*Christina Henry's Black Spring Blog Tour* Giveaway, Excerpt, and Review

My apologies to Let's Talk! Promotions and Christina Henry for not posting this 

on my actual date. My brain took an unnecessary vacation from reality and totally

forgot to schedule this post! Better a little late, than not at all!

Today, I am featuring a snippet of Black Spring, a full review, and a tour wide

giveaway that you can't miss out on! Make sure you travel all the way to the bottom

of this post to get the 411 on the giveaway!

Thank you, as always, for stopping by and checking out my post!

BLACK SPRING (Black Wings #7)

Publication date: October 28, 2014

ISBN: 9780425266786

BLACK SPRING blurb:

A former Agent of death, Madeline Black now has everything to live for, most importantly, her unborn child. But Chicago has become ground zero in a struggle between ancient creatures, and only Maddy can stop the carnage…

The mayor of Chicago has announced a plan to round up the city’s supernatural beings and put them in camps. With her due date looming, Maddy’s best move would be to lay low for a while. But not everyone is willing to respect her privacy. Hounded by tentacled monsters, a rogue shapeshifter, and a tenacious blogger, Maddy turns to her most powerful ally, her uncle Daharan, only to find him missing.

Just when it seems like things can’t get any worse, Maddy gets an invitation in the mail—to Lucifer’s wedding. Turns out everyone has been invited, friends and enemies alike. And with that kind of guest list, it’s highly unlikely there will be a happily ever after.

*~*REVIEW*~*

**I received this book for free from Let's Talk! Promotions/Ace in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!! This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**

*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5

*My Thoughts*

Black Spring is the apparent finale to the Black Wings series that has seen the rise of Madeline (Maddy) Black from poor food critique, to being an Agent of Death like her mother, to saving Chicago from Vampires, and soon she will be a mother to a baby with unknown abilities and power thanks to her relationship with Gabriel. With this being the series finale, Maddy once again faces some interesting challenges with her friends Nathaniel, Beezle, Samiel, Jude, and J.B alongside.

Jack Debrowski, supernatural blogger, won't go away and wants Maddy to become the intermediary between humans and Chicago's supernaturals. An unknown shifter focuses all his attention on destroying Maddy & her gang. The mayor of Chicago wants to register, IE, put all the supernaturals of Chicago into a gulag and the number one person at the top of that list, might be Maddy herself since she's the most visible. If that weren't enough, Maddy and gang are mandated to attend Lucifer's wedding where anyone who has ever had a beef with Maddy will be in attendance. What could possibly go wrong?

Maddy never, ever takes things the easy way out. She's more like the Hulk, smashing, and burning down things in order to save not only herself, but her rag tag gang of supernatural misfits. She's been forced to face some of the most powerful group of supernatural villains ever created in one series. The one thing that she knows for sure, however, is that Lucifer's machinations would finally reveal themselves in all their glory. Nobody who has followed this series should be surprised by anything that happens right up until the very last page.

It is that time for me to admit that I was bored with Beezle this time out. For the past 7 novels, he has been the comic relief in times of great distress and times where Maddy questioned her abilities and whether or she was actually a good person. Often times, however, I roll my eyes, and shout SHUT UP! at the book because it's a little over the top. Thankfully, there are some good things about him, and probably outweighs the strange commentary.

I have found myself struggling with Maddy's relationship with Nathaniel for several books now. I have a long memory of things he's done in the past and just the mention of Gabriel's time with Maddy brings mist to my eyes. I guess it is time to expect that nothing will ever bring Gabriel back, and Maddy seems attached to the hip with Nathaniel now. He is extremely protective of her, and really does try to make her understand that she doesn't have to fight the good fight alone any longer, nor does she necessarily have to destroy everything in her path to defeat her enemies. If you've read this series, then you know about J.B. He's a good guy, but perhaps not what Maddy needs to protect her baby. I was truly hoping for a happy ending for J.B. who definitely deserves it for all the trouble Maddy has caused over the course of this series.

In the end, Black Spring ties up most of the loose ends, including Jude's past, and Lucifer's end game. It is a bit on the predictable side. I did like that Daharan was exactly as Maddy had hoped; someone who can ensure that Lucifer and his brothers don't gain an advantage over her, and protects her baby from being used as a pawn. Obviously, if you have made it to this point in the series, you definitely must read Black Spring right to the final page to see how Christina Henry ends her series.

Expected publication: October 28th 2014 by Ace

“I told you to leave me alone,” I said to Jack.

“And I told you that I wasn’t going to stop,” Jack said, his feet dangling above the ground. “Hey, can you get your goon to let me down? It’s kind of hard to breathe when I’m in this position.” 

“It’s kind of hard to breathe when angry supernatural creatures decide to punish you for not leaving well enough alone,” I said, but I nodded at Nathaniel to release Jack. 

He did so, but made sure to stand close by and loom over the blogger. Nathaniel looms well. His height—well over six feet—helps with that. 

Jude gave Jack a pointed look and growled. Jack gave Jude a nervous glance and backed away a few inches, which  naturally caused him to bump into Nathaniel. He glanced up at Nathaniel’s cold, hard face, muttered, “Sorry,” and tried to find a position far from both Jude and Nathaniel. 

Since we were all crowded around him in our best menacing fashion, this necessitated a lot of uncertain shuffling on his part. I watched him with a mixture of amusement and frustration. He was so far out of his depth, but he refused to be scared away. 

CHRISTINA HENRY is the author of the BLACK WINGS series (Ace/Roc) featuring Madeline Black, an Agent of Death, and her popcorn-loving gargoyle sidekick Beezle: BLACK WINGS, BLACK NIGHT, BLACK HOWL, BLACK LAMENT, BLACK CITY, BLACK HEART and BLACK SPRING. She is also the author of the forthcoming dark fantasy ALICE (summer 2015).

Christina was born in New York and now lives on the North Side of Chicago with her husband and son. She sees no conflict in rooting for both the Yankees and the Cubs.

She also enjoys running long distances, eating large quantities of cinnamon rolls, reading anything she can get her hands on and watching movies with zombies, samurai and/or subtitles. 

Giveaway info:

We are running a HUGE giveaway hop! Feel free to share the widget below with your tour post. The details!

