Sage Nestler's Blog, page 18
December 1, 2019
Book Review: Ms. Never by Colin Dodds
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Synopsis
Farya Navurian seems like an ordinary young woman trying to get ahead in the city while struggling with depression. But her depression is anything but ordinary – it has the power to destroy time and space. Growing up the moody daughter of a space-faring hero of The Greater Anointed Imperial Ohioan Commonwealth, Farya annihilated most of that world and its history, leaving behind the husk-like Buckeye State.
One day at a record swap, she meets Bryan, a divorced telecom CEO. More than record collecting, what they share is that they each carry a howling secret. Bryan’s business is a cover for a bigger operation that buys human souls and sells luxury afterlives using shady terms of service in mobile-phone contracts.
The two of them fall in love, and as they start a life together, their secrets back them into a corner where they have to come clean – and take drastic steps – to save themselves, and possibly reality itself.
Quick Take
Ms. Never is an excellent portrayal of mental illness, and how sometimes the symptoms of mental illness can become superpowers
Tell Me More
I was overjoyed when I was presented with the opportunity to review Ms. Never. I am a woman struggling with Major Depressive Disorder, Quiet Borderline Personality Disorder, and Complex PTSD, so I am always looking for novels that accurately portray mental illness in a unique way. Ms. Never surpassed my expectations in this way. The novel’s protagonist, Farya Navurian, suffers from depression, but instead of being presented as a damsel in distress, she ends up having superpowers as a byproduct of her mental illness. I have never read a book that portrays some of the symptoms of mental illness in this way, and I fell in love with Colin Dodds’ one-of-a-kind storyline.
Ms. Never is equal parts science fiction and romance, while portraying the complexities of modern life. Both of the primary characters of the novel – Farya and Bryan – are multifaceted and develop beautifully throughout the novel. I gobbled this novel up and yearned for more upon finishing. I am amazed and delighted by Dodd’s genre-bending novel and view of mental illness, and I can’t recommend this novel enough. Ms. Never appeals to a variety of audiences due to its genre-crossing storyline, and I hope that you will pick it up as soon as you can! This story will leave you forever changed.
*I was given this book to review from Reedsy Discovery
November 23, 2019
Author Spotlight – M.E. Hembroff
Happy Saturday, Bibliophiles!
I am excited to share with you M.E. Hembroff – author of the children’s book Voices of Yesterday. I am such a kid at heart and I love reviewing children’s books, which is why I am so excited to share this book with you because it appeals to both children and adults. Voices of Yesterday incorporates family heritage while highlighting family conflict to help children navigate family issues with compassion. Hembroff presents a story that doesn’t sugarcoat issues or talk down to its audience, while helping parents and children navigate family heritage and familial conflicts.
In part one Kate is confused and overwhelmed about her parents’ divorce. Her teacher gives the class an assignment to research and write about a historical event, person or place in Riverdale. Kate chooses the Franklin Manor where she lives with her Mom. Her classmate Rose finds information about a fire that left Kate’s Gran an orphan. Kate sets this information aside until she has completed her assignment. As Kate continues her research, she finds her Great Aunt Rebecca’s journal. She stumbles across a link between the Franklin’s and her family. What is that link? How does it affect Kate?
In part two Kate and her mom spend the summer at her Gran’s farm. Kate helps her Mom sort through the items hoarded over the years. She finds old journals written by her Great, Great Grandmother. Old treasures turn up in unexpected locations. A rift has developed between Kate and her dad. She doesn’t accept that he has a girlfriend who he intends to marry. Will Kate find all the family secrets? Will she resolve her issues with her dad?
