Sage Nestler's Blog, page 74

INTO THE FOG AND TIME TURNER GIVEAWAYS

Happy Second Day of Brain to Books Con Everyone!

In celebration of the event and all of those who have supported me as an author and book reviewer, I am giving away a time turner necklace!

All I am asking is that you follow my blog: Peachy Keen Book Reviews

And like my Facebook page: Ashley Nestler on Facebook

After you have done so, please comment on this post so that I know you have met each requirement.

GIVEAWAY ENDS ON APRIL 30TH

Thanks everyone,

Ashley

FOR BOOK REVIEW REQUESTS FILL OUT FORM: Book Review Request Form 

IF BOOK REQUEST WEBSITE IS DOWN EMAIL: peachykeenreviews@gmail.com

*Donations are more than welcome and help me to keep my reviews and marketing services free. Please help me to keep my blog going! All donations will receive a gift.*

TIME TURNER GIVEAWAY

Happy Second Day of Brain to Books Con Everyone!

In celebration of the event and all of those who have supported me as an author and book reviewer, I am giving away a time turner necklace!

All I am asking is that you follow my blog: Peachy Keen Book Reviews

And like my Facebook page: Ashley Nestler on Facebook

After you have done so, please comment on this post so that I know you have met each requirement.

GIVEAWAY ENDS ON APRIL 30TH

Thanks everyone,

Ashley

Windcatcher: Book 1 of the Stone War Chronicles by A.J. Norfield – 5/5

Title: Windcatcher: Book 1 of the Stone Way Chronicles

Author: A.J. Norfield

Rating: 5/5

Purchase: Amazon Link

Synopsis: 

“Far away from home, under the command of his brother, Raylan and his squad must retrieve an ancient relic stolen from their kingdom’s trading partner—the Tiankong Empire.

Traveling deep into unknown enemy territory to complete their mission, Raylan learns that the ancient relic holds unexpected life; a creature buried in legends, one not seen in their world for more than two hundred years.

With their enemies closing in, Raylan and his friends search, desperately, for a safe way home. Danger lurks around every corner: Warriors larger than any man, predators stalking them through the night and soldiers determined to hunt them down. Leaving them all little choice, except to keep moving as they plot and fight their way back to those awaiting their return.”

Review:

“Windcatcher: Stone War Chronicles – Book 1” captured my attention from beginning to end.  Many times fantasy, especially with delicate cultural topics, can end up being poorly researched and written, but this was not the case with this novel.  Instead, author A.J. Norfield had a strong grip on his story and the cultural aspects that it involved.  While reading the novel I felt that I could visualize the setting of the story through his descriptions and his own mind’s eye.  None of the descriptions were excessive or tiresome to read, and it showed me how mature a writer Norfield is.  A great example of his descriptions is as follows:

“But these new sounds were the unwelcome, the loud cracks of thick wood splitting apart.  They forcefully invaded his hearing as he felt his life slip away.  And as his heart gave its final beat and the world disappeared into nothingness, Master Wen realized – to his horror – the sanctum doors had not merely been opened…they had simply been shattered by a single punch.”

He is also a very compassionate person, and his dedication page warmed my heart:

“For my two greatest – and most wonderful – distractions in the world and she who takes care of them.”

However, my favorite part about this novel was the emphasis put on the mythical creature of the Dragon.  Using this mythological aspect and bringing it to life warmed my heart.  I have not read a novel that captured the essence of dragons as well as this book has, and mixing both cultural and mythological aspects gave this novel power.  On A.J. Norfield’s Goodreads page he talks about how he is trying to give life to a story he has had in his mind for years, and with this book he has done just that.  All of his characters are well developed, and the storyline wasn’t lacking in any way.  This novel is full of action and adventure and fantasy fans will eat it right up.  While reading this novel, I could easily see the storyline being converted into a movie because of how in depth it was.

I highly suggest this novel for mythology buffs as well as fantasy fans, and I will be reading the sequels in this series as well.  This series is bound to go far.

 

Come Visit Me at the Brain to Books Convention!

Hello Everyone!

If you have read my previous post, you are aware that a fabulous online book convention is going on write this moment featuring over 300 authors.  Each author has their own “booth” (discussion thread) and there are multiple giveaways, author interviews, and other fun events going on.

I have a booth at the convention myself: Link to My Booth

As well as a side attraction inviting you to follow my blog and like my Facebook page.  If you do both of these things I will advertise you and your writing for free to help you gain a bigger audience: Link to Side Attraction

Come visit me and reach out!  I am looking forward to talking to and meeting all of you.  Let’s make this community grow.

