BLOG TOUR: Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche by Nancy Springer

 I am really excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche (#7) by Nancy Springer. I received an advanced copy from the publisher for honest review. Thanks so much to Wednesday Books and Nancy Springer for letting me be a part of this tour!

Title: Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche (#7)

Author: Nancy Springer

Published by: Wednesday Books

Released: August 31, 2021

Source: Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads     Amazon

 

Synopsis: Enola Holmes is the much younger sister of her more famous brothers, Sherlock and Mycroft. But she has all the wits, skills, and sleuthing inclinations of them both. At fifteen, she's an independent young woman--after all, her name spelled backwards reads 'alone'--and living on her own in London. When a young professional woman, Miss Letitia Glover, shows up on Sherlock's doorstep, desperate to learn more about the fate of her twin sister, it is Enola who steps up. It seems her sister, the former Felicity Glover, married the Earl of Dunhench and per a curt note from the Earl, has died. But Letitia Glover is convinced this isn't the truth, that she'd know--she'd feel--if her twin had died.

The Earl's note is suspiciously vague and the death certificate is even more dubious, signed it seems by a John H. Watson, M.D. (who denies any knowledge of such). The only way forward is for Enola to go undercover--or so Enola decides at the vehement objection of her brother. And she soon finds out that this is not the first of the Earl's wives to die suddenly and vaguely--and that the secret to the fate of the missing Felicity is tied to a mysterious black barouche that arrived at the Earl's home in the middle of the night. To uncover the secrets held tightly within the Earl's hall, Enola is going to require help--from Sherlock, from the twin sister of the missing woman, and from an old friend, the young Viscount Tewkesbury, Marquess of Basilwether! (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: I am not going to lie, I discovered this book series because of the Netflix movie. I had a lot of fun watching the Netflix adaptation of the first book in the series, and I knew I had to read them for myself. I jumped at the chance to read Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche. This isn't the first book in the series, but it is the first book released since the movie came out. I was definitely ready for a new case with the same great characters.

I thought this was fantastic. I was a lot of fun. Enola is like a dog with a bone when it comes to a mystery. She's determined to do all kinds of things (over the objection of her brothers) to solve it. Enola deserves recognition for her detective skills and not to be ignored for her more famous brother.

I also love how we got to see some returning characters. Viscount Tewkesbury, hooray! We also get an appearance from Watson.

This was a very fun mystery and I'm so glad that I got to read it. It's quick, fun, and showcases the indomitable talent of Enola Holmes. I'm glad I got introduced to her, she's fun.

NANCY SPRINGER is the author of the nationally bestselling Enola Holmes novels, including The Case of the Missing Marquess, which was made into the hit Netflix movie, Enola Holmes. She is the author of more than 50 other books for children and adults. She has won many awards, including two Edgar Awards, and has been published in more than thirty countries. She lives in Florida.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche (#7) by Nancy Springer. Thanks a billion million to Wednesday Books and Nancy Springer for letting me be a part of the tour. This book was fun, and I definitely recommend giving it a read. Also, go see the movie if you haven't already.

Reading Right Now! (308)

 Hello! Happy Friday! I can't decide if this has been the longest feeling week or if it's flown by. Some days felt very long, but I also can't really believe it's Friday. Ignore my rambling, I'm writing this when I should probably be sleeping.

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

 The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson -- I've had my eye on this one for a while, so I hope that I like it. This deals with multiverse. There are hundreds of worlds that are just like ours, a version of you exist in all of them. Our main character, Cara (I think) is able to travel between most of the worlds because the her that existed in those other worlds is/are dead. She can't travel to a world where a version of herself still lives. It's rare to have so many other versions that have died, which makes Cara special in her own world. She's taken from the slums because of this talent, and is able to live in the fancy city, with a nice apartment, and clothes. Cara knows that she is just a tool for this rich company, and she will be thrown out when she's no longer useful, unless she can make herself useful. Then something happens (I haven't gotten there yet) to one of her remaining other world versions that uncovers some kind of mystery.

I just started this today and I am intrigued. I love the cover. I love the concept. I hope, hope, hope that this turns out to be a great read for me.

I might have gotten an electronic review copy of this through Netgalley for honest review, but I did check out a physical copy from my library.

That is what I'm Reading Right Now! What are you reading? Anything good?

