Sydney Winward's Blog, page 5

Book Review of The Scarred Mage of Roseward: Prisoner by Sylvia Mercedes

Book Review

At book one, I craved more. At book two, I can say I might actually be addicted to the world Sylvia Mercedes has created in The Scarred Mage of Roseward series. In his past, Soran Silveri was not a good guy. He was arrogant and selfish. But in this book, I truly got to see the beauty deep within his soul. His dedication to keep others safe. His need to protect Nelle from the dangers she faces each day. I couldn’t help but fall a little more in love with Soran, and I can’t wait to see how he continues to grow in the next and final book.

My rating: 5 stars

Favorite Quote

“Magic does not come quickly for anyone. Not even the fae receive their powers or control of those powers all at once–a young bird is born with the ability to fly, to soar to the highest reaches of the heavens, yet it must wait for its feathers to grow. The more powerful the bird, the longer it takes. A little songbird may leave the nest within mere weeks. The phoenix, however, requires many months.”

Blurb

After fifteen years of imprisonment and solitude, Soran Silveri’s life is rudely interrupted by the arrival of one brash, headstrong, flame-haired girl. He cannot refuse her appeals for sanctuary—but he can resist her pleas for him to teach her magic. If the suspicions he harbors about her prove true, tapping into her magic potential could spell disaster.

Nelle has survived the first hurdle of her mission on Roseward Isle: She convinced the disgraced mage to let her stay. Now, if she can only find his hidden spellbook, she could return home in time to save Papa. It should be simple enough.

But as the danger stalking Roseward Isle closes in, a situation that once seemed simple grows more complex by the day. Can Soran bear to send away the woman who has instilled his life with new meaning and purpose? Can Nelle betray the man who has opened her eyes to possibilities she never knew existed?

Amazon ~ Goodreads

Book Review of The Scarred Mage of Roseward by Sylvia Mercedes

My Review

A thief. A mage. An unforgettable tale.

The feels! I adored this book. It was one of those stories where you don’t realize you’re reading a fairy tale retelling until you’re about halfway through the book. I really enjoyed the writing, the characters, and the hard choices they have to make for other people.

Soran Silveri is a different kind of beast, mostly of his own making. He’s scarred, trapped, and tells himself he deserves the fate wrought upon him each and every night. But as a reader, I can’t help but hope there’s another way. Nelle is a unique kind of beauty. She has dangerous, coveted skills, a sharp tongue, and I absolutely loved her. I’m not sure where book #2 in the series is headed, but I’m looking forward to finding out!

My rating: 5 stars

Favorite Quote

Though his hands would no longer serve him, his mind was as sharp as ever. Or at least he thought it was.

He might actually be insane, in which case he was doomed anyway.

Blurb

Peronelle Beck longs for nothing more than to leave behind her thieving ways and pursue a life of honest work. But when her father lands himself neck-deep in debt, Nelle must take on a dangerous job if she hopes to save his life . . . a job that brings her to the shores of Roseward Isle.

For fifteen years, Soran Silveri has fought to suppress the nightmarish monster stalking Roseward. His weapons are few and running low, and the curse placed upon him cripples his once unmatched power. Isolation has driven him to the brink of madness, and he knows he won’t be able to hold on much longer.

When a sharp-tongued, uncouth, and undeniably beautiful young woman shows up on his shore, Soran resolves to drive her away. He won’t be responsible for another death!

But Nelle is equally determined not to be frightened off by the hideously scarred mage. Not until she gets what she came for . . . .

Amazon ~ Goodreads

Book Review of Thief of My Heart by Karla Kratovil

My Review

During the day, she’s a fine lady with a large family and a chaotic house filled with dogs. At night, she’s a cat burglar, stealing beautiful jewelry from the unsuspecting wealthy. But her life turns upside down when she robs the wrong house. Or perhaps the right house.

