Date Night with a Book: A Touch of Stone and Snow by Mila Vane

 Date Night with a book is the new After Dark series of posts on my blog, books posted for Date Nights contain Adult  Romance themes and scenes. From now on I will keep my reviews of all books I read that have explicit scenes in them for Date Night posts for those of you who prefer to avoid them or easy to find for those of you who seek them out ;)

Read for: TBR/Fantasy Romance February/ Audio Book

Synopsis: "Danger lurks in the western realms. The Destroyer’s imminent return has sent the realms into turmoil as desperate citizens seek refuge—but there’s no safety to be found when demons and wraiths crawl out from the shadows. Even Koth, a northern island kingdom left untouched by the Destroyer a generation past, is besieged by terrors spawned from corrupt magics.

When Lizzan leads the Kothan army against these terrors, only to see her soldiers massacred and to emerge as the only survivor, she is called a coward and a deserter. Shunned from her home, Lizzan now wanders in solitude as a mercenary for hire, until she encounters a group of warriors seeking new alliances with the northern kingdoms—a group that includes Aerax, the bastard prince of Koth, and the man who sent her into exile.

Though they were childhood friends, Aerax cannot allow himself to be close to the only woman who might thwart his treacherous plan to save their island realm. But when a goddess's demand binds them together, Lizzan and Aerax must find a way to overcome their painful pasts. Or there will be no future for the western realms..."

My Review: I read the first book in this series last year and while I really enjoyed it, I didn't remember a lot of details of the story, and I kept waiting for this book to refresh my memory but the link between them is so minimal that I really struggled. I was more looking for that connection than reading this story on its own, which would be the better option. They are in the same world and fighting the same evil but there was very minimal character crossover (at least for the characters I recall). With that said, once I gave up looking for that connection I was able to really settle in and enjoy this book. I loved Lizzan and Aerax, they have a complicated backstory that is revealed well into the story but I really enjoyed that past connection and the way their relationship had changed. Also, can I have a Caeb (I think that is how you spell his name) a giant snow leopard/sabre toothed cat thing that is super smart, I really want one! The action in this book is almost non-stop and it is a constant strain on your heart as you follow the characters through some really intense dangers and to an exciting conclusion to this book. I am really looking forward to when all these characters are hopefully brought together to battle the coming Destroyer.

My Rating: Even though I struggled a good portion of the book with how it fit with the previous book in the series, on its own this was a really good book. I loved the characters and their development throughout the book.  I give it a rating of Three Paws and a Stump Wag!

Bedtime Story: See You Later, Alligator by Sally Hopgood & Illustrated by Emma Levey

 

Read for: Children's Books & Borrowed Book

Synopsis: "When a friendly tortoise decides to set off on an adventure, he must first say goodbye to all of his friends. Affectionate farewells, of the sort that parents and their children share, are uttered to each animal as he slowly progresses through the zoo. Unfortunately, Tortoise spends so long with his heart-warming goodbyes that it is too dark for an adventure by the time he reaches the exit to the zoo."

My Review: This was a very cute story, little ones will get such a kick out of all the saying Tortoise comes up with to say goodbye to all of his animal friends. It would be a fun book to read before or shortly after going to the zoo to spark conversations about the various animals there. It is a short story and is great for a quick bedtime read and would be a good reminder for those reluctant sleepers that goodbye and goodnight are only for a short time and it will all begin again in the morning.

My Rating: This was such a cute book and young kids will get a kick out of all the phrases Tortoise comes up with to say goodbye.  I give this one a rating of Four Paws!

Good Night! Sweet Dreams!

Weekly Reading Wrap Up

  Welcome to my brand new reading wrap up, now on Fridays.  I have decided to move my reading wrap up from Mondays to make room for Mystery Monday and also because it is easier for me to wrap up the week while I am still in the office instead of trying to post it first thing Monday morning. 

Reviews Posted Last Week:

Links will take you to my review

In Love & Pajamas by Catana Chetwynd (Graphic Novel)

Unicorn Island: The Secret of Lost Luck by Donna Galanti

 Books Finished Last Week:

Reviews will be posted at a later date

Road to Shanhasson

Winterkeep

Tiger Came Down the Mountain

A Vow So Bold and Deadly

Unicorn Island: The Secret of Lost Luck

Please Don't Give Me a Hug

Something Red - DNF 75 pages

Currently Reading:

The Broken Spine by Dorothy St. James - ebook - on page 63 of 320

From Midwife to Mommy by Deanne Andrews - print - on page 52 of 352

Pages Read/ Time Listened
138:10 Hours Listened This Year(14:56 listened this week)
4,731 Pages Read This Year (1,236 Read this week)

Books Added to Shelves Recently: TBR

The Dating Plan (BOTM)

How to Fail at Flirting (Baecrate)

Winterkeep (Jan. Pre-Order) - READ

A Vow So Bold & Deadly (Jan. Pre-Order) - READ

Death Bee Comes Her (Jan. Pre-Order)

Stormbreak (Feb. Pre-Order)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I am finally catching up on some of the reviews and getting some posts up on here again.  As much as my life feels out of control right now, I know it doesn't compare to so many other people. My heart goes out to everyone struggling with no power, burst water pipes and freezing temperatures that they have never experienced. 

