E.G. Bella's Blog, page 2

“Tell a Fairy Tale Day” Book Sale!

Happy National “Tell a Fairy Tale Day”!

Every year I’ve wished that I had a fairy tale book to do something with for this fun little holiday, and now I’m thrilled that I finally do! So to celebrate, let’s have a book sale!

Through today ONLY (February 26th, 2025), A Noble Grace – my nonmagical Beauty and the Beast retelling – is on sale for just $0.99! You can find it on Amazon by clicking right HERE.

If you’ve been eyeballing it but didn’t want to risk a couple of dollars on an unfamiliar author/genre, I completely understand! This is a great, relatively inexpensive chance to snatch it up.

If you’re interested, here are what some readers have been saying:

“I would highly recommend this book for fans of sweet fairytale retellings, Beauty and the Beast stories, SISTER stories, and clean romances.”

~ Amazon Reviewer ~

“My favorite part of this retelling was the two sisters! The relationship between Annette and her sister felt so real!!! I enjoyed seeing how the two supported each other throughout the entire story.“

~ Amazon Reviewer ~

“This is a clean, uplifting, non-magical rendition of Beauty and the Beast with a well-placed variation in the sister. Good read, some fun characters, refreshing to see them actually asking God for help instead of relying entirely on their own wit and good intentions.“

~ Amazon Reviewer ~

“I found the story well written and thought through. It was truly a pleasure to read. Sweet, clean, a little sassy, and a whole lot of fun!”

~ Amazon Reviewer ~

About the Book:

A servant protecting her sister, a prince desperate to wed, and a reluctant union to save their kingdom.

For three long years after losing her home in the Crylmar attacks, twenty-two-year-old Annette Beaumont has worked hard to keep her family together. But when her papa’s debt to the crown is called into question, and she and her sister are sent to serve at the castle until it’s paid, she’s drawn into a plot that threatens everything she’s worked for.

Shunned and hated, Prince Laurent Villeneuve is running out of time to find a bride before he forfeits his right to the throne. But to stop his treacherous uncle from seizing power and aligning with the enemy, he must overcome his kingdom’s hatred, and somehow win the affections of the stubborn servant who becomes his last chance.

As tensions rise and threats loom, both must learn to work together, softening their hearts and setting aside their differences. When time runs out, what will they sacrifice to save their kingdom from ruin? And what if that sacrifice changes everything?

A Noble Grace is a New Adult non-magical Christian fantasy retelling of Beauty and the Beast, book #3 in The Cornerstone Series. Each book can be read as a standalone.

I’ve absolutely loved watching readers’ reactions to A Noble Grace, and continue to be so grateful for the opportunities and learning lessons this book has brought me. If it sounds like your cup of tea, I hope you enjoy it as much as I loved creating it!

One more time, HERE’s that link (click anywhere on this line)!

And if you’ve read it already, I’d love to know what you thought! Feel free to leave a comment below and let me know (the good, the bad, and the ugly welcome)!

Recent Posts:

“Tell a Fairy Tale Day” Book Sale!Valentine’s Day Sweetheart Book TagMy 2025 Goals (& 2024 Recap)

Valentine’s Day Sweetheart Book Tag

Happy Valentine’s Day!

I’ve never been one to get super into about Valentine’s Day, but it does provide a fun opportunity to do a love/Valentine’s themed book tag! This one was created by Pampered Pages and I discovered it on Between the Shelves. I love the bookish spin on some of the classic romance book questions!

Let’s dive in!

The Questions1. What is your favorite Valentine’s Day-themed candy?

I actually had to Google “Valentine’s Day candy” because I wasn’t sure what counted, haha. I’m always happy to snack on some dairy-free dark chocolate, but I’d say my top pick would be jellybeans. My husband and I had a special dish for jellybeans on our counter for a while after we got married (before we got cats!) and between the two of us, they never lasted as long as they should have…

2. Do you enjoy reading romance?

I’m usually pretty indifferent. I don’t seek out books with romance, and full-on romantic novels as a genre aren’t my cup of tea, but if sweet, clean romance is a subplot in an otherwise stellar book, I enjoy it! I think it’s hard to write well. That said, I’ve enjoyed finding some well-written fairy tale romance books lately (ex. The Cornerstone Series), and experimenting with slow romance threads in my own books.

3. Do you tend to read romance books throughout the Valentine’s Day season?

For the above reasons, not really. Time to read has been limited, so when I do get a chance, it’s usually just whatever I have around on my TBR – not typically romance books. I think it’s very fun when readers tailor their book intake around certain holidays and seasons though! I’m sure it helps get into that holiday’s spirit. Maybe in the future I’ll be more themed in my reading choices.

4. Your fictional sweetheart shows up at your door with a Valentine’s Day gift. What is it?

I’m glad it’s not asking who is it because I’m not sure what I’d answer, haha! As for the gift, probably a book I’ve been wanting to read, a movie I want to watch with that person, or a board game to play together. I’d be thrilled at anything creative or that allows a fun shared experience.

5. How many romance books do you have that are written by the same author?

Hmm, it looks like the most romance books I have by one author is eight by Mary Mecham. She writes (clean) romantic fairy tale retellings, and while I have yet to read all of them, I’ve greatly enjoyed the ones I have read!

In particular, her novella Of Gold and Beauty (a Rumplestiltskin retelling) really touched me. If you’re interested, you can receive it for free by clicking HERE.

6. What is a romance book that made you cry?

This feels very basic, but The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. That book was a wild ride, and while I can’t whole-heartedly recommend it due to a strong amount of content I didn’t care for, I can’t deny that the story gripped me. I distinctly remember staying up way too late reading, and finishing the book in tears.

7. If you could choose any place (fictional or real) to escape to for a Valentine’s Day date with your sweetheart, where would you like to go?

I love this question, but I don’t know how to answer it. I have so many ideas!

For a fictional place, I’d say the Shire. I would love to walk around the Shire with my husband on a lovely sunny day, with music, flowers, and laughter floating along the fresh air.

For a real place that’s not exactly realistic, I’d be thrilled to spend a day exploring a medieval Scottish castle, or hiking around Dursey Island in Ireland.

More realistically and something I also love is simply taking a long walk outside. Around town, on trails, through parks… my husband and I did this all the time when we were dating and I never grow tired of it!

8. DISTANCE MAKES THE HEART GROW FONDER: What anticipated book release do you know in your heart you will absolutely love?

Ophelia Brown and the Mythical Menagerie (book #2 in the Ophelia Brown series) by Julia Witmer releases July 1st, and I’m really looking forward to it! I absolutely loved the first book in this charming middle-grade series last year, then loaned it to my younger siblings (ages eight and six) and they’re enjoying it as well. We’re all hyped for this release!

Find more information at Julia’s site HERE.

9. Do you have any favorite love-themed quotes from any of the books you have read?

Oh, that’s really hard… here are a couple good ones that come to mind:

“I would rather share one lifetime with you than face all the ages of this world alone.” – Arwen, The Lord of the Rings

“A rose by any other name would smell as sweet, but your name, my love, is a melody to my soul.” – Cyrano de Bergerac

“Because that was love. Beyond infatuation. It was action. It was an action of the heart, of the mind. Of forgiveness and grace and seeing one another.” – Nadine Brandes, Wishtress

“In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will no longer be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.” – Darcy, Pride and Prejudice

10. ALL’S FAIR IN LOVE AND WAR: Do you have more books with red or pink spines?

Very few of either one, but it looks like I have more with red spines. I couldn’t actually find a single book on my shelves with a pink spine, and I assume it’s because I don’t read many contemporary romance novels – what looks like the predominate genre for pink spines. I’d love pink spine recommendations!

Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoyed this fun little Valentine’s-themed tag! How would you answer these questions? I’d love to find out, so please leave your answers in the comments below (or on your own blog, if you’re a blogger)!

Until next time!

Recent Posts:

Valentine’s Day Sweetheart Book TagMy 2025 Goals (& 2024 Recap)New Year’s Book Tags

My 2025 Goals (& 2024 Recap)

Welcome to February!

Every year, I enjoy sharing my goals for the upcoming months, and while I typically do that in January, I’m just now getting around to organizing my author side of 2025. The year has started off with a whirlwind, and I’m honestly thankful for it, even the hard. I tend to be overly ambitious in what I think I can accomplish in a year, and the reminder that life happens on God’s schedule – not mine – was very needed.

2024 was a lot. A lot of hard, a lot of good, and a lot of learning, as you’ll get a glimpse of in the recap below and in a post coming soon where I share more details of some of those lessons. I’m so grateful for new friends, close family, my dear husband, our sweet kitties, good coworkers, and of course, God’s guiding hand throughout it all. Life looks different than I expected it to by now, and that’s okay.

So with that in mind, as I look back over 2024’s goals, and share some of my hopes for 2025, I’m doing so with the knowledge that things can and will change. Of course I have dreams, and I’m going to do what’s in my power to accomplish these projects, but only the Lord knows what will be different by 2026! When I let go of my need for control, that’s honestly such an exciting thought.

And we know that for those who love God
all things work together for good,
for those who are called according to his purpose.
~ Romans 8:28 ESV

While I’m taking that verse to heart, let’s dive in!

How did my 2024 goals go?

Great question! Let’s review…

Publish Gills

Starting off with an obvious no, this did not happen. Like I said, 2024 hardly went as I planned, and with the writing/editing/publishing of A Noble Grace, I didn’t make much progress on this Cabin Girl prequel. I have started re-reading it and making some editing notes this month though! I’ve missed this story.

Publish secret novel

This secret novel was A Noble Grace! Obviously this one did happen, releasing on October 29th, 2024. The reception has been so much kinder than I anticipated, especially as this book was a huge struggle for me. I learned so much, and am so grateful for the opportunity, even though I didn’t handle it as I should’ve. It’s been 100% worth it. Thank you so much for the encouragement and support throughout!

Share another secret project

This one didn’t pan out, which has been another learning experience. I might share about it at some point, but for now, I can simply say that I attempted to branch out in my creative outlets before I was ready, and though I don’t currently have the skillset for it, I’m thankful to have had the chance to try.

Write and publish a short story

No, although I’m getting very close on this one! More information on this in my 2025 goals…

Draft NaNoWriMo novel

Again, no. After cranking out A Noble Grace between August and October, I didn’t have the mental energy to even attempt this, haha. I’m learning to be a bit more flexible with my writing schedule.

Update author photos and bios

“This is a small thing, so it should be doable,” 2023 Bella said. Haha, no again. I did revamp my website though, and am pretty happy with it for now! Hopefully this gets done in the next few months.

Read 75 books

No, but I read 40! I was so stressed by my procrastination and slow progress on A Noble Grace for most of the year, that I did possibly the worst thing for my creativity and basically stopped reading for a few months. Even so, I found many new favorites, and got to read a lot more indie books, which I loved!

Continue to better my health

This is vague, but I believe I did? Not as much as I would have liked – that never happens – but I’ve made conscious efforts to listen to my body. The Lord blessed me with a huge victory last June, when I attended a week-long conference in Kansas, and was able to manage my migraines well enough to truly enjoy it. Even with extremely long train travel days, lots of walking and driving around, long days, less sleep, different food… I’m so thankful, and while I know it was God holding back the worst of the migraines (the ones I did have were manageable), I was much more intentional about caring for them than I usually am, and it’s encouraging to know I can make a difference.

Guest post/collaborate with other authors

This…didn’t really happen unfortunately. As you probably noticed, I didn’t really blog at all last year, much less coordinate guest posts. I would still like to do this if the opportunity arises, but I think I know better now than to assume I’ll do a lot of these this year.

Blog, post on social, and send out newsletters consistently

Depending on the month, I did decently with this. Some months had near daily Instagram and Facebook posts/reels, some had more frequent blog posts, some had newsletters going out more frequently. It wasn’t nearly as often in any of them than I hoped for, but it was still better than 2023!

My 2025 GoalsPublish To Buy a Bike

Remember that short story from earlier? While I didn’t publish it in 2024 like I’d hoped, I’m getting very close to releasing this sweet little booklet – tentatively before the end of this first quarter… I had an amazing team of beta-readers go through it last month, and received a lot of great feedback that I’m currently working through. I’ll get to share the cover and more information soon!

Publish Gills

This is familiar, isn’t it? Hopefully this actually happens in 2024, haha. If all goes as planned, this won’t be the only installment added to the Cabin Girl series soon either. Only time will tell!

Write third draft of Forgotten

Forgotten is my YA medieval fantasy novel about hope, friendship, and found family, and I’m aiming to at least finish the third draft of it this year and send it off to some quality editors. This story is so important to me, and I’m realizing that I need to stop procrastinating work on it just because I’m scared to mess it up. I want to be able to share it, and it’s a story that I think will resonate with a lot of people.

Draft a secret project

All I can say about this project is that it’s another fairy tale retelling…and I’m really looking forward to it!

Audiobook!

I won’t say much about this one yet either, since so much still needs to be worked out, but I’m hoping for some exciting audiobook news still this year!

Send out monthly newsletters

More and more (Tiktok drama, anyone?), I’m reminded of just how important newsletters are to authors. Being able to communicate with readers, regardless of other platform’s rules or potential changes, is critical. So while I barely made January’s newsletter (sending it on the last day of the month), I did it! I aim to prioritize them each month. If you’d like to be on that receiving end of news and sneak peeks, sign up HERE!

Blog 2-4 times monthly

I missed blogging semi-regularly last year, and I think the practice of sitting down and cranking out words (even non-fiction ones) is so helpful to me. These posts help clear my head, motivate me, remind me of how important connection with other readers and writers is, and doesn’t hurt my online presence either! We’ll see how it goes, but I do have a rough plan outlined for blogging this year.

Read 75 books

I’m shooting for the same goal I’d originally planned last year, but this time I have high hopes! I’m already well ahead of schedule, so even if some months are slower, I think it should even out. If I learned anything from last year’s stress (and I learned a lot), it’s that I need to prioritize keeping my creative well filled. Reading is a huge part of that, as is watching good movies, playing story-based games, and giving myself “empty time” to brainstorm and throw around ideas. Not much good comes from a dry creative well!

Continue to better my health

This will probably be a reoccurring annual goal. I hope so! Every year I discover more helpful tips, and learn more about how my body works and responds to certain situations. Particular health goals this year include doing more weight training, taking more walks with my husband, and prioritizing protein.

