Elizabeth Suggs's Blog, page 5
June 17, 2021
Book Review: Dead Man Walking
By Elizabeth Suggs
Dead Man Walking by David Green is a quick, grungy detective novella with fantasy and supernatural elements.
Like any detective story, we’ve got our drunk private eye—the guy who’s seen “too much.” Unlike most detective stories, this one’s got ghosts, demons, and the devil. The private detective, Nick Holleran, can see ghosts and all manner of things strange after he died and was brought back to life, waking to the truth that Hell is on earth.
David Green has a way of splicing in fantastical elements with an easy-to-read style that kept me turning the electric pages. Plus, I really loved putting together the clues of what was to come.
Definitely worth the read.
Elizabeth Suggs is the owner and founder of Editing Mee and co-owner of Collective Tales Publishing. When she’s not writing or editing, she loves to dive deep into books (the weirder, the better!), and she loves to take random long walks to unplanned destinations. Check out her recently released book Collective Darkness with eleven other authors. Buy your copy here: www.CollectiveDarkness.com
June 15, 2021
Book Review: Moon in Bastet
By Elizabeth Suggs
Moon In Bastet by E.S. Danon is a memoir turned thrilling fiction about Danon's life.
We follow an orphan fourteen-year-old girl named Eva who lives in the Negev desert of Israel and works as a custodian of Cirque Du Christianisme, controlled by a drunk woman. Eva's only reprieve from her life is her thirteen-year-old friend Jack and a small cohort of Bedouin sister-wives.
There's mystery, magic, and symbolism all compounded into one fantastic book. Danon's prologue is powerful, with poetic descriptions and abstract ideas, but the rest of the book didn't pull me in as the writing didn't hit me as hard, and the story felt more YA.
This book wasn't for me, but you may like this if you enjoy mystical YA stories!
Elizabeth Suggs is the owner and founder of Editing Mee and co-owner of Collective Tales Publishing. When she’s not writing or editing, she loves to dive deep into books (the weirder, the better!), and she loves to take random long walks to unplanned destinations. Check out her recently released book Collective Darkness with eleven other authors. Buy your copy here: www.CollectiveDarkness.com
June 12, 2021
Guest Book Review: The Merman’s Kiss
By Regina Grimm
Can you say steamy?! Tamsin Ley takes you on a wild, adventurous ride so fantastical that you almost forget that mermen don’t exist. In her stories, the contrast of mermen and mermaids creates a tangible culture of these beings that makes the heartache for the doomed mermen. Our heroine is likable and tragic in a beautiful, heartbreaking way, and you cannot help but get swept away by the passion and intensity of the MC’s interactions.
The characters are intriguing, the sex hot as hell, the connection between our couple sweet and steamy, the world that Ley paints beautiful and ethereal.
What I didn’t love so much was the pace of the book. Often the scenes felt rushed or incredibly short as we were whisked from one event to the next. Some of the characters were introduced without getting to know or like them, though I later learned they each have their own books if you want to read more. The damsel in distress moments would have been cliche, but Ley pulls it out of the bag with a rescue mission gone horribly—and satisfyingly—right.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for pure escapism, with a heady dose of fantasy heat. If you are looking for a reason to love fairytale creatures, this book does not disappoint. Short and quick, The Merman’s Kiss is easily consumable, with the promise of additional books —if you are so inclined—but a satisfying stand-alone read if you are looking for a one-and-done adult bedtime story. Ley delivers with a true HEA and mushy goodness offset by scenes that will fog up your glasses and have you risking your Kindle in the bathtub.
After traveling and living abroad, Regina Grimm fell in love with fairytales and folklore, and how nostalgia can blend with eroticism as we grow into healthy adults. She was born and raised in British Columbia, Canada, and currently lives on Vancouver Island.
Regina is the author of Erotic Fairytales. Her first book, Snow White and the Wicked Queen: Chapter 1 is currently available on Amazon Kindle.
