The History of Us Blog Tour + Review + Giveaway!

Hi everyone! I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the THE HISTORY OF US by Jennifer Bardsley Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my review and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

About The Book:

Title: THE HISTORY OF US

Author: Jennifer Bardsley

Pub. Date: July 12, 2022

Publisher: Montlake

Formats: Paperback, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 317

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

From Sweet Bliss author Jennifer Bardsley comes a poignant romance about a small-town crime that throws together ex–high school sweethearts who have never quite gotten over their past.

Andrea Wint’s life in the small town of Port Inez, Washington, is a simple one. She works, enjoys the gorgeous view from her bay window, and visits her dad at the memory-care facility. Her father is in the late stages of Alzheimer’s, but Andrea brings in one coin from his valuable collection every day—little bits of precious metals that seem to bring him back to himself, even if just for a few moments.

So when Andrea’s house is burgled and the coins disappear, she’s bereft.

To track down the culprit, she turns to Dustin Karlsson, who just happens to be her former high school sweetheart. Years ago, they broke each other’s hearts, and some wounds are slow to heal. But Dustin feels indebted to the ailing Tom Wint and wants to help.

What’s more, Dustin has a personal stake in finding the perpetrator. In fact, he suspects the thief could be his own brother-in-law, a gambler and a drunk who skipped town, leaving Dustin’s sister and two young nieces behind.

As Dustin and Andrea travel the Pacific Northwest in an effort to recover the missing coins, old feelings rekindle. Maybe their happily ever after can still be minted.

 

Advanced Praise:

“Jennifer’s story peels back layer after layer until Dustin and Andrea get down to what really matters—what they feel down deep in their hearts. A lovely story of finding love, healing old hurts, and working together toward a lovely future together.” —Carolyn Brown, New York Times bestselling author of Riverbend Reunion

“Equal turns thoughtful and sweet, The History of Us is a darling read. Dustin and Andrea shine as a couple, and Port Inez is the type of small-town that will draw you in like you are a member of the Karlsson family.” —Addie Woolridge, author of The Checklist

“Jennifer Bardsley delivers a beautifully written story of love, family, and second chances. You will experience all the feels as the hero and heroine navigate their way toward happily ever after. The characters were written with such authenticity that you will feel as if you know them personally. I enjoyed the love and devotion both main characters showed for their families. Bardsley skillfully handled the delicate subject of Alzheimer’s disease with grace and care, weaving it into the storyline flawlessly. These two characters truly went on a journey that led them back to each other. —Joy Avery, author of Something So Sweet

“Gripping and emotional, The History of Us is a beautiful story of what it truly means to love someone. Bardsley weaves a captivating tale of the complicated but powerful nature of family bonds, taking readers on a journey through the Pacific Northwest with two broken people looking to recover something lost—and along the way, rediscovering their enduring love for each other.” —Elissa Grossell Dickey, author of The Speed of Light and Iris in the Dark

“Jennifer Bardsley’s love stories are exactly what we need right now—books with hope, family, and characters that feel like home!” —Brooke Burroughs, author of The Marriage Code and The Name Curse

 

Penelope's Review

This is the third book I'm reading by Jennifer Bardsley, after really enjoying Sweet Bliss and Good Catch! I was very excited to pick up The History of Us, and it ended up being a cute and cozy read! We have romance, a bit of mystery, and lots of history in this latest addition to Bardsley's bookshelf!

The story features Andrea Wint, a woman in her mid-thirties living in Port Inez (a ferry ride away from Harper's Landing!) where she can visit her dad, who suffers from Alzheimer's. Andrea is doing the best she can in the wake of her father's diagnosis, and I really did admire her strength and outlook on life throughout this book. I really like how realistic the character was, with Bardsley showing both sides of the coin (haha, punny) in which we get a glimpse into the various emotions Andrea feels including guilt, relief, love, anger, sadness, and so on. Andrea was definitely a relatable character, which I find is thanks to very good writing on behalf of the author. 

