Breach (Catalyst Moon, #2) by Lauren L. Garcia Review

 

I would first like to thank Inkitt for providing me with a copy of Breach to review - after reading Incursion (Catalyst Moon, #1) through Inkitt, it was amazing to have the opportunity to give an honest review through them once again.

You can read my review of Incursion, the first installment of the Catalyst Moon series here.

This review contains minor spoilers for Breach - please read with caution if you have not completed the book.

I was so excited to finally get back into the Catalyst Moon series, and the second installment did not disappoint. Garcia does an excellent job at world-building and character development, so much so that you can clearly see what is happening during each chapter, and you can feel the emotion behind the dialogue and inner thoughts of the characters. Stonewall and Kali are such a unique pairing, and as we saw in the first book, their bond forms significantly more from their initial meeting. We get to see so much more of their relationship take shape as we experience the complexity of their stations unfold, and the romance really takes off in this second installment.

When Kali was healing the woman in the village along with other mages and soldiers, I knew something was going to happen and did not anticipate that in trying to heal this woman, she actually ended up killing her. It was heartbreaking to see the aftermath of that scene, but great to see people standing up for Kali to prove that she did not intentionally mean to harm that woman.

I really enjoyed how we see the storylines begins to merge towards the end of the book - everything starts coming together and brings you so much anticipation on how everything will either be resolved or left to us to find out more in the next book. In my opinion, this installment has a quicker pace to it than the first book, which I believe compliments the story and gives both world-building and action their own spotlights, respectively. Things are much more high stakes in Breach, and it adds to the tension between Kali and Stonewall's romance, as well as to their own individual journeys throughout the book and series. It definitely builds upon what we saw in Incursion, and doesn't gloss over any information that we needed more details - it is excellent character development all around.

I can't wait to continue on with this series and see what Lauren L. Garcia has in store for us next!

The latest installment of the Catalyst Moon series, Sacrifice (Catalyst Moon, #5) was released on August 30th, 2021. You can add Breach and the rest of the Catalyst Moon series on Goodreads, and follow the author for more updates.

You can catch up with me and my current reads by friending me on Goodreads and following this blog in order to stay up-to-date with any reviews, blog tours, and more!

Vanishing Twins: A Marriage by Leah Dieterich Review

This review contains mild spoilers and details for Vanishing Twins: A Marriage. Please read with caution.

I admit, I did not know a lot about this book when I first opened it - it had been sitting on my bookshelf for some time, and I have finally been able to start tackling my never-ending growing TBR pile. But right off the bat, the description on the back cover caught my eye. A list of things that we, the readers, will learn from this book: Alternate reading of the myth of Narcissus? How to smoke a novella? The mysterious equations of distance, difference, desire, and love? Consider me intrigued!

The use of ballet comparisons and writing style is captivating - you can feel her pain, her resentment, and her utter confusion and longing for understanding through the page. She explores her triumphs that turn into defeats, her attachment to Eric as though they are one and the same, and the struggles of their relationship through both separation and exploration of both of their sexualities.

Her relationship with Elena showed a side of Leah's struggles of having Eric understand her need for flourishment and her own personal growth, while at the same time not telling Eric about their relationship for some time and then still only letting him in on a little information. However, Eric is also going about the country on business and various retreats where he tells Leah of his sexual encounters and revelations, so I cannot blame her for wanting to keep Elena to herself, especially when Eric wasn't up much for the throuple idea that was initially on the table.

Her twin left her behind. Then ballet was gone. And now, Eric was in New York for a year, away from Leah, leaving her left behind once again.

We see Eric start to explore a life outside of Leah once he goes to New York - he sleeps with a woman with a serious resemblance to Leah, and then tells her that he has been seeing a psychoanalyst for some months. It is interesting to see how Leah becomes upset at this confession - while they are in an open relationship, she has been "hiding" the extent of her (then) relationship with Elena with telling Eric only some of the details, but gets upset when he is seeing another man or just having casual sex with people he encounters.

