Kate Willis's Blog, page 65
October 30, 2019
Book Review: Perception
“Upstate New York, 1930. Thirteen years ago, Abbey Evans was persuaded to break off her engagement to a penniless soldier headed to the front lines of the Great War. A daughter of one of America’s wealthiest families could never be allowed to marry so far beneath herself. But Black Tuesday changed everything. With her family’s prominence now little more than a facade, Abbey faces the loss of her childhood home. As if that weren’t enough, the only man she ever loved has returned after making his fortune – and he wants nothing to do with the young woman he courted before the war. With the past forever out of reach, the time has come for Abbey decide her own fate, before it is too late…” (from Goodreads)
I haven’t read the Jane Austen novel this is based on, but I have read and greatly enjoyed a modern adaptation of it, so I was definitely looking forward to this one. (Bonus–it’s written by Emily Ann Benedict who wrote the fabulous Father Christmas books. 
October 29, 2019
I Am So On Top of Things
I am so on top of things, I wrote an entire blog post yesterday about how crazy last week was, and then promptly forgot to post it. XD
So, as I said before, last week was crazy and a perfect example of how on top of things I am. #sarcasm
All my deadlines conspired together to happen in the same week, but through grace and gifts from others I was able to make them all happen (albeit a little less on time that I wanted to). XD
Two of those deadlines were related to the A Very Bookish Christmas (it’s available for preorder, eep!) anthology! I finished up my draft of “Sincerely, Jem” and sent it off to my editor (Kelsey Bryant, a.k.a. The Coolest Ever), then turned right around and beta-read Rebekah Jones’s Sherlock-inspired novella, “Gingerbread Treasures”. (The characters are pretty brilliantly done.) Y’all, I’m soooo excited about this anthology, and I think you’re gonna love it too.
October 26, 2019
My Favorite Cover Reveal (Ever)
Cover reveal todaaaaayyyy!!! 
Early last year, Sarah Grace Grzy published her debut novella Live Without You. I got to beta-read/review the book and interview her, which was quite a lot of fun, so when I heard she needed people to help with a cover reveal I was excited.
And then it hit my inbox.
I kinda geeked out. It’s seriously one of the most beautiful covers I’ve ever seen, and I totally wasn’t ready for it. 
October 25, 2019
Cover Love: Sunsets
I really, really love book covers.
They’re like the wrapping paper to a gift, the trailer to a movie, and a beautiful scrapbook of memories I’ll have once I’ve finished the book.
I’ve actually begun collecting my favorites into a file so I can study and love them more easily.
October 23, 2019
Book Review: The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner’s Dilemma
but I couldn’t find that one online…)
“Join the Mysterious Benedict Society as Reynie, Kate, Sticky, and Constance embark on a daring new adventure that threatens to force them apart from their families, friends, and even each other. When an unexplained blackout engulfs Stonetown, the foursome must unravel clues relating to a nefarious new plot, while their search for answers brings them closer to danger than ever before.” (from Goodreads)
Once upon a time, I was ordering birthday gifts and this was on sale so I bought it for myself and lived happily ever after. The End.
This book got to travel around with me a bit more than books usually do which probably is a testament to how good it was. XD
I ate up every clever and heart-filled moment of this book. I especially enjoyed moments when the Society was working together and Constance’s backstory. (Seriously, wow. I never expected to get to know it, but when we did, it made soooo much sense.)
Mr. Benedict completely wrecked my heart in this one. He was so giving and selfless and brave. Reynie was great too, as always, and everyone. Constance was fun as a satire of a typical little kid–noticing patterns, getting her way, and subtly letting adults know what she needs.
Something I especially loved in this book (and the whole series, really) is the family relationships both by blood and adoption. Don’t get me started on the amazing loyalty between Kate and her dad, Milligan. Also, the Washingtons and Sticky are sweet, and even though I relate to him least of all, Sticky is growing on me and it’s neat to see his character develop. There was even a hint of this sort of relationship on the evil side which was surprising and interesting… So much love and trust and loyalty in this book. (I mean, I should have expected that from the title. XD )
It ended on a truly triumphant note, and I’m so glad to have read this series.
