Al Stone's Blog, page 17

BOOK REVIEW: Lost and Found by Natalie Shampanier

Lost and Found Author: Natalie ShampanierGenre: Children's Picture BookPublication Date: 24th December 2022
Book Description:Forgotten toys at a summer camp groundAre tossed into the camp’s Lost and Found.But Dino Boy refuses to spend his days on a shelfHe sets out to escape and find a home for himself.A ballerina, a hippo, and a mood ring tag alongOn this great adventure to find where they belong.
Award-winning screenwriter and family therapist Natalie Shampanier draws from her experience with adopted children to create a poignant rhyming tale about determination, friendship and the search for love. This beautifully illustrated book is a perfect read-aloud for early readers and shared family story time!
Buy Links:Amazon US | UK


MY REVIEW
This was just a fabulously effective and appropriate portrayal of mental health disorder. It's not the easiest topic to address with young minds, however, I thought the method and approach taken by the author was necessary and adequate in highlighting the various ways mental health can affect people and also exploring coping mechanisms to help handle those difficult times. The lost and found theme of toys being tossed aside and forgotten and then being claimed by new owners was great and well executed.
The story and the characterisation were great. It's very relatable and suitable for the whole family. I loved the colourful illustrations and the fact that it was set in one location. It's a book about family, friendship and love. I think everyone would be able to find something to relate to with this one.
I thoroughly enjoyed the read.
RATING

Source: Author

Book Blitz & Giveaway - Beast's Secret Baby by Grace Goodwin

Beast’s Secret Baby(Interstellar Brides Program: The Beasts, #7)Author: Grace GoodwinPublication Date: March 30th, 2023Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance / Science Fiction
Book Description:Atlan Warlord Velik is hanging on to sanity by a thread. His mating fever rages. His beast fights him every moment. The beast needs to hunt. To kill. To find their mate or surrender to a glorious death in battle. He volunteers for a mission so dangerous, he knows he will not return.
Waiting to deploy, he is lost, keeping distance between himself and those his tormented beast could destroy. His fate is sealed…until his beast picks up her scent. Sees her face. In an instant, the beast knows this human woman belongs to him and no one else.
Until he sees the diamond ring on her finger and overhears a discussion about her wedding, the event mere weeks away.
He is honorable. He is desperate. He will stop at nothing to seduce her. Claim her. Steal her heart and keep her for himself.
When he disappears on a secret mission, she has a decision to make; play the fool and hope for a dead Atlan’s return, or marry another and ensure the security and safety of her true love’s unborn child.
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Book Blitz & Giveaway - Thorns at Sunrise by Janeen Ippolito

Thorns at Sunrise(Janeen Ippolito)Author: Thorns at SunrisePublication Date: March 23rd, 2023Genre: YA Fantasy / Romance
Book Description: A young queen. Her imaginary friend. A kingdom on the verge of death.
She believes she’s crazy.
Queen Usilea has a secret–and he lives in her mind. Ever since she was six years old, her imaginary friend has been her closest companion, and her arranged marriage has been a great dread. When she learns her betrothed and the royal family have suddenly died, she feels obligated to attend the funeral in the foreign land of Absteph–and perhaps learn more behind their mysterious passing.
He only wants the truth.
Petar endures great pain to protect those he does not remember. His only solace is a shadowy woman who he loves–even though she denies that he exists. When a terrible tragedy occurs in his kingdom, that mysterious woman is his only hope of bringing justice to light. For the cage that imprisons him grows harsher every day, and he is losing the fight.
But there are thorns at sunrise.
Brought together on the barest thread of reality, Usilea and Petar must discover what really happened to the royal family. But Petar’s time is running out. Soon not even a Mender like Usilea will be able to save him.
This YA romance features a gender-swapped Sleeping Beauty in an original fantasy world on the brink of doom.
Buy Links:Amazon US | UK
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Book Blitz & Giveaway - Flirting with the Stranger by Gia Stevens

