“BElieve in YOUrself” Review

Hello Friends!

Here we are for a day of learning, with an activity book. Yes, it’s for children and middle grades, but I think we all can learn with this book.

“BElieve in YOUrself“, written by Lexi Rees, is an Activity book, published on August 2021.

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

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Synopsis

Want your child to be more focused, feel calmer, and increase their self-belief?

This unique activity book is packed with fun, creative tasks, plus a wide variety of mindfulness strategies including

✓ visualisation exercises

✓ breathing techniques

✓ mindful arts and crafts

✓ games to improve focus and concentration 

✓ mind and body detective skills

Written by primary school teacher and founder of Mindful Mentors, Sasha Mullen, and best-selling author and tutor, Lexi Rees, this fully illustrated activity book provides children with the essential tools to be their best selves, every single day.

Purchase Links: Amazon

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About the Author

Lexi Rees was born in Scotland but now lives down south. She writes action-packed adventures brim full of witch-doctors, fortune-tellers, warriors and smugglers, combining elemental magic with hints of dystopia. She also writes fun activity books for children. 

Her fantasy adventure, Eternal Seas, was awarded a “loved by” badge from LoveReading4Kids. The sequel, Wild Sky, is available now. 

She’s passionate about developing a love of reading and writing in children and, as well as her Creative Writing Skills workbook, she has an active programme of school visits and other events, is a Book PenPal for three primary schools, and runs a free online #kidsclub and newsletter which includes book recommendations and creative writing activities.

In her spare time, she’s a keen crafter and spends a considerable amount of time trying not to fall off horses or boats.

Social Media Links: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

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My Review

I’m not a teacher, I’m a Social Educator. But I have worked with children and teens, so I’m always interested in knowing more about workbooks/activity books for children since it may help me out in the future.

This book was quite amazing. From the lovely illustrations to the cute and instructive activities. Plus, I loved the goal trackers and the mindful and breathing exercises. The way it touches in multiple areas of the self, is fantastic. We all have to work on it, we have to maintain our mental health in check and this does it in a cute and fun way.

The creative tasks, the arts and crafts, the games and the techniques… If we think about it, this book could even be used by everyone, and should definitely be kept in mind not only by parents but by professionals as well.

Overall, I loved it and it has gave me some ideas. It’s a perfect solution to promote the idea of believing in ourselves, reinforcing our self-love and work on our focus and concentration. And that’s something we should all have been doing since we were young, so the fact that it is a book targeting children and Middle grade, is amazing.

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Giveaway

For a chance to win one of the 3 signed copies of BElieve in YOUrself (BE YOU) Click Here.

(Open UK Only)

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

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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

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“Always Been You” Review

Hello Friends!

Happy Wednesday! Today I have a review of a book that is part of a series whose author you may recognize.

“Always Been You“, written by Lasairiona E. McMaster, is the third book in the AJ Williams Series, published on May 9th 2020 by Drama Llama Publishing.

I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, and Lasairiona E. McMaster for the eCopy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Synopsis

Five thousand miles from his ex, AJ is living with Lisa’s decision to call it quits and leave both him, and Alabama behind. Upon hearing that Lisa is moving forward from their engagement with a new (and handsome!) doctor-boyfriend, AJ is confused and broken at the idea of facing life without his soul mate. AJ finds himself at a cross roads, does he give up all hope of ever reconciling with Lisa and take a chance on love again with someone new? Or is his heart destined to be forever entwined with the beautiful Irish woman he met on the internet… who is now with another man?

Purchase Links: Amazon UK | Amazon US

Potential Trigger Warning: Sexual assault, medical injury/brain trauma/grief/loss

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Author Bio

Lasairiona McMaster grew up dreaming of an exciting life abroad, and, after graduating from Queens University, Belfast, that is exactly what she did – with her then-boyfriend, now husband of almost ten years. Having recently repatriated to Northern Ireland after a decade abroad spanned over two countries (seven and a half years in America and eighteen months in India), she now finds herself ‘home’, with itchy feet and dreams of her next expatriation. With a penchant for both travelling, and writing, she started a blog during her first relocation to Houston, Texas and, since repatriating to Northern Ireland, has decided to do as everyone has been telling her to do for years, and finally pen a book (or two) and get published while she tries to adjust to the people and place she left ten years ago, where nothing looks the same as it did when she left.

Social Media Links – Facebook | Twitter | Website | Instagram

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My Review

This is the final book in the AJ series, and where everything comes together.

We keep following Aj’s side of the story, we see how life for him is, while he deals with all the obstacles that may appear, with his mental health problems, and every other situation he ends up encountering as he tries to figure things out.

