BLOG TOUR: Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers

 I am supremely excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers. I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so, so much to Park Row Books and Morgan Rogers for letting me be a part of this tour. I've been hearing about Honey Girl everywhere, and as soon as my eyes fell on the cover, I knew I wanted to read it.

Title: Honey Girl

Author: Morgan Rogers 

Published by: Park Row Books

Released: February 23, 2021

Source: Electronic Copy for Review from Publisher

Goodreads     Amazon

 

Synopsis: A refreshingly timely and relatable debut novel about a young woman whose life plans fall apart when she meets her wife. 

With her newly completed PhD in astronomy in hand, twenty-eight-year-old Grace Porter goes on a girls’ trip to Vegas to celebrate. She’s a straight A, work-through-the-summer certified high achiever. She is not the kind of person who goes to Vegas and gets drunkenly married to a woman whose name she doesn’t know…until she does exactly that.

This one moment of departure from her stern ex-military father’s plans for her life has Grace wondering why she doesn’t feel more fulfilled from completing her degree. Staggering under the weight of her father’s expectations, a struggling job market and feelings of burnout, Grace flees her home in Portland for a summer in New York with the wife she barely knows.

In New York, she’s able to ignore all the annoying questions about her future plans and falls hard for her creative and beautiful wife, Yuki Yamamoto. But when reality comes crashing in, Grace must face what she’s been running from all along—the fears that make us human, the family scars that need to heal and the longing for connection, especially when navigating the messiness of adulthood. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: I think the thing that drew me to Honey Girl the most was the cover. I am but a simple creature, I see a pretty book cover and I want to read it. The synopsis definitely sounded interesting too, but it was the book cover that caught my attention first.

The story inside was a surprise. It was very pretty, meaningful, and special. It's really a story of growing up, trying to find your place in the world. The synopsis makes you think that romance will be the main thing you're getting, and while it is there, this book really does much more then that. It's a book that really explores different emotions and important topics pertaining to self. Watching Grace struggle to figure out her life is very relatable.

It's a great book for people wading through their 20's and trying to figure out just what it is they are supposed to become. What happens after you finish school and degrees. What do you do with the rest of your life.

The writing style was good stuff. It really made you think.

Honey Girl was something different then I was expecting, but I really enjoyed it. The beautiful cover did not lie to me.

 

 

 

MORGAN ROGERS is a queer Black millennial. She writes books for queer girls who are looking for their place in the world. She lives in Maryland with her pets. Honey Girl is her debut novel.

 

 

 

 Thank you for checking out my Blog Tour stop for Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers. Thanks so much to Park Row Books and Morgan Rogers for letting me be a part of the tour. If this book sounds like your kind of thing, I'd definitely recommend giving it a read.

 

BLOG TOUR: Best Laid Plans (Garnet Run #2) by Roan Parrish

 I'm excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Best Laid Plans by Roan Parrish. I received a free electronic 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: Best Laid Plans (Garnet Run #2)

Author: Roan Parrish

Published by: Carina Adores

Released: February 23, 2021

Source: Electronic Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads     Amazon

 

Synopsis: A man who’s been moving his whole life finally finds a reason to stay put. 

Charlie Matheson has spent his life taking care of things. When his parents died two days before his eighteenth birthday, he took care of his younger brother, even though that meant putting his own dreams on hold. He took care of his father’s hardware store, building it into something known several towns over. He took care of the cat he found in the woods…so now he has a cat.

When a stranger with epic tattoos and a glare to match starts coming into Matheson’s Hardware, buying things seemingly at random and lugging them off in a car so beat-up Charlie feels bad for it, his instinct is to help. When the man comes in for the fifth time in a week, Charlie can’t resist intervening.

Rye Janssen has spent his life breaking things. Promises. His parents’ hearts. Leases. He isn’t used to people wanting to put things back together—not the crumbling house he just inherited, not his future and certainly not him. But the longer he stays in Garnet Run, the more he can see himself belonging there. And the more time he spends with Charlie, the more he can see himself falling asleep in Charlie’s arms…and waking up in them.

Is this what it feels like to have a home—and someone to share it with? (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts:  This was a very sweet story of healing and second chances. It just brought some aww into your heart. It was a great story to just get lost in.

We follow Charlie and Rye who are both in need of some healing. They find each other, and what takes place is a great slow burn with a lot of chemistry.

