Book Review: Smoke and Key ~ Kelsey Sutton

Title: Smoke and Key
Author: Kelsey Sutton
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by: Shakera
Genre: Paranormal
Publisher: Entangled: Teen
Date of Release: April 2, 2019
Pages: 304
Format: Kindle (NetGalley)

Imagine waking up as you were falling, but you’re different than you remember. The difference… you’re dead. You don’t know how you died, you have no memories. Now, those who were with you are slowly disappearing, and you have to find out why before you’re next.

While this was a bit of a slow start for me, it was still an interesting story.  The characters and the plot kept you guessing. It was interesting to meet some of the characters, such as Smoke, Journal and Ribbon. The story is told from Key’s perspective and the details of the world created was great. There was a romance aspect but it’s wasn’t a main factor. Kelsey Sutton’s writing is stunning. It’s engaging and she tells quite the story. The pace was just a bit slow, which kept this from being a 5-star review. I’m interested to read more of her work.

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Book Review: A Tangled Fate ~ Aidy Award

Title: A Tangled Fate (Fated for Curves Series, Book 2)
Author: Aidy Award, Narrator: Gwen Cross
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by: Shakera
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Publisher: Coffee Break Publishing
Date of Release:  July 23, 2018, December 13, 2018
Pages: 130 (4 Hours, 37 Minutes)
Format: Audio Book (Audiobook Obsession)

I finished this story a few days ago and my mind is still trying to process everything! Ash doesn’t people well, which is why she prefers science to people: People lie, numbers don’t. This entire time she thought she was working for the good guys, but just imagine finding out, not only do you work for the bad guys… you have two mates… and they’re right in front of you… in a rescue mission! Twin brothers, Russ and Dunn, have always grown up thinking they weren’t meant to have a mate because it would kill the mate. Imagine their shock when the person they needed most happens to be the scientist they are rescuing to save to the universe! I thought the first book was great, but this book is fantastic! There was humor (who doesn’t love nerd humor?!), romance, betrayal, and discovery. Gwen Cross was amazing as the narrator, bringing each character to life while reminding you of characters from the previous book. This book was absolutely fantastic and I’m glad I got the chance to read it! I can’t wait to read the next book!

Book Review: Bewitched ~ Kelly Moran

Title: Bewitched (Fated Series, Book 1)
Author: Kelly Moran
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by: Shakera
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Publisher: Smashwords
Date of Release: March 5, 2019
Pages: 260
Format: PDF (Author)

People tend to hate what they fear. People tend to fear the unknown. In Six Fates Island, the witch hunt begins, and I don’t think anyone actually expected to find a real witch. Celeste Galloway and Fin Meath make the mistake of falling in love, and creating a beautiful child. Unfortunately, Fin’s father, Minister Gregory Meath, is a fear monger and has named Celeste a witch. If only he had left things alone! Deciding to burn Celeste at the cross, she used her dying words to leave a curse that will take 300 years to begin to break. Three tasks must be completed to break the curse… not impossible, right?

Present day: Kaida Galloway has been dreaming about a boy almost every day since she was 8 years old. They practically grew up together. No one understands her like he does, but she doesn’t know if he’s real or if she conjured him up from her imagination. Interestingly enough, Brady Meath has been dreaming of Kaida as well since he was young. Imagine how surprised he was when he sees her right outside his office window! Dreams do come true, but they come with a catch. Together, Kaida and Brady must complete their task to help break the curse… but losing their hearts to each other, that’s a different story!

I wasn’t sure what to expect with this story, but I’m in absolute love with this story! I can’t wait for the rest of the series. The three Galloway sisters, Ceara, Fiona, and Kaida are great characters. The Meath Triplets, Tristian, Riley, and Brady are fantastic. There’s mystery, humor, suspense, and love! I’m eagerly anticipating the next book of the series… but I’m also impatient! I’m looking forward to the next installment!

Release Blitz & Book Review: The Time Traveler’s Guide to Modern Romance ~ Madeline J. Reynolds

THE TIME TRAVELER’S GUIDE TO MODERN ROMANCE BY MADELINE J. REYNOLDS

Link to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35500906-the-time-traveler-s-guide-to-modern-romance

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Purchase Links:

Amazon | Amazon Australia | Amazon UK | Amazon Canada | B&N | iBooks | Kobo

Link to Tour Schedule:

http://www.chapter-by-chapter.com/tour-schedule-the-time-travelers-guide-to-modern-romance-by-madeline-j-reynolds/

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Giveaway Details:

• One winner will receive a $15 Amazon Gift Card (INT)

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Link to Giveaway:

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The Time Traveler’s Guide to Modern Romance

by Madeline J. Reynolds

Publication Date: March 4, 2019

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Elias Caldwell needs more than his life in nineteenth-century England has to offer. He’d rather go on an adventure than spend one more minute at some stuffy party. When his grandfather gives him a pocket watch he claims can transport him to any place and time, Elias doesn’t believe it…until he’s whisked away to twenty-first-century America.

Tyler Forrester just wants to fall hopelessly in love. But making that kind of connection with someone has been more of a dream than reality. Then a boy appears out of thin air, a boy from the past. As he helps Elias navigate a strange new world for him, introducing him to the wonders of espresso, binge-watching, and rock and roll, Tyler discovers Elias is exactly who he was missing.

But their love has a time limit. Elias’s disappearance from the past has had devastating side effects, and now he must choose where he truly belongs—in the Victorian era, or with the boy who took him on an adventure he never dreamed possible?

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Madeline J. Reynolds is a YA fantasy author living in Chicago. Originally from Minneapolis, she has a background in journalism and has always loved storytelling in its various forms. When not writing, she can be found exploring the city, eating Thai food, or lost in an epic Lord of the Rings marathon.

