Sage Nestler's Blog, page 44
April 8, 2017
B2BCyCon Cover Wars
Hello, Everyone!
Today is day 2 of the Brain to Books Cyber Convention! Yesterday was a wonderful first day, but today there are even more festivities to enjoy.
That being said, cover wars is one of my favorite events at the cyber convention. The cover wars are essentially a voting game that takes place all weekend, and they are divided up by genre. My cover for Behind Broken Glass Walls is in the Memoir/Historical/Ya genre round, so please stop by and check it out!
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GO HERE TO VOTE
Much love,
Ashley
April 7, 2017
B2BCyCon Character Tournaments
Hello, Everyone!
This weekend at the Brain to Books Cyber Convention, 5 of my characters are competing in character tournaments!
The character tournaments are a mash up of many different characters from indie novels. At the end of the weekend, one character will be the crowned champion of all of the characters voted on!
Please stop by the character tournaments and consider voting for any of my characters that are running in the tournament: Lamia Hecate, Harlisisle, Addanc, Deronica or Quarilite!
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Much love,
Ashley
FOR BOOK REVIEWS, FILL OUT THIS FORM: Book Review Request Form
FOR BOX REVIEWS, EMAIL: peachykeenreviews@gmail.com
April Novel of the Month: Dark Diary by P. Anastasia
Hello, Everyone!
I happy to announce April’s Novel of the Month: Dark Diary by P. Anastasia
Dark Diary by P. Anastasia is a classic historical romance, but it has supernatural undertones that lend a wonderful darkness to the story. Anastasia is a great crafter of the written word, and she knows how to add suspense to romantic plots so that the softness of the love story will be hardened with reality. I loved how both of Anastasia’s characters were flawed, and how their own brokenness seemed to bring them closer to one another.
April is always a good time to read a love story now that spring has sprung, and Dark Diary lends a haunting spell to any great love story. If you are a fan of vampires in romance, then you will fall in love with this book!
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Much love,
Ashley
FOR BOOK REVIEWS, FILL OUT THIS FORM: Book Review Request Form
FOR BOX REVIEWS, EMAIL: peachykeenreviews@gmail.com
Brain to Books Con Starts NOW!
Hello, Everyone!
The long awaited Brain to Books Con is finally HERE! Are you ready to find your next favorite books and authors?! There are so many great events going on, and I have my own personal author booths at the convention as well.
Visit my Fantasy Showcase Here
Visit my Young Adult Showcase Here
I hope to see you all there! The ebooks of my novels Behind Broken Glass Walls and Beautiful Nightmare are FREE all weekend! So drop by with your email address, and I will make sure that you get your free copies.
Much love,
Ashley
April 4, 2017
Brain to Books Con THIS WEEKEND
Hello, Everyone!
I am so excited to announce that the Brain to Books Con is finally upon us! Starting Friday, April 7 and going through Sunday, April 9 the con will take place on Goodreads.
Since this is an online convention, you can visit just by sitting at home in your pajamas! Many authors will be present – including yours truly – so come say hi! There will also be games, giveaways, book discussion, character discussion, and so much more. It is a great way to find your next favorite book or author, and to network with many different people in the book world!
Visit the Con Here
I hope to see you there!
Much love,
Ashley
April 3, 2017
13 Reasons Why – A Discussion
Hello, Everyone!
Usually, I do not write personal posts. But with the recent popularity of the 13 Reasons Why series that has been released on Netflix, I thought I should weigh in with my thoughts.
Let me start this by saying that I am a suicide survivor. Generally, this is not something that I talk about. But it is because of this that I am very sensitive when it comes to novels involving suicide, and I usually avoid them. However, I did read 13 Reasons Why several years ago, and it severely let me down.
13 Reasons Why came out during the time when I was at my darkest, and I turned to the book in hopes that it would make me feel less alone. It had been praised as the “it” book on teen suicide at the time, but after reading 13 Reasons Why, I only felt more alone. The book is inaccurate on many levels, and as someone who has been in Hannah’s position before, I am angered by the injustice that the book brings to those who have committed suicide or are survivors from it. Please just hear me out and try to understand where I am coming from.
