Robin Goodfellow's Blog, page 15

Book Review for Intricate Intentions by Jennifer Rayes

I received this book for free. This did not impact my review. 

Intricate Intentions, by Jennifer Reyes, is the second book in The Intricate Trilogy. The book continues with an attack on Gaia and Raoul, who are clinging desperately to life. Gaia manages to survive, before fleeing to Emily’s side to ensure the girl’s safety, as well as hunt down the perpetrators. Meanwhile, Dominique meets a strange man named Collin, who carries the knowledge of a secret weapon that will either bring down the cartels, or decimate Gaia’s kingdom. 

Unlike Intricate Deceptions, Intricate Intentions moved away from the romance and added a huge slice of thriller. To be honest, I was a lot more intrigued with this book than the others, mainly because of the whole biological warfare component. I liked how Rayes fleshed out Dominique and Raoul more, giving them something to fight for rather than a pretty Queen trying to save the world. I felt I understood Raoul a little bit better, especially since he’s charged with keeping the peace and would, thus, have to play by the book. Domonique, on the other hand, doesn’t have that burden. I liked reading about his time on Ayadora, and how ruthless the Governor actually is. While both Raoul and Dominique continue to have predictable elements of love interests, these characteristics get put on the back burner. To be honest, this is the first time I actually saw them as people, rather than characters. 

I’m going to reiterate what I said in my first review; I would’ve liked to read more about Emily’s story. Her reactions aren’t uncommon when it comes to those who have been trafficked. Moreover, Emily’s still young, so for her to still be alive, especially after all this time, shows her tenacity. While I don’t necessarily agree with a near death experience being able to heal someone all that much, miracles do happen, as in Emily’s case. The fact that Gaia was there to greet her warms my heart. This shows that the book has a lot to say about protecting children; despite Carlos’s actions and ego, he was still willing to kill anyone who tried to attack his daughter (might just be paranoia but still). Collin wanted to see his daughter again no matter the cost, in spite of his mistakes. However, good intentions aren’t enough to make you a good parent. 

I enjoyed the book as I did the first. The romance was no longer getting in the way of anything, and the story was more fleshed out. However, I felt that the world building could use a lot of work, especially with all these political chess pieces and guerrilla tactics dancing around each other. I would’ve liked to know more about Ica’s strengths and weaknesses, and why Kayamoto have so many home bases for these trafficking organizations (as far as I’m concerned, you’re not a good ruler Raoul for all this shit to be going on). The tone was also more than a little idealistic for my tastes; we go from Emily’s gory trauma to bright rainbows in almost an instant. And while I do appreciate Gaia’s work in building her task force, there’s a lot more work that needs to be done. A problem as deeply rooted and complex as human trafficking can’t be solved in one night. Still, it was a solid story, and it set the stage for the next book. As such, I would give this a 3.5 out of 5 stars. 

Book Review for Intricate Deceptions by Jennifer Rayes

I received this book for free. This did not impact my review. 

Intricate Deceptions, by Jennifer Rayes, is a political fantasy about a young woman named Gaia who struggles to remember her previous life after surviving a horrifying trafficking experience. The book begins with Gaia being kidnapped. When she awakens, she has absolutely no memory of who she is. She meets a girl named Emily, whom she vows to protect. After being rescued by the mysterious Prince Raoul from a neighboring kingdom, Gaia begins to piece together snippets of her memories, all the while wary of her self-proclaimed rescuers, the Prince, as well as the equally enigmatic Dominique. 

While it might not have been the focus of the book, I really enjoyed the relationship between Emily and Gaia. Even though they didn’t interact much, Emily had a powerful influence on Gaia, so much so she gave Gaia the ambition to hunt the traffickers and cartels down. What’s more, I liked the interactions Gaia had with her family, especially between herself and her father. True, Declan wasn’t perfect, but he was trying to atone for his mistakes. And while he did his damndest to make sure his daughter wasn’t threatened, unfortunately, his amends came too late. Then again, with all the shit he’s dealt with, I would consider his ending rather lucky.

