Reading Right Now! (305)

 Hooray for Friday! I really thought this post was just going to be about the same book I was reading last week, the behemoth that is Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey, but I FINALLY FINISHED IT!! I really enjoyed it, but it took me a lot longer to read then I thought it would. It was huge, but I just felt like I wasn't reading it that fast. All the characters in that book need a nice, relaxing vacation. I'm exhausted after reading it.

So, I have a new book to talk about. Without further ado, what I'm Reading Right Now! is...

The Perfect Guests by Emma Rous -- I haven't started it yet, but the synopsis sounds right up my alley. I didn't realize that this author had also written The Au Pair, which is a book that I haven't read yet, but I've heard great things about it.

This one seems to involve a manor called Raven Hall, and there might just be more to it than meets the eye. I'm excited. I hope I love it. Also, I don't think it should take me as long to read as my last book did *crosses fingers and toes*, because this doesn't even break the 300 page mark.

 

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

BLOG TOUR: Kill All Your Darlings by David Bell

 I am pretty excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Kill All Your Darlings by David Bell. I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Berkley Books and David Bell for letting me be a part of this tour!

Title: Kill All Your Darlings

Author: David Bell

Published by: Berkley Books

Released: July 6, 2021

Source: Electronic Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Goodreads     Amazon

 

Synopsis: After years of struggling to write following the deaths of his wife and son, English professor Connor Nye publishes his first novel, a thriller about the murder of a young woman.

There's just one problem: Connor didn't write the book. His missing student did. And then she appears on his doorstep, alive and well, threatening to expose him.

Connor's problems escalate when the police insist details in the novel implicate him in an unsolved murder from two years ago. Soon Connor discovers the crime is part of a disturbing scandal on campus and faces an impossible dilemma--admit he didn't write the book and lose his job or keep up the lie and risk everything. When another murder occurs, Connor must clear his name by unraveling the horrifying secrets buried in his student's manuscript.

This is a suspenseful, provocative novel about the sexual harassment that still runs rampant in academia--and the lengths those in power will go to cover it up. 

When a student disappears and is presumed dead, her professor passes off her manuscript as his own--only to find out it implicates him in an unsolved murder in this new thriller from the USA Today bestselling author of The Request. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: As soon as I read the synopsis, I knew I wanted to read this book. I really enjoyed it. It had a lot of tension, messy situations, and twisty turns. It goes back and forth in the timeline, using past and present, which makes for reading that you can't look away.

I was just really drawn to the idea of this story. So many things start with just a bad decision, which is what Connor made when he decided to steal a missing student's manuscript. That leads him into many more problems when she shows up on his doorstep.

I really enjoyed this story. It kept my attention from start to finish. I really liked how it was written. I couldn't wait to get to the end to see how everything was going to play out. I'd definitely recommend this one.

David Bell is a USA Today bestselling, award-winning author whose work has been translated into multiple foreign languages. He's currently a professor of English at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky, where he directs the MFA program.

Thanks for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Kill All Your Darlings by David Bell. Thanks so much to Berkley Books and David Bell for letting me be a part of the tour. If this one sounds like something you'd want to read, I'd definitely recommend picking it up.

BLOG TOUR: Walls by L.M. Elliott

 I am really excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Walls by L.M. Elliott. I received a free copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Algonquin Young Readers and L.M. Elliott for letting me be a part of this tour!

Title: Walls

Author: L.M. Elliott

Published by: Algonquin Young Readers

Released: July 27, 2021

Source: Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Goodreads     Amazon

 

Synopsis: Drew is an army brat, a hotshot athlete poised to be his high school’s star pitcher, when he has to move for the sixth time in fifteen years—this time to West Berlin, where American soldiers like his dad hold an outpost of democracy against communist Russia in Hitler’s former capital. Meanwhile, in East Berlin, his cousin Matthias has grown up in the wreckage left by Allied bombing during World War II, on streets ruled by the Communist Party’s secret police.

