Destroyer of Light Tour – Review & Giveaway

About the Book

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08QGJ2G5C

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Tor Books (October 12, 2021)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 12, 2021
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 3854 KB

Having destroyed Earth, the alien conquerors resettle the remains of humanity on the planet of Eleusis. In the four habitable areas of the planet—Day, Dusk, Dawn, and Night—the haves and have nots, criminals and dissidents, and former alien conquerors irrevocably bind three stories:

*A violent warlord abducts a young girl from the agrarian outskirts of Dusk leaving her mother searching and grieving.
*Genetically modified twin brothers desperately search for the lost son of a human/alien couple in a criminal underground trafficking children for unknown purposes.
*A young woman with inhuman powers rises through the insurgent ranks of soldiers in the borderlands of Night.

Their stories, often containing disturbing physical and sexual violence, skate across years, building to a single confrontation when the fate of all—human and alien—balances upon a knife’s-edge.

You can purchase Destroyer of Light at the following Retailers:

        

Praise for Destroyer of Light

A 2021 Kirkus Best of the Year Book
A 2021 Kirkus Best Science Fiction and Fantasy Book

“[A] dark, poetic tale of struggling human colonists and ambiguously motivated aliens on a distant planet. Brissett uses the alien setting to explore contemporary issues, including racism, the complexities of allyship, and the trauma experienced by child soldiers. The author’s updated take on a classic myth is both clever and entertaining…Richly developed and profound” —Kirkus, Starred Review

“Destroyer of Light is proof positive that we’re living in a new golden age of science fiction.” ―Charlie Jane Anders, Hugo Award-winning author

“Destroyer of Light grapples with themes of both the human and post-human experience in a way that is wholly original and seductively engaging. Brissett builds a richly layered and imaginative world that reflects much of our own―the good, the brutal, and the truly monstrous―while daring us to dream of something more. This is a tale not only of becoming and transformation, but about the choices we make that bring us to our destinations. In a time of new, meaningful, and thrilling science fiction, Destroyer of Light is a must read.” ―P. Djèlí Clark, Hugo Finalist and author of The Haunting of Tram Car 015

“A saga that combines many of sf’s most beloved tropes―a remnant of humanity struggling to survive on a far away world, aliens whose goals are dangerously unknowable, alien/human hybrids with unpredictable abilities, suspense, plot twists, and that good old sense of wonder. Hugely ambitious, impressively accomplished.” ―Karen Joy Fowler

“Destroyer of Light confirms Brissett as one of our finest and most ambitious novelists. A world-spanning epic that explores and explodes what it’s like to be both human and post-human. Gorgeously written and heartfelt, it’s quite simply one of the best books I’ve read in a very long time.” ―Elizabeth Hand, author of The Book of Lamps and Banners and Curious Toys

Review

Read that synopsis and tell me this doesn’t sound like an EPIC story, I dare you! And this is also just the type of story I personally need in a science fiction, so it’s safe to say my Persephone loving self enjoyed this! Plus the tie-ins to present issues really heightened the story and gave it such depth.

One thing I often find lacking in science fiction is world building, I feel like sci-fi focuses much more on throwing us into the story and it often lacks that fantasy-esque world building I love. BUT, this story didn’t do that and it’s probably one of the reasons I enjoyed it so much! There’s so many complexities to this story, the characters, and the world yet everything comes together so well.

This is one of those books that may be a bit difficult to read due to the nature of the story (and the way it relates to current issues), but it really is an amazing story that deserves a chance!

About the Author

Photo Credit: Bradley Lau

JENNIFER MARIE BRISSETT has been a software engineer, web developer, and the proprietor of Indigo Café & Books in Brooklyn. She has a Masters in Creative Writing from the Stonecoast MFA Program. Her stories can be found in Lightspeed Magazine, Motherboard/VICE, Uncanny Magazine, and FIYAH Magazine amongst other publications. Her debut novel, Elysium (Aqueduct 2014) received the Philip K. Dick Award Special Citation and has been a finalist for the Locus Award for Best First Novel and the Tiptree Award.

Goodreads

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

Tour Schedule

WEEK ONE

DECEMBER 6th MONDAY JeanBookNerd INTERVIEW

DECEMBER 7th TUESDAY Kait Plus Books INTERVIEW

DECEMBER 8th WEDNESDAY Insane About Books EXCERPT

DECEMBER 8th WEDNESDAY #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog EXCERPT

DECEMBER 9th THURSDAY TTC Books and More GUEST POST

DECEMBER 10th FRIDAY BookHounds REVIEW & INTERVIEW

WEEK TWO

DECEMBER 13th MONDAY Ya It’s Lit REVIEW

DECEMBER 14th TUESDAY The Momma Spot REVIEW

DECEMBER 15th WEDNESDAY Casia’s Corner REVIEW

DECEMBER 16th THURSDAY Bri’s Book Nook REVIEW

DECEMBER 16th THURSDAY Crossroad Reviews REVIEW

DECEMBER 17th FRIDAY Movies, Shows, & Books REVIEW

Giveaway

– 3 Winners will receive a Copy of DESTROYER OF LIGHT by Jennifer Marie Brissett.
– 1 Winner will receive a 25 Amazon Gift Card.
Giveaway is open to International. | Must be 13+ to Enter

*JBN is not responsible for Lost or Damaged Books in your Nerdy Mail Box*

a Rafflecopter giveaway https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

Rafflecopter

Izzy Newton and the S.M.A.R.T. Squad 2: Newston’s Flaw – Nerd Blast & Giveaway

About the Book

A Time for Monsters Tour – Review & Giveaway

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08XQY1XVY
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Vesuvian Books (September 28, 2021)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 28, 2021
Language ‏ : ‎ English

A Nordic thriller in the vein of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo meets Death Wish, in which a female serial killer, who only feels emotion when listening to music, is hell-bent on revenge and must outwit a disgraced detective determined to redeem himself if she is to complete her carefully orchestrated plan and cover up the ultimate secret.

