Review: Crown of Coral and Pearl by Mara Rutherford

For generations, the princes of Ilara have married the most beautiful maidens from the ocean village of Varenia. But though every girl longs to be chosen as the next princess, the cost of becoming royalty is higher than any of them could ever imagine…

CROWN OF CORAL AND PEARL
by MARA RUTHERFORD

Series: Crown of Coral and Pearl #1

Publication date: August 27, 2019

Published by: Inkyard Press

Genre: young adult fantasy

 

SYNOPSIS

Nor once dreamed of seeing the wondrous wealth and beauty of Ilara, the kingdom that’s ruled her village for as long as anyone can remember. But when a childhood accident left her with a permanent scar, it became clear that her identical twin sister, Zadie, would likely be chosen to marry the Crown Prince—while Nor remained behind, unable to ever set foot on land.

Then Zadie is gravely injured, and Nor is sent to Ilara in her place. To Nor’s dismay, her future husband, Prince Ceren, is as forbidding and cold as his home—a castle carved into a mountain and devoid of sunlight. And as she grows closer to Ceren’s brother, the charming Prince Talin, Nor uncovers startling truths about a failing royal bloodline, a murdered queen… and a plot to destroy the home she was once so eager to leave.

In order to save her people, Nor must learn to negotiate the treacherous protocols of a court where lies reign and obsession rules. But discovering her own formidable strength may be the one move that costs her everything: the crown, Varenia and Zadie.

Purchase links:

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Praise for Crown of Coral and Pearl:

"Debut author Rutherford's saga begins with the promise of originality, with intriguing kingdoms and worthy heroines... A fun and adventurous bit of fantasy romance." –Kirkus

"A celebration of sisterhood, political intrigue, and an intense villain make this book a delicious read. Highly recommend for anyone looking for an exciting new YA fantasy." –YA Books Central

"A fabulous interweaving of fantasy, politics, and sisterhood – this unusual, tense tale will have you on the edge of your seat!" –#1 New York Times bestselling author Tamora Pierce

"Crown of Coral and Pearl is one of those fiercely beautiful reads that leaves you recalling it long after you close the book with a satisfied sigh. A beautiful, compelling tale of sisters, courage, and love. This beautifully authentic portrayal of twin sisterhood is interwoven with fantastical settings, a layered villain, and a delicious romance. A shining gem of a book." –New York Times bestselling author Elly Blake

"I was swept up into the tide of Crown of Coral and Pearl from the very first page. This fantasy tale of sea-dwelling Nor's arranged marriage to a cruel, mountain-dwelling prince is brimming with palace intrigue, forbidden romance, fantastical creatures, and the power of sisterly love." –Laurie Forest, author of The Black Witch Chronicles

"Mara Rutherford's Crown of Coral and Pearl is a thrilling debut: a richly romantic story of danger, true love, and a young woman standing up to the darkness at her country's core. But the real heart of the story is two sisters and a love powerful enough to change the world. I didn't want it to end." –Rosalyn Eves, author of Blood Rose Rebellion

"A tale of intrigue, love, and sisterhood as dazzling as a sunny day at sea, you're sure to be swept away by Crown of Coral and Pearl." –Sarah Glenn Marsh, author of the Reign of the Fallen series

"Lyrical and magical, Crown of Coral and Pearl is pure enchantment with a heart as deep as the sea." –Tasha Suri, author of Empire of Sand

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mara Rutherford began her writing career as a journalist but quickly discovered she far preferred fantasy to reality. Originally from California, Mara has since lived all over the world, from Russia to Peru, along with her Marine-turned-diplomat husband and two sons. A triplet born on Leap Day, Mara holds a Master's degree in Cultural Studies from the University of London and would rather study the folklore of her next post than the language (which she has found is a lot more fun but not nearly as useful). She is a former Pitch Wars mentee and three-time mentor.  

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REVIEW

Crown of Coral and Pearl by Mara Rutherford

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I wasn't prepared for how obsessed I would feel about this story. How I'd be so completely absorbed with these characters' lives that I'd care more about their welfare than being gritty eyed and sluggish the next day. Yes, it's one of those Sacrifice Proper Sleep kind of books. After blogging for so long I probably go through twenty-five potentially exciting books before I find one that hits the mark in every single way like this one. Honestly, this is why I read! To find something that will knock your socks off, blow your hair back, give you the biggest rush of giddiness after flipping the last page. Fantasy lovers, stop right here and make this one a priority. It's a fantastical tale about the fierce bond of sisterhood, what one will sacrifice for true love, and the other's lesson about the importance of strength of character instead of fleeting beauty.

I was almost instantly drawn into Nor and Zadie's fascinating home of Varenia. The two twins live in a small ocean community that looks idyllic from the outside, but in reality there's only two ways to achieve anything. Be flawlessly beautiful, enough that you'll be chosen by the elders to marry a Prince of Ilara. Or collect enough clams from the dwindling supply underwater in order to find the pearls that will keep your family fed. Neither prospect is particularly easy or simple. People are starting to really struggle to put food on the table, and surely circumstances will be even worse once they're completely picked over. How will they survive? Nor and Zadie's mother is more desperate than ever to have one of them chosen to reap the glory and bride price.

