Review of Afterthoughts by Justine Alexi

 

Kanara never meant to kill her mother. A lifetime in prison awaits her. But the judge gives her a break and sentences her to ten years at Zylen Mental Hospital.

At first glance, the hospital isn’t bad. The food is edible, the other patients don’t know about her crime, and Eliot, the intern assigned to her case, is gentle and kind, not to mention gorgeous.

But the hospital has a few secrets of its own.

Like the cryptic message on the wall in Kanara’s room, written in a cipher only she and her sister know.

And the new voice in her head that seems to be able to predict the future.

And the doctors whispering in secret that their experiment is failing, the patients are dying, and they’re all running out of time.

 

Amazon 

 

My Review: 5 STARS

I picked this up on pre-order because the blurb and cover intrigued me and I dove into it the day it was released. I loved the world, the characters, seeing them put the pieces together and all the danger and intrigue, the twists and turns the plot went through, and overall just how real and engaging it was. Alexi has crafted a world and characters that you want to know more about, that you root for, that you want to win the day and come together at the end. All of it was brilliantly crafted and well written and I will be reading the next in the series. Very much recommended! 

Join Joey here on the blog on Fridays for interviews, reviews and guest bloggers. If you'd be interested in doing any of those, you can contact Joey here

Tips & Tricks: Social Media [CC]

Giving you some of the tips I've learned for social media! #Authortube

 

BUY CRAMPING CHRONICLES: THE THIRD ACHE: http://www.books2read.com/ACHE03

BUY SIGNED BOOKS AT MY KO-FI SHOP: https://ko-fi.com/authorjoeypaul/shop

BUY BLACKOUT IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/BOUT

BUY THE FRIENDSHIP TRIANGLE IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/TFTA

BUY WAITING ON YOU IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/WOY

BUY MY BOOKS: http://www.joeypaulonline.com/p/aboutjoeys-books.html

SIGN UP TO MY NEWSLETTER: http://eepurl.com/h89_5f

BUY TICKETS FOR WONDERLAND 2025: https://buytickets.at/wonderland1/1078461

BLOG: http://www.joeypaulonline.com/

TUMBLR: http://authorjoeypaul.tumblr.com

FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/JoeyPaulOnline

BLUESKY: https://bsky.app/profile/msjoeybug.bsky.social

INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/authorjoeypaul

THREADS: https://www.threads.net/@authorjoeypaul

 

#TeaserTuesday

This is a case like nothing else Tara has worked on...

BUY NOW: http://www.books2read.com/DTSC

[ID: A blurred photo of firelights with the title DYING THOUGHTS - SIXTH CHANGE at the top and out now in ebook & paperback just below the title The except reads:

“Hang on, phone’s ringing.” I dug it out of my jeans and answered. It was Mike. “What’s up?” I asked.
“I need you to come to the station,” he said, sounding solemn.
“Case?” I said.
“Worse. He struck again, Tara, and this time he raped someone,” Mike said.
I could feel Kaolin’s eyes on me.

At the bottom is Joey Paul and just below that the website www.joeypaulonline.com, in the top right corner is the Readers' Favorite review seal, and in the bottom right corner is the logo for Bug Books. END ID]

 

Spoonie Writer: Writing Every Day Doesn't Apply

SPOONIE WRITER: WRITING EVERY DAY DOESN'T APPLY

I talked recently about pieces of writing advice that I hate (found here) and among them was this gem about how you have to write every day to be valid as a writer. It's something I've been outspoken about over the years simply because it's not true and it leads to things like burnout. I don't want any writer, abled, healthy, or otherwise to face the fear that because they don't or can't write every day, they are therefore not valid or not a 'real' writer.

I've been writing since I was 19, I just turned 43. You wanna guess how many days I've written every day? Probably a number close to zero. I was, when still drafting, writing most days, but there were always, and will be always, days when I didn't write, because it's harmful piece of advice, and none of us are machines that can function on nothing but caffeine and writing advice. It just doesn't work like that.

When it comes to spoonies, of which there are a lot in the writing space, it feels even more harmful because there can be serious medical issues that stem from pushing your body into writing every single day even if you do not feel well enough. So let me be clear when I say that for spoonie writers especially, this piece of advice does not apply to you. It doesn't, or shouldn't, apply to anyone else either, but there are some writers who swear by it, so I guess they do what works for them.