Thank you so much for reading! I feel so blessed to be going on this journey with you, and look forward to sharing progress and updates as the year goes on. Your support is so motivating!

What are YOUR goals/hopes/desires for 2025? How are they going so far? What are you most excited for I would love to hear from you, so please feel free to share in the comments below!

Until next time!

Recent Posts:

My 2025 Goals (& 2024 Recap)New Year’s Book TagsWhat I Read in 2024

New Year’s Book Tags

Happy Friday!

I’m continuing my hop back into blogging with more lighthearted bookish content! It seems strange to do a New Year’s book tag on the last day of January, but hey – it’s still the first month of 2025, right?

I copied these tags from the lovely Katja at Little Blossoms for Jesus (you can find her post by clicking HERE!). She frequently shares fun bookish book tags, and I couldn’t pass up the chance to hop in on some New Year’s themed ones. I encourage you to go read her answers too!

Let’s jump in!

New Year’s Resolution Book Tag1. An author that you’d like to read that you’ve never read before.

Bethany Atazadeh is one! She’s an indie author with an intriguing series of fairytale-inspired fantasy novels, and I’ve had my eye on them for quite a while now. In addition, she’s such a lovely person to interact with, so I’m hoping to try out her books and support her this year.

2. A book you’d like to read.

Ignite by Kara Swanson. I picked this one up on a crazy holiday sale but haven’t had a chance to read it yet. Look at that cover! I’ve read Kara’s Peter Pan duology and enjoyed that, so I have high hopes for this.

3. A classic you’d like to read.

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. I’ve had a copy of this for a while now and recently read another of her books – A Little Princess, which I LOVED – so I really want to read this one too. I’ve read quite a few classic, mostly middle-grade stories so far this year.

4. A book you’d like to reread.

Operation Grendel by Daniel Schwabauer! I read this twisting science fiction a while ago, but it’s the type of book that requires at least one reread to truly grasp everything, so I’m aiming to dive into it again soon. I’m not typically a science fiction reader, but this one is so well-written. I’m glad I tried it!

5. A book you’ve had for ages and want to read.

Confession: I’ve never actually read the Lord of the Rings series. I have all of the books now and am committed to getting through them soon, unlike middle-school me trying to read my parent’s copies. The movies are so good, I can’t believe I still haven’t read the books!

6. A big book you’d like to read.

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. I picked up a copy of this massive book on a holiday sale and need to stop procrastinating just because of its size, haha. I’ve been told that if I can push through the first bit, it’s really hard to put down, and I’m very intrigued.

7. An author you’ve previously read and want to read more of.

Alissa J. Zavalianos! I read her fiction and poetry collection Aliferous last year, and it was so lovely and heart-warming (almost as sweet as she is – which is quite). I have two of her other books and am really looking forward to diving into them. Her stories are very cozy.

8. A book you got for Christmas and would like to read.

The God of the Garden by Andrew Peterson. This was a secret Santa gift for Christmas, and I’m so looking forward to reading it! I also have a copy of Peterson’s Adorning the Dark, and both books sound so uplifting and full of valuable reminders for Christian creatives.

9. A series you want to read from start to finish.

I’d say the Legends of Neverland series by Mary Mecham. I read the first book, Becoming Hook (a Peter Pan retelling), last year but have yet to read the rest. They sound very intriguing though, and I love the themes Mary incorporates seamlessly into her books, so I’m looking forward to the rest of the series!

10. Any other reading goals?

In general, I want to read more. If I learned anything from the crazy burnout last year, it’s that I’m not very good at recognizing when my creative well is sapped dry, but it sure makes a huge difference in my productivity and mental wellbeing! I want to take in lots of well-written fiction, as well as read at least one writing/publishing craft book each month. I find they really inspire me so I want to ensure I’m staying motivated and continuing to learn and grow. Also, I need to read more of the Bible – for obvious reasons.

The New Year’s Blog Tag 1. How many books are you planning to read in the new year?

Planning is a funny word, but my aim is 75. That’s quite a few more than I’ve read the past couple of years and I’m not sure if I’ll make it or not, but the year is off to an encouraging start. The specific number doesn’t matter much to me this year, as long as I’m consistently reading good books.

2. Name 5 books that you didn’t get to this year (2024) but want to make a priority in the new year (2025).

Hmm…. I’d say: A Noble Past by Anna Augustine, A Silent Hope by Madisyn Carlin, A Bond of Briars by Erin Phillips, Save the Cat! Writes a Young Adult Novel by Jessica Brody, and Heart of the Sea by Moriah Chavis.

3. What genre do you want to read more of in the new year?

Ooh, good question! I’ve been reading a lot more fairy-tale retelling and medieval adventures lately, which I want to continue, but I’m aiming to prioritize a lot more middle-grade books this year too. This year my heart is really craving those simple, often lighthearted, but really meaningful little stories.

4. Name 3 non-book-related goals for the new year.

I want to take a lot more walks with my husband, prioritize taking an intentional rest/Sabbath day as many weeks as I can, and garden! Last year I managed to grow a ridiculous excess of cherry tomatoes, but I’d like some other vegetables this year, haha.

5. What’s a book you’ve had forever that you still need to read?

Atomic Habits by James Clear. I keep saving it for when I’m ready to “really take everything in”, but I’m realizing that’s just more procrastination on my part. I’ve heard so many good things about it!

6. One word that you’re hoping the new year will be:

Healing. Joy is my growth word this year, but I think my longing largely boils down to healing, and I’m sure joy will naturally be part of that process.

Thank you again for the fun tags, Katja!

How would you answer these questions? I’d love to know, so please leave your answers in the comments below (or if you’re a blogger, on your own blog)! What bookish goals do you have for 2025?

Until next time!

Recent Posts:

New Year’s Book TagsWhat I Read in 2024Peace Be Still Launch (& Author Interview with Virginia Henderson)

What I Read in 2024

Happy belated start of 2025!

Yes, I’m still alive! Life has been something for the last few months, and after throwing all of my creative energy into writing, editing, and publishing A Noble Grace back in October, I largely fell off the face of the internet for a while. Holidays, migraines, home projects, work, burnout, and all sorts of extras have delayed me, but I’m finally stepping back into creativity again and am so excited!

I’ll be sharing many more updates in the next couple of weeks, but what better way to start the new blogging year than to share a belated wrap-up of what I read in 2024?

I’ve been using Goodreads (and more recently Storygraph) to track my reading for the past few years, setting yearly reading challenges, reviewing the books I read, adding more to my to-read lists, and finding out what fellow readers think of books I’m interested in). It’s been extremely helpful and motivating!

My yearly books read each year since 2021 have included 55, 27, 50, and now…40 books in 2024!

I’m pretty happy with that! If you check my Goodreads profile, you’ll see that my reading challenge goal is set to exactly 40, so it looks as though I’ve been successful in my goal – but that’s because I wanted the dopamine hit of not seeing my failed original goal, haha. I had been aiming for 75-100.

For many reasons, 2024 wasn’t as big of a reading year as I’d hoped (something I’m hoping not to repeat in 2025), but I was still able to read so many amazing stories. I’m excited to share them with you today!

