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Lucy Turns Pages: 2021-11-28

A Look At... The Lightning Catcher by Clare Weze

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Title: The Lightning Catcher
Author: Clare Weze
Genre: Middle Grade Sci-Fi
Buy links: Book Depository - Waterstones - Amazon.co.uk - Amazon.com

Synopsis:
Alfie has noticed a few things since his family moved to Folding Ford.

He really misses life in the city. He and his sister don't exactly fit in here. But the most interesting one is that the weather is BONKERS. One frost-covered branch on one tree in the middle of June? A tiny whirlwind in a bucket in the garden? Only in Folding Ford. Armed with his bike, a notepad and his new best mate Sam, Alfie is going to investigate.

His best clue is Nathaniel Clemm ... the only thing in town weirder than the weather. When Alfie 'investigates' Mr Clemm's garden, only SLIGHTLY illegally, he finds a strange box that freezes his trainers and makes his teeth tingle. And when he opens it, only SLIGHTLY deliberately, SOMETHING gets out. Something fast, fizzing and sparking with electricity and very, very much alive.

But the creature from the box brings trouble of its own, and as barometers and tempers go haywire in Folding Ford, Alfie finds himself at the centre of a perfect storm.

Skellig meets Stranger Things in this funny, heartfelt adventure story perfect for fans of Ross Welford, Christopher Edge and Frank Cottrell Boyce.

My thoughts:

This is a book that I randomly found and the synopsis just pulled me in. It sounds like a comical science fiction where things will go wrong and I am interested to see the cause of the issue and how they will resolve everything.

Book Spotlight: Trauma Survivor's Guide to Coping with Panic Attacks: Focusing on Panic Associated with PTSD and cPTSD by Nicole Dake

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Title: Trauma Survivor's Guide to Coping with Panic Attacks: Focusing on Panic Associated with PTSD and cPTSD
Author: Nicole Dake
Buy links: Amazon.com - Amazon.co.uk 

Synopsis:

PTSD controlled my life - no more. I once was a survivor, now I'm a warrior.

Panic attacks that result from PTSD and cPTSD can be debilitating. Research unfortunately falls short, telling those suffering from panic attacks to just "wait for them to be over." Over the years I have learned to cope, first preparing for panic attacks, and then calming down during a panic attack. I am sharing these coping skills with others who have PTSD, so they can go from being survivors to warriors too.

Author bio:

Nicole is a parenting and mom life blogger with two published books. Nicole's other book is called 
Happy. Healthy. Rich. The smart mom's guide to living your best life.

Links:

Book Spotlight: Happy. Healthy. Rich. The smart mom's guide to living your best life by Nicole Dake

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Title: Happy. Healthy. Rich. The smart mom's guide to living your best life
Author: Nicole Dake
Buy links: Amazon.com - Amazon.co.uk 

Synopsis:

Happiness is more than the absence of pain. Don't spend your life running away from things, spend it running toward something instead. You only have one life to live.

Living your best life happens when you set goals in an intentional way. When you are a happier mom, you will have happier kids too!

Author bio:

Nicole is a parenting and mom life blogger with two published books. Nicole's other book is: Trauma Survivor's Guide to Coping with Panic Attacks: Focusing on Panic Associated with PTSD and cPTSD.

Links:

Finding Ways To Gain New Skills As An Adult

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Learning is one of the most important and most challenging aspects of life for many people. It doesn’t matter how old you are, picking up new skills can be a great way to improve your career, but achieving this goal can be trickier than many people expect. To help you out with this, this article will be exploring some of the best ways to gain new skills in the modern world. Even the busiest of adults can make options like this work, and the results can be well worth the effort.

Author Shout-out: Rebecca Crunden

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Welcome to an author shout-out post! For more information see this thread. Check out my book spotlights index and my shout-outs page for more indie authors to read from!

Rebecca Crunden is an author of many books and a big supporter of other indie authors, as well as bloggers. Here are some of her books, check out all of her books on her author page:

A Game of Wings and Marks

When Octavia Coal goes to the mountains to clear her head, she doesn’t expect to find an angel in trouble.

