Monday, December 31, 2018

My Top Ten Books of 2018

I had a tough time deciding what books were my favorite for this year. I read quite a few decent traditionally published books, which is unusual for me. I finally decided on the following books. 


10.
Serafina and the Black Cloak by Robert Beatty


I really loved this story. It's a mystery, but also a story of acceptance and finding out who you are, where you're from, and where you fit in. 

You can read my more of my review here:



9.
Darkstorm by M.L. Spencer


M.L. Spencer's beautiful prose, world building, and character development breathe life into this tale of love, betrayal, determination, and intrigue.

You can read more of my review here:



8.
Ella Dethroned by Brandon Barr


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.

You can read more of my review here:



7.
Infestation by William Meikle


This story took me back to the B horror movies that I loved as a kid! Fantastic story, and I definitely recommend it! 

You can read more of my review here:



6.
The Chalk Man by C.J. Tudor


This is a horror mystery with so many twists and turns. It kept me engrossed.

You can read more of my review here:



5.
The Apples of Idunn by Matt Larkin


Excellent plot involving Odin of Norse mythology.

You can read more of my review here:



4.
Pursuit of Shadows by J.A. Andrews


Instead of your usual trope, J.A. has given us a story of one man's determination, and hope in finding his sister, therefore adding something new to the fantasy genre.

You can read more of my review here:



3.
Hero by C.F. Welburn


This is the best of the books, so far. There is more action than the other books, which was an unexpected treat!

You can read more of my review here:



2.
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs


The writing is beautiful, and with the addition of the vintage photographs, it made the story even more believable. 

You can read more of my review here:



1.
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden


I have never heard any Russian fairy tales, so this was quite the treat.

You can read more of my review here:



I read some familiar authors and discovered new authors. I love discovering new authors. I hope you all can discover some new authors, too. I read some really good books this year and I hope to read more good books in 2019. As for my best of post, this was such a hard decision, but I did it. Feel free to give some of these authors a shot, if you haven't already. Wishing you all the best for your reading goals in 2019! Happy New Year and Happy Reading!













Friday, December 28, 2018

Review: Ragged Heroes: An Epic Fantasy Anthology

Ragged Heroes: An Epic Fantasy Anthology Ragged Heroes: An Epic Fantasy Anthology by Andy Peloquin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a great anthology with diverse characters. I loved the writing styles of the authors, and their individual stories are exciting, and kept me enthralled. I highly recommend this collection.

Disclaimer - I received a copy of this book from one of the authors in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

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Review: Death at Dusk by Joshua Robertson



4/5 stars

Death at Dusk by Joshua Robertson is a stand alone novel in the Thrice Nine Legends Saga. The princess's life is in danger. Can Teodor Bacheva of the Crimson Sun keep her safe from Brenn Dardrogan and Dusk Legion?

This is a great addition to Thrice Nine Legends Saga. This story is full of political intrigue, and emotions run high. I thoroughly enjoyed Robertson's writing. The characters are well fleshed out, and the world building is good. I'll be reading more of this author's work. I definitely recommend this story.

Buy it here:



Review: Paragon

Paragon Paragon by C.F. Welburn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Paragon by C.F. Welburn is the final installment in The Ashen Levels Saga. We follow Balagir on his final journey for questions to be answered.

I loved this series so much and am not liking that it is over. Balagir is one of my favorite characters of all time from a new author, no less. The writing is superb, and the characters are very well fleshed out. The ending threw me for a loop, though. I definitely wasn't expecting this ending, but Welburn tied up everything, albeit a bit too tidy for me. I would have liked one more book (just one more, please?) added to this saga, but overall, it was a great way to end this series. I most definitely recommend this series. It has races that I have never heard of, which was a treat, and I can't say enough about Welburn's writing style.

I'm giving this book 4.5 stars because of the too tidy an ending, for me personally. Goodreads doesn't have the option of half stars, so I'm rounding up to a 5.

I'm looking forward to more stories from C.F. Welburn.

