Title

Author: Leigh Kimmel

Publisher: Self-Published

Publication Date: May 16, 2023

Genres: Science Fiction

Length: 13 pages

Source: I received a free copy from the author.

Rating: 3 Stars

Blurb:

The Moon is a dead world, airless and desolate. Emmaline Waite has known this fact since childhood, when she watched the Apollo landings. But here she sits on the shores of the Sea of Tranquillity, looking up at the gibbous Earth as the waves roll in. What madness can this be? She gets no time to contemplate that question, for she is not alone. She is about to enter a realm of love and fear, of mindbending secrets that change her understanding of human history, and of self-sacrifice. Her life will never be the same.

Review:

A little science goes a long way.

The dreamlike themes made me wonder what would happen next. Ms. Kimmel did a good job of capturing what it feels like to not be sure if you’re dreaming or if something incredible has just happened. This was particularly true as one scene would drift slowly into the next one without always explaining what had happened in the intervening moments. That’s not an easy mental state to portray with the written word, so kudos to her for accomplishing it so nicely. Truly, I could not have predicted the ending.

I struggled with the plot holes, especially as they pertained to Emmaline’s relationship with someone she met on the moon. Sometimes it felt like those scenes were an outline of something that hadn’t been fully written yet instead of the finished product due to how quickly everything happened and how some key details were glossed over. As much as I wanted to give this a higher rating, my confusion about what was going on there prevented me from doing that.

There aren’t enough science fiction or other types out tales set on the moon these days. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever read one that included an ocean there, so exploring how that came to be was of high interest to me. While I don’t want to give away any spoilers in this review, I can say that these descriptions were nicely written and made me want to learn more about what was going on there.

Beach House on the Moon piqued my curiosity.

Hosted by Long and Short Reviews.

Click here to read everyone else’s replies to this week’s question and here to see the full list of topics for the year.

Media training is something I wish I knew more about.

I’ve read that public figures of all sorts were traditionally taught how to speak to the media early on in their careers.  As in, shortly before  they were signed to a record label, decided to run for office, chosen as a new player for a sports team, had their book approved for publication, or  experienced something similarly life changing, they were given lessons on how to talk to reporters and how to steer a conversation away from matters they’d rather not discuss.

(Modern social media stars unfortunately don’t seem to receive this same training in many cases).

I promise I am not trying to make this a political post in any way! I’m simply fascinated by how people can so smoothly steer a conversation in the way they want it to go even when they’re asked about possibly painful topics by a reporter who has been trained to get a straight answer.

One of the things I’ve read about media training is that public figures are told to answer the question they wish they were asked instead of the one they were actually asked.

So, for example, if so-and-so is asked why their latest album didn’t sell as many copies as was expected, they might pivot to talk about the incredible writers and producers who worked on that project with them or maybe they’ll tell a story about a fan who approached them and said that a certain song was life changing instead.

This can be used for much more serious topics as well, of course.

I’m fascinated by how well this can work, why it still sometimes fails, and want to learn more. It’s not how I approach conversations at all either as the person asking questions or the person answering them.

If anyone has any personal insight into how this type of communication plays out, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

May Flowers was the topic for this week, so I decided to hunt down some book covers that have people wearing crowns of foliage or flowers on them.

This is something I’ve seen occasionally in films or books, but I have never seen it done in real life by anyone I know. Perhaps it’s an older custom? Or maybe it’s something done in parts of the world I haven’t visited yet?

Have you ever worn a crowns of flowers or other foliage in your hair or seen someone else do the same thing?

1. Song of the Sparrow by Lisa Ann Sandell

2. All the Violet Tiaras: Queering the Greek Myths by Jean Menzies

3. Happy Land by Dolen Perkins-Valdez

4. Sisi: Empress on Her Own by Allison Pataki

5. The Tradition by Jericho Brown

6. Lady Sunshine by Amy Mason Doan

7. The Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffman

8. Lost in the Garden by Adam S. Leslie

9. Dearest (Woodcutter Sisters, #3; Books of Arilland, #4) by Alethea Konti

10. The May Queen Murders by Sarah Jude

Title

Author: Holly Schindler

Publisher: Self-Published

Publication Date: December 7, 2022

Genres: Romance, Paranormal, Contemporary

Length: About 21 pages.