ONLY A MONSTER CAN DO THE WRONG THINGS FOR THE RIGHT REASONSDo you remember the first tape or CD you ever bought? Perhaps you waited for the local station to play the top forty songs on a Sunday so you could record your favorite band. Maybe you downloaded a certain track that reminded you of your wedding day or a graduation.

Reyna Blackburn remembers.

Every single song for every horrific event in her life. She remembers what song was playing on the radio the first time he hurt her. And she remembers what was playing through her headphones the first time she killed.

You can purchase A Time For Monsters at the following Retailers:

        

Praise for A Time for Monsters

“Gareth Worthington delves into the mind of a female serial killer that is moved only by music as she tries to get away with murder. A tale of cat and mouse has the reader ask what she is trying to hide. An epic thriller and a fantastic read!” —Tanya Roberts @bookswihtanya, CER at Indigo Books, Québec Canada

“Engaging, stomach twisting, breathtaking, heart breaking, mind bending! Worthington pushes you relentlessly down a path of redemption and off the rough edges of unpaid dues–wherever they are hiding. All the way throwing society’s complicity in your face. Not only craftily written but intelligently crafted, he ensnares all your senses while keeping you guessing. A must read for fans of Nordic crime and lovers of twisting storylines.” —Dalilah Kőnig, bookseller at Orell Füssli, Switzerland

“A masterfully built story of abuse, pain, and possible redemption unfolds. Every twist and turn was unexpected and kept me wanting to know more. Can understanding the “Monsters” make you accept or condemn them? How Worthington made me actually love and understand a serial killer is beyond me.” —Erin E. Forys, Barnes and Noble, Williamsburg, VA

“A hell-raising revenge tale for fans of Gillian Flynn, Stieg Larsson, and Karin Slaughter that forces readers down a dark road with an unexpected twist.” —Bram Stoker Awards Nominee, Monique Snyman

Review

It’s going to be a short and sweet review today because I just literally finished a week long exam and my anxiety and nerves are shot as well as thrown into overdrive as I now have to wait on results. SO, LETS GET STARTED. Ah yes, serial killers, just what I need right now to override everything in life. It’s dark, it’s gritty, and it’s what you expect to see from a story like this. So I enjoyed it!

About the Author

Photo Content from Gareth Worthington

Gareth Worthington holds a degree in marine biology, a PhD in Endocrinology, an executive MBA, is Board Certified in Medical Affairs, and currently works for the Pharmaceutical industry.

Gareth is an authority in ancient history, has hand-tagged sharks in California, and trained in various martial arts, including Jeet Kune Do and Muay Thai at the EVOLVE MMA gym in Singapore and 2FIGHT in Switzerland. His work has won multiple awards, including Dragon Award Finalist and an IPPY award for Science Fiction.

He is a member of the International Thriller Writers Association, Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, and the British Science Fiction Association.

Born in England, Gareth has lived around the world from Asia, to Europe to the USA. Wherever he goes, he endeavors to continue his philanthropic work with various charities.

Gareth is represented by Gandolfo Helin Fountain Literary Agency, NYC, USA.

Goodreads

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

Tour Schedule

WEEK ONE

NOVEMBER 15th MONDAY Movies, Shows, & Books INTERVIEW

NOVEMBER 16th TUESDAY JeanBookNerd INTERVIEW

NOVEMBER 17th WEDNESDAY BookHounds GUEST POST

NOVEMBER 18th THURSDAY Coffee and Wander Book Reviews REVIEW

NOVEMBER 19th FRIDAY Casia’s Corner REVIEW

NOVEMBER 19th FRIDAY Books and Zebras REVIEW

WEEK TWO

NOVEMBER 22nd MONDAY Ya It’s Lit REVIEW

NOVEMBER 23rd TUESDAY The Momma Spot REVIEW

NOVEMBER 24th WEDNESDAY Gwendalyn’s Books REVIEW

NOVEMBER 25th THURSDAY My Fictional Oasis REVIEW

NOVEMBER 26th FRIDAY Once Upon a Twilight REVIEW

NOVEMBER 26th FRIDAY Rajiv’s Reviews REVIEW

Giveaway

– 1 Winner will receive a Copy of A TIME FOR MONSTERS by Gareth Worthington.
-1 Winner will receive a 25 Amazon Gift Card.
Giveaway is open to International. | Must be 13+ to Enter

*JBN is not responsible for Lost or Damaged Books in your Nerdy Mail Box*

Soccer Trophy Mystery – Nerd Blast

About the Book

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Peachtree (September 1, 2021)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 144 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 168263079X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1682630792

Fred Bowen is back with more soccer action–and a mystery–in his newest Sports Story, perfect for fans of Mike Lupica and Tim Green.

While soccer-playing twins Aiden and Ava lead their teams to a championship season, they try to solve the mystery of their town’s missing soccer trophy.

Thirteen-year-old twins Aiden and Ava and their good friend Daniel, all avid soccer players, have just learned their county league soccer trophy mysteriously disappeared forty years ago from the town library. It was never recovered. So between games and practices for the town’s soccer championships, the three friends try to solve the case.

But will these amateur detectives be able to unravel the mystery and find someone who had both motive and opportunity to commit the crime? Will their teams make it all the way to the championships?

Award-winning author and Washington Post KidsPost sports columnist Fred Bowen returns with another installment in his Sports Story Series, this time tackling important topics like equal recognition for women in sports. At the end of the book, Bowen includes “The Real Story” behind the disappearance of the original World Cup trophy.

You can purchase Soccer Trophy Mystery at the following Retailers:

 

Praise for Soccer Trophy Mystery

“Bowen has written another hit entry in his Sports Story series, with engaging characters, lots of sports action, and a unique mystery. An excellent choice for readers looking for a more modern-day Matt Christopher story.” —Booklist

About the Author

Photo Content from Fred Bowen

FRED BOWEN is the author of Peachtree’s popular Fred Bowen Sports Story Series for middle grade readers. A lifelong sports fanatic, he has coached youth league baseball, basketball, and soccer. His kids’ sports column “The Score” appears each week in the KidsPost section of the Washington Post. Bowen lives in Maryland.

