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Blog Tour: Lobizona by Romina Russell Garber

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Some people ARE illegal.

Lobizonas do NOT exist.

Both of these statements are false.

Manuela
Azul has been crammed into an existence that feels too small for her.
As an undocumented immigrant who’s on the run from her father’s
Argentine crime-family, Manu is confined to a small apartment and a
small life in Miami, Florida.

Until Manu’s protective bubble is shattered.

Her
surrogate grandmother is attacked, lifelong lies are exposed, and her
mother is arrested by ICE. Without a home, without answers, and finally
without shackles, Manu investigates the only clue she has about her
past–a mysterious “Z” emblem—which leads her to a secret world buried
within our own. A world connected to her dead father and his criminal
past. A world straight out of Argentine folklore, where the seventh
consecutive daughter is born a bruja and the seventh consecutive son is a
lobizón, a werewolf. A world where her unusual eyes allow her to
belong.

As Manu uncovers her own story and traces her real
heritage all the way back to a cursed city in Argentina, she learns it’s
not just her U.S. residency that’s illegal. . . .it’s her entire existence.
 

 

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review. No payments made between me and the publisher.
 
I’ve been eyeing this book since I saw it on Twitter and I am surprised to get an advanced copy. I am so thankful for this. I am so thankful for the extra free time due to quarantine. In all honesty, I am not much of a fan of werewolves stories because the previous books I’ve read didn’t catch my attention that much – first impressions right? Anyway, this book is really different! It has this charisma where you just want to read it. I love the book cover as well, it is attracting and the illustration is really awesome.
Lobizona, it started with a very interesting chapter. It got me hooked easily and it was honestly hard to put down the book. All I wanted is to turn the pages until I get to know all the mysteries hiding from the story. How will the character discover her true self? What would be her reaction? What is her future? Things like those are in my head until I was able to discover the answers in the book. I liked how the story were made, the twists of the story was shocking especially that one near the end. I didn’t expect that turn.

Manu is the main character in this story and she only wanted to live normally. She’s been hiding all her life with her Ma and all she wanted is to become a citizen so she won’t be discriminated and no more hiding from the authorities. But, her life changed in an instant when she discovered some of the things about her life, her true nature and soon her future. There are other interesting characters as you go along, Catalina, Saysa and Tiago are some of Manu’s close friends who helped her discover herself. Every character are interesting and the power they poses is something else. They might not know their full capacity yet but it does sound like promising and amazing. Also, isn’t it cool that they have a school for werewolves, witches and other creatures? I seriously can’t wait for everyone to fully discover their true nature especially Manu she recently discovered hers and I’m curious what else can she do. How powerful can she be?

 
“Our trust in each other is the only thing they can’t take from us.”
Before I end this, I do suggest that this book is really worth reading. I’m excited for the next one and the book twist is really something I didn’t expect. I have a feeling that Book 2 will be more exciting! Also, more Tiago and Manu story.
My Rating
Romina Garber is a NYT/International Bestselling YA author who also writes under pen name
Romina Russell. Born in Buenos Aires and raised in Miami, Romina currently resides in Los Angeles but would much rather be at Hogwarts. As a teen, Romina landed her first writing gig—“College She Wrote,” a weekly Sunday column for the Miami Herald that was later picked up for national syndication—and she hasn’t stopped writing since. She is a graduate of Harvard College and a Virgo to the core. For more information about her books, follow her on Twitter/Instagram: @rominagarber.
 

 

