Sunday, 20 February 2022

Stag by Brooke Summers ARC Review

 

Title: Stag (Fury Vipers MC #1)
Author: Brooke Summers
Publish Date: February 24th, 2022
Publisher: Self-published
Source: Huge thank you to NetGalley and Next Step PR for providing me with an ARC for review!

She’s a princess locked away without any hope. He’s her dark knight in leather.

Stag has been in and out of juvie for years, but now he’s determined to keep his nose clean… or as clean as the Road Captain for the Fury Vipers MC can be.

He's found a brotherhood, one that he'll protect until his dying breath.

Then he sees her and his plans go up in smoke.

She’s the club princess and completely off limits.

An accident destroyed everything. Kinsley's life is now her own personal hell.

Having to pay for the mistake that she made, Kinsley's now bound to a man that makes her skin crawl.

She has no other options and eventually she learns that life isn’t a fairytale.

Then she meets Stag and he has her dreaming of a life that's without pain.

But Kinsley knows that for her, there's no escaping the crumbling castle that she’s been locked away in.

Not if she doesn’t want anyone else that she loves to be hurt.

Can her salvation also be his redemption?

Penelope's Review

This was a great start to a new series! It's the first book I'm reading by Brooke Summers and I'm looking forward to reading others. This is a very intense, dark read that touches on a lot of difficult topics. I think the author handled these triggers really well - she wrote about rape and abuse in an honest, straightforward manner. The main female lead, Kinsley, was tough despite everything she had gone through. She was incredibly brave and loyal to her friends and family. 

Stag was just the right amount of possessive and totally in love with Kinsley. I loved watching the two of them get closer and watching that protective side come out in Stag. He was just what Kinsley needed, always putting her fears of shame and unworthiness to rest. 

I haven't really read many biker club romances before so this is a new area to me, but I'm excited to delve more into this world now! Looking forward to the other books in what is sure to be a great series!

Rating: 4/5 Devils!







Tuesday, 15 February 2022

The Things The River Hides by A.N. Sage Blog Tour + Giveaway!

Hi everyone! I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the THE THINGS THE RIVER HIDES by A.N. Sage Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

About The Book:

Title: THE THINGS THE RIVER HIDES

Author: A.N. Sage

Pub. Date: February 22, 2022

Publisher: Cauldron Press

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 279

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org

Where rivers run red as blood, a long-forgotten darkness awaits its freedom…


Nastya Sokolov dreams of not being seen as an outcast. Born with the ability to foretell death with a simple touch, she’s relegated to the confines of her mother’s funeral home. A virtual prisoner, she longs to break free.

When the body of a car crash victim arrives at the morgue, Nastya finds something amiss. A clue beckoning to be unravelled.

Soon, another boy greets her doorstep. This one very much alive and insistent his friend’s death was no accident. Before long, Nastya is dragged into a web of impossibilities, strange coincidences, and a baffling mystery in the small town of Cherry Cove.

A mystery that triggers a vision.

One Nastya cannot ignore.

She knows better than to tempt fate, but its pull is mighty and her curiosity relentless. Will Nastya follow the trail and uncover the truth about Cherry Cove and the darkness that festers just below the surface?

Find out in this young adult dark fantasy mystery filled with intrigue, long-held secrets, murder, and a desperate race to save a life! 

GUEST POST! 

What are your top 5 favorite books?

A.N. Sage says:

1. The Book of Flying by Keith Miller

2. Lamb by Christopher Moore

3. Caraval by Stephanie Garber

4. City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab

5. Girls with Sharp Sticks by Suzanne Young


About A.N. Sage:

A.N. Sage has spent most of her life waiting to meet a witch, vampire, or at least get haunted by a ghost. In between failed seances and many questionable outfit choices, she has developed a keen eye for the extra-ordinary.

A.N. spends her free time reading and binge-watching television shows in her pajamas. Currently, she resides in Toronto, Canada with her husband who is not a creature of the night.

A.N. Sage is a Scorpio and a massive advocate of leggings for pants.

Subscribe to A.N.’s newsletter to get a copy of Coven of Deception, a Shadowhurst prequel novella, sent straight to your inbox. You'll also get news of subscriber-only giveaways, contests, preview chapters, and the chance to receive advance reader copies of new releases. https://ansage.ca/newsletter-1

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

Giveaway Details:

10 Winners will receive an eBook of THE THINGS THE RIVER HIDES, International.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

2/14/2022

BookHounds YA

Guest Post

2/15/2022

The Reading Devil

Guest Post/IG Post

2/16/2022

Rajiv's Reviews

Review/IG Post

2/17/2022

@bookstagramofmine

Review/IG Post

2/18/2022

More Books Please blog

Review/IG Post

Week Two:

2/21/2022

The Reading Wordsmith

Review/IG Post

2/22/2022

@simplybeccamee

Review/IG Post

2/23/2022

@lexijava

Review/IG Post

2/24/2022

A Court of Coffee and Books

Review/IG Post

2/25/2022

Momfluenster

Review/IG Post


Sunday, 13 February 2022

Bright Ruined Things by Samantha Cohoe ARC Review

 

Title: Bright Ruined Things
Author: Samantha Cohoe
Publish Date: February 15th, 2022
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Source: Huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC for review!