BLOG TOUR: The Scoundrel's Daughter by Anne Gracie

 I am really excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for The Scoundrel's Daughter (The Brides of Bellaire Gardens #1) by Anne Gracie. I received an advanced electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Berkley and Anne Gracie for letting me be a part of the tour.

Title: The Scoundrel's Daughter (The Brides of Bellaire Gardens #1)

Author: Anne Gracie

Published by: Berkley

Released: August 24, 2021

Source: Electronic Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads      Amazon

 

Synopsis: When Lady Charlton is forced into becoming London's most reluctant matchmaker, sparks fly and romance ensues, from the national bestselling author of Marry in Scarlet. 

Alice, Lady Charlton, is finally free of her dominating husband, but on the verge of her new life, she is trapped when a blackmailer threatens to publish letters that could ruin her. To protect the secrets of her past Alice must find a lord for his daughter, Lucy, to marry.

Alice reluctantly agrees to find the girl a noble husband but when Lucy arrives, she's difficult and uncooperative and has no interest in her father's scheme. A lord, she says, will only look down his nose at her—and she's having none of that!

Desperate to retrieve the letters, Alice enlists the aid of her handsome young nephew, Gerald, who in turn seeks the help of his former commanding officer, James, Lord Tarrant. James is soon beguiled by the marriage-averse widow and sets out to change her mind. And each time they meet, Gerald and Lucy strike sparks off each other.

To find happiness, Alice and Lucy will have to be brave and trust in each other and the men who are attempting to win their hearts. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: I am always game for a historical romance, so picking up The Scoundrel's Daughter was a no brainer for me. I really had fun with this one. This contains two romances, which made the book even more delightful to read. I've never read anything by Anne Gracie before, but she's definitely an author that I'm going to have to check more out from.

I loved traveling to Regency England and just being able to enjoy it.

This is a really fun romance and I'm glad I got to read it. Definitely recommend it to people who love love.

Anne Gracie is the award-winning author of the Marriage of Convenience romance series and Chance Sisters romance series. She started her first novel while backpacking solo around the world, writing by hand in notebooks. Since then, her books have been translated into more than sixteen languages, and include Japanese manga editions. As well as writing, Anne promotes adult literacy, flings balls for her dog, enjoys her tangled garden, and keeps bees.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for The Scoundrel's Daughter by Anne Gracie. Thank you to Berkley and Anne Gracie for letting me be a part of this tour. If you're looking for some romance, I'd definitely say, Read It!

BLOG TOUR: Along Came A Lady by Christi Caldwell

 I am really excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Along Came A Lady (All the Duke's Sins #1) by Christi Caldwell. I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Berkley Books and Christi Caldwell for letting me be a part of this tour!

Title: Along Came A Lady (All the Duke's Sins #1)

Author: Christi Caldwell

Published by: Berkley Books

Released: August 24, 2021

Source: Electronic Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads      Amazon

 

Synopsis: The brooding, illegitimate son of a duke meets his match in the determined woman hired to transform him into a gentleman from USA Today bestselling author Christi Caldwell—perfect for fans of Bridgerton. 

Rafe Audley lives to thwart his father, the Duke of Bentley. The ne'er do well who abandoned his children claims he wants to make up for his failures, but Rafe only cares about protecting the people of his mining community and providing for his three siblings, who've been his sole responsibility since childhood. So far, Rafe has turned away the duke's man of affairs, solicitor, and other interlopers, until the clever duke sends the unlikeliest of people to convince Rafe to join English High Society—a bold and intriguing woman.

Edwina Dalrymple has never failed a charge. She's quite adept at successfully transforming young women of the gentry and daughters of newly minted lords to take their place in society. Taming a bastard son of a duke will be child's play, plus this job promises to enhance her reputation within the ton. All she has to do is fetch the wayward Rafe and groom him to be presentable to Polite Society.

As the tenacious teacher and her domineering, stubborn, refuses-to-be-taught pupil engage in a fiery battle of wills, their chemistry ignites and the true lesson becomes clear: opposites attract and hearts must be heard. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: This book was a ride and a journey. It was definitely a lot of fun. Rafe and Edwina have a very antagonistic relationship during the first part of the story. Rafe just wants to be left alone and is not interested in whatever is father is trying to push on him. Edwina is determined to do a job and make a name for herself. Her job this time is to turn Rafe into a gentleman. Let's just say that sparks fly.

Edwina is very pushy during a chunk of this book, but Rafe manages to mellow her out a little. Edwina is a character that grows on you as the story goes on.