He tells her his name is Tamiel and he’s one of the Irin – the army of angels tasked with keeping demons from overwhelming humanity. But Tamiel broke a sacred law – he fell in love with a human – and now he’s being hunted by the same angels he once served.

With nowhere else to go, Octavia and Tamiel – along with Jack, the human in question, and her brother Caleb – appeal directly to Zev, the Demon of Games. A trickster of unparalleled power, Zev gives nothing for free, and the gift he offers Octavia to keep Tamiel alive comes with a confusing catch: He makes her the Healer of Raphael, archangel and Commander of the Irin.

Suddenly a target for both angels and demons, Octavia quickly learns that the only way to survive is to play the game better than they do.

The only problem is, she doesn’t know whose game she’s playing …

The Man and the Crow

Some witches curse, others are cursed. And sometimes, the cursed want revenge.

This short story was previously published in Spellbinding: An Anthology of Magic (2019).











These Violent Nights

Once upon a time, inhabitants of another world tore a hole through the universe and came to Earth. They called themselves Suriias, and rivalled humans in knowledge and skill with one great exception: they had magic.

War followed. Humanity lost. And three hundred years later, humans are on the brink of extinction.

Orphans Thorn and Thistle live in hiding. They are the last of their families, the last of their friends. They scrape by, stealing to survive and living on the streets or hiding in sheds. But even under the brutal regime of the Suriias, there are places where humans can mingle in secret with magical sympathisers, and one night Thistle gets an unexpected offer of marriage from a Suriia with high standing and friends in all the right places. For Thistle, it’s a chance at safety and comfort; for Thorn, it’s a chance to find the ones who killed her parents.

And so the pair move into the capital city of Courtenz. An urban monstrosity of magic and might, false friends and flying cars, drones and death tolls, the new city promises a fresh start – and new love – for both.

But if there’s one thing Thorn knows for certain, it’s that dreams can swiftly turn into nightmares.

Dust & Lightning

In the near future, humans have gone beyond simple space travel. By the year 4054, multiple solar systems are inhabited, and taking a spaceship is as commonplace as taking an aeroplane.

Unfortunately, not everything about the future is so advanced. The central planets, led by Earth, have risen high at the expense of cheap labour on distant worlds. Dissent is widespread and arrests are common. Sometimes prisoners are released; sometimes they disappear without a trace, sent to labour camps in other solar systems.

When Ames Emerys receives a letter telling him that his brother Callum has died en route to the remote planet of Kilnin, he takes the first ship he can off Earth, desperate for answers. But the secrets Ames uncovers prove far more dangerous than he could have imagined.

And trouble isn’t far behind.

Haze

When Eliza Owens gets a phone call in the middle of the night from a girl she’s never met, she doesn’t know what to think. The girl introduces herself as Paige, and says she used to date Erik Stern, Eliza’s fiancé. What’s more, she has something important to discuss.

The only problem? Paige has been dead for years.

Believing it to be a sick prank, Eliza tries to force it from her mind until Sam, Eliza’s older sister, tells her she met Paige only a few weeks before. And, according to Sam, Paige has nothing nice to say about Erik.

The fight which follows shatters the lives of everyone involved, and Erik disappears without a trace.

Five years later, Erik returns to town after his father’s death. Old wounds quickly resurface, and with them several burning questions. None the least of which is: Who spoke to Eliza and Sam if it wasn’t Paige? And why?

A Touch of Death (The Outlands Pentalogy Book 1)

A thousand years in the future, the last of humanity live inside the walls of the totalitarian Kingdom of Cutta. The rich live in Anais, the capital city of Cutta, sheltered from the famine and disease which ravage the rest of the Kingdom. Yet riches and power only go so far, and even Anaitians can be executed. It is only by the will of the King that Nate Anteros, son of the King’s favourite, is spared from the gallows after openly dissenting. But when he’s released from prison, Nate disappears.

A stark contrast, Catherine Taenia has spent her entire life comfortable and content. The daughter of the King’s Hangman and in love with Thom, Nate’s younger brother, her life has always been easy, ordered and comfortable. That is, where it doesn’t concern Nate. His actions sullied not only his future, but theirs. And unlike Thom, Catherine has never forgiven him.

