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The Reclaimed Kingdom by Dana Claire Tour and Giveaway

30 Mar, 2021 by in Uncategorized Leave a comment

 

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the THE RECLAIMED KINGDOM by Dana Claire Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

About The Book:

Title: THE RECLAIMED KINGDOM (Syphon #1)

Author: Dana Claire

Pub. Date: February 14, 2021

Publisher: Chamberlain Publishing House

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 292

Find it:  GoodreadsAmazon, Kindle, TBD, Bookshop.org, Get a signed copy from Dana’s site

Read for FREE with a Kindle Unlimited membership!

Under the cruel ministrations of its Queen, the Kingdom of D’Land is in peril. With King Harrison away in foreign lands and neighboring Kingdoms unwilling to intervene, there is no one to protect the people from poverty, harsh punishment, and unreasonable rules of law – except for the Band of Brothers. Struggling with the death of her mother and the legendary Syphon powers she inherited, seventeen-year-old Dru wants nothing more than to escape her old life and join the motley crew of ruffians, pilfering from the rich to feed the poor and pay their taxes. She’s able to do just that disguised as a lad, and even when her nature is discovered, nothing changes – except for the way her friend Hawkin treats her. But Dru’s new world is overturned when she and the Brothers seize the treasures of a Prince who threatens to reveal her identity. Together, Dru and her chosen family must find a way to reclaim her destiny and bring balance to the Kingdom. If not, there may be no hope left for anyone.

If you like Robin Hood, Snow White and the Huntsmen, From Blood and Ash, or Graceling, this book is for for you.

 

INSERT YOUR POST OR REVIEW HERE!

 

About Dana Claire: 

When author Dana Claire had several poems published as an elementary school student, she was hooked and writing became her passion. A shared dream of hers and her mother’s, she promised her dying mother that she would become a published author and that dream has been realized with The Connection.

Dana believes that a good story is made through strong character development; when readers become attached to the characters’ emotional state and are invested in their objectives. She believes that the beauty of reading is that one can live a hundred lives within the stories of books. Her own stories come to her in her dreams, and she wakes up with book ideas.

Dana’s family is very supportive of her writing and the creativity and sentiment driving it. Enjoying bicoastal living between Los Angeles and New York, Dana says she “lives the best romance in the world being married to the most amazing man she could ever ask for.” The Connection was her debut YA novel, the first volume in the Blood-Light trilogy. The Reclaimed Kingdom is her second novel.

Website | Instagram | Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest | Amazon | BookBub

 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will win an $75 Amazon GC, International.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review

This remake of Robin Hood with a fantasy fairy tale twist is full of action! Dru is living among the thieves of the forest, reclaiming from royalty what is taxed and redistributing property to keep the people alive. She’s a syphon with supernatural powers, disguised as a boy for her pillaging. Hawkin, one of the band of brothers is raising Pea on his own after his village was attacked and destroyed. The two become a support to one another and possibly more. In a chance encounter they meet with Dodge, a Royal Prince who makes the balance tilt in Dru’s universe.

I loved the pacing of the book and the unique retelling of old mythical tales. My only setback was the battle scenes which were a bit too violent, gory and graphic for me. It was mid evil times, so it’s realistic to the period,but not fun to read. I also wish the relationship between Dru and Dodge would have been more fleshed out and more showing, less telling. That being said, I was fully engaged the entire time and am happy there’s a sequel where the characters have a chance to be fully fleshed out. With a villain worthy of a Disney movie and a page turning plot, this is a fantastical adventure!

Content and trigger warnings: mention of rape, abuse of women and children, drinking, heavy violence, blood.

Tour Schedule

Week One:

3/1/2021Rockstar Book ToursKickoff Post
3/2/2021Two Chicks on BooksExcerpt
3/3/2021Jaime’s WorldExcerpt
3/4/2021JaimerockstarbooktoursInstagram Post
3/5/2021BookHounds/@bookhoundsInterview/Instagram Post

Week Two:

3/8/2021A Dream Within A DreamExcerpt
3/9/2021Westveil Publishing / thewestveilarchivesDream Cast/Instagram Post
3/10/2021Jillpiscitello.com/jillpiscitellobooksExcerpt/Instagram Post
3/11/2021Lady Hawkeye /  @kellyatxExcerpt/Instagram Post
3/12/2021Books A-Brewin’/booksabrewinExcerpt/Instagram Post

Week Three:

3/15/2021Hurn Publications/
hurnpublications
Excerpt/Instagram Post
3/16/2021Shelf Love/shelflove123Excerpt/Instagram Post
3/17/2021Reese’s ReviewsReview
3/18/2021Jazzy Book ReviewsTop 5’s
3/19/2021The Phantom ParagrapherReview

Week Four:

3/22/2021Shelf-RatedReview
3/23/2021Books a Plenty Book ReviewsReview
3/24/2021Declarations of a Fangirl/declarationsofafangirlFavorite Scenes/Instagram Post
3/25/2021Simply Daniel RadcliffeReview
3/26/2021Book Briefs/bookbriefsReview/Instagram Post

Week Five:

