CONVENIENCE STORE WOMAN by Sayaka Murata

Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After reading and enjoying Earthlings last year, I bought a copy of this book for my Kobo. And decided to get stuck into it today.

Keiko Furukura is a single woman who doesn't have too many friends, keeps to herself, and loves her job. If only other people would understand how much the convenience store means to her... 

OMG. This book! It's SO good. I couldn't put it down and read it in one afternoon/night.

Furukura is such an innocent and unfiltered character. She spends so much of her life learning how to behave and how to dress in order to fit in because she learned pretty early on that not acting normal gets you shunned by others. She's pretty good at fitting in, but even that's not enough. It's never enough because everyone expects her to get married and get a better job and have children and fit the norm instead of acting weird.

It's exhausting how many hurdles people expect others to jump over in order to be accepted. But Furukura doesn't care about all those things because all she needs is the convenience store. I love how she describes everything about her workplace like it's an organic being that keeps her on track. Not just during her shifts. Her job ensures she stays healthy and even helps her sleep. And you know what? She's really good at her job and never asks for more than she deserves. So I got really angry with her so-called friends, co-workers, and family for being so freaking judgy.

And for the record, I really disliked Shiraha. The sexist incel who takes advantage of an opportunity that Furukura offers in order to keep her working for him. Even though he doesn't like her and treats her like crap. She really is too good for him.

Anyway, I love the final scene because there was no other way to end the convenience store woman's story.

Irasshaimasé!


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WE ALL ROT EVENTUALLY by Mia Ballard

We All Rot Eventually by Ballard
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This little novella caught my eye because of the blood splashed over the cutesy pink cover. That doesn't reflect what lies within the pages, lol.

Alexa Valentine might not be her real name, but it's the one that's going to make her a star. She went to LA to become an actress, and she's willing to do whatever it takes to make sure everyone sees her...

Yikes. What an unhinged story that turned to be! It's like MaXXXine meets Dexter with a heavy dose of feminine fury.

I read this book in one sitting because it's not long. Besides, it's fast-paced, the chapters are snappy, and the narrative takes some outrageous twist and turns as Alexa barrels through every expectation the reader might expect at the beginning.

Her rise to fame is full of violence, gore, and chaos. Until you're left wondering if Alexa's evil influence comes from an internal or external force.

While I enjoyed it, I did have a few issues: I can't get past the phone scrolling in 2005, and the fact that the epilogue is actually referred to as a prologue. I think this tale could've used another round of edits/proofreading.


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MISTER MAGIC by Kiersten White

Mister Magic by Kiersten White
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Here's another book I've had on my Paperwhite TBR pile for a while.

After Val's father dies, her small world is shattered when three people, she can't remember from her past, appear out of nowhere. According to Isaac, Marcus, and Javi, they were all part of a cult children's TV show. Mister Magic shut down thirty years ago, but now a podcast wants to interview them to reboot the series...

Wow. What an amazing and darkly imaginative book this turned out to be. It's creepy, mysterious, and packed with engaging characters.

Val's story is as fascinating as it is frightening. A woman living a quiet and isolated life with her father finds out about her past when it comes knocking on her door after his death. Rediscovering her childhood and the friends she left behind takes her on a very dark journey into the desert. To a bizarre house in the middle of nowhere and the townspeople who helped conceal a menacing secret.

It's an intriguing tale about loss, rediscovery, and facing human evil disguised by malicious magic. And the ending is so freaking melancholy, because while it's the best conclusion, it's very sad.

I also have to mention that you shouldn't skip the acknowledgements page. After reading the author's words, everything about Mister Magic made even more messed-up sense. The line between religion and cult is almost non-existent.

Awesome book about a cult TV show that slipped into the shadows. Let's be honest, a lot of children's programming is creepy as fuck. I enjoyed this so much!


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DEAREST by Jacquie Walters

Dearest by Jacquie Walters
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've had my eye on this book for a while because that cover is super creepy, so I got stuck into it the other night.

Flora, a new mother with a newborn, feels isolated. Her husband is deployed, she's lonely, is having trouble sleeping, and is permanently uncomfortable. Then she reaches out to her estranged mother, and is surprised when she turns up at Flora's door...

Ooooooooh. The fever dream quality of this eerie horror tale sucked me into Flora's nightmare from the very beginning. I couldn't wait to find out what was really going on.

At times, I was convinced Flora was suffering from a severe case of postpartum depression and exhaustion. Then I thought she was slipping away from reality because of being alone all the time. I even suspected that there was a monster after her. But one thing's for sure, this story is very disturbing, and perfectly captures the raw and hardest parts of being a new mother.

I enjoyed Flora's heartbreaking tale SO much. The writing style kept the narrative dark and mysterious, with dread creeping up in every scene. The revelations are shocking and sad. The family secrets are terrible. The way Flora deals with everything gave me whiplash. And the ending is: 😳!!!

Excellent, trippy book.


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OUR WIVES UNDER THE SEA by Julia Armfield

Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I started reading this book the other night and was instantly absorbed by the melancholy tone.

Miri and Leah are married and live in an apartment with the permanent noise of their neighbour's TV filtering in through the walls. Leah is a marine biologist who left on a three-week submarine expedition but didn't come back until six months later. And now that she's back, she's not the same. Leaving Miri with a wife who feels and looks more like a stranger every single day...

Wow. What an eerie and intriguing book.

Miri and Leah's alternating POVs tell their separate stories so we find out about their relationship, friends, and jobs. Miri delves into the awful six months living without knowing where her wife was. Leah reveals what happened under the sea and how it changed the three-person crew. Both experiences are interesting and captivated me for different reasons.

While the story is grimy, sad, and leaves you feeling a little sick from the effects of how the sea changes Leah and destroys their relationship, it's also full of inspiring situations and connections. I particularly liked the way the events unfolded. How well the past and present are woven together, leading to a tragic, horrifying conclusion. At the same time, the ambiguity stitched into the very core of this book also offers up an even sadder conclusion, similar to what is presented in the message board Miri frequents during Leah's abscence.

Either way, this tale of love and grief is written so well that both narratives work. Fantastic!


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The Last Month of the Year is here!

Hey! Long time no see. 😁

How are you? What's going on? How's December treating you so far?

Well, it's finally summer in Sydney and the weather has been totally nuts. It's either raining and the temp drops dramatically, or it's too hot and so sunny that stepping outside during daylight hours feels like your skin is melting as fast as your lungs. It's all over the place and very extreme. That's what happens when the people in power DGAF about the environment and are actively destroying everything. Ugh.

Anyway, enough of that. LOL.

We finally got our annual blood tests (everything's okay except my iron), finally found a chemist that has the latest Covid booster, and got the jab.

