BLOG TOUR: Trashlands by Alison Stine

I am very excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Trashlands by Alison Stine! I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to MIRA and Alison Stine for letting me be a part of the tour.

 

 

Title: Trashlands

Author: Alison Stine

Published by: MIRA

Released: October 26, 2021

Source: Electronic Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads      Amazon

 

Synopsis: From the author of Road Out of Winter, winner of the 2021 Philip K. Dick Award, comes a resonant, visionary novel about the power of art and the sacrifices we are willing to make for the ones we love 

A few generations from now, the coastlines of the continent have been redrawn by floods and tides. Global powers have agreed to not produce any new plastics, and what is left has become valuable: garbage is currency.

In the region-wide junkyard that Appalachia has become, Coral is a “plucker,” pulling plastic from the rivers and woods. She’s stuck in Trashlands, a dump named for the strip club at its edge, where the local women dance for an endless loop of strangers and the club's violent owner rules as unofficial mayor.

Amid the polluted landscape, Coral works desperately to save up enough to rescue her child from the recycling factories, where he is forced to work. In her stolen free hours, she does something that seems impossible in this place: Coral makes art.

When a reporter from a struggling city on the coast arrives in Trashlands, Coral is presented with an opportunity to change her life. But is it possible to choose a future for herself?

Told in shifting perspectives, Trashlands is a beautifully drawn and wildly imaginative tale of a parent's journey, a story of community and humanity in a changed world. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: The first thing that grabbed my attention about this book was the cover. I loved the colors and tones. It really conveyed this bleak world. The next thing that caught my attention was the synopsis. Everything about it sounded super interesting, and I was hooked.

This presented a very interesting, and bleak world. We've destroyed everything, and trash has become treasure. It's bleak, but I do love a bleak book.

This is also told in multiple POV's, with some shifting timelines. I enjoyed the way that it was told. I was interested in all the perspectives.

This was a very engaging read. I enjoyed the time I spent in this story. I'd definitely look for this one on the shelves and give it a read.

 

 

 

Alison Stine grew up in rural Ohio and now lives in Colorado. Her first novel, Road Out of Winter, won the 2021 Philip K. Dick Award. Recipient of grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and National Geographic, she has been published in The New York Times, The Atlantic, and elsewhere. 

 

 

Thank you so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Trashlands by Alison Stine. Thank you to MIRA and Alison Stine for letting me be a part of the tour! I'd definitely recommend checking this one out.

 

 

BLOG TOUR: How Do You Live? by Genzaburo Yoshino

 I am very excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for How Do You Live? by Genzaburo Yoshino! I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Algonquin Young Readers for letting me be a part of this tour!

Title: How Do You Live?

Author: Genzaburo Yoshino

Published by: Algonquin Young Readers

Released: October 26, 2021

Source: Electronic Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads      Amazon

 

Synopsis: Anime master Hayao Miyazaki’s favorite childhood book, in English for the first time.  

First published in 1937, Genzaburō Yoshino’s How Do You Live? has long been acknowledged in Japan as a crossover classic for young readers. Academy Award–winning animator Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Howl’s Moving Castle) has called it his favorite childhood book and announced plans to emerge from retirement to make it the basis of a final film.
How Do You Live? is narrated in two voices. The first belongs to Copper, fifteen, who after the death of his father must confront inevitable and enormous change, including his own betrayal of his best friend. In between episodes of Copper’s emerging story, his uncle writes to him in a journal, sharing knowledge and offering advice on life’s big questions as Copper begins to encounter them. Over the course of the story, Copper, like his namesake Copernicus, looks to the stars, and uses his discoveries about the heavens, earth, and human nature to answer the question of how he will live.
This first-ever English-language translation of a Japanese classic about finding one’s place in a world both infinitely large and unimaginably small is perfect for readers of philosophical fiction like The Alchemist and The Little Prince, as well as Miyazaki fans eager to understand one of his most important influences. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: What an interesting little book. I really love how it has influenced so many creators. I'm glad I got to experience the story for myself. I had actually never heard of this book before I got the email about it. I love having the ability to read books from different writers and perspectives that may have been hidden to me before.

