Fall in love with writing!

On 7th Feb, I released Sky Heart. This meant I was focussed on marketing, and before that I‘d been working on a final polished manuscript going to print. Back to drafting was so ugly and off putting.

First drafts aren‘t meant to be perfect, so for the February half term, I set myself a writing challenge to, “Fall in love with writing.”

Here is my diary: https://allyaldridge.com/fall-in-love-with-writing-again/

With Toby and Sephy now adulting, I welcomed the introduction of a new generation of teens - Libby and Troy.

It was interesting to see where Toby and Sephy‘s lives took them, but I loved the chapters from the teens perspective. Due to their families past and connections, they are kidnapped and whilst trapped in this tense dangerous situation, they unravel family secrets. I wanted to see how they escaped but -

Warning: Cliff Hanger!

This is book two in the Soul Heart series. My first job of 2025 was to upload the files ready for release on 7th Feb. I also sent out the Advance Reader Copy to everyone who expressed an interest. The eBook looks stunning. I'm now waiting for the printed proofs so I can check the paperback in perfect. If you want to know more, please visit my website www.allyaldridge.com and join me on Instagram @redfae. I'm a mix of nervous and excited.

This week was my birthday. To celebrate I‘ve made Ocean Heart free on Smashwords until 31st Dec.

Now is the perfect opportunity to treat yourself and check out this YA Fantasy Romance and a teen who has no idea she is a mermaid until her messy love life awaken her deadly powers.

Go grab it for FREE now and save it to your favourite ereader so it‘s ready when you are!

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1092737

This was an amazing ending to the series. I love how each book in the series focuses on a new challenge in a new society, and how Hollis overcomes this.

Once again a ton happened. There was plenty of action, but also some really sad moments. The ending was great and it has a HEA. I‘m so glad I read this series.

Happy Mer May!

I always loved the movie and didn‘t know it was based on a book. Once I discovered this, I borrowed the audio version from Borrowbox with my library card.

This was one of the best audio books I have ever listened to. There was a main narrator, and every character had their own voice. The story was as magical as I remember. It is a perfect modern fairy tale that will be loved for many years to come.

I‘m so lucky to have three ARC Books!

The Empowered Ones by Danielle Harrington is releasing this month. It‘s book four in the YA Fantasy Dystopian series.

The Guildal: Saving Light by Roxy Eloise is releasing in May. It is the third & final book in her YA dystopian YA Fantasy series.

Fallen Unchained by Cassidy Reyne is the first book in the State of Grace series. I think this one will be a steamy romance - I mean look at that cover.

I didn‘t see the twist coming!

Another fabulous five stars read. This book picks up where two ended and places Hollis with a rebellious group plotting to take down society. Although Hollis is onboard with things needing to change, she isn‘t okay with their plan.

Hollis learns to master her powers, and society‘s propaganda frames her as a terrorist. It ends on a cliff hanger but the final book in the series releases later this month.

February, I made good progress with the Big Rewrite of Sky Heart (book two in the Soul Heart series). There‘s still tons to do but it‘s heading in the right direction and I no longer want to delete it. 😅

#writerslife #authorlife #comingofage #YARomantasy #YAShifters #YARomance #YAFantasy

Loved this steamy college. Read it for the fun banter, the well developed characters, and the hot romance of this ice loving pair.

It‘s a good story but I didn‘t love it as much as the others. A lot of the time Katniss is being held back due to her celebrity status. This made her feel safer, so there was less tension. I still enjoyed it and the twist at the end.

I‘ve flown through the first two books in this series. It‘s so good, and book four releases in early 2024. 
I‘m reading this on my phone and downloaded it to the Apple Books app. It my favourite app for reading ebooks. I love how it makes the ebook look like hardback.

Do you like Dystopian? Have you read any of the Hollis Timewire series.

I‘ve been reading this book since May and at 75%.

I loved ACOTAR. I wasn‘t blown away by the spice scene, but loved the story & games at the end.

Everyone said ACOMAF was even better! So, I went in with high expectations.

The love interest switch threw me out of the story, and I‘m just not into Rhys. I keep waiting for the hype but reading feels like a chore.

Should I stick it out, or move on?

Starting right in the heart of the action. Things are bad for Hollis. Her eyes are finally open to which side she needs to be on.

Execution looks probable, but thankfully she‘s given a 2nd chance. Trying to make amends and prove herself, Hollis is on her own and powerless. Determined to do the right thing, this is an action packed redemption story that had me addicted.

Once again, it ended on a cliff hanger so I‘ve got to read the next one!

Hollis was raised an a obedient member of society. No emotions. No powers. On her 16th bday she fails the test - She is a diseased one.

She has to hide out with the rebels; people she fears and hates. It‘s difficult for her to embrace her power and make friends. Even as she starts to adjust to her new life, she still wishes for a cure and to go home.

If you love super powers, you‘ll love this.

Hannah‘s been fooling around with the lads, & now she‘s pregnant. Who is the dad?

Aaron is the new boy in school. What secrets from his past is he running from?

