tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20735169225711988132024-02-08T05:56:57.141+00:00Kiki’s EpeolatryBooks are life.
Follow me on Twitter @KikiHempell, Facebook @Kikisepeolatry,
Instagram @kikihempell, Goodreads @KikiHempellKiki Hempellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446503791021355935noreply@blogger.comBlogger162125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073516922571198813.post-26246674313206602422023-01-17T07:27:00.003+00:002023-01-17T07:27:33.122+00:00Blog Tour: The Beast Hunters Dark Sovereign by Christer Lende<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_30_PGIUSgEPGNmpFtvvN7DnSkAyr_VZtQcPcr4Zd_kgmi6jEhbzMXb_VyuJLrtZtpbkcwHlNOjKBVTDe2pAoVuyCjtzTRGMq2-Fi1vw3m4k4uc6F7SWMaEc6f3sQZqkVXV-x4IKKEvXB2cfaHUFU1xWwnnrmvmCpWhUNwWzNxVZWrIb99vE_KF7MAQ/s3423/358CA61B-541B-48D0-845A-E3EEF57B1307.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3423" data-original-width="2667" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_30_PGIUSgEPGNmpFtvvN7DnSkAyr_VZtQcPcr4Zd_kgmi6jEhbzMXb_VyuJLrtZtpbkcwHlNOjKBVTDe2pAoVuyCjtzTRGMq2-Fi1vw3m4k4uc6F7SWMaEc6f3sQZqkVXV-x4IKKEvXB2cfaHUFU1xWwnnrmvmCpWhUNwWzNxVZWrIb99vE_KF7MAQ/w312-h400/358CA61B-541B-48D0-845A-E3EEF57B1307.jpeg" width="312" /></a></div><b>REVIEW</b><p></p><p>So we are back in the world of the Beast Hunters for a sophomore instalment where we see Ara, Khendric and Topper back on another adventure. But this time with a difference. Instead of the world building from the previous book, we get to delve into a mystery with darkness starting to make pace in the background.</p><p>We meet new characters, some good and some not so much. Not only do we have the overarching themes of beasts but also political intrigue and secretive plots. It is far more intricate than the previous instalment where the characters are making decisive and confident choices. Especially for our fave apprentice, Ara.</p><p>If you want to get away from the current world affairs, this book will serve as an escape from reality. </p><p>What these last two books do remind me of however, is a tv show. Why I say this is because it felt kind of episodic but they both have reinvented themselves with different themes. I found this to be quite good actually. This is because it feels like we get to see a greater visibility of the journey that the characters are going through.</p><p>RATING: **** (FOUR STARS)</p><p>Amazon: <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beast-Hunters-Sovereign-Hunter-Ashbourn-ebook/dp/B0BHPPVPRJ/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=26ZF0U0KG4YBB&keywords=beast+hunters+dark+sovereign&qid=1673940250&sprefix=beast+hunters+dark+sovereign%2Caps%2C126&sr=8-1">https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beast-Hunters-Sovereign-Hunter-Ashbourn-ebook/dp/B0BHPPVPRJ/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=26ZF0U0KG4YBB&keywords=beast+hunters+dark+sovereign&qid=1673940250&sprefix=beast+hunters+dark+sovereign%2Caps%2C126&sr=8-1</a></p><p>Book 1 is currently 99c/99p and book 2 is the same for the first week so get in there while you can!</p><p><br /></p><p><b><br /></b></p>Kiki Hempellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446503791021355935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073516922571198813.post-51856615078070655752022-11-29T22:29:00.001+00:002022-11-29T22:29:14.879+00:00Thoughts of a Bookworm #5: Goodreads Choice Award is Fake<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZitUNgvk8kdpRmG60YucbpIIs7l4Vt2jREMbII-OPeRFoVKM7KDLRzl5C4EQf2as3C_o8aKZFA1q5KOGJhnJ7yMpNY30TzJhD3uJuSz8ixZnDJXRXfZ4CWSBOnaaKEJlvrQG94Wp69ppg7X0uZCRaOVh6kz1Wkvbmc5RZaAxm7HuAsjoPtf-qjvNxeg/s1350/D53A4B32-DA82-4BCE-8BA2-D39218B5B6A6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="1350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZitUNgvk8kdpRmG60YucbpIIs7l4Vt2jREMbII-OPeRFoVKM7KDLRzl5C4EQf2as3C_o8aKZFA1q5KOGJhnJ7yMpNY30TzJhD3uJuSz8ixZnDJXRXfZ4CWSBOnaaKEJlvrQG94Wp69ppg7X0uZCRaOVh6kz1Wkvbmc5RZaAxm7HuAsjoPtf-qjvNxeg/s16000/D53A4B32-DA82-4BCE-8BA2-D39218B5B6A6.jpeg" /></a></div><br /> Hello!<p></p><p>So, I know that it has been some time since I was last writing to you all. But I saw an email the other day and it really got me that I couldn’t not share my thoughts on it. </p><p>As we all know it’s that time of year again. The fairy lights are beginning to twinkle, the days and nights are getting darker and colder and we are all starting to look ahead to the next year. But what comes before next year? Well, the Goodreads Book Choice Awards of course. One of the biggest events in a bookworm’s calendar.</p><p>But personally, I think the whole thing is an insult to the whole book community. Obviously, when I was younger I didn’t think any different to most bookworms. However, I have come to realise that it isn’t necessarily what is the best book of the year but rather a popularity contest. More so now than ever with the insurgence of ‘BookTok’.</p><p>Honestly, I don’t think we will ever get a book worthy of the title ever again. It has become a pure vanity project. Take me back to the Tweenies or Noughties where we actually had books worthy of its name.</p><p>Don’t get me wrong, there are some good books that have been nominated this year. But let’s all be honest with ourselves, we all know who are going to win because people are now being drawn to read the same texts just because it might be ‘spicy’.</p><p>I know this is not the case with all readers but maybe Goodreads should make a category for Booktok books so there isn’t a monopoly in other categories where other books deserve to win.</p><p>Just food for thought. </p>Kiki Hempellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446503791021355935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073516922571198813.post-49166780176362841502022-09-21T00:00:00.001+01:002022-09-21T00:00:00.173+01:00Blog Tour: Forgive or Forget by Elisabeth Krauel <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVvUa_9bkqCiWY3A6nJnLEIlUkqOPCZL_A5mDWh3yhtzzm889z0-bzeWS-vh0kcTbdJJVweniYnHRMqEQsSWTr-rG96TXcKW35KiJNKU-8nlkfdVqYP-5OhH4sNqAx5lxphlpKSpqdi45TSMDWqTwxlaYooNjqC5zcSmO05_ibQTz4ZU-95zOUDnCOpw/s1024/B3910049-A4FE-4F04-A6A4-28B9AEDB60FE.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="841" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVvUa_9bkqCiWY3A6nJnLEIlUkqOPCZL_A5mDWh3yhtzzm889z0-bzeWS-vh0kcTbdJJVweniYnHRMqEQsSWTr-rG96TXcKW35KiJNKU-8nlkfdVqYP-5OhH4sNqAx5lxphlpKSpqdi45TSMDWqTwxlaYooNjqC5zcSmO05_ibQTz4ZU-95zOUDnCOpw/w329-h400/B3910049-A4FE-4F04-A6A4-28B9AEDB60FE.jpeg" width="329" /></a></div><br /><div>I genuinely cannot remember the last time I picked up a book. It has been an overwhelmingly difficult time. But Forgive or Forget is the antidote I needed. It is quick-paced, thought-provoking and thrilling at the same time. And to top it off, it’s less than 300 pages.</div><div><br /></div><div>We follow the main character Alice, as the story weaves from the past to the present. Her motives and why she did the things she had done. </div><div><br /></div><div>I must admit I wasn’t too sure of Alice at the beginning. Where we first see her and how she had to reintegrate into society. But the more the story progressed, I felt like I understood her and was cheerleading as a reader. </div><div><br /></div><div>Friends, when you get the end of this book it feels like a whirlwind. The best kind. It was probably one of the best endings ever. </div><div><br /></div><div>Everything about this book is unforced and flows so easily. I’m so glad that I have had the privledge to read and review this book. Thank you to LiterallyPR.</div><div><br /></div><div>I started this book as a non-believer, now I’m a convert.</div><div><br /></div><div>Rating: ***** (Five Stars)</div><div><br /></div><div>Buy Links: <a href="https://www.browndogbooks.uk/products/forgive-or-forget-elisabeth-krauel">https://www.browndogbooks.uk/products/forgive-or-forget-elisabeth-krauel</a></div>Kiki Hempellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446503791021355935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073516922571198813.post-8857530306200777962022-05-22T11:56:00.002+01:002022-05-22T11:56:59.548+01:00Blog Tour: Mr Jones by Alex Woolf<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixyjW9ZBmWXRKfB_xmqZBMuNdgU7Fsw7WWt24_US3wvN1wSyopOoOG-R8fsQqiAR5tDOyUfnQ4YV9OwetpKnq_khrr6OHBNGTfSBFh4acw89-yQHF2qchmnN7j_KzxOiRlHnACRUQYHPWmiwrwngkc7fdyavfQ7_xZLctl66sc_GB7ZlnllfBuG4WWHA/s1535/A1AEE3E4-D3A2-43C2-ACCD-961C25809455.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixyjW9ZBmWXRKfB_xmqZBMuNdgU7Fsw7WWt24_US3wvN1wSyopOoOG-R8fsQqiAR5tDOyUfnQ4YV9OwetpKnq_khrr6OHBNGTfSBFh4acw89-yQHF2qchmnN7j_KzxOiRlHnACRUQYHPWmiwrwngkc7fdyavfQ7_xZLctl66sc_GB7ZlnllfBuG4WWHA/w260-h400/A1AEE3E4-D3A2-43C2-ACCD-961C25809455.jpeg" width="260" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>SYNOPSIS</div><div><br /></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ben hears noises in his basement and witnesses weird goings-on in his local park. His eight-year-old daughter Imogen starts receiving messages from someone claiming to be her missing mother. And then there is Mr Jones —the man who haunts the imaginations of the children at Imogen’s school. But they are just stories, surely? Ben soon develops a creeping suspicion that someone is out to kidnap his daughter. Are his fears real or a result of his own stress-induced paranoia?</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><div>REVIEW</div><div><br /></div><div>One of the main ideas that I have taken away from this book is how mind-bending and dark it is. It keeps you guessing until the very end. It keeps you up at night thinking about who the culprit must be, just like the main character, Ben. It questions your own sanity and how certain questions keep popping up in your head, such as who is Mr Jones? why is he doing these things? how can he be stopped? It is a never-ending cycle of trying to figure out what is going on the more that you progress into the book. It's one of those stories that you need to piece all the evidence together at the end to truly understand the tale.</div><div><br /></div><div>I don't usually read this genre, but I have found this book to be quite accessible. I believe that I was able to read this book in a day. If that doesn't say anything about how easy it was then I don't know what will. </div><div><br /></div><div>If I was to sum up this book as I whole I would describe it as mind-bending, chilling dark tale that you are constantly guessing who the culprit is and their intentions. I still keep wondering now how this story ended. It is one of those books that you are sure to refer back to in coming years. </div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you to LiterallyPR for providing a copy in exchange for review.</div><div><br /></div><div>RATING: *** (THREE STARS)</div><div><br /></div><div>BUY LINKS </div><div><br /></div><div>Amazon: <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mr-Jones-Alex-Woolf/dp/1739959922/ref=sr_1_1?crid=EEC19Z25EMA9&keywords=mr+jones+alex+woolf&qid=1653214283&sprefix=mr+jones+%2Caps%2C243&sr=8-1">https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mr-Jones-Alex-Woolf/dp/1739959922/ref=sr_1_1?crid=EEC19Z25EMA9&keywords=mr+jones+alex+woolf&qid=1653214283&sprefix=mr+jones+%2Caps%2C243&sr=8-1</a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>BLOG TOUR </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhItflUiYEfdliXajFmp3cn6KRVdjS1N3sDMOtOpacv4LiL5g4D4789FC5ZwPa-82BaZrD0OsETOwFrzXGDqyYnKFENT09LP38oSKtxcHy-2llZZjnqJK2kEZ1tG6AyA3i9EaCAre_npiacNbA8EHzG1x9q-tcxVKimWDkpWqWjwdxYDvB7Sc7xkNbSbA/s1600/FF66D039-5F8C-4652-8E65-A41839DD9005.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhItflUiYEfdliXajFmp3cn6KRVdjS1N3sDMOtOpacv4LiL5g4D4789FC5ZwPa-82BaZrD0OsETOwFrzXGDqyYnKFENT09LP38oSKtxcHy-2llZZjnqJK2kEZ1tG6AyA3i9EaCAre_npiacNbA8EHzG1x9q-tcxVKimWDkpWqWjwdxYDvB7Sc7xkNbSbA/s16000/FF66D039-5F8C-4652-8E65-A41839DD9005.png" /></a></div><br /><div><br /> <p></p></div>Kiki Hempellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446503791021355935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073516922571198813.post-90868905634108110322022-04-16T12:28:00.002+01:002022-04-16T12:28:13.973+01:00Blog Tour: Emma’s Tapestry by Isobel Blackthorn<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipGj3GxIaPUnauFq4b8QmHL003Jopz9dHkDJpmsS8MrHKIbILQ7ozmnRD8eAvAkhY50ddrCSk3xlMt1uNpTSVm613ntykVFDzPXBs0GpMlXfnhMbtA-6qUzNlMjX11eHFoeqIkXxGFhRgEX6VT3bfWISJSL4TsIXGqYLAI0J0zu5AlaAnAkjhNxZIPIA/s2700/259CEA8F-5131-4470-A2F7-5CF9F9E6E51C.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="1800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipGj3GxIaPUnauFq4b8QmHL003Jopz9dHkDJpmsS8MrHKIbILQ7ozmnRD8eAvAkhY50ddrCSk3xlMt1uNpTSVm613ntykVFDzPXBs0GpMlXfnhMbtA-6qUzNlMjX11eHFoeqIkXxGFhRgEX6VT3bfWISJSL4TsIXGqYLAI0J0zu5AlaAnAkjhNxZIPIA/w266-h400/259CEA8F-5131-4470-A2F7-5CF9F9E6E51C.jpeg" width="266" /></a></div><p></p><p><b>REVIEW</b></p><p>Set in the height of wartime Emma is a qualified nurse who has moved to Singapore with her husband, Ernest and chronicles her life as she enters into a period of unease throughout the world.</p><p>I have read a few books by Blackthorn, most as you probably would be able to see from this blog, but Emma’s Tapestry is wholly different from what I have read before. I enjoyed it immensely from the historical aspects of the world war to the Spanish Influenza. If you are a history buff maybe you should pick up this book and have a try. You might be pleasantly surprised of the effort of detail.</p><p>One thing I did like about this tale is Emma herself. She has faced so much with a awful husband and her family background which wouldn’t have been welcoming of the time , you can’t help but to admire her tenacity.</p><p>What I love is the links of culture to the story itself, there are many things that I have learnt from this book. It is a history lesson of the things that we must remember and how we should apply this to the present day.</p><p>I will be reading this again at some point not only for the story but for Blackthorn’s constant easy writing style.</p><p>RATING: FOUR STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️</p><p><b>BUY LINKS</b></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Emmas-Tapestry-Isobel-Blackthorn-ebook/dp/B091CSDB7V/ref=mp_s_a_1_14?crid=1BGUK1JJOKG8U&keywords=isobel+blackthorn&qid=1650054330&sprefix=isobel+bl%2Caps%2C116&sr=8-14">https://www.amazon.co.uk/Emmas-Tapestry-Isobel-Blackthorn-ebook/dp/B091CSDB7V/ref=mp_s_a_1_14?crid=1BGUK1JJOKG8U&keywords=isobel+blackthorn&qid=1650054330&sprefix=isobel+bl%2Caps%2C116&sr=8-14</a></p><p><br /></p><p><b>BLOG TOUR </b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDMycf32u4mEgyRPYpHwRBURU6s2m0zjZxln4drl__luzJ_YMoXK_4Zp1jOCWc38WUdFUnKUG4iCs5M_pIzcniNIwb_Kvi_YggRpDw5bs5Ng2alWtVQnFTo63hz6ODDATyYaq8Gbn3lJMf3mKIO-sljnsWZuMgz1SCKmcAlX3uN0WS1vtBrNprTLQLpQ/s1280/D79A3490-F34A-4DE7-A0FA-E19D22448B94.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDMycf32u4mEgyRPYpHwRBURU6s2m0zjZxln4drl__luzJ_YMoXK_4Zp1jOCWc38WUdFUnKUG4iCs5M_pIzcniNIwb_Kvi_YggRpDw5bs5Ng2alWtVQnFTo63hz6ODDATyYaq8Gbn3lJMf3mKIO-sljnsWZuMgz1SCKmcAlX3uN0WS1vtBrNprTLQLpQ/s16000/D79A3490-F34A-4DE7-A0FA-E19D22448B94.