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I'm excited to be a part of the virtual tour for "The Sun Will Rise", by Sarah Hill. This phenomenal book is out on Friday, and I can't wait for the world to experience this story! Today I'll be interviewing Kolby, the male lead in this powerful story. But before we get to the interview, let me share the blurb and my review.  The Blurb: Jordan and Kolby Simon have a beautiful life filled with love, laughter, and friends. The only thing missing is children. All Jordan wants is to have a child. To make her husband a father and to watch his face light up as he holds their baby for the first time. But while their friends have children, nothing ever changes for Jordan and Kolby. Desperate for results, they seek help from a specialist and begin fertility treatments. But as the negatives continue to show up on her pregnancy tests, Jordan struggles to keep a brave face while inside, her heart is crumbling. The one constant in her life is Kolby. With his constant love and reassurance, Jordan has no choice but to believe that someday, it will be their turn. Time is not on their side, though. With each passing year, Jordan’s hope for a child diminishes, leaving her to wonder if she’s strong enough to navigate a life with such bitter disappointment and merciless grief. She has to decide if she believes as Kolby does: that they control their happiness, and that--no matter how rough the storm or how dark the night--the sun will indeed rise. My Review: This story is an emotional ride, there's no doubt about that! This is a standalone book and follows our main character, Jordan, and her husband, Kolby, as they battle infertility along with the other highs and lows of life. The author navigates the the varied emotions that come with infertility with sensitivity, compassion, and a vulnerability that instantly drew me in. There are so many powerful scenes in this story, and whether you struggle with infertility or not, this book will leave a mark on you. There was laugher, and there were tears. There was heart-breaking despair, and overpowering love. I couldn't put it down. This book will stay with you long after you finish it! Sarah Hill is definitely an author to watch! Her writing is beautiful, and she knows how to tell an emotional story without ever feeling heavy-handed. While this type of story isn't my usual genre, the author drew me in with her masterful storytelling. I can't wait to read what Sarah writes next! The Interview: Kolby is one of my favorite parts of the book, so I leapt at the chance to get to interview him. Kolby, thank you for taking the time to stop by and answer some of my burning questions! Why don’t you start by introducing yourself? Thank you for inviting me, it was unexpected. As you know, I’m Kolby Simon, married to the beautiful Jordan Simon who is not only the star of this book but the center of my heart. Nobody’s life is perfect, but in my eyes Jordan and I live one pretty close to it. We work hard and we make sure we enjoy life, whether it be camping and exploring or just relaxing by the fire. I live by the rule that happiness can be found anywhere if you ignore the crazy going on and concentrate on what is right in front of you. Have you always lived in Idaho? I was born and raised here, with the exception of the small camping stint my parents took us on when we lived in a trailer out by Lake Mead near Las Vegas. Maybe that’s why I love camping so much. What is a special talent or skill you have? I don’t know that I have any special talents or skills. I know my way around a car motor, so I guess that’s handy and I know how to love hard. What is your favorite holiday, and why? Halloween. I’m a big overgrown kid. If I get the chance to dress up and act five, I’m taking that chance! What is your favorite color? Most days it’s Charcoal Gray, but other days it’s Navy Blue. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Huckleberry, baby! If you haven’t tried it, you should! In fact, I’ll take you to get some. Um, YES! Thank you for the kind offer! Ok, do you prefer tacos or pizza? I would eat tacos every single night if I could. Pie or cake? I’m a cake guy, specifically yellow cake with chocolate frosting. Jordan surprised me on our wedding day and had our cake made with yellow batter and chocolate frosting. The most beautiful wedding cake I’ve ever seen. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? I never really thought about it like other people do. I know we are supposed to all have these great dreams, but all I ever wanted was to be happy. What do you do for work? I’m a delivery driver. I deliver anything having to do with cars, from motors and doors to brake lights and bumpers. Who is your hero? I have two. My wife because she made me realize love exists in more than just books. My little sister, because she’s believed in me longer than anyone alive and I’m thankful she pounded that belief into me. I know you love camping. Have you always enjoyed it? Can you tell us anything about your first camping trip? My first trip, which some may not consider a real trip since we lived there for months, was at Lake Mead. My parents pulled a tiny Shasta trailer into the KOA and we ended up staying. We didn’t have much growing up but I think that brought us closer. What are three things on your bucket list? I want to travel to my heart's content, that’s really it. It’s a big one though, so it has to count for at least three, right? You have a pretty optimistic nature. Have you always been that way, or is it something you worked to develop? Optimism has always been a part of me. When you grow up with next to nothing and the world is already stacking its bets against you, you learn to look for the positive in everything around you. I’ve found I feel better when I’m laughing and smiling than when I’m not. I absolutely love you and Jordan as a couple! How did you meet? It was fate. I was hanging out with my best friend, Figgy. I mean Adam, when he got an SOS call from his wife to come pick her up. She was out on the town with some friends and one of those friends happened to be Jordan who can’t walk in heels to save her life! She was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen and I wanted to be the man to rescue her from the curb she sat on, holding her twisted ankle How/when did you know Jordan was the love of your life? How did you propose? We lived about half an hour apart when we were dating. Jordan came over every Tuesday to make me dinner. She knew I loved pasta, and that I hated vegetables. So she made chicken pasta and threw in some steamed broccoli to prove a point. I knew then that a woman who wasn’t going to conform to what made me happy was the woman I wanted for the rest of my life. And the pasta was pretty amazing too. As for the proposal, you’ll have to read the book to find out. It’s one I’m proud of. What are three words you would use to describe yourself? I would say loyal, honest, hard-working What are three words you would use to describe Jordan? Strong, empathetic, thoughtful How do you feel about your story being told? It’s what Jordan needed and it helped her. So, my hope is that it helps other women, and even men realize they aren’t alone. Is there anything you would say to others who are also struggling with infertility? I know it hurts, it makes you feel like a failure, even I felt like I’d failed Jordan. You haven’t failed, it’s something that happens and it sucks. Keep your head held high and enjoy the things you have been given, it helps when you make an effort to focus on what is going right in life. Think about it, a child isn’t going to determine whether or not you’re happy. Lots of men and women out there have children and they aren’t happy. We determine how happy we’re going to be by the way we deal with things. Kolby, thank you so much for stopping by!
Ok readers, are you just in love with him? You can get more of Kolby and his awesome wife Jordan in "The Sun Will Rise", which comes out April 29! Here's the link to preorder on Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09XC6RVBD To learn more about Sarah and her books, check out her website: https://sarahrylie.wixsite.com/author
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 I’m excited to host a stop on the virtual tour for Sun and Blood (Sentinel Rising #1) by Crystal Frost. (Yes, Frost—she’s my sis-in-law!) I’m going to be interviewing Crystal, but first, here’s the blurb for Sun and Blood, which is the first book in a brand new YA paranormal romance series! In a world of wolven, being average can get you killed. Without a wolf spirit of her own, Violet Draven is basically a souped-up human and an easy target. When her twin brother Jax makes enemies with the future alpha from a neighboring clan, she tries to stop him. A concussion sends her to the Sentinel Clan's doctor where the results of her recent tests reveal more than she bargained for. Determined to prove her worth, Violet trains with the best in the clan, but she's still considered a liability. To protect her, Jax orders his best friend to guard Violet, making the fight against her forbidden feelings for her new bodyguard even harder to hide. Meanwhile, retaining control over his wolf is vital if Patrick Cowen is going to keep his past a secret. After losing his family more than three years ago, Patrick found a home in Sentinel Clan and worries about what will happen if anyone gets too close to him. Holding everyone at arms-length is the only way he knows how to protect his new family, but his eighteenth birthday, and first shift, draw near, testing his tenuous control. His combative wolf spirit won't go down without a fight and if Patrick fails, everything he cares for will be lost. Driven by blood lust and the desire for power; rogue, red-eyed wolven begin attacking the clans. Their savagery knows no bounds. They have only one rule. Submit or die. About The Author: Crystal Frost is a transplant, and current resident, to the snow-capped mountains of Utah. When she's not working on her writing, she spends most of her time being a mom to three rambunctious children. She can also be found reading, talking to herself, helping others through fitness, pretending to write, hanging out with her husband, attempting to be an artist, staring at the stars, obsessing over books, Harry Potter, and mugs, and attempting to train her crazy, hyper-excited poodle Merlin. At nine years old, Crystal was diagnosed with both Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome (what is now known as Irlen Syndrome) and dyslexia. She was in her adult years before she was able to push past the stigmatisms that follow these learning and neurological disorders. She hopes that her story may inspire others with learning and neurological disorders to chase their dreams. Learn more about Crystal at: www.frostcrystal.com  And now, let's dive into the interview! Hi Crystal, and welcome! Thanks for taking the time to answer some of my questions. 1. When did you first realize you wanted to be an author? I’ve always had stories in my head. The earliest memories I have of playing ponies were with these epic tales of adventure that would last through many play sessions. Reading was difficult and oftentimes painful for me. I was diagnosed with Irlen Syndrome and Dyslexia at nine years old and started to learn how to work my neurological and learning disorders. It wasn’t until I had my first set of colored lenses from Irlen Institute that I discovered a love for reading because it didn’t hurt anymore. I had worlds and stories in my head long before that, but it wasn’t until then (and a report on Christopher Paolini) that I realized I wanted to be an author. I wanted to share my stories with the world. 2. Describe yourself in 3 words. Oh, I’m terrible with this… Let’s see. Loyal. Creative. Stubborn. Haha! 3. If you could only own 5 books for the rest of your life, what would they be? Heather, are you trying to torture me? First with the 3 words, now with an impossible choice? Oh dear. I wish I could say the Harry Potter series, but that’s 7 books right there! So, I’ll go with… -Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling (#3) -Obsidian by Jennifer Armentrout (#1) -Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber (#1) -The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson (#1) -Fire and Ash by Heather Frost – no crazy cliffhangers that hurt my heart, but a fun story! Lol 4. What’s something on your bucket list? See my ancestors’ names on the Denmark Wall. Really, just travel outside the country in general, (Especially to Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Greece) but I would love to see their names there. 