Book Review - Insomnia by Sarah Pinborough

 

Emma Averell is proud of her life. She is on track to become a partner at her law firm, she has two children and a doting husband. Life wasn't always so perfect for Emma. When she was five years old, Emma and her older sister went into foster care after an incident involving their mother. Her sister remembers a time when their mother was "normal", but Emma can only remember her mother as the monster. Her mother started changing around her fortieth birthday, and Emma's fortieth birthday is right around the corner.

Emma is desperate to forget her past and move on. However, she finds herself obsessing over her mother and her past. Emma is unable to sleep and keeps checking the doors and her children at night. Emma starts to doubt herself and she is unsure if she can be trusted because of her lack of sleep.

I thought the book was an interesting read. The story did get a bit repetitive and I am not sure how believable the "mystery" behind Emma's mother was. I felt like it came out of nowhere or maybe I missed something along the way. I did enjoy the way the author depicted Emma's gradual mental decline and made us guess if she's an unreliable narrator or if someone is out to get her.

Book Review - The Ghost Tree by Christina Henry

 

Smiths Hollow is a small quiet town. So, when two bodies of girls are found torn to shreds, Lauren is surprised. She feels that the police will never find the killer because her father's murder went unsolved. A year before, her beloved father was found dead with his heart missing. Everyone has been able to move on including, her mother. Lauren has a hard time coming to terms with her father's death and she struggles when her best friend, Miranda, is starting to move on too. Miranda and Lauren used to be two peas in a pod but, now Miranda wants to spend more time with boys than hanging out by the old ghost tree, like when they were kids.

One day, Lauren has a vision of a monster dragging the remains of the slain girls through the woods. She knows that she can't just sit there like everyone else and do nothing. She is determined to find the killer. As Lauren tries to find clues, she realizes someone is keeping a dark deadly secret. Will Lauren be able to solve the mystery behind the missing girls before it's too late?

I have read several books by the author and have enjoyed them. I thought the plot of this book was a unique and interesting. However, I don't think the book should have been so long. I felt like that there was unnecessarily long because the "plot" behind the murders was pretty straightforward. For example, when Lauren's grandmother told her story, the author spends pages where Lauren doesn't believe it. Even when, Lauren herself keeps mentioning evidence that her grandmother might be telling the truth. I felt like there could have been more action in the middle of the book because it was a bit slow action wise. Overall, it was a good book and I would read more books by the author.

Book Review - Mine by Courtney Cole

 

Tessa Taylor has the perfect life. She has three beautiful children, a successful business, and a loving husband. However, her life comes crashing down when she unlocks her husband, Ethan's iPad and finds a nude photos from another woman. Lindsey is a younger woman and a bombshell.

Tessa is stuck in her home while Ethan is stuck on a business trip. While a horrific hurricane is ripping through the area, Tessa is trapped in her own home. She is torn between confronting her husband or should she reach out to Lindsey.

As the storm ravishes Florida, Tessa grows restless and finds herself desperate for revenge. She decides to lure Lindsey over by pretending to be Ethan. When the two women come face to face it becomes a battle of wills.

This book was a good trashy read but, it didn't have much substance to it. I didn't really care for many of the characters as I found it hard to relate. The ending came about abruptly without really tying into the story together in the end. I had a hard time not rolling my eyes because of how silly the characters were acting. If you like trashy unrealistic revenge reads, then this book might be a good book for you.

Book Review - The Hair Book by LaTonya Yvette

 

The board book had cute bright and colorful illustrations. The book illustrates different and diverse types of hair and leaves room for discussion. It was short and had only a few words that will keep the attention of young toddlers/babies. Personally, I wish it had more words and I found the book to be pointless. However, I am way out of the targeted reading group for this book and it will most likely be appreciated the most for children under 3 who are still learning and identifying new things.

Book Review - Our Crooked Hearts by Melissa Albert

 

Ivy was planning on spending her summer relaxing and doing things that every other teenager does at her age. However, when she gets into an accident and meets a stranger in the middle of the road, her summer vacation takes a turn for the weird. After a string of unsettling events, Ivy starts to question everything she believes to be true. She feels that her mother is a keeping something from her.

Dana always has been perceptive even as a child. When she was sixteen, her and her friends decide to learn and dabble in magic. As the fall deeper into the magic bubble, they realize that there is a dark force around them and it might be leading to unwanted consequences.

I thought this was going to be an interested read with the dual timelines. However, it was incredibly boring and unnecessarily long. The author wrote in a long winded flowery prose that took up too much time to read. After awhile, my eyes started glazing over. The novel could have been so much more interesting if the author had limited her metaphors. Not everything needs to be given nuanced description. I didn't really care for any of the characters and Ivy was very annoying at the end. I felt like she did a complete 360 personality wise.