That being said, I don’t agree with Gaia’s parents trying to manipulate their daughter into marrying Salim; Declan, out of anyone, knows what Salim is like. For him to make a Faustian bargain like that, despite knowing who Salim was, was foolish of him. Even so, his ways, as well as the other old patriarchs, only know how to sell and bargain; they don’t know how powerful an emotion empathy and compassion are. In this retrospect, I’d honestly like to say that Emily and Declan represent two ends of a spectrum. Through Emily, Gaia was able to gain the strength to rule her kingdom and come into her voice. Should she only rely on Declan though, Gaia would’ve been stripped of everything that made her human; she would’ve ended up an obedient little doll her parents had hoped to raise her to be.  

And as for Raoul and Dominique, it’s interesting that, although they’ve played a huge role in getting Gaia back home safely, I feel they’re in danger of being left behind as well. I used to volunteer at an outreach organization dedicated to spreading awareness about human trafficking, and again, as a sexual assault advocate with a rape crisis center. More often than not it’s the women who offer comfort. And while Raoul and Declan offer some semblance of familiarity, especially with romance tropes, I have a feeling Gaia will outgrow them. Raoul wants a fairytale ending for Gaia; he’s supposed to be the prince of her dreams, right? And then there’s Dominique, the pirate, the rogue, the asshole with a heart of gold whom he’ll only reveal to Gaia. Yet at the end of the story, it’s not either one of them Gaia ends up with. Because by the end, love and romance aren’t her priority; it’s Emily. At the very least, Gaia’s development was a hell of a lot more entertaining than reading Dominique and Raoul falling for and fighting over Gaia. 

Personally, this book provided a solid foundation for the entire series. I wished I could have read more about Emily’s point of view and how she struggled. While I don’t think Raoul and Dominique should have been given the amount of screen time they had, for the sake of the trilogy, I understood why Rayes did it. As such, I would give this book a 4 out of 5 stars. 

Book Review for Please Write by Lynne M. Kolze

I received a free copy of this book from Readers Favorites. This does not impact my review.

Please Write, by Lynne M. Kolze, is a heartwarming self-help book about the importance of letter writing and the legacy it creates. The book is divided into 6 sections. Section 1, Introduction, presents a brief but poignant argument about the almost sacred quality of letter writing. Section 2, The Legacy of Letter Writing, details the mental health benefits that are associated with letter writing, while Section 3, Letters We Remember, showcases the nostalgia and almost bittersweet effects letter writing can have on our lives. Section 4, Letters Inspire Art, details the whimsical and creative ways we can implement in letter writing, while Section 5, The Curious, Quirky, and Fascinating World of Letter Writing illustrates the almost childlike ways letter writing has impacted our community, as well as the weird ways it can nourish ties, even for complete strangers. Finally, Section 6, Writing the New and Preserving the Old, teaches how we can preserve letter writing as a momento mori, whether it be for ourselves or future generations.

I have to admit; I was equally surprised and enthralled when I discovered a book dedicated to letter writing. And pleasantly enough, I wasn’t disappointed; more often than not I recommend letter writing to clients who have experienced trauma, low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, ect. Because of this, I especially enjoyed Section 2. Moreover, I’ve volunteered with organizations such as Letters Against Depression, and have sent one too many greeting cards to members of my church when they’re having a hard time, or the sisters from my circle when they find life a little too difficult. My husband has written letters to me on our anniversary, and to this day I still treasure them.

That being said, I absolutely loved the stories that Kolze included. I like the idea of an ancient tree encouraging lovers to stick together by holding their love letters (the fact it has an address still stuns me!). The man who became the first human package delighted me also. Then of course, you have the avid stamp collectors (my father-in-law, father, and little sister), the packrats (me), and the romantic seal sealers (my husband). I’m sure this book would reaffirm familial ties just by reading it, but it also has fun activities for loved ones to try. The activities might not mean much initially, but nothing beats looking back at the plethora of letters you’ve written to someone, or letters someone has written to you, and rereading them.

Because of this, I would give this book a 5 out of 5 stars, and would recommend this book for parents, grandparents, and romantics who are easily swept away by fairytales.

Book Review for Redeeming Lord Nash by Trisha Messmer

I received a free ARC. This does not impact my review.

