Sharing is Caring - Books: "To the Moon and Back" by Melissa Brayden

To the Moon and Back by Melissa Brayden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As I'm sure many lovers of the Lesbian romance genre have come to know, Melissa Brayden is always a sure thing. You can count on her books to always be a hit, never a miss. Though I can admit that To the Moon and Back was not one of my favorites by Brayden, it still in no way disappointed and was the exact read I needed during this time of uncertainty while stuck in quarantine, keeping away from COVID-19.

Brayden seems to have upped the angst factor in many of her more recent novels. From First Position (which had a moment embedded in its pages where I, quite literally, threw the book across the room [an act I had not yet committed with a book ever in my life as a reader]) to the push and pull of the relationship between the characters in Back to September (one of my top 3 favorites by Brayden, hands down) - angst has had a spotlight and fueled many of her newer novels to the finish line. However, despite this feature being about the wonders of theater and stage work, the spotlight dimmed on the angst, and it made for a perfectly enjoyable yet easygoing read, making it the biggest selling point during the craziness of the world right now.

Following the story of Lauren and Carly was pleasant and completely elicited the warm, fuzzy feelings like that of coming home after a long time away. As a theater kid myself (but not having been on the stage in over 10 years), this felt like a return to a world I know fluently but haven't had the chance to spend time in for longer than I should have allowed. Brayden's depiction of the theater scene is spot on, and not just because she gets all of the technical jargon right (coming from the world of theater herself), but also in her descriptions of the emotions that fill every actor or crew member that works themselves to the bone for the beauty and synchronicity of a production. You can easily count on Brayden for a story that feels wrapped up in the theater with a warm, well-cared-for blanket, and you know you will enjoy its run because you're in good hands.

The story of Lauren and Carly's romance was easy to follow and felt comfortable, but it also felt as though it could have been more. Alas, I realize that may contradict my statement about the lack of angst and conflict being a welcome reprieve, but the romance almost felt as though it went through a checklist of good ol' fashioned "to-dos" without much creativity. Now don't get me wrong, Brayden still crafts a beautiful tale of love and the trials and tribulations that can still come after the "happily ever after," and To the Moon and Back is no exception. But it lacked a certain oomph, one that has me clamoring to turn the pages faster to read more of the story as soon as possible so I can find out if these two fated characters find their love blossoming to the heights of soulmates before I allow myself to go to sleep at night. And though I don't expect every novel to do this, I have come to expect this from Brayden.

With all that being said, I still give this 4 stars, bordering on 4.5 because - let's face it - Melissa Brayden is the queen of Lesbian romance, and I will go down with that ship for eternity.

P.S. Melissa!! Can we please discuss the absolute necessity of you writing the play into an actual novel?!?! I was hooked from the start! What petition must I sign to get this made into reality??

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Sharing is Caring - Books: "Back to September" by Melissa Brayden

Back to September by Melissa Brayden

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Let's just start off with TL;DR of this whole review before getting into the nitty-gritty (I know, reverse and all, but bear with me):

Back to September is my new favorite by Melissa Brayden, hands down.

2019 was a bit of an interesting reading year for me. I made a New Year's resolution to read 52 books in 52 weeks. With two kids under the age of 10, working a job where my commute is 1.5 hours one way, and a loving family to devote to as much as possible - this actually turned out to be harder than I thought. But thanks to Audible and those long commutes, I still made it. With that being said though, I didn't read many that really hit me like a ton of bricks GOOD.

Please don't misunderstand. I still read some amazing books over 2019. Some notable ones being The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee, These Witches Don't Burn by Isabel Sterling, and even Beautiful Dreamer by Melissa Brayden as well. But I wasn't able to find a book that threw me back against my seat by G-forces so strong I didn't know how to recover from it ending. I've had moments like these only a few times in my life with books such as the Harry Potter Series Box Set by J.K. Rowling, Scrappy Little Nobody by Anna Kendrick, Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, and the first book by Brayden that made me a devoted member of her fan club - Kiss the Girl by Melissa Brayden.

