Friday, February 28, 2025

Review: Spy Family volume 8 by Tatsuya Endo

 


I took a year off from reading Spy Family and I am so glad I did because I absolutely loved coming back into this world. The funny thing is that my hubby was ready to start watching it again and I showed him what we were reading and he said that he was about to ask when we could start watching the show again.... we are so synced. 

Anyways, the cover of this volume is misleading because Frankie is hardly in this volume besides walking Bond and throwing a fit but then seeing a cute girl and said cute girl gushing over Bond.

We start with Loid, Yor and Anya boarding the cruise ship. Yor is tasked with protecting a woman and child from mafia killers and Loid and Anya are enjoying the cruise that Anya "won". Anya hates the rooms and compares them to a jail cell because of the size. Loid tries to keep Anya happy and Anya calls Loid uncool and to be completely honest, Anya was a brat. She threw a tantrum because Loid wouldn't get her a keychain.

I was completely shocked because she had never acted like that and I was like oh no, is she going to become bratty Anya for the rest of the series. She finds out what Yor is really up to and vows to help, but she can't get away from Loid. Surprisingly, this volume is all Yor. There is so much action and tense scenes. Loid and his job as a spy is hardly a plot and he is just a parent who doesn't want Anya upset because he fears that it will ruin any and all progress that she is making.

This was a faster read than usual because there were so many fighting panels. 

Monday, February 24, 2025

Blog Tour: Of Threads and Oceans by Camilla Tracy

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the OF THREADS AND OCEANS by Camilla Tracy Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

About The Book:

Title: OF THREADS AND OCEANS

Author: Camilla Tracy

Pub. Date: August 17, 2023

Publisher: Pudel Threads Publishing

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 326

Find it: Goodreadshttps://geni.us/OfThreadsandOceans

An exceptional life leads to extraordinary challenges. Especially with a tiger, dog, and snake.

In a world of ancient secrets and mystical powers, Thali, a famed merchant’s daughter conceals her true identity. After her brother’s sudden death, Thali must stay safe and navigate a new school and unfamiliar faces. As she struggles with whom to trust, strange things start to happen around her, and the animals refuse to be ignored as she’s tempted by the draw of her own magic.

Every day threatens to expose her secrets as she’s torn between embracing her magic and remaining in the shadows. Especially when she meets a mysterious boy who is a match for her in all forms. With her friends, magic, and identity at stake, Thali must confront the truth she has been avoiding.

As Thali battles her inner demons and the mysteries of an ancient world unravel around her, will Thali embrace her true self and harness her magic’s potential, or will she succumb to the evil dangers that lie ahead?


 

Top 5 Writer Must Haves

Mood music: Lately, I’ve been into Imagine Dragons while I edit and get business stuff done. I’m finding it energizing and motivating to get my tasks moving. But, I can’t write with lyrics playing. So while I’m writing, it’s always instrumental, and lately, it’s been this fantasy instrumental list that helps me get my words in. 

 

Beverages : At least two drinks, maybe three. Water to hydrate, something fun like tea or coffee, and a protein drink for nutrition to keep yourself going through your those writing sprints. I believe it’s known as being a drink goblin and I am definitely that.

 

A favorite pen: My favorite pen is the Sarasa zebra gel pen in blue. Whether it’s to make notes, write something down to remember later (like the color of a dress in a scene), a pen you love using makes it all the more lovely to do.

 

Favorite notebook : Now I know I can’t be the only one who collects notebooks and is usually too afraid to use them. But just like it can be a pleasure to write with your favorite pen, it’s also a pleasure to write ON your favorite paper – the smoothness, the thickness, please tell me I’m not the only one.

 

Furry friend: please don’t get a furry friend if you don’t already have one, or weren’t planning on getting one. Or maybe get a stuffed animal friend. I’m an animal person through and through, but I do think they make the best office co-habitators. My doggos remind me to get up and empty my bladder, stretch, and move around. I also love to grab a few treats for a quick training session for a mental break. And there’s nothing better than doggie snuggles!

 

 

 

Many of us readers/writers have pets and while they make great snuggle buddies and reading companions, if you’ve ever wanted something quick to do with your dog (or cat), I’ve put on my other hat as a pet professional to give you a few things to try below:

Five quick games to play with your dog:

 

Treat hunt: put your dog in another room, put three-five treats in little piles around your space – the easiest is in the middle of an open space, the more difficult being near furniture corners. Let your dog use their sniffer to find and eat the treats!

 

What do you know: Does your dog know the hand signal, or the verbal cue? Try asking for a sit – both verbally first, and then with your hand signal and see which your dog listens to fastest. This one gives you homework to know which you need more practice with.

 

Random tricks: Write each of the behaviors your dog knows on a cue card, shuffle them up and pull each out at random to see which you should practice. Or make it fancy by seeing how many you can do in a row!