I love how they come together to fix this old house. It's a great meet cute. I also like how it's set in the rugged landscape of Wyoming. Small town Wyoming.

I just enjoyed this story. I thought it was sweet.

I also liked the cat.

 

 

 

 

 

 Roan Parrish lives in Philadelphia, where she’s gradually attempting to write love stories in every genre. When not writing, she can be found cutting her friends’ hair, meandering through the city 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 checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Best Laid Plans by Roan Parrish. Thanks so much to Carina Adores and Roan Parrish for letting me be a part of the tour. If this book sounds like something you'd like, you should definitely give it a read.

 

Review: The Strange Case of the Alchemist's Daughter (#1) by Theodora Goss

 

 

Title: The Strange Case of the Alchemist's Daughter (#1)

Author: Theodora Goss

Published by: SAGA PRESS

Released: 2017

Source: Library

 

Synopsis: Mary Jekyll, alone and penniless following her parents’ death, is curious about the secrets of her father’s mysterious past. One clue in particular hints that Edward Hyde, her father’s former friend and a murderer, may be nearby, and there is a reward for information leading to his capture…a reward that would solve all of her immediate financial woes.

But her hunt leads her to Hyde’s daughter, Diana, a feral child left to be raised by nuns. With the assistance of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, Mary continues her search for the elusive Hyde, and soon befriends more women, all of whom have been created through terrifying experimentation: Beatrice Rappaccini, Catherin Moreau, and Justine Frankenstein.

When their investigations lead them to the discovery of a secret society of immoral and power-crazed scientists, the horrors of their past return. Now it is up to the monsters to finally triumph over the monstrous. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts:Trigger warning for death of a parent and death of animals. I am very sensitive when it comes to animal death, it affects me much more then people death.

 I loved this! It was such an entertaining and fun story. It also felt very unique from other books that I've read. It's a gem of a story.

One of the things I love about it is it has this great Found Family element. I'm always a fan of stories where people or aren't necessarily related come to depend and form tight bonds with each other. They all came from different circumstances, but they just fit perfectly together. This also has a really good Girl Gang vibe to it. The characters are what really makes this story.

I also loved the whole famous monsters of literature angle that this worked with and changed up a little. We get famous monster daughters, kinda. We've got Mary Jekyll, Diana Hyde, Justine Frankenstein, Catherine Moreau, and Beatrice Rappacinni. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson also make appearances. Each character is unique and important to the story.

I also really enjoyed the way this story was told. It starts off normal, but then you quickly realize that this is a story told after the fact. The girls are writing down their adventures and they will pop into the narrative to tell the writer to tell the story right. They will complain about how they are portrayed in a certain section. It's a unique way to tell a story. Not everyone is going to like the little interruptions to the main story, but I thought they were very fun. They also worked to help flesh out the characters even more.

I also really enjoyed the humor of this. Mary Jekyll has become the keeper of these girls, she tries to be the voice of reason. Diana can be very funny, but she's also the craziest. Diana is probably the one who made me laugh the most by just seeing the other girls try to make her behave.

I'm so excited to continue with their adventures. I've got the next book ready. This is a great story. I was never bored reading it, it had a really great pace. It was a lot of fun. I had a vague sense that I would like it, but I didn't realize that I was going to enjoy it as much as I did. I recommend this one 100%.

 

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 5/5

I Loved This! Girl Gang for the Win. 

Review: The Viscount Who Loved Me (Bridgerton #2) by Julia Quinn

 

Title: The Viscount Who Loved Me (Bridgerton #2)

Author: Julia Quinn

Published by: Avon

Released: 2000

Source: Library

 

Synopsis: 1814 promises to be another eventful season, but not, This Author believes, for Anthony Bridgerton, London's most elusive bachelor, who has shown no indication that he plans to marry. And in all truth, why should he? When it comes to playing the consummate rake, nobody does it better...

--Lady Whistledown's Society Papers, April 1814

But this time the gossip columnists have it wrong. Anthony Bridgerton hasn't just decided to marry--he's even chosen a wife! The only obstacle is his intended's older sister, Kate Sheffield--the most meddlesome woman ever to grace a London ballroom. The spirited schemer is driving Anthony mad with her determination to stop the betrothal, but when he closes his eyes at night, Kate's the woman haunting his increasingly erotic dreams...

