Open Up by Alex Woodard

Posted on February 1, 2022June 23, 2022 by Rachel

This post contains affiliate links you can use to purchase the book. If you buy the book using that link, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no extra cost to you.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions are honest and my own.

Open Up by Alex Woodard
Genres: Memoir

Lessons born in the nostalgia of a 1980s childhood find their wings decades later, in this true coming-of-age story of a singer-songwriter reinventing his life outside the shadow of his mother’s dementia.
Open Up unfolds during the same day as the #1 bestselling Living Halfway, with all of the heart, vulnerability, and humanity of its literary fraternal twin, but none of the cynicism. Familiar scenes are seen through a different lens, suggesting not only the power of a changed perspective, but also what beauty we might find inside. If we can just open up.

ASIN: B09M9J4SQX
Published by Amazon on November 19, 2021
Pages: 147
Format: eBook
Source: Indie Reader
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Death by Diploma by Kelley Kaye Bowles

Posted on January 27, 2022June 23, 2022 by Rachel

This post contains affiliate links you can use to purchase the book. If you buy the book using that link, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no extra cost to you.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions are honest and my own.

Death by Diploma Series: Chalkboard Outlines, #1, #1
by Kelley Kaye Bowles
Genres: Adult, Fiction, Humor, Mystery

Emma Lovett leaves her philandering husband and crosses the country to begin her teaching career at a high school in Pinewood, Colorado.There, she meets Leslie Parker, a fellow teacher given to quoting Shakespeare to fit all situations, and the two become fast friends.
Arriving at work early one morning, Emma discovers the body of the school custodian, a man who reminds her of her late father. When the police struggle to find the killer, the ladies decide to help solve the murder. Their efforts lead them to a myriad of suspects: the schizophrenic librarian, the crude football coach, the mysterious social studies teacher, and even Emma’s new love interest.
As Emma Lovett discovers the perils of teaching high school, she and Leslie learn more than they ever wanted to know about the reasons people kill.

ISBN: 1940215625
Published by Red Adept Publishing LLC on February 23, 2016
Pages: 228
Format: eBook
Source: BookSirens
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The Merry Writer Podcast | RachelPoliAuthor.com

What Are Some Writing Advice From Big Authors?

Posted on January 26, 2022January 20, 2022 by Rachel

If you don’t know, The Merry Writer began as a Twitter hashtag game in 2018. Today, it’s a fun, informative podcast about all things creative writing and books.

Join co-hosts Ari Meghlen and Rachel Poli every Wednesday while we ask and answer all the “write” questions.

This week, we’re discussing various advice from big-name authors. Come join the conversation here!…

Midnight Wings by Ariele Sieling

Posted on January 25, 2022June 23, 2022 by Rachel

This post contains affiliate links you can use to purchase the book. If you buy the book using that link, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no extra cost to you.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions are honest and my own.

Midnight Wings: A Science Fiction Retelling of Cinderella Series: Rove City, #1, #1
by Ariele Sieling
Genres: Fairy Tale Retelling, Fantasy, Romance, Science Fiction, Space

In El's fantasies, she pilots a fighter jet for the intergalactic fleet. In reality, she's a mechanic whose social grid ranking guarantees she'll never advance beyond the lowest grunt work, and a slave in all but name to her cruel and self-centered stepmother and stepsisters. The most she can hope for is a few stolen moments of happiness practicing on her sisters' flight simulators, or talking to the mysterious stranger she met on an illicit night of stargazing.
When the queen announces a competition to find new pilots for the fleet, El knows this is her chance to escape. But her stepmother will never let her compete—and then she learns that her new friend, the one person she thought she could trust, was hiding a secret that changes everything between them.
It's a good thing she has a lot more friends than she thinks she does.

ASIN: B081BC5QCT
Published by Amazon on November 16, 2019
Pages: 179
Format: eBook
Source: BookSirens
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Zombies for Everyone by Kimberly Wylie

Posted on January 20, 2022June 23, 2022 by Rachel

This post contains affiliate links you can use to purchase the book. If you buy the book using that link, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no extra cost to you.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions are honest and my own.

Zombies for Everyone Series: Jenna Sutton Cozy Mystery, #1, #1
by Kimberly Wylie
Genres: Fantasy, Mystery, Paranormal, Young Adult

Jenna Sutton is nothing like the iconic vampire slayer of TV fame.
She’s the antithesis of a cheerleader. She’s not peppy. And she sucks at gymnastics. She has nothing in common with the fictional Buffy, other than being blonde and in high school...
Oh, and occasionally she kills vampires for a living as well as other things that go bump in the night
Following an attack on an English teacher at a nearby school, it becomes clear this wasn’t an ordinary coyote bite. The gray-green Lichtenberg-like webbing of streaks making their way up Ms. Pruett’s arm can mean only one thing—zombies.
But this isn’t a normal zombie attack. The victims seem to be hand-picked.
Can Jenna complete her investigation without the school administrators figuring out she’s actually a high school student from another school? Will Jenna be able to find out who’s behind these attacks before a full-scale zombie outbreak overtakes the town? And, perhaps most importantly...
Why did her best friend kiss her after all of these years?

ISBN: 9798741616895
Published by Cypress Canyon Publishing on June 30, 2021
Pages: 184
Format: eBook
Source: BookSirens
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Should You Share Your Writing Journey?

