Natalina Reis's Blog, page 3
February 20, 2025
The Book of Dog – Review
The Book of Dog: A Satire by D.J. Molles
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was such a surprise. A good one.
I picked up the book after a recommendation from another writer and I’m so glad I did.
I thought it would be a light, funny read and it certainly was, but it surprised me with much deeper themes, so relevant to the world we are living in today.
I bought the audio book and I have to say the narrator was amazing. His interpretation of the cat’s (Sweetpea) voice and attitude had me in stitches (and it was so accurate) throughout the whole book.
If you are a pet lover and want a good laugh while still exploring world/human issues, this is the book for you. Brilliant!
January 19, 2025
Together We Burn – Book Review
Together We Burn by Isabel Ibañez
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Isabel Ibañez is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. Her type of fantasy (more like magical realism) picks on well-established worlds (in this one the very real world of the matadores in Spain) and throws an unexpected twist to it.
In the Secrets of the Nile duology she threw magic as a real–however defunct–characteristic of the early 20th century world. In this one she replaced the bulls/toros with dragons and threw some magic in there as well.
The controversy and protesters against the Dragonadores in the book mirrors the real protests that went on for decades (might still be going on) against the killing of the bulls.
The characters are well-developed and likable however flawed, there is always a mystery that nags you throughout the book, and surprises. The twist at the end really shocked me.
The romance is also lovely and sexy without explicit scenes but there are a few somewhat graphic depictions of violence. The author’s descriptions of their world are brilliant without being overwhelmingly detailed.
Highly recommend this book for a fun, yet thought-provoking romantic fantasy.
January 14, 2025
Hello Stranger – Book Review
Hello Stranger by Katherine Center
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I liked pretty much everything about this rom com: how it bounced from the very serious (like her illness and relationship with her family) to totally bonkers situations. I listened to it every chance I had and never got bored.
The only reason I am not giving the story five stars is that the author has a tendency to stretch the ending unnecessarily. Center is one of my favorite romance writers right now but this is the second book I read by her where she prolongs the ending way past the moment I personally think she should have. Obviously, a very personal preference of mine. Others will disagree, I’m sure.
Can’t wait to read the next Center rom com.
January 10, 2025
Resurrecting My Magic -Blog Tour
Timoteo Tong has a new MM paranormal fantasy romance out, Magicals Alliance book two: Resurrecting My Magic.
Book one, “Magic, Monsters and Me” is available for just 99¢ January 6th-12th!In the thrilling sequel to “Magic, Monsters and Me,” Elijah Delomary forges new abilities with new mentors, seeks to reunify with Austin, and faces the terrible truth behind losing his powers. As war rages between Devlina and Zid’dra, Elijah and his family are drawn into the conflict.
Zid’dra grows stronger and brings Elijah to the precipice of destruction. Faced with a terrifying revelation, Elijah is pushed to protect his family, Austin, and the very fabric of existence. The weight of these challenges tests Elijah’s strength, forcing him to confront the darkest forces while proving the unwavering strength of his love to Austin.
As the evil plan comes to light, Elijah forges new abilities with new mentors, seeks to reunify with Austin, and faces the terrible truth behind losing his powers. As war rages between Devlina and Zid’dra, Elijah and his family are drawn into the conflict. Zid’dra grows stronger and brings Elijah to the precipice of destruction. Will he survive? Can he trust himself to do the right thing? Will he believe that love can conquer darkness and save the world?
Warnings: homophobia, racism, bullying, fat phobia, LGBT slurs, fade to black sex
About the Series:
The Magicals’ Alliance series revolves around the influential Delomary family, known for their massive corporation, philanthropy, and charity work. But unbeknownst to the public, they’re also the secret defenders against dark forces, facing off against monsters like Vampires and Werewolves in an age-old battle between good and evil. “Magic, Monsters and Me” is the thrilling first installment in this epic saga. Join them in their mission to protect humanity from perilous extinction.
Universal Buy LinkGet Book One Now For Just 99¢GiveawayTimoteo is giving away a $20 Amazon gift card with this tour:
a Rafflecopter giveaway https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js
Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b60e8d47322/
Excerpt
“One night, I sat in the window seat in my room, watching the rain falling outside my window, when I heard a cry for help.
“Someone help me!”
I glanced at the clock: 3:00 AM. I padded to the door, peering outside to the long hallway stretching from Aunt Christine’s suite on one end to Mom’s on the other. The darkness was punctuated every few feet from the dim chandeliers overhead. Silence. The house and everyone in it were asleep except me. I returned to the window.
