Defy the Sun - Jessika Fleck (Blog Tour & Giveaway)

Date of Reading: 08/03/2020

Author: Jessika Fleck

Publisher: Swoon Reads

Publication Date: March 10, 2020

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 3/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Expresso Book Tours)

About the book:

Civil war has come to the island of Bellona. Veda Adeline believes in the Night. She’s joined the underground revolutionaries, led by Dorian Winters, and they're determined to overthrow the ruling Imperi and find justice for her people.

Nico Denali, Veda’s childhood friend and maybe-something-more, is one of those ruling Imperi, and he’s just been named heir to the most powerful man above ground.

As the war intensifies, Veda and Nico are leveraged against each other: Veda is above as a hostage of the Imperi and Nico is below, taken by the Night. There's no way Dorian is letting such a valuable hostage go.

The island will burn unless Veda and Nico can come together to rip everything apart. But Nico and Dorian will never trust each other, and Veda's heart might be the biggest casualty.

The stakes are all or nothing in this second and final book in the BEWARE THE NIGHT duology.

Review:

       Book two in the series takes off directly from where the last book ended. And there is one plus point: we get to hear the voice of Nico this time along with Veda. Except for the love triangle part, I had loved the first book and 'Defy the Sun' doesn't disappoint either.

       Things escalate as the two heirs are taken captive which also gives them an opportunity to sway the enemy to their side to create a unified front. Nico as always is my favourite: his irrevocable love towards Veda, the driving force behind all his actions is quite admirable. Veda, on the other hand, is not that great on the constant part but I am glad that she made a decision at the end.

      Some characters like Poppy is particularly missed even with the others trying to fill the gap. I loved Nico's mother particularly, even with her small but relevant part. The conclusion, I felt, could have been drawn out a bit more with added amounts of anxiety. There are some deaths, but we get the happy ending we waited for: ad astra. Altogether, an engaging and enjoyable read!

Meet the author:

Jessika Fleck is a YA & MG author, unapologetic coffee drinker, and knitter — she sincerely hopes to one day discover a way to do all three at once. Until then, she continues collecting vintage typewriters and hourglasses, dreaming of an Ireland getaway, and convincing her husband they NEED more kittens. 

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Beware the Night - Jessika Fleck

Date of Reading: 04/03/2020

Author: Jessika Fleck

Publisher: Swoon Reads

Publication Date: March 12, 2019

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 3/5

About the book:

When her world divides, pitting light against dark, Veda must join a dangerous revolution to save her grandfather and fight against injustice...even if it costs her the boy she loves.

On the island of Bellona, life is peaceful--as long as the citizens dutifully worship the Sun, which protects them from all harm. Seventeen-year-old Veda knows that keeping the Sun happy will protect her and her grandfather from the Night, the dangerous people who snatch innocent citizens from their beds under the cover of darkness, never to be seen again. As long as Veda follows the rules, she will be safe.

But when Veda's grandfather is offered up as the next sacrificial offering to keep the Sun's favour, she starts to see that the safety she's been promised comes at a dangerous price. Maybe there is more to fear above than there is below.

With a mysterious young man, Dorian, at her side, Veda has to figure out if the scary bedtime stories she grew up hearing are real--or dangerous lies.

Review:

        I do love a good forbidden romance with all the class clash going around and so selecting this book was a no brainer. Set in Bellona, an island country where people worship the sun and is asked to be afraid of the night, the first book in this duology creates all the necessary angst and thrill for an adventure about to begin.

       Let me start with the good bits. The staunch rivalry between the followers of Sun and Night (Moon) is quite appealing, owing to the brilliant narrative style which is a combination of legend and real life. The division prevalent between the imperial Doggio and oppressed Basso is vividly portrayed through the lives of our star crossed lovers, each belonging to separate strata of the Bellonian society. Mysteries unfold in regular intervals and there is no dull moment in this story. . . well, except for the lengthy part where Veda takes her time to think everything through.

