books – Page 8 – Jill's Book Blog

Review: Blood Lasts Forever

Title: Blood Lasts Forever
Author: Jeff Gunhus
Genre: Thriller, Contemporary
Publisher: Seven Guns Press
Source: iRead Book Tours
Format: Ebook
Release Date: November 11, 2024
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Not every death is a tragedy.

When fifteen-year-old Wyatt Bucks is found dead in the Sagasett River, the small town of Chambers breathes a collective sigh of relief. Wyatt was a troubled youth, feared and despised by many. But his death, deemed an accident by the local sheriff, leaves a chilling legacy that will haunt the town for decades.

Twenty years later, Mitch Ansel, now a middle school teacher, receives a call that resurrects the nightmares of his past. Alongside his old friends, the Fab Five, Mitch is forced to confront the dark secret they’ve buried for years—a secret that ties them to Wyatt’s death.

As the friends reunite at a remote cabin, they must navigate a web of deceit, fear, and violence. Each carries scars from the past, but none are prepared for the revelations that await them. Mitch’s terrifying visions of Wyatt and the relentless pull of their shared guilt threaten to unravel their lives and sanity.

Review:

Blood Lasts Forever is a creepy and suspenseful thriller. It is the scariest book I’ve read in a long time. I made the mistake of reading it before I went to sleep, and then I was wide awake for a long time! There were some very disturbing scenes, but I think it justified the murder that happened when the main characters were kids. Check the content warnings before reading this one.

Blood Lasts Forever is a suspenseful thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat!

Thank you iRead Book Tours for sending me a copy of this book as part of a paid campaign!

Content warnings: child abuse, sexual assault, animal abuse, animal death, murder, PTSD, hallucinations, body horror

Have you read Blood Lasts Forever? What did you think of it?

Review: Nina Peanut: Creative Genius

Title: Nina Peanut: Creative Genius
Author: Sarah Bowie
Genre: Graphic Novel, Middle Grade
Publisher: Union Square and Co.
Source: Publisher
Format: Paperback
Release Date: August 13, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Perfect for fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, here is a witty and humorous story about a girl’s claim to fame and her journey toward self-discovery.

Nina Peanut runs a very serious, very amazing YouTube channel; so why are her grandmother and her best friend, Brian, her only viewers? (Hint: it might have something to do with her obsessions with quirky stuff like a potato with a human face.) Nina wants to be as popular as queen bee Megan Dunne, and when Nina’s cat accidentally wanders into one of Megan’s videos, Nina realizes she just might have the chance to chase her dreams. But as Nina goes down the road of stardom, she starts to question whether or not fame is worth the price she’s paying.

Review:

Nina Peanut likes making videos for an online site, but she has to learn that getting likes online doesn’t mean that you will have good friends in real life. This is an important lesson for kids to learn these days when they want to gain popularity online, but that can take away from your real life interactions. Your online popularity can also be taken away or turned into something that makes you feel bad or embarrassed quite quickly as well. Nina was also funny, and she reminded me of a younger Georgia Nicolson character.

Nina Peanut: Creative Genius is a fun middle grade graphic novel!

Thank you Union Square and Co. for sending me a copy of this book!

Have you read Nina Peanut: Creative Genius? What did you think of it?

Review: I Will Love You Forever

Title: I Will Love You Forever
Author: Katya Zolina
Genre: Children’s, Board Book
Publisher: Taffy Tales
Source: Publisher
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: December 12, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

The newest addition to the Love You Forever series, I Will Love You Forever delights the reader with a playful exploration of the relationship between mother and child that balances humor with heart-felt sentiment. “Mama, do you love me?” It asks . . . and answers, and the art invites the reader to linger on each page, to share in the emotion, and it succeeds on all fronts.

Review:

I Will Love You Forever is a cute board book. The baby bear asks his mom lots of questions like “Do you love me?” and “Why do you love me?”. The mother’s answers are given in rhyming verses. There were beautiful illustrations of different animals at the baby’s party, as well as places they will travel to when he grows up.

I Will Love You Forever is a cute board book for early readers!

Thank you Taffy Tales and Bookinfluencers.com for sending me a copy of this book as part of a paid campaign!

Have you read I Will Love You Forever? What did you think of it?

Review: The Queen’s Spade

Title: The Queen’s Spade
Author: Sarah Raughley
Genre: Historical Fiction, Young Adult
Publisher: HarperCollins
Source: BookSparks
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: January 14, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

In this riveting historical thriller that’s loosely inspired by true life events, The Count of Monte Cristo meets Bridgerton as revenge, romance, and twisted secrets take center stage in Victorian England’s royal court when Sally, a kidnapped African princess and goddaughter to Queen Victoria, plots her way to take down the monarchy that stole her from her homeland.

