Let us know any feedback you have / which you prefer 😊

If you happened to have joined the discord and not be assigned a role, please comment here with your discord username or message me over there and let me know. I think I fixed the issue, but I want to make sure everyone has access who wants it.

So happy to see so many of you guys over there 😊

It’s time to vote on our December book club pick! I know so many of us have been struggling through massive reading slumps—here’s to hoping that the holiday season will give us lots of opportunities to rest and read 🤞🏼 I am super excited about all three of these book club picks and will be so happy with whatever we choose! Voting will close on Saturday, November 22nd 🗳️

The Wall of Storms by Ken Liu (The Dandelion Dynasty Book 2)

Genre: Epic Fantasy

Blurb: I don’t want to spoil anything for those of us who haven’t finished The Grace of Kings yet, so I won’t include details here. If we vote on this we’ll be continuing to read The Dandelion Dynasty series together which could be so fun!

The Bone Ships by R.J. Barker

Genre: Epic Fantasy

Blurb: Two nations at war. A prize beyond compare. For generations, the Hundred Isles have built their ships from the bones of ancient dragons to fight an endless war. The dragons disappeared, but the battles for supremacy persisted. Now the first dragon in centuries has been spotted in far-off waters, and both sides see a chance to shift the balance of power in their favour. Because whoever catches it will win not only glory, but the war.

Daughter of the Empire by Raymond E. Fiest and Janny Wurts

Genre: Science Fiction Fantasy

Blurb: Magic and murder engulf the realm of Kelewan.  Fierce warlords ignite a bitter blood feud to enslave the empire of Tsuranuanni.  While in the opulent Imperial courts, assassins and spy-master plot cunning and devious intrigues against the rightful heir.  Now Mara, a young, untested Ruling lady, is called upon to lead her people in a heroic struggle for survival.  But first she must rally an army of rebel warriors, form a pact with the alien cho-ja, and marry the son of a hated enemy.  Only then can Mara face her most dangerous foe of all—in his own impregnable stronghold.  An epic tale of adventure and intrigue, Daughter of the Empire is fantasy of the highest order by two of the most talented writers in the field.

Happy Monday!

If you're not on Discord, you may not have heard the chisme that I'm designing my first ever merch with Bonfire for Bien Leidos Book Club! There will be one design for a limited time run that will have a percentage of proceeds benefit The ILRC, who I have run fundraisers for in the past.

I was inspried by the iconinc Florida Water label for this collab and wanted to create something that evoked this iconic childhood feel and smell for me. I love both the botanical feel of the label and, of course, wanted them to make it bookish for me.

The team at Bonfire was so easy to work with and within a couple of days, they presented me with 2 options, which are below. I have my preference, but definitely want to tweak it a little bit.

So I have a question for you: WHICH DO YOU LIKE BETTER? Feel free to add a comment of what you'd tweak on your favorite design. I'll be speaking with them again tomorrow afternoon, so this poll will run just 24 hours.

OPTION A:

OPTION B:

ALSO, there's a special poll up on Discord right now regarding a little project I have going on in the background. It'll end tomorrow morning, but don't be shy...join the chat on Discord and answer all the little polls I have going on over there!

Cheers,

Carmen

Come talk all things THIS IS NOT A TEST on Dec 6th at 3pm ET on Zoom with THE Courtney Summers!! Available everyone aka free followers (if you're not following, it only takes a second!) and members!

JOIN HERE

There is nothing quite like an audiobook to transform a commute, a cleaning session, or a quiet evening into an epic adventure. Good narration doesn't just read a story it brings a world to life, breathing palpable emotion into every character and scene.

This week, we have three spectacular listens that run the gamut from epic fantasy to dark paranormal romance and cozy magical whimsy. Get ready to update your listening queue!

BOOK REVIEWS: WHAT TO LISTEN TO NEXT!

🌟 Fallen City by Adrienne Young

The Vibe: Epic Fantasy, Star-Crossed Romance, Political Intrigue

Listening to Fallen City by Adrienne Young was an experience that completely swept me away. It's the kind of audiobook that sinks its teeth into you from the very first line and refuses to let go.

Adrienne Young has a gift for writing stories that feel both epic and intimate, and Fallen City might just be her most breathtaking yet. The world of Isara, an ancient city ruled by corruption, faith, and rebellion is so richly imagined. Hearing it brought to life through the audiobook made every moment feel cinematic. I could practically hear the echo of footsteps through marble halls, the crackle of fire from the uprising, and the whispered prayers of those daring to defy the gods.

