Tuesday, June 25, 2019

June: Where Did You Go, Boo?

Somehow it is the last week of June. Not sure how, but the calendar assures me it’s a fact.

Time is relentless. And as I sit here thinking back on the first six months of 2019, it’s all too easy to focus on what’s gone wrong and what I haven’t been able to achieve. So I hope you'll humor me while I look back on the last six months and twist these negative thoughts into positive ones.

1. Of Lies and Zombies turned one!
Topping the list is the book that made me an author times two. There have been moments in the past when I’ve allowed myself to believe only publishing two books over the last decade is some kind of failure. Lately I have been embracing the idea that not only is publishing one story (be it a short story or a fan fiction or a full-length novel) an amazing achievement but writing a story from start to finish is noteworthy too. Every writer who has achieved this goal should take a moment to pat themselves on the back and realize they’ve accomplished something big.

Wherever you are on your writing journey know what you’re working on is worthy and you have achieved so much. Keep moving forward. Write the words. Work toward the goal. You are awesome.

2. Blogging again is a joy.
Getting back into book blogging after years of floundering is so much stinking fun. Sharing my favorite books and talking about the authors I heart is something I have missed. Ultimately it doesn't matter if others think it's a waste of time or believe it's not what authors should be doing. I'm an author. It's what I'm doing. Making it a thing authors do. Fancy that.

3. It’s been a good bookish year (so far).
This year (so far) has been an awesome reading year. I have primarily been reading young adult novels. And why not? I’m a young adult author. The idea that I should be ashamed of my reading habits is so strange. The need to prove myself to other authors and readers (that I am not just writing fluffy, silly kid stories) is a pressure I put on myself and need to let go. I heart young adult novels. I do not think I’m too old for them. And I read and write young adult novels because I enjoy them. Case closed.

4. I haven’t told someone not to read my books in a long time.
If you’ve followed my publishing journey over the last three and a half years, you know I have this terrible habit of telling people not to read my books. Why? It's complicated.

But I can report that while the urge to slap my book out of a reader's hands is still a daily struggle, I am much more relaxed about it. And instead of telling people not to read my books, I simply say thank you when they mention it to me. Progress. Imagine that?

5. This is me. This is my struggle.
Welcome to the party.
I am not a fan of social media. Large group settings (even online) are exhausting. I dislike sharing my thoughts on social media and struggle to feel like what I say online is important or interesting.

This is me. This is what I struggle with. In the past, when these feelings have overwhelmed me, I have disappeared: no tweets, no Instagram posts, no book promotions, no blog posts, nothing. How it comes across I can venture to guess, but the reality is I hide because I am uncomfortable and unsure.

Some might think I’m making this up. Others might think I’m just quirky. The reality is everything I share online feels like a tiny piece of myself I am giving away. And don’t even get me started on publishing my books.

So why do it? Why does it matter? How do I turn this one into a positive?

Let's take these one at a time:

Why do I do this? Because I wrote two books. And I have so many more inside of me.

Why does it matter? Because I care.

How do I turn this into a positive? Keep moving forward despite my desire to give up and hide.

Because one day I will regret hiding. None of these things make me weak. None of these things make me broken. We all struggle. Even if we don’t want to admit it. And deep down we all hope someone will see us and tell us what we do matters.

But what if we decided we mattered to ourselves? What if we did the things not because someone else validated our work, but because we decided our work is important and good? What if we moved forward no matter the pressure of the status quo or our irrational thoughts?

These are my positives. These are the things I'm taking with me into the second half of this year. And I hope you too can believe that you matter, that your work matters, and that we all can and will do the things.

Tuesday, June 18, 2019

On My E-Reader: The Selkie Spell

Back in March I reviewed USA Today bestselling author Sophie Moss's Wind Chime CafĂ© (book one of the Wind Chime series). You may have heard of Ms. Moss's other series The Seal Island Trilogy. A series I have not  read, but it's on my E-Reader and here's why!
amazon
goodreads
Book Description: American doctor Tara Moore wants to disappear. On the run from an abusive husband, she seeks shelter on a windswept Irish island and dismisses the villagers' speculation that she is descended from a selkie—a magical creature who is bewitching the island. But when a ghostly woman appears to her with a warning, Tara realizes it was more than chance that brought her to this island. Desperate to escape a dark and dangerous past, she struggles against a passionate attraction to handsome islander, Dominic O'Sullivan. But the enchantment of the island soon overpowers her and she falls helpless under its spell. Caught between magic and reality, Tara must find a way to wield both when a dangerous stranger from her past arrives, threatening to destroy the lives of everyone on the island.

