Reading Right Now! (277)

 What I'm Reading Right Now! is...

Do Not Disturb by Tilly Bagshawe -- I found this book because I was looking for another book with the same title. I feel like I needed to clarify that haha. Do Not Disturb is a sleazy, trashy mess. I don't really like any of the characters. They all make bad choices. There is something about this book though that I just want to keep reading, so I can witness more of this train wreck, in that way, it's kind of fun. It's just amazing that almost all the characters can be so awful.

This book is about Fancy Hotels in the Hamptons and the people that run them. Whenever anyone asks me what this book is about, I just say hotels haha. It's true, and then I don't have to be embarrassed saying what else it's about. This book is also a chunker, over 600 pages. I'm about half way through. I don't know if I would recommend this one just because of how awful all these people are, but if you're looking for something trashy, you might like this.

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

 

BLOG TOUR: Rescue You by Elysia Whisler

 

I am very excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Rescue You by Elysia Whisler! I received a copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to MIRA and Elysia Whisler for letting me be a part of this fun tour.

 

 

 

Title: Rescue You

Author: Elysia Whisler

Published by: MIRA

Released: October 27, 2020

Source: Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads    Amazon

 

Synopsis:She needs a fresh start. He’s got scars that haven’t healed. With the help of some rescue dogs, they’ll discover that everyone deserves a chance at happiness.  

After a year of heartbreak and loss, the only thing keeping Constance afloat is the dog rescue she works at with her sister, Sunny. Desperate for a change, Constance impulsively joins a new gym, even though it seems impossibly hard, and despite the gym’s prickly owner.

Rhett Santos keeps his gym as a refuge for his former-military brothers and to sweat out his own issues. He’s ready to let the funny redhead join, but unprepared for the way she wiggles past his hard-won defenses.

When their dog rescue is threatened, the sisters fight to protect it. And they need all the help they can get. As Rhett and Constance slowly open up to each other, they’ll find that no one is past rescuing; what they need is the right person—or dog—to save them. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts:  It has dogs, a lot of dogs, which means it's great! This story was very heartwarming. It really explored finding the will to go on. It had romance and friendship. I just really enjoyed this story.

I really appreciated how the story tackled PTSD. I think it did a really good job. I also loved how the rescuing of people paralleled the dog rescue.

I'm always a sucker for dogs in books, I love dogs.

I really liked this book. It was just a really good book. If you like dogs and romance, I'd recommend this one.  

 

Elysia Whisler was raised in Texas, Italy, Alaska, Mississippi, Nebraska, Hawai'i and Virginia, in true military fashion. Her nomadic life has made storytelling a compulsion from a young age. 

She doubles as a mother, a massage therapist and a CrossFit trainer and is dedicated to portraying strong women, both in life and in her works. She lives in Virginia with her family, including her large brood of cat and dog rescues, who vastly outnumber the humans. 

 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by my Blog Tour Stop for Rescue You by Elysia Whisler. Thank you to MIRA and Elysia Whisler for letting me be a part of the tour. I'd say get this one, it has a dog!

BLOG TOUR: Home for the Baby's Sake by Christine Rimmer

 I'm excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Home for Baby's Sake by Christine Rimmer. There's nothing like a little romance to take your mind off of things. I was provided with a copy form the publisher for honest review. Thanks so much to Harlequin Special Edition and Christine Rimmer for letting me be a part of this tour.

 

 

 

Title: Home for the Baby's Sake

Author: Christine Rimmer

Published by: Harlequin Special Edition

Released: October 29, 2020

Source: Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads    Amazon

 

Synopsis:He’d do anything for his son…
…Including returning to the town he left behind.
Valentine Bay’s the perfect place for real estate developer Roman Marek to raise his infant son. But when he snaps up the charming local theater, he doesn’t bargain for tempestuous director Hailey Bravo. Hailey won’t let Roman wreck the thing she holds most dear—and she’s certainly gotten under Roman’s notoriously thick skin. As the duo spar and sparks fly, Roman’s surprised to find that Hailey’s the perfect missing piece for his family. But how can he convince her that this partnership’s for keeps? (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts:  So in this story, we have a widowed father who moves to the small town of Valentine Bay with his mother and baby son. This move is at the request of his mother. Roman is a successful real estate developer and sets his sights on turning the old theater into a new hotel. What he doesn't anticipate is knocking heads with the theater director, Hailey, who doesn't want her beloved theater torn down.

