MAKAYLA SOPHIA

Artist and Writer dreaming of the impossible.

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Sea of Strangers is the second book in The Ryogan Chronicles by Erica Cameron. This second book is what you would expect from a middle novel: filled with fast-paced adventure. With danger lurking at every turn and racing against time, this book was filled with high stakes and an immense plot.

This is the second book in The Ryogan Chronicles, so if you would like to read my review of the first book, Island of Exiles, please click here.

Summary, via GoodReads

The only way for Khya to get her brother back alive is to kill Varan—the immortal ruler who can’t be killed. But not even Varan knew what he was doing when he perverted magic and humanity to become immortal.

Khya’s leading her group of friends and rebels into the mountains that hold Varan’s secrets, but if risking all their lives is going to be worth it, she has to give up everything else—breaking the spell that holds her brother captive and jeopardizing her deepening relationship with Tessen, the boy who has been by turns her rival and refuge since her brother disappeared. Immortality itself might be her only answer, but if that’s where Khya has to go, she can’t ask Tessen or her friends to follow.

Overall Review

I thought the plot was very exciting! I was on the edge of my seat page with every page turn. I was constantly wanting to know what was going to happen next. With such high stakes, it was a constant battle of who to trust, where to go, and how to solve their problems.

The characters were amazing! The cast of characters from the first book were ever present, and I thought Erica Cameron did a wonderful job of balancing everyone out. I especially loved a new character introduced in this book, named Lo'a! Seeing the characters we already knew learn new cultures and a new language was a breath of fresh air. The Itagamin's are accustomed to a land where everyone gets rations and the group above self, which is a big change when they go to Ryogo. Exploring this was fantastic!

The world building was also beautiful. I loved reading the characters from Shiara exploring the snow filled areas of Ryogo. Their reactions to the cold were hilarious and added a level of humor amidst the troubles they were traipsing through. Beyond that little bit, the world was immaculate. Learning how big the world truly is was another great read.

The attention to detail was stunning. From the Itagimin, Dehitran, and Ryogan languages all the way to the cultural differences between each group... it was spectacular. The world was so immersive because of these reasons, making this read so fantastic. I loved that glossary at the beginning of the book, which helped with some of the character names and common words in the different languages.

TL;DR (too long; didn't read) Exciting plot, amazing characters, beautiful world building, and stunning attention to detail. Erica Cameron truly crafted a spectacular book!

RATING: 5/5 Stars

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THE CRUEL PRINCE follows the story of Jude, a girl ripped from her human life and placed into the faerie world. Filled with magic, drama, and a hint of romance, this story is sure to be a treat. I have to admit, I was absolutely blown away by this story and I'm definitely counting myself as a Holly Black fan.

SUMMARY VIA GOODREADS

Jude was seven years old when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King.

To win a place at the Court, she must defy him–and face the consequences.

In doing so, she becomes embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, discovering her own capacity for bloodshed. But as civil war threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself.

MY REVIEW Oh. My. Goodness.

I literally don't even know what to say. I picked up this book on May 30th and finished it on the 31st. It was a story I literally could not put down (how many times can I say "literally"?).

I wasn't even sure what the main conflict was throughout the story, yet I was still addicted. Jude's stakes weren't even that high, sure she could get herself killed, but that didn't matter to her, so that didn't matter entirely to me as a reader. The story was just so vivid and there was so much going on that I was sucked in. Sure, there were small conflicts, but they were important to Jude, and that's what made them important to me, as a reader. From the beginning til the end there was drama and action, and I loved it.

The protagonist, Jude, was so dimensional. I absolutely adored her as a character! She was strong and determined, and she wouldn't let anything get in her way. At times she was stubborn and got herself into trouble, but that showed how she real. I loved how she started with tragedy and made a spot for herself, even amongst those who created that tragedy. As a reader, I was immediately aware of her growth!

The side characters were so vivid, too. I found myself addicted to reading about them just as much as Jude. There were certain ones I didn't trust, and I kept wanting to scream at the pages for Jude to not trust them, either. It was truly a wild ride!

And, omg, the romance?!!! I was literally SCREAMING at the pages (well, at my kindle) through these parts. I was so filled with distrust in parts and there was so much tension in others that built up, and wow. You'll just have to read to see exactly what I'm talking about!

TL;DR (too long; didn't read) - Dimensional Characters (protagonist and side) - Amazing setting - Romantic tension was A+

OVERALL RATING: 5/5 stars. It was just that good.

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This is a spoiler-free review of WARCROSS by Marie Lu! This story follows a vivid, futuristic world where virtual reality is at everyone’s fingertips, and a young girl, Emika, finds herself thrown into the middle of a shocking scandal.

Book Summary via GoodReads:

For the millions who log in every day, Warcross isn’t just a game—it’s a way of life. The obsession started ten years ago and its fan base now spans the globe, some eager to escape from reality and others hoping to make a profit. Struggling to make ends meet, teenage hacker Emika Chen works as a bounty hunter, tracking down players who bet on the game illegally. But the bounty hunting world is a competitive one, and survival has not been easy. Needing to make some quick cash, Emika takes a risk and hacks into the opening game of the international Warcross Championships—only to accidentally glitch herself into the action and become an overnight sensation.

Convinced she’s going to be arrested, Emika is shocked when instead she gets a call from the game’s creator, the elusive young billionaire Hideo Tanaka, with an irresistible offer. He needs a spy on the inside of this year’s tournament in order to uncover a security problem . . . and he wants Emika for the job. With no time to lose, Emika’s whisked off to Tokyo and thrust into a world of fame and fortune that she’s only dreamed of. But soon her investigation uncovers a sinister plot, with major consequences for the entire Warcross empire.

MY REVIEW

This was a book that I found myself glued to from start to finish. I was immediately captivated by the stunning world Marie Lu had created. I’m a gamer, and I love esports, so this combined things I love: reading and video games.

Emika was a strong protagonist. She was determined and constantly dedicated, and I loved that she did things even when others told her not to. She was firm in her own decisions which was very fun to read!

