BLOG TOUR: The Chanel Sisters by Judithe Little

I am very excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for The Chanel Sisters by Judithe Little. I was sent a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Graydon House and Judithe Little for letting me be a part of the tour.

 

 

 

 

Title: The Chanel Sisters

Author: Judithe Little

Published by: Graydon House

Released: December 29, 2020

Source: Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads    Amazon

 

Synopsis: A novel of survival, love, loss, triumph—and the sisters who changed fashion forever 

Antoinette and Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel know they’re destined for something better. Abandoned by their family years before, they’ve grown up under the guidance of pious nuns preparing them for simple lives as the wives of tradesmen or shopkeepers. At night, their secret stash of romantic novels and magazine cutouts beneath the floorboards are all they have to keep their dreams of the future alive.

The walls of the convent can’t shield them forever, and when they’re finally of age, the Chanel sisters set out together with a fierce determination to prove themselves worthy to a society that has never accepted them. Their journey propels them out of poverty and to the stylish cafés of Moulins, the dazzling performance halls of Vichy—and to a small hat shop on the rue Cambon in Paris, where a business takes hold and expands to the glamorous French resort towns. But when World War I breaks out, their lives are irrevocably changed, and the sisters must gather the courage to fashion their own places in the world, even if apart from each other. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: What an interesting story. It's a mash-up of known facts and fiction when it comes to the Sisters Chanel. They really had a life that was full of struggle, but they kept strong. I really enjoyed this story. I think the author did a great job of merging fact and fiction, and created a story that never lagged and was always interesting.

These girls really never gave up. They always had their dreams and plans even when living in the orphanage. I'm really interested in Antoinette Chanel, just because she's more of a mystery. What happened to her?

This book was just a lot of fun to read. Judithe Little did a great job with the Chanel Sisters. She told a fascinating story, from start to finish. I'd definitely recommend giving this one a read. 

 

 

 

 JUDITHE LITTLE is the award-winning author of Wickwythe Hall. She earned a BA in foreign affairs from the University of Virginia and a law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. She grew up in Virginia and now lives with her husband, three teenagers, and three dogs in Houston, Texas. Find her on Instagram, @judithelittle, and on Facebook, facebook.com/judithelittle.

 

 

 

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for The Chanel Sisters by Judithe Little. Thanks so much to Graydon House and Judithe Little for letting me be a part of it. It's definitely a captivating tale.

 

 

 

BLOG TOUR: Running Away with the Bride by Sophia Singh Sasson

 I am excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Running Away with the Bride by Sophia Singh Sasson. I received a free copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Harlequin Desire and Sophia Singh Sasson for letting me be a part of the tour.

 

 

Title: Running Away with the Bride

Author: Sophia Singh Sasson

Published by: Harlequin Desire

Released: January 12, 2021

Source: Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads    Amazon

 

Synopsis: Stop the wedding! Steal the bride!
And fall for a perfect stranger? Billionaire Ethan Connors vows to stop his ex’s wedding so they can be together. But crashing the wrong nuptials and spiriting away the wrong wife-to-be is more than he bargained for! Divya Singh is beautiful, talented, passionate…and from a traditional Indian family who won’t accept him as a match for their daughter. Can Divya and Ethan’s unexpected relationship stay the course or will one of them run again? (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: Oooh that premise. That premise! As soon as I read that synopsis, I was in. I thought this book was was a lot of fun. Ethan Connors bad decisions at the beginning of the book turned into something that actually worked out.

Is it really that romantic to crash your ex's wedding? I guess it all depends on the relationship really. Ethan's plan reeked of desperation. It turned out to be a good thing though that he crashed the wrong wedding.

Divya and Ethan really work in the opposites attract way. It was really fun watching them interact and figure each other out.

I also really enjoyed learning about Divya's family and what they expect from her.

I really enjoyed the writing style. It was a really fun read.

I'd definitely recommend this if you're looking for some fun romance. It's good.

