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The Way It Would Become by Amena Jamali: KU Book Tour & Book Review with Romance me with Books

Blog Tours, Book Reviews March 15, 2023 Leave a comment

Hello, folks!

So, I'm a Book Tour Stop for Romance me with Books for The Way It Would Become by Amena Jamali! Yay!

Truth be told, I thought an Epic Fantasy Romance was so enticing that I had to jump in the bandwagon.

Here we are! Enjoy my book review, and don't forget to visit the author's book tour page!

Goodreads (Add it to your shelves!)

Also, please note that all the tropes mentioned on this next graphic are true (and that is a big winning point for me!):

THE BOOK REVIEW

* I received an e-copy for free and I write this review willingly, without any compensation whatsoever. Thank you the Amena Jamali and Romance me with Books! *

This book is honestly SOOOOO my type!

It’s really, really captivating and immersive. The author’s language is astounding and just… The characters’ and locations’ names have an Arabic consonance, which I find quite pretty and different in fantasy. Given that the author is of Middle Eastern origins, it does fit, and I am glad she took that path of diversity.

As for her preface, I love that she admits this is a story of tragedy, but also of human resilience and how we must acknowledge and face truth—this way, prosperity and happiness will come. It’s beautiful, and true, in my opinion. She mentions The Way It Would Become is the first of five prequels to her seven-volume series already published. I’m all ears! (or eyes for reading, because this is not an audiobook in my case, but never mind!)

Mostly, it’s amazing and fun because the women in this book are not only warriors but leaders, too… which is surprising in most fantasy-based stories because it does follow a different path than the traditional medieval of the genre. I’m loving it so much! Plus, they have powers based off the land they live on—mind-blowing!

Furthermore, the main characters’ romance is soooo sweet!!! The guy, Naman (the king), is in love with his wife so bad and he wishes for her to feel at home in his kingdom. Meanwhile, she supports and defends him wholeheartedly, but she doesn’t seem to be in love with him. However, the simple fact that he is deeply fond of her, and she is extremely loyal to him is adooooooooooooorable! This dynamic is certainly one I find fascinating, and it’s so rarely used in fiction; and when it is, it is not often with loyalty or genuine care of the other person. So fascinating and engaging!

Lastly, I have stumbled upon no negative point in this story, which makes it all the more absorbing.

Frankly, I will read her whole series! It is captivating and different.

Because it makes me feel in a whole other world of wonders and strength (both power- and character-wise), I give The Way It Would Become a rating of 5 out of 5. This is one of the best fantasy stories I’ve read in a long time, so you can be certain I’m on my way to purchase her published series and will be on the lookout for this one’s upcoming releases.

Treacherous Notion by Linnea March: Book Tour with Romance me with Books & Book Review

Blog Tours, Book Reviews March 14, 2023 Leave a comment

This will sound a tad bit weird, but I'm not one for rock star romance or anything of the sorts. However, the cover is striking, and the bit about best friend love caught my attention.

Having never read such a rock star romance, I figured it seemed like the perfect time to delve into the sub-genre! And I wasn't wrong. 🙂

As a Book Tour Stop for Romance me with Books, I'm pleased to present Treacherous Notion by Linnea March as well as my review of the book.

Keep reading, love!

Book Tour Page

Linnea March's Website

Now, what's so different about this book?

And what is this book about, anyway?

I'm so glad you asked!

Here's the blurb:

I must admit the tropes are awesome. A cinnamon roll hero? I'm in. A friends-to-lovers story? Perfect! Child free by choice? I support that. It's a wise and acceptable decision when both parties involved agree. If that is fine with them, I'm fine with it.

And now, a round of applause for:

THE BOOK REVIEW

* I received an e-ARC of this book and I write this review willingly, without any compensation whatsoever. Thank you to Linnea March and Romance me with Books! *

The humour in this book is amusing, light and quite realistic when you take in the rock star aspect. Like his little sister stumbling upon him shirtless in a magazine–i mean, the horror for a teenage girl, ha! It's hilarious!

Also, I love how Ilsa's decision to not have babies/children is described. It is honest, but very kind. It's not as if you cannot like said babies/children to not want to have them yourself. You can like them and still say no. That description is genuine and not mean, and I love it.

