Neen’s Bookish Ramblings

Sunday Musings

March 26th, 2023

What I’m musing on this Sunday is, my actual relationship with Sunday’s. To clarify I mean the day of the week not the delicious dessert … hmmm I wonder if there is any ice-cream in the freezer.

Right, *shakes head* the day of the week.

When I was growing up, me and Sunday’s had a distinct love hate relationship. At the beginning of my memory, they loomed at the end of every week, and were shucked off once we returned home, never to be thought of again … until they inevitably loomed once more.

I owe a lot of my hobbies and enjoyment ‘leisure’ activities to Sunday’s. Hobbies and activities I carry with me to this day like reading, doing jigsaw puzzles, Lego, and playing board games. I know, I know. I hear you saying, but then Neen what could make you hate Sunday’s?

Ah, yes, the hobbies and activities were indeed born out of Sunday afternoons, but oh the Sunday mornings were the price I had to pay for them.

Sunday morning’s (and later the afternoon’s on alternate years) I was wrestled in to a dress and told to sit still and listen to people telling me all the ways I could burn in hell once I died. Urgh, church! THREE HOURS every single Sunday. Some days the reward of my afternoon freedom was not nearly worth the cost.

The thing about Sunday’s is that in the beginning I wasn’t specifically told I could indulge in these activities. What I most clearly remember was being given a list of things I could NOT enjoy on those afternoons.
* No rough or loud play (we were energetic active kids who loved playing all kinds of ‘rough’ games in the bush)
* No television
* No visiting friends
* No non-church music
* No choreographed dancing (my older sister loved choreographing is younger ones to be her back up dancers .)

What we were told to do was churchy things like reading one of the 4 gospels, thinking about god and subsequent churchy things like listening to church (ie slow and boring) music.

It took me a long time to find ways to enjoy my Sunday afternoons. And soon I discovered I almost looked forward to Sunday’s, almost. It got a little easier once I realised I could start my hobbies a bit earlier then I technically should have. Most notably was my smuggling books in to my church bag. Books that were most definitely not one of the 4 gospels the religion practiced. I read my first Virginia Andrews, Stephen King, and Babysitter’s Club books tucked into the back corner of my ‘class’. The second hour of church where everyone split into age groups.

So yes, there were fantastic things that eventually came out of Sunday’s but it’s taken many years to truly shrug off those mornings and the weight that pressed against my chest when I would wake up on a Sunday dreading what I would learn about hell and my inevitable place there. Especially when I realised I didn’t think about the boys at church the way I thought about the girls. And wheeew did I feel like a pervert when I thought about the girls – burning in hell #16395

The last few months, it’s really hit me how much Sunday’s have not just redeemed themselves but have become my favourite day of the week. Yeah, I do some of the life and house prep for the week on Sunday’s but those chores are definitely worth the fun I get to spend with my family.

Reading while the boys play Minecraft

Lego time with the kiddo

Thus endeth today’s musings

Be safe
Be brave
Be kind

Neen x
Oh hey, did ya miss me?

March 23rd, 2023
Alright, so it’s been a hot minute since I last posted. The world has gone all turvy topsy and everything got just a wee bit too overwhelming in my little corner of the world.

But the good news is, it’s slowly settling down in many ways and I’m having to force it to settle down in other ways. Still more crazy to manage, but ticking things off the list.

2023 has begun with some fantastic steps in all the right directions both personally, professionally (the day job), and creatively (the passion projects including writing).

Major things from the 1st quarter of 2023 … yeah, we’re really up to that, damn getting old makes time all levels of wibbly wobbly. I digress, how unlike me:
- Attended my first Genre Con. Attended in person, made incredible connections, and had overwhelming reassurance that I’m where I want to be
- Partner had surgery and while recovery is still happening our little trio family are already happier for this HUGE step forward.
- Booked my first stall at an event to sell my own books. So if you are near the Gold Coast in Queensland Australia in June for Pride, come say hi to me and three fellow sapphic authors: Cheyenne Blue, Liz Rain, and S R Silcox.
- Got my next book locked into a release date with my new publisher, Eerie River Publishing. (psst it’s August 14th, my birthday) My book is VOID – so watch out, as I will start talking more and more about this amazing sapphic urban steam punk dark fantasy. I’m absolutely in love with it and have had an amazing time working with Eerie River Publishing.
- Engaged my first editor on my own, away from any publisher, and sent my first manuscript to them. A 75K read that I have no idea if it’s any good or not. Eeeeek but YAY for brave steps.
I have read some of the most amazing books already this year. My book count is on track to hit my reading goals, while at the same time I’ve not read as many as I had this time last year, but that’s ok because life is full of the swings and roundabouts. To check out my book reviews make sure you pop on over to the Hyperactive Bookworm.

Be Safe
Be Brave
Be kind

Neen x
A repost – The beast within

March 18th, 2023

March is Endometriosis awareness month. So here is a blog I wrote back in 2019. (Thank you Bindi Irwin for speaking up about this and bringing it into discussions).

