Book Reviews, Voting, and Islands!

On By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Books, Nominations & Awards

As I mentioned in my last post, I’m sharing two more 5-star reviews, and a couple more will come soon! If you missed my first batch of brilliant books (see below image), you can read my reviews in my prior post (click above).

Today’s reviews… If you like fiction and/or mystery and intrigue, you’ll love both of these books!

Tell Me A Story in 99 Words by Annette Rochelle Aben
https://annetterochelleaben.wordpress.com

I’m fascinated with the concept of telling a story in so few words, similar to writing poetry in the truncated Japanese form of haiku. So, I dove into Annette’s flash fiction and read her book in one evening! Each story is unique with an unexpected ending. Many stories made me smile. Several made me pause because of the gravity of the topic. Annette truly has the skill to tell a story in 99 words.

I appreciate each one for its message, but a few favorites are “A Bolder Gift,” “Bedfellows,” “Chocoholics,” “Daybreak,” “Eyes Forward,” “Risk My Lives,” “Indian Creek,” and “Last Request.” There is a tale in this wonderful collection for everyone. I highly recommend to all fiction readers who enjoy short stories packed with a lot of substance and imagination.

Bullets in the Briar by Kimber Silver
https://kimbersilver.com

I thoroughly enjoyed Broken Rhodes by Kimber Silver, her debut novel. So, when the sequel was released, Bullets in the Briar, I quickly paid a visit to Amazon to order my paperback copy. Another page-turner that I read in two days! I was quickly drawn into the familiar setting and genuine characters. In the beginning, it was nice to be reunited with the likable and sexy Sheriff Lincoln James and the strong Kinsley Rhodes. The sequel is just as compelling as the first introduction where I was transported to the fictitious town of Harlow, Kansas. Silver paints vivid scenes through her words, and the dialogue made me feel as though I was in the midst of the conversations. For the second go around, Kinsley’s relationship with the sheriff evolves, raising the bar for exciting and spicy. Adding to the sizzle are Gabby and Dean, a sub romance that is just as searing. Small-town politics, romance, humor, and mystery, what more could a reader want? Highly recommended!

Simply click on the book titles to purchase your copies! Happy Reading!

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And now a friendly reminder to vote at Spillwords. If you missed the details, please visit my prior post.

Photo credit to Spillwords

Click on the link below to cast your vote in several categories, and voting ends on January 31st.
A Huge Thanks to you who have voted for me!
It’s an honor to be nominated with many talented writers,
some I consider friends in this wonderful community.
So, no matter who takes the trophy, I believe we’re all winners!
Good luck to All the Nominees!

www.spillwords.com/vote

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I’ve been reading The Life Impossible by Matt Haig, a new favorite author after reading The Midnight Library. Some chapters are one page, and one in particular resonated. So, I’m closing this post with “Islands Don’t Exist” (copying exactly as it is written in the book):

I had been an island. And yet now, thanks to Christina and La Presencia,
I realised that there are no islands. If you go far enough down, everything
is connected. Ibiza and Lincoln are joined to the same earth. Our minds
swell into each other like a million currents at sea. We merge, we
converge. Everyone flows into everyone else without even realising. Even
cockroaches play their part. We aren’t just a person, we aren’t just a
gender, we aren’t just an age, we aren’t just a nationality, we aren’t even
just a species. The walls between us are imaginary. The thoughts we
have that are ours are gloriously unique but also gloriously in the same
continuing spectrum. Love, fear, grief, guilt, forgiveness. These are the
standards in the repertoire. These are the cover versions we get to play.
We think we are lonely because we are often blind to the connections.
But to be alive is to be a life. To be life. We are life. The same ever-
evolving life. We need each other. We are here for each other. The point
of life is life. All life. We need to look after each other. And when it
feels like we are truly, deeply alone, that is the moment when we most
need to do something in order to remember how we connect.
That is why we take the invite to Ibiza or send the email to the lonely
old maths teacher or share the ridiculous truth of ourselves. We can’t
just sit for ever in our lonely shells, making no sounds.
To swim in the ocean, we sometimes have to make a splash.

I’ll let you ruminate on these words by Matt Haig in this amazing book,
while also wishing you a lovely day. 🌺
And as always, I am grateful for your presence! ❤️

Click on the image to purchase your copy!
Thank you so much! 🙏

© Lauren Scott, BaydreamerWrites.com – All rights reserved.


45 thoughts on “Book Reviews, Voting, and Islands!”

  3. D.L. Finn, Author's avatar D.L. Finn, Author

    Great reviews, Lauren. I loved Annette’s book too. I have Broken Rhodes on my Kindle. Love the excerpt, so beautifully written.

    Reply

    1. I read these books and wrote the reviews on my break, Vicki, except for 2 more that I’ve just begun. 🙂 So, I had more time, but now that I’m back, I need to balance it all better than last year. We can wish, right? Thanks for your kind words, and have a good evening! 💞

      Reply

  10. I had to laugh at your selection (in a really good way). I just commented on Your comment on the books I read last year, how different my taste is except for Indies. And here, I see several beloved Indies you and I both read. They have really enriched my life.

    Reply
  12. petespringer's avatar petespringerauthor

    Good job with the reviews, Lauren. I’ve never read Matt Haig before but like the feeling that comes through in his words.

    I read before bedtime each night until my eyes can no longer stay open. It’s a great habit, and as someone who struggles to fall to sleep, it’s my magic elixir.

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Pete, and I’m sure you’d like Matt Haig’s writing. I’ve read two of his books, but plan to check out his other books too. I read first thing in the morning while enjoying my coffee and at night before going to bed, like you do. And I try to blog in between reading time and work. 🙂

      Reply

  13. Thanks for sharing my book and these 2 great reviews of a
    Annette and Kymber’s books, Lauren! Both sound wonderful!! I love you were immersed in them and hearing what drew you in!
    Congratulations on your SW nomination!!! So excited for you!!❤️❤️❤️👏

    Reply

    1. You’re so welcome, Cindy, and I’m glad you enjoyed the other reviews. I had more time on my break to read through my line-up of books, and then I could write reviews right away. I have two more to write though. 🙂 Thanks about SW. I have no expectations; we’re all winners, but I’m always honored to be nominated. Take care, my friend! 💖🌺⭐️

      Reply

    1. You’re very welcome, Annette! I’m currently working on a collection of Drabble (100-word stories), so I really enjoyed your book. I look forward to reading more of your work, and thanks regarding Spillwords. It’s thrilling to be nominated and I wish all the nominees the best of luck. xo

      Reply

    1. I didn’t win, Steve, but thanks for your support. I appreciate it very much. Being nominated was an honor in itself and I’m truly happy for the winners. The weekend has been great but rainy. We need it though, so it’s all good. Hope yours has been good too! ☔️🌧️

      Reply

      1. Ah, you’re welcome, Lauren. I’m way behind so I didn’t see the outcome. It’s great that your work is getting attention and nominations!

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