Friday 30 April 2021

Book Blogger Hop

 


This is hosted by Billy at Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer! Hop over to their page to grab a button and join in the fun!

This Week's Question:

What are some common tropes you've seen in a genre you like to read? Are there any books you've read that reverse or change those tropes? (submitted by Julie @ JadeSky)

Omigosh so many lol... Love triangles with two guys/one girl, rich guy falling in love with poor girl, forbidden love, a character who is "the chosen one", etc. I'm sure I've read books where these are chaged or reversed in some way, but I can't think of any at the moment! Regardless, I'm a sucker for clichés and will never grow tired of them!



 


Thursday 29 April 2021

The New Husband by D.J. Palmer

Title: The New Husband
Author: D.J. Palmer
Publish Date: April 14th, 2020
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Source: Purchased an audiobook from the Book Outlet! Check out the right side of my blog for a code for $10 off!

What makes Simon Fitch so perfect?

-He knows all her favorite foods, music, and movies.

-Her son adores him. He was there when she needed him most.

-He anticipates her every need.

-He would never betray her like her first husband.

The perfect husband. He checks all the boxes.

The question is, why?

Nina Garrity learned the hard way that her missing husband, Glen, had been leading a double life with another woman. But with Glen gone—presumably drowned while fishing on his boat—she couldn't confront him about the affair or find closure to the life he blew apart.

Now, a year and a half later, Nina has found love again and hopes she can put her shattered world back together. Simon, a widower still grieving the death of his first wife, thinks he has found his dream girl in Nina, and his charm and affections help break through to a heart hardened by betrayal. Nina's teenage son, Connor, embraces Simon as the father he wishes his dad could have been, while her friends see a different side to him, and they aren't afraid to use the word obsession.

Nina works hard to bridge the divide that’s come between her daughter and Simon. She wants so badly to believe her life is finally getting back on track, but she’ll soon discover that the greatest danger to herself and her children are the lies people tell themselves.

Penelope's Review

This is officially the first audiobook I have ever listened to! I have to say, I can't believe I have been missing out on such a convenient way to read books lol! At first. I would listen anytime I was in my car on the way to work but eventually it got too good and full of suspense and I ended up brining the discs inside to listen to in my room lol!

So this is the first book I have read by this author, and I would definitely read more. While the plot itself is kind of cliché what with the missing husband, new guy in life is evil, etc. but I still liked it! Now I am not hugely into thrillers - not because I don't enjoy them, just because I always seem to pick up my go-to fictional romance genres lol so I'm definitely not a die-hard fan. That being said, if you're like me and only dabble in thrillers once in awhile, I think you'll enjoy this. If you are an avid thriller reader, I think this may be a bit too easy to figure out and you might get bored.

I was surprised that there was little mystery to this book - you basically know who the bad guy is right from the start, and you're kind of just waiting for everyone else to put the pieces together. It was an interesting style of writing, but not one I necessarily disliked! The book alternates mainly between Nina's point of view, and her daughter Maggie. I think I likes Maggie's perspective better - she disliked Simon from the start and was defiant yet very intelligent. 

The book starts off a bit slow but still interesting, and slowly picks up the pace until you're dying to know what happens, even though you kind of have an idea lol. Overall, I think this was a fun read and a great thriller to tide me over until I pick up another one in a few months lol!

Rating: 4/5 Devils!




Wednesday 28 April 2021

Can't Wait Wednesday #15

 


Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally, they're books that have yet to be released.

So I just found out that Katie McGarry has a new book coming out and I am SO excited! I absolutely adore her books! If you haven't heard of her, you should definitely check her books out! This new one sounds COMPLETELY different from her usual contemporary style but I'm excited to see her branch out! 

Title: A Wicked and Beautiful Garden (Witches of the Island #1)
Author: Katie McGarry
Publish Date: May 5th, 2021
Publisher: Katie McGarry LLC

Twenty-eight year-old Cassie Strega can’t escape fate.

All she wants is to live a normal, quiet life delivering the babies in her small town. But when she discovers she comes from a lineage of witches, her life becomes extraordinary—in the gravely dangerous type of way.

Then, she’s reunited with her first love.

Orion, the sultry Fae warrior who broke her heart years before, is searching for a baby. Not just any baby, but the queen of the Fae who will one day lead them in their final battle against the demons determined to rule the world. The same baby who has been calling to Cassie for help in her dreams.