       Now to the parts didn't really work for me; actually, there is only one in the hate list -- the love triangle. And drove me mad is the fact that while the two boys after Veda is completely faithful to her, Veda, on the other hand, encourages both of them quite shamelessly (not just in words, but through kissing). Sure, she is confused with all the sudden changes in her life, but this is cutting it too far. In the end, I resorted to ignoring her to enjoy the story better. I just really hope the next book won't continue this romantic drama.

Meet the author:

Jessika Fleck is a YA & MG author, unapologetic coffee drinker, and knitter — she sincerely hopes to one day discover a way to do all three at once. Until then, she continues collecting vintage typewriters and hourglasses, dreaming of an Ireland getaway, and convincing her husband they NEED more kittens. 

The Magnolia Sisters - Alys Murray (Blog Tour)

Date of Reading: 01/03/2020

Author: Alys Murray

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication Date: March 5, 2020

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 5/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by the publisher)

About the book:

Harper Anderson has a to-do list longer than the Colorado River, and fields of tulips to tend to at her family’s flower farm in Hillsboro County, California. It’s her dream to run the business with her sisters when their father retires, keeping up traditions that began with her great-great-grandmother.

That is if there’s a farm left to run. Rich out-of-towners looking for a slice of country living are hiking up the prices in town and it’s putting her family out of business. So she has no time for the arrogant LA tech mogul who makes her an offer to use their farm as his sister’s wedding venue. No amount of money could make up for the destruction it would wreak on next season’s crop. The sooner Luke Martin is on his way, the better.

But Luke isn’t willing to go. He’s been looking out for his sister ever since their deadbeat parents left them to fend for themselves, and he’ll do whatever it takes to make her happy. So when Harper’s newest farmhand leaves her in the lurch, he sees an opportunity to strike a deal. He’ll work on the farm for free if she’ll give him the chance to change her mind.

Harper and Luke each expect the other to crack first. What they don’t expect is the chemistry that sparks between them as they work side by side among the budding roses. But Luke’s presence is turning over more than the earth, and just as Harper is starting to let her guard down, he stumbles upon a secret that could spell disaster for the entire Anderson clan.

With her family’s happiness at stake, can Harper put her trust in a man who is worlds apart from everything she knows? 

Review:

      I must probably be living under a rock or why didn't I hear about this author before? So here I go with nothing but the blurb as my guide and what I find is a modern version of 'Pride and Prejudice'. Did you hear a scream? Yes, that's me jumping up and down in excitement. If you want to know, that happened pretty much throughout the reading process. Had my sister worried.

       So what is that glued me to the kindle? Everything -- vibrant and funny characters, the language that flows off the page, a storyline that makes you tingle . . . well, the list goes on. A kickass heroine prejudiced against the city dwellers, a socially awkward billionaire uttering all the wrong words -- that surely is a killer combination proved and tested from the classic times onwards. And it has ticked all the boxes for me: enemies to lovers, siblings love, and to top it all a sassy narrative that engages you throughout.

        Anderson family is similar to the Bennetts in most ways including a mother who is socially humiliating (in the perspective of Harper, anyway). The flower farm setting, if you borrow the term from Indian aesthetics, just adds to the rasa. I loved the way the bond between Harper and Luke developed slowly, thanks to some sisterly meddling from both sides. I don't want a single thing to be changed about this book, it's going straight to my favourite shelf.

        A sweet romance that will cheer you up and comfort you like a gift of flowers. Highly recommended!!!

Meet the author:

Alys Murray is an author who writes for the romantic in all of us. Though she graduated with a degree in Drama from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and a Master’s in Film Studies from King’s College London, her irrepressible love of romance led her to a career as an author, and she couldn’t be happier to write these stories! Currently splitting time between her home state of Louisiana and London, she enjoys kissing books, Star Wars, and creating original pie recipes for all of her books. Tobey Maguire is her Spider-Man.  

Tweet Cute - Emma Lord

Date of Reading: 15/02/2020

Author: Emma Lord

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Publication Date: January 21, 2020

Rating: 4/5

About the book:

A fresh, irresistible rom-com from debut author Emma Lord about the chances we take, the paths life can lead us on, and how love can be found in the opposite place you expected.

Meet Pepper, swim team captain, chronic overachiever, and all-around perfectionist. Her family may be falling apart, but their massive fast-food chain is booming ― mainly thanks to Pepper, who is barely managing to juggle real life while secretly running Big League Burger’s massive Twitter account.

