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

Literary Book Gifts - Review and Promo Code

So Melissa from Literary Book Gifts emailed me early September about considering reviewing the site and its products as she believed her products would be ideal for you as my readers. At the end of this post is a Promo code for your use, it offers 20% off with no minimum spend and doesn't expire. So if you like what you hear and go on to see, be my guest and treat yourself.

First of all, the page is so easily to navigate. Simple and effective. There is a collection list where you can choose from men's t shirts, women's t shirts, tote bags and gifts for book lovers. With these 4 simple sections, it is easy to find something you're sure to like.

The designs and products are put together by Melissa herself which adds a personal touch to each of them. The designs are beautiful and detailed. I'm sure there is something you'd love on there, I mean I pretty much opened the link to the site and was immediately adding things to my basket to wait for Pay day. Honestly no harm in admitting that right?

Black Beauty by Anna Sewell Toe bag

This is the Black Beauty Tote bag available on the store, the design is simple but beautiful and appealing. There's just something about detail, both having a lot of it but also not overdoing it.

100% Polyester
boxed corners
Black cotton handles
Black Lining

Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Male T-shirt

The Sherlock Holmes T shirt (this is the male t-shirt) is lovely in both the design and the choice of colours used.

100% cotton
Classic Fit
Suitable for Men's and Unisex sizing
Multiple choice of colours






Overall i absolutely love the site and the products available, all you need to know about the products and the shipping and sizing is there for you to see and use to make a decision on a purchase best for you. The pricing of each product based on their size etc are good prices in my eyes when you take into account what goes into the product and making it available to the public.


For my readers use the following code to recieve 20% off of your purchase and enjoy!

ABOOKSETERNALGLORY20


Use this link that will take you directly to the website and get adding to your basket.

https://literarybookgifts.com

Intricate Deceptions - Jennifer Rayes

Synopsis:

Waking up in a desolate cell, Gaia realizes she has been kidnapped by a human traggicking organization, doomed to be sold to the highest bidder and unable to remember anything before her capture. An opportune rescue by Raoul, the Prince of Kayamato, saves her froma gruesome future, and throws her into a world of luxury and privilage. 

As she struggles to regain her memory, Gaia learns that her rescue was no accident and finds herself in even more danger.

Fighting for sanity and survival, she works to unravel the truth behind her capture, each revelation more shocking than the last. The intricate web of deceptions spun around her will shatter her world, leaving her unsure if she will ever trust again.

Review:

At 226 pages, straight away I knew if id end up hooked, it'd last be half a day at best. Unfortunately i started reading it at a time in my life where i was struggling to do anythingyet alone read. I think I managed just over 80 pages before everything got too much for me and reading and reviewing ended up being put on the back burner. After what felt like forever and a day I managed to finish the book but took forever to get around to writing the review, but after unintentionally keeping Jennifer waiting for the review, here it is.

It is a pretty fast paced book, as a reader we are suddenly thrown into this new world and we find ourselves side by side with Gaia who wakes up in a cell and soon realises she been kidnapped and is on the list to be sold to the highest bidder in a human trafficking ring. She makes a friend who is her cell mate but soon things take a turn for the worse and Gaia is alone again, but not for long when Raoul turns up and rushes her away from the dangerous future she is sure to have, plunging her into a world of luxury and privelage. It did hit a huge parge of romanceyness which was a little cute for me but also slightly predictable.

Intricate Deceptions is a rollercoaster of a read, bringing together royalty, pirates and palaces as well as drugs, prostitution and human trafficking. It is safe to say it isn't a light one when it includes so many taboo and awkward to hear about subjects and I cant say that its something deep and meaningful but I do know it hits those chords ever so lightly. It is a read that is incredibly easy to enjoy and undoubtedly deserving of a 4.5 out of 5 from me. Hopefully I will be able read the second book and continue this journey. I am so thankful for the opportunity to read and review this book.

BLOG TOUR: Cordial Killing: A Backyard Farming Mystery - Vikki Walton

Synopsis:

Anne is excited for the opening of the Brandywine Inn. Kandi and Hope are her partners in the bed-and-breakfast n Carolan Springs, Colorado, where they also provide homesteading and herbal workshops for guests.

As soon as the guests arrive, its plain that the five old college chums have bad blood between them. When Anne finds a threatening note, its clear that someone is out for revenge. Then they find a guest dead. At first, the death appears to be natural, but suspicions begin to grow.

When a blizzard threatens the Inn, will it trap them all with a killer and no way out?

Cordial Killing is a classic who-dun-it with a twist. Set in the fictional small town of Carolan Springs, you will enjoy an armchair getaway into beautiful Colorado.


Review:

With this being the first book of Vikki Walton's that I have read, I feen honoured to be allowed to have recieved a copy to read and review for the Blog Tour. It is for sure acosy mystery and like most of the mystery themed books i read, this book is added to the list where I didnt get who the culprit was right away and im thankful this book kept me guessing on who and why and when the crime was comitted.

The beauty of this book also comes from the setting, the Inn is and old victorian home and when you put those two words together your mind automatically creates such a beautiful setting as those homes are so beautiful and unique as well as so much more. I think its such a perfect setting for a Mystery book.

Like most books I read, once i hooked there was no way i wasnt able to not think about it, I read the majority of the book whilst on my way to the little lodge we had an holiday booked for in Wales but even when i wasnt reading the book, which was pretty much when we got to the lodge as so much begun to happen, where we were out visiting places and having fun, I was still finding myself thinking about the book and that is a sure sign that it is a brilliant read.

