Kellyn Roth's Blog: Kellyn Roth, Author, page 28

Welcome to Reveries Co! (e.g. the reason why I’m currently going insane)

[image error]

Hey, ladies and gents! Here’s what you’ve all been waiting for … a book bundle giveaway, HUGE discounts, an amazing Facebook party, and more!

Basically, we’ve got it all … and NOW you are welcome to take advantage of them! Enter the giveaway, use the discounts (before they all run out!), and be sure to check out our social media accounts.

Throughout the week, I’ll be holding flash giveaways for various items through social media. They’ll be a lot of awesome things at the Facebook party, too. Stay tuned!

[image error]

[image error]

So, today I’m going to tell you a little about Reveries Co.

Here’s our story.

On September 8th 2018, I was designing a site for my cover design business. As I drag-and-dropped the elements around, I realized I needed a shiny, flashy tagline. So I started thinking about my goals as a service provider.

I wanted to help authors like me succeed! I wanted to make sure that every writer got the best services, personalized to their needs, at the best prices.

But how could I do that? Editing is a service every author needs, but I’m not an editor, so I can’t offer editing.

Every blogger, writer, and author needs a website, but web design isn’t my specialty. In fact, I tend to get frustrated with all that coding and other nonsense; I like to keep it simple. But a lot of people need more than “simple.”

Suffice to say, I didn’t have the expertise I needed to offer a one-stop-shop for authors, bloggers, and other businessmen and women who needed those services but couldn’t afford them, couldn’t find the right providers, and even struggled to know what they needed.

So I began planning … and in no time,

Reveries Co. Was Born!

Partnering with my dear friend, Angela R. Watts, I came up with a business plan, an application form, and a website.

[image error]

Now over fifteen service providers have joined our forces, from seasoned professionals like Savannah Jezowski, Jessica Greyson, and Abigayle Claire to up-and-coming entrepreneurs like Charis Rae, Jessie Bingham, and Michaela Bush.

Now we are dedicated to providing quality, personalized services for an affordable price. Our #1 goal is seeing you succeed in your writing endeavors. We even offer services such as consulting to give you the knowledge you need to go forward.

I firmly believe that with hard work and a little elbow grease, anyone can develop a career and business in the writing field. However, I acknowledge that we all need some help from time to time. We’re here to offer that help quickly and easily.

[image error]

Our team is a carefully-selected task force of experienced designers, editors, proofreaders, and other professionals, several of whom are authors themselves. Most of them have multiple years of experience and all have proven themselves to be consistent and trustworthy workers who offer quality services.

All service providers are held to consistent standards of operation and output. We keep a close tab on the quality and proceedings of each service. We’re a team, and we function as one, helping each other succeed as well as authors.

Website // Instagram // Facebook // Twitter

Now, I know you’d like to hear a bit about what’s going on with the tour, discounts, etc., so let me share something about that.

[image error]

The Giveaway

[image error]

The first item of importance is the giveaway! This giant book bundle has books by myself as well as Savannah Jezowski, Jessica Greyson, Rebekah Morris, Kendra E. Ardnek, and others!

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY NOW!

Facebook Party

[image error]

The official Facebook launch party will be at the end of this week (Saturday the 5th) from 12 PM to 3 PM PST.

I’ll be hosting a live video and taking your questions, assuming the internet cooperates, and there will be several giveaways, service provider spotlights, and other fun features.

CLICK TO JOIN!

During this party, we’ll also be offering a bunch of exclusive discounts and giveaways, so be sure to check in then!

Discounts

[image error]

Throughout the tour, we’re offering exclusive discounts. Everything from editing to book cover design to consulting has an extreme cut taken out of the price … but we only have a limited amount of spaces available.

Everything from 15% to 30% off of a bunch of different services – from editing to interior formatting to book cover design to website design! We even offer specialized coaching packages!

Book Us Now!

And that’s about it! I hope you’re able to join along with the blog tour and check out our other amazing posts!