Their mother was a despicable and selfish human being. She threw all of her time and energy into Zadie in order to maintain her perfect outward appearance. In this society beauty was power, and she was determined to use whomever she needed to in order to get it. She thought nothing of her child potentially leaving and never seeing her again, or ripping her away from the only home she ever knew when it was clear she had no desire to marry a strange man in a strange land. In fact, she deliberately sought to hurt both her daughters very cruelly. The way she treated Nor after she saved her sister's life and became scarred was as if she didn't even exist anymore. But when she did notice she was there, she was verbally abusive and made Nor feel worthless because of her appearance. Prepare to hate this woman, that's all I've got to say.

    “Mother was wrong Nor. You have the power to do anything and everything you dream of, more than any person I’ve ever known. And that power, that inner strength, that is what makes you the most beautiful girl in Varenia.”

The only positive that came out of Nor's situation was that she became physically and mentally stronger because of all of the challenges heaped on her. And if she had no chance of being chosen and seeing the world that she dreams of exploring, at least her sister will have that. It's hard to imagine being banned from venturing out of your village, to be trapped there with no means of escape and so isolated that trees, horses and roses are things you've heard of but never seen. Your world encompasses the sea, the sun, and the warm breeze on your skin. I really liked the concept of the blood coral, how it grew near the bodies of the departed who are put out to sea. And the mysterious qualities and benefits it seemed to have that the people there don't fully understand.

Through a twist of fate, Nor is sent to New Castle where she will impersonate her twin sister in order to fulfill the betrothal. She thinks this is the answer to everyone's prayers, but she couldn't have been more wrong. She has a dangerous path ahead of her if she's going to survive this new life of hers on land. The prince is nothing like she imagined, and the prosperous land is a dark and unwelcoming place that seems to breed illness in people. She went from a simple life to backstabbing aristocracy, royal machinations, and cruelty like she's never witnessed before. Not only is her life in danger, but everything she holds dear to her heart back home. She must make the right allies and outwit those who hold all of the power.

    Varenia, the ocean, even my parents—I could survive without them. But my sister was as essential to me as the sunlight, as the air. I would find a way back to her some day.

There is a romance, but it's not a love triangle situation. As someone who's a romance reader at heart who also loves a good fantasy, Ms. Rutherford delivered the goods on a perfectly balanced heart-stopping adventure and well drawn out relationship with the love interest. Of course it wasn't the main focus, but it still felt developed enough in the background for it to feel natural and realistic. Make no mistake though, Nor is the star of the show here, as she stood up for what's right, fought for those who couldn't themselves, and discovered just how much of a difference one person could make if they believed in themselves enough. The sisters' love for each other really shined brightly. It was so powerful that time and distance could not dim or tarnish it.

I can't sing this book's praises enough!! When I first got the arc, I wasn't entirely sure if this was a standalone or not, but it looks like the author has been cleared for a follow up! Even though this could have ended at book one, I certainly don't want to give up this world quite yet. Not by a long shot. There was plenty of potential written in for a continuation so I couldn't be more excited we will get to return sometime next year with Kingdom of Sea and Stone. Snatch this hidden gem up...or should I say pearl? This is an absolute must read!!

    Home was not a house, or a village, or a sea. It was family, and love, and the space where your soul could roost, like a seabird safe from a storm.

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Book Spotlight: The Chocolate Maker's Wife by Karen Brooks

Australian bestselling novelist Karen Brooks rewrites women back into history with this breathtaking novel set in 17th century London—a lush, fascinating story of the beautiful woman who is drawn into a world of riches, power, intrigue…and chocolate.

THE CHOCOLATE MAKER'S WIFE by KAREN BROOKS

Series: Standalone

Publication date: August 20, 2019

Published by: William Morrow

Genre: historical fiction

 

SYNOPSIS

Damnation has never been so sweet...

Rosamund Tomkins, the illegitimate daughter of a nobleman, spends most of her young life in drudgery at a country inn. To her, the Restoration under Charles II, is but a distant threat as she works under the watchful eye of her brutal, abusive stepfather . . . until the day she is nearly run over by the coach of Sir Everard Blithman.

Sir Everard, a canny merchant, offers Rosamund an “opportunity like no other,” allowing her to escape into a very different life, becoming the linchpin that will drive the success of his fledgling business: a luxurious London chocolate house where wealthy and well-connected men come to see and be seen, to gossip and plot, while indulging in the sweet and heady drink.

Rosamund adapts and thrives in her new surroundings, quickly becoming the most talked-about woman in society, desired and respected in equal measure.

But Sir Everard’s plans for Rosamund and the chocolate house involve family secrets that span the Atlantic Ocean, and which have already brought death and dishonor to the Blithman name. Rosamund knows nothing of the mortal peril that comes with her new title, nor of the forces spinning a web of conspiracy buried in the past, until she meets a man whose return tightens their grip upon her, threatening to destroy everything she loves and damn her to a dire fate.