She does not want to "murder their relationship," but does not understand how it could continue as is while they live together again after a year of what was a significant shift in their relationship and their own self discoveries.

Overall, I have some mixed feelings about Vanishing Twins: A Marriage. I feel myself content with the ending of Leah and Eric's story, yet wanting to see them beyond their final cohesion back together at the end. They were separated for so long and are finally back together under the same roof, yet to me, they feel oceans apart. I do recommend this book for readers looking for an interesting approach to self-reflection and discovery through a nontraditional writing style for nonfiction.

You can add Vanishing Twins: A Marriage on Goodreads, and follow the author to stay up to date on publications and releases.

You can catch up with me and my current reads by friending me on Goodreads and following this blog in order to stay up-to-date with any reviews, blog tours, and more! 

Paris Undressed: The Secrets of French Lingerie by Kathryn Kemp-Griffin Review

This book provides readers with the ins and outs of French lingerie and sensuality, sexuality, and seduction. Kathryn and her husband decide to make a spur of the moment move from Canada to Paris after a coin toss, and that is where Kathryn begins her journey through the lingerie scene in Paris.

We get a really rich history about corsets, lingerie, and the evolution of how women were able to express themselves through lingerie and the numerous uses it provided. As someone who speaks French, I loved Kathryn's abundant use of French terminology and common phrases - it really allows the reader to immerse themself into the journey she goes through.

The addition of illustrations in this book really allows for the reader to understand the visual evolution today's bra underwent, from corset to padded bra with straps, we are able to see its construction and constant reevaluation over the decades.

Walking us through every part of the bra and learning the importance of each piece and how it completes the bra gives readers a new appreciation for quality-made bras, as well as learning exactly which style and type of bra works best for your outfit choice. When Kathryn deconstructed a poorly-made bra and a well-made bra, she was able to understand the underlying details on what truly makes a bra a quality piece.

I find myself relating to this book once again - I have a degree in Neuroscience, and found the comparison of fabrics to sensory receptors eye-opening and truly a unique and genius choice of description. Different fabrics and fibres completely change the game when it comes to creating and wearing a garment, and with lingerie being the most intimate garment someone can own, it is so important to make sure what you're wearing feels the best for you.

I love how Kathryn goes beyond the "underwear" aspect of lingerie - we get to learn and see stockings, holsters, tassels, and more. Her experience in each of these classes that she attends to learn more about the sensuality of lingerie and how women can truly find enjoyment just by wearing it in everyday life. The better you dress, the better you feel, I always say. And if you feel great, your day will surely be just as great.

The addition of French lingerie websites towards the end of the book was a fabulous idea - it allows the reader to not only apply what they have learned through Katherine's experience and lessons from the book to purchasing lingerie, but just viewing the different styles and fabrics in itself is a great way to visualize what you want in your lingerie.

This is a fantastic read for the fashion-inclined, lingerie loving person. I absolutely recommend this to any up-and-coming fashion student or anyone who is curious to what makes lingerie so intimately for you.

You can add Paris Undressed: The Secrets of French Lingerie on Goodreads now, and follow the author to stay up to date on publications and releases.

You can catch up with me and my current reads by friending me on Goodreads and following this blog in order to stay up-to-date with any reviews, blog tours, and more!

Normal People by Sally Rooney Review

This review contains spoilers for Normal People - please read with caution.

The only thing I knew about Normal People before going into the story was that the author writes her novels without quotation marks in the dialogue, and I immediately knew it was going to take all but five pages before I felt like I was losing my mind. It actually took seven pages before the feeling came, so, yay! But seriously, if I had the time, I would have taken a pen to every line of dialogue and added quotation marks because your eyes are so trained to transition from paragraphs of descriptions to speech that you miss sections of talking because you're not even registering them as actually exchanging conversation.

I immediately wanted to talk some sense into Connell, because obviously any girl who spends her lunch hour reading novels in the library or cafeteria has read The Communist Manifesto. Marianne is basically the smartest person in school and top in English, and you think she hasn't read it?

