Happy Publication Day to Forging Silver Into Stars by Brigid Kemmerer!
From the Blurb:
Return to the Cursebreaker world in a new series by New York Times bestselling author Brigid Kemmerer.
Far outside royal circles, in the small town of Briarlock, two friends struggle to survive. Jax, a blacksmith by trade and Callyn, a baker, care more about getting through the hard winter than keeping up with rumors about the King’s dangerous magic. When the King’s Courier, Lord Tycho, stops at Jax’s forge he is quick to befriend Jax and Callyn, at ease with their way of life. But he’s not the only stranger to visit Briarlock—the town has long been an outpost for the anti-magic Truthbringers, who seek to destroy the King. Jax and Callyn suddenly find themselves embroiled in a world of shifting alliances and ancient magic . . . and even the deepest loyalties are put to the test. Expanding the world of her beloved series, Brigid Kemmerer introduces new characters that will quickly become fan favorites.
Publisher: Bloomsbury YA Publication Date: June 7, 2022 Fantasy
Brigid Kemmerer is the New York Times bestselling author of Defy the Night, the Cursebreakers series, Call It What You Want, More Than We Can Tell, Letters to the Lost, and the Elementals series. She was born in Omaha, Nebraska, though her parents quickly moved her all over the United States, from the desert in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to the lakeside in Cleveland, Ohio, and several stops in between, eventually settling near Annapolis, Maryland. http://www.brigidkemmerer.com @BrigidKemmerer
It’s Monday! What are you Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Kathryn from Book Date, a place to share and discuss what we’ve read in the past week and what we’re in the middle of or are planning to read this week.
What I read / listened to last week:
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid-one of the best reads this year.
Sweet Love and Country Roads by Camilla Isley
What I am reading/listening to now:
The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley
Only In Darkness by Brenda Stanley
What I’m reading /listening to next:
Wild Magic by Tamora Pierce
First Blood by Angela Marsons
How did your last week go and what are you reading this week?
Thank you to Rachel from Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me to participate in the blog tour for Camilla Isley’s new rom-com Sweet Love and Country Roads.
Sweet Love and Country Roads
Falling for the wrong cowboy never felt so good . . .
Samantha Baker is a high-flying movie producer living in New York City. She loves her shoes, drinking cosmopolitans, and wouldn’t trade the comforts of city life for anything in the world. But when her job is put on the line, Samantha has no other choice than to move to the middle of nowhere to straighten out the filming of her latest romantic comedy blockbuster.
Her new country home has no Starbucks, no Pilates, and the one pub in town has never heard of appletinis—only serves beer and whiskey neat. On the plus side, the views are scenic. And not just for the aerial shots, as the local eye-candy provides a welcome distraction.
At least until Samantha discovers a native cowboy, Travis Hunt, is the source of all her troubles…
And the battle begins.
Each has something the other wants, but as Samantha and Travis go head to head, they might discover the endgame has changed. When hate turns to heat, all becomes fair in love and war for these two sworn enemies who’ve been playing a game of hearts.
But will a roll in the hay be enough to make Samantha decide there’s no sex in the city and convert to country living?
My love for Camilla Isley’s romcoms is well-attested- they are sweet, short, fast-paced, and incredibly entertaining. What’s girl to do, but wait impatiently for Camilla’s next book?
The protagonist of Sweet Love and Country Roads, Samantha, is a hard-working, successful movie producer and a New Yorker to the marrow of her bones. When she is asked to move to a small town in Indiana to supervise a production, which has been stalling for some unknown reason, Samantha is absolutely horrified. Once on location, Sam discovers that the views are indeed gorgeous, if you are into rural landscapes (Samantha isn’t, give her New York skyline and traffic noise to make her happy) and cowboy washboard abs (yes, her landlady’s son Travis is a sight to behold), but work comes first, and Sam always valued brains over brawn. Well, the joke is on her, as there’s much more to Travis than just his cowboy looks and Sam might have found both the source of her work problems and her match in terms of intellect and steely spine.
Camilla’s sense of humour is as good as usual- she had me laughing out right from her encounter with Betsy, the cow that just wouldn’t move to let busy movie people pass- and why should she? If you love a good romcom, you’ll probably read this one in one sitting, as it is so much fun and difficult to put down. Fans of enemies-to-lovers and a small town setting, look no further!
