My Top 10 Most Anticipated Books and Movies of 2020

Happy New Year To You All!

As always, I am looking forward to seeing what 2020 has to offer. I learned a lot last year, and I'm sure to continue on that path this year. To kick off this year, check out my most anticipated books and movies for 2020.

WHICH BOOKS AND MOVIES ARE ON YOUR WISH LIST THIS YEAR?

 

My Top 10 Most Anticipated Books
Of 2020 Are:

My Top 10 Most Anticipated Movies
Of 2020 Are:

BOOK REVIEW: Beyond the Hill by Sheldon Peart

Beyond the Hill

Author: Sheldon Peart

Genre: Crime / Thriller
Publication Date: 26th September 2019

Book Description:

Detective Inspector James Chisolm embarks on an extensive search to find fifteen-year-old Kathy Shackleton, who disappears after leaving school one afternoon. The trail ends with Lloyd Robins, her biology teacher, and the inspector’s best friend. But he denies knowledge of Kathy’s whereabouts.

When police intelligence leads to an abandoned house, perched on top of a heavily wooded hill, chilling evidence is discovered which suggests that Kathy could be the latest victim in a spate of child abduction and murders. One piece of the evidence stuns Inspector Chisolm. But no one besides him knows of the intimate connection to Lloyd Robins. Will loyalty to his friend supersedes the inspector’s commitment to honesty and justice?

The detectives draw on their vast experience but find themselves enmeshed in a helix of possible perpetrators. With time running out, they unravel vital pieces of the mystery and in the nick of time, Inspector Chisolm announces the discovery of the last piece of the jigsaw puzzle.

But the drama is far from over. The police are caught in a vicious tailspin. And Inspector Chisolm faces decisions he has never had to make in his twenty-five-year career.

Buy Links:

Amazon US ¦ UK

MY REVIEW

When 15-year-old Kathy Shackleton vanishes without a trace, Detector Inspector Chisolm vows to find out the truth behind her disappearance, but when news surfaces that his friend of twenty years could be involved in Kathy's disappearance, will Detective Chisolm be able to abide by the code of ethics and do the right thing, even if it means investigating his best friend?

Beyond the Hill was full of intrigue and adrenaline and just the right amount of mystery that allowed readers to partake in piecing the puzzle together to solve the crime. The hints the author threw in here and there did the job of inciting inquisition, albeit some of the clues gave too much away, which made it too easy at times to predict what was coming. Nonetheless, it was certainly a thrilling read that incited my passion for solving crimes. It would have been an even more enjoyable read if the characters had been as compelling as the mystery surrounding Kathy disappearance. I wouldn't say they were completely unfavourable, as the author portrayed these characters to an extent where you were able to evaluate their motives, making you feel more invested in their story. However, I didn't feel any emotional connection towards any of the characters, negative or positive, which I believe to be the primary reason for why I couldn't get into the story as much as I wanted to. Having said that, one thing I found rather thought-provoking when it came to certain characters that weren't necessarily deemed villains or portrayed to have ill intent, such as Kathy's doctor and Detective Chisolm (particularly the latter character), were the inappropriate and monotonous remarks about Kathy's appearance to the point where it appeared they were merely objectifying a child, particularly considering that the readers have been with the main character the entire as he attempted to solve Kathy's disappearance.

This was an enjoyable read. Albeit I did have some reservations about certain elements, the story captured my attention and held it to the very end.

VERDICT

Award: Silver

Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars

Source: Author

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Book Blitz & Giveaway - Stealing The Throne by Quirah Casey

Stealing The Throne

Author: Quirah Casey

Publication Date: December 20th, 2019

Genre: Reverse Harem / Urban Fantasy

Book Description:

The people who burned down my old life will regret walking through the ashes.

As far as the citizens of Caelumine are concerned, Princess Amelia Deightyn died with the rest of her family in the burning of the Deightyn Kingdom. Roxanna Delamontee couldn’t agree more. The day her family was betrayed by the people they trusted most, her innocence went up in flames, and her identity as Amelia burned with it. She rose from the ashes as Roxanna, and she’s going to show the people who killed her family how it feels to burn. She’s spent years plotting her revenge, and no one can stop her. Or so she believes until she meets four of her enemies, men who are determined to steal her heart while she’s stealing the throne.

Buy Links:

Amazon US ¦ UK

BOOK REVIEW: Lazy Hugo by Sajjad Sattari

Lazy Hugo

Author: Sajjad Sattari

Genre: Picture Book
Publication Date: 8th August 2019

Book Description:

Hugo is a boy who loves eating and sleeping and hates exercise. Because he is lazy, his room is always messy, and he does not even care about his hygiene. He takes a bath only when he is forced to, and he never brushes his teeth. One day, two tooth worms named George and Arthur find a way to his teeth and choose one to live in. Soon, a few homeless tooth worms show up, asking George and Arthur to let them live there. Arthur and George happily agree and ...