Hannah‘s BFF drops her & teens try to guess the dad. Then Aaron steps up as the dad, except the pair know he isn‘t. They never had sex.

The way this story is told, their secrets unravel at the perfect moment to build up the anticipation and make it a page turner. I loved this book.

For anyone needing more The Folk of Air!

The book starts with a young Cardan explaining how he came to be the cruel prince. We learn about his childhood, his romance with Nicasia, and why he was drawn to Jude.

Early Cardan is told a story. I wondered why it was important but by the end it made sense.

I didn‘t love this as much as the series. But, read it for more Folk of Air, backstory, and a satisfying ending.

The MC accidentally kisses her best friend instead of her crush & her best friend has no idea it was her.

Sarah executes the set up in a believable way, and the emotions that follow are raw and real. All characters are well developed with their own drives and challenges. I loved the snowflake chapter art, and the HEA.

Read it for Friends to Lovers, a sweet romance, and a happy ending.

Decided to try out the Libby app and decided to give this book a go. Have you read it?

I‘ve roughly hit the midway mark. The story is so good. I can feel the tension, the awkwardness, the pain. I also now have a good idea why the author chose snowflakes for the chapter headings.

Due to my youngest being sick I‘ve more time to read. My goal was to read 6 chapters by Thursday, and I‘m already up to Ch 8.

So far it‘s good. Really good. Within the first three chapters we get to meet the hot guy, and the male BFF. The accidental kiss and tsunami of emotions that follows are brilliant. As someone that crushed on her male BFF, I know the pain of unrequited love, fear of ruining a friendship, the confusion and wanting.

This book has been waiting in my eLibrary for a while. My plan this September is so read it. #friendstolovers

September is the month my best friend proposed to me, so it‘s a special month. I‘ve read other books by Sarah and enjoy her writing style. I‘m confident I will love this book. Let‘s see…

Let me know if you want to read this with me. #readalong #buddyread

The MC, Gabriel, tells the story via interview with his captor but it‘s done in an immersive way.

When the MC discovers he‘s half vampire, he‘s taken by the Holy Order to train to kill vampires. I pictured Gabriel as the Witcher, a dark broody character.

Plenty of action, blood, gore, and a touch of romance. Great world building and stunning artwork throughout. ​

This book is the 2nd in the series but I read it without reading the first.

Jumping straight in at the action was very exciting. Signal is on the run with Eric and out to clear her name. There is a touch of romance but Eric is a serial killer which would make anyone put there guard up.

It was a fun read. ​

I got an ARC from Net Galley and this is my honest review.

This book is set in a futuristic boarding school where the students train to become enforcers. Aurora gets coupled with Pax. Things get heated until they discover something that drives Pax to attempt getting uncoupled. Meanwhile, the cocky juvie Aurora has been allocated seems to know her better than herself. As Aurora uncovers secrets about herself, she will discover there‘s more to her than just being an enforcer.

Wow! This book is dark and twisty.

Esta lives on a patriarchal island where they fear the seawomen, and every challenge the islanders face is blamed on the sins of their women. Punished by god, they must repent to be saved. Esta sees through the lies and dangerously seeks answers to questions that if she was a good holy girl she‘d ignore.

This book reminded me of the darkness of The Handmaids Tale. An amazing debut, Chloe Timms.

Currently reading an ARC of this book via Net Galley and it is so good. It‘s based on an island ruled by a fear of the seawomen. It‘s twisted religion reminds me of the Handmaids tale. It feels like a thriller with this constant sense of dread if someone, especially a girl, breaks one of the many rules.

Detective Fleet is on a cold case following the discovery of a body of missing boy Ben from over 20y ago. The story is split between Ben and Fleet‘s point of view, giving insight into what then and now.

The body is found at a private school. During the investigation more bodies turn up. This amps up the feeling of danger and urgency. With all the twists and turns I didn‘t see the end coming but loved how it linked back to the hiding place.

Tatum & Axel have a complicated past. This bad boy romance is a rollercoaster ride of their ups and downs as they figure out if they work or make things worse. On top of that, girls are throwing themselves at Axel, and Tatum has a persistent creep. There were points when I thought they‘d never get a happy ending, but I kept turning the page after every drama. It led to a satisfying ending that definitely left me wanting book two!

Popped into my local bookshop and discovered my book on the shelf. Time for a #shelfie 🥰

Today is World Mental Health Day (10 Oct).

This book made me cry, shake with rage, and a whole roller coaster of emotions. It isn‘t an easy read, as it tackles tough topics like suicide, and bullying. But, it‘s written so well, I highly recommend this book.

#mentalhealth #yafiction #burnbright

Can you out run your past?

A story about taking responsibility for your actions, forgiveness, and starting over.

A clean, easy YA read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#yafiction #yacontemporary #teenread #yabook #comingofage

This romantic suspense has complex characters with rich backstories. Tackling hard topics like trafficking in a sensitive way, whilst building up the tension and romance between the main characters. This novel will have you on the edge of your seat.

