Tag: Reading

[New Review] Sugar Spells

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Title:  Sugar Spells

Author:  Lola Dodge

Page count: 270

Published: October 30th 2018

Publisher: Inkmonster LLC

Genre: Sci Fi Fantasy, Teen / YA

Received: From Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Rating:   3/5

Summary:

For fans of Hex Hall, The Magicians, Practical Magic, and Food Wars!

After her run-in with a jealous warlock, apprentice baker Anise Wise can’t wait to get back the kitchen where she belongs. But thanks to her brush with death, the land of the living isn’t all cupcakes and marshmallows.

Anise’s magical mojo is way out of whack and her evolving powers are stirring up trouble. As the town buzzes with news that Anise can bake deathly spells, unsavory characters start lining up for a taste. They’ll stop at nothing for the chance to use Anise and her witchcraft to further their own plots.

She plans to hole up researching magic recipes until the attention dies down, but then she discovers the horrifying terms of her bodyguard’s contract. Wynn has saved her life so many times, she can’t leave him trapped. But doing the right thing will mean risking death or worse—being cast out of her dream job.

For this witch, justice might not be as sweet as advertised.

My Thoughts:

When I saw the synopsis of the book and how it was related to Hex Hall I wanted to give this one a go. I also found out that this was the second in the series sigh lol, Any who, onto my review.

 

There are some things that did leave me asking questions because I didn’t read the first one. Aside from that I loved how Anise was paying attention to people and trying to figure out ways to help them. She does struggle with baking which was a little disheartening because she lives for it.

 

I loved the growth that the characters had in the book, they all played a roll in helping Anise.

 

This book was a light and quick read. I was able to finish this in one sitting, its packed with lots of magical beings this book would be perfect for the Halloween season.

 

My review is a little “off” I think because I haven’t read the first one to get to know the characters as well as I should. This one was a pretty good read.

[New Post] Review: Keeping Her Close by Casey Diam

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Title: Keeping her Close

Author: Casey Diam

Page count: 307

Published: Aug 14, 2017

Publisher: NLM Romance Publishing

Genre: Romance

Received: Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Rating:  2.75/5

Summay:

When a heart is broken, it withdraws, shielding itself from further pain, but also from further life.

Brandon Kuvat gave up on love ten years ago—the year he was set to become a dad. A wealthy playboy pilot, he still sees plenty of action, but he’s not the man he once was. Or the man he wishes he could be. The first time he encounters Jordan, he knows immediately she is different. He also knows hurting her is inevitable. Still, he can’t stay away, even if it means he’ll have to settle for a friendship—but only for as long as that can last.

Wounded by a disastrous relationship, Jordan Artesian has put her whole focus on work, nurturing her dreams of owning her own fashion line. But though her creativity blooms, the rest of her is still frozen, that is, until Brandon charms his way into her life. He’s irritating, but somehow…intriguing. She hates that she finds his charming and challenging ways attractive. He isn’t supposed to make her feel things she’s given up on feeling.

For these two, friendship will never be enough—not when she’s what he needs to heal, and he’s what she needs to feel again. But can they find their way down the path of friendship to truly love and trust one another, or will they only destroy each other’s hearts all over again?

My Thoughts:

After reading this book I have to say that I wasn’t a fan of how it ended. It made me feel like there is more to the story that hasn’t been said. So hopefully there is another on to this series.

In this book the relationship with Brandon and Jordan does go on for quite a bit even though the chemistry was there, it was all most coming off the pages. I was getting a little frustrated with Jordan and Brandon because I just wanted to yell at them to tell one another how they feel. To me also seemed like they were purposely trying to sabotage their “Relationship” on purpose but when it finally happened I was happy. While I was reading this I did feel a disconnect with Jordan, I did feel a connection more with Brandon.

[New Post] Book Review: Rainy days by A.S. Kelly

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Title: Rainy Days

Author: A.S. Kelly

Page count: 310

Published: November 2017

Publisher: N/A

Genre: Contemoary

Received: From the Author in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4.5/5

Summary:

Tormented rock star Liam O’Reilly left Dublin and achieved success, hoping to build a new life, free from the demons of his past. Now that seems he’s got everything he ever wanted, why isn’t he happy? Is it because he’s realized that the most important thing in his life is the promise that he never kept?

Sensitive and damaged Rain O’Donovan lives with her brother and his friends in a tiny seaside town north of Dublin. Once a popular and lively schoolteacher, a car accident has wrecked her life, so that her only pleasure is walking in the rain, and her world revolves around mundane tasks, devoid of hope for the future. The amnesia around the time of the accident that changed everything means that her struggle with life is a day-to-day torture, and, more than anything else, she longs for answers.

When Liam returns to his home town after his two-year absence, he’s determined to try to make amends for the terrible mistakes he made. But is it too late to put things right?

Rainy Days is a complete standalone and a part of the Four Days Series.

My Thoughts:

Oh my gosh! What an emotional roller coaster that was. I’m not even sure I can articulate the words that need to be said in my review.

*Some Spoilers Ahead*

My heart broke so much for Liam and Rain. They have been through so much together, with the car accident, Neil dying and Rains memory loss.

The thing that got me the most was that even after everything that had happened Rain was still able to remember her love for Liam.

Liam had his success as a solo musician yet he is broken. There was always a piece missing and he had to get to get it back. He goes back home because he needs to make amends for the things that has happened.

Rain was an amazing leading lady. My heart broke more than once reading her POV. After the accident she was unable to go back to work so she gets a job at her brothers bar Only4You, since she now has limitations on what she can do. Having amnesia isn’t helping her either. When she starts to get her memory back piece by piece I was excited an happy to known she was getting her memory, then it all happened at once and it was heart breaking. Especially when she confronted her brother and his friends.

Liam and Rain are both broken yes but the way they piece one another back together was truly heart warming.

*I was given this book by the author in exchange for an honest review *

[New Post] Review: The Leaving Year

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Title: The Leaving year

Author: Pam McGaffin

Page count: 352

Published: Aug 14, 2018

Publisher: SparkPress

Genre: Historical Fiction / YA

Received: From Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Rating:  3.5/5

Summary:

A coming-of-age YA novel about the daughter of a Pacific Northwest fisherman, whose presumed drowning in 1967 has her searching for answers, including whether or not he’s really dead.

As the Summer of Love comes to an end, 15-year-old Ida Petrovich waits for a father who never comes home. While commercial fishing in Alaska, he is lost at sea, but with no body and no wreckage, Ida and her mother are forced to accept a “presumed” death that tests their already strained relationship. While still in shock over the loss of her father, Ida overhears an adult conversation that shatters everything she thought she knew about him. This prompts her to set out on a search for the truth that takes her from her Washington State hometown to Southeast Alaska, where she works at a salmon cannery, develops love for a Filipino classmate, and befriends a Native Alaskan girl. In this wild, rugged place, she also begins to understand the physical and emotional bonds that took her father north and why he kept them secret—a journey of discovery that ultimately brings her family together and helps them heal. Insightful and heartfelt, The Leaving Year is a tale of love and loyalty, family and friendship, and the stories we tell ourselves in our search for meaning

My Thoughts:

I’m not really a fan of historical fiction but being a YA book, I thought that I would give this a try since I read Fawkes and really enjoyed the magic element in that one.

This on the other hand had more of an emotional side. It was beautifully written, I was intrigued from the first chapter. It was a little on the slow side but that didn’t bother me to much in this case. This book is set in the late 1060’s and to think that things happened back then is crazy because we really only think of the year that we were born and beyond, anything past that is odd.

This book goes on Ida’s journey after hearing that her father is presumed to be lost at sea after she over hears a conversation what her mom is having. Her mom and dad have been keeping secrets from her due to this she decides to leave an get the answers that she is looking for.

I did have one issue with this book. I didn’t feel connected to Ida until the second half of the book. That being said I still enjoyed it.

This kind of reminded me of The Long Way Home Series by Jasinda Wilder when Ava’s husband Christian gets lost at sea.

[New Post] Review: Seeking Fate

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Title: Seeking Fate

Author: Brenda Drake

Page count: 196

Published: September 3, 2018

Publisher:  Entangled Publishing

Genre: Teen / YA

Received:  Netgalley

Rating:  3.5/5

Summary:

Fate changer Daisy Layne is nervous about searching Europe for a firstborn son doomed to die on his eighteenth birthday. But she’s the only one who can save him. No pressure or anything. She needs the help of guide Andrei Vasile, who she’s been talking to online for two years. Still, meeting him in person…that’s a whole different story.

Andrei is determined to keep Daisy safe, even if touching her could kill him. At least, that’s what his family has told him about fate changers like Daisy. She’s strong and beautiful, and it’s his job to keep her alive. Unfortunately, what she doesn’t know could kill her.

Save a life. End a curse. And never, ever get too close…

My Thoughts:

This was a very quick read being less than 200 pages. This was truly an interesting book because it is about three sisters that have a gift or curse where they can change peoples fate. All they have to do is a tarot card reading.

This was a fast paced book I was sad when I finished it so quickly. I think it was because of the chemistry between Daisy and Andrei I wanted to know what was going to happen between them. Their first meeting was a little awkward because it was there first time meeting since talking online. I loved that their journey took them around Europe because iv always wanted to go, so being able to read about it was just as good.

After reading this book I found out that it was the third in the series. So now I’m going to have to go an read the other 2. With that being said I feel like this book can be read as a stand alone.