Neen Cohen

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
December bookshelf – the final reads

December 30th, 2021

The final reads for the year. Some good, some painful, some a little different then expected, but all part of the wonderful reading journey. Books can be there for you in so many different ways. Even re-reads often offer different insights, not because they change, but you, the reader, changes. You come to the book as who you are in that moment, and between the pages you are offered a variety of things; education, entertainment, understanding, visibility, anger, revenge, a way to sort through your own human turmoil. I have experienced all of these and more, just this year.

But enough of me waxing lyrical, here are my December books

An Unexpected Gift by KJ – Washing machine of emotions. As I read each of these stories I made little notes throughout and then my main point for each on their titles.
Some of my favourite comments (the ones that aren’t spoilers) range from:
It’s the hallmark movie I want to see
Ooh stealing this wording, not even sorry
The KJ line in a KJ story.
Well now that’s rather sexy isn’t it
Good god woman
Ooh the threads and Easter eggs. A tapestry tale.
So basically what I’m saying is, every single story has something beautiful to add to this Southern Hemisphere Christmas. And I loved each of them for their own unique characters, story, and wording.

All at Sea by Cheyenne Blue – Total Gilmore girls vibes at parts and damn I’ve never wanted to feel a deck beneath my feet so much. A brilliant adventure that starts with a chance meeting. This book is so much more than the coincidences I often roll my eyes at.
Everything flows and the real human insights that are delved into are so spot on.
I got frustrated with one character near the beginning but as you get to know her, the reasons for her frustrating actions become understood and even acceptable.
I loved that neither character is perfect. There is no idea of ‘but they are too good for me.’
I adore Cheyenne Blue’s way with words. Beautiful phrases from ordinary words. My book is a neon sign of highlights and scrawled writing in the margins.
Cheyenne is a master of relationships. The relationship between the two characters is beautiful. I love that it wasn’t Insta love and the development is real. Best of all, they find themselves arguing, and then they talk it though. Then don’t clam up despite lumps in the throat. They don’t create unnecessary tension (human lives have enough of that already) by biting their tongues. The relationships don’t end there. I fell in love with the sisters and their support for each other, and the focus on family obligations. *chefs kiss*.
Well worth a read if you love brilliant character development, insights into human nature, and want to find yourself smiling while you read.

Cosa Nostra by Emma Nichols – 3.5 Stars for me. I loved the gangster story here. From the beginning I adored Maria and understood that she wanted out of the life she’d been born into, and the job she had unwillingly inherited.
I was less impressed with the insta-love of the characters. I understood what the authors was wanting to achieve here but for me it felt like there were no moments between the two characters that showed me why it was anything more than lust. A little too much telling of events and not enough showing their growing attraction beyond the physical.
The writing was interesting and I really enjoyed the lines of family, love, responsibility, and friendships.
I enjoyed the gangster story, but if I were to read it again I would skip a lot of the repetitive love story that stated the two were in love with each other without showing how lust grew to love.

Slattery Falls by Brennan LaFaro – If you like well written horror and ghost stories, give it a go. I did a video review of this amazing book. After a week of finishing this book I still found myself thinking about how LaFaro managed to build and drop the tension with such seeming ease. This book is the best example of a written rollercoaster ride I’ve read. I’ve read many books where the rollercoaster feels as though it’s just going up and down the same slope, the same issues, but this pushed forward with each dip and climb. The end left a few things unanswered but that sort of made me feel like it was more realistic, we don’t always get closure, and for me that made it even more terrifying and wonderful. Note, I also LOVED that one of the characters appears to be on the autism spectrum, go LaFaro.

