“The Kithseeker” Review

Hello Friends!

It’s time for the review of the second book of a series I read recently.

“The Kithseeker“, written by M.K. Wiseman, is a YA / Adult Historical Fantasy novel, the second book in the Bookminder series, published on August 2018.

I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, M.K. Wiseman for the eCopy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

---

Synopsis

France, 1680 A.D.

Liara’s defense of the Wizard Nagarath has rendered Anisthe incantate—bereft of all magick—but even this has failed to guarantee Liara’s safety. The death of the war mage would seal Liara’s own fate, and so the wizard and his bookminder must keep him in their sites and yet as far away from themselves as possible.

With nothing but a storybook and a hunch, Anisthe has set off on a journey across Europe, aided by his half-fey manservant, in search of a legendary mirror that contains the most powerful magick ever known. Although the stuff of fairytales, the merest possibility of its truth embarks Nagarath and Liara on a race to discover the mirror before it falls into the hands of Nagarath’s lifelong foe. Both know should he lay claim to that power, Liara would be at the mercy of her father-in-magick and his lust for power, and not even Nagarath could save her.

Thus, the pair find themselves at the court of the Sun King, a world hostile to magick users, hopelessly surrounded by agents whose sole purpose is destroy them. Uncertain whom is friend or foe, with Anisthe nipping at their heels, they must unearth the mirror before its evil is released, or worse, lays claim to Liara’s magick as well and brings doom upon them all.

Purchase Links: Amazon UK | Amazon US

Author Warning: Some fantasy violence, peril, and mild language.

---

About the Author

M. K. Wiseman has degrees in Interarts & Technology and Library & Information Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her office, therefore, is a curious mix of storyboards and reference materials. Both help immensely in the writing of historical novels. She currently resides in Cedarburg, Wisconsin.

Social Media Links: Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

---

My Review

Read the first book and then read this one… I was curious to know what would happen in the story of these characters, where would book two would go, and I was excited to continue the adventure.

Magic, fantasy and the touch of historical fiction to it. We are following Liara, Nagarath and Anisthe in a journey through Europe, France nonetheless.

My interest in the characters has not stopped, I found them compelling. It did help that we could read their thoughts thanks to the various POVs. Each one of them had a voice and I could connect with them and understand what was going on, even with the changes of perspectives.

I liked that we had more action and movement in this book, compared to the previous on. It was exciting to read the main characters going through the journey and interacting with others. It felt dynamic in a different way.

Overall, I loved that we keep knowing more the characters and the world. And I loved the mix of historical elements and fantasy, since they are two genres I love, it was good to see them combined.

---

Don’t forget to check out all the other bloggers that given their contribute in this Blog Tour, with their Reviews.

---

Don’t forget to comment, don’t be stranger. If you have any book recommendation you can leave a message using the form on my Contact Me page.

If you are an author or publisher and want me to do a review of a book please check out my Request Review page to learn more about the reviewing policies.

I always welcome new books to add to my list and I’m always excited to do reviews and read books. And I’m open to debate and exchange opinions, so let’s talk.

Also, if you would like to join me as a guest on my blog, check out the Guests Post page to know more and contact me so we can start planing your visit.

Love,

Jess

Advertisement

“Raven Fire” Review

Hello Friends!

I hope you guys are having a good Tuesday. It was an interesting day, and busy too, but now I have a review to share with you guys.

I have read book one, two and three of this series: “The Raven Tower”, “The Raven Coven” and “Raven Storm”. Now I’m reviewing the last book in the series.

“Raven Fire”, written by Emma Miles, is a Fantasy novel, the forth novel in the Fire-Walker series, published on 1st May 2021.

I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, and Emma Miles for the eCopy of this book and for allowing me to join in the fun and being a part of the blog tour with my honest review of the book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

---

Synopsis

Is prophecy real; can Arridia and Joss defeat a god?

Evil never sleeps, and neither can the fire spirits who have guarded Kesta and her family so faithfully for more than fourteen years. United in a desire for peace, the four lands beneath the sky have enjoyed relative stability, but under the surface stirs unrest. Greed, ambition, disquiet, rebellion; and the ever-present threat of Geladan’s crazed god discovering she has been fooled.

Quiet Arridia is a Raven Scout, dedicated to the principles and hopes of her parents. When an opportunity presents itself to come home, she grasps it, longing to settle and find the love she has patiently waited for.

Fun-loving Joss is drawn to the court of Elden with all its colour, noise, and intrigue; but has he taken on more than a young man can survive?

Raven Fire is the final part of the breath-taking Fire-Walker saga.

If you could, would you dare to change the world?

Purchase Links: Amazon UK | Amazon US

---

About the Author

I often get asked when I knew I was a writer; the answer is always. A writer is what I am, it’s in my soul. There have been times in my life when I couldn’t write, and times when my writing has been the only thing that kept me going. I think I always longed for something deeper from life, something more meaningful, and I found it in my imagination and in the music of words.

It was poetry which first caught my attention, and whilst my younger cousins called for ghost stories it was animals I first wrote of. I think I gravitated toward fantasy because of the freedom it gives, I could create my own worlds and decide my own rules. My Wind’s Children trilogy was born from an image that came to me whilst daydreaming, of a young man sitting alone below a bridge. I didn’t know who he was; it turns out neither did he, but we found out together.

I’m now working on my seventh book and love writing more than ever, it’s an addiction, an obsession, but one I now share with my wonderful writing family. My beta readers, my editor, and you, my readers, having you with me on my journey means the world to me.
I write as much as I can around work, but I also try to squeeze in a ridiculous amount of hobbies! I’m a wildlife photographer and do a little archery. I paint, sculpt with clay, withies and driftwood, preferring to be outdoors if I can. I still have a love for the theatre, having started out in life studying backstage crafts, and a great love for language. I speak a little French, Romanian and Italian, ma non molto bene!

