A VVivacious Review: A New Beginning (Cascade City Pack #1) by Rebecca James

Rating: 5 Stars out of 5

River and his group of werewolves find themselves in Cascade City after wandering about trying to find a new place for themselves. But things are far from pleasant, for one, they have no place to stay and River’s refusal to accept help from humans could very well spell their downfall.

Meanwhile Josiah wants to help rogues once again though he is aware that his mate might be less then open to the idea given how the last time they took in rogues, it ended with them being ousted from their own pack.

While Jax, David and Brooks are battling all new problems… Brooks is pregnant and no one knows for sure if the baby is David’s or Jax’s but if that didn’t make things complicated enough, David’s wolf is being obsessively protective of Brooks during his pregnancy to the extent that he perceives Jax as a threat. What will these new developments mean for these three, will they manage to make it through together or will the strain of things make something give way?

This book just about killed me with the roller-coaster of emotions it had me on. This book is sooooo good. I mean books in this series truly just seem to get better with each new book. Hats off to the author for doing an excellent job.

This book is a sequel to the Third Mate which is the third book in the River Wolf Pack series and you can read this book even if you haven’t read Omega Arrival though that is also one awesome book.

The moment I finished this book I wished I could read it again for the first time. It was just so good and gave me the worst book hangover in recent times and urgh… just can’t wait for the next one. I read this book in a single sitting and I think what I loved the most about this book was that it was lengthier than its predecessors which meant that I was going to get extra time with all my favourite characters.

This book mostly follows David, Jax, Brooks, River, Josiah and Foster and is also told from the perspective of five of these six characters. I truly believe that the multiple POVs really work for this book because people have different priorities. Particularly in this book River is more concerned with getting the pack on track and David is concerned with Brooks’ pregnancy so when the perspective shift it’s just a new way of looking at the problem while simultaneously giving you another POV and storyline. Also the fact that you get to see all the important things happening in your beloved characters’ life is a definite plus point. There are two scenes in this book where the conversation between Jax and David happens off page and that really irked me out because those conversations were just something that I wanted to know so badly but since the book was at that time being told from River’s perspective I was out of luck, but this also drove home the point that had this book been from a single perspective I would have missed out on so much that was happening in other characters’ lives.

This book just has an amazing story to tell. The pack is finding it hard to adjust to the city but just when everything seems down in the dumps, River comes through for his pack. River and Josiah’s storyline in this book is focused on restoring the pack to its former glory. Someone makes this observation about River and Josiah in the book that while they might fight they always find a way to make things right. Also I loved how the author approached the problem of River worrying about the fact that his mate had too much of a sway over his decisions, I mean this was the best way to solve the problem by making River see the truth and realizing that in a way it is awesome that there is someone there to help him and find a way through problems even ones where you wonder if he might be one. I loved how Josiah comes through for River in this book, it was amazing. Their relationship was a bit worrying at the starting of the book given the pressure they were both under but by the end I was simply amazed.

Foster has a short story line in this book which wraps up very quickly when he finds his true mate. I really don’t know what the author plans to do with Foster’s character in the future but I for one didn’t mind him being gone all that much for one because that meant he was with his true mate, though I loved how the author handled the goodbyes.

Now coming to the very best part of this book which is undoubtedly the relationship between David, Jax and Brooks. I love how the author writes these three and their relationship as something effortless. I loved the implication that Brooks was scared of loving Jax because he knew that while David would never leave him Jax could, which made him guard his heart a little around Jax which made me wonder if that is what Jax did with Brooks as well because the whole reason he wanted David to mate was so that David wouldn’t be alone when Jax left but this isn’t something explicitly stated in this book and that is because this book doesn’t offer Jax’s perspective. I really want a book from his perspective; in fact I need it, considering everything that happens in Jax’s life in this book I really wish the next book in this series would feature him in a starring role. For all I care it could be entirely from his perspective. But while Brooks and Jax are guarding their hearts around each other, David and Jax have kind of already committed to misery when they fell in love with each other fully well knowing that it may someday lead to a world of hurt. I simply loved David and Jax and their relationship in this book. There are two scenes that particularly stand out for me and these were two such amazing scenes, that they took my breath away and then that fact that was revealed in the epilogue seems to promising much more, hopefully. I just can’t wait for the next book because I can’t wait to know where David and Jax’s story is going to go from here.

Amazing amazing book. If you have been loving this series this book is one to be devoured and for people who haven’t gotten on the bandwagon yet this series is simply amazing.

Cover Art by Written Ink Designs. Love the cover.

Sales Links: JMS Books LLC | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 257 pages
Published April 29th 2017 by JMS Books LLC
Original TitleA New Beginning
ISBN139781634863827
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesCascade City Pack #1

A Stella Review: The Seafarer’s Kiss by Julia Ember

RATING 5 out of 5 stars

Having long-wondered what lives beyond the ice shelf, nineteen-year-old mermaid Ersel learns of the life she wants when she rescues and befriends Ragna, a shield-maiden stranded on the mermen’s glacier. But when Ersel’s childhood friend and suitor catches them together, he gives Ersel a choice: say goodbye to Ragna or face justice at the hands of the glacier’s brutal king.

Determined to forge a different fate, Ersel seeks help from Loki. But such deals are never as one expects, and the outcome sees her exiled from the only home and protection she’s known. To save herself from perishing in the barren, underwater wasteland and be reunited with the human she’s come to love, Ersel must try to outsmart the God of Lies.

I fell in love with this book since the first time I saw its cover, too cute and well done to be ignored by a cover whore like me. Then I read the blurb and guess what? The first cartoon I remember from my childhood, which videotape I still save, is The Little Mermaid, that’s why I was so curious to see how a new to me author would turn this fairytale into a FF retelling.

I have to say I loved The Seafarer’s Kiss a lot. I took my time at reading it and each time I put my eyes on a new chapter, I was surprised and satisfied. First of all the characters were awesome, each of them, they were beautifully delined and the growth they went throught was clear and always positive. Ersel in particular was beautifully done, she was fierce and brave, as Ragna was too. And that was the reason why they were a match made in heaven.

Nothing in the plot has been left to the chance, how and why our MCs met, why they needed to be parted, how they were together again, and the lovely happy ending. Mixed with these, a lot of things happened, event after event that took me engaged till the end. I got to know some great characters, like Ersel’s mum, who broke my heart with her huge love for the daughter she is ready to let go, and then Havamal, the ex-bestfriend who betrayed Ersel, and the dreams they made together, to join the guards of the evil king.

