July 2018 Wrap-Up!

Everything I read in July 2018:
Some of these books I received from publishers as arc copies for an honest review.
* means it was a Review Copy

  

  

*-- Kiss of the Royal by Lindsey Duga: BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 3.5/5

-- The Truth Beneath The Lies by Amanda Searcy: BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4.5/5

*-- Weave A Circle Round by Kari Maaren: BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 3.3/5

-- Nailbiter, Volume 4: Blood Lust by Williamson, Henderson, Guzowski, Hill, and Levin: BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4/5

*-- Widows by Lynda La Plante: BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 3.5/5

-- I Hate Fairyland, Volume 3: Good Girl by Young, Beaulieu, Rankine, Piekos, Wagenschutz, Kukua, and Hughes: BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4/5

FAVORITE BOOK OF THE MONTH:

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

 

How was your reading month?

Review: Widows (Dolly Rawlins #1) by Lynda La Plante

Title: Widows (Dolly Rawlins #1)

Author: Lynda La Plante

Published by: Zaffre Publishing

Released: 2018

Source: Review Copy won from BookishFirst and Provided by Publisher

Summary: Dolly, Linda, and Shirley all became Widows on the same day. Their husbands were all connected, by a life of crime. They died during a heist gone bad. Dolly is grieving hard. Other criminals are quick to try and claim Harry Rawlins' territory. They are looking for his books where he recorded all his associate names and all his crimes. Those books are currently in the hands of Dolly Rawlins. Dolly comes up with the idea to do Harry's last heist herself, but she'll need help. She contacts the other widows who agree to take part. They are gonna do the heist that killed their husbands, and they are gonna steal a whole lot of money!

My Thoughts: I was lucky enough to win a copy of this book from BookishFirst and Zaffre Publishing. Thank you to them for giving me the opportunity to read this book. 

I'd never heard of Lynda La Plante before, even though she's a pretty well known author. I think I like her stuff. Widows was pretty fun. 

The beginning started off very exciting with the failed heist by Harry Rawlins and crew. It was a very vivid scene. What happened to the crew was pretty awful, pretty painful, and very grotesque. It was a scene I won't forget.

There were a lot of characters to wrap my head around in the beginning, which made for a little confusion as I was trying to get everybody straight. I also didn't expect for the planning of the robbery to take up as much of the book as it did. I mean, I guess I should have, but I didn't. About 3/4 of the book were just Dolly and the girls planning the robbery. It made for when the robbery actually happened more exciting though, because it had been building up to it for so long.

I also expected the Widows to be more friends with each other than they were. They kind of had an antagonistic relationship for most of it. Dolly made sure that all the girls knew she was the boss, which made Linda resent her a lot. It almost seemed like Dolly thought these were her children that she had to take care of, and she didn't think her girls were particularly gifted with intelligence. Dolly didn't see them as equals, which caused a lot of tension.

I did enjoy the twists and turns in this one. If you read it, you'll know what I'm talking about. I can't say that I expected it.

Widows is going to be made into a movie (I believe it was already made into a TV drama at some point, but it's getting a new movie later in 2018). I've seen the trailer, and I'm kind of excited for what they're going to do with it. Reading the book, it does seem like it would make the perfect movie. I think when it gets released, I might see it. Should be a good dose of action fun.

The ending was satisfying, but it didn't conclude everything. There is a continuation to Dolly's story that I'm definitely interested to read. What's going to happen next?? I sense some unpleasantness in Dolly's future. I also want to know what happens with the Police Detective.

This was a pretty fun read. I liked it. I think it's going to make a great movie. I'm really glad I was lucky enough to win a copy. I'd recommend it.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 3.5/5

Let the Heist Commence

COVER REVEAL: Valiant by Merrie Destefano

Are you ready for it?

I don't think you're ready.

HERE IT IS!!!

Reading Right Now! (172)

What I'm Reading Right Now! is...

