Book Spotlights - Battle Dragons #1: City Of Thieves by Alex London + Giveaway

About The Book:

Title: CITY OF THIEVES (Battle Dragons #1)

Author: Alex London

Pub. Date: September 21, 2021

Publisher: Scholastic

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 272

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

In a modern mega-city built around dragons, one boy gets caught up in the world of underground dragon battles and a high-stakes gang war that could tear his family apart.

Once, dragons nearly drove themselves to extinction. But in the city of Drakopolis, humans domesticated them centuries ago. Now dragons haul the city’s cargo, taxi its bustling people between skyscrapers, and advertise its wares in bright, neon displays. Most famously of all, the dragons battle. Different breeds take to the skies in nighttime bouts between the infamous kins―criminal gangs who rule through violence and intimidation.

Abel has always loved dragons, but after a disastrous showing in his dragon rider’s exam, he's destined never to fly one himself. All that changes the night his sister appears at his window, entrusting him with a secret...and a stolen dragon.

Turns out, his big sister is a dragon thief! Too bad his older brother is a rising star in Drakopolis law enforcement...

To protect his friends and his family, Abel must partner with the stolen beast, riding in kin battles and keeping more secrets than a dragon has scales.

When everyone wants him fighting on their side, can Abel figure out what's worth fighting for?

Reviews:

"Battle Dragons is the riproaring opener to a surefire hit series. Alex London has envisioned a world as enthralling as it is dangerous―a society much like our own if it was built on the backs of giant fire-breathing dragons. Readers are sure to burn through the pages as they follow Abel through the shadowy underbelly of Drakopolis, dodging dragon-rider street gangs and a ruthless secret police to save his family. Abel is an endearing and relatable hero struggling under expectations as the youngest of three siblings, and his journey in building self-confidence is sure to ring true with young readers. Above all, cutting through the action is a moving tale of friendship and family, which is at the heart of this thrilling fantasy."- Soman Chainani, author of The School for Good and Evil series

 

"A rip-roaring loop-de-loop of action and adventure, Battle Dragons will keep readers at the edge of their seat as they cheer on Abel and his friends."- Kwame Mbalia, author of the Tristan Strong series

 

About Alex London: 

ALEX LONDON is the author of over 25 books for children, teens, and adults with over 2 million copies sold. He’s the author of the middle grade Dog Tags, Tides of War, Wild Ones, and Accidental Adventures series, as well as two titles in The 39 Clues. For young adults, he’s the author of the acclaimed cyberpunk duology Proxy, and the epic fantasy trilogy, The Skybound Saga. A former journalist covering refugee camps and conflict zones, he can now be found somewhere in Philadelphia, where he lives with his husband and daughter or online at

www.calexanderlondon.com.

 

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Tumblr | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will win a finished copy of CITY OF THIEVES (Battle Dragons #1), US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

9/13/2021	Nonbinary Knight Reads	Review
9/13/2021	YA Books Central	Excerpt
9/14/2021	celiamcmahonreads	Review
9/14/2021	Don't Judge, Read	Review
9/15/2021	Nerdophiles	Review
9/15/2021	The Bookwyrm's Den	Review
9/16/2021	Book-Keeping	Review
9/16/2021	Rajiv's Reviews	Review
9/17/2021	Locks, Hooks and Books	Review
9/17/2021	booksaremagictoo	Review

Week Two:

9/20/2021	The Momma Spot	Review
9/20/2021	Lifestyle of Me	Review
9/21/2021	Books a Plenty Book Reviews	Review
9/21/2021	Two Points of Interest	Review
9/22/2021	Fyrekatz Blog	Review
9/22/2021	Bibliosini	Review
9/23/2021	#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog	Review
9/23/2021	Books and Zebras @jypsylynn	Review
9/24/2021	A Dream Within A Dream	Excerpt
9/24/2021	BookHounds YA	Excerpt

September 2021 Empties!

 

Wow, I can't believe September is almost over. It feels like the year just started a few days ago. I am super excited I finished a few things but, unfortunately nothing was amazing.