Excited to talk to all of you,

Ashley

Mind in the Clouds by Bruce M. Perrin – 4/5

Title: Mind in the Clouds

Author: Bruce M. Perrin

Purchase: Amazon Link

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis:

“Recently graduated and newly hired Ruger-Phillips employee, Dr. Sam “Doc” Price is excited to be starting his new assignment. He will be assessing training developed for a team. It is, however, a team like no other, because only one of the team members is human; the other is one of the most intelligent and lethal systems ever built by man – the Joint Aerial Combat Capability or JACC. Loaded with the latest in detection and threat assessment technology, JACC is a silent, deadly hunter in the sky. Doc discovers, however, that JACC may not be the only killer on the remote, Nevada test range where he now finds himself. Soon, he is involved in a cat and mouse game with an unknown adversary. In this fight for his life and the lives of his friends, Doc asks himself, how do you match wits with the mind in the clouds, when you are not sure if you are facing the cold, exact logic of machine intelligence or the coldblooded urges of a human murderer?”

I found the idea of this book to be interesting.  It involved violence with a technology twist that made it unique to read.  However, I found it hard to get into because the writing was a bit choppy.  There were pages filled with chunks of dialogue that made the writing flat.  I wish there had been more descriptions and less dialogue, but that is just my opinion.  This would have made the writing more interesting to read.

Since the majority of this novel involved in depth technology discussion, I did learn a lot about these new concepts.  For example, drones played a large role in the story and I didn’t know very much about them before.  Perrin is very knowledgeable about these forms of technology as well as psychology and the human mind, and that did show in his writing.  I could tell through his story that he was passionate about his work, but in the sections of the book where the writing fell flat I felt that he was waiting to get to a more interesting part of the novel.  There was just not enough time put into certain sections of the book.  I just think that if he went back through and added more descriptions and less dialogue, the novel would be stronger.  All this novel needs is for the dialogue and descriptions to be mixed instead of separated, and that would take this novel from good to great.

If you are a technology buff, this novel would be for you.  It is written for intellectual readers and those interested in more information than fiction.  This novel was good and I do recommend it to crime and technology buffs.

 

Summer Author Interview Month

Hello everyone!

Today I have been checking out the Brain to Books 2016 Cyber Con and it gave me an idea for a celebration that I would like to host this summer.  This celebration will be a method of free publicity for authors.

Author interviews are a great resource for readers.  It has been shown that when readers feel connected to the author, they tend to get more out of the author’s work.  Because of this, I am going to host a month on my blog where I will have a new interview with an indie author posted each day.  I will be doing this for the month of June and am going to start collecting author interview requests now.

Please email peachykeenreviews@gmail.com if you are interested in being interviewed.

I will be posting the interviews here on the blog as well as my Facebook page, Twitter, and Goodreads.

This will be a great way for us, as authors, to connect with one another and our readers.

I look forward to hearing from you!

~Ashley

Brain to Books Cyber Convention 2016

Hello My Wonderful Blog Readers!

I wanted to alert you about a fabulous event that is taking place tomorrow, 04/08/2016 – 04/10/2016 called the Brain to Books Cyber Convention.  This event is an online book expo that will be taking place on Goodreads.  There will be virtual booths at this event representing more than 300 authors from more than 15 countries and there will be giveaways and other fun things occurring.  This is an excellent event to help you meet new authors and find out about new books that you may otherwise not have known about.  The whole event has been scheduled meticulously and everyone involved is putting their heart and soul into this event.  Nothing is better than the passion that goes behind books and writing, and it may be just the right dose of inspiration that you need!

Also, would could be better than a free book expo that you can attend while sitting on your couch in your pajamas?

I will certainly be attending and I really hope you do as well!  If you do not have a Goodreads account, please sign up for one and go to the following link to join the group and attend the convention: Brain to Books Cyber Convention

Hope to “see” you all there!

~Ashley

Uppercase Monthly Book Box – 5/5

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Recently I posted a review about one of the monthly book boxes that I receive, The Best Damn Book Box – 5/5, and I wanted to share with you the first young adult book box that I had ever received.  This box is called the Uppercase Box and I have been receiving it since September 2015.  It is amazing, and all of the books that have been sent to me through this box were books that I didn’t know anything about.  I liked this element of surprise, because I never know what to expect with the box.

