Sydney Winward

Witch in the Woods by C. M. Adler Book Tour-Review

“Once upon a time, there was a young girl who lived near an enchanted forest with her sister and her father. One day, while her father was gone selling firewood to the neighboring villages, her sister fell ill. Out of desperation, the young girl ventured into the forest for help and there she found a woman who gave her everything her soul desired…

Ambrosine lives next to an enchanted wood, which is no big deal when you know how to spot a magic hoax nest and trap nasty little night fairies.

And certainly no big deal when there is not even a witch in the woods.

When her little sister Rosaline encounters a strange new creature, she falls asleep and a dangerous fever dream threatens her life. With their mother dead and their father gone, Ambrosine gambles with the deepest desire of her soul as she fights to save her sister.

Based on the Grimm fairy tale, The Tale of the Rose, this is a highly entertaining and bone-chilling story of the first Witch in the Woods.”

November 7, 2020November 7, 2020 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of Mine to Five by Tara September

My Review

After a drunken night with a stranger, Melanie Thomas starts her first day at her new job the following day…only to find out the stranger is her new boss.

Mine to Five is a fun office romance with flirty banter and great chemistry between the hero and heroine. It was a short but enjoyable read, one with good romantic tension and fun quips. I would have liked to see more sweet than spicy, but I liked the book overall. If you enjoy office romances and secret relationships, you’ll want to check out this book by Tara September.

My rating: 3.5 stars

November 6, 2020November 5, 2020 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of Becoming the Witch by J. M. Davies

My Review

I love paranormal stories, and one set in a historical setting sounded intriguing. However, I had a hard time reading this book because there were a lot of disturbing scenes. The husband was a well written and believable villain. I was sad Elizabeth had to endure a marriage to him.

The writing style and descriptions are well done with a story that has a good flow. The next/first in the series has a promising premise, so I’m planning to read it. This prequel would definitely hold more weight to a reader who has read the other books in the series, and it would be interesting to look back and see what the heroine’s past looked like.

My rating: 3 stars

November 5, 2020December 15, 2020 by Sydney Winward

Top 5 Paranormal/Fantasy Books I’ve Read This Year (So Far)

Happy Halloween! What better way to celebrate the holiday than by reflecting back on my favorite paranormal/fantasy books I’ve read in 2020? Can you believe it?? I’ve read 75 books so far this year. I’ve blown my reading goal out of the water. I’ve read some incredible books, some okay books, and a few books that made me cringe. Although the year isn’t quite over yet, and there’s still time for books to squeeze their way onto my list of favorites, here are my favorites in this genre so far.

#1- Kingdom of Thorns by Katherine Macdonald

Witty banter, an adorable hero you can’t help but root for, and a unique fairy tale retelling like you’ve never read before. I loved this book so so so so much, and I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.

October 31, 2020October 31, 2020 by Sydney Winward

How I Decide What to Read Next

When there are so many great books out there waiting to be read, how do I decide what to read next? Of course, I have a long list of books in my to-read pile on Goodreads. But even then, I don’t usually go down the list in order and read what’s on there.

The books I read, I often run into them randomly. For example, in a Newsletter I joined on a whim from Booksweeps, on a thread I found on Twitter, or it even coincides with whatever mood strikes at the moment. People even reach out and request for me to read their book in exchange for a review, and I often put those requests near the top of my pile.

Recently, my brain just ran into a wall, not wanting to read at all. But I’m hoping to come out of it as soon as I’m done with my current writing project. Here are the next two books on my to-read list, unless some random mood strikes before I get to them. I’m super excited to read them!

What if finding a husband meant losing her freedom?

Maydeline Shadow dreamed of adventures on the Five Seas, certainly not settling in the Northern Kingdom with any of her mother’s choice of suitors. But when her family’s secret is exposed, Maylie is forced by old rules to find a husband.

Taking matters into her own hands, she flees her colony and is thrust into an unknown world of magic, mermaids, and marauders with new and foreign rules. She must not only discover her own mystical abilities, but a wicked ploy to destroy her family.

If she chooses the wrong man, she could lose it all.

Can a human heart withstand the flames of a dragon’s soul?

For centuries, the dragons of Kalleen have ruled the skies. Blessed by the goddess of fire, those born of her power are destined to exist within two worlds, while fully belonging to neither.

As the youngest daughter of the dragon queen, Amelia has always been torn between her humanity and winged form. In meeting Stephen, she found a blossoming love that gave her hope of finding balance.

A dream destroyed when her sister, and future queen, sets her sights upon the same man.

Forced from her lover’s side, Amelia embraces a self-imposed exile, taking refuge in the northern mountains. In this new life of solitude, she banishes painful memories by retreating to her dragon form, sheltering the wounded girl within.