The story took place in a well craft world and it surprised me, I wasn’t waiting for so many details, I was able to understand and emphatize with not just Ersel but with Vigdis too, the popular girl. I felt the despair they had in their souls, how both of them, differently, were ready to do everything it was possible to fullfill their dreams. The writing was perfect for a book like this, where I so wanted to be able to see in my mind this magic world and its ihnabitants. It’s an evocative writing, I could picture every word I read, every new character I met. And I fell for all of them.

I don’t want to say more about the plot because I don’t want to spoil your reading, but I was deeply conquered, all the little twists the author gave to me, were little steps to the success The Seafarer’s Kiss was to me. In this book you can find a contemporary story, with some young adult elements and a fairytale with some mythology added. All blended together.

I have to say, I would so love to read the same story told by Ragna, it would be a copletely different story. I think following her in her travellings and mis/adventures would be incredible and truly exciting. I have just to try and convince the author.

The cover art by CB Messer is so fitting, the same scene can be easily find in the story, exactly like this. And it’s cute, and the style and the colors just perfect.

Sales Links: Interlude Press | Amazon

BOOK DETAILS

Kindle Edition, 224 pages

Published May 4th 2017 by Duet, an imprint of Interlude Press

ASIN B01MUJHWTO

Edition Language English

A Julia Review: The Rest is Illusion by Eric Arvin

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Magical realism meets coming of age as four Verona College students are thrown together by choice as well as circumstance. When their lives and loves are threatened by blackmail and violence, they respond by using all the means at their disposal—including some they aren’t even aware they possess. But will that be enough to prevent tragedy or even death?

The Rest Is Illusion was first published in 2006 and a second time in 2016. This new third edition allows readers once more to enjoy the incredible story behind Eric Arvin’s first novel. And incredible it is indeed.

The fact that this is the author’s very first novel makes it all the more impressive how refined and confident his writing style already felt by then. Every phrase and sentence seems to be placed precisely and deliberately contributing to the unfolding of the plot and reading experience as a whole. The author upholds this style unbroken throughout the entirety of the book, nothing ever seems out of place. At this point, I usually talk about how location was handled, but since the environment plays such a pivotal role in this novel, I decided to dedicate a whole paragraph to it further down. Let’s take a look at the characters first.

The novel is written in third-person and the perspective, from which the story is told, switches frequently between five students: Dashel, Ashley, Sarah, Tony and Wilder. The author makes very good use of this technique by, for example, hinting at what one character is about to do through the eyes of another or presenting the consequences of the same event from different points of view. The transitions between characters feel fluid and unobtrusive. What’s best, each character is given a very distinct voice befitting his or her unique personality. They all have their own strings of story to tell that frequently intertwine and part ways. I never found myself not getting into a line of narrative or wishing that it would switch back to another. Every single one felt meaningful and worthy of attention.

It would be difficult to pick a favourite character since they are all interesting, likeable or hateable in their own right. But I would say that Ashley, the albino agnostic (as he has been described), and Dashel, who is stricken with a terminal illness, are probably the ones I felt the strongest sympathy for. They both look at other people free of prejudices and strive to embrace life (and death) on their own terms. I loved their free and creative spirits and how they imagined the world around them. Sarah, the Baptist minister’s daughter who struggles to come to terms with the relationship to her father, completes the trio of close friends (and maybe more). They complement each other very well and their interactions were heart-warming to witness.

Tony and Wilder feel very much like outsiders in contrast to the above group and yet they all come to play a significant part in each other’s lives. Tony, who despite first impressions turns out to be a considerate and caring person, tries to suppress his homosexual orientation in fear of losing his current way of life. Wilder’s horrible schemes to assert dominance over his fellow students, on the other hand, present a thoroughly hateable as well as deeply pathetic and wounded character. Seeing how these five people – each one with their own specific set of values and worldviews – interact and clash with each other was a thrilling and fascinating experience.

As mentioned above, the environment in this novel plays a role unlike any I have ever seen before. The deep forests, hidden vales, steep cliffs and hillsides that surround Verona College are alive and teeming with an ancient magic of their own. Being a fan of Magical Realism myself, I was in love with the way the author teases, hints and opens the possibility to a secret otherworld that lies beyond our common field of perception and understanding. But at the same time it is not painted as unreachable for us but closer than we think as long as one approaches it with an open mind free of preconceived opinions. Through his descriptions of the natural world Eric Arvin creates a truly enchanting and deeply mysterious atmosphere that had me hooked immediately and unable to stop reading. The landscape felt so full of personality and life as if it was a character (or many, in fact) on their own.

The story deals with a number of fundamental and timeless issues: the fear of dealing with one’s own mortality, the struggle for recognition and acceptance from others, finding and learning to embrace your true self in a world that tries to dictate who you should be. The subject of sexuality (as well as sexual violence) is breached too but if you’re looking for some light-hearted, steamy tussles beneath the sheets, you will not find them here. This is definitely not a quick read to just kill some time with a bit of superficial distraction.

I loved and enjoyed every aspect of this novel – from the characters to the plot to the world it took place in. I can only highly recommend this to anyone really who is looking (or not) for a profound narrative about the way people interact with one another and the world – or rather, worlds – around them. I know that I will certainly pick up more from this author in the future.

I very much liked the effect of smoothly changing colours and light patterns for the cover art by Wilde City Press. It gives the whole design an almost ominous, eerie feeling that is befitting of the story. The photos of the students looking directly at the reader lend support to that impression as well.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 200 pages, also available in paperback where if you buy paperback you get the ebook free

Published April 3, 2017

by Dreamspinner Press

ISBN-13 978-1-63533-825-6

Edition Language: English

A Julia Review: The Seafarer’s Kiss by Julia Ember

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Having long wondered what lives beyond the ice shelf, nineteen-year-old mermaid Ersel learns of the life she wants when she rescues and befriends Ragna, a shield-maiden stranded on the merfolk’s fortress. But when Ersel’s childhood friend and suitor catches them together, he gives Ersel a choice: Say goodbye to Ragna or face justice at the hands of the glacier’s brutal king.

Determined to forge a different fate, Ersel seeks help from the divine Loki. But such deals are never straightforward, and the outcome sees her exiled from the only home and protection she’s known. To save herself from perishing in the barren, underwater wasteland and be reunited with the human she’s come to love, Ersel must try to outsmart the God of Lies.

