Sydney Winward

My Review of His Small-Town Girl by Lacy Williams

My Review

She’s running from a stalker. He wants to escape Sutter’s Hollow and leave his past behind forever. But when fate brings them together, will they be able to deny the attraction they feel for one another?

This was a cute, touching story in a small-town setting. The characters were built well with great depth and backstory. I liked how the mistreatment and neglect of horses is compared to Molly’s trauma. Cord had plenty of layers that Molly had to peel through to find the man beneath. She had plenty of her own walls as well.

I was confused that in the beginning, the story stated that Cal was the one who drove the car that caused the crash and Cord had brought the beer. Later it said it was Cord who crashed the car, and Noah had brought the beer. It’s a bit confusing considering there is another story about Callum. He fled the town as if the accident had been completely his fault, which wouldn’t make sense if he wasn’t the one to blame. Because this was an important turning point in the story, I think it’s important to have these details straightened out.

Despite the inconsistency and confusion, I did enjoy this book. I liked the characters and the slow-burn romance. This was an enjoyable read.

My rating: 4 stars

June 19, 2020September 17, 2020 by Sydney Winward

Author Interview with Julie Thorpe

Julie, I am so excited to have you on my blog today! I’m looking forward to getting to know a little more about you. For the first question, what is the first book that made you cry?

I can’t remember the first book that made me cry but the one book that makes me cry every single time without fail is Me Before You. I relate to the character of Lou Clark in many ways and the way the author writes the emotions always get to me.

June 17, 2020September 17, 2020 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of Immortal Dawn by Julie Thorpe

My Review

“I would never take the sun for granted. It was precious to someone like me who had been born into darkness.”

When vampire, Amiria, learns that the king wants to kill her in order to rule over the world, she runs to protect not only herself, but to also keep the entire world’s population safe. But is running only delaying the inevitable? Is all her effort in vain? Can she follow her heart and still protect the man she loves?

Immortal Dawn is a book about love, trust, and sacrifice. Even in the darkest of dark, a small flicker of hope remains and can conquer all. The story was enjoyable, and there were great descriptions throughout the book. Amiria was a very interesting character. The sacrifices she made really showed just how far she was willing to go for others.

June 16, 2020September 17, 2020 by Sydney Winward

My Writing Process

This week I got to thinking about how everyone’s writing process is different from plotting to editing to publishing. I thought I’d share my process and how well it works for me!

Pre-Writing

This includes coming up with the characters, the setting, and the plot. I am a very visual person, so I often spend a lot of this time on Pinterest trying to find the right character inspiration images that best reflect what I had in mind for my characters. At this point, I have a vague idea of the setting and how the plot will unfold.

Also during this time, I will get random dialogue inspiration and I will have to quickly jot it down before I forget it. Sorry, hubby! Sometimes I just have to turn on the lights at 3 a.m.

June 15, 2020September 18, 2020 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of The Cauldron Stirred

My Review

Everything in Ireland screamed “home”. Even the guy whose soul recognized Ashling’s the moment he laid eyes on her. When dark forces are at work, will Ashling be able to awaken her inner power in time? Will she be able to reach the heart of the person whose destiny is closely intertwined with hers?

I could not put this book down. I loved the characters, the setting, the lore. The author weaves magic as she writes details and descriptions into the book. From page one, I was captivated and drawn into the story, and I quickly found myself rooting for the hero and heroine to get together. There was amazing sexual tension between Aengus and Ashling, written so well in a slow-burn romance.

I definitely recommend this book, and I look forward to reading the next in the series!

My rating: 5 stars

June 12, 2020September 18, 2020 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of A Merman’s Choice

My Review

“A merman’s joy always came out as music.”

What an enjoyable read! A determined heroine wants to uncover the secrets of the Morvann Islands, but little does she know that she’s getting a little more than she bargained for. She not only has to face fears of past trauma, but she must learn that love takes many forms. Literally.

A Merman’s Choice has an awesome opening, with amazing metaphors throughout the book. I love that the merpeople sing to reflect their emotions, and I especially love their culture and way of life.

Full of mystery, intrigue, and awesome characters, A Merman’s Choice is definitely a book you want to pick up if you like merpeople and a heart-stopping romance.