In the days when I still did NaNo, before it blew itself up I mean, I would set out to write a certain number of words, but I wouldn't write every single day because it's not sustainable for me, or for pretty much anyone. I am chronically ill, disabled, and I have days when I just can't. Writing and being an indie author is my job, it's the thing I do to make money to live and function, and yet even with it being my one and only full time gig, I can't push my body to sit down at my desk and work and write every single day because it's just not feasible.

So if any of this resonates with you, then know that you do not have to write every day to be a 'real' writer. You can write a chunk here and there, still a writer. You can write once every full moon, still a writer. You can be taking a chunk of time off, guess what? Still a writer! There is too much emphasis on being productive and being worthy of time off, and while it's something that I struggle with myself, it's also something where I will try, and continue, to challenge.

At the end of the day, we all need breaks. Writing is a creative pursuit and if you don't refill your well at times, then you will run out of steam and end up in burnout, and trust me, no one wants that. The hustle culture and the whole productivity tied to worth that's been popping up for years now is something that needs to stop. I don't like it. I never have. I don't like even that because of being organised and knowing how to best use my spoons to get work done, that I'm held up as productive and therefore worthy, despite (which I hate that word when used in this sentence) my disabilities and conditions.

I am a disabled, chronically ill, indie author. I have found a way that works for me, but that is not, and never will be, writing every day. I am also not more worthy of the title of author because I get as much done as I do. It's not a race. It's not a competition. It takes as long as it takes, and that's okay. You do not have to write every day to be valid, and that is a hill that I will gladly die on!

Any questions? Lemme know in the comments!

Follow Joey to be kept up to date with the latest news regarding Joey and her books. 

Review of It’s Complicated by RosaLinda Diaz

Belles before Beaus is an unbreakable friendship code. Can Andie bend it for her BFF’s brother?

Absolutely not. Jake's totally off limits...

…unless they keep it a secret.

Jake is five hundred miles away, which makes keeping this romance under wraps a simple solution. Virtual dating is sort of the worst, but their chemistry is electric, even if their relationship status is complicated.

It’s the perfect plan...until it isn’t.

When worlds collide, Andie’s scrambling to keep this budding relationship hush-hush. Will she lose her best friend and Jake in this charade? Long-distance dating is hard. Secretly dating her best friend’s brother is downright dangerous.

After applying to many teaching positions across multiple districts, Andie’s stuck subbing. It feels as if she’ll never get ahead professionally. When an unusual teaching opportunity falls in her lap she accepts, but it reveals the cracks in their already fragile relationship.

Can Andie keep everything from falling apart, just as her life seems to be finally coming together?

Amazon

My Review: 5 STARS

I read the first two books in this series and was desperate to read the next. The thought of a complicated love story staying within the series and friend group intrigued me and I couldn’t have been happier with the way it all played out. I loved Andie and Jake and the way they both complemented each other, the two of them were sweet and perfect for each other. The whole book was one thrilling ride with twists and turns along the way that made the story all that more engaging. I adore Diaz’s writing style and the way she makes you feel like you’re right there with the couples. Very much recommended!

Join Joey here on the blog on Fridays for interviews, reviews and guest bloggers. If you'd be interested in doing any of those, you can contact Joey here

Working With Sensitivity Readers [CC]

Talking about working with sensitivity readers and tips for the process! #Authortube

 

BUY CRAMPING CHRONICLES: THE THIRD ACHE: http://www.books2read.com/ACHE03

BUY SIGNED BOOKS AT MY KO-FI SHOP: https://ko-fi.com/authorjoeypaul/shop

BUY BLACKOUT IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/BOUT

BUY THE FRIENDSHIP TRIANGLE IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/TFTA

BUY WAITING ON YOU IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/WOY
BUY DYING THOUGHTS - SECOND SIGHT IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/DTSS 
BUY DESTINATION: UNKNOWN IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/DUKN

BUY LIGHTS OUT IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/LOUT

BUY WALK A MILE IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/WAM

BUY MY BOOKS: http://www.joeypaulonline.com/p/aboutjoeys-books.html

SIGN UP TO MY NEWSLETTER: http://eepurl.com/h89_5f

BUY TICKETS FOR WONDERLAND 2025: https://buytickets.at/wonderland1/1078461

BLOG: http://www.joeypaulonline.com/

TUMBLR: http://authorjoeypaul.tumblr.com

FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/JoeyPaulOnline

BLUESKY: https://bsky.app/profile/msjoeybug.bsky.social

INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/authorjoeypaul

THREADS: https://www.threads.net/@authorjoeypaul

 

#TeaserTuesday

Cat refuses to deny who she is just to please her parents...

