Sunday, 28 February 2021

BOOK REVIEW: Mommy, What Do You See When You Look At Me? by Candace V. Haynes and When I Feel Frustrated by Michael Gordon

Mommy, What Do You See When You Look At Me?

Author: Candace V. Haynes

Genre: Children's Picture Book
Publication Date: 16th January 2021

Book Description:

Mommy, What Do You See When You Look at Me is an endearing story of true love expressed between a mother and daughter. An inquisitive daughter challenges her mom to answer her questions. She receives her mother's adoring words describing the characteristics that make her daughter a unique and special person. There are beautiful attributes about the daughter that are easy to see. But this mom helps her daughter see the characteristics that are beyond exterior beauty. Readers will take a journey with characters who express the purest form of love in existence; it is the love between a parent and child. This story will leave moms and daughters with a yearning to share an embrace and a desire to have a similar conversation of their own. This is a perfect bookshelf item for any young girl. Mothers and daughters will love reading this story together again and again. This story is a great confidence booster for girls and will help them understand that there is so much more to a person than what the eyes can see. This book is ideal for moms and daughters to read together and will appeal to those who share this special type of bond. About the Author:Candace Haynes is a mom of five, and more specifically, a mom of three beautiful girls. She is a 25-year career educator who has stepped into a growing field of writers who choose to bring more African American characters to life in children’s books. The many students she has encountered throughout her career as a teacher and administrator are a source of great inspiration. It is important to Candace that the characters in her stories are relatable, realistic, and helpful to others. These characteristics are prominent in all of her work.

Buy Links:

Amazon US ¦ UK

MY REVIEW

This was a very enjoyable read. Essentially, it's a story about acceptance, of both one's self and others. A young girl questions her mother on various aspects of her appearance to establish how her mother perceives her. It's about accepting yourself for who you really are and appreciating that everyone is different and unique in their own way, which is what makes us all special and beautiful. The story highlights the fact that a person's nature/character cannot and shouldn't be judged based on appearance because a person is more than what you see on the outside.

I loved the bond between mother and daughter and the confidence the mother instils in her daughter by the way she answers her daughter's questions. Loved the illustrations. It's an all-round great book.

VERDICT

Award: Platinum

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Source: Own copy

When I Feel Frustrated

Author: Michael Gordon

Genre: Children's Picture Book
Publication Date: 21st September 2019

Book Description:

Self-Regulation Skills Series 6

Life doesn't always go as planned. Sometimes we fail and feel frustrated.

* Frustration itself is normal—and in fact necessary to learn and grow

* Help children learn how to become more resilient

* Help kids develop coping strategies to manage frustration and anger

* Feeling upset is not a reason to give up

It has a great message:

“Love the illustrations in this children’s book. I read this to my grandchildren (ages 3 5). ” - Anne

“A beautiful book an all ways. Great for preschoolers!“ - Ashley

Explains anger management & frustration:

“Love this kids book! Read it to my 3 yo daughter a few times and she liked it a lot! “ - Lizzie

“A wonderful story about anger, frustration, and resilience. Both of my sons adored it! ” - Kathryn

And

* Cute illustrations with a nice rhyming story

* Not too long, grabs kid’s attention

GET IT NOW and get the ebook for FREE!!

Add this amazing kids book to your cart and ENJOY!

Buy Links:

Amazon US ¦ UK

MY REVIEW

This is the first book I've read my Michael Gordon, but it certainly won't be the last. I loved the narrative voice. It's very reassuring, which is necessary with picture books and getting messages across to children, who, for the most part, have a short attention span, so you have to do well to maintain their interest, which I think this book will have no trouble doing.

From the wonderful illustrations down to the message of the story, kids and parents alike will love this story. What I enjoyed most was that it wasn't condescending or belittling. Getting frustrated is inevitable, so there's no point of trying to prevent it, instead, learn how to control your emotions and how to better utilise your time and energy to identify the problem and find a solution. Great message. I think a lot of people can learn from this book, so I would recommend it to everyone. It certainly put a smile on my face. A jolly good read indeed.

VERDICT

Award: Platinum

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Source: Own copy

Saturday, 27 February 2021

Book Blitz & Giveaway - The Silent Speak by Val Collins

The Silent Speak

Author: Val Collins

Publication Date: February 23rd, 2021

Genre: Adult Thriller

Book Description:

“There’s a lunatic out there who butchered five innocent people and nobody is looking for him.”

