BLOG TOUR: Love, Hate & Clickbait by Liz Bowery

I'm excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Love, Hate & Clickbait by Liz Bowery! I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to MIRA and Liz Bowery for letting me be a part of the tour!

Title: Love, Hate & Clickbait

Author: Liz Bowery

Published by: MIRA

Released: April 26, 2022

Source: Electronic Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Goodreads      Amazon

 

Synopsis: Cutthroat political consultant Thom Morgan is thriving, working on the governor of California’s presidential campaign. If only he didn’t have to deal with Clay Parker, the infuriatingly smug data analyst who gets under Thom’s skin like it’s his job. In the midst of one of their heated and very public arguments, a journalist snaps a photo, but the image makes it look like they’re kissing. As if that weren’t already worst-nightmare territory, the photo goes viral—and in a bid to secure the liberal vote, the governor asks them to lean into it. Hard.

Thom knows all about damage control—he practically invented it. Ever the professional, he’ll grin and bear this challenge as he does all others. But as the loyal staffers push the boundaries of “giving the people what they want,” the animosity between them blooms into something deeper and far more dangerous: desire. Soon their fake relationship is hurtling toward something very real, which could derail the campaign and cost them both their jobs…and their hearts. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: I'm always a sucker for the fake dating trope. It's golden. Love, Hate & Clickbait was a good time.

This is also a book where the two characters really don't like each other, until they do. That is also a scenario I very much enjoy.

Thom and Clay are working in politics, and their situation does get used by the governor in order to win votes. I don't really like politicians, and I didn't really like that move.

I enjoyed reading this one. I think other people will enjoy it too. I'd definitely read more from this author.

Liz Bowery writes love stories about terrible people. Her interests include politics, cheese, TV shows you can't stop watching even when it's 3 AM, and playing Among Us with friends. Like most romance writers, she is a lawyer, and lives in Alexandria, Virginia with her family. Love, Hate & Clickbait is her debut novel.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Love, Hate & Clickbait by Liz Bowery. Thank you to MIRA and Liz Bowery for letting me be a part of the tour! If this one sounds good to you, definitely give it a go.

BLOG TOUR: The Wrong Victim by Allison Brennan

 I am thrilled to be a part of the Blog Tour for The Wrong Victim (Quinn & Costa #3) by Allison Brennan! I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to MIRA and Allison Brennan for letting me be a part of the tour.

Title: The Wrong Victim (Quinn & Costa #3)

Author: Allison Brennan

Published by: MIRA

Released: April 26, 2022

Source: Electronic Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Goodreads      Amazon

 

Synopsis: A bomb explodes on a sunset charter cruise out of Friday Harbor at the height of tourist season and kills everyone on board. Now this fishing and boating community is in shock and asking who would commit such a heinous crime—the largest act of mass murder in the history of the San Juan Islands.

Forensic profilers know there are two types of domestic terrorists: those who use violence to instill fear for political purposes but stop at murder because it detracts from the cause, and those who crave attention and are willing to maim and murder for their own agenda.

Accused of putting profits before people after leaking fuel that caused a massive fish kill, the West End Charter company may itself have been the target. But as special agent Matt Costa, detective Kara Quinn and the rest of the FBI team begin their investigation, they discover that plenty of people might have wanted someone dead on that yacht. Now they must track down who is responsible and stop them before they strike again. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: This was a fun reading time. It kept my interest throughout, and I couldn't wait to see how everything was going to end. I really enjoy books with a police procedural element to it. This is an FBI team that is investigating, and I enjoy their dynamic. This is the third book in the series and it's more satisfying if you've read the other books. The growth and dynamics of the team are more developed that way.

I was very interested in the case, seeing their steps to solve it, and figure out the why of it all. I liked this one.

ALLISON BRENNAN is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of over thirty novels. She has been nominated for Best Paperback Original Thriller by International Thriller Writers and the Daphne du Maurier Award. A former consultant in the California State Legislature, Allison lives in Arizona with her husband, five kids and assorted pets.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for The Wrong Victim by Allison Brennan. Thank you to MIRA and Allison Brennan for letting me be a part of the tour! I'd definitely grab this one when you see it.

