Book Review - The Half Sister by Sandie Jones

Photo Credit - Amazon

Kate and Lauren are sisters who were never really close. They meet for lunch every Sunday at their parents' home. Since, their father passing, their family gathering never really felt the same. However, their lives get turned upside down one day when there is a knock at their door. A young woman named, Jess tells Kate and Lauren that she is their half-sister. She even has the DNA test to prove it. As Kate starts digging into Jess's story, she realizes that they are all hiding secrets.

I have all of the author's novels and have enjoyed them. However, I am stuck between liking this novel and it being "meh". Towards the end of the novel, it seems like one of the characters just breaks and spirals out of control when she seems to have planned things out. The novel was a quick and thrilling read but, I didn't find myself really connecting to any of the characters. The majority of the book was predictable but, it was an entertaining 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.**

Book Review - The Shadows by Alex North

Photo Credit - Amazon

In the small town of Gritten Park, there lives an unstable teenager named Charlie Crabtree. Every town has at least one kid who has a dark imagination, a sinister smile and is an outcast. People always suspect that they are capable of doing something awful and it was only a matter of when.

Twenty-five years ago, Charlie committed a heinous murder. It was a murder so shocking that it has attracted a fanbase on the darkest corner of the internet. The murder has inspired more than one copycat with countless others following the case closely.

Paul Adams remembers the murder and moved away in hopes of forgetting the murder. Charlie and the victim were Paul's friends. After moving away, Paul has finally gotten his life together. When his mother suffers a fall and takes a turn for the worse, Paul decides to move back home. Paul doesn't want to return home but, he feels duty-bound to his mother to see her.

Shortly after Paul returns home, things start going wrong. Paul learns that there is a copycat murder in the nearby town. His senile mother is getting distressed and mentions that something is in the house. Paul realizes that someone is following him and he is worried that it might be Charlie who hasn't been seen since the day of the murder.

I haven't read the first novel by the author but, this novel can be read as a standalone. I felt like there were a few references made to the previous book that I didn't quite understand. I thought the book was a thrilling and engaging read. The book will keep you up at night wondering if there is something out there in the shadows. I look forward to reading other books by the author.

**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 Review - The Sweeney Sisters by Lian Dolan + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

The three Sweeney sisters grew up happy in their small seaside town of Southport, Connecticut. Liza, Maggie, and Tricia are still reeling from the after-effects of their mother's death from cancer over fifteen years ago. The sisters have drifted apart and have their own lives. When news of their beloved father, Bill Sweeney, an international famous literary genius and the renowned professor had died, the sisters return to their childhood home.

They are unsure of what their lives will look like without their father. They decide to throw an Irish wake to honor him. As guests pay their respects to Bill, one guest decides to crash the party because she is a Sweeney sister too.

Based in Washington, DC journalist Serena Tucker decided to test her DNA on a whim. She learns that she is a 50% genetic match with a childhood neighbor - Maggie Sweeney. It turns out that Serena's WASP mother, Birdie, had a history with Bill Sweeney. Serena's entire identity is thrown into a loop and she tries to come to terms with her mother's secrets.

Will the Sweeney sisters be able to accept their new sister? What will this secret hold for Bill's legacy?  Are there any other secrets Bill has kept from his family?

I thought the novel was an interesting read. I felt like there was enough to keep readers interested in reading more but, not enough to fall out of their seat gasping for air. I did feel that there were some slow gaps. I felt like this novel was more like a cozy romantic read rather than Jerry Springer-level family dysfunction 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.**

 

Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: William Morrow (April 28, 2020)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0062909045
ISBN-13: 978-0062909046

Praise for THE SWEENEY SISTERS

"This is a big-hearted belly-laugh of a book, told with wit and poignancy. Family secrets, laughter and tears, shocking reveals, and an uplifting ending make this a story to savor--and share." —Susan Wiggs, New York Times bestselling author of The Oysterville Sewing Circle

"Dolan uses her experience in podcasting with her own sisters to craft believable women characters who worry about real problems and use wry humor to push through dark moments . . . . A warmhearted portrait of love embracing true hearts." —Kirkus

An accomplished storyteller returns with her biggest, boldest, most entertaining novel yet—a hilarious, heartfelt story about books, love, sisterhood, and the surprises we discover in our DNA that combines the wit of Jonathan Tropper with the heart of Susan Wiggs.

