BLOG TOUR: A Rogue At Stonecliffe by Candace Camp

 I'm really excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for A Rogue At Stonecliffe by Candace Camp! I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Canary Street Press and Candace Camp for letting me be a part of the tour!

Title: A Rogue At Stonecliffe (Stonecliffe #2)

Author: Candace Camp

Published by: Canary Street Press

Released: June 27, 2023

Source: Electronic Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Goodreads         Amazon

 

Synopsis: New York Times bestselling author Candace Camp invites you back to Stonecliffe, where an unwelcome reunion between a lady and a rogue calls up old feelings…and new dangers.

When the love of her life left without any explanation, Annabeth Winfield moved on despairingly, knowing she’d never have a love as thrilling as her first ever again. Sloane Rutherford was roguish and daring, but as Annabeth grew up, she realized that their reckless romance was just a passing adventure, never meant for stability. Twelve years later, Annabeth is engaged to someone new, ready to start her life with a dependable man.

That’s when Sloane returns. And he brings with him a serious warning: Annabeth is in trouble.

After spending the past dozen years working as a spy, Sloane thought he’d left espionage behind him. But now a dangerous blackmailer is after Annabeth. Sloane offers to hide his former lover at Stonecliffe, the Rutherford estate, but stubborn Annabeth demands to be part of the investigation. As the two embark on a dangerous and exciting journey, memories of their past romance resurface. Sloane and Annabeth aren’t the wide-eyed children they used to be, but knowing they’re wrong for each other makes a nostalgic affair seem very right… (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: I enjoyed this one! I'm always a sucker for Rogues, Spies, and Second Chance Romances.

I liked some of the banter between Annabeth and Sloane. It was a good time watching them rekindle their romance mixed with the danger of a blackmailer.

This is the second book in the series, and I probably need to go back and read the first.

I could see a lot of people enjoying this one.

Candace Camp is the NY Times best-selling author of over 70 novels, including A Momentary Marriage and the popular Mad Moreland series (which now encompasses a not-so-small portion of that 70). Candace wrote her first novel while in law school. The experience taught her two things: 1. She can write even surrounded by towers of textbooks tall enough to crush her to death if there were an earthquake. 2. The only kind of tort she has any interest in is the kind that comes after the word chocolate and has an E on the end. So after Candace sold her first book, she happily gave up lawyer-ing to pursue her lifelong dream of writing. She lives in Austin, Texas with her husband, Pete Hopcus. Her daughter is author Anastasia Hopcus.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for A Rogue At Stonecliffe by Candace Camp! Thank you to Canary Street Press and Candace Camp for letting me be a part of the tour. This is the perfect book to add to your TBR.

BLOG TOUR: The Night It Ended by Katie Garner

 I'm excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for The Night It Ended by Katie Garner! I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to MIRA and Katie Garner for letting me be a part of this tour!

Title: The Night It Ended 

Author: Katie Garner

Published by: MIRA

Released: June 27, 2023

Source: Electronic Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Goodreads          Amazon

 

Synopsis: Finding the truth seems impossible when her own dark past has her seeing lies everywhere she looks…

From the outside, criminal psychiatrist Dr. Madeline Pine’s life appears picture-perfect—she has a beautiful family, a successful mental health practice, and a growing reputation as an expert in female violence. But when she's called to help investigate a mysterious death at a boarding school for troubled teenage girls, Madeline hesitates. She’s been through tragic cases before, and the one she was entangled in last year nearly destroyed her…

Yet she can’t turn away when she hears about Charley Ridley. After Charley was found barefoot and in pajamas at the bottom of an icy ravine on campus, the police ruled her death a tragic accident. But the private investigator hired by her mother has his doubts. If it were Madeline’s daughter who died, she’d want to know why.

Arriving at the secluded campus in upstate New York, Madeline’s met by an unhelpful skeleton staff and the four other students staying on campus during winter break. Each seems to hold a piece of the puzzle. And everyone has secrets—Madeline included. But who would kill to protect them?

