BOOK REVIEW – How to Dance by Jason B. Dutton

How to Dance
by Jason B. Dutton
Publication date: February 6, 2024
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Netgalley

Opposites attract and sparks fly as a passionate dancer and a ladies’ man who’s given up on love fall for each other—one tango at a time—in this charming debut romance perfect for fans of Talia Hibbert and Blair Fell.

Nick Freeman works hard as the star of the weekly karaoke night at his bar, hoping his singing talent, quick wit, and winning smile will distract from his cerebral palsy. But one night at the bar, watching a professional dancer light up the dance floor with her boyfriend, he realizes that entertaining strangers will never give him a fraction of the joy he sees in this woman’s eyes.

When Hayley Burke notices Nick’s reaction to her dancing, she urges him to acknowledge his passion and try a few moves himself—only to be mortified when she realizes Nick can only walk with the aid of a metal walker.

As Nick and Hayley fumble through misunderstanding into friendship, Hayley begins to enjoy Nick’s company more than that of her self-centered boyfriend. Nick tries to fight his attraction to Hayley, believing she deserves a dance partner who can move like her boyfriend does—but as Hayley and Nick continue to find their rhythm together, she shows him that “dancing” is about so much more than moving your feet.

In this fresh-voiced and utterly charming debut novel, Jason B. Dutton takes readers on a swoon-filled journey as two lost souls learn that neither physical disability nor emotional scars disqualify us from finding beauty, validation, and love amidst the chaos of being human.

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**PLEASE NOTE THIS REVIEW WILL ALSO BE POSTED ON MY SECONDARY BLOG — ECHOS OF BOOKS  **

*ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. *

This is one of the books that I have been behind on reviewing. My life was so crazy in the peak months (November & December) and the New Year at work that a only had time to read at night before bed. So sadly, I only got to type out the review now after the book was even published.

The first thing that called to me was not the synopsis but the cover. It is adorable and seeing the word dance made me want to see what this book was about. I always love anything with dancing form movies to books. Maybe because I am utterly useless when it comes to dancing. As I once said I don’t much like reading daul POV, I would read it if I have to. Thankfully this book was only dual POV’S

I loved how this book represented a disability. I don’t remember reading a character with a disiablity as the center of the plot before. It showed us the experience someone goes through with a disability.The plot is so captivating and I enjoyed reading the journey of Nick Freeman. A very determined karaoke singer with CP. I mean just because he has CP does not mean he is an idiot, he was very sharp and is able to connect with anyone.

This was an okay read but for me the lacking romance and Hayley being in a committed relationship with someone else in most of the book meant that I could only give a 3-star review.

BOOK REVIEW – A Game Of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

A Game of Thrones
George R.R. Martin
Publication date: August 6, 1996
Genres: High Fantasy, Adventure
Source: ebook

Here is the first volume in George R. R. Martin’s magnificent cycle of novels that includes A Clash of Kings and A Storm of Swords. As a whole, this series comprises a genuine masterpiece of modern fantasy, bringing together the best the genre has to offer. Magic, mystery, intrigue, romance, and adventure fill these pages and transport us to a world unlike any we have ever experienced. Already hailed as a classic, George R. R. Martin’s stunning series is destined to stand as one of the great achievements of imaginative fiction.

A GAME OF THRONES

Long ago, in a time forgotten, a preternatural event threw the seasons out of balance. In a land where summers can last decades and winters a lifetime, trouble is brewing. The cold is returning, and in the frozen wastes to the north of Winterfell, sinister and supernatural forces are massing beyond the kingdom’s protective Wall. At the center of the conflict lie the Starks of Winterfell, a family as harsh and unyielding as the land they were born to. Sweeping from a land of brutal cold to a distant summertime kingdom of epicurean plenty, here is a tale of lords and ladies, soldiers and sorcerers, assassins and bastards, who come together in a time of grim omens.

Here an enigmatic band of warriors bear swords of no human metal; a tribe of fierce wildlings carry men off into madness; a cruel young dragon prince barters his sister to win back his throne; and a determined woman undertakes the most treacherous of journeys. Amid plots and counterplots, tragedy and betrayal, victory and terror, the fate of the Starks, their allies, and their enemies hangs perilously in the balance, as each endeavors to win that deadliest of conflicts: the game of thrones.