As she fights for her life and those she loves through the ravages of the Plague and London’s Great Fire, Rosamund’s breathtaking tale is one marked by cruelty and revenge; passion and redemption—and the sinfully sweet temptation of chocolate.

Purchase your copy now!

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Praise for The Chocolate Maker's Wife:

A sweeping tale brimming with historical details and figures, including diarist Samuel Pepys, this sumptuous novel covers five eventful years that include a dreadful plague and the Great Fire of London. At the center is the charming, courageous Rosamund, whose spirit makes this novel a rich indulgence.
- Booklist

“Historian and novelist [Karen] Brooks shows her research and imaginative chops in a luscious and astonishingly affecting chronicle of family scandal, political unrest, and redemptive hope in 1660s London . . .readers will be pulled into the highs and lows of this novel’s personal drama and the sweep of its historical backdrop.”
- Publishers Weekly starred review

EXCERPT

Excerpted from the book THE CHOCOLATE MAKER’S WIFE by Karen Brooks. Copyright © 2019 by Karen Brooks. On sale August 20th from William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. Reprinted by permission.

On the 29th May 1662, God Almighty and Ever-Punishing chose to make it bloody hot. At least that’s what Rosamund heard Sissy Barnes say as she staggered into the kitchen with a pail of milk. The current of warm air she brought with her caused the other two scullions to moan and flap their aprons at their faces, earning a scolding from Dorcas, the housekeeper, who told them to stop making such a blasted fuss. Rosamund pressed her lips together lest she too be accused of making a blasted fuss and instead picked up the tray of bread, melting cheeses and coddled eggs to deliver to the sweltering guests waiting to break their fast in the taproom.

Tobacco smoke hung thick in the air, punctuated only by the chittering of the finely dressed women who appeared to be competing with each other to see who could be the loudest. As Rosamund entered, one of them lamented in strident tones that the inn didn’t provide coffee, a protest greeted with much head-shaking and tut-tutting. Rosamund didn’t feel inclined to inform the heavily powdered woman, whose cheeks carried more patches than flesh, that they did indeed provide the bitter, silty beverage, but supplies had run out with the sudden influx of visitors. The women made a point of ignoring Rosamund, holding her responsible for their having to drink ale or sack like commoners instead of the fashionable new drink fast becoming the rage in London. Their male companions offered her sly smiles and surreptitious winks. One of the so-called gentlemen even leaned behind his lady to pat Rosamund on the bottom. Overlooking this liberty, as she did all others because her stepfather, Paul Ballister, said a man was within his rights to treat a woman any way he wanted (a view Rosamund silently maintained her grandmother, Lady Ellinor Tomkins, would have contested), she replaced the tray behind the counter and waited to see if her services would be further required. The men and women puffed on their pipes, sipped the liquids they claimed to despise, ate the tepid but tasty food placed in front of them and prattled emphatically — usually about whatever they were reading in the news sheets and pamphlets so many of them brought with them from the capital or purchased in town. She’d have to make sure to remove them when they’d finished lest Paul happen upon them. Poring over the discarded papers that he was too tight to buy himself, he would rail about the ‘rubbish royalist claptrap’ the ‘cunting correspondents’ published, then take his anger out on all those around him — mostly, her. He never said anything negative about the King within earshot of the guests; he was too clever for that. Choosing to nod amiably as they recited snippets from the pages and praise His Majesty like the most practised sycophant, he presented a picture of affability.

Looks could be so deceiving.

Rosamund rubbed a streak of egg-white from her bodice and frowned at the greasy mark it left on an otherwise reasonably clean gown. For the umpteenth time she wished she could read the news sheets too, especially since whatever was written seemed to incite such passionate conversations and aggravate Paul so very much. A contrary part of her had no doubt she’d like what he loathed and that gave her a little warm feeling right between her breasts.

She examined her fingernails and resisted the urge to chew them. Her mother had warned her that her usual lacklustre efforts at personal hygiene were unacceptable while there were so many guests, and insisted she wash her face and hands every night and morning. Pleased to obey her parent in this instance, knowing the additional patrons also meant Paul was kept occupied tending to them, Rosamund enjoyed feeling relatively clean, even if the condition was only temporary.

When she glanced at her reflection in the mouldy mirror hanging behind the bar, she marvelled at how pink her cheeks were when they weren’t decorated with smut and mud, and how her brows formed neat arches without soot in them. Whereas no-one would have given her a second look a week ago, it was remarkable what a little soap and water could do. Tucking a stray lock of hair back into her cap, she was trying to fathom how she could remove the egg stain when she caught a glimpse of her stepfather weaving his way between the tables, bowing in his fawning way to all and sundry. Before he could detain her, Rosamund ducked below the counter and slipped out of the room. Keen not to be accused of slovenliness, or anything else that might earn her stepfather’s opprobrium, she grabbed the besom and some rags and swiftly ascended to the upper floors, wiping the bannister as she went, searching for the dust and dirt inevitably trailed inside from the road. The Maiden Voyage Inn might be on the verge of decrepitude, but there was no reason for the old place to be filthy as well.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Karen lives in Hobart, in a beautiful, convict built sandstone Georgian house that whispers and chatters to her all the time. She lives there with her beloved partner, Stephen, two bichons, Tallow and Dante, Labradoodle, the irrepressible, Bounty (the brew dog) and her four cats, Baroque, Claude, Jack and Cromwell. She’s often visited by her wonderful children – son, Adam, and daughter, Caragh – both of whom she is very proud, as well as her fabulous friends. Mostly, however, she writes, reads, reviews books, watches too much TV, travels and dreams.

