Synopsis:
Jazz Bashara is a criminal.
Well,
sort of. Life on Artemis, the first and only city on the moon, is tough
if you're not a rich tourist or an eccentric billionaire. So smuggling
in the occasional harmless bit of contraband barely counts, right? Not
when you've got debts to pay and your job as a porter barely covers the
rent.
Everything changes when Jazz sees the chance to commit the
perfect crime, with a reward too lucrative to turn down. But pulling off
the impossible is just the start of her problems, as she learns that
she's stepped square into a conspiracy for control of Artemis itself—and
that now, her only chance at survival lies in a gambit even riskier
than the first.
(Synopsis from Goodreads).
Seth's Thoughts:
Back in June 2014, I was exposed to Andy Weir with his debut novel The
Martian. I read that book in the space of one or two sittings. His novel
Artemis was the same. It's a page turner of a different sort. Back with
The Martian you follow Mark Watney, an astronaut who gets stranded on
Mars. In Artemis, you follow Jazz, a young woman trying to find her way
on the only established Moon colony. Early on in the book, she's made an
offer that would make her rich enough to not have to worry about
scraping by. What follows is one of the better books I have read in
2019. If it turns out like the last book I read by Andy Weir, it'll be a
great movie.
Seth gives Artemis: 4.5/5.
Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://www.andyweirauthor.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndyWeirAuthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/andyweirauthor?lang=en
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6540057.Andy_Weir
I received this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. Neither Seth nor I were compensated in any way for this review.
Synopsis:
Everyone thinks Sophie’s
sister, Nell, went crazy. After all, she heard strange voices that
drove her to commit suicide. But Sophie doesn’t believe that Nell would
take her own life, and she’s convinced that Nell’s doctor knows more
than he’s letting on.
As Sophie starts to piece together Nell’s
last days, every lead ends in a web of lies. And the deeper Sophie digs,
the more danger she’s in—because now she’s hearing the same haunting
whispers. Sophie’s starting to think she’s going crazy too. Or worse,
that maybe she’s not….
(Synopsis from Goodreads).
Jess's Thoughts:If you didn’t know I LOVE scary stories. I am addicted to anything that
is going to freak me out, scare me, and totally make me want to sleep
with the lights on, so this one hit that out of the park!! The
Murmurings is one book that I will not soon forget. It was totally
creepy and had a few twists that I didn’t see coming. Sophie was such a
great character and what she goes through is just mind boggling. This is
one story that would make a fabulous movie or tv show! So, if you're
looking for a new paranormal story check this one out!
Jess gives The Murmurings: 5/5.
Want to know more about the author?
Website: https://carlyannewest.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CarlyAnneWest1
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5398571.Carly_Anne_West
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.
Synopsis:
With a new stepmom, sister, and baby brother in the house, Kammy’s summer can’t get any worse—until she goes to camp
Twelve-year-old
Kammy Whitlock had been fine living with just her dad since her mom
died when she was only four. Although she gets along OK with her new
stepmom, the addition of a troublesome toddler and a crying new baby has
pushed her over the edge.
Against her wishes, her parents have
decided that Kammy needs a break from home life until her siblings have
settled in. Kammy goes to Camp Arrowhead with the understanding that if
she’s miserable, she can come home after two weeks. If not, she’ll stick
it out the rest of the summer. But surviving even two weeks is going to
be tough—she’s already gotten lost at night and made an enemy of Susie.
Maybe Kammy just doesn’t fit in anywhere.
(Synopsis from Goodreads).
My Thoughts:
Ann M. Martin's Baby Sitter's Club series was one of my favorite series
when I was a kid. I also really loved the numerous spin-off series that
were created from that series. From the time I was in second grade until
about sixth grade, I was absolutely obsessed. Recently, I got a chance
to read one of her books, Bummer Summer. Even though I was not the
intended audience, I did find it to be a cute, enjoyable book.
