BLOG TOUR: The Perfumist of Paris by Alka Joshi

 I'm excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for The Perfumist of Paris by Alka Joshi! I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to MIRA and Alka Joshi for letting me be a part of the tour!

Title: The Perfumist of Paris (The Jaipur Trilogy #3)

Author: Alka Joshi

Published by: MIRA

Released: March 28, 2023

Source: Electronic Review Copy Provided by Publisher

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Synopsis: The final chapter in Alka Joshi’s New York Times bestselling Jaipur trilogy takes readers to 1970s Paris, where Radha’s budding career as a perfumer must compete with the demands of her family and the secrets of her past.

Paris, 1974. Radha is now thirty-two and living in Paris with her husband, Pierre, and their two daughters. She still grieves for the baby boy she gave up years ago, when she was only a child herself, but she loves being a mother to her daughters, and she’s finally found her passion—the treasure trove of scents.

When her friend’s grandfather offered her a job at his parfumerie, she quickly discovered she had a talent—she could find the perfect fragrance for any customer who walked in the door. Now, ten years later, she’s working for a master perfumer, helping to design completely new fragrances for clients and building her career one scent at a time. She only wishes Pierre could understand her need to work. She feels his frustration, but she can’t give up this thing that drives her.

Tasked with her first major project, Radha travels to India, where she enlists the help of her sister, Lakshmi, and the courtesans of Agra—women who use the power of fragrance to seduce, tease and entice. She’s on the cusp of a breakthrough when she finds out the son she never told her husband about is heading to Paris to find her—upending her carefully managed world and threatening to destroy a vulnerable marriage. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: This was a satisfying end to the series, and I'm glad I got to read it. I really enjoyed following along on Radha's journey, so much has happened in her life. I really like her being a perfumist. The perfume angle is just a lot of fun to explore and discover.

Radha has a lot of stuff going on in this book. Career advancement and secrets from her past weave together to make a compelling story. I really couldn't wait to see how her story was going to end.

This series is one that more people should check out. This conclusion left me satisfied.

 Born in India and raised in the U.S. since she was nine, Alka Joshi has a BA from Stanford University and an MFA from California College of Arts. Joshi's debut novel, The Henna Artist,  immediately became a NYT bestseller, a Reese Witherspoon Bookclub pick, was Longlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, & is in development as a TV series. Her second novel, The Secret Keeper of Jaipur (2021), will be followed by a third in 2023.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for The Perfumist of Paris by Alka Joshi! Thank you to MIRA and Alka Joshi for letting me be a part of the tour. This series is definitely one to add to your TBR Stack.

BLOG TOUR: The New One by Evie Green

I'm excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for The New One by Evie Green! I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Berkley and Evie Green for letting me be a part of the tour!

 

 

Title: The New One

Author: Evie Green

Published by: Berkley 

Released: March 28, 2023

Source: Electronic Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Goodreads           Amazon

 

Synopsis: A suspenseful, cutting-edge novel about two parents who finally get the daughter they've always wanted--it's too bad she isn't real. From the author of We Hear Voices.

For Tamsyn and Ed, life is tough. They both work long hours for very little money and come home to their moody, rebellious daughter, Scarlett.

After a tragic accident leaves Scarlett comatose and with little chance of recovery, Tamsyn and Ed are out of options until a lifeline emerges in the form of an unusual medical trial. In exchange for the very best treatment for Scarlett, a fully furnished apartment, and a limitless spending account, the family must agree to move to Switzerland and welcome an artificial copy of their daughter into their home.

Suddenly their life is transformed. Tamsyn and Ed want for nothing, and the AI replacement, Sophie, makes it feel just like having their daughter back--except without all the bad parts. Sophie is engaged, happy, and actually wants to spend time with her parents.