Reasons I bought it: Growing up my grandma told me stories about selkies. They intrigued me. Anytime I see a book or movie with them in it I get nostalgic for rainy spring days on Long Island sitting in my grandmother's den listening to her tales.

A selkie story set in modern times is appealing for so many reasons! Plus knowing Ms. Moss's writing style, storytelling skills, and love for Ireland (which you too can find out about by following her on Instagram and Twitter!), I'm positive I will enjoy this series.

It's a shame I haven't read The Selkie Spell yet! It's at the top of my summertime to read list.

Check out Sophie Moss's website, Instagram, and Twitter.
Pick up a copy for kindle, nook, ibooks, kobo, and google play: links here!

Have you read The Selkie Spell?
If so, did you review it?
I'd love to hear what you thought!

Also:
What are your reading plans this summer?
Anything I NEED to check out right meow!?!

Tuesday, June 11, 2019

A Book Review: Awake (A Fairytale Trilogy)

This month's book review is Jessica Grey's Awake (book one of the Fairytale Trilogy). A series filled with magic, friendship, and swoon!
goodreads
amazon
Book Description: Alexandra Martin didn't believe in fairytales.

Alex has always been more interested in rocks and science than stories about princesses and magic. Now she’s far too busy with her summer internship at the Gem and Mineral Museum to think about children’s stories. Between avoiding her former best friend and high school baseball star, Luke Reed, and trying to hide her unrequited crush on her mentor at the museum, the real world is occupying all of her time.

Until she walked into one.

It turns out fairytales aren’t all fun and games. A curse has turned her neat and orderly world upside down, and to break it, she bands together with a fellow intern and a recently awakened princess who’s been asleep for 900 years. Can this trio of unlikely heroines put an end to an ominous enchantment, discover true love, and keep an ancient and evil magic from being unleashed on modern-day Los Angeles?

Ang's Review: Awake: A Fairytale is refreshing. Ms. Grey does a fantastic job of taking an old classic and making it her own. At the heart of this fairytale is the bond of friendship between three girls: Lilia, Becca, and Alex. The girls learn to not only rely on their own powers, but to depend upon each other and help build one another up. They present a fantastic example of what true and lasting friendships should be built upon: trust, caring, encouragement, and fun.

Luke is a-flippin-dorable: handsome, snarky, and smart. He's not your typical jock nor your traditional "hero." He's an even keeled character willing to protect those he cares about, while at the same time brave enough to let others save the day.

The twist and turns of the plot were what kept me reading. I enjoyed seeing how Ms. Grey weaved the classic tale of Sleeping Beauty with her own modern musings. The main focus of this story is the developing plot. Ms. Grey does not play up the angst and drama between Luke and Alex in order to make for inorganic tension, but trusts her story and her writing to do it naturally. If you are a fan of fairytales retold and looking for something fun and heartfelt, this is the book for you.

Pick up a copy today on Amazon!
And while you're at it check out
Atone (book two of the series) and Avowed (a novella).

Tuesday, June 4, 2019

Ang's Top Five Books Read This Year (So Far)

It's June, my friends. Summer is right around the corner. And I have decided to take a moment to reflect back on what I have read this year (so far)! I am guilty of getting to the end of the year and barely remembering the books that I kicked off the year reading. No. More! This month's top five is five books I read this year (from January to April) and loved! In no particular order they are:

The Reaper's Bride by A.J. Richmond
Full review on my blog here.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Who knew Ocean's Eleven meets
an epic fantasy novel
was what my life was missing?!
Not me. And what a fool I've been!
Man, this book was good.

Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black
Haven't read a vampire book in a hot minute.
But I'm pretty sure this is my new favorite.
Goooood gravy, I want a monster of my own now too!

A Symphony of Dragons by Lisa Shambrook
Full review on my blog here.

A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
goodreads
My GoodReads Review:
Boasting an innovative plot and compelling characters,
A Curse So Dark and Lonely is a captivating re-imagining
of the Beauty and the Beast fable.
The pages flew by despite the book's length,
making it a quick, enjoyable read.

You can find the complete list of books I have read here.
What books have been your favorite this year (so far)?
Are you on GoodReads? If so, are we friends?!
Did you know I have two GoodReads pages: author and reader?
Happy June, my friends!