Book Nerds Across America

Tuesday, July 27, 2021

Book Review: Midnight Spells Murder by Mary Angela

GOODREADS SUMMARY:

Spirit Canyon’s annual Spirit Spooktacular weekend is on, and for local amateur sleuth Zo Jones, it’s boomtime for business at her Happy Camper gift shop . . . until a murderer drops in for a browse.

To celebrate Halloween at the Happy Camper, Zo schedules a talk by successful author and self-proclaimed witch Marianne Morgan. Although Marianne’s benign brand of witchcraft is more about feminine empowerment than black magic, her presence is still not welcomed by everyone. Then on a midnight stroll home, Zo spots what seems to be a new Halloween decoration propped up outside the Happy Camper. What she finds is not a mannequin but a dead Marianne, her lifeless body dressed in traditional witch’s garb. But why would someone send this good witch back to the spirit world permanently?

Soon Zo realizes that plenty of folks have motives for murdering Marianne. What’s worse, nosy TV newsman Justin Castle plans to broadcast a report associating Marianne’s murder with the Happy Camper. Zo calls on her partner in sleuthing, local forest ranger Max Harrington, to help her find the culprit before Justin’s report airs. Otherwise, Zo’s business just might go bust. But to catch this killer, Zo will have to risk much more than just her reputation.

TEE'S THOUGHTS

Halloween. Murder. Yes, please. Midnight Spells Murder by Mary Angela is the second in the A Happy Camper series, the started with Open For Murder. Yes, it is the second but if you haven't read Open For Murder, you don't need to. I didn't read it, and I made it through Midnight Spells Murder perfectly fine. I am sure I missed some character history, such as the growing relationship between Zo and Max, but it did not take away from the story.

Zo is the owner of The Happy Camper, a gift shop in Spirit Canyon. She hosts an author book signing as part of a town-wide Halloween celebration, and when it is over finds the author dead dressed as a witch. She sets out to find the murderer before she is blamed for the crime. It is exactly what you want in a cozy mystery, however typical they usually are.

Ok. I will admit it. I totally chose this book because of the super sweet Halloween cover. I couldn't resist, it called my name. I know I should never pick a book based on the cover ( I bet you have also... tell me you haven't and I probably won't believe you LOL), but this time it worked out for me.

The writing in the story is engaging and easy to read, making it quick and fun. The characters all seemed to have a purpose in the story, and for me, the secondary characters really played strong roles and added much humor to the story. There was also a secondary story, that involved Zo and her necklace, which was one of my favorite parts of the book.

The setting was perfect and it had me dreaming of cooler weather as I read ( It has been over 100 degrees here since we arrived home from San Diego and their 75-degree weather ) and the author's description of all the towns Halloween decorations and the seasonal parade had me craving some good ole pumpkin spice.

So turn up your AC, grab a cozy blanket, and some pumpkin spice whatever it is you drink, and sink in for a fun, cozy Halloween read with Midnight Spells Murder.

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

Book Review: Much Ado About Nauticaling by Gabby Allan

GOODREADS SUMMARY

After far too many years in the Los Angeles corporate world, Whitney Dagner has come home to Santa Catalina Island off the California coast to help her brother Nick run Nautically Yours, the family tourism business. Between gift shop shifts selling all manner of T-shirts and tchotchkes and keeping her feline Whiskers in fine fettle, she pilots the Sea Bounder, a glass-bottom boat showing tourists the underwater sights of aquatic plants, marine life--and a murder victim?

The self-proclaimed Master of the Island, Jules Tisdale was a wealthy man with business interests throughout Catalina who was about to be honored as Person of the Year before someone strangled him with his own tie and tossed his body into the water. That someone appears to be Nick, who had a raw deal from Jules and no alibi the night of his murder. To clear her brother's name, Whit will have to investigate Jules' shady associates and not exactly grief-stricken family members--with the unwelcome help of Felix Ramirez, police diver and Whit's ex-boyfriend who's looking to rekindle their relationship

TEE'S THOUGHTS

Gabby Allan’s debut book Much Ado About Nauticaling is a Feldmans good cozy mystery, perfect for a summer beach read.