 

 

 

 

 

 Sophia puts her childhood habit of daydreaming to good use by writing stories that will give you hope, make you laugh, cry and possibly snort tea from your nose. She was born in Mumbai, India, and has lived in the Canary Islands, Spain and Toronto, Canada. Currently she calls the madness of Washington, DC, home. She loves to read, travel to exotic locations, bake, scuba dive and watch Bollywood movies. Contact her through http://SophiaSasson.com.

 

 

 

 Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Running Away with the Bride by Sophia Singh Sasson. Thanks so much to Harlequin Desire and Sophia Singh Sasson for letting me be a part of this fun tour. If you're looking for some romance, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a read.

 

Review: Down Among the Sticks and Bones (Wayward Children #2) by Seanan McGuire

 

 

Title: Down Among the Sticks and Bones (Wayward Children #2)

Author: Seanan McGuire

Published by: Tor / Tom Doherty Associates Book

Released: 2017

Source: Library

 

Synopsis: Twin sisters Jack and Jill were seventeen when they found their way home and were packed off to Eleanor West’s Home for Wayward Children.

This is the story of what happened first…

Jacqueline was her mother’s perfect daughter—polite and quiet, always dressed as a princess. If her mother was sometimes a little strict, it’s because crafting the perfect daughter takes discipline.

Jillian was her father’s perfect daughter—adventurous, thrill-seeking, and a bit of a tom-boy. He really would have preferred a son, but you work with what you've got.

They were five when they learned that grown-ups can’t be trusted.

They were twelve when they walked down the impossible staircase and discovered that the pretense of love can never be enough to prepare you a life filled with magic in a land filled with mad scientists and death and choices. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: This series gets so much hype and I don't really get it. I thought Down Among the Sticks and Bones was fine, but I don't think it's the best thing ever. I enjoyed reading it and plan on continuing with the series, but it's not the best thing I ever read.

I was excited to get Jack and Jill's story, to be able to explore one of these strange worlds the Wayward Children have journeyed to.

I think this book was too short to really get a feel for the Moors and the ways it changed Jack and Jill. There were so many questions I had about the Moors that weren't answered. It's just too short to really explore the whole story. I know that these are novellas, but it's just such an unsatisfying length for the tale being told.

I also found Part 1 of the story kind of tedious and boring. There was a lot of telling instead of showing, and it really just tried to hit you over the head with the whole gender roles angle. Which is fine, whatever. I'd definitely agree that Chester and Serena had kids for the wrong reasons and didn't let them be who they wanted, but it wasn't like the girls didn't have love, experience love from their Grandma. I get that they grew up in a cold household, but I just don't know if I bought into all that stuff. Just my opinion.

I also don't get the random illustrations. Why were there just three? I liked them, but they just seemed very thrown in. I would have been fine with more.

The story was very quick and I enjoyed reading it. I just don't get the hype. I thought it was fine, just like I thought Every Heart A Doorway was fine, but I don't think it's the best book I've ever read. I'll read more in this series because I'm interested. It's fine.

 

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 3.5/5

It's All Right. 

Reading Right Now! (284)

 First off, Merry Christmas! If you don't celebrate, Merry Friday.

I gotta be honest, I'm not really in the Christmas Spirit this year. 2020 has sucked. This week has not been that great. It doesn't even feel like we should be at Christmas. This year has been the longest and shortest thing all at the same time.

My reading has kind of suffered as well. I just can't seem to focus, I get easily distracted. I've been watching TV or have been zoning out on my phone. It's not that I'm reading a bad book, it's just that I can't concentrate enough to read more then a few pages at a time. Hopefully, I can quit this weird reading funk that I'm in.

 

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

A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown -- I'm enjoying this. It just has that type of writing style that you fall into right away. I'm not very far in, (I'm writing this post a little early, so I could be further along when this actually posts) but I like what I've read so far.

