A Bookworm's Book Reviews

All Souls Trilogy – Deborah Harkness

A side story to this trilogy is here: Time’s Convert

Title: All Souls Trilogy

Author: Deborah Harkness

Genre: Fantasy/Historical Fiction

Plot: A Discovery of Witches (Book 1) – Diana Bishop is a witch, in a long line of witches, who doesn’t want to be a witch. She is a historian at Oxford and while doing research with a book called Ashmole 782 starts drawing the attention of other creatures, witches, deamons, and vampires. One vampire in particular, Matthew Clairmont, is keen to keep others at bay. Against her better judgment, Diana starts to trust Matthew. They start working together to learn about Ashmole 782. A high ranking witch, Peter Knox, wants the book, too. He’ll do whatever he can to get it. Out of fear for her safety, Matthew takes Diana to his family home in France. Diana learns more about Matthews long history as a vampire. She also learns she has powers no one has seen in ages. Someone kidnaps Diana out of the Clairmont’s castle. Matthew is out for revenge to get her back. He does, but at what cost? Diana returns to her parent’s house and starts to learn about her magical abilities. Her aunt’s teach her. But her enemies are closing in. She needs to escape. Her best bet, escape to the past. Will she do it? What will happen there?

Shadow of Night (Book 2) – Diana and Matthew are in Elizabethan London looking for Ashmole 782. Matthew introduces him to his friends in that time. But things are more complicated in that time. While there, Diana starts to look for a teacher who can teach her more than her aunts. But witches in this time are in hiding because of some witch hunts. Matthew finds a lead on the Ashmole 782. But the cannot escape until Matthew confronts part of his past. Diana gets the chance to meet more of Matthew’s family. Will Matthew’s family help them escape? Will Diana find a tutor? Will they find the book?

The Book of Life (Book 3) – Matthew and Diana have found all the clues they could about the Ashmole 782. They almost had it, but lost it. Now they have to track it down in the present. Diana is a powerful witch now. Diana and Matthew now have to find their allies within all of the creature communities. Their enemies are closing in. They have a hard time convincing everyone that what they have learned is true. Even among friends they are unsure of who to trust. Soon they find the book, but pages are still missing. Where are the missing pages? Who has them? How can they convince others about the book? What is in the book? Who can they trust?

Rating: 3.5 – great read, good fantasy, a little political, but the characters seem to stray away from what they’re looking for and go on side quests, if you will.

Opinion: I really enjoyed the series. Though I wasn’t a fan of how the books seemed to wander. The characters seemed to get distracted about why they were in certain areas. I loved the different take on fantasy, especially the new take on vampires. The book had a good, realistic magic system. I enjoyed learning about the history in parts of Europe you don’t normally hear about. Despite the characters getting distracted, it really was a good series. I recommend this series for those who want a good fantasy and historical fiction series. The first book is also a TV show, made by the BBC, I think. It takes out some of the drama of the book and adds some different aspects of mystery.

The Circle Series – Ted Dekker

Title: The Circle Series

Author: Ted Dekker

Genre: Fantasy, Realistic Fiction

Plots: Black (Book 1) – Thomas Hunter just moves to Colorado with his sister. Low on motivation, he works in a coffee shop while his sister is a nurse. This all changes when he is shot at and attacked on his way home from work one night. Thomas is knocked unconscious. While unconscious, he is transported to another world. He barely escapes a Black Forest. Then Thomas wakes up and is back in Colorado. From then on he when he sleeps in Colorado, he goes to the other world. The more he goes there the more he learns that it’s like Earth but after a deadly attack. If Thomas can stop the attack in his Earth in Colorado, maybe he can stop the attack in the other world. The race is on, but who will believe him? Can he save both worlds?

Red (Book 2) – Years have past in Thomas’s alternate Earth. He has become a great leader of the Forest People. But his enemy, the Horde, has grown. A boy, Justin, has risen among them. He wants to bring peace between the enemies. Justin wants them to love each other. His ideas are scoffed at, while few see his reason. Then it seems like Justin betrays Thomas and the Forest People and joins the Horde. The Horde threaten the Forest People when they think Justin has betrayed them, too. For that, Justin is killed and the Forest People, or the few who believe Justine’s words, flee. Meanwhile, on Earth, Thomas continues to convince leaders that the deadly attack is real and imminent. Will he succeed? Will the Forest People Survive?