Maggie, Eliza, and Tricia Sweeney grew up as a happy threesome in the idyllic seaside town of Southport, Connecticut. But their mother’s death from cancer fifteen years ago tarnished their golden-hued memories, and the sisters drifted apart. Their one touchstone is their father, Bill Sweeney, an internationally famous literary lion and college professor universally adored by critics, publishers, and book lovers. When Bill dies unexpectedly one cool June night, his shell-shocked daughters return to their childhood home. They aren’t quite sure what the future holds without their larger-than-life father, but they do know how to throw an Irish wake to honor a man of his stature.

But as guests pay their respects and reminisce, one stranger, emboldened by whiskey, has crashed the party. It turns out that she too is a Sweeney sister.

When Washington, DC based journalist Serena Tucker had her DNA tested on a whim a few weeks earlier, she learned she had a 50% genetic match with a childhood neighbor—Maggie Sweeney of Southport, Connecticut. It seems Serena’s chilly WASP mother, Birdie, had a history with Bill Sweeney—one that has remained totally secret until now.

Once the shock wears off, questions abound. What does this mean for William’s literary legacy? Where is the unfinished memoir he’s stashed away, and what will it reveal? And how will a fourth Sweeney sister—a blond among redheads—fit into their story?

By turns revealing, insightful, and uproarious, The Sweeney Sisters is equal parts cautionary tale and celebration—a festive and heartfelt look at what truly makes a family.

You can purchase The Sweeney Sisters at the following Retailers:

        

Photo Content from Lian Dolan

Lian Dolan is a writer and talker. She’s the author of two Los Angeles Times best-selling novels, Helen of Pasadena and Elizabeth the First Wife published by Prospect Park Books. Her next novel, The Sweeney Sisters, will be published in 2020 by William Morrow. She’s a regular humor columnist for Pasadena Magazine and has previously written monthly columns for O, The Oprah Magazine and Working Mother Magazine. She’s also written for TV, radio and websites.

Lian is the producer and host of Satellite Sisters, the award-winning talk show she created with her four real sisters. On Satellite Sisters, she’s interviewed everyone from Nora Ephron to Madeleine Albright to Big Bird. Satellite Sisters began life as a syndicated radio show and is now a top-rated podcast for women. The recent book by the Satellite Sisters, You’re the Best: A Celebration of Friendship, is popular with book clubs.

A popular speaker who combines humor and heart, Lian has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, CBS Sunday Morning and The Today Show and many local TV stations. She’s been a featured speaker at the LA Times Festival of Books, the Santa Barbara Celebrity Authors Lunch, the Literary Guild of Orange County Festival of Women Authors and dozens of other events at libraries, book stores, schools and women’s organizations across the country. In 2020, she’ll be on the faculty of the Erma Bombeck Writers Workshop.

Lian graduated from Pomona College with a degree in Classics. She lives in Pasadena, California with her husband, two sons and a big German shepherd.

        

WEEK ONE

APRIL 27th MONDAY JeanBookNerd INTERVIEW

APRIL 28th TUESDAY Casia's Corner EXCERPT

APRIL 29th WEDNESDAY BookHounds INTERVIEW 

APRIL 30th THURSDAY Crossroad Reviews REVIEW

APRIL 30th THURSDAY TTC Books and More GUEST POST

MAY 1st FRIDAY Books and Zebras REVIEW 

MAY 1st FRIDAY Two Points of Interest REVIEW

WEEK ONE

MAY 4th MONDAY Nay's Pink Bookshelf REVIEW

MAY 5th TUESDAY Ya It's Lit REVIEW

MAY 6th WEDNESDAY Gwendalyn's Books REVIEW

MAY 6th WEDNESDAY Insane About Books REVIEW 

MAY 7th THURSDAY Book Queen Reviews REVIEW 

MAY 7th THURSDAY Reading Adventures of a Book Dragon REVIEW

MAY 8th FRIDAY Movies, Shows, & Books REVIEW

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

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Book Review - The Body Under the Piano by Marthe Jocelyn

Photo Credit - Amazon

Aggie Morton lives in a small town on the coast of England. She is shy but, has an adventurous and imaginative streak. After her beloved father passed away, Aggie hasn't been able to do much. Until she crosses path with a young twelve-year-old Belgian immigrant named Hector Perot. When a dead body was discovered in her dance studio, Aggie and Hector join forces to help solve the crime. The pool of suspects is growing larger and the murder is threatening to tear the town apart. The duo will need to use their deductive skills and their curiosity to help solve the crime before Aggie's beloved dance instructor is charged with a crime Aggie believes she didn't commit.