 

Book Spotlight - The Trouble with Robots by Michelle Mohrweis + Giveaway

 

About The Book:

Title: THE TROUBLE WITH ROBOTS

Author: Michelle Mohrweis

Pub. Date: September 27, 2022

Publisher: Peachtree

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 288

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

Evelyn strives for excellence. Allie couldn’t care less. These polar opposites must work together if they have any hope of saving their school’s robotics program.

Eighth-graders Evelyn and Allie are in trouble. Evelyn’s constant need for perfection has blown some fuses among her robotics teammates, and she’s worried nobody’s taking the upcoming competition seriously. Allie is new to school, and she’s had a history of short-circuiting on teachers and other kids.

So when Allie is assigned to the robotics team as a last resort, all Evelyn can see is just another wrench in the works! But as Allie confronts a past stricken with grief and learns to open up, the gears click into place as she discovers that Evelyn’s teammates have a lot to offer—if only Evelyn allowed them to participate in a role that plays to their strengths.

Can Evelyn learn to let go and listen to what Allie has to say? Or will their spot in the competition go up in smoke along with their school’s robotics program and Allie’s only chance at redemption?

An excellent pick for STEAM enthusiasts, this earnestly told narrative features a dual point of view and casually explores Autistic and LGBTQ+ identities.

Reviews:

"Full of girl power without ever showing them as outsiders in robotics because of their gender, this brings a diverse team to the page and shows the various skills needed to make a team succeed."—Booklist

"Unsubtle but not overwrought, with genuinely inspiring kindness and collaboration found amid pain."—Kirkus Reviews

 

 

About Michelle Mohrweis:

Michelle Mohrweis is a STEM Educator and space enthusiast. When not writing, they can be found launching paper rockets down the middle of their street. They live with their husband and two dogs in Colorado, where they enjoy hiking and hogging all the best spots beside the heater when it gets too cold. Follow them on Twitter @Mohrweis_Writes and visit them on the web at MichelleMohrweis.com.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | Goodreads | Amazon

 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of THE TROUBLE WITH ROBOTS, US Only.

Ends October 4th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

9/19/2022	Ya Books Central	Excerpt
9/19/2022	@allyluvsbooksalatte	IG Spotlight
9/20/2022	@jael_and_jenessa_reads	Review/IG Post
9/20/2022	BookHounds YA	Excerpt/IG Post
9/21/2022	Lisa-Queen of Random	Excerpt
9/21/2022	#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog	Excerpt
9/22/2022	A Dream Within A Dream	Excerpt
9/22/2022	Kait Plus Books	Excerpt/IG Post
9/23/2022	Eye-Rolling Demigod's Book Blog	Review/IG Post
9/23/2022	GryffindorBookishNerd	IG Review

Week Two:

9/26/2022	Nonbinary Knight Reads	Review/IG Post
9/26/2022	The Momma Spot	Review/IG Post
9/27/2022	Nerdophiles	Review
9/27/2022	Rajiv's Reviews	Review/IG Post
9/28/2022	Laurenreads._	IG Review
9/28/2022	Because I said so -- and other adventures in Parenting	Review
9/29/2022	@jacleomik33	IG Review
9/29/2022	One More Exclamation	Review/IG Post
9/30/2022	Two Points of Interest	Review
9/30/2022	Two Chicks on Books	Excerpt

Book Spotlight - Discovery of the Five Senses by K.N. Smith + Giveaway

 

About The Book:

Title: DISCOVERY OF THE FIVE SENSES (The Urban Boys #1)

Author: K.N. Smith

Pub. Date: September 29, 2015

Publisher: Two Petals Publishing

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 341

Find it: Goodreads, Books2read (all retailer links here)

Welcome or unwelcome. Fate has arrived.

"A captivating and poetic tale of mystery, fantasy, and reality tied together by action!" 5-stars, Lars Jackson, Amazon Customer

A suspenseful incident in a forbidden preserve heightens the senses of five friends. Sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell become super-gifts that forever change the world. But furious battles confront the boys as they try to understand their sensory super powers in a race to save mankind. With light beings and mysterious strangers complicating their plight, can the boys defeat the evil Druth before it’s too late? Get prepared for the twisting and grinding of this award-winning, action-adventure story — an edge-of-your-seat narrative for young and mature readers alike.

Reviews:

"Brilliantly crafted and written!" - Megan King, Indie Book Reviewers

"An energetic adventure debut with stellar action sequences. Smith's writing is intelligent and often lyrical. Her exuberant prose never fails to dazzle." - Kirkus Media

"Author K.N. Smith uses her mastery of the written word to weave an entrancing, yet powerful tale of adventure that keeps you turning pages in an unquenchable desire to find out what happens next." - Publishers Daily Reviews

"Well written and very creative, 'Discovery of the Five Senses' is an absolute must-read for fans of novels such as Percy Jackson, Harry Potter, etc." - Anabella Johnson, Indie Book Reviewers

"K.N. Smith has an incredible way with words; her descriptions are vivid; you see what the characters are seeing, you feel what they are feeling; you feel like you are there." - Cody Brighton, Indie Book Reviewers 

"A wonderful and deeply written emotional adventure." - Self Publishing Review

"K.N. Smith's articulate word imagery is all that is needed to transport readers to a mysterious world. Make the time to connect with this piece of literary prowess. You will not regret it." - V. McDermott, Educator, English Teachers Association of Queensland, Australia  

 

About K.N. Smith:

K.N. Smith, winner of the “Best of” in the category of “Outstanding Young Adult Novel” at the Jessie Redmon Fauset Book Awards, is an author and passionate advocate of literacy and arts programs throughout the world. Her lyrical flair sweeps across pages that twist and grind through action-adventure and urban fantasy in edge-of-your-seat narratives. K.N. has over twenty-five years’ experience in communications and creative design as an award-winning consultant. Reading is still her foremost hobby. K.N. inspires people of all ages to reach their highest potential in their creative, educational, and life pursuits. Visit K.N. Smith at www.knsmith.com.

Website |  Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

Giveaway Details:

4 winners will receive $25.00 VISA eGift Cards

Ends October 1^st, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

9/1/2022	@allyluvsbooksalatte	IG Spotlight
9/2/2022	Two Chicks on Books	Excerpt
9/3/2022	@jaimerockstarbooktours	IG Spotlight

Week Two:

9/4/2022	Lady Hawkeye	Excerpt/IG Post
9/5/2022	Ya Books Central	Excerpt
9/6/2022	#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog	Excerpt
9/7/2022	GryffindorBookishNerd	IG Review
9/8/2022	Author Z. Knight's Guild	Excerpt
9/9/2022	fairrryprose	Review/IG Post
9/10/2022	@kelzstarr_bookstarr	Review/IG Post

Week Three:

9/11/2022	BookHounds YA	Excerpt/IG Post
9/12/2022	A Dream Within A Dream	Excerpt/IG Post
9/13/2022	Epic Book Society	Review/IG Post
9/14/2022	One More Exclamation	Review/IG Post
9/15/2022	Mom with a Reading Problem	Review/IG Post
9/16/2022	pluvioreads	Review/IG Post
9/17/2022	More Books Please blog	Review/IG Post

Week Four:

9/18/2022	@booksrn_rashi	Review/IG Post
9/19/2022	The Momma Spot	Review/IG Post
9/20/2022	hodophile_z	Review/IG Post
9/21/2022	Wanderingwitchreads	Review/IG Post
9/22/2022	Jeff_of_allmedia	Review/IG Post
9/23/2022	Rajiv's Reviews	Review/IG Post
9/24/2022	Little Red Reads	Review/IG Post

Week Five:

9/25/2022	RavenzReviewz	Review/IG Post
9/26/2022	Nerdophiles	Review/IG Post
9/27/2022	Review Thick And Thin	Review/IG Post
9/28/2022	@jypsylynn	Review/IG Post
9/29/2022	@enjoyingbooksagain	Review/IG Post
9/30/2022	Two Points of Interest	Review/IG Post

Book Review - The Prisoner's Wife by Maggie Brookes

 

Izabella, a Czech farm girl,  and Bill, a British prisoner of war,  fell in love during the war and decide to get married and go on the run. In the middle of the night, they travel through the countryside to avoid being captured. Izzy is dressed as a man to avoid detection and the punishment for her act of treason. The duo were able to evade capture until they were cornered by Nazi soldiers and tracking dogs.

Izzy's disguise works and the Nazi assumes that the pair are escaped British soldiers. They are transported to a POW work camp. Together as newly weds, they face deplorable living conditions along with the constant fear that Izzy will be exposed. In the middle of darkness, comes a small beacon of hope as the couple befriends a small group of prisoners. The group of men become their new family as they are willing to sacrifice everything to save Izzy from being discovered.

The novel is inspired by a true story and I thought it would be an endearing read about hope during one of history's darkest moments. However, I was sadly disappointed how boring this novel was. I have read many historical fiction books before but, this book barely had any story to it. It was mostly describing the living conditions of the camps and the people Izzy and Bill have met. I felt like it quickly got repetitive to the point of boredom. I had a hard time connecting with Izzy as a person. As readers, we rarely got to see and feel her plight and the danger of her exposure or learn anything about her and Bill. I was more than 80% done before, I called it quits on this book.