~ Emma Miles

Social Media Links: Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Website

---

My Review

Following this series has been an interesting experience, and let me just tell you, I will be rereading all four books in the future, so I see what I miss – because I’m sure I missed some information that connect the books.

We have been following the characters and the story. We have been through twists and lots of action moments. We have learn about the characters, their background, we even fell in love with them. We understood the magic and what made this world special. After all of that, coming to an end is a bittersweet thing.

Fourteen years after the lats book took place, we get some final answers, some things get resolved… We now, our wonderful group of characters have come to ending that I was waiting for. Although the pace was slower in comparison to the previous books, I felt it was right for the tone of the story and the POVs and the storytelling.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. I don’t want to say much because I don’t want to spoil anything in the overall experience of the series, I just recommend you guys read the books by order, so that you fully understand the characters backgrounds, their needs and goals, their relationships and the build up to this ending.

I’m now quite interested to read more of Emma Miles’ books and that other Fantasy novels and adventures she has in store for us.

---

---

Don’t forget to check out all the other bloggers that given their contribute in this Blog Tour, with their Reviews, Q&As, extracts, and Character Interviews.

---

Don’t forget to comment, don’t be stranger. If you have any book recommendation you can leave a message using the form on my Contact Me page.

If you are an author or publisher and want me to do a review of a book please check out my Request Review page to learn more about the reviewing policies.

I always welcome new books to add to my list and I’m always excited to do reviews and read books. And I’m open to debate and exchange opinions, so let’s talk.

Also, if you would like to join me as a guest on my blog, check out the Guests Post page to know more and contact me so we can start planing your visit.

Love,

Jess

Promo Post: “My Travels With a Dead Man”, Steve Searls

Hello Friends!

I hope you are all doing this lovely day.

Today’s promo post is going to bring you an extract of the book. Hopefully that will make you extra curious.

“My Travels With a Dead Man“, written by Steve Searls, is a Contemporary fantasy and Magical Realism, published on 27th August 2020.

---

Synopsis

Jane Takako Wolfsheim learns she can alter time and space after meeting a charismatic stranger named Jorge Luis Borges.

Inextricably she falls for Borges. Soon, however Borges’ lies and emotional abuse, and nightmares about a demonic figure, “the man in black,” nearly drive Jane mad. After her parents are murdered, Jane flees with Borges. Both the ghost of haiku master, Basho, and the Daibutsu of Kamakura, a statue of Buddha that appears in her dreams, offer her cryptic advice. Unable to trust anyone, Jane must find the strength to save herself, her unborn child, and possibly the future of humanity.

Purchase Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK

---

About the Author

Steve Searls retired from the practice of law in 2002 due to a rare chronic autoimmune disorder (Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Cell Associated Periodic Syndrome). He began writing poetry in 2001 and, using the pseudonym, Tara Birch, was the featured poet of Tryst Poetry Journal’s Premiere Issue. He’s also published numerous poems as Tara Birch in print and online, including the poetry chapbook, Carrots and Bleu Cheese Dip, in 2004.  Steve was also active as a blogger posting under the name, Steven D, at Daily Kos (2005-2017), Booman Tribune (2005-2017) and caucus99percent (2016–present). Steve’s published essays on Medium include “Clara’s Miracle,” about his wife’s cancer and resulting traumatic brain injury from chemotherapy, and “My Rape Story.” Raised in Colorado, he now lives with his adult son in Western NY.  My Travels With a Dead Man is his first novel.

Social Media Links: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

---

Extract

Context: After interrogation by the Minneapolis police as the prime suspect in her parents’ murders, Jane’s released into the custody of Martin Schneider (a/k/a Marty), her father’s former law partner and executor of his estate, and a man Jane hates. Marty informs Jane that he’s now her court appointed legal guardian and defense attorney, as well, all done with Borges’ cooperation. When she objects, Marty shows her a power of attorney Jane allegedly gave Borges. Schneider plans to have Jane declared incompetent to stand trial on the murder charge. Evidence of her mental state will include her disturbing behavior in Costa Rica, her “false belief” that she traveled to Japan, her memory loss about her parents’ deaths, and her delusion that the year is 2012, when it’s really 2016. Confused, feeling betrayed by Borges and fearing she’ll be put in a mental institution (or worse), Jane’s anxiety mounts as Schneider drives her ever further out of the city in his BMW.

* * *

            “Where are we going, Marty?” I spoke with a false sense of bravado, scared out of my wits.

            “Not to worry, Janey. You’ll be in good hands, safe, sound, and most of all, secure. Very secure.” 

His snigger of contempt caused my heart to jump. We passed several farmhouses with paint peeling off them, and then a long stretch of what might once have been an apple orchard, before Marty turned onto a muddy gravel-pocked path too narrow to call a lane, bordered on both sides by birches and tall spruces that shut out the fading sunlight.  The car crawled along now to avoid the many potholes and dips along the way. I assumed Marty probably worried about wrecking his precious Beemer’s suspension.

            After a half-mile, we headed up a steep slope, which forced Schneider to downshift to maintain traction.  Then, as if by divine intervention, we crested a round-topped hill. A big valley opened before us, with a fair-sized lake below.  The sun’s rays glinted off its surface, transforming the water into golden fragments.  Down by the lakeshore were a series of nondescript gray buildings, and two vehicles, one larger than the other, a white van of some sort, the other a dark-colored sedan.  “Home again, home again.” Schneider’s sing-song manner disturbed me. 

            “What’s that?” I asked with a catch in my throat. I thought he was taking me to a psychiatric hospital, but now I didn’t know what to think. It looked ominous and Marty breaking out in laughter, again, didn’t help.

