Book Review: Magic Bitter, Magic Sweet by Charlie N. Holmberg

Book Review: Magic Bitter, Magic Sweet by Charlie N. Holmberg

Maire doesn't remember anything about her life or who she was prior to a few years ago when she was found on the side of the road, but she knows that she has the magical gift to infuse emotions and abilities into the treats she bakes. When marauders raid her town one day and kidnap her, she gets sold to a strange man who somehow knows of her talent and wants to use it to make money. But amidst...
 
Cover Characteristics: Book Covers featuring Silhouettes

Cover Characteristics: Book Covers featuring Silhouettes

You don't even KNOW how tempted I was to make this week all red, white and black covers. I don't know why so many silhouette covers are those colors, but I'm sure not complaining. Anyway, this was not hard, but it still wasn't as easy as I thought it would be to find ten I really loved. Part of the problem is that there's a big overlap between this topic and book covers featuring circus, and I...
 
The Weekly Update: 5/15/16

The Weekly Update: 5/15/16

MY LAPTOP IS STILL BROKEN. I just... *sigh* How hard is it, really, to CHECK that the computer is working before sending it back? I mean, the second I took it out of the box, it was already turning itself on and off like it's been doing since the first time I sent it in. Literally, before I even had the chance to hit the power button myself, which means it had to have been doing that since they...
 
Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Traits that Make Me Love a Character

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Traits that Make Me Love a Character

I have no idea what characters other people like or dislike, and I mostly read indie books, so this week's topic is another one of those topics that's just too difficult for me. That's why I've tweaked it! I've come to realize there are certain things that usually make me immediately start to love a character. I'm not talking the typical personality traits like brooding or sarcastic---those are...
 
Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Historical Fantasy Books I’ve Read

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Historical Fantasy Books I’ve Read

This topic came at a perfect time because I've recently discovered, contrary to what I previously believed, that I really like historical fantasy. I know historical *fantasy* is not quite the same as non-fantasy historical books since they often alter the history, but I've found they still make interesting use of the settings and cultures, and it's still different than if the book had been set in...
 
Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Male Characters from Books I’ve Read This Year (2015)

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Male Characters from Books I’ve Read This Year (2015)

Unlike with female characters, there never seems to be a shortage of male characters I like. I often prefer a male protag, but, even as love interests and side characters, they can be just as great. Also, I find it amusing that only 6 of the 16 characters mentioned are normal humans. Not sure if that says more about my taste in books or my taste in men ;-) Anyway, these characters deserve a...
 
Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Series I’ve Read This Year

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Series I’ve Read This Year

I had to edit the topic a bit because I literally had NOTHING for the original. Finished series that I want to read and have started but not yet finished? What is that? What does that even mean?! I'm a binge reader! If I like a series, I'll read a book, sometimes two, a day until I finish it. I just can't help myself. Seriously, I don't understand all you people who can just take a year long...