Neen’s Bookish Ramblings

Writing pages, learning, and the tangential way I get to my point

May 25th, 2022

I don’t do pages everyday. And lately I’ve hardly done them at all. But I do love how I feel on the random mornings that I get the time and energy to do them.

My often excuse is the insomniac son I have … the reality is, I just get lazy or forgetful (despite the reminder that pops up every morning). Sometimes I fall back asleep on the couch and wait for the sun to actually rise before I get moving and usually by then it’s in a rush.

But, this morning I felt the energy and the motivation.

My scrawl at stupid am

So why am I blathering on about this? I’m so glad I asked.

While writing my pages this morning, l I realised something that has raised its head many times in the past but I’ve quickly pushed it down.

I love learning.

For many years I forgot just how much. I can remember when I was younger indulging in such amazing activities as reading encyclopaedias over the school holidays, collecting different dictionaries to see what words and meanings were changed in them, and how exciting it was to master new skills that were hard to learn.

But somewhere along the way I lost the love of learning. I could blame emotionally abusive ex’s, childhood trauma, a degree that made me feel more stupid than anything else but that hardly matters. What matters was that I couldn’t find that joy anymore. I hid away from things that were hard, terrified to show others that I didn’t already know this specific skill or hadn’t mastered that particular task. I was so scared that I would be seen as a moron for the learning process. Looking back, it makes me so sad for all the things I stopped myself enjoying.

But, it’s back. I’ve found it again, and we have happily reconciled.

It’s a very unexpected side effect of this writing journey and the amazing people I have found along this path. Some are on the sidelines cheering me on, passing me cups of water as I run this race of mine. Sure, sometimes I’m walking, sometimes skipping, and other times I’m sitting on a rock beside them catching my breath. Other times, these amazing people are there helping and teaching without judgement or expectation. They have returned to sit old rocks helping others get past the next hurdle.

I find myself learning new things constantly about writing. And not one of these things have been learnt alone or in a vacuum. Sometimes it’s from taking a class (I recently took a fantastic course on magic realism), sometimes it’s informal chats with fellow authors turned friends, other times it’s interviewing an author, or getting feedback, or reworking a manuscript with edits from alpha readers, publishers, or editors. I’ve even learnt while reading about someone else’s experiences, or reading another authors book they have bravely push out into the world. And I can’t even begin to numbe the amount of times I’ve realised something about my own method or WIP when helping out a fellow author asking for advice.

Learning is not something to be ashamed of and the process should be highlighted and celebrated just as much if not more than the end result.

I love finding this feeling again. And while I may bitch and moan about how long the editing process takes or how confused those craft books make me at times, I have never been so happy with my journey. I can’t wait to keep learning. And for the first time in such a long time, I’m looking forward to messing up and learning more from each mistake.

Be Safe
Be Brave
Be Kind

Neen
Book Review – Without a Front: The Warrior’s Challenge by Fletcher DeLancey

May 17th, 2022

Book three of the Chronicles of Alsea Series. This is a Sapphic Sci-Fi book with romance, action, and political intrigue with themes of family, loyalty, and trust woven through incredible description, dynamic characters and a brilliantly written adventure that will keep you guessing.

I adore Fletcher’s writing and her inclusivity and range of characters that I love and adore.

Did I miss Ekatya and Lynne, yes. Did I fist pump the air when they had some cameos, absolutely, have I also fallen in love with not just the main characters but also many of the minor characters of this book, by Fahla I certainly have.

I love the way this book turns tropes and characters on their head showing so effortlessly through an Alien race the beauty and dynamics of humanity. I really enjoyed the fight scenes and the sex scenes in this book. They kept me reading until stupid o’clock at night because I couldn’t stop, being pulled along by the emotions and progression of the story.

For a visual rant about my feelings you can click here to find my review on the Hyperactive Bookworm

Be Safe
Be Brave
Be Kind
Technoreject and other blunders

May 15th, 2022

So it turns out while trying to update my website and blog I inadvertently sent some frustrated blogs out. Do I feel bad, yeah a little bit, is it something I can change, nah, is part of me also giggling at my ineptitude, absolutely, is it also a bit of a taste of my personality, you betcha 🤦‍♀️

As for other blunders. I recently discovered when sending off my manuscript to my publisher I did not actually send through the latest version … instead I sent through a version that had a chapter that read [insert important scene here] … yeah it’s been a special kinda feeling.