From the opposing sides of the Cold War, Drew and Matthias begin to overcome the many ideological walls between them to become wary friends. They argue over the space race, capitalism, socialism, and even the American civil rights movement, and bond over rock ’n’ roll—music outlawed in Matthias’s part of the city. If Matthias is caught by the Stasi’s neighborhood spies with the records or books Drew has given him, he will be sent to a work camp for “re-education.” At the same time, Drew’s friendship with the East Berlin Jugend—who ardently spout communist dogma—raises suspicions about his family’s loyalty to America. As the political situation around them gets all the more dire, Drew and Matthias’s loyalty—to their sector, their countries, their families, and each other—will be tested in ways that will change their lives forever.

Set in the tumultuous year leading up to the surprise overnight raising of the Berlin Wall in August 1961, and punctuated with real-life photographs, headlines, and personalities of the time, Walls brings to vivid life the heroic and tragic choices of the Cold War. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: I learned a lot from this book and really enjoyed my time doing it. It covered an area of history that I never really knew a lot about, the Berlin Wall. I feel like I should know more about it because I have family that came from Germany. I've heard my mom talk about how her grandma would exchange letters with the family in Germany, and the letters she got back would be full of black marks. I've heard how an uncle was arrested, and they never saw him again. It happened to real people, but it all seemed so far and distant from me. It was a really interesting and scary time period and topic to cover in a novel, and I enjoyed learning about it.

I also really loved the incorporation of the photo journal that supplemented the story. I'm a fan of mixed media formats. I loved looking at all the pictures, and it just made this book even more unique of a story.

I really enjoyed this story. I really enjoyed how it brought the history of the Berlin Wall to life by showcasing two characters who lived on opposite sides. It was good and I'd definitely recommend it.

L.M. Elliott was an award-winning magazine journalist in Washington, D.C., before becoming a New York Times bestselling author of historical and biographical young adult novels. Her works include Under a War-Torn Sky, Suspect Red, and Hamilton and Peggy.

Thank you for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Walls by L.M. Elliott. Thanks so much to Algonquin Young Readers and L.M. Elliott for letting me be a part of the tour. This book taught me some stuff. I'd definitely recommend giving it a read.

BLOG TOUR: The Runaway Heiress by Meg Tilly

I am very excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for The Runaway Heiress by Meg Tilly! I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Berkley Books and Meg Tilly for giving me the chance to read, review, and share it. Also, it's out today. So, Happy Book Birthday to The Runaway Heiress by Meg Tilly!

 

 

Title: The Runaway Heiress

Author: Meg Tilly

Published by: Berkley Books

Released: July 27, 2021

Source: Electronic Review Copy from Publisher through Netgalley

Goodreads     Amazon

 

Synopsis: A brave woman on the run from her vindictive husband faces a dangerous path in the thrilling new romantic suspense novel from Oscar-nominated actress Meg Tilly. 

Sarah Rainsford has been on the run for more than three years. She's changed identities yet again in hopes of throwing her violent estranged husband, a police lieutenant, off her trail. Since she's still legally married to him, and he is willing to bend any laws to get his hands on her inheritance, he'll stop at nothing to locate her.

With a new name and fake ID papers, she lands a job as a personal assistant to none other than Hollywood's golden boy director Mick Talford. He's a difficult client but she senses hidden depths to him. Once Mick and Sarah combine forces in a desperate attempt to keep Sarah out of harm's way, they build a strong bond . . . but with danger trailing them, is it enough to keep them both alive? (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: This was a thrilling and dangerous read. I knew I was in for a good time as soon as I finished the first chapter. It's just the perfect kind of book to catch your attention and keep you reading. 

I loved the mix of danger and romance in this. It just made for a very entertaining and satisfying story. It had all the elements that I wanted. It was also very well written, well done. Meg Tilly knew what story she wanted to tell, and she told it well.