- 1 winner will receive a tote from Penguin with all 7 books in the series

- 1 winner will receive a signed SET of all 7 books from Christina Henry PLUS a $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble

- 2 winners will receive a signed SET of all 7 books from Christina Henry

- Giveaway hop will run Oct. 6 to Nov. 7, and we will pick the lucky winners. You don’t have to do anything but share! And if you do share, let me know what your twitter handle and/or Facebook page links are and I will add to the widget entry options.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

#Review - When the Crow's Away by Auralee Wallace #Mystery #Cozy

Series: Evenfall Witches B&B Mystery # 2
Format: Mass Market, 304 pages
Release Date: April 5, 2022
Publisher: Berkley Books
Source: Library
Genre: Cozy Mystery / Supernatural

The ghost of a recently deceased chocolatier believes he was murdered, and it's up to young witch Brynn Warren to use her magical gifts and old-fashioned sleuthing skills to find out how he really met his bitter end in this enchanting new Evenfall Witches B&B Mystery.

After spending months unable to use her powers, Brynn Warren is once again using her gift and working at her family's bed-and-breakfast. Her heart is full, and although one of her aunts wonders if it might be a little more full with a bit of romance in her life, Brynn is certain that finding love again is not in her future. In fact, she can’t imagine anyone being more certain of anything…except for maybe, the recently deceased Mortimer Sweete. He’s certain he’s been murdered, and he wants Brynn’s help to bring his killer to justice.
 
Mort is positive he knows who killed him: his business partner's wife, Cookie, who had been trying to get them to sell the candy shop for months. But Brynn doesn't share his conviction. After all, the coroner ruled his death natural causes, and Mort did have health problems in life. But with Cookie putting up a For Sale sign for the shop already, Brynn knows she can't just let it go. 
 
Trying to solve a might-be murder while attempting to stop her aunt from meddling in her personal life seems like a recipe for disaster. If Brynn wants to bring Mort's spirit peace, she'll have to rely on all her skills—both magical and mundane—to uncover the truth.

When the Crow's Away, by Auralee Wallace, is the second installment in the authors Evenfall Witches B&B Mystery series. For four hundred years, the Warren witches have used their magic to quietly help the citizens of the sleepy New England town of Evenfall thrive. There's never been a problem they couldn't handle. Then a new case is dropped in their laps.The ghost of a recently deceased chocolatier named Mortimore Sweete believes he was murdered, and it's up to young witch Brynn Warren, who is a witch of the dead, to use her magical gifts and old-fashioned sleuthing skills to find out how he really met his bitter end.

 

Mort is positive he knows who killed him: his business partner's wife, Cookie, who had been trying to get them to sell the candy shop for months. But Brynn doesn't share his conviction. After all, the coroner ruled his death natural causes, and Mort did have health problems in life. But with Cookie putting up a For Sale sign for the shop already, Brynn knows she can't just let it go. Despite the magic at her disposal, Brynn will heavily rely on traditional mystery-solving methods as well as the constant badgering by Mort and his refusal to speak to his widowed wife.

 

Prior to Mort's arrival, Brynn had been feeling as though something was about to happen that would once again test the mettle of the of the Warren witches. In fact, it seems as though Aunt Izzy (who is a kitchen witch) and Aunt Evanora (who is a garden witch) were pushing Brynn to get out in the world, and find happiness. Even Dog, the annoying Crow, tries to get Brynn out of her funk. There's even Nixie the young woman with blood of a witch hunter who is pushing Brynn into teaching her a spell. And, Gideon, who like Brynn lost his fiancee when she was involved in a car crash with Brynn's parents.

 

There is an intriguing development at the end of the book which ends on a cliffhanger after Brynn finds that her powers are acting strangely. Could it be the new person in town? The next book ought to be very interesting. The murder mystery in this book was rather intriguing, and the so called villain may not be who you think it is. As with most cozy mysteries, the characters in this book range from the utterly crazy, to raving lunatics, and that's just Brynn's Aunt's who want the best for Brynn, but tend to go way, way overboard! Of course, the next door neighbor is more than he seems which I won't spoil.

 

Chapter 1

Pink and peach clouds, fiery in the sun's dying rays, rolled slowly across the baby blue sky. A riot of birdsong rang out from the trees as a gentle breeze twirled fluffy seedpods in the air. Spring had finally come to Evenfall, Connecticut.

"I just love this time of year," the woman beside me said. "That feeling of warm sunlight on your face. The sight of all the flowers popping up their sleepy heads. The smell of rich, fresh earth bursting with new life." She sighed happily. "Isn't it just magical?"

"I've never cared for it."

I darted a look over to the woman seated on my other side, doing my best to suppress a smile. Some things never changed. While my aunt Izzy tended to see the very best in everyone and everything, my aunt Nora, well, she made an art form out of being perpetually unimpressed.

Then there was me. I was right in the middle. Literally.

I was seated between the two of them on the back porch of our family's Queen Anne tower house, Ivywood Hollow Bed and Breakfast. My aunts had suggested we come outside to enjoy the spectacular sunset. It was hard to say if we were succeeding in that particular goal just yet.

"But it's spring," Izzy persisted. "What is there not to like about spring?"

"Quite a bit actually," Nora said, flashing her long, crimson fingernails in the air. "Where should I begin? The sun is blinding in the early morning hours. You can't work in the garden without getting completely covered in mud. And then there is all this nonstop twittering." She cast a disapproving glance at the trees.

In fairness, she was more of an autumn person.

Izzy sat up in her seat. "Well, all that may be true, but-"

"Then there's the people," Nora went on, not quite through with her rant. She propped an elbow on the armrest of her chair and pointed at us. "Everyone behaves so nonsensically this time of year. They're practically overflowing with hope and excitement. And for what? A mild breeze and a bit of sunshine? Ridiculous." Suddenly a bluebird swooped in out of nowhere and landed on Nora's finger. She blinked at it. "You, my tiny feathered friend, are only proving my point."

The bird twittered prettily, then flew away.

"But, Nora," Izzy said with a nervous laugh, "wasn't it your idea for us to come out here to enjoy all that spring has to offer?"

"Oh no, Sister. Don't you dare try to pin this on me."

I frowned. Pin what on who now?

Izzy huffed a breath. "I knew I shouldn't have included you in this." Her eyes widened when she caught me looking at her. "In this viewing of the sunset," she added awkwardly before looking back at Nora. "You haven't liked spring since high school. Wasn't it your junior year when-"

"Absolutely nothing happened." Nora pulled down her oversized black sunglasses to give her sister a ferocious look. "And I do not hate spring." She pushed her sunglasses back up and laid her forearms delicately on the armrests of her chair. "I simply think it's overrated."

