Review: Faked by Karla Sorensen

Faked by Karla Sorensen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC in exchange for an honest review.  This will be published on June 16, 2020.  

This follows Claire, the more reserved sister in a pair of identical twins.  When her sister Lia asks her to fill in at a charity benefit for her, Claire is hesitant, but she is the only one who can pretend to be her sister.  Claire is quite sure that Lia's best friend Finn, who happens to be her crush, will know that the twins swapped places.  It just so happens that Finn asks his own brother to step in for the night, and Bauer is not identical to Finn in any way.  Bauer is the black sheep of the Davis family, he's a snowboarder, he's got a bad boy rep, and he's kind of broody.  Claire wasn't expecting Bauer as her date, as a matter of fact, she wasn't expecting him at all.  

I really loved this.  It was a little insta-lovey, which is not usually my favorite trope, but I really loved Claire and Bauer.  I liked that we had broken characters that had to figure stuff out.  They had realistic issues, and while they weren't overly traumatic they were very relatable.  I liked the character development and the dialogue between characters..

I understand that there are more books about the Ward family (Claire and Lia's family), however I've not read any of those books yet.  This reads as a complete standalone in my opinion.  I love the fierce protectiveness of the Wards when it comes to Claire.  They just want what is best for her.

This is a feel good opposites attract romance, which I really needed.  Once I got into the story I had a hard time putting it down.  If you are looking for something without a lot of tension and conflict, and fun characters give this a read.

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Review: A Song Below by Bethany C. Morrow

A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was fantastic!

It is a YA Fantasy mixed with a good amount of social commentary. I've had this ARC on my TBR for a while, it as it was just published at the beginning of June, but the timing could not have been more perfect given the the current social climate. Morrow weaves the social commentary elements beautifully into the fantasy and mythology elements. I also loved that she used lesser known types of fantasy beings. Words cannot express how wonderful the relationship between Tavia and Effie is. They always have each other's backs, and even though they aren't sisters by blood, they truly are family.

Siren's are not accepted in society because they can use their voices to compel someone to do what they want or appeal someone to do what someone else wants. Tavia lives in secret, and wants to get rid of her siren voice. She uses sign language instead of talking so she won't let her siren voice out by accident. People of color are already a minority where she lives, but she has a network of people with magic willing to help keep her secret. When a woman is murdered and suspected of being a siren, Tavia's world is turned upside down as her idol and favorite vlogger reveals that she too is a siren and won't be silenced.

Effie, has been plagued by blackouts and has seen watery mirages her entire life. No one will tell her why, and her mother passed away before she could tell her anything. Her grandmother refuses to tell her what is going on and explain some of the weird things that happen to Effie. Her only reprieve is the Renaissance Faire she performs at for 2 weeks every year as a mermaid, and her best friend and play-sister Tavia. Effie has gone to live with Tavia, and while they call each other play-sister, they truly are sisters. They always have each other's back and understand each other like sisters. As opening day of the Faire approaches, more strange things being happening to Effie and people begin suspecting that she is a real mermaid or even a siren. The reveal of what she really is was really good. I didn't expect it at all!

The character development in this is excellent. I loved that each of the girls had to develop on their own, as well as together. They never stopped needing each other, but they both had to make decisions on their own to find their place and their voices. Again, I can't say how much I loved this modern take on the mythology and how it was woven in with the commentary on several social justice issues.

I was provided and ARC in exchange for an honest review.  This book was published on June 2, 2020.  Thank you to Edelweiss and Tor Teen for providing me a copy to read and review.

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Cover Reveal: Rich Prick by Tijan

"Tijan is the queen. I’m always captivated ‘til the very end." ―Penelope Douglas, New York Times Bestselling Author

Rich Prick, an all-new unforgettable, opposites-attract romance by New York Times bestselling author Tijan, is releasing June 15th, and we have the irresistible cover!

Synopsis:

He walked into school on his first day and owned it. I guess that’s what happens when you’re a prick, rich, and you’re best friends with the ruling school’s king. Also didn’t hurt he’s drop dead gorgeous.

That’s all fine. I mean, I have nothing to do with them. I’m a loner, invisible, and that’s how I wanted it to be.

I was even proud of it, until I wasn’t.

Until I saw a girl kneel before him. Until I couldn’t look away. Until he caught me watching.

His name is Blaise Devroe. My name is Aspen Monson. He only knew how to get, command, and demand attention. I knew how to do everything but that. And this is our story.

*Rich Prick is a full 100k standalone.

Pre-order your copy today! Apple Books: https://apple.co/3dr5HSh Nook: https://bit.ly/2U0R4Ny Kobo: https://bit.ly/2ZXVRTX Rich Prick will be available exclusively in Kindle Unlimited on June 15th!