Source: I received a free copy from the author.

Rating: 5 Stars

Blurb:

Forever Finley Episode / Short Story #6: A tale that explores how holiday magic can carry forward into the rest of the year, featuring Natalie and the mysterious George from “Come December.”

Engagement should be a happy time in a young woman’s life, but for Natalie, it’s plagued with doubts. She’d only known Damien four months when she accepted his proposal, and now, when the two are together, she hears a distinct Mayday distress call. Where is the voice coming from? Does it have anything to do with the enigmatic figure she encountered in the cemetery last winter? Or is Natalie finding a way to tell herself she thinks she’s about to go down in flames?

Mayday Mayday Mayday is part of Forever Finley, a series of stand-alone episodes or short stories that released once a month throughout 2016. Previous releases include Come December, January Thaw, Forget February, Dearest March…, and April’s Promise. Stories following Mayday Mayday Mayday include Chasing June, A Hundred Julys, Under the August Moon, Song for September, October Omen, and the Forever Finley Finale (Pale November / December Bells). Stories can be purchased individually, or readers can purchase all installments in Forever Finley: An Episodic Novel.

Content Warning:  World War I, a plane crash, and a dangerous accident on a balcony. I will be briefly referencing the first two topics in my review.

Review:

This is one of those rare series that only gets better over time.

There was the perfect amount of conflict in this short story, and I’m saying that as a reviewer who previously had constructive criticism about this topic when I was first introduced to this universe in Under the August Moon. It’s important to acknowledge growth when it happens, and I loved the direction Ms. Schindler took her tale for the May instalment of it. Yes, the core of it remained whimsical and romantic, just as I’d expect from this setting, but the inclusion of higher-stakes moments as well kept my interest levels high.

As someone who doesn’t read much romance, I appreciated how that genre was woven into Natalie’s life as she adjusted to living in a new community and dealt with a mysterious figure she’d recently met in the local cemetery. The themes fit together naturally which is always something I enjoy discovering in books that dip their toes into more than one genre. This was an excellent example of how to do just that while satisfying both readers who may not be well-versed in romance or paranormal fiction as well as those who already know they like those types of stories. I love it when authors create these seamless pathways to discovering new genres!

World War I isn’t as common referenced as World War II  is in a lot of modern fiction, so my ears perk up when a blurb mentions references to the First World War. There were no graphic descriptions of war included, but there were a few scenes that mentioned a plane crash from that era. I found them tastefully written yet also heartbreaking given the subject matter involved. These moments also added layers of depth not only to the storyline itself but also to Natalie’s personality as she figured out who was calling for May Day and why.

Mayday Mayday Mayday made me yearn for more.

Hosted by Long and Short Reviews.

Click here to read everyone else’s replies to this week’s question and here to see the full list of topics for the year.

I’ve talked about living with a food allergy previously on my blog, so the topic I’m picking for this week’s prompt is migraines.

Migraines are a painful neurological disease that can do everything from make you temporarily go blind to mimic some of the signs of a stroke if you have symptoms like trouble speaking or numbness or weakness on one side of the body.

(Not everyone has the most severe forms of this disease or these symptoms, of course, but anyone who has migraines or knows someone who does should be aware of all of the possibilities).

I’d talk about all sorts of things in my speech:

• When to go to the emergency room for an attack
• How to tell the difference between a migraine (which isn’t generally dangerous unless you’re throwing up too much and get very dehydrated) and a medical emergency like a stroke or brain tumour
• Home treatments to help avoid an ER or Urgent Care Centre visit when possible
• Vitamin and mineral supplements that may reduce how common and how severe your migraines are
• Which supplements don’t currently have scientific data supporting their use for this diagnosis
• The neurological link between migraines, strokes, epilepsy, and seizures and why more people should be aware of it
• How to help someone you love who is having a migraine
• How to help an acquaintance or stranger who is experiencing a migraine in a public place
• Food and drinks that are triggers for some people
• Food and drinks that may reduce symptoms
• How to respond to well-meaning people who think migraines are a fancy term for tension headaches
• How to have patience with less amenable people who don’t understand invisible illnesses and think you’re being dramatic
• Other triggers, both common and uncommon
• Why getting enough sleep and eating meals on a regular schedule is vital for us
• Your chances of passing this disease onto your kids if one or both parents have migraines
• How to complete necessary life tasks when you feel another attack coming on
• Why resting during the postdrome phase (right after the migraine ends)  is so important
• The latest research on what causes this disease and possible new treatments for it

And so much more.