Posted on January 19, 2022January 20, 2022 by Rachel

If you don’t know, The Merry Writer began as a Twitter hashtag game in 2018. Today, it’s a fun, informative podcast about all things creative writing and books.

Join co-hosts Ari Meghlen and Rachel Poli every Wednesday while we ask and answer all the “write” questions.

This week, we’re discussing whether you should share your writing journey or not. Come join the conversation here!…

Two Can Witch the Game by Valia Lind

Posted on January 18, 2022June 23, 2022 by Rachel

This post contains affiliate links you can use to purchase the book. If you buy the book using that link, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no extra cost to you.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions are honest and my own.

Two Can Witch the Game Series: Crooked Windows Inn Cozy Witch Mysteries, #2, #2
by Valia Lind
Genres: Mystery, Paranormal

It’s a new month in Monroe Cove and magic is in the air.
So is the smell of freshly baked goods as the town prepares for its annual spring bake-off. Cassie’s best friend is a top contender, and Cassie is there to lend a hand. But then, everything starts going wrong, from a ruined mixer to a clogged garbage disposal. It’s as if Penny’s Bakery is cursed.
Now that Cassie is starting to feel more at home at Crooked Windows Inn, and with her magic, she’s determined to help her friend out.
Is it a curse or just a case of bad luck?
When a body turns up at the back of the bakery, the whole town is in uproar. And with so many new faces mulling about, there is no saying who could be the culprit!
With the help of a quirky cat, a handsome handyman, and a meddling aunt, Cassie will do whatever it takes to make sure her friend isn’t next on the killer’s list.

ASIN: B08X1XWNRB
Published by Amazon on June 15, 2021
Pages: 127
Format: eBook
Source: BookSirens
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Also in this series: Once Upon a Witch
Also by this author: Once Upon a Witch, Third Witch's The Charm
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Once Upon a Witch by Valia Lind

Posted on January 13, 2022June 23, 2022 by Rachel

This post contains affiliate links you can use to purchase the book. If you buy the book using that link, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no extra cost to you.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions are honest and my own.

Once Upon a Witch Series: Crooked Windows Inn Cozy Witch Mysteries, #1, #1
by Valia Lind
Genres: Fantasy, Mystery, Paranormal

One magical mishap and her world goes up in flames.
Cassandra Duke had her whole life figured out. She was going to stay away from magic, become a successful interior designer in a big city, and maybe finally learn how to waltz. But then, her magic acts up—without her permission—leaving her without a job and a plan.
Coming home was never in the stars. But when her aunt calls, Cassie packs up her stuff and heads to Crooked Windows Inn. Maybe with a little peace and quiet, and a remodeling gig, she can get her magic (and life) back under control.
But the universe is clearly out to get her!
Not only has she picked up an annoying cat sidekick, but then her childhood nemesis comes back into her life in the form of the (hot) new handyman, and things just can’t get any worse.
That is, until one of the inn’s guests turns up dead and Cassie’s aunt is the prime suspect.
Now Cassie has no choice but to take the matters into her own magical hands.
Can she solve the case before her aunt is arrested for a crime she didn’t commit?

ASIN: B08R5MMVHQ
Published by Skazka Press on February 5, 2021
Pages: 137
Format: eBook
Source: BookSirens
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Also in this series: Two Can Witch the Game
Also by this author: Two Can Witch the Game, Third Witch's The Charm
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What Are Some Tips For Launching A Debut Book? [With Cassie Sanchez]

Posted on January 12, 2022June 15, 2022 by Rachel

If you don’t know, The Merry Writer began as a Twitter hashtag game in 2018. Today, it’s a fun, informative podcast about all things creative writing and books.

Join co-hosts Ari Meghlen and Rachel Poli every Wednesday while we ask and answer all the “write” questions.

This week, we have a special guest joining us: author Cassie Sanchez. She’s here to help us talk about launching a debut book. Come join the conversation here!…

Delilah: A Ronnie Lake Cold Case: Short Story by Niki Danforth

Posted on January 11, 2022June 23, 2022 by Rachel

This post contains affiliate links you can use to purchase the book. If you buy the book using that link, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no extra cost to you.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions are honest and my own.

Delilah: A Ronnie Lake Cold Case: Short Story by Niki Danforth

Delilah: A Ronnie Lake Cold Case: Short Story Series: A Ronnie Lake Mystery #2
by Niki Danforth
Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Short Story, Thriller/Suspense

She’s divorced and downsized. But if she doesn’t catch a killer, she could be dead and buried.
Ronnie Lake’s second chapter in life has just begun but the sleuth-in-training didn’t expect her first real investigation would lead her to solve a 40-year-old crime. Her experienced partner is too busy to lend a hand, so she vows to solve the cold case before her dying client takes his last breath.
With her German shepherd sidekick, Ronnie fights for every clue and the chance to be taken seriously. Racing against the clock, she sets a dangerous trap that could lure her prime suspect into handcuffs… or trigger another bloody rampage.
Can Ronnie outfox the murderer or will her first solo case be her last?

ISBN: 0692603638
ASIN: B01AIIPMMY
Published by Pancora Press on January 11, 2016
Pages: 79
Format: eBook
Source: Indie Reader
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Also by this author: Hush, Hush: A Ronnie Lake Mystery
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