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><p></p>Kiki Hempellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446503791021355935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073516922571198813.post-10647337191344539912022-04-03T00:00:00.002+01:002022-04-03T01:13:36.453+01:00Blog Tour: Logistics by Chris Coppel<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh94thdx_xv3PtkS6Iycd643Y4tqSPZnsIh4-CXqEcIXt0Hwf2a2YD25-dHZybLS0x_QQYx9R2yo90ncBvj0r0gUQzk9eYKznISpwh0_g-73xr8E_yl3-Sx4oWcN_mADmekTHnNVe-kyFaLVGXzJSCZy4TGmbS5_Rc2n5MBE6vNy5PXr8tWGi4YByTJzQ/s2161/0200881F-38D8-4610-B723-1DE0C96BB881.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2161" data-original-width="1400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh94thdx_xv3PtkS6Iycd643Y4tqSPZnsIh4-CXqEcIXt0Hwf2a2YD25-dHZybLS0x_QQYx9R2yo90ncBvj0r0gUQzk9eYKznISpwh0_g-73xr8E_yl3-Sx4oWcN_mADmekTHnNVe-kyFaLVGXzJSCZy4TGmbS5_Rc2n5MBE6vNy5PXr8tWGi4YByTJzQ/w259-h400/0200881F-38D8-4610-B723-1DE0C96BB881.jpeg" width="259" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>REVIEW</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I know what you probably are all thinking... a Christmas story at the beginning of April. What a weird idea to even be thinking of the winter holidays when we are just about to celebrate Easter. But the truth is why do we need a reason to think about one of the jolliest times of the year? Surely we don't need permission?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The story follows Holly and her upbringing as a child to the present day as a ruthless tycoon in the logistics world. She has a perfect life, a great job and security. But with every rose comes a thorn...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Logistics when delving into its many layers has a great amount of heart, acceptance and the joys that family can bring. Even though we are first introduced to a hardened Holly who has clearly dealt with so much already during her lifetime, she shows that with a little open-mindedness to the possibility of magic, anything can truly happen.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This book deals with many themes from abandonment, how workers are treated and to none other than Santa himself. If you want to read a book with deals with real-life problems mixed in with a little bit of sci-fi and the Christmas spirit, well you should look no further.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In some ways, this book was fascinating in its own way on a personal level. My real-life job (although I will not disclose it) is actually based in this industry. So it definitely has given quite a bit of 'food for thought' in the way how the industry works as a whole.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">RATING: *** (THREE STARS)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>BUY LINKS</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Amazon: <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Logistics-Christmas-Story-Chris-Coppel-ebook/dp/B09HSNHMQ2/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1QE3Y0SX6XN1S&keywords=logistics+chris+coppel&qid=1648944082&sprefix=logistics+chris+coppel%2Caps%2C229&sr=8-1">Logistics: A Christmas Story eBook : Coppel, Chris: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>BUY LINKS</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Kiki Hempellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446503791021355935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073516922571198813.post-55786948124509774392022-03-20T18:36:00.003+00:002022-03-20T21:52:06.750+00:00TBR Challenge #4 - Being Amani by Anabelle Steele<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidG0VrIQV-nBbRdcvwiVSdabz126nR10tT_5FI_EPW70tfR_q7QfKmGyqrjIkSJYuGj1fVuRwI3FtK3C719-c--_Y7mf3iwj2FIrQtjCqkkUzyTpWCX_tLs2tadV7A7_U3x_52qco7oVTCbZNJrP-bijE9PnW5YyXd7J5glNfCvPwEs9bOcjpeBzceNg=s2560" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1649" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidG0VrIQV-nBbRdcvwiVSdabz126nR10tT_5FI_EPW70tfR_q7QfKmGyqrjIkSJYuGj1fVuRwI3FtK3C719-c--_Y7mf3iwj2FIrQtjCqkkUzyTpWCX_tLs2tadV7A7_U3x_52qco7oVTCbZNJrP-bijE9PnW5YyXd7J5glNfCvPwEs9bOcjpeBzceNg=w258-h400" width="258" /></a></div><div><br /></div><b>SYNOPSIS</b><div><br /></div><div>It's been over a year since that night and Amani hopes that starting all over again will help her move on from the past. So, when she moves to a new city, Amani wants to focus on her new life, her best friends and the boy she's been crushing on but everything is falling apart and Amani finds herself looking for happiness in all the wrong places. Can Amani confront the ghosts of her pasts so she can become the girl she's always wanted to be?</div><div><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><b>REVIEW </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>For Amani, it is more than clear has been through an awful lot when we are first introduced to her and her story. It is apparent very early on that she wants to break free of the chains that have haunted her past and want to look forward to a new and exciting future. But things aren't as easy as they seem and sometimes you need to accept what has happened and to take help from those who want to support you before running again.</div><div><br /></div><div>As she is a teenager still, her outlook on life does not always present the best idea of how to cope with the scars that she has been left with and there is more than one occasion where you cannot help feeling a little annoyed about her choices.</div><div><br /></div><div>But she is a human girl who wants more than anything to protect her mother.</div><div><br /></div><div>Despite exposing readers to adult themes, I felt a lot more could have been done. It felt like half the plot was about how much Amani wanted to be around boys and not really caring about very much else. This did not help with her "best friend" who seemed to be absent over some argument that I can't really remember them having.</div><div><br /></div><div>As much as I wanted to love this book it did fall flat on my expectations. It is one of those books that you expect a lot from but doesn't deliver on the plot.</div><div><br /></div><div>RATING: ** (TWO STARS)</div><div><br /></div><span><!--more--></span><div><b>BUY LINKS</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Amazon: <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Being-Amani-Annabelle-Steele-ebook/dp/B095MFT12Q/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3EWKQLL48W3NF&keywords=being+amani&qid=1647801221&sprefix=being+ama%2Caps%2C475&sr=8-1">Being Amani eBook : Steele, Annabelle: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Waterstones: <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/being-amani/annabelle-steele/9781913835040">Being Amani by Annabelle Steele | Waterstones</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Publisher Website <a href="https://www.hashtagpress.co.uk/product-page/being-amani">Being Amani by Annabelle Steele | hashtagpress</a></div><div> <p></p></div>Kiki Hempellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446503791021355935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073516922571198813.post-14958301943765116742022-03-13T18:49:00.005+00:002022-03-13T18:52:08.945+00:00TBR Challenge #3 - Julia and the Shark by Kiran Millwood Hargrave <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtZEBGp7YRXOC45P85AylWq1DjC_OsMvjinp52Pp7OfoTfZVdKgfT_up_973OAQQuTsWvME-WfRZ6oTQdAlxSgdy7j27_TFUVFL4kOHi8F-sz_9TbPLwghdGbP4IbkxJ4JudWhJJQ9e4hzj3QbQoXGFrXUGb_ecnFsy-ItthGyDVMMyrmmny5UfNr2AQ=s3780" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3780" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtZEBGp7YRXOC45P85AylWq1DjC_OsMvjinp52Pp7OfoTfZVdKgfT_up_973OAQQuTsWvME-WfRZ6oTQdAlxSgdy7j27_TFUVFL4kOHi8F-sz_9TbPLwghdGbP4IbkxJ4JudWhJJQ9e4hzj3QbQoXGFrXUGb_ecnFsy-ItthGyDVMMyrmmny5UfNr2AQ=w320-h400" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>SYNOPSIS</b> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 20px; text-align: left; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 20px; text-align: left; text-size-adjust: auto;">The shark was beneath my bed, growing large as the room, large as the lighthouse, rising from unfathomable depths until it ripped the whole island from its roots. The bed was a boat, the shark a tide, and it pulled me so far out to sea I was only a speck, a spot, a mote, a dying star in an unending sky... </i><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left; text-size-adjust: auto;" /><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; text-align: left; text-size-adjust: auto;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 20px; text-align: left; text-size-adjust: auto;">Julia has followed her mum and dad to live on a remote island for the summer - her dad, for work; her mother, on a determined mission to find the elusive Greenland shark. But when her mother's obsession threatens to submerge them all, Julia finds herself on an adventure with dark depths and a lighthouse full of hope... </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>REVIEW</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I have such an affection for this book. It is pretty perfect and not to forget the illustrations are absolutely stunning. There is not really anything that I can say which I didn't like. The only criticism is that I wish I had a book like this when I was a child because I know that I would have loved it. But really I don't think that is a valid criticism and a bit trivial.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I love the underlying themes of the story, how there are aspects of the environment, making new friendships, the importance of family tied up with the theme of mental illness and how we should not fear and be open to talking about how we feel. It is an amazing piece of literature that should be in the hands of all children who are beginning to understand more about the world or don't know their place just yet and need that reassurance.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The illustrations are absolutely top-notch and probably the best I have ever seen in a children's book or in fact any sort of book. If you are just a reader who loves to collect a gorgeous book, well you should definitely add this one to your library.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There is also another point that I wish to make which doesn't necessarily include anything about this book per se. I was first brought to the attention of this book by a wonderful and passionate bookseller who was keen for me to read this book because they believed in it. If we didn't have booksellers like this I don't think that I would be reading as religiously as I do today. So I thank you to all the booksellers that do this and to this particular one, it is really appreciated and makes me want to go back even more. You guys are the true backbone of the book industry and I love you all so much.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">RATING: ***** (FIVE STARS)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>BUY LINKS</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Amazon: <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Julia-Shark-Kiran-Millwood-Hargrave/dp/1510107770/ref=sr_1_1?crid=F75TU2HNXGJ3&keywords=julia+and+the+shark&qid=1647197255&sprefix=JULIA+AND+THE+%2Caps%2C200&sr=8-1">Julia and the Shark : Hargrave, Kiran Millwood, de Freston, Tom: Amazon.co.uk: Books</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Waterstones: <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/julia-and-the-shark/kiran-millwood-hargrave/tom-de-freston/9781510107779">Julia and the Shark by Kiran Millwood Hargrave, Tom de Freston | Waterstones</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Kiki Hempellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446503791021355935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073516922571198813.post-13883915327461807822022-03-06T16:27:00.000+00:002022-03-06T16:27:12.958+00:00One Ordinary Day at a Time by Sarah J. Harris<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglvOvHPBMM0omT5BTw4Ng0Czboay3TLa3peb2p2vDyHCGmGjxV8zX4Nf4DgozdGUM8x4rexONBR-bwT0h4ZNoqDMoMfFem9-eivcb46S8kuhFO5SOyKFSUgFNMl5oWqyof_BLg2DE-lyU/s371/cover199416-medium.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="371" data-original-width="255" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglvOvHPBMM0omT5BTw4Ng0Czboay3TLa3peb2p2vDyHCGmGjxV8zX4Nf4DgozdGUM8x4rexONBR-bwT0h4ZNoqDMoMfFem9-eivcb46S8kuhFO5SOyKFSUgFNMl5oWqyof_BLg2DE-lyU/w275-h400/cover199416-medium.png" width="275" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>SYNOPSIS </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Behind every ordinary day, behind every ordinary story, there's an extraordinary one just waiting to happen...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Two people.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Simon Sparks hides in plain sight - his astonishing gifts locked deep inside himself, as he dreams of lost potential and extraordinary tomorrows.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jodie Brook hides behind what you think of her - a single mum who can barely make ends meet. But her dreams are filled with the education she wanted and discovering a better life for her and her son.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One life.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When Simon and Jodie's lonely worlds collide, it upends everything. But as it becomes clear they have so much to learn from each other - Jodie can show Simon how to rejoin the world, and Simon can help Jodie prepare for her greatest challenge yet - they begin to realise that life could be so much more.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One ordinary day at a time...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>REVIEW</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This book is really about healing from the traumatic scars that we have been left behind. Don't get me wrong there are times the story was hard to process but it really was lovely at showing the human spirit and what friends can do when you don't feel like you have much hope. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Even though both these characters grew up in two very different ways, it is nice to see how they overcome obstacles of varying sizes and they learn to accept the character flaws of the other person. This seems to be prominent in theme as Jodie for example has to accept the mannerisms of Simon and vice versa as they both heal together from their own pasts.