We get keep connecting with AJ and all the other characters that have a big role in his life, in a positive aspect, even thought we know them. It was quite interesting to see the the other side of the coin, and see the interactions between the characters in a new light. It gave the story and world an even more powerful understanding, since we get to see both MC’s POVs and all that they had to deal with during this time line.

I did say, in the previous reviews of this series, that I loved that we were given a chance to read AJ’s daily life. I truly felt that Lisa’s series needed that. AJ was and still is one of my favorite characters and I knew there was a lot about him that we needed to know. With this novel we get the final pieces to understand all that has lead to the big finale.

Overall, I definitely recommend you read the entire series in order, I would start with Lisa’s POV and then get to AJ’s POV. Then you will get a bigger understanding of all the various elements that shaped their story. It’s a rollercoaster in terms of emotions and I personally loved to connect with the characters in that deep level.

Also, I do caution the readers, because there may be some potential trigger in both series. Just keep that in mind.

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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.

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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

“Worth Fighting For” Review

Hello Friends!

Happy Wednesday! It’s raining in my hometown, a perfect day to relax, and get to travel with a book.

Today I have a review of a book that is part of a series whose author you may recognize.

“Worth Fighting For“, written by Lasairiona E. McMaster, is the second book in the AJ Williams Series, published on April 11th 2020 by Drama Llama Publishing.

I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, and Lasairiona E. McMaster for the eCopy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

 

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Synopsis

Relationships are complicated. Long distance ones, even more so. When AJ Williams met Lisa Millar online through mutual friends, he wasn’t prepared to fall in love with the woman of his dreams. In a heart-wrenching story of love attempting to transcend miles, AJ finds himself married, fighting a battle against his Bipolar Disorder and on the wrong side of the Atlantic from the woman he truly loves. Will their love conquer all? Or will the intricacies of a relationship woven across the Atlantic be too much to take and tear them apart once and for all?

** Warning ** Book ends on a cliffhanger!!

Potential Trigger Warning: Sexual assault, medical injury/trauma/PTSD

Purchase Links: Amazon UK | Amazon US

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Author Bio

Lasairiona McMaster grew up dreaming of an exciting life abroad, and, after graduating from Queens University, Belfast, that is exactly what she did – with her then-boyfriend, now husband of almost ten years. Having recently repatriated to Northern Ireland after a decade abroad spanned over two countries (seven and a half years in America and eighteen months in India), she now finds herself ‘home’, with itchy feet and dreams of her next expatriation. With a penchant for both travelling, and writing, she started a blog during her first relocation to Houston, Texas and, since repatriating to Northern Ireland, has decided to do as everyone has been telling her to do for years, and finally pen a book (or two) and get published while she tries to adjust to the people and place she left ten years ago, where nothing looks the same as it did when she left.

Social Media Links – Facebook | Twitter | Website | Instagram

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My Review

When I read the Lisa Millar story, I wanted to read at the same time AJ’s POV since I felt that we were missing his side of the story. So, when I got the chance to read book one in the AJ Williams series, I was very excited. Now I have read the second book, and there are still a lot of little details that I’m love to learn.

I still found it’s a bit difficult to write a review for this book, just like I did with book one, for the same reason, because the world and story are in my head and heart. But!… if I enjoyed the previous books, you can bet I certainly love this one as well.

As I kept following AJ and reading about his thoughts and the reasoning for his actions, I found myself getting a lot more connected with him than in the previous book, and that what I did in the Lisa Millar series. We get to go deeper into his emotional state and mental health aspects, we get to see is daily life and learn how he’s changing with each book. And in the end, it brought some extra answers.

Yet again, I was taken on a journey about a character and plot that isn’t your usual story and MC. We continue to understand the friendships and interactions in a different way than with the other series, and it added some layers to the storytelling. The characters were complex and getting to learn more about what makes them tick was interesting.

The balanced between the complexity in the story and simplicity in certain scenes, was something I enjoyed. Sure, I know what is going on, but that doesn’t mean I know all the smaller details. A story is full of POVs, depending on the person we are listen to. And the way the author let’s the character tell his story this time just add to that dynamic in my mind. That’s why I felt as if it was a complex book in terms of the subjects talked about, and simple with certain scenes that were just moments were all experience daily.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. It was a continuation of the previous book, opening our eyes for even more aspects of the story that we may have not paid attention. Plus, since it does end with a cliffhanger, we get compelled to get the third book in the series so we know more. And to those that are curious about this series, I recommend you to start with book one or start with Lisa Millar Series.

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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.

