Review: The Kill Artist by Daniel Silva

The first book in the Gabriel Allon series by Daniel Silva and I understand this character so much more and I know more about other characters as well. A few year ago I read books 7 and 9 out of order because when I bought them, I didn't know they were a series until I was halfway through reading book 7. But I enjoy the reading experience so much and found it to be a sort of Israeli James Bond.

I am so glad that I finally picked this book up to start the series properly. This was on my must read list for the year and it took me to the end of the year to finally read it.

Gabriel Allon is an art restorer. He is in a little cottage in the English countryside restoring an art piece by Vercellio, until he gets contacted by his old boss, the head of the Israeli Secret Service or something like that. These people are the most feared on the planet and this whole book is centered on the conflict between the Israeli's and the Palestinians.

The one con I did have with this book is that it introduces a lot of characters right off the bat and some characters didn't need to exist, they were just filler characters.

I am going to make it a goal to read a book in this series every month in 2020.

Review: The Heartwood Crown by Matt Mikalatos

Yay.. we are getting a third book. The 1st chapter is in the back of this one but the thing is, there is nothing about it online or the sunlit lands website.. which is kind of scary. I was so excited to be back in this world and once I started reading I found that I did not remember any of the side characters. I was asking myself why the hell were we following a person named Shula instead of Madeline and why was it talking about Syria. It reminded me about a quarter into the book and this book is from four perspectives this time. We follow Shula, Madeline, Darius and Jason.

I was kind of bored while reading this especially during the Darius parts because he just kept going on and on about how he loved Madeline so much and how she loved him and there were a few times throughout the book where I saw the author as being lazy and using the same sentence repeatedly in the same perspective and bringing up the same topic of love and relationships.

This book is very relatable to what is going on today in Syria and ISIS and racism in America. I hope that the third will be more on the Sunlit Lands rebirth and not be a big F You to Madeline.

MAY 2019 OWLCRATE JR AND OWLCRATE UNBOXING

• OWLCRATE JR: Rebels and Rulebreakers
• The Next Great Paulie Fink by Ali Benjamin
• Pippi Longstockings (Puffin Chalk Series)
• "Dumbledore's Army" enchanted coin keychain (Designed by Holly Dunn Design)
• "Magnetic Personalities" magnetic finger puppet (The Unemployed Philosophers Guild)
• "Make Your Own Rules" neon green acrylic ruler (Designed by OwlCrate Jr)
• Exclusive OwlCrate Jr "Rebels & Rule Breakers" Button (Designed by Melanie Demmer)
• Exclusive Author Letter, signed bookplate and "I Am Paulie Fink" button.
• OwlCrate Jr Magazine Issue #9 (Designed by Michelle Gray)
• June 'Time Travel' sneak peek postcard (Designed by VeepDoodles) 

OWLCRATE: Epic Adventures

• We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal (signed, exclusive OwlCrate Edition)
• Howl's Moving Castle-inspired Sticker Decal (designed by Naomi Lord)
• Stardust-inspired Glass Water Bottle (designed by KDP Letters)
• The Hobbit-inspired Passport Wallet (designed by Kit Cronk Studio)
• A Court of Mist and Fury-inspired Sleep Mask (designed by Bookworm Boutique)
• A Darker Shade of Magic-inspired Full Size Pillowcase (designed by Stella Bookish Art)
• Exclusive OwlCrate "We Hunt the Flame" Enamel Pin (designed by Icey Designs)
• Exclusive We Hunt the Flame Author Letter and Art Print. 

BLOG TOUR: Heir of Lies by Mallory McCartney

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the HEIR OF LIES blog tour by Mallory McCartney, hosted by Rockstar Book Tours! Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

About The Book:

Title: HEIR OF LIES (Black Dawn #1)

Author: Mallory McCartney

Pub. Date: April 21, 2020

Publisher: MM Books

Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook

Pages: 397

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Amazon Canada, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, BAM, Chapters Indigo

“Hope was a dangerous thing. It could consume every dream and make them take flight, becoming wild daydreams in one’s heart and mind. Or hope could incinerate everything you thought you knew, burning you down to your core, leaving you raw and exposed for the world.”

Emory Fae has only known one thing—life at The Academy, a school for those who have special abilities. Following in her parents’ footsteps, the pressure to uphold their dream falls on her and one of her best friends—Adair Stratton. An outcast and feared by most, Adair longs to break away from the expectations dictating his future. With whispers of dark magic spreading across Kiero, Adair starts to doubt The Academy is all it seems.

An unexpected visit ignites new tensions as the roguish king from across the Black Sea, Tadeas Maher of the Shattered Isles, and his heir, Marquis Maher, sail to Kiero. Notorious for their pirating and wrath, for the first time in years, they demand the Faes listen to their proposition for a new treaty. Caught in the middle of politics, Adair and Emory, with the help of their best friends Brokk and Memphis, search for the one thing that matters the most—the truth.

Their world is tipped upside down as unlikely alliances are made, and war ravages Kiero. Through the throes of betrayal, lies, hidden magic, and love, Adair is faced with a life changing decision. Will he fight or bow to the darkness within?