Website • Twitter • Instagram • Goodreads

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I thought this was a very endearing story of two different time periods colliding. Elias Caldwell comes from the 19th century where everyone views him as a disappointment. Tyler is from the 21st century and his stepmother is wicked. Elias finds out after a dreadfully embarrassing incident, his grandfather time traveled and now is bequeathing the time travel watch to Elias so he can find his own adventure. I thought this was absolutely adorable. I think Elias may be my favorite character in this story. His personality and curiosity were endearing to read. Traveling from the 19th century where it was frowned upon to be yourself to modern day where it’s basically accepted can be jarring. It was nice to have Tyler there to help Elias adjust. I loved the dual point of views, but I thought the romance aspect was a little lacking. I think it would have been better for Elias and Tyler to be companions. I wouldn’t say the romance felt forced, I could see a relationship developing with a little more time. This was my first story by Madeline J. Reynolds and I’ll be adding her to my list of authors to look for in the future!

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This Release Blitz is brought to you by:

Release Blitz: Second Star ~ J.M. Sullivan

Title: Second Star

Author: J.M. Sullivan

Genre: YA/Scifi

Cover Designer: Desi DeOrto

Publication Date: March 5^th, 2019

Publisher: Bleeding Ink Publishing

Hosted by: Lady Amber’s PR

Blurb:
“Sullivan builds tension and excitement in this space opera refashioning of Peter Pan.” -Publisher’s Weekly

Wendy Darling worked her entire life to rise through the ranks of the prestigious Londonierre Brigade. Now as a Captain, she has everything she’s always wanted, including a ship and crew of her own. But when the Brigade receives a strange transmission from the legendary James Hooke, lost a hundred years earlier in uncharted space and presumed dead, Wendy is willing to risk it all to rescue her hero. She races to the planet known only as Neverland; her mission to find the long-lost crew and bring them home.

But there is more to Neverland than meets the eye, and more to Hooke than what was written in history books. When Wendy crash lands on the ominous planet, she quickly discovers Neverland’s dark secret; a malevolent being known as The Shadow that’s looking for a host body to escape its eternal prison. To fulfill her mission, Wendy must decide whether to trust the dashing Hooke or the mysterious Fleet mechanic who goes by the name of Pan–and she has to decide quickly…

Before the darkness consumes them all.

Buy Links:

Amazon | B&N

Teacher by day, award-winning author by night, J.M. Sullivan is a fairy tale fanatic who loves taking classic stories and turning them on their head. When she’s not buried in her laptop, you can find her watching scary movies with her husband, playing with her kids, or lost inside a good book. Although known to dabble in adulting, J.M. is a big kid at heart who still believes in true love, magic, and most of all, the power of coffee. If you would like to connect with J.M., you can find her on social media at @jmsullivanbooks– she’d love to hear from you.

Author Links:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16508815

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2SS5c9t

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jmsullivanbooks/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/@jmsullivanbooks

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/j-m-sullivan

Web: https://jmsullivanbooks.com/

Buy Links:

Amazon | B&N

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Book Review: Julian ~ Anna Katmore

Title: Julian
Author: Anna Katmore
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by: Shakera
Genre: Magical Realism, Romance, YA
Publisher: Wicked Whale Publishing
Date of Release: December 28, 2013
Pages: 411
Format: Kindle (YA Bound Book Tours)

Jona never thought her life would turn out the way it did the day she was dropped at the orphanage at the young age of 5. Now that she’s 17, her life’s about to get a bit complicated. When caught shoplifting, she was faced with two options, go to prison or stay with her mother and family in France until her 18th birthday. Not having a great relationship with her mother, she chose prison… but we wouldn’t have a book if she got her way. Forced to spend time with her mom and family, Jona is determined to not enjoy herself. The problem? Julian… mom’s “caretaker”. He seems to know her every move… before she even makes it! As Julian and Jona get close and get to know each other, each day becomes more complicated. Can anyone find happiness, before it’s too late?

While I thoroughly enjoyed this book, my issue is that it took a while to get into. The beginning is a bit slow, but it picks up around chapter 3. It definitely drives home the message of how important forgiveness is and how you never knew what you had until it’s gone. I adored Julian, it wasn’t hard to figure out who he really was… given the cover. I thought Jona was a bit of a brat. Don’t get me wrong… she’s earned that right to be, however… she was so much of a brat you tend to forget she’s turning 18 soon. Overall, the writing was great, with great character development. Definitely worth a read!

Book Review: Tallow Jones

Title: Tallow Jones Wizard Detective (Tallow Jones, Book 1)
Author: Trevor H. Cooley, Narrator: Andrew Tell
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by: Shakera
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: M. Stratton
Date of Release: September 27, 2017, December 14, 2017
Pages: 371, (12 hours, 5 minutes)
Format: Audio (AudioBook Boom!)

Just when you think the world is normal and everything is fine, you find out (the hard way) there are other worlds out there and human trafficking is happening between them. There’s something funky happening with a certain travel agency in Atlanta and Atlanta’s finest are keeping an eye on them… but so is Asher Jones… who is making more headway than Atlanta PD. When Asher goes missing, things go awry and it’s Uncle Tallow to the rescue. Problem? No one has ever heard of Uncle Tallow! Ashers’s sister, Agatha, is skeptical at best, but if Uncle Tallow can help find Asher, then let’s do it!

There are incredible twists and turns and extremely interesting developments. There laugh out loud moments and moments where I was eagerly anticipating what would happen next. The humor and sarcasm were fantastic. Andrew Tell was a fantastic narrator. The personality given to Agatha was perfect. She was a no-nonsense 8-year-old, and I loved it. It was a nice start to the series. I look forward to book 2!