Schedule

Tuesday, January 1st

Interview with Founder // Kendra E. Ardnek @ Knitted by God’s Plan

Spotlight // Abigail Harder @ Books, Life, and Christ

Announcement from Founder // Lila Diller @ Creating Romance

Wednesday, January 2nd

Announcement // Kellyn Roth @ Reveries

Spotlight // Mukta A @ Born Free

Interview with the Co-Manager // Jo A @ The Lens & the Hard Drive

Announcement from Founder // A. Kaylee @ Kaylee’s Kind of Writes

Guest Post from Founder // Emily Yager

Interview with Founder // Dawn Dagger

Announcement from Founder // Eva-Joy @ Coffee, Classics, and Craziness

Thursday, January 3rd

Interview with Co-Manager // Michaela Bush @ Tangled Up In Writing

Spotlight // Jessica Greyson

Interview with Founder // Parker Hankins @ Pencils and Pianos

Guest Post by Founder // Merie Shen @ Imperial Scribis

Announcement from Founder // Jana T. @ Reviews From the Stacks

Announcement from Founder // Hanne T. @ Losing The Busyness

Friday, January 4th

Announcement from Founder // Deborah @ Reading on the Edge

Announcement from Founder // Katherine Brown Books

Guest Post from Founder // Julia Witmer

Announcement from Founder // Jessie Bingham

Spotlight // Loretta @ Just Writing

Interview with Co-Manager // Isabel Olivetti @ Chasing Fantasia

Saturday, January 5th

Spotlight // Abigayle Claire @ The Left-Handed Typist

Spotlight // Gracelyn Buckner @ Literatura

Announcement from Founder // Faith Blum @ Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections

Guest Post from Founder // R.M. Archer @ Scribes & Archers

Wrapup // Kellyn Roth @ Reveries

[image error]

Have a great day!

TTFN!

~Kellyn Roth~

Goodreads · Facebook · Twitter

p.s.

So … HOW’S YOUR NEW YEAR BEEN SO FAR!???? I already almost broke two resolutions. #goodjobKell I don’t want to talk about it.

In Which We Examine 2018 and Look Towards 2019

[image error]

I am … significantly not ready for 2018. Like, I don’t know why, but it feels like … it was literally just 2017?

Oh, well. This year has really flown, and so much has happened that it’s almost overwhelming! There have been sad moments, bad moments, happy moments, triumphant moments …

Let’s get into it!

[image error]

Welcome to my 2019 Goals and Resolutions Post!

However, before we go forward, we must glance back. (That’s completely against my just-move-forward nature, but whatever.)

My 2018 Goals … how did I do?


Publish At Her Fingertips.

CHECK!

Hoorah! That went well, now, didn’t it?





Rewrite Beyond Her Calling.

CHECK!

I mean, I more like … edited it … because I decided it wasn’t as bad as I thought … but yeah.





Publish Beyond Her Calling.

CHECK!

DONE AND DONE!





Write and begin editing Alice Unanswered.

KINDA …

So I began writing it, but decided to rewrite it, and yep.





Finish writing Once a Stratton.

CHECK!

… and edited it and submitted it to a couple agents!





Write two other full-length novels.

CHECK!

Souls Astray, The Lady of the Vineyard, and a bunch of shorter stories. (See my writing update for this year.)





Participate in Camp NaNo and NaNoWriMo.

CHECK!

VERY WELL IF I DO SAY SO MYSELF.





Cut down on procrastination while writing, editing, etc.

KINDA …

I don’t really know?
I spent a lot of the year procrastinating, then wrote 118K in one month. So it kinda evens out?





Make a plan for your next couple years in writing.

CHECK!

Well, sort of, anyway. As close to plans as this girl will ever get!





Practice the clarinet and saxophone.

CHECK!

Well, I did … once or twice …





Graduate from high school.

CHECK!

This wasn’t optional, but yeah.





Make a budget and stick to it.

CHECK!

I mean, I never spend money – that’s a kind of a budget, right?





Read less – but read quality.

KINDA …

I’m not really sure? I read less than last year for sure, but I didn’t read tons of classics or anything.





Get 818 followers on Reveries.

CHECK!

I actually got 1,014 … so there, low expectations.





Blog more regularly on Reveries Reviews.

FAILED!

But only because I decided mid-year to discontinue Reveries Reviews and combine blogs!





Enjoy this summer – but be semi-productive.

Kinda …

I don’t remember doing anything productive all summer, but maybe I did? I don’t know?





Start a Bible study.

Failed!

I think I mostly just … didn’t want to. 

Modern Romantics vs. God’s Design for Wifehood (Part 2)

[image error]

Last week, we talked about how the Victorians felt about marriage and courtship along with one thing they got right!

Today I’m going to talk about God’s design for marriage. That’s a big subject for a seventeen-year-old with no formal intent to marry, but I’m gonna take it on anyway!

Also, we are so close to the New Year! Can’t wait to share my goals … and how 2018 went. 