But things take a turn for the worse when Scarlett makes a very real recovery and the family discovers that the forces behind their new life are darker than they ever could have imagined. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

My Thoughts: Weird stuff is going on in this story! What I really love about fiction, especially science fiction, is that it allows us to imagine weird future stuff. I knew I wanted to read this one as soon as I read the synopsis. I was just so curious as to how this story was going to go. I really couldn't look away from this one.

It does deal with some sadness. Tamsyn and Ed's daughter has a bad accident and there's not a lot of hope for recovery. Her parents get offered a medical trial where their daughter is given back to them in the form of an AI clone. Things are going well, until they don't!

I really enjoyed this one. I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next. It was a good reading time. If this sounds interesting to you, I'd definitely recommend it.

 

 

 

 

  Evie Green is a pseudonym for a British author who has written professionally for her entire adult life. She lives by the sea in England with her husband, children, and guinea pigs, and loves writing in the very early morning, fueled by coffee.

 

  

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for The New One by Evie Green. Thank you to Berkley and Evie Green for letting me be a part of the tour. This is definitely a fun one to add to your TBR!

 

BLOG TOUR: Her Lost Words by Stephanie Marie Thornton

 I'm excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Her Lost Words by Stephanie Marie Thornton! I received a free electronic copy from the publisher for honest review. Thanks so much to Berkley Books and Stephanie Marie Thornton for letting me be a part of the tour!

Title: Her Lost Words: A Novel of Mary Wollstonecraft and Mary Shelley

Author: Stephanie Marie Thornton

Published by: Berkley Books

Released: March 28, 2023

Source: Electronic Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Goodreads           Amazon

 

Synopsis: From A Vindication of the Rights of Woman to Frankenstein, a tale of two literary legends--a mother and daughter--discovering each other and finding themselves along the way, from USA Today bestselling author Stephanie Marie Thornton.

1792. As a child, Mary Wollstonecraft longed to disappear during her father's violent rages. Instead, she transforms herself into the radical author of the landmark volume A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, in which she dares to propose that women are equal to men. From conservative England to the blood-drenched streets of revolutionary France, Mary refuses to bow to society's conventions and instead supports herself with her pen until an illicit love affair challenges her every belief about romance and marriage. When she gives birth to a daughter and is stricken with childbed fever, Mary fears it will be her many critics who recount her life's extraordinary odyssey...

1818. The daughter of infamous political philosopher Mary Wollstonecraft, passionate Mary Shelley learned to read by tracing the letters of her mother's tombstone. As a young woman, she desperately misses her mother's guidance, especially following her scandalous elopement with dashing poet Percy Bysshe Shelley. Mary struggles to balance an ever-complicated marriage with motherhood while nursing twin hopes that she might write something of her own one day and also discover the truth of her mother's unconventional life. Mary's journey will unlock her mother's secrets, all while leading to her own destiny as the groundbreaking author of Frankenstein.

A riveting and inspiring novel about a firebrand feminist, her visionary daughter, and the many ways their words transformed our world. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: This was a really interesting novel covering the lives of two fascinating women. I really enjoyed it! I could tell that the author was really invested in her subject.

Historical Fiction can be funny, because you're getting a fictionalized version of the life of real people. You know that not everything is true or factual, but it feels like it is. The two Mary's had really fascinating lives, and I enjoyed reading about them.

I think the author did a great job writing about these two literary minds. It was an interesting story that I had a good time reading.

 

Stephanie Marie Thornton is a high school history teacher and lives in Alaska with her husband and daughter.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Her Lost Words by Stephanie Marie Thornton. Thank you to Berkley Books and Stephanie Marie Thornton for letting me be a part of the tour! If you're interested in history and women, then I definitely recommend checking this one out!

BLOG TOUR: Jane & Edward: A Modern Reimagining of Jane Eyre by Melodie Edwards

 I'm excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Jane & Edward: A Modern Reimagining of Jane Eyre by Melodie Edwards! I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Berkley Books and Melodie Edwards for letting me be a part of the tour.

