Tag: reading

Review | My Riot by Rick Spears and Emmett Helen

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Set in the early ’90s, My Riot is about a trio of teen girls team up to form a rock band and shake off society’s expectations of what it means to be a young woman coming of age in the modern world.

1991—Val, a teenager from a conservative family, has grown up dreaming of becoming a ballerina, but recently something has changed. She’s begun feeling pressure to conform to a specific idea of beauty, body type, and a personality that just doesn’t fit.

Val meets Kat, a smart, witty girl that doesn’t take any crap off anyone. Kat introduces Val to punk rock. Along with Rudie, another new friend, the three form an all-girl punk band they ironically name The Proper Ladies.

Soon Val and her friends find themselves caught up in a movement with other girls also starting bands—also finding their voice. Collectively, these “riot grrrls” discover that their songs ring out loud and powerful, and for Val, there’s no going back.

I didn’t know what to expect going into this one, and if I had to use one word to sum it up I would say it was very raw. It really tackles a lot of things mirrored in today’s society and does not shy away from it. We follow Val who isn’t quite sure what she wants in life, she just knows that something is missing and she transforms as she goes on her journey to find out who she really wants to be. It’s something everyone goes through, but in their own way and it was great to see her victories, missteps and heartbreaks along the way.

I really enjoyed the reading experience of this one, especially watching Val grow and define herself, while battling her own internal demons. The art style perfectly fit the feel of the story and changed to fit the mood perfectly.

Happy reading!

Review | The Secrets of Love Story Bridge

DeAnne2 Comments

It’s summer in the city and passions are soaring along with the temperature—for everyone but Mitchell Fisher, who hates all things romance. He relishes his job cutting off the padlocks that couples fasten to the famous “love story” bridge. Only his young daughter, Poppy, knows that behind his prickly veneer, Mitchell still grieves the loss of her mother.

Then one hot day, everything changes when Mitchell courageously rescues a woman who falls from the bridge into the river. He’s surprised to feel an unexpected connection to her, but she disappears before he can ask her name. Desperate to find out her identity, Mitchell is shocked to learn she’s been missing for almost a year. He teams up with her spirited sister, Liza, on a quest to find her again. However, she’s left only one clue behind—a message on the padlock she hung on the bridge.

Brimming with Phaedra Patrick’s signature charm and a sparkling cast of characters, The Secrets of Love Story Bridge follows one man’s journey to unlock his heart and discover new beginnings in the unlikeliest places.

This book was a read that will definitely tug at the heartstrings. We follow Mitchell, who is still grieving after losing the woman he loved. He’s cut himself off from really feeling emotions and his whole world is his job and his daughter. At the beginning of the book he’s a bit cynical towards anything romance and can come off as a bit cold, but seeing his growth and transformation was really a wonderful journey.

I expected the plot with the mystery woman to be a bit different and while I still fully enjoyed the story it surprised me when it was taking different turns. If you’re looking for a story of warmth and learning to deal with grief and let go of self imposed guilt, then this is a good one for it.

If you want to check out an excerpt from this book, make sure to check out my blog tour stop for it – The Secrets of Love Story Bridge | Excerpt.

Happy reading!

Review | St. Valentine, St. Abigail, St. Brigid by C.L. Polk

DeAnneLeave a comment

I’ve really been enjoying the Tor.com originals that I picked up recently as they are fun, quick reads that are great palette cleansers. Plus – these types of short stories are a great way to get exposed to author’s you may not have read works from yet.

All magical requests come with a price. A girl with witchcraft, no friends, and only her mother’s bees to confide in will pay whatever’s necessary to keep the girl she loves safe.

I enjoyed the fact that this story had a very short blurb, which served a dual purpose – not a ton was revealed about the story and it’s just enough to intrigue you and get you to read it.

This is the first thing I have read from C.L. Polk and I LOVED the writing style. At first it’s like you’re entering the middle of the story, but Polk very quickly weaves the world and characters into a fully shaped story. This story has a ton of magic and mysticism, and looks at the lengths people may go to protect those they love, without realizing the consequences.

Happy reading!

Review | The Hidden Witch

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Aster and his family are adjusting to his unconventional talent for witchery; unlike the other boys in his family, he isn’t a shapeshifter. He’s taking classes with his grandmother and helping to keep an eye on his great-uncle whose corrupted magic wreaked havoc on the family.

Meanwhile, Aster’s friend from the non-magical part of town, Charlie, is having problems of her own — a curse has tried to attach itself to her. She runs to Aster and escapes it, but now the friends must find the source of the curse before more people — normal and magical alike — get hurt.

I was a little worried that this volume would be like a bridge between the first volume and the third, and while it did have some bridge elements it still stood really well on its own. There was a lot of character growth and transformation in this one and anyone who doesn’t love Aster and Charlie even more after reading this obviously will have read something different than I did.

I really loved the progression of some of the other characters that we met in the first volume, as well as introduction of new characters. Sedge’s sub plot in this one really hit me in the feels, and seeing him and Aster interacting and communicating more was great.

I’m kinda mad I slept on reading this one for so long, but so glad I did finally get to it. I can’t wait to pick up the next one!

Happy reading!

Review | Everything You Wanted to Know about the Afterlife by Hollister Rand

DeAnneLeave a comment

From the world class spiritual medium and author of the “compassionate yet educational” (John Edward, author of Infinite Quest) I’m Not Dead, I’m Different comes an insightful exploration into what it’s like on the other side.

Is there really an afterlife? Do spirits still feel love for us? What is it like when we cross over?

After more than twenty-five years of bringing comfort to tens of thousands of people, Hollister Rand brings her incredible knowledge and experience to this accessible and comprehensive book that takes you on an eye-opening journey into the afterlife.

With warm-hearted sincerity, Rand offers you a clear-eyed and uplifting view into an unknown universe and teaches you how to navigate your life on this earthly plane with eternity in mind. In an increasingly uncertain world, there is only one guarantee: we all face the same outcome. Featuring her signature humor and infused with authenticity regarding her own spiritual journey, Rand provides comfort, clarity, and laughs along the way.

As soon as I heard about this book my interest was piqued and I wanted to give it a read. I’ve always been interested in the afterlife or what could possibly happen after death, so I was very eager to read this one.

I loved the question and answer format that Rand uses in this book, and really appreciated how a lot of her answers included personal stories and anecdotes. The information she provides is very informational and in a lot of ways very heartwarming or comforting. This is a great book for anyone who might have questions or be wondering about what may happen after death, or if there is anything beyond death. It could also in some ways be a good read for people who may be grappling with the loss of loved ones and have questions about the afterlife.

Thank you again to Beyond Words Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book, I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Happy reading!

Blog Tour | Not Another Love Song by Olivia Wildenstein | Review

DeAnne1 Comment

Not Another Love Song
Olivia Wildenstein
Published by: Swoon Reads
Publication date: July 7th 2020
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult

An aspiring teenage singer finds herself playing a different tune when she falls for a boy who could jeopardize her future dreams in Olivia Wildenstein’s romantic YA novel, Not Another Love Song.

Angie has studied music her entire life, nurturing her talent as a singer. Now a high school senior, she has an opportunity to break into Nashville’s music scene via a songwriting competition launched by her idol, Mona Stone. Discouraged by her mother, who wishes Angie would set more realistic life goals, she nonetheless pours her heart and soul into creating a song worthy of Mona.

But Angie’s mother is the least of her concerns after she meets Reedwood High’s newest transfer student, Ten. With his endless collection of graphic tees, his infuriating attitude, smoldering good looks, and endearing little sister, Ten toys with the rhythm of Angie’s heart.

She’s never desired anything but success until Ten entered her life. Now she wants to be with him and to be a songwriter for Mona Stone, but she can’t have both.

And picking one means losing the other.

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I really enjoyed this story about Angie and Tennessee and their blossoming relationship. The story itself was very sweet and definitely a story that will put a smile on your face, though I would have liked there to be a little more conflict or struggle. Still it was great to see Angie’s relationships with not just Ten but with her mom and the fact that though they didn’t always agree, she and her mom had a tight relationship and bond.

This is my first exposure to Wildenstein’s writing and I found her style easy to read. I really enjoyed the flow to her writing and how seamlessly things moved. I will definitely pick up more from her in the future.

Author Bio:

USA TODAY bestselling author Olivia Wildenstein grew up in New York City and earned her bachelor’s in comparative literature from Brown University. After designing jewelry for a few years, Wildenstein traded in her tools for the writing life, which made more sense considering her college degree.

When she’s not sitting at her computer, she’s psychoanalyzing everyone she meets (Yes. Everyone), eavesdropping on conversations to gather material for her next book, and attempting not to forget one of her kids in school.

She has a slight obsession with romance, which might be the reason why she writes it. She’s a hybrid author of over a dozen mature Young Adult love stories.

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Review | Red as Blood and White as Bone by Theodora Goss

DeAnneLeave a comment

Red as Blood and White as Bone by Theodora Goss is a dark fantasy about a kitchen girl obsessed with fairy tales, who upon discovering a ragged woman outside the castle during a storm, takes her in–certain she’s a princess in disguise.

I found a bunch of the Tor.com originals and so many of them sounded good, so I picked up a selection of them and so far am not disappointed. I really enjoyed Theodora Goss’ writing style in this story and while the contents itself were a little predictable, it was a well rounded take on a fairy tale, and the danger in believing them. The main character, Klara, also goes through quite a transformation throughout the story as she learns some hard lessons and grows to become a strong woman, her personality shaped by what she experienced.

Happy reading!

Review | Requiem: Changing Times by R.J. Parker

DeAnneLeave a comment

Clint and Corbin are having a weird day. Best friends for life, things are getting a little strange around their town, and at school. When they’re followed by a strange man looking for Clint and later attacked by an imp, it makes sense to retreat to the safety of home. But when strangers from another world, Banks and O’Neil, arrive with their medley of allies, things get even weirder. Why are they here? What do they want? And what is The Requiem that everyone keeps talking about? As Clint and his friends and family are drawn deeper into a thrilling adventure, only one thing is for sure. They may not be getting out alive. And class with Mrs Christenson will seem like a walk in the park after this. 

This book was quite an adventure, truth be told. At first I had a hard time seeing where it would go since there is some jumping around in the beginning, but once it got going it was hilarious, witty, fun and felt like it had a little bit of everything. I enjoyed the dialogue between characters and for the most part enjoyed the descriptions though there were a few that I had to read a couple time to make sure I was understanding them right. There is a ton of action in this book and at point it can jump around a bit, but it was a really fun read. It was definitely quirky in a lot of ways and I feel there are a lot of people who would really enjoy the adventure of reading this book. It was a solid read and great for anyone looking for an adventure with a varied cast of characters and a roller coaster of a story!

If you want to check it out it is currently out and available on Kindle Unlimited! Happy reading!

Blog Tour | Jagger by Amanda McKinney | Review

DeAnne1 Comment

Jagger: Steele Shadows Investigations
Amanda McKinney
Publication date: June 18th 2020
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Secrets, lies, deceit… A former Navy SEAL turned homicide detective has met his match in this new *standalone* addition to the number #1 Bestselling Steele Shadows Series…

He found her covered in blood.
She promises she’s innocent.
The question is… Can he trust her?

Feared just as much on the streets as at a crime scene, Homicide Detective Max Jagger has dedicated his life to one thing—speaking for the dead. Everyone and everything else be damned, including his own demons. During one of the most oppressive heat waves to hit the small, southern town of Berry Springs, the former Navy SEAL is called to a scene where a real estate heiress is found standing over a dead body, holding the murder weapon. The local cops immediately dub it a slam-dunk case, but if Jagg has learned anything from his days running special ops, it’s that nothing is as it seems… including this suspect.

Despite her name, Sunny Harper is as beguiling as a fallen angel. Clever, cunning, completely unwilling to cooperate, and, perhaps his least favorite quality—mind-numbingly intoxicating. When evidence from the scene suggests an accomplice, Jagg begins to believe that Sunny is both innocent and in danger, despite the towns’ uproar to lock her up. Torn between his growing feelings for his suspect, he takes Sunny to a secluded lake house where he discovers there’s much more behind those enchanting green eyes… including secrets that could take them both under.

With his career on the line and the clock ticking, Jagg must decide if he can trust Sunny… before they both get burned.

Goodreads / Amazon



This is my first experience with McKinney’s writing so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the blurb sucked me in for sure. I really enjoyed how much complexity she put into characters like Jagger and Sunny and while the romance definitely wasn’t the focus, it was enjoyable. The main focus was definitely the mystery. Still, the story was packed with tension and suspense as it unfolded. The building of Jagger and Sunny’s relationship, though it wasn’t necessarily the focus, was great. All of the characters were great and the story was full of twists and turns, it was a great read!

Author Bio:

Amanda McKinney is the #1 bestselling and multi-award-winning author of more than ten steamy romantic suspense and mystery novels. She wrote her debut novel, LETHAL LEGACY, in 2017 after walking away from her career to become a writer and stay-at-home mom. Set in small, southern towns, Amanda’s books are page-turning murder mysteries packed with steamy romance.

Her books include the HOT new bestselling series, STEELE SHADOWS SECURITY, the multi-award-winning BERRY SPRINGS series and BLACK ROSE MYSTERIES.

Text AMANDABOOKS to 66866 to receive Amanda’s newsletter and get the latest on new releases, promos, and freebies!

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Review | Cat and Cat #2: Cat Out of Water

DeAnne1 Comment

The adventures of Catherine and her cat, Sushi, continue in more comic escapades. To get away from it all, and get some rest and relaxation, Cat, her cat, and her dad visit the great outdoors. Being a single parent is never easy, and having a daughter such as Cat, not to mention a cat that’s also very much a part of the family, may be too much for her dad to handle no matter how much they all may love each other! Rough waters are ahead for the family of three, especially after Dad drops the bombshell: they’re moving! And we all know how much cats love water…!

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from this one except that it would feature a playful and adventurous cat. The art style was very cute and colorful, though the chaos that was on some pages with sound/speech bubbles sometimes made it a little hard to read. I did feel that some of the pages could have benefited from traditional panels since that could provide some separation. All in all though it was full of fun adventures and scenarios that Sushi the cat and her owner Cat faced and experienced, it was heartwarming and fun.

Happy reading!