100 Pages A Day.... Stephanie's Book Reviews
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  • Historical Fiction
  • Sci Fi & Fantasy
  • Thriller & Horror
  • Non-Fiction
  • Middle Grade & Children's
  • Literary Fiction and Other Genres
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The Zone

8/9/2023

1 Comment

 
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About the Book: 
One way in. No way out.

In the super-city of Neo Terminus, millions of tech-addicted fans surround a walled-off inner-city wasteland to watch nano-boosted gladiators called Enforcers fight to the death in the Conglomerate-controlled event known as The Zone. Enforcers are promised wealth and celebrity-if they survive.

Officer Chance Griffin fights to clean up the mean streets of Neo Terminus, and scrape together enough money for his infant son's vital surgery. Driven by his family's need, Chance becomes an Enforcer for The Conglomerate.

As Chance rises to the top of the Enforcer ranks, The Glom's mysterious Founders coerce him into competing in the greatest Zone trial ever conceived. Chance knows he's the favorite to win. He believes his family is safe. He believes his son will get the medical care he urgently needs.

Chance is wrong.

Too late, he uncovers a plot by The Glom to rig the trial and enslave the citizens of Neo Terminus, ensuring obedience-forever.

Blinded by fame and fortune, and used as a pawn by the corporate machine, Chance resists. But he is about to discover that every deal with the devil has its price...
​
Review: 

In the near future, only several cities remain as outposts in the United States.  Neo-Terminus is one of the surviving cities.  The multitudes of poor sustain themselves on gel nutrition and have water and electricity rationed while the rich live in luxury with all their needs taken care of.  Everyone is plugged to their visors, providing constant technology and entertainment. Chance Griffin is an officer in Neo Terminus trying his best to keep the city safe and provide for his family; however, Kess, leader of Neo Terminus, has other plans for Chance.  Kess wants Chance to be an Enforcer in The Zone, a paid gladiator sent to rescue people from The Zone in televised matches.  Chance isn't an Enforcer for long before he discovers a sinister plot set up by the Founders taking place in The Zone in order to keep all of the citizens of Neo Terminus enslaved.  


The Zone is a cyberpunk dystopian thriller.  The first half of the book immerses the reader in the world of Neo Terminus including the grime and crime, the technology and the lack of resources as well as the people who now inhabit the area.  Chance's character is also built up in the first half of the book along with his partner on the force, Benny, and his wife and child.  Through Chance's work, we see his deep sense of justice and pain for how the world has evolved.  At home, Chance struggles with not being able to provide for his disabled son and wife.  I was amazed at the parallels in media control and technology overload in Neo Terminus and what we already see today.  Once Chance is an Enforcer, the pacing and excitement of the story picks up quite a bit as he is thrown directly into the action and doesn't know who to trust among the new group of Enforcers or in The Zone.  The deception of The Founders was masterfully done and effectively mirrors the dangers of control and media in our society.  

This book was received for free in return for an honest review. 

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Soso and the Kako Leaf

6/12/2023

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Book Details:

Book Title:  Soso and The Kako Leaf by Bella Disu
Category:  Children's Fiction (Ages 6-12),  78 pages
Genre:  Children's Book
Publisher:  The Good Work Company
Release date:   June 19, 2022
Content Rating:  G. Children's Book.
Book Description:

Follow the life of young Soso as she encounters mysteries and unearths traditions that have existed long before she was born.Be part of her adventures as she gains confidence, self-esteem, and an understanding of her deep cultural heritage.
Buy the Book
Amazon 
add to goodreads

This book is available for special purchases in bulk by organizations and institutions, not for resale, at special discounts. Please email all inquiries to The Good Work Company.

Review:

Soso is about to turn nine years old on September 9th! Before her party, Soso's family visits the park for her brother's football trial. Soso decides to explore the park and soon finds a curious leaf that looks exactly like the birthmark that she dislikes. Following the Kako leaves, Soso finds herself lost in a different land, Abe Ile. The people there speak Yoruba and tell her that she is their princess. However, Soso must regain power from the Queen who is allowing Abe Ile to die.

Soso and the Kako Leaf is an inspirational adventure set in Nigeria. Soso's adventure not only focuses on Nigerian culture and stories, but building confidence, believing in yourself, and learning traditions. I enjoyed the fast-paced and exciting story accompanied by the rich, colorful, and detailed pictures. The format of the book was different with a full spread layout with just a picture and the words to accompany the picture on the following page in a full spread. It was a little confusing to see the picture before the story describing it. A fun and immersive story for readers 5-9 years old.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.



Meet the Author:

Bella Disu is a mother of two wonderful children. She is an enthusiastic lover of art as well as an avid reader. From a young age, she has been enamoured with rich cultural folktales. Now, she channels her love for art and her passion for reading into writing stories. Her stories use new forms to pass on the tales she heard growing up to the next generation.