What a ride! Karla Kratovil creates such a unique but loveable heroine in Thief of My Heart. She’s fearless, extraordinary, and she’s not afraid to get her hands dirty if that means creating a better life for her siblings. And of course, the DUKE. Need I say more? I already fell in love with Andrew in Captain of My Heart, and this book has lived up to my expectations and more. I enjoyed seeing the characters in the first book in this series return for another adventure full of danger, secrets, and of course, love.

I really enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to reading Caroline’s story next!

My rating: 5 stars

Favorite Quote

Her real life bound her to society’s rules, to her responsibilities to her family. But the night belonged to her. Within its darkness she was brave and fearless. She took what she wanted. And right now, she wanted to see him.

Blurb

The Duke of Gilchrest spends his days restoring his inheritance, raising his two young sons, and forging a path past his guilt over his wife’s death. Then one night he catches a thief breaking into his bedroom, and his well-ordered world is turned upside down.

Emma Whittingham is leading a double life. Her father’s suicide leaves her to care for her five younger siblings alone. Her estranged uncle is in no financial position to be their guardian, but he does teach her his only skill, how to be a jewel thief.

The trouble is, she can’t seem to stay away from the sexy duke. Each time she visits him under cover of darkness is another chance he will figure out her real identity. Then one job goes terribly wrong, and she must ask for help from the only man powerful enough to protect her and her family from ruin

Amazon ~ Goodreads

Happy Book Birthday to the Rock House Grill!

One man’s choices—One woman’s impact
Winner NNLights Book Heaven 1st place Sweet Romance
Author Shout Out Recommended Read 2020

Aden House, successful but driven chef and TV personality, refuses to slow down. His life implodes one night, damaging him both physically and emotionally. He’s rescued by a woman he thinks of as his angel.

Shay McDowell has rebuilt her life after her divorce. She juggles volunteer EMT duties and her job, while dreaming of becoming a chef. She finds her way to Rock House Grill and back into the life of the man she helped save.

Can love be the ingredient needed to survive the many obstacles they face?

Happy Birthday to Rock House Grill.

I can’t believe it’s been a year already since publication. The road to get there was filled with potholes and detours. Rock House Grill started out as a NaNoWriMo challenge in November of 2015. The challenge is 50,000 words in 30 days. I was able to complete the first draft and received my certificate. Then, like many manuscripts, it was set aside while I finished other projects. I had a couple of independents in the hopper and focused on those.

Fast forward to 2019. I pulled up some old files, and there sat Rock House waving at me. “Hey, remember me?” I did, and with fresh eyes, began to revisit. I’d always dreamed of becoming a traditionally published author. To be able to say, my publishing house—my editor. I began to send out query letters. Let’s just say most places don’t even send a response, much less express an interest.

I sent several letters out in May. Word of warning. Be careful to look things over before you hit send. In horror, I realized the salutation in the email to The Wild Rose Press had another’s name on it. Panic ensued, and a new email went out. “Wild Rose Press. I know you’re The Wild Rose Press!”

Well, I blew that one. Wait. Not necessarily. A few days before my birthday, there was a ding in my inbox. Please send… OMG! Then came the next. Please send the full manuscript. After a couple of starts, stops, and a change in editors, this came on Jul 13, 2017.

Dear Donna,

My name is ELF and I am the editor who has been assigned to evaluate your story, “The Rock House Grill,” for The Wild Rose Press. 

Poor ELF didn’t know what she was getting into. At one point, she had to use tough love and warn me I had one more chance.

So here we are in 2021. You do the math. Publishing for me is not a straight road. I imagine for many, it’s a long pothole-filled one. But don’t give up. Even when you send the wrong email.

Rock House Grill and I are celebrating our first birthday together. Coming soon is the second Impact book Jazz House. Who knows when that book birthday will be. But I’m sure it will be as sweet as this one. You want to know why? Just like having more than one child, holding each of your subsequent books is an amazing feeling.

My final word to you? Go forth and be bold. Don’t let fear or worry hold you back. I promise it’s worth it.

Reviews

This engrossing story had it all, mystery, suspense, and romance. The twists and turns made it impossible to put down. I enjoyed the supporting characters as well. I will be looking for more from this talented storyteller.

This book is a delightful, savory, hopeful, fun, romantic, and warmhearted read!!

