March: A Month Of Rain, Renewal, And Reading.

The renewal of my bookish ways is freeing. There are countless reasons I stopped book blogging (some make sense, others not so much). None of the reasons matter now. Because I'm moving forward! And it is everything. Here are a few highlights!

On My E-Reader:

I'm in love with my new blog feature On My E-Reader. There are so many amazing books on my kindle I haven't read yet! The first two books I shared Marianne Hansen's The Unscripted Life of Lizzy Dillinger and Ainsley Wynter's  Kissed at Midnight (The Lost Royals) are debut novels I'm bonkers excited about. If you haven't checked them out, what are you waiting for?! Do. It.

Beta Reading:

Over the last few months I have beta read some great stories. Currently, I’m reading Lisa Shambrook’s The Seren Stone (book one of The Seren Stone Chronicles). It’s high fantasy at its best: dragons, mysterious stones, adorable talking not-lizards, and so much more. That I obviously can’t talk about since I’m beta reading and the book isn’t out yet. But I’d recommend following the lovely Lisa on Twitter and Instagram and all the places for publishing news and cover reveals and all the awesome to come!

The Reaper's Bride:

Speaking of beta reading, last month I beta read Angie Richmond's debut novel The Reaper's Bride. You. Guys. It's so good. You want it on your to read list! Angie posted the book blurb on her website this weekend (alongside a quick Twitter review I wrote for The Reaper's Bride). Check out the book blurb here and watch for a full review of The Reaper's Bride (book one of The Reaper's Chronicles) on my blog in May 2019!

The Wicked King:

In more reading news: This weekend, I finished The Wicked King by Holly Black (book two of The Folk of the Air series). It's brutal and heartfelt and had me on the edge of my seat. If you're looking for a YA fairy fantasy that will leave you speechless look no further.

Looking Ahead!

There's so much bookish awesome to look forward to this year. From novels I can't wait to read (the final Caraval book, anyone?) to my writing (subscribe to my newsletter to stay up to date!) returning to my bookworm roots was a longtime coming. And it has not only inspired me, but helped me remember why I love writing and reading and yes, even publishing!

What books did you read this month? Got a favorite?

Is there a novel coming out later this year you're excited about?

Newsletter Exclusive: A Brand New All The What Ifs Bonus Chapter

That's right, folks! This month's exclusive content for my newsletter subscribers is an All The What Ifs bonus chapter.

Not the exclusive All The What Ifs bonus chapter from Lucas's point of view at the back of Of Lies and Zombies, which I'm sure you've all read (*wink wink*) and loved! But a brand new scene that takes place the day before from Ashley's point of view. And y'all thought Christmas was over!

What's that? You'd like a little taste of what's to come? I guess if you insist:

what if ... we fell apart?

“Stop hoarding the cookie butter, Ashley. Or we’ll be beefing.”
Ashley Morgan looked up from the paper plate cradled in her lap, her eyes locking on her best friend Natalie. The clear blue sky overhead gazed down on the friends. The afternoon sun baked into the ground. Heat hung heavy in the air, leeching life out of the world, turning the grass brown, cracking the soil.
Ashley’s eyes narrowed on Natalie who jabbed a plastic knife at her.
“Beefing,” Natalie repeated, dragging out the word.
“Nat.” Ashley gestured toward the unopened jar of cookie butter on the quilted blanket next to her knee. “I haven’t even opened the jar.”
“I’m staking my claim early.”
“To the whole jar of cookie butter?”
“Cookie butter mine, peanut butter yours. Don’t hate, cause I thought of it first.” Natalie huffed. “And you’re supposed to be the smart one.”
“Clearly I am not.”

Annnnnd scene. Well. Not really. There's more. But my lips are sealed. However, sign-up for my monthly newsletter and you'll receive the rest of this scene in your inbox this week and learn what Natalie and Ashley are up to. Plus when you sign-up you'll be entered for a chance to win an Of Lies and Zombies paperback!

It's a win-win, my friends. Don't think! Sign-up here:

ang has got your newsletter sneak peek right here

What you'll find in this month's newsletter:

• an Ang ramble 
• a review and pics of Of Lies and Zombies 
• a pic of the best dog in the world 
• ebook sale info 
• a giveaway winner 
• how to enter a giveaway for an Of Lies and Zombies paperback

Dog Days of Summer 

Summer is in full swing, my friends. The ground is lava. Our trash is unspeakably disgusting. I could go on and on but I will spare you. Summer is that magical time when the world is too bright and brittle and my brain is on overload. Funny how the season that brings so much joy to so many people manages to weigh me down. We humans are weird.

But despite my bah-humbug feelings and longing for not hell outside I've been trying my best to see my world from a new perspective. It's a work in progress. One that's uncomfortable as I come face to face with facts about myself. The most difficult fact I've been struggling with is I do not feel I have the right to publish and so I hide. I hide behind my responsibilities. I hide behind helping others. I hide behind feeling unimportant and not special and no different from everyone else and the weight of other people's responsibilities and problems. I hide because it's been my knee jerk reaction since I was a kid and now I feel stuck. I prefer for people to ignore me and my books. It's my comfort zone. 

Writing is hard. Editing is a nightmare. Publishing is gut-wrenching. But the hardest thing I've struggled with since publishing All The What Ifs is feeling like an impostor.

This isn't a new revelation. However the weight of it is suffocating me. And I'm left with the realization that how I feel is okay, hiding doesn't make me a terrible person, and I am only stuck for as long as I allow myself to be.

As this too bright, too hot, too much summer continues to press down around me, I'm determined more than ever to allow myself the right to these feelings and work toward moving forward. One messy, overthinking step at a time.

Want more?

Heck yeah you do!

Click here to read the rest of this month's newsletter.

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