This stunning suspense debut is told with a narrative that intertwines with the transcript of an anonymous interview, beginning a twisting path where nothing—and no one—is what it seems. It’s sure to appeal to readers of Ruth Ware and Lucy Foley—fans of locked room mysteries and jaw-dropping twists. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: This was a great one to try and figure out. Mystery/Thrillers are so much fun for me to read. I loved the isolated setting of the boarding school in this one. It's got a gothic feel that is great for a creepy atmosphere.

The main focus of this novel does revolve around our good Doctor of Madeline Pine. Her story kind of overtakes the death investigation. I really liked discovering Dr. Pine's story though.

This had a lot of fun twists and turns. I was never sure where it was going to go.

This was a great debut, and I can't wait to read more from Katie Garner.

Katie Garner was born in New York and grew up in New Jersey. She has a degree in Art History from Ramapo College and is certified to teach high school Art. She hoards paperbacks, coffee mugs, and dog toys and can be seen holding at least one of those things most of the time. Katie lives in a New Jersey river town with her husband, baby boy, and shih-poo where she writes books about women and their dark, secret selves. The Night It Ended is her debut novel.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for The Night It Ended by Katie Garner! Thank you to MIRA and Katie Garner for letting me be a part of the tour. This is definitely a fun one you should add to your TBR!

BLOG TOUR: Whispers At Dusk by Heather Graham

 I'm excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Whispers At Dusk by Heather Graham! I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to MIRA and Heather Graham for letting me be a part of the tour!

Title: Whispers At Dusk (The Blackbird Trilogy #1)

Author: Heather Graham

Published by: MIRA

Released: June 27, 2023

Source: Electronic Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Amazon 

 

Synopsis: When darkness falls, there’s nowhere to hide.

Four bodies have been discovered along Europe’s riverbanks, placed with care—and completely drained of blood. Pinpricks on their throats indicate a slender murder weapon, but DNA found in the wounds suggests something far more sinister. Tasked with investigating, the FBI recruits Agents Della Hamilton and Mason Carter to Blackbird, an international offshoot of the Krewe of Hunters. If you want to catch a vampire killer, you need agents who can speak with the dead.  

The pair travel to Norway, where the shadowy forests of Lillehammer reveal a gruesome scene. The killer is thirsty for more victims, and the bloodless trail soon leads Della and Mason to a group that believes drinking blood is the key to immortality. To catch the culprit of such an intimate crime, the agents will have to get close. Mason’s already lost one partner; he’s not ready to risk Della as bait. But sometimes justice requires a sacrifice… (Synopsis from Amazon)

 

My Thoughts: I always enjoy Heather Graham's stuff, and Whispers At Dusk was no exception. I was really excited to start another series by her. This is connected to her Krewe Hunters Series.

I had a good time reading this. I love a mystery. It had the danger and excitement that I craved. 

I think if you're already a fan of Heather Graham, this is one you should definitely get. If you're new to Heather Graham, you should definitely try out her stuff. It's fun.

 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Heather Graham has written more than a hundred novels. She's a winner of the RWA's Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Thriller Writers' Silver Bullet. She is an active member of International Thriller Writers and Mystery Writers of America. For more information, check out her websites: TheOriginalHeatherGraham.com, eHeatherGraham.com, and HeatherGraham.tv. You can also find Heather on Facebook.

 

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Whispers At Dusk by Heather Graham! Thank you to MIRA and Heather Graham for letting me be a part of the tour. Heather Graham is always an easy add to the TBR.

Review: Wild and Wicked Things by Francesca May

 

Title: Wild and Wicked Things

Author: Francesca May

Published by: Redhook

Released: March 29, 2022

Source: Electronic Review Copy Provided by Publisher through Netgalley/ Physical Copy Borrowed from Library

Goodreads          Amazon

Synopsis: In the aftermath of World War I, a naive woman is swept into a glittering world filled with dark magic, romance, and murder in this lush and decadent debut.

On Crow Island, people whisper, real magic lurks just below the surface. 

Neither real magic nor faux magic interests Annie Mason. Not after it stole her future. She’s only on the island to settle her late father’s estate and, hopefully, reconnect with her long-absent best friend, Beatrice, who fled their dreary lives for a more glamorous one. 

Yet Crow Island is brimming with temptation, and the biggest one may be her enigmatic new neighbor. 