Title: A Conspiracy of Stars

Author: Olivia A. Cole

I was drawn to A Conspiracy of Stars because of the cover and that it was science fiction. I also remember it being in an Uppercase Box. I didn't really know anything about it. 

So a short synopsis is: Octavia's ancestors had to leave their home planet because it was dying. They planned to do a stop over on a planet that would house them for a while, while they looked for a more permanent home. They ended up crash landing on that initial planet, their ship was irreparable, so Faloiv became their home. Octavia and her people have survived on this planet by studying the flora and fauna. Study, science, and finding out why things work are the most important things in Octavia's world.

I'm about 100 pages in and so far, it's just kind of meh. It's a little boring, I'm not going to lie. It reminds me a lot of the new Netflix reboot of Lost in Space. How all the characters on that are really serious and all about science, that's how the characters are in this book. They're kind of dull. I'm not really feeling any of the characters yet. I'm also not that big of a fan of Octavia's insta-love with Rondo. Sure, they've known each other since they were kids, but it's like in the blink of an eye she decides that he is irresistible. It's just all kind of boring so far. But I am not a quitter. I'm hoping the more I read, the more I like it? I mean, it's kind of interesting, but it's boring.

So that is what I'm Reading Right Now! What are you reading?

BLOG TOUR: Madam Love, Actually by Rich Amooi

I'm really excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Madam Love, Actually by Rich Amooi. Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and Rich Amooi for letting me be a part of this fun tour. I received a free e-copy for honest review.

Madam Love, Actually

by Rich Amooi

Purchase Links: Amazon  Amazon UK  Amazon CA  Amazon AU

Synopsis: Lance Parker is an arrogant know-it-all. As author of the bestselling book Your Soulmate Doesn’t Exist, he says love is for losers. Madam Love is a fortune teller and matchmaker who has brought hundreds of couples together.

When the two clash during a radio interview, she admits even someone as irritating and impossible as Lance has a soulmate. He says she’s delirious and a fraud. Then the gauntlet is laid down: Madam Love has two weeks to prove Lance wrong and find him a soulmate.

When Lance meets wonderful Emma by chance, he doesn’t know what to think anymore. But Emma has a secret. She’s Madam Love, actually. And it's going to take a whole lot more than a crystal ball to get her out of this mess.

My Reading Right Now! Thoughts: Madam Love, Actually was a whole lot of fun! It was very cute, very lighthearted, and made me laugh. It was a great chick-lit book. I loved the psychic aspect to it. I loved the hidden identity secrets spin. And I loved the idea of finding your soulmate. I had a lot of fun reading this. If you're a fan of chick-lit, I'd definitely recommend this one.

I really liked the characters. I liked how their romance developed. It was really, really cute and fun.

About Rich Amooi

Rich Amooi is a former radio personality who now writes romantic comedies full-time. He is happily married to a kiss monster imported from Spain. They live in San Diego, California with their very hairy daughter, a mini goldendoodle puppy. Rich believes in public displays of affection, silliness, infinite possibilities, donuts, gratitude, laughter, and happily ever after.

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A Giveaway!!!

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Thanks for stopping by my Blog Tour Stop! Be sure to check out Madam Love, Actually.

BLOG TOUR: The Girl in the Gallery (The London Murder Mysteries #2) by Alice Castle

I'm really excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for The London Murder Mysteries Series by Alice Castle. My Tour Stop today is focusing on the second book, The Girl in the Gallery. I was sent a free copy for honest review. Thank you Rachel's Random Resources and Alice Castle for letting me be a part of the tour!

The Girl in the Gallery

Alice Castle

Amazon

Summary: Just when you thought it was safe to go back to Dulwich…

It’s a perfect summer’s morning in the plush south London suburb, and thirty-something Beth Haldane has sneaked off to visit one of her favourite places, the world-famous Picture Gallery.

She’s enjoying a few moments’ respite from juggling her job at prestigious private school Wyatt’s and her role as single mum to little boy Ben, when she stumbles across a shocking new exhibit on display. Before she knows it, she’s in the thick of a fresh, and deeply chilling, investigation.