Price: $29 (includes shipping) – multiple months can be bought at one time

Link: Uppercase Box

In each Uppercase Box you receive a book that is signed by the author or comes with a signed bookplate and a few bookish items.  Lisa, the creator of the box, also provides a handwritten note about the book selection and why she chose the book.  She pre-reads the books she chooses, so I trust her selection since she has tried them firsthand.  You will also receive a bookmark each month that contains an interactive reading experience.  On certain pages of the book you will be asked to type in a code on the website and a new experience that goes along with the book will come up.  I personally love this, because it is like having an online book club each month.

Each item in the box is worth more the $29 fee.  The specific box that I will be reviewing is the March 2016 box.

Item 1: Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton

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The first item in the box was the book of the month, “Rebel of the Sands” by Alwyn Hamilton.  The book came with a signed bookplate by the author and an interactive reading experience.  I have found this book to be very intriguing and adventurous.  It is well worth a read.

Item 2: 18k Gold Quote Earrings

The second item included was a pair of quote earrings by JewelSugar.  These are just so adorable and rich looking.  Being a writer, I think they add some charm to my look when I wear them.  Also, they are 18k gold plated.  How extravagant is that?

Item 3: Read More Big Magnet

The next item was a Read More Big Magnet.  It is very geeky and fun to have around.  I personally keep this with all of my books.  It helps me to urge myself to read when I get stressed out about other things.

Additional Content: Interactive Reading Experience, Personal Letter, Book Decals

The last few items included in the box were the bookmark with the reading experience link, the personal letter from Lisa, and decals to go with Rebel of the Sands.  All of these items pepped up my enthusiasm for the book and the experience in the box.

Overall, this box is just a joy to get.  I love how most of the authors included in the box are first time authors and how unique all of the separate items are.  I also think that this is the most affordable book box.  I urge you to check it out and try it for at least a month.  If you are a fan of young adult literature, you won’t be disappointed.

~Ashley

The Calypsis Project – 5/5

Title: The Calypsis Project

Author: Brittany M. Willows

Purchase: The Calypsis Project on Amazon

The Calypsis Project is a science fiction novel and, let me tell you, it was one hell of a ride.

SYNOPSIS

“The year is 2438. Ten years ago, an ill-fated encounter on a human mining colony triggered a devastating war between the United Nations Planetary Defense and an alien organization known as the Drocain Royal Empire.

After a decade of fighting with no sign of a conclusion in sight, the men and women of the UNPD find themselves faced with the reality that mankind’s very existence could be at stake.

When Corporal Alana Carmen stumbles upon an encrypted communications device, she learns there is more to the conflict than a simple war-for-worlds. But to uncover the truth, she must make allies of those she once considered enemies.

And now, the fate of the entire galaxy may rest on the shoulders of a single alien warrior . . .

Following a public shaming at his own Coming of Age ceremony, Kenon Valinquint enrolls in the Drocain Royal Empire with the hope of one day redeeming himself. Unbeknownst to the young Drahkori, this decision has set in motion a staggering chain of events that could very well change the direction of the war, and the known history of the universe, forever.”

Brittany M. Willows is a brilliant writer and a lovely person.  When asking me for a review, she was so gitty about her work and I could feel her enthusiasm as though it were my own.  This enthusiasm added to the essence of the novel.

I rarely find books that produce worlds as well developed as “The Calypsis Project” does.  I, myself, worked for years on developing the fictional world in my first book and I still don’t think it is as well developed as Willow’s work is.  From page one I was captivated, and that one page kept me reading on and on.  She is clearly passionate about her work, and it shows.  The acknowledgements page was particularly lovely:

“This book is dedicated to my wonderful friends and family whose undying support helped me to craft this story into what it is today.  Without them, this project likely never would have seen the light of day.  Special thanks to my lovely Beta Readers and especially to my mom, who played a massive role in editing this book and did an absolutely fantastic job of it.  You are amazing.  Thank you!

First off, the writing was flawless.  It was perfectly edited and a joy to read.  Aside from that, the descriptions were excellent.  Since this novel is a science fiction novel, it was imperative that there be strong descriptors to help guide the reader through the book story.  While reading this novel I felt like I was inside of the book myself.  The descriptions were not amateur by any means.  Some authors can let their stories run away from them if their plot and setting is too complex, but Willows had both of these components reigned in and under control.  She clearly understood the world of her book down to the smallest detail and I am willing to bet that she could even tell you what her characters like to eat for breakfast.

Being a science fiction novel that involves violence and tension, description of both of these things was necessary to amplify the story.  However, I have found that some authors put too many descriptions in violent passages which can turn off the reader.  Willows could have easily done this, but she did not.  Instead, her violent passages were poetic.