My rating: 5 Stars

June 10, 2020September 18, 2020 by Sydney Winward

Favorite Poems, Short Stories, or Novellas

As far as poems go, I pretty much love anything by Lord Byron. They speak to me on a personal level. I also really like some rhyming kids books like the Pout Pout Fish or Giraffes Can’t Dance haha! I don’t ever read short stories, but I have read plenty of novellas. Here are just a few I have enjoyed recently!

Fenady Clark’s dream of owning an ice cream parlor has inspired her through some of life’s hardest challenges. Just when the grand opening’s within reach, that wicked rogue, Sebastian Bane, opens shop and starts serving Fenady’s designer flavors, all renamed. She suspects he’s using black magic to poach her recipes, and if she weren’t a good witch instead of a bad witch, she’d whip up a spell and retaliate.
Amazon

From the USA Today Bestselling author of the Longing for Home series, MY DEAREST LOVE is set in the beloved world of Hope Springs.

Ian O’Connor spends his days in the purgatory of a New York textile factory, enduring the dangerous conditions to keep his family afloat. Somewhere in the vast, dark corridors of his daily prison is an angel. He has seen her only once but is determined to find her again.

Biddy Dillon has lost her home and her family. Loneliness chips away at her fragile hopes until she meets Ian, whose soft-spoken kindness touches her heart. For the first time in years, she begins to believe in the possibility of good things to come.

When tragedy conspires to pull the couple apart, they must decide if theirs is a future meant to be built together, or if fate has other plans.
Amazon

June 10, 2020September 18, 2020 by Sydney Winward

Cover Reveal of Bloodbond!

I am so excited to finally be able to reveal my cover for my upcoming release, Bloodbond! It’s the 2nd book in the Bloodborn series, a story about learning to love and trust again, about overcoming prejudice and becoming the person you were meant to be.

Blurb

Zachariah Degore spent ten years locked under ground as a feral vampire. Now he has to redefine what it means to be healthy and whole. With his human life behind him, he starts anew in the vampire city of Ichor Knell with the vampire shah as his kin. He must prove he is worthy of his place in this new world.

Laurel Covaci is vampire elite, she would never court a feral vampire. After two hundred years she has yet to find a mate who meets with her satisfaction. She hides the pain of past hurt and abandonment behind a cold façade. Zach is confident that Laurel is the vampire for him, but can he break through her icy walls and convince her he’s the mate she’s been waiting for?

June 9, 2020September 18, 2020 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of Bear with Me

My Review

I loved this book! The writing was great, the story spectacular, and the characters were interesting. This book is unique in that it has a heroine who has sensory processing disorder. Alison can hear the buzzing of fluorescent lights and restaurant coolers. She can’t feel sensations on her skin as much as others can. And textures in her mouth are difficult to cope with, which has her sorting her food before she eats.

I love Alison’s special gift. Her tears make pumpkins grow. Her touch gives life to plants. Her power grows and heals, which is a strong theme throughout the book when it comes to family. The story focuses on family relationships, about rekindling love in a marriage and putting family above work, above career goals, above your own needs.

I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in the Strawberry Shifters Series and finding out what happens next!

My rating: 5 stars

June 7, 2020September 18, 2020 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of Spooky Tutti Frutti

My Review

This was such a fun, short read! Suzie’s spirit can’t rest until she serves up the perfect blend of tutti frutti to Cal, who both died in a boating accident fifty years ago, and Celia Rossi can help her do just that. But the original recipe is lost. How can she help the deceased woman move on to the next life?

Spooky Tutti Frutti is a perfect blend of paranormal, mystery, and delicious frozen treats that will have readers’ mouth watering for more. Where’s the nearest ice cream shop? I’m suddenly in need of something fruity and frozen.

My rating: 5 stars

Blurb

A midsummer sailboat race is coming to Annapolis, and Celia Rossi’s 1950s-themed ice cream parlor will have a booth at the waterfront celebration. To keep her business flourishing, she needs to impress both locals and tourists on the festive day. But how? She receives unexpected help when she hires a part-time worker who pops up out of nowhere. Suzie Conroy proves to have an almost magical gift for the craft of artisanal ice cream, yet she acts clueless about some ordinary details of everyday life. And why is she so determined to churn up the perfect batch of tutti frutti?

Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble

June 6, 2020September 18, 2020 by Sydney Winward