Contrary to popular belief, Kate is quite sure that reformed rakes to not make the best husbands--and Anthony Bridgerton is the most wicked rogue of them all. Kate's determined to protect her sister--but she fears her own heart is vulnerable. And when Anthony's lips touch hers, she's suddenly afraid she might not be able to resist the reprehensible rake herself... (Synopsis from Goodreads)

My Thoughts: This was great and I really enjoyed myself while reading this. Anthony and Kate's story was so much fun. I loved the set up. I loved the antagonism between them. I loved the situations they found themselves in. I loved the Pall Mall game. I loved the Mallet of Death. I loved Newton. It was just a great time.

 This is the first Bridgerton Book that I've read and I'm definitely going to read more. I'm usually a person that has to read a series in order, but in this case, I felt I had to get to Book 2 first. I definitely plan on reading The Duke and I though, don't worry.

I did feel there were times that Anthony could come on a little strong and aggressive. It could almost be too much for the situation that he was in. I also really missed the antagonism and the battles that stopped after Kate and Anthony got together. I like them messing with one another, and after they got together, and they were so in honeymoon phase, they stopped doing it.

Anthony's drama at the end was a little melodramatic, so I'll let him have his weird fears, but you kind of just wanted to shake him. I did like the author's note at the end that kind of explained his fear though.

This was so much fun and definitely a good use of my time. I smiled through so much of Kate and Anthony's story. I can't wait to see it on the screen.

 

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4/5

Love it 

 

Reading Right Now! (290)

 I've got some new books on my pile and I'm ready to dive into them! I should be truthful and say I haven't started these books just yet, but they are my next planned reads. I'm writing this post a day early, so when it goes up, I will be reading these two.

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

Heart of Brass (#1) by Kate Cross -- This is another one of my picks for my Deck of TBR. I'm not doing super great at the challenge at the moment, so I'm a little worried that I'm not going to get around to all the books I'm supposed to read this month. It seems like the older I get, the slower of a reader I am. That's depressing.

This is my pick for the prompt Steampunk. It's been awhile since I've read a Steampunk book. I'm pretty sure this is connected to The Girl in the Steel Corset Series, but it's the adult version. A Steampunk Romance. I'm excited for it.

Agnes at the End of the World by Kelly McWilliams -- If I'm honest with myself, this is mainly a cover read. The cover is really pretty. I know it's about some sort of religious cult and a viral pandemic (which maybe hits a little too close to home at the present moment haha). The synopsis intrigues me. I interested to see if I'll like it. I usually love world in chaos kind of reads.

And that is what I'm Reading Right Now! What are you reading this weekend?

Review: Skyward, Volume 1: My Low G Life by Joe Henderson and Lee Gorbett

 

 

Title: Skyward, Volume 1: My Low-G Life

Written by: Joe Henderson

Art and Cover by: Lee Gorbett

Colorist: Antonio Fabela

Letterer: Simon Bowland

Published by: Image Comics, Inc.

Released: September 2018

Source: Library

 

Synopsis: One day, gravity on Earth suddenly became a fraction of what it is now. Twenty years later, humanity has adapted to its new low-gravity reality. And to Willa Fowler, a woman born just after G-day, it's...well, it's pretty awesome, actually. You can fly through the air! I mean, sure, you can also die if you jump too high. So you just don't jump too high. And maybe don't get mixed up in your Dad's secret plan to bring gravity back that could get you killed...

SKYWARD, VOL. 1 collects issues #1-5 of the ongoing series from writer Joe Henderson (showrunner of Fox's Lucifer) and artist Lee Garbett (Lucifer, Loki: Agent of Asgard). (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: What a treat! I really enjoyed this. I thought it had a cool premise. No gravity. How would people deal with that? I liked how you had to make sure you had your weights so you didn't just float away and never come back. I also liked the magnet boots that the people who wanted to stay on the ground wore. I just like the thought that went into how this world would work.

Awesome art style. The art that you see on the cover is the same art the greets you in the story. I love that! So many times I'll pick up a comic with a cool cover and then the inside art doesn't have the same beauty. This one is a what you see is what you get. The story was really interesting and engaging. It was a pleasure to read. I definitely want to grab the next Volume so I can see what happens next.

 

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4/5

Beautiful. 

 

Review: Magic Bites (Kate Daniels #1) by Ilona Andrews

 

Title: Magic Bites (Kate Daniels #1) 

Author: Ilona Andrews

Published by: Ace

Released: 2007

Source: Library

 

Synopsis: The world has suffered a magic apocalypse. We pushed the technological progress too far, and now magic returned with a vengeance. It comes in waves, without warning, and vanishes as suddenly as it appears. When magic is up, planes drop out of the sky, cars stall, electricity dies. When magic is down, guns work and spells fail.