Look for Snow White and the Vicious Curse: Chapter 2 coming June 2021
Book Review: The Merman’s Kiss
By Regina Grimm
Can you say steamy?! Tamsin Ley takes you on a wild, adventurous ride so fantastical that you almost forget that mermen don’t exist. In her stories, the contrast of mermen and mermaids creates a tangible culture of these beings that makes the heartache for the doomed mermen. Our heroine is likable and tragic in a beautiful, heartbreaking way, and you cannot help but get swept away by the passion and intensity of the MC’s interactions.
The characters are intriguing, the sex hot as hell, the connection between our couple sweet and steamy, the world that Ley paints beautiful and ethereal.
What I didn’t love so much was the pace of the book. Often the scenes felt rushed or incredibly short as we were whisked from one event to the next. Some of the characters were introduced without getting to know or like them, though I later learned they each have their own books if you want to read more. The damsel in distress moments would have been cliche, but Ley pulls it out of the bag with a rescue mission gone horribly—and satisfyingly—right.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for pure escapism, with a heady dose of fantasy heat. If you are looking for a reason to love fairytale creatures, this book does not disappoint. Short and quick, The Merman’s Kiss is easily consumable, with the promise of additional books —if you are so inclined—but a satisfying stand-alone read if you are looking for a one-and-done adult bedtime story. Ley delivers with a true HEA and mushy goodness offset by scenes that will fog up your glasses and have you risking your Kindle in the bathtub.
After traveling and living abroad, Regina Grimm fell in love with fairytales and folklore, and how nostalgia can blend with eroticism as we grow into healthy adults. She was born and raised in British Columbia, Canada, and currently lives on Vancouver Island.
Regina is the author of Erotic Fairytales. Her first book, Snow White and the Wicked Queen: Chapter 1 is currently available on Amazon Kindle.
Look for Snow White and the Vicious Curse: Chapter 2 coming June 2021
June 10, 2021
Book Review: The Krino Blade
By Elizabeth Suggs
Sophie Queen’s back at it again! The Krino Blade, book two in Riley's Excellent and Not-At-All Fake Exorcism Service series, is just as fun as the first, and the characters are just as endearing.
While the first book will always be in my heart because it introduced me to the world and exposed me to awesome characters, this sequel does not disappoint!
Queen introduces us to some great new characters and brings back some of our old favorites such as our demon friend Thomas and our priest Lahn (Lawn?). She’s got humor, sexual tension, and a fast-moving plot that makes it difficult to put the book down!
Here are my favorite quotes:
Demon, take me to Hell.
He flashed her a warm smile that would make any woman’s ovaries melt.
If you like fast-paced adventures with demons and witches, then you’re going to love this!
If you haven’t read the first book, read the review.
Also, make sure to check out our interview with the author and read an excerpt from her book!
Elizabeth Suggs is the owner and founder of Editing Mee and co-owner of Collective Tales Publishing. When she’s not writing or editing, she loves to dive deep into books (the weirder, the better!), and she loves to take random long walks to unplanned destinations. Check out her recently released book Collective Darkness with eleven other authors. Buy your copy here: www.CollectiveDarkness.com
June 1, 2021
Book Review: The Girl in the Storm
The Girl in the Storm by Christopher Stanfield is a YA fantasy about seventeen-year-old Genevieve Reidell, who learns of her destiny from an angel after a school shooting.
What I really loved about Stanfield’s story was his writing. There were times where he pulled me into a setting just by his words alone. I really loved this.
I’m not a big lover of YA or supernatural angel/demon books, so this wasn’t my favorite story, but the angels’ interactions reminded me a bit like Supernatural, but I felt like Stanfield’s angels were more angelic or “holy.”
Favorite Quotes:
In those days, hate was always near at hand.
The weight was back again, pressing in on her from every side.
This wasn’t my favorite book, but if you love YA and supernatural themes, then you may really enjoy Stanfield’s book.
During the month of May, Stanfield donated his royalties to the Sandy Hook Promise charity. It’s not too late to help the cause! Visit Sandy Hook Promise to donate directly.