“A deserted chicken farm, sweetie, where we can have a nice little chat with two new friends, and your boyfriend, too. Like me, they all have your best interests at heart.”  I shivered at the way he emphasized the word new.  As the car zigzagged down the hill, my skin crawled; a physical manifestation of terror.  And to think the best part of my day had been visiting my parents’ graves.

            The road ended in a patch of dirt and dead grass that served as a parking lot for the chicken farm where my friends waited. It took less than five minutes to reach it, but that seemed like an eternity.  I tried to calm myself by gazing at the wildflowers in bloom, growing in fields that stretched to the lakeshore; blueberry bushes and black-eyed susans, interspersed with purple and red flowers, whose names I did not know.  I choked up, thinking those flowers might be the last things I would ever see.

            The BMW stopped, tires groaning, beside the white van. And there he was, my Borges, not ten feet from its hood.  He wore a black suit with a black collared shirt, unbuttoned at the neck.  No emotion showed on his face.  A step behind him stood two large men, at least three times my weight and a good half-foot taller than Borges himself.  With their white shoes, white pants, white mock turtleneck shirts, and white lab coats, they resembled orderlies at an insane asylum.  Their ramrod straight posture and steely-eyed looks made it clear they were the hired muscle.

            Marty opened his door and made to get out, but Borges raised a hand to stop him.  “Get the girl first,” I heard him say.  One of the white coats opened my door, unlatched my seatbelt, and pulled me into the cool night air.  He took me to Borges, never letting go of my wrist.

            “Hello, Jane.” The glare of the sun at his back shielded Borges eyes from me.  “We’ll talk as soon as I finish up some business with your lawyer.” After a quick nod to the white coats, he beckoned Marty Schneider to come forward.

            “Martin,” Borges said by way of greeting, “I see you had no problem finding the place.  You’re punctual as always.  How did it go with the police?”

            “Good to see you, too, Joe.  No trouble at all.  Chief Ellison performed as expected, just like Judge Collier. Amazing how little it took to buy them both.” The smirk he gave Borges was horrific. Oh my God! I thought. What little hope I still clung to leaked away.

            “Did she tell them anything?  I mean anything…” Borges’ voice trailed off, leaving the rest unstated, but Schneider didn’t seem put-off by the question’s ambiguity.

            “Nothing she hasn’t told you a thousand times already,” he replied, “at least according to the detectives who interrogated her.  The Japan trip she never went on, and some vague recollections regarding her father’s funeral, which didn’t match the truth.  She came across as appropriately unhinged, by all accounts.”

            “Anything else I should know?”

            “Just one amusing fact, that ought to come in handy at our next court appearance.  Believe it or not, she believed it was still 2012.  When she learned it’s 2015, that was priceless.”

            Borges smiled and reached out to shake Schneider’s hand.  “Thanks for all you’ve done, Martin,” he said, pulling the man closer to him.  That’s when I saw the dagger. A second later, Borges plunged the blade straight into Marty’s chest, an upward thrust, so strong it lifted him off the ground.  I gasped as a spit bubble of blood emerged from the lawyer’s mouth.  Marty’s lips formed a single, unspoken word. Why?

            “When a man has an appointment with death,” Borges said in an unhurried voice, “God finds a way to see he doesn’t miss it.”  Then Borges released him, leaving the knife sticking out of Marty where his sternum ended.  A strangled cry died in my throat. In disbelief, I watched Martin P. Schneider III, eyes wide with horror, crumple to the ground.  There, his head jerked once, never to move again.

---

Don’t forget to check out all the other bloggers that given their contribute in this Blog Tour, with their reviews and promo posts.

---

Don’t forget to comment, don’t be stranger. If you have any book recommendation you can leave a message using the form on my Contact Me page.

If you are an author or publisher and want me to do a review of a book please check out my Request Review page to learn more about the reviewing policies.

I always welcome new books to add to my list and I’m always excited to do reviews and read books. And I’m open to debate and exchange opinions, so let’s talk.

Also, if you would like to join me as a guest on my blog, check out the Guests Post page to know more and contact me so we can start planing your visit.

Love,

Jess

“Esme’s Gift” Review

Hello Friends!

Happy Tuesday! This is going to be my last review of June, since tomorrow starts a new month full of exciting new adventures. Meanwhile I will leave you with this review of a fantasy adventure book.

“Esme’s Gift“, written by Elizabeth Foster, is a Fantasy novel, the second book in the Esme Series, published on November 30th 2019 by Odyssey Books.

I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, and Elizabeth Foster for the eCopy of this book and for allowing me to join in the fun and being a part of the blog tour with my honest review of the book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

---

Synopsis

Terror was within. Terror was without.
Like her mother, she was at the water’s mercy.

In the enchanted world of Aeolia, fifteen-year-old Esme Silver faces her hardest task yet. She must master her unruly Gift—the power to observe the past—and uncover the secrets she needs to save her mother, Ariane.

In between attending school in the beguiling canal city of Esperance, Esme and her friends—old and new—travel far and wide across Aeolia, gathering the ingredients for a potent magical elixir.

Their journey takes them to volcanic isles, sunken ruins and snowy eyries, spectacular places fraught with danger, where they must face their deepest fears and find hope in the darkest of places.

Esme’s Gift, the second instalment in the Esme trilogy, is a gripping fantasy adventure for readers 12 years and over.

Purchase Links: Amazon UK | Amazon US

---

Author Bio

I read avidly as a child, but only discovered the joys of writing some years ago when reading to my own kids reminded me how much I missed getting lost in other worlds. It’s never too late to find and follow your passion! I now have two books published and am about to start writing the third and final story in the Esme series.  My home base is Sydney, where I can often be found running (just kidding – walking) by the water, or scribbling in cafés.

