Book Blitz & Giveaway - Midlife Witch Unexpected by Melle Made

Midlife Witch Unexpected

(Cougar Creek Coven, #1)

Author: Melle Amade

Publication Date: November 23rd, 2021

Genre: Adult Paranormal / Women’s Fiction

Book Description:

Middle-aged and starting over is the last thing I ever wanted on my bucket list. But since my husband announced he was gay and my daughter left for college, I don’t really have a choice.

If I’m going to get my “Happily Ever After” I have to start making new choices, starting with picking guys who like women rather than women’s makeup would be a good start.

Next!

I’m way past the point of caring what other people think. I’m 49, about to turn 50 and I’m pretty sure I’m entering the prime years of my life. It’s time to make my mark and do things the way I want to do them.

Like move.

I am sooooooo leaving the city that has sucked me dry with the commute and the executive position. There’s no way I’m doing that anymore. I have enough money from the divorce to buy a house, almost any house, outside of California. I take one suitcase and my jeep, and I leave town, not stopping until I get to Cougar Creek, which is so small I think it’s barely a town, but I’m all about it. This is where I will get my fresh start.

I inherited my Aunt’s home here years ago and never even visited, but the renters just moved out and I might as well make it my home.

For now.

But Cougar Creek has a lot more in store for me than I ever imagined. There is a load of eligible young men from the local ranches, a couple of new BFFs in similar situations, and a strange invitation to a local secret society who think I’m the new high priestess of their local coven. I didn’t stop laughing until I realized they wouldn’t take “no” for an answer. They have a massive problem in the cemetery and they expect me to solve it.

But I didn’t trade in one life of rules for another one, so if they want me to be high priestess, they’re going to have to accept that I make the rules.

Buy Links:

Amazon US | UK

Book Blitz & Giveaway - Golden Crown by Kathleen Mare’e

Golden Crown

(Arthur Academy, #2)

Author: Kathleen Mare’e

Publication Date: November 26th, 2021

Genre: New Adult Romance

Book Description:

“If the world is full of monsters, how do we know who wears the crown…”

Hendrix:

In the dark of the night he bared his soul, delivering a shocking event that should’ve changed everything.

So why in the light of day, does everything appear the same…?

The further I’m immersed in this world he calls the ‘elite’, the more I don’t understand. And it’s not only his world I’m afraid I’m falling for, but the Golden Crown himself as well.

But Pax still has secrets.

And I want him to trust me, like a flame wanting fire.

Because despite his world being nothing as it seems, I’m not sure I could walk away even if I wanted to.

Because the truth be told, I don’t want to.

I want him.

Paxton:

In the dark of the night I revealed a truth, delivering the brutal reality of what the elite really means.

So why in the light of day, does everything appear the same…?

It’s the same cat and mouse games, and the same political, power tricks where the Golden Crown is all they see. It’s all they want to see.

Except for her.

But there are things I can’t tell her. Things I don’t think she’ll understand yet.

And I need her to trust me, like a fire needing flame.

Because despite me knowing what this world does to those who fall victim to it, I’m not sure I could walk away from Hendrix, even if I wanted to.

Because the truth be told, I don’t want to.

I want her.

Buy Links:

Amazon US | UK

Book Blitz & Giveaway - The Bareback Cowboy by Melanie Munton

The Bareback Cowboy

(Southern Hearts Club, #4)

Author: Melanie Munton

Publication Date: November 23rd, 2021

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

Book Description:

He might be one of the best riders in the world,

but she’ll give him the buck of his life.

WOULD YOU RATHER… Go through your entire life without ever falling in love?

OR… Have a rough-and-tumble cowboy stomp all over your heart with his sharpened spurs before riding off into the sunset like John f***ing Wayne?

Yeah, that happened. And frankly, I knew better. All cowboys are trouble. I’ve grown up around them my entire life, so I know how they operate. I’ve broken some of the toughest horses in the business. But for some reason, I found this thoroughbred impossible to resist.

A lot of good it did me too. Nothing but tears and comfort eating in the aftermath.

Suddenly, after a year away with no phone calls or texts to show for it, he’s back. He thinks we can pick up where we left off. But I’ve got news for him: His eight seconds with me are already up.

Little do I know, there’s a reason why he’s come back.

And it’s the absolute last thing I expect.

Buy Links:

 Amazon US | UK

BOOK REVIEW: I Hate You, Fuller James by Kelly Anne Blount

I Hate You, Fuller James

Author: Kelly Anne Blount

Genre: YA Contemporary Romance / Sports
Publication Date: 2nd March 2020

Book Description:

I hate you, Fuller James.

