August was a banner month for reading. When I’m writing, I don’t have as much time for reading, but that wasn’t the case this month. While I usually share 3-4 reviews in my newsletter, I didn’t have room to cover all my recent reads. Here are ALL the reviews/recommendations! Enjoy!
**The Unsound Theory (Emilia Zeeland) 4.5/5 Yalena isn’t star crazy, but when she gets an invitation to the Star Academy, it might answer all the questions about where she came from. This reminded me of Harry Potter, in that it was the orphaned Chosen One in space that goes to a special school and makes friends. I enjoyed it and have book 2 waiting on my Kindle.
**Once Upon A Dream, A Twisted Tale (Liz Brazwell) 3.75/5 Although the Prince tried to wake Aurora, he fell asleep. Since she’s still asleep, too, they must navigate her dreamscape and try to break the curse together. This fairytale was based on Disney as the source material (which I disliked a bit) and the Prince was written with Golden Retriever vibes—not very bright but with a goofy happiness and eternal devotion. I didn’t hate it, but I think I’ve read better Sleeping Beauty retellings.
**The Game She Hates (Ella Marie) 4.5/5 In this Christian romcom, Zane and Pearl couldn’t be more different. Although he’s charming, handsome, and plays center for the popular Glaciers hockey team, Pearl isn’t interested. She wants commitment, family…and a man who loves Jesus. Still determined, Zane offers her friendship hoping a mutual attraction will grow, but does he have room for Jesus in his life? Reading a romcom with a faith element was interesting, and I loved the way Zane fell first. The strong faith element didn’t overpower the connection between all the characters, including Zane’s teammates and Pearl’s best friend, Robyn.
***House of Hybrids (Savannah Goins) 4.25/5 This sequel to Whisper of Weapons continues the tale of a misfit group of friends as they travel to recover a missing friend and his animal familiar (which is a rare hybrid). Once they arrive, their search for answers raises more questions and reveals layers to the queen’s deviousness. This multi-POV coming of age story includes adventure, friendship, and a touch of romance.
***Just A Friend (Deb Goodman) 4/5 This sweet romcom follows Sophie and Oliver who have always had an annual standing date for a milkshake…until he doesn’t show. Sophie knew this would eventually happen. So even though she’s stuck in a small town, she’s determined to ignore the feelings she has for Oliver that Won’t. Go. Away. When the two suddenly reconnect, Oliver finds Sophie…different. In a good way. Not that they have a chance—their families have been feuding for years and he can’t see how his jet-setting and her homebody tendencies can mesh. Plenty of sweetness and romance ensue as they strive for their own happy ending.
***Bluebeard and the Outlaw (Tara Grace) 4.25/5 This clever retelling is a mashup of Bluebeard and Robin Hood with fae elements. Robin Hood and her band of brothers rob the rich to help the poor the evil Duke Guy Bluebeard taxes so heavily. So what if the duke is handsome? And brooding? And nothing like she expected? Their community needs financial help, so Robin chooses to marry the duke and kill him to get to the treasure he’s hiding. But as the duke slips past the walls around her heart, she finds more trouble than she expected.
***Her Maine Catch (Ash Keller)4/5 Aspen is ready for a No Drama, No Men summer family vacation. Especially after being dumped by her boyfriend last Christmas. But when her cousin shows up with her new boyfriend, he just happens to be Aspen’s ex. To avoid her ex and his snarky comments about her lack of fishing skills, she begs her way into a fishing class for seniors. Anything has to be better than dealing with her ex in the cabin’s close quarters. But with every cast, she finds herself drawn to the grumpy instructor, leaving her revenge plans far behind…
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Banned book week was October 1-7. Although I’m a bit late, here are some of the top banned/challenged books of the last decade.
Princess Penelope has been the object of gossip and ridicule ever since she returned home in disgrace following her failed engagement to the Crown Prince of Imperia. When her father offers a new start in a country far across the sea, she has no choice but to accept.
But when I learned there would be a boxed set, with all three of my books plus some extra stories included, it was hard to imagine. Today that news is a reality as the
Can you think of anything better than more Fantasy and Sci-Fi titles to put under your Christmas tree?
After Burn was released, there was a flurry of emails between me and my publisher discussing this. I got to work and wrote four short stories about Brenna and beloved side characters. It was a lot of fun to flesh out the world of the Jasper Territory a bit more. I’m thrilled to share it all with you!
Ylva was raised by wolves. That is the story her clan tells of their Wolf Queen. The truth is far more miraculous. Her Gift, bestowed by the Light, enables her to see deep inside the hearts of men. Prince Rohan considers the Light mere superstition and only believes in what he can see with his own eyes. But a great evil is infecting the Four Realms. The battle between the Light and the Darkness is no longer bound to human hearts, and words Ylva and Rohan thought were just legend are being whispered again. The dragon is rising.
Tabitha Caplinger gets way too emotionally invested in the lives of fictional characters, whether it’s obsessing over a book or tv show, or getting lost creating her own worlds. Tabitha is the author of The Chronicle of the Three Trilogy, a Christian urban fantasy, and a lover of good stories and helping others live chosen. When she’s not writing book words, she’s reheating her coffee, binging a new show or teaching God’s Word to students. Tabitha, her husband and two beautifully sassy daughters desire to be Jesus with skin on for those around them. They live to love others…and for Marvel movies.
in, and Arvandus. Spending all that time with them made me imagine what else could happen to them. After finishing a story, I usually imagine different connecting points between characters and plot. Even my short story “Everwild” (which is in the anthology Mythical Doorways and is FREE, BTW…) is already a four-book series in my head. I have plenty of adventure and mayhem planned for half-fae Flint and full-fae Lila. I just can’t get all my projects written as quickly as I’d like.
Sometimes I’ll include the sixth sense, intuition (sparingly). You know that feeling of knowing when someone’s lying or when your hair rises on the back of your neck? This sense is great for creating tension.
to fists.
ome to #WritingWednesday. Last week we talked about a few ways to avoid boring writing. This week, I have a few more tips for you to keep your story interesting and your readers engaged!
4. “…and everyone lived happily ever after, forever and ever, with a big, red bow.” Hmm, maybe not. I NEED a happy ending. (I was very cross with Veronica Roth after reading the Divergent series. Just sayin’…) But that’s just me. You must decide how happy your ending’s going to be. Somewhat bittersweet? Tragic, like Romeo and Juliet? Or do we get the true HEA (Happily Ever After)? Even with an HEA, not every character is happy—not the villain and perhaps not some secondary characters. There may be unpleasant circumstances due to bad decisions. That’s okay. Just remember the expectations of your genre (romance readers expect an HEA or an HFN–Happy For Now). A spark of hope on the last page will satisfy your readers.