Two years pass without a word, and then one night Nate returns. But things with Nate are never simple, and when one wrong move turns their lives upside down, the only thing left to do is run where the King’s guards cannot find them – the Outlands. Those wild, untamed lands which stretch around the great walls of the Kingdom, filled with mutants and rabids.



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Author Shout-out: Joharra Harper

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Welcome to an author shout-out post! For more information see this thread. Check out my book spotlights index and my shout-outs page for more indie authors to read from!

Joharra is an author and booktuber who is passionate about writing and the books she reads. You can so clearly see how much she loves writing. Here are her currently published books:

Jasmine Perez and the Wicked Sorceress (Book 1)

This is a story about Jasmine Perez. She is the Princess of one of the many Kingdoms in that Realm. But one day, a Wicked Sorceress kidnapped her people, including her father, the King. Jasmine has to leave her Palace, even though she has never left the Kingdom walls, along with two servants and her fiancé. They go on a long journey and find something that can help the on their mission, and find people who can help them as Jasmine practices her newly discovered magic. There is love, hate, adventure, action, anticipation, and lots of magic. Will she be able to stop arguing with her companions long enough to stay focused? Will she be able to defeat Lilac and save her people? Watch as Jasmine figures out who she is in time to save her Kingdom, and her entire Realm.





Jasmine Perez and Another Realm (Book 2)

It has been a year since Jasmine and Lucas disappeared through that portal. The group has been a mess since. Jax is distraught. Ben is trying to be there for everyone. Ava has other things on her mind. Ginny is hanging on by a thread. Lucas is close to breaking Jasmine, and Lilac is picking off her friends one by one. But when Amara comes to them, it looks like they may be able to save Jasmine after all. But first, Jasmine has to learn about both Rosemary and Alice's past. With Jasmine back in her Realm, the race is on. It is time for them to cook up a plan. To save Ben and Ava. To stop Lilac for good. But that may not be so easy. With everyone telling Jasmine she will have to Kill Ava, she looks to Alice and Rosemary for advice. But it may be hard for Jasmine to follow her heart, when the power inside her tries to take over her soul.




Jasmine Perez and the Enchantress (Book 3)

The hero's are back, for their biggest adventure yet. The stakes are higher than ever. With Lilac having nothing left to lose, and Jasmine having everything to lose. As Lilac becomes unstable and Jasmine's mental state begins to crumble, the allies prepare for War. Secrets of the Dark Forest are finally revealed as Jasmine's pull towards it becomes stronger. Just as Lilac appears to be winning, Jasmine discovers a powerful weapon that can put the odds in their favor. The Enchantress. An ancient legend that may have the answers that Jasmine has been looking for, a way to defeat Lilac and save the Realms, without murder. With Rosemary trying to convince her she has to kill Lilac, she realizes not everything is as it seems. The race is on as the final battle approaches. As Jasmine embraces her magic , she is finally ready to become who she was always meant to be.




The Curse's Light

Skylar Prescott is the only girl who knows the truth about their small little town. The town of Lawnsdale is cursed. No one believes the town's crazy girl. Until a strange boy finds himself thrown into the town, and now he can't leave. With Will by her side, Skylar may be able to finally figure out the missing details of the curse, including who's behind it. As Skylar and Will get closer, they can finally uncover all the secrets. But Skylar may find out how she's truly connected to this.









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Author Shout-Out: A E Bennett

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Welcome to an author shout-out post! For more information see this thread. Check out my book spotlights index and my shout-outs page for more indie authors to read from!

A E Bennett currently has two books out. I worked with her for a book spotlight post on her fantasy book, Gathering of the Four. She was kind enough to send me an e-copy of the book to read when I was feeling unwell. She has just released her debut romance book which is set in the same world as Gathering of the Four but it can be read separately. Here is some more information about her books:

Gathering of the Four: Book One of the Serrulata Saga

"In the Realm, every citizen knows their place."

Leora of Mae is a young woman orphaned at birth and raised on a remote farm. As a wielder of Xanthcraft, her abilities set her apart from her adoptive family and the other villagers.

Shortly before her twentieth birthday, she learns of her family’s plot to sell her into servitude. Fearing for her life, she flees from the only home she’s ever known—defying societal conventions and breaking the edicts of the Realm.