Social media links: Website |Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

---

My Review

This is the second novel in the series, and I read the previous one early this year and I was quite happy to go back to Aeolia and follow Esme on this new adventure. So I do recommend you read the first book before this one, so you can understand the characters and the world.

I still love Esme, she’s a fantastic character and the fact that we could get to know her even more in this second book, is something that made me happy to see. But she’s not the only character that I found interesting, by following this new journey, we get to see a development in the characters, as well as meeting new characters. It’s fun when we uncover more about the characters past and thoughts/ideas.

The descriptions in this book were just as amazing as the first one, which made me excited to keep learning more about this world and the setting around. One thing I love about series is that we can get to learn more about the world building with each novel.

Overall, I enjoyed it just as much as ‘Esme’s Wish’. New challenges, a new adventure and lot of action, this book is a wonderful magical journey.

---

Giveaway

For a chance to Win 3 x pairs of e-books Esme’s Wish & Esme’s Gift Click Here.

(Open Internationally)

Manly book launch

---

Don’t forget to check out all the other bloggers that given their contribute in this Blog Tour, from reviews to basic promo/spotlight posts.

---

Don’t forget to comment, don’t be stranger. If you have any book recommendation you can leave a message using the form on my Contact Me page.

If you are an author or publisher and want me to do a review of a book please check out my Request Review page to learn more about the reviewing policies.

I always welcome new books to add to my list and I’m always excited to do reviews and read books. And I’m open to debate and exchange opinions, so let’s talk.

Also, if you would like to join me as a guest on my blog, check out the Guests Post page to know more and contact me so we can start planing your visit.

Love,

Jess

“Guardiões” Review

Olá Amigos!

Hoje trago a review/critica a um livro que li em conjunto (buddy reading) com a Faith_Strange. Um livro de fantasia que certamente vos irá deixar curiosos.

“Guardiões”, escrito pela Filipa Tadeu, é o primeiro livro de uma série de fantasia, publicado em April 2019 pela Chiado Editora.

Quero agradecer à Filipa Tadeu por me ter gentilmente fornecido o livro. Todas as opiniões expressas nesta review são completamente minhas.

---

Sinopse

Ter a sua vida virada do avesso nunca fizera parte dos planos de Chris.

Depois de se encontrar rodeada por um vasto e diferente círculo de amigos após se ter mudado para a Califórnia, as palavras Guardiões, Protegidos e Antigos acabaram por se tornar uma constante no seu dia-a-dia. Christina sempre estivera habituada à sua vida típica de adolescente, todavia tudo mudou após conhecer Noel. Misterioso, atraente e reservado salva-a e apresenta-a esta nova realidade onde nada é impossível. Entre conciliar a sua vida familiar com o ter de frequentar duas escolas e ainda permanecer sã, começa a pensar que esta não pode ficar ainda mais estranha. Até os sonhos começarem. No final, acaba por se aperceber que ainda pode haver muita coisa por descobrir sobre a sua vida e especialmente sobre si.

Descobertas, aventuras e mistérios rodeiam esta saga onde nem sempre, tudo é o que parece.

Purchase Links: Chiado Editora | Bertrand | Wook

---

Sobre a Autora

Filipa Tadeu nasceu em Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal. Sempre foi uma amante de livros de fantasia, o que a levou a optar por um curso relacionado com línguas e toda a produção dos mesmos. Frequentou a Universidade de Aveiro onde o seu gosto pela literatura veio a crescer e posteriormente, levou à redação e publicação do seu primeiro livro.

Social Media Links: Goodreads | Instagram

---

Minha Review

Fantasia sempre foi um dos géneros que mais me cativa. Talvez porque foi com esse género que me apaixonei pela escrita e me voltei a apaixonar por ler. Dito isto, quando vi o livro da Filipa Tadeu fiquei curiosa e adicionei à minha TBR. Assim que surgiu a oportunidade de o ler, entusiasmo e gratidão era o que sentia. E aqui estou eu, finalmente a fazer a review deste livro.

Neste primeiro livro seguimos a Chris e a sua jornada, descobrindo a verdade e da outra faceta do mundo real que afinal esconde fantasia. Gostei bastante dela, e da forma como a autora descreveu a personagem principal, assim como todas as outras personagens que tem um papel mais ou menos importante na história.

Com cada personagem que conhecemos, cada mistério revelado e cada pergunta que surgia, tudo nos levava a questionar o que se passava e o que viria na página ou capítulo seguinte. Esta curiosidade tornou a leitura viciante. E claro, sempre que parecia que viria daquele momento um cliché qualquer, a história reservava surpresas inimagináveis.

Ao longo da leitura fui comentando com uma amiga que estava a ler o livro em leitura conjunta/buddy reading comigo. Muitas teorias formamos, nenhuma delas irei referir nesta review pois não quero dar nenhum spoiler ou tingir as vossas experiências de leitura. No entanto, a partilha de opiniões com esta minha amiga, tornou a leitura ainda mais aliciante, pois tinha alguém com quem debater ideias e emoções.

A dado momento, a história da Chris e dos seus amigos parecia como que uma aventura numa montanha-russa. Entusiasmante, misteriosa, com alto e baixos a nível de ação e drama. Tudo o que tornou ainda mais emocionante a leitura.

A nível geral, gostei bastante da história. Já não me sentia habituada a ler um livro com um feeling de teenager, o que se tornou refrescante e divertido. E agora resta-me ficar à espera do próximo, pois com aquele final… quero imenso saber o que mais acontecerá!

---

Não se esqueçam de comentar, não sejam estranhos.

Se tem alguma recomendação de livros que acham que deva ler podem enviar uma mensagem usando o formulário na página Contact Me.

