BLOG TOUR: A Forgery of Roses by Jessica S. Olson

I am very excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for A Forgery of Roses by Jessica S. Olson!! I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thank you so much to Inkyard Press and Jessica S. Olson for letting me be a part of the tour. This was a really anticipated book for me.

 

 

Title: A Forgery of Roses

Author: Jessica S. Olson

Published by: Inkyard Press

Released: March 29, 2022

Source: Electronic Review Copy Provided by Publisher 

Goodreads      Amazon

 

Synopsis: Myra Whitlock has a gift. One many would kill for. 

She’s an artist whose portraits alter people’s real-life bodies, a talent she must hide from those who would kidnap, blackmail, and worse in order to control it. Guarding that secret is the only way to keep her younger sister safe now that their parents are gone. 

But one frigid night, the governor’s wife discovers the truth and threatens to expose Myra if she does not complete a special portrait that would resurrect the governor's dead son. Desperate, Myra ventures to his legendary stone mansion. 

Once she arrives, however, it becomes clear the boy’s death was no accident. Someone dangerous lurks within these glittering halls. Someone harboring a disturbing obsession with portrait magic. 

Myra cannot do the painting until she knows what really happened, so she turns to the governor’s older son, a captivating redheaded poet. Together, they delve into the family’s most shadowed affairs, racing to uncover the truth before the secret Myra spent her life concealing makes her the killer’s next victim.
From Sing Me Forgotten author Jessica S. Olson comes a gothic fantasy murder mystery perfect for fans of Kerri Maniscalco and Erin A. Craig. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

  

My Thoughts: I was so excited for this one because I'd been hearing nothing but good things about it. The synopsis sold me as soon as I read it. I really enjoyed the story within the pages. I really loved the premise of it. I was flipping pages, ready to see what was going to happen next.

I really enjoyed this gothic tale. It was exactly what I was looking and hoping for.

I thought the special ability, the magic, Myra had was really interesting. I also really enjoyed the murder mystery bit.

I just enjoyed myself reading this one. I hope it has some kind of continuation.

 

Jessica S. Olson claims New Hampshire as her home, but has somehow found herself in Texas, where she spends most of her time singing praises to the inventor of the air conditioner. When she's not hiding from the heat, she's corralling her four wild―but adorable―children, dreaming up stories about kissing and murder and magic, and eating peanut butter by the spoonful straight from the jar.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for A Forgery of Roses by Jessica S. Olson. Thank you to Inkyard Press and Jessica S. Olson for letting me be a part of the tour! This is one I'd definitely grab if you see it. It was also March 2022 Owlcrate's Book Pick, which is pretty cool.

Reading Right Now! (331)

 It's Friday! Hooray! Although, my work has started opening again on Saturdays, and this is my Saturday to work. Not sure how I feel about that. I really enjoyed having my weekends. Luckily, I only have to work one a month.

Also, who's excited for The Magical Readathon Orilium!! I am, obviously. I hope I can read all the things I'm supposed to.

So this week has been me trying to catch up with the Mini Magical Readathon Orilium Gear Up! I've technically got three books that I need to finish before (that probably won't happen because I'm being a realist). I don't think there's any punishment for not finishing them though.

 

     

The Accidental Apprentice (Wilderlore #1) by Amanda Foody -- I'm reading this one for my animal companion prompt. I want to have a wolf as an animal companion. I am almost finished with this one and I'm enjoying it so much. I could not have picked a better book to showcase an animal companion, because that's pretty much what this story is about! I'm having such a good time with it.

I've also read it pretty fast, considering how my reading has been going this year. Middle Grade is where it's at. I'm definitely thinking of checking out Amanda Foody's YA Series after reading this one.

 

Beautiful Creatures (Caster Chronicles #1) by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl -- I want a Quarterstaff as a conduit, and the prompt for that is to read a book in a Quartet. I had such a hard time finding a book for this one. I feel like there aren't an abundance of quartets. Trilogies are easy, duologies are easy, but quartets make me have to think. Then I remembered I've had The Caster Chronicles Series on my shelf for ages. I bought them when they were hot on booktube, and then never read them. That's what I do. Buy books, and then just read the books I get from the library haha.

So this one is a chunker. Hopefully I can do it, and make good time reading it. I'm definitely interested in it. I think it's about witches. I never watched the movie that came from it. We'll see.