Title: Jane & Edward: A Modern Reimagining of Jane Eyre

Author: Melodie Edwards

Published by: Berkley Books

Released: March 21, 2023

Source: Electronic Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Goodreads           Amazon

 

Synopsis: This powerful reimagining of Jane Eyre, set in a modern-day law firm, is full of romance and hope as it follows the echoing heartbeats of the classic story.

A former foster kid, Jane has led a solitary life as a waitress in the suburbs, working hard to get by. Tired of years of barely scraping together a living, Jane takes classes to become a legal assistant and shortly after graduating accepts a job offer at a distinguished law firm in downtown Toronto. Everyone at the firm thinks she is destined for failure because her boss is the notoriously difficult Edward Rosen, the majority stakeholder of Rosen, Haythe & Thornfield LLP. But Jane has known far worse trials and refuses to back down when economic freedom is so close at hand.

Edward has never been able to keep an assistant--he's too loud, too messy, too ill-tempered. There's something about the quietly competent, delightfully sharp-witted Jane that intrigues him though. As their orbits overlap, their feelings begin to develop--first comes fondness and then something more. But when Edward's secrets put Jane's independence in jeopardy, she must face long-ignored ghosts from her past and decide if opening her heart is a risk worth taking. (Synopsis from Goodreads)
 

My Thoughts: I have not yet read the source material this is a reimagining of, Jane Eyre, but I enjoyed this book anyway! I'm bad at reading classics, but I love reading things based off classics. I know it doesn't make a lot of sense, but we are here anyway.

This was a fantastic debut! The characters were really fun to follow. The romance was one that I wanted to happen. It was satisfying. The writing also had a lot of humor to it, which I enjoyed.

I really liked our characters of Jane and Edward. They were well fleshed out and it was just fun reading about them. The romance was good too.

I really enjoyed this one. I think a lot of other people would enjoy it too. Great debut. I can't wait to see what Melodie Edwards writes next!

 Melodie Edwards has a BA from the University of Toronto, a master’s degree from McMaster University and Syracuse University (2023), studied comedy writing at the Second City Training Centre, and works in communications. Jane & Edward is her first novel.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Jane & Edward by Melodie Edwards! Thank you to Berkley Books and Melodie Edwards for letting me be a part of the tour. This is a debut you should pick up, especially if you're a fan of Jane Eyre.

BLOG TOUR: In Isabeau's Eyes by Lora Leigh

 I'm excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for In Isabeau's Eyes by Lora Leigh! I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Berkley and Lora Leigh for letting me be a part of the tour!

Title: In Isabeau's Eyes (Kentucky Nights #1)

Author: Lora Leigh

Published by: Berkley

Released: March 21, 2023

Source: Electronic Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Goodreads          Amazon

 

Synopsis: The first novel in a new series from #1 New York Times bestselling author Lora Leigh—you've met the Mackays; now it's time to meet their friends.

Danger is stalking Isabeau Boudreaux. After the deaths of her parents ten years ago during a violent attack that left her blind, remnants of her vision are returning. But a series of accidents has convinced her friends the Mackays of Somerset, Kentucky, that someone wants her dead. When a roadside blowout proves to be almost fatal for Isabeau and her good friend Angel, Angel’s brother mercenary Tracker Calloway knows this was no accident.

After a particularly bloody job, the last thing Tracker wants to do is get involved. But whoever is after Isabeau almost hurt his sister, and Isabeau is the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen. Tracker is determined to protect her but knows staying away from Isabeau is impossible. He begins a steady seduction to tempt the innocent woman into a world of hunger like she could have never imagined. And keeping her is the only option—if he can save her from an unknown enemy as her sight begins to slowly return. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: I definitely enjoyed this one. It was the perfect kind of read to stick between all my fantasy and horror books. There was a lot going on in this book, danger around every corner for Isabeau, who has gone through a lot.