Aoife Walsh has plenty keeping her busy—finalising her divorce from her manipulative husband, settling into her still-new relationship with Detective Conor Moloney, and trying to win the trust of his teenage son. So for the moment, her fledgeling career as a freelance journalist has been put on hold.

Then comes the horrific news that an entire family has been slaughtered in their own home. Aoife is shocked to discover two of the victims were members of her on-again-off-again book club. Even more disturbing is the revelation that the police believe it was a murder-suicide.

That’s when Aoife receives a tantalising offer. Lisa, the main suspect’s sister, will grant Aoife access to the victims’ extended family for an exclusive news story—if Aoife will help find the real killer. Moved by Lisa’s unwavering belief in her brother’s innocence, Aoife agrees to help.

As she digs into the secrets of her fellow book club members, Aoife discovers potential suspects everywhere: people having affairs, a jealous husband, and a power-hungry business partner who’s clearly hiding something.

Aoife keeps pulling at the threads of the story, untangling more and more deception. Is the killer really dead and buried? Is it someone Aoife already knows? Could the lunatic be closer than Aoife ever imagined?

You won’t be able to put down this twisty thriller from international bestselling author Val Collins.

Buy Links:

Amazon US ¦ UK ¦ Barnes & Noble ¦ iBooks ¦ Kobo

Book Blitz & Giveaway - Tristan by Jennie Lynn Roberts

Tristan

(The Hawks, #1)

Author: Jennie Lynn Roberts

Publication Date: February 22nd, 2021

Genre: Adult Fantasy / Romance

Book Description:

His redemption might be her downfall…

Tristan has nothing left to lose. His best friend’s betrayal cost him everything. Now, he’s going to take it back. All he has to do to get the Hawks reinstated to their rightful position at the palace is track down the traitor’s younger sister and turn her over for execution. But Nim’s not the girl Tristan left behind years ago; she’s a stubborn, loyal, beautiful woman, and he can’t stop himself from wanting her.

Nim fled with nothing when the king’s favorite came for her. All she has left is the conviction that her brother is innocent—and her determination to free him. She’ll do anything…even if it means convincing Tristan to help her. But the man he’s become is a far cry from the boy she fell in love with so long ago. He’s formidably stern and deeply untrusting. She’ll just have to hope he still has a heart under that battle-scarred exterior.

When love and duty collide, will Tristan follow his orders or follow his heart?

Tristan, book 1 in The Hawks series, is a sexy, steamy, adult fantasy romance full of swords, shifters (kind of), and tons of action. But fair warning: This book is intended only for readers who love slow burn romance, fast-paced adventure, soul mates and found family—and characters who curse when they fight for survival. If that’s you, happy reading.

Buy Links:

Amazon US ¦ UK

Book Blitz & Giveaway - Decide to Live by Shirley Anne Edwards

Decide to Live

(Finding the Strength, #3)

Author: Shirley Anne Edwards

Publication Date: February 14th, 2021

Genre: NA Contemporary Romance

Book Description:

When it hurts too much to live, how does one find the strength to stay alive and find hope again?

Reiko Nakano has a charmed life. Not only does the twenty-three-old come from a life of luxury because of her celebrity parents and supermodel sister, she’s best friends with the biggest brother and sister pop duo in the world- Gio and Gem Grove. But what the public assumes is wrong different because of what Reiko suffers in private. She feels she’s an outcast in her own family because of her ptosis and her social anxiety. She then makes the biggest mistake of her life and tries to turn her lifelong crush on Gio into something more. His cruel rejection after she lets him take her virginity leaves her heartbroken.

Reiko hides in the least likely of places- the small town of Albee, Pennsylvania. There she enjoys her anonymity and enrolls in summer classes at Maison University. She hopes she can fit in as a student, but life continues to play tricks on her when she’s hit in the face by a football from one of the most popular boys on campus, Will Forest. But this accidental but memorial meeting will help heal her fragile emotions because Will shows her how special she is to those she meets, including him.

She isn’t sure what to make of Will. He’s too nice and sweet, and treats her like gold. She accepts his attempts at romance even though it’s only temporary. But as the summer flies by, she doesn’t want to give Will up, who doesn’t know the truth about her “vacation”. And when Gio arrives in town, and threatens to out Reiko, she has some hard choices to make. Does she come clean to Will so she can decide to finally live on her own terms and embrace the amazing woman Will thinks her to be?