Bella is also a renowned business leader who is committed to corporate governance and business innovation. In December 2019, she became the youngest ever recipient of the French National Honor - Chevalier dans L'ordre des Arts et des Lettres in recognition of her efforts at promoting French culture in Nigeria.

She is married and lives in Lagos, Nigeria, with her family.

connect with the author: website ~ twitter ~ instagram

Enter the Giveaway:
SOSO AND THE KAKO LEAF Book Tour Giveaway



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Dark Magic

6/9/2023

1 Comment

 

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the DARK MAGIC by Raluca Narita Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

About The Book:

Title: DARK MAGIC (The Chronicles of the Underworld Book 1)

Author: Raluca Narita

Pub. Date: June 27, 2023

Publisher: Underworld Publishing House LLC

Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook

Pages: 402

Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/DARK-MAGIC-NARITA

The Goddess of Death, the Grimm Brothers, and the Devil collide in a thrilling new paranormal fantasy series. 

Primrose Titan is the Goddess of Death, an ancient deity who reaps the souls of the dead and rules the Underworld. All life ends with death, and in death, there is no happiness. Primrose knows this better than anyone, and her heavy responsibility has twisted her reality, purging her of all feelings for humans-or so she believes.

When the Demon King Lucifer escapes his prison in Hell and threatens chaos on the human world, Primrose must hunt him down. The High Court, a council of deities, is skeptical Primrose can handle Lucifer on her own and appoints the handsome yet icy Atlas Grimm, one of the fabled Grimm Brothers, to assist her. Strange, dark magic and supernatural creatures sent from the Devil himself stand in their way, along with political enemies acquired over the millennia.

 

REVIEW

Primrose Titan is the Goddess of Death ruling the Underworld alongside her brother, Ben. Long ago, Primrose imprisoned Lucifer in the Underworld for crimes that were unforgivable. Now, at the annual meeting of the High Court, Primrose has been informed that Lucifer has escaped. She has been tasked with recapturing Lucifer and since the High Court doesn’t believe that Primrose can finish the task herself, Atlas Grimm, the Ice God has been sent along with her. While trying to track down Lucifer and the one weapon that can kill him, Primrose and Atlas run into a series of challenges set by the Devil himself as well as a surprise in the Ancient Lands that changes everything for Primrose.

Dark Magic is an exciting and unique fantasy adventure. I was pulled in at the very beginning with Lucifer’s escape and the introduction of Primrose’s very different character as the Goddess of Death. Primrose cares about people, though it’s hard for her to admit and takes a caring, thoughtful approach in guiding people to the Underworld. The rest of the Deities in the High Court don’t seem to care for her approach. The writing is very exciting with a new twist, turn, adventure and dangerous creature in every chapter. I was intrigued by the Deity structure, a mix of several different belief systems and mythologies as well as Lucifer, Satan and the Goddess of Death as separate entities. With new information, many surprises and a cliffhanger ending, Dark Magic is an unforgettable fantasy and I can’t wait to dive into the next installment.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

 

About Raluca Narita:

Raluca Narita was born in Romania and grew up in Southern California and West Texas. She currently resides in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and loves to travel in her free time. Raluca is the author of The Chronicles of the Underworld. For each book sold, 99 cents will be donated to the Win STEM Foundation to support women in STEM.

Subscribe to Raluca's Newsletter! Scroll Down

Join Raluca’s Street team! All members receive a free package full of Dark Magic merch. Benefits of membership include sneak peaks at new books, exclusive discount codes, insider information and bonus scenes, and more! 

Website | Raluca Twitter | Dark Magic Twitter | Facebook Page | Raluca Instagram | Dark Magic Instagram | Raluca TikTok | Dark Magic TikTok | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a $10 Amazon Gift Card courtesy of Rockstar Book Tours, International.

1 winner will receive an eBook of DARK MAGIC courtesy of Raluca, International.

Ends June 20th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

6/5/2023

#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog

Excerpt/IG Post

6/5/2023

A Dream Within A Dream

Excerpt

6/6/2023

The Chirpy Bookaholic

Excerpt/IG Post

6/6/2023

Sadie's Spotlight

Excerpt/IG Post

6/7/2023

Two Chicks on Books

Guest Post/IG Post

6/7/2023

Cara North

Guest Post/IG Post

6/8/2023

YA Books Central

Interview/IG Post

6/8/2023

@jlreadstoperpetuity

IG Review

6/9/2023

100 Pages A Day

Review/IG Post

6/9/2023

@allyluvsbooksalatte

IG Review

Week Two:

6/12/2023

@froggyreadteach

Review/IG Post

6/12/2023

Jaime_of_gryffindor

IG Review

6/13/2023

OneMoreExclamation

Review/IG Post

6/13/2023

A Blue Box Full of Books

IG Review/LFL Drop Pic/TikTok Post

6/14/2023

@enjoyingbooksagain

IG Review

6/14/2023

Country Mamas With Kids

Review/IG Post

6/15/2023

The Momma Spot

Review

6/15/2023

the original B00K nerd

IG Review/FB Post

6/16/2023

Gothichaunting

IG Review

6/16/2023

Confessions of the Perfect Mom

Review/IG Post


1 Comment

A Shadow in Moscow

6/5/2023

0 Comments

 
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About the Book: 
  • Title: A Shadow in Moscow: A Cold War Novel
  • Author: Katherine Reay
  • Genre: Historical Fiction, Espionage Thrillers, Inspirational Fiction
  • Publisher: ‎Harper Muse (June 13, 2023)
  • Length: (384) pages
  • Format: Trade paperback, eBook, & audiobook 
  • ISBN: 978-1400243037
  • Tour Dates: June 5-19, 2023
 
BOOK DESCRIPTION

In the thick of the Cold War, a betrayal at the highest level risks the lives of two courageous female spies: MI6’s best Soviet agent and the CIA’s newest Moscow recruit.
Vienna, 1954

After losing everyone she loves in the final days of World War II, Ingrid Bauer agrees to a hasty marriage with a gentle Soviet embassy worker and follows him home to Moscow. But nothing within the Soviet Union’s totalitarian regime is what it seems, including her new husband, whom Ingrid suspects works for the KGB. Inspired by her daughter’s birth, Ingrid risks everything and reaches out in hope to the one country she understands and trusts—Britain, the country of her mother’s birth. She begins passing intelligence to MI6, navigating a world of secrets and lies, light and shadow.
Moscow, 1980

A student in the Foreign Studies Initiative, Anya Kadinova finishes her degree at Georgetown University and boards a flight home to Moscow, leaving behind the man she loves and a country she’s grown to respect. Though raised by dedicated and loyal Soviet parents, Anya soon questions an increasingly oppressive and paranoid regime at the height of the Cold War. Then the KGB murders her best friend and Anya chooses her side. Working in a military research lab, she relays Soviet plans and schematics to the CIA in an effort to end the 1980s arms race.
​
The past catches up to the present when an unprecedented act of treachery threatens all agents operating within Eastern Europe, and both Ingrid and Anya find themselves in a race for their lives against time and the KGB.

PURCHASE LINKS
AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOKSHOP | GOODREADS | BOOKBUB


Review: 
Ingrid Bauer has just lost her family in the aftermath of World War II in Vienna, Austria. She agrees to a hasty marriage to boyfriend, Leo and a move to Moscow with his new promotion, not suspecting that he is KGB.  Living within the Soviet Union's totalitarian regime, Ingrid begins to feel stifled and notices things about Leo's work that he doesn't say.  With the birth of their daughter, Ingrid makes a decision to make the world a better place and reaches out to a friend in Britain who connects her with MI6.  Ingrid becomes a shadow, working in the background, never being seen and collecting any information that comes her way.   

Anya Kadinova finished her degree at Georgetown in 1980 as part of the Foreign Studies Initiative. Before she leaves for home in Moscow, she is asked to make a difficult decision, but chooses to go home to Moscow.  Returning to Moscow's totalitarian regime during the height of the Cold War is a difficult adjustment, but Anya is happy working in the research lab she was assigned.  However, when a friend is killed by the KGB, Anya decides she can be idle no more and contacts the US CIA risking everything to pass on schematics from her military research lab. 

A Shadow in Moscow is an intricate and detailed look at how two female spies operated in the Soviet Union spanning from the 1950's-1980's. The writing is much like Ingrid and Anya's positions, understated and not revealing much.  Both women's stories have a slow moving start and describe the harsh realities of their setting in Moscow in detail, from limited food, to bugged homes and untrusting neighbors.  Told in alternating viewpoints moving forward through time until Ingrid and Anya's timelines finally meet up. As Ingrid and Anya's storylines begin to converge, more details of their dangerous positions unfold as well as their true personalities and how their actions relate.  I was surprised at how the slow burn in the beginning quickly turned into a suspenseful, dangerous and quickly moving spy thriller.  I was also truly surprised at the link between Ingrid and Anya as their stories converged and how I had missed it.  The ending was exciting, heart wrenching and profound.  


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About the Author: 

Katherine Reay
is a national bestselling and award-winning author who has enjoyed a lifelong affair with books. She publishes both fiction and nonfiction, holds a BA and MS from Northwestern University, and currently lives outside Chicago, Illinois, with her husband and three children.

WEBSITE | TWITTER | 
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | GOODREADS
​

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A Noble Cunning

5/12/2023

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About the Book:
A thrilling tale, based on a true story, of one woman’s tremendous courage and incomparable wit in trying to rescue her husband from the Tower of London the night before he is to be executed.