Whitney and her brother Nick own and operate a flat bottom boat named Nautically Yours on the island of Catalina in California. One of Catalina’s promenade residents is murdered and Nick gets the blame. It doesn’t help that he runs and stays hidden throughout the book casting even more suspicion on him, so it is up to Whitney to clear his name.

The story takes off early, catching your attention and keeping it, in fact, you will find yourself finishing it before you realize it. The writing is clear and engaging and Gabby Allan’s description of Catalina is so visual you can practically see it in your mind. I also loved the times she wrote about them giving tours on the boat. I love sailing, and even though the boat wasn’t a sailboat, I could still visualize the smell of the ocean and the feel of the salty water stinging on my face as it sailed on the wind.

Allan’s characters are all well written. Quirky characters abound in this book and you will quickly find a few favorites, mine was her grandmother Goldie, I could picture her so visibly in my head with the help of Allan’s writing. Several of the secondary character you will also find that you will dislike, for me, Nick was one of them, for the mere reason, he ran off making him look guilty and leaving poor Whitney with running the boat business, her own gift store business and trying to solve the mystery to clear his name. The story wasn't impossible to figure out, but the writer did well at making you doubt yourself on several people.

Much Ado About Nauticaling is the first book in a series by Gabby Allan titled Whit and Whiskers Mystery and I enjoyed Much Ado About Nauticaling enough to want to pick up the second one when it comes out to revisit the island of Catalina and see what Whit has gotten into next.

Friday, June 25, 2021

The View from the Very Best House in Town by Meera Trehan

Book Summary

This inventive debut combines the pleasures of a thriller, a school story, and a real estate listing in its witty and insightful exploration of what it means to be—and lose—a friend.

Sam and Asha. Asha and Sam. A perfect pair of friends whose differences complement well, and whose main similarity, autism, means they understand each other. They are a fixture, an established thing, just as Donnybrooke, the mansion that sits on the highest hill in Coreville, is the acknowledged best house in town—and Asha’s dream home. But when Sam is accepted into elite Castleton Academy, leaving Asha to navigate public middle school alone, she begins to wonder if the things she is certain about are so fixed after all. Because soon Sam is spending time with Prestyn, Asha’s tormentor whose family also happens to own Donnybrooke, and who have forbidden Asha from setting foot inside. Told from the points of view of Asha, Sam, and Donnybrooke itself, this remarkable debut explores themes of prejudice and classism as it delves into the mysteries of what makes a person a friend and a house a home.

Flo's Review

Well, this book took me through the range of emotions. I felt protective of Asha and Sam. I felt angry at the adults. And I rolled my eyes so hard at Donnybroke throughout the whole thing.

There's so much to explore in this story that I'm sure sleep deprived me won't scratch the surface, but I'll try to mention a few things.

First of all, I loved how different points of view came in. How Donnybroke saw himself, how Asha same him, how Sam saw him, how Prestyn saw him. You of course have the different POVs of the children -- for example, how Sam's mom saw him, how Prestyn saw him, how Asha saw him, how he saw himself. Same with Asha.

I felt a lot of this book with my heart hurting for Sam and Asha and what I thought they didn't realize. But by the end I came to understand that they did realize everything. They processed it in their own time and way, and came out stronger. Though they were doubted by some of the adults in the story, they were also loved and understood by others. My favorite part of this story was walking this path with Sam and Asha, seeing through their eyes, feeling all the confusion and hurt, and then seeing how much they grew, individually. Friend break ups and relationships in general are every bit as emotional and impactful on the individuals as romantic relationships, and I'm always happy to read a friendship story.

I feel like I could go into my app store and download Househaunt! What detailed, realistic description of that game. Though I agree with Joanna -- it's probably too gross for me! Lol

Also, can we please have a mini series of stories from around the town all narrated by Donnybroke? That would be amazing.

The View from the Very Best House in Town publishes in February 2022, but don't worry -- I will definitely be reminding you of it when it gets closer to pub date so you can pick it up!