 

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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

“Surviving Me” Review

Hello Friends!

I hope your Saturday is going well, and that this week has been kind. Today I bring you some reviews, and I hope you are ready.

“Surviving Me“, written by Jo Johnson, is a Women’s fiction novel, published on November 14th 2019 by Unbound Digital.

I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, and Jo Johnson for the eCopy of this book and for allowing me to join in the fun and by being a part of the blog tour with my honest review of the book.

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Synopsis

Deceit has a certain allure when your life doesn’t match up to the ideal of what it means to be a modern man.

Tom’s lost his job and now he’s been labelled ‘spermless’. He doesn’t exactly feel like a modern man, although his double life helps. Yet when his secret identity threatens to unravel, he starts to lose the plot and comes perilously close to the edge.

All the while Adam has his own duplicity, albeit for very different reasons, reasons which will blow the family’s future out of the water.

If they can’t be honest with themselves, and everyone else, then things are going to get a whole lot more complicated.

This book tackles hard issues such as male depression, dysfunctional families and degenerative diseases in an honest, life-affirming and often humorous way. It focuses particularly on the challenges of being male in today’s world and explores how our silence on these big issues can help push men to the brink.

Purchase Links: Amazon UK | Amazon US

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Author Bio

I’m very excited that my debut novel ‘Surviving Me’ is due to be published on the 14 November. The novel is about male minds and what pushes a regular man to the edge. The novel combines all the themes I can write about with authenticity.

I qualified as a clinical psychologist in 1992 and initially worked with people with learning disabilities before moving into the field of neurology in 1996. I worked in the NHS until 2008 when i left to write and explore new projects.

I now work as an independent clinical psychologist in West Sussex.

~ Jo Johnson

Jo speaks and writes for several national neurology charities including Headway and the MS Trust. Client and family related publications include, “Talking to your kids about MS”, “My mum makes the best cakes” and “Shrinking the Smirch”. 

In the last few years Jo has been offering psychological intervention using the acceptance and commitment therapeutic model (ACT) which is the most up to date version of CBT. She is now using THE ACT model in a range of organisations such as the police to help employees protect their minds in order to avoid symptoms of stress and work related burnout.

Social Media Links: Facebook | Goodreads

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My Review

Personally, I decided this year to try and read more books out of my comfort zone, books that talk about topics that I haven’t read a lot about, or read books that make me think about the world, life and us as a global society with different cultures, political views and religions. When I read the blurb of this novel, I realized I hadn’t read many books that talked about male depression, so I was intrigued. I had to join in and I had to learn more about it.

Depression is a subject that is close to my family, not just because of the women in my family (including me) that are dealing with it, but also men. Yes, I have a big family, and I counting my second and third cousins in the mix, nevertheless this book got me thinking about everyone I know and that has to deal with all the issues talked about in this story.

I’m not a man, and I don’t pretend to know what it’s like, but I try to empathize and understand their point of view, just like I want others to understand and respect mine. With this novel as we follow Tom, we are taken into a journey. We end up explore the male view on these issues.

I could talk about the personal experiences I have with talking to family members or what I have watch during my 25 years in this Earth, but that’s not really the point. What made me love about this book was that it openly talked about things that I know a lot of times are silenced, are deemed unimportant and untrue. And I have seen that happened. I do believe this book could teach a lot of people about these issues.

It’s a beautifully written novel, with characters that are complex and that could be real life people. We care for them, we want the best for them, and that connection makes the storytelling even more powerful. We get to feel as though we are a part fo the book, and it was an emotional and insightful reading.

Overall, it was the kind of book I needed to read. It was thought-provoking, it was brilliantly created, with a plot that had multiple ‘obstacles’ that are talked about and that open our eyes to the society represented in the pages of this novel. Do I recommend it? Sure, if you want to read a book that has all the characteristic this one has, in terms of: mental health and suicidal ideation, infertility, neurological disease, Faith… Then go for it.

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Giveaway

For a Chance to Win two signed copies of “Surviving Me” &  five “Surviving Me” fridge magnets Enter Here.

(Open International)

1^st Prize – 2 winners each winning a signed copy of Surviving Me

5 Runners Up – each winning a Surviving Me Fridge Magnet

*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.

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

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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

“Game Changer” Review

Hello Friends!

Happy Wednesday! I have a review for a book that you may recognize the author’s name

“Game Changer“, written by Lasairiona E. McMaster, is the first book in the AJ Williams Series, published on March 14th 2020 by Drama Llama Publishing .

I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, and Lasairiona E. McMaster for the eCopy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Synopsis

AJ Williams wasn’t supposed to fall in love with a girl on the internet. But he did.

