The Housekeeper of Thornhallow Hall - Lotte R. James (Review)

Date of Reading: 14/7/2021

Author: Lotte R. James

Publisher: Harlequin Historical

Publication Date: July 27, 2021

Rating: 3/5

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

About the book:

 She arrived as a housekeeper

Will she leave as a countess?

To some, Thornhallow Hall might be tarnished by tales of vengeance and ghosts, but to new housekeeper Rebecca Merrickson it represents independence and peace from her tumultuous past. Until the estate’s owner, William Reid, the disappeared earl, unexpectedly returns… After clashing with him over the changes she’s made to the house, Rebecca slowly unearths the memories that haunt brooding Liam—and her defiance gives way to a shockingly improper attraction to her master!

Review:

        As you can see from the blurb, the story resembles 'Jany Eyre' a lot, which is one reason that tempted me. Well, there is a bigger hurdle here since our hero is an Earl and heroine a common girl with no hidden inheritance to dream of. As they say, love conquers all and so it happens.

        I loved Rebecca from the start. Her confidence in her own abilities is admirable and the same goes for that liberal attitude (a bit too liberal considering the time period). Will any virtuous female dare to have tattoos? Good for you girl!

        The death in the castle and the mystery surrounding the vanished Earl contributes much to the gothic atmosphere. There are no ghosts but the creepy atmosphere haunts you throughout. Apart from that nail-biting climax which I found out of place, I found the story quite enjoyable. The slow-burn romance, the community that creates a world of its own inside this castle and the beautiful writing all makes it an endearing read.

Meet the author:

Lotte James trained as an actor and theatre director but spent most of her life working day jobs crunching numbers whilst dreaming up stories of love and adventure. She’s thrilled to finally be writing those stories, and when she’s not scribbling on tiny pieces of paper, she can usually be found wandering the countryside for inspiration or nestling with coffee and a book.

A Bargain of Blood and Gold - Kristin Jacques (Review)

Date of Reading: 1/7/2021

Author: Kristin Jacques

Publisher: City Owl Press

Publication Date: June 15, 2021

Source: BookSirens

Rating: 4/5

About the book:

A novice hunter with a mission. A five-hundred-year-old vampire with a strong sense of irony. A town plagued by creatures in need of saving.

When Johnathan Newman arrives in Cress Haven, the last thing he expects is for his life to be irrevocably changed. Sent by a clandestine league of vampire hunters to investigate a string of murders, signs point to a vampire lurking amid the townsfolk. Johnathan’s attempt to enlist the locals leads him to an unlikely partnership with Vic, the town's most eligible, enigmatic bachelor.

As the pair work to solve the mystery, Vic’s secrets come back to bite him. Revealed, the vampire fights his attraction to a man trained to destroy him, while Johnathan’s emotions land him in the middle of forbidden desires. Even if Vic isn’t the murderer, how can Johnathan yearn for his natural enemy?

As Vic leads Johnathan into encounters with terrifying beings straight from children’s nightmares, Johnathan learns that not only is the world stranger than he knew but that those he once trusted have far darker intentions that will place hunter and vampire at the centre of a conflict between realms.

Cress Haven holds more sinister secrets than its resident vampire, a secret so great, it could unleash Hell itself.

For fans of Gail Carriger’s Supernatural Society, The Charm of Magpies series by KJ Charles, Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh, and The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzie Lee.

Review:

        I have been on the hunt for an mm paranormal romance and chanced upon this accidentally. I was sceptical at first since it is the first book in the 'Midnight Guardian' series. A cliffhanger is not something everyone is fond of. But rest assured, even though the story is not complete, it doesn't leave behind that much of a suspense . . . just the right amount so we can peacefully wait for the next one without going bonkers.

        From the very beginning, the story focuses on Jonathan and Vic's attempts to unravel the mystery surrounding the murders in Cress Haven. Sure, they get close with so many near death experiences, but romance takes a back seat most of the time. I can only hope that the author has reserved all the funny bits for the next book. What we witness here is the start of a very promising relationship and I can't wait to hear more.

     I should not be forgetting my favourite character though. She might be intended as Vic's sidekick, but she had outlived her role and I don't think she is planning to remain as a supporting cast. Brave, spirited, sharp tongued Alyse, let's see how the outside world treats you. Maybe you get to have your own story this time.

Meet the author:

Mother of two, caffeine addict, sleep deprived book eater, Kristin Jacques writes primarily speculative fiction, dabbling with dark adventures, monsters, mayhem, and the occasional sarcastic zombie. When not at her computer spinning tales she is generally herding cats or snuggling with her gremlins.