The heroine of A Noble Cunning, Bethan Glentaggart, Countess of Clarencefield, a persecuted Catholic noblewoman, is determined to try every possible means of saving her husband’s life, with the help of a group of devoted women friends.
Amid the turbulence of the 1715 Rebellion against England’s first German king George I, Bethan faces down a mob attack on her home, travels alone from the Scottish Lowlands to London through one of the worst snowstorms in many years, and confronts a cruel king before his court to plead for mercy for her husband Gavin. As a last resort, Bethan and her friends must devise and put in motion a devilishly complex scheme featuring multiple disguises and even the judicious use of poison to try to free Gavin.
Though rich with historical gossip and pageantry, Bethan’s story also demonstrates the damage that politics and religious fanaticism can inflict on the lives of individuals.
AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | INDIEBOUND

Review:

​ Bethan Glentaggart and her husband Gavin live in Scotland in 1716, a dangerous time for Catholics.  As they fight to simply practice their religion in peace, a new King takes the throne in England, King George. King George is German and Protestant, many people feel that he is unfit to rule.  Gavin takes up the Jacobite cause against King George and is later captured and imprisoned in the Tower of London.  Bethan learns of his imprisonment and makes her way to London in order to fight for her husband's life.  

Based on the true story of Winifred Maxwell, A Noble Cunning is the fictionalized version of her feats.  The writing captured me in the first chapter as the effects of the religious persecution in the area were shown. I was immediately captured by Bethan's character as she kept her wits about her and refused to be the broken and weak woman that everyone expected her to be.  Bethan's love for her family, home and religion shine.  The pace of the story picks up after Gavin is captured and Bethan makes her way to London to eventually devise a plan of escape from the Tower of London.  I love the thoughtful, long term process that Bethan proposed as well as all of the other women and family that banded together to aid her quest.  The ending wrapped up rather quickly and I would have loved to know more details of what happened afterwards. 
​




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About the Author
​

Native Texan Patricia Bernstein grew up in Dallas. After earning a Degree of Distinction in American Studies from Smith College, she founded her public relations agency in Houston. In 2018, her third book was named a Finalist for the Ramirez Family Award from the Texas Institute of Letters. The Austin American Statesman named the book to a list of 53 of the best books ever written about Texas. Patricia’s nonfiction was previously published by Simon & Schuster and Texas A&M University Press. Patricia lives in Houston with her husband, Alan Bernstein, where she pursues her other great artistic love, singing with Opera in the Heights and other organizations. She also basks in the glory of her three amazing daughters. A Noble Cunning is her debut novel. You can learn more about Patricia and her work at PatriciaBernstein.com.

A Noble Cunning
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The Merry Dredgers

4/24/2023

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THE MERRY DREDGERS by Jeremy C. Shipp
RELEASE DATE: April 26, 2023
GENRE: Dark Fantasy / Horror
BOOK PAGE:  https://meerkatpress.com/books/the-merry-dredgers/ 
SUMMARY:
Seraphina Ramon will stop at nothing to find out the truth about why her sister Eff is in a coma after a very suspicious "accident." Even if it means infiltrating the last place Seraphina knows Eff was alive: a once-abandoned amusement park now populated by a community of cultists.
        Follow Seraphina through the mouth of the Goblin: To the right, a wolf-themed roller coaster rests on the blackened earth, curled up like a dead snake. To the left, an animatronic Humpty Dumpty falls off a concrete castle and shatters on the ground, only to reform itself moments later. Up ahead, cultists giggle as they meditate in a hall of mirrors. This is the last place in the world Seraphina wants to be, but the best way to investigate this bizarre cult, is to join them.
​
BUY LINKS: Meerkat Press | Amazon | Bookshop.org

​

Review: 
Seraphina spends her days as a party princess, pretending to be someone she is not.  Seraphina receives a concerning set of letters from her free-spirited sister, Eff.  Eff has joined a group of like minded people, who she swears are not part of a cult.  When Seraphina receives word that Eff is in a coma after an accident at the retreat, she decides to go to the last place that Eff was and go undercover into the group. Seraphina becomes a Merry Dredgers and explores her spiritual energy at a broken down goblin amusement park while trying to get to the bottom of her sister's accident.  

The Merry Dredgers is a wild mystery thriller with enchanting and diabolical characters. I was quickly taken with Seraphina's character and her ability to act as a Princess all day and then retreat into the opposite persona when being herself.  This was a great skill for Seraphina as she became Corrina in order to infiltrate the Merry Dredgers.  I was amazed as she was able to keep the personas separate, never crack as Corrina and remember that she was potentially in a very dangerous situation. The Merry Dredgers themselves are an eclectic group. Their base of operation, the half functional goblin theme park, was a trippy ride that I wasn't quite sure where it was heading. The whole time Seraphina is with the Dredgers it seems like they really might be a harmless group of people intent on living an alternative lifestyle.  The writing was able to convey that things just don't seem quite right within the community however, as Seraphina desperately searches for cracks within their facade and clues to who might have hurt her sister.  