Bookworm Life while in Quarantine

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Hello bookworms!
Welcome to another random thoughts post. I believe, we’re all experiencing the enhanced community quarantine due to Covid-19. No schools, employees are on work from home mode, no one should get out of their homes unless getting your necessities (e.g. groceries, medicines, etc.) but all of the malls are closed. Is it just me or anyone here thinks it’s also a relief for the environment? and for our tiring social life? I have this introvert side soooo I am so much affected and relieved, thanks to social distancing (kidding). 
On a serious note, I am worried for most people specially the affected ones. I’m having this anxiety every time I go out of the house until I return. I keep on telling myself that I can’t be sick since I am prone to asthma and allergies. I think, this virus is not just affecting our lungs or physical aspects of life but also mentally. I hope and pray that people like me, specially those mentally challenged people are okay. This will all be temporary. You guys will be fine. Just stay at home and always practice the proper hygiene and every thing will be alright. I may not be in a proper position or an expert to tell all these things but, at least just a reminder for some, I could help. 
So, for this blog entry, I’ll share my routines as well on how to fight my own anxiety. Some might not be applicable to others but at least you’ll have some ideas. 
  1. READ BOOKS – since I started working at home, all I’m thinking was, finally I could get some time with reading. I have a lot of pending books to read and my TBR is very long so maybe this is the time to read them one by one. I also made a list specifically for this quarantine days. 
  2. CLEAN YOUR BOOKSHELVES – during this time, I am putting this task as one of my priority because I really can’t remember when was the last time I had my shelf cleaned up. Aside from that, it’s a sad thought but I need to let go some of my books so I have to sort them out.  
  3. WATCH ON NETLIX – do you have some movies or tv series that’s been added to you list for a long time? I guess now is the time to start watching those. I did the same thing and during my free time that’s the only thing I do. 
  4. DO YOUR JOURNAL – have ever think of making a journal? to some it’s called diary and yes I still do that. There are plenty of guides or ideas in the internet (e.g. Pinterest & Instagram). If you’re artsy, there’s a pretty type of journal that could be your guide. 
  5. DO YOUR HOUSE CHORES – this, I think is really important. I guess it’s time for some of us to throw those old clothes, old items from our home. Aside from that, it’s time to sanitize things around the house and make time to rearrange things based from your perspective. 

So far, aside from work, I’m doing #1 and #3 and over the weekend I could finally focus on the other things. I still have work stuff to do and that’s an 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM kind of work, I just do breaks if I feel tired or something.

Anyways, may you have a good health always and please, take care. If you’re sick, make sure to get it checked right away. Don’t wait for it to get worse, okay?

Book Review: Me Myself & Him by Chris Tebbetts

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When Chris Schweitzer
takes a hit of whippets and passes out face first on the cement, his
nose isn’t the only thing that changes forever. Instead of staying home
with his friends for the last summer after high school, he’s shipped off
to live with his famous physicist but royal jerk of a father to prove
he can “play by the rules” before Dad will pay for college.

Or . . . not.

In
an alternate time line, Chris’s parents remain blissfully ignorant
about the accident, and life at home goes back to normal–until it
doesn’t. A new spark between his two best (straight) friends quickly
turns Chris into a (gay) third wheel, and even worse, the truth about
the whippets incident starts to unravel. As his summer explodes into a
million messy pieces, Chris wonders how else things might have gone. Is
it possible to be jealous of another version of yourself in an alternate
reality that doesn’t even exist?

With musings on fate, religion, parallel universes, and the best way to eat a cinnamon roll, Me Myself & Him examines how what we consider to be true is really just one part of the much (much) bigger picture.

 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29752011-me-myself-him

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review. No payments made between me and the publisher.

I’ve seen this book from Facebook and Twitter so, when I got the chance to request this on NetGalley, I really didn’t think twice and try to get a copy and, it’s an honor to have my request granted. I was really curious about this book since from the start, as far as I remember, I haven’t read a book with an alternate universe yet (and if I do, it’s not a lot since I can’t remember LOL). Anyway, this book was a good read. It made me realize some things personally especially when I’m thinking about life and what’s the worse thing that could happen…right? 
I like the characters, especially Chris. I feel like you really traveled to his world and how he thinks. It’s sort of confusing at some points but everything is good. I somehow can relate to his life about his dad though. I knew how hard things are and how to pretend everything is okay but it’s not, and one day, it will just feel like everything is alright and things are working well. I think, there’s no such thing as permanent when it comes to this. Good things happen, yeah?
“A problem is a problem, and when it’s not addressed, it gets worse. Sometimes, that’s not about the substances, but about the way our choices impact our relationships with other people. Everyone’s here for their own reasons.”

I really enjoyed reading this book, a parallel universe where you have other possibilities yet, both endings could turn out good or it could be the opposite but whatever is the outcome, I think, it all points back to the decisions we made.

Anyways, I am looking forward for more books from Chris Tebbetts. I really had a great time with this one and the book cover is interesting. I loved it. Once again, thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity.