I really enjoyed this romantic suspense. The author portrayed a vivid description of the glamorous world of the high-end restaurant business. The characters were believable, and I rooted for Shay, the heroine, to overcome the many obstacles in her quest to find true love with Aden, the physically and emotionally damaged hero.

Excerpt

“Easy, you’re going to be okay.” A soft voice eased through the chaos around him. The owner of the voice grabbed his arms and held them in a firm but gentle grip. “I’m right here with you. You are not alone.”

“Can hardly m-move.” His voice slurred. “C-can’t see anything.”

“You’ve been in an accident. I’m an EMT with the ambulance squad,” the velvety voice calmly explained. “You can’t see well because we’re under a tarp. Hold still, okay?”

“‘K.” A small light flickered at the edge of his vision. It shone into a bag next to him. Penlight.

“You’re restrained to a board. It’s to keep your head from moving and causing more injury.” She continued to talk to him. The voice reached down somewhere inside him, calming and peaceful, so he focused on it. A glow from spotlights on the outside lit whatever covered them. The shadow gave the woman the appearance of a halo—like an angel.

About the Author

Hi, my name is D. V. Stone. I am a multi-genre author of two independently published books. Felice, Shield-Mates of Dar is a fantasy romance. Agent Sam Carter and the Mystery at Branch Lake is a mid-grade paranormal. Recently, Rock House Grill was released by Wild Rose Press. Rainbow Sprinkles, a novella released on July 8th. I also host Welcome to the Campfire and A Peek Through the Window, both weekly blogs. Here’s a little more about me.

Born in Brooklyn, D.V. Stone has moved around a bit and even lived for a time on a dairy farm in Minnesota before moving back east. Throughout her wandering, she always considered herself a Jersey Girl. She met and married the love of her life, Pete—a lifelong Jersey Man, and moved this time to Sussex County.  They live with Hali, a mixed breed from the local shelter, and their cat Baby.

D.V.’s career path varied from working with the disabled to become a volunteer EMT, which in turn led to working in hospital emergency rooms and then in a women’s state prison. After a few years, she took a break from medicine and became the owner of Heavenly Brew, a specialty coffee shop in Sparta, NJ, and a small restaurant in Lafayette. Life handed some setbacks. She ended up back in the medical field, but this time in a veterinary emergency hospital. 

“Thank you for taking the time to read about me. Each time you open the pages to one of my books, I hope you’ll be swept away by the story and find encouragement in your own life, never to give up on hope.”
D.V. Stone

Buy Links

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Find out more about D. V.

Website           Facebook        Twitter           Instagram

Pinterest          Bookbub         Goodreads       Newsletter

Welcome to the Campfire Blog          Amazon Author Page

Other Books by D. V. Stone

Rainbow Sprinkles
After the storm come the rainbows.

Felice, Shield-Mates of Dar
One foolish thought. One brutal act. Instead of a peaceful alliance––war.

Agent Sam Carter and the Mystery at Branch Lake
A Mid-grade paranormal

Contributing Author
Australia Burns

One-stop link https://linktr.ee/d.v.stone
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https://books.apple.com/us/book/rock-house-grill/id1499753674
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https://www.bookbub.com/authors/d-v-stone

Book Review of Shadows of Doubt by Patricia McAlexander

My Review

“The child is father of the man.”

Growing up, Jeff Hudson was labeled as a problem child. His parents were on the verge of divorce. He often started fights. And he acted out to get his parents’ attention. However, he quickly finds he cannot outrun his past, even if it means winning over Sandy Harris and her mother. When his past catches up to him, it might put both him and Sandy at risk.

Patricia McAlexander wove together a gripping tale of love, danger, and second chances. The author created a story with so much depth that each character introduced was unique and your heart couldn’t help but go out to them. I loved getting to know the characters, and I found myself rooting for Jeff and Sandy to make their relationship work.