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 
Jeremy C. Shipp is the Bram Stoker and Shirley Jackson Award-nominated author of The Atrocities, Bedfellow, and Cursed. Their shorter tales have appeared in over 60 publications, including Cemetery Dance, Dark Moon Digest and Apex Magazine. Jeremy lives in Southern California in a moderately haunted Farmhouse. Their twitter handle is @JeremyCShipp.

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Monster

4/20/2023

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I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the MONSTER by Brynn Chapman Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

About The Book:

Title: MONSTER: A Tale of Murder, Madness and Plastic Surgery (MONSTER Plastic Surgery Mystery Series 1)

Author: Brynn Chapman

Pub. Date: April 14, 2023

Publisher: Twenty Seven Dresses

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 270

Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/MONSTERCHAPMAN

MONSTER. The word evokes images of fairy tales and horror. But once, in 1850 Philadelphia, it was actually the term commonly used in physician’s case notes for the victims of fire.

Conflagrations were common in this period—clothing, especially women’s lace, was highly flammable. Once the flesh was destroyed, there was no cure. These unfortunate souls lived out their lives as MONSTERS, secluded away by family. Once burned flesh gives way to contractures, disfigurements to rival even Bram Stoker’s imagination were born. And the hearts of the people inside the shell perished.

Lorelei is one such MONSTER. Born to a wealthy family, disfigured by fire, she fake’s her own death, leaving the world she knows behind—because in her mind…freedom, even if it is a workhouse, is preferable than the life of a shut-in, a burden on her family's name.

1850’s Philadelphia is an epi-center of medicine. Rival medical schools search in desperation for bodies—cadavers to teach the art and science of anatomy to their medical students. Corpses become so rare, a new profession evolves. Resurrection Men, or body snatchers, dig up the graves of the newly decreased for high pay.

Rory Henry is one of the Resurrection Men. A Scots-Irish Immigrant, he has fought his way off the streets, and into medical school by whatever means necessary. He is not above digging up corpses—he cuts them by day, and searches them out by night.

These two lives intersect in an explosion of personality-Rory is designated as Lorelei’s surgeon. Entrusted with performing the new operation called, The Mutter Flap. Once he sees her face, will the unrequited love die, or ignite?

People are disappearing. Someone has discovered that murder is far more lucrative than grave robbing. And many of the bodies are from Lorelei’s workhouse. Will she be next?

PRAISE FOR BRYNN CHAPMANS BOOKS:

Dark twists and turns abound in this fast-paced and riveting gothic thriller. I consumed it in one sitting!”--Lea Nolan, USA Today Bestselling Author

"Exquisitely written! Requiem Red is a haunting tale of monsters, music, insanity, and the power of love where one least expects to find it.Brava, Ms. Chapman! This book will remain forever in my heart!" -- Darynda Jones NYTimes/USAToday Bestselling Author The Charley Davidson Series

"A rollicking ride of a story, with a tender heart -- A Circle of Crows is a thrilling adventure where the impossible comes to happen; where past meets present; and where a reader can't help but realize that some bonds can't be broken by time or distance."-- Jodi Picoult, author of The Tenth Circle, Vanishing Acts, and My Sister's Keeper.

"Creative, meticulously researched, and terrific fun!"-- Grace Burrowes NY Times Best Selling Author

"The characters, the setting, the descriptions and the mysteries and relationships all work together seamlessly to create a truly wonderful story that I completely adored." --Best Books Ever Blog

"The settings are intriguing and the way they are described make you feel as if you are immersed in the story. I could feel the gloom and damp. That is rare in so many books! Boneseeker is a book I highly recommend, and I give it 5 stars!"-- Christy's Cozy Corners Blog 

 

REVIEW:

Lorelai escaped a dangerous situation in Ireland, one that left her scarred after a fire. Lorelai landed in Philadelphia and found an orphanage to take her in while she works in a matchstick factory. An orphan that Lorelai cares for, Molly is suffering from Phossy Jaw and Lorelai takes it upon herself to find help. Help comes in the form of Rory Henry, a student under Dr. Mutter. Rory can help Molly and recognizes a kindred spirit in Lorelai. Lorelai and Rory quickly become enamored with one another. However, Rory's means to pull in extra money as a resurrection man along with the sway that the orphanage Reverend has over Lorelai and a murderer on the loose, their way out of 1850's Philadelphia is not an easy task.