So, after my sweary blogs, I did manage to change a few things, and make my site a little prettier but of course I feel like one of those memes of what you think it will look like and what it actually looks like would probably fit here.

Thanks for sticking around. And who knows what other facepalm moments I’ll get into in the near future.

Neen
April Bookshelf

May 1st, 2022

It’s been a rough month and for a while I wasn’t sure I would get many books read, but 10 isn’t too shabby. A little behind in my overall goals but that’s the way of the roundabout 😀

The video wrap up will be up shortly over at the Hyperactive Bookworm. Jump on over and subscribe to make sure you don’t miss out on all the monthly wrap ups, extended reviews, and author interviews throughout the month.

Leviathan by Erik Schubach – My first book by this author and damn I can’t wait to read more of the series. Brilliant sci-fi fantasy blend with elves and sprites on the world ship. A ship, in essence that is travelling to the new home world. I love so much about this book, from the use of 80s and 90s music, to the snark and humour, to the kick arse main character and a story line that while not entirely unique is set up in fantastically unique and brilliantly described ways.

Departure from the Script by Jae – If you’re after low angst, slow burn, SVU references, and brilliant chemistry look no further. I always know when I open a book of Jae’s I’m going to be swept alone with well rounded characters, beautiful writing and an interesting story. I adore Michelle and the family relationships both characters have. I also really enjoyed the less glitz and glamour Hollywood focus of this book. I can’t wait to read the rest of Jae’s Hollywood books.

Tumbledown by Cari Hunter – A brilliant sapphic crime and mystery story with action and brutality thrown in. It’s balanced masterfully with humour and down moments to let you breath, just not too much before something else drops and you are racing to figure it all out. This sequel to Desolation Point made it impossible to stop reading. Firstly, wwwhhhyyy? *sobs ugly* Had Sarah and Alex not been through enough?! And yet, I was so excited to see them again. The writing is spectacular, the characters brilliant, and the story gripping. I loved that it was a carry on from events of the first book. And that is made sense that these two would become embroiled once again in the cross hairs of a psycho. Cari Hunter, making me an insomniac since I picked up No Good Reason, the first of the dark peak series.

Shattered by Lee Winter – YES! I’m rereading it again. BUT this time I finally did a video review … you can watch it here.

Alias by Cari Hunter – BAM! What a start, and then it just gets better from there. The writing is fantastic and the action and story pulled me along with ease. I loved how there is so much going on in the story and the mystery that keeps unfoldIng and twisting. I really enjoyed the relationship between the main character and the ‘love interest’ and how it grew organically and as a second aspect to the main story.
Nicola Victoria Vincent is a brilliant narrator, very underrated. Would love to find more brilliant books narrated by her.

Sunshine by L.T. Emery – Loved the nasty grissly descriptions of the perils and dangers Cyra must face in her search for Sunshine. Lots of great lines and insults that made me laugh out loud between the gore.

No Strings by Lucy Bexley – I heard such amazing things about this book and I wanted to love it sick. If you like quirky eccentric character meets wound tight corporate tropes, laugh out loud moments and some fun kiddo scenes, this is a good read. I enjoyed Elsie’s character, I loved the relationship between her and Avery and how Jones’ first ideas of who Elsie was is questioned as you see how well rounded Elsie is as a human and how judged she has been because she doesn’t follow the more traditional life paths. The writing has some really beautiful and chest punching moments. And more than once I had the actual laugh out loud squeals. Gummy bears and fart attacks I’m looking at you. Elsie’s internal monologues and the way she thinks in Fangley is brilliant. One of my favourite things about the book is the twist on who is actually the workaholic (psst- it isn’t the business suit, rich, older woman this time). What I did also love about the book was the way mental health was treated, though at times I felt like I was told it more than shown it. For me it was sort of Jones’ saving grace. I did struggle with initially getting into this book. Jones’ reactions to Bentley to begin with really put her offside for me, but I mean that’s what character arcs are all about so I pushed through. She soon made up with the Bentley love but her character frustrated the hell out me more often then not. At times I got frustrated with the tendency and writing style to end a scene and then recap what wasn’t on the page in the next scene, it really pulled me out of being inside the characters heads. And there were some scenes I really would have loved to see play out in real time, like the roller skating. The relationships of the four main players were so wonderful and well developed. It was a little jarring the lack of relationship and development of other characters like Jones’ mum and all the ‘evil’ corporate males. I didn’t love No Strings sick, but I did enjoy the majority of the ride and I’m glad I read it. Also, besides Elsie my favourite character is Avery, closely followed by Benz. I would love to see more of both of these characters. Their stories would be epic.