“Help!” a voice shouted, weaker this time.
“Shit,” I complained. I returned to my room, walked over to the closet, then jammed my feet in my running shoes and headed downstairs. I grabbed my raincoat from the front hall closet and stepped outside.
Where was security? They usually patrolled the grounds at night. Maybe there was a shift change. Rain thundered down on the roof of the veranda and on the brick walkway winding down the front lawn to the main gates. I stepped onto the stairs and into the rain. I hurried to the wrought iron fence separating our property from the street. I paused, noticing a strange pink light illuminating the jacaranda trees lining the street. I turned to see where it was coming from. I gasped. The house glowed with a fluorescent pink light from the runes Mom had recently cast over the house in the Jotomoarlo Sangrancto. The ancient characters appeared as if projected on the house moving up along the façade and disappearing on the mansard roof.
“Please, help little old me!” a voice called. I looked back at the house. The house was actively fighting some evil force itself. I turned and made my way to the empty street. A half block away, I spotted a figure, shrouded in shadows between the streetlights, waving to me.
“Help! Monsters!”
“I can help you!” I called, patting my pajama pockets for my PlasmX. Puxhàredo! I left it on the dresser in my closet. I stretched out my arm and raised my hand on the off chance my PlasmX would levitate out of my room and into my hands. Nothing happened. Crap. Máurso had drilled it in my head to never be without my PlasmX. And I had forgotten that rule already. I grumbled. Okay, I would just use my fists and body to battle any monster. My Xem Sen Ou improved every week. I was a walking weapon, I told myself.
I closed in on the figure.
“Come and help me.”
The stench of ashes and sulfur wafted into my nose. I gagged. Okay, a chain smoker needed my help. Mom had drilled it into my head to never smoke.
“You want yellow teeth? Wrinkles when you’re eighteen? Smell like cigarettes?”
“No?”
“Good, don’t smoke, ever!”
I could do this. I paused in front of a shadowy figure.
“Elijah Delomary, Bane of the Gloom, here to help..uh..ma’am, sir, they?”
The figure reached up to their hood with their hands, only the skin was blistered and black and oozing. My eyes widened, seeing rotting flesh on their arms. I stopped in my tracks. I began to back away.
“What’s wrong? Don’t you remember me?” A raspy voice called as the hood fell off the head of the figure. The face of an old woman with wrinkled skin and washed-out blue eyes peered at me. Fungus crusted half the woman’s face.
“Come here, honey. It’s me, your great-great aunt Mady!”
I turned and began to run. That couldn’t be Aunt Mady. She had died when I was eight years old at the ripe old age of 102. My foot hit a rut in the sidewalk, sending me tumbling forward. I crashed onto the lawn of my friend Letitia’s house. I sprawled on my back, rain beating down on my face. My heart lodged in my throat. I wanted to cry out for help. I wanted to run, but for some reason, every muscle in my body was paralyzed. I heard the sound of Aunt Mady’s walker clacking on the sidewalk.
“Come and give me a hug, honey!”
I closed my eyes. I should have woken Barn, called Sunny. Security. No, I— Stop, Elijah. You didn’t know any better. You meant well. The path to hell is lined with good intentions. No, stop. Stop. Stop beating yourself up.
The clacking stopped. Aunt Mady, or whoever she was, stood over me. I was helpless. Thunder rumbled. Our twelfth atmospheric river of the rainy season. The vernal equinox passed weeks ago. Springtime. It never rained this much in Southern California. Something was wrong, someone was trying to drown the land of milk and honey. Drown La La Land and wash California into the sea.
Wheezing filled the air. I pressed my eyes closed as a hand reached for me. A vision bloomed in my head. Two pinpoints of red light that grew and grew and grew filled my mind.
“You proved yourself quite capable,” the voice said. “I was hoping you’d run yourself ragged, trying to prove to yourself you’re not some piece of crap like your father. I hoped to watch you collapse and die. You didn’t. Then I was sure you would give up. You surprised me. So now I am here to destroy you, so Devlina is weakened, and I can grow stronger!”