Buy Links:

Amazon US ¦ UK ¦ Barnes & Noble ¦ iBooks ¦ Kobo ¦ Google Play

February Group Promo - FREE and Discounted eBooks

Welcome!

Enter the February Giveaway for a chance to win a $10 Amazon Gift Card.

Check out all the free and discounted ebooks and giveaways on offer below. Sharing is caring. I truly appreciate your support. Have a great weekend!

Happy Reading!

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Thursday, 18 February 2021

Book Blitz & Giveaway - Love in the City: Limited Edition Romantic Comedy Box Set

Love in the City: Limited Edition Romantic Comedy Box Set

Publication Date: February 16th, 2021

Genre: Adult Comedy / Romance

Book Description:

Get ready for thirteen heart pounding and laugh out loud rom-coms from thirteen bestselling and award winning authors, including Amazon chart toppers and USA Today bestsellers. Filled with mystery, second chances, soulmates, brother’s best friends, bad boys, nobility, and the cute guy in the cubicle next to you, these stories will captivate you and leave you wishing for more.

Download this limited edition box set while you can and indulge in these sweet and sexy leading men and strong and beautiful heroines while they fall in love in cities around the world.

Sariah Wilson – All’s Fair in Love and War

Becky Monson -The Love Potion

Jennifer Peel – Love the One You’re With

Kirsty Greenwood – Love Will Save the Day

Whitney Dineen – Love for Sale

Aven Ellis – Love, the Viscount, & Me

Shari L. Tapscott – Little Lost Love Letter

Lucy McConnell – Love: Going Up?

Kate O’Keeffe – A Very English Love Story

Erin Huss – Love, Lies, and Limo Rides

Melissa Baldwin – Thanks for the Love

Stephanie Fowers – Love at the Masquerade

Kathryn R. Biel – Vision of Love

Buy Links:

Amazon US ¦ UK ¦ Barnes & Noble ¦ iBooks ¦ Kobo

Book Blitz & Giveaway - A Shot at Normal by Marisa Reichardt

A Shot at Normal

Author: Marisa Reichardt

Published by: Farrar Straus and Giroux (BYR)

Publication Date: February 16th, 2021

Genre: YA Contemporary

Book Description:

Marisa Reichardt’s A Shot at Normal is a powerful and timely novel about justice, agency, family, and taking your shot, even when it seems impossible.

Dr. Villapando told me to get a good attorney. He wasn’t serious. But I am. I’m going to sue my parents.

Juniper Jade’s parents are hippies. They didn’t attend the first Woodstock, but they were there for the second one. The Jade family lives an all-organic homeschool lifestyle that means no plastics, no cell phones, and no vaccines. It isn’t exactly normal, but it’s the only thing Juniper has ever known. She doesn’t agree with her parents on everything, but she knows that to be in this family, you’ve got to stick to the rules. That is, until the unthinkable happens.

Juniper contracts the measles and unknowingly passes the disease along, with tragic consequences. She is shell-shocked. Juniper knows she is responsible and feels simultaneously helpless and furious at her parents, and herself.

Now, with the help of Nico, the boy who works at the library and loves movies and may just be more than a friend, Juniper comes to a decision: she is going to get vaccinated. Her parents refuse so Juniper arms herself with a lawyer and prepares for battle. But is waging war for her autonomy worth losing her family? How much is Juniper willing to risk for a shot at normal?

Buy Links:

Amazon US ¦ UK ¦ Barnes & Noble ¦ iBooks ¦ Kobo ¦ Google Play

BOOK REVIEW: The Salt in Our Blood by Ava Morgyn

Salt in Our Blood

Author: Ava Morgyn

Genre: YA Fantasy
Release Date: 2nd March 2021

Publisher: AW Teen

Book Description:

Ten years ago, Cat's volatile mother, Mary, left her at her grandmother's house with nothing but a deck of tarot cards. Now seventeen, Cat is determined to make her life as different from Mary's as possible. When Cat's grandmother dies, she's forced to move to New Orleans with her mother. There, she discovers a picture of Mary holding a baby that's not her, leading her to unravel a dark family history and challenge her belief that Mary's mental health issues are the root of all their problems. But as Cat explores the reasons for her mother's breakdown, she fears she is experiencing her own. Ever since she arrived in New Orleans, she's been haunted by strangely familiar visitors—in dreams and on the streets of the French Quarter—who know more than they should. Unsure if she can rebuild her relationship with her mother, Cat is realizing she must confront her past, her future, and herself in the fight to try.

