Author: Barb

Book Review: Princess of Air by Natalie Cammaratta

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I met Natalie in an online writer’s group several years ago and was immediately drawn to the way she engages her reader, fully immersing us with lush and imaginative settings, characters I’d like to meet in person, and stunning fashion descriptions that will have you yearning for pics. I became a fan of Natalie’s books with her Falling & Uprising trilogy, but she takes it all to the next level with Princess of Air. 

A fantasy romance with epic magic, Princess of Air introduces Arabella, as the Princess of Air, one of four royal siblings gifted with elemental magic. Air, Earth, Water, and Fire magic were each gifted to the four royals by their mother the queen, the siblings honing their abilities through childhood. Now as adults, the royals expect to settle into the roles they’ve always assumed they’d play, with Arabella’s older brother as heir to the throne and she to marry the nice but boring prince from the neighboring land, and the younger twins to follow the path laid out for them. However, it all changes when the queen announces the heir to the throne will be determined by a competition among the four siblings. 

Princess of Air captivated me with its magic system. I love the elementals and how the royal siblings could use their magic. Arabella was easy to like. She’s impulsive, yet kind, and definitely smart. Her affair and hidden love for the man she can’t have is swoon-worthy, and author Natalie Cammaratta perfectly balances the epic magical battles with the soft and slightly spicy romantic interludes.

Princess of Air is the first in a set of books by Natalie Cammaratta, the Elements of Royalty epic fantasy romance series. It’s ideal for readers who love immersive magical moments, snarky heroines, edge-of-your-seat tension, and heart-pumping romance. I did receive my copy as an ARC but I can’t wait to get my hardcover print of Princess of Air to add to my bookshelves because its cover is gorgeous!

You can preorder Princess of Air today from Natalie’s site. It releases in June 2024.

Book Review: Myth-Touched by Joanna Maciejewska

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I recently received an ARC copy of MYTH-TOUCHED by Joanna Maciejewska and I’m so glad I got to read this book early. 

MYTH-TOUCHED, book two in the Shadows of Eireland series by Joanna Maciejewska captivated me with its continuing story of Kaja, a once-cursed humanborn living in Dublin whose life has radically transformed. We met Kaja Modrzewska in book one, Humanborn, afflicted with chaotic magic that was slowly killing her. After accepting the offer of cure from the mythborn Court’s leader, Kaja has become myth-touched, no longer human and now bearing the consequences of her choice. 

Dublin still suffers from the Magiclysm and the war that followed. While there is a level of peace between the humanborn and the mythborn, other deadly forces are at work threatening all residents. Kaja joins the mythborn’s elite warriors as a scout, training and adjusting to her new life that includes a new relationship with Riagán.

I have to tell you that I absolutely enjoyed MYTH-TOUCHED as much as I did the first book in the series. When the second book has as much action, excitement, tension, and is able to fully grab my attention and hold it from page one until the very end—that’s a winner for me.

Author Joanna Maciejewska has written an immersive fantasy with a strong, female protagonist, unique magic system, sharp dialogue, and the perfect balance of mystery and intrigue. I definitely recommend this book as well as book one in the series. I can’t wait for book three!

MYTH-TOUCHED releases April 20, 2024.

For more information about MYTH-TOUCHED or other books by Joanna Maciejewska, including her “By the Pact” series, please head over to her website: authorjm.com

I Did What I Said I’d Never Do

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This is my first post since September 2023 and that means I’ve done exactly what I told myself I wouldn’t ever do when I created this site. I have skipped out on posting for more than four months. Yikes.

Yeah. Four months is a long time to not post any new blogs or reviews here. If you follow me on my Facebook author page (BarbHopkinsWriter), and of course you do, you’ll have seen many posts, often daily, including links to book reviews that I’ve shared via Goodreads. I’ve kept up there, but alas, I’ve not transferred those posts over to here.

So I’m posting today and my goal is to add at least one new blog post or book review here each month. That seems doable and who knows, maybe it’ll lead to something more.

I am happy to share that I have been exceedingly busy (hence the no posts) since last September, and it’s been a good busy. While I’m continuing full speed ahead with my middle grade and YA writing, I also have a new, extremely exciting project in the works as well. I can’t fully announce it here and now, but next month I can share more.

If you’ve hung in there with me during this hiatus, I truly appreciate your patience! 2024 is a new year (and yes, I know we’re already halfway through the second month) and I’m super excited for all it’s going to bring.