Goodreads

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Giveaway

– 5 Winners will receive a Copy of SOCCER TROPHY MYSTERY by Fred Bowen.
– 1 Winner will receive a $15 Amazon Gift Card.
Giveaway is open to International. | Must be 13+ to Enter

*JBN is not responsible for Lost or Damaged Books in your Nerdy Mail Box*

//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js

a Rafflecopter giveaway https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

Rafflecopter

A Blood of Kings Tour – Excerpt and Giveaway

About the Book

Listening Length: 16 hours and 26 minutes
Author: Bryce O’Connor, Luke Chmilenko
Narrator: Nick Podehl
Release Date: July 13, 2021
Publisher: Podium Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
ASIN B092BYVMXD

#1 Bestseller in Dark Fantasy
#1 Bestseller in Dragons & Myths
#1 Bestseller in Military Fantasy
#1 Bestseller in Action & Adventure
A Top 100 Overall Kindle Bestseller!

Ryn has fallen. Ester could be dying. Bonner is too far away to help.

No matter how Declan Idrys looks at his situation, he comes to the same conclusion every time: He is about to die at the hands of the first dark elf seen in 700 years. Fate, fortunately, is not so cruel, though, and after barely surviving this initial encounter with the er’endehn of Eserysh, Declan and his friends find themselves in a tentative truce with the war-loving elves. They share a common enemy, after all, and their mutual hate for the Endless Queen and her growing legions is enough for the two groups to set aside their mistrust for one another, if only for now.

Sehranya, however, is not one to rest easy while her enemies join forces, and Declan and his companions soon find themselves assaulted by new horrors as they set out to make at last for the legendary city of Ysenden in truth.

But the queen has made a mistake. Within Declan the slumbering might of his line is at last stirring, prodded into life by the guiding hands of Bonner yr’Essel. Fire. Power. Strength. Sehranya will rue the day she did not throw everything she had into slaying the one of King’s blood….

Let award-winning voice artist Nick Podehl capture your imagination as you dive into the much-anticipated next installment of The Shattered Reigns, a best-selling fantasy series written by two authors at the top of their game.

You can purchase A Blood of Kings at the following Retailers:

        

Excerpt

CHAPTER ONE

Common men cannot fathom to the power of dragon. Even the lesser beasts—subordinate to their primordial line—are terrifying to behold. Massive creatures as they are, however, it is less their physical form that one need concern themselves with, and more the magics they wield at will. It is the commonly held belief of the educated that, even as hatchlings, dragons lack any need for the arduous training of the mankind’s mages and the occasional of the elven races who show a potential for the art. Rather, they are born knowing, born understanding their race’s instinctive talent for drawing upon the leylines of the world, and the subsequent destruction they can reek is mostly myth for a very simple reason: one does not tend to witness it and survive.

More frightening still, however, is that one trembles to consider what sort of creature the Mother above would allow into being to balance such a presence…
– In the Dragon’s Den, author unknown,
c. 250p.f.

Ryn knew only vaguely that he was falling.

It was a secondary concern, inconsequential compared to the pain, fury, and ferocity of the fight he had more directly on hand. In his great talons the drey thrashed, almost small despite its five-foot broad chest and some nine feet of height, but for all their difference in size the creature was a match for him.

Viciously-clawed hands tore at his scales, and each time a hoofed foot caught Ryn in the chest it was

like being struck across the ribs by a battering ram. The thing’s leathery wings whipped about his face and eyes, obscuring his already-limited vision, and the broken juts of its uneven fangs shone bloody in its elk’s head. Ryn’s neck throbbed, a searing agony boiling through his shoulder and back from where his opponent had just ripped a mouthful of flesh from the place just below the curve of his jaw. He was paralyzed by the pain, and through the haze of it he realized that this was why he was falling, this was why he was hurtling down, down into the dark to be swallowed by the abyss beneath the earth.

Schlunk!

Ryn roared as he felt something long and thin, like the blade of a sword, tear into his side. The drey had taken further advantage of his moment of incapacitation to sink the cruel barb of its jointed tail as deep as it would go.

Still, with this new shock came clarity, and so it was with a blink or two of his white-gold eyes that

Ryn’s spirit returned to the battle with a vengeance.

CRACK!

With a slashing of one front leg, Ryn struck the thing across the side of the head. Any other creature would have been decapitated by such a blow, but the drey’s doubtlessly-imbued bones held firm, and only an antler snapped off to spin away into the whirling black. With a screech it returned the treatment in kind, tearing and slashing at him. They fell and tumbled and sank deeper, deeper into the dark, faster and faster until the air screamed all around them. Blood and scales and fur were cut and ripped away, each of the pair taking it in turn to roar or scream in alternating pain and victory. First Ryn had the upper hand, then the drey, then Ryn again, this cycle repeating as endlessly as the emptiness that was engulfing them. Nothing existed to each but the other, as well as the firm, clear knowledge that one sole victor would have a prayer of walking away from this exchange alive.

When the moment of advantage came, therefore, Ryn didn’t hesitate.

Sacrificing a front shoulder to a series of long, clawed gashes, he managed to wrap a hand about the drey’s abdomen. It keened again, writhing under the pressure of his talons piercing its gut, pounding at his forearm with enough force to break the trunk of a small tree. Ignoring the hammering ache of each blow, Ryn managed instead to get his other front hand around its chest, finally pinning it

somewhat steadily before him. Together they continued to tumble endlessly through the air, but finding itself before his great head, the drey changed tactics, scrabbling and slashing at his face instead of his arms, trying and failing to get at his eyes.