But I had not had this experience with a book recently and - frankly - I was desperate for one. I missed that feeling of wanting to race home to read, curl up for hours, and push myself through exhaustion to finish it. Then have the conflicting feeling of trying so desperately to slow down in order to enjoy each and every savory minute of reading its pages.

But here comes Melissa Brayden in all of her glory and 

SHE GAVE ME MY READING JOY BACK.

Back to September brings back Brayden in all her beautiful brilliance. I was always a huge fan of the Soho Series, but the Seven Shores series didn't quite grab me the same way. Her standalones have been solid in the last few years, but not what I remember when reading Heart Block or How Sweet It Is . Brayden is a remarkable writer, and I can always count on her for amazing reads without question. But I will admit I was missing the exact feelings I spoke of above that I used to - very often - get from reading her books.

But she came blazing back with Back to September.

I finished Back to September after a binge reading session, something of which I hadn't done in - quite honestly - years. I couldn’t put it down. I loved it, cover to cover. I do believe I can announce that she's written a novel that is likely going to have to share the number one spot on my Brayden Favorites, sharing the pedestal with Kiss the Girl.

I am in awe. This new novel was full of all of the usual pieces of Brayden's novels that I adore and look forward to each time a new one is released, but it was filled with so much more. New things even. Some very real topics with very real outcomes; some very real ways to work through very real problems. Characters that made mistakes - real mistakes - and acted like real people, not fictionalized “perfect” people (though those aren’t necessarily bad!). It was so refreshing to see that kind of representation seen within these pages, within a novel by an author I trust implicitly. A novel that still had the same wit, dialogue, and descriptors that always make me fly to Brayden's novels the moment they’re released.

Now that I have had a proper chance to ruminate in its aftermath and proper time to recover from having to put it down, I only wish I had the chance to go back to the beginning and read it all over again with new eyes.

Melissa - I loved it. It was amazing. Please never stop doing what you’re doing. My literary world is always a happy place to come back to over and over again because of exceptional authors like you. Thank you for another fantastic and beautiful reading experience.

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Sharing is Caring - Videos: "With or Without You || Swan Queen Video || Regina & Emma || Once Upon A Time"

Be sure to WATCH IN HD! Like this? Please share! It would behoove you to read the description. ;)

Emma Swan and Regina Mills had worked so hard to get to the point in their relationship in which they were today. After all, accepting true love isn't always easy.

And it did not start out that way. Even though both Regina and Emma knew that they had deep feelings coursing through their veins for one another, a love so powerful, it could easily defeat the most disasterous evils of the world, didn't make it easier for them to admit to those feelings. Sure they tried, in subtle, inconspicous ways at times, but without success. They seemed to dance around the topic for years without ever achieving admission.

Eventually, Emma had enough. Feeling as though Regina would never return her feelings, Emma confronts Regina about having to end whatever it is between them, and for her to leave Storybrooke. Completely shocked, Regina becomes defensive, her feelings for Emma bubbling under the surface of her resolve. Before she can admit anything rash, she instead makes it known that she will have no part in Emma's departure. Emma tries to show understanding but only feels dread. But when she attempts to make a quick exit, Regina finally shrugs off her pride and puts a stop to their dance.

With the truth finally free, Emma and Regina begin a life together with Henry, showing the entire world that the Swan-Mills family has always been the center of the story the whole time.

One day, Henry brings Emma and Regina a trinket. But the moment Regina touches it, she falls unconscious. Before Regina or Emma can identify what took place, they wake up in odd locations, not knowing how they arrived.

Now I'm going to clue you, the reader, in on something our fearless women have not yet discovered: they have woken up in different realms, and are NOT on the same plane. And because of that, they are both about to experience a painful and deterimental heartbreak.