Six Crimson Cranes - Elizabeth Lim (Review)

 

Finished Reading: 3/7/2021

Author: Elizabeth Lim

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Publication Date: July 8, 2021

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 4.5/5

About the book:

Shiori, the only princess of Kiata, has a secret. Forbidden magic runs through her veins. Normally she conceals it well, but on the morning of her betrothal ceremony, Shiori loses control. At first, her mistake seems like a stroke of luck, forestalling the wedding she never wanted, but it also catches the attention of Raikama, her stepmother.

Raikama has dark magic of her own, and she banishes the young princess, turning her brothers into cranes, and warning Shiori that she must speak of it to no one: for with every word that escapes her lips, one of her brothers will die.

Penniless, voiceless, and alone, Shiori searches for her brothers, and, on her journey, uncovers a conspiracy to overtake the throne—a conspiracy more twisted and deceitful, more cunning and complex, than even Raikama's betrayal. Only Shiori can set the kingdom to rights, but to do so she must place her trust in the very boy she fought so hard not to marry. And she must embrace the magic she's been taught all her life to contain—no matter what it costs her.

Review:

        You got it right. I fell for that stunning cover. Maybe it's a good thing that the review copy didn't include the cover, else I would never have finished the reading. Well, what else is there? A princess forced to be mute, a dragon, magic and fairytale vibes . . . did I tempt you enough?

        I have seen some rave reviews about Lim's "Spin the Dawn" duology but never got around to reading it (my bookish radar seems to be malfunctioning these days). Now I have gotten used to the incredible world created out of that brain, nothing is going to stop me from adding them to the ever-growing TBR pile.

        So here are the things that I loved: The well-developed characters, especially Shiori and her stepmother Raikama, the nameless queen. Being a fan of fairytale retellings, the ending was something that I anticipated. It didn't spoil anything though; rather it was quite gratifying to see that somewhat tragic ending. Bitter yes, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

        There is romance for all those looking for it (a really slow burn one) but the story more or less concentrates on our princess with the voracious appetite. She is brave, humorous and in her mother's words 'the knot' keeping together the family. I was expecting more magic and . . . dragon though. Well, looks like Lim has reserved all those for the next book. Looking forward to your adventures in the dragon world, Shiori. Happy reading!

Meet the author:

Elizabeth Lim grew up on a hearty staple of fairy tales, myths, and songs. Her passion for storytelling began around age 10, when she started writing fanfics for Sailor Moon, Sweet Valley, and Star Wars, and posted them online to discover, "Wow, people actually read my stuff. And that's kinda cool!" But after one of her teachers told her she had "too much voice" in her essays, Elizabeth took a break from creative writing to focus on not flunking English.

Over the years, Elizabeth became a film and video game composer, and even went so far as to get a doctorate in music composition. But she always missed writing, and turned to penning stories when she needed a breather from grad school. One day, she decided to write and finish a novel -- for kicks, at first, then things became serious -- and she hasn't looked back since.

Elizabeth loves classic film scores, books with a good romance, food (she currently has a soft spot for arepas and Ethiopian food), the colour turquoise, overcast skies, English muffins, cycling, and baking. She lives in New York City with her husband.

Rising Star - Michele Kwasniewski (Blog Tour & Review)

Finished Reading: 21/06/2021

Author: Michele Kwasniewski

Publisher: Rand-Smith LLC

Publication Date: October 20, 2020

Rating: 4/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Random Things Tours)

About the book:

In the first book in THE RISE AND FALL OF DANI TRUEHART series, RISING STAR, fifteen-year-old Dani Truehart is living a life that is not quite her own. Driven by her mother's desire for fame and fortune, she has spent her childhood dutifully training for a career as a pop star. On the brink of discovery, doubts begin to creep into Dani's mind as she questions her own desire for fame, and she wonders whether she can trust the motivations of the adults who are driving her forward.

Following a brilliant audition arranged by her vocal/dance coach and former '80s pop icon Martin Fox, Dani is thrown full-force into the music industry. She leaves her friends, family and scheming mother behind to move with Martin, who has become her legal guardian, into the Malibu compound of her new manager, Jenner Redman. Jenner, the former swindling manager of Martin's boy band, leverages what's left of his depleted fortune to launch Dani's career.

Isolated from her life at home and trying to stay apace with her demanding schedule, Dani struggles to keep in touch with those she loves, connect to her withholding mother and find her voice as an artist. With Martin and Jenner at odds over their rocky past and finding herself unprepared to handle the pressures of her future singing career, Dani's debut album and future stardom are at risk of falling apart.