It’s hard to describe with any kind of accuracy, my own experiences with Endometriosis.

I want to say it’s like a stone, strapped on to your back. That every month I feel as though I am Atlas struggling to hold up the Earth, but instead of it being strapped on my shoulders, it is inside me pushing against my blood and bones trying to force it’s way back to its intended/original size. But even that is not entirely accurate.
Below is what some months feel like (Almost all months now):

Even that can’t truly explain the pain that often seizes my body. What no image or gif can ever explain or convey is the fear of breathing. With every single breath, this world of pain throbs and beats itself against me. So I take shallow breaths. I try not to move, HA! explain that to an extremely active 6 year old.

It presses against my back in alternating sporadic rhythms of sharp and ache, making my body jerk and shudder. I force myself to live as though the pain isn’t there. And at times I can fool onlookers. I can even start to fool myself with enough distraction … some minutes.
But then there I am, curled up on the nearest surface, be it bed, couch, floor, anything will do. My fists clench around and twist any material, stuffed animal, my sons sicky rag, all to try and wade through the latest burst of agony.

This is just a glimpse of my life with Endometriosis.

Since the age of eleven when I ‘became a woman’ – what a stupid fucking expression that is – I have suffered this debilitating pain. I was not allowed to wallow in it. Three sisters before me managed to tough ‘it’ out (IT being periods not endometriosis). There was no getting out of school or work, no resting because it was ‘that time of month’. So instead my only option was to drug myself up every single month. I felt less like myself, feeling instead like an alien inside my own body, and lying when asked if the pain killers helped.

When I had my son, (after fertility treatments and procedures that showed the endometriosis had actually fused one of my ovaries to my bowels) I had that beautiful blossom of hope, that I would be cured of this diabolic demon, and the first few months I was lulled into a false sense of promise. It was bliss and I thought … ‘oh yes, thank you Gaia.’. Turns out she doesn’t have all that much to do with it and those months of bliss weren’t just a tease but a cruel trick, to show me what my body should have been able to do.
Since then the pain grows worse each month (yep, still getting worse) and I am loaded up on drugs, feel detached from everything and hug wheat bags as though they hold the miracle of life itself.

To anyone who suffers from endometriosis – I believe you, and I’m sorry you are suffering through this.
To anyone who hears someone say they suffer from endometriosis – believe them when they say it hurts. Help them when they have tears in their eyes and are trying desperately to continue as though it doesn’t. If you don’t know how to help, ask them what they need, because what works for one may not work for another. Don’t tell them they ‘need’ or ‘should’ do anything you know has worked for someone else. They may have already tried with different degrees of success and failure.

It’s a horrible invisible pain to go through and the lack of definitive knowledge and not being believed can be just as debilitating as the pain itself.

Be Safe
Be Brave
Be Kind
November Reads

December 5th, 2022

Yes I know, it’s late but the world got busy and crazy.

5 books. I know, pretty light on the reading front but all books were fabulous and wonderful.

Dead Women Don’t Tell Tales by Adrian J. Smith
My first book by this author and I loved it. I dove into knowing very little but the cover told me all I ever really needed. A Futurist Steampunk pirate world, an ex-con, a virus, and an unexpected moment (or two) with a high society woman who isn’t afraid to ask for what she wants and to get what she needs.
The characters are fantastic and the sec scenes hot and intense.
The world building is brilliant and as I finished it I discovered this is a prequel to a brand new series. This makes me all levels of happy.
But I mean seriously, what do you really need to know except, sapphic steampunk pirates.

A Closed and Common Orbit (Wayfarers #2) by Becky Chamber
Oh my. This is book two, in the wayfarer series. Book 1, A Long Way to a Small Angry Planet, I adored and that always makes me a little nervous going in to a book 2.
But oh my!
Pepper is a minor character in book 1, but she is not minor herself in any way.
Book 2 in essence is Pepper’s story (and Sidra’s). There are two time lines, now and back then. And both are intense and examine humanity in such wonderful ways, especially as the times draw closer together.
I laughed out loud many times, I ‘ohed’ even more times. My mind created different ideas and thoughts of what if this is going to happen. Sometimes I was right and other times I was way off and I loved it all the times.
Becky chambers’ writing is fantastic, her world building is epic, her creation of species is detailed and wonderful.
Also a huge shout out to the amazing narrator, Patricia Rodriguez.
Overall an incredibly brilliant sequel that could easily be read and understood without the first book, but why deny yourself the brilliance of either books.

Fake It by Lily Seabrooke
Wow. I love so much about this book and the perfect week to read it, for Trans Awareness Week.
Own voice author, and truly amazing representation. This story doesn’t wave the characters transness away as though it is nothing, but also shows the character as a well rounded and complete human, not her only personality trait being her transness.