Who is The Girl in the Gallery? Join Beth in adventure #2 of the London Murder Mystery series as she tries to discover the truth about a secret eating away at the very heart of Dulwich.

My Reading Right Now! Thoughts: This was another fun mystery! This was a great addition to The London Murder Mysteries Series. I had just as much fun trying to solve this murder as I did in Death in Dulwich. I think this is a great cozy mystery series. It's a lot of fun to read.

I enjoy all the characters. I enjoy the way the case plays out. The twists and turns are fun.

I think this is a satisfying mystery that I'd definitely recommend!

Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and Alice Castle for giving me the opportunity to read it and review it.

The Author:

Before turning to crime, Alice Castle was a UK newspaper journalist for The Daily Express, The Times and The Daily Telegraph. Her first book, Hot Chocolate, set in Brussels and London, was a European hit and sold out in two weeks.

Death in Dulwich was published in September 2017 and has been a number one best-seller in the UK, US, Canada, France, Spain and Germany. A sequel, The Girl in the Gallery was published in December 2017 to critical acclaim. Calamity in Camberwell, the third book in the London Murder Mystery series, will be published this summer, with Homicide in Herne Hill due to follow in early 2019.  Alice is currently working on the fifth London Murder Mystery adventure. Once again, it will feature Beth Haldane and DI Harry York.

Alice is also a mummy blogger and book reviewer via her website: 

Author Website Facebook Twitter

Thanks for stopping by my Blog Tour Stop for The Girl in the Gallery!

Review: Weave A Circle Round by Kari Maaren

Title: Weave A Circle Round

Author: Kari Maaren

Published by: Tor

Released: 2017

Source: Review Copy from Tor through Netgalley

Summary: Freddy, Roland, and Mel are part of a blended family struggling to get along. Freddy is mad at everyone and everything. Roland is deaf and loves playing Dungeons & Dragons. Mel is a genius for her age and far more curious than she should be. Their parents are never around and they do their own things.

The three of them get brought together when some weird neighbors move in behind them. Josiah and Cuerva Lachance. Cuerva Lachance is a nutball. Everything she does is unexpected, and she seems to pop up in places she shouldn't be able to. Josiah is more level-headed, but still extremely strange. He ends up becoming a classmate of Freddy's, much to her dismay. Josiah seems determined to piss off every teacher, get beat up by all the bullies, and make the whole school think that he and Freddy are friends. This makes it very hard for Freddy to fade into the background at school.

Not only are the neighbors weird, but the house they are living in is too. 

When curiosity gets the better of Freddy, Mel, and Roland, they get sucked into something they never expected, and really never wanted either. It's a strange world.

My Thoughts: Thank you to Netgalley and Tor for giving me the chance to read an early copy for honest review. The cover and synopsis had me interested, very interested.

I thought that this was going to be a weird house book, or possibly a haunted house book, so I wasn't expecting what this book eventually delivered.

The most honest way I can describe Weave A Circle Round is odd, very, very odd. There were some funny bits with Cuerva Lachance and Josiah. There were some weird bits. There were some what is going on?!?! bits. It was just an odd book.

The middle part threw me off a lot. I'm not going to spoil anything. I think it's more fun to discover the surprise while reading, but I don't know if that surprise really worked for me. It was strange. It was jumpy. It could be a little difficult to follow at times. And it really just made me think, what's the point of all this. The ending was a little like that too. I just didn't necessarily get the point.

It was a fun read, kind of. It's not going to go down as my favorite book, but it will definitely go down as an interesting one that I remember.

Freddy as a character was kind of meh. I didn't really like how she was angry all the time. She kind of had a poor little ol' me attitude, which I wasn't a fan of. Cureva Lachance and Josiah were both touched in the head characters. Mel wasn't given the optimum amount of shine she deserved. I feel like she would have been fun to follow as a main character. Roland gets points for diversity, in that he's deaf, but he's kind of pushed behind Freddy too. Freddy just maybe wasn't the character that if I had the choice, I would have loved to follow.

