Where The Crawdads Sing - Delia Owen

Synopsis:

A novel about an young woman determined to make her way in the wilds of North Carolina, and the two men that will break her isolation open.

For years, rumors of the "Marsh Girl" have haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet town on the North Carolina coast. She's barefoot and wild; unfit for polite society. So in late 1969, when handsome Chase Andrews is found dead, the locals immediately suspect Kya Clark.

But Kya is not what they say. Abandoned at age ten, she has survived on her own in the marsh that she calls home. A born naturalist with just one day of school, she takes life lessons from the land, learning from the false signals of fireflies the real way of this world. But while she could have lived in solitude forever, the time comes when she yearns to be touched and loved. Drawn to two young men from town, who are each intrigued by her wild beauty, Kya opens herself to a new and startling world--until the unthinkable happens.

Review:

First of all HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY to Delia Owen and The Crawdads Sing which is published today. Grace Vincent contacted me a while back and asked if I would like to read and review this book for its week or the day of its publication. I read the synopsis and instantly knew I had to read it, it pulled me in I simply couldn't wait to get my hands on it. 

I first picked the book up and was drawn into the story right away, I felt an emotional connections with Kya who is a abandoned child with very little. We watch the story unfold, the times switching from us watching Kya grow up to the current day investigating the death of Chase Andrews up until the two lines somehow meet. 

From a young age you can see Kya trying to grow up quicker than shes capable of just so she can survive. Kya’s siblings are older, and they flee, leaving her alone with her father. She learns to care for herself at a young age because she has to. Kya is uneducated by choice and circumstance, though the town attempted to get her to attend at first. Even without schooling, she is caring and smart, as she learns the ways of life through the marsh and all it has to teach her. I fell for her immediately, I just wanted to be there with her and protect and help her. Her character is so easily loveable and realistic in how she is portrayed in her situations. Tate is a heart warming character, he has known her all of her life but now that she is older she sees him in a different light and for the first time, she begins to feel real love. He takes the time and teaches her how to read which opens up the world to her. its such a beautifully portrayed relationship I often found myself in awe of them.

She loves the marsh and all that inhabit it. She collects many things and categorizes them. From the books Tate brings her she learns biology, math, how things grow and change and she is fascinated by the marsh.

After being disappointed in her relationship she had with Tate she finally decides that perhaps she could be more trusting and goes on to share things with Chase, a boy from town who tells her he loves her and talks about a future. But everyone always leaves Kya in the end. Kya has seen Chase around throughout her life and in my eyes he's a horrible kid from the start not only in his behaviour but then towards Kya. Time passes after betrayal happens and then Chase is found dead in the Marsh and all fingers of the locals except for Jumpin' and his wife, are pointed towards Kya the 'Marsh Girl'.

This book is heart breaking and yet has plenty of heart warming moments. There's betrayal and trust and so many opposites that make this book so great. Owen has written a truly amazing story that I'm sure will continue to be one of the best for a long time to come. I cant give the book anything less than a 5/5 for the creativity, emotions, imagery, every aspect of this book pulled me in and I didn't see the ending coming. Ill be sure to look out for Owen's future work and I hope some of you grab a copy for yourself to see what all of the fuss is about.

Blogmas Day 25: I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day - Poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play, 
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men. 

I thought how, as the day had come, 
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along th'unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men. 

And in despair I bowed my head: 
'There is no peace on earth, ' I said 
'For hate is strong, and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.' 

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: 
'God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; 
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, 
With peace on earth, good will to men.'

Till, ringing, singing on its way, 
The world revolved from night to day
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime, 
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

Poem Found using poemhunter.com






From Me and my Family to you and yours, have a very Merry Christmas. 

Blogmas Day 21: A Time for Joy by Catherine Pulsifer

A time for joy

For the girls and boys

Xmas brings hope

Of all good things.

Decorations and trees

Turn the lights on please

Good friends and family too

Presents and surprises for you.

A day to reflect 

A day of respect

For all you have been blessed

Let your joy be expressed.