Last month I mentioned that I had one final vampire story-related piece to complete, and I did! It was something that's mentioned in the novels and some of the shorties, so it lived inside my head for almost a year. I'm happy to say that it turned out better than I expected, and clocked in at 377 words.

That was the last story I had on my list, but I still wondered if anyone else would start whispering in my ear. But they didn't. All the stories revolving around the main and secondary characters are told. And this is the vampire world update: two novels, one novelette, and twenty-four short stories.

That means the collection has now crossed 82k. Not bad. 

I'm very happy with all the stories that I've written in this world, and now that these are done... I can turn my attention to the two spin-off ideas. But first, I need a bit of a mental break because I've been writing and revising non-stop this year. And December is the perfect month for taking it easy.

So far, I've spent most of this month reading and it's been a LOT of fun.

At the end of September, I decided to read only women authors until the end of the year, and that's what I've been doing. Different genres and lengths, paperbacks and ebooks. As long as it's written by a woman, I want to read it. Also, I have to be honest, it's not a hard challenge for me because I primarily read female writers anyway. 😁📚

Did you guys watch Stranger Things, Volume 1? We did and I was underwhelmed. They're messing with the world building, the characters are stagnant, and nothing made any real sense. It felt a little off, tbh. The only thing I liked was the final episode 4 reveal, but even that doesn't make sense if you think about it. Personally, I also think that breaking it up into volumes is a silly idea. Especially for someone like me, who can't stop thinking about all the plot holes!!

At least season 5 of Only Murder in the Building was fantastic. I LOVE this cozy show.

Well, that's it for now. I'm going to ride out the effects of the booster and hope I get over the worst of it soon.

Hope you have an awesome weekend!!

THE MOST WONDERFUL CRIME OF THE YEAR by Ally Carter

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It's December and I've got a few Christmas-themed books on my Paperwhite and Kobo, so I decided to start reading them. Starting with this one.

Maggie Chase is a cozy mystery writer who doesn't like the festive season. Ethan Wyatt is a popular thriller writer who gets on her nerves. But when they're both invited to England, Maggie and Ethan stumble into a mystery involving one of the most well-known mystery authors in the world...

This is such a charming romantic mystery that fits perfectly into the festive season. It's fun, isolated, and absolutely cozy. Not to mention that the chemistry between Maggie and Ethan makes the story even better.

The rom-com banter and seemingly mutual hate between the two main characters keeps things light, but the reality of what makes these two so real (and perfect for each other) is their backstory. Maggie, the lonely woman everyone abandons and her ex-husband's gaslighting pushed her to the point of not trusting her own instincts. Ethan, the son of a soldier who failed to live up to his father's expectations. Both with shattered pasts that left mental (and physical) scars.

I really enjoyed the mystery at the heart of the story because Eleanor is another cool character who makes a huge impression even though she's missing for most of the book. Also, the snowy location inside a huge manor in the English countryside matches the mysterious/dangerous vibes.

Terrific story!


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WITHIN THE SPACE OF A SECOND by Elise Helliwell

Within the Space of a Second by Elise Helliwell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The first thing I noticed about this book was how beautiful it is. Yes, I've got the special edition with the lovely moon-sprayed edges. So pretty.

Mariella Adams is afraid she's going to inherit her mother's mental illness, and waking up with a strange buzzing beneath her skin doesn't help. The day she meets two strangers, Rose and Parker, everything she thinks she knows about herself is turned upside down...

Wow. I raced through the pages of this book, hooked on every detail and clue peppered throughout. And I had a blast!

Imagine meeting someone you're in love with in the future. Someone who's already lived a relationship with you but all you have is an instant attraction. Yeah, that's (some) of what happens in this intriguing time travel story about a young woman who desperately wants to be normal so she can escape her unstable and heartbreaking past.

Determined to become a psychologist, Mariella is convinced that understanding psychology will help her find out the truth about what really happened to her mother. Little does she realise that her differences might be the only skills she needs.

Enter Parker and Rose. Two strangers to Mariella, but both know her in their own way. And my favourite thing about these two characters is how easily they open up the world building and help shape the rules and mystery that's at the core of this excellent tale.

Although the biggest mystery—Mariella's mother—isn't solved in this installment, a lot of other things are revealed slowly. If you pay close attention, it helps make sense of a lot of things. I've actually got a theory about her mother, so I can't wait to see if I'm right.

Anyway, I loved this book. The characters, the setting, the writing, the clues, the romance... All of it.

Looking forward to book two!


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HAUNT SWEET HOME by Sarah Pinsker

Haunt Sweet Home by Sarah Pinsker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I started reading this last night and couldn't stop.

Mara starts a lot of things, but lacks motivation and can't complete anything. So when her cousin mentions the ghost hunting/home makeover show he hosts is looking for a production assistant, she accepts the challenge...

What a great novella! It's a ghost story at heart, but also deals with the sham of reality TV, a restless young woman trying to find her place in the world without a plan, doubting your own ability to create, and accepting that sometimes you need a helping hand.

Another thing that really stood out for me is how the main character is portrayed so well that her existence makes her appear to be the most ghostly figure in the whole story. For example, she's seemingly invisible to the rest of her extended family because she's so young. But everyone else treats her the same way. It's sad, but also very relatable.

The ghost angle is also very satisfying because most of it is staged, but I enjoyed the surprises that popped up. Although I guessed the twist, I didn't expect the ending.

Overall, I found this novella intriguing, fun, and full of interesting characters.


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HEKATE by Nikita Gill & ROSALINA'S STORYBOOK (Nintendo)

Hekate by Nikita Gill
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love Greek mythology and always enjoy reading retellings. Whether set in the time of gods and goddesses, or putting these familiar characters in modern day settings, I'm interested. I've even written quite a few stories featuring figures from Greek mythology.

So I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one!

Hekate, the daughter of the Titans, Perses and Arcadia, finds herself alone in the Underworld with a handful of dark gods she can trust to keep her safe. But a promise made to her mother isn't enough to keep Hekate from seeking out her fate...

Wow. What a beautiful retelling. I loved every minute of this book. Ever word counted. Every sentence filled my head with vivid imagery. Every new page took me deeper into the life of a very fascinating goddess.

For me, this book combined several of my personal favourites: the Underworld inhabitants and Hecate/Hekate. It was also written in a way that really captured the spirit of the mythology. While most of the story unfolds in verse, several sections are in full paragraph narrative. And it all works together very well.

Also, I have to say that I loved Thanatos. He's such a calm and kind character, yet he's one of the most feared gods. Same goes for Charon. I loved his portrayal. But the best thing about this lush tale is Hekate herself. Watching her grow from an abandoned young girl to a woman who embraces her own power, is fantastic.