80s Flashback Reading Fun: FRIENDS FOR LIFE

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For a book that is 40 years old (I can’t believe I just typed 40 YEARS OLD!), Friends for Life by Ellen Emerson White holds up fairly well. Friends for Life was Ellen Emerson White’s debut in 1983. I don’t think I read the book the year it was released, but likely a year or so later, probably picking my copy up from our local Waldenbooks.

This YA mystery focuses on Susan who has moved back to her old Boston neighborhood for her senior year of high school after having been gone since the eighth grade. Her old boyfriend is still there as is Colleen, her best friend since childhood. The day after she moves back, her best friend turns up dead by an overdose. Susan is devastated but doesn’t believe it was an overdose or suicide. Because of something Colleen had said, Susan is convinced it’s murder and sets about trying to find the killer.

Friends for Life is a fast read, shorter than a lot of YA books of today, but it’s got a decent mystery that will keep a reader turning pages. I can’t remember when I last read it, but it was one that I had reread multiple times as a teen and it was fun to come back to it. I still like it. For an 80s mystery, it’s a good one and I’d recommend it.

Book Review: RADIANT ORIGIN by Dawn Husted

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RADIANT ORIGIN Book Synopsis via Goodreads:

Phyre Brown is just an ordinary teenager searching for love and adventure. But when a tragic accident reveals her true identity as an alien with extraordinary healing powers, Phyre’s life takes a dramatic turn. Forced to leave home and live with her estranged grandparents, Phyre finds herself bound to an alien boy named Kreaxlae, a member of the rival colony.

But when she meets his charming and mysterious brother, Phyre begins to question everything she knows about her past and her future. With the fate of two alien colonies and their safety at stake, Phyre must make a choice that will change her life forever.

Will she choose love or duty, passion or power? Find out in this thrilling sci-fi romance about the bonds that unite us, the powers that define us, and the choices that shape our destiny.

So what did I think?

I enjoy Dawn Husted’s books and I was excited to hear she had a new one. RADIANT ORIGIN is a YA sci-fi romance, actual star-crossed lovers. The book opens with tragedy but author Dawn Husted continues to give the reader hope throughout, even when things are at their darkest. 

We find out quickly that Phyre Brown isn’t your average teenage girl. She’s a member of an alien colony that has settled on Earth after war destroyed their home planet. Phyre didn’t grow up knowing about her extraterrestrial heritage and it’s a shock when she learns of it immediately following the death of her beloved older sister.

Phyre is whisked away from the home she knows and is sent to live with her grandparents until she can be “bound” to another of her kind, although the boy is from a rival colony. I immediately felt empathy for Phyre—how could her parents send her away like that? It feels cruel even if necessary and I wanted her to have time to process not only her past and horrific present, but this unbelievable future her family has dumped on her less than 24 hours after a terrible life-changing event. Apparently, Phyre’s people have strict rules, customs, and division amongst themselves.

RADIANT ORIGIN has complicated family dynamics, a tumultuous love story, the classic “mean girl” balanced by the truly loyal friend, and the right amount of twists at just the right time.

Dawn Husted does an excellent job with intertwining the various subplots without bogging the reader down a lot of backstory. That said, I became very interested in the complexities of the alien people and I’d love to learn more about them. A prequel story about how they were before their war and their settlement on Earth would be a lot of fun to read. 

Grab a copy of RADIANT ORIGIN today for an exciting YA with aliens, teen angst, and choices that will make or break an entire species. Definitely hop over to author Dawn Husted’s website and check out RADIAT ORIGIN and her other books.

Book Review: Escape from Grimstone Manor (Monsterious book 1) by Matt McMann

- Barb Leave a comment

Monsterious Book 1: Escape from Grimstone Manor had been on my radar since it was first announced and I was super excited when I won a copy from the amazing Writers With Wrinkles Podcast giveaway! I highly recommend their podcast to anyone who writes or reads books!

But back to the book! I love a fast-paced, scary middle grade story with awesome friends and a fun, yet creepy setting. Escape from Grimstone Manor, the first book in Matt McMann’s Monsterious series, gave me all that and more. This is a book 10-year-old Barb would have loved to read under the covers at night by flashlight and then again the next day, sneaking reading time during math class. (Yes, I used to do all that.)

It’s got: 

  • A cool setting: amusement park + Gothic haunted mansion ride.
  • Super creepy backstory: necromancer who lived in the spooky mansion where the ride now sits and who may or may not still be around.
  • Awesome monsters: werewolf, lizard person, mummies, and skeletons!
  • Three fantastic friends: Zari, Mateo, and Taylor.