May this Christmas bring

All special things

May you find happiness and joy

May you even receive a toy. 

https://www.wow4u.com/christmas-poems4/

Blogmas day 20: Smile On - Mary Ann Ross

Peace, love and happiness this season

Cheer spread all around you and yours' for this reason 

For your heart is pure and kind

And compassion rests on your mind 

Not as pure as snow

But not as cold as ice 

Just cause you are human we know 

And as good as they come you are nice 

So my prayer for you this moment and forever 

Boxed up as gifts but invisible like words 

Is that this smile on your face shall not fade ever 

For He shall supply all your needs, for He is God 

So smile on, smile on

Take in the better around you 

The gift of life and the clothes you have on 

The meal on your table and the roof over your head too

Smile on, smile on

Share what you have

Christmas brings peace

Be oh so glad! 

https://www.wow4u.com/mywish/

Blogmas Day 17: Santa Claus Is Coming - M. Nora Boylan

Santa Claus is coming - we shall welcome him with glee;

He'll hang a gift for every one upon the Christmas-tree;

He'll not forget a single child. How happy we shall be;

For Santa Claus is coming.

But we must remember all that we must do our part;

Christmas is the time of times, to give with all our heart

We must always share our joys with those who have no part,

When Santa Claus is coming. 

https://www.wow4u.com/christmas-poems2/

Blogmas Day 16: Santa's Helpers - M. Nora Boylan

The fairies and brownies on last Christmas-tide

Decided to open their hearts very wide,

And spend extra time, throughout the whole year,

In helping their grandfather - Santa Claus dear.

"Our fingers are nimble. We'll quickly make toys

Enough to supply all the girls and the boys,

And Santa may watch us to see if it's right,

So all will be ready before Christmas night."

Then bravely they all went to work with a will,

And soon all was quiet in workshop and mill;

For old Santa said, "Enough, and well done,

We've toys enough now to make all kinds of fun."

We thank you, old Santa, and your helpers, too,

For all of the many kind things that you do;

And should you need more help in making your toys,

Just call on your small friends, the girls and the boys.

https://www.wow4u.com/christmas-poems2/

Blogmasy Day 14: It's Not . . . It Is

It's sharing your gifts, not purchasing gifts;

It's not wrapping presents, 

It's being present

and wrapping your arms around the ones you love;

It's not getting Christmas cards out on time.

It's sending any card, anytime, at the right time;

It's not having the biggest and best Christmas light display,

It's displaying the Christ light that comes from your heart;

It's not Santa coming down the chimney, 

It's Jesus coming down from heaven,

and giving us the gift of eternal life.

https://www.wow4u.com/christmas-poems/

Blogmas Day 13: An Old-Fashioned Christmas - Helen Monnette

I thought of an old-fashioned Christmas

When the world was aglitter with snow,
When stars, in their lockets of velvet,
Their silvery beams rain below.
Where a Christmas tree stands in a corner
Decked out in the season's attire,
With a pearl-white necklace of popcorn,
The stringing, the children's desire.
The shutters unclosed at the windows
And friendly the light shining there,
Like the neighbors who linger when passing,
For it is the hour of prayer.
I thought of an old-fashioned Christmas
And a church in the valley of peace,
And the bell with its silver chiming
That eased our cares ere it ceased.
The peals of the laughter of children
In toyland around the green tree;
Pleasing and happy the merriment,
How wonderful childhood must be.
The logs blaze bright in the fireplace
As the hearts that are merry and gay,
As the sleighbells I hear in the distance
And wish they were coming my way.
I wish you an old-fashioned Christmas
With neighbors and family and friends,
With church bells and singing and blessing
As the old year comes to an end.

https://www.wow4u.com/christmas-poems/

Blogmas Day 11: Old Santa Claus - Maud L. Betts

Old Santa Claus is a jolly man

Who brings us lots of toys, sir;

And none are happier Christmas time

Than little girls and boys, sir.

Have you not seen our Santa Claus,

With hair so snowy white, sir?

Just hang your stocking Christmas eve,

He'll come that very night, sir.

And if you watch, perhaps you'll see

This friend in furs hid deep, sir.

But I have never seen him once

I'm always fast asleep, sir.

Santa Claus is jolly, sir;

Santa Claus is kind, sir;

Santa Claus on Christmas eve

Comes riding on the wind, sir.




https://www.wow4u.com/christmas-poems/ 

Blogmas Day 9: A Christmas Message - Julie Hebert

I have a message for you,

And I do believe it's grand.