This is a fantasy story about a Princess and a Refugee. In order to save his sister from a spirit thing of some sort, the Refugee has to kill the Princess. I'm not too sure what the Princess has to do yet, but I do know she feels very trapped by her situation. There's some kind of competition. The stakes are high.

I like it. I don't really have much else to say other then that.

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

Review: I Hate Fairyland, Volume 1: Madly Ever After by Skottie Young and Jean-Francois Beaulieu

 

 

Title: I Hate Fairyland, Volume 1: Madly Ever After

Written and Drawn by: Skottie Young

Coloring by: Jean-Francois Beaulieu

Lettering and Design by: Nate Piekos

Logo Design by: Rian Hughes

Published by: Image Comics, Inc.

Released: 2016

Source: Library 

 

Synopsis: From superstar writer and artist Skottie Young (Rocket Raccoon, Wizard of OZ, Fortunately, The Milk), comes the first volume of an all-new series of adventure and mayhem.

An Adventure Time/Alice in Wonderland-style epic that smashes its cute little face against grown-up, Tank Girl/Deadpool-esque violent madness. Follow Gert, a forty year old woman stuck in a six year old's body who has been trapped in the magical world of Fairyland for nearly thirty years. Join her and her giant battle-axe on a delightfully blood-soaked journey to see who will survive the girl who HATES FAIRYLAND. 

Collecting: I Hate Fairyland 1-5 (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: This was AWESOME! I loved this. It was so fun, so violent, and so funny! I loved everything about it.

The art was great. It was super colorful and fun. It was just a good time to look at. I really do love color when it comes to comics, or at least color done right, and this was just so awesomely vibrant.

The story was a lot of fun to read. Gertrude is just this deranged girl, which is understandable after being stuck for years in a crazy world in a little kid's body. She likes killing a lot, and she seems to be good at it.

Larry is an awesome companion. I love his humor. I'm not sure if he wants to be rid of Gertrude or if they are friends. I mean, it could be both.

Queen Cloudia should have thought twice before snatching Gertrude from Earth.

This kind of reminded me of Every Heart A Doorway by Seanan McGuire. I don't know if Gertrude is going to get out, but could you imagine her trying to readjust to Earth? She might be too far gone.

I Hate Fairyland was awesome. I loved it. I can't wait to see what happens with Gert next. The story made me laugh, the art was fantastic, it's great. Definitely a comic I'll recommend.

 

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 5/5

Fan-Fluffing-Tastic! 

Review: Fiendish by Brenna Yovanoff

 

 

 

Title: Fiendish

Author: Brenna Yovanoff

Published by: Razorbill

Released: 2014

Source: Library

 

Synopsis: Clementine DeVore spent ten years trapped in a cellar, pinned down by willow roots, silenced and forgotten.

Now she’s out and determined to uncover who put her in that cellar and why.  

When Clementine was a child, dangerous and inexplicable things started happening in New South Bend. The townsfolk blamed the fiendish people out in the Willows and burned their homes to the ground. But magic kept Clementine alive, walled up in the cellar for ten years, until a boy named Fisher sets her free. Back in the world, Clementine sets out to discover what happened all those years ago. But the truth gets muddled in her dangerous attraction to Fisher, the politics of New South Bend, and the Hollow, a fickle and terrifying place that seems increasingly temperamental ever since Clementine reemerged. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: I don't know what I think about this exactly, how I feel. This was very, very strange. It was also very, very interesting. It was just very weird.

It didn't play out like a normal story. At times, I wondered where  the whole thing was going. It wasn't set up like a normal story. Everything was weird. It felt like I got stuck in some weird, timeless place where there was strangeness and magic. It didn't feel like a real place.

I'm not sure how I feel about Clementine. It's like as soon as she got out of that canning closet, everything was fine. No adjustment needed after 10 years in a cellar? Weird. She also had this way of trying to tell everyone what to do, inserting herself into problems that weren't her own, that low key bugged me. And then there were other times that I wanted her to do something, and she just stood there. I'm mixed on Clementine.