This is an insta-love romance. Roman falls hard for Hailey very early on. I did like them together. They definitely didn't see eye to eye on things, but the attraction was definitely there.

This was a satisfying romance. If a cute, quick romance is what you want, I'd definitely recommend Home for the Baby's Sake. It has a lot of emphasis on family. I enjoyed the story and writing. It's a good one. 

 

 

A New York Times bestselling author, Christine Rimmer has written over ninety contemporary romances for Harlequin Books. Christine has won the Romantic Times BOOKreviews Reviewers Choice Award and has been nominated six times for the RITA Award. She lives in Oregon with her family. Visit Christine at http://www.christinerimmer.com. 

 

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Home for the Baby's Sake by Christine Rimmer. Thanks so much to Harlequin Special Edition and Christine Rimmer for letting me be a part of it.

 

BLOG TOUR: A Sheriff's Star by Makenna Lee

 I am very excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for A Sheriff's Star by Makenna Lee. I received a copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Harlequin Special Edition and Makenna Lee for letting me be a part of this tour.

 

 

 

Title: A Sheriff's Star

Author: Makenna Lee

Published by: Harlequin Special Edition

Released: November 1, 2020

Source: Review Copy from Publisher through Netgalley

Goodreads    Amazon

 

Synopsis: It was only supposed to be a temporary home… 

He interrupts her plans… 

When police chief Anson Curry returns a lost little girl to her frantic mother, his only goal is to ease the single mom’s anxiety. But it doesn’t take long for Tess Harper’s amazing child to have Anson wrapped around her little finger—and for Tess to have him thinking about a possible relationship. As for Tess, she’s tempted—even though she had planned to be in Oak Hollow, Texas, only temporarily. But after losing her father and brother in the line of duty, Tess thinks Anson’s job poses too much of a risk to her heart. And Anson has no plans to get involved with someone who’s planning on leaving. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts:  This was a feel good story that I really enjoyed. It features a child with special needs and shows how many challenges can come, but also how much love and reward there is too.

It also features a romance that I was rooting for. They are a good fit, they just had such issues to work out between them.

Anson is also a police officer, and that is something that Tess has reservations about. She feels it is not a safe job, but it is a job that Anson is committed to. Anson wants to make things work between them, but he needs Tess to be okay with who he is and the career he feels called toward.

I really enjoyed A Sheriff's Star by Makenna Lee. It involves a couple having to work through real world issues. It's also a holiday story, which is fun. I'd say give it a read if it sounds like something that you would like. 

 

 

Makenna Lee is an award-winning romance author living in the Texas Hill Country with her real-life hero and their two children. Her oldest son has Down syndrome and taught her to appreciate the little things. He inspired her first Harlequin book A SHERIFF'S STAR. Her writing journey began when she mentioned all her story ideas and her husband asked why she wasn’t writing them down. The next day she bought a laptop, started her first book, and knew she’d found her passion. Makenna is often drinking coffee while writing, reading, or plotting a new story. She enjoys renaissance festivals, nature photography, studying herbal medicine, and usually listens to Celtic music while writing. Her wish is to write books that touch your heart, making you feel, think, and dream. You can visit Makenna at www.makennalee.com

 

 

 Thanks for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for A Sheriff's Star by Makenna Lee. Thanks so much to Harlequin Special Edition and Makenna Lee for letting me be a part of the tour. If you're looking for something to make you feel good, I definitely recommend checking this one out.

 

 

Reading Right Now! (276)

 What I'm Reading Right Now! is...

Mortal Engines (The Hungry City Chronicles #1) by Philip Reeve 

I don't think I could do a good job of explaining exactly what this book is about, but I'm liking it! It's very imaginative, action packed, and just really fun to read. This is the second Philip Reeve Series that I've started and I think I like what he delivers. This is just really fun. Sure, it's a little weird with mobile cities that chase each other down and eat each other, but it did not take me long to accept the facts of this world. I'm excited to read more of this.

I do wonder, because I know this was made into a movie, just how they translated this to film. I think it would be kind of hard. I'm interested in watching the movie, but I wonder if I have to finish all four books in the series before I can do that.

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

BLOG TOUR: Feel the Fire (Hotshots #3) by Annabeth Albert

 I'm excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Feel the Fire by Annabeth Albert, the third book in the Hotshots Series. I received an e-arc from the publisher for honest review. Thanks so much to Carina Press and Annabeth Albert for letting me be a part of this tour.