5. What is your writing schedule like, and do you have any “writing rituals”? With three kids, my writing schedule is whenever I feel like I can get a few words in or stay up crazy late into the night and be exhausted the next day. I’m working on pinning down a better schedule, but every day is different. 6. I know you’re a Harry Potter fan. Can you tell us what Hogwarts house you’re in? And what house do you think your main characters, Violet and Patrick, would be in? I am happy to talk Harry Potter anytime! As you know. I am in Gryffindor! As far as my characters… Patrick would be in Hufflepuff. His loyalty astounds me sometimes and he is an exceptionally hard worker. Violet… I would say is also Gryffindor. She’s brave in the face of danger, even knowing she isn’t as strong as other wolven – which, admittedly can get her in trouble. No matter the situation, she’s always eager to help someone and loves fiercely. 7. Why don’t you tell us a little about Sun and Blood, and maybe how you came up with the idea? Sun & Blood follows Violet and Patrick as they navigate through clan life and its struggles. Add in some drama and violence from a neighboring bully and some rogue, bloodthirsty wolven and you’ve got yourself a story. Violet learns early on that she doesn’t have a wolf spirit of her own, leaving her weaker than the rest of the wolven community, but with better senses than a human. She struggles with the realization of what that diagnosis means for her future. Patrick is from another clan and holds all those close to him in his heart, but at arm’s length. He’s really afraid of his past being exposed and desperate to keep everyone around him safe. When those rogue wolven I mentioned earlier start causing havoc for the clan it makes everything a lot harder and puts everyone in danger. So… Sun & Blood was born out of frustration, to be honest. I love paranormal, particularly werewolves, but kept being disappointed by the books I was reading. I was so fed up with the many stereotypes that have taken over the werewolf world. I wanted to read something that was clean and fun, but still werewolves. Yes, their mating bond does enhance some things, but not to the point where it seems like they lose their mind and all they care about is their mate and jumping each other’s bones every second they get. Yes, there are some alpha male characters (or times when they act that way), but they are not all that way and they get called out on it. Lexie (a character early readers adore) has no problem giving Jax (Violet’s twin brother) flack for acting that way! 8. What was the hardest thing about writing Sun and Blood? What was the easiest thing? The hardest thing has been getting Patrick’s character just right. I know who he is on the inside, but there are things happening that make it difficult for him to be himself. You get little glimpses here or there throughout the first book and hopefully, he’ll let us see a little more of himself as the story continues. The easiest thing to write was the main storyline. I wrote well into book 2 after a back injury that kept me on the couch for 3 weeks. I then had to go back through and fill in the barebones, develop characters and places. Another easy part was any interaction between Lexie and Jax. They are hilarious and ridiculous! 9. Do you have a favorite chapter or scene in the book? I have a few favorites! The one I can talk about without giving too much away is the Moaning Cavern chapter. Moaning Cavern is a real place in California and everything about the place and tour itself was based on real-life experience. An old friend of mine told me about her time there and let me use it in the book. I can’t wait to visit the Moaning Cavern myself someday. She made me cry by telling me that she felt like she was back in the cavern while reading the chapter. There may also be a sweet moment between Violet and Patrick. 10. How many books will be in the series? Sun & Blood is a trilogy, but I’ll let you in on a little secret. I have ideas and plots already written out for three other stories about other characters in other clans. You’ll get to see Violet and Patrick briefly in each to see how their lives progress after the events of Sentinel Rising. Two of those will be New Adult based mostly on character age, situation, and one because of darker themes. 11. Sun and Blood has a lot of action sequences! Did you do any special research for those scenes? Yes and no. I grew up watching my dad practice Shoto-kan. A lot of what I write is from watching him and first-hand experience in training with him. I really enjoy writing action sequences! Every once in a while, I will have to look up the name of a move or watch a quick video to be able to better describe how someone would move through an attack. Don’t tell anyone, but there are times that I work through a sequence in my home (when no one is around), imagining the enemy’s placement and how I would react to it. 12. Which character in the book do you relate to the most? Probably Violet, but mostly when she is interacting with other characters. Her relationship and hot chocolate ritual with her mom remind me of my mom and I. Her conversations and interactions with Lexie remind me of my friend who offered her Moaning Cavern expertise and our friendship. There are moments with Violet and Jax that remind me of my mom and her twin. 13. Which character was the easiest to write? Which was the hardest? The easiest character to write was Lexie. She knows who she is and is lets the world know! The hardest was Patrick, but I talked about that earlier. 14. Describe Violet in 3 words. Fierce. Loving. Independent. 15. Describe Patrick in 3 words. Loyal. Hard-working. Protective. 16. I love a good side character, and you’ve got some great ones! Who is your favorite? Lexie! I’m pretty sure she is everyone’s favorite side character as well. She has some major spunk and loves to vex Jax which makes for some very funny scenes. 