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In the book, Hannah is very one dimensional. Jay Asher doesn’t delve into Hannah the way that he should since the book involves her suicide. The tapes also seemed to popularize suicide and make it romantic, which is not something that should be done with teen suicide. After reading through Hannah’s reasons as to why she committed suicide, her reasons seemed menial and Jay Asher painted her as a “classic” teenage girl haunted by generic, stereotypical teenage girl problems. One major problem with this is that Jay Asher has never been a teenage girl, and his description of Hannah is very flat. At the end of 13 Reasons Why I ended up despising Hannah – the one character I should have felt connected to – and none of the other characters stuck with me. It seemed to me that Jay Asher was very much an outsider looking in, and his take on teenage suicide was a popularized version of what it really was. He also didn’t evolve the other characters in the novel who contributed to Hannah’s suicide. All they seemed to be were random people that were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Jay Asher used these menial characters to show how “small” things affected Hannah, and how she had “taken them out of context”. Each reason said more about Hannah than those who hurt her, and it seemed to me that Jay Asher was blaming Hannah for feeling the way that she did about what happened to her. The message seemed to be “don’t take things so seriously” instead of “don’t bully others” and this message did not sit right with me.
That being said, I was not sure how to feel about the new 13 Reasons Why series on Netflix. I wasn’t even sure if I wanted to watch it after what I have been through and how the book originally made me feel. But after watching the series, it has completely changed my mind.
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If you do not want to read the rest of my review of the Netflix series of 13 Reasons Why, then just know this:
THE SERIES IS 100% MORE ACCURATE THAN THE BOOK, AND YOU WOULD DO WELL TO JUST WATCH THE SERIES AND NOT READ THE BOOK AT ALL.
It seems to me that those who created the Netflix series had the same issues with the book that I did, that it was sending the wrong message and the all of the characters were portrayed incorrectly. It is because of this that the series took each character to the next level – including the all important Hannah – and gave them justice. Not only did the series expand on why Hannah was so deeply affected by “menial events”, but it also addressed those who contributed to her suicide and why they acted the way that they did. Everyone has a backstory, and this series is the master of exposing backstories. Each character was an important player in the series, and they were all impacted positively and negatively by one another. The series explored how intense it is to be a teenager, but it in no way made fun of the severity of what teenagers go through. Watching the series made me remember my years of being a teenager, and even though it was very sensitive, it did make me feel less alone. This is all I ever wanted from 13 Reasons Why, and I have finally experienced it. I am sure that so many others have as well, and I am now proud to say that the Netflix series of 13 Reasons Why has portrayed teen angst, bullying, and teen suicide in a perfect light.
If you want to understand more about teen suicide and bullying, this series will suit your needs. It is also an excellent series to ignite your deepest emotions. Just understand that suicide is, and always will be, a sensitive subject. And please never believe what certain novels on the subject tell you unless you have experienced the symptoms firsthand.
Much love,
Ashley
March 30, 2017
February/March Hedren’s Chest
Hello, Everyone!
It is time to reveal our February/March Hedren’s Chest!
For those who don’t know, I am the founder and CEO of Hedren’s Chest – a bi-monthly horror book subscription box! I adore horror, and I created this box to help subscribers find new horror novels and small business items that they might not have found otherwise.
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The February/March theme was My Bloody Valentine, and it included 2 horror novels as well as 3 bonus items!
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This box was so much fun to create because I was able to create a horror Valentine’s care package to go along with the holiday! I made sure that a flower, chocolate, and plushie was included to go along with the classic Valentine staples, and it was just a bloody blast.
There is only 1 DAY LEFT to subscribe to our April/May box! The theme for this box is:
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This box will be a celebration of female horror authors/horror movie directors and you won’t want to miss it! The books included will also revolve around evil mermaids.
Use code WELCOME10 to receive 10% off of your first box!
Much love,
Ashley
FOR BOOK REVIEWS, FILL OUT THIS FORM: Book Review Request Form
FOR BOX REVIEWS, EMAIL: peachykeenreviews@gmail.com
March 29, 2017
Holly Journals Review – April 2017
Hi, Everyone!
I am so excited to share with you a subscription box called Holly Journals! This box is perfect for writers because each month you will receive a handmade journal along with journaling prompts and writing accessories. I am in love with this box, and I am sure that you will love it too!
Holly Journals is a gorgeous journal of the month box, and each journal included in the box is handmade by Holly Rose! Holly also sells journals in her shop on top of her subscription box, and I adore the handmade nature of her products. Handmade items are so much more valuable to me than manufactured items. This is the best box I have received all month!
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There are three different subscription options for Holly Journals. The different subscriptions are outlined below:
Holly Journals Monthly Box: $39.99/month+FREE SHIPPING
Includes:
1 wire bound journal with at least 50 pages
1+ pens
Journal prompts
Extra embellishments
Journal jewelry)
Bonus gift
Holly Journals Gift Options: 3 Month Pre-Pay ($108.00+FREE SHIPPING), 6 Month Pre-Pay ($210.00+FREE SHIPPING), and 12 Month Pre-Pay ($408+FREE SHIPPING)
Includes:
Everything in the Holly Journals Box
These plans allow you to pay in advance at a discount!
