Hi everyone My name is Victoria Zumbrum, 40 years old, married 14 years with 1 son. This is my very first blog. So bear with me. I have always wanted to have my own blog. I have always loved to read. I enjoy getting lost in a good book. I love becoming part of the story and characters. I am hoping to bring my love of books to my readers.
I love reading different genres such as paranormal, young adult, romance, romantic suspense, mystery, Christian fiction, some horror, etc. The list goes on. I started reviewing books a couple of years ago and have done reviews for different blogs and even some authors. I really have enjoyed reviewing books and I will continue to do so. If anyone is interested in me reviewing a book for them, please contact me. I still have a lot to learn regarding my own blog so bear with me. I welcome and appreciate all followers.
Don't
get too close to the edges of the world. Gods and monsters are
waiting.
Spooky
arrives at a wilderness boot camp for troubled teens with two
suitcases and an ultimatum: either she keeps her head down over the
summer or she won't be allowed home at the end of it. All she wants
to do is survive the pyros, bullies, and power-tripping counselors,
get through senior year, and start her life somewhere new.
But
when an encounter with another camper goes awry and ends with Spooky
hiding in the woods, something else finds her. Something ancient and
powerful has sent out feelers, hoping to catch a human alone. For its
purposes, even a delinquent teen will do.
If
Spooky wants to survive to see any kind of future, she will have to
figure out how to gain leverage over a god. And as if the one wasn't
bad enough, a pantheon of dark entities are lining up between her and
the life she's always wanted...
For
fantasy fans, comes one girl’s journey through dark worlds of
magic, gods, and monsters.
Alison
Kimble began writing because she loves stories and believes in their
power to shape our world and ourselves. Her writing blends the real
and the fantastical and crosses genres of horror, fantasy, and
sci-fi. Now that her debut novel, Strange Gods, is in your hands, she
is working on her next novel and a short story anthology. She lives
in the Greater Seattle Area with her husband and spends her time
walking in the woods, going to the movies, and seeking adventures
large and small.
Three
months after the events that took place during the raid of Mt.
Tenebris, Emi and her party are completing their training and
preparing to head back to the mountain. But before they set off,
Queen Vita bestows the title of "Champion" to each of them.
Keeping in line with the legend, they venture out into an ancient
jungle in search of the warrior that will join them as the fourth
champion. Unbeknownst to Emi, the warrior they find has a special
connection to her. After gaining their fourth champion the party
returns home to find that three magical seals have been placed on the
mountain preventing them from entering. Emi learns that the only way
to break the seals is to travel to Foreign Lands and slay the
guardians that are connected to them. Join Emi on her second
adventure as she explores more of the magical world she has fallen
into and discovers new secrets about herself and her family along the
way.
One
night while waiting for her father to get home, ten year old Emi
wanders around her home when she accidentally drops her teddy bear
into a mysterious chest. Anxiously going in after it, Emi falls into
the chest and is teleported to a strange new world. Not long after
waking up in this new world she is saved by her teddy bear who has
come to life and grown several times her size. During her journey to
find a way back home Emi meets several new friends including a royal
guard, a scientist, and many others. Her focus changes from looking
for a way home once she begins uncovering clues that her father may
actually be in the strange land also! With the help of her new
friends Emi embarks on a journey that will change her life forever.
Ian
Primeaux is a new independent author from a small town in Louisiana.
His first book “Emi” is the beginning of a new fantasy series
reminiscent of adventures like “Alice in Wonderland” or “Wizard
of Oz” with a few components inspired by classic role playing
games. Apart from working a full-time management job, Ian spends most
of his free time writing and crafting extensions of the world created
in “Emi” to ensure that there will always be a new story ready to
be told.
"The
magical land of Story meets Brooklyn in this unconventional fairytale
reminiscent of Narnia...a masterpiece..." San Francisco Book
Review
"...an
epic, imaginative portal fantasy touched with welcoming whimsy..."
Publisher's Weekly BookLife Reviews
Prince
Charming grew up, became King, and married and murdered his way
through six of the most famous fairytale princesses. Now the World of
Story is torn by civil war, the Wall has been built, and the Doors
closed.
Knights
and princesses, heroes and magical creatures are refugees in
Brooklyn, the place in this world most hospitable to magic. They
thought they would be home soon.
Fifteen
years later, Brooklyn girl Lilla is chafing at her guardian Gus's
strict rules. Why home school? Why can't she walk two blocks without
a chaperone? And why won't Gus answer questions about her
parents?
Lilla
escapes the rules in her beloved books. She is convinced she can find
a way to the worlds between the pages.
She
is right. Everyone around her has kept one giant secret. Magic is
real. On both sides of the Wall, in Story and in Brooklyn.