But, Adair’s decision will change the course of Kiero forever, setting in motion irreversible destinies for everyone at The Academy as Emory Fae rises as heir.

Heir of Lies is the first book in the bestselling Black Dawn series.

The Black Dawn series is re- releasing and “Heir of Lies” (book one) is coming April 21 2020! This edition will have an exclusive map and bonus content!

About Mallory:

Mallory McCartney currently lives in Sarnia, Ontario with her husband and their three dachshunds Link, Lola and Leonard. When she isn’t working on her next novel or reading, she can be found day dreaming about fantasy worlds and hiking. Other favorite pastimes involve reorganizing perpetually overflowing bookshelves and seeking out new coffee and dessert shops.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

One lucky winner will receive a $10 Amazon Gift Card, International.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

12/16/2019	For the Love of KidLit	Excerpt
12/17/2019	Mythical Books	Excerpt
12/18/2019	Twirling Book Princess	Excerpt
12/19/2019	Lifestyle of Me	Review
12/20/2019	Adventures Thru Wonderland	Review

Week Two:

12/23/2019	Books_andPoetrii	Excerpt
12/24/2019	Two Chicks on Books	Excerpt
12/25/2019	BookHounds	Excerpt
12/26/2019	JB's Bookworms with Brandy Mulder	Excerpt
12/27/2019	Life Within The Pages	Review

Week Three:

12/30/2019	Hurn Publications	Review
12/31/2019	Nay's Pink Bookshelf	Review
1/1/2020	Shelf-Rated	Review
1/2/2020	DelightingDelilah	Excerpt
1/3/2020	Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers	Excerpt

Week Four:

1/6/2020	Books a Plenty Book Reviews	Review
1/7/2020	Fire and Ice, Little Red Reads	Review
1/8/2020	Turning the Pages	Review
1/9/2020	Fyrekatz Blog	Review
1/10/2020	She Just Loves Books	Review

Week Five:

1/13/2020	Sometimes Leelynn Reads	Review
1/14/2020	fictitious.fox	Review
1/15/2020	Book Briefs	Review
1/16/2020	Sohinee Reads & Reviews	Review
1/17/2020	Two Points of Interest	Review

Review: Salt To The Sea by Ruta Sepetys

I have finally read a Ruta Sepetys book and I have to read the rest of her work. Also, this book was phenomenal and heartbreaking. I was hooked from the very beginning. I thought I would be confused throughout with the four main characters but I found that that wasn't the case.

One of the characters who was a German Nazi named Alfred was the worst character. He was a sociopath and he was freaking demented like every other Nazi. He would compose these letters in his mind to a "sweetheart" back home. He would stretch the truth and say he is important when he was in actuality the lowest ranking member of the Nazi party. We find out the truth and it was predictable about halfway through the story.

I was gutted about Ingrid, Shoe Poet, Emilia, Joana, Florian and Eva. I was horrified reading about the mothers throwing their babies to the people on board and hitting the ship and falling into the freezing Baltic Sea.

I am also angry that I never learned about this maritime disaster. It was known about, so why wasn't this history told. The victims need to be remembered and have closure.

Review: Dealing in Dreams by Lilliam Rivera

WHO RUN THE WORLD..... GIRLS! Well, a corrupt woman who has her female citizens fight and deal a drug that is called suenos which is Spanish for dreams. This story takes place in Mega City, where girl gangs keep order of the population and fight in throw downs to rise up in ranks to get to stay in The Towers.

Out main character Chief Rocka is the leader of the LMC's. A gang who is so close to the top. Chief Rocka's dream is to get into The Towers and finally have a bed to sleep in and be close to the head honcho Deesee. Deesee is the one who "saved Chief Rocka and put her into the training camps to become a fighter. Deesee also invented the Suenos tab where they are given to everyone to put them into happiness and basically keep them controlled.

Deesee gives Chief Rocka a job to do which is to go outside the city limits and gather intel on a group that is slowly infiltrating Mega City and threatening Deesee's hold over everyone.

This was on my most anticipated reads of the year and I forgot about it throughout the year because no one was talking about it. I didn't remember it until I looked at the list that I had made and vaguely remembered it was a dystopian.

This is Lilliam Rivera's second book and this book leaves off where there could be a second book to answer question because this was one big world building novel.

OWLCRATE LIMITED EDITION: THE WORLD OF CARAVAL

• This is the most recent limited edition box that I have purchased from Owlcrate. I pre-ordered it back in March and I got it in May. It included the last book in the Caraval trilogy. I have read Caraval and loved it and I am planning on reading Legendary next month.  
• My favorite items from this box has to be the playing cards and the pillow case. The book tin makes for a great jewelry holder. 
• Finale by Stephanie Garber (signed, exclusive OwlCrate Edition)
• Caraval Book Tin (designed by Stella Bookish Art)
• Welcome to Caraval Tote Bag (designed by Evie Bookish)
• Deck of Destiny Playing Cards (designed by Michelle Gray, Nicole Deal, Gina Hilton, Salome Totladze, and Diana Dworak)
• Come Back Yesterday Rose Shower Steamer (Leeloo Soaps)
• Master of Caraval Candle (Rose and Adder)
• Hope is a Powerful Thing Throw Pillowcase (Catarina Book Designs)
• Character Art Prints (illustrated by Melie's Scribbles)
• Exclusive OwlCrate "Book Cover" Assorted Enamel Pins (designed by Alchemy and Ink)
• Exclusive Finale Author Letter, and Sticker Decal. 