This book makes children familiar with the negative effects of laziness and emphasizes the importance of dental hygiene.

Buy Links:

Amazon US ¦ UK

MY REVIEW

When it comes to demonstrating poor personal hygiene and bad habits, no one fulfills this role better than Hugo. He's your all-round messy, lazy hippo who requires quite the incentive to improve his lifestyle. That incentive comes in the form of George and Arthur, two worms that have taken up residence inside his teeth.

I didn't quite like the opening few pages as I felt detached from the story and the characters, partly because it was pure exposition and lacking interaction between the characters. However, as the story went on and the author introduced dialogue and scenes where the characters were engaging in conversation, the story became enjoyable and purposeful.

It was a good read with a thoughtful message for young minds. Great illustrations.

VERDICT

Award: Silver

Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars

Source: Own copy

Book Blitz & Giveaway - Can’t Buy Me Love by Janet Elizabeth Henderson

Can’t Buy Me Love

(Sinclair Sisters Trilogy, #3)

Author: Janet Elizabeth Henderson

Publication Date: December 25th, 2019

Genre: Adult Comedy / Contemporary Romance

Book Description:

Three awesome series meet in one explosive book!

It turned out hell was a small town in the Scottish Highlands. Oh, sure, the locals called it Invertary, but Agnes Sinclair knew better—the town even had an old woman everyone called Satan. If that wasn’t a sign she was in hell, she didn’t know what was. All Agnes had ever wanted was to get out of Scotland, and now she was stuck there with no escape. And all because of one teeny, tiny incident (he totally deserved it!) that got her blacklisted in the hotel industry. Now, her only career option is managing a hotel owned by a guy who looks like Disco Santa, in a town where everyone marched to their own damn beat. And, as if being trapped in hell wasn’t bad enough, a spate of thefts at the hotel makes the owner call in a member of Benson Security to help her get to the bottom of them. Agnes doesn’t need help. She especially doesn’t need it from a sexy single father whose every breath tempts her to reevaluate what she wants out of life. A man who makes her wonder if Invertary is where she truly belongs.

***This is a full length, standalone romance with an HEA***

**It includes characters from the Invertary (Scottish Highlands) series and the Benson Security Series**

*You don’t need to have read any other books in any series to enjoy this one!*

Buy Links:

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

Book Blitz & Giveaway - A Mad Reed Security Christmas by Giulia Lagomarsino

A Mad Reed Security Christmas

(Reed Security, #20)

Author: Giulia Lagomarsino

Publication Date: December 18th, 2019

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

Book Description:

Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse

Because Daddy set out traps to catch those f^@kers

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care

In hopes that grenades would soon be in there

The children were nestled, all snug in their beds

While visions of weapons danced in their heads

And Mama in her nightie and I in my boxers

Had just settled down for a fun night together

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter

I sprang from my bed to grab my Sig Sauer

Away to the window I flew like a flash

Covered my junk and threw Mama her pants…

Buy Links:

Amazon US ¦ UK

Cover Reveal & Giveaway - Alpha Erased by Aileen Erin

Alpha Erased

(Alpha Girls #9)

Author: Aileen Erin

Published by: Ink Monster LLC

Publication Date: May 12th, 2020

Genre: YA Paranormal

Book Description:

Tessa—part witch, part werewolf, raised human and now the unofficial leader of a newly minted supernatural alliance—thinks nothing of her brother, Axel, texting her and Dastien to meet up. The location pin is in a weird spot, but maybe he found a magical anomaly? But when Tessa steps into the darkened warehouse, she doesn’t expect to see her brother laying in a pool of his own blood, smell the sulfuric scent of black magic, or feel the pain of her mate being shot full of silver.

Tessa has seconds to make a choice, but there’s only one thing she can do to save the two most important men in her life—sacrifice herself.

The last thing Dastien hears from Tessa is her plea—help Axel. Then their bond goes silent. He can’t hear her. He can’t feel her. And there’s no sign of the attackers who took her.

Dastien does everything he can to save Axel before calling his friends in a panic. It takes all of them to find Tessa, but when Dastien’s finally reunited with her, there’s no sign of recognition in her eyes.

No magic in her touch.

No wolf beneath the surface.

Everything that made Tessa who she was…has been erased.

Buy Links:

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

About the Author

Aileen Erin is half-Irish, half-Mexican, and 100% nerd–from Star Wars (prequels don’t count) to Star Trek (TNG FTW), she reads Quenya and some Sindarin, and has a severe fascination with the supernatural. Aileen has a BS in Radio-TV-Film from the University of Texas at Austin, and an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. She lives with her husband in Los Angeles, and spends her days doing her favorite things: reading books, creating worlds, and kicking ass.