Fighting the intense attraction of their former blood bond, Cassie and Orion work together to find the child. But when the heartbreak that nearly destroyed Cassie nine years before looms once more, she’ll have to decide whether getting involved in the supernatural war is worth losing everything, including her life.


 

Tuesday 27 April 2021

Book Blitz: Crimson Tears by Lyra Winters

Title: Crimson Tears (The Crimson Demon, #1)
Author: Lyra Winters
Publication date: April 17th 2021
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Reverse Harem, Romance

Death didn’t scare Lilith Whitlock. At the ripe age of twenty, she preferred to take whatever life threw at her, and if death was a curveball, she’d catch it.

What she didn’t expect was for impending death to be stalled by being transformed into a vampire.

With sharp, pointy teeth and a hunger for blood, Lilith adapted to her new life. Befriending three hot vampires with a mission to maintain balance had something to do with that, but the paranormal world wasn’t perfect.

Especially when she learned creating new vampires was illegal. Now, she had to prove herself as indispensable to the Order of the Void, or she’d be obliterated from existence.

No one mentioned that being a new-blood came with a looming threat and imminent danger.

Crimson Tears is book one of three in the Crimson Demon Trilogy. It is a paranormal why-choose romance centered around three vampires and one demon. It contains mature subject matter that might not be suitable for all readers.

Goodreads / Amazon

EXCERPT:

The coppery bite of dried blood invaded my nostrils. Scrunching my nose up, I twitched my fingers, moving them along a satin fabric beneath me. Wherever I was, it was a hell of a lot more comfortable than cold, wet tar and broken glass.

Oh, fuck.

My brain flooded with snippets of what had happened: the weird animal on the road, the crash, my body breaking on the pavement, the voices with mesmerizing British accents, sexy man bun guy, and the blinding pain.

I swallowed hard, my hand wrapping around my throat as I winced at the burning sensation.

How the fuck am I moving? My bones were shattered. I was dying.

I patted my arms, legs, stomach, chest, and head to find no injuries at all. It was like the car accident hadn’t even happened. The only indication it had was that my clothes were torn and uncomfortable dried blood was crusted all over me.

Fuck. Panic flitted through me. My phone was in the passenger seat.

I reached up and clasped the fire opal pendant resting on my neck, and a calmness spread over me from the warmth it radiated.

Thank God it’s still there.

I pried my bleary eyes open as I sat upright with adrenaline flooding my system. My gaze darted around the room, soaking in my surroundings. Soft evening light from the large glass balcony door bathed the room in a golden hue.

I was lying on a soft king-size mattress with various throw pillows scattered around me. A few gothic-like paintings hung on the white walls, and I could see the details of the brush strokes.

A low whistle from the wind howling outside was the only sound in the room, and it was eerie as fuck. I wasn’t used to that level of quiet growing up with two older brothers.

Shit.

I had to let them know I was okay.

I swung my legs to the side of the bed, and my bare feet hit the plush carpet as I stood.

“Welcome to Draven Manor,” a deep voice drawled.

I whirled around to find a man leaning against the door that led to the balcony with his arms crossed—tattoos of dragons, fire, and some language I didn’t recognize covered his biceps.

He was fucking hot in a rugged kind of way. Pure white hair spiked up on his head, and a scent of charcoal and soot wafted off him. His steel eyes pierced me as his head tilted to the side, and his pink tongue darted out to wet his lips.

I couldn’t tell if it was a good or a bad thing that there was a bed separating us.

“What the fuck? How are you even real?” My tongue ran over my bottom lip. “You’re like a seriously hot anime character from an otome game.”

His lips quirked up into a cocky smile, and dangerous heat rushed through me. “What the fuck is an otome game?”

Planting a hand on my hip, I grinned. “It’s a video game. That’s all you need to know.”

“I do have Google, you know?”

“Hmm. Then I guess you can look it up yourself and sate your curiosity.”

“I’d rather sate something else, Poppy.” His gaze darkened as it raked up and down my body with clear desire.



Author Bio:

Lyra Winters is a twenty-something Kentucky woman who adores the book world. When she's not typing away on her laptop or daydreaming book ideas, Lyra is occupying her time taking care of her two spunky daughters and dreamy husband. She's addicted to Coca-Cola, 2000s rap music, and bubble baths. Her dream is to write love stories that touch the reader's hearts.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram


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Monday 26 April 2021

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

 


It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a place to meet up and share what you have been, and are about to be reading over the week. It’s a great post to organize yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment and er… add to your groaning TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn here at The Book Date.