Damage Control by Jae – I couldn’t resist diving into the second of the series :-). I love Jae’s writing, the characters and the build up, the slow burn romance. But boy oh boy was I ready for the characters to finally get it on when they did. I adored the adult respect each character gave the other in terms of their relationship with understanding each other’s point of view and position in situations without them having to be hit on the head repeatedly before they got it. I also adore Jae’s Easter eggs/cameos in her books. I love that so many of them are all in the same world. Beautifully written and a great story.

Chasing Dreams by A.L. Brooks – Before now I have only read one other A.L Brooks book and I loved it. But having read Chasing Dreams I’m definitely scurrying off to get her back catalogue sooner rather then later. There is so much I loved about this book so let me break down some of my favourite points and ramble a bit more about others.
– Amazing seamless and realistic safe sex. I have no idea how she did it but the author managed to incorporate a safe sex scene that was smooth and natural and still sexy while also managing another scene discussing characters last tests and checks in a way that is believable.
– Mature characters (mostly lol) who actually think before they dive in.
– Realistic and well rounded characters with their own unique personalities, lives and dreams seperate from each other. They both have pasts and lives, scars and fears that influence their decisions and reactions in the world.
– Side characters that I adore who are just as real as the main characters. Extra shout outs to Shannon, Katie, Ned, and Wayne.
– Writing that is beautiful and encompassing.
Yes, it’s true the story starts with an enemies to lovers trope but even that didn’t feel as pitted against each other as is often the case. Now don’t get me wrong, I love my fair share of the binary tropes – sunshine vs grumpy etc. but I truly adored that neither of the main characters were ‘perfect’ or ‘the bad one’. I loved that they were both wonderfully flawed and brilliant in such a human way. They are both on their own journeys of facing very real and painful pasts and fears, and they do this for themselves. Yes they find each other and it helps them face these things … they don’t NEED each other to sand down any rough edges. And if that hasn’t given you the desire to read it … damn, the sex scenes throughout the book are simply delicious. 😉

Breathless by Lianyu Tan – I have been umming and ahhing about reading Captive in the Underworld. I love the idea of twisting gods and turning them into Goddesses and examining the sapphic versions of old stories. But, I’ve never been known to be a fan of dark romance. Other dark genres yes, but not so much romance. Then I saw this short story that fits within the Captive in the Underworld book and I thought, hey let’s finally give dark romance a chance. I was right, the genre isn’t particularly for me but this story was mostly well written and intriguing. A few moments I found a bit confusing in the description but overall not a bad short read. So if dark romance is your cup of tea I recommend giving this one a try.

Be Safe
Be Brave
Be Kind

Neen x

P.S. My monthly newsletter will be flying out to inboxes tomorrow … you can sign up here.
Bravery in the small things

April 14th, 2022

Today I was Brave.

A disturbingly close approximation to my look on video today.

Today I spoke up, and said why yes I am an author. I even joined in, video and audio, *insert shocked horror face here* to an author chat and said hello. Did I feel like an entire pretender (Ooh ooh yes I’m the great pretender ooh ooh) Of course. Was I nervous and unprepared, oh hell yes. Did that make it easier, actually yeah it really did. My bravery (I’m still uncertain it’s actually the correct word, but we’ll work on that one) is an in the moment thing. Don’t give me enough time to worry about how much of an idiot I will most likely make of myself (thanks anxiety), that’s for ruminating on later. But, I did it.

And the bravery didn’t stop there. *shocked face once more*

Today I met up with an amazing reader, and even signed the books she bought with my fountain pen, with a confidence and a flourish that was all faked. But I admit, it did feel good. Did I take the ‘author in the wild’ photo I was planning/hoping to? Of course not. It’s easier for me to remember to take photo’s when I’m not the subject matter.

BUT … I was still brave today. And while I’m now socially drained, it was a good day.

Celebrating the small things is something I always preach. When those around me achieve any measure of success in any area of their lives I am the first to throw those pom pom’s in the air. For myself, I’m less enthusiastic and I’m working on that, reminding myself I deserve the same excitement as others.