When Emma goes to seek out Regina, and Regina does the same for Emma, they both reach dead ends, discovering the other is missing. When Regina appears as if by magic to Emma in the middle of Storybrooke, she is suddenly taken by darkness, and killed, before Emma even has a chance to save her. Then we find Regina, who ends up locating Emma in the middle of the street battling a hooded figure of impeccable skill. Regina runs to assist Emma in her fight, but finds her magic stolen away from her in the same moment that a sword is run straight through Emma, killing her instantly. But another clue for the reader - watch closely and make sure to take note of each scene carefully. If you observe, you may be able see the rip in reality come alive.

Both Emma and Regina are heartbroken, feeling their hearts torn clear from their bodies and crushed by the weight of the other's painful and undeniable death. As they both try to deal with the pain of loosing their true love, they find it to be the most difficult endeavor they have ever encountered.

Fast forward six months, and both women are trying to lead their lives, but neither has been able to move forward from the other's death. Both Regina and Emma battle with the demon of their true love gone, but are loosing. Suddenly, Emma is struck with a very real vision of her own death, something she has a difficult time shaking. Seeking help from an evil yet knowledgeable man, Emma soon discovers that she has been living in a different world, separate from her real family, since the day she watched Regina die.

When she discovers this, she is suddenly thrust into a world behind reality. She is suddenly able to watch her friends, and even Henry. Working out a way to get their attention and free herself from this prison, she counts on her son to get the message. Being a super smart young man, he does.

And then she sees her. Her Regina. Her one and only true love. And she's ALIVE.

Once Henry and Emma make contact, a monster suddenly appears to prevent Emma from returning to her family. But just as suddenly, Henry breaks through the barrier, giving Emma a way back home.

And when true love's magic steps in, Emma and Regina are given a second chance...

Fandom: Once Upon A Time
Characters: Regina & Emma - Swan Queen
Music:
Starlights - Tracey Chattaway (https://youtu.be/D1K6ztEk80I)
We Are Stars - Rhian Sheehan (https://youtu.be/ETVyB958nlc)
On the Nature of Daylight - Max Richter (https://youtu.be/xotZgqGIMt0)
The Hug - Atli Örvarsson (https://youtu.be/g-sl7DFIeO0)
Reality is Lonely - Thomas-Adam Habuda (https://youtu.be/VwuEbibzEDk)
Rebirth - Must Save Jane (https://youtu.be/BRGq-c5s2dc)
Singularity - Nick Murray feat. Roger Shah (https://youtu.be/MiIZBxw1EUU)

IG & Kik: @SwanQueen4Lesbians

The Legal Stuff:
Manips from Willow Hermione & Wursuf.
I do not own the rights to Once Upon a Time or their characters, to Disney, to any of the musicians, & I make no profit from this.
Copyright Notice on YouTube Channel page.

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Sharing is Caring - Videos: "Words Left Unsaid || Swan Queen Video || Emma & Regina || Once Upon A Time"

Be sure to WATCH IN HD! Like this? Please share! It would behoove you to read the description ;).

Emma Swan and Regina Mills did not start out as friends. But as they grew to trust one another, they became a force unlike any other in the magical world.

One day, Regina and Emma find themselves at sea. In an attempt to right the ship during a heavy storm, Emma gets knocked unconscious underwater. In her stupor, Emma experiences a vision, showing her moments where Regina is the sole focus. As the team makes attempts to rescue Emma, they eventually bring her back on board - but she's not breathing. Something moves within Regina and she realizes that it is all caused by the thought of losing Emma. Her mind flashes images of Emma, and her heart grows heavy with the possibility of her demise. But Emma suddenly comes to, and both women reflect on their visions.

Returning to Storybrooke, Emma finds herself at war with her emotions and thoughts. It is as if her feelings for the mayor had intensified beyond what she thought was capable. But what Emma didn't know was that Regina was experiencing the very same thing. Interactions with one another overflow with a desire to assure the other is kept safe. They seem to find every single way to convey their feelings and get so close to admitting their feelings time and time again without a true confession. As they fall deeper and deeper in love, the struggle becomes all too real.

But then, the unthinkable happens.

