Sydney Winward's Blog, page 7

Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk

Did you know today is don’t cry over spilled milk day? Who knew it was a thing? For me, nothing can cause me more anger, frustration, and anxiety than losing something. Pair that with a toddler who likes to hide things.

Ooooh, yeah. I’ve been practicing a lot of calming techniques lately.

I’m currently writing this at 3 a.m. because I woke up suddenly, eyes wide when I realized the garbage man was coming today. Now, keep in mind my toddler hid his sister’s shoes several days prior and I’ve torn the house apart trying to find them. I even looked in the outside garbage can because I thought the shoes may have made their way into the trash. Even then, I was afraid I might have missed spotting them in there.

It was now or never.

I had to find those shoes.

So there I was, sneaking around just before 3 a.m. trying to find those blasted shoes that I’ve failed to find thus far. I started to get creative and checked inside the fridge, inside cereal boxes, inside my boots. Nothing.

Next, I scanned the bookshelf, and I noticed the books from a children’s series that usually rested inside one box lay scattered about. I picked up the box, and it rattled. I nearly put it back without looking inside because I assumed it was a lone book tipping back and forth within.

I decided to open the box, and…

There were the shoes.

Hallelujah! I can go to bed worry free.

Sure, losing things is incredibly frustrating, but life’s too short to cry over it. Now I just have to remember that the next time my toddler hides his stuffed animal monkey he can never sleep without…

Julie Howard’s New Release: Spirit in Time

Time is not on her side.

Blurb

Time travel isn’t real. It can’t be real. But ghost-blogger Jillian Winchester discovers otherwise when an enigmatic spirit conveys her to 1872 to do his bidding.

Jillian finds herself employed as a maid in Sacramento, in an elegant mansion with a famous painting. The artwork reveals another mystery: Why does the man within look exactly like her boyfriend, Mason Chandler?

Morality and sin live side by side, not only in the picture, but also within her. As her transgressions escalate, she races the clock to find the man in the painting, and hunt down a spirit with a disconcerting gift.

But will time be her friend or foe?

Excerpt

“Are you a ghost?” A young girl stood where the guard had been only minutes before. She spoke matter- of-factly, her dark eyes alive with curiosity.

The house was still whole, she was alive, and the world hadn’t ended. Jillian scanned the room for damage, then blinked. This must be a dream. The long dining table—bare just moments ago—was now laid for a meal. Glasses sat upright, forks and spoons lined up in perfect order, and a tall flower arrangement appeared unscathed. A crystal chandelier above the table remained perfectly still.

The guard and Asian man were nowhere in sight.

The girl, dressed neatly in a calf-length white pinafore embellished with pink ribbons, didn’t appear rattled by the cataclysmic jolt.

“What happened?” Jillian asked, still crouched on her knees. “Are you okay?”

“You don’t belong here. Mother will be angry.”

Even though the floor had ceased to shake, the roiling continued in her head. Might this very real looking girl be a spirit? Most apparitions wavered in some manner, their appearances paler and less there than the tangible world around them. This child appeared solid in every way, from the tips of her shiny chestnut hair to the toes of her lace-up black shoes.

About the Author

Julie Howard is the author of the Wild Crime series, and Spirited Quest. She is a former journalist and editor who has covered topics ranging from crime to cowboy poetry. She is a member of the Idaho Writers Guild, editor of the Potato Soup Journal, and founder of the Boise chapter of Shut Up & Write. Learn more at juliemhoward.com.

Website: http://juliemhoward.com
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/juliemhowardauthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18116047.Julie_Howard
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Julie-Howard/e/B07D6CS4NQ/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/julie-howard?list=author_books
Twitter: https://twitter.com/_JulieMHoward
Follow her on Instagram: @authorjuliehoward

Buy Links

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2LslC9S
iBooks: http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/isbn9781509235100
Barnes and Noble: https://bit.ly/3qaFAF5

Book Review of Spires by Briar Lee Mitchell

Book Review

When a centuries-old vampire is finally released from his prison beneath a cathedral, will he seek revenge on the other vampires who put him there? Or will his release lead to his own destruction?

This book had a bit of everything. Horror. Mystery. Romance. From the very first page, I was sucked into the world the author created. I was intrigued by the idea of a vampire being freed after hundreds of years of entrapment and what might happen once released, and the author didn’t disappoint.

Spires was very well written. The vampires were terrifying, god-like creatures, the stuff of nightmares. And the ending was satisfying. If you like dark fantasy/horror with a bit of paranormal romance, then this book would be a good fit for you.

