Showing posts with label mother. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mother. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Book Review - Everything I Thought I Knew by Shannon Takaoka + Giveaway

 

 

Chloe is a seventeen-year-old who had her entire life planned out. She was going to work hard and get into a good college. However, during a cross-country meet, she passes out and wakes up in the emergency room. She is told that she needs a new heart and all the plans she made goes out of the window. Fast forward eight months after the surgery, everything in Chloe's life has changed. She now has to attend summer school with underachievers. All she wants to do is grab her surfboard and surf which is weird because she had no interest in surfing before. As a bonus, Kai, her instructor is cute and caring.

Chloe keeps having a strange and vivid recurring nightmare of her crashing a motorcycling and dying. She is also seeing people and places that she doesn't know but, recognizes. She also has memories that she doesn't remember experiencing. As she searches for answers, she finds herself drawn to Kai and she starts to question everything she thought she knew.

I thought the novel was an interesting read. I wasn't expecting the novel to have a sci-fi twist. While I enjoyed the story, I wasn't a fan of the characters. I found their behavior annoying and ungrateful. Some parts of the book were a bit slow but, overall it 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.**




Hardcover : 320 pages
ISBN-10 : 1536207764
ISBN-13 : 978-1536207767
Publisher : Candlewick (October 13, 2020)
Language: : English

Praise for EVERYTHING I THOUGHT I KNEW

“Everything I Thought I Knew is a page-turning, mind-bending story of hope and healing. The reader will root for Chloe from page one as she navigates her world post–heart transplant and tries to meld her prior reality with her new one. I couldn’t put it down; it is a beautiful debut from a talented new voice in YA.” —Alexandra Ballard, author of What I Lost

The thoughtful balance of self-discovery, humor, and realistic relationships will bring in fans of John Green and Nicola Yoon. Readers looking for a good, cathartic cry will love Chloe’s journey from losing everything she thought she was, to finding the person she was meant to be. —School Library Journal

Romance and quantum physics intertwine in this frothy introduction to multiverse SF. —Kirkus Reviews

This is a satisfying soaper that combines pleasing romance with an enticing touch of the otherworldly. —Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books


A teenage girl wonders if she’s inherited more than just a heart from her donor in this compulsively readable debut.

Seventeen-year-old Chloe had a plan: work hard, get good grades, and attend a top-tier college. But after she collapses during cross-country practice and is told that she needs a new heart, all her careful preparations are laid to waste.

Eight months after her transplant, everything is different. Stuck in summer school with the underachievers, all she wants to do now is grab her surfboard and hit the waves—which is strange, because she wasn’t interested in surfing before her transplant. (It doesn’t hurt that her instructor, Kai, is seriously good-looking.)

And that’s not all that’s strange. There’s also the vivid recurring nightmare about crashing a motorcycle in a tunnel and memories of people and places she doesn’t recognize.

Is there something wrong with her head now, too, or is there another explanation for what she’s experiencing?

As she searches for answers, and as her attraction to Kai intensifies, what she learns will lead her to question everything she thought she knew—about life, death, love, identity, and the true nature of reality.

You can purchase Everything I Thought I Knew at the following Retailers:
        

Photo Content from Shannon Takaoka

Shannon Takaoka is a young adult fiction author who wrote her first book at age 12, when she blatantly ripped off C.S. Lewis with an epic fantasy inspired by THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE. (Well, maybe it wasn’t that epic — do 10 pages count?) Madeline L’Engle, Charlotte Brontë, Neil Gaiman and a host of other authors inspired her lifelong love of reading, and she’s especially into all things gothic, weird and nerdy. If a story involves time travel, strange science-y stuff or alternate realities, she’s in.

Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Shannon now lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, two children and one very needy dog, who is probably leaning on her right now as she’s pecking away on her keyboard. Her debut novel, EVERYTHING I THOUGHT I KNEW, about a 17-year-old girl questioning everything about who she is and who she wants to be following a heart transplant, will be published by Candlewick Press on 10/13/2020 and Walker UK in 2021. She promises that it’s a little weird — but in a good way.