Jericho by Ann McMan – What a wonderful book to listen to. Over 20 hours and I couldn’t get enough of it. Christine Williams did an amazing job narrating.
My first, but will not be my last, Ann McMan book.
The BEST slow burn that focuses on the two main characters truly developing a friendship before attraction and complications arise. The banter is wonderful and the characters, Main and side are all so well rounded and relatable.
I’m excited about their being a sequel 😀

Go Around by E J Noyes – A second chance romance with amazingly realistic and terrifying stalking aspects and law enforcement thrown in.
Did I squeal with excitement and glee at the Easter egg of Alone that happens just after the halfway mark? Why yes, yes I did. I love the self referential deprecation as well as the internal monologues. If anyone was going to make a gamer geek kick arse, I’m not at all surprised that it’s this amazing author.
Noyes has smashed it out of the park once again. I listened to the audio version of Go Around and damn, the combination is a heady experience. Noyes’ amazing build up of arousal and heartbreak, tension and fear mixed with the husky tones and amazing voice acting from Abby Craden … gurgle and puddle.

Ask, Tell by E J Noyes – Recommended for those needing to be emotionally ruined and put back together in loving and beautiful ways. I bought this book months ago, but I’ve been so nervous to start it. I needn’t have been worried. Yes, the book handles some very heavy themes and is set in a time where our community was allowed to exist as robots and something less then human. But this book. The fifth book this year to have me in tears.
😭
The writing is beautiful and heart wrenching. There are pages now highlighted and margins with scrawls. So often a line would get me for the beauty and emotion pressed into the words surrounding it as much as the words of the line itself.
📝
I had moments where it reminded me of the movie Serving in Silence and tension would tighten around my chest. Would someone overhear? Did someone know? Did they have proof? But my god, the way Noyes writes it is everything.
😚
The story itself is insightful and the insight of armed services and family made me smile and weep.
🎖
And though I feel like it goes without saying, for anyone who hasn’t read an EJ Noyes book before. As always her sexy scenes are 🔥🔥🔥🔥

Language of Love: A Flirty, Festive anthology – A beautiful collection of Christmas short stories set in all different places in the world. I laughed, I awed, and I loved the stories. Was a brilliant read over the holiday period.

Shattered by Lee Winter – This was a reread. It was my first Lee Winter novel and it hooked me right from the start. This time I listened to it and that only increased my love for this story. The characters, the world, the dynamics are all so wonderful and powerful.

Happy Holidays and however you welcome in the new year

Be Safe
Be Brave
Be Kind

Neen xo
Conversations this-week-Neen needed

December 10th, 2021

I had two conversations this week that really effected me, and I wanted to note them down. Neither topic is new for me, neither conversation lit a lightbulb but both made a big impact on this-week-Neen.

The first conversation gave me warm fuzzy feelings. It was online, with a fellow author. I won’t go verbatim but in the end I felt so seen and acknowledged. I write sapphic fiction, but not sapphic romance. One day I might but this presumption that sapphic (or lesbian) fiction is assumed to be romance is so prevalent and can be really frustrating and disheartening. Especially for an author starting out. Having a fellow author agree that it shouldn’t automatically be assumed as romance made me so happy. Perhaps with more voices I won’t always have to feel insignificant and irrelevant and often unable to promote my writing.

The second conversation happened this morning. My health has been semi-craptacular of late so off I went to get several vials of blood taken. The pathologist was so lovely and managed to get my introverted self happily talking. She asked what I do, as verbatim as I can remember:
*clears throat*
Me: I’m a writer, that’s what I go gooey about
Pathologist: oh what do you write?
M: horror and dark fantasy
*insert wide eyes and slightly opened mouth*
P: you don’t look like you write dark things, you’re so happy.
M: and that’s how I stay happy, putting all the darkness into the words.
P: That makes sense. I love that. Stay lovely and happy.

Since then I’ve wondered, what does a horror writer look like? What does any writer look like? Was she shocked I was a writer or the genre which I write? What does each specific genre author look like? I don’t have the answers, but I feel like a meme might be in my future.