Monster is an exciting historical romance with plenty of suspense, Irish folklore, medical drama, and the realities of the immigrant experience. From the beginning, I was engaged in Lorelai's story of escape. The writing expertly pulled together all the different strands into an exciting story that firmly grasped the setting and characters. Lorelai and Molly's story is endearing as they band together to survive the orphanage and the terrible working conditions at the match factory. Rory's story enlightens early medical care and teaching practices with how students learned anatomy. I also learned about Dr. Mutter, the father of plastic surgery, and his ingenious way of helping those who were labelled monsters by society. I enjoyed the added folklore of the Cailleach and what she meant to Rory and Lorelai. The romance, although quick, was heartfelt and genuine. With a promise to be continued, I can't wait to see what Lorelai and Rory will face in the next book.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

 

About Brynn Chapman:


Brynn Chapman has dissected cadavers, toured asylums and has a love of all things wierd. A celtic folklore enthusiast (she blames her ancestry), her titles combine history, frights and complicated love stories. Shes won RWA awards, and made it to the top of her Amazon- category-lists. Shes 'Small-town-scary," and she fervently hopes her novels force you to leave the light on.

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

 




Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a $10 Amazon GC, International.

Ends April 30th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

4/10/2023

#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog

Excerpt/IG Post

4/11/2023

Cara North

Excerpt/IG Post

4/12/2023

@jael_and_jenessa_reads

Review/IG Post

4/13/2023

@shangread_la

IG Review

4/14/2023

Review Thick And Thin

Review/IG Post

4/15/2023

Living in a Fictional Reality

Review/TikTok Post

Week Two:

4/16/2023

Country Mamas With Kids

Review/IG Post

4/17/2023

Inked Book Reviews

Review/IG Post

4/18/2023

Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer

Review

4/19/2023

Brandi Danielle Davis

IG Review/TikTok Post

4/20/2023

100 Pages A Day

Review

4/21/2023

Book Briefs

Review/IG Post

4/22/2023

Breysreviews

IG Review

Week Three:

4/23/2023

A Blue Box Full of Books

IG Review

4/24/2023

@lexijava

Review/IG Post


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Underneath the Fireflies

4/17/2023

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Book Details:

Book Title:  Underneath the Fireflies by Marianne Scott
Category:  Adult Fiction (18+),  496 pages
Genre: Murder Mystery / Thriller
Publisher: Crowe Creations
Release date:  January 2023
Content Rating:  PG-13 - Colloquial expressions in dialogue.
Book Description:

No matter where Grace Walker goes, her extra sensory power goes with her. She's an empath and she sees things -- terrible things. After a tragic accident at the place where she works, she decides to take a mental-health break on a remote West Coast island. But she no sooner gets to Galliano Island when a vision of the murder of an Indigenous woman draws her into a disturbing and threatening dilemma.

Review:


Grace Walker has always had visions, as an empath she is able to pick up on the emotional residue left in an area. After her visions put her under attack at her work for uncovering a nefarious plot by her boss, Grace is taking a relaxing break at her parent's home on the remote Galiano Island. Before Grace even reaches the island, she begins to see visions of a murder. A passenger sitting next to Grace on the airplane, Rubin, helps Grace through what he believes is a panic attack. However, Rubin is also heading to Galiano Island on a mission of his own that may connect to Grace. When Grace finally arrives, she can't shake the vision and when family friend, Rebecca tells of her missing daughter, Tamara, Grace knows that she must help the family. Now, Grace must follow her vision and try to bring law enforcement to believe what she knows is true.

Underneath the Fireflies is a contemporary murder mystery incorporating paranormal aspects and Indigenous traditions. I was immediately interested in Grace's capabilities and what she had uncovered at her work. It almost seemed like I had missed a significant event or a prior book with the extraordinary conspiracy that Grace uncovered at her employer and the outcome of that event. I was entranced by Galiano island, the way of life there and the people. I liked that the mystery included the disappearance of an Indigenous woman whose disappearances are often overlooked by authorities. I would have loved it if even more of the Indigenous traditions and stories of the island were in the book. The writing jumped between the points of view of Grace, Rubin, Island inhabitants and Grace's guide, Scout. From many points of view there was a lot of information coming from different directions and many small clues into Tamara's disappearance. I really appreciated Scout's point of view in trying to guide Grace to put the clues of Tamara's murder together.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

BUY THE BOOK:
Amazon.ca ~ Amazon.com
add to goodreads
Also Available for Your Reading Pleasure!
Book Details:

Book Title:  Underneath the Fireflies by Marianne Scott
Category:  Adult Fiction (18+),  224 pages
Genre: Mystery / Thriller
Publisher: Crowe Creations
Release date:  October 2022
Content Rating:  PG-13 - mild profanity as in street dialogue
Book Description:

He's a Cold War spy hiding from one of his own. His real identity is tied to a treacherous past associated with American intelligence operations closed down after the end of the Cold War, and his enemy is relentless. All he has to do is change his name. Right? Wrong. Very wrong. Felix has eyes and ears everywhere.
BUY THE BOOK:
Amazon.ca ~ Amazon.com
add to goodreads

Meet the Author:

Marianne Scott is the Canadian author of four mystery thrillers and is currently working on her fifth novel, a sci-fi/thriller. She has a BA and a Diploma in Business Administration from Wilfrid Laurier University. She studied creative writing through Conestoga College and Humber College. She enjoys writing workshops such as those offered by Brian Henry, publisher of blog, Quick Brown Fox and One Lit Place, a writers’ hub by creator/editor Jenna Kalinsky. She has an author’s website and blog. She is a full-time writer who lives in the historic small Canadian village of Hespeler Ontario (now amalgamated with the city of Cambridge).  


connect with the author: website ~ twitter ~ twitter ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ goodreads

Enter the Giveaway:
UNDERNEATH THE FIREFLIES Book Tour Giveaway



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When We Had Summer

4/8/2023

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I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the WHEN WE HAD SUMMER by Jennifer Castle Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

About The Book:

Title: WHEN WE HAD SUMMER

Author: Jennifer Castle

Pub. Date: April 25, 2023

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 336

Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/WHEN-WE-HAD-SUMMER

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants meets 13 Little Blue Envelopes in this new young adult novel about a tight-knit, daring, and eclectic group of friends who dedicate every summer to completing their #SummerSistersBucketList together – that is until one of their own passes away.

Best friends Carly, Daniella, Lainie, and Penny – aka the self-proclaimed #SummerSisters – have been coming to the New Jersey shore town of Ocean Park Heights ever since they could remember. And every year, the girls make a bucket list and dedicate their entire summer to completing every item on it, documenting their wacky escapades on FotoSlam for everyone to see. It’s their tradition, and as long as the Summer Sisters had each other, the rocky jetty on the shore, and their bucket list, that would never change. Right?

But then, tragedy strikes after Carly – the mastermind behind the bucket list– unexpectedly passes away. As the remaining Summer Sisters try to wrap their heads around their best friend’s death, life seems determined to throw more curveballs at the girls, threatening to split the Summer Sisters up for good. Daniella is accepted to a prestigious music academy in New York City, Lainie finds out her family is moving to Florida and leaving Ocean Park Heights for good, and Penny struggles to find her footing as she feels ready to leave childhood behind more quickly than either of her friends. What will hold them together with Carly gone and the Summer Sisters seemingly over?

Then, Daniella finds Carly’s final bucket list. And just like that, the Summer Sisters are back! But of course, things don’t always go as planned, and the girls try their hardest to navigate grief, loss, and coming-of-age woes while keeping the Summer Sisters – and Carly’s memory – alive.

 

REVIEW



Carly, Daniella, Lainie, and Penny are best friends that spend their summers together in the seaside town of Ocean Park Heights on the Jersey Shore. They are the #SummerSisters and have a tradition of completing a bucket list every summer, usually created by Carly. However, this summer, the summer of 9th grade, everything changes for the summer sisters. Daniella is going to a special music academy in NYC, Lainie finds out her family is moving, Penny finds that she might be moving at a faster pace than her friends and Carlie passes suddenly before the summer. Separated and struggling, Daniella, Lainie and Penny try to complete this summer's bucket list that Carly left behind.

When We Had Summer is a heartfelt coming of age young adult story. Focused on change, loss and growing up, each of the girls face a different challenge this summer while trying to carry on the bucket list tradition and honor Carly's memory. It was interesting seeing how the girls faced their different challenges and how they coped. Even as an adult it was easy to relate to the challenges the girls were facing and the impacts on their lives, breaking down everything they thought they were and having to rebuild. It was also nice to see the girls get the help they needed from their peers and adults around them. I loved when the summer sisters were able to come together along with the others who had helped them to memorialize Carly in a meaningful way.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

 

About Jennifer Castle:

Jennifer Castle is the author of twelve books for children and teens, including the novels for BLAIRE WILSON, American Girl's Girl of the Year 2019. Her YA novels published by HarperCollins include THE BEGINNING OF AFTER, which was an American Library Association Best Fiction for Young Adults selection, YOU LOOK DIFFERENT IN REAL LIFE, WHAT HAPPENS NOW, and TOGETHER AT MIDNIGHT. Her four-book middle grade fantasy series from Bloomsbury USA is BUTTERFLY WISHES. She’s also the co-author of two non-fiction books, FAMOUS FRIENDS: BEST BUDS, ROCKY RELATIONSHIPS, AND AWESOMELY ODD COUPLES FROM PAST TO PRESENT and FRIENDS AND FRENEMIES: THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE AWKWARD. Jennifer lives in New York's Hudson Valley with her husband, two daughters, and two cats/writing assistants on the edge of deep woods that are most definitely filled with magic...she just hasn't found it yet. You can visit her online at www.jennifercastle.com.