Also, if a guy asked me to not talk to him and pretend that I don't know him and am not literally hooking up with him, I would toss him immediately. Connell acts like he would be committing social suicide by associating with Marianne, when in reality, people would just talk about how they would maybe be an unlikely pair - it would not cause the fall of their social hierarchy. The way that Marianne makes it so clear to Connell that she wouldn't do the same to him that he is doing to her, he has this fleeting moment of a morality change, and I started to like him just a little bit.

I know I did not just read people laughing at Marianne literally getting physically assaulted at this pub while she tried to sell raffle tickets. She has got to find better people to hang around with and these people have got to get better morals. Also, I don't know if it's just because I recently read I Hate Men by Pauline Harmange, but Connell is literally doing the minimum for Marianne - the bar is on the floor. Shoutout to Lorraine for trying to knock some sense into Connell because the boy is as dense as they come.

The writing becomes significantly more tolerable once Connell and Marianne go to college - the flow is better, the dialogue runs smoother, and the character development vastly improves. Jamie and Helen are the worst people to be around Marianne and Connell - the borderline abuse from Jamie and the slut shaming from Helen makes them intolerable to read about.

Marianne's relationship or "agreement" she has with Lukas is unconventional, and her using sex as a coping mechanism in what appears to be a response to her brother speaking and acting horribly to her is sad to read. She has so much going for her, and watching her become isolated from her friends, and quick frankly from herself as well, is heartbreaking.

I actually really started to like the direction that the book was headed towards the end, and then Alan had to come in and ruin it all, followed by what I saw as a rather obvious ending to Marianne and Connell's ending. The sentiment of it all can definitely resonate with readers, but it felt as though we were moving constantly away from the idea that they could ever end up together.

I will personally buy Sally Rooney a keyboard with the quotation mark key so I never have to experience that writing style again. In all honesty, I have never encountered a book more that I wanted to DNF so badly before I even got to page 50. It definitely improved about halfway through the book, but I could not help but feel disconnected from both Connell and Marianne - constant miscommunication and "right person, wrong time" felt so repetitive that I found myself hoping that it would just end. I do not think this was a bad book - I just think that it may not have been a book for me.

You can add Normal People on Goodreads now, and follow the author to stay up to date on publications and releases. Normal People is available now to watch exclusively with a Hulu subscription in the United States.

You can catch up with me and my current reads by friending me on Goodreads and following this blog in order to stay up-to-date with any reviews, blog tours, and more!

In Blood & Ice by Susan Person Review + BLOG TOUR + GIVEAWAY

 

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the IN BLOOD & ICE by Susan Person Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: IN BLOOD & ICE (A Vampire Ice Age Novel - Book 1)

Author: Susan Person

Publication Date: December 27, 2021

Publisher: Person Publishing

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 408

Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, iBooks, Kobo

Alliances. Betrayals. Poison. For a hundred years, vampires and humans alike have been struggling to survive a brutal ice age.

When blood stores dwindle, Josie is sent on a mission to secure human donors to supplement the failing supply.

But her ex-lover Vin is part of the crew, and after the mission is sabotaged, she finds herself fighting for more than just survival.

When asked to join the expedition to the old compound, Vin didn’t hesitate. Maybe if he can succeed, he’ll win back the love he once lost.

But betrayal at the highest levels will threaten his efforts and shake the very foundations of the vampire race. If they can find a way to reverse the ice age, then they might all survive. But will the long buried secrets they uncover pull Josie and Vin apart?

In Blood & Ice is the first book in the A Vampire Ice Age paranormal romance series by Susan Person. If you like vampire romance, secrets, and a bad-ass heroine leading the way, this book is for you.

Pick up In Blood & Ice to start this dark and powerful series by Susan Person today.

Preorder Book Two, Reclamation in Ice, now!

REVIEW

This review contains spoilers for In Blood & Ice, please read with caution if you have not completed the book. A huge thank you again to Rockstar Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book and the opportunity to be a part of the In Blood & Ice book tour.