Lots of banter, an easy-going, fun writing style, and a sweet, romantic message- communication, compromise, and commitment to working on your relationship will go a long way (or should I say long distance?). If you are a fan of strong, independent heroines and kind, attentive, smart heroes, you’ll love this couple and their journey to their own unique happily-ever-after.
Can’t wait to read Camilla’s next book!
Thank you to Rachel from Rachel’s Random Resources and the author for the review copy, provided in exchange for an honest opinion.
Author Bio –
Camilla is an engineer who left science behind to enter the whimsical realm of romantic fiction.
She writes contemporary rom-coms. Her characters have big hearts, might be a little stubborn at times, and love to banter with each other. Every story she pens has a guaranteed HEA that will make your heart beat faster. Unless you’re a vampire, of course.
Camilla is a cat lover, coffee addict, and shoe hoarder. Besides writing, she loves reading—duh!—cooking, watching bad TV, and going to the movies—popcorn, please. She’s a bit of a foodie, nothing too serious. A keen traveler, Camilla knows mosquitoes play a role in the ecosystem, and she doesn’t want to starve all those frog princes out there, but she could really live without them.
Torn from her home and forced to live with her human father, Isa has become the one thing every shifter dreads.
A lone wolf in an unknown territory.
If she wants to survive the year, she’ll need to keep her head down.
Which is easier said than done when, on her first day in town, she catches the attention of Rafael Castillo—Hellbound High’s Alpha Heir. He’s hot as hell but runs cold as ice. And more important, he’s determined to make Isa’s life hell.
But if she thought the local wolves were all she needed to worry about, she’s in for a rude awakening when she realizes being a lone wolf doesn’t just make her an outcast.
It makes her fair game.
—- This full-length novel is a standalone dark and gritty, enemies to lovers, paranormal romance. It contains no cheating, no cliffhanger, and your happily ever after is guaranteed! —- “WOW!!! This was by far top reads of 2020….. absolutely freakin fantastic.” ★★★★★ — Kindle Reader
“This book is captivating. I started reading and could not stop.” ★★★★★ —Kindle Reader —- **Wicked Wolves and Tangled Truths was originally published as a contemporary romance novel and has been re-imaged at the request of Daniela’s paranormal readers.**
Daniela Romero is a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. She enjoys writing steamy, new-adult and paranormal romance that delivers an emotional roller coaster sure to take your breath away.
Her books feature a diverse cast of characters with rich and vibrant cultures in an effort to effectively portray the world we all live in. One that is so beautifully colorful.
Daniela is a Bay Area native though she currently lives in Washington State with her sarcastic husband and their three tiny terrors.
In her free time, Daniela enjoys frequent naps, binge reading her favorite romance books, and is known to crochet while watching television because her ADHD brain can never do just one thing at a time.
Stop by her website to find all the fun and unique ways you can stalk her. And while you’re there you can check out some free bonus scenes from your favorite books, learn about her Patreon, order signed copies of her books, and swoon over her gorgeous alternative cover editions.
Love & Other Vows: For better or worse… Lyndsey Gallagher (Professional Players, #5) Publication date: June 1st 2022 Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Shelly Williams is loving life. She’s been offered a place on the newest, sexiest, celebrity reality television show, and her husband has just retired from his position as captain of the Irish rugby team, meaning he’s around more to help raise their children, leaving her free to pursue a few of her own ambitions. Ambitions Marcus knows nothing about.
Marcus Williams is struggling to find a purpose following his recent retirement as captain of the Irish rugby team. There’s only so many holidays, horse riding trips and happy hours one man can endure. When his wife is paired up with his old sporting rival in front of the entire country, Marcus begins to realise he stands to lose a lot more than just his career.
With ten weeks of watching Shelly slide, shake and shimmy against the one man that has the potential to destroy everything, Marcus must act if he wants to save their relationship.
They vowed to stay together through sickness and health. But what about fame and wealth?
Love & Other Vows is a steamy, love conquers all stand-alone romcom with guaranteed HEA.
Lyndsey Gallagher is the kindle bestselling author of six contemporary romance novels, with many more on the way! An unashamed romantic, forever in search of the next happy ever after, her debut novel The Seven Year Itch was inspired by the weekend she met her husband. Lyndsey lives in the West of Ireland overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. She enjoys long walks, deep talks and the occasional G & T!