Elizabeth Suggs is the owner and founder of Editing Mee and co-owner of Collective Tales Publishing. When she’s not writing or editing, she loves to dive deep into books (the weirder, the better!), and she loves to take random long walks to unplanned destinations. Check out her recently released book Collective Darkness with eleven other authors. Buy your copy here: www.CollectiveDarkness.com
The Girl in the Storm
The Girl in the Storm by Christopher Stanfield is a YA fantasy about seventeen-year-old Genevieve Reidell, who learns of her destiny from an angel after a school shooting.
What I really loved about Stanfield’s story was his writing. There were times where he pulled me into a setting just by his words alone. I really loved this.
I’m not a big lover of YA or supernatural angel/demon books, so this wasn’t my favorite story, but the angels’ interactions reminded me a bit like Supernatural, but I felt like Stanfield’s angels were more angelic or “holy.”
Favorite Quotes:
In those days, hate was always near at hand.
The weight was back again, pressing in on her from every side.
This wasn’t my favorite book, but if you love YA and supernatural themes, then you may really enjoy Stanfield’s book.
May 20, 2021
Book Review: Smolder
Smolder by Michael R Goodwin is a horror novella about a recently divorced man named Eric. Who must deal with his new life as a single man and the foreclosure of his dream home. The story really starts when he takes a late-night walk in the woods nearby his home.
Goodwin did a good job describing the graphic horror throughout the book. It was visceral, and I couldn't pull away. My biggest critique is the perspective change. I feel like it would have enhanced the horror if we just stayed in Eric's perspective, especially with how short the story is. Moving into Monica's perspective and then Trent's (who felt cartoonish in his personality) changed the story for me. It made it more about the abuse in a relationship, which is horrific in its own right, rather than Eric's unsettling experience in the wood.
But other than that, the story was great. I really love how there's this nagging fear. Goodwin did a great job showing that, especially with Eric.
Here are my favorite quotes:
It could taste the bitter smokiness that mingled with the man's blood.
The animals knew something that the man did not.
Check this out if you like graphic horror!
May 18, 2021
Book Review: Princess of Thorns
By Elizabeth Suggs
Princess of Thorns by Saga Hillbom is a historical novel about Great Britain in 1483.
[image error]This story centers around Edward IV and his family, specifically Cecily and her life through change, age, and despair.
Hillborn really knows how to bring you into the world of the court during this time, and while I enjoyed many parts of this, sometimes I felt like the story was lacking. At times, I would have loved more information, but it felt like we were being told what happened, rather than experiencing it ourselves. And for this reason, I didn’t have a strong connection to certain people who centered around Cecily. But this is more of a taste. I’m in awe with how much research Hillborn went into to make the perfect story, and I enjoyed her author’s note at the end.
Favorite Quotes:
They [children] understood so little, yet often more than one expected and could be horribly unpredictable.
Boys are more precious than jewels, yet they die like flies.
I suggest it for anyone who loves historical stories!
Elizabeth Suggs is the owner and founder of Editing Mee and co-owner of Collective Tales Publishing. When she’s not writing or editing, she loves to dive deep into books (the weirder, the better!), and she loves to take random long walks to unplanned destinations. Check out her recently released book Collective Darkness with eleven other authors. Buy your copy here: www.CollectiveDarkness.com
May 13, 2021
Book Review: The Scarring of the Roshanra
The Scarring of the Roshanra by Kara S.B. Brown is a psychological fantasy novel with very dark elements. This book is not for all readers as it deals with torture, rape, and PTSD, which draws on experiences from the author’s life. This gives the book a very raw, real feeling for the intricately built world, and I think that really works for this heavily character-driven novel.
Brown has some well-written sentences, which I valued, but sometimes I felt certain sentences or words were a little redundant or unnecessary, causing the pacing to be a little too slow or too quick. But outside of that, I feel like this was a beautifully intense book about how characters can overcome the most heinous torture and difficulty.
Here are my favorite quotes:
Daniel’s peace was fire under the surface, raging with the heartfelt passion and obsession for his well-being.
The lack of clarity sent thorns deep into her mind and she felt the bile rising.
For a first time author, I can’t wait to see what else she has in store for us!
Not for everyone, but if you enjoy intense and graphic content, you may like this.
