Book Review: In The Wild Light by Jeff Zentner

Life in a small Appalachian town is not easy. Cash lost his mother to an opioid addiction and his Papaw is dying slowly from emphysema. Dodging drug dealers and watching out for his best friend, Delaney, is second nature. He’s been spending his summer mowing lawns while she works at Dairy Queen.

But when Delaney manages to secure both of them full rides to an elite prep school in Connecticut, Cash will have to grapple with his need to protect and love Delaney, and his love for the grandparents who saved him and the town he would have to leave behind

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

Jeff Zentner is one of the authors that I could say my “automatic read”. It’s just, when they publish a new book, without further ado, I’ll get their book and read it. I don’t even read the blurb, I just know it will be beautiful. In The Wild Light didn’t disappoint. It’s worth reading, it gets me in some way and I can relate. The book actually made me cry in some parts of it. I even tweet and tagged Jeff Zentner about it (sorry not sorry!) I love the book so much and I need the physical copy of it, unfortunately it’s not available locally yet (Philippines, FullyBooked please have more copy?)

Cash and Delaney are solid. They are best friends and they are the type of person who will do anything for their friend. One big opportunity came which took a few convincing but, eventually, both agreed to try and grab it. Despite all the worries and fearful idea, this opportunity is their big shot. Both characters grew differently as the story goes, Cash and Delaney discovered new things like a normal teenager would, and to add up, these two have the world around their shoulders, lifting something heavy and the only people they got for support is each other. Cash is a good man/teenager who lives with his grandparents since his parents died in an accident. He manages his own business (mowing lawns) to help his grandma and save up for school. He’s an adorable kid who worries for his grandpa who’s sick. Cash is like an average kid who befriended a genius girl, Delaney. She’s smart, determined and does things her way. She wanted to become a doctor and save lives of people who needs the most. She made a promise to Cash’s grandpa. Delaney works in Dairy Queen to make ends meet, she has her own family issues and she needed to support herself.

This book inspired me to do all the things that you’re afraid to do. Trust yourself and eventually things will get better. Also, family is a big factor of the life decisions. In the Wild Light is such an amazing book. Once again, Jeff Zentner written an amazing work. I’m not surprised that there are a lot of praise already, it’s worth reading. I’d still get my copy once it’s available to complete my Jeff Zentner collection (I hope there’s signed hardbound too!)

My Ratings

Jeff Zentner lives in Nashville, Tennessee. He came to writing through music, starting his creative life as a guitarist and eventually becoming a songwriter. He’s released five albums and appeared on recordings with Iggy Pop, Nick Cave, Warren Ellis, Thurston Moore, Debbie Harry, Mark Lanegan, and Lydia Lunch, among others.

Now he writes novels for young adults. He became interested in writing for young adults after volunteering at the Tennessee Teen Rock Camp and Southern Girls Rock Camp. As a kid, his parents would take him to the library and drop him off, where he would read until closing time. He worked at various bookstores through high school and college.

He speaks fluent Portuguese, having lived in the Amazon region of Brazil for two years.

Source: Goodreads

Blog Feature: The World of Aeora by Brett Palmer

Weekend blog feature!!! I should make this a thing, what do you think? I think it will be fun though. I would be searching for authors or bloggers that wants to be featured, to be known by other people. I’d love to help in some way if I could. I do hope you guys will support me on this. Thank you so much! Moving on, today’s feature will be The World of Aeora by Brett Palmer.

This is interesting, you would be thinking what is in The World of Aeora? I think this is the time I’ll tell you to go check the blog here: https://www.worldofaeora.com/. This blog contains free stuff (downloads) that you may use for yourself to read or for personal projects. The author is really friendly and easy to talk to so, you may reach out to him via his blog or Twitter: https://twitter.com/BGPportfolio.

Readers, check his work, Tales of Aeora, Part 1 at this link: https://www.worldofaeora.com/2021/07/tales-of-aeora-part-1-beta-20.html.

Source: https://www.worldofaeora.com/p/home.html

July Wrap Up!

It’s a wrappppp!!!!

So far… despite the busy week, I’ve managed to read three books this month! I’m hoping to read more this coming July. I also joined a blog tour and I haven’t done that in ages so it’s fun! Take a look at my R-E-A-D books this month.

This is the book I reviewed and I’ve been part of a book tour. I haven’t read this kind of book in a while, it’s a fantasy book and there’s a lot going on, but in a good way. This book is the second part of the series, two books have been published so far and I’m waiting for the third! I’m sure you’ll like this. Readers can check my book review here.

Nina LaCour didn’t disappoint me!!! I loved this book. I somehow can relate on this, also I thought it’s some kind of a horror type of book but, aahhhh.. nope.. it is something else. Something more deep, entertaining and emotional. I liked this book a lot more than readers can imagine. I’ll recommend for you all to read this.

This book is cute!!! the character is a Swiftie! (I AM TOO!) I could relate on that also, she’s an IT geek (points-to-self). It’s a quick read kind of book. I bet readers will like this as well, I’d love to reread this when I get some time again.