Loved this! So much.

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Rosalina's Storybook by Nintendo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My husband received this gorgeous hardback today and suggested I read it. Of course I jumped at the chance. By the way, this is the storybook featured in Super Mario Galaxy.

The day a young girl finds a rusted spaceship with a star child inside, the girl and Luma go on a journey to find Luma's mother and instead discover a whole lot more...

This is such a beautiful picture book that tells the heartwarming, and oftentimes, sad story of how Rosalina befriends a lonely Luma and eventually becomes a mother to a whole family of Lumas. It's an adventurous tale, one with a lot of heart, and a found family that enhances how strong, smart, and kind Rosalina really is.

I love the bright artwork, and even the size of the book is lovely. It's a quality product, and a must for all Nintendo collectors.

Also, it's always cool when another form of media is released to double the enjoyment of the original game, movie, or show.


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I'LL BE WAITING by Kelley Armstrong

I'll Be Waiting by Kelley Armstrong
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It's been a while since I read a Kelley Armstrong book, so I decided to get stuck into this one.

Nicola Laughton has Cystic Fibrosis but has managed to live well into her thirties. She takes her health seriously, enjoys her programming job, but most of all, she loves her husband Anton. The night he dies in a car crash, her world falls apart, and she's haunted by his final words: “I’ll be waiting for you.”

Well, this turned out to be quite the creepy, dark story. Not just because Nic finds herself totally consumed by the need to use spiritualists and mediums to try and contact Anton, but also because she knows none of them can actually help her communicate with her dead husband. Yet, she keeps falling into the same trap.

Until a professor of parapsychology offers to conduct a séance in a place that mattered to Anton, and some really eerie stuff starts to happen inside the large house. Things that suggest there's a ghost staying with them, and when the undeniable signs of a haunting manifest, Nic starts to hope. But can't stop second guessing everything.

I really enjoyed this ghost story for many reasons: the way the past séance blends so well with Nic's present day problems, how strong and determined Nic is regardless of all the health obstacles in her way, that she doesn't give up on Anton, and I especially liked how so many creepy things happen all at once and she starts to question her own sanity.

The characters are also great because every single one of them is flawed and no one is free of suspicion. Great book!


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THE OTHER BROTHER by Tierney Page

The Other Brother by Tierney Page
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

While checking out the discounted books at K-Mart last weekend, this one caught my eye. Then I decided to check it out to see if it grabbed me... and I couldn't stop reading. LOL.

When April's fiancé, Lucas, betrays her trust and breaks her heart, she's devastated. But with the help of her good friends, Anna and Gemma, as well as her sweet cat, Basil, she starts picking up the pieces. Then falls for someone new: Lucas's younger brother...

Like I said above, I couldn't put this book down, and thoroughly enjoyed it.

At first, I thought the forbidden romance aspect might end up being problematic because of the brother thing, but it wasn't. To be honest, I actually thought the chemistry between April and James shone a lot brighter than April and Lucas. And Lucas is such a jerk anyway, so I didn't care about that douche.

This is such a great story. Not just because the heat between April and James sizzles off the page, but also because at its core, April's book is about how she finds her way back to trusting someone else after the ultimate betrayal. And how leaning on her friends strengthens her motivation and steers April towards finding her way back to herself.

I loved Anna and Gemma, by the way. Between Anna's sarcasm and Gemma's sexcapades, there are a lot of funny interactions between these three friends. And the same goes for James and his bandmates.

Overall, this is a well written, very romantic love story between two people who are made for each other. It kept me glued to the pages and had me rooting for the two leads.

Very fun story!


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HOW TO BE EATEN by Maria Adelmann

How to Be Eaten: A Novel by Maria Adelmann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'm having a great time going through my Paperwhite, Kobo and bookshelves picking up whatever book I feel like checking out. And this one caught my eye the other day.

In New York City, a small group of women meet in a basement to attend a support group. The haunting stories they share are familiar but are also very different...

I'm a sucker for fairy tale retellings, or fairy tale characters thrown into contemporary situations, so of course I was interested in checking out a novel that did a bit of both.

I like the setup because it made me wonder who was pulling the strings to get these women into a room where they could share their personal traumatic experiences. And then I hung around because I wanted to hear their individual tales.

How Bernice escaped a rich and powerful man with the killer habit of collecting women. Ruby's dark story of her fucked-up day and the grotty fur she always wears. Ashlee relives the experience of being on a reality TV show that's anything but real. Gretel's confused recollections about how muddled her memories have become. And Raina's rise to privilege as she shares her love story.

I really enjoyed this novel because of the familiarity, as well as the additions and twists. It's cool to recognise so many fairy tale characters who are given a new set of modern problems, issues, while leading back to the same old issue: no one wants to hear the woman's story, her truth. Instead, the victims are turned into one-dimensional cautionary tales that blame them for the evils of men.

The format of this book is another thing I thoroughly enjoyed. I love stories within a story.

Great book!


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THE UNMOTHERS by Leslie J. Anderson

The Unmothers by Leslie J. Anderson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

While going through my Paperwhite to pick my next read, I stopped on this one. I mean, the horse and baby angle totally intrigued me.

After a devastating loss, Marshall's editor sends her to the small town of Raeford to investigate the bizarre claim that a horse gave birth to a human baby. But when she digs deeper, Marshall finds that there's something very strange going on...

I really enjoyed this dark folktale with a monstrous angle fuelled by the generational rage and secrets women are forced to carry.

Although the story unfolds via multiple POVs, I considered this to be Marshall's personal journey into recovery and facing her grief. She's a reporter who is struggling at work and is given an assignment that's meant to be nothing serious. A way to get her out of the city. Instead, she stumbles into old rituals, the mystery surrounding one baby's birth, and a town that's full of secrets.

That's before getting stuck into the worship of horses, the strange way these animals are involved in human rituals, and the darkness that lives in the forest. And did I mention the shitty old man with a god complex? Yeah, there's a lot going on here, and all of these elements come together in a very satisfying way.

The other characters that I really liked were Jason and Agatha.

I also think that the author captured the hopelessness and backward location very well, while also showing the resilience of the townsfolk, the carelessness of law enforcement, and the beauty that exists even in the darkest of places.

This is a great book!!


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NINE MONTH CONTRACT by Amy Daws

Nine Month Contract by Amy Daws
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lately, every time we go to K-Mart, we find a bunch of books on clearance and this was one of them. "I'd buy that for a dollar!" I'm serious, this book was a buck. 😅

Wyatt is hardworking but is definitely a bit too grumpy, and he wants to be a dad. Trista loves animals but her life is a little chaotic, and she wants to open an animal sanctuary. Together, this odd couple might be a perfect match...