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

BLOG TOUR: Letter to a Stranger: Essays to the Ones Who Haunt Us by Colleen Kinder

 I'm pretty excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Letter to a Stranger: Essays to the Ones Who Haunt Us by Colleen Kinder. I received a free copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Algonquin Books and Colleen Kinder for letting me be a part of this tour!

Title: Letter to a Stranger: Essays to the Ones Who Haunt Us

Author: Colleen Kinder

Published by: Algonquin Books

Released: March 22, 2022

Source: Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Goodreads      Amazon

 

Synopsis: Sixty-five extraordinary writers grapple with this mystery: How can an ephemeral encounter with a stranger leave such an eternal mark? 

When Colleen Kinder put out a call for authors to write a letter to a stranger about an unforgettable encounter, she opened  the floodgates. The responses—intimate and addictive, all written in the second person—began pouring in. These short, insightful essays by a  remarkable cast of writers, including Elizabeth Kolbert, Pico Iyer, Lauren Groff, Gregory Pardlo, Faith Adiele, Maggie Shipstead, Lia Purpura, Kiki Petrosino, and Jamil Jan Kochai, are organized around such themes as Gratitude, Wonder, and Farewell and guide us both across the globe and through the mysteries of human connection. Addressed to a first responder after a storm, a gambler encountered on jury duty, a waiter in  Istanbul, a taxi driver in Paris, a roomful of travelers watching reality TV in La Paz, and dozens of others, the pieces are replete with observations about how to live and what we seek, and how a stranger’s loaded glance, shared smile, or question posed can alter the course of our lives. 

Moving and unforgettable, Letter to a Stranger is an irresistible read for the literary traveler and the perfect gift for anyone who is haunted by a person they met once and will remember forever. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: I don't tend to read a lot of non-fiction, so it's always something different when I pick on up. I really liked the sound and idea of Letter to a Stranger. It just had such a comforting concept. The thought of how a stranger can impact your life, how you'll remember that stranger.

This book isn't one that I would read straight through. I would pick it up and read a letter here and there. I really liked doing it that way.

I enjoyed a lot of these letters. They really made me think of how little things can have such a big impact. They also showed how important one person can be. There may be a lot of people in this world, but we'll never know just what we mean to someone else.

If you're looking for something to make you feel good, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a read. It was a good experience.

Colleen Kinder is an essayist and editor whose work has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, The New Republic, National Geographic Traveler, Salon.com, and The Best American Travel Writing. She has taught writing at Yale University, the Chautauqua Institution, and Semester at Sea. A Fulbright Scholar, Kinder received her MFA at the University of Iowa and is the author of Delaying the Real World and the cofounder of the online magazine Off Assignment (OffAssignment.com), where some of the pieces in this anthology originated. Her website is colleenkinder.com.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Letter to a Stranger: Essays to the Ones Who Haunt Us by Colleen Kinder. Thank you to Algonquin Books and Colleen Kinder for letting me be a part of the tour. If you're looking for something to make you feel good, I'd definitely recommend giving this a read.

SPOTLIGHT: Libertie by Kaitlyn Greenidge

 Today, I'm excited to Spotlight the Paperback Release for Libertie by Kaitlyn Greenidge. I received a free copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Algonquin Books and Kaitlyn Greenidge for letting me be a part of this!

Title: Libertie

Author: Kaitlyn Greenidge

Published by: Algonquin Books

Released: March 15, 2022 (Paperback Release)

Source: Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Goodreads       Amazon

 

Synopsis:  The critically acclaimed and Whiting Award–winning author of We Love You, Charlie Freeman returns with an unforgettable story about the meaning of freedom.
  Coming of age as a free-born Black girl in Reconstruction-era Brooklyn, Libertie Sampson was all too aware that her purposeful mother, a practicing physician, had a vision for their future together: Libertie would go to medical school and practice alongside her. But Libertie, drawn more to music than science, feels stifled by her mother’s choices and is hungry for something else—is there really only one way to have an autonomous life? And she is constantly reminded that, unlike her mother, who can pass, Libertie has skin that is too dark.

When a young man from Haiti proposes to Libertie and promises she will be his equal on the island, she accepts, only to discover that she is still subordinate to him and all men. As she tries to parse what freedom actually means for a Black woman, Libertie struggles with where she might find it—for herself and for generations to come.   