Mysterious and alluring, Emmeline Delacroix is a figure shadowed by rumors of witchcraft. And when Annie witnesses a confrontation between Bea and Emmeline at one of the island's extravagant parties, she is drawn into a glittering, haunted world. A world where the boundaries of wickedness are tested, and the cost of illicit magic might be death. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

My Thoughts: I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher through Netgalley. Thanks to them (Redhook) for letting me read it!

Triggers for: death, sexual abuse, violence, spousal abuse

I did not have a good time with this one. I had high hopes, I wanted only good things, but this book and I did not click.
I had a hard time connecting and being interested in the characters and story. They made some of the worst decisions, and then didn't act like they did anything wrong, or that anything was their fault. I'm looking at you Annie and Bea!
Bea's husband is abusive, which is bad, but he is a victim in this. I won't say why because spoilers, but I could understand why he was mad. Bea doesn't see anything wrong with her decisions, which I can't understand. Annie is kind of an idiot. She reacts to something without thinking, she knows she did something not great, but she doesn't think any of it is her fault. She'd probably do it again. They just annoyed me so much.

This book was way longer than it needed to be. There was a lot of space where just nothing was happening.
It has an awful case of insta-love with Emmeline and Annie. They've known each other two weeks, maybe less, and suddenly they are everything to each other. Blech. And the romance stuff was just very messy because at one point Emmeline liked Bea.
Annie needed to focus on what she actually came to the island for, which was to settle her dad's estate. Maybe, if she had looked into who her dad was, she could have figured things out sooner. I just did not like her.
This book was also so melodramatic in an annoying way. All the problems that these characters are having is because they created them. I don't feel bad for them. I do feel a little bad for two of the characters, because they had no part in these antics, but they still had to suffer the consequences.
If I was a dnf'er, I would have stopped reading this one. It's not worth it.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 2/5

BLOG TOUR: Remember Me by Mary Balogh

 I'm really excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Remember Me by Mary Balogh! I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thank you to Berkley and Mary Balogh for letting me be a part of the tour!

Title: Remember Me (Ravenswood #2)

Author: Mary Balogh

Published by: Berkley

Released: June 20, 2023

Source: Electronic Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Goodreads          Amazon

 

Synopsis: Can Lady Philippa Ware forgive the man who once shattered all her youthful dreams? Discover the passionate and heartwarming new novel on the redemptive power of love from New York Times bestselling author Mary Balogh.

Philippa, elder daughter of the Earl of Stratton, grew up eagerly anticipating a glittering debut and a brilliant marriage. Then her brother caught their father out in a clandestine affair and denounced him publicly. The whole family was disgraced, and Philippa’s hopes grew dim, then were fully shattered when she overheard the dashing, handsome Marquess of Roath viciously insult her upon learning of her father’s identity. Only years later does Philippa find the courage to go to London at last to meet the ton . She is an instant success and enjoys a close friendship with the granddaughter of a duke. Only one man can spoil everything for her, but surely he will not be in London this year.

The Duke of Wilby is nearing death and has tasked his grandson and heir, Lucas Arden, Marquess of Roath, with marrying and producing a son before it is too late. Lucas, who usually shuns London, goes there early in the Season in the hope of finding an eligible bride before his grandparents come and find one for him. He is instantly attracted to his sister’s new friend, until that young lady asks a simple question: “Remember me?” And suddenly he does remember her, as well as the reason why the daughter of the Earl of Stratton is the one woman he can never marry—even if his heart tells him she is the only woman he wants.

Unfortunately for Philippa and Lucas, the autocratic duke and his duchess have other ideas and believe them to be perfect for each other. They will simply not take no for an answer. Telling Philippa the full truth is the hardest thing Lucas has ever faced, and the discovery of it will change them both before they discover the healing power of love. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: I love Regency Romance! Dukes, Duchesses, Balls, and the Ton! All of it is so fun to read. I've also read from Mary Balogh before and have always enjoyed her stuff.

Remember Me was just what I wanted it to be. I was sold from the synopsis and the drama between Philippa and Lucas was just so fun.

If you're a fan of Regency Romance, you should definitely add this one to your tbr.