I have been using the Moroccanoil treatments for years and love using it. A little drop goes a long way and makes my hair feeling soft and shiny. I love lip oils but, I didn't really care for the Yensa lip oil because I have to kept re-applying and it would literally just disappear after a sip of water.

I was excited to try the Jelly Mask by Acure but, thought it was pretty disappointing. I didn't really notice any results. I did like the Eminence Organic Skin Care Apricot Whip Moisturizer though. It was creamy and smells so delicious. My skin felt so hydrated and soft after application.

I have mixed feelings about Akar Skin Pure Lip Restoration. I bought two of this from different stores and each one sent me a different one. One is in a tin and the other in glass jar and I found that formula to be almost similar but, one felt a bit different and lasted longer.

Is there anything you finished this month that you liked?

Beauntiq Beauty Guardian Angel Revitalising Eye Gels

Logically, Skin Aquatide Soothing & Lifting Mask

Yerma Acai Berry Collagen Essence Mask

Burt's Bees Firming Moisturizing Cream Renewal

Moroccanoil Treatment

Yensa Super 8 Lip Oil - Pink Shine

Acure Brightening Vitamin C Jelly Mask

Eminence Organic Skin Care Apricot Whip Moisturizer

Rituals The Ritual of Dao Balancing Foaming Shower Gel

Barr Co Bubble Elixir Fir and Grapefruit

Akar Skin Pure Lip Restoration

Milk Makeup Vegan Milk Moisturizer

Sunday Riley Martian Mattifying Melting Water Gel Toner

Dermae Hydrating Night Creme

OFRA OFRA Peptide Silk-C Serum Maximum Whitening Effect

Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Peppermint Oil Cooling Jelly Conditioner

Klorane Fleur d'Hibiscus Nourishing Body Lotion

TONYMOLY Vital Vita 12 Firming Ampoule Vitamin A

OhK! Sleep Mask Moisturizing

Tocca Green Tea Lemon Nourishing Body Scrub

Lorac Lip Gloss - Rock It

C.O. Bigelow No. 4006 Lip Balm

A-True Spring Green Tea Watery Calming Cream

Head & Shoulders Supreme Nourish & Smooth Conditioner

Avant Gentle Rose Beautifying Face Exfoliant

Book Review - A Duke Worth Fighting For by Christina Britton

 

The Duke of Carlisle, Daniel Hayle, returns from Waterloo a hero after the war. He is covered in scars and dreads going to London and facing society. He fears his lack of social skills and his scars will make it hard for him to find a wife. He decides that he needs all the help he can get with navigating and socializing with London's elite.

Margery Kitteridge lost her husband to the war and she is mourning his death. She receives a blackmail letter accusing him of desertion and Margery is desperate to protect his reputation. She unfortunately doesn't have the money to pay the blackmailer. However, when Daniel Hayle arrives, she senses an opportunity for them both to get what they want. She will help him find a bride and in exchange he will give her money to pay off the blackmailer.

The book was an easy read and had a few twists but, most were predictable. I would classify this as a steamy romance novel and that was a bit unexpected for me (although, I should have guessed by the cover).  The novel is the third book in the series but, I was able to read this book as standalone. It was charming story but, it had lagged during the middle parts. Readers who enjoy a steamy romance with a bit of heart and mystery will enjoy this book.

 **I got a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Book Spotlight - Take Me With You When You Go by David Levithan and Jennifer Niven + Spotlight

 About The Book:

Title: TAKE ME WITH YOU WHEN YOU GO

Author: David Levithan & Jennifer Niven

Pub. Date: August 31, 2021

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 336

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

From the New York Times bestselling authors of All the Bright Places and Every Day comes a story of hope, family, and finding your home in the people who matter the most.

Subject: You. Missing.

Ezra Ahern wakes up one day to find his older sister, Bea, gone. No note, no sign, nothing but an email address hidden somewhere only he would find it. Ezra never expected to be left behind with their abusive stepfather and their neglectful mother - how is he supposed to navigate life without Bea?

