June Indie Book Review:
The Vow that Twisted Fate by Katherine D. Graham
"There are some who say I am the reincarnation of one of my ancestors: the White Queen, who vanquished all evil in our world once and for all. Now the same task falls to me."
- Queen Arlena the Fair
Our First Visit to The Hills and Hamlets Bookshop:

The smells it represents are Moss, Smoke, Sage, and Pipe Smoke. This candle was SPOT ON to what Middle-Earth would smell like...which makes reading more special doesn't it?
As soon as we entered the store we were greeted by a very kind woman who gladly took our two children under her wing. She enthusiastically asked them their reading level/age and guided them to books for their age/level. She also pointed out books that were recommended and interesting. I was very impressed by her knowledge and genuine love of her job. Both of my children actually took home the books she helped them pick out. During my visit in the store she guided me through the books that were recommended by staff. I found that the majority of the books I was drawn too had been already staff picked by the Owner Megan. ( From what I am told, her and I need to be friends. And from what I learned about her that day, I insist I go back on a day she is there just to say hello!) It did not take me long to realize that there was a slight Harry Potter vibe going on in the store.
The store reminded me of Ollivander's. From the location of the Antique books and the wooden themes, and old rustic aesthetics. The sign of the store is beautiful as well. The store all together, readers, is an experience. My only regret that I have about visiting is that I did not catch the name of the sweet woman who assisted us during our visit, and not getting enough photos of the bookstore to share with you!
The warm and inviting feeling you get when you find yourself there is easily received by any age. ( I know as both of my children felt right at home.) I promise you will not regret visiting this lovely bookstore. I believe this store was made with love and passion. It is very evident in the design and the people that work there. We will be visiting again often, as we have claimed this town and this bookstore as our new "staycation" spot.
Thank you Serenbe and Hills and Hamlets Bookshop for the warm and inviting atmosphere, we did not feel like visitors but more so like long awaited family.
Becoming a Homeschool Mom came with a few years of research and consideration. My oldest was in third grade at the time and her school was underfunded. She struggled with comprehension and I struggled with communication between her teachers. Finally I chose to remove her from public school and embark on the journey of Homeschooling. We are now going on almost FOUR YEARS and the time has just flown by! Now we are approaching the youngest who turned the big five in December. I began teaching him during the day and he took to homeschooling really well. I believe it was because my oldest was homeschooling and he wanted to copy his older sister. We began each morning with the Pledge of Allegiance and then we went through songs just as I used to do when I was a Daycare teacher. He learned the seasons of the year, months of the year, his ABCS. He then learned his shapes and numbers 1-10 all in his first year of Pre-School with me as his teacher. ( Wow! When I type it all out like that it makes me feel so good!)
- He must be moving every twenty minutes. Time moving helps him focus better and remove his energy. We call it "Wiggles". We normally start the day off using a fun Math song/workout on Youtube. Once we get that done we can then sit down to focus.
- HIs attention span is short. Taking breaks is going to be normal but staying consistent in a schedule is best. He knows exactly what is going to happen next and he looks forward to this every day. We spend maybe an hour doing Math and then Language Arts using Time4Learning. We then move on to Mom learning time.
- During Mom learning time we read a book, we go outside and free play, we play with 3D shapes or a letter game/sight word game ( coming soon, next week), or we watch a documentary on an animal in nature. He enjoys learning about animals and their habitats. I encourage this natural curiosity as much as I am able too. Disney Plus has a ton of Animal Documentaries and shows that are safe for little eyes to see.
- We are moving back next week to more book work, using Allinoneeasypeasy.com. This is a free homeschool program that offers workbooks to buy or pintables. We will be practicing his handwriting, and reading more often now that he is getting the hang of schooling every day.
- We take a break. Both of my children do well with breaks in between. We go to the park or we go on a field trip to a new place. We enjoy nature or spend a day playing with the sweet children next door. It is very important to allow them to have imaginative play on their own. It is equally important to allow them to learn to play with others and gain friendships. The older my youngest gets the more he is wanting to make friends. This is vital to his cooperation in learning at home. I make a point to take my children out once a week as best as I am able too.
- IT is okay to take a break. I am learning sometimes he needs a break. Learning should be fun and it should be encouraged not forced. He will learn either way whether at home or in a school setting. I have told both of my children many times that homeschool only works when the student is willing to learn. They both constantly tell me they enjoy learning at home. The oldest is ready for a public High School experience but the youngest is still openly happy to be homeschooled. I have to meet my students, my children where they are and always listen to them. Always.