For technical stuff, the pacing and voice was strong. Because the story revolved around the Warcross Championships, it kept the timeline strong. This strict timeline also raised the stakes considerably, making the urgency of the story even stronger! The voice was easy to read, detailed, and pleasant!

I loved getting to know the side characters, too. Each of them had different back stories and felt truly fleshed out and dimensional. I found myself wanting to know more about each of them!

The setting was absolutely spectacular. I loved the mingling between the Warcross world and the real world!

Without any spoilers, I just have to say: WOW THAT ENDING, OH MY GOD. I am seriously SO ready for WILDCARD, the next book in the series.

STARS: 5/5 (it was that good)

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This is a spoiler-free review of Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young. This is a spectacular fantasy with hints of Vikings flair, filled with a strong, empowering girl.

I received a copy of this book thanks to Wednesday Books! All comments and thoughts are my own.

Book Summary, thanks to GoodReads

OND ELDR. BREATHE FIRE.

Raised to be a warrior, seventeen-year-old Eelyn fights alongside her Aska clansmen in an ancient rivalry against the Riki clan. Her life is brutal but simple: fight and survive. Until the day she sees the impossible on the battlefield — her brother, fighting with the enemy — the brother she watched die five years ago.

Faced with her brother's betrayal, she must survive the winter in the mountains with the Riki, in a village where every neighbor is an enemy, every battle scar possibly one she delivered. But when the Riki village is raided by a ruthless clan thought to be a legend, Eelyn is even more desperate to get back to her beloved family.

She is given no choice but to trust Fiske, her brother’s friend, who sees her as a threat. They must do the impossible: unite the clans to fight together, or risk being slaughtered one by one. Driven by a love for her clan and her growing love for Fiske, Eelyn must confront her own definition of loyalty and family while daring to put her faith in the people she’s spent her life hating.

Overall Review

WOW, I AM SERIOUSLY FANGIRLING ABOUT THIS BOOK. It didn’t disappoint. Seriously. It absolutely surpassed all of my expectations.

When I had first heard of this book, I knew I needed to get my hands on it. As soon as I did, I was glued to the pages from start to finish.

One of my favorite things about this book is the lovely protagonist, Eelyn. She is strong, and not because of trauma or troubles. She is strong because she is! I think this is a refreshing take on a powerful character.

The atmosphere of the novel is spectacular. The balance between the lands, as well as the characters (and their clans) was wonderful. Reading the culture created in this book was so much fun!

And squeals, the hints of romance made my heart scream! Seriously! Once someone has read this, please fan girl with me. Really. It’s just that good.

Final Thoughts

Amazing character and setting. Easy to understand with a strong voice and great pacing.

Rating: 5/5

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This is a spoiler-free review of Wicked Charm by Amber Hart. This is a vivid mystery that will have a reader hooked from start to finish. The lush Georgia setting and the horrors of missing girls as well as a budding romance created a fantastic story.

I received this copy of Wicked Charm thanks to Chapter by Chapter in exchange for an honest review on my stop of the blog tour. Thank you, Chapter by Chapter!

Book Summary, thanks to GoodReads

Nothing good comes from living in the Devil's swamp.

Willow Bell thinks moving to the Okefenokee area isn't half bad, but nothing prepares her for what awaits in the shadows of the bog.

Girls are showing up dead in the swamp. And she could be next.

Everyone warns Willow to stay away from Beau Cadwell—the bad boy at the top of their suspect list as the serial killer tormenting the small town.

But beneath his wicked, depthless eyes, there's something else that draws Willow to him.

When yet another girl he knew dies, though, Willow questions whether she can trust her instincts…or if they're leading to her own death.

Overall Review

Trigger Warning: Death (including body descriptions), mention of suicide

This is a mystery novel heavy on the romance, though neither parts lacked. There were hints of both at the perfect times.

I absolutely adored the characters of Willow and Beau — I was immediately pulled in by their personalities and wanted to know more about them. Their character dynamics were interesting, and their voices were distinct from one another, which made the read even more enjoyable. The story is told in dual POV, from both Willow and Beau’s perspectives. Willow is determined and feisty, and Beau is intriguing and determined. When murders start happening to Beau’s past girlfriends, Willow must decide whether or not she’ll trust this bad boy with a not-so-good reputation. This made the stakes high and the novel a true page-turner.

The author included absolutely beautiful descriptions of the Georgia scenery, which made me feel as if I was truly inside the novel. The setting of the swamp made the suspense feel even higher.

Not only were Beau and Willow amazing characters, the side characters were equally enjoyable! Beau’s best friends were interesting to read about, as well as Willow’s newfound friend when she arrives in town. Willow’s grandmother was equally entertaining, with her hatred for her neighbor (who happens to be Beau’s grandfather) as well as her feeding the gators.

The book had good pacing. It didn’t feel too long or too short, though at times I did feel a bit distracted by the descriptions; however, the story quickly picks up after these descriptions and I’m engulfed by the story again.

Final Thoughts

This YA romantic thriller had me flipping the pages from start to finish. It took me only a few days to read it, and near the end I stayed up a bit too late devouring the story. Overall, I thought the characters and setting was great, as well as the high stakes involved.

Rating: 4/5

Further Information:

TITLE: Wicked Charm

AUTHOR: Amber Hart

PUBLISHER: Entangled Teen

LINKS: Goodreads - Amazon - B&N - iBooks - Kobo - Entangled

Thank you Chapter by Chapter for allowing me to host a stop on this blog tour! If you want to see the rest of the tour, click here!

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This is a spoiler-free review of By a Charm and a Curse by Jaime Questell. Le Grand Carnival Fantastic is a circus bound together by a charm and a curse, and when Emmaline King goes to the circus, she isn’t expecting to kiss a mysterious boy who propels her into a curse.

I received this early copy of By a Charm and a Curse through NetGalley thanks to Entangled Publishing / Entangled Teen.

My Summary

Emmaline King has just been forced to move, and she’s trying her best to reignite a relationship with her friend. When they visit the Carnival Fantastic, Emma is intrigued by the vivid show the circus has put on. When a handsome, mysterious boy gives her a rose and invites her to find him, she agrees. Standing before a booth, she sees the Boy in the Box, the same boy who gave her a rose. He gives her fortune, and when she looks away, he’s standing before her. He leads her to the top of the Ferris wheel where her fate is sealed with a kiss. He was cursed, and now his curse is her burden.