BLOG TOUR: Shadow Fire by Christine Feehan

 I'm excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Shadow Fire (Shadow Riders #7) by Christine Feehan! I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Berkley Publishing Group and Christine Feehan for letting me take part in this tour!

Title: Shadow Fire (Shadow Riders #7)

Author: Christine Feehan

Published by: Berkley Publishing Group

Released: April 26, 2022

Source: Electronic Review Copy provided by Publisher

Goodreads      Amazon

 

Synopsis: Journey deeper into the world of Chicago’s most dangerous, alluring crime family in this incendiary installment of the Shadow Riders series from #1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan.

Shadow Rider Elie Archambault has been called many things: domineering, brash, loyal, but most of all fast. And there’s nothing faster than choosing to marry a woman you’ve never met. All he has is a signed contract and a list of his new bride’s expectations for their arranged marriage. He’s not expecting love or some happy ever after, just a partner that knows exactly what she signed up for. He’ll be faithful because he’s a man of honor, but she’ll never have his heart.... 

Elie knows who he is. A privileged member of the Archambault family. A skilled rider and fighter. A man who's always had things easy for all the wrong reasons. He's made his mistakes and lost his chance at real, true passion with his other half thanks to his own careless arrogance. Now he just wants to do his duty as a Shadow Rider and leave the past behind.

But Elie has no idea that his choice is about to spark a blaze that will burn all his carefully laid plans to the ground.... (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: I'm a sucker for books like this. I just devour them, which is what I did with Shadow Fire. I love an arranged marriage trope, so I was all in for this one. And then I find out it's an arranged marriage with a twist, these two characters already know one another and have a past romance. I also like second chance romances, so I knew that I was going to have a good time with this one. I had a great time with this book. It was perfect, escapist reading. 

I enjoyed the romance a lot, and I loved the rest of the story line too.

This is adult romance reading, so don't let that surprise you when you're flipping the pages.

This was a lot of fun and I can't wait to read more of this series.

Christine Feehan is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Carpathian series, the GhostWalker series, the Leopard series, the Shadow series and the Torpedo Ink series.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Shadow Fire by Christine Feehan. Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and Christine Feehan for letting me be a part of this tour. I don't think you can go wrong with this series, so I'd look out for this newest installment.

Reading Right Now! (333)

 Happy Friday! I'm ready for the weekend.

I'm still behind on the Orilium Readathon, but that's really not that shocking.

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

The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward -- I've heard such good things about this one in the horror/thriller reader community. I'm about 180 pages in, and so far, I'm just confused. There's a lot of confusion.

I feel like I can't say much about it because I don't want to give anything away. I am interested in the book. I want to know what's really going on. 

I don't think this is the most fast paced book, at least to me. It's kind of a slow burn mystery.

I hope to finish this this weekend and then hurry through the other books that I need to read for this readathon.

 

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

BLOG TOUR: The Paris Showroom by Juliet Blackwell

 I am excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for The Paris Showroom by Juliet Blackwell! I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Berkley Books and Juliet Blackwell for having me on the tour.

Title: The Paris Showroom

Author: Juliet Blackwell 

Published by: Berkley Books

Released: April 19, 2022

Source: Electronic Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Goodreads      Amazon

 

Synopsis: In Nazi-occupied Paris, a talented artisan must fight for her life by designing for her enemies. From New York Times bestselling author Juliet Blackwell comes an extraordinary story about holding on to hope when all seems lost.

