Nancy Savage | Author Interview

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About The Author
Nancy Savage is lives with her partner of twenty years and is the mother to six children and two cats. Her debut novel, ‘The Couple in Cabin 14‘, was published by Bloodhound Books. The story follows a couple whose romantic getaway turns dark when the wife begins to suspect that the couple in the cabin next door is hiding something.
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What was the initial spark or idea that led you to create the plot for The Couple in Cabin 14? Did it start with the characters, the setting, or a specific scene?

Honestly, it was a combination! It started from this idea I had of a couple meeting their neighbors on vacation and there just being something really, really off about them that only the wife could see. I also wanted there to be a real sense of isolation, but in a beautiful setting! So I kind of started with those elements and then built characters that felt genuine and flawed, which helped me push the story further.

The setting of a secluded lakeside resort adds a layer of isolation and suspense to the story. How did you decide on this particular setting, and how do you think it influences the mood of the novel?

Spring River is kind of an amalgamation of quite a few places, both that I’ve been to and of ones I could only ever dream of visiting! It felt like the perfect backdrop for secrets and tension—it’s beautiful but can feel eerie when you’re alone. Who doesn’t love a good nature getaway… until it turns creepy!

As a debut author, what was the most challenging aspect of writing The Couple in Cabin 14? How did you overcome it?

Honestly, with six kids running around, it was definitely trying to find the time to actually sit down and get the words from my head and onto paper. I quickly learned that I wasn’t going to be able to have any long and focused writing sessions, so I figured out how to adapt to writing in chunks of time here and there when I could.

Without giving too much away, were there any particular scenes or twists in The Couple in Cabin 14 that you found especially challenging or rewarding to write?

Oh, definitely! There’s a twist near the climax that took me a very long time to nail down. There is a section of dialogue that, at a guess, I’d say I reworked about a hundred times before it finally clicked. No exaggeration.

Do you have any writing rituals or habits that help you get into the creative zone, especially when crafting suspenseful scenes?

A good cup of tea and a comfortable seat is about all I need. There is no such thing as quiet time in our house, and sometimes I kind of feel like a bit of chaos in the background as I write adds a little something!

What drew you to the thriller genre specifically? Was there a particular book or author that inspired you to write suspenseful stories?

I’ve been a thriller lover for life. I blame R. L. Stine, creator of Goosebumps, for starting my addiction. But generally I just love to spend a whole novel going “what the heck is going on?” and to get that big pay off when you hit a great twist.

Did writing The Couple in Cabin 14 teach you anything about yourself or your writing style that you didn’t know before?

I definitely learned that as much as you can pre-determine how your story will go, you can’t anticipate how your characters will react in a situation until you reach it. They kind of begin to take on a life of their own! But that’s fun, because it takes you on twists and turns that you didn’t expect.

What’s one piece of advice you would give to aspiring authors who are working on their own debut novels?

Embrace the messy process! It’s okay if your first draft is just a wild jumble of thoughts. Just get the words down – you can fix it up later.

Do you have any other books or projects in the works? Can you give us a hint about what we might expect next from you?

Right now I’m working on my next thriller set in a small town. Think secrets, lies, and hidden pasts!

Finally, what do you hope readers take away from The Couple in Cabin 14? Are there any particular emotions or thoughts you want to linger with them after they finish the last page?

I hope they get a good thrill from seeing the story play out through Amber’s eyes, and to take it as little reminder to always question what is presented online as real – because the truth is usually lurking just below the surface.

I am very grateful to Nancy for giving me the opportunity to interview her and read her debut thriller. In the comments, let me know if you’ve read or plan to read Nancy’s debut thriller, The Couple in Cabin 14. The book is available in paperback, audiobook, and on Kindle Unlimited. If you’re curious about my thoughts on the book, you can check out my review [here]. Also, if you’re an author interested in being interviewed for the blog, don’t hesitate to reach out! For more information, visit my contact page. Before you go, don’t forget to hit the follow button!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Witch Of Wild Things | Book Review

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About The Book
Sage Flores returns to her hometown eight years after her sister’s death, resuming her job at Cranberry Rose Company. She’s forced to work with Tennessee Reyes, her high school crush who she never fully got over. While juggling a ghostly sister, a stormy sibling, and an old flame, Sage navigates the tangled roots of her past and the new growth of her heart.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3BBsStZ

My Rating

This book is perfect for bridging the gap between summer and fall, with a mix of witchcraft and a touch of magic. Think Practical Magic meets Encanto and I loved every minute of it. The plot, characters, and unique twist on a second-chance romance make it a really engaging read. The romance involves secret high school pen pals—or AIM friends—which adds a fun twist to the typical second-chance story.