Bea Ahern already knew she needed to get as far away from home as possible. But a message in her inbox changes everything, and she finds herself alone in a new city - without Ez, without a real plan - chasing someone who might not even want to be found.

As things unravel at home for Ezra, Bea confronts secrets about their past that will forever change the way they think about their family. Together and apart, broken by abuse but connected by love, this brother and sister must learn to trust themselves before they can find a way back to each other.

 

About David Levithan:

David Levithan’s many acclaimed novels include Someday, Another Day, Every Day, Two Boys Kissing, and Boy Meets Boy. His bestselling collaborations include Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist and Sam & Ilsa’s Last Hurrah (both written with Rachel Cohn) and Will Grayson, Will Grayson (written with John Green). In 2016, David was named the recipient of the Margaret A. Edwards Award for his contribution to YA literature. You can learn more about him at davidlevithan.com and follow him on Twitter at @loversdiction.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon |BookBub

 

About Jennifer Niven:

Jennifer Niven is the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of All the Bright Places and Holding Up the Universe. Her books have been translated in over 75 languages, and have won literary awards around the world. When she isn’t working on multiple book and TV projects, Jennifer also oversees Germ, a literary web magazine for high school age and beyond. Jennifer divides her time between coastal Georgia and Los Angeles. Find her at jenniferniven.com and on social.

 

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a Finished Copy of TAKE ME WITH YOU WHEN YOU GO, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

8/23/2021	Pick A Good Book	Excerpt
8/24/2021	YABooksCentral	Excerpt
8/25/2021	@Curlygrannylovestoread	Review
8/26/2021	Do You Dog-ear?	Review
8/27/2021	Everyone's Librarian	Review
8/28/2021	Ruei's Reading Corner	Review

Week Two:

8/29/2021	Books and Zebras @jypsylynn	Review
8/30/2021	Eli to the nth	Review
8/31/2021	Rajiv's Reviews	Review
9/1/2021	booksaremagictoo	Review
9/2/2021	Fictitiouswonderland	Review
9/3/2021	Momfluenster	Review
9/4/2021	onemused	Review

Week Three:

9/5/2021	celiamcmahonreads	Review
9/6/2021	Nonbinary Knight Reads	Review
9/7/2021	Lifestyle of Me	Review
9/8/2021	BookHounds ya	Review
9/9/2021	Kait Plus Books	Excerpt
9/10/2021	@coffeebooksandmascara	Review
9/11/2021	hauntedbybooks	Review

Week Four:

9/12/2021	Midnightbooklover	IG Post
9/13/2021	BiancaBuysBooks	Review
9/14/2021	Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers	Review
9/15/2021	Zainey Laney	Review
9/16/2021	@ChristenKrumm	Review
9/17/2021	Two Points of Interest	Review

Book Review - I Am Margaret Moore by Hannah Capin

 

Each summer the Marshall Naval School opens its door to the girls of Deck Five. They learn how to sail, march on the drill fields, and earn honors and accolades. Each summer they push each other to their limits and they come back stronger together.

The girls have a bond that's stronger than blood; they are bounded by something stronger. One by one Margaret's friends start to vanish one by one because of the lies she told last summer. Will the secrets she kept be her downfall?

I thought the book summary was interesting and I was looking forward to reading this book. However, I didn't enjoy this novel at all. I hated the writing style. It was written to be lyrical but, it was confusing and gave little about the story. I had a hard time getting into the story because most of the words were just useless fluff or the author included too many technical naval terms. I lost interest in the book and didn't finish it.

Book Review - Nice Girls by Catherine Dang

 

Mary was a nice girl. She was well known as "Ivy League Mary" in her small town of Liberty Lake, Minnesota. She was expected to leave the small town behind and make it into the big leagues. Mary had transformed from a chubby teen with a scholarship to a thinner and cynical failure who was kicked out of Cornell in her senior year. She returns home to work at a local grocery store and watches as her life takes a sharp downward spiral.

