particularly when you end up in the head of one of these "adjusted" people and are privy to their reactions. 

There were a lot of heartbreaking moments within this installment. At this point, it's amazing that Jane can keep going. And the woman is only twenty-seven years old. Her well of hope seems to have an endless spring, and she is going to need it. 

One thing that I appreciate is that Koontz has written a strong woman, who is extremely capable, but doesn't make it so that she can take on fully grown men with ease. He shows her struggle to fight against men and women alike and it's often her training that gets her out of situations, which is always a good thing. She is not superhuman, but she is well trained and is fighting for the good of the world and her family. 

My main criticism of this series is that it seems never ending. There are already at least two more books announced and I don't see how the story can be wrapped up satisfactorily. If anyone can do it, Koontz can, but I'm eager to see the end of this journey. They are emotional rides and the end of this one has me sweating. 

Beneath the Surface~Lynn Blackburn | Review

Title: Beneath The Surface (Dive Team Investigators #1)
Author: Lynn H Blackburn
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Length: 352 Pages
Release: March 2018

A copy of this novel was received through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Review

I am always on the lookout for new and exciting inspirational suspense novels, and Beneath the Surface did not disappoint. Lynn Blackburn delivers a novel that balances action with fantastic interpersonal interactions, careful criminal investigation with plenty of tension, and a light-hearted joy despite the depravity of the crimes. Beneath the Surface was a very enjoyable novel to read.  Lynn H. Blackburn earns her way onto my list of favorite romantic suspense authors with this book.

Leigh Weston has returned to her hometown, eager to escape the memories of a patient who turned stalker. But what was supposed to bring peace and security only brings more chaos when the local dive team investigation unit discovers a dead body in the water just off Leigh’s lakeside home. Homicide Investigator Ryan Parker didn’t enjoy discovering a body on one of his team’s routine training sessions, but he is glad for the excuse to spend more time with his childhood crush (and his best-friend’s sister), Leigh. But the case becomes personal when Leigh finds herself targeted by a dangerous killer.

The thing I loved most about Beneath the Surface was the way it mixes intense suspense and investigation with lighthearted banter between friends and the growing relationship between Ryan and Leigh. While some romantic suspense novels seem to focus solely on the investigation details and other stretch believability for the sake of romance, Lynn Blackburn gets the balance just right. As the events unfolded, I felt like I really had time to get to know the characters. From Ryan’s teammates to Leigh’s colleagues at the hospital, all the characters were richly detailed and add multiple layers to this story. I particularly enjoyed hanging with the dive investigation team. Their camaraderie shines through the small squabbles, idea-sharing sessions, and the way in which they have each other’s backs. I look forward to continuing the series with this team, watching as other members fall in love and catch some bad guys.

Pelican Point~Irene Hannon | Review

Title: Pelican Point (Hope Harbor #4)
Author: Irene Hannon
Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance
Length: 368 pages
Release: April 2018

A free copy of this novel was received through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Review

Once again Irene Hannon delivers a sweet love story wrapped up in the comfort and caring of the delightful town of Hope Harbor and its eclectic residents. I love the way Marci and Ben meet: hero recusing a hurt kitten stuck up a tree or a dangerous intruder, wandering around the backyard? - it’s kind of hard to tell between the two at night. Marci’s strong emotions get her into trouble, but her compassion and caring nature balance that out. Both Ben and Marci are hurting from recent events in their personal lives. There is an undeniable connection between Marci and Ben, and while neither want to pursue it for various reasons, events keep pushing them together.

There was a touch of suspense in the last section of the novel, which really pulls everything together and makes for an exciting conclusion. I wasn’t entirely sure of the way in which mental health was used an excuse or causation for the malicious character’s actions. It seemed a little unfeeling or stigmatizing, but it worked for the progression of the plot.

Despite everything that I loved about this novel, the thing I perhaps loved the most was the secondary story of Marci’s colleague and Ben’s neighbors, Greg and Rachel. They are a young, married couple whose marriage is struggling under the emotional fallout of an injury Greg sustained while serving overseas. Their story of reconciliation, gradual acceptance of outside support and their journey back towards a loving and supportive relationship was powerful. Perhaps overcoming depression and the emotional fallout of such an event may not be so easy in real life, but it was a delightful addition to the Pelican Point story.