You can find her on:

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Review: The First Girl Child by Amy Harmon

From ​the New York Times bestselling author comes a breathtaking fantasy of a cursed kingdom, warring clans, and unexpected salvation.

THE FIRST GIRL CHILD by AMY HARMON

Publisher: 47North

Publication date: August 20, 2019

Genre: fantasy

 

SYNOPSIS

Bayr of Saylok, bastard son of a powerful and jealous chieftain, is haunted by the curse once leveled by his dying mother. Bartered, abandoned, and rarely loved, she plagued the land with her words: From this day forward, there will be no daughters in Saylok.

Raised among the Keepers at Temple Hill, Bayr is gifted with inhuman strength. But he’s also blessed with an all-too-human heart that beats with one purpose: to protect Alba, the first girl child born in nearly two decades and the salvation for a country at risk.

Now the fate of Saylok lies with Alba and Bayr, whose bond grows deeper with every whisper of coming chaos. Charged with battling the enemies of their people, both within and without, Bayr is fueled further by the love of a girl who has defied the scourge of Saylok.

What Bayr and Alba don’t know is that they each threaten the king, a greedy man who built his throne on lies, murder, and betrayal. There is only one way to defend their land from the corruption that has overtaken it. By breaking the curse, they could defeat the king…but they could also destroy themselves.

Purchase Here: Amazon | Paperback | Audio

Praise for The First Girl Child:

“By far, my favorite book of 2019. Addictive, engrossing, completely unputdownable. Amy Harmon’s The First Girl Child needs to be at the top of everyone’s reading list.” —Penny Reid, New York Times bestselling author

“The First Girl Child is a unique and lovely read set in a world that is both familiar and strange. Rich, fast-paced, and romantic, this book will thoroughly satisfy fantasy readers craving a story with meat on its bones. It’s going on my shelf next to Robin Hobb and Patricia McKillip.” —Jared Garrett, bestselling author of Lakhoni

“Utterly brilliant. A sprawling tale of love and magic, of leadership and the sacrifice that comes with it. I cannot recommend this book enough.” —bestselling author Staci Hart

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Amy Harmon is a Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and New York Times Bestselling author. Amy knew at an early age that writing was something she wanted to do, and she divided her time between writing songs and stories as she grew. Having grown up in the middle of wheat fields without a television, with only her books and her siblings to entertain her, she developed a strong sense of what made a good story. Her books are now being published in eighteen languages, truly a dream come true for a little country girl from Levan, Utah.

Amy Harmon has written fourteen novels including the USA Today Bestsellers, Making Faces and Running Barefoot, as well as The Law of Moses, Infinity + One and the New York Times Bestseller, A Different Blue. Her fantasy novel, The Bird and the Sword, was a Goodreads Book of the Year finalist.

Follow Amy Harmon:  
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REVIEW

The First Girl Child by Amy Harmon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Fair warning, I'm going to have to gush over this book a little. There's just no getting around it when you fall in love with a story this completely. I've been reading Amy Harmon's books for four years now and although I haven't caught up on her entire backlist, The First Girl Child is now a front runner for all-time favorite. And yes, it's landing on my shortlist for best books of the year as well. All it took was a few pages into the prologue and I was a goner. This beautiful, heart-wrenching, poignant story is worth every second spent between the pages. It's a fantasy with such fathomless depths, you fall so deeply you don't want to get out again. It's a story of revenge, overcoming impossible odds, courage in the face of tyranny and evil, unbreakable bonds of family, and forbidden love.

The Kingdom of Saylok is made up of six clans: Adyar, Berne, Dolphys, Ebba, Joran, and Leok. Each clan has a Chieftan who leads it, and the King has absolute power, even over these leaders. Many hope to ascend to the throne, but few will have the opportunity in their lifetime. Banruud of Berne is hungry for power and has no qualms about harming anyone who stands in his way. One woman seeks revenge for a horrible betrayal at his hands that will curse all of Saylok, until her son is ready to remove the scourge upon the land.

That son is Bayr. Unnaturally strong and believed to have been gifted by the gods, he becomes somewhat of a legend for his incredible feats growing up. It would be easy for someone to become proud or boastful, but living at Temple Hill with his Uncle has made him a humble man who only cares for the well being of others. Bayr and his Uncle Dagmar's relationship as he grows up in his care touched my heart so much. Dagmar wasn't prepared to take on a fatherly role in his lifetime after committing himself as a Keeper. At first he was flustered and floundering with newborn Beyr, then gradually more confident as he lovingly guided Bayr towards the future he knew he was destined to fulfill. Even knowing someday they must part, he willingly sacrificed his own wishes for the salvation of Saylok. Injustice, pain, and suffering were endured by many. Lives would be changed irrevocably the day that Bayr came into his care, and he's determined to set things right no matter what it takes.