Subscribe to Jennifer’s newsletter!

Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Tumblr | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of WHEN WE HAD SUMMER, US Only.

Ends May 6th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

4/1/2023

Reads by Radus

Excerpt/IG Post/TikTok Post

 Week Two:

4/2/2023

Review Thick And Thin

Review/IG Post

4/3/2023

Mallory Books

Review/IG Post

4/4/2023

Breysreviews

IG Review

4/5/2023

YA Books Central

Excerpt/IG Post

4/6/2023

Lifestyle of Me

Review

4/7/2023

@stargirls.magical.tale

IG Review

4/8/2023

@gsreadingspree

Review/IG Post

 Week Three:

4/9/2023

Tracey Reads and Rambles

Review/IG Post

4/10/2023

100 Pages A Day

Review

4/11/2023

Kayl's Krazy Obsession

Review

4/12/2023

@thrillersandhistoricalfiction

IG Review

4/13/2023

A Blue Box Full of Books

IG Review/LFL Drop Pic

4/14/2023

Kim's Book Reviews and Writing Aha's

Review/IG Post

4/15/2023

Two Points of Interest

Review

 Week Four:

4/16/2023

Country Mamas With Kids

Review/IG Post

4/17/2023

NeverKnotReading

IG Post

4/18/2023

@inspired.j.reads

IG Review

4/19/2023

popthebutterfly

Review/IG Post

4/20/2023

Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

Review/IG Post

4/21/2023

OneMoreExclamation

Review/IG Post

4/22/2023

@bookishlifeofkels

IG Post

 Week Five:

4/23/2023

Brandi Danielle Davis

Review/IG Post

4/24/2023

Author Z. Knight’s Guild

Review/IG Post

4/25/2023

Mindyourshelf

IG Review

4/26/2023

@froggyreadteach

IG Review

4/27/2023

More Books Please blog

Review/IG Post

4/28/2023

@drew_ambitious_reading

Review/IG Post

4/29/2023

Midnightbooklover

IG Review

 Week Six:

4/30/2023

The Book View

Review/IG Post


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The Lioness of Leiden

4/4/2023

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About the Book:
How do you fight the Nazis right under their noses? With cunning and courage. When the Germans invade the Netherlands, Leiden University student Hetty’s boyfriend goes missing. But she has little time to grieve when she volunteers as a courier for the Dutch resistance, joined by her roommate, the beautiful Mimi, and seventeen-year-old Maria, the daughter of a slain resistance fighter. At great personal risk, the three women carry documents, secret messages, and cash to protect Jews, downed pilots, and others hiding from the Nazis. During five years of war, Hetty is challenged by a gauntlet of spies and betrayal. She heroically fights back as she and her friends accept increasingly dangerous assignments. All the while, Hetty worries about her family. She tries to forbid her younger brother from volunteering for combat in the resistance and argues with her father about becoming too cozy with the Nazis. As the Gestapo closes in, can Hetty and her family and friends make it through the war, free to live and love again? Inspired by true events, Robert Loewen’s debut novel pays tribute to the heroism of his mother-in-law, who served as a courier in the Dutch resistance during World War II.

Review: 
When the Nazi's invade Holland, Hetty's boyfriend volunteers to fend off the Nazi's.  When he goes missing, Hetty knows that she must join the resistance.  She and her roommate, Mimi, are quickly recruited by Kees to form a small resistance cell in Leiden, along with Maria, an orphan whose parents were killed for resisting.  They begin by transporting ration cards, but are quickly escalated for more dangerous missions, transporting pilots, people and  weapons.  As the danger heightens, Hetty's cell is directly targeted and Hetty can't seem to keep the danger away from those she loves.


Based on the life of his mother-in-law, Loewen presents an amazing story of the unknown heroes of Leiden during World War II.  The writing is realistic and gritty and doesn't gloss over any of the dangers that these young women put themselves in.  Hetty's character was emotional, heartfelt, determined and down to earth.  Her decision making was for the greater good and I was in awe at her ability to always carry on in the face of danger.  As well as Hetty's courageous acts, Mimi and Maria were astonishing heroines in their acts for the resistance.  I didn't know much about the Resistance in Holland and was glad to learn about these incredible, brave, real-life women who were willing to risk everything to fight the Nazis. 

This book was received for free in return for an honest review. 

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    Hi there! I'm Stephanie and I obviously love reading.  As, the title suggests, I read at least one hundred pages a day.  I enjoy most book genres; however, my favorites are historical fiction, fantasy, science fiction, thriller, horror and YA.  I also read a lot of non-fiction science and gardening books for my occupation.  I enjoy reviewing books and as always, any book that I receive for free is read in return for my honest review.  

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