 Mary Balogh has written more than one hundred historical novels and novellas, more than forty of which have been New York Times bestsellers. They include the Bedwyn saga, the Simply quartet, the Huxtable quintet, the seven-part Survivors’ Club series, and the Westcott series.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Remember Me by Mary Balogh! Thank you to Berkley and Mary Balogh for letting me be a part of the tour. I don't think you can go wrong with historical romance.

BLOG TOUR: A Fatal Illusion by Anna Lee Huber

 I'm excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for A Fatal Illusion by Anna Lee Huber! I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Berkley and Anna Lee Huber for letting me be a part of the tour!

Title: A Fatal Illusion (Lady Darby Mystery #11)

Author: Anna Lee Huber

Published by: Berkley

Released: June 20, 2023

Source: Electronic Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Goodreads          Amazon

 

Synopsis: New parents Lady Kiera Darby and Sebastian Gage look forward to introducing Sebastian’s father to his granddaughter, but instead find themselves investigating an attempt on his life...

Yorkshire, England. August 1832. Relations between Sebastian Gage and his father have never been easy, especially since the discovery that Lord Gage has been concealing the existence of an illegitimate son. But when Lord Gage is nearly fatally attacked on a journey to Scotland, Sebastian and Kiera race to his side. Given the tumult over the recent passage of the Reform Bill and the Anatomy Act, in which Lord Gage played a part, Sebastian wonders if the attack could be politically motivated.

But something suspicious is afoot in the sleepy village where Lord Gage is being cared for. The townspeople treat Sebastian and Kiera with hostility when it becomes clear they intend to investigate, and rumors of mysterious disappearances and highway robberies plague the area. Lord Gage’s survival is far from assured, and Sebastian and Kiera must scramble to make the pieces fit before a second attempt at murder is more successful than the first. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: I'm always ready for a historical mystery, or mysteries in general. I also really enjoy book series where you can follow the journey of the detective as they solve the mysteries. The Lady Darby Mysteries hit all the right notes for me. I had a lot of fun reading this. I would like to go back to the start of the series and read them all through.

This mystery hits close to home for Lady Darby, it involves family being in danger.

This was really entertaining to follow. The villain was definitely not what I would have ever figured out, but I'm bad at figuring out things sometimes.

I can see a lot of mystery lovers enjoying this one.

Photo by: Shanon Aycock

 Anna Lee Huber is the Daphne Award–winning author of the national bestselling Lady Darby Mysteries and the Verity Kent Mysteries. She is a summa cum laude graduate of Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee, where she majored in music and minored in psychology. She currently resides in Indiana with her family and is hard at work on her next novel.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for A Fatal Illusion by Anna Lee Huber! Thanks so much to Berkley and Anna Lee Huber for letting me be a part of the tour. If historical mysteries are your thing, you definitely need to give this one a read.

BLOG TOUR: The Paris Agent by Kelly Rimmer

 I'm excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for The Paris Agent by Kelly Rimmer! I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Graydon House and Kelly Rimmer for letting me be a part of this tour!

Title: The Paris Agent

Author: Kelly Rimmer

Published by: Graydon House

Released: July 11, 2023

Source: Electronic Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Goodreads          Amazon

 

Synopsis: 1970—In the aftermath of his war-ravaged past, Noah Ainsworth is still haunted by memories of his time as a fearless British operative in France. But a critical head injury left Noah with frustrating memory gaps and a burning question that plagues him—who was the agent who saved his life during that tragic final mission?

Determined to find answers, Noah's daughter Charlotte embarks on a quest from their cozy home in Liverpool, leading her to the incredible lives of two ordinary women—Chloe and Fleur—who transformed into fearless spies on foreign soil. But as Charlotte unravels the heroic exploits of these women and their connection to Noah, she inadvertently stumbles upon evidence of a double agent lurking disturbingly close to home, drawing her into a treacherous web of secrets and unearthing a shocking story from those final days of the war.

Once again, Kelly Rimmer takes readers on a gripping journey, one that threads the lives of two remarkable women into the fabric of history, unveiling the power of courage, family and the indelible mark left by the darkest era of human conflict. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: I liked it! This one is definitely an enjoyable read. I like mixing historical fiction into my reading life, because I enjoy experiencing glimpses into the past. I feel like I learn things in a fun way.