17. Do you have a song or playlist for Sun and Blood? Not really? I listened to the Narnia soundtracks a lot until I found Ambient Worlds on YouTube and then listened to the Lord of the Ring’s ambiance and music. I always listen to something a bit more upbeat when I’m writing my fight sequences though. 18. Do you have a favorite line from the book? What is it, and why is it your favorite? There are so many lines to choose from and I’ve shared quite a few of them on Instagram. One of my favorites is, “Her emotions were everywhere. Cookies were needed.” Emotional eating is a very human thing to do, something I believe everyone has done at least once in their lives. Violet and her cookies are also the only thing every single one of my early readers commented on. One of them said I even made her go and buy some! Thanks again for taking the time to answer my questions, Crystal! Be sure to check out the rest of the tour stops here: https://www.frostcrystal.com/post/sun-blood-media-tour-schedule --------------------------------- Sun and Blood releases on March 26, 2022!  LINKS:
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Sun-Blood-Sentinel-Rising-Book-ebook/dp/B09R42D3CX/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1647753194&sr=8-1 Amazon Hardcover: https://www.amazon.com/Sun-Blood-Crystal-Frost/dp/1957051019/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1647753194&sr=8-1 B&N Hardcover: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sun-blood-crystal-frost/1141111778?ean=9781957051017 Add on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60490799-sun-blood Add on BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/sun-blood-sentinel-rising-book-1-by-crystal-frost ***Also available on Kindle Unlimited!*** Follow Crystal on Social Media: Crystal’s Website: www.frostcrystal.com Instagram: @Author.Crystal.Frost https://www.instagram.com/author.crystal.frost/ Facebook: @Author.Crystal.Frost https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCrystalFrost Twitter: @_Crystal_Frost https://twitter.com/_Crystal_Frost Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18948162.Crystal_Frost Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/crystal-frost Join Crystal’s Mailing List: https://www.frostcrystal.com/contact  We all need books to read right now, so today's From My Library features one of my favorite authors: Jennifer L. Armentrout. She is phenomenal and writes YA, NA, and Adult. She has so many great books, it's hard to pick which one I want to feature first, but I'll start with the first Armentrout book I ever read: Obsidian. And it remains one of my favorites! Here's the cover and blurb from Goodreads: Starting over sucks. When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring… until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up. And then he opened his mouth. Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something… unexpected happens. The hot alien living next door marks me. You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon’s touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I’m getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades. If I don’t kill him first, that is. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12578077-obsidian You can already tell by the blurb that Armentrout has a great writing style and that Katy, our main character, has a fun voice. Katy is obsessed with books, so we became friends almost instantly. Plus she is smart, real, and a heroine you root for. Plus she's dealing with a lot, including the loss of her dad, and that just pulls at me.
I have never read about an alien quite like Daemon Black. I LOVE HIM! Snarky, sarcastic, fiercely protective of those he loves, super powerful, attractive . . . Ok, he can be a jerk sometimes, but he has lots of layers :) The world Armentrout has created in her Lux series sucks you in and doesn't let go. Each book in the series is better than the last, and the last couple books are sure to blow your mind. If you are looking for action, humor, romance, twists, and a wholly unique world, you need to grab this book! Even better news? The Lux world doesn't end after the Lux series. Because then you get to read the Origin series! That starts with The Darkest Star . . .but that's a post for another day :D Suffice it to say, I am DYING for book three in the Origin series. It comes out this October. And I need it. Why aren't you here yet, October? At least I have a lot of Lux and Origin books I can re-read until then! As always, I like to let readers know a little about the content of the book I've just raved about so you can choose books that fit you best. Content in Obsidian includes kissing, some innuendo, suspense, and some language. Let me know in the comments if you have read Obsidian, or if you've added it to your list :) Happy reading!  This YA fantasy debut is by Hafsah Faizal, a brilliant writer who I will DEFINITELY be keeping an eye on! Here's the official summary from Goodreads: People lived because she killed. People died because he lived. Zafira is the Hunter, disguising herself as a man when she braves the cursed forest of the Arz to feed her people. Nasir is the Prince of Death, assassinating those foolish enough to defy his autocratic father, the king. If Zafira was exposed as a girl, all of her achievements would be rejected; if Nasir displayed his compassion, his father would punish him in the most brutal of ways. Both are legends in the kingdom of Arawiya—but neither wants to be. War is brewing, and the Arz sweeps closer with each passing day, engulfing the land in shadow. When Zafira embarks on a quest to uncover a lost artifact that can restore magic to her suffering world and stop the Arz, Nasir is sent by the king on a similar mission: retrieve the artifact and kill the Hunter. But an ancient evil stirs as their journey unfolds—and the prize they seek may pose a threat greater than either can imagine. You know how sometimes you see a book, and you read the blurb, and you just know you're going to love it? That's what happened with this book. The world, the magic, the characters--they all felt so real and fresh to me, even though there are familiar fantasy tropes.
