BOOK REVIEW: You're Not My Monster by Sigal Adler

You're Not My Monster

Author: Sigal Adler

Genre: Picture Book

Publication Date: 7 December 2017

Book Description:

Help Kids Overcome their Fears

When little Dan started to sleep on his own His parents were proud of how much he’d grown They gave him a monster, a sweet little doll To prove to the world – he was not scared at all!

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Amazon US ¦ UK

MY REVIEW

This was an interesting and cute bedtime story about young Dan, whose parents gift him a toy monster as a sign of showing him how proud they were of him that he was now sleeping on his own. When Dan goes for a drink one night, he returns to his room to find his toy monster gone, and in its place stood a giant monster that looked identical to his toy monster. This monster, it appears, swallowed Dan's monster so it could grow. After spewing out a series of identical-looking monsters, the giant monster returns Dan’s monster to him.

This was an enjoyable read, and I loved the illustrations, so colourful and detailed. I will say that the idea of returning to one’s room to a monstrous surprise might intimidate children who are in fact terrified of sleeping on their own, so I’m not sure if the message of bravery and how to overcome one’s fear will relay well with or be well received by children of that mindset, but I do like how little Dan handled the dilemma he was facing. The fact that he demanded his toy monster back shows he had overcome his fear.

Another good read by Adler.

VERDICT

Award: Silver

Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars

Source: Own copy

Book Blitz & Giveaway - Gold by Maureen A. Miller

GOLD

(Blue-Link #4)

Author: Maureen A. Miller

Publication Date: November 16th, 2020

Genre: Adult Romance /Suspense

Book Description:

Dig deep enough and you will strike danger.

It was the middle of January in Southeastern Alaska. Sara Eckert anticipated at least another two months of vacancy in her remote bed & breakfast. Until he showed up. A man not interested in hiking, fishing, or hunting. So, why was he there?

Two miners have gone missing. Their disappearance has been ruled accidental. To the firm that sent them to Alaska, that answer is unacceptable. Luke Reis has been dispatched to learn more. Gaining access to the remote wilderness isn’t so simple, though. He’ll have to enlist the owner of the Marmot Hideaway to help get him started.

As Luke and Sara dig deeper into the disappearance of the miners, they edge closer to passion. But the abandoned network of underground mines may stake the ultimate claim…their lives.

This is a standalone romantic suspense included a series with a similar theme.

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Book Blitz & Giveaway - Graves’ Anatomy by Jace Anderson & Adam Gierasch

Graves’ Anatomy

Author: Jace Anderson & Adam Gierasch

Publication Date: November 17th, 2020

Genre: NA Urban Fantasy

Book Description:

Tattoo artist Luna Graves’ life turns upside down when her estranged father dies and she learns it’s her destiny to be a doctor…to monsters.

Destiny? Fairy tale endings? Things that go bump in the night? Luna Graves doesn’t believe in any of them. Her father took off when she was three, and she’s worked hard to become one of the best young tattoo artists in Los Angeles. Of course, there was that mysterious exchange she had when she was 12 with Heath Guillaumet, who might not have been human…naw, that was just her imagination.

When her estranged father dies, Luna discovers that he led a secret life as an uphir, a doctor to the shadowkind — what we would call monsters. Now that he’s gone, she has to take his place — or be killed by the powerful Council. Thrust into a world she doesn’t know, the stubborn Luna refuses to give up on her original dreams. Soon Heath Guillaumet will return to unleash a disease last battled by the Knights Templar…the Black Death.

Buy Links:

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BOOK REVIEW - Layer: A Collection of Short Stories by Zuzanne Belec

Layers: A Collection of Short Stories

Author: Zuzanne Belec

Genre: Literary Fiction / Contemporary Short Stories

Publication Date: 12th November 2020

Book Description:

Eight short stories on the power of the human spirit.

Layers is a debut collection of imaginative short stories celebrating life and the human spirit despite the ever-present spectre of melancholy in our lives today. With their distinctive blend of wit and humour, they light up any underlying darkness.

From the Americas to India, from Africa to Europe, and through a range of genres, voices and styles, layers are unraveled, revealing the textures and contrasts of old and new in the environments and cultures of today's fast-paced world.

With vivid descriptions, we are drawn into enchanting worlds with characters that leap off the page, leaving the reader lingering long after the pages have been read.

In The Christmas Charge: Instead of enjoying their Christmas preparing eggnog cream pie and sipping sherry by the fireside, three batty grannies go on an African safari. At this stage of wisdom in their lives, nothing can go wrong. Right?

In Paths Taken: When her grandmother ‘kills’ a man on a busy town square, Hecate is forced to face her worst fears and use her own unsettling powers to help her. But where will these new paths take her?