What also shines through in this book is how much time and effort that Vikki put into research and planning because there is so much knowledge intertwined within each word of the book, it's lovely to see that so much time was well spent creating the intricate details.

There isnt anything that I can think of that was an ounce of a negative of this book, with this said I am a little sad I didnt read the first book of A Backyard Farming Mystery series. I can't award this book anything less than a 5 out of 5. Vikki did a great job I can't even begin to explain in words that make sense. To anyone that lkes cosy mysteries, this is a sure thing you'd enjoy reading. This was a super way to get to know a new author and I am super grateful to hav had to opportunity. I hope that anyone who goes on to read any if both of the A Backyard Farming Mystery books enjoys them as much as I enjoyed Cordial Killing.

About The Author

 Vikki’s first words were “I get it!” This attitude became her life-long mantra to always go after what she wants. It also helped her realize her desire to help others get what they really want out of life.

After spending years as a registered interior designer, Vikki began to write. While writing for periodicals, Vikki found herself on assignment interviewing publishers in Colorado Springs. It wasn’t long before the natural beauty of Colorado captured her heart.

After moving to Colorado, Vikki  worked with nonprofits. However, she soon realized she needed more autonomy in her work.Vikki started her own business as a nonprofit consultant and grant writer. She has helped nonprofits across the U.S. to receive millions of dollars for  their work. Yet, she realized doing one thing wouldn’t satisfy her for long.

Vikki became a Work Quilter™ combining her many passions to create multiple income streams. She started speaking and teaching adults on myriad and diverse topics around her knowledge, skills and passions.   She's taught and spoken on Creative Writing, Design for Heart and Home, Fundraising Fundamentals , Suburban Homesteading, Permaculture, How to Get What You Really Want, and of course, Work Quilting. Two words that continually appear on instructor and speaker feedback forms are "engaging" and "knowledgeable."
You'll most often find Vikki out hiking with her dog, outside gardening, traveling abroad, house or pet sitting, or writing her next book.

Born in Chicago, Vikki lived outside of Paris for a few years as a small child. That may account for her love of travel. She moved to Wichita with her parents before going on to live most of her life around the San Antonio, Texas area. She is the founder of #girlswantago and you can connect through Facebook or www.girlswantago.com. Vikki is also an experienced, professional global house and pet sitter.

Vikki's favorite genre is mystery so it wasn't long before she had begun her first cozy mystery series.  Incorporating her love of suburban homesteading, or as some call it, backyard farming, Vikki's first book is Chicken Culprit. 

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.

Open Road Summer - Emery Lord

Synopsis:

After breaking up with her bad-news boyfriend, Reagan O’Neill is ready to leave her rebellious ways behind. . . and her best friend, country superstar Lilah Montgomery, is nursing a broken heart of her own. Fortunately, Lilah’s 24-city tour is about to kick off, offering a perfect opportunity for a girls-only summer of break-up ballads and healing hearts.

But when Matt Finch joins the tour as its opening act, his boy-next-door charm proves difficult for Reagan to resist, despite her vow to live a drama-free existence.

This summer, Reagan and Lilah will navigate the ups and downs of fame and friendship as they come to see that giving your heart to the right person is always a risk worth taking. A fresh new voice in contemporary romance, Emery Lord’s gorgeous writing hits all the right notes.

Review:

So I've seen Emery's books around quite a lot and actually wondered for so long if I should get a copy of all the books published but apparently I already own too many books. Thanks to my sisters boyfriend who loves to buy me money vouchers for book stores and after forgetting when he bought me my last one but carrying it with me all the time I finally decided to use the money on the card. I mean okay so the majority of the money was spent on the book whilst he rest of the voucher was spent on discounted chocolate by the till but hey man cant go blaming for either things. I remember being upstairs with the books for the longest 30 minutes I've ever had, I picked up so many books, wondered if they were for me, decided yes they were but then found another books that I wanted just a little bit more and instead what did I do? Put them down and picked up Open Road Summer which was lying on a table and the cover caught my attention and when I read the synopsis, I fell for it hook line and sinker. 

So the story follows Reagan as she tours with her best friend Lilah, a popular country singer as she tours the country. Its clear that when we meet Reagan that she has issues from her past she needs to face as she lets them effect her and somehow she is appealing to me as a MC, I mean I can kind of see why but also I'm confused as to why I love her so much. Lilah herself isn't problem free, and when the problems begin to appear Lilah's record company send someone to put the problems to rest. Matt Finch, another promising artist and with no doubt what so ever an absolute representation of what I'd want in a friend. Matt ends up opening Lilah's shows and Raegan can not help but feel a pull towards him that she simply can not resist.

I wont explain anything further because that's the point isn't it really? I mean the point of a review is to review it not spoil the whole thing. So Emery, if you ever see this, girl thank you. So this sounds openly bloody ridiculous right? Okay so I may be a bit of a sucker for teen romance and drama and all the things alike but Emery makes Open Road Summer such an enjoyable read, showing us that fame isn't always beautiful, our past experiences make us adapt, that we are not out past experiences as a whole. Most of all Emery portrays friendship exactly how it is, so real and testable.

Without a doubt Emery gets a 5/5 for Open Road Summer and I can not wait to get my hands on more of her work just to see if I can cry at some point in those too. 

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.