A young lady can take only so many injuries before humiliation and insult forge a vow of revenge . . .

The year is 1862, and murderous desires are simmering in England. Nineteen-year-old Sarah Bonetta Forbes (Sally), once a princess of the Egbado Clan, desires one thing above all else: revenge against the British Crown and its system of colonial “humanitarianism,” which stole her dignity and transformed her into royal property. From military men to political leaders, she’s vowed to ruin all who’ve had a hand in her afflictions. The top of her list? Her godmother, Britain’s mighty monarch, Queen Victoria herself.

Taking down the Crown means entering into a twisted game of court politics and manipulating the Queen’s inner circle—even if that means aligning with a dangerous yet alluring crime lord in London’s underworld and exploiting the affections of Queen Victoria’s own son, Prince Albert, as a means to an end. But when Queen Victoria begins to suspect Sally’s true intentions, she plays the only card in Victorian society that could possibly cage Sally once again: marriage. Because if there’s one thing Sally desires more than revenge, it’s her freedom. With time running out and her wedding day looming, Sally’s vengeful game of cat and mouse turns deadly as she’s faced with the striking revelation that that the price for vengeance isn’t just paid in blood. It means sacrificing your heart.

Loosely inspired by the true story of Sarah Forbes Bonetta, Queen Victoria’s African goddaughter, The Queen’s Spade is a lush and riveting historical thriller perfect for fans of A Dowry of Blood and Grave Mercy.

Review:

The Queen’s Spade is a fast paced and suspenseful story. Sally, an African Princess who is now Queen Victoria’s goddaughter and ward, takes revenge on all the people who have wronged her. Sally was clever and strong, and she was underestimated by the people in power around her. This story showed a darker side to the monarchy than is usually presented. I know this will be one of my favourite books of the year!

The Queen’s Spade is a powerful story!

Thank you BookSparks for sending me a copy of this book as part of the Winter Reading Challenge 2025!

Content warnings: death of parents (off page), gun violence, drug use, racism, child abuse, drowning, slavery, stabbing

Have you read The Queen’s Spade What did you think of it?

Review: A Hush at Midnight

Title: A Hush at Midnight
Author: Marlene M. Bell
Genre: Thriller, Contemporary, Mystery
Publisher: Ewephoric Publishing
Source: iRead Book Tours
Format: Ebook
Release Date: September 1, 2024
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

A manipulator.

A fatal plan for revenge.

Award-winning author of the Annalisse series, Marlene M. Bell, brings distant friends together in the rural South only to have one of them become the victim of a brutal crime of passion.

Once celebrated for her show-stopping pastries and irresistible desserts, former celebrity chef Laura Harris is now making headlines for a far darker reason.

Laura has been accused of murder.

How could this petite chef have brutally smothered the beloved small-town matriarch, World War II ferry pilot veteran, Hattie Stenburg? Hattie wasn’t just a pillar of the community; she was Laura’s confidant and mentor. The shocking twist? Hattie’s will contained recent changes, bypassing next-of kin and leaving her entire fortune and historic estate to Laura.

As Laura scrambles to clear her name, she uncovers sinister secrets lurking beneath the town’s idyllic surface. The real murderer is always one step ahead, leaving taunting clues and threatening Laura to leave Texas—or face deadly consequences. With time not a luxury, Laura must untangle the web of deceit before the killer makes her the next victim.

In “A Hush at Midnight,” Marlene M. Bell twists an amateur sleuth crime mystery into a race against the clock to solve her mentor’s murder.

Review:

A Hush at Midnight was a thrilling mystery. There were many subplots that made the mystery a little more complex, and most of them were connected in the end. The writing was descriptive and beautiful. It created a full and vivid picture of the setting in my mind.

A Hush at Midnight is a suspenseful thriller!

Thank you iRead Book Tours for providing a copy of this book as part of a paid campaign.

Content warnings: death of parent (off page), cancer, strangulation, death, stalking

Have you read A Hush at Midnight? What did you think of it?

Review: Cinderella and the Beast (or Beauty and the Glass Slipper) (The Princess Swap #1)

Title: Cinderella and the Beast (or Beauty and the Glass Slipper) (The Princess Swap #1)
Author: Kim Bussing
Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: January 7, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

What would happen if Cinderella found herself in the beast’s castle, and Beauty woke up in some evil stepmother’s home? Fairy tales meet Freaky Friday in this series, where there’s a magical mix-up for every princess!

Ella’s spent her life dreaming about adventure, but it’s hard to have adventures when you’re stuck with a stepfamily who treat you like a servant. When she unexpectedly wakes up in a land far, far away, she’s thrilled at the chance to embark on an epic quest. That is, until she finds herself trapped once more—this time in the castle of a dangerous beast.