The curse makes her the new Girl in the Box — she must find someone else to pass the curse onto. She’s informed this curse is what keeps the circus’ charm going, a charm that means the circus’ employees will never suffer pain. What if she wants to break the curse? Breaking the curse means damning those who have been protected by the charm, and when she begins falling for a sweet carpenter boy named Ben, it could mean risking his life.

Ben has desperately wanted to leave the circus. When Emma arrives, he is instantly drawn to her. He wants to help her adjust to the circus, and he feels bad for her predicament. His mother is constantly warning him to stay away from her, yet he can’t.

As they begin falling for one another, Ben will do anything to break Emma’s curse. Will they break her curse, or will she bare the curse to keep the char?

Overall Thoughts

I thought this was an exceptionally beautiful story. Jaime Questell has seriously created an amazing world that kept me hooked to the pages. By a Charm and a Curse was a stunning story, dual POV story that followed the hearts and minds of both of the protagonists, Emma and Ben.

The premise of the charm and the curse was fantastic. The stakes remained high throughout the story. Emma has three options: break the curse and doom the circus, pass the curse onto someone who’s unsuspecting, or keep the burden the curse herself. Reading Emma struggle with this kept me glued to the pages — I had to know what she would do! Reading from Ben’s perspective was great, too. He grew as a character through the pages.

The romance aspect was also intriguing. The romance plays a direct part with the charm and the curse, but I won’t spoil that! It’s safe to say, though, I was definitely swooning over the protagonists.

The side characters were also well fleshed out. I didn’t feel as if I was only crowded with Emma or Ben. There was an array of other characters who absolutely stole my heart, too!

Final Thoughts

This YA fantasy had me hooked to the pages from start to finish. The premise, the world, and the characters were absolutely wonderful.

Rating: 5/5

Further Information:

TITLE: By a Charm and a Curse

AUTHOR: Jaime Questell

ISBN: 9781633759008

GENRE: Young Adult, Fantasy

RELEASE DATE: February 6, 2018

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Before you hop into your writing, it’s important to know what Narrative Structure is in literature. This is the basis for how your story gets from Point A to Point B. Knowing narrative structure can help make sure every scene in your narrative serves it’s purpose.

What is narrative structure?

I’m glad you asked! Narrative structure is the framework for how a story is presented. It is comprised of three acts, with each act furthering the story until the story has it’s resolution.

Act One:

Act One serves as the introduction of your story. By the end of Act One, the reader should know:

1. Who the protagonist is

2. What the conflict is — including the stakes

3. Where the setting is

Act One should have a good hook. I often end Act One with the inciting incident, though some writers start right off with it. What’s important is hooking the reader here, revealing the protagonist, and making the stakes known. The inciting incident is what propels the conflict of the story forward. Because of the inciting incident, the rest of the scenes occur.

In A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES by Sarah J Maas, when Feyre shoots the wolf, the world is set into motion. If Fayre didn’t shoot the wolf, she would have never been captured by Tamlin. (Do you have more examples of good inciting incidents? Leave them in the comments!)

Act Two:

Act Two is where the bulk of the story happens. For some writers, this is the hardest part. This is where we’ll see the story develop, including the characters, conflict, and setting. As writers we write words (duh), but what’s important here is making each of those words count. If you can look at a scene and say “this doesn’t tell me anything new about Suzy and doesn’t further the plot” then scrap it. It’s not needed. Words are precious, so make good use of them.

The end of Act Two should be the climax. The climax of the story is when the stakes are at their highest and the characters have hit nearly the end of their arc. This is the moment Act One and Act Two have been leading up to. In THE LIGHTNING THIEF by Rick Riordan, I saw the climax as when Percy and his friends reach Hades. 

Act Three:

Act Three is the wrap up of your story. This is where the reader will see the resolution to the conflict and climax presented in Act One and Act Two. By the end, our questions should be answered and things should be resolved. This is the ending of the book, and as such the overarching plot should come to a close (even if you’re planning a sequel).

Okay, I understand, so now what?

Apply it to your writing. Look at your story and ask if each scene fits within the act and if it’s furthering the story. Do you have an unneeded scene in the middle of Act Three? Are there moments really developing your characters in Act Two? Does your story have a strong inciting incident and climax?

Conclusion:

There are three Acts when it comes to stories. This can be applied to both short stories and novel-length stories. What’s important to know is what comes in each act.

- Act One: Protagonist, Conflict (including stakes), setting, inciting incident

- Act Two: Character development, character arc, climax

- Act Three: Resolution

Prompt:

Every WTFYC lesson will include a small challenge to see what we’ve learned.

While a lot of us aren’t  plotters, this prompt is to help us understand narrative structure. In the comments, please show us an outline of your story (or another novel). Act one must include protagonist, conflict, setting, and inciting incident. Act two must include character arc and climax. Act three must include resolution. It’s alright if I don’t understand it, as long as you do, that’s what counts, since this is meant to be to YOUR benefit (I’m not the one writing your story!).

- Example, using one of my drafts (AWAKENED):

Act One:

- Protagonist: Beth

- Conflict: Parents were murdered, Atoners are after her

- Setting: Fallen Hills, Ohio

- Inciting Incident: Exploring the archives

Act Two:

- Character Arc: Beth learns her powers, Beth bonds with Clark

- Climax: Beth is kidnapped by Alexander and learns Andrea is working with the Atoners

Act Three:

- Resolution: Beth battles Alexander and Andrea, finally gaining all of her powers. She fights and wins, saving her town, herself, and Clark.

Thank you for participating in this week’s WTFYC! Feel free to discuss on social media using #WTFYCChat

Click here to see all of the WTFYC posts.

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With the incoming of a new year, many people are writing down their goals for 2018. Goals can be a beautiful thing, as long as we make sure they’re reasonable. I want you, my followers and readers, to hold me accountable for my writing goals. I’ve always made it goal to be transparent about my aspirations.