This book tells a story, and through that initial story, it imparts all kinds of lessons. I liked the way it all worked. It definitely made me think.

I'd definitely recommend having this book on your shelves. It's very thought provoking.

Genzaburō Yoshino (1899-1981) was a Japanese writer and publisher. In 1935, he became director of a collection of educational books for young people. Yoshino stepped in to write How Do You Live? when Yūzō Yamamoto, the expected writer, fell ill. Since its debut as a novel and guide to philosophy for young people, How Do You Live? has been re-edited and republished more than eighty times, a reflection of the changing times and culture in Japan.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for How Do You Live? by Genzaburo Yoshino. Thank you to Algonquin Young Readers for letting me be a part of this tour! This one is great to add to your shelves.

BLOG TOUR: Holly Jolly Cowboy by Jessica Clare

 So, I know that Halloween hasn't yet passed, but I'm bringing a little Christmas to the page. I'm excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Holly Jolly Cowboy by Jessica Clare! I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Berkley Books and Jessica Clare for letting me be a part of this tour.

Title: Holly Jolly Cowboy

Author: Jessica Clare

Published by: Berkley Books

Released: October 26, 2021

Source: Electronic Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads     Amazon

 

Synopsis: From New York Times bestselling author Jessica Clare comes a Christmas romance about a cowboy grinch and the woman who stole his heart. 

Local waitress Holly Dawson needs a better paying job to cover her sister's college tuition. Given that it's Christmas and she's broke as a joke, she's feeling pretty bah-humbug. New jobs are hard to come by in a town as small as Painted Barrel, especially as the town dropout.

When Holly's offered a job at the Flat C Ranch to clean and cook for the cowboys that work there, it seems like a dream come true...except for one thing. Her nemesis, the incredibly handsome (and annoyingly arrogant) Adam Calhoun works there. It doesn't matter that he loves dogs more than people, or that he's a war veteran. No Christmas spirit can save that particular grinch.

When the rest of the ranch hands go out of town for the holidays, Holly and Adam will be forced to work closely together. No sweat. Holly can deal with Adam. And if she doesn't kill him first, she just might fall in love. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

My Thoughts: This story is very cute. I had a good time reading this. Our main man, Adam, is a grinch. It says so right in the synopsis, and he is very grumpy in this story. He definitely had some groveling he had to do.

I'm not in the Christmas spirit yet, but this book did bring me some Christmas cheer. I really enjoyed Holly's story. She has a lot of determination.

I also really liked the ranch setting, which was made even sweeter when they were left alone at it when everyone else went home for the holidays. Nothing is better then that particular trope.

I thought this was very cute and romantic. It was definitely a good time.

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Jessica Clare writes under three pen names. As Jessica Clare, she writes erotic contemporary romance. As Jessica Sims, she writes fun, sexy shifter paranormals. She also has a third pen name, because three is more fun than two. As Jill Myles, she writes a little bit of everything, from sexy, comedic urban fantasy to fairy tales gone wrong. She lives in a teeny tiny town in North Texas that has no Starbucks, which is a cruel and unusual punishment. She spends her time with her husband, pets, and Keurig. Because, coffee.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Holly Jolly Cowboy by Jessica Clare. Thank you to Berkley Books and Jessica Clare for letting me be a part of the tour. Pick this one up for a little Christmas Cheer!

Reading Right Now! (316)

 So, I never mentioned that I was taking part in a readathon called Spoopathon, which is all about escaping from a haunted house. You follow a path, you read books, it's very Halloweeny, and I'm having fun. I now have just one more prompt and I escape!!

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

A Stitch in Time by Kelley Armstrong -- So, I actually just finished this one, but I still wanted to mention it. It was so good!! It's a gothic, time travel romance, with some ghosts. It's main focus is on the romance. I just really liked it. It's like a fantasy dream kind of thing. It just made me happy while I was reading it. I did get a Review Copy though Netgalley, but I picked up a physical copy from my library. The paper smelled very nice in this one. You know what I'm talking about.

