Book Review - Never-Contented Things by Sarah Porter + Giveaway

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Prince and his fellow fairies have otherworldy charm and beauty. They roam the Earth for centuries looking for entertainment to pass the time. When they meet foster siblings Josh and Ksenia, Prince will stop at nothing to have them as his playthings. Josh and Ksenia have a strong bond with each other and love each other until the end of the world.

When the siblings become seduced and trapped by the fairies, they realize the gifts they received come at a terrible price. If they want to escape Prince's prison, they have to risk everything they love to reclaim their freedom. Will Ksenia and Josh be able to escape Prince's evil clutches?

I thought the novel has an interesting premise but, it was a confusing read. I felt like it had a lot going on especially with the long descriptive sentences. I found Ksenia and Josh's relationship to be confusing and a bit far fetched. They acted like young adults who love each other but, fail to understand that loving someone means doing the best for them. The novel felt a bit slow but, some parts of the fairy storyline was interesting. I found them to be imaginative and creepy.

 **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: 368 pages
Publisher: Tor Teen (March 19, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0765396734
ISBN-13: 978-0765396730

Praise for NEVER-CONTENTED THINGS

“Sarah Porter is a genius. Her language is lush and dangerous, and her books burn with the beautiful, ferocious intensity of a bonfire in the darkest night. Read Never-Contented Things with the lights on. Then read it again.” ―Brittany Cavallaro, New York Times bestselling author of A Study in Charlotte

“Sarah Porter’s Never-Contented Things creates a creepy new world like none I’ve seen before. Eerie, edgy, and filled with mystery, Porter takes us to the depths of the magical and psychological.” ―Danielle Paige, New York Times bestselling author of Dorothy Must Die

Praise for WHEN I CAST YOUR SHADOW

“You’ll never think of your nightmares the same way again. Darkly seductive. Sarah Porter’s writing glitters and her storytelling stuns in this twisted tale of siblings, love, and death.” —Stephanie Garber, New York Times bestselling author of CARAVAL

“Sarah Porter’s darkly imaginative WHEN I CAST YOUR SHADOW intrigues from the start. Tragic and engrossing, filled with nightmarish dreamscapes and menacing villains, it also treads the tender terrain of family, and the strange and sometimes dysfunctional ties between siblings. Highly recommended!”  —Kendare Blake, New York Times bestselling author of THREE DARK CROWNS

Seductive. Cruel. Bored.
Be wary of…

Prince and his fairy courtiers are staggeringly beautiful, unrelentingly cruel, and exhausted by the tedium of the centuries ― until they meet foster-siblings Josh and Ksenia. Drawn in by their vivid emotions, undying love for each other, and passion for life, Prince will stop at nothing to possess them.

First seduced and then entrapped by the fairies, Josh and Ksenia learn that the fairies' otherworldly gifts come at a terrible price ― and they must risk everything in order to reclaim their freedom.

You can purchase Never-Contented Things at the following Retailers:

        

Photo Content from Sarah Porter

SARAH PORTER is the author of the Lost Voices Trilogy (Lost Voices, Waking Storms, The Twice Lost) in addition to Vassa in the Night—all for the teen audience. For over ten years she has taught creative writing workshops in New York City public schools to students in grades K-10. Porter also works as a VJ, both solo and with the art collective Fort/Da; she has played venues including Roseland, Galapagos, Tonic, Joe’s Pub, The Hammerstein Ballroom, The Nokia Theater, and the Burning Man festival. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two cats.

        

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Book Review - A Nearly Normal Family by M.T. Edvardsson

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Stella Sandell is an average teenager from a well known local family. However, her life is turned upside down when she stands accused of the brutal murder of a man almost fifteen years her senior. Everyone wants to know how Stella knows the man and what her motive for the murder.

Stella's father is a pastor and her mother is a criminal defense attorney. They both are considered pillars of truth, honesty, and integrity in the community. When news of Stella's arrest arrive, they find their morals to be tested as they defend their daughter. How far will they go to protect their daughter? What secrets is Stella hiding?

The novel was narrated by three different narrators: her father, Stella, and her mother. It was interesting to see how all three characters overlapped for a satisfying ending. While the book was an engrossing read, I had a hard time rooting for Stella. Stella does a lot of things because she is bored and nothing happens to her. However, when her plans go awry, she puts the blame on other people instead of blaming herself. Personally, I didn't care for her as a person as when people were trying to help her, she kept pushing them away. Overall, the book as an entertaining read and I look forward to reading more books from the author.