Inspired by the life of one of the first Black female doctors in the United States and rich with historical detail, Kaitlyn Greenidge’s new novel resonates in our times and is perfect for readers of Brit Bennett, Min Jin Lee, and Yaa Gyasi. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

Kaitlyn Greenidge received her MFA from Hunter College. Greenidge was the recipient of a Hertog Fellowship and the Bernard Cohen Short Story Prize. She was a Bread Loaf scholar, a Lower Manhattan Cultural Council Workspace artist-in-residence, and a Johnson State College visiting emerging writer. Her work has appeared in the Believer, the Feminist Wire, At Length, Fortnight Journal, Green Mountains Review, Afrobeat Journal, the Tottenville Review, and American Short Fiction. Originally from Boston, she now lives in Brooklyn. Her debut novel, We Love You, Charlie Freeman was published by Algonquin Books in March 2016.

Thanks so much for checking out my Spotlight Stop for Libertie by Kaitlyn Greenidge. Thank you to Algonquin Books and Kaitlyn Greenidge for letting me be a part of it. I'll also have a post on my instagram @gotbookcitement

BLOG TOUR: Secret Identity by Alex Segura

 I am really excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Secret Identity by Alex Segura! I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Flatiron Books and Alex Segura for letting me be a part of the tour!

Title: Secret Identity

Author: Alex Segura

Published by: Flatiron Books

Released: March 15, 2022

Source: Electronic Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Goodreads      Amazon

 

Synopsis: From Anthony Award-winning writer Alex Segura comes Secret Identity, a rollicking literary mystery set in the world of comic books.

It’s 1975 and the comic book industry is struggling, but Carmen Valdez doesn’t care. She’s an assistant at Triumph Comics, which doesn’t have the creative zeal of Marvel nor the buttoned-up efficiency of DC, but it doesn’t matter. Carmen is tantalizingly close to fulfilling her dream of writing a superhero book.

That dream is nearly a reality when one of the Triumph writers enlists her help to create a new character, which they call “The Lethal Lynx,” Triumph's first female hero. But her colleague is acting strangely and asking to keep her involvement a secret. And then he’s found dead, with all of their scripts turned into the publisher without her name. Carmen is desperate to piece together what happened to him, to hang on to her piece of the Lynx, which turns out to be a runaway hit. But that’s complicated by a surprise visitor from her home in Miami, a tenacious cop who is piecing everything together too quickly for Carmen, and the tangled web of secrets and resentments among the passionate eccentrics who write comics for a living.

Alex Segura uses his expertise as a comics creator as well as his unabashed love of noir fiction to create a truly one-of-a-kind novel--hard-edged and bright-eyed, gritty and dangerous, and utterly absorbing. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: This one caught my attention from the first page. I loved how it was set in the comic world, with Carmen Valdez chasing her dream to being a comic book creator. 

This book has a really great atmosphere. It's set in 1975 New York. It really adds to the story.

Carmen is a great character to follow. She had a lot of things to fight against in her goal to work in the comic industry. She never gives up. I just really liked following her story.

I also enjoyed the mystery element to the book. I was flipping pages to see what was going to happen next.

This was a unique read, and one that I really enjoyed. I'd definitely recommend picking it up.

Alex Segura is the SVP - Sales and Marketing at Oni Press and the author of Star Wars Poe Dameron: Free Fall and the acclaimed Pete Fernandez Mystery series. He has also written a number of comic books, most notably the superhero noir The Black Ghost, the YA music series The Archies, and the “Archie Meets” collection of crossovers. A Miami native, he lives in New York City with his wife and children.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Secret Identity by Alex Segura. Thank you to Flatiron Books and Alex Segura for having me on the tour. If you love comics and mysteries, I'd definitely recommend grabbing this one.

Reading Right Now! (330)

 I have been so tired this week. Draaaagggging. So, my reading has still been going slowly. This week was the Magical Readathon: Orilium Gear Up Mini Readathon. I've not been doing great at it, but I'm not going to stress myself out. I'll finish the books when I finish them.

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

Dime Store Magic (Otherworld #3) by Kelley Armstrong -- I'm really enjoying it. I'm glad I finally started this series. The first two books followed Elena, who was the only female werewolf. This book follows Paige, a witch, who we met in the second book. She's unofficially adopted Savannah, a wild teenage witch who came from some hard circumstances, and who's pretty powerful, we also met her in Book 2. The conflict comes when someone fights for legal custody of Savannah, someone who does not have good intentions.

