Showing posts with label 4 Stars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 4 Stars. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 08, 2023

#BookReview: Clash of Fate and Fury (The Labors of Gen #2) by @Missusm @fluxbooks






Synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Gen may have rescued her beloved father from prison, but she hasn’t saved him yet. If she fails her end of a bargain with the Olympian Empresses, they will send him right back to his cell. To keep the Empresses happy, Gen must bring them the legendary golden apples of Hesperides and the monstrous Cerberus. But both are rumored to be in the neighboring Elysium Empire, which has a long history of war with Olympia. Making matters worse, Gen’s former enemy and newly designated heir to the isle of Arcadia Castor invites herself on the journey, hoping a golden apple could end Arcadia’s reliance on Illumium for storm vials. And Castor’s twin brother, Gen’s StormMaker boyfriend Pollux, has been pulling away from Gen due to troubles stemming from her mind magic.

With Castor’s pirate-thief girlfriend and Pollux’s servant companion in tow, the unlikely team embarks on its voyage. But war is only an insult away in Elysium, and more than the Emperor has their eyes on Gen’s mission. The quest has caught the attention of one of Elysium’s Oracles, and trouble is sure to brew with Prophecy on the rise.


Tuesday, March 07, 2023

#BookReview: Teaching Witchcraft: A Guide for Students & Teachers of Wicca by Miles Batty , Jamie Hendrickx (Foreword) @LlewellynBooks






Synopsis: A Lost Underground Classic for Seekers and Instructors of the Craft

Teaching Witchcraft is written for today's practitioners, both in coven groups and solitary study. Featuring more than thirty-five lessons that reflect current cultural perspectives and practices in the Wiccan community, this resource includes contemporary lesson guides and exam questions, as well as an emphasis on inclusivity.

Miles Batty presents an extensive variety of topics, including spellcasting, ritual construction and procedures, the Wheel of the Year, the principles of Wiccan belief, and the four cornerstones of magick. You'll start with the fundamentals and progress through the Craft's many facets, from its history and tools to divination and etiquette. This step-by-step-guide also covers the faces of the goddess, sexuality in Witchcraft, correspondences, and magickal ethics. With lessons and study questions for every level of student, this is the essential resource for learning and teaching Witchcraft.


#BookReview: Royal Blood (Royal Blood, #1) by @aimee_carter @DelacortePress






Synopsis: An American girl becomes the British Monarchy’s greatest nightmare in this thrilling new series where royal scandals just got deadlier.


As the King of England’s illegitimate daughter, 17-year-old Evan Bright knows a thing or two about keeping secrets. 

But when she’s forced to spend the summer in London with her father and the royal family, who aren’t exactly thrilled she exists, her identity is mysteriously revealed, and suddenly the world is dying to know every juicy lie the press prints about her. 

After a fun night turns deadly and Evan becomes the primary suspect in a murder investigation, the escalating rumors and fallout threaten to tear her life apart. As she fights to uncover the truth about what happened, she discovers royal secrets that are even more scandalous than she imagined – secrets that could change the monarchy forever.


Monday, March 06, 2023

#BookReview: Upon a Waking Dream by J. S. Bailey






Synopsis: Open these pages and delve into new worlds where…

-A Flat Earther gets abducted by aliens
-A college dropout gets by with a little help from her imaginary friend
-A woman obsessed with her favorite actor creates a new universe just to meet him
-A magic pen bridges the gap between generations
-Thirteen isn’t an unlucky number…or is it?

Upon a Waking Dream contains twelve science fiction and fantasy tales from the mind of J. S. Bailey, ten of them never before published.


#BookReview: A Princess in Theory by @alyssacolelit






Synopsis: From acclaimed author Alyssa Cole comes the tale of a city Cinderella and her Prince Charming in disguise . . . 

Between grad school and multiple jobs, Naledi Smith doesn’t have time for fairy tales…or patience for the constant e-mails claiming she’s betrothed to an African prince. Sure. Right. Delete! As a former foster kid, she’s learned that the only things she can depend on are herself and the scientific method, and a silly e-mail won’t convince her otherwise.

Prince Thabiso is the sole heir to the throne of Thesolo, shouldering the hopes of his parents and his people. At the top of their list? His marriage. Ever dutiful, he tracks down his missing betrothed. When Naledi mistakes the prince for a pauper, Thabiso can’t resist the chance to experience life—and love—without the burden of his crown.

The chemistry between them is instant and irresistible, and flirty friendship quickly evolves into passionate nights. But when the truth is revealed, can a princess in theory become a princess ever after?