BUY NOW: http://www.books2read.com/INAR

[ID: A blue to pink gradient with the title IT'S NOT ALWAYS RAINBOWS at the top and out now in ebook, paperback & audiobook just above the title The except reads:

All I could do was nod, but inside I was screaming and swearing like a sailor. How dare he tell me I needed to treat them with respect? How dare he tell me I had to bow to their decisions? It was my damn life and I would live it any damn way I bloody pleased!
I didn’t wait to drink the tea that Mum had been making while the conversation had been going on, I just left the room before I said something I would live to regret. Once I reached my bedroom, I made sure the door slammed hard enough to shake the frame. F*ck him, he had no f*cking idea what life was like for me! I would see and speak to and hang around with whoever made me feel good about being the person I was and not the person they wanted me to be. Sod that!

At the bottom is Joey Paul and just below that the website www.joeypaulonline.com, in the bottom left corner is the Readers' Favorite review seal next to the New Apple Award seal, and in the bottom right corner is the logo for Bug Books. END ID]

 

The Trials Of An Indie Author: Working With Multiple Deadlines

THE TRIALS OF AN INDIE AUTHOR: WORKING WITH MULTIPLE DEADLINES

As an indie author, I can tell you that one of the things that really changed the landscape for me, was learning how to manage working with all the different deadlines. I'm sure this applies to trad pub too, but since I've only ever been indie, I can only speak of that. I know not everyone is able to manage to work on multiple projects, and might, therefore, not be able to manage having multiple deadlines, but for those of us who can and do, I thought that I would give you some insight into how I make it all work for me.

I will have been published for twenty years in August. At the moment I am revising four projects and editing one, just to give you some idea of the deadlines on my plate. Of those five projects, two have set deadlines coming up, one has a deadline in the middle of the year, and the remaining two are a long way off deadline wise, so I don't need to worry about them so much.

It sounds like a whole lot, and it is, and while my ability to plan and dedicate certain days to each have saved me when it comes to working and juggling those deadlines, it doesn't always stop the anxiety and stress that come with this life. I'm constantly worried that I might drop the ball with one of the more upcoming deadlines, and even the ones further off can sometimes feel like they're bearing down on me. I don't say that to be told that maybe I should drop a project here or there and only focus on the ones with more urgent deadlines, I am happy with the way I work, and it's the way I work, so I know that dropping one or two would just add to my stress levels.

My point is simply that there are ways to work, and you personally will know yourself best, and you gotta do what works for you. Just as I know that dropping this or that will impede my ability to function, you might know that there is no way you could ever work on more than one, or maybe two, projects, and both ways of working are valid and should be respected.

So how do you manage? I'm going to give you some of my tips!

#1 PLANNING MIGHT HELP
I say might because I know that for some people, planning isn't possible. It's not the way their brain works, and to do so would just make them even more stressed, and who wants to add to stress? I will say that I have found planning to be a perfect way for me to quiet the anxiety constantly in the back of my mind. It allows me to know when and what I'll be working on, it allows me to think ahead and tick things off, which gives me a nice serotonin boost. It gives me the chance to see, at a glance, just what I need to get done for the remainder of the week/month, and it's just a way for me to stay organised. If it works for you, embrace it, if not, then I hope you're able to find something that does help.

#2 PRIORITISE IF POSSIBLE
This one might seem obvious. After all, if you're planning, isn't it built into that? I mean yes, it can be, but for those who can't plan, this might be an option for them. If you have a project that's due sooner, make that your main focus, put as much time into that as possible, and use the other projects as a buffer should you need that as well. By this I mean, one of the reasons I work on multiple projects, beyond deadlines, is because I find it hard to focus on just one at all times, my brain loses interest and I miss things. Hence my juggling act. So if this is you, then make sure that you put the more important one, or ones, above the others, and get the majority of your work done on them.