 

 

Title: Feel the Fire (Hotshots #3)

Author: Annabeth Albert

Published by: Carina Press

Released: October 26, 2020

Source: Review Copy from Publisher through Netgalley

Goodreads    Amazon

 

Synopsis:The third installment of Annabeth Albert’s Hotshots series—the emotions and intensity of Chicago Fire with the raw, natural elements of Man vs. Wild .
 

When their career paths bring two high school sweethearts together again, the forest isn’t the only thing ablaze… 

Fire behavior specialist Luis Riviera goes where his job takes him. But when he’s assigned to an arson investigation in Central Oregon—the place he left his broken heart twenty years ago—he’s afraid of being burned all over again.

Tucker Ryland had planned to join his first love, Luis, in LA after high school graduation, but life got in the way. Now a fire management expert and a divorced father of teen twins, Tucker’s thrown for a loop when he finds himself working side by side with his Luis, now all grown up and more intriguing than ever.

Though consumed by a grueling fire season and family responsibilities, the two men discover their bond has never truly broken. Tentative kisses turn to passionate nights. But smoking sheets aside, old hurts and new truths stand in the way of this time being the start of forever. 

Danger lurks everywhere for Central Oregon’s fire crews, but the biggest risk of all might be losing their hearts. Don’t miss the Hotshots series from Annabeth Albert: High Heat, Burn Zone and Feel the Fire (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts:  I am always a fan of a second chance romance, so I really enjoyed Luis and Tucker's story. This was another great addition to the Hotshots Series. If you're a fan of firefighters, I'd definitely recommend.

I like that Luis and Tucker are both older, that they have a past and history. I also really enjoyed that Tucker is a father. He doesn't have only himself to think of, but his family too.

This book also had a lot of heat and steam when it came to the romance.

I enjoyed it. It's another satisfying book in the Hotshots Series. 

 

 

 

 Annabeth Albert is a multi-published Pacific Northwest romance writer of over thirty-five published works. Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. Fans of quirky, Oregon-set books as well as those who enjoy military heroes will want to check out her many series. Her critically acclaimed and fan-favorite LGBTQ romances include the Hotshots, Out of Uniform, Frozen Hearts, Perfect Harmony, and Gaymers series along with several stand-alone titles. Her fan group, Annabeth’s Angels, on social media and her newsletter are both great places for bonus content and exclusive contests. For more info: www.annabethalbert.com

 

Thank you for stopping by my Blog Tour Stop for Feel the Fire by Annabeth Albert. Thanks so much to Carina Press and Annabeth Albert for letting me be a part of this tour! 

BLOG TOUR: Foreshadow: Stories to Celebrate the Magic of Reading and Writing YA by Emily X.R. Pan and Nova Ren Suma

I'm really excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Foreshadow: Stories to Celebrate the Magic of Reading and Writing YA edited by Emily X.R. Pan and Nova Ren Suma. I received a copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Algonquin Young Readers and the Authors for letting me be a part of this Blog Tour.

 

 

Title: Foreshadow: Stories to Celebrate the Magic of Reading and Writing YA

Edited by: Emily X.R. Pan and Nova Ren Suma

Published by: Algonquin Young Readers

Released: October 20, 2020

Source: Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads    Amazon

 

Synopsis:  Thirteen Short Stories from Bold New YA Voices & Writing Advice from YA Icons

Created by New York Times bestselling authors Emily X. R. Pan and Nova Ren Suma, Foreshadow is so much more than a short story collection. A trove of unforgettable fiction makes up the beating heart of this book, and the accompanying essays offer an ode to young adult literature, as well as practical advice to writers.

Featured in print for the first time, the thirteen stories anthologized here were originally released via the buzzed-about online platform Foreshadow. Ranging from contemporary romance to mind-bending fantasy, the Foreshadow stories showcase underrepresented voices and highlight the beauty and power of YA fiction. Each piece is selected and introduced by a YA luminary, among them Gayle Forman, Laurie Halse Anderson, Jason Reynolds, and Sabaa Tahir.

What makes these memorable stories tick? What sparked them? How do authors build a world or refine a voice or weave in that deliciously creepy atmosphere to bring their writing to the next level? Addressing these questions and many more are essays and discussions on craft and process by Nova Ren Suma and Emily X. R. Pan.
This unique compilation reveals and celebrates the magic of reading and writing for young adults.