Selected as one of the New York Times 100 Notable Books of 2018!


Sunday, March 05, 2023

#BookReview: How to Be a Rule-Breaking Letterer by Huyen Dinh






Synopsis: Break the rules, embrace imperfection, and express your unique self through lettering art!

This book is for anyone who's felt the pressure of perfection. As a schoolgirl in Vietnam and later in online lettering classes, Huyen Dinh was always told to perfect her penmanship. Instead, she started embracing her own imperfect style—with squiggly lines, cheeky messages, and pastel colors.

In this upbeat guidebook, Dinh walks you through the basic rules of lettering and then teaches you how to break them in clever and creative ways. She shares challenges and triumphs from her own artistic journey and offers inspiration as well as technical tips. You can use your new lettering skills to tell your personal story, support a cause you care about, or decorate your tote bags and sneakers! Fully illustrated in Dinh's signature pastel palette, this book is the perfect companion for any aspiring creative. 

EVERYTHING YOU NEED IN ONE BOOK: This fresh and fun guide includes: 
Affirmations for a positive mindset
Lettering language 101
A step-by-step guide from brainstorming to finished art
Inspiration for telling your story through lettering
Fun DIY projects with how-to instructions
And much more
MAKES LETTERING FUN: No need to sweat over creating technically perfect calligraphy. Instead, let this guidebook infuse your creative projects with fun. Lettering is a chance to explore your personal style and share your passions with the world.
 
EMPOWERING MESSAGE: By sharing her own story, Dinh offers inspiration for anyone who dreams of a creative career, especially other young Asian American women. This is an approachable and inclusive handbook for pursuing your artistic goals.
 
RISING STAR: Huyen Dinh's refreshing honesty and irresistible illustration style have resonated with thousands of fans online. Her lettering art has graced murals, sweatshirts, magazine covers, and more. With this book, she welcomes anyone to join her in creating perfectly imperfect lettering.

Perfect for:
Letterers, artists, and illustrators looking for a fun and practical resource
Students of all ages looking for a creative outlet
Casual creatives and hobbyists who love hand lettering, drawing with letters, and font, alphabet, and script design
Fashionistas who want to add personal flair to their accessories
Engaged couples doing hand-lettered DIY wedding invites
Pinterest addicts and bullet journaling enthusiasts seeking new letter design ideas and inspiration


Saturday, March 04, 2023

#BookReview: Lost Sierra by Amanda Traylor






Synopsis:  "A dark and twisty tour de force of a psychological thriller!"

With a new PhD under her belt and eager to avoid her pre-determined path as the heir to her parents Fortune 10 organic food company, twenty-seven year old Daphne seeks out an idyllic Mayberry existence in a small town in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, where residents might appreciate her personal brand of homeopathic techniques and herbal cures.

While she manages to gain a small collection of clients, she is mostly met with cold skepticism from the locals. When her favorite client—John Sharpe, an army veteran in his 70s—goes missing and no one in the town seems to be care, Daphne is deeply concerned. He saved her life once and she is bound and determined to return the favor.

Pitting herself against the townspeople, who assure her that Sharpe is just on a bender despite all the evidence she finds to the contrary, Daphne is drawn deeper and deeper into trouble, all while a wildfire rages closer and closer to the town.

It seems as if a local biker and a civilian deputy sheriff are willing to help, but it's hard to tell hero from villain in this world. She’s told to leave her search for the truth alone by multiple people, but she can't let it go. She's desperate to find the truth.
With unknown enemies in every dark corner and a raging wildfire threatening to trap everyone in town, Daphne has to decide how far she's willing to go for the truth.



Monday, February 27, 2023

#BookReview: Rogue (The Prep Series, #2) by @ellekennedy






Synopsis: It's been a long time since Casey Tresscott has felt like her life was her own. After the car accident that nearly cost her everything, she's used to her family's coddling and the relentless whispers at school, no matter how much they sting. After all, she's found a safe harbor in her budding relationship with Sandover's golden boy, Fenn Bishop…or so she thinks. 

Beneath Fenn's pretty, party-boy surface is a dangerous truth about the night Casey almost died. He thought lying to her was the right thing to do, but when the secret shakes loose, he just might lose her for good. 

Because Casey is done being taken advantage of. 

Grasping for the control she's been missing, Casey finally snaps―telling off her bullies, gallivanting with rebels and playboys, and shirking her headmaster father's strict curfews, despite the consequences. A desperate Fenn must ally with his stepbrother RJ and the other Sandover delinquents to uncover the full story of Casey's accident and the ones responsible if he hopes to win her back. 