During this Christmas Season,

It's time to take a stand.

Remember the reason for Christmas,

And what it represents.

Jesus, loving and welcoming,

It's not just about presents.

So take this Christmas message,

And pass it far and wide.

Christmas is a time for caring,

Let's share this message, amplified

https://www.wow4u.com/christmas-poems/

A Very Lucky Christmas - Lilac Mills

Synopsis:

Things can't get worse for Daisy Jones... can they?

Christmas is meant to be the happiest time of year so why is absolutely everything going wrong for Daisy? Reeling from a bad breakup, moving back in with her parents and hounded by trouble at work she really shouldn't be surprised when things go from bad to worse..and she ends up in A&E!

Her great-grandmother persuaded her to plant a silver sixpence in the Christmas pud for luck but choking on the coin isn't the 'change' she'd wished for. Yet when dashing Dr Noah Hartley saves the day things finally start to look up. With Christmas Day just around the corner Daisy's determined to make her own luck...and hopefully bag herself a dishy doc in the process!

Review:

So maybe when I first started reading this book I was so worried the book was going to be some soppy old cliche romace books but I opened the book and just read it all in 4 hours, laughing and enjoying each page as they passed by. I was beyond wrong with my first assumption.

First of all I absolutely loved Daisy, shes so real and I could relate to her due to this because she was literally so human and her experiences were reacted to in such a real manner ect. All of these characters were so well moulded, ever so real paper humans, if that makes sense. The pace of this book is so on point, it's not so fast you lose track and not so quick you lose interest, it's well balanced and brilliant read.

Daisy is a great character, Noah is an absolute gentleman and such an idiot at some times I actually did just sigh and roll my eyes like how can someone come to some of those comclusions is beyond me but someone somewhere is probably exactly the same as him. Daisy' family are strong and brilliant women alongside her brother who you can read his protectiveness of his sister which is adorable and lovely and their bond is so beautiful I actually would love to have such a relationship.

I cant even point out anything any degree of wrong for me from this book, I literally loved the whole thing. I feel if you look past the obvious themes of the book you can see it's a story that works with families that have split, the lessons of one parent households, so many real life issues that are really important to explore at some point in someones life. I cant really say much about this book without spoiling things or ruining it in advance before anyone read it as you may literally be into the book up until you get to the things ive mentions so my lips are semi shut. 

There is no way I can give this book anything less than a 5/5, and it for sure has me looking forward to Christmas due to its heavily christmas theme at points in the book and the imersion into family time around christmas. Lilac has done a great job witht his book I look forward to reading more from her.

Links to Book:

Amazon (UK)

Kobo (UK)

Google Books (UK)

Apple Books (UK)

About The Author

Lilac Mills writes feel-good romantic women's fiction, and is the author of Love in the City by the Sea, A Very Lucky Christmas, Summer on the Turquoise Coast, and Sunshine at Cherry Tree Farm. Lilac spends all her time writing, or reading, or thinking about writing or reading, often to the detriment of her day job, her family, and the housework! Home for Lilac is Worcester, England.

Blogmas Day 8: Still Stops Our World by Catherine Pulsifer

Christmas a time for children

That is for certain

But for others 

It is time to love your brothers.

A time where we do see peace,

Where fighting actually does cease.

Giving gifts and sharing with all, 

When the world seems anew.

Like that first Christmas morn,

When Jesus was born.

A miracle that happened long ago,

Still stops our world and shines a glow. 

https://www.wow4u.com/christmas-poems/

Blogmas Day 7 - Snowball by Shel Silverstein

I made myself a snowball,
As perfect as could be,
I thought I’d keep it as a pet,
And let it sleep with me.
I made it some pajamas,
And a pillow for its head,
Then last night it ran away,
But first – it wet the bed!

https://sayingimages.com/short-christmas-poems/

Blogmas Day 6: A Chubby Snowman

A chubby little snowman

had a carrot nose.

Along came a bunny,

and what do you suppose?

