Coffee Blog

Reading, writing, coffee, and book awards

Writing Sparkle

Welcome to book review thirty-six of fifty-two for this year’s virtual coffee shares. I’ve picked books related to the Brewing Coffee, Twisting Words & Breaking Pencils theme—coffee, books, and puzzles.

At The Coffee Shop of Curiosities
Author Heather Webber
Published in August 2023
The publisher is Forge Books
Available in eBook, Audiobook, Hardcover, and Paperback (320 pages)
Small Town & Rural Fiction | Contemporary Women’s Fiction

This is my third book confession in a row. I haven’t read this title yet. I will get back on my themed-reading kick soon. In the meantime, have you read this title? Is there anything you can share about it in the comment section?

You can read the reviews on Goodreads; the review.

If we were having coffee, I would share that I have been taking advantage of the weather and doing my yoga on the porch. I’ve never done yoga outside. It adds a whole new level to the experience of being on your own mat.

If we were having coffee, I would share that my younger son is obsessed with The Lord of the Rings. Every time we are together, he shares tidbits about the history of Middle-earth and its characters. He pitches “would you rather” questions and other Lord of the Rings-related questions. He also asks me to create characters like elves, dwarves, orcs, wizards, and evil. The result is that I am feeling really stoked to write the epic fantasy story that’s been fermenting in my brain. However, I’m ten chapters into writing an urban fantasy. Can I write in two genres at once? Hmmm.

If we were having coffee, I would share my big book news from September 1, 2025. Vizard won a bronze medal in the Readers’ Favorite International Book Award Contest for the YA Urban Fantasy category. I want to express my gratitude for all your support on my writing journey.

Here is the coffee bean grinder. How was your week?

By Shari Marshall – 2025

Listen to Vizard today. Narrated by Tracy Parsons.

9 thoughts on “Reading, writing, coffee, and book awards”

  1. I am assuming your son has read TLotR and isn’t just on about the movies (I know people who are, and not a bad thing, but with a fantasy author mom…). Has he read the Silmarillion yet? That is a tough one! Yes, you can write as many genre as you please 🙂

    I hope you are enjoying the weekend and have a wonderful week ahead!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Oh, the embarrassment (haha). He is talking about the movies. I have The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings on my bookshelf. He picks them up every once and a while—to impress me, I think—but he hasn’t read them. I tried reading The Salmarillion years ago, and I didn’t enjoy it. So, I didn’t finish it. Perhaps I should try it again.

      I would really like to try writing an epic fantasy. So, I plan to finish writing the cozy urban fantasy/mystery while world-building for the epic. We shall see how it goes.

      Thank you for stopping in, Trent.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. I remember being obsessed with LOR, and yet these day I barely remember characters and epic scenes. I have no interest to reread. Congrats on your award!

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Congratulations on your Vizard award!

    I love that your son is on a LOTR tear! What a fun way for you two to communicate and spend time together! I can’t speak to writing to genres at once, but I’m glad it’s all sparked some creative juices!

    Hope your weekend is a wonderful one!

    Liked by 1 person

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