So without further ado, below is the full list of the books I’ve read this year! I’d love to know if you’ve read any of them and what your opinion was! Are any of these books on your TBR?

What I Read in 2024

( * = A favorite!)
(~ = A re-read!)
(DNR = do not recommend/will not be re-reading)

If you’d like to read my in-depth thoughts on any of these books, I’ve reviewed many of them on their Goodreads pages. Just click on the title to go to each book’s page!

Fiction

1. The Maze Cutter by James Dashner
(Young-adult dystopian, sequel to the Maze Runner series)

2. Belle and Beast (Istoire Awakens #1) by Rebecca Fittery
(Fantasy Beauty and the Beast retelling)

3. The Treasure Hunt by Kate Willis
(Contemporary middle-grade short story)

4. Before Beauty (Becoming Beauty #1) by Brittany Fichter
(Fantasy Beauty and the Beast retelling)

5. Red Boots by Kate Willis
(Sweet middle-grade short story)

6. Aliferous by Alissa J. Zavalianos – *
(Lovely short story and poetry collection)

7. Befriending the Beast (Tales of Faith #1) by Amanda Tero
(Historical Beauty and the Beast retelling)

8. Meant to Bee by Storm Schultz
(Contemporary cozy romance)

9. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (Hunger Games #0) by Suzanne Collins – *
(Dystopian prequel)

10. Ophelia Brown and the Unseen by Julia Witmer
(Middle-grade portal fantasy)

11. A Curse of Gold and Beauty by Mary Mecham
(Rumplestiltskin short-story retelling)

12. Divergent by Veronica Roth
(Young-adult dystopian)

13. A Crown of Chains by Erin Phillips
(Dark fantasy biblical “Esther” retelling)

14. Insurgent (Divergent #2) by Veronica Roth
(Young-adult dystopian)

15. Dear Evan Hansen by Val Emmich – DNR (language and strong content)
(Novel adaptation of a contemporary Broadway musical)

16. A Noble Purpose (Cornerstone Series #1) by Laurie Lucking
(Christian non-magical fantasy retelling of Hans, Who Made the Princess Laugh)

17. Becoming Hook (Legends of Neverland #1) by Mary Mecham
(Young-adult clean romance Peter Pan spin-off)

18. Nova and the Lost Stars by Lillian Keith & Amelia Grace (illustrator) – *
(Middle-grade fantasy short story)

19. The Twelve Kingdoms by Dana A. Caldwell
(Young-adult epic fantasy)

20. The Nightmare Virus by Nadine Brandes – *
(Young-adult dystopian suspense)

21. A Dream of Home by Kate Willis
(Science fiction short story, prequel to A Dream of Flight)

22. The Princess Test (The Skazka Fairy Tales #5) by Valia Lind
(Princess and the Pea fairy tale fantasy retelling)

23. A Noble Match (Cornerstone Series #2) by Kirsten Fichter
(Christian non-magical fantasy retelling of Thumbelina)

24. Straw Into Gold by Carol Beth Anderson – DNR (language and light content)
(Rumplestiltskin fantasy retelling short story)

25. A Noble Grace (Cornerstone Series #3) by E. G. Bella (technically the book I read most this year, haha!)
(Christian non-magical fantasy retelling of Beauty and the Beast)

26. A Noble Heart (Cornerstone Series #4) by Jewel Windall
(Christian non-magical fantasy retelling of Peter Pan)

27. In the Wake of the Wicked by V. B. Lacey – (moderate content)
(Dark fantasy romance)

28. A Noble Princess (Cornerstone Series #5) by Saraina Whitney
(Christian non-magical fantasy retelling of A Goose Girl)

29. A Noble Companion (Cornerstone Series #6) by Rachel Kovaciny
(Christian non-magical fantasy retelling of An Ugly Duckling)

30. Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller – (moderate content)
(Young-adult fantasy pirate romance)

31. Emberling (The Chronicles of Uriu #1) by Kaytlin Phillips
(Young-adult clean/Christian fantasy)

32. Fable (The World of the Narrows #1) by Adrienne Young
(Young-adult pirate fantasy romance)

33. by Adrienne Young
(Young-adult pirate fantasy romance)

34. Drift: Willa and Koy (The World of the Narrows) by Adrienne Young
(Young-adult pirate fantasy romance short story, sequel to Fable & Namesake)

35. A Noble Warrior (The Cornerstone Series #10) by Lucy Peterson
(Christian non-magical fantasy retelling of The Nutcracker)

36. How (Not) to Kiss a Toad (Cindy Eller #1) by Elizabeth A. Reeves – DNR (language and mild content)
(Contemporary romance)

Non-fiction

1. Trim Healthy Mama Plan by Pearl Barrett & Serene Allison
(Meal plan/cookbook/nutritional guide)

2. Writing and Releasing Rapidly by Elana Johnson
(Indie author craft book)

3. Writing Killer Cover Copy by Elana Johnson
(Indie author craft book)

4. Baby Steps Millionaires by Dave Ramsey
(Financial advice and tips book)

I clearly read a lot more fiction than non-fiction this year, which was a large attempt to gain motivation for my work on A Noble Grace. For the same reasoning, maybe you noticed the sheer amount of fairy tale retellings, haha!

I also got to read some absolutely lovely little middle-grade stories, as well as some swashbuckling pirate books that have helped me prepare to work on Gills again! Overall, my books of choice were predominantly indie-published ones too, which was very fun. There are very few I’d rather not have read.

What did YOU read this year? What were some of your favorites? Have you read any of the same ones I did, and if so, what did you think? I’d love to hear from you, so feel free to comment below and let me know what reading adventures you were up to in 2024!

And while you’re there, feel free to ask questions about any of the books on this list! I tried to quickly note any that I would hate for you to jump into without research, but it’s hard to list everything here. Again, you can find my reviews for many of the books by clicking on the book’s title (which will take you to my Goodreads review), or I’d be more than happy to chat about any of them in the comments!

Here’s hoping 2025 is full of many more great reads!

Recent posts:

New Year’s Book TagsWhat I Read in 2024Peace Be Still Launch (& Author Interview with Virginia Henderson)

Peace Be Still Launch (& Author Interview with Virginia Henderson)

Hello and happy Friday!

I’m so thrilled to share a special interview with author Virginia Henderson, whose latest book released TODAY! Peace Be Still, book #3 in the Abundant Blessings series, is now available on Amazon!

Scroll down for more information about the book, then we’ll dive into the interview!

About the Book

True peace doesn’t always mean that God calms the storms surrounding us. Sometimes He calms the storms within us.

William insists on taking his family to a cabin in the mountains for Christmas. It is supposed to be a quiet getaway from distracting electronics and civilization, where he and Rachel can finally share their exciting news with their daughter, Peggy.

However, 13-year-old Peggy has other ideas, including flying to California alone to meet her biological father, Ryan. Unfortunately, her trip goes sour, and it might cost her more than she bargained for.

Shady characters, flashy casinos, unexpected friendships, and a lesson in learning who your real family is. This is one Christmas the Hamlets and Hughes will never forget!

A perfect read for the Christmas season! Great for fans of Christ-centered reads that deal with sensitive topics. Clean & Christian romance with a few kisses between married couples. No swearing, smut, or gore. 