Tuesday, June 15, 2021

Book Review: A Shadowed Fate by Marty Ambrose

GOODREADS SUMMARY:

A shocking revelation from an old friend leads Claire Clairmont on a dangerous quest in this second in a fascinating historical trilogy based on the 'summer of 1816' Byron/Shelley group.

1873, Florence. Claire Clairmont, the last survivor of the 'haunted summer of 1816' Byron/Shelley circle, is reeling from the series of events triggered by the arrival of Michael Rosetti two weeks before, which culminated in a brutal murder and a shocking revelation from her old friend, Edward Trewlany.

Stunned by her betrayal at the hands of those closest to her, Claire determines to travel to the convent at Bagnacavallo near Ravenna to learn the true fate of Allegra, her daughter by Lord Byron. But the valuable Cades sketch given to her by Rosetti is stolen, and Claire soon finds herself shadowed at every turn and in increasing danger as she embarks on her quest. Is the theft linked to Allegra, and can Claire uncover what really happened in Ravenna so many years ago?

TEE'S THOUGHTS:

Mary Shelley....Lord Byron....mention their names and I am sure to pick up the book. Both are favorites of mine along with Shelley's husband Percy. I also will read anything on the haunting weekend that they spent when Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein. So when I was asked if I wanted to read an advance copy of Marty Ambrose's A Shadowed Fate, which has these writers in it...how could I say no?

The book deals with the mystery surrounding the death of Allegra, Mary Shelley's and Lord Byron's daughter. Shelley's step-sister Claire Clairmont travels to Bagnacavallo to the convent that Byron had placed Allegra in to find out the truth of what happened to her.

A Shadowed Fate happens to be Book 2 of the Lord Byron Mystery series and I suggest that you read the first book, Clair's Last Secret before jumping into A Shadowed Fate as I did, the book is not meant as a stand-alone. However, I did still very much enjoy the book. Marty AMbrose's writing is well thought out and her characters were full of depth, and her descriptions of Italy...beautiful.

I am planning to pick up a copy of Clair's Last Secret, so I can read them in order before the third one comes out, because A Shadowed Fate certainly ends on a cliffhanger!

If you enjoy Historical Fiction, Mysteries, or the romantic/ gothic age of writing, you should look into The Lord Byron Mysteries.

Thursday, June 10, 2021

Tuned In Thursdays: Listen to " It's Not An Accident, It's Love " by Polarized Eyes

I am going to liven things up over here and throw on a new single that sounds a lot like old school punk.

It's Not An Accident, It's Love is by UK band Polarized Eyes.

The band consists of...wait for it...16 and 17 year olds. Imagine the future these kids have ahead of them.

The band consists Noah Lonergan ( vocals and guitar ) Amber Welsh (bass ) Michael Barlingieri (guitar) and Harry Heard ( drums )

All of them were brought up properly on the music of Patti Smith, The Who and The Clash and their sound is influenced by Nirvana, Royal Blood and Idles. They've been friends since they met at their North London primary school and started making a noise together in 2018.

Polarized Eyes write powerful songs that capture the zeitgeist of Gen Z – from global warming and toxic masculinity to racism and corruption.

Polarized Eyes · It's Not An Accident, It's Love

Friday, June 4, 2021

Book Review: 28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand

GOODREADS SUMMARY:

By the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Summer of '69: Their secret love affair has lasted for decades -- but this could be the summer that changes everything.

When Mallory Blessing's son, Link, receives deathbed instructions from his mother to call a number on a slip of paper in her desk drawer, he's not sure what to expect. But he certainly does not expect Jake McCloud to answer. It's the late spring of 2020 and Jake's wife, Ursula DeGournsey, is the frontrunner in the upcoming Presidential election.

There must be a mistake, Link thinks. How do Mallory and Jake know each other?

Flashback to the sweet summer of 1993: Mallory has just inherited a beachfront cottage on Nantucket from her aunt, and she agrees to host her brother's bachelor party. Cooper's friend from college, Jake McCloud, attends, and Jake and Mallory form a bond that will persevere -- through marriage, children, and Ursula's stratospheric political rise -- until Mallory learns she's dying.