    "There might come a time, when you are no longer a boy, when Saylok will need you to lead her. There might be a day when you will be called on to rule, and you must prepare yourself for that day.”

If I could only use one word to describe Bayr it would be protector. That makes up every part of him down to his soul. After meeting princess Alba, he's enraptured by this child of hope. The first female child to be born during a long drought that has plagued the land for years. He immediately pledges to watch over her and shield her from all harm, never asking for anything in return. His feelings for her were pure and innocent, blossoming into a special friendship as they matured. Bayr and Alba are from two totally different worlds: one from royalty and the other a humble Temple boy without a penny to his name. But their devotion to each other is absolute, even if it must be from a distance at times. They way they changed and evolved took longer than I was expecting, but it was more than worth it by the end. It was like watching a seed being nurtured over time, weathering every storm, and growing into a towering tree with roots so deep they can't ever be unearthed. You feel their rightness down to your bones and want nothing more than the simplicity of them being. Without conflict or conspiracies to tear them apart.

    “Bayr’s birth marked the beginning of the drought. What if his death marks the end?”

Ghost plays an integral role in the story. Sold into slavery, then reviled and feared for being born with albinism, she's been mistreated her whole life. People fear what they don't understand, and her unusual appearance draws prejudice from ignorant people. Fate brings her into Bayr's life and though he's disconcerted at first, he always treats her with open acceptance, as does Dagmar. Love and acceptance seems like a simple thing to some, but to others it's everything. Ghost broke me at times. She was so used to rejection and harm that a simple human kindness couldn't be trusted.

Ghost finally finds a home where she has some semblance of safety. She relies on the anonymity her solitary lives affords, and finds much more than she bargained for in her simple life.

The final part of this book was action packed, tense, thrilling, devastating, healing, and leaves you awed at how it all ties together. My emotions were everywhere on the map, leaving me wrung out and wrecked at the end. It broke me just a little bit, but I can't imagine anything happening any differently. How the balance of power was righted, and the oppressed were finally freed. It was such a thing of beauty that brought tears to my eyes. Amy Harmon has created a story that's often brutal, but never fails to show us the power of love in the bleakest of times. Thankfully I had a friend on standby after finishing this incredible story that I could rant and weep and soak up all of my favorite words with. It was extremely hard to part with these characters so I can only hope that we are gifted with more novels in this extraordinary world!! This is one of her best yet, and I recommend it to any fantasy lover searching for their next five star read.

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Feature: The Empty Nesters by Carolyn Brown

The worst of times calls for the best of friends in this sassy novel about starting over, from New York Times bestselling author Carolyn Brown.

THE EMPTY NESTERS by CAROLYN BROWN

Series: Standalone

Publication date: August 20, 2019

Published by: Montlake Romance

Genre: women's fiction

 

SYNOPSIS

Dear friends and army wives Diana, Carmen, and Joanie have been through war, rumors of war, marital problems, motherhood, fears, joy, and heartache. But none of the women are prepared when their daughters decide to enlist in the army together. Facing an empty nest won’t be easy. Especially for Carmen. With emotions already high, she suffers an even greater blow: divorce papers. Diana understands the fury and tears. She’s been there.

With nothing to lose and no one at home, the girlfriends impulsively accept an unexpected offer from their elderly neighbor. The recently widowed Tootsie has an RV, a handsome nephew at the wheel, and an aim for tiny Scrap, Texas, to embrace memories of her late husband. Still grieving, she can use the company as a balm for her broken heart. So can the empty nesters.

Embarking on a journey of hope, romance, and healing, Diana, Carmen, and Joanie are at a turning point in their lives. And with the open road ahead of them, it’s just the beginning.

Purchase your copy now!

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Feature: Jump Into Author Carolyn Brown’s Empty Nest    

Good morning, and thank you for inviting me to stop by to talk about my new book, The Empty Nesters. I’ll be giving all y’all a few of my favorite scenes and a little commentary during the time we get to spend together.

As Ma used to say on Golden Girls, imagine this—Carmen, Joanie and Diana have just dropped their daughters off at the recruiter’s office. They’ve managed to keep the tears at bay and put up a brave front, but now it’s time to let the tears loose.

“For the first time ever, Natalie and I won’t decorate the house for Halloween together. Nine months of carrying them, then we basically raised them on our own while our husbands were deployed or got sent someplace to train other officers. And now they’re gone, and we won’t see them for Halloween or Thanksgiving. And who even knows about Christmas? It’s not fair.” 

It’s always amazing what comes to mind during a sad time, isn’t it? Things pop into our heads that seem trivial in the face of the event, and yet, at the time, the good memories are what keep us sane.

Tootsie, their elderly neighbor, has just lost her husband, after they’d bought the huge RV and planned a trip to northeast Texas. She’s trying to convince the women that they need to get away from their empty nest for a while.

“You need to get away for a little while and get some perspective,” Tootsie said.