I'd read reviews where a lot of people complained about the insta-love, and I wasn't really bothered by it. It kind of just added to the strange, weird thing that I was already feeling.

This story was just very, very strange. I don't hate it though. I'm interested to read more by Brenna Yovanoff. I don't know what to think about Fiendish. There's a part of me that says, What did I just read? Another part that says, What was the point of that? And yet another part was kind of captured by it, put under its spell. It was a super interesting idea for a story. It was definitely an experience reading this. Very strange and very weird. 

 BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 3.5/5

Super Strange. Where Am I?

Reading Right Now! (283)

This week has felt so long. I've also been in kind of a weird reading mood. I haven't been picking up my books and reading them like I should. Not because they are bad or boring books, but it's like I have no motivation or something. I just stare into space or watch TV and Youtube. I blame 2020. Anyway, onto the book.

What I'm Reading Right Now! is:

Still Water (#2) by Amy Stuart -- I read the first book in this series and liked it, so I thought I'd continue on. It's a set up that I don't find the most believable, but I'll let that slide. I would recommend starting from Book 1, which is Still Mine, because it's just the right thing to do (haha).

But anyway, this series is about a woman named Clare who is on the run from her abusive husband. She's taken a job at a restaurant and notices this guy that comes in day after day. It turns out her husband has hired a Private Investigator to find her. The PI makes a deal with her, he won't tell her husband where she is if she agrees to go undercover and help him solve a missing person's case. Suddenly Clare has a new line of work with this mysterious PI. This is all from the first book. The set up.

So in this, Clare is undercover for a case involving a missing woman and her son. This woman was also on the run from an abusive husband, and ended up at a house that helps women in these kinds of situations. Clare comes after the fact to investigate, and her cover story is that she and the missing woman were old friends.

I always find Clare's cover stories to not be very good, or I just think they wouldn't hold up to any kind of scrutiny. She kind of inserts herself right into small towns, or in this case a women's shelter in the middle of nowhere, and comes up with these stories. It might be that I just know nothing about the undercover detective world, but I just think she makes herself out to be very suspicious instead of in the background. I don't even know how she really plans to solve this case. I just don't think her cover's are any good.

And in this one, some of the conversations are kind of awkward or out-of-nowhere, where Clare is trying to get information about the missing woman from people who actually interacted with her. That's my criticisms that no one asked for.

I am enjoying it though. What I like about this series is that it is quick and easy reading. I'm interested in the cases, I'm interested in Clare and the mysterious Malcolm. I'm interested in seeing if Clare's husband is going to find her.

There can be some trigger warnings for this series. Clare is a recovering drug addict who falls off the wagon occasionally. There is of course domestic abuse. There is also some mention of miscarriage.

 

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

BLOG TOUR: The Last to See Her by Courtney Evan Tate

I am very excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for The Last to See Her by Courtney Evan Tate. Courtney's books have consistently caught my eye, and I couldn't wait to give this one a read. I received an advanced copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to MIRA and Courtney Evan Tate for letting me be a part of the tour!

 

 

 Title: The Last to See Her

Author: Courtney Evan Tate

Published by: MIRA

Released: December 15, 2020

Source: Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads    Amazon

Synopsis: A woman disappears into the dark city night…  

Gen is on the verge of a divorce from her cheating husband. When her sister, Meg, has a convention to attend in the Big Apple, she invites Gen along to celebrate her newly found freedom. But the perfect sisters’ getaway quickly goes awry when a tipsy Gen defiantly throws her wedding ring off the hotel room’s balcony. Then, wanting some fresh air, she decides to take a late-evening walk alone and vanishes without a trace. 

The investigation that follows uncovers secrets—and betrayals—between sisters and spouses that will twist the truth in on itself until nothing is clear. 