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have to be honest and say it wasn't the best book in the world, but it was nice to see what people do when they truly care about people in the face of adversity. It is heartwarming in this sense, as it is the belief that there is someone out there with similar scars who understand what you are going through and what they would do to help if the situation needs it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Personally, I have been going through a lot myself at home, so for me, this brought tears to my eyes at what the human race can do when we need someone most. I wish I had a friendship as understanding as Jodie and Simon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read a copy of this book in exchange for review.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">RATING: **** (FOUR STARS)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><span><!--more--></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>BUY LINKS</b></div><p></p><p>Bookshop.org: <a href="https://uk.bookshop.org/a/3917/9780008377373">https://uk.bookshop.org/a/3917/9780008377373</a> </p><p><i style="font-size: 16px;">Disclosure: If you buy books linked to this site, we may earn a commission from Bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops.</i></p><p><br /> </p>Kiki Hempellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446503791021355935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073516922571198813.post-34756986295948602462022-02-28T17:56:00.000+00:002022-02-28T17:56:38.280+00:00Thoughts of a Bookworm #4: The Two to Three Star Controversy <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2Mn_ofI9GUNMmQnwE59t0iwabi3ERfGUYjsXW3eYmz8ifBNJpLfh5gm_u8TfuYDiE34nZ0xWMZKZ7pPsauVYT9iFBcBZJY9ktsZ9bJ9I1vA1np1UCSlNS11QDdgqZKKNEG5tdWQnZSdiogVQhoaxbT0WSwSS1DZJkXUd02F8eZ0hS096YPVwxk4ISSg=s1350" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="1350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2Mn_ofI9GUNMmQnwE59t0iwabi3ERfGUYjsXW3eYmz8ifBNJpLfh5gm_u8TfuYDiE34nZ0xWMZKZ7pPsauVYT9iFBcBZJY9ktsZ9bJ9I1vA1np1UCSlNS11QDdgqZKKNEG5tdWQnZSdiogVQhoaxbT0WSwSS1DZJkXUd02F8eZ0hS096YPVwxk4ISSg=s16000" /></a></div><br /> There has been a lot plaguing my thoughts for the last few months. Despite having quite a lot of things go off in my real life it seems like I’m still pulled back to the same thoughts about the book community. It is the one thing I keep seeing every time I log back into my social media and if I’m being honest, I’m not pleased.<p></p><div>When did the book community feel so much like a kid's playground?</div><div><br /></div><div>To put into context it seems like there has been a great divide by what should be considered a good book. let me explain...</div><div><br /></div><div>If you read a book and think that it is amazing, brilliant, rate it five stars and give a good review. But what about the books that you really didn't like? Surely you should be able to give it one or two stars if you feel like this is required? Nope, this is blasphemy. According to some, this counts you as a coward. You should have stopped reading it as soon as you realised that you hated the book.</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, I'm sorry but I strongly disagree. </div><div><br /></div><div>You can't really call yourself a reviewer if all you do is praise books. That is not really reviewing at all. That is stroking the ego of the Author. Or how I like to call it mates rates.</div><div><br /></div><div>You may think that I’m ranting about something that might sound insignificant but really just think. What would happen if we rate everything as good? No one would know the difference between a good and a really great book that changes your point of view entirely. </div><div><br /></div><div>The reviews are for the readers. For everyone, whether they like a certain genre, are of a certain age or only have enough to buy only one book at the store. So of course a review has to count. Not be biased.</div><div><br /></div><div>You wouldn’t ask a film or food critic to give a good rating because it was by a certain director or cooked by a famous chef. What makes books any different?</div>Kiki Hempellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446503791021355935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073516922571198813.post-82380770869079540762022-02-05T11:59:00.014+00:002022-02-05T12:07:16.481+00:00Blog Tour: The Blue Man by Sue Lumb<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiu0gXseIHslE2WWbGqsTa1hqPHnkBJkekFqCf3xHSQY669kq6vNlPT_dgsmTR8ZSfzyTyYpQuACq3lo3aTdRIvWzRHJ8uvWkXuWGkyrPimYR9_5fPa6Bb7Eabr--ZAjws88HeX-LdDB1O09S3_JkBmCmCtphOa1d6nl7X5qp_Rz7ChLEfOfGLEu95KHA=s974" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="974" data-original-width="664" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiu0gXseIHslE2WWbGqsTa1hqPHnkBJkekFqCf3xHSQY669kq6vNlPT_dgsmTR8ZSfzyTyYpQuACq3lo3aTdRIvWzRHJ8uvWkXuWGkyrPimYR9_5fPa6Bb7Eabr--ZAjws88HeX-LdDB1O09S3_JkBmCmCtphOa1d6nl7X5qp_Rz7ChLEfOfGLEu95KHA=w273-h400" width="273" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b>SYNOPSIS</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(212, 212, 213); color: #313131; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; word-spacing: 1px;"><br /></span></div><p style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(212, 212, 213); color: #313131; font-family: arial; text-align: start; word-spacing: 1px;">When a scientist falls overboard during a storm he has an underwater encounter with an inexplicable phenomenon. This has a profound and devastating effect. He finds himself in an intimate relationship, not only with the inhabitants of a remote Island who rescue him, but also with the creature he encountered. It begins to pursue him with a vengeance and whilst trying to understand it, he discovers the legend of the Blue Man recounts similar experiences. The narrative swoops from our world to another, revealing the existence of other beings and their cultures. As we become more familiar with these aliens we learn that they are desperately trying to avert a looming disaster on their planet.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span face="-apple-system, HelveticaNeue" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.25); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(49, 49, 49); caret-color: rgb(212, 212, 213); color: #313131; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-size-adjust: auto; word-spacing: 1px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span face="-apple-system, HelveticaNeue" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.25); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(49, 49, 49); caret-color: rgb(212, 212, 213); color: #313131; font-size: medium; text-align: start; text-size-adjust: auto; word-spacing: 1px;"><b>REVIEW</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(212, 212, 213); color: #313131; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; word-spacing: 1px;"><br /></span></div><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(212, 212, 213); color: #313131; text-align: start; word-spacing: 1px;">It has been a while since I have finished a book and I don't automatically have something to say. Just like this book, my thoughts have been on a slow burn. This is not obviously a bad thing but has made me think a little more about what makes this book a thought-provoker. It's mysterious and in some ways, it feels like this story is beyond what we all understand. Such as what could be and what could happen as we don't really understand many things beyond this world and the characters in this book reflect this.</span></span></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(212, 212, 213); color: #313131; text-align: start; word-spacing: 1px;"><br /></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(212, 212, 213); color: #313131; text-align: start; word-spacing: 1px;">I think personally this book is for the inquisitive souls that we all know. It goes beyond the sci-fi genre by breaking down those walls we have come to understand of this style of book writing. It puts together ideas that we already have read and seen before in media and has twisted them into something completely new, which is more puzzling but weirdly exciting to see.</span></span></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(212, 212, 213); color: #313131; text-align: start; word-spacing: 1px;"><br /></span><span style="color: #313131;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(212, 212, 213); word-spacing: 1px;">Cultures found in this book are scarily similar, as we delve into the lives of Ben and Quilliam and other folks. Trying to understand what is around them and why things are the way that they are. In some ways, we can relate this back to our own lives and how we are determined by what is around us, despite feeling there is something much more that we want to know of.</span></span></span></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #313131;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(212, 212, 213); word-spacing: 1px;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #313131;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(212, 212, 213); word-spacing: 1px;">Even though the book is different to what I have been reading recently, I do feel like I have needed to read it. It's like it has woken me up from a dream that I didn't know I was in. I think maybe this is something that other people will feel when they also read the first page.</span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #313131;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(212, 212, 213); font-family: arial; word-spacing: 1px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #313131;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(212, 212, 213); word-spacing: 1px;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">R</span>ATING: *** 1/2 STARS</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span face="-apple-system, HelveticaNeue" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.25); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(49, 49, 49); caret-color: rgb(212, 212, 213); color: #313131; font-size: medium; text-align: start; text-size-adjust: auto; word-spacing: 1px;"><b>BUY LINKS</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span face="-apple-system, HelveticaNeue" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.25); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(49, 49, 49); caret-color: rgb(212, 212, 213); color: #313131; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-size-adjust: auto; word-spacing: 1px;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span face="-apple-system, HelveticaNeue" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.25); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(49, 49, 49); caret-color: rgb(212, 212, 213); color: #313131; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-size-adjust: auto; word-spacing: 1px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Blue-Man-Opens-Worlds-Beyond-ebook/dp/B09C35SNM1/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=sue+lumb&qid=1644060800&sr=8-1"><b>The Blue Man: A Door Opens to Worlds Beyond eBook : Lumb, Sue: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store</b></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span face="-apple-system, HelveticaNeue" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.25); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(49, 49, 49); caret-color: rgb(212, 212, 213); color: #313131; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-size-adjust: auto; word-spacing: 1px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span face="-apple-system, HelveticaNeue" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.25); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(49, 49, 49); caret-color: rgb(212, 212, 213); color: #313131; font-size: medium; text-align: start; text-size-adjust: auto; word-spacing: 1px;"><b>BLOG TOUR</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzgobOWL3U4vZWVdL0pC55NtwEsM2-VU_UWpTWPQoyV-RDUq7lZpgvm6ib8gdR_6nyhgOGY06XvPupnhP4bfNG5L7zathqE2JsYKRbUPyQwTVvBiHKeMdhIKjBcGzKqrnc-cBynkK4fXsHLVaJw7IFxQ7I2xXJ0JgLIjC088hZmRZ8GXqrOdGtpHrkSw=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzgobOWL3U4vZWVdL0pC55NtwEsM2-VU_UWpTWPQoyV-RDUq7lZpgvm6ib8gdR_6nyhgOGY06XvPupnhP4bfNG5L7zathqE2JsYKRbUPyQwTVvBiHKeMdhIKjBcGzKqrnc-cBynkK4fXsHLVaJw7IFxQ7I2xXJ0JgLIjC088hZmRZ8GXqrOdGtpHrkSw=s16000" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Kiki Hempellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446503791021355935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073516922571198813.post-237549736592845352021-12-15T20:49:00.000+00:002021-12-15T20:49:05.306+00:00TBR Challenge #2 - The Social Contract by Jean-Jacques Rousseau<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9D0hfQReoL-_yjk25T6RarWgrkLXITma-ZAzJbUFT5VnTz3xxtYuNjs1eVrvUOPzsYtBV9qbheQhVFXXBAxmZ1ppkZ_U7oNoW0hAwgB9Ku9WgoqAxfd76qL4M97VxTzzg4WTAxBl91_IcU6FrMI0VIWMLLCjBrr2NxMXAp8H-X51Du_ChuLxZQdphBg=s475" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9D0hfQReoL-_yjk25T6RarWgrkLXITma-ZAzJbUFT5VnTz3xxtYuNjs1eVrvUOPzsYtBV9qbheQhVFXXBAxmZ1ppkZ_U7oNoW0hAwgB9Ku9WgoqAxfd76qL4M97VxTzzg4WTAxBl91_IcU6FrMI0VIWMLLCjBrr2NxMXAp8H-X51Du_ChuLxZQdphBg=s16000" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>SYNOPSIS </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span id="freeText4857707566906003203" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Throughout history, some books have changed the world. They have transformed the way we see ourselves - and each other. They have inspired debate, dissent, war and revolution. They have enlightened, outraged, provoked and comforted. They have enriched lives - and destroyed them. Now Penguin brings you the works of the great thinkers, pioneers, radicals and visionaries whose ideas shook civilization, and helped make us who we are.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><b>REVIEW</b> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">It has certainly been a while since I’ve picked up a book of philosophy. To be honest, since finishing my university course I thought that at the time, I might never pick up a book again in this genre. But here I am. What a failed attempt.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">But I do certainly love the scope of this type of philosophy and Rousseau did not disappoint. Not only was the ideas easy to relate to, but simple to read as well. If you’ve read anything to do with Philosophy you come to understand that it is not always easy to read between the lines. But Rousseau has a writing style that is simple yet effective in the time that he lived.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">There isn’t much to say except if you feel chained down by society and you interested in the mechanics of politics this book would be an easy win.