Review:

        I was not sure what I was expecting from this story; a teenage star getting manipulated by her dear ones and losing her cool? Probably. Well, it is not that story. There is some angst for sure, but evil mamas aside, there are no surprising twists or turns in the plot (though I was waiting for one like the spectator of a scary movie).

        Ever wondered how a pop star came to be or how success feels? If that is you, then this story is a must read. Dani Truehart is on her way to fame and it is a path filled with sacrifices, endless hours of hard work and  . . . missing the normal life. Sure, we can't have everything and a star's life is not that bad either. There are no fights with best friends or breaking up with boyfriends which was another surprise I found in the story. I had my doubts on Sean, but the guy seems to have a strong head on his shoulders. 

        Hmm, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Once the star starts to burn brighter, will everything remain the same? I can't wait to see what happens next.

Meet the author:

The author, Michele Kwasniewski, is an entertainment industry insider who has seen what the Hollywood machine can do to people – having worked for many years in film and television production on such films and TV shows as Primal Fear, Independence Day, Evita, Face/Off, Big Brother, and many TCL, HGTV, and Discovery series including: Meet the Pandas, Adoption Story, Wedding Story, and Extra Yardage. 

 

With her book, she shares the glamour and excitement of fame as well as the hard work it takes to achieve success and the price of living life in the public eye.  Everyone wants to be famous, but most people have no idea what that really means.  Michele has seen it firsthand.  She is an active member of the Producers Guild of America.

Duvet Day - Emily Kerr (Review)

Finished Reading: 6/6/2021

Author: Emily Kerr

Publisher: One More Chapter

Publication Date: May 27, 2021

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 4/5

About the book:

Young lawyer Alexa Humphries’s one true love is her precious duvet, yet she is torn from its comforting embrace every morning while the foxes are still scavenging the bins outside and doesn’t get back until long after most normal people are already asleep. Worn down by the endless demands of her suspicious boss and her competitive, high-flying housemate and fellow lawyer, Zara, Alexa barely recognises herself anymore. This wasn’t how life was supposed to be.

But today is different. Today, Alexa just cannot get out of bed to face the world. Everyone deserves a duvet day, don’t they?

But what starts as a mini-rebellion against the tyranny of her job soon sees her locked out of the flat wearing nothing but a unicorn onesie and what’s left of her dignity. Desperate to track down a spare set of keys before her back-stabbing housemate finds out she’s pulled a sickie, Alexa sets off on a wild goose chase across London. Before long, she’s being blackmailed by an annoyingly handsome photo-journalist, forcing her to trail after him while the hours before she has to get home tick down.

As Alexa’s dreams of Netflix and self-care turn into the duvet day from hell, what’s starting to feel a lot like the beginning of a breakdown might actually be the making of her. Will she get home in time to keep her job … and does she even want to?

Review:

        It is not every day one is fortunate to find a book with Sophie Kinsella vibes -- a lot of self-deprecating humour, finding your way back in the world . . . you know the drill. Kerr's writing may not be as polished as Kinsella's but her heroine definitely is one of the best.

        Meet Alexa Humphries. A young lawyer in one of the top law firms in London. Top of her class and pride of her teachers. If only her work life is as happy as everyone believes it to be! Back to reality: she is struggling with the pressures at work, weary of her co-worker slash housemate, hasn't even met the third housemate and quite obviously, no friends in London.

        And one day all tides break loose. She had enough of it and in a daring moment, she never thought she was even capable of, she called in a sickie. But the hopes of having a duvet day with Nutella and Netflix is soon turned into a nightmare when she is left locked outside. There begins the journey to secure a key and also a journey to get back to her life that is lost.

        I loved this story this much because of Alexa. She is so down to earth and passionate about her career and there is no wonder people took advantage of her. She is a wolf in sheep's clothing who finally came to believe that she is also a sheep. Kerr has kept the romance element to a minimum which I loved (Sam is not really a likeable character, by the way). So if you are in need of an inspirational story during the pandemic where a young woman finally learns to stand up for herself, then look no further. Happy reading everyone!!!

Meet the author:

Emily Kerr has been scribbling stories on bits of paper ever since she learnt how to write. She works as a journalist and is based in Yorkshire.

She can generally be found with her nose in a book, or hunched up over her laptop typing away, though she has been known to venture outside every so often to take part in various running-based activities.

Emily loves to hear from readers. You can tweet her @EmilyKerrWrites or check out her Facebook page www.facebook.com/emilykerrwrites and website www.emilykerrwrites.com.