The Victorian Ideal vs. Modern Romantics {Part 1}

[image error]

Just a couple weeks ago, I posted about how Christian girls shouldn’t wrap their worlds around marriage. And, to balance that out, now I’m going to give you some marriage advice!

Okay, okay. I’m joking! I’m really just going to ramble about a trope I’ve noticed in old books, some history, and how that relates to our modern romanticism, etc.

Are you ready for this? Because it’s a packed post! Ready … set … read!

[image error]

The Victorian Ideal vs. Modern Romantics

When we think about the Victorian era, specifically the morals and societal rules, we think of harshness. Rules too restraining to follow.

I mostly agree. All the rules about courtship, dress, etc. — all the proper little restraints — were unnecessary, and, more importantly, not based in any sort of Biblical or Godly backing.

They were just that — rules. Rules to make it harder for us to be moralistic and Godly. (As if we needed any help with that!)

I see it this way: if we were cows, you could say God gave us a nice, safe corral full of lush grazing fields, a trickling brook to explore and drink from, and grain, but not enough that we could founder from it.

Basically, God gave us a beautiful world full of beautiful things.

However, God, the farmer, gave our care to a farm boy (whoever makes societal rules … so I guess society itself!), and the farmboy built a second fence which keeps us away from the brook and the lush pastures. The farm boy also gave us no grain at all when we know very well that grain is all right and even healthy in small doses.

That’s what Victorian society did. It took away all the brooks, the green pastures, and the grain.

They were so restraining that it was impossible to follow all the rules, let alone want to follow them. True morality, true purity, love, grace, and mercy were lost … and so came prudishness, that holier-than-thou attitude, pride, and so many other sins.

This is probably why the kids of the ‘20s rebelled so hard, and why today we’re still fighting to get further and further away from that “Victorian ideal.”

However, the Victorians did have some things right, believe it or not!

Victorian Literature & Romance

One of my favorite authors is Gene Stratton-Porter. I’ve read all of her books, liking some better than others, but overall, I appreciate her characters, her vintage style, and her knack for understanding humanity and society (except for the fact that one of her books is awfully racist, but yeah).

Now, Porter isn’t directly a “Victorian author” given that her books were published in the early 1900s (1902-her death in the 1920s), but a lot of her ideas were Victorian ones, which makes sense as she began writing as a wife and mother who grew up Victorian.

Throughout Porter’s books, I’ve noticed a theme, and this theme is present in other books written during this era as well.

In these books, an idea is presented of the man adoring the woman, loving her unceasingly, loving her before she admits to loving him—or even before she seems to show anything beyond friendship and respect.

Idealistic Women Writing Idealistic Books, Perhaps?

Of course, my first thought was that Gene Stratton-Porter was an idealistic woman who wanted to believe that men adored all women like that. However, I’ve since learned that that theme is a popular belief or ideal of the era. Not just of the early 1900s, but the Victorian era.

In Porter’s Freckles, The Angel expresses it best when she reveals her dismay at telling the title character she loves him first: “‘Do you mean,’ she demanded, ‘that you don’t remember that a brazen, forward girl told you, when you hadn’t asked her, that she … that she loved you?’”

In A Six-Cylinder Courtship by Edward Salisbury Field, the main character also pursues a girl with no expectation of her loving him more than “a little bit,” and the same is reflected in several other of Porter’s novels.

The idea is also presented in Jane Eyre, where the title character spends most of the movie proving the exact opposite statement—women are capable of passion, of love, even when they are not properly married.

The Scarlet Letter is much the same in its exploration of morals, passion, and marriage, though of course Hester doesn’t get quite the ending Jane does.

Even the Incomparable Miss Austen!

To explore a bit further back, we find Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Everyone vividly remembers the saucy, back-and-forth passion of Miss Lizzy Bennet … but we forget about her older sister Jane.

Jane is in many ways a representation of this ideal despite the fact that Austen’s novels are not set during the Victorian era. She is passive, she is the one pursued, and when Mr. Bingley withdraws his courtship, she cannot simply write to him and say, “Hey bae, whut up, why you not call (on) me???”

Nope. Jane can’t do that. It’s not something a woman is supposed to do. Why? Because the man pursues. The woman simply accepts his courtship (or not).

In the end the decision lays with her, but in the beginning, not so much.

The Basic Victorian Ideal

You see, the ideal was simple—men would pursue and court the women.

He loved her until she was won over. Then she’d accept him. She was the one in power, really, though of course if he withdrew his affections, like poor Jane, the power was withdrawn, too. (Am I the only one who is driven mad even talking about this?)