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">RATING: **** (FOUR STARS)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><b>BUY LINKS</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Amazon: </span><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Social-Contract-Classics-World-Literature/dp/1853267813/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=FAO4FPKW719C&keywords=the+social+contract&qid=1639601254&sprefix=the+social+%2Caps%2C97&sr=8-1">https://www.amazon.co.uk/Social-Contract-Classics-World-Literature/dp/1853267813/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=FAO4FPKW719C&keywords=the+social+contract&qid=1639601254&sprefix=the+social+%2Caps%2C97&sr=8-1</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Kiki Hempellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446503791021355935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073516922571198813.post-39149821344660626272021-12-04T20:47:00.000+00:002021-12-04T20:47:15.036+00:00TBR Challenge #1 - So This Is Love by Elizabeth Lim<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis42n6JjACyTws_2ZQJndBd3TWwYgvAVzyo3hXyv2lI0dpJIjACXyoQtXL4dWYkzXb3OV5_ODgQB2_Kn08es92botTkBExz4lNSo3eOQYWqigEf1PoICvp07GrppfOfQZgoPxL3JhtAypq/s1250/34846022-FAB4-43BB-B144-8D96AB1F8F87.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="939" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis42n6JjACyTws_2ZQJndBd3TWwYgvAVzyo3hXyv2lI0dpJIjACXyoQtXL4dWYkzXb3OV5_ODgQB2_Kn08es92botTkBExz4lNSo3eOQYWqigEf1PoICvp07GrppfOfQZgoPxL3JhtAypq/s16000/34846022-FAB4-43BB-B144-8D96AB1F8F87.jpeg" /></a></div><b><div><b><br /></b></div>SYNOPSIS</b><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">What if Cinderella never tried on the glass slipper?</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Unable to prove that she's the missing princess, and unable to bear life under Lady Tremaine any longer, Cinderella starts work at the palace as a seamstress. However, when Cinderella finds herself witness to a grand conspiracy to take the king - and the prince - out of power, she is faced with questions of love and loyalty to the kingdom.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Cinderella must find a way to stop the villains of past and present... before it's too late.</span></span></div><div><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><div><b>REVIEW</b></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">We all know Disney's version of Cinderella, most of us grew up on it. We probably know the story word for word, scene by scene. It is a classic and loved by so many people.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">But I am glad this book came along.</span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Cinderella finally got her voice and you know what she has some gumption!</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The book begins with the ending of the original movie, where she is trapped in the attic by Lady Tremaine. But she isn't saved by her mice friends this time and is unable to try on the glass slipper and gallop off to her happy ending with her prince.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Instead, she has to become resourceful set upon the backdrop of the palace with political intrigue.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We learn more about the Prince's past and his personality and fall in love with him for being his authentic self, rather than a uniform we have previously seen yawning at the ball.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">From the bottom of my heart, I really do recommend this book for all the hardcore Disney lovers or for those who like a fairytale retelling with a heart.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This is a book you'll want to read by candlelight like you did as a child.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;">RATING: **** (FOUR STARS)</p><div style="text-align: left;"><span><!--more--></span></div><div><b>BUY LINKS</b></div></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Amazon: </span><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Disney-Princess-Cinderella-Twisted-Tales/dp/1789053730/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1E2DVQ3BBRDHB&keywords=so+this+is+love+a+twisted+tale&qid=1638650713&sprefix=so+this+%2Caps%2C162&sr=8-1">Disney Princess Cinderella: So, This Is Love (Twisted Tales) : Books, Igloo: Amazon.co.uk: Books</a></div>Kiki Hempellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446503791021355935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073516922571198813.post-89948345382661524812021-12-01T22:21:00.000+00:002021-12-01T22:21:08.055+00:00My new reading challenge…<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-op3DqJhKOtIc3OS0u-Rn_FNjHZZRk0QPwzq9eV_-TTGcLPbXg-GfLUrIb_y_HY3X2qFYdwEV4UGZrVCz97mz8re_IVjKAMRe9BMIC98YSwzFID7Ikz55VW8Ux0YPsbKfLLlDFLi5tcwZ/s1640/C94FE5E0-DD99-43EB-8E3B-A8C0AF9A8D58.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="1640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-op3DqJhKOtIc3OS0u-Rn_FNjHZZRk0QPwzq9eV_-TTGcLPbXg-GfLUrIb_y_HY3X2qFYdwEV4UGZrVCz97mz8re_IVjKAMRe9BMIC98YSwzFID7Ikz55VW8Ux0YPsbKfLLlDFLi5tcwZ/s16000/C94FE5E0-DD99-43EB-8E3B-A8C0AF9A8D58.png" /></a></div><br /> Hello everyone!<p></p><div>I hope you are all doing great and having a lovely week.</div><div><br /></div><div>I just wanted to introduce you all to my brand new challenge that I will be taking part in.</div><div><br /></div><div>My very own TBR challenge!</div><div><br /></div><div>As most of you will already be aware, I have a very bad book addiction. Very bad. Terrible. But because I buy more than I can read, this has lead to many fantastic reads sitting on the bookshelf ready to have their day to be read.</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, hopefully that will soon become a distant memory… and maybe stop my bank account from screaming every-time I wander into the bookstore.</div><div><br /></div><div>From now on, I pledge to make a review of all the books I read from my TBR list. Some reviews might be big, some small. But the main thing is, I will be reading!</div><div><br /></div><div>I hope you all follow me on this crazy journey because if I’m being honest, there are a lot. I haven’t counted in a while but it must be in the 240 range.</div><div><br /></div><div>Wish me luck and I will be writing very soon…</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Kiki Hempellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446503791021355935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073516922571198813.post-49865021859670035632021-11-26T09:00:00.001+00:002021-11-26T09:00:00.180+00:00Blog Tour: The Beast Hunters by Christer Lende<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6YAWH1gIla6RMlNrZejICtAnzPxpIYhUgu-DbWx1w86Q8ydW32mDSDx132uL5FIg_fXm_iUkGR4Iex_wooWUDGF_boS04cSFvLYoD9J6EQUQFQiX9pP_o1wtwK_VcBC0w5Es-a9vd6yYU/s475/EABE3D13-9E2F-4BEB-9FB2-79D82517B10F.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="312" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6YAWH1gIla6RMlNrZejICtAnzPxpIYhUgu-DbWx1w86Q8ydW32mDSDx132uL5FIg_fXm_iUkGR4Iex_wooWUDGF_boS04cSFvLYoD9J6EQUQFQiX9pP_o1wtwK_VcBC0w5Es-a9vd6yYU/w263-h400/EABE3D13-9E2F-4BEB-9FB2-79D82517B10F.jpeg" width="263" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>SYNOPSIS</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;">When a </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;">monster brutally kills her parents, Ara is saved by two beast hunters. Becoming their apprentice, she discovers serums, secret bestiary knowledge, and remarkable abilities-all to save unsuspecting souls from the same fate her parents suffered. But, terrifying creatures lurk everywhere and Ara must master the art of beast hunting quickly if she is to uncover the elusive beast plaguing the village of Cornstead.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>REVIEW</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">This is a tale of fighting for what is right, making new friends and family as well as fighting off terrifying beasts along the way. The fact that there is almost an encyclopaedia of each monster that they encounter shows how much Lende has thought into this world. How this is only one book intrigues me to see what else can be found in this beast-hunting universe.</span></span></span></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">We find Ara at first who clearly at the beginning is struggling with the past and how this has affected her life, soon blossom into a confident young woman who strives to help and make sure the group is doing the right thing. She has lovely character development which would be interesting to see what sort of person she will become throughout all their adventures.</span></span></span></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">I loved how beast hunting is not something that is purely fantastical in the way that they simply just figure out what is going on, there is logic and research and new discoveries that they haven't yet come across. It's realistic in the way that we can see how they finally get the answer they need.</span></span></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">The beast-hunting team were a great match together. They all had their own qualities that I found to be fascinating and complemented one another. No one is really greater than the other. They all brought their own skills and theories to the team. They made their own mark. No one was overshadowed. </span></span></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">I really cannot recommend this book enough. It truly is a triumph. I'm truly invested in this story and it's characters and I think that you all could be the same.</span></span></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">Thank you to LiterallyPR for the proof copy to review this book.</span></span></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">RATING: ***** (FIVE STARS)</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><!--more--></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>ABOUT THE AUTHOR</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTToh1k2g7YQQP7LkJaKBIqi7H0UeV9ky7Dt-oaRS13d5GfO4UvCHVbBcFiLM2p2AYF0Ej5DWmoEQR783kfl0G37FfI3JqBMWxcqg1YMRHcUX7ryi-RksNS5-9KiSBqY3hrwNQ7P9EFXR/s266/20085217.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTToh1k2g7YQQP7LkJaKBIqi7H0UeV9ky7Dt-oaRS13d5GfO4UvCHVbBcFiLM2p2AYF0Ej5DWmoEQR783kfl0G37FfI3JqBMWxcqg1YMRHcUX7ryi-RksNS5-9KiSBqY3hrwNQ7P9EFXR/s0/20085217.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px;">Christer Lende began writing in a library, which sounds fitting, only he was supposed to be there working on his engineering degree. He is a professional screenwriter, working with the Norwegian movie producer behind “One Love”, “Who Killed Birgitte” and “All about my Father” Bjørn Eivind Aarskog, together they are eveloping the manuscript for a Norwegian thriller. Bjørn hired Christer after reading The Beast Hunters, trusting Christer could bring his vision to life.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;">Christer lives in what Norwegians call a city, but people from actual cities would call a town. Of proud Viking blood, he honours his ancestors by</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;">heroically sitting in front of a computer writing Fantasy and Science Fiction books. He believes in writing a little bit every day, through weekends, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, even his own birthday. When he’s not writing, he takes care of his two dogs and tries to broker peace with his girlfriend. He’s often found at a gym, trying to compensate for his height issues, or lazily playing video games.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;">Christer did get that master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, despite procrastinating by writing fiction in the library, and works for a large IT firm, but writing and storytelling are his passions.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><!--more--></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>BUY LINKS</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Amazon: </span><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beast-Hunters-Christer-Lende-ebook/dp/B09LXLXW78/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3G71J5XJFUKPK&keywords=the+beast+hunters+christer+lende&qid=1637909451&sprefix=THE+BEAST+HUNTERS%2Caps%2C2092&sr=8-1">The Beast Hunters eBook : Lende, Christer: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><span></span><span><!--more--></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>BLOG TOUR</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEQEAvHfM-Np3hqM4zHJaxuEwcncEoWNYvDiBxtiQOs7xXXnjvNx0AHPWQCI5n_kZUi8CxRpaFUaXh8k9qr-XI4vBF2fUL9X07sSjn2z1Bip6k9KtklLnLhdvw-fM-gHKpElx63dMH9OyF/s1600/B68EA355-7C2D-40AC-B3FA-0FB9AAF126CA.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEQEAvHfM-Np3hqM4zHJaxuEwcncEoWNYvDiBxtiQOs7xXXnjvNx0AHPWQCI5n_kZUi8CxRpaFUaXh8k9qr-XI4vBF2fUL9X07sSjn2z1Bip6k9KtklLnLhdvw-fM-gHKpElx63dMH9OyF/s16000/B68EA355-7C2D-40AC-B3FA-0FB9AAF126CA.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Kiki Hempellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446503791021355935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073516922571198813.post-84923506127649101092021-10-27T09:00:00.001+01:002021-10-27T09:00:00.190+01:00Blog Tour: Seadogs and Criminals by Alex Fisher<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-dV_M8u0JEVACZBoA-P3P2YwnpwvQRBa0LIJmIpidcRZzW61_mNgjaux0YL8atjQpz3ZGfi31ciDx_LpoDQ3uHHMbQR37CJMSO6qxFFKJ2egxqATOC6ydzslkxWBykRdOydUdMKbwfG5/s1716/r3nQrEPw.