I really don't want to say too much about the plot, since this is one that definitely deserves discovery. But I really loved the characters and I could feel their individual struggles. Especially Nasir. My heart aches for him and all he has endured--and done. The world is unique, the writing is deftly beautiful, and the characters are captivating. I had a hard time putting this down, and I am DYING for book 2! (January 2021, I need you!) In short, I totally recommend this book! Let me know if you've read this one, or what great book you've finished recently! I’m in a classic mood, so I wanted to highlight one of my favorite stories: “The Scarlet Pimpernel”! The book was written by Emmuska Orczy, and it is a romantic adventure story set during the French Revolution. Here's the Goodreads summary:  It is 1792 and France is in the grip of a seething, bloody revolution. Mobs roam the Paris streets hunting down royalists, barricades block any chance of escape, and every day hundreds die under the blade of Madame la Guillotine. But in the hearts of the condemned nobility there remains one last vestige of hope: rescue by the elusive Scarlet Pimpernel. Renowned for both his unparalleled bravery and his clever disguises, the Pimpernel’s identity remains as much a mystery to his sworn enemy, the ruthless French agent Chauvelin, as to his devoted admirer, the beautiful Lady Marguerite Blakeney. First published in 1905, The Scarlet Pimpernel is an irresistible novel of love, gallantry, and swashbuckling adventure. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/431145.The_Scarlet_Pimpernel Ok, so to fully understand my love of this book, I think I need to explain that I grew up LOVING Robin Hood. Exhibit A:      Some re-incarnations I've loved better than others (the 1938 version pictured right above is pure gold!), but seriously, I LOVED Robin Hood. I still do, in case you couldn't tell :) But considering my intense love of Robin Hood, I guess it was only natural that when I stumbled upon The Scarlet Pimpernel, I was fated to fall in love with this story. There are similar themes, including protecting those who cannot protect themselves, ingenuity, adventure, out-smarting the villains, and a straight-up heroic arrogance that’s just so charming. My first encounter with "The Scarlet Pimpernel" was when I was sixteen, and my brother played me some songs from the musical. I was instantly hooked by the beautiful music and the thrilling story, and when I saw it was based off a book, I rushed to get my hands on said book. Since then, I've re-read it, I've read some of the sequels, I have seen the movies, I adore the musical, and it is even high on my "If I Get Amnesia" list, which tells my family which movies and books to prioritize in case I ever forget everything and get to re-experience my favorite things. (Does anyone else have this list?) No? Huh....  Moving on! I've raved a lot about this book, so let me try and focus on the actual book. "The Scarlet Pimpernel" follows Marguerite, a famous actress from Paris who has recently moved to England after a whirlwind romance with Sir Percy Blakeney, an English aristocrat. While Marguerite is lauded for her quick wit, Percy is foppish and ridiculous. Opposites can attract, right? When Chauvelin, a former acquaintance of Marguerite's, comes to England to investigate and capture the infamous Scarlet Pimpernel who saves French aristocrats from the guillotine, he goes right to Marguerite. Chauvelin threatens Marguerite's brother, who is in Paris, to coerce her into helping him uncover the identity of the Scarlet Pimpernel. Marguerite doesn't want to help stop the mysterious hero--she, like every other woman in England, is totally in love with--but she will do anything for her brother... Betrayal, adventure, and romance abound in this book. Not to mention plenty of witty repertoire, surprising twists, and suspense. It's a great classic! It is not as well written as some, and the first chapter may be a little slow/confusing the first time you read the book, but I promise the story is worth it!  I avoid spoilers in my reviews......but this time it is hard, because there's so much more I feel like I could say if spoilers were allowed! So here's the deal: You read it, and some day I'll do another post where we get to talk about it more :) Note: If you have somehow made it to this point in your life and you do NOT know the story or spoilers of The Scarlet Pimpernel, I beg you to read the book first. The musical and movies will totally give it away. That being said, I adore the movies and musical, so you can totally watch them after reading the book :) My favorite movie versions are: The 1982 version with Jane Seymour, Anthony Andrews, and Ian McKellan. Jane Seymour makes a great Marguerite, and how can you not love that hair?  Plus, she can really get in Chauvelin's face when he's being all villainous:  And I just think Percy is hilarious:  I also love the 1934 version, with Leslie Howard and Merle Oberon. They have been pictured above in the black and white GIFs, but I love that version, so it deserves another GIF here:  Fun fact: Leslie Howard loved the story so much that he wrote his own re-telling and set it in Nazi Germany. It is super interesting! It's called Pimpernel Smith. Winston Churchill loved it :)  Have you read The Scarlet Pimpernel? Have you seen any of these movies? Do you agree that it's time for another remake of The Scarlet Pimpernel? Let me know in the comments!