(I feel like someone else in the WWBC community has migraines, too? Was that you, George? If so, I’d invite you on stage to talk, too).

Here are some authors I wish would have written more. 

1) Octavia E. Butler

Her Parable of the Sower (Earthseed, #1) series was never finished, but there is a film version of Parable of the Sower in pre-production as of now.

I would have loved to see how she wrapped up this story and what she would be writing now if she were still alive.

2. Jean M. Auel

The Clan of the Cave Bear (Earth’s Children, #1) series was technically wrapped up in 2011, and I’ve grumbled here before about how many conflicts sputtered out and moments of foreshadowing were never addressed in the final instalment. I wish she’d write one more book to properly explain all of the things that were ignored.

3. Rachel Vincent

I loved her Stray (Shifters, #1) series that began in 2007. It had a satisfactory ending, but she hasn’t written much since then and I couldn’t get into the few books she did release.

4. Sarah Waters 

Nothing new from her has been published since 2015. It’s been far too long.

5. Me

A combination of writer’s block, my own health issues, loved ones with health issues, and other stuff going on in my life has seriously slowed down the amount of fiction I write..

Title

Author: George Saoulidis

Publisher: Self-Published

Publication Date: November 6, 2019

Genres: Science Fiction

Length: 5 pages

Source: I received a free copy from the author.

Rating: 5 Stars

Blurb:

A hoarder planet is not feeling so well. Must have been something it collected. Will the AI tasked to repair the technosphere manage to find what’s causing the quakes?

Content Warning: Hoarding, but portrayed in a funny way.

Review:

A little spring cleaning goes a long way.

I loved the humour in this short story. So much of the science fiction I’ve read these past few years has contained dark themes that I really needed to switch things up a bit and be reminded of the lighthearted possibilities in this genre. While I can’t go into much detail about what, exactly, was funny about a planet that was hoarding resources without giving away spoilers, it was important to keep a playful approach to the characters as they revealed what they’d been up to.

There were a few fantastic references to other science fiction universes here that made me smile as well. The storyline did still make sense without them, but readers who know what the author is talking about will have some wonderful Easter Eggs to look forward to. That is exactly how these things should be written in my opinion as it leaves room for everyone to enjoy what is happening instead of closing certain passages off to those who might have not read certain older works yet.

The last page or two was what convinced me to give this a full five-star rating due to how Mr. Saoulidis struck the right balance between answering some of the reader’s questions while leaving other ones up to our imaginations. Would I have loved to have even more closure? Yes, of of course, but I was left with enough information to imagine what would probably happen next as well as having a decent understanding of how this planet ended up in such a predicament in the first place. 

Technosphere was a refreshing break from the serious matters in life.

Hosted by Long and Short Reviews.

Click here to read everyone else’s replies to this week’s question and here to see the full list of topics for the year.

The existence of media training makes this week’s theme a tricky one. Just because a celebrity has developed a particular public image doesn’t mean that they are at all like that persona behind closed doors.

I think you can enjoy someone’s work without falling into hero worship. It’s so hard to tell what is PR spin and what is real. (Well, unless we’re talking about the first two people on my list. Everyone seems to love them!)

Maybe they really are wonderful human beings behind the scenes, or perhaps not. I don’t judge anyone based on a single story or assume I know a singer, writer, or other entertainer personally just because I read, watch, or listen to their stuff.

To stick with the spirit of this post, though, here are some celebrities that seem to have a lot of positive stories floating around about them. If I needed to meet someone famous, I’d start with this list and hope they were just as delightful behind the scenes as they are when they’re in the public eye.