The Club by A.L. Brooks
Firstly, the audio of The Club narrated by Sophie Hunter Scott is not the safest book to listen to while driving.
But it is a highly exquisite erotica novel that I definitely recommend, as long as you know just what you are getting yourself into and that is some mighty fine sex scenes and writing.
Having read and loved many of A. L. Brooks books before I already knew I quite enjoyed her writing and The Club did not disappoint.
The writing is brilliant and the hot scenes are 🔥 🔥 🔥🔥🔥.
For me this book read like a wonderful Mosaic tapestry of lives that all intersect in one way or another around The Club. There are two time lines and both are truly fantastic.
Did I expect the heart punch on the past time line, no. Did I love every moment of it. Oh yes.
I also adored the end story, and how even though I hadn’t expected a happy ending, we get one anyway.
I applaud the narrator’s brilliant job.
I’m so glad knowing there is a second book that follows on from The Club, because well there must be.
And now as I need to go recover, I’ll leave you with one of my favourite quotes from The Club.
‘I know it’s hard, of course it is. All the big shit in life is. But honey, the rewards are so worth it, if you’re brave enough.’

John’s Crazy Head-Boppin’ Mystery by A.J Sherwood
Another great read. Lots of fun moments with an interesting mystery thrown in. Though the sex scenes don’t do anything for me personally they are well written and I could see them being much fun if MM was your thing.

I’ll be doing a wrap up of my favourite books of the year soon. Once I get my voice back I will also be doing a video wrap up over on the Hyperactive Bookworm so make sure you are subscribed so you get notified as soon as it goes live 🙂

Be Safe
Be Brave
Be Kind
I’ve Got a Dream

November 16th, 2022

I’ve got a dream, I just wanna see the floating lanterns gleam!!!

If you’re a mum, around kids, or just love animated kids movies (no judgement, I’ve owned most of our collection before becoming a mum) you might know my random introduction is from the Disney movie, Tangled.

We’ve watched it quite a bit lately, and by we I mean I put it on and kiddo rolls his eyes and says ‘fine’ but then finds a saucepan and acts out the moves. (honestly, if you don’t know what I’m talking about, you should check it out.)

Anyway, the point, it is coming up. Oh yes.

Today kiddo asked me if I had a dream.

In the past this kind of question would result in me umming and ahhhing, a whole bunch of blinking and if it’s a good day some incoherent words that sounded very high brow (read-wanky) but in essence mean little.

But I didn’t even hesitate. I know my dream. To one day be a full time writer. To not need another job to supplement the income.

It felt good. And it felt better knowing it is a realistic goal that I am slowly but surely working on.

I wanted to share how this made me feel. How this reminded me to focus on the bigger picture. And even though the amazon thing that’s been happening with my next book baby (oh long story, which is not fun to retell), I’m not here for just one or two books. I have so many more stories to tell, and so much more to learn and grow into. I’m here for the long game, and I’m in the actual game, not sitting on the sidelines waiting to be subbed in. (wow, is that a sport reference? Wonder where I picked that up from … must have been a movie).

So, I have a dream and I’m not scared to tell the whole world about it.

If you have a dream, and you are hiding it, that’s ok. But I hope one day you are in a position where you are supported and loved enough (by yourself if not by others) to shout out and reach for that dream.

In the meantime:

Be Safe
Be Brave
Be Kind

Neen
October (AKA Halloween month)

October 30th, 2022

October was a much more successful reading AND writing month and this makes me happy to no end.

Eight books, 4 Speculative Fiction, 5 Sapphic – altogether not too shabby. As for writing I got the prep sorted out for NaNoWriMo and I am raring to go.

So here’s my wap up of book reviews for October

Purposefully Accidental by G Benson:
For such a big book, and Purposefully Accidental is a lot of words, I flew through this book easily devouring and loving the adventures of Wren and Madison.
Not only does it have some of my favourite tropes (enemies to lovers and fake relationship), G Benson has created complete worlds for both characters, populated with the most fantastic friends and hateable ‘bad guys’.
I laughed so much throughout this book. From Hathor and her complete felineness, to 9-year-old gay panic, to best friends who call characters out on their shit and half hearted denial. But then, THEN my heart spiderwebbed with fractals of pain and grief. Because there is a lot of grief that has been done so genuinely and delicately without taking away any of the wonderful humour and sexiness of this book.
Because yes, there is a whole lot of sexy tension and moments.
I want to say more, so much more but mostly I don’t want to spoil this amazing book and stop the world from reading it, because the world really should.
But, if you need more info then here’s a list of a few more things that have stuck with me and even now make me giggle
* Putting misogynist, bigots, and homophobes in their place
* A charming and down to earth celeb
* A car bonnet … oh yes, a car bonnet!!!!!
* A hilarious coming out
* Wonderful and amazing neurodiverse representation
* FANFIC!

Crush by S R Silcox:
I love everything about this book. The writing, the characters and, for me the familiar landscape and world. Tess is a country girl who goes to her Pop and Nan’s farm to help prep for the Crush festival instead of going to schoolies.
Maddie is visiting in a desperate need to escape the pressures of a life she hasn’t enjoyed for far too long.
The two meet, hit it off, and then both of their worlds shift.
Brilliant banter, and friendships, as well as wonderful family dynamics. I loved it!