Atlanta would be a nice place to live, if it weren’t for magic… One moment magic dominates, and cars stall and guns fail. The next, technology takes over and the defensive spells no longer protect your house from monsters. Here skyscrapers topple under onslaught of magic; werebears and werehyenas prowl through the ruined streets; and the Masters of the Dead, necromancers driven by their thirst of knowledge and wealth, pilot blood-crazed vampires with their minds. In this world lives Kate Daniels. Kate likes her sword a little too much and has a hard time controlling her mouth. The magic in her blood makes her a target, and she spent most of her life hiding in plain sight. But when Kate’s guardian is murdered, she must choose to do nothing and remain safe or to pursue his preternatural killer. Hiding is easy, but the right choice is rarely easy… (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: This was just really, really meh. I'm a little disappointed. I thought I was going to like this so much more. I've heard such good things about the Kate Daniels Series, so I was expecting a really awesome first book. I've heard the series gets better after the first book, but I just expected so much more from Magic Bites. As an introduction to a series, it wasn't that great. I'm interested enough to keep reading, but I'm disappointed in how average and meh Magic Bites turned out to be for me.

My main problem is it did an awful job at introducing and explaining this setting. It introduces this magically destroyed version of Atlanta, but really explains nothing of how it got that way. It just left me very confused. As an intro to a series, I expected better and more when it comes to explanation.

I also got very confused when it came to characters and who was who. Some were introduced so fast in the beginning, and I just had trouble remembering them when they'd pop back up again. It just seemed like everyone was very flat, except for Kate and Curran.

The overall story just left me meh. I didn't feel super gripped by it. It was fine, but I was just expecting better. As a series intro, I found it disappointing. I mean, it definitely has the possibility to be cool and fun, but this first book fell flat. The last few lines did give a nice set-up for the next book. I'm definitely going to continue with it, but I was just hoping for more with Magic Bites. I really hope things get explained better as the series goes on. I mean, if Urban Fantasy is your thing, I'd definitely say give it a try.

 

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 3/5

Very average, I expected something more 

 

BLOG TOUR: The Vineyard at Painted Moon by Susan Mallery

 I am excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for The Vineyard at Painted Moon by Susan Mallery. I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to HQN and Susan Mallery for letting me be a part of the tour.

 

 

 

Title: The Vineyard at Painted Moon

Author: Susan Mallery

Published by: HQN

Released: February 9, 2021

Source: Review Copy from Publisher through Netgalley

Goodreads     Amazon

 

Synopsis:Step into the vineyard with Susan Mallery’s most irresistible novel yet, as one woman searches for the perfect blend of love, family and wine. Mackenzie Dienes seems to have it all—a beautiful home, close friends and a successful career as an elite winemaker with the family winery. There’s just one problem—it’s not her family, it’s her husband’s. In fact, everything in her life is tied to him—his mother is the closest thing to a mom that she’s ever had, their home is on the family compound, his sister is her best friend. So when she and her husband admit their marriage is over, her pain goes beyond heartbreak. She’s on the brink of losing everything. Her job, her home, her friends and, worst of all, her family.

Staying is an option. She can continue to work at the winery, be friends with her mother-in-law, hug her nieces and nephews—but as an employee, nothing more. Or she can surrender every piece of her heart in order to build a legacy of her own. If she can dare to let go of the life she thought she wanted, she might discover something even more beautiful waiting for her beneath a painted moon. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts:  This is a novel about starting over and taking chances and I really enjoyed it. Mackenzie and her husband have admitted that their marriage is over, which is unfortunate because she also works for her husband's family winery. She now has to decide whether to stay where she is, or move on. Mackenzie's story is very interesting and heartwarming to follow. 

I really liked how much we got to learn about what goes on in a winery in this book. I have no knowledge of that skill set, so I really enjoyed learning about it and seeing how it all works.

I thought this story was really sweet. It was a book that was fun to spend my time on. I was rooting for Mackenzie the whole time.

Susan Mallery wrote a great story that I definitely enjoyed reading. If you're looking for something to make you feel good, I'd definitely recommend picking it up. 

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

Thank you for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for The Vineyard at Painted Moon by Susan Mallery. Thanks so much to HQN and Susan Mallery for letting me be a part of the tour. It was just the kind of book I needed. It took me on a sweet adventure.