As she runs, Leora meets Roland Shallowbrook, a traveler on the Thieves’ Road; Lady Aurora Verte, daughter of a powerful member of the gentry; and the White Rider Leopold, a soldier with a secret.

Together, this found family will have to band together to survive.

Set in the distant future during the return of the Hale-Bopp comet, Gathering of the Four is the first book in The Serrulata Saga.

Yours and Mine: A Serrulata Saga Romance Novella (The Serrulata Saga)

She told a lie. He confirmed it. Now they’re secretly betrothed against their families’ wishes…

Lady Octavia Dorchester is the most desired young lady in the Realm. Now that she has twenty years behind her, society has deemed her ready to marry. Although she’s not enthusiastic, she promises to act like a proper lady and look for a good husband—just like her powerful father Lord Roman Dorchester wants.

Lord Gerald Verte has been painfully shy his entire life. He’s never been comfortable in society and lives in the shadow of his older brother, the imposing Lord Tristian Verte. Despite his desires to remain indoors and away from people, he promises his older brother that he won’t shame the family name, no matter how much his anxiety threatens to overwhelm him.

After sharing a dance at a ball held in Octavia’s honor, both she and Gerald know what no one else believes—it’s love at first sight.

When their respective family members object to the match, Octavia lies about their betrothal and Gerald corroborates her story. Raising the ire of both Lords Dorchester and Verte, Octavia and Gerald are torn apart and kept from one another until tragedy strikes.

This high-heat romance with a guaranteed HEA is a prequel to Gathering of the Four: Book One of the Serrulata Saga but can be read as a standalone.



Support me via Ko-Fi- here you can join my Ko-Fi exclusive book club, request content, join our Discord server and more!

Author Shout-Out: Sheila Sellinger

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Welcome to an author shout-out post! For more information see this thread. Check out my book spotlights index and my shout-outs page for more indie authors to read from!

Sheila Sellinger is a Christian author who writes primarily adventure romance and biblical fiction. Sheila also writes on Vocal where she shares short stories about animals, as well as mystery/thriller stories. These are free to read and a great way to support a writer!

Here is some of her work:

Jessie's Life Song

Jessie's Song brings together Jessie and Kevin in a non-stop adventure as Kevin does everything he can to protect Jessie from her psychopath ex-husband, Randy, who is bent on her demise.










The Cuddle Puddle: A Picture and Poetry Book

The Cuddle Puddle contains a collection of kitten photographs and poetry that is perfect for the entire family. Many of the kittens featured were once part of a rescue and now have loving forever homes. We hope you find them a cute as we do.











If you don't know the story of Balaam's talking donkey, you're in for both a treat and an education.
Follow Achsa, Balaam's donkey, as she beings her adventure to see King Balak, and then see how her adventure turns into a misadventure as events lead her from one terrifying experience to the next.









Sheila's stories on Kindle Vella, where the first 3 episodes are free to read:

Desperate Passions

Synopsis:

This is the story of four very different people in the Old West; James (the sheriff), Sarah (the teacher), Dillan (the wanderer), and Jenny (Dillan's sister) who find their lives suddenly entangled and forever changed by one another.


Synopsis:

This is the fictional diary of an American Christian soldier in Iraq during the year 2003 when the US invaded the country with the support of Britain, Australia, Poland, Spain, and Denmark. The invasion lasted from March 20 to May 1, but troops remained until December 2011. Follow our soldier as he travels this adventure. Take a look inside his life and thoughts.




Support me via Ko-Fi- here you can join my Ko-Fi exclusive book club, request content, join our Discord server and more!

A Look At... Julia and the Shark by Kiran Millwood Hargrave, Illustrated by Tom de Freston

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Title: Julia and the Shark
Author: Philipp Dettmer
Illustrator: Tom de Freston
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction / Mental Health
Buy links: Book Depository - Waterstones - Amazon.co.uk - Amazon.com

Synopsis:

'Days before lockdown there was a fire in my studio that destroyed twelve years worth of work. From the burnt out husk I rescued burnt frames, bags of ash, fragments of destroyed artworks. Much of the artwork for Julia and the Shark was made using these materials, as an act of mourning, transformation and repair. It reflects the central message of the book, that even in the deepest darkness there is always the light of hope.' - Tom de Freston

A Look At... Immune by Philipp Dettmer

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Title: Immune
Author: Philipp Dettmer
Genre: Non-Fiction Science

Synopsis:

You wake up and feel a tickle in your throat. Your head hurts. You're mildly annoyed as you get the kids ready for school and dress for work yourself. Meanwhile, an utterly epic war is being fought, just below your skin. Millions are fighting and dying for you to be able to complain as you drink your cup of tea and head out the door.