Capucine Benoit works alongside her father to produce fans of rare feathers, beads, and intricate pleating for the haute couture fashion houses. But after the Germans invade Paris in June 1940, Capucine and her father must focus on mere survival—until they are betrayed to the secret police and arrested for his political beliefs. When Capucine saves herself from deportation to Auschwitz by highlighting her connections to Parisian design houses, she is sent to a little-known prison camp located in the heart of Paris, within the Lévitan department store.
There, hundreds of prisoners work to sort through, repair, and put on display the massive quantities of art, furniture, and household goods looted from Jewish homes and businesses. Forced to wait on German officials and their wives and mistresses, Capucine struggles to hold her tongue in order to survive, remembering happier days spent in the art salons, ateliers, and jazz clubs of Montmartre in the 1920s.
Capucine’s estranged daughter, Mathilde, remains in the care of her conservative paternal grandparents, who are prospering under the Nazi occupation. But after her mother is arrested and then a childhood friend goes missing, the usually obedient Mathilde finds herself drawn into the shadowy world of Paris’s Résistance fighters. As her mind opens to new ways of looking at the world, Mathilde also begins to see her unconventional mother in a different light.
When an old acquaintance arrives to go “shopping” at the Lévitan department store on the arm of a Nazi officer and secretly offers to help Capucine get in touch with Mathilde, this seeming act of kindness could have dangerous consequences. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this one. I liked learning something new about WWII and that time period. There are a lot of WWII historical's out there, but this one offered me things I'd never heard of before. Learning about the Levitan department store and the purpose that it served was really interesting. I could also really feel the danger of the characters having to tread carefully in the environment they found themselves in. One wrong move, and they could be sent to a place much more dangerous.

This book was also told from two points of view, which I thought worked well. We've got Capucine and her estranged daughter Mathilde. They are each doing what they can in this dangerous environment.

I really had a nice time reading this book. It gave me some different viewpoints and some information that I'd never known before. It also had a nice story flow and kept my interest.

Juliet Blackwell is the pseudonym for the New York Times bestselling author of Off the Wild Coast of Brittany and The Vineyards of Champagne. In addition to writing the beloved Witchcraft Mystery series and the Haunted Home Renovation series, she also coauthored the Agatha Award–nominated Art Lover’s Mystery series with her sister.

Thank you for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for The Paris Showroom by Juliet Blackwell. Thanks so much to Berkley Books and Juliet Blackwell for having me on the tour! This is one you should grab.

BLOG TOUR: Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez

 I'm excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez! I received an electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Berkley and Dolen Perkins-Valdez for letting me be a part of the tour!

Title: Take My Hand

Author: Dolen Perkins-Valdez

Published by: Berkley

Released: April 12, 2022

Source: Electronic Review Copy Provided by Publisher through Netgalley

Goodreads      Amazon

 

Synopsis: Inspired by true events that rocked the nation, a profoundly moving novel about a Black nurse in post-segregation Alabama who blows the whistle on a terrible wrong done to her patients, from the New York Times bestselling author of Wench. 

Montgomery, Alabama 1973. Fresh out of nursing school, Civil Townsend has big plans to make a difference, especially in her African American community. At the Montgomery Family Planning Clinic, she intends to help women make their own choices for their lives and bodies.

But when her first week on the job takes her down a dusty country road to a worn down one-room cabin, she’s shocked to learn that her new patients are children—just 11 and 13 years old. Neither of the Williams sisters has even kissed a boy, but they are poor and Black and for those handling the family’s welfare benefits that’s reason enough to have the girls on birth control. As Civil grapples with her role, she takes India, Erica and their family into her heart. Until one day, she arrives at the door to learn the unthinkable has happened and nothing will ever be the same for any of them.
Decades later, with her daughter grown and a long career in her wake, Dr. Civil Townsend is ready to retire, to find her peace and to leave the past behind. But there are people and stories that refuse to be forgotten.That must not be forgotten.
Because history repeats what we don’t remember. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: A very interesting a heart wrenching story. I really enjoyed reading this one. I also appreciated learning about this important part of history. It was hard to read it, hard to think about this happening to innocents. It's crazy to see that this wasn't even that far in the past. 

This story was well told and very emotional. It is definitely a story that we need not to forget.

Dolen Perkins-Valdez is the New York Times bestselling author of Wench and Balm. She was a finalist for two NAACP Image Awards and the Hurston/Wright Legacy Award for fiction, and she was awarded the First Novelist Award by the Black Caucus of the American Library Association. She lives in Washington, DC with her family.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez. Thank you to Berkley and Dolen Perkins-Valdez for having me on the tour! Make sure to look for this one on library or bookstore shelves.

BLOG TOUR: Mrs. England by Stacey Halls

 I am excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Mrs. England by Stacey Halls! I received an advanced electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to MIRA and Stacey Halls for letting me be a part of this tour!

