My Review:
“Fairy tales are more than true; not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.” ― G.K. Chesterton
Tuesday, October 29, 2024
A Wonderful Classic Mystery! --"The Burning of Rosemont Abbey" by Naomi Stephens--Review
My Review:
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
A Best Book of the Year! --"Lethal Kings" by Victoria McCombs—Review
My Review:
“Lethal Kings” by Victoria McCombs is the second book in the “Fae Dynasty” duology. I loved the first book “Mortal Queens” so much and I was wondering whether this second installment would live up to my expectations. Boy, did it, and more! This finale does not disappoint and wraps everything up perfectly. Althea is a mortal queen thrust into the fae realm. She must learn who to trust, make alliances, play chess, and may lose her heart along the way. Will she stay with Bash, whom she has developed feelings for, when their relationship is in jeopardy? She also must help the other new mortal queen as she starts her reign. Althea must learn to play the game of the fae and to navigate this world of trickery and riddles. I love seeing everything finally connect in this book and learning more about characters from Althea’s past. It is wonderful to see family relationships come into play in this book and how close Althea is with some of them. It is satisfying to finally find out some answers, such as where the seventh king is and who can obtain his power. There are some hard things that happen along the way (if you have read the book, you know what event I am especially referring to) but the ending is so perfect. I do not know how Ms. McCombs expertly weaves everything together. I would recommend reading the first book in the series before reading this book. This duology is especially great for teens and those who enjoy fantasy and young adult books. I highly recommend this series. “Lethal Kings” is a pulse pounding, unputdownable book!
Content: I give this book a PG rating. Examples of the content: characters drink alcohol; a side character used to gamble; a married man cheats on his wife.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
A Witty Austen Murder Mystery! --"Murder in Highbury" by Vanessa Kelly—Review
My Review:
Monday, October 14, 2024
A Charming Romance with a Perfect Gentleman! --"The Gentleman's Confession" by Anneka Walker--Review
My Review:
Wednesday, October 2, 2024
"Ignite" by Kara Swanson Blog Tour (Review) & GIVEAWAY!
Book: Ignite
Author: Kara Swanson
Genre: YA Fantasy
Release Date: August 20, 2024
Can Mara survive in a world where the fire in her veins is worth killing for?
In a frozen wasteland suffocating beneath a dying sun, Mara is a young phoenix raised by her father to explode at his command. He’s the only one who can help her control her fire, and Mara desperately follows his orders to protect their phoenix family from relentless human hunters.
Her sheltered existence is shattered when her family mysteriously vanishes, thrusting Mara into a perilous quest to find them. Along the way, she unravels a devastating truth: her people may not be the innocent victims she’s been taught to believe.
When she comes face-to-face with the kindhearted Eli, she begins to wonder if the humans aren’t the monsters she’s always feared. What if the greatest danger doesn’t lie in the icy world outside—but in the truth of who Mara really is?
Fire and ice collide in this thrilling tale of a phoenix girl born with the power of a dying sun.
Click here to get your copy!
My Review
About the Author
Kara Swanson writes stories about fairy tales and fiery souls. She spent her childhood a little like a Lost Girl, running barefoot through lush green jungles which inspired her award-winning Peter Pan retellings, Dust and Shadow.
She is also the cofounder of the Author Conservatory (authorconservatory.com) where she has the honor of teaching young writers to craft sustainable author careers.
You’ll find Kara with her toes in California sand as a SoCal resident, belting Broadway show tunes on weekend drives to Disneyland with her delightfully nerdy husband, or chatting about magic and mayhem on Instagram.
More from Kara
This story is one that has lived a hundred lives, a little like the phoenix it’s about —dozens of iterations and nearly eight years discovering Mara’s story. In this icy world beneath a dying sun, I was able to craft a story of a young phoenix girl who was more terrified of her own fire than the dangers of the frozen wasteland outside her underground hideaway. Who has been convinced by the father she loves that her flame is only capable of pain and damage — until suddenly, he disappears. And for the first time, she ventures out of her hideaway to discover that the frozen world outside is actually dying for her flame. And that the parts of herself that she has feared and run from…that there may be beauty, even there. That she can choose to rise from the ash of a world that doesn’t understand her, and use the fire in her veins to bring warmth and healing.
I hope you enjoy the adventure!