So what, exactly, IS your immune system?

A Look At... XOXO by Axie Oh

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Title: XOXO
Author: Axie Oh
Genre: YA Romance

Synopsis:

Jenny's never had much time for boys, K-pop, or really anything besides her dream of being a professional cellist. But when she finds herself falling for a K-pop idol, she has to decide whether their love is worth the risk. 

Indie Showcase #1 Books for Free or 99p/99 cents

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Authors work really hard, pouring all of themselves into creating their passion projects and achieving their dreams. One thing that I want to do is to help authors to reach a wider audience and make more sales. Something very important for all authors, is receiving reviews. Reviews on Goodreads, Amazon, Waterstones and other shop websites help authors to find even more readers. Sometimes authors will run deals such as offering their book for free or for a cheaper price so that readers can access their books and review them for others to find. In these indie showcase posts I am going to share some of these books. Please check out any books that you are interested in and leave reviews online!

If you are an author and you would like a dedicated post for your book, please check out my contact page for information on my paid spotlight posts. 

Keisha and The Rise of the Legacy (The Inferno Verse Book 1)

Currently free on Kindle

A Look At... The Hatmakers by Tamzin Merchant

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Title:  The Hatmakers
Author: Tamzin Merchant
Illustrator: Paola Escobar
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

Synopsis:

The first adventure in a spellbinding new magical world.

Cordelia comes from a long line of magical milliners, who weave alchemy and enchantment into every hat. In Cordelia's world, Making - crafting items such as hats, cloaks, watches, boots and gloves from magical ingredients - is a rare and ancient skill, and only a few special Maker families remain.

When Cordelia's father Prospero and his ship, the Jolly Bonnet, are lost at sea during a mission to collect hat ingredients, Cordelia is determined to find him. But Uncle Tiberius and Aunt Ariadne have no time to help the littlest Hatmaker, for an ancient rivalry between the Maker families is threatening to surface. Worse, someone seems to be using Maker magic to start a war.

It's up to Cordelia to find out who, and why...

My thoughts:

I have the hardback of this book and it is beautiful! This is an adventure story following magical hatmakers, it sounds very cool and I am really interested to see where it goes. The added mystery element makes this book even more intriguing and it feels like it will be a fast read.

A Look At... The Edge Chronicles: Beyond the Deepwoods: Book 1 of the Twig Saga by Paul Stewart & Chris Riddell

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Title: The Edge Chronicles: Beyond the Deepwoods: Book 1 of the Twig Saga
Author: Paul Stewart & Chris Riddell
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

Synopsis:

Abandoned at birth in the perilous Deepwoods, Twig Verginix is brought up by a family of woodtrolls. One cold night, Twig does what no woodtroll has ever done before - he strays from the path.

So begins a heart-stopping adventure that will take Twig through a nightmare world of fearsome goblins, bloodthirsty beasts and flesh-eating trees. Can he discover the truth about his past?

Beyond the Deepwoods is the first book of the Twig Saga - second trilogy in The Edge Chronicles, the internationally best-selling fantasy series, which has featured on the UK and the New York Times best-seller lists and sold more than 3 million copies. There are now 13 titles and four trilogies in the series, but each book is a stand-alone adventure, so you can read The Edge Chronicles in any order you choose.

My thoughts:

This is another book that is on my TBR. It is technically the fourth book in the series overall but it is book 1 in a series following a character called Twig. The synopsis intrigued me. This book sounds quite different to other middle grade books and I have heard good things about it.

Who Are We Without Fear? A Discussion on Supergirl, Anxiety & Being Our True Selves

 Warning, this post contains spoilers for the last ever episode of Supergirl

After a very emotional last ever episode of Supergirl, I was left with this thought: who are we without fear? 