The Ghosts We Keep - Mason Deaver (Blog Tour & Review)

Date of Reading: 30/05/2021

Author: Mason Deaver

Publisher: Scholastic

Publication Date: June 1, 2021

Source: Edelweiss+

Rating: 5/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Hear Our Voices Book Tours)

About the book:

Perfect for fans of Adam Silvera and Becky Albertalli, this book will rip your heart out before showing you how to heal from tragedy and celebrate life in the process.

When Liam Cooper's older brother Ethan is killed in a hit-and-run, Liam has to not only learn to face the world without one of the people he loved the most, but also face the fading relationship with their two best friends.

Feeling more alone and isolated than ever, Liam finds themself sharing time with Marcus, Ethan's best friend, and through Marcus, Liam finds the one person that seems to know exactly what they're going through, for the better and the worse.

This book is about grief. But it's also about why we live. Why we have to keep moving on, and why we should.

Review:

        After reading 'I Wish You All the Best', I was as anxious as the author about this latest release. Will this live up to the fame garnered by the first one or become a disappointment? Well, I found mixed reviews on this, but for me, this was even better than the former work.

        There is no plot as such to speak of. This is more or less a record of how Liam and their family cope with the grief of losing the eldest son of the family. A word of warning, Liam is not an easy character to like. As the book asserts, grief can always make you do complicated, messy and ugly things and considering Liam's age, it does create a lot of complications. They lash against the parents, withdraw from friends and practically shuts the whole world off and drowns in grief. I won't blame them.

            Part of this reaction comes from a feeling of guilt, thinking of the time lost and gone forever. Along with that comes the burden of the only son left now, the one who needs to take the vacant position of the family's golden son. They don't have anyone to turn to, neither can they acknowledge that they need professional help.

        Yes, it's a total mess. As expected of Mason Deaver, the words are honest and raw and each page adds another spear to your heart. There are no miracles or surprises, but the book delivers what is intended just like a teacher who doesn't have to raise his voice to keep the class in control. I was glad it didn't pursue Marcus' point of view. That would have broken me completely.

Favourite quotes:

"I didn't know how I was feeling; I couldn't feel anything except numbness. Simple, reliable concepts like time moving forward, or even the space around me, didn't feel real. It felt more like a dream that I'd wake up from soon"

"Because grief is a complicated, ugly, messy thing. And it makes you do complicated, ugly, messy things"

"Sometimes poetry is more about the feeling the words give you, the emotion, the placement, and not necessarily the words themselves"

"What I wanted was to disappear. To blink out of existence, to be forgotten by everyone who ever knew me. I didn't want to be here anymore, to have to think, to have to feel. What was the point anyway? The older I got, the more people would vanish"

"I'd still love him, whether he was here or not. Because he'd always be here with me, no matter what happened. He was a ghost I'd keep with me for the rest of my life"

Meet the author:

Born and raised in a small North Carolina town, Mason Deaver is an award-nominated, bestselling author and designer living in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Besides writing, they’re an active fan of horror movies and video games. As you can see from the photo above, they’re a big fan of plants as well.

Misfit in Love - S. K. Ali (Blog Tour & Review)

Date of Reading: 22/05/2021

Author: S. K. Ali

Publisher: Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: May 25, 2021

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 3/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Hear Our Voices Book Tours)

About the book:

In this fun and fresh sequel to Saints and Misfits, Janna hopes her brother’s wedding will be the perfect start to her own summer of love, but attractive new arrivals have her more confused than ever.

Janna Yusuf is so excited for the weekend: her brother Muhammad’s getting married, and she’s reuniting with her mom, whom she’s missed the whole summer.

And Nuah’s arriving for the weekend too.

Sweet, constant Nuah.

The last time she saw him, Janna wasn’t ready to reciprocate his feelings for her. But things are different now. She’s finished high school, ready for college…and ready for Nuah.

It’s time for Janna’s (carefully planned) summer of love to begin—starting right at the wedding.

But it wouldn’t be a wedding if everything went according to plan. Muhammad’s party choices aren’t in line with his fiancée’s taste at all, Janna’s dad is acting strange, and her mom is spending more time with an old friend (and maybe love interest?) than Janna.

And Nuah’s treating her differently.

Just when things couldn’t get more complicated, two newcomers—the dreamy Haytham and brooding Layth—have Janna more confused than ever about what her misfit heart really wants.

Janna’s summer of love is turning out to be super crowded and painfully unpredictable.