Title: Mrs. England

Author: Stacey Halls

Published by: MIRA

Released: April 12, 2022

Source: Electronic Review Copy provided by Publisher

Goodreads      Amazon

 

Synopsis: Simmering with slow-burning menace,  Mrs. England  is a portrait of an Edwardian marriage, an enthralling tale of men and women, power and control, courage, truth and the very darkest deception.  

West Yorkshire, 1904. When recently graduated Ruby May takes a nanny position looking after the children of Charles and Lilian England, a wealthy couple from a powerful dynasty of mill owners, she hopes it will be the fresh start she needs. But as she adapts to life at the isolated Hardcastle House, it becomes clear something is not quite right about the beautiful, mysterious Mrs. England.

Distant and withdrawn, Lilian shows little interest in her children or charming husband and is far from the angel of the house Ruby was expecting.

As the warm, vivacious Charles welcomes Ruby into the family, a series of strange events forces her to question everything she thought she knew. Ostracized by the servants and increasingly uneasy, Ruby must face her own demons in order to prevent history from repeating itself. After all, there's no such thing as the perfect family—she should know. 

This captivating new feminist novel from Sunday Times bestselling author Stacey Halls  is her third work of fiction and proves her one of the most exciting and compelling new storytellers of our time. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: This book intrigued me from the start. The cover caught my eye and the synopsis grabbed my attention. I knew that I had to read it.

I really enjoy these kinds of stories. This story has a lovely, gothic feel to it. There are many secrets in this house, and it was a lot of fun to uncover them. This was a book where I just wanted to keep reading because I needed to know.

I won't say this is a fast paced book, but it does have a slow tension that pulls you in.

I really enjoyed this one. Stacey Halls hooked me.

Stacey Halls was born in 1989 and grew up in Lancashire, England. She studied journalism at the University of Central Lancashire and has worked as a journalist since the age of 21, writing for publications including The Independent, Fabulous magazine, Stylist and Psychologies. She lives in London with her husband. The Familiars is her first novel.

Thanks for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Mrs. England by Stacey Halls. Thank you to MIRA and Stacey Halls for having me on the tour! This is definitely one to add to your To Be Read list.

BLOG TOUR: Summer at the Cape by RaeAnne Thayne

 I am excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Summer at the Cape by RaeAnne Thayne! I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to HQN and RaeAnne Thayne for letting me be a part of the tour!

Title: Summer at the Cape

Author: RaeAnne Thayne

Published by: HQN

Released: April 12, 2022

Source: Electronic Review Copy provided by Publisher

Goodreads      Amazon

 

Synopsis: From the beloved bestselling author of Season of Wonder and The Cliff House  comes a poignant and uplifting novel about forgiveness, family and all the complications—and joy — that come with it  

As the older sibling to identical twins Violet and Lily, Cami Porter was always the odd sister out. The divide grew even wider when their parents split up—while the twins stayed in Cape Sanctuary with their free-spirited mother, Rosemary, fourteen-year-old Cami moved to LA with her attorney father. Nearly twenty years later, when Cami gets the terrible news that Lily has drowned saving a child’s life, her mother begs her to return home to help untangle the complicated estate issues her sister left behind.

Navigating their own strained relationship, Cami readjusts to the family and community she hasn’t known for decades, including the neighbor who stands in the way of her late sister’s dream, while Violet grieves the loss of her twin and struggles to figure out who she is now, without her other half, as the little girl Lily saved pulls her back into the orbit of the man she once loved. 

With poignancy and heart, RaeAnne Thayne once again delivers her charming signature blend of warmth, wit and wisdom. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

My Thoughts: I enjoyed this story. This is a story about family and dealing with the past. It's a family that has been separated, broken, and is trying to heal from that years later. Unfortunately, this coming back to family is preceded by tragedy. One of Cami's sisters has drowned, a sister that she hasn't seen in years. This story really made me think how fast time goes by, and how much time you have with those you love.

It also showed how divorce can effect so many people.

This was a pretty heartwarming story. It had a little romance, that was nice. It also had a lot about family. I liked it.

New York Times bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne finds inspiration in the beautiful northern Utah mountains where she lives with her family. Her books have won numerous honors, including six RITA Award nominations from Romance Writers of America and Career Achievement and Romance Pioneer awards from RT Book Reviews. She loves to hear from readers and can be reached through her website at www.raeannethayne.com.