Being an avid reader of the Fantasy genre myself, The Seafarer’s Kiss by Julia Ember had me intrigued as soon as I laid eyes on it. I find mermaids to be one of the most fascinating mythical creatures and yet I can hardly recall any Fantasy novels in which they play more than a supporting role. So, since the protagonist in this one is in fact a mermaid, I was really hoping that the author would grant a closer look into the society, customs and lifestyle of the merfolk. And thankfully I was not disappointed in the least!

The novel features a close-knit community of merfolk living inside a glacier far up in the frozen North with strict societal rules and traditions. As a reader you get to experience their way of life through the eyes of young Ersel from whose first-person perspective the story is told. World and lore building are one of the key aspects of Fantasy writing and I was immediately drawn in by the loving details the author used to describe how the merfolk lived and their society worked. The people of the sea really take the centre stage here and we are handed only small pieces of information on what the lives of humans are like in this world. I also very much enjoyed how the merfolk’s way of life was so closely entwined with the harsh and cold environment they lived in. The author did a good job in depicting the icy landscape and some of its inhabitants (most prominently a pod of beluga whales). A nice touch of magic and Norse mythology is added as well.

The novel features a varied cast of characters with the mermaid Ersel as its main protagonist. She does not want to lead the life dictated to her by the community’s traditions and laws but is too scared and timid to openly oppose them at first. A focus of the story lies on her personal development as she is repeatedly faced with new experiences and difficult decisions that impact her own future as well as others’. The most profound of said experiences being when she meets Ragna, a fierce young human woman bent on survival and revenge. Ragna acts in many ways as a mirror for Ersel: They both have dreams and goals they want to achieve but unlike her Ragna has the courage and will to actively work towards and fight for them. At the same time Ersel comes to Ragna’s aid and becomes the friend and support the human girl desperately needs. The relationship that starts to blossom from this encounter was a delight to witness and I found myself rooting for them to succeed in their ambitions as well as their growing feelings for each other. Their story is one of self-discovery, compassion, determination and sacrifices.

Other types of relationships are explored as well, especially the one between Ersel and her childhood friend Havamal with whom she used to share a strong bond before he decided on a different path in life than the one they had once dreamed of together. And then there is of course Ersel’s deal with the infamous trickster god himself who, while being a divine entity, displays some rather human-like traits as well. I also quite enjoyed the magical aspects of this part of the story.

Since this is a Young Adult novel the sex scenes are not described in detail but they are still teased enough to let the imagination run wild.

I had a great time reading this novel and enjoyed learning about the fascinating world the author had created. The characters, their motivations and interactions were very engaging as well. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for more from this author.

The intricate cover design by CB Messer is what drew me to this novel in the first place. It is probably one of the most beautiful book covers I have ever seen. The art and colour choices are truly lovely. It immediately invokes a sense of ancient legends and fairy tales.

Sales Links

Smashwords | Book Depository | Indiebound

Book Details:

ebook, 224 pages

Published May 4, 2017

by Interlude Press (Duet Books, a YA Imprint of Interlude Press)

ISBN: 978-1-945053-34-4

Edition Language: English

An Ali Audiobook Review: Everyday History by Alice Archer and Daan Stone (Narrator)

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Headstrong Ruben Harper has yet to meet an obstacle he can’t convert to a speed bump. He’s used to getting what he wants from girls, but when he develops a fascination for a man, his wooing skills require an upgrade. After months of persuasion, he scores a dinner date with Henry Normand that morphs into an intense weekend. The unexpected depth of their connection scares Ruben into fleeing.

Shy, cautious Henry, Ruben’s former high school history teacher, suspects he needs a wake-up call, and Ruben appears to be his siren. But when Ruben bolts, Henry is left struggling to find closure. Inspired by his conversations with Ruben, Henry begins to write articles about the memories stored in everyday objects. The articles seduce Ruben with details from their weekend together and trigger feelings too strong to avoid. As Henry’s snowballing fame takes him out of town and further out of touch, Ruben stretches to close the gaps that separate them.

I just read this book about a month ago and loved it.

When I had the chance to review the audiobook I jumped at it and I’m really glad I did. First off, the narrator, Daan Stone, was super good. I had never listened to him before but he’s now on my radar because his narration was flawless. It was a 5+ stars.

As I’ve already said, I loved this book on the first read. The writing style is very unique. It’s lyrical and poetic and something about it just drew me in and held me from the beginning till the end of the story. This time I was able to go through the story more slowly (I’m a fast reader). The narration made me pace myself and I found there were things I had not caught the first time through. I also found the narration to make the story more emotional and I found my eyes filling with tears more than once (which I did not do when I read it).

The plot of the story is one we’ve seen before, an age gap between teacher and student. This was done differently though. It seems all of the age gap books I’ve read before have had the older person worried about the age difference and the younger one adamant that they know what they want and they have no concerns about it. In this, Ruben, the younger of the two, falters. He knows he cares for Henry and he knows he wants to see him and have sex, but he also knows he’s a kid. He wants to go to college and party and sleep around and do fun things that most of us do/did during this time of our lives. So while this story is definitely a love story, it’s also a coming of age. Ruben has a lot of lessons to learn and unfortunately he hurts others and himself along the way.

The story is told in a quiet way. A lot of it is based on conversations. A lot of it is told through stories that the characters tell each other. Some of it is told through newspaper columns and post cards. Everything that happens in this story matters. You need to pay attention because everything will circle back at some point and you’ll have these “ah-ha” moments. (You probably won’t ever be able to eat apple pie again without feeling a bit emotional.)

While there is a feeling of melancholy as you read this, I wouldn’t say it’s particularly angsty. It’s more a quiet study of how we come to learn what’s important in our lives and how we learn to put aside our fears to reach for what we want. It looks at the people in our lives and the roles they play and it looks at the importance in the things we hold on to and how they tell the story of who we are.

I am a giant sucker for the “grand gesture” in romance stories and this one tops the chart. There is also a lovely HEA and an epilogue that is just beautiful. I really can’t fan girl enough about this. The writing style is so distinctive that I realize it won’t be for everyone. I personally loved it though and I think both the ebook and the audio were hits out of the ballpark so I recommend either or both.

Cover by Bree Archer: I love the cover. I always really like black and white cover with a splash of color. This one in particular I really like because it is a signifies a very important part of the story.

Sales Links

Audiobook Details:

9 hrs 53 mins

Audible Audio, 10 pages

Published March 24th 2017 by Dreamspinner Press (first published June 29th 2016)
Original TitleEveryday History
ASINB06XSMXH4R
Edition LanguageEnglish

The Rites of May, Free Dreamer’s Answers Your Questions and This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

The Rites of May and Free Dreamer’s Answers Your Questions!

The first of May, which, yes we’ve left behind, has meaning for many rites and celebrations. This includes one I remember from my childhood, dancing around the Maypole. No I wasn’t in England, believe it or not, it was in a small town in New Jersey. Why did we do this? To celebrate May Day! May Day is an ancient Northern Hemisphere festival which traditionally marked the return of spring. It is believed that the celebrations originated in agricultural rituals intended to ensure fertility for crops, held by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans.

Other seasonal celebrations of this time included the Celtic festival of Beltane and the Germanic festival of Walpurgis Night. Today, many customs still celebrate this ancient festival, including the gathering of wildflowers and the setting up of a decorated May tree or Maypole, around which people dance, although I’m not sure how many school children in the US are skipping around a pole. Somehow I just don’t think this would get through these days.

Maypole dancing continues to be one of the most popular May Day customs in Europe. Participants dance around a wooden Maypole, holding colourful ribbons that become decoratively intertwined. The dancers then change direction and repeat the steps in reverse, causing the ribbons to unwind. This is said to symbolize the lengthening of the days as summer begins. That’s the organized version. I wish you could have seen the chaos that ensued when us children were unleashed to run madly with our ribbons around each other and that pole. Fun yes, but we were the very opposite of anything that could be described as “decoratively intertwined.”

May Day celebrations these days include singers, dancers including Morris Dancing, May King and Queens, but almost never in the US, where such goings on were frowned upon by the Puritans and May Day celebrations never really took hold. Makes me wonder now about that small town in NJ where I grew up. Did you celebrate any Rites of May in your town? Let us know! How about books that include celebrations? Write us and let us know.

One of my favorite stories revolve around a Morris Dancer. That would be Alex Beecroft’s Blue Eyed Stranger from her Trowchester Blues series, an excellent story in an outstanding series. Can you think of others?

While we are waiting as promised, here is Free Dreamer with her answers to your questions and the winners of her Book Adventures contest!

Hey there! It’s Free Dreamer! Here are my answers to the readers’ questions:

From Jen: Which books did you take photos of and end up getting free copies when you got home?

There were only two books that really caught my attention. I picked up an excerpt for “The Blackthorn Key” by Kevin Sands, a Fantasy YA novel. I have yet to read the excerpt, though. And then I discovered the German version of “The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue” by Mackenzie Lee. Also YA, but historical with a gay protagonist this time. I successfully begged for a free copy of that and already read it. Or should I say devoured it? It was utterly brilliant and I’ve already lent it to a co-worker! You can look forward to a review of it sometime in the near future. 😉

From Purple Reader: For your fair, as a dreamer, what did you anticipate or expect the most from going, and how did that go? Were your expectations met or exceeded? (I hope they were). I know what you’re saying about Sanderson. I read his concluding 3 vols. in the Wheel of Time series, and thought they picked the quality back up to what I saw in the first 3 vols. But I’ve since gravitated to gay fiction, so haven’t read anything of his since. Do any of his stories involve a gay protagonist?

The thing I anticipated the most was easily the meeting with Brandon Sanderson. I’m so glad he turned out to be a nice guy. He was really patient with the signing and everything. In hindsight, I could’ve been a bit braver. I’ve always been wondering how he feels about religion. In every one of his books I’ve read so far religion is an important topic and the religions he comes up with are really fascinating. But I was too cowardly to ask that. It seemed too personal, somehow. And since he promised to come to my Vienna one day, my expectations were definitely exceeded. Can’t wait for that!!

I have to admit I haven’t yet managed to read the Wheel of Time series. There are just soooo many books in that series. Sadly, none of his book feature a gay protagonist. If it helps, there’s little to no romance in his books.

From Didi: I always want to go and see an int’l book fair! How much plan did you do prior to going (you’re not take “we’ll just see what’s interesting there” tactic and go with it, surely? What’s your most favorite “souvenir” from the event (books purchased incl.)?

I didn’t really plan all that much, tbh. I took a look at the program online a couple of weeks before the fair. And I really only did that because our teacher wanted us to give her a list of at least three events we were planning to visit. I’m not much of a planner at the best of times. 😉

Since I’m a bookseller, I get a discount on books I buy at work, so I didn’t actually buy any books at the fair itself. So I only bought postcards (I’ve taken up writing postcards to people all over the world as a hobby – the site’s called Postcrossing). My favourite souvenir though is a free bookmark from the Swiss publisher Diogenes. It shows an owl in a bird’s house made of books. The house is covered in snow and it’s snowing. The heading says “Diogenes reading weather”. It’s so cute. ❤

From H.B.: Did you get to attend many discussions and if you did which ones were your favorite(s)? It’s great you got to meet Brandon Sanderson. I haven’t read one of his books yet although I have my eye on a few of his stories. In general what book of his would you suggest I start with?

I only got to attend two discussions, sadly. One about queer literature and one about all age books. I didn’t really like either of those.

I’d recommend you start with the “Mistborn” series, “The Final Empire” being part one. There are currently 7 books in the series, but the first three work as an individual series. The other parts are set in the same universe, but hundreds of years later. So it’s actually his only completed series so far, even though there are more books on their way. “The Final Empire” was also how I got hooked on his works.

📚Winner Announcements!📚

Thanks, everyone for following Free Dreamer on her Leipzig Book Adventures! The contest winners of the Gift Certificates are Didi and Purple Reader! Congratulations to you both! Stella will be in contact with you about your gift certs!

Announcement – New Reviewer at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

We have another reviewer starting at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words. In just a few weeks start to look for the reviews of Alessandro, our newest reviewer. I’ll let Alessandro tell you all about himself. Please give him a warm welcome.

Meet Alessandro!

Hello there. My name is Alessandro and I’m currently 25 years old and I live in Germany. When I’m not working as a hairdresser, one can always find me reading, literally everywhere I go. My kindle is my best friend and it’s always safely tucked into my rucksack. And my smartphone with my audible app isn’t far away either.

I really got into reading almost a year ago, around May 2016. Of course I’ve read before, but not as excessively as I do nowadays. My current schedule is one book each day. If its a book over 200 pages, maybe ill take about 2 days. I don’t even watch TV or Netflix anymore. When I started reading again, I started with fantasy books mostly. But recently, about 75 books ago I started reading M/M books and now I’m totally obsessed with it and I can’t really get into anything else. Of course there are some releases I just have to read in M/F, but I will return to M/M definitely. I’m reading English literature because it is just more fun to read in another language than your own mother language, at least that’s the case for me. I’ve got like 2 books in German on my TBR list, if ill read them though I don’t really know. I can’t really remember what my first M/M books was, I think it was years ago, because every now and then when I had my reading phase, there would be at least one M/M book in there somewhere.