Other than living over five thousand miles away in Northern Ireland, Lisa Millar is seemingly his perfect match. AJ can’t quite believe his luck, not only is she beautiful, but she has an appreciation for both music and hockey – two of his favorite things.

Surprised by Lisa turning up unannounced in Alabama, AJ is under pressure to deal with the issue at hand. Should he risk losing her, come clean and tell her the truth? Or should he try to keep his secret under wraps?

Will true love win out? Or will AJ’s secret be too much for Lisa to bear?

Purchase Links: Amazon UK | Amazon US

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Author Bio

Lasairiona McMaster grew up dreaming of an exciting life abroad, and, after graduating from Queens University, Belfast, that is exactly what she did – with her then-boyfriend, now husband of almost ten years. Having recently repatriated to Northern Ireland after a decade abroad spanned over two countries (seven and a half years in America and eighteen months in India), she now finds herself ‘home’, with itchy feet and dreams of her next expatriation. With a penchant for both travelling, and writing, she started a blog during her first relocation to Houston, Texas and, since repatriating to Northern Ireland, has decided to do as everyone has been telling her to do for years, and finally pen a book (or two) and get published while she tries to adjust to the people and place she left ten years ago, where nothing looks the same as it did when she left.

Social Media Links – Facebook | Twitter | Website | Instagram

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My Review

After reading the Lisa Millar series and going on a rollercoaster with my emotions, and getting to read this series, the POV of AJ, I thought I was ready to deal with the story. Then again, we always are surprised when we read books.

When I read for the first time the Lisa Millar story, I wanted to read at the same time AJ’s POV because a lot of things, a lot of mysteries, were making me very curious and theorizing about what was going on. So, of course, I was excited about this book.

Yes, I knew the characters already and I have empathy and some sort of connection with them, but it’s different. The voice in the story is different because we are following AJ, and I quite liked that because it made me realize certain things that I had missed when I read “Intimate Strangers”.

It’s a bit difficult to write a review for this book because the entire world and story is in my head and heart. Nevertheless, I did enjoyed it, maybe a bit more than book one in the Lisa Millar series, which I know is thanks to AJ.

I was always fascinated by him and I know that despite having learn a lot in the previous series, there is still most to learn about his personality and thought process. And that’s what happened in with “Game Changer”. I was taken on a journey with a character that isn’t your typical main character, especially since he’s not the typical Hockey player that we all imagine because of other books, and I loved that about him. AJ was a very complex character from the very beginning.

Did I still have some good laughs? Of course!

Did I still enjoyed the story overall? Absolutely!

Did this book brought some unanswered questions? Yes! And this time, I got some closer in a sense. By following AJ and seeing is life up-close, I couldn’t help but feel for him, and understand better his reasoning.

Overall, I enjoyed the book, and honestly I’m so happy that the author wrote this story in AJ’s perspective because I feel like his side of the story needed to be told. And to everyone that is curious about the series, you can start with this one or if you prefer, with Lisa Millar Series. Anyway, you will get to fall into this world and feel with the characters.

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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.

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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

“Fateful Coincidence” Review

Hello Friends!

If you don’t remember, last Monday (17th February) I posted two reviews, for book one and two of a series, and today I bring you the review for the final book.

“Fateful Coincidence“, written by Lasairiona E. McMaster, is the third book in the Lisa Millar Series, published November 8th 2019 by Drama Llama Publishing.

I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, and Lasairiona E. McMaster 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.

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Synopsis

Five thousand miles from her ex, Lisa is living with her decision to call it quits and leave both AJ and Alabama behind. She believes she’s finally ready to put her broken heart back together and move forward with her life as a single woman. But when she meets a seemingly too-good-to-be-true doctor, she feels both unsure of herself and guilty for moving on so quickly from her engagement to AJ. Lisa finds herself at a cross roads, does she give up all hope of ever reconciling with AJ and take a chance on love again with someone new? Or is her heart destined to be forever entwined with the married man she met on the internet?

Purchase Links – Amazon

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Author Bio

Lasairiona McMaster grew up dreaming of an exciting life abroad, and, after graduating from Queens University, Belfast, that is exactly what she did – with her then-boyfriend, now husband of almost ten years. Having recently repatriated to Northern Ireland after a decade abroad spanned over two countries (seven and a half years in America and eighteen months in India), she now finds herself ‘home’, with itchy feet and dreams of her next expatriation. With a penchant for both travelling, and writing, she started a blog during her first relocation to Houston, Texas and, since repatriating to Northern Ireland, has decided to do as everyone has been telling her to do for years, and finally pen a book (or two) and get published while she tries to adjust to the people and place she left ten years ago, where nothing looks the same as it did when she left.

