Rennie St. James's Blog: Ramblings, page 3

2022 Book Chat 4 – City of Thorns

Welcome to our April 2022 Book Chat! I’ll be honest that even after reading this one, I’m not sure exactly what I think about it. We definitely have a lot to chat about so let’s jump right in with the usual details.

City of Thorns by C.N. Crawford
Book 1 of 3: The Demon Queen Trials
Published: Aug 13, 2021
Amazon: 3,423 ratings; 4.3 avg
Goodreads: 10,862 ratings; 3.95 avg
1st person POV
Trope: enemies to lovers, identical strangers

I never thought I’d be singing happy birthday to...

10 Adulting Tips from a Somewhat Reluctant Adult

No, I’m not rich or well-known, but I do consider myself a somewhat successful adult. You know the dieting advice to eat healthy 85% of the time and then you can indulge 15% of the time? That’s kinda my approach to adulting. Usually, I’m on top of things and I enjoy that; however, sometimes, I slack and I’m okay with that too. Hence, the title of the post – I can be a somewhat reluctant adult even after so many years!

I recently saw an article requesting adulting tips of things people wish t...

2022 Book Chat 3 – Storm and Fury

My apologies for the delayed posting. I’ve been sick recently and basically got behind on, well, everything. Please don’t take the delay as a slight toward the book (spoiler alert – I enjoyed this one)! Let’s start with the usual info and then we’ll chat!

Storm and Fury by Jennifer Armentrout
Harbinger Book 1 of 3
6/11/19 Publication date
Amazon: 3,928 ratings; 4.5 avg
Goodreads: 34,445 ratings; 4.11 avg
Tropes: chosen one
POV: 1st person

Meet Trinity Marrow, a girl with an explosive...

2022 Book Chat 2 – Urban Shaman

February was a short month so it is already time for our second Book Chat of the year. Let’s jump right into the book details!

Urban Shaman by C.E. Murphy
Published: 5/27/09
Book 1 of 8 (The Walker Papers)
Goodreads: 3.74 avg [14,595 ratings, 841 reviews]
Amazon: 4.3 avg [443 ratings]

Joanne Walker has three days to learn to use her shamanic powers and save the world from the unleashed Wild Hunt.
No worries. No pressure. Never mind the lack of sleep, the perplexing new talent for...

Do be catty [a CBS Ghosts flash fiction by a fan]

Yes, my new obsession is the CBS show Ghosts. As I’m a writer, I’d like to show my appreciation and enthusiastic support with a piece of flash fiction (613 words to be exact). Please note that I do not own Ghosts and am not profiting by this fun tribute to my new favorite show.

Do be catty
by Rennie St. James

She prowled along the border of the estate as was her right since they had disturbed her rest. Head held high, she ignored the strangers and sought a sunny spot to watch her home....

2022 Book Chat 1 – Soulless

I’m so excited to be back chatting all things fantasy in 2022! Soulless is another book I often see recommended in reader groups so it’s been on my list for quite a while. I’m very glad I moved it to the front to start the new year.

Soulless book cover

Soulless (Parasol Protectorate 1) by Gail Carriger
Published: Sept 4, 2009
Book 1 of 5
Amazon: 1,510 ratings, 4.4 avg
Goodreads: 112,487 ratings; 3.87 avg

Buffy meets Jane Austen in the first book of this wickedly funny NYT bestse...

A New Leaf is Still a Leaf [and that’s ok]

A new leaf is still a leaf…and that’s okay [aka Tips for New Year’s Resolutions and #newyearnewyou]

We can all stand to make changes and improve ourselves. I would hope no one would deny that. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t love and appreciate ourselves as we are. Who is willing to try something else for 2022?

For every change/ resolution you make, link it to something good/ positive that you like about yourself!

I’ve read (okay scanned) various articles about training our brai...

Book Chat 11: Paranormal Nonsense

Book Chat 11: Paranormal Nonsense

The holidays are upon us and things are busy so I’m posting this a little early. Additionally, this is our last 2021 Book Chat and there’s a lot to discuss so let’s jump in with the usual book basics.

Paranormal Nonsense cover

Paranormal Nonsense: Blue Moon Investigations Book 1 – A Snarky Paranormal Detective Mystery by Steve Higgs
Book 1 of 21
Published: 6/14/17
Amazon: 4.2 avg, 479 global ratings
Goodreads: 3.97, 904 ratings

The paranormal...

2022 Fantasy Adventure Book Chat

Fantasy Adventure Book Chat

If your New Year’s Resolution is or will be to read more, then you are in the right place!

I had so much fun and learned so much during my first year with Book Chat that I plan to continue the blog series in 2022. My goal remains the same: review a fantasy book each month as a reader and as a writer. BTW, I absolutely love that reading is part of an author’s job description! This Book Chat series allows me to enjoy amazing books by fellow authors. It also helps ...

Book Chat 10: Three Mages and a Margarita

Book Chat 10: Three Mages and a Margarita by Annette Marie

Let’s just get this out of the way – not only did I start this one early, but I’ve also read further in the series. The only other Book Chat I’ve done that with this year is Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows. Spoiler alert: I’m now a fan of Annette Marie!

Still though, we need to stick with the program and means starting with the book details.

Threes Mages and a Margarita (The Guild Codex: Spellbound)
Book 1 of 8 (other conn...