King’s City by Jessica Marinos

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King’s City is the long-awaited and highly anticipated second book of the “Trimont Trilogy” by Jessica Marinos. I first read the first book of this series, Traiven’s Pass, and wrote a review for it in March of 2019. You can read my review of that book here. I reread Traiven’s Pass before reading King’s City.

This is a debut series for Jessica Marinos and, in my opinion, Jessica is destined to become a great writer. The quality of the writing of both Traiven’s Pass and King’s City is outstanding. The descriptions are rich and the character’s very well developed. In addition, she draws you into the story and keeps you there.

King’s City is the continuing story of the Tavish family who live in Traiven’s Pass and the reign of the Steward King, Lord Breemore, who began his rule when King Cordell vanished twenty-six years ago. Lord Breemore resides in King’s City. Lord Breemore appears to rule with kindness and peace, but rumors of war begin to increase throughout the kingdom.

Lydia Tavish’s father was loyal to King Cordell continued to search for King Cordell throughout the first book of this trilogy. He attempted to turn the people in the kingdom back to the Book of Truth.

As King’s City begins, Lydia is a penniless outcast and is sought after as many in the kingdom seek her punishment for her recent choice. However, Lydia is bold and strong and believes what her father taught her. She faces many challenges and dangers but finds her strength in the truth.

Galen, who left his home in Dresden to participate in a tournament in the King’s City becomes renowned in his sword skills. Then a long kept secret is revealed and it turns Galen’s life upside down. He has much to consider in deciding the course of his life.

King’s City, the second book in the “Trimont Trilogy” by Jessica Marinos was just as good, if not better, than Traiven’s Pass. These two books are part of my “Favorites” list and Jessica is at the top of my list of “Favorite New Authors”. I excitedly await the third and final book of the series.

If you’d like to learn more about Jessica — her life and her writing, I had the honor of interviewing her last month. You can read that interview here.

If you enjoy books that grab you from the start and keep you turning pages; books with rich descriptions, well-developed characters, and a story line filled with tension, shocking surprises, and a bit of romance, you will not want to miss the “Trimont Trilogy” by Jessica Marinos. If you haven’t read Traiven’s Pass, I suggest you get your copy today, and if you have read it, don’t miss “King’s City”.

Taming Julia by Jodie Wolfe

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I just finished reading “Taming Julia” by Jodie Wolfe and I read it in just two days.

Drew needs a wife as soon as possible if he wants to keep his job. He places an ad, but Julia isn’t what he expected.

Julia wears breeches and a stetson, and she totes more than one gun. She is unfamiliar with most things women do and wear, when she arrives in Burrton Springs to move in with a man she married by proxie.

Things don’t go as either Drew or Julia thought they would, and in the beginning, that makes for some laugh-out-loud reading. But as time passes, things grow more serious and the trouble becomes downright dangerous. Soon the reader is on the edge of their seat wondering how things will turn out for Drew and Julia and hoping for the best.

This is a sweet romance story with a message of faith, love, and perseverance. It is an easy read, and it grabbed my attention from the very first page to the last page. It was very enjoyable.

So, if you need something to cheer you up while you’re housebound due to the coronavirus, or you love Christian Romance stories or stories set in the Old West, this book is sure to please.

This is the second book I’ve read by Jodie Wolfe and I will continue reading her books because they are simply delightful. You can see my review of “To Claim Her Heart” by Jodie Wolfe here, and if you’d like to know more about Jodie, you can read my author interview with her here.

Tea and Poetry

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“Where there’s tea there’s hope.”  — Sir Arthur Pinero

Pale Lady
by Langston Hughes

Pale, delightful lady,
How I love you!
I would spread cool violets
At your feet
And bring you lovely jewels
For your hair,
And put a tiny golden ring
Upon your finger
And leave it there
As a sign and symbol of my love,
My bright, bright love for you.
Oh, pale, delightful lady,
How I love you!

The Spirit of Things by Ben McQueeney

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Ben McQueeney’s debut novel will release on Amazon on April 8th. I have had the pleasure of receiving an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for my honest review.

I have only begun reading more of the Fantasy genre in the past year, but for those of you whose favorite genre is Fantasy, I think you’re going to like “The Spirit of Things”.

“The Spirit of Things” is a unique tale of Fulco, a Hume, living in the Elphen village of Tellusm. He is a young adult who is bullied by the local thug, and who finds it difficult to fit into the Elphen village. He gets into one scrape after another, not all through his own choices.

