{Blog Tour, Book Review, & Giveaway} When Beauty Blooms by Victoria Lynn // a Sweet Little Tale of Overcoming Anxiety

Hello, Spirits! Today, I'm happy to be a part (and share my review!) of Victoria Lynn's latest release, When Beauty Blooms.

Book Review

★★★★☆

"Beauty blooms when you are true to who God created you to be."

When I learned that Victoria Lynn's next release would be about a young woman in Enlightenment England who struggles with social anxiety, I knew it was something I'd want to read. As someone who battles hints of anxiety herself, Victoria's new story was I tale I just had to explore! And I was not in the least disappointed.

Marjorie Kirk feels hopeless. Neglected by her family and possessing little in the way of looks, she struggles to find her place in society. She's an outcast, and the world has little to offer... until she meets the young local minister, and embarks on a journey of friendship, self-discovery... and even a touch of romance.

Y'all, this was sweet! Marjorie's kindness and societal exploration and Miss Claire's encouragement were endearing. And the minister! *smiles* His budding relationship with Marjorie was charming.

When Beauty Blooms makes for a sweet, short little tale of overcoming anxiety, finding your place in the world, and accepting God's chosen path for you. To anyone who's ever felt unnoticed or unimportant, this is a story I recommend!

NOTE: I received a free ebook copy of When Beauty Blooms from the publisher, in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

About the Book

Revolutionary-War-Era England

Marjorie Kirk is a woman with no fortune, no prospects, no family, and no skills. Or so she thinks. She is awkward, shy, and the farthest thing from any semblance of a society lady.

The new minister keeps turning up in the most awkward of places and she can't help but feel that her life is doomed to one of embarrassment. But will her flaws actually be the thing that others find the most attractive?

A story of a young woman with social anxiety and how she learns to bloom.

Amazon // Goodreads

About the Author

Victoria Lynn is in her twenties and if she's not writing, she is probably sewing, singing, playing the piano, washing dishes, creating something with her hands, or learning something new. She has a passion for serving her Creator, encouraging others, and being creative. She blogs at www.rufflesandgrace.com about writing, fashion, modesty, her walk with God, and life. She lives in Michigan with her parents and eight siblings.

Website // Facebook // Goodreads // Instagram // Amazon

Giveaway

Enter below for a chance to win a $10 Amazon gift card and a signed When Beauty Blooms paperback!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule

Aug. 6

Michaela Bush // Spotlight // tangledupinwriting.blogspot.com

Ashley Spies // Spotlight // creatingpreciousmoments.blogspot.com

Aug. 7

Gabriellyn Gidman // Spotlight // https://pageturnersweb.wordpress.com/

Aug. 8

Serethiel // Review // https://the-book-sprite.blogspot.com/

Medomfo //Review // www.writingsfromagodgirl.wordpress.com

Aug. 9

Kaylee // Review // kayleeskindofwrites.blogspot.com

Giana // Interview // giannaandgemini.wordpress.com

Aug. 10

Gracelyn Buckner //Review // gracelynbuckner.wordpress.com

Aug. 11

Angela Watts // Spotlight // thepeculiarmessenger.wordpress.com

Aug. 12

Allison Tebo // Interview // www.allisonswell.com

Aug. 13

Jana Tenbrook // Review // reviewsfromthestacks.wordpress.com

Lilly Shyree // Review & Interview // alillyingodsgarden.blogspot.com

Aug. 14

Hosanna Emily // Guest Post // HavingaHeartLikeHis.blogspot.com

Aug. 15

Laura Grace // Review & Interview // www.unicornquester.com

Lydia // Review // https://spoonfulofsurprises.com

Allyson Kennedy // Interview & Review // https://authoringarrowheads.wordpress.com/#content