I could definitely see a lot of people enjoying this one. It's written in dual timelines, which is fun. Charlotte is determined to solve the mystery of who saved her dad's life during the war. I really liked that aspect of a daughter discovering what her father lived through. Family histories can be such an enthralling subject, which is what Charlotte discovers when she takes on this case.

I just really enjoyed going back and forth through time, learning about Chloe and Fleur. This kept my attention, and I didn't want to put the book down.

 Kelly Rimmer is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of ten novels, including The Secret Daughter and The Things We Cannot Say. Her books have sold more than one million copies, and have been translated into more than 20 languages worldwide. Kelly lives in rural Australia with her family and fantastically naughty dogs, Sully and Basil.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for The Paris Agent by Kelly Rimmer. Thank you to Graydon House and Kelly Rimmer for letting me be a part of the tour. This is a good book!

BLOG TOUR: Play For Me by Libby Hubscher

I'm excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Play For 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: Play For Me

Author: Libby Hubscher

Published by: Berkley

Released: June 20, 2023

Source: Electronic Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Goodreads          Amazon

 

Synopsis: When her new job takes her to a New England boarding school, she’s surprised to find her roommates are all men – including a very handsome one who plays by his own rules.

Sophie Doyle has her dream job as the head athletic trainer for her favorite baseball team (go Red Sox!), a handsome boyfriend, and easy access to the finest cannoli in Boston. When she loses all three and the World Series to boot, she’s forced to apply for the open trainer position at an arts-focused boarding school in New Hampshire. The only available room is a glorified closet in an apartment with three guys: Jonas Voss, the aloof and attractive orchestra teacher, and his two rambunctious roommates.

Sophie knows that training a bunch of privileged high school kids whose idea of a play is A Chorus Line instead of a walk-off homer is going to be a big change from the pro athletes she’s used to. She wasn’t expecting that these students would have big-time talent and even bigger-time problems. Sophie has troubles of her own—Jonas is a full-fledged grump who clearly doesn’t want her near him or the precious piano he never plays.

With sunny optimism, Sophie sets out to win over Jonas and help the kids she’s growing attached to. But when her relationship with Jonas moves to the major leagues and plans change at the end of the season, they have to choose whether they are playing for keeps. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: This was cute and just what I wanted reading wise. The synopsis was the first thing that sold me, after I saw that cute cover. I just really liked the sound of the story and couldn't wait to see how everything played out.

This has a lot of the glorious romance tropes in it that are really fun to read. There is forced proximity with sharing an apartment. When I first learned that Sophie had to room with three guys, I instantly thought that she would have to do all the cleaning for them since she was a girl. That would not have been something I would look forward to.

It also has the grumpy/sunshine trope, with Jonas being a very difficult individual. It was sweet watching their relationship progress though, and Sophie turning his frown upside down.

It also has a nice friends becoming family vibe, which is just feel good to read.

I really enjoyed this one. I could see a lot of other people liking it as well.

 

 

 

 Libby Hubscher is an author and scientist. She studied biology at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, and holds a doctor of philosophy 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 so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Play For Me by Libby Hubscher! Thank you to Berkley and Libby Hubscher for letting me be a part of the tour! This is one you definitely need to add to your reading shelf.

 

BLOG TOUR: Savage Crowns and the Savage Rebellion Series by Matt Wallace

 I am very excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Savage Crowns, the final book in the Savage Rebellion Series by Matt Wallace! I received free copies of the books for honest review from the publisher. I will also have a post up on my instagram  @gotbookcitement too, if you want to check that out! Thanks so much to Gallery / Saga Press, Cassidy, and Matt Wallace for letting me be a part of this fun tour!

The Savage Rebellion Series

  

Here's the synopsis for Book 1 if you haven't started the series and are curious about it.

 

Synopsis for Savage Legion, Book 1 in the Savage Rebellion Series:  An epic fantasy by Hugo Award–winning author Matt Wallace about a utopian city with a dark secret…and the underdogs who will expose it, or die trying.

They call them Savages. Brutal. Efficient. Expendable.

