From Blood & Ash - Review

 

By: Jennifer Armentrout

Genre: Fantasy, Romance

Publication Date: March 30, 2020, by Blue Box Press

Rate: ♥♥♥♥♥

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Book Summary:

A Maiden…

Chosen from birth to usher in a new era, Poppy’s life has never been her own. The life of the Maiden is solitary. Never to be touched. Never to be looked upon. Never to be spoken to. Never to experience pleasure. Waiting for the day of her Ascension, she would rather be with the guards, fighting back the evil that took her family, than preparing to be found worthy by the gods. But the choice has never been hers.

A Duty…

The entire kingdom’s future rests on Poppy’s shoulders, something she’s not even quite sure she wants for herself. Because a Maiden has a heart. And a soul. And longing. And when Hawke, a golden-eyed guard honor-bound to ensure her Ascension, enters her life, destiny and duty become tangled with desire and need. He incites her anger, makes her question everything she believes in, and tempts her with the forbidden.

A Kingdom…

Forsaken by the gods and feared by mortals, a fallen kingdom is rising once more, determined to take back what they believe is theirs through violence and vengeance. And as the shadow of those cursed draws closer, the line between what is forbidden and what is right becomes blurred. Poppy is not only on the verge of losing her heart and being found unworthy by the gods, but also her life when every blood-soaked thread that holds her world together begins to unravel.

My Thoughts:

I loved this book. The world, the history. the magic, the twists and turns, and the romance. The storyline takes you on a great journey and makes you want more. I loved Poppy's character. She is strong yet innocent. Hawk is the perfect bad boy romance interest. He does all kinds of naughty stuff but you still kind of like him. Is he an ass? Yes, but isn't all bad boys. I finished this book and was super glad the 2nd book was already out. I picked it up already and can't wait to continue reading about Poppy & Hawk.

I gave this book 5 hearts because I loved the story and bought the 2nd book immediately.

Blackberry Beach - Review

 

By: Irene Hannon

Genre: Romance, Christian Fiction

Publication Date: April 6, 2021, by Fleming H. Revell Company

Rate: ♥♥♥♥

Source: NetGalley

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Book Summary:

Katherine Parker is on the cusp of having everything she ever wanted--fame, money, and acclaim. So why isn't she happy? In search of answers, she comes incognito to Hope Harbor on the Oregon coast for some R&R. Maybe in her secluded rental house overlooking the serene Pacific she'll be able to calm the storm inside.

Coffee shop owner Zach Garrett has found his niche after a traumatic loss--and he has no plans to change the life he's created. Nor does he want to get involved with his reticent new neighbor, whose past is shrouded in mystery. He's had enough drama to last a lifetime. But when Katherine and Zach are recruited to help rehab a home for foster children, sparks fly. And as their lives begin to intersect, might they find more common ground than they expected. and discover that, with love, all things are possible?

My Thoughts:

I enjoyed the story and the characters. I could really relate to Katherine who is trying to figure out what to do with her life. I fell the same way myself at times. Zach was a nice guy who is there to give Katherine advice and be a friend. When their paths start to aline they have to decide if they can go the extra mile and become more than friends. 

I especially loved the references to Coos Bay, Oregon in the book as I live 11 miles away from there.

So that made the book seem more personal. 

I loved the book but gave it 4 hearts because, in the end, I was able to set the book down and not stay up reading all night.

Ink in the Blood - Review

 

By: Kim Smejkal

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult

Publication Date: February 11, 2020 by HMH Books for Young Readers

Rate: ♥♥♥

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Book Summary:

A lush, dark YA Fantasy debut that weaves together tattoo magic, faith, and eccentric theater in a world where lies are currency and ink is a weapon.

Celia Sand and her best friend, Anya Burtoni, are inklings for the esteemed religion of Profeta. Using magic, they tattoo followers with beautiful images that represent the Divine's will and guide the actions of the recipients. It's considered a noble calling, but ten years into servitude Celia and Anya know the truth: Profeta is built on lies. The tattooed orders strip away freedom, and the revered temple is actually a brutal, torturous prison.

Their opportunity to escape arrives with the Rabble Mob, a traveling theater troupe. Using their inkling abilities for performance instead of propaganda, Celia and Anya are content for the first time. .. until they realize who followed them. The Divine they never believed in is very real, very angry, and determined to use Celia, Anya, and the Rabble Mob's now-infamous stage to spread her deceitful influence even further.

To protect their new family from the wrath of a malicious deity and the zealots who work in her name, Celia and Anya must unmask the biggest lie of all - Profeta itself.

My Thoughts:

The title and description drew me in. It's not something I would normally pick up, but thought I would give it a try. The thought of someone having ink in their veins that they could use to draw tattoos on someone else was intriguing. I enjoyed the interaction of the Rabble Mob the most. All the fun characters, costumes, and friendships made.

I liked the book and gave it three hearts because I thought it moved too slow and I hated the ending (it's a cliffhanger). But I would recommend it to a friend.

What's Left Unsaid - Review

 

By: Emily Bleeker

Genre: Fiction

Publication Date: July 27, 2021, by Lake Union Publishing

Rate: ♥♥♥♥

Source: NetGalley

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Book Summary:

After a series of devastating losses, Chicago journalist Hannah Williamson has landed in Senatobia, Mississippi, to care for her bedridden grandmother and endure grunt work at a small newspaper. But in cleaning out its archives, Hannah discovers a compelling distraction from her life: a series of rejected articles from the 1930s that illuminate a long-hidden mystery.

The articles, penned by a young woman named Evelyn, are haunting accounts of first love, trauma, and surviving a mysterious shooting that left Evelyn paralyzed at the age of fourteen. The articles stir up more questions than answers, and Hannah becomes consumed by what's left unsaid. Encouraged by Guy Franklin, a local middle school teacher, Hannah's investigation into Evelyn's past becomes more personal with each new reveal. For Hannah, as both a journalist and a woman bearing her own emotional wounds, this is a chance to move forward and bring closure to the story of the girl whose secrets are buried in Senatobia.

What Hannah's about to discover next is that, even after nearly a century, the truth she's been looking for still has the power to change lives. Especially her own.

My Thought:

I loved Hannah's character. I was drawn in by all her life losses. They really made me feel for everything Hannah was going through. 

Evelyn's story was also compelling and you wanted to know the outcome. This young woman's life and how she was treated really made me think about what could happen to many young women back then and now.

Guy was a fun character for Hannah to evolve into something new with. He gave support and made Hannah think of future consequences. 

I loved the book but gave it 4 hearts because, in the end, I was able to set the book down and not stay up reading all night.

The Ex Talk - Review

 

By: Rachel Lynn Solomon

Genre: Romance

Publication Date: January 26, 2021, by Berkley

Rate: ♥♥♥♥

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Book Summary:

Shay Goldstein has been a producer at her Seattle public radio station for nearly a decade, and she can't imagine working anywhere else. But lately, it's been a constant clash between her and her newest colleague, Dominic Yun, who's fresh off a journalism master's program and convinced he knows everything about public radio.

When the struggling station needs a new concept, Shay proposes a show that her boss green-lights with excitement. On The Ex Talk, two exes will deliver relationship advice, on-air. Their boss decides Shay and Dominic are the perfect co-hosts, given how much they already despise each other. Neither loves the idea of lying to listeners, but it's this or unemployment. Their audience gets invested fast, and it's not long before The Ex Talk becomes a must-listen in Seattle and climbs podcast charts. As the show gets bigger, so does their deception, especially when Shay and Dominic start to fall for each other. In an industry that values truth, getting caught could mean the end of more than just their careers.

My Thoughts:

I work at a radio station so the title and description drew me in. 

I really liked both Shay & Dominics characters. 

Shay's kind of like me sassy and tells it like it is. She's not impressed with the new guy Dominic fresh out of college. He thinks he knows everything. What does he know? She's been on the radio for 10 years.

Dominic is kind of easygoing but does think he knows all there is to know about being on the radio. He wants to report what's happening and expose the bad guy. Being on a live talk show about Ex Talk is not his dream job. But what choice does he have?

I enjoyed the ups and downs of their hate to love relationship and getting to know each character. 

I loved the book but gave it 4 hearts because, in the end, I was able to set the book down and not stay up all night reading.

Just Curious - Review

By: Ariella Talix

Genre: Romance

Publication Date: March 10, 2021, by Ringmaster Publishing

Rate: ♥♥♥

Source: NetGalley

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Book Summary:

Willa Camden, a successful author of steamy novels, becomes entwined with Jackson Mitchel, a brilliant billionaire, and his best friend Casey Melrose. Their love is shared equally, and Willa is not always in the middle.

Craving excitement, they embark on international adventures in the style befitting a billionaire.

Cyber threats, blackmail, and theft turn their world upside down. Their careers are jeopardized, and lives are in danger.

My Thoughts:

I was drawn in by the cover and title. I'm terrible about picking a book by its cover. The cover to me says steamy threesome. The book had a good storyline. The characters had problems, got to go on adventures, and things worked out. I just couldn't love the characters. Willa just seemed unbelievably nav to me. She needed more backbone. Plus there was no dominant character. Jackson's this smart billionaire tech guy but just does whatever Willa tells him to. The same went for Casey. All that would be fine if Willa was the dominant character but she wasn't either. So they just kind of went along and everything worked out in the end. 

I liked the book but I didn't love it so I gave it three hearts.