My rating: 4 stars

Favorite Quote

“What is this?”

“A small token of my gratitude?”

“It’s not a kitten?” she stammered.

“What?”

“Oh, no…nothing.”

She could barely hide her embarrassment, but the moment had already passed for Villicus. She liked that about him. He moved fluidly from one instant to the next, without looking back.

Blurb

An explosion in a chemical factory turns an ancient German cathedral into an inferno. Unable to save the centuries-old structure, firemen and townspeople watch in horror and sadness as the venerable building, standing since the time of Charlemagne, crumbles to the ground in flames, smoke and ash.

The true horror though, is what had been imprisoned deep beneath the stone monstrosity and is released into an unsuspecting world. Villicus Shanks, a powerful vampire during the Middle Ages, a time when vampires warred amongst themselves to feed on the few humans left alive during the plague, was imprisoned by those who feared him the most—his own kind.

Let loose back into a world brimming with money, greed, power, and huge herds of people, Villicus’s thirst for blood and revenge seems unquenchable until he meets Amanda Brax, a human woman, who steals the heart he thought he no longer possessed. His love for her is tested when he finds the two vampires who imprisoned him, Bale and Nikonar. The two bloodsuckers, who are shocked at his surviving such a lonely and devastating imprisonment, seek his destruction once more by trying to take Amanda from him.

Amazon ~ Goodreads

Bloodborn and Bloodbond 99 Cents

Bloodscourge, #3 in the Bloodborn series, is currently available for pre-order! To celebrate my upcoming release, both Bloodborn and Bloodbond are only 99 cents each. If you haven’t started the series, now’s your chance! I’ve included the links below. They’re only on sale for a limited time, so don’t wait!

Pre-Order Bloodscourge! Get Bloodborn for 99 Cents! Get Bloodbond for 99 Cents!

Book Review of Shadow of the Swan by Judith Sterling

My Review

He wants a wife. She wants protection. When the two feel a pull toward the other, will only a spiritual union be possible?

This tale of letting go of past pain and hurt and finding love is so sweet. Constance is a very hesitant and wary bride while Robert is kind and patient. Judith Sterling has a knack for creating deep and interesting characters, and you can’t help but love them as they go on their own journeys to become their best self.

Shadow of the Swan is a great addition to The Novels of Ravenwood, and I’m really looking forward to reading the next installment in the series.

My rating: 5 stars

Favorite Quote

“I’d wager my life against it.” Meg grabbed her cup from the table and took a sip.

“Be careful what you wager.”

“She likes you.”

He sat a little straighter. “How do you know?”

“Her gaze follows you when you walk by.”

“My gaze followed a hedgehog in the meadow yesternight, but I’m not about to declare my love for it.”

Blurb

Lady Constance de Bret was determined to be a nun, until shadows from the past eclipsed her present. Marriage is the safest option, but she insists on a spiritual union, in which physical intimacy is forbidden. Not so easy with a bridegroom who wields unparalleled charm! But a long-buried secret could taint his affection and cloak her in shadow forever.

Back from the Crusades, Sir Robert le Donjon craves a home of his own and children to inherit it. From the moment he meets Constance, he feels a mysterious bond between them. When she’s threatened, he vows to protect her and agrees to the spiritual marriage, with the hope of one day persuading her to enjoy a “real” one. She captivates him but opens old wounds and challenges everything he thought he believed.

Two souls in need of healing. Two hearts destined to beat as one.

Amazon ~ Goodreads

Book Review of Soul of the Wolf by Judith Sterling

My Review

This book surprised me. After reading the first book in the series, I expected Soul of the Wolf to be just as serious and intense as Wulfstan’s character, but I was pleasantly surprised to find it to be quite the opposite. Jocelyn and Wulfstan were such a funny, well-suited pair. They had me laughing throughout the entire book. Especially where all of Jocelyn’s antics were concerned when trying to gain the attention of her new husband.

One of my favorite parts of this book was Jocelyn. She was fiery and headstrong, not afraid to go after what she wanted. She drove Wulfstan crazy in all the right ways. I seriously loved this book, and I’m looking forward to finding out what the next book in the series has in store.

My rating: 5 stars

Favorite Quote

Jocelyn swung her legs over the side of the bed and hopped onto the floor. “He wants me to live a Saxon life? Fine. I’ll do so. My way. I dare him to object.” She marched to the door.