Based on the classic film Same Time Next Year (which Mallory and Jake watch every summer), 28 Summers explores the agony and romance of a one-weekend-per-year affair and the dramatic ways this relationship complicates and enriches their lives and the lives of the people they love.

TEE'S THOUGHTS:

Elin Hilderbrand's 28 Summers was a beach read I had leftover from last summer, I have several that I feel I need to read before I can justify filling my shelves with new ones. I love beach reads, but dang I am trying to be good !

28 Summers is basically a take of the old Alan Alda movie Same Time Next Year, which is a movie I really enjoy. If you are not old enough, you may know Mr. Alda from his role as Hawkeye from watching old Mash reruns, or maybe not. I am aging myself... let us move on.

I will also say this is the first novel I have read by Elin Hilderbrand and I did enjoy it. Her ability to describe the area of Nantucket was magical. You could feel the warm sunshine and the salty sea breeze, taste the rich food and smell the flowers, it was like being transported to the area. Maybe it is because the author lives in the area, but you still need the gift of words to describe the place so visibly.

BUT..there is always a but...

I had a problem with the narrative during parts of the book, mostly in the first part. She would almost seem to stop the story in random places and write as if a narrator took over.." our girl did this " " our boy felt this.." and then it went right back to normal and you carried on with the story.

The story alternated from the viewpoints of both Mallory and Jake the main characters of 28 Summers. I liked the backstories that each told and was interested in what they did during the other 52 weeks of the year when not together. However, I never really understood exactly why they only spent three days a year together, there just didn't seem to be a valid reason why they could not have gotten together at some point over these 28 years. I also felt that the time they were together was written in a rather vague and short way. Where was the passion? I don't mean sex scenes, I mean here are two people who for 28 years made this date NO MATTER WHAT and all they did was eat Chinese and watch movies??? It seemed more like a " friends with benefits " situation instead of a true connection.

So with all that being said, I really did enjoy Hilderbrand's descriptive writing, the story was just a bit flat for me. Maybe I read too much into it. Maybe I should have just taken it for what it was, no questions asked. Maybe it would have seemed to have been a better story for me ( I think it had great potential ). This certainly won't be my last Hilderbrand book, I have already ordered another book by her to give her a second chance, and if I don't like that story...well it was at least another great escape to Nantucket for a few days!

Thursday, June 3, 2021

Tuned In Thursdays : Boy Release new haunting single " Fit Back In "

Swiss-German duo BOY return with their first new music since 2015’s We Were Here. Released by Groenland Records and SilverDoor Music, "FIT BACK IN" is an emotionally complex but typically bewitching teaser for their as yet unfinished, untitled third studio album. Showcasing their distinctive bittersweet style, with Valeska Steiner’s enviably charming vocals riding Sonja Glass’ delicately arranged composition, the song’s like running into an old friend you’ve not seen for ages and suddenly remembering just how much you’ve missed them.

"FIT BACK IN" opens with the lines “Feeling like a stranger in my city and my skin / Nothing around here reminds me of anything”, and while these may appear timely for a world overfamiliar with lockdowns, the song was written before Covid-19 arrived. Instead, it was inspired by the death of Steiner’s father, with whom she was particularly close, and the lyrics were written over the course of more than a year. If, however, this sounds like the premise for a sad song, think again. It’s instead a masterclass in finding hope in despair.

Friday, May 28, 2021

Book Review: Where It All Lands by Jennie Wexler

GOODREADS SUMMARY:

A Sliding Doors -Esque novel reveals how our choices define us and how love can find its way no matter the road.

Stevie Rosenstein has never made a true friend. Never fallen in love. Moved from city to city by her father’s unrelenting job, it’s too hard to care for someone. Trust in anything. The pain of leaving always hurts too much. But she’ll soon learn to trust, to love.

Twice.

Drew and Shane have been best friends through everything. The painful death of Shane's dad. The bitter separation of Drew's parents. Through sleepaway camps and family heartache, basketball games, and immeasurable loss, they've always been there for each other.

When Stevie meets Drew and Shane, life should go on as normal.

But a simple coin toss alters the course of their year in profound and unexpected ways.