Can
Lilla find the Door that will take her to Story, the World that knows
her wildest wishes and her deepest hidden damage, where reward is
limitless and danger is beyond all she can dream?
MAGIC
IS NOT BIRTHDAY CAKE WISHES. MAGIC IS POWER AND TRANSFORMATION.
FIND
THE DOOR.
The
Lost Princess of story is YA crossover. All ages book of
multigenerational urban fantasy/portal fiction/ retold fairy tale
with a Tudor twist. LGBT+ characters.
Recommended
for readers of Seanan McGuire's Wandering Children series, Lev
Grossman's The Magicians series, Melissa Albert's The Hazel
Wood, Hafsah Faizal's We Hunt the Flame, and books by Gregory Maguire
and Terry Pratchett.
Reviews
"The
magical land of Story meets Brooklyn in this unconventional
fairy tale reminiscent of Narnia. Exciting action, fun (and
sometimes messy) adventures, and of course, wondrous magic awaits
readers as the fine line between fantasy and reality is
explored. An homage to refugees who find themselves in a
world harsher than what they have left behind, The Lost Princess of
Story is a masterpiece that is representative of the
real-world issues we face today."
-San Francisco Book
Review
"The sweeping first volume of de Planque's
Chronicles of Story, created as a 'valentine to children's
literature and fantasy', invites readers to sink into an
epic, imaginative portal fantasy touched with welcoming
whimsy...There's amusing banter, an adorable and hungry
teacup-sized dragon, and an enthusiastic narrator given to wordplay
and allegory... Lovers of fairytales and epic adventures will
enjoy this dangerous quest filled with loveable heroes and magical
creatures." A grade.
-Publisher's
Weekly BookLife Reviews
"Author Suzanne de Planque
weaves a marvelous new world for fairy tale and high-fantasy
lovers alike. This endlessly creative novel
is an immersive new chapter to the fairy tales we've known for
generations. The narrative voice is charming, and there
are continuously smart turns of phrase and plays on words. A
tremendous creative achievement, The Lost Princess of Story will
thrill anyone who has ever fallen in love with a story." ⭐⭐⭐⭐
1/2
-Self Publishing Review
"... a great read,
with subtle nods to fairy tales and more current fantasy
fiction... carefully skewers and pays tribute to how fantasy
tales work... Recommended for readers who prefer works by Gregory
Maguire, Terry Pratchett, and works such as Ella
Enchanted."⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Suzanne
de Planque is a writer, actor, and a stay-at-home mom.
Theatrical
credits include off-Broadway and other New York, regional, and tours;
everything from Shakespeare to Sondheim. A few highlights from her
years in the theatre include enacting what must be
every Grimm's
fairytale in her years as the self-proclaimed Queen of Children's
Theater, playing cut-rate Disney princesses at birthday parties,
inspiring a generation of high school students as the DON'T examples
in a series of job-seeking educational videos, and breaking her neck
falling out of a giant teapot dressed as the Dormouse.
The
latter resulted in a career change to playwriting, and a healthy
respect for teacups. Her plays have been commissioned and performed
in New York and regionally. This is her first novel.
She
lives in a little white house in Brooklyn with her husband and son,
an impressive array of costumes, swords, and Original Broadway Cast
albums, and a world-class collection of children's books. She is an
avid collector of antique and vintage children's literature and a fan
of literary
tourism in person and on Pinterest. She has never
passed a wardrobe without checking, just in case.
Title: Tiger Claimed Author: Harper A. Brooks Genre: Paranormal Romance Cover Designer: Trifbookdesign Publication Date: August 12th, 2021 Hosted by: Lady Amber's PR
Blurb:
From USA Today Bestselling Author Harper A. Brooks comes this mesmerizing story of love against all odds.
Centuries of hate and a legendary love to overcome it all…
One untimely trip to the marketplace makes Cara, a panther shifter, the prime suspect in the king’s murder. The tiger prince is set on seeing her rot in a prison cell, but she’ll do anything to keep her family from starving. Even agree to be imprisoned by the handsome tiger, who’s also her enemy.
Prince Kael is determined to claim vengeance for his father’s murder. He thought he could put his vendetta aside for the ceremonial Hunt, but one whiff of the panther suspect, and his inner tiger becomes unleashed. But in a cruel twist of fate, the magnetic bond he feels with Cara is one he can’t deny. And suddenly, he aches to claim her as his own.
The hatred between tigers and panthers is all their people know. If Kael and Cara follow their hearts, it could mean treason and death. Will they be blinded by the prejudice and sorrow of their pasts or will love finally reign free?