Serenade Morgan Shamy (The Dark Nocturne, #1) Publication date: May 31st 2022 Genres: Mystery, Paranormal, Young Adult
St. Paul’s Academy of the Arts isn’t your usual boarding school…
When November Huntington is sent away to live with her long-lost family, she’s forced to attend a music school for the gifted—which wouldn’t be a problem if November were musical. She’s an athlete through and through, and hates being different.
The kids at the school don’t welcome her, they’re wary of her presence, especially Vincent, a brooding teenage boy involved with dark spirits, who can make time stop when he plays his piano. In fact, all her classmates are all obsessed with playing their instruments. And odd things happen when the do.
But something is off about the school. Deaths have occurred through the years, students showing up dead the same way November’s parents were killed—with their throats ripped out.
A killer is on the loose… November must figure out a way to stop whoever it is, balance her feelings for Vincent, and solve her parents’ past before she, too, is numbered among the dead.
The first in a Paranormal Fantasy Saga by debut author Morgan Shamy.
Morgan Shamy is an ex-ballerina turned YA writer. She has been immersed in the arts since the young age of 4, where she performed various roles alongside a professional ballet company for over seven years, and has danced on prestigious stages like soloing at Carnegie Hall in New York City. She has taught hundreds of girls in her fifteen years of teaching, where some of her students have received full-ride scholarships to schools like School of American Ballet, the Harid Conservatory, Kirov Academy of Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet, to name a few.
Morgan discovered writing when her three-year-old son was diagnosed with cancer. It was through that experience which instilled the need to share art and magic with children through words on the page.
Morgan is also an accomplished concert pianist. She was the first girl in Utah to receive the 75 pt. Gold Cup in the Utah Federation of Music in piano solo/concerto competition. Morgan currently lives with her X-Games gold-medalist husband and four children in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Only In Darkness Brenda Stanley Publication date: March 5th 2022 Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Thriller
Based on ancient Mayan mythology comes a story of bloodlust, love and the horrors of coming of age.
In ancient Central America, the legend of the Camazotz: large, bat-like creatures that desire blood and terrorize the villages in search of prey. When the volcano, Masaya, erupts and kills the tribe from which the Camazotz are from, they discover a miracle ash in the ruins.
Years later in present-day eastern Idaho, 17-year-old Emilio Chavez lives in an isolated area near the lava rock cliffs of the American Falls reservoir. From birth, he has been different. After Emilio’s friend Clara falls victim to a terrible accident, suspicions about Emilio arise, and he discovers an astonishing secret about his past.
As a sinister force tightens its grip on Clara, can Milo save her from those searching for blood while keeping his own internal demons at bay?
I stand looking off the cliff at the raging river and jagged boulders below. I’m going to jump–or rather let myself give in to it and just fall–that I know. What I don’t know is what will happen next. There are two ways it will end, and the more I think about it, the more trouble I have deciding which result will be worse. Often, it’s the not knowing that makes life hell. I’ve been in the dark and unaware for so many years. Now I know what I am. But it is the unknown of what that fate holds for me, should I survive, that makes me shudder.
I’ve lost my family, my friends, and everything I’ve ever known, and still, someone, or something, is out there hunting me down like an animal, trying to take what has completely altered my life. The only thing I do know is I’m going to take the leap. It will be a rush for a few seconds, and then I will hit the rocks and hopefully die instantly or–and this is what I can’t fathom–if what they say is true, my back will explode, and I will transform into what my grandmother and the others of the tribe call the winged ones.
My thoughts:
Compelling, original, dark, but full of hope…Loved it!
As this was my first book by Brenda Stanley, I wasn’t familiar with her writing style and was pleasantly surprised. The book was absolutely gripping, very easy to get into and impossible to put down.
I don’t always enjoy double timelines and this one had two main ones and a few scenes from about fifty years ago, but in this narrative it worked really well- Huna’s story was entertaining on its own and, then, of course, you just start creating theories on how it all relates to Milo and Clara’s story.
The cover is very dark and atmospheric and makes you think that the book is going to be in the horror genre. I’d probably classify it as a paranormal thriller, rather than horror. It is clean and has a clear message that good and selfless should always prevail over evil and greedy.
I would definitely recommend it and would love to read more from this author.
Thank you to Netgalley for the review copy. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way. 4.5 rounded up
Author Bio:
Brenda Stanley is a former television news anchor and investigative reporter for the NBC affiliate in Eastern Idaho. She has been recognized for her writing by the Scripps Howard Foundation, the Hearst Journalism Awards, The Idaho Press Club and the Society for Professional Journalists. She is a graduate of Dixie College in St. George, Utah and the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. She is the mother of 5 children, including two sets of twins. Brenda and her husband Dave, a veterinarian, live on a small ranch near the Snake River with their horses and dogs.
