Books with Noel

OKAY back story before I get into this review! (I'M SO SO EXCITED RIGHT NOW LOL) *all the happy squeals*  So Under The Oak Tree by Suji Kim , started as a manwha (for those that don't know this is basically like a webtoon comic), and I found it and fell utterly and completely in love with it. I had so hoped that one day it would be translated and turned into a book series, and low and behold~ here it is!! Clarification: the author did write a book series and the comic came after, but the series is not in english so finding a translation of it is rather hard. 😍😍😍 I'll share the book's details before getting into my review!! Under The Oak Tree the novel Vol. 1 by Suji Kim Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble Synopsis:   Most fairytales end with a wedding and a happily-ever-after—but this is no fairytale. The updated and official translation of Under the Oak Tree, the #1 webnovel on MANTA. Lady Maximilian is the daughter of the powerful Duke Croyso, but she is rare...

   Welcome back journal of my embarrassing writing habits, hard-discovered tips, and writing progress. I did not miss you.  Anywhooo~ onto the entries!! Saturday | All-day            Welp, we tried journal.      Around work, I was supposed to do massive writing today. I was to go to one of my favorite coffee shops and visit my wonderful baristas and friends and get some writing in. However.... I was so tired and I ended up sleeping in, and despite the fact that I still had time to go- my brain kept insisting that I'd missed my window and I should've gotten up earlier for it if I was going to go. So then I cleaned. And when I wasn't cleaning, I was staring at the computer screen (thinking about writing) before seeing something else to clean in the house. Then it was time for work, and OF COURSE I was too freaking tired after my job to sit down and write even just for a few minutes that at this point I desperately need. Jour...

I've got another book review to share with you lovelies!! And I'm super excited cause this one is a King Arthur retelling with fae & just was done so well! Queen of Roses by Briar Boleyn Synopsis:   A doomed love, a dangerous mission, and a kingdom on the brink of war... A cast-off princess… Born into a life of duty and sacrifice, Morgan Pendragon’s destiny has never been her own. Rumored to carry the tainted blood of the fae in her veins, her birthright is stolen from her when she is a mere child. Growing up in the shadow of her brother the king, she has been promised to the goddesses when she comes of age. So, when her brother commands that she seek out a fae weapon of legendary power, Morgan seizes the chance to break free from the chains of her fate. A dangerous temptation… As she travels, Morgan finds herself drawn into a strange group of outcasts, led by a dark and enigmatic warrior whose sharp wit and fierce beauty set her heart ablaze. But while Morgan struggles to ...

  I love to read Indie books & to support Indie authors, I'm an Indie author myself, so I had an idea to make a fun reading goal for myself for this year.  For the year 2024, I want to read 24 Indie books total.  If I read more than that, great! If not, I'll try again :) I usually read Indie books throughout the year, but I've never actually tracked how many I've read and it feels like there's so many more out now or recently released in the last two years that I need to catch up on!  Is it like that for you too or just me being crazy and behind on everything aside from the new Taylor Swift albums?    Without further ado here's my list of Indie books for 2024 and a bit about them! If I've already read some of them so far (seeing as it's already May) then I'll share a snippet of my thoughts on them too. Some of these will be new releases coming out this year that I can't wait to get my hands on! Anyways... to the list!!! A Bond of Briars by Er...

  The Musician and the Monster by Megan Van Dyke Goodreads | Amazon | Bookbub Synopsis :  Every night, Ceridwen Kinsley plays music on her rooftop for the spirit of her dead mother. A peaceful if odd ritual, until she witnesses a murder by something not quite human. The monstrous encounter earns her notoriety within the city and a visit from the reclusive Lord Protector Drystan Winterbourne. Charged with protecting the backwater city of Teneboure by the king, Drystan is failing at his task, and he can’t afford another slip up. But when fate and the very monster he means to conquer bring Ceridwen to his notice, he seizes the opportunity and presents her with an offer: play music for him at his manor in exchange for the money her impoverished family desperately needs. Music eases the strain of his magic, and who better to hire than the woman whose tunes he secretly listens to at night? At first, Ceridwen is put off by Drystan’s unkempt appearance and harsh demeanor, not to men...

The Nemesis by S. J. Kincaid [YA Sci-fi] [ The Diabolic #3 , final book in trilogy] [ Goodreads ] [ Amazon ] About:   In the heart-pounding conclusion to the   New York Times   bestselling Diabolic series, the Empire teeters on the edge of destruction as rumors spread that Nemesis is still alive. Three years ago, Tyrus Domitrian shocked the galaxy by killing the woman he swore to love forever. The woman for whom he upended the Empire. The woman with whom he wanted to build a new and brighter future. Now, the once-idealistic heir apparent has become the cruel Emperor Tyrus, wielding his authority with an iron fist, capable of destroying planets with a single word, controlling all technology with a simple thought. He has bent the Grandiloquy to their knees, and none has the power to stand against him. But there is a muttering among the Excess. They say that Nemesis is not truly gone. They whisper of her shadow spotted in distant star systems. They say that Nemesis lives. T...

  Happy Saturday lovelies!!     Wow, it's been a hot minute since I felt up to posting on here & wasn't in a major reading slump. 😬 It feels like the last two years I was burnt out on writing & reading so much I've slowly had to army-crawl my way back out of the hole. What have you found yourself reading lately? I feel like I'm in a mood for more regency era romance novels, quite an abrupt reading mood compared to my usual fantasy-based reads lol! I stayed up late for the first time in forever to finish reading a book, Rogue Countess by Amy Sandas , the other night. It was funny, enemies to lovers slow-burn I loved to root for, & just so refreshing to read! It's the first in a series so I'm looking forward to checking out the other books by the author. This first one was free on Amazon's kindle store so I got it to see and ended up loving it!  I seem to be reading more via ebook than physical books now? I've always loved holding the book as ...