White (Book 3) – Thomas and the Forest People are aided by a former Horde member who has defected and joined them. They seek the Books of Histories. Books that could help them win the war against the Horde. While sneaking in the Horde capital city, they meet the princess, Chelesie. Thomas is taken prisoner and made to be Chelesie’s slave. She takes Thomas to the library and shows him the books he needs. She asks him to read them in order so the Horde can win the war. Instead she learns to love Thomas and sees reason in Thomas’s side of things. Thomas’s commander’s are plotting a rescue. Will they rescue Thomas? Will Chelesie be convinced of the truth? Meanwhile, in Earth Thomas is almost out of time. The people in charge of the deadly attack have all that they need. They demand the world’s nuclear weapons in exchange for protection. Some countries agree. But they release the attack anyway. Can Thomas find a way to save both worlds or is it too late?

Green (Book 0) – Thomas has survived in the alternate reality. The Horde have almost won. His oldest son, wants one last rally to wipe the Horde from the planet. Thomas is adamantly against it. The Horde are planning their own attack. Thomas takes the Horde leader on a trip to Earth in an effort to help him change his mind. It back fires when he takes modern weapons back his him and his second in command. Thomas finds another way back. He travels to find another way to save the Forest People. He finds something that could help, but will it be enough?

Rating: 3.6 – Good series, sometimes the plot was hard to follow cause of the dual realities in the books.

Opinion: This was a great series. Green (Book 0) is meant to be read first or last. I read it first and was more confused than if I had read Black (Book 1) first. So if you’re going to read this series, read Red (Book 1) first. It explains the alternate reality better and gives more background to the characters. The realities are easy enough to keep separate but still can be confusing when it jumps back and forth between the two. Overall I liked the series. I’ve loved Ted Dekker’s books. His books always want me knowing more and this one is no different. This one is his most “normal” book(s) that I’ve read. It’s not too scary. It’s a little dark, but not compared to Ted Dekker’s other books. It explains the dual realities well without overwhelming the brain. I enjoyed the series, and recommend them if you don’t mind a dual reality book.

The Hatmaker’s Heart – Carla Stewart

Title: The Hatmaker’s Heart

Author: Carla Stewart

Genre: Historical Fiction

Plot: Purnella, or Nell as people call her, Marchwoth is an apprentice hat maker in 1922 New York. Originally from England, she works long hours to make ends meet. She’s trying to make a name for herself working for Oscar Field at his milliner’s shop. He’s a hard man to work for, very controlling and stifling and stingy. Oscar is quick to bring up her flaws and shortcomings, including her stutter. But Nell tries hard to please him. She soon impresses some wealthy clients and starts making more and more hats. All the while, Nell goes to see a speech therapist. The therapist starts to uncover the reason for Nell’s stutter. Nell receives an invitation to make hats for some ladies in London for a royal wedding. Oscar takes her and two assistants to help make hats. Oscar works Nell harder and longer hours. There she meet’s an old friend, Quentin, her first love. Emotions arise, but are soon made complicated. Nell learns that Oscar has had her followed. She becomes more and more conflicted about leaving after Oscar fails to deliver on promises. Will Nell stay at Oscar Field’s? Will Nell and Quentin stay friends? Or more?

Rating: 3.0 – There was not an amazing plot. It was hard to relate to the characters. It didn’t seem to have much of internal struggle.

Opinion: I found it hard to connect to the characters in the book. I feel like the author could’ve gone more into the backstories earlier on. While learning about part of 1920’s history was interesting, the plot was simple. There didn’t seem to be much internal conflict in the main characters. The characters made difficult decisions without too much difficulty. The author left it to mystery but I didn’t love how she did it. It was a quick and read. So if you’re looking for that, check this book out.

As You Wish – Cary Elwes

Title: As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride

Author: Cary Elwes

Genre: Memoir

Plot: Cary Elwes, who plays Westly in The Princess Bride, talks about his time filming the classic movie. He talks about how he was cast in the movie, the classic scenes (the fight scene, Miracle Max scene, end scene kiss, pit of despair, and fire swamp), his co-stars, behind the scenes, and his sword fight training. He also talked about the fame of his co-stars and how he was the most inexperienced actor. Cary was in awe of the fact that he got to work with such an incredible cast and crew. The book added quotes from Cary’s co-stars, director, and assistant director through out the book. They talk about their time filming the movie, and what they thought of certain scenes, and what happened according to their point of view. Cary talked about how intense his and Mandy Patikan’s (Inigo Montoya) fencing training was. They practiced for months before shooting began and during breaks between filming with two of the best stuntmen and sword fighters in movie making at the time. At last Cary talked about how filming The Princess Bride made a lasting impression on him and some of his co-stars. He accepted the fact that this will be his most well recognized film, and is okay with that. He enjoyed the friendships and memories that he made. He was proud to work on a film that will always remain a classic.