Belle, meanwhile, has plans. Her family’s trading company is on the brink of ruin, and to save it, she’s going to enter—and win—a royal competition in the prince’s honor. But when she unexpectedly winds up in a cellar with a wicked stepfamily who have their own plans to keep her from the competition . . . things get complicated.

Happily-ever-after couldn’t feel farther away. Can Ella escape the beast’s clutches? And can Belle get rid of this stepfamily in time for the competition?

For other Princess Swaps, don’t miss Snow White and the Dragon (or, Sleeping Beauty and the Seven Dwarfs)!

Review:

This book is such a clever twist on these classic fairytales. Cinderella and Belle had to live through each other’s story to get back to their former lives. Their lives were interconnected in a unique way. Their stories similar in the way that they had to both escape the place where they were being held captive. Though there were many similarities in the plot, there were some new additions to the stories.

Cinderella and the Beast (or Beauty and the Glass Slipper) is a great fairytale with a twist!

Thank you Tundra Books for providing a digital copy of this book!

Content warnings: death of parent (off page)

Have you read Cinderella and the Beast (or Beauty and the Glass Slipper)? What did you think of it?

Review: The Queen of Thieves (The Moonwind Mysteries #2)

Title: The Queen of Thieves (The Moonwind Mysteries #2)
Author: Johan Rundberg, A.A. Prime (translator)
Genre: Middle Grade, Historical Fiction, Mystery
Publisher: Amazon Crossing Kids
Source: Firefly Books Distributed Lines
Format: Paperback
Release Date: March 5, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Mika will do what it takes to uncover a string of thefts in the city―and keep her fellow orphans safe. After a merciless winter, spring has sprung in 1880 Stockholm, and the city awaits the arrival of the SS Vega , the first ship to have sailed the Northeast Passage. Life is busy at the orphanage, but twelve-year-old Mika quickly notices that the older orphans are up to something―and it doesn’t look good. When Constable Hoff approaches her with information about thefts around the city, Mika becomes even more concerned about what the other kids are up to―and what they might be planning for the Vega celebration. The police will have no sympathy for orphans, and she’d hate to see her friends condemned to life in jail. But Mika soon finds herself in a bind she can’t get out of―one that could condemn her own life. Can Mika uncover who is really behind the thefts in the city and keep her friends safe, without getting caught? Find out in this breathless sequel to The Night Raven.

Review:

The Queen of Thieves is a story about orphans living in Stockholm in 1880. Mika solves mysteries involving the orphans she looks after. I was surprised at the twists and turns in the story. There were some heartbreaking parts, about the orphans wanting to be adopted and find their forever family. There are a couple of ongoing mysteries about Mika’s origin and a baby in the orphanage, so I’m looking forward to finding out more answers in the next book!

The Queen of Thieves is a great historical middle grade mystery!

Thank you Firefly Books Distributed Lines for sending me a copy of this book!

Content warnings: death of parent (off page), child abuse

Other books in the series:

The Night Raven (The Moonwind Mysteries #1)
The Lost Ones (The Moonwind Mysteries #3)

Have you read The Queen of Thieves? What did you think of it?

Blog Tour Review: Brewed with Love

Title: Brewed with Love
Author: Shelly Page
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Mystery
Publisher: Joy Revolution
Source: Publisher
Format: Ebook
Release Date: January 14, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

A cozy, contemporary romantasy about a teen witch who wants to keep her family’s apothecary from falling to the competition but can only do so with assistance from her first crush.

Plant witch, Sage Bishop, is determined to run her family’s old apothecary one day. She spends her time trying to invent the perfect tonic to put Bishop Brews on the map. And she’s going to need one quickly, too, because their biggest competitor is drawing away customers.

Short-staffed, her nana hires Ximena Reyes, Sage’s ex-best friend and first crush, who’s more of an unwelcome distraction than anything. Ximena has always dreamed of leaving their small town behind while Sage wants to tend to her roots. And during one of their first shifts together, someone breaks into Bishop Brews, stealing several tonics, including the one Sage has been working tirelessly on, the same one that wipes a councilmember’s kid’s memory.

To avoid being shut down by the sheriff, Sage decides to investigate. If so much wasn’t at stake, she’d do it alone. But with her grandmother’s legacy and her future on the line, she must partner with her ever smug and unfairly pretty new coworker. As Sage begins to fall for Ximena (again), she’ll have to decide if the comfort of the familiar is worth missing out on a chance at real happiness.

Review:

Brewed with Love is a sweet YA story. This story had romance and mystery. Sage was a witch, and their town was full of magic. There was another kind of supernatural condition in the story, and I would have loved to see that one explored more. I think there’s potential for more stories set in this world!

Brewed with Love is a cute YA romance!