That hungry little bunny,

looking for some lunch,

Grabbed that snowman’s nose,

Nibble, nibble, crunch!

https://sayingimages.com/short-christmas-poems/

Blogmas Day 3: The Joy Of Giving - John Greenleaf Whittier

Somehow, not only for Christmas,
But all the long year through,
The joy that you give to others
Is the joy that comes back to you;
And the more you spend in blessing
The poor and lonely and sad,
The more of your heart’s possessing
Returns to make you glad.

https://sayingimages.com/short-christmas-poems/

Blogmas Day 2: The Littlest Christmas Tree - Amy Peterson

The littlest Christmas tree
lived in a meadow of green
among a family
of tall evergreens.
He learned how to whisper
the evergreen song
with the slightest of wind
that came gently along.

He watched as the birds
made a home out of twigs,
and couldn't wait till
he, too, was big.
For all of the trees
offered a home,
the maple, the pine, and the oak,
who's so strong.

"I hate being little,"
the little tree said,
"I can't even turn colors
like the maple turns red.
I can't help the animals
like the mighty old oak.
He shelters them all
in his wide mighty cloak."

The older tree said,
"Why, little tree, you don't know?
The story of a mighty king
from the land with no snow?"
Little tree questioned,
"A land with no snow?"
"Yes!" said old tree,
"A very old story,
from so long ago."

"A star appeared, 
giving great light
over a manger,
on long winter's night.
A baby was born, 
a king of all kings,
and with him comes love
over all things."

"He lived in a country
all covered in sand,
and laid down his life
to save all of man."

Little tree thought of the gift
given by him,
then the big tree said with the 
happiest grin,
"We're not just trees,
but a reminder of that day
There's a much bigger part
of a role that we play!"

"For on Christmas eve,
my life I'll lay down,
in exchange for a happier,
loving ground.
And as I stand dying,
they'll adorn me in trim.
This all will be done
in memory of him."

"Among a warm fire, 
with family and friends,
in the sweet songs of Christmas,
I'll find my great end.
Then ever so gently,
He'll come down to see
and take me to heaven,
Jesus and me."

"So you see, little tree,
we are not like the oak
who shelters all things
beneath his great cloak.
Nor are we like the maple
in fall,
whose colors leave many
standing in awe."

"The gift that we give
is ourselves, limb for limb,
the greatest of honor,
in memory of him."

The little tree bowed
his head down and cried
and thought of the king 
who willingly died.
For what kind of gift
can anyone give
than to lay down your life
when you wanted to live?

A swelling of pride 
came over the tree.
Can all of this happen
Because of just me?
Can I really bring honor?
By adorning a home?
By reminding mankind
that he's never alone?

With this thought, little tree
began singing with glee.
Happy and proud
to be a true Christmas tree.

You can still hear them singing
even the smallest in height,
singing of Christmas
and that one holy night.

Source: https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/the-littlest-christmas-tree

Blogmas Day 1: Christmas Time - Ronald Doe

Christmas time is finally here.
It only comes but once a year,
And it's a time to spread good cheer
To those we love and hold so dear.

Christmas time is a time of glee,
A time when peace and love run free,
A time for those like you and me
To sit beneath the Christmas tree.

Christmas time is a time of joy,
A time to sit back and enjoy
The smile on each girl and boy,
As they play with a Christmas toy.

Christmas time is a time to share
The passing of another year.
Birth of Jesus, a joyful prayer,
To show loved ones how much we care.

Christmas time is a time for song,
A time for us to get along,
To make us feel Lord Jesus strong,
Forgive all those who did us wrong.

Christmas time is a time to pray,
Put love and kindness on display,
Show compassion along the way.
Christmas time should be every day.

Source: https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/christmas-time

The Violinist - C.R.Tyra

Synopsis:

"All sailors bware, for only one will the Lioness spare."

In the 34th century, vicious creatures walk the earth, and a bloodthirsty witch rules over the sea. The captial city of Zargo has found that music may keep its monsters at bay, and Lucien Mooncaster, the lead violinist of the city orchestra, is the toast of the town. But even with the lifestyle of a celebrity knocking at his door, the only company he cares to keep is that of his endless supply of books.

Meanwhile, perfection proves to be fragile as Licien's picturesque life of comfort falls out rom under him when a storm strikes, and an unearthly beautiful woman washes ashore, shipwreckd outside his home.