What really happened to Gen and who, besides Meg, was the last to see her? (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: I love a mystery and The Last to See Her was definitely one that kept me on my toes. I found the whole story really engaging and entertaining. Meg had a lot of secrets. It seems like that happens a lot with missing person cases, just when you think everything is straightforward, a twist comes to smack you in the face.

I also like the sister aspect in this one. It adds a nice family element to the story. And by nice, I don't exactly mean good times, it just adds a little bit extra to it. You're supposed to know a lot about your family, but what happens when you find out they aren't who you have built up in your head?

I really enjoy Courtney Evan Tate's writing style. I think she does a good job of spinning a tale. I'm always waiting for the next shoe to drop and the big reveal.

I really enjoyed this domestic thriller mystery from beginning to end. It was a great way to spend my time. I'd definitely recommend giving it a read. Trying to figure out what's the truth, who-done-it, and just what is really going on is a lot of fun.

 

 

 

 

Courtney Evan Tate is the nom de plume (and darker side) of Courtney Cole, the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Beautifully Broken series and the Nocte Trilogy, among other fiction. She spends her days dreaming of new characters and story lines and surprising plot twists, and writing them beneath rustling palm trees in Florida. 

 

 

 

Thank you for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for The Last to See Her by Courtney Evan Tate. Thanks so much to MIRA and Courtney Evan Tate for letting me be a part of the tour. If you're looking for a good Domestic Thriller Mystery, I'd say give this one a shot.

 

 

 

BLOG TOUR: Mine to Keep by Rhenna Morgan

 I am really excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Mine to Keep by Rhenna Morgan. I received a review copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Carina Press and Rhenna Morgan for letting me be a part of it. I'm always game for some romance.

 

 

Title: Mine to Keep

Author: Rhenna Morgan

Published by: Carina Press

Released: December 14, 2020

Source: Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads    Amazon

 

Synopsis:  She’s in way over her head. 

Bonnie Drummond is from the wrong side of the tracks, raised in a family of liars and criminals. No matter how hard she tries to stay on the straight and narrow, she always finds herself sucked back into the family drama, forced to sacrifice everything she’s earned to protect her family.

But this time they’ve gone too far—crossed the wrong people—and to save them she’ll have to put her life on the line.

Roman Kozlov, enforcer for a New Orleans mafiya family, is the poster child for the life Bonnie is struggling to escape. But he’s also as alluring as he is dangerous, and it doesn’t take long for their lives to begin to mesh.

With Roman, Bonnie finds the family she never had. 

As their race for answers heats up, so too does the budding romance between them. And with danger nipping at her heels and love threatening her heart, Bonnie must come face-to-face with her past if she wants to have a future. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this. I loved the danger that was in it as well as the romance. In this, we get to meet Roman, a very loyal and sexy bad boy. He is the star of the story for me. I liked Bonnie too, she had a lot of stuff going on, but having Roman there to have her back was the best.

I really liked the romance in this one. Our couple definitely had sparks and heat, they made a great match. I was rooting for them from the beginning.

I liked all the danger that was in this story. It made it really fun to read and it complimented all the romance and romantic tension just right.

I've definitely got Rhenna Morgan on my radar. She writes a good story. 

A native Oklahoman, Rhenna Morgan is a certified romance junkie. Whether it’s contemporary, paranormal, or fantasy you’re after, Rhenna’s stories pack romantic escape full of new, exciting worlds, and strong, intuitive men who fight to keep the women they want. For advance release news and exclusive content, sign up for her newsletter at http://RhennaMorgan.com. You'll also find all of her social links there, along with her smoking hot inspiration boards.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Mine to Keep by Rhenna Morgan. Thank you to Carina Press and Rhenna Morgan for letting me be on this tour and giving me the chance to read an early copy. If you love some romance with sprinkles of danger, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a read.

Reading Right Now! (282)

 What I'm Reading Right Now! is...

