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What are these lovely bookies?
Both of the above have been started on. So they should be finished this week.
So tell me what it is that you are enjoying this week? I love seeing what other people are reading!
The Clackamas National Forest has always been a sanctuary for evil—human and alien. The shadows of looming trees and long-abandoned mines shelter poachers and serial killers alike. Then there’s the ruined hotel on the outskirts of picturesque small town Faraday, Oregon, nestled in the foothills of Mt. Hood. The one drowning in mushrooms and fungus not even the local expert can identify. Not to mention the stacks of missing persons cases. Freelance writer Erin Harper arrives in Faraday to find out what happened to her brother, whose disappearance in the forest has haunted her for years. But someone else has gone missing. And when Erin finds her in the creek, the girl vanishes again — this time from the morgue, and days later her fingerprints show up at a murder scene. Maybe it’s a serial killer, or maybe it’s the spores infecting the forest and those lost inside. Erin must find answers quickly, before anyone else goes missing. But she might be next…
My Thoughts:
The blurb got me very interested in this book. The cover snatched me right in. I mean look at it! It's creepy and pretty all at once. Isn't it?
The mix of eco-horror, crime (ish) backstory..there could be so much good stuff in this book, but alas..I thought it was a bit boring. There was so much potential and I really wanted this to hit but it missed (at least for me.)
It had me in the first few chapters, I had no idea what was going on but it was interesting. The first chapter laid the foundation and it seemed very sturdy but then the characters came in on the scene and they were just..there. I got about 160 or so pages in and just didn't care about any of the characters. The main character Erin, had a backstory that should have had me locked in but it didn't. The rest of the supporting characters were just side pieces that didn't really matter.
So the last act of the book really tried hard to pull it all together and there were moments of fun, but the ending was supposed to be an AH HA moment, but it just came across as "yeah that's what I expected."
So in the end, I was disappointed by this one. I really wanted to like it and while it wasn't complete trash it didn't do it for me. Maybe you'll like it?
If you've read this one, let me know what you think. I'm curious if my take was off in lala land.
*This was sent to me as an ARC*
Small Footsteps
Fantasy
Date Published: January 16, 2025
Magic is in her blood...
The destiny of Innatraea is in her hands…
Can she rise to power, or will the forces against her prevail?
"Every legend begins with the small footsteps of ordinary Innatraeans." -Tavid the Traveler
Rosalie Sharone, one of the strongest magic wielders ever born, has been waiting and training for this moment all her life. Orphaned as a baby, the child prodigy was raised in the small farm town of Aliselle Falls, away from suspecting eyes. Now she is a young woman ready to fulfill her destiny by traveling across Innatraea to become an initiate of The Weavers, an ancient and powerful order on the island kingdom of Sceotan. In doing so, she must leave her adoptive mother, her first love, and her friends behind. Yet emotional trials are not the only challenge awaiting Rosalie and those closest to her. Weavers especially attract danger, and Rosalie will face her share as she makes her way to her destiny. This is only the beginning of her story however. Once on Sceotan, her magic and intellect along with The Weavers’ influence across all of Innatraea will either make her the most powerful woman in history or completely destroy her.
Power, sacrifice, and destiny collide—get your copy today and dare to walk the path with Rosalie as she begins the journey to her ultimate fate.
__________________
Innatraea Novella Two: Am'ayim
Coming July 26, 2025
"Ele o aiga uma e toto. O nisi e fananau mai i Di Asin.
Not all families a blood. Som a dem born inna Di Saalt.
Not all families are blood. Some of them are born in the Salt."
-Am'ayim Saying
Rosalie has finally left the dangers of Aedonia behind in her quest to reach Sceotan and the Weavers. She now embarks upon another leg of that long journey aboard an Am'ayim vessel known as Di Ariela. Here, she will meet new friends amongst the ship's crew and face new threats and challenges, all while still grappling with the loss of her mother and parting ways with her childhood friends. Rosalie must now find the strength to go on alone and become the woman she's meant to be. But the twisting tides of destiny and fate are tricky and may yet claim them all or unite them as her journey across Innatraea continues. Destiny is no easy thing, though; fate may have more in store for her than she ever imagined.
About the Author
E.R. Zaugg has published several articles on being the parent of a vulnerable child, won poetry contests, and been an avid reader and world traveler for decades. His work is inspired by seeing the world and encountering different religions, spiritual beliefs, and cultures in both literature and actual journeys. These experiences have led to a body of deeply poetic work that explores what it means to be human. The Innatraea novella series highlights the value of vulnerable cultures, children, and strong women, with the goal of imparting to its readers a greater understanding and love of humanity.
Contact Links
Purchase Link
HOWEVER...after sulking for about a day and enjoying many many posts on Reddit about the books, and tons of silly memes..I feel better. I've started on a new book and while there are no dragons to be found...it's still been a fun one.
Also my work schedule this week is pretty light so plenty of spare time to read! I have a "my eyes are bigger than my stomach" kind of reading week planned for me. Let me show you what I mean!
Behold! My TBR for this week:
SEE! I have already made it halfway through Girl In The Creek, it's been a strange (but attention grabbing) ride so far. Murderland and The Lost Queen are both ARC's and the rest are all kindle books.
Let's see how I do!
What are you reading?
So I'm going to be joining in on this event, as it's a month-long event and I think I can properly participate. I'm also really needing to play catch up on my reading goals! So yay!
The one main "rule" of Spring into Horror is that you must read at least ONE scary book (which can be a thriller, mystery, Gothic novel, or similar for those who are faint of heart). I hope you will indulge the scary beyond the one book, but that is entirely up to you. It is all about the reading after all.
I will try to figure out a good #TBR for this, but I have some time to think thunk upon it.
If you want to join in just click that pretty banner thingy and go sign up!