Se desejarem juntarem-se a mim e serem convidados no blogue, escrevendo um post sobre um tema à vossa escolha, vejam a página Guests Post para saberem mais e para preparamos a sua visita.

Love,

Jess

“Josie James and the Velvet Knife” Review

Hello Friends!

Today I bring you a review of a Children/Middle Grade book, the second novel in the Josie James Series by Lily Mae Walters. You may remember the name from my “Josie James and the Teardrops of Summer” review post.

“Josie James and the Velvet Knife”, written by Lily Mae Walters, published 2nd April 2019

I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, and Lily Mae Walters for the eCopy of this book, and for allowing me to join in the fun and being a part of the blog tour with my honest review of the book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

---

Synopsis

“For you to find the Velvet Knife, you must solve the riddles thrice.” A mysterious hooded figure, known only as the Velvet Knife has appeared in the cursed village of Suncroft. No one knows who he is or what he wants but when he starts leaving riddles around the village, it is time for Josie to return to Suncroft for a second time.

With Asher, her faithful husky Protector by her side, Filan, a half elf, and her great grandad, will they be able to solve the clues in time and discover his identity? The Velvet Knife is not the only one causing problems for Josie. Her rival for the position of the ‘Chosen One’ continues to grow stronger, and now he has a Protector of his own.

What does all this mean for Josie? Is she destined to lift the wintery curse of Suncroft or will another take her place as the ‘Chosen One’?

Purchase Link: Amazon

---

Author Bio

Lily Mae Walters chose her pen name in honour of her beloved grandparents who also stare in the Josie James series.

She is married with two teenage children, and two huskies that are the inspiration behind Murphy and Asher in the books.

Lily Mae lives in Nuneaton, England and finds herself using local  places and even her old school in her stories.

Family and friends mean the world to Lily Mae and many will find themselves popping up throughout the series.

Lily Mae also writes for adults under the name of Florence Keeling.

Social Media Links – Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

---

My Review

This is the second book in the novel and since it is a series that has a continuity to it, I recommend you start with book one, just so you have the full experience of the story and characters.

That been said, we follow Josie, as she goes on yet another quest. Side by side, we go with her on a new adventure that brings questions, riddles, mystery and interesting moments that I could see my younger cousins loving if they read this books with me.

With fun characters, magic and exciting action moments, this is the kind of book that can get the reader involved. Since it’s a children’s book, aimed to 8 to 12 year old, the fact that it was magical, fun and visual, was perfect.

Honestly, anyone can read the book and just have a good time in this fictional world, going back in time and being a kid and going on an adventure.

Overall, I enjoyed it as much as I did the first one. It was a good sequel to the story, and it was as intriguing and fun. And I’m to going to give any spoilers, but I may have enjoyed the plot a little bit more in this book, especially since the story keeps moving through uncovering mysteries and I get to reconnect more with the characters.

If the synopsis spark your attention or if you think your children are going to like it, start with book one “Josie James and The Teardrops of Summer”, get to know the main character, this 13 year old girl, and join her in all the various journeys and quests she ended up in, through a magical world.

---

Don’t forget to check out all the other bloggers that given their contribute in this Blog Tour, from reviews to basic promo/spotlight posts.

---

Don’t forget to comment, don’t be stranger. If you have any book recommendation you can leave a message using the form on my Contact Me page.

If you are an author or publisher and want me to do a review of a book please check out my Request Review page to learn more about the reviewing policies.

I always welcome new books to add to my list and I’m always excited to do reviews and read books. And I’m open to debate and exchange opinions, so let’s talk.

Also, if you would like to join me as a guest on my blog, check out the Guests Post page to know more and contact me so we can start planing your visit.

Love,

Jess

“Magical Intelligence” Review

Hello Friends!

I hope you are doing well. Like I said in a previous post, I have two reviews for you today. The first one was a contemporary romance and now I bring you a fantasy novel.

“Magical Intelligence“, written by M.K. Wiseman, is a fantasy novel, the first in a series, that will be published on 5th May 2020.

I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, and M.K. Wiseman for the eCopy of this book, and for allowing me to join in the fun and being a part of the blog tour with my honest review of the book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

---

Synopsis

When you are a member of Britain’s first team of wizard spies, every mission might be your last. But as the dawning of the 20th century draws ever nearer, magic grows weak. Violectric Dampening, the clash of man-made electricity with the Gifts of magekind, threatens M.I.’s existence. And if that isn’t enough, they’ve now been discharged from their own government. Obsolete. Distrusted.

And now hunted by one of their own.

Myra Wetherby has always feared her so-called fits, strange visions of people and places that she cannot explain. It is the emotional manipulation, however, a strange empathic connection to those around her, which threatens her very sanity. A danger to her family, Myra runs away, falling straight into the hands of the newly ousted Magical Intelligence team. Who just so happen to need an ability like hers.

Which makes Myra one of them . . . whether she likes it or not.

Purchase Link: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Potential Trigger Warnings – violence; thematically addresses a character’s personal anxiety and fears as pertaining to their mental health; includes an enemy’s mental manipulation which leads to a death by suicide.

---

About the Author

M. K. Wiseman has degrees in animation/video and library science – both from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Today, her office is a clutter of storyboards and half-catalogued collections of too, too many books. (But, really, is there such a thing as too many books?) When she’s not mucking about with stories, she’s off playing brač or lying in a hammock in the backyard of her Cedarburg home that she shares with her endlessly patient husband.

Social Media Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

---

My Review

This is the first book I have ever read by this author, and since I love fantasy, and this is the first novel in a brand new series, I had to jump in and give it a go. Plus, the synopsis was very intriguing to me.

