Review: Bone Crossed (Mercy Thompson #4) by Patricia Briggs

Title: Bone Crossed (Mercy Thompson #4)

Author: Patricia Briggs

Published by: ACE Books

Released: 2009

Source: Library

Synopsis: By day, Mercy is a car mechanic in the sprawling Tri-Cities of Eastern Washington. By night, she explores her preternatural side. As a shapeshifter with some unique talents, Mercy has often found herself having to maintain a tenuous harmony between the human and the not so human. This time she may get more than she bargained for.

Marsilia, the local Vampire Queen, has learned that Mercy crossed her by slaying a member of her clan—and she's out for blood. But since Mercy is protected from direct reprisal by the werewolf pack (and her close relationship with its sexy Alpha), it won't be Mercy's blood Marsilia is after.

It'll be her friends'. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

My Thoughts: I love this series! It's such a comforting thing to come back too. I'm such a fan of all the characters. It's just great.

Mercy and Adam finally get together and I couldn't be happier. It wasn't just a Mercy and Adam smooch fest for the whole book though. Mercy gets into some trouble with Marsilia and her vampire clan, which I thought would be the main focus of the story, but it wasn't.

Something unexpected happened, which was really fun to piece together and follow.

I will say, some of the danger does get taken care of pretty quickly. For all the build up, I expected a longer battle.

Another great addition to the series. I'm such a fan. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book!

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4.3/5

I Love It.

Reading Right Now! (269)

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

Five Midnights (#1) by Ann Davila Cardinal -- This is the sixth book I'm reading for my NEWTs Magical Readathon and the prompt was to pick a book you think will be impactful. This one is all about Puerto Rico and I think it works for being impactful. So this is a story about Lupe who goes to visit her family in Puerto Rico, her uncle is the chief of police, and she gets drawn into this mystery where a gang of childhood friends are dying in mysterious ways. Something is strange about the killings, it might just be a monster called El Cuco.

I'm enjoying this. I think the scares are pretty good, definitely unnerving. I like the writing style too, it has a quickness about it. I'm learning about Puerto Rico. It has a lot of drug use/references and it talks about how the recession has turned once nice neighborhoods into dangerous places.

I am a little scared that I won't be able to finish my NEWTs in time. I got stuck reading one book, which put me behind. My last challenge is to read a 450+ page book and I don't know if I can technically complete that in the days I have left. I'm still gonna read it though and I'll say that I completed my NEWTs anyway.

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

BLOG TOUR: Here to Stay by Adriana Herrera

I'm really excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Here to Stay by Adriana Herrera. I was sent a free e-arc for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Carina Press and Adriana Herrera for letting me be a part of this tour!

Title: Here to Stay

Author: Adriana Herrera

Published by: Carina Press

Released: August 25, 2020

Source: Review Copy from the Publisher

Goodreads   Amazon

Synopsis: Starting over is more about who you’re with than where you live… 

Julia del Mar Ortiz is not having the best year.
She moved to Dallas with her boyfriend, who ended up ditching her and running back to New York after only a few weeks. Left with a massive—by NYC standards, anyway—apartment and a car lease in the scorching Texas heat, Julia is struggling…except that’s not completely true. Running the charitable foundation of one of the most iconic high fashion department stores in the world is serious #lifegoals.
It’s more than enough to make her want to stick it out down South.
The only monkey wrench in Julia’s plans is the blue-eyed, smart-mouthed consultant the store hired to take them public. Fellow New Yorker Rocco Quinn’s first order of business? Putting Julia’s job on the chopping block.

When Julia is tasked with making sure Rocco sees how valuable the programs she runs are, she’s caught between a rock and a very hard set of abs. Because Rocco Quinn is almost impossible to hate—and even harder to resist. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

My Thoughts: I am here for the drama, and there was a lot of it in this book! Here to Stay was a really fun story about finding your people in a new place. Julia and her group of transplants really found their way into my heart. I enjoyed this, it was the perfect tale for me to get lost in.

I really liked the slow burn romance Julia and Rocco had. I feel so much more invested in those romances then I do an insta-love story. We really get to meet the characters and experience their journey together. There's a lot of drama in this, but I couldn't look away from it. I definitely want to read more by Adriana Herrera.