3/29/2021Living in a BookworldExcerpt
3/30/2021TLC Book Nook / @tlcbooknookReview/Instagram Post
3/31/2021Fire and IceReview 
4/1/2021Lala’s Book Reviews/lauren.bodifordReview/Instagram Pos
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THE ROAD OF RESISTANCE by Chase Bolling Tour and Giveaway

29 Mar, 2021 by in Uncategorized Leave a comment

 

Fire and Ice is hosting a spot today on the THE ROAD OF RESISTANCE by Chase Bolling Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

About The Book:

Title: THE ROAD OF RESISTANCE (Vanguard #1)

Author: Chase Bolling

Pub. Date: November 27,2020

Publisher: Wahida Clark Presents Publishing, LLC

Formats: Paperback

Pages: 350

Find it:  GoodreadsAmazon, B&N, TBDBookshop.org

Read the novel hailed as ” Stirring, gritty, connected, and epic. A great read!” by Christian Cameron! When a rogue artificial intelligence makes medieval weapons the only weapons, and America spirals into collapse, a former gang member finds himself leading his inner-city community in a harrowing fight for their lives, after hate groups and corrupt police attack their home!

When Chessed woke up to prepare for work, he never expected his day to end in blood and triumph. When hate groups and corrupt police threaten his home, Chessed uses his love of history, fantasy books, and martial arts, along with his criminal past to lead his community in battle against tyranny!

If you loved books like Game of Thrones, or books like The Hunger Games, this contemporary fantasy is a must read! With action like The Witcher, and perspective like The Coldest Winter Ever, The Road of Resistance is perfect for fans of Octavia Butler, Brandon Sanderson or Sarah J Maas! Penned by African American Fiction rising star Chase Bolling, this epic fantasy delivers a unique blend of romance, military fiction & sword and sorcery, to create an almost arthurian, grimdark tale of a political uprising in the inner city!

With a cast of diverse characters, the heart of a Tom Clancy political thriller, and the soul of a Bernard Cornwell historical fiction, The Vanguard series is a must have addition to any sci-fi/fantasy lovers bookshelf, and sure to be among your top 10 dystopian novels or top 10 post apocalyptic books! Get your copy today!

 

 

About Chase:

Chase E.F. Bolling has also published as Chase Bolling.

You can say Chase is a father, revolutionary, and author in that order. Born and raised in Bridgeport, CT and he grew up in a proud Afro-indigenous family with strong roots to the military, activism, and public service. Surrounded by strong BIPOC women, his grandmother, mother and aunt were all heavily involved in local politics. While Chase spent his youth a delightful contradiction pretty much being Huey and Riley of the Boondocks at the same time. His mom did her best, and made sure he was cultured, educated and raised with a W.E.B Dubois-esque talented tenth, sense of responsibility. She kept him around good mentors, and even made him take etiquette classes…but there was and likely still is a hoodlum streak a mile wide. While on one side Chase was always well read, well spoken, with a firm belief in the edification of his community, a youth involved with street gangs and other illegal activities and he found himself in trouble…often. He played football, lacrosse and got into historical martial arts which Chase still practices to this day. He spent years in the indie hip-hop scene as The Legendary Thug Poet, until a near fatal car accident left me with a traumatic brain injury. Now he mainly sticks to activism and being an author, and now proudly serves as director of SF/For the Culture the fantasy, sci-fi, and speculative fiction side of W. Clark Publishing!

 

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon

 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will win a $10 Amazon Gift Card, International.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Recommended for You by Laura Silverman

26 Mar, 2021 by in Uncategorized Leave a comment

I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Recommended for You by Laura Silverman

Recommended for You

on September 1st 2020
Pages: 272
Format: Hardcover
four-stars
Buy the BookGoodreads
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before meets You’ve Got Mail in this charming and hilarious rom-com following two teen booksellers whose rivalry is taken to the next level as they compete for the top bookseller bonus.

Shoshanna Greenberg loves working at Once Upon, her favorite local bookstore. And with her moms fighting at home and her beloved car teetering on the brink of death, the store has become a welcome escape.

When her boss announces a holiday bonus to the person who sells the most books, Shoshanna sees an opportunity to at least fix her car, if none of her other problems. The only person standing in her way? New hire Jake Kaplan.

Jake is an affront to everything Shoshanna stands for. He doesn’t even read! But somehow his sales start to rival hers. Jake may be cute (really cute), and he may be an eligible Jewish single (hard to find south of Atlanta), but he’s also the enemy, and Shoshanna is ready to take him down.

But as the competition intensifies, Jake and Shoshanna grow closer and realize they might be more on the same page than either expects…

Review

If you’ve ever worked in a bookstore or retail around the holiday season, you will appreciate Recommended for You! Shoshanna’s car is broken down and with her employer running a competition for a pay bonus, she is out for blood. In comes brand new employee Jake, who doesn’t even read, and you have a recipe for fierce job site fighting. Be prepared for stealing customers, snarky comments and a fight for the P.A. system. There’s baking, widely diverse characters, and real life drama. I appreciated that the book is suitable for middle grade or younger adult readers. It also highlights Jewish culture and a strong single mother/ son duo. The relationships are relatable, with plenty of room for growth. Shoshanna is in the arc of learning to make mature decisions instead of fixing everything around her. Frank is inventive and creative. Pick this one up during the holidays– perfect around Christmas and Hanukkah.

