Review: Darkstorm

Darkstorm by M.L. Spencer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Darkstorm by M.L. Spencer is the first book in The Rhenwars Saga. Braden and Quin Reis, two brothers of great power, are the only hope to stopping a conspiracy of mages who are intent on unsealing the Well of Tears.

Plot 5/5 : Interesting plot with some twists.

Characters 5/5 : Well fleshed out characters

World building 5/5 : An interesting setting

Pacing 5/5 : Steady pace with spurts of action.

Writing 5/5 : Beautifully written with tastefully written scenes of sexual encounters

Overall 5 stars

M.L. Spencer's beautiful prose, world building, and character development breathe life into this tale of love, betrayal, determination, and intrigue. This is a must read book for anyone into fantasy.

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Review: Deep in the Dakota Woods

Deep in the Dakota Woods by Brandon Barr
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Deep in the Dakota Woods by Brandon Barr is an extremely short read, but it definitely gives you a look into what an exceptionally gifted writer Brandon is.

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Review: Neurogenesis

Neurogenesis by Brandon Barr
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Neurogenesis by Brandon Barr is a stand-alone sci-fi thriller novelette. Javen Worth is about to find out cruel Officer Nero can be.

With this story only having 48 pages, all I can say is WOW! This story kept me on the edge of my seat through the entire read. Brandon's ability to keep me in suspense was a treat. This is one of the best novelette's I have ever read.

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Review: Time Jump: Apocalypse

Time Jump: Apocalypse by Brandon Barr
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Time Jump: Apocalypse by Brandon Barr is a short story about NASA's JUMP program and what happened when the first jumper disappeared.

This is an interesting story that definitely gives a sense of Brandon's faith. I think this quick read is good for all age groups.

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Review: The Seeker from the Stars

The Seeker from the Stars by Brandon Barr
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Seeker from the Stars by Brandon Barr is a stand alone short story about an alien in search of something quite unexpected.

This is a cute story that I would recommend for children of all ages.

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                  #ifaholidaychallenge

If anyone is into indie fantasy, here’s a fun challenge for you, but you’ll have to join an awesome Facebook group called Indie Fantasy Addicts. You can find the group here: 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/indiefantasyaddicts/

From the Indie Fantasy Addicts Group Admin, Angel Haze:

#IFAHolidayChallenge

It’s today! It’s today!

November 19 – January 1

Only six weeks for this challenge, but I already know you guys are just going to rock it! Last time this AMAZING group read almost 800 indie fantasy books in 9 weeks, let’s see how many adventures we can revel in this time! There are some amazing prizes for both readers and authors from signed books, ebooks, audiobooks, bookmarks, bookplates, author spotlights, interviews and reviews!!!

Super simple: Read and review any indie fantasy (no matter what author or fantasy sub-genre). Review can be Goodreads, Amazon, Bookbub…whatever. Just link to it and share a short snippit (or copy and paste the whole review) so all of us can share in your adventure and uncover some spectacular gems!

Thank you in advance for helping spread the word about these amazing authors and their killer adventures!! The effort may seem small, but you are truly making a difference helping spread the word and making their dreams a reality!!

A special thanks to all the authors who graciously donated prizes (and those we were unable to feature because of the flood of offers). You guys are all rockstars!

Bonus #1: Because it’s #NovemBARR Brandon Barr‘s books count as two.

Bonus # 2: Share the challenge on your blog, newsletter, or FB page and get extra bonuses.(Just make sure you let us know about the share to get the credit and a THOUSAND thank yous!!!!!)

AUTHORS: There are three prizes specifically tailored to you that you may also choose.

#1: Featured Author Post
#2: Author Interview
#3: Author Spotlight: Review and Interview

I’m soooo excited about this!!!!!!!!! I already have three killer books to share with you in the next coming days! Can’t wait to see your adventures!!

Let this group BLEED AWESOMENESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here’s a peek at the prizes up for grabs:

Sorry I’m late posting, but it runs until January, so you all should have a fair amount of time to read some awesome indie fantasy. Hope to see you all there! Have fun everyone!

Review: Bridge Beyond Her World

Bridge Beyond Her World by Brandon Barr
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Bridge Beyond Her World by Brandon Barr is the second book in the Song of the Worlds series. As we follow Meluscia, a dying king's daughter, and Winter, a farm girl, we learn more of their actions and feelings, and their determination.

Bridge Beyond Her World picks up where Rise of the Seer leaves off. We are introduced, once again, to Meluscia and Winter as they continue their separate journeys with doubts, and yet they both have a quiet determination to have what they want and desire. We are introduced to more of the sci-fi element in this story, which Brandon weaves together beautifully with the fantasy aspect. Once again, Brandon shows his story telling to be intriguing and exciting with beautiful prose that elicit deep emotions, which makes the reader care deeply for these characters.



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Review: Ella Dethroned

Ella Dethroned by Brandon Barr
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ella Dethroned by Brandon Barr is a prequel novella (though it is stated as to being a stand-alone, this is a story that took place many years before the first book, Rise of the Seer) to the Song of the Worlds series. This is the story of Monaiella, a Luminess who likes to be addressed as Ella, and Rathan, her Life Protector.