Be safe
Be Brave
Be Kind

Neen xo
November Bookshelf, reviews and thoughts

December 2nd, 2021

November is a crazy month. NaNoWriMo takes up so much of my time. But with that being said, I love that reading is still a priority. In fact, I think I would be nervous to call myself a writer if I gave no time to reading. To me, they have and always will go hand in hand. So six books in November isn’t terrible, but I think it is my least amount of books all year.

Fetish by Tara Moss – This was a re-read and this time I listened to it. It’s a really awesome book. I actually enjoyed it more this time than I can remember enjoying it years ago when it was first published. There is some awesome tension and mystery going with Mak, and I still LOVE this character so much.
I think it’s held up pretty well, as long as you remember it’s set before EVERYONE had mobile phones. Great read, looking forward to listening to the rest of the series. I’ve not read all of the books so that’s exciting to look forward to.

Compass Rose by Anna Burke – There are so many things I adored about this book. The dystopian world and all it’s dynamics, the star trek gone wrong underwater sort of vibes and the characters, of the characters. Yes, of course I related to Rose, I damn near swooned over Miranda, but heck the other characters were what made it such a fun and interesting journey.
I adored the pirates and the powerful balance of action, responsibility, lust, longing, and humour.
I can’t wait to read the sequel. I squealed a little when I found out there was a sequel.

A Place to Call Home by Jae – So in the past I have said that I prefer Jae’s longer fiction … bite my tongue. This was the most delightful and delicious short story. It is a beautiful insight and wonderfully realistic portrayal into the dynamics of Luke and Nora as they start their new lives. They struggle against the social norms and finding a place to call home in each other. One of my favourite short reads of the year. If you are after a historical short feel-good read that has beautiful representation of characters fighting against the roles society this is definitely the read for you.

Brimstone Bound (Firebrand #1) by Helen Harper – If you’re looking for a British take and twist of true blood, without the overly sexual focus and more on the crime and mystery. This is the book for you.
I had so much fun reading this book. The crime and mystery were fantastic. The characters were great.
It had a grittier, more realistic sort of feel to it and ooh the breadcrumbs and red herrings throughout the whole thing had me loving every reveal and twist.
Now if only we could get some sapphic in the mix this would be an ultimate book for me 😜

Sliced Ice by Lee Winter – Everything I wanted and more. 10 incredible short stories, each with their own one two punch. Here’s my break down (I also did a reading Vlog of it, there is blushing and fangirling here:
Five Times Felicity Met Elena – Oh Elena Bartell, my all time favourite of Lee Winter’s Ice Queens. I mean, what a perfect way to start this collection. And from Felicity’s point of you, I always found her snarkiness rather interesting, but now I’m even more excited about The Awkward Truth. It’s on my list I promise!
Aliens in New York – OMG I didn’t know we would be getting more than one story about the wonderful Elena. I mean, it’s awesome to see what happens to Madeliene with her writing after The Brutal Truth. *phew, got away with that one*. A magnificent snap shot into Lee Winter’s ability to craft beauty and emotion.
The Brutal Lie – ELENA! Cold shower required, and a truly interesting look into the ideas of outing others and the growing acceptance of people, irrelevant of sexuality.
Skye Storm’s Invite Absolutely Everyone Ultimate Pool Party – I adore Skye and her eccentric and wonderful take on life. An LA hippy. I also laughed out loud (in the middle of the shops) at her openness with her children, and ability to make them groan. She’s wonderful. Oh, I had also forgotten just how much I love Bess, so charmingly british and wonderful.
The Friend – This was a surprising addition but I think it might possibly be my favourite. Christmas in Australia, family drama, an Ice Queen in the most unexpected of places (or at least that’s how I interpret it)
Number Five – BLUSH! Holy Hannah. This is what happens when I refuse to know what’s coming up … BOOM! Hot as hell erotica story from the Madame herself of Duxton Hotel.
Flash Bang – Indeed. A nice hot scene with amusing insights into the crazy world of fashion.
When DC met Iowa – I LOVED this story so much. I am adoring Lee’s insights into side characters. This starts hilariously with a wake up in an unknown room and unknown woman in bed. Turns, with snarky humour, into something quite sweet.
First-Class Villians – All for a special bottle of Champaign, three of Lee Winter’s most delicious villians and one insidious bitch tell their stories for the prize. Yeah, there’s no secret that I hate Grace, but seeing others not put up with her shit was brilliant.
Love Is Not Nothing – My very first Lee Winter writing and it was the story I fell in love with her characters and her writing. A melted ice Queen, but only for her faux mouse. Sexy delicious writing with assassination and protectiveness thrown in.

