Book Review - Real Pigeons Fight Crime by Andrew McDonald + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

 Ever passed by a gaggle of pigeons and wonder what they are doing?  Why do the pigeons act so weird? It's because they are secretly fighting crime. The park and its visitors are protected by a group of pigeons that fight evildoers. They help solve mysteries and ensure everyone is safe.

The illustrated book was a fun and delightful read. The book had three mini-stories with a conclusion but, each story was tied to each other. I found the illustrations to be fun especially, seeing the antics of each pigeon. Overall, a fun read for any young reader.

**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: REAL PIGEONS FIGHT CRIME

Author: Andrew McDonald & Ben Wood (Illustrations)

Pub. Date: January 7, 2020

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 208

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

Ever wonder why pigeons act so weird? Because they are secretly chasing bad guys and flying around saving your butt! This hilarious illustrated series is perfect for fans of BAD GUYS and DOG MAN.

What do REAL PIGEONS do? They fight crime, of course! Wait, what? You didn't know your town is protected by a secret squad of crime-fighting feathered friends? Well, you are about to get schooled. REAL PIGEONS solve mysteries! REAL PIGEONS fight bad guys! And REAL PIGEONS won't stop until your neighborhood is safe and the questions are all answered: Like, why have all the breadcrumbs disappeared? And which food truck smells the best?

About Andrew:

Andrew McDonald is a reader and writer of books for young readers.

His brand new series REAL PIGEONS debuts in 2018, with hilarious illustrations by Ben Wood.

His first children’s novel, The Greatest Blogger in the World featured the story of Charlie Ridge, a young blogger navigating family, friends and the perils of internet life. His second novel Son of Death, a black comedy about a family of modern grim reapers, was named by The Age as one of the ‘best books of the year’ in 2015.

He is also the creator of a blog post about ‘camera loss’ that somehow went viral and he wasn’t embarrassed enough to decline an invitation to be a Cleo Bachelor in 2011.

Andrew is an avid reader of children’s and YA literature. He has worked for Readings bookshop in Melbourne and at the flagship Foyles bookshop on Charing Cross Road in London, where he was thrilled to put his knowledge to work as a children’s bookseller. He has previously judged the Young Adult category of the Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards and the Centre for Youth Literature’s Inky Awards.

Andrew is a graduate of RMIT’s Professional Writing and Editing diploma and his writing has taken him around the world. He completed an artist residency at Caldera Arts in Oregon, USA and a May Gibbs Children’s Literature Trust fellowship in Adelaide.

He is a regular presenter on the schools circuit in Australia, conducting writing workshops; talking about his writing life; and sharing the stories and experiences behind his books. Enquire about booking Andrew for your school here.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Tumblr | YouTube | Goodreads

About Ben:

Ben Wood is a children’s illustrator based in Victoria, Australia. He has been commissioned to work with clients such as Hardie Grant Egmont, Penguin Random House, and Scholastic Australia.

Ben is able to offer clients a wealth of illustration styles and techniques in both digital and traditional mediums. Recent publications include ‘Blast Off!‘ by Shelly Unwin and the Squishy Taylor series, by Ailsa Wild. He is currently illustrating the Real Pigeons series by Andrew McDonald. “It’s super coo!”

Ben also runs presentations or workshops in schools, public libraries and bookstores. His sessions can vary from small to large groups, depending on what suits best. He is more than happy to work with Prep-Year 9 students, and adults too. Please contact Booked Out Speakers Agency to enquire about a booking.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will win a finished copy of REAL PIGEONS FIGHT CRIME, US Only.

Rafflecopter link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21036/?  

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

1/6/2020	BookHounds	Interview
1/7/2020	Abellafairytale	Review
1/8/2020	onemused	Review
1/9/2020	Do You Dog-ear?	Review
1/10/2020	Fazila's Book Review Corner	Excerpt

Week Two:

1/13/2020	Popthebutterfly Reads	Review
1/14/2020	Twirling Book Princess	Excerpt
1/15/2020	Fictitiouswonderland	Review
1/16/2020	Not In Jersey	Review
1/17/2020	She Just Loves Books	Review

Week Three:

1/20/2020	DJREADSBOOKS	Excerpt
1/21/2020	Lifestyle of Me	Review
1/22/2020	Eli to the nth	Review
1/23/2020	Little Red Reads	Review
1/24/2020	fictitious.fox	Review

Week Four:

1/27/2020	Cuz I’m a Nerd	Review
1/28/2020	Nerdophiless	Review
1/29/2020	Wonder Struck	Review
1/30/2020	Lori Murray	Review
1/31/2020	A Dream Within A Dream	Excerpt

Week Five:

2/3/2020	Nay's Pink Bookshelf	Review
2/4/2020	wordsandruin	Review
2/5/2020	Books_andPoetrii	Excerpt
2/6/2020	History from a Woman’s Perspective	Review
2/7/2020	Two Points of Interest	Review

Book Review - The Secrets She Keeps by Michael Robotham

Photo Credit - Amazon

Agatha knows everything about Meghan but, Meghan doesn't even know Agatha. Agatha looks forward to seeing Meghan every day when she comes into the grocery store where Agatha works.  Agatha thinks Meghan has a perfect life. Meghan is effortlessly chic and has two children, a handsome husband, a devoted marriage, and a gorgeous house. Meghan is the writer of a popular parenting blog that Agatha follows and reads each night while waiting for her boyfriend and the father of her unborn child to return her calls.

Meghan's life might look perfect from the outside but, her perfect life is filled with secrets and doubts. Meghan and her family have a few secrets that they will keep secret no matter what the cost. After an incident occurs, the pair finds their lives and future entwined with each other.