We start off strong with immediate world-building and identifying our main characters and their key personality traits within the first chapter. Josephine, biological daughter and successor of Ezra, the Emperor, is our lead. I love the concept of the world being basically completely covered in ice - it adds a unique setting for vampires that I have yet to see in books or television so far. We also get an immediate dive right into a prospective love triangle with Josephine, Vincent, and Killian, which already brings a great deal of sarcasm and tension right at the beginning of the book. Having both Josephine's and Vincent's POVs really allows you to understand both characters on a deeper level, as well as get a better grasp on their feelings towards each other.

The way that Person introduces the possibility of Vincent's mother and witchcraft into the ongoing tensions between vampires is really well done - we go from fighting scenes to intimacy to new discovery that may help Josephine, Vincent, and Killian, along with the readers as we try to understand why these Rogue vampires are popping up all over the place. The devotion and admiration that Vincent has for Josephine truly comes to life on the pages, and is a constant through the beginning of the book.

Calidora being the vampire that killed Josephine's mother and being Vincent's mother was a great twist placed in the first fourth of the book - it gives a solid push towards the overall plot, as well as makes the reader have to put together a number of pieces of information that we were just exposed to in the last few chapters of the first fourth of the book. The way that Calidora is intwined into the plot also both character development and realization for Vincent, and struggle for Josephine.

Vincent being betrothed to someone within five minutes of meeting Calidora and finding out she is his mother had me cackling - this poor man can't catch a break. And Natasha definitely gives me the same vibes as the Denali tribe vampires from Twilight. Killian and Vincent's little friendship immediately after this whole situation is so humorous and a great addition to the plot - if we can't have a love triangle, I love the idea of having a couple and the friend who cares just as deeply for the girl but in a platonic way.

I was not in the least bit surprised that Ezra had his wife killed - he was not passing the vibe check in the first chapter and the second Josephine mentioned that her mother had opposing views to Ezra, it was inevitable to discover this information. Natasha coming along with the gang is the comedic relief we needed after all of the information we learned from Josephine's experience in the communication room. I absolutely love the dynamic between Killian and Natasha - their instant love and honeymoon stage is so perfectly put together and shows a fun, spontaneous side to a serious plot and mission.

Josephine beginning a revolution against her father is exactly the type of play we needed to see. Plus, these new vampires in the basement remind me of when the Strigoi in Vampire Academy were all hiding out in that cave off the side of the school campus. Livia is over here saying that she is pregnant yet has been running around as Ezra's little puppet and awakening like a million vampires in her path. And now Natasha is pregnant too? Josephine better be including child care in her revolution contracts with her followers.

Vincent proposing - so romantic, I really am rooting for them. And now Josephine is pregnant too? Everyone needs to take a breather and perhaps try not to repopulate the vampires all in one night. They better be able to find Livia's baby so everyone can have little playdates and relax for two seconds without a battle or kidnapping happening - so happy that everyone is mostly alright.

Overall, In Blood & Ice was a fantastic first installment to Person's series, and is perfectly paced to keep the reader on the edge of their seat. I would definitely recommend this series to fans of Blackmoon Beginnings by Kaitlyn Hoyt and Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead.

You can catch up with me and my current reads by friending me on Goodreads and following this blog in order to stay up-to-date with any reviews, blog tours, and more!

ABOUT SUSAN PERSON

Susan Person is a multi-contest finalist in the paranormal and dark paranormal romance categories. A former member of Romance Writers of America, she served on the PRO Steering Committee for several years. Recently, she returned to college to pursue a degree in anthropology and graduated in May 2021. Susan enjoys meeting writers and readers alike at conferences. Her grandmother's love of Harlequin novels was passed on to her, and she was fascinated by paranormal worlds and mythology. The combination of the two led her to the paranormal romance genre. She knew at an early age she wanted to write powerful heroines and fulfills that dream today by writing empowered heroines who take charge in their paranormal worlds.