The only life Mae has ever known is on the island, living on the charity of the wealthy Prosper family who control the magic on the island and the spirits who inhabit it. Mae longs for magic of her own and to have a place among the Prosper family, where her best friend, Coco, will see her as an equal, and her crush, Miles, will finally see her. Now that she’s eighteen, Mae knows her time with the Prospers may soon come to an end.

But tonight is First Night, when the Prospers and their high-society friends return to the island to celebrate the night Lord Prosper first harnessed the island’s magic and started producing aether – a magical fuel source that has revolutionized the world. With everyone returning to the island, Mae finally has the chance to go after what she’s always wanted.

When the spirits start inexplicably dying, Mae starts to realize that things aren’t what they seem. And Ivo, the reclusive, mysterious heir to the Prosper magic, may hold all the answers – including a secret about Mae’s past that she doesn’t remember. As Mae and her friends begin to unravel the mysteries of the island, and the Prospers’ magic, Mae starts to question the truth of what her world was built on.

Forbidden magic, a family secret, and a night to reveal it all...


Penelope's Review

This is the first book I'm reading by Samantha Cohoe (A Golden Fury is angrily staring at me from my TBR shelf right now lol) and I really enjoyed it! Got off to a bit of a slow start, but then, kind of like a snowball rolling down a hill, it picked up speed right until the end. At first I wasn't sure if I loved how the book ended, given that it's a standalone but honestly, the more I think about it, the more I think the ending was absolutely perfect for the story. 

So our main female lead is Mae, who is living on an island that has magic controlled by the Prosper family. Her father helped the Prospers gain control of the magic and take over the island, which is why Mae is allowed to live there until she comes of age. Mae has some pretty good character growth in this book - she starts out pretty meek and subservient but develops into a more confident, driven individual. I liked the person she became by the end. Miles was ok... kind of annoying at times but overall a nice addition to the story. I wasn't sure how I felt about Ivo at first, but I ended up loving him by the end - honestly I wish he had been more present in the book lol, I would have liked to read about him more than Miles or Coco! But it was all pretty well done;.

Given that I am a HUGE romance fan, I was a little but disappointed at the lack of an epic love story but I am also aware that it wasn't meant to be that kind of story. It worked well the way it was written and I ended up being satisfied! I also really enjoyed the writing style! Overall, this book surprised me with how much I ended up enjoying it. I will be moving A Golden Fury up on my TBR pile and keeping an eye out for this author's next projects!

Rating: 4/5 Devils!







Saturday, 12 February 2022

Defy Me by Tahereh Mafi Book Review

 

Title: Defy Me (Shatter Me #5)
Author: Tahereh Mafi
Publish Date: April 2nd, 2019
Publisher: HarperCollins
Source: Purchased a copy for myself!

The gripping fifth installment in the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling Shatter Me series. Will Juliette’s broken heart make her vulnerable to the strengthening darkness within her?

Juliette’s short tenure as the supreme commander of North America has been an utter disaster. When the children of the other world leaders show up on her doorstep, she wants nothing more than to turn to Warner for support and guidance. But he shatters her heart when he reveals that he’s been keeping secrets about her family and her identity from her—secrets that change everything.

Juliette is devastated, and the darkness that’s always dwelled within her threatens to consume her. An explosive encounter with unexpected visitors might be enough to push her over the edge.


Penelope's Review

Holy. My mind can't even cope with all of these revelations and twists and turns and surprises. Seriously. This series is INSANE. Literally insane. This time around, the book is told from Juliette, Warner, and Kenji's point of view!! So exciting! I have loved Kenji from the moment we first met him and it was so fantastic to get some time exploring his inner thoughts.

This book is just mind-blowing. Seriously. Despite learning about some things in Restore Me, I still didn't see everything we learned in Defy Me coming. I finished this book in a day, which is both exciting and sad because I only have one book left in the series. I hope this all ends well.

Also, I absolutely adored the ending to this book. Everything about it was absolute perfection. There's really not much more I can say about this without giving anything away so I'll leave it here. I will say that I found this book an amazing addition to the series and  my fingers are crossed so hard that the last book brings me just as much excitement and ends the series in a good way.

Rating: 5/5 Devils!





Friday, 11 February 2022

Midnight Sun Blog Tour + Review + Giveaway

Hi everyone!! I am SO EXCITED to be hosting a spot on the MIDNIGHT SUN by Stephenie Meyer Paperback Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. I absolutely ADORE the Twilight series, and Midnight Sun so this is such an exciting opportunity! Make sure to check out my review and enter the giveaway!