At the end of this episode, we find Kara embracing her true self, a self that contains both her identity as Kara and her previous secret identity as Supergirl. Kara says how she is supposed to be the strongest person on the planet but she feels that she is the weakest because she is too afraid to embrace her whole identity. After an uplifting conversation with Lena Luthor, we see Kara cast aside her glasses, the barrier that has protected her superpowered alter-ego for all of these years. She reveals her true identity with the biggest smile.

I have dealt with anxiety for so much of my life. I have tried to do the things I am anxious about regardless. But being so filled with fear does affect how I feel on a daily basis. After watching this episode of Supergirl, I felt like I had a sudden realisation. I am terrified of teaching. I have taught children and adults, each time I have been anxious beforehand. Sometimes the lesson has gone well and other times I've been left with this heavy fear. But you know what? I am a good teacher. I did well in my teaching qualification and received great feedback. Even more importantly, when I teach, I feel fulfilled, like I am using this innate ability and it makes me happy. Yet, my anxiety tells me to 'run away', the fight or flight response that is unnecessarily set off when you have an anxiety disorder. This episode of Supergirl made me think; if I were to scrape away my fear, what would I do? Who would I be? What is my true self? And part of that is being a teacher. I want to be a teacher. I was meant to teach. I fully believe that. I help my students to learn and empower them to be who they are and for me, that is one of the greatest things that I can do.

So, going forward, I am going to aim to be more like Kara, even though I am afraid, of so many things, I will look beyond the anxiety and see my true self-- Who I am, without fear.



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A Look At... The Book of Stolen Dreams by David Farr

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Title: The Book of Stolen Dreams
Author: David Farr
Genre: Middlegrade Fantasy

Synopsis:

An exhilarating, awe-inspiring debut from a master storyteller writing for children for the first time, perfect for fans of Philip Pullman, Katherine Rundell and Eva Ibbotson.

When Rachel and Robert are passed a stolen book by their librarian father, they have to go on the run and protect it at all costs. With their father captured and everyone hunting for the Book, they must uncover its secrets and track down the final, missing page. But the cruel and calculating Charles Malstain is on their trail.

When the children discover the astonishing, magical truth about the Book, they resolve to do everything in their power to stop it falling into his hands. For if it does, he could rule forever. Step inside the pages of an immortal adventure and discover a truly unforgettable journey of wonder, courage and magic...

My thoughts:

Firstly, I have a hardback copy of this book and it is absolutely stunning. Secondly, I really like when books have a story about books. I have a few of these kind of books on my TBR. This book sounds really interesting and I can't wait to get to it.

Book Spotlight: Where There's A Will: Inspector Stone Mysteries #1 by Alex R Carver

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Title: Where There's A Will: Inspector Stone Mysteries #1
Author: Alex R Carver
Genre: Mystery / Thriller / Crime Fiction
Price - $0.99/£0.99 for the e-book copy
Buy links: Amazon.com - Amazon.co.uk - Kobo - Google - Apple - Barnes & Noble
Add it on Goodreads

Synopsis:

The kidnapping of a child is every parent's worst nightmare, for the Keatings though it isn't a nightmare, it's a reality.

Inspector Stone is tasked with finding Alice Keating and bringing her home safely. Hard enough under normal circumstances, but between investigating an unrelated armed robbery, family problems, and the machinations of an ambitious underling, it's almost impossible.

Unbeknown to either Stone or Alice's parents, the kidnappers have more in mind than collecting a ransom. And when it turns out that the Russian Mafia might be involved in the kidnapping, things begin to spiral out of Stone's control.

Can Stone find Alice before the kidnappers make good on their threats? If not it won't just be Alice that becomes a victim to their deadly plans...

Author bio:

After working in the clerical, warehouse and retail industries over the years, without gaining much satisfaction, Alex quit to follow his dream and become a full-time writer.

His non-writing dream is to one day earn enough to travel, with a return to Egypt to visit the parts he missed before, and Macchu Picchu, top of his wishlist of destinations.

When not writing, he is either playing a game or being distracted by Molly the Yorkie, who is greedy for both attention and whatever food is to be found.