And thanks for reading!  I’m back with another Jennifer L. Armentrout book, because she’s amazing and I just finished this book and I can’t help myself from gushing right now! Here is the summary from Goodreads: Growing up, Mallory Dodge learned that the best way to survive was to say nothing. And even though it's been four years since her nightmare ended, she's beginning to worry that the fear that holds her back will last a lifetime. Now, after years of homeschooling, Mallory must face a new milestone—spending her se nior year at a public high school. But she never imagined she'd run into Rider Stark, the friend and protector she hasn't seen since childhood, on her very first day. It doesn't take long for Mallory to realize that the connection she shared with Rider never really faded. Yet soon it becomes apparent that she's not the only one grappling with lingering scars from the past. And as she watches Rider's life spiral out of control, Mallory must make a choice between staying silent and speaking out—for the people she loves, the life she wants and the truths that need to be heard. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26721568-the-problem-with-forever This book, guys. THIS BOOK. It has ALL the feels. It is beautifully written with compelling, realistic characters. I was hooked by page one. I’m a sucker for the trope of childhood friends reunited later on in life, and this book delivered in every conceivable way. I don’t read a ton of contemporary stories, since I’m more of a magic and fantastical and paranormal kind of girl. But every time I read a compelling contemporary, like “The Problem With Forever”, I wonder why I don’t read more of these. They can be so powerful and teach us so much about our own lives. Mallory’s inner thoughts, her anxieties, her fears, her bravery, her struggles, her emotions, her dreams--they are written with such detail that I felt all of it. She is a courageous girl who has risen from nightmarish childhood, and no matter how hard it is for her to follow through with her goals, she doesn’t stop. Her struggles and her growth were all believably written. Rider . . . There are no words. Or maybe there are too many words. He is heroic, flawed, courageous, and (of course) super attractive. He is fiercely protective of those he loves. I mean, he was like six and a half years old when he put himself between Mallory and their abusive foster parents. He is the boy who wears confidence and arrogance and a “I don’t really care” kind of attitude, but underneath he is dealing with so much. He feels like there’s no point in really giving himself a chance at life, because no one else ever will. He broke my heart. He made me cry. He made me smile. He made me smile even while I was crying. And when he quotes the Velveteen Rabbit with that passage about being real . . . Oh my gosh, guys. POWERFUL. I also loved the supporting cast, so much so that they deserve to be mentioned. Hector and Ainsley are great in their respective best friend roles to Mallory and Rider, and they each had depth and their own challenges that both balanced and enhanced Mallory’s story. Mallory’s adoptive parents are inspiring yet human, and, Carlos, I can almost forgive you for how you grilled Rider during that first, most awkward dinner. (Almost.) And Mr. BLANK should win teacher of the year! I adored him in every way, and I love knowing that the world has dedicated teachers like him. I don’t do spoilers in these reviews, so I can’t tell you much more other than to say this book is incredible. It is moving, and deeply touching. It left a mark on me, and when a book does that, I know it was good! “The Problem With Forever” is a YA romance, but it goes deeper than that. Facing our demons, admitting our insecurities and flaws, and allowing ourselves to feel can be painful, but these are also the things that make us real. And being real for ourselves--and being real and there for others--is a beautiful, wonderful thing. I completely, wholeheartedly recommend this book! Content Advisory: There are some tough subjects dealt with in this book, including child abuse and violence. I thought the scenes were handled in a good way, but I want to lay out anything that might be a trigger. There is also some language (including a handful of F words) and one sexual scene.  With all the craziness in the world right now, I feel like featuring a book that has uplifted me and inspired me to be a kinder person; kinder my friends, family, those who I may not always get along with, and myself. This book of quotes and anecdotes is from one of my heroes, Fred Rogers. "The World According to Mister Rogers: Important Things to Remember" is one of those books that I love to flip back through, not only when I'm sad, but also when I'm in a mood to improve myself.  Here is the official blurb from Goodreads: There are few personalities who evoke such universal feelings of warmth as Fred Rogers. An enduring presence in American homes for over 30 years, his plainspoken wisdom continues to guide and comfort many. The World According to Mister Rogers distills the legacy and singular worldview of this beloved American figure. An inspiring collection of stories, anecdotes, and insights--with sections devoted to love, friendship, respect, individuality, and honesty, The World According to Mister Rogers reminds us that there is much more in life that unites us than divides us. Culled from Fred Rogers' speeches, program transcripts, books, letters, and interviews, along with some of his never-before-published writings, The World According to Mister Rogers is a testament to the legacy of a man who served and continues to serve as a role model to millions. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/73123.The_World_According_to_Mister_Rogers?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=7UinJwdEbl&rank=1 I love Mr. Rogers. As a child, I adored his show. I loved the pacing, the way he would talk to me, and the way he would acknowledge my feelings. He talked about such important things that all kids--and adults--need to hear. As an adult, I've come to value his insights and I admire his attitude toward others. I want to be like him when I grow up. (You know, if I ever do grow up :)  How can you NOT love him? For such a small book, "The World According to Mister Rogers" packs in so many great insights. I want to share a couple of my favorites. The first is about making your dreams come true. Here's the quote from Mr. Rogers: "What makes the difference between wishing and realizing our wishes? Lots of things, and it make take months or years for a wish to come true, but it's far more likely to happen when you care so much about a wish that you'll do all you can to make it happen." This is a sentiment I completely agree with! I have often been asked variations of the question, "How did you become a published author?" My response has been some variation of this: "I didn't give up. I wished on birthday candles and the first star each night, but I also sat down and wrote a book. I revised that book. I shared that book. I kept sharing it, even when I was rejected. I kept writing. I kept wishing, until one day, it happened. And that's how I continue to achieve my dreams." The second and final thought I want to share from Mr. Rogers is about the importance of self care. Here is the short story he shares: "It's important to know when we need to stop, reflect, and receive. In our competitive world, that might be called a waste of time. I've learned that those times can be the preamble to periods of enormous growth. Recently, I declared a day to be alone with myself. I took a long drive and played a tape. When I got to the mountains, I read and prayed and listened and slept. In fact, I can't remember having a calmer sleep in a long, long time. The next day I went back to work and did more than I usually get done in three days." It's so easy to get caught up in everything we need to do, everyone else we need to take care of, that we forget to take care of ourselves. I find it easiest to find small, daily ways to slow down, be mindful, and take a moment for myself. This can be as simple as going through my morning or bedtime routine with a little more mindfulness, good music, and positive self-thoughts. But I also love to occasionally do what Mr. Rogers suggested: dedicate a day (or afternoon, or morning, or evening) to spend time with yourself. Get reacquainted. Realign your goals. Re-find your center. I hope these thoughts from Mr. Rogers help you as much as they help me. And remember, you are the only person in the world who is just like you. You are important. You matter. And you can help others know that they matter by the way you treat them. Kindness is never a mistake.   Today's From My Library post is about "Letters to the Lost" by Brigid Kemmerer Here is the lovely cover and official blurb from Goodreads: Juliet Young always writes letters to her mother, a world-traveling photojournalist. Even after her mother's death, she leaves letters at her grave. It's the only way Juliet can cope. Declan Murphy isn't the sort of guy you want to cross. In the midst of his court-ordered community service at the local cemetery, he's trying to escape the demons of his past. When Declan reads a haunting letter left beside a grave, he can't resist writing back. Soon, he's opening up to a perfect stranger, and their connection is immediate. But neither Declan nor Juliet knows that they're not actually strangers. When life at school interferes with their secret life of letters, sparks will fly as Juliet and Declan discover truths that might tear them apart. This book grabbed my attention and refused to let go. I am not always a big fan of YA contemporary, mostly because I'm picky with my drama and I generally prefer a story with a magical element. But this story felt classic. Timeless. I loved it. I love to wander cemeteries. There is a unique peace I feel in those quiet spaces, and I like the history as well as seeing the items family members choose to leave by the headstones. When I vacation, I like to stop at as many cemeteries as possible. I am weird. I've learned to embrace it.  Anyway, the idea of a relationship starting on the premise of exchanging letters at a cemetery was fascinating to me., so I snatched this book up. I immediately liked that these two characters are able to communicate the deep, dark, horrible, gut-wrenching things in their lives without actually even coming face to face. And while I guessed some of the twists, I enjoyed every moment of the journey.