“My lady,” said Alice.

Jocelyn turned. “Aye?”

The handmaiden gave her a meaningful look. “First, let’s get you dressed.”

Blurb

A Norman loyalist, Lady Jocelyn bristles when ordered to marry Wulfstan, a Saxon sorcerer. She nurses a painful secret and would rather bathe in a cesspit than be pawed by such a man…until her lifelong dream of motherhood rears its head.

A man of magic and mystery, Wulfstan has no time for wedded bliss. He fears that consummating their marriage will bind their souls and wrench his focus from the ancient riddle his dying mother begged him to solve. He’s a lone wolf, salving old wounds with endless work. But Jocelyn stirs him as no woman ever has.

Their attraction is undeniable. Their fates are intertwined. Together, they must face their demons and bring light to a troubled land.

Amazon ~ Goodreads

A Few of My Favorite Things

Books

Surprise surprise! Just kidding. I think that’s quite obvious XD. I love writing books, and I especially love reading books. Discovering new authors is fun for me, and reading an author I have read before is always a great experience.

I pretty much read anything under the moon. Fantasy, paranormal, historical, romance, you name it. Even better if it falls under the romance genre.

Music

Like books, I listen to everything under the moon. I don’t have a certain type, but rather I listen to what I’m in the mood for. Sometimes it’s country, sometimes it’s hip-hop or pop, and other times I’m in the mood for Britney Spears or Backstreet Boys. I love 80s pop as well, and I’m lucky my husband and I have the same taste in music! Mostly. Sometimes he plays 70s funk that I HATE and he does it just to laugh at my reaction.

Birds

I grew up bird-sessed. I was someone who took pictures of birds or bird tracks, only to find out that after the pictures were printed, they looked awful. Oh well.

My author logo is a swallow. There are a couple reasons I chose it. Reason one, I admit it’s my patronus lol! I was surprised when I took the Pottermore test to find that out, because it already held significance in one of my books. Another reason is because one of my characters in my books can transform into a swallow. Sure, I may always be #TeamDracula, but Oriel Covaci will always have my heart. A lot of my own personality traits and also what I find attractive in a guy are in book #4 in the Bloodborn Series. I can only hope I do it justice.

Puzzles

Extra points if it’s a Disney puzzle. I love doing puzzles. They may take me hours and hours, but it’s such a calming activity for me. I’m able to clear my head of burdensome thoughts and instead let my active imagination run wild.

Hot Chocolate

This may seem like a funny one, but I loveeeee hot chocolate. I’m lactose intolerant, so it doesn’t always agree with me in the powder form. But I found a brand called Crio Bru that is ground cocoa beans and you brew it like you would coffee. Add in International Delight’s Cold Stone Sweet Cream creamer (might I add that it’s lactose free), and I’m in heaven. So delicious.

I would love to hear about you. What are some of your favorite things?

Book Review of Tangled Souls by Denise D. Young

My Review

There’s a reason for everything under the sun and moon. In a witch’s life, there are no coincidences.

Tangled Souls is a great addition to the Tangled Magic series. We get different characters, but the same world filled with danger, secrets, and magic. Denise D. Young excels in writing vivid, descriptive imagery that leaves the reader feeling like they’re walking through the book themselves, hearing, tasting, seeing, and touching as if they were a character in the story.

I found myself really liking Evan and Bailee, as they both had great talents and personalities to bring to the coven table. Although we only get a glimpse into Nick and Evan’s brotherly relationship, I loved the dynamic between them.

The author leaves off in an interesting place, making the reader wonder what will happen in the next book. If you like witches, shifters, fae, and magic, Tangled Souls is a great read for you.

My rating: 4.5 stars

Favorite Quote

“You read way too many fantasy novels,” he said.

I shrugged. “Don’t pretend you haven’t read The Fellowship three times. It’s not my fault you’re a closet nerd and I’m all out in the open with it.”

That lightened the mood a bit. He grinned. “Four.”

I widened my eyes in mock shock. “Four? Wow, you are a dork.”

Blurb

A curse took him away. Magic brought him back…

I’m Bailee Dugan, and I’m a professional bookworm. Literally. I’m the local librarian in Willow Creek, Virginia.

I’m also a witch.

One year ago, a spell stole my entire coven, including Evan Felson, a charming, devil-may-care musician and fellow witch with whom I’ve been secretly in love since forever.

Last summer, we came so close to a night of passion—but dark magic stole him before we could finish what we started.