Thank you Margaret K. McElderry Books for the light bookish rom-com!

Content and trigger warnings: divorce, online bullying, codependency, absent parent, 2 female parents.

Other Reviews

“Hijinx and hilarity ensue in Laura Silverman’s fresh spin on the workplace rom-com. With a lovable cast of characters led by rival booksellers who are impossible not to root for, RECOMMENDED FOR YOU is like stepping foot into your favorite local bookstore—cozy, comforting, and absolutely charming.” — Marisa Kanter, author of What I Like About You

“Sweet and endearing, with a headstrong heroine you can’t help but root for, RECOMMENDED FOR YOU is the kind of story that makes your bookish heart sing. Laura Silverman delivers a cozy, swoon-worthy read dedicated to the bookworm in all of us.”  — Ashley Poston, author of the Once Upon a Con series.

“A whipped cream dollop of a rom-com with an irresistible bookish setup.” ― BookPage

“A delightful coming-of-age story…destined for rom-com fans.” ― School Library Journal

About the Author

LAURA SILVERMAN earned her MFA in Writing for Children at the New School. She is the author of Girl Out of Water and You Asked for Perfect. You can reach out on Twitter at @LJSilverman1 or through her website LauraSilvermanWrites.com.

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A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by Laura Taylor Namey

25 Mar, 2021 by in Uncategorized Leave a comment

I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by  Laura Taylor Namey

A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow

on November 10th 2020
Pages: 320
Format: Hardcover
four-stars
Buy the BookGoodreads
For Lila Reyes, a summer in England was never part of the plan. The plan was 1) take over her abuela’s role as head baker at their panadería, 2) move in with her best friend after graduation, and 3) live happily ever after with her boyfriend. But then the Trifecta happened, and everything—including Lila herself—fell apart.

Worried about Lila’s mental health, her parents make a new plan for her: Spend three months with family friends in Winchester, England, to relax and reset. But with the lack of sun, a grumpy inn cook, and a small town lacking Miami flavor (both in food and otherwise), what would be a dream trip for some feels more like a nightmare to Lila…until she meets Orion Maxwell.

A teashop clerk with troubles of his own, Orion is determined to help Lila out of her funk, and appoints himself as her personal tour guide. From Winchester’s drama-filled music scene to the sweeping English countryside, it isn’t long before Lila is not only charmed by Orion, but England itself. Soon a new future is beginning to form in Lila’s mind—one that would mean leaving everything she ever planned behind.

Review

What a delightful jaunt into the English countryside! I wasn’t sure how the Miami flavor would mesh with the English roots but it worked! Lila is sent to live with her English relative for 8 weeks in an attempt to recover her mental health after loss and break ups. She is a chef who finds her best work baking, but Polly, the English queen of her kitchen isn’t too thrilled to give up any control. In a mash up of scones and Cuban ingredients, with recipes and treats it’s one mouth watering adventure. I loved the Spanish phrases mingled in to the conversation.

Orion is a local tea vendor who likes to sample whatever is cooking. He’s wise beyond his years and tender hearted. He is a man of cozy sweaters and inherited vintage motorcycles. His group of friends is wonderful. So much good. I truly enjoyed the dynamics and the small town feel. Thank you Atheneum Books for Young Readers for the dreamy escape.

Content and trigger warnings: dementia, mental health breakdown, grief, moderate swearing, underage drinking, bisexual attraction.

Quote

“He dashed his hand toward the muted stars. “I’ve stopped wishing on those long ago. I mean, I still have hopes and dreams. And it certainly doesn’t mean I sit around waiting for things to happen. But I’ve mad this deal with the universe. I’ve learned not to ask for more of it than what I’m given, both good and bad. ..I’ve grown to find peace and acceptance in not fighting what I can’t control. I don’t come to God or the universe as a beggar anymore”

Reviews

*”Namey shines…. A heartwarming romance paired with a well-written setting add up to a satisfying read on multiple levels.” — Publishers Weekly, starred review

*”A delectable read about loss, renewal and pastelitos.” — Shelf Awareness, starred review

“This book has it all: the recipe for new, lasting, happy friendships, a dash of romance, and some gentle (albeit hard) lessons about honoring yourself and letting go.” — Booklist

“Part romance, part foodie heaven, the warm atmosphere will make readers want to cook and dance and love.” — Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Laura Taylor Namey is the New York Times bestselling author of Reese’s Book Club pick A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow, and The Library of Lost Things. A proud Cuban-American, she can be found hunting for vintage treasures and wishing she was in London or Paris. She lives in San Diego with her husband and two children.

This former teacher writes young adult novels featuring quirky teens learning to navigate life and love. She holds a BA in Elementary Education from the University of San Diego and is the winner of the Peggy Miller Award for excellence in young adult fiction. Her third novel is forthcoming from Atheneum Simon and Schuster fall 2021.

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EXPIRATION DATE by Mardine Perrins Blitz

23 Mar, 2021 by in Uncategorized 1 comment

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Expiration Date By Mardine Perrins Medical Thriller, Dystopian Paperback & ebook, 304 Pages March 4, 2021 by Kat Biggie Press

A conspiracy theory no one would have guessed.