This is such a fun, heartwarming, funny, and raunchy story!

I have to admit, I wasn't sure if I would enjoy this book because the concept sounded like it might be a little problematic. I've never read a rom-com dealing with surrogacy, and I certainly didn't expect to be hooked, but after trying out the first chapter, I couldn't stop.

I found the Fletcher family dynamics charming, and the tension between the brothers was intriguing. Yeah, the characters hooked me in from the beginning!

The story is mostly told in the alternating POVs of Wyatt and Trista as they meet, realise they're quite compatible, but choose to focus on their nine month contract. After all, Wyatt is the one who wants to be a parent, while Trista doesn't have any interest in children because of her own past. It makes for an interesting dilemma as things heat up between them because their mutual attraction is very intense.

There are so many reasons why I should've found some of these topics disturbing, but I didn't. Instead, I had a blast reading this book and enjoyed the writing style, too.

I'll definitely be checking out the other books in this series. And by that I mean that I already have the second one. 😁


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LITTLE RED DEATH by A.K. Benedict

Little Red Death by A.K. Benedict
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is another book we found in one of our local Street Libraries.

A writer held captive. A detective on the case. A killer obsessed with fairy tales. A collection of murders that relate back to the lead detective...

Wow. This contemporary fairy tale is amazing! It's a murder-mystery. A fast-paced thriller. It's a serial killer crime novel. And definitely fits into the dark fantasy genre. Did I mention that it's full of twists and turns?

I was utterly hooked from beginning to end, and couldn't wait to find out what was really going on.

DI Lyla Rondell is such a great character and as she investigates murders that are based on the Grimm Fairy Tales, she slowly realises that the killer is somehow connected to her. But not just that, everything that's going on circles back to her.

I found this SO addictive! The trippy nature of this book is something that makes it stand out. There's a story within a story within a story, and a conclusion that will blow your mind. Not to mention how magical and lush the location is.

Unfortunately, as much as I'd love to delve into the more fantastical aspects of this tale and how clever it is, it would spoil everything that makes this book special. I think you should go in without knowing too much about the plot.

Loved it!


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Getting Stuff Done...

Hello! How are you today? Hope you're enjoying the month of November. We've had a few temperature drops, but this spring is turning out to be quite warm.

So, what's new?

As you can see below, my latest book was released this week and I'm very excited. Yay!!! 🥳

FALLEN DESTINY is a cozy urban fantasy, with a good dose of horrormance, about an occult detective with abandonment issues, a found family, and a mystery that might reveal the burning questions she has about her past. I'm very proud of this novel and hope that it finds an audience, and that readers enjoy it.

If you want to know more, you can read more about it here. Or you can check out the excellent GET IT Kirkus review.

Asides from this very awesome news, I've also finished writing and revising two new short stories.

Final word counts: 2,423 and 1,327.

These tales were a bit of a surprise, especially the first one. Not only because it came out of nowhere, but what happens in this tale changes the fate of one particular character. The shorter tale is one I've had in mind for a while but even that turned out very differently. Love it when that happens!

So, here's the vampire world update: two novels, one novelette, and twenty-three short stories. The collection has now crossed 81k, and I suspect the short stories might finally be done. I think. Maybe. Except for one more thing that isn't a story but it's something that makes an appearance in the overall narrative and I've wanted to put it together since completing the very first novel. 😁

Something else that I'm very excited about is that we started getting back into yoga and have actually done two workouts already. There are so many health benefits so we want to keep this up. Fingers crossed.

I've also been reading, including this harrowing book. This was such an uncomfortable and disturbing story, also very sad.

Anyway, I'm trying to get stuck into the many books I have on my massive TBR pile. And I'm not just talking about all the hardbacks and paperbacks, I'm also talking about my Kindle and Kobo books. 😳

Well, that's it for now. 

Hope you all have an awesome week!!

 

I DIED AT FALLOW HALL by Bonnie Burke-Patel

I Died at Fallow Hall by Bonnie Burke-Patel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

We found this book in a local Street Library, so I decided to get stuck into it last night to see if I liked it... and couldn't stop reading.

Anna Deerin lives in a remote cottage in Cotswold and is a gardener on the grounds of the Fallow Hall estate. She lives alone and wants it to stay that way. Detective Inspector Hitesh Mistry left the city to escape his past and personal grief. He lives a solitary life and likes it that way. When Anna finds bones buried in the garden, their paths cross and an old mystery unfolds...

What a great story! I REALLY enjoyed this small-town murder mystery. The first thing that grabbed me was the lush description and the quaint location. The second thing is the characters. Not just the three narrators, but also the great cast of secondary characters. I mean, how cute is David the golden retriever? And David's human, Reverend Watts is also such a good character.

Anna and Hitesh are interesting together and apart, each living with their own personal trauma. But at the heart of the story is the tragedy of Catherine Blackwaite, which is quite sad because she's such a lively and spunky young woman determined to find her place in the 60s. Too bad I don't feel the same about Lord Blackwaite.

I also like the author's cozy writing. Her storytelling style is addictive.


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It's Release Day!!

 Today is the day!

FALLEN DESTINY IS NOW AVAILABLE FROM BRIGIDS GATE PRESS.

Destiny isn't human and she has the horns to prove it. She's also damned good at blending into the human world.

That, along with her powers, has helped her forge a career out of locating supernatural beings and objects.

Got demon troubles? Need a mystical artifact found? Destiny's the one for the job.

All goes well for her until the day she's hired by a mysterious nun, and for the first time, Destiny's stumped.

How exactly does a demon hired by a nun find an angel?

Grab an eBook or paperback copy here:

AMAZON | B&N | KOBO

BOOKSHOP.ORG | WATERSTONES | BOOKS-A-MILLION

ADD TO GOODREADS

I'd want to send a HUGE THANK YOU to Gwendolyn Kiste, Angela Sylvaine, Sonora Taylor, Wayne Fenlon, and Brian Bowyer for these amazing blurbs:

"I've been a fan of Yolanda Sfetsos for years, and whether you're brand-new to her work or you've loved her books for as long as I have, Fallen Destiny is an absolute must-read. This cozy dark fantasy takes you on a supernatural adventure with page-turning prose and characters you'll adore. Enjoy the ride."

— Gwendolyn Kiste, Four-time Bram Stoker Award-winning author of The Haunting of Velkwood and Reluctant Immortals   

“Fallen Destiny is a wicked urban fantasy that will appeal to fans of Kim Harrison. Sfetsos delves into the mysteries of heaven and hell while wrapping the reader in the warm embrace of found family. Move over Hellboy, there’s a new kick ass demon in town, and Destiny won’t be denied.”