I was excited to read the book but, I did find the novel to be predictable. A few of the secrets weren't noteworthy but, as the story progressed we did find out more shocking ones.  However, I did find the writing to be engrossing and made a normally boring train ride entertaining. I might be open to reading more books by the author in the future.

 **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 Fifth Avenue Story Society by Rachel Hauck + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Five strangers are given the chance to rewrite their stories by joining The Fifth Avenue Story Society.  Lexa is an executive assistant and wants a promotion to CEO. She knows that she can do the job but, her boss, Zane believes she is just suited to her current role. Jett is a literature professor and writer who is nursing a broken heart from the death of his older brother and his divorce.  He is writing a dissertation on his idol, Gordon Phipps Roth. Jett has heard rumors that GPR might be a fraud.

Chuck is an Uber driver who wants a second chance with his two kids.  Ed is an aging widow who wants to write the love story of his marriage to Esmeralda. Coral is the owner of a multi-million dollar cosmetics empire that was started by her great grandmother. However, she is still recovering from her broken engagement to a prince and she is on the verge of losing her company. 

When they assemble at the library, they presume they are a victim of a practical joke. No one knows the purpose of the invitation, the reason behind the society, and why they are chosen. As the group meets every week, they find themselves a place to belong but, still afraid to share their secrets.

This is the second novel I have read by the author. I didn't enjoy the first one so, I wasn't sure what to expect with this novel. The story started strong and tapered off towards the middle. However, I am glad that I stuck through the novel because I love seeing the true story of each character unfold. I enjoyed seeing that each character was able to find themselves and find each other. I wish there were more details given about the secret society and why each person was picked.

**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.**

The Fifth Avenue Story Society
By Rachel Hauck
Christian Contemporary Romance
Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook & ebook, 400 Pages
February 4th 2020 by Thomas Nelson

An invitation to join The Fifth Avenue Story Society gives five New York strangers a chance to rewrite their own stories.

Executive assistant Lexa is eager for a much-deserved promotion, but her boss is determined to keep her underemployed.

Literature professor Jett is dealing with a broken heart, as well as a nagging suspicion his literary idol, Gordon Phipps Roth, might be a fraud.

Uber driver Chuck just wants a second chance with his kids.

Aging widower Ed is eager to write the true story of his incredible marriage.

Coral, queen of the cosmetics industry, has broken her engagement and is on the verge of losing her great grandmother’s multimillion-dollar empire.

When all five New Yorkers receive an anonymous, mysterious invitation to the Fifth Avenue Story Society, they suspect they’re victims of a practical joke. No one knows who sent the invitations or why. No one has heard of the literary society. And no one is prepared to reveal their deepest secrets to a roomful of strangers.

Yet curiosity and loneliness bring them back week after week to the old library. And it’s there they discover the stories of their hearts, and the kind of friendship and love that heals their souls.

Praise for the Book

"Hauck inspires and uplifts with this mix of tales." - Publishers Weekly

(Affiliate links included.)

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Target | Christianbook | TNZFiction

About the Author

Rachel Hauck is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA TODAY bestselling author of The Wedding Dress, which was also named Inspirational Novel of the Year by Romantic Times and was a RITA finalist. Rachel lives in central Florida with her husband and pet and writes from her ivory tower.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

One winner will receive a print copy of The Wedding Dress (US only)

Ends February 19, 2020

ENTER HERE

Book Review - The Winter Sister by Megan Collins

Photo Credit - Amazon

Sixteen years ago, Persephone went out with her boyfriend, Ben and never came home again. she is forbidden to see Ben and has kept her relationship a secret with him. She went missing for three days before her body was discovered but, her case has remained unsolved.

Sylvie, Persephone's younger sister, returns home to care for her mother, Annie as she undergoes treatment for cancer. Annie and Sylvie used to have a close bond but, after Persephone's death, the pair's relationship became strained. When Sylvie returns to take care of Annie, their reunion is filled with silence.

When taking her mother to the cancer center for treatment, she runs into Ben who works as a nurse at the cancer center. Sylvie always believed that Ben was responsible for Persephone's death. Sylvie is always weighed down by her guilt over the night Persephone went missing. As Sylvie tries to help her mom and navigate her relationship with her mother, she begins to uncover secrets. Will she discover who killed her sister?

I enjoyed the first part of the book but, towards the ending, the book became very predictable.  I didn't enjoy any of the characters but, I did like the character dynamics. I was expecting a lot more from this novel and I was disappointed I was able to guess every twist. There were a few things I wish we had more details on.

 **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 Girl in the Glass Box by James Grippando

Photo Credit - Amazon

Jack Swyteck is a Miami based attorney who is taking on an immigration case of an undocumented immigrant who fled to America to protect her daughter and herself. Julia Rodriguez and her teenage daughter, Beatriz escape from El Salvador to hide from the gangs and Julia's abusive husband. The duo struggles to adapt to life in America but, enjoy the safety it provides from Julia's husband.

Julia and her daughter were getting used to life in America until Julia refuses her boss's unwanted sexual advances. Her boss submits a tip to the U.S. immigration authorities to arrest Julia and put her in detention. Since Julia is slated for deportation, Jack's only move is to request asylum for her.

The novel is based on current events and can be seen as a timely thriller. My opinions and thoughts of immigration aside, I wasn't a fan of this novel. I had a hard time sympathizing with some of the characters because I didn't like them. I felt like the novel was very boring and repetitive with almost no plot development. I wasn't a fan of the ending but, I understand that immigration can be tricky and things do not always pan out. I found some of the dialogue between the characters to be stilted and surrealistic. This was my first novel by the author and probably the last.

 **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.**