Friday, November 2, 2018

Book Review - Star Wars: Are You Scared, Darth Vader? by Adam Rex + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

 It's a midnight with a full moon out. Darth Vader isn't scared, though. Nothing can scare Lord Vader, not even scary monsters, ghosts, or witches. So, what exactly is Darth Vader scared of?

This was a cute and silly book to read alone (no judgment) or with a child. The book is beautifully illustrated and filled with fun. It is a quick read which means kids will want to read it over and over again. A must read for any 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 any extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**


About the Book:
Title: ARE YOU SCARED, DARTH VADER?
Author: Adam Rex
Pub. Date: July 3, 2018
Publisher: Disney Lucasfilm Press
Formats: Hardcover, eBook
Pages: 48
Find it: GoodreadsAmazonB&NiBooksTBD

It's midnight and the moon is full, but Darth Vader isn't scared.

OF COURSE I AM NOT SCARED.

Nothing can scare Lord Vader!

CORRECT.

Not monsters or witches or ghosts, and especially not the dark.

So what is Darth Vader scared of?

Read on in Adam Rex's hilarious and spooky Star Wars tale to find out!

YOU WILL LEARN NOTHING.

 


About Adam:
Adam Rex grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, the middle of three children. He was neither the smart one (older brother) or the cute one (younger sister), but he was the one who could draw. He took a lot of art classes as a kid, trying to learn to draw better, and started painting when he was 11. Later he got a BFA from the University of Arizona, and met his physicist wife Marie (who is both the smart and cute one).

Adam and Marie live in Tucson, where Adam draws, paints, writes, spends too much time on the internet, and listens to public radio. Adam is nearsighted, bad at all sports, learning to play the theremin, and usually in need of a shave. He can carry a tune, if you don't mind the tune getting dropped and stepped on occasionally. He never remembers anyone's name until he's heard it at least three times. He likes animals, spacemen, Mexican food, Ethiopian food, monsters, puppets, comic books, 19th century art, skeletons, bugs, and robots.

His first picture book, THE DIRTY COWBOY by Amy Timberlake, was published by FSG in 2003. His picture book FRANKENSTEIN MAKES A SANDWICH, a collection of stories about monsters and their problems, was a New York Times Bestseller. 2007 saw the release of his first novel, THE TRUE MEANING OF SMEKDAY, which was adapted into the DreamWorks film HOME in 2014. He has illustrated the work of many authors, including Jon Scieszka, Mac Barnett, Neil Gaiman, Jeff Kinney, David Lubar, Kate DiCamillo, Eoin Colfer, Christopher Paul Curtis, and Paul Fieg.

Garlic and crosses are useless against Adam. Sunlight has been shown to be at least moderately effective. A silver bullet does the trick. Pretty much any bullet, really.


  
Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of ARE YOU SCARED, DARTH VADER?, US Only.

Rafflecopter Link:

Tour Schedule:

Week Two:
10/29/2018- Eli to the nthReview
10/30/2018- Do You Dog-ear?Review
10/31/2018- Such A Novel IdeaReview
11/1/2018- Novel NoviceReview
11/2/2018- Two Points of InterestReview




Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Book Review - An Assassins Guide to Love and Treason by Virginia Boecker + Giveaway


Photo Credit - Amazon

Lady Katherine's father is murdered for being a practicing Catholic. She realizes that her father being a Catholic wasn't the only the secret he was keeping.  He was also involved in a plot to have the reigning Queen Elizabeth I murdered. With a deep need for revenge, Katherine disguises herself as a boy to London to complete her father's mission. 

Katherine decides to use William Shakespeare's newest play, as an opportunity to murder the Queen. However, Katherine doesn't realize the play is a trap to root out the insurrectionists and to destroy the rebellion.

Toby Ellis is the mastermind behind the ruse. He is a young spy for the Queen with a few secrets of his own. When Katherine and Toby are cast as the main leads, they find themselves drawn to each other. As the duo become closer will they be able to risk their mission for love? 

The book felt like I was reading a Shakespearian plot with crossdressers and star-crossed lovers. The novel had an interesting premise but, I felt that the novel was a bit slow. I felt like the novel could have added more details about the religious aspect along with Christopher Marlowe. I think this would give the readers an idea of what is on the line for Katherine and Toby. As honestly, I didn't feel like there was any "urgency" or that the duo is facing any life or death consequences. Overall, it was an entertaining read but, not my favorite.