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1716" data-original-width="1162" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-dV_M8u0JEVACZBoA-P3P2YwnpwvQRBa0LIJmIpidcRZzW61_mNgjaux0YL8atjQpz3ZGfi31ciDx_LpoDQ3uHHMbQR37CJMSO6qxFFKJ2egxqATOC6ydzslkxWBykRdOydUdMKbwfG5/w271-h400/r3nQrEPw.jpeg" width="271" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>SYNOPSIS</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.9361572265625" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="92.7650756835938" x="193.109252929688" y="-651.631591796875">Victorian London. </text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.9491577148438" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="347.697189331055" x="192.124282836914" y="-630.271545410156">Joseph Winter is a master criminal, known around the backstreets as </text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.83251953125" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="31.6871948242188" x="193.18701171875" y="-615.631530761719">Trace</text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="6.181884765625" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="6.62255859375" x="224.822647094727" y="-615.631591796875">–</text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.9491577148438" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="234.905120849609" x="234.857757568359" y="-615.631530761719">because he never leaves one. That is, until a tip</text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="6.23370361328125" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="3.08447265625" x="470.703887939453" y="-615.631591796875">-</text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.9491577148438" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="58.29150390625" x="474.753356933594" y="-615.631530761719">off about a fabled</text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.9491577148438" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="284.44482421875" x="193.80908203125" y="-600.991516113281"> treasure map turns sour, shattering his reputation and</text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.9362182617188" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="78.621826171875" x="478.6435546875" y="-600.991516113281"> turning his dreams</text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.9362182617188" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="76.2436981201172" x="193.627639770508" y="-586.3515625"> to dust. </text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.9362182617188" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="362.154220581055" x="193.08332824707" y="-564.991516113281">With nothing left to lose, Joseph decides to take the leap and persuades a</text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.9102172851562" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="360.670166015625" x="193.614685058594" y="-550.3515625"> group of interesting strangers to join him on the hunt. After taking to the</text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.9362182617188" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="338.235275268555" x="193.549880981445" y="-535.711547851562"> waves, they are catapulted into a wonderous odyssey stretching across</text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.8324584960938" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="49.4747924804688" x="193.614685058594" y="-521.071594238281"> the globe</text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.9491577148438" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="279.735092163086" x="246.763076782227" y="-521.071533203125">, unearthing not only missing clues but their own hidden</text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.9491271972656" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="314.300765991211" x="193.39436340332" y="-506.431549072266"> depths when pushed to extremes demanded by the sea. </text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.9491271972656" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="352.374816894531" x="193.18701171875" y="-485.071563720703">The treasure hunt leaves questions. Yet soon Joseph begins to ask his own</text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="8.74798583984375" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="29.2377777099609" x="193.666519165039" y="-470.431549072266">...</text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.9361572265625" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="123.92610168457" x="193.083358764648" y="-441.151519775391">Why are they doing this? </text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.83251953125" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="83.8188171386719" x="320.523376464844" y="-441.151489257812">Who can I trust? </text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.83251953125" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="80.7252502441406" x="408.123382568359" y="-441.151489257812">Who am I now?</text></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.83251953125" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="80.7252502441406" x="408.123382568359" y="-441.151489257812"><br /></text></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span><a name='more'></a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>REVIEW</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is not your traditional hunt for treasure kind of book. It intricately weaves in not only a sense of adventure but also self-discovery, after being categorised by society as misfits and criminals this is their big break in life. Nothing is clearly black and white and Joseph Winter, our main character shares this exact concept. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The book itself is gripping as it not only gives us a fantastical treasure hunt to find the mysterious Scott's Trove but the realities of how life at sea is not always "plain sailing". Decisions have to be made to survive and to thrive in the new life that they have created for themselves. But despite this, we get to see vivid scenery and exciting new places on their journey, it truly is an odyssey, not only for travel but the mind as well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The clues were interesting as well, they connected easily to the overall plot and seemed to take on stories for themselves which you can't help but wonder more about them. They are accessible in the best kind of way, especially for those who haven't really read this particular genre before. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This story really does have heart. Despite their beginnings, this book really does give a great message that you don't have to be confined by your history to go on to have a fantastic adventure. You just have to take the leap of faith. Trust most of all, that truly is the real adventure.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The question that should now be on everybody's lips is, what is next?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">RATING: **** (FOUR STARS)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><span><!--more--></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>ABOUT THE AUTHOR</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3y6nYm_Dxlb4L7Z7dgrWtVtjTFQR2_SKRM3usISKVff9CzRIwWuM6dNkpktPMwkSf0kSSrYYCvJ4q2oh1qcTAqQ06K9Le5wbkv0Ua_tO_wuM02G-vs0WvggvUMB0239aqpGjZRe9vCrnS/s1600/oO-PNxgg.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3y6nYm_Dxlb4L7Z7dgrWtVtjTFQR2_SKRM3usISKVff9CzRIwWuM6dNkpktPMwkSf0kSSrYYCvJ4q2oh1qcTAqQ06K9Le5wbkv0Ua_tO_wuM02G-vs0WvggvUMB0239aqpGjZRe9vCrnS/s320/oO-PNxgg.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.0280151367188" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="96.8160095214844" x="193.127960205078" y="-370.364013671875">Alex Fisher grew up in</text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.0639953613281" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="259.346405029297" x="289.944000244141" y="-370.364013671875"> Cambridgeshire with his parents and two sisters, and still</text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.052001953125" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="148.317581176758" x="193.859970092773" y="-356.924041748047"> lives there today. Alex says, </text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="10.7759704589844" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="4.51202392578125" x="342.696472167969" y="-356.924072265625">“</text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.0639953613281" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="206.203247070312" x="347.685363769531" y="-356.924041748047">Despite the obvious beauty of the flat fields and</text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.0639953613281" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="341.311172485352" x="193.583969116211" y="-343.484039306641"> ongoing horizon there is not much to do, and you need to be able to drive</text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.052001953125" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="210.440414428711" x="193.595962524414" y="-329.804016113281"> to get anywhere. My active imagination extended</text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.0639953613281" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="134.641174316406" x="404.488098144531" y="-329.804016113281"> beyond childhood, </text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.0639953613281" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="332.318313598633" x="193.583969116211" y="-316.364013671875">although now I exchange action figures for blank sheets of paper and a keyboard</text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.0639953613281" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="44.3652038574219" x="193.499969482422" y="-302.924011230469">.</text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="10.8719787597656" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="4.53599548339844" x="238.98908996582" y="-302.924041748047">”</text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.052001953125" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="356.017242431641" x="193.127960205078" y="-282.764038085938">Alex has learned many things whilst on the trowel and honed his skills these past</text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.0039978027344" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="90.8111877441406" x="193.343963623047" y="-269.084014892578"> few years so th</text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.0639953613281" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="219.187225341797" x="284.697143554688" y="-269.084014892578">at he can build houses of a quality standard. He also</text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="10.9559936523438" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="39.1152038574219" x="507.546966552734" y="-269.084014892578"> has some</text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.052001953125" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="349.295974731445" x="193.859970092773" y="-255.644012451172"> experience in other trades too such as plastering, tiling, groundworks and</text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.0640106201172" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="342.330032348633" x="193.583969116211" y="-242.204010009766"> drainage, but bricklaying is his main area of expertise. This, as well as creative</text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.0640106201172" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="198.434494018555" x="193.655960083008" y="-228.764007568359"> writing. After an idea had been pla</text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.0640106201172" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="166.6416015625" x="392.364990234375" y="-228.764007568359">nted, he began writing Seadogs and criminals</text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.0040130615234" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="350.320709228516" x="193.715972900391" y="-215.084014892578"> when he was 18, making sure to at least write for an hour a night after</text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.0640106201172" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="355.939224243164" x="193.583969116211" y="-201.644012451172"> work. Toward the end of the book though, this turned into three and a half</text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.0640106201172" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="309.79557800293" x="193.379959106445" y="-188.204010009766"> hours a night and became an obsession. It was a thrill to write, absorbing him</text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.0640106201172" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="334.638046264648" x="193.379959106445" y="-174.764007568359"> into the story so much so that he became lost in the pages with the characters</text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.0640106201172" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="355.00553894043" x="193.655960083008" y="-161.084014892578">. It was a mixture of sadness and exaltation to finish the book and now</text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.0039978027344" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="116.368804931641" x="193.403961181641" y="-147.644027709961">, after years of proofreading</text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.052001953125" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="104.857177734375" x="312.771392822266" y="-147.644012451172"> and editing, he managed</text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.052001953125" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="73.8623962402344" x="421.122955322266" y="-147.644012451172"> to self</text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="5.77200317382812" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="2.85598754882812" x="494.46435546875" y="-147.644012451172">-</text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.0639953613281" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="36.9755859375" x="497.914367675781" y="-147.644027709961">publish</text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.052001953125" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="104.023208618164" x="193.655960083008" y="-134.204010009766">Seadogs and Criminals</text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.0640106201172" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="242.957977294922" x="301.188262939453" y="-134.204010009766">into a series of two books, the second of which was published</text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.0640029907227" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="301.904388427734" x="193.343963623047" y="-120.764015197754"> in August. Even though this is the end of a chapter, he somehow feels</text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.0640029907227" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="336.754837036133" x="193.763961791992" y="-107.084045410156"> that this is not the end of the book. There is more to come and he is excited</text><text class="textbox__3ziulaHePS__preview-doc" data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.052001953125" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" style="font-family: Garamond, serif;" textlength="223.05485534668" x="203.780960083008" y="-93.6440505981445"> to discover where his journey leads next.</text></span></div><br /><span><!--more--></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>BUY LINKS</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Amazon: <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Seadogs-Criminals-Book-Alex-Fisher/dp/1839753420/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3U1LONGU15R3Z&dchild=1&keywords=seadogs+and+criminals&qid=1635282409&s=books&sprefix=seadogs+and+crimina%2Cstripbooks%2C1411&sr=1-1">Seadogs and Criminals Book One: Book 1: Amazon.co.uk: Fisher, Alex: 9781839753428: Books</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><span><!--more--></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>BLOG TOUR</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHrTESXYJ-JMUkRL2qWSr5vNfTJov8g0dcoiMntx7Safu8FTTMmLyCwDzqVmAgNgCwI5-Dnl7gxDjn41MDn3F1Q9M8UC1EWZCQCtpd5aYmwmdMhQFjsCs94Vr0HTtCu-KhFqzyorujmpJq/s1600/Seadogs+and+Criminals+TWITTER+1v+%2528EDITED+Ver.%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHrTESXYJ-JMUkRL2qWSr5vNfTJov8g0dcoiMntx7Safu8FTTMmLyCwDzqVmAgNgCwI5-Dnl7gxDjn41MDn3F1Q9M8UC1EWZCQCtpd5aYmwmdMhQFjsCs94Vr0HTtCu-KhFqzyorujmpJq/s16000/Seadogs+and+Criminals+TWITTER+1v+%2528EDITED+Ver.%2529.