 Looking up from the Hirshhorn Museum courtyard. It’s been a pretty chill year so far and I’m not complaining! Not only have I taken a break from writing, but I took a few Fridays off and away from the day job, too. (Side note: I think we should all work four-day weeks, but that’s a topic for another type of blog, I think…)
I was able to get down to the National Mall twice and popped in to some of my favorite museums. It was like visiting old friends wearing new clothes – the buildings themselves never change, but exhibits that aren’t part of permanent collections do. I spent a particularly icy day wandering around the Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden, where I relished in quiet contemplation. Art! It’s good for the mind, body, and soul! In terms of writing, I’m slowly getting back into the swing of things. I’m planning to put the finishing touches on Second Glance in February. (Fun news! I’ve got a release date for Second Glance, which I’ll be announcing in my monthly newsletter! Subscribe, subscribe!) I’ve also started outlining my first horror novella. Later this spring, I’ll begin revising work on my third, yet-to-be-named romance. Lots to come, but I also made a promise to myself to take it easy and take breaks if I need to. I do not want to burn out again… Fingers crossed February will be productive but not overwhelming! Exclusive Newsletter Content - Favorite Indie Book of the Month Just a reminder about this new feature that you can only get if you’re subscribed to my monthly newsletter. Sign up if you haven’t already and make sure to whitelist me! Bennett’s Books – January Wrap-Up A list of books I read this past month with links to my Goodread reviews: Sagittarius Moon: a poetry collection – K.B. Davenport The Alpha's Warlock (Mismatched Mates #1) – Eliot Grayson The Errant Earl: An Ingenious Mechanical Devices Short Story (The Ingenious Mechanical Devices #0.5) – Kara Jorgensen The Reanimator's Heart (The Reanimator Mysteries #1) – Kara Jorgensen Imperfect Illusions – Vanora Lawless Trapped – Ruby Moone Sweet Sorrow – T.L. Morgan The Pantomime Prince – Samantha SoRelle Are you signed up for my newsletter? Make sure you whitelist me!
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 Well, hello Serrulata Squad and happy 2023!
I hope everyone had a great holiday. Mine was hectic and not at all restful, which is why I’m taking time away from writing this month. I’m using January to reset and rest up. I have a lot of work ahead of me this year with regard to writing and publishing. One of the mistakes I made in 2022 was pushing myself to the brink. I was completely burned out by the time December rolled around and I’m determined to not make that mistake again. So, onward and upward – but more slowly. Since we’re on the subject, here are my goals:
Social Media Snafu If you follow me on social, you know I’m fairly active. You might have also noticed that my Twitter account has been quiet for almost a month now. That’s because I’ve been locked out. It was nothing nefarious – I went to reset my password and didn’t realize that the phone number I had listed was an old one I no longer have access to – but since Twitter Support doesn’t exist anymore, I don’t think I’m going to be able to login anytime soon. The good news is, I’ve noticed an overall improvement in my mental health since being banned from the bird app. So, you know, silver linings and all. More Insta Content Coming I’ve been putting more energy into Instagram this month, which has been fun. I’m improving my skills in Canva and am going to attempt to make more reels. (Please don’t laugh – haha!) So look for more book reviews, book tour stops, and Serrulata Saga news at @aebennettwrites! New! Favorite Indie Book of the Month This is a new feature I’ll be rolling out this year. While I am working to read and review more books of all sorts, I still want to make sure I’m propping up my fellow indies. Each month I’ll select my favorite indie book that I’ve read and feature it in my newsletter. This is exclusive content, so you’ll want to make sure you’re subscribed. (Don’t forget to whitelist me!) Alrighty, that’s all I’ve got for now. Thanks, as always, to each and every one of you for following, liking, and sharing. 2023 is gonna be great! Here it is – my 2022 wrap-up post.