The book was a cute read for children who love mystery and suspenseful novels. The plot twists and secrets were all very predictable and I was able to guess all of them before they happened. However, I am a grown adult and children would probably enjoy putting clues together to solve the mystery on their own. This novel is perfect for young readers who enjoy mystery novels.

**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 - Sparrow by Mary Cecilia Jackson + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Savannah Darcy Rose is a gifted ballerina. She is known as "Sparrow" to her friends and family. Sparrow has a lot of secrets that she keeps from her loved ones.  She was taught at a young age to keep secrets for her late mother.  However, after a brutal attack from her perfect boyfriend, Sparrow must find the courage to confront her past.

As a person who has been in an abusive relationship, I thought I would have enjoyed this novel. I find that I hated it and I couldn't relate to the main character at all. I liked that each of the characters had nicknames until it became overwhelming. I felt like some of the dialogue between the characters didn't feel authentic or real.

The novel skips from Sparrow and Tristan's first date to Sparrow being terrified of him. I feel like this doesn't give us a chance to see the "good guy" that Tristan is. Was their relationship strong in the beginning or was Tristan always violent? The reason I am asking is that I have a hard time understanding "why" Sparrow insists Tristan is a good guy when all we see is his abusive behavior towards her. Sparrow mentions that he treats her good by "apologizing and buying her things". However, I don't feel that Sparrow and her family needs money as her father is a criminal defense attorney and uses a Montblanc pen. I am wondering if there is an emotional need that Tristan was filling for her.

I wish there was more details given about Sparrow and her mother's death. The author hovers around the incident without going into detail. Another issue I had with the book was that Sparrow observed that she wished her father knew she was in pain and would protect her. However, whenever her friends or family observed Sparrow and her relationship she would get defensive. This wasn't the book for me and I couldn't finish reading it around the 70% page mark.

**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 INFORMATION

Sparrow

by Mary Cecilia Jackson
Publisher: Tor Teen
Release Date: March 17th 2020
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Synopsis:

In the tradition of Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speak, a devastating but hopeful YA debut about a ballerina who finds the courage to confront the abuse that haunts her past and threatens her future.

There are two kinds of people on the planet. Hunters and prey

I thought I would be safe after my mother died. I thought I could stop searching for new places to hide. But you can’t escape what you are, what you’ve always been.

javascript:void(0);My name is Savannah Darcy Rose.

And I am still prey.

Though Savannah Rose―Sparrow to her friends and family―is a gifted ballerina, her real talent is keeping secrets. Schooled in silence by her long-dead mother, Sparrow has always believed that her lifelong creed―“I’m not the kind of girl who tells”―will make her just like everyone else: Normal. Happy. Safe. But in the aftermath of a brutal assault by her seemingly perfect boyfriend Tristan, Sparrow must finally find the courage to confront the ghosts of her past, or lose herself forever….

BOOK LINKS

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33004248-sparrow

Amazon: https://amzn.to/39Xb2yN

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sparrow-mary-cecilia-jackson/1131253775

iTunes: https://books.apple.com/us/book/lookup?isbn=9781250771292

Bookdepository: https://www.bookdepository.com/Sparrow-Mary-Cecilia-Jackson-Andrew-Eiden-Rachel-L-Jacobs/9781250263506

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/sparrow-17

Google Books: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Mary_Cecilia_Jackson_Sparrow

BOOK AUTHOR

Mary Cecilia Jackson has worked as a middle school teacher, an adjunct instructor of college freshmen, a technical writer and editor, a speechwriter, a museum docent, and a development officer for central Virginia's PBS and NPR stations. Her first novel, Sparrow, was an honor recipient of the SCBWI Sue Alexander Award and a young-adult finalist in the Writers' League of Texas manuscript contest. She lives with her architect husband, William, in Western North Carolina and Hawaii, where they have a farm and five ridiculously adorable goats.

AUTHOR LINKS

Website: https://www.marycjackson.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16090834.Mary_Cecilia_Jackson

Twitter: https://twitter.com/marycjackson

Instagram: www.instagram.com/mceciliajackson/

TOUR SCHEDULE

https://fantasticflyingbookclub.blogspot.com/2020/02/tour-schedule-sparrow-by-mary-cecilia.html

We will be updating this link daily.