Rating: 4.2 – Fun story about the behind the scenes of a classic movie – The Princess Bride. Cary Elwes (Westly) talks about how he was cast and what happened on and off the set.

Opinion: I got kicks and giggles out of this book. I’ve seen the movie countless times and can quote most of it. I enjoyed learning about how one of my favorite movies was made. It’s easy to forget how much work goes into making a movie. Cary Elwes and Mandy Patikan’s sounded intense and back breaking. It made me wonder if they still remember their fencing moves because of how much they practiced. I got lots of laughs learning that Billy Crystal (Miracle Max) was pretty much given free reign with his scene and that the director and Cary Elwes got kick off set because they couldn’t stop laughing. It’s also easy to forget that even experienced actors feel inadequate for their roles. Wallance Shawn (Fezzini or the inconceivable guy) gave himself hives because he was so worked up about being replaced. After getting a minor injury, Cary, too, felt like he’d be replaced. But the director thought them perfect for their roles and kept them on. I enjoyed learning that the author of the book the movie was based off of wrote the screenplay. I found it curious that no one wanted to produce for years because it was hard to categorize into one genre. It didn’t gain much popularity until it came out on VHS 10 years after it was in theaters. I loved learning more about the making of a classic, and one of my favorite, movies. I hope to read the book it was based off soon. I also hope others can get as much enjoyment out of this book as I did.

The Blind Astronomer’s Daughter – John Pipkin

Title: The Blind Astronomer’s Daughter

Author: John Pipkin

Genre: Historical Fiction

Plot: The book follows a couple characters, Caroline Ainsworth, Arther Ainsworth, William Hershel, Caroline Hershel, Finnagen (Finn) O’Siodha, and James Sammuels during the mid-1700’s and follows them through the early-1800’s in England and Ireland. All are connected through astronomy. Arther Ainsworth is Caroline Ainsworth’s “father.” Caroline A was given to Arther in secret after his wife and children die in childbirth. Caroline was found by Finn on his way to his adoptive family. His adoptive family’s father is a blacksmith who already has enough mouths to feed, but takes them in anyway. The family calls Caroline A Siobhan. An accident at the forge left Caroline A with a withered arm. Still Arther takes her in out of grief in exchange for a chance for Finn’s adoptive family to own their own land that they rent from Arther in exchange for the child and making and/or fixing astronomy equipment. Arther teaches Caroline A everything he knows about astronomy. She helps Arther with his calculations. Arther is determined to find a new planet. But William Hershel, with some help from his sister Caroline H, gets lucky and finds one first. Arther goes crazy trying to find his planet. After Arther goes blind and dies, Caroline A flees Ireland for England.

William and Caroline Hershel grew up in Germany but moved to England. Both are musicians who love astronomy. They give music lessons by day and watch the stars by night. William finds something new in the sky and tracks it until he is sure of what it is, a new planet. He names it George’s Star (later called Uranus).

Finn travels to Scotland after Caroline A leaves for England. He becomes a tinker and fixer, fixing medical equipment and helping those who can’t afford to pay. All the while, trying to find something to help with Caroline A’s withered arm. After seeing something unusual in a town market, it gives him an idea. When his trials scare the locals, Finn fleas for Ireland.

James Sammuels was a former student of the Hershel siblings. When we meet him again, he is a secretary for the English landlords in Dublin. He has a strange sleeping disorder, that confuses the local doctors. He dreams of traveling, but his disorder, and his fear, keep him from his dream. He tells his story of the Irish rebellion from the lofty vantage point in Dublin.

Then it goes through all of their journeys through the Irish rebellion. Caroline returns to Ireland to sell her astronomy equipment after helping male astronomers with their calculations. She and Finn reconnect. They fall in love only for Finn to be roped into fighting with the United Irishmen and being their blacksmith. Will Finn survive? Will Caroline and Finn be reunited? What will happen to James?

Rating: 3.0 – Not a bad read. Not the most thrilling book I’ve ever read. Not a fan of the time jumps and how the author switches characters.