Susan grew up on a thoroughbred horse farm before moving to the big city of Dallas. She considers herself a Texan but is loyal to her home state of Arkansas. A lover of travel, she has visited several countries with many more to go on her list. She particularly loved dowsing at Stonehenge and seeing the Eiffel Tower light up at night. The outdoors are a place Susan finds inspiration and can often be found in a park, at the lake, or on a road trip. She especially loves the mountains. Furry animals hold a special place in her heart. Dogs tend to seek her out as a friend, and she gladly returns their friendship.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | Amazon | Goodreads | BookBub

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

5 winners will win a finished copy of IN BLOOD & ICE, US only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

TOUR DETAILS

Week One:

2/21/2022	The Reading Devil	Guest Post/IG Post
2/22/2022	Sadie's Spotlight	Guest Post/IG Post
2/23/2022	BookHounds	Guest Post/IG Post
2/24/2022	100 Pages A Day	Review
2/25/2022	boozybook blog	Review/IG Post

 

Week Two:

2/28/2022	thepaperworlds	Review
3/1/2022	@reading.late.into.the.night	Review/IG Post
3/2/2022	The Momma Spot	Review
3/3/2022	Take A Look At My Bookshelf	Review
3/4/2022	Vamplit	Review

Maddie And Mo Get Married by Rachel Abugov RELEASE WEEK BLITZ + GIVEAWAY

 

I am so excited that MADDIE AND MO GET MARRIED by Rachel Abugov is available now and that I get to share the news!

If you haven’t yet heard about this wonderful book, be sure to check out all the details below. 

This blitz also includes a giveaway for a $10 Amazon Gift Card courtesy of Rachel, & Rockstar Book Tours. So if you’d like a chance to win, check out the giveaway info below.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: MADDIE AND MO GET MARRIED

Author: Rachel Abugov

Pub. Date: February 22, 2022

Publisher: Rachel's Kissing Books

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 270

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, iBooks, Kobo

In this corner: Madison "Mad Dog" Bennett: Venture capitalist. Runs on instincts and caffeine. Fearless (unless it's love).

In this corner: Maurice "Murderface" Mayfield: Former MMA fighter, Eternal optimist. Has a collection of designer sneakers. Also collects crazy exes.

Sparks fly between Maddie and Mo when she invests in his MMA-themed gyms. But Mo is known for his flavor-of-the-month romances. Maddie thinks she's watching the clock run out on them when Mo's ex drops off a package - the son he never knew he had.

Maddie and Mo's wedding is interrupted, and Maddie thinks she must choose between flight or fight. Fighting is in her comfort zone, but love? Not so much. Working things through? Even less. It won't be an easy trip down the aisle.

EXCERPT

I let Mo draw the faux-fur blanket over us and wrap me in his arms. 

“This is nice,” I said. “Hanging out with you is really nice.” It was the closest I’d gotten to expressing emotions in a long time.

“I could get used to this.” 

“Me too. It’s really nice.” What the hell, Maddie? Didn’t I know any words other than ‘nice’? 

My mouth engaged again, before my brain could search for synonyms. “I’m so lucky to have you in my life,” I gulped. “You saved me from the hell of the funeral. You’ve got so many good qualities – I could go on and on.”

“Please don’t stop on my account,” teased Mo. “You’re off to a good start.”

“Actually, that’s all I got.” I didn’t want to sound like I was at the “I love you, man” stage of drunkenness. We’d seen enough of that earlier. At least, I had.

“Okay.” Mo took a deep breath. “So, let’s discuss the next step. We’re business partners. We’re living together.  There’s only one more thing we can do. Let’s get married.”

“Wait, what?

Had I heard right? Of course I had. It just seemed a little soon.

“I know it seems a little soon,” continued Mo. 

Told you so.