Izzy held up her hands in defeat.

"Wait, what are we talking about?" I asked, finally getting a word in. There was clearly a great deal being communicated under the surface here. I had a lot of questions, but I opted to start with, "What happened junior year?"

"Absolutely nothing," Nora repeated in a clipped tone.

I twirled my long black braid between my fingers as I looked back and forth between my aunts.

The two of them painted a contrasting picture. Nora was looking rather elegant this evening-if not a touch severe-in her black silk jumpsuit. She had her fiery red hair twisted up into a tight bun on the top of her head, accentuating her long neck and perfect posture. Izzy, in comparison, appeared fresh and sweet in her pink floral dress with ruffled hem. Her strawberry blond hair sat loose and curling about her shoulders, wavering charmingly in the breeze.

I had to admit I felt a bit shabby in my wrap sweater and jersey leggings. But, in fairness, no one had told me I needed to dress for the occasion. Not that this was an occasion. We were just taking in the sunset. At least I thought that's what we were doing. Suddenly I wasn't so sure.

"Why are we even talking about spring? Or unremarkable junior years?" Nora asked grumpily. "I thought we were supposed to be out here talking about Brynn?"

And there it was. I should have known.

I gripped the armrests of my wingback rattan chair to force myself up into a less relaxed posture. "And what is it exactly about me that needs discussion?"

"I have no idea what your aunt is talking about," Izzy said, forcing an overly bright smile. "Have you tried the tea, darling?" She reached for a cut glass mug. "It's a ginger and jasmine mix. I flavored it with honey, cloves, orange slices, blackberries, and just a touch of red pepper for heat."

I eyed the tall pitcher filled with amber liquid, sparkling in the slanted rays of the setting sun. Beside it sat a plate covered in freshly baked tarts with ruby-colored filling.

"They're raspberry," Izzy prodded, following my gaze. "Your favorite."

They looked delicious. I could practically feel the flaky crust breaking apart in my mouth. But we both knew those weren't just any old tarts. I pinned my aunt in my gaze. Her eyes widened again, this time to unparalleled levels of innocence. It was pretty adorable. But I wasn't about to be distracted by her cuteness. "Izzy? What is going on?"

"Oh, just tell her why you've dragged us out here," Nora said with an exasperated sigh. "I'm about to spontaneously combust in all this golden sunlight."

"Are you sure you don't want to try the tea first, darling? Or the tarts?" Izzy asked hopefully.

I raised an eyebrow. "I think I'll wait."

My aunt sighed, then cleared her throat. "This wasn't quite how I wanted to bring the subject up," she said, cutting her sister a look. "But, well, Brynn, your aunt and I have noticed that you seem distracted lately. Like something might be bothering you."

Was that all this was about? I chuckled with relief.

"And Izzy here has a theory on what that something might be," Nora said with a sniff. "She also has some ideas about how to fix it."

My chuckle died a swift death. My aunts speculating on my well-being was always disconcerting, but the idea of their fixing any of my theoretical problems was downright terrifying. Time to nip this in the bud. "You don't have to come up with any theories. Or ways to fix anything." I stared off into the endless sky beyond the sorbet-colored clouds. "And you don't have to worry. I know I've been a bit distracted lately, but I promise you it's nothing."

"What's nothing?" Nora asked sharply.

I could feel her studying me, but I kept my gaze on the sky. "It's hard to explain, but I've had this funny feeling lately. I think it's the changing of the seasons. Spring fever maybe."

In fairness, I could see why my aunts might be concerned. A few days ago, I had been kneading dough with Izzy, and she had caught me staring off into space. I had been quite still for several minutes without realizing it. Then a day or two after that, I may have snipped the side of my finger with gardening sheers helping Nora trim the dead branches off of a rosebush. It was a little strange. I wasn't normally so careless. When the feeling came on, it was like I had to stop everything I was doing, still all my senses, in order to pick up on whatever it was. It was like listening for a soft noise somewhere in the distance. Or trying to catch a faint scent on the breeze. It almost felt like something might be coming. But the funny thing was, as soon as I did focus on the sensation, the feeling would disappear, like it had never existed at all. Again, I had chalked it up to the season. What is spring if not the feeling of anticipation? I was sure it was nothing to worry about.

I knew my aunts might have a bit of trouble with that though. They had raised me since the age of five after my parents died in a car accident. Worrying was a part of their job description, even if I was now over thirty.

I didn't have to look at Nora to feel her gaze narrow in on me. "Spring fever? Since when do you suffer from spring fever?" The tone in her voice made it sound like we were talking about malaria or maybe West Nile virus. "Are you sure this strange feeling of yours doesn't have something to do with your work?"

"Or maybe something else?" Izzy asked sweetly, clutching her hands to her chest. Stars above, what was going on with her? She was practically batting her eyelashes at me.

I gave her a look that spoke to the fact that I thought she might be a touch dangerous, then said, "I don't know. Maybe."

"You are not doing a very good job of explaining yourself," Nora said.

I let out an exasperated grunt. "Because there's nothing much to explain. I just keep getting this feeling like something is about to happen, but then nothing ever does. Really, you guys don't need to worry." As if on cue, a warm breeze gusted by, making the trees whisper. I eased back against my chair. Hopefully we could let this conversation go now and just enjoy the evening.

"But what is it exactly you think is about to happen?"

I groaned. Loudly. "I don't know. That's what I'm trying to tell you. Oh! Look! Bunny!" I pointed at a small cottontail hopping across the lawn. I darted glances at both my aunts to see if they had spotted it too. But no, they were both still focused on me with matching expressions of concern. "What? Now we don't like bunnies?"

"They eat my vegetables," Nora replied. "Don't change the subject. You do realize that we Warren women are not ones to ignore feelings. Have you spoken to your uncle about this?"

"No, I haven't told Gideon anything. There's no reason to. It's nothing. I'm sure of it." I really was sure. The whole thing was silly. But at least I was getting some tarts out of it. I reached for the biggest one on the plate, picked it up, and took my long-awaited bite. Chills rushed over my body. It was beyond good. Sweet. Tart. Buttery. It was also, funnily enough, quite relaxing, and encouraging, and dare I say, prodding. Like suddenly I had the urge to give up all my secrets.

I shot Izzy a look.

She smiled and scratched the back of her neck.