If you're looking for something romantic and dramatic to read, I'd definitely recommend giving Here to Stay a shot.

Adriana Herrera was born and raised in the Caribbean, but for the last fifteen years has let her job (and her spouse) take her all over the world. She loves writing stories about people who look and sound like her people, getting unapologetic happy endings.

Thank you so much for stopping by my Blog Tour Stop for Here to Stay by Adriana Herrera. If you're looking for something cute and romantic to read, I'd definitely recommend checking this one out. Thanks so much to Carina Press and Adriana Herrera for letting me be a part of this tour.

BLOG TOUR: Hidden (The Texas Murder Files #1) by Laura Griffin

I'm really excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Hidden, the first book in The Texas Murder Files by Laura Griffin. I received a free e-arc for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Berkley Books and Laura Griffin for letting me be a part of the tour.

Title: Hidden (The Texas Murder Files #1)

Author: Laura Griffin

Published by: Berkley Books

Released: August 25, 2020

Source: Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads   Amazon

Synopsis: When a woman is found brutally murdered on Austin's lakeside hike-and-bike trail, investigative reporter Bailey Rhoads turns up on the scene demanding access and answers. She tries to pry information out of the lead detective, Jacob Merritt. But this case is unlike any he's ever seen, and nothing adds up.

Bailey has a hunch the victim wasn't who she claimed to be and believes this mugging-turned-murder could have been a targeted hit. When she digs deeper, the trail leads her to a high-tech fortress on the outskirts of Austin where researchers are pushing the boundaries of a cutting-edge technology that could be deadly in the wrong hands.

As a ruthless hit man's mission becomes clear, Bailey and Jacob must embark on a desperate search to locate the next target before the clock ticks down on this lethal game of hide and seek. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

My Thoughts: I enjoyed Hidden. It was a good start to a new series and I'm interested in reading more. Bailey and Jacob must work together to solve a case that Bailey thinks has a deeper and darker edge then first thought.

I liked Bailey and Jacob as a team. They work well together and I enjoy the romantic leanings that it takes.

It offered a decent mystery. I won't say that it was something that I'd never seen before, but I was interested in following it to the conclusion. It kept me on my toes and the stakes were high.

I liked this. If Romantic Suspense is your thing, I'd definitely recommend checking out Hidden. I'm interested in their next case.

Laura Griffin is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than twenty-five books and novellas. She is a two-time RITA® Award winner as well as the recipient of the Daphne du Maurier Award.

Thank you for stopping by my Blog Tour Stop for Hidden by Laura Griffin. Thanks so much to Berkley Books and Laura Griffin for letting me be a part of the tour! If this one sounds good to you, I'd definitely recommend checking it out.

BLOG TOUR: You Lucky Dog by Julia London

I'm really excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for You Lucky Dog by Julia London. I love dogs. I received a free e-arc for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Berkley Romance and Julia London for letting me be a part of this fun tour!

Title: You Lucky Dog

Author: Julia London

Published by: Berkley Romance

Released: August 25, 2020

Source: Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads   Amazon

Synopsis: An accidental dog swap unleashes an unexpected love match in this new romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author Julia London.

Carly Kennedy's life is in a spiral. She is drowning in work, her divorced parents are going through their midlife crises, and somehow Carly's sister convinces her to foster Baxter--a basset hound rescue with a bad case of the blues. When Carly comes home late from work one day to discover that the dog walker has accidentally switched out Baxter for another perkier, friendlier basset hound, she has reached the end of her leash.

When Max Sheffington finds a depressed male basset hound in place of his cheerful Hazel, he is bewildered. But when cute, fiery Carly arrives on his doorstep, he is intrigued. He was expecting the dog walker, not a pretty woman with firm ideas about dog discipline. And Carly was not expecting a handsome, bespectacled man to be feeding her dog mac and cheese. Baxter is besotted with Hazel, and Carly realizes she may have found the key to her puppy’s happiness. For his sake, she starts to spend more time with Hazel and Max, until she begins to understand the appeal of falling for your polar opposite. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

My Thoughts: Okay, this is cute. So cute! I am always a sucker for books with dogs in them, so it was a no brainer for me to read You Lucky Dog. I loved the premise. The idea of dogs getting switched and it bringing the two owners together. This was really sweet, really fun, I liked it a lot. What made it even better was that one of the dogs was named Baxter, I have a precious puppy (he's not really a puppy, but I still call him that because he will always be my puppy) named Baxter!