Worthy of Love by Quinn Ivins – There is something truly beautiful about the way Quinn Ivins writes a balance of the beauty of humans and the worst part of humans. Characters you wanna cuddle and others you want to throttle. The characters in Worthy of Love are so real I feel like I’ve known many of them (not always happily) my entire life.
I adore the sex scenes in this book. Not only are they hot as hell without being an instruction manual but the realism even down to consent and internal monologues are balanced and smooth.
Quinn Ivins also manages yet again to make me care about things I’ve never really known much about before in my life.
Another great tick in the box is the way the characters talk to each other instead of having long drawn out angst because they simply won’t have a conversation.
Definitely recommend this book if you love real dynamic and diverse characters, hot sex scenes with realistic consent, an interesting story, and brilliant writing. Worthy of Love ticks all the righ

Paper Love by Jae – The beauty of this books makes me wish I could fly overseas right now and explore the beauty of Freiburg that Jae describes within the pages and step over (or into) a Bachle, grab a coffee and go sniff some stationary.
Susanne and Anja are pitted against each other in the beginning. A softish Ice Queen and a stationary junkie. And it’s delicious on so many levels.
In true, wonderful Jae style, the angst is low and conversations that need to happen actually do happen, and before 75% of the book. In fact, most issues of communication get resolved pretty quickly and I’ve never been so happy. The development of the relationships between the characters, all the characters not just Susanne and Anja, are realistic and human.
I also have a bit of a soft spot for Anja’s best friend, Miri. I feel akin to her, and her huge family and the effect of being the only childless sibling (at least until I was in my mid thirties). Of course, Miri is the funnier, cuter, and braver version of my life but I really adore this side character.
So if you love low angst, slow burns, steamy sex scenes that are 100% worth the wait and characters you hope to meet when visiting the sunniest city in Germany, Paper Love might be just what you are looking for.

Hope you enjoy my reviews of these books. I’d love to know if any interest you enough to try them out.

Be Safe
Be Brave
Be Kind

Neen xo
I made the list

November 22nd, 2021

I love books. I read pretty intensely and I LOVE to review and talk about them. I know, it’s shocking news and I probably should have lead with a warning or something.

But my love of stories and words plays a huge part of why I started writing.

Yep, I’m a writer and I’ve been writing since I can remember. Since before my formal school days I can remember walking around with a little notebook and pencil everywhere I went. I would write out every line of dialogue from my favourite movies. Watching and rewatching them. I would look forward to Wednesday afternoons every single week, when all six of us would bundle up in the car and be taken to the library for several hours before we headed back home.

All these years later, all these years writing in the dark silent solitude and never once being able to call myself a writer. When I published my very first piece of work, I called myself a writer … with a bit BUT on the end. There was always some kind of justification . Until this year.

I published my first Novella. It has my name, and only my name on the front cover. I was finally a writer. See, full stop. Huge progress.

This has not meant that I’ve been any good at promoting/pimping my own writing status or book. This has not meant for a moment that the impostor syndrome has shut the hell up. This has not meant that I have stopped writing, or learning, or growing.

But something very cool happened this week.

I made the list.