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**PLEASE NOTE THIS REVIEW WILL ALSO BE POSTED ON MY SECONDARY BLOG — ECHOS OF BOOKS  **

This is the second time I have read this book but the first time that I reviewed this book. I really enjoyed reading this book but I just could not give 5-star rating because there were times that I needed to put the book down and just rest.

The world building was amazing and I could picture myself there, from the start I already had favorite characters. I adore Daenerys, Arya and Jon but I also liked reading Tyrion but what I did not like with all these POV’S is the jump between plots. Though I also normally do not like reading books with many POV’S. I did find myself invested into the Stark family and the fate of each member. This book has also made me want to watch the TV Series instead of just watching some random videos on social media. Will the book be like the TV Series?

This book was well written but did go off on tangents occasionally, though as you know I have already read this book twice so I will most probably reread this again though maybe I should read the rest of the books in the series instead of just rereading. One of the other reasons why I could not give a 5-star was because of so many POV’S we had to read. It was just hard to keep the plot straight at times with it jumping between the POV’S. Though I am hooked and will have to read the other books in the series hopefully within this year!!! I should invest into buying the physical copy for my bookcase.  

BOOK REVIEW – The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks

The Sword of Shannara
by Terry Brooks
Publication date: 01 January 1977
Genres: High Fantasy, Adventure
Source: ebook

Living in peaceful Shady Vale, Shea Ohmsford knew little of the troubles that plagued the rest of the world. Then the giant, forbidding Allanon revealed that the supposedly dead Warlock Lord was plotting to destroy the world. The sole weapon against this Power of Darkness was the Sword of Shannara, which could only be used by a true heir of Shannara–Shea being the last of the bloodline, upon whom all hope rested. Soon a Skull Bearer, dread minion of Evil, flew into the Vale, seeking to destroy Shea. To save the Vale, Shea fled, drawing the Skull Bearer after him….

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**PLEASE NOTE THIS REVIEW WILL ALSO BE POSTED ON MY SECONDARY BLOG — ECHOS OF BOOKS  **

Okay so this book took me awhile to finish as I only read like a few pages each night. The reason for that was because I was in the mood for horror and thriller books. I have also been reading a lot of fanfictions of my favorite TV Series so I kept putting this of.

This book was an all right read as I did enjoy it. Though this is my first time reading this even though this book have been released in 1977 but sadly I kept comparing this book to The Lord of the Rings trilogy which I know I should not have done but I just could not help it.  LOTR is from the same genre though….  This book was nice and action packed but sadly the start of the book was a bit slow for my taste but it did get better after awhile. I just needed to push trough in the beginning.

Shea was my favorite character in this book. He was so stubborn and he never gave up and I loved how loyal he is. He is also very brave, I mean he left the home that he knew all his life to go into danger looking for a Sword that only he could use with virtual strangers as he only knew two of the people at the start of the adventure.

This book had nice character development and the writing was good but sometime there was a bit too much information all at once. All in all this was a good read and I most probably will read again when I am in the mood for fantasy books.

AUDIOBOOK BLITZ – Disenchanted by Brianna Sugalski

Disenchanted
Brianna Sugalski
(A Lay of Ruinous Reign, #1)
Publication date: January 23rd 2024
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Romance

The Princess Bride and Buffy the Vampire Slayer meet Sarah J. Maas’ Throne of Glass in this Breton-inspired fantasy debut brimming with wry humor, epic adventure, and an irresistible romance.

Lilac Trécesson is a prisoner in her parents’ castle after a most wicked secret was revealed on the eve of her fifteenth birthday. Years later, her Accession looms upon her father’s decision to abdicate, and between the riotous townsfolk and scheming noble bent on snatching her throne, she prepares for the worst… Until a letter arrives from The Witch of Lupine Grotto, containing a curious offer to banish her curse forever.

She begrudgingly trades her coronet for a cloak and ventures into the forest Brocéliande, only to find herself cornered by a bloodthirsty barkeep who demands her help in exchange for protection against the even deadlier forces of the woods.