It’s 2168 and expiration dates have been a part of the human genome for the last hundred years. Society has grown accustomed to these birthmark dates, revealing the day you will expire. But suddenly, an exponential number of infants are being born across the globe with very short expiration dates, giving them only hours, days to live.

Elisa Quinn’s cousin’s baby is amongst these born with shockingly short expiration dates. Devastated over the rapid demise of the baby, Elisa begins to search for answers. Not satisfied by the response the global government is providing for the growing number of short expiration dates, she sets out to discover what could be behind this alarming trend. Aided by two scientists, Ashlei Quinn and Claude Monark, Elisa investigates the long-standing gestational supplement of nutriment injections as a potential source in the shortened dates.

While researching, the trio uncover an extremist group, Restituere. They learn of the group’s plot to control the growth of the population, potentially exterminating a large portion in the process.

Armed with their new revelations, Elisa and Claude travel to Boston seeking help from the one person they thought they could count on, only to find themselves fighting for their lives. Unable to trust anyone, they venture out on their own to interrupt Restituere’s plot. They soon find themselves in the middle of a deep global conspiracy, and in the crosshairs of those who would stop at nothing to see this plot through.

Unless they can prevent this deadly group’s plans, their loved ones will be lost and the human race altered forever.

If you love Dan Brown’s, Deception Point; Michael Crichton’s, The Andromeda Strain; and A.G. Riddle’s, The Atlantis Gene, you will love Expiration Date.

(Affiliate link included.) Goodreads | Amazon

Excerpt

Melissa Morrison put her feet up on a chair in the break room, resting her head on the table. The door opened slightly and June, a student nurse, poked her head in.

“She’s ready, ten centimeters dilated.”

Melissa lifted her head slowly and dropped her feet to the floor. The dark circles under her eyes told of the last eighteen-hour, three-day shift she’d been working.

Melissa entered the room as the laboring mother—Shauna, she re- minded herself—screamed with her next contraction. She watched the woman’s husband, David, get swatted away each time he tried to dab her head with a cool cloth, and wondered how much longer she would tolerate the attention.

One wall was painted with a mural of lilies, lupine, peonies, primrose and asters—an English garden to soothe the trauma of labor— while the other featured lambs and geese frolicking together in the countryside, washed over with a melancholy overtone contrary to its playful characters.

Melissa was happy to see the friendly face of the woman’s cousin, Elisa, who was standing by the birthing bed.

David was pacing. “Is the doctor coming soon? I think she’s ready!”

“He’s on his way,” Melissa said.

“I’m going to be a dad in like five seconds and I don’t exactly know what to do here.”

Melissa glanced at Shauna, panting and gripping the sides of the bed—she let out a grunt.

“Okay well, I’m pretty sure there’s not much for you to do here. I believe Shauna will do most of the work,” Elisa assured him. “Your job is to be supportive.”

Dr. Reed Frederick entered the room. “Elisa, I didn’t expect you to be here.”

“Hi Reed. I’m here for moral support.” She side-eyed David with a smirk.

“Great, the more the merrier.”

The room was set up for expectant moms to deliver on one side of the room with a half wall separating the newborn baby area. The baby’s nook was filled with baby supplies and brightly lit with white walls.

Melissa observed as June pulled the sterile drape off a covered table and began to prepare for baby’s arrival.

“Melissa,” Dr. Frederick glanced at the nurse, “informs me that you are completely dilated and ready to go.”

“I’m ready,” Shauna panted.

Elisa scrunched her face as Shauna contorted hers with a contraction. She let out a little scream and immediately resumed her breathing exercises.

Everyone assumed their positions, with David holding Shauna’s hand repeating, “Breathe, breathe.”

Elisa stood at her head as silent support, though occasionally giving words of encouragement. The only wall not adorned with animals or flowers was the one facing the birthing bed—it was a plain lavender.

Melissa smirked, glimpsing Elisa mouthing the screams with Shauna as she pushed with each contraction.

Twenty minutes later the shaky cries of a five-pound baby girl filled the room—Jessica, they decided. The anxious mother grappled for her daughter, rapidly searching for the birthmark, as the baby was whisked away to be inspected.

“I’ll have her right back to you in a moment,” June promised.

David turned back to his wife, while she lay back to rest, wiping the stray hairs away from her eyes and sweaty cheeks. He looked down at her, meeting her unsettled gaze.

Elisa backed away, not wanting to intrude.

In the baby’s nook, Melissa instructed June on how to examine the newborn infant using the Apgar score system—the practice of quickly assessing a baby’s health moments after birth.

She noticed June’s hands trembling, so she placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. June closed her eyes for just a moment and took a deep breath in to block out any distractions before performing a second test, checking the baby for signs of anything less than healthy.

“Heart rate’s good—110 beats per minute,” she blurted out, talking herself through it. “Reflex response.” She gently let Jessica’s head drop into her hand. “Spontaneous movement, sluggish. Next check,” she flipped the baby slowly from side to side, “baby’s… color… is… good.” She looked again and lowered her voice. “Hands and feet, slightly discolored. Respirations… slow and irregular.” Melissa watched over June’s shoulder as she finally wiped Jessica down, while apprehensively searching her tiny body for the same string of numbers Shauna had so desperately tried to catch a glimpse of earlier. Finding them, the date was clear. The birthmark read, 7152168. She looked up at Melissa and grimaced.

