It’s been a while since I posted a general update regarding the Black Depths Universe. Well, I’ve been working away diligently on a couple of projects, the first being Dead Water. In the pink owl binder below is the first draft. Time to start the rewrite!

Dead Water is a standalone (more or less), novelette, which will be released for Kindle in July. I’ll have a cover reveal in a few weeks, I think, and It’s going to be amazing. Later this week, I’ll be revealing the blurb for Dead Water, so be sure to check back soon.

After Dead Water will come Doomed Seas. I don’t think I’ve even mentioned this one yet, so I’m going to save that announcement for another couple weeks. You’ll have to check back again, but believe me, it will be worth it.

Between working on the Black Depths Universe, reading, and working my day job (blah), I’ve been enjoying the summer. I love taking pictures of sunny skies and flowers, and though I’d share some with you. What have you been doing with the gorgeous weather?

 

I first started reading Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (associate link) when I was on vacation in Iceland. I’d seen the cover a couple of times, and while I’d picked up the book to take a brief look at it, I hadn’t thought it would interest me. Well, I was wrong. From the moment I began the story I was hooked.

There’s just some so deliciously old-fashioned about how Rigg’s tells a story. The novel, narrated by Jacob, has a beautiful, honest voice that I immediately fell in love with. The peculiar story itself, full of twists and turns, kept me on the edge of my seat the whole way through, to the point that when my library copy expired somewhere around Akureyri, Iceland (which, for those of you who aren’t familiar, is the MIDDLE OF NOWHERE!), I almost cried. Or maybe I did. It was few years ago so I don’t truly remember. Part of what I loved about the story was the blending of pictures and narration. This book was so novel to me. I mean, these are real old pictures. Not faked. Not modern shots made to look old, but actual old photos Rigg’s had been collecting for years. How cool is that?

Now, this September, comes the movie. I’ve seen the preview, and I think it looks good. Plus, it’s got Tim Burton’s name all over it. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children done Tim Burton style. Yes. I have got to see this. If you haven’t seen the trailer yet, you can click on it below or find it on You Tube yourself.

I’m a little bit iffy on whether I’m going to like the fact that it appears they’ve blended Emma and Olive into one character. There are probably more character/power changes. I mean, it says right at the beginning of the trailer that the move is “based on”. Part of me goes, “aw, man”, at this. But maybe, this once, it will be a good thing? Nah, who am I kidding. Books are always better than movies. Good thing I’m reading the second book of the series, Hollow City, right now.

 

J. E. Hunter is the author of the Black Depths Series. Tales of a Redheaded Sea-Witch, and Black Depths, the first two books of the series can be found on Amazon, Kobo, iBooks, Barnes and Noble, and Smashwords. The third book, Dark Shores, was released April 1, 2016. The fourth and last book of the Black Depths series, Twisted Currents, will be released in the fall of 2016.

 

I missed last week, sorry! Was busy writing away. In case you’re stuck or looking for a new direction, here’s todays prompt.

The old house wasn’t just an old house, it was haunted by ________ (Your turn!)

YA Book Review: Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas

If you keep up with my blog then it will come as no surprise that I just finished reading Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas. I got into this series a while ago and have ate up the first four books, the fifth due to be released this coming September. If you haven’t started the Throne of Glass series, then skip this review and go here to read my review of the first book, Throne of Glass.

Now on to discussing the goodness that was Queen of Shadows. First, thank the Gods that Aelin went back to Adarlan in this book. I was so sick of Wendlyn by the end of HOF that I was ready to move on. I was anxious for Aelin and Chaol’s first run-in, and…well, it didn’t bring me everything I hoped. I don’t mind Rowan, but I feel like he’s a bit of a cheap vampire knockoff, old, stern, and no fun, not to mention uppity. Give me someone real, mortal and gritty any day. I’m just going to say that at least it’s not over yet, so I’m still cheering for C train, but mostly I’m cheering for Manon.

For me, Manon was the heart of Heir of Fire, and I was so happy to see her story continue in Queen of Shadows. She didn’t seem quite as dark as in book three, but I still heart her. Give me more Manon in Book Five. Obviously I want more Manon and Aelin scenes, and thought the seen where the two ladies finally meet took the cake in QOS. It was too bad they didn’t see each other again before the end of the book.

