100 Pages A Day.... Stephanie's Book Reviews

The Forsaken Children

4/19/2021

About the Book:
THE FORSAKEN CHILDREN
BY NAOMI FINLEY
Publication Date: April 13, 2021
Huntson Press
Series: The British Home Children, Book 1
Genre: Historical Fiction

A riveting tale of endurance and resilience, illustrating the spirit of a child and the bond between siblings.

It’s 1922. Fifteen-year-old Hazel Winters and her six-year-old brother, William, are placed on a ship by an organization that relocates British orphans and children of poverty to new homes in Canada. Arrivals in the new land are exported to distributing houses, where devastation and heartache greet the youngsters as headmistresses govern their fate.

The assurance of a better life across the ocean is far from what Hazel experiences. Through hardships and loneliness, she is determined to survive. Finding refuge in memories of the past, she clings to the dream of returning to her homeland while preserving a reunion in her heart.

In 1890, orphaned Charlotte Appleton and her sister Ellie were scooped up from London’s streets and sent to new homes across the ocean. Although mere miles kept them apart, Charlotte never knew her sister’s whereabouts until a chance interaction reunites them. Together the siblings vow to make a difference for the families and home children of an institution in Toronto, Ontario.

Can an unexpected guardian give Hazel renewed strength and resolve for a future of promise?

Based on the child emigration movement that occurred from 1869 through the late1930s, this poignant tale follows the lives of siblings who were burdensome byproducts of Britain’s poverty.

Buy the Book:
AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE

Review:
The Winters family has lived in poverty since the death of fifteen-year old Hazel and six-year old William's father. Hazel and William try to do their best on the streets, but after their mother loses her position, she makes the decision to place Hazel and William in an orphan's home. The home, however, is in the business of shipping the children to other countries to be farmed out as indentured servants. Hazel and William are placed on a boat to Canada and separated. Hazel can't bear to be separated from William, but her placement in a home where the previous girl died suddenly does not bode well for Hazel. Luckily, Hazel's situation has caught the attention of two of the children's home staff, Charlotte and Ellie who were also separated in the system and were able to find one another later in life.

The Forsaken Children is an intimate look into the lives of two pairs of siblings who were separated in Britain's exportation of impoverished children. The point of view changes between Hazel and Charlotte who are both determined, caring and mentally strong. Hazel and Charlotte's stories are heartbreaking and emotional showing their fortitude in survival when everything is against them. I was especially engrossed by Hazel's time with the family that took her, the Gagnon's. Mrs. Gagnon was especially repulsive and I was amazed that anyone was able to survive her treatment. Hazel's story is a reminder of the strength of these children who were overcoming immense hardships and difficult living situations while keeping a state of mind for survival. The Forsaken Children is an in-depth look at an often overlooked time in history where countries were brokering impoverished children as slaves to grow their workforce and economies.

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

About the Author
Naomi is an award-winning author living in Northern Alberta. She loves to travel and her suitcase is always on standby awaiting her next adventure. Naomi’s affinity for the Deep South and its history was cultivated during her childhood living in a Tennessee plantation house with six sisters. Her fascination with history and the resiliency of the human spirit to overcome obstacles are major inspirations for her writing and she is passionately devoted to creativity. In addition to writing fiction, her interests include interior design, cooking new recipes, and hosting dinner parties. Naomi is married to her high school sweetheart and she has two teenage children and two dogs named Egypt and Persia.

For more information, please visit Naomi Finley’s website. You can also find her on Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads.

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Paris In Ruins

4/14/2021

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About the Book:
Paris in Ruins
by M.K. Tod
Publication Date: March 30, 2021
Heath Street Publishing
Genre: Historical Fiction

Paris 1870. Raised for a life of parties and servants, Camille and Mariele have much in common, but it takes the horrors of war to bring them together to fight for the city and people they love.

A few weeks after the abdication of Napoleon III, the Prussian army lays siege to Paris. Camille Noisette, the daughter of a wealthy family, volunteers to nurse wounded soldiers and agrees to spy on a group of radicals plotting to overthrow the French government. Her future sister-in-law, Mariele de Crécy, is appalled by the gaps between rich and poor. She volunteers to look after destitute children whose families can barely afford to eat.