June loosely wrapped Jessica in a blanket and carried her to Dr. Frederick, who stood at the end of the birthing bed. She gently slipped the blanket away, positioning the foot so he could see the numbers. His weary eyes looked up, then from father to mother. “I’m so sorry,” he said quietly, glanced at Elisa, and mournfully left the room. There’s nothing more he would do here.

Shauna cried out. “Nooo, not her!”

Wails echoed throughout the ward from room 701. David let out a bloodcurdling howl.

Cupping her mouth, Elisa stood silently waiting in the shadows now, allowing the distressed parents space to absorb their child’s fate. A fate that is always possibly looming with each birth, but never easy to accept. She wiped the tears from her cheeks.

His eyes red and swollen, David reached toward Shauna, trying to console her. She flailed her arms, rejecting his efforts.

“Please God, no, no, no!” she cried desperately. Elisa moved forward and placed her hand on her cousin’s shoulder only to get pushed away— she crossed her arms and again receded to her haven against the wall.

David continued to attempt to console his wife, though he didn’t really have the will to completely contain her. Her arms still pushing him away, she inadvertently hit him in the mouth, causing a trickle of blood to form on his bottom lip. He noticed, but didn’t care, though he stopped trying to hold her. Distraught, he wasn’t sure how to calm his wife or even sure if he wanted to.

June swaddled Jessica and carried her to her parents. The new mom’s gaze followed her as she got closer, as though her baby would disappear if she turned away. She took her in her arms and kissed her forehead; her dad bent down to do the same, nuzzling his cheek against his daughter’s as if to take a little bit of her with him when he retreated.

“Check again,” he whispered to her. “Check again, maybe they’re wrong, maybe it wasn’t clear. Check again.”

Shauna opened her eyes wide. Another chance. A small wrinkled foot popped out as she meticulously unwrapped the pale pink blanket Jessica was swaddled in. Inching closer, Elisa fruitlessly tried to steal a glimpse from across the room. Everyone waited in anticipation knowing the result, but maybe…just maybe there could have been a mistake?

They both looked so quickly–perhaps they didn’t see well! She unwrapped the last layer and looked away briefly, then turned back. She raised Jessica’s foot, searching as if trying to focus on the words on the page of a book. Her face scrunched up and distorted into what was an unmistakable answer; she sobbed. Unable to hold his stance, David collapsed onto the side of the bed, and this time she allowed him to throw his arms around her and they wept together as a family.

Silently, Elisa made her way over to join Melissa and June. “What’s the date?” she asked in a whisper.

Melissa somberly looked into Elisa’s eyes. “July fifteenth, twenty- one, sixty-eight.”

Elisa gasped and softly said, “That’s three days from now!”

Suddenly, David pulled away from his family, turned and hit the wall, crushing his hand. He winced, but picked up the chair he’d been sitting in moments before and hurled it across the room, nearly hitting June. Melissa raced to push a button on the wall, while Elisa rushed toward mom and baby to act as a shield of protection.

The hospital loudspeaker urgently announced, “Code orange maternity, 7th floor, Code orange maternity, 7th floor.”

On Elisa’s hip she heard her pager, “Beep, beep, beep…”

About the Author

Mardine Perrins is a writer and a Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist in a Cardiac Catherization lab in upstate New York. Forever fascinated by the unknown and questioning the unexplored, you’ll find her curiosities displayed throughout her work. Her imagination is driven by anomalies in nature; bizarre creatures that live beneath the sea; underground caverns teaming with undiscovered prehistoric life. She’s captivated with the complexity of the human DNA, mind and body and is drawn to natures ability to overcome, adapt and persist. She investigates why these things exist and how she can bring them to their potential through her stories. She currently lives in East Greenbush, NY with her husband, children and two cats.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Blitz Giveaway

Two winners will each receive a print copy of Expiration Date by Mardine Perrins (US only)

Ends March 27, 2021

ENTER HERE

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Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter

19 Mar, 2021 by in Uncategorized Leave a comment

I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter

Better Than the Movies

on March 18, 2021
Pages: 368
Format: ARC
five-stars
Buy the BookGoodreads
In this rom-com about rom-coms, in the spirit of Kasie West and Jenn Bennett, a hopeless romantic teen attempts to secure a happily-ever-after moment with her forever crush, but finds herself reluctantly drawn to the boy next door.

Perpetual daydreamer Liz Buxbaum gave her heart to Michael a long time ago. But her cool, aloof forever crush never really saw her before he moved away. Now that he’s back in town, Liz will do whatever it takes to get on his radar—and maybe snag him as a prom date—even befriend Wes Bennet.

The annoyingly attractive next-door neighbor might seem like a prime candidate for romantic comedy fantasies, but Wes has only been a pain in Liz’s butt since they were kids. Pranks involving frogs and decapitated lawn gnomes do not a potential boyfriend make. Yet, somehow, Wes and Michael are hitting it off, which means Wes is Liz’s in.

But as Liz and Wes scheme to get Liz noticed by Michael so she can have her magical prom moment, she’s shocked to discover that she likes being around Wes. And as they continue to grow closer, she must reexamine everything she thought she knew about love—and rethink her own ideas of what Happily Ever After should look like.