 

Nose boop: Put a treat in your hand. Close your hand around it and place your hand right in front of your dog’s nose. When they move to investigate and touch your hand – open your hand and let them eat the treat! Once your dog practices this a few times, make it harder by moving your hand further away, or to the left/right, or up/down. 

 

Good dog: Dogs don’t usually like to be pet, especially a hand touching the top of their head. But you can teach them it’s awesome! Pat your dog’s head and then give them a treat. You’re creating a positive association with touching the top of their head! You can do this with touching their collar too. Because usually, when we grab our dog’s collar, we take them away from the fun thing, so many dogs learn to shy away when a hand moves in.

 

Bonus: Recall: The power of your dog’s name comes from all the previous instances – and what happened after. Grab ten treats, call your dog to you, give them one from your hand and toss the second treat away from you. Takes seconds and you’ve just put five great coins into the ‘come when I call your name’ account. 

 

 

About Camilla Tracy:

Camilla is a lover of many mediums of storytelling. She loves to write YA fantasy with strong heroines who can kick butt, find love, and adventure with their animals sidekicks. She always has projects on the go and loves to consume stories of all kinds – books, shows, movies, plays, amongst many others.

When she is not writing, Camilla is often found exploring animal behavior, crafting, drinking a hot beverage, and clicker training her animals.

Sign up for Camilla’s newsletter!

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Threads | TikTok | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 


Giveaway Details:

2 winners will receive a book box with a finished copy of OF THREADS AND OCEANS & swag, US & Canada Only.

Ends March 4th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

2/17/2025

Two Chicks on Books

Interview/IG Post

2/17/2025

Fire and Ice

Guest Post/IG Post

2/18/2025

@hardcovers.withhans

IG Post

2/18/2025

A Dream Within A Dream

Excerpt

2/19/2025

Frugal Freelancer

Guest Post/IG Post

2/19/2025

Daily Waffle

Guest Post

2/20/2025

Ilovebooksandstuffblog

Review/IG Post

2/20/2025

@kimbartosch

Review/IG Post

2/21/2025

Readwithrolo

IG Review/TikTok Post

2/21/2025

@thepageladies

IG Review/TikTok Post

Week Two:

2/24/2025

Lifestyle of Me

Review

2/24/2025

More Books please blog

Review/IG Post

2/25/2025

Mom with a Reading Problem

Review/Facebook Post

2/25/2025

A Blue Box Full of Books

IG Post/LFL Drop Pic/TikTok Post

2/26/2025

Edith's Little Free Library

IG Post/LFL Drop Pic/TikTok Post

2/26/2025

@callistoscalling

IG Review

2/27/2025

Country Mamas With Kids

Review/IG Post

2/27/2025

Pagesforpaige

IG Review

2/28/2025

@lexijava

IG Review/TikTok Post

2/28/2025

@alexandriavwilliams_

IG Review


Saturday, February 22, 2025

Review: The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore

 


I had to start this series. I wish I would have started it sooner, but my library system really has their priorities and ordering system on the wrong. 

I have been hearing so much about this series and all of the cute title names just made me giddy. I had major FOMO for the last year. I am currently listening to the playlist that the author included in the beginning of the book and it reminds me so much of my tumblr days where my friends who wrote fanfic would share the songs that inspired certain chapters and thats another reason why I am already obsessed with this series and I am onlt one book in.

I did give this a 4 stars because there was a point where I spotted a description of the cafe counter twice. It was like a cut and paste. It wasn't in the same chapter, but it was 2 or 3 chapters apart. Like we didn't need to be told twice that the counter was L shaped with the register at the end. 

I also wished Logan was fleshed out more and given more depth. He throughout the whole book was a jilted man who was humilated in front of the entire town and that is basically what he thinks he is known for and being orphaned at a young age. He had zero character growth because he still fell hard and fast for Jeanie.

Jeanie in my opinion had the best character growth as she obviously transformed into the new Jeanie by slowing down and living for herself. It just took her boss's death for her to say enough. I loved the little cat and his name. I loved the small town vibes and it made me want to pplan a trip up north during the autumn season to experience the changing of the leaves and the fall festivals because autumn in the south doesn't exist. IT IS ALWAYS HOT!

I also went into this hearing that it doesn't really take place in the autumn time and it clearly does. It takes place in October and the epilogue mentions Thanksgiving. That is fall to me and I will be re-reading it during the autumn when I get my own copy.

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

BLOG TOUR: Greeting Cards For Exes by Rebekah L. Purdy

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the GREETING CARDS FOR EXES by Rebekah L. Purdy Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

About The Book:

Title: GREETING CARDS FOR EXES

Author: Rebekah L. Purdy

Pub. Date: February 4, 2025

Publisher: Rowan Prose Publishing

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Find it: Goodreadshttps://books2read.com/u/bQlRpD

“Purdy presents a beautifully complex array of characters that touch your heart.” –A Bookish Escape

Piper Mishner has spent the last year trying to get over her ex, which is hard to do after he decides to move into the apartment next to hers with his new fiancé. As if she needs the reminder of how painful the breakup was. Not to mention, her job as a greeting card writer is now at risk due to her cynicism about love.