It’s been quite a year and as the weather continues to get colder, my body and mind are begging me to turn on hibernation mode, so that’s what I’m going to do for the rest of this month. I’m still aiming to have the first draft of my third romance novel completed before 2023 rolls around. Also, a reminder there will be no monthly newsletter next month. And while I will be taking a break from writing, my mind can’t seem to stop giving me ideas for Book Three! Brain, it is time for rest! (Don’t worry – I’m using the notes app frequently…) Finally, thank you to everyone who support my books. I don’t check KDP often, but I do see that I’ve made some sales this month and the pages read in KU is the highest it’s ever been. Thank you! I’m grateful to everyone in the Serrulata Squad – y’all make this all worth it. Stay safe out there and happy new year! Bennett’s Books – December Wrap-Up A list of the indie books I read with links to my Goodreads reviews: Between Desire and Satisfaction: Erotic Tales and Poems – Gabriel Hargrave The Sparrow and the Oak Tree – Jamie Jackson (ARC copy) Sinclaire Silver – Rien Nadie, C.J. Twining Death of the Moon (Secrets of the Moon, #1) – S.A. Pavlik Are you signed up for my newsletter? Make sure you whitelist me!  Well, hey y’all!
It’s getting to be that time of year when things are super busy and time flies. The last quarter of 2022 has been incredibly busy and I haven’t had the time to blog as much as I’ve wanted. I have a few quick updates to share:
Bennett’s Books – October & November Wrap-Up A list of the indie books I read with links to my Goodreads reviews: After the Return (Afterlands #2) – Boots @ LookingLand Rebellion is Due (Ruarnon Trilogy, #0) – Elise Carlson Home for Halloween: Accursed Edition – K.B. Davenport (ARC copy) Unbury the Bones – Coyote J.M. Edwards (ARC copy) The Delve – Dan Fitzgerald (ARC copy) Apotheosis (The Fifth Yanai, #2) – Juniper Lake Fitzgerald Perils of Sea and Sky – Lilian Horn Home – Maxime Jaz (ARC copy) Kinship and Kindness (A Paranormal Society Romance #1) – Kara Jorgensen Alpha (Blood Moon, Texas Shifters, #4) – Kat Kinney Picking – Samantha Marchand Mortal Consequences: Bool I of the Immortal Consequences – Rien Nadie and C.J. Twining Structural Strain (Structural Integrity, #2) – Tabitha O’Connell Roam (Roam, #1) – Dez Schwartz Suspiciously Sweet – Samantha SoRelle R.I.P. Viola Winkle – E.P. Stavs Carillon’s Corpus (Men of the Shadows #2) – Sionnach Wintergreen Are you signed up for my newsletter? Make sure you whitelist me!  Hey y'all! Today is my stop on the Romance Me with Books tour for Of Blood and Silver Runes by Christine Kirby!
Magic hasn’t appeared on Myrefall in generations, but that hasn’t lessened the tensions between elves and mortals. Raena lives a simple life, hidden away as the only elf in the mortal town of Moonbridge. An accidental burst of magic chases her from the snowy sanctuary, forcing her to navigate the perils of Myrefall. Alone. Pursued by the Elven Queen’s Hunters, Raena stumbles not only into the capital city of the Mortal Kingdom but into the king’s court. Approached by the mysterious red priestess who claims that Raena is the answer to the city’s prayers, the Everlasting, promised to protect them from the coming darkness. Heles the Demon King threatens to claim her realm, but He requires Raena to open the portal. Raena works with the red priestess, using her magic to bestow divine blessings to help the lowliest among them to protect them from the darkness. But Raena must balance her life as Everlasting and disguised as a mortal courtier. The imminent visit of an elven delegation has her taking matters into her own hands, jeopardizing her role as Everlasting. If the Demon King escapes the shadow realm, any blood spilled will be on Raena’s hands. How many secrets can she divulge to protect those she cares for while keeping herself out of Heles’ grasp and evading the Elven Queen? Check it out on Amazon or add it on Goodreads! October was an incredibly busy month for me and, alas, I didn't get to do as much writing or reading as I wanted. I don't have much news to share, but autumn is in full swing here in DC, so please enjoy some foliage photos. Don't forget... Test of the Four: Book Two of The Serrulata Saga launches on November 23, though you can pre-order a copy now. Have a great weekend!      Hey there! Today is my stop on the Escapist Tours book tour for Perils of the Sea and Sky by Lilian Horn!