A new curse, fresh with evil intent, is closing in on the town quickly. Immediately, Regina realizes what must be done. The town of Storybrooke and all of its character residents must return to their old lives in the Enchanted Forest for one year's time, saving the town and allowing them to return after. But at the cost of being forgotten in the real world. As Emma is a part of the real world, it will not include her, and she must leave Storybrooke while the town absorbs the curse, losing her memories completely of the town and its residents, or she will die.

Being encouraged by her parents and others, Emma looks to Regina. Knowing that they no longer had a future, Regina confesses that she must say goodbye to the thing she loves most. And Emma realizes that Regina is speaking of her.

With no time to react, Emma receives instruction and leaves Storybrooke, never getting the chance to tell Regina how she truly feels in return. However, as soon as Emma passes the town line, her despair disappears. But not for Regina.

After the year has passed, we find Emma living in New York. Regina and the others have returned to Storybrooke, and Regina uses a bit of magic to look in on Emma. But what she sees makes the dread she had already been feeling expand to new levels, and she is stricken with grief, watching the color practically fade out of her world as her heart melts away.

One day, a strange man (but what was once her best friend in Storybrooke) knocks on Emma's door, telling her that all she knows is a lie. As this man trails her across town, he convinces her to discover the truth, and she promptly returns to him after finding evidence of a life she doesn't remember. With a little magic, Emma is suddenly transported through time as her memories of her parents, of Storybrooke, and of Regina, come back to life.

Emma rushes back to Storybrooke in the middle of the night, only wanting to find Regina, but she is unsuccessful. Working with her parents to develop a plan at Granny's, Regina walks into the diner and sees Emma sitting there, and is overcome with shock. Thinking Emma doesn't know who Regina is, and before Emma even has a chance to explain that her memories have returned, Regina is gone. Regina realizes that she is unable to bear the thought of Emma back in Storybrooke without her memory. She makes the ultimate decision to leave the town she loves and cross it's line, therefore eliminating her own memory of Emma, and the love she continues to have for the Savior.

Without being able to find Regina, Emma turns to the town to seek any information regarding Regina's whereabouts. Discovering Regina's plan, Emma rushes away and speeds towards the town line as fast as her yellow bug can take her.

As Emma rushes towards the town line, we come to the point in the story where, as always, true love's magic finally gives them a chance...

Fandom: Once Upon A Time
Characters: Emma & Regina - Swan Queen
Music: The Ends - Luke Howard (https://youtu.be/LjcAk5AWS5Y)
Tears of War - Colossal Trailer Music (https://youtu.be/VoIDS8vYkFE)
Beth's Theme - Ólafur Arnalds (https://youtu.be/pmKkaCKWreM)
I Will Follow You - Toulouse (https://youtu.be/b6HonlIF2B4)
Until the End - Really Slow Motion (https://youtu.be/QZKQF7g9ESo)

IG & Kik: @SwanQueen4Lesbians

The Legal Stuff:
Manips from Willow Hermione & Wursuf.
I do not own the rights to Once Upon a Time or their characters, to any of the musicians, & I make no profit from this.
Copyright Notice on YouTube Channel page.

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Sharing is Caring - Books: "Where Am I Now? True Stories of Girlhood and Accidental Fame" by Mara Wilson

Where Am I Now?: True Stories of Girlhood and Accidental Fame by Mara Wilson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I listened to the audiobook of this piece, narrated by the author herself, Mara Wilson. If you have the means, listening to Mara read this out loud, knowing that it is her own life, was one-of-a-kind and such a unique experience. It brought such an important and vital role to the book that I didn't think was needed until I started to listen.

"That girl" from the critically-acclaimed Matilda movie from the 90s is no more. Mara Wilson is vibrant, fresh, downright honest, and captivating all on her own without the world of Hollywood. And she proves as such so effortlessly in her memoir Where Am I Now?: True Stories of Girlhood and Accidental Fame. In my mind's eye, they are no longer even the same person any more. There's the cute, expressive, bookworm young girl from the movies of my childhood - and then there's this sarcastic, hysterical, storytelling bad ass chick from New York that makes me roar with laughter and cry tears of sadness at her life's stories. I am in love with both, but for separate reasons.

