Sunday, June 1, 2025

Welcome To June

 

This is a new month and I'm going to be getting my shit together! That's what I'm shouting into the universe and hopefully it'll stick! (And not onto something icky) I have goals for my finances, my personal interests, and my fitness. I have a lovely stack of books that I want to read and will aim to finish by the end of the month. 

So with that being said here is my (as of now) TBR stack for the month of June

  • Throne of Glass
  • Crown Of Midnight
  • Heir of Fire
  • Queen of Shadows
  • Empire of Storms
  • Tower of Dawn
  • Kingdom of Ash
  • Elegance and Evil (review book)
  • A Fig for All the Devils
  • Silver Elite
A few of those are CHONKY but I do think I can get through them. I have a few more that are kind of sitting on the sidelines that have my interest but I'm not sure yet. 

I'm also participating in the Sci-Fi Summer Readathon hosted by Seasons of Reading. I think most, if not all of my selections for June fit into the category (you can read Fantasy as well). 


So give that banner thingy a clicky and join us! 

For the rest of my goals, I'm hoping to be able to sock away a few hundred into my savings account. So I'll be working my main job and a lil side gig that I have to help with that. 

My fitness goal, I want to lose about 5-10lbs, walk 10k steps (6 out of the 7 days of the week), and get better sleep. 

I also want to focus on my garden, getting it looking pretty again and planting more seed babies into the ground (IF IT WOULD STOP RAINING FOR ONE WHOLE MINUTE!) 

I also have a story that I've gotten started on, I have a handful of chapters down and want to get back into it and plop down more. So I might add a word goal per day, but I don't know. 

So what are you reading for June? What are your goals for life or whatever you are thinking about? 

Lemme know! 

Wednesday, May 28, 2025

Release Blitz: The Squire and His Magical Library by Christy Matheson

 

I am so excited that the prequel to The Castle in Kilkenny: Fairy Tales Book’s, THE SQUIRE AND HIS MAGICAL LIBRARY by Christy Matheson is available now and that I get to share the news!

 

If you haven’t yet heard about this wonderful book, be sure to check out all the details below.

 

This blitz also includes a giveaway for copies of the eBook courtesy of Christy & Rockstar Book Tours. So if you’d like a chance to win, check out the giveaway info below.

 

About The Book:

Title: THE SQUIRE AND HIS MAGICAL LIBRARY (The Castle in Kilkenny: Fairy Tales Book 4)

Author: Christy Matheson

Pub. Date: May 25, 2025

Publisher: Buttercup Books

Formats: eBook

Pages: 188

Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/The-Squire-and-His-Magical-Library

What if he doesn’t have to be a warrior?

What if fate is something he can choose?

Despite the druids’ prediction that Rian would become a great warrior, he hates the king’s training program. After the first year’s Trials, humiliated and angry, Rian flees the other squires to hide in the cellars...where he finds a magical library and a wren-like Fae who explains that he can choose his own fate. Each year, one figurine crumbles and one possible fate disappears because of the choices he's made. He should be able to make the Warrior disappear before he turns eighteen, right?

Meanwhile, Rian helps two very different princesses—one bent on becoming a warrior to seek revenge, and the other imprisoned by blindness. As Rian’s decisions become entangled with his friendships, the figurines vanish one by one. As the years go by, does he have any choice left about his own future?

Read now, to journey back to 3rd-century Ireland with a reluctant young hero! 

With characters based on Irish mythology, this historical fantasy has plenty of action but no gore.  

It takes place in the same world as the other “Castle in Kilkenny” books, but is the earliest book featuring these characters, so is a true stand-alone.


 Start your journey with the prequel and then grab the rest of the series here!

 

Excerpt:

I guess I cant get much more lonely and shameful than I already am.

The door swings smoothly at my touch, and warmth hits me as the light makes me blink.

No ones here. And it still feels welcoming.

I hobble to the fire and sink onto the soft chair. Whoever owns it isnt using it, and Ill leave soon. After a long moment, I open my eyes. At my fingertips is a steaming cup and a jar of salve.

I sniff them both. The castle policy is that anyone is allowed appropriate supplies. Im a warrior, even a junior one. I am definitely allowed to take medicine.

I rub the salve on the worst of my injuries. It works even faster than usual, the pain fading right away.

So by the time I drink the tea, Im feeling well enough to look around. Carefully.

I warm my hands against my tea, feeling more alert with each sip. The patterns on the rugs seem familiar, but the construction is softer and denser than anything else in the castle. I understand what the furniture is for, but the shapes and materials are like nothing Ive ever seen. The mantle is constructed of absolutely smooth stone, gray and red veins swirling against the white, and the ironwork for the fireplace is more delicate and complicated than anything the kings smithy could produce. The light is coming from tall vases with colored glass hats, and the hats are glowing. I examine one closely, and find a little toggle that makes the flame go on and off. Definitely magic. Besides, even a king couldnt afford that much glass, and he wouldnt put it in the basement if he did.