When the three friends get trapped overnight in the haunted mansion ride, they have to find their way out. During their search, they stumble on a hidden staircase that leads them into a crypt that shouldn’t be there. A crypt! Yikes! And then there’s the monsters. The kids not only have to fight real monsters, but they need to find the courage to face their own inner fears and even each other, because even for the best of friends, some things are just too much.

Beyond the great action scenes and spooky moments, what I loved most was the friendship between Zari, Mateo, and Taylor. They’re three very distinct characters, but right from the start you could feel their connection with each other and I knew they were going to need to lean on each other to make it through the night.

Escape from Grimstone Manor was a fast read for me and I totally enjoyed each page. If you or the kids are into books like Goosebumps, then McMann’s book is a must-read for sure. Grab your copy and keep an eye out for the other books in this series. Book 2, The Snatcher of Raven Hollow is already out, book 3, Terror in Shadow Canyon releases in August, and book 4, The Beast of Skull Rock, is set to release January 2024.

You can find out more about author Matt McMann at his website here: https://mattmcmann.com/.

Out & About: A Visit to the National Museum of Toys & Miniatures

- Barb Leave a comment

My husband and I enjoy day trips exploring new-to-us towns, museums, and attractions. We’ve lived in the Kansas City area for less than 10 years and we’re continually finding amazing places. Recently, we hit a total gem! 

The National Museum of Toys & Miniatures is located on the campus of the University of Missouri-Kansas City, just a few blocks south of the popular Country Club Plaza shopping and entertainment district. Parking for the museum is off 52nd Street. There is a fee to get in and be sure to check for hours of operation before you go. 

I have to tell you that I’ve always been a lover of all things miniature. When I was nine years old, my parents built me a VanBuren Dollhouse from a kit and it was AMAZING. My dad built a bunch of the furniture and mom crocheted rugs and sewed curtains. We all had a blast making tiny food for it from salt-dough. I loved my dollhouse! Visiting this museum with an entire floor of tiny things and dollhouses was a dream for me. My husband also appreciates the artistry and immense skill that goes into these pieces, as do I. Stunning craftspersonship!

By the numbers the museum has:

  • 2 centuries of dollhouses on display
  • 3,320 dolls
  • 21,000+ fine-scale miniatures
  • 1,000+ tiny chairs
  • 51,000+ toys

And the collection is continually growing. 

One exhibit that made my reader/writer heart swell, was a beautiful dollhouse designed as a rendition of Miss Marple’s cottage. Yes, that Miss Marple—the one and only fictional detective created by Agatha Christie. Below is a picture and it really doesn’t do it justice. It was gorgeous! The attention to detail blew me away and it’s just so much fun.

Morningside Cottage, a representation of the home of the fictional character Miss Marple. Created in 1990 by artist Pam Throop.

Book Review: HUMANBORN by Joanna Maciejewska

- Barb Leave a comment

I was excited to receive HUMANBORN by Joanna Maciejewska as an ARC and the book totally lived up to my expectations—I enjoyed it so much I immediately ordered the paperback copy to add to my bookshelves and I’m now eagerly awaiting book two. 

Magic has retired to Ireland, but it came with a price. Kaja Modrzewska is a cursed humanborn living in Dublin after the Magiclysm and war that took the lives of both the humanborn and mythborn. A former wartime scout, Kaja now makes her way as an information broker while trying to keep the chaotic magic that surges through her body at bay. Some day her body will give way, and the magic will take over, making her an Afflicted. When that happens, it’s game over. 

Working with the mythborn Court brings its own set of challenges, especially when paired with an elite group of warriors to help solve a rash of bombings targeting both humanborn and mythborn. Kaja must navigate through deceptions, choose allegiances, and face her own mortality while trying to figure out who is behind the bombings. 

I loved Kaja from the opening pages to the very end. She’s smart, a bit sarcastic, resourceful, and she’s not afraid to look at the big picture and do what’s right. The evolution of her relationship with mythborn Riagan was fun to read and I’m looking forward to seeing how it develops in the next book. The main story lines were successfully tied, and I loved how author Joanna Maciejewska leaves just enough “wanting” to make us ready to get our hands on book two. 