Plus, I love how Nathan thinks he isn't "jealous" or "protective" of Ilsa, but whenever other guys say things like "Ilsa is normal hot", that gets Nathan upset and defensive, which is both sweet and hilarious. He's cute too, how he loves and values their friendship… He truly is a cinnamon roll hero. He is lovely, and I wasn't disappointed!

The only negative point is minor: sometimes there are several repetitions of a word within two paragraphs here and there, and it's annoying. But it's nothing heavy.

All in all, the best part of this book (besides the romance, I mean, and the spicy scenes ;)) is how humane and well-developed the characters are. They have all these feelings and emotions and thoughts and righteousness and desires… it's amazing. Like we all wonder sometimes and all fight inner fights about different stuff; sometimes we want something but fight against it, anyhow–just like Ilsa and Nathan. I love their depth. That is truly the highest point of this book, which makes you care about them and you're cheering them on and going on this roller coaster ride of feels and expectations and twists and highs and lows. Very nice. I loved loving them? Yeah, that's what I wanna say. 🙂

Obviously, I will stay tuned for Linnea March's upcoming similar books (either rockstar or Hollywood-inspired romances) as I really enjoy her writing, and well, I might just have discovered a new pleasant sub-genre for me. 🙂

For all the fun I had reading this book, and all the squeals and gasps I uttered with these characters, I give it a rating of 5 stars out of 5. I highly recommend it to romance readers looking for a good time and a lot of sweet feelings, and a great depth of characters.

Make Your Art No Matter What: A Book Review

Book Reviews February 24, 2023 Leave a comment

By Beth Pickens

Goodreads (Add it to your shelves!)

StoryGraph

LibraryThing

Genre: Non-Fiction, Self-Help, Art

Pages: 208

ISBN: 9781452182957

ASIN: B08SJ9RN2Q

Audio ASIN: B08ZNWBH39

Format: Paperback, eBook (Kindle), Audiobook (Audible)

Publication date: April 6, 2021

Publisher: Chronicle Books

Type: Book, Self-Help

* I received a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. No compensation has been given and I write this book review willingly. A big thanks to NetGalley and Chronicle Books! *

Introduction

“Art!”

Wait, hold on, did someone say art? I’m right here!

Yup, any time someone mentions the words art or writing, you’ll see me poppin’ up.

So, how about when I read that title, Make Your Art No Matter What, over on NetGalley? Instant request!

Thankfully I was approved!

And thus began a soul-digging yet rewarding and comforting adventure…

Blurb

The Artist's Way for the 21st century—from esteemed creative counselor Beth Pickens.

If you are an artist, you need to make your art. That's not an overstatement—it's a fact; if you stop doing your creative work, your quality of life is diminished. But what do you do when life gets in the way? In this down-to-earth handbook, experienced artist coach Beth Pickens offers practical advice for developing a lasting and meaningful artistic practice in the face of life's inevitable obstacles and distractions. This thoughtful volume suggests creative ways to address the challenges all artists must overcome—from making decisions about time, money, and education, to grappling with isolation, fear, and anxiety. No matter where you are in your art-making journey, this book will motivate and inspire you. Because not only do you need your art—the world needs it, too.

The Positive Sides

“It’s an exchange, so the agreement is this: I’ll keep helping artists and you keep making your work and putting it in the world. Deal?”

That sentence right there touched me deeply, made me feel warm inside and smile. And you know what? DEAL!

On a side-note, the graphics of each chapter title is really beautiful with calming waves and gently surfing letters. That, in itself, is art, and quite appreciated too. It’s pleasant to the eye.

I love how each chapter relates to a major issue experienced by most artists. It’s clear and easy to navigate to and understand. So the book not only becomes one to read through, but a companion to come back to about a specific topic in times of need! Furthermore, her writing is sometimes funny, yet she is professional and amiable. I liked her voice as an author, I felt safe, and as though she was a friend looking over me.

There’s something mind-blowing about the author’s pedigree of this artist’s self-help book: She is a psychologist specializing with artists! I never heard of this, but it’s AWESOME. And it gives weight to her tips and tricks and her words. She gives so many tips and tricks (proven ones from a psychologist’s point of view!). I’m now using at least four of her techniques, it’s amazing what it does to our art practice!

