With big thanks to @loveboostours and the author, @john_condon_author, for the gifted copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. I wish the author all success with this book!
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MY REVIEW
If I’d have read this book as a child, I’d have wanted to go grab a pair of binoculars and head to the woods right away to do my own bear hunt!
The concept of the story is so engaging: the girl starts by listing all the kit needed for a bear hunt, then instructs us on the ten golden rules as she goes about her search. The fun artwork makes the story come alive.
As such, this book is an ideal companion for indoor and outdoor play to help both parent and child create their own bear hunt.
Plus, the story teaches a child the values of perseverance and courage.
And, there’s a lovely surprise twist at the end too!
Big thanks to @lovebookstours and L.Bell (author) for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Please see the photos for the blurb.
MY REVIEW
As an avid reader of fantasy, there are some books that blow my mind when they introduce you to a whole new world that you’ve never experienced before. And then there’s ‘Driftworld Atlas’!
How the author has vividly described the settlements among the high cliffs and vines at the edges of civilisation intrigued me. Reading this book was like nothing I’d read before. I could place myself beside the Lost Traveler as he journeyed through the places described in this book.
There’s a number of familiar fantasy creatures, and plenty of new ones – such as a shape-shifting lady made of paper – that make this read all the more enthralling. I even found myself having empathy for the main demon character – which is a complete first for me.
This book offers us a snapshot into such a wonderfully created world and characters. I can’t wait to read more as this universe expands in future books.
The first thing that grabbed me about this book was the cover – it oozed intrigue to me. Then, I read the blurb and became curious. I wasn’t disappointed: this book was a joy to read.
This is a work of alternative historical fiction set around forty years or so after the 1789 revolution failed. With the royals still in power, the poor and immigrants of the city have formed guilds to survive. In order to protect Nina, her older sister has to make the ultimate sacrifice for her safety. As Nina takes refuge with the Guild Of Thieves, she begins her long journey of revenge against the Tiger, the Lord of the Guild of Flesh.
This book deals with sensitive themes in a very considered way that drives the plot well. The list of secondary characters gives enormous depth to the plot; the lives of each is well worth a separate novel of its own. This book has sacrifice, revenge, friendship, shifting allies and betrayal. The author writes with such imagination that I couldn’t help but believe I was on the murky streets of this alternative Paris each time I picked the book up.
Big thanks to lovebookstours, the authors and the publisher for my gifted copy of this book.
Please see the photos for the blurb.
📚📚📚 MY REVIEW 📚📚📚
This story is written as a poem with wonderfully matching illustrations. I read this book with my eight year-old nephew. After reading it he said, “I don’t like the rain. Mum and Dad make me happy.”
This book shows children that it’s okay to be sad, that it’ll pass, and that the people we love will help us through. Plus, a dose of sunshine helps make things better.
This book is excellent in the way that it helps children to express their emotions.
‘I am already planning the next adventure. The wanderlust that infected me has no cure.’
It all started in Fishguard in the mid-1970s when, aged fifteen, Martyn Howe and a friend set off on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path armed with big rucksacks, borrowed boots, a Primus stove and a pint of paraffin, and a thirst for adventure. After repeating the route almost thirty years later, Martyn was inspired to walk every National Trail in England and Wales, plus the four Long-Distance Routes (now among the Great Trails) in Scotland. His 3,000-mile journey included treks along the South West Coast Path, the Pennine Way, the Cotswold Way and the West Highland Way. He finally achieved his ambition in 2016 when he arrived in Cromer in Norfolk, only to set a new goal of walking the England and Wales Coast Paths and the Scottish National Trail.
In Tales from the Big Trails, Martyn vividly describes the diverse landscapes, wildlife, culture and heritage he encounters around the British Isles, and the physical and mental health benefits he derives from walking. He also celebrates the people who enrich his travels, including fellow long-distance hikers, tourists discovering Britain’s charm, farmers working the land, and the friendly and eccentric owners of hostels, campsites and B&Bs.
And when he is asked ‘Why do you do it?’, the answer is as simple as placing one foot in front of the other: ‘It makes me happy.’
MY REVIEW
The author writes in such an engaging way about his journeys that its as if you’re walking with him at times. The descriptions of the landscapes and the interactions with the people that he meets really drew me in.
As an avid day hiker looking to become more involved with long distance/multi-day hikes, this book has given me a lot of encouragement to start planning those journeys.
I’m sure this book will be a constant companion to me on my future treks.
With big thanks to @lovebookstours and @codi_schneider for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. What a great book it is!
Blurb
Tucked in the cold Colorado mountains lies the remote village of Gray Birch, a place where outsiders are frowned upon. In this village lives a cat named Bijou. But she’s no ordinary house cat; her ancestors were mousers on Viking longships, and their blood runs through her veins. Since her battle skills are hardly needed in this modern age, however, she spends her energies running the Fox Burrow Pet Inn with her human, Spencer, and her assistant, Skunk, a mentally negligible Pomeranian. Together, the happy trio has created a safe haven for their four-legged guests.
But when Eddy Line, a handsome baker from California, comes to the inn—along with his piglet and pit bull puppy—everything changes. Spencer falls for Eddy, Bijou is unhappy with the sudden changes to her clan, and the townspeople are anything but welcoming; in fact, threats are made against Eddy when he buys the town’s historic firehouse in order to open a bakery.
Then a shocking murder/dognapping occurs on the night of the bakery’s grand opening, and Bijou finds herself thrust into a tangled mystery. To solve it, she will have to summon her inner Viking—and fight tooth and claw for her new clan.
My Review
I was super intrigued to read a mystery novel told from the point of view of a cat called Bijou. Her crime-solving powers are aided by her innate Viking abilities, and her animal friends.
This honestly has to be one of the best books I’ve ever read. Codi Schneider is a very talented writer with a mastery of word play. This novel is such fun – I didn’t want to stop reading. The book has a good dose of humour and an engaging plot full of suspense. The cast of characters gives the story depth and diversity.
I really look forward to reading more from the author.
I’m very excited to reveal the cover for my first book, Adventure Dayze, which charts the adventures of my friends and I. The book covers my progress to overcome a fear of heights and a dodgy sense of direction as we attempt the highest mountains in each of the countries of Britain and then Ireland.
The cover shows me wandering off in a completely different direction to my friends even though I’m holding the map. That’s a very common theme on our mountain hikes! The cover is mostly green for two reasons: this is a nod to my Irish roots and because my favourite colour is… you guessed it…green!
The cover was designed by Laura Antonioli, who I found on Fiverr. Laura was so patient and kind, and very supportive of any changes I needed. She also did the internal layout of the book – and I am really pleased with that too. I look forward to working with her on future projects.
In the next post I’ll reveal more details about the book’s release!
Thank you for stopping by and reading this. If you’ve got any comments, it’d be great to hear from you.I’m looking forward to reading your posts as well.
Looking Write Back at You 