Yet it is an isolation that cannot last, as the new dragon queen’s cruelty bears down upon the kingdom, allowing an ancient enemy to rise. Drawn from her banishment by the pleas of friends, Amelia must choose. Will she embrace the destructive beast within? Or draw upon the frail humanity that lingers dimly in her soul, in a desperate attempt to help her people, and mend a broken heart?

October 28, 2020 by Sydney Winward

Blog Tour Pumpkin Pies and Potions by Polly Holmes-Book Review

BLURB:

Witches, cats, pumpkin pies and murder!

I’m Evelyn Grayson and if you’d told me by the time I was 23, I’d have lost both my parents in a mysterious accident, moved in with the coolest Aunt ever, lived in a magical town, and I was a witch, I would have said you were crazy. Funny thing is, you’d be right.

Camille Stenson, the grumpiest woman in Saltwater Cove is set on making this year’s Halloween celebrations difficult for everyone, but when she turns up dead and my best friend is on the suspect list, I have no choice but to find out whodunit and clear her name.

Amongst the pumpkin carving, abandoned houses, and apple bobbing, it soon becomes apparent dark magic is at play and I must use all my newfound witches’ abilities to find the killer before another spell is cast.

Step into Evelyn Grayson’s magical world in the first book of the Melting Pot Café series, a fun and flirty romantic paranormal cozy mystery where the spells are flowing, and the adventure is just beginning.

If you like witty witches, cheeky talking cats, and magical murder mysteries, then you’ll love Polly Holmes’ light-hearted Melting Pot Café series.

October 27, 2020October 26, 2020 by Sydney Winward

Interview with Author Mike Torreano

Mike, thanks for joining us today! And congrats on your new release, A Score to Settle. Tell us a little more about you. Are you an outliner or a pantser?

October 22, 2020October 20, 2020 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of Kingdom of Thorns by Katherine Macdonald

My Review

I can’t express enough about how much I loved this book. The interactions between Talia and Leopold had me chuckling so much, sometimes even multiple times on the same page. Leo was absolutely adorable, and I admire Talia’s courage and determination. The characters had so much depth to them, and the descriptions jumped to life on the page.

For as many Sleeping Beauty retellings that are out there in the world, this one is truly unique, not quite like anything I’ve read thus far. Unique, witty, and charming, this book is not something you want to miss out on. If you’re in the mood for fairy tales with exciting twists, I highly recommend reading Kingdom of Thorns.

My rating: 5 stars

October 15, 2020 by Sydney Winward

Shirley Goldberg and Her New Release Middle Ageish

Shirley Goldberg
Middle Ageish
Starting Over, Book 1
Book Release Date: August 26, 2020
Book Publisher: Wild Rose Press
Book Cover Artist: RJ
Book Genre: Romantic Women’s Fiction/Rom Com

Thanks for joining me on my blog today, Shirley! I absolutely love your cover for Middle Agish, and the concept sounds so interesting. This is your first book, correct? What are five things readers need to know about Sunny Chanel, your character?

1. Sunny’s husband announces he wants a divorce on their anniversary. Since she’s never hung around where she isn’t wanted, Sunny leaves her husband behind in Paris and starts over in New Haven, Connecticut. She goes back to school at age fifty to get her master’s in teaching.

2. She’s shoved into online dating by her best friend’s boyfriend, who thinks he’s helping her. She and her good friend have a dating contest to see who’ll be the first to date 25 men. There’s even a prize.

3. Her first online date throws a mushroom at the waiter and Sunny runs out of the restaurant.

4. Sunny lives in New Haven. I grew up there, lived and worked in New Haven as a teacher for many years.

5. Sunny is a fictional character, but bits and pieces of me are intertwined in her story. It’s a first novel, after all. Honestly, I couldn’t tell you what’s real and what’s not anymore.

October 7, 2020October 5, 2020 by Sydney Winward

Garden of Hope Book Tour Review

Can two lost causes find love in the arms of one another?

Lily, the peculiar youngest daughter of an earl, would rather spend her life as a spinster, tending to her garden–alone. But when her father falls critically ill, she suddenly faces the possibility of becoming a penniless relation living on the charity of her sisters unless she can find a husband–now. But facing her fifth Season and feeling unable to meet the requirements of a proper wife, Lily despairs of finding a kind and patient man she can trust enough to marry.

Henry, the war-wounded second son of an earl, needs to have a son to secure his family’s future. But worried about his condition worsening and leaving him crippled, he fears turning any future wife into a mere companion and nursemaid.

Both are unable to resist the pressure from their families to attend the Season and at least try to find a spouse. Can these two lost causes see past their own limitations and let love in?

October 6, 2020October 6, 2020 by Sydney Winward