Ever since I was young, I’ve had a dream of being a published author. In 2017, its felt closer to reality than ever. I’m hoping with the goals I set for myself in 2018 will bring that dream even closer to fruition.

I want to make goals that are within my own personal grasp. Yes, I can make a goal of having an agent say yes, but I can’t make an agent say yes. I can only hope from my own goals it will make them more likely to see yes. Do you see my pattern? Make realistic goals that are within my control to further my career.

Goal #1 - Read More Books!

What? But, Makayla, you want to be a writer so why are you reading more? As many writers know, reading can do wonders for your writing. I want to read everything. From blog posts about enhancing my craft to books within the genres I’m writing, I want to read.

I want to read at least one published book a month within my particular genre, focusing on works that have been released within the past three years. I need to understand my market better. This includes young adult fantasy, urban fantasy, and paranormal. I’ll definitely be filling up my TBR (to-be-read) shelves on my Goodreads.

Goal #2 - Finish That Manuscript!

I recently finished a manuscript, polished it, and received feedback on it -- and now I’m querying it. That was last years goal, and I’ve completed that. I’ve set another goal of writing another manuscript while I await query responses.

Why, though? I need to keep my craft active. I need to continue writing and growing my own voice as a writer. I’ve set a specific timeline for myself and a personal deadline. When I’ve got the manuscript finished, I’ll repeat the same process I did last year -- edit, receive feedback, edit some more.

Goal #3 - Submit To PitchWars and Agents!

PitchWars is an awesome event that connects writers with mentors and then with agents. It’s seriously amazing and has lead to many author’s dreams coming true. With PitchWars accepting submissions in August, I’m hoping to submit my new manuscript to it, if I haven’t gotten an agent by then. While having an agent before then is what I’m hoping for, I’m remaining open with my goals and how to reach them.

Goal #4 - Connect With Writers!

Toward the end of 2017 I started becoming extremely active in the online writing community on Twitter. I had already been posting and talking to other writers on sites like Wattpad, but Twitter really made my horizons larger.

I want to connect with fellow writers and create a network of determined people around me. I’m always inspired when I’m able to connect with others and see what they’ve accomplished. Seeing other’s victories pushes me to become better.

Goal #5 - Trust In Myself!

This is my final goal, and I know it can be one of the hardest, which is why I saved it for last. Trusting in myself has never been easy. I know I usually put on a good facade that I’m extremely confident in my work (heck, when I was in high-school that’s the word I was given to describe me), but in truth, I’m not always that confident. I’m the type of person to believe the longer I tell myself something, the more it must be true.

This year, I really want to believe in myself. I want to trust the words I put onto pages and trust the queries I send out. I want to trust in myself in cultivating the right connections and building the proper network around myself.

What are your goals?

What are your goals for 2018 and how are you planning to achieve them?

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This is a spoiler-free review. Island of Exiles by Erica Cameron is a beautiful young adult fantasy following the adventure of Khya as she works to save her brother. The stakes are high from start to finish and is likely to keep any reader engaged. The world is vivid and diverse, and I was immediately drawn into it.

I received this eARC (advanced reader’s copy) of Island of Exiles through NetGalley, thanks to Entangled Publishing / Entangled Teen. All thoughts and opinions are my own!

My Summary

Life on the desert island of Shiara has never been easy, even within the protected city of Itagami. There’s an intricate system of ranks for the citizens, and Khya has always hoped to join the council, the second highest spot within the clan, along with her brother Yorri.

When Yorri’s life is put at risk, she must risk everything she’s ever known to save him. The world she thought she knew is quickly turned upside down and the one’s she had always been taught to trust might not be as trustworthy as she had thought. She quickly realizes it’s not only her brother’s life at risk, but the entirety of Shiara.

Tessen has always chased Khya, and she’s forced to allow him to help her save her home and brother. In order to set things right, they must put their lives on the line. Together, they team up in this diverse fantasy to save her brother and their world.

Overall Thoughts

Wow, where do I even begin? This was an exciting read from start to finish. It’s hard to put into words how much I absolutely loved this book. I’m already stoked for the sequel, Sea of Strangers.

This story is wonderfully diverse. Different sexualities are accepted, and there’s three different genders (along with their own pronouns), which was pleasant to read. The characters have great depth. Khya, the protagonist, is strong-willed and determined, but her soft side is shown. Tessen is also determined, but he knows when to back off.

The world is also fantastic! Exploring Shiara and Itagami was so interesting. Erica Cameron wonderfully built a civilization that felt entirely real. There are different classes for each citizen, and each of these classes are so well thought out! The magic is beautiful and the explanations are wonderful -- an example is Khya is in the rank “nyshin” and is known as a “fykina” mage, which means she can create barriers to protect herself and others from magical and physical assaults. While these terms might seem difficult to grasp at first, they’re so woven into the story that they easily catch on. If you’re wanting to read something that has tons of layers to pull you in, this is definitely something I can recommend.

Throughout the book we are aware of the stakes. At the very beginning, the stakes are made known — this is not an easy world to live in. When Khya must risk her life, the stakes become even higher. I gripped the edges of my pages (well, er, tablet) as I read because I had to know what would happen next!

There was also romance! Ah, my heart! Reading Khya and Tessen was such a treat! The romance wasn’t immediate, which is something I love. I was able to read Khya develop her feelings. They bantered a lot and tested each other, and that was also wonderful. The romance didn’t feel forced, either. It was great!

Final Thoughts

A wonderfully diverse YA fantasy that had me yearning for more at every page turn. There was fantastic world building an amazing sense of the stakes throughout the novel.

Rating: 5/5

Further Information:

ISBN: 9781633755963

GENRE: Young Adult, Fantasy

RELEASE DATE: February 14, 2017

WHERE TO BUY: Amazon - Barnes & Noble - iBooks

[makaylasophiablog]

One of my favorite things in writing is crafting beautiful dialogue. When I started writing, I often found myself overusing dialogue tags rather than using cues (more on the difference later). It’s fun to find new ways to say “said / says”, but it’s not always necessary. To kick off WTFYC, I’ll be giving a short lesson on the difference between tags and cues.