Opinion: This was not my favorite book. I found myself skimming parts. While I enjoyed learning about astronomy and Irish and English history during the mid-1700’s to early 1800’s I found the plot boring. The story started at one point, jumped back 30 years, and took 150 pages to get back to the starting point. The author is great with details, but added too many details for my liking. I thought the book would center around the Ainsworth’s and Finn and his family, but the author added other characters that added more to the history of the time than the actual plot. The book itself was not at all bad, it just focused more on the history and details than I was expecting and seemed to diverge from the main plot points too much for my liking. If you don’t mind time jumps and chapter character switches, then read this book.

From This Moment – Elizabeth Camden

Summer of Dreams is a short story in relation with this book.

Title: From This Moment

Author: Elizabeth Camden

Genre: Historical Fiction

Plot: The story takes place in Boston Massachusetts while the city is building their subway system. Stella White is an amazing artist and illustrator. She has recently returned to Boston to find out what happened to her sister Gwen. Stella tries to be inconspicuous, but quickly makes enemies and annoys many. Romulus White has been trying to get Stella to work for his science magazine, Science World. Stella agrees to work for Romulus if he’ll help her find out what happened to her sister. Both are very similar and get along amazingly. But forces are trying to tear them apart. Someone doesn’t want Stella finding out what happened to her sister. Someone else wants to defame and discredit his magazine. Who is responsible? Why does someone want to do this? What really happened to Stella’s sister?

Rating: 3.5 – Good read, some sappy romance, Christian themes, lots of historical facts, realistic relationships, some good plot twists, steady read

Opinion: This was a very steady read. It kept me entertained. There were lots of good historical references. The relationships seem a little cheesy to me but are realistic. The couples talk about their problems and work through them. They fight and argue and storm away. After some time, they return, talk things through, and apologize. In the end they all realize that they are imperfect people trying to work through their imperfections. They try to make each other better. That’s what kept me reading. If you’re looking for a cute romantic, historical fiction book, read From This Moment.

Monster – Frank Peretti

Book Title: Monster

Author: Frank Peretti

Genre: Thriller

Summary: Reed and Rebecca, her friends call her Beck, Shelton are meeting some friends to go camping in the northern Idaho woods. Reed and Beck get to the campsite ahead of their friends. But someone, or something, has ransacked the cabin they were supposed to stay in. They decide to stay and wait for their friends before making any rash decisions. Beck is nervous about setting up camp nearby. That night, they hear terrible screams of a woman. And something responding to it. A creature starts stalking Reed and Beck. They flee. The creature follows. It takes Beck away. Reed helps organize a manhunt to search for Beck. None believe his ‘crazy’ theory. But is it crazy? What is out there? Will it come back? What does it want?

Rating: 4.0 – great book, worth the scientific parts, plenty of plot twists, kept me wanting to read more

My Opinion: This was a great read. It kept me wanting to learn more. Even though it’s easy to figure out what the creature is, I still wanted to know what would happen. Would Beck be safe? Would the others be safe? There is a lot of research that went into this book and it shows. The scientific parts were well described. There is a great explanation of gene modification and some evolution. I was able to follow along with ease. Frank Peretti is known for his Christian themes, he’s been a well known author since the 80’s. He goes off on the mad scientist tangent but shows that not all scientists believe the same things when it comes to their areas of expertise. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I admit it made me late to cover someone for their lunch one day because I was so invested in the book. I will have to reread this book when I have more time to concentrate. If you’re looking for a great, on the edge of your seat, book. I’d recommend Monster by Frank Peretti.

Shades of Milk and Honey Series – Mary Robinette Kowal

Books: 1: Shades of Milk and Honey, 2: Glamour in Glass, 3: Without a Summer, 4: Valour and Vanity, 5: Of Noble Family

Author: Mary Robinette Kowal

Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fiction

Plot: 1 – Based off Jane Austin’s Pride and Prejudice, but with magic, it centers around two sisters, Jane and Melody. Magic, called glamour, is a main part of society and used to embellish houses and create moving artwork. Jane is plain but excellent with magic. Melody is considered pretty but not as good with magic. The sisters meet Mr. Vincent, a glamourist (someone who works with magic) who is making a glamourial (a painting mad with magic) for a neighbor. Jane fines Mr. Vincent’s glamour wonderful, but his personality is cold and aloof. No one knows about him other than Mr. Vincent is an excellent glamourist. Melody catches the eye of a neighbor’s son. But it is heard that the son is courting someone else. Why is he courting two people? Who is Mr. Vincent really? Will anyone get a happy ending? Or will everything end in ruin?