Pre-Order Links:

Amazon US ¦ UK

MY REVIEW

After her grandmother's sudden death, Cat finds herself having to reach out to her estranged mother, who takes Cat to live with her in New Orleans. While staying with her mother, Cat learns of a dark family history that her beloved grandmother kept hidden from her, involving a sibling she never knew existed, and if she is to learn the truth and heal the relationship between her and her estranged mother, she would have to face her fears and let her guard down.

I want to start off by saying I love the cover. It's very mystical and caught my attention right away. I also liked the writing style. It was engaging, and even when the story wavered at times, I found myself still reading on due to the enigmatic and persuasive nature of the narration. Good characterisation throughout, but I felt the story lacked in plot development in certain parts. There were topics mentioned that wasn't fully explored, characters introduced that weren't utilised to a full degree, which had these elements been fully employed, would have added more depth to the story. The story idea was one of intrigue, however, the execution of the story and the way certain parts unfolded wasn't as satisfactory as I would have liked. Still, I enjoyed reading the book.

Cat was an interesting character, as was Mary, whose backstory was very fascinating and traumatising. The portrayal of Mary's bipolar disorder was hard to swallow at times and might not be well received by some readers for the fact that it appears the problem stems from Mary's bipolar and not the negligence of her receiving proper treatment for her condition. In other words, it may appear to some that the problem with Mary is that she is bipolar, which I don't believe was the intention. I didn't find Daniel engaging nor was I fully convinced there was actually chemistry between him and Cat. I wanted to swoon over him, but it just never happened. I wasn't charmed, I'm afraid.

This was a good story with a lot of potential.

VERDICT

Award: Silver

Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars

Source: Author

BOOK REVIEW: Other by Karen Kincy

Other

Author: Karen Kincy

Genre: YA Fantasy
Release Date: 13th January 2017

Book Description:

Shapeshifting can be a beautiful and deadly secret. Gwen craves the forbidden rush of leaping from her bedroom window and transforming into an owl, but she could lose it all if anyone caught her. Most Americans don’t exactly roll out the welcome mat for Others. In the small town of Klikamuks, Washington, coming out as a person with paranormal abilities means staring down the barrel of a shotgun. Gwen hasn’t even told the truth to her boyfriend, Zack, who she hopes will be the boy to take her virginity.

When a pack of werewolves claims the national forest behind Gwen’s house as their territory, the tensions in Klikamuks escalate—into murder. Prejudice slows the police investigation. It doesn’t take Gwen long to realize a serial killer is targeting Others. On the hunt for clues, she meets Tavian, a sexy Japanese fox-spirit who rivals Zack and challenges her to embrace her shapeshifting. Can she find the killer before he finds her, or will her secrets be the death of her?

Buy Links:

Amazon US ¦ UK

MY REVIEW

Other has all the hallmarks and potential of being a great read, but however great the idea was, unfortunately the execution fell flat for me. Themes of prejudice, stereotype and not being accepted for who you are is reminiscent from start to finish, and while I loved exploring the themes and the world of fantastical creatures that inhabit this small town, the characterisation fell short and did not do justice to the story.

Gwen is an 'Other', a teenage girl who is half pooka and half human. She keeps her shape-shifting a secret from the world in fear of being ostracised. Apart from her family and her best friend, Chloe, who too is an Other, no one knows what Gwen truly is, not even her boyfriend of over one year. Living in a world where people are not-so-welcoming towards supernatural beings, Gwen is often left feeling isolated and restricted, almost trapped inside her own body. As if living with this secret isn't hard enough, life becomes more complicated when a serial killer starts targeting Others.

