“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

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

A Witty Austen Murder Mystery! --"Murder in Highbury" by Vanessa Kelly—Review


 My Review:

"Murder in Highbury" by Vanessa Kelly is a murder mystery that takes place in the world of Jane Austen’s “Emma.”  The events in this story take place soon after the events in “Emma.”  This story is perfect for fans of Jane Austen, witty stories, and murder mysteries!  You do not have to have read Austen’s novel to enjoy this charming book, although fans will be delighted with how true to Austen the author stays in “Murder in Highbury.”  Ms. Kelly gives readers a good explanation of events in the original “Emma” book, in case the reader is not familiar with it. As a huge fan of both Austen and “Emma” myself, I loved that reading “Murder in Highbury” felt like I was reading another one of Austen’s works. Ms. Kelly really knows her Austen and has a great grasp on the beloved characters. Everything they do and say in her novels feels so true to their character. “Murder in Highbury” is written with a wit and wry humor and Emma has some great one liners. The mystery is so well done, and I was fully invested throughout. I was able to guess who committed the crime, just before the reveal. Of course Emma would get involved in a murder mystery; and who better to write it than Ms. Kelly? I cannot wait to see what Emma gets up to next!

Content: I give this a PG rating. Some examples of the content are: the words “as*,” “hell,” “bloody,” “dam*ation,” “bastard,” and “devil” are used; the Lord’s name is taken in vain; sexual innuendo; characters drink alcohol, talk of people possibly being lovers; says someone isn’t a virgin.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Monday, October 14, 2024

A Charming Romance with a Perfect Gentleman! --"The Gentleman's Confession" by Anneka Walker--Review


 My Review:

"The Gentleman's Confession" by Anneka Walker is such a charming romance! I had a smile on my face as I read this wonderful story. Readers will fall in love with this friends-to-lovers romance and even more so with our hero, Miles Jackson.  Jemma Fielding feels she needs to marry to honor her late grandmother’s dying wish and goes to the Matchmaking Mamas Society. Jemma is matched with someone but feels she does not know anything about love. Jemma decides to go to her old friend Miles for advice. Miles is one of the best male protagonists I have read in a long time. He is such a sweet cinnamon roll. The way he loves Jemma, even when his feelings are not returned, is so romantic. He is willing to teach Jemma about love so she can fall in love with and marry someone else, even though he secretly loves her. He is nicknamed “Mr. Romantic” for a reason! There is even a lake scene with a wet shirt! It is very reminiscent of the infamous lake scene from the Colin Firth “Pride and Prejudice” movie! Be prepared with your smelling salts!

Jemma, our headstrong, lovable heroine is a bluestocking and loves fashion. She also loves to support causes. Miles and Jemma have a group of friends called “The Rebels,” many of whom readers will recognize from previous books. You need not have read the previous books to enjoy this one, but I look forward to reading all the rest of the books in the series! The friendship between the Rebels is so fun and heartwarming. It is admirable how they come together for worthy causes and to fight injustice. There are also lots of historical tidbits in the story including cricket, fashion, and the Chios massacre of 1822. The author writes in a witty way and there are several humorous scenes that I enjoyed.

The author calls this book “romantic, witty and uplifting!”  It surely is all those things, and it is also a clean read. I highly recommend this book!

Content: I give this book a G rating. Examples of the content: the word “devil” is used; there is a rumor that someone was drunk; it says that someone almost uttered a swear word; there’s mention of a woman showing too much of her chest.

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 2, 2024

"Ignite" by Kara Swanson Blog Tour (Review) & GIVEAWAY!

 

About the Book

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

“Ignite” by Kara Swanson is a moving, powerful coming of age story of a phoenix girl named Mara. Mara has grown up sheltered and controlled. Throughout the story, she embarks on a journey to find out who she really is and what she was made for. Mara experienced a lot of trauma at the hands of those close to her and must learn to use her own voice and control her fire so she does not explode and hurt those around her.   She was always told that she needed to cut off her wings and tamp down her flames because she was dangerous and that was the only way to keep her flock safe. Then Mara meets some wonderful friends who bring healing and teach her that she can learn to control her emotions and flames and can use those very things to heal and protect others.

The story is a powerful allegory of mental health, especially those who deal with issues like complex PTSD. Due to the subject matter, the story is darker and may be hard for those with mental health issues to read at times, as it is so realistic and accurate. I personally found it very healing and empowering to read, as I have struggled with some of those things myself. I also love that Mara deals with chronic pain, something I have also struggled with. There is a great found-family aspect to the book and a lot of spiritual parallels, as the characters often talk about “the light” and “the Creator.” 

No matter what I write here, I do not feel like I can do justice to the beauty of this book. Moving, powerful, raw, healing, allegorical and mental health are a few words to describe this incredible read. I felt the full range of emotions and was encouraged after reading this. I highly recommend this to anyone going through their own healing journey and trying to find their wings.

I give this story a PG-13 rating, especially for the mental health aspects. Some examples of the content are:  a character deals with mental health issues; flashbacks; murder of a loved one; a character seems to suffer from PTSD or CPTSD; says a character curses, but the words aren’t actually written; violence, gore; animals are killed and harmed; talk of child sacrifice; a man was tortured and has no eye sockets; a woman tries to commit suicide; a character is physically and emotionally abused by a family member.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kara Swanson, Enclave Publishing and Celebrate Lit and was under no obligation to post a 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.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf5450/