Flirting with the StrangerAuthor: Gia StevensPublication Date: March 20th, 2023Genre: Adult Comedy / Contemporary Romance
Book Description:Have you ever mistaken a guy for a stripper and had a scorching hot one-night stand with him only to find out he’s your new boss? No? Just me?
The first time I met Van, I was instantly drawn to his charismatic smile and stunning good looks as I shoved dollar bills into his waistband.
The second time I saw Van, he walked into my bakery as the new owner and boss. That time, I kept my dollars to myself.
But there’s a problem, owning a bakery wasn’t his choice and all he wants is to sell. Somehow, I need to persuade him to keep the business, so I can keep my dream job. When he admits he doesn’t know the difference between “frosting” and “icing,” I realize I have my work cut out for me.
With each passing day, our chemistry ignites like a chocolate flambé. But it’s a distraction I don’t need. I know from experience that when I wish for everything, I end up with nothing.
Van’s young and irresponsible, he can’t possibly know anything about running a bakery or falling in love. But he’s determined to prove me wrong.
It turns out he has a few cupcakes up his sleeve that just might satisfy my sweet tooth.
Flirting with the Stranger is a reverse age gap, strangers to lovers, one night stand, boss/employee romantic comedy with a hero who has a real sweet tooth for something besides cupcakes. Be prepared to laugh-out-loud one minute and swoon the next in this steamy standalone romance.
Buy Links:Amazon US | UK | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo | Google Play
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BOOK REVIEW: Love Zindabad Not Jihad by Maharaja Jadeja

Love Zindabad Not Jihad Author: Mahiraj Jadeja
Genre: Contemporary Romance / Novella
Publication Date: 25th May 2021

Book Description:
“Love Zindabad Not Jihad” is a story covering aspects of Love, Emotion and Spirituality through words. The story leaves its readers with a relatively intense emotional yet naive foray into love, and does it in a manner which is both pure and intense. The Love story of Shiv and Mahira is going through problems of religious divide. Will they succeed in Love despite the difference in their religion, what will be the reaction from the society, will they able to define what true love and religion is?

Buy Links: Amazon US | UK


SUMMARY
Shiv and Mahira, who met in college and instantly fell in love, have recently graduated and are now facing a dilemma regarding the future of their relationship. Despite having been together for three years, they have kept their relationship as secret from their families and now have to figure out if their love for each other can survive the obstacles posed by their different cultures and religions.
This is a short story about the forbidden love between two people of different religious disposition. Can their love survive when their family and society forbids their union?
MY REVIEW
This was an okay read. I didn't fall in love with the characters as I would have liked, but I found their situation rather interesting and was eager to see how their story would unveil and how they would deal with all the conflicts and objections thrown at them. I found the content relatable and relevant. The plausible storyline made it feel that much more real, and I think on some levels, the subject matter allowed me to form somewhat of a connection with the characters. I thought the characters themselves were a little undeveloped and their story needed to be fleshed out a little bit more. Nonetheless, I did enjoy what was presented.
Overall, it was an okay read. With a little editing, I think it would have been a more enjoyable read. I did struggle somewhat with the grammatical errors, which was not easy to ignore. I liked the concept of the story and the potential of what the book could be. It just needed some more work.
RATING

Source: Author

Book Blitz & Giveaway - Every Bit a Cowboy by Jennie Marts

Every Bit a Cowboy(Creedence Horse Rescue, #5)Author: Jennie MartsPublication Date: March 7th, 2023Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Book Description:“Filled with humor, heart and real love.” —Michelle Major, USA Today bestselling author
USA Today bestselling author Jennie Marts proves there’s nothing quite like a cowboy.
No matter how swoony the cute cowboy is, romance is the last thing on Carley Chapman’s mind. But it’s hard to ignore Knox Garrison and the spark of attraction she feels every time he’s near. When a water line break floods her building, she’s forced to move her salon out to the Heaven Can Wait Horse Rescue ranch, and Knox shows up to help. But things get even more complicated when Carley’s no-good ex comes sniffing around and Knox “fixes” the problem by telling him they’re engaged…
Praise for Jennie Marts’s cowboy romances:
“Funny, complicated, and irresistible. Sometimes a cowboy isn’t perfect but you got to love him anyway.”—JODI THOMAS, New York Times bestselling author, for Caught Up in a Cowboy
“Full of hope, humor, and undeniable swoon.”—A.J. PINE, USA Today bestselling author, for How to Cowboy
“Deliciously steamy but still sweet, with a secret at its heart.”—JOANNE KENNEDY, award-winning author, for Wish Upon a Cowboy
Buy Links:Amazon US | UK | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo
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Book Blitz & Giveaway - Secretly by Talya Blaine