I've just really been liking this. It was so easy to just get involved in the story. I like Kelley Armstrong's writing. It's easy and entertaining.

I have plans for my Magical Readathon, but I'll keep them a mystery.

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

BLOG TOUR: The Summer Getaway by Susan Mallery

 I'm really excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for The Summer Getaway by Susan Mallery. I received a free copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to HQN and Susan Mallery for having me on this tour!

Title: The Summer Getaway

Author: Susan Mallery

Published by: HQN

Released: March 15, 2022

Source: Electronic Review Copy provided by Publisher

Goodreads      Amazon

 

Synopsis: One woman takes the vacation of a lifetime in this poignant and heartwarming story about the threads that hold a family together from #1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery. 

Single mom Robyn Caldwell needs a new plan for her future.  She has always put her family first.  Now, with her kids grown, she yearns for a change. But what can she do when her daughter has become the most demanding bride ever, her son won’t even consider college, her best friend is on the brink of marital disaster and her ex is making a monumentally bad decision that could ruin everything?

Take a vacation, of course. Press reset. When her great-aunt Lillian invites her to Santa Barbara for the summer, Robyn hops on the first plane to sunny California.

But it’s hard to get away when you’re the heart of the family. One by one, everyone she loves follows her across the country. Somehow, their baggage doesn’t feel as heavy in the sun-drenched, mishmash mansion. The more time Robyn spends with free-spirited Lillian, the more possibilities she sees—for dreams, love, family. She can have everything she ever wanted, if only she can muster the courage to take a chance on herself. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: I enjoyed this story. It was just a nice family drama. I liked following it, seeing what was going to happen. I liked getting a glimpse into these characters lives. There is a lot of drama going on here, drama that was really fun to follow. 

This was a fun read. Every so often, I like reading a contemporary, almost soap opera story. It's like I'm looking into a window watching these characters go through stuff. It's a fun time.

Robyn Caldwell has a lot on her plate. She deserves this vacation, but she doesn't get it for long.

This was a book that I could just sit back and enjoy. It was a good time.

#1 NYT bestselling author Susan Mallery writes heartwarming, humorous novels about the relationships that define our lives―family, friendship, romance. She's known for putting nuanced characters in emotional situations that surprise readers to laughter. Beloved by millions, her books have been translated into 28 languages. Susan lives in Washington with her husband, two cats, and a small poodle with delusions of grandeur. Visit her at SusanMallery.com.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for The Summer Getaway by Susan Mallery. Thank you to HQN and Susan Mallery for letting me be a part of this fun tour! If you're looking for something fun, I'd definitely recommend picking this one up and giving it a read.

BLOG TOUR: The League of Gentlewomen Witches by India Holton

I am really excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for The League of Gentlewomen Witches by India Holton! I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Berkley Books and India Holton for letting me be a part of this fun tour!

 

 

Title: The League of Gentlewomen Witches

Author: India Holton

Published by: Berkley Books

Released: March 15, 2022

Source: Electronic Review Copy provided by Publisher

Goodreads      Amazon

 

Synopsis: Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the teahouse...

Miss Charlotte Pettifer belongs to a secret league of women skilled in the subtle arts. That is to say—although it must never be said—witchcraft. The League of Gentlewomen Witches strives to improve the world in small ways. Using magic, they tidy, correct, and manipulate according to their notions of what is proper, entirely unlike those reprobates in the Wisteria Society.

When the long lost amulet of Black Beryl is discovered, it is up to Charlotte, as the future leader of the League, to make sure the powerful talisman does not fall into the wrong hands. Therefore, it is most unfortunate when she crosses paths with Alex O'Riley, a pirate who is no Mr. Darcy. With all the world scrambling after the amulet, Alex and Charlotte join forces to steal it together. If only they could keep their pickpocketing hands to themselves! If Alex's not careful, he might just steal something else—such as Charlotte's heart. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: This is the kind of book where I see it, and I know that I have to read it. It just has so many things that grab my attention. I love witchy books. I love books in a historical setting with a magical twist. Also, the cover is a big reason my eye gravitated to this story. It has such great vibes.

This book is a lot of fun! It's the sequel to The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels, so I would suggest reading that before you read this.

I loved being back with our characters, our secret league. I loved the Gentlewomen Witches. Also pirates, I'm a sucker for anything with pirates.

I also really enjoyed the romance in this story.