Now, Evan has returned to Willow Creek, determined to set things right. But when your half-fae father is determined to destroy your coven and drain every last drop of magic, setting things right isn’t exactly child’s play.

Could the answer to our problems lie in the pages of a book? Or could a doorway to another realm hold the key? And can Evan and I find a way to finish what we started last summer?

Amazon ~ Goodreads

Rise for Me by Kristal Dawn Harris

Blurb

Vampire and warlock, Roman Lee, spent centuries alone as ringmaster of the carnival. After befriending and healing a scarred, young woman, Roman realizes Mariah is his mate. He waits for her, but when she departs from his life, his torture knows no bounds. Now he’s risen, unforgiving and angry, forced from his grave by the one woman who captured his heart, but will another secret and the call of his mate change everything?

The steady call of Roman’s blood and the promise of peace brings Mariah Stone home to the carnival and the vampire she left behind. He ignores her until she forces him from the grave with her blood. His anger crushes her already broken spirit, but she is determined to win Roman’s forgiveness and free him from their bond. Denied passion leads them down a path of magic and desire, while a devastating secret threatens eternal love.

Excerpt

Mariah stopped directly over where she knew Roman rested. Her own blood surged in her veins every time she stepped on the worn plank. She tilted her head, listening to the call of his blood and the beat of his heart. Lizzie said he wasn’t feeding as much as he should, so there was one sure way to bring Roman out of his grave. She searched the room for something sharp until her gaze landed on a small, jeweled pocketknife. She grabbed it off the table and pulled the blade out of its slot. It was dull, but it would work.

Mariah placed the small blade against her left palm, then held it over the spot where she knew Roman rested. With one downward swipe, the blade pierced her flesh, opening a one-inch gash. Blood poured from the wound and dripped onto the rough, wooden floor planks. She crouched and held her palm over the crack between the boards, making sure the blood reached Roman. With a deep breath, she gathered her courage as her blood continued to splatter in droplets between the planks. The room seemed to groan, and every trinket vibrated when she finally called to the other half of her soul in a loud, demanding voice. “Rise for me, Roman Lee.”

AUTHOR BIO

Kristal Dawn Harris is an award-winning, Rone nominated, American romance author. She has been married for 27 years and has two children. Kristal finished a degree from Miami University in Accounting Technology, but quickly realized she preferred words over numbers. She is an avid reader and, in particular, loves darker paranormal romance. Her hobbies include coin collecting, physical fitness, stained-glass art (beginner), poetry, and song writing.

Kristal primarily writes for her publisher, The Wild Rose Press, although it should be noted she has self-released several books. She writes paranormal, fantasy, erotic, as well as contemporary romance in different lengths.

You can find out more about Kristal and her books at www.kristalharris.com.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Website      Twitter     Facebook     Instagram      Goodreads     YouTube    BookBub

Amazon Author Page    Pinterest

UNIVERSAL BUY LINK

Rise for Me | Universal Book Links Help You Find Books at Your Favorite Store! (books2read.com)

Shirley Goldberg’s Cover Reveal for Eat Your Heart Out

Yup, it’s a Cover Reveal!

I’m so thrilled to show off my new cover for Eat Your Heart Out, the second book in the series Starting Over.

Two foodies, Dana and Alex, banter, sauté and tiptoe around each other. Except for the occasional smooch. What’s with that?

I’m sharing more of Eat Your Heart Out’s details on my blog. Read the blurb and click this link https://midagedating.com/ to read an excerpt. Too soon for links, but I’m looking for ARC readers, so please keep in touch. Publication date coming soon!

Thanks to Debbie Taylor for her cover and the team at The Wild Rose Press for all their hard work!

Blurb for Eat Your Heart Out

When a tyrant in stilettos replaces her beloved boss, and her ex snags her coveted job, teacher Dana Narvana discovers there are worse things than getting dumped on Facebook. Time for the BFF advice squad, starting with Dana’s staunchest ally, Alex—hunky colleague, quipster, and cooking pal extraordinaire. But when the after-hours smooching goes nowhere, she wonders why this grown man won’t make up his mind.

Alex Bethany’s new lifestyle gives him the confidence to try online dating. What he craves is a family of his own until a life-altering surprise rocks his world. He knows he’s sending Dana mixed messages. Alex panics when he thinks he’s blown his chance with his special person. From appetizers to the main course will these two cooking buddies make it to dessert?

Funny and bittersweet, Dana and Alex’s story will have you rooting for them.