Book Reviews, Find Your Next Read

Children of the Wolf by Abby Geni: A literary mystery about family, mythology, and inherited violence

Some families pass down recipes, heirlooms, and old photographs. Liv’s family passes down stories of gods, bloodshed, and a violent legacy she has spent her entire adult life trying to escape. Abby Geni’s Children of the Wolf, releasing September 15, 2026, is one of those novels that feels like an elaborate tapestry: dazzling threads in thousands of colors, each one carefully woven into the next until the final piece is something far more intricate and awe-inspiring than you could have imagined from the individual strands. At its heart, it is a story about loving a serial killer—and about whaeddt happens when the person you love turns out to be someone you should have feared.

I don’t think it’s a spoiler to tell you that Liv’s father, Ulf, is a serial killer. The novel gives us enough clues to understand what is happening during Liv’s childhood even while Liv herself fails to recognize the signs until long after she has grown up and escaped her father’s control. And that distinction is important. Children of the Wolf isn’t really a story about discovering that Ulf is a killer. It is a story about what it means to have loved him.

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Find Your Next Read

9 unsettling novels that imagine the future in ways that feel too close to ignore

The future has never felt more intimate—or more unsettling—than in contemporary fiction that bends time, technology, and human behavior into something eerily recognizable. These novels imagine what comes next when memory, bodies, surveillance, climate collapse, and intimacy itself begin to shift beyond control. The result is a collection of stories that don’t just predict the future—they make it feel uncomfortably close.

The cover of the novel Ruins by Lily Brooks-Dalton

Ruins by Lily Brooks-Dalton

At the center of Ruins is an archaeologist whose fascination with a long-lost civilization places her at odds with accepted history. As she pieces together fragments of a forgotten world, she becomes increasingly convinced that the stories people tell about the past are incomplete—or perhaps entirely wrong. Lily Brooks-Dalton unfolds the mystery slowly, allowing readers to uncover the significance of each discovery alongside the protagonist. The result is a literary novel that rewards curiosity, revealing its larger premise gradually rather than all at once.

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Writers on Writing

Valley of the Bees: The novel I wrote in 16 days—and the story that refused to end

Valley of the Bees is the book that taught me I could actually finish a novel—or at least something very close to one. I wrote it right after finishing my creative writing graduate program, at a moment when I had plenty of ideas, plenty of ambition, and absolutely no completed long-form fiction to show for it.

Get your copy of Valley of the Bees from my independent online bookstore today!

Up to that point, I considered myself a pantser. I wrote by instinct, followed my curiosity, and trusted the story to reveal itself as I went along. The problem was that nothing ever made it to the end. Clearly, my preferred method wasn’t getting me where I wanted to go.

So, I set myself a challenge.

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Find Your Next Read

Books to curl up with this late fall: cozy, reflective reads for Thanksgiving break

As the days grow shorter and the first hints of winter settle in, it’s the perfect time to slow down and curl up with a book that invites reflection, connection, and comfort. Late November in the northern hemisphere carries a special energy—between the flurry of holiday preparations and the quiet of bare trees and crisp evenings, readers often crave stories that soothe, inspire, and remind us of the bonds that matter most. This year, I’ve rounded up four titles that capture the spirit of the season, each in its own way offering moments of introspection, warmth, and hope.

It’s that cozy time of year—curl up with a good book, a warm cup of tea, and watch the world turn golden outside your window.

Valley of the Bees by Amanda L Webster (oh hey, that’s me!)

Set in a world where honeybees are nearly extinct, Valley of the Bees follows Valley as she navigates family, friendships, and self-discovery in a rural community. Her life changes dramatically on her sixteenth birthday, when she must balance tradition, duty, and personal choice amidst a backdrop of plague and village intrigue. At its heart, this novel is about family bonds, connection to the land, and the courage to chart your own path—perfect for readers looking for reflection and emotional richness as the season turns.