With only the protection of her inherited dagger—and unsolicited help of the sardonic stranger who inserts himself on her quest—Lilac must find the impious enchantress and return in time to claim her crown. Pity the fool to underestimate the girl with subpar blade skills but the spite to make up for it.

This is the tale of a cursed princess,
A crestfallen killer,
The town that wants them to burn,
And the witch who can save them both.

Goodreads / Amazon

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SNEAK PEAK:

Author Bio:

Southeast Asian fantasy author with a soup addiction. Diverse medievalist and developmental editor who lives in oversized sweaters, and prefers to explore the more ominous—disenchanting, if you will—undertones of history, romance, and the arcane.

My debut, Breton Arthuriana-inspired YA Dark Fantasy DISENCHANTED, released with the Parliament Press in March 2020, and is being re-released and rebranded for the New Adult/ Adult indie market in December 2022. The rest of the trilogy will follow this updated genre rating.

Website / Goodreads / Instagram / Facebook

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COVER REVEAL – A Burden of Ice and Bone by Kyra Whitton

A Burden of Ice and Bone
Kyra Whitton
Publication date: April 16th 2024
Genres: Adult, Fantasy

A tale of courage, love, and self-discovery in a frozen kingdom, perfect for fans of Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik.

Everything Dira Cloon loves, and all she has ever learned in her village of ice and darkness, depends upon her pulling the trigger. But something about the white bear shakes her aim. It’s stronger than her love for her family who believe the only safe polar bear is a dead one. It’s deeper than the village legends of a lost world, a vanished civilization, and the whispered magic of an ursine king. It’s more broken, more alone, than Dira’s own heart. If she pulls the trigger, the life she knows will take her back, the cost a piece of herself and her dreams. But if she puts down the gun and follows the bear into a vast, frozen kingdom of snow, she may change her people and their lust for blood. And for herself, find a cursed life more beautiful than the one she leaves behind.

Add to Goodreads / Pre-order

Author Bio:

Kyra’s been a hopeless romantic since she was three years old and obsessed with Disney’s Sleeping Beauty. She read her first romance novel at eleven and was determined to write one of her own as soon as she put it down. It took another ten years for her to actually finish one, and another ten to see the first, INTO THE OTHERWORLD (2018, The Wild Rose Press), published.

A native of Atlanta, GA, Kyra graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree in History, Technology, and Society from the Georgia Institute of Technology before taking up a position as a university administrator and completing a master’s degree in American Studies with a minor concentration in Creative Writing. But then the real fun began as she joined her husband, a US Army officer, on a journey across the country. Together, they found themselves living in Washington state, Kansas, Virginia, and Kentucky, as well as apart when duty called. She currently resides on Fort Stewart with her husband, their 4 kids, and 2 basset hounds, Eugene Fitzherbert and Flynnigan Ryder.

When she isn’t writing, Kyra loves to bake, watch Ga Tech football, travel, visit Walt Disney World, and research duty stations. But most of all, Kyra loves nothing more than an adventure and is always looking forward to the next one, whether in person or on paper.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

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BOOK BLITZ – The Queen’s Crown by Jennifer Anne Davis

The Queen’s Crown
Jennifer Anne Davis
(League of Rulers, #1)
Publication date: October 19th 2023
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

Eighteen-year-old Princess Sabine Ludwig of Backley thought her biggest problem was finding a man remotely interesting to dabble with while trying to fill her days with something other than knitting or drinking tea. But when her dear sister is brutally murdered in a foreign kingdom a week before she’s to be married, Sabine suddenly wishes for boring, ordinary days again.

Seeking retribution, Sabine decides to take her sister’s place and marry the mysterious king of Lynk. It’s the only way she can hunt down and find the killer. It’s the only way she can get revenge. When she finds the king far more appealing than she’d intended, it becomes difficult to keep her wits about her and remember why she’s there.

Thrown into a world of lies, power struggles, and seduction, Sabine must learn to navigate through the foreign kingdom’s dangerous court as she seeks her sister’s killer. The closer she gets to discovering who it is, the more she questions who she can trust—including herself.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo / Google Play

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EXCERPT:

“I really don’t feel like dancing right now.” Sabine needed to be alone to think over everything the man from Avoni had just said.