I really enjoyed Carly and Max's relationship progression. It started with such a cute premise and it was just really sweet to see them grow closer to each other. I also loved all the family elements in this book, that just made it sweeter still. I love a book about opposites attracting, which was Carly and Max.

You Lucky Dog was just a really cute read that made me feel good. If you like dogs, I'd say pick this book up. If you like sweet romances, this one's for you too. I'm glad I got the chance to read it. With the way 2020 continues to go, I need a feel good book in my life.

Julia London is the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of numerous romance and women's fiction novels. She is also the recipient of the RT Bookclub Award for Best Historical Romance and a four-time finalist for the prestigious RITA award for excellence in romantic fiction.

Thanks for stopping by my Blog Tour Stop for You Lucky Dog by Julia London. If you're looking for a cute book with dogs, then I'd definitely recommend checking this one out. Thanks so much to Berkley Romance and Julia London for letting me be a part of this tour!

Review: Nocturna (#1) by Maya Motayne

Title: Nocturna (#1)

Author: Maya Motayne

Published by: Balzer + Bray

Released: 2019

Source: Library

Synopsis: Set in a Latinx-inspired world, a face-changing thief and a risk-taking prince must team up to defeat a powerful evil they accidentally unleashed.

To Finn Voy, magic is two things: a knife to hold under the chin of anyone who crosses her…and a disguise she shrugs on as easily as others pull on cloaks.
As a talented faceshifter, it’s been years since Finn has seen her own face, and that’s exactly how she likes it. But when Finn gets caught by a powerful mobster, she’s forced into an impossible mission: steal a legendary treasure from Castallan’s royal palace or be stripped of her magic forever.
After the murder of his older brother, Prince Alfehr is first in line for the Castallan throne. But Alfie can’t help but feel that he will never live up to his brother’s legacy. Riddled with grief, Alfie is obsessed with finding a way to bring his brother back, even if it means dabbling in forbidden magic.

But when Finn and Alfie’s fates collide, they accidentally unlock a terrible, ancient power—which, if not contained, will devour the world. And with Castallan’s fate in their hands, Alfie and Finn must race to vanquish what they have unleashed, even if it means facing the deepest darkness in their pasts. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

My Thoughts: This was a lot of fun. Granted, it started off with some really stupid decision making, but without that stupid decision, we wouldn't have had a plot.

It was so easy to get sucked into this story. I enjoyed the writing style. I liked Finley and Alfie.

I'm interested to see what happens in the next book, because this could have easily been a standalone.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4.2/5

Fun!

BLOG TOUR: The Dazzling Truth by Helen Cullen

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

Title: The Dazzling Truth

Author: Helen Cullen

Published by: Graydon House

Released: August 18, 2020

Source: Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads   Amazon

Synopsis: One Irish family. Three decades. One dazzling story.

In the courtyards of Trinity College, Dublin, in 1978, aspiring actress Maeve meets pottery student Murtagh Moone. As their relationship progresses, marriage and motherhood come in quick succession, but for Maeve, with the joy of children also comes the struggle to hold on to the truest parts of herself.

Decades later, on a small Irish island, the Moone family are poised for celebration but instead are struck by tragedy. Each family member must find solace in their own separate way, until one dazzling truth brings them back together. But as the Moone family confront the past, they also journey toward a future that none of them could have predicted. Except perhaps Maeve herself. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

My Thoughts: This is a story that really focuses on family and how two people make that happen, through good times and bad. Maeve and Murtagh meet, they fall in love, and they make their home on a small, isolated Irish island. We also journey into the future and follow the Moone family who find themselves struck by tragedy.

Helen Cullen really does write a beautiful story. I really enjoyed it. I liked how everything came together in the end. I also really enjoyed the setting of the story.

It was a really sweet story of love, family, and sticking together through tough times. It's a good one. I'm glad I got to read it.

HELEN CULLEN wrote her debut novel, The Lost Letters of William Woolf, while completing the Guardian/UEA novel writing program. She holds an MA in Theatre Studies from University College Dublin and is currently studying further at Brunel. Prior to writing full-time, Helen worked in journalism, broadcasting and most recently as a creative events and engagement specialist. Helen is Irish and currently lives in London.