In White Noise: All Earl needs to do is hand his work over to his successor. But is it that easy to let go? And where does one hide from one’s inner noise?

In The Old Man and the Donkey: Deep in northern Portugal, an old man and his donkey go about their lonely routine. When an unexpected visitor shows up, everyone is given a new chance of happiness. But have they all been stubbornly avoiding it for too long?

In the Arctic Haze: Since he was little, bad luck has stuck to George’s soles like clingy dog mess. Some of us are luckier. Or are we really?

In Penny’s Purple Robot: A loving father exceeds himself to make his daughter happy after her mother passes away. But can he force himself to face a brutal truth?

In Mothers: Deep in Africa, a desperate mother accepts her own fate, but refuses to face an even harsher reality. Mothers will do anything for their young. And things may not be as they seem.

In Yeehaw: Running from their regular lives, Sam and Patsy end up in an artificial town – Yeehaw Theme Park. Will they find their true selves in this synthetic world?

If you like a minimalist and dark, yet humorous look at the contrasts we face in the world today, you will enjoy this collection of mixed-genre stories.

Buy Links:

Amazon US ¦ UK

MY REVIEW

Layers is a collection of short stories full of flavour and culture with a deep sentimental and nostalgic undertone. I requested this review copy from StoryOrigin because I was drawn to the cover. It looked like a painting, full of ambiguity and intrigue, and I wanted to know what was on the inside. If I'm being honest, it didn't get off to a great start with me. I wasn't connecting with the story or the characters, and I did contemplate putting it down, but due to it being a collection of short stories, I figured I would continue reading to the end, which I am glad I did, because as I read on, I found that the second half of the book was more to my taste and was resonating with me a lot better than the first half.

The stories that I found truly captivating were White Noise, The Arctic Haze and Mothers, the latter being the one that truly made me appreciate the book as a whole. The themes of loss and the will to survive was well portrayed and translated throughout the whole book. I also liked the focus on the bond and connection between the characters and their will to protect their loved ones.

Layers is overwhelmingly sad at times and very tragic, but underneath all of the pain and suffering, there is still a semblance of hope and purpose embedded deep within. I’m glad I didn’t give up on the book, because I ended up really enjoying it. Although the stories were very realistic in nature, I felt an undertone of magical realism throughout, which made it even more enjoyable.

VERDICT

Award: Gold

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Source: StoryOrigin

Book Spotlight - Last Girl Alive by Jennifer Chase

Last Girls Alice

Author: Jennifer Chase

Genre: Crime Thriller

Book Description:

Half-buried in the muddy earth and surrounded by puddles of water lies the naked body of a beautiful young girl. Her pale skin looks like porcelain in the early morning light. Her fragile arms bent and crooked like a broken doll.

When Detective Katie Scott is called to the discovery of a young girl buried on the grounds of a former children’s home in Pine Valley, California, she’s hopeful it’s the end to a devastating cold case she’s been working on. No one has seen Candace Harlan since she ran away from Elm Hill Manor five years ago. Her death will be a tragedy, but it will also bring peace to those who miss her most. But the girl in the ground is not Candace.

The victim is almost identical to Candace in every way, but fear grips Katie as she takes in the black ink that decorates the girl’s back—a terrifying message tattooed on her skin after she drew her last breath.

Forcing down traumatic memories of losing her own parents, Katie is certain someone mistook this poor soul for Candace, and that this crumbling home for lost girls is at the heart of this terrible crime. She sets to work digging into the tragic history of the owners who lost so many children of their own and tracking down the last six residents and the staff who cared for them—but no one wants to talk, let alone remember.

The next day, as second girl’s body is found down by the creek at high water, the same words etched into her skin. Katie’s worst fear is confirmed: someone is picking off the last of the Elm Hill girls one by one. But what does the tattoo mean? And what monster would target these innocent girls who have already been through so much?

Katie must dig deep to confront her own fears and protect the vulnerable—but as the body count rises further, will there be anyone left to save?

An absolutely gripping, dark, and totally unputdownable serial killer thriller that will keep you racing through the pages all night long. Fans of Lisa Regan, Rachel Caine and Melinda Leigh will read in one sitting!

Buy Links:

Amazon US ¦ UK

Cover Reveal - Eventually Evie by Cat Lavoie

Eventually Evie
Author: Cat Lavoie
Publication Date: January 4th, 2021
Genre: Adult Comedy / Romance

Book Description:
How are you supposed to get your life back on track when the Universe won’t stop messing with you?