Then we have Dustin Karlsson, the boy who broke Andrea's heart 18 years ago... except it turns out she also broke his heart? This ends up being a heartwarming second chance romance - though I did wish for just a little bit more - things seemed to resolve themselves rather quickly, and I was just hoping to get a little more tension, a little more fight and passion. But if that's not what your looking for, and you want a nice, clean sweet romance then this will be absolutely perfect for you! 

In terms of plot itself, we have a crime to solve! Not what I was expecting in a contemporary romance, but it ended up being such a great outline for the story! Andrea's dad was a rare coin collector in his prime, and his love of numismatics remains strong, even after his diagnosis! It's one of the few ways Andrea is able to connect with her dad, so when his entire collection is stolen from her house, she is determined to get back every piece. With the help of Dustin, the two go on a mission to locate their prime suspect - Dustin's scummy brother-in-law. What follows is a fun story, rich in research and history that you have you putting another little notch into your "random things I now know" belt lol!

As always, the writing style here is great! I enjoy the way this author puts pen to paper, and will continue to pick up her books as they come out! I like the characters, and how relatable their struggle are, and the range of emotions they convey. Overall, a good read and looking forward to what comes next from this author!

Rating: 3.5/5 Devils!

About Jennifer Bardsley:

Jennifer Bardsley believes in friendship, true love, and the everlasting power of books. A graduate of Stanford University, she lives in Edmonds, Washington with her husband and two children. Jennifer's "I Brake for Moms" column has appeared in The Everett Herald every week since 2012. She also writes Young Adult Paranormal Romance under the pen name Louise Cypress. When she's not writing books, or camping with her Girl Scout troop, you can find Jennifer walking from her house to the beach every chance she gets.

Subscribe to Jennifer’s newsletter!

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

 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of THE HISTORY OF US, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

6/1/2022	BookHounds	Interview/IG Post
6/2/2022	Jenguerdy	IG Post
6/3/2022	BETTER_0FF_READ	IG Post/TikTok Post
6/4/2022	pickagoodbook	Guest Post/IG Post

Week Two:

6/5/2022	#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog	Excerpt/IG Post
6/6/2022	Lady Hawkeye	Excerpt/IG Post
6/7/2022	SJ_Bookshelf	IG Review
6/8/2022	Two Chicks on Books	Excerpt
6/9/2022	Viviana MacKade	Guest Post
6/10/2022	M reads often	IG Review
6/11/2022	@jaimerockstarbooktours	IG Post

Week Three:

6/12/2022	onemused	IG Post
6/13/2022	@kristens.reading.nook	Review/IG Post
6/14/2022	TakeALookAtMyBookshelf	Review/IG Post
6/15/2022	@thechattybookworm	Tik Tok Review/IG Post
6/16/2022	LatestBookCrush	Excerpt/IG Post
6/17/2022	Fire and Ice	Review
6/18/2022	@coffeesipsandreads	IG Review

Week Four:

6/19/2022	Emmiepooh2	Review/IG Post
6/20/2022	beersbooksandboos	Review/IG Post/TikTok Post
6/21/2022	@My.Bookish.Mind	IG Review
6/22/2022	A Court of Coffee and Books	Review/IG Post
6/23/2022	The Momma Spot	Review/IG Post
6/24/2022	More Books Please blog	Review/IG Post
6/25/2022	Two Points of Interest	Review/IG Post

Week Five:

6/26/2022	onemoreexclamation	Review/IG Post
6/27/2022	Lychburg Reasd	Review/IG Post
6/28/2022	Lifestyle of Me	Review/IG Post
6/29/2022	Book Sniffers Anonymous	Excerpt/IG Post
6/30/2022	The Reading Devil	Review/IG Post

Rise of the Snake Goddess by Jenny Elder Moke Blog Tour + Giveaway + Curse of the Specter Queen Review!

Hi everyone! I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the RISE OF THE SNAKE GODDESS by Jenny Elder Moke Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my review of the first book in the series, Curse of the Specter Queen, and make sure to enter the giveaway! 

About the Book:

Title: RISE OF THE SNAKE GODDESS (Samantha Knox #2)

Author: Jenny Elder Moke

Pub. Date: June 7, 2022

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook

Pages: 320

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

Samantha Knox is back for another adventure in this 1920s female-driven mystery-adventure series!