Weave a Circle Round was definitely an interesting book. It wasn't what I was expecting at all. I think there are people out there that would love this kooky kind of story. It was an experience, for sure. A very odd experience.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 3.3/5

Very Odd

Reading Right Now! (171)

What I'm Reading Right Now! is...

Widows (Dolly Rawlins #1)

by Lynda La Plante

I won this book through bookishfirst for honest review

So my plans last week of reading all those books at once failed miserably. No one should be surprised, I'm not. I knew I couldn't do it. 

So, this week I've been slowly making my way through Widows by Lynda La Plante. I'm reading it slowly, not because it's bad, more because I just haven't felt like I've had the time to really read. 

I'm enjoying this so far. It has given me some twists that I didn't expect. I'd also be really interested in seeing the movie which they are making. I think it could make a really good movie.

One thing that surprised me is that I thought these Widows were friends with each other, like a merry band of criminals kind of thing. There's actually a lot of hostility between them. They really didn't even know each other before the deaths of their husbands. I don't know, I just found that part interesting.

I'm hoping to finish it soon, and then I'll move on to one of the books I posted in my last Reading Right Now! post, the one before this one.

So that's what I'm Reading Right Now! What are you reading?

BLOG TOUR: Death In Dulwich (The London Murder Mysteries #1) by Alice Castle

I'm really excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for The London Murder Mysteries Series by Alice Castle. My Tour Stop today is focusing on the first book, Death In Dulwich. I was sent a free copy for honest review. Thank you Rachel's Random Resources and Alice Castle for letting me be a part of the tour!

Title: Death in Dulwich (The London Murder Mysteries #1)

Author: Alice Castle

Amazon

Synopsis: Thirty-something single mum Beth Haldane is forced to become Dulwich’s answer to Miss Marple when she stumbles over a murder victim on her first day at work. 

To clear her name, Beth is plunged into a cozy mystery that’s a contemporary twist on Golden Age crime classics. But can she pull it off? She already has a bouncy young son, haughty cat, a fringe with a mind of its own and lots of bills to pay, as she struggles to keep up with the yummy mummies of SE21.

Join Beth in #1 of the London Murder Mystery series, as she discovers the nastiest secrets can lurk in the nicest places.

My Reading Right Now! Thoughts: This was a really fun, cozy mystery. Sometimes I forget how much I really enjoy a good cozy mystery. They have a feeling all their own. They're fun! Even though they are dealing with death, I always have a good time while reading them.

Death in Dulwich was a lot of fun to read. I enjoyed the mystery quite a lot and I enjoyed watching it all play out. Beth Haldane was a fun character to follow. I liked how she got swept up in this murder mystery. I really enjoyed a majority of the characters. The writing was really good and easy to read.

If you're a fan of Cozy Mysteries, I'd definitely say give this one a shot. It's a good time.

Meet the Author Alice Castle

Before turning to crime, Alice Castle was a UK newspaper journalist for The Daily Express, The Times and The Daily Telegraph. Her first book, Hot Chocolate, set in Brussels and London, was a European hit and sold out in two weeks.

Death in Dulwich was published in September 2017 and has been a number one best-seller in the UK, US, Canada, France, Spain and Germany. A sequel, The Girl in the Gallery was published in December 2017 to critical acclaim. Calamity in Camberwell, the third book in the London Murder Mystery series, will be published this summer, with Homicide in Herne Hill due to follow in early 2019.  Alice is currently working on the fifth London Murder Mystery adventure. Once again, it will feature Beth Haldane and DI Harry York.

Alice is also a mummy blogger and book reviewer via her website:

Author Website Facebook Twitter

Thanks for stopping by my Blog Tour stop for Death in Dulwich! I'll be having another stop for the second book The Girl in the Gallery on July 25th! Be there, or be square. Until next time, BYE!

Fresh Releases: July 17, 2018

It's Fresh Fresh!

-- Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage Goodreads  Amazon

I recieved an e-arc review copy of this from St. Martin's Griffin through Netgalley. Still need to read it though, but I'm excited for it!

Get it while it's Fresh! So that's all I've got for today. I know there are more books that are Fresh Releases, but I'm too lazy to look them all up.

Review: Nailbiter, Volume 4: Blood Lust by Williamson, Henderson, Guzowski, Hill

Title: Nailbiter, Volume 4: Blood Lust

Story by: Joshua Williamson

Art by: Mike Henderson

Colors by: Adam Guzowski

Letters and Book Design by: John J. Hill

Edited by: Rob Levin

Published by: Image Comics, Inc.

Released: April 2016

Source: Library

Summary: What is going on in Buckaroo, Oregon? Why does it produce so many serial killers? Will we ever find out?

Finch's friend Carroll has finally woke up and everyone is ready to hear what happened to him. Unfortunately, he's been whisked away to a protected government location, which means our lead characters still know nothing.

There's been a string of killings in Atlanta Georgia. Could it have connections to Buckaroo?

The Nailbiter is on the lam, no one can seem to find him.

Buckaroo is still keeping it's secrets, one day we'll find them out.

My Thoughts: It's been awhile since I read Volume 3 of this series, and I found out how much I missed it. It was so easy to jump back into it. This is a really fun, horror comic. It has got the scares, it has got the secrets, it has got me hooked.

I was so so ready to finally find out what happened to Carroll, what's happening in Buckaroo, but those answers were kept just out of my reach AGAIN! I want to know so badly what's going on!!! It's like that carrot held on a string in front of a horse, so close, yet so far.

As always, I really like the artwork in this. I like the tones, the colors, it really goes well with the story.

That TO BE CONTINUED at the end was just cruel, but I knew it was coming.

If you like comics, if you like horror, I'd definitely recommend this one. I think the scares are there, the story is super interesting, and I can't wait to read more of it!

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4/5

Those TO BE CONTINUED's are so, so cruel.

Reading Right Now! (170)

What I'm Reading Right Now! is...

Title: Nailbiter, Volume 4: Blood Lust

By Williamson, Henderson, Guzowski, and Hill

This is a fun, horror comic series that I started a while ago and am just now continuing. It's about this town named Buckaroo, Oregon and it's famous for the number of serial killers it produces. There's a general mystery throughout the series as to why so many serial killers come from Buckaroo. Is it something in the water? Is there something that triggers the residents?

A former officer named Finch comes to Buckaroo to help a friend who is investigating and finds that friend missing. He kinda sorta teams up with a convicted serial killer named the Nailbiter to find out what's going on in Buckaroo.

I just realized I'm reading this on Friday the 13th!!! Yikes! but appropriate.

What I Might Read Next

  

Widows (Dolly Rawlins #1) by Lynda La Plante (arc provided by BookishFirst)

Infinity (Inifinity Division #1) by Jus Accardo

A Conspiracy of Stars (#1) by Olivia A. Cole

I don't know exactly what I'll read next. I really would love to be able to read multiple books at once, but every time I try, I don't do very well. Anyway... that's what I'm Reading Right Now! What are you reading?

BLOG TOUR: Ms. Medicine by Olivia Arquette

I'm really excited to be on the Blog Tour for Ms. Medicine by Olivia Arquette. I was contacted by the Author who offered me a free copy of her book for honest review. I was super excited to read it, review it, and be included on the Blog Tour for it. Thanks Olivia for including me in on the fun.

Title: Ms. Medicine

Author: Olivia Arquette

Released: June 20, 2018

Published by: Amazon Digital Services

Source: Free Review Copy Provided by Author

Goodreads  Amazon

Summary:  Her new career is everything she’s never dreamed of.

MS advised

Caprice Bello is broke, living in her grandparent’s basement, and in need of a new career. When a friend offers to help her land a job selling pharmaceuticals she’s reluctant, but then caves. After all, the pay is decent, the company car is free, and doctors are the nice guys. Besides, how hard could it be? Turns out, plenty.