I enjoyed Tracker and Isabeau's story, them coming together, it was nice.

This is definitely a book you read for enjoyment. There's a lot of crazy stuff happening, but you just have to go with it.

This is the spin-off of another series by Lora Leigh, so there are a lot of characters that have appeared in other books. I don't think I've read those other books, but I would like to check them out.

Lora Leigh lives in the rolling hills of Kentucky, often found absorbing the ambience of this peaceful setting. She dreams in bright, vivid images of the characters intent on taking over her writing life, and fights a constant battle to put them on the hard drive of her computer before they can disappear as fast as they appeared. Lora's family, and her writing life co-exist, if not in harmony, in relative peace with each other. Surrounded by a menagerie of pets, friends, and a teenage son who keeps her quick wit engaged, Lora's life is filled with joys, aided by her fans whose hearts remind her daily why she writes.

She can often be found daydreaming and plotting and planning with the varied characters that fill her imagination when she isn't planning her flower gardens, watching the horses romp outside her home, or spending time with the family and pets she fills her life with. Writing is her passion, her peace, and her lifeline. She hopes you enjoy the stories, and that you visit her website www.loraleigh.com often for updates and news on characters and upcoming books

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for In Isabeau's Eyes by Lora Leigh! Thank you to Berkley and Lora Leigh for letting me be a part of the tour. This is definitely one to add to your tbr.

BLOG TOUR: The Last Russian Doll by Kristen Loesch

I'm excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for The Last Russian Doll by Kristen Loesch! I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Berkley and Kristen Loesch for letting me be a part of the tour!

 

 

Title: The Last Russian Doll

Author: Kristen Loesch

Published by: Berkley

Released: March 14, 2023

Source: Electronic Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Goodreads          Amazon

 

Synopsis: A haunting, epic novel about betrayal, revenge, and redemption that follows three generations of Russian women, from the 1917 revolution to the last days of the Soviet Union, and the enduring love story at the center.

In a faraway kingdom, in a long-ago land...

...a young girl lived happily in Moscow with her family: a sister, a father, and an eccentric mother who liked to tell fairy tales and collect porcelain dolls.

One summer night, everything changed, and all that remained of that family were the girl and her mother.

Now, a decade later and studying at Oxford University, Rosie has an English name, a loving fiancé, and a promising future, but all she wants is to understand--and bury--the past. After her mother dies, Rosie returns to Russia, armed with little more than her mother’s strange folklore--and a single key.

What she uncovers is a devastating family history that spans the 1917 Revolution, the siege of Leningrad, Stalin’s purges, and beyond.

At the heart of this saga stands a young noblewoman, Tonya, as pretty as a porcelain doll, whose actions—and love for an idealistic man—will set off a sweeping story that reverberates across the century.... (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: The synopsis and cover definitely pulled me in for The Last Russian Doll. I always love books where you discover secrets from the past. I also love a good historical fiction from time to time.

This is a dual timeline book, and both of the timelines were captivating to read. I enjoyed Rosie's story as well as Tonya's story. There were some parts that were very brutal, which showcased just how much these characters had to deal with.

This covers some big parts of Russia's history that were very interesting to read and learn about.

I enjoyed this one. It's not an easy read. It covers a lot of darkness, but also shows the resilience and courage of people. If you like historical fiction and fiction about Russia, then you'll want to check this one out.

 

 

 Kristen Loesch grew up in San Francisco. She holds a BA in history as well as a master’s degree in Slavonic studies from the University of Cambridge. Her debut historical novel, The Last Russian Doll, was short-listed for the Caledonia Novel Award and long-listed for the Bath Novel Award, under a different title. It is published or forthcoming in 10 countries. After a decade living in Europe, she now resides in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and children. 

 

 

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for The Last Russian Doll by Kristen Loesch. Thank you to Berkley and Kristen Loesch for letting me be a part of the tour. If you like family secrets and history, then this is definitely one to check out.

