Sage Nestler's Blog, page 50
January 9, 2017
Weekly Update – 01/09/17 -01/15/17
Happy Monday, Everyone!
The following is the schedule I have planned for this week:
Book Review: Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven
Writing Tip: Analyzing the Importance of Conflict in Story
Book Review: Dark Diary by P. Anastasia
Also, our February box at Literary Vacation Club is on sale NOW and the theme is DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH.
One of the items included in the box will also be a book locket by Literary Life Company, such as the locket pictured below! It will feature the cover of best-loved YA novel, and you are sure to love it.
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I hope that you all have a wonderful book filled week, and I look forward to sharing this week with you!
Much love,
Ashley
FOR BOOK REVIEW REQUESTS FILL OUT FORM: Book Review Request Form
FOR BOX REVIEWS EMAIL: peachykeenreviews@gmail.com
January 7, 2017
LIMITED EDITION – Valentine’s Day Book Boyfriend Kit
Hello, Everyone!
I am excited to announce that our LIMITED EDITION Valentine’s Day Book Boyfriend Kits have landed at Literary Vacation Club! This year’s book boyfriend kit will feature “Boyband” by Jacqueline E. Smith along with 3 – 5 special edition accessories to give you everything you need to celebrate this Valentine’s Day with your book boyfriend! Boxes are on sale now and will ship out in early February!
*Only 40 boxes available*
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January 6, 2017
Box Review: Paper Street Books and Comics – December Box
Yay! It is time for my review of the December box from Paper Street Books and Comics!
December’s theme was Ladies of Sci-Fi
(Which I am super excited about!)
For those who don’t know, Paper Street Books and Comics is a bi-monthly book box that has three different options, the Book Addict ($27+shipping – includes only books and accessories), the Comic Addict ($27 + shipping – includes only comics/graphic novels and accessories), or the Book Warrior ($43 + shipping – includes both books and comics/graphic novels plus accessories).
My review is for the Book Warrior December box. Since this box does ship bi – monthly (every two months) this box counts for December and January. This breaks down to about $22 a month if you order the Book Warrior box, so it is very cost effective!
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The book warrior comes in a paper box with a logo sticker on it. I love how simplistic the design is, and the pink with the white is just adorable and edgy all at once.
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The contents of the box are wrapped in tissue paper, and once opened you are presented with this brochure for the box. It explains the theme of the month through a letter from the creators, Jenn and Marty, and it also includes a small bio of one of the authors featured this month (who happens to be an indie author!). There are also item lists for the different subscriptions to let you know what you have received, and where the items came from. I love the design of the brochure because it is artistic and flashy. It also helps to know what is included in the box.
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The first item included is a soap bar made by Milk + Jelly, a brand that Jenn and Marty also own! They created this bar themselves to be based on the character Leeloo from The Fifth Element. It smells delicious, and the key scents are very vanilla, dragon’s blood, and orange. The soap bar is also made with goat’s milk, which makes it extremely luxurious. This soap is also box exclusive, so it cannot be bought anywhere else.
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The next item is a small tin of tea based on Amy Pond from Doctor Who! The tea is a fandom blend from Adagio Teas, and these teas are seen often in book boxes and fandom boxes simply because they are adorable and curated after different characters.
This particular tea was created by Cara McGee, and it is blended with: black tea, rooibos tea, cinnamon bark, ginger root, orange peels, cloves, cardamom, raspberry leaves, natural cranberry flavor, natural vanilla flavor, cranberries, natural orange flavor. The caffeine level is also moderate.
I am a huge tea buff, so I am super excited to add this one to my collection. There is nothing better than a hot mug of tea to go along with reading!
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The next item is an exclusive soft enamel pin designed and created by Paper Street Books and Comics inspired by Izabel of Saga. This pin is a limited edition of only 100 and I adore it! I already put it on my book bag with my other pins, and it just looks so cute. The pin is box exclusive and cannot be bought anywhere else!
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And now for the main attraction! This month’s book and graphic novel were wrapped up carefully in brown paper and twine, along with author letters and promotional material. I love the care that goes into wrapping the books, and they are always a joy to open because of this!
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The graphic novel included this month was Astrid: Cult of the Volcanic Moon by Kim. W. Andersson. The synopsis is as follows:
She was the Galactic Coalition’s top recruit until an incident on her final exam had her drummed out of the service. Now, down and out and looking for another shot at her dream, Astrid receives a special mission from her former commander. Alongside her old classmate Ulf, Astrid will have to survive giant insecs, brutal sects, and the ancient evil of an uncharted volcanic moon if she wants to prove herself worthy of another chance at becoming a Galactic Peacekeeper!
Swedish comics creator Kim W. Andersson (The Complete Love Hurts, Alena) weaves a comedic sci-fi epic for fans of Firefly and Mass Effect! Hold on to your butts!
I had not heard of this graphic novel before, but after starting it I am already in love! The female is edgy and fun, and the art is gorgeous. The author letter was also a joy to read, and I am so excited to find a graphic novel I wouldn’t have picked up otherwise. Paper Street tries to stray away from the classic Marvel and DC graphic novels to bring us other works, and since I am someone who is not always up to date on the graphic novel world, I find this box to be an invaluable resource.
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The book included this month was Husks by Randal P. Fitzgerald, which happens to be an indie novel! The synopsis is as follows:
Puck’s a scavenger in the husk of what used to be Los Angeles.
There’s work there. Not much of it honest. She’s been there long enough to know what trouble looks like and how to avoid it. And she knows better than to trust any evergreen who comes making stupid promises. Living comes first.
She’s pragmatic, but that has its own sort of problems. Especially when money outweighs the reasons to say no.
This book sounds great, and even though I haven’t started it yet, I will be reviewing it here on the blog in the near future! I always love a strong heroine, and this book looks like it won’t disappoint.
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The book also came with a promotional art print and a couple of bookmarks. I love the artwork, so I will definitely be hanging up the art print in my room! These are nice little additions that you can’t get elsewhere, so it was nice to receive them in the box.
Overall, this box was a winner for me. It was well worth the price and the curation was spot on! Each item seemed to connect to one another, and I adored how much thought went into packing the box. It also amazes me that Jenn and Marty make most of the items for the box themselves, meaning you wouldn’t be able to buy the items elsewhere. I highly suggest Paper Street Books and Comics for those who are looking for new graphic novels or books under the sci-fi/fantasy/horror genres! You will not be disappointed!
FOR BOOK REVIEW REQUESTS FILL OUT FORM: Book Review Request Form
FOR BOX REVIEWS EMAIL: peachykeenreviews@gmail.com
The Neverland Wars by Audrey Greathouse
Title: The Neverland Wars
Author: Audrey Greathouse
Rating: 3/5
Synopsis:
Magic can do a lot―give you flight, show you mermaids, help you taste the stars, and… solve the budget crisis? That’s what the grown-ups will do with it if they ever make it to Neverland to steal its magic and bring their children home.
However, Gwen doesn’t know this. She’s just a sixteen-year-old girl with a place on the debate team and a powerful crush on Jay, the soon-to-be homecoming king. She doesn’t know her little sister could actually run away with Peter Pan, or that she might have to chase after her to bring her home safe. Gwen will find out though―and when she does, she’ll discover she’s in the middle of a looming war between Neverland and reality.
She’ll be out of place as a teenager in Neverland, but she won’t be the only one. Peter Pan’s constant treks back to the mainland have slowly aged him into adolescence as well. Soon, Gwen will have to decide whether she’s going to join impish, playful Peter in his fight for eternal youth… or if she’s going to scramble back to reality in time for the homecoming dance.
Review:
There are many Peter Pan retellings or stories that connect to the main ideas thereof, but The Neverland Wars is probably the most original novel in this section of the genre that I have read. It borrows the concept of Neverland and the magic that makes Neverland tick, and it brings it to reality by mixing it with today’s adults and our societal needs.
“Teenage Dream” played on, but Gwen found herself wondering if skin-tight jeans and sex on the beach really were supposed to be the height of teenage ambition. If that was what teenage dreams were, then what kind of dreams did Gwen have? Before she even made it to school, she turned the music, tired of listening to a woman ten years older than her sing about what it was to be young forever.
The beginning of this novel hit it off for me. I couldn’t put it down and I thought that the writing was witty and realistic. I connected immediately with our main character, Gwen, and how she felt like an old soul when compared to her teenage peers. Her personality is displayed perfectly in the quote above, and that quote is probably one of my favorites in young adult literature now because it is so true. The pace of the book was great, but as soon as the first few chapters passed, the story sped up too quickly and morphed to a childish, unrealistic plot.