I did enjoy the back and forth banter between Rafe and Edwina. I liked seeing their relationship develop and watching them realize that they like each other. It was all very fun.

I liked how noble Rafe was when it came to taking care of his siblings. His father is not a great one and Rafe had to take a lot of responsibility for his family.

I liked this romance. I'm always a sucker for a brooding gentleman, and Rafe is good at it. I also really liked the way the relationship progressed. These two really didn't like each other in the beginning, but then they realized they were perfect for each other. This was an exciting beginning to a historical romance series and I can't wait to read more of it.

Christi Caldwell is the USA Today bestselling author of the Sinful Brides series and the Heart of a Duke series. She blames novelist Judith McNaught for luring her into the world of historical romance. When Christi was at the University of Connecticut, she began writing her own tales of love—ones where even the most perfect heroes and heroines had imperfections. She learned to enjoy torturing her couples before they earned their well-deserved happily ever after. Christi lives in Southern Connecticut, where she spends her time writing, and being a mommy to the most inspiring little boy and empathetic, spirited girls who, with their mischievous twin antics, offer an endless source of story ideas!

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Along Came A Lady by Christi Caldwell. Thanks so much to Berkley Books and Christi Caldwell for letting me be a part of the tour. If you're looking for a fun romance, I'd definitely pick this one up.

Review: The Perfect Guests by Emma Rous

 

Title: The Perfect Guests

Author: Emma Rous

Published by: Berkley Books

Released: January 2021

Source: Electronic Review Copy through Netgalley / Physical Copy from Library

 

Synopsis: The USA Today bestselling author of The Au Pair returns with another delicious, twisty novel--about a grand estate with many secrets, an orphan caught in a web of lies, and a young woman playing a sinister game. 

1988. Beth Soames is fourteen years old when her aunt takes her to stay at Raven Hall, a rambling manor in the isolated East Anglian fens. The Averells, the family who lives there, are warm and welcoming, and Beth becomes fast friends with their daughter, Nina. At times, Beth even feels like she's truly part of the family...until they ask her to help them with a harmless game--and nothing is ever the same.

2019. Sadie Langton is an actress struggling to make ends meet when she lands a well-paying gig to pretend to be a guest at a weekend party. She is sent a suitcase of clothing, a dossier outlining the role she is to play, and instructions. It's strange, but she needs the money, and when she sees the stunning manor she'll be staying at, she figures she's got nothing to lose.

In person, Raven Hall is even grander than she'd imagined--even with damage from a fire decades before--but the walls seem to have eyes. As day turns to night, Sadie starts to feel that there's something off about the glamorous guests who arrive, and as the party begins, it becomes chillingly apparent their unseen host is playing games with everyone...including her. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher through Netgalley. Thanks to Berkley Books for giving me the chance to read this one.

I really enjoyed the ride this took me on. It had a Rebecca vibe, as well as Clue. Two things that I'm a fan of. I enjoyed that combination. This was a very quick paced book. It was a very fast read.

I enjoyed the two timelines. Reading the 1988 story of an orphan coming to live at Raven Hall kept me glued to the page. Then I got 2019, where a struggling actress gets a job to be a part of a murder mystery game. What they both have in common is Raven Hall.

Part 2 is where everything got crazy, secrets were revealed, and things came together. How everything connected was wild.

I probably enjoyed the character of Beth a little more then I did Sadie. Beth had more of an emotional story, constantly being scared that if she didn't please Leonora, Markus, and Nina, that she'd be sent right back to the orphanage. Her aunt Caroline was pretty awful to her too.

Now, the Clue part of this story wasn't as crazy or zany as the original Clue, but I still enjoyed it.

This book was fun. I enjoyed all the twists, turns, and reveals. I'll definitely read more by Emma Rous.

 

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4/5

You're Invited to a Murder Mystery! 

BLOG TOUR: A Terrible Fall of Angels (#1) by Laurell K. Hamilton

 I am really excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for A Terrible Fall of Angels by Laurell K. Hamilton. This is the first book in the Zaniel Havelock Series. I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Berkley and Laurell K. Hamilton for letting me be a part of the tour!

Title: A Terrible Fall of Angels (#1)

Author: Laurell K. Hamilton

Published by: Berkley

Released: August 17, 2021

Source: Electronic Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads     Amazon

 

Synopsis: Angels walk among us, but so do other unearthly beings in this brand new series by #1 New York Times Bestselling author Laurell K. Hamilton. 