With a thought, the magics in Ryn’s blood flared to life, heat building in his throat and chest, and

the blackness all around them fled when his mouth began to glow white with the building of ivory fire.

Unfortunately, the drey were as intelligent as they were savage.

Forgoing its attempt to slash at him, the pinned beast instead reached down with both hands and took him by the bottom jaw. With a strength that belied its slighter frame, the thing wrenched Ryn’s entire head up and away with a piercing scream. Unable to hold back the fire already roiling between

his fangs, Ryn was forced to release the magic through teeth clamped shut by the restraining angle. The flames sprayed out in a tumbling fan around them, spilling by and across the pair of them in their plummet. It seared even Ryn’s own hide, splashing across his black scales painfully and scorching the more delicate membranes of his wings. It was not for nothing, however, that he had been gifted with primordial blood. The power in his veins repelled the broiling heat, refused it with the absolute firmness of a mountain unmoving in the lashing of a winter storm. The pain pulsed, then ebbed, fading as the fires ran their course, streaming off him like water over oiled cloth.

The drey was less fortunate.

Despite saving itself the greater calamity of taking the dragonfire full in the chest, the spilling of the magic was not so kind to its form, made more widely of fur and skin. It screeched and thrashed,

letting go of Ryn’s jaw in favor of scrabbling at its own hide, trying to bat and claw away the flickering white of the clinging magic. It managed it, barely, but not before half its face had all but melted away and its broad wings became nothing more than useless sheets, tattered with holes that smoldered and widened with the stink of burning skin.

Ryn took his chance, then.

He’d not had great opportunity to fly in the last seven of his eight centuries, and so it was with some difficulty that he struggled to get his bearings. Through the pain he did his best to focus, the confusion of his swirling direction not helped by the spinning tumble into the abyss. Ryn’s mind battled with gravity as the pair of them twisted, trying to capture which way was up. He failed again and again, and in his grasp the drey’s attention had turned back to him, and Ryn saw the thing’s cruel tail swing around and stiffen in preparation again.

Forgoing his hope for better timing, Ryn flared his wings wide with a snap of catching air.

Luck—or perhaps the deity Declan and his forefathers called “the Mother”—must have been on his side this day, because it turned out he’d been in the middle of spinning right-side-up when the broad membranes caught. His wings jolted and strained in the upward rush, like catching the winds of a gale, and Ryn gave an unbidden grunt when the corded muscles of his back were wrenched by the jarring impact of cutting his momentum with a twisting jerk. The movement, though, slung the drey off of him as its own impetus continued to pull it down. With a keening scream that echoed in the ocean of emptiness it plummeted away, and Ryn could only listen to it fall, hearing for a long few seconds the flapping sound of its ruined wings fighting uselessly to keep it afloat.

Then even that faded into the black, and Ryn was left alone, suspended in limbo.

At once he sagged, the pain of the hard-won fight pulling at him, dragging him down. The slow beat of his wings stuttered, and he dipped a dozen feet before he caught himself. Though he couldn’t see it, he could feel blood streaming along his chest and legs, spilling particularly nastily from one back foot, below where the drey’s tail had punched into his side. His neck, too, ached dreadfully, acutely so when he lifted his head to blink up into the black.

There, far, far above him, a distant, single point of light marked the cavern from which he’d fallen.

Hold on, Ryn said to no one in particular, pushing his wings to beat a little harder. Once. Twice.

On the third he started to gain momentum, and soon he was ascending with gathering speed.

Hold on.

About the Authors

Photo Content from Bryce O’Connor & Luke Chmilenko

Luke Chmilenko was born in 1987 and spent the majority of his life growing up within Mississauga, Ontario. He now lives in Burlington, Ontario with his wife, daughter, and two cats. He currently works as a full time author looking to deliver the latest entries in his various series.

Goodreads

Website

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook

Bryce O’Connor learned the importance of a well-crafted story at an early age. Raised on the tall tales of Brian Jacques’ Redwall and J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, he fell in love with reading when he realized that one’s imagination is the only place where dragons might actually fly free. He lives in Rochester, NY.

Goodreads

Website

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook

Tour Schedule

AUGUST 2nd MONDAY Movies, Shows, & Books INTERVIEW

AUGUST 3rd TUESDAY Ya It’s Lit GUEST POST

AUGUST 4th WEDNESDAY Insane About Books GUEST POST

AUGUST 5th THURSDAY Crossroad Reviews AUDIO EXCERPT

AUGUST 6th FRIDAY BookHounds INTERVIEW 

AUGUST 7th SATURDAY TTC Books and More AUDIO EXCERPT

AUGUST 8th SUNDAY The Momma Spot INTERVIEW 

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"

Giveaway

1 Winner will receive a Copy of Each of the First Book and Swag in the Series.
Giveaway is open to International. | Must be 13+ to Enter

The Song of Forever Rains Tour – Review & Giveaway

Click the image to see my booksta post!

About the Book

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08GC3WWQF
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Montlake (July 1, 2021)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 1, 2021
Language ‏ : ‎ English

From the award-winning author of the Dreamland series comes a new dark romantic fantasy about a young woman finding hope in her powers of destruction.

The Thief Kingdom is a place hidden within the world of Aadlior. Many whisper of its existence, but few have found this place, where magic and pleasure abound. There, the mysterious Thief King reigns supreme with the help of the Mousai, a trio of revered and feared sorceresses.

Larkyra Bassette may be the youngest of the Mousai, but when she sings her voice has the power to slay monsters. When it’s discovered the Duke of Lachlan is siphoning a poisonous drug from the Thief Kingdom and using it to abuse his tenants, Larkyra is offered her first solo mission to stop the duke. Eager to prove herself, Larkyra accepts by posing as the duke’s potential bride. But her plans grow complicated when she finds herself drawn to Lord Darius Mekenna, Lachlan’s rightful heir. Soon she suspects Darius has his own motivations for ridding Lachlan of the corrupt duke. Larkyra and Darius must learn to trust each other if there is to be any hope of saving the people of Lachlan—and themselves.