Thank you for checking out my Blog Tour stop for Summer at the Cape by RaeAnne Thayne. Thanks to HQN and RaeAnne Thayne for having me on the tour. This is a great read for the warmer weather.

Review: The Girl in Red by Christina Henry

 

Title: The Girl in Red

Author: Christina Henry

Published by: Berkley

Released: June 18, 2019

Source: Netgalley Electronic Review Copy / Physical Copy through Library

 

Synopsis: A postapocalyptic take on the perennial classic "Little Red Riding Hood", about a woman who isn't as defenseless as she seems.

It's not safe for anyone alone in the woods. There are predators that come out at night: critters and coyotes, snakes and wolves. But the woman in the red jacket has no choice. Not since the Crisis came, decimated the population, and sent those who survived fleeing into quarantine camps that serve as breeding grounds for death, destruction, and disease. She is just a woman trying not to get killed in a world that doesn't look anything like the one she grew up in, the one that was perfectly sane and normal and boring until three months ago.

There are worse threats in the woods than the things that stalk their prey at night. Sometimes, there are men. Men with dark desires, weak wills, and evil intents. Men in uniform with classified information, deadly secrets, and unforgiving orders. And sometimes, just sometimes, there's something worse than all of the horrible people and vicious beasts combined. 

Red doesn't like to think of herself as a killer, but she isn't about to let herself get eaten up just because she is a woman alone in the woods....

 

My Thoughts:  

Magical Orilium Readathon Spring Semester: Shapeshifting
Netgalley e-arc / Physical Copy from Library
BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 3.5/5

<img src="https://media.giphy.com/media/XClzdxo4yMsPUt6R0J/giphy.gif">

Thanks so much to the publisher for letting me review this one.

I did not like the main character in this story. Red was a know-it-all, annoying, prickly, and always had to be right. If it was the end of the world, I would not want to be stuck with her. She just didn't have a personality that I enjoy. Red is also bi-racial and has a prosthetic leg, which are important parts to the story.
It was kind of weird to read this one in 2022, because it deals with a deadly pandemic. This was written and released before Covid. It was just a little strange reading about a disease called The Cough, quarantine, colleges and schools closing down and students being kept at home, masks. I mean, I think this disease was much more deadly, but if pandemics trigger you, maybe stay away.
I am always game for a post-apocalyptic book, but I think because I've read so many of them, this one didn't hit me as being an amazing one. It had the same ingredients, but it combined them in a meh way. The only character that really had any development was Red, so you didn't really get the chance to care or love for anyone else. That's an important part of post-apocalyptic books to me. I love the found family and I want to real some grief when we lose people. And then I didn't really like Red. Red loses people, but I didn't feel much when she lost them because it happened too quick, and those relationships hadn't been built up enough.
There was a cool angle regarding the virus that got introduced, but we didn't get the continuing story of that.
Red was also very anti-gun, which I just thought was stupid to be during an apocalypse. She even found a gun, and instead of keeping it just in case, she threw it in the middle of a lake. That's when I knew she wasn't smart. She wasn't adverse to killing people, she had an axe and would chop, chop, chop. What happens when she's not fast enough with her axe? She'd probably need that gun then.
There was also not really a struggle when it came to finding food. It seemed almost every store they stopped at had some, which felt too easy.
I was also irritated with the racism angle that was added, because it really made no sense for this pandemic apocalypse. Why would these racist guys show up to someone's house and tell them to come outside when there's a deadly, highly contagious virus going around.
I also wanted more from the ending. I wanted more closure. If I'm following this whole journey to get somewhere, I want to see a satisfying ending for that.
I enjoyed the writing in this and will definitely read more by Christina Henry. The main reason that I just thought this book was meh was because I didn't like Red. 

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 3.5/5

Can I join someone else's end-of-the-world team?

BLOG TOUR: Fool Me Once by Ashley Winstead

I'm excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Fool Me Once by Ashley Winstead! I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Graydon House and Ashley Winstead for having me on the tour.