Review

I smiled throughout this entire book. It was perfect. Such a welcome, fuzzy, charming YA. There were laugh out loud and swoon worthy moments. Childhood friends/ enemies, Liz and Wes are vying for the perfect parking spot. They are constantly at each other with snarky, witty back and forth. Their friend group has known each other all their lives,and when Michael moves back to town, Liz Buxbaum is sure he is destined to be sure to her romantic hero. With a “Can’t Buy Me Love” vibe scheme going between Liz and Wes, they are determined she will get the prom date of her dreams.

Wes. Favorite YA character ever. In tune, keen sense of humor, honest. I was wary at first at all the changes he wants Liz to make to win her man, but he redeems himself over and over again. With deeper issues like grief over the loss of mother, step-parent relationships and lying, the author does a great job of keeping everything low key and seamlessly woven into an awesome story. Highly recommend this one! Prepare to laugh out loud! I am adding Lynn Painter to my “go to” author list. Amazing debut. Thank you Simon and Schuster.

Content and trigger warnings: cigar smoking by minors, drinking, loss of a parent, sneaking out , kissing, mild swearing.

About the Author

Lynn Painter lives with her husband and pack of wild children in Nebraska, where she is a weekly contributor to the Omaha World-Herald and an avid fan of napping. When working on a new book, she can often be found sound asleep on her office floor. Some might say she should grow up and stop randomly dozing off like she’s a toddler, but Lynn considers it part of her writing “process.”

Yeah – because that totally makes it legit.

Second Chance Cowboy by Claire McEwen Tour and Giveaway

17 Mar, 2021 by in Uncategorized 2 comments

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Second Chance Cowboy (Heroes of Shelter Creek, #5) By Claire McEwen Contemporary Romance Paperback & ebook, 210 Pages March 1, 2021 by Harlequin Heartwarming

He was her first love… But some things she can’t forget

Busy small-town veterinarian Emily Fielding is finally ready to take on some help. The best man for the job, however, is Wes Marlow—who broke her heart in high school. Though Wes has a way with horses and a way of melting her resolve, Emily needs to keep things purely professional. Wes left her once—will he do it again? Because she can’t lose her heart a second time…

Heroes of Shelter Creek Book 1: Reunited with the Cowboy Book 2: After the Rodeo Book 3: Her Surprise Cowboy Book 4: Rescuing the Rancher Book 5: Second Chance Cowboy

(Affiliate links included.) Goodreads | BookBub | Amazon | Bookshop | B&N | Book Depository | Target Walmart | Harlequin | BAM | IndieBound | !ndigo | Apple Books | Kobo | GooglePlay

Other Books in the Series

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About the Author

Claire McEwen is an award-winning author whose strong heroes and heroines take big, emotional journeys to find their happily-ever-afters. She loves writing stories set in quirky small towns and romantic western settings. Claire lives by the ocean in Northern California with her family and a scruffy, mischievous terrier. When not dreaming up new stories, she’s a busy mom who also enjoys gardening, hiking, discovering flea-market treasures and wandering on the beach. A life-long bookworm, she always has her kindle close by.

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Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

One winner will receive a copy of Second Chance Cowboy (ebook or paperback, winner’s choice) and a $30 Amazon gift card

Two winners will each receive a copy of Second Chance Cowboy (ebook or paperback, winner’s choice)

US only Ends March 24, 2021

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Review

Two high school sweethearts collide in town as one is making his way back to apologize. Emily Fielding isn’t ready for the interruption to her busy budding Veterinarian clinic. She has had to work hard to overcome the small town belief that she’s second best as the daughter of the original Vet. Two work side by side. Emily’s stubborn, not willing to give up the reigns of all she has built, including her own emotional walls.

Claire McEwen, as an author, explores a youth aging out of foster care and the loving difference a solid, warm home environment can make. Wes changes and matures over the years in so many ways, including taking ownership for how he may have hurt those who nurtured him.

Second Chance Cowboy is a clean romance about learning to forgive, defend, and sacrifice for the ones closest to you. I enjoyed the references to kinder, gentler methods when treating animals as well as the service minded community. Perfect for horse loving readers as a break from the bustle to feel small town warmth. There’s so much to love about how Wes and Emily’s relationship evolves slowly from mistrust to mutual respect through small acts of kindness.

I received a complimentary Digital review copy from Harlequin Heartwarming and Prism Book Tours.

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YOLK by Mary H.K. Choi Blog Tour and Giveaway

11 Mar, 2021 by in YA fiction 1 comment

 

I am happy to be hosting a spot on the YOLK by Mary H.K. Choi Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Enter the giveaway below!

 

About The Book:

Title: YOLK

Author: Mary H.K. Choi

Pub. Date: March 2, 2021

Publisher: Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 400

Find it:  GoodreadsAmazon, Kindle, AudibleB&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBDBookshop.org

From New York Times bestselling author Mary H.K. Choi comes a funny and emotional story about two estranged sisters switching places and committing insurance fraud to save one of their lives.


Jayne Baek is barely getting by. She shuffles through fashion school, saddled with a deadbeat boyfriend, clout-chasing friends, and a wretched eating disorder that she’s not fully ready to confront. But that’s New York City, right? At least she isn’t in Texas anymore, and is finally living in a city that feels right for her.