Im not sure if thats better or worse. Are there fae living underneath the castle?

Well, Im here now, and Ive already drank and used their medicine—so if its a magical trap, Im already caught.

 

About Christy Matheson:

Christy writes romantic Regency fiction about friendship, family, and finding one's place in an ever-changing world.

Christy is an embroidery artist, classically trained pianist, and sews all of her own clothes. She lives in Oregon, on a country property that fondly reminds her of a Regency estate (except with a swing set instead of faux Greek ruins), with her five children, two Shelties, a bunny, and an improbable amount of art supplies.

She is a co-editor for the short story anthology, Feisty Deeds: Historical Fictions of Daring Women, and her novels are represented by Kristina Sutton Lennon of Focused Artists. She is also an award-winning spoken-word poet.

She has degrees from Smith College and Lesley University, and is a member of the Women's Fiction Writers Association, Historical Novel Society, and Regency Fiction Writers.

Sign up for Christy’s newsletter!

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive an eBook of THE SQUIRE AND HIS MAGICAL LIBRARY, International.

Ends June 3rd, midnight EST.

Monday, May 26, 2025

Blog Tour and Review-Unorganized Crime by Judy Serrano

 

Secrets have a way of revealing themselves like a towel falling off of a naked body...



Title: Unorganized Crime (Unorganized Crime Series Book 1)

Author: Judy Serrano

Pages: 283

Genre: Mafia Romance/Crime Fiction/Romance/Adventure

As Jazz finds herself falling from a helicopter, Gage St. Claire comes to her rescue. Organized crime is once again the culprit of her parents’ situation, and as usual, she is caught in the crossfire. Gage pulls her out of the water and helps her escape to safety. The love between them is undiscovered as he tries to leave her behind in an attempt to keep her safe and move forward with his black ops pursuit. Jazz becomes an undercover cop with wiping out organized crime forever as her goal. After Jazz exposes one of the largest crime families in the country, quite by accident, she is hired to expose crime syndicate leader Michael Giambetti Jr., otherwise known as Achilles. Achilles earned his nickname because he has no weaknesses. He has no weaknesses, that is until he meets Jazz. Achilles has been untouchable, and if she were to break this case, she could finally prove herself as a serious undercover officer. Her job is not an easy one, and people around her are not who they appear to be. Will Gage come back for Jazz, or will he be lost to her forever? Will she crack the case on her own? Read as this courageous upstart stumbles through another adventure.

Here’s what reviewers are saying about Unorganized Crime!

Serrano is brilliant! Her words grab your interest. This is a real page turner, and one you can’t put down. Serrano’s writing is very versatile. This story combines action, romance, and suspense with many twists and turns. She will have you at the edge of your seat and keep you guessing where the adventure will lead. I highly recommend!

— Bonnie Still

This book was so exciting to read . Judy Serrano is a talented person and author. She writes books in a way that draws you into the story from the first page to the last. I love the characters in Unorganized Crime. It is a stand alone book but if you have not read the Easter’s Lilly series you need to. The way she writes her book makes you feel like you are part of the story and I absolutely like that. The way she makes you feel connected with the character’s. I hope to read more books about Jazz and Gage !!!

— Myra Sharp

Unorganized Crime is available at Amazon.


Title: Unorganized Secrets (Unorganized Crime Series Book 2)

Author: Judy Serrano

Pages: 294

Genre: Mafia Romance/Crime Fiction/Romance/Adventure

With Achilles still on the run, Gage and Hawk do what they can to protect their own. Gage and Jazz make their relationship official, while Hawk decides it’s time to do the same. When Hawk shows up at Elizabeth’s doorstep, she is gone, and his son, whom he has never met, is also missing. The mystery surrounding Elizabeth takes Hawk to a dark place. When he opens the door to Elizabeth’s past, who will he find behind it?  

Unorganized Secrets is available at Amazon.


About the Author
 

Judy Serrano graduated from Texas A&M University-Commerce with a master’s degree in English. She is the owner of Make Cents Editing Services and is an English teacher at a local high school. Judy writes romantic suspense, Mafia romance, and paranormal romance. She is the author of The Easter’s Lilly Series, The Linked Series, Ivy Vines, Visions and the Unorganized Crime series. Although originally from New York, Judy resides in Texas with her husband and six cats.