 

 

BLOG TOUR: I Love It When You Lie by Kristen Bird

 I am very excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for I Love It When You Lie by Kristen Bird! I received an advance electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to MIRA and Kristen Bird for letting me be a part of the tour!

Title: I Love It When You Lie

Author: Kristen Bird

Published by: MIRA

Released: March 14, 2023

Source: Electronic Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Goodreads          Amazon

 

Synopsis: The Williams women don’t just keep secrets…

They bury them.

Just days before her eightieth birthday, Pearl Williams has the gall to up and die on everyone. Now her granddaughters must make plans for a proper send-off…all while their own lives unravel a little more each day.

Tara, the pastor’s wife, makes a series of decisions that could scatter his flock. Then there’s June, who would do anything to have a baby of her own, even if her husband won’t. Clementine, the youngest, is entangled in an affair with her professor, desperate to ignore who he really is. Finally, there’s Stephanie, the sister-in-law—an outsider who knows all the family dirt.

But Gran won’t be the only one they’ll put in a grave this weekend…because now someone has gone missing in the dark Appalachian woods.

And if Gran has taught them anything, it’s how to get rid of a good-for-nothin’ man… (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: I love books about secrets, so I was drawn to this one just from reading the synopsis. I also love Appalachia as a setting.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a great mystery with characters that always kept me guessing. I liked being a spectator in this book, just watching it all go down.

I had a good time piecing everything together in this book. It's not told in the most linear of ways, but that style definitely kept my attention.

This was a good book, and I enjoyed my time reading it.

Kristen Bird lives outside of Houston, Texas with her husband and three daughters. She earned her bachelor’s degree in music and mass media before completing a master’s in literature. She teaches high school English and writes with a cup of coffee in hand. In her free time, she likes to visit parks with her three daughters, watch quirky films with her husband and attempt to keep pace with her rescue lab-mixes. THE NIGHT SHE WENT MISSING is her debut novel.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for I Love It When You Lie by Kristen Bird. Thank you to MIRA and Kristen Bird for letting me be a part of the tour. You should definitely check this one out!

BLOG TOUR: Daugthers of Nantucket by Julie Gerstenblatt

I'm excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Daughters of Nantucket by Julie Gerstenblatt! I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to MIRA and Julie Gerstenblatt for letting me be a part of the tour!

 

 

Title: Daughters of Nantucket

Author: Julie Gerstenblatt

Published by: MIRA

Released: March 14, 2023

Source: Electronic Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Goodreads          Amazon

 

Synopsis: Set against Nantucket’s Great Fire of 1846, this sweeping, emotional novel brings together three courageous women battling to save everything they hold dear…

Nantucket in 1846 is an island set apart not just by its geography but by its unique circumstances. With their menfolk away at sea, often for years at a time, women here know a rare independence—and the challenges that go with it.

Eliza Macy is struggling to conceal her financial trouble as she waits for her whaling captain husband to return from a voyage. In desperation, she turns against her progressive ideals and targets Meg Wright, a pregnant free Black woman trying to relocate her store to Main Street. Meanwhile, astronomer Maria Mitchell loves running Nantucket’s Atheneum and spending her nights observing the stars, yet she fears revealing the secret wishes of her heart.

On a sweltering July night, a massive fire breaks out in town, quickly kindled by the densely packed wooden buildings. With everything they possess now threatened, these three very different women are forced to reevaluate their priorities and decide what to save, what to let go and what kind of life to rebuild from the ashes of the past. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

My Thoughts: I love learning new to me historical stories. When I read the synopsis for Daughters of Nantucket, I was super intrigued. Not only was I excited about the story of these three different women, but I'd also never heard of Nantucket's Great Fire of 1846. It showcased a fascinating time and place in history that I really enjoyed reading about.

I really enjoyed following this story. I loved the setting of 1846 Nantucket. It really came to life and just seemed like such an interesting place to live.