Hearing Mara's stories about the trials and tribulations with Hollywood, it's "image-insisting" participants, and how she navigated in and out of that world as a young girl - these stories really resonated in a way that I still don't quite understand myself. Her words and experiences, spoken directly from her with the beauty that is an audiobook, were infused with emotion, and you could hear and feel and actually understand these without question due to Mara's words. I realized as I continued to listen to her stories that - Mara actually jumps around a lot - one minute she's talking about her show choir days at the beginning of high school, but then segues into discussing how her mother felt about the movie business and the time Mara spent on film sets; then a moment later, is back on the topic of show choir. But what amazed me was that none of it ever seemed out of place. Each story and each shift within the text made sense . Mara made it work, and kept you hypnotized with her words no matter where they took you. It was, for lack of a much better and all-encompassing word, FANTASTIC.

If you haven't already figured it out - I loved this book. I loved the stories Mara told, I loved the way Mara told them, and I thoroughly enjoyed learning about things I never would have thought would interest me (show choirs of Southern California and their competitive streaks; Canada and all it has to offer with on-set educators and life-changing individuals; and - most importantly - the in-depth account of what it must be like to live with a seemingly "underrated" mental illness). In recent years, it has become apparent that Mara Wilson is a great storyteller - whether that be on the stages of New York City, behind the microphone of podcasts and voice-over acting work, or in her writings on her blog. But this endeavor - a whole book that opens up about her real life and leaves readers with the ability to listen to what really happened to that "cute little girl from Mrs. Doubtfire!" makes it's own mark in, what I hope, will be a long LONG career in writing for Mara.

Mara - if you ever get a chance to read this in some capacity - thank you for this book. I may be 30 years old, settled down with my family and my job in a very, very close suburb to Burbank in Southern California - but you taught me things about myself that I never thought other people experienced and helped me understand what those things were; you put voice to so many aspects of my own life that it gave me reminder of the one true thing we all must remember...

We are never alone.

If you have the means - pick up this book, preferably in audiobook if at all possible, but in whatever capacity suits you. It's funny, it's entertaining, it's emotional, but most of all, it's real. I have never listened to an audiobook so fast, and I already know I will be rereading this book in my future.

FIVE MOTHERFUCKING STARS

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Sharing is Caring - Books: "Shaken to the Core" by Jae

Shaken to the Core by Jae
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received this novel for free from NetGalley and Ylva Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

Jae's newest contribution to the lesbian historical fiction genre is remarkable. Centering around one of the most destructive natural disasters in recent history, Shaken to the Core is an adventure and whirlwind of emotions that I, truthfully, was not expecting. Following the lives of two very different women as the navigate through this disaster brick by brick is one that had me glued to the pages of this story from the moment I read page one.

Deriving from Jae's Hollywood series, Shaken to the Core is the corresponding story surrounding the screenplay and movie that Jill in Just Physical, along with her friend Grace, star in, all from a screenplay written by Grace's girlfriend, Lauren. I'm so glad Jae decided to write an associated novel to that tidbit in those books, as it is a wonderful reward for her historical fiction fans.

I was more than impressed with this novel, and only found some issues with how the story left me hanging for more. This is the reason for the 4-star review. I firmly believe that this novel is exceptional, and I also completely respect an author's decision on where to end a story and start fresh. But in this case, I did feel that there was something left to be desired, and it may have been just a quick remedy of a more well-rounded ending. Jae's novels have never left me feeling this way in the past, which I believe is the reason I felt it so much in this novel. It is fine to be left wanting more, but I more felt as if I was left with an unfinished tale.

All in all - a fantastic read though. A must-have for any Jae fan, and a beautiful novel to start off if your a first time reader of her work.

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Sharing is Caring - Videos: "The Secrets We Keep || Swan Queen Video || Emma & Regina || Once Upon A Time"

Emma Swan and Regina Mills did not get along. At least, not in the beginning.