Blog Stops
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, September 27
By the Book , September 27
Texas Book-aholic, September 28
Live.Love.Read., September 29
Inspired by Fiction, September 30
The Lofty Pages, September 30
Hannahbandanarama, October 1
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, October 1
Faery Tales Are Real, October 2
Locks, Hooks and Books, October 3
Min Reads and Reviews, October 3
Wishful Endings, October 4
Book Zone Reviews, October 5
Simple Harvest Reads, October 5 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)
Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 6
Where Faith and Books Meet, October 7
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 8
Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, October 8
Book Butterfly in Dreamland, October 9
Blogging With Carol, October 10
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Kara is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon card and a copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
Monday, September 2, 2024
"So True a Love" by Joanna Barker Review & GIVEAWAY!
Wow! “So True a Love” is an amazing book! I am so excited to be on tour with Just Read to share my review and a giveaway. See my bookstagram post on September 3rd over at @faerytalesarereal to enter. Instagram
⇒ Book Name So True a Love
⇒ Author Joanna Barker
⇒ Publisher Shadow Mountain
⇒ Tagline: Danger and passion collide when a plucky young woman becomes embroiled in a Bow Street investigation alongside a handsome officer.
Danger and passion collide in a Regency backdrop when a plucky young woman becomes embroiled in a Bow Street investigation alongside a handsome officer.
London, 1803
As the daughter of a renowned actress, Verity Travers is a privileged lady of high society —and the last woman one would suspect of working as a private investigator. But after one case nearly costs her everything, she makes the hard decision to hang up her hat and live the uninspiring life of a gentlewoman. However, when she and her dearest friend become victims of a harrowing armed robbery, Verity finds herself swept back into the clandestine world of mystery and crime as she seeks to bring the thief to justice. There’s just one complication: the persistent and dashingly handsome Bow Street Runner Nathaniel Denning, who always seems to cross her path.
Verity is confident she could accomplish her work quickly if only Nathaniel would stay out of her way. While she appreciates his keen mind and quick wit on a case, his interference is muddling her progress—and her heart. Focusing on the task at hand becomes more and more difficult as she constantly bumps into Nathaniel, who is determined to keep her out of danger.
When the two rival investigators learn they are both pursuing the same cunning criminal, they must figure out how to navigate the delicate dance of cooperation amid a backdrop of increasing peril and an irresistible passion that sets their hearts ablaze.
My Review
"So True a Love" by Joanna Barker is an incredible Regency romantic suspense novel! This is the first book I’ve read by this author and it will certainly not be my last. This book hooked me from the first page and held me in suspense as I devoured and savored its contents. Ms. Barker’s writing is superb and keeps one invested in the story. I also love her use of humor throughout. The characters feel like real people, and I was so sad that I had to part with Verity and Nathaniel when I closed the last page. Readers will fall in love with Verity with her cleverness and stubborn streak. Her character reminds me of “Enola Holmes.” Nathaniel is just a sweetheart, and readers will fall for this Bow Street Runner nicknamed “Sir Chivalry.” This love story is one of rivals-to-lovers that is done so perfectly. The chemistry between the main characters sizzles off the page. I enjoyed their lively, witty banter. I must not forget their first swoony kiss! The side characters are all so well written and memorable as well. I am glad there is a story about Verity’s brother, Jack. Wily is another favorite. I appreciate that "So True a Love" highlights familial love, especially the love and sacrifices a mother makes for her daughter. I have been looking for more clean, well-written Regency books and I know I have found a winner!
I give this book a PG rating. Some examples of the content are: a character has tried whisky in the past; a character is said to have been born illegitimately and her parents aren’t married; characters drink alcohol; characters are at a tavern where people drink alcohol and are drunk; a man tries to assault a woman; it says someone curses, but the words aren’t actually written; someone else has a child out of wedlock.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Purchase link: click here
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
"The Nightmare Virus" by Nadine Brandes Blog Tour (Review) & GIVEAWAY!
About the Book
Book: The Nightmare Virus
Author: Nadine Brandes
Genre: YA Science Fantasy
Release date: July 16, 2024
Some viruses go after the body. But the Nightmare Virus goes after the mind.
When dream technology goes wrong, a virus spreads across the globe,trapping people in a universal dreamscape. They call it the Nightmare Virus.Cain Cross is determined to find a cure . . . if he can decipher his brother’s chicken-scratch formula notes. But when he gets infected, he has only 22 days until he’s trapped in the mental prison forever. Now, every time he falls asleep, he must fight in a Nightmare Arena until he earns his freedom to live in the “new world” that exists only in the mind.
Then he finds a way to manipulate the Nightmare—to change it by mere thought.