For example, I love the techniques and mindset of “Your birthday every month for life things” and the “aim to get 20 rejections, which means you’ll have tried and applied for many more opportunities and received approvals in several.”

Overall, there’s something uplifting and helpful for EVERY artist. Me, my bestie, and my mom are three very different artists BUT there are things I told them from this book that resonated with THEM and not me, while others did so with me! It’s amazing how helpful this book can be!

I recommend it to EVERY artist, crafter, writer…. even engineer! Anything that requires creativity!!!

The Negative Sides

Erm, it’s too short to my liking? I mean, it’s an admirable piece of work and I LOVE it! But that’s exactly the thing… I’d take easily a hundred pages more of it. It feels like a motivational, helpful, and true elixir for all types of art!

Come on, who wouldn’t want more?

In Conclusion

Taking into consideration all the advice, counsel, comfort, and techniques Make Your Art No Matter What offers us, I give Beth Pickens’ book a rating of 5 out of 5 stars, undeniably. But please, make the next one longer?

If you want to learn more about the author, you can visit her Web site, you can also follow him on Amazon author page and Goodreads. You can also add Make Your Art No Matter What to your bookshelves on Goodreads and LibraryThing.

Mafia Pawn by A Riebold – 📚 Romance me with Books – Book Blitz 📚

Blog Tours January 3, 2023 Leave a comment

Mafia Pawn

A Riebold / @ariebold.author

Available Now!

Download here: https://amzn.to/3jGvtKj

Blurb

Natalia De Luca is freshly 18 when she is forced to marry Matteo Moretti, a man 20 years older than her. It's all a game and she is just a pawn to the men around her. So she marries a man that doesn't seem to even try to act like he wants her around at first, pushing her closer to his best friend, Lorenzo, who has his own secrets.

Will Matteo start to treat her as his equal and not just someone to carry his heir? And what happens when she gets kidnapped by his enemy just to be used as another pawn in their games? Can Matteo get her back before too much damage is done? And treat her as his wife and not just a roommate.

'“Can you gag your bitch when you fuck her late at night? She ruined my sleep.”

Lorenzo laughs as Matteo leaps to his feet, making his chair fall back onto the floor behind him. He crosses the room to me with his hand around my throat before I have time to regret what I said.'

Please make sure to read the triggers. It also includes grape

Don't forget to download Mafia Pawn by A Riebold here (available now!)

In The Moment Before: A Book Review & Book Tour by CG Coppola with RMWB (Romance, Enemies to Lover, Secret Romance, Close Proximity)

Blog Tours, Book Reviews December 22, 2022 Leave a comment

Hello, dear folks!

I've got the chance to be a Book Tour Stop for Romance me with Books a second time, yay! Now, it's for In The Moment Before by CG Coppola, an enemies-to-lovers secret romance story!

The gorgeous has me just fawning over it. It's gorgeous and well-rendered! The characters are quite alike, too. A rare feat on covers.

Look for yourself:

Interested? I know, me too!

I have this cute graphic with the blurb within and honestly, it's my style. Plus, you get a preview of Robin's voice, the main character! 😀 (I go over it in my review right below!)

You can read more about this awesome Book Tour with RMWB and the incredible author CG Coppola over here.

Visit the Amazon page for more information and pick up the book for your own enjoyment.

Don't forget to add it to your bookshelves on Goodreads!

And now, enjoy the review! 😀

*I offer this review willingly and without any compensation whatsoever. Thank you Romance me with Books and CG Coppola for the e-galley!*

Introduction

So, when I was offered to be part of this book tour, I must admit I was dubious because “cutey love” isn’t really up my alley. However, enemies to lovers? Got me there! And a nerdy girl for MC? Okay, count me in!

I figured it was worth a try—and I had a blast reading In The Moment Before by CG Coppola! So many feels, heated moments and surprises!

Want to know more? Ah, I betcha!

Keep on reading so I can show you how great a recommendation this book is. 🙂

The Positive Sides

The dedication, folks! Oh, wow. The author wrote “for Batman”, which is the best dedication I have ever read, and honestly, I feel this one! Finally someone who gets me, you know?

