Book Review - The Woman Inside by M.T. Edvardsson

 The Woman Inside by M.T. Edvardsson is about an affluent couple who is found murdered in their house.  Bill Olsson recently lost his wife to cancer. He has tons of medical bills and is struggling to provide for his daughter, Sally. He is unable to find a job and is not able to pay rent by himself. He decides to rent out Sally’s room to help cover expenses. Bill rents out the room to Karla.

Karla is a law student and aspiring judge. In her spare time, she is a housekeeper to the Rytters. The Rytters are an incredibly wealthy couple. The wife is ill and she hasn’t been able to leave the house for months. The husband is a well respected doctor. He has tendencies to be controlling and obsessive when it comes to his wife. Is he a worried husband that is concerned about his wife’s well being, or does he have malicious intent?

As Bill’s financial situation becomes more dire, Karla is empathetic to his plight. She understands what it’s like to have a rough childhood, and doesn’t want Bill’s financial strains to affect Sally’s outlook. She feels that she is forced to make a difficult choice between helping someone or doing something bad. 

When the Rytters end up dead, Karla is questioned due to her employment in the household. They bring up parts of her past that she would rather keep a secret.  Every character in the novel seems to be hiding something or isn’t what they seem, but is one of them desperate enough to kill to keep their secret?

I thought the book was an okay read. I felt like the story was drawn out with no unexpected twists or turns. The book is narrated by three different people: the cash strapped Bill, the housekeeper Karla, and a young woman named Jennica. Bill and Jennica are connected by his late wife. We got each of their views but they were biased and didn’t give the entire story. I wish the author went into more details about Bill’s wife. 

The story is littered with police notes from interviews with and news snippets regarding everyone related to the case.  The novel is a slow burn as it slowly hints at who might be the culprit. I felt that the ending was predictable and boring. I didn’t care for any of the characters. They were all selfish and acted entitled. I didn’t like Bill the most and felt like he was completely responsible for his situation but doesn’t have any accountability for his actions.

Book Review - Bloody Fool for Love by William Ritter + Giveaway

 

Spike and his family has returned to London and he wants to bask in his newfound glory. He is well known to be a slayer killer. However, things don't go exactly to plan. His new home is a dank basement and one of his fellow family members, Angellus, has abandoned them. Drusilla, Spike's love, is heartbroken and spends her time reading her tarot cards. She is planning for the next family dinner where they will all be reunited.

Spike is desperate for Dru to realize that his love for her should be enough. He decides to steal a powerful relic to snap her out of her melancholy. He had the perfect plan until a monster named Gunnar, the leader of the demon underworld, steals the item first. Spike decides to join up with a few other underworld creatures to steal back the relic. Will Spike be able to get the relic?

I have heard of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" but, I had no interaction with the franchise. However, it didn't seem that not knowing the show would prevent you from enjoying the book. I did feel like there were some characters nuances I might have missed but, the book was enjoyable overall. Spike was fun and charismatic character. I loved his witty jokes and his style. I feel like I would enjoy reading more of Spike's adventures. If you are a fan of "Buffy", then you will enjoy this book.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest opinion**

About the Book

Title: BLOODY FOOL FOR LOVE: A Spike Novel

Author: William Ritter

Pub. Date: August 2, 2022

Publisher: Disney Publishing Group

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 256

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org

Bloody Fool for Love from New York Times best-selling author William Ritter marks the beginning of an all-new series that explores prequel stories about fan-favorite Buffy characters. 

A verified villain. A slayer killer. A god among vampires. And most of all? A hopeless romantic...

Spike just wants to enjoy the spoils of his new badass reputation. He’s now a legendary slayer killer, and he’s returning to London—the greatest city in the world. Unfortunately, his new abode is far from ideal (a dank basement), and the rest of his strange little “family” is reeling from the fact that their patriarch, Angellus, abandoned them. Spike’s love, Drusilla, seems especially heartbroken and spends her time lost in her tarot cards and planning their next gruesome family dinner when they all can be reunited. 

Desperate to break Dru out of her melancholy, Spike vows to steal a powerful relic that will help her focus on their dark future together. It’s the perfect plan—that is until a monster named Gunnar, leader of the demon underworld of London, steals the relic first. Forced to form his own ragtag group of underworld denizens, Spike plans an epic heist against a ruthless gang of undead criminals. As he navigates paranormal plots, royal black ops, and breaks for teatime (they may be abominations, but they’re British abominations, thank you very much), Spike soon realizes that his homecoming is about to get bloody. 

This rompy, action-packed novel inspired by one of Buffy’s most infamous bad boys is part Bonnie and Clyde, part Sherlock and Watson, with just a bit more bloodsucking. 

Reviews:
"Ritter introduces several charismatic new side characters and nails the fan favorites’ voices, from Spike’s wisecracks to Dru’s hilariously bizarre musings. The tone―a mashup of funny, dark, and thrilling―fits perfectly with the show...This entertaining story will please Buffy fans and is easily accessible to newcomers who appreciate charming paranormal baddies...A diverting Buffyverse tale."―Kirkus Reviews

 

About William Ritter:

William Ritter is an author of YA and MG fantasy who made his debut in 2014 with the New York Times best-selling Jackaby series. He is also an Oregon educator and a proud father of two.

Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of BLOODY FOOL FOR LOVE, US Only.

Ends September 6^th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

8/1/2022	Lisa Loves Literature	Review/IG Post
8/2/2022	Lisa-Queen of Random	Excerpt/IG Post
8/3/2022	Kait Plus Books	Excerpt/IG Post
8/4/2022	Fyrekatz Blog	Review
8/5/2022	Ya Books Central	Excerpt/IG Post
8/6/2022	GryffindorBookishNerd	Review/IG Post

Week Two:

8/7/2022	@jacleomik33	IG Review
8/8/2022	A Dream Within A Dream	Review/IG Post
8/9/2022	BookHounds YA	Excerpt/IG Post
8/10/2022	#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog	Excerpt
8/11/2022	Book & Coffee Addict	Review/IG Post
8/12/2022	hauntedbybooks	Review/IG Post
8/13/2022	My.Bookish.Mind	IG Review/TikTok Post

Week Three:

8/14/2022	@jypsylynn	IG Review
8/15/2022	The Book Nut	Review/IG Post
8/16/2022	Beers Books Boos	Review/IG Post
8/17/2022	@amysbooknook8	IG Review
8/18/2022	Lifestyle of Me	Review
8/19/2022	Two Points of Interest	Review/IG Post
8/20/2022	Wanderingwitchreads	TikTok Review/IG Post

Week Four:

8/21/2022	Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers	Review/IG Post
8/22/2022	pluvioreads	Review/TikTok Post
8/23/2022	The Momma Spot	Review/IG Post
8/24/2022	BookBriefs	Review/IG Post
8/25/2022	A Bookish Dream	Review/IG Post
8/26/2022	PopTheButterfly Reads	Review/IG Post/TikTok Post
8/27/2022	The Bookwyrm's Den	Review/IG Post

Week Five:

8/28/2022	Confessions of a YA Reader	Review
8/29/2022	The Clever Reader	Review/IG Post
8/30/2022	laura's bookish corner	Review/IG Post
8/31/2022	onemused	IG Post

Book Review - The Piano Teacher by Janice Y.K. Lee

Photo Credit - Amazon

Will Truesdale is an Englishman who just arrives in Hong Kong for work in 1942. He falls into a passionate love affair with Trudy Liang, a beautiful Eurasian heiress. However, their relationship becomes troubled when the Japanese invade making the effects of WWII hitting close to home. Will is sent to an internment camp, where he and other foreigners try to adapt to their new living situation while struggling for survival. Trudy refuses to enter the internment camp and remains on the outside. She forms a dangerous alliance with a military head. The general is desperate to locate a collection of priceless Chinese art and is willing to do anything even if it leads to friends betraying each other.

Claire Pendleton arrives ten years later in Hong Kong and is hired by the wealthy Chen family to give their daughter piano lessons. Claire and her new husband, Martin moved for his work in the water department. Claire is immediately taken with the social life of the expatriate community. During an elegant cocktail party, Claire runs into Will and she feels immediately attracted to him. As they continue their affair, Claire realizes that Will his hiding his past and a dark secret. As she beings to dig into his past, she unearths dangerous secrets and Claire understands the true price of survival.

The novel was interesting at first but, then the story started moving very slowly. I didn't really care for any of the characters. I felt like they weren't developed enough for me think of them as real people. The story felt a bit discombobulated and told in fragments. I felt like that ruined the flow of the novel. I didn't understand the motivation behind some of the characters. For example, Will takes ten years before he reaches out to the Chens about something that happened in the war. Did something happen when he was with Claire that set him off? Why did the Edwina decide to spill the beans on what happened during the war? Was she trying to prove something or did someone wronged her? These were some of the things I wanted more details on and not the Hermes scarf that Claire had.

**Disclosure -  This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - Good Neighbors by Ryan David Jahn

Photo Credit - Amazon

In the early morning of March 13, 1964, a young woman is assaulted in the courtyard of her Queens apartment building. She cries for help and while her neighbors hear her pleas; no one calls the police. The story unfolds over the course of two hours, showing the woman's night along with the stories of her neighbors. Each of the stories intersects with each other weaving a larger story.

When I first picked up this novel, I thought it was going to be a revenge novel. However, I was pleasantly surprised when  I realized it wasn't. I found the story to be engaging and kept me on the edge of the seat. The novel was a bit grim but, overall a worthwhile read. I can't wait to read more by the author.

**Disclosure - This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no any extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - Willa of the Wood by Robert Beatty + Giveaway

Photo Credit -Amazon

Willa is her clan's best thief. One day, she sneaks into a cabin of the day folk to bring back treasure to her people. Willa knows she is taking a huge risk by entering the day folk's homes especially since they kill what they don't understand.  When she is left hurt and is in the day folk's home, she calls upon her forest allies for assistance. Upon returning to her clan, she begins to learn not everything is what it appears. Who can Willa trust? What can Willa do?

The novel is a thrilling and engrossing read. It was fast-paced and fun to read. I couldn't wait to find out how Willa gets out of situations. I also like how she relied on her allies to help. I like how she growed and matured.  Overall, a great read and I can't wait to read more by the author.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

About the Book:

Title: WILLA OF THE WOOD

Author: Robert Beatty

Pub. Date: July 10, 2018

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook

Pages: 384

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Audible, B&N, iBooks, TBD

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Robert Beatty comes a spooky, thrilling new series set in the magical world of Serafina. 

Move without a sound. Steal without a trace. 

Willa, a young nightspirit of the Great Smoky Mountains, is her clan's best thief. She creeps into the homes of day-folk in the cover of darkness and takes what they won't miss. It's dangerous work — the day-folk kill whatever they do not understand. But when Willa's curiosity leaves her hurt and stranded in a day-folk man's home, everything she thought she knew about her people — and their greatest enemy — is forever changed.

About Robert:

Robert Beatty is the author of the #1 New York Times best selling Serafina Series published by Disney-Hyperion, a spooky mystery-thriller about a brave and unusual girl who lives secretly in the basement of the grand Biltmore Estate.

Serafina and the Black Cloak was a #1 New York Times best seller, has been on the list for more than 45 weeks, and won the prestigious 2016 Pat Conroy Southern Book Prize. The second book in the series, Serafina and the Twisted Staff, became a #1 New York Times best seller in the first week of its launch and earned a “Starred Review” from Kirkus Reviews, which said, “Even better than its predecessor, a sequel that delivers nonstop thrills from beginning to end.” Enjoyed by both young readers and adults, the books are being taught in over a thousand classrooms nationwide. The third book in the Serafina series comes out in July 2017. Robert Beatty has been awarded an additional four book deal with Disney-Hyperion.

Robert Beatty lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, North Carolina with his wife and three daughters, who help create and refine his stories. He loves to explore Biltmore Estate and the darkened forest trails where his novels take place. He writes full-time now, but in his past lives, Robert was one of the early pioneers of cloud computing, the founder/CEO of Plex Systems, the co-founder of Beatty Robotics, and the chairman/CTO of Narrative Magazine. In 2007, he was named an Entrepreneur of the Year.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will win a finished copy of WILLA OF THE WOOD, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

Rafflecopter link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba2776/?

Tour Schedule:

Week Two:

7/9/2018- A Dream Within A Dream- Excerpt

7/10/2018- A Backwards Story- Interview

7/11/2018- Novel Novice- Guest Post

7/12/2018- Don't Judge, Read- Review

7/13/2018-  Two points of interest- Review