So, as a reminder to you all, if you aren’t celebrating your own achievements, no matter how big or small, now is the time 😀

Be Safe
Be Brave
Be Kind

Neen x
March Bookshelf

April 1st, 2022

It was a less crazy kind of month, well busy as all hell but not filled with the same insanity that seemed to happen so far this year.

This month I managed 12 books. Not too shabby. Surprisingly a few non-sapphic books this month, and a few meh books that were ok but nothing to overhype about. No terrible horrible one star books so all in all, a successful reading month. So here we go.

Miracle Growth by Tim Mendees – Alice in wonderland meets Little Shop of Horrors with some Evil Dead thrown in for good measure, all coated in brilliant humour reminiscent of Hot Fuzz, and Shaun of the Dead. Buddy Review, and Author interview

The Principle’s Office by Jae – What a gorgeous little short about Ky and Regan. I love and adore Jae’s way of also bringing in characters from other books. Even ones you wouldn’t automatically think about, ok you all might but I hadn’t. The cuteness of this story made me smile and that’s just what I needed. A short happy read 🙂

Blue Horses by Mary Oliver – Her poetry speaks to me in ways I’ve not found before. There is beauty and sadness in this collection, with a clarity and humour that seeps beneath the skin.

Dead Pretty by Robyn Nyx – Second person, 2 POV sapphic crime book. What more could a girl really ask for. A fantastic combination of crime and love story twisted together in a well balanced flow. I adored both main characters but I am easily team Dak. I fell in love with the family dynamics, the imperfections of the characters, the red herrings, and the humour and tension.
Nyx’s writing is power and beautiful.
Video Review

Win by Harlen Coben – I’ll admit. I went into this with a little trepidation. I love the Myron Bolitar series. True, I always loved Win and his psychopathic mood and humour but I didn’t know how it would go. Next minute, I’ve read the entire book in one day.
Harlen Coban is brilliant. His writing style makes the pages fly by, the mystery is fascinating, and the humour had laugh out loud moments.

The Immortal by E.G Creel – Overall the story is interesting and a really cool idea. There are some wonderful moments. For me the most noteworthy ones are the very beginning (brilliant set up) and Emma’s dream after she almost drowns.
I wanted to love this book, but in the end I struggled with the introduction of too many characters who didn’t feel unique enough and the way information was given too easily. I would have liked to have discovered the history of the Vikings in a more gradual way.The main character was a little too detached and the flow could have been better with a few chapters swapped around.
I still enjoyed moments and I love the ideas behind it.

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston – A brilliantly written story with characters you can’t help but adore.
Single POV (y’all know how much I love them) third person from Alex’s perspective. I adore this character. He’s so driven and smart and so ridiculously stupid at the same time.
There were some true moments of ooomph right to the feels.
The push and pull had me up at all hours dying to read more of this amazing book.

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon (Narrator Liyah Summers) – Amazing epic fantasy. I now understand why so many people have raved about it. Beautiful writing, wonderful stories all coming together with brilliant characters.
I did get a bit bogged down in the stories for a small time but glad it wasn’t enough to stop me from pushing through. Adored so much about the ending.

Almost Ruth by Tyler Jones – What a rush. The small town vibes with superstitions, rituals, and characters I swear I’ve met. I loved the story and the build up of things being not quite right, the tension was delightful. What I adored most about this book is the writing itself. The description of the small details is phenomenal and delicious. I struggled a little with the end, feeling like the answers only raised more questions for me, and boy do I want the answers.

The Magical Femme: A Lesbian Short Story by Fiona Zedde – Hot damn. Zedde’s words are powerful and her imagery is magical. A hot AF short story that manages to sizzle while also managing to create an entirely realistic and complete main character in just a few pages.

Bulletproof by Maggie Cummings (Narrator Paige McKinney) – I listened to the audiobook of this. I wasn’t too fussed on the narrator, the emphasis didn’t sit right for me, but once I sped it up to x1.2 speed I found it a lot more enjoyable as I could focus easier on the story. This was an enjoyable read. I liked the crime element and the tongue in cheek reference to SVU. I enjoyed the dynamics of characters and the story overall, though I would have enjoyed more risk to the crime itself, but that’s probably just me.