Hello hello! Time to begin the last week of April! Crazy how fast time flies lol! Still in the midst of lockdowns here in Ontario but my fingers are crossed that I get some semblance of a summer! Worst case scenario though, I'll just be spending a lot of time at my cottage! I hope everyone has a fantastic week with warm weather! 😊

What I Read Last Week:




Sunday 25 April 2021

Stacking the Shelves/The Sunday Post #7

 


The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

Happy Sunday everyone! The weather has been so weird this week for me lol! We had a super hot day, then two days of SNOW, then back to warmer weather! I seriously do not know how to dress these days lol. I am officially done school, last exam was Wednesday so I have a free summer! I don't even know what to do with so much free time lol. I currently work Tues-Wed-Thurs-Sat, so I put in an application to another office for Mon-Fri work. We'll see what happens but if not, I guess I have those days for reading lol! 

Last Week on my Blog:


This Week on my Blog: 

Monday: It's Monday! What Are You Reading?
Tuesday: Crimson Tears Book Blitz (with Giveaway!)
Wednesday: Can't Wait Wednesday
Thursday: The New Husband by D.J. Palmer Review
Friday: Book Blogger Hop
Saturday: Some Other Now by Sarah Everett Review
Sunday: Stacking the Shelves/The Sunday Post



Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!
If you want to find out more about Stacking The Shelves, please visit Reading Reality!

I picked up some great books this week! I feel so guilty about this but I actually have never read any Sarah J. Maas books... *gasp* I know lol. But I am going to change that soon as I picked up almost the entire Throne of Glass series!

Purchased Myself:






Received from NetGalley:





Saturday 24 April 2021

Legend of the Lakes by Clara O'Connor

 

Title: Legend of the Lakes (The Once and Future Queen #3)
Author: Clara O'Connor
Publish Date: June 24th, 2021
Publisher: One More Chapter
Source: Huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC for review!

I thought to die that night in the solitude where they would never find me…

Cassandra stands silent upon a ravaged battlefield, watching as the druids prepare the dead for the pyres, embers drifting up into the still winter darkness. She can barely breathe through the agony of her grief, but she cannot waste another second on tears.

Because Londinium, the Caesar, the empire… all of it is still out there. The empire whose code she had followed, whose prince she had promised to marry, whose schemes she had been swept up in since birth.

They tried to use her magic against her. To silence her.

So she will use her magic against them. To silence them. Forever.

The third and final chapter of The Once and Future Queen trilogy, this epic scifi fantasy adventure set in a dystopian world where the Romans still rule will enchant fans of Sarah J Maas and Cassandra Clare.

Penelope's Review

*Please DO NOT read this if you haven't read the first two books - SPOILER ALERT*

OMG. I will forever be in love with this series, despite the emotional turmoil Clara O'Connor has put me through. I mean seriously... she tears my heart out, starts to put the pieces back together again, then ambushes me and rips my heart out again (I was ready to throw my Kindle across the wall let me tell you) and then puts the pieces back together again. Like what?! CLARA... MY HEART.... CAN'T!! But it did. And now I feel whole again.

So after the end of the second book, I was upset to put it lightly. By upset I mean my world felt empty and devoid of light and happiness. I mean... who in their right mind creates a character like Devyn... and then KILLS HIM?!?!?! WHAT?! I was 100% convinced that this author was not going to be able to redeem herself, despite a tweet telling me that it was going to be ok lol! 😂 I did not believe her AT ALL but I held out hope.

Needless to say, she redeemed herself. I was very grudgingly brought over to Team Gideon, but was soon a very enthusiastic fan. Gideon was an excellent character. Loyal, loving, dark, straightforward... everything I love in a male lead. I didn't think I would ever like Cassandra with someone other than Devyn but alas... I was proven wrong. Gideon is literally perfect. I can't even. 

Cassandra herself was excellent in this final book. Far from the naïve, slightly self-absorbed person she was in the first book, Cassandra is now self-assured, eager to help her people, and more in tune with her magic. She has to go through quite a bit in this book, but faces everything with heart and determination. 

It speaks to the skill of the author that I was able to fall so thoroughly in love with two different love interests. I cannot wait to read anything and everything that Clara O'Connor comes out with. Perhaps a spinoff featuring Féile? 😉👀 Lol whatever it is, this author has me as a fan for life. Now I have to buy actual physical copies of this trilogy because... how beautiful are these covers right?!