Welcome to the world of Aadilor, where lords and ladies can be murderers and thieves, and the most alluring notes are often the deadliest. Dare to listen?

You can purchase Song of the Forever Rains at the following Retailers:

        

Praise for The Song of Forever Rains

“A spellbinding read…A dark, lyrical fantasy that merges vast worldbuilding with the best of romance tropes.” —Kirkus Reviews

“It’s so easy to lose yourself in Mellow’s evocative and engaging prose. Song of the Forever Rains blends excellent world building, wonderful character dynamics, and slow burn romance. I’m already looking forward to the sequel.” —Charlie N. Holmberg, Wall Street Journal bestselling author

“A story so immersive, it will haunt you long after the last page.” —Staci Hart, bestselling author

Review

Isn’t this book just so pretty? And it’s an amazing read as well! There was such a unique premise and I really enjoyed the start of this new series. And the world building for this one was just enough to give me all I wanted to know while also leaving me wanting more!

What I liked most about this book was that it gave us such a promising start and left me feeling as if there’s still room for the story to continue! Sometimes I feel as if the first book in a series throws everything and anything at you and wraps it all up with a neat little bow that I am left feeling that I don’t need another book. But not this one! I am ready to see what comes next and see all of the characters (especially our side ones) further developed.

I really had high expectations for this book because, I know it’s terrible for me to say this BUT, the cover drew me in so much. And I was extra pleased to find that I enjoyed the book just as much while reading it!

About the Author

Photo Content from E.J. Mellow

E.J. Mellow is an award-winning and best selling author of five novels. She grew up in a household of artists, surrounded by three sisters who were often found traipsing through the small grove of trees near their home. There they morphed into wolves and wild horses, escaping capture from many foe. Today, E.J. has taken her imagination to the page where readers have said her “lyrical, vibrant, and imaginative” writing sweeps them into “stunning worlds”. She is also the co-founder of She Is Booked, a literary themed fundraising organization that supports women’s charities.

Residing in Colorado, E.J. is working on the release of her newest dark fantasy novel, Song of the Forever Rains, out from Montlake Romance July 1st, 2021

Goodreads

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

Tour Schedule

WEEK ONE

JULY 19th MONDAY JeanBookNerd INTERVIEW

JULY 20th TUESDAY Kait Plus Books EXCERPT

JULY 21st WEDNESDAY Wottaread EXCERPT

JULY 22nd THURSDAY Casia’s Corner EXCERPT

JULY 22nd THURSDAY #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog EXCERPT

JULY 23rd FRIDAY The Momma Spot REVIEW

JULY 23rd FRIDAY A Bookish Dream REVIEW

WEEK TWO

JULY 26th MONDAY A Court of Coffee and Books REVIEW

JULY 27th TUESDAY Book Briefs REVIEW

JULY 28th WEDNESDAY Ya It’s Lit REVIEW

JULY 29th THURSDAY Cover2CoverBlog REVIEW

JULY 29th THURSDAY Crossroad Reviews REVIEW

JULY 30th FRIDAY Movies, Shows, & Books REVIEW

JULY 30th FRIDAY Discover Elysian REVIEW

Giveaway

– 1 Winner will receive a Copy of SONG OF THE FOREVER RAINS.
– 1 Winner will receive a $20 Amazon Gift Card.
Giveaway is open to International. | Must be 13+ to Enter

*JBN is not responsible for Lost or Damaged Books in your Nerdy Mail Box*

a Rafflecopter giveaway https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

Rafflecopter

*I received a copy in exchange for an honest review*

XOXO Tour – Review & Giveaway

Click the image to see my booksta post!

About the Book

Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperCollins (July 13, 2021)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0063024993
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0063024991

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.

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.

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.

You can purchase XOXO at the following Retailers:

        

Praise for XOXO

“A dreamy dose of K-pop idols and secret romances.” —Maurene Goo, author of Somewhere Only We Know

“With fun K-drama vibes, XOXO delivers a lot of heart and warmth in its protagonist who stays true to herself to the very end.” —Lyla Lee, author of I’ll Be the One

“When it was over, I immediately wanted to read it for the first time again.” —Kasie West, author of The Fill-In Boyfriend

“Simply put, this book made me happy. I guess you could say . . . I’m just a big fan.” —Emery Lord, author of The Map from Here to There

“A handwritten letter to falling in love and opening yourself up to the world. A delicious treat!” —Aminah Mae Safi, author of Tell Me How You Really Feel

“A feel-good, page-turning, swoony read!” —Gloria Chao, author of American Panda and Rent a Boyfriend

“A sparkling story of self-discovery—I was utterly charmed.” —Sarah Kuhn, author of I Love You So Mochi

“An utterly delightful love song dedicated to the intersection between dreams and romance.” —Julian Winters, award-winning author of Running with Lions

“Immensely fun, funny, and romantic.” —Emma Mills, author of Lucky Caller and First & Then

“K-pop helps a cellist develop musically and emotionally in this novel filled with humor and theatrics. Themes of responsibility, regret, and reconciliation weave through the intergenerational dynamics in Jenny’s family, adding dimension and depth.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Oh’s narrative reaches an enjoyable clip that is both accessible to readers unfamiliar with K-pop and pleasing for fans of K-dramas as well as anyone who enjoys a breezy contemporary romance.” —Publishers Weekly

Review

XOXO, Gossip Girl. Ok, now that that’s out of the way (I’m sorry, I HAD to), back to the review. This was a book that I picked up, took on look at, read the synopsis, and said yeah, this is a me book. I mean my kpop addled brain was just in bliss. And the romance was just perfect.

And while I came for the plot I stayed for the characters. I just really fell in love with our leads and couldn’t help but root for them. Plus all of the other characters were well developed and draw you in to fall in love with them as well. But even though I did fall for the characters the plot I was oh so interested in did not fail to meet my cheesy kdrama-y expectations. It was a story with a lot of fun, some heartbreak, and alllll the drama.