As for the writing itself, I liked that the MC’s voice (Robin) is soft and teenager-like, which makes it quite believable and pleasant to read. Also, the sharp humour is good; it had me smiling and chuckling a few times. And I laughed out loud twice!

OK, nice, a vigilante superhero named Black Coyote and the MC is the daughter of the Police Sergent. This reminds me of Barbara Gordon with her father and Batman.

Wait a min… Grayson Knight… Like Gray Knight to the Dark Knight (a.k.a Batman)? And Grayson is the first Robin’s last name. Yup, yup, yup. I see ya, dear author, and I love what you’re doing.

I Love Your Work - Hannibal GIF - Hannibal Hannibal Lecter Hannibal NBC - Discover & Share GIFs

Oh you gotta be kidding me! The MC’s name is Robin, ok, fine… But her last name is Drake?! The last name of the third Robin is Drake (for Tim Drake) in Batman, and look at her whole name for the MC: Robin Drake! HA! Amazing. You and I need to talk for fun, dear author. Hahaha! Please do reach out so we can gush over everything Batman together.

As for the school f bullies, I hate them. They’re despicable and cruelly remind me of those who used to torment me. Poor Hailey—what about her weight? She’s a PERSON, and also curvy girls are sexy, PFFF. Don’t argue with me on that one, nuh-huh! It’s a personal taste, thank you very much.

Moreover, I gotta admit that the first kiss is deliciously written. Powerful, even. And the romance buildup is really intense, good and intriguing, and it feels like a roller coaster ride. Sweet!

The subsequent making outs got me hot. Wow, well written. Quite seductive too!

But dang! Is Grayson playing a feels game, leaving Robin every time with no explanation? Gosh! He does infuriate me, but at the same time, it’s so enticing and I. just. want. them. together.

The Negative Sides

The only negative point that struck me is unbalance between Robin’s soft voice and the heated moments. Don’t get me wrong—the writing is very good. However, the MC’s voice sounds too… young and naive and innocent, and somehow clashes with the very hot moments. It’s like they don’t fit together. I do get she has such a personality, but it’s still… a bit too childish for an 18-year-old. Otherwise, excellent writing and wow, the hots definitely gave me the hots!

In Conclusion

Thanks to the lovely, funny, heated, and infuriating romance (yes, all at the same time) and the amazing hints at Batman as well as the original vigilante story, there’s no way I’m giving In The Moment Before by CG Coppola any other rating than 5 out of 5 stars for the sheer pleasure and thrill (and oulà là…) reading it. Pick up this book and have an excellent time like I have! It’s fun, short, hot, feelsy, and there are vigilantes. Come oooooon! 😉

Of Blood and Silver Ruins by Christine N. Kirby: Supernatural Romance Release & Tour

Blog Tours November 25, 2022 Leave a comment

Hello, folks! I'm back with another Book Tour Stop with Romance me with Books.

How could I refuse this one?

I mean: 1- Look at that gorgeous cover!

2- Forbidden love? I'm already signed up! But then…

3- Waiting evil AND 4- Pseudo-European Medieval setting?

So, my participation was an easy choice. 🙂

And there are Elves and magic and… Okay, just scroll down so you can read more about it, ok?!

You can purchase the book (or find more info!) here:

Doesn't that sound just fantastic?

Yup, YUP!

How about learning more about this splendid book tour?

You just have to click right here.

As for the other, Miss Christine N. Kirby, you can find her sweet (with cozy vibes!) photo below. 🙂

Don't forget to keep an eye out of the book!

In the meantime, have fun visiting her website (which I think is pretty ^_^)!

See you next post, lovelies!

Merry Little Mysteries (Holiday Cozy & Historical Mystery Anthology): A Book Review

Blog Tours, Book Reviews November 5, 2022 Leave a comment

Amazon CA

Amazon US

Fantastic Fiction.com

Goodreads (Add it to your TBR!)

Genre: Holiday, Cozy mystery, mystery, historical mystery

Number of pages: 366

ASIN: B0BHL6KDYF

Format: Kindle (ebook), paperback

Publication date: November 1^st, 2022

Publisher: Self-Published

Type: Book, Anthology

Introduction

When I was offered to be part of Merry Little Mysteries' blog tour, I couldn't say no! I mean, I had been waiting for such a holiday present :D! I never did any holiday-themed blog tour, and the stories sounded funny (I was NOT disappointed!) and exciting (again, I have been captivated).