“Let’s pool our money and blow it all on a trip to Paris. We can shop and have lattes in little bistros,” Diana suggested. 

Joanie sighed. “That’s a pipe dream. We probably don’t have enough money to even get to Paris, Texas, between the three of us.” 

The three of them have known the support of each other through the past thirteen years, and just because they’re now alone in their homes, they have no doubt that the love is still there between them—and that it’s even stronger than blood sisters.

“We’re only half a block and a phone call away. If any of us feel the world dropping out from under our feet, we can get back together in less than five minutes.” 

I was amazed at how supportive all of them, including Tootsie, were of each other. They might disagree, but Lord help the person that tried to come between them, or who had the nerve to say an ugly word about one of them.

Everything happens for a reason and in the time that it should happen. I believe that with my whole heart. Diana had gotten her divorce years before the book opens, but she remembers the pain and anger of it all. Then she focused all her energy and time on raising her daughter. But now it’s her time to find a new love, and a new life—maybe with a younger man.

“That many trips into town on those roads would shake the hell out of their Caddy. And believe me, Aunt Tootsie treats that car like family.” Luke chuckled. “Age, on a truck or on a person, makes no difference. It’s how well they’re maintained that matters.” 

Why, oh, why, couldn’t he have smooth pickup lines like other men? Luke asked himself. What he’d just said could be taken as an insult. She might think that he thought she looked like an old pickup truck at her age, when in reality she was downright gorgeous. He wouldn’t be a bit surprised if she still got carded at bars when she ordered a drink. 

Thank you again, for inviting me into your world, and letting me talk about the amazing ladies (and Luke of course), from The Empty Nesters. Happy reading to each and every one of you!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Carolyn Brown is a New York Times, USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author and a RITA finalist with more than ninety published books. Her genres include romance, history, cowboys and country music, and contemporary mass-market paperbacks. She and her husband live in the small town of Davis, Oklahoma, where everyone knows everyone else, knows what they are doing and when . . . and reads the local newspaper every Wednesday to see who got caught. They have three grown children and enough grandchildren to keep them young. Visit Carolyn at www.carolynbrownbooks.com.

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Review: House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig

Get swept away in Erin A. Craig's mesmerizing House of Salt and Sorrows. As one by one her beautiful sisters mysteriously die on their isolated island estate, Annaleigh must unravel the curse that haunts her family. Be careful who you dance with. . . 

HOUSE OF SALT AND SORROWS by ERIN A. CRAIG

Series: Standalone

Publication date: August 6, 2019

Published by: Delacorte Press

Genre: young adult fantasy, fairy tale retelling

 

SYNOPSIS

Four of Annaleigh Thaumas's eleven sisters have returned to the Salt, the brackish water that surrounds their lonely island home, their lives cut short, each more tragically than the last. Whispers throughout the Highmoor estate say the girls have been cursed by the gods.

When Annaleigh finds out that her sisters have been sneaking out to attend glittering midnight balls and dance until dawn, she's not sure whether to stop them--or join them. And when she begins to see a series of horrific, ghostly visions and more sisters die, she realizes she must solve the mystery--with the help of Cassius, a sea captain who knows much more about her than he should--and unravel the Thaumas curse before she descends into madness or . . . it claims her next.

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Praise for House of Salt and Sorrows:

“Step inside a fairy tale.”—Stephanie Garber, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Caraval

“An eerie, lovely Twelve Dancing Princesses retelling full of ghosts and gods and a fascinating waterfront world and I’m reading it from behind my fingers.”—Melissa Albert, New York Times bestselling author of The Hazel Wood

“Chilling and atmospheric.”–Laura E. Weymouth, author of The Light Between Worlds

Evocative details and lyrical, moody prose  . . . a richly conceived story that blends mythic and Gothic storytelling.”–PW

“The novel’s vivid, evocative atmosphere will please fans of the gothic . . . chills aplenty.”–The Bulletin

“Equal parts gothic fairy tale and romance . . . compulsively readable.”—SLJ

“This moody maritime retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses blends elements of suspense and horror for a gothic twist on a familiar tale. A memorably built world populated with a hauntingly doomed family.”–Booklist

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Erin A. Craig has always loved telling stories.

After getting her B.F.A. from the University of Michigan, in Theatre Design and Production, she stage managed tragic operas with hunchbacks, séances, and murderous clowns, then decided she wanted to write books that were just as spooky.

An avid reader, a decent quilter, rabid basketball fan, and collector of typewriters, Erin makes her home in Memphis, TN with her husband and daughter.

You can find her on:

Goodreads | Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram



REVIEW

House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The author has taken a pretty innocent Brothers Grimm short story and turned it into something quite a bit darker and twistier. The foreboding atmosphere is layered throughout the entire story, gaining momentum and intensity as you near the conclusion. This is a gothic mystery about a girl named Annaleigh who must solve the suspicious deaths of her sisters before she or any of the other surviving girls fall victim too. There are ghostly apparitions, unexplainable events, and almost everyone at her father's estate Highmoor comes under suspicion at some point. Is the Thaumas curse legitimately wiping the family out, one by one as the townspeople are whispering behind their hands? Or is something more sinister at play that's worse than anyone could ever imagine?

