Showing posts with label julia ember. Show all posts
Showing posts with label julia ember. Show all posts

10 Jan 2018

#Review: THE SEAFARER'S KISS by Julia Ember

10 January 1 Comments

THE SEAFARER'S KISS

Author: Julia Ember
Series: N/A
Source: Purchased from Amazon
Publisher: Duet Books
Publication Date: May 4, 2017
Rating: 4.5/5 stars

 Summary:
Having long-wondered what lives beyond the ice shelf, nineteen-year-old mermaid Ersel learns of the life she wants when she rescues and befriends Ragna, a shield-maiden stranded on the mermen’s glacier. But when Ersel’s childhood friend and suitor catches them together, he gives Ersel a choice: say goodbye to Ragna or face justice at the hands of the glacier’s brutal king.

 Determined to forge a different fate, Ersel seeks help from Loki. But such deals are never as one expects, and the outcome sees her exiled from the only home and protection she’s known. To save herself from perishing in the barren, underwater wasteland and be reunited with the human she’s come to love, Ersel must try to outsmart the God of Lies.
Purchase:
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book but I am reviewing the finished copy of the book. This does not impact my opinion in any way.

 See a Guest Post from Julia about Plus Sized Heroines, my review of UNICORN TRACKS, and an interview with Julia prior to #Sapphicathon!

 This was super cute and probably the best way for me to start getting back into reading this year and kick off #Sapphicathon! I love Julia's writing style and her characters because they are relateable even when they are mythical creatures. I would have liked this to be longer - especially the second half - but I thought it was a good book and one I would recommend if you are looking for a f/f retelling of The Little Mermaid!
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29 Oct 2016

#12DaysOfDiversity Christmas Diverse Retellings Readathon TBR!

29 October 2 Comments
My fave Julia Ember, author of UNICORN TRACKS, is hosting another reading challenge. This time it is all about Diverse Retellings! You can learn more about the challenge, types of books you can read, etc. by reading her blog post, but today I am going to tell you my reading goals and TBR! It runs from December 19th to December 30th (and then BAMF is hosting a readathon on December 30th and 31st, but you can learn more about that on December 6th in our blog post!) so I will be home, out of school, and need a breather from everything, meaning I will be reading a LOT.

 I am hoping to achieve BADASS SANTA level which is the person who achieves the most amount of points during the readathon so I may have gone overboard after Julia's announcement and bought ALL THE BOOKS (or made a wishlist for them for Overdrive/library) and have decided I will try to read as many as possible.
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28 Jun 2016

#GuestPost: UNICORN TRACKS by Julia Ember

28 June 4 Comments
Hello everyone! I have a special post for you today that I was really lucky to scoop up. Julia Ember, author of UNICORN TRACKS, was talking on Twitter about writing a post about plus-sized heroines and made a general call out for someone to host it on their blog so naturally I said ME PLEASE! I am really glad I did because this is an ah-mazing Guest Post (and it totally made me cry). Read it below to learn about why Julia included a plus sized heroine and why it's so important for body positivity in YA books! But first, let's learn more about Julia's novel...

UNICORN TRACKS

Author: Julia Ember
Publisher: Harmony Ink Press
Publication Date: April 21, 2016
Review!

 Summary:
After a savage attack drives her from her home, sixteen-year-old Mnemba finds a place in her cousin Tumelo’s successful safari business, where she quickly excels as a guide. Surrounding herself with nature and the mystical animals inhabiting the savannah not only allows Mnemba’s tracking skills to shine, it helps her to hide from the terrible memories that haunt her.

 Mnemba is employed to guide Mr. Harving and his daughter, Kara, through the wilderness as they study unicorns. The young women are drawn to each other, despite that fact that Kara is betrothed. During their research, they discover a conspiracy by a group of poachers to capture the Unicorns and exploit their supernatural strength to build a railway. Together, they must find a way to protect the creatures Kara adores while resisting the love they know they can never indulge.
Purchase:

On Plus-Sized Romantic Heroines in YA Fiction 

Julia Ember for Books and Ladders 


I am a plus-sized woman. Throughout my teen and adult life, my weight has fluctuated greatly. At the time of writing, I weigh 192lbs and wear a UK Size 18.   I’m also a polyamorous bisexual woman. I’ve dated a lot of plus-sized women and I have been deeply sexually attracted to each one of them, often in love to one degree or another. When I look at their bodies, my brain doesn’t see “fat” it sees softness, curves, bright eyes and clever minds. To me, their bodies have always been beautiful. Never mind that two of my SERIOUS celebrity lady crushes, Fluvia Lacerda and Tess Holliday, are both plus sized. I appreciate their bodies. I approached them with wonder. 