This book does involve an abusive relationship. Sarah is on the run from a husband who is violent and a police lieutenant. He has the resources to track her down and he won't let her go. There was definitely a lot of danger in this story and Sarah is running for her life. It definitely put me on the edge of my seat.

I really enjoyed watching the relationship blossom between Sarah and Mick. I also really liked the mix of thriller and Hollywood in this story.

This was a ride from start to finish, and I really enjoyed it. Meg Tilly knows how to tell a good story. I'd definitely say read it if it sounds interesting to you. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

 

 

 

 

Meg Tilly may be best known for her acclaimed Golden Globe-winning performance in the movie Agnes of God. Other screen credits include The Big Chill, Valmont, and, more recently, Bomb Girls and the Netflix movie War Machine, starring Brad Pitt. After publishing six standout young adult and literary women's fiction novels, the award-winning author/actress decided to write the kind of books she loves to read: romance novels. Tilly has three grown children and resides with her husband in the Pacific Northwest. 

 

 

 

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for The Runaway Heiress by Meg Tilly. Thank you to Berkley Books and Meg Tilly for letting me be a part of the tour. I'd definitely recommend giving this one a read. It's a great one for summer.

 

  

Reading Right Now! (304)

 It is FRIDAY!!! Yayy!

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

Leviathan Wakes (#1) by James S.A. Corey -- I decided to do something crazy and start this series. I'd actually been eyeing this book for a while, and I finally decided to just read it. Was it on my TBR for this month? No. I kind of waffle between having a set TBR and then Mood Reading. I like having a pile of TBR books, but I don't always like sticking to that pile. So, to get to the point, it wasn't in my plans to read this book this month, but I just wanted to.

I also greatly overestimated my abilities and thought I could finish this in a week hahahaaaa. I am a fool. The reason that I had a week time frame is because I have this checked out from the library and that's when it is due. I've barely cracked the 200 page mark, so that's not going to happen. Good news though, I checked out another copy, so I'm fine.

I am really, really enjoying this. When I think of space books and space operas, this is what I'm always searching for. I think it's great! I'm definitely going to have to watch the show now.

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

BLOG TOUR: Radar Girls by Sara Ackerman

I am excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Radar Girls by Sara Ackerman. I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to MIRA and Sara Ackerman for letting me be a part of this fun tour!

 

 

Title: Radar Girls

Author: Sara Ackerman

Published by: MIRA

Released: July 27, 2021

Source: Electronic Review Copy through Netgalley from Publisher

Goodreads     Amazon

 

Synopsis: An extraordinary story inspired by the real Women’s Air Raid Defense, where an unlikely recruit and her sisters-in-arms forge their place in WWII history. 

Daisy Wilder prefers the company of horses to people, bare feet and salt water to high heels and society parties. Then, in the dizzying aftermath of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Daisy enlists in a top secret program, replacing male soldiers in a war zone for the first time. Under fear of imminent invasion, the WARDs guide pilots into blacked-out airstrips and track unidentified planes across Pacific skies.  

But not everyone thinks the women are up to the job, and the new recruits must rise above their differences and work side by side despite the resistance and heartache they meet along the way. With America’s future on the line, Daisy is determined to prove herself worthy. And with the man she’s falling for out on the front lines, she cannot fail. From radar towers on remote mountaintops to flooded bomb shelters, she’ll need her new team when the stakes are highest. Because the most important battles are fought—and won—together.

This inspiring and uplifting tale of pioneering, unsung heroines vividly transports the reader to wartime Hawaii, where one woman’s call to duty leads her to find courage, strength and sisterhood. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: I'm always a fan of a good historical fiction, especially ones that tell stories of forgotten or overlooked details. I was not familiar with the Women's Air Raid Defense before reading this book, and I really enjoyed learning about it. I had no idea this group made up of women even existed, but it was really cool learning about the role they played in history. The role they had in keeping the United States safe during the horrors of WW2. They were a strong group of women.