“I don’t need every little thing to be predictable,” she went on. “I know God has a plan for me, and that’s very comforting.”
My Ratings

Blog Tour: Tweet Cute by Emma Lord

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A fresh, irresistible rom-com from debut author Emma Lord about the chances we take, the paths life

Meet Pepper, swim team captain, chronic overachiever, and all-around perfectionist. Her family may be falling apart, but their massive fast-food chain is booming ― mainly thanks to Pepper, who is barely managing to juggle real life while secretly running Big League Burger’s massive Twitter account.

Enter Jack, class clown and constant thorn in Pepper’s side. When he isn’t trying to duck out of his obscenely popular twin’s shadow, he’s busy working in his family’s deli. His relationship with the business that holds his future might be love/hate, but when Big League Burger steals his grandma’s iconic grilled cheese recipe, he’ll do whatever it takes to take them down, one tweet at a time.

All’s fair in love and cheese ― that is, until Pepper and Jack’s spat turns into a viral Twitter war. Little do they know, while they’re publicly duking it out with snarky memes and retweet battles, they’re also falling for each other in real life ― on an anonymous chat app Jack built.

As their relationship deepens and their online shenanigans escalate ― people on the internet are shipping them?? ― their battle gets more and more personal, until even these two rivals can’t ignore they were destined for the most unexpected, awkward, all-the-feels romance that neither of them expected.

can lead us on, and how love can be found in the opposite place you expected.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45045129-tweet-cute

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review. No payments made between me and the publisher.

This review has been a week late since I was having an issue with my blog plus I got tons of work last week so I didn’t get the chance to go online and draft my review. Anyhow, I still want to thank the publisher for accepting me to be part of this blog tour. The moment I saw the book, I knew I’d like it instantly and it would be a good first book to read for this year 2020. And yes, I wasn’t wrong at all. The first few chapters got me hooked already. The flow of the story was too cute to ignore, I couldn’t stop reading. I love the Twitter war, the Weazel app and of course the friendship made outside of those two. It’s funny how two people meet in unexpected ways. Aside from the story, I love the book cover, it is really catchy. 
I will never dislike young adult books especially books with a story like this. It’s been a habit of me to read this kind of genre, it lessens the stress around me. I love the characters a lot. Pepper is some kind of a rich kid who’s dealing with her own family issues and Jack, is the same thing. These two are already inseparable since they officially met during the swim team meet (At some point, I’d like to thank Jack’s brother Ethan, for making him do some of his work. LOL) Their charisma is something you’ll enjoy watching, it’s like watching a love team bloom. Jack is such a smart kid yet shy, imagine having self thought on coding and building amazing apps? It’s a real talent. Pepper is such a great baker though, I honestly imagine all her and her sister’s (Paige) dessert invention, I wonder what’s the taste of a Monster Cake. The way they described it, it was really delicious! ALSO, they’re fighting for Grilled Cheeseburgers… OMG every time I read that, I am craving for burgers instantly!

I do recommend this book to other readers. I’m sure they would instantly love this. I can’t wait to have a physical copy of the book. I must search the local bookstores around, seriously can’t wait!!! I am really honored to be part of this. I do enjoy doing book reviews like this, it’s fun and worth it.

“It’s weird, how you have no idea how far you’ve come until suddenly you can’t find the way back.”

Emma Lord is a digital media editor and writer living in New York City, where she spends whatever time she isn’t writing either running or belting show tunes in community theater. She graduated from the University of Virginia with a major in psychology and a minor in how to tilt your computer screen so nobody will notice you updating your fan fiction from the back row. She was raised on glitter, grilled cheese, and a whole lot of love. Her sun sign is Hufflepuff, but she is a Gryffindor rising. TWEET CUTE is her debut novel. You can find her geeking out online at @dilemmalord on Twitter. 

 

Blog Tour: Seven Letters by J.P. Monninger

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Kate Moreton is in
Ireland on sabbatical from her teaching position at Dartmouth College
when she meets Ozzie Ferriter, a fisherman and a veteran of the American
war in Afghanistan. The Ferriter family history dates back centuries on
the remote Blasket Islands, and Ozzie – a dual citizen of Ireland and
the United States – has retreated to the one place that might offer him
peace from a war he cannot seem to leave behind.