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Sunday, December 23, 2018

Review: Hero

Hero Hero by C.F. Welburn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Hero by C.F. Welburn is the fourth book in The Ashen Levels series. Balagir ends up in a war he tries to prevent.

This is the best of the books, so far. There is more action than the other books, which was an unexpected treat! I wish there was a ten star option on Goodreads, because this book deserves it! I'm surely going to miss this series when I'm done with the fifth and last book in this series. Well done, Welburn!

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Saturday, December 22, 2018

Review: Adept

Adept Adept by C.F. Welburn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Adept by C.F. Welburn is the third book in The Ashen Levels series. This book picks up where the second book leaves off. Balagir is on his search to find the meaning of his life and if being an Ashen has a purpose.

Balagir is one of my most favorite of characters I've ever gotten to know through a story. I love the way Welburn has brought Balagir to life. His struggles keep me rapt, hoping for the best for Balagir.

I just love Welburn's writing style, and I love this world that he has created. This story is definitely different than your usual fantasy story in that it's more about the character than the usual tropes.

Easily one of my favorite stories, and am looking forward to reading the rest of this series.

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Friday, December 21, 2018

Review: Journeyman

Journeyman Journeyman by C.F. Welburn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Journeyman by C.F. Welburn is the second installment in The Ashen Levels series. This story picks up where the first book left off. We travel with Balagir as he alights on a journey of self discovery.

This is easily one of my favorite series of all time. Welburn's storytelling is superb, and he drew me in and kept me rapt as the story unfolded. Welburn brings his characters to life and the world building is impressive. If you like character driven stories, I highly recommend this series.



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Monday, December 17, 2018

My Granddaughter's 2018 Goodreads Challenge

I've been doing the Goodreads challenge since 2015. My granddaughter had me create her a challenge for the first time in 2016, and she has been doing the challenge every year since. She is now eight and she's proud she finished her challenge with a lot of chapter books because, "Chapter books are for big kids." I'm proud of both my grandchildren for completing their Goodreads challenges. If you'd like to check out her previous years, you can do that here:

2017 Goodreads challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/user_challenges/9085395

2016 Goodreads challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/user_challenges/6080952

And without further ado, here is my granddaughter's completed Goodreads challenge:













So, there you have it. My granddaughter's completed Goodreads challenge. I hope you all got a kick out of my granddaughter's challenge and I can't wait to do the 2019 Goodreads challenge with her. Happy reading, everyone!













My Grandson's Goodreads Challenge

My grandchildren have their own Goodreads accounts that I maintain for them. They are proud to have finished their Goodreads challenge, so I have posted my grandson's challenge here for anyone who might be interested. My grandson is four, and loves reading at bedtime. This is his first year on Goodreads, so without further ado, here is his challenge:










There you have it. My grandson's Goodread challenge. I can't wait to get to the 2019 challenge with him! Happy reading, everyone!











My Year in Books 2018 on Goodreads















So, there you have it. I hope to do better next year, but we shall see.

Happy Reading everyone!











Thursday, December 13, 2018

Review: Darkmage

Darkmage Darkmage by M.L. Spencer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Darkmage by M.L. Spencer is the second book in The Rhenwars Saga. Set 1000 years after Darkstorm, the Well of Tears is opened, yet again, and Darien Lauchlin is determined to close the Well of Tears, and keep it closed.

I enjoy Spencer's writing and world building. The characters are tormented, and emotions run high in this dark fantasy story. Spencer's writing takes us to the edge of darkness and keeps us there, hoping to find the light. Looking forward to reading more from this author.

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Review: A Map of Days

A Map of Days A Map of Days by Ransom Riggs
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Map of Days by Ransom Riggs is the fourth book in the Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children series. Jacob Portman is back in Florida trying to convince his parents that everything is fine.

This story picks up where the third installment left off. I absolutely love how the author uses old vintage photos to create his story. So brilliant, and fun to read, this series has become one of my all time favorite stories.

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Thursday, November 29, 2018

Review: Darkstorm

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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