The Book of Koli (#1) by M.R. Carey -- What an interesting story, I can't say I was expecting exactly what kind of story this was going to be. All I really knew was killer plants, killer trees, and while they are there, they are not the main focus like I thought they'd be.

This book is pretty much a story of Koli's life. He's telling you (or someone) his story. The Book of Koli starts at the beginning of his story when he's a young teen living in his village of Mythen Rood. The experiences he has there greatly impact his life and where he ends up.

This book is also told with a interesting vernacular. Words and phrases are used and spelled like Koli hears them. The grammar and spelling that is used is how Koli would speak it, so it's not always correct. For example, there's this thing in the village that's a Counsel, but Koli calls it the Count and Seal.

The setting of this book is really interesting too, or the time that we are in. It's a far, far future where everything has gone to crap. It's a post-apocalyptic setting where humans survive in small villages, but there is some tech that can be found from the world before, although people see it not for what it really is. Now this tech is more advanced then our present day tech. Even though this is set so far in the future, Koli lives like people did before technology and modern comforts really came to be.

I'm a little over halfway through. This is a more slower paced read, but I'm really enjoying it.

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

BLOG TOUR: Happy Harlequin Holidays! with A Princess by Christmas by Julia London

Celebrate the Holidays with Harlequin! Nothing brings more joy then a great romance. Thank you to HQN Books for providing me with a copy of A Princess by Christmas for honest review. Thank you also to HQN Books and Julia London for letting me be a part of this festive tour!

Title: A Princess by Christmas (A Royal Wedding #3)

Author: Julia London

Published by: HQN Books

Released: October 13, 2020

Source: Review Copy from Publisher 

Goodreads    Amazon

 

Synopsis: She's discovered his secret.

Now the trouble really begins... 

After three years of mourning—and turning her dear deceased husband's gazette into the ton's sauciest source of fashion and gossip—Hollis Honeycutt feels her life has been strangely bereft of late... Her sister is living abroad, and her best friend moved to the country. What must a young widow of rank and reputation do? Why, transform her society gossip sheets into serious investigative news, starting with a rumored coup...and the rather dashing, mysterious gentleman whom Hollis suspects might be the villain of her first real story, and she is the only one who can write it.

Marek Brendan is investigating terrible rumors of treachery and treason that threaten his home country of Wesloria, but he must proceed with caution. No one can discover the truth. After all, who would ever believe he is Wesloria's lost crown prince? Only Hollis Honeycutt's cerulean-blue eyes seem to know more than she's letting on—and worse, Marek can't seem to resist her curious charms. But even as betrayal threatens a nation and a throne, nothing is quite so dangerous as the lovely young widow who's determined to find the truth...and a prince of her own. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: Oh what a fun story! This is the third book in the Royal Wedding Series, I had not read the previous two before going into this one. I do think it's probably smart to start at the beginning of the series. I think it would have helped me knowing a little more backstory and characters. Even with me being a little in the dark, I enjoyed myself while reading this book. I really liked our characters of Hollis and Marek. I loved the idea of an undercover prince. I liked that Hollis is doing what she wants to her late husband's paper. I also kind of enjoyed that Hollis was a widow, because that meant she had more freedom then other young women of the time.

I enjoyed watching Marek and Hollis's romance unfold. They definitely are at odds through parts of the story.

I also really enjoyed the Christmas vibes. It's a great one to get you in the holiday season.

I had a good time reading A Princess by Christmas by Julia London. It was cute, sweet, and full of good romantic tension. I think I'll go back and read the first two books of the series so I can know all the details that I was missing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Julia London is a NYT, USA Today and Publisher's Weekly bestselling author of historical and contemporary romance. She is a six-time finalist for the RITA Award of excellence in romantic fiction, and the recipient of RT Bookclub's Best Historical Novel.