Publication date: June 1st 2022 Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
Jett Hart, a 16-year-old girl from New Jersey, refuses to accept the diagnosis that her mother is brain-dead. Yes, Mom’s long-comatose body seems like an empty shell. But there was that split-second, weird time Jett swears she lifted out from her own body and travelled to an indigo-colored, starry space, where she felt Mom’s presence.
Now, as Jett’s caretaking Aunt threatens to pull Mom’s life support, Jett must find this mysterious indigo place again and return her mother to her body before it’s too late. The bad news is that only her schoolmate Farold — who may or may not give off a more-than-friends vibe — believes she can do this. The good news is that he’s an amateur quantum physicist in training and has some ideas about how to help Jett get back “up there.”
Even if Jett manages to find Mom in the “indigo,” can she bring her back to her body? While also staying connected to her own “empty shell” below? And, what if . . . someone is trying to stop her?
A teen thriller offering astral projection cosmology, life cords, parallel universes, and wormholes, THE INDIGO is a wild trip through one person’s consciousness “above,” her interconnected reality “below,” and the psychological and potentially fatal dangers of being disconnected from both.
Heather Siegel is the author of THE KING & THE QUIRKY, and OUT FROM THE UNDERWORLD. She teaches academic and creative writing, holds an MFA from The New School University, and lives with her family in Southern Florida.
The Bequest B.E. Baker (The Birch Creek Ranch, #1) Publication date: November 30th 2021 Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Women’s Fiction
Two widows, six kiddos, and a will that leaves them a massive cattle ranch, but only if they work it for a year.
Abigail and Amanda may have married brothers, but they have almost nothing else in common (and really, they never did get along very well). After their husbands both pass away, they have no reason to interact. Their connection drops to an awkward phone call on birthdays and an exchange of holiday cards.
Until an eccentric uncle of their husbands’ leaves a massive cattle ranch to the women’s minor children. . . if they work the ranch themselves. A ranch that’s located near a small town on the border of Wyoming that isn’t too keen on outsiders.
They’re both going to turn the bequest down, clearly. It’s not like either of them could properly raise their kids or find love again in a backwater province like Birch Creek. But when things at home change dramatically—for both moms—they decide to give it a try. . . just for the summer.
What could possibly go wrong in a mere three months? (Or more importantly… what might go right?)
Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author Pamela Kelley said, “B. E. Baker takes you right to the heart of the small town that two widowed sisters-in-law land in very unexpectedly. Can they survive the year they need to spend there to keep it? I really enjoyed reading Bridget’s romantic women’s fiction debut.”
Bridget loves her husband (every day) and all five of her kids (most days).
She’s a lawyer, but does as little legal work as possible. She has three quarter horse geldings, a Holsteiner (jumping) horse, and she spends too much time riding and not enough time writing. (Or too much time writing and not enough time riding, depending on your perspective!)
She has more chickens than she’ll admit to having, two lions head rabbits, a cat, two dogs (one bouncy and one yappy). She makes cookies waaaaay too often and believes they should be their own food group. In a (possibly misguided) attempt at balancing the scales, she kickboxes daily.
So if you don’t like her books, her kids, her horses, her chickens, or her cookies, maybe don’t tell her in person.
B.E. Baker is the romance/women’s fiction penname for Bridget E. Baker, who also writes fantasy, end of the world, and dystopian books that add a little magic to the world.
Please sign up for Bridget’s fantasy or romance newsletters on her website at http://www.BridgetEBakerWrites.com or click Follow on her bio above to get notices and updates when she releases new books!
It’s Monday! What are you Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Kathryn from Book Date, a place to share and discuss what we’ve read in the past week and what we’re in the middle of or are planning to read this week.
What I read / listened to last week:
This was quite a busy week at work and I didn’t have much reading time I’d been hoping for…Hope next one is better 🙂
Witch out of Luck (Blair Wilkes#6) by Elle Adams
No Ordinary Hate by Whitney Dineen and Melanie Summers
What I am reading/listening to now:
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid- still reading (and enjoying it) this one
Black Tide by KC Jones
What I’m reading /listening to next:
The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley
How did your last week go and what are you reading this week?
readingtonic 