Pelican Point is a wonderful addition to the Hope Harbor series. This stand-alone novel is a delightful and engaging story of sweet romance and overcoming fears.

Where Should I Take This Blog?

Hello, fellow book lovers! Long time no write. I know, I know. That's just the thing, I'm not sure where to take this blog. A majority of my reviews have been being posted to goodreads first and I am finding it rather pointless to continue sharing the same things both places. There will be some reviews from myself and my sister (who I occasionally share reviews from) coming soon, but then I'm not sure where to take this blog.

What do you think I should do? Please share your thoughts with me! I don't want this blog to die, because I have spent a few years in this space and I still love it, but I also don't want it just to be identical to my goodreads. And honestly, I do more actual review interaction over there. Maybe that's a me thing, but it's still true.

Would you like more discussion posts? Recommendations? Monthly favorites? To talk about things that aren't books? Posts about the book events I attend (even if there aren't that many)? More author interviews and guest posts? Book to movie/miniseries comparisons?

I am open to suggestions and would greatly appreciate any input you have to offer. I want to revitalize this blog in the best way and I need your help to do so.

Comment away!

Karen Richardson~Interview

Karen Richardson is the author of The Ordinary Series which currently consists of The Ordinary and The Heir. You can (and should!) follow Karen on all of her social media (linked below):

The Ordinary Blog

Goodreads

Instagram

Facebook

Here is a little more information about The Ordinary: 

Natalie, a recent college graduate, has waited her entire life to spread her proverbial wings to teach those with actual wings how to blend in with the Ordinary world they have been well hidden from most of their lives. Her father, a Historian, who stumbled upon the Essential world and somehow managed to insert himself into the fairy-like Kingdom, gave her the opportunity to merge her love of teaching with her interest in the magical, energy wielding group. However, her quiet days of teaching do not last long and she finds herself in the midst of surrounding Kingdoms’ conflicts and smack dab in the middle of a violent search for the Ordinary heir to the Kingdom of Kapleton’s throne. Haunted by a recurring dream and caught between Chris, the man she thought she would marry, and Jordan, an Essential she is unexplainably drawn to, Natalie tries to manage this new, tumultuous world she has become a part of. Natalie may have gone to Kambrasia to teach Essentials how to live in the Ordinary world, but will she survive in theirs?

You can find The Ordinary and The Heir in both physical and ebook formats on Amazon. I highly recommend you give the series a try if you enjoy Young Adult fantasy. And consider leaving a review on goodreads and/or Amazon if you do give it a read.

Now onto the interview! 

Interview

Are any of your characters inspired by living people?

One of the best parts of writing this series has been intertwining my real life with this fantasy world. I think most of my characters are inspired by living people. Natalie has a lot of the fears and anxiety issues that I have. Natalie’s father is a history professor…I’m married to one! Gage fathers Natalie in a way I see my husband fathering our children. Ky’s personality is definitely inspired by my daughter, Kyleigh. There are anecdotes throughout that really happened in our family or in my childhood. I could go on and on. Definitely a yes to this question!

What is one message you hope readers take away from reading The Ordinary?

This was meant to be a fun read—an escape from life for a few of hours before you have to settle back into reality. However, there is an underlying message. I think many of us go through times in our lives where we feel absolutely ordinary. We compare our worst to someone’s best and intensify those ordinary feelings even more. What I wanted readers (and my kids!)  to pick up when they read this is that there is some extraordinary in all of us. It may look differently than the person next to you, but it’s there. You are anything but ordinary!

Do you listen to music while writing? If so, what kind?

I do not listen to music but in fairness, I haven’t tried. I’m pretty happy in my head and tune out much of what’s happening around me when I write. I doubt I’d hear much of it if I did play it while I wrote! Although, love songs inspire my writing!

Are you a plotter or an pantser?

Definitely a pantser. I have a loose plot in my head but can’t imagine plotting out the entire story. I know that is so much work and when I came to a place where the story wanted to take me somewhere else, I would definitely rethink that, knowing I would have to do all the work to redo the plot outline! Ha! Besides, for me, that’s what makes writing so fun and so therapeutic. Those parts that surprise me? I live for those moments! I write for those moments.