"Why didn't you guys just ask me what was going on?" I mumbled, bringing a hand up to cover my mouth. "You didn't have to plan this elaborate ruse." Truth be told, though, I already knew why. Not that long ago I had gone through the darkest period of my life, and I hadn't shared much of anything with my family, but I had come a long way since then. They knew that.

"We didn't know how you would react, darling. You can be quite private."

I swallowed hard and wiped the crumbs from my mouth and then my lap. "Okay, well, next time just talk to me." I held my hands up. "Really. I have nothing to hide." I turned my palms inward, looking at the crumbs all over my fingers, then quickly grabbed a napkin. "Now, tell me. What was your theory on what was bothering me?"

"It's nothing," Izzy said, shaking her head so quickly it almost looked like a shudder.

I was about to interrogate her further but was distracted by a young couple entering the garden from the side gate. They were newlyweds spending a couple of days at the B&B. Neither one had spotted us yet. They only had eyes for each other.

"They are so sweet together," Izzy mused, a dreamy look coming over her face.

My chest tightened.

They were so sweet together, and so much in love. It was impossible not to see it. It was in every gesture, the way the distance between them closed when they entered a room, the look in their eyes when they said each other's names, even in the way they held hands. It was precious. Truly precious. I had been in love like that once.

"Ridiculous," Nora muttered.

I smiled.

We watched the couple in silence for a little while before Izzy asked, "Don't you think they're sweet together, Brynn?"

I shot up in my seat. Wait a minute.

"What?" Izzy asked nervously. "What is it?"

"Did you know those two would be out here? Is that what you really wanted to talk about? Love?" I was using the same tone to speak about love that Nora had used when she was talking about spring.

Izzy's hand flew to her chest. "Brynn, do you really think I would be so conniving as to have that sweet young couple involved in some sort of scheme?"

"Hello!" the young man called out to her with a friendly wave. "Did we come at the right time?"

Nora laughed. Actually, it was more of a cackle.

Izzy smiled weakly. "Yes, just in time for the sunset. Lovely, isn't it?" She sank back into her chair. "Nora is so much better at conniving."

"I'll take that as a compliment," her sister replied, turning her face to the sun.

"Listen," I said in a much gentler tone, "I can see what it is you're trying to do here, and I know you mean well, but you are way off base."

I watched the newlywed husband lower a branch from our magnolia tree for his wife to see up close. Just as it neared her sightline, I heard Nora whisper something under her breath, and one of the pink buds swirled open, much to the couple's delight.

When Nora caught me looking at her, she shrugged and rolled her eyes.

"But, darling," Izzy said, stealing back my attention. "It has been some time now. Isn't there a part of you that misses it?"

"Of course I miss it. I miss him. The two can't be separated for me." That was the simple truth of it. I had lost my husband, Adam, to an undiagnosed congenital heart defect almost two years ago. It was a devastating loss. In truth, it had nearly killed me, but I had come a long way since then. I gave my aunt what I hoped was a reassuring smile. "But I can miss those things without feeling like my life is missing something. I am at peace with where I am now. I've had the greatest love anyone could ask for. And even though that part of my life is over, I'm grateful to have had it." I meant the words deeply. It wasn't something I had ever articulated out loud, but I was glad I finally had so that my aunts could understand.

Amazon | Audible | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

#Review - Crystal Kingdom by Amanda Hocking (Young Adult, Fantasy)

Series: Kanin Chronicles # 3
Format: E-Galley, 432 pages
Release Date: August 4, 2015
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Cast out by her kingdom and far from home, she's the Kanin people's only hope.

Bryn Aven - unjustly charged with murder and treason - is on the run. The one person who can help is her greatest enemy, the enigmatic Konstantin Black. Konstantin is her only ally against those who have taken over her kingdom and threaten to destroy everything she holds dear. But can she trust him?

As Bryn fights to clear her name, the Kanin rulers’ darkest secrets are coming to light… and now the entire troll world is on the brink of war. Will it tear Bryn from Ridley Dresden, the only guy she’s ever loved? And can she join forces with Finn Holmes and the Trylle kingdom? One thing is certain: an epic battle is underway—and when it’s complete, nothing will ever be the same…

ONE

friends & enemies

"So, what do you say, white rabbit?” Konstantin Black asked. “Friends?”

He sat on the stool next to me, his gaze unwavering. His thick eyebrows arched hopefully above the dark silver of his eyes, and the coal-black waves of his hair fell over his face as he tilted toward me.

All I could do was gape at him, too stunned to think or move. I didn’t even know if he was really there or not. It would make more sense that I had unknowingly passed out in a random diner in Missouri and I was suffering from a stress- induced nightmare or possibly a lysa.

There was no way that Konstantin could be here with me. Not after I’d spent five days on the run from Doldastam after being arrested for treason and accused of murdering the Skojare Prince Kennet Biâelse and my friend Kasper Abbott.

I’d done everything in my power to stay under the radar—I

only used cash and a burner phone, and I hadn’t even built up the nerve to actually use the phone and call anyone back home yet. I moved constantly and stayed off the grid in dive motels in small towns.

There was no possible way that anyone could’ve found me, not even Konstantin Black.

“Bryn?” Konstantin asked, since I’d done nothing but stare at him for the past minute.

Then, because I had to be sure he was real, I reached out and touched him, pressing on the black leather jacket covering his bicep, and he looked down at my hand in bewilderment. I half expected the coat to give way and him to disappear in a puff of smoke, but instead I felt the firmness of his muscle underneath.

“Are you feeling all right?” He looked back at me with what appeared to be genuine concern in his eyes, but I wasn’t sure if I could trust him. “You really look like death warmed over.”

“That’s how you’re going to sell the idea of friendship? By telling me I look awful?” I asked dryly.

Not that he was wrong. I wasn’t sleeping or eating much, so I was even paler than normal. My attempts at dyeing my hair black to help mask my identity left my normally blond waves an odd gray color, since dye never really took hold in troll hair. The swelling around my left eye had finally gone away, but the bruise had shifted to a putrid yellow color that I wasn’t able to cover completely with makeup.

“I’m selling it with brutal honesty,” he said with a wry smile. “I want you to know that you’ll get nothing but the truth from me.”

I scoffed. “There’s no way in hell I’m gonna believe that.” “Come on, Bryn. Try me.” He rested his forearms on the

counter, almost pleading with me.

“What are you even doing here? What do you want with me?” I demanded.

