In a previous post I mention the awesome WLW author Jae and the Sapphic Reading Challenge 2021 she is running. It’s the most amazing challenge, and the work Jae has done for this is incredible. It shows her generosity not only to her own readers, but for other authors as well.
I recently received an email from Jae advising that my first novella ‘Cold as Hell’ was added to her upcoming recommended reads for the butch/butch category of the Sapphic Reading Challenge. It suits a few other categories as well, but so touched and humbled that she has added it, seeing as it’s not yet released until April.
It’s going to be a crazy wild ride for both reading and writing this year, but I’m looking forward to each book I get to experience, both sapphic and non-sapphic, as well as my own books stepping out into the big wide world.
I’m not sure anyone really expected life to suddenly become perfect but I’m almost certain no one thought 2020 was a shocking calm before the storm. And perhaps it is neither extreme but this first week of 2021 has certainly thrown a spanned in the works.
I don’t want to go into the world at large thing, because we all know the dumpster fire has followed us into the New Year. Locally, we are in a sudden 3 day lockdown, which sounds minimal but I’m not delusional enough to think that after three days life will be great again. Nor will I be shocked if the lockdown is extended, again and again.
On a personal note, things have been a bit rough as well.
Three of the most influential and important women in my life are in dire situations with their health (mum if you are reading this, you are NOT allowed to get sick) one has even been given the devastating prognosis of approximately 6 weeks.
Last night when I learned this I sobbed into my partners shoulder and felt a crushing pain in my chest. I cried myself to sleep and have woken sadden but aware that if I were to let this stop me grabbing everyday and doing what I can with it, she would not only kick my arse but damn what a disrespect that would be. The sadness remains but along with that, I have the memories and light of her being in my life.
So what has 2021 offered so far to help light the rough days ahead. I have finally got this blog up and running properly and have my website good to go. I am working on finally getting my newsletter happening, and I’m so excited about it. I have a short story I am itching to give away to all subscribers and have the most beautiful cover made by the incredibly talented Pamela Jeffs. Her writing is mind blowing and her cover designs (a hobby she says) are truly stunning.
Reading: I’ve embarked on a very optimistic goodreads reading challenge for 2021 of 100 books. Last year I managed 61 in the end and thought that incredible, but what’s a challenge if you aren’t pushing yourself beyond what you already know you can do. In these 100 books I’m also working on the Sapphic Reading Challenge 2021 created by the incredibly awesome and talented Jae.
I’m aiming for the dragon level 1 badge (1 book from each 50 categories) AND the bonus unicorn badge (10 of the 12 category). If you want to up your reading challenge and embark on some sapphic reading, and perhaps find new authors and categories then go take a look. There are many levels of badges, for all levels of readers.
I finished my first book The Queen’s Blade by Natasha Rose and am almost half way through Hotel Queens by Lee Winter. Both books are featured on the Les Fiction Book Club Facebook group this month. There will be author interviews, Q&A’s, and discussion at the end of the month. I’m also hoping to get some quick video reviews done as well.
Writing: I finished my first full draft rewrite of Gargoyles, a dystopian novella I’m hoping to submit to a publisher by the end of February. I’ve almost finished my last read through of The Void for the Publishers deadline of the end of the month. I have also, with the help of my lovely partner, set up a writing space in our office. It’s so pretty and exciting.
New writing space .. Not yet finished but well on its way
So I hope you are all staying safe, and I’d love to hear if you’re doing any reading challenges this year, or any other challenges you are embarking on in 2021.
I only managed 4 books this month, but I think that’s a pretty fair effort considering the craziness this month has been, even with the CoVid19 limitations. I’m embarking on doing more in-depth reviews … which has turned out to have a few spoilers … but I think I’ve marked the spoilers before I dive in and leave you unprepared.
Mirrorverse by Pamela Jeffs – Pamela Jeffs is a master of words and emotions. She has an incredible skill at pulling you directly into another world with just a few beautifully structured and emotive sentences. Mirrorverse is a brilliant example of the extreme talent and skill Jeffs has to offer with her writing.