This book is exactly the kind of book that I love to get lost in. It's such a fun, adventurous tale. I can't wait for more.

 

India Holton lives in New Zealand, where she's enjoyed the typical Kiwi lifestyle of wandering around forests, living barefoot on islands, and messing about in boats. Now she lives in a cottage near the sea, writing books about uppity women and charming rogues, and drinking too much tea.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for The League of Gentlewomen Wtiches by India Holton. Thank you to Berkley Books and India Holton for letting me be a part of this magical tour. This is one I'd definitely recommend grabbing.

BLOG TOUR: Smile and Look Pretty by Amanda Pellegrino

 I'm excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Smile and Look Pretty by Amanda Pellegrino! I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Park Row and Amanda Pellegrino for letting me be a part of the tour!

Title: Smile and Look Pretty

Author: Amanda Pellegrino

Published by: Park Row

Released: March 8, 2022

Source: Electronic Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads      Amazon

 

Synopsis: A whip-smart, piercing debut novel, Smile and Look Pretty follows four assistants who band together to take on their toxic office environments in the ultimate comeuppance. 

Online they're the Aggressive One, the Bossy One, the Bitchy One and the Emotional One. In real life, best friends Cate, Lauren, Olivia and Max all have one thing in common--they're overworked, overtired and underpaid assistants to some of the most powerful men in the entertainment industries. When they secretly start an anonymous blog detailing their experiences, their posts go viral and hundreds of other women come forward with stories of their own. Confronted with the risks of newfound fame and the possibility of their identities being revealed, they have to contend with what happens when you try to change the world.

Gripping, razor sharp and scathingly funny, Smile and Look Pretty is a fast-paced millennial rallying cry about the consequences of whistleblowing for an entire generation, and a testament to the strength of female friendship and what can be accomplished when women come together. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: This one was fun, fast, and full of girl power! It really captures some of the #MeToo movement feeling. These girls are tired of bad behavior from their male bosses, and they are going to call them out on it, through what they think is the safety of the internet. All things do not go according to plan.

This tackled some very relevant issues. It had me cheering for the four friends. It also gave the reality that there is danger in calling some one out. The internet is a dangerous place. One day you're the hero, the next you're the villain.

This was a really enjoyable read, and I'd definitely say grab it!

Amanda Pellegrino is a TV writer and novelist living in NYC whose writing has appeared in Refinery29 and Bustle. Smile and Look Pretty is her debut novel.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Smile and Look Pretty by Amanda Pellegrino. Thank you to Park Row and Amanda Pellegrino for letting me be a part of the tour. This is one that is fun and fast, you should read it.

BLOG TOUR: If You Ask Me by Libby Hubscher

 I am excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for If You Ask Me by Libby Hubscher! I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Berkley and Libby Hubscher for letting me be a part of the tour!

Title: If You Ask Me

Author: Libby Hubscher

Published by: Berkley

Released: March 8, 2022

Source: Electronic Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Goodreads      Amazon

 

Synopsis: When an advice columnist’s picture-perfect life implodes, she opts to go rogue in this hilarious, heartwarming romance from the author of Meet Me in Paradise.

Violet Covington pens Dear Sweetie, the most popular advice column in the state of North Carolina. She has an answer for how to politely handle any difficult situation…until she discovers her husband, Sam, has been cheating on her. Furious and out of sensible solutions, Violet leaves her filter at the door and turns to her column to air her own frustrations. The new, brutally honest Dear Sweetie goes viral, sending more shock waves through Violet’s life. When she burns Sam’s belongings in a front-yard, late-night bonfire, a smoking-hot firefighter named Dez shows up to douse the flames, and an unexpected fling quickly shows potential to become something longer lasting.

A lot of people want to see the old polished Violet return—including her boss, who finds her unpredictability hard to manage, and Sam, who’s begging for another chance. But Dez appreciates Violet just the way she is—in fact, he can’t get enough of her. The right answers don’t come easily when Violet finds herself at her own personal crossroads. But maybe, by getting real, Violet can write her own happy ending. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: This was fun! I had a good time reading this. Violet is a woman who has had her heart broken, and she's not thinking 100% rationally. She turns her advice column job into a personal venting page. She then burns a bunch of her cheating husband's stuff, which gets a certain firefighter named Dez involved. It was a crazy ride and I liked it.