For The Long Run by Cheyenne Blue:
This book has everything you could want. Elite athletes, a runner in a koala suit, unexpected housemates, presto puppy, hot hot hot hot hot scenes, beautiful writing and description, hot sex scenes, heart squeezing moments, laugh out loud times, the beauty of gay Melbourne Australia, oh and did I mention this book is HOT?!
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were amazingly real and dynamic and the entire romance developed in such real and natural ways, with the struggles and the surprises, and how both characters found ways to give the best they could to their life and their relationship without being swallowed by it whole. I want to cuddle this book for giving me all the feels.

The Seasonals by Pamela Jeffs:
You can’t go past Pamela Jeffs for atmospheric writing and beauty and The Seasonsals is no except.
A collection of 4 short stories all tied together spanning 10000 years. Creatures from another world, the cursed, and the forgetful all coming together to keep our world from being eaten. Heartbreak and beauty go hand in hand with dynamic characters and incredible world building and description.

Just My Type by Lucy Bexley and Bryce Oakley:
This was a fun lighthearted vampire romance. And I mean really what could wrong with a vampire and a hematoligist. They are perfectly matched to each other, Annie with her excitable humanity and sciencey stuff and Ero with zero pop culture knowledge, or general human living awareness at all, and a love for her inherent nature. The puns and references throughout the entire book kept me giggling.
It was easy to read and the pages seemed to fly past.
I enjoyed many of the descriptions and felt entirely called out by Annie’s immediate acceptance, only to be stunned later when she begins to really think about the consequences. Whoops.
I love June and Nines and Ero’s adorable awkwardness.
Oh …. And damn, sizzling!

Nona the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir:
Oh my fucking god.
Tamsyn Muir does it again. I spent time simultaneously wondering wtf was happening while being entirely captivated by the writing, world building and characterisations.
I love Moira Quirk and her ability to truly envelope you in the experience and world with her narrating mastery.
As usual Muir had me laughing along with lines such as:
– who is this literal god damn infant? Can someone give her like a rusk or something and shut her up?
– no baby cakes, I didn’t fool you.
– I thought I told you to shut your stolen god damned mouth
And then simple lines and concepts that stay with you:
– That middle of the brain thought
I adore this series and cannot wait for the next instalment

Fire Witch by Rachael Boucker
This is a brilliant novellette night order series prequel. love the world building, the magic system, and Boucker’s way with words. A mix of laugh out loud moments with turn my head away from the gruesome descriptions.

A Whisper of Solace by Milena McKay
Wow. This was an epic read and I understand why people have been talking so much about it.
I loved the relationship between the MC and the therapist, the self-referential jokes and outright conversations about tropes. Neve is a masterpiece of a complicated and contradictory human being.
I struggled at the start with Neve’s ‘wallowing’ and hyper focus on her not-a-relationship with Audrey but am so glad I pushed through because once she moved through to allowing herself to also focus on her life and work again, wow I could not stop reading. Or listening, because Abby Crayden’s narration is a divine piece of art. My only other struggle was not understanding what was so amazing about Audrey that everyone gravitated toward her and loved her … and THEN, the self-referential moments where Audrey brings this to light. At least, that’s how it felt to me and damn was I all here for it.
I laughed out loud many times and found myself smiling that omg this is brilliant icyness without even realising it. Among the joy were also the most heartbreaking of moments.
Milena’s writing is delicious and provocative. And the sizzle, oh sizzle beyond sizzle.

Bring on November.

Be Safe
Be Brave
Be Kind

Neen x
Challenge Accepted …

October 17th, 2022

Today I was brave. Not brave in a big world sort of way, but brave in my world. Today I reached out to an author I adore to interview them for my YouTube channel, Hyperactive Bookworm. And while this was brave of me, this was not the end to my bravery.

I figured I would receive either a yes or a no. I was beyond surprised to receive a rather long reply that not only included a fantastic story from their own past, but also a challenge once put to her and now passed on to me.

My stomach clenched and the hairs on my arms stood to attention. This is a reaction I know well. We’ve been intimate many times over the years.

As little as 2 years ago, this reaction would have me scurrying back into my corner, rocking back and forth like Bart Simpson after Homer made him the clown bed.

It would have been awkward and horrible, but I undoubtedly would have pretended as though I had never asked said author and if asked by them would have blathered on about my busy life, which isn’t a lie but neither would it have been the entire truth.

But here I am, a few questions written down (they may not make the final cut) and am stunned to see how far I really have come.

Sometimes it’s so hard to see the daily shifts and changes within yourself because you don’t often get moments that highlight just how much change has occurred.