Redeeming Lord Nash, by Trisha Messmer, is a historical romance about a rogue aristocrat who falls in love with an American woman, and through a series of fortunate events, finds the courage to confront past mistakes. Lord Nash Talbot is given an ultimatum by his older brother Roland; either marry in three months or risk being cut off from his inheritance. Nash decides to “court” Lady Honoria as a way to continue saving money so that he is able to live without his brother’s support, as well as to stave off any unwanted female attention. Meanwhile, Ms. Adalyn Lovelace is a medical prodigy studying under the care of her father. After deciding to work with the Hope Clinic to provide medical support to those in need, she meets the dark and handsome Lord Nash, whom she is inexplicably drawn to. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. While the romance isn’t necessarily drama free, I liked how supportive Priscilla and Lady Honoria are of Nash and Adalyn.  Moreover, although the men in the book try to protect women’s innocence, these ladies are a lot more devious than they’re given credit for. After all, back then it was easier for a woman to hide behind the pride of a man, get away with all sorts of scandalous affairs. It’s what’s caused Nash to repeatedly underestimate Adalyn time and time again. Moreover, although Adalyn has offered to support him, as a way to show her devotion to him, Nash’s pride gets in the way too often. It reminds me of my own husband, and while annoying at times, it’s also pretty charming.

Beyond the relationship, I like how Nash and Adalyn discuss important topics that, for me personally, should be hashed out. I liked how Nash taught Fingers how to dance, and how he imagined taking her under his wing. I especially loved how they handle their clashing value; Adalyn represents equality in all things, regardless of gender and socioeconomic status, whereas Nash comes from a world of order and hierarchy. I feel this is what prompted Nash to go to America, not as a way to escape his reputation, but to carve a life for himself that he knows he can’t have in England (well, he could but it’d be very hard). I like how relatable Adalyn is, and how, in spite of her feelings for Nash, she refuses to allow them to get in the way of her practicing medicine. And in spite of his rather dark reputation, I enjoy seeing Nash support Adalyn through everything. 

Something I also appreciated in the book was Messmer’s discussion of Nash’s learning capabilities. I’m a former teacher, and I remember a lot of students who were embarrassed that they weren’t able to read or write as well as their other peers. And in Nash’s society, the consequences can be devastating; another burden he has to carry. 

That being said, there were somethings I felt were out of place, such as the sudden “murder” plot. Other than this, due to emotionally mature relationship Adalyn and Nash enjoy and the supportive environment around them, I would give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars. 

Book Review for Thalassophobia by Coda Languez

I received an advance review copy for free. This does not impact my review. 

Thalassophobia, by Coda Languez, is a lovecraftian romance about a woman torn between two loves, and inadvertently, two worlds. Erica had fallen in love with Vahn, who she believes rescued her from drowning when she was little. After accepting his proposal, Erica is suddenly kidnapped, finding herself in the clutches of a terrifying merman, who knows more than what he lets on. As Erica struggles to escape, she tries to manage her growing feelings for her captor, all the while holding a failing hope that her love would rescue her. 

The story is pretty much what you’d except from a retelling of “The Little Mermaid.” At first, the sex was good, but once you delve into the horrifying implications, and the not-so-subtle development of Stockholm syndrome, this is almost a plot line you’d find at the beginning of a horror movie. It makes the title of the book very appropriate. Moreover, I did enjoy how the author touched on the different facets of love, as well as how corruptible they can be. 

It was a solid dark erotica. There really isn’t much to tell. It was simple, didn’t overcomplicate things too much. It was straightforward, gave me some very sexy scenes, and was an overall good way to pass the time. As such, I’d give it a four out of five stars. 

Book Review for Something Sacred I Lost by Emmy Vine

I received a free copy of this book from the author. This does not affect my review in any shape or form. 

Something Sacred I Lost, by Emmy Vine, is a romantic drama detailing a young man’s struggles to heal from his trauma and the woman who chose to push him to confront said trauma. Damian is a horse trainer who carries the weight of his past, fixing it to him like a ball and chain, as he struggles to carve out a life for himself. Lilia is a young college graduate who decides to pursue Damian, and after learning about his past, stays with him to help him confront it. The novel shows the complexities of what it means to love someone who has a very good reason not to trust anyone, as well as how difficult it can be to stand up to your former abusers.