“Neither do I.” He clasped his hands behind his back and headed toward the balcony. He tilted his head and raised his eyebrows, the invitation clear.

Being away from the dancing couples sounded like a good idea, so she followed him. No one else was on the balcony. She rested her arms on the railing and looked out over the dark valley below, trying to calm her rattled nerves.

“Interesting outfit,” Axel said as he mirrored her position beside her. His mask was a deep purple, matching his pants and shirt.

“Weren’t you supposed to be an eagle?” she asked.

“I changed my mind.”

“What are you?”

He shrugged. “Nothing.”

She could almost hear the unspoken words: because that’s what I am. She shivered. Nothing about tonight was going the way she thought it would.

“Since I planned this event,” he continued, “I didn’t have time to have an extravagant mask made.”

“I thought Rainer planned this?”

“He told me to arrange a masquerade, so I did.” He turned, looking at her. “Does it matter who planned it?”

She shook her head. Gazing back out at the night, she couldn’t help but wonder why Axel was out here with her instead of inside dancing.

“Sometimes I want to fall into the silence of the night,” he whispered.

Surprised by the admission, Sabine twisted to face him. “Why is that?”

“The silence demands nothing but silence in return.”

Though it might be quiet at night, that was when most dark deeds were done. That was when Sabine planned on breaking into the Avoni’s rooms and snooping around. Night provided cover for things that shouldn’t happen. The daylight exposed them.

The corners of his lips rose. “Of course, there are plenty of other things I enjoy doing in the night.”

And there was the Axel she’d come to know. “I’m sure your nights are rarely spent silently.”

He laughed. “I do love your candor.”

“Prince Axel,” a woman said from behind them.

“Duty calls,” he whispered. With a wink, he turned and strode away, joining the woman and heading back into the throne room.

Author Bio:

Jennifer Anne Davis graduated from the University of San Diego with a degree in English and a teaching credential. She is currently a full-time writer.

Awards:
Cage of Deceit: Winner 2018 Kindle Book Awards
The Key: Finalist 2014 USA Book Awards
The Voice: Finalist 2014 Next Generation Indie Book Awards
The Voice: Winner 2013 San Diego Book Awards

For more information, visit http://www.JenniferAnneDavis.com.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

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Teaser Tuesday – 1 August 2023

Welcome Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by The Purple Booker that wants you to add books to your TBR, or just share what you are currently reading.

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

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Eddard Stark looked at his face, and wondered if it had been for is sake that the boy had died. Slain by a Lannister bannerman before Ned could speak to him; could that be mere happenstance?

37% – A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

I am reading more than one book currently but I thought you lot need a teaser from A Game of Thrones!!

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What are you Currently Reading? Leave a comment with your Teasers. 

Book Review – A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Thorns and Roses
by Sarah J. Maas
Publication date: May 5, 2015
Genres: Fantasy, Fea, Romance, Retellings
Format: ebook

When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a terrifying creature arrives to demand retribution. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she knows about only from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not truly a beast, but one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled her world.

At least, he’s not a beast all the time.

As she adapts to her new home, her feelings for the faerie, Tamlin, transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie she’s been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But something is not right in the faerie lands. An ancient, wicked shadow is growing, and Feyre must find a way to stop it, or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

From bestselling author Sarah J. Maas comes a seductive, breathtaking book that blends romance, adventure, and faerie lore into an unforgettable read.

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**Please note this review is originally posted on my secondary Blog — Echos of Books  **

Oh WOW darlings I loved this book. This was my first time reading anything of this author. I also have been having a hard time reading anything but horror of thrillers yet this book just pulled me in from the very beginnings.

I absolutely adore Feyre. She is so strong and independent but she never does things for herself. I loved how much depth we saw with all of Feyre’s feelings. Tamlin on the other hand was swoon worthy. I actually don’t know who I liked more = Tamlin, Lucien of Rhysand.

Actually when I think about it all the characters were perfect. Maas has written the characters so perfectly. This was a blend of young adult and new adult and I adored every moment of it.  I loved all the descriptions and world building. Just wow!!! I just cannot wait to read more!