I hate your floppy hair and your lopsided grin and those laughing blue eyes that always seem to be laughing at me.

I hate that you’re the most popular guy in school and I’m still the girl who sneezed and spit out her retainer on someone at a middle school dance. It’s just such a cliché.

I hate that I’m being forced to tutor you in English and keep it a secret from everyone. Because otherwise it might put our basketball team’s chances at winning State in jeopardy, and even though I hate you, I love basketball.

I hate that it seems like you’re keeping a secret from me…and that the more time we spend together, the less I feel like I’m on solid ground. Because I’m starting to realize there’s so much more to you than meets the eye. Underneath it all, you’re real.

But what I hate most is that I really don’t hate you at all.

Buy Links:

Amazon US ¦ UK

MY REVIEW

I hate downgrading a book with potential, but sometimes, you have to do what you have to do. Another thing I hate: not finishing a book. I honestly gave this a good try. I put it down, then picked it up and continued reading and repeated this process twice until finally giving up at 54%. I just could not for the life of me like either Fuller or Wren, and it's very important for me to feel a connection with the main character(s) in some way or other. I don't have to love them, I just need to be able to tolerate them long enough to get to the end of the book. What exactly is this book about, exactly? Well, from the 54% I read, I would fathom that it's about two high school students who are too proud to admit their feelings for each other due to societal expectations and ideals they have conjured up for themselves based on what they believe is acceptable by their peers rather than just going with what makes them truly happy. Fuller James is a popular jock whose grades are slipping, and in order for him to stay on the basketball team, he has to bring his grade up. Enter Wren Carter, Fuller's least favourite person, who hates him just as much as he hates her. Wren is blackmailed by the principal into tutoring Fuller, and as the two start to spend time together, they start to realise the other isn't as horrible a person as they had first imagined.

I expected cliches, but I also expected something fun, cute and enjoyable. I wanted a journey I would enjoy. Both Wren and Fuller, Fuller more so than Wren, made decisions that were senseless and irrational. I often found myself wondering if their actions were plausible as I couldn't imagine people behaving the way they did, but perhaps I had too much expectations for their characters and just overanalysed everything. Perhaps principal's blackmailing their students is a common thing. Perhaps Wren's uncle (coach) asking both her and Fuller to keep their tutoring session a secret from the team to stop them from worrying about not making it to State if their star player isn't playing is the best decision for the team. It's not like he's putting more pressure on his star athlete. For a coach who is keen on making it to State, he doesn't seem too keen on helping Fuller in his bid to improve. I mean he could have rallied the team together and have them support Fuller, perhaps even pitching in with his tutoring. They want to make it to State so surely they would do anything for their star player. Instead, coach has Fuller worry about not starting in the first game, worrying about what would happen if he didn't improve his grades, having to figure out how to keep everyone from finding out about his tutoring sessions (people who are practically obsessed with him and always know what he's up to, mind you), which means coming up with excuses for why he's hanging out with the least popular girl in school and not to mention having to keep Wren from finding out that he's making up lies about her to keep their tutoring session a secret. Since coach told them both to keep it a secret, things would probably have been easier if Fuller and Wren just agreed to pretend to date each other for the duration that it took for his grade to improve. Basically, most of the things the characters did in this book didn't make a lot of sense. I'm not going to say there weren't moments that I found pleasant and cute, because there were. When I first started reading it, I really thought I was going to love it, but it just never managed to sustain my interest. It's not a terrible story. It just needs some editing, as there is a lot of room for improvement.

If it wasn't already obvious, I didn't enjoy this book. I was expecting something more on the lines of Perfect Chemisty by Simone Elkeles (the first book, that is). That book was all cliches but at least it was full of romance, mischief and a whole lot of bad decisions but with good and more importantly logical reasoning behind the decisions. While there were a few cute moments between Wren and Fuller, I didn't care about their characters enough to invest my time rooting for them. It just wasn't for me.

VERDICT:

Rating: 2 Star

Source: Own Copy

BOOK REVIEW: Gingersnap Snatcher by Vicky Weber and You Weren't With Me by Chandra Ghosh Ippen

Gingersnap Snatcher

Author: Vicky Weber

Genre: Children's Picture Book
Publication Date: 7th December 2021

Book Description:

Abuela made cookies to eat after school.

The gingersnap kind, just the thought made us drool!