So yeah, this book was a complete win for me. I knew I would love it but it also didn’t disappoint me when I started reading (you all know how that sad tale goes). And it’s also up there as one of my favorite reads this year!

About the Author

Photo Content from Axie Oh

Axie Oh is a first generation Korean American, born in NYC and raised in New Jersey. She studied Korean history and creative writing as an undergrad at the University of California – San Diego and holds an MFA from Lesley University in Writing for Young People. Her passions include K-pop, anime, stationery supplies, and milk tea. She currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada with her puppy, Toro.

Goodreads

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

Tour Schedule

WEEK ONE – GUEST POSTS

JULY 12th MONDAY JeanBookNerd GUEST POST

JULY 13th TUESDAY Movies, Shows, & Books GUEST POST

JULY 14th WEDNESDAY A Bronx Latina Reads GUEST POST

JULY 14th WEDNESDAY Twirling Book Princess GUEST POST

JULY 15th THURSDAY Living in a Bookworld GUEST POST

JULY 16th FRIDAY Kait Plus Books GUEST POST

WEEK TWO – REVIEWS

JULY 19th MONDAY A Court of Coffee and Books REVIEW

JULY 20th TUESDAY My Fictional Oasis REVIEW

JULY 21st WEDNESDAY Ruei’s Reading Corner REVIEW

JULY 22nd THURSDAY Emelie’s Books REVIEW

JULY 23rd FRIDAY Ya It’s Lit REVIEW

JULY 23rd FRIDAY Kalisbookishrambles REVIEW

Giveaway

3 Winners will receive a Copy of XOXO by Axie Oh.
Giveaway is open to International. | Must be 13+ to Enter

*JBN is not responsible for Lost or Damaged Books in your Nerdy Mail Box*

The Torch that Ignites the Stars

About the Book

Listening Length: 17 hours and 21 minutes

Author: Andrew Rowe

Narrator: Nick Podehl

Audible.com Release Date: May 11, 2021

Publisher: Podium Audio

Program Type: Audiobook

Version Unabridged

Language: English

ASIN: B08VS9F2BG

Winner of the 2020 Stabby Award for Best Self-Published/Independent Novel
#492 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#2 in Humorous Fantasy (Audible Books & Originals)
#8 in Humorous Fantasy (Books)
#13 in Action & Adventure Fantasy (Audible Books & Originals)

After concluding their first year at Lorian Heights, Corin and his friends catch a train from their native Valia to the distant country of Caelford.

For most, this would be a simple vacation. Corin has other plans:

• Meet Anabelle Farren, the eccentric owner of Farren Labs, and learn about artificial attunements.
• Seek out Warren Constantine, a previous Arbiter, for training and a potential alliance.
• Find the visage Ferras herself to seek a cure for Sera’s condition.

Of course, Corin is Corin, and there’s absolutely no chance he’s going to be able to stick to a list. Even if he miraculously developed a sense of focus, he isn’t the only one with plans….

The Blackstone Bandit. Everyone’s favorite mysterious book entity. The aforementioned Farren. A vacationing professor. The mirror of a figure from Keras’ past. When their plots intersect, Corin and his friends are, predictably, stuck at the center.

It’s going to be a long vacation.

You can purchase The Torch that Ignites the Stars at the following Retailers:

        

Audio Excerpt

Audio Excerpt

About the Author

Photo Content from Andrew Rowe

Andrew Rowe was once a professional game designer for awesome companies like Blizzard Entertainment, Cryptic Studios, and Obsidian Entertainment. Nowadays, he’s writing full time. When he’s not crunching numbers for game balance, he runs live-action role-playing games set in the same universe as his books. In addition, he writes for pen and paper role-playing games.

Goodreads

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Tour Schedule

JULY 19th MONDAY Casia’s Corner AUDIO EXCERPT

JULY 20th TUESDAY JeanBookNerd INTERVIEW

JULY 21st WEDNESDAY BookHounds INTERVIEW 

JULY 22nd THURSDAY Ya It’s Lit AUDIO EXCERPT

JULY 23rd FRIDAY Movies, Shows, & Books INTERVIEW

JULY 24th SATURDAY Crossroad Reviews GUEST POST

JULY 24th SATURDAY TMBA Corbett Tries to Write INTERVIEW

JULY 25th SUNDAY Insane About Books AUDIO EXCERPT

Giveaway

1 Winner will receive a Copy of Each of the First Book and Swag in the Series.
Giveaway is open to International. | Must be 13+ to Enter

*JBN is not responsible for Lost or Damaged Books in your Nerdy Mail Box*

a Rafflecopter giveaway https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

Rafflecopter

The Freedom Race Tour – Review & Giveaway

Click the image to see my booksta post!

About the Book

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08GJQX4R9
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Tor Books (July 13, 2021)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 13, 2021
Language ‏ : ‎ English</span

The Freedom Race, Lucinda Roy’s explosive first foray into speculative fiction, is a poignant blend of subjugation, resistance, and hope.

In the aftermath of a cataclysmic civil war known as the Sequel, ideological divisions among the states have hardened. In the Homestead Territories, an alliance of plantation-inspired holdings, Black labor is imported from the Cradle, and Biracial “Muleseeds” are bred.

Raised in captivity on Planting 437, kitchen-seed Jellybean “Ji-ji” Lottermule knows there is only one way to escape. She must enter the annual Freedom Race as a runner.

Ji-ji and her friends must exhume a survival story rooted in the collective memory of a kidnapped people and conjure the voices of the dead to light their way home.