Content warnings: Drinking/drunk character, mild physical abuse, gambling, kidnapping, and human trafficking. 

Find it on Goodreads!

Find it on Amazon!

The Giveaway

Click on the links below to go enter the launch giveaway! Today is the last chance to win your very own copy of Peace Be Still, and the winner will be announced tomorrow!

Enter the launch giveaway (U. S.)!

Enter the launch giveaway (International)!

The Questions

Bella: Hi, Virginia! Congratulations on your new release, and thank you so much for joining us on the blog today!

We’ll start off this interview with an age-old question. What first inspired you to write? 

Virginia: First, thank you so much for having me on your blog today. I’m excited to be here

I’ve always loved to write, even at a young age. I can’t say it was one thing in particular that inspired me to write, but I know God gifted me with this love for words and storytelling.  

Bella: I know you refer to yourself as a multi-genre author. Do you have a favorite genre to write so far? If so, what is it? 

Virginia: Suspense! I love a fast-paced story with high stakes, adventure, and lots of twists and turns. My hope is to try my hand at fantasy and more historical fiction someday.

Bella: I love that! Suspense stories are so much fun.

Do you have a favorite part of the writing process (drafting, editing, formatting, marketing, etc.)? If so, why?

Virginia: It would be a toss-up between drafting and creating the cover. There’s so much possibility when drafting and I love scheming new ideas. Working on the cover is excellent inspiration and excites me about the project.

Bella: That’s so cool! I can definitely understand that, and I love that you make your own covers.

Speaking of story ideas, can you tell us one of your favorite tropes, and one of your least favorite tropes?

Virginia: I love stories about small towns. They’re just so cozy and comforting. One of my least favorites is matchmaking. No matter how well-meaning the characters are, I find it irksome. 

Bella: Where do you want your writing to take you? If you could choose where you’ll be in 10-15 years, what would your life look like? 

Virginia: For now, my writing is more of a hobby. I’m in the middle of rebranding my writing platform, including new edits and fixes to my backlog, in hopes of giving the brand a bit more of a “professional polish.” I want to take my time with this, so it will be a few years in the making. 

In 10-15 years, I’d like to have an established virtual assistant career, working from home or in an office.

Bella: I love that! I hope the process is smooth and enjoyable for you.

What’s the next book on your TBR? What was the most recent book you read and loved? 

Virginia: I don’t keep a specific TBR reading list. I’m a mood reader and I go with whatever strikes my fancy at the time. Currently, I’m reading A Noble Purpose by Laurie Lucking, The Railway Children by E. Nesbit, and I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith. 

I absolutely loved the last two books I read. Grand Intentions by J. Grace Pennington and The Tale of Despereaux by Katie DiCamillo

Bella: So many great books on that list! I’m going to go add them to my TBR, haha.

Who are some of your favorite authors and why?

Virginia: There’s so many! Margaret Peterson Haddix, C.S Lewis, Lloyd Alexander, John Flanagan and Brandon Mull to name a small few.

Bella: I recognize quite a few of those names!

Moving back to the topic of writing, do you prefer silence or listening to music (lyric or instrumental) when writing? 

Virginia: It really depends on my mood or what I’m working on. Sometimes I just need silence while other times I’ve got a playlist on repeat. I do like instrumental music but mostly I listen to nostalgic soundtracks from my favorite movies and cartoons from back in the day. 

Bella: That’s so fun!

Are there any Scripture verses you find especially helpful/encouraging to your writing? If so, which ones? 

Virginia: Matthew 14:31. It’s the story of when Peter attempted to walk across the water to Jesus. He got so far before he took his eyes off Jesus and began to sink. The quote, “wherefore didst thou doubt” is a powerful reminder for me to not doubt my gifts, as I sometimes do. 

Bella: I absolutely love that story. Such a good reminder, you’re right!

If you could live in any storyworld, where would you choose and why? 

Virginia: Narnia. I was in the middle of rereading the series and it’s a place I would like to escape into. 

Bella: You definitely couldn’t go wrong with Narnia! That would be incredible.

Do you have any favorite Christmas traditions? 

Virginia: Every year is a little different but I love driving around looking at Christmas lights. 

Bella: Me too! Everything can look so cozy and magical this time of year.

And finally, can you tell us a little about Peace Be Still? What do you hope readers will take away from this book?

Virginia: It’s a story about the unknown and God working outside of our little box. So often we are so focused on the here and now that we don’t see the big picture.

I sincerely hope that readers will take away the messages of peace and family. Despite the rough patches and even tragedies, God is still working for the greater good. 

Bella: That’s so true, and I love the intention behind the book. As always, that’s a very timely message – one I think we could all stand to be reminded of.

Again, thank you so much for joining us today, Virginia! We wish you all the best!

About the Author

From the author: “Originally from Ohio, I now reside in Texas with my folks and little sister. I’m a born-again Christian and I want to give all the glory to God. He’s gifted me with this passion for writing and I want to give it back to Him.

I’m a multi-genre author with an interest in suspense, thrillers, and the occasional wholesome Christmas story. Down the road, I would like to try my hand at fairytale retellings and historical fiction.

Aside from writing, I’m always reading. I love the classics, (Treasure Island and Peter Pan being my top favorites) historical fiction, survival, adventures, fairy-tale retellings, suspense, and all things Newsie-related. That particular time period (turn of the century New York) is one that I find very interesting.

I very much enjoy plays and musicals, embroidery, road trip adventures with the fam, retro arcade games, and board games. I’m also very interested in weaponry (archery, swordsmanship, etc).”

Connect with her at:
– her blog (click HERE)
– her newsletter (click HERE)
– her Instagram (click HERE)
– her Youtube (click HERE)

Congratulations again on your exciting release, Virginia!

And thank YOU for reading! Don’t forget to check out Peace Be Still, and to enter the giveaway before it ends today (here’s those giveaway links again – U.S. & International). The winner will be announced tomorrow (12/7)!

Have you read any of Virginia’s books yet? How would you have answered the interview questions? Could you relate to Virginia’s answers? We’d love to hear from you, so leave a comment below!

Recent Posts:

Peace Be Still Launch (& Author Interview with Virginia Henderson)Bella’s 2024 Black Friday SalesAuthor Interview with Lucy Peterson

Bella’s 2024 Black Friday Sales

Hello and happy day after Thanksgiving!

I hope yesterday was a wonderful day for you, and a good reminder of all we have to be grateful for. Here in the Bella household, we enjoyed a pleasant day of family, laughter, and gratitude. I’m always thankful for a respite from the craziness of life right now.

Now that we’re jumping back into the hectic, I’m sure you have no less than 3-million emails and ads calling for your attention today, but I wanted to quickly pop on and let you know of some special book sales going on for Black Friday.

To start off, here’s what you can expect from my books this weekend, then I’ll link to a couple other Black Friday book sales going on!

My Book Sales

These sales are valid starting today, Black Friday (11/29) through Cyber Monday (12/2)!

Click the titles to head to Amazon!