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

I’ve always enjoyed writing. I never thought of myself as a writer, though. I’ve always had stories running through my head and really enjoyed the writing I did, but never thought myself good enough to be considered a writer. Remember, Natalie gets her ordinary complex from me! My husband has been telling me for years what a great writer I am and that I needed to write a book. I finally listened. It’s still such a vulnerable place for me to be. I wrote the entire first book, The Ordinary, and only my husband and kids knew. Putting my writing out for the world is terrifying for me. Doing so has shown me how long I’ve sat in the shadows of my fear. Now I’m standing smack dab in the center of that fear and pushing myself every day. It’s so hard and so good! Looking back, yes, I always wanted to be a writer. I just didn’t have the confidence to tell anyone else until now!

What books have you loved that you would recommend to readers?

Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner taught me to love reading. I loved that series. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott and Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery will always be favorites. I loved The Help by Kathryn Stockett and aside from Nicholas Sparks’ pages of details I could live without, I really like his love stories and plot twists. I’m a sucker for a good fantasy. I want magic and wonder mixed with a good love story. I enjoyed Cassandra Claire’s series. I recently listened to Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn and while it was sometimes hard to follow (could have been we were on a cross country drive and kids interrupted a lot!) I fell in love with his storytelling abilities. I know there are more…I’m wishing I kept up on Goodreads better and had a good record of my reading ventures.

If your book were made into a movie, who would you want to play the leading role(s)?

I was just thinking about this! I need to explain something before I answer, though.

My daughter asked to read The Ordinary when I was deep in the editing process, so I handed her my marked up manuscript pages and told her to have fun. She came back ten minutes later and said she couldn’t understand it through all my editing. Ha! So, I began reading it to her. It was so awesome on so many levels. We literally began reading to our kids when they were tiny infants but eventually they became good enough readers they didn’t want to read with us any longer. It was really fun to share the magic of a story with her again…it was beyond amazing to share my story with her and see the characters come to life through her eyes. She would stop me as we read and give detailed descriptions of what she thought each character looked like (and lots of advice like Ordinaries and Essentials should definitely be able to have Essential babies!). It was so, so interesting for me to compare how I saw my characters to the way she saw them. Fascinating!

Now, to the question! I envision Natalie looking along the lines of Victoria Justice. I think one of the best parts of having your book made into a movie would be seeing your story through other creative minds. I don’t know…maybe that would backfire and it would end up nothing how I imagined! I want it to be a springboard for more awesome. That’s not too much to ask…right?

What is one piece of writing advice you would give to aspiring writers?

Keep detailed notes of all your characters. Even if they seem minor. You’d be surprised how often you need to remember what you named a character you thought you’d never “see” again! And, keep your notes organized. It takes me forever to find pieces of information I need and know I wrote down. Where was that again?

Is there anything you wish you had done differently in your writing career up to this point?

I wish I would have gotten serious about writing sooner. I always wrote. I always enjoyed twisting and changing words until they expressed how I was feeling on paper. It’s therapeutic for me. I just wish I would have been more purposeful about it sooner.

Are you currently working on any writing projects? If so, what can you tell us about them?

Yes! Right now I’m almost finished with the first draft of the third book in The Ordinary Series. It’s currently nameless but hopefully won’t be for long. My mind is in a bit of a creative struggle right now because I have an idea for another series that would really like some of the attention I’m giving The Ordinary Series. I’m excited because it will be the story of a minor character in the third book of The Ordinary Series. She kind of came out of nowhere and I can’t wait to tell her story.

Warbreaker~Brandon Sanderson | Review

Title: Warbreaker (Warbrekaer #1)
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy
Length: 688 Pages
Release: 2009

Review

"My life to yours. My breath become yours."

The first time I read Warbreaker, in the summer of 2014, I stayed late into the night just to finish. I will admit, the middle has some slow points that did not hold my attention as well as I would have liked on either read. But when I think back on the book, there isn't anything that I feel could be taken out. And I wanted to stay up listening to those last few hours just as I had stayed up to read them before. Alas, I did not allow myself to do so. 

We follow four main characters with inner connected stories. There is Siri, who is thrown into a role she never expected and did not prepare for; Vivenna, Siri's older sister who suddenly feels useless when everything she was trained for--though not looked forward to--is stripped from; Lightsong, the god who does not believe in his own dividity; and Vasher, the man who is trying to atone for the many sins that litter his past. 