I liked our three characters of Eliza, Meg, and Maria. They were all struggling with different situations, and I was interested in each of their stories.

I was really drawn into the writing of this book and couldn't wait to see how things played out. 

This was definitely an enjoyable reading experience. I loved learning about a piece of history that I'd never heard before. I'd definitely recommend this one for readers of historical fiction.

 

 Julie Gerstenblatt holds a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from Teachers College, Columbia University. Her essays have appeared in The Huffington Post and Cognoscenti, among others. When not writing, Julie is a college essay coach, as well as a producer and on-air host for A Mighty Blaze. A native New Yorker, Julie now lives in coastal Rhode Island with her family and one very smart shichon poo. Daughters of Nantucket is her first novel.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Daughters of Nantucket by Julie Gerstenblatt! Thank you to MIRA and Julie Gerstenblatt for letting me be a part of the tour. If you're a fan of historical fiction, I'd definitely recommend checking this one out.

Reading Right Now! (344)

 I haven't done one of these in forever, and it's because I'm just lazy. I felt like doing one today though.

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

The Whispering Skull (Lockwood and Co #2) by Jonathan Stroud - I watched Season 1 of Lockwood and Co on Netflix, and I absolutely loved it! I knew I had to read the books. The show covers Books 1 and 2. I really, really want Netflix to give the show a season 2, so I need everyone to watch it! Please.

Book 2 takes place seven months after the events in Book 1. Lockwood and Co get a job to neutralize a grave that gives bad psychic vibes. Everything goes fine, until George gets a little too curious, and now they have to find a stolen artifact.

I love the banter and humor between our three characters. There's a great found family aspect. I also love the spooky ghosts.

I'm excited to read more of this and continue on with the rest of the series.

 

What are you Reading Right Now!?

BLOG TOUR: Cold-Blooded Liar by Karen Rose

 I'm excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Cold-Blooded Liar by Karen Rose! I received a free electronic copy for honest review. Thanks so much to Berkley Books and Karen Rose for letting me be a part of the tour!

Title: Cold-Blooded Liar

Author: Karen Rose

Published by: Berkley Books

Released: February 28, 2023

Source: Electronic Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Goodreads           Amazon

 

Synopsis: Sam Reeves is a kindhearted psychologist who treats court-ordered clients. After one of his patients--a pathological liar--starts revealing plausible new details from a long-unsolved serial murder case, he's compelled to report anonymously to the SDPD tip line, though his attempts to respect patient confidentiality land him facedown and cuffed by the aggressive (and cute) Detective McKittrick.

San Diego homicide detective Kit McKittrick loves the water. She lives on a boat, and when she's not solving crimes with the SDPD, she's assisting her foster sister with her charter fishing business, scuba diving, or playing with her poodle. But there's nothing that intrigues Kit more than a cold case, so when an anonymous caller leads her on the path of a wanted killer, she's determined to end the decade-long manhunt.

Sam is soon released but goes home with both a newfound distaste for the SDPD and a resolve—not unlike Kit's—to uncover the truth. Kit and Sam repeatedly butt heads in their separate investigations but are forced to work together to find one of the deadliest serial killers the city has faced in a decade. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: I enjoyed reading this one. I love a cold case aspect with two individuals trying to solve it and butting heads. That dynamic always works for me.

This story kept me hooked and I couldn't wait to see how it ended.

I'd definitely keep this one on your radar. It delivers exactly what it promises.

 Karen Rose is the award-winning, #1 international bestselling author of more than twenty-five novels, including the bestselling Baltimore and Cincinnati series. She has been translated into twenty-three languages, and her books have placed on the New York Times, the Sunday Times (UK), and Germany's der Spiegel bestseller lists.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Cold-Blooded Liar by Karen Rose. Thank you to Berkley Books and Karen Rose for letting me be a part of the tour. You should definitely pick this one up.