If a fantasy book with minimal romance, engaging political/court intrigue, an immersive magic system, and a smart, strong female protagonist is what you like to read—go grab a copy of HUMANBORN right now.
For more information about HUMANBORN or other books by Joanna Maciejewska, including her “By the Pact” series, please head over to her website: authorjm.com

Book Review: BETWEEN MONSTERS AND MARVELS by Alysa Wishingrad

- Barb Leave a comment

As a fan of Alysa’s “The Verdigris Pawn”, her new middle grade book BETWEEN MONSTERS AND MARVELS was one I had been eagerly awaiting. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC! 

When I read MG books, I always think back to my own days as a kid, often reading under the covers past bedtime with a flashlight. BETWEEN MONSTERS AND MARVELS  is most definitely a book kid-Barb would have not been able to put down. 

Dare Coates is an awful girl. She’s been told that her whole life and she believes it. But Dare is so much more than what she, and everyone else thinks she is. Dare is wise and inquisitive and utterly fearless. One of my favorite quotes about Dare is:

“She was happy to be a thornbush among the lilies for even the sharpest thorns serve a purpose.” 

After tragedy strikes and Dare is sent away from her isolated island home to live with a distant relative in a gritty city on the mainland, Dare discovers the stories she’s been told all her life about monsters may not be precisely true. Beyond Dare’s quest to uncover the truth about the monsters, giving the reader ample pages of action, mystery, magic, and creepy moments, this book also tackles deeper themes including grief, societal inequalities, and corruption. I think it’s important for young readers to delve into stories that show a MG protagonist questioning the actual truth of what has been considered “known” history. 

One of my absolute favorite things about Alysa Wishingrad’s writing is her ability to completely command my attention with details that immerse me into the story and make me not want to leave. Her vivid descriptions of the island, Dare’s time on the ship, the city, and especially the theater centered me into Dare’s world. I also love that Dare finds friendship in unexpected places and how she learns that maybe she doesn’t have to always go it alone. That’s an important message for any age of reader. 

I highly recommend BETWEEN MONSTERS AND MARVELS for middle grade readers, teens, and adults because there is something there for every age. It’s a beautifully written book and I’d love to read a sequel because I wasn’t ready to leave Dare and her world when I hit the last page.

You can find out more about BETWEEN MONSTERS AND MARVELS at Alysa Wishingrad’s website. Pop over and visit her there and be sure to check out “The Verdigris Pawn” as well, it’s a fantastic middle grade read you don’t want to miss.

Writing Retreat!

- Barb Leave a comment

Spring has sprung! Actually, we had snow flurries recently, but we’ve also had some gorgeous days filled with sunshine and warmth. While I’ve been very much looking forward to spring days versus wintery gloom, I’ve also been counting down the days to the annual KS/MO SCBWI Writing Retreat. The retreat was last weekend and it was wonderful!

First, quick backstory. I’ve been a member of SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) for five years. It’s one of those memberships that I’m so happy I have and I wish I would have joined earlier. As an active member in my regional chapter KS/MO SCBWI, I’m the New & Lapsed Member Coordinator, a participant in critique groups, webinars, our annual regional conference, and for the last two years I’ve attended our writers’ retreat. 

But let’s talk writers’ retreat. 

The KS/MO SCBWI organizes an annual writing retreat in the spring to the picturesque Conception Abbey. It runs a full weekend (Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon) and it has become one of my MOST favorite things to do as a writer. If you’ve never attended a writing retreat and are curious about how it is, I’m going to share a bit about the KS/MO SCBWI annual retreat and why I find it to be incredibly beneficial to me as a writer. 

I’ve never attended any other writing retreat and my experience may not necessarily reflect those of other attendees. Having the opportunity to not only spend a weekend with other Kid Lit writers, but also to have serious consecutive hours to focus on writing, research, and planning for my current WIP as well as projects that will take me through the rest of 2023. 

The retreat isn’t just quiet/solitude time to connect with your inner muse and bang out all the words. This retreat has a fantastic balance of professional presentations, group critique sessions, and social time that is filled with laughter and fun.

I love the opportunity to workshop a project with a critique group that isn’t my regular, monthly CPs who have already seen the pages multiple times. I find fresh eyes to be extremely helpful and it gives me the opportunity to read pages from new-to-me writers, which is a lot of fun. 

If you have the opportunity and ability to attend a writing retreat, I encourage you to consider it. I was hesitant last year to go because I’d never been and wasn’t sure if I could justify the expense and the time away. For me, it’s worth it. Not only do I learn a lot from the visiting industry professional and the other writers, but having an entire weekend to bounce ideas off writing friends IN PERSON is amazing!

Have you ever gone to a writing retreat? If so, is it one you’d recommend? I’d love to hear from you.