#summerread #indiebook #indieauthor #romanticsuspense #worldindiewarriors

The first book I‘m reading for #WIWBingo is The Mirror Souls by Julia Scott.
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#themirrorsouls #yafiction #dystopianfiction #dystopia #yadystopia #currentlyreading #summerreadingchallenge #summerreads #summerreading #readingchallenge #fantasybooks #futuristic #worldbuilding

What are you currently reading?

I‘m always reading one eBook & one paperback. I just started The Mirror Souls by Julia Scott, and I‘halfway through Joy‘s Summer Love Playlist by Piper Bee.

Sexy Siren? Hot Warlord? An epic battle at the end? Yes! Yes! Yes!

This is the first book in Naomi‘s Syren series can be read as a standalone. Meraki has great Worldbuilding introducing you to the isles, syrens, gods, magic, and a whole cast of fantastical creatures.

Wren is a runaway syren princess. Kellan is the warlord that needs a syren‘s song to save his family. He kidnaps Wren, but with her comes her tyrant mother‘s wrath!

The YA Books Bingo Card by World Indie Warriors for their summer reading challenge!

I‘m planning to start with The Mirror Souls by Julia Scott - it‘s been on my Kindle forever! I‘m currently reading Finn by Ellie Mitten with my son. I‘ve already read & reviewed Brave New Girl by Grace Herbst, and Red Blood by Kaitlyn Legaspi.

#summerreadingchallenge #bookbingo

The Romance Books Bingo Card by World Indie Warriors for their summer reading challenge!

I‘ve already read & reviewed Agent Undone by Cassidy Reyne, Duet Rubato by Claerie Kavanaugh, and Amelia‘s Story by Nicola Hebron. I‘m well on my way to a line of three or more!

#summerreadingchallenge #bookbingo

The Fantasy Books Bingo Card by World Indie Warriors for their summer reading challenge!

The urban fantasy, Fate of the Blue Moon by H.B. Lyne is on my shelf, so it‘d be an easy one to start with. I can also highly recommend Crown of Conspiracy by Kara S. Weaver, and Sorceress of Truth by J.D. Groom.

#summerreadingchallenge #bookbingo

It‘s Indie Author Week UK!

Join me on Tues, 15 June at 8pm (GMT+1), where I will be joined by some awesome Indie Authors to chat about why we love being Indie.

Here is the event link for the viewers to watch the Stream: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TG1203XOADs

#indieauthorweekuk #indieauthors #indiebooks #booktube #authortube

I wanted to see Ashley go wild and hit rock bottom but the story starts after that. There were a few occasions I felt the story was too safe but overall it‘s a great story about taking responsibility for your actions and forgiveness. It‘s well written, quick & easy to read, with a satisfying ending. It‘s part of a series but can be read as a standalone. I gave it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

It‘s Indie Author Week UK!
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What better way to kick it off than with a book foot stack of indie books.
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#indieauthorweekuk #indiebooks #indieauthors #bookstack #footstack #felixstowe

This story was brilliant. The stakes were high, the danger real, and it had me turning the page every chance I got.

April is easy to like and relate to, despite being a mer princess. All the characters are well thought out with clear motives that make sense, even the villains. I really enjoyed the pearl magic system.

#mermayreadalong #mermay #mermaid

This is one of my DNFs. It‘s not the books fault.

My sister bought it for me and I packed it in my maternity bag. But, when my son was born I barely got a moment to read.

Then, I rediscovered it whilst pregnant with my daughter. This time I read before she was born, but I was so tired in the evenings, I struggled to read and only managed a few chapters.

I‘m determined one day I will find the perfect time to enjoy this book.

It‘s forever since I read this book, but you know it‘s good when the story stays with you. Ingo is set in Cornwall and the setting is described vividly. I do remember feeling a bit worried about them discovering the underwater world and feared it was a trick. I probably shouldreread it as an adult and rediscover Ingo.

This was my first mermaid book. What was your first mermaid book?

#mermaid #mermay #mermaidfiction

Full review on my blog: https://allyaldridge.com/book-review-the-rookery-by-deborah-hewitt-the-nightjar-...

Spoiler alert. I recommend this book. 📖 😉

Check out my recent Behind the Book blog post with author Hannah Reed about Tenebrasco. This YA Contemporary Fantasy is the first book in her The Pearl Wielders trilogy.

It‘s also my current read for #MerMay as I‘m taking part in the #MerMayReadalong

https://allyaldridge.com/behind-the-book-tenebrasco-by-hannah-reed/

This is a brilliant retelling of a popular folktale. I like poetry that rhymes and this is how the story is told. Every page had a short poem that pushed the story on, and throughout the book pages are the beautiful illustrations.

I loved this quick read and would recommend it to anyone that loves children‘s fiction, poetry that rhymes, and folktales. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book has loads of magic and I loved seeing the different powers. The soul birds were new to me and I loved them, and how Alice‘s unique gift gives her insight into the motives of others.

It felt a bit like a mystery with fantasy, as the MC collects info, pieces it together, and saves The Rookery. If you enjoy mysteries and fantasy then you‘d love this.