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Book Review of A Tale of Ice and Ash by Katherine Macdonald

My Review

I really liked Katherine Macdonald’s take on the Snow White fairytale. The world building was truly unique and interesting. There was surprising depth to the characters, and I love the idea that people aren’t just born evil. They’re created. The author does a very good job at building that up and expanding on it throughout the story.

My absolute favorite part about this book was all the flirting. There was a lot of it, and the banter between the characters constantly had me cracking a smile. I also loved Onyx. He was the perfect grumpy but loving father dwarf.

A Tale of Ice and Ash is a great addition to the fairy tale retellings in this series, and I look forward to reading what’s next.

My rating: 4 stars

January 23, 2021 by Sydney Winward

Blurb Reveal: Bloodscourge

Coming March 1, 2021

Bloodscourge Blurb

Fate has given her a second chance. The only things Elisabeta knows how to do is lie, cheat, and swindle. When her brother learns of a treasure worth kingdoms lying in the heart of Ichor Knell, the great vampire city, he sends her to steal it. However, the key to the treasury is safeguarded by the captain of the guard, a brute named Dracula.

Dracula cannot resist the beautiful and mysterious Elisabeta. As danger erupts in Ichor Knell, he is forced into a precarious position to resist the evil within the city and to protect his family and the woman he cares for immensely.

Despite the connection he feels for her, the secrets she hides could be deadly to them both. Will the truth tie them for eternity or set them on a path of destruction?

January 21, 2021 by Sydney Winward

The Royal Mages Series Book Tour

How I published 16 books in one year

This one is not for everyone but one that you can always try, to find out if you can do this.

Early in my writing career, my mother came to visit me for a week or so and was ecstatic with the news that her favorite author Barbara Cartland would publish 13 books in one year. That means she wrote a book a month to do that, or that was what I was thinking.

I was dumbstruck and couldn’t comprehend how she could write so many books in a year.

But it can quickly be done.

In 2020 my goal was to publish….wait for it…24 books a year. I have four pen names and not all of them are published under Kristin Ping.

January 21, 2021January 20, 2021 by Sydney Winward

Something I Collected As a Child

Pokemon Cards!

What Millennial didn’t collect Pokemon cards? And then trade them during recess? My favorites were always the water Pokemon, and yes, Squirtle was my top favorite. So much, in fact, that I had a giant Squirtle plushie that I kept for years into my childhood. My dad HATED that ratty thing. I found it in the garbage can once, and of course, I rescued it.

Some of my other favorites from the original were Evie, Jolteon, Gengar, and Pidgeot. Have you ever played Pokemon Snap? That was such a fun game!

Thanks for stopping by! If you want to join in on the prompt or see what others have to say, follow this link.

January 20, 2021January 20, 2021 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of A Rancher’s Surprise Mail Order Bride by Blythe Carver

My Review

What happens when the pride of two people threatens their future together?

So far, I’ve really enjoyed Blythe Carver’s books. I like the town she sets this series in and the depths she adds to each character. A Rancher’s Surprise Mail Order Bride made me both laugh and tear up. This book was a great addition to the series, and I look forward to reading more.

My rating: 4 stars

January 12, 2021 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories by Holly Black

My Review

At first I thought the book was missing a lot of information in between scenes, but then I realized this book is part of The Cruel Prince series, which I have not read. However, the characters and the world in this illustrated book has definitely intrigued me to start reading them.

Despite not having read the other books in the series, I loved this book. I loved the characters. The drawings were beautiful. There were some really great morals in each chapter. I enjoyed reading a book about the villain’s story, and how he comes to change overtime, and not change in some instances. I’m looking forward to reading the first in the series soon!

My rating: 5 stars

January 10, 2021January 10, 2021 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of Rise for Me by Kristal Dawn Harris

My Review

Vampires. Modern-day gypsies. Two people destined for love. Rise for Me is the perfect blend of paranormal and romance, with a mix of vampires and darkness. I loved everything about this novella. It was perfectly paced, the details really pulled me into the story, and the stakes were high.

Kristal Dawn Harris excels at making exciting, sexy, and swoon-worthy heros. It was far too easy to love both Mariah and Roman, and effortless to immerse myself in the world the author created. If you love paranormal stories with a bit of darkness, you’ll love this novella like I did.

My rating: 5 stars

January 9, 2021 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of Finale by Stephanie Garber

My Review

Wow! This series has left me speechless. When I finished reading Finale, I wished it never had to end. I wanted the story to keep going and going and going. I was so caught up in all the twists and turns and surprises. Just when I thought the story was headed in one direction, it did a complete flip and managed to surprise me again.

This was a book where I fell in love with ALL the main characters, and then some. If I could live inside this series permanently, I definitely would.

If you like magic, secrets, loveable characters, and excitement that drags you along with no way to stop it, you would love this series. I highly recommend, and I definitely look forward to whatever Stephanie Garber writes next.

My rating: 5+ stars

January 6, 2021 by Sydney Winward

My Goals for 2021

As I do every year, I make goals for the new year, and 2021 is no exception. Do I always meet those goals? Eh…no. But it’s the effort that counts! Here are some of my goals for this year.

January 6, 2021 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of Legendary by Stephanie Garber

My Review

If I thought the first book in this series was absolutely amazing, this one definitely surpasses it. Tella was such a fun character to get inside the head of! She was daring, headstrong, fearless, and above all, selfless. In Legendary, she has to make an impossible choice, one where no matter what, she will lose someone she loves.

Danger, love, and adventure come together in an incredible sequel in the Caraval Series. Like the first book, the author managed to pull me into the pages and keep me there. I questioned what was real and what was not, whose motives were more worthy over another’s, and especially what would be the end result of the book.

If you haven’t read the Caraval Series, I highly recommend it!

My rating: 5+ stars

January 2, 2021January 2, 2021 by Sydney Winward