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About the Author
Marjorie was imaginative since early childhood. She grew up on a farm, before television, where there was lots of scope for imagination. Marjorie did art and writing assignments in school. After she had married and moved to Alberta Marjorie took art and writing classes, some by correspondence. Marjorie joined an art club and took part in their shows. At that time she started to have strange dreams. In these dreams, she held a book with blank pages and no cover. In other dreams, there was a series of books with no covers. Marjorie told one of the art group members about the dreams. That artist had learned to interpret dreams. She told Marjorie she was supposed to write the stories and draw the pictures for the covers. Shortly after that Tiny in Gramma Mouse Tells a Story was born. It wasn’t long before the idea for Bess’s Magical Garden surfaced.
Marjorie’s favorite author has always been L.M. Montgomery. In some ways, she felt akin to Anne the main character in the Anne books.
Marjorie has since written and self-published Gramma Mouse Tells a Story, Bess’s Magical Garden and the sequel The Mystery of the Hidden Cabin. She now resides in Strathmore Alberta. Her books are sold at local craft sales every fall and Christmas as well as on Amazon. She has also written numerous stories. Some can be found on her website.
Follow M.E. Hembroff
https://www.mhembroff.wordpress.com
www.amazon.com/author/mehembroff
https://www.facebook.com/mehembroff
https://twitter.com/margiesart1
http://www.goodreads.com/mehembroff
http://www.plaistedpublishinghouse.com
November 19, 2019
Author Interview with Gina Lo Biondo
I am so excited to share with you today an interview I had with Gina Lo Biondo, author of the children’s books Cinderella – A Love Story, Pegasus – A Dragon’s Tale, Button Nose – The Sad Little Bear, and the play Cinderella – A Play in Two Acts!
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Gina is an extremely creative woman, and I love how her children’s stories speak to children and adults alike. Her stories are unique and accompanied by gorgeous illustrations that are sure to speak to the children in your life or your child at heart! I hope you enjoy the interview and take the time to check out Gina’s lovely work.
Peachy Keen Author Interview with Gina Lo Biondo
Why do you enjoy writing?
Wow, I’ve been doing it for so long that, for me, it’s like breathing! I love to write because I’ve always got ideas running around in my head. Sometimes all I’ll need is a word or a thought and, BAM! I have a new story in the works. Years ago, I used to get ideas while taking a bath! LOL 
November 10, 2019
Book Review: Yoder Family Amish Restaurant by Becca Fisher
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Title: Yoder Family Amish Restaurant
Author: Becca Fisher
Format: Audiobook
Narrated by: Dorothy Deavers
Rating: 3/5
Sadie Zook is in an impossible situation. After a long search, she’s finally found love. But the man she’s fallen for also happens to work at the same Amish restaurant – a restaurant that has banned coworkers from dating. So Sadie and her boyfriend are forced to keep their love a secret. Can they keep from being found out, or will everything Sadie has worked so hard for be jeopardized?
Quick Take
Yoder Family Amish Restaurant is a sweet Amish romance, if not depressing and rushed at times. Becca Fisher writes with knowledge of the Amish community, and Dorothy Deavers brings a calming tone to the audiobook.
Tell Me More
Upon first listening to the audiobook of Yoder Family Amish Restaurant on Audible, I fell in love with Dorothy Deaver’s voice. Her presence perfectly complimented Becca Fisher’s quaint story, and the audiobook created a calming experience for me. I enjoyed Deaver’s voices that she gave to each of Fisher’s characters, and it felt as though the story was being painted in front of me as I listened.
Sadie Zook, the protagonist of Yoder Family Amish Restaurant, is a humble, sweet woman whom I immediately felt drawn to. The story focuses on her love life, and how she is reeling from heartbreak with a man she was dating who fell in love with someone else and chose to leave her. My heart broke for Sadie as I listened and empathized with her story.
Sadie is a waitress at an Amish restaurant, and the story is heavily focused on her coworkers and the patrons who frequent the restaurant. As Sadie’s friends begin to fall in love, get married, and have children, she feels as though she is falling behind because she has not found a man with whom she would like to start a family. However, Sadie finds purpose in her job at the Yoder Family Restaurant, and communion with her coworkers.