Pyotra and the Wolf by Elna Holst – If you love fractured fairytales, explorations of family and the monster under the bed turned on it’s head, I highly recommend this book. This is a queer retelling of a fairytale I am not familiar with. If I were I’m not sure if my opinion on the book would change. I loved Pyotra and the Wolf. It pulled me along with such ease and enjoyment. It’s a multiple third person POV story with themes of love, responsibility, family and what equates to strength. Elna holst has such an incredible way of describing the world of characters, emotions, beauty and horror in epic ways. Pyotra and the Wolf reaffirms why I love her writing so much.
Video Review

Don’t forget to subscribe to my Hyperactive Bookworm channel, so you don’t miss out on my reviews, author interviews, and video wrap ups.

Be Safe
Be Brave
Be Kind

Neen xo
February’s Bookshelf

March 2nd, 2022

Major highlights for the shortest month of the year (because with the world in array I’m determined to find the positives where I can):
* I found my poet
* I did three video reviews – links beside individual books.

A Thousand Mornings by Mary Oliver – I have found my poetry. My love/hate and at best luke warm relationship has been replaced with OMG I want everything this woman has ever written. Highly recommended for those who love poetry about nature and the small things. Those who love words that are used with delicious purpose, and hints of humour. My favourite poems (after the first read and in this mindset):
The Mockingbird
Green, Green is my sister’s House
Video Review

The Terralight Collection by Pamela Jeffs – Jeffs is a true master of the 1st person POV short story. The worlds she is able to create in such a small amount of words is mind blowing. Her descriptions and characters are so tangible and enveloping.
I adore this entire collection and think it brings together some of the most brilliant and wonderfully weird worlds and stories.
A collection of 10 short stories and I have four that I love even more than I love the others.
Six-Gun Reckoning – who doesn’t love a female Van Helsing – just going to leave it at that lol
Fifty Mile Bone Beach – the use of seemingly incongruous words that make an entire post apocalyptic world seem to shudder with realism.
Rusted Wings – metal dragon *mike drop*
Terralight – a world painted in a sentence … Devine and cruel and wonderful.

Ardulum: First Don by J S Fields – What a fabulous sci-fi adventure. The wo rld building, the characters, and the descriptions were wonderful. I struggled a little with some of the multitude of characters and how they all intersected.
I’m looking forward to reading the next in the series.

Desolation Point by Cari Hunter – I love crime and mystery, action and darkness. And desolation point hints all these for me. Cari hunter’s writing is beautiful. A balance of action, beautiful description, horrific events, and wonderfully rounded characters.
This book had me on edge and I literally had to stay up until stupid o’clock because I couldn’t stop.

A Knife and a Blade by Adelaide Blaike – (ARC READ) – So I don’t normally read MM books, but I do read dark fantasy and damn, this book is dark and brilliant. The darkness seeps underneath your skin and you stay up way too late to read more of it.
The story is fascinating, and twisty. Characters revealing more of themselves as they stroll or sulk through the pages. Mystery and intrigue, mixed and balanced perfectly with humour made this book not just easy to read but a hell of a pleasure. The writing is delicious in its description and flow.
I can’t wait until it comes out, and even more excited for the second book because, holy crap I need to know what’s happened.

The Forever and the Now by KJ – Not a romance. For me, it is the ultimate love story. It gave me every feel you can imagine from laughing out loud, snorting, wanting to throw my device AT the arrogant homophobia of a few side characters, to making me love to cry. I even hit level 10 on the NINSAABO scale (Neen-I’m-Not-Sobbing-At-All-Bugger-Off). A few times in fact. Bron and Kate are so different and so complimentary to each other. They bring out the best in each other in the most wonderful of ways. From the drawings Bron gives to Kate and the origami cranes Kate gives to Bron, to the different world views and life perspectives they bring to each other. Everything about this wonderful book is raw and realistic, wonderful and heartbreaking. The trials and tribulations of a relationship, the highs and the lows. And then we get the wonderful character developments of Bron and Kate. As the book is from Bron’s point of view we see a bit more of her development but we also discover Kate’s as well. And both are wonderful and realistic. There are so many parts I loved about this book but my favourite scene of all time is the intervention with Bron and her sisters and mother. There is so much realistic and raw passion in this scene. It got the tears flowing and the heart pumping. It made me feel like I could have been in my sister’s kitchen being on either end of the situation. And damn did that hit home. With KJ’s trademark flowing sentences, wonderful descriptions, and perfect balance of humour and heartbreak, The Forever and the Now is a book that will stay with me, and I’m so glad to have been able to read it. Just make sure you have tissues nearby when you dive in to this wonderful love story. Video Review.