As we follow Myra’s journey in this novel and get to uncover all the interesting aspect about the world, we are taken to a world that isn’t exactly ours, but still has some elements of connection, and I do enjoy a book that in a fantasy world that is kind of our own reality but has some magical elements to it, that we don’t quite have.

I loved the concept of this story and how the magic worked because I always find the intricacy of a fantasy world so fascinating. Plus… it’s not just magic… it has spies! To be honest, when I read the synopsis and saw that word, I wasn’t entirely sure what to think, but the more I tried to come up with possibilities, the more intrigued I was.

It’s just the beginning of a series and there was a lot that I’m still uncertain and curious about. One of the things I’m interested in seeing more is the characters development, especially Myra’s. There are questions to be answers, mysteries to be revealed, and more to learn about the characters and the world.

Overall, I found that it was a different story and I liked it. I will keep my eyes open for the next books in the series so I can keep going because I am curious about what will happen next.

---

Don’t forget to check out all the other bloggers that given their contribute in this Blog Tour, from reviews to basic promo/spotlight posts.

---

Don’t forget to comment, don’t be stranger. If you have any book recommendation you can leave a message using the form on my Contact Me page.

If you are an author or publisher and want me to do a review of a book please check out my Request Review page to learn more about the reviewing policies.

I always welcome new books to add to my list and I’m always excited to do reviews and read books. And I’m open to debate and exchange opinions, so let’s talk.

Also, if you would like to join me as a guest on my blog, check out the Guests Post page to know more and contact me so we can start planing your visit.

Love,

Jess

“A Smuggler’s Path” Review

Hello Friends!

I hope you are all doing well and ready for the review I’m sharing with you guys today. This is book is part of a series, I will be a part of the blog tour for book two this weekend and I wanted to share my review of book one first. And here I am!

“A Smuggler’s Path“, written by I. L. Cruz, is the first book in the Enchanted Isles Series, a Fantasy novel published on July 24th 2018 by Bosky Flame Press.

I received a complimentary copy of this book thanks to Rachel Poli and I. L. Cruz. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

---

Synopsis

In Canto, magic is a commodity, outlawed by the elites after losing a devastating war and brokered by smugglers on the hidden market. But some know it’s more—a weapon for change.

Inez Garza moves through two worlds. She’s a member of the noble class who works as a magical arms dealer—a fact either group would gladly use against her. Neither know her true purpose—funding Birthright, an underground group determined to return magic to all at any cost.

But the discovery of a powerful relic from before the Rending threatens her delicate balance.

Inez’s inherent magic, which lies dormant in all the Canti, has been awakened. Now the Duchess’s daughter, radical and smuggler must assume another forbidden title—mage, a capital crime. This will bring her to the attention of factions at home—fanatical rebels bent on revolution, a royal family determined to avoid another magical war, her mercenary colleagues at the hidden market willing to sell her abilities to the highest bidder—and in Mythos, victors of the war and architects of the Rending.

Evasion has become Inez’s specialty, but even she isn’t skilled enough to hide from everyone—and deny the powers drawing her down a new path.

Purchase Links: Amazon | Kobo | Barnes & Noble

---

About the Author

I.L. Cruz decided to make writing her full-time career during the economic downturn in 2008. Since then she’s used her BA in International Relations to sow political intrigue in her fantasy worlds and her MA in history to strive for the perfect prologue. When she’s not engaged in this mad profession she indulges her wanderlust as often as possible, watches too much sci-fi and reads until her eyes cross. She lives in Maryland with her husband, daughter and a sun-seeking supermutt named Dipper.

Social Media Links: Website | Twitter | Blog

---

My Review

Fantasy novels… My comfort zone. I have been reading fantasy books since I was a little girl and I still love to read a book in that genre, especially when it’s a new-to-me author and series. This is book one in a series and with that comes lots of questions combined with the introduction of the world and characters.

“A Smuggler’s Path” is the kind of book I gravitate towards, it’s a fantasy novel, the start of a series and the opening to a new world. In it we follow Inez Garza, “a member of the noble class who works as a magical arms dealer“, that’s what the synopsis says, but of course there is a lot more to learn in the book/series.

Inez was quite an interesting character, being the beginning, I was still curious to see what else would happen to her, what kind of development she would had in book two. She felt real and in a fantasy world, that is definitely not ours, it’s always good to have that “real” and “true” feeling when reading a book, especially when we are talking about the characters, because connection is important.

Overall, I liked it and had fun while learning about the world building and what made this book unique. Finding out about the characters, the society, the magic/fantasy element, is important and the plot made me curious with each page I read, just as much as getting to know the people and world in this series.

Do I recommend the book? Just as with other books, if the synopsis and genre intrigues you, then I do recommend it. Plus, since it’s a series, you always have another book to read after you finish this one, and are still wondering about certain things in the story. That’s what I did and it was a good adventure.

---

Don’t forget to comment, don’t be stranger. If you have any book recommendation you can leave a message using the form on my Contact Me page.

If you are an author or publisher and want me to do a review of a book please check out my Request Review page to learn more about the reviewing policies.

I always welcome new books to add to my list and I’m always excited to do reviews and read books. And I’m open to debate and exchange opinions, so let’s talk.

Also, if you would like to join me as a guest on my blog, check out the Guests Post page to know more and contact me so we can start planing your visit.

Love,

Jess

“A Última Feiticeira” Review

Hello Friends!

Leaving this message to my English only speakers friends and followers, as a warning since this is going to be a post in Portuguese. I love this book and I’m so happy I can finally leave my review, after years of know this world and loving it so much.

To my Portuguese friends and followers… Enjoy!

---

“A Última Feiticeira“, escrito por Sandra Carvalho, é o primeiro livro da Saga das Pedras Mágicas, publicado a 13 de abril de 2005 pela Editorial Presença.