Unfortunately, as I continued to listen to the story, I found Sadie to be a depressing character. She is often forlorn, and every time something good seems to happen for her, it ends up going wrong. For example, when Sadie finally finds a man to go on a date with, his ex-girlfriend reaches out to him on the day of his date with Sadie and proposes trying to have a relationship again. Sadie also goes out for a promotion at the restaurant and ends up losing the position to one of her coworkers with whom she doesn’t get along with. When Sadie does begin dating one of her other coworkers towards the end of the novel, their romance took up only about the last fourth of the novel and it seemed rushed. While I enjoyed the calming tone of Yoder Family Restaurant, I felt as though the depressing aspects of the novel were too drawn out whereas the inspiring sections were not given enough time.
Nevertheless, the audiobook of Yoder Family Amish Restaurant provides a calming listening experience with a clear look at the Amish community. Even though the novel did have more of a sorrowful tone, I did enjoy learning more about the young Amish community and experiencing the simple life. Becca Fisher writes with knowledge and empathy of the Amish community, and I look forward to listening to more of her audiobooks.
October 29, 2019
Book Review: Cinderella – A Love Story by Gina Lo Biondo
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Rating: 5/5
Synopsis
Cinderella — A Love Story is “a fanciful and absorbing rewrite of the classic faerie tale”. It is told here in a fascinating new version, set circa mid-16th century. Younger readers will love the borrowed magic that enables Ella to attend the ball, while older readers — including adults — will connect with the inseparable bond between mother and child; a bond that transcends time and space and even death itself. Ella’s parents are young and in love and the family is happy until Marie suddenly dies. Her father remarries, hoping to give his beloved child a mother’s love and care. But Charles’s new wife is a cruel, unaffectionate woman, who cares only for her own two very backward daughters, and turns her step-daughter into a servant. Ten years later, when the King throws a ball in honour of his son, Ella’s only chance at happiness comes from a most unexpected source.
Quick Take
Cinderella – A Love Story is an elegant and original take on the classic fairytale. Gina Lo Biondo creates a new cast of characters that explore grief, stepfamilies and starting anew.
Tell Me More
Cinderella has long been one of my favorite fairytales, and I was more than thrilled to read Gina Lo Biondo’s re-invented tale. To my delight, Cinderella – A Love Story surpassed my expectations and has become one of my new favorite adaptations of the story.
Lo Biondo’s changes to the classic tale were settle, but they provided originality that created a unique retelling. My favorite change that Lo Biondo made was switching out the fairy godmother with the spirit of Cinderella’s deceased mother. While Cinderella’s father is present in the story, he is frequently working and Cinderella becomes prey to her stepmother and stepsisters. Cinderella grieves for her mother, and presenting her mother as her savior in the spirit form is a heartwarming addition. I found the love story between mother and daughter to be the highlight of the novel, and it had me swooning. The family love presented in the novel was a welcome change, and I appreciated Lo Biondo’s vision.
The accompanying full-color illustrations included in the novel are beautifully hand-drawn and well placed to help the reader picture the story and entice younger readers. While the novel is intended for younger readers, I found it extremely enjoyable, and I will happily read it again and again. If you are a fan of Cinderella, I heartily recommend Gina Lo Biondo’s Cinderella – A Love Story.
October 9, 2019
Life Update
I know it has been a while since I have posted anything, and I wanted to update you. In August I suffered a brain injury and severe mental health crisis, which put me in the hospital, and I am currently on medical leave as I continue to recover. I am still working on all of the reviews that I promised many of you guys, but it is taking me longer to complete them. However, if you are an author who I promised a review to, please know that it is coming! It is just going to take a little while for them to get posted. A big thank you to all of you for the support you have shown me.
Much love,
Ashley
August 2, 2019
GIVEAWAY ALERT: Win FIVE Autographed Books from Erec Stebbins
I am excited to share with you a giveaway for 5 autographed books by Erec Stebbins! Erec is a fantastic thriller author, and I think you will love his work. Visit the link below to learn more about Erec’s work and enter the giveaway!
