Book Spotlight - The Cursed Carnival And Other Calamities by Rick Riordan + Giveaway

 About The Book:

Title: THE CURSED CARNIVAL AND OTHER CALAMITIES : New Stories About Mythic Heroes

Author: Roshani Chokshi, J.C. Cervantes, Yoon Ha Lee, Carlos Hernandez, Kwame Mbalia, Rebecca Roanhorse, Tehlor Kay Mejia, Sarwat Chadda, Graci Kim, and Rick Riordan

Pub. Date: September 28, 2021

Publisher: Rick Riordan Presents

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 496

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

Best-selling author Rick Riordan presents ten new stories--including one of his own--about beloved heroes that sprang from the imaginations of some of the best middle grade authors working today.

A cave monster . . . an abandoned demon . . . a ghost who wants to erase history . . . a killer commandant . . . These are just some of the challenges confronting the young heroes in this highly entertaining anthology.

All but one of the heroes previously starred in a popular book from Rick Riordan Presents. You''ll be reunited with Aru Shah, Zane Obispo, Min the fox spirit, Sal and Gabi, Tristan Strong, Nizhoni Begay, Paola Santiago, Sikander Aziz, and Riley Oh. Who is the new hero? Read Rick Riordan''s short story to find out!

Ten bestselling and award-winning middle grade authors contributed to this collection: Roshani Chokshi, J.C. Cervantes, Yoon Ha Lee, Carlos Hernandez, Kwame Mbalia, Rebecca Roanhorse, Tehlor Kay Mejia, Sarwat Chadda, Graci Kim, and Rick Riordan, who also served as the editor.

The cultures represented by these own-voices stories are: Indian, Mesoamerican, Korean, Cuban, Black American, African, Navajo, Mexican, Mesopotamian, and Celtic.

There’s something for everyone in this collection of fast-paced and funny adventure stories that show what it takes to be a hero in any time, setting, and universe.

 

About the Authors: 

Click on the links to be taken to their websites!

Roshani Chokshi

J.C. Cervantes

Yoon Ha Lee

Carlos Hernandez

Kwame Mbalia

Rebecca Roanhorse

Tehlor Kay Mejia

Sarwat Chadda

Graci Kim

Rick Riordan

 

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will win a finished copy of THE CURSED CARNIVAL AND OTHER CALAMITIES, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

9/1/2021	YA Books Central	Excerpt
9/2/2021	Kait Plus Books	Excerpt
9/3/2021	Rajiv's Reviews	Review
9/4/2021	@Curlygrannylovestoread	Review

Week Two:

9/5/2021	#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog	Review
9/6/2021	A Dream Within A Dream	Review
9/7/2021	Nonbinary Knight Reads	Review
9/8/2021	The Bookwyrm's Den	Review
9/9/2021	Log Cabin Library	Review
9/10/2021	Lifestyle of Me	Review
9/11/2021	Emelie's Books	Review

Week Three:

9/12/2021	@pagesofyellow	Review
9/13/2021	Locks, Hooks and Books	Review
9/14/2021	More Books Please blog	Review
9/15/2021	Little Red Reads	Review
9/16/2021	Don't Judge, Read	Review
9/17/2021	Fyrekatz Blog	Review
9/18/2021	booksaremagictoo	Review

Week Four:

9/19/2021	The Phantom Paragrapher	Review
9/20/2021	BookHounds YA	Excerpt
9/21/2021	Cindy's Love of Books	Review
9/22/2021	dinipandareads	Review
9/23/2021	hauntedbybooks	Review
9/24/2021	Books a Plenty Book Reviews	Review
9/25/2021	Books and Zebras @jypsylynn	Review

Week Five:

9/26/2021	The Momma Spot	Review
9/27/2021	Zainey Laney	Review
9/28/2021	@fictitious.fox	Review
9/29/2021	Two Points of Interest	Review
9/30/2021	PopTheButterfly Reads	Review

Book Spotlights - Battle Dragons #1: City Of Thieves by Alex London + Giveaway

About The Book:

Title: CITY OF THIEVES (Battle Dragons #1)

Author: Alex London

Pub. Date: September 21, 2021

Publisher: Scholastic

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 272

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

In a modern mega-city built around dragons, one boy gets caught up in the world of underground dragon battles and a high-stakes gang war that could tear his family apart.

Once, dragons nearly drove themselves to extinction. But in the city of Drakopolis, humans domesticated them centuries ago. Now dragons haul the city’s cargo, taxi its bustling people between skyscrapers, and advertise its wares in bright, neon displays. Most famously of all, the dragons battle. Different breeds take to the skies in nighttime bouts between the infamous kins―criminal gangs who rule through violence and intimidation.

Abel has always loved dragons, but after a disastrous showing in his dragon rider’s exam, he's destined never to fly one himself. All that changes the night his sister appears at his window, entrusting him with a secret...and a stolen dragon.

Turns out, his big sister is a dragon thief! Too bad his older brother is a rising star in Drakopolis law enforcement...

To protect his friends and his family, Abel must partner with the stolen beast, riding in kin battles and keeping more secrets than a dragon has scales.

When everyone wants him fighting on their side, can Abel figure out what's worth fighting for?

Reviews:

"Battle Dragons is the riproaring opener to a surefire hit series. Alex London has envisioned a world as enthralling as it is dangerous―a society much like our own if it was built on the backs of giant fire-breathing dragons. Readers are sure to burn through the pages as they follow Abel through the shadowy underbelly of Drakopolis, dodging dragon-rider street gangs and a ruthless secret police to save his family. Abel is an endearing and relatable hero struggling under expectations as the youngest of three siblings, and his journey in building self-confidence is sure to ring true with young readers. Above all, cutting through the action is a moving tale of friendship and family, which is at the heart of this thrilling fantasy."- Soman Chainani, author of The School for Good and Evil series

 

"A rip-roaring loop-de-loop of action and adventure, Battle Dragons will keep readers at the edge of their seat as they cheer on Abel and his friends."- Kwame Mbalia, author of the Tristan Strong series

 

About Alex London: 

ALEX LONDON is the author of over 25 books for children, teens, and adults with over 2 million copies sold. He’s the author of the middle grade Dog Tags, Tides of War, Wild Ones, and Accidental Adventures series, as well as two titles in The 39 Clues. For young adults, he’s the author of the acclaimed cyberpunk duology Proxy, and the epic fantasy trilogy, The Skybound Saga. A former journalist covering refugee camps and conflict zones, he can now be found somewhere in Philadelphia, where he lives with his husband and daughter or online at

www.calexanderlondon.com.

 

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Tumblr | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will win a finished copy of CITY OF THIEVES (Battle Dragons #1), US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

9/13/2021	Nonbinary Knight Reads	Review
9/13/2021	YA Books Central	Excerpt
9/14/2021	celiamcmahonreads	Review
9/14/2021	Don't Judge, Read	Review
9/15/2021	Nerdophiles	Review
9/15/2021	The Bookwyrm's Den	Review
9/16/2021	Book-Keeping	Review
9/16/2021	Rajiv's Reviews	Review
9/17/2021	Locks, Hooks and Books	Review
9/17/2021	booksaremagictoo	Review

Week Two:

9/20/2021	The Momma Spot	Review
9/20/2021	Lifestyle of Me	Review
9/21/2021	Books a Plenty Book Reviews	Review
9/21/2021	Two Points of Interest	Review
9/22/2021	Fyrekatz Blog	Review
9/22/2021	Bibliosini	Review
9/23/2021	#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog	Review
9/23/2021	Books and Zebras @jypsylynn	Review
9/24/2021	A Dream Within A Dream	Excerpt
9/24/2021	BookHounds YA	Excerpt

September 2021 Empties!

 

Wow, I can't believe September is almost over. It feels like the year just started a few days ago. I am super excited I finished a few things but, unfortunately nothing was amazing.

I have been using the Moroccanoil treatments for years and love using it. A little drop goes a long way and makes my hair feeling soft and shiny. I love lip oils but, I didn't really care for the Yensa lip oil because I have to kept re-applying and it would literally just disappear after a sip of water.

I was excited to try the Jelly Mask by Acure but, thought it was pretty disappointing. I didn't really notice any results. I did like the Eminence Organic Skin Care Apricot Whip Moisturizer though. It was creamy and smells so delicious. My skin felt so hydrated and soft after application.

I have mixed feelings about Akar Skin Pure Lip Restoration. I bought two of this from different stores and each one sent me a different one. One is in a tin and the other in glass jar and I found that formula to be almost similar but, one felt a bit different and lasted longer.

Is there anything you finished this month that you liked?

Beauntiq Beauty Guardian Angel Revitalising Eye Gels

Logically, Skin Aquatide Soothing & Lifting Mask

Yerma Acai Berry Collagen Essence Mask

Burt's Bees Firming Moisturizing Cream Renewal

Moroccanoil Treatment

Yensa Super 8 Lip Oil - Pink Shine

Acure Brightening Vitamin C Jelly Mask

Eminence Organic Skin Care Apricot Whip Moisturizer

Rituals The Ritual of Dao Balancing Foaming Shower Gel

Barr Co Bubble Elixir Fir and Grapefruit

Akar Skin Pure Lip Restoration

Milk Makeup Vegan Milk Moisturizer

Sunday Riley Martian Mattifying Melting Water Gel Toner

Dermae Hydrating Night Creme

OFRA OFRA Peptide Silk-C Serum Maximum Whitening Effect

Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Peppermint Oil Cooling Jelly Conditioner

Klorane Fleur d'Hibiscus Nourishing Body Lotion

TONYMOLY Vital Vita 12 Firming Ampoule Vitamin A

OhK! Sleep Mask Moisturizing

Tocca Green Tea Lemon Nourishing Body Scrub

Lorac Lip Gloss - Rock It

C.O. Bigelow No. 4006 Lip Balm

A-True Spring Green Tea Watery Calming Cream

Head & Shoulders Supreme Nourish & Smooth Conditioner

Avant Gentle Rose Beautifying Face Exfoliant

Book Review - A Duke Worth Fighting For by Christina Britton

 

The Duke of Carlisle, Daniel Hayle, returns from Waterloo a hero after the war. He is covered in scars and dreads going to London and facing society. He fears his lack of social skills and his scars will make it hard for him to find a wife. He decides that he needs all the help he can get with navigating and socializing with London's elite.

Margery Kitteridge lost her husband to the war and she is mourning his death. She receives a blackmail letter accusing him of desertion and Margery is desperate to protect his reputation. She unfortunately doesn't have the money to pay the blackmailer. However, when Daniel Hayle arrives, she senses an opportunity for them both to get what they want. She will help him find a bride and in exchange he will give her money to pay off the blackmailer.

The book was an easy read and had a few twists but, most were predictable. I would classify this as a steamy romance novel and that was a bit unexpected for me (although, I should have guessed by the cover).  The novel is the third book in the series but, I was able to read this book as standalone. It was charming story but, it had lagged during the middle parts. Readers who enjoy a steamy romance with a bit of heart and mystery will enjoy this book.

 **I got a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**