 

My Thoughts:  This is a really fun book that highlights stories as well as the craft. It's a great book for readers as well as writers, both camps will get something from this book. Readers will be able to appreciate the 13 stories from a variety of talented authors, while writers get insights at the end of each story as well as writing prompts. It's a very unique anthology and I thought it was very well done.

I enjoyed all the of the stories included in this collection. A lot of them were from authors that I had never heard of, or read from before. I love reading anthologies because it introduces me to new authors, or it lets me read more from favorite authors, but discovering new authors brings the most joy. I've now got new people to check out and more books to read.

I thought the writing bits after each story were really helpful. I can definitely see it being a great resource to writers wanting advice or insight. I myself am not a writer, but I enjoyed reading those extra knowledge bits too.

I also liked how each story was introduced by big name authors. It really helped showcase some author love. How all we want is to have some more good stories.

This was an awesome anthology. It had some great stories and it had some great writing advice. It is a great book for authors as well as readers. I think it's one that definitely deserves a read. 

 

 

 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by my Blog Tour Stop for Foreshadow: Stories to Celebrate the Magic of Reading and Writing YA edited by Emily X.R. Pan and Nova Ren Suma. Thank you to Algonquin Young Readers and the Authors for letting me get the chance to read this inspiring and fun book. I definitely think readers and writers of YA will really enjoy it.

 

Review: Like Never and Always by Ann Aguirre

 

 

 

Title: Like Never and Always

Author: Ann Aguirre

Published by: Tor Teen

Released: 2018

Source: e-arc from publisher through Netgalley / physical library copy

 

Synopsis:  On a hot summer night, a screech of brakes and shattering glass changes two lives forever.

Liv wakes in the hospital, confused when they call her Morgan. She assumes it’s a case of mistaken identity, yet when the bandages come off, it’s not her face in the mirror anymore. It’s her best friend Morgan’s.

Morgan always seemed to have the perfect life, yet Liv must navigate endlessly disturbing secrets of the criminal and murderous variety—and a romance that feels like a betrayal. Torn between the boy she loved as Liv and the boy she’s grown to love as Morgan, Liv still has to survive Morgan’s last request. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts:  Thanks so much to Tor Teen for providing me with a copy for review! Please forgive me for reviewing it so late.

I was really sucked into Like Never and Always. There was something really addicting about it. I felt like I couldn't look away.

I really enjoyed the writing style. There was something so easy and interesting about it. The whole body switcheroo thing grabbed me from the start. It was definitely the pull that made me pick this book up at first. In ways, I thought more was going to be done or revealed with that angle. I thought the why of it all was going to be much more important then it actually was. I do wish that we had got to see some of the real Morgan at the beginning, just so we could see what kind of character she was before she was lost.

The whole Liv becoming Morgan thing was very interesting. It wasn't like Liv could ever go back to her own body, so she had to deal with her new reality. Does she, or can she become the Liv that she was before the accident? It was just a very interesting journey to go on.

I am conflicted, very conflicted about the relationship aspect of this book. I think it's the fact that they are brothers, it just makes everything feel so complicated and a little wrong. Liv before she died is dating and in love with younger brother Nathan, but when Liv is now Morgan, she starts to develop feelings for the older brother Clay. I personally liked Clay more, but it just all felt very scandalous. It does a good job with the romance though.

The beginning of this book was full of twists and some red herrings. It was fun trying to figure out just where it was going to go. The direction that it took in the end wasn't the most exciting of avenues, but I was interested.

The ending was pretty suspenseful.

I was hooked when it came to Like Never and Always. I loved the body switcheroo story line, the twists, the turns, and the romance. It definitely kept me on my toes. I'm going to read more from this author.

 

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4/5

Liv, Morgan...Lirgan??  

BLOG TOUR: Simmer Down by Sarah Smith

I am so excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Simmer Down by Sarah Smith! As soon as I read this synopsis, I was sold. I received a copy for honest review from the publisher through Netgalley. Thanks so much to Berkley and Sarah Smith for letting me be a part of this delicious tour.

 

 

 

Title: Simmer Down

Author: Sarah Smith

Published by: Berkley

Released: October 13, 2020

Source: Review Copy from Publisher through Netgalley

Goodreads    Amazon

 

Synopsis: 
In this finger-licking good rom-com, two is the perfect number of cooks in the kitchen.