I liked our main character Daisy. She has a lot of grit and determination. I enjoyed following her story and rooting for her throughout the book.

I also really loved the descriptions and setting of Hawaii. The author really made it come to life and color the page. I read in the Author Bio that she was born and raised in Hawaii, she knows her setting so well. I'm jealous that I've not experienced Hawaii because it looks and sounds like an awesome place.

I thought this book was great! If you like Historical Fiction, WW2, and a group of female soldiers, then you've got to read this one!

 

Sara Ackerman writes books about love and life, and all of their messy and beautiful imperfections. She believes that the light is just as important as the dark, and that the world is in need of uplifting and heartwarming stories. Born and raised in Hawaii, she studied journalism and later earned graduate degrees in psychology and Chinese medicine. She blames Hawaii for her addiction to writing, and sees no end to its untapped stories.

Thanks for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Radar Girls by Sara Ackerman. Thanks so much to MIRA and Sara Ackerman for letting me be a part of this fun tour. I'd definitely add this one to your reading list.

BLOG TOUR: The Right Side of Reckless by Whitney D. Grandison

 I am very excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for The Right Side of Reckless by Whitney D. Grandison. I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Inkyard Press and Whitney D. Grandison for letting me be a part of this fun tour! It's a no brainer for me to grab a book with a cute dog on it!

Title: The Right Side of Reckless

Author: Whitney D. Grandison

Published by: Inkyard Press

Released: July 13, 2021

Source: Electronic Review Copy through Netgalley provided by Publisher

Goodreads      Amazon

 

Synopsis: He’s never met a rule he didn’t break… She’s followed the rules her whole life… When they meet, one golden rule is established: stay away. Sparks fly in this edgy own voices novel, perfect for fans of Sandhya Menon, S. K. Ali, and Kristina Forest. 

They were supposed to ignore each other and respect that fine line between them…

Guillermo Lozano is getting a fresh start. New town, new school, and no more reckless behavior. He’s done his time, and now he needs to right his wrongs. But when his work at the local community center throws him into the path of the one girl who is off-limits, friendship sparks…and maybe more.

Regan London needs a fresh perspective. The pressure to stay in her “perfect” relationship and be the good girl all the time has worn her down. But when the walls start to cave in and she finds unexpected understanding from the boy her parents warned about, she can’t ignore her feelings anymore.

The disapproval is instant. Being together might just get Guillermo sent away. But when it comes to the heart, sometimes you have to break the rules and be a little bit reckless… (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: Classic bad boy meets good girl and sparks fly! This does an enjoyable job with that tried and true formula. I liked this. I definitely enjoyed my time reading this one.

It was easy to get through and it did a good job of keeping my interest. It was a little on the long side though, there were parts where it didn't feel like a whole lot was happening. I think it could have been a little shorter and gotten the same plot points across.

This was a cute story. It was fun to read. I liked the writing style and spending time with Guillermo and Regan. They did have some stuff to work out with themselves and with each other, but they did it.

If you're looking for a cute kind of romance to read, I'd say give this one a read. It's good.

Whitney D. Grandison is dedicated to telling stories about teens of color and teens in difficult but relatable situations. Some of her works can be found on Wattpad, one of the largest online story sharing platforms, where she has acquired over thirty thousand followers and an audience of over fifteen million dedicated readers. Outside of writing, she is a lover of Korean dramas, all things John Hughes, and horror films. Whitney currently lives in Akron, Ohio. She also the author of A Love Hate Thing.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for The Right Side of Reckless by Whitney D. Grandison. Thanks so much to Inkyard Press and Whitney D. Grandison for letting me be a part of this fun tour! I'd definitely recommend grabbing this book when you see it. It's the perfect summertime read.

Reading Right Now! (303)

 It's Friday! Yayy!

