Adventures in Literature

Life of a Blogger

It’s kind of ironic when you start blogging about books and you think: “I love to read books and write reviews about them, so I should totally start a blog and do this.”

But then you do and you realize just how much work it really is. Like hours each day of your time. Which, was great when I wasn’t doing a whole lot and then I found out that I really, really love social media and the intricacies of how it all works.

Then I found myself taking marketing courses online and learning all the ins and outs of how it works, how to track data, how to be ENGAGED. But then the dreaded thing happens. Where you are spending so much time learning these things that you actually stop engaging on your social media and it all feels like it’s falling apart.

That’s kind of where I am right now and realizing that the first step in turning this all around starts with learning how to shed layers. I spend too much time online trying to be who I think others want me to be and not enough time really being myself.

Therefore, here we are. I plan on being more interactive, sharing more of myself and all the things in the world of books and literature. But first and foremost just being me.

So tell me, are you being you today?

The Sound of Violet by Allen Wolf

An ARC copy was provided to me in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

Affiliate links are included in this post. Please see disclaimer for more information.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Soon to be a major motion picture!

First off, a huge thank you to Morning Star Publishing for reaching out to me about this book. For those of us that read a lot of romance books, it is easy to get caught up in the formula we all love about the tension and suspense in contemporary romance. But The Sound of Violet is a love story within a very different setting. Shawn is on the autism spectrum and therefore struggles with physical contact, holding eye contact and taking care of himself within the world we’re all used to. But he is laser focused on knowing that he wants to experience love and get married. After years of trying to date women through online apps and never getting past the first date, he meets Violet at a work party, but she’s not exactly who he thinks she is. 

Shawn is an easy character to love and care about because he says what’s on his mind and doesn’t hold back. This is refreshing because we interact with so many people in our lives that simply say things to get something they want rather than just say what’s on their mind. But Violet has a very dark past that has driven her into the seedy world she’s captured in today. Working as a prostitute to keep her handler, Anton, from hurting her she has a very bleak outlook on life. That is until she meets Shawn and her icy exterior starts to thaw. Through their experiences together, they quickly realize how much they both want to feel cared about. 

We learn that Shawn experiences sound synesthesia and Violet is just the right sound vibration that settles him. This experience isn’t really all that different for Violet either as Shawn provides the safety and comfort that she’s been lacking her entire life. It’s an absolutely heartwarming story about the foundations of love and how relationships can blossom from anywhere. 

Available NOW!

Get The Book

Allen adapted The Sound of Violet into a motion picture that will debut in 2022. He is the writer, director, and producer of the film. Anyone who purchases the novel will get a sneak preview of the trailer for the upcoming movie. They only need to email a screenshot of their order or their order number to info@thesoundofviolet.com.

About The Book

Desperate to find a soulmate, Shawn goes on one awkward date after another until he encounters the alluring Violet. He starts dating her, but his autism keeps him from realizing that she’s actually a prostitute. Shawn thinks he’s found a potential wife while Violet thinks she’s found her ticket to a brand new life. This hilarious and dramatic award-winning story has been adapted into a major motion picture.

PRAISE FOR THE SOUND OF VIOLET:

“Wolf, an award-winning filmmaker, has adapted this first novel from his own original screenplay, and its cinematic potential clearly shows. The high-concept narrative is entertaining, well-paced, and highly visual … It’s a charming, humorous, and hopeful tale. A quirky, touching love story that offers insights into autism, religion, and personal tragedy.” – Kirkus Reviews

“A wonderfully well-written, funny, romantic love story. Unique and inspirational. The Sound of Violet is not your average romance. Rarely do I find myself so captivated by a book that I cannot put it down for nearly two hours. Pick up this book and get lost in the beauty of their relationship. My only complaint would be that the story had an ending, as all stories do, and I did so want to keep reading on. Most highly recommended. The Sound of Violet is simply remarkable.” – Readers’ Favorite

“By turning conventions of contemporary romance on its stilettos and swapping out the typical sassy, fashion-obsessed female protagonist for an autistic male who reads jokes from index cards, Wolf puts a fresh spin on the genre. Adapted from his award-winning screenplay, The Sound of Violet shows signs of its origins with snappy dialogue and humorous, well-staged scenes … A sweet and entertaining romantic comedy, The Sound of Violet touches on autism and the power of faith. It will appeal to any reader who enjoys a blend of quirky characters, humor, and drama.” – Blue Ink Review

“Heartfelt, out-of-the-ordinary romance … This warm, witty story does not shy away from serious themes like exploitation, redemption, and true love. The Sound of Violet explores heavy issues with a light touch. It’s easy to see this being adapted into an enjoyable movie …” – Foreword Reviews

Vagabond by Mary A.J.

An ARC copy was provided to me in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

Affiliate links are included in this post. Please see disclaimer for more information.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

I wasn’t really sure how I was going to feel about this one in the first few chapters. It just had a strange feel in the beginning. But after that, I was consumed by this story and read it in two days because I was grasping at the need to know what happened. 

In this book, you’ll meet Cecilia. She is the daughter of the Morning Star, Lucifer Himself. After 200 years of death and destruction leading armies to consume the souls of humans, she realizes she’s just not motivated by any of it anymore. As a child, she was gifted with this very special pocket watch that when she clicks it, it transports her to someplace safe. The last few decades she’s been hopping around the planet trying to escape capture from her father’s forces and stay in the mortal world. 

She ends up at this very old high school tucked away in a remote location and decides to attend the school as a student to get closer to one very special boy that captures her attention. Over time, she becomes part of the inner circle of a small group of very close friends that also happen to be the ancestors of the founding fathers for the school. With so many secrets that everyone has buried, Cecilia finds herself caught in so much more than what she expected. 

As a YA book it doesn’t really include much that is frightening or inappropriate. The descriptions of battles are about as bad as it gets. But I did really like how the author incorporates this innate struggle between dark and light within every character and the power of love and connection that can drive people to do things they never thought they would do. 

But be prepared with this one because it did end on a bit of a cliff hanger and I NEED to know what happens with everyone! So if this sounds like something you’re interested in, be ready to settle into the waiting game until more is revealed.

Available September 9th, 2021!

Get The Book

A huge THANK YOU to LoveBooksTours for having me along for this book tour. It’s a wonderful read that I hope YA fans will embrace and give a chance because it really is an amazing story that deserves the attention and I’m excited for where this is going further in the series! Check out more tour stops with the accounts below on Twitter and Instagram to see and hear even more about this amazing book!

About The Book

After ruling Hell for centuries, Satan’s daughter, Cecilia Harrow, escapes the confines of the underworld in search of safety and a normal life. She finds anything but when she finds herself enrolled in Cornelia High School, only to discover a hunt for an ancient artifact, a charming demon, and an enigmatic human. When her new human life is threatened, she will discover how far she’ll go to save the person she loves, and keep her freedom. Loyalties, blood, and faith will be tested. Cecilia must make a choice: preserve her humanity or unleash the merciless Princess of Hell.

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