Jae is a phenomenal author, marketing, human being, and supporter of others both in and out of our rainbow family. For her reading challenge this year one of the categories is a new to you author. She has made a list of new and up coming authors to look out for. AND. I. AM. ON. THIS. LIST.

It’s certainly put a huge smile on my face and made me even more determined to keep writing, to keep telling the stories I wish had been around when I truly needed them.

So, I am a writer, I made Jae’s up and coming list, and if you want to read my debut novella, you can do that right here … it’s even on KU at the moment.

Be Safe
Be Brave
Be Kind

Neen
October Bookshelf

October 31st, 2021

Seeing as I usually read a good amount of spooky books all year round I didn’t focus on reading just spooky for October. Turns out I should have. I read a pathetic amount of scary books, less than every other month. I make my own rules, usually through lack of planning and being too busy to realise what is going on in the world outside my lunchbox.
In my defense, I did read 10 books and ended the month on an awesome spooky high.

Top Reads of the Month:

Pics of the Month

Quantum Rule: Terror Underground by Jay Sandlin – 4.5 stars – Best start I’ve read in a novella in a while. I was hooked from the get go. There were breadcrumbs that made you suspect what comes next but never enough for you to be sure. A few HA’s out loud as I got completely surprised a few times. This was an epic addition to the AFTER series. Great fight scenes and an intriguing world dynamics.

Born with Teeth by Kate Mulgrew – 4.5 stars – Oh my. Ten plus hours of listening to Captain Kathryn Janeway to fall in love with Kate Mulgrew. She narrates as the true actor she i s and oh how it’s a beautiful memoir of her life. Her memories, her perspectives of her life. The rawness she goes into. It’s riveting and heartbreaking. If you listen to the audio, the interview at the end is well worth it, and possibly bumped up my experience with the book at least half a star.

The Best New True Crime Stories: Serial Killers by Mitzi Szereto – 4 stars – Some lesser known serial killers and what we know of them and their crimes. A lot of speculation as many of the crime facts have been lost to the past, but they do a good job of piecing what they do have together and coming to very plausible outcomes.

Carry On by Holley Cornetto – 4 Stars – Delicious and dusty. I loved the characters and the realistic portrayal into human nature, and what we might be willing to do to survive. Absolutely loved and adored the main character, and the books look into the importance or lack there of to names.

A Quiet Death (The Dark Peaks #3) by Cari Hunter – 5 stars – WOW! What an ending to an amazing trilogy. I both love and hate that that’s the end. I want more of Meg and Sanne.
One of my favourite things about this instalment to the dark peak series is seeing inside a third persons POV. Gotta love a woman in charge.
The writing and story was brilliant, and Cari Hunter is definitely one of my top new found authors.
If you like brilliantly written mystery with characters so real you discuss them as you would a mate up the street, check out this series. Incredible.

Freedom to Love by Ronica Black – 3.5 star. There was lots to love about this book. I loved the immediate plunge into the action of the story, it sucked me right in. I also loved that there were no chapters that dragged with the characters umming and ahhing about wanting to be together. They were adults thrown into situations and instead of lying or hedging, they pretty much said what they thought, mostly.
I wasn’t a fan of the sex scenes, though I’m sure they are other peoples cup of tea.

Easy Nevada and the Pyramid’s Curse by Georgette Kaplan – 4 Stars – I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book. Navada is quirky with history and layers, and even with the self-referential mentions of being like Jane Jones or Lara Croft, it was that sort of fun adrenaline spiked adventure. Mix in some The Mummy feels, with Brendan Fraser being a hot chick and you’ve pretty much nailed how this read felt. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the ending but I’m still really looking forward to the next book in the series.