Não li este livro apenas uma vez, li diversas vezes desde que conheci a Saga quando tinha 12 anos. Encontro-me agora a partilhar alguns dos meus pensamentos e memórias e o quanto este livro significa para mim.

Agradeço à Sandra por esta história e por todo o apoio.

Todas as opiniões encontradas nesta review são completamente minhas.

---

Sinopse

O fantástico épico está novamente de parabéns com mais uma estreia literária de uma autora portuguesa que a Presença propõe ao seu público. Em A Saga das Pedras Mágicas os heróis, diz-nos Sandra Carvalho, têm uma profunda ligação à Natureza e aos Elementos, são apaixonados pela Vida e inteiramente determinados na sua coragem. A acção passa-se num tempo em que os sábios Druidas se recolhiam nas florestas para perpetuarem o Conhecimento que em eras passadas lhes fora transmitido pelos Seres Mágicos. O berço da heroína desta história, Catelyn, e dos seus cinco irmãos varões, situa-se na Grande Ilha, cada vez mais fustigada pelos ataques dos Viquingues. Os senhores locais formaram uma Aliança para os repelirem, consolidando essa política através de casamentos combinados entre os herdeiros das grandes famílias. Depois de uma infância paradisíaca, Catelyn cresce num mundo cada vez mais violento, assistindo impotente às manipulações da maldosa Myrna, a protegida do homem com quem o pai de Catelyn destinou casá-la.

Onde comprar – Presença | Bertrand | Wook | Fnac

---

Sobre a Autora

Sandra Carvalho é uma das autoras portuguesas mais conceituadas do romance fantástico. A Saga das Pedras Mágicas, que a Presença publicou também na coleção «Via Láctea», e que é constituída pelos títulos A Última Feiticeira, O Guerreiro Lobo, Lágrimas do Sol e da Lua, O Círculo do Medo, Os Três Reinos, A Sacerdotisa dos Penhascos, O Filho do Dragão e Sombras da Noite Branca, conquistou um vasto número de fãs entre os apreciadores do género. Depois de O Olhar do Açor e Filhos do Vento e do Mar, O Grito do Corvo é o último volume das Crónicas da Terra e do Mar.

Social Media Links – Website | Facebook | Instagram

---

A Minha Review

Quando muitas pessoas me perguntam sobre a minha infância e adolescência, sobre como comecei a ler e sobre os meus livros favoritos, as minhas respostas tendem a cruzar-se. O livro que me vez realmente compreender, quando tinha dez anos, que adorava ler foi “A Volta ao Mundo em Oitenta Dias” de Julio Verne, mas foi dois anos depois que os livros da Sandra Carvalho me conquistaram e fora a luz no topo do poço que me deu forças para subir e ver o mundo novamente, desta vez com diferentes olhos.

Porque razão estou a falar disto na minha review? Porque quero que todos percebam o quanto importante as palavras escritas num livro podem ter. E porque a Jéssica escritora podia nunca ter existido se não fossem por esta Saga. Ela deu-me inspiração e um novo fogo começou a arder na minha alma.

“A Última Feiticeira” foi o começo para uma longa e ongoing relação como os livros, com uns outros olhos. Foi com a Cat que compreendi diversos aspetos da vida, por mais hilariantes que por vezes as descrições fossem para a minha mente de doze anos.

Tal como a Cat, eu venho de uma família numerosa, não por ter muitos irmãos ou por ser a mais novas, na verdade sou irmã mais velha de um único rapaz sete anos mais novo que eu. De qualquer das formas, o meu pai é um de sete, eu sou uma das mais novas de dezassete netos e isto é apenas da família paterna, pois da família materna tenho muitos primos igualmente. Por isso, quando digo que compreendo o caos que é viver numa grande família, acreditem. E decorar dezenas de nome foi sempre fácil para mim pelos anos de treino.

Quando finalmente tive o livro nas mãos, graças à minha querida mãe, e entrei finalmente no mundo da Saga, senti que estava a conhecer um mundo fantástico muito especial. Agora, sempre que o releio sinto que é como regressar a casa após viajar durante anos por outras terras, sentido sempre um toque de saudade no meu coração.

E tudo começou com:

“Existe uma recordação que guardarei enquanto viver: o rosto de uma menina, reflectido na superfície da água, com os longos cabelos negros e encaracolados caindo sobre as faces rosadas, os olhos brilhando mais do que estrelas e o sorriso denunciando uma felicidade que só a inocência pode conceber.”

E estava rendida.

Ainda me lembro de rir nas aulas ao lembrar de certas passagens e descrições, de comentar com as minhas amigas sobre esta menina que tinha poderes mágicos e que tinha uma missão muito importante no seu mundo. No entanto, ninguém me ouviu. Ninguém excepto a minha mãe e avó que em breve ficaram cativadas pelas palavras brilhantemente escolhidas da Sandra Carvalho.

Agora, jovem mulher, vejo outros promenores, vejo as descrições, o ambiente, o que aparentemente fora invisível… E cada vez que leio os livros, é uma experiência totalmente diferente. Quanto a este, o reentrar no livro, o reconhecer a Cat, o Edwin, o Tristan, o Aled, o Berchan, o Stefan, o Quinn, e todos os outros que entram em cena desde principio ao fim do livro, quer sejam personagens boas ou malvadas… é uma benção aos meus olhos.

Neste livro somos introduzidos a Cat, aos seus irmãos e amigos. Somos introduzidos a um mundo onde existe magia e onde existem visões do futuro e profecias. E ao tentarmos desvendar os segredos, damos por nós cada vez mais no interior de um mundo, sentido-nos ligados a Cat, empatizando com ela, sinto a sua revolta, confusão e força a crescer com cada página. É essa ligação que torna o livro muito especial para mim.