What’s the difference between a tag and a cue?

A tag tells the reader someone has said something. This is where you’ll see all of those wonderful tags such as said, whispered, murmured, chuckled, growled, etc. Truly, the list can go on forever. The use of dialogue tags also tell the reader who is speaking, directly.

- Examples:

She said, “Wow!”

Mark replied, “Of course.

“I agree,” Jane spoke.

A cue uses action to show the reader who is speaking. This is where you’ll find all of the flowery language without using tags. For a lot of writers (and readers) this is preferred, as the reader is not as likely to be pulled away from the pages. Using cues instead of tags can give more insight into a character’s personality. I’ll use the same examples above, but this time I will use cues.

- Examples:

Her voice was filled with the excitement of a thousand bells as her eyes widened. “Wow!”

Mark’s voice was hushed, and he turned his eyes away. “Of course.”

“I agree.” Jane balled her hands into fists and gritted her teeth.

Which is better to use?

A lot of writers have different voices in their writing. I always say use what works best for you. My preference, however, is to use cues and then throw in tags when necessary or to create higher value. By using cues, as seen above, we are shown what the character is doing rather than being told, as a tag does.

Quick Tip:

Avoid using names when writing dialogue. In the real world, we often don’t call someone by their name unless it’s for something important.

- Example:

Allison smiled. “I’m really excited for the new movie!”

“Allison, I hate the sound of that movie,” James said.

- Example 2, change:

Allison smiled, “I’m really excited for the new movie!”

“I hate the sound of that movie,” James said.

The reader already knows James is speaking to Allison, and in a real world situation, it would be unlikely James would be stating her name.

Note: This doesn’t mean never have characters say each others names. Only do it when necessary.

In Conclusion:

Use cues to show the reader with action who is speaking and give insight into the personality of the character. Use tags to tell the reader who is speaking.

Prompt:

As promised, at the end of every WTFYC lesson there will be a small challenge. This is meant to use what we’ve talked about.

In the comments, please show us the difference between tags and cues. First, write some short dialogue between two characters using tags. Then, use the same dialogue and use cues instead. Let us know if you like the difference!

- Example:

1. Mary sighed, “But I don’t want to go to the store!”

“We have to go,” Josh said.

She cried, “Fine, but you have to buy me chocolate!”

2. Mary pressed her lips together. “But I don’t want to go to the store!”

“We have to go.” Josh placed his hands on his hips and narrowed his eyes.

She let out a deep sigh and crossed her arms over her chest before looking away from him. “Fine, but you have to buy me chocolate.”

Thank you for participating in this week’s WTFYC. Feel free to share on social media using #WTFYCChat

Click here to see all of the WTFYC posts.

[makaylasophiablog]

This is a spoiler-free review. The Beautiful Ones by Silvia Moreno-Garcia follows the intertwining stories of love of Hector, Antonina, and Valérie. This love story, however, isn’t all roses and happiness. It is filled with gripping emotions and leaves a reader wondering what love truly is.

I received this eARC (advanced readers copy) of The Beautiful Ones through Netgalley, thanks to St. Martin’s Press / Thomas Dunne Books. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

My Summary

Antonina, or Nina as she likes to be called, is a telekinetic, she has the ability to move objects with a single thought. She is entering her first Grand Season, a time where she must attend balls and social gatherings in hopes of finding a husband. She has a fiery personality with little care for what the world around her thinks. She is under the watchful eye of her cousin’s wife, Valérie, who demands everything be done particularly, which Antonina doesn’t often oblige to. Valérie is also a jealous woman, which can never be a good thing.

Antonina meets Hector, a dazzling performer who also has telekinetic abilities. She requests he helps her master her own powers, and he agrees, though his reason is deceptive. His past love was Valérie, and he is using Antonina to get closer to her. Antonina is quickly falling for Hector, and it’s only a matter of time before her heart is broken, but what happens when Hector soon finds himself falling for Antonina?

Overall Thoughts

I was absolutely astounded by the writing, though I had been expecting something different from the blurb. I was assuming I would be reading a paranormal romance, but instead I was greeted with something that felt like a historical romance set in a different yet familiar world. This story is also very character-driven, which was a pleasant change from my usual readings.

I found myself quickly wanting to know more about the characters. I adored Nina’s naive and spunky personality, Hector’s blind yet stoic love, and Valérie’s calculating jealousy. Each character contributed well to the story. At one point, the story even went from a love triangle to a love square, which was quite interesting to read.

One of the biggest emotions I encountered was for Hector. He seemed to have one of the largest developments for the characters. There were parts of the story when I couldn’t decide whether or not I hated him, but in a way that kept me wanting to read more. The characters in this story definitely had depth that made them feel like real people.

The telekinetic bit was important, but not as important as the overarching story. True, it brings Antonina and Hector together, but I felt they could have came together without it. It added an interesting element, but it didn’t take center stage for the story.

Final Thoughts:

I thought this was a wonderful book. I was dazzled by the characters and the world. As I was reading, I continually had questions, which were all answered. I would recommend this story to those who enjoy historical romances that are character driven and want a bit of a fantasy aspect.

Rating: 4.5/5 on Goodreads

Further Information:

ISBN: 9781250099068

RELEASE DATE: OCT 24, 2017

PAGE COUNT: 327

WHERE TO BUY: Amazon - Barnes & Noble - iBooks

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Welcome to Writing Tips for YOUR Craft. To make things easier, we'll shorten that large title to a simple acronym, WTFYC.

Here are WTFYC I will share new tips every week to help you with your craft. We'll cover a plethora of topics in different depths, including world-building, dialogue, character building, descriptions, metaphors, and more. Truly, the possibilities are endless.

Each "lesson" will have a short challenge at the end for you to optionally participate in to test what you've learned. These challenges are usually quite short and will take only a few minutes to complete. I want to keep things simple!

Here on WTFYC, I will also be inviting different writers and industry professionals to participate in lessons, giving their best tips for you. This is all about improving your skills.

While this isn't guaranteed to make you the next online sensation or NYT Bestseller, the hope is you will finish each lesson having learned something new. WTFYC is focused purely on writing. With anything, improvement comes with practice.