    Had we somehow angered the gods? Had a darkness branded itself on our family, taking us out one by one? Or was it simply a series of terrible and unlucky coincidences?

Annaleigh starts to become suspicious that all is not as it seems. She sets out to investigate the circumstances of the most recent death of her sister Eulalie. I have to admit, I found the sisters to be quite immature, a little callous in their lack of grieving, and at times spoiled. I was taken aback at how quickly they would brush off tragic deaths, often witnessed firsthand, and giggle and squeal over dancing and meeting potential suitors. Annaleigh was really the only sister who consistently wanted to ask questions about discrepancies, and cared more about the fate of her family than having fun. She even struggled to gain her father's attention with her concerns as he was putting all of his focus on his new wife. It seemed everyone just wanted to forget and move on past the gloom and melancholy days that had been stretching on endlessly since the loss of their mother.

You do get a little romance intertwined between the threads of the overall mystery. Cassius is a mysterious newcomer to town who immediately gets a twinkle in his eye for Annaleigh. Their romance is a subtle undertone to the story, with just light flirting and long glances, that kind of thing. But he's very obviously hiding things from the very enamored Annaleigh, the question is whether or not his secrets are harmless or deadly. There is another boy who has his eye on her, but thankfully it wasn't a love triangle. I was so relieved that my suspicions were squashed almost immediately because I'm not a big fan of that trope.

I felt that the pace of the book really affected my enjoyment. This could have easily been a five star read, but there were stretches in the story where I felt it was progressing as slow as molasses. The writing style was lovely, very rich and descriptive and I thoroughly enjoyed how the author transports you into each and every scene. If I were judging on the last 25% alone, it would be an enthusiastic five stars. I needed a little bit more to hold my attention, as much as I loved the ominous mood that stretches through this surprisingly blood-stained tale. I wasn't expecting the amount of death that occurred, and it got pretty grisly toward the end.

    When the people you love die … like my father, your mother and sisters … the thought that they could be trapped here … it’s unbearable, isn’t it? I can’t imagine a worse fate. Unseen, unheard. Surrounded by people who remember you a little less each day. I would go out of my mind, wouldn’t you?”

This was a wildly imaginative retelling of a classic fairy tale, and very impressive for a debut novel! I would definitely read more from Erin Craig in the future. She has a lot to offer the genre and I'll be excited to see what she comes up with next.

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Review: The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai

Alisha Rai returns with the first book in her sizzling new Modern Love series, in which two rival dating app creators find themselves at odds in the boardroom but in sync in the bedroom.

THE RIGHT SWIPE by ALISHA RAI

Series: Modern Love #1

Publication date: August 6, 2019

Published by: Avon

Genre: romance

 

SYNOPSIS

Rhiannon Hunter may have revolutionized romance in the digital world, but in real life she only swipes right on her career—and the occasional hookup. The cynical dating app creator controls her love life with a few key rules: 

- Nude pics are by invitation only 

- If someone stands you up, block them with extreme prejudice 

- Protect your heart 

Only there aren't any rules to govern her attraction to her newest match, former pro-football player Samson Lima. The sexy and seemingly sweet hunk woos her one magical night... and disappears. 

Rhi thought she'd buried her hurt over Samson ghosting her, until he suddenly surfaces months later, still big, still beautiful—and in league with a business rival. He says he won't fumble their second chance, but she's wary. A temporary physical partnership is one thing, but a merger of hearts? Surely that’s too high a risk…

Purchase your copy now!

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Praise for The Right Swipe:

“Alisha Rai delivers compelling emotion, fascinating characters and edgy romance in a razor-sharp, thoroughly modern voice that readers will adore. I sure did!”
- Jayne Ann Krentz

“I absolutely loved it… volcano-hot sex and cackle-worthy dialogue…I highly recommend this!”
- Sally Thorne, USA Today bestselling author of The Hating Game and 99 Percent Mine

“Rising romance star Rai brings a perfect relationship to life in this luscious contemporary series launch... As the onetime lovers are drawn into closer proximity, their chemistry sizzles on the page. Both Rhi and Samson are learning how to enjoy life and balance each other beautifully as they face realistic conflicts and tantalizing romance and sensuality. This winning novel will enhance any romance reader’s collection.”
- Publishers Weekly starred review

“The Right Swipe is everything you want in a Summer read: fun, clever, and so, so sexy.”
- Popsugar

“Top-notch romance.”
- New York Times Book Review on The Right Swipe

“Rai turns up the heat and finds the funny in modern dating, from almost-dick pics to glitter grams and ghosting. But it’s not all steamy, as the characters have issues with trust and love, making them vulnerable both to each other and the public. Taking the dating app business to another level, with a dose of girl power, sexual politics, and one eccentric red-headed aunt, Rai scores a touchdown.”
- Booklist

“Rai addresses heavy issues without sacrificing passionate sensuality or emotional connection... a high-tech romance that proves respect is the most potent love drug.
- Kirkus Reviews

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alisha Rai writes award-winning emotionally complex contemporary romance novels and is frequently sought as a speaker on a range of topics covering romance and media.