Nikki DiMarco knew life wouldn’t be all sunshine and coconuts when she quit her dream job to help her mom serve up mouthwatering Filipino dishes to hungry beach goers, but she didn’t expect the Maui food truck scene to be so eat-or-be-eaten—or the competition to be so smoking hot.

But Tiva’s Filipina Kusina has faced bigger road bumps than the arrival of Callum James. Nikki doesn’t care how delectable the British food truck owner is—he rudely set up shop next to her coveted beach parking spot. He’s stealing her customers and fanning the flames of a public feud that makes her see sparks. 

The solution? Let the upcoming Maui Food Festival decide their fate. Winner keeps the spot. Loser pounds sand. But the longer their rivalry simmers, the more Nikki starts to see a different side of Callum…a sweet, protective side. Is she brave enough to call a truce? Or will trusting Callum with her heart mean jumping from the frying pan into the fire? (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts:  This book had so many things going for it that I really enjoyed. It was set in Maui, there was food everywhere, and it featured a hate to love romance. It's a win! I really, really liked it. It was a lot of fun to read and it helped me take my mind off the real world for awhile.

I loved all the food in this book. Everything was described so deliciously. I wanted to eat all the food that was cooked in this. The funny thing is, I'm not a very adventurous eater, but whenever I read books that feature a lot of food, I just want to eat it all. I'm willing to try all the dishes mentioned. 

I also loved the food truck aspect of this. I just find food trucks to be a really fun setting. I also enjoyed how they were warring food trucks, willing to fight to the death for the business and Maui Food Festival bragging rights.

I enjoyed Nikki's story. She was a fun character to follow, and I was rooting for her every step of the way.  Callum James wasn't too bad either.

I found the romance to be really enjoyable. I love hate to love, there's something about it that's so satisfying. These two characters who can't stand each other gradually coming together is the best thing.

Simmer Down was the perfect escape book for me. It was satisfying, lovely, and fun. I'd definitely recommend getting your hands on it, just be prepared to be hungry. 

 

 

Sarah Smith is a copywriter turned author who wants to make the world a lovelier place, one kissing story at a time. Her love of romance began when she was eight and she discovered her auntie's stash of romance novels. She's been hooked ever since. When she's not writing, you can find her hiking, eating chocolate, and perfecting her lumpia recipe. She lives in Bend, Oregon, with her husband and her adorable cat, Salem. 

 

 

Thank you for stopping by my Blog Tour Stop for Simmer Down by Sarah Smith. Thanks so much to Berkley and Sarah Smith for letting me be a part of it. If you like food and romance, I'd definitely recommend checking this one out.

 

 

BLOG TOUR: Alaskan Christmas Redemption by Belle Calhoune

I am excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Alaskan Christmas Redemption by Belle Calhoune. I received a copy for honest review from the publisher via Netgalley. Thanks so much to Love Inspired and Belle Calhoune for letting me be a part of this sweet tour.

 

 

 

Title: Alaskan Christmas Redemption

Author: Belle Calhoune

Published by: Love Inspired

Released: September 29, 2020

Source: Review Copy from Publisher through Netgalley

Goodreads    Amazon

 

Synopsis:  Some secrets are meant to be shared. 

Before he gives his heart…

he’ll have to forgive himself.
Returning to Owl Creek after years away, Braden North’s determined to help his best friend, Piper Miller, save her failing diner. But as they work to revitalize her business, Braden’s convinced he must hide the truth about a tragedy from their past…or risk losing Piper for good. If he can find the courage, might telling her everything make this Christmas a time for healing and forgiveness? (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts:  This is cute, sweet, and I enjoyed reading it. It has a friends to lovers trope, which I'm always a fan of. It's a very quick read and gives that nice bit of holiday cheer. It's just a really sweet romance that made me feel good.

This is set in a place called Owl Creek, a small town with all the wonderful small town vibes. Piper is working very hard to save her father's diner, when her best friend who abandoned her a couple of years ago comes back. Braden starts to help Piper, but he's hiding a secret. I definitely enjoyed Piper and Braden together. I do think Braden needed to tell the truth a little faster.

This was a sweet book. If you're looking for a cute romance, I'd definitely recommend giving it a read. It's set in a small town, which is also another plus. It's filled with fun characters and has a cute storyline. Plus, it's got some Christmas Magic sprinkled in. 