Enter Jack, class clown and constant thorn in Pepper’s side. When he isn’t trying to duck out of his obscenely popular twin’s shadow, he’s busy working in his family’s deli. His relationship with the business that holds his future might be love/hate, but when Big League Burger steals his grandma’s iconic grilled cheese recipe, he’ll do whatever it takes to take them down, one tweet at a time.

All’s fair in love and cheese ― that is, until Pepper and Jack’s spat turns into a viral Twitter war. Little do they know, while they’re publicly duking it out with snarky memes and retweet battles, they’re also falling for each other in real life ― on an anonymous chat app Jack built.

As their relationship deepens and their online shenanigans escalate ― people on the internet are shipping them?? ― their battle gets more and more personal until even these two rivals can’t ignore they were destined for the most unexpected, awkward, all-the-feels romance that neither of them expected.

Review:

        This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2020 and the expectations were not unfounded. For one, it didn't really go the way I expected. Happy ending? Yes. Family drama? A bit over the top. The complete role reversals at the end took me by surprise and that is what I loved about this story. Who would have guessed? I am bursting here to tell you who the good party is but reining in so your reading won't be spoiled.

       Now to the parts that could have been improved. Since this is centred around high school I was hoping for more banter and snarky tweets. Somehow the twitter war didn't go well with me, but the Weazel app Jack built brought back the fun. Emma Lord discusses some of the prominent issues faced by any high schooler especially the desire for parental approval, student rivalry and mounting anxiety levels. Well, this is one of those occasions where I felt completely glad to be out of high school.

        Overall, a refreshingly beautiful read that many in the new generation can identify with. One final warning before I wrap up. Make sure to stock your fridge before starting on this one. You are bound to get hungry . . . a lot.

Meet the author:

Emma Lord is a digital media editor and writer living in New York City, where she spends whatever time she isn’t writing either running or belting show tunes in community theatre. She graduated from the University of Virginia with a major in psychology and a minor in how to tilt your computer screen so nobody will notice you updating your fan fiction from the back row. She was raised on glitter, grilled cheese, and a whole lot of love. Her sun sign is Hufflepuff, but she is a Gryffindor rising.

From Thailand with Love - Camilla Isley (Blog Tour)

Date of Reading: 25/02/2020

Author: Camilla Isley

Publisher: Pink Bloom Press

Publication Date: February 25, 2020

Rating: 3.5/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Rachel's Random Resources)

About the book:

All Logan has to do is to get the gold and get the girl. Easy, right?

Travel photographer Winter Knowles and archaeology professor Logan Spencer dislike each other at first sight. Stuck together into the wild, these two unwilling teammates will bicker and banter their way through a laugh-packed treasure hunt.

After years of searching, a new mapping technology has given Logan a clue to the location of the legendary Lost City of Gold. A discovery that could make his career. So the last thing he needs on this life-changing expedition is for his team to get distracted by a pair of long legs.

When Winter accepted the assignment on a tropical island she didn’t sign up for a brooding team leader who’d clearly prefer to run a boys-only club. Never one to back down from a challenge, Winter is ready to show him she’s no damsel in distress.

But when a treasure like no other is uncovered and ruthless enemies will want to keep it for themselves, it’ll be up to the two of them to save the day. Left alone to fight in the jungle, they will soon discover their lives might not be the only thing at stake—their hearts could be too.

Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime.

An enemies to lovers romance packed with danger, action, and comedy.

Review:

        Wow! this was a surprise. When I imagined an enemies-to-lovers romance packed with adventure, I was not expecting it to be a life and death situation. Yes, that is how I found myself hunched up over my kindle with a heart about to burst . . . on a work night. Phew!

       To be honest, the chemistry between Winter and Logan was not convincing enough for me at the beginning, probably because of the amount of time both spent secretly ogling each other's body. Infatuation at first sight? Definitely. Not a fan of those. But everything changed once the secret city is found and thus began a compelling and exhilarating story bound to keep us on our toes. 