Review:

        "Misfit in Love" is a companion novel to "Saints and Misfits" one of the most popular works of S. K. Ali. Since many advocated it as a standalone, I went blindly without even checking what happened in the first book. Well, surely you can read it as a standalone, but not knowing Janna's back story clearly puts you at a disadvantage.

        It took me half of the pages to warm up to her character. Even with all her grand ideas of studying British lit to deconstruct it, I felt she is just a regular love struck teenager who cannot make any sense of the undercurrents in her own family. In a way, that is true. But what makes her different is the way she comes in terms with the realities around her, determined to be the liberal minded being she always preaches of. 

        A girl who is hard on herself having the courage to analyse her own actions must surely be applauded. A braver man would have floundered in a similar situation. It does make you look at weddings in a different light. No doubt they are scary with all the family drama getting unravelled, but it could be an occasion for a happy beginning too. And I do love the way the love story proceeded. It is not always I get to be right about the suitor among all the misdirections.

Favourite quotes:

"Books are tidy and contained and bring closure. Sometimes not full closure, but there's an arriving at a destination that's perfect." - 25

"When you see the world as divided, when you're prejudiced, it's not about expanding hearts -- it's about shrinking your capacity to love." - 176

"It seems people show their prejudiced hand when family lines get crossed." - 225

"But I've just realised that people cry at weddings, yes, because of happiness, but also because they represent a life change . . . " - 237

Meet the author:

S. K. Ali is the author of Saints and Misfits, winner of the 2018 APALA Honor award, the 2017 Middle East Book Honor Award, and a 2018 William C. Morris Award finalist. Her second novel, LOVE FROM A TO Z, a story about finding love in the time of Islamophobia, was an Entertainment Weekly Top Ten Young Adult Book of 2019. She also has a picture book co-authored with Team USA Olympic Medalist, Ibtihaj Muhammad, THE PROUDEST BLUE, which debuted on the New York Times bestseller list.

Lady August - Becky Michaels (Review)

Date of Reading: 13/05/2021

Author: Becky Michaels

Publisher: Mildred Press

Publication Date: March 30, 2021

Source: BookSirens

Rating: 3.5/5

About the book:

August Summer thinks she is a nobody until a London solicitor barges into her employer’s drawing-room, revealing not only is she the daughter of an earl but a wealthy heiress as well. Optimistic about a new life, she travels to her ancestral home of Linfield Hall, only for her brother to banish her to London to live with her aunt, a dowager duchess with a reputation.

When Lord Bolton asks him to fetch his illegitimate daughter, solicitor Samuel Brooks does not expect himself to become so invested in the young woman’s debut after wanting nothing to do with dinners and balls before. But as August navigates her way through this new world of the British aristocracy, Brooks is the one who is most dazzled by her unexpected charms.

Since society demands every young girl must marry, August decides she will accept nothing less than someone’s heart in exchange for possession of her newfound fortune. Forced to reexamine his negative views of love and marriage or lose August forever, Brooks soon realizes his heart is the only thing in danger of becoming possessed.

Review:

        I don't know why I hesitated to read this book sooner. Not the time, I guess. As you can see from the blurb, this is a dreamy rag to riches regency romance filled with humour, a bit of adventure and some rare rave characters.

        Is there anyone who hasn't dreamed of a secret inheritance that takes you out of this dreary life? Well, for August Summer, our practical defiant heroine who never wasted her time on dreaming, this had become a reality. Within a day, the orphan girl is surprised with the knowledge of a father (an Earl, nonetheless) and a large inheritance he left out of guilt.

        Hmm, money might make matters a lot easy but acceptance by society is another thing. Luckily, our author has created a regency romance with fairly modern characters -- a dowager duchess openly having affairs, a forgiving husband and a solicitor who is not concerned about his future wife's virginity. Yup, I too wondered the same. Is this really the 1800s?

        The historical inaccuracies aside, August's pursuit to secure the love of Samuel Brooks formed the basis of a really cute story. Brooks is a complex character and I would have preferred if the author had allowed a bit more plot development for August to understand the man better. The much anticipated happy ending came way too early.

        Considering the way it concluded I am expecting a continuation of the story of August's sister, Rosamund and the Duke. I have no doubt that all her stories make perfect weekend reads.

Meet the author:

Becky Michaels is a historical romance author and self-proclaimed Anglophile. After graduating from Boston University with a degree in English, she reluctantly decided to get a day job but never stopped writing—or dreaming. THE LAND STEWARD’S DAUGHTER, a Regency romance set in 1815 England, is her debut novel. Despite the cold winters and high rent, she still lives in the Boston area with her boyfriend and cat.

On the Hook - Francisco X. Stork (Blog Tour & Review)

Date of Reading: 11/05/2021

Author: Francisco X. Stork

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Publication Date: May 18, 2021

Source: Edelweiss+

Rating: 5/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Colored Pages Tours)

About the book:

"You think you’re better than everyone else?

Listen to me, I’m going to kill you.”

Hector has always minded his own business, working hard to make his way to a better life someday. He’s the chess team champion, helps the family with his job at the grocery, and teaches his little sister to shoot hoops overhand.

Until Joey singles him out. Joey, whose older brother, Chavo, is head of the Discípulos gang, tells Hector that he’s going to kill him: maybe not today, or tomorrow, but someday. And Hector, frozen with fear, does nothing. From that day forward, Hector’s death is hanging over his head every time he leaves the house. He tries to fade into the shadows – to drop off Joey’s radar – to become no one.

But when a fight between Chavo and Hector’s brother Fili escalates, Hector is left with no choice but to take a stand.

The violent confrontation will take Hector places he never expected, including a reform school where he has to live side-by-side with his enemy, Joey. It’s up to Hector to choose whether he’s going to lose himself to revenge or get back to the hard work of living.

Review:

        Ah! This book . . . it has made me speechless and flabbergasted. Why did I ever sign up for this nerve-racking, utterly realistic, anxiety inducer? And why are my eyes constantly leaking? It is high time I dusted my room. My allergies are getting worse it seems.

        Let's talk about the story then. Hector is your typical smart ass nerdy student who is timid around girls but brutal on a chess board. He is all set for his future academic endeavours which can take him out of that shitty neighbourhood of drug dealers until everything goes down the drain when he is singled out by Joey. He is bullied and threatened to the point that the fear begins to consume him.

        Things begin to take a turn for the worse when his brother Fili is killed by Joey in his fight against Joey's brother, Chavo. Hector temporarily decapacitates Chavo and both of them are sent to a school for correction for six months. A lie could have saved Hector but he has an ulterior motive now: revenge. He needs to kill Joey.

        He could either go on with his life with the insurance money his brother has left or pursue revenge which will ultimately shut him permanently in a federal prison. So what is it to be? The agony had me glued to the kindle the entire time, sharing his pain, anger and guilt of watching his brother helplessly being killed in front of him. It could be my primitive animalistic nature speaking here, but I wanted Hector to kill Joey, the consequences be damned. Yes, Joey had his share of a tragic past, but does knowing that take away the pain of a loved one lost forever?

        Unfortunately the odds are stacked against Hector. This is no fantasy movie where the traumatised hero can be transformed into a vigilante overnight. How could one fight against someone good in street fighting? And with each opportunity lost where Hector gets humiliated, my anger rose to new levels. That is why I really appreciate the way author chose to end the story satisfying both the good and the bad.

        It goes without saying that this is one of the best books I have read this year. It has been a long time since I felt so close to a particular character as if he is a living breathing human being with emotions so real.

Favourite quotes:

"Courage was more than the willingness to take risks. . . It was composure under pressure, the ability to keep the mind alert and focused no matter what."

"I've watched my own cowardice with my mind's flashlight for many years. Looking at it doesn't make it go away. It just helps me live with it. As far as I can tell, that's what courage is, finding a way to live with our cowardice."

"Happiness is what you like to do, and duty is what you need to do. But what if the duty comes from love?"

Meet the author:

Francisco X. Stork was born in Mexico. He moved to El Paso Texas with his adoptive father and mother when he was nine. He attended Spring Hill College, Harvard University and Columbia Law School. He worked as an attorney for thirty-three years before retiring in 2015. He is married and has two grown children and four beautiful grandkids. He loves to discover new books and authors. His favorite books are those where the author’s soul touches his.

Jaipur Journals - Namita Gokhale (Blog Tour & Review)

Date of Reading: 2/5/2021

Author: Namita Gokhale

Publisher: HopeRoad

Publication Date: April 29, 2021

Rating: 4/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Random Things Tours)

About the book:

From the co-founder of the Jaipur Literary Festival, a brilliant, funny, and moving novel set against the background of the festival, and the characters that make it tick

Told from multiple perspectives, from the authors enjoying moments of adulation after years of creative isolation, to the star-struck public mingling with their cultural icons, to those in-between, who are both author and fan, these diverse stories of lost love and regret, self-doubt, and new beginnings come together in a narrative that is as varied as India itself. 

From a septuagenarian who has completed her semi-biographical novel but does not want to part with it, to an author who receives a threat in the form of a poison pen letter; from a historian who reunites with a past lover, to a burglar who is passionate about poetry; from a young woman who has no idea what this world has in store for her, to an American woman looking for the India of her hippie youth, this metafictional, wryly funny novel is an ode to literature. 

Partly a love letter to the greatest literary show on earth, partly a satire about the glittery set that throngs the festival year after year, and partly an ode to the millions of aspiring writers who wander the earth with unsubmitted manuscripts in their bags, Jaipur Journals is a light-footed romp that showcases in full form Gokhale’s unsparing eye for the pretensions and the pathos of that loneliest tribe of them all: the writers.

Review:

        Attending Jaipur Literary Festival still remains an unfulfilled dream for me and so getting this opportunity to vicariously experience it through the many characters in this story must be a godsend. And the way the author has managed the multiple POVs makes it truly a wonderful work; there are no chapter divisions yet the story flows seamlessly from one participant to the other. Participants from different age groups, social backgrounds, gender and totally unrelated lives come together only because of the one passion that they share: the beauty of the written word.

        A budding novelist of twelve years old, seventy-two-year-old unpublished author, a graphic artist, an academic who makes use of folk artists, a thief . . . well, the list goes on. As diverse as they seem, they all seem to have a ritualistic devotion to the festival. None of them is perfect, quite the opposite in fact. They are the ones who seem successful on the outside with secure jobs and literary achievements to showcase and with vulnerabilities to hide. 

        Pretty much the same scenario we can find in any literary conferences. If your academic pursuits have ever led  to a similar situation where you have wondered what exactly goes through the minds of all these people, then this story is for you. Something that makes you see that even your idols are made of flesh and blood with all the frailities associated with it.

Meet the author:

Born in Lucknow, India, NAMITA GOKHALE, is an award-winning writer, publisher, and the co-founder/director (with William Dalrymple) of the Jaipur Literary Festival. She is the author of over twenty fiction and non-fiction books including the best-selling Paro: Dreams of Passion, Priya, and Things to Leave Behind. In 2017 Namita was awarded the first ever Centenary National Award for Literature by the Literary Society of Assam for her service to the Indian nation in supporting and showcasing Indian writing talents. Described as one of the finest Indian writers, she lives in New Delhi.

Zara Hossain is Here - Sabina Khan (Blog Tour & Review)

Date of Reading: 19/4/2021

Author: Sabina Khan

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Publication Date: April 6, 2021

Rating: 4/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Hear Our Voices Book Tours)

About the book:

Zara's family has waited years for their visa process to be finalized so that they can officially become US citizens. But it only takes one moment for that dream to come crashing down around them.

Seventeen-year-old Pakistani immigrant, Zara Hossain, has been leading a fairly typical life in Corpus Christi, Texas since her family moved there for her father to work as a paediatrician. While dealing with the Islamophobia that she faces at school, Zara has to lay low, trying not to stir up any trouble and jeopardize their family's dependent visa status while they await their green card approval, which has been in process for almost nine years.

But one day her tormentor, star football player Tyler Benson, takes things too far, leaving a threatening note in her locker, and gets suspended. As an act of revenge against her for speaking out, Tyler and his friends vandalize Zara's house with racist graffiti, leading to a violent crime that puts Zara's entire future at risk. Now she must pay the ultimate price and choose between fighting to stay in the only place she's ever called home or losing the life she loves and everyone in it.

From the author of the "heart-wrenching yet hopeful" (Samira Ahmed) novel, The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali comes a timely, intimate look at what it means to be an immigrant in America today, and the endurance of hope and faith in the face of hate.

Review:

        I am no stranger to the works of Sabina Khan, having read 'The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali'. This one, I must say, far surpasses the former with its deft and clear portrayal of everyday reality that a Muslim immigrant faces in America. Each and every page of this novel is a testimony of the fact that how the fear that is rampant in the country destroys the sense of security of a group of people who have come to see this country as their own.

        The prank of a teenager goes out of hand (I believe, in his mind, all that racist remarks that came out of jealousy was just a prank) and destroys the lives that Zara's Pakistani family has built up in America for years. With the right connections, the victim is turned into the criminal revealing another face of a country that often assumes the position of the international police force.

        Racist theme aside, Sabina Khan also voices the prejudice and discrimination the LGBT+ community faces in their Catholic school. When they demand to assert their liberty to form their own club, the school reacts by shutting down all social clubs. And the treatment meted out to Chloe, Zara's girlfriend, adds another reminder that acceptance of your identity still remains a dream for many.