 

 

 Belle Calhoune lives in Connecticut with her college sweetheart husband and two daughters. After a thirteen year career as a Federal Investigator, she chose to pursue a  writing career.  An avid lover of romance novels since she was a teen, she enjoys writing love stories and reading them. She loves spending summers in beautiful Cape Cod and traveling to new places. A dog lover, she has a mini poodle and a chocolate lab. More than anything, she believes in happily ever afters.

 

 

Thank you so much for stopping by my Blog Tour Stop for Alaskan Christmas Redemption by Belle Calhoune. Thanks so much to Love Inspired and Belle Calhoune for giving me the opportunity to read it. If you're wanting some of that holiday cheer, I'd definitely recommend giving this a read.

BLOG TOUR: A Golden Fury by Samantha Cohoe

I am so excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for A Golden Fury by Samantha Cohoe. As soon as I saw this cover, I knew I had to read it. I received a copy for honest review from the publisher through Netgalley. Thanks so much to Wednesday Books (they are one of my favorite YA publishers) and Samantha Cohoe for letting me be a part of this tour.

 

 

 

Title: A Golden Fury

Author: Samantha Cohoe

Published by: Wednesday Books

Released: October 13, 2020

Source: Review Copy from Publisher through Netgalley

Goodreads    Amazon

 

Synopsis:  Thea Hope longs to be an alchemist out of the shadow of her famous mother. The two of them are close to creating the legendary Philosopher’s Stone—whose properties include immortality and can turn any metal into gold—but just when the promise of the Stone’s riches is in their grasp, Thea’s mother destroys the Stone in a sudden fit of violent madness.

While combing through her mother’s notes, Thea learns that there’s a curse on the Stone that causes anyone who tries to make it to lose their sanity. With the threat of the French Revolution looming, Thea is sent to Oxford for her safety, to live with the father who doesn’t know she exists. 

But in Oxford, there are alchemists after the Stone who don’t believe Thea’s warning about the curse—instead, they’ll stop at nothing to steal Thea’s knowledge of how to create the Stone. But Thea can only run for so long, and soon she will have to choose: create the Stone and sacrifice her sanity, or let the people she loves die. (Synopsis from Goodreads )

 

My Thoughts:  I definitely enjoyed this one, I'm always game for a good historical fiction. I liked that Thea was a scientist and she had some lofty goals. I'm always really intrigued by the Philosopher's Stone. I can go without seeing it for books and books, and then suddenly, there it is again. I can definitely see the lure of such an item. Immortality definitely calls, just because the thought of death can be very scary. The gold is nice too, but I think it's the immortality that makes the stone so sought after. Thea and her mother are determined to finally produce it.

Thea's mother is not a nice lady at all. I didn't have much sympathy for her. I did like the idea of a curse being on the Stone that messes with the maker's sanity. I did think Thea was a lot better off when she and her mother parted ways.

I enjoyed the romance in this, I thought it was cute. He was just the kind of person Thea needed. He helped balance her out.

I definitely enjoyed all the twists and danger. The knowledge of that Stone caused Thea a lot of problems.

I also really enjoyed the writing style. It was easy to get myself lost in.

I will say, this book is a little on the slow side. It tells a very interesting story, but it's one that you have to have a little patience with. I don't mind a slow story as long as I'm enjoying it.

I liked A Golden Fury. I had a good time reading it. It had a great historical adventure and some characters that I really enjoyed. I'd say give it a read. 

 

 

Samantha Cohoe was raised in San Luis Obispo, California, where she enjoyed an idyllic childhood of beach trips, omnivorous reading, and writing stories brimming with adverbs. She attended Thomas Aquinas College, a Great Books college in California, and graduated with a BA in liberal arts. After studying Philosophical Theology at Yale Divinity School, she decided academia wasn’t for her, and rediscovered her love of writing stories brimming with adverbs. In 2011, she moved with her family to Denver, where she currently divides her time between teaching Latin, mothering, writing, reading, and deleting adverbs. She writes historically inspired Young Adult Fantasy.

 

 Thank you so much for stopping by my Blog Tour Stop for A Golden Fury by Samantha Cohoe! I was so excited to get the chance to read it. If it sounds like your kind of book, I'd definitely recommend getting your hands on it. Thanks so much to Wednesday Books and Samantha Cohoe for letting me be a part of this tour!

BLOG TOUR: The Code for Love and Heartbreak by Jillian Cantor

 

I'm really excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for The Code for Love and Heartbreak by Jillian Cantor. I received a copy for honest review from the publisher through Netgalley. Thanks so much to Inkyard Press and Jillian Cantor for letting me be a part of this fun tour.