Each book in the Shifters Unleashed series can be read as a standalone:
Harper A. Brooks lives in a small town on the New Jersey shore. Even though classic authors have always filled her bookshelves, she finds her writing muse drawn to the dark, magical, and romantic. But when she isn't creating entire worlds with sexy shifters or legendary love stories, you can find her either with a good cup of coffee in hand or at home snuggling with her furry, four-legged son, Sammy.
***
2021 Romance Writers of America Vivian Award Finalist
***
A
flirty, cozy gay rom-com aboard a luxury cruise with handsome heroes,
quirky passengers and an HEA with all the feels.
When
a charming but misguided account manager gets stuck on a cruise to
the Galapagos Islands with his hunky zoologist ex, he might
rediscover his true passion—in and out of the bedroom.
After
art school, Mike Davis gave up on his dream in favor of a stable yet
unfulfilling job. But when he gets an opportunity to teach wealthy
travelers how to paint stunning sunsets, it seems like the perfect
break. Until he finds out he’ll be sharing a suite with his ex,
charming Benton Aldridge—a British scientist cuter than the baby
animals he studies. Mike makes it clear he has no intention of
getting back together with Benton, but sharing a suite makes it
impossible to keep his distance.
As
they climb over volcanic peaks and swim with manatees through
sparkling jade-colored water, can they also help each other have the
confidence to pursue their dreams and follow their hearts?
Philip
William Stover grew up tearing the covers off the romance novels he
devoured so he wouldn't get teased at school. Now he enjoys traveling
the world with his husband of over twenty years and would never
consider defacing any of the books he loves.
***
2021 Romance Writers of America Vivian Award Finalist
***
From
USA Today bestselling author Kilby Blades, the first in the Hot in
the Kitchen series...
TV
chef Cella journeys to an idyllic seaside town to write an Italian
cookbook. She's also mourning a failed restaurant project, dodging
her predatory agent, and finding respite from soul-crushing fame.
When she learns that her next-door neighbor, hot doctor Max, is the
nephew of a late, famed Italian restaurateur, she convinces him to
teach her authentic touches that will help her write the book.
This
is a mixed blessing for guilt-ridden Max, who botched his own attempt
to become a chef--a failure that's left his aunt's gorgeous
restaurant sitting empty for years. No one has challenged Cella when
it comes to her cooking in ages. Max's fiery disposition sparks her
intuition and reminds her how to feel the food.
But
the heat between Max and Cella may be hotter than the flames on the
stove. Max's gentlemanly nature and Cella's professionalism stop
being enough to keep them apart. With Max's vacation ending and Cella
slated to return to L.A., how will they ever say goodbye?
“Blades
delivers a saucy romance full of lovely characters who complement
each other like a fine wine does a good meal, blending an inviting,
homey locale with scrumptious descriptions of Italian cuisine.
Romance-inclined foodies will love this contemporary.”
-
Publisher's Weekly
“The
Secret Ingredient was a slow-burn, highly developed, and impeccably
detailed romance novel.”
-
T. Rosado, Goodreads
“I
absolutely loved this book. The writing was excellent and the
characters well developed. But the thing that made me keep reading
was how flawlessly the author told the story.”
-
Karen, Amazon reviewer
“By
the time I finished this book I felt as tho[ugh] I had taken a trip
to Italy. It's not set there and I've never been there but the
atmosphere created by this author was absorbing and real.”
-
L_iam, Amazon reviewer
Awards
and Accolades for The Secret Ingredient
2021
Finalist. The RWA Vivian Award
2020
Finalist: The HOLT Medallion
2019
Quarterfinalist: Publisher’s Weekly BookLife Prize for Fiction
Kilby
Blades is a USAToday Bestselling author
of Romance and Women's Fiction. Her debut novel, Snapdragon,
was a HOLT Medallion finalist, a Publisher's Weekly BookLife Prize
Semi-Finalist, and an IPPY Award medalist. Kilby was honored with an
RSJ Emma Award for Best Debut Author in 2018, and has been lauded by
critics for "easing feminism and equality into her novels"
(IndieReader) and "writing characters who complement each other
like a fine wine does a good meal" (Publisher's Weekly).
The
Vivian recognizes excellence in romance writing and showcases author
talent and creativity. We celebrate the power of the romance genre
with its central message of hope--because happily ever afters are for
everyone.
Romance
Writers of America will announce the winners of the 2021 Vivian
awards at a virtual Awards Ceremony on July 31st, 9pm EST.
Caraway Carter will emcee the event, which will be streamed live
at www.rwa.org.
The
names of the winners will be posted as they’re announced on the RWA
website, Twitter and Facebook pages (hashtag #RWAVivian).