Somehow, Camille and Mariele must find the courage and strength to endure months of devastating siege, bloody civil war, and great personal risk. Through it all, an unexpected friendship grows between the two women, as they face the destruction of Paris and discover that in war women have as much to fight for as men.
War has a way of teaching lessons—if only Camille and Mariele can survive long enough to learn them.
Buy the Book:
Amazon | B&N | Google Play | Kobo

Praise for Paris in Ruins
“The story of two women whose families were caught up in the defense of Paris is deeply moving and suspenseful.” -Margaret George, author of Splendor Before the Dark: A Novel of the Emperor Nero

“Tod is not only a good historian, but also an accomplished writer … a gripping, well-limned picture of a time and a place that provide universal lessons.” -Kirkus Reviews.

“M.K. Tod’s elegant style and uncanny eye for time and place again shine through in her riveting new tale, Paris in Ruins.” -Jeffrey K. Walker author of No Hero’s Welcome

Review:
The Noisette and de Crécy families are among Paris' wealthy and elite at the beginning of the Franco-Prussian War in 1870. Camille Noisette and Mariele de Crécy are future sister in laws who want to fight for what is right and protect their family and city during the time. Camille finds her place as a nurse in the Odeon theatre alongside Sarah Bernhardt, quickly Camille becomes accustomed to blood and amputations as she realizes that more and more of Paris' men are dying around her. To help even more, Camille agrees to go to radical meetings with family friend Andre Laborde and report back on anything dangerous that the women's factions are planning. Camille then recruits Mariele to help her brother Victor at the local church taking care of children whose parents are fighting and being forced to work longer hours for meager pay. Mariele finds that she loves spending time with the children and that caring for them comes naturally to her. She also finds a heightened sense of compassion and courage to keep the children safe.

Paris in Ruins is the engaging story of two women who dared to care for the people in their city in a time of war when they had the means to escape. Camille and Mariele are both women of means who have been protected their whole lives. After seeing the effects of the war on the people of Paris and the stark contrast between their families and the poor of the city, they are both compelled to open their hearts and homes to help. I was very interested in the Paris Commune group that was able to overtake Paris after the war. I would love to know more about the war from the Commune's point of view other than just Camille's time within the group. It was wonderful to see Camille and Mariele change their attitudes and behaviors due to their involvement in the war and I wish I could have seen how they continued to change their behavior to help the divide in Paris. I was very interested in The Franco-Prussian War is not a time period that I know a lot about, I was glad that the writing was rich in historical detail. I loved learning more about the eccentric actress Sarah Bernhardt and her amazing work to turn the Odeon theatre into a hospital. Overall, a compelling story of two courageous women during the Franco-Prussian War.

This book was received for free for an honest review.

About the Author

Paris In Ruins is M.K. Tod’s fourth novel. Mary began writing in 2005 while living as an expat in Hong Kong. What started as an interest in her grandparents’ lives turned into a full-time occupation writing historical fiction. Her other novels are Time and Regret, Lies Told in Silence, and Unravelled. Beyond writing novels, Mary’s award-winning blog, www.awriterofhistory.com features the reading and writing of historical fiction. When she’s not writing, or thinking about writing, you can find her hiking, golfing, traveling, or hanging out with friends and family. Mary is married and has two adult children and two delightful grandchildren.
For more information visit M.K. Tod’s website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads.

Giveaway

We have one paperback copy of Paris in Ruins up for grabs!

The giveaway is open to the US only and ends on April 20th. You must be 18 or older to enter.

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Secrets of the Whales

4/7/2021

1 Comment

About Secrets of the Whales

• Publisher: National Geographic (April 6, 2021)
• Hardcover: 192 pages

This provocative book of photography offers bold new insight into the lives of the world’s largest mammals, along with their complex societies. In these pages, we learn that whales share an amazing ability to learn and adapt to opportunities, from specialized feeding strategies to parenting techniques. There is also evidence of deeper, cultural elements of whale identity, from unique dialects to matrilineal societies to organized social customs like singing contests. Featuring the arresting underwater images of Brian Skerry, who has explored and documented oceans for over four decades, this book will document these alluring creatures in all their glory–and demonstrate how these majestic creatures can teach us about ourselves and our planet.