Author Links:

Website ¦ Goodreads ¦ Facebook ¦ Twitter ¦ Instagram

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Book Blitz & Giveaway - Instacrush by Kate Meader

Instacrush

(Rookie Rebels #2)

Author: Kate Meader

Publication Date: December 10th, 2019

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance / Sports

Book Description:

Theo Kershaw is the luckiest guy alive.

Roaring back from a life-threatening injury, he has the world at his skates as defenseman for his new team, the Chicago Rebels. Everyone adores his big personality, his on-ice talent, and his killer smile. Everyone but his prickly neighbor – or so he thinks. One chilly Christmas Eve, Theo will learn that maybe the girl next door isn’t such a hater after all …

Elle Butler is the most embarrassing person on the planet. 

How else can the ex-military-now-bartender explain her crush on the hot jock who lives across the hall? True, he has gorgeous green eyes and perfect cheekbones, but the filter between his brain and too-sexy mouth is permanently malfunctioning. Yet she can’t stop checking out his Instagram antics or sneaking looks at him when he’s in her bar. So. Mortifying. Running from a past filled with damning secrets, Elle’s determined that this guilty pleasure remains buried in her deepest fantasies.

Because she couldn’t possibly indulge with the Theo Kershaw or make a mistake that draws attention to her under-the-radar life. And she especially couldn’t be a mom to a pro-athlete’s baby … could she?

Buy Links:

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

Book Blitz & Giveaway - The Last Virgin in Texas by Jennifer Woodhull

The Last Virgin in Texas

Author: Jennifer Woodhull

Publication Date: December 9th, 2019

Genre: NA Contemporary Romance

Book Description:

Her first time. Their second chance.

When Hollywood heartthrob Tucker returns to their hometown, can Gretchen resist her first love

GRETCHEN

I did the right thing. I waited. I wanted it to be special.

He was my first love. Our first time was going to be everything I had dreamed it would be.

And it was…until we were interrupted.

When our magical night turned into an awkward nightmare, little did I know it would be the last time I saw him. He bailed. Walked away. Leaving me alone with the shattered pieces of my broken heart.

But that was then. This is now.

He’s back. A megasuperstar. A Hollywood heartthrob with a desperate fan base of sexy women that won’t leave him alone.

But he wants me. Still. After all these years.

I can’t possibly cave to my feelings, desires, and my hopeful heart.

He broke it once. He’ll do it again.

TUCKER

We waited. It felt like forever, but I didn’t care. I would’ve done anything for her.

But I screwed up. When it all went south, I fled, leaving her, alone. Broken hearted.

And she wasn’t the only one.

But that was then. This is now.

I may be an actor, but none of this is for show. I want her, and only her.

I’ll do whatever it takes.

She may be the last virgin in Texas, but to me, she’s so much more.

I want her in my arms, and in my heart. Forever.

This time, I’m not giving up.

Buy Links:

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

Book Blitz & Giveaway - The Last Atlantian by Mikki Noble

The Last Atlantian

Author: Mikki Noble

Publication Date: December 13th, 2019

Genre: YA Mythology / Urban Fantasy

Book Description:

Spencer did not plan to work on her birthday. She didn’t plan a lot of things, but they happened anyway. Like, when she touched a guy and he turned into a gold statue, or when some stranger appeared to tell her she was in danger. She didn’t plan to see her life forever changed by one simple act, and it still happened anyway.

What Spencer doesn’t know is why. Why is all this happening to her? Why does she have the power to turn people into gold all of a sudden. Who is she really?

And why is this cute guy calling her the last Atlantian?

Buy Links:

Amazon US ¦ UK

Book Blitz & Giveaway - Volatile Love by Dani René

Volatile Love

(The Gilded Sovereign #2)

Author: Dani René

Publication Date: December 5th, 2019

Genre: NA Contemporary Romance

Book Description:

From USA Today Bestselling Author Dani René comes the second book in the bestselling Gilded Sovereign Series. A new adult romance filled with violence, blood, and a lot of steam!

I want to be Rukaiya’s hero, but she’s made it clear she can take care of herself. Her fire burns me. Her fierce nature lures me in. She’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing, and I want her to devour me. She enjoys defying me and I love to taunt her.

I always get the girl.

Every. Single. Time.

And this time is no different.

He’s trying to be my knight in shining armor, but I don’t need him to be. That’s what I tell myself, anyway. Etienne doesn’t give up easily. He’s adamant to change my mind. Only, he doesn’t realize that being with me could get him killed.

As I push, he pulls, and one of us is about to get wounded.

Secrets. Desire. Violence.

Our love is volatile.

When secrets are spilled, nobody is safe.

Buy Links:

Amazon US ¦ UK