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

The Mary Shelley Club by Goldy Moldavsky -- I saw this on the library shelf and snagged it. I was kind of craving a scary sort of story. Maybe it's been because I've been watching the Fear Street movies on Netflix and really enjoying them. Fear Street 1666 is out today!! But I'm almost always a fan of YA Horror.

This is reading a little more high school then I thought it was going to be. Not a bad thing, just different from what I was expecting. It's pretty quick. Our main character definitely has some secrets. The Prologue started off with such a bang, and then all of a sudden, I was dropped into this rich kid prep school. We'll see what happens with it. 

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

BLOG TOUR: The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix

 I am very, very excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix. I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thank you soooo much to Berkley Books and Grady Hendrix for giving me the chance to read this one and be a part of the tour!

Title: The Final Girl Support Group

Author: Grady Hendrix

Published by: Berkley Books

Released: July 13, 2021

Source: Electronic Review Copy from Publisher through Netgalley

Goodreads     Amazon

 

Synopsis: A fast-paced, thrilling horror novel that follows a group of heroines to die for, from the brilliant New York Times bestselling author of The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires.

In horror movies, the final girl is the one who's left standing when the credits roll. The one who fought back, defeated the killer, and avenged her friends. The one who emerges bloodied but victorious. But after the sirens fade and the audience moves on, what happens to her?

Lynnette Tarkington is a real-life final girl who survived a massacre twenty-two years ago, and it has defined every day of her life since. And she's not alone. For more than a decade she's been meeting with five other actual final girls and their therapist in a support group for those who survived the unthinkable, putting their lives back together, piece by piece. That is until one of the women misses a meeting and Lynnette's worst fears are realized--someone knows about the group and is determined to take their lives apart again, piece by piece.

But the thing about these final girls is that they have each other now, and no matter how bad the odds, how dark the night, how sharp the knife, they will never, ever give up. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: I am a Grady Hendrix fan. I have almost all of his books on my shelf (or to be more accurate, stacks of books on my floor because I ran out of shelf space). I love the humor and the horror that Grady mixes and mashes into books. They are always fun to read and also very unnerving in one way or another.

I was so excited to read The Final Girl Support Group, and I wasn't disappointed. This was a slasher film delivered in book form. I had a lot of fun, a lot of gasps, and some definite nerves for our Final Girls. 

I just really enjoyed the ride this took me on. I loved the idea and set up for it. I loved the references to classic slashers. I had a good time with this book.

I can't wait to see what Grady Hendrix comes up with next! Go get this one!

Grady Hendrix is an award-winning novelist and screenwriter living in New York City. He is the author of Horrorstör, My Best Friend’s Exorcism (which is being adapted into a feature film by Amazon Studios), We Sold Our Souls, and the New York Times bestseller The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires (currently being adapted into a TV series). Grady also authored the Bram Stoker Award-winning nonfiction book, Paperbacks from Hell, a history of the horror paperback boom of the '70s and '80s.

Thank you for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix. Thanks so much to Berkley Books and Grady Hendrix for letting me be a part of the tour. I definitely recommend this one, give it a read!

BLOG TOUR: Up All Night: 13 Stories Between Sunset and Sunrise Edited by Laura Silverman

 I am very excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Up All Night: 13 Stories Between Sunset and Sunrise edited by Laura Silverman. I received a free copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Algonquin Young Readers and Laura Silverman for letting me be a part of this fun tour!

Title: Up All Night: 13 Stories Between Sunset and Sunrise

Edited by: Laura Silverman

Published by: Algonquin Young Readers

Released: July 13, 2021

Source: Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Goodreads     Amazon

 

Synopsis: When everyone else goes to bed, the ones who stay up feel like they’re the only people in the world. As the hours tick by deeper into the night, the familiar drops away and the unfamiliar beckons. Adults are asleep, and a hush falls over the hum of daily life. Anything is possible.

It’s a time for romance and adventure. For prom night and ghost hunts. It’s a time for breaking up, for falling in love—for finding yourself.

Stay up all night with these thirteen short stories from bestselling and award-winning YA authors like Karen McManus, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nina LaCour, and Brandy Colbert, as they take readers deep into these rarely seen, magical hours.

Full contributor list: Brandy Colbert, Kathleen Glasgow, Maurene Goo, Tiffany D. Jackson, Amanda Joy, Nina LaCour, Karen M. McManus, Anna Meriano, Marieke Nijkamp, Laura Silverman, Kayla Whaley, Julian Winters, Francesca Zappia (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: This was a very cute short story collection and I really enjoyed reading it. I thought all the stories did a great job of sticking to the theme. It had a great selection of well known authors, plus some that I was newly introduced to. It's just a very well put together collection.

If you're a fan of short story collections, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a read. It's as nice on the inside as it is pretty on the outside.

LAURA SILVERMAN earned her MFA in Writing for Children at the New School. She is the author of Girl Out of Water and You Asked for Perfect. You can reach out on Twitter at @LJSilverman1 or through her website LauraSilvermanWrites.com.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Up All Night: 13 Stories Between Sunset and Sunrise edited by Laura Silverman. Thanks so much to Algonquin Young Readers and Laura Silverman for letting me be a part of the tour. If you're looking for a good short story collection, get this one.

SPOTLIGHT: The Case of the Murderous Dr. Cream: The Hunt for a Victorian Era Serial Killer by Dean Jobb

 I am very excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for The Case of the Murderous Dr. Cream: The Hunt for a Victorian Era Serial Killer by Dean Jobb for a Spotlight Post! I received a free copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Algonquin Books and Dean Jobb for letting me be a part of the tour. There is something that is just strange, yet fascinating at seeing what monsters some humans can be. I loved that this brought to attention a case I'd never heard of. Jobb did a great job of telling this tragedy of the past in a really interesting and readable way.

Title: The Case of the Murderous Dr. Cream: The Hunt for a Victorian Era Serial Killer

Author: Dean Jobb

Published by: Algonquin Books

Released: July 13, 2021 (TODAY!!)

Source: Review Copy provided by Publisher

Goodreads      Amazon

 

Synopsis:  “When a doctor does go wrong he is the first of criminals,” Sherlock Holmes observed during one of his most baffling investigations. “He has nerve and he has knowledge.”

In the span of fifteen years, Dr. Thomas Neill Cream poisoned at least ten people in the United States, Britain, and Canada, a death toll with almost no precedents. Structured around Cream’s London murder trial in 1892, when he was finally brought to justice, The Case of the Murderous Dr. Cream exposes the blind trust given to medical practitioners, as well as the flawed detection methods, bungled investigations, corrupt officials, and stifling morality of Victorian society that allowed Cream to prey on vulnerable and desperate women, many of whom had turned to him for medical help.

Dean Jobb vividly re-creates this largely forgotten historical account against the backdrop of the birth of modern policing and newly adopted forensic methods, though most police departments still scoffed at using science to solve crimes. But then most police departments could hardly imagine that serial killers existed—the term was unknown at the time. As the Chicago Tribune wrote then, Cream’s crimes marked the emergence of a new breed of killer, one who operated without motive or remorse, who “murdered simply for the sake of murder.” (Synopsis from Goodreads)

Dean Jobb is an award-winning author and journalist and a professor at the University of King’s College in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he teaches in the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Nonfiction program. He is the author of eight previous books, including Empire of Deception, which the New York Times Book Review called “intoxicating and impressively researched” and the Chicago Writers Association named the Nonfiction Book of the Year. Jobb has written for major newspapers and magazines, including the Chicago Tribune, Toronto’s Globe and Mail, and the Irish Times. He writes a monthly true-crime column, “Stranger Than Fiction,” for Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine. His work as an investigative reporter has been nominated for Canada’s National Newspaper and National Magazine awards, and Jobb is a three-time winner of Atlantic Canada’s top journalism award.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for The Case of the Murderous Dr. Cream: The Hunt for a Victorian Era Serial Killer by Dean Jobb. Thanks so much to Algonquin Books and Dean Jobb for letting me be a part of the Tour and giving me the chance to read this fascinating and creepy book. If you are oddly captivated by true crime, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a read.

