Author Guest Post with Sunayna Prasad + 4 Book Star Review

Welcome to the June 9th stop on the blog tour for The New Enchantress by Sunayna Prasad, organized by iRead Book Tours. Be sure to follow the rest of the tour for spotlights, reviews, author guest posts, and a giveaway! More on that at the end of this post.

Please note that this post contains affiliate links, which means there is no additional cost to you if you shop using my links, but I will earn a small percentage in commission. A program-specific disclaimer is at the bottom of this post.

Author Guest Post

How I Avoid Defending My Work

As an author, I love and admire what I write or create in general. However, not everyone enjoys what I produce.

I am also a highly sensitive person, so criticism can be a challenge. Therefore, I use this quote to guide me when someone says something to me that isn’t desirable.

“If you can’t say something nice… don’t say nothing at all.” Thumper from Disney’s “Bambi”

The correct way to say the latter line would either be to “say nothing” or “don’t say anything.” But the message still reminds me to hold my tongue when I am told something that I don’t favor hearing.

For example, on a writing forum that I am part of, someone said that he looked at my published books and thought that they needed work, despite the many positive reviews they received. I did not respond.

I also found it easier to accept criticism when it was told to me verbally and not written. I discovered this several years ago, when attending an in-person continuing-ed writing class at a local university near me. I still feel that way now.

Of course, most of my criticism will come through writing and not orally. Therefore, I do still feel some pain when reading unfavorable feedback. However, I do eventually move on from it.

While the specific quote from “Bambi” was used for a different purpose in the film, I still believe it can apply to getting defensive over my work. In fact, I think it can work for anyone to avoid getting into conflict, even if you don’t intend or realize that it may happen.

About the Book

The New Enchantress
Alyssa McCarthy’s Magical Missions Book Three
by Sunayna Prasad

Published March 2021

Genre: MG Fantasy
Page Count: 175
Add it to your Goodreads TBR!

History, like magic, has a habit of repeating itself.

It’s been six months since thirteen-year-old Alyssa McCarthy left magic behind for good. Or so she thought…

Then the enchanted objects that protected her disappear. Now a skeleton named Errol has cursed her with magical powers that keep getting her in trouble. Suddenly strange things are happening with disastrous effects, and if Alyssa can’t remove the magic, she will lose everything she holds dear. In order to get rid of her unwanted wizardry, Alyssa will have to boost her bravery and confidence and determine who Errol really is. But every time Alyssa uses an enchantment, Errol is one step closer to getting his flesh back and becoming alive, and he will do anything to achieve his goals…even if it means destroying Alyssa’s happiness.

Originally published in 2016 as “Wizardry Goes Wild” and “The Unruly Curse” in 2019, “A Curse of Mayhem” is book two in the exciting and suspenseful “Magical Missions” series.

Amazon US | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Barnes and Noble | Kobo

My Review

My Rating: 4 Stars
Consider liking my review on Goodreads.

I was granted complimentary access to The New Enchantress as part of my participation in a blog tour for this title with iRead Book Tours after also approved being approved for a review copy through NetGalley. Thank you to all involved in affording me this opportunity! My thoughts are my own and my review is honest.

Alright, so, I grabbed this book on NetGalley first and didn’t realize it was the third book in a series. I agreed to reviewing on the tour because I was already committed to reviewing it anyway, but I do feel that I would have got more out of this book had I read the previous titles first.

In this installment, Alyssa has gained new powers and must learn to control them before someone else gains control over her. High stakes!

This is an entertaining middle-grade fantasy with a strong female lead and a great suspenseful plot. Kids in the target demographic, preteens and young teens, stand to learn important lessons about being the hero you need and learning to take on responsibility.

I would absolutely recommend this book to young fantasy lovers just getting into full-length novels.

About the Author

Sunayna Prasad enjoys writing fantasy books for children, as well as cooking, creating artwork, watching online videos, and blogging. She has also written The Frights of Fiji, and A Curse of Mayhem and is constantly creating and brainstorming new ideas. Sunayna also loves cartoons, traveling, and thinking outside the box. She lives in New York.

Website | Twitter | Amazon | Goodreads

Giveaway Alert!

Enter to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card, courtesy of the author of The Alyssa McCarthy Magical Missions book series (ends July 5)

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.