The story took a while to lift off, and for a large portion of the book, we have to deal with Gwen's dilemma of having to keep her boyfriend, Zack, in the dark about her true identity. Due to Zack's strict religious background and ideologies about Others it's understandable why Gwen is in fear of telling him the truth. but her decisions sometimes just didn't make any sense whatsoever. She has refrained from sleeping with Zack for the longest time due to the fact that she wanted to be honest with him about her identity before moving to the next level in their relationship, but then she makes a move that completely eradicates her initial intention. Despite his reservations about Others, Zack is portrayed as an understanding and caring boyfriend and a likeable character, and his reaction to Gwen following their intimate moment was authentic as it came as a huge shock to him (though I don't know how he misconstrued her when she stated she was Other) having been dating Gwen for over a year and not knowing something so vital about her. I think Gwen drifting away from him and jumping track over to the Tavian express was a bad move on her part. Tavian was a likeable character, but their relationship felt forced. I wasn't a fan of this direction. Apart from the obvious thing they had in common, there was no chemistry between them. I also found the interaction between the characters to be overly formal at times, and it became hard to be convinced or persuaded by the authenticity of their portrayal.

There was a real story here with a raving lunatic going around killing Others, which I really wanted to indulge in and get to the bottom of, but that story arc was overshadowed by Gwen's whining about her failing love life when her actual life was on the line. There were some really deep topics and issues that needed to be explored as they were mentioned but they just fizzled out o the story or were pushed to the background in favour of issues that were less interesting and at times intolerable. The ingredients were there, but they weren't assembled in an effective manner.

It was an okay read, but I didn't particularly enjoy it as I should have.

VERDICT

Award: Bronze

Rating: 2 out of 5 Stars

Source: Own copy

Friday, 12 February 2021

Book Blitz & Giveaway - Uncrossed by J.A. Huss and K.C. Cross

Uncrossed

(Harem Station, #7)

Author: J.A. Huss, K.C. Cross

Publication Date: January 26th, 2021

Genre: Adult Romance / Science Fiction

Book Description:

Princess Corla was supposed to be my soulmate.

But we were star crossed.

Two ships passing in the dark. Meant to be together, but never able to be together.

At least that’s what I thought.

But it turns out—my life is a lie, evil forces are out to get us, Harem Station is spinning chaos, and the soulmate bond won’t protect us.

Sounds pretty bad, right?

But here’s the best part.

I can change it.

I can change all of it.

If I can just find a way to get myself uncrossed.

Uncrossed is the last book in the Harem Station Series and features a man chasing his star-crossed soulmate through time, a bazillion enemies at the gate, an entire station in chaos, and an explosive ending that proves, once and for all, that love WINS in the end.

Buy Links:

Amazon US ¦ UK ¦ Audible ¦ Bookbub ¦ Series Link

Book Blitz & Giveaway - A Flood of Posies by Tiffany Meuret

A Flood of Posies

Author: Tiffany Meuret

Publication Date: February 9th, 2021

Genre: Adult Fantasy / Science Fiction

Book Description:

*2020 Cygnus Book Award for Science Fiction Long List*

It’s 2025.

Sisters, Doris and Thea, exist worlds apart, despite living within a few miles of one another. Doris with her regular home and regular husband and regular job, and Thea slinking along the edges of society, solitary and invisible. When a storm of biblical proportions strikes, the wayward sisters are begrudgingly forced together as the rain waters rise, each attempting to survive both the flood and each other.

One year later, Thea—now calling herself Sestra—floats throughout a ravaged, flood soaked world. Her former life drowned beneath metric tons of water, she and her only companion, Robert, battle starvation, heatstroke, and the monstrous creatures called Posies that appeared alongside the flood. When they run across what they assume to be an abandoned tugboat, their journey takes a new turn, and the truth about the flood and the monsters seems more intricately linked to Thea’s past then she may realize.

Buy Links:

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Book Blitz & Giveaway - The Hollow World by Tracy Auerbach

The Hollow World

(Fragments, #3)

Author: Tracy Auerbach

Publication Date: February 2nd, 2021

Genre: Adult Urban Fantasy

Book Description:

The time has come for Kai and her friends to make a final stand, and as the war begins, everyone must choose a side. But with the lines between good and evil more blurred than ever, Kai has to stick with her convictions and follow her heart. Kai’s first priority is to free Finn from the clutches of Tessa Raven, who has become no better than the evil she once fought against.

As Kai reluctantly turns against the people she once considered her closest friends, she becomes entangled in a struggle with a mysterious new power that threatens to destroy what is left of Finn and change everything she thought she knew about the planet.

Meanwhile, Charlie and Aric remain behind and help Raven breach the underground world of the Science Council. All bets are off as they prepare to cross every line and burn every bridge in an attempt to claim the world that has abused them for too long.

Buy Links:

Amazon US ¦ UK ¦ Barnes & Noble ¦ iBooks ¦ Kobo ¦ Google Play