MS beliefs

After completing a crash course in pharma sales, Caprice hits the field determined to earn a top award and luxury trip to Australia. Too bad she’s unprepared for mean doctors and even meaner coworkers. Add to that Caprice’s unrequited crush on an irresistible colleague, and suddenly her easy job is anything but.

MS adventures

Before long, Caprice experiences a series of unexpected snafus that cause her once rising sales to tank. Not only is her goal of winning the top award and trip waylaid, but her new career is in real jeopardy. Desperate, Caprice gambles on a risky strategy that will result in either glorious victory or spectacular defeat.

My Reading Right Now! Thoughts: This book was really fun. I'm really glad that I got the chance to read and review it. It introduced me to a world that I know nothing about, Pharma Sales. I got to learn a little about that, which was fun. I liked the characters, I liked the situations Caprice was put in, and I liked the humor of the book. I had a good time reading this. It's described as a chick-lit, and I do love a good chick-lit.

I'd definitely recommend this one for a read. I had a lot of fun with it. It introduced me to a world that I wasn't familiar with in a fun way.

A Little About Olivia Arquette

Olivia Arquette is a wife, mother, and lover of things that make her laugh. She strives to write entertaining novels about ordinary women facing extraordinary circumstances. Before becoming an author, Olivia spent the majority of her career in the financially lucrative, but emotionally vexing field of pharmaceutical sales/marketing. Olivia’s latest passions include lurking in the shadows and scaring family members, throwing yarn balls at the cat, and finding inventive uses for her extensive collection of 3M Command strips. (Bio Courtesy of Goodreads)

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Thanks for stopping by my Blog Tour Stop for Ms. Medicine by Olivia Arquette. Thanks again to Olivia for contacting me to review her book and including me on this tour. Be sure to check out Olivia's debut, it's really fun and I recommend it.

Fresh Releases: July 10, 2018

Check out these Fresh Releases!

 

--Fawkes by Nadine Brandes Goodreads  Amazon

--The Brink of Darkness (The Edge of Everything #2) by Jeff Giles Goodreads  Amazon

I'm sure I'm missing a bunch of releases, but those are my Fresh ones for today. What books are you excited for that are coming out? Let me know.

Also, I was provided review copies for both of these books for free from the publishers and Netgalley. I'm a baaaad blogger, and I haven't read them yet, but I still wanted to share them.

BLOG TOUR: The Infinity Division Series Review by Jus Accardo

I am super excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for The Infinity Division Series by Jus Accardo! Thanks to Entangled Teen and Xpresso Book Tours for providing me with copies of all three books for honest review. I'm a fan of Jus Accardo's writing. Everything that I've read by her, I've liked. They've all been very addictive and fun, and this series was no different. I'd definitely say READ IT!!

The books in The Infinity Division Series are Infinity, Omega, and Alpha. Alpha just came out on July 3, 2018 sooo bingeing the whole series is what I would recommend!

 

Since this is a Series Review Tour, I'm just going to give a synopsis for the first book. That way I don't spoil anything and you get a gist of what the series is.

Infinity (#1) Goodreads  Amazon

Synopsis from Goodreads: Nobody said being the daughter of an army general was easy. But when her dad sends a teenage subordinate to babysit her while he’s away… That’s taking it a step too far.

Cade, as beautiful as he is deadly, watches Kori with more than just interest. He looks at her like he knows her very soul. And when he saves her from a seemingly random attack, well, that’s when things get weird.
Turns out, Kori’s dad isn’t just an army general—he’s the head of a secret government project that has invented a way to travel between parallel dimensions. Dimensions where there are infinite Koris, infinite Cades…and apparently, on every other Earth, they’re madly in love.