Social Media Links – Facebook | Twitter | Website | Instagram

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My Review

When I read the cliffhanger in book two I was shocked and happy. Shocked because that was how the book ended and happy because I had book three to read. So I immediately jumped to this book.

I had a lot of mix feelings as I reading this final novel. I was happy and sad about Lisa and Matt’s relationship. Happy because Lisa was happy, and sad because I was still thinking about AJ. But that’s life, it’s unexpected, sometimes we have to move on so we can heal and found happiness again.

Has someone that has been dealing with depression for more than a decade, I felt connected in some way to Lisa, more in this book that in the previous ones. Still not my favorite character, but I understand her better now.

Again, the author left me crying, thankfully, it was night time and mom was asleep, so no embarrassing moments while trying to explain why I was crying. Although I don’t usually cry while reading, this series had some aspects that truly made me emotional.

Now, after all the journey from book one until this moment, I have to say that I loved to get to know the characters and see their development in terms of interaction and relationship with each other. Jer always delightful, he’s such a funny character and I wish I had a friend like him because I needed boy cuddles after reading this series. Ana was a sweetheart an I was happy for her. Chelsea such a great BFF and the trip to Mexico, I hope one day my best friend and I can go on a road trip because I really have many places I want to visit and it’s always fun to be surrounded by friends and enjoy a new culture and do plenty activities.

Overall, I really did enjoy the story and I have more books to read of this author, in the same world, that are from AJ’s POV. So I can’t wait, especially after that ending. It certainly made me smile, as well as Lisa and AJ’s reunion. And I do hope we get to see more of that in the other books, nevertheless, I’m curious to see AJ’s perspective of their love story.

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

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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

“Dark Chains” Review

Hello Friends!

I hope you are doing well this Monday. I have some reviews to today, so stay tune, relax and enjoy.

UPDATE: Apparently I forgot to change the day of the week because I had planned on scheduling this review, and then decided last minute to just post it today, and of course my Monday brain didn’t see I had Thursday still on the post. Epic fail on my part, I know.

“Dark Chains“, written by LaTasha “Tacha B.” Braxton, a standalone novel that is as described in the synopsis “inspirational and spiritual autobiography”, was published on March 27th 2018.

I received a complimentary copy of this book thanks to LaTasha “Tacha B.” Braxton. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Blurb

Dark Chains is an inspirational and spiritual autobiography about a misguided young girl who struggles to survive mental, emotional, and physical abuse. Plagued by decades of pain, mental illness and generational curses. She enters a life without God at a young age, and finds herself infatuated with the idea of escaping and never returning to the abusive life she once was subjected, manipulated and conditioned to living in.

This book was created to help young girls and boys who are going down a dark path, it is meant to open minds and change their perspectives for the greater. It was created to help overcome the pain and anger endured from a dysfunctional family and lifestyle in order to become who God initially wanted them to be.

This book will heal the wounds of mentally and emotionally hurt families who aren’t aware that they’ve been conditioned to live immorally due to the pains that plagued them and the many generations that came before them. It is a read from an author who can easily relate to those who inhabit a lost soul and a broken heart. It is inspiring and will create understanding and hope to many and create a positive pattern for many more to come.

Purchase Link: Amazon

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Author Bio

Author and songwriter LaTasha “Tacha B.” Braxton is quite a complex and beautiful mystery. An intricately woven entity made up of everything right about creation. Her mind is a cavern of creativity. Her heart is big, but the love encapsulated within it is a buried treasure. The kind one wouldn’t readily discover the significance of unless they were extremely determined and intentional about finding.

Then there’s her soul. Vibrant as a moonlight glow, but it’s constantly at war. She’s suffered a lot. Has been disappointed by most and naturally carries her skepticism openly of everyone who tries to get close. Her force field is not easily penetrable, but it’s not impossible to.

Her greatest joy is the life of her baby boy. A young inquisitive genius that has taught her much about life and challenges her to grow each day. If she was literally a flower. He would most undoubtedly be her water. This is her reason to live above all, and it’s this unconditional love that causes her to flourish.

LaTasha “Tacha B.” Braxton’s gift is her writing. This is how she communicates to the world. Whether it comes out in the form of music, poetry or in a novel. If you want to know exactly who she is, these are the chambers you can go to.