Meet Detective Zaniel Havelock, a man with the special ability to communicate directly with angels. A former trained Angel speaker, he devoted his life to serving both the celestial beings and his fellow humans with his gift, but a terrible betrayal compelled him to leave that life behind. Now he’s a cop who is still working on the side of angels. But where there are angels, there are also demons. There’s no question that there’s evil at work when he’s called in to examine the murder scene of a college student—but is it just the evil that one human being can do to another, or is it something more? When demonic possession is a possibility, even angelic protection can only go so far. The race is on to stop a killer before he finds his next victim, as Zaniel is forced to confront his own very personal demons, and the past he never truly left behind.

The first in a new series from the author of the Anita Blake and Merry Gentry series. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: I am always game for a new series and Laurell K. Hamilton is a veteran author of the paranormal. I've read a couple books from Laurell K. Hamilton and always enjoyed them. They have the paranormal, the action, and the romance. This series, The Zaneil Havelock Series looks to be another winner. She went from vampires, to fairies, to angels.

I really enjoyed this first foray into the series. I feel like I understood the world well and the characters. They have a big mystery to solve, which was enjoyable.

This book plays around religion a lot, which makes sense with the angels and demons.

So far, this book is a little different from her others, especially when it comes to the sexy sexy times. This could change as the series goes on, but A Terrible Fall of Angels was pretty tame.

I enjoyed this first foray into the series and can't wait to see where it goes next.

Laurell K. Hamilton is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series and the Merry Gentry, Fey Detective series. A Terrible Fall of Angels, the first book in an exciting new series, features Detective Zaniel Havelock in a world where Angels and Demons walk among us.
  With more than forty novels published, Laurell continues to create groundbreaking fiction inspired by her lifelong love of monster movies, ghost stories, mythology, folklore, and things that go bump in the night. Her love of the macabre, books in general, animals and nature led her to degrees in English and Biology. She is a non-practicing biologist, but uses her science background to add an extra level realism to her fiction.
  She currently lives in St. Louis with her family, two spoiled Japanese chins, a house panther, and a house lion. In her free time, Laurell trains in Filipino martial arts with a specialization in blade work, and travels to scuba dive and bird watch as often as she can.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for A Terrible Fall of Angels by Laurell K. Hamilton. Thanks so much to Berkley and Laurell K. Hamilton for letting me be a part of the Blog Tour and giving me the chance to read an early copy. This looks to be another exciting series to read and enjoy.

BLOG TOUR: At Summer's End by Courtney Ellis

I am really excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for At Summer's End by Courtney Ellis. I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Berkley Books and Courtney Ellis for letting me be a part of this tour!

 

 

Title: At Summer's End 

Author: Courtney Ellis 

Published by: Berkley Books

Released: August 10, 2021

Source: Electronic Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads     Amazon

 

Synopsis: When an ambitious female artist accepts an unexpected commission at a powerful earl's country estate in 1920s England, she finds his war-torn family crumbling under the weight of long-kept secrets. From debut author Courtney Ellis comes a captivating novel about finding the courage to heal after the ravages of war.

Alberta Preston accepts the commission of a lifetime when she receives an invitation from the Earl of Wakeford to spend a summer painting at His Lordship's country home, Castle Braemore. Bertie imagines her residence at the prodigious estate will finally enable her to embark on a professional career and prove her worth as an artist, regardless of her gender.

Upon her arrival, however, Bertie finds the opulent Braemore and its inhabitants diminished by the Great War. The earl has been living in isolation since returning from the trenches, locked away in his rooms and hiding battle scars behind a prosthetic mask. While his younger siblings eagerly welcome Bertie into their world, she soon sees chips in that world's gilded facade. As she and the earl develop an unexpected bond, Bertie becomes deeply entangled in the pain and secrets she discovers hidden within Castle Braemore and the hearts of its residents.

Threaded with hope, love, and loss, At Summer's End delivers a portrait of a noble family--and a world--changed forever by the war to end all wars. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: I liked this a lot. It was a book that kept me turning pages, and I was always happy to pick it up. I loved how this had a Beauty and the Beast feel to it, with some of the situations. It was a good one. I'm also a fan of a great home with secrets. I really like that vibe when it comes to books.

I also really enjoyed the time period this is set in, and how it explores some of the hardships that went on. I thought it was a great historical fiction.