Gold by E J Noyes – Beautiful second chance at life book. Narration was delightful and the story was beautiful with delicious descriptions of scenery and soul searching. E J Noyes had such a wonderful skill at creating lives and worlds so real and intriguing I have a sudden urge to risk breaking body parts up on the slopes despite my inability to balance in high heels let alone anything else. I adore the single 1st person POV and the characters developments throughout this book. It was a pleasure to read.

The Awkward Truth by Lee Winter – If you love single POV, opposites attract, ice queens, steamy sex scenes and laughing while you get an insight into human nature, a wonderful storyline and brilliant characters. I totes recommend this book.
First, a little rant about the brilliant way Lee Winter writes characters. I adore her characters and am continually shocked how much I relate to them when there is nothing similar in me or my life to their personalities or experiences. I shouldn’t be shocked though. She doesn’t just write, ‘ice Queen’, or ‘yokel’ or even ‘lesbian’. She writes humans who go through growth and change, she writes people who struggle when the outside looking in their lives may seem perfect. She is able to sum up in a paragraph a human condition that has papers on it that can never quite sum it up so clearly.
Now, The Awkward Truth.
What a fabulously well written and delightful story. I laughed so many times during this book. I also found myself feeling like a fish out of water when something else dropped for our delightful main character.
I loved Felicities attitude in The Brutal Truth, she amused me so much with her black and white way of seeing everything, but this sidequel brings up the full roundness of Felicity.
I love the dynamics between her and Cooper. The banter as always was mike drop brilliant and I adored the little extra cameos, specifically Elena, and ooh I adore Rosalind.
A fabulous read, and if you get the chance, definitely indulge in Angela Dawes’ narration. The woman is a voice goddess.

Must Love Silence by Lucy Bexley – What a perfect balance of hard topics, brilliant humour, and well rounded characters. I loved the writing; poetic and light. And the single POV always rates extra points from me. Topic of addiction, and mental health all play a huge part of this book and I couldn’t love the way Lucy Bexley treats this issues any more than I do. I am really excited to read more of her work.

Girl Island by Kate Castle – This book was a thrill and rush to read. One of the best YA sapphic fictions I’ve read.
I saw this book advertised as mean girls meets lord of the flies and boom! The most accurate description but there is so much more to it then that.
The set up of the main character (and the other characters as well) is fantastic, and as I moved through the story I recognised many of them.
There are so many delightful layers of this story and I really enjoyed the way a second POV is brought in throughout the main characters story.
There are moments where I couldn’t help myself from highlighting and making notes on the beauty of the scenery, the crackle between characters, and the way the author has used darkness and beauty to crash and sweep you away like the storms. Video review.

For the verbal babble and February bookshelf wrap up you can find that here.

Be Safe
Be Brave
Be Kind

Neen x
Review of The Forever and The Now

February 16th, 2022

KJ is one of the most amazing authors I’ve read, and even better, one of the sweetest, kindest, and funniest humans. I am so completely honoured to have been a beta reader for KJ’s latest novel The Forever and The Now.

I wanna scream and rant about how much I love this book (see Hyperactive Bookwork for this such thing) but I’ll try to find actually words to interpret *aaaaaaahhhhhh*

Firstly, The Forever and The Now is not a romance. For me, it is the ultimate love story. It gave me every feel you can imagine from laughing out loud, snorting, wanting to throw my device AT the arrogant homophobia of a few side characters, to making me love to cry. I even hit level 10 on the NINSAABO scale (Neen-I’m-Not-Sobbing-At-All-Bugger-Off). A few times in fact.

Bron and Kate are so different and so complimentary to each other. They bring out the best in each other in the most wonderful of ways. From the drawings Bron gives to Kate and the origami cranes Kate gives to Bron, to the different world views and life perspectives they bring to each other.

Everything about this wonderful book is raw and realistic, wonderful and heartbreaking. The trials and tribulations of a relationship, the highs and the lows.

And then we get the wonderful character developments of Bron and Kate. As the book is from Bron’s point of view we see a bit more of her development but we also discover Kate’s as well. And both are wonderful and realistic.