After a series of personal and professional setbacks, interior designer Evie Glass has lost faith in herself and the world. The last thing she needs is her loud, boisterous family poking their noses in her business, so that’s why she avoids opening up about anything—especially her love life—during their weekly dinners. Thankfully, her bestie and next-door neighbor, Matilda, always has her back.

When Evie is asked to cat-sit Matilda’s beloved rescue, she’s not thrilled at the prospect. One well-meaning mistake later and a distraught Evie is rushing her furry charge to the ER where she meets and is instantly smitten with Fletcher West, a charming veterinarian who seems to return her interest. That is until they both realize they’ve met before—ten years ago when he was dating her temperamental cousin. Fletch’s break-up with Bee put him at the top of her family’s hit list and makes him the last person Evie should be dating.

In addition to navigating a secret romance with Fletch, Evie must also deal with a demanding new job, an eccentric client from her former life, and an ex who’s suddenly blowing up her phone. She convinces herself she’s got it all under control, but what happens when things start falling apart and Evie learns she’s not the only one keeping secrets?

One thing’s for sure…

Eventually Evie’s got to take a chance—on love, on life, and on herself.

Buy Links:
Amazon US ¦ UK ¦ Barnes & Noble ¦ iBooks ¦ Kobo

About the Author

Cat Lavoie is a chick lit writer from Montreal, Canada.

She loves writing fun and quirky romantic comedies and is the author of BREAKING THE RULES, ZOEY & THE MOMENT OF ZEN, PERI IN PROGRESS and MESSING WITH MATILDA.

A fan of all things feline, Cat loves cats and hopes to someday have a house full of them in order to officially become a crazy cat lady. (But one or two cats will do for now.)

If she isn't reading or writing, Cat enjoys listening to podcasts (mostly comedy and true crime) and watching way too much TV. She fell in love with London many years ago and hopes to go back one day. Cat is currently at work on her next novel.

To connect with Cat and find out more about her books, visit CatLavoie.com and follow @CatLavoieBooks on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Author Links:

Website ¦ Facebook ¦ Twitter ¦ Instagram

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BOOK REVIEW: Exposed by Suzana Thompson

Exposed

Author: Suzana Thompson

Genre: YA Contemporary Romance
Publication Date: 3rd July 2018
Publisher: Shadowswept Publishing

Book Description:

My enemy had seen me naked. He was holding the proof right before my eyes, and my stomach lurched sickeningly.

"Seems like you had too much to drink last night," he remarked in that condescending tone he always used with me.

I looked up at him as he stood watching me from the doorway with his attitude of superiority. In that moment of weakness, I actually tried to plead with him. "Please. I've never done anything to you."

"Begging me on your knees. That's a good start."

Dread turned my clammy skin cold. Mason Sumner hated my guts, and he would have no compassion for me. This was bad. This was really, really bad.

Not intended for younger teens due to adult content. 

Buy Links:

Amazon US ¦ UK

MY REVIEW

I didn't have any expectations going into this, but I liked the cover, so I thought I'd give it a try. Exposed was my first experience listening to an audio-book. While I've seen audio-books over the years, I've never been tempted or contemplated listening to an audio-book before, but then I stumbled upon a site called StoryOrigin, which led me to discovering this book. After reading my first audio-book, I will say this. I'm definitely going to be making the shift to audio-books slowly and surely as it's much easier to get through books and a lot easier on my eyes. The only problem here is that I should have started my venture into audio-books with a different book, because Exposed could have easily turned me off audio-books as I did not like the narration nor did I enjoy the story much. This was not my cup of tea. Had I read the ebook, I dear say, I would not have made it to the end. At least now I know that if I can’t get through a book via ebook or print format, then I can grab the audio-book and get to the end that way I can give a more well-rounded review as I will have a better grasp of the story from start to finish.

Exposed introduces us to Ella, a seventeen-year-old student with a terrible role model for a mother and whose only friend turns on her for the one person who has made Ella's life a living hell over the past few years, Mason Sumner. Mason’s problem with Ella revolves around Ella’s mother who had an affair with his father a few years ago and happened to be the person present when his father died of a heart attack. Mason blames Ella’s mother for his father’s death and decides to take his frustration and anger out on Ella. No problem with that scenario. People deal with grief in their own way. What I did have a problem with, however, was the characters and their convictions. Mason hates Ella so much he decides to make her life a misery by forcing her to become his girlfriend? In no time at all, after reading her poems, Mason decides that maybe he had Ella wrong all along and maybe she wasn’t like her mother at all, who he deems to be a home-wrecker. Why he had this impression of Ella is beyond me because nowhere throughout the book is it described that Ella was anything of that nature. In fact, Mason had made sure she was ostracised from having an ordinary high school experience that she became quite the loner who never goes to parties and has never had a boyfriend. And Ella, well, for a guy who she blames for ruining her high school experience, she quickly flipped her switch from hating him to loving him, because of what reason exactly? He’s a good-looking guy? From what I saw, Mason was an over-controlling, pompous ass. There was nothing likeable about him. The characters’ actions and reasoning just didn’t make any logical sense.