He feels a bit awkward as he takes an interest in an Elphen girl, but a romance begins to bud between them.

When he attends a sporting event with his brother, an event his mother has tried to keep him from for years, he discovers the power of Sapience. He is fascinated by this power and begins asking questions about it. His brother helps him get a horse and he realizes he has a special way with animals as he makes a special connection with this horse. Could he have Sapience that gives him control over beasts?

Then a stranger comes to town and Fulco’s life begins to change.

Fulco’s story is exciting!

There are also three gods who watch and fight over the land of Tellusm.

Ben McQueeney has created a world that is unusual and fascinating. He has also created some very unique fantastical creatures. His characters are realistic and believable. I found it easy to relate to Fulco, and I believe most readers will find they have something in common with Fulco as well.

“The Spirit of Things” is written for young adults and adults alike. If you enjoy the Fantasy genre or have thought about checking out a Fantasy novel to see why it’s such a popular genre, I recommend you read “The Spirit of Things”. I’m sure you will enjoy it.

“The Spirit of Things” drew me in and kept me turning pages to the very end. The end promises more to come and I eagerly await Ben McQueeney’s next book.

 

Flash Fiction Friday: Broken Love

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Photo by Esther Tuttle on Unsplash

Broken Love
by Kelly F. Barr

 

Allison placed her empty coffee cup in the sink, the bitter coffee taste still on her tongue, and returned to pace across the gray carpet in her living room, waiting for Skylar to arrive. She chewed her lower lip. How could she have been so blind? Thank God she had discovered the truth before the wedding.

The doorbell rang as she paced away from it. She turned on her heel, stomped to the oak door, and paused with a hand on the brass doorknob. She took a deep breath and released it in slow puffs. Then she opened the door and Skylar smiled, his brown eyes sparkling, before leaning in to kiss her lips.

Allison turned her head and his kiss landed on her cheek. He pulled back and searched her eyes. “Is something wrong?”

“We need to talk.”

“Can’t we do that at the restaurant? I don’t want to be late for our reservation.”

“Maybe you should cancel the reservation. I don’t think it’s a good idea to have this conversation in a public setting. You should probably come inside.”

“Allison, what’s going on?” Sklyar followed when she turned and moved back into her apartment.

She turned to face him. “I know.”

“Know what?”

“I know that you’ve been seeing someone else behind my back.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Don’t play dumb with me Skylar. Late last night I received a text message from someone named Vivian. The text came from your phone. She told me she was with you… in your bed … that you had fallen asleep so she had taken the opportunity to inform me she wouldn’t let you go without a fight.”

Skylar pulled his phone from the pocket of his tailor-made black pants.

“I wouldn’t expect to find the text there. She probably deleted it.” Allison picked her own phone up from the living room coffee table, pulled up the text, and handed the phone to Skylar.

Skylar read the text and the color drained from his face. He met Allison’s gaze. “Babe, listen, I can explain.”

Allison held up a hand to stop him. “Don’t bother. How could you? What did you do, drop me off at my door last night, leave me with a kiss goodnight, then go pick up … Vivian?” Allison spat the last word as though it tasted vile on her tongue.

“Allison … I’m sorry. She doesn’t mean anything to me. You’re the one I love … the one I want to marry and spend the rest of my life with.”

She shook her head, her thick chocolate tresses waving side to side. “How can you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Treat someone like unwanted baggage? How can you take her to your bed, then throw her away and say she means nothing?” She lowered herself onto the edge of the overstuffed burgundy sofa. “And if she doesn’t mean anything to you, what was she doing in your bed in the first place? How long have you been sleeping with her?”

Sklyar’s eyes flashed with anger. “What did you expect me to do? I am in love with you and we have been engaged for eight months, yet you refuse to come to my bed. You insist on waiting for the wedding night!”

Allison rose from the couch and pulled the ring from her finger. She held it out to him. “I think it best that you take this and leave.” She brushed past him and moved to the door.

“Wait, what are you doing?” Skylar turned and watched her retreat.

“I think it’s obvious. I can’t marry someone I cannot trust. Someone who cannot be faithful.” She opened her apartment door.

Skylar stood rooted to the spot. “Allison, we’ve been together for nearly two years. Surely we can work this out.” He walked over and stood in front of her. He cupped the right side of her face in his hand, his touch warm and soft. “Things between us have been good.”