After marriage, the woman might admit to a kind of passive love, inspired by him—a shallow reflection of his passion.

Her duty was to submit and respect. Love was never truly a woman’s duty except toward her children.

Is It Realistic, Though?

Now, there are so many problems with this ideal. For instance, a woman is going to love her husband! Yes, she will likely love him before they’re married—she might even love him before he loves her. (*all the Victorians gasp*)

Yes, a woman can love as deeply and passionately as a man. As Jane Eyre herself says, “I have as much soul as you—and full as much heart.” And never in the Bible does it intimate that women are to love less (or not at all).

I believe that’s because God wants us to be our loving, passionate selves—in all our relationships, from marriage to motherhood to friendship to daughter…hood.

But What About Submitting?

Now you probably expect me to say something along the lines of “submitting and obeying are outdated, too, y’all—don’t submit to your husband; that’s, like, totally uncool.”

Well, maybe it is uncool, especially by modern standards, but what do we care if something’s cool?

We’re Christians! We’re never going to be cool. We haven’t been since the moment they hung our Leader on the cross (though y’all know that didn’t go over well).

You see, it says in Ephesians 5:22, “Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.”

Did God put that there as a joke? Was He just messing with us? Can a loving God really expect us strong, independent, modern women to submit to a filthy stinky man? (I mean, their B.O., y’all! God can’t be  serious …)

Actually, God WAS talking about how marriages are supposed to be, and NEVER did He say, “if it fits in with your ideas of modern society” or “if you feel like it” or “if what your husband asks you to do is what you were going to do anyway.”

No. He says, plain and simple, “Wives, SUBMIT.”

The second part of that commandment is, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her.”

Husbands must extend an all-forgiving, unconditional love towards their wives.

Back to the Victorian Era

Then, to go back to the Victorian ideal, you’ll realize God’s requirements are quite similar.

The husband offers love and protection.
The wife offers obedience and respect.

These four principles (partnered with the fruits of the spirit thrown in for good measure) are the foundation of any strong marriage.

But why? If you’re a woman, you’re probably not a fan of this. I mean, the husband gets the good stuff, right? The obedience and the respect?

Well, I’ve run out of time to discuss that in this article, so for now I’ll leave you with this thought:

Whatever God decides is good and holy and just.

This Saturday, we’ll dive a little deeper into the topic.

TTFN!

Goodreads · Facebook · Twitter

~Kellyn Roth~

p.s.

What did you think of this post? What is your “marital ideal”? (If you want to share Bible verses, please do! I’d like to see how you arrived at your conclusions.) Have you read any of the novels I mentioned? How are you doing in the after-Christmas slump?

(Also, I will talk more about this in the next post, but before you go and throw this at me, there’s a difference between submitting and allowing yourself to be abused.)

The post The Victorian Ideal vs. Modern Romantics {Part 1} appeared first on Reveries.

God Only Knows (But Kell Didn’t!)

[image error]

Now, since it’s Christmas Eve (and the main celebrating day for Kell’s family), you might find it odd that first, I’m posting … and second, I don’t seem to be posting about Christmas.

But … I am posting about Christianity! And Christianity is the most Christmasy thing out there, bub. In fact, Christmas is kind of the origin of Christianity (or, anyway, the origin of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ).

So settle down on this Christmas Eve, or whenever you are reading this post, and let me tell you about some personal problems I’ve been having and how God has been knocking me over the head with the solution until I finally realized my head was ringing from the knocks!

[image error]

One of my favorite songs recently has been God Only Knows by For King & Country, a Christian pop or rock or I-don’t-understand-genres-it’s-not-a-hymn-though … anyway, it’s a song, and you can listen to it on YouTube.

I find this song highly inspiring—and it made a huge change in my life—and I wanted to write a blog post about it.

You see, I’m a teenager—an older one, anyway. A teenager’s big deal is, “No one understands me.” *insert whiny tone* *insert me rolling my eyes even though the point of this post is that I felt like that*

Now, I don’t know if I’ve ever hurled this at my dear parents (who don’t deserve it in the least, by the way, since I know they try to “hug” their “porcupine” daughter), but I’m reasonably sure I’ve used a version of it. Or thought it. Though I can’t remember specifics.

If I Change, How Will People Still Know Me?

Basically, as teens, we’re going through a lot of physical, mental, emotional, hormonal—basically, we’re going through loads of changes. As you change, what was familiar becomes different (⇐ definition of change, y’all), which means we feel like we don’t know ourselves … and how can anyone else, either?