Add RICH PRICK to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2ArZt5G

To celebrate, Tijan is giving away a $50 gift card: https://bit.ly/2Y0azr4

About Tijan

Tijan is a New York Times Bestselling author that writes suspenseful and unpredictable novels. Her characters are strong, intense, and gut-wrenchingly real with a little bit of sass on the side. Tijan began writing later in life and once she started, she was hooked. She’s written multi-bestsellers including the Carter Reed Series, the Fallen Crest Series, and the Broken and Screwed Series among others. She is currently writing a new YA series along with so many more from north Minnesota where she lives with a man she couldn’t be without and an English Cocker she adores.

Connect with Tijan

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Review: A Good Marriage by Kimberly McCreight

A Good Marriage by Kimberly McCreight
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a slow moving mystery/thriller with several different plot lines. Things start to pick up around the 80% mark and everything quickly comes together in a way I didn't expect.

Things are not what they seem when defense attorney Lizzie gets a phone call from an old friend. Her former classmate and friend Zach has been arrested for assault and is suspected in the murder of his wife. Lizzie isn't sure she is the right lawyer for Zach given her conflict of interest and lack of defense experience. As she learns more about the case and start to get invested in the life of her old friend, she know she has to piece together what happened that night. Zach also has information on Lizzie that she doesn't want to be made public, so with that she takes the case and continues to work on it. Zach and his wife Amanda life a posh life, but things surrounding her murder don't add up. Testimony from their friends and colleagues paint a much different picture than the perfect picture frame photo of a life that everyone thinks Zach and Amanda have in Brooklyn. At the same time Lizzie's own personal life is spiraling out of control and is somehow linked to what happened to Amanda. The more Lizzie learns about Amanda, the more she learns that there are many players in this game and any one of them could have done it.

It is rare that I have no idea what is going on in a book. I had no idea where the plot was heading as far as who done it. This has a ton of twists and turns, and when the author started to reveal what was really going on, I had no idea what was going on. The end was excellent! I really thought all the revolving plots came together nicely. In the beginning I wasn't sure how it was all going ot come together but it did. I also liked the addition of the juror testimony and the investigation notes regarding what was happening with the cyber security breach at the school where all of the families children attend. Now if you haven't read the book yet, you are thinking, how does that come into play, and while I was reading it I thought the same thing. As things come to a close, all of those testimonies and updates to the school make alot more sense.

If you like domestic dramas with that lean more on the legal side, give this a go. I thought it was well written and had some really good twists and turns.

I was provided an ARC of this book via the publisher but opted to listen to the final version of the audiobook. The audio is very well narrated.

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Blog Tour: Stranger Ranger by Daisy Prescott

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Stranger Ranger, an all-new standalone contemporary romance from USA Today bestselling author Daisy Prescott, is now available in Kindle Unlimited!

New park ranger Daphne Baum is a reformed good girl. Breaking free from her overbearing family as soon as she turned eighteen, she’s been on her own ever since. The life of a park ranger, moving from park to park, suits her just fine. Though still a rule follower, she’s okay with a little sin in her life.

Every generation of Hill men has its black sheep. The general consensus among the family is that Odin Hill is the lucky bastard this go around. At seventeen, he blew out of town like an angry tornado only to return fifteen years later withdrawn and secretive. Living like a recluse in the hollows in the Smoky Mountains, he’s happy to keep to himself and is content to let locals believe he’s the town weirdo. Odin prefers the company of his pet pig to the nosy citizens of Green Valley.

When Daphne discovers Odin might be committing nefarious deeds on park land, she vows to find out the truth behind the handsome, yet chaotic, loner. Will the stranger help the ranger discover the difference between being good and doing the right thing? Or will they find themselves on opposite sides of love?

‘Stranger Ranger’ is a full-length contemporary romance, can be read as a standalone, and is book #2 in the Park Ranger series, Green Valley World, Penny Reid Book Universe.

Download your copy of Stranger Ranger TODAY!

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/368n8SR

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Check out Happy Trail, book 1 in the Park Ranger series of standalones, FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