“I already told you—friendship.”

I rolled my eyes. “Bullshit. Everything is always bullshit with you.”

“How can you say that?” Konstantin shot back, incredulous. “I’ve been nothing but honest with you.”

“Sure, sure. You’ve been nothing but honest when you at- tempted to murder my dad or when you tried to kidnap Linnea.”

He pressed his lips into a thin line. “I already apologized about what happened with your dad.” I glared at him. “Not that anything I say will ever make that okay, but you know that I regret it.”

“How can I know that?” I shook my head. “I don’t really know anything about you.”

“Why are you being so combative?” Konstantin asked, his voice getting louder. “I’m only trying to help.”

“You’re a traitor who’s been working with someone that nearly killed me!” I yelled back, not caring how loud I was being in the small diner.

“Yeah, well, right back at you!” Konstantin shouted.

The waitress came over, interrupting our heated conversation, and set down in front of me the iced tea I’d ordered. She stood with her hand on her hip, eyeing us both with suspicion. Before, she’d looked at me with concern despite her weariness, but with my bad dye job and Konstantin’s agitation, it had to be obvious we were on the run.

“Is everything okay here?” she asked, her eyes flitting back and forth between the two of us.

“Yeah, it’s fine,” Konstantin replied curtly without looking at her.

“Well, you better keep your voices down, before you start upsetting the customers,” she said with a slight Southern drawl, and she slowly turned and walked away.

Konstantin waited until after she had gone to the other end of the diner before speaking. “And I tried to save Linnea.” He sat up straighter, indignant. “I did save her, actually. Without my intervention, she’d most likely be dead.”

From what Linnea had told me, that sounded true enough. Since I couldn’t argue with Konstantin, I turned the stool away from him and focused on my iced tea.

He sighed, then he leaned toward me, and in a voice just above a whisper he said, “I know what you’re going through. Four years ago, I was almost exactly where you are. I know how frightening and lonely it feels when the kingdom turns against you.”

I took a drink from my tea and didn’t say anything, so he went on. “You and I have been on opposite sides for a while,

and I’ve made a lot of wrong choices. But I’m trying to make up for them, and . . . now I’m alone, and you’re alone. So I thought we could be alone together.”

He leaned back away from me. “But I won’t force this. If you wanna go through this all alone, then be my guest. Take on the world by yourself. I won’t fight you.” He reached into his pocket and tossed a few dollars on the counter. “The drink’s on me.”

I heard the stool creak as he got up, but I didn’t look back. Not until I heard the door chime did I turn to watch him walking out the door, into the bright spring day. In a few more seconds he’d be gone, and I’d have no way to contact him or find out what he knew.

So even though I wasn’t sure exactly how this friendship thing would play out, or even if this wasn’t some kind of trick, I knew what I had to do. I cursed under my breath, and then I jumped off the stool and ran out after Konstantin.

Crystal Kingdom is the final installment in the Kanin Chronicles, and things are about to really heat up, and become more intense for protagonist, Bryn Aven. Having been declared a traitor and murderer by her own leaders, Bryn is on the run. She needs time to uncover the final piece of the mystery as to who is ultimately behind everything that has been happening to her, her friends, and her allies in Skojare. If you are looking for a time line update, Crystal Kingdom picks up exactly where Ice Kissed left off with Bryn being asked to make a choice to work with someone she has hated for years, Konstantin Black.

Had it not been for chapter 26's glaring editing and grammatical butchery that turned words into entirely different words that made no sense, this book would have been a full a whole lot better. As it is, I did enjoy this book more than the previous books. I enjoyed watching Bryn discover new allies in the Omte, and negotiating with Queen Wendy of the Trylle for help defeating the Kanin enemies. I enjoyed that Bryn does have friends like Ember and Tilda, and allies like Ridley that she can rely on, and yes, that does include a rather interesting relationship with Konstantin who has been given a raw deal from the very beginning.

I loved how things were tied up nicely without dragging things on, and on, and on. I loved how Bryn really stands up and takes down those who are a threat to her home. Sure she gets hurt a whole lot, again. But she also dishes out what she takes. I loved Bryn and Konstantin together as friends, allies, and yeah, I wouldn't have been displeased with a bit of romance had it taken place. I'm sad that the author kind of showed her cards in who ends up dying in the end. Perhaps there could have been a better way to play that out, especially since this poor character never truly got a chance at the happiness she found. 

Now that this series has been tied up, I wonder if Hocking will explore the Skojare further or maybe the Omte? I mean she went from the Trylle to the Kanin, right? Please don't pick up this book before reading Frostfire and Ice Kissed first. Otherwise, you will be missing a huge part of the background. You will miss why Bryn is so straight forward in what she wants out of life. I truly felt sorry for Bryn over the course of this trilogy. She was a lowly tracker, one of the lowest caste of the Kanin, but still wanted to serve her King.

She was treated badly for being blonde haired and blue eyes, and a half breed. She was put into a situation with her own boss of having to walk away from her career, or find love, finally. She has a friend who finds love, and stands up for her Kingdom, rather than running away. In the end, my favorite characters have to be Ember, and Konstantin. After reading this book, you will find out why.

**I received this book for free from (Publisher) via (NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**

Amazon | Audible | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Wednesday #Review - A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas #YALit #Fantasy

Series: A Court of Thorns and Roses # 3
Format: Kindle, 707 pages
Release Date: May 2, 2017
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Source: Gifted 
Genre: Young Adult Fiction / Fantasy 


Looming war threatens all Feyre holds dear in the third volume of the #1 New York Times bestselling A Court of Thorns and Roses series.

Feyre has returned to the Spring Court, determined to gather information on Tamlin's maneuverings and the invading king threatening to bring Prythian to its knees. But to do so she must play a deadly game of deceit-and one slip may spell doom not only for Feyre, but for her world as well.

As war bears down upon them all, Feyre must decide who to trust amongst the dazzling and lethal High Lords-and hunt for allies in unexpected places.

In this thrilling third book in the #1 New York Times bestselling series from Sarah J. Maas, the earth will be painted red as mighty armies grapple for power over the one thing that could destroy them all. 

A Court of Wings and Ruin is the third installment in author Sarah J Maas' A Court of Thorn and Roses series. A series that does not end with this book, but will continue with other characters in this same universe. The story kicks off with a Rhysand moment which happens two years before the Wall went up, then jumps forward to where the previous story left off. Feyre has temporarily gone back to the Spring Court in order to destroy Tamlin and his ability to help the King who he is bound to. She made a promise to kill the Human Queens, King of Hybern, Jurian, and Ianthe, the High Priestess who betrayed her sisters. 