#3 BREAKS AREN'T OPTIONAL
While it might seem silly to add in breaks here, especially with those deadlines looming, they need to be part of your working life. Yes people can push themselves through, but if you're constantly doing that, you will end up burned out, or worse, and will find that you can't do anything, and what's going to happen to all those deadlines then? So even if you think that you can't possibly spare time, try and slip them in there somewhere, because you do need them, and they will help you in the end.

So there we go, those are my three tips when it comes to working with multiple deadlines. I need to get back to editing, and from there, into my downtime for the day. I hope you're able to find a way that works for you, and good luck!

Any questions? Lemme know in the comments!

Follow Joey to be kept up to date with the latest news regarding Joey and her books. 

Review of The Edge Rules by Melanie Hooyenga

 

Being a bully isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

Sixteen-year old Brianna had everything she wanted: money to ski all over the world, underlings to do her bidding, and parents who gave her every freedom—as long as she played by their rules. But when she’s busted shoplifting and assigned to the Chain Gang, she ditches her shallow ways and realizes being herself is easier than manipulating people.

Forced to partner with kids she’d never dream of befriending, including Xavier, a boy who makes her pulse go into hyperdrive, Brianna vows to be a better person. Breaking Old Brianna’s habits isn’t easy, but her infatuation with Xavier—someone her parents would never approve of—motivates her to keep trying.

Even when he convinces her to trade her swanky skis for a beat-up snowboard.

Brianna lets go of her need to control everything and finally starts to feel free—until her past threatens to jeopardize her first real chance at love. She discovers balancing on the edge is as challenging in life as it is in snowboarding, and when a new friend is in trouble, Brianna must decide between the superficial things that used to be her world and putting her friend’s safety before herself.

Amazon

My Review: 5 STARS

I picked this up having read the first two books and fallen in love with Hooyenga’s style of writing and telling a story with hard hitting topics wrapped up with relatable and engaging characters. I was a little wary about it focusing on Brianna since she’d been such a big bully in the first book, but I couldn’t help but fall in love with her as she grew and changed and became the person she wanted to be. I adored Xavier and the conflict was beautifully crafted and allowed you to sink into the pages and fall in love with the story. A series for all those who love sweet romance that doesn’t shy away from serious topics. Very much recommended!

Join Joey here on the blog on Fridays for interviews, reviews and guest bloggers. If you'd be interested in doing any of those, you can contact Joey here

Questions From Readers - January 2025 [CC]

Answering questions from the readers in my audience today! #Authortube

 

BUY CRAMPING CHRONICLES: THE THIRD ACHE: http://www.books2read.com/ACHE03

BUY SIGNED BOOKS AT MY KO-FI SHOP: https://ko-fi.com/authorjoeypaul/shop

BUY BLACKOUT IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/BOUT

BUY THE FRIENDSHIP TRIANGLE IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/TFTA

BUY WAITING ON YOU IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/WOY
BUY DYING THOUGHTS - SECOND SIGHT IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/DTSS 
BUY DESTINATION: UNKNOWN IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/DUKN

BUY LIGHTS OUT IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/LOUT

BUY WALK A MILE IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/WAM

BUY MY BOOKS: http://www.joeypaulonline.com/p/aboutjoeys-books.html

SIGN UP TO MY NEWSLETTER: http://eepurl.com/h89_5f

BUY TICKETS FOR WONDERLAND 2025: https://buytickets.at/wonderland1/1078461

BLOG: http://www.joeypaulonline.com/

TUMBLR: http://authorjoeypaul.tumblr.com

FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/JoeyPaulOnline

BLUESKY: https://bsky.app/profile/msjoeybug.bsky.social

INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/authorjoeypaul

THREADS: https://www.threads.net/@authorjoeypaul

 

#TeaserTuesday

Tara knows what she wants to do with her life... just not how to get there...

BUY NOW: http://www.books2read.com/DTFS

[ID: A blue and black with the title DYING THOUGHTS - FIFTH SECRET at the top and out now in ebook & paperback just above the title The except reads:

"There is no such thing as a CID officer who *only* works on murders. You’ll be dealing with other crimes and I just think you need to factor all of that into your plans before deciding *right now* what you want the rest of your life to be like.”
“Your point, Kaolin?”
“I guess my point is that your dad just doesn’t want you to end up hating your job and wishing things had gone differently. He probably has no problem with you joining the police. I bet he’s really proud of you for wanting to do that. I think he just wants you to be sure that through the highs and lows of police work, you’ll be happy. He just wants you to be happy.”