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Kiki Hempellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446503791021355935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073516922571198813.post-59483778701913377912021-07-25T21:04:00.001+01:002021-07-25T21:04:37.416+01:00Thoughts of a Bookworm #3: The YA Genre<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg75a_GP_gzjhQwwG0hc0vu2PC3jbBlyx6rxOrW3dit3NkMAuzTm1CAstpwegw1ynwM6Oaiyw0KTfYp9wsJBh-i1ychfEWzVpLN44kuSyTCgJQmjwk6vYiHA6OmxQFYB_L5aB3XfbvUilZN/s1350/BF366334-D723-46D9-BBFA-7A9B431F9105.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="1350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg75a_GP_gzjhQwwG0hc0vu2PC3jbBlyx6rxOrW3dit3NkMAuzTm1CAstpwegw1ynwM6Oaiyw0KTfYp9wsJBh-i1ychfEWzVpLN44kuSyTCgJQmjwk6vYiHA6OmxQFYB_L5aB3XfbvUilZN/s16000/BF366334-D723-46D9-BBFA-7A9B431F9105.png" /></a></div><br /> Genuinely I have never felt so passionate about a book topic. I think this genre has been the pinnacle of my time as a reader from the beginning, all the way up till now. It affects the way I think and observe the world. <p></p><div>So, why do I want to talk about YA and what can be gained from this rant?</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, I think it is due to capitalism. What happened to quality over quantity?</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, I ask you this question, when was the last time you read a YA novel that not only stuck out to you but also was a hot topic of conversation? I don't think these conversations have existed in any sense for the last five years.</div><div><br /></div><div>YA has simply been absorbed into a never-ending library with more vivid and interesting genres that take our fancy. It just doesn't exist. It is dead, but somehow we are making out that it still lives. Like a conspiracy to one of the most conversed topics of whether it died in the first place. But we all know, deep down, the golden age is gone and what comes after?</div><div><br /></div><div>Publishing really needs to take note. What defines YA? What makes it different from children and new adult? How does it address real problems of what young adults are going through and how this would affect what they want to read in today's world? It is obvious that successful YA five to ten years ago does not have the same impact on this audience that it once did. </div><div><br /></div><div>What really needs to happen now is one of two things. To either, get rid of what we know of the YA genre completely, or we need fresh blood with great talent to see the world in a completely new light. Because something needs to change and needs to change fast.</div><div><br /></div><div>Let's just say the YA of today would not convince me to go out and buy a book for a young person that I know. It's depressing. But nothing has been good as of late. I'm optimistic things will look up, in the meantime, I guess I'll stick with being an adult in the big bad world.</div>Kiki Hempellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446503791021355935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073516922571198813.post-35927937088195045502021-07-08T22:59:00.002+01:002021-07-08T22:59:26.573+01:00XOXO by Axie Oh<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEAXXJ4w2ewc3m9tpmeaav52eB_a36CJWXTBmdK94DqHdpw9iFItmyFCyoequhEVZWeEDvZjJm7v9GHLkO2k9cjS0AJd35W4cofaSB3CSt8jWlSltlPfI-4FiCkjtrzY2P3exyicJhEik6/s1024/55659621.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="678" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEAXXJ4w2ewc3m9tpmeaav52eB_a36CJWXTBmdK94DqHdpw9iFItmyFCyoequhEVZWeEDvZjJm7v9GHLkO2k9cjS0AJd35W4cofaSB3CSt8jWlSltlPfI-4FiCkjtrzY2P3exyicJhEik6/w265-h400/55659621.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>SYNOPSIS</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Cello prodigy Jenny has one goal: to get into a prestigious music conservatory. When she meets mysterious, handsome Jaewoo in her uncle's Los Angeles karaoke bar, it's clear he's the kind of boy who would uproot her careful plans. But in a moment of spontaneity, she allows him to pull her out of her comfort zone for one unforgettable night of adventure... before he disappears without a word.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Three months later, when Jenny and her mother arrive in South Korea to take care of her ailing grandmother, she's shocked to discover that Jaewoo is a student at the same elite arts academy where she's enrolled for the semester. And he's not just any student. He's a member of one of the biggest K-pop bands in the world- and he's strictly forbidden from dating.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When a relationship means throwing Jenny's life off the path she's spent years mapping out, she'll have to decide once and for all just how much she's willing to risk for love.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>REVIEW</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This book is a charming, heartfelt story about following your dreams and being true to the music. It makes you want to smile and have that warm feeling, just as we get into the sunny summer months.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Even though there were plot points that could have been developed, this was a sweet story about family, friendship and love in the beating heart of Korea.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you want all the feels of travelling and visiting somewhere when times are tough and you just want to escape, this would be the perfect book to escape to. It doesn't impose what you should do, but rather what you could be and how you can better yourself, even if you feel like you have a pretty great life already. It opens up that treasure box stored deep away in yourself, asking, are you really being true to yourself? How can you be better than the person you already are.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is a great book even if you want to experience a new culture that is vivid and exciting. It has an outstanding impact on the plot and gives you that overwhelming sense that this is a culture that must be shared and you must discover for yourself.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It would be quite interesting to see how this story would continue if there were a sequel because it gives me Fame vibes, yet, is nothing like Fame and something completely unique at the same time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm glad that I was able to read this book at a time when I was struggling to grasp life itself. It just shows, the best books are able to help you understand yourself and the world when you at one of your lowest points. This book is like therapy, but the best kind where the sun always shines and makes you feel at ease.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">RATING: **** (FOUR STARS)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><span><!--more--></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>BUY LINKS</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Amazon: <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/XOXO-Axie-Oh-ebook/dp/B08L3MZYBX/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2VAIP7OBOJ718&dchild=1&keywords">https://www.amazon.co.uk/XOXO-Axie-Oh-ebook/dp/B08L3MZYBX/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2VAIP7OBOJ718&dchild=1&keywords</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Kiki Hempellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446503791021355935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073516922571198813.post-90631896325432447892021-06-09T21:49:00.004+01:002021-06-09T21:49:35.709+01:00How To Save A Life by Eva Carter<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfk5UU4KzxORf_yRjqs5yfSr_eDUAGdGvV-tyEXp-Njl56FYa3S1bmBGMjmaYvjdZ1tjHa6TyQ89mKAiNe5qDyQSwDW_xxRKBLVphPAT6FJ6hy1aq9VG7p9IGk2qHZD7a61uyFJylUK2o_/s396/cover195531-medium.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="396" data-original-width="255" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfk5UU4KzxORf_yRjqs5yfSr_eDUAGdGvV-tyEXp-Njl56FYa3S1bmBGMjmaYvjdZ1tjHa6TyQ89mKAiNe5qDyQSwDW_xxRKBLVphPAT6FJ6hy1aq9VG7p9IGk2qHZD7a61uyFJylUK2o_/w258-h400/cover195531-medium.png" width="258" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>SYNOPSIS</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sometimes saving a life is only the start of the story...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's nearly midnight on the eve of the millennium when eighteen-year-old Joel's heart stops. A school friend, Kerry, performs CPR for almost twenty exhausting minutes, ultimately saving Joel's life, while her best friend Tim freezes, unable to help.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That moment of life and death changes the course of all three lives over the next two decades: each time Kerry, Joel and Tim believe they've found love, discovered their vocation, or simply moved on, their lives collide again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">...Because bravery isn't just about life or death decisions; it's also about how to keep on living afterwards.</div><p></p><p><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>REVIEW</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you like the concept of One Day and Grey's Anatomy, this would definitely be the book for you. This book follows three people and what happens after the inconceivable happens. How they react at that moment and the people that they become after the years have passed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There is heartbreak, there is great joy that makes your heart soar and moments of humour in some corners. These are young people that make mistakes, make more ones, learn from them and grow from what they have learnt. It is a full cycle of life and that is what makes it unequivocally similar to real life and what we all have to overcome through our own challenges that are thrown at us. But also what life can make and develop our personalities according to our experiences, for better or for worse.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To be honest, I didn't really have much attachment to any of the main characters in this book. I think this was done deliberately, however. These characters all have their own stories and they develop and become their own people when they are not with the main protagonists. This allows us to see these characters differently and how they function, rather than the great machine of being in one group. It can be seen as interesting yet effective how this works. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I did enjoy this book, I loved the concept of how it started from one point in time and carried on throughout the years to see what happened to these particular characters. I wish I saw this technique a lot more in other books as it is intriguing to see what happens after the big event. Because that is real life, we have to keep moving, no matter how many mistakes we make, or how big they are, we still have to keep spinning that wheel so we can get to the next day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">RATING: **** (FOUR STARS)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><span><!--more--></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>BUY LINKS</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Amazon: <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Save-Life-Story-Starts-ebook/dp/B08PDG37DF/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=how+to+save+a+life&qid=1623271729&sr=8-1">How to Save a Life: The Love Story That Starts When A Heart Stops eBook: Carter, Eva: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store</a></div><div><br /></div>Kiki Hempellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446503791021355935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073516922571198813.post-68445961590252624262021-05-28T20:14:00.000+01:002021-05-28T20:14:08.630+01:00Blog Tour: The Wishing Tree Beside The Shore by Jaimie Admans<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnD1V-X1IjAxxh7qY5xzMTtCU41XmRXdnUg8l6VpznCCFcZh2lsFqGdxCkvKzVdNu7O4qI530lIS2Q-B3JTrvx3cOwQ9J5ciXgIduXOuO6pLZ2yzUupNhYWPPBoOIL3ialXIGCJoln_4VJ/s391/cover222512-medium.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="391" data-original-width="255" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnD1V-X1IjAxxh7qY5xzMTtCU41XmRXdnUg8l6VpznCCFcZh2lsFqGdxCkvKzVdNu7O4qI530lIS2Q-B3JTrvx3cOwQ9J5ciXgIduXOuO6pLZ2yzUupNhYWPPBoOIL3ialXIGCJoln_4VJ/w261-h400/cover222512-medium.png" width="261" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>SYNOPSIS</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Fifteen years ago, Felicity Kerr threw caution to the wind and kissed her colleague Ryan Sullivan under the ancient wishing tree along the coast.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When Ryan failed to respond to her kiss, Felicity was mortified that she'd read his signals so horrendously wrong and left Lemmon Cove for good.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But now Felicity's job brings her back to her hometown, and face to face with Ryan, who is leading a bad of octogenarians rallying to save their beloved 300-year-old sycamore from being bulldozed by property developers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The spark with Ryan is still there, but Felicity is guarding a secret and as much as she wants to join the protest by his side, she can't help but hold back.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Will Felicity be able to mend her broken heart and find happiness with Ryan beside the sea?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>REVIEW</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've read quite a few women's fiction books throughout my time as a reader and they always have that one cliche about them in some way or another. It might be something to do with family, love, community or following your dreams. But even though these tropes are usually winners in readers eyes and especially mine, it doesn't always mean that the plot always wins the heart of all readers. And this, in particular, is where The Wishing Tree Beside the Shore comes in. The truth, as I read this story on my way to work and back, it was one of my highlights on a very tough day. It was a beacon of light that I knew I could return to when I knew things weren't always going to plan.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yes, it can be cheesy and yes, you can tell some elements have been recycled, but you know what who cares? The writing had flair, it was easy to read and you know what? It was good. The fact that it was set in the one place that I want more than anything to go to makes it seem more like an escape from reality, which is exactly what a book should do.