Links:

A Look At... The Weather Weaver by Tamsin Mori

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Title: The Weather Weaver
Author: Tamsin Mori
Genre: Middlegrade Fantasy

Synopsis:

What if you could befriend a cloud? What weather would you choose? What if the weather matched itself to your mood, whether you wanted it to, or not?

11-year-old Stella has returned home to Shetland to spend the summer with her Grandpa, but it's nothing like she remembers. Grandpa is lost in his grief for Gran, the island is bleak and Stella feels trapped, until she encounters an old woman, Tamar, who can spin rainbows and call hurricanes.

With the help of Nimbus, a feisty young storm cloud, Stella begins to learn the craft of weather weaving. But when her cloud brain-fogs Grandpa and The Haken (a sea witch) starts to close in, she realises that magic comes with big responsibilities. It will take all her heart and courage to face the coming storm...

My thoughts:

The Weather Weaver sounds like a super cute children's fantasy with a pretty unique concept. This one is on my TBR and I can't wait to read it!

Twin Crowns by Katherine Webber & Catherine Doyle

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I was sent this beautiful promo box in anticipation for the release of Twin Crowns by Katherine Webber & Catherine Doyle so I thought I would show you what was in the box and give you some information about the book!

Title: Twin Crowns
Authors: Katherine Webber & Catherine Doyle
Genre: YA Fantasy Romance
Release date: 12th May 2022
Pre-order links: Waterstones - Amazon.co.uk - Amazon.com
Add Twin Crowns on Goodreads

Christmas Books to Read!

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It's almost that time of year again. How does it always seem to come around so quickly? Well if you would like some helping getting into the spirit or just want to celebrate this time of year, here are some perfect Christmas-themed books to read!

A Boy Called Christmas

This sounds like an adorable origin story for Santa Claus! We follow Nikolas, a boy who is unlucky and has a tough life but then one day, something magical happens...

The Christmasaurus

This book sounds adorable! It's all about a boy who meets a dinosaur in the North Pole. Christmas, a dinosaur and an adventure? Sign me up!







An original Christmas villain. I love Dr. Seuss' writing and the Grinch is an emotional story I'd love to read in rhyme. A perfect Christmas read for adults and children alike.








This book gives me total The Holiday vibes (which I am actually watching whilst writing this post). We follow twins who are going through a difficult time and decide to switch places. How could that possibly go wrong?

On The Film, Julie & Julia and Being a Blogger

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Have you ever seen the film, Julie & Julia? It's about this writer living in America who decides to challenge herself to finish a project for once. The project she chooses is to cook all of the recipes from this sentimental cookbook in a year and to top it all off, she blogs about the journey. It is also told in alternating points of view, with us seeing the creator of the cookbook living in France in the 1960s.

I originally saw Julie & Julia one day randomly on TV and I instantly fell in love. Every time I think about it, it reminds me of my passion for blogging and writing in general.

I love writing poetry and blog posts. I love blogging about books, mental health and topics that represent life and living. I feel that it's important to use this platform to help others, something that I strive to do in my life. I want to bring attention to real issues, reduce stigma and make people feel less alone. I want to help people find books they will love, books they can escape into and books they feel represented in. I want to help writers to find new readers. I want to do so many things with this blog.

I love being in the blogging/writing community. I have met so many kind and supportive people. I have gained advice, books to read and most importantly, new friends.

Blogging gives us a platform to feel like our writing is valued but also somewhere where we can communicate with others and create a sense of community.

Even after all these years of blogs, we are still here. Bloggers and readers and supporters. You reading this keep blogs alive and I hope that this is something that will never go away.



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Graphic Novels to Read!

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I love graphic novels. They are quick reads with generally witty dialogue and beautiful illustrations. I really want to pick more graphic novels up so here is a list of some I would like to read. Please let me know if you have any recommendations!

The Tea Dragon Society

This is a super cute graphic novel set in a world where there are dragons named after different teas I believe! I read the sequel as a review copy but I am yet to read the first book and I would really like to!




Lore Olympus

This was originally a webcomic but it has been picked up and published in these beautiful hardback copies. Lore Olympus follows characters from Greek mythology, I think in a modern day setting. I am so excited to pick it up!


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