June was a month filled with whimsy, magic and wonder! Here is an overview of what happened with The Prancing Pony and some things to look forward to! Also I must disclaim that while although I love to devour the words of others, I myself am no word smith. I hope to improve with each edition of The Tavern Tales but for now we are running with it (lol). Hope you enjoy! ☺️
MARKET RE-CAP
Starting off the month, I had the incredible opportunity to be a vendor at the Beltane Fantasy Festival in Caldwell and I had the time of my life! At set-up you could feel the magic buzzing in the air and the next two following days continued to abound with whimsy. I loved getting to meet so many different people and share in our love for books. I also thoroughly enjoyed everyone's costumes I mean WOW! This was my first time ever attending an event like this and I was truly amazed by the creativity and splendor of it all. It was such a special and memorable weekend and I hope to be back next year!
READING WRAP-UP
June was a slowwww month as I am working on growing my business however I did enjoy a couple of reads.
Starting off I finally got around to reading what I would consider one of the 'pillars' in the Sci-Fi Realm, Foundation by Isaac Asimov. This one surprised me in a few ways. While although the novel is short, it is broken into parts separated by time jumps that span between 50-70 years. Combined with the antiquated prose and a new set of characters for each section, the novel was slower to work through. However the setting in space, the nuclear power and the role it played in the political and religious atmospheres kept me hooked (oh and major shout out to Kindle's Open Dyslexic Font!). Overall, it is definitely a story that you have to trust the process with but by the end I felt it was very worth it and I am looking forward to book two. There is also a tv show that looks absolutely stellar so that is also motivating me to complete the series.
Next up on the list is, I Got Abducted By Aliens And Now I'm Trapped In A Rom Com by Kimberly Lemming which had been and continues to be an absolute WILD RIDE!!! Totally unexpected, this book is hilarious!! You've got a mix between humans, aliens, hot satyrs (like how?!), lions that can talk, pink and fluffy dinosaurs and so much more!!! The author's voice is incredible and again so humorous. This novel has been so much fun, unique, sci-fi driven with a great plot and a bit of romance in the BEST way possible. I cannot wait to continue this read into July.
AUTHOR HIGHLIGHT: DR. IMAN CHRISTIANS
@DRIMANAUTHOR
I came across Dr. Iman Christians one day on Instagram and fell in love with the artwork and cover of her novel as well as the premise. A novel with a redemption arc for a Daenerys inspired FMC. As someone who did not enjoy how GOT ended, this premise STOOD OUT! I also must share that Dr. Iman Christians came across as such a kind and authentic person that promotes resiliency and persistence in the journey to achieve one's dreams. With all of this how could I not read the novel?! Well lets just say that I completely and thoroughly devoured her book and subsequently have been FERAL for book two to release. I cannot tell you enough how truly thrilled I am to report that book two is out and available for purchase!!!! AAAAAA!!!!!!!
My Goodreads Review For Dragon Blind:
"Dragon Blind is a story rich with world building, character development and an incredibly unique magic system! The FMC is captivating from beginning to end. I loved her dynamic with the MMC and I thought that the author made them very human in the choices and mistakes that they made which in turn made them also incredibly relatable. What I would give to see this adapted to screen! If you want a story that explores different kinds of power and strength, loyalty, deception, found family and a true enemies to lovers oh and did I mention dragons?! Then look no further this is the book for you! Also the cover is STUNNING!!!
AUTHOR FEATURE: GEMMA VALE
@AUTHOR.GEMMAVALE
Another author that I found through Instagram is Gemma Vale. Her videos are an absolute MUST WATCH! Gemma Vale is absolutely hilarious and incredibly authentic and open about her authorship journey. Her debut novel Daughter Of The Night releases July 10th! Daughter Of The Night is a dark fantasy full of ancient prophecies, goth vibes, a slow burn romance all written in an atmospheric and lyrical way. I am a major sucker for atmospheric and lyrical prose so combined with the tropes I shall be consuming this!
