Mini Review: The Earl's Christmas Bride!

Review: The Earl's Christmas Bride by Ella Quinn

Charismatic heroes who are determined to remain single meet their captivating matches—with irresistible results—in USA Today bestselling author Ella Quinn's delightfully romantic and thrillingly sexy Regency-set Marriage Game series. Will appeal to fans of historical romance and readers of Sabrina Jeffries, Eloisa James, and Tessa Dare.

Ella Quinn's charming, clever bachelors are happily single—and aspire to stay that way. But one by one, they discover that love, like the spirit of Christmas, is hard to resist . . .

To mend his jilted heart, Lucian, Earl of Devon, has been on an extended tour of Europe. But now he's returned to England—newly determined to remain unmarried. Devon accepts his friend Lord Exeter's invitation to a holiday house party only after being assured the other guests are exclusively couples and children. Yet it seems Exeter forgot to mention Miss Althea Rutherford. She is eligible, exasperatingly likable, and worse, appears to be totally uninterested in Devon—with one exception . . .

Notoriously difficult to please, Althea has been out for two years, met no one she can envision spending her life with, and is now sick of would-be suitors. In lieu of a third season, she is determined to tour the Continent—a subject Devon is enthused to discuss with her. Devon's fascinating stories of Europe only strengthen Althea's resolve to remain unattached—and weaken his own . . .

Devon thought he was finished with traveling, but the idea of making the journey with the intriguing Althea won't leave his mind. The challenge is to convince her that he'd be a much more enjoyable companion than a chaperone—perhaps for many Christmases to come . . .

-summary and cover via Goodreads

Mini Review: This was an absolute delight of a novella! Althea and Lucian were charming leads. And the speed at which he went from "I don't even want to be in the same building as a single woman" to "The second day is too soon to propose. But.." was so funny to read! I absolutely loved this festive novella, and I would definitely recommend it!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Review: Roll for Initiative!

Review: Roll for Initiative by Jaime Formato

Perfect for fans of Dungeons & Dragons, Raina Telgemeier, and Jessica Kim, a heartfelt coming-of-age middle grade novel about finding your voice and believing in your best geeky self.

Riley Henderson has never taken a bus to school in her entire life. Or made an afterschool snack, or finished her homework on her own, or—ewww—done her own laundry. That’s what her older brother Devin was for.

But now Devin’s gone. He’s off in California attending a fancy college gaming program while Riley is stuck alone in Florida with her mom. That is, until a cool nerd named Lucy gives Riley no choice but to get over her shyness and fear of rejection and become friends. The best part is . . . both girls are into Dungeons & Dragons. In fact, playing D&D was something Riley and Devin used to do together, with Devin as the dungeon master, guiding Riley through his intricately planned campaigns. So, of course, Riley is more than a little nervous when Lucy suggests that she run a campaign for them. For the chance at a friend, though, she’s willing to give it a shot. Soon, their party grows and with the help of her new D&D friends, Riley discovers that not only can she function without Devin, she kind of likes it. She figures out that bus thing, totes the clothes down to the laundry room and sets up her D&D campaigns right there on the slightly suspect folding table, makes her own snacks and dinner— the whole deal. But when Devin runs into trouble with his program and returns home, it's pretty clear, even to Riley, that since he can’t navigate his own life, he’s going to live Riley’s for her. Now she has to help Devin go back to college and prove to her mom that she can take care of herself . . . all before the upcoming Winter-Con.

It's time to Roll for Initiative.

-summary and cover via Goodreads

Plot: Reading about Riley gaining confidence in herself, making friends, and helping her brother was a great a read! I don't know much about D&D, but I enjoyed reading about Riley and her friends playing campaigns, and creating their characters. Each of the girls has their own things and issues going on, and I liked reading about their stories, and how they helped each other, 

Characters: Riley was a fantastic main character, and her friends were all great! I liked how her family played a big role in the story. And I liked all the supporting characters, too!

The Cover: I like it!

Overall: This was an unexpected new favorite for me! I thought it sounded good, but I didn't expect to love it as much as I did. The opening scene made me laugh because of Riley's thoughts, and she had a great voice in the book. This was a fantastic contemporary Middle Grade book, that I highly recommend reading!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Mini Review: Seams Like Murder!

Review: Seams Like Murder by Dorothy Howell

Abbey Chandler needs a new start and a place to escape, so Hideaway Grove, where she spent her childhood summers, seems like a perfect choice. Once there, she takes up a rewarding new hobby—but also gets tangled up in a hit-and-run homicide . . .

Abbey has barely arrived in the quaint, quiet town of Hideaway Grove before things turn from blissful to bloody—as the new librarian is mowed down by a car. The only witness on the scene isn’t much help, aside from handing Abbey the bag of books dropped by the victim. Even worse, the sheriff’s office seizes Abbey’s car because of a suspicious dent in the right front fender.

While she waits for the problem to be sorted out, Abbey is drawn into a charity sewing project—even though she can’t tell a bobbin from a seam ripper. Before she knows it, she’s graduating from pillowcase dresses to aprons, setting up a studio in a back room of her aunt’s bakery, and making plans to participate in the upcoming craft fair.

But through it all, she keeps looking for patterns and possible conflicts in the late librarian’s personal, professional, and romantic life. Then a shocking discovery sends her in a new direction, and as the truth begins to unspool, she’s got a notion about who’s guilty . . .

-summary and cover via Goodreads

Mini Review: I really enjoyed reading this cozy mystery! I liked the cast of characters, the town was nice, and I thought the mystery was well written. Overall, this was a cozy that I would definitely recommend, and I look forward to more books in the series, too!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Review: Gone for Gouda!

 Review: Gone for Gouda (Cheese Shop Mystery #2) by Korina Moss

Things are going from gouda to bad to ugly for cheesemonger Willa Bauer in Gone for Gouda.

Yarrow Glen’s newest cheese shop, Curds & Whey, has a lot on its plate, but cheesemonger Willa Bauer relishes a challenge. There’s a float to build for the fall festival, plus the French-inspired cheese shop is playing host to celebrity vegan chef Phoebe Winston. But when photos surface that prove this vegan influencer is, in fact, a carnivore, things crumble faster than any cheese on the market: Phoebe is murdered. Willa’s employee, the affable Archie, was the last one to see Phoebe alive and the first person the police suspect. To clear his name Willa must uncover who’s been up to no gouda...

-summary and cover via Goodreads

Plot: When I read the first book in this series, Cheddar Off Dead, I knew I had found a new series to add to my favorites list. I loved it, so I went into this book with high expectations, and I am happy to write it did not disappoint! This was just as good as the first book, and I loved getting to see more of Yarrow Glen, and the characters that call it home. The mystery was really well written. I managed to guess who the culprit was (it doesn't lessen my enjoyment of a book when I do, because part of the fun for me is trying to figure it out, and when I do, I'm happy!), but not the why, and I thought it all came together really nicely.

Characters: I think Willa is a great main character, and I really enjoyed reading another book about her solving a mystery! The supporting characters are all wonderful. And I thought the suspects were all well written.

The Cover: I really like it! I think the covers for this series are really good.

Overall: I was so excited when I was approved for an e-ARC of this book, because I loved the first one so much. I immediately began it that night, and it did not disappoint  my high expectations! This is a cozy mystery series that I highly recommend!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Review: When in Rome!

Review: When in Rome by Sarah Adams 

Opposites certainly attract for the stranded pop star and small-town baker in this charming slice of romance from the author of the TikTok sensation The Cheat Sheet.

Amelia Rose, known as Rae Rose to her adoring fans, is burned-out from years of maintaining her "princess of pop" image. Inspired by her favorite Audrey Hepburn film, Roman Holiday, she drives off in the middle of the night for a break in Rome . . . Rome, Kentucky, that is.

When Noah Walker finds Amelia on his front lawn in her broken-down car, he makes it clear he doesn't have the time or patience for celebrity problems. He's too busy running the pie shop his grandmother left him and reminding his nosy but lovable neighbors to mind their own damn business. Despite his better judgment, he lets her stay in his guest room--but only until her car is fixed--then she's on her own.

Then Noah starts to see a different side of Rae Rose--she's Amelia: kindhearted and goofy, yet lonely from years in the public eye. He can't help but get close to her. Soon she'll have to return to her glamorous life on tour, but until then, Noah will show Amelia all the charming small-town experiences she's been missing, and she'll help him open his heart to more.

Amelia can't resist falling for the cozy town and her grumpy tour guide, but even Audrey had to leave Rome eventually.

-summary and cover via Goodreads

Plot: I loved the plot of this one! Reading about Amelia retaking control of her life, and finding happiness again was such a good journey, and I loved her relationship with not only Noah, but with the town of Rome.

Characters: The characters were all wonderful! Amelia and Noah were great narrators, and their banter was just *chefs kiss* perfection. I loved Noah's sisters, and I really hope we get more books about them! The quirky residents of the town were fantastic, and I loved how much humor and heart they brought to the book.

The Cover: I like it!

Overall: This was an absolutely incredible romance novel, and I loved it! Overall, I highly recommend this book!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Blog Tour: Spells For Lost Things - Review!

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the SPELLS FOR LOST THINGS by Jenna Evans Welch Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

About the Book:

Title: SPELLS FOR LOST THINGS

Author: Jenna Evans Welch

Pub. Date: September 27, 2022

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 368

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org

From the New York Times bestselling author of Love & Gelato comes a poignant and romantic novel about two teens trying to find their place in the world after being unceremoniously dragged to Salem, Massachusetts, for the summer.

Willow has never felt like she belonged anywhere and is convinced that the only way to find a true home is to travel the world. But her plans to act on her dream are put on hold when her aloof and often absent mother drags Willow to Salem, Massachusetts, to wrap up the affairs of an aunt Willow didn’t even know she had. An aunt who may or may not have been a witch.

There, she meets Mason, a loner who’s always felt out of place and has been in and out of foster homes his entire life. He’s been classified as one of the runaways, constantly searching for ways to make it back to his mom; even if she can’t take care of him, it’s his job to try and take care of her. Isn’t it?

Naturally pulled to one another, Willow and Mason set out across Salem to discover the secret past of Willow’s mother, her aunt, and the ambiguous history of her family. During all of this, the two can’t help but act on their natural connection. But with the amount of baggage between them—and Willow’s growing conviction her family might be cursed—can they manage to hold onto each other?

My Review: I really enjoyed reading this YA novel! Willow and Mason were great main characters, and I thought their relationship was lovely. There are definitely a lot of emotional moments in the book. The ending was wonderful, and I loved it. Overall, I thought this was a really good YA book, and I would definitely recommend reading it!

I received a copy of the book from the publisher and blog tour company.

About Jenna:

Jenna Evans Welch was the kind of insatiable child reader who had no choice but to grow up to become a writer. She is the New York Times bestselling author of Love & Gelato, Love & Luck, and Love & Olives. When she isn’t writing girl abroad stories, Jenna can be found chasing her children or making elaborate messes in the kitchen. She lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, with her husband and two young children. Visit her online at JennaEvansWelch.com. 

Website | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a physical copy of SPELLS FOR LOST THINGS, US Only.

Ends October 15^th, Midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

9/12/2022	Kait Plus Books	Excerpt/IG Post
9/13/2022	Kayl's Krazy Obsession	Review
9/14/2022	Just Another Teen Reading Books	Review/IG Post
9/15/2022	Stacialovestoread	Review/IG Post
9/16/2022	A Dream Within A Dream	Review/IG Post
9/17/2022	Ya Books Central	Excerpt/IG Post

Week Two:

9/18/2022	booksaremagictoo	Review/IG Post
9/19/2022	Mom with a Reading Problem	Review/IG Post
9/20/2022	wiltedpages	Review/TikTok Post
9/21/2022	Lisa Loves Literature	Review/IG Post
9/22/2022	@enjoyingbooksagain	IG Review
9/23/2022	OneMoreExclamation	Review/IG Post
9/24/2022	My.Bookish.Mind	IG Review/TikTok Post

Week Three:

9/25/2022	popthebutterfly	Review/IG Post
9/26/2022	Nerdophiles	Review
9/27/2022	onemused	IG Review
9/28/2022	pluvioreads	Review/TikTok Post
9/29/2022	@booksrn_rashi	IG Review
9/30/2022	Novel Novice	IG Spotlight
10/1/2022	Star-Crossed Book Blog	Review/IG Post

Week Four:

10/2/2022	Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers	Review/IG Post
10/3/2022	A Blue Box Full of Books	IG Review
10/4/2022	Book-Keeping	Review/IG Post
10/5/2022	Momfluenster	IG Review/FB Post
10/6/2022	Celia's Reads	Review/IG Post
10/7/2022	The Momma Spot	Review/IG Post
10/8/2022	@jacleomik33	IG Review

Week Five:

10/9/2022

The Moon Phoenix

Review/IG Post

Review: Marina and the Kraken (The Mythics #1)!

Review: Marina and the Kraken (The Mythics #1) by Lauren Magaziner, illustrated by Mirelle Ortega

From Case Closed author Lauren Magaziner and artist Mirelle Ortega comes the first book in a new highly illustrated middle grade fantasy series. Full of action, adventure, and friendship, a team of five girls must stop a powerful villain by finding their mythical familiars.

It’s Pairing Day in Terrafamiliar! Marina has been waiting for this moment—anxiously—for as long as she can remember. Because today’s the day she gets to bond with her animal familiar for life, like every other ten-year-old in the land.

Except after the ceremony ends, Marina doesn’t have one. And she’s not alone . . . four other girls also didn’t get their animal companions. The leaders of Terrafamiliar realize something special is happening: Marina and the other four girls—Kit, Ember, Pippa, and Hailey—are called Mythics

In times of unrest, the Mythics must earn their Mythies—mythical beasts—in quests of courage. But danger lurks everywhere as there are others seeking this mysterious power. And only the Mythics can save Terrafamiliar!

-summary and cover via Goodreads

Review: I loved this MG book! The story was charming, and the illustrations were wonderful (I love how much art was in this book!). I loved the premise, and I can't wait to read the next books in the series, and find out what Mythies the other girls bond with. Overall, I would definitely recommend this awesome MG book!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Blog Tour: Killers Of A Certain Age - Review/Spotlight!

Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn

Older women often feel invisible, but sometimes that's their secret weapon.

They've spent their lives as the deadliest assassins in a clandestine international organization, but now that they're sixty years old, four women friends can't just retire - it's kill or be killed in this action-packed thriller.

Billie, Mary Alice, Helen, and Natalie have worked for the Museum, an elite network of assassins, for forty years. Now their talents are considered old-school and no one appreciates what they have to offer in an age that relies more on technology than people skills.

When the foursome is sent on an all-expenses paid vacation to mark their retirement, they are targeted by one of their own. Only the Board, the top-level members of the Museum, can order the termination of field agents, and the women realize they've been marked for death.

Now to get out alive they have to turn against their own organization, relying on experience and each other to get the job done, knowing that working together is the secret to their survival. They're about to teach the Board what it really means to be a woman--and a killer--of a certain age.

-summary and cover via Goodreads

Review: This is the first Deanna Raybourn book I've read, but I'm definitely going to be checking out her other books now! This was a great thriller, with plenty of twists, and great characters. Overall, I would definitely recommend this book!

I received a copy of the book from the publisher.

Review: THE GIRL IN WHITE!

Review: THE GIRL IN WHITE by Lindsay Currie

Sweet Molly once lived in Eastport

Sweet Molly once loved the sea

Sweet Molly lost Liam to the shadows

Now Sweet Molly is coming for ye …

Mallory hasn't quite adapted to life in her new town of Eastport yet. Maybe it's because everyone is obsessed with keeping the town's reputation as one of the most haunted places to visit.

And thanks to the nightmares she's had since arriving, Mallory is having a hard time sleeping. Combined with the unsettling sensation of being watched and losing chunks of time, she’s worried that maybe the ghost stories she’s been quick to dismiss might actually be real.

When Mallory has a terrifying encounter with the same old woman from her dreams, she's not sure what to do. With Eastport gearing up to celebrate the anniversary of their first recorded legend Mallory is forced to investigate the one legend she's always secretly been afraid of . . . Sweet Molly.

-summary and cover via Goodreads

Plot: It was really good! Molly was super creepy, and her haunting of Mallory was terrifying. But as we read, and as we learn why Molly haunts the town, and what she wants, you (no spoilers!) begin to feel sorry for her, and understand what she wants. (Even if the way she is going about it is very scary!)

Characters: Mallory was a great character, and I loved how her friendships played a big role of the plot.

The Cover: It's very creepy and fits the book well!

Overall: This was another wonderfully spooky MG novel by Lindsay Currie, and I highly recommend reading it!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Blog Tour: Dressing Up the Stars - Review!

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the DRESSING UP THE STARS: THE STORY OF MOVIE COSTUME DESIGNER EDITH HEAD by Jeanne Walker Harvey & Diana Toledano (Illustrations) Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

About The Book:

Title: DRESSING UP THE STARS: THE STORY OF MOVIE COSTUME DESIGNER EDITH HEAD

Author: Jeanne Walker Harvey & Diana Toledano (Illustrations)

Pub. Date: September 20, 2022

Publisher: Beach Lane Books

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 40

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org

 Discover the true story of how a shy miner’s daughter became one of the most legendary costume designers in Hollywood in this inspiring nonfiction picture book biography.

As a child in the small mining town of Searchlight, Nevada, Edith Head had few friends and spent most of her time dressing up her toys and pets and even wild animals using fabric scraps. She always knew she wanted to move somewhere full of people and excitement. She set her sights on Hollywood and talked her way into a job sketching costumes for a movie studio.

Did she know how to draw or sew costumes? No. But that didn’t stop her!

Edith taught herself and tirelessly worked her way up until she was dressing some of the biggest stars of the day, from Audrey Hepburn to Grace Kelly to Ginger Rogers. She became the first woman to head a major Hollywood movie studio costume department and went on to win eight Academy Awards for best costume design—and she defined the style of an era.

My Review: This was an absolutely charming picture book! The illustrations were delightful, and told the story well. As a side note, I loved the end papers in this book, they were so pretty! I didn't know anything about Edith Head before this book, but I really enjoyed learning about her life. And I loved that there was an authors note at the end that told us a little more about Edith. Overall, this was a wonderful picture book that I would definitely recommend reading!

I received a copy of the book from the publisher and blog tour company.

About Jeanne Walker Harvey:

JEANNE WALKER HARVEY studied literature and psychology at Stanford University and has worn  many job hats, ranging from being a roller coaster ride operator to an attorney, a middle school  language arts teacher, and a long-time docent for school groups at the San Francisco Museum of  Modern Art. She is the author of several books for young readers, including the picture book  biographies Dressing up the Stars: The Story of Movie Costume Designer Edith Head, Ablaze with  Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas, and Maya Lin: Artist-Architect of Light and Lines. Jeanne  lives in Northern California. Visit her online at JeanneHarvey.com.

Website | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads | Amazon

 

About Diana Toledano:

DIANA TOLEDANO is an illustrator, writer, and educator. She is also a Pisces who loves children’s books, patterns, and dancing her heart out. Originally from Spain, Diana (pronounced the Spanish way: dee-ah-na) grew up in Madrid where she studied art history and illustration. Now she lives in San Francisco with her husband and two fluffy cats. Her mixed media art seeks to capture the magic of the ordinary. Diana’s product designs, picture books, board books, and chapter books have been published and sold all over the world. Diana also teaches workshops for kids and adults. She enjoys doing school visits and speaking at conferences. Learn more at Diana-Toledano.com.

 

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of DRESSING UP THE STARS: THE STORY OF MOVIE COSTUME DESIGNER EDITH HEAD, US Only.

Ends September 24^th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

8/31/2022	@jael_and_jenessa_reads	Review/IG Post
9/1/2022	Lisa-Queen of Random	Excerpt/IG Post
9/2/2022	BookHounds YA	Excerpt/IG Post
9/3/2022	Ya Books Central	Excerpt

Week Two:

9/4/2022	Just Another Teen Reading Books	Review/IG Post
9/5/2022	booksaremagictoo	Review/IG Post
9/6/2022	One More Exclamation	Review/IG Post
9/7/2022	Little Red Reads	Review/IG Post
9/8/2022	Two Points of Interest	Review/IG Post
9/9/2022	Nerdophiles	Review/IG Post
9/10/2022	Do You Dog-ear?	Review/IG Post

Week Three:

9/11/2022	RavenzReviewz	Review/IG Post
9/12/2022	pickagoodbook	Review/IG Post
9/13/2022	Write. Read. Live	Review/IG Post
9/14/2022	A Backwards Story	Review/IG Post
9/15/2022	Nonbinary Knight Reads	Review/IG Post
9/16/2022	For The Love Of The Page	Review/IG Post
9/17/2022	Feed Your Fiction Addiction	Review/IG Post

Week Four:

9/18/2022	@enjoyingbooksagain	IG Review
9/19/2022	Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers	Review/IG Post