 

 

Title: Fool Me Once

Author: Ashley Winstead

Published by: Graydon House

Released: April 5, 2022

Source: Electronic Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads      Amazon

 

Synopsis: Lee Stone is a twenty-first-century woman: she kicks butt at her job as a communications director at a women-run electric car company (that’s better than Tesla, thank you) and after work she is “Stoner,” drinking guys under the table and never letting any of them get too comfortable in her bed…That’s because Lee’s learned one big lesson: never trust love. After four major heartbreaks set her straight, from her father cheating on her mom all the way to Ben Laderman in grad school—who wasn’t actually cheating, but she could have sworn he was, so she reciprocated in kind.

Then Ben shows up five years later, working as a policy expert for the most liberal governor in Texas history, just as Lee is trying to get a clean energy bill rolling. Things get complicated—and competitive as Lee and Ben are forced to work together. Tension builds just as old sparks reignite, fanning the flames for a romantic dustup the size of Texas. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: I know Ashley Winstead from the thrillers she writes. I haven't read them yet, but they are on my stack that I want to read soon. I was definitely curious to see what Fool Me Once was going to be like, because it's not a thriller. 

I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was a lot of fun. This book is a second chance romance with some hard feelings towards each other. It was very fun to witness. I loved all the back and forth.

This book does contain cheating, which depending on how you feel about that, might flavor how you feel about this story.

If you're looking for a good romantic comedy to curl up with, I'd definitely recommend picking up this one. I'm also impressed with Winstead's range when it comes to genres. I'm definitely going to be reading more.

 

ASHLEY WINSTEAD is an academic turned novelist with a PhD in contemporary American literature. She lives in Houston with her husband, two cats, and beloved wine fridge. You can find her at www.ashleywinstead.com.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Fool Me Once by Ashley Winstead. Thank you to Graydon House and Ashley Winstead for letting me be a part of the tour. I'd definitely recommend picking up this one.

Reading Right Now! (332)

 Happy Magical Readathon Orilium Spring Semester! I am very excited about this readathon, which was created by G, BookRoast on Booktube (Book Youtube). I am already behind on where I probably should be, but it's fine. Everything is fine.

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

The Girl in Red by Christina Henry -- This is my first book for the readathon, and it fulfills the prompt to read a book that has something with claws on the cover. I think it covers the Shapeshifter course. This book has a big wolf on the cover, which has claws! This is also a book that I got as a Netgalley arc a while ago, so now I'm reading it. I checked out a physical copy from my library.

I'm really close to being finished with this one. It's a post-apocalyptic Red Riding Hood twist tale. There's a virus that has killed a bunch of people, and our main character Red is trying to get to her grandma's house.

So this book was written before the pandemic, and after living through a pandemic, some of it hits close. The disease is called The Cough, kills you pretty quickly. Colleges and schools closed down and never opened again. People are sent to quarantine camps. It even talks about people fighting over bottled water, if the author had only known it would really be toilet paper! haha.

I have so many Christina Henry books on my radar, pretty much all of her books I want to read.

I'm also always a sucker for a post-apocalyptic tale.

This one has been okay so far. I don't really like the main character Red so much. I find her to be a know-it-all, bossy, stubborn, preachy, prickly, thinks she's always right. I would not travel along with her in the apocalypse. Can't do it. She's also anti-gun, which makes no sense to be in a post-apocalyptic situation. She's not opposed to killing for protection, because she has an ax that she chops people up with. In the beginning of the story, she even has the opportunity to have a gun, just in case, but she decides to throw it in a lake. That's stupid.

And another thing!! So Red is biracial, her mom is black and her dad is white. Why, when there's a killer virus going around and a bunch of people are dying, would racist people decide that's the time to attack her family? That just doesn't make sense to me. Why would a truckload of racist rednecks pick that time to show up?

This is also told in two different timelines, a before and after. It's a really unneeded feature. I think the story would have worked better to have just started at the beginning. The timelines aren't even that far apart.

 

So that's what I'm Reading Right Now! I feel like I aired many grievances about this book, but I think it's okay. I don't hate it. Some of the things just annoy me. I'll definitely read more by Christina Henry. What are you reading?