Forced to navigate a world of nightbeasts, mistblades, and half-truths, Cain turns his focus to survival. When the Emperor offers him a LifeSuPod—and access to a cure—in exchange for a dangerous favor, Cain thinks he’s found a way out. But Cain’s new power threatens to take him on paths that jeopardize his very soul.
Will he continue searching for a cure, or will he swear allegiance to the Nightmare? And the bigger question might be . . . will he even have a choice?
Click here to get your copy!
My Review
"The Nightmare Virus" by Nadine Brandes is a young
adult sci-fantasy dystopian novel with some impressive spiritual themes! I have
read all of Nadine’s books and this one reminded me the most of her “Out of
Time” trilogy. It has more of a dystopian, darker feel than some of her more
recent books. Nadine always produces such unique, multi-layered stories that
pack a spiritual punch. There is a lot of allegory, but the allegory is not
obnoxious or in your face, so it can easily be enjoyed just for the great
fiction story it tells. I could read it again and I am sure I would catch
aspects and layers that I did not catch on this first read through. I love that
the main character is a male (we need more of that in Christian fiction) and
that it is great for boys, with non-stop action and just a little romance. The
plot is gripping, and action packed, and I often could not find a stopping
place.
The story is “Hunger Games” meets “Gladiator” meets “Inception”
meets “Ready Player One.” I loved the
nods to “Harry Potter,” “Lord of the Rings” and other fandoms throughout the
story. Nadine includes great themes such as asking, “Where is the light in the
darkness?” and encourages readers to examine how they are using their time. “The
Nightmare Virus” encouraged me in my Christian walk and had me thinking about
it throughout the day.
God most speaks to me through story, so I loved that this
was a great, engaging story packed with Biblical truths (although they never
take you out of or distract from the main story)! I have a feeling many of my
fellow book nerds will feel the same way about this one!
I give this story a PG to PG-13 rating. Some examples of the
content are: someone’s dad cheated on his mom; a character’s family member
dealt with depression; a man curses, but the words are not actually written;
someone possibly committed suicide; there is blood, violence, death, and battle
scenes.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Nadine
Brandes, Enclave Publishing and Celebrate Lit and was under no obligation to
post a review.
About the Author
Nadine Brandes has been known to do wild things (like ride a sleeper train across Russia) in the name of book research. She’s the four-time Carol Award–winning author of seven young adult books and has been a professional fiction editor for over a decade. She is passionate about Jesus, motherhood, and creating with the Creator. When she’s not busy inventing worlds and magic systems, she’s adventuring through Middle Earth with her Auror husband and their four Halfling children.
More from Nadine
“Really, God? Now?” That was my reaction when He told me it was time to sign a contract for The Nightmare Virus less than two years after a global pandemic. “No one wants a book with the word “virus” in its title.”
That was the first of many moments that revealed this book was not my choice to write or publish or even title, but was instead the Lord’s. I’d had the idea for over a decade. And while it had nothing to do with the 2020 pandemic it arose from the concept that this world is not our home. This world is temporary and yet, during our time in it, we—as Believers—know the path to freedom out of darkness.
It was a story I was waiting and waiting to write and share with the world and yet when God said “Go” I argued with Him. I was convinced this was the worst time to try and publish this book. I told Him I’d have no time to write it (as a mama of 3 children in 3 years with another one on the way at the time.) Yet God said, “I’ll make the time.” And He did. He paved the way for this book—both in my imagination and in my practical life—and that’s the best road an author can walk, one where her King has gone before her.
This book is unlike anything I’ve ever written and I know that can be either a very good thing or a very bad thing, haha. But God has made it evident that He has a purpose for this story, not the least of which was to draw me closer to Him while writing it.
As I prepared this blog post I thought I could talk about the characters or themes or plot…but you’ll encounter all of those things when you read it. Instead I chose to share the heart journey behind it. Readers may pick it up because of the title or perhaps they’ll pick it up in spite of the title. No matter how the story finds its way into their hands, I know that it is the Lord who got it there. And I can’t wait to see what sort of sparks come from it.
Blog Stops
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, July 31
The Lofty Pages, August 1
Locks, Hooks and Books, August 2
Through the Fire Blogs, August 3 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, August 3
Blogging With Carol, August 4
Blossoms and Blessings, August 5 (Author Interview)
Inspired by fiction, August 6
Guild Master, August 7 (Author Interview)
Faery Tales Are Real, August 7
Live.Love.Read., August 8
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 9
Fiction Book Lover, August 10 (Author Interview)
Simple Harvest Reads, August 11 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)
Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, August 12
Denise L. Barela, August 13
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Nadine is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/2d08f/the-nightmare-virus-celebration-tour-giveaway