Lavay Byrd's Blog: Lavay's Journal, page 3

Happy New Year!

Hi, fellow readers, and Happy 2025!

Another year has come and gone... with many wonderful memories... including books!

The first list you'll see is my favorite re-reads of 2024, which are a few. The next will be my top favorite NEW READS of 2024, with the last book as my TOP favorite.

(NOTE: most of the stories are available for free by joining the author's newsletter. )

2024 Favorite Re-Reads

Favorite New Reads of 2024

Frost Gate by Hanna Sandvig

This was such a fun read...

Merry Christmas

Five more days to Christmas! Five more days to spend time with family and friends singing carols and opening of presents.But let us not forget the TRUE REASON to celebrate: JESUS, who came as a baby, born from a young virgin girl name Mary, who was married to a kind carpenter name Joseph. Who was given to us by our Heavenly Father God, to give His Life to redeem all mankind... because He loves us.

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. ...

Book Review: Callie & the Pumpkin Seed by Sarah Beran

About the book

She’s a baker struggling to support her stepfamily. He’s a prince running from the biggest decision of his life. Can their friendship result in something sweet, or is it a recipe for disaster?

Calliope Cendrillon wants nothing more than for her bakery, “Sweet Pea’s Pumpkin Perfections,” to start turning a profit. After her father’s sudden death left her family in dire financial straits, Callie’s infamous pumpkin treats are the only thing standing between protecting her father...

Book Review: Quest for Celestia by Steven James

About the book

A Reimagining of The Pilgrim's Progress.

If you think you know the story, think again. Twists lurk around every corner. The journey begins now. Destiny awakes in the hills.

After a chance encounter with a man whom 16-year-old Kadin believes is a wizard, his life and health begin to deteriorate.

Out of desperation he embarks on an epic journey to a land no one in his village believes exists, to be healed of a disease no one thinks he has. His quest for truth leads him to a...

Equine on the Mind: A Site for Horse-crazy readers!

Love horses and books... but can seem to find any quality horse fiction that are not super boring or cheesy? Or can't seem to find wholesome fantasy fiction with an emphasis on horses?

Or do you want to write your own equine-filled stories but not sure where to start?

Meet Allie Lynn, founder of Equine on the Mind, a community site for horse-lovers seeking to both explore and create unique storyworlds. Where, as Allie Lynn puts it: "where the horse-crazy writers of this world can find the ...

Prophet of Theos Cover Reveal!!!

Finally... after a very long wait, it's finally time to reveal the cover of my fourth and final books of "The Aethon Chronicles", Prophet of Theos!

I confess, I'd actually designed the cover a few months ago... and been waiting for a good time to reveal it.

Side Note:

Before I would write my first draft of any book, I would design (or try to) the book cover first. As a visualizer, the cover helps me get into the mood of the story before I write. It's the same principle I use whenever I look ...

Book Review: Moonscript by H.S.J. Williams

About the book

"It is said that Darkness is empty and whatever vanishes into its depths is lost forever. I know this better than anyone. For I have suffered here in the shadows, and there are none who might find me.”

Seventy years. Seventy years the elven prince has been lost to the darkness, assumed dead by his people and endlessly broken for a book that connects to the hidden realm of his ancestors, a land untouched by evil.

And now a light in the shadows. A chance for freedom. But those ...

Book Review: Rosefire

Have you ever stumbled upon a book, read it... and found yourself not only speechless, but your heart and soul so moved beyond words?

For me, this was one of those books:

About the Book

Asael is a kingdom in crisis.

Perhaps it is a coincidence that Anya arrived on Karan’s doorstep—without a past and with great skill in magic—the same night that Crown Prince Loran died, but Karan is not certain she believes in coincidence anymore.

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

My Rating: 5 Stars +

M...

New Release: Winter's Maiden by Morgan L. Busse

One of my favorite authors, Morgan L. Busse, has just released a brand new, Viking-inspired fantasy! Isn't the cover just breath-taking?! Here is the full blurb below:

Warrior. Survivor. Daughter of the North.

From the moment she is born, Brighid fights to survive in the wastelands of Nordica as a clanless one. But when a new power arrives offering a trial to join the Nordic warriors, Brighid enters, hoping to rise above her station. Soon she becomes one of their fiercest fighters and join...

Welcome to my Journal (aka blog)

Good day. Howdy. Hello!

Thank you for taking the time to visit my journal, where I share thoughts and musings on many things artistic! (Plus, for me, this feels safer and less chaotic than social media).Here, I will be posting mostly book reviews and shout-outs to authors both old and new. But there will be also thoughts on favorite movies & tv series, and even book genres. (And yes, even some book updates)!

Until next time! Have a wonderful day!