Reading Right Now! (289)

 Here's a thing I think about a lot of days, why do I always write my posts so late at night? I will tell myself that I should probably type out my posts when I get home from work, that would be a smart idea. I then get home and just zone out, watch youtube, do Instagram, and then just lay on my bed. I have many problems. So, here I am making my post for tomorrow at 12 am.

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

  

The Strange Case of the Alchemist's Daughter (#1) by Theodora Goss -- I am loving this one! I actually saw RileyMarie on youtube say good things about it, which made me interested. I then did my Deck of TBR and picked this one for one of the prompts. 

It's great! It's about Mary Jekyll, who after her mother dies, she finds out secrets about her father. She also meets up with some other girls of unique circumstance: Diana Hyde, Beatrice Rappacini, Justine Frankenstein, Catherine Moreau. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson also show up.

It's just a really fun read. It has this great girl gang vibe to it. I really like the humor that's in the story. I'm hooked.

The Viscount Who Loved Me (Bridgerton #2) by Julia Quinn -- After binging Bridgerton  on Netflix, I needed to read the books. I know I started out of order, which bothers me the teeniest bit, but ultimately not enough to care. I own the first book, and I will definitely read it at some point. I got Book 2 from the library and knew I needed to read it quick because I bet it's on hold for other people.

I really like this! It's giving me that same feeling that the show gave me. I'm excited to see Anthony's love story. I really like Kate. They have a very antagonistic relationship. I do think Anthony is a little too aggressive sometimes. I'm excited for Season 2.

I just really like this book. It just is a feel good read. I love love.

 

So that's what I'm Reading Right Now! What are you reading? I'm really glad that both of the books I'm reading currently are winners. It's a great feeling.

Deck of TBR: February 2021

 I kept mentioning and mentioning and mentioning last month about how I was doing a new to me TBR game called Deck of TBR. I know I probably was annoying about it haha. Well, this month I filmed and uploaded a video with my board, my cards, and me seeing what I would read for February.

I did not think up Deck of TBR. I actually got the idea from bookswithmaddi

She is on youtube and her videos are a lot of fun to watch.

So youtube and I have a weird relationship. I leave, then I come back, then I leave again. I joined booktube (where the book people hang out on youtube) waaaay back in 2012. I was really into it, I tried to upload all the videos I could. Then I got older, lazier, and just took a break. Filming and Editing videos is very time consuming. Sometimes, I'm also a little embarrassed by putting myself out there on the World Wide Web. I'm trying to get fully into that mindset of it doesn't matter, I shouldn't be embarrassed of my hobby. If I like doing it, I should get back to it.

So, I filmed a video of me doing my Deck of TBR for February. I thought, why not do a post on here too. 

Since I've taken so many breaks from youtube and probably just the way youtube is, my triumphant return has not really brought me the accolades or views haha. I don't really care about the numbers, but there is something a little sad when you put a thing out there and then nobody notices. Not boo-hoo sad, just awww man sad.

Anyway, I'm gonna use this space on my blog to show off my video!

Please be gentle and do not mock me too much. Here's an idea of the books that my board told me to read in February 2021!

BLOG TOUR: The Iron Raven (The Iron Fey: Evenfall #1) by Julie Kagawa

I am really excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for The Iron Raven by Julie Kagawa. This is the first book in The Iron Fey: Evenfall series. I am so pumped for this. I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Inkyard Press and Julie Kagawa for making my dreams come true.

 

 

 

Title: The Iron Raven (The Iron Fey: Evenfall #1)

Author: Julie Kagawa

Published by: Inkyard Press

Released: February 9, 2021

Source: Electronic Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads     Amazon

 

Synopsis: You may have heard of me... 

Robin Goodfellow. Puck. Prankster, joker, raven, fool… King Oberon’s right-hand jester from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The legends are many, but the truth will now be known as never before, as Puck finally tells his own story and faces a threat to the lands of Faery and the human world unlike any before.

With the Iron Queen Meghan Chase and her prince consort, Puck’s longtime rival Ash, and allies old and new by his side, Puck begins a fantastical and dangerous adventure not to be missed or forgotten (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: I am so excited for this book and this new series! I remember when I first started booktube and blogging, The Iron Fey Series was all the rage. It was fey with pretty pastel colored covers, and I bought them all. To hear that a continuation of that series would be happening years later is just great news. We need this in the world of the pandemic that never ends. And even if there wasn't a pandemic, we would still need it.