Falling for a soldier is the last thing on Kori’s mind. Especially when she finds herself in a deadly crossfire, and someone from another Earth is hell-bent on revenge… 

Omega (#2) Goodreads  Amazon

Alpha (#3) Goodreads  Amazon

Series Review: I Love it, I Love it, I Love it!! I love this whole series. It's so addictive and fun. I love the premise of this series. It's so fun and action packed. I love the romance in the books. I'm here for it. I could gush forever, but I'd imagine you'd get tired of that. I definitely recommend this series. Each book is great, there are no duds. Alpha was everything I wanted and more as a third book in this series. It's great. I'm definitely going to be reading more by Jus Accardo because she's good. I'm so glad I got to experience this series.

JUS ACCARDO spent her childhood reading and learning to cook. Determined to follow in her grandfather's footsteps as a chef, she applied and was accepted to the Culinary Institute of America. But at the last minute, she realized her true path lay with fiction, not food. 

Jus is the bestselling author of the popular Denazen series from Entangled publishing. A native New Yorker, she lives in the middle of nowhere with her husband, three dogs, and sometimes guard bear, Oswald.
Author links:
http://www.jusaccardo.com/https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJusAccardo/https://twitter.com/JusAccardohttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4996736.Jus_Accardo

Thank you for stopping by and checking out my Tour Stop for The Infinity Division Series by Jus Accardo!!

Review: Chew, Volume 10: Blood Puddin' by John Layman and Rob Guillory

Title: Chew, Volume 10: Blood Puddin'

Written by: John Layman

Art by: Rob Guillory

Published by: Image Comics

Released: August 2015

Source: Library

Summary: The Collector is going down! Tony Chu is angry. The Collector has been a pain for quite a while, but he crossed the line when he messed with the Chu family. Tony is determined to have his revenge and he'll do it alone.

John Colby, former partner of Tony Chu, and current recipient of the silent treatment did something drastic. He did it for Tony. John must find a way to mend this friendship and help Tony defeat the Collector.

Can they do it? Maybe...

My Thoughts: Oh Chew, I Love You So. One of my favorite graphic novel/comic series EVER!! Yeah, I said it. After the SHOCKING ending of Volume 9, Volume 10 wasn't as crazy exciting. This Volume was darker. Tony was angry most of the time, very angry. I don't think this is my favorite Volume of the series. Not that it was bad, there's just been more exciting and fun Volumes. 

This Volume also contained the epic battle with the Collector. The series has been building up to this for a while, so my expectations were high-ish. I felt like everything happened and was over pretty quickly. I was maybe expecting a little more, a longer battle.

I'm scared that I'm getting near the end of Chew. I don't want it to end. This Volume wasn't my favorite of the series, but I did enjoy it. Can't wait to see what happens next!

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4/5

Angry Tony is Angry

COVER REVEAL: Seventh Born by Monica Sanz

BLOG TOUR: Watching You by Shannon Greenland

 

I'm really excited to be taking part in the Watching You by Shannon Greenland Book Tour! Thanks to Entangled Teen and Xpresso Book Tours for letting me take part. I received a free copy for honest review.  As soon as I read the premise, I knew I had to read it. It hooked me, hooked me good.

Watching You
Shannon Greenland
Published by: Entangled Publishing
Publication date: July 2nd 2018
Genres: Thriller, Young Adult

Viola’s always been that girl from that family, so a scholarship to a prestigious private school in Florida was supposed to be her ticket out of poverty and into a brand-new life. But Viola’s secrets have followed her. Her relationship with the intelligent and gorgeous Riel should have been the salvation she needed—he understands her troubled past better than anyone. But then weird things start to happen.
Frightening messages.
Missing personal items.
The unsettling feeling that she’s being watched.
Viola’s never been one to give her trust easily, but she’ll need to trust in Riel if she’s going to survive her stalker. Because she’s not fighting for a new life anymore—she’s fighting to stay alive.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

My Reading Right Now! Thoughts: I received a free copy of Watching You for honest review from Entangled Teen and Xpresso Book Tours. Thank you to them for letting me be a part of this fun tour. I really tend to enjoy the books published by Entangled Teen. They are usually fun, fast-paced, and very addictive. I've had good luck with them as a publisher. Watching You was no exception, I really enjoyed this book! It was fast-paced, exciting, and I thought it was a good thriller.