In many ways, A Court of Wings and Ruin is a slow building monstrosity that really doesn't go anywhere until almost half the book has already been read. Oh sure, there are interesting aspects of Feyre's time with Tamlin & the Spring Court, and how she deals with different characters. Sure, there were questions about Jurian and whether or not he was actually biding his time until something important happened, or just blowing smoke to seem that he was actually willing to help Feyre and her allies. Then there is the whole Lucien issue, and whether or not he made the right choice.

The most curious & boring aspects of this story took place between acts. There is a whole lot of talking, a whole lot of research, and a whole lot of attempting to put together a coalition to save the world, which means that Feyre gets to meet all of the Lords who saved her life but are more than weary of her. I loved Feyre and The Suriel, but that scene tore my heart into pieces. We know so little about Bryaxis, the creature who Feyre makes a bargain with. What we do know is that it is a good thing IT was on Feyre's side. Feyre and The Bone Crusher. The banter between the two sets things in motion for Feyre to move beyond her emotional baggage, which is a good thing. My other favorite scene is the arrival of Miryam, Drakon, and their army. Did I scream HELL YEAH! Why, yes, yes I did. 

There's not much I can say about the romance that hasn't already been written about hundreds of times before. I love Rhys. I love how he would hurt anyone who tries to hurt his mate. Oh, did you know that Rhys is a badass? Wow. On the other hand, Feyre has sex on her mind. She wants sex while having sex. She wants sex while battling to save her people. She wants sex while her sisters are struggling with being High Fae. She wants sex in the mud and blood while warriors are dying on the battlefield. But, I loved when Rhys and Feyre were reunited after she spent time away from him in the Spring Court. Yes, I did sigh just a little bit. 

I am not a huge fan of books that go over 500 pages, but I've never not finished one after I started it. If makes me feel as though I am a failure, or that I will miss something. Seriously, if you have DNF'd this book, go back and read it again. I am not a fan of triangles of any kind. There are plenty of conflicted emotions between characters. Who should be with whom and who can't be with whomever because the author totally decided to jump the shark and change course. 

I am also not a fan of characters who are diversified for the sake of diversities sake. It happened in The Hunger Games movie version, it happens so many times that I really am ready to scream. If you start out a series with character X being a gay or straight or black or Asian or Latino and finished the series that way, then I have zero complaints. But, the way character X is portrayed in this story, made me want to drink a bottle of antacid. I have zero respect for making excuses as to whom you will sleep with and why, and then claiming you are something else entirely. 

**Feyre & Rhysand - “Night Triumphant - and the Stars Eternal. If he was the sweet, terrifying darkness, I was the glittering light that only his shadows could make clear.” So, yes, I am totally a fan of this romance. I couldn't take much more of Tamlin, even though I am sure that he really did have love for Feyre. Abuse is abuse no matter how you look at things. Tying someone down against her will, is not the way to get to that persons heart. Was I moved by the ending? Eh

**Nesta & Cassian - “Nesta looked at the king with death twining around his hands, then down at Cassian. And covered Cassian’s body with her own. Cassian went still - then his hand slid over her back. Together. They’d go together.” I do hope that this romance gets off the ground in the next installments. Nesta wasn't one of my favorites in the beginning, but she makes some interesting growth spurts as a character who can more than hold her own.

**Elain & Lucien & Azriel - Elain's situation truly broke my heart. I hated how things happened to her, but I do hope that the author resolves the issue between her and Lucien being mates, or will it be Azriel when all is said and done? I do like the Elain was given an interesting ability that helps Feyre and her allies. I like that Elain finds her niche and actually comes out of her cocoon. 

Amazon | Audible | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

#Tuesday Review - Against a Brightening Sky by Jamie Lee Moyer (Historical Fiction)

Series: Delia Martin # 3
Format: Hardcover, 336 pages
Release Date: October 6, 2015
Publisher: Tor Books
Source: Library
Genre: Historical Fiction

A ghost princess and a woman with nothing but a name to her fortune might change the course of history.

By 1919 the Great War has ended, peace talks are under way in Paris, and the world has been forever changed. Delia Martin, apprentice practitioner of magical arts, and her husband, Police Captain Gabriel Ryan, face the greatest challenge of their lives when fragments from the war descend on San Francisco.

As Delia prepares to meet friends at a St. Patrick's Day parade, the strange ghost of a European princess appears in her mirror. Her pleasant outing becomes a nightmare as the ghost reappears moments after a riot starts, warning her as a rooftop gunman begins shooting into the crowd. Delia rushes to get her friends to safety, and Gabe struggles to stop the killing—and to save himself.

Delia and Gabe realize all the chaos and bloodshed had one purpose—to flush Alina from hiding, a young woman with no memory of anything but her name.

As Delia works to discover how the princess ghost's secrets connect to this mysterious young woman, and Gabe tracks a ruthless killer around his city, they find all the answers hinge on two questions: Who is Alina...and why can't she remember?

Against a Brightening Sky is the thrilling conclusion to Moyer's glittering historical fantasy series

Against a Brightening Sky is the third and final installment in the Delia Martin series by author Jamie Lee Moyer. The story opens in the Spring of 1919 with World War I, and the 1918 Influenza Pandemic in the rear view mirror. Delia, her husband Police Captain Gabriel Ryan, and their friends Lieutenant Jack and Sadie Fitzgerald are out to watch the St. Patrick's Day Parade. What should have been a lovely spring day, turns into anything but after Delia is warned by a ghost that something bad is about to happen. 

Soon marchers begin to riot, gunmen open fire into the crowd, and explosions leave even more innocent people dead. What becomes clear is that the gunmen were trying to lure out a woman by the name of Alina from hiding. But, what makes Alina so special that these people would go through great lengths to get to her? Why would a woman with no memories be targeted? As Delia and Gabe investigate the killings, and the timing of the arrival of a ghost that looks like a princess of some renown, it becomes apparent that real evil has come to San Francisco, and nobody is safe. Not even a 2 year old boy who is sensitive to ghosts.