My favourite sub-genre in the M/M genre would be fantasy and contemporary.

Other hobbies would be, meeting with friends and maybe some shopping? 😃

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, May 7:

The Rites of May and Free Dreamer’s Answers Your Questions!
This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, May 8:

BLOG TOUR Addict by Matt Doyle
RIPTIDE TOUR Faking It by Christine d’Abo
A Jeri Release Day Review: Beach Balls by Tara Lain
A VVivacious Review: Hijacked Love by Ethan Stone
An Alisa Review: Wake up Call by Becky Black

Tuesday, May 9:

BLOG TOUR The Simplicity of Being Normal by James Stryker
Spotlight Tour: Beach Balls by Tara Lain
Blog Tour Every Breath You Take by Robert Winter
An Ali Audio Review: Everyday History by Alice Archer and Daan Stone (Narrator)
A Julia Review: Addict by Matt Doyle
An Alisa Review: Turn Up the Heat by Jane Davitt & Alexa Snow
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audiobook Review: Practice Makes Perfect (Housemates #3) by Jay Northcote

Wednesday, May 10:

Cover Reveal for By the Book By Maria Vickers
A Melanie Release Day Review:Hearts in Ireland (World of Love) by J.C. Long
A Caryn Review: Urgent Care (Book #3) by DJ Jamison
A Caryn Review: Heart Trouble (Book #1) by DJ Jamison
A Kai Release Day Review: Runaway Rock Star (States of Love) by C.J. Anthony

Thursday, May 11:

BLOG TOUR Believe in the Wish by Christi Snow
DSP PUBLICATIONS GUEST POST Amy Rae Durreson
Release Blitz & Giveaway: Garrett Leigh’s Bones (Blue Boy Studio #2)
RIPTIDE TOUR Bend by Nancy J. Hedin
A Stella Review The Seafarer’s Kiss by Julia Ember
A VVivacious Review: Positive Reinforcement by Tamryn Eradani
An Alisa Review: Louder Than Words by Siryn Sueng
An Ali Audiobook Review: Wedding Favors (Bluewater Bay #7) by Anne Tenino and Nick J. Russo (Narrator)

Friday, May 12:

Blog Tour Every Breath You Take by Robert Winter
DSP GUEST POST C. J. Anthony on Runaway Rock Star
DSP GUEST POST Lucie Archer on Past the Breakers
A Julia Review: The Rest is Illusion by Eric Arvin
A Kai Review: Nate And The New Yorker (Nate and Cameron #1) by Kevin Klehr
An Ali Review: Bones (Blue Boy #2) by Garrett Leigh
An Alisa Release Day Review: Liar, Liar by TA Moore

Saturday, May 13:

A MelanieM Review:Nine 10 ths of the Law by LA Witt
Review Tour – LA Witt – Nine 10ths of the Law
Release Blitz for The Hot Floor by Josephine Myles (giveaway)

A MelanieM Pre-Release Review: Dim Sum Asylum by Rhys Ford

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

* Novel-length expansion of original short story found in Charmed & Dangerous anthology. *

Welcome to Dim Sum Asylum: a San Francisco where it’s a ho-hum kind of case when a cop has to chase down an enchanted two-foot-tall shrine god statue with an impressive Fu Manchu mustache that’s running around Chinatown, trolling sex magic and chaos in its wake.

Senior Inspector Roku MacCormick of the Chinatown Arcane Crimes Division faces a pile of challenges far beyond his human-faerie heritage, snarling dragons guarding C-Town’s multiple gates, and exploding noodle factories. After a case goes sideways, Roku is saddled with Trent Leonard, a new partner he can’t trust, to add to the crime syndicate family he doesn’t want and a spell-casting serial killer he desperately needs to find.

While Roku would rather stay home with Bob the Cat and whiskey himself to sleep, he puts on his badge and gun every day, determined to serve and protect the city he loves. When Chinatown’s dark mystical underworld makes his life hell and the case turns deadly, Trent guards Roku’s back and, if Trent can be believed, his heart… even if from what Roku can see, Trent is as dangerous as the monsters and criminals they’re sworn to bring down.

Dim Sum Asylum by Rhys Ford is an ‘glued to your seat~ that just did not happen”great action-packed urban fantasy. What makes it so intriguing and darkly addicting are her labyrinthine character relationships and dynamics built into the story. Some are revealed immediately, some are built up throughout the story as the characters get to know one another and a level of trust is achieved. Then there are the convoluted, messy tapestry of lives that Ford has been surreptitiously weaving throughout Dim Sum Asylum that explodes like narrative grenades at certain points at the story that just leaves you and the characters totally astonished and sometimes shattered. Ah, I love it when that happens!

Roku MacCormick is a tortured soul as he has lost so much. His background and history is dark and pain filled yet he works for order as a police officer in the Chinatown Arcane Crimes Division, an unusual division all its own. He’s about to get a new partner under circumstances you will need to read for yourself. Trent is someone who will grow on you as he does on Roku. He is also a reason (well one of them anyway) that I would love for Rhys Ford to write a sequel. I will let you discover the puzzle that is Roku and Trent together. I will say that I love Roku and the character grows, healing a bit by the end of the novel. Together? Roku and Trent start to form something extraordinary.

Roku is half fae/half human in a world that still considers anything fae something that should be “put down” because of the wars and their “insect” strangeness. Yes, these aren’t your usual fae which I adored. Ford has gone to species of insects for Fae Clans, from Mantids to Dragonflies, for her fae and it works beautifully. This universe is so unusual and so appealing in its strangeness that I really need to know more. Especially about the “splices”, those genetically created beings made from fae and human DNA, think parents who wanted kids with wings, or some such nonsense. No not Roku as he will tell anyone that asks, and yes, people ask him all the time. He was made the “normal” way. Rhys Ford has a universe here that cries out for a series as it full of magic and mysteries for ten novels, maybe more (that includes characters too).

Extraordinary world building, Odonata Fae, Mantid Fae, Crime lords, Ford’s magical, messy maze like relationships, love, and characters I can never get enough of…Dim Sum Asylum is all that and so much more. There’s mysteries, hate, love and romance. And now if I can figure out how to bribe this author, I need a sequel because this is so much bigger than just one story. It’s amazing!