        
WEEK ONE - REVIEWS & INTERVIEWS
NOVEMBER 9th MONDAY JeanBookNerd INTERVIEW
NOVEMBER 10th TUESDAY BookHounds YA REVIEW & INTERVIEW
NOVEMBER 10th TUESDAY Twirling Book Princess EXCERPT
NOVEMBER 11th WEDNESDAY Two Points n Interest REVIEW
NOVEMBER 11th WEDNESDAY Crossroad Reviews REVIEW
NOVEMBER 12th THURSDAY Movies, Shows, & Books GUEST POST 
NOVEMBER 12th THURSDAY We Live and Breathe Books REVIEW
NOVEMBER 13th FRIDAY Nay's Pink Bookshelf REVIEW
NOVEMBER 13th FRIDAY Kalisbookishrambles REVIEW 

WEEK TWO - REVIEWS
NOVEMBER 16th MONDAY Ya It's Lit REVIEW 
NOVEMBER 17th TUESDAY A Court of Coffee and Books REVIEW 
NOVEMBER 17th TUESDAY Pages and Pugs REVIEW 
NOVEMBER 18th WEDNESDAY Emelie's Books REVIEW 
NOVEMBER 18th WEDNESDAY Welcome to MLM Opinion's Reviews REVIEW
NOVEMBER 19th THURSDAY Books and Zebras REVIEW
NOVEMBER 19th THURSDAY Author Kelly Risser REVIEW
NOVEMBER 20th FRIDAY My Fictional Oasis REVIEW 
NOVEMBER 20th FRIDAY Reading Adventures of a Book Dragon REVIEW

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

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Wednesday, November 4, 2020

Book Review - The Edge of Belonging by Amanda Cox

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Ivy Rose returns home after she receives news of her grandmother passing. She organizes an estate sale for her grandmother's things but, she realizes her grandmother left her a key to unlocking Ivy's adoption. Ivy tries to find the truth about her past but, she realizes she is missing an important piece of the mystery.

 Twenty-four years earlier, Harvey James is out scavenging the highway for abandoned things he can use. He stumbles upon an abandoned newborn who gives him a sense of human connection that he has never had. He wants to take care of the child because of his own past abandonment. However, he struggles with taking care of the child because he is homeless. Two people see Harvey struggling and are trying to help Harvey find his way. Harvey is afraid of letting them in before he ends up losing the baby.

I enjoyed reading the emotional read. I actually found myself drawn to Harvey's storyline than the Ivy in the present day. I thought it was a change of pace that a male character found a child and went to extreme lengths to care for and protect her. I found it enjoyable on finding out the thread that connected all the characters. The book showed readers that not all family bonds are made by blood. 

  **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.**


Sunday, October 25, 2020

Book Review - Nemesis and the Swan by Lindsay K. Bandy

 

Photo Credit - Amazon
 

Helene d'Aubign is accused of being a spy and is thrown in jail in revolutionary Paris. The nineteen-year-old aristocrat recalls the events that led to her predicament. She must decide if she will follow the path of her parents or will she abandon the man she loves.

While Helene grew up in a world of privilege and surplus, her progressive governess has instilled radical ideas of a revolution in her early years. Her family tries to prevent her to follow the dangerous path of the revolution but, she has her own ideas. This includes falling in love with a young apprentice. Helene is determined to be with him even though the revolution threatens to tear their family apart.

When violence erupts in Paris, Helene is forced into hiding with her family. She discovers that her family is keeping a deadly secret from her. As Helene tries to find the truth behind the murder, she travels back to Paris to find her beloved. In Paris, she realizes that everything has changed and she can no longer trust anyone. Helene must choose between her family's past or betraying her heart.

I enjoyed reading the book even though it was very slow and predictable. I liked that Helene followed her heart and followed the path of forgiveness of her accuser. There were some parts of the story that wasn't resolved but, the ending was satisfying. Helene is portrayed as wanting the revolution to happen but, she doesn't really express any ideas about it or question her family's priviledge. Instead, she gets annoyed when the artist follows certain progranada of the revolution because the citizens are after her blood. I feel like at times she was pretending to be in favor of the revolution. Overall, I enjoyed the book and 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.**

 

Nemesis and the Swan

by Lindsay K. Bandy
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
Release Date: October 27th 2020

Genre: Young Adult, Historical, Fiction, France

 

Synopsis:

 

From her prison cell in revolutionary Paris, nineteen-year-old aristocrat Hélène d'Aubign recalls the events that led her to choose between following in her parents' unforgivable footsteps or abandoning the man she loves.

 

Despite her world of privilege, Hélène is inspired early on by the radical ideas of her progressive governess. Though her family tries to intervene, the seeds of revolution have already been planted in Hélène's heart, as are the seeds of love from an unlikely friendship with a young jeweler's apprentice. Hélène's determination to find true love is as revolutionary as her attempt to unravel the truth behind a chilling set of eye-shaped brooches and the concealed murder that tore her family apart.

 

As violence erupts in Paris, Hélène is forced into hiding with her estranged family, where the tangled secrets of their past become entwined with her own. When she finally returns to the blood-stained streets of Paris, she finds everything-and everyone-very much changed. In a city where alliances shift overnight, no one knows who to trust.