Beside the sea,
with Ireland’s beauty as a backdrop, the two fall deeply in love and
attempt to live on an island of their own making, away from the
pressures of the outside world. Ireland writes its own love stories, the
legends claim, and the limits of Kate and Ozzie’s love and faith in
each other will be tested. When his demons lead Ozzie to become reckless
with his life—and Kate’s—she flees for America rather than watch the
man she loves self-destruct. But soon a letter arrives informing Kate
that her heroic husband has been lost at sea, and Kate must decide
whether it is an act of love to follow him or an act of mercy to forget.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43263484-seven-letters?from_search=true

 

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review. No payments made between me and the publisher.

I’ve been honored to be part of this book tour so I’d take this opportunity to thank the publisher for the invite and for sending this book in exchange of an honest review.

As you all know, I have the habit of not reading the blurb fully, I will just read the book and wait for that feeling of wanting to continue or stopping and not finishing the book (so far this doesn’t happen much). For Seven Letters, the moment I read the first few chapters I fell in love with it already. I feel like reading and traveling with the character at the same time. The way the sceneries and people were described in the book, I feel like I am actually there. I haven’t read a book that has featured Ireland until this one and I felt giddy, I guess I should put that as my travel destination in the future. The book is beautiful.

I enjoyed reading each characters as well, especially Kate and Ozzie. Can this book be a movie? I’d love to watch them in the big screen. Reading their story is just amazing. You know, meeting a stranger and falling in love in a new place where people doesn’t know anything about who you are. Their story was impossible for my mind to grasp but of course stories like this really happen in real world right? It’s just beautiful and it’s like a fairy tale story. Also from the book, the challenge of what will happen in the future hangs in the air but Kate and Ozzie with their dog Gottfried are just enjoying the present. Future will come for them but together, they will face it. Kate is a sweet lady who decided to visit Ireland to continue her research while Ozzie, is the grandson of one of the rich people in Ireland, he was once a soldier but he decided to quit and stay in Ireland. The story of Kate and Ozzie are pretty much one of a kind.

On a serious note, I do hope this really become a movie. I think it would be beautiful in the big screen. The book is already a masterpiece what more if we’re watching it right? Also, I would love to see who will be Kate and who will be Ozzie.


My Ratings

JP MONNINGER, author of
The Map that Leads to You, is an award-winning writer. He has published
novels for adults and teens and three works of nonfiction. The New York
Times Book Review has said of Monninger that he “comes to writing with
his five sense wide open”. His work has appeared in American Heritage,
Scientific American, Readers Digest, Glamour, Playboy, Story, Fiction,
The Boston Globe, Sports Illustrated and Ellery Queen, among other
publications. He has twice received fellowships from the National
Endowment for the Arts and has also received a fellowship from the New
Hampshire Council for the Arts. He served as a Peace Corps volunteer in
Upper Volta, now Burkina Faso, from 1975-77. He is a Professor of
English at Plymouth State University in New Hampshire where he lives in a
converted barn near the Baker River.

Book Feature: Shadowland by Robert B McKnight

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BLURB:

Shadowland is a book about stretching your imagination into another universe that’s here on our own planet. There are creatures that live among the world’s population, without detection. What happens when ordinary people come face to face with them?

In the 1990s, a dark discovery was made deep in the shadows below Raymond and Sandy Watson’s quaint little home in Cleveland, Ohio. Ray and his band of cohorts; he was not sure if they all qualify as friends; delve deep into the Shadowland to discover its secrets. In the process of pursuing the mysteries below Ray’s rec room, they battle with issues of greed, friendship, loyalty and love while trying to outsmart and outrun death. Some are winners. F.L.I.C.K.E.R. Some are losers.

FLick…er…

Wanting more from Shadowland than they initially obtain, Ray’s group enlists the help not of hired mercenaries, but a team of experts from E.F.F., Environment First and Foremost, and archaeologists from the Cleveland Natural History Museum. Everyone was searching for treasure but for very different reasons, some for the historical perspective of finding ancient artifacts and others, like Ray, for the pure power of the riches. Team leaders Laura Hatch and Bernie Edelman command the excavation with volunteers from the museum led by the minuscule Dr. A. E. Slattery and a team of Cleveland State University archaeology students led by the tall beanpole Professor Engstrom. What they find does include a long list of archaeological treasures, but also death and darkness in Shadowland.