- Teaching my five year old is like slaying a dragon every single day. There are days he does not want to do his work. He would rather play with his Hotwheels or on Roblox. I totally understand that he may not want to tackle something. Some days I meet him in the middle and he does school work later in the day but this is rare. I simply tell my son that it is time to do his work and then he can play. "Let's take a look at what games are in store for today." " Let's go read a book outside!" "Let's go outside to the school house and play a game." I usually begin a sentence with "let's" because learning is a joined adventure. It makes him feel included and not isolated. A day in which we can tackle one on one learning reading a book, learning a new skill, or writing a letter is a day that is successful. The feeling of him learning and tackling his school work is the same feeling I would imagine a Knight would have slaying a dragon. His mission is completed. But there are so many more dragons to come. That is how we look at school here at our home. Every day has dragons to slay, but each day is a new adventure. School only works at home when each day is a fun learning experience. Especially when the child is young and requires more attention.
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Photo Cred: Mabel Amber |
Welcome to the Book Witch's Den!
- New Author's Tab- This is where I will share all of the debut Authors that are Indie writers who may not have a traditional publishing house. They are Authors that have given me the opportunity to share with you information on their books and their interests. I conduct interviews with at least 1 Author a month but would like to increase this as time goes on. If you would like to BE one of the Authors that I interview please email me @Amandathebookwitch@gmail.com or DM on my Instagram @Amanda_Thebookwitch.
- Book Reviews Tab- This section is a bit self explanatory as it is where I will post my book reviews from books that I have read, or from the Indie Authors that have entrusted me with their book babies. I will try to have at least one a Month but as homeschool Mom sometimes that does not happen. I will do my best to make this a regular feature. I enjoy writing them! To have your book reviewed DM my Instagram or email.
- My Adventures Tab- This tab is where you will learn all about me, and my adventures. I will discuss my writing journey and all the fun that is involved with publishing. It will also be the place I share my adventures and travels with as I explore nature and towns to inspire my stories and my work. I will also post updates on my Children's book and my other work as I continue my writing journey. This tab is most important to me as it is more of a personal tab and I welcome you to get to know who it is that I am and for your support & friendship.
- Homeschooling is Magic- This tab was the most fun to create, because it is the most personal. I am a Homeschool Mom with huge hobbies and dreams. The most important job that I have currently is teaching my children. The biggest form of magic is the ability to watch a child learn and grow. It is from this tab that I am going to share all the fun and all the tears that come with the most important job in the world. Framing young minds to be brave, loyal, kind, smart, and magically creative.

We woke up on the Friday before Mother's day to embark on our hour and a half journey to this mysterious bookshop and town. Upon arriving we realized that this town was actually a community neighborhood which seemed to be sectioned off by itself from the rest of Chattahoochee Hills. As soon as we turned in we saw people walking their dogs and beautiful landscaping which turned out to be a walking trail. Then our eyes were amazed at this small town sectioned off from the rest of the world. It was almost like finding buried treasure but much better. The homes surrounding us were red, grey, black and white. Their architecture was beautiful and very unique. I wanted to stop and stare at them but my family was ready to go explore.
"Did we just step into a Hallmark movie?" My twelve year old daughter asked as she stood in amazement looking at all the little tiny stores down the right side of the town. The town resembled the town from the "Good Witch" television series on Hallmark. It was uncanny because on the way to checkout the little area there was a sign that read, "Middleton Way", and Middleton is the name of the small town from that very show!

I finally finished Fable! You guys I am so excited to share with you my thoughts about this wonderful read! Also if you have a Goodreads account check me out @Amanda the Book Witch. Now before I get into my review, below is a quick summary of what the book is about. Keep in mind that the very bottom of this post will have a spoiler alert listed, for a more detailed review.
Summary:
"Welcome to a world made dangerous by the sea and by those who wish to profit from it. Where a young girl must find her place and her family while trying to survive in a world built for men."
As the daughter of the most powerful trader in the Narrows, the sea is the only home seventeen-year-old Fable has ever known. It’s been four years since the night she watched her mother drown during an unforgiving storm. The next day her father abandoned her on a legendary island filled with thieves and little food. To survive she must keep to herself, learn to trust no one and rely on the unique skills her mother taught her. The only thing that keeps her going is the goal of getting off the island, finding her father and demanding her rightful place beside him and his crew. To do so Fable enlists the help of a young trader named West to get her off the island and across the Narrows to her father.
But her father’s rivalries and the dangers of his trading enterprise have only multiplied since she last saw him and Fable soon finds that West isn't who he seems. Together, they will have to survive more than the treacherous storms that haunt the Narrows if they're going to stay alive.
Fable gets a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 out of 5 stars!
❤ Spoilers below! Read at your own risk!!❤
What is it about?