Visit Julia online:

www.julialondon.com/newsletter

www.facebook.com/julialondon

www.twitter.com/juliaflondon

www.instagram.com/julia_f_london

 

 

 

 

 Thank you so much for stopping by my Blog Tour Stop for A Princess by Christmas by Julia London. Thanks so much to HQN Books and Julia London for letting me be a part of the tour. If you're looking for a little Holiday Cheer and Romance, definitely give this one a shot.

 

Review: The Gauntlet (The Cage #3) by Megan Shepherd

 

 Title: The Gauntlet (The Cage #3)

Author: Megan Shepherd

Published by: Balzer + Bray

Released: 2017

Source: Library

Synopsis: The Maze Runner meets Scott Westerfeld in the final novel in the gripping and romantic Cage series, about teens abducted from Earth by an otherworldly race.  

Cora and her friends have escaped the Kindred station and landed at Armstrong—a supposed safe haven on a small moon—where they plan to regroup and figure out how to win the Gauntlet, the challenging competition to prove humanity’s intelligence and set them free. But Armstrong is no paradise; ruled by a power-hungry sheriff, it’s a violent world where the teens are enslaved and put to work in mines. As Nok’s due date grows closer, and Mali and Leon journey across space to rescue Cassian, the former inhabitants of the cage are up against impossible odds.

With the whole universe at stake, Cora will do whatever it takes, including pushing her body and mind to the breaking point, to escape Armstrong and run the Gauntlet. But it isn’t just a deranged sheriff she has to overcome: the other intelligent species—the Axion, Kindred, Gatherers, and Mosca—all have their own reasons to stop her. Not knowing who to trust, Cora must rely on her own instincts to win the competition, which could change the world—though it might destroy her in the process. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: I did it! I finished another series! I'm proud of myself. I've mentioned this before, but I'll say it again, I'm a big fan of Megan Shepherd. I've read almost everything she's written. I like her stories, I like her writing. I just always enjoy whatever story she's telling. I will admit that I do find The Cage Series to be kind of weird. It's fun, but it's weird.

This finale was pretty exciting. It was full of action and I was never bored. I was kind of surprised by how little time was actually spent on Armstrong. It was kind of like Cora was there for two seconds, then she left. I mean, I'm exagerrating, but it did feel that way.

I found The Gauntlet part to be very exciting. I would never have been able to pass The Gauntlet, humanity would have been doomed. Everything that happened around The Gauntlet was exciting, surprising, and just fun reading. I did get a little irritated at Cora at times. She was focusing more on outside things then The Gauntlet, which got a little frustrating.

I'm also not the biggest fan of the Cassian/Cora romance. I just find it weird. This book tried to make it more "acceptable," but I don't ship it. Cassian is just too alien for me.

I really enjoyed following this cast of characters, and being on this journey. There were some shocks and sadness in this finale, but there were also some triumphs. The ending was a bit open. I would have like more closure, more scenes of after. That's just me though, I like getting all the closure I can.

I enjoyed this finale. This was a weird series, but I liked it. If you're looking for an alien abduction, captive romance kind of thing, with a lot of other fun stuff, check this out! Megan Shepherd is my fave and I can't wait to read what she writes next.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4/5

An Exciting Finale!

Reading Right Now! (281)

 What I'm Reading Right Now! is...

Valiant Dust  by Richard Baker --

I've got less than 100 pages to go with this one and I'm just feeling okay about it. I thought this was going to be a more exciting sci-fi. That it was going to be more of an adventure with a rag tag crew. I think that was my fault. This is classed as a military sci-fi, and that's probably an important thing to note, because that is what it is. It's got a lot of politics, military strategy. I mean, it does have some action scenes, but it just doesn't have the punch that I was looking for.

The beginning of the book was a little dull in how it did its world building. It was a lot of explanation instead of showing, very wordy. Our main character Sikander North doesn't really have much of a personality. I guess he has the personality you expect of an enlisted man. He's stoic, follows orders, thinks fast on his feet, but he's just not that exciting of a main character to follow.

I don't want to make out like I don't like this book, I was just expecting something with more pizazz, something a little more fun. It's interesting enough, but it's just not very exciting.