Social Media
#SecretsOfTheWhales
@tlcbooktours.

Purchase Links
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound

Review:
Brian Skerry has spent decades capturing the unique and mysterious world of whales. Through his up close and magnificent photography the ocean is presented as a magical place, one that we are lucky enough to share with the many enchanting species of whales. Through his photographs Skerry highlights the comparisons between human and whale behavior in order to strengthen our bonds.

Focusing on six groups of whales: Right Whales, Belugas, Orcas, Sperm Whales, Humpbacks, and Dolphins, Skerry gives us a rare glimpse of the whales personal world and intimate moments. Right Whales, so named because they were the right whale to hunt are among the most endangered. Through pictures we are able to see their curious and sensitive nature. The Belugas' tight knit social structure, use of language and care of their young is displayed with this playful and charismatic species. Orcas are clever, strategic and organized with distinct feeding plans in each population. Sperm Whales are caring with highly developed societies and tight knit family groups as well as expressive as they are the largest brained animal. Humpbacks carry out singing contests and prefer to group feed even though they are capable of feeding alone. Dolphins are smart, charismatic and playful. They need a social structure, can solve complex problems, show self awareness and use tools. Through these photographs we are reminded that we are more similar to these great creatures than different and we should strive to change our actions in order to protect our oceans and the many species that call it home.

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

About Brian Skerry
BRIAN SKERRY is a visual storyteller specializing in ocean wildlife and underwater realms. Since 1998 he has been a contributing photographer for National Geographic magazine. He was named a Photography Fellow by the National Geographic Society in 2014 and a Storytelling Fellow in 2017, the same year he was awarded the title of National Geographic Rolex Explorer of the Year. His work has also been featured in publications such as The NY Times, The Washington Post, Paris Match, and Audubon. He has spoken at venues worldwide including The United Nations General Assembly, The World Economic Forum, TED Talks, The Royal Geographical Society and the Sydney Opera House. He lives with his family in Maine.

Find out more about Brian at his website, and follow him on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

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Down World

3/25/2021

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It's been four years since Marina O'Connell's brother, Robbie died in an incident on the train tracks, now Marina is starting school at East Township High with the senior class that her brother should be in. East Township High is a scrabble of mazes, fake doorways and hallways that lead to nowhere since it was once a military base for scientific experiments during World War II. However, the hallways hold a dangerous secret, hidden portals to other dimensions called Down World. After a chance meeting with senior Brady Picelli and Robbie's friend Kieran, Marina is pulled into the dangerous and mysterious Down World. Marina discovers that Down World holds many secrets including secrets about her own family.

Down World is an exciting and fast-paced young adult science fiction thriller. From the time that Marina discovered the doors to Down World I was hooked on the worlds, how they worked, where they came from and what could happen in them. Marina's character is a very typical teen girl, focusing on romance and what someone might think of her at any point; however, she is also dealing with a lot of issues. She is still carrying around grief from her brother's death as well as dealing with her parent's depression from the event, when her brother died she also lost her core friend group and now needs to rebuild. Because of all of this, Marina very easily grabs on to the first person to pay attention to her, Brady. I was intrigued by the different realms in Down World, how they were all different and the consequences of going into the worlds. I do wish there was more explanation of how the worlds were built in the 1940's and why. I would love to know if they helped to alter World War II. I enjoyed the ending, the solution was appropriate and didn't leave everything perfect, but did fix what needed to be fixed.