All in all, my romantic disappointment taken into account, I’d give this book a solid four out of five (More like a four and half but GoodReads doesn’t have half stars, much to my dismay. Is five different rating points enough to rate all the goodness that is books, really? – more on this another time). Can’t wait for the next on to come in September. Need a copy of Queen of Shadows? Get Queen of Shadows from Amazon (associate link).

Did you read this book? What did you think?

 

J. E. Hunter is the author of the Black Depths Series. Tales of a Redheaded Sea-Witch, and Black Depths, the first two books of the series can be found on Amazon, Kobo, iBooks, Barnes and Noble, and Smashwords. The third book, Dark Shores, was released April 1, 2016. The fourth and last book of the Black Depths series, Twisted Currents, will be released in the fall of 2016.

For a while now I’ve been thinking about posting about books I read a long time ago… well, before I started blogging about writing and books and everything that comes with my literary life. And, well, today’s the day I’ve actually taken action on that thought. It started at the bookstore two days ago, when I was browsing the YA section, touching the beautiful covers and reading book blurbs and running across the titles—old and new—that I love. And I noticed that The Secret Circle series by L. J. Smith has once again been re-released with new cover art. If you need a copy, you can find it on Amazon here, The Secret Circle: The Initiation and The Captive Part I (associate link).

This is one of my all time favourite YA series. Now, reading it 24 years after it was originally released makes it feel a bit dated. But there’s something about it that’s timeless. The friendships and relationships are well done, as well as L. J. Smith’s hold on the magic. There was just something about Cassie, and Adam, and Nic, and Diana that just cannot be forgotten. And hasn’t been forgotten. Twenty-four years later the books are still  alive, and have now had multiple covers and editions released. My favourite cover is still the original, which you can see on GoodReads here. Definitely a 90’s cover, and very unlike what you see on the front of books today, but seeing it certainly brings back good memories.

The fact that the books are still around means a lot. It means they’re good. Amazing. Addictive. I remember finishing the series when I was a teen and wanting more. Sadly, that never happened.

But there was the TV Series… Here’s the trailer The Secret Circle TV Series as on YouTube.

Man. That was pretty awful. They went so wrong when they cut out half the circle. I mean, who’s ever heard of a circle of six witches? And then they killed one of them and… well, it was just one wrong step after another, and that was too bad really, because I love Britt Robertson. She plays such good sweethearts. Anyway, I’m sure you’re all familiar with how books are always better than TV and Movies (Books = sweet like juice, Movies adapted from books = vinegar). Books always take the cake. Make the cake. Are the cake. Mmmmmm…now I want cake.

So, if you haven’t picked up this series and read it, do. Because I think it’s great. And aren’t the early 90’s having a come back these days?

 

J. E. Hunter is the author of the Black Depths Series. Tales of a Redheaded Sea-Witch, and Black Depths, the first two books of the series can be found on Amazon, Kobo, iBooks, Barnes and Noble, and Smashwords. The third book, Dark Shores, was released April 1, 2016. The fourth and last book of the Black Depths series, Twisted Currents, will be released in the fall of 2016.

It’s finally here and it’s finally up! If you haven’t seen it yet go and take a look. Dark Shores is Book Three of the Black Depth series, and I have to say, I think the cover art is just getting better and better. Thanks Leah Keeler!

Doesn’t Nessa look amazing in this action packed pose? And what’s the city in the background? Read the book and you’ll find out!

Next up in the Black Depths Series is a special treat for you called Dead Water. I’m going to release it in July (cover art dependent), and it’s going to be smashing. Check back soon for a sneak peek!

Use the picture below to write about either:
a) the person whom this wagon belongs to
b) the person mowing the grass in the distance
c) or about the children who should be in the wagon.

Someone reviewed my Novella, Windbound, a stand-alone story that’s part of my Black Depths Universe. I’m so excited for this since this is someone I’ve never met and never spoken too. That makes me feel very special!

You can find the review here. R.R. Willica pointed out what I know is wrong with the book —mainly that I haven’t found the time to give it the editing pass I know it needs—but she liked the story.

 

It’s that time of year. The sun is out, the weather is hot, and the backyard is calling. The only thing better than reading under a bunch of warm blankets with a cup of hot chocolate in hand, is reading in the hot sun in my new teal green adirondack chair with a cup of homemade ice tea.

I’ve currently got a huge pile of to-reads, but that hasn’t stopped me from checking out the list of books coming this summer. Below is my short list of YA Books that will be purchased thanks to my slew of book gift cards. One new book each month I think will suffice. A book to drag from from sunny-place to sunny-place, or maybe waiting inside for that often dismal (but much needed) rainy day. Or better yet, thunder-stormy day.

Out in June is With Malice by Eileen Cook. Reading this book blurb makes my blood tingle. A bit of real-life mystery is just what I need. Here’s hoping the novel lives up to the back cover.

My July pick is The Shadow Hour (THE GIRL AT MIDNIGHT) (July 12, 2016). I’ve been looking forward to this sequel since finishing The Girl at Midnight last summer. This one will take me no time at all to breeze through, I’m sure, if it’s anything like the first book in this captivating series.

At the end of August comes Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow. Now, this blurb says that fans of 13 Reasons Why will love this book, and we all know that that’s one of my favs. Let’s hope that Girl will hold up a candle to 13.

And Lastly, just as the summer winds down, comes Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas, the fifth book in the Throne of Glass Series, which I’ve been consuming all year. I’m looking forward to using this last book as the startling conclusion to my warm weather reading. I’ll post my reviews as I finish my reading, both from my backlog and new finds. Of course, every time I step into a book store there’s a chance I’ll find something I need to read right then. So this list is subject to change. And well, I always like having a list that’s a lot bigger than I can reasonably get done with the time I have. But I try, I really do. Because I love reading. Nerd and loving it.

And then, when the weather turns cold, it will be on to a new reading list, and warm cozy blankets. Oh, and don’t forget the hot chocolate.

 

J. E. Hunter is the author of the Black Depths Series. Tales of a Redheaded Sea-Witch, and Black Depths, the first two books of the series can be found on Amazon, Kobo, iBooks, Barnes and Noble, and Smashwords. The third book, Dark Shores, was released April 1, 2016. The fourth and last book of the Black Depths series, Twisted Currents, will be released in the fall of 2016.

 

 

YA Book Review: Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

This book took me a long time to finish. By long time, I mean over a month. it wasn’t because it was slow, or bad, but it was different, and I was really busy (and sick, but let’s not get into that).

Now, I’m going to start this review right off by saying if you haven’t read books one or two in the Throne of Glass Series, don’t read the rest of this review. Stop, go to this review for Book 1, Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas and start there. If you love sassy heroines, cutthroat (and I mean bloody) action, and detailed fantasy, then read it. You won’t regret it. If you have read the other two books, then continue reading to see what I thought of Heir of Fire (associate link).

What I loved best about this edition of the Throne of Glass Series was the addition of Manon. I loved this storyline. I can’t wait to see what happens with this Blackbeak witch in Book 4, which I just borrowed from the library today. Yay! At first, I was thrown by this additional storyline, and I’m still not sure where it fits, but it doesn’t matter because I love it. More than Caeleana’s story, even. Does that make me 99% evil? Or maybe I just like to cheer for people agains the odds…

Caeleana’s story was good, but because she was so far from home in most of this book, it made it more difficult to get involved with her. I liked learning a lot more about her character, I liked the way her storyline developed, but I could have gone with more interaction with the already existing characters. Overall, another good job by Ms. Maas. I look forward to reading the next edition (like right now!).

 

J. E. Hunter is the author of the Black Depths Series. Tales of a Redheaded Sea-Witch, and Black Depths, the first two books of the series can be found on Amazon, Kobo, iBooks, Barnes and Noble, and Smashwords. The third book, Dark Shores, was released April 1, 2016. The fourth and last book of the Black Depths series, Twisted Currents, will be released in the fall of 2016.