At the bottom is Joey Paul and just below that the website www.joeypaulonline.com, in the top right corner is the Readers' Favorite review seal, and in the bottom right corner is the logo for Bug Books. END ID]

 

 

The Trials Of A Crime Writer: Planning Your Twist

THE TRIALS OF A CRIME WRITER: PLANNING YOUR TWIST

One thing that always appealed to me as a crime reader, were the twists. The ones that you could never see coming, the ones that seemed to turn the whole story on its side and allow you to view things through a different lens. I always wanted to recreate that with my own work, and while with some stories I feel like I've pulled it off, with others, it's harder to quantify.

At the end of the day, twists are not just for crime fiction. While they may be the main staple of thrillers and the like, it's not the only time a story will have one. I've found through my years of reading more and more different genres, that most books will have something they hold back, and there can still be a lot of twists thrown in there, and you still get that excitement both as the author writing them, and as the reader devouring them.

But today I thought that I would give you some of my insights and thoughts about what you need to be doing when it comes to planning your own twists, whether or not that's crime writing. I will stick to that mostly because it's a subject I know better, but as I said, you can still have twists in other genres, they just might not be seen as common as the tropes in crime and thriller fiction are.

So how do you go about planning that twist? I feel like you have to take a lot into consideration because a good twist is one that people don't guess, but also one that you have foreshadowed in some way. For me, the ones that literally come out of nowhere, when there's been not even the tiniest hint, don't land as well as the ones that you can trace back, to the small pieces of information the author has given you along the way. Of course, your mileage may vary there. I know for some authors, they will create their twist around a popular trope and use that to advertise and sell the book, but for me it's not something I've ever done, so I can't speak of it.

But when it comes to planning, and implementing those twists, there seem to be a few steps you have to follow, and I'm going to try and lay them all out for you here!

STEP ONE: LAY THE GROUNDWORK
Like I said above, you need to have some kind of basis for this twist. It's no good deciding in the third act and in the big reveal that the killer has been the detective all along if you don't leave some hints along the way. If the book is in their POV, then you need to have left some blanks, some things that point to everything not being all it seems. If you don't do that, it smacks of lazy planning and writing, and a way of putting the twist in because you know no one will get it. They won't, because you've skipped the part where people can even start to have some idea and guess. It does not, generally, lead to a happy reader if you don't do this.

STEP TWO: PLANT THE SEEDS, AND REMEMBER TO WATER THEM
Like the first step, this is something you need to be doing before the twist is revealed. You need to have little snippets, here and there that will allow the reader to start questioning things. It doesn't have to be big things. It can be a piece of throwaway description, or a line of dialogue, or even a scene that doesn't quite fit until you know the full story. Whatever you do, don't water them too much, but also don't mention it right at the start and then never again. Little bits here and there are going to have those suspicions blooming in reader's minds and that's what you want.

STEP THREE: LEAVE ROOM FOR SUSPICION
By this I simply mean that you can make it so that the reader suspects a whole lot, but can't be sure of anything. If you rule someone, or something, out completely, it can close that avenue for the reader, and while that can be a great twist in itself, I've found myself enjoying the stories when I literally suspect everyone and can't quite work out who to rule out in my mind. It allows you to feel like you're right there with the detective or whoever, and might be able to spot inconsistencies that they've missed.

STEP FOUR: DON'T PROLONG THE BIG REVEAL
When it comes times to actually execute and reveal that twist, don't leave it too late. While there's a lot to be said for thrillers that have twists right at the end, and leave the reader hanging, for the main twist, there should be some resolution, otherwise you might leave your readers a tad annoyed. So whatever you do, don't leave everything to the last minute and then rush through it all. That leaves to an unsatisfying experience for the reader, and it makes the ending seem, well, rushed.

So there we go, those are my four steps when it comes to planning your twists. I wish you all the luck with your writing and planning, and I hope these help.

Any questions? Lemme know in the comments!

Follow Joey to be kept up to date with the latest news regarding Joey and her books. 

Review of Destination Christmas by RosaLinda Diaz

When snowmageddon grounds their flight...
...a festive teacher and a frosty businessman must work together to reach Aspen by Christmas Eve.

It’s finally winter vacation for first-year teacher Lexie Knox, and she can’t wait for the festivities to begin—heck she started listening to holiday music in October. However, the minute she steps foot out of school all her carefully laid vacation plans fall apart—starting with her flight.