Social Media Links: Twitter | Goodreads | Instagram

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My Review

I read this book a while back and I’m still emotional when I think about every chapter that describes the author’s life, and she went through a lot. Like it says in the synopsis this novel is an “inspirational and spiritual autobiography“, and knowing that makes the reading even more powerful.

I haven’t read many books that have a autobiography element, so I was very emotional while reading this story. So, reviewing it is a hard task, how can we review a novel that is a memoir about someones life? That was one of the reason I took so long to write this review.

The author put in paper her experiences with mental, emotional, and physical abuse, opening door for us, and I’m hoping that everyone that does read this novel will have moment of contemplation and can reflect on many subjects that are expressed in this story, as well as maybe, it can give reads some sense of connection, because we are not alone and there are a lot of people around the world that have experienced the same things.

I didn’t went through the same as the author and other women have, and just went through my own experiences that were in no way as harsh as the ones described in the book, but they shaped me. It took me ten years to finally talk about what I felt and about my past, and it was all thanks to a class in college. So I can imagine how emotional the journey must have been to LaTasha “Tacha B” Braxton to write this book. I could see it in each page because I could connect to her, sometimes I just wanted to hug her and cry with her, others I just wanted to go back in time and maybe help out.

I went on the journey as well, and although the realization that this was real and that some people are going through it right now made my heart feel heavy, the author wrote it in such a way that grabbed my attention. That’s the power of words.

I loved the message, how she found her strength and faith… Even if you aren’t a religious person, that’s okay, because the important thing (for me of course) is that you have faith in yourself and love who you are, as well as never giving up and breaking the cycle. If you are religious and God is who you focus on, good for you, if having faith in Him is what helps you have the courage you need to deal with all the obstacles that’s all that matters.

Overall, it was a strong and thought provoking book that I recommend, but I have to say that it because of the topics discussed, it can have some triggers, so just have that in mind. I don’t want anyone to feel uncomfortable while reading a book, and in this case it’s supposed to be a start of conversation and a way to help others. Also, if while reading you feel the need to stop and reflect, or just need some time to take a deep breath, that’s totally okay, I did that.

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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 Long Goodbye” Review

Hello Friends!

I read this book last year, but only got around to review it this year, and I want to apologize to the author for taking so long. Anyway, I’m here now!

“A Long Goodbye” written by Anthony Le Moignan, is a standalone novel published on 2nd April 2018.

I received a complimentary copy of this book thanks to Anthony Le Moignan via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Synopsis

Simon, a successful accountant, has a big problem. The biggest of them all. He checks himself into Orchard Care Home whilst still relatively healthy, the youngest resident by decades. He’s confident he cut all ties with the outside world and is untraceable.

Emma, married with no kids, lives, breathes and manages Orchard Care Home; a position her husband, Michael, used to hold in the good old days. But now he’s soared up the company hierarchy she sees so much less of him.

The attraction between carer and resident is instant, but ultimately destined for catastrophe. Alzheimer’s takes no prisoners and Early Onset, it’s most tragic form, is the cruellest of all.

How can Michael feel threatened by Simon? And what future could Emma have with him?

Simon understands less and less, but knows he has to try and run away from time – to somehow beat the ceaseless clock.

A powerful new novel by Anthony Le Moignan that will make you laugh and cry, for fans of Jojo Moyes, Emma Healey and Nicholas Sparks.

Purchase Link: Amazon | Kobo

A Note From the Publisher

A beautiful story written from the heart and personal experience. The author’s father, Desmond, sadly passed in January after suffering with Alzheimer’s for five years. Anthony spent countless hours with him throughout this time as his memories slowly began to fade. Desmond lived his final two years in a care home which Anthony visited almost every day, becoming very familiar with the environment.

Accordingly, the book is dedicated to Desmond, and Anthony has partnered with UK charity Alzheimer’s Society, who will receive proceeds from the sale of the book. A Long Goodbye will appeal to readers who like the books of Jojo Moyes – there are a lot of similarities to Me Before You, and also similar themes to Emma Healy’s debut, Elizabeth Is Missing.

There are difficult moral issues in this story, so there’s an especially fine balance between tragedy and comedy, the latter element remaining crucial to tackle such a controversial topic. It’ll move readers to tears, but not in an overly manipulative way.

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About Author

It was both a shock and a delight when Anthony Le Moignan received The English Prize at end-of-term assembly. He was 11 and in the 6th form, his final year at Prep.

The celebrations carried on for years – five in fact, at which point he was expelled from senior school (‘asked to leave’ was the official jargon). However, a lifelong lesson was learnt (even if an avoidance of alliteration wasn’t) – he was clearly unemployable.

