Book Review - A Thousand Fires by Shannon Price + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Valerie Simons will stop at nothing to know the truth behind her brother's murder. Theo was killed by the Boars two years ago.  Valerie joins the dangerous Wars to find her brother's killer. She wants to join the Herons with her boyfriend, Matthew Weston.  However, when Jax, the volatile leader of the Stags promises her revenge, Valerie must choose which path she will follow.

I thought the novel had an interesting premise. I have not read the Iliad or the Outsiders so, any character or plot similarities were lost to me. I felt like the story moved a bit slow for my liking and the ending seemed rushed. I did like the characters came together for a common cause. I would have liked more character developments for Jax and the other gang members. However, I did like Micah and Valerie's friendship and the bond they shared. Overall, the novel was an interesting read especially for fans of the original books.

**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 extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

 

 

Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Tor Teen (November 5, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1250301998
ISBN-13: 978-1250301994304 Pages , Ages 13-18

Praise for A THOUSAND FIRES

"A Thousand Fires pulls you in close and shows you the essence of what it means to keep fighting. Shannon Price is one to watch." ―Gwenda Bond, New York Times bestselling author of Stranger Things: Suspicious Minds

"Brutal and beautiful, A THOUSAND FIRES broke my heart. A fast-paced tragedy of love, betrayal, and vengeance." ―Heidi Heilig, author of FOR A MUSE OF FIRE

"Modern, unflinching and filled with haunting, lingering imagery, A Thousand Fires gives the story of the Iliad the bare-knuckled update it deserves." ―Colleen Oakes, author of The Black Coats

"Fast-paced... Vivid descriptions and intricate details bring San Francisco to life ... A promising debut." ―Kirkus

"A heart-wrenching tale... action-packed and intense... A fantastic read." ―School Library Journal

Shannon Price's A Thousand Fires is a breakout contemporary debut―think The Outsiders meets The Iliad―that's perfect for fans of Courtney Summers and Veronica Roth.

10 Years. 3 Gangs. 1 Girl’s Epic Quest…

Valerie Simons knows the city's gang wars are dangerous—her own brother was killed by the Boars two years ago. But nothing will sway her from joining the elite and beautiful Herons to avenge his death—a death she feels responsible for.

But when Valerie is recruited by the mysterious Stags, their charismatic and volatile leader Jax promises to help her get revenge. Torn between old love and new loyalty, Valerie fights to stay alive as she races across the streets of San Francisco to finish the mission that got her into the gangs.

You can purchase A Thousand Fires at the following Retailers:

        

Photo Content from Shannon Price

SHANNON PRICE is a proud Filipina-American and Bay Area native. She once led an a cappella group for three years despite not knowing how to read music, and she carries that same level of confidence in every area of her life. When not writing, she can be found watching baking shows, exploring old bookstores, and going to the beach as often as she can. 

Her debut novel A Thousand Fires is a YA reimagining of the Iliad set in modern day San Francisco. She is represented by Elana Roth Parker of Laura Dail Literary Agency and thanks her lucky stars that she is.

        

PART ONE

NOVEMBER 5th TUESDAY JeanBookNerd INTERVIEW

NOVEMBER 6th WEDNESDAY A Dream Within A Dream EXCERPT 

NOVEMBER 7th THURSDAY BookHounds YA INTERVIEW 

NOVEMBER 8th FRIDAY bookishaestha REVIEW

NOVEMBER 8th FRIDAY Booknerdchelcie REVIEW

NOVEMBER 9th SATURDAY Two Points of Interest REVIEW

NOVEMBER 9th SATURDAY Crossroad Reviews REVIEW 

PART TWO

NOVEMBER 10th SUNDAY A Bookish Dream REVIEW

NOVEMBER 10th SUNDAY On My Bookshelf REVIEW & INTERVIEW 

NOVEMBER 11th MONDAY Kait Plus Books FILL IN THE BLANKS 

NOVEMBER 11th MONDAY Insane About Books REVIEW

NOVEMBER 12th TUESDAY Wishful Endings INTERVIEW 

NOVEMBER 13th WEDNESDAY Nay's Pink Bookshelf REVIEW

NOVEMBER 14th THURSDAY Movies, Shows, & Books REVIEW

*JBN is not responsible for Lost or Damaged Books in your Nerdy Mail Box*

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Book Review - In the Hall with the Knife by Diana Peterfreund

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A deadly storm hits Blackbrook Academy leaving the students of the elite prep school stranded. The students are stuck with their headmaster and a few support school staff team members. When they wake up to see the damage from the storm, they find the headmaster's body in the conservatory. They determined that his death was no accident. As the day progresses, it becomes clear that each student has something to hide and everyone has a motive for the headmaster's murder. 