And yes, it’s one I highly recommend you pick up and start reading when it’s out in June!

Cover art is wonderful. Works for the story and characters.

Links coming soon

Book Details

Kindle Edition, 240 pages
Expected publication: June 9th 2017 by Dreamspinner Press
ASINB06XBCN3R9
Edition LanguageEnglish
CharactersRoku MacCormick, Trent Leonard

settingChinatown, San Francisco, California (United States)

Free Dreamer’s Leipzip Adventures End, May Begins and This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Today Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words welcomes the last of Free Dreamer’s Book Adventures at the Leipzig Book Fair. Next week she answers your questions and we announce the winners of the Free Dreamer Contest! Take it away, F.D.!

Oh, and welcome the Merry Month of May, more on that too!

Free Dreamer’s Leipzig Adventures End and May Begins

Welcome back to the final instalment of my book fair adventures in Leipzig.

Back at our bungalow on Saturday night, I was awaited not only by my two temporary roommates but also by two other classmates. We only had two uncomfortable chairs, so the five of us ended up sharing two single beds. We chatted and gossiped till way too late. It was around 1.30am when we finally threw them out.

Since none of us wanted to get up earlier to pack their stuff, we took care of that in the night. While picking up my clothes and throwing them into my suitcase, I found a bra that most definitely wasn’t mine. Upon closer inspection it turned out to be my classmate’s binder, who’d needed it for her cosplay. Obviously, the best way not to forget it the following morning would be to hang it on the door knob of our front door. We speculated on the meaning of a bra on a door latch as opposed to the traditional sock. We never did find an answer to that question…

It was about 3am till our stuff was packed and we were all showered. One of my roommates said she’d take care of the alarm and everything. Said she’d probably go for a walk in the surrounding woods before waking us the following morning. Well. What woke us was a knock at the door, about half an hour after we’d planned to get up. Luckily it was a classmate at our door, who was slightly confused why we’d hang a bra on the door. It might have been a little weird to explain that to our teacher… XD

So the three of us dressed in a hurry, neither of us really all that awake. At the bus stop where we’d agreed to meet my teacher told me she didn’t have a train ticket for me. Suddenly I was worried I’d have to find my own way back home! A few tense minutes at the train station talking to a friendly employee there and I parted with 105€ so I could catch the same train as everybody else. That was the cheapest option available to us and I was just glad I had a safe way to get home.

Once on the train, we started writing our postcards. And once we’d finished writing them we realized we only had 5 minutes to change trains at the last German train station. Since we’d bought stamps, we ended up giving our postcards to the conductor, who was kind enugh to post them for us.

The train ride was looooong. We had all slept very little the last three nights and were all exhausted. Some took a nap but I’ve never been able to sleep on a train in broad daylight. On the first train, we read lots of crappy teenie magazines. We learned that it’s no fun to have a baby when you’re only 14. We also learned that boyfriends don’t like it when we post sexy pictures on our Instagram accounts and that you should talk about stuff like that in a relationship. We also tested our coolness and I turned out to be coolest of them all. All in all, it was a very educating train ride. That left me feeling kind of old and wise. XD

The next part was worse, somehow. It was a faster, more modern train. The people there weren’t as loud and we were more spread out. The time for education had passed and me and the four classmates from the night before played cards. We were in this weird state when you’re beyond exhausted and have passed into that hyperactive phase. We even played the card game my friend had gotten for her 4-year-old son and started imitating the sounds of the animals we saw on the cards. We ended up talking about all sorts of random things and laughing way too loudly. I think our poor fellow travellers were slightly annoyed by us.

And then we were finally back home, after 3 nights of way too little sleep and 8 hours on the train. I was glad to be home again, tbh. All in all, the book fair weekend was great. Way too short, though. I’m planning on going again next year, but not as part of a school trip. If you ever get the chance to go to a book fair like this one, you should absolutely take it. It’s totally worth the experience.

I’ll be back a final time next week to answer all the wonderful comments my reports have gotten.

📚Some Questions for F.D.:

✍🏼From Jen: Which books did you take photos of and end up getting free copies when you got home?

✍🏼From Purple Reader: For your fair, as a dreamer, what did you anticipate or expect the most from going, and how did that go? Were your expectations met or exceeded? (I hope they were). I know what you’re saying about Sanderson. I read his concluding 3 vols. in the Wheel of Time series, and thought they picked the quality back up to what I saw in the first 3 vols. But I’ve since gravitated to gay fiction, so haven’t read anything of his since. Do any of his stories involve a gay protagonist?

✍🏼From Didi: I always want to go and see an int’l book fair! How much plan did you do prior to going (you’re not take “we’ll just see what’s interesting there” tactic and go with it, surely? What’s your most favorite “souvenir” from the event (books purchased incl.)? 🙂

✍🏼From H.B.: Did you get to attend many discussions and if you did which ones were your favorite(s)? It’s great you got to meet Brandon Sanderson. I haven’t read one of his books yet although I have my eye on a few of his stories. In general what book of his would you suggest I start with?

Stay Tuned for Winner Announcements Next Week Along with Answers to Your Questions…Yes we are picking more than one! So leave more questions for F.D. at the end of today’s blog!

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, April 30:

Free Dreamer’s Leipzig Adventures End and May Begins
This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, May 1:

Release Blitz – The Perils Of Intimacy by Rick R Reed
Release Blitz- Bryan T Clark’s Come To The Oaks
Release Day Blitz: Nate and the New Yorker by Kevin Klehr
RIPTIDE TOUR and Giveaway: Risky Behavior by LA Witt and Cari Z
A Lila Review: Perils of Intimacy by Rick Reed
A MelanieM Release Day Review: Stage Two (Series: Lexington Lovers Book Three) by Ariel Tachna
A Stella Review: Catch A Falling Star by Matt Burlingame
An Alisa Review: Sand Trap (The Wyverns #4) by L.M. Somerton

Tuesday, May 2:

Release Blitz & Review Tour – Brigham Vaughn & K. Evan Coles
Release Blitz Positive Reinforcement by Tamryn Eradani
Review Tour – Toxic (Treacherous Chemistry #2) – Avylinn Winter + Volatile
A VVivacious Review: Toxic (Treacherous Chemistry #2) by Avylinn Winter
A VVivacious Review: Volatile (Treacherous Chemistry #1) by Avylinn Winter
An Ali Audiobook Review: The Winter Dark by J.S. Cook and K.C. Kelly (Narrator)

Wednesday, May 3:

Release Blitz & Review Tour While You See A Chance by Alexa Milne
Release Day Blitz I Do, or Dye Trying by Aimee Nicole Walker
RIPTIDE TOUR Concourse by Santino Hassell
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: For a Good Time, Call (Bluewater Bay) by Anne Tenino and EJ Russell
A MelanieM Release Day Review: Somewhere on Mackinac by Jeff Adams
A Stella Release Day Review: By the Numbers: Adding it Up (By the Numbers #2) by Tory Temple and Chris Owen
A Alisa Release Day Review: The Dusk Parlor (World of Love) by S.A. Stovall

Thursday, May 4:

Release Blitz: Urgent Care (Hearts & Health #3) DJ Jamison
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audiobook Review: You Are the Reason (The Tav #2) by Renae Kaye and Dave Gillies (Narrator)
A Julia Review: The Rest is Illusion by Eric Arvin
A Stella Release Review: The Seafarer’s Kiss by Julia Ember
An Alisa Review: Hot Wednesday by Taylor Kinney
A MelanieM Pre-Release Review: Dim Sum Asylum by Rhys Ford

Friday, May 5:

Book Blitz Every Breath You Take by Robert Winter
INTERLUDE PRESS The Seafarer’s Kiss by Julia Ember
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audiobook Review: Poppy’s Secret by Andrew Grey and John Solo (Narrator)
A Caryn Release Day Review: Every Breath You Take by Robert Winter
A Kai Review:Anything For You (A Middleton Romance #1) by Ethan Day
A VVivacious Review: The Art of Mutual Pleasure by K.A. Merikan

Saturday, May 6:

Readers & Writers for LGBT Chechens Blog Tour
A MelanieM Review: Wolf in King’s Clothing by Parker Foye

A MelanieM Release Day Review: Best New Artist by BA Tortuga

Rating: 4.75 stars out of 5

Kasey “Tuff” Tuffman just told Nashville to kiss his you know what. After winning Best New Artist at an award show, he knows it’s time to head back home to Texas. So after a very public meltdown, Tuff makes his way to Austin, where the Red Dirt music lives large.

Jonah Littlejohn once loved KT more than anything in the world. When KT loses it on national TV, Jonah knows he has to reach out and offer his home studio as a place to heal and make music. A bad relationship has left Jonah broken and wary of romance, but he wants to help his old lover out.

Seeing Jonah again proves to Tuff that he’s made the right decision. Now all he has to do is convince Jonah that they’re the most perfect duet there’s ever been.

Because of BA Tortuga and Best New Artist, I now know about Red Dirt music, its place in Texas country music and and the artists so often thought of when that term comes up. I want to listen to all their music. I know about a place called Amaya’s in Austin that makes the best enchiladas. I know I need to go and eat there. I know about Tuff and JoJo, Littlejohn recording studio and their family of friends and well, family. I know I love them all too. Finally, I know know that B.A. Tortuga needs to write another book with these people in them not in the least because of Doodle and Nana, because I need everyone back home in Texas, where they belong, happy deep in my heart.

That’s a lot of knowing.

But then again, Best New Artist is a lot of book. There’s no question that B.A. Tortuga is a Texas gal, this book oozes love for this state out of every narrative pore possible. Locations, names, food, music…the story is steeped in all things that this author loves and wants to share with her readers. It’s doled out in bits through her characters, two and four footed, an element I treasure. In Best New Artist, we have Kasey “Tuff” Tuffman who left home and the man he loved behind 10 years ago chasing a dream of fame and fortune only to find what he wanted wasn’t what he found. Cue a very loud, unrehearsed and bridge-burning meltdown on television after being awarded Best New Artist. Watching said meltdown? The man he still loves and left behind.

The story is told from Tuff’s and JoJo’s (Jonah’s) perspectives which is necessary in order to catch up on some of the 10 year gap between the time they split up and the time they reunite. Who was responsible each time for the breakup and the decision to reunite might surprise you. Jonah Littlejohn isn’t just the man waiting on Tuff to return, thank goodness. He’s become a hugely successful musician in his own right with a sought after recording studio and group of in house musicians. But he also has his own story to tell, a darker element here but very well done. There is no immediate romance but a slow burn as they get to know each other once more, figuring out trust issues and the question of being outwardly gay in a country music world. BA Tortuga has layers upon layers for these characters to work through, just as it should be after 10 years apart. Taking that journey with this couple, as painful as it is at times? So rewarding and heartwarming, even more so as they come back together.

Its also not just Tuff and JoJo working out their relationship, all the people around them are involved and affected by the changes they are going through and realistically, we get believable behaviors from all of them as well. I adored them all, and don’t even get me started on Doodle! As I have a Doodle, I recognized him immediately, he runs the pack here.

Best New Artist by BA Tortuga is a terrific contemporary romance. It sings with the lyrics of a deep love that not even a 10 year separation can vanquish, and dances to a Red Dirt tune that only this amazing author can write. Its heartwarming and wonderful. Pick it up today.

Cover Artist: Alexandria Corza. I love the cover. Its bright and eye-catching and works for the story.

Available for Purchase at

Book Details:

ebook, 204 pages
Expected publication: April 28th 2017 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN 1635336589 (ISBN13: 9781635336580)
Edition LanguageEnglish

Lindsey Black on Inspiration, Humor, and her release ‘Fishy Riot’ (guest post)

Fishy Riot by Lindsey Black
Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: AngstyG

Order at Dreamspinner Press / Amazon / B&N

🐟

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to have Lindsey Black here today. Lindsey is the author of one of my new recommended story’s Fishy Riot. Welcome, Lindsey!

🐠

Thanks for having me today!

I thought I would talk briefly about inspiration. Writers will tell you all sorts of things about inspiration, and where it comes from. A lot of writers will admit to finding inspiration in day to day life, or from their acquaintances. For example, Taylor is a Riot Squad officer because my brother in law is in the squad and I think it’s a pretty cool job, not that I would ever tell him that, his ego’s big enough as is. If it’s true that we draw inspiration from day to day life and acquaintances then it should come as absolutely no surprise that Fishy Riot is a tad on the crazier side of things.

I’m a singing teacher (as in I teach singing, not I sing while teaching because that would be weird), and I work with individuals from 8 years of age to 80 on a weekly basis. Nothing can ever prepare you for the weird things people feel inclined to tell you when you’re their teacher. My students wish they had a twitter account of all the weird things that get said, and I’d have to agree it would be the weirdest daily read in history. So I thought I would share ten of my favourite personal gems from the last few weeks.