      Looks like Winter is not only a good shot with a camera, but also smart with a gun. Attagirl! I should have expected that considering the stand she took against her evil twin in the last story. The girl is not lacking guts. Logan is not bad either considering his hilarious bargaining skills with the monkey . . . ha! I cannot end this review without mentioning Archie, our golden boy. Each time you make an appearance, there comes the laugh. Can't wait to read your story in the next book.

      If you are in the mood for a thrilling romance to spike your adrenaline levels, go ahead and grab a copy. You won't be disappointed!

Meet the author:

Camilla is an engineer turned writer after she quit her job to follow her husband on an adventure abroad.

She’s a cat lover, coffee addict, and shoe hoarder. Besides writing, she loves reading—duh!—cooking, watching bad TV, and going to the movies—popcorn, please. She’s a bit of a foodie, nothing too serious. A keen traveller, Camilla knows mosquitoes play a role in the ecosystem, and she doesn’t want to starve all those frog princes out there, but she could really live without them.

The Unspoken Name - A. K. Larkwood

Date of Reading: 25/01/2020

Author: A. K. Larkwood

Publisher: Tor Books

Publication Date: February 11, 2020

Source: NetGalley 

Rating: 4.5/5

About the book:

What if you knew how and when you will die?

Csorwe does — she will climb the mountain, enter the Shrine of the Unspoken, and gain the most honoured title: sacrifice.

But on the day of her foretold death, a powerful mage offers her a new fate. Leave with him, and live. Turn away from her destiny and her god to become a thief, a spy, an assassin—the wizard's loyal sword. Topple an empire, and help him reclaim his seat of power.

But Csorwe will soon learn – gods remember, and if you live long enough, all debts come due. 

Review:

      Once I saw that stunning cover, I didn't think twice of requesting it. Anything inside such a poignant wrap should be nothing short of amazing. And how right I am! As an emerging genre, LGBT literature is surely in need of classical works like these.
      If you love that blurb, then let me tell you, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Spanning more than four hundred pages, the novel covers multiple universes with impeccable skill and even after the last page, I wished for more. There is one more book on the way since it is part of a duology and before you ask, no, this doesn't end in a cliffhanger. 
     Narrated mainly through Csorwe's perspective, the story follows her life from a sacrificial bride to a warrior. Indebted to Sethennai for her new life she is bent on procuring the Reliquary of Pentravesse, the most renowned mage who had somehow achieved a union with his deity. What follows is a tale of adventure where new love blossoms, destinies rewritten and some secrets are revealed.
      What keeps us constantly at the edge is the way good and bad fluctuates constantly as each character, especially Csorwe, Oranna and Shuthmili, make their own choices, altering their fates. Well, that almost summarises the crux of this story; our life is our own to live and shape. We definitely have a choice, but whether we are brave enough to grab it at the opportune moment seals our destinies. Highly recommended!

Meet the author:

A K Larkwood is a science fiction and fantasy writer and enthusiast. She studied English at St John's College, Cambridge. She has worked in higher education & media relations and is now studying law. She lives in Oxford, England, with her wife and a cat.

Dreaming of Verona - T. A. Williams (Blog Tour)

Date of Reading: 02/02/2020

Author: T. A. Williams

Publisher: Canelo

Publication Date: February 3, 2020

Source: NetGalley 

Rating: 3.5/5

 

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Rachel's Random Resources)

 

About the book:

 

 Verona is the City of Love. But will Suzie find romance there or, like Romeo and Juliet, will it all end in tears?

  When Suzie is hired to accompany spoiled, abrasive Lady Alexandra Tedburn on an all-expenses-paid holiday to Italy, she fears the trip will be a disaster.

But she soon discovers there’s more to Alex than shopping and tantrums, and she’s determined to help her realise her potential – against Alex’s authoritarian father’s wishes.

As they settle in Verona, Suzie can’t stop thinking about local artist Michael, who is still mourning the tragic death of his wife. With Suzie’s future uncertain, and Michael’s past holding him back, it seems there’s no hope for romance in the city of star-crossed lovers…or is there?

A gorgeously uplifting and moving story, Dreaming of Verona is the perfect read for fans of Holly Martin, Tilly Tennant and Jenny Oliver.