But what happens if Casey is no longer the same girl he first fell for? Is there any hope for their future if she's gone rogue for good?


Sunday, February 26, 2023

#BookReview: Blood in the Storm (The Tidestone Cycle, #1) by Brian S. Gardner






Synopsis: Figure out what kind of man you want to be and start being him.

Grant Sundar, a hard-working university research assistant, did all he could to provide for his wife and daughter. When a rogue wizard named Standard murders them to uncover an ancient, magical sword, Grant's world is turned upside down. 

With a target on his back, Grant is going to need all the help he can get from friends new and old to keep the sword out of Standard's hands. If he fails to get it to safety, it could spark a war to plunge the world into endless darkness. Threats come from every side. Shadow wolves, assassins, and weather itself all try to stand in his way. The sword even has secrets of its own. 

From the soaring spires of Lervuco to the ancient techno-marvel city of Tona, his thirst for revenge swells while his hold on sanity weakens. Grant's last chance to honor his family approaches. Will it be through justice or vengeance?

Only in finding himself can he keep from losing his soul.



Friday, February 24, 2023

#BookReview: Forestfall (World at the Lake's Edge, #2) @lkclipstone






Synopsis: Some oaths can never be broken...

The curse that haunted Lakesedge Estate has been broken, but at great cost. Violeta Graceling has sacrificed herself to end the Corruption. To escape death, Leta makes a desperate bargain with the Lord Under, one that sees her living at his side in the land of the dead.

But this world of souls and mist hides many secrets. And when Leta realizes she is still connected to Rowan by a tethering spell, she will risk everything— even her soul— to try and reach him.

Torn between power and love, life and death, Leta struggles to keep hold of her humanity as she falls further and further under the spell of the world Below… and the Lord Under.


#BookReview: Crossing the Line by @ynnRushWrites & @KellyAnneBlount






Synopsis: A patch of black ice is all it takes for Ryan “Preach” Armstrong’s perfectly planned future to skid out of control. The car crash shatters his hockey dreams…and injures Woodhaven’s newest student, Grace Milner. As much as this feisty track phenom gets under Preach’s skin in all the best and worst ways, she might just be his path to redemption…

Grace can’t believe that all it took was seriously bad timing and a hot but prickly hockey player to threaten her lifelong dream of joining the Air Force. Now, instead of prepping for the track season and upcoming start of basic training, she has to complete community service with the absolute last person she would ever want to be stuck with—the guy who shattered her future.

When two fierce competitors collide this hard, the only result is heartbreak…or an epic victory as they cross the finish line together.


Thursday, February 23, 2023

#BookReview: Lakesedge (World at the Lake's Edge, #1) by @lkclipstone






Synopsis: A gothic fantasy about monsters and magic, set on the banks of a cursed lake.

There are monsters in the world.

When Violeta Graceling arrives at haunted Lakesedge estate, she expects to find a monster. She knows the terrifying rumors about Rowan Sylvanan, who drowned his entire family when he was a boy. But neither the estate nor the monster are what they seem.

There are monsters in the woods.

As Leta falls for Rowan, she discovers he is bound to the Lord Under, the sinister death god lurking in the black waters of the lake. A creature to whom Leta is inexplicably drawn…

There’s a monster in the shadows, and now it knows my name.

Now, to save Rowan—and herself—Leta must confront the darkness in her past, including unraveling the mystery of her connection to the Lord Under.


Friday, February 17, 2023

#BookReview: Rise of Daybreak (Rise of Midnight #2) by Sara A. Freites






Synopsis: "Following a half-demon into hell—I'd never in my entire life felt so terrified...or so ready."

Autumn has more demons than just her inner ones to fight.

After ridding the world of Arlos, Autumn, Blake and the vampires are forced to hunt Vex all over again. But they find themselves at a loss until another encounter with Vex gives Autumn a new edge...

With the relationship between Blake and Autumn blossoming, so is Autumn’s anxiety of Blake’s worsening condition. 

When Vex makes a successful attempt to slide into hell, the vampires go in after him with the help of their new allies. There, the group must find Vex and destroy him before he can bring another demon, maybe even Arlos, back to Earth with him.

Facing the many dangers of hell, surviving will prove to be more of a nightmare than they ever thought.

But will Autumn lose herself and Blake while trying to prevent Vex from resurfacing on Earth?


Thursday, February 16, 2023

#BookReview: Rise of Midnight (Rise of Midnight #1) by Sara A. Freites






Synopsis:  "I just wanted my normal life back, but the vampires and demons of my city had other plans for me..."