Am I still terrified of how the questions will be received? If I fail to challenge the author and myself to levels hoped for? For blathering like a fool even if the questions are approved and opening my mouth to leave all doubts of my gushing idiocy? Oh yeah, there is still the fear. Am I learning to like the shiver of fear and embrace it instead of letting it drive the car, and drive me far away … also … yes?! Over the last two years I really have come to enjoy the challenges and how they have helped me grow, as a person and as a writer … jury is still out on growth as a potential journo lol.

So maybe, if you haven’t had a chance to stop and see how much you have grown and changed now might be just the reminder you need to stop and reevaluate your own awesomeness.

Be Safe
Be Brave
Be Kind

Neen
September Wrap up

October 2nd, 2022

September has been a hard month. A new job, and lots of sickness. I read five books, and have decided to stop beating myself up over falling 10 books behind on my yearly reading goal. Too many other things happening to worry about that. But the books I have read have been smashing fun.

I hope you Stay by Courtney Peppernell
A friend loaned me her paperback copy of this book and it couldn’t have come at a more perfect time.
I enjoyed this collection. I love the way the poems are broken into sections. I felt strong pulls to several of the poems which is always nice.
I got overwhelmed by the formatting. I fell into the mindset of novel reading several times with the larger blocks of text and then suddenly there is rhyming and it pulled me out of the message of the poem.
I enjoyed the change from first person to third person, even a few poems written in second person. It was a nice way to break up the book while giving it a gentle flowing feeling.
Perfect timing for me to read some more poetry, to help reset emotions and remind me to breathe.

Tangled Vows by Anna Stone
My first Anna Stone and my first BDSM.
I enjoyed many things about this book. The story was entertaining and the characters intriguing. I loved icy Yvonne, and I related to Ruby’s struggle to find herself again having been turned into a shell by her ex.
I listened to the audio version narrated by Lexy Rebe. I loved her drawl and especially loved Yvonne’s sexy voice. I wasn’t so fond of Ruby’s voice.
I want to say the book shocked me with the bdsm scenes, but not at all. Which might have a little more to do with me as the writing was exquisite and the scenes well done in all aspects.
I appreciated the angst and tension build up wasn’t drawn out and the resolution was extremely satisfying.
I like Anna Stones use of words and look forward to reading more of her books.

Strange Attractors by Ana K Wrenn
An amazingly beautiful and haunting look into dark academia and trauma.
Ana K Wrenn writes in the most poetic and beautiful way, her choice of words taking us into the twisted and tormented life and struggles of Dr Sonya Storey.
An ice queen and how she’s been made, and destroyed. A love interest who refuses to be silenced or used as a life saver. Unexpected amusement in the middle of chaos.
There are so many levels in this book I could easily see myself rereading and finding more depth within depth.
The scenery is delicious and the characters are so wonderfully flawed.

The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
I really had to stop and think about how to discuss this book, how to review it. I don’t want to spoil it for anyone because everyone who likes sci-fi or well written characters and exciting adventures should absolutely read this book.
An ensemble cast of tunnellers who get a big arse paying job that will push them up in their goals and start allowing them to get on top of things.
But of course, nothing comes without a price, even if none of them expected the prices they paid.
The audio was narrated by Patricia Rodriguez and damn it if she didn’t do a truly fantastic job. So many different characters and voices and she absolutely nailed them.
The different races are fantastic and the characters are so well rounded and realistic. I was on every punch with them, every unexpected twist and turn.
I adored all the crew, and cannot wait to get to read more of this series.

The Little Morsel by Rachel Rener and Alora Carter
This is the most adorable one sitting fantasy story about a dragon and a girl who find an unlikely family in each other. Found family is one of my favourite tropes of all time. And this mixed with the beautiful writing and the fantastic humour had me smiling during the entire read.
I was blown away by how the authors handled the dark reality of little morsels life previously. Children’s books can handle such things, and it was handled perfectly here.
I think my favourite of Ferals names for the food deliveries was definitely tarts in carts, but there were so many great ones to choose from lol

CURRENT READS:

I’m in the middle of three amazing books at the moment. I can’t wait to finish and review them:
Purposefully Accidental by G Benson
Crush by S R Silcox
Nona the Ninth (The Locked Tomb #3) by Tamsyn Muir

Be Safe
Be Brave
Be Kind

Neen x
August’s Bookshelf

September 6th, 2022

August was the longest and shortest month wrapped up in to one. I finished working, started job hunting, wrote almost 30K on my WIP and turned 40 somewhere in there as well. Turned out, something had to give and it was my reading.

I read 7 books this month, but to be fair I’ve also been having a blast being on the beta reader teams of some amazing authors and can’t wait until their books are out so I can gush more whole heartedly about them.

But for now, on with the show … or the reviews!