Thank you Penguin Teen Canada, Joy Revolution, and Publicity Prose for providing a copy of this book!

Content warnings: death of parents (off page), poisoning, memory loss

Author Bio:

Shelly Page is a young adult contemporary fantasy romance and horror writer. By day, she’s a practicing attorney representing homeless LGBTQ+ youth. By night, she’s writing stories about love, magic, and mystery—all with the hope of providing genuine representation for queer readers of color. Shelly lives in Los Angeles with her dog, Toby, and a collection of half-dead plants. Brewed With Love is her debut novel. She can be found online at shellypage.com or @shelly_p_writes.

Giveaway:

5 winners will receive a finished copy of Brewed With Love by Shelly Page– We will select the winners and ship directly
The giveaway starts at 12:01am ET on January 13th and ends January 26th at 11:59pm ET- Rafflecopter giveaway link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/74cc7a8d5/?

Have you read Brewed with Love? What did you think of it?

Review: Andarta: Book 1 (The Ascending Veil)

Title: Andarta: Book 1 (The Ascending Veil)
Author: Leanne Staback, Sloane Kennedy
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Page Turner Books Inc.
Source: Bookinfluencers.com
Format: Ebook
Release Date: November 29, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

When legends awake, darkness trembles.

In the pulsing heart of Seraphim City, twins Emilia and Clara Benning walk a path veiled in the shadows of myth. Raised on tales of their fierce Viking ancestors, they are unaware of the destiny awaiting them. As the modern world grinds on, unseeing, the sisters draw closer to a revelation that will ignite the ancient power slumbering within their blood.

The cruel blight of human trafficking festers in the city’s underbelly, claiming innocent lives in a relentless grip. It is a plague that yearns for a cure-a cure that only Emilia and Clara, human hosts to ancient deities Andarta and Eir – dare to provide. With the unwavering strength of the gods and the courage of warriors, they stand between the darkness and the light.

But the battle for justice demands a terrible price. In the chaos of a harrowing rescue, Clara is lost, and Emilia’s grief ignites a fury that heralds her awakening. The true powers of Andarta flare to life, a beacon of rage and retribution. As Emilia becomes the embodiment of a legend, survival hinges on her ability to harness this newfound might and confront the demons that threaten to consume her.

In the midst of battle, Andarta, her steadfast sidekick Ty, and a legion of spectral Viking forebearers converge for an epic showdown. Together, they must dismantle a vile web spun by the most depraved of minds, their every move haunted by the chilling echoes of evil.

Can they break the chains of torment and rise triumphant? Or will Emilia’s fury consume all that she has come to cherish? Will the echoes of ancient valor be enough to conquer the malice that lurks in humanity’s depths? Seek the answers within the pages of Andarta, The Ascending Veil, Book 1, where the battle for souls is timeless, and the might of legends endures.

Review:

Andarta is a fantastic start to this fantasy series. It began with multiple different storylines that seemed to be very different from each other. However, they all came together in an unconventional way. I liked that it followed the twins Emilia and Clara from their childhood to young adult age. I flew through this book, and I couldn’t put it down! I’m excited to see what happens in the next book!

Andarta: Book 1 is a great first book in this fantasy series!

Thank you Bookinfluencers.com for providing a copy of this book as part of a paid campaign!

Content warnings: human trafficking, murder, gun violence

Have you read Andarta: Book 1? What did you think of it?

Review: Impossible Creatures (Impossible Creatures #1)

Title: Impossible Creatures (Impossible Creatures #1)
Author: Katherine Rundell, Ashley Mackenzie
Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Source: Publisher
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: September 10, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

The day Christopher saved a drowning baby griffin from a hidden lake would change his life forever. It’s the day he learned about the Archipelago, a cluster of unmapped islands where magical creatures of every kind have thrived for thousands of years—until now. And it’s the day he met Mal, a girl on the run who desperately needs his help.

Mal and Christopher embark on a wild adventure, racing from island to island, searching for someone who can explain why the magic is fading and why magical creatures are suddenly dying. They consult sphinxes, battle kraken, and negotiate with dragons. But the closer they get to the dark truth of what’s happening, the clearer it becomes: no one else can fix this. If the Archipelago is to be saved, Mal and Christopher will have to do it themselves.

Review:

Impossible Creatures is a great middle grade adventure. I loved the vivid world building. There is a bestiary in the back of the book which is so helpful to see what the creatures look like. I loved the illustrations throughout the book. It was nice to see the characters and story come to life in the illustrations. I’m so curious to see what will happen in the next book!

Impossible Creatures is a beautiful middle grade story!

Thank you Penguin Random House Canada and Tandem Collective for providing a copy of this book!

Content warnings: death of parental figure, death of animal

Have you read Impossible Creatures? What did you think of it?