Told in dual timelines, debut author Jennie Wexler delivers a heartbreaking and hopeful novel about missed opportunities, second chances, and all the paths that lead us to where we are

TEE'S REVIEW:

Drew, a popular boy at school, and Shane, a quieter and a music prodigy, have been best friends for years. Stevie, the new girl in school, has trouble connecting with friends due to consent moving high schools due to her father’s coaching career. But she meets up with the two boys and they all connect over their love of music.

Both of the boys find themselves crushing on Stevie, and instead of fighting over her and ruining their friendship, they allow fate to make the decision on who will date her…by flipping a coin.

The story is told in a parallel timeline, almost like two stories with Stevie possibly dating each boy. Stevie and her relationship with Drew in the first half of the book and Shane in the second half. It plays out showing us that just one change can alter things tremendously. Seeing both sides of the story was interesting and kept you reading, the characters felt real and their emotions played well into the story.

The one thing I really disliked about the story was the instalove of the boys and Stevie. I really feel a relationship should grow, but this did not happen here. One of my favorite things about the book was the music of course, which plays a big part in the story.

There were triggering points in the book…infidelity, divorce, death of a character, etc. so if those bother you, take heed, they are in the story.

Where It All Lands is Jennie Wexler’s debut book and will certainly make you think. It is about first love, second chances, and friendship. If you take anything from this story, let it be that the choices we make matter in so many lives, so make good ones.

Thursday, May 20, 2021

Tuned In Thursdays featuring the new single " Empire Builder " by Typhoon

As a former music blog owner, I needed at least a week to post some music, because even bookish people love music right? So starting today, every Thursday I will highlight a new single by a band you may or may not have heard before.

For my first post, I am featuring Typhoon. The band hails from Portland and has just released their lead single and video for " Empire Builder " from their 5th studio album titled Sympathetic Magic, which came out back in January via Roll Call Records.

The video is an animated train trip across the states and through the mind and was created by Casey Jarman.

Frontman Kyle Horton had this to say about the video:

“Casey Jarman is a true mensch and deserves every good thing coming to him. We met in 2006 after he wrote what I'm pretty sure was the first article about Typhoon to appear in a reputable publication. In the intervening years, he has become the best friend/critic/cheerleader / big brother figure a band could ask for. Yes, he is a great writer, a gifted performer, and now a damn fine animator, but he is really one thing - a good, intelligent person with a kind and curious mind. Everything else just flows from that.”

You should really watch this video. Like the song, it's a train trip across America and through the mind. It also took Casey, like, a hundred hours to make and it only takes you four minutes to watch."

Watch the video for Empire Builder below:

Wednesday, May 12, 2021

Blog Tour: Gutter Girl by Lynn Rush and Kelly Anne Blount

Today is the day, Our stop on the Gutter Girl by Lynn Rush and Kelly Ann Blount blog tour.

I know both Flo and I can't wait to read this and review it for you....but until then here is an excerpt for you...

The drive to the mall only took about fifteen minutes, and by the time I clocked in for work,

I’d run through every scenario I could dream up as to why I’d helped Jace like I had. Each time I

came to the same conclusions… One, he’d needed my help, bigtime. Two, okay, so maybe I’d

had a little crush on him since third grade. He was one of the only people at school who never

called me Goth Girl. Three, I’d probably made the biggest mistake of my life helping him.

I wiped down the counter beside the register as I looked out over the food court area. The

Hot Dog Shack was in a prime spot to see most of the other food vendors. There was a sea of

picnic tables scattered throughout the massive opening that lay before us, but off to the right,

there were a few more private tables for employees of the vendor area to hang out at for breaks.

For some reason, the mall was super dead right now. I suppose all the students lucky enough

to be able to do after-school activities were busy doing that. In a couple hours, it’d probably pick

up.

Since Ernie wasn’t here yet and I was waiting for the next food rush, I grabbed my phone and

looked up Jace’s profile on Scribbles again.

I shook my head and read over the messages that Jace’s fans had left him. They were intense.

Loads of people begged him to update his book, others sent him fan art of his characters, and

there was an entire hashtag dedicated to getting him to the next level:

#PublishKingdomofSwords.

I never would have guessed that about Jace. First, he was a star athlete on the football team,

but he wasn’t an asshole jock like most, even though today he wasn’t the nicest when getting his

notebook back. Second, he was uber-famous on this Scribbles site, and still, he was so humble.

That deserved some respect right there.

Two elderly people with white hair and matching maroon jogging suits approached the cash

register.

“Welcome to The Sword Shack, I mean, er, The Hot Dog Shack, what can I get started for

you today?” Sword Shack, really? I really had lost my mind, hadn’t I?

After I punched in their order and they shifted to the pick-up area, I got out the sanitizer

spray and wiped down the counters while Derrick, our hot dog chef extraordinaire, worked on

their food. I usually cleaned as soon as I got to work, but the whole Jace situation had left me

distracted.

“Order’s up,” Derrick shouted.

I forced a smile. “No need to yell. I’m right here.”

He shrugged and started scraping the grill down with a brush.

“Here you are. Have a great day,” I said as I set the tray of food down on the counter under

the Order Pick Up sign.

The couple smiled and thanked me.

They looked so normal and happy. My heart pinged and it suddenly felt like I was breathing

water instead of air.

What would it be like to have them for parents, or even grandparents?

My train wreck of a homelife often left me contemplating this exact question. I didn’t have

the luxury of a mom and dad who loved each other, who made sure everyone sat together for

dinner every night, or hell, just managed to keep the lights on at home.

I can’t wait until I graduate in May and I can get the hell out of dodge!

I already had an internship set up at the Winters Players Theatre. I’d work my ass off for a

year there and then hopefully learn enough from everyone to join the acting troupe the year after

that.

“Hey, what the heck is going on?”

I looked up and came face-to-face with Ernie.

His plump cheeks were slightly red and his glasses had slid down his nose.

“What do you mean?” I threw the rag I’d used to clean the counter into a red bucket under

the cash register.

“Why are you telling people you’re WriteEmHard on Scribbles?”

Star football player Jace Rovers has a secret. And not just any secret—a shocking secret… He writes romance. The kind with swords. And dresses. And kissing.

Nobody knows. Not the other kids at Twin River High. Not his overbearing parents. And certainly not the millions of fans who’ve read his book on the writing platform Scribbles. And that’s the way he plans to keep it.

Except suddenly one of the other football players grabs his notebook in jest and starts reading a kissing scene out loud…and Jace knows he’s busted.

But then McKenna Storm, resident goth girl who avoids the spotlight like a virus, snatches up the notebook and tells everyone she's the author. And lucky for Jace, she later agrees to continue the ruse...for a price.

Heck, he'd give her anything not to reveal his secret. But when they start to fall for each other, he knows he'll have to keep the biggest secret of all—his darkest character is based on her…

Gutter Girl by Lynn Rush and Kelly Anne Blount

Publication Date: May 10, 2021

Publisher: Entangled Teen

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author, Lynn Rush, is a full-time writer, wife, and trail runner living in the Sonoran Desert, despite her fear of rattlesnakes. Known as #TheRunningWriter, Lynn can’t resist posting epic sunrise pictures while running in the desert with her trail sisters, even if she has to occasionally hop a scorpion.

When she’s not running or writing, she’s watching movies that fuel her everlasting love of superheroes, vampires, and all things Supernatural. The books she reads usually carry the same theme, but this former college athlete loves reading sweet sports romances as well. She’s madly in love with her Ironman husband of 20+ years who is the inspiration for what true love is. You can find her on social media as @LynnRushWrites

KELLY ANNE BLOUNT is a USA Today bestselling author of young adult novels. When she’s not writing, she’s probably lost in a book, watching Twilight, snuggling her five furry rescues, or having an adventure with her handsome husband and their darling daughter. After living in a palace in Scotland, across from the Caribbean Sea, and in the snowy land of Wisconsin, Kelly and her family reside in beautiful Asheville, North Carolina. Kelly loves connecting with readers on social media! Stop by and say, “Hi!” or ask a question. You can find her everywhere @KellyAnneBlount.