Christmas in Mistletoe by Clare Lydon – What can I say, I’m a complete sucker for Clare Lydon’s wit, humour, and fabulous writing. There were some true laugh out loud moments, and a few lines that made me go pwhhaaaa at the emotional punch. It’s definitely a brilliant read to help you get into the shiny, sparkly Christmas feel … even if (or perhaps especially if) you are sweating in Australia and wishing to run through the Christmas tree farm in your shorts and singlet. Get in the festive season mood with another great romance from Clare Lydon.
The Setup by T.B Markinson – The setup is a delicious story from T.B Markinson. T.B Markinson has created characters that are complicated and real, even the ones you never meet. It was a bit of a shock to get into the story so quickly, being used to reading Markinson’s longer reads, but once I got over that it was all good. I just adore the main character, Rory, to bits. The story is told from Rory’s point of view, an American moved to London for a two year work contract.
Her thoughts are adorable and her energy and buzz is infectious. Banter, as always, is top notch and the sex scenes are steamy and natural. It was again a shock when the book ended, because I wanted so much more. I’d love to read more of this world and get to meet some of the off the page characters. Some favourite laugh out loud lines: Couple my blunder with her one-word answer, and I had the urge to stand up and say, “This, ladies and gentlemen, is how not to make a first impression. Can you point out where I went wrong? Let’s learn from this together.” They tried to understand, but it was like explaining space travel to Jane Austen. Or so I imagined. My expression hopefully conveyed my second language was lunatic.
Under a Falling Star by Jae – So pretend there are big huge flashing signs screaming spoilers … because I’ve tried to minimise the spoilers but can’t do it. So here goes. The good: oh my, this list is long. But I’ll put down my top points. From the brilliant ice Queen to the cursing cockatoo, the characters of Under a Falling Star were deep and complicated. The smoothness of writing and the story both make the entire book so easy to read. I’m also in love with Jae’s ability to create tension without the often overly frustrating and dramatic let’s break up because we don’t have one simple (although emotionally difficult) conversation that would clear up all miscommunications. The conversations especially at the start show perfectly that twisted inside where your tongue fights every word, but it flows to a natural rhythm of the story, without any questions of why didn’t they just … A special note to Jae’s use of humour, it wasn’t on every page but I found myself cackle a few times particularly from the cockatoo: On her way to the door, she blew Toby a kiss. “Wish me luck.” “Fuck you,” the cockatoo warbled. And the ice Queen herself as she began to thaw: The thought made her roll her eyes at herself. Oh, come on. What’s up with all this sappiness? The bad: So this is only my personal preference, but damn I wanted to see Austen’s character flaw. She was a little perfect for me, and yet I still somehow adored her, I just feel like showing a weakness would have been nice. The magnificent: my favourite part of this book, without a doubt is the realistic changes and fundamental lack of changes in characters. Dee, the Ice Queen is still damn terrifying to those who have to deal with her wrath, even if she has learned to say please. Her hideous family still remain stuck in their ways and rejections, and don’t simply change overnight because their daughter stood up to their shitty abuse. Bonus question (if you can explain this adequately you get a cookie): How else do you pronounce Austen if not like the famous author?
It took me so long to do some of these reviews. I’m impressed with how many books I still managed to get through with NaNoWriMo being ever so present. But I am understanding more and more the trend toward short reads. There are a few in this list, and all very worth the reads.
Requiem for Immortals by Lee Winter – This was one of the most incredible books I’ve read all year. An assassin in a love story. A little mouse with power. evocative writing. Characters you love and Love to hate. And overall a fantastic story line that grips you by the throat until it’s hard to breath. Lee Winter’s writing is fantastic and Requiem is one of the most incredible characters I’ve ever met. I cannot wait to read more of Lee Winter’s books.
The Romance Bet by Jae – One of those short reads I mentioned – It was a cute short story. I enjoyed the premise and the writing was good. The story was focused around National Novel Writing Month, which made me giggle. I do prefer reading Jae’s longer reads.
A future, Forged by Aiki Flinthart – I was nervous going into reading this because I’m so in love with the Kalima Chronicles series but I should have known better. Once again Aiki Flinthart uses words to evoke emotion and engage the senses with lines that make me smile and shiver, like She shook herself free of the swamp of dark memories. A future, Forged had me intrigued with characters and a story that hooked me right from the very beginning. It is a story that shows the world of Kalima as it was set 200 years before Iron, the first book in the Kalima Chronicles. It’s such a wonderful addition to this series, I’m so glad to read more that is set in this incredible world of Flinthart’s imagination.