 
“I’m bored with you and need a change.” The infamous words of Kerrie Holloway’s ex-husband, who doesn’t seem to understand the concept of being an “ex” since he wants her to pretend for their kids and family that they’re still together. While dating others and living in the same house. She gets a job in sales at a greeting card company, and is finally on the way to saving for her own place.

 
Maude Gilchrist has spent over fifty years married to the same man. A man who, one day, just leaves. No goodbye. No explanation. He was just gone. Bitter and alone, she decides to postpone retirement from the greeting card company. Although writing sappy cards about love is the last thing she wants to do.


Through lunch hour talks, weekend getaways, and drunken brawls, the ladies of All For You Greeting Cards Company help heal one another’s wounds and learn there are more important things in life than having a man. There may be a generational gap, but they all have the “ex-factor” in common. Everyone needs a friend by their side. Someone to talk to, laugh with, complain to, watch your back…and to go to jail with you. 

 

Fans of Ashley Poston, Colleen Hoover, Emily Henry, Christina Lauren, Mia Sheridan, and Kristin Hannah will enjoy "Greeting Cards For Exes" by Rebekah L. Purdy.

Book Trailer:



About Rebekah L. Purdy:

Rebekah L. Purdy is an army veteran, born and raised in Michigan. She works full time for the court system and, in her free time, she writes YA stories across many genres, with more than 15 titles to date. She has a large family, including furbabies. "Greeting Cards for Exes" is her first women's fiction book.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

 





Giveaway Details:

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

Ends March 8th, midnight EST.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

2/3/2025

Two Chicks on Books

Guest Post/IG Post

2/4/2025

Daily Waffle

Guest Post

2/5/2025

Fire and Ice Reads

Guest Post/IG Post

2/6/2025

The Eclectic Review

Interview/IG Post

2/7/2025

Frugal Freelancer

Excerpt/IG Post

Week Two:

2/10/2025

One More Exclamation

Excerpt/IG Post

2/11/2025

@callistoscalling

IG Post

2/12/2025

Kim's Book Reviews and Writing Aha's

Review/IG Post

2/13/2025

@dharashahauthor

IG Post

2/14/2025

@tartan_teapotsandbooks_croft

IG Review

Week Three:

2/17/2025

Review Thick And Thin

Review/IG Post

2/18/2025

Lifestyle of Me

Review/IG Post

2/19/2025

Edith's Little Free Library

IG Post/LFL Book Drop Pic/TikTok Post

2/20/2025

Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

Review/IG Post

2/21/2025

@dana.loves.books

Review/IG Post

Week Four:

2/24/2025

A Blue Box Full of Books

IG Review/LFL Drop Pic/TikTok Post

2/25/2025

rolo_the_book_lover-

IG Review/TikTok Post

2/26/2025

Country Mamas With Kids

Review/IG Post

2/27/2025

anitralovesbooksanddogs

Review/IG Post

2/28/2025

More Books Please blog

Review/IG Post


Monday, February 17, 2025

Review: Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros *SPOILERS*

 


One of my most anticipated reads of the year. I have given Fourth Wing and Iron Flame both 5 stars. I had to give this one 3 stars. Going into this I was so ready to find out how the hell Xaden becan venin and what was going to happen. I read Iron Flame at the end of 2023 and the year between that book and this book, I forgot some things so I was lost about what was happening. 

Some of the secondary characters also lost their identities for me and they sounded like all the same character. This took me a long time to read as well. It took me a good two weeks to get through this. The first half was so choppy and disjointed. They would be in class, and then they would be going on a mission and then get in trouble and then awkward conversations. Xaden is hiding the fact that he is venin. There is a council to find the 7th breed of dragon which is Andarna's kind. 

Violet and Xaden dont have sex until the second half of the book and it is all very slow burn. The second half of the book is where things finally pick up because they are on this long ass quest to the isles to find the 7th breed of dragon. The council wants them to go back and forth to Basgiath and to different isles to report and honestly I am so glad that Violet decided to break the rules and continue island hopping.

The ending is where it lost another star for me because Rebecca Yarros decided to give multi POV from Rhiannon and Cat along with Violet. It took me out of the story because we had never had their POV and if the chapter heading wasn't labelled with the character name, then I wouldn't have known it was anyone but Violet. 

The end of the book that have me screaming, crying throwing up but genuinely confused and going what the fuck. Violet ends up being married to Xaden and Xaden being full blown Venin and not wanting Violet to look for him and Cat having something to do with it. I was so lost and I was very disappointed. 

There is also a rumor or statement that the author is going to take a year long break between this one and the next. I don't know how I feel about this because if it is a year, I know that I am going to have to re-read this series. 

Review: Is This A Cry For Help by Emily Austin

  DNF at 40%. I could not continue this whiplash. I was expecting some big drama surrounding the ex but finding out that she broke up with h...