I really liked the writing and style of the story. I'd definitely read more from Courtney Ellis.

I also really enjoyed the characters in this story and finding out all I did about them. A very enjoyable story indeed. I'd definitely say give this one a read.

 

 

 Courtney Ellis began writing at a young age, and developed an interest in history from her grandfather’s stories of World War II. After obtaining her BA in English and Creative Writing, she went on to pursue a career in publishing. She lives in New York.

 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by my Blog Tour Stop for At Summer's End by Courtney Ellis. Thank you to Berkley Books and Courtney Ellis for letting me be a part of this tour. If you see this one the shelf, I'd grab it and give it a read.

 

 

Reading Right Now! (307)

Happy Friday the 13th!! Be careful out there.

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

Heiress for Hire (A Duke's Heiress #1) by Madeline Hunter -- After reading two thrillers, I needed a little romance break. I'm not very far into this, about 40 pages. The characters in this one so far, are very serious. I'm interested in it, but I'm not hooked by it yet. So far, I feel very little romance and more of two characters trying to solve a mystery separately.

So, I need to read more of this and see where it all goes.

I'm also thinking of trying to participate in reading 1000 pages a week over on instagram. I don't have a lot of faith in my ability, but I'm going to try.

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

BLOG TOUR: Such a Good Wife by Seraphina Nova Glass

 I am really excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Such a Good Wife by Seraphina Nova Glass. I received an advanced electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Graydon House and Seraphina Nova Glass for letting me be a part of this tour!

Title: Such a Good Wife

Author: Seraphina Nova Glass

Published by: Graydon House

Released: August 10, 2021

Source: Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads     Amazon

 

Synopsis: Betrayal was just the beginning… 

Melanie Hale is a devoted mother to her two children, a diligent caregiver to her ailing mother-in-law and a trusted neighbor in their wealthy Louisiana community. Above all, she’s a loving partner to her wonderful husband, Collin.

Then there are the parts of herself that Mel keeps hidden. She’s exhausted, worried and unfulfilled. So much so that one night, after a writers’ group meeting, Mel begins an affair with a successful local author named Luke. Suddenly she’s transformed into a role she doesn’t recognize—a woman who deceives with unseemly ease. A woman who might be capable of just about anything.

When Mel finds Luke’s dead body in his lavish rented house, she realizes just how high the stakes have become. Not only does she have to keep her affair a secret in order to preserve her marriage, but she desperately needs to avoid being implicated in Luke’s death. But who would want to kill him? Who else in her life is keeping secrets? And most terrifying of all, how far will they—and she—go to keep those secrets hidden? (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: I liked this one. It had a really intriguing premise that delivered when it came to the story. 

Melanie has made some bad decisions, some decisions that are catching up with her.

I really enjoyed all the twists and turns in this. It was a really fast book too. I enjoyed my time reading it and was just flipping through the pages. It's a story that definitely kept me on my toes. I was entertained.

If you're a fan of thrillers, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a read. It's the perfect way to spend your time.

 

 

 

 Seraphina Nova Glass is a professor and playwright-in-residence at the University of Texas, Arlington, where she teaches film studies and playwriting. She holds an MFA in playwriting from Smith College, and she's also a screenwriter and award-winning playwright. Seraphina has traveled the world using theatre and film as a teaching tool, living in South Africa, Guam and Kenya as a volunteer teacher, AIDS relief worker, and documentary filmmaker.

 

 

 Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Such a Good Wife  by Seraphina Nova Glass. Thanks so much to Graydon House and Seraphina Nova Glass for letting me be a part of the tour. I'm glad I got the chance to read it.

 

BLOG TOUR: The Wildest Ride (Closed Circuit #1) by Marcella Bell

 I am really excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for The Wildest Ride (Closed Circuit #1) by Marcella Bell. I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to HQN and Marcella Bell for letting me be a part of this tour!

 

Title: The Wildest Ride (Closed Circuit #1)

Author: Marcella Bell

Published by: HQN

Released: August 10, 2021

Source: Electronic Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads    Amazon

Synopsis: Prepare for the ride of your life this summer in Marcella Bell's bold, uplifting romantic debut.

