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Velvet Opus

5 Spooky Reads That Aren’t Too Scary

5 Spooky Reads That Aren’t Too Scary
by Rebecca Holland in Articles, Book Lists

It’s October – the perfect time to pick up a book, settle in by candlelight and listen to the rain. Or was that noise – footsteps? If you’re like me and find horror terrifying, but want to read something a little spookier I’ve got you covered.

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Book Spotlight – Octavia Bloom and the Missing Key by Estelle Grace Tudor

Book Spotlight – Octavia Bloom and the Missing Key by Estelle Grace Tudor
by Rebecca Holland in Articles, Book Tour, Fantasy

Hello fellow book lovers, friends and friends-I-haven’t-met-yet. How’s life going? Because, let’s be honest, it’s been a whirlwind couple of years, and things have changed. And it’s not just life that’s different, we are. I know because the last time I shared a blog post here (a blog tour in […]

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15 Reactions While Reading Down To Earth

15 Reactions While Reading Down To Earth
by Rebecca Holland in Book Tour

Hi everyone! Today is my stop on the Book Tour for Down to Earth by Betty Culley, a middle grade adventure that publishes on the 24 August 2021. Thank you to TBR and Beyond Tours for a review copy so that I could join this tour. The full tour schedule […]

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5 Beach Reads That Aren’t Set On A Beach

5 Beach Reads That Aren’t Set On A Beach
by Rebecca Holland in Articles, Book Lists

We all love a good beach read. A feel-good book that entertains you on your break from work. And contrary to the name, they don’t have to be set on or at a beach! If, like me, you’re looking for some alternative summery reads, here’s a list of 5 Beach Reads That Aren’t Set On A Beach.

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Before the coffee gets cold | Book Review

Before the coffee gets cold | Book Review
by Rebecca Holland in Book Reviews, Speculative Fiction

Before the coffee gets cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi is a poignant and affirming story about a cafe that can transport people back in time. Adapted from an award-winning play and translated into English by Geoffrey Trousselot, my heart was captured by this beautiful novel.

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Interview with Kassandra Flamouri

Interview with Kassandra Flamouri
by Rebecca Holland in Indie Spotlight, Interviews

Velvet Opus Interviews Kassandra Flamouri, author of self-published dark ballet fantasy ‘The Chalice and the Crown’. Kassandra Flamouri talks her self-publishing journey, her “Pawsitivity” newsletter and animal companions.

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The Chalice and the Crown | Review

The Chalice and the Crown | Review
by Rebecca Holland in Book Reviews, Fantasy

I have never wanted to fall into a nightmare world more. The Chalice and the Crown is a self-published dark ballet fantasy that blurs the lines between magic and madness. It’s Black Swan meets Narnia. There’s one word for this book: divine.

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Mexican Gothic | Book Review

Mexican Gothic | Book Review
by Rebecca Holland in Book Reviews, Gothic Horror

I adore tense stories. I loved Daphne du Maurier’s, “Rebecca”, so I jumped at the chance to read and review an advance copy of gothic horror Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia provided by the publisher, Jo Fletcher Books, via book review site Netgalley. It promised tension, and let me tell you, it delivered.

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Millions of authors in the world, but these are yo Millions of authors in the world, but these are your 3 ALL-TIME ✨ faves ✨ Who are they?⁣
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This is such a difficult question to answer, because I've discovered SO many amazing new fave authors this past year like @beccajross, @silviamg.author, @axieoh, @stephanie_garber and @flamourific! ⁣
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But for my all-time favourites... I'd have to go with (in no particular order) these 3 breathtaking authors: ⁣
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🔥 Alix E. Harrow (@alix.e.harrow)⁣
🔥 Erin Morgernstern (@erinmorgenstern)⁣
🔥 Taylor Jenkins Reid (@tjenkinsreid)⁣
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Their stories inspire me beyond words ❤️⁣
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#velvetopus #velvetopusbooks #bookstagram #bookstagramuk #books #booksbooksbooks #booksofinstagram #booksofig #faveauthors #read #reading #readersofinstagram #readersgonnaread #reader #readersofig #readingtime #readmorebooks #readingaddict #readerlife #readingislife #readstagram #readingismagic #igreads #readingisfundamental #readinglist2022 #alixharrow #taylorjenkinsreid #erinmorgenstern #rebeccaross #kassandraflamouri
Last month was so busy I ✨ f o r g o t ✨ to re Last month was so busy I ✨ f o r g o t ✨ to read 😂 ⁣
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Some of you may know this but 

behind-the-scenes I've been studying again...⁣
⁣
When I decided to transition my Velvet Opus book blog into a freelance writing biz, I knew I still had a lot to learn. I didn't have an English degree. I didn't have paid writing experience. My background was in law (totally different!)⁣
⁣
So, I started a copywriting course! 

To learn the art of writing copy and level up my skills... ⁣
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And I'm proud to say that I finished it last week 🥳⁣
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So studying + then celebrating the past week means my reads were a little light last month. ⁣
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The books I read were:⁣
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📚 The Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling⁣
📚 All Our Hidden Gifts by Caroline O'Donoghue⁣
🎧 The Last Tang Standing by Lauren Ho⁣
📚 Wet Paint by Chloe Ashby⁣
🎧 Hot Milk by Deborah Levy ⁣
🎧 The Selection by Kiera Cass⁣
🎧 The Queen by Kiera Cass⁣
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How busy was your month? Did you read more or less than I did? LOL 😜
Me, closing the doors so I can write in peace 😌 Me, closing the doors so I can write in peace 😌

#velvetopus #writer #freelancewriter #freelancingfemales #smallbizowner #copywriting
Imagine being tucked into an overstuffed armchair Imagine being tucked into an overstuffed armchair in an old bookstore with a mug of tea in hand. That’s what this book felt like ✨ ⁣
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The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab is a comforting and soothing read. Set in present day New York City and 18th century France, it tells the story of Addie, an immortal woman cursed with being forgotten by everyone she meets.⁣
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Compelling and beautifully written, this book was delightful. I repeatedly sought out the audiobook after long, hard days because it was a balm that soothed my soul. It had the languidness of gothic fiction, which I adored, while bringing a strong but feminine voice to a life of immortality. Addie’s story feels like that old, worn sweater you reach for when you want to feel warm and cosy. ⁣
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The best quote in the book goes like this, from Addie to no-one in particular, “it is a lonely thing, to be forgotten. To remember, when no-one else does”.⁣
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If you’ve been looking for an immortality story that isn’t vampire-related, this story is in that sweet spot. ⁣
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What’s the last book you read that soothed you? 👇⁣
© Velvet Opus 2022 Tweak Me theme by Nose Graze
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