Her seatmate is an un-festive businessman who does not appreciate her holiday cookies or musical tutu.

But not even a handsome Bah Humbug is going to dampen Lexie’s Holiyay all the way spirit.

Frosty-the-businessman is traveling to Aspen days before Christmas to seal a crucial deal. It’s not like he has any family to spend the holidays with—none that he wants to see that is. But being distracted by an overly festive teacher, no matter how cute, is not on the agenda.

Snowmageddon has other plans.

Could a Christmas detour with an almost stranger be the best present of Lexie's life?

Amazon

My Review: 5 STARS

Having read book one in this series, I dove into book two and was delighted with all the Christmas feels. I loved getting to know Lexie more about the first book and the way Diaz sets the scene has you falling in love with the characters as if you’re there with them. I adored the way the story wove happiness and delight, and falling in love through the pages. Loved seeing it all come together and think Cole and Lexie were a perfect match. Overall a brilliantly Christmassy story that can be enjoyed all year around. Very much recommended!

Join Joey here on the blog on Fridays for interviews, reviews and guest bloggers. If you'd be interested in doing any of those, you can contact Joey here

Life Of Joey & Bi-Monthly Goals - January 2025 [CC]

Letting you know what I got up to last month, as well as reviewing goals from two months ago, and setting new ones! #Authortube

 

BUY CRAMPING CHRONICLES: THE THIRD ACHE: http://www.books2read.com/ACHE03

BUY SIGNED BOOKS AT MY KO-FI SHOP: https://ko-fi.com/authorjoeypaul/shop

BUY BLACKOUT IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/BOUT

BUY THE FRIENDSHIP TRIANGLE IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/TFTA

BUY WAITING ON YOU IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/WOY
BUY DYING THOUGHTS - SECOND SIGHT IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/DTSS 
BUY DESTINATION: UNKNOWN IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/DUKN

BUY LIGHTS OUT IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/LOUT

BUY WALK A MILE IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/WAM

BUY MY BOOKS: http://www.joeypaulonline.com/p/aboutjoeys-books.html

SIGN UP TO MY NEWSLETTER: http://eepurl.com/h89_5f

BUY TICKETS FOR WONDERLAND 2025: https://buytickets.at/wonderland1/1078461

BLOG: http://www.joeypaulonline.com/

TUMBLR: http://authorjoeypaul.tumblr.com

FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/JoeyPaulOnline

BLUESKY: https://bsky.app/profile/msjoeybug.bsky.social

INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/authorjoeypaul

THREADS: https://www.threads.net/@authorjoeypaul

 

#TeaserTuesday

Harriet has to be extra careful with what she says...

BUY NOW: http://www.books2read.com/DUKN

[ID: A light grey with the title DESTINATION: UNKNOWN at the top and out now in ebook, paperback & audiobook just above the title The except reads:

“And where do you live, Harriet?” she asked. I’d forgotten that I’d told her my name on my first trip here.
“A place similar to this,” I told her. I wasn’t lying, but I also wasn’t being a hundred per cent honest with her either. “I live with my mother, whom I care for. I go to school and I do the normal things a teenager would do.”
“Teenager?” she asked. Great, two sentences and I’d already given away a bit of the future.

At the bottom is Joey Paul and just below that the website www.joeypaulonline.com, in the top left corner is the Readers' Favorite review seal, and in the bottom right corner is the logo for Bug Books. END ID]]

 

 

Being A Writer/Author - The Creative Process

BEING A WRITER/AUTHOR

For my first post of 2025, I wanted to talk about being a writer and an author. I will have been published for 20 years in August which just blows my mind, and I'll have my 23rd and 24th books coming out this year too (hopefully)! I have been writing since I was at school and it really only became an option for me as a career when I was medically retired from the working world at 19. (For reference, I just turned 43, today in fact!) My plans for my adult life were very different than the one I ended up with, and to be honest, I'm now okay with that because I couldn't think of anything else I would rather do.

But what does being a writer/author mean? I mean beyond the obvious, that you write, that you publish, that you keep telling stories however you wish to do so. For me it has meant a lot of things. It gave me an outlet for all those stories rolling around in my head. It gave me a chance at a career when I didn't know if I would ever do anything with my life again. It gave me friends and loved ones that I would not have met if it hadn't been for my writing. Writing, and being an author, have opened up my world and I love every second of it.