But when I look at myself, I often struggle to maintain that feeling of love and appreciation.  Something about that beauty I see in other women doesn’t always translate to how I see myself. I like my eyes. I think my face is pretty from certain angles when my chin doesn’t show. But whatever body dysmorphia exists inside me doesn’t always allow me to see my own body as beautiful. Instead, I see my body as a barrier to the narrative I want for myself.  When I start to date new romantic partners, I think about my size. I wonder if I should bother to take that step towards a first date or if I should put my life on hold to lose weight. Sometimes, I wonder if my existing partners are repulsed by me in bed, even though I have dated women with similar proportions, I have always wanted to touch every inch of them. 

I think in terms of fat representation and acceptance, the world has made a lot of progress in recent years. Stores have expanded their size ranges. Agencies have hired plus-sized models. Celebrities like Meghan Trainor have started bringing curves into vogue. 

But still, there’s that question of narrative. What is the fat girl’s story? If you listen to Hollywood, the fat girl functions for comedy and tragedy. Even though plus-sized actresses like Melissa McCarthy have developed careers for themselves in recent years, they are still only cast in comedies or as sidekicks. They are not the leads. They are not cast opposite Ryan Gosling or Idris Alba. They aren’t the Bond girls.

It’s easy for fat ladies to internalise what our cultural constantly reminds us. We’re for comedy. We’re the sidekicks. Never the stars. Our narratives aren’t sexy or adventurous, and they certainly aren’t filled with clandestine romance with hot people. No, if romance exists for fat women in film at all, it’s with another undesirable stereotype and again for comic relief. Isn’t it funny that the two people nobody else wanted in the film would find each other? 
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17 Apr 2016

SST: UNICORN TRACKS by Julia Ember || Guest Post + #GIVEAWAY

17 April 1 Comments
Hello and welcome to my Sunday Street Team post, as hosted by Nori of ReadWriteLove28, for UNICORN TRACKS by Julia Ember! Today I have a super awesome Guest Post for you about a Day in the Life at White Smoke Safari Lodge, full of insights and pictures! As well, there is a giveaway at the bottom, so keep scrolling for the goodies! But first let's learn more about the book...

UNICORN TRACKS

Author: Julia Ember
Publisher: Harmony Ink Press
Publication Date: April 21, 2016

Summary:
After a savage attack drives her from her home, sixteen-year-old Mnemba finds a place in her cousin Tumelo’s successful safari business, where she quickly excels as a guide. Surrounding herself with nature and the mystical animals inhabiting the savannah not only allows Mnemba’s tracking skills to shine, it helps her to hide from the terrible memories that haunt her.

Mnemba is employed to guide Mr. Harving and his daughter, Kara, through the wilderness as they study unicorns. The young women are drawn to each other, despite that fact that Kara is betrothed. During their research, they discover a conspiracy by a group of poachers to capture the Unicorns and exploit their supernatural strength to build a railway. Together, they must find a way to protect the creatures Kara adores while resisting the love they know they can never indulge.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25231892-unicorn-tracks?from_new_nav=true&ac=1
Purchase:
Amazon | Chapters | TBD


Welcome, Friends.      


I am Tumelo Nzeogwu, owner and founder of the White Smoke Safari Lodge.  Here, we have a simple moto: Dangerous Days and Decadent Nights. We believe every day you spend in Nazwimbe should be an adventure, filled with (controlled) risks and exciting encounters. But in the evenings, you should have a luxurious place to relax and feel at home.

We employ the best guides in the country and close encounters with griffins, chimeras and unicorns are almost guaranteed.

For as long as you are staying with us, our home is your home. Let me show you around?

Tumelo Nzeogwu

    We work hard here at White Smoke to make sure your accommodation reflects the very best Nazwimbe has to offer. During your stay, your spacious hut will be furnished with items made locally. 
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