We rushed home excited. We opened the door…

...The cookies were missing—just crumbs on the floor!

Can you help the kids crack the case of the Gingersnap Snatcher?

Buy Links:

Amazon US | UK

MY REVIEW

Who stole the cookie from the cookie jar? Well, that is the question the kids in this book find themselves asking. Having rushed home from school, eagerly anticipating the warm cookies awaiting them, three young siblings find themselves disappointed when they arrive home and the only thing awaiting them are cookie crumbs. So what's the solution? Find the cookie thief.

This was a wonderfully illustrated book that's full of fun and adventure. And it all happens in the confines of their home. Loved the ending and discovering who the culprit was. The rhyming scheme was fun, but it's the colourful illustrations that really stood out for me. I think young minds would be fascinated by this book. It would certainly have their inquisitive minds excited. A wonderful read.

VERDICT

Rating: 5 Stars

Source: BookSirens

You Weren't With Me

Author: Chandra Ghosh Ippen

Genre: Children's Picture Book
Publication Date: 18th April 2019

Book Description:

Little Rabbit and Big Rabbit are together after a difficult separation, but even though they missed each other, Little Rabbit is not ready to cuddle up and receive Big Rabbit’s love. Little Rabbit needs Big Rabbit to understand what it felt like when they were apart. “Sometimes I am very mad. I don’t understand why you weren’t with me,” says Little Rabbit, “I worry you will go away again.” Big Rabbit listens carefully and helps Little Rabbit to feel understood and loved. This story was designed to help parents and children talk about difficult separations to help them reconnect and find their way back to each other. 

The book may be helpful to families who have experienced: 
Divorce or caregiver separation 
Caregiver work-related separations 
Military service related separations 
Immigration related separations 
Child welfare related separations 
Parental incarceration 
Parental substance use related separations 

The book is available in Spanish under the title "Cuando no Estabas Conmigo." This is the 2nd book by this author illustrator team. The first book "Once I Was Very Very Scared," was designed to help grown-ups understand and talk to children about stressful events they may have experienced.

Buy Links:

Amazon US ¦ UK

MY REVIEW

A sweet tale about how to deal with abandonment and separation anxiety. Little Rabbit explains to Big Rabbit all the emotions he feels due to Big Rabbit having been away from him for so long. I liked how patient and understanding Big Rabbit was of Little Rabbit and how she explained to Little Rabbit that being away from him had a great effect on her also. I liked the illustrations, but there weren't many variations present, so it just seemed as though the same image was being replayed. It was just a little too repetitive.

Overall it was a good read. As the situation behind their separation wasn't explained or elaborated on, it will definitely leave young children asking numerous questions, so it's definitely a conversation starter. An enjoyable read.

VERDICT

Rating: 4 Stars

Source: Own copy

Book Blitz & Giveaway - Ruby Island by Stephanie Ruth

Ruby Island

Author: Stephanie Ruth

Publication Date: November 12th, 2021

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

Book Description:

First impressions are hard to shake…

Big-headed ex-rugby star, Daniel Dante, refuses to believe a word celebrated ceramicist Kanako Janssen says, though why her new landlord’s opinion bothers her so much is anyones’s guess. She has enough to worry about, with her soon to be ex-husband refusing to sign divorce papers, Daniel’s dog appearing regularly to freak her out, and an exhibition date looming.

Kanako is everything Daniel isn’t, and nothing he’s used to. Trust doesn’t come easily to a player who’s been burnt so publicly before, but if he can’t learn to lean on this fresh-faced, quirky artist, he could well lose her altogether.

Like the swallows, Kanako’s only in Otago for the season. But willing or not, the self-proclaimed introvert is being slowly absorbed into small town life on the lake, and she’s in grave danger of falling in love with it.

RUBY ISLAND is the second story in Stephanie Ruth’s Otago Waters series, set in the beautiful South Island of Aotearoa, New Zealand. Each book stands alone, but reading them in order provides a deeper experience. Intended for readers who enjoy their feel-good romance on the steamy side, and promising a happily ever after.

Sign on to Stephanie Ruth’s newsletter to receive bonus short stories, prologues, epilogues, and cut scenes set in the same world, with the characters you love. www.stephanie-ruth.com

Buy Links:

Amazon US | UK

Cover Reveal - Wine Country King by Claire Marti

Wine Country King

(California Suits, #2)

Author: Claire Marti

Publication Date: January 13th, 2022

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

Book Description:

A cocky, charming real estate attorney.

A brilliant, gorgeous sommelier.