Reading
Bummer Summer brought back so much nostalgia for me. I did not read the
book when I was a kid, but just reading a book by Ann. M. Martin and
experiencing her writing style all over again brought back great
memories. It reminded me of all the weekends and summers I would sit at
my grandma's house in her black recliner and read one of the BSC books
from front to back in an hour or two because I couldn't put it down.
There
were a few problems that I had with Bummer Summer. Some of the phrases
and thoughts that are used made me cringe. For example the main
character, Kammy, uses the word "slave" to describe/compare someone.
That really didn't sit well with me. I know it's probably because it was
more acceptable (although it's never been okay) to make that comparison
in the time this was written (1986), but that should have been changed
for the newer published version (2014), which is what I read. There were
a few other things like that that made me cringe as well, and kind of
took away from the reading experience.
Despite having a few
problematic things in it, I thought Bummer Summer was a cute read. Even
though I am not the intended audience, I found myself enjoying it. I
think that it would be a great book for kids, especially kids adjusting
to having new family in their lives, and in their homes. I think this
would be a great tool for kids to relate to, and to get a conversation
started about accepting new family members for who they are, and being
patient as schedules adjust.
I give Bummer Summer: 3.5/5.
Want to know more about the author?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnnMMartinAuthor
Twiiter: https://twitter.com/AuthorAnnMartin
I received this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.
Synopsis:
In this anthology, 20
authors explore the dark and hidden meanings behind some of the most
beloved Mother Goose nursery rhymes through short story retellings. The
dark twists on classic tales range from exploring whether Jack truly
fell or if Jill pushed him instead to why Humpty Dumpty, fragile and
alone, sat atop so high of a wall. The authors include Nina Berry,
Sarwat Chadda, Leigh Fallon, Gretchen McNeil, and Suzanne Young.
(Synopsis from Goodreads).
Jess's Thoughts:
This one was great! I love anthologies, and I could not put this one
down. They are so much fun, and with these authors you just couldn't go
wrong! I do have to say that none of the stories really stood out. They
were all about the same. Each one was interesting, engaging, and I would
love to read full length novels for each one.
Big 5 stars for
this one! I love the cover too. It's always interesting to see how they
are going to add all the authors names to the cover, and this way it's
beautiful and doesn't take away from the cover art. Great Job!
Jess gives Two and Twenty Dark Tales: 5/5.
Want to know where to buy this book?
I received this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. Neither Jess nor I were compensated in anyway for this review.
Synopsis:
Can a feisty four-legged matchmaker help four best friends find the romance of their dreams?
The
last thing Mia wants is a relationship yet the headstrong florist cant
keep her hands off her sexy-as-sin ex-boyfriend. Will she open her heart
before he leaves town for good?
(Synopsis from Goodreads).
My Thoughts:
Lately, I've been trying to read more of my smaller books to get them
off of my TBR pile. I've really liked all of the books in a novella
series I've been reading, Billionaire Matchmaker, so I decided to
continue with that series by reading Love Unleashed. I really enjoyed
it. I think it might be my favorite book in the series so far.
For
those of you that have been following me as I read this novella series,
you know I've had mixed feelings about them. Some of them can be over
the top cheesy, to the point where it reads like a bad Harlequin novel
and is hard to finish. Others, I've really enjoyed. Fortunately, I loved
Love Unleashed. It's my favorite book in the series so far. I love the
two main characters backstory, and how Charlie brought them together
again when it was almost impossible to do.
I really enjoyed the
main character, Mia, in Love Unleashed. This is unusual for me. In the
rest of the books in the series, I've found the main characters to be
over the top, and have annoying personality traits. However, with Mia, I
understand exactly where she's coming from. I don't know if it's
because her story is a lot darker than the other female characters or
what, but there's just something about her that I really relate to.
I
greatly enjoyed Love Unleashed. It's definitely my favorite book in the
Billionaire Matchmakers series so far. I enjoyed the main character,
and the way she reconnected with her ex through Charlie, against
insurmountable odds. I have one more book left in this series that I
haven't read. I can't wait to read it, and watch Charlie bring more
people together with his cute puppy shenanigans.
I give Love Unleashed: 4/5.
Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://www.jackiebraun.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorjackiebraun
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jackie_braun?lang=en
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/144074.Jackie_Braun
I received this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.
Synopsis:
Vigilance. The mission
to safeguard Nikki Youngblood depends on the fragile alliance of two
half-angel, half-human guardians, both struggling with intense feelings
for the girl who has been assigned to their care. Mace, steadfast and
deeply in love, wants to protect Nikki at all costs, while Raven's
loyalty to Nikki finds him advocating for her independence and battling
his own darker inclinations. At the same time, Nikki finds it harder and
harder to choose between the two heavenly beings she may never have.
Dangers intensify, and tensions between Mace and Raven flare as the
purpose of their mission becomes clear. Can their defenses hold up to
master manipulator Damon Vessler and the powerful secret he holds
regarding Nikki's heritage? Can anyone protect Nikki from her true
purpose and destiny?
(Synopsis from Goodreads).
Jess's Thoughts:
This sequel to the angel series Halflings was out of this world. I loved the world building, and all the characters. It did start out a little slower than I had anticipated but by 15% in I was hooked. This one picks up where book one leaves off and it doesn’t disappoint at all. The love triangle from book one is still going on in this one but by the end the characters pretty much know what needs to happen. It kept me on my toes and I am so happy that I got the chance to read it.
Jess gives Guardian: 4/5.
Want to know more about the author?+
Website: https://www.heatherburchbooks.com/home
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/heatherburchbooks/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/heatherburch
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4983102.Heather_Burch
I received this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. Neither Jess nor I were compensated in any way for this review.
Synopsis:
Goodreads Choice
Award-winning poet and USA TODAY bestselling author Amanda Lovelace
presents the mermaid’s voice returns in this one — the third and final
installment in her “women are some kind of magic” series, featuring a
foreword from Lang Leav and 13 guest poems from leading voices in poetry
such as Nikita Gill, KY Robinson, and Orion Carloto.
The mermaid
is known for her siren song, luring bedroom-eyed sailors to their
demise. However, beneath these misguided myths are tales of escapism and
healing, which Lovelace weaves throughout this empowering collection of
poetry, taking you on a journey from the sea to the stars. They tried
to silence her once and for all, but the mermaid’s voice returns in this
one.
(Synopsis from Goodreads).
My Thoughts:
Amanda Lovelace is one of my favorite poets. She is the reason that I
started reading modern poetry, and liking it. When I heard that she was
coming out with a new collection of poetry in her Women are Some Kind of
Magic series, I knew I had to read it as soon as I could. I just
finished the book, The Mermaid's Voice Returns in This One. I really
enjoyed it.
There's something about the poems in The Mermaid's
Voice Returns in This One that speaks to my soul. While I was reading, I
found myself being able to identify with more and more of the poems on
such a personal level. Some of the poems made my cry because I knew the
trauma that the author had been through because I had gone through
similar situations myself. Other poems inspired me. They made me want to
stand up and take action, not just for myself, but to help those around
me. I especially enjoyed a poem entitled Slay Those Dragons II. It was
my favorite in the book.
There is only one reason why I'm not
giving The Mermaid's Voice Returns in This One a full five stars. In
this book, Amanda Lovelace decided to do something different than her
previous books. She also included poems from other people. Now, I
understand why she did it. It did fit with the theme of the book
perfectly. However, I found my self being unable to identify with some
of those as well as I could her poems. There were a couple that I even
skim read because I just wasn't feeling them. It took away from the
enjoyment of my reading experience at times.
Despite the one
issue I had with The Mermaid's Voice Returns in This One, I really loved
this book. I found it to be relatable, and incredibly inspiring. The
Women are Some Kind of Magic series is completed with this book, which
makes me sad. I do hope that Amanda Lovelace continues to write more
poetry. At this point, I will read anything she writes.
I give The Mermaid's Voice Returns in This One: 4/5.
Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://amandalovelace.com/index.html
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/poetessamandalovelace
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ladybookmad
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladybookmad/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15225448.Amanda_Lovelace
I received this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.