The empire relies on them. The Savages are the greatest weapon they ever developed. Culled from the streets of their cities, they take the ones no one will miss and throw them, by the thousands, at the empire’s enemies. If they live, they fight again. If they die, there are always more to take their place.

Evie is not a Savage. She’s a warrior with a to find the man she once loved, the man who holds the key to exposing the secret of the Savage Legion and ending the mass conscription of the empire’s poor and wretched.

But to find him, she must become one of them, to be marked in her blood, to fight in their wars, and to find her purpose. Evie will die a Savage if she has to, but not before showing the world who she really is and what the Savage Legion can really do. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

Title: Savage Crowns (Savage Rebellion #3)

Author: Matt Wallace

Published by: Gallery / Saga Press

Released: June 13, 2023

Source: Physical Copies of the Series Gifted by Publisher

Goodreads          Amazon

 

Synopsis: The final installment in Hugo Award–winning author Matt Wallace’s epic and spellbinding Savage Rebellion trilogy about a utopian city with a dark secret—and the underdogs who will expose it, or die trying.

The final war for the nation of Crache has begun.

At the helm of the people’s rebellion is Evie, the Sparrow General. She has been captured by the Skrian, Crache’s vicious army, and is being brought back to the Capitol for punishment. But reinforcements are coming for her.

Dyeawan, who has climbed from street urchin to Crache’s highest seat of power through clever schemes and ruthless bloodshed, finds trouble on every front once she arrives. The rebellion approaches, and there are whispers of a martyr within the city who holds enough sway to stage a coup. If she doesn’t act quickly, her rule will be short-lived.

As the women who hold the nation’s future meet each other from different sides of the battlefield, will they be able to find a shared vision of Crache, or will they destroy each other first? (Synopsis from Goodreads)

My Thoughts: What a ride! This is a very satisfying conclusion that leaves a little room for something more to come. It's dark, it's gory, and it has some great characters. 

There are some really strong female characters in this. Evie, our main girl, is someone you don't want to mess with. I enjoyed following her adventures to their conclusion.

This is a series that should be read. And look at those covers! They definitely need to be on your shelf.

 Matt Wallace is the Hugo nominated author of Rencor: Life in Grudge City and the Sin du Jour series, and he won a Hugo Award alongside Mur Lafferty for the fancast Ditch Diggers. He’s also penned more than a hundred short stories in addition to writing for film and television. In his youth, he traveled the world as a professional wrestler and unarmed combat and self-defense instructor before retiring to write full time. He currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife, Nikki.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Savage Crowns and the Savage Rebellion Series by Matt Wallace! Thank you to Gallery / Saga Press, Cassidy, and Matt Wallace for letting me be a part of the tour! This is a series you should definitely check out. I think you'll have fun.

BLOG TOUR: Famous in a Small Town by Viola Shipman

 I'm excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Famous in a Small Town by Viola Shipman! I received a free electronic copy for an honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Graydon House and Viola Shipman for letting me be a part of this tour!

Title: Famous in a Small Town

Author: Viola Shipman

Published by: Graydon House

Released: June 13, 2023

Source: Electronic Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Goodreads          Amazon

 

Synopsis: For most of her eighty years, Mary Jackson has endured the steady invasion of tourists, influencers and real estate developers who have discovered the lakeside charm of Good Hart, Michigan, waiting patiently for the arrival of a stranger she’s believed since childhood would one day carry on her legacy—the Very Cherry General Store. Like generations of Jackson women before her, Cherry Mary, as she’s known locally, runs the community hub—part post office, bakery and sandwich shop—and had almost given up hope that the mysterious prediction she’d been told as a girl would come true and the store would have to pass to…a man.

Becky Thatcher came to Good Hart with her ride-or-die BFF to forget that she’s just turned forty with nothing to show for it. Ending up at the general store with Mary is admittedly not the beach vacation she expected, but the more the feisty octogenarian talks about destiny, the stronger Becky’s memories of her own childhood holidays become, and the strange visions over the lake she was never sure were real. As she works under Mary’s wing for the summer and finds she fits into this quirky community of locals, she starts to believe that destiny could be real, and that it might have something very special in mind for Becky…

Bursting with memorable characters and small-town lore, the enchanting new novel from the bestselling author of The Clover Girls is a magical story about the family you’re born with, and the one you choose. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: This was a fun read, an enjoyable time. The characters in this were all a lot of fun. They might have been the part I enjoyed the most. 