I'm a big fan of Julie Kagawa's writing. I'm always pulled right into the story. They are always just really addicting and I'm always excited when she publishes something new.

We get Puck in this book!! It was awesome getting so much of his backstory, finding out the truth of this joker. We got to see some old characters reappear. Puck might have someone new in his life. It was a win all around.

I really want to go back and revisit the original Iron Fey Series now. I have the urge! I will always be excited when older series that I thought were over are graced with more books. It's nice coming back to something familiar, while also being something new. If you're a fan of the original Iron Fey Series, then I definitely recommend giving this book a read. And you should also check out all the other stuff Julie Kagawa has written!

Born in Sacramento, CA, Julie Kagawa moved to Hawaii at the age of nine. There she learned many things; how to bodyboard, that teachers scream when you put centipedes in their desks, and that writing stories in math class is a great way to kill time. Her teachers were glad to see her graduate.
Julie now lives is Louisville, KY with her husband and furkids. She is the international and NYT bestselling author of The Iron Fey series. Visit her at juliekagawa.com.

Thank you so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for The Iron Raven by Julie Kagawa. Thank you so much to Inkyard Press and Julie Kagawa for having me on this tour and giving me the opportunity to read this book. I'm so glad I get more books in this Fairyworld.

BLOG TOUR: The Girl from the Channel Islands by Jenny Lecoat

 I'm very excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for The Girl From the Channel Islands by Jenny Lecoat! I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher and I won a physical copy in a Goodreads Giveaway! Thanks so much to Graydon House and Jenny Lecoat for letting me be a part of this tour.

Title: The Girl From the Channel Islands

Author: Jenny Lecoat

Published by: Graydon House

Released: February 2, 2021

Source: Review Copy from Publisher / Won a Copy from Goodreads FirstReads Giveaway

Goodreads     Amazon

 

Synopsis: An extraordinary story of triumph against impossible odds 

The year is 1940, and the world is torn apart by war. In June of that year, Hitler’s army captures the Channel Islands—the only part of Great Britain occupied by German forces. Abandoned by Mr. Churchill, forgotten by the Allies and cut off from all help, the Islands’ situation is increasingly desperate.

Hedy Bercu is a young Jewish girl who fled Vienna for the island of Jersey two years earlier during the Anschluss, only to find herself trapped by the Nazis once more—this time with no escape. Her only hope is to make herself invaluable to the Germans by working as a translator, hiding in plain sight with the help of her friends and community—and a sympathetic German officer. But as the war intensifies, rations dwindle and neighbors are increasingly suspicious of one another. Hedy’s life is in greater danger every day. It will take a definitive, daring act to save her from certain deportation to the concentration camps.

A sweeping tale of bravery and love under impossible circumstances, Hedy’s remarkable story reminds us that it’s often up to ordinary people to be quiet heroes in the face of injustice. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: Wow, wow, wow. This time period in history is always so heavy to read about. It's a tough time to think back on, but reading about it is very important. A lot of things can get compared to Nazi's, but when we do that, we're making light of the horror it actually was. I felt like I learned a lot with this book and it provided me with a really compelling and emotional story.

I didn't really know anything about the Channel Islands before picking up The Girl from the Channel Islands, but man, what a history. I could not even imagine being put in the same life and death predicament. It's just so sad. This place was left vulnerable for the Germans to come in and take over and there was no help. These residents had to live with the enemy controlling and deciding what they could and couldn't do. They took their freedom and their security for five years. It was a fascinating history to read about, but a really hard one too.

Hedy was such a strong and determined character. She was in danger just for being who she was, but she was smart. I was worried about her throughout the whole book.

I enjoyed this read. If you're looking for a good historical fiction about WWII, I'd definitely give this one a shot. You might even be like me and learn something new.

Born in Jersey, Channel Islands, Jenny Lecoat's parents were raised under German Occupation, and both families were involved in resistance activity. Lecoat moved to England aged 18, where, following a drama degree, she spent a decade on the alternative comedy circuit as a feminist stand-up. She was nominated for a prestigious Perrier Award in 1986. She also wrote for newspapers and women's magazines (Cosmopolitan, Observer) and presented TV and radio shows, before focusing on screenwriting from sitcom (Birds of a Feather, Sometime Never) to sketch shows (The Catherine Tate Show).

