The Darkwater Liar’s Account is an in-depth exploration of one woman’s life. It straddles the world of literary, historical, and fictional memoir.
It is a dark and tragic tale that takes us to pre-World War II London, World War II Germany and 1960s Nebraska. Painstakingly researched historical details immerse the reader in Bridget’s world. So much so that I’d swear I walked the halls of St. Barts and farmed the field in Darkwater.
The author’s ability to transport the reader into Bridget’s mind is awe-inspiring. This is not just an account of her life; it is the emotional journey of her existence.
The brutality she endures. The pain she must inflict. It all is here. Never have I read such an intimate first person POV. It is a compelling read that is beautifully rendered.
Much like in real life, the painful moments are indelibly burned into memory, while the happy moments seem to race by.
One of the best books I’ve read from an indie author. K.Lyn Wurth is the reason indies need to exist. So that stories this powerful and honest can find their way to readers.
This richly told tale has hundreds of great lines worth rereading and highlighting.
“Maybe her life was like mine; much is calculated and less is remembered, while more is omitted, if not forgotten.”
“Yes, my death is coming, like a train you feel before you hear or see it, vibrating the steel rail beneath your shoe.”
“Not only violence warped us, but anticipation; we cowered, measured the temperature of a mood on entering a room and weighed each word, before speaking.”
I love a book that makes me see a new perspective and understand something I didn’t before. A book that makes me better for having read it. This is one of those books.
Writer. Publish. Repeat is chock full of useful information for building an indie career. The concept of funnels for books is definitely worth exploring once I have a few books under my belt.
I really liked the way these guys broke it down for the reader. They have a fun-to-read writing style that conveys all the important stuff and the pages fly by.
One of the best things I read was how it takes willpower and effort to accomplish anything. Whether it be writing a novel, bringing it to market, or even succeeding with a diet. Sound simple, but it isn’t easy–which is exactly their point.
I enjoyed all the examples they used from their experiences and appreciated their advice on taking a long-haul approach. They imparted a lot of perspective on being indie.
They talked about how one book may not make much money, but ten books making that amount of money is pretty awesome. Granted you have to write those 9 other books.
Their 80/20 philosophy is something I’ll employ on the next go round too.
There are some cool interviews with indie authors at the end that nicely round out the book.
Definitely an important book for indie authors to read before they publish.
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Author Appearance Reminder:
If anyone in the Boston area wants to meet me this weekend, I’ll be at Arisia 2014 on January 19th at 11:30 am on a panel about fortune telling methods. I’m happy to sign books before and after.
“A book that makes me better for having read it.” That is quite an endorsement, Kourtney. Thanks for the review, it sounds like a must read. The cover immediately caught my eye because the child looks like Macaulay Culkin, when he was in the Home Alone movies.
Write.Publish.Repeat. sounds like a great guide for those venturing into self-publishing.
Have a great time in Boston!
Jill, I am in awe of what K.Lyn did with this book. She’s my first indie author crush. 🙂 It’s a super eye catching cover.
Write. Publish. Repeat. is a great insider view into what those authors did. But they also sparked a few ideas about things I could do differently to carve my own author path. 🙂
Thanks! First fantasy convention–kinda nervous. Not sure what to expect. The other panelists have been very friendly. 🙂
Thanks, Kourtney, for the great review. I appreciate it, my friend… Take care, Kelly
Kelly, Thank you for writing a great great book. 🙂 You make it easy to support you and spread the word. 🙂 Best, K
I loved K. Lyn’s book. I thought her prose was beautiful, and I, too, was impressed by the research. Overall wonderful book.
Carrie, I feel awful that it took me so long to read her book. I have never read so few books in one year as in 2013. 🙁 But I am working to make novel reading a daily habit so I can get to more books in 2014. 🙂
K. Lyn’s book–the prose blew me away. The research and the right use of the research–never bogging the reader down–truly a talented author. Totally agree!
Yours was one of my favorites so now I’ll have to read one of your favorites! 🙂 I love historical fiction and this one sounds wonderful. Thank you for letting me know about it.
Thank you so much Sheila! That means so very much to me. 🙂 K. Lyn Wurth blew me away with this book. It’s one of the best books I’ve read in years. Hope you enjoy it!
The first book sounds like something I would really like!
I highly highly recommend it! 🙂 I savored every second of it.
The first one sounds like a very powerful book, and the second like one I should definitely check out. 🙂
JM, it’s really worth reading. 🙂 The second one is a good career read. Lots of insight into how to build an indie career. 🙂
Sounds like a very good book I should check out sometime! Your event this weekend sounds cool too, wish I could attend–I’ve always wanted to visit Boston 🙂
K. Lyn Wurth is definitely an author to watch. Thanks. I just finished picking out what I’d wear. It’s a fun blouse with flamingoes on it. Boston’s cool–been there a few times. Lots of history and culture to soak up. We’re a bit worried about the possibility of snow, but we’re committed to getting up there. It’s about 2 hours from where I live.
Both books sound worth reading. I am still trudging through my tbr list from a couple of years ago, sigh, but I’ve been known to move books up the list when they’re endorsed highly enough. 😉
I can’t believe I am going to miss you when you’re in Boston — only one flipping hour away from me! But I have 3 family birthdays over the course of this week, and I simply can’t get away. Have a great time — I love fortunetelling.
I’ve been trying to catch up on my TBR pile this winter. I only read a few books while I was in book production and promo mode (Jan-November). I have so many to get through but I’m working my way through it. 🙂
Aw too bad. Wow 3 birthdays–that’s a lot! Should be a fun panel and hopefully will introduce Six Train to new readers. 🙂
Thanks for bringing both of these books to my attention, Kourtney.
And, good luck with Arisia! I just read in someone’s Twitter feed that they’ve capped their attendance! 😀
Happy to share some great reads! Thrilled to be getting in some reading time again! Thanks. It was pretty awesome. They sold out. But I bought a weekend pass in October so I was fine 🙂
Great reviews Kourtney, your enthusiasm shines through for the first, which makes me want to read it.
Sometimes a book just reaches into my soul. K. Lyn’s is that type of book. 🙂
That 10-book philosophy is a good one. Thanks for the info here!
It is. I’m just not that quick a writer. So ten books isn’t something I could do in a few years. 🙂 But in 7-10 years yes.