Author Bio
Timoteo Tong’s imagination has always run wild, growing up in Burbank, CA, dreaming of battling vampires, werewolves, and witches in a Victorian mansion. Inspired by literary giants like L. Frank Baum, CS Lewis, and JRR Tolkien, he wrote his first book at eight, featuring his stuffed cocker spaniel marrying a playful duck. Now living in San Francisco with his husband, Timoteo surrounds himself with plants and books, enjoying cheese pizza, donuts, and long naps. He balances his creative pursuits with a healthy lifestyle, working out regularly. Timoteo dreams of flying one day and aims to enchant readers with his storytelling, just as his favorite authors did for him.
December 31, 2024
The Teller of Small Fortunes – Book Review
The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved this book. A friend at work had recommended it so when I saw it in the bookstore (love the cover of my paperback) I had to have it.
It’s a slow moving story, so if you are one of those readers who needs a fast-paced plot, this is not for you. However having a slow pace doesn’t mean nothing is happening. Au contraire, this story is a constant adventure with more twists and turns than any mystery or thriller.
The characters, omg, the characters. The ever growing group of friends is something reminiscent of Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s scooby gang minus the vampires and with a lot more tea and biscuits.
Tao, who doesn’t feel as if she fits anywhere, Mash, the muscle man with the softest of hearts, Silt, the honest(ish) thief, Kina, the baker of unrecognizable pastries, and the cat.
I also loved the way Leong made some very subtle but sharp commentary about relevant themes in today’s world related to immigration, accepting who you are, second chances, friendship power, and the importance of kindness.
And of course, I couldn’t forget to mention the humor. Yes, it is mostly subtle but there were a few scenes where I laughed out loud imagining what was going on.
Highly recommend it.
December 29, 2024
Holiday Getaway – Book Review
Holiday Hideaway by Mary Kay Andrews
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was a perfect read for me, Christmas or no Christmas. It was funny and sweet with just a touch of angst. For such a short story, the characters were very well-developed, their personalities coming across loud and clear–even the dog’s personality had humpf. Not an easy task when you are looking at less than 40K words. But Mary Kay did it.
I truly enjoyed it and I think I will check the author’s other romances in the future.
December 28, 2024
Cruel Winter With You – Book Review
Cruel Winter with You by Ali Hazelwood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Not her best but still awesome.
Hazelwood’s trademark humor, family dynamics (not necessarily good), and swoon-worthy MMCs makes this one-sitting novella a great, fun read for the holidays or really any other time of the year you need something sweet, spicy, and heartwarming.
Hazelwood is quickly becoming one of my favorite romance writers.
December 23, 2024
Ruthless Vows – Book Review
Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Just like the first book in this duology, Ruthless Vows has that “vintage” feel of reality mixed with magic that makes it such an interesting read. Ross’s world building is excellent without being tediously cluttered with too many details, described instead through the characters’ acts, thoughts, and everyday lives.
This second installment is heavier on the romance, but the drama, adventure, and suspense don’t lose any of the first book’s intensity.
The characters (all of them, including the side characters) are very well developed and the whole story is sprinkled with the two main characters’ letters and articles which lends the prose a certain lyrical tone that is both lovely and refreshing.
I so loved this duology that I already ordered Ross’ earlier books.
Highly recommend it.
December 11, 2024
Simon Sort of Says – Book Review
Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I haven’t read a middle grade book in a long time, but I started reading this one because of the quirky title and got hooked as soon as I read the title for the first chapter, “In which we are driven out of Omaha by alpacas”. How could I resist reading it after that?
This book is fabulous. The author manages to write about an extremely serious and traumatic event with grace and humor while never allowing the reader to forget about the gravity of the event. The characters, from Simon himself to his parents (a funeral home owner and a Catholic deacon) and Simon’s new friends and their families, are well-developed, quirky, imperfect and lovable.
From a church incident with a rogue squirrel to the evil peacock that guards Simon’s yard everything stacks up to make this story just as funny as it is heartbreaking. It’s a story about survival and the power of friendships and family love.
Read it even if you are an adult way past your teens. It’s an amazingly well-written story.
December 8, 2024
Where the Library Hides – Book Review
Where the Library Hides by Isabel Ibañez
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wow, just like in the first in this duology Ibañez keeps the reader on their toes throughout the whole story. It’s a rollercoaster of events and emotions. This second book has a lot more romance (which I love) but without taking away from the adventure/mystery flow. I absolutely loved it and I smell a spin-off (hinted on the very unique and interesting epilogue) which I will be more than willing to read.
Prepare for some shocking revelations and to hold your heart in your hands throughout the story. Inez and Whit are still my favorite characters in the current fictional world. I’m very excited to read the other books by this very talented author.
Bien hecho, señora!