The group’s journey into the world of science fiction reveals a secret world that they try hard to understand. They must work together to preserve not only their own lives, but perhaps the fate of the world. In the present day, does Shadowland still exist in the depths of the earth?

FLICKER…….

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48202463-shadowland?from_search=true

– – – BOOK EXCERPT – – –

Ray stood transfixed, inside a ring of fire. He was looking up at a giant statue. In all his childhood nightmares, in all the fire and brimstone preaching he had endured as a child, in all of his adult life, he had never imagined the ugliness that towered above him. The stone creature was gigantic…forty, fifty feet, maybe more in height. The feet of the beast were cloven. The body nude and muscular. The face was frozen into a sneering smile. Long flowing tangled locks adorned the head, crowned by what looked to be horns from the ground level. The statue seemed to stare down on this mere human with an arrogant air, despising the puny surface creature at its feet. Ray had trouble focusing on the statue, with the fires surrounding the stone Goliath flaring to new heights. Ray had to squint to get a better look at the face. Wait!!! What was that flash? Ray tried to lock out the devilish dancing flames from his view. He tried to ignore the demonic shadows that darted about, just out of reach and conscientiousness. He tried to concentrate on the face staring down in disdain. “There it goes again,” he said out loud. The right eye of the beamouth gleamed when the flames hit just right… not gleamed, sparkled. The right eye sparkled like a diamond.

ROAR…FLASH….FLICKER….FADE…FAde…fade…..fade.. 

Amazon BUY link
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1691087599/


Robert B. McKnight has had a long and varied life.

Bob is a 1958 graduate of The College of Wooster with courses at Case Western Reserve University and Illinois University. He served in the U. S. Air Force as a recreation specialist and combat defense air policeman. He was stationed in Texas, Montana, Illinois and as far as Reykjavík, Iceland.

He has written articles for magazines, written humorous greeting cards for American Greetings, designed a brochure and catalog for an industrial sales company, sold advertising and written for The Cleveland Press newspaper. Most recently he has written, produced and directed commercials for an ad agency including one that was Emmy-nominated.

To round out the various types of employments, he has also spent some time bottling produce in a factory, driving a tour bus and selling appliances .

In the theatrical world, Bob started out by winning a play-writing award in college. He has now directed over 100 plays and shows and written five produced plays and musicals. He was the director of the Willoughby South High School drama department for several years.

Bob is a sports enthusiast that currently lives in Ohio with his wife Carole not far from daughter Michelle’s family of five and son Douglas’ family of three. He coached softball for 14 years and basketball for 4 years in youth league. He enthusiastically follows all Cleveland sports teams, plus Ohio State football.

Author Website: https://themcknightmares.wixsite.com/mysite/books

Blog Tour: Six Goodbyes We Never Said by Candice Ganger

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BLURB:

Two teens meet after tragedy and learn about love, loss, and letting go

Naima Rodriguez doesn’t want your patronizing sympathy as she grieves her father, her hero—a fallen Marine. She’ll hate you forever if you ask her to open up and remember him “as he was,” though that’s all her loving family wants her to do in order to manage her complex OCD and GAD. She’d rather everyone back the-eff off while she separates her Lucky Charms marshmallows into six, always six, Ziploc bags, while she avoids friends and people and living the life her father so desperately wanted for her.

Dew respectfully requests a little more time to process the sudden loss of his parents. It’s causing an avalanche of secret anxieties, so he counts on his trusty voice recorder to convey the things he can’t otherwise say aloud. He could really use a friend to navigate a life swimming with pain and loss and all the lovely moments in between. And then he meets Naima and everything’s changed—just not in the way he, or she, expects.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43178166-six-goodbyes-we-never-said

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review. No payments made between me and the publisher.

I saw an email regarding this book a month back, I got curious and immediately sent a form to the email sender. I didn’t even read the blurb of the book, it becomes a habit already. I prefer to be surprised of what the book could offer. Will I be disappointed? Or I’ll like the book a lot? Who knows? For me that’s the exciting part.