The Heartbeat of a Million Dreams by Halo Scot
When I first started this book I was hooked. It starts strong and gripping and from there it doesn’t let up. The story is told in alternate first person points of view from our two protagonists, Slade and Koa. Their voices are so incredibly unique that I never for a moment had to flick back or check which point of view I was in at any given time. And when in each perspective I could feel and taste the pain and dust that surrounded them.
The beauty and poetry of Halo Scott’s words, most strongly through Slade’s POV, literally brought tears to my eyes and reminded me that I not only love stories, but I am in love with words. The descriptions of the world on Mars is tangible and real. I loved seeing the similarities and differences between the two different perspectives and how they saw the world they inhabited. One, the leader of the roses, lives in the soft whispering of the library, while the other the, hunted since birth, running, starving, surviving, sees the world differently with everything being too much as she ‘notice[s] everything with no filter, no reprieve.’
A sci-fi dystopian future of Earth versus Mars, of ‘normal’ versus fear of different. The dirty gritty feel of Mars as seen mostly through Slade’s eyes reminds me of Philip K Dick’s writing. If you haven’t read or don’t know of him you might have seen the iconic film Blade Runner which was based on his novel, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep. This is definitely some of the gritty vibe I got from the Heartbeat if a million dreams and I am all here for it.
If you have guessed, I loved everything about reading The Heartbeat of a Million Dreams. Was it a quick fluffy read, oh gosh no. Was it intense and sometimes draining, oh yes. Was it worth it? Oh yes, a million dreams with.
It was fantastic. I recommend it for those who love the sci-fi dystopian genre. I also highly recommend it as an amazing insight into a neurodiverse world.

What a Tangled Web by Melissa Brayden
The third (last?) of the Tangle Valley series and I’m going to go all out and say What a Tangled Web is my favourite. I didn’t think it were possible after loving Gabriella being in the drivers seat but damn Madison and Clementine are my everything.
The writing was beautiful, and the humour and chuckles still prevalent but Clementines story hit so close to home on so many levels. I understood her self doubts and how her own identity was wrapped up in who and what her parents (specifically her father) are. There were so many oomph moments when it came to her coping mechanisms – the reading, the withdrawing. It made so much more sense to me, that moment in romance stories where it all falls apart more then many have in a long time.
I adored Madison in the other books, always the more calculated, the more practical of the main trio. Seeing her still remain true to herself but grow in such wonderful ways was a delight. I loved her directness and as always the other tangle valley stars were there to help her understand and work through what was happening when suddenly she began to emote, and then intentionally did. I hope she never changes her delivery of it.
I adored this series and love how all the threads from the previous books got a head tilt in the final of this one as well.
If you are looking happy, fluffy, beautifully written romance this is a perfect series.

Jon’s Downright Ridiculous Shooting Case by AJ Sherwood
Fun, quirky, and adorable. The main character Jon is a psychic in a world where there are.government departments and official standings in the police department.
Jon meets Donovan and a whole new world opens up to both of them. The writing was easy to read while still being fun and giving me many laugh out loud moments.
Some pretty detailed M/M sex scenes that while they did nothing for me I totally get they were well written and hot.
I love the characters, especially the Jon and Donovan’s families and the complicated relationships Jon has with them all.
Can’t wait to read more of Jon’s adventures as he scares the holy Hannah out of Donovan.

Up On The Roof by A.L Brooks – I had so much fun listening to this. The narration done by Justine Eyre was smashing and the writing was truly delightful.
I had actual laugh out loud moments and discovered listening to the last hour while doing grocery shopping made for a very interesting experience 🤣😂🤷‍♀️🤦‍♀️
The story is a fantastic slow burn enemies to lovers with characters who both had to face and overcome their own fears and previous baggage.
I adored Megan’s family, while also loving how realistically they are portrayed with the teasing and convenient ignoring but still showing the love behind their and wanted to shake Lena’s parents.
A.L Brooks does a brilliant job of representing a character with anxiety. I felt the self frustration within Lena so tangibly I found myself saying out loud OOMPH more than once. And I was so relieved that Megan wasn’t this perfectly always understanding character, ie she gets upset in her thoughts but works through them. This realism made me love everything just that little bit more.
The representation of bodies that aren’t ‘Hollywood’ beautiful was also such a breathe of fresh air, and the way the two come together is just adorable and wonderful.

Just a Touch Away by Jae –
Somehow this book makes me simultaneously want to run around screaming with excitement while also cuddling up on the couch, eating ice cream (I’ve consumed far too much this week but I’m sure Hannah approves) and hugging the stuffing out of a teddy bear.
This book is phenomenal. Jae has a remarkable way of deep diving into human nature with her books and these characters are no exception.
I laughed and squeed so hard while reading this book. From Winter’s sarcastic and dry humour, to Hannah’s enthusiastic openness (especially with doors she doesn’t knock on first), to the pop culture references … I’m looking at you Bound 😉
I adored the cameos of characters from several of Jae’s other books, which all helped to make this world so entirely real and believable.
But don’t get me wrong, during all the laughing and giggling, Jae takes us on a deep dive into our main characters. Winter is a remarkable ice queen with walls of self preservation from her family while Hannah is the amazingly open sunshine character (with a brilliant spine of steel) encouraged to truly be herself by her own family.
It is the most unlikely pairing of opposites attract and I am absolutely here for it.
I highly recommend this book. Now it’s time to go eat more ice cream.