Declan was my favorite character, and I loved his best friend--who actually has a book of his own :) Declan is the bad-boy, tough-guy that everyone in school is afraid of and all the teachers are wary of. He just felt very real to me, and even when I didn't agree with his actions, I understood them. Trauma is very real, and Declan responded accordingly. Juliet also felt real and I loved watching the relationship between her and her father change throughout the book. Also, the progression of Declan and Juliet's relationship made total sense--especially the pacing. I love books that remind me we are all people and we all have struggles and pain. We should not judge others. We should show kindness and understanding to those around us, because we never know what they're going through. And I love the reminder that even small kindnesses can go a long way. This book did that for me. I like to give include a little bit about the content, just so you as the reader can decide if a book is right for you. This one includes some language, smoking, talk about drinking, death, and some heavy themes and topics--including, obviously, death of loved ones. That being said, I thought things were handled very well by the author and the ending of the book left me feeling joy and peace. Dealing with grief and the trauma of our past is a very personal thing, but this book was a good reminder to me that we all have people around us who can help us heal and grow in spite of the hard things life throws at us.  Today I want to talk about Reality Dreamers, book one in the YA dystopian series by K. M. Frost. Here is the official blurb from Goodreads: Fifteen-year-old Jonas Hartley shouldn’t be having nightmares anymore, but that doesn’t stop them from coming. Every night, the dreams get worse—until he meets the Reality Dreamers. Normally, Jonas would avoid this strange trio of teenagers, but when he realizes one of them is a mysterious girl he’s seen in reality, he decides to stick around for a while, curious about what they’re doing in his dreams. But curiosity isn’t always harmless. The Reality Dreamers are hunted by dark beings called Entities, products of a dark world with many secrets. Too late, Jonas realizes he may have gotten himself into something much larger and much darker than he ever could have imagined... (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31832261-reality-dreamers) Reality Dreamers has a cool premise and realistic, likable characters. I loved Jonas, his parents, and his little sister Ellie. They are a strong family unit and their interactions felt real. Teenagers in YA books don't always have good relationships with their parents, and I thought it made the story more interesting that Jonas does love his parents. The supporting characters all feel real and unique (some teachers you love, some you HATE) and the other Reality Dreamers are super fun. My favorite character is Leah. She is feisty, sarcastic, funny, smart, brave, and a seriously good friend. She and Jonas have a great friendship that felt very real with that nice hint of more to come. And seriously, I laughed out loud at most of Leah's lines. The story is a little creepy at times, but it's done so well and never actually gave ME nightmares. Score, since I'm a wimp!  Frost writes a great suspenseful story with laughs sprinkled throughout to keep the plot balanced. The writing is also fabulous. Fast-paced, nice descriptive details, and believable dialogue. And, yes, K. M. Frost is my sister, so there's that 😍
If you like "perfect" societies, awesome twists, and hilarious characters, check out Reality Dreamers!  Let's talk about "Kiss of Deception". Book 1 in The Remnant Chronicles, this book is one of my favorites in the YA Fantasy Romance category. It has a great plot, a well-crafted world, and awesome characters. Here's the official summary from Goodreads: In a society steeped in tradition, Princess Lia’s life follows a preordained course. As First Daughter, she is expected to have the revered gift of sight—but she doesn’t—and she knows her parents are perpetrating a sham when they arrange her marriage to secure an alliance with a neighboring kingdom—to a prince she has never met. On the morning of her wedding, Lia flees to a distant village. She settles into a new life, hopeful when two mysterious and handsome strangers arrive—and unaware that one is the jilted prince and the other an assassin sent to kill her. Deception abounds, and Lia finds herself on the brink of unlocking perilous secrets—even as she finds herself falling in love. This was a recommendation from one of my best friends, and I devoured it. I love the whole trilogy! Lia is a strong female lead who also has flaws. She often speaks before she thinks, and while that has helped her out, it also leads her into trouble. It makes her human and relatable. I also love the fact that she meets these two guys, and the reader knows one is an assassin and one is the prince--but not which one is which. Even though I was pretty confident in my guess that I had their identities right, I still found myself thinking thing like, "Oh, yes, let them have a moment alone, it's romantic! . . . Unless he's the assassin, then he's just going to kill her." It made me look a little like this:  Another thing I loved about this book is the writing itself. Beautiful, punchy when necessary, and the author is so good at bringing in the little details that really bring life to a novel. Well done, Mary E. Pearson!
Whether you love magic in your books or you're not sure how much fantasy you like, I recommend this one. The magic element is light. The intrigue, suspense, romance, and twists are phenomenal! And you don't have to wait for sequels, like I did! Not only is the trilogy all written, there's even a follow-up duology set in the same world with cameos from our favorite characters. So you'll have plenty of hours of enjoyment in this awesome new world! Here's the link to Goodreads, if you want to read more about Kiss of Deception: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18490681-the-kiss-of-deception Content information: Very mild language, some innuendo, some kissing, some violence. I'd love to hear in the comments if you've read this book, and what you thought of it! I'm also always looking for book recommendations, so let me know what else I should be reading :) |
Heather FrostAuthor of epic closed-door romance, collector of books, and lover of adventures. Categories
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