Oh, that’s my tyrannosaurus-rex muscle. (Better known as thyro-arytenoid, but ok close enough). It’s in my larynx. I call him Fred, coz he looks like a lil’ Dinosaur, see? (He held up a diagram, complete with arrow and the name Fred. At least he knew what the larynx was.)
When improvising to Summertime one of my students decided to ad-lib between the lines and came up with this gem, which now all of my students insist on singing as if it’s the real words: Oh you’re daddy’s rich, and your ma is good lookin, like a fish…(lalala)…and take to the sky, like an angel who died. (Yes, I told their mother…)
Can I just write the letter ‘b’? It takes too long to write the word. (Be…)
(What does mf mean?) Well, you have to work harder than at mp right, so might fart sounds about right.
When you say black trousers, do you mean I can wear leggings? (No, trousers.) Jeans? (Trousers). What about a skirt with leggings under? (Trousers…please.) Can they be grey? (Black. Trousers.) But I don’t like black or trousers. (And yet, trousers.)
Miss, how come you make singing fun? (Err…would you prefer it was boring?) Nah, then I would quit. (So…) I was just wonderin, geez! Carry on! Can you do something stupid again, it’s awesome when you look stupid!
Student 1: How come you don’t have a stick like the band dude?

Student 2: Don’t give her ideas! She’s clumsy as. It would just fly across the room and hit someone in the eye and you know she sucks at first aid, and I’m not gettin’ you a band-aid. (I confess to breaking the CPR dummy at three separate first aid classes. Student number 2 has a point.)

So, this song, the Mermaid’s Lament. It’s written by a guy, right? But it says he dedicated it to his wife, the mermaid. I’m thinkin’ she’s not really a mermaid, because I don’t think he’s delusional, right? So it’s a metaphorical mermaid? Whatever that means. But his wife… Is she dead? No, wait…is he dead? Is he dying, was he dying when he wrote it? How did he die? Why would he do that? Oh my God, has he no heart? What’s she gonna think every time she hears this song now? (Uh…guys…pretty sure he’s not dead…). Well, I guess not many people are gonna rock up at her house and sing it anyway, that would be way too much excursion paperwork. (They share my hatred of risk assessment, apparently).
What the hell do you think you’re wearing? (Um…clothes? What?) That is hideous. Never wear it again, you’ll make us look bad. (Um…) Wear your Nike’s next time, at least those are cool. Man, we have to help you with everything. ( Those were ten year olds. Savages!)
(I had a message on my phone, it went like this…) MISS! You’re gonna be so proud of me! I remembered to get on the bus to come to choir. That’s right, I’m here on the back seat, the air con is on and I’m sitting peachy and I am gonna be at rehearsal. Hell, I’m gonna be early! Are we going to do that song I like today? You know, the one you haven’t picked a soloist for? I’d really like that solo, I think I’ve asked like a million times noooooow…OMG I missed my stop! Miss! I missed it! What should I do? Ahhh! Sir, Mr bus driver Sir! Yeah, you, can you turn the bus around? I needed to get off back there? No? Why not? How far? Yeah I could get off at the next one. No, there’s no one to pick me up there, what do you mean it’s another ten k’s away? I can’t walk that far, I’ll be late for choir! Oh my god! This is a disaster! Miss! Miss, I missed my stop and the bus driver can’t turn around, I don’t know why I think he’s just a sucky driver or something, and if I get off at the next stop I’m going to have to walk like a million k’s to get to school and choir will be over by then! Oh wait, hey the next after the next stop is my grandma’s…I’m gonna go eat cake. I deserve cake, because this whole thing has been a disaster! I’ll see ya next week, okay? Bye!

It should come as absolutely no surprise that the characters in Fishy Riot are crazy. They probably seem over the top, a tad mentally deranged even, but they’re actually mild compared to reality. I hope you enjoy their shenanigans. Happy reading!

P.S If you’re reading on the bus, please don’t miss your stop. And if you do happen to miss your stop, please don’t call me.

Release date for Fishy Riot: April 24^th

About Fishy Riots

Most people think riot squad officer Taylor Jameson is an asshole. Little do they know his apparent indifference stems from having a meddlesome family always butting into his business. And little does Taylor know he’s about to stumble into a situation that’ll make indifference impossible.

When everything goes horribly wrong at a political rally on a harbour ferry, Taylor encounters Sietta Salisbury. The son of a wealthy politician, Sietta is a revered—but presumed dead—musician, and an enigma who is so strange, Taylor is compelled to look into his background. What he discovers draws him into a bizarre mess of prisoners, politics, and attempted murder that makes him realise what he’s been missing.

Falling in love isn’t hard. Trying to convince someone else you’re worth loving despite your crazy family and the people trying to kill you? That’s a whole other can of worms.

About Lindsey Black:

Lindsey Black lives in Darwin, Australia, where the weather report permanently reads ‘humidity at 100%, only going to get worse’ for ten months of the year and ‘monsoon at 4:00 p.m. for exactly fifteen minutes’ for the remaining two. Between teaching and studying full-time, she escapes this oppressive environment to bushwalk for weeks on end wherever the mobile phone reception has zero bars for as long as possible and the weather report reads something along the lines of ‘blizzard likely.’ She enjoys martial arts, music, and mayhem, which explains the untidy state of her home where she attempts to write while splitting her minimal amounts of spare time between her incredulous husband, lazy Chinchilla cat, and crazed Siberian husky. If you expect her to sit and have a chat, it’s best to have a matcha green tea latte with almond milk on hand and your hiking boots within reach. Oh, and be sure to bring a guitar for impromptu jam sessions.

You can find Lindsey on facebook / twitter / www

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The Rites of May and Free Dreamer’s Answers Your Questions!

Hey there! It’s Free Dreamer! Here are my answers to the readers’ questions:

📚Winner Announcements!📚

Announcement – New Reviewer at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Meet Alessandro!

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, May 7:

Monday, May 8:

Tuesday, May 9:

Wednesday, May 10:

Thursday, May 11:

Friday, May 12:

Saturday, May 13:

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Free Dreamer’s Leipzig Adventures End and May Begins

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, April 30:

Monday, May 1:

Tuesday, May 2:

Wednesday, May 3:

Thursday, May 4:

Friday, May 5:

Saturday, May 6:

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Fishy Riot by Lindsey Black Dreamspinner Press Cover Artist: AngstyG

Order at Dreamspinner Press / Amazon / B&N

About Fishy Riots

About Lindsey Black:

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Fishy Riot by Lindsey Black
Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: AngstyG