Eve Koguce's Blog, page 21

Book review / Witches' Masquerade by Eva Alton

Witches' Masquerade by Eva Alton

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


“Witches’ Masquerade” takes readers on a journey of magic, love, and sacrifice.

Alba returns home to Emberbury only to be forced to go back to the Old World on yet another impossible mission. Elizabeth, the vampire queen, is far from happy that two of her faithful subjects haven’t returned to the Cloister where they belong. And she makes it clear that it’s Alba’s problem to get them back.

Again, on the road – above the ocean, on the winter roads of the French Pyrenees that are full of natural dangers in addition to paranormal ones – Alba is rushing headlong into trouble. Nothing and no one, be it the forces of nature, ghosts asking for assistance, or the old coven of powerful witches, can stop her. Clarence, her beloved vampire, is about to succumb to death – again – but this time, for real, and Alba is ready to do any reckless thing if it gives her even a tiny chance to save him.

The ending of “Witches’ Masquerade” is both satisfying and disappointing, since it makes you crave for more. I’m certainly looking forward to reading where the devious fate will take Alba and Clarence next – after their relationship has been irreversibly transformed.




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Book review / Witch's Mirror by Eva Alton

Witch's Mirror by Eva Alton

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


“Witch’s Mirror” is the second book in the “Vampires of the Emberbury” series by Eva Alton. I enjoyed the first book “Stray Witch” so much that I went on reading the second one right away. And after reading the second, I dived right into the third.

“Witch’s Mirror” has a darker edge to it. Alba, the witch who still doesn’t know what to do with her abilities and if she is able to get them under control, finds herself in the epicentre of centuries-long feuds between different paranormal creatures. And those are no joking battles.

There is a lot of action in the book with twists and turns I didn’t see coming. Vampires and witches act just like one would expect from them – being creatures of the darkness and all. So, be prepared for some serious blood-shedding and sinister torture chambers hidden in the labyrinths of the romantic channels of beautiful Venice.

My special thanks to the author go for… Carlo. I won’t spoil the pleasure for you, but the guy is a treasure. Every book needs a side character like him.

Set against the backdrop of the charming landscape of Italy, the book transports readers into the world of powerful magic, spells, and incantations, with vampires managing the international businesses and vampire hunters, whose influence and wealth match those of their enemies.




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Book review / Stray Witch by Eva Alton

Stray Witch by Eva Alton

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


As I’m sitting and staring at the blinking cursor, I can’t but dwell on the controversies of a human mind. Why is it so that when you like something, dozens of words, appropriate to express your positive feelings spring obligingly in your head, but when you’ve irrevocably fallen in love with it, your mind goes blank and produces nothing except mundane “wow.”

In any case, I’m determined to tell the whole world how absolutely fantastic “Stray Witch” by Eva Alton is.

What I loved about this book – well, I loved everything, but… – is that the protagonist is not seventeen years old and dealing with issues of not having enough friends among the most popular students. Don’t think that I don’t like seventeen-year-old book characters. It’s just when almost every main character in almost every book is seventeen, and you are forty, you invariably start thinking that all the significant and exciting things are in the past. And I don’t think that anyone enjoys repeating such sensations over and over again.

Alba is dealing with a lot in her life. She is a mother of two adorable girls and a soon-to-be ex-wife of a detestable man. Alba’s husband, in addition to being a true embodiment of evil, is a lawyer. Or does the two always go together? Alba’s chances to find a job, so she’d be able to fight for custody rights, are slim. Who needs an employee who’s been a stay-at-home mom for the last decade? And then, just when it seems that there is no way out, Alba meets… a raven. From now on, not only Alba’s life is destined to change in the most unexpected way. Alba is about to find out that she herself isn’t a person she believed that she was.

“Stray Witch” has a feeling of a contemporary story with true-to-life characters – people who do not always make the right choices. And the magical components don’t spoil the story; on the contrary, they add a vibe to it, making a reader feel the failures and victories of the main characters more acutely.

Needless to say, that I’ll be reading the next books in the series. Actually, I’ve already started reading book two “Witch’s Mirror”.






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Book review / Accusing Mr Darcy by Kelly Miller

Accusing Mr. Darcy by Kelly Miller

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


An absolutely delightful “Pride and Prejudice” variation, which will please both classical Jane Austen fans and those readers who prefer a more modern twist to a story.