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Excerpt

By early afternoon, the crowd at the farmers’ market fades, leaving only stragglers, bargainers, and tourists sampling the charms of small town life. I’ve had enough people for the week I’m looking forward to the quiet of my own company. All the talking and friendly chatter exhaust me. You’d think vegetables would sell themselves given they’re pretty self-explanatory. Yet folks wanna hear a story about a carrot being grown from the guy who pulled it out of the dirt himself. So I play my part of the happy farmer at the stand. It’s my bad luck I’ve always been charming. Part of my DNA. My family has lived in the mountains surrounding Green Valley longer than anyone around here can remember. Before there was a National Park or even a Cades Cove, the Hills had established a homestead in the Smokies straddling Tennessee and North Carolina. Because our last name is Hill, some people like to joke we put the hill in hillbilly. Jethro Winston for example. He’s hysterical. Some people think they have a sense of humor when they’re just being mean-spirited. As my Nannie Ida always says, glass houses provide good views, but then again, so do mirrors. This is why I prefer the company of Patsy over most folks. She’s smart, a good listener, tidy, and doesn’t give a damn about my family and reputation. She has more class than a lot of the gossips and Sunday church-goers around here. After I consolidate the remaining produce into crates and load up the van, I fold the tables and collapse my tent. While I work, the face of the brunette ranger floats through my mind. She looked familiar but I didn’t recognize her name. It isn’t likely our paths have crossed. I don’t get out much and I’m not hanging around the bars or the visitor center in Cades Cove. Normally, one of my cousins covers the stand at the weekly farmers’ market and I can avoid the crowds. This is what happens when I let my guard down and am forced to engage with the public. I get iceberg and Bible quotes. I’ve never been a fan of either. Bothered I’m still thinking about her, I close and lock up the van. “Come on Patsy, let’s go for a walk.” She gives a happy snort and steps closer to where her leash hangs on the top rail of her pen. When the two of us stroll through town, folks stare. It’s worse when they insist on sharing a comment, tell the same old joke, and, in general, make a fuss. Honestly, I assume at this point people seeing the two of us together would be old news around here. Guess some folks don’t have enough going on in their lives that they need to make commentary about people minding their own damn business. I don’t understand what the big deal is about a man walking his pig. Patsy’s excellent on a leash. Doesn’t pull. Has never instigated fights with dogs. Hasn’t bit anyone. Doesn’t do her business in the middle of the sidewalk. In my mind, she’s much better mannered than any old hound dog. She’s pretty darn perfect in every conceivable way. Except the one time she trampled Mrs. MacClure’s flower bed. Even that was my fault for not paying closer attention to where we were walking. If I had to find fault with her, Patsy thinks she’s in charge. And she’s a little more than spoiled. I only have myself to blame. “Clarice, please tell me you see that man walking his pig.” A woman shouts to her friend and points from about three feet away. “I’m not invisible,” I tell her with a flat smile. “Oh dear.” Her companion rolls her eyes. “You’re a tall drink of cool water, aren’t you?” The question is rhetorical. Being compared to a refreshing beverage doesn’t require a response, so I remain quiet. Patsy tugs on her leash and releases a frustrated snort that we’ve stopped walking. “You two have a nice day, m‘kay.” I step off the sidewalk to pass them. I’d like to say their behavior is atypical. If I hear “You’re like the Jolly Green Giant. Only less green” one more time … For the record, I am not jolly. There must be something in the well water around here. We grow ‘em tall in Green Valley. Does a pig need to be walked on leash for health and exercise? No. I’m the only weirdo in all of Green Valley who likes to take my daily constitutional accompanied by a sow. Not even Cletus Winston is as much of an oddball as I am. And that’s saying something. He’s only interested in pigs and boar in terms of sausage. In my opinion, he’s missing out. If we were friends, or even friendly acquaintances, I might suggest we partner up. Truffle salami can be incredible. Or so I remember. I don’t eat pork anymore. Not since I’ve had Patsy. I’d be offended if she ate human body parts around me. Hogs will eat pretty much anything you give them. A few years ago a pig farmer went missing. Wife said he ran off with his mistress. Everyone believed her until his gold tooth turned up in the muck and mud of their hog pens. Macabre, but true. I don’t eat pork and Patsy doesn’t eat me. It’s an unspoken pact between us. Not that she’s some sort of demon pig crazed with bloodlust. Not at all. She’s the best pig in eastern Tennessee. Don’t need a blue ribbon from the state fair to make it true. This leisurely stroll around town is all part of my ruse. If someone sees us ambling someplace we don’t belong, they’ll leave us alone, which is the entire point. There’s freedom in being a weirdo. Folks keep their distance. Sure, there are the asinine comments, but for the most part they assume I’m dim-witted or crazy. Fine by me. With or without my porcine sidekick, I’ve always been different. I learned early on that people like to form and hold onto their own opinions. Pointless to try to change someone's mind. What they think of me is their problem, not mine.

About Daisy Prescott

Born and raised in San Diego, Daisy currently lives in a real life Stars Hollow in the Boston suburbs with her husband, their rescue dog, Mulder, and an imaginary house goat. When not writing about herself in the third person, Daisy can be found traveling, gardening, baking, or lost in a good book.

Find Daisy Prescott online

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Website: https://www.daisyprescott.com/

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Review: Rage and Ruin by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Rage and Ruin by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.  This comes out on June 9, 2020.