This is not a lot but every books I read were awesome! What’s your JULY wrap up? Let me see! ^_^

Book Tour: The Lost Soul by Patrick Johns

Jahrys Grent, now King of Astenpoole, is faced with restoring Astenpoole and cleaning up the Junkland. While King Jahrys reshapes the kingdom, dealing with lords and knights, word of another sorceress, Emilia Danell, reaches Astenpoole. Preparing for another fight, Jahrys worries that Emilia comes for the same reason as the previous sorceress, Nadia Danell.

Once Emilia reaches Astenpoole, Jahrys quickly realizes things are not as they seem. With nightmares plaguing him, and a power he doesn’t understand, The Lost Soul takes Jahrys on a quest beyond the Western Mountains and into his destiny.

It’s been a while since I’ve posted a book review, and I am honestly honored to be part of this book tour. It was actually a bit challenging for to do reviews lately since my job could go insane and I literally don’t have time for everything, but joining in this tour made me more focused on reading again which I enjoyed. Reading the two books reminded me on how fun it is to have other things to do aside from work and I’ve got no regrets on stopping work just to read this.

This book have three (3) character point of view and a lot of other character names involved on each chapters. Readers will know each and everyone of them eventually as they go along and read the book *wink*. Each characters are interesting and they have a fair contribution in the story and the readers will love them, some will be hated but, that’s how books goes right? Focusing on the main characters: Jahrys, Emilia and Piller these three makes the book interesting and worth reading. Their stories makes the book alive, the flashback makes the book interesting, that makes you understand the characters more. Jahrys, being the new king of Astenpoole, a new role and responsibility for him, is he the sorcerer they expect him to be? Emilia being the Sorceress who wanted to revive a lover, will she be successful bringing Belvadere to life? and Piller, the captain of Knights of the Poolesguard, will his worries about Astenpoole fades away, will he turn his back?

This book has it’s big twist and it gave me chills! Like for real though! It makes me even more excited for the third book! Tell me there’s a third book… I can’t wait for this one. The return of one person from the previous book changes everything! This makes me want to reveal!!! But.. I can’t, I just can’t, LMAO.

I’ll end my review here now before I spill some more spoilers. Once again, I’m glad to be part of this book tour. I’d love to be part of the tours again and read more books on free time. I also want to congratulate the author for doing Junkland and Lost Souls, both books are amazing and I can’t wait to see those in a local bookstores specially here in the Philippines.

Readers, enjoy The Hoarding series! No regrets on this one *winks*

My Ratings

Patrick Johns is a wordsmith who grew up in Ramsey, New Jersey, where he would play for hours in his basement with his dino-saurs, and out back in the woods with his imaginary friends in imaginary worlds. He has been writing since he was young—creating worlds and drawing the made-up characters within them, but his imagination was put on hold while in college.

Patrick is a graduate from Virginia Tech (Go Hokies!), with a degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering and a second de-gree in Mathematics. While he is doing very well, he never forgot his imaginary friends, and always imagined bringing their world to life in a novel.

Upon graduation, Patrick’s wonderful parents took him to see Aladdin on Broadway, one of his favorite childhood stories. And yes, it is his dream to one day soar high into a diamond sky on a magic carpet, singing a beautiful duet with someone he just met and fell madly in love with! After the play, Patrick’s creativity sparked and he started writing again to make this dream come true—as well as his childhood dreams of imaginary worlds.

Junkland is his first novel, now available on Amazon. The sec-ond novel in The Hoarding series is underway, with the third soon to follow.

Summer Bucket List 2021

I hear the beach calling for me! Summer is near. I usually enjoy winter, but this one was rough and I’m definitely ready for a new season. 


Summers in Manitoba are hot and humid. sometimes temperatures reach up to 35 C. We go through many fire watch’s, intense storm warnings and even the odd terrifying tornado. But, summers in Manitoba bring the most amazing waves at the beach, and the most beautiful gardens that seem to dance in the suns rays.


My summers are usually very laid back and filled with a lot of time at my parents house swimming. I find my days fly by so fast and I’m not left with as many intentional memories as I’d want. I’m really trying this year to be intentional and purposeful. So, here are 10 things I want to do, visit, see, or experience!


SUMMER 2021
1. Take a walk in a different town.

2. Tie dye some shirts with the kids.

3. Paint and hide rocks.

4. See a waterfall.

5. Paint my toe nails.

6. Watch a sunset.

7. Read in a park.

8. Try swimming in the beach.

9. Take A LOT of photos.

10. Laugh every single day. The uncontrollable kind.


I want this summer to fuel my soul. It’s been a tough year. It’s time for a different season.


What’s on your summer bucket list?

Love Always,

Enn

PAGE LINKS

My Blog – Thoughts with N | Twitter | Instagram

Blog Tour: Lobizona by Romina Russell Garber

 

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

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

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

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.