Sage Flores, the main character, is incredibly well-developed. She’s dealing with guilt over her younger sister Skye’s death, a tough relationship with her other sister Teal, and still holding on to her anger that when they were growing up, she had to act like a mother figure to her siblings and wasn’t able to be a kid herself. Despite these challenges, Sage’s protective nature and her journey to stand up for herself make her a character you’ll root for.

Even though second-chance romances usually aren’t my thing, this one stood out because it’s different from the usual plot. The reasons for the original conflict make sense, especially considering the characters were teenagers. Tennessee, the love interest, is fantastic and definitely falls first. There is something about the guy falling first in a romance that I just love.

“They needed to break. So now the roots and leave can come out and everything can bloom again.”

The side characters, especially Sage’s sisters Teal and Skye, add a lot to the story. Teal might come off as a bit harsh at first, but there’s more to her character than meets the eye. I also enjoyed Skye’s fun and adventurous personality. The magic tied to the Flores family is really interesting and make the plot even more compelling. I’m a sucker for a good witchy story, and this one didn’t disappoint.

The writing is great, balancing fast-paced action with slower, more thoughtful moments. Even when the plot slows down, I stayed hooked on the characters and their journey. The ending is satisfying and leaves room for more stories with these characters.

Overall, I wouldn’t call this a romcom but more of a magical realism or paranormal romance. If you’re interested in or new to romantasy, this is a good place to start. It’s a lighter take on the genre, with less world-building but a similar feel, making it an enjoyable read.

If you enjoyed this review or have read the book yourself, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Please like, comment, and share this post. Don’t forget to follow the blog for more reviews and bookish content.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Gilmore Girl Readathon | To Be Read

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Hi Friends,
Today I’m sharing my Gilmore Girls Readathon TBR. If you haven’t already seen my announcement post for the readathon, I definitely recommend checking it out (read here). To give you a brief rundown, the readathon will take place from October 7 to October 21. There’s a bingo board with 12 bookish prompts and four non-bookish prompts. I’m going to try and clear the board, and to make it even more challenging, I’ll be reading a different book for each prompt. Let’s jump right into the books I’ll be reading.

Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice by Katie Cicatelli-Kuc
Not only does the synopsis say this book is perfect for fans of Gilmore Girls, but it’s also set in a charming village in New England. I’m interpreting “village” as a small town. Plus, the title Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice is so fall-coded. I can’t wait to read this story. I’m a little hesitant because it’s a YA novel, which isn’t a genre I’ve been gravitating toward lately, but it does involve coffee and I’m a coffee addict.

Maybe Meant To Be by K.L. Walters
This book takes place at Bexley School and follows best friends Sage and Charlie, who everyone assumes are destined to be together. The cover gives me fall vibes, and I’ve loved pretty much every book I’ve read by this author. I’m anticipating this will be a four or five star read.

Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney
This was a harder prompt for me, but I decided to go with Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney. It’s an adult mystery thriller inspired by Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None. The story revolves around a complicated family who are isolated together, with a killer among them. I don’t think there’s another book on my shelves that fits this prompt as perfectly as this one.

Funny Feelings by Tarah DeWitt
I had quite a few options for this prompt, but I’m trying to stick with cozy fall vibes since that’s what Gilmore Girls embodies for me. This is a single dad romance where he’s her manager and she’s a stand-up comedian. I’ve never read anything by this author, but I’ve been loving single parent romances lately.

A Witch’s Guide to Fake Dating a Demon by Sarah Hawley
For this prompt, I picked a book that I’m really excited to read. Not only does it work for the readathon, but it also matches the witchy vibes of October. I don’t know much about it except that it’s a cozy fantasy fake-dating romance.

Business Casual by BK Borison
This is the last book in the Lovelight Farms small-town romance series. Each book in the series is set during a specific season, and this one takes place in the autumn. So, of course, October is the perfect time to read it! The last two books I read from this series had dual perspectives, so I’m assuming this one will as well. If not, I’ll switch it out with another book.

Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett
This is another book I cannot wait to dive into! Even though the hardback version doesn’t have leaves on the cover, my copy—the Barnes and Noble exclusive paperback edition—certainly does. I read the first book in this series earlier this year, so I’m happy to be making progress on a series I’ve already started. This is a cozy fantasy series, and I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to finish the book fairly quickly.

The Pumpkin Spice Café by Laurie Gilmore
Honestly, everyone is talking about how good this book is and how it’s very Gilmore Girls-inspired. I don’t know much about the plot except that it’s a small-town spicy romance, but I’m excited to read it for the readathon.