Secretly(Transformation Series, #2)Author: Talya BlainePublication Date: February 28th, 2023Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Book Description: Unquenchable chemistry. The rare gift of a second chance. Choices that could destroy it all.
Quinn and Jonathan’s erotic journey continues as sizzling tension tests their “friends for now” pact.
After a desperate call interrupts a failed platonic dinner—and a water main break renders Quinn homeless—she’s left with little choice: Take Jonathan up on his just-friends-no-benefits offer to share his apartment.
But getting closer? A romantic relationship? Not an option. Even after that one impulsive and magical but heartbreaking kiss.
Damn, that kiss. It tells Jonathan all he needs to know about Quinn’s feelings and only deepens his desire to build a life with her. Until her defensive walls throw him back into reality. The reality in which his sweet gig as Spice of Life’s travel show host is on the line. The reality in which he can’t fully accept Quinn’s involvement at Octavia’s dungeon. The reality in which the woman he adores is still grieving—and not ready to hear the three words he needs to say.
The second novel in the Transformation Series, Secretly turns up the heat: A secret trip to a Parisian chateau dungeon, a last-minute wedding to plan, a bold, perhaps impulsive, career decision. Quinn and Jonathan each make choices that alter the course of their lives. Can they forge a shared future?
A story about discovery and desire, friendship and boundaries, freedom and risk. About the delicate balance between intimacy and autonomy. About the struggle to love again and how we choose to live the second chapter of our lives.
Friends to lovers, slow burn, second chance, fish out of water—readers will click with the themes in this edgy contemporary erotic romance. Features characters over 40 and a sexy beta hero. Mature themes, strong language, kink, dungeon and steamy open-door bedroom scenes.
Buy Links:Amazon US | UK | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo
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Book Blitz & Giveaway - Exceptionally Unconventional by Victoria Clarke

Exceptionally UnconventionalAuthor: Victoria ClarkePublication Date: February 27th, 2023Genre: Adult Historical Romance
Book Description:The Honorable Miss Lucilla Iverson is an exceptionally unconventional young heiress trying her best to be unexceptionally conventional despite her love of horses and racing curricles. When she attracts the attention of a hardened older bachelor, a duke, no less, it sets the ton afire with anticipation.
Many young bucks seek her approval, including a notorious (and now penniless) gamester who intends to marry Miss Iverson and her money whether or not she agrees. On an inside track for Lucilla’s attention is Oliver, Lord Hartwell, despite a near miss at running her over while driving his phaeton in the company of his cousin, the handsome and mysterious duke. Which of the three will win her heart and hand, to live happily ever after? That is the question!
Buy Links:Amazon US | UK
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Book Blitz & Giveaway - Maggie's Mark by Michelle Cornish

Maggie’s Mark(Ceiba Cartel, #1)Author: Michelle CornishPublication Date: January 31st, 2021Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance / Suspense
Book Description:The CIA told me to hunt him down. Instead, I fell in love with him.
It’s 1987 and CIA officer Maggie Barnes has the opportunity of her life—take down Ricardo Ceiba Colombia’s most prominent drug lord.
But the more Maggie learns about Ricardo and the deeper she goes undercover, the more she sees Ricardo for who he really is. Her mission becomes an impossible choice—take down the man she loves or betray her country.
Buy Links:Amazon US | UK | Bookbub
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Book Blitz & Giveaway - Sea Magic by Heidi McIntyre

Sea MagicAuthor: Heidi McIntyrePublication Date: February 13th, 2023Genre: Historical / Magical Realism / Women’s Fiction
Book Description: When a reluctant  psychic  tracks a ghost through the mists of time, the treasure she discovers is worth more than gold.
She knows everyone in this seaside, New England town of Penbrook, and everyone knows her—Madeline Hunter, the shy, quiet antique shop owner who whose idea of a hot date is snuggling up with a good book and her cat, Poe.
But she keeps one thing under her vintage hat—her ability to touch an object and connect with its history. Her new-age aunt says she should embrace her “gift”, but she’d rather pretend it doesn’t exist.
After buying an old box at an estate sale filled with rare items, Madeline started having dreams—startlingly vivid dreams about Maria, a young headstrong Puritan whose “knowing” could get her branded as a witch, and whose forbidden love for a poor sailor caused a scandal.
Together with Evan, an attractive history professor who tempts her to believe in love, she uncovers Maria’s story, helpless to stop its trajectory toward tragedy. She may not be able to change the course of history, but with Evan’s support, maybe she can lay the ghosts of the past to rest—including her own.
Buy Links:Amazon US | UK
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