Monday, June 24, 2019

Seth's review of Artemis by Andy Weir


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.

Saturday, June 15, 2019

Jess's review of The Murmurings by Carly Anne West


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.

Friday, June 14, 2019

Bummer Summer by Ann. M. Martin


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.

Saturday, June 8, 2019

Jess's review of Two and Twenty Dark Tales by Various Authors


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. 

Wednesday, June 5, 2019

Love Unleashed by Jackie Braun


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.

Monday, June 3, 2019

Jess's review of Guardian by Heather Burch


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. 

Sunday, June 2, 2019

The Mermaid's Voice Returns in This One by Amanda Lovelace


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.