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I think that this is one of those books which you could easily bring out every sunny bank holiday as you relax outside in the sun. The relationships between the characters seem real and breathing and they are interesting, yet also not perfect. Particularly how Felicity thinks about the situations that she gets herself into. Even though this might not seem like what some people might go through, for me, it felt like she was almost me and how I would think. It was a little bit scary at times. And Ryan and his sheep were obviously the cherries on the top of the cake.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There is some laugh out loud moments, especially from the care home residents and it did bring a quick smile to my face. This book ultimately is trying to make you happy in a not so great time and take it from me, I will be buying the physical copy of the book incredibly soon so that I can look back at it and remember how happy it made me in a time when things weren't so certain.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">RATING: ***** (FIVE STARS)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><span><!--more--></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>BUY LINKS</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Amazon: <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wishing-Tree-Beside-Shore-perfect-ebook/dp/B092H1X4FK/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2JGG2MQTMXGA6&dchild=1&keywords=the+wishing+tree+beside+the+shore&qid=1622228239&sprefix=THE+WISHING+TREE%2Caps%2C164&sr=8-1">The Wishing Tree Beside the Shore: The perfect feel good romance to escape with this summer! eBook: Admans, Jaimie: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Waterstones: <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-wishing-tree-beside-the-shore/jaimie-admans/9780008466916">The Wishing Tree Beside the Shore by Jaimie Admans | Waterstones</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bookshop.org: <a href="https://uk.bookshop.org/a/3917/9780008466916">https://uk.bookshop.org/a/3917/9780008466916</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i style="font-size: 16px;">Disclosure: If you buy books linked to this site, we may earn a commission from Bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><span><!--more--></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>FOLLOW THE BLOG TOUR</b></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_5z5Sc-KK-9jpImCUhFLWBjQF7upOn2p3SWiHDn8qBXmNrXCvGueBnMPJHAm0grokHdA8xnGh4SNUlNhUAkQuKuyKgK-fHoIdxefAu-06cF232bxwNa7fzg5J4yoow3pgoX2uWCxdbh-3/s3533/Wishing+Tree+Beside+the+Shore+BTB+%2528002%2529+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3533" data-original-width="890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_5z5Sc-KK-9jpImCUhFLWBjQF7upOn2p3SWiHDn8qBXmNrXCvGueBnMPJHAm0grokHdA8xnGh4SNUlNhUAkQuKuyKgK-fHoIdxefAu-06cF232bxwNa7fzg5J4yoow3pgoX2uWCxdbh-3/s16000/Wishing+Tree+Beside+the+Shore+BTB+%2528002%2529+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Kiki Hempellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446503791021355935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073516922571198813.post-57373387486995044412021-05-17T19:46:00.000+01:002021-05-17T19:46:02.220+01:00Blog Tour: The Legacy of Old Gran Parks by Isobel Blackthorn<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwb5aYYvbVQVKt_QbLcqz3V0B8p5uz-Un1Mp8rovxFRtaTCTQKSecm_5HIHCTIldOFAmoGi3iVAGWNqO2TPzSQhGLEhesI2qA56ozBONNKedI7j8HzEyriQ8oAYcCbty8TwxspO9M38WJO/s2048/The-Legacy-Of-Old-Gran-Parks-Cover+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwb5aYYvbVQVKt_QbLcqz3V0B8p5uz-Un1Mp8rovxFRtaTCTQKSecm_5HIHCTIldOFAmoGi3iVAGWNqO2TPzSQhGLEhesI2qA56ozBONNKedI7j8HzEyriQ8oAYcCbty8TwxspO9M38WJO/w266-h400/The-Legacy-Of-Old-Gran-Parks-Cover+%25282%2529.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>SYNOPSIS</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Southern Australia, 1983. While Middle-aged stalwart Miriam rolls into town in her broken-down car, Frankie - a deer hunter - is up in the forested hinterland with her gun.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Meanwhile, fisherwoman Old Pearl sits on her front deck with her dog, a glass of whisky in her hand, and Emily, the English backpacker, scrubs out the pie-encrusted kitchen at the roadhouse.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But all is not well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Gran Parks is stirring.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Four troubled women. One restless spirit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Who will survive?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p><p><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>REVIEW</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This tale lures you to the edge of your seat like you would around a campfire. You don’t know how, you don’t know where or what, but you do know something big is about the happen. Almost as though you are bracing yourself as go down the first fast decline on a rollercoaster.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Old Gran Parks is different in the sense that you know something is not right in a small town, but you don't truly know or understand what is really going on until it presents itself at that moment in time when everything is revealed. Truly, I wasn't expecting anything that actually happened. But I do know one thing, don't always trust what you see. Sometimes things happen in places that you never expect.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Most of all it is an interesting take on the human mind and how we look and take note of certain people and situations. As someone who loves to read literature that goes beyond just the written page, this did excite me. It gave me that basis to look at how we are as humans and how we sometimes make our own problems when we shouldn't have to. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you want something that is a bit darker and challenges the deepest and darkest aspect of your soul, you should add this book to your TBR list very soon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">RATING: *** 1/2 (THREE AND A HALF STARS)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><span><!--more--></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>ABOUT THE AUTHOR</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kHUcrSjXBXHTOb3Py0aRrvifVOMWTontcml7yhM8-cOOMdy4waXDSY05b6eLeEwVK9dnKAT0z8GItuFE_9jLqN1k2T2wd70AD_4mjT8HuP8cv7gjg0TV-i0OG6FBKvqQCie6Fc-qzkm3/s443/Isobel+Blackthorn+Author+Image+%25281%2529.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="443" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kHUcrSjXBXHTOb3Py0aRrvifVOMWTontcml7yhM8-cOOMdy4waXDSY05b6eLeEwVK9dnKAT0z8GItuFE_9jLqN1k2T2wd70AD_4mjT8HuP8cv7gjg0TV-i0OG6FBKvqQCie6Fc-qzkm3/s320/Isobel+Blackthorn+Author+Image+%25281%2529.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Isobel Blackthorn is a prolific novelist of unique and engaging fiction. She writes across a range of genres, including gripping mysteries and dark psychological thrillers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Isobel won the Finalist Award in the Readers' Favourite Book Awards 2020 for her novel A Prison in the Sun. Her short story 'Nothing to Declare' was shortlisted for the Ada Cambridge Prose Prize 2019. Isobel won a Raven Award in 2019 for her dark thriller A Legacy of Old Gran Parks. The Cabin Sessions was nominated for the Bram Stoker Award 2018 and the Ditmar Awards 2018.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Isobel holds a PhD in Western Esotericism from the University of Western Sydney for her ground-breaking study of the texts of Theosophist Alice A. Bailey. Her engagement with Alice Bailey's life and works has culminated in the biographical novel The Unlikely Occultist and the full biography Alice A. Bailey: Life and Legacy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Isobel carries a lifelong passion for the Canary Islands, Spain, her former home. Four of her novels are set on the islands of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. These standalone novels are setting rich and fall into the broad nature of travel fiction.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Isobel has led a rich and interesting life and her stories are as diverse as her experiences, the highs and lows, and the dramas. A life-long campaigner for social justice, Isobel has written, protested and leant her weight to a range of issues including asylum seekers and family violence. A Londoner originally, Isobel currently lives in rural Victoria, Australia.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><span><!--more--></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>BUY LINKS</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Amazon: <span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Legacy-Old-Gran-Parks-ebook/dp/B085C96917/">https://www.amazon.com/Legacy-Old-Gran-Parks-ebook/dp/B085C96917/</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><span><!--more--></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>FOLLOW THE BLOG TOUR</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGG4tRKTsSb6XRa12zRL-5sT4TPmqeCz1X8CyEa2O6xlfFrEfzxB33NreeYDxqBIzFMOWP9Qlzm1qcQoag0nCyTzREQFgClZ2OB0-MSGZjigSgVR_FrLfp724khrCqRQhWMuxdUkQXrGA/s756/Legacy+of+Old+Gran+Parks+Banner.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="378" data-original-width="756" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGG4tRKTsSb6XRa12zRL-5sT4TPmqeCz1X8CyEa2O6xlfFrEfzxB33NreeYDxqBIzFMOWP9Qlzm1qcQoag0nCyTzREQFgClZ2OB0-MSGZjigSgVR_FrLfp724khrCqRQhWMuxdUkQXrGA/s16000/Legacy+of+Old+Gran+Parks+Banner.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Kiki Hempellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446503791021355935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073516922571198813.post-829349597939417902021-04-22T16:51:00.000+01:002021-04-22T16:51:16.186+01:00Thoughts of a Bookworm #2: I am a book addict<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9KF2kBSnALceB_BVEMeCKHVY0P_f1QiUg3FhS8oO7iyvUQOde1XocgGdixeX9JT-WWq1m-HLRg99rlGsRxDhlVOBd-1_Yu_guRymv3OpFCqZPNxZ8gKLYas4HnGYZA5vjGWWYX3VEUW5_/s1350/BF366334-D723-46D9-BBFA-7A9B431F9105.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="1350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9KF2kBSnALceB_BVEMeCKHVY0P_f1QiUg3FhS8oO7iyvUQOde1XocgGdixeX9JT-WWq1m-HLRg99rlGsRxDhlVOBd-1_Yu_guRymv3OpFCqZPNxZ8gKLYas4HnGYZA5vjGWWYX3VEUW5_/s16000/BF366334-D723-46D9-BBFA-7A9B431F9105.png" /></a></div><br />Throughout my reading life, there has always been something that has made me happy beyond measure. It's the feeling which I get from buying and collecting and placing new books on my shelf. It is even that great excitement when I have gone into my favourite bookshop and be able to walk around to buying that book that I've been eying up after half an hour browsing.<p></p><div>But then the pandemic happened and my reading habits changed for the worst. </div><div><br /></div><div>At first, when the lockdown was first announced, everything was fine. I still had my last year studies at university, which were coming to a close and I had my sister with me. So, I would say I was pretty lucky compared to some of the other people that were facing the same problem of the pandemic. It is only when I finished my degree and began looking for a new job it seems my life took a little spiral and I have only come to realise this in the last few months.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then the book requests started to enter my inbox. The inbox that I haven't looked at in over a year due to being so busy. And it was amazing at first, I was back in my element among all the things that I truly love. I had this outlet to take away some of the troubles of the present and the future. </div><div><br /></div><div>It is only then that I had discovered Netgalley. If you don't know what NetGalley is, it is this amazing platform that reviewers, booksellers etc. can use to get early eARCS of upcoming releases for a review. As you probably will have noticed this has become one of my go-to places to get upcoming releases for blog content. That was when my love became an obsession. It wasn't just about reading books to provide reviews but having one leg up in reading the newest releases before they even came out. But the difference is that it's digital and all backed up to my phone and ereader. The real problem was Twitter.</div><div><br /></div><div>I love Book Twitter with all my heart. It is a great community and allows for you to jump in and out, as well as keeping up with the latest book content from the publishing world. I truly love some of the people with who I follow and interact. They are amazing people and I look up to them and admire what they have done for the community. The only problem is that they tend to showcase physical books. And if any true reader understands, once you have your heart set on it, that is all your money gone without a second thought. I think I might have spent hundreds of pounds since I first entered this book space. I know what you're thinking, ouch.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, I bet you're starting to think what happens now? How should I go about recovering from this form of shopping addiction even though it is the only thing that is keeping me sane right now? For one, I need to think about what I already have. Currently, as it stands, I have counted 247 books on my TBR pile. Most of these have been bought in the last year as a way to curb my boredom. But things are changing in little ways and looking up and I've decided that instead of buying books I will be adding a pound to my savings for every book I have read off my TBR pile. I know that this is not a way of recovering the money that I have spent, but it is a motivation to use what is already in front of me.</div><div><br /></div><div>Are you an addict? Do you love books so much that it has taken over your life like mine? You are not alone.</div>Kiki Hempellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446503791021355935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073516922571198813.post-62071076653855269132021-04-20T16:32:00.000+01:002021-04-20T16:32:29.978+01:00History of Present Complaint by H.L.R<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeCSA588sdaGl6KHJd8564mgymCp_SHRRLu_eZA0FAes3m0DcQ2ssvF8PdfD5CucDbN0HDSNAoq4h2nqwKBj7Gt38pFb7cGSzDsOLDJCYmj32CfCDUihP4PYKrzXNTozjtxUrBqI-Ns2Qq/s475/57200249._SY475_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="302" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeCSA588sdaGl6KHJd8564mgymCp_SHRRLu_eZA0FAes3m0DcQ2ssvF8PdfD5CucDbN0HDSNAoq4h2nqwKBj7Gt38pFb7cGSzDsOLDJCYmj32CfCDUihP4PYKrzXNTozjtxUrBqI-Ns2Qq/w254-h400/57200249._SY475_.jpg" width="254" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>SYNOPSIS</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After a traumatic psychotic episode, a nameless young woman recounts past psychiatric crises in an attempt to make sense of her present and fight for her future.