Luca and Maris's story is the heart of it all: a star-crossed, slow-burn romance that builds like a storm. The dual performance if you listen to the version with two narrators captures both the grit and tenderness of their perspectives perfectly. The emotion, the tension, the ache, it all felt tangible. What I loved most was how the book balances political intrigue with raw emotion. It’s a story about power, rebellion, faith, and love that burns even when the world falls apart.

Verdict: If you love stories that blend divine fate, doomed love, and rebellion on an epic scale, this audiobook will absolutely ruin you in the way only the best ones do.

🌊 Break Wide the Sea by Sara Holland

The Vibe: Epic Fantasy, Star-Crossed Romance, Political Intrigue

Listening to Fallen City by Adrienne Young was an experience that completely swept me away. It's the kind of audiobook that sinks its teeth into you from the very first line and refuses to let go.

Adrienne Young has a gift for writing stories that feel both epic and intimate, and Fallen City might just be her most breathtaking yet. The world of Isara, an ancient city ruled by corruption, faith, and rebellion is so richly imagined. Hearing it brought to life through the audiobook made every moment feel cinematic. I could practically hear the echo of footsteps through marble halls, the crackle of fire from the uprising, and the whispered prayers of those daring to defy the gods.

Luca and Maris's story is the heart of it all: a star-crossed, slow-burn romance that builds like a storm. The dual performance (if you listen to the version with two narrators) captures both the grit and tenderness of their perspectives perfectly. The emotion, the tension, the ache, it all felt tangible. What I loved most was how the book balances political intrigue with raw emotion. It’s a story about power, rebellion, faith, and love that burns even when the world falls apart.

Verdict: If you love stories that blend divine fate, doomed love, and rebellion on an epic scale, this audiobook will absolutely ruin you in the way only the best ones do.

🖤 Bitten by Jordan Stephanie Gray

The Vibe: Dark Paranormal Romance, High Tension, Moody & Emotional

Listening to Bitten by Jordan Stephanie Gray was like being dropped headfirst into a storm of danger, desire, and dark secrets and I loved every minute of it.

From the opening chapter, I was hooked. There’s something so magnetic about the way Gray writes: sharp, moody, and emotionally charged. The story follows a heroine caught between survival and surrender in a world where monsters aren’t just legends. It’s that perfect blend of paranormal tension and romance that keeps you hovering between holding your breath and hitting the next chapter at 2 a.m.

The audiobook narration was phenomenal. The narrator’s voice carried just the right mix of heat and vulnerability, breathing life into every moment. Every growl, every whispered confession, every heartbreak it all hit harder because of that performance. What really stood out was how human this story felt despite its supernatural edge. Gray gives her characters depth, and the result is a world that feels as real as it is dangerous.

Verdict: Darkly romantic, unapologetically sensual, and driven by a strong emotional core. By the time the credits rolled, I wasn’t ready to leave that world behind.

✨A Curious Kind of Magic by Mara Rutherford

The Vibe: Cozy Fantasy, Whimsical, Found Family Magic

Listening to A Curious Kind of Magic by Mara Rutherford felt like wrapping myself in a cozy blanket woven from wonder, wit, and a dash of danger. From the moment the narrator’s voice brought Willow Stokes and her mostly fake magical shop to life, I knew I was in for something special.

This story had the charm of Howl’s Moving Castle and the emotional depth of Little Thieves, but it still felt uniquely its own. Willow is such a delightfully flawed heroine: clever, scrappy, and full of sass. Her desperation to save her family’s dying curiosity shop hit me right in the heart. The dynamic between her and Brianna, the girl whose arrival turns Willow’s fake magic into real power, was electric.

The audiobook narration was an absolute treat. The performer captured that perfect balance of whimsy and warmth, making the setting feel like a real, bustling town full of secrets and charm. I found myself grinning through the banter and holding my breath during the more perilous moments.

Verdict: If you love stories that sparkle with heart, humor, and found-family magic, A Curious Kind of Magic absolutely belongs on your audiobook playlist. It’s cozy fantasy perfection!

❓️What is the one sound effect or kind of voice a narrator can use that instantly pulls you out of an audiobook? A really bad child's voice, a gravelly monster noise, etc.

Spike just wants to live a normal life and is instead trapped in a reincarnation loop by his dictator uncle, Kairos.

Ashley is a fairy bestowed with the ancestral power of Fairy Dust. She is expected to fend off an attack from Kairos but when she goes to receive a god’s powers, she is met with silence. Everyone around her suspects the god has been kidnapped or worse killed.

Celestia finds herself falling for Jupiter, a hybrid robot reanimated from the dead.

Jenny’s life is turned upside down when Kairos attacks her planet.

Together, these storylines meld together to tell the story of Spike’s Last Life

ARC Form Link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1mUPY07IMgXBn8DKb_UtPnUq7D8zawQyjYFLHngSoQk0/edit?usp=drivesdk