Sam Knox’s second adventure takes her to the island of Crete, just off the coast of Greece, where she discovers the ancient Snake Goddess’s golden girdle in the depths of a cave shrine that has been buried for decades. After having been belittled by her archaeology professor throughout her first college semester, Sam knows this triumph will prove her worth in the field, but before she can take credit for the find, the girdle is stolen and the island is hit with a series of earthquakes that don’t feel quite geological.

Soon Sam, Bennett and Jo are embroiled in a wild hunt―one that takes them to tiny island shops, a glamorous auction party and a near fiery death―to find the girdle before someone can use it to raise an ancient goddess from her slumber. The final battle features gryphons, a labyrinth, the minotaur of legend and lots of snakes. Lots.

Reviews:

"Another action-packed, romance and mythology filled mystery...Themes of wealth, power, and chauvinism are skillfully woven throughout the story while readers are provided with a cast of characters they will easily find themselves rooting for!"―School Library Connection

"Billed as the heir apparent to Indiana Jones, Samantha is a witty and wise adventurer, and it feels as though Moke is building towards an eventual greater purpose for her heroine."―Booklist

"Jenny Elder Moke has done it again! Witty banter, ancient mysteries, thrilling action, and a mix of clever and dubious characters will keep you up all night in book two of the Samantha Knox series. A fantastic adventure!"―Jennifer Lynn Alvarez, author of Lies Like Wildfire

"Sam’s response to misogyny and classism propels the book’s action but also, in the deft hands of the author, provides readers with insights into the complexities of identity, self-awareness, and right action. While never becoming preachy, the book also thoughtfully explores issues related to the ethics of the acquisition and ownership of antiquities...Another satisfying supernatural adventure featuring an intrepid solver of puzzles."―Kirkus Reviews

“Ahead of her time and a force to be reckoned with, Samantha Knox is the female Indiana Jones we've long been waiting for! You haven't lived until you've read a Samantha Knox novel.”―Jen Calonita, New York Times best-selling author of the A Twisted Tale series

 

Grab CURSE OF THE SPECTER QUEEN now!

 Penelope's Review of Curse of the Specter Queen

This is my first book by Jenny Elder Moke, so I wasn't sure what to expect but was interested in the comparisons to Indiana Jones, Mummy, and so on. I'm so glad I picked up this book, and am looking forward to reading the diving into the second!

Our main female lead is Samantha Knox, a young woman who takes comfort in the stacks of antique books lining the shelves of the bookshop she works in, after her father doesn't come home from the war. She's never ventured outside of her hometown of Clements but that all changes the day an old, damaged diary shows up at her shop. The ensuing adventure brings Sam out of her shell, taking her to Chicago, and then as far as Dublin! Sam was such a brilliant woman - I loved the way her minds worked, and her ability to crack codes like no other! It was exciting to see a female lead taking the reigns like this and solving the mysteries, with the help of her friends, Bennett and Jo.

Bennett was also a great character, more stoic and reserved than Sam, but a great addition to the trio nonetheless. I liked his steady, cool head and had a laugh at the banter between him and his sister, Jo. Jo was a fantastic addition to the story - she was funny, smart, and I liked her no-nonsense, confident take on the world. The three of them worked really well together, and each had a different role to play.

In terms of the story itself, I thought it was really fun to read through thought process in Sam's head as she tried to guess clue after clue to stop a curse from being called down on the world. Though the plot does slow down in some spots, the overall book is a really great read! There's a hint of romance throughout, but it's very slow burn! I have a feeling that will be brought a little more to the forefront in book 2. Overall, a fun read full of mystery, adventure, and intrigue - looking forward to reading the next book!

Rating: 4/5 Devils!

 

About  Jenny Elder Moke:

Jenny Elder Moke writes young adult fiction in an attempt to recapture the shining infinity of youth. Her debut novel, Hood, was a Junior Library Guild Selection, a Mayor's Book Club selection, and received critical acclaim.

When she is not writing, she’s gathering story ideas from her daily adventures with her two irredeemable rapscallions and honing her ninja skills as a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Jenny lives in Denver, CO with her husband and two children.