Review: Neon Gods (Dark Olympus #1) by Katee Robert

 

Title: Neon Gods (Dark Olympus #1)

Author: Katee Robert

Published by: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Released: June 1, 2021

Source: Electronic Review Copy through Netgalley from Publisher

Goodreads      Amazon

 

Synopsis: He was supposed to be a myth. But from the moment I crossed the River Styx and fell under his dark spell... he was, quite simply, mine. 

Society darling Persephone Dimitriou plans to flee the ultra-modern city of Olympus and start over far from the backstabbing politics of the Thirteen Houses. But all that’s ripped away when her mother ambushes her with an engagement to Zeus, the dangerous power behind their glittering city’s dark facade.

With no options left, Persephone flees to the forbidden undercity and makes a devil’s bargain with a man she once believed a myth... a man who awakens her to a world she never knew existed.

Hades has spent his life in the shadows, and he has no intention of stepping into the light. But when he finds that Persephone can offer a little slice of the revenge he’s spent years craving, it’s all the excuse he needs to help her—for a price. Yet every breathless night spent tangled together has given Hades a taste for Persephone, and he’ll go to war with Olympus itself to keep her close… 

A modern retelling of Hades and Persephone that’s as sinful as it is sweet. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher through Netgalley. Thanks so much to Sourcebooks Casablanca for giving me the chance to review an early copy.

Oooh boy, this was HOT, HOT, HOT! Very addictive. I was hooked. I really liked this modern take on the Greek gods. Persephone and Hades really had that spark!

I was a tad confused in the beginning in how the Greek gods worked, but the more I read, the more I got it. It was an interesting angle to the world.

The black door. The BLACK DOOR! Wow. Once Hades enters that room, he really does become King of the Underworld. I'm blushing. It's not a book that I want someone peeking over my shoulder while reading. Adult Content Ahead.

I'm definitely interested in reading the next book. Neon Gods takes a new spin on the Greek gods, and I enjoyed it. I do think it could have explained Olympus a little more, like how it kept itself separate from the outside world, but it's a really minor issue.

If you're not afraid of some jaw dropping romance, get it.

 

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4/5

Hot 

BLOG TOUR: 13 Days to Die by Matt Miksa

 I am excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for 13 Days to Die by Matt Miksa. I received a free copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Crooked Lane Books and Matt Miksa for letting me be a part of this action packed tour!

Title: 13 Days to Die

Author: Matt Miksa

 Published by: Crooked Lane Books

Released: March 9, 2021

Source: Electronic Review Copy from Publisher via Netgalley

Goodreads      Amazon

 

Synopsis: In a far-flung Tibetan village, prayer flags flap against whitewashed houses and a majestic monastery stretches to heaven. It's Shangri-La--the earthly paradise--until a stranger staggers out of the rainforest and collapses into a bloody, lifeless mass. He's the first victim of a crippling epidemic, but he's no ordinary man.

Olen Grave, an American intelligence officer, heads directly into the hot zone to investigate. Posing as a journalist, he joins the Chinese research team, led by a headstrong female virus hunter, Dr. Zhou Weilin. Together, the unlikely allies discover that Patient Zero was a spy who may have intentionally started the outbreak. But why? Who did he work for?

As Olen and Jo rush to uncover the shocking truth behind the epidemic, they unravel a twisted conspiracy that reaches from Beijing's great halls to Washington's corridors of power. With the superpowers now at the brink of war, the fate of the world will rest on the duo's shoulders. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

My Thoughts: This was an exciting and pulse pounding book. It really hit the ground running. It had a little bit of everything going on. I was never bored. I really appreciated how the author was a former FBI analyst. It brought some bits of knowledge that made the book feel more real.