I have seen the movie but, I never played the board game. However, that didn't stop me from being excited to read this novel. I wouldn't call this book a fast-paced leave you on the edge of your seat but, more of a cozy read. I was able to guess the murderer before the big reveal but, I did get stumped on another reveal. Although, that was partly my fault because I was unable to accept the truth. Overall, a fun read for fans of Clue!

 **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 - The Stranger Inside by Laura Benedict

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Kimber Hannon comes home from vacation to find out someone is living in her house. She has no idea who this stranger is but, he tells the police that he has permission to live there. He even has the paperwork to prove that belongs in her home. However, Kimber knows that she didn't invite this stranger into her home. 

The stranger knows secrets from Kimber's past and wants everyone to know Kimber's secrets. Kimber is afraid if the truth is revealed that she will lose everything she worked for. Kimber realizes that the stranger doesn't just want her house but, everything she has. Will Kimber be able to figure out who the stranger is?

The novel has an interesting premise and I was very excited to read it. For a stranger to take over someone's home; that is very twisted and intimate. However, while I like the idea of the novel, I felt like the story progressed very slowly. And, I honestly hated Kimber as a person. I found myself hoping that she suffers more than she did. I feel like she is the type of person who is self-centered and only cares about herself but, judges others on their actions.  After reading about Kimber's history and personality, I was surprised there weren't more people who wanted to see her suffer.

 **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 - The Winters by Lisa Gabriele

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After a brief and intense whirlwind romance, a young woman leaves the only place she knows as home and moves in with her new fiancé, Max Winter. Max is the exact opposite of our protagonist. He is a recent widower and a wealthy politician. While she spent most of her life in poverty.  Her new home is filled with memories of Max's beautiful first wife, Rebekah. Rebekah haunts the young woman's dreams and fuels her insecurities. While his daughter, Dani likes to make her life a living hell. She realizes that she doesn't have a place in the weird family dynamic between Max and Dani. They have a relationship dynamic that is both confuses and intrigues her.  As she grows more in love with Max, she worries about her relationship with Dani especially, when family secrets don't stay buried.

I don't like novels where the main character doesn't have a name. It makes it harder to discuss the protagonist when you don't know what to call them. I feel like when you don't name something, it's like you don't claim or love that person. Nor does it make it very easy to relate to the character.  And I very much feel like this novel wasn't a labor of love but, something that was quickly put together.  The novel takes forever to move along and the plot twists were very predictable. I thought I would have "fallen out of my seat" at least once during any of the revelations instead they were all met by my yawning. The novel was a complete bore and waste of time.

 **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 - Takes One to Know One by Susan Isaacs

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Retired FBI agent Corie Geller used to help bring down terrorists. After a few years at the bureau, Corie traded in her badge for motherhood and marriage. She married the charismatic Judge Josh Geller and adopted his fourteen-year-old daughter. While being the family chauffeur and chef, she scouts new and upcoming Arabic fiction for literary agencies. Corie joins a few other freelancers every Wednesday at a French restaurant to make friends.

Corie senses that something is off with one of the attendees of their group. Pete Delaney seems like a regular person but, he always shows up early and sits in the same spot with a different cellphone.  And he always keeps one eye on his car parked across the street.  Corie feels that Pete is hiding something. She is unsure if she is just making things up but, she decides the only way to know for sure is to investigate into Pete's life.

I love thrillers and mystery novels. After reading the summary, I was super excited to read the book. The first few pages were a bit tough but, I figured the book would start to pick up. After a hundred pages, I started to realize the book will never pick up and the whole book was rather pointless. I got tired of the constant "Oh, why did he marry me? He's so handsome!" nonsense every few pages. The premise of the entire novel seems so boring. Corie had no actual evidence that Pete was up to go no good but, just a hunch. Honestly, the novel was so boring, I couldn't read more. I am throwing this novel into the DNF pile.

**Disclosure - I received a free uncorrected 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 extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - Keeping Her Close: A Clean Romance by Carol Ross

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Former Navy Seal Kyle Frasier is hired to keep a businessman's daughter safe by teaching her self defense skills to protect herself. Harper Jansen is also his late best friend's fiancée. His loyalty towards his best friend is guiding him to ensure Harper is safe.  As the two become closer but, Kyle knows Harper is off-limits. However, will he follow his heart and be with Harper?

The book was an enjoyable read for fans who like clean cozy romances. I like how each character viewed loyalty differently. It was a nice story of finding someone who knows your true worth without taking you for granted.

**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 extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

BOOK SUMMARY:

Hired to protect her

…unable to resist her

The job sounds simple: teach a businessman’s daughter how to stay safe. But former navy SEAL turned bodyguard Kyle Frasier has a personal motive, too. Harper Jansen is his late best friend’s fiancée. Loyalty demands he protect her, not that Harper looks in need of rescuing. In fact, it’s Kyle who needs help—balancing duty with his desire to build a life with the one woman he shouldn’t want…

Goodreads│Amazon│B&N│BookBub

Book Review - The Art of Rivers (Coastal Hearts #3) by Janet W. Ferguson + Giveaway

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Rivers Sullivan has both visible and invisible scars, such as the bullet wound from the attack that killed her fiancé. After losing her faith in humanity, she decides to travel to  St. Simons Island to see the cottage and art gallery she inherited from her late fiancé. When Rivers discovers that recovering addicts are running her gallery, she is forced to confront her feelings from the attack.

After the devastating drowning of his cousin, James Cooper Knight spends his days and nights trying to redeem himself for his past mistakes. He spends his counseling and coaching people who are looking for help and he searches for others who are caught in the quickly rising tides of St. Simmons.  When Cooper rescues Rivers from the tides and delivers her to his grandmother's cottage; he knows his life will be changed forever.

While their tragic circumstances bring Cooper and Rivers closer, they fight their growing feelings for each other. Cooper has been sober for years but, Rivers has a tough time trusting her heart to a recovering addict. He knows a relationship with Rivers will rip the fragile bond he has with his family. Will Rivers and Cooper be able to get over their insecurities and take a chance on themselves and each other?

The novel was an inspirational read about people who are trying to conquer their struggles. It gives a realistic view of people who struggle when their faith is broken. I found the mystery a bit predictable but, overall the novel was a good read.

**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 extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

 

 

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

The Art of Rivers (Coastal Hearts #3) By Janet W. Ferguson Christian 

Contemporary Romance Paperback & ebook, 299 Pages June 30th 2019 by Southern Sun Press LLC

​Rivers Sullivan bears both visible and invisible scars—those on her shoulder from a bullet wound and those on her heart from the loss of her fiancé during the same brutal attack. Not even her background as an art therapist can help her regain her faith in humanity. Still, she scrapes together the courage to travel to St. Simons Island to see the beach cottage and art gallery she’s inherited from her fiancé. When she stumbles upon recovering addicts running her gallery, she’s forced to reckon with her own healing.

After the tragic drowning of his cousin, James Cooper Knight spends his days trying to make up for his past mistakes. He not only dedicates his life to addiction counseling, but guilt drives him to the water, searching for others who’ve been caught unaware of the quickly rising tides of St. Simons. When he rescues a peculiar blond woman and her sketch pad from a sandbar, then delivers this same woman to his deceased grandmother’s properties, he knows things are about to get even more complicated.

Tragic circumstances draw Cooper and Rivers closer, but they fight their growing feelings. Though Cooper’s been sober for years, Rivers can’t imagine trusting her heart to someone in recovery, and he knows a relationship with her will only rip his family further apart. Distrust and guilt are only the first roadblocks they must overcome if they take a chance on love.

(Affiliate links included.) Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Book Depository Also available through KindleUnlimited.

About the Author

Janet W. Ferguson grew up in Mississippi and received a degree in Banking and Finance from the University of Mississippi. She has served as a children’s minister and a church youth volunteer. An avid reader, she worked as a librarian at a large public high school. She writes humorous inspirational fiction for people with real lives and real problems. Janet and her husband have two grown children, one really smart dog, and a cat that allows them to share the space.

Website│Goodreads│BookBub│Facebook│Twitter│Instagram

Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

One winner will receive a $10 Chick-fil-A gift card and signed copies of the first two books in the series, Magnolia Storms and Falling for Grace US only Ends November 6, 2019

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Book Review - Scars Like Wings by Erin Stewart + Giveaway

Ava Lee has lost her parents, her home, her best friend, and even her face in a moment's notice. She doesn't need to look in a mirror to know how she looks like because she sees it in the eyes of everyone around her. After nearly a year after the fire,  her aunt and uncle decide that she should go back to high school. They want her to have a "normal" life being surrounded by other people instead of feeling isolated. 

However, Ava feels that life will never feel normal for her again. And she could forget about making friends because no one wants to be seen with the Burned Girl. Things change when Ava meets another survivor named Piper. She begins to feel that she doesn't have to face the nightmare alone anymore. Piper likes to push Ava outside of her comfort zone and even introduces her to Asad, a boy who loves the theater just as much as she does. Slowly, Ava starts to feel connected to life again but, when Piper starts to struggle, will Ava be able to step up to the challenge?

 I thought this novel was a great and a emotional read. The characters were all well developed and likable. I love how each of the characters helped each other grow and become better versions of themselves.  The novel is an endearing read of someone facing psychological issues after a traumatizing event while finding herself again.

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

 

About the Book

Title: SCARS LIKE WINGS

Author: Erin Stewart

Pub. Date: October 1, 2019

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook

Pages: 352

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

Relatable, heartbreaking, and real, this is a story of resilience--the perfect novel for readers of powerful contemporary fiction like Girl in Pieces and Every Last Word.

Before, I was a million things. Now I'm only one. The Burned Girl.

Ava Lee has lost everything there is to lose: Her parents. Her best friend. Her home. Even her face. She doesn't need a mirror to know what she looks like--she can see her reflection in the eyes of everyone around her.

A year after the fire that destroyed her world, her aunt and uncle have decided she should go back to high school. Be "normal" again. Whatever that is. Ava knows better. There is no normal for someone like her. And forget making friends--no one wants to be seen with the Burned Girl, now or ever.

But when Ava meets a fellow survivor named Piper, she begins to feel like maybe she doesn't have to face the nightmare alone. Sarcastic and blunt, Piper isn't afraid to push Ava out of her comfort zone. Piper introduces Ava to Asad, a boy who loves theater just as much as she does, and slowly, Ava tries to create a life again. Yet Piper is fighting her own battle, and soon Ava must decide if she's going to fade back into her scars . . . or let the people by her side help her fly.

"A heartfelt and unflinching look at the reality of being a burn survivor and at the scars we all carry. This book is for everyone, burned or not, who has ever searched for a light in the darkness." --Stephanie Nielson, New York Times bestselling author of Heaven Is Here and a burn survivor

About Erin:

Erin Stewart is the author of SCARS LIKE WINGS, her debut novel. Erin is a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern and a BYU undergraduate who works as a freelance writer and editor, as well as a weekly columnist in Salt Lake City.

Erin lives in Utah with her husband and three children. She is represented by the amazing Brianne Johnson of Writers House.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of SCARS LIKE WINGS, US Only.

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Tour Schedule:

Week One:

10/1/2019- Feed Your Fiction Addiction- Review

10/2/2019- BookHounds YA- Review

10/3/2019- Lifestyle of Me- Review

10/4/2019- Fictitious Fox- Review

Week Two:

10/7/2019-  Fire and Ice - Review

10/8/2019- Moonlight Rendezvous- Review

10/9/2019- Fictitiouswonderland- Review

10/10/2019- Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers- Review

10/11/2019- Here's to Happy Endings- Review

Week Three:

10/14/2019- Treestand Book Reviews- Review

10/15/2019- Smada's Book Smack- Review

10/16/2019- Riddle’s Reviews- Review

10/17/2019- Jena Brown Writes- Review

10/18/2019- Book-Keeping- Review

Week Four:

10/21/2019- A Bookish Dream- Review

10/22/2019- Life Within The Pages- Review

10/23/2019- Portrait of a Book- Review

10/24/2019- The Pages In-Between- Review

10/25/2019- Paper Reader- Review

Week Five:

10/28/2019- Southern Girl Bookaholic- Review

10/29/2019- Do You Dog-ear?- Review

10/30/2019- Novel Novice- Excerpt

10/31/2019- Two points of interest- Review

 

Book Review - Elizabeth Webster and the Uncommon Pleas by William Lashner + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Elizabeth Webster prefers to stay under the radar and away from the spotlight in middle school. However, when the popular all-star swimmer Henry Harrison asks Elizabeth to tutor him in math, her invisible days are long gone. When Elizabeth arrives to tutor Henry, she realizes he has an ulterior motive. Henry's house is being haunted by a ghost calling Elizabeth's name. As Elizabeth investigates Henry's ghost, she makes a few startling discoveries and realizes is Henry really the one who needs saving?

I thought the book was a very fun and laugh-out-loud read. The cast of characters were all lovable and helped our novice lawyer heroine along the way. It was fun seeing how each character grew and helped each other along. A must-read for any mystery fan!

**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 extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

About the Book

Title: ELIZABETH WEBSTER AND THE COURT OF UNCOMMON PLEAS

Author: William Lashner

Pub. Date: October 15, 2019

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook

Pages: 320

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

Welcome to Elizabeth Webster's world, where the common laws of middle school torment her days . . . and the uncommon laws of an even weirder realm govern her nights.

Elizabeth Webster is happy to stay under the radar (and under her bangs) until middle school is dead and gone. But when star swimmer Henry Harrison asks Elizabeth to tutor him in math, it's not linear equations Henry really needs help with-it's a flower-scented, poodle-skirt-wearing, head-tossing ghost who's calling out Elizabeth's name.

But why Elizabeth? Could it have something to do with her missing lawyer father? Maybe. Probably. If only she could find him. In her search, Elizabeth discovers more than she is looking for: a grandfather she never knew, a startling legacy, and the secret family law firm, Webster & Son, Attorneys for the Damned.


Elizabeth and her friends soon land in court, where demons and ghosts take the witness stand and a red-eyed judge with a ratty white wig hands out sentences like sandwiches. Will Elizabeth's father arrive in time to save Henry Harrison-and is Henry the one who really needs saving?


Set in the historic streets of Philadelphia, this riveting middle-grade mystery from New York Times best-selling author William Lashner will have readers banging their gavels and calling for more from the incomparable Elizabeth Webster.

 

About William:

William Lashner is the New York Times Bestselling creator of Victor Carl, who has been called by Booklist one of the mystery novel’s “most compelling, most morally ambiguous characters.”  The Victor Carl novels, which have been translated into more than a dozen foreign languages and have been sold all across the globe, include BAGMEN, KILLER’S KISS, FALLS THE SHADOW, FATAL FLAW, and HOSTILE WITNESS.  He is also the author of GUARANTEED HEROES, THE BARKEEP, which was an Edgar Award nominee and a Digital Book World Number One Bestseller, THE ACCOUNTING, and BLOOD AND BONE.

Writing under the pseudonym of Tyler Knox, Lashner is also the author of KOCKROACH, described as “roaringly entertaining,” by Publisher’s Weekly, and “an energetic tour de force,” by USA Today.  As Tyler Knox he has written a number of book reviews for the Washington Post Book World.

Lashner was a criminal prosecutor with the Department of Justice in Washington D.C. before quitting the law to write fulltime.  A graduate of the New York University School of Law, as well as the Iowa Writers' Workshop, he lives with his wife and three children outside Philadelphia.

William Lashner Photo © Sigrid Estrada

Website | Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of ELIZABETH WEBSTER AND THE COURT OF UNCOMMON PLEAS, US Only.

Rafflecopter link:

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Tour Schedule:

Week One:

10/1/2019- Pandora's Books- Excerpt

10/2/2019- Southern Girl Bookaholic- Review

10/3/2019- Shelf-Rated- Review

10/4/2019- BookHounds YA- Excerpt

Week Two:

10/7/2019- Odd and Bookish- Review

10/8/2019- EatingbetweenthelinesINC- Review

10/9/2019- Little Red Reads- Review

10/10/2019- History from a Woman’s Perspective- Review

10/11/2019- Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers- Excerpt

Week Three:

10/14/2019- Books_andPoetrii- Excerpt

10/15/2019- Jena Brown Writes- Review

10/16/2019- Nerdophiles- Review

10/17/2019- Savings in Seconds- Review

10/18/2019- The Reading Corner for All- Review

Week Four:

10/21/2019- Books a Plenty Book Reviews- Review

10/22/2019- Wonder Struck- Review

10/23/2019- Smada's Book Smack- Review

10/24/2019- Novel Novice- Excerpt

10/25/2019- fictitious.fox- Review

Week Five:

10/28/2019- Fyrekatz Blog- Review

10/29/2019- Two points of interest- Review

10/30/2019- Fictitiouswonderland- Review

10/31/2019- PopTheButterfly Reads- Review