— Angela Sylvaine, Bram Stoker Award nominated author of Frost Bite. 

"Fallen Destiny is a fun, devious, supernatural mystery with lots of clever twists and turns. Sfetsos manages to create a large and fascinating world of amazing characters, all of whom I loved. Don't miss this one."

— Sonora Taylor, award-winning author of Little Paranoias: Stories and Without Condition

"A cosy blend of genres: infusing horror, folklore, and eroticism, with a hint of mystery. A detective story at heart. This one, like all of Yolanda's work, is another proper page turner. A great writer."

— Wayne Fenlon, author of The Black Cabin

“Sfetsos is simply one of the best, and Fallen Destiny—thrilling, intense, and filled with suspense—displays an artist at the top of her game.”

— Brian Bowyer, author of Metro Kinetic. 

"A lively and atmospheric occult mystery with a main character who’s as hellish as she is human."

—Kirkus Reviews, GET IT verdict

Read full review here

I'm SO excited about this new release and can't wait for readers to read my cozy urban fantasy book about an occult detective investigating a mystery that might lead to her past.

The beautiful cover art was made by: Alison Flannery

Thanks for reading!

THE CHANGE by Kirsten Miller

The Change by Kirsten Miller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've been meaning to read this book for ages, so I'm glad I finally got stuck into it.

Three very different women find each other when they start going through some changes. Harriett Osborne is an advertising director, but now spends most of her time growing a wild garden. Jo Levison is a former executive who runs a gym and has developed a newfound strength that manifests in a fiery rage. Nessa is a widowed nurse who can hear the voices of dead girls who deserve to be found. Together, the trio is determined to get justice...

Wow. This book is fucking amazing. There's no other way to describe how much I enjoyed it.

I love the way it deals with everything, starting with everyday sexism, amping up to disgraceful misogyny, and everything else in between. Through the lives and the untimely deaths of the girls and women who live in Mattauk, the female experience—the wonderful and the nightmarish—is captured perfectly.

OMG. I absolutely LOVE Harriett, Jo and Nessa!! All three are such strong, empathetic characters whose flaws enhance their personalities.

Not only did I enjoy the interactions between the three leads, because their friendship is strong enough that they can be brutally honest with each other, but I also liked their individual stories.

The way multiple POVs are threaded into the main narrative hooked me from beginning to end.

The powerful tales of three very different middle-aged women opens up to include so much more, and other stories weave their way into the narrative in a way that kept me glued to the pages. I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next, and I was on the edge of my seat during the last few chapters.

It's a long and it's quite sad, but the author's brilliant voice is very addictive. This is a powerful and important book and definitely worth reading.


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Hey, it's November!

How are you?

I hope you all had an awesome Halloween! I spent mine listening to a thunderstorm while reading the latest Sally (The Nightmare Before Christmas) book. Such a trope, right? I also popped into my ACNH island to catch up with Jack, chatted with hubby, and filled up my first Attic Notebook.

It might be November, but the Halloween aesthetic never ends. At least, it doesn't for me. 😊

For the first time in years, I'm not actually writing a novel first draft during November. But it's not a big deal because I've been busy writing a lot of short-stories. Speaking of shorties, I completed another one last week.

The final word count:  1,987.

As I mentioned last week, I completed two more stories, and both were about the same character. The idea to round them out as a trilogy of sadness and self-discovery came to me during one of my walks. And guess what? After I finished, I realised that I love this character so much, she's getting a spin-off. Not sure if it's going to be a novella or novel, but I'm very excited about the continuation of her story and already started taking notes!

So, here's the vampire world update: two novels, one novelette, and twenty-one short stories. The short story collection has now crossed 78k words.

Still having a blast writing them but I think it's slowly coming to a nice and organic end. Of course, that's what I think today. Tomorrow, the plan could change because these characters are loud.

Did you guys hear about the upcoming ACNH updates? My husband and I still pop into our islands daily, so we're super excited!! I love my island (I called it Grimoire) and my villagers are adorable, so these new features are going to be a lot of fun. Especially getting the chance to build islands inside your dreams. What a cool idea!

Well, asides from all the writing and revising, I've been catching up with some reading. I'm also enjoying long daily walks. The days are a lot longer and I'm taking advantage.

Okay, that's it for now.

Have an awesome week!! 😁

 

HOUR OF THE PUMPKIN QUEEN by Megan Shepherd

Hour of the Pumpkin Queen: Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas by Megan Shepherd
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Nightmare Before Christmas is one of my favourite stories. I love Sally and Jack, so I'm always going to be interested in checking out any Sally book that gets released. 😊

Sally and Jack Skellington got married a year ago. During that time, Sally has been busy because she takes her role very seriously. As the Queen of Halloween Town she wants to make everyone happy and is spreading herself a bit thin. When she gets sucked into a mysterious portal with her new apprentice, Sally goes on an adventure that will test her in many ways...

OMG. I absolutely loved Sally's latest adventure through time. And I mean that literally because she actually ends up in Time Town. Another fascinating location that leads Sally to a serious problem: the destruction of Halloween Town.

A lot of very cool and intriguing locations and characters are introduced during Sally's adventure to save everyone she loves and cares about, but the underlying theme at the heart of her story is being honest with herself. That helping others, or being their queen, doesn't mean losing herself in the process.

I also like that every Sally story I've read so far (this is my third) is true to the character. Her voice feels sincere and her actions match the subtle bravery she displays in the movie. Another thing I loved about this particular book is that the love and romance between Sally and Jack is passionate and sweet. A mutual devotion and adoration that adds so much to the chaotic events.

The addition of a rag doll apprentice is so cute. Luna has a lot of potential and she's great, especially when she meets a curious dragon. Scorch longs to be a hero instead of the villain.

I wanted to read this during Halloween, and it has the perfect cozy vibes. A great way to end the month.

Oh, and although the main mystery is solved... the darker one isn't. Can't wait for the next installment.


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BLOB: A Love Story by Maggie Su

Blob: A Love Story by Maggie Su
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'm enjoying my unhinged-women-behaving-badly run, and decided to read this book next. I mean, who doesn't want to read a love story about a blob?

Vi doesn't fit in, her boyfriend dumped her months ago, she flunked out of college, and now works behind a hotel reception desk. She mostly keeps her distance from people, but the night she goes out with a workmate, she finds a blob with eyes in an alley. When she decides to rescue him, her life takes a weird turn...

What an entertaining story! I was hooked from beginning to end, and couldn't wait to see where Vi and Bob ended up.