FUTURE AUTHOR FEATURES:
AUBREY NYMPHEA (@AUBREYNYMPHEAAUTHOR)
MATTEO FRANCO
(@MATTEOFRANCOAUTHOR)
A.D.B.
(@AUTHORADB)
D.S.CORTEZ
(@D.S.CORTEZ)
These are additional authors that you should absolutely keep on your radar with debut novels releasing in the upcoming months and early next year! More to follow with these authors in future Tavern Tales Editions so stay tuned! :)
LOCAL BOOK EVENTS
While although I didn't have the opportunity to attend any events this month I am so excited to adventure this month and attend a couple of book clubs!
Hearts On Fire Books in Boise has two open book clubs that I want to attend! When I saw the Certified Freaks Club I screamed inside and said yes yes I am in the right place. There are also a plethora of other curated events that look so fun, definitely worth checking out!
Another book club that I am looking forward to join is Smutty Buddies Book Club that meets at Oldspeak! EEEE a smutty book club?!!! Yessssss!!!!!! Also I have been wanting to check out Oldspeak for so long and cannot wait to experience it. I also saw that there is a film adaptation book club that I need to look into more...
SHOP FAVORITES
This month I have been loving and living for these products and I must share them with you!
Price Petals & Produce
Let me start by saying that Jenn's farmstand is the most beautifully curated farmstand that I have ever seen and its local to Star! She makes everything that she stocks and you can tell the love and intention that has gone into all of it. She grows a variety of veggies that are scrumptious and her baked goods are mouth watering (my fave is the brown butter chocolate chip cookies). She also grows and arranges beautiful floral arrangements that are full of so much whimsy. Another product of hers that I have been loving are her lip balms. They all smell so incredible and the formulation is top notch! Not only do they leave your lips with an incredible glossy sheen but the HYDRATION WOW!
Sleepy Girl Gardens
I met Bonnie at the Victory Gardens Mothers Day Event this past spring and her kindness and warmth radiates from her booth. Her products are packaged beautifully and I love that for a lot of her products she grows the ingredients in her own garden! She is very conscientious and intentional with what goes into her products which I deeply appreciate. Her AHA Toner has been my favorite since I very first applied it. It not only evens my skin tone but it also leaves it feeling so refreshed and looking glowy. I also love the smell! Next up for me to try from her is the Blue Tansy Face Cream. Sleepy Girl Gardens is located in Boise, ID!
Wrenco Ridge Homestead
I found Wrenco Ridge Homestead, form Plummer ID, at The Vintage Market Days during their past holiday market. My kids and I felt so cozy and welcomed into Sam and her husband's beautiful booth and instantly fell in love with their products. My favorite this past month and truly ever since I got it has been the Citrus Tallow Balm. As someone who has tried several tallow balms this one absolutely stands out. Not only does it smell incredible but it absorbs the best into the skin and gives a deep long lasting hydration. In winter I love using it for my dry hands and in summer for any sunburns or irritation. I also deeply appreciate the thoughtfulness and care that Sam uses in crafting each and every one of her holistic products. I am due for a reorder of the tallow and plan to add on the bath salt soaks (they look amazing!).
Mountain View Soap
When I opened my bookmail from A.D.B., author of my most beloved Lorelyi: The Paladin, I was instantly drawn to the body butter stick from Mountain View Soap. The packaging is absolutely beautiful and the smell ahhhh the smell. It has the most beautiful, delicate and sweet notes of orange blossom and is a dream to use. When you apply the body butter, it melts into the silkiest texture and absorbs incredibly well into the skin. I love how on the go it for my kids and myself who is notorious for forgetting to reapply moisturizing products after washing my hands. The ingredients are clean, natural and gentle, YAY!!! Thank you A.D.B. you are a LIFE SAVOR!!!
COLLABORATIONS
I literally cannot wait to share the news but I do have something in the works with a fellow creator from Idaho! More to follow in August but I can promise it's so so good! :)
If you have made it to this point THANK YOU!!!! Your support lights the way for me and I am immeasurably thankful for it and for YOU!
All The Best,
The Prancing Pony
TAVERN TALES