Link to Goodreads:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57751604-gutter-girl

Purchase Links:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B092T9J2KK?tag=entangpublis-20&name=Gutter%20Girl

https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B092T9J2KK?tag=entangpublis-20&name=Gutter%20Girl

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B092T9J2KK?tag=entangpublis-20&name=Gutter%20Girl

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B092T9J2KK?tag=entangpublis-20&name=Gutter%20Girl

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/9781649371720?name=Gutter%20Girl

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/isbn9781649371720?name=Gutter%20Girl

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?Query=9781649371720&name=Gutter%20Girl

Link to Tour Schedule:

http://www.chapter-by-chapter.com/tour-schedule-gutter-girl-by-lynn-rush-and-kelly-anne-blount/

Thursday, May 6, 2021

COVER REVEAL: CURSE OF SHADOWS BY A.K. WILDER

How gorgeous is this cover for Curse Shadows By A. K. Wilder

Get lost in the adventure and fantasy of the Amassa series, which SLJ called “a magical, enthralling world that keeps

readers engaged from the first page,” perfect for fans of Shadow and Bone or The Bone Witch. Secrets will be revealed

and choices will be made as Ash, Marcus, and Kaylin race to raise their phantoms and save the world.

Curse of Shadows (Amassia #2) by A.K. Wilder

Publication Date: January 4, 2022

Publisher: Entangled Teen

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A.K. Wilder is a bestselling speculative fiction author with nine published novels in Australia. Originally from

California, she lives on the far eastern coast of Australia with a house full of kids and one extraordinary spotted

cat. Her favorite pastimes, besides daydreaming, include meditation, yoga, organic gardening, and weight

training. Her novel writing is done in the early hours of the morning.

GOODREADS LINK

BOOK TOUR : INCOGNITO BY KATIE DELAHANTY

In the virtual utopia of the Simulation, everyone will live peacefully and without fear or needs—at least that’s how they’re selling it. But the government plans to use this program to take control of the entire human race. Elisha Dewitt has just been given her first mission to help prevent this, and she’s ready to prove she can go incognito just as well as any other master thief.

WHEN ASKED ABOUT WHY SHE LOVED THE COVER OF INCOGNITO, KATIE DELAHANTY TOLD US:

Oh, my goodness I love this cover so much! Incognito is about a secret society of teenage thieves who

happen to love old movies. It’s full of action, suspense, intrigue—and romance! When I was asked for

cover ideas, I gave the opening credits of Catch Me If You Can as inspiration and mentioned I’d love to

see something in Saul Bass’s style. I was hoping the cover would have Alfred Hitchcock vibes while still

being modern, something mid-century Hollywood meets the future, and I think the cover artist totally

ABOUT THE AUTHOR...

Katie never knew she was a writer. Her childhood obsessions centered on old movies, costumes, fashion, playing dress-up, and books. Lots of books. On her quest to play make-believe for a living she decided she wanted to be a fashion designer and after satisfying her practical parents by graduating from UCLA with a BA in Communication Studies she went on to pursue her design dreams with a Professional Designation in Fashion Design from FIDM. She spent five years helping to design romantic dresses that were sold everywhere from Anthropologie to Nordstrom before the economic downturn led to a career shift and that practical degree came in handy. Now in charge of the e-commerce business for In Bloom Lingerie, she was asked to start the company blog. Not knowing what to say about lingerie but needing to use bridal keywords, she decided to start a fictional serial about how a girl named Olivia Bloom, who worked for In Bloom Lingerie, became engaged. And that is when Katie fell in love with storytelling and the path to make-believe became clear. She has not looked back since. Katie lives in Los Angeles with her husband.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Link to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49247037-incognito

Purchase Links:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0927CJ2NH?tag=entangpublis-20&name=Incognito

https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0927CJ2NH?tag=entangpublis-20&name=Incognito

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0927CJ2NH?tag=entangpublis-20&name=Incognito

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0927CJ2NH?tag=entangpublis-20&name=Incognito

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/9781682815045?name=Incognito

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/isbn9781682815045?name=Incognito

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?Query=9781682815045&name=Incognito

Link to Tour Schedule: