Sydney Winward's Blog, page 13
September 12, 2020
Book Review of Forget Me Not by Sarah M. Eden
My Review
Forget Me Not is one of those books that will make you laugh, make you cry, make you grin like an idiot. I felt Julia’s heartache and happiness as if they were my own. My heart broke. My heart healed. My heart broke again. Julia and Lucas were so well written, the world Sarah M. Eden built in her earlier books detailed and expanded upon.
I loved Julia as a heroine. She’s incredibly and refreshingly blunt, with a pain hidden so deep that I wasn’t sure she could ever heal from past heartache. Lucas was adorable. A bit oblivious but absolutely adorable. I also loved the Gents, new characters that I hope the author will thoroughly explore in upcoming books.
If you haven’t read Forget Me Not, it’s one book you need to put at the top of your to-read pile because this is one you won’t be able to put down.
My rating: 5 stars
Favorite Quote
“Are you sure you two actually knew each other before your wedding? Had anyone formally introduced you?”
“Keep with the jests, Kes. Soon enough, you’ll be navigating your own matrimonial trapdoor, and I’ll offer you exactly as much empathy as you’re offering me.”
Blurb
Nottinghamshire, 1785
Julia Cummings has long been acquainted with loss-her mother, her brother, her sister, her friend, all gone too soon. But the loss that pushed her grief to the limit as a young girl was that of her best friend, Lucas Jonquil, who abandoned her without looking back. Now, eight years later, Lucas has returned to Lampton Park, and Julia has steeled herself-she will never forgive the man who broke her heart.
After losing too many of his friends and family to early deaths, Lucas vowed to live life to the fullest. And after traversing the world, he has returned from his adventures to find his family and home as he left them-except for Julia. The little girl he left behind has blossomed into a captivating lady, a lady who makes it clear she despises him. With little hope of reconciliation, the former friends are blindsided when their parents make a shocking announcement. Lucas and Julia have been betrothed without their knowledge and are to marry immediately. Now Lucas must rely on the help of his closest friends to win the heart of a lady who loathes him-a lady he’s coming to love more deeply every day.
September 11, 2020
Book Review of Tangled Fates by Denise D. Young
“The only way to get to dawn was to pass through the night.”
What a great introduction to this author’s work!
The first chapter really sets up the mood for the rest of the book. Lots of tension and suspense, so much packed into those first several pages in a masterful way. I loved each protagonist the moment they were introduced. Aiden the shifter who breaks away to find his own path. Vivienne the witch who has to face her fears and the pain of her past.
The author painted a vivid world with incredible descriptions and detailed characters. I definitely enjoyed reading this!
My rating: 5 stars
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Favorite Quote
Cassie walked in from the kitchen, an innocent smile on her face suggesting that she’d seen the fox curled up on the sofa but was far too polite to say so. “Morning. How do you take your eggs?”
Nick chuckled. “Stolen from the henhouse?”
Blurb
My name is Vivienne “Vi” Gearhart, and I’m a witch by birth. My life isn’t just teacups and tarot cards these days. As mystical storms rumble overhead and a dark curse stalks my coven, my inner witch knows change is coming.
Then a fox shifter named Aiden McPherson knocks on my door—asking questions, stirring emotions, and rousing desires I hadn’t expected.
Can we unravel the secrets of our own magicks—and find a way to break the curse that has sunk its teeth into the coven?
September 10, 2020
Book Review of Falling for Salted Caramel by Anya Sharpe
My Review
This story was very cute. I loved how dedicated Mr. Boring A** Vanilla is to his Ms. Salted Caramel. Although she thought her life was over after finding out she was not only pregnant, but her husband was filing for a divorce in the works, Devon, AKA Vanilla, taught her that she deserves to find her own happiness too.
My rating: 4 stars
Blurb
Pregnant and licking her wounds from a messy divorce, Kyli Ryder returns home for the summer to work at her dad’s Cape Cod ice cream shop. The small town is a familiar haven as she wraps her brain around a sudden future as a single mom.
From the minute Kyli and Devon Daughtry laid eyes on each other—as she sat on the floor in a puddle of dishwasher water—there was an unexpected spark. Their friendly flirting and teasing over his daily vanilla waffle cone becomes a salted caramel seduction metaphor for Devon’s growing attraction.
Hooked by the undeniable connection between them—one which Kyli refuses to admit, and Devon refuses to ignore—she’s a package deal he’s intent on having in his life. Can Devon sweet talk his way into her heart, ultimately proving it’s okay to love again?
September 9, 2020
Topics I Never Get Tired of Talking About
Books
Books galore. I could talk about books all day. What I’m writing. What you’re writing. What I recently read. What’s on my to-read list. The plot for my next novel. I am booksessed. Back in the day before I had kids and before these crazy times, I could spend hours in a bookstore just looking at all the books and finding myself in conversations with random strangers. Now I just annoy my husband with all the book talk. (He doesn’t actually mind.) He knows about every book I’ve read AND he remembers them all. Crazy, right?
The Body
Not in any gross way, but I love anatomy. The body is incredible! Just think about all of its everyday functions and times that by the rest of your life! The brain and its intricate workings. The heart and its unyielding dedication to keep your body functioning. Did you know people blink approximately ten times a minute? I didn’t know until I became a CNA.
Babies and Childbirth
Until I actually became a mom, I had no interest in these topics. But now that my kids have pretty much become my life, what else is there to talk about? Haha! But seriously, I love talking about and hearing stories about other people’s experiences with childbirth, what age someone’s baby started walking, how many teeth they have. It never gets boring to me.
Animals
I love animals. Cats, dogs, horses, birds, snakes, etc. I love learning new facts about a certain breed or discovering an animal I never knew existed. In another life, I would have liked to have worked with animals. Maybe I still can in the future when my kids are a little more grown up. For now, I’ll just stick to taking in hurt strays and nursing them back to health.
September 7, 2020
Playing Around with the Video Editor
There is such a HUGE learning curve with making videos. Just ask my husband how many times I’ve flipped out after not being able to figure something out haha! Combining my knowledge of Gimp (a different version of Photoshop) and the video editor I use, I was able to make this short video for my book, Bloodborn.
September 5, 2020
Book Review of The Spectra Unearthed by Christie Valentine Powell
My Review
This book was…confusing. First, Jasper is the good guy, then the bad guy, then the good guy again, as if the writer couldn’t make up her mind. The beginning starts out strong with a compelling narrative and a promising storyline, but then the confusion has me looking in all sorts of directions as I try to figure out what is what and where the story is headed. People’s motivations don’t make sense, at least until the very end of the book. Within this complex world the author created, I was left not entirely sure who could do what and where the magic limitations started and ended.
For a children’s book, this is pretty dark. People die. Small children are murdered and get maimed.
The writing style is very good, with characters that could definitely be really interesting if expanding upon a little more. However, this book was just not for me. The mistreatment of children is not something I like to read about.
My rating: 2.5 stars
Blurb
Keita thought that being a princess was nothing but trouble even before the power-hungry Stygians took over the Spectra kingdoms. Now she’s on the run, hunted at every turn, and able to trust only a few other royal exiles. Of course she’d like to make her life safe again, but standing up to the Stygians means confronting Jasper Smelt. A former friend, Jasper insists he wants nothing more to keep her safe, but his pitch-black dungeon and fiery threats suggest otherwise.
With help from her friends, Keita escapes, but there is no safe place for former princesses. Banding together despite their different cultures, the girls head into Jasper’s desert kingdom. They soon find themselves in the middle of a conflict between the Stygians and a small rebel group. Hanging in the balance is a colony of children abandoned for having abilities different than their families. Keita wants to help, and she hates feeling helpless. But how can she face Jasper, someone with abilities she couldn’t begin to fight, someone constantly seeking her out, someone who fears everything…except her?
September 4, 2020
Book Review of Maraschino Marriage Pact by Tamela Miles
My Review
From the very first page, Maraschino Marriage Pact hooks the reader and makes them want to know what happens next. The characters were interesting, each with a backstory about how they got to where they were. I would love to delve deeper into this world the author created and explore the magic and characters.
A dance of hearts and magic, this book was an enjoyable read!
Blurb
Mikayla DiAngelis has spent the past two years traveling the world and avoiding the demands of her overbearing warlock father. A confusing kiss from her former bodyguard is yet another reason for her to stay two steps ahead on the run.
Warlock bodyguard Austin Luca will stop at nothing to bring Mikayla home. His loyalty belongs to her family, but his heart belongs to her, even though he has ties that bind him to his own family responsibilities.
Their encounter was inevitable, and Mikayla is soon caught up in Austin’s passion and the world she vowed to leave behind. Will surrendering to her former protector cost her the freedom she needs?
September 2, 2020
Topics That Make Me Stop Reading a Book
This is a little difficult to answer, as I usually finish books, even if I’m not a big fan. But here are several things that make me dislike a book, when I may have enjoyed it otherwise.
A Hero Who Thinks the World Owes Him Everything
I mainly read this type of thing in medieval fiction, and I’ve read it farrrrr too many times that it gets annoying. Basically, the hero wants land. He coerces or tricks a titled woman to marry him to get said land, forcing/tricking the consummation to make it official.
This type of character just isn’t likeable for me, even after I gave them a chance to learn from their greed and mistakes.