 

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

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of RISE OF THE SNAKE GODDESS, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

6/1/2022	YABooksCentral	Excerpt
6/2/2022	@simplybeccamee	IG Review
6/3/2022	Just Another Teen Reading Books	Review/IG Post
6/4/2022	Review Thick And Thin	Review/IG Post

Week Two:

6/5/2022	A Court of Coffee and Books	Review/IG Post
6/6/2022	Karen Dee's Book Reviews	Review/IG Post
6/7/2022	Book-Keeping	Review/IG Post
6/8/2022	More Books Please blog	Review/IG Post
6/9/2022	Lisa Loves Literature	Review/IG Post
6/10/2022	@wraithreads	TikTok Review/IG Post
6/11/2022	DB’S Guide to the Galaxy	Review

Week Three:

6/12/2022	@drewsim12	IG Review/TikTiok Review
6/13/2022	Read With Serena	Review/IG Post
6/14/2022	@ReadsReaders	YouTube Review/IG Post/TikTok Post
6/15/2022	Star-Crossed Book Blog	Review/IG Post
6/16/2022	popthebutterfly	Review/IG Post/TikTok Post
6/17/2022	Fire and Ice	Review/IG Post
6/18/2022	@coffeesipsandreads	Review/IG Post

Week Four:

6/19/2022	beersbooksandboos	Review/IG Post/TikTok Post
6/20/2022	The Real World According To Sam	Review/IG Post
6/21/2022	@jacleomik33 The Page Ladies	IG Post Review
6/22/2022	The Reading Devil	Review/IG Post
6/23/2022	Emmiepooh2	IG Review
6/24/2022	The Girl Who Reads	Review/IG Post
6/25/2022	Lifestyle of Me	Review

Week Five:

6/26/2022	Two Points of Interest	Review
6/27/2022	The Momma Spot	Review/IG Post
6/28/2022	BookBriefs	Review/IG Post
6/29/2022	Library of Alexandria Archives	Review/IG Post
6/30/2022	onemused	Review/IG Post

Ashes by M.K. Harkins Book Review + Blog Tour + Giveaway!

 

Hi everyone! I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the ASHES by M.K. Harkins Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 About The Book:

Title: ASHES (Modern-Day Fairy Tale #1)

Author: M.K. Harkins

Pub. Date: June 1, 2022

Publisher: M.K. Harkins

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 303

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle

Read for FREE with a Kindle Unlimited Membership!

Not your typical Cinderella story…

If she thought college applications were complicated, just wait until she catches feelings for the newest celebrity in town.

Ashley Adams doesn’t have time for haters. Already too busy dealing with dead bodies after her stepmother purchased a mortuary, she is ready to put the lid on her judgmental peers and finally bury her high school experience. But her focus is shattered when a charming pop-star-turned-student needs her help evading his crazed fans.

The last place heartthrob Harry James wants to be is back in school. Sentenced to finish his senior year after a case of accidental arson, the singer longs to return to the stage. But he never expected to meet a girl who could see through the fame to the real person inside.

Surprised by the chemistry between them, Ashley is shocked when Harry gives her the cold shoulder. But with his publicist forbidding him from dating her, Harry must choose between fame or love.

Can Ashley and Harry survive the turmoil threatening to tear them apart?

Ashes is a fun and snarky standalone YA romance. If you like captivating characters, emotional twists and turns, Fairies and Cinderella retellings, then you’ll adore MK Harkins’ fast-paced tale.

*Recommended for readers 13+ (Some mild swearing and off-page violence)

Reviews:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐   "I'm no stranger to retellings of fairytales so my expectations were high. The story is beautifully written with a fresh and modern take on the characters, whilst retaining the true essence of the story."  Goodreads Reviewer
 
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "A delightful mix of finding love in the modern world, with a bit of Fairytale magic mixed in. I thought the novel was beautifully written. There really weren't any plot holes that led to confusion. The elements of a Cinderella retelling were masterfully placed, but not necessarily made the center of the story."  Goodreads Reviewer

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "What a great read! Everything about this book made me want to keep reading! From the great characters, great story line and a Cinderella twist!" NetGalley Reviewer 

 

 Penelope's Review

I absolutely adore Cinderella and all of the many wonderful retellings out there, so I was super excited to dive into this book and get a fresh take on one of my favorite stories! I like the idea of Prince Charming being a famous singer aka "Prince of Pop" (ha... clever lol). I'm happy to report that this was a cute, fun version of the story, and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series!