There are so many parts I loved about this book but my favourite scene of all time is the intervention with Bron and her sisters and mother. There is so much realistic and raw passion in this scene. It got the tears flowing and the heart pumping. It made me feel like I could have been in my sister’s kitchen being on either end of the situation. And damn did that hit home.

With KJ’s trademark flowing sentences, wonderful descriptions, and perfect balance of humour and heartbreak, The Forever and the Now is a book that will stay with me, and I’m so glad to have been able to read it. Just make sure you have tissues nearby when you dive in to this wonderful love story.

Be Safe
Be Brave
Be Kind

Neen x
January Wrap Up

February 2nd, 2022

I read a lot to start the year off with a bang. If you’d prefer to see me babble like a fool, you can always see my January Wrap up on the Hyperactive Bookworm.

For now, on with the show:

The Headmistress by Milena McKay – Recommended for mystery fans, sapphic readers, and those whole love to be shocked and surprised in the best kind of ways.
I started this book on my ereader and by chapter 10 had ordered the paperback.
I’m going to have so much fun rereading and transcribing all of my notes on to the pages.
Once I started The Headmistress, I couldn’t stop. I loved the mystery and the storyline. I adore sapphic fiction that satiates the romantic but also brings layer of life, real conflict, and emotions to play. The headmistress does all of this and more.
The characters are brilliant and I demand for Lily and Willoughby to both get their own stories. I also found Sam truly wonderful. A dynamic contradiction of humanity. When I read Ice Queen stories I always end up falling head over heels, and don’t get me wrong Magdalene was divine. But oh my, Sam won me over completely.
Video Review.

How Poetry Can Change Your Heart by Megan Falley – This book was a gift. And in one sitting I devoured it front to back. It hits on the reasons and ways I have always had a love hate relationship to poetry.
An easy read that made me smile and feel seem. Layman’s terms without feeling condescended. If you are curious about poetry, love it hate it or ambivalent I recommend this book.

Glimpses of a Fractured Soul by Mercedes Lewis – A little intense and a little funny My first foray back into poetry. The first section made me laugh and nod. I loved it. The poems then went a lot deeper and darker and it took a little to adjust, but I enjoyed several of the poems. I felt confronted by a few on religion and faith, but not all faith is used against others, and one persons faith does not automatically mean I will be attacked for my difference. It’s a good lesson to learn and it’s meant I was able to enjoy the book and the authors words.

Irregular Heartbeat by Chris Zett – Re-Read – There is nothing quite like the melting of an Ice Queen to make me smile. I really enjoyed the depths and dynamics of the two main characters. Some heartbreaking moments mixed up with some laugh out loud parts. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes a bit at the intense coincidences of characters meetings. The writing was delicious and I’m always a fan of pop culture references in contemporary fiction. I really enjoyed this book and will definitely look at reading more of Chris Zett’s work.

Thorn by Anna Burke – I often say narrators can make a good story magnificent but a narrator you don’t gel with can also do disservice to a great book.
I think I’m going to do an eyeball read on this one, because despite having to speed up the narration to make it bearable for myself I was still able to see the beauty in this lovely fractured fairytale.
Some wonderful wording and interpretations.
4 stars for the story
3 stars for the narration

I am her Tribe by Danielle Doby – Wonderful empowering words. I love the diving in and embracing of our own inner darkness.

Chemistry Lessons by Jae – Friends to lovers slow burn romance at its finest. And so much more.
The characters are so real and their lives so wonderfully detailed and relatable.
The pain, fear, and confusion touched me on a personal level.
Several times I laughed out loud, one while trying to have a drink and read. I also finished this book while half heartedly cooking for a grumpy five year old but there was no way I could put this book down, literally.
My favourite line of the book: consent was sexy.
Video Review

Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur – This collection of poetry is raw and real, and probably should come with some trigger warnings.
The sections are very clear in what the poems are going to be about. Though not all the poems spoke to me, I may not be their audience, others I found beauty in the rawness. I found the art work beautiful and at times just as confronting as the words.