For most of Delia's life, her most loyal companions have been ghosts. Yes, she has been gifted, some say cursed, with the ability to see across the other side, and to see through disguises. Over the past 4 years (or 3 books), Delia faced a number of challenges and somehow come out on top. She's still being trained by her mentor and friend Isador Bobet, but she is now more courageous and much more determined to help ghosts transverse to the next plane. In fact, she's helped several thousand do just that since this series began and she learned about her abilities.  I do love the fact that Moyer alternates between Delia and Gabe. I like this fact because it gives both characters a chance to shine in their own ways.

Gabe has also come a long way since he married Delia. He is more accepting that she can see and help ghosts. He is more secure in asking for Delia and Dora's help in solving crimes of the bizarre nature. He's also a genuinely good guy as proven when a black cop from Chicago, Lieutenant Jordan Lynch, arrives to collect his own badge that was used in the San Francisco riots. I do like the fact that Moyer doesn't skim over the plight of black officers in this era. Then again, realism is something that makes this series so appealing to me. 

I would like to point out that Moyer has made this series something of a trip down memory lane for those who lived in the early 20th Century San Francisco. Moyer spins a tail that is ripe with historical individuals, and if you don't catch on to who the characters to whom she is referring to in this story, you hopefully will by the time the ending comes around. This story mixes a very dangerous necromancer, an even older Guardian who tries to guide Delia, and a realistic look at the Russian revolution that forced out the last Czar and his family, and forced thousands of Russians into fleeing for their lives.

I'm going to close my review by saying that I highly recommend that you research the Bolshevik Revolution which brought communism to the new Soviet Union. Why you ask? Because a large part of this story revolves around that historic event and the flood of Russian refugees that came to America. I recommend that you read about the last Tsar, Nicholas II and his family. I know that some of you have read stories about the possibility that Grand Duchess Anastasia actually survived the brutal murders of her family. But, like all things in history, you have to becareful of the sources and what the person has to gain in twisting their own stories.   

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

#Review - An Inheritance of Magic by Benedict Jacka #Contemporary #Fantasy

Series: Inheritance of Magic (#1)
Format: Paperback, 384 pages
Release Date: October 10, 2023
Publisher: Ace
Source: Publisher
Genre: Fantasy / Contemporary

The super-rich control everything—including magic—in this thrilling and brilliant, contemporary fantasy from the author of the Alex Verus novels.

The wealthy seem to exist in a different, glittering world from the rest of us. Almost as if by . . . magic.

Stephen Oakwood is a young man on the edge of this hidden world. He has talent and potential, but turning that potential into magical power takes money, opportunity, and training. All Stephen has is a minimum wage job and a cat. 

But when a chance encounter with a member of House Ashford gets him noticed by the wrong people, Stephen is thrown in the deep end. For centuries, the vast corporations and aristocratic Houses of the magical world have grown impossibly rich and influential by hoarding their knowledge. To survive, Stephen will have to take his talent and build it up into something greater—for only then can he beat them at their own game. 

An Inheritance of Magic, by Benedict Jacka, is the first installment in the authors Inheritance of Magic series. Location: London, England. Key Character: 20-year-old Stephen Oakwood and his cat Hobbes. This book is set to the back drop where anyone can do magic (drucraft) as long as they have the money. 3 years ago, Stephen's father disappeared with only a note telling him to stay away, and don't look for him. He's been watching for the black vans ever since to come back for him.

 

His mother he never got to know. Stephen has talent and potential, but turning that potential into magical power takes money, opportunity, and training. All Stephen has is a minimum wage job and a cat named Hobbes who is a better companion than most of us friends. After a chance encounter with a member of House Ashford (Lucella) gets him noticed by the wrong people, Stephen is thrown in the deep end. After he escapes using curious new tactics that stun his pursuers, Stephen knows that he needs to have his head on a swivel.

 

It seems as though there is a battle to see who will be named heir of House Ashford, and it seems that he is a cousin of Lucella, and apparently, he discovers that he is somehow connected to the House and the patriarch of the House. For centuries, the vast corporations and aristocratic Houses of the magical world have grown impossibly rich and influential by hoarding their knowledge. To survive, Stephen will have to take his talent and build it up into something greater—for only then can he beat them at their own game.

 

While his missing father taught him the basics of drucraft, Stephen finds that he is unique in his ability. In fact, his talents make him a valuable asset if anyone took the time to actually discover who he really is. Stephen has had only one teacher and little to no training but he does find help from a priest, and a woman who works for a powerful corporation. Which means that over his relatively short life, he’s learned to do things that organized training would have told him were impossible. And maybe they mostly are, but for him, some of them are not. This is why so many people want him out of the way. Like Lucella.

 

Stephen embodies the classic underdog archetype. He  has to outsmart enemies that are wealthier, stronger, and more influential than him but at the same time, learn how to make himself stronger so that he can survive any challenges that are to come. Including the stunning ending to this book which will likely continue to the sequel. Stephen's connection to Hobbes is adorable, as is there conversations. Even when Hobbes is left for dead, Stephen refuses to abandon is only real family member remaining. 

 

Finally, I do have the sequel to this novel, and I will definitely be reading it in October to see what happens as Stephen tries to find his way in a world that seems to look down on people like him.

Chapter 1

There was a strange car at the end of my road.

I'd only leant out of my window for a quick look around, but as I saw the car I paused. All around me were the sounds and smells of the London morning: fresh air that still carried the chill of the fading winter, the dampness of last night's rain, birdsong from the rooftops and the trees. Pale grey clouds covered the sky, promising more showers to come. Everything was normal . . . except for the car.

Spring had come early this year, and the cherry tree outside my window had been in bloom long enough for its flowers to turn from white to pink and begin to fall. The car was just visible through the petals, parked at the end of Foxden Road at an angle that gave it a clear line of sight to my front door. It was sleek and ominous, shiny black with tinted windows, and it looked like a minivan. Nobody on our street owns a minivan, especially not one with tinted windows.

A loud "Mraooow" came from my feet.

I looked down to see a grey-and-black tabby cat watching me with yellow-green eyes. "Oh, fine, Hobbes," I told him, and shifted. Hobbes sprang up onto the sill, rubbed his head against my shoulder until I gave him a scratch, then jumped down onto the ledge that ran along the front of the building. I gave the car a last sidelong glance, then withdrew and shut the window.


I cleaned my teeth, dressed and had breakfast, and all the time I kept thinking about that car.