A Winter in New York by Josie Silver
Winter is my favorite season, so I had to pick a book that screamed wintertime to me. That’s why I chose a book with “winter” literally in the title. I’m hoping to love this book! All I know is that there’s a secret family recipe and a romance, but I think it’ll be a really cute read with some depth to the plot and characters.

The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose
Of course, I have to include a thriller on my TBR. The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose is being adapted into a movie. I believe Netflix is behind it, but I’m not entirely sure which streaming platform will be making the film. Still, this is a book I’ve wanted to read for a while, and I’m glad I will finally, hopefully, be getting to it.

A Dark and Drowning Tide by Allison Saft
I had a few books that fit this prompt, but this one seemed like it was made for a Gilmore Girls readathon since the main character’s name is Lorelei. This is a dark academia novel involving murder and an expedition. It seems like it will fit well with the spooky season, so I’m looking forward to it.

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
Lastly, I have to finish a series I’m in the middle of, and what better time than spooky season to complete the Twilight saga? The final book was released in 2008, so it fits the prompt perfectly. I’ll definitely be rewatching the movies this month, making it an easy choice.

There you have it, all the books I’ll be reading for the Gilmore Girls Readathon. I really hope you all participate because this readathon is very near and dear to my heart. You can join the Discord to let me know what you’re reading and discuss the group book. Please leave a comment letting me know what you’re reading in October, and hit the follow button so you never miss a post.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Little Witches | Book Review

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About The Book
Jo, Beth, Amy, and Meg March are four sisters practicing witchcraft in secret while living in Concord during the Civil War. When a witchfinder named Mr. Laurence moves in next door, the girls fear for their safety, but he and his grandson, Laurie, turn out to be allies. As winter sets in, missing objects become missing people, and Jo and Laurie discover a powerful magic threatening the town. Together, they must confront it before it’s too late.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3BtPaO5

My Rating

I love retellings, the story of Little Women, and witches, so a graphic novel that combines all three is amazing. I picked up the book on a whim, hoping for a fun and sweet story, and it delivered just that.

The plot wasn’t intense or super exciting, but it was a very original take on the classic. It took the characters I know and love and added this cool magic element to their lives.

I think the author stayed true to the characters’ original personalities, which is something I always appreciate when reading retellings. And while the plot was similar to the original story, it was different enough to feel new and unique.

“We Marches are all very law-abiding.”

It was such a quick read that you can finish it in one sitting, and the artwork is fantastic. The writing didn’t feel too young, which I appreciated since this is more of a middle-grade graphic novel. As an older reader, I enjoyed it, but I can see younger readers liking it as well.

Overall, this isn’t one of the most amazing books I’ve ever read, and it probably won’t stick with me for years to come, but that’s okay. I had a good time reading it, and it’s a book I’d be happy to add to my bookshelf. It’s certainly one of my favorite Little Women retellings.

In the comments, leave me some Little Women retelling recommendations! Don’t forget to like and share this post, and hit the follow button so you never miss an update.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Mean Girls | Bookish Memes

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Hi Friends,
Happy Mean Girls Day! If you’re a fan of this classic 2000s film, then you’ll know that one of the most famous lines from the movie is “On October 3rd, he asked me what day it was.” Thus, the unofficial holiday known as Mean Girls Day was born. I thought it would be fun to share some bookish memes I created, inspired by the movie.

I hope that you enjoyed this post! Please leave me a comment letting me know your favorite line from the movie. Remember, you’re all fetch. Yes, I’m still trying to make fetch happen. Don’t forget to like and share this post because it really helps get my blog out there. You can show your support for my blog by hitting the follow button.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

The Hysterical Girls Of St. Bernadette’s | Book Review

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About The Book
For over a hundred years, St. Bernadette’s has shaped the best and brightest girls. Then, the screaming starts. Seventeen students fall victim, including Khadijah’s sister and Rachel herself. As hysteria spreads, Khad and Rachel must uncover the school’s dark secrets to stop the terror. But something sinister is lurking, waiting for its next victim.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/4eoFLGb

My Rating

Thank you to the publisher and author for providing me with an ARC of ‘The Hysterical Girls of St. Bernadette’s’. While I’m grateful for the opportunity to read it early, please know that all thoughts and opinions expressed here are entirely my own and remain honest and unbiased.

I loved how the story began. It was captivating and made me eager to know what would happen next. It follows two perspectives, Rachel and Khadijah, who lead different lives but both attend St. Bernadette’s. After a traumatic event, Khadijah becomes silent and guarded, and the random screaming at school deeply affects her.