That being said, Audrey Greathouse has great potential. Her writing is entertaining, but the way that she moved the story in the direction of humans using Neverland’s magic for themselves ended up being silly and unrealistic when it could have been presented better. It seemed as though her characters weren’t taking the situation seriously, and because of that, I didn’t either. Gwen also changed from the thoughtful teenager demonstrated above, to another whiny teenager who I came to dislike by the end of the novel. I didn’t find myself rooting for the characters like I had in the beginning, and that was a let down for me. If this novel and its plot were reexamined to fix the inconsistencies of the characters, I am sure that it would win me back over. That being said, there are many quotes that I do love in this novel and will be keeping, but the plot and characters just slid downhill as the story went on. The Neverland Wars has a great premise for a story, and while I am sure that younger adults will adore it, it just wasn’t for me.
Whatever happens, we love each other. And that’s more important than magic.
FOR BOOK REVIEW REQUESTS FILL OUT FORM: Book Review Request Form
IF BOOK REQUEST WEBSITE IS DOWN EMAIL: peachykeenreviews@gmail.com
January 4, 2017
New Rating System
Hello, Everyone!
I wanted to update you all on my new rating system. I have been using a 5-star scale, and I will continue to use this scale, but here are the new definitions for each star review just so you are aware of what you can expect:
1 Star = Poorly Written
2 Star = Lacking A Proper Plot/Cast/Setting
3 Stars = A Good Story, But Could Use Improvement/Wasn’t For Me
4 Stars = A Great Story with Minor Flaws
5 Stars = An Outstanding Story, No Improvements Needed
I hope this will clear up reviews a bit and help you understand my reviews better! I am a tough reviewer, but all of my reviews are intended to help authors grow and tell readers what they should expect. Let’s make this new year great!
Thank you for your continued support!
~Ashley
January 3, 2017
Perfect Timing by J.C. Layne
Title: Perfect Timing
Author: J.C. Layne
Rating: 3/5
Synopsis:
Jes Harper loves her life. Being the production assistant for one of the most sought-after producers in the music industry, Brett Winters, she gets to spend her time doing what she loves – listening to music. Working with the musicians is fun, too, but after being burned by them twice before in love, she’s sworn them off for anything more than friends. But, Brett’s best friend is back in town and perfect in every way, and he could change her mind…if she’d just let him.
Mitch Lansing has lived the musician life – the drugs, the women, the partying – but he’s over that now. At 40, you tend to want to settle down, even if you’re a musician. He’s happy to be back home with his best friend, Brett, and recording his own music. One look at Brett’s assistant and he knows he’s found the perfect woman for him…if he can just convince her of that.
When coming on strong doesn’t work, Mitch decides to take it slow and vows to not give up. Day by day, piece by piece, he chips away at the wall around Jes’s heart. Can he prove to her that not all musicians are the same? Or will a ghost from his past ruin everything for them both? The other musicians from her past broke her heart…Mitch could shatter it completely.
Review:
Perfect Timing is a good introduction into the romance genre. The romance is fairly simple and it involves music and musicians, a popular theme for many fans of the romance genre. I enjoyed how the chapters were divvied up between characters and that we were able to gain multiple perspectives as the story went on. J.C. Layne did well handling two characters at once while also making their thoughts and actions separate from one another.
Even though the writing could be wordy and flat at times, I thought that the romance was sweet and something that many girls will fawn over. Layne understands her characters and the world she created well, and fans of quick romance reads will surely be pleased. Even though this novel was not completely my cup of tea, I still found it to be a quick and enjoyable read. Hopeful romantics will find hope in Jes and Mitch’s love story, and they are sure to bring hope to us all. Just be advised that this novel does end on a cliff hanger, and even though I am not a fan of cliff hangers, it might keep you reading to the next book in the series.
Brett and Becca are one of those couples. You know, the ones who get it right? They’re great together and they give me hope that maybe one day I’ll get it right, too.
FOR BOOK REVIEW REQUESTS FILL OUT FORM: Book Review Request Form
IF BOOK REQUEST WEBSITE IS DOWN EMAIL: peachykeenreviews@gmail.com
January 2, 2017
2017 Writing Challenge + Writing Prompt #1
Hello, Everyone!
I have decided that it might be fun to host a year-long writing challenge for 2017. Many of us have made resolutions to write more in 2017, and what better way to do that then to have weekly writing prompts? I will release these prompts every Tuesday, and I strongly urge you to keep a handwritten notebook to keep your prompts in. However, if you would rather type them out on the computer then that is fine as well. This will be a fun way to keep your writing resolution, while also getting those creative juices flowing.
That being said, your first writing prompt of the year is:
Write a story based on this excerpt- “He tried to stand, but his fins wouldn’t let him. He never wanted something more.”
Get to writing and feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments! I look forward to seeing how your prompts go.
Much love,
Ashley
Weekly Update
Hello, Everyone!
I’m sorry that I didn’t get to review The Neverland Wars by Audrey Greathouse this past week. I caught quite the cold and I am still getting over it! But that being said, I will get to reviewing it this week. Happy New Year, everyone, and let’s make this the best bookish year yet!
Set agenda for this week:
Review: The Neverland Wars by Audrey Greathouse
I will most likely get to more reviews this week, but I am just listing the one review for now depending on how this cold treats me.
Much love,
Ashley
December 29, 2016
Review: Charmed Bookshelf – December 2016
Charmed Bookshelf is a brand new book subscription that sends out New Age books and items to compliment the reading materials. There are three different subscription types to choose from – the “Enchant” box ($37 + shipping/month), the “Enlighten” box ($37 + shipping/month), or a box that sends everything from the first two boxes ($69 + shipping/month).
Purchase the box here: http://www.charmedbookshelf.com/subscribe/
The “Enchant” box is centered on Wiccan/Pagan reading material and items, while the “Enlighten” box is centered on crystals, chakras, yoga, etc. and it is a great plan for those who are just starting to discover New Age subjects.
For December, I received the “Enchant” box. It came in a white box with Charmed Bookshelf’s logo on it, and I just had to peel the logo sticker off of the box and keep it because it is too adorable.
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Charmed Bookshelf announces the book choices before sending them, but the items that go along with the box are a surprise. This month’s box featured Buckland’s Complete Book of Witchcraft which is one of the most beloved books in the Wiccan community. It is essentially a course in Wicca and I was very excited to receive it because I did not own it before. The version sent is the updated anniversary version, and I love how it has extensive information on the history of Wicca and Witchcraft. The book is very large and a great item for those new to the craft to learn the techniques and intricacies of the religion. However, it is also wonderful for seasoned practitioners to have in their libraries. [image error]
When opening the box you first see a small art print with the Wiccan Rede on it. I love this item because this is the rede that Wiccans live by and it is great to put on your altar. I have already placed it on mine, and I love the peace that it brings to the room. A holiday card and candy cane were also included this month due to the holidays, and we also received a bookmark with the packing list of the box printed on it.
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The first item included was a bird feather. Feathers are very important when practicing Wicca or witchcraft, and I thought that it was a great item to include in this box since it is essentially a starter kit for Wicca and witchcraft. I already put it on my altar!
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The next items include was a sage smudging stick. These can be used to cleanse the air of negative energy in any living space, and like the feather, it is perfect for beginners to have in their possession as it is used in different spells and rituals.
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This beautiful abalone shell was also included, and it is my favorite bonus item in the box. It is perfect for your altar, and it is very large! It is another great beginner gift, and it corresponds with the book perfectly.
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The last item included was this coexist bumper sticker, and it is one of my favorite bumper stickers that has ever been released. It reminds us all to accept each other for who we are, and the sticker is perfect to go along with this intro to Wicca box.
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Overall, I loved this box! Even though I have been practicing Wicca for many years I found this box to a perfect addition to my collection, and I was not let down. The items included were highly functional and coincided perfectly with the box. Christina’s curation was spot on, and I think that everyone who is interested in Wicca or witchcraft would benefit greatly from this box. Her box doesn’t popularize Wicca or witchcraft, but it takes it seriously and I am so happy to have found a box that celebrates the craft in a positive light.
December 28, 2016
Announcing Hedren’s Chest
Hello, Everyone!
I am excited to officially announce a brain child of mine that has been in the works to premiere in 2017. As you know, I am the owner of Go Indie Now (soon to be Literary Vacation Club) and I am happy to announce that I am starting another book subscription service catering to hardcore horror fans! Horror is one of my favorite literary genres, and this box will be a celebration of the horror written word.
Horror is one of my favorite literary genres, and this box will celebrate underground and mainstream horror novels as well as artistic horror items from small businesses and artists. It will be a complete product of the maker’s movement, and I am so happy to be able to share with you all the box in coming months.
The website is already up for your exposure: https://hedrenschest.com/
The first box will go out in February, and spots open on February 1! The box will be bi-monthly and it will include 1 – 2 lesser known horror novels and 3 – 5 horror items from small businesses and artists.
More information is to come in January, so stay tuned!
Much love,
Ashley