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A genre-defying debut collection of prosetry, History of Present Complaint reveals the devastating reality of living with chronic mental illness. HLR writes of the human experience in her distinctive style: knock-out blows of blistering truths are tempered with shots of sardonic British humour, and the lines between fact and fiction, safety and danger, sanity and insanity are blurred beyond recognition through her bold poetry and sharp prose. History of Present Complaint is a damning depiction of under-funded mental health services and serves a vital role in giving a voice to the voiceless, shining a light on the darkest corners of the human condition and forcing the reader to see what has been there all along.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>REVIEW</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Despite how short this piece is, it presents a deep and resounding gravitas that leaves you speechless. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Weirdly enough, I do know a little bit about this topic about mental health and the strain that there is on the services provided. I studied about it in a criminology class at university and it left a mark on how little was being done for such an important part of all our wellbeing. But HLR struck that cord differently. Instead, flipping roles where alternatively you are the one experiencing mental health in a broken system, rather than being the onlooker being told of the situation. You are in the driver's seat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is truly a powerful piece which not only looks at how we treat those with mental health but society around us. It is more important than ever to have some form of empathy and understanding as to what people are going through mentally. It is an incredible source to look over again and again, whether it be for yourself or for someone else.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The difference that this piece has is that it portrays a story within poetry itself. Anyone of any age or capability would not just be able to follow it but figure out their own feelings towards the system. It is universal. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I think that this is a piece that I will take with me everywhere I go. It's indeed a hard topic but it's an important one that makes it truly special.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">RATING: **** (FOUR STARS)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><span><!--more--></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>BUY LINKS</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Amazon: <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/History-Present-Complaint-HL-R/dp/B08X6DRP95/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=history+of+present+complaint&qid=1618932663&sr=8-1">History of Present Complaint: Amazon.co.uk: R, HL, Douglas, Craig: 9798703799475: Books</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Kiki Hempellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446503791021355935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073516922571198813.post-37568464440819222482021-04-15T11:26:00.001+01:002021-04-15T11:26:28.197+01:00Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLu6Vy9MCrz11qxRWbMB-SwAqenejShKg3eGKPpNQM_pBanAPe_ST-bBFMMpts1nckqad9r-P94-MUW-XBwtNIqsTB8A0jr1afsLVrsdEpmQYAd6WoYlmOZEpQp-k1iv507aKia12iKvT6/s2048/unnamed+%25288%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLu6Vy9MCrz11qxRWbMB-SwAqenejShKg3eGKPpNQM_pBanAPe_ST-bBFMMpts1nckqad9r-P94-MUW-XBwtNIqsTB8A0jr1afsLVrsdEpmQYAd6WoYlmOZEpQp-k1iv507aKia12iKvT6/w400-h400/unnamed+%25288%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>SYNOPSIS</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Days after winning OASIS founder James Halliday's contest, Wade Watts makes a discovery that changes everything.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hidden within Halliday's vaults, waiting for his heir to find it, lies a technological advancement that will once again change the world and make the OASIS a thousand times more wondrous - and addictive - than even Wade dreamed possible.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With it comes a new riddle, and a new quest: a last Easter egg from Halliday, hinting at a mysterious prize. And an unexpected, impossibly powerful, and dangerous new rival awaits, one who'll kill millions to get what he wants.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Wade's life and the future of the OASIS are again at stake, but this time the fate of humanity also hangs in the balance.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>REVIEW</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The last time that I read Ready Player One was about two years ago and I was completely taken by this world that seemed so probable but futuristic. It was simply a joy to get to know the characters and how they used this amazing world at their fingertips. Now, with the sequel finally in readers hands, we all expected the same kind of excitement that we all experienced in the pages of the first book. But it was very clear from the first chapters of RP2 that what we knew was going to be turned upside down and inside out. This is something new and there is a different message to tell. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We journey to the events after Halliday's competition and how this has changed the High Five and what they did with their newfound wealth. It comes apparent how this has changed their outlook of how they see the world, some for the better and some for the worst. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It is only then when they discover something innovative and new that it sets off a quest in the OASIS that could change the world forever.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I didn't hate this book. Some of the chapters were quite longwinded, but I think it is a book that rewards you in the end. I actually quite liked the ending. I thought it was quite different and reminiscent of previous sci-fi books that I have read in the past. In some ways, it is a love letter to how sci-fi has changed pop culture. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Some of the characters in the previous book that wasn't there as much also got to shine. For instance, Og was a great example of how important he is and the important role he had to play. I think that he might be my favourite since reading this book. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Even though there are quite a few reviews that have put this book down, I don't think that it should stop you from reading it. It's not the same as the previous book but I don't think that it should be. There are some interesting parts of this book that I prefer to RP1. Overall, even though it is not perfect, this book does have some great passages that need to be read.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">RATING: ***1/2 (THREE AND A HALF STARS)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><span><!--more--></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>BUY LINKS</b></div><p></p><p>Amazon: <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ready-Player-Two-highly-anticipated/dp/178089743X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=">Ready Player Two: The highly anticipated sequel to READY PLAYER ONE: Amazon.co.uk: Cline, Ernest: 9781780897431: Books</a></p><p>Waterstones: <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/ready-player-two/ernest-cline/9781780897431">Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline | Waterstones</a></p><p>Bookshop.org: <a href="https://uk.bookshop.org/a/3917/9781780897431">https://uk.bookshop.org/a/3917/9781780897431</a></p><p><i style="font-size: 16px;">Disclosure: If you buy books linked to this site, we may earn a commission from Bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops.</i></p>Kiki Hempellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446503791021355935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073516922571198813.post-9908104700073722952021-04-12T00:00:00.155+01:002021-04-13T11:57:19.153+01:00Blog Tour: The Lore of Prometheus by Graham Austin-King<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkEGESPTRoBmomuzQNs_7QmsewuLw_tOUTkrZ7-5EwNtZk4U7MgFNlbQJQRn3BYZU2J2yk1rmexqUwp8u5WTVa_TyZbdZWfKyzclE1cZ8vD2v6bZBsPh7As2XreFrndXPnYXM1DTW59Hfp/s475/41943371._SY475_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="297" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkEGESPTRoBmomuzQNs_7QmsewuLw_tOUTkrZ7-5EwNtZk4U7MgFNlbQJQRn3BYZU2J2yk1rmexqUwp8u5WTVa_TyZbdZWfKyzclE1cZ8vD2v6bZBsPh7As2XreFrndXPnYXM1DTW59Hfp/w250-h400/41943371._SY475_.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>SYNOPSIS</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">John Carver has three rules: Don't drink in the daytime, don't gamble when the luck has gone, and don't talk to the dead people who come to visit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It has been almost five years since the incident in Kabul. Since the magic stirred within him and the stories began. Fleeing the army, running from the whispers, the guilt, and the fear he was losing his mind, Carver fell into addiction, dragging himself through life one day at a time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Desperation has pulled him back to Afganistan, back to the heat, the dust, and the truth he worked so hard to avoid. But there are others, obsessed with power and forbidden magics, who will stop at nothing to learn the truth of his gifts. Abducted and chained, Carver must break more than his own rules if he is to harness this power and survive.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>REVIEW</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is a tale about demons of the past that follow you, discovering a part of what makes the characters who they are and a journey of survival in a place that is unfamiliar and scary.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Even though this set against the backdrop of Afganistan, the truly shocking thing is how humans react to power. It doesn't matter the type of power that it could be as long as there is a chance of being able to hold it for yourself. It is realistic which makes it almost haunting. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What I found to be interesting is how much suspense that this book keeps you in. Just when you think that the plot is meant to move in a certain direction, it twists it into something new and shocking. You don't really know what is meant to happen until the final moment. Carver's visitors help to add to this tension and how this might change how he reacts to the situations that he is presented with.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mackenzie's story within the book has a fascinating way of highlighting how deeply disturbing the villain truly is. You can't help but cheer on Mackenzie to get through all the horrors and be able to overcome her own traumas.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Even though this is not a genre that I would usually read, I did find some elements of this book quite compelling. It has a little bit for everyone in terms of what they like, making this book great in its own right.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">RATING: **** (FOUR STARS)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><span><!--more--></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>ABOUT THE AUTHOR</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZ_AghlGPpmVxq-z5EiWoXlMWKdkk8lwnmcWxEl8mTa9vNm3qzFuC0CJ_fRAXJIymbLT2Gp6ZFtpPb3_fGy2bpqF7L8VIBQVOLr6R7K_4eTGODFzKnshOzDHMu06Z23BYTDaIIqTUw56n/s933/7068395.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="933" data-original-width="603" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZ_AghlGPpmVxq-z5EiWoXlMWKdkk8lwnmcWxEl8mTa9vNm3qzFuC0CJ_fRAXJIymbLT2Gp6ZFtpPb3_fGy2bpqF7L8VIBQVOLr6R7K_4eTGODFzKnshOzDHMu06Z23BYTDaIIqTUw56n/s320/7068395.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Graham Austin-King was born in the south of England and weaned on broken swords and half-forgotten spells. A shortage of these forced him to consume fantasy novels at an ever-increasing rate, turning to computers and tabletop gaming between meals.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He experimented with writing at the beginning of an education that meandered through journalism, international relations, and law. To this day he is committed to never allowing those first efforts to reach public eyes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After spending a decade in Canada, learning what 'cold' really means, and being horrified by poutine, he settled once again in the UK with a seemingly endless horde of children.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To date, he is the author of five novels, drawing on a foundation of literary influences ranging from David Eddings to Clive Barker.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/Grayaustin">Graham Austin-King (BBNYA 2020 Winner) (@GrayAustin) / Twitter</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Website: <a href="https://grahamaustin-king.com/">Graham Austin-King (grahamaustin-king.com)</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><span><!--more--></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>BUY LINKS</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Amazon: <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lore-Prometheus-Graham-Austin-King-ebook/dp/B07KFHSQ5G/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2VZL7TE6CYPBO&dchild=1&keywords=the+lore+of+prometheus&qid=1618177768&sprefix=the+lore+of+prom%2Caps%2C191&sr=8-1">The Lore of Prometheus: A Modern Fantasy Thriller eBook: Austin-King, Graham: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><span><b><!--more--></b></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>FOLLOW THE BLOG TOUR</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSQ2l1PZcw_t5kdajHlN99ZmbW2VvcDp4kd5uFxKvwYr2EoOazqgcF8UFzBd3EsE7WQgAGz_f27LyAisvqZnGZIuFH0v7zEGyJr_ueKRrFi-C4EJUPsLZFlfVIrl8MzJB2DrLPJ7eHttB/s1600/Lore+of+Prometheus+Banner.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSQ2l1PZcw_t5kdajHlN99ZmbW2VvcDp4kd5uFxKvwYr2EoOazqgcF8UFzBd3EsE7WQgAGz_f27LyAisvqZnGZIuFH0v7zEGyJr_ueKRrFi-C4EJUPsLZFlfVIrl8MzJB2DrLPJ7eHttB/s16000/Lore+of+Prometheus+Banner.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><span><!--more--></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>ABOUT BBNYA </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-IE">I received this book to
read and review as part of the BBNYA tours
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opinions are my own, unbiased and honest. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-IE"><br /></span><span lang="EN-IE">BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and scorebooks
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p></div><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p>Kiki Hempellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446503791021355935noreply@blogger.com0