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In this article:
Becoming a Writer by Brande
Lehua by Humpherys
Melanie by Andrews
DNF: Love Holds True by Fritz
Becoming a Writer by Dorothea Brande
5 STARS, Writing Nonfiction, My format: paperback
Goodreads Synopsis | Buy on BookShop | Buy ebook on Kobo
Brande was a successful creative writing teacher in the 1920s. This book describes what she taught to her novice students to help them be successful writers.
Personal Review:
Despite the many references to writing on a typewriter, this book is a must for contemporary authors. I am surprised I had never heard of this lovely classic before, and I plan to save it for my homeschooled daughters to help them discover if writing might be a worthy pursuit for them in the future.
Brande presents surprisingly practical ways to allow your creative mind to take over so that you might realize your author self. She claims this book is a necessary prerequisite to reading books that offer more technical training, and I would agree. She talks about observing the people and world around you so you can write realistically, different ways to allow your creativity to flow without your logical mind getting in the way, and ideas to help quiet your mind so that words can flow more freely. I’m glad I read this little gem!
Personal Interlude: I tend to take deep dives into different topics and I recently wanted to discover if I might be able to learn how to write. After several months of writing and reading about writing, I have decided it’s not for me. But I was reminded of a love I have for the written word and the little bit of work I did as a proofreader - before my second pregnancy slowed me down and I had to focus on other things for a while. So, if it interests anyone, my next endeavor is to reacquaint myself with the editing world to see if I still have that part of my brain intact ;) and if I might want to pursue it further. *Thanks for reading my life update side-note. I appreciate my subscribers!*
Lehua (Enchanted Hawaii #1) by Leialoha Humpherys
3 STARS, Fairytale Retelling, Christian Author, My format: paperback
Lehua always believed that people despised her, so when Ikaika, the king of Hilo, helps her escape her forest prison, she doesn’t believe that he could possibly like her for who she really is.
Personal Review:
I was really hoping to love this book, especially since the author has written so many of this type of story. But, sadly, it wasn't as....captivating?...as I was hoping for.
I LOVED the Hawaiian culture and the descriptions of the landscape. Those were the main reasons I picked up the book in the first place. Hawaiian words are so beautiful and the nature that was a huge part of the book was very cool. I also liked how Lehua's powers involved not controlling the plants, but speaking to them and asking them for help. That was a sweet element.
However, the characters were a little simple and some of the book was extremely repetitive. Lehua's internal dialogue was starting to get really annoying, and her transformation moment was weird and unconvincing. I also am not a fan of shape-shifting, and that was an important aspect of the book. The romance moved a little fast as well. I didn't completely believe how quickly Ikaika fell in love with Lehua and Lehua's back-and-forth about Ikaika was so exasperating I really just wanted her to run away so I wouldn't have to read her thoughts about him anymore.
The Rapunzel undertones were cute and I enjoyed that, as well as the message of speaking love instead of hate to yourself. So, as a light, quick, cute palette-cleanser it was okay, and I might read one once in a while. But it's not something I would recommend for depth of character and plot.
Content Warnings:
several non-detailed kisses, several moments of descriptive hand-holding and shoulder-rubbing, mental health struggle of negative self-talk
Melanie (Orphan Train #4) by Wendy May Andrews
4 STARS, Clean Historical Romance, My format: YouTube Audiobook
Goodreads Synopsis | Buy on BookShop | YouTube Audio
Reviews in Orphan Train series: Sophie #.5 | Cassie #1 | Katie #2
Shy and awkward Melanie meets Cole, a widow who is not looking for more women in his life. The two must work to mend their own broken hearts so they can open them to each other.
Personal Review:
I think this is my favorite of the series so far.
I really liked the character of Melanie. Goodness, could I relate to her feelings of awkwardness and social fears. But I also loved her fire - even though she had fears, she also had a healthy portion of self-respect.
Cole was sweet. His internal dialogue was great but I wish he would have communicated better. I would have liked more of a "woo-ing" stage. I think it really could have been well done with the dynamics of the two main characters.
The other thing I really loved is that this book took place at the exact same time as the book before it. It was so cool to see the previous story playing out while this one had its time in the spotlight. It was great fun to see how the two stories intertwined and to already know the characters so well.
Super sweet, super clean, and would recommend this series!
Content Warnings:
past difficult family relationships
Did Not Finish
I stopped reading Love Holds True by Michelle Helen Fritz at 48%. I feel so bad that I had to quit reading it. I thought it was supposed to be clean but up to this point there were 2 kissing scenes with descriptions of tongue and a moment from the male main character's perspective where he has to calm himself down after a passionate kiss before he is able to rise and stand again in front of the ladies present. Ew. Gross. I don't want to know. It's a shame because the story is super cute and the characters are fun. Their passion was too much for me, though.
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The book, Becoming a Writer, sounds like a very helpful tool! I appreciate the life update. I was really looking forward to reading your original stories. Your shift to exploring editing again sounds interesting though! Would you work independently as a freelance editor?