Thank you for stopping by my Blog Tour Stop for The Dazzling Truth by Helen Cullen. If the book sounds good to you, I'd definitely recommend giving it a read. Thank you to Graydon House and Helen Cullen for letting me be a part of the tour.

Reading Right Now! (268)

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

Lake of the Ozarks: My Surreal Summers In a Vanishing America by Bill Geist -- I'm still going with my NEWTs Magical Readathon, even though I fear that I won't complete all my levels. I had a book that really slowed me down, so I'm hoping I can finish strong.

For my Arithmancy Level A, I have to read a non-fiction book. I'm going to be totally honest, non-fiction is not my genre of choice. Most times I would rather live in a fictional world then read about a real life story. So I scanned my shelves for something that I could read for this challenge and came across this one. I won this last year in a Goodreads Giveaway (as you can see, I'm awesome at reading all my arcs on time *wink wink*) This was short and it looked interesting, it fit the prompt, so I said I'm reading it.

I'm enjoying it. It's not so much a linear story as it is listening to someone ramble on about the past. Sometimes it can be funny. Sometimes, I wonder what the point is.

I think another reason that this book kind of interested me is that I have a lot of family that comes from Missouri. Great grandparents and great great grandparents, so not family that I've maybe met or anything, but still, I have Missouri roots! I do have a cousin that lives in Missouri though. Kansas City, Kansas is where my grandparents live, but that's right near Missouri. Anyway, it has a pull because it's where many of my ancestors lived.

I'm enjoying it so far, and it's pretty quick reading.

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

BLOG TOUR: Where Dreams Descend by Janella Angeles

I am so excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Where Dreams Descend by Janella Angeles. I've had this book on my radar for awhile. I received a free copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Wednesday Books and Janella Angeles for letting me be a part of this tour.
My brain is not right at the moment, but I believe I got a beautiful, no dust jacket version of this book in my July Owlcrate. Am I right? I don't even know anymore. I could get up and look, but I am just too lazy for that.

Title: Where Dreams Descend (Kingdom of Cards #1)

Author: Janella Angeles

Published by: Wednesday Books

Released: August 25, 2020

Source: Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads   Amazon

Synopsis: In a city covered in ice and ruin, a group of magicians face off in a daring game of magical feats to find the next headliner of the Conquering Circus, only to find themselves under the threat of an unseen danger striking behind the scenes.

As each act becomes more and more risky and the number of missing magicians piles up, three are forced to reckon with their secrets before the darkness comes for them next.
The Star: Kallia, a powerful showgirl out to prove she’s the best no matter the cost
The Master: Jack, the enigmatic keeper of the club, and more than one lie told
The Magician: Demarco, the brooding judge with a dark past he can no longer hide

Where Dreams Descend is the startling and romantic first book in Janella Angeles’ debut Kingdom of Cards fantasy duology where magic is both celebrated and feared, and no heart is left unscathed. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

My Thoughts: What a great start to a magical new duology! I liked it a lot. The world building was really interesting and I was swept into this place of magic and secrets. I really enjoyed the author's writing style, she makes everything so vivid and interesting.

I know this is supposed to have some Phantom of the Opera vibes, but I'm not the most knowledgeable about that source material. I liked what it did with that angle.

I enjoyed the characters, learning about them and getting to see their journey.

This book ends with a pretty big cliff-hanger, so I'm going to be anxiously waiting for book two.

This is a great debut and I can't wait to read more from Janella Angeles.

JANELLA ANGELES is a Filipino-American author who got her start in writing through consuming glorious amounts of fanfiction at a young age―which eventually led to penning a few of her own, and later on, creating original stories from her imagination. A lifelong lover of books, she's lucky enough to be working in the business of publishing them on top of writing them. She currently resides in Massachusetts, where she's most likely to be found listening to musicals on repeat and daydreaming too much for her own good. Where DreamsDescend is her first book.

Thank you for stopping by my Blog Tour Stop for Where Dreams Descend by Janella Angeles. Thanks to Wednesday Books and Janella Angeles for letting me be on this awesome tour! Go get this book!