My rating: 5 stars

Blurb

Former grade school bully and, later, amateur drug dealer Jeff Hudson turns his life around and is pursuing a degree in agriculture. His future, as well as a budding relationship with fellow student Sandy Harris, is threatened when a former dealer threatens to expose Jeff’s past to university authorities if he doesn’t rejoin the ring.

Realizing that Jeff is no longer an angry, misunderstood boy, Sandy must take a stand against her family and friends who swear he is no good and will only cause her unhappiness. Together, can they escape the past in order to forge a future?

Amazon ~ Goodreads

Book Review of Bone Crier’s Moon by Kathryn Purdie

My Review

“Believe every story you hear.”

I have so many mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, Bone Crier’s Moon was SO GOOD. I loved the characters. The descriptions were incredible. The story idea was super unique and interesting. It was easy to lose myself in the story and the awesome action scenes.

On the other hand, it was SO repetitive. The book could have been cut in half and still come out the same by the end. The book not only ended on a cliffhanger, but it was a frustrating cliffhanger. It would have been nice to have at least some sort of resolution by the end of the story.

The themes of love and friendship were present throughout the entire book. What does love really mean? What does it look like? Is love really predicted by the gods? Or is it only just a game? This book is great for those looking for a unique fantasy romance with a darker edge.

My rating: 4 stars

Favorite Quote

I lunge for him, and we begin a new dance, this one more deadly, more passionate, more inflamed.

Blurb

Bone ​Criers have a sacred duty. They alone can keep the dead from preying on the living. But their power to ferry the spirits of the dead into goddess Elara’s Night Heavens or Tyrus’s Underworld comes from sacrifice. The gods demand a promise of dedication. And that promise comes at the cost of the Bone Criers’ one true love.

Ailesse has been prepared since birth to become the matriarch of the Bone Criers, a mysterious famille of women who use strengths drawn from animal bones to ferry dead souls. But first she must complete her rite of passage and kill the boy she’s also destined to love.

Bastien’s father was slain by a Bone Crier and he’s been seeking revenge ever since. Yet when he finally captures one, his vengeance will have to wait. Ailesse’s ritual has begun and now their fates are entwined—in life and in death.

Sabine has never had the stomach for the Bone Criers’ work. But when her best friend Ailesse is taken captive, Sabine will do whatever it takes to save her, even if it means defying their traditions—and their matriarch—to break the bond between Ailesse and Bastien. Before they all die.

Amazon ~ Goodreads

Book Review of A Deal with the Elf King by Elise Kova

My Review

A Deal with the Elf King is a very unique retelling of Hades and Persephone. I really enjoyed the dynamic between Eldas and Luella. Their constant fighting and banter often had me laughing or cheering. They are one of those couples who are so good for each other, but you have to peel back every single rose petal to get to the center of the flower.

I loved all the characters, though Willow and, surprisingly Harrow, both became my favorites. Willow is so down to earth and I loved his sweet and caring personality. As for Harrow, his outer shell is hard to crack, but once you weaken it, you find something much softer beneath. Much like his brother, Eldas. They are more alike than they realize.

The book was a great mix of romance, tension, danger, magic, and humor. The pacing was very slow, but overall, I really enjoyed the story, the unique world building, and the loveable characters.

My rating: 4.5 stars

Favorite Quote

The Elf King’s face, ethereal, handsome, youthful, as hard as diamonds, is as handsome as it is terrifying. He is like a poisonous flower–stunning and deadly. This, I realize as his eyes flash an even brighter blue, is the face of death.

Blurb

The elves come for two things: war and wives. In both cases, they come for death.

Three-thousand years ago, humans were hunted by powerful races with wild magic until the treaty was formed. Now, for centuries, the elves have taken a young woman from Luella’s village to be their Human Queen.

To be chosen is seen as a mark of death by the townsfolk. A mark nineteen-year-old Luella is grateful to have escaped as a girl. Instead, she’s dedicated her life to studying herbology and becoming the town’s only healer.

That is, until the Elf King unexpectedly arrives… for her.

Everything Luella had thought she’d known about her life, and herself, was a lie. Taken to a land filled with wild magic, Luella is forced to be the new queen to a cold yet blisteringly handsome Elf King. Once there, she learns about a dying world that only she can save.