The narration didn’t make it easier to get through the story. It came across a little over-dramatic. Ella came across a little younger than her actual age. Had I not know how old she was, I might have guessed she was around 14. There’s a difference with being inexperienced and immature, and she was portrayed as the latter. It’s not that the chemistry between Ella and Mason weren’t believable. I honestly believed they were sexually attracted to each other, but that was as far as their interaction went. The communication between them and their relationship as a whole was very monotone. They had nothing beyond sexual chemistry, so we didn’t get to explore many layers of their characters beyond their attraction and insecurities.

With the story behind Mason’s dad and Ella’s mother, I felt there was definitely potential to reach into these characters and pull out likeable traits and really focus on the dilemma they were faced with having this shared connection to a very traumatic event in both their lives, but I don’t think we really got to see who these characters really were, so it was hard to connect with them or even like them, to be honest. I won’t go into the other characters because I honestly cared less for them than I did about the main protagonists. I think the only character that didn’t actually annoy me was Alice. At least, she had some wise words for Ella regardless of whether or not Ella actually took note.

I can’t say I’d recommend this book, but I do know some people who would eat up the chemistry between Mason and Ella, so I guess there’s some steamy moments to look forward to. Unfortunately, this was not for me. I didn’t hate it, I just didn’t enjoy it very much. 

VERDICT

Award: Bronze

Rating: 2 out of 5 Stars

Source: StoryOrigin

Cover Reveal - Stop Me by Michelle Jester

Stop Me
(Rue the Day Series, #1)
Author: Michelle Jester
Publication Date: February 1st, 2021
Genre: Adult Contemporary

Book Description:
After moving to a new city with her parents, Jeselle Parsons quickly found friends and a life full of money, power, and privilege. Even though her parents weren’t wealthy like the other kids’ parents, Jeselle felt lucky to be welcomed into the circle of friends, until she learned how costly that type of life could be. A life that would cost her everything.

For fifteen years, Jeselle, with the help of her friend Dennis, worked to ensure nothing would stand in the way of her revenge on the people who played a part in ruining her life.

All the years of planning, all the years of working, have all come down to this.

Her enemies will learn that revenge has never been so cold.

About the Author
Michelle Jester lives in Greenwell Springs, Louisiana with her husband, high school sweetheart and retired Master Sergeant. Together they have a son and daughter. She is a hopeless romantic and has been writing poems and stories for as long as she can remember.

One of her prize possessions is a bracelet with only a yellow, Rubber Duckie charm on it; which she wears every day to remind her to enjoy the fun and happy things of life!

Author Links:
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Giveaway + Group Promo – FREE and Discounted Books

 On offer today is a Giveaway for a $10 Amazon Gift Card. All you have to do for a chance to win the prize, is hazard a guess at what you think attacked Derkein Odessa in the Prologue chapter of Talisman Of El (Arcadia, Book 1). Leave your comment on the Prologue chapter on Wattpad, which you can log into using your Facebook or Google accounts or sign up via email. The link to the giveaway widget is below. You must register your entry into the widget for a chance to be selected as a winner.

Who is up for some free review copies and discounted books?

Great. You have a bundle of goodies to choose from. Please do the authors a huge favour and leave a review if you happen to read their books. The more people share their thoughts, the more people discover these wonderful reads.

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Ghosts just don’t show up for anybody.

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Emma was a normal teenage girl before her twin nearly burned her to death.

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Old tales: New twist.

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Book Blitz & Giveaway - It's Raining Men by Rich Amooi

It’s Raining Men

Author: Rich Amooi

Publication Date: November 8th, 2020

Genre: Adult Comedy Romance

Book Description:

On a dare, Faith Daniels tosses a coin into the infamous “Fountain of Love” and wishes for the perfect man, laughing it off as the dumbest thing she’s ever done. Like magic, her quiet life turns upside-down when men begin to appear out of nowhere. There’s a doctor, a lawyer, a firefighter, and a swimwear model, for starters. All of them are kind, generous, successful, and drop-dead gorgeous. All of them are interested in Faith. But who is Mr. Right?

A feel-good romance novel about love, friendship, and living life to the fullest!