Rachel is raised by a sophisticated single mother who pressures her to excel and get into a top university. She feels overwhelmed and wants to rebel against her mother’s expectations and criticism. At first, she dismisses the screaming as unimportant but starts to think there might be more to it. Both girls have fascinating lives and perspectives.

Usually one of my biggest annoyances in any book that has dual perspectives is when the two characters don’t interact. It feels as though there are two separate storylines going on at once. But in this book, it worked because of the subject matter. I don’t want to give too much away, but it basically shows how to people can be going through the same thing, seeing each other everyday, and not even know what they share.

“What matters is what I know to be true.”

I feel like by the 50% mark, the book really kicked up the pace, and that is when I couldn’t put the book down. Even though it deals with such a heavy topic, there is the mystery element that I think really helps the story from being super serious. However, there were times when I felt for these girls, and they truly did feel like real people. Although some of the things in the story are fiction, the root of the plot is very much true, and could hit close to home for some readers.

The author knew how to tell this story in such a way that I think a lot of teenagers will find interesting. She crafted an intense, heartbreaking, and interesting story, that is part supernatural mystery, and part coming-of-age contemporary. It really gets you thinking in almost the way I feel that a non-fiction book dealing with similar topics would. It’s a very original story that I know will stick with me.

Overall, this is such a good book, and while I don’t have a deep personal connection to it, I know others might. The author tackles serious real-world issues in a thoughtful way, and the paranormal mystery elements make it less overwhelming to read. I wouldn’t classify this as horror, but it’s still impactful and engaging. Be sure to check the content warnings before diving in, and despite not typically loving books with such heavy themes, I can see myself recommending this one to others.

Let me know in the comments if this book is on your TBR! Also, the audiobook is available on Everand, and as always, you can use my link (click here) to get a free trial of the service. Don’t forget to like and share this post and follow the blog for more book reviews!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Violet Beauregarde | Halloween Tutorial

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Hi Friends,
The spooky season has begun, and I’m back with another Halloween makeup tutorial! Today’s look is inspired by Violet from ‘Charlie And the Chocolate Factory‘. I wanted to keep this one simple, so I created a look that can be done last minute. If you’re in need of a quick Halloween costume, this tutorial will help. I think it turned out pretty well, and I hope you do too!

Base
You can start by doing your everyday primer, foundation, concealer, and setting powder routine. For the cheeks, aim for a very glowy and rosy look. The Tarte face palette I used is unfortunately discontinued, but I recommend the e.l.f. Primer Infused Blush in Always Vibrant and the Revolution Beauty Reloaded Pressed Powder Highlighter in Make an Impact.

Eyes
I used a combination of shades from the Urban Decay Naked palette, which has also been discontinued, but you can use the Naked Reloaded palette as a substitute. Apply the shade Bucked in the crease and Angel Fire all over the lid. To add a pop of purple, I used the shade Filtered from the ColourPop Lilac You a Lot Shadow Palette in the crease. Make sure to blend everything together well. Finally, add black eyeliner to your top and bottom lash lines and finish with black mascara.

Special Effect
To get the “turning violet” effect, I used the ColourPop Lilac You a Lot Shadow Palette. I started at the nose and blended outward. You can go as far out as you’d like, but the goal is to look like you’re turning violet. I began with the shade Cloud, then layered a combination of Iffy and Filtered on top. I added a touch of Trainwreck to the nose and blended the edges with Imagine That.

Lips
For the lips, I used Revlon’s Super Lustrous Lipstick in Va Va Violet, which I thought suited the look best. However, a more natural or pink-toned lipstick would work just as well!

If you recreate the look, please leave a comment and let me know! And if you’re into Halloween or book-themed makeup looks, don’t forget to like, share, and follow!

6 Romance Books I’ll Fall In Love With

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Hi Friends,
September 28th marked 20 years since Jesse McCartney’s Beautiful Soul album was released. While the Internet lists various dates for the album’s release, Jesse himself confirmed that it was released on September 28, 2004. Back in the day, my sister and I loved the show Summerland, and when I was thirteen, I attended one of Jesse McCartney’s very first concerts. In honor of the 20th anniversary, I decided to share six romances that I’m pretty sure I will love!


This Spells Love By Kate Robb
“A young woman tries to heal her heartbreak by casting a spell to erase her ex from her past, but she wakes up in an alternate reality where she’s lost more than she wished for in this witty, whimsical friends-to-lovers debut.”

This magical realism romcom sounds perfect for me; everything about the premise is right up my alley.

The Nanny By Lana Ferguson
“A woman discovers the father of the child she is nannying may be her biggest (Only)Fan in this steamy contemporary romance by Lana Ferguson.”