At thirty-six, undefeated rodeo champion AJ Garza is supposed to be retiring, not chasing after an all-new closed-circuit rodeo tour with a million-dollar prize. But with the Houston rodeo program that saved him as a wayward teen on the brink of bankruptcy, he’ll compete. And he’ll win.
Enter Lilian Sorrow Island. Raised by her grandparents on the family ranch in Muskogee, Oklahoma, Lil is more a cowboy than city boy AJ will ever be. It shows. She’s not about to let him steal the prize that’ll save her ranch, even if he is breathtakingly magnificent, in pretty much every way going.
The world watches on as reality TV meets rodeo in a competition like no other. In front of the cameras, Lil and AJ are each other’s biggest rivals. Off-screen, it’s about to get a whole lot more complicated…
A Closed Circuit Novel

My Thoughts: This was fun! I've not read many books that feature a rodeo element to it, so I really enjoyed that aspect of it. I also loved the deliciousness of AJ and Lili competing for this rodeo prize, they both need the money to save something that's important to them. They are bitter rivals who turn into something more. It's just fun, a very fun book.

The romance was very much a slow burn, which I kinda liked. They took their time. I mean, they had a lot of things to get past when it came to each other.

I liked this a lot and can't wait to check out more from this author. I enjoyed my time reading this one. If you like cowboys and rodeos, I'd definitely say read it.

Marcella Bell was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. She is a registered yoga teacher, an avid reader, a honeybee enthusiast, and a lover of travel, corvids, and karaoke. A wife, mother, and child of a multicultural household, Marcella is especially interested in writing novels that reflect her family history, as well as the people and places she’s known throughout her life. To reach out, keep up, or check-in, visit www.marcellabell.com

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for The Wildest Ride by Marcella Bell. Thanks so much to HQN and Marcella Bell for letting me be a part of this tour. If you're looking for a fun rodeo romance, I'd definitely say give this a read.

Reading Right Now! (306)

 Friday is here! And what I'm Reading Right Now! is...

Survive the Night by Riley Sager -- I just, just started this, so I don't know really anything so far. I'm a big fan of Riley Sager though. I've read all of his other books, except Final Girls.

I'm excited to read this one. I'm excited to see what I think of it. All I know about it is that it's two college kids put together just for a ride home. There's a serial killer on the loose and our main character is afraid she just might be riding with him. Can she Survive the Night!?!

It seems like I got myself a lot of thrillers to read this month. I hope I don't get burnt out.

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

BLOG TOUR: Say Goodbye by Karen Rose

 I am really excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Say Goodbye by Karen Rose. I received a free copy for an honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Berkley and Karen Rose for letting me be a part of this tour.

Title: Say Goodbye

Author: Karen Rose

Published by: Berkley

Released: August 3, 2021

Source: Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads        Amazon 

Synopsis: Eden faces a final reckoning when the cult's past victims hunt them down in this explosive, high-stakes thriller in the Sacramento series from New York Times bestselling author Karen Rose.

For decades, Eden has remained hidden in the remote wilds of the Pacific Northwest, “Pastor” keeping his cult's followers in thrall for his personal profit and sexual pleasures. But the Founding Elders are splintering, and Pastor's surrogate son DJ is scheming to make it all his own.

When two of Eden's newest members send out a cry for help, it reaches FBI Special Agent Tom Hunter, whose friend and fellow FBI Special Agent Gideon Reynolds and his sister, Mercy, are themselves escapees of the Eden cult, targeted by the Founding Elders who want them silenced forever. The three have vowed to find the cult and bring it down, and now, they finally have a solid lead.

Neutralizing Eden’s threat will save captive members and ensure Tom’s new friends can live without fear. But when his best friend, ex-Army combat medic Liza Barkley, joins the case, it puts her life—and their blossoming love—in danger. With everything they hold dear in the balance, Tom and Liza, together with Gideon and Mercy, must end Eden once and for all. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

My Thoughts: This is a very thrilling and action packed story which I enjoyed reading. It's a chunk of a book, but I much prefer a big book over a little one. This story had a lot going on in it. There were a lot of characters to keep track of, but they were all really interesting to follow.

I also really liked how this follows characters we've seen in other books. That was fun.

I had a lot of fun reading this one. I was never bored, always on the edge of my seat. The writing style was good. I was pretty hooked.

This book does take a bit of a time commitment, just because of how big it is, but you'll fly through it. This was a blast.