WTFYC is a fun group of lessons that will be cross posted on my Wattpad and personal blog. While you're participating, feeling free to use the hashtag #WTFYC on social media. The more the merrier!

Buckle up and settle in, because we're about to have a lot of fun.

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This is a spoiler-free review of Haven by Mary Lindsey. This was a book that I quickly fell in love with, and I am so incredibly excited to share with all of you my thoughts about it. I was hooked from start to finish, and the world blew me away.

I received this eARC (advanced readers copy) of Haven through Netgalley, thanks to Entangled Publishing for reviewing purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

The first thing that pulled me in to requesting this book was the beautiful cover. Admittedly, I am someone who judges a book by it’s cover, or at least a cover is the first thing that influences me to pick up a book. I think maybe that’s because I’m an artist. Anyways, I’m rambling.

Book Summary:

Haven is centered around Rain Ryland, a teen whose been down on his luck. He goes from living on the streets to being whisked away to the small town of New Wurzburg to live with his only existing relative, his aunt. Upon arriving in this new, peculiar town he meets Friederike, who goes by Freddie. He quickly learns this town isn’t what it seems.

Rain is a fiery character who sticks to his decisions. He finds himself falling for Freddie, and she begins falling for him, too. Despite her warnings to keep away from him, for fear of his life, he doesn’t listen. He sticks by her and in the process begins to uncover secrets he could never imagine, of a monsterous magnitude.

Overall Thoughts: 

I won’t keep going too much with a summary because I don’t want to spoil things, but I found this story to be really wonderful. Mary Lindsey wonderfully built the world, and enough information was revealed over time to keep me wanting more. I did not feel overwhelmed with the story, which kept me hooked. When an author can make it so that I don’t realize I’m reading, I’m definitely enthused!

There was a large cast of characters, but of course I absolutely adored the romance between Freddie and Rain. One thing I’ve noticed in paranormal romances is sometimes the paranormal side of the romance tends to be over protective with the human side having little choice in matters concerning them self. Haven does not have this.

Both Rain and Freddie are strong willed characters. Despite Freddie’s warnings, Rain presses on. Freddie is also willing to do whatever it takes to uncover her own mysteries (which, in the process, uncovers some unknown facts about Rain’s heritage and his fate in New Wurzburg).

There is also a large cast of other characters (and creatures), which I would adore to learn more about, though I was perfectly satisfied with the story given. i just really loved the characters!

Final Thoughts:

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes paranormal romance with a mix of mystery. Some common tropes in this book was overcoming odds and opposites attract. Furthermore, for those who loved books such as Twilight, this should be something you add to your shelf immediately. 

Rating: 5/5 stars on Goodreads

Further Information:

ISBN: 9781633758841

RELEASE DATE: NOV 7, 2017

PAGE COUNT: 400

PUBLISHER: Entangled Publishing

Where to buy: Amazon - Barnes & Noble - iBooks - Publisher 

About the author:

Mary Lindsey is a multi award-winning, RITA® nominated author of romance for adults and teens. Her books Shattered Souls and Fragile Spirits have been selected for the 2017 Spirit of Texas Reading Program.

Twitter - Website - Facebook

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I had the opportunity to interview Donna Migliaccio about her newest release Fiskur. I was able to ask her more about her writing process for Fiskur and get the inside scoop on the book!

From your site, I see you’re also involved in theatre. Has theatre influenced any of your writing?

Oh, gosh, yes. As an actor, I have to build an internal life for my characters based on the playwright's script, the director's vision for the production and my own instincts. As a writer, that process is all up to me – I build the characters out of my own head. Consequently, I spend a lot of time questioning my characters' motives: "Would Kristan really say such a thing? Would Heather really react that way?"

What has been your favorite thing about writing The Gemeta Stone series?

I love developing the characters and seeing where they'll lead me. Just last night I was shredding an extremely early version of my third book, StoneKing, and I was stunned at how wimpy Heather was. She's grown so much stronger as a character over time, and her relationship with Kristan has gotten so much more complicated.

What would you like to see your readers take away from reading Fiskur?

I'm hoping they'll be so intrigued that they'll be champing at the bit to read StoneKing, which will be released in early 2018! Seriously, I hope they'll be drawn in by Kristan's struggle to maintain his compassionate spirit in the face of terrible suffering.

What inspired you to write The Gemeta Stone series, specifically Fiskur?

I've always been fascinated by characters whose innate decency keeps them on a difficult road, especially when a less moral path is both easier and more tempting. Both Kristan and Heather are fairly straightforward characters in the first book, Kinglet, but the hardships the two face in Fiskur will have lasting effects on them in the future.

Which of the characters in Fiskur do you connect the most with and why?

Of course I'm extremely fond of Kristan and Heather, but if there's a character in Fiskur and Kinglet who is most like me, it's Ariphele, Daazna's mother. She's smart and sarcastic and sometimes lazy and a little sexy and terribly conflicted about her son and her relationship with him. I created her as a way to humanize Daazna – so he wasn't just a cardboard bad guy – but she blossomed into a really interesting character in her own right. She would have taken over the book if I'd let her!

What has been the hardest part about writing Fiskur?

Poor Kristan really takes a beating in this book: physically, mentally and emotionally. I felt bad about it sometimes – taking the decent, kind, well-intentioned character readers know from Kinglet and essentially brutalizing him. But it was all in service to the story.

If you could give one piece of advice to writers who wish to one day publish, what would that piece of advice be?

Don't be in a hurry. Give yourself time and permission to fail, and to learn from the failure and try again. Those of us in the writing game are fond of saying that this business isn't a sprint – it's a marathon. When you feel that you're ready to publish at last, be careful and do your research. There are an awful lot of scammers out there, ready to prey on the hopes of eager authors, and just as many well-meaning neophytes who set themselves up as agents or publishers without the knowledge (not to mention the capital) to be successful. One website I highly recommend to writers of every stripe and skill level is absolutewrite.com. Loads of information and an engaged, helpful community on the forums.

Thank you for this interview! Do you have any final thoughts for your readers as they dive into the world of The Gemeta Stone?