*Thank you to the authors, and particularly C. H. Sessuns, who gave me an e-ARC of this amazing book! I offer this review willingly without any compensation.*

Overall

I could barely put down my Kobo ereader to go and do stuff around the house, and that includes eating and other fun activities. So, that’s quite telling on the quality and amusement of this book! I was just so immersed in its tales!

It almost makes me want to add cozy mysteries to my wishlist, which is a feat in itself as it never interested before now.

In fact, I just might… 😉

The First Story: Murder Takes the Train

The first cliffhanger in the story is just so good! Also, the main character Zadie Belle is lovely. I love her personality, her nerves, determination and kindness. She’s funny too. A sweet, but tough woman.

This quote is one I find hilarious: “The moment the RTV began to slow from breakneck speed to something akin to twisted ankle speed…”

I mean, come on, haha, that’s genius!

Honestly the mystery is good. For a long while I didn't know who did it still, but clues and accusations were showing up. Fun!

I did dislike that it goes in and out of first POV to third POV omniscient, and it’s really annoying.

However, the wrapup Christmasey ending was very sweet. I loved this story!

My Two Favorite Stories:

Feliz Navidead

The main character, Carlie, is funny and resourceful and sooo charming in an ordinary mundane way. I love her!

The villain was also very interesting, and I didn’t know who it was until Carlie herself figured it out. Nice!

Moreover, one of the surprises got me going : "Ohhh yewww!!!" It was funny and quite unexpected.

The only thing is there's a bit of a rushed ending, but it was still good and cute.

The Children's Party

Oh, it's in a different time period. Interesting! The phraseology, language and ideology are believable for that time.
The French excerpts are also excellent. "Jaime beaucoup les fêtes." There was no mistake! And my mother tongue is French, so I might know a thing or two, haha…!

As for the characters, Hippolyta is my girl. Yup. And that William Roy and Patrick Napier… just… I’m so glad she met them both, haha! It’s like I’m living a dream through her. Neat! William Roy is soooo cute and thoughtful and enthusiastic and…. Argh, come on Hippolyta, go with him! The romance in this story is killing me softly! (But I have NO regrets :3)

Lastly, the mystery dealt by children and young people in general is quite amusing. It is also intriguing and kept me on the edge of my seat!

In Conclusion

Did you know there are cute icons and images throughout the books? They're so sweet and pleasant! Well, now you know! While I mentioned three stories for different reasons, know there are many more to be enjoyed! All fantastic in their unique ways. Enough so that it truly makes me consider the genre (cozy mysteries) for my TBR in general. And I never liked it before. Kudos to Merry Little Mysteries for this achievement! 🙂 All in all, I give a rating of 5 stars out of 5 for this holiday anthology. I just wished the book was better edited, but it's still a delightful gift to read!

Merry Little Mysteries A Holiday Cozy & Historical Mystery Anthology Release and Tour

Blog Tours November 5, 2022 Leave a comment

Have yourself a merry little mystery, or better yet, have an entire collection of them! Grab a cup of something warm, curl up by the fire and enjoy these stories of whodunits from your favorite cozy and historical mystery authors.

For a limited time, only you can get this collection of SIX cozy and historical mysteries for just 99 cents! But hurry because the price goes up in just a few days! Plus, be sure to enter to win a $15.00 Amazon Gift card too!

Get the book HERE for just 99¢!

In this collection you’ll get these fantastic holiday mysteries:

Murder Takes the Train by Katherine Brown

The quaint, mountain town of Riverbend Junction has only one train in and one train out for transportation. The town hasn’t been home for two of the three Belle sisters since they moved away several years ago, but when they return home for Christmas a murder derails the train and all of their plans for getting back to their regular lives. Can the women put their heads together to track down the killer or will they find themselves steam-rolled into a murder charge?

The Children’s Party by Lexie Conyngham

Edinburgh, 1828: Mrs. Fettes, competitively charitable, needs help to run a New Year party for poor children. But when things don’t go according to plan, it’s her daughter Hippolyta who has to solve the mystery and save the day – and the dog.