 

Faced with looming war, the mystery of her family's past, and the man she loves near death, Hélène will soon will find out if doing one wrong thing will make everything right, or if it will simply push her closer to the guillotine.

 

BOOK LINKS

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | BookDepository | Kobo | Google Books

 


AUTHOR INFORMATION

Lindsay Bandy writes historical and contemporary young adult fiction as well as poetry. She lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, with her husband, two daughters, and two cats, and currently serves as the co–regional advisor of the Eastern Pennsylvania region of Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

AUTHOR LINKS

Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Instagram

 

TOUR SCHEDULE

https://favouritepagesbookclub.blogspot.com/2020/09/tour-schedule-nemesis-and-swan-by.html

 

 

Tuesday, October 13, 2020

Book Review - The House Next Door by Darcy Coates

 


Jo lives near a haunted house. She suspected something is wrong with the house since no one stays there long. Recently a family fled during the middle of the night and left all their belongings in the house. Animals including her cats avoid going near the house. Once Jo saw someone pacing through the upstairs room but, no one was living there at the time.

Anna recently bought the house next door. Jo is curious about her new neighbor and decides to reach out to Anna. Jo didn't expect to become friends with Anna but, she is excited to have a friend. However, the Marwick House has become active again with the arrival of its new occupant. Will Anna and Jo be able to get out of the house alive? Will they be able to figure out what is haunting the house?

This was my third book by the author and I enjoyed it. The book isn't really scary but, suspenseful. I found the book to be well written and engaging. As I was reading the book (stupidly late at night and in the dark) I could imagine being inside the dark and creepy house. I felt like the story took a while to build and there wasn't much of a "haunting".  I can't say this was my favorite book but, I am still interested in reading her other 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.**

Monday, October 5, 2020

Book Review - Dragonflies at Night by Anne Marie Bennett + Giveaway

 

 


Savannah is the owner of a party planning business called Life Celebrations. Even though Savannah has lost both of her parents as a teenager, she tries to create and foster a positive life for herself. She surrounds herself with friends and coworkers that she treats like family. While Savannah is happy with her life, she yearns to have a family of her own. However, she is afraid of getting sick and leaving her kids without a mother.

Savannah's mom, Deirdre Rose continues to watch over Savannah. Deirdre leaves "gifts" of dragonflies to let her Savannah know she is being watched over.

Ben is a good looking talented recording artist that is looking for more in life. He is famous but, he constantly feels lonely. He fears trusting people because very few people want to know the real him. He feels that most people just want something from him. 

However, when Savannah and Ben cross paths at a yoga retreat, they feel drawn to each other. They feel a bond that they never felt before. Savannah wants to know the real him and Ben appreciates and understands Savannah's past. But, when their retreat is over, what will become of their relationship?

I thought the novel had an interesting concept of a mother/aunt looking over their child. However, I felt like the novel was moving very slowly. The characters were interesting but, I couldn't stay interested in the novel. If you like cozy romance with elements of magical realism, then this is the book for you.

 

**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

Dragonflies at Night:
More Than a Love Story
By Anne Marie Bennett
Women's Fiction, Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 365 Pages
September 22, 2020 by KaleidoSoul Media

A dragonfly brings a mother’s love to a grieving daughter.

Meet Savannah, the thirty-something owner of Life Celebrations, a party planning business. Despite losing both parents as a teenager, Savannah is creating a positive life for herself, surrounded by friends and co-workers who are now her family. But she also has a secret—as much as she wants to settle down and have children, she is afraid to, for fear of getting cancer and having to leave them without their mother, as she herself was left behind years ago.

Meet Deirdre Rose, Savannah’s mother. She continues to watch over Savannah, who feels deeply connected to her mother whenever she sees a dragonfly.

Now meet Ben, a thirty-something recording artist who is good-looking, talented, and a household name. Despite his fame, Ben is lonely. He trusts few people because it seems everyone wants something from him instead of getting to know who he really is.

Savannah and Ben cross paths when they meet at a yoga retreat in the Massachusetts Berkshires. They are drawn to each other’s creativity and outlook on life. She sees beyond his celebrity and he admires her strength in what she’s had to overcome.

What happens when the retreat ends and they go their separate ways? Will they be able to make a long distance relationship work? Can Savannah put aside her fears, and will Ben allow himself to be truly vulnerable?

Above all . . . what message do Deirdre Rose and Dragonfly have for both of them?

(Affiliate link included.)

About the Author


Anne Marie Bennett was touched by a dragonfly once and has never forgotten its message. She has published books about her cancer journeys and the process of SoulCollage®. This is her first women’s novel.


Tour Schedule


Tour Giveaway


One winner will receive an ebook of All You Need is Love and Lilacs, a dragonfly suncatcher, and a $25 Amazon eGift Card (dragonfly suncatcher to US winner only, international winner will receive ebook and gift card only)

Ends October 14, 2020



Sunday, August 23, 2020

Book Review - The Suicide House by Charlie Donlea


Photo Credit - Amazon

Indiana's elite Westmont Preparatory High School is well known for its strict rules and high expectations. Students are expected to follow their highly enforced rules. However, behind the campus is an abandoned house in the woods that is a late-night hangout for students. At the abandoned house, the students play a game called "Man in the Mirror" and they have one rule: don't let your candle go out.

One year ago, two students were brutally murdered one night. The case became well known and became the focus of a hit podcast, The Suicide House. While a teacher was convicted of the murders, there are still many mysteries and questions surrounding the case. One chilling mystery is why the survivors of the horrible night all return to the boarding house to kill themselves.

Rory is an expert at finding clues on cold cases. She is working with her partner, Lane to solve the mystery behind the murders. They try to recreate the night to find answers that were missed.  As they begin to dig into the case, they discover dark secrets and someone willing to stop at nothing to get what they want.

This was my first book by the author and I am hooked. I already added his other books to my reading pile. The novel was thrilling and kept me entertained until the end. I wasn't a fan of the writing style though. I am guessing the author formatted the chapter to feel like short bursts but, it felt annoying after awhile. Overall, I loved the book and can't wait to read more 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.**

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

Book Review - Orphan Eleven by Gennifer Choldenko + Giveaway



Photo Credit - Amazon

Four orphans eagerly wait for an opportunity to escape from the Home for Friendless Children. Lucy, one of the orphans, used to love to talk and sing. Now, she no longer speaks as she believes silence is the only way to protect herself.

After a tumultuous journey, the orphans find work and new friends aboard a traveling circus. Lucy loves being able to take care of the elephants but, for her to secure the job of the elephant handler, she will need to speak to the elephants and warn others of danger. If Lucy doesn't cope with her fear of speaking, she will lose her chance to join the circus. Meanwhile, the matrons of the orphanage are eager to get Lucy back at the orphanage.

The book was a fun and cute read. It was nerve-wracking following the orphans' journey for a home and a place to belong. I liked that the author included a section about notes on the book. It was shocking to find out how much of Lucy's story was based on horrifying events. The novel was a heartwarming and enjoyable read and perfect for fans of 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.**

 

 

About the Book:
Title: ORPHAN ELEVEN
Pub. Date: May 26, 2020
Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books
Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook
Pages: 320

Four orphans have escaped from the Home for Friendless Children. One is Lucy, who used to talk and sing. No one knows why she doesn't speak anymore; silence is her protection.

The orphans find work and new friends at a traveling circus. Lucy loves caring for the elephants, but she must be able to speak to them, and to warn others of danger. If Lucy doesn't find her voice, she'll be left behind when the circus goes on the rails. Meanwhile, people are searching for Lucy, and her puzzling past is about to catch up with her.


About Gennifer:
With more than 2 and a half million books sold, Choldenko’s best known Tales from Alcatraz series, has been called “A cornerstone series in contemporary children’s literature.” Al Capone Does My Shirts—the first book in the series—was a Newbery Honor Book and the recipient of twenty other awards. All four books in the series were Junior Library Guild selections and garnered many starred reviews. Gennifer’s newest novel: Orphan Eleven will be out May 26. Publisher’s Weekly has said this about Orphan Eleven: “This uplifting tale of hope, survival and belonging has all the ingredients to become a beloved middle grade book.” Gennifer lives in the San Francisco Bay area with her loyal husband and naughty dog.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

Giveaway Details:
3 winners will receive a finished copy of ORPHAN ELEVEN, US Only.

Rafflecopter Link:


Tour Schedule:
Week One:
7/13/2020
Excerpt
7/13/2020
Excerpt
7/14/2020
Excerpt
7/14/2020
Excerpt
7/15/2020
Review
7/15/2020
Excerpt
7/16/2020
Instagram Stop
7/16/2020
Excerpt
7/17/2020
Review
7/17/2020
Interview

Week Two:
7/20/2020
Review
7/20/2020
Review
7/21/2020
Review
7/21/2020
Review
7/22/2020
Review
7/22/2020
Interview
7/23/2020
Review
7/23/2020
Excerpt
7/24/2020
Review
7/24/2020
Excerpt