Buy Links:

Amazon US ¦ UK

Cover Reveal - The Echoed Realm by A.J. Vrana

The Echoed Realm
(The Chaos Cycle, #2)
Author: A.J. Vrana
Publication Date: June 8th, 2021
Genre: NA Fantasy / Magical Realism

Book Description:
Miya’s world ended in Black Hollow.

It’s been three years since the Dreamwalker upended her life and left her with a heavy burden. A fledgling to the ethereal realm, Miya stumbles into the nightmares of those haunted by spectres. Little does she know, one of them is coming for her, clutching a dark secret abreast.

Kai has found a new purpose with his companion, but the price is his freedom. Bound and beholden to Miya, he struggles to adjust to his new role as her vanguard.

Meanwhile, Mason discovers he may be a pawn trapped in a web of schemes. Was his time in Black Hollow an accident, or was it only the beginning of some greater machination?

As Black Hollow’s bloody stain spreads beyond its wooded borders, Miya fights to evade a past she barely understands. The Dreamwalker’s legacy is a vise grip, and it isn’t letting go. Primordial horrors draw near, fables come alive, and long-buried histories rise from the grave, ready to hunt.

Sharpen your claws and bloody your teeth. There’s fear to be sown.

Buy Links:

Amazon US ¦ UK ¦ iBooks ¦ Kobo

About the Author
A. J. Vrana is a Serbian-Canadian academic and writer currently residing in Toronto, Canada with her two rescue cats, Moonstone and Peanut Butter. Her doctoral research focuses on the supernatural in modern Japanese and former-Yugoslavian literature and its relationship to violence. When not toiling away at caffeine-fueled, scholarly pursuits, she enjoys jewelry-making, cupcakes, and concocting dark tales to unleash upon the world.

Author Links:

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Book Blitz & Giveaway - Crimsy by Michael Martin

Crimsy

Author: Michael Martin

Publication Date: November 9th, 2020

Genre: NA Science Fiction

Book Description:

A YOUNG SCIENTIST and her research team are thrust into a global battle for control of the greatest discovery in human history: a harmless bacteria that loves frozen saltwater—and lives on Mars.

__________________________________

After enduring politics, Congress, marsquakes, dust storms, and landslides, PhD-to-be Jen Z and her research team hope their successful, years-long quest to find life on Mars is finally over.

But their biggest fight has just begun.

◆◆◆

“The you-know-what hit the fan when charming but feckless university lawyer Nathaniel Hawthorn showed up in my office. Someone was trying to patent our stupendous find, Crimsococcus halocryophilus.

“A simple microbe I gave a simpler nickname: Crimsy.

“I think it was the trillionaire investors who helped finance our mission, eager to prevent a repeat of the Martian Ground Wars, when every nation on this planet wanted their ‘fair share’ of the Red Planet: the rocks, dust – and fossils – Odysseus brought back. But a foreign space agency, Homeland Security, the Pentagon, even our own NASA might want patent protection, too.

“The patent filings triggered a law we’d never heard of, the Invention Secrecy Act. FBI agents showed up at my apartment, served my research team with cease-and-desist orders. Crimsy was now classified and would stay aboard Deep Space Gateway indefinitely.

“People called us crazy, said we were wasting taxpayer money, refused to believe. But we proved them wrong. And some fantastic developments after MarsMicro brought Crimsy to the space station make studying it on Earth all the more urgent.

“Our money, our jobs, our privacy, our lives. The muckety mucks holding Crimsy hostage control everything.

“But I’m through letting them control me . . . . ”

Buy Links:

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Book Blitz & Giveaway - Wyatt by A.M. Salinger

Wyatt

(Twilight Falls, #4)

Author: A.M. Salinger

Publication Date: November 6th, 2020

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

Book Description:

Wyatt Batista has sworn off love. Can his new friend and business partner make him believe in happy-ever-after?

Having spent most of his adult life lusting after a man who could never be his, Wyatt Batista resolves to steer clear of love. That’s all fine and dandy, until he meets Nathan.

After an accident sends his carefully planned future off course, Nathan Hardy leaves Seattle in search of new horizons and adventures. When his path crosses that of Wyatt, he enters into a business partnership with a man he comes to admire and respect deeply.

But what starts out as friendship soon turns into something neither of them expected. For Wyatt finds himself falling hard for someone who he believes could never return his love once more, while Nathan becomes aware of feelings he never imagined he would harbor toward another man.

Can Nathan convince Wyatt that he is serious about giving their relationship a try? Or will Wyatt run again, fearful to trust and accept a man who wasn’t gay in the first place?

Join Wyatt and Nathan in this delightful fourth installment in Twilight Falls, the new series by the author of the bestselling, contemporary romance series Nights. 

Buy Links:

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