Feliz Navi-dead by Katherine Moore

Jingle-bells and jealousy. A treacherous treat. Can Eve save her friends’ lives from being wrecked?

A Dash of Deceit by Carmen Radtke

‘Tis is the season to be jolly, and Eve Holdsworth intends to make the most of her first Christmas in her new home. Helping her friends at the “Green Dragon” with baking and selling mince pies and gingerbread on the Christmas market is the icing on the cake – until a cantankerous customer is poisoned, and fingers point at everyone close to Eve. She has to cook up a plan fast if she wants to take the heat off her friends and unmask a clever culprit … “A Dash of Deceit” is the second cozy Eve Holdsworth mystery set in the idyllic British countryside, after “Let Sleeping Murder Lie”.

A Mistletoe Mystery by Donna Schlachter

Can sisters Holly and Ivy Christmas discover who seeded their spruce trees with dwarf mistletoe? And are the neighboring ranch brothers, Tom and Bob Jolly, behind this? Or victims as well?

A Christmas Wish Before Dying by C.H. Sessums

Vangie Guillory’s hands are full getting The Mystery Book Nook ready for the final shopping event of the season. The last thing she needs is to find out her best customer was involved in a hit-and-run accident. But it’s just the tip of the iceberg when the old man begs her to help him with one last wish before his time runs out.

You can read my review of Merry Little Mysteries.

Don’t forget to enter the giveaway HERE!

The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson: A Book Review

Book Reviews October 17, 2022 Leave a comment

By Tiffany D. Jackson

Tiffany D. Jackson's Website

Harper Collins Publishers

Goodreads (Add it to your TBR!)

LibraryThing

StoryGraph

Genre: Horror, YA, Thriller, Mystery, Contemporary

Number of pages: 416

ISBN: 9780063029149

Format: paperback, hardover, ebook (Kindle, Kobo, Nook), audiobook

Publication date: September 6^th, 2022

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Type: Book, Novel, Standalone

Trigger warnings: Blood, bullying, racism, death, murder

Introduction

I was at Harper Presents: 2022 Fall Fiction Preview when I spotted this jaw-dropping bloody cover, so reminiscent of Carrie by Stephen King (Come on, Prom night! THAT night!) Not only was it extremely to my tastes (myeah, sorry, I have weird blood and ominous tastes in horror…), it was inspired by Carrie, and it’s by Tiffany D. Jackson no less! Obviously, I requested it at the first opportunity. Miracle! I got it! I was beyond excited to delve deeper into Springville's Maddy mystery… until I came face to face with the fact of how too close to the original (see inspiration here) it is.

*Thank you kindly to Harper Collins Canada and Katherine Tegen Books for granting me a digital ARC of The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson. I offer this review willingly without any compensation.*

The Positive Sides

While her writing has always been gripping and raw, it definitely improved in The Weight of Blood. It is scarier, the tension is paced in a better way as well as heightened. Honestly, her writing skills rock! And I'm a tad bit jealous… Just a tad. #ThisIsALie #IAmExtraJealous

Also, Miss Jackson (*cue Panic! at the Disco's song!*) interspersed names of known literature and movie serial killers and slashers, such as Coach Bates (yep, Motel Bates, THAT guy…), Miss Kruger (ahum! sweet dreams!), and many more. I believe (and I'm 99% sure I'm right!) the author is playing an inside-joke game with her fans on "how many slasher references she can sprinkle in until the fans notice it". And trust me, this was very entertaining and had me laughing a few times.

Lastly, her creepy but spot-on take on racism, what with wishing away something they are for something they are not, concealing their true selves, bullying, and a cringe creepiness with the closet and all those posters of "perfect, submissive white women"… I nearly screamed with rage. I remember reading about said posters and I just stood there, frozen, blinked and put down the book like "no…. no, so sordid. Disgusting. Who could do that to someone?! AND THAT MEANING! OMG!" I sighed and growled, then picked it back up and resumed my reading, fuming within for what POCs have had to endure (and sadly, a lot still do…) But it hit me like a slap in the face but it was right. I had all the feels.