I remember feeling like this a couple times, specifically when it was *coughcough* thattimeofthemonth *coughcough*, but not in general until the last couple years.

And it wasn’t an aggressive kind of “nobody understands me.” I wasn’t mad. I was just quietly sad. I felt strongly, and more and more as time passed, that I wasn’t understood … or rather that no one knew me.

That no one really cared enough about me to love me anyway.

That if they knew the true me, the nasty me buried underneath, that they’d hate me.

That whenever people complimented me—on qualities other than my looks and certain other things I considered superficial because they were just products of me (writing, playing instruments, etc.)—they were only doing it because they didn’t know me.

Nobody, nobody, nobody sees you,

Nobody, nobody would believe you.

They Were Loving a “Lie.”

I remember feeling strongly that if my grandparents really knew me, they wouldn’t love me at all—and I remember hating that they thought I was good because I was evil. I remember the enormous pressure of their unfailing love and their belief that I was perfect.

I remember wanting to get my act together before Grandpa died and hating that I wasn’t able to, hating that I was unworthy to be his granddaughter, hating that everyone else was such a fantastic child, grandchild, etc., to him. While I just plain sucked at it.

I was unloyal. And I hate unloyalty.

I wasn’t being truthful because it was a lie that I was a good granddaughter. And I had untruthfulness.

I wasn’t being myself because the real me sucked. And I hate people who pretend to be something they aren’t.

If people knew me, they would NEVER say I was a good friend, was kind, cared about others, was a good Christian, was smart, was capable, a good worker …

You keep a cover over every single secret,

So afraid if someone saw them they would leave.

Ashamed … Even Though I Knew Better.

I was ashamed to bring myself before God.

In my head, I knew that God loved me no matter what, but I was still ashamed.

In my head, I knew I had only to go to God and be forgiven, but I was still unwilling.

In my head, I knew it didn’t matter that I was sinning for no reason … I didn’t need an excuse for my sins in order to receive forgiveness … I could still request grace even though I was being bad just for badness’s sake. But I was still unable to accept it.

Unrepentant. Stupid. Stubborn. Ignoring the issues as best I could, pretending I didn’t care (until I almost believed it), but agonizing over it still.

Every day you try to pick up all the pieces,

All the memories, they somehow never leave you.

I wasn’t doing well, but neither was I a mess.

I’m very controlling of my emotions. I only despaired once or twice; most of the time, I barely thought about it.

So don’t go thinking I was a constant bag of misery who needed a hug, someone was to be pitied or tragedized. (Remember, we’re not excusing grinches anymore! Even if that grinch is your neighborhood quirky redhead writer!)

I had a problem—but even my understanding of the problem was blurred, and most of the time I shouldered my way through life carelessly.

I didn’t care. I’d have an occasional breakdown, but otherwise, I wasn’t really disturbed, and I was functioning at pretty much 110% as always*.

*I wasn’t able to write broken characters, though, which is a … weird psychological thing. I mean, seriously, look at Before a Fall’s first draft! I have failed at Gibsoning! And Violet wasn’t as intense as she could’ve been, though that’s probably … good. 

Kind is Launched! (p.s. Merry Christmas Eve-Eve-Eve!)

[image error]

Hello! Today is a brief post to announce an important event … KIND IS LAUNCHED!

The book is now up on Amazon and Goodreads. Be sure to grab yourself a copy – and if you do, leave a review!

Kind is my favorite short story that I wrote! It’s so full of holiday cheer, and it doesn’t feel too rushed (at least to me), which can be a problem with my short story.

Lt. Neil Hudson is sure to have a rotten Christmas.

How can have anything but a rotten Christmas when he’s stuck in war-torn Germany away from his family, friends, and all hope of a decent turkey dinner?

That’s when the Slades come into his life.

AMAZON KINDLE | GOODREADS

Kind is a standalone post-WW2 Christmas short story.

Genre: WW2 Fiction (Christian themes)

Era: 1940s (December 1945)

Setting: Munich, Germany

Age-Range: 10+ (middle grade/tween)

[image error]

A Special Excerpt

Lt. Neil Hudson mumbled words his mama would wash his mouth out for as snowflakes began drifting down from the gray sky to the cobblestone streets. Back home in Arizona, snow was a unicorn-like anomaly. He liked it that way—hot sun, dry air, and wide open spaces.

There were a few whoops of pleasure from the other G.I.s at his table. Chief among them was his best buddy, Lt. Kelly O’Malley. Kell ought to be cheerful; he hailed from Minnesota. This was June weather for him, as they’d often joked.