Review: Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling

The first time I watched Mindy Kaling on screen was when I was watching License to Wed for the first time. I laughed so loud at the things she said and had to watch more of her acting. Of course I never did watch The Office or The Mindy Project but thanks to tumblr and a bunch of movie clips from some of my favorite youtubers, I have a good sense on her humor.

I found this book in a Dollar Tree and bought it. I had seen another book by her and didn't know if this was the first or the second that she had written. I also know that you definitely have to read Why is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me first because she references it multiple times throughout this book.

It did make me giggle a couple of times and I also had it on the back burner while I was reading other books that had priority at the moment. I found myself getting bored at the end and then the email-text message story that she included where she had a different life, I found it to be not relevant to the rest of the book and just filler to make the book longer.

I will eventually one day start watching The Office and The Mindy Project because I do like Mindy Kaling's humor.

Review: The Hard Way by Julie Luongo

Ten years ago, Cayce took me to Books a Million after just moving out of our apartment and I just needed a day out of the house with our little baby Samantha. I picked up this book and a couple of others that I have already read and this one was the one that I have been eyeballing and wanting to pick up so many times, because I felt bad. Cayce didn't even remember buying it for me when I told him I was finally going to read it, which in turn made me think that I wasted years wanting to read it. But I actually liked it. It made me giggle and I am glad that I have finally read it, even though the cover makes no sense and this is the only book that the author Julie Luongo has ever written.

This whole book is about a woman named Lucy. We follow her life as she tries to figure out who she is as a person. We see her meet a guy and get engaged. We find out that she was painted in the nude at 14 years old by a guy who her parents were basically taking care of. We meet three different boyfriends who were not the best. One cut her brake line on her car. One talked about his everyday bowl movements and a high school senior wanted to have a relationship with her. She finally bonds with her older sister who she never got along with because of the 19 year age gap. Then the ending is wrapped up in a nice little bow.

I liked the story. It made me cringe. It made me giggle. I face palmed a couple times. I was grossed out. I was angry with the parents. I was annoyed with Lucy not committing to anything. I didn't have a problem with the timeline because honestly who wants to read the boring bits between eventful times in one's life that helps mold them into the person they become for the rest of their lives.

Review: The Afterlife of Holly Chase by Cynthia Hand

After hearing so much hype and it being based on a book I didn't really enjoy, I figured that I would be one of the people who would have not liked this book, but boy was I wrong. I read the original A Christmas Carol a couple years ago and I thought it was OK. I didn't really enjoy the movie adaptations.

I loved everything about this book. I loved how there was a happily ever after and not what you would expect. Cynthia Hand actually talks through her characters like... "is this what you thought was going to happen... haha.. SIT DOWN".

She made Holly Chase an unlike-able like-able character. I was thoroughly annoyed with Holly for the first part and then I was face palming while reading through her decisions. The ending was a complete plot twist. Did not see that coming and while reading this, I am fighting a cold so trying really hard not to cry when your head already feels like it wants to explode was very difficult.

The ending was great and the romance was solid.

APRIL 2019 OWLCRATE AND OWLCRATE JR UNBOXING

Owlcrate JR: Crack the Code

Greystone Secrets: The Strangers by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Kanoodle (Educational Insights)
100 Logic Puzzles (Usborne Books)
'A Wrinkle In Time' inspired bookmark (Designed by Hey Atlas Creative)
Make-Your-Own Cipher Wheel papercraft (Designed by Michelle Gray)
Secret Code notebook (Designed by Alex Clauss)
Exclusive OwlCrate Jr "Crack the Code" Button (Designed by Melanie Demmer)         
Exclusive Author Letter, signed bookplate and secret code card.
OwlCrate Jr Magazine Issue #8 (Designed by Michelle Gray)
May 'Rebels & Rule Breakers' sneak peek postcard (Designed by VeepDoodles) 

Owlcrate: The Dark Side

Wicked Saints by Emily A. Duncan (signed, exclusive OwlCrate Edition)
Darkling-inspired Scarf (designed by Bookmark'd Tattoos)
Throne of Glass-inspired Notebook (designed by Stella Bookish Art)
Vicious-inspired Phone Holder (designed by Hey Atlas Creative)
Six of Crows-inspired Socks (Out of Print)
Exclusive OwlCrate Pin Banner (designed by Michelle Gray)
Exclusive OwlCrate "Iron Must be Tested" Enamel Pin (designed by Hey Atlas Creative)
Exclusive Wicked Saints Author Letter and Fabric Book Map.