Unbreakable by Cari Hunter – 5 stars – OMG, the rollercoaster and speed of this book is epic and fantastic … the writing is natural and hooks you in the entire time. Characters are wonderful and real and flawed and hilarious. I love reading crime, I always have but there is something so much cooler about reading a genre you love that has representation you can relate to

Coming Home by KJ – 5 stars – Ok, so I may have read these books backwards but damn, I regret nothing. This book is so delicious and sweet and funny and Aussie. It’s literally everything I love about KJ’s writing. There are lines I wish I had written and lines that made me spit coffee with laughter … and yep, it’s true, there’s even a line that made this cold hearted bitch burst into tears.
4th book of the year, bugger I’m going to start getting a reputation of having a heart.
It’s a truly delicious celebrity romance book with amazing characters and real people.

The Pseudopod that Rocks the Cradle by Time Mendees – 4 Stars – Perfect way to end the spooky month. This short story collection from Tim Mendees is twisted and titillating, terrifying and tentacle filled, so naturally I loved it, and highly recommend it.
There was something disturbing to take away from each story but my stand out favourites were definitely:
* Afterimage – feel the burn – such an intense story and idea. Blinked many times after finishing it.
* Mr mannequin – anyone for a tattoo – the creepy crime that made me shiver.
* The Face in the Fabric – looking at clothes never seemed so terrifying.
So if you like twisted gritty stories about disturbed minds (or insanely normal minds twisted to insanity) and worshippers of the old gods this is the collection for you.

This month I completed ALL of my reading challenges for the month. Which is awesome. I made some sapphic reading challenge videos over on the Hyperactive Bookworm channel. Drop by and take a look, leave a comment, or if you like what you hear/see you can always subscribe.

Be Safe
Be Brave
Be Kind

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Pumpkin 🎃 time

October 8th, 2021

When our son was younger I struggled with everyday things let alone the daunting idea of decorating and cooking all just for one night.

So it’s been years since I’ve fully embraced the Halloween energy. Before I had my son it was a full party; themed and decorated and special food galore. In the beginning it was all hard made decorations and improvisations, because Australia has only recently begun embracing the commercialisation of this holiday.

But I’ve never stopped loving the spooky. And our son, at age 4, has already inherited this love. I mean, the kid’s favourite sea creature is Cthulhu, and he’s already OBSESSED with Xenomorphs and knows the full lifecycle of them *sniffs* so proud.

I’m endeavouring to embark on some Halloween goodness. Even found an old box of decorations (though most of my handmade beauties have vanished over time and breakups). So hopefully at the end of the month I can do an updated post with some pretty pics. Or I’ll ignore this accountability with a shrug and … ooh look shiny other things :-p

Be Safe
Be Brave
Be Kind

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September Bookshelf

October 1st, 2021

Lots of books this month. TWELVE!!!! I got to try some new authors and I’m always down for that. I love exploring how other authors play and manipulate words. I also finished two of my three book challenges – I have hit the Unicorn Badge AND the Dragon Badge for Jae’s Sapphic Reading Challenge. Will get to those videos over on the Hyperactive Bookworm shortly 😀

Malice (Malice Duology #1) by Heather Walter – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – OMGoddess. This book is EVERYTHING. I was downright shaking and speechless when I finished this book. Heather Walter has turned a fairytale I was completely ambivalent to into my favourite fractured fairy tale I’ve read so far.
The writing is absolutely beautiful, the characters are dynamic and interesting, and the world building is *chefs kiss*
Alice is so relatable, and I love her.
And the themes of this book are so intense and explored so well. This idea of you reap what you sow came across so strongly to me, as well as investigating the power of intent versus results.

No Good Reason (The Dark Peak #1) by Cari Hunter – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – I really enjoyed this book. A crime novel with a detective and a doctor who are BFF’s with benefits. I fell in love with Meg, the doctor Sanne can’t take out in public. I love the hints and insights into these characters, the similarities that make them connect and the differences that make them crave each other. One of the things I really enjoyed about this story, was that Sanne, the detective, isn’t old and wizened. She is new, relatively untried, and is finding her strength and power to listen to her own gut feelings.
The crime/storyline itself was riveting and heart pounding at all the right times. Horrible and ruthless and brutal.
Can’t wait to read the rest of this series.