Burning Reflection by Tim Mendees – Another short read and my first of Tim Mendees books. From the start to the end you are pulled into the world of the old ones. Tim Mendees creates the perfect atmosphere with every word building to the tension in a natural rhythm that won’t let you stop thinking about it, even if you have the strength to close the book. A brilliant read, highly recommended for the gothic horror enthusiast.
Dead Man Walking by David Green – Yes, another short read, I told you I was enjoying them. Dead Man Walking: A Nick Holleran book is a wicked little love child between Sin City and Constantine. The atmosphere reminiscent of the 1950’s PI’s of the past hits from the very start. The world building and side characters that David Green has created makes me already cross my fingers, hoping there is more of the same to come. Humour is mixed with horror and it is tantalisingly weaved throughout the story. When I finished Dead man Walking I felt as though I had been given a small window, or perhaps a fireplace view, of a moment in this world, a moment in Holleran’s life. And oh boy, what a moment it is.
Shattered by Lee Winter – I couldn’t resist reading another Lee Winter book. She’s fast becoming a favourite. This book is so aptly named. It broke me. In mostly all the right ways, even the sad stuff was so brilliantly written and amazing. I love Winter’s way of creating such wonderfully flawed and yet cocky characters. Her use of language is evocative and immersive. The world building is delicious and the emotional and ethical quandaries are balanced beautifully with the action and story. I both loved and hated the ending, mostly because damn it I did not see it coming and it was a brilliant surprise. One of my favourite things about this book is that the emotional and ‘romantic’ elements are fundamental to the stories progress but there is so much more going on. In a world of superheroes, I felt like I found the most realistic and well developed characters. I cannot recommend this book enough. Especially if you love being broken, put back together, shattered, and then made whole in a completely better way for having read it.
Chrysalis by Kimberley Rei – Yes, I ended the month on another short read. A good read. I enjoyed the premise and the development. Some beautiful language and the setting was clear. I would have liked a little more clarification about a few things, but still a good read
I assumed that my reading for November would be minimal because of the craziness of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), but it turns out I managed to read quite a few books and there are several reasons for this.
Reading: I have found the enjoyable brilliance of short reads. Longer than a short story so you can get a bit more guts and immersion, but not a novel that will take a lot longer, especially when you are strapped for time and might have to wait a few days or weeks between picking them up again, and possibly needing to reread parts, or skim to get back into them. November Reviews will be up soon, once I recover from a rather brutal book hangover.
Planning: Oh my … I’ve of course been told about planning your writing for years, and my usual reaction is a smile, a nod, and an immediate argument in my head that planning was just NOT for me. Turns out, I thrive whole heartedly on being able to know where the story is going before I start getting those words on to the page. In my younger writing soul, I thought it would some how squish the creativity. I now know I was completely wrong. It’s still my story, my imagination as I think through it all and work out how much crap I can put my characters through, which on a side note the answer is always ‘a bit more’ ;-p. And planning doesn’t mean your characters automatically do what you want them to, oh no. BUT overall the main points remain the same. NaNoWriMo has just finished and I’ve never done so well. My final word tally was 88001 words for the 30 days. :-D. It was amazing. I even think a large chunk of the words will be usable for my writing projects.
Day 16, when I hit the 50K word goal and the heartbeat of the entire month of November.
Let me know, are you are planner, a panster, or a plantser … are a bit of all depending on what you are writing? I’d love to know.
Before I was a writer, I was a reader. A devouring-anything-I-could-get-my-hands-on type of reader.
September’s Book of the Month
The problem I had was that there were no representations of myself in the books I found. There weren’t many books I could see myself in, and even fewer I could access.
Now a days there are so many more books with such a diverse range of representations, but it’s not always easy to find people to talk about them with.
So instead of trying to find them, I decided to run a Facebook Les Fiction Book Club. *insert wide eyes and deep breathes now*.
It’s all new, and it’s really exciting. Being able to talk about books that feature characters I can relate to … it’s a little like heaven.
I’m going to be talking to author Jae about ‘Wrong Number, Right Woman’, our first book for the group, this coming Monday at 8:30pm (Australian Eastern Standard Time).
Neen Cohen 