Thank you for having me! I hope readers enjoy the series – and if they have any questions, I'm happy to answer them via my website at www.donnamigliaccio.com.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Book: Fiskur by Donna Migliaccio

Published: November7, 2017

Genre: Fantasy

series: The Gemeta Stone Book 2

Publisher: Fiery Seas Publishing, LLC

With his family's talisman in his possession, Kristan Gemeta is ready to face the Wichelord Daazna – but he has no inkling of the scope of Daazna's power, nor the depths of his hatred.

With the recovery of his family's protective talisman, Kristan Gemeta has found hope, courage – and perhaps even the first stirrings of love.  With the aid of Heather Demitt, her band of rebels, a shipload of Northern brigands and the legendary Kentavron, he readies himself to face the Wichelord Daazna.  But neither he nor his comrades realize the strength of Daazna's power and hatred.  The Wichelord's first blow comes from a direction Kristan least expects, with horrific, lasting consequences.

AMAZON - BARNES & NOBLE - KOBO - IBOOKS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Donna Migliaccio is a professional stage actress with credits that include Broadway, National Tours and prominent regional theatres.  She is based in the Washington, DC Metro area, where she co-founded Tony award-winning Signature Theatre and is in demand as an entertainer, teacher and public speaker.  Her award-winning short story, "Yaa & The Coffins," was featured in Thinkerbeat's 2015 anthology The Art of Losing.  

Connect with her:

Website - Facebook - Twitter - Pinterest

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This is going to be a spoiler-free review of Frostblood by Elly Blake. I absolutely loved this book, and I’m excited to share my thoughts with you all.

If you would prefer to watch the video version of my review, you can check it out on my YouTube channel here.

Now, onto the review!

Book summary:

Frostblood is a fantasy YA following the story of Ruby, a Fireblood girl. In the world we are introduced to in Frostblood, the Frostblood’s are the reigning class and Fireblood’s are next to nothing. Essentially, Frostblood’s have the power of, you guessed it, ice, while Fireblood’s have command over fire. Ruby has had to conceal her identity of being a Fireblood her entire life, but things quickly take a turn for the worst when she’s discovered and thrown into one of the Frostlbood King’s prisons. 

After being in the prison, Ruby doesn’t lose her determination. She is broken out of her cell by a group of rebels who enlist her to help them take down the tyrannical King. There, for the first time, she begins practicing her abilities. What wasn’t expected, though, is for her to start falling for one of those rebels, who happens to be a Frostblood.

Captured by the King’s men again, Ruby is whisked away to the castle and must fight for her life in a gladiator-like ring. Here is her only chance to use the powers she has always concealed and to take down the King.

Overall thoughts:

This book was a bit slow for me to get into. It took me about a week to really get into, though once hit about a quarter of the way through the book, I was hooked. 

I think Elly Blake did a lovely job at introducing her readers to this new world she’s created. I especially appreciate that the world building was paced, because it didn’t feel as if I was having an information overload.

The one thing I wasn’t fully sure of was the romance aspect of the book. For me, it felt as if it was fast paced. One moment Ruby detested her love interest and then the next she didn’t. Maybe it’s because it took me awhile to get through it. Because I love romance, though, I didn’t particularly mind.

Ruby was a wonderful character to read from. She was strong willed and not easily tampered with. She had a mind of her own, and her determination shined through. She has definitely become one of my favorites, and I’m excited to see her further blossom in the rest of the trilogy.

Final thoughts:

I would recommend this book to anyone who needs something to get them into a young adult fantasy. Frostblood followed a few common tropes, such as “enemies-to-lovers” and “the chosen one”, however I thought they were uniquely done.

More information:

You can purchase this book on Book Depository: https://www.bookdepository.com/Frostblood-Elly-Blake/9780316273183?ref=grid-view&qid=1511163810900&sr=1-3

Here’s the book on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27827203-frostblood?from_search=true

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I’m super excited to share with you all the unboxing of SIX MONTHS worth of boxes from Bookcase.club, as well as tell you some more information about this amazing book subscription box company.

Bookcase.club is monthly subscription box that brings books to your door every month! At $9.99 a month + shipping, it's a great deal. There's a wide selection of genres to choose from, so you'll always be reading something you enjoy.

More information can be found on their website: Bookcase.Club

If you would prefer to view the video version of this post, it is available on my YouTube channel HERE.

The books received in the first two boxes includes Denton Little’s Death Date by Lance Rubin, Reality Boy by A.S. King, and Maybe One Day by Melissa Kantor. Listed below are some descriptions and links for each of these. My favorite thing about Bookcase.Club is that I am always amazed by their selection of books.

Each of the book descriptions are thanks to Goodreads.

Denton Little’s Death Date by Lance Rubin - Goodreads

Denton Little’s Deathdate takes place in a world exactly like our own except that everyone knows the day on which they will die. For Denton, that’s in just two days—the day of his senior prom.

Reality Boy by A.S. King - Goodreads

Gerald Faust knows exactly when he started feeling angry: the day his mother invited a reality television crew into his five-year-old life. Twelve years later, he’s still haunted by his rage-filled youth—which the entire world got to watch from every imaginable angle—and his anger issues have resulted in violent outbursts, zero friends, and clueless adults dumping him in the special education room at school.

Maybe One Day by Melissa Kantor - Goodreads

Zoe and her best friend, Olivia, have always had big plans for the future, none of which included Olivia getting sick. Still, Zoe is determined to put on a brave face and be positive for her friend.

Even when she isn't sure what to say. Even when Olivia misses months of school. Even when Zoe starts falling for Calvin, Olivia's crush.

The next case included A Matter of Heart by Amy Fellner Dominy and Diamond Boy by Michael Williams. I was absolutely thrilled when I received the box. The packaging is beautiful, and I was immediately enthused by the books I saw.

Both of the below descriptions are thanks to Goodreads.

A Matter of Heart by Amy Fellner Dominy - Goodreads

Sixteen-year-old Abby Lipman is on track to win the state swim championships and qualify for the Olympic trials when a fainting incident at a swim meet leads to the diagnosis of a deadly heart condition. Now Abby is forced to discover who she is without the one thing that's defined her entire life.