BLOG TOUR: Breathe the Sky by Michelle Hazen

I'm excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Breathe the Sky by Michelle Hazen. I love the cover. I received a free copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Berkley Books and Michelle Hazen for letting me be a part of the tour.

Title: Breathe the Sky

Author: Michelle Hazen

Published by: Berkley Books

Released: August 18, 2020

Source: Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads   Amazon

Synopsis: Two strangers start out saving animals and end up rescuing each other in this heartwarming romance from the author ofUnbreak Me. 

Mari Tucker is a wildlife biologist who scoops bunnies and endangered tortoises out of harm’s way on construction sites. Still haunted by her past, she takes the most remote jobs in the Mojave Desert to avoid people and hide from her ex. It’s a simple, quiet life filled with sweet animals and solar-powered baking until she ends up assigned to Jack Wyatt’s crew.
Construction foreman Jack Wyatt’s loud, foul-mouthed temper keeps even the most rugged of men on his crew in line. No mistake is overlooked, because out in the desert it could mean life or death. In his opinion, the job site is no place for sensitive biologists, especially one as shy as Mari. But instead of wilting from the heat and hard work, Mari wins over Jack and his crew one homemade brownie at a time.

Jack and Mari find a comfortable rhythm, building a friendship that’s rare for both of them. After Jack’s rocky childhood, they have more in common than they’d imagined. But even the Mojave sun can’t chase away the shadows when the past is determined to track them down… (Synopsis from Goodreads)

My Thoughts: This did my romance loving heart happy. It was a very sweet story about two people finding each other. I love how it was set in the desert. That's a unique setting for a romantic story, I think. It just had a really good atmosphere. I also liked how Mari was able to survive in this desert environment. Even though she's in hiding from her abusive ex, she manages to make the best of a hard situation.

I liked how Jack needed some softening, and how Mari was able to do that. They formed a friendship which morphed into something more. It was awww inducing.

I also liked how Mari loved animals. Animals always make a story better, as long as the author doesn't try to break my heart and kill them.

Mari and Jack both have pasts that have left scars. I liked them together, I liked how they helped each other, how they could lean on each other.

Plus, we had a little bit of danger and that added a little scare to this story.

I thought this was a sweet story about two people coming together in a backdrop of a beautiful desert. I enjoyed it.

Michelle Hazen has written most of her books in odd places, including a bus in Thailand, an off-the-grid cabin in the Sawtooth Mountains, a golf cart in a sandstorm, a rental car during a heat wave in the Mojave Desert, and a beach in Honduras. She is the author of Unbreak Me.

Thank you for stopping by my Blog Tour Stop for Breathe the Sky by Michelle Hazen. Thanks so much to Berkley Books and Michelle Hazen for letting me be a part of the tour. If you want to experience love in the desert, pick this one up!

BLOG TOUR: Better Than People by Roan Parrish

I'm very excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Better Than People by Roan Parrish. I received a free copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Carina Adores and Roan Parrish for letting me be a part of the tour.

Title: Better Than People

Author: Roan Parrish

Published by: Carina Adores

Released: August 25, 2020

Source: Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads   Amazon

Synopsis: It’s not long before their pet-centric arrangement sparks a person-centric desire…

Simon Burke has always preferred animals to people. When the countdown to adopting his own dog is unexpectedly put on hold, Simon turns to the PetShare app to find the fluffy TLC he’s been missing. Meeting a grumpy children’s book illustrator who needs a dog walker isn’t easy for the man whose persistent anxiety has colored his whole life, but Jack Matheson’s menagerie is just what Simon needs.
Four dogs, three cats and counting. Jack’s pack of rescue pets is the only company he needs. But when a bad fall leaves him with a broken leg, Jack is forced to admit he needs help. That the help comes in the form of the most beautiful man he’s ever seen is a complicated, glorious surprise.
Being with Jack—talking, walking, making out—is a game changer for Simon. And Simon’s company certainly…eases the pain of recovery for Jack. But making a real relationship work once Jack’s cast comes off will mean compromise, understanding and lots of love. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

My Thoughts: Cute! I'm a sucker for animals in books and this one had them in spades. It also had a socially anxious person learning to be comfortable with someone else by taking a job as a dog walker. It also had a character struggling with an injury, and having to learn to rely on someone else.

It was all very cute, very sweet, and there were some sexy times. I thought their relationship was a nice build up.