Each of the four stories has their own high points. Lightsong is my favorite character of the bunch and his story is phenomenal. It's interesting to see him trying not to care, wanting to be the idle man he always says he is, and then being unable to follow through. He cares, and it's his caring, along with his sense of humor, that make him such a standout. He has some beautiful moments that I would rank among Sanderson's best.

While overall Vivenna was not my favorite perspective on either reading, her character has excellent development. I think I found her more relatable on this reading and by the end she held a much higher place in my thoughts. We watch her go from a stuck up, naive princess into something more as she allows herself to think and feel all of the things she has been suppressing in order to be the perfect Idrian. 

Siri has a less dramatic character arc than her sister, but she does develop well throughout. It's fun to see her adapting to her new life and discovering that not everything she has been taught is true and not everything you see is what it seems. 

Vasher has the least amount of page time, but that makes more sense as revelations are made. He's gruff and grumpy, which might be one of the things that is appealing about him. He balances out the lightheartedness of Lightsong. Plus, he has a cool sword for a companion. What's not to like about that?

Now that I've talked about the main characters, let me touch on the plot a little bit. The main focus is the conflict between two nations that used to be one. Hallandren--a nation ruled by the God King and his pantheon of Returned (Lightsong among them), and Idris--a small mountain nation ruled by a family descended from the ancient ruler of Hallandren. 

The two nations are culturally and religiously different, which puts a strain on their already tenuous relationship. The marriage of the God King of Hallandren to one of the Idrian princesses causes a stir in the courts of the gods, pushing them toward war. 

And, of course, on top of all this is the magic system. The magic on this world is fueled by breath (or the soul, to the Idrians) and someone with enough breath can awaken inanimate objects and command them. Along with breath, the Awakener also has to have access to color, which is used, along with the breath, to fuel awakening. I probably say this about every Sanderson magic system but--this is amazing. I loved reading about awakening and all of its rules. I hope that he does revisit this world in the future. 

Overall, I enjoyed this reading as much as, if not more than, the first one. I just can't believe it took me over three years to revisit this. Sanderson's technique may have improved overall, but his characters and magic system are at their very best here. 

I did this reading on audio and Alyssa Bresnahan did quite well with the story. There wasn't anything that I disliked about her narration and I thought she did an excellent job voicing certain characters. Denth and Nightblood might have been the two that I liked best. 

And now, let me leave you with some Lightsong wisdom:

"Talking to you is like swimming in a river," she said. "I keep getting pulled along with the current and I'm never sure when I'll be able to take another breath."

"Watch out for the rocks, Vessel," the high priest noted. "They look rather insignificant, but have sharp edges under the surface."

"Bah," Lightsong said. "It's the crocodiles you have to watch for. They can bite. And...what exactly were we talking about, anyway?"

Blood Song~Anthony Ryan | Review

Title: Blood Song (Raven's Shadow #1)
Author: Anthony Ryan
Genre: Fantasy
Length: 591 Pages
Release: January 2011

Review

"He had seen men drunk before but never on blood."

I make it a point of not reading books that I don't think I will like, but sometimes I like books more than I expect to like them. This is one of those. I expected it to be a lot darker than I like to read, and it was dark, but it was also well written and had so many underlying tones of hope and goodness that it kept the darkness from being overpowering.

Vaelin was a really likable character, which surprised me somewhat. For no real reason either. I enjoyed his progression from beginning to end. From a young child and on into adulthood, his story is never easy. He does some terrible things along the way--he's definitely not an innocent man, but he's also good in a lot of ways and I loved that about him. 

A majority of the other characters were also likable. My favorites were Nortah and Frentis, though neither of them appeared as much as I would have liked, particularly near the end. 

While I did really enjoy this novel a lot, I don't know that I will continue with the series. I've heard so many negative things about the following installments, particularly the final one, and I don't want to ruin how much I liked this one. In a few months I will reevaluate and see if I have changed my mind on that. I won't have time to pick it up before then anyway. 

Doll Bones~Holly Black | Review

Title: Doll Bones
Author: Holly Black
Genre: Middle Grade Mystery
Length: 244 Pages
Release: May 2013

Review

"Protecting somebody by hurting them before someone else gets the chance isn't the kind of protecting that anybody wants."

I don't know what to call this book. It's middlegrade, but what genre does it fit? Fantasy? Horror? Mystery? Suspense? There doesn't seem to be a good label to put with this. 