Diamond Boy by Michael Williams  - Goodreads

"Diamonds for everyone." That's what fifteen-year-old Patson Moyo hears when his family arrives in the Marange diamond fields. Soon Patson is working in the mines himself, hoping to find his girazi--the priceless stone that could change his life forever. But when the government's soldiers comes to Marange, Patson's world is shattered. Set against the backdrop of President Robert Mugabe's brutal regime in Zimbabwe, Diamond Boy is the story of young man who succumbs to greed but finds his way out through a transformative journey to South Africa in search of his missing sister, in search of freedom, and in search of himself.

The next book case includes two books. The first is North of Beautiful by Justina Chen and First There Was Forever by Juliana Romano.

Both descriptions are thanks to Goodreads.

North of Beautiful by Justina Chen - Goodreads

She's tall, blond, and has an enviable body. But with one turn of her cheek, all people notice is her unmistakably "flawed" face. Terra secretly plans to leave her stifling small town in the Northwest and escape to an East Coast college, but gets pushed off-course by her controlling father. When an unexpected collision puts Terra directly in Jacob's path, the handsome but quirky Goth boy immediately challenges her assumptions about herself and her life, and she is forced in yet another direction. With her carefully laid plans disrupted, will Terra be able to find her true path?

First There Was Forever by Juliana Romano - Goodreads

Lima and Hailey have always been best friends: Lima shy and sensitive, Hailey funny and free-spirited. But Hailey abandons Lima to party with the popular kids and pursue Nate, her disinterested crush. As their friendship falters, Lima and Nate begin spending more time together. And before Lima knows what she’s feeling, she and Nate do something irreversible. Something that would hurt Hailey....if she knew it happened. Lima thinks she’s saving her friendship by lying, but she’s only buying time. As the secrets stack up, Lima is forced to make a choice: between her best friend forever, and the boy who wasn’t meant to be hers.

The next box included two amazing books. The first was Blonde Ops by Charlotte Bennardo and Natalie  Zaman. The next was Revolution 19 by Greg Rosenblum.

Both descriptions are thanks to Goodreads.

Blonde Ops by Charlotte Bennardo and Natalia Zaman - Goodreads

Expelled from yet another boarding school for hacking, sixteen-year-old Rebecca "Bec" Jackson is shipped off to Rome to intern for Parker Phillips, the editor-in-chief of one of the world’s top fashion magazines. But when a mysterious accident lands Parker in a coma, former supermodel and notorious drama queen Candace Worthington takes the reins of the magazine. The First Lady is in Rome for a cover shoot, and all hands are on deck to make sure her visit goes smoothly. 

Revolution 19 by Greg Rosenblum - Goodreads

Twenty years ago, the robots designed to fight our wars abandoned the battlefields. Then they turned their weapons on us. Only a few escaped the robot revolution of 2071. Kevin, Nick, and Cass are lucky —they live with their parents in a secret human community in the woods. Then their village is detected and wiped out. Hopeful that other survivors have been captured by bots, the teens risk everything to save the only people they have left in the world—by infiltrating a city controlled by their greatest enemies.

The last box I unboxed included another two spectacular books. Blythewood by Carol Goodman and Dangerous Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl was included.

Both descriptions are thanks to Goodreads.

Blythewood by Carol Goodman - Goodreads

At seventeen, Avaline Hall has already buried her mother, survived a horrific factory fire, and escaped from an insane asylum. Now she’s on her way to Blythewood Academy, the elite boarding school in New York’s mist-shrouded Hudson Valley that her mother attended—and was expelled from. Though she’s afraid her high society classmates won’t accept a factory girl in their midst, Ava is desperate to unravel her family’s murky past, discover the identity of the father she’s never known, and perhaps finally understand her mother’s abrupt suicide. She’s also on the hunt for the identity of the mysterious boy who rescued her from the fire. And she suspects the answers she seeks lie at Blythewood.    

Dangerous Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl - Goodreads

From the world of Beautiful Creatures-a dangerous new tale of love and magic. Ridley Duchannes is nobody's heroine. She's a Dark Caster, a Siren. She can make you do things. Anything. You can't trust her, or yourself when she's around. And she'll be the first to tell you to stay away-especially if you're going to do something as stupid as fall in love with her. 

I am always thrilled and pleased with the amazing books Bookcase.Club curates in their boxes. I always know when I receive one of their boxes I am in to read something amazing.

I would like to. say a huge thank you to Bookcase.Club for sending me all of these boxes. And for my readers, all opinions are my own. I really am this amazed!

Have you read any of the books seen or are you subscribed to Bookcase.Club?!

[makaylasophiablog]

I am excited to share with you all the cover reveal of Allison Mullinax’s upcoming book BREAK THE LINE, published with Fiery Seas Publishing.

THE REVEAL:

BREAK THE LINE is a contemporary romance by Allison Mullinax and is being published in 2018 with Fiery Seas Publishing under their romance line Fiery Seas Everlasting.

BOOK SUMMARY:

As a pro-fisherman, Benson Howell’s days are spent on murky lake water, reeling in largemouth bass and winning first place trophies. At twenty-nine, life is easy and carefree. His only job is to stay in the top rankings during the fishing circuit, and keep the sponsors happy. That is, until he meets hot tempered, fiery haired Danni-Rose in small-town Alabama. He has never backed down from anything too big to reel in.

Danni-Rose has spent the past six years of her life burying her past. When Benson Howell literally plows his boat right into her life, armed with simmering anger, she fights the current pulling her closer to him. With a past she can’t let go of, and the sexy fisherman breaking down all her walls, Danni-Rose does everything she can to break the line connecting her to Benson.

Will Danni-Rose be able to let go of the past?  Can Benson change her mind about him? Or will they both miss the catch of a lifetime?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

North Alabama native, Allison Mullinax, grew up in the small lake town of Guntersville, AL. She discovered the escapism and addiction of writing at an early age. Today she remains a lover of reading, all things outdoors, and spending time with her husband and three daughters.

Connect with the author: Website - Twitter - Facebook