        Powerful and poignant, Sabinal Khan has created a masterpiece that exposes the harsh truths we often try to disregard. Highly recommended!

Favourite Quotes:

"... the very least that white people can do after colonizing our subcontinent for hundreds of years is appreciate our flavorful cuisine"

"I swear they think that I'm some sort of mastermind who single-handedly controls the entire Muslim ummah. It's always the same. I'm exhausted from the burden of representing almost two billion people"

"It's so easy to paint all the people you don't want to accept with the same brush. That way you can tell yourself you're just protecting your way of life and that they're the ones encroaching upon your space"

"I deserve the dignity to exist as I am. In a perfect world I would be able to do just that. But I'm not so naive that I think the world is perfect"

"How do I deal with someone who's convinced that his right to exist in this world trumps mine?"

Meet the author:

Sabina Khan is the author of  ZARA HOSSAIN IS HERE (Scholastic/ April 6, 2021) and THE LOVE & LIES OF RUKHSANA ALI (Scholastic, 2019). She is an educational consultant and a karaoke enthusiast. After living in Germany, Bangladesh, Macao, Illinois and Texas, she has finally settled down in beautiful British Columbia, Canada, with her husband, two daughters and the best puppy in the world.

Unwritten - Alicia J. Novo (Blog Tour & Review)

Date of Reading: 19/04/2021

Author: Alicia J. Novo

Publisher: INtense

Publication Date: May 8, 2021

Rating: 3/5

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

About the book:

Books whisper to Beatrix Alba. But they aren’t the reason she has never fit in. Bullied at home and school, she keeps a secret—a power of violence and darkness.

When the spell that keeps her hidden fails, she’s catapulted into the Zweeshen, a realm where all tales live, and her dream of meeting her favourite characters comes true. But wishes are tricky, and behind its wonder and whimsy, the Zweeshen is under attack. A character is burning bookworlds in pursuit of a weapon to rule both stories and storytellers. To succeed, he needs a riddle in Beatrix’s possession.

Now he’s hunting her down.

Joining forces with William, a cursed conjurer, Beatrix must face an enemy who knows her every weakness in a realm where witches play with time, Egyptian gods roam, and Regency heroines lead covert operations. And with her darkness as the only weapon, she may have to sacrifice everything to save a world that rejects her. 

Review:

        If you are someone who would love to live in the world of books, then this story is definitely for you. Well, if you are not that reckless (like me for instance), still this will hook you in. Let me begin by admiring that cover . . . again (I was practically drooling all over it). If you go with the looks, this particular beauty will surely take you to the red carpet. And the brain inside is not bad either.

        What makes this book a special one is the elaborate world of Zweeshen that the author has created. We meet many of our favourite characters and get a taste of how it feels to be a character once the story comes to an end. A world where their stories go on endlessly with new adventures not predicted by their artisans.

        That doesn't mean the plot is without holes. Even after the end, there are so many questions unanswered and one is confronted with the feeling that Zweeshen still has its mysteries. With all its glitter and glamour, it dodges our touch, refusing to be tamed. Well, something to look forward to in the coming instalment of this series.

        As for the characters, I liked William but Beatrix felt like a hormonal teenager. With that temper, I dare not imagine how anyone can bully her in school. The chemistry between the two also felt a bit off, too sudden. The side characters, on the other hand, was an altogether different matter. Emma is, by far, my favourite. I can't wait to read more about her.

        Altogether a refreshing read and a great beginning to a series that shows immense potential.

Meet the author:

Alicia has a weak spot for happy endings and transformative journeys. She spent her teenage years

in Argentina and Europe, speaks several languages and loves to travel.

 

An eclectic reader, she grew up on a diet ranging from Lucy M. Montgomery and Jane Austen to Ray Bradbury, Isaac Asimov, Raymond Chandler, Hermann Hesse, Jorge Luis Borges, and many classics. She's never been cured of reading a bit of everything and is as likely to geek out about Mr. Darcy as Dr. Who.

​

She is a history and astronomy aficionado, who walked the Camino de Santiago in Spain, completed her Masters in the Netherlands and worked for Google in Ireland. She decided to become a writer at six but took a full, winding road here. Along the way, she learned if there’s one thing that cuts across cultures, one unifying thread that pulls everyone together, it's a good story.

 

A big-city girl, she now lives in the Midwest, where she occasionally picks apples and pretends witches exist.

Giveaway:

• A physical copy and a box of branded goodies (bookmarks, keychain, enamel pin, character art, candle, tote) (US only)

• Ebook with digital goodies (character art, background, map) (INT)

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