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

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Love and Other Moods

3/22/2021

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BOOK INFORMATIONLove and Other Moodsby Crystal Z. Lee
Release Date: December 10th 2020
Genre: Adult, Coming of Age

Synopsis:

Love and Other Moods is a coming-of-age story set in contemporary China, about falling in love, learning to adult, finding strength, and discovering one’s place in the world.
Naomi Kita-Fan uproots her life from New York to China when her fiancé’s company transfers him to Shanghai. After a disastrous turn of events, Naomi finds herself with no job, no boyfriend, and nowhere to live in a foreign country.
Amidst the backdrop of Shanghai welcoming millions of workers and visitors to the 2010 World Expo, we meet a tapestry of characters through Naomi: Joss Kong, a Shanghai socialite who leads an enviable life, but must harbor the secrets of her husband, Tay Kai Tang. Logan Hayden, a womanizing restaurateur looking for love in all the wrong places. Pan Jinsung and Ouyang Zhangjie, a silver-aged couple struggling with adapting to the ever-changing faces of their city. Dante Ouyang, who had just returned to China after spending years overseas, must choose between being filial and being in love. All their dreams and aspirations interweave within the sprawling web of Shanghai.
This multilayered novel explores a kaleidoscope of shifting relationships——familial friction, amorous entanglements, volatile friendships——in one of the most dynamic metropolises of the twenty-first century.

BOOK LINKSAmazon US: https://amzn.to/3rClTqk
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3cTnVhM
Bookdepository: https://www.bookdepository.com/Love-Other-Moods-Crystal-Z-Lee/9781913891015?ref=grid-view&qid=1612957743039&sr=1-1
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-and-other-moods-crystal-z-lee/1138082526?ean=9781913891015
Google Books: https://books.google.co.uk/books/about/Love_and_Other_Moods.html?id=wpIJzgEACAAJ&redir_esc=y

Review:
Naomi Kita-Fan, a Taiwanese-Japanese American finds herself in Shanghai, China after following her long-term boyfriend, Seth Ray there for a job only to have the relationship blow up soon after. Now, with no job and no home in a foreign country, Naomi feels a need to make things work in the enigmatic city. Naomi finds an amazing job planning events for prestigious brands and is placed at the 2010 World Expo. While returning from a work trip, Naomi meets Dante Ouyang, a Chinese man who grew up in England and is returning home from America. Dante and Naomi hit it off, but work obligations, their past and family keep getting in the way.

Love and Other Moods is a contemporary romance that also explores cultural dynamics, family relationships and finding a place of your own. Naomi's character was easy to relate to, even though our lives were very different; she is an adult trying to carve out her place in the world when the ideas of parents and the world are trying to hold you back. I also enjoyed the descriptions of Shanghai, the energy, the mix of old and new, the food, the architecture and lifestyle all came to life through Naomi and her friends in the city. I loved reading about all the different areas of the Expo and what could be found there. Naomi and Dante's relationship was very realistic with plenty of ups and downs. Through their romance, I was able to see the impacts of their different cultural backgrounds. I was painfully unaware of the cultural differences and opinions held between some of the Chinese, Japanese and Taiwanese people and the effect it has on society as well as the next generation. Overall, a worldly contemporary romance with amazing characters and diverse points of view.

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

Tour Schedule: favouritepagesbookclub.blogspot.com/2021/02/tour-schedule-love-and-other-moods-by.html

AUTHOR INFORMATION
Crystal Z. Lee is a Taiwanese American bilingual writer. She has called many places home, including Taipei, New York, Shanghai, and the San Francisco Bay Area. She was formerly a public relations executive who had worked with brands in the fashion, beauty, technology, and automotive industries. 'Love and Other Moods' is her first novel.

AUTHOR LINKS
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20927312.Crystal_Z_Lee
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crystal.z.lee/
Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Crystal-Z.-Lee/e/B08NT9ZJTG%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share

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Gory Details

3/17/2021

1 Comment

About Gory Details

â€¢ Publisher: National Geographic (March 2, 2021) â€¢ Hardcover: 336 pages

Infused with Mary Roach-style humor and science, this narrative illuminates the gross, strange, morbid, and outright absurd realities of our bodies, the Earth, and universe.

Filled to the brim with far-out facts, this wickedly informative narrative from the author of National Geographic's popular Gory Details blog takes us on a fascinating journey through an astonishing new reality. Blending humor and journalism in the tradition of Mary Roach, acclaimed science reporter Erika Engelhaupt investigates the gross, strange, and morbid absurdities of our bodies and our universe. From the research biologist who stung himself with every conceivable insect to the world's most murderous mammals, this entertaining book explores oft-ignored but alluring facets of biology, anatomy, space exploration, nature, and more. Featuring interviews with leading researchers in the field and a large dose of wit, this provocative book reveals the most intriguing real-world applications of science in all their glory.