Crossroads by Radclyffe –
Fantastic read. I loved the focus on midwifey and the inclusion of kids in this story. I love reading about people overcoming their pasts and discovering the strength they never believed they possessed. The two main characters are wonderful and flawed and human and real. I love Radclyffe’s way with words and how the story could make me smile even when it discussed such heartbreak and loss.

Sorry the reviews a little later then normal. Life is crazy but I’m back up on the hill and loving life.

Be Safe
Be Brave
Be Kind

xx
July’s Bookshelf

August 1st, 2022

Well July starting with a bang. I read so many incredible books this month, so let’s dive right in.

A Curious Woman by Jess Lea – Well damn! This book was everything I have been looking for in a cozy mystery. Brilliant Sapphic main characters, enough red herrings and filtering of information to keep me staying up until stupid o’clock, beautiful setting and description, and the Aussieness to tie it all together.
I LOVED this book so much. Laugh out loud moments that had perfect timing, real characters that were wonderful and flawed. I loved that the main character is a larger size but wonderful and beautiful and a confident individual in many areas of her life.
The balance within this book was perfect and I cannot wait to read more from this author.
Video Review: https://youtu.be/7u7ukedaGbM
Bonus Author Interview: https://youtu.be/aI3Vy4TwGi4

Never Too Late for Heroes by A.L Brooks – YES! Everything about this book is a hella yes! Multiple and amusing points of view, several romantic storylines, laugh out loud spit coffee over the book kind of banter, family dynamics in the good and the bad and writing that made me experience all the feels. I am in love with the ensemble cast but if push came to shove I’d have to say my favourite character is Reed. She made me laugh more than any other character, although I need more adventures with Agent Fox and, and, and all of them really. They all added to the brilliance of this book and I just simply adore A.L Brooks writing style. Highly recommend this book … and the audio which is done phenomenally by Abby Craden.
Video Review: https://youtu.be/BsbCuNciHrY

Kick Back by KJ – I read this book alternating between a goofy arse smile on my face, wanting to kick someone in the shins, and wondering how I am enjoying a sports book with this much sport detail in it. I struggled a little at the start, but again see comment about sports and infer what you can. Despite my antisportness, once I sunk my teeth in, there was no going back.
A few sections I got major A League of Their Own vibes which was both fabulous and mortifying when I thought about how we have not come nearly far enough since then. Ridiculously similar issues that Sophia and the other player have to face.
The writing has the trademark long flowy sentences and chuckle worthy internal thoughts and banter evident in all of KJ’s writing.
There is a damn fine and 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 sex scene, that is well worth the read in and of itself.
Cam is my new spirit animal. Two examples why:
1. “Will bears be chasing you?”
“No?”
“Then there is absolutely no need to be running,”
2. “Oh, please. It’s instant and the only resemblance it has to actual coffee is that it’s brown.”
*brushes hands of dust* my work here is done.
Video Review: https://youtu.be/uQvYISER4xU

Morrigan by Erik Schubach – The fourth book of the Worldship Files. Overall I enjoyed it. Up until now the series has focused on fantasy and sci-fi working side by side. I got far more of a versus vibe in this book, that morphed into a symbiosis sort of feeling. The story itself was good, with the Morrigan wrapping up nicely, while the overall story of the series is really kicking up a gear.
It’s good for anyone wanting to pick up or read the books out of order as relevant history of the world of Nith and the previous books is recapped, but having read them all in pretty small time frames it did feel a little painful having to hear it all again, but that is the way with more series I guess.
The humour remains spot on, though there was an anxious lack of historical music happening.
* ‘Nith, love please don’t try to flirt, you’re not very good at it and you’ve already won my heart.’
* I had questions but I knew now and probably never would be the right time to ask.
The writing hade a few moments of pulling me from the story, but the emotions and story were pretty awesome, especially as we learned more about Mother and the history of the Fae and creation of the Worldship.
Video Review: https://youtu.be/aT8DgOHGArI

Inked by Rachel Rener – Ok, when a book starts with the first chapter title being called Butt Cobras it’s a pretty good guess that I’m going to enjoy it. And did I ever. Inked is a F/M fantasy with a Jewish main character who is in love with her tattooist boss. Talia’s boss goes missing and a whole world, literally, opens up for her. It’s well written and the story is brilliant. the sexy inclusions are detailed and on point, and the humour had me chuckling often. The one time I thought my head might explode was explaining the types of blood, but when the information was required, a quick summary of what you need at the time was included without taking away from the flow of the story. It also helped having a nice little spreadsheet (I love a sexy spreadsheet) at the back for reference.
I adored the relationships between Talia and her mother. Amusing and relatable. I also loved how the author tied things up full circle in the end, except of course for the things that will get me reading the second book ASAP.
Video Review: https://youtu.be/teR3Fwxc-Ns