Review:

There is no denying that within the first few pages I was hooked, completely and in no doubt. Throughout the book we see the world through 4/5ish points of view, James Tolston who is s rookie aboard a ship sailing the sea, Archer Solomon, a monster hunter armed to the teeth and for the majority of the book, Lucien Mooncaster, the lead violinist of the towns orchestra who loves the company of his endless collection of books. The other 1 maybe 2 POV's are up to you as a reader to see.

Lucien is such a relatable character which helps as a reader to keep me fully imersed in the book. He loves his books and prefers them over people ( I can totally relate to that but shhh dont tell anyone.) As a main character it's not only his preferences to books over people that makes him relatable for me, but also his emotions and reactions to the things he is thrown into and experiences.

The world in which this book is set is a beautiful mix of so many things like Victorian Steampunk, some sort of brilliant fairytale and my favourite, post apocalypse setting. This alone wins The Violinist and C.R.Tyra a hell load of points just for being one off and in no doubt, memorable.

In the grand scale of things, if you look at the book as a whole there are themes that really do touch you as a reader. What screams at me the most is how the main characters are struggling with their past relationships, would it be love or family and there inability to let go of the past which is the source of inner turmoil. The themes of love annd loss are touching and well portrayed. What i see which is minimal I guess, but how music is portrayed as a defence mechanism for the town againsts the bad things that may come. It feels quite relatable as sometimes music is an escape from feeling quite bad but can also be a source of happiness.

Without a doubt The Violinist gets a 5/5 from me and its impossible for me to score this read any lower it was just so enjoyable and gripping. The Violinist is a beautiful dark fantasy deffinetly worth checking out.

BLOG TOUR: The Incendiaries - R.O.Kwon

Synopsis:

Phoebe Lin and Will Kendall meet during their first years at a prestigious university. Phoebe doesn't tell anyone that she blames herself for her mothers recent death. Will is a misfit scholarship boy transferring in from bible college, waiting table to make ends meet. What he knows for sure is that he loves Phoebe.

Haunted by her loss, Phoebe is increasingly drawn into a religious group - a secretive cult tied to North Korea - founded by a charismatic former student with an enigmatic past involving Phoebe's Korean American family. Will struggles to confront the obsession consuming the one her loves and the fundamentalism he's tried to escape. When the extremist group bombs several buildings in the name of faith, killing five people, Phoebe disappears. Will devotes himself to finding her, tilting into obsession himself, seeking answers to what happened to Phoebe and if she cold have been responsible for this violent act.



Review:

The opening to this book is uhm… quite explosive, literally. The book starting at the end before then jumping around in all directions as Will searches for any ounce of a clue that could possibly point to Phoebe being responsible for such an act. 

The chapters switch between Will, John and Phoebe but the majority of the story is told by Will. There is many times where he recalls moments and conversations with Phoebe whilst almost straight out admitting that sometime he isn't really sure he's remembering things correctly.

The Incendiaries is a short book lasting only 210 pages but I must admit it wasn't anything like i expected it to be, it was a very slow burner and it was hard for me to really read it for long periods of time. It is as though the peak of the action took place right at the very start, most of the story that was being given, which was Will and Phoebe's back stories served in a broken/fragmented way which for me moved towards a somewhat anti climatic ending.

Initially it was the synopsis which had me interested and encouraged me to say yes and take part in this blog tour which I can't say I regret doing even if I feel somewhat in the grey towards the book and I have no regrets because the book carries themes that stick with you after you've closed it and moved on. Phoebe reminded me how vulnerable people can be, showing how people can be easily guided towards bad things in bad times, how easily they can be open to radical ideas. There's no denying that we as people like to think that we are strong-minded and can’t be moved and easily influenced by others but from this book it seems that maybe we don’t really know what we are, as humans are capable of when we’re feeling lost, at what we see is the very bottom of us and someone offers a hand to pull you free.

By that alone, as much as I actually liked the themes of the book, I'm giving it a 3.8 out of 5, I just wished I could have been able to feel something relatable about the characters, even if it were just the small things.



Amazon link to purchase a copy of The Incendiaries.