But they slowly grew into a friendship that saved lives...and themselves.

As time went on, both Emma and Regina began to trust one another in ways they had never trusted before.

But Emma began to feel...more.

As Emma begins to recognize that her feelings for Regina are more than she had ever thought possible, she begins to evade the advances of one local pirate clearly after her heart. But knowing where her own heart truly lies, she decides to confront Regina about her feelings. When Emma approaches the mayor, she walks into a moment where Regina is in agony over comments someone has made on her time as the Evil Queen. Seeing her distraught, Emma evades her plan.

As time moves on and adventures continue, Emma and the others find themselves in Camelot. Watching a moment between Regina and David, Emma gets up the courage to confront Regina once more. But when she does, she stumbles upon Regina in the arms of a man, and her heart breaks. Taking rash action, she flings herself at the pirate pursuing her, but immediately regrets the action, and eventually comes clean to him with the real truth.

Weeks later, Regina approaches Emma with a request for help. Asking Emma to help her find the man she met in Camelot, Emma is set on staying out of Regina's pursuits for love, until she sees her face. And suddenly, all Emma wants is for Regina to be happy. She agrees, and sets out to find the man.

When Emma does find him, she learns that he is a repulsive wretch that feels the need to defile Emma, stating his knowledge of her feelings for Regina, and that he has been "protecting" Regina from Emma's advances. Emma is crushed, but still notifies Regina of his location, set on ensuring Regina's happiness.

When Regina and the man reunite, Emma watches them cling to each other, and knows that the only way she can save her own heart is to remove herself. And that means leaving Storybrooke.

Emma does leave, much to the dismay of Storybrooke and even Regina. But the information regarding Emma's feelings and the man "protecting" Regina from her advances comes to light, and Regina is furious. She banishes the man from her life, and sets off to find Emma, only to discover that she has completely left Storybrooke, only speaking to her parents.

Regina discovers that the only way to fix everything is to travel back in time to when she, Emma, and all of Storybrooke were in Camelot. Regina will avoid the man from the start, and find Emma, convincing her to stay. Regina brings Mary Margaret and David along to assist in making sure they rewrite history, and Regina reflects on how it was that she could have never known of Emma's feelings. But she realizes that a part of her had always known, because a part of her, a large all-consuming part, had always loved Emma.

Regina is dismayed when she realizes that she has successfully gone back in time, but to the wrong location. She sets out on a search for King Arthur's kingdom, knowing Mary Margaret and David have made it successfully. 

When Regina finds Camelot and finally confronts Emma, moments after she is thrust back to Storybrooke and it's present time. Immediately upon returning, she is overcome, and is suddenly whisked through memory after memory of the moments and signs Regina had missed where Emma had showed her love. But when she wakes, Emma is there, in Storybrooke, standing over her.

Little did Regina know, true love's magic had helped her find the way...

Fandom: Once Upon A Time

Characters: Emma & Regina - Swan Queen

Music: Mix created by Far Nerdy comprised of the following:

Time & Tide by Fired Earth Music (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-38xYwUtpo)

Kérastase by dévoile (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsNv8bQAIDU)

Forgiving by Evgeny Raskin (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lC40DnWyYo)

Close by David Yousefi (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_p2ZEJA8UA)

Glimmer of Hope by Ivan Torrent (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbpHB9wbDhY)

Riding the Light by Really Slow Motion (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUPfawME5JA)

FIND ME ON INSTAGRAM! @SwanQueen4Lesbians

Wanna talk to me? I'm on KIK! @SwanQueen4Lesbians

https://farnerdy.blogspot.com

The Legal Stuff:

Manips from Willow Hermione (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCShx0QIPjY)

DISCLAIMER: I do not own the rights to Once Upon a Time or their characters; to Ivan Torrent and his music; to Steve Jablonksy, Paramount, or Hasbro; or to Mattie Cupelli and his music; and I make no profit from this.

Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for 'fair use' for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational, or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.

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