This was a shock to me, because I haven’t experienced violent scenes as being poetic before.  When reading the violent passages I felt as though I were staring at a Cobra: lethal, but too intriguing to look away.  One of the best examples of her violent passages was:

“Kenon raised his weapon, aimed at the soldier, and squeezed the trigger.  Shards of hardened crystal flew forth, shining like golden icicles.  They splintered the human’s chest plate, piercing his flesh and spraying crimson blood across the grass.”

Passages like this in “The Calypsis Project” made me feel as though I were reading one of the many novels of a well seasoned, best-selling author; likewise, a book that could easily become a once in a lifetime blockbuster.

All in all, I loved this book.  This is not something that I can say often as I am usually quite picky about science fiction, but I adored this book and I will be reading the sequels when that come out.  That being said, I am off to Amazon to pick up the physical copy.  It now has a well deserved spot in my personal library.

*Donations are more than welcome and help me to keep my reviews and marketing services free. Please help me to keep my blog going! All donations will receive a gift.*

Peachy Keen Book Reviews Request Form

The Best Damn Book Box – 5/5

Hello Everyone!

I just wanted to share with you a review about a monthly book box that I receive.  This book box is called The Best Damn Book Box and it is a young adult monthly box.  In each box, you receive a highly anticipated young adult novel along with many bookish accessories from small businesses.  This is the second month that I have received this box and I just adore it.  Nicole, the owner of the business, is very personable and wraps each piece in the box separately so opening the box is like opening a present.

Price: $39.99+shipping per month

Link: The Best Damn Book Box Link

Now, there are many book boxes out there that you can choose from, but I have found that this box is the biggest bang for your buck and the most personable.  It is pricey; however, Nicole offers discount codes frequently and there are so many items in the box that the box is worth more than the money you pay for it.  Each month you will get billed on the first, but you can also pay for three or six months in advance.  If you choose one of multi-month options, you receive a huge price cut.

Each month the box is based on a different theme surrounding the book that Nicole has chosen for the month.  In February, the first box that I received was themed on “Sleeping Beauty” and provided a brand new indie novel that I just adored.  In March the box’s theme was “Magical Things & Magical Beings” and that is the box that I am reviewing today.  Each box also contains a candle based on the theme or book included to enhance the reading atmosphere.  I absolutely love this, because I always read in the bathtub with a candle burning.  In the past two boxes a bath bomb and bath fizz were also included, which added to my reading atmosphere even more.

Item 1: Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare

This month’s book choice was the highly anticipated novel “Lady Midnight” by Cassandra Clare.  I was very excited to receive this book, even though I haven’t yet read the Mortal Instruments (don’t shoot me).  It came wrapped in these adorable ribbons and there is a stamp on the inside with Cassandra Clare’s signature, which I thought was very lovely.

Item 2: Crafting Call Book Locket

The first bookish item included was a book locket from Crafting Call of Lady Midnight.  I was very excited to receive this, because I recently reached out to Crafting Call and asked them to make me a bracelet with book lockets of my two books that I have published.  They were such a pleasure to work with and I absolutely love their keepsakes.  I am going to treasure this forever.

Item 3: Novelly Yours Candle

The third item in the box was a Lady Midnight candle by Novelly Yours.  It smells exactly like what I imagine the novel to be like.  The scents in the candle are outdoors, forest, and citrus.

Item 4: Ariel’s Mermaid Ring by Sparks Emporium

The fourth item in the box was an Ariel Mermaid Ring by Sparks Emporium.  It is absolutely adorable and adjustable.  I was very happy with this ring as I am a huge fan of the little mermaid.

Item 5: Fairy Dust Bath Fizz by Enchanted Storybook Spa

The fifth item included was bath fizz from Enchanted Storybook Spa.  The scent is called Fairy Dust and smells like lavender and vanilla.  It smells delicious and is all natural.

Item 6: Dragon Button

The sixth item is a button of a dragon logo.  I think that this is going to be the new logo for the box and I absolutely love it!  It is adorable.

Item 7/8: Card and Sticker by Evie Bookish

The last two items were a card and sticker by Evie Bookish.  The quote says “Some things you learn best in calm and some in storm.”  I loved how on the back of the card there was a list of all items included in the box as well as the shops where they came from.

Overall, this box is just a joy to receive.  It is only a few months old and better than other boxes that I have received that are much older.  I highly urge you to check it out, even if you just try it for a month.  It will be more than worth it.

Much love,

~Ashley