Of course I loved all the animals. Pets will give you such genuine love.

I liked the writing and the banter between the characters. Overall, this story was precious. I liked it.

Roan Parrish lives in Philadelphia, where she is gradually attempting to write love stories in every genre. When not writing, she can usually be found cutting her friends hair, meandering through whatever city shes in while listening to torch songs and melodic death metal, or cooking overly elaborate meals. She loves bonfires, winter beaches, minor chord harmonies, and self-tattooing. One time she may or may not have baked a six-layer chocolate cake and then thrown it out the window in a fit of pique.

Thank you for stopping by my Blog Tour Stop for Better Than People by Roan Parrish. Thanks so much to Carina Adores and Roan Parrish for having me on the tour. If you're an animal lover, I'd suggest giving this one a read.

BLOG TOUR: A House Is A Body: Stories by Shruti Swamy

I am very excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for A House Is A Body: Stories by Shruti Swamy. I was sent a free copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Algonquin Books and Shruti Swamy for letting me be a part of the tour!

Title: A House Is A Body: Stories

Author: Shruti Swamy

Published by: Algonquin Books

Released: August 11, 2020

Source: Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads   Amazon

Synopsis: INTRODUCING A DAZZLING NEW LITERARY VOICE

In two-time O. Henry-prize winner Swamy's debut collection of stories, dreams collide with reality, modernity collides with antiquity, myth with true identity, and women grapple with desire, with ego, with motherhood and mortality. In "Earthly Pleasures," Radika, a young painter living alone in San Francisco, begins a secret romance with one of India's biggest celebrities. In "A Simple Composition," a husband's moment of crisis leads to his wife's discovery of a dark, ecstatic joy and the sense of a new beginning. In the title story, an exhausted mother watches, distracted and paralyzed, as a California wildfire approaches her home. With a knife blade's edge and precision, the stories of A House Is a Body travel from India to America and back again to reveal the small moments of beauty, pain, and power that contain the world. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

My Thoughts: This was a great short story collection that I enjoyed experiencing. There were 12 stories that were thought provoking and well written. I liked getting a viewpoint that was different from my own. We got stories set in India and America, and they covered important topics. There were some hard topics covered in these stories as well as happy ones. I also enjoyed how some of the stories took place in a real world setting, while others had a more mystical and magical feel. 

Shruti Swamy's writing was very nice to read. I can definitely see her talent.

A House Is A Body was a great short story collection. The variety of stories it had and the writing style made for a enjoyable reading experience. If this sounds interesting to you, or if you like the short story format, I'd definitely suggest picking it up.

The winner of two O. Henry Awards, Shruti Swamy's work has appeared in The Paris Review, McSweeney’s, Prairie Schooner, and elsewhere. In 2012, she was Vassar College's 50th W.K. Rose Fellow, and has been awarded residencies at the Millay Colony for the Arts, Blue Mountain Center, and Hedgebrook. She is a Kundiman fiction fellow, a 2017 – 2018 Steinbeck Fellow at San Jose State University, and a recipient of a 2018 grant from the Elizabeth George Foundation. She lives in San Francisco.

Thank you for stopping by my Blog Tour Stop for A House Is A Body: Stories by Shruti Swamy. Thanks so much to Algonquin Books and Shruti Swamy for letting me be a part of this Blog Tour. If short stories collections are your thing, I'd definitely recommend picking this one up and giving it a read.

BLOG TOUR: Body Talk: 37 Voices Explore Our Radical Anatomy by Kelly Jensen

I'm excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Body Talk: 37 Voices Explore Our Radical Anatomy edited by Kelly Jensen. I received a free copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Algonquin Young Readers and Kelly Jensen for letting me be a part of the tour.

Title: Body Talk: 37 Voices Explore Our Radical Anatomy

Edited by: Kelly Jensen

Published by: Algonquin Young Readers

Released: August 18, 2020

Source: Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads   Amazon

Synopsis: It’s time to bare it all about bodies!