It is no secret that Armentrout Jennifer L. (J. Lynn) is one of my favorite authors. This spin off to The Dark Elements trilogy is awesome and this sequel to Storm and Fury is packed with action, excitement, and emotion. We also have guest appearances by characters from The Dark Elements series, so if you need a Layla, Roth, and Bambi you will get that too. The main focus is on Trinity and Zayne as they navigate the bond bestowed upon them at the end of book 1 and the attraction they were developing before the bond. I always loved Zayne and I'm really happy that he and Trinity have found each other.

The plot is pretty straight forward, Zayne is now Trinity's protector and they have to work together to find the Harbinger and stop him from bringing on the apocalypse. They like each other but Warden Proctors are forbidden from romantic entanglements with their bonded Trueborn. So not only do they have to fight demons as they patrol Washington DC, they have to fight their feelings for each other. This naturally creates a lot of tension, especially when they are thwarted at every turn by the Harbinger. On top of all of that Trinity is struggling with her role in all of this. She is still grappling with events from the first book, and deals with her guilt and feelings by ignoring what happened with Misha. If you don't know what I'm talking about you need to read Storm & Fury. She pushes everyone away and makes a lot of impulsive decisions. This makes her appear really immature at times, as she lashes out and makes some rash decisions. You have to remember she's only 18, and given that she's got the weight of the world on her shoulders and feels like she's got to soldier on to save the world and the people she loves, I cut her some slack for the things she does and says when stressed. I love her banter with Zayne, both good natured and bad. Trinity learns alot about herself in this book and the rules that have governed her life to this point. She has to decide if she is going to let those rules and emotions hold her back or help her defeat her enemy.

Overall, I really enjoyed the plot and the characters. If you are a fan of Jen's writing and this series, I think you will really like where the story is headed. All I will leave you with is this...that ending! Jen really knows how to put her readers on the edge of their seats. I won't spoil anything, but just know that there were some unexpected events towards the end that will cause long time fans to have an emotional crisis. I usually hate cliffhangers, but this was a good one and I can't wait for the next installment! The book also closes in a good place so while the last few lines leave you with that "What just happened?" feeling, the book does close nicely leaving you with some decent closure.





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Review: Real Men Knit by Kwana Jackson

Real Men Knit by Kwana Jackson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was really cute!  I really liked the portrayal of men, fairly manly men doing something that is normally considered a "woman's thing".  I loved that Mama Joy taught her 4 sons how to knit and that they all found relaxation and focus in it.  I also love how they brought knitting into the community to the young kids as an activity.  No matter where you live or what your upbringing, kids need something to keep them busy.  If we destigmatize that crafts are only for girls and sports are only for boys or whatever the case, then kids can find their passion in all kinds of things and not worry about being made fun of.  I really loved that message.

This is a great family story, that also has a friends to lovers romance.  We have the four Strong brothers, who have just lost their mother, Mama Joy.  Mama Joy was a pillar of the community and owned the local yarn shop.  She adopted the boys and saved them from the foster system when they were younger.  Each of the boys has grown up and all of them but Jesse has found a successful career.  With her unexpected death, the brothers have to deal with not only their grief of losing their mother who held their family together but also what to do about her shop which was barely hanging on by a thread.  Jesse has held a bunch of odd jobs, but he is determined to keep the shop open and make something of himself.  He enlists the help of Kerry, one of the shop's part time employees, and while she wasn't officially a part of the family, Mama Joy treated her like a daughter and helped guide her through tough times.  Kerry has grown up around the brother's and they've always treated her like a sister, but it hasn't escaped anyone's notice that she's a grown woman now and that she can't work at the shop forever.  When she offers to help Jesse with the shop, everyone is skeptical.  It is no secret that they've always had feelings for each other, but Kerry's conservative ways don't mesh with Jesse's freespirit player lifestyle.  Fortunately, some unexpected circumstances forces both of them our of their comfort zones and to go after the things that they want not only to save the shop but in love.

I liked the main characters, and they both had decent development.  The interaction between the brothers felt a bit clunky especially when it came to running the shop.  They weren't 100% sure about re-opening the shop, but then they were there all the time helping out.  They never really discussing how things were going to work, just a few words about "I'll be there when I can".  I felt like there really wasn't a resolution to their internal conflict.  The chapters kind of alternate between Kerry and Jesse, sometimes they are at the shop and sometimes they are at Kerry's other part time job at the local community center.  The change of venue with a new set of characters kind of threw off the pacing a bit.  

Reading this book reminded me that I have a scart that I started knitting ages ago and never finished.  I had kids, we moved, and it has been sitting in a bag in my closet for more years that I care to admit.  I think I'm going to dig it out and finish it.  I remember it being really relaxing.  I'm a cross-stitcher myself and I always found relaxation and comfort in the neat rows of stitches and following the patterns.  Now that I've found audiobooks, I can craft and read at the same time.  Who knows maybe I'll get good at knitting.

I was provided an ARC via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

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