“But when you know, you know. The first time we worked out together, you were a champ. You looked me straight in the eye. You were fierce and you weren’t afraid to show it. You knew all about me and you were okay with it. It’s hard to find that in one person. Believe me, I’ve tried. And if you think I’m gonna let you go, you’re insane.” Mo started rubbing my back exactly how I liked to have my back rubbed. 

This was getting much more difficult. There had to be a way to let him down gently.  I knew the words, but they wouldn’t come out of my mouth.

“You caught me off guard,” is what I said. “But I always trust my instincts. And they’re telling me to be all in. Ride or die.”

“Ride or die,” said Mo. He said other stuff, too. Then, things escalated and before long, I was invoking the Lord’s name. I do that in the heat of the moment. #sorrynotsorry

ABOUT RACHEL ABUGOV

Rachel is a recovering standup comic, former mental health admin, cat lady, foodie and lover of classic rock. She’s lived most of my life in Montreal, which is the Most Romantic City in North America.

She can't remember a time when she wasn't a reader, and therefore, a wannabe writer. Her first attempt at novel-writing was when she was 11, and she restarted in seriousness around four years ago.  

Rachel writes women's contemporary fiction  - snarky but sweet (that means closed-door sex scenes but lots of sarcasm and  tons of schmoopiness) The longer she writes, the more her characters resemble facets of herself and echo her life experiences. She'll let you decide whether that's a Good Thing or not.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon 

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

1 Winner will receive a $10 Amazon Gift Card, International.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I Hate Men by Pauline Harmange Review

 

Originally published under Moi les hommes, je les déteste, Pauline Harmange's book was nearly banned in France for its feminist themes and honest, objective views on why so many men think we simply can't stand them.

With only 80 pages, Harmange is able to capture the essence of modern feminist attitudes through the looking glass of why hating men can be seen as a response to sexism. Girls grow and mature into women and are expected to be able to put up with constant harassment and lewd gestures, yet boys will be boys - leaving no room for growth and responsibility to be taken by men, even well into adulthood.

Misandry. Harmange jumps right into what is considered by men to be the ultimate crime that women commit against men. That we simply hate me so much, that we fall onto an extreme on a scale that merely counters their own disrespect towards women. Whereas misandry is used throughout these essays as a negative feeling towards men and not complete and total hatred, men weaponize it against feminists in order to justify why they won't identify as feminists themselves. When men state that they are feminists, they are met with applause and worshipped for their "progressive attitudes and understanding nature," but when we as women state that we are feminists, we are met with sneers and side-eye glances, commonly followed with the notorious "equal rights, equal fights" statement. Why is it a man's first reaction to counter being treated equally with "I should be able to hit a woman"?

"Are standards so low that men are really allowed to get off so lightly?"

I absolutely love the way Harmange explains misandry and how she is unapologetically an misandrist. She exemplifies the reasons behind why so many women are quick to say that they are merely joking when they call themselves a misandrist, to make sure that everyone knows that they don't really hate men, and why that simply does not apply to her philosophy. It's refreshing. The commentary and comparison on misandry versus misogyny is compelling and places the drastic differences right in front of your nose.

Women are so often taught and observe that they cannot be angry. That they cannot show anger or aggression or displeasure in a situation without being viewed as emotional, volatile, or unhinged. But when a man expresses anger, he is viewed as commanding, assertive, and domineering. Much like Harmange, I too relate to replacing anger with frustration and the occasional crying session - if we cannot express anger, it's the next best thing. But of course, we are then viewed as emotional and not put together, unable to properly express emotions without being put into a box by - you guessed it! - men. Men, who I would like to point out, are praised for showing anger and aggressiveness - something that women can't seem to afford.

An absolutely compelling essay, I recommend I Hate Men to anyone who has been confronted with opposing views towards their feminist outlook and justified misandry. Modern feminism is being attacked by men who are too fragile to simply "shut up and listen" to women in today's society.

You can add I Hate Men now on Goodreads, and follow the author to stay updated on publications and releases.

You can catch up with me and my current reads by friending me on Goodreads and following this blog in order to stay up-to-date with any reviews, blog tours, and more!