An Art to Love by Helena Harte – Lauren is forced to return to her small hometown when tragedy strikes her and her family. While mourning at the cemetery Lauren runs into an old school acquaintance, Jamie. Having known loss and tragedy herself, Jamie is the perfect shoulder for Lauren to lean on. But Jamie had always crushed on Lauren, all through school which was otherwise a nightmare for her.
A second chance story about friendship, love, and bravery. Themes of loss and overcoming the past are weaved beautifully through Harte’s wonderful way with words. The way grief and humour are balanced is magnificent.
I adored the small town vibes and the multitude of relatable characters. Family was a vital part of An Art to Love. The dynamics and differences of Lauren and Jamie’s relationships with their parents was wonderful and real. Jamie’s mum might just be my new favourite parental, she was so wonderful and her conversations with Jamie were often hilarious and poignant.
There were a few moments when oomph, the story brushed so close to home with the emotions and sense of isolation of being bullied for simply existing. I also may have screamed at a few parts (scaring the pets) when I wanted the characters to realise what they were doing before it exploded into disaster. But wow, what an ending that had me grinning ear to ear.
Overall, a wonderful read that I didn’t want to put down.
Video Review: https://youtu.be/PllXhl752j4

Two to Tangle by Melissa Brayden – This is book two in the Tangle Valley Romance series. You don’t have to have read the first one to enjoy it, but it does have small spoilers from the first book. I was SO excited to see that Gabriella was in the drivers seat for this book. She’s an amazing character who I fell in love with in book one. She’s a sunshine character with a feisty spit fire attitude when needed, and is so upfront and honest (most of the time), it’s divine.
I love Melissa Brayden’s writing. The poetic way she describes location, emotion, and events is *chefs kiss*
The story is wonderful and realistic, and the characters even more so. No one is perfect, everyone makes mistakes but that doesn’t mean they can’t be forgiven or grow. I LOVE this message. Relationships of all sorts are explored in this book – from friendships, friends with benefits, lovers, unrequited, and familial. They are all in-depth and dynamic.
On the steam level, lots of beautiful build up, but the sex scenes were minimal in detailed description but they were perfect for this book and it was a nice change to some of the steamier step by step sex scenes I’ve read in the past.
I really want to visit Tangle Valley. Very excited to read the third book.
Video Review: https://youtu.be/0wwqvQrBM4w

Never-Tied Nora by Cheyenne Blue – Fun and easy to read story set in London. The main characters are mid 20’s with Irish Catholic families feuding for generations. A sapphic Romeo and Juliet, but an actual romance and not a tragedy.
The writing is beautiful and the characters are great. Never tied Nora explores the ideas of family, and instant attraction that is something beyond lust.
Side characters are fantastic and in such a small word count (novella) Cheyenne Blue has created a tangible world populated by an array of dynamic and well rounded characters.
Can’t wait to read more of this series.
Video Review: https://youtu.be/5IiJgcXrDh8

Daughter of fire: The darkness Rising by Karen Frost – Book 2 in the destiny and darkness series. I enjoyed this book even more than the first. Partly because I knew going in that it was a YA book (my hate of being spoiled sometimes bites me in the butt) but also there was so much more action and intrigue. A lot of things that had been set up in the first book came to fruition in this book and it was glorious.
Loved the romantic subplots, the writing is just as marvellous and descriptive as book one. But oh my, the action and intrigue was far more prevalent and what an ending. I now have to find the third book and really looking forward to it.
Delving further into the world of magic and how affinities work and interact with each other had me smiling ear to ear and loving every second of it.
Video Review: https://youtu.be/1VYY36AUAlI

The Trip by Robin Alexander – This book and this audio are just everything. Abby Craden worked her magic on these characters and used the humour in the writing to maximum effect. I laughed so hard during this book I had to keep going backwards and relisten to parts because I laughed too hard and missed things.
This was my first Robin Alexander book and it is just the beginning of a bing. I love the writing, the characters, and most definitely the humour.
The trip is 2 weeks driving her grandma and great aunt (not by blood) around the country, what else could Jill ask for on a holiday.
Ellie and Anne are 70+ year olds with no shame, boundaries, or end to their curiosity and questions who set up Jill and Shay on this Ill conceived holidays. But Ellie (Jill’s grandma) has only brought them together, she’s done her part and now it’s time to sit back and ‘let lesbian nature run it’s course.’ 😂🤣
Jill and Shay are fantastic characters who seem opposites at the beginning but as layers are peeled back their chemistry is wonderful, brilliant, and based on real friendship and deeper compatibility.
I had to fan myself over Jill’s character, but I understood Shay on so many more levels. Robin Alexander does a brilliant job of showing that quiet does not equal weak or door mat.
I loved the descriptions and the scenery and how seamlessly and natural the story develops alongside relationships and characters.
Video Review: https://youtu.be/NTQzR_pJ1c4

Thanks for getting this far.
I loved being able to do video reviews on all ten books this month.

Be Safe
Be Brave
Be Kind

Neen x