A Little Bit of Spice by Georgia Beers – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – I finally got around to reading a Georgia Beers story. And I get it. Her writing is easy and fun to read. A lesbian fiction romance with the enemies to lovers trope and intensely hot sex scenes. The complications of the story are fun and entertaining, so it was an enjoyable read. But let’s me honest, when the first line is “Are you fucking kidding me?” I’m pretty sure I’m going to enjoy something about it. I also had lots of fun getting quite the beer education.

Heart of Thorns: Terror in the Sky by Chris Hewitt – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Another great installment in the dystopian AFTER series by Eerie River Publishing. Mystery and family drama mixed with the horror of

Sin Chaser: Terror from the Heavens by S. O. Green – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – What an amazing take on the seven deadly sins, faith, and a post apocalyptic world. As a naturalist I often find stories about ‘religion’ hard to take (despite writing them as well lol) but I could not get enough of this story. It was beautifully written with Green’s turn of phrase being spot on brilliance. They ramp up the tension perfectly and damn what an ending. I can’t wait to read more of their work.

Five Moons Rising by Lise MacTague – ⭐️⭐️⭐️ – It was a good read though I did find myself getting a little bored in a few places. I enjoyed the writing but got frustrated by the voices of the three main characters not entirely being distinguishable a few times. I was also confused by a few of the story points, as to why they characters did certain things. Overall a good read and some interesting ideas for the world building.

Art of Magic by KJ – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Holy hell. I have too many words to say about Art of Magic and all of them are fighting for attention.
I have annotated the crap out of this book, I have scrawled in the margins, spat coffee over pages as I couldn’t hold back the giggles and know 100% Cath is my spirit animal … ok maybe not 100% … but 98 … 95%? Look, all I’m saying is I feel incredibly seen and maybe a little stalked (but not really).
This book is amazing, the writing, the humour, the characters, the world is all beautiful … and then boom … throw in magic realism and I’m all aquiver.
I loved this book and it will become tattered beyond its now desecrated state from rereading.

Darkness Falls by KC Luck – ⭐️⭐️⭐️ – I’m torn about this book. It made me feel a little contradictory. The writing is good, the story has its compelling moments but the end of the world I thought I was reading about was less the focus then the romance. Which others might like more than I did.
I also feel like a few scenes pushed the consent barrier and made me squirm a little, and it seemed a bit uncharacteristic for the protagonist. But again others might not see a problem with it.
I did enjoy the ensemble cast, though I get the sisters relationship didn’t ring altogether true for me. I feel like they would have been more concerned about each other.
But I did adore the friendship that developed between Lexi and Taylor

Derelict by T. M. Brown – ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 – It took me a little to get into this world but still a good read and investigation into a world where the oceans receded and humans have had to find a way to survive with limited resources and a desperation to live. Some really nice turns of phrase.

Rescued Heart by Georgia Beers – ⭐️⭐️⭐️ – I liked the start ok … got really frustrated in the middle … quite enjoyed the end. A good romance story. Got very pissed off at the flippancy of the sexual harassment. Good writing.

Cold to the Touch by Cari Hunter – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Holy Hannah. I thought the first one was good. This is such an incredible sequel. I love getting to know more about Sanne and Meg, their past, and their complications.
I adore both characters so much but feel akin to Meg. She’s just fabulous.
Cari Hunter has an incredible way of pulling you through the story, the red herrings and the breadcrumbs so perfectly placed.
Can’t wait to read the last book of the series, and then the rest of Cari Hunter’s books.

Fading Echoes by Joel R Hunt – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 – A brilliant read. It was intense but mostly easy to follow throughout the entire journey. A small confusion at one point that got cleared up, and another confusion that remained but not vital. Definitely curious about what happens next in this post apocalyptic world.

Be Brave
Be Kind
Be Safe

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