That said, I always have stories, I have a deep abiding need to share those stories with the world, even if they don't go on to become bestsellers, even if they don't reach a wide array of people. I just want those stories told and out there, and for them to come alive for the people who need them most. Being a writer and author is a very big part of my identity and while I know we're encouraged not to make one thing about us our whole personality, I can't help but feel like writing is very much a core piece of who I am and what I do.

Life can have a way of knocking you down, and to be honest, this past year has not been great for me. I'm hopeful for 2025, but I'm also ready to get back into making my writing and career into something I've not been capable of for a while. I don't know what I could do if I couldn't write. I know that's always a possibility with my health as fragile as it is, but I also know I would find a way to keep telling my stories, because these are stories that need to be told.

If there's one thing I've learned in all my years as an author, it's that things can change in an instant. You can go from selling poorly to selling well, and vice versa, with just a few days in between. It's a long hard slog, and I know that doesn't apply just to indies, but trad pub as well because they have to work just as hard as we all do.

For as long as I'm able, I plan to spend my days writing, publishing and all that goes with that, and getting my words, my stories, my characters and worlds, out there for people to see. After all, there are people out there who need to be seen, and maybe they will find that in one of my books. It's all about just keeping moving forward, no matter how fast or slow you may go.

I hope 2025 holds great things for you, and keep writing!

Any questions? Lemme know in the comments!

Follow Joey to be kept up to date with the latest news regarding Joey and her books.  

Review of The Trail Rules by Melanie Hooyenga

 

Junior year’s looking up for sixteen-year old Mike. Her new BFF isn’t a sadistic control freak, her boyfriend adores her, and she’s learning to bike in the mountains without decapitating herself on a tree.

Well, almost.

When she meets a group of riders who welcome her into their pack, she feels like she’s finally found where she belongs. One particular rider—a boy with an amazing smile and an even more amazing ability to see what she’s truly capable of—gives her the confidence to go after what she wants: her own life with her own rules.

There’s only one problem—he’s not her boyfriend.

Just as things seem to be falling into place, her parents put on the pressure to figure out her future—one that doesn’t include riding. Mike soon realizes that having everything isn’t that great when she’s not the one choosing it. She needs to decide if she’s going to continue to be a follower or step out of the shadows and find her own trail.

Amazon

My Review: 5 STARS

I loved Mike when we met her in book one, and while I was itching for her to get back with Evan, picking up this book I kinda wanted to see how things were gonna go. I was a littler hesitant, but Hooyenga has a way of pulling you in and making you see the realness of the characters as well as falling for the people they fall for. I adored Mica as well, loved the way he was with Mike, and the whole story, with those serious issues included, was a dream to read. I love the hint of more and will be diving into book three as soon as possible. Overall a beautifully crafted story and one I recommend!

Join Joey here on the blog on Fridays for interviews, reviews and guest bloggers. If you'd be interested in doing any of those, you can contact Joey here

44 Facts About Being Organised [CC]

Giving you 44 facts about being organised! #Authortube

 

BUY CRAMPING CHRONICLES: THE THIRD ACHE: http://www.books2read.com/ACHE03

BUY SIGNED BOOKS AT MY KO-FI SHOP: https://ko-fi.com/authorjoeypaul/shop

BUY BLACKOUT IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/BOUT

BUY THE FRIENDSHIP TRIANGLE IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/TFTA

BUY WAITING ON YOU IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/WOY
BUY DYING THOUGHTS - SECOND SIGHT IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/DTSS 
BUY DESTINATION: UNKNOWN IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/DUKN

BUY LIGHTS OUT IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/LOUT

BUY WALK A MILE IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/WAM

BUY MY BOOKS: http://www.joeypaulonline.com/p/aboutjoeys-books.html

SIGN UP TO MY NEWSLETTER: http://eepurl.com/h89_5f

BUY TICKETS FOR WONDERLAND 2025: https://buytickets.at/wonderland1/1078461

BLOG: http://www.joeypaulonline.com/

TUMBLR: http://authorjoeypaul.tumblr.com

FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/JoeyPaulOnline

BLUESKY: https://bsky.app/profile/msjoeybug.bsky.social

INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/authorjoeypaul

THREADS: https://www.threads.net/@authorjoeypaul