  

Title: The Code for Love and Heartbreak

Author: Jillian Cantor

Published by: Inkyard Press

Released: October 6, 2020

Source: Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads   Amazon

 

Synopsis:  From bestselling author Jillian Cantor comes a smart, edgy update of Jane Austen's beloved classic Emma. 

Emma Woodhouse is a genius at math, but clueless about people. After all, people are unreliable. They let you down—just like Emma's sister, Izzy, did this year, when she moved to California for college. But numbers...those you can count on. (No pun intended.)

Emma's senior year is going to be all about numbers, and seeing how far they can take her. When she and George, her Coding Club co-president, are tasked with brainstorming a new project, The Code for Love is born—a matchmaking app that goes far beyond swiping, using algorithms to calculate compatibility. George disapproves of Emma's idea, accusing her of meddling in people's lives. But all the happy new couples at school are proof that the app works. At least at first.Emma's code is flawless. So why is it that perfectly matched couples start breaking up, the wrong people keep falling for each other and her own feelings defy any algorithm? Emma thought math could solve everything. But there's nothing more complex—or unpredictable—than love. (Synosis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts:  This was very cute and I enjoyed it a lot. Emma finds comfort in numbers, math, and absolutes. She believes the hurdle of relationships and love can be conquered with the right mathematical formula. Thus The Code for Love is created. I really enjoyed this story of Emma believing one thing, but coming to discover another. Her journey to understanding was really fun to read. This was fun and I liked it a lot.

Emma's sister was definitely hurtful with what she told Emma before leaving for college. No one wants to be put down and mocked like that, but sometimes sisters have that ability to hit you where it hurts the most. Emma doubles down on that remark and is out to prove that math can solve it all.

I enjoyed the back and forth between Emma and George, how he didn't agree with her grand plan, but helps her anyway. I enjoyed all the couples getting together and then watching everything implode. It was fun seeing Emma's grand plan kind of go up in flames. She had to discover what love and relationships are really about.

This was the perfect book to just read and enjoy. It was fun, cute, and sweet. I really enjoyed the way Jillain Cantor told this story and I'm definitely going to check out more books by her. I'd definitely recommend it if you're looking for something cute. 

 

 

Jillian Cantor has a B.A. in English from Penn State University and an M.F.A. from the University of Arizona, where she was also a recipient of the national Jacob K. Javits Fellowship. The author of several books for teens and adults, she grew up in a suburb of Philadelphia. She currently lives in Arizona with her husband and two sons.

Visit her online at www.jilliancantor.com

Thank you so much for stopping by my Blog Tour Stop for The Code for Love and Heartbreak by Jillian Cantor. Thank you so much to Inkyard Press and Jillian Cantor for letting me be a part of this tour and giving me the opportunity to read this cute book. Inkyard Press always publishes books that I can't wait to read.

Reading Right Now! (275)

 What I'm Reading Right Now! is...

Burn Our Bodies Down by Rory Power -- I read and really enjoyed Wilder Girls, so I wanted to check out her next book. I also got this for review from the publisher through Netgalley, but obviously did a crap job of reading it in time, so I ended up checking out a physical copy from the library. I'm a little over 200 pages in this, and I have no idea where it's going. I'm very interested in the mystery, it does a good job of making me wonder what's going on. This is a strange book, it's not creepy or scary so far, it's just a little weird. I have no real guesses for where it's taking me, so I want to know! I hope it doesn't disappoint me in the end after all this build up, but I need to know what is happening.

This book is a little slower then her previous book Wilder Girls. It has a different kind of vibe definitely. I'm enjoying it. I love the aesthetic. I just need to know how it ends and what is up with this family. I have so many questions.

 

So that's what I'm Reading Right Now! What are you reading? I'm really in the Halloween mood at the moment, I just want to read all the weird, scary, and creepy books. What books would you recommend for keeping the Halloween mood going?

BLOG TOUR: Premeditated Myrtle and How to Get Away with Myrtle by Elizabeth C. Bunce

 I am very excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Premeditated Myrtle and How to Get Away with Myrtle, two books in the Myrtle Hardcastle Mysteries by Elizabeth C. Bunce. I received copies for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Algonquin Young Readers and Elizabeth C. Bunce for letting me be a part of this fun tour.