 

 What I hope to Read Next!

 

 

The Book of Koli (#1) by M.R. Carey--

I don't know a whole lot about this one, but I think it has weird plants that can kill you vibes. I'm excited for it. Even though I've never read anything by this author before, I know they wrote The Girl With All the Gifts, which is a book that I've been meaning to read for the longest time. 

I definitely think I will be reading this one Friday (the day this is post is up) and into the weekend. 

So that's what I'm Reading Right Now! What are you reading? Also, has anyone else watched Dark on Netflix? I just finished Season 2 and I'm into it. It's so complicated and confusing and I don't even know what to think. I'm pumped to start Season 3. If you haven't seen it, I won't spoil anything. I'll just say that it's about this strange town called Winden and boys are disappearing. That little synopsis barely scratches the surface, but you'll find out more if you watch it. It's also in German, so you can either watch the English Dub or read the subtitles. I like to read the subtitles because I like hearing what the actors actually sound like. A lot of times with voice dubs, the way they say some of the lines just doesn't do justice to how the character actually delivered them.

BLOG TOUR: How to Fail at Flirting by Denise Williams

 I am so excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for How to Fail at Flirting by Denise Williams. As soon as I read that synopsis and saw the cover, I knew I had to give it a try. I received a review copy from the publisher through Netgalley. Thanks so much to Berkley, they come out with some really good books, and Denise Williams for letting me be a part of this tour.

 

Title: How to Fail at Flirting

Author: Denise Williams

Published by: Berkley

Released: December 1, 2020

Source: Review Copy from Publisher through Netgalley

Goodreads     Amazon

 

Synopsis: One daring to-do list and a crash course in flirtation turn a Type A overachiever’s world upside down.

When her flailing department lands on the university's chopping block, Professor Naya Turner’s friends convince her to shed her frumpy cardigan for an evening on the town. For one night her focus will stray from her demanding job and she’ll tackle a new kind of to-do list. When she meets a charming stranger in town on business, he presents the perfect opportunity to check off the items on her list. Let the guy buy her a drink. Check. Try something new. Check. A no-strings-attached hookup. Check…almost.

Jake makes her laugh and challenges Naya to rebuild her confidence, which was left toppled by her abusive ex-boyfriend. Soon she’s flirting with the chance at a more serious romantic relationship—except nothing can be that easy. The complicated strings around her dating Jake might destroy her career.

Naya has two options. She can protect her professional reputation and return to her old life or she can flirt with the unknown and stay with the person who makes her feel like she's finally living again. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: This was just what I wanted! This was so cute, but it also dealt with some relevant and heavy issues. Naya is trying to get out of a rut, take back her life, and she decides to be a little adventurous. Naya meeting Jake allows her to laugh and have fun again. Complications arise and Naya has to choose what she should do, just what truly makes her happy.

I just really enjoyed the relationship journey of Naya and Jake. This book caused me to have so many emotions, all the emotions! It was cute, it was steamy, it was heavy, and it had a little bit of danger. It was a book that really gripped me and took me on a little journey.

How to Fail at Flirting was great and I'd definitely recommend giving it a read! It does cover some heavy topics, like an abusive relationship, but it's also very sweet.

 

 

Denise Williams wrote her first book in the 2nd grade. I Hate You and its sequel, I Still Hate You, featured a tough, funny heroine, a quirky hero, witty banter, and a dragon. Minus the dragons, these are still the books she likes to write. After penning those early works, she finished second grade and eventually earned a PhD in education, going on to work in higher education. After growing up a military brat around the world and across the country, Denise now lives in Des Moines, Iowa with her husband, son, and two ornery shih-tzus who think they own the house. 

 

 

 Thanks for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for How to Fail at Flirting by Denise Williams. Thanks so much to Berkley and Denise Williams for letting me be a part of this tour! I'd definitely recommend picking this one up and giving it a read.