The ending though showed us how determined and strong Feyre actually was. What she had to do to show how strong her love is for Tamlin. Rhysand somehow crept into my heart even though he was seen as a bad guy in the beginning.

I am so glad I loved this book as lately all fantasy genre’s where hard for me to read. It is so hard to keep my attention when it comes to reading fantasy lately.   I will reread this for sure!!

BOOK REVIEW ~ Peter Darling By Austin Chant

Peter Darling
by Austin Chant
Publication date: February 15, 2017
Genres: Fantasy, LGBT, Romance, Retellings, Transgender, Young Adult,  MM Romance
Format: ebook
Source: N/A

The Lost Boys say that Peter Pan went back to England because of Wendy Darling, but Wendy is just an old life he left behind. Neverland is his real home. So when Peter returns to it after ten years in the real world, he’s surprised to find a Neverland that no longer seems to need him.

The only person who truly missed Peter is Captain James Hook, who is delighted to have his old rival back. But when a new war ignites between the Lost Boys and Hook’s pirates, the ensuing bloodshed becomes all too real – and Peter’s rivalry with Hook starts to blur into something far more complicated, sensual, and deadly.

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First off, all this is my first non-horror book I’ve read this year. Let me celebrate this as I am struggling to keep reading anything but horror or mystery. I haven’t read a lot of retelling books but I can tell you I really enjoyed this Peter Pan retelling. Can’t wait to go read more retelling books. This novel deserves the 4 Hearts I am giving this.

“Dreamers are always welcome here, whatever their reasons.”
― Austin Chant, Peter Darling

This book was so cute and sweet, and I really wish it could have been longer. I really did not know I needed this before reading the synopsis. I mean who would have thought Peter and Hook together as a couple. I did not see it coming and yet it was SO CUTE. This was your typical slow burn with Hook being the enemy to Peter at the beginning with all the sword fighting and attacks. I saw this as their version of foreplay as Hook finally come alive again. Peter was the only one who could injure Hook in a very long time.

I loved how they explored Neverland and what it could have been for each character.

“The very world here bends for the sake of your stories, Pan. I see no reason why I, a mere man, should not.”
― Austin Chant, Peter Darling

This book was unique, and I can tell you I adored it. I would very much reread it when I need a cozy read at night. I most certainly did not expect a trans Peter and that was one of the strongest elements and Austin Chant did an incredible job with Peters character.

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S. A. (Austin) Chant is a novelist, prize-winning pie baker, and ardent tabletop gaming enthusiast. They are the author of three novels: Peter Darling, Coffee Boy, and Caroline’s Heart. They live in Seattle with a frightening amount of books and a cat who was recently described as a ‘gooey cryptid.’

Find them on Twitter @essaychant and on Instagram @s.a.chant.

Recent Projects and Publications:

• Fantastic Intersections: Speculative Fiction and Romance. Panel with the Seattle Public Library and Clarion West.
• Building Trans-Inclusive Worlds. Workshop on gender-diverse worldbuilding for Clarion West.
• “High Maintenance.” Short story published in Your Body Is Not Your Body, an anthology of trans-authored horror, from Tenebrous Press.
• The Speculation Postcard Club. Epistolary microfiction club on Patreon.

Goodreads | Website  | Instagram | Twitter

COVER REVEAL ~ A Kingdom of Death and Despair by Whitney Dean

A Kingdom of Death and Despair
Whitney Dean
Publication date: June 27th 2023
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Once upon a time, there was a half-witch of three
who walked on the land where creatures roamed free.

Once upon a time, there was a prince of one
who danced with the waves under the sun.

Once upon a time, there was a prince of two
who hid amongst the shadows where fear only grew

But when time became impatient, a prophecy was conceived of twins born of darkness
who would live their lives aggrieved
but coupled with their misery was the answer all sought
but the question remained, which one would be left to rot?

Add to Goodreads / Pre-order

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ART COVER:

Author Bio:

Whitney grew up reading books from all genres, but her favorite has always been anything within the fantasy realm. Now, she’s living her dream and creating new worlds for readers to get lost in.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram

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