She is the first author to have an indie-published book appear on Washington Post’s annual Best Books list. Her books have also been named Best Books of the Year by NPR, Vulture, Entertainment Weekly, Amazon, Kirkus, Bustle, and Cosmopolitan Magazine and her novels have won the RT Reviewer’s Choice Award for erotic and contemporary romance. When she’s not writing, Alisha is traveling and tweeting.

You can find her on:

Goodreads | Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram



REVIEW

The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I wanted to love this book. No one can say that I didn't give it every opportunity to swing me away from apathy or frustration. I probably should have just accepted defeat, but I gave it the benefit of the doubt until the very end. Probably the biggest red mark against The Right Swipe for me is the heroine. She isn't the easiest to warm up to in the beginning, but I can't say I started out disliking her. I knew there was some difficulty in her past that was causing her issues, so I could have very well jumped on her team later on and started loving her when I had all of the facts. Unfortunately, my opinion of her ended up plummeting to rock bottom by the end.

The heroine had some positive traits: she's independent, driven, disciplined, and does show a soft and protective side for the few she includes in her inner circle. But she's also a major commitment-phobe, allergic to trust and romance, and puts her career goals at a higher priority than people. Which is perfectly fine based on her past, and I'm all for a character showing growth through the story. The problem is that I failed to see that. Listen, if the roles were reversed and Rhiannon was the hero doing these things, I would feel completely annoyed as well. I don't enjoy reading about commitment phobic people whether they're male or female. Forcing a set of rules on another person, making them agree to nothing more than an impersonal relationship to keep emotions at a safe distance is cowardly.

I was expecting more of an enemies to lovers book with some lighthearted romance threaded in and that's not what this story was. The heroine is a hardened cynic whose entire living is based off of modern dating apps. You couldn't make her take on dating any more depressing. Dating was dollar signs to her and nothing more. After being burned by love, she's given up on it completely and has a glaring lack of empathy for anyone but herself. Her ex was emotionally abusive and controlling, so it has motivated her to take back her power which is a good thing. The bad thing is that she holds onto it with an iron fist and hides behind his actions rather than treating people fairly who deserve her respect.

One thing that bothered me to no end was his supposed ghosting of her in their past. Technically he did this to her, breaking her already fragile trust. In REALITY it was unintentional, and he has a valid excuse for his actions. I could understand her cutting him off and feeling angry towards him before she learned the circumstances. But even after she got proof that he did nothing wrong, only put his dying family member first above a hookup...she still didn't want to listen to him. She still threw it in his face, and used it to her advantage in order to manipulate him into helping her win business favor with his aunt. Meanwhile, he struggles to find footing with her, debating over the smallest form of affection towards her because he's scared that a compliment or cuddle could scare her off.

    “You can kiss me, by the way. I’ll allow it.” His smile was slow and real. This woman was tough and blunt and made no sense, but she was also super adorable.

While she's calling all of the shots, he's relegated to the person in the equation who gets no say in their relationship. And let me assure you, this sweet man is a huge teddy bear who was down for more from the start. Somehow, someway, he finds her personality adorable and sweet. I do not understand how he came to this conclusion, but he even blames himself for her treatment and that bothered me too.

    This coolness, this toughness, had been missing then. A stab of regret went through him. A broken piece to spackle. So he’d take this time to spackle over some of the damage he’d done. Temporary or not, he could shower her with reliability and kindness.

Samson is going through his own personal struggle with the recent passing of his uncle. This is barely skimmed over in comparison to the heroine's career goals and past. As an ex-football player whose father and Uncle were both in the profession, Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) wreaked havoc on his family. When he gets the test results back about the condition of his uncle's brain at the time of his death, he's noticeably shaken. Does Rhiannon take five minutes to show concern or care for him? Absolutely not. She brushes it off and paints herself as the victim instead of talking to him, actually doing something extremely hurtful towards him.

This is the point where I felt so completely done, but I wanted to see if she would apologize and grovel. Negative. Her past is finally completely uncovered, and we're now led to believe that she gets a free pass to mistreat people because she has a traumatic history. She's forgiven before she even gives her offhand apology text. But it was the resolution that proved in the very last pages that it wasn't much of a resolution at all. No growth on her part, and we are supposed to be okay with that. Make up sex first, (her decision) immediately followed by a question about business (which he finds cute) and then she offers to clear up their personal problem and talk. What does that tell me? That she places their "relationship" on the lowest rung of the priority ladder. At 98%, he's telling her he can be patient with her trust issues and says he'll take her as she is. Baggage and all. This is where I throw my hands up in the air and try to hold in my violent feelings.

I didn't care for this heroine, and I think that's an obvious understatement after venting my frustrations with this story. Cracking through her tough exterior was like trying to chisel through granite with a butter knife. I wasn't rooting for this couple at any point in the book, and felt that Samson could have done so much better. That's a big issue when I'm reading a book categorized as a romance. I'm sad to say this book was a complete loss for this reader.

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