Almost three years ago, the day after my dad disappeared, a white Ford started showing up on our road. I might not have noticed it, but a couple of the things my dad had said in that hastily scribbled letter had made me suspicious, and once I started paying attention I noticed that same Ford, with the same number plate, in other places. Near my boxing gym, near my work . . . everywhere.

It kept on for more than a year. I was worrying about my dad and struggling to manage work and rent, and while all that was going on, I'd kept seeing that car. Even after I got evicted and had to move in with my aunt, all the way up in Tottenham, I'd still seen it. I started to hate that car after a while-it became a symbol of everything that had gone wrong-and it was only my dad's warning that stopped me from marching out to confront whoever was inside. Sometimes it would vanish for a few days, but it'd always come back.

But eventually the gaps became longer and longer, and finally it didn't come back at all. When I moved out of my aunt's and here to Foxden Road, one of the first things I did was write down the description and number plate of every car on the street, then check back for the next couple of weeks to see who'd get into them. But every car on the road belonged to someone who lived there, and finally I came to accept that whoever it had been, they were gone. That had been six months ago, and ever since then, there'd been nothing to make me think they'd come back.

Until now.


I filled Hobbes’s water bowl, and then it was time to go to work. I zipped up my fleece and stepped outside, closing the door behind me. The black minivan was still there. I walked away up the road without looking back, then turned the corner.

As soon as I was out of the minivan's line of sight, I stopped. I could make out its blurry reflection in the ground-floor windows on our street, and I waited to see if it would start moving.

One minute passed, then two. The reflection didn't move.

If they were following me, they should have driven off by now.

Maybe I was being overly suspicious. After all, the men from two years ago had always used the same car, and it hadn't been this one. I turned and set off for the station. I kept glancing over my shoulder as I walked along Plaistow Road, watching for the minivan's black shape in the busy A-road traffic, but it didn't appear.


My name is Stephen Oakwood, and I’m twenty years old. I was raised by my dad, grew up and went to school here in Plaistow, and apart from one big secret that I’ll get to later, I used to have a pretty normal life. That all changed a few months before my eighteenth birthday, when my dad disappeared.

The next few years were rough. Living alone in London is hard unless you have a lot going for you, which I didn't. To begin with, my plan was to wait for my father to come back, and maybe even go and look for him, but I quickly found out that just making enough money to live on was so all-consuming that it didn't leave me time for much else. For the first year or so, I was able to get a job with an old friend of my dad's who ran a bar, but when the bar closed, my money ran out. I got evicted and had to move in with my aunt.

Living with my aunt and uncle let me get back on my feet, but it was clear from the beginning that there was a definite limit as to how long they were willing to put me up. I couldn't afford a flat, but I could just about afford a room in Plaistow, so long as I worked full-time. And so after a stint at a call centre (bad) and a job at a different bar (worse), I found my way last winter to a temp agency that hired office workers for the Civil Service. Which was why, that morning, I took the District Line to Embankment and walked south along the Thames to the Ministry of Defence.

Saying I work at the Ministry of Defence makes my job sound more exciting than it really is. My actual title is Temporary Administrative Assistant, Records Office, Defence Business Services, and my job mostly consists of fetching records from the basement. One wall of the Records Office is taken up by a machine called the Lektriever, a sort of giant vertical conveyor belt carrying shelves of box files up from the level below. The basement is huge, a cold dark cavern with endless rows of metal shelves holding thousands and thousands of files. Every day, orders come down to change the files, at which point someone has to go down, put new files in, and take the old files out. That someone is me. In theory the position's supposed to be filled by a permanent staff member, but since being an admin in Records is pretty much the least desirable position in the entire MoD, no-one's willing to take the job, so they hire temps instead. For this, I get paid £10.70 an hour.

I've been spending a bit less time in the basement lately, due to Pamela. Pamela's title is Senior Executive Officer, a midlevel Civil Service rank that puts her well above everyone in Records. She's in her forties, dresses in neat business suits, and as of the last week or two she seems to have taken an interest in me.

Today Pamela found me after lunch and put me to work sorting applications. It was a long job, and by the time I was done, it was nearly four o'clock. When I finally finished, instead of sending me back to Records, Pamela tapped the papers on her desk to straighten them, laid them down beside her keyboard, then turned her swivel chair to face me. "You started here in December?"

Pamela was giving me a considering sort of look that made me wary. I nodded.

"You said you were thinking about applying to university," Pamela said. "Did you?"

"No," I admitted.

"Why not?"

I didn't answer.

"It's no good just ignoring these things. You've missed the UCAS deadline, but you could still get into Clearing."

"Okay."

"Don't just say okay," Pamela told me. "That Records Office post won't stay vacant forever. If you do a three-year course and reapply, you could come in at the same role in a permanent position."

I tried to figure out how to answer that, but Pamela had already turned back to her computer. "That's all for today. I'll have another job for you on Friday."


I rode the District Line home.

As I stood on the swaying train, the conversation with Pamela kept going around in my head. It was the second time she'd suggested a permanent position, and the second time I'd avoided giving her an answer. Part of me wanted to be honest and tell Pamela that I didn't want a future in the Records Office. But if I said that, Pamela would either fire me or ask So what are you going to do instead? and the only answer I had for that question was one I couldn't tell her.

The sad part was that by the standards of my other jobs, the Civil Service wasn't even all that bad. While I'd been living with my aunt, I'd been working at the call centre where I'd spent eight hours a day selling car insurance renewals. You know how when you ring up a company to cancel your service, you get put through to someone who tries to persuade you not to? Yeah, that was me. I say "persuade," but all you actually do is follow a script, and if you've never worked that kind of job, there's no way you can possibly understand just how mind-shatteringly boring it is. You pick up the phone and recite your lines, then you put the phone back down, and you do that over and over and over again, every single day. Compared to that, the Records Office was easy. At least box files don't yell at you for leaving them on hold.

But while the Civil Service wasn't that bad, it also wasn't good. The hours were steady and the pay was enough to live on, but it was meaningless and dull and I spent every day counting the hours until I could go home.

I stared at the ads on the train. In between posters for vitamin supplements ("Tired Of Feeling Tired?") and for loan companies ("Discover Your Credit Score Today!") was one for a London university. "DO SOMETHING YOU LOVE" was written in big white letters, above a photo of three ethnically diverse students staring out at the horizon with blissful expressions. At the bottom right of the ad was a paragraph of small print titled "Funding."

I got off at Plaistow and went to the pub.

Amazon | Audible | Barnes & Noble