Social Media

#GoryDetails, @tlcbooktours and @erika_engelhaupt

Review
Have you ever wondered why an everyday sound drives some people crazy? Or why we are both drawn to and repulsed by certain smells? How about why we don't eat more bugs? Or how many bugs are on you? If you have ever been curious about anything that seems weird or taboo, Gory Details is for you. Erika Engelhaupt has put together a collection of essays about the morbid, the morbid, gross, mysterious and buggy curiosities in life. These short essays discuss and explain enough to pique your interest and make you want to explore more on your own.

Gory Details strives to make it ok to talk about the subjects people tend to shy away from. Using humor and examining each topic through the lens of science, the function comes to light and the fear begins to fade. I was fascinated by so many of the topics and searched out more on my own. Frances Glessner Lee's Nutshells captured my attention and I would love to be able to look at these miniature crime scenes in real life to try and see where the clues lead me. I have never really thought about what keeps all the bacteria in and on our bodies from decomposing us while we are alive; however, now I have a strong urge to learn more about what bacteria I harbor. I love that the corpse flower attracts so many visitors just to get a whiff of what smells like a dead body so we can potentially be better equipped when we meet the real deal. One of my favorite facts was that the clitoris was not fully described in a medical paper until 1998. I also now wonder if I could be a super-recognizer and plan on taking the test. Gory Details is an excellent book for any curious mind.

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

Purchase Links

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound

About Erika Engelhaupt

Erika Engelhaupt has written for and edited top science magazines, newspapers, and websites, including National Geographic, Science News, Scientific American, and NPR. She lives in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Find out more about Erika at her website, and connect with her on Twitter and Instagram.

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Under the Light of the Italian Moon

3/11/2021

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Historical fiction, womenâ€™s fiction, biographical fiction

Date Published: March 8, 2021

Publisher: Amsterdam Publishers

A promise keeps them apart until WWII threatens to destroy their love forever

Fonzaso Italy, between two wars

Nina Argenta doesnâ€™t want the traditional life of a rural Italian woman. The daughter of a strong-willed midwife, she is determined to define her own destiny. But when her brother emigrates to America, she promises her mother to never leave.

When childhood friend Pietro Pante briefly returns to their mountain town, passion between them ignites while Mussolini forces political tensions to rise. Just as their romance deepens, Pietro must leave again for work in the coal mines of America. Nina is torn between joining him and her commitment to Italy and her mother.

As Mussoliniâ€™s fascists throw the country into chaos and Hitlerâ€™s Nazis terrorise their town, each day becomes a struggle to survive greater atrocities. A future with Pietro seems impossible when they lose contact and Ninaâ€™s dreams of a life together are threatened by Nazi occupation and an enemy she must face aloneâ€¦

A gripping historical fiction novel, based on a true story and heartbreaking real events.

Spanning over two decades, Under the Light of the Italian Moon is an epic, emotional and triumphant tale of one womanâ€™s incredible resilience during the rise of fascism and Italyâ€™s collapse into WWII.

Review
Nina Argenta grew up in Fonzaso, Italy during the aftermath of the Great War. Nina was her mother's helper, learning the skill of midwifery early on. Nina heard of men leaving for America as a child and soon learns that her brother will be among the people in search of a better life in America. One of the young men on the journey, Pietro Pante came back to visit Fonzaso and he and Nina began a romance. Nina and Pietro marry in Italy with a promise of reuniting before Pietro returns. Pietro toils in a dangerous coal mine in Pennsylvania saving all of his money to bring his family together. As time passes, Italy falls under Mussolini's control, Nina's family becomes threatened by food scarcity, soldiers and spies. Meanwhile, Nina has not heard from Pietro for years and is struggling to keep her family alive.