Cabin Girl = FREE, a good chance to snag the first book before the rest of the series releases!A Noble Grace = $0.99, one of the last chances to snag a copy at this price, before it goes up!The Toymaker’s Doll = $0.99, OR you can join my newsletter HERE to receive it for FREE!Perry Kirkpatrick’s Black Friday Book Sale

This is an annual tradition for me at this point – as well as for hundreds of other indie authors! Last year, there were around 600 clean, indie-published books on the sale, and it’s expected to be around that number again in 2024! Today (11/29) through Cyber Monday (12/2), browse the site and find SO MANY great discounted reads. My own books are listed there as well.

I always look forward to this sale, and it’s typically when I snag a bunch of intriguing indie books I’ve been wanting to read all year, but couldn’t justify purchasing all of them full-price. There are so many incredible authors and books listed this year, so I encourage you to check it out! You’ll find links, book descriptions, indications of whether the book is free (no price listed means free!) or $0.99, and a “clean rating” so you can ensure you’re comfortable with the content in each book.

Head to the site by clicking HERE.

Michaela Bush’s Black Friday Round-up

Christian author and editor Michaela Bush has also rounded up a large collection of (I believe all indie) books that are on sale this weekend (Black Friday through Cyber Monday), and it’s an exciting group of books! Many of them can also be found on the previous Black Friday sale site, but not all of them, so I’d encourage you to check out her post too.

I’ve included the images with my books on them above, but there are so many more that I can’t post them all. Her post includes the book and author, links to their sales pages, genres, prices, and information about the authors if you want to go directly to the author’s pages.

Check out her round-up HERE.

And that’s it! Or at least, all I have to bring you, haha. I’m sure you have so many sales vying for your attention this weekend, but if you’ve been waiting for the perfect opportunity to snag some of these indie books, this is a fantastic chance. Enjoy the virtual bookstore browsing!

What books have you been most anxiously waiting to read? Have you snagged any good sales yet? Let me know in the comments what you’ve been reading lately!

Recent Posts:

Bella’s 2024 Black Friday SalesAuthor Interview with Lucy PetersonA Noble Grace Release Day!

Author Interview with Lucy Peterson

Hello and happy Friday!

I’m so thrilled to break my blog inactivity with a special interview with fellow author, Lucy Peterson! Lucy is one of the Cornerstone series authors, and has released several books now. Her newest novella, A Noble Warrior, releases in just a under a month, launching just in time for some lovely holiday reading! (What better time to release a Nutcracker retelling?)

I’ve had the honor of starting to read an ARC copy of the story, and…well, let’s just say, I’m so excited to share it with you! And in the meantime, thank you so much for joining the blog today, Lucy!

(Lucy interviewed me on her blog today too! If you’d like to read that post as well, head over HERE.)

Onto the questions!

The QuestionsWhat first inspired you to write? 

“I honestly don’t even remember. I’ve been making tiny books and writing stories for as long as I can remember.

I was around eight or nine when I first realized that I could create and publish a book like the ones I loved reading, and that’s when I started writing seriously. (Nine-year-old me had a wonderful his-fic about a French orphan girl that I was convinced I was going to publish.)”

Do you have a favorite genre to write? If so, what is it?

“I dabble in contemporary/spy and a titch of his-fic, but fantasy is most definitely my favorite genre.”

Do you have a favorite part of the writing process (drafting, editing, formatting, marketing, etc.)? If so, why?

Ack, they’re each so fun for different reasons!

Drafting is very long and stressful sometimes, but it’s an amazing feeling to crank out an epic fight scene or write a chapter that makes me cry. Editing is super fun to refine the story and watch the book come together. I love formatting, because it’s so satisfying to watch the book I’ve spent so long on come together and get all fancy. And marketing is something I’ve recently come to love. It’s so interesting to see what hooks and marketing methods really catch a reader’s eye.

Can you tell us one of your favorite tropes, and one of your least favorite tropes?

Found family. I love found family.

*groans* And I absolutely detest love triangles.

Where do you want your writing to take you? If you could choose where you’ll be in 10-15  years, what would your life look like? 

I would like my writing to become a full career. 

Hm…I’m not sure about that far in the future, but once I graduate from the Author Conservatory it would be a dream come true to become an Enclave author.

What’s the next book on your TBR? What was the most recent book you read and loved? 

*coughs* Okay, that’s hard, because my TBR is basically just books that haven’t come out yet. The Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire is one book that’s already out that I really want to read…

Most of my reads lately have been rereads…but the last new book I read and loved was Guilt, by P.D.Akterson.

Who are some of your favorite authors and why?

Tolkien and Lewis can never not be my favorites. They were the fuel for my imagination and the portal that brought me into the realm of fantasy.

Gillian Bronte Adams has been my all-time favorite since I first read Of Fire and Ash when it came out. Her books have inspired me and really helped grow my writing and find my writing voice. (Also. Please. No character is greater than Rafi.)

Can you tell us a little about your next book coming out? 

Ohhhh, I get to test out a few of my hooks…:innocent:

What if Clara hadn’t been the one to receive the nutcracker?

What if the Mouse King was the ruler of the Land of Sweets?

What would happen if you wear a mask for so long, you forget who you truly are beneath it?

An exiled prince must choose between rescuing his country from the Mouse King, or protecting the mask that saved his life.

A Noble Warrior is a Christian Fantasy Nutcracker retelling and book 10 in the Cornerstone series. It releases on December 17th, and is on a pre-order sale right now!

I have loved writing this book, and cannot wait for it to come out!

What do you want readers to take away from your writing? 

A story that leaves them tingling with a touch of magic, a little happier, a little more inspired, and a little braver to face the world around them.

If you could live in any storyworld, where would you choose and why? 

Goodness, not this question…it’s so hard to choose…

I would probably go on a very long journey, starting in Narnia and seeing all the landmarks there, on to Neverland to pick up some pixie dust, break for tea in Wonderland, bond with a Seablood in Soldonia, then travel cross-country across Middle Earth and settle down in Rivendell. 

About the Author

Lucy Peterson is a young North Dakota prairie girl with an unquenchable fountain of stories flowing through her head. She’s convinced she was born into the wrong world, and will dig through every wardrobe and try on every golden ring she meets. She is an Imagineer, Elf Maiden, and Narnian queen at heart, and strives in all her writing to bring glory to the One True King.

Connect with Lucy at: luluslibrary.com

Pre-order her upcoming release!A Noble Warrior (Cornerstone Series, #10): A Nutcracker Retelling

What would happen if you wear a mask for so long, you forget who you truly are beneath it?

Ever since the Mouse King usurped his parents’ thrones, Cassian Erich has been on the run, seeking safety far away from any hint of his old self. But after only two years of shaky peace, a disastrous meeting sends him stumbling back into the Mouse King’s hands, and once again, his life is in danger. Hunted, he must decide whether or not the mask he has built for himself is worth the cost of his kingdom.
A prince or a nut farmer. One identity will see him killed. The other, an entire country destroyed.

For the past two years, Marie Stahlb’rin has spent her life pretending she is no longer affected by the death of her younger sister and hiding the pain she can’t let go of. But when a failed assassination attempt on her best friend thrusts her into a world of treachery, she finds herself with no choice but to face the past.

Betrayals, secrets, and danger abound when a prince must choose between picking up a sword for his country or protecting the mask that saved his life.

A Noble Warrior is an NA Christian fantasy Nutcracker retelling and book #10 of the Cornerstone Series.