This story captured my attention with it's eerie synopsis and it kept my attention as I listened to the tale of Zach, Alice, and Poppy. It's well written and has a fun, sometimes creepy story. All three children are also extremely imaginative, which I love. It was great how there was kind of a story inside of a story feel to this, since their game involved queens, pirates, and thieves who were adventuring aboard a ship searching for answers. 

The three kids seemed like real twelve-year-olds. They fought about silly things, but they also worried about important ones. They were scared of growing up and leaving behind the worlds their imaginations created, of growing apart and never being able to have that back. Because you never know what growing up might do. 

All of the descriptions of the queen were creepy and I loved it. The ending was satisfactory. I will definitely be recommending this to my nieces and nephews and hope to turn them into fans alongside me. 

Nick Podehl narrated the audiobook and I thought it was done really well. Sometimes men doing voices for girls can sound odd, but overall his weren't that annoying. It also wasn't made to sound too childlike, which can sometimes be a drawback in middlegrade audiobooks. Definitely recommend the story and the audio for this one.

The Magnolia Story~Chip and Joanna Gaines | Review

Title: The Magnolia Story
Author: Chip and Joanna Gaines
Genre: Nonfiction/Memoir
Length: 208 Pages
Release: October 2016

Review

I don't watch a lot of TV, but I have seen Fixer Upper a few times with my family and I always find it interesting. I don't know what drew me to this book, but when I saw that I could get it on audio through my library Overdrive account, I decided to give it a listen. 

This was hilarious. I was laughing out loud within the first twenty minutes. Chip and Joanna have a great story and hearing about their meeting, falling in love, and later being married and what they've done with their family was really inspirational. 

One thing that I love is that they don't take God and their beliefs out of things. They talk about their faith, praying for guidance, and how God has been present in their lives, even when they didn't realize it. That is quite refreshing to me. I also appreciate that they aren't pushy with their beliefs, they let you know what they believe without preaching. Jo said it best there at the end of the book--they want people to follow their dreams. 

Going into this I wasn't expecting to be so inspired. But I was. They made me want to work harder and really try to make the things I love work for me. And I think that with the right amount of effort and time, I can. They have given me a lot of things to think about and ideas to run with. 

The main drawback with this for me was the style it was done in. It worked great for audio, particularly since Chip and Jo narrated it themselves, but I think it would have been awkward to actually read. I haven't tried it, so I can't say if this is definitely the case, but while listening I was always glad that I was listening and not reading. I don't think I would have gotten as much from it in that format.

Gardens of the Moon~Steven Erikson | Review

Title: Gardens of the Moon (Malazan Book of the Fallen #1)
Author: Steven Erikson
Genre: Fantasy
Length: 666 Pages
Release: 1999

Review

There are some books that it's really hard to write reviews for. This is one of those books. 

I don't know what I expected going into this, but somehow what I got wasn't it, but in a good way. For some reason I had imagined that this book would be really dark and depressing. I don't tend to enjoy grimdark novels all that much and I think that's what I expected from this. So while this definitely had some dark tones, I didn't find the writing or the story itself particularly depressing. I hope that holds up as the series continues. 

This novel follows a lot of characters, which I really enjoy. Large casts of characters always make things exciting for me. In the beginning I had a hard time connecting with the characters, though I found them all interesting. The more I got to know them, however, the more I started to appreciate them. There is no standout character that I became attached to, but there are several that I like for different reasons. Paran was an early favorite. Then there were Toc and Kruppe. Then I started to really enjoy Kalam, Quick Ben, and Rallick. And from there it kept building until I really liked them all, in some way. Even the ones that didn't seem all that likable. 

This isn't a typical good versus evil story, at least not on the surface. In the beginning I was searching for who the good guys were, only to discover that we were getting perspectives from nearly every angle and while some of the actions taken were questionable, there was still no clear line separating the "good" from the "bad." At first this was odd for me, but the more I read the more I liked it. 

The plot is very involved and I'm sure will continue to expand as the series progresses. I am positive that I did not catch all of the nuances throughout, but the details that did come together were pretty great. And there are still plenty of questions for later, without leaving me feeling unsatisfied with the ending. 

I really enjoyed this book and definitely recommend it to those who enjoy epic and high fantasy with large casts of characters and a plethora of characters and perspectives. It's well written, exciting, and a lot of fun.