Neither has time for romance.

One mind-blowing kiss changes everything.

Jack Cassidy heads the team opening the next in an exclusive line of boutique hotels, this one in wine country. Working with his best friend’s sister should make it easier, tapping into her expertise about the area and its wines. The pair have been friends for years, so sharing an apartment shouldn’t pose any issues… except for the simmering heat building between them.

Campbell Taylor’s one of only a handful of women to battle the all-boys club and go for the title of master sommelier. She didn’t rise to her position by being a pushover, but living and working with her brother’s best friend – the man she’s secretly crushed on for years – might prove to be her greatest challenge. How can she get him to see her as more than Cameron’s little sister? And will their undeniable attraction derail her dreams?

Buy Links:

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

About the Author

Claire Marti is an award winning and USA Today Bestselling author of swoonworthy Contemporary Romance novels set in Southern California, including the Pacific Vista Ranch series and the spin-off California Suits series. She lives in San Diego with her husband, silly dog, and two clever cats.

Claire started writing stories as soon as she was old enough to pick up pencil and paper. After graduating from the University of Virginia with a BA in English Literature, Claire was sidetracked by other careers, including practicing law, selling software for legal publishers, and managing a non-profit animal rescue for a Hollywood actress.

When Claire's not writing, she's teaching yoga. You can find her sixty+ online classes on the international website www.yogadownload.com. A breast cancer survivor, Claire is a sought-after speaker on the power of yoga and meditation. She's been published in numerous magazines with articles on wellness and is the author of a memoir, Come Ride with Me Along the Big C, on her experience beating breast cancer.

Claire loves to hear from readers!

Reach out via email or sign up for her newsletter at www.clairemarti.com

Author Links:

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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Book Blitz & Giveaway - A Christmas to Fight For by Jessica Frances

A Christmas to Fight For

Author: Jessica Frances

Publication Date: November 12th, 2021

Genre: Adult Fantasy Romance / Holiday / LGBTQ+

Book Description:

As the last of my kind, I’ve long lived in the shadows. But, with the death of my father, I have a dying wish to fulfill, and I can no longer keep quiet. I can no longer stand back and watch as the Santa Claus Organization takes everything from us. So, I launch an attack that was doomed from the start. I am but one krampus up against the cruelest organization in the world. I knew it was a long shot. I knew I would likely die.

Then something surprising happens. The most recent Santa Claus comes into my life, and I don’t know what to make of him. He wasn’t what I was expecting. He’s supposed to be a puppet. A heartless, despicable Santa. But he’s not. He’s … a good person?

Do I have things wrong? Have I had them wrong all along? Or am I falling for the biggest con in the world?

Either way, change is coming for North Pole, and this is sure to be the deadliest Christmas on record and a time that no one will ever forget.

Buy Links:

Amazon US | UK

Book Blitz & Giveaway - Blood of the Lily by S.D. Huston

Blood of the Lily

(Clash of Goddesses, #1)

Author: S.D. Huston

Publication Date: November 1st, 2021

Genre: YA Fantasy

Book Description:

This debut novel from S.D. Huston is a partial fairytale retelling of Snow White & Rose Red mashed up with Irish mythologies!

Triplet sisters, one dead, one kidnapped. A vengeful leprechaun and a scheming goddess. Can Lily save her last sister?

When sixteen-year-old sisters Lily and Rose take it upon themselves to aid a tiny man with a long beard in distress, he curses them into a world of trouble. Lily contends with the grief that lies behind her while trapped in a suffocating silent world of her own design, and she must now face the threat of what might lie ahead.

Whether she believes it or not, leprechauns are real, and in Lugh she has made an unfortunate enemy. Now the race is on to save Rose from the deranged whims of an unscrupulous faery and find out what, or who, is behind this mysterious turn of events. To find the answers, Lily must face the darkness that plagues her: both inside and out. On the grand stage of this world and the Otherworld, an adventure bursts forth so chaotic perhaps even Lily can’t silence it.

Weaving lore, light, and the lush beauty of the Irish language into the wintery landscape of a mystical Ireland around its 3rd century, Blood of the Lily brings to life a world where even the most fantastical places and creatures can be corrupted by the realities of life. This first book in the Clash of Goddesses series transports you into the enchanting and masterfully crafted Otherworld of Éire as one may only see in dreams. Start your journey today!