Trying not to cave in to her attraction to him and the musky scent of his cologne, Allison reached her left hand up, took hold of his right and removed it from her face. “Apparently not good enough. I have no doubt you’ll get over me. I’m sure Vivian will be eager to offer you comfort.” She swung her arm in an arc toward the open doorway, suggesting he exit her apartment.

Skylar gave her one last pleading look, tears pooling in his eyes. When she didn’t move, didn’t speak, he stepped through the door and Allison quickly closed it behind him.

The moment the door closed, Allison’s resolve broke and she slid to the floor and sobbed.

Tea and Poetry Tuesday

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“Tea is drunk to forget the din of the world.”  — T’ien Yiheng

So, take time to enjoy cup of tea today, and simply relax.

Covid-19
by Kelly F. Barr

Every person, couple, and family
Have had their trials
But have clung to hope,
Plowed through,
Weathered the storm;
And have survived.
Now people are panicking,
Rebelling,and complaining
At this larger, more encompassing
Trial — a trial that touches
Many nations and countries.

Take heart!
Think on the trials
You’ve already come through
And know that you will
Come through this one too.
There’s no need to panic,
Rebel, and complain.
Simply batten down the hatches
And hold on tight
To the hope you held to before,
And you’ll survive once more.

How are You Handling the Changes in Your World?

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Hello Everyone,

I want to spend some time sharing some things that I am doing to keep my sanity while spending most of my time at home due to Covid-19 and the stipulations our government has put into place to protect us.

First, people reacted with panic, rushing to the stores and buying up all the toilet paper, paper towels, Clorox, and other items they could get their hands on. It was worse than Y2K. Either the panic has calmed, or because the stores have gotten a better handle on things and are limiting quantities of certain things people can buy, things are better in he grocery stores.

Now our government has shut down many, many businesses, allowing only “life-sustaining” businesses to continue operation. Grocery stores and any type of business related to the medical field are still operating. Even restaurants are operating on a “drive-thru” or “takeout only” basis. We are not currently free to meet friends at a coffee shop or go out with friends and family to dine in a restaurant. We have been told to remain at home as much as possible. Some people are fighting against this idea as well, saying things like, “the government can’t tell me what to do”.

I, however, choose to listen to what my government is asking. I may not agree with everything, but I do understand they are trying to keep us safe and prevent more deaths than necessary to this virus.

It is not easy to be housebound for the most part. I enjoy getting together with my friends as much as anyone, but I also do not want to become sick and need hospitalization or worse. I have been in the hospital for things in the past, and, though I am grateful that we have good hospitals with good medical staff, where I can get good care when necessary, I don’t want to deliberately that may land me in the hospital.

So, what am I doing to keep busy and not lose my head or become depressed?

  1. I am enjoying reading. I have so many wonderful books that have been waiting for me to pick them up and get lost in their pages.
  2. I am participating in online writing activities. Reedsy is a great site for writers and they recently offered an online “write-in” where three of their employees appeared live on youtube to lead three writing sprints. It was a lot of fun and made me feel less isolated because I could see these three people and listen to them talk and see them write for a little over an hour.
  3.  I signed up to take a self-paced flash fiction course, which I am enjoying. I have been writing flash fiction here on my blog on Fridays for quite some time, but I’m always looking for ways to improve my writing.
  4. I also signed up for a webinar that will take place next month. Sadly, so many things have been canceled due to Covid-19, but one of the speakers who was scheduled to speak at a writer’s conference I was registered to attend next month, has decided to teach one of the seminars he was to teach at the conference online. I am thrilled to be able to still have access to this seminar!
  5. I spend time each day on Twitter interacting with the #Writing Community.
  6. I watch a movie a couple nights a week.
  7. I play games with my son or the family.
  8. I am working on revising my WIP, I am writing posts for this blog, my critique partner and I continue to critique for each other via email on a biweekly basis.
  9. We, as a family, watch our pastor preach on Sunday mornings on the internet. He will also be doing a Wednesday morning Bible study, and our associate pastor is doing a couple devotion times each week. This helps us to stay in God’s word and helps to keep our faith strong and to know that God is in control of all this, and we will be fine, and we will get through this.

Something I don’t do is spend too much time on Facebook or watching a lot of news. I do not want to hear about Covid-19 and all of the rumors all day long. I only want to hear the stuff of importance and the truth, which can be hard to determine, but I don’t want to dwell on the situation, for that only brings feelings of unease, concern, and worry — things I don’t need and that won’t help me during this time.

So, what about you? What are you doing during this difficult time as we all wait for this Covid-19 to pass?