Give me a single-dad romance with spice, and I’ll be happy! I also believe this is an age-gap romance, which has been one of my favorite tropes lately.

Delilah Green Doesn’t Care By Ashley Herring Blake
“A clever and steamy queer romantic comedy about taking chances and accepting love—with all its complications—from the author of Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail.”

I’m not sure where I first heard about this book, but it’s been on my radar for the past year. I know it’s a favorite sapphic romance for many, and it apparently features the one-bed trope.


The Comeback By Lily Chu
“Who is Ariadne Hui? Laser-focused lawyer diligently climbing the corporate ladder? The “perfect” daughter living out her father’s dream? Shocking love interest of South Korea’s hottest star?”

I previously read a book by this author that I gave five stars, so I’m hopeful I’ll love this one too. It is a celebrity-regular person romance, which is a plot that I’ve enjoyed before.

The Love of My Afterlife By Kirsty Greenwood
“A recently deceased woman meets “the one” in the afterlife waiting room, scoring a second chance at life (and love!) if she can find him on earth before ten days are up.”

This book became popular out of nowhere, and it’s another cute magical realism adult romance. As you can tell, magical realism has become one of my favorite genres, and I’m curious about all the hype surrounding this book.

Love in the Time of Serial Killers By Alicia Thompson
“Turns out that reading nothing but true crime isn’t exactly conducive to modern dating—and one woman is going to have to learn how to give love a chance when she’s used to suspecting the worst.”

I’ve heard mixed things about this book, but the synopsis and title make me think it’ll be a cheesy, silly Hallmark movie and I don’t mind that at all. Some of my favorite romances have that feel-good vibe!

There you have it, six adult romcoms that I’m sure will become new favorites of mine. If you’ve read any of these books, let me know in the comments below. Don’t forget that liking and sharing this post helps it reach other book lovers. If you want to be part of my bookish community, please hit the follow button!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Join Me For Blogtober 2024

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Hi Friends,
I am happy to announce that I will be doing Blogtober! If you’re not familiar with Blogtober, it’s a trend in the blogging community where you post every day in October. I always like to ask on my socials if this is something you’d be interested in and my bookish friends said yes!

So, I will be posting every day in October; at least that’s the goal. I always try my hardest to keep up with blogging events like this, but sometimes life gets in the way. Please come back every day in October to read my new posts or even better, follow the blog to get notified whenever a new post goes up.

You can also join my Fable romantasy book club and participate in the October Gilmore Girls readathon that I created. If you’re doing Blogtober as well, please let me know in the comments below. I would love to support other book bloggers like myself!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

A Magic Steeped in Poison | Book Review

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About The Book
Desperate to save her sister from a deadly poison, Ning enters a competition to become the kingdom’s top shennong-shi, a master of magical tea-making. The winner gets a favor from the princess, which may be her only chance. But as Ning navigates ruthless competitors, deadly politics, and a mysterious boy with a dangerous secret, she may be the one in the most danger.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3N25DM0

My Rating

In my opinion, this book is a hidden gem in the fantasy world, and I’m excited to see how the duology wraps up. What grabbed me right away was the unique and captivating plot. It’s unlike anything I’ve read before and follows a determined main character on a high-stakes mission to cure her sister from a mysterious poison. The urgency of the quest and all the twists and turns kept me hooked from beginning to end.

As for our main character, Ning, she was likable, though I’ve seen stronger female leads in other books. I felt there wasn’t a ton of character growth throughout the story. That said, her devotion to her sister and willingness to do whatever it takes for her family made her easy to root for.

The writing was excellent. Judy I. Lin’s style is vivid and really pulls you in. While I’m not usually a fan of a lot of world-building, I get that it’s needed for the first book in a fantasy series. The author handled it well, giving a solid base for what’s to come in the next book.

“There is a difference between living the suffering and reading about it.”

Now, let’s talk about the romance subplot. I was really glad it didn’t take over the story but still played an important role. We didn’t get to know the love interest very deeply, but I’m happy it wasn’t one of those insta-love situations. Ning felt a connection to him, but her priority stayed on saving her sister.

The plot twists definitely caught me off guard, and the last few chapters were super fast-paced and full of action. The ending left me completely shocked, and now I have to know what happens next. I have no idea where the story is going from here, but I can’t wait to find out.

Overall, I think this book deserves more attention. It’s got so many things I love in a fantasy series, including a unique plot, likable characters, a well-balanced romance, and an ending that sticks with you. I’d totally recommend it to anyone looking for an underrated fantasy read.

Let me know in the comments if you’ve read this book. Don’t forget to like and share this post with fellow book lovers. And if you want to get notified when there’s a new post, follow my blog.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny