Review | The Unforgettable Logan Foster by Shawn Peters

January 11, 2022 DeAnneLeave a comment

Packed with superheroes, supervillains, and epic showdowns between good and evil, The Unforgettable Logan Foster from debut author Shawn Peter shows that sometimes being a hero is just about being yourself.

Logan Foster has pretty much given up on the idea of ever being adopted. It could have something to with his awkward manner, his photographic memory, or his affection for reciting curious facts, but whatever the cause, Logan and his “PP’s” (prospective parents) have never clicked.

Then everything changes when Gil and Margie arrive. Although they aren’t exactly perfect themselves–Gil has the punniest sense of humor and Margie’s cooking would have anyone running for the hills–they genuinely seem to care.

But it doesn’t take Logan long to notice some very odd things about them. They are out at all hours, they never seem to eat, and there’s a part of the house that is protected by some pretty elaborate security.

No matter what Logan could have imagined, nothing prepared him for the truth: His PP’s are actually superheroes, and they’re being hunted down by dastardly forces. Logan’s found himself caught in the middle in a massive battle and the very fate of the world may hang in the balance. Will Logan be able to find a way to save the day and his new family?

This book was a joy to read. As soon as it started I loved the writing style and Logan as a character. The way it is written means that the book moves along really quickly and there’s action pretty much from the get go. Logan is a unique character, being neurodivergent and always speaking his mind no matter what. His voice throughout the book is refreshing and immediately endears him to the reader.

The story itself is full of hijinks and action, full of humor and adventure. It definitely reads like a superhero movie or comic and constantly keeps you on your toes. I think it’s perfect for its target audience and think this will be a great series for young readers not only looking for adventure and laughs, but also looking to perhaps see themselves in someone like Logan.

Shawn Peters has spent more than two decades writing professionally for television and advertising. Married and a father of two kids, Shawn is by his own description a suburban-dad trope-fest. He enjoys coaching his kid’s teams, playing old-dude softball, and comparing IPAs with other dads. In his spare time, Shawn makes ultra-nerdy Dungeons and Dragons puns on Twitter under the handle @DnDadJokes.

Social Links | Author Website | Twitter

The Unforgettable Logan Foster is out January 18th, If you want to know more about the author and read a Q&A with him, check the blog on release day!

Happy reading!

Review | The Ghoul Next Door by Cullen Bunn

January 3, 2022 DeAnne1 Comment

Eleven-year-old Grey lives in the legend-haunted New England town of Ander’s Landing, and he can’t help but feel like a pair of eyes is watching his every move.

He discovers odd, gruesome bits and pieces from the graveyard that are left for him as gifts like art carved from bones or jewelry made from (hopefully not human) remains. Soon Grey is caught up in something bigger than he could ever have imagined.

He finds himself drawn into a strange mystery involving a race of reclusive subterranean creatures—ghouls, the eaters of the dead! Turns out, his secret admirer is a ghoul named Lavinia. An unlikely friendship forms between them. The only problem is, their friendship breaks traditions—and the punishment is a fate worse than death.

I went into this one based mostly on the title and cover, so I didn’t really know what was going to happen. We follow Grey as he experiences a number of mishaps and weird happenings after having an accident in the graveyard. From then on he gets introduced to the world of ghouls and their lore. The lore created in here about how ghouls came to be was really interesting and one of my favorite parts of the story. I would say if you have younger readers that might get disturbed by ghosts, ghouls and graveyards this one wouldn’t be for them, but it’s a fun story of unlikely friendships and adventure for those who enjoy the subject matter.

Happy reading!

Review | The Ivory Key by Akshaya Raman

January 2, 2022January 2, 2022 DeAnneLeave a comment

Magic, a prized resource, is the only thing between peace and war. When magic runs out, four estranged royal siblings must find a new source before their country is swallowed by invading forces. The first in an Indian-inspired duology.

Vira is desperate to get out of her mother’s shadow and establish her legacy as a revered queen of Ashoka. But with the country’s only quarry running out of magic–a precious resource that has kept Ashoka safe from conflict–she can barely protect her citizens from the looming threat of war. And if her enemies discover this, they’ll stop at nothing to seize the last of the magic.

Vira’s only hope is to find a mysterious object of legend: the Ivory Key, rumored to unlock a new source of magic. But in order to infiltrate enemy territory and retrieve it, she must reunite with her siblings, torn apart by the different paths their lives have taken. Each of them has something to gain from finding the Ivory Key–and even more to lose if they fail. Ronak plans to sell it to the highest bidder in exchange for escape from his impending political marriage. Kaleb, falsely accused of assassinating the former maharani needs it to clear his name. And Riya, a runaway who cut all family ties, wants the Key to prove her loyalty to the rebels who want to strip the nobility of its power.

They must work together to survive the treacherous journey. But with each sibling harboring secrets and their own agendas, the very thing that brought them together could tear apart their family–and their world–for good.

I was really excited for this book as it sounded like a debut fantasy that included a fantastic quest, a good amount of angst and sent in Indian inspired fantasy world and for the most part that’s what I got. I really enjoyed the beginning and the set up and felt like real attention was paid to the worldbuilding and making sure that the characters were clearly defined and dynamic in their own right. Once you get past that initial set up however, I did feel the story and plot slow down a bit too much.

At about the halfway point it does start to pick up again and we really get into the meat of the story and characters. I did really like the different POVs and felt that once we got to the meat of the action it was non stop to the end. The slow section did drag down my enjoyment a bit, but the last half of the book was what I wanted out of it and would drive me to pick up the sequel.

Thanks so much to the publisher for sending me a digital copy through NetGalley. The Ivory Key comes out on January 4th, so make sure to pick it up if it sounds like something you will enjoy!

Happy reading!

Review | The Mermaid Atlas: Merfolk of the World by Anna Claybourne

December 28, 2021 DeAnneLeave a comment

Magical and mysterious, the merfolk of the world are notoriously elusive, but this enchanting compendium will reveal their secrets. Learn all about the beautiful selkies of the Scottish seas, the wily iara of Brazil who love to outwit travelers, and the fearful Ningyo of Japan who can give you eternal life. This captivating book features a mix of mermaid “facts” and short retellings of some of the most magical and enticing traditional merfolk tales.

I’m always looking for books like these, especially when they concern mythical beings or myths/legends. This book is a wonderful cross between a picture book and a reference book and it was so fun to read. It was divided into the different areas of the world and the specific mermaid myths that are included in those areas. In between each area there are also pages with general lore or information about mermaids in general. This was a pleasure to read and provided clear and concise information on the different myths and beings in the mermaid realm and the art was a delightful compliment to the lore.

Happy reading!

Blog Tour | Christmas in Rose Bend by Naima Simone | Review

December 18, 2021 DeAnneLeave a comment

The holidays have never been her thing. But Christmas in Rose Bend has more than one surprise in store…

Grieving ER nurse Nessa Hunt is on a road trip with her sullen teen half sister, Ivy, and still reeling from her mother’s deathbed confession: Nessa’s dad wasn’t really her dad. Seeking answers, they arrive in Rose Bend to find a small town teeming with the kind of Christmas cheer Nessa usually avoids. But then she meets the innkeeper’s ruggedly sexy son, Wolfgang Dennison.

Wolf’s big, boisterous family is like a picture-perfect holiday card. Nessa has too much weighing on her to feel like she fits—even though the heat between her and Wolf is undeniable. And the merriment bringing an overdue smile to Ivy’s face is almost enough to make Nessa believe in the Christmas spirit. But with all her parental baggage, including lingering questions about her birth father, is there room in Nessa’s life for happy holidays and happily-ever-after?

First and foremost I really enjoy Naima Simone’s writing style,, it instantly sucks me into the story and she always seems to create a great setting. I haven’t read the first book in this series, but after having picked this one up I definitely want to. The characters are well crafted and I really liked the relationship between Nessa and Wolf. What did detract a bit from the romance and kept it from simply being a cute Christmas romance was the drama created by the relationship issues with Nessa and her sister as well as her search for her birth father. Still, it was a great romance and a wonderful Christmas story that hit the spot!

USA Today Bestselling author Naima Simone’s love of romance was first stirred by Johanna Lindsey and Nora Roberts years ago. Well not that many. She is only eighteen…ish. Published since 2009, she spends her days writing sizzling romances with heart, a touch of humor and snark. She is wife to Superman–or his non-Kryptonian equivalent–and mother to the most awesome kids ever. They live in perfect, sometimes domestically-challenged bliss in the southern US.

Happy reading!

Review | The Bone Spindle by Leslie Vedder

December 17, 2021December 14, 2021 DeAnneLeave a comment

Sleeping Beauty meets Indiana Jones in this thrilling fairytale retelling for fans of Sorcery of Thorns and All the Stars and Teeth.

Fi is a bookish treasure hunter with a knack for ruins and riddles, who definitely doesn’t believe in true love.

Shane is a tough-as-dirt girl warrior from the north who likes cracking skulls, pretty girls, and doing things her own way.

Briar Rose is a prince under a sleeping curse, who’s been waiting a hundred years for the kiss that will wake him.

Cursed princes are nothing but ancient history to Fi–until she pricks her finger on a bone spindle while exploring a long-lost ruin. Now she’s stuck with the spirit of Briar Rose until she and Shane can break the century-old curse on his kingdom.

Dark magic, Witch Hunters, and bad exes all stand in her way–not to mention a mysterious witch who might wind up stealing Shane’s heart, along with whatever else she’s after. But nothing scares Fi more than the possibility of falling in love with Briar Rose.

Set in a lush world inspired by beloved fairytales, The Bone Spindle is a fast-paced young adult fantasy full of adventure, romance, found family, and snark.

When I picked this book up I was definitely looking for something that would keep me engaged and make me smile, and this one fit the bill! I loved the fact that it was a retelling with a few twists, such as being queer, including a treasure hunter and real depth while still maintaining that fun adventure/fairy tale vibe.

I loved that in this world treated different sexual orientations as normal, it’s always such a nice thing to see, especially in genres other than contemporary. I also appreciated that the story wasn’t all fun and adventure, it dealt with a lot of other issues such as trauma from past relationships (including some pretty toxic behavior that caused that trauma).

Also, I really enjoyed the writing and world building in this book. I felt like it was a great set up for the world and will serve as a great foundation for the series. I can’t wait to see what the next book has in store!

Happy reading!

Blog Tour | The Women of Pearl Island by Polly Crosby | Review

December 14, 2021December 14, 2021 DeAnneLeave a comment

With the same atmosphere and imagination of THE BOOK OF HIDDEN WONDERS, Polly Crosby’s new novel, THE WOMEN OF PEARL ISLAND is set on a lush, secluded island where family secrets bring together an unlikely friendship.

On a secluded island off the British coast, an elderly woman named Marianne collects butterflies and memories from her past. No longer able to catch butterflies herself, she enlists the help of a young woman named Tartelin who has peculiar birthmark on her cheek. Tartelin’s mother has recently passed, leaving her unmoored and eager for new beginnings on the island.

Marianne has spent most of her life on the island, her family having owned it for generations. She begins to tell her young assistant her family’s story – from the prosperous days when they harvested pearls and held banquets, to the harder times and her father’s desperate money-making schemes. But during WWII, the British government commandeered the island for nuclear testing and they were all forced to leave. Though, secret to everyone, Marianne stayed behind and experienced something she calls “the blast,” an event that changed everything for her. Now, the older woman is obsessed with tracking the changes in butterflies and other creatures on the island to prove what she witnessed so many decades before.

With a mystery spanning decades, this is an emotional and atmospheric story of a young woman coming into her own as she forges an unlikely friendship with her employer, both women grieving their pasts and together, embracing a new future.

First off, Polly Crosby has a beautiful writing style that can draw you in. I found that with her other book as well as this book. The island featured in the book was wonderfully crafted and felt like a real place that had depth and richness. Through the different timelines you could see shifts and changes in the island and the people on it, which was really a great thing. Also, the characters were pretty compelling and definitely made you want to find out what was going to happen to them. There were some aspects of the story that felt a little flat. There were moments where it was clear that they were crafted to elicit a response, such as emotional, but they didn’t quite get there for me. I was still happy to finish the book and felt it was still solid, simply because of how well crafted the other elements of it were.

Polly Crosby grew up on the Suffolk coast, and now lives deep in the Norfolk countryside. THE BOOK OF HIDDEN WONDERS was awarded runner up in the Bridport Prize’s Peggy Chapman Andrews Award for a First Novel, and Polly also won Curtis Brown Creative’s Yesterday Scholarship, which enabled her to finish the novel. She currently holds the Annabel Abbs Scholarship at the University of East Anglia, where she is studying part time for an MA in Creative Writing. THE WOMEN OF PEARL ISLAND is her second novel.

Happy reading!

Review | These Deathless Bones by Cassandra Khaw

December 11, 2021 DeAnneLeave a comment

A horror tale about the Witch Bride, second wife of a King, and the discord between her and her young stepson.

Having read Khaw’s novella and enjoyed their writing immensely, I was excited to see this short story available and I really enjoyed it. It’s a pretty short story, but a lot is packed into it. I really enjoyed the internal commentary the main character was having as she went about her task, and the little snippets of backstory she gave. This is one of those short stories that I felt didn’t need further expanding on the world or story, it was great the length it is.

Happy reading!

Blog Tour | One Christmas Wish by Brenda Jackson | Review

December 10, 2021 DeAnneLeave a comment

It’s Christmas in Catalina Cove, a time of promise and second chances. But when you’re starting over, love is the last thing you’re wishing for…

Vaughn Miller’s Wall Street career was abruptly ended by a wrongful conviction and two years in prison. Since then, he’s returned to his hometown, kept his head down and forged a way forward. When he is exonerated and his name cleared, he feels he can hold his head up once again, maybe even talk to the beautiful café owner who sets his blood to simmering.

Sierra Crane escaped a disastrous marriage—barely. She and her six-year-old goddaughter have returned to the only place that feels like home. Determined to make it on her own, Sierra opens a soup café. Complication is the last thing she needs, but the moment Vaughn walks into her café, she can’t keep her eyes off the smoldering loner.

When they give in to their attraction, what Sierra thought would be a onetime thing becomes so much more. Vaughn knows she’s the one. Sierra can’t deny the way Vaughn makes her feel, but she’s been burned before. With Christmas approaching, Vaughn takes a chance to prove his love, and it will be up to Sierra to decide if her one Christmas wish—true happiness—will come true.

This is not my first Brenda Jackson, but it is my first book in this series and it is the fifth book. This book can definitely be read as a standalone, but I feel like it would be more robust if you have read the other books in the series as I believe characters from previous books show up and you get an updated look at their lives. This story is great if you’re looking for a cozy and heartwarming story about relationships, family and friendships. It has that wonderful Christmas setting and vibe, while also being a great story about Sierra and Vaughn. It was pretty low on the angst, but that doesn’t mean it skimped on the roadblocks that they came up against. All in all it was a really enjoyable read and I may just go back and check out the previous books in the series.

Brenda Jackson is a New York Times bestselling author of more than one hundred romance titles. Brenda lives in Jacksonville, Florida, and divides her time between family, writing and traveling.

Social Links | Author Website | Facebook: @BrendaJacksonAuthor |
Twitter: @AuthorBJackson | Goodreads

Happy reading!

Review | The Life Revamp by Kris Ripper

December 4, 2021 DeAnneLeave a comment

All Mason wants to do is fall in love, get married and live happily ever after.

The hunt is beginning to wear him down…until he meets (slightly) famous fashion designer Diego. Everything sparks between them—the banter, the sex, the fiery eye contact across a crowded room.

There’s just one thing: Diego is already married and living his happily-ever-after, which luckily (or not) for Mason includes outside courtships.

But not quite in the way he’d always imagined.

Mason thought he knew what would make him happy, but it turns out the traditional life he’d expected has some surprises in store.

Add The Life Revamp to your Goodreads! | Buy The Life Revamp!

I have enjoyed the other books in this series so I was excited to get to this one and it did not disappoint. The chemistry in this one was done exceptionally well and kept the book going for me as I couldn’t wait to see what was happening. I really enjoyed that the characters and story felt like a book that was meant to keep a smile on your face. Yes, there is a relationship that many would see as unconventional, so I enjoyed the way the characters interacted and the way they defined their “normal” as it actually tackled a broader topic regarding societal views. Still it had some amazing laughter inducing scenes and dialog and the writing was as excellent as it had been in the other books.

Kris Ripper lives in the great state of California and zir pronouns are ze/zir. Kris shares a converted garage with a kid, can do two pull-ups in a row, and can write backwards. (No, really.) Ze has been writing fiction since ze learned how to write, and boring zir stuffed animals with stories long before that.

Happy reading!