I also love a story that takes place in a small town. Small towns' are just full of the most unique characters. The setting for this book was a win for me too.

I just had a good time reading this one, and I could definitely see a lot of other people enjoying it too.

 

Wade Rouse is a popular award-winning memoirist and internationally bestselling author of twelve books, which have been translated into twenty languages and selected as Today show Must-Reads, Indie Next Picks and Michigan Notable Books. Rouse writes fiction under his grandma’s name, Viola Shipman, to honor the woman whose heirlooms inspire his writing. He lives in Michigan and California, and hosts Wine & Words with Wade, A Literary Happy Hour, every Thursday.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Famous in a Small Town by Viola Shipman! Thank you to Graydon House and Viola Shipman for letting me be a part of the tour. This is perfect summer reading.

BLOG TOUR: Cassandra in Reverse by Holly Smale

 I'm excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Cassandra in Reverse by Holly Smale! I received a free electronic copy for an honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to MIRA and Holly Smale for letting me be a part of the tour!

Title: Cassandra in Reverse

Author: Holly Smale

Published by: MIRA

Released: June 6, 2023

Source: Electronic Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Goodreads          Amazon

 

Synopsis:  If you had the power to change the past…where would you start?

Cassandra Penelope Dankworth is a creature of habit. She likes what she likes (museums, jumpsuits, her boyfriend, Will) and strongly dislikes what she doesn't (mess, change, her boss drinking out of her mug). Her life runs in a pleasing, predictable order…until now.
• She's just been dumped.
• She's just been fired.
• Her local café has run out of banana muffins.

Then, something truly unexpected happens: Cassie discovers she can go back and change the past. One small rewind at a time, Cassie attempts to fix the life she accidentally obliterated, but soon she'll discover she's trying to fix all the wrong things. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: This was chosen for Reese's Book Club Pick which is exciting!

I really enjoyed this story. The synopsis caught my attention right off. If you could go back to the past and change things, would you? Would it actually fix your problems or just make more of them? It's just a really interesting concept.

I had a great time with this story. I loved following Cassandra's journey. She's a very interesting character that I liked spending time with.

I think a lot of people would enjoy this one. It's an easy add to the tbr shelf or cart or pile.

Holly Smale has been writing stories since she was four years old: constructing her own books from cereal boxes and a lot of sticky-tape, then forcing family readers to give her glowing reviews by standing in front of the television.

Her path to publication included teen-modelling, factory-work, PR, teaching in Japan and a chaotic stint as the world's worst waitress, along with a BA in English Literature and an MA in Shakespeare from Bristol University. She uses neither of these qualifications on a daily basis, but still brings them up at parties.

Her debut children's novel, GEEK GIRL, became the No.1 Young Adult title in the UK and won the Waterstones YA Book Prize, selling 3.4 million books in 30 languages. It is currently in development with Netflix.

At the age of 39, Holly was diagnosed as both autistic and dyspraxic. She writes and speaks passionately about neurodiversity and a lot of random topics she's not really qualified to talk about yet does anyway.

Her debut adult novel, THE CASSANDRA COMPLEX (UK)/ CASSANDRA IN REVERSE (US) is out now, and is a Reese's Book Club Pick, a BBC Radio 2 Book Club pick and the Aardvark Book Club pick.

She lives in Hove, England.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Cassandra in Reverse by Holly Smale! Thank you to MIRA and Holly Smale for letting me be a part of this tour. This is one you should definitely read.

BLOG TOUR: Much Ado About Nada by Uzma Jalaluddin

 I'm excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Much Ado About Nada by Uzma Jalaluddin! I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Berkley and Uzma Jalaluddin for letting me be a part of the tour!

Title: Much Ado About Nada

Author: Uzma Jalaluddin

Published by: Berkley

Released: June 13, 2023

Source: Electronic Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Goodreads          Amazon

 

Synopsis: A sparkling second-chance romance inspired by Jane Austen's Persuasion...