So through a series of almost absurd luck which he cannot begin to over-emphasise, he seems to have successfully ploughed himself to this current moment in time.

He won’t excuse his love of Cambridge. Having travelled around the world playing croquet for a couple of decades, this little city is just about his favourite place on the planet. He’s not entirely sure why, but he seems to love being surrounded by people far brighter than himself, and buildings older than God (well, sort of…).

So, a lot of his novels are going to be set in or around Cambridge and London, all of which he hopes will be glanced at in the fullness of time. For now, he’d like to mention that all of the characters in his books, every single one of them, human and otherwise, are based on actual persons; fragments maybe, but they all truly exist. Quite how any author can claim otherwise is a complete mystery to him.

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

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My Review

As a Social Educator, when I read about this book I was immediately touched by the theme of this novel. And given the opportunity I jumped in and had to read this story and find out how it went, as well as what were the characters background and future in this plot and storyline.

I won’t tell about the specifics of this novel because I want you to fully experience the story and all the emotions without my thoughts and opinion about it on your mind, but I enjoyed every page of it. Although it felt like a rollercoaster for me, I was so focus that I didn’t even realize I was “devouring” each page and going through this journey with my emotions on my eyes and my heart beating fast.

Following Simon, Emma and Michael, it’s difficult not to get emotional by all the issues that are written in this story. And unexpectedly it has romance too, nevertheless, for me the Alzheimer’s topic was what really grabbed me, and the fact that everything that happened was on the POV, the realism of the characters and the scenery around them was also perfect.

So, grab a tissue and enter this story. Overall, it was an amazing book. From my social education eyes, it was different to read the book than just as a reader enjoying a novel. It was an intriguing story that talks about Alzheimer’s and the people around patients with Alzheimer’s (family, friends and medical staff). And I loved the dynamic of the relationships as well as the fact that it was eye opening kind of novel.

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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

“I’m The Monster” Review

Hello Friends!

Today I finally bring you a review of a new poetry book. And if you don’t know the author by now, you should definitely check out her other books.

“I’m The Monster”, written by Chelsea Girard, is a poetry book I had the privilege to read it as part of her Beta Readers.

Thank you Chelsea for allowing me to be a part of this journey and give my honest review on this book. Every quote used is from Chelsea Girard’s new book “I’m The Monster”. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Synopsis

 

Most people spend their childhood’s searching for monsters under their bed but do you ever think that the real demons live in your head.

I’m The Monster digs deep inside your mind and shows you the nightmares of what living with mental health is like, even while you’re awake.

Purchase Links – Amazon

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About Author

I review for professional book publishers such as Simon and Schuster Canada  and Hachette Books. I am always looking for a new book to review.

I tend to draw to novels that draw away from love stories and more towards suspense and personal experiences shared from one person to the next. I love books that make you feel for the character and give you a sense of fulfillment when you claim their happiness as you’re own.

I am always busy with school, work and with my family but I always leave time out of my day to relax with a book and some tea. For me, it’s a form of escape from the world that I am surrounded by, where I can escape to a world where I can draw a connection to the book characters and their stories.

​- Chelsea Girard

Social Media Links – Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

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My Review

“Don’t let the voices scare you away.

Sometimes,

They are all we need to hear

To keep going.”

This isn’t the first book I’ve read of Chelsea Girard’s, and with each book I feel like I find a new favorite book of hers. And this one is on my top list of poetry books. And you will understand why once you keep reading this review.

I loved that after all the poetry books so far, she still made it fresh and lovely. It had a different tone from the other poems she has written before, it still was empowering and strong, but it was different. It felt powerful in a electric way, that pulled me to each word with such a beautiful melody, that only Chelsea can create.

This may be my favorite poetry book of hers so far. I love ‘Only Human‘, but this one is beside it on the scale. It resonated with me, but it wasn’t a past me, it wasn’t an empowering and nostalgia because my life and all I went through connect with the poems… No, it was more than that. In this book, more than in the others, I felt the present me connecting more than remembering the past and feeling like I’m not alone.

“We all have to change one day.

Sometimes for others,

Sometimes for ourselves,

And sometimes for the future.

This is my story.

The one I changed

To live

To thrive

And to survive.”

Of course, I still had this feeling of togetherness. As if I’m part of a group of people that feel and believe in the same things. Because the poems in this book, just like in the previous ones, Chelsea Girard gave us something to debate and to feel, and definitely, to be together in this journey that is life.