Now, this book does deal with an epidemic, so after the year we've had, it has a sense of familiarity. Some people might want to stay far, far away from books dealing with deadly outbreaks of disease because it just feels too fresh. I am always a sucker for disaster books, so it didn't bother me. It was interesting reading it though after being stuck in a pandemic for so long.

This book had a lot going on in it. It was a fun read. I liked the characters, I liked the writing style, and 13 Days to Die took me on one crazy ride. I think Miksa did a great job and I'm interested to see what he writes next.

Matt Miksa is a former FBI intelligence analyst who helped prevent foreign spies from stealing America's secrets. Today, he writes espionage thrillers that blend history, politics, and science. Matt holds a graduate degree in China Studies from Columbia University and has spent time living in Beijing. He currently resides in Chicago with his wife and two young daughters.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for 13 Days to Die by Matt Miksa. Thanks so much to Crooked Lane Books and Matt Miksa for letting me be a part of the tour. If this book sounds like something you'd want to read, I'd definitely recommend giving it a go.

BLOG TOUR: Shutter by Melissa Larsen

 I am really excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Shutter by Melissa Larsen. I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Berkley Books and Melissa Larsen for letting me be a part of this tour! As soon as I saw this cover, I knew I wanted to read the book.

Title: Shutter

Author: Melissa Larsen

Published by: Berkley Books

Released: June 15, 2021

Source: Electronic Review Copy from Publisher through Netgalley

Goodreads      Amazon

 

Synopsis: A young woman agrees to star in a filmmaker's latest project, but soon realizes the movie is not what she expected in this chilling debut novel. 

In the wake of her father's death, Betty Roux doesn't allow herself to mourn. Instead, she pushes away her mother, breaks up with her boyfriend, and leaves everything behind to move to New York City. She doesn't know what she wants, except to run.

When she's offered the chance to play the leading role in mysterious indie filmmaker Anthony Marino's new project, she jumps at the opportunity. For a month Betty will live in a cabin on a private island off the coast of Maine, with a five-person cast and crew. Her mother warns against it, but Betty is too drawn to the charismatic Anthony to say no.

Anthony gives her a new identity--Lola--and Betty tells herself that this is exactly what she's been looking for. The chance to reinvent herself. That is, until they begin filming and she meets Sammy, the island's caretaker, and Betty realizes just how little she knows about the movie and its director. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: I was so intrigued by this cover and synopsis that I knew I had to read it. I just really liked the set up and idea for this novel. I wanted a little bit of a summer scare and this had some of that.

Oh Betty, Betty Roux. Our main character makes many bad decisions in this book. I know she's dealing with grief, but I just really wanted her to use her head. I'm not saying it's a bad idea to follow your dreams, but I just wanted her to think. Moving to New York City, pushing away her family and friends, it just seemed like she was taking such a drastic step. There were also so many red flags when it came to her starring role opportunity. If it sounds sketchy, that's probably because it is sketchy. I tend to get annoyed with characters who put themselves in dumb situations.

I did expect more of a scare from this story. Things were weird, and I was always interested to see where it was going to go, but I just expected a little more from it. Give me something super creepy and dangerous.

I liked the writing. I thought the story moved along pretty well. I'd be interested to see what Melissa Larsen writes next.

I really loved the idea for this story, I just wanted it to be a little more of a scare. I just wanted more from it.

Melissa Larsen has an M.F.A. from Columbia University and a B.A. from NYU's Gallatin School of Individualized Study. She has interned and worked extensively in publishing. She lives in San Francisco, and Shutter is her first novel.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Shutter by Melissa Larsen. Thanks so much to Berkley Books and Melissa Larsen for letting me be a part of the tour. If this one sounds good to you, I'd definitely say give it a read.