Trading the Story for the Sake of a Sex Scene
Ugh, I hate this! I’ve read several books that have had an amazing storyline, amazing characters, and then instead of ending the book with awesome amazingness, the author ends the book with sex. Umm. No. I hate this. I don’t think this is a good way to end a book.
Excessive Sex
Now that we’re on the topic of sex, I really dislike books with excessive sex. One or two scenes, fine. But when it keeps going and going. And going. I can’t stand it, especially if they’re detailed and take up pages in the book. It detracts from the story and the sexual tension is suddenly gone because the characters crossed that line.
Skipping Vital Scenes
I recently read this book that said something along the lines of “We went on the first date last night…” Umm, what? Why didn’t we get to see this date? Romance in retrospect is a no-go for me. I would much rather see romantic scenes in the moment, that way I can root for the characters to get together and feel a connection to them.
Long, Drawn-out Paragraphs
Excessive inner reflection. Descriptions that go on a bit too long. For this, I will actually put down a book before I even reach page two. It doesn’t necessarily mean the book is bad, but if I’m looking for the next book to read, a book that doesn’t immediately grab my interest likely won’t make the top spot.
Interview with Author Darlene Deluca
Darlene, I’m excited to have you visit my blog today. Tell us about your new release!
The Story Between Us is a heartwarming, sweet romance that released Aug. 26 – on my 60th birthday! It’s about a children’s book author who is drawn to a delightful young fan who’s experienced a family tragedy – and the gorgeous uncle who’s become the boy’s guardian. She wants to help them as they deal with the sudden, overwhelming changes in their lives. As she becomes friends with the pair and they spend time together, she gets a great story idea based on one of the boy’s memories of his parents. She envisions adorable illustrations and a treasured keepsake for this charming little boy. She’s excited about the idea – until his uncle accuses her of exploiting the boy.
Here’s a snippet from an advanced review:
“An utterly charming tale of life, loss, and finding love in unexpected places. A heartwarming and delightful read from start to finish!” ~~~InD’tale Magazine
In romance, you write about heroes and heroines. What’s the most difficult thing about
writing characters from the opposite sex?
I actually like to write heroes. And some of them are my favorite characters. One of my all-time favorite lines from a review is about one of my heroes: “Deluca does a particularly great job creating a McDreamy-worthy main male character whose patience and tenderness evoke sigh after I-wish-he-was mine sigh.” –InD’Tale Magazine
I don’t write “alpha-holes.” And I don’t write about egotistical, arrogant billionaires. So maybe my guys are more Betas than Alphas, but I like nice guys. Sure, they tend to be athletic and strong. They drink beer and watch sports. They may talk in grunts and act clueless sometimes, but they’re smart and hard working. I guess, for me, the trick is to make them well-rounded. I like my characters to wrestle with a difficult situation. Reed, the character in my new release, has unexpectedly become guardian of his six year-old nephew. There’s a whole range of emotions that goes along with that.
What is your favorite childhood book/author?
I spent a lot of time reading as a kid. I’ve always loved books and libraries. When I outgrew the small public library in walking distance of my home, I began taking the bus downtown to the main Wichita library. More books! My all-time favorites are both series: Laura Ingalls Wilder and Trixie Belden. I prefer character-driven stories over plot-driven. Even though Trixie Belden books were “mysteries,” the characters drew me in. I connected with them as though I was part of the group. I loved their relationships and how they related to each other in their quest to solve the mysteries. I still have my worn and tattered copies of both sets.
What is your current writing project about?
The book I’m working on now is a Christmas romance. Working title is Christmas at Tall Pines. It takes place at a lodge in the snowy mountains of Utah near an exclusive ski resort. This is my first book where the hero and heroine knew each other and have been apart for several years. They were high school friends, but he moved away and they lost touch. They meet unexpectedly at the lodge the weekend before Christmas. Originally, I thought it would help move things along at a quicker pace to eliminate the get-to know-you build up. And it does. But maybe too much! I’m now finding that I need more plot points and action scenes to make it a full-length novel. I’m going to have to find that sweet spot!
What did you edit out of your most recent project?
Well, according to my critique partners, my heroine was a little too bitter and snarky toward the hero when they run into each other at the lodge. She’d had a huge crush on him in high school and was hurt when he moved away and disappeared from her life. So I took out some rather pointed, direct remarks. I still want her to be a strong character, though. At this point, they’re 30 years old. Instead, I gave her a little introspection and allowed her to laugh at herself. She puts on a smile – and her big-girl panties – and is cordial. It’s Christmas, after all, and the past is water under the bridge.
Darlene, thanks for stopping by today! This sounds like such a fun and interesting story. Good luck with your new release!