GIVEAWAY

Prize: Win a copy of SPARROW by Mary Cecilia Jackson (US/CAN Only)

Starts: 17^th March 2020

Ends: 31^st March 2020

Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d9681b86476/?

 

Book Review - Mermaid Moon by Susann Cokal

Photo Credit - Amazon

Sanna is a mermaid but, she is half landish. When Sanna was born, an old sea witch cast a forgetting spell that made Sanna, her mother, her father, and her people forget the details of her birth including her mother. When Sanna turns sixteen years old, she decides to find her mother as she feels like an outsider in her seavish flok. Determined to find her roots and identity, she apprentices herself to the sea witch who cast the spell on her and her family.

After learning the magic to make a pair of legs for herself, she decides to follow the clues to the location of her mother. Before she leaves, the sea witch gives her a cryptic quest to complete. As Sanna begins her journey, her flok wait for her news on her journey. While on land, Sanna comes across a village who is desperate for a miracle and a baroness who will stop at nothing to live forever.

I was quite torn with this review. I thought the novel was beautifully written but, then at times, it was just too much. I was more than 85% done with the book before I couldn't be bothered anymore. The story progressed so slowly that the story didn't even progress in 50 pages. It was mostly 50 pages of atmosphere building or Sanna debating what to do or the sea life that lives on the old witch's body. I wasn't a fan of the different points of view because I felt like it added little to the story. I wanted to enjoy this book more because I love a good tale. I am still looking forward to other books by the author.

**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 Review - City Spies by James Ponti + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Sara Martinez is a hacker who hacked into the foster care system to expose the crimes of her foster parents. Instead of being thanked for exposing the fraud, she finds herself spending time in a juvenile detention facility along with being banned from using the computer.  Mother is a British spy that offers Sara a haven to practice her hacking skills by working with the M16 agency.

The five kids who were recruited from across the globe are now based at the M16 in Scotland. When they are not in school, they are working on developing their unique skills such as hacking, sleight of hand and explosives. This will help them become better spies in the world of espionage. Sara was bought into the team before she was able to be trained. Along with her four teammates, Sara will need to stop a villain along with managing the complex dynamics of her team.

I thought the book was a fun read. I like that the author included a diverse cast of characters. I enjoyed reading the background on each character and how they overcame difficult situations. Young readers will enjoy following along with the characters as they solve crimes while learning about themselves.

**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: CITY SPIES

Author: James Ponti

Pub. Date: March 10, 2020

Publisher: Aladdin

Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, audiobook

Pages: 384

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

In this new series James Ponti brings together five kids from all over the world and transforms them into real-life spies.

Sara Martinez is a hacker. She recently broke into the New York City foster care system to expose her foster parents as cheats and lawbreakers. However, instead of being hailed as a hero, Sara finds herself facing years in a juvenile detention facility and banned from using computers for the same stretch of time. Enter Mother, a British spy who not only gets Sara released from jail but also offers her a chance to make a home for herself within a secret MI6 agency.

Operating out of a base in Scotland, the City Spies are five kids from various parts of the world. When they’re not attending the local boarding school, they’re honing their unique skills, such as sleight of hand, breaking and entering, observation, and explosives. All of these allow them to go places in the world of espionage where adults can’t.

Before she knows what she’s doing, Sarah is heading to Paris for an international youth summit, hacking into a rival school’s computer to prevent them from winning a million euros, dangling thirty feet off the side of a building, and trying to stop a villain…all while navigating the complex dynamics of her new team.

No one said saving the world was easy…

About James:

James Ponti was born in Italy, raised in Florida, and went to college in California. After receiving a degree in screenwriting from the USC Film School, he began a career writing and producing television shows for the likes of Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, PBS, Spike TV, History Channel, and Golf Channel. James loves writing, travel, and the Boston Red Sox. He lives with his family in Maitland, Florida.

Photo by Elena Seibert Photography.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

Three lucky winners will receive a finished copy of CITY SPIES, US Only.

Giveaway Link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21059/?

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

3/2/2020	Little Red Reads	Review
3/3/2020	BookHounds YA	Review
3/4/2020	Book-Keeping	Review
3/5/2020	Nay's Pink Bookshelf	Review
3/6/2020	YA Book Nerd	Review

Week Two:

3/9/2020	Wonder Struck	Review
3/10/2020	fictitious.fox	Review
3/11/2020	momfluenster	Review
3/12/2020	Two Points of interest	Review
3/13/2020	Savings in Seconds	Review