The moment I started reading the book, I was hooked right away. I remember I was in a lounge one Saturday afternoon and I was just killing time with my kindle, I finished one book already and I immediately chose to read this since I also have to make my review and be posted on this day. It was so hard to stop reading, I keep reading every words and marking the ones that hits a nerve. I left the lounge with almost half of the book done. It just took me a while to finish since weekdays are usually busy so I only read during nights when I get home and that’s 1-2hours reading time just to refresh my head. Anyway, reading a book this good makes me giddy. I love the characters especially Dew. He’s such a nice young man, despite his life experiences, being an orphan and adopted, he is such a positive thinker. He hides his loneliness well but he is so easy to cope and adapt in his environment. He inspire people. He had down moments but he’s so easy to go back up. He knows what he wanted and just try all his best to get it. Naima on the other hand, she’s always moody and always in deep thought. She’s a complete opposite of Dew. Both of them lost their parents the difference is, they see life differently. 


Six Goodbyes We Never Said, gave me a different perspective, I know that I knew this before already but of course there were times that we forget; never ignore your love ones, no matter how mad you are, make time for them and forgive them. Who knows what happens tomorrow, right? Don’t live life with regrets. I love this book a lot, it made me laugh and cry at the same time. The POVs of each character is very touching and clear, you won’t get lost as a reader that the other person is already talking. Their thoughts are clear and all the conversations in the book are pretty much get me hooked. I was really curious about the letters though, did Naima opened it? I would love to know what was written. Also those short phone recordings, I feel like I can hear Naima’s dad talking. It’s beautiful and hurtful at the same time. This book was Naima’s life, I was wondering if there’ll be another book about Dew? I feel like, he’s another person with a different story that people must read. 

I’ll definitely get a physical copy of this one once it is available in the country where I live in, maybe an audio book too, I want to hear Naima’s dad recordings. People must read this beautiful masterpiece! I’m so happy to be part of this blog tour and thank you so much to the publisher for giving me a chance to read this. 

“It doesn’t matter who make you proud, as long as you find peace within yourself. Make yourself proud.” – Dew
“Hope never leaves us – we’re the ones who abandon it.” 
– from the voicemail of Naima’s Dad

My Ratings
 
 

Candace Ganger is a mother,
blogger, Entertainment writer for Showbiz Cheat Sheet, and contributing
writer for sites like Romper, Teen Vogue, TWLOHA, Bustle, XO Jane &
Hello Giggles. She’s also an obsessive marathoner and continual worrier
(yay!). Her debut YA novel, THE INEVITABLE COLLISION OF BIRDIE &
BASH, is out now via St. Martin’s Griffin, and she’s part of a YA mental
health anthology, LIFE INSIDE MY MIND, out now via S&S. Her
forthcoming YA novel from St. Martin’s Wednesday Books, SIX GOODBYES WE
NEVER SAID, releases September 24, 2019.

Book Review: Heartache and Hope by Jay McLean

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BLURB:

Ava Diaz needs saving.
She just doesn’t know it yet.
Just like she doesn’t know a thing about the boy she sits next to on the first day of senior year.
He thinks she’s a brat.
She thinks he’s entitled.
Maybe first impressions don’t always last…
Because Connor Ledger’s about to save her.
He just doesn’t know why.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45457966-heartache-and-hope

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review. No payments made between me and the publisher.

It’s been a while since I read a Jay McLean book. Her works are one of my automatic pick. I loved the way she writes and I love how her works excites me. When I heard about Heartache and Hope, I automatically tried my luck to be one of the reviewers. I’m so happy when I received an email regarding this book! I honestly stopped the other books I’m reading and started with this right away. The first few chapters got me hooked already! This book was really hard to let go, I just keep reading and reading and my curiosity just got bigger and bigger. What will happen next? that’s the only question in my head.
I love the characters as well, Connor Ledger and Ava Diaz, both have dark pasts and both are carrying weights on their memories but, both of them also wants to save each other using their own way. Connor is a high-school varsity player who lives with his dad. Their only goal is to reach the “end-game”, for Connor’s future. He’s a sweet, cool guy who focuses on whatever his dad tells him to do. Ava, people thinks pitiful of her with all the things that happened to her mom. She’s an amazing lady who try her best to live each day even if every day is a big battle. Ava’s a loving person, sweet and a strong willed woman. Connor and Ava love team is beautiful and inspirational. On their young age they become each other’s support system which some people doesn’t even know how to give. Despite the studies, basketball and Ava’s situation they still are managing to be the person they wanted to be even if it’s a borrowed time. But, things shifted so fast between them. Their relationship becomes something that’s uncontrollable, with all the pressure and the promised goals, will they survive? that’s usually my question and that’s the readers must find out. 
Heartache and Hope is beautiful, buoyant and beguiling. I could say this is one of the best books I’ve read in the past six months. I’m looking forward to Heartache Duet book two (2), more Connor and Ava romance. One more thing, I love the book cover! I do love basketball and knowing Connor is into it, I was like, “I’ll definitely read that!” I love everything about this book one!!! If possible I’ll give it 10/5 rating! 
“Love should make people stay. Love should make you want to keep the people who hold that love near.” 