I really loved the mystery aspect to it. The chapters we got from the stalker just made it more exciting and a little eerie. 

I enjoyed the romance aspect to. I'm always here for a good romance.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was fun, fast-paced, and I liked the thrilling action vibe it had. The stalker was a creep and I couldn't wait to find out who it was. I'd definitely recommend this book if you're looking for something fun to read over the summer.

Thanks again to Entangled Teen and Xpresso Book Tours for including me in this fun tour!

Author Bio:
Shannon Greenland is the award winning author of several novels including the teen spy series, THE SPECIALISTS, and the YA romances, THE SUMMER MY LIFE BEGAN and SHADOW OF A GIRL. She also writes thrillers under S. E. Green and lives off the coast of Florida with her very grouchy dog.

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Review: Kiss of the Royal by Lindsey Duga

Title: Kiss of the Royal

Author: Lindsey Duga

Published by: Entangled Teen

Released: July 3, 2018

Source: Review Copy from Entangled Teen through Netgalley

Summary: Ivy has one of the most magical kisses in the kingdom. Her kiss is one of the only weapons in the war against the Forces of Darkness and the Dark Queen. Princes and Princesses from all over the land are partnered with each other to fight the evil. The Princes once kissed, are strong with the Kisses magic and are able to fight with strength x10. Ivy has had 4 partners in her life, and her last partner has just been felled by a goblin killing curse. Her Kiss is the most powerful, but why do all her Princes end up dead? Now she needs a new one.

Prince Zach is rumored to be one of the best fighters ever seen in the kingdom. It's said that he took out a goblins' lair on his own, with no partner, no Kiss. A Prince that powerful is the perfect partner for Ivy. Once their partnership starts and the fate of the kingdom rests in their hands, Ivy finds out that Zach doesn't believe in magic kisses. The only kiss he will consent to is the Kiss of True Love. How will they stop the Forces of Darkness if Zach refuses to take her magic kiss? And just what is Ivy, a girl who has been raised to not believe in love, just logic, feeling for Zach?

My Thoughts: Thank you to Entangled Teen for providing me with a free copy of this book for honest review. I was drawn in by the cover and premise. Magic Kisses, Dragon Hunting, and Magical Journeys are definitely my thing.

One thing I really enjoyed about this book was the premise. I love how it's set in an actual fairytale world. So many books now are inspired by fairytales, but Kissing the Royal made up its own fairytale world with the Forces of Darkness, a Dark Queen, and Magic Kisses. I thought that was really fun and creative. It was very fun with the battles, with the goblins, dwarves, and griffins. I love fairytales and this one really did feel like one. I could imagine someone reading a version of this tale in a true fairytale book.

I thought the overall story was fun. I kind of guessed at things that were going to happen and was right a couple of times, but it didn't take away from my enjoyment. The ending was very exciting and it just brought the whole story together. I also love that it is a stand alone. Those kind of books are a rare breed in the YA world.

I did think the story kind of dragged in the middle. The journey could have been shortened just a little. I'm also not sure how I really felt about the romance. I liked both Zach and Ivy, I liked them together, but I don't know if I felt their chemistry. I also wasn't sure why Bromley came along. He was kind of a background character and not a lot was done with him.

I would have really enjoyed for this to be a two perspective novel. Have both Ivy and Zach have chapters, so I could hear Zach's side of things as well as Ivy's. I think it would have worked really well.

Overall, I definitely enjoyed this. It was fun. I really enjoyed the premise and getting a kind of original fairytale tale. Thank you to Entangled Teen for providing me with a copy of Kiss of the Royal for honest review. I tend to find that Entangled Teen publishes really fun and addictive reads and this was no exception. Congrats to Lindsey Duga on her new book. I'd recommend it if Fairytales and Magic are your thing, also romance.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 3.5/5

Shhh... we're hunting dragons + magic kisses