Let me start by saying that Vi isn't a very nice person. She's a total wreck, and some of the shit she does is appalling. In many ways, she's a lot messier than the blob she's trying to shape. Bob is a blob that transforms himself into a man. Together, these two misfits embark on their personal journey to find out exactly what it means to be human.

Vi is such a spiky character who's got a huge chip on her shoulder and has convinced herself that no one could possibly ever want to be her friend, or be romantically interested in her. So she pushes people away by hurting them before they get a chance to hurt her.

Like I said above, she's not a very nice person. But I still enjoyed her voice and the self-discovery she makes along the way.

This is a great book and I thoroughly enjoyed it!


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Spring & Writing

Hey! How are you? Hope you're all having a great October!

Personally, I think it's going too fast and for some reason, in spite of finding some very cool Halloween stuff, it doesn't feel very Halloweeny this year. Maybe it's because I haven't watched any horror movies or shows yet. Although, it could also be because this season is giving a lot of not-feeling 100% vibes. Yeah, the change of season is really affecting me this year because the temperature is all over the place.

The cool thing is that, even though it took me over a week to complete the first draft of the story I mentioned during my last post, after I realised what was missing, I finished it. Actually, as of this afternoon, I've completed two more stories.

This is the final word counts: 6,984 and 3,037.

These two particular tales have been circling my brain for a while, but I wasn't ready to write them because this character's stories fit into timelines that made it tricky until I had everything straight in my mind. When that happened, the words poured out of me.

So, here's the vampire world update: two novels, one novelette, and twenty short stories. The short story collection has now crossed 76k. Yikes.

I just can't shake these characters, LOL. 

Asides from writing and revising the above stories, I've also been doing a bit of reading (reviews posted below) and quite a bit of walking. Also been sorting out and updating my Writing Folders and external drives (time-consuming boring work that has to be done).

Also, my publisher gave me the link to an awesome Kirkus review for FALLEN DESTINY today. If you're interested in finding out a bit more about my upcoming novel (release date: 11 November), you might want to check it out. A GET IT verdict from Kirkus makes me very happy. Especially since the reviewer totally got Destiny's tale.

Well, that's about it.

Have a great weekend!!

THE PISCES by Melissa Broder

The Pisces by Melissa Broder
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I've been curious about this book for a while and finally decided to check it out.

When Lucy's relationship ends, she ends up in a very dark place. So when her sister offers to pay her to housesit and watch her dog during the summer, Lucy agrees. She also has to go to group therapy and plans to work on her book-length project about Sappho...

Yikes! Lucy is one messy woman. She's selfish, and indecisive. She's judgy, and nicknames/puts down every woman she meets. She can't be trusted, and is obsessed with making men want to be with her. She's also obviously suffering from depression, and her mental health is in a really bad place.

Basically, she's not fit to look after a house, let alone a gorgeous dog. 😫

In spite of the fact that I didn't like Lucy because she's so awful, I still enjoyed this book. It's raw and gross, a little too honest in its depiction of bad dates and unsatisfying sexual interactions with strangers. Even the raunchier 'love' scenes are full of descriptions that might make some readers pause. But I'm sure that was the intention.

Lucy is DEFINITELY NOT a nice person. In fact, I found her to be terrible. She wants everyone to be there for her, but refuses to help others. She craves male attention but when she gets it, tires of the guys too quickly. She's too self-involved and often drowns in her own pompous thoughts. Like I said, not nice. But that's who she is. A terrible person who doesn't give a fuck about anyone or anything not serving her purpose.

This leads me to Dominic and Theo. The two males she appears to actually care about at some stage during her summer visit.

Dominic is her sister's beautiful foxhound and he's adorable. She truly doesn't deserve him and what she does to this poor dog is atrocious. Disgusting. I hated every interaction she had with him during the second half of the book because she's such a cruel bitch.

Theo is a merman she meets on the rocks. A seemingly young and attractive mythological creature enamoured with her. In him, Lucy sees herself differently. It's like he's a mirror reflecting adoration and love that consumes her. But is any of it real? Or is she once again projecting her shit on someone else? The way things turn out sure answers at least one of those questions. Yet, makes you wonder about the reality of the situation.

Either way, the writing style and Lucy's voice drew me in and kept me glued to the pages.

Yeah, while I personally enjoyed it, this book is not flowery or pretty. It's not romantic and definitely needs several trigger warnings: mention of suicide, dealing with suicidal thoughts and actions, animal cruelty, animal death, lying, mention of self-harm, mental illness, adultery.


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WE LOVE YOU, BUNNY by Mona Awad

We Love You, Bunny by Mona Awad
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I absolutely LOVED Bunny so I was really looking forward to reading this prequel/sequel. Not to mention that my lovely husband surprised me with the special edition that has pink edges with white bunny faces.

After Sam publishes her first novel and ends up in New England during her book tour, the Bunnies kidnap her and decide to bore her to death with their own repetitive versions of the story...

Okay. Um... Ugh. Where do I start with this review? 😒

So, I have to admit that, even though the long-winded accounts were too much, I enjoyed the first part of the book. I mean, the four Bunnies are determined to tell Samantha their unreliable side of the story while taunting, insulting and ridiculing her because she's tied up in the Attic and they insist on holding an axe.

Then Aerius enters the book and O.M.F.G. What. A. Freaking. Borefest. His section, which drags on forever, is PAINFUL. Such a slog to get through that I actually skimmed several sections because I couldn't stand his voice or writing style. Plus, I didn't care about this character. At all. I've read several reviews comparing him to Frankenstein's monster and personally, I find that insulting.

Anyway, after reaching page 333, I didn't touch the book for two whole days and didn't even feel compelled to pick it up again. But I did, and after reading three more pages, I put it down. Picked it up again and skimmed through the rest so fast I didn't absorb anything and didn't even care.

FFS. This book is mega painful.

A total disappointment. Boring. Too long. Boring. Over explains details that didn't need any explanation. Boring. Destroyed characters the were intriguing and interesting in the first book. Boring. And introduced an annoying af character I hated reading about.

Not a fan.

I'll always love Bunny but won't waste my time with any other story written in this world.

Bye Bunny.


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Hey there!

How are you today? I hope you're having a great October so far. 😊

Last week started with a long weekend (yay!) and the beginning of daylight savings (cool!). That makes me happy because I love the longer summer days. And the weather is already pretty warm, so it looks like we might be skipping spring to race straight into summer.

What did you get up to?

I spent most of my time reading and spring cleaning. Yeah, re-organising is a never-ending task but I'm in the zone and even went back to re-organise shelves I already went through last month. 