Rating: 5/5 Devils!




Friday 23 April 2021

Book Blogger Hop

 


This is hosted by Billy at Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer! Hop over to their page to grab a button and join in the fun!

This Week's Question:

Do you do most of your blog work on a computer, iPad, or phone? (submitted by Elizabeth @ Complex Chaos)

I do 100% of my blogging from a computer! I struggle enough on that screen, I can't even imagine trying to blog from my phone lol! All the coding and formatting... ugh I would cry if I had to work on something other than my laptop!




Thursday 22 April 2021

The Nature of Witches: Rachel Griffin

 

Title: The Nature of Witches
Author: Rachel Griffin
Publish Date: June 1st, 2021
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Source: Huge thank you to Raincoast Books and the publisher for providing an ARC for review!

For centuries, witches have maintained the climate, their power from the sun peaking in the season of their birth. But now their control is faltering as the atmosphere becomes more erratic. All hope lies with Clara, an Everwitch whose rare magic is tied to every season.

In Autumn, Clara wants nothing to do with her power. It's wild and volatile, and the price of her magic―losing the ones she loves―is too high, despite the need to control the increasingly dangerous weather.

In Winter, the world is on the precipice of disaster. Fires burn, storms rage, and Clara accepts that she's the only one who can make a difference.

In Spring, she falls for Sang, the witch training her. As her magic grows, so do her feelings, until she's terrified Sang will be the next one she loses.

In Summer, Clara must choose between her power and her happiness, her duty and the people she loves... before she loses Sang, her magic, and thrusts the world into chaos.

Practical Magic meets Twister in this debut contemporary fantasy standalone about heartbreaking power, the terror of our collapsing atmosphere, and the ways we unknowingly change our fate.

Penelope's Review

 This was a really surprising book. Even after reading the synopsis I wasn't quite sure what this book was going to be like. I was pleasantly surprised at the directions this story went. It ended up being an enjoyable read with a really interesting storyline.

So basically the book is about witches who have full powers in their own seasons, but Clara is an Everwitch which means she has the power of all 4 seasons. Each season has its own characteristics and I really liked that they all seemed to fit well - for example, the Winter witches are very direct and straight forward, the Summer witches are more light hearted, etc. It just worked well and made me feel in tune with each season. 

The book had some really powerful messages about the environment and the impacts that humans are having on it, so that was a really neat aspect. It was a bit odd to realize that this was set in modern society - the idea of witches talking to government officials in this day and age threw me off a bit but didn't retract too much from the story. There were times when I felt this was a bit slow going, but the overall story was one I enjoyed so I didn't mind the slower sections. 

I liked the characters and the mental journey Clara had to go through. Watching her come into her own and learn to love was really sweet. Sang was a great character - a nice balance to Clara. Overall, I think this was a really good book with some great messages. I recommend giving it a try when you get the chance!

Rating: 4/5 Devils!





Wednesday 21 April 2021

Can't Wait Wednesday #14




Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally, they're books that have yet to be released.

This week I'm excited for the new addition to a series I recently started enjoying! Lillian Marek is quickly becoming a favorite of mine for historical romance novels! Give her a try if you haven't already!



Title: The Winds of Change
Author: Lillian Marek
Publish Date: May 25th, 2021
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing 

She is rooted in the traditions of the past. He envisions a different future.

LADY CLARA GRAMMONT, daughter of an earl and niece of a duke, has the world at her feet, or so it must seem to those looking on. However, she is bored by the gloss and gossip of polite society. She is tired of gentlemen who see nothing but her status and her dowry and expect her to be charmed by their posturing.

JOHN SMITH is the orphaned son of a poor shopkeeper. He has grown wealthy through his own efforts and is now committed to bringing England into a new age. He can see the enormous benefits that railways can bring, transporting goods cheaply and enabling people to travel quickly. He despises the idle aristocrats who will stand in the way of progress to protect a fox hunt, but he needs approval from Parliament to build the railway. And he needs the support of Lady Clara’s uncle, the powerful Duke of Ashleigh, to get that approval.

Lady Clara is intrigued by the idea of a railway. To the distress of her family, she is even more intrigued by John Smith. He in turn finds himself far too attracted by Lady Clara and is in danger of losing sight of his reason for meeting her. Then the powerful forces opposing the railway put both of them in danger

They must defy everyone to be together.