Desperate Measures (Wicked Villains #1) by Katee Robert -- This one is a very heavy romance. The kind of romance that you don't want people looking over your shoulder while you're reading it. I've been hearing about this series a lot on booktube and bookstagram, and I wanted to check it out for myself. It starts pretty much from the first page. I'm blushing.

Strange the Dreamer (#1) by Laini Taylor -- This is what I'm planning to start next. I'm supposed to be buddy reading this with my friends Ke-sha and Alyssa. I have been doing an awful job at that. Ke-sha has already finished. Alyssa is a good chunk of the way through. I'm a bad buddy reader. I've heard so much about Laini Taylor and never read anything, so I guess I should start. Don't really know a lot about this one either.

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

BLOG TOUR: A Harvest of Love (Promise Glen #3) by Marta Perry

 I am really excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for A Harvest of Love by Marta Perry. I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Berkley and Marta Perry for letting me be a part of this tour!

Title: A Harvest of Love (Promise Glen #3)

Author: Marta Perry

Published by: Berkley

Released: October 26, 2021

Source: Electronic Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads     Amazon

 

Synopsis: A determined widow and a single father learn that love is about taking chances and turning over new leaves in the quaint Amish community of Promise Glen, from national bestselling author Marta Perry. 

When widowed shop owner Dinah Hershberger is unceremoniously charged with safely escorting an infant to his uncle, she finds herself torn. Jacob Miller is everything Dinah could want in a partner--he's kind, handsome, strong--and nothing she can ever have. As much as she yearns to help the new family adjust, each minute Dinah spends with Jacob and the baby leaves her heart more vulnerable and her head more certain that the secret she hides makes a future with the Miller men impossible.

Jacob has long admired Dinah for her strength and independence, but it's her generosity of spirit that tempts him like never before. With Dinah at his side, Jacob opens himself up to the daunting new world of fatherhood, but how can he pursue his feelings for her when his life is in such disarray? After the disappointments of her first marriage, she deserves better than what Jacob can offer.

But love has a surprise in store for these two troubled hearts, and happiness is within reach if only they can grasp it, making Promise Glen their own promised land. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: This was a cute story. It's not the type of thing that I usually read, but I did enjoy myself. I guess I should clarify and say it's not the type of book that I usually read now. When I was younger, I definitely devoured books like this. I would grab up Amish romances and just read them to my heart's content. It was such a romanticized way of life. All the Amish boys sounded so cute and good.

I liked the quiet romance in this between Dinah and Jacob. They were a couple that had to work through some things in order to shine together. I also liked that it was a blended family kind of story. This wasn't a first love story, but rather finding love again.

It was a good time. If you're a fan of these kinds of stories, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a read.

Marta Perry is the author of more than seventy inspirational romance novels, including the Promise Glen series, the Pleasant Valley series, and the Keepers of the Promise trilogy.

Thank you for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for A Harvest of Love by Marta Perry. Thanks so much to Berkley and Marta Perry for letting me be a part of the tour! If this one sounds good to you, I'd definitely recommend picking it up and giving it a read.

BLOG TOUR: The Lighthouse Witches by C.J. Cooke

I am very excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for The Lighthouse Witches by C.J. Cooke. I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. As soon as I saw this book being offered for review, I jumped at the chance. It called to me. Thank you so much to Berkley Books and C.J. Cooke for letting me be a part of this tour!

 

 

Title: The Lighthouse Witches

Author: C.J. Cooke

Published by: Berkley Books

Released: October 5, 2021

Source: Electronic Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads     Amazon

 

Synopsis: Two sisters go missing on a remote Scottish island. Twenty years later, one is found--but she's still the same age as when she disappeared. The secrets of witches have reached across the centuries in this chilling Gothic thriller from the author of the acclaimed The Nesting.  

When single mother Liv is commissioned to paint a mural in a 100-year-old lighthouse on a remote Scottish island, it's an opportunity to start over with her three daughters--Luna, Sapphire, and Clover. When two of her daughters go missing, she's frantic. She learns that the cave beneath the lighthouse was once a prison for women accused of witchcraft. The locals warn her about wildlings, supernatural beings who mimic human children, created by witches for revenge. Liv is told wildlings are dangerous and must be killed.