The black and yellow cover of the novel, Valley of the Bees featuring the title in bold print with a bee underneath.
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Author Interview

Author interview with thriller/suspense author, Mandy Webster

As I’m promoting my latest novel, It Had To Happen, it occurs to me that it might be fun to answer some of my own author interview questions so my readers can get to know me a bit better. The list of questions is quite long, but I typically ask authors to choose their favorite ones. I’ve probably gone a bit beyond what the average author would provide, but hey– it’s my blog!

Q: When did you first catch the writing bug? What drove you to persist?

A: As far as I can remember, I’ve been writing stories since I learned to write. The stories themselves are often what drive me to persist. Most of my story ideas that have become novels have been ideas that got stuck in my head and wouldn’t leave me alone until I wrote them. At times, it seems I might be a hostage to my own muse! It’s okay though because we get along well—most of the time!

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Finish Writing Your Novel Now!

Novel drafting rule #3: Set a writing schedule

Setting a writing schedule that you can stick to is important for making consistent progress on your writing projects. First, determine what time of day is your most productive time. Think about when you are most alert and focused. Some people prefer to write in the early morning, while others find that they are most productive in the afternoon or evening. I like to get my writing out of the way first thing because I know that otherwise I will find other things to do and never get around to writing. This is a great strategy for anyone who often finds themselves cleaning house when there is writing to be done. Once you identify your most productive time, try to schedule your writing sessions during that time.

Without a proper writing schedule in place, your time can seem to melt away without you ever accomplishing anything. Image generated using artificial intelligence.

However, be sure to set realistic goals. Determine how much time you realistically have available for writing each day or week. Then, set a goal that is achievable within that time frame. For example, if you only have 30 minutes each day to write, set a goal to write 250 words during that time. It is also essential to establish a consistent routine for when and where you will write. This can help you get into the habit of writing regularly and make it easier to stick to your schedule. Try to create a writing environment that is free from distractions and conducive to your creative process. Just don’t get too precious about it.

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Giveaways, Uncategorized

Kindle eBook Giveaway: Valley of the Bees #1

Hey, all! I’m running a Kindle book giveaway over on Amazon right now, and I’m hoping you’ll check it out! I’m giving away 10 free copies of With Envy Stung: Valley of the Bees #1. There’s lots to go around, so be sure to share this opportunity with all of your reading friends!

amazon book giveaway
Enter to Win!

enter to win

Valley of the Bees

Sustainable Arts Foundation loves Valley of the Bees!

Earlier this year, I applied for a competitive writing grant through the Sustainable Arts Foundation. The winners were recently announced, and though I did not win this time, the jurors who reviewed my application packet had great things to say about Valley of the Bees. The following comments are direct quotes from the very nice rejection email they sent: Continue reading “Sustainable Arts Foundation loves Valley of the Bees!” →

Valley of the Bees

The Kirkus Review of Valley of the Bees is in!

Great news! The Kirkus Review for Valley of the Bees is in, and it is pretty good!

Read the full review!

Here are a few high points of the review:

Webster has written a richly detailed work whose world feels legitimate and lived-in, letting readers gradually, seamlessly experience it, rather than overwhelming them with exposition. Meanwhile, Valley is an empathetic, compassionate protagonist who feels three-dimensional from start to finish. Her caring for the bees establishes an instant connection with the reader. The complications of her friendship with another teenager, Reyna, who has fallen in love with her, as well as the intricate bonds that tie her to her family make for an engrossing drama. Furthermore, her relationship with her grandmother, as well as the unfolding of a number of buried family secrets that cause her to question a great deal of what she thought she knew, provides a brilliant through line.

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Valley of the Bees

Enter to win a copy of Valley of the Bees #1! #giveaway

I’m giving away a free copy of With Envy Stung: Valley of the Bees #1 over on GoodReads. Check it out now!

Capture
Enter to Win!

I got more than 500 entries on my last giveaway, and I’m hoping to hit 1,000 this time. Visit GoodReads now to enter! Continue reading “Enter to win a copy of Valley of the Bees #1! #giveaway” →