Under the Light of the Italian Moon chronicles the life of the Argenta and Ponte family matriarchs, the author's great-great grandmother, great-grandmother, and grandmother. Written with care and researched from first hand accounts, Anton brings to light the amazing lives of the women in her family. Living through hardship, turmoil and wars, the Argenta family shows bravery, hope, resilience, love and loyalty. From the time Nina and Pietro met, I knew their life would not be easy. Through repeated hardships, grief and loss, Nina and Pietro managed to make it through the most dire of circumstances to build a happy life for their family. It was interesting to read about Mussolini's influence in Fonzaso and what the citizens thought of him through the years from indifference to curiosity to leader and tyrant. I was consistently amazed at Nina's ability to continuously face hardship and tragedy and keep going as well as her ability to keep love alive for so long from so far away. Overall, an amazing story of real people and family history.

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

About the Author

Jennifer Anton is an American/Italian dual citizen born in Joliet, Illinois and now lives between London and Lake Como, Italy. A proud advocate for womenâ€™s rights and equality, she hopes to rescue women's stories from history, starting with her Italian family.

In 2006, after the birth of her daughter, Jennifer suffered a life-threatening post-partum cardiomyopathy, and soon after, her Italian grandmother died. This tumultuous year strengthened her desire to capture the stories of her female Italian ancestors.

In 2012, she moved with her family to Milan, Italy and Chicago Parent Magazine published her article, Itâ€™s In the Journey, chronicling the benefits of travelling the world with children. Later, she moved to London where she has held leadership positions in brand marketing with companies including ABInbev, Revlon, Shiseido and Tory Burch.

Jennifer is a graduate of Illinois State University where she was a Chi Omega and holds a masterâ€™s degree from DePaul University in Chicago.

Under the Light of the Italian Moon is her first novel, based on the lives of her Italian grandmother and great grandmothers during the rise of fascism and World War II.

Review the book at Amazon.com, Goodreads, and Bookbub

Connect with Jennifer on Instagram @boldwomanwriting

Connect with Jennifer on Facebook @jenniferantonauthorpage

Join her mailing list at www.boldwomanwriting.com

Goodreads

Purchase Link

getbook.at/JAnton

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Under the Light of the Italian Moon

3/11/2021

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Historical fiction, women’s fiction, biographical fiction

Date Published: March 8, 2021

Publisher: Amsterdam Publishers

A promise keeps them apart until WWII threatens to destroy their love forever

Fonzaso Italy, between two wars

Nina Argenta doesn’t want the traditional life of a rural Italian woman. The daughter of a strong-willed midwife, she is determined to define her own destiny. But when her brother emigrates to America, she promises her mother to never leave.

As Mussolini’s fascists throw the country into chaos and Hitler’s Nazis terrorise their town, each day becomes a struggle to survive greater atrocities. A future with Pietro seems impossible when they lose contact and Nina’s dreams of a life together are threatened by Nazi occupation and an enemy she must face alone…

A gripping historical fiction novel, based on a true story and heartbreaking real events.

Spanning over two decades, Under the Light of the Italian Moon is an epic, emotional and triumphant tale of one woman’s incredible resilience during the rise of fascism and Italy’s collapse into WWII.

About the Author

Jennifer Anton is an American/Italian dual citizen born in Joliet, Illinois and now lives between London and Lake Como, Italy. A proud advocate for women’s rights and equality, she hopes to rescue women's stories from history, starting with her Italian family.

In 2012, she moved with her family to Milan, Italy and Chicago Parent Magazine published her article, It’s In the Journey, chronicling the benefits of travelling the world with children. Later, she moved to London where she has held leadership positions in brand marketing with companies including ABInbev, Revlon, Shiseido and Tory Burch.

Jennifer is a graduate of Illinois State University where she was a Chi Omega and holds a master’s degree from DePaul University in Chicago.

Under the Light of the Italian Moon is her first novel, based on the lives of her Italian grandmother and great grandmothers during the rise of fascism and World War II.