Just a note, the Ten Men can be very threatening, and there are injuries, kidnappings, and a lot of general peril on about the same level as the other books.
Best quote: Reynie felt an old, familiar ache. He instantly recognized it as loneliness–or in this case anticipated loneliness–and not for the first time he lamented his too-vivid imagination.
(And then there’s the beautiful sentence about Milligan on pg. 337, but it’s a spoiler, sweetie.)
Altogether, this was quite satisfying, and I understand now why this is well-beloved.
October 21, 2019
Longing to Write
I’m writing this from the kitchen table while I babysit
breakfast. As soon as the whole kitchen smells like sausage, I will put the
eggs in.
Something wonderful and a little surprising happened to me last week. I’m in this really weird in-between stage where “Sincerely, Jem” is almost out of my hands and to the editor but it isn’t published yet either. So it’s a Schrodinger book—both done and not done. XD
Anyway, I’ve had a novel plotted for two years now and in the last few months ideas for it have been “attacking” me. Post-it notes, a brown and bronze notebook, my entire brain… they’ve all been busily trying to get me to write it. Last week, my other job wasn’t lining up, giving me a lot of extra time, so I sat down to write.
I piled up my notebook, Post-it notes, and my Dana (an “ancient” distraction-free, digital writing tool) on my bed. Then I opened up my plot, brainstormed a little bit, and began writing, and writing, and writing. The words were coming so easily that I finished the day with a record count (for me anyway) and two chapters under my belt. You better believe I was more than ready to write the next day, especially since some of my favorite scenes were coming up!
October 16, 2019
Book Review: The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey
“The Mysterious Benedict Society is up against a new mission, significantly closer to home. After reuniting for a celebratory scavenger hunt, Reynie, Kate, Sticky, and Constance are forced to go on an unexpected search–a search to find Mr. Benedict. It seems that while he was preparing the kids’ adventure, he stepped right into a trap orchestrated by his evil twin Mr. Curtain.
With only one week to find a captured Mr. Benedict, the gifted foursome faces their greatest challenge of all–a challenge that will reinforce the reasons they were brought together in the first place and will require them to fight for the very namesake that united them.” (from Goodreads)
After the magic that was The Mysterious Benedict Society, I ordered the sequel from Book Outlet* and put it in the “Read This Sometime, It’s Gonna Be Good” queue.
It was good.
October 15, 2019
Kiera Q & A Vlog!
Okay, so I filmed a very awkward, rambley vlog answering y’all’s questions about my novel Kiera. It was fun. And awkward. And it includes an introduction to my Funko Pops, so that’s fun.
October 11, 2019
Plate Update: Muffins, Beta-Reading, and Choir
September is probably one of my favorite months of the entire year. Summer ended and so many new things began…
Last month’s full plate was full of new gluten-free baked goods.
October 9, 2019
Book Review: Legends
“An unwanted adventure.
A mysterious enemy.
A breathtaking sacrifice.
Emerson has plans. Plans to stay in his cozy workshop and work in peace as autumn and winter pass. Plans to work hard enough to distract himself from Saria Beggley’s absence. Plans of becoming a successful inventor in order to… well, he’s not thought that all the way through.
But all of his plans are ripped away in one evening when Elton Thorne returns from a quest and unwittingly brings dangerous pursuers straight to the Kadwells’ door.
Kidnapped from his home and catapulted into an adventure he didn’t ask for, Emerson enlists Saria and Coral to heal Ianthe Brighthelm’s mind. Perhaps she will know who’s pursuing them and why. An unfinished invention is waiting for him at home, and he can’t wait to return to the quiet sanctuary of his workshop.
But the danger is larger than Emerson could have guessed, not only to him and those he loves, but to the island chain he calls home. An ancient enemy is plotting, and he means to take everything–even Emerson’s very identity–from the one young man who has unwittingly thwarted him at every turn.” (from Goodreads)
I’ve been struggling to write this review for over six months now, and even today it was a struggle to start it. My notes can’t even begin to capture what I was thinking and feeling as I read it, and I’m not saying that to be dramatic or something.