Back to the books, I had a really fantastic reading week this week and really got through some great books.  I can't believe February is almost over and I haven't gotten to nearly all the books I had hoped to read, but I did have a rather hefty TBR for this month. I have one more week to get through a few more books.  Next month starts Middle Grade March and I cannot wait! I have already started putting together my TBR and I think it is going to be pretty awesome. 

Anyway, I have a bunch of things to wrap up in the office this week so I better get to that so I can start the weekend off with more reading!

Review of Unicorn Island: The Secret of Lost Luck by Donna Galanti & Illustrated by Bethany Stancliffe

 

Read for: Netgalley/Requested Review/ Unicorns!

Synopsis: "When Sam arrives in Foggy Harbor, South Carolina, all she can see is that it’s small, boring, and thousands of miles away from her mom. She dreads spending the summer there with her Uncle Mitch, and he's not exactly happy to see her, either. But Sam quickly learns that there’s more to Foggy Harbor than she’d thought. With the help of a new friend, Tuck, she sets out to uncover the magical truth behind the town's biggest mystery: the secret of Lost Luck."

My Review: I can't help but continuing feeding that little unicorn loving little girl in my heart with more great unicorn books. This is definitely a book younger me would have loved and would have consumed the entire series! I enjoyed the main character, Sam seems smart and independent even though she has a rough go of things still seems to hold it together pretty good. I also really enjoyed Tuck and Uncle Mitch, it was great to get to know them. The mystery element also kept the pages turning and I like how all the questions aren't all answered right away, the open mystery keeps you coming back for more. The fact that this book takes place in a real world but with fantasy elements will be a great way to introduce young readers to the fantasy element, some kids struggle to imagine a high fantasy world so this is a great way to get started.

My Rating: This is a great book that will appeal to a wide variety of young readers, horse and unicorn lovers to mystery lovers to fantasy readers and those just getting into chapter books.  I give it a rating of Four Paws!

I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. The above is my honest review and opinion. 

You can find out more about Donna Galanti and her books on her Goodreads Page or Website. 

Unicorn Island was just released on February 9th so you can get your own copy from Amazon or Barnes & Noble or request it at your local bookstore or library.

Can't Wait for . . . Fugitive Telemetry by Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries)

 

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hoste at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. If you're continuing with WOW, feel free to link those up as well! Find out more here.

In case you aren't aware, I have in the past couple of years branched into Science Fiction just a tiny bit and it is all because of Murderbot! Thank goodness we have a new book in the series coming soon!!

Fugitive Telemetry by Martha Wells

Release Date: April 27, 2021

Synopsis: "No, I didn’t kill the dead human. If I had, I wouldn’t dump the body in the station mall.

When Murderbot discovers a dead body on Preservation Station, it knows it is going to have to assist station security to determine who the body is (was), how they were killed (that should be relatively straightforward, at least), and why (because apparently that matters to a lot of people—who knew?)

Yes, the unthinkable is about to happen: Murderbot must voluntarily speak to humans!

Again!"

Is there a series or author you follow loyally even though it is not in your normal reading genres?

Graphic Novel Review of In Love & Pajamas by Catana Chetwynd

 

Read for: Requested Review/ Netgalley/ Graphic Novel

Synopsis: "When you've reached that sweatpants-wearing cozy place in your relationship, it's all In Love & Pajamas!  This brand-new collection of Catana Comics presents some fan favorites and half of the book features never-before-seen comics that delight and amuse readers of all ages.  Wholesome, sweet, feel-good humor!"

My Review:  I adored this book, it perfectly captures the strangeness of the last year. It also did a great job of capturing those unique and tiny moments that make a relationship and make it last through all the struggles of life. The art style is adorable, of course, and I absolutely love it. This is definitely a book I can't wait to add to my shelves and pick up whenever I need that reminder to look at the tiny moments to find the keys to a relationship.

My Rating: I really adored this graphic novel/comic collection, it really captures a sweet and unique relationship, all the little quirks and moments that are found in a relationship. It definitely reminded me to look at those moments in my own marriage and treasure them all the more.  I give it a rating of Four Paws!

I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley, the above is my honest review and opinion.

You can find more about Catana Chetwynd and more of her great comics and graphic novels on her Goodreads Page or Website.

In Love & Pajamas was just released on February 2nd, so you can now obtain your own copy in print or digital format from Amazon or Barnes & Noble or request it at your local library or bookstore.