Libby Hubscher is an author and scientist. She studied biology at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, and holds a doctor of philosophy degree in molecular toxicology from North Carolina State University. Her work has appeared online and in textbooks, scientific journals, and literary journals. Her short story "The Unwelcome Guest" was long-listed for the Wigleaf Top 50 in 2018. She lives in North Carolina with her husband, two young children, and a menagerie of pets.

Thanks for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for If You Ask Me by Libby Hubscher. Thank you to Berkley and Libby Hubscher for letting me be a part of the tour. I'd look out for this one.

BLOG TOUR: The Ogress and the Orphans by Kelly Barnhill

 I am really excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for The Ogress and the Orphans by Kelly Barnhill. I received a free copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Algonquin Young Readers and Kelly Barnhill for letting me be a part of the tour!

Title: The Ogress and the Orphans

Author: Kelly Barnhill

Published by: Algonquin Young Readers

Released: March 8, 2022

Source: Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads     Amazon

 

Synopsis: A fantasy about the power of generosity and love, and how a community suffers when they disappear.

Stone-in-the-Glen, once a lovely town, has fallen on hard times. Fires, floods, and other calamities have caused the people to lose their library, their school, their park, and even their neighborliness. The people put their faith in the Mayor, a dazzling fellow who promises he alone can help. After all, he is a famous dragon slayer. (At least, no one has seen a dragon in his presence.) Only the clever children of the Orphan House and the kindly Ogress at the edge of town can see how dire the town’s problems are.

Then one day a child goes missing from the Orphan House. At the Mayor’s suggestion, all eyes turn to the Ogress. The Orphans know this can’t be: the Ogress, along with a flock of excellent crows, secretly delivers gifts to the people of Stone-in-the-Glen.

But how can the Orphans tell the story of the Ogress’s goodness to people who refuse to listen? And how can they make their deluded neighbors see the real villain in their midst? (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: This was very good and I really enjoyed reading it. It was such a wonderful and magical read. It was a sweet fairytale.

It was written in a really engaging manner. I kept turning the pages so I could see what was going to happen next.

If you're in the mood for a good middle grade, I'd definitely grab this one.

Kelly Barnhill lives in Minnesota with her husband and three children. She is the author of four novels, most recently The Girl Who Drank the Moon, winner of the 2017 John Newbery Medal. She is also the winner of the World Fantasy Award and has been a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award, a Nebula Award, and the PEN/USA literary prize. Visit her online at kellybarnhill.com or on Twitter: @kellybarnhill.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour post for The Ogress and the Orphans by Kelly Barnhill. Thank you so much to Algonquin Young Readers and Kelly Barnhill for letting me be a part of this tour. This is definitely one you should grab for yourself.

BLOG TOUR: Killing Time by Brenna Ehrlich

I am pretty excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Killing Time by Brenna Ehrlich! I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Inkyard Press and Brenna Ehrlich for letting me be a part of the tour. This is the kind of book that grabs my attention every time.

 

 

 

Title: Killing Time

Author: Brenna Ehrlich

Published by: Inkyard Press

Released: March 8, 2022

Source: Electronic Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads      Amazon

 

Synopsis: Summer in Ferry, Connecticut, has always meant long, lazy days at the beach and wild nights partying in the abandoned mansions on the edge of town. Until now, that is.

Natalie Temple, who’s never been one for beaches or parties in the first place, is reeling from the murder of her favorite teacher, and there’s no way this true-crime-obsessed girl is going to sit back and let the rumor mill churn out lie after lie—even if she has to hide her investigation from her disapproving mom and team up with the new boy in town…

But the more Natalie uncovers, the more she realizes some secrets were never meant to be told. 

"Expertly-plotted and brimming with suspense, Killing Time is more than just a mystery. It's a thoughtful novel about true crime stories and how we tell them. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: This is the kind of book that I always enjoy reading. I love a murder mystery. Sprinkle in a true crime obsessed main character uncovering dangerous secrets and I'm reading it even harder. This book just had so many things about it that grabbed me. It is also blurbed by Courtney Summers, which is another way to make me grab it.

I really enjoyed this one. I liked following the case and seeing what was going to happen. It also had alternating timelines, which is a device that I always enjoy. Natalie was an okay character to follow. I liked following along on her investigation and trying to solve it with her.

This was an enjoyable YA mystery. I like books like this.

