Blog : JamiFairleigh.com

Image description: A picture of moss-covered trees and a trail taken in the rainforest during the rainforest writers retreat

Writing Magic at the Rainforest Writers Retreat 2025

Posted on March 21, 2025 by Jami Fairleigh

I just wrapped up my fifth Rainforest Writers Retreat in Quinault, Washington. It was exactly the creative reset I needed. There’s something about the quiet hush of the rainforest—the steady patter of rain, the mossy stillness of the trees—that clears...Read More

Image description: The cover of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet over an image of vintage suitcases

Book Review: Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

Posted on March 14, 2025March 12, 2025 by Jami Fairleigh

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet: Ballantine Books (2009) 301 Pages Amazon | Bookshop.org Book Description Amid the chaos of blackouts, curfews, and FBI raids, Henry and...Read More

Magical Realism or Fantasy? Understanding the Difference

Posted on March 7, 2025March 9, 2025 by Jami Fairleigh

Fantasy subgenres can get confusing. Especially when publishers erroneously throw terms around like they’re interchangeable. Contemporary fantasy, low fantasy, and magical realism often get mixed up even though there are distinct differences between each. Of the three, I think magical...Read More

Image description: The cover of Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe over a close up picture of blueberries

Book Review: Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe by Heather Webber

Posted on February 28, 2025 by Jami Fairleigh

Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe by Heather Webber Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe: Forge Books (2019) 336 Pages Amazon | Bookshop.org Book Description Nestled in the mountain shadows of Alabama lies the little town of Wicklow. It is here that...Read More

Image description: the Cover of Cupcakes, Trinkets, and other Deadly Magic over an image of a chocolate cupcake

Book Review: Cupcakes, Trinkets, and Other Deadly Magic by Meghan Ciana Doidge

Posted on February 21, 2025 by Jami Fairleigh

Cupcakes, Trinkets, and Other Deadly Magic by Meghan Ciana Doidge Cupcakes, Trinkets, and Other Deadly Magic: Old Man in the CrossWalk Productions (2013) 264 Pages Amazon | Bookshop.org Book Description If you’d asked me a week ago, I would have...Read More

Image description: the cover of Fathomfolk over an image taken underwater.

Book Review: Fathomfolk by Eliza Chan

Posted on February 14, 2025 by Jami Fairleigh

Fathomfolk by Eliza Chan Fathomfolk: Orbit Books (2024) 439 Pages Amazon | Bookshop.org Book Description Welcome to Tiankawi - shining pearl of human civilization and a safe haven for those fleeing civil unrest. Or at least, that's how it first...Read More

Image description: the cover of Spells for Forgetting over an image of mist shrouded forests

Book Review: Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young

Posted on February 7, 2025 by Jami Fairleigh

Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young Spells for Forgetting: Delacorte Press (2022) 368 Pages Amazon | Bookshop.org Book Description Emery Blackwood’s life changed forever the night her best friend was found dead and the love of her life, August Salt,...Read More

Image description: The cover of A Rivalry of Hearts over an image of a stack of books next to a vase of pink lilac flowers

Book Review: A Rivalry of Hearts by Tessonja Odette

Posted on January 31, 2025January 31, 2025 by Jami Fairleigh

A Rivalry of Hearts by Tessonja Odette A Rivalry of Hearts: Crystal Moon Press (2024) | Dreamscape Media (2024) 409 Pages Amazon | Bookshop.org | Audible | Libro.fm Book Description They say never bargain with the fae. They also say...Read More

Image description: The cover of The Spellshop over an image of strawberries surrounding strawberry jam

Book Review: The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst

Posted on January 24, 2025 by Jami Fairleigh

The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst The Spellshop: Bramble (2024) 384 Pages Amazon | Bookshop.org Book Description Kiela has always had trouble dealing with people. Thankfully, as a librarian at the Great Library of Alyssium, she and her assistant, Caz...Read More

Image description: The cover of Sorcery and Small Magics over an image of a blue feather quill pen and parchment with writing on it

Book Review: Sorcery and Small Magics by Maiga Doocy

Posted on January 17, 2025 by Jami Fairleigh

Sorcery and Small Magics by Maiga Doocy Sorcery and Small Magics: Orbit (2024) | Hachette Audio (2024) 400 Pages Amazon | Bookshop.org | Audible | Libro.fm Book Description Leovander Loveage is a master of small magics. He can summon butterflies...Read More

Image description: The cover of How to Summon a Fairy Godmother over an image of a yellow evening primrose flower

Book Review: How to Summon a Fairy Godmother by Laura J. Mayo

Posted on January 10, 2025 by Jami Fairleigh

How to Summon a Fairy Godmother by Laura J. Mayo How to Summon a Fairy Godmother: Orbit (2024) 386 Pages Amazon | Bookshop.org Book Description If a fairy godmother can get one sister into a marriage, getting another out of one should be easy… Lady...Read More

Welcome, 2025

Posted on January 3, 2025January 3, 2025 by Jami Fairleigh

There’s something magical about the fresh start a new year brings, isn’t there? Right now, 2025 is like a blank journal. A journal where nothing's been written. Everything is still possible. It’s also like stepping onto a beach at sunrise,...Read More