At seventeen, Autumn Hayes is no different than any other high school student. But after a strange dream one night, some unwanted changes come her way—dark figures following her, unsettling stares, a tragedy hitting close to home…

Autumn soon finds herself held captive by a group of individuals calling themselves “vampires”. From them, she learns she's not who she's always thought and that she must play a key role in sending a powerful demon back to hell. 

Things get more complicated for Autumn and the vampires when they capture an alluring stranger named Blake. He’s not like the others, and he’s sparked their curiosity...especially Autumn’s. 

Now, Autumn must leave behind everything she’s ever known and accept her new fate—fighting to prevent a possible hell on Earth. 

But will she lose her humanity in the process?


Monday, February 13, 2023

#BookReview: Your Dream For Me by Alison Schaffir






Synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Scarlett, unlike her theatrically gifted parents, is not one to spend time near a spotlight. Scarlett dreams of becoming a renowned fashion designer, where she can flex her creative talents away from a crowd. So it's no surprise when she sneaks into her school's costume shop to explore the racks. Unexpected, however, is coming face-to-face with Nathaniel Wilder, a talented theater student who piques a new interest.

With fashion still as her main priority, Scarlett vows to learn how to make a 50s-inspired dress for her best friend, Macie. After all, she needs a strong portfolio of work to help her get into her dream school, the Fashion Institute of Technology. The one problem? She has no idea how to operate a sewing machine. Thanks to Nathaniel's encouragement, Scarlett decides to shadow the school's drama teacher to practice her skills, hoping to fuse her passion for fashion with theater...and be closer to him for the spring play.

Scarlett's designs are unfolding, but a distressing event involving Macie shakes everyone in Scarlett's world—causing their friendship to falter and Nathaniel to unexpectedly pull away. With building stressors threatening the rest of the year, including a rival who wants to tarnish Scarlett's reputation, Scarlett must rely on her determined spirit and newfound sewing skills to keep her fashion dreams—and her most important relationships—from unraveling.

Releasing March 7, 2023

Friday, February 03, 2023

#BookReview: The Mirror Season by @LaAnnaMarie






Synopsis: An unforgettable story of trauma and healing, told in achingly beautiful prose with great tenderness and care. --#1 New York Times-bestselling author Karen M. McManus

When two teens discover that they were both sexually assaulted at the same party, they develop a cautious friendship through her family's possibly magical pastelería, his secret forest of otherworldly trees, and the swallows returning to their hometown, in Anna-Marie McLemore's The Mirror Season...

Graciela Cristales's whole world changes after she and a boy she barely knows are assaulted at the same party. She loses her gift for making enchanted pan dulce. Neighborhood trees vanish overnight, while mirrored glass appears, bringing reckless magic with it. And Ciela is haunted by what happened to her, and what happened to the boy whose name she never learned.

But when the boy, Lock, shows up at Ciela's school, he has no memory of that night, and no clue that a single piece of mirrored glass is taking his life apart. Ciela decides to help him, which means hiding the truth about that night. Because Ciela knows who assaulted her, and him. And she knows that her survival, and his, depend on no one finding out what really happened.


Wednesday, February 01, 2023

#BookReview: Darkborn Messiah by Tyler Nomax #DarkbornMessiah






Synopsis: Wake up, Work, Obey, Worship, Repeat.
What a world…


What would happen if a beautiful redhead demon told a suicidal wealthy businessman that he was chosen to be the messiah to save humanity and took him on a journey through time and space filled with pain, suffering, hope, self-discovery, and ascension?

A genre-bending supernatural transformation story dealing with the modern world's devastating problems. A unique book guaranteed to be the first of its kind.

Wealthy family man William Rudned was not as happy or satisfied with his life as he appeared. No amount of money, privilege or popularity was enough to extinguish the fire of anger and misery inside him. In the midst of a profound depression and thoughts of suicide, he was relentlessly questioning the meaning of existence and the way of the world we live in. It was getting harder and harder for him to get out of bed every single day only to go through the same aimless vicious cycle all over again. There was something terrible and beautiful inside him, growing, prospering, and consuming his soul.

Why are we here? What is life? Is this modern world system the only way we can live? Do we really need money? Is capitalism the only way? Are we being told the truth about God? Do we need religion? What is the purpose of it all? Can there be a better world? A world where everyone lives in prosper, a world where there are no wars, where all are equal, where people are virtuous and honest? Is there an unknown power that prevents us from reaching our perfect selves, our conscious and enlightened selves?