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


Title: AN ASSASSINS GUIDE TO LOVE AND TREASON
Author: Virginia Boecker
Pub. Date: October 23, 2018
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Formats: Hardcover, eBook
Pages: 384
Find it: GoodreadsAmazonB&NiBooksTBD

When Lady Katherine's father is killed for being an illegally practicing Catholic, she discovers treason wasn't the only secret he's been hiding: he was also involved in a murder plot against the reigning Queen Elizabeth I. With nothing left to lose, Katherine disguises herself as a boy and travels to London to fulfill her father's mission, and to take it one step further--kill the queen herself.

Katherine's opportunity comes in the form of William Shakespeare's newest play, which is to be performed in front of Her Majesty. But what she doesn't know is that the play is not just a play--it's a plot to root out insurrectionists and destroy the rebellion once and for all.

The mastermind behind this ruse is Toby Ellis, a young spy for the queen with secrets of his own. When Toby and Katherine are cast opposite each other as the play's leads, they find themselves inexplicably drawn to one another. But the closer they grow, the more precarious their positions become. And soon they learn that star-crossed love, mistaken identity, and betrayal are far more dangerous off the stage than on.


About Virginia:
Virginia Boecker recently spent four years in London obsessing over English medieval history, which formed the basis of The Witch Hunter. She now lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband and spends her days writing, reading, running, and chasing around her two children, a cat named Thomas and a dog named George.

In addition to English kings, nine-day queens, and Protestant princesses, her other obsessions include The Smiths, art museums, champagne, and Chapstick. She is represented by John Cusick at Folio Literary Management.

Giveaway Details:
3 winners will receive a finished copy of AN ASSASSINS GUIDE TO LOVE AND TREASON, US Only.

Rafflecopter Link:

Tour Schedule:
Week Two:
10/29/2018- Such A Novel IdeaReview
10/30/2018- The Young FolksReview
10/31/2018- Two Points of InterestReview
11/1/2018- Book BriefsReview
11/2/2018- Mary Had a Little Book BlogReview

Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Book Review - The Light Before Day (Nantucket Legacy #3) by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Photo Credit - Amazon
 

Henry Macy returns to Nantucket after being gone for three years on a whaling voyage. He receives news that his grandmother, Lillian Coffin has given Henry and Hitty a vast inheritance. However, the fortune comes with steep conditions. Henry and Hitty are given conditions, such as who they can marry. If Henry and Hitty fail to meet the conditions of the will, the inheritance will go to their father's thieving business partner, Tristram Macy. Will Henry and Hitty be able to satisfy all of the will's conditions to obtain their inheritance?

This is the third novel in the series and it can be read as a standalone. However, I think the story will be more enjoyable if readers read the first two books. I found this novel to be an enjoyable read and a welcome addition to the series. I enjoyed reading how Henry and Hitty progressed into adulthood and seeing them make their own choices. Overall, a good read if you are a fan of the series.


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

Sunday, October 28, 2018

Book Review - A Sparkle of Silver (Georgia Coast Romance #1) by Liz Johnson


Photo Credit - Amazon

Over ninety years ago, Millie's great-grandmother was a guest at the famous estate of oil tycoon Howard Dawkins. Now, Millie and her grandmother struggle to support themselves. When her grandmother becomes ill, Millie is desperate to find a way to save her. Her grandmother hints that her great-grandmother left behind a lost diary containing clues to a hidden treasure. Millie takes a job at the estate and when she starts snooping around the estate, she catches Ben Thornton's attention. Ben works as a security guard at the estate. He has a few skeletons in his closet and so when Millie offers to split the treasure, he has a hard time saying no. Will Ben and Millie be able to find the treasure?

The book is a sweet romantic story with a bit mystery of mystery mixed in. Both Millie and Ben were flawed but, relatable characters trying to help people they love and care about.  I enjoyed the story but, I would have loved a bit more historical context especially, the parts with Millie's great-grandmother. Overall, a good romantic novel for fans of the genre.


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

Friday, October 26, 2018

Book Review - The French Girl by Lexie Elliott

Photo Credit - Amazon

Six friends from Oxford University decided to spend a week together in a French farmhouse. It was supposed to be the perfect summer together. Severine is the girl next door who joins the friends for the week-long trip. The last night of the holiday, the friends get into a fight that tears their friendships apart. That was also the last night Severine was seen. Almost a decade later, Severine's body is found near the farmhouse. Each of the friends is under suspicions and no one can trust anyone. Who is behind Severine's murder? 

The novel was a fun read but, the plot was a bit predictable.  I didn't find anything to set this book apart from other books of similar genres. I wished the author included more details about Severine and why she is "haunting" one of the characters. Overall, a fun book to read but, a bit predictable.

**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.**