 

My Thoughts: This series is a whole lot of fun and I'm glad I got to read them. The thing that drew me to them first was the really cute covers and the funny titles. The design team did a great job on them.

Anyway, this series is a blast. Myrtle is always getting herself involved in mysteries and she has to solve them. Myrtle is a lot of fun. She lives in a time where quality young ladies are supposed to be respectable and demure, solving mysteries is not one of those traits. With the help of her governess, Miss Judson, Myrtle gets herself into a lot of messes and ends up solving some cases.

This series has a lot of humor to it, which makes it a really good time to read. The best thing about this series is the characters. They all stand out, they have awesome development. They make the stories so much more.

As for the mysteries, sometimes they could be very predictable. Myrtle definitely makes so mistakes when it comes to sleuthing, but she tries hard.

I'd definitely recommend this series to all readers. If you're looking for a girl detective story, I'd say give this a read. This series is a lot of fun and I can't wait to see where Myrtle goes next. Thanks so much to the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read it.

Title: Preditated Myrtle (Myrtle Hardcastle Mystery)

Author: Elizabeth C. Bunce

Published by: Algonquin Young Readers

Released: October 6, 2020

Source: Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads   Amazon

Synopsis: Twelve-year-old Myrtle Hardcastle has a passion for justice and a Highly Unconventional obsession with criminal science. Armed with her father’s law books and her mum’s microscope, Myrtle studies toxicology, keeps abreast of the latest developments in crime scene analysis, and Observes her neighbors in the quiet village of Swinburne, England.

When her next-door neighbor, a wealthy spinster and eccentric breeder of rare flowers, dies under Mysterious Circumstances, Myrtle seizes her chance. With her unflappable governess, Miss Ada Judson, by her side, Myrtle takes it upon herself to prove Miss Wodehouse was murdered and find the killer, even if nobody else believes her — not even her father, the town prosecutor.  (Synopsis from Goodreads)

Title: How to Get Away with Myrtle (Myrtle Hardcastle Mystery)

Author: Elizabeth C. Bunce

Published by: Algonquin Young Readers

Released: October 6, 2020

Source: Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads   Amazon

Synopsis: Before the train has left the station, England’s most accomplished new detective already is on a suspect’s trail, and readers will be delighted to travel along.

 Myrtle Hardcastle has no desire to go on a relaxing travel excursion with her aunt Helena when there are More Important things to be done at home, like keeping close tabs on criminals and murder trials. Unfortunately, she has no say in the matter. So off Myrtle goes—with her governess, Miss Judson, and cat, Peony, in tow—on a fabulous private railway coach headed for the English seaside.
 Myrtle is thrilled to make the acquaintance of Mrs. Bloom, a professional insurance investigator aboard to protect the priceless Northern Lights tiara. But before the train reaches its destination, both the tiara and Mrs. Bloom vanish. When Myrtle arrives, she and Peony discover a dead body in the baggage car. Someone has been murdered—with Aunt Helena’s sewing shears.
 The trip is derailed, the local police are inept, and Scotland Yard is in no rush to arrive. What’s a smart, bored Young Lady of Quality stranded in a washed-up carnival town to do but follow the evidence to find out which of her fellow travelers is a thief and a murderer? (Synopsis from Goodreads)

Elizabeth C. Bunce is the author of the new Myrtle Hardcastle Mystery series, beginning with Premeditated Myrtle.
Her first novel, A Curse Dark as Gold, won the inaugural William C. Morris Award for a young adult debut novel and was named a Smithsonian Notable Book. Her high fantasy Thief Errant series includes the novels StarCrossed, A Chicago Public Library Best of the Best book for 2010, and Liar's Moon, one of Kirkus Blog's Favorite YA Novels of 2011. StarCrossed and A Curse Dark as Gold have appeared on Oprah's Kid's Reading List. Her novels have been named to the ALA's Best Fiction for Young Adults list, and she is a three-time Kansas Notable Book winner. An accomplished needlewoman and historical costumer, Elizabeth lives in the Midwest with her husband, her cats, and a boggart who steals books.
Check out her website at elizabethcbunce.com.

Thanks so much for stopping by my Blog Tour Stop for Premeditated Myrtle and How to Get Away with Myrtle by Elizabeth C. Bunce. Thanks so much to Algonquin Young Readers and Elizabeth C. Bunce for letting me be a part of this fun tour. It's easy to deduce that these books are a lot of fun and I'd definitely recommend them.