The Story Between Us Blurb
Her agent warned her not to get attached to a fan. But children’s book author Kristen Hanover is about to break the rules. Kristen meets a young boy who is a victim of a tragic accident and is drawn into the heartbreaking situation.
Six years ago, Reed Armstrong never imagined he’d actually become guardian of his sister’s boy. Now he is, and most days he’s not sure he’s up to the task. When he and Dylan meet Kristen, Reed downplays his nephew’s crush on the author. But as their lives become unexpectedly intertwined, he finds himself captivated as well.
Trouble is, she sells stories for a living. Does she truly care about Dylan…and Reed, or is she using them for her own career advancement?
Book Excerpt:
Reed pulled his keys out of his pocket. In the doorway, he folded his arms and leaned against the casing. “Can I ask you a question?”
Chest pounding, Kristen forced a smile. “Of course.” She took a couple of steps toward him and braced a hand against the back of the sofa.
“Is writing your only reason for being here?”
Heavy, charged air closed around her. How to answer that? Honestly, of course, but…how honestly? “Well, writing is my goal for sure. But—” She glanced around the room before looking at him again. “I’d love to ride my horse, er, Star, and spend some time with…with people I like, too.”
As he pushed off from the door, a slow grin spread across his face. “Sounds like an excellent plan.” He sauntered closer. About a foot away, he stopped. “You’re good with dinner at the main house tonight Don’t let Dylan bully you. You decide.”
She gave a shaky laugh. That was the plan, right? She couldn’t remember for sure. Her brain was going fuzzy. “I’d love to,” she managed to say.
He leaned closer, his breath warm on her cheek. She braced herself for a friendly peck, but when her eyes fluttered shut, his lips grazed hers. Hovered there, and when she thought her legs might give out, Reed caught her arm and pulled her slightly toward him, his lips covering hers again.
Sparks exploded in her brain, and she grabbed hold of his arm. All of her senses came alive and responded to the unexpected deluge.
A long moment later, he pulled back and brushed a thumb across her cheek. “See you in about an hour.”
Kristen could only nod. As soon as the door closed behind him, she collapsed against the sofa. She ran a finger along her bottom lip. That kiss…Oh, man. The chances of her getting any writing done this weekend just dropped from unlikely to who-said-anything-about-writing?
Author Bio
Darlene Deluca writes contemporary romance and women’s fiction, and likes to explore relationships – what brings people together or keeps them apart. Her intent is to bring to life interesting characters that readers can relate to in real-life situations that combine a little fun, plenty of drama (with perhaps a tear or two), and big helpings of friendship, love and self-discovery, and will leave readers either cheering or sighing with a satisfied smile as they turn the final page. The Kansas City author enjoys getting lost in a good story with a glass of tea, a bit of dark chocolate and a warm, sunny beach.
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Buy links
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08DCVKMWV/
https://www.thewildrosepress.com/genre/sweet-rom
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-story-between-us-darlenedeluca/1137387092?ean=2940162985785
https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-story-between-us/id1525107147
Social Media Links
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6879809.Darlene_Deluca
https://www.pinterest.com/darlenedelucaau/boards/
https://www.instagram.com/darlenedelucaauthor/?hl=en
https://www.facebook.com/Darlene-Deluca-282385088481413/?ref=bookmarks
https://twitter.com/darlene_deluca1
Website:
https://darlenedeluca.com/
August 28, 2020
Book Review of The Best Friend Problem by Mariah Ankenman
My Review
Sometimes life doesn’t go the way you planned, and that’s okay. When Pru’s entire world shifts against her perfectly planned life, she has to learn to roll with the punches. Luckily, she has a great best friend who stays by her side, someone who might actually be more than just a best friend.
I wasn’t a big fan of Pru from the beginning, and she didn’t get much better by the end, but I did like Finn and I enjoyed their chemistry. There were many places where I laughed out loud, and others where I smiled. Overall, a good read.
My rating: 3.5 stars
Blurb
Prudence Carlson has been lucky in life. A fulfilling wedding-planning business run with her girlfriends in Colorado, plus the best guy friend ever in her firefighter bestie Finn. All that’s missing from it is a baby. Luckily, it’s the twenty-first century—Pru can take matters into her own hands. She doesn’t need to find true love to create the future love of her life.
Except all this talk of babies and insemination and…Pru and Finn cross a line they never expected to. Sure, one night of passion won’t change their close friendship. Until Pru goes in for a fertility check-up to find… she’s already pregnant.
As best friends, Pru and Finn have survived college, new jobs, and bad breakups, but can they survive crib shopping, birth classes, and late-night cravings? Especially when Finn has never considered himself even remotely Daddy material?