• Mr. Rogers
• Dolly Parton
• Dave Chappelle
• Tom Hanks
• Viola Davis
• Patrick Stewart
• Sean Patrick Thomas
• Gina Rodriquez
• Ed Sheeran
• Julia Stiles
• Keanu Reeves
• Denzel Washington
• Barack and Michelle Obama
• Ms. Rachel

Thank you to Cristyn @ Draconic Breath for coming up with this topic in 2024. You gave me the inspiration I needed to write this week’s freebie post!

1. Migraines

There are at least a few other TTT bloggers who already know what this illness is like. For everyone else, Reading is difficult when I’m in the migraine cycle due to symptoms like brain fog, nausea, and pain. Staring at a screen can also trigger migraines or make them worse, so I do try to limit screen time on those days.

2. Doomscrolling 

It’s so tempting but such a time waster as well!

3. Repetitive Storylines

I love speculative fiction, but I also find myself growing bored with some of the common plot lines in this genre because of how often they seem to be repeated. This is one of the reasons why you’ll find other genres mentioned in my Top Ten Tuesday posts. Switching things up keeps me interested in reading.

4. Medical Appointments

There have been a lot of them in my household this past year or so, and they can certainly cut into the time one has for more pleasurable things like reading.

5. Nice Weather 

I know I’ve mentioned this a few times before on my blog, but when Ontario has nice weather, often in the spring and autumn, I feel compelled to go outside and enjoy it instead of read. There will be plenty of other days in the year when it’s too hot, cold, icy, stormy, or humid to enjoy a walk in the park or a visit to the beach.

6. Overwhelming Choices

There are so many amazing books out there that I don’t always know which one to read next! This is not a problem I ever had growing up as ebooks didn’t exist back then and my parents weren’t always able to take us to the library. I feel fortunate to have it now even if decision fatigue does sometimes make it hard to decide what to read next.

7. Social Media in General  

I have been trying to be more mindful of my use of it in 2026, but it can be quite easy to spend an hour watching short videos or reading stranger’s comments online instead of picking up one of the books I’ve been meaning to read.

8. Writing

Striking a balance between writing and reading isn’t always easy.

9. Meeting Other Goals

Whether it’s related to work, exercise, or spending time with other people, I do have limits on how much energy I have for reading!

10. Chores 

The dishes won’t wash themselves, after all.

Title

Author: P.B. Cannon

Publisher: Self-Published

Publication Date: February 16, 2013

Genres: Fantasy, Contemporary

Length: 20 pages

Source: I received a free copy from the author.

Rating: 4 Stars

Blurb:

Cady and Sam don’t like excitement. So, they have good reason to love their lifestyle in the small town of Matthews, N.C. They’ve got a cute kid, good jobs, great neighbors, and their home beats the wheels off their last address. Unfortunately, interruption rears its head when it’s least expected, leading to that unwanted unrest they’ve been avoiding. What’s a couple of homebody werewolves to do?

Content Warning: Brief references to sexual harassment and humans being attacked by fantasy creatures.

Review:

Werewolves need to rest, too.

Cady’s character development was quite well done. Her relationships with her husband and child were explored in depth as well as her feelings on a variety of topics ranging from race to European beauty standards to why she so desperately wanted her neighbourhood to remain a quiet and peaceful place to live. She was the sort of protagonist I’d love to invite out for a cup of coffee so I could get to know her better as what I learned about her from this piece only made me more curious about who she was as a person.

The ending felt abrupt to me. I should note that this is part of a serial, a type of tale that is well known for ending on cliffhangers, so do keep those facts in mind while reading. Even when including them, though, I wished more attention would have been paid to developing that final scene. The way it was written felt more like the end of a chapter in a book than a short story. In my opinion, serials work better when each instalment in them stands alone as a fully formed tale, and I did not feel like this quite met that standard even though I deeply enjoyed reading it otherwise.

This was a good example of how to write an exciting fantasy story in a suburban setting. Most modern fantasy that I’ve read has either been set in rural or urban areas, so it was refreshing to see a different sort of setting being utilized. I especially liked the brief moments where Cady talked about simple aspects of living in the suburbs like finding a good parking spot or maintaining positive relationships with the neighbours. Yes, both of these topics were relevant to her adventures on this particular night, but I’ll leave it up to other readers to discover why.

Interruptions was exciting.