Depois existem as descrições que nos transportam para um mundo distante, num tempo passado, onde as regras da sociedade eram diferentes do mundo moderno em que vivemos. Descrições que foram o meu escape quando tinha doze anos e que continuam a ser ainda hoje. Descrições brilhantes que apelam os nossos sentidos e emoções. E nos levam a compreender o enquadramento da história da Cat.

Por isso, e por cada um dos momentos inesperados e emocionais que aconteceram, recomendo agora e sempre este livro e todos os da Saga. Todos nós merecemos viver esta história. Vivermos com todas as personagens e seguirmos a Cat neste livro, descobrindo verdade, desvendando mistério, batalhando contra o mal, encontrando a felicidade nas memórias e nos pequenos momentos de paz, nos pequenos momentos de encher o coração de amor. Merecemos viver uma fantástica aventura.

“Éramos filhos da floresta, dilhos da terra, filhos do ribeiro e do lago, filhos do Sol e do Ar. Éramos felizes.”

---

Don’t forget to comment, don’t be stranger. If you have any book recommendation you can leave a message using the form on my Contact Me page.

If you are an author or publisher and want me to do a review of a book please check out my Request Review page to learn more about the reviewing policies.

I always welcome new books to add to my list and I’m always excited to do reviews and read books. And I’m open to debate and exchange opinions, so let’s talk.

Also, if you would like to join me as a guest on my blog, check out the Guests Post page to know more and contact me so we can start planing your visit.

Love,

Jess

“The Raven Coven” Review

Hello Friends!

I hope you guys are all doing better than I am because I’m sick again, so I slept all morning and this is way I’m doing the review just now. I have read book one of this two part series called “The Raven Tower”.

“The Raven Coven”, written by Emma Miles, is a Fantasy novel published on 27th May 2019 and it’s the second part in a series.

I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, and Emma Miles for the eCopy of this book and for allowing me to join in the fun and being a part of the blog tour with my honest review of the book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

---

Synopsis

Kesta had left her heart across the sea. They were at peace, her people saved from slavery, and yet… her soul was uneasy.

Chem lies in chaos, its people suffering as a result of the death of the ruling sorcerers. Refugees flee the cursed Borrows, begging for help from those they had made their enemy. A Queen unknowingly makes a dark, deadly pact, and new powers rise to fill the seats left empty by the Dunham necromancers.

Purchase Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK

---

Author Bio

I presently live in the stunning county of Dorset where I’m a cat slave to Wolfe and Piglitt I spend as much time as I can outside in nature and love exploring and learning about new cultures and languages. I’ve visited Greece, Serbia, Transylvania, Sicily and Norway as well as making several road trips around our beautiful United Kingdom. I paint, sculpt, dabble in photography and do a little archery but most of all – whenever I get a chance – I write.

My writing started from a very young age when I often found myself being the one taking charge of and entertaining all my younger cousins. They loved to hear my stories and although they mostly called for ghost stories it was fantasy I fell in love with when I read The Lord of the Rings when I was ten. I went on to write stories and short ‘books’ for my friends through school and college; then one evening whilst I was waiting for my aunt and uncle to visit an image came to my mind of a boy sitting beneath a bridge. I didn’t know who he was or why he was there, but from exploring those questions ‘The Wind’s Children’ trilogy blossomed and grew with roots going back into his far history as well as stretching out to his future. The boy’s name was Tobias.

I have since left Tobias’s world of ‘Naris’ to explore the Valley with Feather in the ‘Hall of Pillars’ which is now available through Amazon. I am now presently finding my way through Elden, the beautiful Fulmer islands, the ravaged Borrows and haunted Chem with Kesta Silene; a shamaness of sorts with a big journey ahead of her. I hope you come along to share her story and join her adventure; she needs you and you won’t regret it.

Social Media Links – Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Website

---

My Review

‘The Raven Coven’ is the second book and I recommend everyone to read the first book if you even already, so you can experience the full story and understand everything that you need to know to get the full picture of the series. That been said, this book picks up where ‘The Raven Tower’ ended.

Since this isn’t the first book, I really don’t want to say anything and end up giving a spoiler accidentally, so this review will be a bit open and not specific, about particular aspects of the plot.

I loved the book because of various reasons, to name some: it answers a lot of questions I had; it maintain the level of amount of magic and power; the descriptions were vivid; it explores another side of the characters life since some events happened in book one, and that made me learn some new aspects about the character.

I honestly loved the way the author took the characters with this book and it was an amazing journey into a fantasy world that was brilliantly constructed. The plot made sense to me as a continuation of book one and just like the complexion of the characters and all the different levels in theirs personalities and their stories and past, the storyline gives us many themes and relationships.

The book had a good pace that had that action feel to it, and was fun to read at some points, and exciting and adrenaline rush at others, and even interesting and curious. Also, it was emotional too, that made me connect with the characters and their thoughts. Everything was thanks to the tone of the book, the pace the plot and the descriptions that gave me a clear imagine of what was going on, and I like that.

Overall, I loved it. And I’m just sad that there won’t be any other book next because I wish to know what will happen in the future of this series. I will keep my eyes open for future books written by this author.

---

Giveaway

For  chance to Win 3 x Paperback copies of The Raven Coven Click Here.

(Open International)

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

---

Don’t forget to check out all the other bloggers that given their contribute in this Blog Tour, from reviews and basic promo/spotlight posts.

---

Don’t forget to comment, don’t be stranger. If you have any book recommendation you can leave a message using the form on my Contact Me page.

If you are an author and want me to do a review of your book you can go check out my Request Review page.

I always welcome new books to add to my list and I’m always excited to do reviews and read books.

And if you would like to join me as a guest on my blog, check out the Guests Post page to know more and contact me so we can start planing your visit.

Love,

Jess