Twenty-two years later, Luna has been searching for her missing sisters and mother. When she receives a call about her youngest sister, Clover, she's initially ecstatic. Clover is the sister she remembers--except she's still seven years old, the age she was when she vanished. Luna is worried Clover is a wildling. Luna has few memories of her time on the island, but she'll have to return to find the truth of what happened to her family. But she doesn't realize just how much the truth will change her. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: It's the Season of the Witch! I was so excited to get my hands on this book. So many things about it grabbed me. It's a perfect Halloween read, and I'm glad I got to enjoy it.

That synopsis was the first thing that really grabbed me. I had to see what was happening with the story inside. There is so much mystery and lore within these pages. I really enjoyed the whole thing, all of it.

This is told in two different timelines, the now and then. We get the story of a mother doing anything and everything she can to find her two missing daughters. We also get the remaining daughter in the present time, unraveling the mystery of her sister who has reappeared. The story just really caught my attention.

I found the idea of wildings to be really interesting. It reminded me a lot of the stories of fey and the changeling children they leave behind, but I'd never heard of a witch version before.

I really enjoyed this one and I need to read more by C.J. Cooke. This book has a really nice mix of mystery, suspense, and some creepiness. I'd definitely add it to your fall stack.

 

C. J. Cooke is an award-winning poet and novelist published in twenty-three languages. She teaches creative writing at the University of Glasgow, where she also researches the impact of motherhood on women's writing and creative writing interventions for mental health.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for The Lighthouse Witches by C.J. Cooke. Thank you to Berkley Books and C.J. Cooke for letting me be a part of the tour and giving me the chance to read and review this one. I'd definitely recommend adding this one to your fall reading list.

BLOG TOUR: The Keeper of Night (#1) by Kylie Lee Baker

 I am very excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for The Keeper of Night (#1) by Kylie Lee Baker. I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Inkyard Press and Kylie Lee Baker for letting me be a part of the tour!

Title: The Keeper of Night (#1)

Author: Kylie Lee Baker

Published by: Inkyard Press

Released: October 12, 2021

Source: Electronic Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads     Amazon

 

Synopsis: Death is her destiny. 

Half British Reaper, half Japanese Shinigami, Ren Scarborough has been collecting souls in the London streets for centuries. Expected to obey the harsh hierarchy of the Reapers who despise her, Ren conceals her emotions and avoids her tormentors as best she can.

When her failure to control her Shinigami abilities drives Ren out of London, she flees to Japan to seek the acceptance she’s never gotten from her fellow Reapers. Accompanied by her younger brother, the only being on earth to care for her, Ren enters the Japanese underworld to serve the Goddess of Death… only to learn that here, too, she must prove herself worthy. Determined to earn respect, Ren accepts an impossible task—find and eliminate three dangerous Yokai demons—and learns how far she’ll go to claim her place at Death’s side. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: The first thing that grabbed me about The Keeper of Night was that cover. It caught my eye and I had to know what kind of story was contained within its pages. Then the synopsis just made me even more excited about the story inside. I'm a fan of these kinds of stories and I love how this one incorporated Shinigami.

This was a story that I just got sucked into. I really loved the voice of Ren, the struggles she goes through. It's also a very dark, and a tad depressing tale, but I was just captivated by it. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.

That ending was a shock that I just wasn't ready for. I need to know what happens next.

I really enjoyed this book. I really liked the voice of our main character Ren. I just found it to be a story that I couldn't put down. I'd definitely say give it a read.  

Kylie Lee Baker is the author of The Keeper of Night. She grew up in Boston and has since lived in Atlanta, Salamanca, and Seoul. Her writing is informed by her heritage (Japanese, Chinese, and Irish), as well as her experiences living abroad as both a student and teacher. She has a BA in creative writing and Spanish from Emory University and a master of library and information science degree from Simmons University.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for The Keeper of Night (#1) by Kylie Lee Baker. Thanks so much to Inkyard Press and Kylie Lee Baker for letting me be a part of this great tour. I'd definitely add this one to your reading list.