Representation Matters Hair Love GIF - Representation Matters Hair Love Best Animated Short Film - Discover & Share GIFs

The Negative Sides

I don't really wanna say it but… the book? I mean, the book itself? It's way too close to plagiarism. I get it, the author loves Carrie deeply (I do too), but this reads like a fanfiction with a lot of OCs (original characters). The story, its events and situations, the characters’ relationships, and even the structure. Even the closet!!! Instead of mad mother, it's mad dad!

I just… No.

In other words:

N.B.: If you want to pay for a fanfiction, which is at its core free, go ahead and purchase "The Weight of Blood". That's all I'll say.

(Please note I LOOOOOVE fanfiction and I even write it myself, but such a "fanfiction" as a paid product? That's not fair.)

No Just No GIFs | Tenor

In Conclusion

Overall, the writing is excellent–the author clearly improved on her suspense and horror skills– and her take on racism is witty, insightful and creepy (like it should be because… wait for it… IT IS!); however, the story and its events and situations are just way too similar to Carrie's book (even if you can visualize what I'm saying with only the movies…) by Stephen King, and trust me, I read it more than once… So, I give this book a rating of 2 out of 5 stars for its unfairness to other fanfiction writers and Stephen King's already published work. Unfortunately, the author just lost a fan, but her writing skills are excellent though. I wish her the best, nonetheless.

If you want to learn more about Tiffany D. Jackson and her books, please visit her author website, her Goodreads author page, her Twitter and her Instagram. You can also add The Weight of Blood to your bookshelves on Goodreads, LibraryThing, and StoryGraph.

The Portraitist by Susanne Dunlap & the Author Behind the True Story of Adélaïde Labille-Guiard

Blog Tours, Book Reviews, chit-chatting with Cat September 25, 2022 Leave a comment

Want to read the true story of Adélaïde Labille-Guiard's fight to take her rightful place in the competitive art world of eighteenth-century Paris?

Read on, friend, read on!

What about the whole blurb?

With a beautiful rival who’s better connected and better trained than she is, Adélaïde faces an uphill battle. Her love affair with her young instructor in oil painting gives rise to suspicions that he touches up her work, and her decision to make much-needed money by executing erotic pastels threatens to create as many problems as it solves. Meanwhile, her rival goes from strength to strength, becoming Marie Antoinette’s official portraitist and gaining entrance to the elite Académie Royale at the same time as Adélaïde.

When at last Adélaïde earns her own royal appointment and receives a massive commission from a member of the royal family, the timing couldn’t be worse: it’s 1789, and with the fall of the Bastille her world is turned upside down by political chaos and revolution. With danger around every corner in her beloved Paris, she must find a way to adjust to the new order, carving out a life and a career all over again—and stay alive in the process.

Published on August 30th, 2022 by She Writes Press

Now, thanks to Books Forward and Susanne Dunlap, I was offered a free e-copy of The Portraitist for a review (coming soon!) and the opportunity to shout out about this book depicting a true story of an artist woman (please see this very article).

But who's behind this great story and research?

Here's Susanne Dunlap:

Not only is she a wonderful author, she's quite savvy and passionate in her field. She published her first at 50 years old (amazing! dreams and talents are worth following!), and she's now an Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach in fiction and nonfiction (impressive!). I particularly love how she first fell in love with historical fiction: I first by reading T.H. White’s The Once and Future King! I mean, already I was intrigued that Miss Dunlap had found and told a woman artist's tale mostly unknown to the general public, but now I gotta admit I feel a certain kinship with her. Arthurian legends, historical fiction, feminism, and all that good stuff? OMG, sign me up!

16 Historical Novels That Make History So Much Fun

Want to know more about The Portraitist?

You can visit the Goodreads page

the Amazon page

and the official page on the author's website

(there's even a Book Club Guide on there, woohoo!)

Please, take a look at Susanne Dunlap's bio (it's worth a read, it's impressive!), and at her blog and courses. Ah, finally a historical research course worthy of the name…!!!!

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You can bet I'll take that course when I can fund it!

Don't forget to add The Portraitist: A Novel of Adelaide Labille-Guiard to your Goodreads bookshelves, or any other bookshelves for that matter, and visit Dunlap's site as well as my dear Books Forward!

Then, stay tuned for my upcoming review! 🙂

Happy reading, loves!