Mini Journal Box: $19.95/month+FREE SHIPPING
Pre – Pay Options
3 Month Pre-Pay ($56.00+FREE SHIPPING)
6 Month Pre-Pay ($110.00+FREE SHIPPING)
Includes:
Everything in the Holly Journals Box
The journal is just half the size of the regular box
I received the April full-size journal box to review, and the theme of this box is Spring Ride!
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Upon opening the box, you are greeted with a note from Holly. An item list for the box is included as well! I love how carefully wrapped everything is, and the handmade feel is present from the start.
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Next, once you lift the tissue paper you see all of the adorable items that are included in the box. However, the journal is still hidden for the final surprise!
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The first items that I pull out of the box are these adorable Flower Kiss Candies! They look like candies I would find at my Asian market, and I love how unique they are. After eating one, I am excited to realize that the candy does taste flowery. This is the perfect spring treat!
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Also in the box are these adorable pens! They fit well with the spring theme.
Gelly Roll pens are the best gel pens, and they never dry up! The Gelly Roll pen that is included is a darker gray with sparkles.
The next pen is a cute pink and white polka dot pen that I probably wouldn’t have found myself! I love how the ink is pink as well, and I will be using up this pen in no time. Pink is my favorite color, and I love journaling with different colored pens!
The last pen is a plain black pen, but it has the cutest bunny ears on it! I love how this pen connects to Easter, and it is perfect for the April box.
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The next item is a list of journaling prompts. I think it is great that Holly includes this because it helps the subscriber to stay inspired. Most of the prompts are spring themed!
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The next item is a packet of daisy seeds! Daisies are my favorite flowers, and I am happy that I have my own pack of seeds to plant. This is a cute add in, and I love how Holly added her own label to the seeds!
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Similarly, a garden stake was included to go with the daisies! This stake can be used to label the daisies in your garden or in a planter. I love this unique touch, and I can’t wait to use it!
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Furthermore, an adorable bicycle-themed jangle was included! This jangle is meant to be journal jewelry, and it can spruce up any notebook.
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Finally, we have the main attraction! The last item in the box is the journal. The journal comes wrapped in pink and white tissue paper with an old-fashioned bicycle sticker on it. I love how there are settle bicycle touches to go with the “April Ride” theme, and it makes me so nostalgic!
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The cover of the journal features the same bicycle that is on the sticker. A quote is also present to add to the journaling atmosphere!
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Here is a picture of the journal with the journal jewelry attached!
Upon receiving this box, I did not know that the journal would include such cute touches! Each page seems to have different papers, and they all add to the spring bicycle theme.
There are many quotes presented in the journal, and I love how inspiring they are!
I also like how there are envelopes included throughout the journal. This is so original!
Holly even included a “Don’t Forget” list, and this is perfect to incorporate the journal into your planning.
Similarly, the back of the journal has an envelope with more paper to decorate or write on!
Lastly, a packet with extra stickers and decorations is included so that you can personalize your journal! I love the bicycle paperclip, and the mini clothespins are so cute. This adds a great crafting touch to the box.
Overall, I am amazed at this box. It has the best curation, and the handmade elements were wonderful! Holly did so well with keeping the bicycle theme the center of the journal, and I can’t wait to see more of her boxes. This box felt like receiving a present in the mail, and I highly recommend it if you are a big journaler like me!
New Stephen King’s IT Trailer
Hello, Everyone!
I am so excited to announce that the trailer for the upcoming remake of “IT” by Stephen King has JUST DROPPED! IT is my favorite horror novel and mini-series of all time, and it looks like the remake will do both the book and mini-series justice.
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VIEW THE TRAILER HERE
In the meantime, let me know in the comments how you feel about the remake, and also let me know what your favorite horror novel/movie is!
Much love,
Ashley
FOR BOOK REVIEWS, FILL OUT THIS FORM: Book Review Request Form
FOR BOX REVIEWS, EMAIL: peachykeenreviews@gmail.com
March 27, 2017
Get Ready for Evil Mermaids
Hello, Everyone!
In our April Hedren’s Chest horror book subscription, we will be featuring two gorgeous horror novels that feature evil mermaids! I am so excited to share these books with you, and if you are a fan of mermaids, you will love this horrific twist on them.
Our April box theme is “Women of Horror” and it will celebrate a fantastic female horror author as well as items that celebrate other horrific female icons.
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Use code “WELCOME10” to receive 10% off of your first box
Click on the image below to subscribe!
Much love,
Ashley