On the other hand, her sister June is dazzlingly rich with a high-flying finance job and a massive apartment. Unlike Jayne, June has never struggled a day in her life. Until she’s diagnosed with uterine cancer.

Suddenly, these estranged sisters who have nothing in common are living together. Because sisterly obligations are kind of important when one of you is dying.

 

 

About Mary H.K. Choi: 

Mary H.K. Choi is a Korean-American author, editor, television and print journalist. She is the author of young adult novel Emergency Contact (2018). She is the culture correspondent on Vice News Tonight on HBO and was previously a columnist at Wired and Allure magazines as well as a freelance writer. She attended a large public high school in a suburb of San Antonio, then college at the University of Texas at Austin, where she majored in Textile and Apparel.

 

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon


Giveaway Details:

2 winners will win a finished copy of YOLK, US Only.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

3/1/2021

Westveil Publishing

Excerpt

3/1/2021

A Dream Within A Dream

Excerpt

3/2/2021

BookHounds YA

Spotlight

3/2/2021

Book-Keeping

Review

3/3/2021

Lifestyle of Me

Review

3/3/2021

What A Nerd Girl Says

Review

3/4/2021

Momfluenster

Spotlight

3/4/2021

Not In Jersey

Review

3/5/2021

Kait Plus Books

Spotlight

3/5/2021

Trapped Inside Stories

Spotlight

Week Two:

3/8/2021

My Fictional Oasis

Review

3/8/2021

Eli to the nth

Review

3/9/2021

The Scribe Owl

Review

3/9/2021

Nay’s Pink Bookshelf

Review

3/10/2021

Lala’s Book Reviews

Review

3/10/2021

The Mind of a Book Dragon

Review

3/11/2021

Odd and Bookish

Review

3/11/2021

Little Red Reads

Review

3/12/2021

Amani’s Reviews

Review

3/12/2021

michellemengsbookblog

Review


Review

Jayne is a Korean born American living in New York and going to school in fashion design. Her sister June lives close by but has always been an awkward embarrassment. Jayne avoids her because she is in with a group of extremely popular, up and coming New York socialites, and their sibling relationship has always been rocky. June is a perfect student with a high paying job and Jayne is living in a roach infested apartment battling an eating disorder and alcohol abuse. Just when you think Jayne will take a break from her self-destructive behaviors, she spirals down into them again. Yolk takes a raw inside look at the cycles of inter-generational abuse and disordered eating. At times it is gut wrenching. It also exposes the insurance problems one faces when trying to continue individual therapy or obtain surgery.

The times she spends with Patrick are the life saver in Jayne’s life. He is a gentleman, honest and kind. His apartment centers Jayne and helps her feel at home. I loved every interaction they have together. In the end, Yoke shows the redemptive power of family and love. Amidst, the mental health and addiction problems, there is hope on the horizon.

Quote: I’ll tell you what, you are only as sick as your secrets. The second you talk about it, it all seems to get a little better. Humans need to share their darkest parts. Unburdening makes you closer to everyone…the truth is we all have the same, boring problems. Sometimes the best thing you can do is talk about it. It makes no sense, but glory if it doesn’t work like a charm.

Content and trigger warnings: Heavy swearing, eating disorder, child abuse, cancer, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, drinking, drug use. Mature- NA or adult read.

Chain of Iron by Cassandra Claire

09 Mar, 2021 by in ya Leave a comment

Chain of Iron by Cassandra Claire

Chain of Iron

on March 2, 2021
Pages: 592
Format: Hardcover
four-half-stars
Buy the BookGoodreads
Cordelia Carstairs seems to have everything she ever wanted. She’s engaged to marry James Herondale, the boy she has loved since childhood. She has a new life in London with her best friend Lucie Herondale and James’s charming companions, the Merry Thieves. She is about to be reunited with her beloved father. And she bears the sword Cortana, a legendary hero’s blade.

But the truth is far grimmer. James and Cordelia’s marriage is a lie, arranged to save Cordelia’s reputation. James is in love with the mysterious Grace Blackthorn whose brother, Jesse, died years ago in a terrible accident. Cortana burns Cordelia’s hand when she touches it, while her father has grown bitter and angry. And a serial murderer is targeting the Shadowhunters of London, killing under cover of darkness, then vanishing without a trace.

Together with the Merry Thieves, Cordelia, James, and Lucie must follow the trail of the knife-wielding killer through the city’s most dangerous streets. All the while, each is keeping a shocking secret: Lucie, that she plans to raise Jesse from the dead; Cordelia, that she has sworn a dangerous oath of loyalty to a mysterious power; and James, that he is being drawn further each night into the dark web of his grandfather, the arch-demon Belial. And that he himself may be the killer they seek.

It’s been a long time since I have bought a book on release day, but I did purchase Chain of Iron as soon as it came out. I loved book one in the Last Hours Series, Chain of Gold. (5 Stars. Pick it up if you haven’t already) Cassandra Clare has created a world of escape. No matter how many books I read of hers, I still enjoy everything she puts out.