"Feyre's survival rests upon her ability to hunt and kill— the forest where she lives is a cold, bleak place in the long winter months. So when she spots a deer in the forest being pursued by a wolf, she cannot resist fighting it for the flesh. But to do so, she must kill the predator and killing something so precious comes at a price. Dragged to a magical kingdom for the murder of a faerie, Feyre discovers that her captor, his face obscured by a jewelled mask, is hiding far more than his piercing green eyes would suggest. Feyre's presence at the court is closely guarded, and as she begins to learn why, her feelings for him turn from hostility to passion and the faerie lands become an even more dangerous place. Feyre must fight to break an ancient curse, or she will lose him forever." ( Wikipedia's help)
ACOTAR GETS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'s
I had no prior thoughts of the book and I honestly have no idea what is is that I expected to read. I cracked open the book to find the beautiful map and the details written in it, and that is when I knew this book was much more than a pretty cover. This book was going to be a detailed book and I was about to go on an adventure. With the coffee maker brewing and my blanket all snuggled underneath my arms, I settled down to begin. It never occurred to me that I would actually enjoy the book and the characters she so eloquently wove together. I began to worry so much about the fate of each one that I would catch myself staying up later than I should have. I was up late many nights listening to Audible, watching the worlds in my mind as she painted the pictures so perfectly. I love imagery in a book because it gives me more to go on than just small descriptions and needless words. The relationships of the main characters are the true reason why anyone is carrying around this book as if it is a gift from the book Gods. The characters she has created are emotionally driven and you cant help but want to make sure that they are going to be okay. The fight against good and evil is so intense you want nothing more than the good to prevail. . The truth is I did not expect to like this book at all, I expected to find it a bit basic. I had no idea that I would be hooked on the series and now I must order the second one. If you love stories about strong leading ladies who love deeply than this story is for you! My review gets a bit more detailed below but if you have not read the book it may contain spoilers.
***** SPOILERS BELOW! READ AT YOUR OWN PERIL!********
"Caldron, boil me!" First of all this line had me giggling in my bed at two am. I have never heard of this phrase in my entire life, then again I am not a High Fae. This book literally made me look at fae folk differently. I used to only see fairies as these small tiny creatures who loved nature and mischief. But Sara wrote an entire book about fairies as beasts and marvelous superior beings. She took fairies to a level I have never even seen before. I think that is why I kept reading A Court of Thorns and Roses to start with, the concept was fascinating to me from a creative point of view. Once I got passed the first few chapters I was fully invested in the story. IT did take me a couple of chapters to have the want to complete the book. At first the main character Feyre seemed really hard and cold. Granted she was the care taker of her family and had a lot of responsiblity due to her promises to loved ones. However like Feyre the other characters began to grow on me and I found myself thinking of them long after I placed the book up for the day/night. Tamlin and Lucien are incredibly strong characters and the banter between Feyre and Lucien was just brilliant. The fact that Tamlin and Feyre truly caring for one another set the entire mood of the rest of the story. You can't help but want them to be together no matter what, so much that you some what hold your breath near the last few chapters.
Tamlin vs Rhysand ( Thoughts?)
I loved Tamlin and the love he had for Feyre. But I am a bit ticked off at him for not being honest with her. I understand that he was unable to really tell her what was going on about the curse but come one...you couldn't figure out another way to get the message across? A way for her to know she needed to be honest with you and say how she felt about you? You wait until everything has gone to heck and she feels responsible? Lame. Just lame dude. For that I think you could have been a bit smarter, especially being an High Fae of the Spring Court and all.
Rhysand...Oh Rhysand.
I am not one to usually crush on book characters. I am older now and have not really felt that way about a character in a book in a very long time. However, this character took me off guard from the moment Feyre met him. I instantly wanted to know more about him and what his deal was. I found myself wanted more information about him despite his cruelty to Feyre. It was not until I realized what he was doing did I realize he was truly doing the best he could and he was protecting her in many ways. It stinks to have been deemed the bad guy the entire time but he literally got stuff done. I tend to always like the confident types, so it is not surprising that I would his character more appealing than the other leading High Fae males.
The villain. Amarantha. You nasty. Cold. B***..
Once the story unfolds and I began to see that the "blite" and all the misfortunes of all the creatures and Fae folk in Prythian was because of her..I was furious. Her cold hatred towards humans because of the past affected so many and the deaths she caused in the wake of her hatred was horrible. The way she handled Feyre and the trials just had my mood all sorts of messed up. To have a hatred that strong to tear apart many lives is just selfish and immature. To be someone of higher power and superiority she certainly behaved like a child. I was more than happy to watch her fail and die painfully. If there is something I love more than a good book is a fantastic villain. Amarantha was a great villain as she had a back story that made sense and you could almost see why she would have let that anger cause so much strife. If a writer can make the reader hate the villain as much as the main characters do than the writer has done her job well. In most cases I find that the villain is almost just as important as the hero in every good story.
Overall,
I give this book 5 Stars!
A Court of Thorns and Roses was an incredible book that deserves all of the praise and recognition it has received. I thought it was a YA Fantasy novel but some of the content showed me that it was indeed an Adult Fantasy. I tend to not read books with certain scenes as I am more reading for the adventure not the spicy romance bits. But I can say the way she wrote the scenes and the way she worded certain moments was done so delicately and beautifully that I did not mind them so much. She is a talented writer and it was an enjoyable read. I cannot wait to get my hands on the second one in the series, immediately!
Have you read this book? Did you like it? What are your thoughts?
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