Book Review - Last Day by Domenica Ruta

Photo Credit - Amazon

Once a year on May 28, all of humanity gather to celebrate the day of the planet's demise. People party and act as it is the last day they are alive. Sarah is a bookish wunderkind who is looking for love. She felt that she has always been asexual but, she finds herself attracted to an older man, Kurt. Sarah and Kurt met last year during her parents' Last Day BBQ. Kurt is a tattoo artist who is trying to make amends to a family he destroyed years ago.

Karen consistently gets in trouble. She was abused at a young age and suffers from an eating disorder. After getting into trouble again, she decides to abandon her current life and search for her long lost adoptive brother. Her friend, Rosette left the Jehovah's Witness and follows a new pastor who has different opinions about the Last Day. Rosette tries to help Karen as she believes it will her atone for her past sins. When Karen calls Rosette for help, she takes Karen to the church in hopes that it will help her.

Three astronauts on the International Space Station are witnessing the Last Day spectacle in Space. Bear, an American astronaut along with Russian astronaut, Svec, and a Japanese space tourist, Yui contemplate their lives during the Last Day festivities.  Together they band together and share stories of their native customs for the Last Day.

At first, I thought this was going to be an interesting read. Then, I was quite confused by some of the behaviors of the characters especially when they tried changing their behaviors. After I read more about each character I understood their motives. The book depicts how one person's actions have an effect on other people lives. I found that to be an interesting concept that something trivial to you can mean the world to someone else. Overall, the book was thought-provoking but, I am not sure if it was my cup of tea.

*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 - Samantha Spinner and the Super Secret Plans by Russell Ginns + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Samantha loves her uncle Paul. They have shared a lot of beloved memories over strawberry waffles, puzzles, and stories. However, one-day uncle Paul just disappears without saying goodbye. He leaves the family a special gift for each of them. Samantha's sister receives a check for $2,400,000,000, while her brother, Nipper got the New York Yankees. Samantha gets a rusty red umbrella with a tag that says, "Watch out for the RAIN".

While Samantha is trying to decipher the mysterious message, she feels that her uncle is in danger. She remembers him teaching her that not everything is what it seems. As Samantha and her brother work to solve the puzzles their uncle left behind, they find themselves being targetted by RAIN. Will Sam and her brother be able to solve the puzzle before it's too late?

The easy to read the book was a fun read. I liked that the author included puzzles in the novel. The puzzles were fun but, he also included the answers. I think it was a treat how the author incorporated different languages and facts in an interesting but, educational way. Overall, this quirky book is perfect for children who love traveling, facts, and puzzles.

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

Title: SAMANTHA SPINNER AND THE SUPER SECRET PLANS (Samantha Spinner #1)

Author: Russell Ginns

Pub. Date: February 27, 2018

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, audiobook, eBook

Pages: 256

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

Get ready for round-the-world adventure with Sam Spinner and her brother Nipper in the first book in a new hilarious, puzzle-packed series filled with super-secret messages! Perfect for fans of Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library and classics like Holes.

Samantha Spinner's uncle Paul disappeared, and here's what he left:

* Samantha's sister got a check for $2,400,000,000.

* Samantha's brother got the New York Yankees.

* And Samantha got a rusty red umbrella with a tag hanging off its worn handle. The tag says "Watch out for the RAIN."

Thanks a lot, Uncle Paul.

After all the strawberry waffles, stories, and puzzles they've shared, how could he just leave without saying goodbye? And what is the meaning of that mysterious message?

The answer is simple. Sam knows in her heart that Uncle Paul is in danger. And if he taught her anything, it's that not everything is exactly what it seems. Which is why we should pay close attention to that rusty red umbrella, and never trust a monkey at a hula-hoop contest.

The RAIN is coming and Samantha Spinner is about to find herself mixed up in some super-important, super-dangerous, super-secret plans.

Praise for Samantha Spinner and the Super Secret Plans:

"A winning mix of fast-paced action, fascinating facts, bathroom humor, and hidden puzzles...[that is] sure to please action-loving middle-grade readers." --Kirkus Reviews

"Full of adventure and survival,...[and with] characters [that] are likable, realistic, and well rounded...[Samantha Spinner and the Super Secret Plans is] great for [readers of] series like The 39 Clues." --School Library Journal

 

About Russell:

Russell Ginns is a writer and game designer who specializes in puzzles, songs, and smart fun. He has worked on projects for a wide variety of organizations, corporations, and publications, including Sesame Workshop, Girl Scouts of America, Nintendo, and Scientific American. Russell lives and writes in Washington, D.C. He is the author of Samantha Spinner and the Super-Secret Plans and Samantha Spinner and the Spectacular Specs. To learn more about him, visit samanthaspinner.com and follow @rginns on Twitter.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

3 lucky winners will win a finished copy of SAMANTHA SPINNER Series, US Only.

Giveaway Link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba2908/?

Tour Schedule:

Week Two:

4/1/2019- Rhythmicbooktrovert - Review

4/1/2019- Kelly P's Blog- Excerpt

4/2/2019- Christen Krumm, Writer- Review

4/2/2019- ❧Defining Ways❧- Excerpt

4/3/2019- Adventures Thru Wonderland- Review

4/3/2019- The Hermit Librarian- Excerpt

4/4/2019- Savings in Seconds- Review

4/4/2019- Twirling Book Princess- Excerpt

4/5/2019- Two Points of Interest- Review

4/5/2019- Dazzled by Books- Excerpt

Book Review - The Witch of Lime Street: Séance, Seduction, and Houdini in the Spirit World by David Jaher

Photo Credit - Random House

An exhilarating page turner that reads like an authentic source between the feud of Houdini and "The Witch of Lime Street".  The story takes place in a time where science and paranormal lines blur. The time when people crave to believe there is more to live than what the eye and science and prove.  

The Roaring Twenties, is mostly known for the jazz and flappers but also the rise of Spiritualism.  "The Witch of Lime Street", also known as Margery or Mrs. Crandon and Houdini cross paths when the Scientific American decides to run a contest (which also was all in rage) to see if they can find the first scientifically verified medium. The judges composed of 5 men from various backgrounds embark on the journey together. One by one, they were able to systematically weed out the frauds.  Until, the "witch" showed up, causing the committee to be torn and turned against each other as the time passes.

The book is deeply engrossing and leaves you wondering which of the two characters is telling the truth. Is there a way to connect to the afterlife or is it all hocus pocus?  A great read all year around but especially thrilling to read around Halloween under a blanket and hot cocoa in hand.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book for my honest opinion. **