Thank you for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for The Girl from the Channel Islands by Jenny Lecoat. Thanks so much to Graydon House and Jenny Lecoat for letting me be a part of the tour.

Review: I Hate Fairyland, Volume 2: Fluff My Life by Skottie Young and Jean-Fracois Beaulieu

 

Title: I Hate Fairyland, Volume 2: Fluff My Life

Written and Drawn by: Skottie Young

Coloring by: Jean-Francois Beaulieu

Logo Design by: Rian Hughes

Additional Art Chapter 8: Jeffrey "Chamba" Cruz

Lettering and Design: Nate Piekos of Blambot

Published by: Image Comics, Inc.

Released: December 2016

Source: Library

 

Synopsis: All hail Gertrude, the new Queen of Fairyland. After thirty years of wreaking havoc across this magical world to find her way back home, she must now overcome her biggest challenge yet... ruling the place she hates most. Join Gert as she continues her never-ending quest to get the FLUFF out of Fairyland. The hilariously brutal Fairytale adventure continues by superstar cartoonist SKOTTIE YOUNG. Collects issues 6-10. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: I had fun, but not as much fun as I had in Volume 1. Maybe because I already know the shtick. Maybe because it's a repeat of Volume 1. I still enjoyed it, but I'm just questioning where it is going to go next. Is Gert just going to do the same thing over and over, or will the story progress?

I really thought more would be done with Gert being Queen. I was wrong.

I still love the art. I love the humor. It's a fun comic to read. I really want to know what happens next because the ending was a little weird. It's looking very unlikely that Gert will ever get back to the human world, which is bad for her, but good for us.

 

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4/5

Not Bad. 

 

 

BLOG TOUR: How to Build a Heart by Maria Padian

 I am very excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for How to Build a Heart by Maria Padian. I received a free copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Algonquin Young Readers and Maria Padian for letting me be a part of the Blog Tour. This book not only has a beautiful cover, but it also contains a great story.

Title: How to Build a Heart

Author: Maria Padian

Published by: Algonquin Young Readers

Released: January 28, 2021

Source: Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads     Amazon

 

Synopsis: One young woman’s journey to find her place in the world as the carefully separated strands of her life — family, money, school, and love — begin to overlap and tangle.   

All sixteen-year-old Izzy Crawford wants is to feel like she really belongs somewhere. Her father, a marine, died in Iraq six years ago, and Izzy’s moved to a new town nearly every year since, far from the help of her extended family in North Carolina and Puerto Rico. When Izzy’s hardworking mom moves their small family to Virginia, all her dreams start clicking into place. She likes her new school—even if Izzy is careful to keep her scholarship-student status hidden from her well-to-do classmates and her new athletic and popular boyfriend. And best of all: Izzy’s family has been selected by Habitat for Humanity to build and move into a brand-new house. Izzy is this close to the community and permanence she’s been searching for, until all the secret pieces of her life begin to collide. 

How to Build a Heart is the story of Izzy’s journey to find her place in the world and her discovery that the choices we make and the people we love ultimately define us and bring us home. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: I enjoyed this. Izzy's story has a lot going on with it. It's a book that explores a lot of issues. Izzy's life has thrown her a lot of challenges with the death of her father and trying to find some place to belong. It's a very emotional story, but one that really resonated. It was really well written and moving. 

I really enjoyed following Izzy's journey. There was a little romance in here, but it wasn't the main focus of the story. I really enjoyed the friendship aspect in this book. As a girl who has always had to move from one place to another, Izzy didn't really have that chance to make a lasting friendship.

This book also deals with the death of a parent, more specifically a parent who died overseas defending the United States in war. That's a very hard and sad situation for any kid to be in. I thought this book did a good job with that. Readers should be aware if this is a subject they are sensitive to.

This was a very well written and impactful story. I liked it a lot. I'd definitely recommend giving it a read and I'm glad I got to read it.

Maria Padian has a bachelor’s degree from Middlebury College and a master’s degree from the University of Virginia. She is a freelance writer, essayist, and author of young adult novels, including Brett McCarthy: Work in Progress, Jersey Tomatoes Are the Best, and Out of Nowhere. Maria lives with her family in Brunswick, Maine. Visit her online at mariapadian.com and find her on Twitter: @mpadian.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for How to Build a Heart by Maria Padian. Thanks so much to Algonquin Young Readers and Maria Padian for letting me be a part of the tour.