“Say, ain’t there a song for just this occasion?” Kell shouted. He jumped up on his chair and waved a crushed cap about. “Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful …”

The next words rang in Neil’s ears before he even heard them. “And since we’ve no place to go …” His meaning for the lyrics were different than the writer’s intention, but it worked either way, he supposed.

No place to go. Stuck in Germany, probably through the winter, maybe even into the spring. The summer. The fall. And the stupid winter again.

“Hey, get off that chair before you break something, won’t you?” he growled at Kell. “Last thing these people need is an American soldier bustin’ up their place.”

Kell slid back into his seat. He threw an arm around another soldier’s shoulder and sang, “When we finally kiss goodnight—”

“You ain’t kissin’ no one goodnight, let alone me!”

The table erupted into roars of laughter. Kell simply laughed it off. “I wouldn’t think of it, Nick.”

“Besides, wouldn’t White Christmas be more appropriate?”

Kell put on a false baritone. “I’m … dreamin’ … of a white … Christmas. Just like the ones I used to kno-ow.”

“Someone tell that lunatic he’s no Bing.”

“You’re right, I ain’t. I’m far above any of your Bing’s. Where the tree…tops glisten, and children listen …”

“I’m not ready for Christmas until after Thanksgiving.” Nick gulped down the last of his coffee and stood up. “I report in half an hour, and the snow’s gonna make all sorts of messes to sort, I bet.” He’d got in a slip driving a Jeep in the snow last year, and he imagined repeat performances would abound.

[image error]

So … what do you think? Want to read more? Want to see Neil become less of a Grinch, more specifically? 

The Journey by Alleece Balts {Review}

[image error]

Well, today I’ve come to a book that I really struggle to review! A part of me liked it … but the other part of me? Not so much.

However, there comes a time in every reviewer’s life when they have to review a novel they’re not quite sure of, and now is that time.

So, without further ado, here’s my (somewhat muddled) review of The Journey by Alleece Balts.

[image error]

FTC Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher. I was not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

Title: The Journey

Author: Alleece Balts

Series: The Crowd Series, #2

Genre: YA romance

Era: contemparary

Setting: Eastern America & Europe

Publisher: Alleece Balts

Source: received from the publisher

Overall Rating: 3/5 stars

[image error]

The Journey by Alleece Balts

How do you keep moving forward when the path you’re on comes to an end?

At nineteen years old, Ella Parker is a star on the rise. With her vocal training at Juilliard underway, she’s more than prepared for a glittering performance career with the rock band Wicked Youth, and anticipating the prospect of becoming engaged to her billionaire boyfriend… Someday.

But when she collapses on stage during a summer concert and receives a chilling diagnosis, the promise of someday suddenly slips away.

Forced to confront her darkest fears, Ella must not only find the courage to go on after her once certain future has disappeared, but also to track down her runaway friend, Lucas, before time runs out.

More intense and suspenseful than its predecessor, The Journey is an adventure brimming with romance, heartache, hope and grace in seasons of victory and – ultimately – bravery in moments of defeat.

Buy on Amazon ~ Add on Goodreads

I wasn’t sure what to think of this novel, and after months of trying to decide what to think of it, I still haven’t figured it out.

So, it’s time to write the review, despite the fact that I had a hard time rating this book and will doubtless have a hard time reviewing it.

I’m just going to get right into my review of The Journey by Alleece Balts without thinking too much about sense. Because sometimes muddled reviews are needed.

My first thought is simple: it was a great deal longer than it needed to be. There was a lot of stress and tension in this book, but some of it felt quite contrived.

My main concern was the relationship between Ella and Jack. It was, simply, annoying. Or rather, Ella was annoying.

More and more, this girl started to grate on my nerves! It was impossible for me to understand her – and oftentimes even like her.

I felt bad for her, sure, but she was just being stupid! Marry. Him. Already.

Marry Jack.

It’s that simple. There’s nothing else you need to do.

I believe this may be possibly due to my personality, so I can’t really blame the author, but due to the fact that I’m sharing my opinions of the book – not what others’ opinions should be – I think it requires mentioning.

Which brings me to probably my least-favorite romantic trope – “I can’t marry him because if something were to happen to me [or when something happens to me], he’ll be sad.”

I’m told that this isn’t a universal feeling, but that doesn’t stop me from hating this trope! The way I see it, you ought to be thankful for the days you have – and you ought to use them wisely.