You can purchase The Freedom Race at the following Retailers:

        

Praise for The Freedom Race

“Every now and then a work comes along that makes you wonder whether you are reading or dreaming. And you’re not sure it matters which.” ―Nikki Giovanni

“You ever have the feeling that if you don’t read something, you may be missing out on something momentous happening? . . . I got that vibe from the first page of The Freedom Race. It has a prescience about it in the tradition of Octavia Butler. . . . If ‘resilience’ was a book, it would be The Freedom Race.” ―Maurice Broaddus, author of Buffalo Soldier

“Roy (The Hotel Alleluia) turns to speculative fiction for the first time with this lyrical, Afrofuturist hero’s quest set in the not-too-distant future. …[Ji-Ji’s] harrowing but profoundly spiritual quest for sovereignty against all odds impresses. Readers … will appreciate both the tenacious heroine and Roy’s intricate prose stylings.” ―Publishers Weekly

“The future Lucinda Roy calls up in The Freedom Race is a fierce, unsettling riff on our past and present. Instead of watching democracy evaporate and justice fail, Ms. Roy challenges us all to get over ourselves and join the race for freedom.” ―Andrea Hairston, author of Will Do Magic for Small Change

“American magic-realism meets the outcome of the Second U.S. Civil War in a well-told, but brutally jolting, strangely prescient, and soul-haunting narrative.” ―L. E. Modesitt, Jr., bestselling author of the Saga of Recluce series

Review

This is the kind of book that I have missed as of late. For a long time we had a surplus of dystopian books and then they just seemed to one day vanish. And this speculative fiction book fit what I missed about those books and put a modern twist on the genre. It also has just that right amount of horror added in at the thought of how easily something like this could actually occur.

This book is a tough read because it shows us the things we don’t want to imagine. Also given *waves at everything* going on in the world it’s also pushing a bit on the more realistic side of the genre. Which is something I don’t think anyone wants to see. And the thought and detail put into this book and story make it all the more palpable. So yeah, this one had me from the first line and I just couldn’t look away.

I definitely think that this is not only an important read, but something that we could all take a little something away from. But even that aside it’s a really amazing story and one that you will just want to read more and more about.

About the Author

Photo Credit: Larry Jackson

Novelist and poet Lucinda Roy’s latest book deal is with Tor/Macmillan for her futuristic slave narrative series The Freedom Race. Her previous novels are Lady Moses, a Barnes and Noble Discover Great New Writers Selection, and The Hotel Alleluia. Her poetry books are entitled Wailing the Dead to Sleep, The Humming Birds, and Fabric: Poems. She also authored the memoir No Right to Remain Silent: What We’ve Learned from the Tragedy at Virginia Tech. Among her awards are the Eighth Mountain Prize for Poetry, the 2017 Zenobia Hikes Woman of Color in the Academy Award, and the Baxter Hathaway Prize for her long slave narrative poem “Needlework.” An Alumni Distinguished Professor in Creative Writing at Virginia Tech, she has been a guest on numerous TV and radio shows, including The CBS Evening News, The Today Show, Good Morning America, CBS’s Sunday Morning, Oprah, and NPR. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, the Guardian, USA Today, the Chronicle of Higher Education, North American Review, American Poetry Review, and many other publications. She delivers keynotes and presentations around the country on creative writing, diversity, campus safety, and higher education. Currently, she is working on her speculative novel series, a book of ekphrastic poems, and a series of oil paintings depicting the Middle Passage.

Goodreads

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

Tour Schedule

WEEK ONE

JULY 12th MONDAY Gwendalyn’s Books EXCERPT

JULY 13th TUESDAY TTC Books and More EXCERPT

JULY 14th WEDNESDAY Movies, Shows, & Books INTERVIEW 

JULY 15th THURSDAY Crossroad Reviews REVIEW

JULY 16th FRIDAY JeanBookNerd INTERVIEW

JULY 16th FRIDAY Ya It’s Lit REVIEW

WEEK TWO

JULY 19th MONDAY BookHounds REVIEW & INTERVIEW 

JULY 20th TUESDAY Casia’s Corner REVIEW

JULY 21st WEDNESDAY Rajiv’s Reviews REVIEW

JULY 22nd THURSDAY Insane About Books REVIEW

JULY 22nd THURSDAY Nay’s Pink Bookshelf REVIEW

JULY 23rd FRIDAY #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog REVIEW

Giveaway

5 Winners will receive a Copy of THE FREEDOM RACE by Lucinda Roy.
Giveaway is open to International. | Must be 13+ to Enter

*JBN is not responsible for Lost or Damaged Books in your Nerdy Mail Box*

Sidewinders Tour – Review & Giveaway

Click the image to see me booksta post!

About the Book

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08VKM4DMX
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Talos (July 6, 2021)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 6, 2021
Language ‏ : ‎ English

Two brothers flee an army of fanatics across a vast and magical desert in this white-knuckle sequel to Master Assassins from Robert V.S. Redick, author of The Red Wolf Conspiracy.

The worst of rivals, the closest of friends, the two most wanted men in a war-torn world: Kandri and Mektu Hinjuman have cheated death so often it’s begun to feel like a way of life. But nothing has prepared them for the danger and enchantment of the Ravenous Lands. This sprawling, lethal desert is the brothers’ last hope, for they have killed the favorite son of Her Radiance the Prophet, and her death-priests and magical servants are hunting them day and night.

But there are dangers even within their caravan. Some of their fellow travelers worship the Prophet in secret. Others, including Mektu, have become obsessed with a bejeweled dagger that seems to afflict its owners with madness or death.

At stake is far more than the lives of two runaway soldiers. Kandri is carrying an encoded cure for the World Plague, a disease that has raged for centuries—while far from the desert, certain criminals have learned just how lucrative a plague can be. Are they using the Prophet, or being used by her? Who, in this game of shadows, can Kandri trust?

He knows one thing, however: they must reach Kasralys, great and beautiful fortress-city of the east. Only there can the precious cure be deciphered. Only there can Kandri seek word of the lover who vanished one night without a trace.

But Kasralys, never conquered in 3,000 years, is about to face its greatest siege in history.