Add it on Goodreads! (click here)

Pre-order on Amazon (click here)

Thank you once again for joining the blog today, Lucy! I’ve so enjoyed learning more about you and your writing!

And thank YOU for reading! Could you relate to any of Lucy’s answers? Let us know how you would answer the questions in the comments below – we’d love to hear your thoughts! And if A Noble Warrior piques your interest, don’t forget to head HERE and take advantage of the pre-order pricing!

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Author Interview with Lucy PetersonA Noble Grace Release Day!Top 5 Books of 2024 (Five Fall Favorites 2024)

A Noble Grace Release Day!

Happy release day!

After months of stress and brainstorming, lots of prayer and help, a delayed release date, and an all-nighter, I’m so thrilled to share that A Noble Grace (Cornerstone, #3) is officially available today!

This nonmagical Christian Beauty and the Beast retelling can be found on Amazon in ebook & paperback! (Signed copies w/character cards will be available within a week directly from my website here, but I’m waiting on Amazon’s always speedy shipping, haha.)

Here’s some more information about the book!

ABOUT THE BOOK:

A servant protecting her sister, a prince desperate to wed and a reluctant union to save their kingdom.

For three long years after losing her home in the Crylmar attacks, twenty-two-year-old Annette Beaumont has worked hard to keep her family together. But when her papa’s debt to the crown is called into question, and she and her sister are sent to serve at the castle until it’s paid, she’s drawn into a plot that threatens everything she’s worked for.

Shunned and hated, Prince Laurent Villeneuve is running out of time to find a bride before he forfeits his right to the throne. But to stop his treacherous uncle from seizing power and aligning with the enemy, he must overcome his kingdom’s hatred, and somehow win the affections of the stubborn servant who becomes his last chance.

As tensions rise and threats loom, both must learn to work together, softening their hearts and setting aside their differences. When time runs out, what will they sacrifice to save their kingdom from ruin? And what if that sacrifice changes everything?

A Noble Grace is a New Adult non-magical Christian fantasy retelling of Beauty and the Beast, book #3 in The Cornerstone Series. Each book can be read as a standalone.

This book has been a huge adventure, and I’m so relieved to finally share it with you. Those who have been following along with the journey so far already know that it’s been a struggle, but an immense learning experience for which I’m grateful. This book would’ve never made it this far without all the support!

Thank you to all who pre-ordered, and if you haven’t snagged your copy yet, for a limited time you can still snag your e-book for the same pre-order price ($0.99)! You can do that right HERE.

You can also glance over the parents’/content guide, if you’d like – listed below! There are very vague potential spoilers in the bullet point examples, and brief more general descriptions in the headlines.

I’ll be sharing more about the book and its journey as the week progresses, but for now, thank you so much for celebrating release day with me!

Once again, you can find A Noble Grace on Amazon by clicking RIGHT HERE (or by searching it on Amazon itself)!

PARENTS’/CONTENT GUIDE

I would recommend this book for readers roughly 12+ and up.

PROFANITY: None.

SEXUAL CONTENT: Very mild. One kiss, and several brief hugs.

The protagonists share a non-described wedding kiss.The protagonists embrace several times, after attacks on one another’s lives.Characters routinely walk arm-in-arm.The protagonists share a ballroom dance, and placing a hand on the woman’s waist is mentioned.A protagonist briefly rests her head on her love’s shoulder.

VIOLENCE: Sword fights, injuries (mildly described), death, physical harassment, usage of spears.

Several characters die in non-described ways (due to being hit with a spear, and pierced by a sword)Occasional mention of injuries (One character falls from a horse and hits her head, one is choked, one’s thigh is hit by a spear, one is slapped, and one’s side is roughed up by a sword – blood briefly mentioned, but nothing more)Fights (with swords, spears, and verbiage)

TOUGH TOPICS: Death, depression, parent loss, grief.

Several non-major characters die (not described) on the page, and past losses are grieved.A character fell into an isolated, depressed state after a tragedy in their life (in the past).A character grieves a potential marriage without love.A parent lies to their children, and two others passed away before the story.Betrayal from a likable characterA character revisits their family’s house burning down in an attack.

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Top 5 Books of 2024 (Five Fall Favorites 2024)

Happy Saturday and welcome to day six – the final day – of the Five Fall Favorites blog party!

You can find all of the information about Five Fall Favorites by reading my first post this week (click HERE), or by going to our wonderful host, Kate Willis’s, site (click HERE).

For a quick recap, every day this week, a group of bloggers (me included) are sharing our five favorite books in a variety of prompts – the goal being for us all to enjoy great new reads and cozy fall vibes!

This year’s theme is all about books that remind us of the Fruits of the Spirit, such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, and so on! There’s been a little variation of those fruits between bloggers each day (since there are more fruits than days in the week and we can pick and choose), so hopefully you’ve found plenty of options to add to your TBR!

It’s hard to believe that we’re already on our very last day… it’s flown by! Let’s make the most of some last-minute reads.

Today’s prompt features my favorite reads in the past year!

Technically a couple of these aren’t from 2024, but I read them since the last Five Fall Favorites so I’m going to count them. There have been so many great books in the last year, so it’s hard to narrow down just five! The books below held my full attention, were hard to put down, and left an impression on me. I hope you find some great recommendations!

Let’s dive in!

(I’ve reviewed many of these in more depth on Goodreads, so if you’re interested in reading my thoughts – or just other reviews in general – you can find the Goodreads link under each book, or by clicking on the book’s title).

The Nightmare Virus

Author: Nadine Brandes

Genre: Christian Science Fiction Dystopian

Target Audience: YA (Young Adult)

What Stuck Out to Me: I’ve read and loved all of Nadine’s books at this point and was even blessed to meet her and get a signed ARC copy of this one. It’s another favorite! It’s so different than the rest of her books in genre, but so similar in themes and tone.

The protagonist is my favorite – so real and layered. I enjoyed the story from his perspective and felt like I could both relate to and empathize with him. He’s strong but compassionate, rough around the edges but good at heart. I loved that he’s older too – more college-aged than teenager. His character change was powerful! The side characters were very well-written as well, all with their own goals, fears, and motivations.

And the action and suspense…top tier! I was legitimately not expecting some of the plot twists and I enjoyed the Christian elements that were woven in as well. The entire premise of this book, and the worlds that Nadine created, are very vivid and unique. I could picture them well, and it’s a super fun and terrifying idea. I was sucked in from the very first page. The hints of romance were cute, but in no way annoying or distracting, which I appreciated. I loved this and would love to read more in this story world!

Tricky Content: Hand-holding and one kiss on the cheek, mention of a child trafficker, cannibals, and a character killing himself in the dreamscape (but isn’t really dead), fantasy creatures (dragons, chimera, etc.), tension and suspense, murder, mild descriptions of blood and wounds, fighting, violence (throat slit, skull pierced, a character is stoned, character is eaten whole by snake), grief and loss, depression, the protagonist struggles with his relationship with God, and references to a character that died from cancer.

I’d Recommend It To: Readers that enjoy twisting dystopian/fantasy stories with high stakes and action, intrigue and mystery, vivid and unique worlds, and heartfelt Christian themes and messages!

Here’s the link to add it on Goodreads!