About the Book:

Title: MIDNIGHT SUN (The Twilight Saga #5)

Author: Stephenie Meyer

Pub. Date: February 1, 2022

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Formats: Paperback

Pages: 832

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, TBD

Blockbuster author Stephenie Meyer makes a triumphant return to the world of Twilight with this companion: the iconic love story of Bella and Edward told from the vampire's point of view -- in paperback edition.

When Edward Cullen and Bella Swan met in Twilight, an iconic love story was born. But until now, fans have heard only Bella's side of the story. At last, readers can experience Edward's version in the long-awaited companion novel, Midnight Sun.

This unforgettable tale as told through Edward's eyes takes on a new and decidedly dark twist. Meeting Bella is both the most unnerving and intriguing event he has experienced in all his years as a vampire. As we learn more fascinating details about Edward's past and the complexity of his inner thoughts, we understand why this is the defining struggle of his life. How can he justify following his heart if it means leading Bella into danger?

In Midnight Sun, Stephenie Meyer transports us back to a world that has captivated millions of readers and brings us an epic novel about the profound pleasures and devastating consequences of immortal love.

An instant #1 New York Times Bestseller. An instant #1 USA Today Bestseller, An instant #1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller, An instant #1 IndieBound Bestseller, Apple Audiobook August Must-Listens Pick

"People do not want to just read Meyer's books; they want to climb inside them and live there." -- Time

"A literary phenomenon." -- New York Times

 



Penelope's Review

Bestill my vampire loving heart. I have waited for this book for a VERY long time and now that it's here and I've finished it... sigh. It feels like saying goodbye to a long-time friend. 

So... what did I think? I thought it was excellent of course! I'm sure you have all read the Twilight Saga or seen the movies, or at least seen enough memes to know what the heck is going on lol! Basically, Midnight Sun is Twilight from Edward's point of view. What I love the absolute most about this book is that it grew up with us! What do I mean by that? Well, when Twilight was released, I was just a tween and the book seemed to be written for that tween/early teen age category. The style of writing, the vocabulary used, etc. But now that I am in my twenties, it's like the book grew up - the language is more sophisticated, there are nuances for young adults/adults, etc. I felt like I was reading a book for my age category, not one for my inner 12-year-old self! And that speaks to the talent of Stephenie Meyer as an author. I feel that she has shaped her writing over the years, and come out on top!

I was quite surprised at the mixed reviews this book got - I mean it's a retelling of a previously published novel so of course you aren't getting a completely new book with a new storyline! It's meant to add just a little bit more, fill in the gaps, get inside Edward's head! And I felt that it accomplished this! The nostalgia kicked in, and I had a great time reliving an awesome part of my childhood. 

Overall, I think this was a super fun read and I'm glad I picked up a copy! I seriously wish New Moon was being re-written from Edward's point of view - given the separation from Bella, that would be like reading a completely new book! But alas, it's not in the cards for us. It's been a fun and emotional journey, and I'm glad that I get to end it with Midnight Sun. 

RATING: 4.5/5 Devils!


About Stephenie Meyer:

Best known for her Twilight series, Stephenie Meyer’s four-book collection has sold over 100 million copies globally in over 50 countries, with translations in 37 different languages. Meyer was the highest-selling author of 2008 and 2009 in the United States, having sold over 29 million books in 2008, and 26.5 million books in 2009. In 2008, Meyer also released The Host, which debuted at #1 on The New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists. Additionally, USA Today declared Meyer “Author of the Year,” citing that she had done something that no one else had in the 15 years of the USA Today bestselling book list– she swept the top four slots in 2008. Meyer also accomplished this feat in 2009, when The Twilight Saga once again dominated the top of the bestseller list. All together, her books have spent over 303 weeks on the New York Times Bestseller List.

Stephenie Meyer graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in English Literature. She lives in Arizona with her husband and sons.

You can follow news and updates about Stephenie and her company Fickle Fish Films on: Twitter | Facebook  |  Instagram  |  Website  | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub


Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a paperback of MIDNIGHT SUN & a paperback of TWILIGHT with the new cover, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

1/31/2022

Once Upon a Twilight

Excerpt/IG Spotlight

2/1/2022

BiancaBuysBooks

Review/IG Post

2/2/2022

Booksaremagictoo

Review/IG Post

2/3/2022

Webreakforbooks

IG Spotlight

2/4/2022

brittreadsalattebooks

Review/IG Post

Week Two:

2/7/2022

OneMoreExclamation

Review/IG Post

2/8/2022

Book Briefs

Review/IG Post

2/9/2022

@jypsylynn

Review/IG Post

2/10/2022

@momfluenster

IG Spotlight

2/11/2022

The Reading Devil

Review/IG Post