You can purchase Sidewinders at the following Retailers:

        

Praise for Sidewinders

“Master Assassins was one of the top 2 or 3 books I’ve read in the past decade, so [Sidewinders] had a LOT to live up to. And it did a fantastic job—I pity the next book I read having to struggle out of the shadow of this tome… Redick has built something magnificent here.” —Mark Lawrence

“Sidewinders is a triumph in every single way to its predecessor and one of the richest worlds you can find in the fantasy genre today… Revisiting the desert lands of Urrath is the equivalent of rediscovering a long-lost passion.” —Under The Radar SFF Books

Praise for MASTER ASSASSINS

“This book has everything I love: Clean, crisp worldbuilding. Characters that live and breathe. A story that teases and surprises me. I like Master Assassins so much I wish I’d written it, but deep down, I know I couldn’t have written it this well.”—#1 New York Times bestselling author Patrick Rothfuss

“The prose is spectacularly good. Your adrenaline will flow. Your emotions will be toyed with. You will find yourself drawn in, turning the pages and worrying that fewer and fewer remain. I read a lot of good books. Quite a few very good books. This is one of the rare 6-star series openers I’ve encountered.” —Mark Lawrence, author of Prince of Thorns and Red Sister

“Robert Redick really nailed this one. What a great story! Fascinating plot and characters, and all of the author’s formidable skills at play. I cannot wait to read the next one.” —New York Times bestselling author Terry Brooks

“Redick’s powers of invention in this book are superb. He manages to reinvigorate his chosen mode of heroic fantasy by sheer force of description, his language always muscular, vibrant and well-calculated. The cast of characters is vast and believable . . . A hell of a ride.” —Paul di Filippo, Asimov’s

“An exquisitely written mix of heart-stopping action, masterful storytelling, and enchantment. Redick is a gifted wordsmith with a ferocious imagination. Master Assassins will produce many sleepless nights. I guarantee it.” —New York Times bestselling author Mira Bartók

“A blazingly smart thrill-ride of an adventure. The world of Master Assassins is deep, mysterious, terrifying, and utterly real, and I’ll follow Redick’s heroes, the mismatched brothers Kandri and Mektu, wherever they go in it. I can’t recommend this book highly enough.” —Daryl Gregory, author of Spoonbenders

“Redick’s long-awaited return to fantasy is the start of a truly satisfying epic.” —B&N Sci-Fi and Fantasy Blog, “The Best Science Fiction & Fantasy Books of 2018 So Far”

“Subtle and layered, evocative and true.” —Michelle West, Fantasy & Science Fiction magazine

“With spare, sharp-edged prose, Redick balances his rollicking adventure story against a tale of love and uneasy brotherhood, offering a thrilling glimpse into a world both haunting and haunted. His finest work to date.” —Jedediah Berry, author of The Manual of Detection

“An at once engrossing, entertaining and superlative read. The world building is epic and the characters developed well within the movement. I look forward to this series and the continuation of the Brothers Hinjuman quest.” —Koeur’s Book Reviews

“[A] taut, deftly-plotted story. . . carries the drama and suspense without collapsing the weight of building a world and setting up a few more books’ worth of storyline.” —B&N Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog

“Though it is only April 6th, and there are many books left to read this year, Master Assassins has cemented itself in AT LEAST my top 3 books of the year, maybe even #1. It is that good. . . . I recommend Master Assassins to everyone. Period.” —FanFiAddict, 5/5 Stars

Review

This was one of those books that I just had to take one look at to know that I would love it. But first off make sure you read the first one as this is the second book in the Fire Sacrements trilogy. Sidewinders honest has just that perfect style of writing that draws you in keeps you invested.

Ok, this is a thic book, and if you know me you know that I love a good thic book. And there is plenty of adventure and action in this book to keep you invested and interested. Even if you find your mind stray the second that happens you’ll be pulled right back in. Which is something I find thic books sometimes have an issue doing but especially this genre, as it tends towards the more narrative windy style.

I really enjoyed this one and I fully expected to enjoy it going in. Which, honestly, both haven’t always been coming true lately so this was a nice surprise!

About the Author

Photo Content from Robert V.S. Redick

Robert V. S. Redick is the author of the Chathrand Voyage Quartet ( The Red Wolf Conspiracy and sequels), among the most beloved and critically acclaimed epic fantasy series of recent years.

Redick is a former faculty member in the Stonecoast MFA program and an environmental justice consultant. He has lived and worked in Indonesia, Argentina, Colombia, and many other countries. Master Assassins (Talos Press, 2018), the first book in The Fire Sacraments trilogy, was a finalist for the European Booknest Award for Best Novel, and was featured on numerous Best of the Year lists.

Redick is currently a Visiting Professor with the University of Nevada, Reno’s MFA Program. He lives with his partner in Western Massachusetts.

Goodreads

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Tour Schedule

WEEK ONE

JULY 5th MONDAY A Dream Within A Dream EXCERPT

JULY 6th TUESDAY JeanBookNerd INTERVIEW

JULY 7th WEDNESDAY TTC Books and More GUEST POST

JULY 8th THURSDAY BookHounds INTERVIEW 

JULY 9th FRIDAY Movies, Shows, & Books GUEST POST

JULY 9th FRIDAY Rajiv’s Reviews REVIEW

WEEK TWO

JULY 12th MONDAY Casia’s Corner EXCERPT

JULY 13th TUESDAY Ya It’s Lit REVIEW

JULY 14th WEDNESDAY Insane About Books REVIEW

JULY 15th THURSDAY #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog EXCERPT

JULY 15th THURSDAY Crossroad Reviews REVIEW

JULY 16th FRIDAY J.R.’s Book Reviews REVIEW

Giveaway

3 Winners will receive a Copy of SIDEWINDERS by Robert V.S. Redick.
Giveaway is open to International. | Must be 13+ to Enter

*JBN is not responsible for Lost or Damaged Books in your Nerdy Mail Box*