The Twelve Kingdoms

Author: Dana A. Caldwell

Genre: Epic Fantasy

Target Audience: Young Adults and above

What Stuck Out to Me: First, THAT COVER. So gorgeous! And there’s SO MUCH to this book. The lands described are expansive, the types of creatures are a mixture of twisted classic fantasy creatures with some unique ones, the magic system is well-developed and intricate, and it felt like diving into a new realm.

The characters were my favorites, as each one felt so developed and real. The POV protagonist was incredibly strong with everything she’s been through, and her growth was inspiring. I loved that she wasn’t your classic “strong female character”.

The other main character was my very favorite. He too was incredibly strong, always the encouraging, steady rock. Their affections were perfectly slow-burn to me. And The rest of the side characters each had a life and personality of their own. I enjoyed watching them twist and weave through the story.

Also, I won’t say much, but wow did the ending get tense. The villain is absolutely terrifying, and I can honestly say I wasn’t expecting about three of those last major plot twists. Once I reached the last few chapters, I couldn’t put it down until I’d read to the end. Very well-done.

I have no real critiques regarding this story! I was pulled in from the very start, the writing style was beautiful and immersive, the world was huge and vivid, the magic was clever, and the plot is intriguing, mysterious, and exciting. I’m really looking forward to the next installments in this series! If it sounds good to you, definitely give it a try – you may just find a new favorite too!

Tricky Content: Several brief kisses, hugs, frequent usage of made-up fantasy curses/swears, frequent vivid nightmares, frequent mentions of blood and semi-descriptive mentions of gore and wounds, battles/war violence, death and loss, grief, mental health struggles (one reference to wondering why she couldn’t have just died), constant danger, betrayal, brutal deaths (decapitation, hanging, beaten, “torn apart”), extensive magic system with spells, totems, staffs, charms, and curses, references to human sacrifice and stealing blood, “drugging” with herbs, mentions of alcohol and drinking on a pirate ship, theft/shoplifting by main characters.

I’d Recommend It To: Anyone who enjoys epic fantasies, especially if you love adventure journeys, slow-burn (clean!) romance, intrigue and action, fun side characters, terrifying villains, and powerful themes.

Here’s the link to add it on Goodreads!

Wayfarer

Author: K. M. Weiland

Genre: Historical Gaslamp Fantasy

Target Audience: YA and above

What Stuck Out to Me: I listened to the Sargent Family Productions dramatized version of this book and it was incredible! Despite the long length, I didn’t want to stop listening, and it held my interest from the start. The premise is very unique and the settings are vivid. I don’t read many books set in 18th Century England!

As usual, the characters were my favorite! Each one felt very real and nuanced, with actions and motivations I couldn’t predict. The main character’s coming to grips with his abilities and purpose was powerful, and the side characters (one young one in particular…) were so fun and interesting. The slow-burn romance was clean and satisfying. I was rooting for the love interests.

I also really admired the prominent themes like purpose, truth, that ends don’t always justify means, and sacrifice. The things that the characters gave up for one another, even in times that they weren’t getting along, was wholesome and inspiring. My absolute favorite was the brother-sister relationship between two of the main characters. I haven’t read of many young, feisty characters in books like these, and I loved it! Overall, this is a solid read, and as long as you don’t mind some flowery prose, the story is impactful.

Tricky Content: Fighting, some blood and injuries, death and loss, characters gets a stake through the hand, one clean kiss scene, young characters are abused, unsavory characters in certain parts of the city, danger, betrayal, emotional distress, a magical system (no spells, but special abilities).

I’d Recommend It To: Readers that enjoy unique historical settings, superhero stories with a twist, fun and quirky characters and deep, meaningful themes. Bonus points if you listen to the audio version HERE!

Here’s the link to add it on Goodreads!

Writing Killer Cover Copy

Author: Elana Johnson

Genre: Non-fiction for authors

Target Audience: Indie authors (fiction & non-fiction)

What Stuck Out to Me: Not to be dramatic, but I’ve always detested writing cover copy (synopses, blurbs, etc.). It doesn’t come naturally to me and always takes me so long to come up with something decent. This book has been a huge help!

I appreciated how the author broke down the process into small and manageable bites, explaining each one. I enjoyed the examples she gave, and that she reiterates the importance of research and studying comparative blurbs for well-performing novels in our genres. It’s a short, but info-packed and motivating little book.

I sped through this book in one sitting, and have been revisiting each chapter as I go through my books, rewriting their taglines and blurbs. It’s been extremely helpful to have some kind of guide to get me into that synopsis-writing flow. If you’re an author who struggles with cover copy as much as I do, I definitely recommend checking this one out!

Tricky Content: None to note, although I would have loved for this to be longer, with more examples!

I’d Recommend It To: Authors (indie authors especially) who want help in writing stronger cover copy (blurbs, synopses, taglines, etc.) for their books and improving their marketing in the process!

Here’s the link to add it on Goodreads!

The Screwtape Letters

Author: C. S. Lewis

Genre: Christian Fantasy

Target Audience: Teens and older

What Stuck Out to Me: I’ve only read this book through once but it’s stuck with me (and I want to read it again soon). What a powerful, thought-provoking, and often uncomfortable collection of truths disguised in satire. Lewis’ words are deep.

These letters, written by an “experienced demon” to a new one wondering the best ways to corrupt Christians, are entertaining to read, witty and short. But the truths that they hold, detailing many of the traps we can fall into as Christians in a fallen world, is eye-opening. I was very convicted reading this, and I find myself noticing Satan’s attacks amidst my daily life, thinking, “oh, this is like Screwtape said.”

I’ve seen this book be criticized for being too dark, and even Lewis said this was the most uncomfortable book of his to write. I can see why! Writing from the perspective of a God and Christian hating demon must have been incredibly difficult, but I see how the Lord was working through his writings, and I’m glad we have this available to us. It’s full of fresh reminders on what to avoid, what to strive for, and what to be aware of as believers under attack. If you read it with prayer and discretion, I think it’s a valuable tool.

Tricky Content: Unreliable narrator (the letters are written from a “devil/demon”). He details many plots and ploys that the Devil uses against Christians and it can leave a bad taste in your mind. I know that if I’m not careful, I can become depressed thinking about it, until I remind myself that Jesus conquers all.

I’d Recommend It To: Christians that want to think, to be reminded of the many ways spiritual attacks can happen, and to ingest powerful truths through satire, wit, and biblical messages.

Here’s the link to add it on Goodreads!

We’ve come to the end of the 2024 Five Fall Favorites blog party! What are some of your favorite books from the past year? Have you read any of the ones I mentioned? If so, what did you think? I’d love to find out!

I can’t believe how quickly this has gone… As always, I really enjoyed it! My TBR is overflowing now (as if it wasn’t beforehand too, haha) and I just want to have a reading spree now. Thank you so much for being here, reading my recommendations, and supporting this event. It’s such a special way to usher in cozy fall vibes, and I’m so glad it’s continued so many years! I’m already looking forward to next year.

Don’t forget to check out Kate’s host blog here one last time for extra information, even more book recommendations, and for your final chance to enter the special giveaway! This is the perfect chance to look back through blogs you may have missed and gather some final recommendations. A major thank-you to Kate for hosting this lovely event again!

And once more, thank you for being here. You’re a joy, and I hope your TBR is as stuffed as mine now!

Happy reading!

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