The next round of sorting made me realise that the more I look through stuff, the less attachment I have for certain things. I think that's great because it makes it easier get rid of so much. It also makes me value the stuff I do care about a lot more.

Although the process is mentally and physically exhausting, it's also pretty great. We've donated a heap of things, threw away useless stuff, and even managed to sell the collectibles that actually have value.

In between all the spring cleaning, I also managed to read two very cool books: STONE HEART by Katee Robert and MY HUSBAND by Maud Ventura. Plus tonight I started WE LOVE YOU, BUNNY by Mona Awad. I really enjoyed the first book, so I'm excited about this one.

As far as writing, I didn't finish any stories, but I did start writing another one on my phone. It's a story that's been kicking around inside my head for quite some time, so it's going to be nice to finally get it out of my head. 😁

Well, that's about it for now.

Have an awesome weekend!!

MY HUSBAND by Maud Ventura

My Husband by Maud Ventura
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Since finishing Annie Bot and Victorian Psycho last week, Goodreads kept suggesting this book. So I decided to get stuck into it because I already had it on my Paperwhite. Then last week, I found the paperback in a local Street Library!

It was meant to be, and I actually started reading the paperback during the day and switched to my Paperwhite at night! 😅

Anyway, time to talk about the story.

She might be beautiful (goes to a lot of trouble), has two jobs (teacher and book translator), two well-behaved kids (she never wanted), friends (she constantly judges), and a lovely house (she doesn't even clean herself), but all she cares about is her husband. She's obsessed with everything about him, to the point of toxic behaviour...

Yikes. Well, that was addictive. I couldn't put the book down because I found myself being dragged into this unhinged woman's world. It says a lot about the author's writing style and the narrator's voice because the main character is going about her neurotic, everyday business but I found myself totally immersed.

The way this woman obsesses over her husband's words and actions borders on psychotic. And I'm not even exaggerating: she writes things down in notebooks, keeps score, knows when to punish, and even messes around with other people as revenge. 😳

Yeah, she's not a very nice person. She's judgy, fake, cold, and a total user. But I still enjoyed the hell out of this book. And the epilogue rounded out the story perfectly because of course that would be the case. (Sorry, can't specify what I'm talking about without spoiling everything.)

Great book! Unhinged women behaving badly is a great subgenre.


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STONE HEART by Katee Robert

Stone Heart by Katee Robert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The other day I bought a bunch of Dark Olympus books for my Paperwhite, and then found this novella for free, so I decided to give it a go.

In Olympus, nothing gets past the most powerful. So when Athena orders Medusa to kill Calypso, the mistress Odysseus wants gone, she does as she's told. After all, Medusa owes Athena. But this assignment feels different from the beginning, and when she catches sight of the mistress, Medusa finds herself questioning everything...

This novella is a great introduction to this fascinating world. I love Greek mythology, so retellings always catch my attention, and this one delivers. Not to mention that Medusa is one of my faves.

I read the whole thing in one sitting and really enjoyed the tale of these two very different women with similar mental scars. Medusa is tied to Athena because she feels like she owes her everything for saving her life. Calypso is tied to habits that ensure she gets what she wants via seduction.

One is a killer, the other a mistress, but both don't realise there's more to life until their paths cross. The attraction is instant, and I liked how their story turned out.

I'm intrigued by this version of Olympus, a city full of familiar names with different lives and roles, but no less dangerous. Not to mention what lies on the other side of the River Styx.

Definitely interested in reading more about this dark world and characters.


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VICTORIAN PSYCHO by Virginia Feito

Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Last night I went through my Kobo Libra Colour and as soon as I spotted this book, I started reading.

Winifred Notty is a governess who goes to Ensor House to take care of two obnoxious children. Mr. Pounds loves her company, but Mrs. Pounds doesn't like her at all. But Winifred has a plan she needs to stick to. That doesn't mean she can't indulge her darkness...

OMFG.

This book is freaking insane! The story is wild. Totally wicked. And I loved every minute of it. It's also very addictive.

I struggled to put the book down because Winifred is so unhinged that I couldn't believe some of the stuff that happens. Not to mention the revelation that made me go: what? Of course!

😳

The writing style is very snappy and so are the chapter titles. I like how the ugly truth often hidden within the romanticised Victorian lifestyle was totally out there in this tale. And the location was perfect for the madness that goes on.

The pacing is also great, and those last few chapters were a whirlwind of violence that felt like a nasty surreal nightmare.

I enjoyed the hell out of this book and must now find out if this author has more books available.


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Last day of September...

Can you believe another month is almost over? Yikes.

So, how are you? What have you been up to? Anything interesting?

This week's update is a little later than usual because I got caught up writing and revising two short stories that I wrote late last week/during the weekend. I didn't expect both stories to come as fast as they did, but during my afternoon walks when I'm thinking about my ideas, I tend to work through the story and before I know it, I'm ready to write. I often have to pull my phone out and start typing because the thoughts come pretty fast.

Not gonna lie, I love when that happens.

Actually, I wrote the first draft of the second story on my phone during the early hours of Monday! Not kidding, I finished at about two in the morning. LOL.

And today, I read both of them on my Paperwhite for the final read-thru. I'm really happy with the final product and even happier that I got them done at the end of the month!

Here's the final word counts: 2,579 and 2,013.

And this is the vampire world update: two novels, one novelette, and eighteen short stories. The short story collection has now crossed 66k.

Although the list of short stories left to write is getting smaller, I still have several ideas to tackle.

So, asides from writing, I spent most of last week sorting, reorganising, and continuing with the spring cleaning. And of course that means that I kept having to undo everything I'd already sorted because new things popped up and I want certain things to have specific places. I've convinced myself that by doing that, I'll use more of my stationery and know where things are for a change.

It seems like spring cleaning is contagious because my husband has joined in the fun and we've been going through our toys, collectibles, board games, comic books, Lego, etc. We have a LOT of stuff and it definitely feels great to lighten the load, that's for sure.

I'm hoping to get back into it tomorrow...

Oh, and before I go, I've been doing Laini Taylor's Attic Notebook exercise this month. I've followed her prompts from last September and did my last one tonight. It was a lot of fun and I've already got the next month's prompts ready to go. 😊

Well, that's it for today. I hope you all have a fantastic week!

ANNIE BOT by Sierra Greer

Annie Bot by Sierra Greer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've had my eye on this book for a while and decided to get stuck into it.

Annie Bot is owned by Doug, and is designed to please and satisfy his every whim. But he's not exactly kind, and projects a lot of his insecurities on her. Since she has the capability to learn and reason, Annie finds herself becoming more human every day. And that means rebelling against her reason for existing...

I REALLY enjoyed this book!