Website & Social Media:

Website www.judyserrano.com 

Twitter http://www.twitter.com/AuthorJSerrano 

Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/JudySerranoAuthor/

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4792103.Judy_Serrano


MY REVIEW (Unorganized Crime)

This was a quick but fun read. I kind of took a step out of my comfort zone and I'm very happy that I did! I was immediately pulled into the story, the writing was solid, the characters were very well created and felt like real people. Good stuff!

Like I said, I had fun. It wasn't ground breaking or breath taking but it was a very good story and kept me thoroughly entertained. I might check out Unorganized Secrets too! 

I would recommend this book if you are someone that enjoys romantic suspense. This will not disappoint! Just the right amount of romance, action, and thrills!  

Sponsored By:

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Best of All Worlds by Kenneth Oppel (ARC Review)

 

Blurb from Goodreads:

Xavier Oaks doesn't particularly want to go to the cabin with his dad and his dad's pregnant new wife, Nia. But family obligations are family obligations, and it's only for a short time. So he leaves his mom, his brother, and his other friends behind for a week in the woods. Only... one morning he wakes up and the house isn’t where it was before. It's like it's been lifted and placed... somewhere else. When Xavier, his dad, and Nia go explore, they find they are inside a dome, trapped. And there's no one else around...

Until, three years later, another family arrives. Is there any escape? Is there a reason they are stuck where they are? Different people have different answers -- and those different answers inexorably lead to tension, strife, and sacrifice.


My Review:

So this book surprised me, in a very very good way. I think I finished it in a little over a day and enjoyed every moment of it. I loved Xavier as a main character. He was smart, resourceful and just a good character. I appreciated that Kenneth Oppel avoided all the cliches when it came to the parents. Usually in stories where the main character is a teen dealing with a blended family, the step mom is a bitch or the dad is an ass. This family is well balanced, well written and well rounded. They genuinely care about each other. It was refreshing. 

The mystery of what happened to them is intriguing. I particularly enjoyed when they were trying to figure things out in the beginning. They tried things that normal people would, plus they did so in a smart way. It put me in their shoes and had me nodding like "yeah I'd try that too." I also liked the parts where they acclimated to their new environment in a logical and well explained way. 

When the new family appears, things do indeed get tense. I found myself on edge trying to figure out if everything that they did made sense or made them seem a bit shifty. The tensions between both families was realistic and made sense. (No artificial drama for plot purposes) The interactions were the best parts of the book, in my opinion. Seeing the reactions from both sides, seeing how almost polar opposite the new family viewed their situation was interesting. It made me wonder how I would react in that situation. 

The ending was fun. There were parts that were expected and parts that surprised me. I recommend this book. I'm still thinking about it a few days after finishing it. 

Monday, May 5, 2025

My Reading Plans

 

Things have been a bit wonky lately. I haven't really been putting a lot of effort in keeping up with my reading, which is weird since reading is my happy place, but alas. The lady that I call Grannie has been ill and currently she is in the hospital, she should be released soon but that was quite a rough time for me. My son has been having some troubles with his work and made the decision to quit. (Not a decision he made lightly, he really thought about it first. I support him!) I've had a few weird medical issues myself too, nothing life threatening but aggravating. 


Okay so the good stuff. I'm focusing on getting back to my "happy place" and reading more. I've picked up a few books that I am absolutely excited about and want to get into. Plus I have a book review tour that I am obligated (yet excited) to read!

So my TBR (might span a couple of weeks instead of one)





So what are you reading? Which books are getting you excited lately? Leave a comment and let me know! 


Saturday, April 19, 2025

New Release! Children of Solo by Andrew D.H. Moore (Giveaway Included)

 

I am so excited that CHILDREN OF SOLO by Andrew D.H. Moore is available now and that I get to share the news!

If you haven’t yet heard about this wonderful book, be sure to check out all the details below.

This blitz also includes a giveaway for a $10 Amazon Gift Card courtesy of Rockstar Book Tours and a finished copy of the book courtesy of Andrew. So if you’d like a chance to win, check out the giveaway info below.

 

About The Book:

Title: CHILDREN OF SOLO

Author: Andrew D.H. Moore

Pub. Date: April 18, 2025

Publisher: World System Books, LLC

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 722

Find it: Goodreadshttps://books2read.com/CHILDREN-OF-SOLO

Buy direct from Andrew! https://books.by/adhmoore 

The God of Creation is missing, but pirate captain Adi Crestone has more immediate
problems. Caught between her criminal past and her maternal instincts, she struggles to protect
her son from the Blood Queen. Buffeted by inner demons and external foes, she must decide
what she is willing to sacrifice for freedom and family, all while navigating treacherous alliances
that force her to confront her own past.