When my grandpa was passing away, our family didn’t react by distancing ourselves because it would be more painful if we became close in those few months.

Nor did Grandpa react by pushing us away because it’d be better for us in the long run.

That would only lead to more pain and regret. It’s a tough situation, I understand, but the right choice is never to push someone away “for their own good.”

Also, I don’t care a bit about Lucas and found Ella’s relentless search for him annoying, but that’s just me again. I just wanted her to let sleeping dogs lie.

My other big negative was the head-hopping. It was quite annoying, as with book 1.

On the upside, I liked Jack a lot. I thought he was the perfect boyfriend, and I really admired him.

I found the parts when they were in Europe quite interested.

The faith content was well-done. It wasn’t really stuff I related to, but other people probably would.

So yes, in summary, I wasn’t as big of a fan of this one as book 1, but a lot of it was just personal preference, not actual problems with the book!

CONTENT

Language: n/a

Violence: n/a

Sexual: some innuendo is thrown about, there’s some kissing

Other: n/a

3/5. Not recommended for readers under 15 for romantic elements and innuendo.

Remember to check out the 1K challenge!

Review by Kellyn Roth of Reveries Reviews.

TTFN!

Goodreads · Facebook · Twitter

~Kellyn Roth~

The post The Journey by Alleece Balts {Review} appeared first on Reveries.

The 1K Contest, Kind, and Reveries Co. {3 Important Updates}

[image error]

Today I’m going to talk about Kind and other updates. (Kind isn’t the main thing, but given that I’m PUBLISHING A BOOK, I figured it deserved first billing.)

But yes, there are other things I have to talk about – and, as the title indicates, those two thinks are a 1K Contest (which you’re totally gonna want to check out if you’re a blogger) and the Reveries Co. launch!

So, without further ado … Kind and other updates!

[image error]

Let’s start with the 1K contest!

Now, a couple days ago … I hit 1,000 blog followers on Reveries!

And that’s a huge landmark, so I decided to do something to celebrate.

[image error]

What is the contest?

The contest is simple. Write and publish a 1,000-word story on your blog.

The story can be anywhere from 1,000 to 1,999 words, but it cannot be longer or shorter!

The deadline is December 30th!

What should the story be about?

It doesn’t matter, but please – no cussing, no sex scenes, and no gratuitous violence. In general, you can and should write what you want, but for this one contest, avoid it.

How do you win?

I’ll read through and judge the stories myself.

I’ll be looking for things like spelling and grammar as well as overall quality, interesting-ness, meaning, and cohesiveness.

Keep in mind … I’m not super smart. 

The Accidental Guardian by Mary Connealy [Review]

[image error]

Time for my review of The Accidental Guardian by Mary Connealy! I actually read this book back in May and had so many mixed feelings that I needed some distance.

I may have taken a bit too much distance.

But in this post, I’ll try to remember sum up my opinions!

[image error]

FTC Disclosure: I received this book from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

Title: The Accidental Guardian

Author: Mary Connealy

Series: High Sierra Sweethearts, #1

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Era: 1800s

Setting: American West

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Source: received from Bethany House Publishers

Overall Rating: 3/5 stars

[image error]

The Accidental Guardian by Mary Connealy

She’s the only witness to a wagon train attack. Keeping her safe, though, means his world is about to be turned upside down.

When Trace Riley finds the smoldering ruins of a small wagon train, he recognizes an attack by the same group who left him as sole survivor years ago. Living off the wilderness since then, he’s finally carved out a home and started a herd–while serving as a self-appointed guardian of the trail. He’d hoped the days of driving off dangerous men were over, but the latest attack shows otherwise.

Deborah Harkness saved her younger sister and two toddlers during the attack, and now finds herself at the mercy of her rescuer. Trace becomes an accidental guardian when he offers the only shelter for miles around and agrees to take them in until they can safely continue their journey. His simple bachelor existence never anticipated kids and women in the picture and their arrival is unsettling–yet enticing.

Trace and Deborah find themselves drawing ever closer as they work together to bring justice to the trail and help the group survive the winter–but every day closer to spring means a day closer to leaving the mountains forever.

Buy on Amazon ~ Add on Goodreads

The best way to describe this novel: Whoa, that was fast!

I’m still not 100% sure about the rating, even now, but I think I’ve settled on 3/4 stars. I just had a lot of mixed feelings!

Here are my general thoughts:

FIRST:

Well, I don’t like to hear about married folks’ bedroom habits. Not a bit.

But if you make a point to say that both groom and bride are nervous about the wedding night and then just stop talking about it … you kinda make a reader curious?