Buy Links:

Amazon US | UK

Book Blast & Giveaway - The Forgotten Memories of Vera Glass by Anna Priemaza

The Forgotten Memories of Vera Glass

Author: Anna Priemaza

Publisher‏: Amulet Books (November 16, 2021)

Language: ‎English

Hardcover: ‎304 pages

ISBN-10: ‎1419752596

ISBN-13:‎ 978-1419752599

Book Description:

Praise for THE FORGOTTEN MEMORIES OF VERA GLASS 

"The narrative concepts are novel, and the characters are easy to feel empathy for. Vera’s devout Christianity is approached with nuance and has a strong influence on her character without being preachy (there’s positive atheist representation as well). . .A clever head trip." ―Kirkus Reviews

A mind-bending YA novel about a world where everyone has a bit of magic in them—but some magic is being used to change the world in unspeakable ways

Vera has a nagging feeling that she’s forgetting something. Not her keys or her homework—something bigger. Or someone. When she discovers her best friend Riven is experiencing the same strange feeling, they set out on a mission to uncover what’s going on. Everyone in Vera's world has a special ability—a little bit of magic that helps them through the day. Perhaps someone’s ability is interfering with their memory? Or is something altering their very reality? Vera and Riven intend to fix it and get back whatever or whomever they’ve lost. But how do you find the truth when you can’t even remember what you’re looking for in the first place?

The Forgotten Memories of Vera Glass is a cleverly constructed, heartbreaking, and compelling contemporary YA novel—with a slight fantasy twist—about memory, love, grief, and the invisible bonds that tie us to each other.

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Book Blitz & Giveaway - The Lies Between Us by Yolanda Olson

The Lies Between Us

Author: Yolanda Olson

Publication Date: October 17th, 2020

Genre: Adult Dark Romance / Taboo

Book Description:

2018 Readers’ Favorite Gold Medal Winner in the Fiction – Social Issues

Running away has always been something I’m good at.

I’ve run far away from home and back again thinking that each time would be the last.

But things are a lot different lately. I’ve learned that tides turn, seasons change, and sometimes, people do too.

I haven’t seen Hoyt Blackburn in a decade because I was so convinced he wasn’t worth my time anymore. I guess this is where I’ve changed since I found out that his execution is one of those inevitable things that life handed him. I can’t ever remember him being a bad man, yet I can’t shake that something isn’t right about what’s happening to him.

Maybe it’s because I miss him.

Maybe it’s because I wanna lay eyes on the man one last time.

Will he remember me? Will he even care? I don’t know; the only thing I can honestly say for sure is that there are still some secrets we have left between us that have to be spoken before he draws his last breath. Otherwise, when that day comes, they may have just killed me too.

Only 99¢ for a limited time!

Buy Links:

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

Book Blitz & Giveaway - A Wish Too Dark And Kind by M.L. Blackbird

A Wish Too Dark And Kind

Author: M.L. Blackbird

Publication Date: November 1st, 2021

Genre: Adult Dark Fantasy / Horror / Urban Fantasy

Book Description:

Among the immortals that inhabit our world, Arnaud Demeure is known as the man who can fulfill your one true wish or who can also conjure your worst nightmares.

Eight invitations are sent to eight immortals, and when Arnaud Demeure hosts a party, no one refuses his request. Why have they been summoned? Is it for a celebration or does a sinister fate await them? After all, in the ways of Magick, a party can also be a ritual to end the world.

As the mystery deepens, the attendees must overcome their personal grudges to unravel the threads of Demeure’s grand plan that has been centuries in the making. But, with one of the guests secretly working with their host to sabotage the group’s every move, it seems impossible to look behind the curtain to learn Demeure’s true intentions.

With each guest hiding dark secrets and darker intentions, will they be able to uncover Demeure’s mysterious motives or will the party prove to be the deadly nightmare that they each fear?

Buy Links:

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

Book Spotlight - A Mistake Incomplete by Lorenzo Petruzziello

A noir-inspired caper set in Milan, Italy…

By Lorenzo Petruzziello

A Mistake Incomplete

Author: Lorenzo Petruzziello

Publisher: Magnusmade

Pages: 344

Genre: Suspense / Noir-Inspired

An incompetent thief,

a hopeless bartender,

a dead stranger,

and a lonely tourist.

A NOIR-INSPIRED CAPER SET IN MODERN-DAY MILAN.

An incompetent thief makes another attempt at burglary. A hopeless bartender struggles to manage her last patron. The pair reluctantly work together to figure out why a man they presumed dead may have returned, while a lonely tourist inadvertently gets in the way.

Buy Links:

Amazon US | UK