Theo Vanguard is an Imperial naval officer entangled in familial duty and political
machinations. Trapped between his personal desires and his noble father’s expectations, he is
captured by pirates and descends into the seedy underbelly of the city of Solvigant. Where he
reveals a world of survival and sacrifice.

Dreams of adventure beyond the mundane inspire young Ion Rucinare to run away from
home, only to find himself thrust into a perilous quest that could alter the fate of the World
System. His yearning for acceptance and belonging is complicated as he grapples with newfound
magical abilities and the harsh realities of life on the dying moon Xys.

Caught between the Empire, ruthless gang leaders, and enigmatic gods all vying for
power, Adi, Theo, and Ion’s paths converge in a high-stakes search for a powerful artifact,
Apyreon, which grants the wielder the very power of the gods themselves. Will each find their
place in a universe teetering on the brink of chaos?


Excerpt:

“She wants me to acquire an artifact.” Adi paused and considered how far she wanted to go with the truth. She didn’t want to put Xander in too untenable a position, nor did she want to engage his instinct toward heroism at the gravity of her task.

“Where is it?”

“It’s here in Solvigant. Stuart Royal has it.”

“The leader of the White Rabbits?”

“The one and only.”

“No mean feat. Royal and his goons are well protected in the Warrens. I understand the city watch has little presence there.”

You have no idea, Adi thought.

“What does she want with the artifact? What is it?”

“No idea,” Adi lied, “The Blood Queen does not share her plans with low level indentures.”

“I suppose you need money?”

Adi nodded.

“Of course you do.” He sighed and his defensive bulwarks returned. “If only you’d asked for help before letting Ajax clamp that hideous thing around your neck, then we wouldn’t be in this mess.”

We? Adi started to say it aloud but stopped. He was entangled in her mistakes. “Despite your ideas to the contrary, I have some pride.” Xander held up his hands in surrender. Adi pressed on, though it hurt her to say it. “I know how much you’ve sacrificed for me, and if we weren’t worried over Lucas’s safety I wouldn’t ask now.”

She hoped Xander couldn’t detect her lies. She really needed money to locate Apyreon. There would be bribes to pay, gear to assemble, and, gods, she needed a stiff drink. Her mind strayed back to Stella’s Echo and Iris’s pallet.

“Do you really think Sasha Riven will let you go when she holds so much power over you?” Xander asked.

“What choice do I have?”

Xander sighed. His shoulders slumped. “How much do you need?”

“One hundred gold spyres ought to do it.”

His eyes widened. It wasn’t a huge sum, but it wasn’t a small one either.

“Finding a magical astrolabe in a corrupt city of millions isn’t cheap,” Adi said, “And I’ve lost all my gear.”

Xander shook his head. “There is another way around all this.”

“No, Xan, we’ve been over this. We’re not betrothed anymore.” Adi adjusted her collar, which suddenly chafed.

 

About Andrew D.H. Moore:

Andrew Moore lives in the suburbs of Denver, Colorado. He is an avid writer of stories and rider of bikes. Andrew's love of fantasy blossomed early when he fell in love with such books as Redwall by Brian Jacques and the Dragonlance Chronicles by Margaret Weiss and Tracy Hickman. He graduated with honors from Indiana University with undergraduate degrees in Philosophy and Classical Literature. He completed a post-baccalaureate at the University of Pennsylvania before obtaining his Master's in Classical Archaeology from CU Boulder. He worked as an archaeologist and scholar in Germany, Greece, Turkey, and Jordan. In Colorado, Andrew taught philosophy, history, and literature at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, before leaving formal academia to pursue a passion in brewing beer. His brewery brainchild, The Intrepid Sojourner Beer Project, closed during the Covid-19 pandemic, but not before winning many awards both domestic and international.

Subscribe to Andrew’s newsletter!

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon

 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a $10 Amazon Gift Card, courtesy of Rockstar Book Tours, International.

1 winner will receive a finished copy of CHILDREN OF SOLO, US Only.

Ends May 13th, midnight EST.

Sunday, April 6, 2025

This Week's TBR (UPDATED)

 

Hoping to continue with my reading momentum from last week, I am going to aim a bit medium-ish for this one! I've got a few books on my TBR for this week and hopefully I'll get through them!


They goes as such:





According to Goodreads I'm a few behind, so I'm really hoping to at least catch up! Sunday-Thursday I'll be trying to read as much as my eyes and brain can handle. Friday-Sunday I will be distracted, my son is going to be over here and it's the weekend before his birthday so I will be celebrating! 

What are ya'll reading? 


UPDATED: 
Because I am the way that I am and my book ADD kicked in hard, I actually started 

The Hunger Games (book 1) as a re-read. After my two HG related books, I wanted to go back to the main series.