Blog – Page 16 – Sydney Winward

One Scoop or Two: Rainbow Sprinkles

Hi Sydney, thank you for inviting me here today to talk about my latest release, Rainbow Sprinkles. This novella is part of my publisher, Wild Rose Press’s summer series called One Scoop or Two.

Rainbow Sprinkles is something close to my heart. As a former owner of a small restaurant and ice cream shop, it was a perfect match. It deals with a second chance at romance. The main characters Gloriana Jones and Nathan James, both lost their spouses. They are now ‘seasoned’ adults and dealing with the concerns of meeting and dating someone after many years. Guilt, self-esteem, and worry about how things work now.

They get a little otherworldly help along with two drooly Bassett Hounds. I hope your followers will enjoy an uplifting story, whether at the beach, lake, their backyard or nearby park.

June 24, 2020September 16, 2020 by Sydney Winward

My Go-to Book or Movie for a Pick-me-up

Go-to Books

Whenever I need a quick pick-me-up, a romantic comedy always does the trick. It looks like my selections are all historical romances as well. Friends and Foes, and Edenbrooke both had me busting a gut laughing. Marrying Christopher is funny, but a little more on the serious side. I’ve just really wanted to reread it lately!

Go-to Movies/tv Shows

When I need a pick-me-up, I need to laugh. These three do the trick for me. They nearly have me rolling on the floor laughing. Though my husband probably wouldn’t agree for himself. Our sense of humor definitely doesn’t match!

June 24, 2020September 16, 2020 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of The Stone Awakened by Judith Sterling

My Review

How mixed my feelings are between Lorcan and Aengus! The author does an incredible job at making the reader care about both characters and like certain characteristics that one has that the other might not have. While Aengus is protective and keeps his secrets, Lorcan is more easygoing and upfront. I can feel Aengus’s hope on every page as he learns to trust Ashling, and the pain of his broken heart when he feels he is betrayed. Wonderfully written, intriguing story, and easy to get invested in the characters.

And what’s going on with Bridget and Greagoir? Are we getting their story too? 😉

So far, I have really enjoyed this series, and I’m definitely looking forward to reading the third!

My rating: 4.5 stars

June 23, 2020September 17, 2020 by 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