It has been a trying couple of days. My mother called me Friday with a gun to her head, and I had to call the police and have her committed…not fun. My uncle died on Sunday, and while I love him and will miss him terribly, I’m more concerned for my dad. Uncle Warren was the closest thing my dad had to a real father, and he’s devastated. Then on Monday, we found out my step-dad relapsed. I just need a cease-fire with the universe. Seriously, I freaking give. I cannot take not one more bit of bad news.
Luckily, my job has been very understanding about me needing some time off. I need something to keep me busy, but being shouted at by patients all-day would not be ok right now. So, I’ve been working on book reviews and keeping up my social media. I got another round of revisions from my editor back yesterday, but I’m not quite ready for criticism at the moment, so it will have to wait until I’m more put together. On that note, I have three book reviews for you. The first being one of the reviews promised by my 5,000 followers post on Twitter.
The Kingdom of Mystic Forest, by J. Martinez
It is my pleasure and honor to have gotten to read, The Kingdom of Mystic Forest, by J. Martinez. J. Martinez is an up and coming indie author, who has a spellbinding imagination but lacks a bit on delivery.
The book reads more like the author’s outline and not a story. It has all the information there, but it’s just thrown at you instead of being woven together. The dialog could use some oil too. It’s stiff and not organic. There aren’t chapter breaks which would help with the flow issues, and the chapters feel like they could be many chapters with a good deal more meat added to their bones.
The story itself isn’t bad and reminds me of the 1977 movie, Wizards. I think with the aid of a few beta readers and a professional editor this could be an excellent book!
Please support indie authors and make up your own mind! You can find this book here: https://www.amazon.com/Kingdom-Mystic-Forest-J-Martinez-ebook/dp/B07QR98WNP/ref=sr_1_1?crid=MOWDGOW70J1S&keywords=the+kingdom+of+mystic+forest&qid=1565126208&s=gateway&sprefix=the+kingdom+of+mystic%2Caps%2C1630&sr=8-1
Garden Spells, by Sarah Addison Allen
I just went through a couple of dark books before reading this, and it was just the pallet cleanser I needed. Garden Spells, is delightful, light-hearted, and Hallmark Channel worthy. If you’re looking for a quick summer read with a happy ending, this is your book.
The Waverly sisters are the right amount of complicated without going too dark or dramatic. I really love the way the author has balanced the real world by tossing in just a sprinkling of magic to keep it interesting. I have to admit that my favorite character is the apple tree. I’m a sucker for trickster characters, but who doesn’t appreciate a little mischief?
Murder in Montparnasse, by Kerry Greenwood
By now, it’s no secret I’m a huge fan of Kerry Greenwood’s, Phryne Fisher series. Phyrne is smart, sexy, and totally addictive. Murder in Montparnasse does not disappoint! I love that this book takes a dive into Phryne’s past and lets you see a more vulnerable side to her character. It’s so hard to review her books without giving away too much! Suffice it to say Phyrne solves this mystery in her usual artful and mildly scandalous style. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book!
As you can see, I have been busy, and I’m about to get back to it. I leave you with a picture of my late Uncle Warren and my dad.
Leave a Reply