Having been a guest on some Booktube channels, I am often asked what inspired Dark Bloom. I always stumble on this question, because the answer is not a short one, nor an easy one to hear. Instead, I’ve decided to write out in length how exactly Dark Bloom came to be. Fair warning: much of my life story is to follow.
My parents went through a rough divorce when I was six years old. My father had endured a back injury which left him unable to work. What followed was a depression that caused...
FIVE STARS
The beautiful prose and quick paced events had a hold on me from the start. The main character is strong and powerful. There’s healing. There’s magic. There’s darkness. This was a great read!
Listened on Audible on 12.02.2024
FIVE STARS
I was hooked by Chapter 2. I was so thrown by the events and could not stop reading to find out what happened next. The book is beautifully written with vivid descriptions and enticing chapters. The characters were genuine and relatable and I came to care about each one. The events are wild and unpredictable as we follow Kevin, who seems to be losing his grip on reality. He bounces back and forth between the real world and a dream world, losing time and sanity little by little. The...
FIVE STARS
If I jump into a romance, I prefer a good plot to keep me engaged. This book DELIVERED. The banter is witty. The characters were diverse and funny. The romance was adorable and I loved the two main characters. The plot had me on the edge of my seat, super engaged in what was going on and I needed to find out who was behind everything!
Listened on Audible 12/2024
FIVE STARS
Sledge vs. the Labyrinth has a tone unlike anything I have ever read. It is in your face and blunt but the descriptions and vivid imagery do not take a hit because of this. Nick Horvath paints you a picture of what is happening with staccato prose that carries you along on the whirlwind of events.
This book grabs you by the shirt collar, drags you through a crescendo of wild, crazy events, and never lets you go until you've reached the ultimate plot twist.
Each chapter is short and...
FIVE STARS
I was hooked on this novella instantly. The plot was engaging, the characters diverse and compelling, but Mute sealed the deal. The main character Mute was expertly written, quick-witted and had such enjoyable inner dialogue that I could not get enough. The prose was beautiful and intelligent. A short tale that was worth every moment.
Listened on Audible 11.2024
FIVE STARS
As someone who suffers from chronic depression and anxiety, this book hit home on so many levels for me. Stokes captured the inner monologue of a person suffering from mental illness very well. In fact, much of her writing reminds me of things I actually wrote in my high school journals.
The story is sorrowful, hopeful, and kept me on edge as I wondered how things were going to go for Sam. I was rooting her on from the very beginning and so enjoyed her blooming relationship with...
FIVE STARS
Heather isn't like other people. She can see things others can't. When that means being protected by a demon, she takes advantage of it. But it doesn't stop there.
I devoured this in one sitting. I loved getting to know Heather and the secrets about her life. I LOVED the slow propulsion toward a sweet, breath-taking romance. And the ending was everything I never expected. Highly recommend!
Read 2024
FIVE STARS
I could definitely see this become a movie. It is evident that this story was inspired by ‘80s horror and Janelle nails it. The characters are instantly likable and relatable.
The story kept me on the edge of my seat, kept me up late hungry for what happened next (cannibalistic pun intended), and fascinated by the gore that unfolded.
This tale is dark, terrifying, and deliciously creepy. Death Cult is a five star read, well-written and a hell of a wild ride.
Read 11.2024
FIVE STARS
This novella was absolutely incredible. Performances of a Death Metal Bard follows Ozzymandias, or Mandy for short, a bard who can’t quite get any traction in the land as a performer who produces a music of the most brutal sound. When he comes into possession of a cursed lute, his life is changed and the adventures begin.
The story is reminiscent of a TTRPG campaign with magic, intense characters and wild adventures. But there’s more to it.
Mandy’s tale brings to light the loneliness...
FIVE STARS
This was an intelligently written story about a group of excavators that take on a project at the North Pole. Though the mission is known to be dangerous, curiosity and pride get the better of the man leading it. What they find is otherworldly, lethal and the stuff of nightmares.
The prose was incredible. A short read that had me enthralled until the very end. A must read!!
Listened on Audible 08.2024
FIVE STARS
Good and evil. Light and dark. It's all very black and white, kept far apart by thick lines, right? Wrong. And this book takes a deep dive into the ventures and accomplishments, trials and failures of both. The story is well-paced, constantly driving forward to reveal more of the story while giving us beautiful and flawed characters to fall in love with. The prose is intelligent and beautiful without being over-done and it is understandable. It was easy to tell that the author put...
FIVE STARS
What an adventure E.L. Lyons has taken me on! Each sentence is beautifully crafted and describes a vivid world, intelligent characters, and a sturdy plot without being predictable. The world she creates for you is so in depth as to include a rich history, politics, and customs. I loved getting to know the characters, sharing in their triumphs or despairs, and watching them grow. Each chapter had me wanting more and I cannot wait until her next book comes out!
Read 2024
FIVE STARS
This intriguing story hooked me from the start. When Gabe ends up in Jace’s barn, his tale is odd and frightening. The story constantly foreshadows something ominous, but I was unprepared for the end. I loved this so much. It's a wonderful, eerie short read.
Read on Kindle from 12.16.2024 to 12.02.2024
FIVE STARS
The suspense and drama of The Walking Dead, the introspection of I Am Legend, and the mission-driven hero of 28 Days Later. This zombie read was an absolute blast. Viktor is instantly a loveable and relatable character you cannot help but root for. He strives to make the right decisions in a world where society has fallen and often has to face the consequences. Each chapter bounces between Then and Now, with a momentum that only accelerates as it barrels toward the end. Beautiful...