” … sometimes, love isn’t enough.”
My Ratings

Jay McLean is an international
best-selling author and full-time reader, writer of New Adult and Young
Adult romance, and skilled procrastinator. When she’s not doing any of
those things, she can be found running after her three little boys,
investing way too much time on True Crime Documentaries and
binge-watching reality TV.
She writes what she loves to read, which are books that can make her laugh, make her hurt and make her feel.

Jay lives in the suburbs of Melbourne, Australia, in her dream home where music is loud and laughter is louder.


Source: Goodreads




Blog Tour: Stronger Than A Bronze Dragon by Mary Fan

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BLURB:

When a powerful viceroy
arrives with a fleet of mechanical dragons and stops an attack on
Anlei’s village, the villagers see him as a godsend. They agree to give
him their sacred, enchanted River Pearl in exchange for permanent
protection—if he’ll marry one of the village girls to solidify the
alliance. Anlei is appalled when the viceroy selects her as a bride, but
with the fate of her people at stake, she sees no choice but to
consent. Anlei’s noble plans are sent into a tailspin, however, when a
young thief steals the River Pearl for himself.

Knowing the
viceroy won’t protect her village without the jewel, she takes matters
into her own hands. But once she catches the thief, she discovers he
needs the pearl just as much as she does. The two embark on an epic
quest across the land and into the Courts of Hell, taking Anlei on a
journey that reveals more is at stake than she could have ever imagined.

With incredibly vivid world building and fast-paced storytelling, Stronger Than a Bronze Dragon is great for readers who are looking for something fresh in epic fantasy.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41150325-stronger-than-a-bronze-dragon

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review. No payments made between me and the publisher.

Stronger Than A Bronze Dragon, is one of the challenging books I’ve read. I enjoyed the story and the characters, but at some point I had a hard time finishing it. I think it’s because I get distracted a lot when reading it. I really liked the book cover too! It’s catchy and I do love dragon related covers and books. I need to find this in our local bookstore soonest. 
I guess, this book is something new to me that it got a hard time catching my attention. I think this is the first book I’ve read for this year with a Chinese plot as well. I just love the idea of it being modern with a mix of old era. The book itself is enjoyable to read on it’s own way. I was curious on Anlei’s journey, I knew deep in my mind that she has more potential in her, she’s more into strength and her father was a soldier, I wonder what would it take for her to protect her family and her place. Then, a switch in her life happened when the viceroy comes into the picture and that’s what makes the whole book more exciting as well because real adventure happened. I liked the twists and turn of the story and I didn’t expect the ending until after Anlei & Tai’s journey. The book was full of surprises. Anlei and Tai’s team was actually fun. I liked their chemistry and I liked how they annoy each other. Well I think, there’s so many friendships or relationships that starts from there but still, I think it’s cute. Aside from that, I liked the small hints on the book both characters are in denial but fate speaks in a different way.  
Anyway, despite the challenges on reading the book, I actually enjoyed it. Although the ending is not a cliffhanger, I am thinking if there will be more story about Anlei and Tai. I really liked both of them and their partnership. 
“Many choices come down to love or hate. Choose love, every time.”
My Ratings

Mary Fan is a hopeless dreamer, whose
mind insists on spinning tales of “what if.” As a music major in
college, she told those stories through compositions. Now, she tells
them through books—a habit she began as soon as she could pick up a
pencil.

Mary lives in New Jersey and has a B.A. from Princeton University.
When she’s not scheming to create new worlds, she enjoys kickboxing,
opera singing, and blogging about everything having to do with books.