Life is about the past, the present and the future. It’s about our journeys, about each obstacle, about each lesson, about society and ourselves. It’s about how we deal with the consequences of our decisions, and the repercussions of other peoples actions upon us. It’s about the little things that we experience, as much as the big ones. About smelling flowers, planting tress, listening to birds in the morning or the cars that pass by. About surviving, but also about enjoying each step, because surviving is not living, but sometimes we found ourselves in a mess that can only leave us space and time to be able to fight on survive mode. And it’s all okay.

“I found myself

Only the person I found

Had been lost

But was thankful

To be found.”

It’s okay to mess up. It’s okay to give second chances, specially to ourselves. It’s okay to cry and laugh. It’s okay to take a chance and risk everything for one moment in time. It’s okay to feel lost sometimes.

I sometimes just relax in bed and feel like I’m drifting away into space, losing myself in an immense variety of feelings I cannot fully control, and when I get back, when always end up find a piece of myself that I didn’t realize I had lost. Sometimes that tiny piece is a memory, other times it’s the strength to tackle a new obstacle or a new adventure. And there are times it’s something deeper that I never talk about and keep close to my heart, even right now, after being taken on a thought provoking journey.

This is way I love this book even more than the others. “I’m The Monster” gave me different feelings, made me think of what I’m doing now, and feeling at this moment, more than what I felt in the past. The magical powers in her poems connect situations in all realms of time and space, it gives us enormous strength as well as this calm.

In the pages of her book I encountered a place where I could think. A place I could metaphorically sit down and let my heart break, and then pick up the pieces and put everything back together. A place where I could heal as feeling validated. And in the end, it was a place to the emotions go free and, with them, fly.

“You were never invisible.”

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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

“Allergic to Air” Review

Hello everyone!

Today I bring you a review that I have been meaning to share before and no I’m finally doing it!

“Allergic to Air“, written by Chelsea Girard, is a psychological fictional romance, based on true events, and it contains references to depression and anxiety. Published on July 17th 2019.

I want to thank Chelsea Girard for the eCopy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Synopsis

Allergic to air

The mental illnesses you don’t always hear about but are still there.

Fighting to stay alive inside your own mind.

Nellie is a 23-year-old online English teachers whose life is anything but adventurous. After having a severe panic attack while covering a women’s march for her job, she has converted to her home and is now the neighborhood hermit, but they don’t know the worst of it.

Now that her broken family is trying to reconnect and her brother is going off to business school, Nellie finds herself in more trouble then she ever has before.

The only thing that can save her now is the safety of her own mind.

Nellie suffers with Agoraphobia and finds herself trapped in an open room, uncomfortable around people and perceives the world around her as unsafe.

This is her story.

Purchase Link – Amazon

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About Author

I review for professional book publishers such as Simon and Schuster Canada  and Hachette Books. I am always looking for a new book to review.

I tend to draw to novels that draw away from love stories and more towards suspense and personal experiences shared from one person to the next. I love books that make you feel for the character and give you a sense of fulfillment when you claim their happiness as you’re own.

I am always busy with school, work and with my family but I always leave time out of my day to relax with a book and some tea. For me, it’s a form of escape from the world that I am surrounded by, where I can escape to a world where I can draw a connection to the book characters and their stories.

​- Chelsea Girard

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My Review

“At first, it was just a simple panic attack.”

That’s how the book starts. That’s how we enter Nellie’s world. How we learn about Agoraphobia and about how it affects Nellie’s life, and she’s living every moment and every thought.

I have been thinking about this book a lot. Right after I finished the novel, I wanted more. I wanted to keep seeing Nellie, Emmett and Rowan, and even Dr. Summers. I wanted more, but that’s just because I really got attached to the characters and emotional about their progress and development.

Agoraphobia isn’t always portrait in books, and that’s why I was really happy and excited when I first learned about the concept of the book. Like any mental illness, every person has different experiences, and it was such a wonderful thing that Chelsea just let us know that this is how Nellie lives. Treatments that can help one person may not help another, because we are all unique individuals with different pasts and presents, as well as personalities.

Nellie was such a relatable character and even funny at times, despite being anxious and scared, we get to follow her development in trying to live her life and leave her house. But just the simple fact of reading how she tried various things to keep connected to other people… I get it. We all need to connect with one another.

And without giving spoilers… the ending… it was perfect.

“(…) this is just the beginning of my freedom.”

Overall, there are a lot of messages that we can take for this novel. But to me, at this exact moment, the phrase “just the beginning of my freedom” just gives me so much strength to keep trying and keep walking. No matter what we can do it and each obstacle we surpass brings a new path, a new power, a new beginning.

That been  said, I really recommend this book and I hope you all can learn about Agoraphobia and truly feel Nellie’s journey in this path to getting her freedom.

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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