I’m normally one for a good story of the high seas (or, in this case, skies) but I struggled to get into this one. The premise is excellent. In the early 1700s, anti-gravity technology is discovered and allows for the invention of airships. Trade flourishes everywhere except in a mysterious place called the Grey Veil—a fog no one dares enter. Early on, we are introduced to adventurous Captain Rosanne Drackenheart, a dashing smuggler known for her ability to get any job done. As she settles down in port after her latest adventure, she unfortunately finds herself blackmailed into taking a job that forces her to enter the Veil—and confront unknown dangers. There was enough adventure in this story to keep me entertained, but other than Drackenheart, many of the characters were a bit too cliché for me. The descriptions of technology were interesting and the author certainly put a lot of work into this aspect of the novel. Though this one didn’t hit home for me, I wouldn’t discount this book if you are in search of a fun read. 3.5/5 stars Check out my Goodreads page for more reviews!  Hey y’all…
In case you haven’t heard, you can now pre-order Test of the Four! The second book in The Serrulata Saga will be out November 23, so hit that button to make sure you’ll get it on release day. I can’t believe it’s almost time for this book to enter the world. It feels very surreal. While this book wasn’t as much of a struggle as the first one, it’s still be a long haul. I’m really excited and I hope you are too! Oh, I’ve already gotten a few folks asking me about ARCs. That info is coming, but make sure you’re signed up for my newsletter if you’re not already. As you know, Serrulata Squad members get all news and info about my books first! And while my second romance novel is off with its editor, I’ve been steadily plugging away at my current WIP—a third Serrulata Saga romance. Not gonna lie, I worked myself into a bit of a frenzy and cried through my last writing session, so it’s safe to say I’m really pouring my heart into this one. I don’t have much more to share about it yet, as it’s still in the rough, first draft stage, but progress is being made. Happy autumn, everyone! Bennett’s Books – September Wrap-Up A list of the indie books I read this past month with links to my Goodreads reviews: She Steals Justice – J. Clark Undergrounder (Underground Trilogy, #1) – J.E. Glass Little Favors – Adik Graves (ARC) Improbable Heaven – J.P. Noether Dirt-Stained Hands, Thorn-Pierced Skin – Tabitha O’Connell (ARC) The Raven Before the Dove (Flirting with the Zodiac #6) – Cherry Pickett (ARC) Hopelessly Hooked – Rose Sinclair His Lordship's Return (His Lordship’s Mysteries #3) – Samantha SoRelle Are you signed up for my newsletter? Make sure you whitelist me!  Today is my stop on the Escapist Book tour for No Land For Heroes by Cal Black!
A rouge on the run, hiding from the law. A financier looking to make a name for himself in the banking world. A dangerous gang of brothers who will do anything for coin—and each other. A town in the West full of folks bearing scars of all kinds…and a terrifying villain who wants to rule them all. Oh, and then there’s the dragons… This was my first fantasy western and I have to confess I thoroughly enjoyed it. Author Cal Black does an excellent job incorporating recognizable tropes from both fantasy and western genres without making them tiresome. The story was well-paced and the characters well-developed. I was rooting for main character Millie from the start, though I did want to punch her in the arm and demand what she was thinking from time to time. If you’re looking for a Western-type of adventure story with fantasy elements, I think you’ll really enjoy this one! 4.5/5 stars Check out my Goodreads page for more reviews!  Ready to go back to my editor! I cannot believe that August is almost over! This summer flew by for me.
In terms of writing, it was also incredibly productive. I just put the finishing touches on the first round of edits from my editor for Test of the Four and I’m getting ready to send Second Glance, the second Serrulata Saga romance, off to them, as well. I also started writing a third romance and will hopefully have a first draft of that ready by the end of the calendar year. I do have more Serrulata Saga spinoffs planned. And there is, of course, Book Three of the series, though I’m leaving that for 2023. I need to get Test of the Four out into the world first! Even though this season is coming to a close, summer break for me starts today. I’ll be offline for most of next week for much needed R&R. As always, stay safe and well, y’all! Are you signed up for my newsletter? Make sure you whitelist me! |
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