2 – Surprise, surprise everything works out for Jane and Mr. Vincent. For their honeymoon, they travel to a little town in Belgium. They see an old friend of Mr. Vincent who has a school there. While there, Jane and Mr. Vincent learn about different techniques for glamour. Jane discovers a new way to work with glamour. Her and Mr. Vincent work in secret to perfect it. While they are perfecting the technique, Napoleon escapes from Elba. Belgium is thrown into turmoil. The people are divided, siding with Napoleon or against him. Everyone is against the English. Should they flea back to England? Should they stay and fight?

3 – Jane and Mr. Vincent return to England and take a job in London. They take Melody with them so she can be out in society. Their employer is an Irish Catholic. Jane and Mr. Vincent, and Melody, are Protestant. Sparks fly between Melody and Jane and Mr. Vincent’s employer’s son. They soon start courting. But the people of London are looking for someone to blame. The year has been unusually cold and doesn’t show signs of warming up. They start blaming cold mongers (glamourists who specifically make things cold) for making the weather cold. Jane and Mr. Vincent know this to be false, it is impossible for glamourists to control the weather. Coldmongers are also looking to be treated fairer and be given better wages and working conditions. They want to protest. But Jane is overcautious and overworried about Melody when she learns the man she is courting is in charge of a coldmonger’s protest and leading a march in secret. Why is the march secret? Is there someone else behind it?

4 – Jane and Mr. Vincent join Jane’s family on a trip to Italy. The couple separates from the family in Venice. Soon after parting ways, the couple are attacked by pirates, leaving them penniless upon their arrival at Venice. A older gentleman offers them help and lodging until they can get back on their feet. Jane and Mr. Vincent start wandering around the city. They are looking for someone to help perfect their secret technique they started on in Belgium. A few days later, the police show up at their lodging saying they owe people money. At first they are confused, saying their host has taken care of everything. The police prove otherwise. Jane and Mr. Vincent go to get their things, only to realize their glamour project has disappeared. Who has taken it? Who is behind the fraud? How will Jane and Mr. Vincent find the culprit? Will they get everything back?

5 – Again, Jane and Mr. Vincent return to England. Their return is short lived when they learn that Mr. Vincent’s father has died. One of Mr. Vincent’s brothers pleads with him to manage their father’s estate in Antigua (a small island in the Caribbean). Reluctantly, they accept. Upon their arrival, they see that the estate is running poorly. The overseer has made few repairs and the repairs that he’s made have been cheap, ready to break again, easily. He runs the estate with an iron fist. The estate still has slaves and they are treated very poorly. Mr. Vincent and the overseer continually butt heads. While they are at the estate, Jane learns that she is pregnant. As she cannot use glamour, she starts to write a book comparing techniques between English and African glamour. But someone is watching her and Mr. Vincent’s every move. They are trying to undo whatever her and Mr. Vincent are trying to do. Who is watching them? Why are they trying to sabotage them? Why? Can they help the slaves and the estate?

Rating: 4.0 – realistic relationships, well worked out magic system, lots of historical facts, sappy moments, lots of twists and turns

Opinion: This is a fun, entertaining historical fiction, fantasy series. It has a magical system with rules and regulations. It is not limitless, which makes it more believable and requires energy for magic use. The relationships in this series are also believable. The couples fight and disagree. They storm off and get grumpy with each other. Slowly, they start to talk about their problems and talk about what happened, how to fix the problem, and compromise and try to see each other’s sides. One thing that bugged me about the series that some things are dropped for some time, then picked up again. The characters seem to forget about certain things, then remember them again. A couple times I had to do a ‘wait, what? I thought we were going that direction?’ I enjoyed this book because of the realistic uses for magic, the history, and the romance. If you’re looking for a good series to read that with realistic magic in a real world setting, I’d suggest this series.

Coffey and Hill Series – Mike Nappa

Book 3 is out and called A Dream Within a Dream

Book Titles: 1 – Annabelle Lee, 2 – The Raven

Author: Mike Nappa

Genre: Thriller

Summary – Annabelle Lee: A mysterious man called Truck hides away a girl called Annabelle in an underground bunker in Alabama. Truck tells her not to open the door for anyone, including him, unless given a safe word, a line from Edgar Allan Poe’s Annabelle Lee poem. In the bunker with Annabelle, is a German Sheppard dog who only responds to German commands. Above ground, seemingly random people are searching for a pair of priceless emeralds. All of these people are connected to the man called Truck: Trudey Coffey, Samuel Hill, Dr. Smith, and ‘The Mute.’ Trudey never thought she’d see her ex-husband, Samuel, again. Until he asks for help. ‘The Mute’ works for Truck, as a soldier under his command. He was charged with protecting Annabelle and the pair of priceless emeralds for Truck. Dr. Smith is searching for Truck and something he has. Something precious he wants back at all costs. As the story unfolds, all their paths converge. Some work together, some are forced to Dr. Smith’s bidding. He has means at his disposal to find the priceless emeralds. He has patience, too. Dr. Smith has spent a decade searching for what Truck hid away. Who will find them first? Will Annabelle survive in the bunker with the dog?

Summary – The Raven: Trudey and Samuel are working together again. This time, they’re drawn into another case. A young man called The Raven is a pickpocket who picked a prominent politician’s, Max Roman, pocket in hopes of extra cash. Instead he finds compromising photos of him and an assistant. Ukranian thugs break into The Raven’s apartment. They make him a deal. The Raven agrees, or loses his hands. All he has to do is break into an old lady’s place of business and steal a logbook. But the old lady is Mama Bliss. She is in league with Max Roman. Together Mama Bliss and Max Roman are shuffling more than antiques through Mama Bliss’s business. The Raven has a week to complete the deal. Trudey and Samuel try to help The Raven change his ways. Hanging above all of their heads is an event called Nevermore. What is Nevermore? Is it a hoax? Does the event even exist? Trudey and Samuel’s contacts are telling them it’s nothing to worry about. Someone else wants them out of the way.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 – good book, well written, good plot, enough lulls to give it a middle of the road rating

My opinion: Both books are interesting. They kept me reading. As with most books, there are lulls. As far as thrillers go, I was not on the edge of my seat. I was intrigued, interested in what would happen next. There were some great plot twists in both books. The plot twists were very strategically placed. There were one or two spots where I could predict what was coming. I give Mike Nappa credit for the great mind blowing twist in Annabelle Lee. I was thinking what the heck?! But it also had me intrigued about the information given. He made me want to research what he was talking about. Samuel is wells deserving of the nickname that Trudi gives him, I couldn’t help but chuckle every time she mentioned it. I was also a little confused of the ending of The Raven. Was it a trick? Or a coverup? Or an accident?Overall, these are good books that kept me reading.

Introduction

Hello all!

I am C.M. Mills, an avid book lover looking for the next good book. I usually read fantasy and historical fiction. I’ve started branching out into thrillers. I’m not the biggest fan of purely romantic books. Sure, put it in a book, but it shouldn’t take the place of a good plot. I am willing to give any book a try. I enjoy reading nonfiction, too. Most of the nonfiction books I’ve read are memoirs, but I’d be willing to give other types of nonfiction a try. I’ve slogged through terrible books and will put up with a lot before I give up on a book.

Some things that I love in a book: a map (if needed), a pronunciation guide (if needed), a reason to care about the characters, and suspense to keep me going. Give me a connection to the protagonist. Authors get brownie points if the villain has a relatable motive, or has a unique stance.

Some turn offs include: introducing too many characters at once (looking at you Game of Thrones), characters with difficult names to pronounce (a pronunciation guide can offset this), not enough character relatability, boring plot, not enough action, etc.

I do enjoy a sappy romance, but it drives me nuts when the characters won’t admit their feelings (yes I know it can be a plot point, but don’t let it be the main plot point), or have again off again relations (it can get annoying). Also too many steamy scenes cause me to skip or skim over book.

Some of my favorite books include The Book Thief (for its writing style and humor despite being a WW2 setting book), Redeeming Love (a slightly predicable romance/historical fiction set in during the California gold rush), The Last Sin Eater (a historical fiction focused on an unusual British Isle tradition) , Immanuel’s Veins (a unique take on vampirish/angelic lore set to a historical fiction book), The Lord of the Rings (a dense read but so unique), Harry Potter (magic, cause why not), and The Chronicles of Narnia (for the world within). These are the first that came to my mind. I have so many more that I’ve enjoyed.

Some of my favorite authors include Francine Rivers (for her takes on historical fiction interwoven with classic tales, also has some sappy romantic books), Ted Dekker (for his unique thrillers and ability to keep the reader interested), Paula Brackston (for her historical fiction and use of worldly magic), Arturo Perez-Reverte (for his descriptive historical fiction use of vocabulary), and Elizabeth Camden (for a sappy love story and use of historical fiction). These are the authors I usually gravitate towards.

Feel free to send me recommendations and requests. I’d love to hear about other genres, books, and authors. I’ll try my best to read those books as soon as I can. My room is a partial library of unread books. Also feel free to ask me questions. I’ll respond as soon as I can.