A Literary Escape

SFINCS Review: Hot Button Issue by Catrina Bell

Published on January 20, 2024January 20, 2024 by Celeste4 Comments

Today’s review is about HOT BUTTON ISSUE by Catrina Bell. It’s a standalone, paranormal romance novella. As the title suggests, it incorporates a hot topic social issue, that of bodily autonomy with respect to reproduction.

This review is brought to you by my participation in the Speculative Fiction Indie Novella Championship (SFINCS). SFINCS, pronounced “sphinx”, is a yearly competition to recognize, honor, and celebrate the talent and creativity present in the indie community. It’s a sister competition to both SPFBO and SPSFC, and it highlights greatness in the novella format in all areas of speculative fiction (fantasy, science fiction, horror, etc.). I am part of Team Behind the Musings. You can find out more about us here.

Continue reading →

SFINCS Review: The Stars Within by Alex Arch

Published on January 17, 2024January 20, 2024 by Celeste3 Comments

Today’s review is about THE STARS WITHIN by Alex Arch. It’s a standalone novella with two points of views. Both serve to explore the human element of expansion into space and the importance and dangers of living.

Continue reading →

ARC Review: That Time I Got Drunk And Saved A Demon by Kimberly Lemming

Published on January 15, 2024January 6, 2024 by Celeste9 Comments

Today’s review is about THAT TIME I GOT DRUNK AND SAVED A DEMON by Kimberly Lemming. It’s the first book in the Mead Mishaps series, but it reads as a standalone. Here, Cinnamon suddenly finds herself on a quest with a demon to slay an evil witch who enslaves demon kind. Along the way they banter, kick butt, and fall for each other.

Author: Kimberly Lemming
Series: Mead Mishaps #1
Age Category: Adult
Publisher: Orbit
Publish Date: January 2, 2024
Print Length: 288

Want to support local bookstores? Buy a copy of That Time I Got Drunk And Saved A Demon on Bookshop.org!*

*These are not affiliate links and I do not make a commission from any purchase made using these links.

Continue reading →

ARC Review: The Tusks of Extinction by Ray Nayler

Published on January 11, 2024November 13, 2024 by Celeste8 Comments

Today’s review is about THE TUSKS OF EXTINCTION by Ray Nayler. It’s a standalone, science fiction novella in which a human consciousness is downloaded into a mammoth.

Author: Ray Nayler
Series: None
Age Category: Adult
Publisher: Tordotcom
Publish Date: January 16, 2024
Print Length: 112

Want to support local bookstores? Buy a copy of The Tusks of Extinction on Bookshop.org!*

*These are not affiliate links and I do not make a commission from any purchase made using these links.

Continue reading →

2023 Book Blog In Review

Published on January 9, 2024January 1, 2024 by Celeste13 Comments

It’s time for the wrap-up post of all wrap-up posts: my 2023 book blog in review! Like last year, this post covers whether I accomplished my goals as well as blog and reading statistics. I tried to keep it to the point and not so word-y since it covers a lot of topics. So, hopefully this is relatively easy to read through.

In summary, though, 2023 was a great year in terms of viewership. I really hit new heights here. My reading statistics in terms of ratings could’ve been better, but it is what it is. I’m picky about my five star ratings, but I still enjoyed quite a lot of books. Anyway, here’s my 2023 book blog in review!

Continue reading →