“Accusing Mr Darcy” by Kelly Miller is an alternative version of how Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy fell in love. We get the charming setting of rural, aristocratic England with grand manors, elegant dinner parties, and leisurely walks in the well-tended parks. As well as the tender expression of passions and inner turmoil of the characters. But in addition to all the components for which regency romance fans stay faithful to the genre, a story of a dark, sinister secret unfolds on the pages.

I spent such a pleasant time reading this novel, curled up on the sofa while the rain was drumming the sedate rhythm of the fall against the windows. I loved the familiar characters and the new ones, introduced by the author in such a natural manner that now, I must confess, chances are high that thinking about my favourite novel – which happens to be “Pride and Prejudice” - I might slip at times and think about them as if they’ve always been in the story.

“Accusing Mr Darcy” by Kelly Miller is a beautifully written book with care to period details and diverse characters. If you appreciate that special, exquisite charm of a regency novel, Ms Miller will transport you right into the luxurious living-rooms and garden mazes of English countryside, so you’ll be able to dive into the lifestyle long gone but still vivid in many readers’ imagination.




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Book review / The Younglings: Shadows and Magic by Helena M. Craggs

The Younglings: Shadows & Magic by Helena M. Craggs

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


The first thing that came into my mind when I sat down to write this review was: what a cosy book! Well, yes, I know it would sound strange if you read the description of “The Younglings: Shadows and Magic” by Helena M. Craggs, since it says: demons, vampires, and also mentions something about stabbing the supernatural creatures. But that’s how I felt the whole time I was reading it. I felt like I was being enveloped in a warm, familiar blanket that smelled of home-made cookies.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the beginning of friendship between the characters. I always say that the ties people form between each other, be it love, friendship or partnership of any kind, sometimes are formed on a level not connected with the rational. And Helena M. Craggs captured the origins of such ties brilliantly.

I also liked that the sixteen-year-olds don’t talk and act like they are in their forties. The author’s casual writing style made me smile and nod, imagining how a teenager would react to finding out that the world of the supernatural isn’t actually a myth.

I’d say that “The Younglings: Shadows and Magic” was an excellent read for me to unwind from the everyday duties and worries. I’m glad I’ve made the acquaintance with Quinn Carter and his team of the exceedingly lovely supernatural – and not only! – friends. I’m looking forward to meeting them again in the next book of the series.




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Book review / On the Doorstep by R.A. Hutchins

On the Doorstep by R.A. Hutchins

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Abi is young, attractive, and she pays her bills by doing something she enjoys and is good at. There even appears a man in her life she would like to start a relationship with.

But it’s not that simple.

Abi is fighting a cruel “beast”. Although that “monster” is invisible to others, it has taken over Abi’s life completely.

“On the Doorstep” by R.A. Hutchins makes the reader think about how at times we don’t see what’s happening behind closed doors. And not only with complete strangers but also with our neighbours and even family members.

In her unique style, R.A. Hutchins tells us a story of a mental struggle, not sparing the sad and uncomfortable details, while showing that there’s always a chance to make it better. What I love about the books of this author, is that besides portraying real life’s hardships, R.A. Hutchins always gives us what, I believe, we need the most – hope.




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Book review / Consistent Creative Content by Lee Hall

Consistent Creative Content: A Guide to Authoring and Blogging in the Social Media Age by Lee Hall

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


As an independently-published author I couldn’t miss this book. Indie authors need all the advice they can get, and “Consistent Creative Content” by Lee Hall looked like something practical and possible to use rather than a book that offers only loud slogans and unrealistic achievements.

One sentence, and it was instantly clear to me that I’m on the same page with the author. “I’ve always measured my results beside the number from where I started – absolute zero.” My “coming-of-age” time had fallen on the times of turbulent changes. And the phrase I heard most often was “I’m not going to work for such a tiny amount of money”. For me, it was absolutely clear that “tiny amount” and “zero” are not comparable values. Zero is nothing, and you can do incomparably more with even something small, while you can’t do anything with zero.

“Consistent Creative Content” doesn’t promise that you’d become the next Stephen King or a blogger with millions of followers. Lee Hall shares his own story to success with helpful details that can show the direction both to those who’re just beginning their journey in blogging/writing and to those who have already made some steps towards building their dream.

“Success is in the eye of the beholder and when it comes to writing and blogging you are only competing against yourself.” This is, I think, the most important thing to remember at all times while you are pursuing your creative dream to become an author. There will always be someone more successful than you. But it is healthy to keep in mind that you don’t know what the success has cost that person, as well as at what cost it – maybe! – has been purchased.

Lee Hall offers advice based on his own experience on such vital things as book promotion opportunities, reviews and the way to obtain them, possible fraud and scam issues – which is a big thing since there are so many aspiring authors out there nowadays and the opportunities to self-publish are so wide. The author also writes about how to “tame” the Twitter machine to gain not only sales and reviews, but also friendships and support from fellow writers.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to everyone who feels inspired by the opportunity to make their dream of becoming a writer whose books are read by people come true, and at the same time, who feels lost in the vast sea of publishing and social media.



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Book review / A Stroke of Luck by R.A. Hutchins

A Stroke of Luck by R.A. Hutchins

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


“A Stroke of Luck” is yet another heart-warming story from R.A. Hutchins. This author has a talent for a unique gentle way of storytelling. While she touches upon serious issues in her books, after you finish reading, you are left with hope and light in your heart.

For me, “A Stroke of Luck” turned out to be a fascinating read in a sense that I just couldn’t understand the motivation of the main character. I’m always confused when people say that because they find the characters’ behaviour illogical, they can’t enjoy a book. It is vice versa for me. I find it absolutely engrossing to read about something I couldn’t understand before. It feels that a tiny door into a chamber, where the secrets of life are kept, opens.

Phoebe has made a choice in her life. She has chosen her career over her marriage. Things don’t go as planned, and still, she stubbornly clings to that choice.

But as the story unfolds, we realise that it’s not that simple.

I loved everything about this story. The details of life in a quaint little town, the characters, and the twists and turns that put Phoebe’s life into a different perspective for her.



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Book review / Trail Markers by Cym Aros

Trail Markers by Cym Aros

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Usually, I have a lot to say, especially about books. But in the case with “Trail Markers” by Cym Aros, I’m at a loss where to start. I’m overwhelmed by the depth of the characters, the extent of human cruelty, and the author’s knowledge of human nature.

Let me say that I’ve never been a fan of westerns. Those movies felt too straightforward to me, and I couldn’t find any sympathy for brave cowboys – who seemed reckless to me – and even the fact that they rode horses, couldn’t stir my interest.

“Trail Markers” is a story set in the times of cowboys, but it’s not about a superhero sheriff and a dirty, illiterate criminal, shooting at each other in the middle of a dusty main street. This is a story of human strength, endurance, and the ability of a man to overcome the unimaginable sufferings. This is also a story about family ties. The synergy between the members of the Franklins' family, which is not solely based on blood ties, turns the characters into real people. I loved the way the author depicts friendships and the loyalty people display despite the circumstances that are supposed to suppress even the strongest of spirits.

I always feel the pain of movie/book characters acutely. And Jesse’s trials have almost broken my heart. At one point, I was thinking “How much more can one person take?” But the fact that the villains aren’t one-dimensional, and although their cruelty absolutely cannot be justified, at least we get to understand where it stems from.

I hope that Jesse gets his share of happiness in the next books of the series.






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My first literary award

Today I’ve received the unexpected news. My novel “Neglected Merge” has won an award, becoming a finalist in the 2021 Readers' Favorite International Book Award Contest.

What it means to me, I wouldn’t even try to describe. For me, writing is more that a hobby, a scope of ambitions, or a way to express myself. I know that it may sound like an overstatement, but truth to be told, returning to writing has become a true salvation for me. If I hadn’t started writing “Neglected Merge” almost a decade ago, I don’t think I would have been able to go through everything that life has thrown at me in recent years.

I do realise that not every reader will connect with my stories. I also do respect the opinion of every person who has read “Neglected Merge” and felt that it lacks something they wanted to find in it. But the fact that there are people who saw what I’ve put into it – my everything – and that my writing has gained some recognition, adds to my conviction that it has been worth it.

I’m grateful, and I’m overwhelmed. I can’t resist a wish to rephrase Neil Armstrong’s quote and say - that's one small step for the literary world, one giant leap for me.

“Neglected Merge” book 1 available on Amazon / free on Kindle Unlimited.

Book 2 to be released later this month.