Chain of Iron has so many plot twists and points of view. The marriage between Cordelia and James Herondale is beautiful and selfless. James shows what a gentleman he can be and Cordelia is selfless and strong. It was a delight to just sit with them in their home and enjoy the time they spent as a couple. I did not like the scenes of disloyalty and fleeting romantic encounters between characters, but, they are meant to be developing….young and reckless. The portrayal of alcoholism by two characters is raw and real.

The end was a bit muddled because there’s so much going on all at once. Plots converge at a cliffhanger for book 3. A year is a long time to wait for the ending!

Cassie is one of my favorite writers. She’s a master storyteller in every way. Gorgeous cover!

Content and trigger warnings: alcohol addiction, heavy petting, kissing, moderate violence.

About the Author

Cassandra Clare is the author of the #1 New York Times, USA TODAY, Wall Street Journal, and Publishers Weekly bestselling Mortal Instruments series and the Infernal Devices trilogy, and coauthor of the Bane Chronicles with Sarah Rees Brennan and Maureen Johnson. She also wrote The Shadowhunter’s Codex with her husband, Joshua Lewis. Her books have more than 36 million copies in print worldwide and have been translated into more than thirty-five languages. Cassandra lives in western Massachusetts. Visit her at CassandraClare.com. Learn more about the world of the Shadowhunters at Shadowhunters.com.

Daughters of Jubilation by Kara Lee Corthron

05 Mar, 2021 by in young adult Leave a comment

I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Daughters of Jubilation by Kara Lee Corthron

Daughters of Jubilation

on October 13th 2020
Pages: 352
Format: Hardcover
four-stars
Buy the BookGoodreads
From the award-winning author of The Truth of Right Now comes a stunning, grounded fantasy in the vein of Dread Nation that follows a black teen as she finds her place among a family of women gifted with magical abilities.

In the Jim Crow South, white supremacy reigns and tensions are high. But Evalene Deschamps has other things to worry about. She has two little sisters to look after, an overworked single mother, and a longtime crush who is finally making a move.

On top of all that, Evvie’s magic abilities are growing stronger by the day. Her family calls it jubilation—a gift passed down from generations of black women since the time of slavery. And as Evvie’s talents waken, something dark comes loose and threatens to resurface…

And when the demons of Evvie’s past finally shake free, she must embrace her mighty lineage, and summon the power that lies within her.

Reviews

“A lyrical novel about a young Black woman discovering her power.”PopSugar

“The exploration of home, and the reflection on how a place where you can’t be safe can nevertheless be called home, is powerful. A compelling story of first love and battling racism with a magical twist.” Kirkus, starred review

“A well-told, fast-paced story about a teenage girl coming of age, while coming to terms with her family’s legacy.” SLJ, starred review

“Corthron brings her writing talent to the realm of YA with a powerful story about a magic-wielding Black teen in the Jim Crow South…Corthron inventively explores America’s heinous racist history while telling the story of a Black teen grappling with a hostile culture on top of ordinary teenage growing pains, like a first crush. Readers swept up by Justina Ireland’s Dread Nation series will gravitate to this historical fantasy, almost as if by magic.”Booklist

“The legacy of slavery, the persistence of racism, and the intergenerational trauma experienced by Black women and girls are explored with a deft hand. . . . Evvie’s narration is bold and self-assured.” BCCB

Breview: Heart wrenching book set in the Jim Crow South. There are some beautiful moments about love. The violence endured by the main characters is devastating. I cried. The author creates a hopeful ending to a horrible past.

Content and trigger warnings: sexual abuse of a child, lynching, racial violence, swearing, sex scene. Mature read.

About the Author

Kara Lee Corthron is a playwright, author, and TV writer based in Los Angeles. Her full-length plays include AliceGraceAnon (New Georges),  Holly Down in Heaven (Forum Theatre, DC area), Listen for the Light (Know Theatre of Cincinnati), Welcome to Fear City (CATF and Kansas City Rep, Kilroys’ List 2016), Etched in Skin on a Sunlit Night (InterAct Theatre, Philadelphia), What Are You Worth?, and Time and a Half. Kara is the author of the young-adult novels, The Truth of Right Now from Simon & Schuster/Simon Pulse and Daughters of Jubilation from Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Awards: the 2019 Otis L. Guernsey New Voices in Playwriting Award,theParents’ Choice Gold Award and a Kirkus Star for The Truth of Right Now, the Travis Bogard Artist in Residence Fellowship, Boomerang Fund for Artists Grant, 2012-2014 Women’s Project Lab Time Warner Foundation Fellowship, The Vineyard Theatre’s 3rd Annual Paula Vogel Playwriting Award, the Princess Grace Award, the Helen Merrill Award, Lincoln Center’s Lecomte du Nouy Prize (three-time recipient), the Theodore Ward Prize, the New Professional Theatre Writers Award, and residencies at MacDowell (four-time fellow), Bogliasco Foundation (Italy), Hawthornden Castle (Scotland), Skriðuklaustur (Iceland), Camargo (Cultural Diaspora Creative Residency, France), Djerassi Resident Artists Program, the Millay Colony, and Ledig House. She’s a proud member of New Dramatists. Currently under commission for La Jolla Playhouse. Past commissions include South Coast Rep, New Georges, Playwrights Horizons Theater School, Actors Theatre of Louisville Humana Festival, InterAct, EST/Sloan, and Naked Angels.