Lya Badgley

Why Reviews Are an Author’s Best Valentine

Reviews are like valentines for writers—small but heartfelt messages that mean the world. Each one, whether a few words or a paragraph, is a sign that our stories have reached someone, moved them, or lingered in their thoughts. This February, if you’ve loved a book, consider leaving a review—it’s the sweetest way to support an author and say Happy Valentines Day!

Here are a couple reviews of soon to be released books I enjoyed!

 

Reviews

 

Teri M Brown’s 10 Little Rules for a Double-Butted Adventure hooked me from the start! This delightful read is a blend of memoir, inspiration, and practical guidance—a transformative roadmap for improving your life.

Through engaging storytelling and insightful reflections, Brown takes readers on a deeply personal and universally relatable journey. With wit and wisdom, she reminds us that bravery isn’t always about grand, sweeping gestures but often lies in our small, everyday choices.

Whether at a crossroads or simply seeking a fresh perspective, this book offers encouragement, laughter, and a gentle nudge to step outside your comfort zone. It is a perfect read for anyone looking for inspiration, camaraderie, and a reminder that life’s detours often lead to the most rewarding destinations.

 

Joan Fernandez’s Saving Vincent is a poignant, beautifully crafted novel that brings to life Jo van Gogh, the woman who preserved Vincent van Gogh’s legacy. What begins as a tribute to her late husband, Theo, soon becomes Jo’s own journey of purpose and defiance, as she ensures Vincent’s brilliance is recognized. Through meticulous research and compassionate storytelling, Fernandez illuminates Jo’s resilience and the often-overlooked impact of women in shaping history. Saving Vincent is both a moving tribute and a testament to the enduring power of art, love, and determination.

With this novel, Fernandez ensures Jo van Gogh-Bonger’s remarkable story shines as brightly as the masterpieces she fought to protect. The perfect historical novel for any art lover, Saving Vincent immerses readers in the passion, struggle, and legacy behind one of the world’s most celebrated artists.

 

Writing a novel is like falling in love

At first, it’s effortless. Every word feels right. The story reveals itself in layers, and you wake up eager to discover more. Then you hit revisions. The once-thrilling rush of creation slows. The sentences that felt electric now seem bloated or thin. A scene you swore was essential suddenly drags. You second-guess choices that once felt instinctive.
This week, I was there. Stuck in the part of writing where the excitement fades, and the real work begins. Where you don’t just add—you cut, reshape, undo. I almost abandoned a scene, convinced it wasn’t working. Instead, I walked away, came back, and saw it differently. Not perfect, but fixable. Salvageable. Worth the effort.
Because that’s the truth about writing, about love. The spark isn’t enough. You have to choose it, over and over again.
Tell me—have you ever fallen out of love with a project, only to find your way back?

 

Burmese Rubies

Burmese rubies, prized for their deep red hue known as “pigeon’s blood,” have been revered for centuries as symbols of power, passion, and protection. Mined primarily in Myanmar’s Mogok Valley—often called the “Valley of Rubies”—these gemstones have been sought after by royalty and collectors worldwide. Historical records trace their significance back to ancient Burmese monarchs, who adorned themselves with rubies, believing they granted invincibility in battle. During British colonial rule, ruby mining expanded, with gems exported to European markets. Today, despite political and ethical concerns over mining practices, Burmese rubies remain some of the most coveted and valuable gemstones in the world.

 

Rubies by Ralph Waldo Emerson

They brought me rubies from the mine,
And held them to the sun;
I said, they are drops of frozen wine
From Eden’s vats that run.

I looked again,—I thought them hearts
Of friends to friends unknown;
Tides that should warm each neighboring life
Are locked in sparkling stone.

But fire to thaw that ruddy snow,
To break enchanted ice,
And give love’s scarlet tides to flow,—
When shall that sun arise?