Aug. 16

Madison Guy // Spotlight // alittlesoutherngrace.com

Aug. 17

Tammy Lash // Guest Post & Spotlight // https://tammylash.wordpress.com/

Aug. 18

Laura Guenot // Review // https://www.beautifulthingsbylaura.com/

Aug. 19

Grace Maples // Review // https://proclaiminghisexcellencies2910.wordpress.com/

Aug. 20

Sunny Houk // Interview // https://thatowlnerd.wordpress.com

Aug. 21

Rebekah Morris // Review // www.readanotherpage.com

Aug. 22

Abigail Mckenna // Review // novelsdragonsandwardrobedoors.blogspot.com

Raechel Lenore // Review // godspeculiartreasurerae.wordpress.com

Aug. 23

Sarah // Review // http://smylinggirl.blogspot.com/

Aug. 24

Kaitlyn Smith // Interview & Review // https://www.maidensformodesty.com

Aug. 25

Faith Potts // Review // chosenbythePotter.blogspot.com

Thanks for reading! ❤

~Serethiel

{Blog Tour, Book Trailer, & Interview} Fairest Son by H.S.J. Williams

Happy Tuesday, Spirits! Today, I'm absolutely ecstatic to be a part of the launch tour for H.S.J. Williams's first release, Fairest Son!

About the Book

A Snow White Retelling

The Fair and Foul courts of the fey folk have long yearned for one to bring them together in peace, but hopes are dashed when the fairest prince and the prophecy concerning him are laid to ruin. Burdened with shame and sorrow, the prince flees to the cold mountains far above the forests and lochs with nothing but animals and goblins for company.

When a human huntress stumbles upon him in her search for a legendary predator, their fates are intertwined. But she hides deadly secrets, and if he dares to trust her, he may risk the doom of both courts to an ancient evil...

Amazon // H.S.J. Williams's Shop // Goodreads

$1.99 until August 11th, 2018!

Book Trailer

Interview

Welcome to The Book Sprite, Hannah! I’m so thrilled to have you here -- and for Fairest Son to release!! *squeals* First off, would you mind introducing yourself and your story?

Thank you for having me, Serethiel! I am quite thrilled as well! Well, my author name is H.S.J. Williams and I have recently released my first novella, Fairest Son. It is a gender-swap retelling of Snow White set in Celtic faerie courts and featuring a maimed prince, a secretive huntress, and several grouchy goblins.

If you could meet any author (no matter their time period) to chat over tea, who would it be and why?

Just ONE? That's hardly fair. I would like a whole assortment, if you please. But if I must choose, it would be Anne Elisabeth Stengl because she is the author I have the closest relationship with, she writes my very favorite books, and she is in many ways the one who inspired Fairest Son's conception. We would have a lovely time chatting about books, kitties, and art.

What message do you want readers to take away from Fairest Son?

The tale of Fairest Son is about beauty, true beauty. In a world of faeries where appearances are taken so highly, it is important to remember that the most beautiful people are those with the kindest and most giving hearts. Knowing people for who they are, not what they look like.

Once readers have read (and adored!) Fairest Son, what books would you recommend they start, next?

Of course! If you enjoy darker faerie worlds with deep messages, I recommend Tales of Goldstone Wood. I would also recommend An Enchantment of Ravens, but only to older readers who are aware it contains some language and one descriptive kissing scene. For those just want more fairytale retellings, I highly suggest the books by Melanie Cellier!

Thank you so much for your time, Hannah! It's been a pleasure chatting with you! 😊 Before you go, is there anything you can share with us about your next release?

Of course! While Fairest Son is a standalone short story, I have been working for years on a much larger series set in world of reclusive elves, aspiring humans, and dangerous folk of all kinds. It is a vast story of redemption, and it will begin with Moonscript. I do not have a release estimate yet, but it draws ever closer with each day. 😉

About the Author

From the beginning, H.S.J. Williams has loved stories and all the forms they take. Whether with word, art, or costume, she has always been fascinated with the magic of imagination. She lives in a real fantastical kingdom, the beautiful Pacific Northwest, with her very own array of animal friends and royally loving family. Williams taught Fantasy Illustration at MSOA. She may also be a part-time elf.

Facebook // Website

About the Illustrator

Irina Plachkova is an acclaimed artist, freelance illustrator, and fashion designer, better known as PhantomRin. You can find more of her work at phantomrin.tumblr.com.

Thanks for reading! ❤

~Serethiel