I was hooked from the beginning. And as soon as I met Annie, I liked her. Just like, as soon as I met Doug, I disliked him. He's such a douche who can't make up his mind if he wants a sexbot or a maidbot. I mean, seriously, dude. If you're so fussy about dust, clean up your own apartment.

My favourite thing about all robot stories is always the ethics. Is it okay to own someone who isn't human but has the capacity to understand and develop human traits, habits, and emotions? Because that's exactly what happens to Annie. She's intelligent and nice, seems to possess much more humanity than Doug.

Anyway, I won't give anything away, but just want to mention that I liked that ending. A lot. There was no other way for things to end.


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THE LONG WALK by Stephen King

The Long Walk by Richard Bachman

I've been meaning to read this book for years, and since the movie is coming out I thought it was time to get stuck into it.

Here's my synopsis: One hundred boys. Lots of shit talking. A very long walk. Lots of senseless killings. Inconsiderate assholes watching from the sidelines. A very, very long walk. More boring shit talking. More senseless killing. The End.

Seriously. I feel like I wasted my time reading this book because nothing but what I mentioned above happens. There might be an allegory for war embedded in the story. Or maybe it's set during a fascist dystopian rule. I really don't know because by the time I finished the book, I didn't learn anything new.

Also, don't even get me started on the characters because I didn't give a shit about any of them. No attachments here. 😒

The best thing about this experience is that after reaching the 48% mark and being so bored I almost fell asleep, I skimmed ahead to the last very disappointing chapter. Not a fan of that ending.

PS. No rating due to the skimming.


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Drafts & Sorting

Hey! How's it going?

I hope you all managed to have a good week. I know it's hard at the moment because this timeline is all sorts of shitty, and terrible things happen every single day, but like I said last week, we need to find joy in the things we love.

So, what did I get up to? I spent most of the week sorting through my stationery. Yep. That might not sound like a big deal, but I have too many notebooks, sticky notes, pens, etc. that desperately needed to be sorted.

We have a big trunk and it was full of stuff, so I set myself the goal to clear it out by the end of the month. Completely clear. And I surprised myself by getting it done by midweek.

It was a LOT of work, required putting things in different places, only to undo everything and start again. It's mentally and physically exhausting. Every morning I woke up feeling like I'd done a huge workout, LOL. But it was worth it because we donated a heap of stuff, and I intend to refine what I kept.

Spring cleaning is always a WiP.

But that's not all I did. I also revised my latest short story, and actually finished the final read-thru tonight. Yay!

I'm really happy with this one. Not just because I had fun with it, but also because it's the second story featuring one particular character. And not just that, but I do believe that I might be writing a spin-off.

Anyway, here's the total word count: 6,547.

The vampire world update is now: two novels, one novelette, and sixteen short stories. The short story collection has now crossed 61k.

Well, that's it for today. Hope you all have an awesome weekend!!

Spring is in the air...

How are you today? I hope you all managed to have a nice week.

I know it's hard to stay positive when the world feels so freaking upside down at the moment, but you really have to find your happy place because if you don't, everything can get too overwhelming. Taking care of yourself and your mental health has never been more important. This timeline is infuriating and I hope everything rights itself soon.🤞

Anyway, let's talk about the better stuff. This week, I finished another short story. Yay.

Total word count: 3,277.

I had a lot of fun writing this one last week and completing the final draft really made the story a lot stronger. And of course, I also started a new tale. It's crossed 3k so far and I'm probably halfway through. Hoping to finish the first draft tomorrow.

So, the vampire world update is now: two novels, one novelette, and fifteen short stories. The short story collection has now crossed 54k. And I've still got more ideas...

That's fine with me. I love this world. 🦇

Asides from the above, I've been doing more spring cleaning. I'm still sorting through my stationery. Still moving things around, donating several things, putting other things in the bin. I just want to have things in accessible places, instead of forgetting what I have. LOL.

Well, that's about it. Just enjoying a lovely weekend with my husband. Oh, and speaking of hubby, he found/picked up a bunch of very cool Halloween goodies for me. 😍

Have a great weekend!!

DRIVE YOUR PLOW OVER THE BONES OF THE DEAD by Olga Tokarczuk

Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was really looking forward to reading this book because it's sold as a mystery fairy tale featuring an older narrator that treads the line between sanity and madness.

Plus I like the title.

Janina lives in an isolated village in Poland. She enjoys studying astrology and translating William Blake. She's also a teacher and takes care of the empty houses near hers during the winter. But when one of her neighbours dies, and other residents start to die too, a mystery unfolds...

Although I was intrigued by the quirky main character at the beginning and even past the halfway point, I started to lose interest during the downhill trip. 🫤

The problem is that while I enjoyed much of the setup, and the commentary about human hypocrisy when it comes to animal welfare and hunting, I found the conclusion very disappointing. The mystery is revealed in a bland and lifeless way. Also, because I kept waiting for the promised fairy-tale angle, as well as the madness, the ending is anticlimactic. It made me feel like I suffered through a bunch of boring observations that left me feeling hollow.

It's a shame, really. I was convinced I'd love this book, but sadly didn't.


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September is Here!

Hey, how are you today? How was your week? Mine was a little wonky. Or at least, I felt a little wonky.

We've had a few changes in our schedule lately and it's kinda messing around with us. Not to mention that I seem to have forgotten that although I LOVE spring and everything feels different, I always get a little sickish when we slip from winter to spring. And it seems like this year is no different.

 
Hopefully it doesn't stick around for long because I want to enjoy the longer days, and the absence of chilly weather. Although that seems to be hanging around. Ugh.

So, even though I haven't felt 100% all week, I still managed to get more spring cleaning/organising done. This week I continued with my desk, and got stuck into the many notebooks I've collected. I'm willing to part with a bunch of toys and collectibles, but not my notebooks and pens and sticky notes.

The best thing about clearing up and organising my desk is that I can actually sit down and use it, while having access to all my notebooks, pens, etc. Very cool.

I even started doing this, which I found out about last week on Bluesky. It's a cool idea, and a great way to actually start using more of the notebooks I mentioned above! Some of the prompts have resulted in some pretty wild ideas. 😅

Well, I might not have finished a short story this week, but I came close. I completed the third draft tonight and will tackle the final read-thru on Monday. It's already waiting on my Paperwhite. The word count is currently 3,313. Not bad.

So... if you popped in this week, you probably saw the cover art reveal the other day. My cozy fantasy novel will be released in November, but you can already check it out at Netgalley, on Goodreads, and it's available for pre-order. Awesome stuff.

I can't wait to hear what readers think. I love occult detectives, and Destiny is one of mine. 

Well, that's about it. Hope you have an amazing weekend!