In the beginning, it was hard to get into the book, mainly because of how, dare I say it, sheltered Lila is from mainstream society. She’s had a very privileged life, and there were times where she comes across as, unfortunately, a spoiled brat. I say the same for Nia, who, based on her reactions to Damian’s abuse, had almost caused me to put the book down entirely. There were also times when I felt Logan himself was in the wrong, primarily because he revealed Damian’s business to two complete strangers, as far as he was concerned. There were better ways to handle Damian’s behaviors, and that wasn’t it. Personally, I don’t think the romance between Damian and Lila should’ve been as prominent as it had been. While I do think it’s important for readers to see how Damian’s behaviors and triggers looks from the outside (i.e the party), I didn’t think Lila’s perspectives should’ve been included as much as it was in the plot. I feel that it detracts from the story as a whole, and draws the readers away from Damian’s narrative. 

That being said, there was a lot of things I liked about the book as well. I liked how realistic Damian is in terms of portraying someone who has experienced trauma, and how panic attacks could be triggered by almost anything. I loved the resilience he displays, especially when he’s trying to carve out his own path in spite of how almost every trusted adult in his life betrayed him in some way or another. I love how protective he is of Tommy. He had contemplated on taking his life multiple times, and yet, by the end of it he came out strong, primarily because of Tommy and Lila and all the other social supports he had now. I’m also glad that the Vine had showed just how different people’s reactions to hearing a man being abused are, in contrast to a woman being abused. A woman gets sympathy, while a man gets humiliation.

I also feel I have to add a tidbit here about Rufus; it’s very common to see men who have narcissistic tendencies to harm themselves simply because the object of their (unfortunate) affection is standing up to them and no longer desires them. And there have been cases before, in that when an abuser doesn’t get what they want, they will self-destruct, whether it be by drinking, having unprotected sex, or doing drugs. In this case, Rufus’s self-destruction here is very literal. This contrasts with Kat, who really is entitled and feels she should have everything she wants. It’s an interesting dynamic here; normally (for my clients anyway), it’d be the man who acts like Kat and the woman who self-destructs. Men tend to choose more destructive methods in ending their lives, but again, Rufus and Damian and Kat are their own beings. 

Honestly, I would’ve given this book a higher rating. But the way the friends, especially Lila, handled the abuse was a turnoff for me. The book did improve by showcasing just how resilient Damian had become, but I felt like Vine could’ve done a better job at focusing more on Damian, rather than others. As such, I would give this book a 3 out of 5 stars, and would recommend reading this book alongside other aids such as Victims No Longer by Mike Lew, The Courage to Heal by Ellen Bass and Lauren Davis, and Recovery from Narcissistic Abuse, Gaslighting, Codependency, and Complex PTSD by Linda Hill. 

Book Review for House of Marionne by J. Elle

I received a free copy of this book. This has not impacted my review.

House of Marionne, by J. Elle, is a young adult fantasy about a girl who attempts to fit into an aristocratic magical society, all the while skillfully ignoring all red flags about said society. The book is separated into four parts. Part One details Quell’s introduction to the House of Marionne and her subsequent decision to stay at the school, headed by her grandmother, Darragh Marionne. Part Two shows Quell continuing to blossom her magic, despite her own forbidden power alongside said magic. Part Three describes Quelll’s struggles to contain her growing darkness, as desperation clouds her judgement. Part Four brings Quell’s struggles to a grinding halt, as she realizes that the House of Marionne isn’t as it seems, and has to make a decision on whether to remain trapped in a gilded cage, or to leave, even if it means giving herself to darkness.

I absolutely loved how the author introduces Quell. I loved how Elle  showed Quell’s imperfections and how relatable they are. W get to see what Quell is fighting for; if she remains perfect, she gets a handsome boy toy (and yes, I mean boy toy), the favor of her grandmother and all the other houses, power and wealth beyond her wildest imagination; and all she has to do is remain an obedient servant to the House. Speaking of which, I especially love Darragh Marionne. Despite her very strict and very image obsessed personality, I can’t help but relate to her. It’s typical for older generations to want to preserve their legacy, but for Darragh, she also needs to preserve that secrecy. Without it, House of Marionne will fall. Granted, I don’t agree with the way she’s doing things, nor am I blind to what will happen should she continue to hide things in the dark. Regardless, the Dragun, as well as the other Houses, are formidable, and I doubt she or Quell are able to take them all on with the power they have now. 

This book also reflects the accuracy of a lot of religions unfortunately. In modern witch society, there’s this obsessive focus with love and light (with, of course, a hint of toxic positivity). There’s a stigma on people who practice the left hand path, those who work with demons, individuals who’s cultures don’t align with white witch practices, ect. Similar to Christianity and other religions, if you don’t fit a specific mold, then you’re not fit to belong. You’re forced to hide who you are in exchange for a group’s protection, similarly to Quell. How many people have felt comfortable sitting in a pew while listening to a preacher spout fire and brimstone, knowing that they were LGBTQ+, or a witch, or believing that men and women are equal? I have. This book speaks volumes to that. Neither me nor others have glaring indicators that we don’t fit in (the diadem was frightening enough), so I would say that we’re luckier than Quell, to say the least. But the struggles are similar. And of course, Quell’s descent and subsequent acceptance of her tousahana, getting her freedom, no matter the cost, marks the true passage of a witch in making. I commend her for it. 

Honestly, I’m glad I picked up this book. Every time I had free time I had to keep reading. I’m looking forward to seeing more of Elle’s works. As such, I would like to give this book a 5 out of 5 stars.

Incorporating Games into Counseling

Image by StartupStockPhotos

As a behavior tech, I enjoy playing games with my kids. These games can encompass anything, from card games such as UNO, You-gi-oh, and Pokemon, to online games like Fortnite, League of Legends (doubtful), and Halo. And with the success of the recent Dungeons and Dragons movie (and the advent of nerd culture as a whole), more adults are flocking to gaming than ever before. So, of course, as a counselor, I can’t help but scream delightfully.

Gaming can have a whole slew of benefits for individuals, regardless of their age. For instance, it can help them practice distress tolerance skills, especially if they lost a match. Like books, games can provide an escape from reality for a little while, just until they’re able to regain emotional control. It can provide social interaction to adults who may otherwise be trapped in an unfortunate situation (work, home, a pandemic, ect.) and can offer unique opportunities to practice critical thinking skills. Moreover, workplaces are starting to gamify their spaces, such as making contests out of who can be the most productive, hosting fun trivia questions, and even encouraging workers to share their personal lives with one another (cutest pets, best taste in music, best lovable intern, ect.)

That being said, games have also been blamed for a variety of social ills. Mass shootings have been attributed to first person shooter games. For individuals experiencing severe mental illness, it can be difficult to distinguish fact from fiction. To give you context, the DSM 5 outlines gaming addiction, video games or otherwise. If an individual is playing online games, there’s the added bonus of exposing a person to potentially toxic environments. Take into account the plethora of scandals that have rocked the gaming world, such as Gamer Gate and the Teabagging scandal.

For me, I would love to incorporate games into counseling. It could give me a way to help my clients practice coping skills for when negative emotions arise (I’m very competitive). It gives me a chance to offer a nonthreatening way of building rapport, and can give me insight as to why a client acts the way they do. In this way, I think of games as an extremely informal psychological assessment, or a sandbox you can use to practice certain behaviors with a client, just before you shove them off into the real world. Heck, when I’m working as a behavior tech, I play games with kids to develop socially adaptive behaviors. I’ll bring a bag of games with me that they can choose from just so they could generalize these behaviors.

For me to include video games though, I’m more than a little wary. I’ve seen video games harm and hurt people. On one hand, video games carry the same social significance that regular games do, perhaps even more so because of the growing presence video games has on our society (e-sports and the like). Winning matches and completing storylines can offer satisfying emotional awards that will simultaneously build resilience. On the other hand, there’s still a lot of toxicity that needs to be dealt with in these spaces. Sexist or racist remarks can easily trigger individuals who are just recovering from trauma. And more often than not I’ve seen children (and adults) stealing money from their loved ones just to pay for items that, in the long run, won’t mean anything.

For counselors who are interested in incorporating games into their counseling, it really does depend on the individual client. Do you think playing games with them will help develop the skills they need to be confident in the real world? Is there a significance to them playing a specific game? Are they mature enough to play with others? Are they willing to learn? Who knows?

Book Review for Red Hail by Jamie Killen

I received a free copy of this book. This does not impact my review. 

Red Hail, by Jamie Killen, is a sci-fi thriller about a couple who, amongst others, experiences frightening symptoms that have plagued the generations before. Among these individuals are Alonzo, a veterinarian who horrifies his partner with odd movements and speech patterns, and Sonia, a mother who fears she’s passed her disease to her child. As Alonzo’s partner, Colin, tries to find a way to cure the affliction, the symptoms become more and more severe. In order for Colin to uncover the cause of the disease, he needs to first delve into the history of when the symptoms started, back to the 1960s when Anza begins her own investigation into the outbreak. 

In all honesty, when I read the separate timelines in the book, it was as if I were reading two different stories. The first, which took place in 1960, had Anza dealing with what could only be described as a religious horror; there was a cult and everything, right down to them wanting to lynch people who didn’t look (or practice) like them. Then there was the 2020s, which reads more like a sci-fi narrative. Both storylines put me at the edge of my seat; they both carried the uncertainty and fear of the characters, forcing the readers to understand just exactly what was at stake. Whether it be a community of believers, families, or friends, I found it admirable that, in both timelines, the characters came together. They made sure the other was safe even when it was a better option to duck out. 

Which brings me to another thing; the love story between Colin and Alonzo. Alonzo really wasn’t mincing words when he told him this condition was permanent. Based on Colin’s reactions at the beginning of the book, and the stress he’s experienced, I wouldn’t have been surprised if he left. But he didn’t, and honestly, I was relieved. 

Another thing I liked reading about was the hysteria that gripped Anza’s community. Pastor Benjamin was charismatic enough to turn his church into cult, savvy enough to get away with murder. I could only wish I was there to see him frozen, but I’ll just have to settle with the author brushing over his punishment. I have to admit, it did harken to the time of the Witch Trials, where everyone was persecuted based on the color of their skin, how they practiced, whether or not they were women, ect.

Because of these character’s relationships and their interactions with one another, and Killen’s ability to demonstrate humanity’s perseverance, good or otherwise, I would give this book a 5 out of 5 stars. 

Book Review for Glass Castle by K. York

I received a free copy of this book from Book Sprouts. This did not interfere with my review. 

Glass Castles, by K. York, is a historical romance about two men who are able to find comfort in a rather morbidly cruel world. Lucas, a struggling ex-factory worker, propositions Dr. Henry Glass, who, miraculously enough, gives him a job that will help him get on his feet. Henry Glass is a renowned surgeon who needs bodies to conduct research on as a way to save patients’ lives. After meeting Lucas in a dark alleyway, Henry decides to hire him to procure corpses that he can use and later experiment on. As Lucas and Henry grow closer, tensions and misunderstandings arise that bring a light humor to an otherwise run-of-the-mill gothic romance. 

I’m not going to lie; I thought this was going to be a lot darker than I thought. I absolutely love the idea of a surgeon falling in love with a grave robber. It illustrates the quote, “There is no life without death” beautifully. As a surgeon, Henry needs the practice, and Lucas was able to provide that practice. Granted, it’s rather dark, but their sexual orientation is already stigmatized, so what’s another sin? And in a way, the relationship between Lucas and Henry just fits; there’s no need for deception, no toxicity, no drama, aside from the very real threats of homophobia and, you know, being caught robbing graves. Even though there were times when it was a bit predictable, I still loved every minute of it.

I also just need to appreciate how soft Henry is. Despite his struggles, he goes out of his way for other men who have similar plights. He knows he’s privileged, and yet he’s choosing to use his money to help others who are struggling far worse than he is. He doesn’t take advantage of his employees, and is rather protective of his employees. Although he’s in the closet per easy, he still tries to help everyone else. Moreover, Lucas, in all his “I’m-an-independent-man”, is still able to go to Henry, not at all like Jasper or anyone else. He knows Henry is someone he can rely on, and this is one of the main cruxes of their relationship. After being burned by his employer before, I can certainly understand why Lucas would appreciate Henry’s authenticity.

A lot of times, when writers are introducing death into a relationship, it’s like they need to incorporate obsession and violence into the mix. York has no need for that. She shows how aspects of life and death can intertwine in a way that’s oddly comforting. It reminds me of the remembrance ceremonies that medical schools would have, honoring those who have given up their bodies to either make advancements towards science. I feel it’s all summed up with Blackthorne’s logic. It’s a rather refreshing story, and almost reads like a fairytale.

As such, I’m giving this book a 5 out of 5.