Review the book at Amazon.com, Goodreads, and Bookbub

Connect with Jennifer on Instagram @boldwomanwriting

Connect with Jennifer on Facebook @jenniferantonauthorpage

Join her mailing list at www.boldwomanwriting.com

Goodreads

Purchase Link

getbook.at/JAnton

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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City of Spells

3/8/2021

1 Comment

City of Spells
Alexandra Christo
(Into the Crooked Place #2)
Published by: Feiwel & Friends
Publication date: March 9th 2021
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

City of Spells, the follow-up to Alexandra Christo’s gritty YA fantasy, Into the Crooked Place, finds the world on the brink of war and four unlikely allies facing sacrifices they had never imagined.

After the loss of Wesley and the horrifying reveal that Zekia is helping the Kingpin of her own free will, Tavia, Saxony, and Karam flee to Saxony’s home to rebuild their rebellion. Meanwhile, trapped in the Kingpin’s darkness, Wesley must fight against the deadly magic that invades his mind and find a way back to his friends before it’s too late.

As the Kingpin’s dark magic spreads and his army conquers Creije, these four unlikely friends have to decide just how far they’ll go—and how much they are willing to sacrifice—to win.

Praise for Into the Crooked Place:

“With its gangland details, creative magical caste system and surprisingly brutal characters, Into the Crooked Place is very much its own thing. And that thing will likely be a story you can’t put down.” —Culturess

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo / Google Play

EXCERPT:

Karam stepped forward, her skillfully embroidered clothes cascading down to her ankles in a way that was almost delicate, and so very much the opposite of Karam. Even from where Tavia stood, she could smell the peppermint salve on her friend’s sliced knuckles, something the fighters in Creije loved to use to soothe their injuries and that Karam wore every day, just in case.

“I thought we agreed that you were going to stop being stupid,” Karam said, Wrenyi accent thick on her tongue.

“I didn’t agree to anything,” Tavia said. “Did you follow me here?”

Karam crossed her arms over her chest. “Are you complaining about me saving you?”

“I don’t need saving.” Tavia leaned back in the booth. “I’m a busker, not a damsel.”

Nolan looked between them with a disbelieving scoff. “Are you two finished?” he asked. “Because we were about to kill her.”

For the first time, Karam looked at him, as if she had only just realized— or cared—that he was there.

“We have not been introduced,” she said.

“No,” Nolan said. “We haven’t.”

Karam held out a hand. “Hello,” she said.

And then she used that hand to grab ahold of Nolan’s shoulder and pull him toward her.

Without warning, Karam cracked her head against his.

The buskers broke into a frenzy as Nolan stumbled back, clutching his bloody nose. Quickly, Karam landed a kick to one of the others.

Tavia jumped up from the booth just as Nolan regained his footing, smashing a glass from a nearby table over his head. She shifted the backpack on her shoulder and landed a kick to another busker’s knee.

He went down with a yelp.

“This is why I had to follow you,” Karam said.

She kicked a busker in the chest and as he bent over to catch his breath, she rolled across his back and punched another clean in the face.

“You are so reckless.”

Tavia sighed at the lecture, which was becoming Karam’s specialty these days.

“If you were so worried about my safety, then you could have helped me take Nolan down back in the streets before his buddies showed up,” Tavia said. She swung her fist into the air, catching the cheek of a nearby busker, just the way Karam had taught her.

Karam took out her knife and threw it into the shoulder of another. “I thought you did not need saving,” she said.

Tavia rolled her eyes and kneed one of Nolan’s friends in the groin. “Forget making it slow!” Nolan yelled, pulling out a knife. “I’m going to gut you where you stand.”

Tavia shook her head. “He really does like being graphic,” she said to Karam.

She reached into her pocket for a pair of mirrored glasses and slipped them onto her nose, like she had seen Wesley do a dozen times.

“Here,” she said to Karam. “Put these on.”

Karam wrinkled her face and looked at Tavia like she was starting to lose her mind, but when she saw Tavia’s hands go to her pocket for a second time, it seemed Karam knew better than to argue.
“What in the Many Gods are those for?” Nolan asked, wiping the blood from his nose.

Tavia clutched the charm in her hand, its jagged edge spiking into her palm like tiny needles. “A way to show that if there’s one thing I have,” she said, “it’s style.”