Much love,
Ashley
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Win FIVE Autographed Books from the “Master of the Thinking Reader’s Techno-Thriller”
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“Outrageously entertaining: Epic, explosive, subversive, engaged and compassionate, like a Michael Bay movie written by Aaron Sorkin.” -says author Chris Brookmyre
FIVE autographed paperbacks with international intrigue, extreme action, mysteries, unusual and diverse characters, and engaging with contemporary global and domestic events. The complete Intel 1 series of thrillers in hard copy will be yours if you win.
July 20, 2019
Announcement: Literary Apothecary Organization
I’m very excited to finally announce to you a project that I have been working on. This past May, I graduated with my masters in social work with an emphasis on mental health. Throughout my schooling, I always knew that I wanted to start my own organization that incorporates literature into mental health services. My dream is finally coming to fruition with the creation of Literary Apothecary. My goal with this organization is to offer services and packages that utilize literature, mindfulness, and art in in-home therapy, while also providing a virtual support system through online forums and video consultations and small groups.
The official name for the utilization of literature in therapy is bibliotherapy. The basis of the programs I am creating involves the utilization of various novels and memoirs to address mental health issues. I am trained in bibliotherapy and mindfulness therapies, as well as utilizing art in therapy, and the development of each program will incorporate these to create a set of cohesive programs that are designed to treat various disorders and life circumstances.
I have been over the moon developing this organization, and I am so excited to finally be able to share my pre-launch with you! Please help support by signing up for our newsletter and liking our Facebook page. I would be so grateful!
Much love,
Ashley
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July 17, 2019
Book Review: Soulfire by Christen Stovall
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Rating: 5/5
To the Point
Soulfire is a cleverly crafted fantasy-romance filled with raw emotion and groundbreaking world-building. Christen Stovall takes the reader on an emotional roller coaster in a world that leaps off of the pages.
Give Me More
Soulfire is the second book in Christen Stovall’s Song of Souls trilogy. The novel follows Aislynn, the story’s heroine and fierce female lead – as well as her soulmate, Rorin, and love interest, Ciaran. But it is so much more than that. Rorin is deceased and is present as a ghost with newfound abilities, but when he is amongst the living only Aislynn can see him. Stovall challenges life and death by creating a world for the living, as well as a world for the dead, and crosses both by giving Aislynn and Rorin the ability to communicate due to their bond as soulmates. Their bond is tested when Aislynn forms an attraction to and feelings for Ciaran – the king – who is part of the living, and Rorin begins to realize that Aislynn does still have human needs that he cannot provide. However, Rorin is the only one who knows of Aislynn’s reoccurring nightmares and her increased ability to hear voices. He is also harboring his own secret connected to his abilities, which presents itself as a game-changer.
What I love about Stovall’s writing is that her world and ideas are complex, but she feeds them to the reader in a way that is easy to understand. Her words sweep the reader off of their feet and transports them into the story. Her characters leaped off the page, and I felt the distress and love the characters experienced as I read along – which was almost painful. The beauty of Soulfire is that you don’t necessarily need to have read Soulbound before venturing into the novel as Stovall keeps the reader up to date and forms an action-packed story of its own.
Stovall is a master fantasy author who incorporates romantic aspects flawlessly, and I found her world and characters to be believable and all-consuming. All I can say is, bring on the third book in the trilogy! I will be patiently waiting to be mesmerized once again.
July 12, 2019
Gardens, Galaxies and Goosebumps Blog Tour 2019
I am excited to share with you an interview with horror author David Jenkins! Peachy Keen Reviews is the next stop on his Gardens, Galaziws, and Goosebumps blog tour, and I am honored to share his work with you. Keep an eye open for my review of Gardens, Galaxies, and Goosebumps soon! But for now, enjoy getting to know David below. 