Only after meeting a beautiful demon named Milena, who guides him on a journey through time and space hell-bent on grooming him to be the messiah of the future world, will he find the answers he seeks. But his metamorphosis to be the savior of mankind is no easy task and the road to enlightenment is paved with desolation, pain, suffering, and most of all, his inner demons.

In his début novel, Tyler Nomax takes the reader to various terrifying and tragic lives of everyday people via parallel universes and timelines in a manner that challenges the norms that we accept and obey unquestioningly, turns them upside down and offers solutions to usher in a paradise for the human race. Nomax does not shy away from declaring war on everything people have taken for granted and considered the way since time immemorial; Organized Religion and Patriarchy, Money, Capitalism, Royalty, Political Systems, Technology and every other aspect of modern life that he claims brings humanity closer to ruin every passing day.


Friday, January 27, 2023

#BookReview: In the Shadow Garden by @LizParkerWrites @readforeverpub






Synopsis: Three generations of witches must discover where their magic went wrong as secrets resurface that could solve a twenty-year-old mystery in this riveting debut, perfect for fans of Practical Magic and Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe.

There's something magical about Yarrow, Kentucky. The three empathic witches of the Haywood family are known for their shadow garden—from strawberries that taste like chocolate to cherry tomatoes with hints of basil and oregano. Their magic can cure any heartache, and the fruits of their garden bring a special quality to the local bourbon distillery. On one day every year, a shot of Bonner bourbon will make your worst memory disappear.

But twenty years ago, the town gave up more than one memory for the year; they forgot an entire summer. One person died. One person disappeared. And no one has any idea why.

As secrets from that fateful summer start to come to light, there must be a reckoning between the rival Haywood and Bonner families. But the only clue Irene Haywood has is in her tea leaves: a stranger’s arrival will bring either love or betrayal…


Thursday, January 26, 2023

#BookReview: The Kindred Spirits Supper Club by @aereichert @BerkleyRomance






Synopsis: Jobless and forced home to Wisconsin, journalist Sabrina Monroe can tolerate reunions with frenemies and kisses from old boyfriends, but not the literal ghosts that greet her in this heartwarming tale of the power of love and connection from acclaimed author Amy E. Reichert.

For Sabrina Monroe, moving back home to the Wisconsin Dells–the self-described Waterpark Capital of the World–means returning to the Monroe family curse: the women in her family can see spirits who come to them for help with unfinished business. But Sabrina’s always redirected the needy spirits to her mom, who’s much better suited for the job. The one exception has always been Molly, a bubbly rom-com loving ghost, who stuck by Sabrina’s side all through her lonely childhood.

Her personal life starts looking up when Ray, the new local restaurateur, invites Sabrina to his supper club, where he flirts with her over his famous Brandy Old-Fashioneds. He’s charming and handsome, but Sabrina tells herself she doesn’t have time for romance–she needs to focus on finding a job. Except the longer she’s in the Dells, the harder it is to resist her feelings for Ray. Who can turn down a cute guy with a fondness for rescue dogs and an obsession with perfecting his fried cheese curds recipe? 

When the Dells starts to feel like home for the first time and with Ray in her corner, Sabrina begins to realize that she can make a difference and help others wherever she is.


#BookTour: The Old Dragon's Head by Justin Newland @JeanBookNerd #Giveaway




Constructed of stone and packed earth, the Great Wall of 10,000 li protects China’s northern borders from the threat of Mongol incursion. The wall is also home to a supernatural beast: the Old Dragon. The Old Dragon’s Head is the most easterly point of the wall, where it finally meets the sea.

In every era, a Dragon Master is born. Endowed with the powers of Heaven, only he can summon the Old Dragon so long as he possess the dragon pearl.

It’s the year 1400, and neither the Old Dragon, the dragon pearl, nor the Dragon Master, has been seen for twenty years. Bolin, a young man working on the Old Dragon’s Head, suffers visions of ghosts. Folk believe he has yin-yang eyes and other paranormal gifts.When Bolin’s fief lord, the Prince of Yan, rebels against his nephew, the Jianwen Emperor, a bitter war of succession ensues in which the Mongols hold the balance of power. While the victor might win the battle on earth, China’s Dragon Throne can only be earned with a Mandate from Heaven – and the support of the Old Dragon.

Bolin embarks on a journey of self-discovery, mirroring Old China’s endeavour to come of age. When Bolin accepts his destiny as the Dragon Master, Heaven sends a third coming of age – for humanity itself. But are any of them ready for what is rising in the east?