Nada Syed is stuck. On the cusp of thirty, she's still living at home with her brothers and parents in the Golden Crescent neighbourhood of Toronto, resolutely ignoring her mother's unsubtle pleas to get married already. While Nada has a good job as an engineer, it's a far cry from realizing her start-up dreams for her tech baby, Ask Apa, the app that launched with a whimper instead of a bang because of a double-crossing business partner. Nothing in her life has turned out the way it was supposed to, and Nada feels like a failure. Something needs to change, but the past is holding on too tightly to let her move forward.

Nada's best friend Haleema is determined to pry her from her shell...and what better place than at the giant annual Muslim conference held downtown, where Nada can finally meet Haleema's fiancé, Zayn. And did Haleema mention Zayn's brother Baz will be there?

What Haleema doesn't know is that Nada and Baz have a past--some of it good, some of it bad and all of it secret. At the conference, that past all comes hurtling at Nada, bringing new complications and a moment of reckoning. Can Nada truly say goodbye to once was or should she hold tight to her dreams and find their new beginnings? (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: This was fun! It's a Persuasion retelling, and a second chance romance. That was all I really needed to know to read this one. I also like how it's set in Canada.

I could relate with some of Nada's feelings, of not being where you thought you'd be in life. So I enjoyed having that perspective.

I liked all the Nada and Baz stuff. It was good stuff.

I could definitely see a lot of people enjoying this one. I'd recommend it.

 Uzma Jalaluddin is the bestselling author of Ayesha at Last and Hana Khan Carries On, both of which have been optioned for film, the latter by Mindy Kaling. A high school English teacher, Jalaluddin is also a contributor to the Toronto Star and The Atlantic. She lives near Toronto with her family.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Much Ado About Nada by Uzma Jalaluddin. Thank you to Berkley Publishing and Uzma Jalaluddin for letting me be a part of the tour. This one should definitely be added to your list.

BLOG TOUR: Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood

 I'm excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood! I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Little Brown Books and Ali Hazelwood for letting me be a part of the tour!

Title: Love, Theoretically

Author: Ali Hazelwood

Published by: Little Brown Books

Released: June 13, 2023

Source: Electronic Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Goodreads          Amazon

 

Synopsis: The many lives of theoretical physicist Elsie Hannaway have finally caught up with her. By day, she’s an adjunct professor, toiling away at grading labs and teaching thermodynamics in the hopes of landing tenure. By other day, Elsie makes up for her non-existent paycheck by offering her services as a fake girlfriend, tapping into her expertly honed people pleasing skills to embody whichever version of herself the client needs.

Honestly, it’s a pretty sweet gig—until her carefully constructed Elsie-verse comes crashing down. Because Jack Smith, the annoyingly attractive and broody older brother of her favorite client, turns out to be the cold-hearted experimental physicist who ruined her mentor’s career and undermined the reputation of theorists everywhere. And that same Jack who now sits on the hiring committee at MIT, right between Elsie and her dream job.

Elsie is prepared for an all-out war of scholarly sabotage but…those long, penetrating looks? Not having to be anything other than her true self when she’s with him? Will falling into an experimentalist’s orbit finally tempt her to put her most guarded theories on love into practice? (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: Another great STEM Romance by Ali Hazelwood! She definitely has a formula for these books, but it works every time. I really enjoyed reading this one. Elsie and Jack were fun to follow. I liked seeing their story and how they came together. It was a lot of fun.

I didn't always understand the science, but the romance was what I came for.

If you're already an Ali Hazelwood fan, then you should definitely pick this up to continue your collection. If you've never read Ali Hazelwood, you should definitely give her a try.

Ali Hazelwood is a multi-published author—alas, of peer-reviewed articles about brain science, in which no one makes out and the ever after is not always happy. Originally from Italy, she lived in Germany and Japan before moving to the U.S. to pursue a Ph.D. in neuroscience. She recently became a professor, which absolutely terrifies her. When Ali is not at work, she can be found running, crocheting, eating cake pops, or watching sci-fi movies with her two feline overlords (and her slightly-less-feline husband).

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood! Thank you to Little Brown Books and Ali Hazelwood for letting me be a part of the tour. This is an easy add to your TBR Stack.