She threw the charm down onto the floor and it exploded into a blinding light. Nolan and the others clutched at their eyes, screaming loud enough to drown out the bar’s music altogether.
“Come on!” Tavia yelled. “We need to go!”

She pulled Karam toward the door, where the customers were now blindly running and screaming as their vision temporarily disappeared.

They spilled back out onto the streets of Rishiya and Karam ripped the glasses from her face.
“Have you considered trying not to get yourself killed every now and again?” she asked as they darted through the city.

“Not really,” Tavia said, struggling to keep up with her pace. “I think I’d find it boring.”

She didn’t need to look at Karam to know that she was rolling her eyes, but Tavia felt invigorated. She had the magic she ’d come for, so all in all the trip to the city had been a roaring success. And with the warm breeze on her neck and fire of victory in her belly, Tavia felt like maybe all hope wasn’t quite lost.

Karam could call her reckless and the Crafters in the camp could call her a danger, but Tavia had a job to do. She had buskers to lead, and she was going to win this war and save Wesley, whether people approved of her methods or not.

Author Bio:

Alexandra Christo decided to write books when she was four and her teacher told her she couldn't be a fairy. She has a BA in Creative Writing and works as a copywriter in London, both of which make her sound more grown up than she feels. When she's not busy making up stories, she can be found buying far too many cushions and organizing food crawls all over the city. Alexandra currently lives in Hertfordshire with an abundance of cacti (because they're the only plants she can keep alive).

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Cosmic Queries

3/3/2021

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About Cosmic Queries

• Publisher: National Geographic (March 2, 2021)
• Hardcover: 312 pages

In this thought-provoking follow-up to his acclaimed StarTalk book, uber astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson tackles the world’s most important philosophical questions about the universe with wit, wisdom, and cutting-edge science.

For science geeks, space and physics nerds, and all who want to understand their place in the universe, this enlightening new book from Neil deGrasse Tyson offers a unique take on the mysteries and curiosities of the cosmos, building on rich material from his beloved StarTalk podcast.

In these illuminating pages, illustrated with dazzling photos and revealing graphics, Tyson and co-author James Trefil, a renowned physicist and science popularizer, take on the big questions that humanity has been posing for millennia–How did life begin? What is our place in the universe? Are we alone?–and provide answers based on the most current data, observations, and theories.

Populated with paradigm-shifting discoveries that help explain the building blocks of astrophysics, this relatable and entertaining book will engage and inspire readers of all ages, bring sophisticated concepts within reach, and offer a window into the complexities of the cosmos.

For all who loved National Geographic’s StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson, Cosmos: Possible Worlds, and Space Atlas, this new book will take them on more journeys into the wonders of the universe and beyond.

#CosmicQueries, @tlcbooktours @startalkradio.

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Review:
Cosmic Queries expands on Neil deGrasse Tyson's StarTalk and aims to answer the big questions about the universe. Tyson has a way of making these very big and difficult concepts easy to understand, bringing the universe down to earth. Beginning from how we know what we know in space, measurements and some of the scientists who have led to these discoveries we are then led to ask questions of how the universe got to be how it is, what the universe is made out of, what life is, if we are alone, how this all began and eventually, how it will end.

Whenever I read a book about space I am always amazed about how much I do not know. I revel in being able to learn and understand more about our world and what is beyond. Cosmic Queries not only gives me a good foundation to begin to understand the questions posed in the book, but reminds me of how much we don't know about what we don't know as well as the fact that "the most interesting questions are the ones we don't yet know to ask." As I read through each chapter, the knowledge from previous chapters was slowly built upon, helping to expand my thinking and ask further questions. In addition, I learned about some of the pioneers of astronomy and the risks they took in order to get their knowledge out into the world. Overall, Cosmic Queries is an excellent read for any curious mind.

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

About Neil deGrasse Tyson

Neil deGrasse Tyson is an astrophysicist with the American Museum of Natural History, host of the hit radio and Emmy-nominated TV show StarTalk, and the New York Times best-selling author of Astrophysics for People in a Hurry and Accessory to War: The Unspoken Alliance Between Astrophysics and the Military. He lives in New York City.
Follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

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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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