 

Brenna Ehrlich is a journalist, YA author, and editor who has worked everywhere from MTV News to Rolling Stone. She resides in New Jersey with her husband Morgan and their two cats, Nimbus and Hazel. She enjoys horror movies and romcoms in equal measure.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Killing Time by Brenna Ehrlich. Thanks so much to Inkyard Press and Brenna Ehrlich for letting me be a part of the tour. I'd definitely recommend keeping your eye out for this one.

Reading Right Now! (329)

 Another week has come and gone. It's been a bit of a long week, so I'm ready for the weekend. Nothing super exciting has happened. I did work a little bit on my reading journal, and I've been enjoying the process. I signed up for a sticker subscription service called STICKII and I'm not mad at my decision. I love stickers, my problem is that I have a habit of hoarding rather than using. So, I've been adding stickers to my journal. I'm not the most artistic and I struggle when it comes to spreads, but I'm having fun doing it. Let's hope that I actually keep it up, because that's another problem I tend to have.

So what' I'm Reading Right Now! is...

 

Egg Drop Dead (A Noodle Shop Mystery #5) by Vivien Chien -- This is a cozy mystery series that follows Lana Lee. She is the manager of her family's Chinese Restaurant located in Asia Village in Ohio. Asia Village and it's members have had some real bad luck when it comes to murders. Lana Lee has become involved in solving these mysteries.

I really like this series. It's a lot of fun and just easy reading. I really enjoy all the characters. It's crazy to me that only a few months have passed in the span of these five books so far. There's been a lot of murders in just a couple months. That would make me nervous. In this one, Lana is investigating the death of a nanny, who just happens to have been in the service of one of the owners of the Asia Village Properties. She enlists Lana's help and Lana has to decide if Donna is a victim or a murderer.

 

I'm excited to be continuing with this series because I really do enjoy it. I hope to get into more cozy mystery series.

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

BLOG TOUR: The Wonders by Elena Medel

I am very excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for The Wonders by Elena Medel! I received a free copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Algonquin Books and Elena Medel for letting me be a part of this tour.

 

 

Title: The Wonders

Author: Elena Medel

Translated by: Lizzie Davis and Thomas Bunstead

Published by: Algonquin Books

Released: March 1, 2022

Source: Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Goodreads       Amazon

 

Synopsis: Through the vivid interior worlds of two unforgettable characters, Elena Medel brings a half century of the feminist movement to life, revealing how little has really changed for women who work the night shift. 

Winner of the prestigious Francisco Umbral Prize for Book of the Year and already a sensation in Spain, The Wonders follows María and Alicia through the streets of Madrid, from job to job and apartment to apartment, as they search for meaning and stability, unknowingly tracing each other’s footfalls across time. 

María moved to the city in 1969, leaving her daughter with her family but hoping to save enough to take care of her one day. She worked as a housekeeper, a caregiver, a cleaner—somehow always taking care of someone else. Two generations later, during the Women’s March in 2018, Alicia was working at the snack shop in the Atocha train station when it overflowed with protesters and strikers. Women, so many women, were flooding the streets with their signs and chants. She couldn’t have known María was among them; she was on the clock. And later, she’d be looking for someone else, a man to take her away for a few hours, to make her forget. Anyone but her husband, with his pleas to go on bike rides together, to have children, to act like the other thirtysomething couples they knew. 

Medel’s lyrical sensibility reveals her roots as a poet, but her fast-paced and expansive storytelling show she’s a novelist ahead of her time. With grit, texture, and mesmerizing prose, The Wonders launches an inimitable new voice in fiction. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: This was a departure from the books that I've been reading recently, but I enjoyed it. This story covers multiple generations and is set in Madrid. It was a very interesting story to read.

This novel really explores what it is like to be a woman in the world. It's set in different time periods and follows their stories and struggles.

It's not a very long book, I wouldn't have minded having a little more to round out the story.

It's written in a sort of literary way too.

I enjoyed the book. It was something different than what I normally read. It's good.

 

Elena Medel is a Spanish poet and the founder and publisher of La Bella Varsovia, an independent poetry publishing house. Medel was the first woman ever to win the prestigious Francisco Umbral Prize, for her debut novel The Wonders, which was also longlisted for the Finestres Award and has been translated into fifteen languages. She published her prizewinning first collection of poetry, My First Bikini, when she was sixteen years old.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for The Wonders by Elena Medel. Thank you to Algonquin Books and Elena Medel for letting me be a part of the tour. If this one sounds good to you, I'd definitely recommend giving it a read.