As Mary's life takes a dip, her once best friend, Olivia Willand, disappears. She was a rising social media star and beloved by everyone except Mary. Mary knows behind the girl next door vibe is a mean and manipulative girl with sharp edges. As the town obsesses over Olivia, Mary believes that her disappearance might be tied to another missing person, nineteen-year-old DeMaria Jackson, who people thought she ran away. As Mary begin to investigate the disappearances, she is forced to face the truth about herself and others.

I thought the book was an interesting read. I was a bit disappointed in the ending. I thought the reason for the disappearances was going to be a bit more sinister even the reason for her being expelled was overblown. I am surprised that Mary wanted to keep her head down but, kept doing things that throws her into the limelight. It was an okay read and I would be opened to reading other books by the author.

September 2021 Haul!

 

Ah September is here! I am so excited for the Fall season but, also disappointed that the year has already gone by. I feel like that I have blinked and another year has gone by. 

I love fancy soaps and when I came across the brand Finchberry Soapery, I knew I had to get a few of their soaps. I decided to get their 8 piece sampler and the soaps smell amazing and look so pretty! I am a little shocked at how expensive they are though.

I got a few new sheet masks that I am excited to try. There is this one step Hanaro Modeling mask that has the same results as other modeling masks but it come pre-mixed without any additional steps needed. I think this is pretty cool because modeling masks are cool but, can get messy and unfortunately, they need to be mixed right before using. I had picked up a few sheet masks last week at this local beauty store in the city. Their packaging looks fun and I hope they perform well.

I heard good things about the brand Herbivore and I think I have tried them in the past. However, I saw they had a facial oil called Emerald and I knew I had to get it. I also got a new facial oils from Graydon and  Bybi that I am excited to try.

I remember being in love with Lancome's Juicy tubes so, when I saw L'oreal had a similar one called Colour Juice, I knew I had to try it. I got it in this beautiful rose pink called Panther Pink. I heard good things about Tarte's Jelly Glaze so I got it in toasted coconut. I was debating what color to get it in but, then realized I spend most of my day behind a mask. I ended up going with a soft brown neutral color.

Did you get anything this new that you are excited to try?

Book Review - Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

 

Nitta Sayuri tells her story of her life as a geisha as she reminisces in her old age. Her story began in 1929 in a small poverty filled fishing village. She was nine-year-old girl with beautiful unusual colored eyes. Her father made the decision to sell her and her sister into slavery to a geisha house. There she transforms from a young girl into a young woman learning the rigorous arts of being a geisha.  She learns the art of dance and music while entertaining her clients. While at the geisha house she has to learn to deal with a dangerous rival who will stop at nothing to get what she wants.

The book was an enchanting read and it felt like we were getting a glimpse of a previously unknown world. The novel did move a bit slowly in the beginning and it felt a bit rushed in the end but, I thought it was an enjoyable read. I liked reading about Sayuri's journey but, towards the end of the novel I didn't care for her. I understand that she was trying to take control of her life but, I felt like she treated people like pawns. Overall, I can see why this book is a fan favorite.

Book Review - The Photographer by Mary Dixie Carter

 

Delta Dawn spends most of her day photographing the perfect lives of the wealthy people in NYC. She has a special gift of transforming stiff hugs and tear-stained faces into ones of joy during parties. When Delta is invited to Natalie Straub's eleventh birthday party, she finds herself yearning to be a part of the family instead of an outsider. She wants to be includes in the family's daily lives.

Delta decides that she will find a way to make herself a part of the family. She offers to babysit for Natalie while befriending Amelia. She also tries to offer emotional support to Fritz so, she can be ingrained in every aspect of the family's life. Soon she finds herself a fixture at the home and they soon realizes photos are not the only thing Delta is good at manipulating.

The novel is a claustrophobic read and it made me second guess every single person I have invited into my life. I had a hard time believe that no one called Delta out on behavior but, from the looks of it she probably doesn't have much friends. The ending left me wanting more though because it felt rushed and incomplete.