 We all experience the world in a body, but we don’t usually take the time to explore what it really means to have and live within one. Just as every person has a unique personality, every person has a unique body, and every body tells its own story.
 In Body Talk, thirty-seven writers, models, actors, musicians, and artists share essays, lists, comics, and illustrations—about everything from size and shape to scoliosis, from eating disorders to cancer, from sexuality and gender identity to the use of makeup as armor. Together, they contribute a broad variety of perspectives on what it’s like to live in their particular bodies—and how their bodies have helped to inform who they are and how they move through the world.
 Come on in, turn the pages, and join the celebration of our diverse, miraculous, beautiful bodies! (Synopsis from Goodreads)

My Thoughts: This was a really good collection all about all our different kinds of bodies. It was full of different kinds of stories, some where funny, some were sad, some made me think. I liked all the diverse voices and the variety of stories. I also enjoyed the variety of formats in this.

This is not the type of book that I usually read, but I enjoyed reading something different. It contains a lot of recognizable authors, as well as celebrities. If this topic sounds interesting to you, I'd definitely recommend checking it out!

Kelly Jensen is a former librarian and current editor at Book Riot and her own popular book blog, Stacked. She's the editor of two highly-acclaimed YA anthologies, Here We Are: Feminism For The Real World and (Don't) Call Me Crazy: 33 Voices Start The Conversation About Mental Health. Her writing has been featured in Bust Magazine, Fortune, Bustle, and more. When not working with words, she teaches yoga, hangs out with a motley crew of pets, and enjoys all of the black licorice no one else wants. Follow her on Instagram @heykellyjensen and her website kellybjensen.com.

Thanks so much for stopping by my Blog Tour Stop for Body Talk: 37 Voices Explore Our Radical Anatomy edited by Kelly Jensen. Thanks so much to Algonquin Young Readers and Kelly Jensen for letting me be a part of the tour!

Reading Right Now! (267)

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

The Little Shop of Found Things (#1) by Paula Brackston -- This is the fourth book for my NEWTs Magical Readathon. I'm using it for my Herbology A Level, which is to read a book with flowers on the cover. I'm enjoying it, but it's not a book that I can fly through. The writing takes a little bit to get into, to focus on. The first chapter was very slow for me, but I did get into it once I passed that mark.

This story is about Xanthe, who runs an antique business with her mother. She also has a ability to see the stories and life of old objects. She is pulled to one antique very strongly, and in trying to find its story, she's pulled back in time to save a young girl. I like old stuff and I'm a sucker for time travel.

I haven't been doing too well with the reading this week. I think it's a combo of a slower moving book and me just getting distracted by everything. I'm liking this book though, I don't want to give you the impression that I don't. It's not going to be a five star, but it's not bad. It's just a book that I have to focus on more.

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

Review: A Good Idea by Cristina Moracho

Title: A Good Idea

Author: Cristina Moracho

Published by: Viking

Released: 2017

Source: Library

Synopsis: Can the right kind of boy get away with killing the wrong kind of girl?

Fin and Betty’s close friendship survived Fin’s ninth-grade move from their coastal Maine town to Manhattan. Calls, letters, and summer visits continued to bind them together, and in the fall of their senior year, they both applied to NYU, planning to reunite for good as roommates.
Then Betty disappears. Her ex-boyfriend Calder admits to drowning her, but his confession is thrown out, and soon the entire town believes he was coerced and Betty has simply run away. Fin knows the truth, and she returns to Williston for one final summer, determined to get justice for her friend, even if it means putting her loved ones—and herself—at risk.

But Williston is a town full of secrets, where a delicate framework holds everything together, and Fin is not the only one with an agenda. How much is she willing to damage to get her revenge and learn the truth about Betty’s disappearance, which is more complicated than she ever imagined—and infinitely more devastating? (Synopsis from Goodreads)

My Thoughts: This was dark, gritty, and I enjoyed it. I was gripped by the story. I do think it's a little too much to be a YA read. I would say older readers only. There's a lot of drugs and sex, which can be a little much. Some of these kids needed more parenting, more moms and dads being worried about them.

It is weird that this seems to be based on a real life case, but the author never mentioned it. The victim's name is the same as the real victim. There is just too many similarities for this book and that murder to not be related. You can look it up and read about it, but don't do it until after you've finished the book, because it will spoil stuff. (It's called the Kiss and Kill Case/Homicide)

This book was a dark ride that I enjoyed. It had a good writing style, an interesting story, and it left me feeling things. This book will not give you a happy ending.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 3.7/5

Dark