Reading for Comfort

Is anyone else like me where when life gets just a little too much to handle... a little too "real,"  you just try to lose yourself in a book?  That's been my go-to escapism move for as long as I can remember. 

Last week when I found myself bemoaning the horrid weather we've been having this January in New England and work got a little extra stressful, I found myself longing to just dive into some comforting books.

So...with my 2018 Books I Already Own Challenge this threw me off my game a little bit.  I wanted to try as much as possible to stick within the parameters of my challenge and yet still have the freedom to read books I knew without a doubt would leave me feeling a little more lighthearted.  So, what did I end up reading?

The first book was an easy choice, since it wasn't really a choice at all! I may or may not have mentioned that I run the Cozy Mystery Book Bunch book club at my library.  Once a month I get to read a cozy and have a discussion with other readers about its plusses, minuses, and hilarious bits... and I get paid! LOVE. 

January's book club choice was Daisies for Innocence by Bailey Cattrell, the first book in the Enchanted Garden mystery series. It was the perfect mix of light fun, cute pets, hints of magic, and murder. The main character was someone interesting to follow and it reminded me how much I like to dabble with aromatherapy knowledge. I thoroughly enjoyed it and plan to read the second book in the series... in 2019. 

The other book I picked up to lighten my mood was the novella prequel to the Secret World of Alaina Downs series, The Princess and the Stableboy by Rebecca Rynecki.  Technically, I've read this one already a few years ago, so it was a re-read, but it was my first time reading it since it was officially printed.  Rebecca is one of my good friends and writing partners and I was actually a beta reader for this novella.  Such a different experience to read it again all pretty and formatted correctly!

Anyway, this series is one set in the fantasy world of Isleen, where magic abound and adventure and romance are always around the next corner.  I knew exactly what I was going to find in this re-read.  Evil wizards, a princess learning that she can survive horrifying things, and a sweet romance blossoming into true love.  *sigh*  One of my happy reading places. 

I was so happy that technically I didn't jump off my challenge path to find solace in my reading choices!  Even this morning when I looked at the next book on my list and wasn't quite feeling it, I was able to hunt for another book that I own to take it's place, so I'm still on track! 

Cover Reveal - The Princess and the Stableboy!

SO, my friend Rebecca Rynecki announced on her blog today the (gorgeous) cover and synopsis for her upcoming book, The Princess and the Stableboy. I just had to share...

Isn't it gorgeous.  Totally matches the others in the series and I love the little dragon detail...
As if that weren't enough, check out the back cover!

I love it and it's not just visually appealing, I swear! Here's the synopsis:

Once upon a time, before Alaina fell into Isleen...

There was a kingdom devoid of magic...

Until one day when Astra, the princess of Isleen is awoken by dragons flying by her window. She escapes with the help of Peter, a stableboy who is hiding a few secrets of his own.

The land is thrust into peril. The wizards Uther and Avalon have returned from their banishment by unknown forces, and they are determined to take over once more...even if it means turning most of the people into ogres.

Astra finds herself fighting for her home in an ages old fairy tale of good, evil...and love. 

This one's not coming out until this fall, but in honor of the cover reveal, the other two books in the series, The Secret World of Alaina Downs and The Knight's Ill-Thought Bargain are both .99 from the 14th till the 30th of June! You can find them ready for download at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and All Romance Ebooks.

Giveaway - The Knight's Ill-Thought Bargain

Today is the release day for book two in Rebecca Rynecki's Alaina Downs series.  I'm so happy to see it in print and out in ebook, so...I'm giving away a copy!

Check it out:

The Knight's Ill-Thought Bargain

by Rebecca Rynecki

Alaina Downs, book two 

 



Teaser synopsis:
Two years have passed since Alaina and Gabriel left, and forty years have passed in Isleen. The King is dead. The Queen's powers have weakened. And Gabriel faces the consequences of his bargain. Among dragons, evil witches and a sorceress intent on taking over the world, Alaina has to save Isleen...again. (description from Amazon.com)

While this book is darker in tone than the first, The Secret World of Alaina Downs, I loved being able to jump back into Alaina and Gabriel's story. In their return to Isleen, Alaina and Gabriel meet a lot of familiar characters from the first book, though we see them in slightly different ways now.  A lot of things have changed in the time they've been away... including themselves. 

In fact, I loved the beginning of this book because we get to see Alaina and Gabriel living in our world. I found myself giggling a lot as I read about Gabriel's attempts to adjust to life here...and then sympathizing when he found himself floundering, just like Alaina had in Isleen. This book really focused in on how the two main characters interact with each other and built their relationship to be even stronger...even as they found themselves in danger once again. 

There were still moments that reminded me of The Princess Bride in this book, though I found myself much more emotionally wraught throughout the second half...by the time I reached the ending, I felt like I'd been through the wringer! Every emotion you could hope to experience in a love story (a real life one, not a fairy tale...) can be found here.  You will laugh, you will cry, and you will shake your fist at the sky...

So... Want a chance to read it for yourself??
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don't forget to check out the author's blog!
Full disclosure: Personal friend/writing partner of author.