The magical land of Midscape pulls on one corner of her heart, her home and people tug on another… but what will truly break her is a passion she never wanted.

Amazon ~ Goodreads

Book Review of The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

My review

I really expected to fall in love with this book. I’m disappointed that I didn’t.

First of all, this book should have been written in third person to allow for more than one point of view. Without Cardan’s point of view, I felt like I was missing half the story. I got more of it in How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories, but it didn’t show up in this book. I loved Cardan in that spin-off, especially because I was able to get inside his head. But I wasn’t able to get that in The Cruel Prince.

Second, the book was really hard to get into. The story was interesting. The world-building was intriguing with an Alice in Wonderland type of feel. But I didn’t find myself liking Jude or the way the story often dragged forward. I’m not sure if I want to read the second book in the series, but I might consider it because I liked How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories.

My rating: 3 stars

Blurb

Jude was seven when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King.

To win a place at the Court, she must defy him–and face the consequences.

As Jude becomes more deeply embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, she discovers her own capacity for trickery and bloodshed. But as betrayal threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself. 

Goodreads

Review of When Hunting a Chimera by J.D.L. Rosell

My Review

A cover of an ominous man in a cloak holding a sword? Yep, that’s right up my alley. Even better was the detailed writing that pulled me into the story and made me long to learn more about this character and the world he lives in. J.D.L Rosell did an incredible job at capturing the essence of Tal in such a short story, not only enthralling his readers with hilarious, cocky behavior, but demonstrating the level of knowledge and skill this character has as he hunts and fights a chimera.

Just this little glimpse into the world of Legend of Tal makes me want to read more, and I’m looking forward to finding out what the next book in the series has to offer.

My rating: 5 stars

Favorite Quote

Though none who saw him would call him an angel. Ugly was perhaps too strong a word to assign him, but with scars crisscrossing his skin and mud-brown hair growing in gray and white stripes, he could hardly be called a beauty.

But compared to this monster, he was a *gosh-darn* princess.

Blurb

Tal Harrenfel was once a legend of many names — Ringthief, Red Reaver, Magebutcher. But, now retired, those days of heroics and villainy are behind him.

Or so he likes to tell himself.

When a beast comes down from the mountains and threatens his home village, Tal once more oils his sword, restrings his bow, rehearses his cantrips, and makes ready to meet it.

For when hunting a chimera, it pays to be prepared…

Goodreads

Book Review of A Song of Sea and Shore by Katherine Macdonald

My Review

I have no words to describe this. Pun intended? Maybe a little. As of yet, A Song of Sea and Shore is my favorite of all of Katherine Macdonald’s works I have read so far, and let me tell you, I loved Kingdom of Thorns like nobody’s business.

The author broke my heart, then patched it up, broke it again, patched it up, and maybe repeated the process a few more times after that. This story was so emotional and so well-crafted, it brought me to tears on several occasions. I loved the characters and the hard choices they had to make throughout the book. I loved the uniqueness of a plot we have heard time and again. I especially loved this different type of hero the author painted (another pun, sorry!), one who is quiet, thoughtful, creative, and emotional. Did I also mention he blushes easily?

The Little Mermaid is one of my favorite fairy tales, and I adored this particular retelling. I absolutely recommend!

My rating: 5+ stars

Favorite Quote

I knew that whatever evil they were capable of, whatever carelessness, they were just as capable of kindness, and for that reason alone I would defend them until I was no more than foam on the sea.

Blurb

A treaty broken. A promise forgotten. A friendship lost.

When the Sea Queen threatens war with the land folk, her youngest daughter Nerina defies her by heading to shore to warn them, and return to Prince Kai, the boy she’s loved ever since she was a child.

But tricked by the Sea Witch, Neri finds herself unable to communicate who she is, and baffled that everyone seems to have forgotten that mermaids exist at all. Mysteries and heartbreak surround both the lands of sea and shore, and to save them, Neri and Kai must be willing to sacrifice anything…

Amazon ~ Goodreads