Internationally bestselling, RITA-award winning, author Karen Rose was born and raised in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC. She met her husband, Martin, on a blind date when they were seventeen and after they both graduated from the University of Maryland, (Karen with a degree in Chemical Engineering) they moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. Karen worked as an engineer for a large consumer goods company, earning two patents, but as Karen says, “scenes were roiling in my head and I couldn't concentrate on my job so I started writing them down. I started out writing for fun, and soon found I was hooked.”

Her debut suspense novel, DON'T TELL, was released in July, 2003. Since then, she has published fifteen more novels and two novellas. Her eighteenth novel, EVERY DARK CORNER, will be released in 2017.

Karen's books have appeared on the bestseller lists of the New York Times, USA Today, London's Sunday Times, and Germany's der Spiegel (#1), and the Irish Times, as well as lists in South Africa (#1) and Australia!

Her novels, I'M WATCHING YOU and SILENT SCREAM, received the Romance Writers of America's RITA award for Best Romantic Suspense for 2005 and 2011. Five of her other books have been RITA finalists. To date, her books have been translated into more than twenty languages.

A former high school teacher of chemistry and physics, Karen lives in Florida with her husband of more than twenty years, two dogs, and a cat.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Say Goodbye by Karen Rose. Thank you to Berkley and Karen Rose for letting me be a part of this tour. I'd say don't be shy about picking up this one.

BLOG TOUR: The Last Nomad: Coming of Age in the Somali Desert by Shugri Said Salh

 I am really excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for The Last Nomad: Coming of Age in the Somali Desert by Shugri Said Salh. I received a free copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Algonquin Books and Shugri Said Salh for letting me be a part of this Blog Tour.

Title: The Last Nomad: Coming of Age in the Somali Desert

Author: Shugri Said Salh

Published by: Algonquin Books

Released: August 3, 2021

Source: Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads    Amazon

 

Synopsis: “I am the last nomad. My ancestors traveled the East African desert in search of grazing land for their livestock, and the most precious resource of all—water. When they exhausted the land and the clouds disappeared from the horizon, their accumulated ancestral knowledge told them where to move next to find greener pastures. They loaded their huts and belongings onto their most obedient camels and herded their livestock to a new home.” 

When Shugri Said Salh was six years old, she was sent to live with her nomadic grandmother in the desert, away from the city of Mogadishu. Leaving behind her house, her parents, her father’s multiple wives, and her many siblings, she would become the last of her family to learn a once-common way of life. The desert held many risks, from drought and hunger to the threat of predators, but it also held beauty, innovation, and centuries of tradition. Shugri grew to love the freedom of roaming with her goats and the feeling of community in learning the courtship rituals, cooking songs, and poems of her people. She was even proud to face the rite of passage that all “respectable” girls undergo in Somalia, a brutal female circumcision.

In time, Shugri would return to live with her siblings in the city. Ultimately, the family was forced to flee as refugees in the face of a civil war—first to Kenya, then to Canada, and finally to the United States. There, Shugri would again find herself a nomad in a strange land, learning to navigate everything from escalators to homeless shelters to, ultimately, marriage, parenthood, and nursing school. And she would approach each step of her journey with resilience and a liveliness that is all her own.

At once dramatic and witty, The Last Nomad tells a story of tradition, change, and hope. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: This was a really fascinating story that I enjoyed reading. Shugri's life was really interesting to read about.

Shugri's life living as a nomad with her grandmother was such an eye opening story. The strength and resilience that goes into living a life like that is something to behold. I also really enjoyed how she decided to document a way of life that is disappearing. I think it's a great idea to preserve that history and pass it on. Shugri went through a lot in life, through different lifestyles and countries, and she persevered through it all. 

I really enjoyed reading this story. It was a great nonfiction memoir. I feel like I learned a lot and it was a very engaging read. I'd recommend it.

Shugri Said Salh was born in the Somali desert. In 1992, she immigrated to North America after civil war broke out in her home country. She attended nursing school at Pacific Union College and graduated with honors. Although this is her first book, Salh has been storytelling since she could talk. From her grandmother and the nomadic community in which she was raised, she heard stories and learned of their power to entertain, teach, and transform. When she isn't writing or telling stories, she works as an infusion nurse. She lives in Sonoma County with her husband and three children.

Thank you for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for The Last Nomad: Coming of Age in the Somali Desert by Shugri Said Salh. Thanks so much to Algonquin Books and Shugri Said Salh for letting me be a part of the blog tour and providing me with an early review copy. I'd recommend giving this one a read.