 **Disclosure - I received a free uneditted 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 - Run Away by Harlan Coben

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Simon had a perfect life. He was a beloved father, husband, and a successful businessman. All of that changes when his daughter, Paige becomes addicted to drugs and is dating an abusive man. She made it clear that she wants to be left alone. However, Simon is having a hard time letting Paige go.

He searches everywhere for Paige during his spare time. One day, by chance, Simon spots her in Central Park playing the guitar for the money.  As Simon approaches his daughter, he is confronted by her abusive boyfriend which leads to a physical altercation. A few days later, Simon and Paige is a suspect in her boyfriend's murder.

A retired FBI agent turned private investigator, a hit man, and private financial advisor whose world will collide together when they have nothing in common. The novel had a few twists I didn't see coming. However, I am not sure how believable some parts of the story is. For example, the mother keeping her daughter's location a secret from her husband.  Overall, it was an interesting read and I will be interested in reading more works from the author.

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

Book Review - The Last Romantics by by Tara Conklin

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Fiona Skinner is a renowned poet who was asked about the inspiration behind her iconic work, The Love Poem.  Fiona relays a story about her family and the betrayal that slowly rips apart her family.

It all began when her father passed away unexpectedly. Her mother unable to cope with the loss and the demands of a young family locks herself in her room. Her children began calling this time "The Pause". They had to learn how to take care of themselves and became loyal to each other. Two decades later,  the siblings have to rely on each other once again. Will they be able to rely on each other and move on from the past?

I thought that this book was an easy read. However, while reading this book, I was reminded of my required school reading of books by Hemingway and Faulkner. It isn't because that this book or Faulkner or Hemingway are bad books but, they felt a bit bland and boring, especially, when you are required to read them, instead of reading them for pleasure. The characters were interesting but, I wasn't really invested in them. Overall, I felt like it might be an enjoyable book for some but, it wasn't 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 any extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.** 

Book Review - Sons of Blackbird Mountain by Joanne Bischof + Giveaway

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After the tragic death of her husband, Aven Norgaard decides to give up her life in Norway. She travels to Blackbird Mountain to become a housekeeper for her husband's family. When she arrives she finds three grown men on the farm. Aven was expecting to help care for three children. As she adjusts to life living with the brothers, she learns the brothers make a living by brewing hard cider.

Aven's appearance at the farm has the two youngest brothers at odds. They are both in love with Aven and want to marry her. Haakon, the youngest is bold and passionate. While Thor is a gentle deaf and mute giant who drinks to cope with his pain. Will the love for Aven tear the two brothers apart? Will she be able to find the solace she is looking for?

I enjoyed that this novel had a character who had disabilities. I thought the author portrayed Thor's challenges and frustrations in a humanizing and sympathetic way. I enjoyed reading the novel but, at times I felt like it was a bit slow and boring. I felt like novel could have more action/drama, instead of the fluff.

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

Title: Sons of Blackbird Mountain
Author: Joanne Bischof
Genre: Historical Romance
After the tragic death of her husband, Aven Norgaard is beckoned to give up her life in Norway to become a housekeeper in the rugged hills of Nineteenth-Century Appalachia. Upon arrival, she finds herself in the home of her late husband’s cousins—three brothers who make a living by brewing hard cider on their three-hundred acre farm. Yet even as a stranger in a foreign land, Aven has hope to build a new life in this tight-knit family.
But her unassuming beauty disrupts the bond between the brothers. The youngest two both desire her hand, and Aven is caught in the middle, unsure where—and whether—to offer her affection. While Haakon is bold and passionate, it is Thor who casts the greatest spell upon her. Though Deaf, mute, and dependent on hard drink to cope with his silent pain, Thor possesses a sobering strength.
As autumn ushers in the apple harvest, the rift between Thor and Haakon deepens and Aven faces a choice that risks hearts. Will two brothers’ longing for her quiet spirit tear apart a family? Can she find a tender belonging in this remote, rugged, and unfamiliar world?
A haunting tale of struggle and redemption, Sons of Blackbird Mountain is a portrait of grace in a world where the broken may find new life through the healing mercy of love.

Click here to purchase your copy!

About the Author

 

JOANNE BISCHOF is an ACFW Carol Award and ECPA Christy Award-winning author. She writes deeply layered fiction that tugs at the heartstrings. She was honored to receive the San Diego Christian Writers Guild Novel of the Year Award in 2014 and in 2015 was named Author of the Year by the Mount Hermon conference. Joanne’s 2016 novel, The Lady and the Lionheart, received an extraordinary 5 Star TOP PICK! from RT Book Reviews, among other critical acclaim. She lives in the mountains of Southern California with her three children. Visit her online at JoanneBischof.com, Facebook: Author, JoanneBischof, Instagram: @JoanneBischof.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Joanne is giving away

Grand prize of a country crate, a jar of apple butter, a bag of gummy berries, journal, bath salts, honey spoons, copper earrings, and a blackbird sign!!

Click below to enter.  
https://promosimple.com/ps/d140/sons-of-blackbird-mountain-celebration-tour-giveaway

Book Review - Her Secret (The Amish of Hart County #1) by Shelley Shepard Gray

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Hannah Hilty was like every other young Amish woman, she  yearned to find her soul mate and start a family. However, Hannah's life takes an unexpected turn when she gains the unwanted affections of an Englisher. After receiving photos of herself, Hannah and her family flee from their home to Hart, County, KY for a new start.  When Hannah arrives she is terrified to leave her home without company fearing that her stalker is lurking in the bushes. Hannah's neighbor Isaac Troyer is confused by the beautiful Hannah and her eccentric behaviors. He calls her "The Recluse", but once he learns of her past he changes his mind. Will Hannah be able to love again? Will Isaac be able to look past Hannah's past and be friends? Will Hannah's stalker finally leave her alone?

While, this is the first book in Gray's new series, I have read some of other her other books. I have enjoyed her other novels, but I was completely in love this one. It has a darker edge than other Amish novels I have read. The novel is beautifully written and shows the horrors victims face from being afraid on a daily basis to the stigma of being stalked. A wonderful read for anyone who likes Gray's work or is an Amish romance fan!

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

Book Review - Justice Delayed (Memphis Cold Case #1) Patricia Bradley

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Eighteen years ago, TV reporter Andi Hollister's older sister was murdered. The killer confessed and is behind bars and the execution date is mere days away. However, a letter is sent to the prisoner indicating they had proof that the killer is actually innocent. Detective Will Kincaide of the Cold Case Unit is assigned to help solve the mystery. Will Detective Kincaide be able to put his personal feelings for Andi and the confessed killer, his cousin to solve the mystery? Who is behind the mysterious letter?

The novel is filled with fluff. I can't even say, it's filled with mystery and suspense because the detectives on the case didn't see like they did anything and they didn't really communicate anything with each other. I couldn't find myself rooting for the main characters and found most of them dull and one sided. I found some elements of the story, unwarranted like they were added to make us annoyed and didn't have any effect on the story. For example, Andi's drug addiction problem, they all mentioned to her but no one actually did anything or the piece on assisting Chloe to run away or Will re-connecting with his mother. I felt like these elements took more away from the story than added to it. I own another book from the author but never got around to reading it and I am not sure if I will after this dud.

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

Book Review - The Cherished Quilt (An Amish Heirloom Novel) by Amy Clipston

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Christopher Hochstetler leaves Ohio after a family tragedy. He is heartbroken and overwhelmed with grief and guilt. When he arrives in Bird-in-Hand, he puts up a cold exterior and tries to keep to himself as he tries to work in his uncle's leather shop. However, that doesn't stop Emily Fisher from trying to befriend him. Their budding friendship slowly turns to love when Emily and Chris share their secrets with each other.  Emily decides to make a quilt as a token of their friendship, however Chris leaves for Ohio after a family emergency without telling Emily.  When Emily sends Chris the complete quilt, would Chris be able to accept the token of her love? Will Chris join the church so  they can be together?

The third novel in the series was beautifully written and fun to read.  I like that the author included a family tree and a dictionary for Amish translation. My only qualm with the novel is that I felt like the quilt was an afterthought and not much of the story revolved around it. A good read  for anyone who likes happy light reading Amish novels.

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