A Pirate’s Heart by Catherine Friend – I went into this book not knowing anything about it and I have to say, I’m so glad I didn’t know.
The story is two timelines, pirates, lost treasure, a feisty librarian, a crazy excitable puppy and lots of fun quirkiness.
The author also does the narration and she has done a brilliant job. Could I have done without the music moments in the audio, ah yeah, but it definitely wasn’t enough to ruin the fun and adventures on the high seas.
A great book and I’m looking forward to reading more of Catherine Friend’s work.
Video Review

Who’d Have Thought by G Benson – I never thought I was all that keen on fake romance stories. This has changed that completely for me. I love so much about this book. From the one POV, the humour, and the delicious chemistry to a story with family and intrigue and characters you want to adopt. There’s also a grumpy feline, which I’m quickly learning I’m a total sucker for.

She Just Wants to Forget by r.h Sin – There are beautiful words and empowering ideas. I got a little unsettled by the big changes from a two line poem to a three page one. For me it effected the rhythm of my reading. I did enjoy several of the poems, though I continue to search for the poems that speak directly to me.

Perfect Rhythm by Jae – Perfect for those who love slow burn romances, low angst, ace representation, and beautiful soul rending moments that make you feel alive and wonderful.
Jae’s writing is amazing and perfect rhythm is no exception.
The exploration and representation is beautiful and done with such an open minded and wonderful lens that I am a better more knowledgeable person for having read it.

The Number 94 Project by Cheyenne Blue – This book was so delicious in every way. From the slow burn (or at least slow release), the beautiful community atmosphere, the best side characters, I’m looking at you Coral, and the low angst cuteness. There were moments of pure laugh out loud dialogue, internal and spoken, mostly by coral and the last three chapters had me non stop smiling … my new favourite from Cheyenne Blue. Video Review

I also Beta Read the most amazing love story, The Forever and The Now by K J I am so excited about this book coming out on the 18th of February. It can now be pre-ordered here. I will post up a more detailed review, with my thoughts and feelings about this amazing book in a few weeks.

Be Safe
Be Brave
Be Kind

Neen
Poetry, feelings, and the NINSAABO scale

January 3rd, 2022

I may have mentioned this before. I tend to follow the shiny bouncy ball of life, but only once it’s smacked me in the face a few times. My stubbornness gets in my way, and even when it’s a decision I already teetered on the edge of, I demand the push before I fall up.

Only three days into the new year and I’ve been smacked left right and up the back of the head. Poetry and feelings. Two things I have love/hate and decidedly complicated relationships with.

I used to cry a lot. But after years of being told to suck it up, years of learning to school the icy shards of emotions from my face and reactions. And while the tears have been easy to tame, I have never stopped apologising for my excitement over what others deem insignificant. I still get ‘overly’ enthusiastic about the things I love, only to ruminate about them later and worry I expresses TOO much emotion. But when it comes to crying, I don’t. Or at least I hadn’t for a very long time. Not only had I come to think of tears as distasteful in myself (I love people who can cry) but almost impossible to reach.

Enter last year and my introduction to some of the most amazing authors and human beings I have ever been lucky enough to know. The LGBTQIA writing community I have found have been ridiculously supportive and boosting.

Last year, 5 books made me cry. I almost fell over the first time it happened. I remember it clearly. I was stirring a pot of pasta, ensuring it didn’t stick to the bottom of the pot, I’m not a terribly good or attentive kitchen person. But I was reading, holding the book in one hand while the other hand half mindedly stirred the pasta and water. I didn’t realise I was crying. I was reading and my chest grew hot and tight. Being constricted as though wrapped up by a boa. My cheek tickled. My brows furrowed and I lifted the hand stirring up to my cheeks. Before I could really take in the tears I yelped as hot water splashed on me and my book. Saving me from investigating the phenomenon. 4 more times it happened. And by the end of the year I felt a fear and an excitement over being able to. More than that, I felt indebted to these amazing authors who plucked at the chains wrapped around my emotions and let them be expressed.

Three days into the new year and the first book I’ve read has made me cry. The second book is a poetry book and I’ve felt winded as it talked about societies pressure to not feel. To not admit we are human with all the ranges of emotions. Bring on my burgeoning relationship with poetry.

As if these weren’t enough, just this morning I had a conversation with a fellow author whom I am beta reading for, below is what happened when she asked me for some specific details and feedback for the book.

My first reaction was horror. How can I be associated with sobbing? But that lasted a mere micro second because now I can’t take the smile off my face.

So here is to a new year of poetry and feelings. A year of rating books on the NINSAABO scale.

Here’s to not apologising for my emotions, the sadness, the fullness, the fear, and the excitement.

Be Safe
Be Brave
Be Kind

Neen