Brandon's beautiful prose lured me in and took me on an adventurous tale of determination, strength, and loyalty. I loved learning of a previous Luminess in this ongoing series. This novella gives me an insight of the life as a Luminesses, and what they feared and longed for. This is a wonderful starting point in the series.

Brandon's ability to bring his characters to life and bring out their emotions is what makes Brandon's writing intriguing and addicting. Brandon's ability to create worlds and take us on an engaging adventure is truly remarkable.

Favorite quote/scene:

'She danced skillfully about the courtyard, her sword slashing a song in the air, like deadly poetry.'



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Review: A Sort of Justice

A Sort of Justice by P.E. Sibley
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

A Sort of Justice by P.E. Sibley is the first book in the A Commonwealth Counter Terrorism Task Force series. Mark Praed is called by the Commonwealth Intelligence Service to tackle certain assignments, and this time he's partnered with Alexandra Lansing. Can they put aside their differences and work together to bring in Jonathan Reul, who is suspected of selling arms from The Groves?

This story has potential, but I felt it missed the mark.

I felt the characters needed a bit more fleshing out. The characters felt very stereotypical, and the bickering between the two main characters became a bit monotonous. I felt the story got lost in the two main characters' differences rather than the plot.

Overall, I feel this book could have been executed better. It has the potential to be a good read with more character development and a little added mystery.




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Memoirs of a Bookwyrm: Honoring an Ink Slinger

Memoirs of a Bookwyrm: Honoring an Ink Slinger: Author.  Writer.  Scribe.  Wordsmith.  Storyteller.   Ink Slinger. Our world is graced by creative souls who are able to reach into...

An Author and a Friend #BrandonsBuddies

Some of you may have heard already, but I’d like to tell you all about my friend and author, Brandon Barr. He’s a husband, and a father of three boys. He was diagnosed with Leukemia a few years ago. He’s had two bone marrow transplants, and the cancer was in remission for awhile, but now it’s back. And not just back, but back with a vengeance. There is nothing more the doctors can do, so he’s spending his last days with his family and friends.

You can read more of his story here:

http://epicfantasyfanatics.com/brandons-buddies/?fbclid=IwAR3un51aLpm1EYvpiNbRxr5dgrtDrI5ea8xhZO69QM160DG8mhQ9O00Kl94

If you find it in your heart to help, you can donate to his GoFundMe page here:

https://www.gofundme.com/help-support-brandon-barr039s-family

If you can’t give to Brandon’s GoFundMe, then maybe you’d like to consider buying his books. Rise of the Seer released a couple weeks ago. Beautiful cover, isn’t it?

You can find Brandon’s books here:

https://www.amazon.com/Brandon-Barr/e/B002DMIYTW/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

Please share all links to social media with the hashtag #BrandonsBuddies

Thank you, everyone 

Review: Sold on a Monday

Sold on a Monday by Kristina McMorris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sold on a Monday by Kristina McMorris is a story about a reporter, Ellis Reed, who sees a sign: 2 CHILDREN FOR SALE, and a secretary, Lillian Palmer, who sees a picture.

This story went in an entirely different direction than I thought it was going to go. Though, it wasn't what I expected, it was still good. I loved Kristina's writing style of bringing the characters to life, and I envisioned life in the 30s and how bad it must have been for parents to sell their children. It was a very disturbing time in history that I hope never reoccurs in the future. Considering the book took a different turn than I was expecting, I'm glad for it. I don't know if I could have read a story primarily about families having to choose food over their children. This story turned out to be more about how one's decisions can affect other people, and finding one's true self.


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Review: Rise of the Seer

Rise of the Seer by Brandon Barr
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Rise of the Seer by Brandon Barr is the first installment of the Song of the Worlds series. Meluscia, a dying King's daughter, has aspirations to help her people. Winter, a farm girl, has a need to be free.

This story has everything I love in a good book. Fantastic world building, political intrigue, feelings and emotions that bring the characters to life. Emotions of doubt, need, pain, longing, love, this story has them all. This is an epic tale that pulled me in and did not let go. I love Brandon's writing style and beautiful prose. I highly recommend this book.

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Review: The Snow Child

The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey is a story about Jack and Mabel, an elderly couple who is childless living in the Alaskan wilderness.

This story was good, and the writing style was good. The characters were fairly written. What I didn't care for was the lack of quotations during certain conversations. I know why the author chose this, but I feel these conversations would have benefited from the use of italics rather than the lack of quotations. Other than that, I felt this to be a good and emotional story.




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Review: The Girl in the Tower

The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden is the second book in the Winternight Trilogy. Vasya finds herself in a situation where she is disguising herself as a boy. She earns the admiration of the Grand Prince of Moscow, so she must keep her secret at all costs.

This story starts where The Bear and the Nightingale ends. I fell in love with Vasya. I love her determination. With beautiful prose and a fantastically created world, Katherine Arden is fast becoming one of my favorite authors. I can't wait for the last book in this trilogy.


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