Two problems with this.

Made me think about it more than I wanted to and search the text trying to figure it out.
DID THEY OR DIDN’T THEY IT’S DRIVING ME CRAZY BUT I FEEL TERRIBLE EVEN THINKING ABOUT IT HELP HELP!

SECOND:

WILL SOMEONE PLEASE SPANK THE SNOT OUT OF THOSE TWO KIDS?!? I know they’re only 2 and like eighteen months, but they are super badly behaved and no one is dealing with it.

There’s nothing more frustrated than an undisciplined child, especially if everyone keeps pretending they’re babies when they’re obviously not …

THIRD:

Things were not wrapped up. I’m sensing they will be in the next book(s) of the series, so that’s all right.

FOURTH:

The pacing – perhaps inspired by the brief writing style – was kinda hectic.

I mainly worried for one thing that the hero and heroine barely knew each other and their relationship moved too fast.

I mean, come on, they went from “absolute strangers” to “lovey dovey feelings” just like that! *snaps fingers*

On the other hand, I was super excited to see a romance without hate, lust, or unnecessary complications involved.

FIFTH:

I don’t believe that Trace would have survived for several years in the Sierra Nevadas by himself.

Sorry … I just don’t. 

The Accidental Guardian by Mary Connealy

[image error]

Time for my review of The Accidental Guardian by Mary Connealy! I actually read this book back in May and had so many mixed feelings that I needed some distance.

I may have taken a bit too much distance.

But in this post, I’ll try to remember sum up my opinions!

[image error]

FTC Disclosure: I received this book from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

Title: The Accidental Guardian

Author: Mary Connealy

Series: High Sierra Sweethearts, #1

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Era: 1800s

Setting: American West

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Source: received from Bethany House Publishers

Overall Rating: 3/5 stars

[image error]

The Accidental Guardian by Mary Connealy

She’s the only witness to a wagon train attack. Keeping her safe, though, means his world is about to be turned upside down.

When Trace Riley finds the smoldering ruins of a small wagon train, he recognizes an attack by the same group who left him as sole survivor years ago. Living off the wilderness since then, he’s finally carved out a home and started a herd–while serving as a self-appointed guardian of the trail. He’d hoped the days of driving off dangerous men were over, but the latest attack shows otherwise.

Deborah Harkness saved her younger sister and two toddlers during the attack, and now finds herself at the mercy of her rescuer. Trace becomes an accidental guardian when he offers the only shelter for miles around and agrees to take them in until they can safely continue their journey. His simple bachelor existence never anticipated kids and women in the picture and their arrival is unsettling–yet enticing.

Trace and Deborah find themselves drawing ever closer as they work together to bring justice to the trail and help the group survive the winter–but every day closer to spring means a day closer to leaving the mountains forever.

Buy on Amazon ~ Add on Goodreads

The best way to describe this novel: Whoa, that was fast!

I’m still not 100% sure about the rating, even now, but I think I’ve settled on 3/4 stars. I just had a lot of mixed feelings!

Here are my general thoughts:

FIRST:

Well, I don’t like to hear about married folks’ bedroom habits. Not a bit.

But if you make a point to say that both groom and bride are nervous about the wedding night and then just stop talking about it … you kinda make a reader curious?

Two problems with this.

Made me think about it more than I wanted to and search the text trying to figure it out.
DID THEY OR DIDN’T THEY IT’S DRIVING ME CRAZY BUT I FEEL TERRIBLE EVEN THINKING ABOUT IT HELP HELP!

SECOND:

WILL SOMEONE PLEASE SPANK THE SNOT OUT OF THOSE TWO KIDS?!? I know they’re only 2 and like eighteen months, but they are super badly behaved and no one is dealing with it.

There’s nothing more frustrated than an undisciplined child, especially if everyone keeps pretending they’re babies when they’re obviously not …

THIRD:

Things were not wrapped up. I’m sensing they will be in the next book(s) of the series, so that’s all right.

FOURTH:

The pacing – perhaps inspired by the brief writing style – was kinda hectic.

I mainly worried for one thing that the hero and heroine barely knew each other and their relationship moved too fast.

I mean, come on, they went from “absolute strangers” to “lovey dovey feelings” just like that! *snaps fingers*

On the other hand, I was super excited to see a romance without hate, lust, or unnecessary complications involved.

FIFTH:

I don’t believe that Trace would have survived for several years in the Sierra Nevadas by himself.

Sorry … I just don’t.