BLOG TOUR: Summer on the Island by Brenda Novak

 I'm thrilled to be a part of the Blog Tour for Summer on the Island by Brenda Novak! I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Mira Books and Brenda Novak for letting me be a part of the tour.

Title: Summer on the Island

Author: Brenda Novak

Published by: Mira Books

Released: April 5, 2022

Source: Electronic Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads      Amazon

 

Synopsis: A summer of healing, friendship, love…and a secret that could change everything. 

After the death of her US senator father, Marlow Madsen travels to the small island off the coast of Florida where she spent summers growing up to help her mother settle the family estate. For Marlow, the trip is a chance to reconnect after too long apart. It’s also the perfect escape to help her feel grounded again — one she’s happy to share with friends Aida and Claire, who are hoping to hit reset on their lives, too.

A leisurely beachfront summer promises the trio of women the opportunity to take deep healing breaths and explore new paths. But when her father’s will reveals an earth-shattering secret that tarnishes his impeccable reputation and everything she thought she knew about her family, Marlow finds herself questioning her entire childhood — and aspects of her future. Fortunately, her friends, and the most unlikely love interest she could imagine, prove that happiness can be found no matter what — as long as the right people are by your side. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: This was a sweet book that was all about the journey. It's a story of friendship, healing, and taking a breather from the stresses of life. Marlow really learns a lot about herself in this story, and she also discovers who is really there for her.

Of course there's some drama, some secrets, some scandal! It all had me flipping the pages, waiting to see what was going to happen, how it was all going to get wrapped up.

I really enjoyed this. Sometimes, I just need this kind of read in my life, something nice.

New York Times bestselling author Brenda Novak has written over 60 novels. An eight-time Rita nominee, she's won The National Reader's Choice, The Bookseller's Best and other awards. She runs Brenda Novak for the Cure, a charity that has raised more than $2.5 million for diabetes research (her youngest son has this disease). She considers herself lucky to be a mother of five and married to the love of her life. www.brendanovak.com

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Summer on the Island by Brenda Novak. Thank you to Mira Books and Brenda Novak for letting me be a part of the tour! This book is a no-brainer to pick up and read.

BLOG TOUR: The Tiltersmith by Amy Herrick

 I'm excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for The Tiltersmith by Amy Herrick! I received a free copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Algonquin Young Readers and Amy Herrick for letting me be a part of the tour!

Title: The Tiltersmith

Author: Amy Herrick

Published by: Algonquin Young Readers

Released: April 5, 2022

Source: Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Goodreads     Amazon

 

Synopsis: Myths and monsters collide with climate chaos in a thrilling fantasy adventure.
  Spring has arrived in Brooklyn, New York, but winter refuses to let go. Sleet, snow, and even a tornado batter the city. Mr. Ross, the science teacher, believes climate change is the cause, but classmates Edward, Feenix, Danton, and Brigit suspect older, magical forces are at work. When a peculiar character calling himself Superintendent Tiltersmith appears with a keen interest in the foursome, their suspicions are confirmed, and they’re swept up in a battle of wits and courage.

The friends must protect a set of mysterious tools belonging to the Lady of Spring. If they can free her from her underground prison, winter will end. But if the Tiltersmith steals the tools, he will keep the Lady in his power and upset the balance of nature forever.

Perfect for readers of Madeleine L’Engle and Susan Cooper, The Tiltersmith returns to the world of Amy Herrick’s acclaimed Time Fetch in a timely, exciting stand-alone adventure. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: This was pretty fun. This book was adventure from the get go. Our characters are on an epic adventure to put things right. This was an easy book to get hooked to. I enjoyed going on this adventure and kept flipping the pages to see what was going to happen.

This book deals with climate change and it's consequences.

I enjoyed this. It was fun.

Amy Herrick grew up in Queens, New York, and attended SUNY Binghamton and the University of Iowa. She lives in Brooklyn, where she has raised two sons, taught pre-K and grade school, written books, and kept company with her husband and numerous pets. A retired teacher, she loves traveling, learning Spanish, and above all reducing her carbon footprint.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for The Tiltersmith by Amy Herrick. Thank you to Algonquin Young Readers and Amy Herrick for letting me be a part of the tour. Be on the lookout for this one.