Review:

      When it comes to T. A. Williams' books, it is safe to say that we have a love and hate relationship. Fortunately, this one comes under the former category. Surely, it's not going to top 'Dreaming of Christmas' which is my absolute favourite but comes really close. Putting aside some dull moments in between, this novel on Verona is gripping, inspiring and is full of colours just like the city.
       The author has taken great care to maintain a Shakespearean spirit throughout. The fact that Suzie is a PhD holder in this topic must have helped it. I do love her theory of Shakespeare being a woman; who knows, one day we may get some proof regarding this conjecture. Besides the frequent quotes, the Tedburns family drama provides ample material for a Shakespearean play. Luckily, not all love should share the fate of Romeo and Juliet.
     As for the relationship between Suzie and Michael, I was in a dilemma. In my perspective, it didn't really go beyond infatuation so the way she waits was kind of perplexing. Same goes with James and Alexandra. If you look upon your best friend like a brother, could the feelings be changed to that of a lover? Well, I will leave that to the experts. 
      Yup, the story did give me enough to munch on. So grab a copy and join the discussion. Happy reading everyone!

Meet the author:

I’m a man. And a pretty old man as well. I did languages at university a long time ago and then lived and worked in France and Switzerland before going to Italy for seven years as a teacher of English. My Italian wife and I then came back to the UK with our little daughter (now long-since grown-up) where I ran a big English language school for many years. We now live in a sleepy little village in Devonshire. I’ve been writing almost all my life but it was only seven years ago that I finally managed to find a publisher who liked my work enough to offer me my first contract.

The fact that I am now writing romantic comedy is something I still find hard to explain. My early books were thrillers and historical novels. Maybe it’s because there are so many horrible things happening in the world today that I feel I need to do my best to provide something to cheer my readers up. My books provide escapism to some gorgeous locations and, as a writer, I obviously have to go there in person and check them out first. I love my job…

Mad About You - Anna Premoli

Date of Reading: 1/2/2020

Author: Anna Premoli

Publisher: Aria

Publication Date: November 14, 2019

Source: NetGalley 

Rating: 4/5

 

About the book:

 

Giada Borghi has always known exactly what she wants. Graduating with honours? Check. An internship at a prestigious consulting company in Milan? Check! Ariberto Castelli, with his pretty face and unironically monogrammed shirts? Definitely not.

Sure, they may have shared a kiss in a nightclub once upon a time – that doesn't change anything! Boys like Ariberto and girls like Giada just don't belong together. But working so closely with a handsome Italian is bound to turn any girl's head, especially as she realises there's more to Ariberto than meets the eye.

The summer days are long and hot... can Giada make it through with her head – and heart – intact? 

 

Review:

 

      It is hard to let go of a book written by Anna Premoli. Undoubtedly, she is one of my favourite romance authors and this humorous and enlightening story has just confirmed my trust in her. Set in Milan, we get to see a hate-to-love story -- well, it might be one-sided -- and as always the humour and the funny banter between our couple bear Premoli's trademark style. 

      Giada and Ariberto meet first at a bar and  Giada hates him at the very first sight. Reason: a boyfriend like him will be surely approved by her mother and she cannot let that happen. Yup, we have got a weird heroine (or should I say she is nuts?) who hasn't outgrown her teenage tantrums. I do have my own quirks, so no judging her in this aspect. Who is perfect anyway? . . . except for Ariberto. He should be recommended for sainthood; really guys, I don't think this man is real.

      One of the disadvantages of the first-person narrative is that it is hard to make a fair judgement. Ariberto could be a possessive man, but through the love hazed narrative, it is difficult to ascertain. But the patience and stubbornness he has shown in wooing the lady is nothing but remarkable. I know he is too good to be true, but can't help but wish him to be real.

     If you are looking for a sweet rom-com for the weekend, then search no further. This will surely fill your day with laughter and may lengthen you life span for a good measure too. Happy reading!

 

Meet the author:

 

Anna Premoli is a bestselling author in Italy. She began writing to relieve stress while working as a financial consultant for a private bank. Her novel, Love to Hate You won the Bancarella prize in 2013.