Ashley is our Cinderella, complete with an evil stepmother and two obnoxious stepsisters. The family owns a funeral home, and Ashley is in charge of hair and makeup on the dead people! While she may not be what you typically picture as Cinderella, I feel that it made the story stand out. Ashley is determined to graduate on time in order to get the trust her father left her to pay for college and get far away from her stepfamily. I admired her dedication to her goals, and the way she didn't let all of the obstacles her stepmother threw in front of her keep her from achieving her dreams. 

Harry is our Prince Charming, and I really liked his character, most of the time. He was sweet and charming (wink), and really liked Ashley from the moment he laid eyes on her. The fact that she's not like every other girl fawning over him is an added bonus! I will say that he could be a bit of a pushover at times, but I enjoyed his growth throughout the novel as he tried to figure himself out and what he wanted in life. 

In terms of plot, it gets a little wild at the end lol! But honestly, I don't go into fiction novels looking for "realistic" all of the time (otherwise I would pick up a non-fiction book lol!) so it didn't really bother me that it took some outrageous twists an turns - I thought it was fun! The writing style itself was alright - it felt just a little bit juvenile at times, but didn't hinder my opinion of the book too much. Overall, the book is a light-hearted read that's great for some impractical entertainment haha! It is part of a series, so look out for book 2 coming December 7th, 2022!

Rating: 3.5/5 Devils!

About M.K. Harkins:

MK has always been a voracious reader. After hitting a dry spell of reading material, she decided to write the kind of book she'd like to read. This resulted in the creation of her debut novel, Intentional. (Award for Best Sweet Romance - eFestival of Words- August 2014)

Unintentional, Breaking Braydon, Taking Tiffany and The Reader soon followed. MK's newest, Famous by Default, an Amazon Bestseller, was released March 2017. The follow-up to The Reader, The Jack, published 2018. Next up- A series of modern-day fairy tales. We'll start with a Cinderella story: Ashes

Subscribe to M.K.’s newsletter!

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

 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of ASHES, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

6/1/2022	Sadie's Spotlight	Excerpt/IG Post
6/2/2022	BookHounds YA	Guest Post/IG Post
6/3/2022	Cherie Colyer	Guest Post
6/4/2022	Jenguerdy	IG Post

Week Two:

6/5/2022	BETTER_0FF_READ	IG & TikTok Post
6/6/2022	Review Thick And Thin	Review/IG Post
6/7/2022	YABooksCentral	Guest Post
6/8/2022	Two Chicks on Books	Guest Post
6/9/2022	@jaimerockstarbooktours	IG Post
6/10/2022	Book Sniffers Anonymous	Review/IG Post
6/11/2022	Living in a Bookworld	Excerpt

Week Three:

6/12/2022	@jacleomik33 The Page Ladies	Review/IG Post
6/13/2022	Karen Dee's Book Reviews	Review/IG Post
6/14/2022	beersbooksandboos	Review/IG Post
6/15/2022	@My.Bookish.Mind	IG Review
6/16/2022	@travelersguidetobooks	IG Review
6/17/2022	Lady Hawkeye	Excerpt/IG Post
6/18/2022	100 Pages A Day	Review/IG Post

Week Four:

6/19/2022	The Reading Devil	Review/IG Post
6/20/2022	@meetcuteromancebooks	Review/IG Post
6/21/2022	#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog	Spotlight
6/22/2022	The Momma Spot	Review/IG Post
6/23/2022	Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers	Review/IG Post
6/24/2022	More Books Please blog	Review/IG Post
6/25/2022	Books a Plenty Book Reviews	Review

Week Five:

6/26/2022	Emmiepooh2	Review/IG Post
6/27/2022	Fire and Ice	Review
6/28/2022	@enjoyingbooksagain	IG Review
6/29/2022	Nagma | TakeALookAtMyBookshelf	IG Review
6/30/2022	@allyluvsbooksalatte	Review/IG Post